The Hitlist

Chapters

Inferno (No. 54)
Candy Coated (No. 91)
Legion (No. 26)
Silk (No. 25) Part 1
Silk (No. 25) Part 2
The Chimera (No. 47)
The Jagter Tribe (No. 61)
The Mailmare (No. 88)

Inferno (No. 54)

Author's Note

Sorry in advance if I offend some ahead. I'm trying to diversify a lot of characters and create a world so I may not translate a lot of words or names correctly.

Inferno (No. 54)

Previously on the Hitlist

“Rayleigh Redwood. Previous Captain of the Royal Guard. Earth Pony. Wanted on nearly seven hundred counts of theft, two hundred counts assault, bribery, blackmail, etc., and wanted in nearly twenty different countries.”

“He gave himself up?”

“I’m not speaking to anyone but Twilight Sparkle.”

“My name is Cloudy Gust. Your brother has sent us to escort you to Canterlot,”

“Close to 48 hours ago a bounty was placed on the head of our little princess here. 800 million bits. You’re being hunted.”

"You’re the Element of Loyalty. Meet the Element of Deceit. I’ll screw over anypony that gets in my way. And it just so happens that today that pony happens to be you.”

“Twilight. Something just feel’s off about her since she got back. And she still hasn’t told us where she went.”

“Let me be straight with you. You don’t piss off an alicorn."

“For my friends, please help me become stronger.”

“How much stronger do you want to become, princess?”

“As powerful as I can."

Inferno (No. 54)

The sun beat down from above as the Manehattan streets quickly became filled with ponies. The Equestrian Leader Summit was coming up and the Mayor of Manehattan was preparing for his annual trip to Canterlot to visit and converse with other leaders of state, including the princesses. The mayor opened the front door to Hillton Towers, the home of him and his lovely wife and son. Though the mayor lived quite far above the ponies on the street, most couldn’t help but love him. He was a plump stallion with a slicked back hay colored mane and tan coat. The suit he wore definitely represented a pony of his station as he kept a small golden ruby encrusted pin on his lapel, a gift from his wife earlier that year. The paparazzi instantly swarmed him as he approached the steps. “Whew,” he huffed as he passed a hoof over his forehead. “It’s a scorcher today, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Mayor High Horse,” a small secretary pony to his left said.

“Mayor High Horse!” the paparazzi shouted as their cameras flared. One reporter pushed his way to the front. “Mayor High Horse! What kind of things will you be discussing with the princesses at the Summit?”

“Now, now,” the mayor chuckled. “The princesses are just like any other pony. Equestria has had a long streak of good fortune this year, so I doubt we’ll have much to talk about. But I am looking forward to speaking with my constituents.”

The paparazzi immediately seized on the lull at the end of the question and blasted out another wave of them. Two big earth ponies in black suits and sunglasses immediately got between the mayor and them. “The mayor will answer any and all questions the press may have after the summit,” the secretary said as she ushered the mayor into a carriage and closed the door.

“Ow!” the mayor blurted abruptly as one of the guards slammed the door behind him.

“Mist High Horse?” the secretary asked. “Did you clip your hoof?”

“Naw, naw,” the mayor answered with a slight chuckle. “Just a little bee sting is all.”

The secretary pulled his hoof over to her. “Let me take a look at it.” The mayor held out his hoof for the secretary to inspect and both were surprised. “What in the world?”

Dug into his hoof was not a bee’s stinger but instead a miniscule needle with a small almost unnoticeable amber vial attached to it. By all accounts it actually did look like a little bee. “Well whatever it is we should probably get it off,” the mayor said as he flicked his other hoof at it. Suddenly the vial shattered and a bright red flame sprouted from it. The mayor screamed as it spread fast and engulfed his whole leg. The secretary began to scream too as the fire spread even faster in the enclosed spaces and jumped over to her. Finally the guards outside took notice of the sounds and opened the door to the carriage. The mayor stumbled out on his knees, writhing in agony as the orange flames consumed him. For a few moments the ponies present could do nothing as the guards worked to put out the fire on the mayor and the carriage. Then the cameras began to click again. Once again, and accompanying the dying screams of the mayor of Manehattan, the paparazzi did their job.

“Good Evening, Sister,” Luna said sleepily as she stretched after got up from her day of rest. Celestia was preparing her speech to the Summit in two days as her younger sister entered her room. She smiled.

“It’s nice to see you up and about so early,” Celestia said cheerfully. “The sun hasn’t even turned red.”

“Yes, I know,” Luna replied with a smile. “I just wanted to talk to you before you went to bed.”

Celestia stopped reading her speech and looked up. “What’s on your mind?”

Luna walked toward her sister and turned her head thoughtfully. “I’ve been hearing rumors about a criminal in the country.”

“Yes,” Celestia replied sadly. “That Pegasus from overseas. Rest assured I’ve already locked him away. He won’t be a harm to anypony from now on.” She paused as she turned to her sister concerned. “I’m sorry, though. If you wanted to be a part of the ruling I can review the case.”

Luna shook her head. “No, please, I trust you, Tia. However the Pegasus is not whom I refer to.”

Celestia set her speech down and now turned to her sister fully. “Oh, and who might you mean?”

Luna looked into her sister’s eyes with a slight frown as Celestia could feel her younger sibling trying to read her. “I speak of this character Rayleigh Redwood. A criminal from my time away.”

Celestia nodded her head with a serious look. “Redwood is a dangerous individual to be sure.”

Luna sat down. “I’ve heard whispers from some of the guards that he appeared for a brief time two days ago. However, there has been no sign of him since then.”

Celestia steepled her hooves and sighed. “Yes, I’ve heard reports of this as well. Redwood is extremely skilled and adaptable. It is why he has evaded our eyes for so very long.”

Luna’s eyes did not break contact with Celestia as she seemed to study every move they made. “Sister, you’re not hiding anything from me, are you?”

Celestia smiled with a chuckle. “Not for the moment. Why?”

Luna frowned again but shook her head and turned away with a laugh. “It’s nothing. I just simply… No, it’s nothing.” She got up to leave but turned back. “There is one more thing though.” Celestia smiled as she waited for her sister’s request. “I’ve been looking to find some more ponies for the Lunar Guard, but not many sign up. I was hoping you could agree to the requisition of some of the newest Academy graduates. I would just feel more comfortable if we had an equal fighting strength for both the day and night. Especially if criminals like this Redwood are around.”

Celestia got up and walked over to embrace her sister. Luna embraced her back. “I know you can be a worrywart, Lulu. But I’ve been holding this place together for a thousand years. And while I think it shines a thousand times brighter with you by my side, you don’t have to worry about hoofing off some responsibilities.” Luna looked up at her sister with a smirk and Celestia rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you, Tia,” Luna smiled as she once again began to leave. “By the way, what crime did this Rayleigh Redwood commit? The records I dug up indicated he was once the Captain of the Guard. What would drive a pony away from that?”

Celestia’s smile fell slightly. “The same thing that drove Shining Armor away… Love.”

Before Luna could reply a page knocked on the open door and bowed his head. “Your majesties, I apologize for my rude interruption but something of urgent matter has come up.” He walked past Luna and hoofed Celestia a sealed scroll before bowing once more and leaving.

Celestia broke the seal and read the contents, her face growing pale. Luna ran to her side. “What is it, sister?”

Twilight tossed and turned in her bed. It had been a week since the Mailmare incident. Thankfully with no present threat detected, Shining Armor had agreed to let Twilight go home to Ponyville. Of course it was under the strict supervision of several armed guards but that was a simple price to pay. Still, all the stuff that happened was pretty hard to explain to her friends. In the end, she decided to tell them a half truth and simply say that the guards the incident and her own disappearance were matters that were “above their concern.” Needless to say her friends hadn’t taken it too well.

“What do you mean ‘above our concern’?” Rainbow shouted indignantly. The day after the Mailmare incident the six had convened at Sugarcube Corner. Applejack especially was interested in hearing about what was going on, so she wasn’t entirely pleased when she heard Twilight’s reply.

“Rainbow’s right, Twi,” Applejack said with a frown. “If you’re involved in somethin’ its only right to include us.”

“Believe me, I would,” Twilight replied as she caught a glance of Applejack’s black cast. Thoughts of her own failure bubbled to the surface and she gritted her teeth and lied again. “But… Shining says it’s confidential.” To be specific Shining had told her she could tell her friends about the danger she was in, but he asked her to keep Redwood and CRO a secret.

“What?” the girls all asked in unison.

“What’s going on is… something super secret,” Twilight mumbled through her teeth, “and he only wants me to know about it. I would tell if I could. But… I don’t want to disobey my brother.”

“Oh, well that makes sense,” Pinkie said as she took a sip from her soda.

“Indeed,” Rarity agreed. “I suppose if its Royal business and the captain of the guard is involved then there’s no helping it.”

“Ex-captain,” Applejack corrected her with a look. Twilight could tell that her friend, the Element of Honesty, was not convinced. “Shining Armor gave up his command when he went to the Crystal Empire. Couldn’t you at least tell us what he’s doin’ back here?” She didn’t break eye contact for a moment.

“Actually, he’s more here on more of a consulting basis,” Twilight feigned again as she tried to smile. “In fact you already met the pony who replaced him as Captain of the Guard and is using him for his expertise.”

“Who?” Fluttershy spoke up.

“That Pegasus mare, Cloudy Gust.”

Rainbow spit out her soda in surprise. “What!?”

Twilight wiped the soda from her eyes and frowned at Rainbow before continuing. “Yeah, my brother told me she took over his position after he left.”

Rainbow tried to say something but never finished a thought. “But she… I mean… Well maybe it…”

“Are you okay, darling?” Rarity asked as she put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.

Rainbow started and looked back at the group. “No… I mean yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just kind of… surprised me is all.”

“I’m not surprised,” Pinkie said happily. “I mean she looks pretty strong. Plus she outflew you, Dashie.”

Rainbow spit up her soda once more, to Twilight’s chagrin. “How did you know that?!”

“I have my ways,” Pinkie laughed maniacally. Cupcake walked past the table with a tray.

“We saw you two arrive together,” she said with a smirk. “Sorry, Rainbow.” She left again and paused by the register where her husband was hiding behind the counter shaking. “Oh, grow up, dear.”

Rainbow lowered her head as she bit her lip. Suddenly the group didn’t feel as cheery as before.

Fluttershy began to speak up, “Um, it’s okay if you lost one-” A loud bang suddenly interrupted her.

Applejack lifted her good hoof from the table, everypony now paying attention to her. “Applejack?” Twilight asked. “What is it?”

“Stop gettin’ off topic,” she mumbled. “Why don’t you wanna talk about what happened?!”

Twilight looked down sullenly, not hiding herb feelings very well. “I told you, my brother-”

Applejack pulled away from her seat and got up. “Ah’ve heard enough.”

“Applejack!” Rarity shouted as her friend left for the exit. “Where are you going?”

“Home,” Applejack said without turning around. “To mah family who’d never lie to me.”

“I, um, guess I’ll be going as well,” Rarity said hesitantly as she got up and left the bits for her and Applejack’s drink. “I’ll see you girls soon.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow replied as she too got up. “Be seeing you.” She dropped her bits and flew out the window.

Twilight watched her friends leave and turned to Fluttershy and Pinkie. “Um, I suppose I should head home too,” Fluttershy said and got up, leaving her bits.

Twilight’s head sank as she knew what was coming next. She turned to Pinkie. “I suppose you want to leave now too?”

“I work here,” Pinkie replied with a slight frown as she grabbed the empty soda bottles and placed them on a tray before collecting the bits.

“Oh… right.” Twilight paid her bits and left the store as well.

That scene in the café had been gnawing at her for the past week. She hadn’t really seen her friends since then. Thanks to it she was finding it hard to prepare for the Equestrian Leaders Summit let alone sleep. But no matter what screwy little thing running through her mind, be it her friends, her bounty or even the Summit, she still couldn’t help but think of Redwood. She had met him for a brief moment after the events of last week, and then he just disappeared without saying a word. Didn’t he say he would train her? Or… maybe not in those exact words, but he heavily implied that he would be around. She needed to become stronger. If villains like the Mailmare were going to start coming after her friends then she needed to become as powerful as she possibly could. Twilight let out a sigh as she rolled over in bed one more time.

She heard a knock on her door. Twilight groaned as she sat up. “What is it?”

“Princess Sparkle, your brother is requesting your presence,” a soldier’s voice came from the other side of the door.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “It’s late, tell him I’ll be there in the morning.”

“It’s 10 am, princess,” the soldier replied.

Twilight shot up in bed and pulled the curtains back to reveal a sunny summer day. “Ugh,” she moaned.

Shining Armor rubbed his temples as he sat in front of the magical glass cage Redwood was imprisoned in. “You seriously can’t tell me anything?”

“You have the Mailmare’s dragon lighter,” Redwood replied smugly. “I’m sure that’s connected to a wealth of information you could use.”

“It is,” Shining said through hissed teeth. “So much so that we have twenty CRO agents tasked to sift through it all. But I know this would go a lot faster if you told me what you know about the events in Manehattan.”

“Spontaneous combustion,” Redwood said dryly. “An interesting phenomenon. Ancient doctors used to believe the body was composed of two magical resonances, fire and ice. They thought certain swellings meant the resonances were out of balance. Too much fire and you could explode, too much ice and you could freeze entirely.”

Shining glared at Redwood. “Is that your answer?”

He shook his head. “No, but it’s an interesting tidbit don’t you think?”

The two heard a loud knock from behind. A pony at the entrance to the underground warehouse opened the door and let in a green earth pony escorting Twilight.

“Thank you,” Shining said to the Earth pony. “You’re dismissed, Sidq.”

The pony bowed and left leaving Twilight to walk down the stairs. She glared at her brother first but then noticed the large glass box. She kept herself from drawing a sharp breath as she composed herself and walked forward. She raised an eyebrow almost amusingly. “Wow, so you escape the long arm of the law just to get caught again? Shiny, didn’t you say he’s been on the run for over twenty years?”

“I turned myself in again, Miss Sparkle,” Redwood replied. He shrugged, displaying his new thick black shackles. “What can I say, I like to collaborate.”

Twilight’s eyes slightly widened at the enormous size of the shackles Redwood currently had. “Um, Shiny, how much do those weigh?”

“You don’t wanna know,” Shining mumbled and got up to all fours. “Alright, Redwood. Twilight’s here, so give us the information we need.”

“Information?” Twilight asked.

Shining bowed his head and turned to her with a saddened face. “Manehattan’s mayor died yesterday afternoon.”

Twilight gasped. “Oh no.”

“We have reason to believe that this may be murder. If so it could put every official at the Summit in jeopardy. Redwood implies to know a lot of things but now it’s time he puts his bits where his mouth is.”

Redwood laughed. “What makes you so sure it was murder? I hear the mayor of Manehattan was beloved, just who would want to kill him?”

“His secretary was severely burned but she survived long enough to give us a word. ‘Bee.’” Shining was silent as he let the word sink in for Twilight and Redwood, whose face gave nothing away. “Well, does that ring any bells?”

Redwood folded his forelegs, an act that should have been impossible with his enormous shackles. “Well, your right about this being a hit. Might be a little wrong about the motive though.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

Redwood smirked. “Tell me, Miss Sparkle, have you ever read the works of Donte?”

Twilight’s face lit up as a literature question was posed. “The Bitalian poet? Of course! He’s only one of my favorite ancient writers. Subclass fiction writers. Subclass poets. Subclass…” she paused as Shining stare down at her with a frown. “I mean, go on.”

“Then you’re probably familiar with Donte’s Inferno?” Redwood asked.

“Who isn’t?” Twilight asked happily.

“I’m not,” Shining said dryly.

“Oh,” Twilight said. “Well, it’s about this pony that travels to Hell, the realm below Tartarus, and visits the nine circles of Hell.”

“Beautiful work of fiction,” Redwood replied. “Brings me to tears. You know, I actually got to read from a real first edition copy illustrated by Donte himself.”

“Really!?” Twilight shouted.

“Yeah, it was ten or twelve years ago and I had just met this art dealer named Golden Ratio who turned out to be-”

“Enough!” Shining shouted as he slammed his hoof down on the ground hard. The two book lovers quieted immediately. “What does this have to do with anything?”

Redwood uncrossed his hooves and leaned forward in his chair. “I bring it up because the killer you’re looking for goes by the moniker Inferno. Though it’s probably for a different reason than the book.”

“Why?” Shining asked through gritted teeth.

“Because he incinerates his victims,” Redwood replied. “Burns them to a crisp.”

“No, I mean why did he target the mayor of Manehattan?”

Redwood smirked. “Okay, so I didn’t bring up the story for no reason. Inferno is originally from the Romane Empire, Bitaly specifically. There he was indoctrinated at a young age into an order called the Cult of the Sun.”

“The Cult of the Sun?” Shining remarked.

“It’s a religious order that worships the goddess of the sun,” Twilight replied matter-of-factly.

“So they worship Celestia?” Shining asked.

“Actually no,” Redwood replied. “Believe it or not the Cult predates the Sisters. In fact it would probably be from a little before Starswirl’s time. Back then there were no gods walking among us. There was just the ponies and the earth. Since the dawn of time ponies have worshipped that which they couldn’t understand. The sun is a part of that.”

“The goddess they worship is called Solaris,” Twilight finished. “I know it sounds odd, but they’re actually a pretty well respected sect in the Romane Empire.”

“Except for Inferno,” Redwood continued. “Who became a zealot. Killed twelve members of his order before running off and starting a country wide killing spree.”

“Okay, stop,” Shining said as he waved his hooves in front of him. “Now I need to know, how the hay do you know so much about this pony?”

“We’ve… crossed paths,” Redwood replied trying to avoid eye contact. “Once or twice.”

Shining narrowed his eyes and chuckled slightly. “You were supposed to be a victim.”

Redwood rolled his eyes. “He may have tried to kill me, yes. But as you can see the attempt failed. I however made sure to learn everything I could about my foe.”

“Except where to find him,” Twilight finished with a smirk.

“He can be rather elusive, yes,” Redwood replied. “But I tracked his origin by looking backward through the murders. The one before me was a Saddle Arabian warlord. The two before that were high ranking executives in Prance. The two before that were princes in Marelan. So on and so forth.”

Shining rubbed her chin in thought. “So he kills two of the same types of ponies at a time. Why?”

“Who knows?” Redwood shrugged. “Dichotomy of night and day? Representing the rising of the sun and the setting? Or he could just be insane.”

“So how did he kill the mayor?” Shining asked. “Nopony was close enough to throw anything incendiary.”

Redwood was about to reply when the door burst open and the pony called Sidq ran in. “Sir! We might have a lead on the murder weapon.”

Redwood smirked at Shining. “See, don’t sell your own resources short.”

“What am I looking at?” Shining asked as he, Twilight, Cloudy Gust and several other ponies had gathered around the crystal balls to watch a projection. Sidq settled on an image of a small red fly that had to have been magnified immensely since it was so tiny.

“We found this while sifting through the Mailmare’s resources,” Sidq replied. “Meet the Mareitanian Flare Fly. It’s a species native to the Zebra and Camel countries that’s found in harsh swampy environments.”

Shining squinted his eyes at it. “I guess it looks like a bee. So you think Inferno used one of these things to light the mayor on fire?”

“Not likely,” Sidq replied. “The Flare Fly is very erratic. However its oil is extremely valuable.”

“Oil?” Twilight asked.

“Watch this,” Sidq said with a smile. He began to scroll through the pictures of the Flare Fly as a larger bug approached and attempted to grab it. The fly then expelled an amber liquid that burst into a thin flame the moment it hit the bug.

“That’s interesting but it doesn’t look like the oil would be enough to burn the mayor to a crisp,” Cloudy pointed out.

“True,” Sidq smiled. “If that were all that Flare Fly oil was made out of. What you saw was just fluid. When exposed to the air it combusts, but collect enough of the stuff and store it correctly then you can add this.” He slid his hoof on the crystal again and an image of a chemical formula popped up. “It’s-”

“It’s an accelerant,” Twilight interrupted, her eyes glued to the screen. “This is what he mixes in?”

Sidq sat back in his chair. “Police report doesn’t give us any chemicals in the carriage. However, the secretary is another story. Since not all her skin was burned I had the doctors in Manehattan take a magical tox screen of the affected areas. That’s where I found the accelerant. The Flare Fly stuff was just a bit of luck.”

“So we know who and we know how,” Shining spoke up. “Now we just need to know the murder weapon and the next victim.”

“Sir, if I may speak,” Cloudy asked.

“You don’t need to ask my permission for anything, captain,” Shining replied. “But go ahead.”

“Is it not possible we’re dealing with another pony after Princess Sparkle’s life?”

Shining thought about it for a minute. “It makes sense. I mean you are technically a diplomat like Mayor High Horse was.”

“But I’m also a princess,” Twilight replied. “Shouldn’t he have gone after Luna or Celestia or…” She hesitated in bringing up Cadence’s name.

“The princesses are some of the most protected individuals on the planet, Cadence included. And let’s consider the Summit too. It’s a conference of Equestria’s leaders, and you’re a leader.” Twilight looked her brother in the eye as she suddenly felt the burden on her become even heavier. “Right now I want you quarantined to CRO. I’ll speak with the princesses about maybe taking you off the roster of the Summit as well.”

“What?!” Twilight asked. “I can’t just abandon the Summit.”

“You’re not abandoning anypony,” Shining said as he put his hooves on her shoulders. “In fact, you not being there might just save some lives in case Inferno targets others to get to you.”

Twilight frowned but nodded as she was forced to agree. “Alright, I’ll stay here.”

Shining gave a sigh of relief. “Just to be sure though, I’ll have somepony watching you.” He turned to Sidq. “Sidq, I’m hoping you’re up to the task?”

Sidq fumbled in his chair as he sat upright and saluted. “Sir, yes, sir.”

“With Cadence attending the Summit, I’m going to be needed back at the Crystal Empire. Captain Gust, I’m leaving the security of the event as well as the safety of my wife in your capable hooves.”

Cloudy frowned but saluted. “Sir, yes, sir.”

“As for the rest of you,” he called out to the room. “I want you to scour every scroll, magical recording and photo we have and find what this pony looks like.” He pointed at the screen which simply held the name “Inferno” and a series of unfilled in categories like age, sex, and date of birth. “Coordinate with the dates and names that Redwood gave us. A lot of the ponies this maniac has killed were high profile, there’s got to be a picture of him out there somewhere.”

The room immediately began to move and bustle. Sidq got up from his chair and walked over to Twilight. “So, would you like me to take you to bed, Miss Sparkle? I mean your ROOM, Miss Sparkle. I mean PRINCESS SPARKLE. Whew. Sorry, I’m kind of bad at this.”

Twilight giggled at the green pony’s naivety. “Just Twilight is fine. And it’s a little early for bed how about we take a walk.”

Sidq checked the clock on the wall. “Right,” he said with an awkward smile and wave toward the hall. “Right this way then.”

Located between Canterlot and Manehattan is a tunnel. Probably the longest Diamond Dog dug tunnel in Southern Equestria. It runs so deep below the city that nopony is aware of it, even sewer workers. However despite its grand scale, this was a place abandoned by the Diamond Dogs of old. Not because of discovery, but because it had been visited by something far more terrifying than any Diamond Dog. This tunnel was now its home, and most of Equestria would probably like it that way, if they knew of its existence. It was through this tunnel that a tall pony in tattered rags now walked. The area around him bathed completely in darkness, yet every step he took was sure and true.

A menacing gurgle echoed off the walls making the pony stop for a moment. His ears flipped up from under his hood yet his head remained perfectly still. “Qui ductor est ibi?” the pony croaked in a voice rattled with scars. “What was that?

The gurgling returned in number as the sound of slithering accompanied it. This time the ponies head did turn as his eyes followed an unseen moving entity in the darkness. A crooked smile creased his lips as he had a throaty chuckle. “Serpens?”

“Snake?”
The sound of the creature grew louder as its gurgling mouth reared up and high above the pony. He simply looked back up at it. “Magna serpens.”

“Giant Snake.”
The pony slowly reached into his rags as he pulled out a small match to a candle. He lit it just as the giant three jawed worm opened its mouth in front of him to roar. Spittle and mucus flew at the pony, splattering him and his clothes. The pony did not react as he dropped the candle, letting it illuminate the area. He then took off his rags to reveal a body almost devoid of fur, with burn marks emblazoned on his skin in intricate patterns resembling the sun and other celestial bodies. He stood to his full height and cracked his neck before his horn blazed with magic to lift a small crossbow from his rags. The magic also worked to load up a small bolt equipped with a tiny amber vial. The pony grinned as his white eyes seemed to stare past the giant worm. “nunc mortuus es.”

“Now you die.”
The worm roared once more as the pony did as well. The two charging at one another in the deep dark tunnel just as the candle burnt out.

Fluttershy decided to go for a walk on the outskirts of town by her house. She too was having a hard time forgetting the fiasco at Sugarcube Corner. Applejack and Rainbow Dash simply hadn’t been the same since that day, Twilight’s Birthday. Applejack had grown distant and refused to talk to one of her best friends while Rainbow Dash simply locked herself away in her room most of the time. Fluttershy was walking down the road when she looked up and saw that she had unconsciously come to Sweet Apple Acres. With a determined face she steeled herself and entered the farm, ready to talk to her friend about whatever was going on.

Big Mac was pulling a plow through the dirt as she approached him. “Hello, Big Mac. Beautiful day isn’t it?” Fluttershy greeted happily.

Big Mac dropped his plow and wiped some sweat from his brow. “Eeyup.”

“Have you seen Applejack anywhere?” Fluttershy asked.

As if in answer the sound of the screen door to the Apple family’s home swung shut as Applejack burst through. “Ah told you Ah’m fine! Ah can buck a hundred apples with one hoof.” She yelled as she descended the porch and headed for the orchard. Granny Smith followed her out with a concerned look.

“Ya can’t balance a buck with one hoof,” she said. “Especially with those trees.”

“Ah’ve been buckin’ these here trees since Ah was this tall,” Applejack retorted by lifting her good hoof to a small height. She slightly lost her balance as she raised it but caught herself before she could fall. “There’s no way, I’m fallin’ behind on mah work.” Granny Smith tried to dissuade her but Applejack was set as she left for the orchard.

Fluttershy walked up beside Granny Smith as they watched her go. “That one’s as stubborn as her mother,” Granny said with a sigh. She turned to Fluttershy. “You’re her pal. Go see if you can’t talk some gosh darn sense into her.”

“Well, I’ll try,” Fluttershy mumbled as she ran off to where Applejack was. Despite her injury, Applejack still moved quite fast. Fluttershy saw her pause before an apple tree as she turned to face away from it, making sure to tighten the straps of her cast. Applejack took a deep breath and planted her one good hoof into the ground before rearing back with her cannons. However just as Granny Smith said, the balance was off and she tilted to the left of the tree. Applejack flailed as her kick instead broke off a chunk of the tree’s side as she fell down on her bad leg.

“Darn it,” she hissed as she tried to get back up. Fluttershy rushed over and grabbed her shoulders.

“Here,” she said softly as she set Applejack up and began to look at her hoof. “You’re really not taking it easy.”

Applejack chuckled with a wince. “What gave you that idea?”

“Maybe the fact that this cast should have come off days ago,” Fluttershy said with a sweet smile. “You heal pretty fast, everypony knows it.”

Applejack breathed in as Fluttershy set the cast once more. She looked down at it and sighed. “Maybe it’s not the injury on the outside that’s hurtin’.” Fluttershy chuckled softly. “What’s so funny?”

“I just never expected to hear something profound like that from you.” The two looked at each other before sharing a laugh. Fluttershy finished off fixing the cast and pulled back. “So why are you mad at Twilight?”

Applejack sighed again as she looked down. “It’s just… Ah saw somethin’… that day.” Fluttershy tilted her head thoughtfully indicating her to speak on. “Ah saw Twilight when she came, when she saved us.”

“That was pretty amazing,” Fluttershy said. “My forest friends told me that none of the animals were hurt either. Apparently Twilight sent them all off to an isolated part of the forest.”

“But that’s just it,” Applejack said. “Have ya ever seen Twilight use that kind of power?”

Fluttershy shrugged. “Well, maybe not that much. But Twilight is a princess now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has powers she’s just discovering.”

Applejack nodded. “But… she did lie to us.”

“Only because she had to,” Fluttershy said.

“And what if that’s another lie?” Applejack retorted indignantly. She calmed down and turned away. “Sorry.”

Fluttershy closed her eyes and smiled peacefully. “I don’t have an ability like you, Applejack. I can’t tell when somepony is lying. But I do have something that I’ve never told anypony.”

Applejack’s ears perked up. “What’s that?”

“I can tell when somepony is acting out of kindness,” Fluttershy smiled. “And I can assure you. Whatever Twilight is doing, whatever… strange things you believe may or may not be real. She is doing it out of the kindness of her heart.”

Fluttershy’s words fell on Applejack like a ton of bricks. Maybe she had acted too hastily. After all, this was her friend. No matter what she was part of, she should be able to trust her judgment. Just like Twilight could trust hers. A smile crept over Applejack’s face as she turned back to Fluttershy. “Y’know you should really talk more often cause you got some pretty nice things to say.” Fluttershy chuckled as she helped her friend up and they walked back to the house.

Twilight had been walking with Sidq through the streets of Canterlot for a while. The sun had already set and the streetlights had begun to blaze to life. After leaving the Academy, Sidq and Twilight had engaged in some nice conversation. Apparently the green earth pony enjoyed academics just like her. They talked began by talking about astrophysics and then eased their way into pre-hearthian era literature. “Fascinating,” Sidq said. “So this pony was raised in complete seclusion. The poem was even probably the only thing he could read.”

“I know,” Twilight agreed as they talked about the criminal they now faced. “The Cult of the Sun is very secretive. Not much is known about it.”

“For good reason,” Sidq nodded. “Their compound is considered taboo for anypony both within and without the Romane Empire to enter. Only those of the cult.”

Twilight smiled a little bit at the pony’s knowledge. Sidq was a bit thin for a pony his age, but he had certain determination in his eyes that Twilight saw in most of the members of CRO. His mane was short and black with a small hole through his right ear that indicated he used to have a piercing. She glanced at his hind quarters for a moment as they walked but his red uniform obscured what she was looking for. “Um, I don’t mean to be rude but…” she murmured as she nodded to his flank.

“Oh! No problem at all,” Sidq replied. He lifted the flap of his uniform to reveal a picture of a parchment and magnifying glass over it.

Twilight smiled. “It’s a lovely cutie mark. What does it mean?”

Sidq sighed as he aimed his face toward the sky with embarrassment. “You’re going to laugh,” he chuckled nervously.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Twilight assured him.

Sidq smiled. “I’m exceptionally good at finding flaws. Inconsistencies. Errors. Stuff like that. Back in Fillydelphia I worked in a courthouse basement organizing the litigations and backstock of cases. There was a judge there whom I’d known since foalhood that saw my skill and got me an interview with the Academy. Two years later, I’m being inducted into CRO.”

Twilight nodded her head as she listened. “So you’re from Fillydelphia? I kind of assumed with the name that…”

Sidq waved a dismissive hoof. “It’s alright. I get it all the time. Actually I was born in Saddle Arabia. My parents immigrated here when I was only a few months old.”

“And what does your name mean?”

“Well, in full it’s Bahit Sidq,” he laughed. “Seriously don’t try to pronounce it. Even I have trouble sometimes. It means Seeking Truth. So if you want you can refer to me as Seek.”

“Seek,” Twilight repeated. “Alright.” She suddenly noticed that the moon had risen in the sky. “Well, it was very nice meeting you Seek. But I should probably head in.”

“Right,” Seek replied as they turned a corner and began their way back to the Academy. They were silent for a moment as Twilight pondered another question.

“So you’ve been with the CRO for a little while, right?” she asked.

“Yup,” Seek replied. “Maybe a couple months before Mr. Redwood showed up.”

“So did you know Captain Gust?” Twilight asked.

Seek frowned as he tried to think of an answer. “Not particularly. Though she works with CRO she’s technically not a part of it.”

Twilight frowned. “What do you mean?”

Seek turned to her with a confused expression. “CRO is a cell of the Royal Guard under the direct control of Princess Celestia. Captain Gust only has jurisdiction over the Guard.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “I… didn’t know that.”

Seek raised an eyebrow. “Pardon my interest, but why do you ask?”

Twilight shook her head to dispel any thoughts she was having. “She’s just such a quiet character I wanted to find out more about her.”

“Well I know one thing about her,” Seek said. “She admires the hay out of your brother.”

Cloudy stood on the balcony of the royal banquet hall overlooking all of Canterlot. She watched from above as the train holding Shining Armor sped away toward the kingdom he now called home. The previous captain’s words hanging in the air around her like a rain cloud. “I’m leaving the security of the event as well as the safety of my wife in your capable hooves.”

In a few short hours this hall would be packed with delegates from all across Equestria. Gust had been captain for close to a year now, yet she had never undertaken security for an event this big. If she was feeling as nervous as this then she dreaded how she would feel preparing for the Grand Galloping Gala. A flash of an image shot through her mind. Fire. Ponies screaming. A hoof draped around her as the ceiling collapses. A face appearing from the wreckage. A face she knew all too well. Then she realized she was a filly in these images. She took a shaky breath and blew out, regaining her focus in this moment. “Get it together, Cloudy,” she mumbled to herself. “No more failures.” The fire flashes through her mind again before disappearing at last. “No more weaknesses.”

“Captain Gust,” a strong feminine voice spoke up as Cloudy regained her composure. She spun around to face the persona of one of her diarchs. Princess Luna stood before the doors to the hall as she stepped into the light of the moon on the balcony. “It is good to see you are preparing for the Summit tomorrow.”

“Yes, princess,” Cloudy replied in her military monotone. “Simply proceeding with my rounds. Can’t be too cautious.”

“Indeed,” Luna replied as Cloudy began to walk past her. “Especially if there is a criminal about.”

Cloudy stopped and turned to the Luna. “Rest assured, your majesty. Nopony will disturb this Summit.”

Luna smiled at Cloudy. “I don’t doubt it, captain.” Cloudy turned to leave again before Luna held up a hoof. “Wait, there is something I wanted to discuss with you.”

Cloudy stopped and bowed to Luna once more. “Your majesty?”

Luna lowered her head as she struggled to voice her concerns. “This… debacle with the mayor of Manehattan has me perplexed and afraid. Afraid for the wellbeing of the delegates. I do not know exactly how this horrible fate came about Mayor High Horse, but I can’t help but feel a dark presence at work. Please keep an extra set of eyes and ears open at all times.”

Cloudy nodded. A part of her wished she could tell Princess Luna of the threat, but her orders came from Celestia. She had an oath to her patron goddess and she would rather die than break it. “I will, princess.”

Luna smiled and waved a hoof in dismissal. “Continue with your duties then. I will wish you a good night.”

“You as well, princess,” she responded with a bow as Luna spread her wings and took off into the night sky.

“Dashie?” Pinkie asked as she knocked on her friend’s door. “DASHIE!” She began to knock even harder.

Rainbow flung the door open with her nightgown still on. She glared at her bubbly pink friend. “Pinkie! It’s two in the morning! What could you possibly want?” Suddenly a thought occurred to Dash and she looked down at the ground thirty hooves below her house. “Wait, how did you…”

“Never mind that,” Pinkie interrupted as she barged in. “I was sleeping having this amazing stupendous dream about chocolate rain when I remembered!”

Rainbow shut her door and rubbed her eyes wearily as she walked back to the foyer where her friend hat sat herself down. “Remembered what?”

“That we didn’t have a party to thank that Gust pony for saving you!” Pinkie replied happily.

Rainbow’s expression soured. “Is that what this is about? Why would you throw her a party?”

“Because she rescued you,” Pinkie said matter-of-factly.

“She did not rescue me!” Rainbow shouted angrily. “I could have gotten out of there any time I wanted. I was… just playing with that psycho! Yeah!”

Pinkie cocked her head quizzically. “Okay, well we should still plan a party. Now I’m thinking balloons and streamers and-”

“Shut up!” Rainbow shouted as she screwed her eyes shut in anger. “Shut up, Pinkie! I’ve had enough of your bullshit tonight! Just go home!” Rainbow breathed heavily before opening her eyes in shock at her own words. She looked up at her friend whose lips now began to quiver and eyes mist over. “Wait, Pinkie, I didn’t mean that…”

Pinkie shot out of her seat and ran past Dash and to the door before disappearing behind it. Rainbow rushed over to the door but when she pulled it open Pinkie was nowhere in sight, both on ground and in the air. Rainbow scanned the surroundings one more time before slamming her hoof into her wall. “Damn,” she muttered before shouting it a bit more angrily. “Damn!” She swung the door shut with a slam. Just below her house nestled against the underside of the cloud it sat on was a small assortment of balloons with a basket attached. It’s only occupant, a crying pink pony.

Dawn came right on schedule as the duties of the royal sisters shifted. Celestia yawned and stretched as she got up from bed and walked to her bedroom mirror. She silently brushed her flowing mane as she considered what needed to be done today. Luna should have returned by now and was in her room. Luckily her sister hadn’t shown a specific interest in attending the Summit. That meant that if anything should happen then she should probably be asleep and away from the action. Still, it made her nervous to think that a killer was still at large and targeting her constituents.

Before Shining Armor left, he made sure to send out a scouting party around Canterlot. The wide net should have been enough to deter or even catch a killer like Inferno, but something was still gnawing at the back of her mind.

She finished brushing her hair and went to her balcony. With a flare of her horn the solar princess commanded the sun to rise and it obeyed. Celestia gave a nod of satisfaction and began her walk to the dining room for breakfast.

She was surprised to find the doors to the dining room already open. Normally nopony would be up this early. She opened the door to peer in and cocked her head in surprise. “Luna?”

Luna looked up from a small steaming cup of coffee and smiled at her older sister. “Glad to see you are up, Tia.”

Celestia walked over to the grandiosely long table and sat down. “What are you still doing up?”

Luna set her coffee down, never breaking her smile. “I’ve decided to attend the Summit.”

Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise but she regained her composure. “Oh, you really don’t need to do that,” she chuckled.

“No,” Luna replied bluntly. “I think it’s only right that both of us be present.” She got up from her seat and walking over to place her coffee cup in front of Celestia. “Besides, I don’t want you to feel overloaded.”

Celestia levitated the cup and brought it to her lips before replying. “We already talked about this, Lulu. You don’t have to worry about me, I’ve handled bigger things on my own before.”

Luna nodded. “Right, well I still think it would look best if I was there.”

Celestia sighed internally as she saw that there was no dissuading her sister. “Very well. But I can assure you it will be boring.”

“I can handle politics,” Luna replied with a laugh before exiting the dining room. Celestia stayed behind as she steepled her hooves on the table in thought. Now she really hoped nothing bad would happen.

Once again, Twilight had a bad night sleeping at CRO. Though the room prepared for her this time had not been as bad as the cell before, she still couldn’t sleep. Once again a pony was after her and others were in the crossfire, even if they were ponies she hardly knew. She sighed as she poured herself some coffee from a table prepared in the main room of CRO.

It didn’t surprise her that so many ponies were still working even at such an early hour. Most probably even worked through the night. A pony passed by her and she waved him over. “Excuse me, has there been any news on Inferno?”

The pony shook her head. “Afraid not, ma’am.” Twilight nodded despondently and let the mare go.

“Glad to see your up,” came a familiar voice. Twilight looked to one of the many desks lining the room. Seek was sitting at one inspecting a crystal ball. She walked over to him and smiled as he did back.

“I couldn’t sleep, looks like you couldn’t either.” The earth pony had bags under his eyes and he looked as if he had been in front of the crystal ball all night.

Seek sighed. “Scouting sweep around Canterlot picked up nothing last night and delegates have already begun to arrive. Either we warded him off, or he’s planning to pop out somewhere we can’t imagine.”

Twilight looked at the crystal ball which had several pictures relating to the Cult of the Sun on it. One that intrigued her was a painting of a beautiful unicorn seemingly strung up to what appeared to be a pyre. Twilight narrowed her eyes and pointed to the picture making it enlarge. “What’s this?”

Seek looked and shrugged. “I thought I might find something by researching the history of the Cult. Found a couple scrolls pertaining to traditions and rules, but nothing that could help us. So then, on a hunch, I started looking up religious artwork. Turns out the Cult has some pretty bizarre history.” He pulled out a scroll that he had stashed beneath his desk and unrolled it before handing it to her. “Meet Glow D’Arc. A Prench warrior princess that was persecuted and executed by the Cult.”

Twilight frowned. “Why?”

Seek shrugged again. “Don’t know. Apparently she was pretty well revered in Prance. Some even equated her unearthly glow to being like the sun. From all records she was a just and proper ruler.”

Twilight’s frown deepened. She looked back at the picture in the crystal. Something about it just seemed… odd. Familiar even. Then she pictured the burning unicorn with wings. Her eyes widened. “Oh no!”

Seek sat up in surprise. “What?”

Twilight turned and began to run up the stairs to the door. “Inferno isn’t after me or anypony else in the Summit,” she shouted and stopped at the door to look back at Seek. “He’s after the host!”

Cloudy stood at attention as guest after guest filed into the grand hall of the Canterlot palace. Ponies of all shapes and sizes came, even a zebra surprisingly. Inside, Princess Celestia as well as Princess Luna greeted each and every one of them. When the final delegate had arrive Cloudy let out a short sigh of relief. So far, so good.

A unicorn of the Royal Guard approached her. “Captain, we may have a problem.”

Cloudy cursed under her breath. “What is it?” The unicorn pointed out towards the city. A small plume of smoke billowed out. Cloudy growled as she looked between the smoke and the summit inside. She turned back to the unicorn. “Keep your squadron on the delegates at all times.” She turned to another group of armored guards. “You, come with me.” The guards obeyed and Cloudy began to leave but a feminine voice from behind stopped her.

“Is everything alright, Captain?” Princess Cadence asked as she exited the grand hall.

Cloudy steeled herself before turning around. “Everything is fine, your highness. It’s probably just a false alarm.”

“Alright,” Cadence replied. “But be careful.”

“I will, ma’am,” Cloudy replied and took off flying to the scene of the smoke.

About five blocks down from the castle Cloudy and her squadron of pegasi could see the blaze. A small shop had been overtaken by flames. Luckily the fire wasn’t spreading. She wordlessly commanded a couple pegasi to go fetch some rain clouds and began her descent. Her eyes widened and she increased her speed as she noticed a small figure obscured by a collapsed beam of wood in the street. She landed with a thud and grabbed the beam, lifting and throwing it with a grunt. A small older earth pony with glasses struggled to get back to his feet. A guard rushed up to help him.

Cloudy approached the pony and began to question him. “Did you see how this fire started?”

The pony looked around hysterically as he trembled, his glasses cracked and a lens falling out. “I-I-I don’t know w-what happened? One minute I’m stocking the shelves for the morning, then I hear this loud noise from the b-basement. I g-go over to the hatch but… Next thing I know I’m being hurled out the window by a wall of fire!”

Cloudy listened to the story and slowly moved back to examine the scene. The pegasi still hadn’t arrived with the rain yet, but a new picture was coming into view. The building was a small store with a display window, and that window had been ripped open from the inside. No… more like blasted open. A pit began to form in Cloudy’s gut.

“Captain Gust!” a familiar voice shouted. Cloudy looked up to see none other than Twilight Sparkle flying down to the street, out of breath. She stopped and surveyed the scene as well. “No, no, no!”

Cloudy’s bad feeling grew even more and she yelled at her. “Princess, you were given specific orders to remain in CRO. You are in danger!”

Twilight turned to her and shook her head frantically. “No! It’s not me he’s after. The Princess! Princess Celestia! You have to save Princess Celestia!”

Cloudy’s eyes widened and she grit her teeth as she took off into the air.

After Cloudy left the Summit, a pony in the shadows used this as his chance to move. With the last of the delegates having entered the Royal Guard was about to close the gates but a strong pale hoof stopped them. A guard stepped up to the cloaked figure. “Sir, I’m going to need you to step back.”
“Leave,”
“Exite,” the pony sneered and a burst of fire shot from his horn, throwing the guard back. The delegates all turned in shock as the doors were then blasted open throwing the rest of the guards into the walls and knocking them out. A pony in a tattered cloak entered the hall and began to chuckle menacingly.

“Oh no,” Cadence whispered.

“Who are you?” Luna shouted angrily. “How dare you interrupt this royal meeting!”
“Royals?” “I see no royals here. Only impostors.”
“Regium?” the pony chuckled again. “I videbimus regium hic. Tantum seductores.”

“W-What is he saying?” the delegate from Fillydelphia cried.

“It is Ancient Romane,” Luna said disbelievingly. “But who still speaks the old language?”

“No more unwanted guests.”
“St!” the pony hissed, quieting the crowd and drawing the attention of the room. “Hospites non grata.” He turned toward the blown apart door and pulled a bag of powder from his saddle bag. He blew the powder toward the threshold as it caught fire and billowed into towering flames that encircled the whole castle. The pony turned back to the crowd and lowered his hood. All gasped as they saw a nearly furless pony with milky white eyes and burn scars over his face. He grinned with a mouthful of decaying teeth.

Celestia lowered her head to Luna’s side and whispered. “Take care of the delegates, I have a plan.” Luna looked up at her with concern but nodded.

Cloudy and Twilight stopped in midair as they saw a tower of flame begin to encircle and surround the castle. “Damn it, no!” Cloudy shouted as she flew to intercept the flame. It grew as fast as she could fly as she circled the castle trying to find an opening. Finally the fire finished its circle and a blast of heat shot Cloudy backward. Twilight caught her in midair as she tumbled.

“This is bad,” Twilight said shakily.

“You think?” Cloudy shouted back. She caught Twilight’s look and tried to compose herself. “Alright, so what if we just plow our way through.”

“I wouldn’t do tha-” Twilight began but Cloudy was not listening and dive bombed straight toward a window. Right before she could crash through, the flames somehow moved and formed a giant dragon head. Twilight had to pull Cloudy out of the way as the head lunged out and snapped its ethereal jaws at them. “I was going to say that it looks like enchanted fire.”

Cloudy breathed heavily as Twilight held her once more. “Okay, alright. I… I can still handle this.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible,” Twilight disagreed. “We can’t see inside. We have no idea if the delegates are still alive. And the princess is…”

“Quiet!” Cloudy ordered. “I’m thinking.” They were silent for a minute as some screams could be heard from inside over the roar of the fire. Images of the past began to flash through her head. Cloudy grabbed the sides of her head and moaned. “Graaaah! I need an opening!” She turned to Twilight. “Do you think you can hold the fire at bay for a few moments?”

Twilight looked at the vicious blaze and gulped. “I… can try.” She took a deep breath and focused on the fire. Twilight’s eyes began to glow as her power was concentrated. The flames began to disperse but it wasn’t enough. Cloudy encouraged her on.

“Just a little further,” she beckoned.

Twilight furrowed her brow as she began to lose her concentration. “I… I can’t.” She exhaled as the light faded and the fire returned to normal.

Cloudy turned on her. “What was that?!”

Twilight frowned and grit her teeth. “His magic is more powerful than I expected.”

Cloudy got in her face. “If you can’t be of use then go back to CRO, your dead weight out here!”

Twilight was taken aback by those words but she knew them to be true. She just wasn’t strong enough. But she knew somepony who could make her that.

Twilight left the area and a couple of pegasi flew up to Cloudy. “What do we do now, Captain?”

Cloudy looked back at the castle and steeled herself. “Wait for any word from inside. In the meantime I want everypony we’ve got searching the streets for any unicorn with extensive experience with fire magic. Go!”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Seek asked as he and Twilight reached the door at the end of the hallway.

“I’m sure,” Twilight replied. “Open it.”

Seek pulled out a key and inserted it. The door swung open to reveal a familiar large warehouse room with a glass box cell in the center. Redwood sat in his chair staring at the door as if he was waiting for her. “Come for your first lesson?” he asked.

“What are your demands?” Celestia said calmly to the criminal across from her. Inferno had taken u a station on the far side of the grand hall while every other pony stood or sat on the opposite side.
“Do not speak, witch,” “You defile what you represent.”
“Non loqui, malefica,” Inferno shouted in his gritty voice. “Ne polluatis quid repraesentant.”

Celestia’s eyes widened. “You think me a defiler? Why?”
“The Sun is sacred! You control what you have no right to!”
“Solis sacrum! Movere tuum non est praecipere!”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “The sun is my responsibility. It is my duty to make it rise.”
“Liar! It is under your enchantment.”
“Mendacium! Est sub pedibus vestris augurium.”

Celestia could see there was no reasoning with this pony. Whatever Inferno had been through in foalhood had led to him becoming a psychopathic stallion now. There was no room for leniency here. She would have to put a stop to this before any more lives were lost.

Cloudy tapped her hoof impatiently as she stood in front of the raging fire wall. Several of her own unicorn squadrons had attempted to enter but not even twenty unicorns were enough to take out the flames. Suddenly an earth pony guard ran up to her. “Captain!”

“What is it?” she answered.

“We’ve found somepony who might be able to help.” A tall pale unicorn in with glasses and buck teeth walked up from behind him. Cloudy raised an eyebrow.

“You’re an expert in fire magic?” she asked skeptically.

“Uh, no,” the unicorn answered hesitantly. “But I may have a scientific answer to your problem.”

Cloudy narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean?”

The unicorn straightened his glasses as he felt kind of tense and put on the spot. “Um, well, fire feeds off of oxygen in the air. The magic may help form it but without the oxygen it will dissipate. We simply need to form a protective shield around the castle that protects even from air. The fire will eat up the remaining oxygen and voila!” The geeky unicorn waited for a confirmation of what he said but none came and he simply coughed into his hoof.

“Are you insane?!” Cloudy shouted. “That would be the same as cutting off the air of everypony inside!”

“I didn’t say it was a perfect plan,” the unicorn muttered.

Cloudy drew in a deep breath to keep herself from decking the pony upside the head. She turned back to the wall of flames and grimaced. Was that really their only option? More importantly was she really considering it? Perhaps the princesses could survive, but the delegates? That could mean tens of ponies dead or harmed. On the other hoof, if they didn’t act now who knew what could happen inside? “Captain?” the guard asked.

Clouudy let out a sigh. “How many unicorns do we have that can perform barrier spells?”

“Quite a few,” the guard replied. “Captain Armor taught most of his men the technique before he retired.”

Cloudy nodded. “Round them up. We’re going to need them all.”

Most of the members of CRO looked baffled as Princess Twilight walked past them all with Rayleigh Redwood. The gray maned pony simply looked at them all with a friendly smirk. “Lovely day for a walk, wouldn’t you say fellas?” They came to the front doors of the academy but Rayleigh shut them before Twilight could fully open them. “Let’s try a little lesson right now. I don’t want to be seen coming out of the Royal Academy. If anypony saw it it could cause some… confusion.”

“You mean you don’t want anypony to know that you’re working with the Princess?” Twilight asked with a smirk.

“Please, Twilight,” Redwood groaned. “Do not say that.”

“Fine, so what do you want?”

Redwood nodded out to the street. “Teleport us to the problem.” Twilight was about to complain but she remembered that she had accomplished it before. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Redwood put a hoof on her shoulder as light began to fill her eyes and they vanished, reappearing a few blocks away from the palace. Redwood smiled as he looked around. “There, now was that so hard?” Twilight glowered at him as she tried to catch her breath.

“Am I to understand that you are only after me?” Celestia asked Inferno. The insane pyro nodded. “Alright. Why don’t we let the others leave while you and I settle things then?”
“Quiet!” “No one leaves. All will burn.”
“Tace!” Inferno bellowed. “Nemo folia. Omnes ardebit.”

Behind Celestia in the group of delegates, somepony began to move positioning themselves to attack.

Twilight and Redwood rushed to edge of the Royal plaza but stopped short as they saw a crowd gathering. Redwood hid behind a wall. “I don’t think I have to remind you that I’d rather not be seen with you.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Fine, but at least tell me how to stop the fire.” Redwood was about to respond but the voice of Cloudy shouted out.

“Okay all unicorns line up around the castle perimeter!” Twilight raised an eyebrow and floated a little above the crowd to see what Cloudy was doing. She had lined up a couple dozen unicorns around the outskirts of the castle. Cloudy lifted her hoof as they waited for her to give the signal. “Now!”

Twilight looked on in bewilderment as the unicorns each created a barrier that fed into the one next to them. Soon the barriers interlaced until they had fully encapsulated the castle. Twilight frowned, unsure what the Royal Guard wished to accomplish with this. Until the flames began to grow smaller. Twilight’s eyes widened and she gasped. “They’re starving the flame!”

Redwood nodded in appreciation. “I actually like their plan.” Twilight turned on him and glowered again.

“It could kill everypony in there!” she hissed.
He waved a hoof. “Alright, I know. Believe it or not, I’m just as worried as you are. I mean, I have somepony in there too.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “You do?”

Celestia sighed as she resigned herself to what would have to happen. “If you will not listen to reason. Then you will listen to force.”

“As it should be.”
Inferno gave a toothy grin. “Qualis esse debeat.” He drew his head back and blew a spout of orange flames from his mouth. Celestia countered with her own wall of bright yellow flames. But as the two clashed they were surprised to see their own spells dwindling.

“What’s this?” Celestia asked Inferno. The scarred pony merely glared at her hatefully and roared before falling to a knee and breathing hard. Celestia turned around and saw that the delegates had begun to breathe hard as well.

“Tia?” Luna said as she tried to hold one of the ponies up.
“Enough of this,”
“Satis hoc,” Inferno coughed as he pulled out a crossbow and aimed it at Celestia’s head. “Sic semper tyrannis.”

“No!” Luna shouted but the bolt had already fired. Suddenly a blur of white and black zipped by her and Celestia as it jumped in the air, doing a flip and grabbing the bolt midair before slamming it into the ground under one hoof and immediately snuffing out any flames that burst. Celestia and Luna looked on in surprise as a zebra mare stood up and cracked her neck. She wore a simple black jacket with earrings and the stripes around her flank resembled the shape of a leaf. While the other ponies were breathing heavily, this zebra seemed fine.

“Who are you?” Celestia asked in disbelief. The zebra turned to her and smiled. Inferno roared with rage and attempted to stumble at the mare but the zebra simply raised a back leg before driving it into the pony’s gut. Inferno crumpled to the floor and began to mumble incoherent curses.

Twilight pushed her way past the crowd to Cloudy. “Captain, you’ve got to stop this!”

Cloudy turned to Twilight with a conflicted expression. “It’s the only way in. We have no idea what’s going on in there.” The flames finally faded into the ground and Cloudy gave a sigh of relief. “Alright, drop the barrier.” All the unicorns’ horns lost their glow and dropped to the ground exhausted. However to Cloudy’s surprise the barrier was still up. “I said drop the barrier!”

“We… We did, ma’am!” a unicorn replied.

Twilight looked up at the glowing barrier still holding. “It must be feeding off the excess magic dispelled from the fire.”

Cloudy looked pale. “Well somepony break it down!”

A couple of earth ponies charged the shield and tried to buck it but were blasted back for their troubles. Cloudy began to breathe heavily as she called to more soldiers. Twilight took this moment to rush back to the place she’d left Redwood. The older pony now sat on top of a dumpster watching the sight. “This certainly doesn’t look good,” he tutted.

“Red! Tell me what to do. Now!” she shouted at him. Redwood looked at her and shrugged before slapping her across the face.

Twilight looked surprised but wasn’t able to respond before he grabbed her and pointed her to the barrier. “First of all, calm down. Second, breathe. And third, picture this like any other problem. It’s magic, yes. But you don’t cast magic. You control it. Concentrate on the magic. Feel it in the air.” Twilight closed her eyes and reached out with her other senses. “You see the barrier’s spell, right?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes.”

“Good.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Now, dismantle it.”

Twilight wanted to ask what that meant since she had never heard of dismantling a spell, yet something in her very being told her she needn’t ask. She simply knew. Twilight opened her eyes as light rushed out and she rose into the air. As light poured from her, many ponies began to turn their attention away from the crisis and towards Twilight. They looked up in awe as the princess of friendship seemed to irradiate the area with unearthly light. Even Cloudy looked up, though she had to shield her eyes. Twilight raised one hoof toward the castle and the spell shattered into pieces. Everypony in the plaza was left dumbfounded.

“While I appreciate your assistance,” Celestia said to the zebra mare. “I believe we are still in trouble.”

Luna nodded. “Indeed. It looks like the Guard has erected a barrier to cut off the flames.” She looked at the delegates who were now lying on the ground barely breathing.

Cadence tended to the older mares and stallions. “Why hasn’t the barrier lowered?”

Celestia frowned. “I’m not sure, but I will do it myself.” She walked toward the door but had to stop as a blast of light engulfed her and the entire room. Everypony within shielded their eyes except for the princesses who looked on in astonishment. Twilight floated in the middle of the plaza, light streaming from seemingly every pore on her body. When the barrier shattered and her ex-student floated to the ground, Celestia rushed out to Twilight and wrapped her up in a telekinetic grip before she could hit the ground. She pulled her in close and frowned. “This is not good,” she muttered.

Slowly the delegates began to stumble and make their way out of the castle. Soldiers were there to help support them with Cadence giving orders for those that needed special treatment. Cloudy watched Cadence from afar as she commanded her troops, biting her lip enough to make it draw blood.

Luna rushed out to Celestia. “Sister!” Celestia turned to her, still cradling Twilight. “The mare is gone!”

Celestia scanned the crowd for any signs of the mysterious mare but found nothing. Just as well, she was pretty sure she knew just who the mare worked for anyway. “That doesn’t matter. Make sure that Inferno is secure and hand him to Captain Gust.”

Luna raised an eyebrow at her sister, but only for a moment. “Yes, Tia.”

Twilight awoke the next morning, returned to the safety of CRO. Cadence sat above her. “Cadence!” Twilight shouted in surprise and shot up in bed only for her head to begin throbbing. Cadence set the young alicorn down with a smile.

“Easy there,” she said. “You used a lot of magic today.”

Twilight nodded. “I know, but I had to do something.” She suddenly noticed where she was. “Wait, how are you here, Cadence?”

Cadence smiled. “Shining Armor and I have no secrets from each other. When Celestia handed you over to the guards I told Captain Gust to allow me to follow you.” She smirked as she looked around the room. “I have to say that this was not what I was expecting when I heard about a secret cell of the Royal Guard.”

“Subterfuge and small rooms?” Twilight asked jokingly. The two sisters shared a laugh. Twilight smiled. “So I take it that Inferno was defeated?”

Cadence looked at her puzzled but then chuckled. “Is that what he was called? Appropriate, I suppose. They took him here as well and locked him away somewhere below.”

Twilight remembered somepony else who was supposed to be locked below. “And did Red turn himself in again?” Cadence gave her another look. “I mean… did they bring in somepony else… You know about Redwood too, don’t you?”

Cadence chuckled again. “Yup. I have to say I was a little concerned when I first heard about him. But even Shining’s angry tirades about him don’t paint him as all that bad.”

Twilight smiled. “No, I guess he’s not.”

There was a knock on the door and the two turned to see Seek enter. “Princess Twilight? Shining Armor is about to interrogate the suspect. Just thought I’d let you know.”

Twilight nodded and got up from bed. Cadence put a hoof on her shoulder. “You can’t go, you’re way too weak.”

Twilight shook her head. “No, I want to see this.” She might learn a few things about being tough by watching her brother work.

They reached a hallway with two doors either side. Seek told them to enter the door on the left. Twilight opened it to surprisingly find Redwood. “Glad to see your up.” She glanced down at his legs and saw that they were in shackles again.

“Glad to see you’re still in chains,” she smirked and leaned in close to whisper. “You know if my brother found out you hit me it’d probably be over for you.”

Redwood merely smirked and pointed to the window in the room. Twilight looked and to her surprise once more found Shining Armor on the other side of the glass in the opposite room. Tied to a chair was a pony she only seen for the first time, yet instantly recognized. His plethora of scars giving him away. His face however gave nothing.

“We cleared out that shop,” Shining said. “We found the tunnel in the cellar. I sent some ponies down there to scout and find the other end but they haven’t even come back yet.” He put his hooves on the table in front of the criminal. “So here’s what I’m thinking. I think that’s a tunnel that leads directly between Canterlot and Manehattn, probably built hundreds, thousands of years ago even. Thing is… this is the first time anypony in Equestria has even heard of such a tunnel. So how in the hay did a pony like you from across the ocean hear about it?” Inferno gave no reply, but merely sneered. Shining lifted his hooves. “Fine. I understand. Loyal to the end.” Inferno’s nonexistent eyebrow raised slightly. “You’re a loyal dog following his master’s commands. That is who gave you that information, right? Your master.”

“I am no one’s slave! I serve only the sun.”
Inferno pulled his body forward until the restraints caught him. “I sum nemo servus! I illi soli servies solis!”

“Then you owe them nothing.”
Shining smirked and leaned back in. “Tunc debes ei quod postulat mutuum.” Twilight was shocked to hear her brother speaking Ancient Romane. But it did the trick as Inferno leaned back in his seat and began to giggle delightedly.
“You are clever,”
“Estis ingeniosi,” he chuckled and nodded for Shining to move a little closer. Shining leaned his head down and Inferno spat in his ear. Shining grimaced and wiped his ear, sending Inferno into a fit of laughter again.

Shining walked out of the room an entered the room the three were in. “Anything you can get from him?” he asked Redwood.

“Not unless you let me do the talking,” Redwood replied.

Shining scowled at him. “I do that and I’m basically giving you up as an asset. If he escapes he’ll go to somepony else and tell them that you’re working with us.”

Redwood smiled. “Then I guess you have to have a little faith in your own organization’s abilities.”

Shining growled as he turned to Cadence and Twilight. “We’ve been at this for hours with no luck. I’m beginning to think this might be a wild goose chase.”

“What’s this about a tunnel?” asked Twilight. Shining frowned and picked up a photo of the torched store Twilight had seen previously.

“We found a huge hole in the bottom of the store Inferno entered from. Turns out the thing is the size of a small city and possibly spans the length of Equestria.” Twilight looked at a photo of the hole that led underground in the store’s basement. “There’s no geological evidence or research that noticed it, yet our specialists place it at close to hundreds or thousands of years old.”

Cadence nodded with concern. “I can see why you would want to learn how he knew about that.”

“Imagine if Equestria has any other weaknesses that can be exploited,” Shining mused. “We need to know his source.”

Twilight nodded and turned to Redwood. “Let him in.”

Shining’s jaw dropped. “What?!”

“Let him interrogate him,” Twilight said.

“But I just said…”

“Red is right, Shiny,” Twilight cut him off. “Put some faith in your own abilities. Then we can have faith in you too.”

Redwood shrugged at Shining. He turned to his wife who also gave him a shrug. He groaned as he slapped a hoof across his face. “I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”

Redwood walked into the small room rubbing his hooves, small red markings still slightly visible under his black coat. Inferno’s ears perked up and he growled as he entered. “So you remember me,” Redwood smirked. “I’m flattered.”
“What is this?”
“Quid hoc est?” Inferno sneered.

“Just a simple interrogation,” Redwood said as he sat down opposite him. “And let’s drop the old speak, I really barely passed Ancient History in school.” Inferno growled at him. “I know you understand me, so talk.” His voice became low and serious.

Inferno’s growling stopped and he cocked his head. Twilight thought she actually saw a little bit of confusion in the pony’s eyes. “What do you want?” he croaked.

“Information,” Redwood replied. “Mr. Armor asked you about that tunnel, I want to know too.”

Inferno chuckled. “Interesting. I did not think everything I was told would be true.”

Redwood narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“You,” Inferno gurgled. “That you would be here.”

Redwood leaned forward in his chair. “Who told you I would be here?”

Inferno giggled. “I know you well, Rayleigh Redwood. I know all those who must die well. But I will never know you as well as they.”

“Who’s they?” Redwood asked.

Inferno threw his head back and began to bob back and forth happily chanting a word “Romane! Romane! Romane!” Twilight saw the pony’s tongue flick his tooth and it fell out to reveal a small amber vial.

“Wait!” Twilight shouted and slammed against the glass.
“You will accompany me to Hell!”
“Veni mecum ad infernum!” Inferno shouted as he bit down on the vial. Redwood had already noticed and prepared by ducking beneath the table. Instantly Inferno’s head burst into flames as they began to spread to his whole body. Cries of pain and anguish laced with hints of laughter echoed through the rooms and the hallway as Shining rushed into the burning room to pull out Redwood. As Cadence rushed outside to help Shining, Twilight was simply glued to the spot as she watched Inferno burn. She felt like vomiting yet nothing came out. She sank to her knees as the sight was ingrained in her memory.

“Damn it!” Shining shouted. “We got nothing!” Redwood coughed as he got to his hooves. “You said you could help, but all he did was kill himself.”

“He said something before though,” Cadence interjected. “About the Romane Empire?”

“He’s from the Romane Empire,” Shining replied. “He was probably just shouting the name of his home before killing himself.

Redwood stared at the burning room with an odd look before nodding his head. “Yeah.”

Shining growled. “Well I suppose I shouldn’t say we learned nothing. We learned somepony knows you’re here.”

Two guards escorted Redwood back to his cell. However on the way they made a stop in the letter room of CRO. They undid his shackles and let him loose. “Thirty seconds, Mr. Redwood,” one said.

He nodded and grabbed a parchment and pen, writing a letter. When he was finished he walked over to the soldiers. “You brought it?”

The other soldier pulled out the dragon lighter from the Mailmare incident. “Right here, sir.”

“Thank you, Cutter, Scabbard. Tell your parents I said hello.” He clicked the lighter on and the scroll went up in flames.

The soldiers reshackled him and glanced at each other awkwardly. “If we may ask, sir. What did you just send?”

Redwood sighed as he walked. “A name.”

Twilight had never felt so tired or drained in her whole life. Not only had she just performed an enormous amount of magic, but she had also witnessed her first death. She couldn’t help but remember every gruesome detail.

She hadn’t felt like flying so Shining Armor offered her a chariot. It placed her down just outside her home as the sun was beginning to set. Twilight nodded to the driver and he bowed back before leaving. She turned and saw Applejack standing by her door. The pony looked like she’d been there a while. She was fiddling with her cast as she noticed Twilight approach. The cowpony’s ears perked up and she smiled as she saw her land. “Glad to see ya, Twi!” she said. “Had no idea when you’d be back so Ah just hung around a little.”

Twilight walked toward her castle, her face not giving anything away. “Ah kind of wanted to talk to ya,” Applejack continued. “Ah wanted to apologize about last week.” Twilight’s path to her door veered off and she headed straight for the orange pony. “Twi?” Twilight threw her arms around her friend and hugged her close. Applejack could feel the princess of friendship’s body begin to heave as it was followed by tears and heavy sobbing. Applejack hugged her back and cradled Twilight until she fell asleep.

Celestia gave a long sigh. The weight of the events today had taken a toll on her mentally and she was ready for bed. Just a few minutes ago she was informed of Inferno’s death. Tragic and wasteful. The spells that pony knew could have aided magic so much and yet he dedicated his life to a ridiculously archaic cause. She dispelled her regrets as she opened the door to her room and summoned the candles on the walls to ignite. A blue figure appeared from the darkness in the middle of her room. “Hello, Tia.”

Celestia placed a hoof to her heart when she saw her sister. “Lulu, what are you doing in here? In the dark? Shouldn’t you have left by now?”

Luna’s face was serious and she gave no signs of sisterly camaraderie. “I need to know what you knew.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Pardon?”

Luna took a step forward and glared up at her. “You knew.”

Celestia’s face did not give anything away. “Lulu I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Luna looked away and placed her hoof to her mouth, her eyes narrowed. “His name. How did you know that pony’s name?”

Celestia thought back and cursed herself. She had spilled that pony’s name to Luna. A reckless mistake. “Lulu I… Yes.” She hung her head and bit her lip. “I knew.” Luna glared back at her and lifted a hoof about to say something but Celestia interrupted. “I knew, but I had the situation under control.”

“Oh did you?” Luna shouted. “Six ponies are in the hospital! Many more will probably never be the same.” She lifted her hoof and pointed at Celestia again. “But I’m not mad about that, Tia. I’m not even mad that you knew about this threat and still allowed the Summit to continue. No, what I’m mad about is that you lied. You lied. To me!” Tears began to form in her eyes. Celestia sighed and moved forward to hug her sister, but Luna pulled back. “And you know the worst part? I know you’re still lying. There are still things you are not telling me.”

Celestia frowned and looked her sister in the eye. “Lulu, believe me when I say that the things I keep from you, I do for a good cause. You’re still new to this world. Equestria has changed. The world has changed! If I’m lying to you it’s so I don’t see you get involved in things you can’t possibly imagine.”

“I can imagine evil,” Luna seethed. “In case you’ve forgotten.”

Celestia drew her head back and shook it reluctantly. “No, I’ve not forgotten. Just like you I live with that day in my mind always.”

Luna took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “I’ve experienced firsthoof what secrets can do to somepony. Believe ME when I say this, Tia. I will not let it happen to you.” She walked to the door and turned back before shutting it completely. “If you won’t tell me what’s going on. Then I will find out on my own.”

She shut the door and left Celestia in her room alone. The princess’ face became a tangle of emotions as she floor around her began to shimmer with heat. She took a deep breath and expelled the power letting the heat disperse through the room, the wind blowing out the candles and leaving her in the dark.

One and a half weeks earlier. Just after the Mailmare Incident…

Redwood reappeared in a flash of light in a dirty alley way. He shook his extremities and regained any feeling he might have lost after translocation. “Damn, I hate teleporting,” he mumbled. He walked to the edge of the alley and looked across the street. A street clock read 5:30. Behind it was his destination, the Delamare Symphony Opera House. “What do you know, Mr. Mailmare? Turns out you could buy a decent translocation coin, after all. And I have enough time to make a pitstop.”

He walked down the street to a post office and grabbed a pen and quill. He wrote what he wanted and sealed the letter before handing it to the clerk at the desk. “Writing home?” the pony asked.

“Actually, calling a friend,” Redwood replied. He left the post office and headed back to the Opera House.

He walked over to the doors. A lone ticket taker standing out front. “Almost missed the show, sir,” he smiled.

“Wouldn’t want that, would we?” he joked. He gave his ticket over and walked inside. He walked up the stairs and headed straight for a box seat by the stage. He took off his coat and threw it over his side as well as his hat before entering the curtained off area. A big pony in sunglasses stopped him.

“This is a private booth,” the pony said. Redwood held up his tickets.

“I know, and I’m one of those who need privacy,” he retorted. The pony checked the ticket and nodded he directed him to the front of the box.

“Here you are, sir.”

“Thank you,” Redwood said as he sat down. The pony on his left turned to him with a frown.

“You were serious? I thought when you said you’d be visiting that you’d be sending a liaison or a body double, but…”

“What’s the matter, Fancy? Miss my adorable face?” Fancypants glared at him from behind his monocle. The rich white unicorn rubbed his hooves nervously together.

“You know I heard there was a buzz around Canterlot today,” he said. “But nothing specific. Was that you?”

“You’ll also be hearing some talk about Ponyville in the days to come,” Redwood replied. “That will probably be me too.”

The lights began to dim and the crowd applauded as the curtain rose. Fancy hoofed a small program to him. “You’re reading material for the evening.”

Redwood looked over the paper before looking over the orchestra on stage. A little note had been added to the program stating that there were some substitutes taking the place of original orchestra members tonight. He groaned. “I hate understudies.”

Fancy smirked. “Yes, they’re never as good as the original.”

The music began to play, though the two whispered between themselves. “Ask it.”

Fancy rolled his eyes. “So why are you here? Why risk everything we’ve worked for? And don’t say it’s about Twilight Sparkle.”

“I haven’t thanked you for getting in close with her friend, have I?” Redwood replied.

Fancy frowned. “That happened by complete chance, don’t even try to say you were to blame for that.”

“Of course not,” Redwood replied with a grin. “But in answer to your question. Let’s just say, Miss Sparkle is an integral part of why I’m here. But she’s not the whole picture.”

Fancy raised an eyebrow. “Is she… a part of the plan?”

Redwood turned to him. “Don’t worry yourself about that. As long as we’re on schedule, that’s what matters.”

Fancy leaned back in his chair and focused his attention on the beautiful music. “Yes, it’s on schedule. Though this whole fiasco with Miss Sparkle is making the others nervous. Are you sure you have this handled?”

Redwood clicked his tongue as he pretended to listen to the music. “I sent a letter today. An associate should be arriving soon. She’ll examine the details of the bounty from the outside, I’ll handle the inside.”

“You think Miss Sparkle has been targeted by one of her own?” Fancypants asked.

“I don’t know what to think yet,” Redwood replied. “Too many variables.”

Redwood got up from his chair. “You’re not going to stay?” Fancy asked.

“I didn’t come for second best,” he muttered and threw the program onto Fancy’s lap. “Thank you for your patronage.” Fancy’s own name was first and foremost on the list of donations to the Opera House. He smirked as Redwood left the box.

“No problem, old friend.”

Candy Coated (No. 91)

Previously on the Hitlist...

"All it takes is a little practice and anypony can become somepony else."

"Shut up, Pinkie! I’ve had enough of your bullshit tonight!"

“I can tell when somepony is acting out of kindness.”

“Shining Armor and I have no secrets from each other."

“If you won’t tell me what’s going on. Then I will find out on my own.”

Candy Coated (No. 91)

It is often cold in Whinnyapolis. The large metropolitan city nearly rivals Manehattan or Canterlot in its size yet not many ponies prefer to call it home. In actuality Whinnyapolis is home to a more diverse collection of creatures than either the two cities or any other Equestrian town. Since the city is so close to the northern mountains, and by extension the Crystal Empire, 15% of citizens are crystal ponies. 25% are griffins. 20% are dragons. And only 40% are ponies. In any normal situation a city like this would be lauded for its diversity, however Whinnyapolis currently holds the title of highest crime rate in Equestria. Gangs of thieves and cutthroats prowl the streets at night in search of easy prey, while even more dangerous forces lie beneath the surface. A pony would do well to get home before dark in the city to the north.

One month ago…

A sparkling blue crystal unicorn mare with a striped yellow and violet mane walked out of the diner where she worked. The manager had left an hour ago and it was her turn to close up. She pulled off her apron and slung it over her shoulder as she turned to lock the door. When she turned back a smiling face greeted her. She gasped in surprise and backed up as a brown earth pony in a red wool hat stepped toward her, his smile never faltering. “Hey, mare, what’s up?” he mused with a tone like acid.

Her horn glowed and she levitated a small cylinder from her apron pocket. “Get out of here before I spray you with mace,” she said as fearlessly as she could.

The earth pony chuckled. “Oh, looks like this kitten’s got some fangs.” He waved a hoof in dismissal. “Don’chu worry nothin’, ma’am. I ain’t gonna do anything to you. I simply want inside.”

The mare looked behind her at the diner and frowned. “You want to rob a diner? Is that seriously what the criminals of this city are coming to now?”

The earth pony scowled and whistled through his teeth. The mare looked past him as a couple of other ponies including a griffin walked out from the alleyways toward them. “I ain’t gonna ask again, little lady. Either hand over the keys or get yourself in trouble.”

The mare eyed him before sighing and dropping the keys from her apron. She stood to the side as the criminals chuckled and walked past her inside. The earth pony stopped at the door and turned to the mare. “Good call.” He whistled again and two of his gang circled around behind the mare to grab her. The mare was caught off guard as the two hooked their hooves under her forelegs and held her up, unable to move. She tried to yell but the leader clapped a hoof to her mouth and did a swing upward at her horn. The mare screamed in shock as her horn was ripped off by a strong blow and she passed out from shock. “Take her inside. We can probably get a couple bits out of her later.” He put her chin in his hoof and turned her unconscious face side to side admiring it. “She’s not that bad lookin’ even without the horn.”

His gang had already begun tearing up the small diner as the leader entered, the other two carrying the mare behind him. They set her on a chair and went to work alongside the others. “Hey boss!” the griffin shouted from the kitchen. “There’s like twenty pounds of aged cheddar back here.”

“Oh, that’s the good stuff,” another pony said as he rubbed his stomach. “Put that on a lettuce and tomato sandwich with toast, delicious!”

“Yeah, you and your stomach,” the leader muttered. “We’re not here for the cheese, just trash the place and grab the bits.”

“Hey, boss,” a smaller blue pony with a bandana spoke up. “Don’t mean to be rude, but why are we robbin’ a diner?”

“Cause we’re low profile,” the boss said with a grin, “for now. Soon as we make a name for ourselves we’ll be playing with the big leagues.”

“Speaking of big leagues,” the pony who loved cheese spoke up, “You guys hear about that rumor going around?”

“No, what?” the griffin replied from the kitchen, his mouth full.

“Apparently this is news from the underworld, you know, the baddest of the bad guys? Well, word on the street is that there’s some big high profile bounty on somepony.”

The boss’s ears perked up. “You got a name?”

The pony frowned as he tried to recall everything he’d heard. “I think it was supposed to be one of those Elements of Harmony. Apparently somepony hates their guts.”

“How much he hate them?” the boss asked with an evil smile.

“800 million bits.” The whole gang stopped for a moment and whistled in appreciation at the amount.

“That sounds like a dump truck full a’ bits!” the bandana pony shouted.

“Indeed it does,” the boss said. “You got a contact for this info?”

“Stallion I know on the upper west side told me,” the pony replied. “Nice guy. Makes a terrible cherry tart.”

“I think mines pretty good,” came a feminine voice from behind them. The boss and the other ponies trashing the joint turned but saw nopony there.

“You say somethin’, boss?” the griffin asked.

“No!” the boss shouted back. “And which one of you moved the mare?”

The members of the gang all shrugged. The boss went over to the chair where they’d left her and examined it. Blood from her horn wound was still present and dripping down onto the floor but the mare was nowhere in sight. He uneasily reached out to the small pool of blood before a drop of the same red liquid fell on his hoof. He drew his hoof back in confusion as he gulped and looked up. The mare stared back at him from the ceiling, her face a bloody mess with an insane grin plastered across her face. “Hello,” she cooed.

The boss tried to jump back but the mare was too fast. She pounced down on him and chomped down on his ear, biting it off. The boss screamed in pain as the mare seemed to slither her body around him and locked her hooves under his chin and above his head. She twisted her grip and the boss’s neck made a sound like a snap before his body crumpled to the floor. Everypony else in the diner watched in horror as the events unfolded.

The mare steadily stood, or more seemed to slither back up as if her body had no bones to speak of. She stood tall and rolled her shoulders before placing a hoof on her forehead. She pulled it back and looked at the blood for a moment before sticking her tongue out and licking the blood dripping from her face. She grinned as she turned and saw the attention of the room on her. “You know, I was beginning to really like this horn.”

“G… Get her!” the bandana pony shouted. He and another pony charge as the cheese lover ducked behind the counter. He didn’t see what happened but heard as the sound of his friend’s bones cracking echoed through the diner. He didn’t even hear them scream before their bodies hit the floor.

The griffin followed suit as he burst out from the kitchen and flew at her. The mare slammed a hoof against a table and a knife was launched into the air. She grabbed it and slid under the attack before driving the knife into the griffin’s heart and cutting him down the middle. The griffin slammed into the front window of the diner as his body crumpled to the sidewalk in a pool of blood.

The mare looked around at her hoofiwork and began to count. “One two, three, four… Now, now. Think you can hide from me?” The pony shook uncontrollably as he hid beneath the bar. The mare noticed a utensil on the bar begin to vibrate. She smiled wickedly as she sauntered over. The pony screamed in shock as the bar was ripped out of its foundation. He scooted along the floor to the wall as he looked up at the mare lifting the whole bar counter over her head. “There you are,” she laughed.

“What the hay are you?!” he shouted hysterically.

The mare let the bar drop behind her as she walked forward. “Now what kind of a question is that to ask a lady?”

He rifled with the window behind him, trying to find something to throw at her or protect himself with. He grabbed a glass of water and without thinking tossed it at her. The mare simply let it smash against her. She chuckled as she wiped the water from her face. “You done?”

The pony looked on in horror as the crystal blue in her coat began to wash away, replaced by an almost feverish shade of pink. Her mane’s color was also changing, replaced with blood red. “What are you?!” he shouted again.

The mare grinned ear to ear and hefted the bar to the side. “Just a pony that likes to pretend. What about you?” She leaned in close to his face and whispered in his ear. “Do you like to pretend?”

“Pretend what?” he asked, scared out of his wits.

“That you’re alive, silly!” she chuckled. “Everypony’s dead inside. I’m just the only one that seems to get it.” She drew back her blood covered knife. The pony screwed his eyes shut in preparation for the worst. She was about to bring it down when something recurred to her. She leaned down to the pony again and tapped him on the head. He opened his eyes with a start. “Hey, that whole thing about a bounty. That true?”

The pony eagerly shook his head, trying to please the psychotic mare. “Yeahyeahyeah. I swear! I heard it from a friend!”

“And you’ll tell me where this friend is without me having to do anything unsavory?” She flicked the knife back and forth.

“Of course!” he told her everything he knew and how to find out more. She nodded in appreciation before jumping up and down in excitement.

“Oooooh! This is going to be so much super duper fun!” she chanted. “I was getting bored of Whinnyapolis anyway. Ponyville, huh?”

“S-So you’ll let me go?” the pony asked.

The mare stopped bouncing and looked at the pony for a moment, seeming to consider something. Finally she shrugged. “Nah, your seriously uncute.” She flung the knife toward him as it impale him through the chest killing him instantly. She turned around and began brushing off the paint that had covered her coat for the past couple of months under this identity. She began to think of all the fun she could have with 800 million bits. “Ooooh! This is going to be fun fun fun!”

Twilight opened her eyes groggily and yawned. At first she was unfazed as she found herself in her room at the castle like always, but then she remembered what had happened. She had come home from a long day in Canterlot and then she broke down and cried in Applejack’s hooves. Remembering her tears brought back the memories that created them and she shivered. Then she noticed something.

Applejack slept soundly on the sofa in her room with her Stetson hat draped over her head. Her hoof was still wrapped in a black cast though she slept around it by letting it hang off the side of the couch. Twilight smiled at the fact that her friend had stayed and probably even carried her to bed when she’d fallen asleep crying. The bad memories began to fade away as she chuckled at Applejack letting out a small snore.

Twilight leaned back in bed and looked up at her ceiling, a colorful mosaic of stars adorning it. This was what she wanted to protect. This was why she was working with Redwood and her brother. To protect things like Applejack’s snoring. To protect this sense of calm that she’d always loved about Ponyville. She let out a small melancholy sigh as she closed her eyes again, just wanting to let this moment last one minute longer.

“Mornin’, Twi,” Applejack said as she got up and stretched.

Twilight regretfully opened her eyes but smiled at her. “Good morning, Applejack.”

Applejack returned the smile before getting embarrassed and looking off to the side. “Um, Ah can make some breakfast fer us if ya want?”

Twilight sniffed the air and smiled. “I think Spike’s got that covered.”

Applejack sniffed and noticed the distinct smell of haycakes. She was proud of her cooking skills but Spike’s smelled pretty good too. “Yeah, Ah guess he does.”

An awkward moment followed and the two rubbed the back of their necks in silence. “I just wanted…” they both spoke at the same time and laughed.

“You first,” Applejack said.

“No, you,” Twilight replied.

Applejack nodded. “Alright… Twilight, Ah just wanted to say Ah’m sorry fer accusin’ you like that. Sometimes Ah ferget that even though Ah’m the Element of Honesty, not everypony will… or even should be upfront with me. Everypony is entitled to their secrets, even me. Ah want you to know that… while Ah know you’re keepin’ a secret, Ah understand that it’s your secret to keep and if you feel like it would hurt fer us to be a part of it then Ah understand.”

Twilight nearly felt like crying again. To hear Applejack just say those words was impressive but to hear that she was willing to give up her pride to let Twilight keep a secret meant that they were truly friends. Suddenly she felt like the truth and hiding it didn’t matter anymore. The weight of the past few weeks seemed to recede and the only thing she could think of was telling Applejack everything. She took a deep breath. “Applejack, I-”

“Breakfast is on!” Spike pronounced proudly as he walked in the room uninvited. He wore a small apron with the words “dragons do it right” on it. He spied Twilight sitting up in bed. “Oh. Glad you’re already up. When Applejack brought you in I was worried.”

Twilight smiled at her assistant. “I’m fine, Spike.”

“So what did you wanna say, Twi?” Applejack asked.

Twilight opened her mouth but shut it as a thought occurred to her. “You know what? I’ll tell you later when the whole gang’s together.”

Applejack chuckled. “Sounds like a plan.” Then she frowned. “Though I think it may be hard to get Rainbow or Pinkie Pie.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow as she got out of bed. “Why?”

Applejack chewed her lip as she thought. “Not sure. Rainbow just hasn’t left her house in a while and Pinkie shut herself in her room all day yesterday.”

Twilight probably knew why Rainbow had been so elusive, but she couldn’t figure why Pinkie would. “I’ll go talk to Rainbow. See if I can find out anything.”

Applejack nodded appreciatively. “Thanks, Twi. Ah’d volunteer, but… no wings.” The two shared a brief laugh and walked downstairs with Spike to have breakfast.

Cadence set down in the courtyard of the Crystal Heart, just having flown back from Canterlot. Shining Armor had opted to stay since after the death of Inferno, Celestia had been bombarding the ex-captain with questions. She didn’t exactly envy her husband’s situation though she did wonder if hers was any worse.

“Thank you for letting me stay here for a while, Cadence,” Luna said as they walked through the gates to the Crystal Castle. The princess of the night had apparently had a little falling out with her older sister after the Summit. Right before leaving Cadence was blindsided by her aunt with a declaration that she would be visiting the Crystal Empire. In truth, Cadence didn’t think anything of it at first. In fact, she’d been looking for an opportunity to get to know her long lost aunt a little better. Unfortunately, Luna couldn’t stop talking about Celestia. “I just don’t know what she was thinking! I mean, if there was a clear and present danger then she should have halted or at least rescheduled the Summit!”

“Yes, Aunty Luna,” Cadence mumbled as they continued to walk through the halls. They finally came to the large double doors that led to the throne room. To her surprise, Cadence saw a pale yellow earth pony with a blonde mane standing by her door. She wore a brown coat and a warm brown hat that made it appear as if she’d just walked in from a snowstorm. Her cutie mark was in the shape of a cup of coffee.

“Princess!” the pony said with a slightly odd accent as she saw her approach. “I’m glad your back.”

Cadence paused at the door to speak to her. “Yes, can I help you?”

The pony reached into her coat and pulled out a small golden shield with the initials W.P.D on it. “My name is Detective Cold Case. I’ve been trying to get a meeting with you for a couple of weeks now but your staff keeps pushing me back.”

Cadence frowned. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. But unfortunately it’s been a rather long couple of days and I don’t know if I can handle a meeting right now.”

She opened the door to her throne room and walked in with Luna by her side. Cold Case followed her. “Princess, please. I know how busy you must be but I’m here on official Whinnyapolis business.”

Luna paused and turned to Cold Case. “Whinnyapolis?”

Cold Case suddenly seemed to take notice of Luna. “Oh, I’m sorry, your majesty I really didn’t mean to speak out of turn.”

Luna waved a dismissive hoof. “No, it’s alright. What does a policemare from Whinnyapolis want from the Crystal Empire?”

Cadence stopped and turned back to the conversation. “This happens more often than you’d think. After the Empire returned many crystal ponies decided to leave. Whinnyapolis is our closest city in proximity so many end up going there.”

Cold Case nodded. “Mmhmm. Though it pains me to say that some of those folks aren’t that lucky with their new lives.”

Cadence lowered her head in slight despair. “Every now and then we get word that a crystal pony has died or was even involved in some… less than reputable actions.” She turned back to Cold Case. “So if that is the reason you’re here detective, then I’m sorry but I simply can’t deal with tragic news right now.”

Cold Case waved her hooves in protest. “No, princess! I’m not here for that. Though it still might be a bit depressing. I’m following up on a missing pony’s reports.”

Cadence’s ears perked up. Luna was the first to respond. “What exactly does that entail, detective?”

Cold Case pulled out a small notepad and began to flip through it. “About a month ago there was a ponycide downtown. Not surprising considering the area.” Cadence gave Luna a look that said, ‘you see?’ “However what’s odd about it was that a crystal pony by the name of Blue Quartz disappeared right after. The site was a diner and the owner called in the ponycide first. His waitress the pony in question didn’t come in for another couple days so the boss filed a missing pony’s report.”

Cadence frowned. “You think something could have happened to this Blue Quartz?”

Cold Case looked at Cadence over her notepad and folded it back into her pocket. She sighed as she looked at the ground and bit her lip. “On the contrary, princess. I think she’s the suspect.”

The pony that until a month ago had been Blue Quartz, sat in a small darkly lit room. She gazed at the pictures adorning the wall of the hotel room she’d rented out. The wall was literally covered from top to bottom in secret photos taken of the Elements of Harmony. She had been in Ponyville close to three weeks now and after so many days of surveillance she was ready to make her move.

A small trickle of something warm and red rolled down her muzzle and close to her lips. She shot her tongue out and licked it before putting a hoof to her forehead and groaning as she pulled away a bloody bandage. “Ugh, this might complicate things.”

The horn had been surgically grafted close to a year ago so no vital nerve endings had been damaged or hurt. Though now that it was out, there was no going back. At least not until she got her bits. The pony sat in the middle of the room, the bed and dresser pushed off to the side to give her all the room she could need. She had some deciding to do.

She looked at a picture of the Elements all playing with their pets in the park. She focused her eyes on Fluttershy. “Seems the most obvious choice. No familial connection nearby. Lives in the woods, so secluded.” She turned her attention to a picture of Fluttershy playing with the animals at her house. “Though animals can smell a fake quite well.” She shrugged and ripped Fluttershy’s pictures off the wall.

Her attention then turned to Twilight. “Or maybe I just skip the middlemare and go for you, princess,” she giggled. She stroked a hoof on a picture of Twilight sleeping on a couch surrounded by books. “Then again, that might be tough considering the situation. Don’t want anypony coming after me.”

She tore Twilight’s pictures down as well and then tore through Applejack and Rarity’s. “Two left,” she smiled viciously. “Who to choose? Who to choose?” A picture of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash laughing together was all that was left on the bare wall. “On the one hoof, one’s been a loner ever since that traumatic experience a couple weeks back.” Her smile grew wider as she looked to Pinkie. “On the other hoof,” she ripped Rainbow out of the picture and pulled Pinkie’s picture closer. “This one would be a lot more fun.”

Cloudy Gust waited stalwartly outside the door to the throne room. Inside were two ponies that she respected above all else, and they were discussing how to punish her.

Honestly though, Cloudy couldn’t blame them. What she had done during the Summit was reckless and nearly cost some very important ponies their lives. After Princess Celestia had finished debriefing Shining Armor, her turn would be next. Though she had no idea how she was going to explain her actions.

The door opened slightly and Shining Armor stuck his neck out. “Captain, it’s time.”

Cloudy nodded and walked into the room, ready to accept whatever fate awaited her. Shining Armor walked alongside her, which helped a little, as she approached the princess in her throne. “Captain Gust,” she greeted.

Cloudy gave a deep bow. “Your majesty.”

Celestia’s face was emotional to be sure, though Cloudy could see no sign of malice in it. She sighed as she spoke on. “First of all, I’d like to thank you for your discretion in these… trying times.”

“Of course, princess,” Cloudy replied militarily.

Celestia smiled a little and continued on. “Both Shining Armor and I have been notified as to the choices you made during the Summit.” Her smile faltered. “While I cannot condone such a brash action, I will thank you for ending the situation without Inferno and I having to trade blows.” Her expression became serious. “But that does not alleviate the trouble that your actions have caused.”

Shining Armor spoke up. “Your majesty, I understand that this could have gone better, but can I just state that if I were in the same situation I would most likely have done the same.” Cloudy looked to him and gave him a small smile that said “thank you.”

“You’re feelings are noted, Prince Armor,” Celestia stated in a less informal manner. “However this is not a matter of what you would have done. It is what Captain Gust is responsible for.” Cloudy hung her head as Celestia continued on. “I recognize the duty of the Guard is primarily to protect myself as well as my sister. However, I must remind you that we can take care of ourselves. In a situation like this you must take into account all life. While my sister and I might have been safe from the effects of oxygen deprivation, many other ponies weren’t.”

Cloudy tried to butt in. “I understand that, princess, but I-”

Celestia raised a hoof to silence her. Cloudy lowered her head again which made Celestia shake her head with a sigh. “I thank you for your concern and your stellar duty, captain. However, I have come to notice a certain trend in your actions. You have isolated yourself from others. You have let the call of duty override your own life.” A small smile crept up on her. “Therefore I have a ‘punishment’ that I believe will be beneficial to both you and our mutual friend.”

Cloudy raised an eyebrow in confusion and turned to Shining Armor. The prince rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he tried to avoid eye contact. “It’s just going to be for a little while,” he assured her.

“What is?” she asked.

Rainbow lay with her face in pillows, still in her nightgown. She hadn’t left her house in a couple days now, often calling in sick for weather duty. A knock came from her door and she groaned as she slumped off her bed to the floor. “It’s open,” she murmured.

Twilight let herself in and immediately drew a hoof to her nose as she looked at the mess around her. “Ugh! Rainbow how can you live like this?”

Rainbow placed her head on the floor and began to slump forward with her back legs until she’d made it to the kitchen. “Easy,” she mumbled again. “Just don’t think about it.”

Twilight frowned as she followed her friend to the kitchen. “Any reason you refuse to stand up?”

Rainbow tried to reach for a high cabinet but since her head never left the floor her legs just weren’t long enough. Twilight reached above her and pulled out a bowl for her. Rainbow took it reluctantly. “I don’t deserve to stand up,” she mumbled. “In fact I don’t deserve anything.”

Twilight was getting concerned now. Sure Rainbow had been through something she could only imagine, but the usually chipper Pegasus often hid her insecurities through a veneer of showboating or jokes. She hadn’t seen Rainbow this dejected since she found out her pet turtle Tank had to hibernate during the winter. “What do you mean?”

Rainbow finally lifted her head a little as she frowned at Twilight. She got out a box of oats and began to pour it into the bowl. “I… I did something that’s pretty hard to take back.”

Twilight walked over to Rainbow and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Rainbow, you can tell me what’s bothering you.”

Rainbow looked at Twilight with a smile for a second, then a painful flash of memory shot through her. She remembered that feeling of electricity pulsing through her and the lies written by that Mailmare. She flinched and backed away from Twilight. “I just… did something bad, okay? And I don’t feel like talking about it.” She walked over to her fridge and pulled out some milk. “Do… Do you?”

Twilight blinked. “Pardon?”

Rainbow bit her lip. “It’s just… When I was captured by that… well he talked a lot about you.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. This was the first tie she’d heard this. She wondered if the Mailmare had told Rainbow everything. About the bounty as well. She cleared her throat hesitantly. “Actually that’s kind of one of the reasons that I came here, besides to get you out. There’s something I need to tell you, all of you. And I don’t want to do it until we’re all together.”

Rainbow poured the milk in her oats. She gave Twilight a curious look before shrugging with a sigh. “Alright.”

“Great!” Twilight responded happily. “We’d better get going. I want us to all meet at Sugarcube Corner.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened and she spit out her first bite of oats. “Um, uh, how about I just meet you there?”

Twilight nodded. “Okay. And please clean this place up a little bit.”

“No promises.” Twilight rolled her eyes as she left the kitchen and closed the front door. Rainbow sat at her table and began to rub her hooves into her temples. She needed to prepare herself if she was going to apologize to Pinkie Pie.

Cadence, Luna and Detective Cold Case had adjourned themselves to the study where Cold Case presented the situation. She reached into her coat and pulled out a manila folder. “This is all the information on the ponycide last month.” She placed the folder on a table, it falling like a feather. She then reached into the saddle bag she carried drew out a large stack of similar manila folders. “And this is all the lists of similar ponycides across Equestria I sanctioned from various other task forces.” She let it plop down next to the smaller folder with a slam.

Luna looked at the enormous stack. “I’m sorry, detective. What do you mean similar ponycides?”

Cadence went to pick up the small folder but Cold Case placed a warning hoof on her before she could. “I wouldn’t look in there unless you’re ready to see some bad things, princess.” Cadence nodded shakily and backed away. “In answer to your question, your majesty. This quintuple murder in Whinnyapolis was unlike anything I or anypony else on the force had seen. The perp took out four earth ponies and a griffin single hoofed. In fact the establishment’s bar counter was ripped clean from its foundation and tossed to the side like a branch. It wasn’t until I learned about the missing mare that I contacted you, princess. However the murder itself had me contemplating.”

Cold Case began to pace. “Everything was too clean. If you saw the scene you’d agree that whatever happened it was over too quickly for there to be any real struggle. Whoever attacked these four was skilled. As in, most likely done this before skilled. So I followed up by contacting some friends I have in surrounding cities, even reached all the way to Baltimare, asking about any similar unsolved cases. This is what I got.” She pointed to the large stack.

Luna brought a hoof to her mouth in disgust as she looked at the stack. “I… I thought this was the Age of Harmony?”

Cold Case sighed with a chuckle. “That’s what Princess Celestia likes to promote, yes. But the truth of the matter is that things haven’t changed a lot since the dark ages.” She caught herself and hurriedly bowed. “I- I’m sorry, princess. I meant no disrespect to your sister.”

Luna frowned a bit, though her attitude was not directed toward Cold Case. “No, you have nothing to apologize for, detective.”

Cold Case continued on. “Anyway, I found a common factor connecting all these murders. In each one, a pony went missing. Most of the time a mare.”

“I thought you said Blue Quartz was the murderer,” Cadence spoke up. “If this criminal is foalnapping ponies from murder sites then wouldn’t that make her the victim?”

“Normally,” Cold Case agreed, “however something doesn’t feel quite right about this. And since your staff gave me plenty of time to do some research while I waited to speak with you, I talked to a couple of ponies that were directly related to some of the victims. They professed to seeing the missing ponies exhibit odd, often unusual behavior.”

Cadence narrowed her eyes. “What are you saying, detective?”

“I’m saying that there might be a chameleon killer on the loose.”

Applejack strolled through Ponyville on her way to see Pinkie Pie. Twilight had gone to see Rainbow Dash as well. Between the two of them she was hoping they could comfort their friends and get them out of whatever funk had afflicted them. Last she saw of Pinkie Pie, the premier party pony had holed herself up in her room in Sugarcube Corner so that’s where Applejack was headed.

While she was walking down the street a door opened up with a loud array of flashing lights and music. A white unicorn with a neon blue mane and purple shades stumbled out. She shook her head to regain her balance as she covered her eyes from the sun. Applejack noticed the tough time the pony was having and decided to help her out. The unicorn stumbled as she descended the stairs to the building she was in and Applejack caught her. “Easy now, partner,” she chuckled. The unicorn straightened herself up and nodded a thank you to her. “Ah know you, right? From Cadence and Shining Armor’s weddin’? What was it… Vinyl Scratch?”

Vinyl nodded again and smiled. Applejack smiled back. “Don’t talk much, huh? Hey, you know Pinkie Pie, right?” Vinyl nodded again. “Great, maybe you can help me pull her away from her room. She seems to be in some kind of bad mood.” Vinyl tilted her head and looked again at the sun before shrugging. “Alright, let’s go.”

The two began to walk in silence as Vinyl never seemed to react to anything around her, even stumbling into things on the street as well. “Uh, you sure you can see out of those things?” Applejack asked. Vinyl gave a dismissive wave of her hoof and walked on. Though she asked that Applejack was pretty sure she knew what was really causing the unicorn’s discombobulation. Hittin’ the cider pretty hard, eh, she thought.

“So Ah don’t know that much about ya,” Applejack spoke on. “You and that fancy pony, Octavia, live just outside town, right?” Vinyl nodded. “So are ya sisters or…?” Vinyl smiled and shook her head before tilting her head in thought. She smirked and made a weird motion with her hooves. Applejack wasn’t sure what it meant but for some reason it made her blush. “Yeah, Ah can see why you and Pinkie might be friends.”

Applejack had never felt so awkward. In truth, she had been meaning to learn a little more about her neighbors. Perhaps even expand her inner circle of friends. However, she hadn’t felt this uncomfortable since she had to meet Pinkie’s older sister Maud. Though looking back on that encounter she could now see that Pinkie had a certain type of pony she liked to be around. “Soooo… you’re both musicians, right? That must be interestin’.” Vinyl simply nodded.

Applejack sighed with relief as they finally reached Sugarcube Corner. She was surprised to see a line beginning to form outside the café. Applejack and Vinyl walked to the door and scooted their way through. “Hey! No cuts!” a pony shouted.

“We’re not here to eat,” Applejack said. “Just here to see a friend.”

“Applejack?” came a familiar motherly voice. Cup Cake approached the farmpony while balancing three trays of desserts and drinks. On either side of her in saddle pouches were the infamous Cake twins giggling and trying to interfere with their mother’s work. “Oh thank goodness you’re here.”

“Is Pinkie not here today?” Applejack asked.

“On the contrary,” Cup Cake sighed. “She’s upstairs, but she doesn’t want to open the door to me. We’ve been swamped all morning. Maybe you could go up and talk to her?”

Applejack tipped her hat. “Ah’ll certainly try. Come on, Vinyl.” She and Vinyl headed to the stairs before a blur of pink shot past them from the front door and darted into the kitchen. Applejack and Vinyl looked at each other blankly before Pinkie popped her head out.

“Hey, Applejack! Hey, Vinyl! Wish I could talk but can’t! Lotsa hungry tummies!” Pinkie dashed back into the kitchen where Mister Cake was. He let out a yelp of surprise as Pinkie rushed around him in a pink blur and prepared more desserts than he could even process. She dashed back out and instantly restocked the display case before flashing over to Cup Cake and grabbing her trays. Pinkie served the designated tables in an almost imperceptible speed and then stopped in front of Applejack and Vinyl.

“Pinkie, how did you do that so quickly?” Applejack asked. Vinyl nodded with a grin.

“Even I’m not that fast,” Pinkie replied as she lifted her back legs to reveal roller skates. She rolled forward a little and began to skate a little circle.

Cup Cake walked up to them. “Well, I’m glad to see your doing better, Pinkie.”

“I’m doing just peachy kean!” Pinkie replied. She caught sight of the twins and smiled even wider. “Aww, you two are just too adorable!”

Pound Cake lips began to tremble as Pinkie reached out to pet him and he began to bawl, Pumpkin joined in soon after. “Oh no,” Cup Cake moaned. “I’ll put them down for a bit. Pinkie could I ask you to-”

“No problem,” Pinkie saluted and rolled over to the counter. Cup Cake smiled and walked upstairs.

“Ah can help too,” Applejack added. Vinyl nodded her agreement as well.

“Okay,” Pinkie agreed. “Vinyl, you take the counter. Applejack you help Mister Cake in the back. And I’ll help serve.”

“Sounds good.” Applejack headed for the kitchen but Vinyl stayed still for a second giving Pinkie an odd look before shrugging. Close to an hour passed as the three including Mister Cake and Cup Cake who had finished putting the twins down, went about their work. Many customers found it odd that a seemingly mute pony was taking their orders, but she never seemed to get it wrong. Applejack was having fun in the back talking with Mister Cake as they prepared various different treats. On the floor, Pinkie skated around while humming a happy tune while Cup Cake helped her take orders at the tables. Finally the customers began to die down and the café slowed down enough for everypony to take a break.

Applejack and Mister Cake walked out of the kitchen, Mister Cake slumping into a chair. “Ugh, remind me again how we ever managed this place without Pinkie Pie?” he muttered.

“Oh you,” Pinkie laughed as she skated past him and dropped a cupcake in his lap. She did this for everypony present.

“Ah got to hoof it to ya, Pinkie,” Applejack said as she took a bite of the cupcake, “ah never imagined anypony’s job was as difficult as mine.”

“I’m glad you seem to be feeling better, dear,” Cup Cake smiled. “Though why did you leave without telling us? I thought you were still in your room.”

Pinkie laughed. “Sorry, I just needed to rush out and get these skates.”

“So you went out the window?” Mister Cake asked incredulously.

“Eeyup, that sounds about right,” Applejack muttered. Everypony shared a small laugh. “So what were you all choked up about in the first place, sugarcube?”

“Well,” Pinkie began but another pony entered the café to interrupt her.

“Here’s where you all were,” Rarity said.

“Rarity!” Pinkie shouted happily as she threw her hooves around her. “You missed out on a super fun morning!”

Rarity chuckled as she pried the pink pony off of her. “Yes, well. As fun as it may be, Twilight sent me here to gather you all.”

“Ah thought we were meetin’ here?” Applejack asked.

“Well, she has something to talk about and she told me to bring you all to the castle. Fluttershy should be acquiring Rainbow Dash.”

“Okey dokey lokey,” Pinkie said and removed her apron. “Mrs. Cake, would you mind if I go?”

Cup Cake chuckled. “Pinkie when have you ever spoken that formally. And sure.”

Pinkie hopped out the door following Rarity.

Applejack shrugged and began to leave. She turned to Vinyl as they exited the café. “Well, it was nice gettin’ to know you, Ah guess.” Vinyl reached out a hoof and Applejack accepted it with a small hoofbump. The white unicorn began to walk away.

Pinkie hopped back in and leaned toward Applejack. “I think that means she likes you,” she giggled. Applejack smirked and tried to swat her friend with her hat but the pink pony merely dodged with her skates. They followed after Rarity.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash touched down on the lawn in front of Twilight’s castle. “Okay, so how is this so important that we have to meet at Twilight’s again?” she asked despairingly.

Fluttershy shrugged. “I’m not sure. Twilight just said that everypony had to meet her at the castle.”

They knocked twice on the door and Spike answered, his face slightly grim. “Oh, hey Rainbow, Fluttershy.”

“Everything okay, Spike?” Rainbow asked. Spike sighed as he just pushed the door open and bid them enter.

“You’ll see for yourself,” he groaned.

The two pegasi entered the large hallway and immediately heard a racket in the throne room. “At least let me keep my uniform, sir!” a familiar voice blurted out.

“This is a secret mission, captain,” Shining Armor replied. “Being in uniform would just draw too much unwanted attention to Twilight.”

Rainbow and Fluttershy walked into the throne and Rainbow froze as she saw a familiar face. Cloudy Gust was out her red uniform and arguing with Shining Armor about something. Twilight sat at her throne as well with a look of dejected confusion.

“Shiny, I have to agree,” she spoke up. “This is overkill even for the princess.”

Shining turned to his sister. “It’s not going to be for too long. Just a couple of weeks… months tops.”

“Months!?” Cloudy shouted. “I’m not staying here for a couple months!”

“Vice Captain Trigger Finger and I will take over most of your duties while you’re gone,” Shining continued unfazed. “Rest assured. This is far from a demotion. Your position is still intact for when the princess decides to reinstate you.”

“So this is just a fancy form of house arrest,” Cloudy scowled. “Now I see what you had to go through, Sparkle.”

It was Shining’s turn to scowl. “Captain! She is your princess and you will keep that in mind when addressing her.”

Cloudy opened her mouth to reply but shut it as she saw the seriousness in Shining’s eyes. “Yes, sir.”

Shining finally noticed the two pegasi join them. “Good to see you two. And you Rainbow Dash. I hope everything went well with those sessions.”

“Wait, sessions?” Twilight asked quizzically.

Rainbow threw Shining a death glare that made even him freeze up. Rainbow finally let out a sigh as she sat in her throne. “It’s nothing, alright?”

A brief silence followed as Shining cleared his throat. “Yes, well, regardless I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she grumbled.

“Howdy, ya’ll,” Applejack’s voice came from the entrance to the throne room. Everypony turned to see her enter with Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

“We’re all here Twilight,” Rarity said. “So what’s this all about?”

The six all took their seat and Shining and Cloudy stood beside Twilight. Twilight was about to speak when Pinkie suddenly slipped off her seat and crashed to the floor. “Pinkie, are you alright?”

Pinkie jumped back up immediately and dusted herself off. “I’m fine! Just… wanted to see what it’s like on sitting on the floor today.”

Twilight and the others raised their eyebrows. “Okay… Anyway I needed to tell all of you something important but now my brother’s dropped this on me so…” She pointed to Cloudy who simply glared at the six. “You all remember Captain Gust?”

“Yeah,” Rainbow grumbled along with everypony else.

“Good, because she’s going to be staying here for a while,” Twilight finished. Rainbow was about to interject when Twilight spoke up again. “Just until Princess Celestia deems her able to return to her duties.”

Rainbow became curious. “What did she do?”

Cloudy buttoned up but Shining cleared his throat to answer. “There were some… indiscretions committed a couple days ago.”

“I heard she nearly killed a couple of ponies,” Pinkie spat out with a smile. At first everypony looked at her in surprise that such a fun loving pony would say something so blunt and cruel but then Rainbow drew their attention as she laughed out loud.

“Guess you’re not the wonderpony you seem to be,” she mocked.

Cloudy ground her teeth and slammed her hooves on the table. “Hey, what’s your problem?”

“My problem!?” Rainbow shot back. “You’re the one that apparently nearly killed somepony.”

“It’s not like I meant it,” Cloudy hissed. “I noticed this before, what’s your deal with me?”

Rainbow pulled her head back as her cheeks went red. “I… I don’t have a deal with you!” Rainbow’s eyes widened as an idea came to her. “And to prove it, how about a race! Right here, right now! That’ll prove I don’t have a deal!”

Applejack rubbed the back her neck awkwardly. “Uh, hate to say it, sugarcube. But that sounds like the very definition of a ‘havin’ a deal’.”

Cloudy narrowed her eyes at Rainbow. “Fine! If it gets you off my back.” The two pegasi dashed out the window to the castle grounds, leaving everypony behind.

Twilight sighed as she rubbed her temples. “Well, that worked out well.”

“Come on,” Applejack sighed. “Let’s go see if we can’t stop them from hurtin’ each other.”

Everypony dejectedly left their seats and walked to the front door, except one pony who stayed behind. “Are you coming, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked.

“Uh, yeah! One sec!” Pinkie replied. When she was sure she was alone she looked at the throne with the three balloons symbol. Pinkie reached out to it and received a jolt of energy. She snatched her hoof back and grinned maliciously. “Stupid chair,” she mumbled as she kicked it and received another jolt.

“A chameleon?” Cadence asked. “You mean a changeling?”

Cold Case frowned. “I’m not so sure.” She opened the thin folder and pulled out a picture of a bloody unicorn horn. It was blue and sparkling, obviously having belonged to a crystal pony. “This was found at the crime scene as well. I had some of our magicians do a magical trace on it and they’ve no doubt that it belonged to Blue Quartz.”

“So she’s a victim again?” Cadence asked in desperation.

“No,” Luna spoke up as she picked up some of the folders in her magic and began to inspect them. Her face grew pale as the implications of what Cold Case was trying to say fell on her. “Detective, are you theorizing that this was all the work of one pony?”

Cold Case nodded grimly. “A changeling wouldn’t need the horn. Plus blood not belonging to any of the victims was present at the scene. We’ve still yet to discover the identity of the pony behind the blood, but our magicians have determined that some similar traces have been found at the various other crime scenes. Whoever this pony is, she’s a professional killer. Probably even been working for close to twenty years. The only reason she’s stayed hidden for so long was because she would hide her identity by becoming somepony new.”

Cadence simply stared in disbelief. “I’m sorry, detective, but this all sounds very wishy washy. How do you know Blue Quartz wasn’t simply maimed and foalnapped?”

Cold Case sighed. “That’s actually the reason I’ve been trying to get in contact with the Crystal Empire authorities. I’ve sent at least three requests for immigration records of crystal pony citizens. I wanted to see if Blue Quartz was a real pony or simply a pseudonym.”

“I’m not sure I follow,” Luna said.

Cadence’s faced her. “After the reemergence of the Crystal Empire, a census was taken. However as you know a lot of the old records from Sombra’s rule were destroyed.”

Cold Case placed a hoof on the stack of folders and frowned. “It would be a perfect opportunity for some pony to slip their way right into another identity. One she probably wouldn’t even need to corroborate.”

Cadence’s face went slightly pale, all thoughts of tiredness now subverted. “I’ll get you you’re records.”

“Thank you, princess,” Cold Case said with a bow.

“But I’ll check them with you,” she finished. “If a member of my empire was taken or worse… I know the only right thing to do would be to bring her home.”

Luna looked at Cadence with a new sense of respect. “I will assist as well.”

“Glad to hear it,” Cold Case said with a grin.

Pinkie sat in the dark of her room on her bed. At first after meeting with Rainbow Dash, she truly was sad and cried for a few hours. Now after a day or two had passed (she had no way of knowing, she kept the curtains closed) she had gotten over it. Now she was just waiting on her friends. Surely by now they should have noticed something was up. Weren’t they going to visit her?

Pinkie threw her hooves up in boredom and laid down, her head hanging over her bed so she saw the world upside down. Her pet alligator, Gummy was a few hooves away gnawing on a rubber ball too big for him. Pinkie smiled as she drew in a huge breath and puffed at the ball. Gummy and the ball began to roll away and Gummy head hit the floor, though the wide eyed reptile didn’t seem to notice.

Pinkie giggled at her little joke with Gummy but after a moment or two the silliness passed and she was back to being bored. “That’s it!” she shouted. She got up from bed and trudged over to the windows. She pulled the curtains up and covered her face as the sun shown in. She turned back to her room and walked over to her dresser. “They don’t want to comfort me? Fine! What am I doing anyway?”

“Nothing, that’s what you’re doing!” her reflection in the dresser mirror replied in an attempt to hype her up. “You’re Pinkamena Diane Pie! You don’t get cheered up, you doing the cheering!”

“Darn skippy!” she agreed and dashed to her door her reflection staying. She quickly dashed back to the mirror and frowned at her reflection. “You coming?”

“Oh, right!” the reflection said as it dashed away with her again.

Pinkie hopped down the stairs to the café and jumped in front of Cup Cake. “Good Morning, Mrs. Cake!”

Cup Cake raised an eyebrow. “Pinkie? What are you doing here?”

“I live here, silly,” she chuckled.

“But didn’t you have to go to meet your friends somewhere?” Mr. Cake asked as he exited the kitchen.

“Oh golly gosh! You’re right!” she ran toward the door. “I’ve got to cheer up Rainbow Dash!”

When Pinkie was out of sight, Mr. Cake scratched his head in confusion. “Didn’t she leave with everypony? And how did she get back upstairs?”

Cup Cake simply shrugged it off. “It’s Pinkie, who knows.”

“Y-Yeah,” Mr. Cake chuckled, though he couldn’t quite put his hoof on this feeling he had.

Pinkie started at Rainbow Dash’s house. Though she was in such a hurry that she forgot her balloon that she usually used to get there. She had to stop right below the floating cloud house. “Rainbow Dash!” she shouted at the sky. “I’m sorry for bothering you! And don’t worry about an apology, cause I forgive you!” She waited for an answer but none came. “Rainbow!?” she shouted again. “Rainbow!!!!!!”

“Quiet!” a voice shouted from above her. Pinkie looked up and saw a black Pegasus stallion with a white mane lounging on a nearby cloud. “I only get a twenty minute break today and I don’t want to lose my sleep.”

Pinkie shrank down and whisper shouted. “Sorry! By the way have you seen Rainbow Dash?”

The stallion frowned. “You mean she’s not home? That mare called in sick! I’ve had to cover for her all week!”

Pinkie saw that she had obviously hit a sore spot and decided it was time to go. “I’ll just move on then.”

“When I get my hooves on her!” the stallion shouted as his voice began to die down in the distance. Pinkie’s smile began to turn as wondered where Dash could have gone. She seemed pretty upset.

“I’ll bet she’s at Twilight’s!” Pinkie surmised. “The others must have prepared their own party for her! That must have been what Mr. and Mrs. Cake were talking about!” She happily hopped along the road again, this time on her way to Twilight’s castle.

Rainbow stretched her hooves as the two pegasi prepared for a race. Cloudy simply sat with her hooves together and her eyes closed in meditation. “You’re not going to get anywhere like that,” Rainbow smirked. “If you wanna get fast you gotta loosen up.”

“I think my methods work best,” Cloudy sneered with her eyes still closed. She gave one final deep breath and stood up opening her eyes. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Perfect,” Rainbow said while finishing her stretches. “How about first pony to Town Hall and back is the winner?”

Cloudy raised a hoof to her eyes and measured the distance. Town Hall seemed to be a short range away for a Pegasus, though she saw why Rainbow Dash chose the course. The town between them and the goal was rife with chimneys and high buildings, perfect obstacles. “I take it no high gliding?”

“Of course,” Rainbow grinned.

Twilight and the rest walked out of the castle to see the two preparing on the lawn. “Enough of this, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said exasperatedly. “You have nothing to prove so-”

“I have everything to prove to this joker,” Rainbow retorted. Cloudy simply rolled her eyes.

“Are we doing this or what?” she moaned.

Rainbow got into a readying stance by pulling her flank back and digging her hooves into the ground. “You got it.” Cloudy responded by simply standing still, instead opting to flap out her wings and lean forward, pointing her muzzle toward the sky. Rainbow laughed at how silly she looked. “What kind of position is that?”

“Just start it,” Cloudy groaned. Rainbow gritted her teeth.

“Go!” Rainbow took off in a blur. She grinned as she turned back expecting to see Cloudy behind her, but to her surprise the mare was neck and neck and slowly edging ahead by barely flapping her wings. “How did..” Rainbow scowled and flapped her wings even harder.

She began to push ahead of Cloudy once more, however that changed when the racers hit their first obstacle. Rainbow had to slow down at points in order to safely get around the chimneys and buildings, however Cloudy’s more mellow way of flying was allowing her to acrobatically soar toss and turn through the air like a leaf, narrowly avoiding obstacles without sacrificing speed. Rainbow growled. How is she doing that?

Rainbow was blown away when Cloudy reached the town hall first and flew back the way they’d come, passing her. It was at that brief moment, a millisecond tops, when the two were parallel to each other that drove Rainbow over the edge. She could forgive an opponent for smirking at her, or even just not noticing her. But Cloudy did the unthinkable. In that one moment, Cloudy saw her and shrugged before passing.

Rainbow had never seen those eyes in an opponent. Usually there was a fire in them. The drive to win. But Cloudy Gust held nothing but indifference to her and the race they were in. For the second time in her life, Rainbow felt small.

Her nostrils flared and she yelled at the top of her lungs before crashing her hooves down on the side of the Town Hall. The force of her impact made a spider crack appear along the wall and she shot off again. This time Dash was going all out.

She pumped her wings faster than she ever gone before in such an obstacle ridden course. Pipes and roofs nearly clipped her multiple times as she barely dodged. But it was worth it to see herself coming up on Cloudy. She let out one last scream of defiance to get her opponent’s attention but to her chagrin, Cloudy did not respond. Rainbow felt her anger well up and she actually veered off course toward her opponent. Just then though Cloudy swerved around a chimney. Rainbow was going too fast and too strong to turn in time so she felt the full impact against the red brick column. It shattered against her and she began to topple to the ground. Rainbow landed with a thud. She could barely register what was going on as the world around her rang. She thought she could make out Fluttershy and Applejack coming down the street. They ran up to her and helped her up but she was having a hard time hearing them. So much ringing. Finally they lifted her up and began to walk her back to the castle.

Rainbow’s hearing gradually came back and she could hear Applejack chewing her out. “What in tarnation were you thinkin’?!”

“You’re eye!” Fluttershy said in sympathetic pain. Rainbow raised a weary hoof to her face and flinched as it touched a large swelling around her right eye.

“You’re lucky that’s the worst of what you got,” Applejack scolded. They finally reached the end of town and the others on the lawn ran over to see to her. Shining and Cloudy stayed behind, Shining seeming to give Cloudy a lecture. The purple Pegasus seemed to listen intently, all her focus on the unicorn in front of her.

Rainbow gritted her teeth as the words of her friends began to drown out. She pushed herself off of Applejack and Fluttershy and began to limp toward Cloudy. Shining took notice and stopped talking making Cloudy turn around to face her. “That doesn’t look good,” Cloudy said unsympathetically.

Rainbow ground her teeth together as futile anger welled up in her stomach. “Why?” she breathed.

“Why what?” Cloudy asked in a condescending tone.

“If you’re so fast why don’t you join the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow asked, finally giving words to the feeling she had had since meeting her. If this Pegasus was so good, so much… better than her, then why hadn’t she joined them? She could have done it so easily, too.

“Why would I want to be a part of those petty performers?” Cloudy replied harshly.

Rainbow’s eyes widened and she let her mouth hang a bit. The troop she had idolized since foalhood being called petty?

“The Wonderbolts haven’t been truly combat effective for decades,” Cloudy continued. “They’re nothing but overrated showponies now.”

Rainbow’s anger built up again and she could actually feel bile at the back of her throat. Here was a pony with every opportunity she could ever hope for. Yet when she looked at the dreams of a pony like Rainbow Dash, she saw them as petty. All the work and all the training she’d put in just to become a reserve member. Cloudy saw it all as a pointless endeavor.

“Shut up!!” Rainbow shouted. Her anger got the attention of everypony and the lawn went quiet. “You don’t get to talk like that!”

“Oh really,” Cloudy shouted back, now equally invested in the argument. “Name one major attack in the past ten years in which the Wonderbolts have had any effectiveness.”

Rainbow scowled. “I… I don’t have to answer to you.”

“You can’t because there are none!” Cloudy shouted. She narrowed her eyes and smirked. “I think I get it now. You’re a chariot chaser. Always struggling to stay just close enough to the limelight without ever having to risk anything. Do you know why I beat you?” Rainbow was silent. “Because I thought for a second! A Pegasus doesn’t have to take off in a launch position if the wind will launch her for it. Sure, you’re fast. Probably one of the fastest I’ve ever seen, but speed means nothing on the battlefield. You need to be able to read the wind. Tell what breezes will blow you off course or into an enemy barrage. I learned so much more about flight in boot camp then I would ever know in the Wonderbolts. You want to be like them? Fine, go be a celebrity. But stop trying to make it my business!”

Rainbow listened to her rant with a seething rage, finally letting it all go. She screamed and lunged at Cloudy. Her friends moved to intercept while Cloudy merely splayed her legs in preparation to fight. But it was ended as Rainbow fell head first into a magical pink sphere that surrounded Cloudy. “That’s enough!” Shining Armor shouted, his horn aglow.

Everypony stopped and stared at him. Twilight was the first to move toward Rainbow Dash and lend her a hoof. Rainbow shakily got to her hooves and glared at Cloudy while she was still protected. “Are we done?” Shining asked in a serious tone Twilight and the others had never heard him use before.

Even Cloudy seemed a bit surprised at the tone. “Yes, sir.”

Shining sighed and lowered the bubble. He looked up at the sky and saw how late it was getting. “I’m sorry to leave, Twily, but I need to get back.” He walked over to his sister and Rainbow giving his sister a semi-warm smile before frowning at Rainbow. “Miss Dash, I hope you’ll seriously consider ACTUALLY attending those sessions.”

He walked away toward a chariot parked to the side and a pegasus in gold armor took him away. Twilight and the others hurried to Rainbow’s side. “What sessions? What was he talking about?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow took a long sigh before sitting down. “Shining… offered me a free round of psychiatric sessions after… you know…”

Fluttershy gasped as she sat down as well. “Oh, Rainbow.”

Twilight frowned but smiled. “Well that’s good, isn’t it? I mean you have to talk to somepony about stuff like that.” Rainbow didn’t respond. “You… didn’t go, did you?”

Rainbow scowled again. “No! Of course not!”

“Rainbow you have to talk to somepony about this,” Rarity interjected. “It’s not healthy to keep something like that bottled up.”

“Rarity’s right,” Applejack agreed. “You need to get that off your chest.”

A thought occurred to Twilight and glanced at Cloudy. “Um, Captain Gust, do you think you could give us all a moment alone?”

Cloudy stared between her and Rainbow before shrugging. “Alright.” She walked toward the castle and Spike let her in before closing the door.

Twilight took a deep breath. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell everypony,” she started, Applejack was especially attentive.

“What in the hay is going on here!?” Everypony turned to see Pinkie Pie approach from the side. Then they turned their heads to see Pinkie Pie standing with them. They all turned their heads again towards the approaching Pinkie just to be safe that they weren’t hallucinating or she didn’t teleport, as Pinkie was known to do. The new Pinkie stopped in front of them with a confounded expression.

“Um, Pinkie?” Twilight said curiously. “You didn’t copy yourself again did you?”

“Not to my knowledge,” both Pinkies said at the same time. “Ooh! Jinx! You owe me a soda! I owe you a soda? I haven’t got any bits on me!”

The other five all watched this “exchange” with wide eyes. “Out of the fryin’ pan into the fire, eh?” Applejack said. Twilight couldn’t help but nod.

Cadence had called for every available emigration record her staff could find. The three ponies, two royals and one detective all poured through the long list of names as more staff came into the dining room they had decided to use for studying. Each one brought a new pile of lists and then left to gather more. “This is going to take forever,” Cadence groaned.

“Not necessarily, princess,” Cold Case assured her. “If Blue Quartz is a pseudonym then it may take forever, but if she’s real…”

“Then it’s a one in a million chance of us finding her,” Cadence pouted. “Why didn’t the castle staff work alphabetically? I feel like I’m trying to look through Twilight’s library. Why in Equestria would they separate names by neighbor proximity?”

Luna picked up a new piece of parchment and shouted. “Eureka!” Cadence and Cold Case looked to her in surprise. Luna lifted the paper toward them and pointed to a name at the top. “It appears I have found her!”

Cold Case took the parchment and grinned. “Good work, princess.”

“So we know she’s real,” Cadence said. “What’s your next move, detective?”

Cold Case scrolled her hoof down on the list to the next name. “We check out a neighbor, perhaps somepony who knew her. If they can corroborate that Blue Quartz was acting strange before she moved away then I might have proved my killer theory.”

“And this will help you find where the killer has gone?” Luna asked.

Cold Case lowered the paper with a frown. “No, but it’s a start.”

“Pinkie, are you absolutely certain that you didn’t copy yourself?” Rarity asked as they lined up both Pinkies side by side.

“I don’t think so,” the Pinkie on the left replied. “What do you think?”

“I don’t think so too,” the Pinkie on the right replied.

Twilight rubbed her temples. “Then, how did this happen?” Both the Pinkies merely shrugged in answer.

“Long lost twin?” Fluttershy suggested.

Applejack shuddered a little. “Ah certainly hope not. One Pinkie is enough. No offense, sugarcube.”

“None taken,” they both responded.

Applejack rubbed her chin. “Okay, why don’t Ah just ask you two some questions. That way we can tell who’s lyin’.” The two Pinkies nodded in agreement. “Alright, what’s your name?”

“Pinkamena Diane Pie!” both replied.

Applejack widened her eyes in surprise and scratched her head. “Well?” Rarity asked.

“Ah, um,” Applejack stammered. “They’re both tellin’ the truth.” The mares all looked to each other in confusion.

Twilight stared at the two deep in thought. “I’ll start assembling some scientific tests. Maybe we can find out what happened then.”

“Uh, Twi,” Applejack caught her shoulder as she was about to leave. “Wasn’t there somethin’ you wanted to tell us?”

Twilight faltered for a moment as she looked between the Pinkie Pies. She wasn’t sure, but something about this situation felt off. Whatever was up, this wasn’t a time to divulge national secrets. “I’ll… tell you later. Right now we should deal with this.”

Applejack looked a bit disappointed but nodded. “Alright, Ah understand.” She let Twilight go and the alicorn proceeded back into her home leaving the six outside.

“So what do we do now?” Rarity asked. She looked over to Rainbow who had been oddly quiet. The blue Pegasus sat off to the side with her head slumped, nursing her wounds. Her eye had begun to swell. Rarity sighed and walked over. “I wish you’d let us take you to the hospital, dear.”

Rainbow looked up briefly, her eyes seeming to look right past Rarity. “I’ll be okay. I just… need some time alone.” She got up to fly away but was struck with a jolt of pain through her wing. She cried out and fell back to the ground.

“Rainbow!” Both Pinkies shouted before running over to her. Each one got on either side and lifted her up.

“I’m fine,” Rainbow assured them angrily and pushed them away. The Pinkies both looked at her with sad but compassionate eyes. Rainbow felt a surge of guilt overtake her and lowered her head. “Uh, listen, Pinkie…” Suddenly the Mailmare’s words echoed in her ears. ‘All it takes is a little practice and anypony can become somepony else.’ Rainbow’s eyes widened as she looked at the two Pinkies and she began to hyperventilate. “I-I gotta go!” Rainbow ran off toward town.

“Wait! Rainbow!” Both Pinkies shouted as they ran after her but stopped before they could follow her.

Off to the side Applejack discussed with Fluttershy and Rarity. “This is weird, right? Ah mean, Pinkie or both Pinkies said she didn’t go near the reflecting pool. So how come there’re two of her? And shouldn’t we be a little bit more cautious?”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “I suppose. This is an odd situation.” She looked over toward the two and saw them in perfect sync as they sighed and trudged back over to the group. “But they seem so similar. What other explanation could there be?”

Applejack looked at the two suspiciously. “Ah don’t know. But Ah intend to find out.”

Cadence, Luna, and Cold Case stood before a simple looking house. Cadence was the one to knock as the door opened immediately. A shiny crystal stallion greeted them. “Your highness!” he shouted in surprise then bowed.

“Pardon the intrusion,” Cadence said with a slight head tilt of her own.

“No! No! Please come in!” Cadence entered followed by Luna and Cold Case. “And Princess Luna too. What an honor.”

Sorry to interrupt the festivities,” Cold Case spoke up. “But would you happen to be Brilliant Emerald?”

“That’s me,” the pony replied before closing the door. “What can I do for you?”

“We were hoping to learn if you knew a pony named Blue Quartz?” Cadence asked.

Emerald scratched his head in thought. “Blue? Yeah, I knew her. We were friends before Sombra’s curse.”

Luna frowned. “What do you mean ‘before Sombra’s curse’?”

Emerald sat down as he recalled events. “Well, I heard she moved away. Not that she told me anything. We were close friends in foalhood but when our memories returned after a thousand years she just seemed… distant. I’d try to invite her out some nights but she seemed to want nothing to do with me. I assume it was because of the stress of being reintroduced to society after a thousand years. Hay, even I had to talk to a therapist a little. Yeah, I’m pretty sure she moved. Probably wanted a new start. Why? Is she in trouble for something?”

Cadence glanced at Luna and Cold Case, the detective being completely silent. “Let’s just say we’re interested in her wellbeing.”

“You mentioned you moved, would you happen to know where she lived?” Cold Case spoke up.

Emerald smiled. “Of course. 321 Crystalberry Lane. I lived on the opposite side of the street.”

Cadence looked to Cold Case with a puzzled look. She leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Why would you need that?”

Cold Case’s eye narrowed. “A hunch.”

The group went to the address. A pony was living there and didn’t seem too happy to see them. Especially when Cold Case asked Luna to take apart the floor boards. Cadence was able to calm the pony down and send him away for a while so they could work. “Are you sure about this?” Cadence asked.

“Yes,” Cold Case assured her with a grim look. Cadence nodded to Luna whose horn began to glow as her telekinesis pried the planks from the floor, nails and all. Just as they removed the second layer of planks from the reinforced floor a sudden stench caught their attention.

“Oh Faust,” Luna swore as she covered her nose. The three looked down into the hole they’d created and gasped simultaneously. There at the bottom of a pit dug beneath the house, was a decaying body. A blue crystal pony with her horn removed.

Cadence backed away immediately and held her hoof to her mouth as her stomach threatened to retch. “Damn,” Cold Case mumbled. “You have to investigate it, but you always hope you never have to see it.”

Luna’s face was pale as well, but her eyes showed no disgust, only anger. “Detective, have you any clue as to the whereabouts of this villain?”

Cold Case shook her head. “No idea, princess.”

Luna reeled on her. “How can that be? You have proven yourself to be a magnificent investigator!”

Cold Case sighed. “It’s because the last killing doesn’t fit the M. O.” She pointed to the body. “Everything about this murder says final straw. She chooses a new untraceable identity and goes into hiding in one of the most crime filled cities in Equestria. Perfect hunting ground for her. Deaths happen all the time on the street. But I’ve scoured Whinnyapolis. Shook down cosmetic surgeons, magicians and even party supply stores about a mare that might be looking for a disguise. But everything, including my gut tells me she left the city. I just can’t understand why she would leave.”

Cadence finished quelling her stomach only for a thought to cross her mind and bring her bile back up again. “Oh Faust, no,” she whispered in horror. Luna’s keen ears heard her.

“Cadence, what is it?” she asked.

Cadence turned to Luna, her lips trembling and her eyes wide. “I… I think I know where she’s going.”

Twilight worked diligently in her fancy lab underneath the castle. She loved her old lab but this one felt a lot more professional. The crystal walls were lined with books on magical theorems and scientific discoveries. She also had row after row of special cribs for all her potions and vials. Not to mention the place was sparkling clean. She had begun to pull out a large old device in the shape of a seat with a metal bowl with wires coming out of it. To the side of the seat was a readout display that printed a line representing variables. She wiped her brow in relief as she finished pulling the old hunk of junk out.

“Glad this thing survived the explosion,” she said to herself.

Applejack entered through the door and walked over to Twilight. “Twi, Ah think we need to discuss some things…” She stopped as she caught sight of the room around her. “Wow, Ah’ve never actually been in here.”

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” Twilight squealed. “It’s got everything I could ever ask for in a lab.”

Applejack shook her head to get back on topic. “Wait, Twilight, we need to talk.”

“Oh my,” Fluttershy gasped as she walked in too. Rarity and the two Pinkies followed her.

“This place is ten times the size of your old one, Twilight!” the right Pinkie shouted.

Twilight smiled at the two. “Pinkie, do you remember this?” She moved to reveal the device. The Pinkie on the right gasped happily and rushed forward the other Pinkie following her.

“Is this the thingy!?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Twilight replied. “It’s my readout machine. I used it to try to define Pinkie’s Pinkie sense before but it can also be used to detect anomalies.”

Twilight proceeded to put them both in the chair one by one and strap the helmet to them. They were ordered to stay still for a minute while the machine read their brain waves, which was asking a lot of two Pinkie Pies. When the tests were done Twilight held the two graph sheets side by side for all to see. One graph showed an erratic wibbly wobbly line that seemed to go in all directions. While the other… “Well?” Rarity asked.

Twilight opened her mouth to speak but stopped as she couldn’t quite find the words. “What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked. “They look different.”

“That’s just it,” Twilight grimaced. “Their completely different. In fact complete opposite of one another. I could probably tell who was Pinkie by who had the most erratic graph, but they’re both equally erratic” She lined the graphs up and they saw that indeed both seemed to be a mirror reflection of the other.

“What does that mean?” Rarity asked.

“It means… I don’t know.”

“Perhaps I do,” a familiar strong voice came from the door. Everypony turned to see Princess Luna and Cadence walk in. Cadence looked sick to her stomach while Luna looked for more angered and scary than when they had known her as Nightmare Moon.

“Cadence!” Twilight shouted in delight only to falter as she saw her sister-in-law turn her head guiltily. Luna walked toward the group and stared down at Twilight in particular.

“We will discuss what you and your brother have been doing at a later date,” she said in a serious tone. Twilight’s eyes widened as she shrank in place. Luna turned to the two Pinkies and snarled. “As for you beast!” Her horn began to glow incredibly. Applejack jumped in front of the two.

“Hold on! Just what are you tryin’ to do?” she shouted.

Luna’s glow did not diminish as her gaze was fixed on the Pinkies. Both the pink mares shivered in each other’s hooves as they stared frightened at the angered alicorn. “Out of the way, child. One of those ponies is a monster beyond your comprehension.”

Applejack felt her heart thump as she could feel the truth in Luna’s words. “Th-That may be but you can’t just blast them both.” Luna lowered her guard a little.

“Then what do you propose, Applejack?”

Applejack looked between her friends and the Pinkies, her eyes falling on a specific friend. “Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy was cowering behind Rarity but she poked her head out as she heard her name. “Y-Yes?”

“You told me that you can tell when a pony acts out of the kindness of their heart,” Applejack said. Rarity and Twilight looked at her curiously but Fluttershy nodded. Applejack held a hoof out to her. “You can help us.”

Fluttershy looked between the fuming alicorn and the scared Pinkie Pies. She shakily got to her hooves and walked forward, trembling at every step. She reached the two and stopped taking a deep breath to calm herself. “Um, Pinkie. What’s your favorite thing to do?”

Both Pinkies perked up. “To see everypony smile!” they both answered. Fluttershy’s eyes went wide and she fell to the floor trying to hold in her stomach’s contents. She pointed to the Pinkie on the left.

“Her!” she cried out. Luna reeled on the left Pinkie, prepared to fire. Suddenly the left Pinkie’s smile grew wide with sharp teeth. Before Luna could get off a shot, the fake Pinkie reached into her mane and pulled out a small cylindrical device and a hoof cloth. Luna shot a blast of magic at her but she grabbed the real Pinkie from behind with the hoof cloth across her mouth and threw the device on the ground. It burst apart spreading an acrid smoke all throughout the lab.

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted as she saw the fake disappear with her friend into the smoke. In a matter of seconds the whole lab was filled with smoke. Twilight and the others heard a series of glasses shatter, a puff of color accompanying each break and the smoke growing more and more opaque. Twilight quickly realized what the fake was doing. “She’s breaking the potion bottles! Nopony breathe in!”

Everypony tried to hold their breath as Twilight instructed. They all heard Cadence cry out as there was the sound of somepony falling to the floor. Luna finally regained her composure and let out a pulse of wind magic to disperse the cloud of smoke. When the plumes were forced to the back of the lab everypony began to rise, Fluttershy having a particularly hard time. Applejack helped her up.

“You okay?” she asked.

Fluttershy could only shake uncontrollably. “It was like nothing I’d ever felt before. The cruelty. I… I couldn’t…” She began to tear up and put her head into Applejack’s shoulder.

Luna and Twilight glanced at the door where Cadence had once stood. The princess was now lying on the ground, a wound on forehead. “Cadence!” Twilight shouted.

“You let her escape?” Luna shouted angrily.

Cadence rubbed her head as she winced getting back to her hooves. “She… threatened to hurt Pinkie Pie.”

Luna growled in annoyance and rushed out. Twilight took this moment to take care of Cadence while Rarity and Applejack looked after Fluttershy. She leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “Cadence, what was Luna talking about?”

Cadence’s face didn’t change though her complexion became even more pale. “Twilight, I’m so sorry.” She looked her in the eyes and began to tear up. “I told her everything.”

“Told her what?” Applejack asked as she approached Twilight, a look of righteous indignation on her.

“Applejack I-”

“No! Enough!” the farmpony shouted. “Ah know ah said that Ah’d trust your judgement. But not if it’s gonna start costin’ our friends their lives!” Her face was inches away from Twilight’s. “The truth!”

Twilight tried to say something, anything. That they had no time for this. That the villain was getting away. But she couldn’t. Applejack was completely right. This was her fault because she hadn’t entrusted her friends with information that could protect them. “Alright…”

Pinkie slowly opened her eyes. Her head was swimming after what had happened. Last thing she remembered was Fluttershy nearly throwing up. Then that doppelganger of hers put something with a funny smell over her mouth which made her pretty sleepy. As she regained consciousness her surroundings came into focus and she realized she was somewhere familiar. It was a small room with toys and two cribs placed towards the wall. “Whuh?” she tried to get up but found herself tied to a chair.

“Shh,” a familiar voice whispered. Pinkie turned her attention toward the cribs and saw herself standing above them. “You’ll wake the little ones.” She smiled widely, showing off an array of razor sharp teeth.

Pinkie was now completely awake. She saw Pound and Pumpkin sleeping in their cribs the pony stood next to. “Who are you? And why do you look like me?”

The doppelganger shrugged. “That’s the question isn’t it? Why do I look like you?” She sauntered over to her and placed her hooves on top of her restrained ones, getting right in her face. “You know I usually have to spend hours doing makeup just to prepare for one of my pretend sessions. But with you, I only had to put a little chalk in the mane.” She shook her head and a cloud of dust began to fall out. Pinkie saw her mane become a brilliant red, her pink body staying the same color though. “I expected somepony to call me out or something. Especially when you showed up, I honestly thought I was made. But nopony seemed to notice. You’re a real piece of work you know that?”

Pinkie glared at her. “How come Applejack couldn’t tell you were lying?”

The fake looked offended. “Because I wasn’t. I’m the real Pinkie Pie. At least just as real as you’ll ever be.” A small bandage, previously unseen below her bangs, started to peel off after she shook her head. Pinkie watched a small stream of blood pour down between her eyes and down her muzzle.

Pinkie saw this horrific sight but kept her cool, steadily glaring at the impostor. “You seemed like such a nice pony. But you’re mean! Just like that Mailmare that attacked Dashie!”

The impostor chuckled and leaned off of her. “You know I was there for that. I saw how you reacted to the situation. How others reacted. In fact, I’ve been watching you for about a month so I know a lot about you and let me tell you, I didn’t need to change a lot about myself. I mean I just felt so natural playing you. I honestly thought we’re completely different but now I see how right Twilight’s test was. You and I are the same pony!” Her smile grew again while the blood from her forehead continued to steadily drip down her face and then on the floor. “It’s like we’re mirror images of the other. While I make ponies happy by giving them rest, you make them happy by letting them live a little. If only you knew what I knew, we would be exactly the same.”

Pinkie hadn’t heard craziness on this level before. That and the fact that she was in now in the Cake’s home and she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Mr. or Mrs. Cake was worrying her. “Know what?”

The impostor cocked her head to the side and gave her a look of confusion. “That we’re all dead already, silly. Everypony’s dead. Lots just like to walk around pretending to be alive. But that’s what makes it interesting. To pretend.” She looked back at the cribs and smiled warmly as she reached in for one of the sleeping infants. Pinkie was about to shout at her but the pony held up a hoof and pulled out a long sharp object from her mane. It looked like a knife. She picked up Pumpkin and began to cradle the sleeping foal in her other hoof while holding the knife out to Pinkie with the other.

“Hush little baby, don’t say a word. Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.” Pinkie felt her blood begin to run cold as the full weight of her situation fell on her. She began to struggle to free herself from her binds. “And if that mockingbird don’t sing, mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.” The impostor slowly began to walk her way back to Pinkie her knife pointed at her the whole time. “And if that diamond ring turns brass, mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.” Pinkie finally freed one of her hooves and reached over to undo her bonds on the other one. Suddenly the knife came flying and pierced her free hoof making her draw back in pain. Instantly the impostor was above her and pinned her free hoof to the side. Pinkie struggled but she was too weak from being knocked out or the impostor was too strong. “Now I lost my place,” She grinned as she began the song over again. “Hush little baby, don’t say a word. Mama’s gonna kill for you the whole damn world.” Pinkie looked between her and Pumpkin, a feeling of dread washing over her.

When Twilight was done explaining everything, or at least the short version, to her friends Applejack was not pleased. She grit her teeth in frustration as she turned away from Twilight. “Applejack, I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Ah can take care of mahself,” she insisted. “But right now we need to help Pinkie.” Applejack ran out the door without looking back. Rarity stared at Twilight while she left as well. Fluttershy looked her way briefly with a sick look from before still on her face before she ran outside. Twilight and Cadence were left alone. She began to tear up.

“I… I only wanted them to be safe.” She turned to Cadence. “Why is this happening?”

Cadence shook her head morosely. “I don’t have the answer for that. But come on, we need to go.” The two princesses got up to follow the others.

“Where is Pinkamena Diane Pie!?” Luna shouted loudly as she hovered above Ponyville. Her eyes had begun to glow and the clouds seemed to answer her mood as they swirled around her blotting out the setting sun. Ponies below began to tremble in fear as they cleared the streets though some pointed their hooves toward Sugarcube Corner.

“Princess!” Applejack shouted as she finally caught up with Luna. The princess of the night barely regarded her as she angrily flew towards the sweet shop. “We’d better get there fast or she might just hurt Pinkie along with that fake.” Rarity nodded with Fluttershy who still was having a hard time recollecting herself. The three began to run in pursuit of the princess.

The fake Pinkie heard a rumble and shouts from outside. She turned her head to the window after retying Pinkie to the chair. A large grin spread across her face. “Looks like we have company.”

Pinkie breathed heavily as all she could think about were the twins, Pumpkin still in the fake’s hooves. “You… you can do what you want with me. Just let them and Mr. and Mrs. Cake go.”

The fake turned to her. “A noble sentiment.” She smiled nonchalantly as she carefully lowered Pumpkin into her crib. “And I like a bit of nobility.” Without turning she pulled a new knife out of her mane and tossed it toward Pinkie. The knife embedded itself in the wall mere inches away from her mane. In another second the fake was in front of her again and pulling the knife out. The blood pouring down her face now seemed to be making her mane droop in places losing its fluffiness. “I wish this could be nice and long, but I’m on a bit of a deadline now.” She smiled viciously as she raised the knife above her head.

Suddenly a round object flew in from the window and slammed into the fake’s hoof knocking her weapon away. She swore loudly as she drew her hoof back and looked toward the window and then at the object shattered on the floor. She raised a curious eyebrow. “Is that an LP?”

“Stop!” Luna shouted as she appeared at the door. The fake spun and jumped away from Pinkie to avoid getting blasted by a wave of magic. She landed with grace on the bars of Pound’s crib and seemed to balance perfectly on it. She merely grinned as Luna seethed. “You will pay for your crimes, creature!”

The fake giggled. “You think I didn’t come prepared to take out an alicorn?” She reached into her mane and pulled out a small spherical object made of clay. She quickly threw it on the ground to which it shattered and a blinding flash spread out from it. Pinkie had to close her eyes as Luna was forced to shield herself with her wings as well. The next moment Pinkie heard Luna cry out in pain. When the light diminished the twins were now awake and beginning to cry. Pinkie looked to Luna and saw that her left wing had been cut and stripped of some of its feathers. She also lay on the ground with her eyes closed, a trickle of blood falling from her forehead.

Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy ran into the café to see Mr. and Mrs. Cake tied up behind the counter. Both had a gag on them so that was the first thing she removed. “Where’s Princess Luna?”

Cup Cake was the first to speak. Her eyes wide and her expression grim. “She went upstairs. Oh Celestia, the twins!”

Carrot Cake sputtered as his gag came off. “What the hay is going on?!”

“Just a little redecorating,” came a bubbly voice from the stairs. Everypony turned to see the fake Pinkie stroll calmly down the stairs, a knife in her hooves. Her mane was now a deep red and her face covered in blood.

“Stay back, you!” Rarity shouted fearfully as Fluttershy hid behind her. “Or I’ll-”

“You’ll what?” the fake retorted. “You’ll stitch me up with that needle and thread you don’t have on you?”

Fluttershy breathed heavily as she pulled on Rarity’s mane. “Rarity, don’t! You have no idea what…” She stopped as she caught the fake’s glance. Once again the feeling of unpleasantness Fluttershy had felt before from this pony came surging back up. This time it was too much. She passed out.

“Fluttershy!” Applejack tried to wake her friend up but she would not budge. She was forced to give up as she turned back to the fake. “What happened to Princess Luna?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, she’s just taking a well deserved rest.” The fake began to play with her knife flicking it between her hooves. She glanced around at the ponies and smirked viciously as she came to Mr. Cake who flinched with wide terrified eyes. “Honestly, I have no idea how she puts up with any of you.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What are you talkin’ about?”

“Pinkie Pie,” the fake replied. “She’s so much better than you. All of you. And none of you treat her with the respect she deserves. I’ve watched you all enough to know just what you all think of her. ‘She’s so hyper!’ ‘She’s so strange!’ She could have been anything she wanted to be with her talents. Yet she decided to waste them on… dead things like you.” Her grin was starting to waver. “She was… is the best pony. Damn, why didn’t I realize it sooner? I love being Pinkie Pie! This is the best!” A look of realization over took her and she burst into hysterical laughter. The rest merely looked at her like she was crazy while the Cakes held each other in fear. When she was finally done laughing she took a long sigh. “Yeah, I think I’m going to enjoy it here.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” a familiar voice came from behind her. The fake turned quickly to see a pink mare flying at her down the stairs. The fake moved but was not fast enough as Pinkie crashed into her. The two rolled as they fought and crashed into the kitchen. Applejack took this chance to finish untying the Cakes. The two parents immediately took the opportunity to run up to their children’s room.

Inside the kitchen Pinkie clawed and punched at her doppelganger. She managed to land a solid hit to her jaw as the fake stumbled back and fell into an open bag of flour. She grinned as she got back up, not bothering to shake the flour off. “That all you got?”

Pinkie frowned and narrowed her eyes at the fake before grabbing a long wooden spoon and waving it in front of her. “Time somepony gave you a punishment!”

The fake looked between the spoon and Pinkie, her grin faltering for a second in place of a naughty smile. “Is it weird to think this is kind of hot?” Pinkie yelled and charged at the fake. But she was too fast this time and managed to double kick Pinkie across the room into the cabinet. The shelves of various jams and preserves fell on top of her, a glass of strawberry jam shattering on her head and beginning to drip the red substance down. Pinkie got up and glared at her assailant.

The two stood silently for a moment as they squared off then both sides charged towards each other once more.

Twilight finally made it to the Sugarcube Corner with Cadence at her side. They walked through the open door and saw Applejack and Rarity tending to Fluttershy. “Applejack! Where’s Pinkie?”

Applejack knew this was no time for anger, that would come later. She answered Twilight quickly. “In the kitchen, fightin’ off that thing.”

Cadence gasped. “She can’t handle that pony by herself!”

“We need to get in there!” Twilight agreed as she and Cadence ran into the kitchen. Applejack followed. The three ponies had to stop though when they saw what was in front of them. Two Pinkies were fighting of course, but with the haze of flour and the fact that both had gooey red liquid dripping from their heads, it made it hard to tell who was who. “Pinkie!”

“Yeah?” both Pinkie’s replied as they stopped fighting for a moment. One Pinkie pulling the other’s mane while the other prepared to deliver a punch to the stomach.

Twilight looked frantically between the two. “Uh, give me a sign that you’re you!”

“What kind of sign?” both Pinkie’s replied, having seemed to have lost interest in the fight. “A banner? Or maybe a stop sign!” They both eyed each other. “Hey! Stop copying me! Stop it! Shut up!” The fighting began once more.

Twilight began to fret as their battle took a toll on the kitchen they were in. “We need Fluttershy again.”

“Fluttershy passed out,” Applejack noted. “And mah power doesn’t seem to work on this pony.”

“Will somepony please explain what’s going on?” Mr. Cake said as he entered the kitchen followed by Mrs. Cake and the twins in her saddle bags. Mr. Cake’s eyes went wide as he saw his kitchen in disrepair. He gave a little sigh before his knees buckled and he fainted.

One Pinkie seemed to have finally had enough of the fighting and grabbed a rack of various utensils hanging on the wall. She hurled them toward the other Pinkie who ducked to avoid them, but this meant the rack headed straight for Mrs. Cake and the twins. The Pinkie who dodged heard a cry from behind and her eyes widened as she saw those ponies about to be crushed by a rack. In a burst of unreal speed she passed the flying rack and stood on her hind legs to spread out and cover them. Cup Cake looked at her face as the rack hit and splintered against Pinkie Pie’s back, eliciting a cry of pain. Pinkie crumpled to the floor.

Twilight saw all this and reeled on the Pinkie at the other end of the room. “You!” Her eyes began to glow white.

“Uh oh,” the fake Pinkie muttered and tried to run away but a purple aura had enveloped her. Twilight’s face contorted in rage as she lifted the fake into the air and splayed her legs out. The fake began to panic as a sharp pain ran through her limbs like they were being pulled apart. “AAAAAAAahhhh!”

Applejack and Cadence watched as Twilight began to torture the mare. Cadence grabbed Twilight by the shoulders trying to get a hold of her but she was in some kind of trance. “Twilight! Stop it! I know what she did was wrong but nopony deserves what you’re thinking.”

Twilight grit her teeth as her power only increased and the mare screamed louder. Applejack watched all this in horror as she was beginning to see the level of power from her friend that had scared her a couple weeks ago. This just proved everything she was worried about. Twilight was in over her head. And no matter how much Applejack hated her for keeping such a dangerous secret, she couldn’t just let her friend do something she would regret. Applejack took a deep breath and grabbed the sides of Twilight’s head, turning her to face her. “Twi, listen up. Ah know you’re feelin’ pretty powerful right about now. And ah know that ah can’t begin to imagine the kind of things you’re thinkin’ or feelin’. But understand this, might does not mean right. Sometimes the most important decision a pony can make is to not give in to power.” Twilight’s eyes were still bright white and the fake’s screams hadn’t ceased. “But that decision isn’t mine to make, it’s yours. So Ah guess Ah’m sayin’… do what you will. But don’t expect me to come back if you make the wrong choice.”

She let go of Twilight’s face and took a step back. The purple alicorn stayed in her powered up state for a moment longer before a single tear fell down her cheek. The light retreated and the fake fell to the floor in a thud, all her limbs seemingly dislocated. Twilight fell to the floor unconscious next but was caught by Applejack. “Easy there. Ah got ya. Ah got ya.”

Cadence proceeded to tie up the criminal and magically bind her. Cup Cake propped up her husband and began to help Pinkie wash off. About an hour later Luna finally came to and ran downstairs. Her anger subsided as she saw the beaten fake off to the side. Twilight lay asleep in Applejack’s lap with Fluttershy doing the same in Rarity’s. Pinkie happily greeted her. “Howdy! Good to see your okey dokey!”

Luna sighed in relief and nodded. “Yes, though I’ll probably be flightless for a month or two.” She lifted her serrated wing. “I am glad to see that everything turned out well.”

“Yes,” Cadence replied. “We can take this one over to Canterlot to be properly processed later.”

Luna glared at the unconscious villain wishing she could do more than just arrest her, but rules should be obeyed for now. Without glancing at Cadence she spoke. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about what you told me.” Cadence lowered her head in shame.

“I haven’t.”

Luna nodded solemnly and turned to Twilight who was still asleep. Instead she spoke to Applejack. “I would speak to her when she wakes up. There are many things you must know.”

“Twilight told me about everything,” Applejack replied. “About the bounty, about Redwood, and about the danger we’re all in.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Yes, well, let’s pray that is indeed everything.” She walked to the door and levitated the fake with her, Cadence following. “Tell her that I have words with my sister. And that she may be seeing me again quite soon.” With that she left, Cadence giving a slight nod to the others before trotting after her.

Twilight groggily came to and stretched her hooves. She hesitantly noticed that she was in Applejack lap and got up with a flush. “Um, how long was I out?”

Applejack chuckled. “Bout an hour.”

Twilight chuckled in return. “Look, I’m sorry that I-” Applejack raised a hoof to silence her. The cowpony then got up and headed for the door.

She paused at the door and looked back. “Ah’ll hear and accept your apology, Twilight. Really Ah will. Just… give me some time, alright?”

Twilight nodded and smiled sadly to which Applejack responded in kind before heading out. She looked over at Rarity. The fashionista sighed. “I can’t say I’m not as mad as she is, Twilight. But… I can understand wanting to protect somepony on your own.”

Twilight smiled. “Thank you, Rarity.”

“Can somepony please tell me what’s got everypony so worked up?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Twilight chuckled awkwardly. “Oh yeah, you weren’t there.” She explained it all. She expected Pinkie to get angry or at least shout, but the pony merely stayed silent. Finally she clapped her hooves together in a gesture of realization.

“Ooooooh! So that’s what the fake was doing. And why that mean old pony foalnapped Dashie!” Twilight nodded.

“Well I guess we’d better get going,” Twilight said. “I’ll take Fluttershy home.” She lifted the yellow Pegasus off of her friend and began to walk out with Rarity. They waved and said their goodbyes.

“Bye girls!” Pinkie shouted as they all left. She turned back inside toward Mrs. Cake who had taken a seat and was tending to the twins. “Wow, what a day, huh?”

Cup Cake frowned and gave a nod as she seemed to try to avoid eye contact with Pinkie. The pink mare noticed and raised an eyebrow.

“Wuzzat?” Mr. Cake mumbled as he finally woke up. Pinkie happily bounced over to him and got in his face.

“Howdy, Mr. Cake!” she said.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!” Carrot cried out as he jumped in the air. He began to slowly crawl away as Pinkie cocked her head and walked closer.

“What’s wrong?” Pinkie asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“P-P-P-Pinkie?” he muttered hesitantly.

“Yuppers!” Pinkie replied.

Mr. Cake gave a slight sigh of relief. Pinkie suddenly appeared right in front of his face again and giggled. “What? You thought I was that crazy mare?” Mr. Cake screamed again and this time jumped onto his wife and hugged her close. Mrs. Cake patted his back and still tried to avoid eye contact. “What’s wrong? You two are acting strange.”

Cup Cake took a deep shaky breath and exhaled. “Pinkie. I know you aren’t responsible. I know that you’re the most heartfelt and loving pony we could ever find. But… right now…”

“You scare us,” Mr. Cake finished as he hesitantly disentangled himself from his wife.

Pinkie stared at the two of them with confusion. “What… What are you saying?”

Cup Cake rubbed the back of her head, a sad expression forming on her face. “Maybe… just for a little while. You could stay with a friend. It would only be a little while.”

Pinkie’s expression fell and her hair deflated. Her patented smile seemed to disappear entirely. “Oh. Alright. I… understand.” She gave a quick look at the twins who didn’t seem to fear her. Pumpkin crawled forward and placed a hoof on hers, giggling. Pinkie smiled at the baby and was about to pick her up when Cup Cake intercepted and picked her up herself.

“Just for a little while,” Cup Cake reiterated.

Pinkie’s smile disappeared again. “Right. I… um… right.” She got to her hooves and trudged toward the door. She turned back with a sad smile. “I… just want to see you smile.”

Applejack stared at the ground the entire way over to Sweet Apple Acres. She had been so mad at Twilight. But now that everything was out in the open all she could think about was security measures. If everypony Twilight knew were seriously in danger, then that could mean her family as well. Applejack loved her friend, but family was family.

She opened the screen door just as the sun finally set in the west. The porch light turned on soon after. She could hear laughing from the family room as Granny Smith, Big Mac and Applebloom sat on the sofa looking at a book. Applejack grinned when she saw it. It was very familiar since it was the family album.

“And that’s your uncle McSeedy,” Granny Smith pointed to a picture of a mustachioed pony in a derby hat and overalls. “Greatest applebucker on the west coast.”

“Well if it’s just on the west coast,” Applebloom said as Applejack entered. “Applejack’s the best in all Equestria, right?”

Applejack smiled at her sister’s adoration. “Maybe,” Granny Smith smiled. “Though your daddy used to be quite the bucker himself.” She turned a couple pages to a picture of a familiar orange stallion in a stetson hat. He was in the middle of bucking an apple tree with the mare to his side, a yellow pony with a braided red mane. “Wow, sometimes Ah ferget how much you two look like your folks.”

“What about Big Mac?” Applebloom asked.

Granny Smith turned a page to a picture with an overweight red stallion with a green mane. “He looks like your uncle Caramel.” Everypony had a laugh except for Big Mac who rolled his eyes.

“What y’all lookin’ at this for?” Applejack asked.

“Just thought we’d take a stroll down memory lane,” Granny Smith replied. “Though Ah guess it’s time some of us called it a night.”

“Aw, do ah have to?” Applebloom asked with a whimper.

“No whining,” Applejack said. “Ah’ll be up in a minute too. Ah need a good rest after the day Ah had.”

Applebloom nodded despairingly and walked upstairs. Granny Smith walked over to the fridge and poured a cup of cider for Applejack. “Tough day?”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Applejack sighed as she accepted the beverage. Big Mac sat at the kitchen table to join the two, still carrying the album. “Mind if I take a look?” Big Mac shrugged and hoofed it over to her. She opened it and began flipping through pages of pictures from family reunions and days past, a smile creeping across her face. Finally she came to the familiar pictures of her parents. She really did look like her dad. She had to smile as she flipped through the pages. Then something caught her eye. There was a picture of the lovely couple standing together laughing. Applejack’s father had his hoof around his wife while they laughed at a joke someone off screen must have said. What caught Applejack’s eye though was the jagged edge of the photo where her father’s side was. It almost looked like somepony had ripped out a piece of the photo. “Hey, Granny? Do you know why this picture’s ripped?”

Granny Smith leaned over and looked at the picture. “Huh, Ah’m pretty sure that was taken before you were born. These were your father’s photos before I put ‘em in the album. Maybe he just cut something out of it.”

“Yeah,” Applejack agreed. She couldn’t quite place it, but she thought she saw the barest hint of a hoof extending from the torn edge of the photo.

“Go fish.”

Seek and Redwood had been playing cards for a few hours now, the criminal mastermind having specifically asked for the magical technician. Seek had felt nervous at first but after a couple hours with the stallion behind an impenetrable glass cage he had begun to let his guard down. Seek was the one who suggested playing cards, though it was difficult to exchange cards between the walls of the cage, Seek had worked out a system.

Redwood drew another card. “So tell me why you’re here,” he asked.

Seek frowned and looked around in confusion. “Because… you asked for me?”

“No, no,” Redwood chuckled. “Why are you here at CRO?”

Seek frowned deeper. “Uh, I don’t think I want to get into that with a criminal like you.”

“Don’t trust me?” Redwood smirked. Seek didn’t reply. “What? Think that I’ll use anything I learn about you to coerce you into helping me? I’m locked behind a magical barrier the princess herself erected.”

“You were still able to get out a message,” Seek muttered under his breath.

Even behind the glass Redwood was able to hear it. He smiled. “Now we’re getting to business.” He put down his cards. “So tell me how you knew.”

Seek bit his lip and looked around. The only other pony was posted outside the door to the sublevel warehouse. He took a deep breath and began to talk. “I’m in charge of the dragon lighter research. As such I’ve had several off the books spells cast on it, including a records spell. Every night at midnight a list of the times and usages of the lighter gets transferred to my crystal ball. For the past few weeks all we’ve been doing is bringing in information and files from the Mailmare’s storage site. However, a couple nights ago somepony sent an outgoing message with the lighter.”

Redwood began to clap slowly as he smirked. “Bravo. You know I really didn’t give you enough credit… Did you read the message?”

Seek shook his head. “It doesn’t work like that.”

Redwood nodded. “So I guess now we have to figure out just what you will do with this information. Will you report it?”

Seek gulped as he looked into Redwood’s eyes. “Maybe. That depends on what you can tell me.”

Redwood smiled. As always it came down to either bits or information. This pony was no different. “Shoot.”

“What do you want with Twilight Sparkle?”

Redwood was slightly surprised at the question but he didn’t let it slip. “To protect her. That hasn’t changed.”

Seek seemed to wait for him to finish. “Really? That’s all you’re going to give me? No, secret agendas?”

“Oh, I have secret agendas,” Redwood replied. “I just don’t see why I would tell you.”

Seek grit his teeth as he leaned closer to the glass. “Fine! At least tell me if you know the pony that put that bounty on her.”

Redwood was silent. Seek finally got up in a huff and headed for the door. “That’s it, I’m just going to tell Captain Armor.”

Redwood clenched his mouth shut as the stress began to hit him. He seriously didn’t expect a grunt like this pony to find him out. He would’ve preferred it if this pony just wanted money, but the things he was asking for he just couldn’t give him. He expected to hear the door slam shut behind him but the sound never came. Redwood frowned and turned to the door to see Seek frozen in midstep, hooves away from the door.

“Looks like you’re in a pickle,” a twisted voice said from behind him. Redwood turned to see a serpentine figure made from various parts. The head of a goat, the tail of a dragon, the paw of a lion and the wings of a bat. The spirit of chaos grinned ominously at him. “Or would that be a pickle jar?” he rapped his knuckles against the glass cage they were now both in.

“Discord, I presume.” Redwood smiled through gritted teeth.

Discord bowed. “Guilty as charged.”

Redwood got up from his seat and walked over to the draconequus. “What are you doing here?”

Discord lay back in midair and examined his nails nonchalantly. “Oh, I was in the neighborverse and heard there was a new chaotic element in town. Imagine my surprise to find it’s you again, Rayleigh.”

Redwood raised an eyebrow. “Have we met?”

Discord chuckled. “No, I suppose not. Though I know you quite well. After all, you loved those nights in the castle gardens.” Redwood’s chilled demeanor dropped for a second. “You learn so much about ponies when you’re a statue.” Redwood’s expression now became venomous, his red eyes seemingly trying to burn through Discord’s face. “Wow, that’s one stare you’ve got. Nearly puts a friend of mine’s to shame. Relax, Redwood. I’m not here to blow your plan or even interrupt it.”

Redwood receded his glare. “I’d heard you turned soft after the elements got a hold of you.”

Discord smirked. “I’m not tethered to anypony if that’s what you’re asking. I’m a free agent. And as a free agent I came to see the pony that will bring so much chaos to this land.”

Redwood narrowed his eyes at Discord. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Discord’s smile grew a little bit sharper. “On the contrary, I know exactly what I’m talking about.” He raised his hands and snapped, the whole world outside the cage becoming dark. “Secrets mean nothing to a god, mortal.”

Redwood looked around coolly, still keeping his demeanor. “There will be no chaos.”

“You say that,” Discord grinned with cat like eyes. “But I can smell it on you. You wreak of chaos. And not the good kind.” He disappeared and his head reappeared on Redwood’s shoulder. “You smell like mayhem.” Redwood waved him away and the head reappeared under him. “Turmoil.” Redwood waved him away again and the face appeared directly in front of him, its eyes deadly serious. “And pandemonium.”

“Do you have a point?” Redwood asked, beginning to lose his temper.

“As a matter of fact I do,” Discord returned to his happy go lucky self. “I came here to wish you good luck.” He snapped his fingers and the world returned. “And to give you a parting gift.” He teleported out of the cage and over to Seek. He then proceeded to pull a key out of his pocket and plunge it into the back of Seek’s head. He turned it and Seek’s head opened up. He reached in and pulled out a little version of Redwood holding the dragon lighter. Discord closed Seek’s head and teleported back into the cage. He showed the little figure off to Redwood before snuffing it out in his fist. “That takes care of his memory and I’ve already dealt with the records on his crystal ball.”

Redwood raised an eyebrow. “Why are you doing this?”

Discord chuckled. “I’m going to be… indisposed soon. As such I’d like to know that all the ponies I call friends are safe. And as much chaos as I can smell on you I know that with the right help you can accomplish that.”

Redwood seemed speechless. “And what if you’re wrong. What if I’m everything you’ve made me up not to be?”

Discord’s grin disappeared and his serious face returned. “Oh, I know what you are, Redwood. Do not think yourself clever enough to fool a god. As I said, nothing is secret to me.” His grin returned. “I do wonder though, Do you have any idea the kind of monsters that are after you?”

“I can handle monsters,” Redwood replied. “I’ve been doing so my whole life.” Discord didn’t seem to believe him. “While you may have been domesticated, Discord, I can assure you that the villains Ms. Sparkle and her friends are up against cannot be redeemed. The only way to deal with ponies like them is my way.”

“And are you prepared to see all those you love get swept up in the aftermath?”

It was Redwood’s turn to grin. “I have nopony I love.”

Discord tutted again. “No secrets. Remember?” One by one his body parts began to disappear starting with his tail and working up. “I look forward to seeing what you have planned, Rayleigh Redwood.” The last thing to disappear was his smile.

Suddenly time resumed. Redwood turned back to the door where Seek was preparing to leave. He grabbed the handle but stopped, cocking his head to the side. “Something wrong, agent?”

Seek scratched his head. “Uh, no, no. I… just kind of forgot where I was going.”

“I believe you said you were calling it a night.”

Seek frowned but nodded. “Yeah, I guess. Good night, Mr. Redwood.”

“Good night, Seek.” The green stallion left the room, locking the door behind him and leaving Redwood alone. He had a lot to ponder now, perhaps even some aspects of the plan needed to be rethought out.

A silent figure stalked a pony of interest as she made her way home from the town. She had been tailing the white unicorn ever since the event at Sugarcube Corner. Her initial investigation into Vinyl Scratch showed that she had been working as a DJ for close to four years. Other than that, nothing else strange was in her profile at Town Hall.

Originally she had planned to intervene but this neon blue maned unicorn moved first. Which was odd since she couldn’t even tell where Vinyl Scratch had shot the disc from. It took her even longer to actually track the unicorn down.

She watched from afar as Vinyl entered the house she shared with her roommate Octavia Melody, an earth pony specializing in classical music. The figure edged her way to the window to peer into the house.

“Vinyl, your back,” a gray earth pony she assumed to be Octavia said from the couch. A blanket was draped over her and a book in her lap. She couldn’t see Vinyl’s face but the unicorn seemed to give her roommate a concerned look since Octavia smiled. “No, I’m alright. That flu was like a week ago. Anyway, why haven’t I seen you all day?”

Vinyl turned toward the window, on her way to the kitchen. She merely waved her hoof in a certain motion that Octavia found easy to understand. “Work? What do you mean you had work? Was somepony throwing a party during the day?”

Vinyl grinned turned back to Octavia doing another motion, this one a little rude. “Oh, shut up,” Octavia chuckled. Suddenly the figure mistakenly stepped on a twig. It was a soft sound but somehow enough for the shades wearing pony to notice. She turned to the window and walked quickly toward it. The figure had mere moments to act.

Vinyl opened the window hard and peeked her head out, lowering her glasses to scan the night environment. Her eyes were a deep shade of red. No matter how hard she looked though she could not see anypony. “Close the window, please,” Octavia shouted from the living room. “It’s already getting chilly.” Vinyl nodded with narrow eyes and closed the window.

Up atop the small house a lone zebra in a black jacket and the shape of a leaf on her flank sat in complete silence, trying to hide her presence. The zebra proceeded to pull out a small notepad and quill from her pocket. She quietly added a new note to a long list of other surveillance intel. “Who is Vinyl Scratch?”

Legion (No. 26)

Author's Note

A couple things to clarify at this point. Events take place a little after season four. Plus there will be no cutie map in this continuity. As for the more technical aspects of the story. Crystal balls are kind of a replacement for computers. Just because someone doesn't have electricity or data flowing through them doesn't mean they cant interact with a computer. This is why earth ponies like Seek can use magical artifacts. I hope everyone who is reading this is enjoying it :pinkiehappy: and I hope to get new episodes out on a more steady basis soon.

Legion (No. 26)

Previously on The HItlist...

"You want to be like them? Fine, go be a celebrity. But stop trying to make it my business!”

“Tell her that I have words with my sister. And that she may be seeing me again quite soon.”

“Ah’ll hear and accept your apology, Twilight. Really Ah will. Just… give me some time, alright?”

"You wreak of chaos. And not the good kind.”

Legion (No. 26)

“All set?”

“Roger.”

Several ponies in black body armor prepared their crossbows and spears. Each one dawned a black wool mask that covered their faces. The place where they had been sent to was a loading dock in upper Baltimare. The only intel they had received was that a hostile package was on its way across the Celestial Sea. That was enough to work with, these were professionals after all.

The pony at the front, a unicorn judging from the blue horn poking out from her mask, halted the group as they hid behind a set of crates. Dock security wasn’t very tight and could have been easily dealt with but they received orders to limit civilian casualties. They waited for the dock watchpony to finish his round in the area and moved on. The leader motioned for her group to move out and they made their way to a large freighter. The ship was eerily lit by the few scattered lights on board giving it a ghostly quality. It didn’t make it any better that all the crew of this ship were nowhere in sight.

The leader turned to one of her ponies. “What’s the time of arrival for this rig?”

The pony lifted his mask and pulled out a small sheet of paper. “10:20.” The leader checked her watch, it was 9:40. Early.

“I don’t like this,” a pony from the back muttered, gripping her crossbow. “Where are the sailors? Where are the deck hands? Why hasn’t anypony come to check on this rig?”

The leader was wondering those things herself. Too many variables were popping up. Still they had a mission. “Get ready to move out.”

“Move out? Ma’am, if this thing already arrived, who knows how late we already are. The targets could be long gone by now.”

The leader nodded. “We’ve still got a job to do and that’s to get on that boat.” Her ponies all nodded and readied their weapons again. The leader took a quick glance around the dock for any hostiles and then motioned for them to move to the loading bridge. All except one pony made their way on the deck and got into a circle formation facing all directions. One pony spotted something among the scattered nets and fishing gear.

“Ma’am,” she said and pointed a general direction. The leader looked that way and nodded, everypony moving that way. They stopped at a stack of boxes that were covered in something dark and sticky. “Blood?”

The leader kneeled down and reached a hoof out to scoop some of the substance off. She sniffed. “No, worse.”

“Where’s Lock?” a pony said suddenly. The leader got up and looked at his ponies noticing that one had gone missing. “Lock!”

Another pony wrapped a hoof around the other’s mouth. “You trying to get us killed, Stock?”

Lock wrenched his mouth free. “He’s my brother. Ma’am, we’ve got to find him.”

The leader nodded grimly. “Alright stay in formation. Do not separate under any circumstances.”

“That might be hard,” a sickly sounding voice came from beneath them. The group all looked down to see a small hole. Immediately the hole was filled with a small cylindrical object that something beneath them shoved up on deck. A fuse burned at the end of it.

“Get to cover!” the Leader shouted as her ponies scattered. Two of them didn’t move in time as the dynamite exploded and caught them in the back. Smoke began to fill the air and pervaded everypony’s senses. The leader ran over to them avoiding the now very large hole and scooped up her two unconscious teammates. She ducked behind a crate to find one of her ponies, Stock, in a defensive position. “Damn it!”

“What do we do?” Stock asked.

“We’re separated, we’ve got no bucking clue where the enemy is and now we’re down three units,” the leader summarized. “Not many options.” She grabbed at her armored vest and pulled out a strange looking shell. She brought it to her mouth and spoke. “Barrel, you read?”

She waited for a moment then a stallion on the other end responded. “Roger.”

“You got prime position. How many hostiles you see on deck?”

The line was silent for a moment. “Twelve so far.”

The leader cursed. “You see another come out of that hole you take it out.”

“Copy that.”

“So we’ve got twelve hostiles on deck,” Stock said. “Do you think they took Lock?”

The leader nodded. “Probably a diversionary tactic. It definitely tripped us up.”

Stock gripped his spear a little tighter. “Just what are we dealing with, ma’am?”

Suddenly one of the unconscious ponies she had saved opened its eyes and sprung up, lunging at them. The leader moved faster and shot a bolt through his head. The pony’s eyes lost all color and his fur and armor disappeared to reveal a chitonous black exoskeleton. The creature fell forward with unblinking insectoid eyes and tattered bug wings. The leader gave it a disgusted look. “Changelings.”

A scream echoed throughout the dock. It sounded a lot like one of her own so the leader arched her head over the crate to take a peek at what was going on. The smoke had begun to recede but she could still only make out a few things. The sounds of crossbows firing and spears flinging. Screams and the sound of buzzing wings. Soon the shouts died down and all that was left was silence. The leader breathed slowly as she looked out at the dissipating smoke. Suddenly there was a brief blue glow. The leader calmly lowered her crossbow as she waited and another blue glow flashed. They were trying to draw her fire. “Fat chance, you bunch of roaches.”

More and more blue glows appeared and disappeared until finally one appeared right in front of them. The leader took this moment and jumped up, grabbing her hoof around the source. She gripped tight around its neck until she heard a snap and the figure crumpled. She gave a small sigh of relief until she saw what the glowing figure had been. It was one of her own ponies, painted over with a luminescent goo. She saw a brief trail of something silky and white connected to the goo, a slight pulse of magic trailing from it and making the goo glow at different intervals. The smoke had now receded enough that she could mostly see and it shocked her to the core. The changelings were out of sight and her own surviving ponies were walking around, unaware of their own painted targets and the white strings connected to them. “Cut the line!” she ordered as she jumped out of her hiding place. The rest of her team looked on in shock but were too slow as the white strings connected to them pulled tight and dragged them all into the large hole in the deck. She witnessed the last of her team scream their lungs out as she was dragged to the depths, clawing and scraping at the floor until she disappeared.

Stock stuck his head out. “What the bucking hay was that?!”

The boat began to rock and knocked Stock off his hooves. The leader kept her balance by hanging onto a secured crate of cargo. The boat finally stopped shaking and a sound started to come from below deck. The leader gulped and shakily took a step forward to peer in as the sound grew louder. It sounded like thousands of buzzing wings and skittering legs. She looked over the edge and her eye twitched as he saw a writhing sea of black and blue bug like creatures swarming over each other. One of them noticed her and hissed drawing the attention of the rest. The leader took this as a call to get the hell out. She backed away. “Retreat! Retreat!”

Stock didn’t hesitate and grabbed his teammate before running toward the loading bridge with the leader. Suddenly a giant pillar of swarming insectoids burst from the hole and slammed down in front of them. The leader and Stock slid to a stop as they looked up at the swirling mass of bodies. A slow curtain of magical energy washed over the thousands of bodies until it looked like they had changed into one form. A giant black hoof. Stock looked back toward the hole, his heart in his throat as another giant hoof stuck out and pushed the hole open a little wider. A giant head with evil blue segmented eyes followed. It snickered at them.

“Uh, ma’am,” Barrel said over the shell. “Should I open fire?” The leader grabbed her shell and yelled into it.

“Negative! Retreat to base! I repeat: retreat to base! Enemy is too strong!” She paused as the giant changeling struggled to squeeze itself out of the hole, its hoof still blocking her and Stock’s escape. The leader hoofed the shell over to Barrel. “Last words. Make ‘em good.”

Stock was terrified but his leader’s calm made him a little bit easier. “Barrel, you there?”

“Y-Yeah.” He could tell that his brother was getting emotional.

Stock smiled as his eyes began to water. “I… um… tell ma I’m sorry I ate that pie off the window sill in fifth grade.” Barrel chuckled over the shell. Stock tried to think of something else but there was only one other thing going through his head. “I love you, bro.”

“Yeah,” Barrel replied, his voice full of hurt. He shook his head and returned his attention to the mission. “Sir, do I try and make contact with Red One?”

The leader grabbed the shell. “Negative. Protection of assets is Priority One! Get out of the city and protect them at all costs!”

“Roger, ma’am.”

The leader sighed and threw the shell into the sea. The giant changeling finally freed itself from the confines of the ship and grinned viciously at the two armor clad ponies. The leader did not shake in fear, standing tall. “Who are you?”

The changeling chuckled and then with the sound of a thousand voices replied. “We are Legion, for we are many.” It raised it’s hoof and brought it down on the two, collapsing the ship under its pressure.

The sniper, Barrel, had run to the end of the docks at full speed, trying to hold back tears. He flinched as he heard a large explosion from back the way he came. Still he continued to run until he reached the roads. He had to disappear fast if he wanted to be gone by the time those things got to the city. So he ditched his armor and weapon in a trash can and tucked his mask into his saddlebag revealing his chestnut mane and his dark yellow coat. To all regular ponies he was now unnoticeable. But he still had a mission to accomplish. He pulled out a small photo in a manilla folder that all the members of his squad had received. Inside was a picture of six mares, joyfully posing for a camera. He committed the faces to memory. “Twilight Sparkle. Applejack. Pinkamena Pie. Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy. Rarity Belle.” He repeated the names like a mantra as he exited the dockyards and slipped into the now waking up streets of Baltimare.

Applejack’s leg had finally healed. It had been two weeks since the fake Pinkie attacked and she had sequestered herself to the farm. Fluttershy had come to visit every now and then, but with Rarity having taken a trip to consult with one of her high falutin’ fashion designer friends in Baltimare, that was about all the friendly visits she could expect. Rainbow had shut herself in her home, almost afraid to answer the door, and Pinkie was a sad mess after having been kicked out of the Cake’s. She and Twilight hadn’t spoken a word in days, the last time they met being a brief and awkward passing in the market square.

Applejack let out a hard buck with her back legs which shook the last tree that needed to be picked today. The apples toppled into the baskets, a sound she used to love as much as song, now it just felt hollow. She sighed and lowered her hat to keep the sun out before picking up the baskets. “So this is where you are?”

Applejack raised her head to see a yellow Pegasus descend from the sky and land next to her. “Hey, Fluttershy.” The yellow mare smiled warmly at her. Applejack was glad to see the pain of having to deal with the fake Pinkie had worn off on her. “So how’s Pinkie?”

Fluttershy frowned but shrugged. “She’s doing… alright. Every day she waits by the mailbox for word from the Cakes.”

“She did remember to let them know she was stayin’ at your place, right?”

Fluttershy paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. “I’ll make sure to bring that up with her.” The two shared a laugh. “Mind if I help?”

The two lugged the bushels of apples back to the farm. Applebloom had already gone to school and Big Mac was working on repairing the gazebo out back. Granny Smith greeted them as she relaxed on the porch in her rocking chair. “Howdy, Fluttershy. Nice to see you again.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Fluttershy replied as she dropped the bushel at the foot of the porch. She turned to Applejack. “I value Applejack’s friendship too much to not be here when she needs me.”

Applejack smiled at her. “Ah get it, Fluttershy. Ah know Ah should talk to Twilight. Hay, the smart part of me is itchin’ to accept her apology. But there’s this… stubborn part that just can’t get past the fact that she honestly thought we were better left in the dark.”

Fluttershy lowered her head. “I know it seems pretty dangerous. But I believe that we can overcome any threat when we’re a team.”

Granny Smith grinned as she began to rock back and forth. “Now Ah don’t rightly know just what you young’uns got yerselves mixed up in to break ya up so much. But Ah know that it’s only a matter of time before ya set it right.” She winked at the two. “Yer all joined by a special bond. And Ah aint talkin’ bout them Elements of Harmony.”

Applejack and Fluttershy gave Granny Smith a chuckle before smiling. “Yer absolutely right, Granny. It’s been awhile since anythin’ happened but Ah still need to be there for Twilight. Heaven knows she can’t rely on this Redwood pony.”

Granny Smith’s smile faded. “What’s that ya say?”

Applejack looked back to her grandmother. “Twilight’s been workin’ with somepony called Redwood to protect her. Wish she could’ve just come to me, but what’ll you do?” She shrugged.

Granny Smith tilted her head and closed her eyes thoughtfully as if searching for a memory. “Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked.

Both mares looked at Granny Smith with concerned expressions until the sound of a snore came from her. Applejack went deadpan and she rolled her eyes. Fluttershy giggled. “Ah’ll go talk to Twi this afternoon. By the way, any luck with Dash?”

Fluttershy frowned again. “No. She refuses to come out and she even refuses to open the door. She gave Tank to me about a week ago to look after. I’m pretty worried about her.”

Applejack nodded. “Ah’ll see what Ah can do when Twilight and Ah patch things up.” She sighed. “It’s times like this Ah actually envy Rarity havin’ to be on the road all the time.”

“No! No! That’s Saffron! I need Canary!” Rarity’s employer and current assistant, Avid Allure, rushed around frantically as he and his crew tried to fulfill Rarity’s orders. The small, but stylish, red unicorn in glasses pulled a length of different colored fabric from the shelves that lined his studio and snipped it. Rarity pulled the swatch over to her with her magic and began to sew in a daze, bits of fabric and string flying left and right. Avid and his own assistants watched over her shoulder, his eyes wide and his smile wider. “Voila!”

Rarity presented a finished yellow suit with accented orange stripes down the sides. Avid clapped giddily. “Oh, Miss Rarity, you have accomplished miracles!” He grabbed the suit from her and clasped it against his chest. “What do you think?”

“It looks marvelous on you,” Rarity stated emphatically.

“Brilliant!” Avid shouted which made his assistants clap too. “Too bad I’m not going to be the one wearing it.” The clapping stopped. Avid and Rarity walked through a pair of doors into a large photographer’s studio where several models were posing while Avid’s students photographed them. “I must say, Miss Rarity, when my old student Photo Finish mentioned you I was hesitant at first. But after hearing about your come from behind victory in the Manehattan Dress Competition, not to mention the astounding popularity your shop in Canterlot has achieved, I’m glad to say her recommendation was well deserved.”

Rarity paused walking and blushed. “Well, thank you. And might I say how great a pleasure it is to be working with the great Avid Allure. You’re practically one of the cornerstones of the fashion industry in Equestria. I have all your albums from your early career till now.”

Avid stopped and smiled warmly at her. The red unicorn actually stood a few inches shorter than herself, but he made up for it with talent and age. Avid was one of the oldest fashion photographers and arguably the one that turned it into an art form. His mane was a faded yellow that was tied in a pony tail that wrapped around his shoulders. On his muzzle was a slight red mustache and braided beard that accentuated his aged look. He always seemed impeccably dressed too, his attire now reflecting his mood. A bright green vest with teal pinstripes.

“I’m flattered to know that I inspired such a beautiful and creative soul,” he said with a slight bow. “And I must apologize again to have called you all the way out here on such short notice.”

Rarity and Avid began to walk through the studio again. “Think nothing of it. When somepony gets a call from Avid Allure, you can bet she’ll come running.”

Avid finally reached the station he was headed for and handed the suit to the photographer. “Backdrop, take this and have your model fitted.” The pony nodded and hurried away. Avid turned to Rarity once more. “In truth, Miss Rarity, I actually have an ulterior motive for calling you here.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Avid waved away his assistants began to walk again. Rarity followed. “I’ve been looking for an… in-house designer. One that can work directly with me and my students to produce quality fashion.” Rarity’s ears began to burn. “Needless to say it has been a grueling process sorting through applicants and worthy designers. But none have stirred me.”

“Oh, Mr. Allure! Are you saying…”

Avid stopped and turned to her. “I’ve entered your name into the list, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity was about to jump for joy but then she realized what he said. “Pardon?”

“I’m truly impressed with your on the job skill. So I’ve entered your name into the list of applicants. So far I’ve managed to whittle it down to three names. I’ve decided to hold a competition of sorts in four days time. There I will judge each pony’s skill, creativity and drive.” He placed a hoof on her shoulder. “I have high expectations of you, my dear.”

Rarity felt a little disappointed she didn’t just get the job right now, but she was still excited. “I won’t fail you, Mr. Allure.”

“Please, call me Avid.”

Rarity squealed under her breath. “Avid.”

She left Avid’s studios about an hour later. Most of Avid’s current students had heard of her so she spent most of the time talking and discussing fashion with them. When she left she had already set three lunch dates. No point in not making a few contacts, she thought.

It wasn’t quite noon just yet and the Baltimare streets weren’t too busy so she decided to walk back to her hotel. The only thing running through her head was the competition. She hadn’t expected Avid to offer her a job, but then again, who would refuse such an offer. Ponies would kill to work for the great Avid Allure. It was a great opportunity.

“Surely I could still have Sassy manage the boutique in Canterlot so that wouldn’t be much of a problem,” she muttered to herself as she walked down the sidewalk. Passersby didn’t seem to take notice of her odd behavior, after all this was a big city. There was a brown disheveled pony down the street that shouted about aliens stealing his hat yet nopony paid him any mind. “But then there’s the Carousel in Ponyville. Maybe I could get Fluttershy to manage it for a while until I find a replacement manager. Or maybe even Sweetie Belle…” The thought died on her lips and she shuddered. She loved her sister but giving her the boutique was out of the question.

“Sweetie Belle,” she repeated softly. It finally hit her. She would have to leave Ponyville. Taking up Avid’s offer would mean leaving behind all her friends and family. She felt like an enormous weight had been placed on her shoulders. Rarity’s cheery smile now turned into a deep frown. She had a lot of thinking to do.

Not a couple paces back, in close pursuit of the oblivious white mare, a stallion in a newly acquired hat followed. His eyes darted back and forth at the ponies that passed both him and the mare. Ready to move at the slightest sign of danger.

Redwood yawned and stretched as he got up to the sound of the large basement warehouse doors sliding open and the dark magic proof shell above his cage rising. He quickly grabbed his black overcoat and slung it around his shoulders. The shell finally rose as he was just placing his hat on. “So what’s on the docket today, Mr. Armor?” He turned to face the approaching visitor but frowned when he did not find the pony he was expecting. Well not only the pony he was expecting.

Shining Armor stood to the side, obviously a little intimidated and unhappy. To his right was a dark blue alicorn with a long flowing mane like the night sky. Redwood knew who this was instantly, what he didn’t know was why she was here.

“Good morning, villain,” Luna snarled. “I see they still allow you some luxuries.” She indicated the small tea set and the comfy chair in his cell.

“Yes, but it’s a comfy chair but not that fun to sleep in,” Redwood mused. Luna didn’t laugh. Redwood gave a sideways glance to Shining Armor who merely frowned at him and gave him a miniscule shrug. “May I ask what you want?”

“You will speak when spoken to, cur!” Luna shouted, her mane blazing a little as she did. Redwood did not flinch and the alicorn took notice. “So you are slightly braver than most other of your ilk.”

“Braver? No. Smarter. This cage is protected by specialized magical encryption. Only Princess Celestia or your little coltfriend there have the access.” He narrowed his eyes. That wasn’t entirely true since Seek had learned to override the cage spell as well, but he felt it best not to bring that up and get the poor stallion fired. “Nothing else gets in or out.”

Luna paused as she noted this and turned to Shining Armor with a scowl. “Open it.”

Shining’s eyes went wide. “Princess, that would not be wise.”

“I said open it,” she replied in an even darker tone. Shining did not succumb, though his trembling said otherwise.

“I am under orders from Princess Celestia to not open the cage unless she’s present.” This time Shining did not even look her in the eye. Luna glared menacingly at him before turning back to Redwood.

“I have heard the crimes you have committed. They are… many to be sure. But the one that baffles me the most is your betrayal.” She stood still and tall, speaking with a low toe that still had the force and presence of the Royal Canterlot Voice. “You were once Captain of the Royal Guard. An impressive feat for an earth pony. You could have become royal if you liked. Married into a noble house without querie or question and be set for life.”

“Is there a point to this, your highness?” Redwood asked in a calm collected voice.

Luna narrowed her eyes at him. “Why? Why give that up? My ‘sister’,” she said the word in a stressed tone, “told me that you abandoned your position for love. Though I can say now that everything my sister has told me may very well be lies.” Shining raised an eyebrow at this news. This coming to him for the first time.

Redwood stayed silent for a moment, then just as Luna was about to blow a fuse he spoke. “Love, like passion, can change a pony. Wasn’t it the same with you all those years ago, princess?” He smirked at her. “You were once passionate about what you did. Then that passion got the better of you and you betrayed the ones you love. I suppose in that regard my story is a lot like yours.”

Luna held her mouth open, trying to reply but nothing came. Redwood knew how to play her backstory like a fiddle. Luna had betrayed somepony as well, just like him. He knew he could use that little bit of hypocrisy to his advantage. She closed her mouth, a small smile crossing her face. Redwood was slightly surprised by that.

“You are… interesting, Rayleigh Redwood,” she muttered under her breath. Her eyes then locked on him again. “Know that I will be back. And we will have further words.” She then turned to leave, a pony in a red uniform opening the door for her and then closing it behind him.

Now just Shining and Redwood were left. He looked at the ex-captain as he let out a small breath of relief. “Not used to dealing with her, eh?” Redwood chuckled.

Shining glared at him. “She ambushed me on the Main Floor. Nearly gave me a heart attack.” He shook his head clear and regained his composure. “I was originally going to come here to ask you about this morning’s events in Baltimare.

Redwood stared back at him waiting for more information. Shining was trying to bait him into admitting something. Shining finally sighed as he pulled out a newspaper title the “Baltimare Gazelle”. The title story was called “Shipyard Wreck” and had a picture of a bunch of hunks of freighter floating in the water. “We had our fastest flyer get ahold of this. Tell me what you know.”

Redwood simply shrugged. “How can I know anything? I’ve been in here for nearly two months.”

Shining glared at him and slipped the paper back into his pocket and lifted out the remnants of a black armor guard. “It’s not in the article but Baltimare police fished out a very interesting piece of equipment. Black armor made of a special material. Unlike our Royal Guard’s this stuff was tougher than steel. Ring any bells?”

Redwood frowned in mock deep thought. “No, can’t say it does.”

Shining put it away again and pulled out a round pink nautilus. “What about this special shell? It was close to the armor and none of Canterlot’s biologists can place it.” Shining asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Is that it?” Redwood asked with a chuckle. “A ship explodes and you’re wondering about a piece of metal and a shell.”

Shining’s face got closer to the glass. “If there is danger coming, Redwood, then you need to tell me. Especially if you’re involved.”

Redwood merely shrugged. “Nothing comes to mind.” Shining finally gave a huff and walked to the door. He stopped as the pony on the other side opened it up for him.

“Mark my words, Redwood. The day you get us all killed is coming.” With that last word he left and the door shut tight. Redwood sat on his chair and let out a long sigh. So the mission had gone belly up. If that was true then Shining’s words might be more true than he intended.

“This isn’t good,” he muttered.

Spike’s eye twitched as he heard the incessant sound of a rubber ball hit the side of the castle again. He dropped the books he was carrying and opened a window peeking his head out. He looked down at the purple Pegasus with a green mane zipping side to side and playing racquetless tennis with the wall. “Can’t you do that someplace else?” he shouted down to her.

Cloudy looked up at the dragon with a sour expression. “Oh, you want me to switch the wall?”

“No! I want you to… Never mind.” Spike sighed as he closed the window and heard the ball bouncing begin again. The side of his lip twitched a bit into a grimace. Spike walked back to the library where Twilight was and dropped the books he was carrying on the table. “Seriously, Twilight, when is that mare going to move out?”

Twilight floated in front of the books at the top of her shelves and shrugged to the dragon. “I don’t know, Spike. It’s kind of up to her. Princess Celestia sent her here to learn about friendship like me. Who knows how long that could take?”

“But it took you one day!” the little dragon pointed out.

Twilight blushed. “Sure, but I was Celestia’s star pupil. Cloudy’s had a much different upbringing. She spent her entire life striving towards a single goal, putting friends and family to the side.”

Spike scratched his chin. “Isn’t that exactly like you?” Twilight gave him a deadpan look. “Actually come to think of it, you were still technically studying friendship when you became a princess so are you even still studying?”

The question made Twilight draw back. She hadn’t really thought of it before. Her title was the Princess of Friendship but it was kind of hard to imagine what that entailed. Ever since receiving her new home Twilight hadn’t really done any journaling or letter writing. It felt kind of like she’d hit an impasse in her studies and herself. In fact, if this whole bounty thing wasn’t going on she wasn’t really sure just what she’d be doing with herself. “No, I guess I’m not,” she murmured down to Spike.

Twilight alighted to the floor and tucked her wings back in. “Maybe this is as much an opportunity for me as it is for her.”

“You think?” Spike said sarcastically. Twilight turned on him with a glare. “All I’m saying is that Celestia sent her to stay here. And you haven’t exactly talked to her in a couple weeks.”

Twilight remembered how Cloudy had treated Rainbow Dash earlier. Sure Dash might have been in the wrong for challenging her or questioning her career, but Cloudy wasn’t any better with how she tore down Rainbow’s self esteem. A thing that already was in shambles from before. Rainbow still refused all visitors and Twilight was pretty sure she had gotten a suspension from her weather control job.

Still this was a job given to her by the princess. She had to take it seriously. After all she was the Princess of Friendship. “Okay, Spike. I’ll talk to her today.”

Rarity had decided to have a nice relaxing lunch at the café across from her hotel. She also took this opportunity to survey the city. It wasn’t as busy as Manehattan which was a plus. Though it wasn’t as slow or quiet as Ponyville, a feature she always thought the little town lacked. In essence, it was perfect. Like a mini Canterlot. And the fact it was directly by the sea made it even better.

The waiter approached her from the side and asked for her order. “Kale Salad, please.” The waiter nodded and left to fill it. Rarity placed a hoof on her cheek and leaned against the table as she felt the wind blow against her face. Fall was fast approaching and yet this city still felt like Summer. Another plus. It was like the universe was just telling her to come here. It began to make her feel wistful and she didn’t notice a small tear trail down her cheek.

“Hello.” She got up in surprise as a large yellow earth pony stallion sat next to her. He had a black cabbie cap pulled over his face that did nothing much to obscure his features. His cutie mark was an arrow through a target. Rarity could swear he was about as big as Big Mac. He grinned at her warmly.

“Uh, hello?” Rarity replied hesitantly. “I’m sorry but I’m not looking to have lunch with anypony. You can have the seat though.”

“Rarity, right?” the stallion said in a low whisper as he moved his head closer to her.

Rarity looked around feeling as if she was in the middle of somepony’s dare to a friend. But then how did he know her name? “Ah, yes?”

“You should really think about a hairstyle change,” he muttered.

Rarity felt her cheeks grow red. “What? Why would you say that? This is a classic!”

The stallion shushed her and brought his head lower. Rarity was beginning to get fed up with this but lowered her head as well. “Why are we whispering?”

The stallion looked her in the eyes. Now that she noticed he had an interesting shade. Green. Like Applejack’s. Plus the color of his mane really did seem to compliment his features nicely. Not a color she would ever try but he pulled it off. “You’re Five o’clock.” Rarity gave him a puzzled look. “It’s only twelve.” The stallion chuckled at this and subtly pointed past her. Rarity turned slightly and saw a red mare in a white dress sipping tea while reading a paper. She looked back to the stallion. “So? What about her?”

“I think it’d be news to know there’s another alicorn around,” the stallion replied with a smirk.

Rarity paused to think and then her eyes widened. She turned again and saw that her eyes weren’t deceiving her, it really was a pony with a horn and wings. “But how can that-”

The stallion shushed her again and pointed behind himself. Rarity peered over and saw another stallion sitting alone reading a menu. His coat was blue and she was sure he only had one horn and no wings. “What about him?”

The yellow stallion grinned. “How many ponies you see with no tail?”

Rarity’s mouth opened as she noticed he was right. The pony really didn’t have a tail. She pulled back and shook her head. “Those are all just malformities. I mean, a pony can be born with both wings and a horn and not be an alicorn.”

“Really?” the stallion asked as if he was genuinely interested.

Rarity bit her lip. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted.

The stallion’s head perked up a little as his childlike expression turned to one of seriousness. His eyes were locked on a pony across the street. Rarity peered over and saw that a pony had simply stopped in the middle of the sidewalk staring at the café as pedestrians walked by. The pony looked normal for the most part, until he turned and Rarity noticed his blank blue eyes. “And him?” she squeaked out.

“Come on,” the stallion said as he grabbed her hoof and began to walk. Rarity tried to resist but the stallion was quite strong.

“Wait, where are we going?” she asked.

She and the stallion made it to the door of the café but as they opened it they heard a few chairs scoot against the floor. Rarity turned back and saw the two ponies the stallion had pointed out get up and begin to move toward them. “We need to move,” the stallion said as he pushed her out the door.

At first the two of them were walking briskly down the sidewalk against the flow of the pedestrians. Rarity felt a wave of heat from the stallion’s strong foreleg wrapped around her own. She couldn’t help but glance back as she noticed more and more ponies walking briskly against the grain, following them. Rarity felt her heart beat faster as their speed increased. Finally the stallion turned into an alleyway.

A few moments later the ponies following them ran into the alleyway too, but there was nopony in sight. The pony with the blue eyes hissed and turned to his comrades. “Find them!” The ponies all slumped a little as they let their disguises fall for a moment. Blue light surrounded them as they resumed their black insectoid forms before changing again and running off down the alley.

Another couple of moments passed and nothing moved. Then a dumpster by the corner burst open and Rarity came out gasping for breath. “What were you thinking?!” she shouted at the stallion in the dumpster with her.

He rose and shook the garbage off him. “I was thinking about saving your life.”

Rarity climbed out of the dumpster and looked at herself in disgust. “Ugh! Just because a horde of changelings are following us doesn’t mean you should just go with the first plan you can think…” The cold truth finally hit her. “Changelings. Here. And they were…”

“Looking for you,” the stallion finished her sentence. He took off his hat and frowned at the stains. “Damn, gonna need a new hat.”

Rarity stared at the stallion dumbfounded. “But… why? I mean sure me and my friends might have had a hoof in stopping their invasion of Canterlot but…”

“That has nothing to do with this,” the stallion replied. He tossed his hat in the dumpster and grabbed her hoof again. Rarity blushed slightly at the pressure. “Come on, we’re still not safe and there are some things you should be aware of.”

“Wait! What’s your name?”

The stallion turned to her and smiled. “Barrel.”

“You went to see him!?” Celestia shouted angrily. Luna did not reply to her sister’s hostility instead merely snacking on her lunch. Celestia let out a sigh. “Luna, I understand your anger with me, but going to see that pony was incredibly unsafe.”

“Why?” Luna asked reproachfully. “It seems like you have him under tight lock and key.”

Celestia rubbed a hoof between her eyes. “Power doesn’t mean anything to that stallion. He’s smart. Cunning. We know he’s been sending messages out of CRO but we don’t know how yet. For all we know he could have spies throughout the division.”

Luna looked up at her sister across the table, her eyes unfeeling. “It seems you are not taking as care of the problem as you let on.” Luna pushed her plate away and stood up from the dining room table. “I’m done for the day. If you’ll excuse me I need to get some rest before nightfall.”

Celestia grit her teeth in frustration. If she could just get her sister to see that some things needed to be kept secret, for her sake as well as others. “Luna,” Celestia stopped her sister before she could leave the room. "I trust you will be discreet with the knowledge you’ve acquired.”

Luna let a small but knowing smile slip. “Do not worry, sister. I know what to do with the information I’ve learned.” She then parted through the large double doors.

Celestia let out another long sigh. Her sister had not been acting herself since learning the truth of CRO and Redwood from Cadence. The princess didn’t blame her niece for spilling the beans though. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Now Celestia was just wishing she had told her sister sooner.

“Your majesty?” a pegasus in golden armor approached her from the now open double doors.

“Yes?”

“Captain Armor would like to brief you on the situation in Baltimare.” Celestia nodded in recognition and stood up from her chair. Perhaps getting back to work would soothe her worries. But in all likelihood they would merely intensify them. She had a feeling the situation in her bay city was more dire than anypony knew.

Applejack took a deep breath as she approached Twilight’s castle. She didn’t really like to talk about it but she kind of thought the whole thing looked a little garish in comparison to the nice little town. But that wasn’t why she was nervous. Apologizing to a friend was a hard thing to do. It was even harder for Applejack to let a friend apologize to her, especially if they withheld information that could put her and her family in jeopardy.

She approached from the road into town and sighed slightly as the first thing that caught her eye was a purple Pegasus batting a rubber ball against the side of the castle. She turned and noticed her.

“Howdy there, Cloudy,” Applejack said trying to be friendly. Cloudy merely shrugged and returned to batting the ball. “Um, you know if Twilight’s home?”

Cloudy stopped bouncing. “Beats me.”

“Well did you see her leave or somethin’?”

“What am I? Her guardian?” Cloudy spat back.

Applejack rolled her eyes. Kinda, yeah. “Look, Ah’m just gonna head inside.”

“What’s keeping you?” Applejack let out another sigh before walking to the door, but she stopped.

“Is there a problem?”

“Nope.”

Applejack didn’t need the Element of Honesty to know that was a lie. “Cloudy…”

“That’s Captain Gust!” Cloudy shouted angrily and tossed her ball at the castle full force, bouncing it off and careening it toward the town. “I’m still a bucking officer! Show some respect!”

“Respect?” Applejack growled back. “Why should I show you respect? After what you put Dash through!”

“That little filly got herself messed up!” Cloudy shouted back. “If I had her under my command I’d give her two weeks punishment by flying around Canterlot from dawn to dusk.”

Applejack gritted her teeth. “That’s just your problem! You can’t just treat everypony like a soldier! Sometimes you gotta be more careful with your words. Especially if you want to make friends.”

“I don’t want to make friends,” Cloudy seethed. “I want to get back to work. I have to stop whatever that pony is pl-” She froze as if she was about to give away something she shouldn’t.

Applejack could guess who she meant. “You’re talkin’ about that Redwood feller, aren’t ya?” Cloudy’s eyes went wide. “Yeah, Ah know about him. Twi told me he was working with you and her brother to stop the attempts on her life.”

Cloudy pressed her hooves into the ground as she trembled. “She told you that?”

“Yeah. Took me a while to get it out of her, but Ah’m glad she finally talked about it.”

Cloudy began to chuckle under her breath that turned into a full on laugh. “I knew that filly couldn’t handle the pressure. I told Captain Armor she would crack and tell one of you.” She added under her breath, “should have just locked her up with Redwood. Probably would have been safer.”

Applejack frowned at her. “Twilight is safe where she is. Besides, she can take care of herself.”

“Why? Because she’s an alicorn? Newsflash, farmhoof! She’s as wet behind the ears as a newborn foal. Sparkle has no idea the inpony kind of monsters that are coming for her. And you and you’re little Elements aren’t going to be enough to stop them. You think you had it bad reforming the spirit of chaos? Everypony coming after her and you are irredeemable, plain and simple. For them, it’s kill or be killed.”

Applejack felt a cold chill, she had never heard a pony talk like this before. “You speak like you have experience.”

Cloudy’s face became distant as if a memory suddenly flooded in. “Yeah,” she muttered. “I guess I do.”

The sound of the front door creaking open made Applejack turn. Twilight was there. “Oh, Applejack.” She still seemed a little apprehensive around her. “I, um, heard some loud noises. Were you two talking?”

Applejack turned to Cloudy who had already trotted off to town in search of her ball. “Kind of… Actually Ah wanted to talk to you. Can Ah come in?”

Twilight’s face lit up. “Sure! Of course.” The two walked in and the door closed behind.

A little ways away a lone purple Pegasus watched through a window as the two ponies talked. Applejack said something that made her pull her hat over her eyes. Twilight began to tear up and gripped the orange pony in an enormous hug. Applejack returned it. Cloudy watched all this from a rooftop, chewing her lip as she did. They looked so weak. She didn’t need weakness like that. She didn’t need friends.

After two hours of running Rarity and Barrel stopped in a small haberdashery to rest. “Did we have to choose a place like this to hide,” Rarity complained. “It’s not exactly high end.” The clerk at the counter gave Rarity a look and she smiled nervously at her. “No offense, dear.”

“Relax,” Barrel smirked as he began to try on different hats. “It’s for that reason that they probably won’t look for you here.”

Rarity frowned and moved closer to Barrel, leaning in to whisper. “So they are after me? But then why are you helping me? Who are you?”

Barrel tried a gray trilby hat in front of the mirror but shook his head and tossed it aside. “I already told you. My name is Barrel. As for why I’m helping you, let’s just say that somepony really doesn’t want to see you hurt.” He tried a green pork pie hat on and gave it a nod before disagreeing with it and tossing it aside.

Rarity racked her brain trying to think of what this all could mean. Then she remembered the incident two weeks ago, and Twilight’s secret. “Wait, this doesn’t have to do with the bounty on Twilight does it?”

Barrel affixed a fluffy trapper hat to his head and gave Rarity a surprised smile. “Well, looks like you’re not as in the dark as I thought.” He took off the hat and tossed it onto his ever growing pile. “Yes, it does.”

Rarity frowned deeper as she began to put more things together. “Okay, and you’re obviously not a royal guard or you’d be in uniform. You said somepony wants to keep me safe. Is it that Redwood fellow Twilight talked about?”

Barrel froze as he reached for his next hat. He gave Rarity a shushing glance that made her gulp in fear. Slowly he nodded behind the two and Rarity followed his line of sight to the door. A mare with a horn that seemed to be growing straight from her mane came in followed by a pony with an oddly shaped torso. The cashier seemed to pay them no mind.

Rarity leaned back into whisper nervously. Barrel continued to try on hats in a calm but controlled fashion. “And just what is up with these changelings? The ones at the wedding were not this lousy at camouflage.”

“They fooled you didn’t they?” Barrel whispered back, finally finding a dark green fedora he liked. Rarity blushed a little, trying to tell herself it was because she felt foolish for not spotting the changelings at the café herself. He then picked a mare’s sun hat at random and placed it on her head. Barrel swung a hoof around her shoulder and calmly walked to the register. “Keep your head down. No sudden movements.” Rarity did as instructed but she could still feel the changelings around her eyeing her.

Barrel continued to move with Rarity under his shoulder until one of the changelings stepped in front of him. It bore its sharp teeth and hissed. “Hoof her over.” Rarity could feel her entire body shiver.

Barrel smirked a little under his hat. “You know, I really didn’t want to start a fight in front of the lady.” The changeling approaching behind them received a hard buck to the jaw that sent him sailing into the wall of the store. The changeling in front of Barrel stared at him wide eyed as the tall stallion cracked his neck and let go of Rarity. “Though I’m pretty glad I’ve got one of you S.O.B.’s alone without backup.”

Rarity ducked behind a mannequin as Barrel threw a haymaker punch at the changeling. The creature ducked the blow but was not fast enough to dodge Barrel’s followup as he lunged forward and drove his back leg into the changeling’s gut. Its disguise faded and the cashier screamed as she saw its black form appear. The changeling kneeled to the floor gripping its stomach, but this was merely a diversionary tactic as it then went for Barrel’s leg. It dug its sharp teeth into his thick foreleg and he let out a yelp of pain. Barrel tried to stomp on the creature with his other leg but it was just too fast, its body too agile as it flayed about never letting go.

Suddenly a blast of blue magic hit it dead in the head and it released him. Rarity panted from the sidelines as she stared at where Barrel had been bit. The large stallion gripped his foreleg as it began to bleed, struggling to stay upright. Rarity grabbed his bleeding hoof and slung it over her shoulder. She gave one last look at the two changelings who seemed to be coming out of their stupor. “We need to go,” she muttered.

“Wait!” Barrel shouted and she stopped.

“What?” Barrel reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a couple of bits. He then threw them on the register counter. The cashier peeked over the edge.

“The rest is for damages,” he muttered as Rarity rolled her eyes and pulled him out the door.

“Captain Armor, I need to talk to you about…” Seek stopped midsentence as he walked into the briefing room at CRO. Inside Celestia and Shining seemed to be in the middle of talking. “I-I’m sorry, ma’am. I mean Princess! I’ll come back later.” He went to close the door but Celestia raised a hoof to stop him.

“Hold. What did you need to speak to the captain about?” She asked.

Seek gulped and closed the door to the room. “Well, sir and Princess. Captain Armor wanted me to keep a close eye on Baltimare. I’ve done that by monitoring the magical feeds connected to editing spells used at the Baltimare Gazelle newspaper. It seems that-”

“Hold on,” Celestia raised a hoof. “You did what?”

Seek looked nervous. “I… I hacked the enchantment matrices used by the editors at the Baltimare Gazelle. They work with the same class of crystal balls we do so it wasn’t that hard.”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “That seems like a great invasion of privacy.”

Seek was speechless as his mouth opened and closed. Shining Armor gave him a “you’re on your own” look. “I-I-It’s the only way to get information fast enough from across Equestria.”

“There are laws to follow,” Celestia insisted. “Rules governing the privacy of magical communications. Lest we end up as bad as the Mailmare.” Celestia finally took notice of the green earth pony and frowned. “Hold on, how can you have accomplished this in the first place if you are not a unicorn?”

Shining Armor stepped forward. “Uh, princess I should probably introduce you. This is Agent Bahit Sidq, our resident magical forensics expert. Yes, he’s not a unicorn but Sidq is proficient in the use of fourteen different magical artifacts, including crystal balls. There isn’t a quicker magic handler even among unicorns.”

Celestia scrutinized the green earth pony and his knees began to wobble. “Please don’t fire me.”

The princess let out a small chuckle. “Why would I fire somepony so talented? I understand your fervor to fight for justice, Sidq. But next time please try to work within the lines.” The princess held no anger in her words yet the shadow over her features belied her intent.

“Um, yes? M-May I continue?” Celestia nodded and Seek cleared his throat. “There’s been a mass of strange sightings in Baltimare. Odd looking ponies and even a few alicorns.”

“Alicorns?” Celestia questioned.

“Now it seemed like ridiculous tabloid garbage at first. But that was before I came across a sighting about these strange looking ponies chasing a stallion and a mare across the city. From the description the stallion is unknown, but the mare was familiar.”

“Who was it?” Shining asked.

“You’re sister’s friend, Rarity. The Element of Generosity.”

Shining grit his teeth. “Princess, we need to get Redwood to talk. He knows what’s going on in Baltimare, I just know it.”

Celestia nodded grimly. She had not expected Rarity to be swept up in this. She prayed that the mare was safe.

Barrel winced as Rarity’s needle passed through his untreated leg wound. “Will you hold still, you big baby?” she asked as she slowly but carefully pulled the thread through the wound. “I’m not exactly used to this kind of thing.”

They had been able to find an open backdoor to a closed restaurant. Probably the work of an inattentive night staff going home. They cooped themselves up there while Rarity raided the first aid cabinet. She peeked out the window at the moon in the sky. When did it get so late? And to think just this morning she was having such a wonderful time with Avid.

Avid’s offer came to her mind. She had just two more day to prepare something or she wouldn’t even be qualified. Her focus slipped and she poked a hole too far from the wound. Barrel let out a muffled scream as he held his mouth shut. “Sorry! I’m so sorry! I’ll clean it up!”

She raced back to the first aid kit and rooted around for some gauze. Barrel gave her a strained grin as he tried to lean back. “You’re head in the clouds, little miss Belle?”

Rarity puffed out her cheeks as she turned back. “I am not little. I’ll have you know I own my own business. Two, in fact.”

“The Carousels, I know,” Barrel muttered.

Rarity gave the stallion a look. “What else do you know about me?”

“I know you have six friends, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.” His eyes were beginning to droop as the pain was giving way to a state of unconsciousness. “I… know you have a little sister. One you’d do… anything to protect.”

Rarity felt a little weirded out that the pony knew so much but chuckled. “I wouldn’t say ‘anything’. I can’t count how many times Sweetie has destroyed my designs or gotten into some mischief that cost me a job. She can be a hoofful.”

Barrel placed a hoof on hers and frowned at her. “Don’t talk about your sister that way. You’re lucky to have her.”

Rarity could detect some sadness in the stallion’s voice. She pulled out the gauze and began to put pressure on the wound. “So… do you have any siblings?”

Barrel leaned his head back, his eyes still fluttering. “Two, yeah. Brothers.”

Rarity smiled. “I can imagine that’s a whole lot harder than a sister.”

“Not really,” Barrel replied. “Especially for me, since I was the youngest.”

Rarity’s mouth opened. “Are you serious? And how tall are your brothers?” Then the wording of his answer hit her. “You said ‘was’.”

Barrel’s mouth made a grimace as the needle found skin again. “Yeah.”

Rarity continued to stitch but couldn’t let that go. “Does that mean… that…”

“They’re gone,” Barrel finished. Rarity fell quiet and the two sat there in the dark backroom of the restaurant completely silent.

“I’m sorry,” she finally said. “May I ask how?”

“…Line of duty.”

Rarity looked up at the stallion. “So you are a soldier. Or at least they were?”

Barrel chuckled through the pain. “It’s a little more complicated than that, little miss. Been around as long as I have… everything gets more complicated.”

Rarity huffed again. “I’m pretty sure I’m just as old as you.” Barrel gave her a grin in reply. Rarity smiled in response. She bit the end of the string as she made the final loop and tied it off. “That should hold for now. But we need to get you to a doctor.”

Barrel checked the window and saw the moon high in the sky. “Too risky. We need to keep moving. But now we wait till sunrise.”

Rarity didn’t like the idea of the stallion denying treatment but he was right that they were in a position where that might be hard. “Okay.” Rarity agreed and sat uncomfortably next to the large stallion.

Barrel leaned his hat over his eyes and closed them. “Get some sleep while you can. Tomorrow is gonna be an even longer day.”

Rarity hesitantly leaned her head on the stallion’s chest. She was surprised by the nice feel of his fur mixed with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and musk. It slowly made her eyes droop. “Yes, I suppose it will.”

Pinkie Pie awoke in the morning to the smell of haycakes. However, as one would normally see the energetic pink mare bounce out of bed and run down the source of the confectionary breakfast, Pinkamena Diane Pie merely slid out of her impromptu couch bed and fell to the floor in a thump.

Fluttershy rushed into her living room to see what the sound was. “Oh, Pinkie! Did you hurt yourself?”

“Nm a dnd hrf meflf.”

“Pardon?”

Pinkie raised her head from the ground, her mane limp as a walk through the rain. “No, I didn’t hurt myself.” She got to her hooves, her coat slightly less pink than usual, and walked toward the kitchen. “Thanks for worrying about me though.” She held no smile and none of her usual cheer.

Fluttershy followed her into the kitchenette. “Oh, come on, Pinkie. It’s just a little bit longer, I’m sure. The Cakes will come calling any day now, begging you to come back. Pinkie looked at Fluttershy with the same enthusiasm as her sister Maud.

“Thanks for trying to cheer me up. But I think I’m just going to skip breakfast today.” She turned around and headed for the door.

Fluttershy hurried after her friend. “You haven’t eaten anything sweet in days, Pinkie. You’re going to have a Sugar deficiency.” Fluttershy wasn’t even sure if that was a thin but if anypony could have it it would be Pinkie. The pink pony merely waved a hoof as she left the small cottage. She stopped by the mailbox but instead of opening it like the last twelve days she merely sighed and turned back to Fluttershy.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering. You were probably the most afraid of that scary me. So why did you let me stay with you?”

Fluttershy smiled a little. “Because just like I could tell she meant harm, I know you mean nothing but good, Pinkie. And I don’t need special powers to tell that. The Cakes will come around.” This earned a small smile from the pink mare.

“Thanks, Fluttershy.” She turned back to the path. “I… I’m just gonna go for a walk. Clear my head.” Fluttershy nodded understandingly and closed the door.

Pinkie intended to walk down the path that led to Ponyville but instead found herself on the path to Everfree. She paused as she noticed the town at her back and the forest before her. “Huh, must have taken a wrong turn.” She moved to go back but was stopped by the sound of giggling. A small light came back to her eyes. “Pumpkin? Pound?”

Pinkie turned back to the forest and rushed over to see if she had just been hallucinating the sound of foals’ laughter. She stopped at the apex of the hill with a huge smile but it sunk when she saw the true source. Down at the bottom of the hill at the edge of Everfree, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stood and discussed whatever cutie mark adventures they were going to have today. Pinkie was almost about to leave when she heard Apple Bloom speak.

“Okay, Crusaders! Today we get our marks in monster huntin’!” The other two gave their shouts of consent.

Pinkie rolled her eyes as she walked down the hill to stop the three. “What do you girls think you’re doing?”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders all noticed Pinkie and smiled. “We were going to search out the monster in Everfree,” Scootaloo replied.

“Maybe if we catch him we can get our cutie marks,” Apple Bloom added.

“Care to join us?” Sweetie Belle finished.

Pinkie rubbed an exhausted hoof on the bridge of her muzzle. “Look, I shouldn’t have to be the one to tell you how dangerous what your saying is. Me! Pinkie Pie! And what do you mean one monster? The Everfree is chock full of super scary creepazoids.”

“Yeah, but only one messed with Dash,” Scootaloo said with a determined look.

Pinkie paused. “What?”

“After Twilight’s birthday, Rainbow Dash came back from the Everfree all beat up,” Scootaloo explained. “We’ve been preparing to go take that jerk down for a whole month now.”

Now that Pinkie looked around she noticed the crusaders were decked out in boots and survival gear. Backpacks with water bottles and sharpened sticks hung from their backs with their hoof stitched capes flowing underneath. Another thing she noticed were the slight scars on each of the crusader’s hooves. It looked like they had practiced long and hard for this.

Pinkie knew that the monster they were hunting was actually the Mailmare. And that pony was long gone. If the crusaders went in now they would probably be in there all day, maybe even get hurt. Still, what could she do to convince them? The Mailmare was one of the ponies after Twilight, and no matter how much of a gossip she was she knew well enough to keep a secret like that to herself. Pinkie lifted her head to the girls and gave them a sad smile. “Um, mind if I come with?”

The crusaders gave each other a look. “No offense, Pinkie, but you’re not exactly prepared for tracking a monster,” Apple Bloom spoke up.

Pinkie tried to give them her wide eyed beg but with her mane flat it was kind of hard. “It’ll be like I’m not even there.”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shrugged which made Apple Bloom sigh in defeat. “Alright, just try not to slow us down.” With that the three crusaders plus Pinkie went into the Everfree, on a great adventure to slay a monster that didn’t even exist.

“I’ve had enough, Rayleigh,” Celestia bellowed in the underground warehouse. “Tell me what you know of Baltimare!”

Redwood sat in his chair in his cell, a tired look on his face. “And for the hundredth time, I’m telling you I don’t know.”

Shining placed a hoof on the princess and she backed away. “If I may?” He pulled out a parchment with a drawing on it and slammed it on the glass. “This pony has been leading Rarity all across the city, do you recognize him?”

Redwood did not react though his smirk did fall slightly. Celestia looked at the picture puzzled. “Shining Armor, where did you receive this?”

“Came by magical transmission a few minutes ago,” he replied. “Baltimare authorities have put out an all ponies bulletin on him.” He glared at Redwood. “I just hope that Rarity is alright.”

Redwood didn’t respond once more. But right as Shining turned away from the glass he spoke up. “Wait. Why is that pony being hunted by the police?”

Shining didn’t reply as Celestia stared between the two stallions. “Quid pro quo, Redwood.”

Redwood finally let out a long sigh and scratched his head. “Fine. I was hoping this could have been taken care of quietly, but it sounds like it’s gotten out of hoof.” Shining and Celestia stood in apt attention. “A little over twenty four hours ago, a freighter from an unknown port was due to arrive in Baltimare harbor.”

“I don’t have any knowledge of this,” Shining said to Celestia.

“As well you shouldn’t,” Redwood continued. “The ship entered Equestrian waters illegally. Grease a few hooves, misfile some paperwork, it happens in the underworld. But this is what drew my attention. I had prepared a small squad of ponies to take the boat when it landed and destroy anypony inside.”

“Why would you do that?” Celestia asked.

“Because I knew the contents of that freighter, princess. Hundreds upon hundreds of changelings.” Celestia gasped while Shining Armor stayed silent.

“So Chrysalis has joined this charade of a hunt,” the princess muttered.

“Not exactly,” Redwood replied. “The changeling’s on that freighter are not like the ones you dealt with during Armor’s wedding. These are the rejects.”

“Rejects?” Celestia asked.

Redwood nodded. “Tell me, do you know how changeling society dictates its hierarchy?” Celestia shook her head. “When the previous queen dies the daughters of the predecessor battle for control of the hive. It can be long and bloody considering how many daughters a queen has. However the previous Queen of the changelings had only two. One was Chrysalis and as you can probably guess she was the victor of the last battle for the crown. However, this battle ended much differently than any before. Chrysalis may have won because of her power, but her sister did not perish by her sibling’s hoof. She was too strong of will. So before the battle ever began she escaped with the aid of every reject changeling in the hive. Every bug that can’t keep a form. Every one that messes up a transformation. With her resolve Chrysalis’ sister bent the will of all of them and stole them away from the hive. Creating a splinter cell.”

“How do you know this?” Celestia asked.

“Because I’ve worked with her before. She trained her rejects to work as a single entity. Stripped them of any and all individuality and created her own legion. I met her ten years ago while planning on overthrowing this Peloponysian government in the South Lunar Sea. Her forces are ruthless, relentless, and will die for their queen.”

Celestia held her chest. “They’re after Rarity in Baltimare. That means…”

“They’re after Twily too,” Shining muttered before running out of the room.

Celestia was left alone with Redwood, the two staring each other down. “Why didn’t you come forward with this?”

Redwood closed his eyes. “I didn’t think you’re forces could handle it.”

“And you thought yours could?”

“You haven’t exactly given me much to trust about you, your highness,” Redwood spat back. “Chrysalis, despite being more powerful, is much less cunning and smart than her sister. Do you honestly think I’d trust intel about such a dangerous individual to somepony who’s proved before how powerless she is against such an attack?”

Celestia’s face grew cold. “This is different than the wedding.”

“Is it? I may not have been there but I heard. Chrysalis snuck in right under your nose and fooled you for four months. Then when somepony comes to you with the truth you turn her away without a thought.” Redwood’s smirk fell and his red eyes stared unblinkingly at Celestia. “You believe yourself prepared for the flood that’s coming. I’m here to tell you that you are not. And all the power in the world cannot stop a well-executed plan.”

“You speak as if you are planning something yourself, Rayleigh.”

Redwood didn’t flinch. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Celestia sneered at the caged pony one last time before turning to leave. She re-entered the CRO main room and stomped past Shining Armor. Already the captain was ordering his soldiers left and right. “I want everypony available out to Ponyville! Pegasi, send a lead squadron but leave your fastest fliers behind. Those will tow the unicorn and earth pony squadrons. I want that town locked down!” The agents all gave salutes and scurried away. Shining stopped what he was doing and looked at Celestia as she passed. “Princess, I’d like you to contact Twily if you could.”

Celestia nodded. “Rest assured, Shining Armor I was going to do just that.”

Twilight and Applejack had spent the entire day talking and reconnecting. She could tell that her friend still had some issues with her lies but for the most part they seemed to be on good terms. When the sun set Twilight insisted that Applejack stay the night, to which the farmpony agreed. They still had a lot to talk about, especially considering their friends. The two talked well into the night in hopes of finding out how to help Pinkie and Rainbow Dash through this tough time but in the end not a lot of ideas came to mind. The two ended up falling asleep on the couch, waking just as they heard the front door slam.

“Whu-huh?” Twilight mumbled as she sprung up. Cloudy walked past the door to the living room and peered inside to find the two. Applejack hadn’t seemed to have awoken from the sound yet. “Oh, Captain Gust,” she checked the clock, “it’s morning already. We’re you out all night?”

“Maybe,” was all Cloudy replied as she walked down the corridor and out of sight.

Twilight let out a sigh as she rubbed her eyes. She was seriously going to have to have some kind of conversation with that mare. Applejack began to stretch and yawn. “Was that the grumpy gal?”

“Yup,” twilight murmured. The two smiled at each other glad to be on speaking terms again. “I need to talk to her at some point. Ugh, the amount of ponies with issues is just getting bigger and bigger. Um, no offense.”

Applejack smirked at her. “Why say that, Twi? You’re just as screwed up as the rest of us. Fact, I think the only normal one is Rarity.”

“I just don’t understand why we had to jump!” Rarity shouted, the cold bay water soaking into her mane.

“They were closing in,” Barrel replied with a grin as he dog paddled alongside her.

“But there was a boat right there!”

“Anyway I guess we should start getting’ this pity party rollin’ again,” Applejack sighed.

“Yeah, I guess we should. What do you think? Rainbow first?” Applejack nodded and the two began to head for the door.

Suddenly the sound of a familiar young dragon stopped them. “Twilight!” Spike shouted from the top of the stairs. He waved a letter with the seal of the princess on it, a panicked look on his face. “You’re going to want to read this!”

Rarity and Barrel sat on a dock in the Baltimare bay drying themselves off. Rarity glared daggers at the stallion. “You didn’t need to push me.”

Barrel poured a stream of water out of his new fedora. It was amazing how he seemed to ignore the wound on his leg. “I didn’t see you jumping, little miss.”

Rarity growled. “Will you stop calling me that?! In fact, I’d like to know just how old you really are. You said you’re the youngest of three. You can’t be much older than me.”

Barrel finished emptying his hat and lamentably threw it away. “Twenty six.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “B-But I’m only twenty three.”

“Guess that makes me your senior.” Barrel turned to her and gave her the grin she’d become accustomed to the past two days. Rarity’s cheeks puffed up and took on a reddish hue. “We should get moving again. They could be on us any minute.”

“No!” Rarity shouted.

“No?”

Rarity put her hoof down. “We’ve been running for almost two days! I’m tired, wet, and my mane looks dreadful! You’re a soldier, just fight them already!”

Barrel was silent for a moment and then nodded. “You’re right.”

“I am?” Rarity replied quizzically, not often getting a positive answer from her complaining.

“We’ve been on the defensive for too long. These things are going to keep coming at us.” He looked into Rarity’s eyes. “Plus there’s the fact that you’re not their only target. We need to find stop them before they leave the city.”

Rarity’s eyes widened even more. “Are you serious?! Those things are everywhere! How are we supposed to stop them all?”

Barrel looked around the dock they were in now. Nothing seemed to catch his eye but he stopped when he began to move around the dock. He flexed his hooves a couple times letting the boards squeak beneath him. “I think I have an idea.”

Barrel turned and began to leave. Rarity noticed a small smudge on his flank as he walked. “Oh, you’ve got something on your…” She stopped as she noticed it wasn’t some stain but instead his cutie mark. It was streaked with the colors running almost as if… “Paint?”

Barrel noticed her words and froze. He slowly reached back and wiped a bit of the washed out paint off. “Guess I forgot about that.”

Rarity looked at him with concerned eyes. “You’re a blank flank?” She immediately regretted those words as she brought her hoof to her mouth. She had simply heard it so many times in talking to Sweetie Belle that it simply slipped out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“No, I get it. Kind of hard to respect somepony so old without a mark.” Barrel’s smile was gone now, replaced by no emotion at all. “That’s kind of the reason for the paint job.” He took a deep breath and began to walk again. “You coming or what?”

“Y-Yes!” Rarity cried out as she shook of the last of the water and hurried to catch up. “So I take it you have a plan?”

“In a sense. But I need some bait.”

“Where are we going to find that?” Barrel gave Rarity a smirk. “Oh no. No! No!”

“For all we know they could be here by sundown,” Twilight reiterated. She had gathered all the possible friends she could. This included Applejack, Fluttershy, and Cloudy Gust all sitting around the thrones of friendship, Cloudy off to the side. The latter of the three looking particularly pissed about current events.

“I told you to be prepared, Sparkle,” Cloudy muttered. “But you just wanted to play around. Now we’ve got a full scale invasion on our hooves!”

Twilight tried to ignore the disagreeable pony’s words. She was already worried enough. “Fluttershy, you seriously couldn’t find Pinkie Pie?”

Fluttershy bowed her head. “Yes, she said she’d just be going for a walk but that was hours ago.”

“And Rainbow Dash is still a no show.” Applejack tipped her hat sadly and crossed her forearms. “Looks like it’s just up to us.”

“Um, but what do we do?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight turned to Cloudy. “Well, captain. You’ve made it pretty clear that you know military tactics better than any of us. How do we protect an entire town?”

Cloudy smiled. “So glad you asked.”

Seek sat nervously at his desk. It was almost sunset and the situation seemed to be getting dire by the minute. Information was coming from Baltimare about an explosion of weird sightings and there was even word of black clouds in the skies between Baltimare and Ponyville. Seek wasn’t a military tactician but he thought that disguising yourself as clouds would make pretty good camouflage.

He took a look around the CRO main floor. The secret base was almost empty now save for a few spare agents and magicians. Captain Armor had sent away nearly every pony available to Ponyville. “Seek.”

The green earth pony turned to see another agent talking to him. “Any news?”

“Not yet.” He dropped a small scroll on his desk. “These are the cartographer’s maps of the tunnel under the city. You sent in a request for them a couple weeks ago, just went through.”

“Oh, right.” With everything going on, Seek had almost forgotten about the giant ponymade tunnel below Equestria that Inferno had used to sneak into Canterlot and try to assassinate Celestia. That seemed so important at the time. He decided to just take a look through to ease his nerves. Any work was better than just worrying. He unrolled the scroll to find a rather detailed map of Equestria with a set of black lines running through it representing the tunnel. At first he was amazed at the size but then something caught his eye. His eyes widened in horror. “I need to speak to Captain Armor!”

The sun had now dipped over the edge of the horizon. A lone zebra sat atop a high roof in the small town of Ponyville watching as the ponies below prepared for an invasion. The Pegasus called Cloudy Gust worked tirelessly to create makeshift spears out of street lights and benches. The rest of the Elements warning everypony to stay inside while urging every stronghearted mare and stallion to join them by the castle. The zebra felt a chill breeze blow through her mane and tightened her jacket around her frame. She gazed out towards the east to see a large black cloud heading in. Ill omen, or something much worse.

Rarity had never felt so exposed. She never even dared to walk around Canterlot after dark, so walking around alone in Baltimare at night was terrifying. The entire city seemed to empty out at dusk, the streets swept clean of hooves. She gulped loudly as she walked slowly along the streets.

At the back of her vision she could see glowing eyes peeking out at her from the darkness. Alleyways, trash cans, sewer grates. As she began to increase her speed she could even hear hoofsteps behind her.

She almost stopped walking as a few changelings appeared out of an alley in front of her, but she merely changed direction. There had to be close to ten or twelve following her now. And she could hear them getting closer.

Rarity increased her speed further turning it into a light jog. Her breathing was heavy but she could still make out the sounds of the creatures behind her. When she knew she was within range of her destination she broke out into a run. The changelings followed suit.

Rarity dipped and dodged through various streets in a blatant attempt to lose her tails, or so they thought. The mare finally made her way to the docks where she ran out onto a pier, seemingly cornered. The changelings now closed in with vicious grins, their disguises thrown off. Rarity backed up to the edge and let out a scream of panic.

The changelings all held their hooves to their ears in pain as her scream seemed to stun them. Rarity immediately recovered after the scream and smiled. “Gotcha!” She winked as she jumped off the edge of the pier.

From behind a crate on the dock, Barrel lifted his cannons and stomped with all his might on the rotting wood of the dock. Besides breaking the planks beneath him it also sent a shockwave through the rest of the wood. The dock splintered and broke apart before any of the changelings could react.

Without a chance to fly away the creatures tumbled into the cold water. They struggled to beat their wings and get out but their insectoid parts had become waterlogged. Barrel had fallen in as well and began paddling to the shore but a small rowboat crossed his path. Rarity looked down from the tiny craft. “Need a hoof?”

Barrel laughed while trying to swim and climbed aboard. “Looks like you got to jump into a boat after all, little…” Rarity glared, daring him to finish that phrase. “Ahem, Miss Rarity.” She smiled and handed him a sailor hat.

“I found this lying in here. Thought you might want to try it?” Barrel raised an eyebrow but smiled and graciously accepted the gift. “What do we do now?” Rarity asked with a concerned expression.

Barrel shook himself off and looked out at the struggling changelings. “We take one.”

“What?”

Barrel reached into the water as they passed a changeling and pulled it out by its membrane along the neck. He threw it to the floor of the rowboat and pinned it under his massive bulk, making sure to prevent it from biting. “We need information.” He glared daggers into the changeling as it tried to fight back. “What are your plans?”

The changeling struggled again and did not answer. It was Rarity’s turn to get angry. She lowered her horn to the changeling’s face. “If you ruffians are after any of my friends then I will show you how rude I can be in return for the weekend you put me through!”

Barrel’s eyes widened at the little lady’s temper. Strangely enough the changeling stopped struggling. Then it began to laugh. Pretty soon all the changelings in the bay began to laugh as well. “What’s so funny?”

The changeling looked to Rarity with a smirk. “You do not frighten us, child of Harmony. You and your allies pose no threat to our mission.”

Rarity narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

Celestia stood at her balcony looking out towards Ponyville. The dark cloud coming from Baltimare was almost on top of them. She considered just going to aid Twilight and her friends in this time of need but something in the back of her mind was telling her to stay. Something just felt wrong about all this. Like she’d missed something. Something vital.

“Princess!” A guard in a red uniform rushed into her room, her coat covered in bruises.

Celestia rushed to the soldier’s side as she lost balance. “What happened?!”

The guard coughed slightly. “We were part of the group analyzing Inferno’s tunnel. There… There were too many of them. They overwhelmed us. I’m lucky to have gotten out alive.”

Celestia’s eyes widened in horror. “What attacked you?” Though she felt like she knew the answer.

“Changelings.”

“You’re greatest secrets are ours to take.”

Seek rushed around CRO looking for the captain but could not find him. He panted slightly and stopped at a guard posted outside the warehouse doors to Redwood’s cell. “Did the captain come this way?”

“Just went in,” the guard replied. “But he ordered no intrusions.”

“But I need to see him! It’s urgent!”

The guard frowned. “Well, what is it? Maybe I can help?”

Seek raised an eyebrow at the stupid answer. “Not unless you can tell the Captain that there’s a tunnel from Baltimare in the mega cave beneath Equestria.”

The guard scratched his chin. “Wasn’t the captain taking lead on that investigation?”

Seek was about to answer him when a large explosion rocked the building. A few ponies rushed into the main floor and tried to hold the door shut. “Bar it! Bar it now! They’re coming!”

Seek almost didn’t have time to see what was going on as the doors exploded inward rocketing the ponies away. A large black and green wave flooded in with a loud unearthly buzz. Seek ducked as the wave shot right past him and began to circle in the air like angry bees. A couple of ponies began to shoot wildly into the air with their horns or crossbows but they did little to quell the swarm. As moments passed those that fought back would disappear in an instant as changelings flew down from above and picked up the ponies, screaming as they were pulled into the large cloud.

Seek kept his head down but knew he had to do something to protect his comrades. Something at least to warn the ponies outside. Then he remembered. There was something he could do. He slowly crawled along the floor toward the evidence room. He had left something there that could drastically help.

After a few minutes of crawling he finally made it to the room and got to his hooves. He looked at the table covered in scrolls and files and waded through it throwing papers across the room. Finally he fished it out of the bottom of the stack. “Yes!” He held aloft the Mailmare’s dragon lighter. Fast as he could he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and began to write. When he was finished he rolled it up and put the end to the lighter. Celestia most likely already knew of the situation, but there was one mare and her friends who needed to know that their help was needed. He clicked the spark and a green flame devoured the letter. He gave a sigh of relief just as the door burst open. Seek quickly hid the lighter in his mane as three changeling marched in, pointing their glowing horns at him. He could see that they also had large silky nets with them. The green earth pony gulped as they approached.

“Our queen’s plan has fallen perfectly into place.”

Celestia stormed into the courtyard, a look of absolute anger on her face. How could this have happened? CRO is a secret to everypony outside the Royal family and the Elements. For there to have been a coordinated attack would mean there was a mole. But no, she had vetted everypony herself. She knew them all. And nopony had recently found…

Celestia stopped as she noticed her sister staring toward the Royal Academy, smoke billowing from the structure. Luna’s eyes showed only disdain. “I told you secrets would bring you nothing but pain,” the blue alicorn said, not turning to her.

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “You. It was you all along wasn’t it?”

Luna finally turned around, a surprised look in her eyes. “What?”

“Don’t act innocent! CRO was the best kept secret in canterlot. Then just a few weeks after you find out about it it gets attacked? How long have you been impersonating my sister?” Celestia now pointed her horn at her.

Luna’s eyes only grew wider. “Tia, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“My sister trusts me!” she shouted angrily. “But you! You’ve been nothing but suspicious of me for weeks!”

“Because you’ve been acting suspicious!” Luna shot back. Her features were now getting darker as the clouds began to coalesce above. “I trusted you before because we shared everything! Now when I see you all I see is deceit! Lies! You’ve become the one thing you hated me for becoming!”

Celestia started at this, her horn losing its glow. “I… I am not!”

“Yes, you are.” Luna’s features began to lighten again. “You believe yourself to be the only one with the ability to fight. But you forget that we are diarchs.” Luna stepped forward and brought a hoof out to her sister. “We are balance. And that cannot come from a skewed system.”

Celestia’s eyes widened and a few tears began to well up. She grabbed her sister’s hoof and bowed her head. “It is you, isn’t it?”

Luna nodded with a small hurt smile. “Yes. Now do something smart for the first time in a long time, and let me in.”

“If Twilight and the others aren’t your targets then why go after me?” Rarity asked.

The changeling chuckled. “I never said you weren’t targets.”

“Okay, I think we’re about ready,” Cloudy said as she and a few other Ponyvillians set the last of the barricade. It was short but that was all they needed for any ground based attacks. “Now everypony make sure you wear your ribbon! Fluttershy will be hoofing them out!”

The yellow Pegasus flew above the crowd dispersing small red ribbons that each pony tied around their legs. Twilight could see the fear in many ponies’ eyes. She herself wasn’t feeling too sure about this.

“Twilight!” She turned to see Spike running up the road, a letter in his claw. Twilight took it from him and read it quickly. Her eyes widened in shock.

“What is it, Twi?” Applejack asked.

“Th-That’s impossible. Then what is…?” she murmured.

The large black cloud had finally reached the outskirts of town. Twilight and the rest prepared themselves for the worst but were surprised when the shadow finally overtook them. A slight wet drop fell on Twilight’s nose. “Rain?”

More and more wet drops fell and soon a torrent of the stuff began to come down. Before long it became hard to make things out in the heavy rain. “Was this a trick?” Applejack asked her.

Twilight was about to answer when a large thump sounded from behind. A couple of ponies scattered and screamed. One of them pointing at another pony. “He just came out of nowhere!”

“Hey somepony took my ribbon!” “Mine too!” “You’re a changeling, aren’t you?!”

Pretty soon it devolved into utter chaos as ponies began to fight each other in the muddy streets. “Oh, Faust,” Twilight whispered.

Redwood sat silently in his cell though he could clearly hear the screams and explosions coming from above. Shining Armor went to check the door when the first sound was heard. Redwood stared at the stallion’s back as he waited for any kind of report. “Doesn’t sound all too well out there, captain. Maybe you should get in the picture.”

Shining didn’t respond.

“This doesn’t really seem like a good time for the cold shoulder, captain.”

“Oh, I think it’s the perfect time, Rayleigh,” Armor replied. Something about the stallion’s voice seemed off. Then it hit him what he’d said. Shining never used his first name.

Shining Armor turned from the door to face Redwood, a growing smile on his face. A smile he had seen before. Shining walked slowly up to the cage, bright blue magic dancing around his legs and body as his guise fell away. A black chitonous exoskeleton replaced his white coat, holes adorning the legs. Glowing green hair fell around the eyes like seaweed with a set of tightly tied braids in the back that reached down to the knees. His eyes were now large and glowed blue, a cat like sliver of an iris in each. A shattered horn poked out of the hair and a tail with the same viscosity of a cobweb swayed beneath the feet. Shining’s masculine swagger had also been replaced with a more feminine sway of the hips. The would-be changeling queen smiled a mouthful of vicious sharp teeth as she came to the cage wall. “Hello, Rayleigh.”

Rayleigh did not react overtly, trying to keep his cool. Though he knew he was far off from that. “Hello, Silk.”

To Be Continued...

Silk (No. 25) Part 1

Previously on The Hitlist...

“I’ve been looking for an in-house designer. One that can work directly with me and my students to produce quality fashion.”

“You were once passionate about what you did. Then that passion got the better of you and you betrayed the ones you love. I suppose in that regard my story is a lot like yours.”

“What? You thought I was that crazy mare?”

“Wait! What’s your name?” "Barrel."

“It’s a little more complicated than that, little miss. Been around as long as I have… everything gets more complicated.”

"Now do something smart for the first time in a long time, and let me in.”

Silk (No. 25)

The night before the Summit. Approximately two weeks ago…

Shining Armor opened the door to his throne room in the crystal empire and gazed at an empty room. He gave a small sigh and closed the door. Apparently he and Cadence had just missed each other, she heading out on the train before to Canterlot and him coming back. He had been hoping to see his wife at least in passing before the summit. It felt like ages since they’d been face to face.

He trudged down the hall towards his bed chambers. He hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep on the train and it was the middle of the night. He rubbed his eye as he entered the large suite he called home and closed the door behind him. “Hello, lover.”

Shining spun on his hooves toward the bed and was shocked to see Cadence lying seductively on the luxurious silken sheets. “Cadence? I thought you left already?” He shook his head. “Th-That doesn’t matter you should probably leave now if you want to make the summit.”

Cadence merely smiled playfully and rose to her forelegs on the bed. “Oh come on, Shiny. Can’t we just have a little fun before I go? It’s been a while.”

Shining had to admit, it had been a while. And he really did miss his wife’s touch, crammed down in that bunker at CRO. But his sense of duty overruled his libido. “I don’t think so, we really need to get you to Canterlot.”

Cadence’s face fell and she pouted. “Pity. I wanted to see just how good a stallion that could bag an alicorn was.”

Shining raised an eyebrow. “Cadence are you…” He couldn’t finish as the dressers, cabinets, and other pieces of furniture suddenly sprung to life. They immediately jumped on him in a dogpile, spraying a strange silky white substance all over him. “Get off me!”

Shining let loose a sphere of pink magic from his horn that pushed the furniture away. They fell to the side, their guises falling as well to reveal a familiar sight. Changelings. Shining struggled to free his hooves from the web that caught him but a pink hoof stomped by his head and stopped him. He looked up into Cadence’s face, though she had an expression his wife would never use, pitiable disgust. “You seriously can’t think of any other plan than pretending to be my wife, Chrysalis?” Shining spat at her from the floor.

Cadence’s face now smiled a sharp row of teeth, her eyes pulsing blue. “My sweet Shining Armor, who ever said I was Chrysalis?” Her pink disguise fell away replaced by the same black body of the changeling queen, sans the crown. Also her horn was broken in half and her mane was a neon blue that fell around her in braids. “And whoever said posing as Cadence was part of my plan?”

Shining’s eyes widened at this new threat. He tried to power up another attack but a changeling came up from behind eager for retribution and kicked him in the head knocking him out. The changeling that used to be Cadence chuckled and waved a few more of her minions over. “Take him out of the city.”

“To where, my queen?”

Her eyes grew cold. “Tell my sister I have a present for her. And she’d better not screw it up this time.”

Silk did a little bow. “Did you like my little performance?” Redwood did not react. This bug had probably been posing as Armor for weeks and he never noticed. That’s just how good she was. “Oh, come on, Rayleigh. I came all this way just to have a little reunion the least you can do is indulge me.”

“It was… convincing,” Rayleigh muttered.

Silk grinned widely and began to giggle like a schoolfilly. “Oh, stop you’re too much.”

“How long?” Silk stopped giggling. “A week? Two?” She stayed silent with a smile. “No, you’ve been planning this for a while. Waiting for a moment when the Elements were divided geographically. It was easy enough to throw off CRO’s trail after that.” He narrowed his eyes and smiled. “The summit. You’ve been posing as Armor since the summit.”

Silk did a slow deliberate clap of her hooves. “Bravo, the great Rayleigh Redwood cracks the case. Now let’s see if you can solve the mystery of WHY I’m here.”

Redwood’s smirk softened a bit. “Is this about Neighpal?”

“Of course, it’s about Neighpal!! You left me to die on that frozen mountain!”

“I’d heard about your recovery.”

“Then I’m sure you also heard about this?” she viciously pointed to her forehead where her shattered horn protruded. “I had to break my own horn to escape that ice cave!”

“Then how apropos that you used a cave to get to me,” Rayleigh laughed. “That is what you used? The mega system that you learned about from your source. Who was that by the way?”

Silk didn’t take the bait. “I’ve been posing as Shining Armor for over a month. What makes you think I didn’t just use the information I learned here and sent it to my changelings?”

Because there’s a pony here who’s a pretty good stickler about detecting outgoing messages, he thought. “Call it a hunch.”

Silk smirked. “Well, you’d be right in this case. Not that I’ll ever share that information with you. I may like to betray and murder but even I know when something is just too juicy to divulge.” She walked forward and leaned on the glass with a seductive grin. “You’ve got a suitor. Someone seriously wants to play with you, Rayleigh. And who am I to deny a gift horse in the mouth. So when I heard about this grand opportunity to find you in a cage, I was on the first boat here!”

Redwood’s smirk returned. “So you have me, now what?”

Silk tutted and rubbed a hoof against the glass a small arc of magic popping out behind the trail. “If only it were that simple, Rayleigh.” She put both hooves on the glass and her forehead, looking at him with big eyes. “So close and yet so far away. Do you know how infuriating it is to have you here and not be able to tear you limb from limb?”

“What makes you think you could?”

Silk let out a cackling laugh and tore herself away from the cage. “Oh, I wouldn’t have to, Rayleigh. My changelings would. And I’d watch and laugh as they ripped the flesh from your bones.”

Pinkie Pie looked up raining sky with worry. She and the Crusaders had been walking through the Everfree close to the entire day with no idea where they were going. Now the sun had set and a heavy rain had come. The thick canopy of trees above them protected against a lot of the water but the ground was not so lucky. Pinkie felt her hoof slip as she stepped in another giant mud puddle. She landed on her chin and let out a loud cry.

“You okay, Pinkie?” Sweetie Belle asked as she helped her up.

“I’m fine. Look girls, maybe we should call it a day.”

Scootaloo was at the front of the group and sighed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. We’ll set up camp here.”

“Camp?” Pinkie raised an eyebrow as the girls all unpacked large blue tarps from their saddlebags. “Wait, you guys were planning to camp out here?”

“Well, yeah,” Apple Bloom replied. “We’ve been plannin’ this trip for a while. We’ve found that usually when we try to do things to get our cutie marks we tend to go in half-cocked.”

“I said that this is a priority one mission,” Scootaloo interjected. “So we needed to be fully prepared!” The girls began to pull out all kinds of things. Matches. Extra tarps. Rope. Mace. Even extra boots.

Sweetie Belle held her boots in front of her and chuckled nervously. “I’d offer them to you but I don’t think we’re the same size.”

“Ah told you she’d only be getting’ in the way,” Apple Bloom chided. “No offense, Pinkie.”

“Hey, if she’s a pony that wants to get revenge on that nasty monster that hurt Rainbow Dash then I say it’s fine.” Scootaloo began to make her tent again.

“Revenge…” Pinkie mulled over the word. “Is that really what you girls want?”

“Of course! I mean, someponies got to pay, right?”

Pinkie merely nodded half heartedly and looked up at the sky. It was going to be a long night.

Rarity and Barrel had tipped off the Baltimare police department about the wet changelings in the bay. But not before sneaking one away themselves. The two of them brought their guest to a small unoccupied warehouse on the dock, a good mile from the site where they’d sprung their trap. Barrel had knocked the changeling out and tied him to a chair. Rarity watched the large stallion prepare to interrogate the insect.

Barrel picked up a long thin knife that Rarity could only assume was some fishing tool and laid it next to a row of similar serrated instruments. She felt the blood run from her face. “Um, you’re not really going to torture it, are you?”

Barrel gave her a conflicted look. “I hope not. My brother was the interrogating type. Could always get the truth out of me. But he did show me some skills.” He pointed to the row of sharp instruments. “This is called an intimidation tactic. Keeping your weapons in row like this infers a structure or routine. The vic… I mean the pony takes away that you have in fact tortured before and will not hesitate.”

Rarity looked in Barrel’s eyes, she didn’t see any bloodlust in them. “You’ve never killed anypony before have you?”

Barrel looked her in the eye once more. This time he seemed to be looking straight past her, as if to something else. “We need to get information,” he pulled the conversation away.

Rarity played along, still wishing she’d gotten that answer. “Alright, so how do we do that?”

Barrel grinned again and grabbed a knife to hand to her. “You’re going to torture him.”

“Huh?”

Celestia and Luna flew down from above and landed on the court in front of the Royal Academy. Several sections of the building were on fire but guards worked fervently to quell the blaze. A tall dark blue unicorn with a mint mane and gold armor commanded them as they went. “Vice Captain Trigger Finger!”

Trigger turned and bowed as the sisters approached. Celestia was the first to speak. “What happened here?”

Trigger grit his teeth. “Changelings, your highness. Hundreds of them stormed through the streets in a black cloud and rammed the door down. It seems quiet inside now but we haven’t seen a single pony leave the premises.”

Celestia knew that had to be because they were below ground, in CRO. She looked to Luna and her sister seemed to agree. “Have there been any demands?” she asked.

“Not yet. We sent a pony or two in to reconnaissance. Made sure to tie this to them.” Trigger lifted up a small ball of nearly invisibly thin twine. “If a changeling thinks to replace one of them then we’ll know when they come out.”

It was a decent plan, but if Redwood was right about the threat then these changelings were a hoof above the danger level Chrysalis posed. “And what of Prince Armor?” Luna asked.

“He was in there when those bugs attacked. Don’t know if he’s still alive or not.” Suddenly a window shattered. Everypony drew their attention to the glass and pointed their crossbows and horns, but nothing was there. Instead a pink shell laid on the ground in front of the window. Celestia tentatively walked toward it and picked it up.

“Testing, testing,” the shell spoke in a sickly feminine voice. “Can anypony hear me?”

Celestia brought the shell to her mouth. “Who is this?”

“The Princess? Score for the first try!” the voice replied. “Glad I didn’t have to deal with any of your lackeys. You and I have a lot to discuss.”

“Chrysalis’ sister I presume?”

The shell was silent, but Celestia thought she could hear the grinding of teeth. “Is that seriously how you know me? That I’m just the sister of that idiot? I infiltrated your organization! Your family! I staged a bucking coup and took control of your most secret of all places! And all you can call me is Chrysalis’ sister!?” Celestia could hear the venom in her voice. Luna was now beside her listening in, a worried look on her face. “Know this! My name is Silk! Queen of Legion! And you will do everything I say or everypony here dies… Starting with this one.” The sound of a distressed mare came over the shell.

“Princess! She was posing a-” the pony was cut off by the sound of a wet thud. Celestia closed her eyes in a grimace even though she couldn’t see the attack.

“No!” Luna shouted into the shell. “How dare you!?”

“That was for your disrespect,” Silk cut in. “And so you know that I mean it when I say that I will kill another one every hour.” She was silent and the crowd stood still. Celestia seethed beneath her mane. “Talk to you again in 59 minutes,” she finished with a chuckle and cut out.

“No! Come back!” Celestia shouted but there was no answer. She wanted to throw the shell at the wall in disgust but she didn’t. She handed the shell to Trigger. “Let my sister know the moment she returns.” She pointed to a few guards. “You, you and you! Follow me!”

Celestia turned to walk away. Luna looked at her with confusion. “Tia, wait! Where are you going?”

“To get some answers from the only pony who can help.” She stopped and gave Luna one last look. “I know this isn’t the time to leave. Especially after I just regained your confidence. But believe me when I say that I would not put the lives of those ponies in anypony else’s hooves.”

Luna looked at her with a deep frown but nodded. “At least tell me where you’re going.”

Celestia grit her teeth and turned to leave. “Chrysalis.”

“Everypony stop!” Twilight shouted but to no avail. The rain poured down as the townsfolk continued to punch and kick at each other, each one believing the other to be a changeling. The large amount of rain obscuring everypony’s vision didn’t help.

Applejack had to buck a mare in the teeth before she could get her hooves on her. The farmpony wincing as she did. “Sorry! Twi, we need to do somethin’ about these ponies.”

Twilight looked at the letter sent from Seek still in her hooves. Rain began to wet it and she tucked it away. “This was a setup. They attacked Canterlot instead. We were only a distraction. Now with this rain it’s throwing everypony into mass hysteria. We got them riled up for nothing!”

“Not nothing,” Cloudy zipped past Twilight’s shoulder and rammed into an incoming pony. They went down as the Pegasus plowed her front hooves into their chest.

“Cloudy! That pony was wearing a ribbon!”

Cloudy raised the pony’s hoof and removed the ribbon revealing that it had now turned red. “I told you I was prepared, Sparkle,” she smirked.

“Is that a mood ribbon?” Twilight asked. Now that she looked at the crowd. Many ribbons had turned a bright yellow that she could see through the rain while some were bright red.

“Yellow is fear, those are the scared townsfolk,” Cloudy said.

“While red is anger. The changelings, I getcha,” Applejack retorted with a sly grin.

“Care to help me with a little cleanup?” Cloudy smiled at her.

Applejack was surprised by the first appearance of a genuine smile from the mare in such a place but she took it. “It’d be mah pleasure.” The two yelled loudly as they joined the fray taking out everypony with a red ribbon.

Twilight let out a small sigh of relief that that crisis had been dealt with, but the changeling’s would figure out the problem soon enough and adapt. “This is awful. We need to find some way to get them all out I the open. What do you think, Fluttershy? …Fluttershy?” Twilight looked around but she could no longer see the yellow Pegasus next to her. “Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy ran through the streets as ponies plunged into chaotic brawls around her. “Ohnoohnoohnoohno!” She tried to pull two ponies away from each other but one simply elbowed her in the face pushing back. “Please stop this!”

She tried using her stare but nopony could see much of anything through the rain. Suddenly, when she was beginning to feel helpless a set of hooves reached out from behind and grabbed her. She screamed silently as they wrapped around her mouth and pulled her into an alley way. She struggled against the pony that grabbed her but the pony simply let her go when they were far enough into the alley. She turned with wide eyes to her attacker and saw a familiar gray coat and black mane. “Fluttershy, it’s alright it’s me!”

Fluttershy gave a small sigh of relief as she saw her friend Octavia. The musician had played at several charity functions that Fluttershy was a part of and they had spoken several times in passing. But the yellow mare breathed in a gasp as she took a defensive stance again. “How do I know you’re not a changeling?”

Octavia frowned. “I… I don’t know. Look, I’m not entirely sure of just what’s going on anyway. Vinyl tried to get me to stay home tonight, even locked the door from the outside but I needed to see what she was doing. Is everypony like this? You said changelings. Are those things from the wedding here?”

Fluttershy nodded grimly still weary of the gray mare. “Y-Yes. With the rain everypony thinks the other is a changeling. We had ribbons to signify them but the changelings seemed to have stolen some.”

Octavia nodded. “Okay.” She gave a small groan and rubbed her forehead. “Grr. That stupid Vinyl! Why would she go straight into the thick of this?”

Fluttershy shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.” She screamed as a pony was launched at the wall close by the alley and made a hard slam. “W-We should really get going!”

“Agreed.”

Seek sat on the cold floor, a silky rope tied around his forearms and legs. He had watched as the leader of Legion, a tall changeling calling herself Silk, crushed a pony’s head beneath her hoof. She did it without hesitation and remorse. A sick feeling ran through his body. If she found out that he had the dragon lighter in his mane or the fact that he got a message out, he had no doubt he would be next on the insect lady’s list.

She had brought nearly all the ponies left in CRO to the warehouse below where Redwood’s cell was. She paced back and forth with an irritated expression as she counted down the minutes. “Where did you get the communautilus?” he asked.

Seek saw that he was referring to the pink shell in Silk’s hooves. She had sent a changeling above to deliver another to the princesses outside. “I’d think you’d know, Rayleigh. I had my children pick these off the corpses of your pathetic soldiers.” She brandished the shell in his face. “I must say, this is quite the clever little shell. Each one is grown alongside a group of others and any sound waves collected into one project from its siblings. A nice way of communicating around tapped magical communication networks.”

Redwood remained stoic though Seek could see that he was slightly pissed. “So you’re just going to kill everypony here until you get the spell code for the cell?”

“That’s the plan,” Silk responded.

“And then after you’ve had your revenge?” Silk was silent and gave Redwood a vicious look. He laughed. “Oh, Silk. You’re know all the right moves but when it comes time to finish…”

She slammed a hoof against the cell wall and a ripple of magic shot out. “Shut up!”

“You have not one but two alicorns waiting for you above.” Redwood continued. “You’re not going anywhere after this.”

Silk’s grin returned. “Who says I wanted to go anywhere?”

Seek saw Redwood look surprised. “…This is a suicide mission.”

“Ding ding ding!” Silk shouted.

“Why?”

“Why? Because of you, that’s why! It was a miracle that I survived that cave in. If it weren’t for my savior I wouldn’t even be here to exact my revenge.” Savior? “And when they said that all they wanted from me was to come here and kill you? I signed up without a second thought.”

Redwood narrowed his eyes. “But they also threatened you, I’m guessing.” Silk stayed silent. “Who? Who are you working for?”

Silk tutted and waved her hoof in front of the glass. “Now, now, Rayleigh. Let’s not make this about anypony else but us.” She pressed her forehead against the glass once more and smiled ear to ear revealing an array of sharp teeth. “I’ve come too far and waited too long to have you thinking about somepony else when we finally dance. Minion!” That last word made everypony jump as her demeanor changed instantly. She reeled on the changeling’s watching the hostages. “How many more minutes till we can kill another one?”

A changeling next to Seek spoke up. “Ten minutes by your decree, my queen.”

Silk’s winced and began to walk over to the captured CRO ponies. “Ooh, the suspense is killing me! I wonder which one of you will be next.” Seek felt his hooves begin to shake and cold sweat begin to pour from his forehead. His eyes widened as he noticed a familiar small object slide a little from his mane. He panicked as it seemed that Silk was about to see it but Redwood acted faster.

“ACHOO!” Silk turned to the caged pony with a frown. Redwood simply wiped his nose with a small smile. “Sorry, it gets dusty in here.” He gave Seek a fleeting glance and the green earth pony took the opportunity, shifting his neck so that the dragon lighter fell back into his thick mane. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Rarity stood just behind the unconscious changeling tied to a chair. Her hoof tapping nervously against the wood planked floor. “I really don’t know if I can do this,” she muttered.

Barrel stood a little off to the side in the shadows behind her. “It’s fine,” he whispered. “I’ll be giving you any pointers you may need. Hopefully you won’t even have to touch it.”

“But why can’t you?”

“Surprise tactic. If somepony you’re not expecting to be sadistic begins to brandish a knife it puts you in a more susceptible mood. Might even let something slip.”

“You know I think your brother might have just been bullshitting you,” Rarity shot back. Barrel laughed quietly at the profanity.

“Yeah, maybe. Just do it.”

Rarity frowned deeply and bit her lip. She took a deep breath and composed herself. Well, here goes nothing. She was about to do something she never thought she’d do in a million years. Torture somepony. Well, not voluntarily.

She set her face to an angry mask and slammed her hooves against the sides of the changeling’s head. The insect woke up with a start and yelled with pain. Rarity immediately felt bad but knew not to let it show. “Good, you’re awake.” The changeling looked around in a daze. It saw the sharp tools lined up on the table behind her. Rarity saw it’s eyes widen slightly. “Don’t worry. I’m hoping I won’t have to use these… yet.”

“Wh- Where is the stallion?”

“He took a break. Now it’s just you and me.” Barrel gave her a nod from off to the side. She was doing well playing the tough act. “And you’re going to tell me everything. About your plan. About what you want from Canterlot. And about your queen.”

The changeling sneered at her. “I do not listen to you. I am only one of many. Together we are legion. Legion serves only the queen.”

Rarity smiled deviously. “You know I met your queen before. She wasn’t all that tough. She got beat by love, the very thing she was trying to feed off of.”

The changeling chuckled. “You speak of Chrysalis. But she is not our queen.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow as she darted a look to Barrel. The big stallion merely raised his hooves in a similarly confused gesture. “Okay… So who is?”

The changeling was silent for a moment making Rarity think he wasn’t going to answer but then he beared his teeth. “We serve the true queen, Silk. Empress of Legion. Witch of the Web. We are her children for no other chose to accept us.”

Rarity’s tough act faltered. “Nopony chose to accept you? What does that mean?”

Barrel waved a hoof in a horizontal motion indicating her to stop the line of questioning. But the changeling answered anyway. “We are the lesser children of the great hive. We are flawed. The hive did not accept us and so our queen took us in. Taught us that separate we are weak but together we are strong. We are legion!”

Rarity frowned. “Yes, yes, you keep saying that. But are you seriously saying that you’d all give your lives for your queen?”

“Without a second thought.”

“And what about her? Would she die for you?” Barrel stopped his motion as he now seemed interested in the conversation too.

“Silk is our queen. We were born to die for her. Why would one such as she die for us?”

Rarity slammed her hooves on the armrests of the chair the changeling was tied to. “Because that’s what a monarch does! A queen must love her subjects. Do you even know if she loves you?”

The changeling looked confused by this. “Love is nourishment to most changelings. But we have not tasted love in a very long time. We have found… other methods of sating hunger.” The changeling sniffed the air. “However, you have a scent we have not smelled for many years.” It sniffed again and it’s eyes narrowed. “It is small. Merely blooming. A scent that intoxicates the mind. You smell of love.”

Rarity’s blushed and was taken aback. “I… what?!”

The changeling grinned its sharp teeth and turned its head. “And you aren’t the only one.”

Barrel charged into view. “Get down!” The changeling suddenly shot its insectoid wings out, slicing the ropes and freeing it. However, Barrel succeeded in charging at it, bringing his weight down on the black creature. It thrashed and squirmed under his bulk. “Get me a knife!” He held out his hoof to Rarity who watched with wide eyes. She shook her head and grabbed a small carving knife from the row and gave it to him.

The changeling eyed the knife and let out a short but high pitched scream. Barrel and Rarity had to cover their ears which freed the creature up to escape. It flapped it’s wings rapidly and ascended toward the window of the warehouse. “No, you don’t!” Barrel shouted as he flung the knife at the fleeing changeling and it dug itself into its hind leg. The changeling let out a short cry of pain but then smashed through the glass.

Rarity helped Barrel to his hooves. “Come on, we’ve got to follow it!”

Barrel placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Relax. It’s not going anywhere we can’t track.” He pointed to the window and Rarity saw a trail of bright green blood that seemed to glow in the moonlight. “All part of the plan.”

She deadpanned and hit the stallion in the shoulder. “That was not part of your plan!”

Barrel chuckled then rubbed the back of his head. “So, what it was saying…”

Rarity turned away shyly, rubbing the back her own head. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She peeked a look at him. “Unless you know what it was talking about?”

Barrel straightened up and stiffened. “Nope! Can’t say I do.” The two stood together awkwardly for a while until they both spoke.

“I’m just gonna make sure we have everything we need to track it.” “I’m just going to the little mare’s room.” They both jabbered at the same time and walked away from the other.

“When I was a little filly and the sun was going down.” Pinkie muttered the words to her favorite song to sing when one was scared as she sat alone in the Everfree. Sure the crusaders were right next to her but they were safe in their own tents. None of them brought an extra one for Pinkie since she was a surprise guest. The pink mare insisted that she was okay though, saying that she could sleep through a hurricane in a ditch. The crusaders weren’t sure if she meant the hurricane was taking place in the ditch or the pony in question was in a ditch but they let it slide.

Pinkie could still hear the rain above tapping against the trees. The ferocity had quelled slightly but ground was still just as wet. She had wrapped herself in some large leaves and leaned against the trunk of a thick old tree in order to go to sleep but nothing seemed to help. Pinkie simply couldn’t get to sleep, which was worrying.

“So I can’t sleep. Of course I can’t sleep!” she said to herself. “I’ve got to protect these fillies from any badniks and creepazoids that might pop out. A Pinkie’s work is never done.”

“Oh, stop lying to yourself.” The voice was hers and it came from the puddle beside her. Pinkie hesitantly poked her head over the edge of the small basin of water and saw her reflection.

“Me?”

“Hi, me!” The reflection replied. Now that Pinkie looked a little closer it appeared that her reflection was dry with her patented poofy mane and energetic smile. While Pinkie herself was her slightly dimmer shade of pink with a drooping straight mane combed over her eye. “Or maybe I should say, fake me.”

Pinkie frowned. “I’m not fake me. You’re the one that’s not real. You’re a reflection.”

“Am I?” The reflection pointed to itself. “I don’t see any similarities. Maybe you’re the reflection!”

“But I’m Pinkie Pie!”

“No, Pinkie is happy! And fun! And makes ponies smile! You scare them.”

Pinkie looked taken aback. “I… I don’t scare ponies.”

“Then why did Mr. and Mrs. Cake kick you out, hmm? Why haven’t they come to visit or let you see Pumpkin or Pound?”

Pinkie bit her lip. “They’re just… busy.”

The reflection deadpanned. “You know that’s not true.”

Pinkie was now frowning and angrily glared at her reflection. “Look, just what are you trying to get at?”

“That maybe you should just forget about this whole mopey thing and just let me take the reins!” The reflection smiled ear to ear. “I can make everypony happy and then they’ll forget all about that meany feeny bo beeny that tried to steal your life. Let’s face it, being depressed isn’t getting us anywhere.”

Pinkie kind of had to admit that was true. “Wait, then what would happen to all these unhappy feelings I’m feeling?”

“They’d all go away of course!” The relfection shrugged. “I mean, all that negativity’s gotta go somewhere.”

Pinkie frowned deeper. “I don’t know about this.”

“Just let it all go. You want to be happy. I know because I’m you!” The reflection now reached out a hoof. Pinkie hesitated at first. She really did want to be happy again. But just letting all these feelings go felt next to impossible. Was it really such a good idea to simply push them away? She tentatively reached out to the puddle.

Suddenly a howl shook echoed through the forest. Pinkie shot her head up as the crusaders all poked out of their tents. Apple Bloom wiped the sleep from her eyes and grabbed her bag. “Heads up, crusaders! We’ve got company!” Sweetie and Scootaloo nodded and got their own bags.

Pinkie was now paying full attention to her surroundings as she saw the fillies prepare to fight. She glanced into the wood and saw a couple glowing yellow eyes in the dark. “Uh, girls, this is very brave of you but we should probably get going.”

The first of the beasts took a step out and they saw a lupine creature made of twigs and bark prowl toward them. “Ha! Timberwolf came first!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “You owe me a soda!” Scootaloo muttered something under her breath.

“It’s okay, Pinkie,” Apple Bloom said with a smile as two more timberwolves began to circle them. “We prepared for every contingency. See?” She brandished a large piece of wood with a rag at the end. Pinkie recognized it as an unlit torch. “Now we just need to…”

Pinkie deadpanned as she looked at the crusaders. Each one held their torch in one hoof and a match in the other. It was about this moment that each one realized that the rain and moist atmosphere had made the matches too wet. “Uh… got a light?” Scootaloo asked the pink mare with a nervously comical grin.

“Run!” Pinkie scooped up the three and ran through the trees. The timberwolves quickly gave pursuit, nipping at their hooves. Why? Why didn’t I just stop them from coming altogether, Pinkie thought. Why can’t I think things through sometimes? Maybe if I was just a little bit more responsible then I wouldn’t even be in this mess. Maybe somepony wouldn’t have tried to steal my life too.

Suddenly Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks staring at a tree. Pinkie and the others screeched to a halt, the timberwolves mere moments away. “Apple Bloom! What are you…”

“This way!” she screamed. “Come on! Ah know where we are!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle didn’t question and followed. Pinkie gave a small groan of impatience as she took off too.

The four of them ran for what felt like an hour but was only a few minutes. They exited the forest into a small open area, a wide old tree in the center. Pinkie immediately recognized this place as well. A door sat embedded in the tree with a small circular window close to it. With no trees to protect them above the rain fell on this place much harder, wetting their manes. The crusaders ran to the door and began pounding at it. “Zecora! Zecora open up! It’s us!” Apple Bloom shouted.

Pinkie took a look back at the way they came and saw the timberwolves fast approaching. “Girls, now would be a good time!”

The timberwolves finally reached the open area, one of them glaring Pinkie down as it lunged straight at her. The pink mare held up her hooves and screamed. This was it. She was a goner… Any moment now… The bite never came. Pinkie tentatively opened her eyes and gasped as she saw a familiar zebra with a Mohawk and tribal beads spin and kick effortlessly breaking the timberwolves into tinder. One last beast tried to pounce at the children but the zebra was too fast and swung her staff down with a loud thwack. The timberwolf exploded into twigs.

“That was awesome!” Sweetie Belle shouted as she rushed to Zecora.

“You have got to teach me how to do that!” Scootaloo added.

“It’s good to see your smiling face, but what praytell brings you to this place?” Zecora asked with a smile.

Pinkie walked forward to respond. “We…” Suddenly the exhausted pink mare collapsed into the mud. The crusaders and Zecora all rushed to her side.

“Pinkie! Is she okay?” Apple Bloom asked.

Zecora raised Pinkie’s chin to look her in the eye, she seemed unconscious. “Bring her inside and I’ll see what I can do. For right now staying here is not safe for me or you.”

The lone zebra trudged through the muddy streets, batting away anypony, changeling or not, that got close to her. This wasn’t an attack. It was a clever distraction. Something was off. Twilight Sparkle had received some kind of letter just before the attack as well. Something that made her surprised. The zebra frowned as she continued to think.

She emerged around a corner and stopped as she saw three angry ponies surrounding a white mare. It seemed like she was outnumbered so the zebra was about to act on her defense. Until the white mare dropped to her front left leg and spun on the muddied street like a break dancer. Her back legs swired around in a blur of motion and clocked two ponies in the jaw, instantly knocking them out. She landed in a spread eagled pose with her back legs doing an impossible split. The last one’s eyes flashed green, indicating it was indeed a changeling, as it attacked her from behind.

The zebra finally ran out of her cover to act, but the white mare simply jumped and twirled in the air, catching the changeling’s head with her back legs and spinning her in the air. She then drove her face into the ground and planted her hoof into the back of its head for good measure. The white mare looked up noticing the zebra for the first time. The zebra saw the mare fully for the first time too. She had a horn with a neon blue mane that sat limply on her shoulders in the rain. She raised her shades to reveal two iridescent red eyes that glared angrily at her. This was Vinyl Scratch. The zebra took a step back.

Vinyl’s eyes caught sight of the zebra and she grimaced. Somehow she recognized her. Had she been spotted while tailing her earlier? The white mare got lower to the ground as she began to move diagonally toward her. The zebra reciprocated, knowing full well that she was drawing her into a fight.

The zebra only narrowed her eyes at her and she took a step back. Every instinct in her body was telling her that she was an enemy she did not want to fight. Suddenly without warning Vinyl disappeared in a small flash of light. The zebra barely moved in time as her senses told her to throw a block at her back. She spun and caught the white unicorn’s kick as she appeared behind her. The force of the blow pushed her back in the mud, a small ringing going through her ears. Vinyl’s angry glare was replaced by surprise as she held her leg up pushing forward on the zebra’s foreleg block. She grinned, a hint of enjoyment seeping through.

Celestia flew for close to an hour, three loyal Pegasus guards at her side. She felt bad about leaving Luna to the hostage situation but it was necessary to have at least one princess there to make sure nopony else died. Despite how her sister might feel about her right now, Celestia trusted her implicitly. That’s why she entrusted her with where she was going too.

“You have what?!” Luna shouted angrily as she pulled her sister to the side. Some ponies looked back toward them as Luna raised her voice but Celestia merely gave them a look and the ponies returned to their rescue attempts. Luna seethed and rubbed her mane in frustration. “When were you planning on telling me that you know where Chrysalis is?” Celestia was about to answer but Luna held up a hoof. “No, let me answer that. You weren’t.”

“It’s a little bit more complicated than that, Lulu,” Celestia assured her. “I’ve kept this a secret from you because Chrysalis and I have… come to an understanding.”

Luna raised an eyebrow incredulously. “Understanding?”

Celestia lowered her head slightly. “She’s the queen of a race on the brink of extinction. Surely you can see that no ponytarian in their right mind would let an entire species die.”

Luna’s eyes widened. “You’ve been harboring her?!”

Celestia raised a hoof to quiet her sister. “In the Foal Mountains, very close by so I can keep an eye on her.” Luna looked into Celestia’s eyes. “And I may have given her permission to feed off of the ponies in Hollow Shades.”

“What?!”

“She’s under strict rules not to try replacing anypony,” Celestia assured her, her face beginning to lose its confidence with Luna’s gaze. “The town is topographically locked in the Shady Forest and everypony there is very kind. I assured her it was a perfect place to feed.”

“You sold out your own ponies?”

“No!” Celestia retorted. “Look, despite her bravado during the wedding, Chrysalis and her changelings don’t need to hurt ponies to feed off of their love. Proximity is all they need. And if they become the object of love it just tastes better.”

Luna let out a long sigh. “You realize this is a lot to take in? I mean, I appreciate your openness but this is something I can’t just overlook. I will have to talk to Chrysalis as well at some point. And I will have harsh words.”

Celestia nodded grimly. “I understand. I… I’m ready for us to work together again.”

Luna took a moment staring at her sister then groaned. “Alright, fine! I’ll stay here and make sure nopony else dies. Just get back here as soon as you can. However, if Chrysalis agrees to help, she comes in shackles. Agreed?”

Celestia took a deep breath and looked her sister in the eye. “Agreed.” They parted as she gave her sister the spell code for the cage, entrusting her to make the right choice.

She had actually spoken to the changeling queen on multiple occasions after the wedding. In secret, of course. Though the two disagreed on much, Chrysalis was willing to put away her pride and accept the princess’s mercy for the sake of her hive. Deep in the back of her mind she wondered if Chrysalis and her sister were like her and Luna. They both had different ideas on how to govern. Though Silk was willing to kill. Celestia wished she could say she wasn’t like that. She truly did. The Foal Mountains stood in the distance. She shook her head and got ready to speak to the changeling queen.

Rarity and Barrel followed the trail of glowing green blood out of the city. Every now and then Barrel would stop at a corner and tell Rarity to hold while he checked ahead, but there didn’t seem to be any threat. When they passed the last of the buildings following the trail became a little harder since they were out in the open with tall grass covering where the blood fell. However, they got lucky when they came to the train tracks and noticed that the trail was steady all the way down it.

“Well, at least now we know which way he’s following,” Barrel said.

“Yes, but he could be miles away by now,” Rarity added. “Just how do you plan on catching up?”

Barrel looked puzzled for a moment, then a train whistle blew. “It’s a train track,” he muttered with a grin.

Rarity’s face went red as she turned around at the night train approaching from the distance. “I… I knew that. I just wanted to see if you did.” Barrel laughed and grabbed her pushing both of then down into the tall grass out of sight of the train. He waited until it had almost fully passed them.

“Now!” he shouted and they both jumped from the tall grass. Barrel grabbed onto the railing of the caboose first while Rarity missed. She screamed as she almost tumbled from the moving train but Barrel caught her with his other hoof, wrapping it around her torso. “Gotcha!”

He pulled her in and they both stood there for moment on the caboose. Rarity smiled at him but blushed as she realized he was still holding her. Barrel quickly removed his hoof and backed away, clearing his throat. “Ahem, sorry about that. Totally inappropriate.”

Rarity cleared her throat as well. “Ah, yes quite.” They both turned away from each other, Barrel keeping his head pointed to the ground making sure that they were still following the tail. It was a minute or two before Rarity spoke again. “I… I’ve had fun, these past two days.”

Barrel looked at her skeptically. “Seriously?”

Rarity chuckled a little and put her hooves up on the railing to survey the receding landscape. “Yes, seriously. It’s been like one of those whirlwind spy novels I’ve read. Action. Suspense. Romance.” She paused and buttoned her lip. Barrel smirked a little.

“You certainly have a brighter view of it all than me.” He walked over to the railing to join her. “I’ve been doing stuff like this all my life. My brothers and I… we never really knew our folks. In fact, we actually weren’t brothers. We met in an orphanage where we played around like we were family. Used to say stuff like: ‘Ma, wants you to take the trash out’ or ‘Pa is gonna be so mad when you get home’. It was… our thing. Pretending we had parents.” Rarity lowered her head sadly, she had never considered not having her parents around growing up. What that must have been like. Applejack had her older brother and Granny Smith. But what was it like to grow up with nothing. Barrel continued.

“When I was fourteen my oldest brother, Lock, got approached by this big tough looking mare. Called herself Crimson Rush. She saw he had potential so she wanted to recruit him to some special mercenarial task force. Lock said he wouldn’t go without me or Stock. Rush caved and adopted all three of us. That’s when I met Redwood.”

“So this is about that criminal,” Rarity said with a slight frown.

Barrel gave her a small smile. “He’s a criminal, yeah. But even criminals can be kind enough to let in three homeless brothers.”

Rarity looked at Barrel with a disapproving gaze but then sighed and closed her eyes. “I suppose since we’re sharing deep dark secrets you expect me to divulge something about myself.”

Barrel chuckled and turned around to lean his back on the railing. “I wouldn’t bother with that, Rarity. I know it must be uncomfortable to you but Redwood already knew a lot about you. I doubt there’s anything you could say that I wouldn’t already know.”

Rarity gave him a determined look and took a deep breath. “When Sweetie Belle was five years old, I lost her in the marketplace.” Barrel raised an eyebrow. “I was sixteen and was at the age when I really didn’t want to think about my sister. I even felt jealous of her at times.” She paused before continuing. “So one day my father and mother had to leave early and I was put in the position of foalsitter. Sweetie seemed to adore me but I never really paid attention to it. I had a dream and goal that I wanted to pursue and I felt that having a sister so late in the game was just a distraction. So I was working in my room on some dress designs when I saw that I was out of lace. I nearly left the house alone, completely forgetting about my sister, but as luck would have it I heard her cry just as I closed the door. So I took her with me. Sweetie loved the market. She would stop at every vendor and try to talk to most of the ponies. But all I could think about was that lace. Eventually… we became separated.” Rarity closed her eyes again as the memory began to come back full force. “I didn’t even realize until I’d gotten home. I even called out to her when I entered the house, as if I had really forgotten her there and just left her. Then it hit me. I tried to pretend everything was alright as I walked back to the marketplace, but it was getting late. I eventually ended up galloping through the streets until I made it there. Lots of ponies were gone at this point so it wasn’t that hard to find her. She was curled up in a ball next to a celery vendor. The clerk had been calling out about a missing foal for a good hour, so she really let me have it when I came to find her. I apologized profusely but it didn’t seem enough.” Rarity’s eyes began to water and she wiped them with a sniffle. “I took Sweetie home and she went straight to bed without talking to me. She wouldn’t talk to me for weeks after that. And do you know what I ended up doing?” Barrel was silent. “I started to miss my sister’s voice. The way she’d scream happily when she found something that delighted her. The try she’d try to sing, even though she was young she still had an amazing voice. She was right there beside me but I began to miss my sister dearly.”

Barrel finally spoke up, keeping his gaze away from Rarity. “Why are you telling me this?”

Rarity took another deep breath. “Because I’m not a foal. I know what it looks like to mourn a sibling. Even though I never truly lost one.” She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “I’m sorry your brothers had to die for me and my friends.”

Barrel slowly turned his head to her, his face stoic but his eyes misted over. He bit his lip and pulled himself off the railing. “The trails moving north away from the tracks. We need to get moving.” He stopped at the edge of the railing and held out a hoof. “Well, ladies first.”

Rarity smiled but sniffled a bit. “Oh, what a gentlestallion,” she joked and used his hoof to get on the edge of the railing and jump off. Barrel followed. The two of them began to walk northward. The trail leading them in the direction of a medium sized mountain range. Rarity was the first to speak up. “So what were your brothers like?”

Barrel was silent for a moment making her think that he wasn’t going to answer. “Annoying,” he finally said. “Stock had this habit of hanging onto Lock like a tick. Of course, I was no better.” He continued to talk and Rarity simply smiled and listened.

“Time’s up,” Silk hissed through the shell. “Where is that code?”

Luna was the one to answer on the other line. “You realize you have no way out of this?”

Silk rolled her eyes. “Blah, blah, blah. We’ve been through this already down here, princess. Where’s the tall one? I want to talk to her.”

“She has given me the code and is entrusting me with the safety of those ponies you have,” Luna replied stalwartly.

Silk groaned. “Fine. I don’t care who I have to deal with. Are you going to give it to me?” She had a changeling push another pony up to her that she caught with her hoof around her head. Seek saw that it was the pony that he’d met guarding the door when all hell broke loose.

Luna was quiet on the other end. “How do I know you will keep your word? As I said, you have no chance of escape with Redwood. Not to mention the fact that if you did come here for a suicide mission then you would just kill everypony else because you can.”

Silk grinned. “Wow, you’re dark. I think I like you, princess. Then here’s the new deal. I send out a pony, safe and sound as a symbol of good faith. If you give me the code, I’ll let everypony here go and then kill Redwood. After that’s done I’ll surrender my legion.”

Luna seemed to consider this. “And yourself?”

Silk chuckled. “It’s already too late for me, princess. But I’ll be perfectly fine having the last thing I see be this pony’s blood on my hooves. So what do you say? Either everypony but the ruthless criminal dies. Or just the ruthless criminal.”

Luna was silent on the other end again. “Give me a few minutes.”

“You have one.”

Luna turned away from the shell with a look of disgust. What kind of decision was this to make? Kill ten to save one criminal. In the old days, she would not hesitate with such an offer. But things were different. This situation was different. Tia was right about one thing, the world and its monsters have changed, she thought. She suddenly found herself sympathizing with her sister. She had to grow older watching the world she once knew change and evolve into something hideous around her while she desperately tried to evolve alongside it.

Luna now saw the pressure one could have against such foes like Silk, the killer mare, or even Redwood. Power alone wasn’t enough in this situation. Sacrifices had to be made. Concessions had to be drawn. It tore her to the core to even consider it though. “Thirty seconds, princess,” a soldier next to her reminded her.

Luna turned her head to the sky, her moon was in full sight among the scattered clouds. She could move such an enormous celestial object with ease and yet when it came to saving these ponies and Redwood she felt completely helpless. On the one hoof, Redwood was an incomparable asset to both Celestia and Twilight Sparkle. He knew things about the world that Luna hadn’t even begun to consider. On the other hoof, he was a stranger and a criminal. His life was forfeit the moment he decided to betray his country and become a villain. At least that’s what she should have thought. She brought a hoof to her head and grit her teeth in frustration.

“Princess?” the soldier by her asked warningly.

Luna took a deep breath and returned her attention to the shell. “Are you still there?”

“Tick tock,” Silk replied maliciously.

“You have a deal.”

“Excellent! Give me the code.”

“I need to do it in pony. Tell your changelings to let me in first.”

Silk growled on the other end. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“This is how it needs to go,” Luna said. “I need to deactivate the spell myself. Then you have my word of honor that you can do whatever you want with that criminal.”

Silk was silent for a moment. “Fine. But if you make one wrong move, it’s all over. For everypony here.”

Luna gave the shell to the soldier by her and proceeded to the Academy doors. The double oak doors opened slowly flanked by two changelings as they let the princess of the night inside. Luna took one last look at the ponies outside before the door swung shut.

Pinkie’s eyes fluttered open as she groggily awoke. “Wh-What happened?” She brought a hoof to her head and leaned up to see that she was on a bed in a small hut. Zecora’s hut, if she remembered correctly. She turned to see all three of the crusaders snoozing away next to her. Apple Bloom had her head in Scootaloo’s lap with the orange filly snoring on top of Sweetie’s flank. Pinkie gave a small sigh of relief that they were all alright.

“It seems you are awake. They promised not to leave your side, an oath they would not break.” Pinkie turned to the cauldron in the center of the hut to see her zebra friend stirring something. The zebra gave her a warm smile. “Why don’t you get out of bed. And let me help you with your head.”

Pinkie pulled herself away from the fillies’ grips and got out of the bed. “My head? But I don’t think I hurt that.”

Zecora laughed. “I can see it in your eyes. A problem of conscience you try to hide.”

Pinkie stopped and rubbed her hooves together. “You can tell I have a problem?”

“I have seen many faces in my days. You have the look of somepony in a haze.”

Pinkie nodded and walked over to her and the cauldron. “Yeah, I guess I do.” The zebra gave her a friendly nod that she took as a cue to talk about it. Pinkie took a deep breath. “Well, there was this evil pony that looked just like me and wanted to hurt my friends and steal my life and she threatened the Cakes and Pound and Pumpkin and now they’re all afraid of my face so I’ve been in this mopey mood for weeks now and I don’t know when it’s going to end or even if it will and I hate being sad so I thought about maybe just forgetting it all and acting happy. Is that so bad?” She said it all in one breath.

Zecora continued to stir the contents of the cauldron as she nodded. “This evil pony, it seems to me, has given you a crisis of identity.”

“A what?”

Zecora smiled. “At first you were Pinkie Pie. A happy pony with emotions high.” As she spoke a wisp of steam drifted off the cauldron and into the air taking the form of Pinkie, a smile on her face. “Now you’re feeling emotions rare. And you’re confused if you’re here or there.” A second Pinkie appeared in the steam, this one sad looking and straight maned, much like Pinkie was now. “You believe that the first is Pinkie you, but believe me when I say that is not true.” The two Pinkies now swirled together. “Hardships can create confusion, but barring your emotions creates only illusion. Accept your feelings both dark and light, then we will once again see that Pinkie so bright.” The two Pinkie’s now became one, this one’s smile even bigger and happier than the first.

Pinkie watched it all with wonder. “So, I need to accept that all these mopey feelings are a part of me?” Zecora nodded. “I… I don’t know if I can do that.”

Zecora reached in a ladle and poured a small cup of the brew she was making. “This potion helps one to confront herself. Drink it, face your fears, and you will be in perfect health.”

Pinkie took the cup hesitantly. She looked at Zecora with a little trepidation but the zebra merely nodded for her to continue. “Alright. Bottom’s up.” Pinkie put the brew to her mouth and took a swig.

Fluttershy and Octavia hurried through the streets trying to avoid the violence whenever possible. “Um, Octavia?” Fluttershy sputtered. “Maybe we should find Twilight and Applejack?”

Octavia didn’t seem to listen. “I need to find Vinyl first. She went into the middle of this to get into a fight no doubt. When I find her I’m going to kick that mare in the gut.” Her voice depicted anger at her roommate but Fluttershy saw only worry in her eyes. The yellow Pegasus gave a small sigh as she ran to catch up with the gray mare.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”

The zebra and Vinyl Scratch stood mere hooves away, both breathing heavily. Bruises were beginning to appear on her coat as well as a few cuts from when the zebra’s surprisingly well manicured hooves kicked and sliced against her skin. The zebra was not much better off though. For a master martial artist she was certainly having her flank handed to her by what appeared to be a normal thin whitebred unicorn. However, after fighting for nearly an hour the white mare displayed aggressive abilities the zebra had only seen in overseas military groups. Her fighting style was especially interesting since the unicorn seemed to combine her top class magic spells, spells she shouldn’t have been able to display with the recorded level of talent she had, with an array of pugilistic skills that surprised her at every corner. This mare was certainly dangerous.

Vinyl’s mouth curved up in a grin once more, signaling she was going to attack again. The zebra barely moved in time to block her back as she expected Vinyl to teleport again. Instead the white mare lunged forward slammed her small frame into the zebra’s chest. Luckily her opponent was no slouch when it came to fighting styles too and she managed to block the charge with a well placed back leg. The leg connected to Vinyl’s hoof and she pushed off again doing a back flip. The zebra righted herself by spinning forward and planting her back legs into the muddy ground so she stood on her hind legs. Vinyl gazed at the zebra’s stance with a little trepidation before digging her hooves into the mud. She lifted onto her hind legs to and even began to hop side to side on them, a display of her incredible balance and agility.

At this point Vinyl’s shades had long since been shattered and lay in the mud, her electric blue mane had none of the jagged properties anymore instead falling wetly over her back. To anypony watching, that added to the effect of the heavy rain, made her seem like a completely different mare.

“Who is that?” Fluttershy asked as she and Octavia stopped at the end of an alley to survey the fight between the two mares. Octavia merely watched in stunned silence.

Vinyl ground her teeth together as she launched forward for another attack, the two mares clashing hoof against hoof in midair.

To be continued...

Author's Note

Split this chapter up into two since it's pretty long.

Silk (No. 25) Part 2

Celestia set down outside a large stone covered cave. She wrapped her hoof against the boulder covering it in a specific pattern. One knock. Pause. Two knocks. Pause. One knock. The boulder began go roll to the side revealing a small group of changelings pushing the enormous rock. One broke off from the others and turned to face her. “Our queen awaits you.”
Celestia furrowed her brow, surprised at the nonchalance of her midnight visit. Something felt off. Before she could enter the changeling halted her and pointed to the Pegasus guards at her side. “They cannot enter. Only you.”

The guards were about to protest with their swords but Celestia merely raised a hoof to stop them. “I understand. You will wait here for me.” The guards didn’t look happy about it but nodded their approval. The changeling bowed slightly as the princess entered the cave, the small group of changelings pushing the boulder into position once more.

Celestia walked confidently and quickly down the tunnel, having been there before. The changeling eventually trailed behind her. She weaved her way through the dark dimly lit corridors, strange glowing globules of green mucus hanging from stalactites above. As she walked deeper in, more hive clusters appeared. Tall honeycombed waxy secretions covering the walls. Inside each little cubby and hole was a small barely formed changeling. Larvae forms of the black insectoid she saw around her. Several worked tirelessly to tend to the larvae, their segmented eyes showing signs of fatigue and wear. She could feel the hopelessness emanating off of them. An entire species brought to the brink like this. Surely Luna saw why she couldn’t let their death be on her hooves.

She approached the end of the large tunnel, a large mass of wax and other various materials were constructed to resemble a large throne. The familiar fanged face of Chrysalis sat on it. “Hello again, princess,” the changeling queen greeted snidely. “I’ve been expecting you.”

Celestia stopped in front of the throne. “Then I take it you already know of your sister’s presence?”

Chrysalis’ smirk faded. “Yes. Silk has never been too quiet when it comes to lauding her accomplishments over me.” The changeling queen seemed to hesitate to continue. She rose from her throne and nodded for Celestia to follow her. Celestia followed without pause. Despite her surroundings, Chrysalis and her changelings were in a weakened state and Celestia was… well the princess of the sun. She would not have any love to power her and use against her like the wedding.

“I need to know what we can do to stop her,” Celestia said. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes as they walked down the tunnel. “I know what it’s like to move against a sister, but if there’s anything you can tell me that would help. Many ponies’ lives are on the line.”

Chrysalis spoke up as they entered a new wing of the tunnel, going deeper into the mountain. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was in that position,” she mused. “I never did thank you.” Celestia’s face showed genuine surprise and Chrysalis chuckled. “Yes, even I would never have believed myself to say those words before last year. I was so angry, so desperate. I tried to think like my sister in order get what my changeling’s needed. But in the end, even though it is a fundamental part of me, I was not fit for deception.” She stopped and turned to Celestia. “All I want is for my kind to live. And you have given me that chance, though I gave you no kindness in return.” She placed her hole ridden hoof on a large stone door carved into the rock. “My sister believes me and my children are free from your detection right now. That is why she entrusted this to me. But now I entrust him to you.”

She pushed the door open and Celestia breathed in a gasp. Hanging from the ceiling of the large room was a blue cocoon, inside of which was an unconscious Shining Armor.

Rarity and Barrel hid behind a large outcropping as they finally caught up with the fleeing changeling. They peered over the edge as they saw the blood trail lead into a small hole in the side of the mountain near the base. Barrel did a quick scan of the area and then waved his hoof. “Let’s go.”

Rarity followed close behind as the two ponies squeezed into the hole. At first everything was dark, the first thought being that the changeling had just decided to crawl into a hole to nurse his wounds. Then Rarity stepped in something. “EEEEeeeeeeeEEee!” she eeped out. Barrel threw his hoof over her mouth and shushed her before looking down to see what she had stepped in. He raised his hoof back and scowled at the green slime. Now that they noticed, it seemed to coat the walls. Going deeper the slime began to glow as well until the small hole emptied out into a large cavernous area. Rarity held her voice back as she looked up at the hive of a changeling nest.

“W-What are all these doing here?” she whispered. “There’s been an entire changeling nest hidden inside Equestria?”

Barrel surveyed the flying and buzzing changelings, noticing something off. “Hey, wasn’t the changeling we were following blue?”

Rarity looked around too. Sure enough, the changeling’s they had dealt with back in Baltimare had all had blue fins and tails. While these ones all were green. The same color as the one’s that invaded Canterlot during the wedding. “So then where’s our one?”

A commotion drew the two’s attention as a different colored changeling pushed it’s way through the crowds on the other end of the large open area. It held its leg, a small trickle of green blood running down it, as it ducked into a corridor. “Right over there,” Barrel whispered.

“Great sister,” Celestia and Chrysalis turned with surprise as a bleeding blue changeling entered the room they were in. “I bring bad news. The mare in Baltimare has…” It stopped as it finally noticed Celestia. Its eyes grew wide with fury and recognition.

“Child,” Chrysalis warned. “Don’t even think-”

“You have betrayed us!” the blue changeling shouted angrily. “You are not worthy of the title of Great Sister or Queen!”

Celestia was about to move but Chrysalis did first. She rammed into the changeling and hung him against the wall. “I am your Queen! It is Silk that is not worthy! Why can’t you understand that? All I want is to protect you!”

The changeling’s eyes began to glow. “Almighty Silk said you were weak. Your will will never match the strength of Silk!”

Celestia saw what the changeling was about to do and pushed Chrysalis out of the way. “Look out!” The blue changeling gave one last cry as it’s glowing eyes reached their maximum brightness. Suddenly the bug exploded in blue flame. Chrysalis and Celestia watched as the remains of the changeling scattered, a thin blue vapor wisping away.

“I suppose I owe you another debt,” Chrysalis said with a smile.

Celestia shook her head. “Think nothing of it. Now help me get him down.” They both turned their attention back to Shining Armor’s suspended body.

Outside the room the two rulers were in a thin blue vapor traveled down the hall. A passing changeling saw it but thought nothing of it as the vapor passed by. It ended up breathing a bit in and it dropped to the floor, shaking violently. The fins and tail on its back began to change color, becoming an iridescent blue. It stood once more as the transformation was completed. Another changeling crossing its path. The now blue changeling turned it’s head to the other and regurgitated a bluish goo into its face. Suddenly that changeling dropped to the floor as well.

Luna walked through the doors to the sublevel cell. She was escorted by several changelings, their fangs bared and horns drawn to Luna’s neck. The princess of the night narrowed her eyes at the blue changeling queen before her, Silk reciprocating her gaze with a fiendish smile. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you in pony, princess. At least pony to pony anyway.”

“You were posing as a pony in CRO,” Luna retorted with a harsh voice. She glanced around. “Where is Shining Armor? What have you done with…” Silk’s smile hit her like a freight train. Luna grit her teeth and slapped her face with a hoof. “Mother of Faust, I’m an idiot.”

“Oh, don’t be so sad, princess,” Silk said mockingly. “I tricked everypony here. Unlike my sister who barely ever leaves the nest to even begin to understand the eccentricities of disguise, I have lived my entire life in the shadows. I know how to study and I know how to exploit weakness.” She brought a hoof under Luna’s chin and smirked at her. “And I know how to win.”

Luna scowled and wrenched her face away. “Let’s just get this over with. Let somepony go. Now. Before I renege on our deal and simply drop you where you stand.”

Silk backed off, but kept her triumphant smile. “You,” she pointed to a green earth pony, “get going.” Luna turned around to see the pony point to himself in disbelief before a changeling picked him up by the shoulder and escorted him to the door. The pony looked relieved, but more interestingly he looked back to the prisoner with a wink. Luna looked to Redwood in his cage and saw the stallion give a slight smile at this. Had something happened?

Silk didn’t seem to notice any of this as she pushed Luna to the cage. “Now get cracking.”

Luna stopped in front and looked up at Redwood on the other end of the glass. “I can honestly say that I didn’t expect to meet each other again under such circumstances,” Luna muttered with an angry glare.

“Perhaps you’d like it if we met at a café. A know a nice latte in Prance that’s lovely this time of year.”

Luna let a small smile slip out. “Misdirection and jokes. A pathetic display of cowardice for a criminal.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Redwood smirked. Luna narrowed her eyes and leaned closer.

“What did you do?” Before Redwood could reply Silk slammed her hoof in the glass next to her head.

“Either you tell me what your whispering about or get on with it!” she screamed. Luna looked into Silk’s eyes again. They were definitely the eyes of a somepony far gone. Whatever she had been through had made her sole purpose revenge. She seriously didn’t care about the fate that surely awaited her after this.

“You’ll keep your promise, correct?” she asked.

Silk rolled her eyes. “Yes! Now open it!” Luna took a small breath as her horn began to glow. A pulse of magic erupted from it and began to encase the glass. This continued for a full minute until Silk grew impatient. “What’s the hold up!?”

A bead of sweat dripped down Luna’s side. She was putting all she had into the spell. “I don’t understand. It should open. I performed the spell as she…” Luna’s eyes widened. “No…”

Silk grabbed a pony from the line up and plowed her head into the floor. The pony sputtered out a faint cry as her head was pushed like a vice between the hard floor and the changeling queen’s hoof. “Open it now or this one dies!”

Luna looked on in shock. “I… I can’t! My sister gave me the wrong spell! B-But just give me some time! I can find a way with-”

She was cut off by the same wet sound she had previously heard over the shell. The sound of something wet cracking and splattering. Luna’s eyes widened further as she turned to the changeling now stepping in a pool of viscera and blood. She raised her hoof and wiped it off with a rag. “You have twenty minutes,” she hissed.

Luna clenched her teeth so hard she could feel blood. Her wings erupted from her sides and her eyes began to glow. Just as she took a step forward a loud sound shattered her concentration.

“Princess!” Redwood shouted as he slammed his hoof on the glass. She turned and to her surprise saw the glass break slightly from his blow. However, the spell merely knit it back together in an instant. “Remember where you are.”

Luna’s glow died down and she turned to the still hostage ponies. The changelings were now holding them up to their horns by their necks, threatening to slice them open. Silk chuckled. “I have no doubt you can destroy me, princess. But you seem like the type who would wager her own life in exchange for her subjects.” Her demeanor changed again in a blink becoming venomous. “Fix this. Find the right spell. Open it. Otherwise…” she threw the bloodied rag she’d used to wipe the blood off at Luna. She caught it in her magic. “Splat.”

Luna looked to the rag, a rage still boiling inside her. Redwood placed his hoof on the glass freeing her from her concentration again. “You’ll get her,” he said. “Just be patient. You’ll have your revenge.”

Luna could only nod numbly. She had so much anger and right now it wasn’t pointed toward him or Silk.

Rarity and Barrel snuck their way through the hive of changelings, staying in the shadows and only running out to get to another hiding spot. They’d crossed about half the length of the enormous honeycombed dome before something appeared out the way their target had come.

“What in the world?” Rarity whispered.

Two blue changelings ran from the tunnel one had gone down. All of a sudden they began to spit up an acrid blue liquid onto other changelings passing them. Any changeling touched by this collapsed in a fit and raised back up with a blue tint to their previously green fins and tails. It didn’t take long for the entire hive to realize this and panic soon followed.

“Get down!” Barrel shouted as a swarm of changelings flew down from above and nearly clipped their heads off as they ran out through the tunnel. By now close to fifty changelings had been affected by the blue infection, each one baring their fangs menacingly.

“Warn the queen!” a green changeling shouted before he was sprayed with blue. “Kill the queen!” he then said.

“Kill the queen?” Rarity asked. Barrel looked just as confused as she did.

Celestia and Chrysalis wiped the goo from Shining Armor as the prince groaned on the floor. “Is he alright?” Celestia asked.

Chrysalis nodded. “He should awake within the hour.”

Celestia shook her head in disbelief at herself. “I’m such a fool. Once again I was tricked by somepony close to me.”

Chrysalis gave her a reassuring look. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. My sister far surpasses me in the art of cloaking. If I didn’t hold more magical power, then I am sure that she would have won the right to be queen.”

A commotion started up from outside the room. Celestia turned her head to the door as the sounds of screaming and fighting grew louder. “What in the world?” Chrysalis’ eyes grew wide as a sudden shock hit her chest. She grabbed it and fell to a knee. “Chrysalis!”

Celestia grabbed her by the shoulder and steadied her. Chrysalis panted heavily. “I… I’m fine. But my children. I can feel them disappearing!”

Celestia was about to say something when a barrage of blue magical blasts shot from the corridor. Suddenly two familiar ponies ran into the room. The larger of the two quickly closing and barricading the door. “Congratulations!” Rarity shouted. “Now we’re stuck even deeper in this place with those things!”

“Rarity?” Celestia asked with a shock.

Rarity turned to the princess. “Princess Celestia?!”

“What are you doing here!?” they both shouted.

The zebra and Vinyl’s battle had gone on longer than anypony could have guessed. Yet still they seemed to fly through the air with their kicks and the rain bounced and rebounded against their punches and defense. Fluttershy and Octavia watched in awe as the two’s battle seemed almost like a dance without music. But finally after so long Vinyl made a mistake.

While landing from a kick the unicorn’s back hoof slipped in the mud making her fall forward. The zebra took this opportunity to lunge forward and slid behind her. She clasped Vinyl’s neck from behind and put her in a lock. The white unicorn, her coat now dirty brown, flailed in response but she was pinned to the ground. The two onlookers watched as Vinyl struggled to breathe, her face beginning to turn purple.

Fluttershy didn’t notice as Octavia rushed from her hiding place and into the fray. The gray mare ran right up to the two and slid in the mud before stopping. “Stop!!” she shouted through tears.

Her voice echoed off the empty street silencing the struggles of the two fighters. The zebra’s hold loosened and Vinyl instinctively took advantage. The white unicorn threw her head back and slammed it into her opponent’s muzzle, freeing her. She was about to spin back around and finish the job when a pair of hooves wrapped around her from behind. Vinyl angrily spun around again to deliver a punch but she stopped just inches away from Octavia’s face. “Please, stop, Vinyl,” she whimpered.

“Vinyl?” Fluttershy murmured from the alleyway.

Vinyl’s eyes finally seemed to refocus on her surroundings. Her bloodlust dissipated. She looked around at the zebra mare on the ground and her roommate with her hooves around her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before collapsing into a heap. Octavia made sure that she didn’t completely fall into the mud, though it was clear that the mare was heavy in her arms. She eyed the zebra as she got up and wiped the mud from her black jacket. “You’re not a changeling are you?” Octavia asked wearily. The zebra didn’t respond, simply opting to stare at Octavia scrutinizing her. “If… If you’re somepony from her past, then get out!” she shouted. “She doesn’t want anything to do with you. You have no idea the amount of pain she’s been through.” She began to stroke Vinyl’s mane as the unicorn breathed softly beside her. “Go tell that to whoever else might want her.” When she looked back up the zebra was gone. Octavia let out a small sigh and tried to lift Vinyl up. She was having trouble when another set of hooves joined her from the other side. Fluttershy looked to Octavia with a small smile. “Please don’t tell anypony about this.”

Fluttershy nodded. “I understand. But we need to get her some medical attention.”

“Fluttershy!” Twilight and Applejack rushed in from the end of the street having finally spotted their friend. Twilight was about to throw her arms around her when the sight finally registered. “What happened?”

“She was attacked by those changelings,” Octavia lied. “Please, help me get her to the hospital!”

Twilight nodded. Applejack moved to take Fluttershy’s position in carrying the unconscious mare. “Hoo boy, she’s actually pretty darn heavy.” Octavia gave her a frown. “Um, no offense.”

As the three left Twilight turned back to Fluttershy with a hug. “We were so worried about you!”

“I’m fine, Twilight,” Fluttershy assured her. “I’m just worried about everypony else.”

Twilight shook her head. “I wouldn’t worry too much. Thanks to Cloudy’s quick thinking we rounded up a lot of them. There weren’t a lot to begin with. But that’s not the point!” She grabbed her friend’s shoulders anxiously. “This was all a distraction! The real attack was on Canterlot! They’ve taken my brother, Redwood and all the other ponies hostage!”

“Oh my!” Fluttershy gasped. “W-What are we going to do?”

Twilight bit her lip. “That’s just it, I don’t know.”

From atop a rooftop, the zebra mare heard every word spoken. She cursed herself for being so clueless and wasting so much time. Of course this had been a distraction. She fished in her pocket and pulled out a small wooden coin handed off to her by her employer. She thought of where she needed to go and with a flash of light the coin translocated her there.

Seek took in a gulp of fresh air as he left the academy. He honestly thought he was done for. Vice Captain Trigger Finger came to greet him. “What happened in there!?”

“No time!” Seek shouted in a panic. “Where’s Princess Celestia?”

“She left on a secret mission about an hour or two ago,” Trigger Finger replied.

“Really?” Seek asked disbelievingly. “Y’know what, never mind!” He pulled the dragon lighter from his mane and ushered to the guards. “Get me some paper and a quill!”

The guards rushed to acquiesce bringing over a small scroll and inkwell. Seek dropped to the floor and began to write furiously. “Just what is going on in there?” Trigger Finger asked.

“It’s about to be hell,” Seek replied. “Princess Luna is pretending to know the spell to disarm the cage! When Silk finds out she’s lying she’ll kill everypony in there!”

“But Celestia told her the spell,” Trigger Finger replied.

Seek looked up confused. “What? But the spell gets reset every week. We haven’t had time to notify her of the new…” A cold wave washed over him. Shining Armor was gone. Celestia didn’t know the new spell. And Luna was probably realizing right now that the spell she had received was wrong. Ever since Twilight had requested him to let out Redwood during the Summit Seek had made sure to stay on top of the spells used for the cage. He was the only pony who could open it, and he had just left. “Mother of Faust.”

A flash of light erupted nearby and everypony turned to see a zebra mare adorned in a soaking wet black leather jacket. She turned to Seek directly and grabbed him by the collar. The guards all pointed their spears at her but Seek raised a hoof. “It’s okay! It’s okay!” He gulped a bit but nodded to the mare. “Y-You work with Redwood, right?” The mare raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Yeah, I guessed from the jacket. Which means you probably know me?” The zebra nodded again. “Good. You want to save him right?” She nodded again. “Alright…” he was silent as he looked down noticing he was still being lifted off the ground. “Um… if you put me down I can tell you how save him.” The zebra took a moment but shrugged and lowered him down. Seek brushed himself off. “Okay, listen, I can give you the code but you need to promise not to hurt anypony.”

“Is this wise?” Trigger Finger interjected but the zebra merely lifted a hoof to silence him. She narrowed her eyes at Seek.

“… At least not Luna or the others,” Seek finally sided. The zebra nodded in agreement. “Alright, here’s what you do…”

“Explain what you are doing here, Rarity,” Celestia demanded.

“I… What are you doing here?” the unicorn retorted.

Celestia looked just as dumbfounded. “Well, uh…”

“Oh for the love of…” Chrysalis muttered while gripping her still pained chest. “She’s been helping me rebuild my hive. Happy? Now if you don’t mind we are now in the middle of a crisis!” She winced as she grabbed her chest tighter.

“Hate to agree with the bug lady,” Barrel said as he leaned against the door. “But she’s right. There are probably eighty of those things out there now. Any idea how to handle them, queeny?”

Chrysalis gave Barrel a stern gaze before kneeling again in pain. “They’ve been infected with my sister’s essence. A queen is connected to her hive on an empathic and even somewhat telepathic level. Every bit of agony they experience I experience as well. My sister perverted that age old system. In order to dominate her will over her minions she imposed her feelings and will over all of them. Whatever she feels, they will as well. It is one of the ways she keeps them in check.”

“So what do we do?” Celestia asked. “Those are still your changelings out there, correct?”

“Yes, but my sister’s will is very strong,” Chrysalis winced again. “And she’s causing too much pain within the hive for me to concentrate.”

“So to recap,” Barrel chuckled nervously from the door as the changelings surged against it on the other side. “We’ve got a princess who shouldn’t be here. A prince who’s unconscious. A queen who’s completely useless. And about a hundred zombie changelings battering our door down. Great.”

“Can’t you just go out there and blast them away?” Rarity asked Celestia.

“No!” Chrysalis shouted. “Those are still my children. Even if they are under my sister’s thrall.”

Rarity turned to the prone body of Shining Armor. “And what is Shining Armor doing here?”

“He was captured and replaced by Silk weeks ago,” Celestia admitted. “I only just found him here as well.”

“Awesome,” Barrel yelled nervously as a section of the door caved in to reveal a bunch of angry black hole ridden hooves pushing in. “So we’re stuck here and not able to do anything!”

“Not necessarily,” Celestia said. “I just need some way to contact Luna.” The others gave her a confused look. “If Luna manages to incapacitate Silk then the changelings outside will all pass out as well, right? Freeing you to take control again?”

Chrysalis furrowed her brow in concentration as she fought through the pain. “Y-Yes. That could work. But in case you haven’t noticed my children and I don’t exactly have a use for ink or scrolls.”

The mood shifted again as the door was slammed once more sending Barrel flying off. Everypony began to back up as the door was pushed in again and again, more and more bits of rock and plaster falling off. Celestia set herself and stepped forward. “Do not worry, my little ponies. I will protect you.” Her horn began to glow as a golden barrier erected itself around them. She turned to Rarity. “Despite our current circumstances I am glad to see you are well, Rarity. When I heard news of how you were being chased I was scared for your safety.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you knew?”

Celestia nodded. “The Baltimare police was searching for you and your friend. We learned about you after investigating a boat explosion in the port.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide. She turned to Barrel next to her. The stallion had turned his head away, clearly hiding something, though she already knew what it probably was. She was just about to reach out to him when his head perked up. “Wait! Princess, when you investigated the scene did you find anything?”

“Oh, Barrel,” Rarity muttered as she believed him to be asking about his brothers.

“Anything like what?” Celestia asked with a raised eyebrow.

Barrel reached into his saddlebag and pulled out small pink shell. “Like this!”

“Huh?” Rarity said.

Celestia’s eyes widened. “Where did you-”

“No time! Did you find one and is it at CRO now?”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, but if I remember correctly there are two. One inside with Silk and the other outside with Luna.”

Barrel cursed under his breath. “This thing projects from all the shells. If we send a message out there’s no doubt that Silk will hear it too.”

Suddenly the door finally burst open and the wave of blue changelings swarmed inside. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take!” Chrysalis shouted as she grabbed the shell from Barrel.

Silk chuckled to herself as Luna worked on the spell. “What’s so funny?” Redwood asked from behind the glass.

Silk gave him a sinister smirk. “My sister, that’s what. I can feel my influence inside her stronghold growing by the minute. She was a fool to try to betray me.” She wrapped a hoof around Luna’s shoulder. “Just like you will if you disobey.”

“You sadistic monster,” Luna muttered angrily. “So you don’t even care for your own kind?”

Silk let go and began to walk over to her own changelings. “On the contrary, every being in this miserable world is born with the capacity for love. Mine just comes in a different flavor.” She placed a hoof in front of two of her own. “Kneel.” The changelings immediately fell to the floor and began to kiss her hoof. She laughed triumphantly. “I learned to survive off of the fear and respect given by my underlings. They in turn survive off of the ponies I offer to them. At this point they’re like trained piranhas. You should actually stick around after you open that. It’s going to be quite a show watching them flay the bones from Rayleigh here.”

Redwood chuckled a little which drew both mares’ attentions. “You were always so full of yourself. Never realized the capabilities that came from trust and loyalty.”

Silk’s grin diminished. “Who are you to talk about trust and loyalty?! You never cared about a pony in your life!” She stopped and smiled as she corrected herself. “Of course, maybe I speak to hastily.” She walked back to the two, a small swagger in her step. “I’ve been wondering just what exactly brought you back here, to Equestria. You’ve convinced everypony else that it’s because you want to protect that Twilight mare, but what relation do you even have with her? She means nothing to you. I see no value in her to anything you’ve got going on right now, and believe me Rayleigh I know a lot about your operations. No…” she narrowed her eyes at him, “you came here because your afraid of something. Don’t try to deny it. I am a changeling after all. Master of emotions. I don’t need to smell it on you to read it on your face. This little bounty on Sparkle has put something in danger. Something you hold in high regard. Perhaps even something you love.”

Luna looked between the two and was surprised. For the first time since meeting the stallion, Redwood let them see his angry side. His red eyes were fixed into a deep scowl while his hooves dug so much into the floor that cracks began to grow from them. “Ooh, looks like I hit the nail on the head,” Silk laughed. “So what is it, Rayleigh? A family member? A child? A wife?”

With that last word Rayleigh’s eyes snapped wide and he threw himself on the glass with a roar. His first slam bent the strong glass and sprayed a rain of glass splinters down outside. Luna actually had to step back as she could feel the anger emanating from the stallion even from out here. The glass immediately began to reknit itself but Redwood continued to slam into it not giving it a chance. Luna could even swear that a strange red aura was coming off of him. He continued to scream and roar with the ferocity of a dragon before a secondary spell kicked in. A small hose popped out of the floor and sprayed Redwood with a steady stream of water. The stallion was stopped short as he tore himself away from the repairing glass and covered his face. When the water finally stopped Redwood was breathing heavily. Steam trailed off of his body and within seconds he was dry again. His eyes were still wide as if he was having trouble bringing his heartrate down so he knelt to his knees. Luna and Silk as well as everypony else in the room watched in awed silence.

“Oh, Rayleigh,” Silk muttered with a slight grin. “Just what have you done?”

Redwood turned his head weakly to Silk and then Luna. Luna looked straight into his eyes. Just what was this stallion?

“Can you hear me!” a feminine voice appeared in the room. Silk and Luna turned to the hostages.

“Who said that?” Silk demanded.

“Somepony answer!” the voice demanded. Silk looked to the changeling that had the pink shell. The changeling offered it to her.

“Yes, I can hear you!” another pony, this one male, spoke up on the other side.

“Who are you?” the feminine voice demanded before a sound of muffling came and another female voice came on.

“Seek is that you?”

“Y-Yes!” the male replied. “Princess?”

Luna’s eyes narrowed, but Redwood’s ears perked up. Silk remained silent. “I need to talk to Luna, is she there?”

“Uh… N-No. She already went in.”

“Then she can probably already hear this.”

“And so can my sister,” the first female voice muttered.

Silk grinned and brought the shell to her mouth. “I thought that voice sounded familiar. I should have known you would betray me, dear sister.”

“Yes, you should have.” Everypony could hear the grin in her voice over the line.

“Family troubles?” Redwood remarked with his dry wit as he finally caught his breath.

“Do you ever know when to shut up?” Luna hissed at him.

“Luna is that you?” Celestia shouted over the shell.

“P-Princess, there’s something I need to tell both of you!” Seek interjected.

Silk groaned and rolled her eyes. “Since when did this become a conference call?” A loud smashing sound echoed over the line and she smiled again. “Sounds like you’ve got your hooves full anyway. We should talk after.”

“Wait! I have the code!” Seek shouted.

For a moment all three sides were silent. Celestia was the first to speak, the ruckus on her end still prevalent. “What do you mean? I gave the code to Luna!”

“That was last week’s code,” Seek muttered quietly. “It most likely didn’t work.”

“It didn’t,” Luna interrupted irritably. “And it cost somepony their life.”

Celestia was quiet. “I’m sorry, Luna. Had I known…”

“Well, you didn’t,” she angrily replied. “Just tell me the real code now.”

“No, Seek, wait a moment!” Celestia shouted. “Luna, please, I’m sorry for everything. All the lies I’ve told. The secrets I’ve kept. And there are more, trust me when I say there are so much more. I want to come back and tell you everything. I really do. I don’t want to end up bitter and spiteful to each other. We’ve lived long enough for both of us to know that all this animosity will lead nowhere. Remember when we were young? There was that Ursa Minor that lived a few miles from home. Both of us kept daring one another to go wake the bear, but in the end I ended up pushing you too far. I almost lost you with our goading each other. If it weren’t for mother putting the bear to sleep both of us wouldn’t be alive. So please, don’t be mad. I’m just asking you to TRY and have a little faith in me.”

Luna looked at the shell in Silk’s hooves, her expression confused but thoughtful. Silk merely rolled her eyes again. “That’s a nice story and all but I hardly see what it has to do with the situation at hoof.”

“It doesn’t,” Luna said with a small smile. Her eyes began to glow and in a brief second a blue wave of magic erupted from her. Silk couldn’t move in time as she was hit full force with it making her fall to the ground unconscious. Miraculously every other changeling in the room fell as well as the CRO ponies. Redwood shielded his eyes as the spell faded and Luna’s eyes returned to normal. “What was that?” he asked.

Luna looked around stunned as she began to breathe heavily. “Our mother didn’t put the Ursa to sleep. I did. It was one of the first major spells I used and how I earned my cutie mark as well. My sister would never forget something so important so she must have been trying to hide something in her words. I assumed she meant to try the sleep spell.”

Redwood smiled. “You had that much trust in her?”

Luna looked down at the fallen Silk. She let a small smile slip out. “I suppose I do.”

Celestia backed away from the shell as she waited to see if her sister had taken the hint. “It doesn’t.” Luna’s voice carried over and everypony heard the sound of bodies falling. Suddenly as if on cue the changelings attacking Celestia’s barrier all began to fall over unconscious. She let out a small sigh and smiled. “Thank you, Luna.”

Chrysalis let out a sharp gasp of relief as she let go of her chest. “I can finally think straight!”

“Can you take back control?” Barrel asked.

“Yes, I just need a minute to… Aaah!” She went to her chest again and crumpled to the floor.

Celestia ran to her side but a new sound uttered from the shell.

Luna reached down to grab the shell but her hoof was stopped by a black chitonous hoof. Silk raised her head weakly and glared at the princess. “You think… this is over? You just doomed everypony here.”

Luna backed away as she saw the changelings around her begin to regain consciousness again as well. She grit her teeth and began to blast them away before they could reach anypony. But there were too many for her as she was now. That last spell had drained a lot of her magic.

Silk shakily raised one hoof up and then the other. “I am Silk! Queen of Legion! Mistress of all changelings! I am power! I am Legion!” Luna barely registered it as Silk brought her hoof up and stomped down on the shell shattering it.

Luna blasted away as fast as she could but she was quickly running out of magic reserves. The changelings in the room were too numerous and there were too many ponies to protect. So Luna did not notice as Silk came up behind her and punched her behind the head. Luna stumbled forward, her vision a blur. She got one last look at Redwood, who held an expression of concern, before Silk was back in her face. She screamed and delivered another punch to her muzzle. In her weakened state, Luna lost consciousness and fell over. Silk stood above her and triumphantly laughed, though it was clear that her legs were wobbly and she was having trouble keeping her balance.

“Fine, so I don’t get to you, Rayleigh,” she laughed with her swaying head. “But at least in death I’ll be the only one in thousands of years to claim to have killed an alicorn!” She brought her hoof up to bring down on Luna’s head, a wicked fanged smile on her face. Suddenly something black and white flew past her making a loud thumping sound behind. “Whuh?” Silk didn’t even have time to turn around in shock before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she slumped to the floor beside Luna. All the other changelings fell as well.

Redwood looked through the glass with one part surprise, one part delight and one part his trademark smirk. “What took you so long?” he asked. A zebra mare in a black jacket and earrings stood before the cage. A small smile on her face. She did the proper actions needed to open the cage and the magic surrounding the glass fell. Redwood took a hesitant step out of the cage as the glass door opened. However, in his slightly weakened state he tripped over himself and the mare caught him. “Thank you,” he said and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “I mean it.” The zebra mare nodded to the exit. “I know. I know. Probably never coming to this place again.” The mare gave him a stern look. “Yes, I realize it was my idea to come here. I… I thought I could handle it. But the enemy is stronger than I thought.” She wrapped a hoof around his shoulder and helped to carry him out of the warehouse, out of CRO and out of Canterlot. Rayleigh Redwood was in the wind.

Rarity let out a breath of relief as the changelings that had fallen over got up and then fell over again. “Just what is going on over there?” she asked nopony in particular.

“I’m not sure,” Celestia replied. “But I’m just glad it’s over.”

“Yes,” Chrysalis sighed as she drew to her full height. “My sister’s influence has been silenced. I can take back control now.” Celestia let her barrier dissipate and the ponies watched as the changeling’s colors began to change again.

“Well, this has been… an interesting night,” Rarity commented. “What do we do now?” She turned to Barrel but found that the tall stallion was no longer there. “Barrel? Barrel!” She looked around the room but besides an unconscious Shining Armor there was no stallion there.

“I did not see him leave,” Chrysalis said. “Though I was quite busy at the time.”

Celestia’s horn began to glow. “I can’t sense him, but he was an earth pony so it’s not unreasonable to believe that he does not have a magical trail to follow.”

Rarity’s eyes were wide and beginning to fill with tears. “B-But why would he leave?”

Celestia looked to the white mare, a small pang going through her heart as she saw her face. “He protected you, correct?” Rarity nodded. “And you knew that he worked for Redwood?” Rarity nodded again. The princess closed her eyes and gave her a small smile. “Perhaps he simply realized that you were now in safe hooves and didn’t want me to bring him in. After all, if he works for Redwood then you will probably meet each other again.” She gave Rarity a wink.

The unicorn smiled and cleared her throat before wiping her eyes. “Um, yes! Of course we will! It’s not like I want to see him or anything.” Her cheeks began to turn red and Celestia chuckled.

“Excuse me, Princess?” a voice spoke over the shell and Celestia picked it up.

“Good work, Luna. And you too, Seek.”

“Actually, I think it’s just me,” Seek replied. “There was a lot of noise down there and I haven’t heard word from Princess Luna yet.”

Celestia frowned. “That’s odd. She should have won by now.” She looked at all the unconscious changleings around her. “Trust me I know.”

“Then should we move in?”

Celestia nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Yes, move in.” The sound of troops filing up could be heard over the shell and Celestia turned to Rarity and Chrysalis again. “I trust you’ll keep this between us for the moment, Rarity?”

The Element of Generosity looked between the two royals and shrugged. “I suppose if Chrysalis is no longer a threat, then I have no reason to worry. However, Twilight might want to know.”

Celestia sighed. “Yes, I will tell all of you about it soon. Is that alright, Chrysalis?”

The changeling queen nodded. “That is fine, as long as our presence remains a secret.”

“And will you want Silk?” Celestia asked.

Chrysalis waved a dismissive hoof. “No! In fact, if you could take her as far away from this place as possible I would be eternally grateful.”

Celestia smiled warmly. “Consider it done.”

“Princess?” Seek’s voice reappeared over the shell. “We might have a problem.”

Celestia raised the shell. “What is it? Is Luna okay?”

“Princess Luna is fine. Silk is incapacitated. There were two casualties at most.” Celestia bowed her head for a moment for the deceased. “However, that’s not the problem…”

“I take full responsibility, your majesty!” Seek cried as he fell at Celestia’s hooves. The pair of her and Rarity had traveled back from the Foal Mountains in less than an hour. Now they stood in the remains of what was once CRO. Rarity stared wide eyed before her at the large glass cage set up to hold one of Equestria’s greatest criminals.

Celestia waved a hoof and smiled. “It’s really alright, Seek. I understand the position you were in. Besides, I don’t blame Redwood for running.” She narrowed her eyes. “I do, however, blame him for those ponies’ deaths.” She stomped her hoof and a small wave of smoke erupted from it. She turned and walked to Rarity revealing a small ashen outline of her hoof in the floor. Seek gulped and backed away out of the room.

“In a few hours it will be morning,” Celestia said. “We can take you back to Ponyville then.”

Rarity tore herself away from the cage and smiled to Celestia. “Oh, right.” She yawned. “It has been a long night.”

Celestia wrapped a wing around her and led her out. “You should get some sleep before you leave.”

Celestia walked Rarity to the room she had used while visiting so many times before. The white mare slipped into her covers without preparing or dressing down. After the night she had she simply wanted to sleep. She wearily closed her eyes. The events of the past few days playing through her mind. The changelings. Chrysalis. Meeting Barrel. Avid. Avid? “AVID!!!” Rarity shouted as she shot out of bed. “The interview! What am I going to do?!” All signs of tiredness disappeared as Rarity looked around the room. Thank Faust this place still had all her acoutrments. She pulled out a dozen spools and rolls of cloth as well as her sewing machine. Then she sat on her stool and fixed them on. She was about to start the machine when something else hit her. “Sweetie Belle.”

If she succeeded in her interview with Avid, then she would leave home. All her friends and her sister. Her own story to Barrel came to mind. Barrel had lost his siblings. Ponies he had been close to since foalhood. Every joke he made, every wisecrack and grin only made her realize how hurt he was inside. To be separated from the ponies that loved her, could she handle that? Rarity bit her lip, then set to work at her station.

Celestia stood above Luna in her bed. She brushed a hoof through her sleeping sister’s mane. “Wake up soon, Lulu. We have a lot to talk about. And a lot you need to brought up to speed on.”

“Hello?” Pinkie looked around at her surroundings. Just a moment ago she was in Zecora’s hut. Then Zecora told her in order to feel better she needed to drink some random potionmajig. Pinkie looked around but all she saw was white. “I swear, if all that did was kill me I’m gonna haunt that mare so hard.”

“Not if I haunt her first.” The voice was directly behind her. Pinkie turned around just as another her, this one with a poofy mane and smile, turned as well. Both moving simultaneously like a mirror. “Hello!”

“Oh, it’s you again,” Pinkie muttered. “So I guess I have to talk to you?”

“What’s to talk about?” the reflection replied with a confused expression. “You want to be happy, be happy!”

Pinkie frowned. “But I’m not happy.”

“I can fix that!” The reflection suddenly increased in size. “All we have to do,” it grew taller, “is squeeze and squeeze,” and taller, “until all that mopey dopey stuff goes away.” Pinkie covered her hooves over her face just as the reflection brought its giant hoof down on her. A loud thud echoed throughout the white room. “And no more sad!” The reflection giggled and lifted it’s hoof. “Okay, problem solved! Let’s go back!” Nothing happened. “Helllllooooo?”

“That’s not going to work.” The reflection turned to the straight maned mare who did not seem flattened in the least. Her smile faded and she began to shrink in size until they were equal again.

“B-B-But smiles always work! We’re Pinkie Pie! We’re always happy!”

“Not right now,” Pinkie replied sadly and turned her back. “You know I actually wanted you to squash me. End all these unfunny icky feelings in my heart. But you can’t can you?” The happy Pinkie gave her a concerned look.

“You can’t because these feelings are always going to be there.” Pinkie placed a hoof on her chest. “‘Accept your feelings both dark and light,’” she repeated Zecora’s words. “You said it didn’t you? ‘We’re’ Pinkie. Not you and not me. But both of us. I can hide my pain for my friends all I want but it doesn’t help me in the slightest.” A small smile crossed her lips. “But that’s what friends are for.”

A slow clap sounded from behind the two and they turned. “That’s a nice speech and all but does that really change the truth?”

Pinkie looked at the new Pinkie, this one looked a lot like the fake with a blood red mane and dripping blood down her forehead. “Who are you? You’re not a part of me!”

“Aren’t I?” the fake asked with an evil smile. “I’m what the Cakes think of you. I’m what they see. And because of that I’m what you see.”

Pinkie turned to her bright and bubbly self but that one had begun to fade, her smile falling. “But you’re not me! You’re some weirdo who tried to steal my life!”

“Yes!” the fake shouted. “I am aren’t I? Then why am I here? Why am I in your head?”

The fake’s body now began to grow darker as a red pool of dark liquid gushed forth from below it. The liquid quickly spread and began to cover the seemingly endless room drawing Pinkie to the edge. “I-I don’t know!”

“Think, Pinkie!” The fake’s body now began bleed profusely, her voice taking a deeper deadlier edge.

Pinkie closed her eyes fearfully as the red liquid pooled around her feet. She squirmed and drew back in disgust. “You’re here because I think you’re my punishment!” The liquid stopped. Pinkie opened one eye and saw that the fake had stopped moving as well, raising an eyebrow. “I… have always known that I’m different than other ponies.” Her voice was now low and cracked a few times through tears. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be accepted. To have somepony smile because of something I did. And I wanted all that because in my mind I was desperate for attention. No matter the form.” The fake’s blood began to recede and her features became less dark, the liquid receding as well. “So I made friends with everypony I could meet. But in the end there was always that one little piece of me in the back of my mind saying ‘do I really care for my friends?’”

The liquid finally receded and the fake stepped back, it’s form fading away. At last Pinkie thought she was alone, until she heard a small, almost indistinct cry. She took a sharp ragged breath and turned around to see a small pink filly sobbing to herself. The filly stopped crying long enough to look up at her with big blue eyes, tears in them. “Am I a good pony?” she asked.

Pinkie felt tears pour from her own eyes as she leaned down to hug the filly. “Of course, you are. And don’t let anypony say any different.”

“Yeah!” The bubbly Pinkie from before popped up and hugged them both. “Everything we do isn’t just for us. It’s for everypony we meet!”

“That’s correctamundo!” Another Pinkie, this one in a hawaiian shirt and shades entered. “You’ve forgotten the meaning of a party Pinkie. It’s a celebration!”

“And celebration means to mark one or multiple ponies’ pleasure by engaging in a joyous event,” another Pinkie appeared with half lens librarian glasses, her mother’s mane do, and a calm demeanor.

“And sugar!!!!” Another Pinkie with a manic grin, wide skewed eyes, and a frazzled mane appeared.

The little filly Pinkie looked around and smiled before sniffling and wiping her nose. Pinkie smiled around her as well as more Pinkies showed up. Finally when nearly fifty different Pinkies were present she turned and saw the dark figure of the fake staring at her. Pinkie smiled triumphantly. “I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again. And I don’t know if I’ll ever know why you thought you were anything like me. Because I can say with all certainty now that you aren’t.” She motioned to all the Pinkies around her. “Because this is the best party I could ever throw, and you will never be on the guest list!”

The fake smirked and turned away, fading into the void. Pinkie watched as the rest of her surroundings faded along with her.

“Is she okay?” Scootaloo asked.

“She looks pretty out of it,” Apple Bloom added.

Pinkie immediately shot up in bed scaring the three fillies back. Zecora looked over from her cauldron and smiled. “So tell me my dear friend, has your crisis come to an end?”

Pinkie was expressionless for a moment, then her mane sprang to life with a boing sound. She smiled ear to ear. “What do you think?”

The sun was just peeking up over the horizon. Rainbow Dash busily hummed as she wiped down her foyer for the tenth time. How did she know that room was called a foyer? Because she’d now read the dictionary one her bookshelf, a gift from Twilight, eight times through. After barricading herself in her house and feeling depressed for a couple days, the rainbow maned mare quickly realized that she didn’t have a lot to keep her attention. Every time she tried to venture outside a wave of nausea would sweep over her and she’d end up back in her bedroom again. Pretty soon she had read all of her old Daring Do novels eight times over, way past her usual five times a month. She was quickly running out of things to do. So Rainbow started to clean… and clean… and clean.

Rainbow blew a piece of lint off the bannister and stepped back to admire her work. “Yup, nothing like a nice clean house.” Her place now looked nothing like it did when Twilight visited. Everything sparkled with a glossy shine, which was difficult considering everything was made of clouds. Rainbow grinned widely to herself. “Yup, nice and clean.” Her left eye ticked.

“What the hay am I doing!?” She angrily threw down her rag and cried to the ceiling. “It’s one bucking step!” She glared at her door and tried to will her legs to move toward it. They moved and she gulped. She honestly wasn’t expecting her body to listen. The door came closer and she reached a tentative hoof to it, then pulled back. With her other hoof she rubbed her head angrily. “Get it together. Get it together,” she mumbled. She reached out again, her hoof hanging in midair at the knob. Then it dropped in defeat at her side. She grit her teeth in frustration and kicked herself. “Freaking coward,” she chided.

Suddenly a knock came at the door. Rainbow’s eyes widened and she jumped from the door hovering in the air. “W-Who’s there?”

“Open up, Dashie!” a peppy voice came from the other side.

“Pinkie?” Rainbow replied. Her mind drifted to the last time she’d seen Pinkie, or rather two of her. “How do I know you’re the real Pinkie?”

“Either open the door or I’ll find a way in!” Pinkie replied.

“Ha, I’d like to see you try!” Rainbow shot back.

“Wow, this place is really clean!” Pinkie said from behind her. Rainbow spun around in shock to see her friend walking out of the kitchen.

“B-But… Wh-What… How did you get in?!”

Pinkie gave her a funny look. “It’s a cloud.” She pointed over her shoulder to show that she’d made a hole in the wall of the kitchen. Rainbow deadpanned.

“I just spent five days cleaning that room!”

“Well, it’s worked wonders,” Pinkie noted as she sat on her couch. Rainbow rubbed her forehead in frustration. Only the real Pinkie could be this annoying.

“Fine, so your real. What do you want?”

“Well, first an apology,” Pinkie said bluntly.

Rainbow’s eyes widened. She had kind of ran off before she could apologize to the mare for her outburst. However, she never would have expected Pinkie to just come out and demand an apology. She sat herself down. “I… um… you’re right I owe you an apology, Pinkie. I was out of line. I was angry. I shouldn’t have said those things to you.”

Pinkie’s face was stoic, a sight Rainbow had rarely ever seen. Then her smile returned. “Apology accepted. There. Now both of us feel better.”

Rainbow smiled a little. “I appreciate you accepting my apology, Pinkie. But I’ve got a lot more problems than just that.” She lowered her head and furrowed her brow. “I can’t even step hoof outside. I’ve been stuck inside here so long I’ve started to read the ingredients labels on the boxes of food in pantry! I’m… messed up.”

Pinkie watched her from the opposite couch for a moment. Rainbow kind of expected the mare to simply try to cheer her up by throwing her a party or maybe even singing a song. But Pinkie did something she didn’t expect. She got up calmly and walked over, placing her hooves around Rainbow and embraced her in a normal, not crushing, hug. It wasn’t squeezing too hard and it wasn’t too soft. Rainbow could seriously feel the care and love in it. “I may not be in your shoes, but I can still give you my support.” She pulled away and looked her in the eyes. “Because I’m your friend and nothing you say or do can change that.” Then her face went rigid and she adopted a strong deep baritone. “For I am Pinkamena Diane Pie, Party Princess!!”

Rainbow was with her until the last part. “You okay, Pinkie?”

The pink mare returned to normal and giggled. “Sorry, Zecora has this awesome stuff in her hut you’ve gotta try. I had an epipen!”

It took Rainbow a moment to realize what she meant. “You mean ‘epiphany’?” she asked. Damn dictionary.

“Right! Anyway I brought somepony with me that’s been wanting to say hello too.” She strolled to the front door and Rainbow raised her hooves.

“Pinkie, I’m glad we got to make up and all but I seriously don’t think I’m ready to see any of the others yet.” Pinkie ignored her and swung the door open. Sitting in the basket of a hot air balloon was a small orange filly with a purple mane. Her eyes lit up as she noticed her.

“Rainbow!”

“Scoots!?” Scootaloo jumped from the balloon and beat her tiny wings as hard as she could to make it across the gap to her door. She almost didn’t make it but Rainbow plunged forward with a hoof to grab her. “Woah! I gotcha!” Scootaloo gave a sigh of relief and climbed up the blue mare’s leg until she was in the house.

Pinkie gave her a grin as Rainbow closed the door. “Looks like you took your first step.”

Rainbow perked up and studied her hoof then the door she just closed. A small smile crossing her face. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

Scootaloo ran up to her, a broad smile on her face. “Everyone’s been saying that you’re not feeling well. So Pinkie offered me a lift up in her balloon! You’re looking a lot better!”

Rainbow chuckled and rubbed Scootaloo’s mane. “I am feeling better, squirt. It’s good to see you. Really.” She stopped and turned her head. “But I haven’t been well for a while, they’re right about that.”

Scootaloo frowned. “So you’re not sick, right?”

“No.”

“So, it’s more of a head thing?”

Rainbow chuckled at the wording but nodded. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” She took a deep shuddering breath. It felt incredibly hard to bring this up to her biggest fan and little sister. “I’ve… been afraid for a while. And it’s not getting any better.”

Scootaloo’s face was unreadable for a moment then she began to laugh. “If you’re scared then that’s okay.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

Scootaloo’s laugh devolved into a chuckle. “I mean, it’s just like you said to me once. We all get scared at some point. But eventually we learn to overcome it.”

Rainbow briefly remembered her own words, but the fact remained the same. “Scoots, I really don’t think you could understand the severity of what I encountered.” Scootaloo cocked her head in confusion. Damn dictionary. “I mean, I was beaten. Pretty bad. Twice. And it left something behind. Something I can’t seem to get rid of.”

Scootaloo frowned for a moment but then smiled and placed a reassuring hoof on Rainbow’s leg. “Well, this isn’t the place to get rid of it, I can tell you that. The Rainbow I know wouldn’t take a loss lying down. Beat that ‘getting beat’ spirit with what you do best. What makes you the best pony in Ponyville.” She pointed to the door. “Get out there and fly!”

Rainbow turned to the door then to Pinkie and Scootaloo. Both urged her on by waving their hooves. Rainbow took a deep breath and closed her eyes reaching out her hoof. She turned the knob and the door opened. She gulped as she peered over the side. Huh, was she always that high off the ground? Her knees began to wobble but a strong hoof on her right and a smaller hoof on her left steadied her. She looked at the two ponies by her side and smiled at them, her rushing heartbeat slowing down. Rainbow’s face looked determined as she crouched down into a takeoff stance, but then she stopped. Instead she stood up straight and spread her wings outward. A small breeze blew through the house from the hole Pinkie had made. The breeze whistled past her outstretched wings and slowly but surely her hooves were lifted off the floor. She felt her body moving forward as she now glided stationary above her doorstep. She was outside. She turned to Scootaloo who merely urged her on with a hoof bump in the air. Rainbow’s smile grew wider as she flapped her wings and soared into the sky she’d been away from for so long.

Avid paced back and forth in his studio. It had long since passed the time for the interview and he had already talked to and judged the two other designers. He looked at the clock and his assistant sitting in a chair by the window sighed. “I don’t think she’s coming.”

Avid frowned. “But she seemed so enthusiastic!” He sighed as well. “I was honestly hoping to see her designs one more time.”

His assistant waved a hoof. “Well, Ripple Effect was a natural when it came to lace and her background in photography also helps. I think she’d be a perfect choice.”

Avid sighed again and leaned on his desk. “You just don’t understand. Rarity’s designs had… an underlining to them. A story that you could almost read through the fibers. I guess I was hoping to see that one more time.”

A knock came to his door and he perked up. A mailmare stuck her head in and he sagged. “Package for Avid Allure?”

“That’s me,” he sighed and walked over.

“Sign here please.” Avid raised his hoof and planted it on the clipboard in the pegasus’ hooves. “You must’ve needed this pretty quickly. Super Same Day Delivery.”

Avid frowned as the door closed behind the mare. “I didn’t order anything. Did you?” His assistant shook her head. Avid opened the package to see a sealed envelope stuck to a large cardboard box. He placed the box on his desk and opened the letter first.

Dear Mr. Allure (or Avid as you told me to call you),

I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity you have given me. And do not take this letter as a simple refusal, believe me when I say that if I had reached this stage on my own and were given the chance to work beside you I would take it in a heartbeat. But, I do not owe my success or the fulfillment of my dreams to myself alone. They belong to everypony I love. They are my inspirations and to leave them would diminish me as an artist and a pony. I will always be thankful for the kindness and respect you have shown me and I hope to impress you further in the future. While I cannot be there to speak to you in pony, I hope that my gift reflects my feelings.

Generously yours,

Rarity Belle

Avid’s assistant opened the box first and a small glow of light shined in her eyes. The lid dropped to the side as light poured from the box. Her eyes began to grow wide and her mouth hung open. Avid turned his attention from the letter to the box and looked in.

“It’s… It’s beautiful,” his assistant muttered with a single tear down her cheek. Avid simply smiled happily and closed the lid on it once more. “Hey, what…”

Avid put the box under his arm and walked to the door. “Are you just going to stand there are or are we going to model this?” His assistant’s face lit up and she giddily ran over to him.

Ponies yelled and argued with each other in the Town Hall’s meeting area. Many were bruised or bandaged, a result of last night’s debacle. Mayor Mare hesitantly took the stage as ponies began to shout at her. “Alright everypony settle down!” she yelled. “I know we’re all a little banged up, but calling this emergency meeting seems like going a little overboard, right?”

“I don’t think so!” a blue unicorn in the back shouted. “Ever since those girls became the Elements of Harmony more and more stuff happens to this town. It’s just gotten worse in the last few months! Last night was the last straw!” A roar of agreements echoed through the small area.

Mayor Mare raised her hooves. “Okay! Okay! I hear your complaints and I’ll bring them up with Princess Twilight.”

“You don’t seem to understand, Mayor!” another pony shouted out. “We want them gone!”

Mayor Mare rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s just not going to happen.”

“Then at least that princess!” another pony shouted. More ponies shouted in agreement. “This town was just fine until she came around!”

“Yeah! She arrives and the very same day Nightmare Moon crashes the Summer Sun Celebration? What’s up with that?”

“I still get tummy aches from the amount of dry wall Discord made me eat!”

“Don’t even get me started on that Tirek guy!”

“Really?!” Mayor Mare shouted angrily. “You’re blaming the appearance of these villains on Twilight?”

“Gotta blame somepony!”

“Besides, Mayor, Tirek’s attack cost the city over a million bits in damages! And some of that was Twilight’s fault!”

Mayor Mare bit her lip in remembrance. Twilight and Tirek had engaged in an epic magic battle all those months ago and the city was just starting to return to normal. “Look, I understand your concerns-”

“I say we put it to a vote!” One pony shouted and the rest echoed their agreement. Mayor Mare rubbed her forehead, half in frustration, half to wipe the sweat from her brow. This was not going to be good.

In the middle of the crowd a disproportionate couple sat with their twins in their laps. The foals held expressions of confusion and sadness, while the parents’ faces weren’t all that different. “What should we do?” Cup asked.

Carrot looked around nervously at the hooves flying into the air for the vote. “I don’t know.”

Redwood stood atop a small hill and tapped his hoof patiently his breath beginning to come out in plumes of steam because of the cold. A taller yellow stallion in a wool knit hat walked up beside him. Redwood looked to his side at the stallion and eyed him with a smile. “Where’d you get the hat?”

“Bought it in town,” Barrel replied with a grin.

“You keep your head down?”

“Yup.”

They were silent for a minute. “I’m sorry for your brothers. And Crimson Rush, she was a good soldier.” Barrel was silent. “You’re going to work directly under me now, got it?”

Barrel nodded his head, both stallions still looking straight at the town before them. “Yessir.”

“Then are you ready to enter the Lion’s Den?” he asked. Barrel nodded. “Good.” The both of them walked forward passing the bright colorful sign. ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ it said.

The Chimera (No. 47)

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait. Been a lot happening recently and I've been pretty busy. Another long one!

The Chimera (No. 47)

Previously on The Hitlist...

“I can tell when somepony is acting out of kindness."

"Everypony coming after her and you are irredeemable, plain and simple. For them, it’s kill or be killed.”

“Because this is the best party I could ever throw, and you will never be on the guest list!”

"These were your father’s photos before I put ‘em in the album. Maybe he just cut something out of it.”

The Chimera

Fluttershy sat in front of her cottage. A warm scarf wrapped around her neck as she finished knitting an extremely large sweater for her bear friend who waited patiently beside her. “There! Finished!” She lifted the extra large green knit sweater to show it to him. The bear nodded and smiled in approval. “This ought to get you through the winter, Harry.” She leaned in close to his ear. “And don’t worry. I won’t mention your premature shedding to anypony.” The bear gave her a small hug before taking the sweater and stomping back into the woods. Fluttershy smiled after him and then sighed as she turned back to the path. She looked on with a slightly anxious expression.

“Howdy, Fluttershy!” The yellow mare jumped a few feet in the air and let out a small “eep”. She looked behind her to find Pinkie Pie sitting with a huge grin.

“Oh, it’s just you, Pinkie,” she sighed. She was truly happy that her friend’s mood had picked up lately. For a while it seemed like all of Fluttershy’s friends were going to fall into despair. But these past few weeks things had become a little bit more peaceful. Pinkie was back in Pinkie form and even Rainbow Dash had come out to visit every now and then. Yup, all her friends were better. Except for…

“Waiting for Discord again?” Pinkie asked.

Fluttershy floated to the ground and gave her a frail smile. “Oh, I guess I’ve gotten a little bit predictable. It’s just… he’s never gone this long without at least sending a note.”

Pinkie waved a hoof. “I wouldn’t be too worried. I mean, he is a god. I’m pretty sure he can take care of himself.”

Fluttershy smiled reluctantly. “You’re right.”

“Besides, there’s a bit of a bigger problem to deal with right now,” Pinkie explained as her face fell and she handed a flyer to Fluttershy.

She took it and glanced over the contents before bringing a hoof to her mouth. “Oh my!”

Twilight sat in a catatonic state on her throne with a look of confusion and surprise glued to her face. Every now and then her left eye would twitch as she continued to stutter out a word that didn’t seem to want to come out.

“And how long had this been going on?” Applejack asked Cloudy as the two sat next to the comatose princess.

Cloudy shrugged. “Ever since she got that letter from the princess.” She lifted one of the flyers that had been nailed to the castle door and spread around town. “So I’m guessing it didn’t have any good news.”

Twilight opened her letter from the princess with a positive attitude. Surely if anypony could solve this mess it would be her. However when she opened it she was surprised to find a not so helpful response.

Dear Twilight,

I’m sorry that you are going through this. However, this is a problem that we cannot help you with. Like our niece Cadence with the Crystal Empire, Ponyville became an autonomous city state when you ascended. Thus it is your realm to deal with.
As a princess you must learn to appreciate the will of your ponies. Maybe if you gave them a little room, they would come around.
Again, I apologize for my inability to help in this matter. Things in Canterlot have been a tad strained since the attack and with Shining Armor back in the Crystal Empire, I and my sister have been putting out the remaining fires. I hope you will look at this as an opportunity to learn and not just as a punishment. I have faith in you, my most prized pupil.

Sincerely Princess Celestia

“B-B-B-B-B-”

“B-B-B-B-B-” Twilight finally gave up her stammering and slammed her forehead into the table.

“Finally!” Cloudy sighed. “That was driving me crazy.”

Applejack put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “You’re letter to the princesses didn’t go too well?”

“I’m not surprised,” Cloudy said. “After learning about Chrysalis even I’m feeling a little pissed about the princess right now.”

Twilight’s head moved morosely as she dug her head further into the table. Applejack frowned. “Well, don’t worry, Twi. Ah don’t know what all those ponies are thinking trying to throw you out but I’ll talk to the mayor and try to-”

“A awreby hid.”

“Pardon?”

Twilight lifted her head slightly so she could be heard clearly. “I already did.”

“Are you serious, Mayor!?” Twilight shouted at the government official. Twilight had cornered Mayor Mare in her office just as the first flyer was posted to her door. She shoved it in her face across the large oak desk. “’Evict Twilight Sparkle’?!”

Mayor Mare dug her hooves into the sides of her chair uncomfortably as she bit her lip. “I-I’m sorry, princess. The motion was carried by a majority of the town a couple weeks back after that changeling debacle. I tried to keep the ruling turning in the bureaucratic machine for as long as I can but even that is so slow.”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Twilight shouted hysterically. “Why would the whole town want me gone?”

The mayor rolled her eyes playfully. “Maybe because attacks and incidents have quadrupled since you first moved here.” Twilight shot her a glare. “Which I argued against!” She assured her with raised hooves. The mayor took a breath. “Look, with the amount of time I had I was able to find something to help you out.”

Twilight perked up. “Yeah?”

Mayor Mare rubbed the back of her head tentatively. “It would get you out of this mess but…”

Twilight put both hooves on the bureaucrat’s desk and leaned in. “I don’t care what it is! I’m not leaving!”

The mayor sighed. “Your castle was never part of any original city planning, so I don’t think it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ponyville Department of Housing Authority. The good news is that means that you can fight this eviction.” Twilight smiled. “The bad news is that it means you’ll have to renounce your citizenship of the town.” Twilight’s face sunk again.

“What?”

Mayor pushed her chair back and circled the desk to her. “Right now as a citizen your liable to the laws of government. No doubt you could just change them as a princess, but I’d advise against that. The ponies already have a bad view of you, you don’t want to go stirring the pot by changing laws around to suit you. If you revoke your citizenship then the laws wouldn’t apply to you. I guess the closest approximation to this would be your friend, Zecora in the Everfree. She still comes around and deals with several vendors or talks around town, but she doesn’t have an official status.” She put a comforting hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Do you get what I’m saying?”

Twilight looked dumbfounded. She had never even thought about her relationship to the town that she loved. In order to stay in it that meant she had to deny it? “I… I don’t know about this.”

Mayor ushered her forward with her hoof around her shoulder. “Twilight, it’s just a name on paper. It’s not like anything is going to change. You’ll still live in your home. See the same ponies you do and engage in the same activities. Ponyville is very welcoming to outsiders…” She paused before correcting herself. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean that.”

Twilight frowned and pushed the mayor away. “No! I know what to do. There’s only one pony in the world that can help me now!”

“But the princess wasn’t much help, huh?” Cloudy asked from across the room. She had grown bored and begun to do some wingups by the window. “Figures.”

Applejack shot a glance at the mare before returning to Twilight. “Twilight… Ah hate to admit it but… maybe you should give the mayor’s idea a chance.” Twilight looked up with wide eyes. “Don’t get me wrong! Ah know how hard it must be to say you don’t belong but… Ah know a lot more ponies would be sad if you left.”

Twilight lifted one of the flyers and lazily threw it into the middle of the table. “Not a lot of ponies here would agree with you.”

There was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it!” Spike called from outside the throne room.

“Twi, you gotta look at this from one of your friend’s perspectives,” Applejack argued. “We’re not abandonin’ you. So don’t even think about abandonin’ us.” Twilight turned to Applejack with a small smile.

Spike walked into the throne room with a small sealed envelope in his claw. “Hey, Twilight. Somepony left this in front of the door.”

Twilight’s face fell again. “Spike, I really don’t want to deal with more angry letters or flyers.”

Spike handed the letter to her. “I don’t think it’s one of those,” he chuckled. Twilight looked down to the envelope to see it was labelled “Your Secret Admirer”.

“So you have one pony that likes ya,” Applejack chuckled nervously. Twilight shot her a glare and she buttoned up.

Twilight sighed and opened the letter, careful just in case it was a trick and exploded ink or something on her. She removed the letter without fuss and read it to herself. Her eyes narrowed as she audibly groaned. “Problem?” Spike asked.

Twilight crumpled up the letter before throwing it in the garbage. “No,” she looked to Applejack. “We’ve got a lunch date.”

With the cold seeping in and Fall’s colors conquering the trees. It is a time for most creatures to sleep. The bears in their caves. The snakes in their den. And the parasprites in their nests. Deep in the Everfree there is a tree. An ancient tree that stands out amongst the rest for inside is the nest of the parasprites. As one of the oldest trees in the forest, it’s wood is so hard and petrified that none of the hungry creatures can even make a dent in it. It is thought that thousands of years ago the ancestors of these parasprites carved out a home inside this tree. This seems the most appropriate theory since such a strong tree is riddled with holes. Pocks and honeycombs dot the sides and branches, the insides of which lead into an array of tunnels and dens. Inside each of these dens rests a hundred or so parasprites as they sleep, waiting for spring so they can eat again.

A figure in shadowy robes approached from the trees. The ancient tree within its sights. It stood before the tree defiantly as it raised its front legs and brought them down on the tree. A loud echo rang throughout the burrow as the sleeping parasprites all began to open their eyes.

The figure watched as several flew out and zoomed in on it, obviously curious. Yet the figure remained hidden by its hood. A small blue parasprite alighted on its nose, its features slightly ruffled as it was angry for having been woken up. It preened and tweeted at the figure, but was surprised when the figure answered. It let out a small tweet much like the parasprite’s. The parasprite looked quizzically at the figure and chirped again. The figure responded in kind.

Soon more and more parasprites began to join the conversation. Many with questions but the figure did not answer. Instead it chirped a question to them. A request of sorts. The parasprites debated among each other before finally nodding their heads. The figure smiled showing a full set of sharp teeth before it turned and pointed in the direction it wanted them to go. The swarm parted from their home and buzzed in the direction of a town they had been to before. A town called Ponyville.

Barrel leaned on the wall of the building facing a round colorful themed establishment. He looked on through the windows as a white mare he knew all too well hummed to herself as she cut and sewed fabric onto a new dress fitted on a mannequin. Barrel couldn’t help but smile slightly at her own smile. He had seen her work plenty of times in the weeks preceding before coming here but never once thought to reveal himself. I’m nothing but trouble anyway, he thought, she wouldn’t want to see me.

“Can I help you?” a small sweet voice came from next to him. Barrel’s eyes widened as he noticed a small white filly had approached him. Sloppy. The filly was familiar as well since he had seen her before in the Carousel as well as in all the files Redwood had him study. Sweetie Belle wore a stylish beret and red scarf as she cocked her head and frowned toward the stallion.

“Uh, sorry, just moving along,” he said quickly before trying to leave.

“You know I’ve seen you a couple of times around here,” Sweetie said with a small grin. “Stalking somepony is considered a felony, you know?”

Barrel rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and chuckled nervously. “I-I-I wasn’t… Well, the reason for that is…” Congrtulations. Nearly ten years of indoctrination and training in an off the grid mega-criminal network amounted to a stuttering fool in front of a filly.

Sweetie’s grin widened a little bit and she gave him a saucy look. “Your one of Rarity’s fans, aren’t you?”

Barrel bit his lip. It was a better excuse than nothing. “Y-Yeah, that’s it.”

Sweetie nodded her head. “Yeah, I can tell. Though it’s kind of weird. My sister hasn’t had a suitor in quite awhile. My friends and I assume it’s because she’s one of the Elements and that just kind of turns some ponies off. What with all the prestige.” She eyed Barrel a little bit more and began to circle him. “Hmm, your almost as big as Big Macintosh. You’re pretty handsome. And your…” She stopped as she went to lift up his coat to see his flank. Barrel narrowly moved away.

“Hey, didn’t anypony tell you that was impolite?” he asked her.

Sweetie Belle looked at him skeptically. Barrel bit his lip once more. Had she seen it? Finally Sweetie just shrugged. “Well, I’m sure my sister would give you a chance if you asked her out. She’s pretty nice.” She began to walk toward the town.

Barrel raised an eyebrow, slightly forgetting himself. “You really think so?”

Sweetie turned back to him. “Oh yeah. And don’t worry about it too much.” She winked at him and then ran off into the town. Barrel stared at her until she was out of sight and then went back to the window. Rarity was gone but mannequin was still in the window. He sighed as he turned away from the Carousel, though a slight smile was now on his face.

Sweetie Belle raced through the town until she came to a familiar tree house. She dashed up the stairs and kicked the door open. Her two best friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, were right in the middle of trying to get their cutie marks in trust by doing trust falls. Luckily Pinkie hadn’t ratted them out about their “camping trip” but the girls were still under strict rules not to do anything too dangerous since they failed to tell their parents or Applejack that they would be gone for that night. Scootaloo was about to fall backward into AB’s hooves when Sweetie burst the door down. “Sweetie Belle, where have you been?” Apple Bloom asked. Scootaloo immediately fell backward and past AB as her head collided with the floor. “Oops, sorry.”

“Girls, I just found something amazing!” Sweetie shouted ecstatically. Scootaloo rubbed her head before both fillies approached Sweetie and she began to whisper to them.

“Really?!” Scootaloo shouted.

Twilight and AJ walked down the street towards Sugarcube Corner. Twilight grit her teeth as she thought of the gall this pony had to call her out here.

“Are ya sure it’s him, Twi?” Applejack asked.

Twilight’s frown deepened. “Yes. And I’m glad you’re here since I don’t know what I’d do if it were just me meeting him. Part of me just wants to call the royal guard right now.”

“Ah could always go back and get Captain Gust,” Applejack said.

Twilight shook her head. “No. Knowing her she’d just make a mess and probably get somepony hurt in the crossfire.”

AJ looked off to the side. “You know, you are going to have to make friends with her eventually.”

Twilight shot her a look. “In case you haven’t noticed I’m kind of dealing with a crisis here!” The two walked up to the door of Sugarcube. “And this isn’t making it any better!” She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Applejack. I just… I never expected to have to deal with stuff like this, even after becoming a princess.”

Applejack nodded understandingly. “Hey, Ah get what your sayin’, Twi. I know the burden of responsibility as well as the hardships that come from those around tryin’ to get the best of you. Ah ever tell you about the time this fertilizer salesman tried to sell me one hundred bags of manure for two hundred bits? That was just highway robbery! So ah just started usin’-”

Twilight held up a hoof, not wanting to know the rest of the story. Her face was already turning green just thinking about it. “I appreciate the sentiment, Applejack.”

Applejack nodded appreciatively and the two entered the café. Twilight immediately knew where her “date” was since everypony was gathered around him. “…and so I say ‘better call podiatrist’!” The crowd immediately starting laughing hysterically. Twilight cleared her throat at the edge of the crowd and they parted slightly, one pony in particular still laughing hard and saying through rasping breaths “what’s a podiatrist?”

The crowd parted fully to reveal a gray pony with a white mane and red eyes. He wore a nice looking green vest with red tie and a smaller brown fedora as opposed to the black hat she had seen him in before. “Ah, princess! So nice to see you again.” The crowd parted enough for him to get a look at the other pony and he smiled warmly. “And Miss Applejack. Really it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He didn’t hold out a hoof.

“The feelin’ is not mutual,” Applejack grumbled at him with narrowed eyes. Both mares took a seat at Redwood’s table as the rest of the shop patrons returned to their own seats. “Ah been hearin’ a lot about you, Mr. Redwood. Stuff Ah don’t particularly like.”

Redwood gave her a smirk. “Well, I do tend to rub some ponies the wrong way.”

“Like that changeling queen that attacked Canterlot and killed two ponies?” Twilight said with a slight bit of venom in her voice.

Redwood’s smug expression dropped for a moment and he lowered his hat to the table revealing a short white mane. “I am regretful for that. Truly I am. In fact, I’ve made several large and anonymous donations to the families of Rising Star and Moon Drop.” The two looked at him puzzled. “The two deceased.” He leaned forward and looked directly into Twilight’s eyes. “Do not think me a callous stallion, Miss Sparkle. I make sure to honor those that have fallen needlessly in my pursuits.”

“But that’s just it!” Twilight said as she slammed a hoof into the table. “They didn’t need to die. Silk was only after you. You brought her here!”

“Just like you brought the Mailmare here and your friend’s doppelganger,” Redwood shot back.

“But I…”

“There will always be enemies, Twilight,” he interrupted. “For those that speak of peace just as much as those that speak of war.”

Applejack listened to the conversation between the two but could take no more. “Now hold on a minute here! That’s not fair. Twi never did anythin’ to make anypony angry. The only reason she’s in trouble is because of somepony else!”

“Somepony who found it necessary to destroy both you and your life,” Redwood finished.

The three were silent for a moment before Twilight spoke up. “So you said you had something to tell me?”

Redwood’s smirk returned. “Actually, it just so happens that this is the topic of today’s little get together.” Cup Cake came by and deposited a small glass of greenish soda in front of him before waving at the two mares and walking off. “How much do you know about the Yakut Union?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Yakut Union?”

“It’s a large empire that borders the Romane Empire and Neighpon as well as a few other smaller countries. The ponies there are used to extreme weather like snow since the Pegasus population is down. It’s two major cities are Stalliongrad and Trottersky.” Twilight summarized. “Why?”

Redwood reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a small picture. It depicted a blurry quadrupedal figure racing through a forested area. It looked like a pony but it was a little hard to be sure with the blur. “After the fall of the Romane Wall separating both major empires most of the Yakutian ponies defected to Romane. The loss of so many citizens sent the empire into a spiral that they haven’t recovered from. It’s currently a hotbed for most of the world’s most villainous. This is where this guy comes in.” He tapped the photo. “This is the only known photograph of a vigilante called the Chimera. He’s been active for close to four years now, taking out drugrunners and slavers in the Yakutian badlands. I have it on good authority that he just made his way here to Equestria.”

Applejack looked at the photo. “This is ridiculous. Why would a vigilante want to hurt Twilight?”

“Money is the source of all evil,” Redwood smirked and shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe he’s just here for something else. This is a threat and I’m bringing it to your attention. That’s it.” He looked at Twilight. “We don’t have to be any closer than that.”

Twilight stared at the picture long and hard before looking back up. “Where do you even get this information?”

Redwood smiled. “You know, I don’t suppose it’s dangerous to introduce you.” He gestured next to him and AJ and Twilight jumped slightly at the sight of a zebra mare with a red jacket around her torso. Her ears were pierced and her stripes made the image of a leaf on her flank. She had just finished drinking the green soda that Redwood had ordered while she sat there with her eyes closed listening in.

“How did…?!” Twilight began.

Redwood chuckled. “Twilight Sparkle and Miss Applejack, meet Agave, my personal liaison.” The zebra turned to them, her expression unmoved as she gave them both a slight bow.

“Hold on,” Applejack threw her hooves up. “Has this mare been watching us this whole time?”

Redwood shrugged. “Pretty much. She’s trained in over seventy martial arts from around the world as well as the art of stealth. So don’t worry, you probably won’t see her again unless she wants to be seen.” The two mares looked back to the zebra only to find that she was indeed gone again.

Twilight let out a sigh. “Just talking with you is giving me a headache.” She grabbed the picture from the table. “Let’s go, Applejack.”

“The offer still stands,” Redwood said before Twilight could leave. “That thing you asked me of before. I couldn’t really help from CRO but out here… Just call out for Agave and she’ll let me know you want to talk.”

Applejack looked to Twilight with concern before the princess turned back with a steeled gaze. “Thank you for the information, Rayleigh. But I would leave town now if I were you. Me and my friends can handle anything.” She smiled at Applejack as the two began to leave. Applejack turned back one last time to shoot Redwood a glare but instead saw his eyes soften at her. For a brief moment all the bravado and smugness was gone and all she saw was a tired old stallion. The two left through the door.

Redwood didn’t even turn to his side as he steepled his hooves and began to talk to the zebra mare now next to him again. “Do you think you can keep up with her?”

Agave chuckled under her breath at the question. She then opened her eyes and pulled out a small piece of paper from her jacket. She slid it onto the table and Redwood read it with no emotion on his face giving anything away. ‘Who is Vinyl Scratch?’

Redwood narrowed his eyes at the zebra who in turn merely mirrored his expression. “That’s none of your concern right now.”

She smirked and pulled out another piece of paper. Redwood read it silently. ‘That’s none of your concern right now’.

Redwood chuckled to himself. “Show off.” Agave laughed as well but she still waited like she wanted an answer. He finally sighed. “Keep a close eye on her as well if you want. But it won’t do you much good.” Agave nodded at this and in the next moment she was gone. Redwood raised a hoof to get the check and looked down at the piece of paper. ‘Who is Vinyl Scratch?’ “Things are only going to get more complicated, aren’t they, Sym.”

Just outside the Ponyville city limits a blue Pegasus flew around and bucked the few spare clouds that threatened to consolidate into bad weather. Winter was fighting the pegasi pretty hard to come early and most of them had been working for days to prevent anymore random showers or early snowstorms. When Rainbow Dash had finally returned to her post the first thing that happened was she got a hug from her supervisor and then a punishment of having buck a quota of three hundred clouds. Rainbow didn’t mind the work though, it helped to get her mind off of everything that had happened.

As she finished up bucking the last of the clouds in her area she sat on a cloud to wait for more to appear. “Rainbow Dash!” She peered over the cloud to see Pinkie and Fluttershy begin to run towards her. They stopped in front of her cloud as she descended to meet them.

“Hey, guys. What’s up?” she asked.

Fluttershy looked panicky as she handed a flyer to Rainbow. The blue mare took the flyer and her eyes widened. “What!? What the heck is this?”

“Seems some ponies got pretty mad after that last attack by changelings,” Pinkie explained. “The word around town is that Twilight is too dangerous to have around.”

Rainbow gritted her teeth. Twilight may have been the reason behind her problems but she knew it wasn’t her fault. Especially after Pinkie shared the truth with her. These past few days all she could think about was decking two ponies. One the jerk that wanted Twilight dead and the other being that Redwood guy. If she saw him she would punch him straight in the-

“What should we do, Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Huh? How should I know?”

Pinkie rubbed her chin in thought. “Well, you are pretty popular. Maybe you could endorse Twilight as good for the town?”

Rainbow frowned. Yes, she was popular but she technically hadn’t shown her face around town in over a month. She was fine with going back to work and seeing her friends again, but the thought of getting back in front of other ponies and boasting or performing again made her limbs shake. As of right now she had called in a few favors at the Wonderbolts in order to get a few more weeks off, but time was running out before she would be expected to get back out there again. “M-Maybe we can think of something else.”

“Well, there’s always plan B,” Pinkie said.

“I don’t think a party is going to help,” Rainbow said in a deadpan.

“No! Fluttershy!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“M-Me?” Fluttershy stuttered.

“Yeah! I mean, everypony knows that you’re the kindest and most caring pony in town. If anypony else can convince the townsfolk that Twilight should stay it would be you.”

Rainbow and Fluttershy looked at each other with raised eyebrows before looking at Pinkie. “Uh, Pinkie, no offense to you or Fluttershy but she can’t even make a speech in front of a mirror.”

Fluttershy brushed her mane in front of her face bashfully. “Yeah…”

Pinkie smiled warmly at her two friends and wrapped her hooves around each of them. “You guys just have to look a little bit deeper. I know we’re the Elements of Harmony but there are things about each of us that go beyond that. Trust me. Don’t be so afraid to look inside yourself and find the inner princess!” She finished her speech with loud yell of empowerment that shook the trees and made a few birds fly off.

Fluttershy and Rainbow both held their ears. “Yeah, sure, Pinkie,” Rainbow muttered.

Fluttershy smiled a little at her friend’s words before she turned to see a small colorful cloud coming out of the Everfree. “Um, Rainbow, Pinkie?” The two looked with her and their eyes widened.

“Somepony get me my instruments!” Pinkie shouted as they all began to run back to town.

Fluttershy panicked a little before calming down enough to think straight. It was just a swarm of parasprites. She and her friends had dealt with those tiny creatures before. But it looked pretty big this time. She needed to grab some instruments for Pinkie and she could think of no better place than here.

Fluttershy knocked on the door to a small house on Ponyville’s eastern hill. She waited a moment before the door opened, glancing back the way she came to make sure that the cloud hadn’t gotten any closer. Finally the door opened and a bandaged Vinyl Scratch appeared. She wasn’t wearing her sunglasses at the moment so she had to cover her eyes a little at the sun. Her face was a mix of emotions but she still managed to smile at her. “Oh, hello Vinyl,” Fluttershy greeted. “I’m glad to see your doing well.” Vinyl nodded and the two stood awkwardly for a moment. “Um, is Octavia here?”

Vinyl nodded again and ushered Fluttershy in. The two mares’ house was small and laid out quite strangely with one side having sensible furniture and wood flooring while the other side looked like it was ready for a rave. These two were certainly an odd couple, Fluttershy had to admit.

Octavia was sitting on her couch reading a book when Fluttershy entered. She set the book down and smiled at her. “Fluttershy, it’s good to see you.” The two mares shared a hug and Octavia went to the kitchen. She ushered Fluttershy to join her while Vinyl stayed in her side of the living room. She seemed to be looking through an assortment of LP’s.

Fluttershy was just about to ask Octavia for her instruments when the gray mare spoke. “I wanted to thank you in pony for keeping that night a secret,” she said in a whisper for Vinyl not to hear. “I don’t know just what Vinyl would do if she learned somepony saw her like that.”

“Oh, no, I understand,” Fluttershy replied. “You can count on me to keep a secret. I don’t get out that much anyway. B-But that’s not what I’m here for. There’s a swarm of parasprites on their way here and we need as many instruments as we can find.”

Octavia’s eyes widened. “Oh, sure let me get them!” She left the kitchen and headed for a room upstairs. Fluttershy followed in hopes of helping her. As she entered Octavia’s room she slightly caught sight of Vinyl’s room next door. Once again the two ponies couldn’t seem more different. Octavia’s room was nice and clean and orderly while Vinyl’s was a mess with socks and shirts strewn across the floor as well as an obscene amount of glowsticks and even some empty bottles of what, from the smell, she could only assume was hard cider.

Octavia opened a trunk and fished through it. “Let’s see. I’ve got an old flute. A trombone I practiced with in fillyschool.” She placed each instrument she found on the floor next to her. Fluttershy peered past her at the bed and saw a small xylophone sticking out in the area between the bed and the chest.

“Here’s one,” she said as she lifted the xylophone out. Octavia saw it and snatched it away.

“No! Not that one!” she shouted.

“Oh, okay,” Fluttershy replied with a little trepidation. Octavia saw her back away and chuckled.

“Sorry, sorry. It’s just this one is special to me.” She fondled the xylophone lovingly. “It’s one of the first gifts I got from Vinyl.”

Fluttershy cocked her head, the curiosity now filled to the brim. “Um, I’ve actually been wondering.” Octavia looked at her. “You two seem very different. How exactly do you two live together?” She blushed as she asked. “Um, sorry if I’m being too forward.”

Octavia smiled slightly and chuckled again. “No, it’s fine. I know we look kind of mismatched from the outside looking in. But Vinyl and I actually have a lot more in common than one might think. We met each other during a hard time in our lives and we’ve just kind of stuck together since then.”

Fluttershy smiled at the story and nodded appreciatively. “I understand how nice it can be to find somepony special in your life. Well, maybe not a special somepony in my case. B-But that is I’m not saying anything about your relationship!”

Octavia looked at Fluttershy with a confused expression before her cheeks turned red with realization. “Wait, I… What?! We’re not…” She puffed her cheeks out and growled to herself. “Is that what Vinyl is telling everypony? Ugh! I’m almost never in town due to my job and that mare goes around the place spreading wild rumors about us!” Her face remained red as she turned away from Fluttershy. “A-Anyway, here’s the instruments. Go save the town or something!” She threw the instruments into Fluttershy’s hooves and eagerly pushed the mare to her bedroom door before slamming it shut. Fluttershy could hear her moan from the other side, but it didn’t seem like a sad moan. More like an annoyed one.

Fluttershy chuckled a bit to herself as she walked down the stairs and entered the living room. Vinyl was still looking through her records as she looked up at Fluttershy. She waved to her before leaving but stopped and cleared her throat. “I… think she might need a hug.” Both mares heard the sound of Octavia begin to bonk her head against the door. Vinyl laughed under her breath and gave Fluttershy a salute before the yellow mare left.

Twilight and Applejack left the Sugarcube both with dour expressions. They were both silent for a few minutes on their way back to the castle. “So what do you think?” Twilight finally asked.

AJ raised an eyebrow. “About the threat? We might as well take it seriously considerin’…”

Twilight shook her head. “No… Well, yes, but not what I meant. What do you think of Redwood?”

Applejack had to think about that. On the one hoof he seemed like a normal stallion, despite the fact that he clearly looked loaded and had some kind of super spy working for him. On the other hoof, from all the stories she had heard he seemed like a ruthless villain. After Twilight had finally confided in her the cowpony actually did some digging. Redwood had been a captain of the guard in Canterlot a little over twenty years ago but betrayed the kingdom and fled. A pony like that had no honor. But still, something about the way he looked at her. Like a tired old stallion. It made her want to feel sorry for him. But then again maybe that was all his trick. “Ah don’t like him,” she finally stated.

Twilight frowned. “I don’t either. But until we figure out what to do he’s the best source we’ll have.”

Applejack stopped walking and turned to Twilight. “Despite all this we still need you here. So have you given any more thought to it, Twi?”

Twilight bit her lip. She took a look around and began to notice the many stares she got as she passed through town. Some ponies even held the flyers and flashed her angry glares. For the first time in her life of living in Ponyville, Twilight truly felt like an outsider. “I…” A rainbow blur whizzed past them and the two looked up. “Was that Rainbow Dash?”

“Emergency!!” Both mares jumped and spun around as Pinkie suddenly appeared. “We’ve got a ten by ten bogey on the south side coming up our flank!”

“Huh?”

Pinkie looked between the two. “A thousand little problems are adding up fast!”

“Huh?”

“Parasprite Invasion!!!!” Pinkie shouted loud enough for the town to hear. Suddenly every pony on the street began to scream and panic while many more locked their doors.

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted. “Why would you shout that out?”

“I was trying to be subtle with you guys but you wouldn’t get the clue!” Rainbow Dash appeared a moment later with an assortment of instruments including drums and an accordion. She threw it all at the pink mare’s hooves.

“I… I think that’s all the stuff… you had in your room, Pinkie,” Rainbow huffed as she slumped over from carrying the instruments. “Ugh, I am really out of shape.”

“Thanks, Dashie,” Pinkie said as she grabbed a drum set and threw it to Applejack. The orange mare caught it clumsily before wrapping the straps around her shoulders. “I would go get them myself but…” She trailed off with a sad frown threatening to erupt.

Twilight patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Hey, it’s okay, Pinkie. I know the Cakes appreciate you following their wishes.”

Pinkie smiled at her. “Thanks, Twi.” She then dumped a large tuba into her hooves. “But there’s no time for being a sorry sally!” She grabbed the accordion.

Rainbow looked at the pile. “Guess I’ll take these,” she said as she grabbed a tambourine.

“Girls!” Fluttershy called out as she charged up the road carrying a trombone and a flute. She skidded to a halt in front of them. “I’m ready Pinkie!”

“Great!” Pinkie shouted. “Then it’s time to rock on!” In the distance the colorful swarm had reached the edge of town and was beginning to fly towards the center of the city. All five ponies stood in a heroic pose as they waited for their quarry to come closer. Applejack was the first to speak.

“So… how do you play the drums?” she asked.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Uh, yeah, I’m not sure I know how to play the tuba either.”

Rainbow shook her tambourine getting a seemingly impossible harsh thunking noise out of it.

“Um, I don’t know how to play either,” Fluttershy muttered.

Pinkie sighed and in a deadpan held out her hoof as the others handed back their instruments. She quickly made strap for it all and wrapped it around her until she was a one pony band. “I guess it doesn’t matter. After all, this is how we got rid of them last time.”

The swarm was now almost on top of them. Pinkie readied herself. The first of the parasprites buzzed into the street as she began to blow into her tuba. However, she didn’t have a chance to finish as the parasprites flew over the mares completely ignoring them, as well as anything else around them. “Huh?”

Twilight looked up and narrowed her eyes at the receding swarm as they flew past. Suddenly it split into two groups which both went their separate ways. “What are they doing?” Rainbow muttered.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she realized what two places were in each direction. “Applejack! Rainbow! You’re with me! You guys go find Rarity!” She began to sprint in the direction one of the swarms went.

Applejack and Rainbow stared confusedly for a minute before the cowpony’s eyes widened with realization as well. “Oh, not on my watch!!”

Rainbow and Applejack flew off. Pinkie and Fluttershy were left alone to watch the other swarm flying off. “Um, so where do you think Rarity is?” Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie scratched her chin. “Hmm, I guess she’d still be at home…” She pointed in the direction of the Carousel and her smile dropped. “Oh.”

Twilight and Applejack skidded to a halt in front of Sweet Apple Acres while Rainbow slammed her brakes in midair above them. “Woah,” she whispered.

The parasprite swarm had already begun to buzz through the picked trees searching for sustenance but came up short. Now they had their eyes set on the barn. “That’s my family’s entire last season harvest in there!” AJ shouted. “Twi, can’t you teleport them away?”

Twilight frowned and put her all into her horn. It began to glow brighter and brighter until a cascade of magic burst from it and washed over the parasprites. To everypony’s relief the swarm disappeared. AJ let out a sigh. “Thanks, Twilight.”

Twilight took a few huge breaths. “I’m… just glad it… worked.”

At the house Big Macintosh and Granny Smith dashed out the door with flyswatters and shovels. Granny spied Applejack and company and called to them. “Git your flanks over here! We’ve got an infestation!”

AJ waved a hoof and laughed. “It’s alright, Granny. Twilight took care of it. There aren’t any more parasprites in the orchard.”

Granny shook her head. “Not out here there aint!” Suddenly the door they both stood in front of buckled outward as if a large force were slamming against it.

AJ gave Twilight a deadpan look. She chuckled to herself. “What? It was a lot! I didn’t know where they would end up!”

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy ran to Rarity’s boutique as quickly as they could. They got there just as the parasprites began to eat the carousel like building. Fluttershy bounced on her hooves nervously as she watched the parasprites eat. “Oh, this is bad!” She tentatively approached a parasprite that was eating a window sill. “Um, excuse me Mr. parasprite,” the bug turned away from its meal and faced her. “I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t eat my friend’s house. Also why are you here? I thought you all were supposed to be in hibernation?” In order to get the bug’s full attention she had to use a little bit of her stare. The parasprite gulped down its mouth full and began to buzz at her. She listened to every sound.

“What is going on!?” Rarity shouted as she burst through her half eaten door. “One moment I’m measuring the next these wretched things fly in through the window and are eating my clothes!”

Pinkie finally caught her breath and began to play the one pony band attached to her. The swarm’s buzzing finally stopped and they all looked up to notice Pinkie’s playing before beginning to bob to the music themselves. Fluttershy watched as the parasprite she was talking to joined the others and Pinkie began to lead them back through town. She gave the two a passing nod before continuing her march.

Rarity glanced over her hole ridden house and felt like sobbing. “Just what is going on, Fluttershy?!” she cried out.

Fluttershy walked up and wrapped a hoof around her friend’s shoulder. “I don’t know. But somepony wanted to hurt us.”

Unbeknownst to the townsfolk and even the mane six. A small hoofful of parasprites split up into a third swarm. They made their way to the edge of town where they spied their quarry sweeping the front steps of a large crystal castle.

Spike looked up just in time to see a swarm of parasprites raining down on him. “Huh? Hey, wait!” He didn’t have time to argue as they scooped him up and began to carry him off. He tried to thrash and get them to let go but they wouldn’t budge. “Let me go!”

Cloudy happened to be peering out the window as she spied the little dragon being flown off. She thought it was funny until she saw the dragon’s face and the clear concern plastered across it. She flew out the window and quickly caught up with the parasprites. “And where do you think you’re going?” she asked them defiantly.

“Oh, thank Celestia,” Spike muttered. “Get them to let go of me!”

The parasprites merely buzzed angrily at her and tried to pass. Cloudy folded her wings back and twisted into a small dive below the swarm before flipping back up and delivering a small gust of wind to the swarm. It was small but enough to make the bugs lose their grip and Spike dropped into Cloudy’s hooves. “You want him?” she asked with a grin. “Try and get him.” She then flew back toward the castle.

The parasprites narrowed their eyes at the purple Pegasus and zipped toward her. Cloudy narrowly flew around one of the castle’s turrets and came back toward the swarm. The bugs stopped in surprise and Cloudy burst right past them sending them scattering. She landed sideways on a castle wall and opened her wings to their full height trying to look as big as possible. She glared her teeth and growled at them. To Spike’s surprise the bugs began to back off before they decided to fly away.

She floated back to the ground and Spike looked up at her in awe. “W-what was that?” he asked in disbelief.

Cloudy shrugged and smirked. “Eh, animal kingdom. The largest is usually the alpha predator that most try to stay away from. Those bugs were just getting too big for their horse shoes and needed to be reminded who the boss is.” She narrowed her eyes at the fleeing swarm. “The question is why did they try to take you in the first place?”

Spike shrugged. “Maybe it’s my inherent charm and wit?” Cloudy gave him a look. “What?”

Deep in the Everfree the hooded figure sat by the ancient tree waiting for the parasprites to return. A small group arrived first that told it that they weren’t able to retrieve the dragon. The hooded figure scowled at this but nodded wearily. It reached into its cloak and handed a large cantaloupe to the hungry bugs that devoured it without a word.

The figure could already hear music in the distance so it began to move. It was shorter than expected but at least most of the parasprites had done their job properly. Now would come the second phase.

A few hours passed since the parasprites attacked and Twilight was helping Applejack and family clean up their house. Pinkie had returned from leading the swarm at Rarity’s away about an hour ago and led the ones trapped in AJ’s house away as well. The Apple family abode had seen better days but Granny and Big Macintosh didn’t seem to mind.

“I really am sorry, Granny,” Twilight muttered. “I didn’t know where those things would reappear but I certainly didn’t expect it to be inside your house.”

Granny picked up a plate with bite marks out of it before tossing it into a trash can. She grinned at Twilight. “Aw, don’t worry yerself. A house is just a bunch of pieces of wood and plaster.” She walked over to a large untouched chest and patted it. “Can’t be a home without one of these.”

Twilight walked over to it. “What’s that?”

Applejack noticed the two ponies talking and walked over to join them leaving Rainbow Dash and Big Mac to wade through the trashed cupboards themselves. “That’s our family treasure chest.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

Granny giggled and lifted the chest to reveal a stockpile of albums and pictures. Twilight looked through them and saw foal pictures of Applejack as well as Applebloom. It took her a while to find Big Mac but she soon realized he was a baby in some pictures… just a very big baby.

“This here is what makes this place home,” Granny said. “It aint the farm and it aint the apples. It’s the memories we all share.”

Twilight smiled at the two ponies. Memories are what makes a home, huh?

“So sorry, we’re late everypony!” Rarity called from the open doorway. “Oh my! It seems you were hit even harder than I was.”

“Yeah,” Applejack muttered “Ah’m actually wonderin’ about that. How come the parasprites only went for our homes?”

“It’s a little bit deeper than that.” Everypony turned to see Cloudy fly in through the busted window. “Spike just nearly got foalnapped by parasprites.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “What!? Is he okay?”

Cloudy waved a hoof. “He’s fine. I would be more worried about what or who did this.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asked. “It was just parasprites, right?” She blushed slightly as she realized that was the first time she’d spoken to the royal captain in close to a month. Her face felt hot as she went back to cleaning and tried to look away.

“A-Actually,” Fluttershy stammered. “They said they were asked to do this.”

Everypony turned to her. “Come again?” Applejack asked.

“I talked to one of the parasprites and they said they were asked to do this.”

AJ gave Twilight a slightly concerned look and Twilight returned it. “Sounds like we may be dealing with another situation,” Cloudy said. “Should we get the townsfolk involved?”

Twilight moaned. The last thing she wanted was to get blamed for another attack. “Let’s… hold off for now.”

Just then a small yellow filly walked through the door behind Fluttershy and Rarity. He eyes widened. “Woah! Um… Ah’m not in any way responsible for this, right?”

Applejack narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Not to my knowledge.”

AB let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. School’s out. Mind if Ah go hang out with Sweetie and Scootaloo?”

The hooded figure walked through the dark forest. Shadows from the trees and beasts watched over it as it made its way into the Everfree’s depths. A loud roar ripped through the trees and the figure turned its head in that direction. It followed the sound into a large open area. On the far side was a large mountainous cliff while beneath it lay a pile of rubble and boulders. A large manticore paced around the remains of the rockslide with a low worrisome growl.

The figure stepped into the open area for the manticore to see. It bared its fangs at the figure and crouched low preparing to strike but the figure held up a hoof. A low but familiar growl echoed from the figure’s hood and the manticore stepped back in surprise. The red beast growled back at it and the figure responded.

Suddenly from the pile of rubble there came a small but weak growl. The manticore ran back to the pile and began to paw at it furiously trying to dislodge some of the boulders. The figure walked up to the digging manticore and examined the pile further. The manticore looked to the figure with angry eyes before they softened and lowered in desperation.

The figure nodded and stepped forward throwing back it’s cloak and revealing itself. The manticore stepped back as the figure tall shadow was cast upon her. It cracked its neck and placed two enormous hooves on either side of the largest boulder in the pile. With a mighty roar it pushed the enormous rock until it rolled to the side. Beneath it in a small trapped air bubble was a little baby manticore. It’s fiery red mane covered in dust. The larger manticore rushed to the little one’s side and began to lick it clean as the little one cried out.

The figure put it’s cloak back on and turned to ask the manticore its favor. But something about the sight of the parent and child made it stop. It turned away from them and headed deeper into the forest. There were always more monsters to recruit.

Barrel walked the streets of Ponyville with his head held low. He had been avoiding Rarity for weeks now and suddenly he gets spotted by her sister. He felt like such a klutz right now.

He was on his way to meet up with Redwood once more. Apparently he had intel that something was coming. Barrel wasn’t surprised concerning that parasprite “invasion”. Way too coordinated for a simple feeding frenzy. Due to the fear of the parasprite swarm the streets were mostly deserted right now so it kind of felt good to Barrel. It gave him time to think to himself.

A slight whisper echoed out of an alleyway. Barrel didn’t turn his head but focused his eyes and ears on that place as he walked by it. “You sure he is?” “Positive!” “What makes you think he’ll want to anyway?”

Barrel was trained well enough to know when he was being followed. He walked casually past the alley where the whispers were coming from before quickly dashing into the next alley. The tailers soon came out and looked around in confusion. “Hey, where’d he go?” a young voice asked.

“Well, he didn’t just disappear,” a small accented voice replied. “Maybe he went inside somewhere?”

“I don’t think he lives around here,” said another familiar voice. Barrel grinned and rolled his eyes. The Cutie Mark Crusaders all walked past his alley searching for any signs of him. He took a step behind them as they passed and subtly walked in the opposite direction as quietly as possible. He was probably going to be a little bit late meeting Redwood but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with-

“Hey, you!” Barrel felt a small set of hooves land on his broad shoulders and he turned around. A small orange Pegasus with a purple mane looked down at him. She wore a small green parka around her neck and head. “How’d you do that?”

“That was some ninja stuff right there!” The other filly, this one he recognized as Apple Bloom, Applejack’s sister, said. She wore a knit hat like his but hers was a bright red like her own mane. “You think you can teach us how to do that?”

Sweetie Belle grinned broadly at Barrel and her friends. “What’d I tell you, girls? For a blank flank like us, he’s super interesting!”

“So what’s your name?” Scootaloo asked.

He sighed. “Barrel, now will you please…” Suddenly he realized what Sweetie had said.

Barrel rolled his eyes and sagged his shoulders. So she had noticed. He had kind of been neglecting to paint over his flank ever since his little adventure with Rarity. He reached behind him and picked up Scootaloo, setting her down on the ground. “Look, Sweetie Belle, right?” he pretended to not know the other two’s names. “I’d love to help you in… whatever this is but I’m a very busy stallion so if you don’t mind…”

“So how come you don’t have your cutie mark?” Scootaloo asked abruptly.

Barrel bit his lip and sighed inwardly. “None of your beeswax. Is that a good answer?”

“So do you not have a special talent?” Apple Bloom asked.

“They don’t all have to do with talents,” Barrel muttered.

“Has it been hard being a blank flank at your age?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Barrel glared down at the girls who merely looked up at him innocently. He gritted his teeth and groaned as he threw his head back. No getting out of this situation without a smoke bomb. “Fine, you really want to know?” They all nodded eagerly. “I thought I had a talent when I was young, but it never got me my cutie mark. There, you happy?”

The girls all gave each other confused looks. “You mean you were talented at somethin’ but that thing never was your real talent?” Apple Bloom asked.

Barrel rolled his eyes, there was no point in hiding something like that anyway. Not like it gave away any pertinent information. “Yeah.”

Sweetie stepped forward. “What was it?”

Barrel stopped and looked at her. He could see the curiosity in her eyes and he grinned. Maybe if he demonstrated it would get them off his back or maybe even scare them off. “Any of you have a hair pin?”

Apple Bloom reach inside her hat and pulled out a small black pin. “Ah usually use it to hold mah bow in place so ah’m gonna need that back.”

Barrel chuckled as he took it. “Don’t worry.” He looked around the area until he spied a crate with an open lid about fifteen meters away. “Bet you I can hit that lid and snap the crate shut from over here.”

The crusaders turned to the crate and gawked at him. “Yeah, right. You’re not a unicorn,” Scootaloo chuckled.

“Don’t have to be,” Barrel chuckled back and prepared the pin in his arm. “Now if I make this you leave me alone.”

Sweetie smiled. “And if you don’t make this you join our club.”

Barrel rolled his eyes. “Deal.” He brought the pin back and sent it flying forward through the air like a dart. The pin landed in the lid of the crate with a thunk pushing it over and sending it slamming onto the crate shut.

The crusaders all watched in amazement with their mouths agape. Barrel turned away from them and began to walk away. “See you girls later.”

“Wait!” Sweetie shouted. She and Scootaloo rushed to his side while Apple Bloom went to pry her pin from the crate. “How come that’s not your special talent?”

“It is,” Barrel replied. “And I thought you were going to leave me alone?”

“It’s pretty impressive, sure, but if it’s not on your flank then it must not be what you were born to do,” Scootaloo added. Barrel stopped in the street and turned to chastise the filly but a voice caught him off guard.

“Well, looks like somepony made a friend.” Barrell winced and turned back slowly to face his employer. Redwood wore a monumental smirk. He could tell he was loving this.

“Hello, sir,” Barrel muttered.

Redwood grinned down at the fillies and held out his hoof. “Hello, girls. Call me, Ray.”

Sweetie was the first to take his hoof. “So are you like his dad or something?”

Redwood chuckled and shook his head. “No, Barrel and I are just business associates. Unfortunately, he and I are quite busy today so I’m afraid he can’t play. However, as his boss I can promise that he’ll talk to you again tomorrow.”

Barrel glared at Redwood who merely smirked. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked super excited. “Alright!” they shouted.

“Ah finally got it, girls!” Apple Bloom shouted as she ran back up to the group. “It was pretty dug in there but ah…” she looked up to see the new pony and stopped short. She narrowed her eyes for a moment before smiling. “Ah’m sorry… it’s just… do ah know you?”

Redwood didn’t show any emotion but merely smiled down at her. “No, I’m afraid we’ve never met.”

Apple Bloom nodded wearily. “Yeah, ah guess… it’s just… maybe you have one of those faces is all.”

Redwood chuckled. “I get that a lot.” He held out his hoof to her. “Call me Ray.”

Apple Bloom took his hoof with a smile. “Pleasure to meet you, Ray.”

A loud thump echoed into town and made the ground shake slightly. The crusaders, Redwood and Barrel all looked toward the Everfree as hundreds of birds began to fly off from the trees, cawing and tweeting in fear. A second thump shook the town again.

“You’d better get home fast, girls,” Redwood said. “I don’t like the sound of this.”

The girls looked toward the forest with slight trepidation as the tree tops began to rustle and the thumps got closer. “Y-Yeah,” Sweetie muttered as she and her friends began to leave. “Remember what your boss said, Barrel!”

Barrel rolled his eyes. “I’m not! I’m not, right?” he turned to Redwood.

Redwood still had his eyes focused on the shaking trees in the distance. “Let’s deal with this crisis first before we deal with your playdate.”

Barrel groaned and rolled his eyes as he followed his boss into town.

Granny Smith and Big Mac insisted on cleaning up the rest of the mess themselves as the girls headed back to Twilight’s castle to discuss the problem.

“I just don’t understand why they would try to take Spikey wikey,” Rarity muttered. Spike chuckled a little as she pet him on the head.

“Maybe they wanted use him as leverage?” Applejack suggested.

Twilight sat on her throne with her head in her hooves. “Whatever the reason we can assume that this isn’t the end of the attacks we’ll be seeing.”

“So what do you suggest, princess?” Cloudy spoke up from the window. “All the Canterlot guards were called away for something by Celestia. Even if we call them now whose to say they won’t be here in time for another even more violent attack?”

“We’ve dealt with threats like this before,” Pinkie spoke up. “And besides, if all they’ve got to throw at us is parasprites, then I’m pretty confident we can take them on.”

A loud thump sounded from outside and the castle shook briefly. Cloudy looked out the window and grimaced. “Uh, we may be more strapped for time than I thought.”

Everypony rushed over to the window and gaped as they saw the trees of the Everfree in the distance begin to sway and part. An enormous purple beast began to rise from the trees, standing from its walking position. The light of the sun passed through it and they could all see stars and constellations trapped within its massive frame. It easily dwarfed the entire town three times over.

“Is that what I think it is?” Rainbow’s pupils shrunk as she looked at the giant bear. Fluttershy threw her arm across her forehead and fainted.

“An Ursa Major!” Twilight exclaimed in horror.

Applejack grabbed both sides of her hat and pulled nervously. “That thing could step on the town without even noticin’!”

The bear lowered its haunches and sat at the edge of the Everfree with an earth shaking thump. It stayed there unmoving as if waiting for something. Twilight felt her left eye twitch as she began to pace the throne room. “Okay! Let’s all calm down! It seems to have stopped moving so it’s not going to crush us just yet! We just need to find some way to turn it around or put it to sleep! Then everything should be fine!”

The other ponies around her began to shake at the sight of such a monstrous creature looming over the town. Rainbow was the first to have her knees bend and her flank slipped to the floor. Her body shook uncontrollably. “W-What do we do, Twilight?”

Twilight glanced around at her friends who all now were looking toward her. Even Cloudy seemed to have turned to her leadership.

“Well, Twilight,” Rarity began. “You have dealt with one of these before.”

“That was an Ursa Minor!” Twilight exclaimed. “Majors are a whole other league entirely! They can kill fully grown dragons!”

Spike let out a small audible gulp. Pinkie grabbed Twilight by the shoulders. “Well we need to think of something before-” the sound of chaotic screams and running cut her off, “there’s a panic.”

Everypony rushed to the opposite window and looked out at the town. Ponies were now running in random directions while yelling for help. At first the group assumed it was because of the Ursa but their hopes were lost as they saw what peeked over the houses. A hydra stormed through a house and let out a concerted four part shriek. Timberwolves ran through the streets nipping at ponies hooves. And far off crawling across Town Hall was what looked to be a giant spider!

The hydra barreled through the town and headed east. “My shop!” Rarity shouted. The others turned to her. “…Oh, and Sweetie Belle.” She darted out of the castle before anypony could tell her no.

The timberwolves split off from the townponies and began to head west. “Mah farm!” Applejack shouted. “Doggonit! Not again!” She took off running before Twilight could stop her.

“Applejack!” she shouted, but the pony was already gone. She turned to Cloudy. “Follow her and help her!”

Cloudy glared at her for a moment but sighed and leapt out the window. The next thing the ponies noticed was the spider spinning its web building to building, getting dangerously close to a tall gingerbread house. Pinkie’s eyes widened. “Sorry, Twilight! Gotta go!” She jumped out the window in a manner much like Cloudy but the pink pony merely fell head first to the ground. Twilight stuck her head out to ask if she was okay but the mare was already up and hoofing it to Sugarcube Corner.

“Great!” Twilight shouted. “Just great! What could possibly go worse?”

A small cry echoed out among the many and it hit a certain unconscious mare’s ears. Fluttershy snapped her eyes open and ran to the window. “Angel?! Hold on, Angel! I’m coming!” She then jumped out of the window like the ponies before. Twilight looked on in disbelief. Her mouth agape before she closed it with a deadpan expression and turned to Rainbow Dash.

She sighed. “Just go.”

Rainbow saluted her and gave a small smile. “Sorry!” She then took off after Fluttershy.

Twilight and Spike were left alone now with the sounds of chaos echoing through the halls. Spike stood next to her as he tried to keep his knees from shaking. “So what do we do, Twilight?”

She sighed and hung her head with closed eyes as she thought long and hard then opened her eyes with the fire of a decision made. “Agave.”

Spike tilted his head slightly at the random word but then jumped as he heard the sound of hooves on tile behind him. A zebra mare with earrings and a black jacket walked past him as if appearing from nowhere and approached Twilight. Twilight gave the mare a steadfast look as the mare nodded in greeting. “Take me to Redwood.”

Rarity dashed through the crowds. The flow of the frightened mob seemed to be coming from the direction of her home. Not again, Rarity thought. She slid into the turn on the next corner and her eyes widened. The yellow hydra was now thrashing its heads side to side and tearing up the roofs of the houses. At the end of the street Rarity could see her own previously hole ridden disheveled house. She grit her teeth as fire flashed in her eyes. “Not one more step, you ruffian!” she shouted as loud as she could.

The hydra stopped moving at this. Everypony that was running away now fled past her, none deciding to stick around as the hydra turned its four heads slowly toward her. It narrowed its eyes at the small white mare and started to turn around.

Rarity immediately felt the adrenaline of trying to protect her home leave her. She shrank back slightly. “Um, did I say ruffian? What I meant was… dazzling! Yes, you look simply dazzling, dear!” She smiled weakly at the monster. It stomped up to her, nowhere to run and lowered a head. It bared its teeth to her in a bestial growl. Rarity chuckled nervously. “Ahem, since you’re probably going to do what you’re going to do, I might as well say that… you have the worst breath I have ever smelled.”

The hydra’s eyes widened and it let out a fearsome roar right in her face. Rarity shrank back and covered her eyes as the heads all lunged at her. She waited but no pain came. Instead she heard another roar from the four headed beast and she opened her eyes. One of the heads was reeled back trying to clutch its eye in pain as an arrow stuck out of it. The other heads were darting their eyes around looking for the shooter. Even Rarity began to swivel her head around trying to find her savior.

Another arrow whizzed from seemingly nowhere and another head screamed out in agony. The two screaming heads flailed about before conking each other and throwing themselves back. Each one bashed into the noses of the other two and the hydra tripped over its own feet. It fell backward and slammed its heads against a wall, collapsing it and the house.

Rarity coughed slightly as the dust settled and she saw the hydra lying beaten and unconscious in the pile of mortar and brick. She quickly glanced back up at the rooftops to see if she could get a look at whoever saved her, but there was nopony to be found. Still, something about this made her feel happy. She smiled and glared at the rooftops. “You jerk!” she shouted with a smile before running back ot her house.

Barrel sat behind a chimney on the opposite side of the street, his crossbow slung over his shoulder. He had to slap his forehead at the fact that that meant she probably knew it was him. He chuckled slightly and stood up to leave.

Fluttershy flew to a skid in front of her cottage. Rainbow Dash was right behind her. “Woah, Fluttershy! Calm down! What’s going on?”

Fluttershy looked around nervously. None of her beloved animals were anywhere near, but she was certain that she’d heard Angel Bunny’s voice. “Angel’s in trouble,” she replied. “I heard him screaming.”

Rainbow looked off to the side in thought. “Rabbits can scream?”

Fluttershy burst her own door open. “Angel?” She gasped and took a step back as a large dark figure jumped over her out the door. It landed with a thud between Dash and Fluttershy and lifted its hoof to reveal a small white bunny rabbit struggling within it. Around it’s hoof were three protruding claws that made Fluttershy narrow her eyes in curiosity. Then she saw Angel struggling once more and tried to take a step closer.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow shouted for her to stop. The figure turned her way and glowing yellow eyes glared down at her. Rainbow felt her knees buckle once more but she struggled to stay standing. Gritting her teeth with all she had. Damn it, not now, she thought.

Angel struggled again and tried to hit the figure with his tiny paws. The cloaked pony returned his attention to the bunny and raised its other hoof. Fluttershy saw another set of claws on this hoof as they made a small “ok” sign next to Angel’s head. The figure made a flicking motion and the rabbit’s head snapped back as he fell over.

“Angel!!” Fluttershy shouted with tears.

The figure returned its attention to her, it’s yellow eyes losing a little of its ferocity before it lifted Angel and put him into its hood. Fluttershy and Rainbow saw a greenish gray muzzle with sharp wolf-like teeth stick out and clamp around the lifleless looking bunny. Fluttershy felt like fainting again but she held it together. Her friend needed help.

“Stop!” Rainbow shouted. The figure wasn’t paying attention as the cyan mare slammed into its side. It opened it mouth in shock and let the bunny drop. Fluttershy was fast enough to catch him before he hit the ground. To her relief he seemed to be alive with no bite marks. But that just made her more curious. Wasn’t he going to eat Angel? “Hey, Fluttershy!” She looked up at Dash who was now being bucked like a bullrider as the cloaked figure tried to get her off its back. “A l-l-little he-help!”

Fluttershy set Angel aside and reared up on the figure tentatively. Rainbow had it distracted but she could still barely sneak up on it. The figure turned her way and raised its hooves with a roar like a lion. Fluttershy let out a frightened “eep!” and slashed her hooves forward. She felt herself catch onto something and pull. She heard Rainbow let out a short gasp. Fluttershy then opened her own eyes and looked at her hoof holding the cloak before she looked on disbelief.

Agave led Twilight outside her home and down to the tree line of the White Tail Woods. She stopped as she held out a hoof to a lone figure sitting at the bottom of a hill in quiet meditation. He was wearing the same green vest that she had seen him in before today.

“You know, I don’t have time for this!” Twilight shouted angrily at him. “Why’d you lead me so far from Ponyville? Who knows what those monsters will do? Have done!” Redwood kept his eyes closed as she approached him. She growled and threw up her hooves. “Don’t you care about somepony besides yourself!?”

Redwood opened his eyes at this and turned to her. His face was shockingly serious. “We haven’t talked like this in a while, Miss Sparkle. Just you and me. It’s rare but it’s needed.”

Twilight sighed and rubbed her temples. “Just tell me how to get rid of these.”

Redwood smirked again. “You’re so quick to forget everything you can do.” He got up from the grass and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “I know you care about your friends and the power all of you possess. But you have your own power now.” He took both shoulders and looked directly into her eyes. “Stop wasting it.”

Twilight bit her lip and looked down slightly ashamed. “I… I haven’t been able to do anything like the Summit in months. The last time I accessed those powers I nearly killed somepony.” She dug her hooves into the ground. “I… I don’t want to hurt anypony.”

Redwood nodded and turned away from her. “Then believe you won’t.” Twilight gave him a raised eyebrow. “Everything I’ve told you before? It all stems from self confidence. You are the master of your power. If you believe you’ll hurt somepony then you’ll hurt somepony. But if you believe you can move mountains,” he turned to her with a grin as he donned his fedora, “then I pity the Ursa that gets in your way.”

Twilight was about to argue before Agave was next to Redwood in a nearly impossible flash of speed and then with a blur of motion the two were gone. Twilight gaped at the astounding abilities of the zebra but buttoned her mouth as she thought on his words. “Believe in myself?” She mulled over it for a moment. “How the hay is that supposed to help?!”

Pinkie ran as fast as she could through the streets. She stopped just short of the street to Sugarcube Corner, her body freezing up. In front of the small confectionary stood two ponies and their twin foals as they panicked about the sudden appearance of a giant spider. The eight legged creature had wrapped itself around the giant cupcake on top of the building and was beginning to spin a web across it.

“Get it down!” Cup shouted to her husband.

Carrot looked at her skeptically. “Seriously?! What do you expect me to do? Squash it with a giant newspaper?”

Pinkie could hear the foals beginning to cry as the parents fought. She so wanted to step out and help. To save the place she called home. But her promise to the Cakes still stood. She didn’t want to lose their trust. She had to stay away.

The Cakes’ fighting ceased as the spider stopped weaving and began to descend towards the family, it’s fanged maw clacking open and shut. Carrot and Cup tried to run but the creature spat two streams of webbing at them and they tripped. The foals in their saddlebags began to wail harder as the parents struggled against the string only to get more of themselves stuck. As the spider closed in the two began to see their fates and hugged each other close with closed eyes.

Suddenly a blur of pink shot past them and toward the spider. Time seemed to slow down as Carrot opened one eye and looked up to see Pinkie jumping over them. In her hooves was a giant mallet with and explosion painted on the side. She brought it over her head and sent it down in an arc toward the spider’s head. Even the spider saw this weapon coming closer and let go of the web holding the Cakes. It began to back off but it wasn’t fast enough. Carrot closed his eyes again now expecting a sick crunching sound or splatter of guts. Instead he got something else.

Pinkie’s hammer slammed down on the spider’s head and exploded. Instantly the area was covered in confetti and pink paint. The spider and the Cakes looked around in confusion. Only Pinkie stood clean with a triumphant smile on her face. “Well, you look silly!” she shouted to the spider. “But at least you look ready for the surprise!”

She pulled out a remote control with a large cartoonish red button and pressed it. Smoke began to disperse from the bottom of the cupcake at the top of the café. The spider looked up at it just as twin fireworks popped out of the sides and began to fire. The cupcake began to break away from the roof and lift into the air at an increasing speed. The spider gave Pinkie a confused look before she pointed to its back. The spider glanced behind and saw that it was still attached by its web to the cupcake. It’s multiple eyes widened in fear as the cupcake rose higher and faster making the long web begin to fly away with it. The spider reached back to cut it’s own web but it was too late as the silky string pulled the giant arachnid into the air. It flew higher and higher until the cupcake exploded high above it, shooting the spider off into the distance of the Everfree.

The Cakes both looked up in astonishment and confusion as the cupcake’s explosion created a cascade of colors and lights that rained down against the sunsetting backdrop of the sky. The foals began to laugh and giggle at the sight. Carrot began to mutter to himself. “Y-Y-Y-Y-You…”

“You converted your room into a firework!?” Cup Cake shouted finishing her husband’s thought.

Pinkie stiffened and turned to the Cakes, keeping her head down. “Yes…”

Cup Cake’s eye twitched as she tried to comprehend this. “Pinkie, what were you thinking?”

“I wanted to surprise you guys for your anniversary,” Pinkie mumbled.

It was Carrot Cake’s turn to twitch. “So you turn your own room into a firework?!”

Pinkie lifted her head slightly and gave the parents a small chuckle and shrug. “Kinda?” They looked on at her from the ground with still baffled expressions. Pinkie let out a sigh and reached into her mane to pull out a small container. “Look, I know that I’m not the most mentally reliable mare out there. I can be impulsive, erratic and even I know that I can get scary sometimes.” She poured it on the webs keeping them and they began to dissolve. She helped the couple up and smiled down at the foals. “I want you to know that I understand your decision. But I also want you to know that whatever crazy things I do, I do for everypony else. I would never hurt anypony.” The Cakes both gave each other tentative glances. Pinkie lowered her head again and began to turn around. “That’s… That’s all I wanted to say. I’ll leave you alone now.”

She was a few hooves away when Cup Cake called out. “Wait!” Pinkie stopped. “What was that stuff you used to get us out?”

Pinkie looked back to them and fished inside her mane again. She pulled it out. “You mean this? It’s hoof polisher. I’ve used so much glue before that I keep a big bottle with me wherever I go. Gets the sticky goo off lickety split.”

Cup looked to Carrot who in turn smiled. “That’s a nice tip, Pinkie,” he said. “And quite resourceful too.” He pulled Pound out of his saddle bag and held him as he walked over to her. “You know we haven’t been able to find a proper babysitter since before. And the kitchen has been pretty lonely.” He held out Pound who waved his hooves toward Pinkie with a cute smile. “Maybe we kind of reacted the wrong way to what happened. No, I’m actually pretty sure I reacted the wrong way. Anypony would be lucky to have you. Do you think you could maybe give us a second chance?”

Pinkie looked on with wide eyes and then glanced to Cup. The blue mare nodded her head with a smile. Pinkie looked between Carrot and Pound before tentatively reaching out and taking him. Pound blew a raspberry at her and giggled getting a light chuckle out of her. Pinkie could feel tears beginning to well up as she nuzzled Pound’s cheek.

“It’s good to have you back, Pinkie,” Cup said. “But I’m not sure what we’re going to do about living arrangements considering…” She glanced to the missing cupcaked at the top of the café.

Pinkie waved a hoof at her. “Oh, don’t worry. I got that covered.” She pulled out another remote with a green button this time and pressed it. The Cakes’ jaws dropped as another full sized cupcake popped out from the hole where the previous had been.

“B-B-B-B-B-B-But…” Cup began.

“But how!?” Carrot finished.

“Well, I had to do prepare for something after I shot my room into the sky,” Pinkie replied and headed back inside.

Cup walked up beside Carrot and bit her lip. “Do you… Do you think she has the whole house wired? What if we step on a plank and the oven turns into a flamethrower?”

Carrot looked at the pink mare as she played with Pound and simply sighed. “I really think you’re thinking about this too much.”

Cup saw the two playing and smiled as well. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” They continued staring for a couple more seconds. “We’re still going to get a contractor to scour this place right?”

“Oh yeah,” Carrot muttered as they went inside to join them.

Applejack and Cloudy backed into each other as they both huffed in exhaustion. The timberwolves had proven a little harder to take care of then expected. Granny Smith and Big Mac were outside as well catching their breath and trying to figure out what to do with all the loose twigs and branches scattered across the farm. Applejack lifted her hat and wiped her brow. “Hoo! That was some workout!”

“I’m just glad nopony got hurt,” Cloudy rasped out.

Applejack tilted her head back to the mare and let out a single chuckle. “Y’know, I never really did thank you.”

Cloudy raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“In the beginning,” she replied, “you saved Dash from that psycho in the Everfree.” Cloudy turned back with a look Applejack could only surmise was hiding some guilt. She decided to let it go considering the help the mare had been. “And you didn’t have to help me, but you did. So I owe you for that too.”

It was Cloudy’s turn to chuckle. “I only came because Sparkle ordered me to.”

Applejack leaned her head against the back of the mare’s neck. “Ah know this isn’t the most ideal situation for you. And Ah know you’d rather be back in Canterlot. But you’ve proven time and again, with Dash, with the changelings, with me, that Ponyville could use some of your expertise.” She became slightly grim for a moment. “Ah understand the seriousness of the situation, even though Twilight may not see it. Ah know what it’s like to lose somepony you love and Ah’ll be dead as a doornail before Ah see mah friends hurt.” She glanced back to Cloudy who had her head pointed to the ground. “Just try to understand that you can be a part of that.” Her hoof lifted toward the pegasus’ hoof. “Ah want you to be a part of that.”

Cloudy shifted her gaze to the hoof and for a moment her face showed consideration. She lifted her hoof too but the sound of the screen door slamming open startled them.

“Applejack! Ah got more shovels!” Apple Bloom shouted as she ran through the door. She stopped as she noticed the wartorn sticks littered across the ground. “Aw! You said Ah could get in on the fight if Ah found some more weapons!”

Applejack chuckled at her sister. “Yup, and that’s what a good sister does. Now you don’t have a scratch on you.”

Apple Bloom pouted and went over to join Big Mac and Granny Smith. Applejack turned back to Cloudy but the Pegasus was already up and walking away, stretching her hooves and wings. Applejack sulked a bit and got up as well.

“It’s the strangest thing,” Granny proclaimed. “Two attacks in one day.” Big Mac agreed monosyllabically.

Applejack trotted over to join them. “We’re thinkin’ it’s another pony after Twilight. Ah tell you, Ah wish Ah could just pop one of those villains right in the jaw! But they’re pretty sneaky. Ah’ll bet they’re hidin’ in plain sight too.”

Apple Bloom stopped at her sister’s words and bit her lip. Applejack noticed this and raised an eyebrow. “Sugarcube, you got somethin’ to say?”

Apple Bloom shrunk a bit as her whole family crowded around her. “Well… Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Ah met this new pony in town this morning’. Plus he was with this kinda suspicious pony.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Suspicious how?”

Apple Bloom thought hard for a moment. “Ah… Ah don’t know. And Ah know it’s bad to judge somepony you just met. But somethin’ about him just made me not feel right.”

“What’d he look like?” Cloudy had now joined the conversation as she squeezed herself next to Applejack.

Apple Bloom struggled to remember. “Uh… he had a green vest and a hat. Plus his coat was gray and his mane was white. He told us to call him Ray.”

Applejack didn’t react in time as she saw Cloudy’s eyes widen with anger and she shot into the sky. “Wait!” she shouted but it was too late. Applejack was about to chase after her when she heard the sound of familiar screams echoing from close by. “Fluttershy? Dash?”

Fluttershy stood shakily in front of the uncloaked figure before her. It stood easily a head above her and had a grayish green coat of fur covered in patches of scales. Its legs ended in powerful flat hooves that had dexterous claws trailing off. On its back were a small useless pair of vestigial wings that looked more like a filly’s craft project simile than real ones. Its tail swished back and forth covered sporadically with tufts of hair but ending in a bald sharp point like a lizard. But what made Fluttershy draw back most of all was its eyes. Behind a large muzzle full of sharp teeth were unblinking yellow eyes, slitted like a cat. It froze as the cloak left and glared angrily at her. “I...” Fluttershy began.

The beast snarled and let out another inpony roar as it lifted its hind legs and through Rainbow off its back. Rainbow stopped in midair before turning to gape at the creature again. “What is that!?” she shouted.

The pony creature got low into a defensive crouch and gurgled out a low primal growl at the two. Fluttershy stood still as she listened to its animal voice. “Please,” she whispered in a frightened tone. “We don’t want any trouble.”

The beast looked at her with anger and began to approach dangerously. Fluttershy began to back away.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow shouted and began to fly to protect her.

“Wait!” The Fluttershy shouted as she held up a hoof. “Not yet!”

Rainbow stopped short and cocked her head. “Huh?”

The creature took this moment of confusion to jump over her and land in the branches of a nearby tree. It looked for a brief minute between Fluttershy and Angel before snarling at her again and letting loose a deep howl that seemed impossible to have come from such a beast.

Rainbow and Fluttershy covered their ears as the howl echoed through the forest and town. “Just what the heck is this thing?!” Rainbow shouted over the buzzing in her ears.

Fluttershy held her head in pain but could not tear her eyes away from the creature. Something didn’t feel right about all this. Something didn’t feel right about it. Then the ground shook.

Twilight stopped at the edge of town as she felt the earth shake beneath her. With a shaky turn she looked up at the previously stationary Ursa Major that towered above the town. It was lazily lifting a massive paw over its shoulders, a movement that could only mean a reciprocation of gravity bringing it back down. She had to do something fast or that paw alone would flatten half the town.

A safe distance away from the besieged town, Redwood stood on the road out and looked on impatiently. With stealth that defied reason, Agave appeared next to him. “Have you found him?” he asked. Agave shook her head. Redwood clucked his tongue and looked back at the tableau. The Ursa Major had finished its arc and was preparing to flatten the town now. He tapped a hoof worriedly.

Agave gave Redwood an inquisitive eyebrow raise. Redwood chuckled in response. “No, I’m not worried about him. Everything will turn out fine.” Agave gave a smirk. “I know that because the kid’s a survivor. And so is Sparkle for that matter. No matter what she thinks of herself right now, she has the capability to protect those she cares about.” He paused as his gaze seemed to drift past the scene of the town. “Something I wish I had acquired long before. But she might not be the most important part of this.” He gave Agave a knowing smile.

Agave closed her eyes in recognition of his words but opened them again when her senses warned her. She spun batted away a projectile from the sky headed toward Redwood. The suited pony only seemed slightly perturbed as he looked up to see a familiar purple Pegasus carrying an array of knives. “Hello, Captain,” he greeted cheerfully.

Cloudy gritted her teeth and landed before the two. “You are going back to your cell, Redwood!” she shouted with an alarming amount of hatred, but smiled fiendishly after. “However, I’d love for you to fight back! It would give me such a good excuse to run you through!”

Redwood’s smile faded and he shrugged. “I’m afraid this isn’t quite the time for us to engage in battle. Since as you can see there’s a town in need of saving.”

Cloudy took a step forward which made Agave deepen her defensive stance. “And I suppose you think you’re going to save it?”

“No,” Redwood said. “I’ve already played my part. Now we have to see if the young miss can finish it.”

“You’re talking about Sparkle?” Cloudy asked. “She’s powerful, sure, but even she can’t fight an Ursa Major.”

Redwood smiled. “I never said I was talking about Twilight.”

Fluttershy ran over to Rainbow to help her out after the howl knocked her down. She held a hoof around her friend’s shoulder and looked back and forth between her and the thing in the tree. It looked like a pony in the barest resemblance of the word but she could still sense an intelligence in it. A purpose. And something inside of her was telling her that that purpose was…

“Fluttershy!” Applejack and Rarity rushed to their side from the road. Rarity was about to speak when she caught sight of the thing in the tree. “What in Celestia’s name is that hideous thing!?” she shouted.

The creature bared its fangs at her and gave her a guttural growl. Fluttershy placed her hooves on Rarity’s mouth before she could get out more.

Applejack squinted her eyes at the thing and then widened them in realization. “The Chimera,” she whispered. She pointed a hoof at the thing. “So you’re the pony behind all this?” The creature growled at her now and wrapped its claws around the tree like a cat preparing to pounce down on prey.

Fluttershy bit her lip. She wanted to stop Applejack from angering it further. Something still felt wrong here and she needed to find out what. But the creature seemed to be having none of the cowpony’s guff as it pounced down and tried to intimidate her with its height. Applejack was not frightened, her gaze steely. She pushed her face up at the creature until they were almost nose to nose. “Ah’ve had about enough of all you dirty ponies comin’ here and tryin’ to hurt mah friends!” The creature growled at her and narrowed its eyes menacingly. “You want me, tough guy? Ah’m right here!”

“Stop!” Fluttershy shouted but it was to no avail as the creature shot out a clawed hoof at lightning fast speeds. Applejack was quick enough to dodge it but the resulting blow carved out a hole in the ground. The creature lifted its hoof from the hole it made and turned back to Applejack. The cowpony grinned at it.

“Come on, tough guy! Let’s get to wrasslin’!”

Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow all seemed herded to the side as they watched the two battle. Applejack would dodge primarily as the creature swiped its claws and tail at her. But every now and then AJ would scoop up a bit of dirt and throw it in its eyes. When it was distracted, Applejack turned to about face it and bucked her back legs into its sides. The creature didn’t seem very fazed by these attacks though Fluttershy could notice a slight bit of perspiration and bruising on its tough exterior.

She needed to get them to stop. She needed Applejack to stop. Something was wrong. She could feel it inside. She could fix this. She knew she could. She just needed to speak up. “St-”

“Look out!” Rainbow shouted. Everypony stopped as they looked above, even the creature. Not far in town the Ursa Major’s paw was coming down.

Twilight ran through the town as she watched the paw slowly lower. Ponies all around her ran and bumped their way through in a vain attempt to flee the city limits. She was running out of time.

Finally, she came to a familiar open area. In the center was a familiar gingerbread house café with a certain pink pony trotting nervously in place. “Pinkie!”

Pinkie Pie looked up and rushed over to Twilight in an almost instantaneous dash. “Twilight! You’ve got to do something! It’s almost here!”

Twilight nodded and wracked her brain for any idea but nothing came to mind. She frazzled her mane in an attempt to get her magic working but there was nothing. Tears began to fill her eyes as she choked back sobs. “I… I can’t think of anything. I can’t even concentrate enough to do a spell.” Redwood’s words echoed in her ears. “Every other time he led me through it,” she mumbled. “I… don’t believe I can do this.”

Despite the panicked screaming and running around them, Pinkie heard her mumbled words. She set her face in a serious expression and grabbed Twilight by her cheeks so they were eye level. “Now listen here, Twilight. I don’t know what kind of ideas you’ve gotten into your head if you think that somepony else determines how strong you are. I’ve seen what you can do! Even when you were only Celestia’s student, everything you did you did independent of her. You may have started as a protégé, but you’ve become so much more. So stop doubting yourself. Forget about everything else going on. Be the princess we need right now!”

Twilight’s eyes widened at her usually incoherent friend’s words. When had Pinkie become so mature? She blinked away her tears and nodded. “Right. I’ll try.” Pinkie let her go and Twilight took a deep breath as she looked up at the giant paw. It was now just above the top of town hall.

Twilight closed her eyes and emptied her thoughts. No more thinking about where to live. No more worrying about the bounty. No more fussing over her own insecurities. Just focus on the problem. She felt a warm glow inside and opened her eyes once more.

Pinkie took a step back as Twilight’s body began to glow with ethereal power once more and lifted into the air. Her calm face looked up at the paw and her horn let loose a beam of purple magic. The beam hit the paw and spread out until it became a giant dome that encompassed the whole town. Pinkie gave a silent hoof pump in the air as she saw the paw stop in its tracks. Above the paw the head of the Ursa looked down in confusion. Then it leaned forward, putting more weight on its paw and the dome. Pinkie stopped silently cheering as she noticed a crack snake its way across the dome.

The ponies at Fluttershy’s cottage stared in disbelief at the scene that unfolded. Applejack knew inherently that this dome surrounding them must have been Twilight’s she was trying her hardest so she should too. She turned back to her fight. “Ah’m endin’ this now!” she shouted. The creature gave a growl of agreement.

The two began to gallop at one another, each one letting out their own howls of anger. Moments before they could collide a sound shook the area. “STOP!!!!!!!!”

Both ponies slid to a halt as they turned to Fluttershy who panted slightly and held up her hooves for the two. “Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“This doesn’t have to happen!” she shouted uncharacteristically. She then turned to the creature and walked over to it. Rainbow tried to stop her but missed her chance. As she got closer Applejack got between the two.

“Sugarcube, what the hay are you doing?” she hissed.

“Do you trust me?” Fluttershy asked resolutely.

Applejack was about to answer but stopped as she pondered the question. She didn’t want Fluttershy hurt but of course she trusted her. She sighed and stepped aside. “Ah hope you know what you’re doin’.”

The creature seemed confused at these new actions and stood still. It looked between Fluttershy and Applejack but settled on Fluttershy. It bared its teeth at her, but the Pegasus only broke her stride slightly.

She stopped a few hooves away from it and gulped nervously. “W-Why didn’t you hurt Angel?” The creature looked taken aback by this question. It closed its mouth and narrowed its eyes at her. Fluttershy tried to continue on. “Um, you also took the other animals somewhere safe didn’t you?” Everypony looked confused. “Th-That’s what you were doing with Angel, right? I know how stubborn he can be sometimes.”

The creature opened its mouth as if to answer but then turned away with a growl. It didn’t seem to know what to make of this pony.

“W-Was that also what you were doing with Spike?” she asked. The creature’s ears perked up. “Our dragon friend. The one the parasprites tried to take back.” Fluttershy took its silence as a cue to continue. “You don’t like ponies, do you?” She rubbed her leg pitiably as she said this. The creature lifted its head slightly at this and stared at her. Now that it was still for the most part she could see years of stress and pain behind its eyes and in its fur. Scars adorned its body like freckles.

Above them Applejack and the others noticed the dome above beginning to have spider web cracks. “Uh, sugarcube,” she muttered. “No pressure, but if you could speed this along, that’d be great.”

The creature growled at Applejack but Fluttershy held up a hoof to silence it. “You don’t like ponies. But you know, you and I are very similar in that regard.” The creature raised an eyebrow. “I may not dislike ponies, but I’m not all that good with them. Really the only ones easy enough to talk to are my friends. That’s why I love my animals so much.” She smiled at it. “You love animals too, don’t you? After all, those parasprites weren’t under a spell or anything. They told me you just asked them to do it. You even tried to protect my animals and Spike from the monsters that would be coming.”

Everypony was silent now as she talked Fluttershy had gotten very close to the creature. It didn’t seem to move as she even drew up a hoof and placed it on its shoulder. “I… I wanted to thank you for that consideration.” She smiled up at it and the creature’s cheeks began to blush. “I don’t think you’re like the others. You’ve got a kind heart. I know because I can see it.”

The creature stood there dumbfounded as it scanned the Pegasus looking for some sign of a trick. But her words rang true to all its senses. With a great reluctance and very shakily the creature lowered its head towards her. Applejack was about to step in as it looked as if it would bite her head off but the creature merely lowered its head until it seemed to be bowing to her. Fluttershy looked at the creature in confusion before she smiled with realization and scratched its head. The creature let out a small mew of appreciation.

Rainbow had had enough. “Can somepony please tell me what the hay is going on!?” she shouted.

Her outburst was interrupted as the dome above them finally failed and shattered.

Twilight could feel the overwhelming power of the Ursa force itself down. It wasn’t like any other magic she had ever fought against. It wasn’t magic at all. This was the sheer strength of nature and it was beating her. She grit her teeth and tried to hold her construct together but it finally failed. She felt something in her mind snap as she was torn out of her meditative state. She screamed as she fell to the ground but Pinkie caught her in midair. The pink pony looked up in despair. “Oh no.”

Fluttershy looked to the creature desperately. “Please! I know you don’t like ponies but this is my home. And those ponies out there have done nothing wrong. I’m begging you to stop this!”

The creature looked into her eyes and saw the pleading despair. It seemed to deeply consider her words for a moment and then nodded sadly. In a blink of an eye it was gone and tearing down the hill. “Hey!” Applejack shouted and began to run after it. Fluttershy stopped her and shook her head.

“Just give him a chance,” she whispered. Applejack bit her lip but nodded reluctantly. The others followed it as it came to the highest place it could find. It looked up at the Ursa as its paw finally started to graze and crush the rooftops and chimneys. The creature took a long deep breath and let out a similar howl to the one before. Everypony had to hold their ears as the sound echoed and vibrated through the town.

Immediately the devastation stopped. For the longest moment silence hung over the town as the titanic paw hovered above. Then the paw lifted slowly. Fluttershy watched as the Ursa turned its head toward the creature and let out a low growl that shook the earth. The creature let out a similar growl and bowed its head to the giant beast.

Rarity and Rainbow watched in rapt attention expecting there to be some kind of big disagreement or calamity. Applejack couldn’t keep her eyes off the creature as it seemed to have legitimately saved them. Fluttershy merely smiled.

Finally the Ursa Major lifted itself from its seat as the top of its head scraped the clouds. It gave the creature one last grunt before turning and stomping off to its cave. A collective breath of relief echoed through the town.

Outside the town, Cloudy looked between Redwood and the scene of the Ursa lifting its paw and leaving. She frowned. “That wasn’t magic. Did you have anything to do with that?”

“Not at all,” he replied smugly.

Cloudy had had enough of his smile. “It doesn’t matter! You’re still coming with me!”

Redwood looked her in the eye and for a moment she thought she could see pity in his eyes. She felt her rage begin to boil over. “It seems you’ll never let this go, captain.”

“Not until your behind bars,” she hissed.

“Very well.” He looked to Agave who gave a slight nod of understanding and grabbed something from her jacket.

“NO!” Cloudy reached out but was too slow to respond. The zebra threw down a small pellet that exploded into a giant dense cloud of smoke. Cloudy beat her wings as strongly as she could and the cloud dissipated, but the two criminals were nowhere in sight. “Damn it!!”

“Ugh.” Twilight slowly came to as the world around her came into focus. She tried to lift herself up but her head was killing her and there was something wet on it. “What?”

An orange hoof pushed her back down and shushed her. “It’s alright, Twi. Just lie back down.”

Twilight almost felt herself drift off but a realization hit her. She shot up sending a wet towel on her forehead flying. “The Ursa!”

The towel landed on the ground where Rarity scooped it up and put it in a small bowl on the couchside table. Couch? She finally got a look around. She was in Fluttershy’s cottage. It looked like all her friends were there as well. Everypony except Fluttershy. “Now what did Ah just say about lyin’ back down?” Applejack grunted from beside her.

Twilight blinked a few times. “So… the Ursa’s gone?”

“All the monsters are gone!” Pinkie piped in from the kitchen, carrying a tray of cookies. “Well, thanks to our new friend.”

“New friend?” Twilight asked. Applejack stuffed a cookie in her mouth before she could continue.

“We’ll get to that, Twi,” she chuckled nervously. “In the meantime, we’re just glad you’re alright.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow added. “You put that shield over the whole town for like an hour!”

“Actually it was more like ten minutes, dear,” Rarity corrected.

“Whatever. It was amazing!”

Twilight frowned. “Yeah, but it still wasn’t enough.” Redwood had told her that she could accomplish any feat with the power she had if she just believed she could do it. Was the Ursa really powerful enough to stop her, or was it herself. Did she not really believe in herself?

While she was lost in thought, Rarity walked over to the window and squinted. “Uh oh.”

“What is it?”

“We may have more than one problem to deal with today.”

Outside a large mob had begun to form on the road to Fluttershy’s cottage. It seemed like everypony in Ponyville was grumbling about something or other and one name kept popping up. Twilight’s. “Those ungrateful varmints!” Applejack cursed. “After everythin’ that happened they’re still on about this?”

“It’s quite possible that that’s why they’re here,” Rarity interjected.

“But how did they know to come here?” Rainbow asked.

Pinkie rubbed her hooves together shamefully. “Um, they may have seen me drag Twilight here.”

“Drag?”

“I mean, carry!” she corrected. “Yeah!”

“Ah still can’t believe they want you out of here,” Applejack growled and stomped to the door. “Ah’m gonna go out there and give them a piece of mah mind.”

“Wait, Applejack!” Twilight shouted to her getting her to stop. “I… I know what to say to them.”

The mob had conglomerated in front of the cottage, angry words coming out of their mouths and hooves shaking in the air. The door slowly opened and Twilight limped out with Applejack and Rarity at her sides. Immediately the shouting got louder.

“Everypony please!” Twilight tried to shout over but it faded.

“This is your fault isn’t it!?” “I’ve had enough of being scared!” “Won’t somepony please think of the children!”

Twilight tried to shout over them but nopony seemed to want to listen. Applejack and Rarity glared at the crowd but Twilight simply hung her head in despair.

“ENOOOUUGH!!!!” Everypony stopped as they turned to a window above and the enormous shout that came from it. Fluttershy flew out of the window and slammed down between Twilight and the mob. “I am ashamed of you! All of you! A little something bad happens and you immediately start to blame Twilight.”

“Yeah, but she-”

“She what?” Fluttershy shouted back. “She tried to protect everypony at the cost of her health? She acted quickly to find a nonlethal way of getting rid of those monsters or the changelings?” There was a silence in the crowd as Fluttershy continued on. “Things are going to happen. We can’t just blame Twilight for everything bad that happens. Carrot Top!” She pointed to a yellow mare with an orange mane. “Was it Twilight’s fault when your garden got eaten?”

The mare kicked the dirt. “No, I left the gate open and some mice got in.”

“And Crafty Crate!” she pointed to a strongly built brown Pegasus stallion near the front. “Was it Twilight’s fault that you lost some of the merchandise you were moving?”

“No, it was her fault,” he said gruffly as he pointed behind him to a familiar wall eyed gray Pegasus. Ditzy chuckled slightly and walked back into the background of ponies.

“We can’t control what will happen,” Fluttershy continued. “Twilight is our friend! We can’t just place blame on her for everything that happens! Especially when it’s not her fault.” She looked back to Twilight and gave her a smile. Everypony else in the crowd seemed to now be collectively interested in their hooves.

Twilight smiled back at her friend and gave her a hug. “Thank you, Fluttershy. But I know what I have to do.” She looked out at the crowd. “Mayor?”

Mayor Mare pushed her way through and cleared her throat. “Ahem, yes?”

“I’ll do it.”

Rarity walked up beside her. “You’ll do what, Twilight?”

Applejack frowned. “Twi, you don’t need to do this.”

“It’s the only way I can think to keep this place safe,” she whispered to her. “Mayor. I denounce my citizenship of Ponyville.”

A collective gasp echoed out of the crowd, including Fluttershy and Rarity.

“Twilight! No!” Rarity pleaded as she grabbed her shoulders. “You can’t do something like that.”

Twilight pushed her away and looked at the crowd. “The truth is I HAVE been responsible for the recent attacks. I can’t explain why, but just know that if I could have it any other way I would. It’s for the good of everypony that I break my ties with this town completely. Then you won’t be a target.”

The crowd was silent for a moment. “Oh, that’s a load of hay!!” somepony shouted.

Twilight looked up confused. “Excuse me?”

“You really think something like that is going to make a difference?” somepony else shouted.

Mayor Mare chuckled to herself, drawing the attention. “Princess, do you know how often Ponyville was attacked and damaged before you arrived?” She shook her head. “Used to be ten times a year. And back then we didn’t have a princess to protect us.”

Twilight looked even more confused as the crowd began to nod their heads. “I… don’t understand. Then why did you all want me gone?” Once again everypony was extremely interested in their hooves.

“I think…” the mayor began, “that it comes down to a little bit of overworked enthusiasm. A regular amount of danger is alright, but too much in such a short period of time can fray one’s nerves.” They all nodded their heads regretfully. “I think we were all won over by your friend’s speech anyway.”

Twilight stood awestruck as a hoof slapped her on the back. “You hear that, Twi? You don’t have to leave!”

“You’re still a Ponyvillian,” Rarity smiled. “Well, if you want to be.”

“But... the danger?”

Fluttershy stepped forward. “Twilight, I may be a scaredy cat at times but I’ll try hard if it means you get to stay.”

“Dang it! The quills you buy at my store consist of half my income!” “I’d get bored without your library.” “I want to learn more spells from you!” Everypony seemed to chime in in agreement.

“I think we all want to be there for you, Twilight,” Pinkie said as she and Dash exited the cottage.

Twilight looked around and felt tears begin to sting her eyes. “You guys…” The five crowded her and gave her a hug, the crowd giving a cheer.

After that Pinkie declared that this moment deserved a party. She went back inside and emerged less than a minute later with decorations, snacks and chairs. “So that’s what you two were doin’ in there,” Applejack said to Rainbow.

Rainbow shrugged. “Pinkie said her party sense was tingling and insisted I help prepare.”

The party lasted long into the night as everypony in town danced and played in front of Fluttershy’s cottage. Her petting zoo greatly adored by the fillies and colts.

Throughout the night Twilight noticed Fluttershy sneaking off into her house every now and then and coming back out, usually taking a slice of cake inside and coming out empty. When the party finally seemed to end and everypony went home she confronted her.

“Alright, Fluttershy. What are you hiding?”

Everypony in the cottage froze, especially Fluttershy who bit her lip. “Well, um…”

Applejack cleared her throat. “Yeah, remember that ‘friend’ we mentioned before?”

They all looked to Fluttershy who smied weakly and looked up at her bedroom upstairs. “It’s okay! You can come out now!”

A moment passed and then a tall mass of pony shot out the door and jumped over the bannister to the living room. Twilight stepped back in surprise as the thing lifted its glowing eyes to her but then showed a toothy smile and panting tongue. “What is it?” she asked nervously.

“‘It’ is a pony named Dikiy,” Fluttershy replied as she scratched behind its ear. “Dikiy Zver.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide. “D-D-Dikiy Zver? As in Zver the reclusive Yakutian billionaire?”

Everypony turned to her. “What are you talkin’ about Rarity?”

She brought her hoof to her chest and smiled proudly. “I make it my business to know the names of every pony of wealth in case they ever become clients. The Zver Foundation is worth billions of bits and owns as well as operates hundreds of animal preserves. The inheritor of the estate has never been seen. You’re saying this is him?!”

Fluttershy looked into Dikiy’s eyes and he nodded. “I guess so?”

Rarity put her hoof to her head and fainted.

Hundreds of miles away on a mountain top, a spirit of chaos watched the six laugh at Rarity’s reaction through a glowing portal. “I’m glad to know there will be somepony around to protect her,” he mused. The portal closed and he sighed. “I’m not glad to know that its already time.” Behind him stood an armored figure in a black battle suit. A visor and face mask hid his eyes mane.

“Discord,” he said through a magically filtered voice. “You disrupt the plans of Romane. You must be dealt with.”

Discord lifted his arms to his side and smiled. “Oh, I know. I’m a deity, fortune telling comes with the schtick so I know I won’t be able to win against you.” The armored pony did not respond but pulled an orb from his pocket and stepped forward. “Of course that doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy on you.”

Suddenly the ground beneath the pony’s feet gave way and he was floating in midair. Discord snapped his fingers and appeared before him. “You look like you need to lighten up.” He snapped again and the sun appeared above. Only this was a much more cartoonish sun that shot its rays of light like laser cannon. The armored pony unfolded his wings and dodged the beams with deft accuracy before landing. He turned on the spirit of chaos and charged.

“Too slow!” Discord shouted as he flung up a magical wall between them. The armored pony reached for his belt and snapped a small talisman in half. A red aura surrounded him and he easily crashed through the wall. Discord was taken aback as he looked at the red magic surrounding the pony. “Ah, so that’s the game is it? Boy, Celestia is not going to be happy about this.”

The pony moved too fast for him to react and threw the orb at him. The draconequus lifted his hands to defend himself but they were already being sucked into the orb. He struggled against it but it was no use. He sighed as he resigned himself to his fate. “Oh, well.” He looked to the armored pony. “You know I can see a lot of things but your boss winning this fight isn’t one of them. Then again I can’t see anything past two years from now so who knows.” His words lingered in the air as his body was swallowed up by the orb.

The armored pony walked over to it and picked it up, the orb now aglow. He put it in his belt and then pulled out a round shell. “Mission accomplished.”

“Good,” came a reply. “Report back to Thrush and see to it that he delivers the spirit.”

“Yes, Romane.”

Applejack returned to the farm late at night. Surprisingly enough Twilight accepted the strange pony faster than she thought she would. Well, she kind of didn’t have a choice when Fluttershy insisted. She still couldn’t believe that her skittish friend wanted him to stay over. Applejack wanted to stay over as well in case anything happened but Fluttershy told her not to worry. They settled with Dikiy sleeping outside with the animals, which he seemed entirely up for. Rarity left muttering something about how she couldn’t believe a billionaire was sleeping in a chicken coop.

She reached the gates to Sweet Apple Acres and saw the lights still on inside. Odd, Apple Bloom should have gone to bed by now and Celestia knows Granny should have. She opened the rickety door and saw Apple Bloom sorting through a bunch of pictures she had dumped from the family chest. “Now what in tarnation are you still doin’ up?” she asked.

Apple Bloom jumped. “Applejack? Ah’m sorry. It’s just that somethin’s been buggin’ me all day.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “And what would that be?”

Apple Bloom frowned in thought. “That stallion Ah met today. There was somethin’ about him. Somethin’ like I’d seen his face before. Ah just can’t remember. So Ah thought Ah’d look through these.”

Applejack looked concerned. She recognized Redwood? How? From where? Then again, Applejack herself had felt this odd nostalgia ever since she saw him as well. But she kept telling herself it was probably just anger.

She knelt down beside her sister. “Did… Did you find anythin’?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “No. And Ah’ve been through every picture here. Maybe he’s just not in the memories.”

Applejack felt a little relieved to hear that. She put a hoof around her little sister and pulled her close. “Come on, sugarcube. Ah think you’ve done enough sleuthin’ for today.” Apple Bloom yawned and nodded. The two scooped up the last of the pictures and dumped them into the chest before heading upstairs, Applejack blowing out the last candle as they went to bed.

A moment passed and another candle was lit. Granny Smith peeked her head out of her room to make sure her granddaughters were asleep. She gave a silent sigh of relief and shut her door. The drawer by her bed was open and she walked right to it. Inside were many pictures two colts playing as children. Some were even of the two older with both smiling absent mindedly at the camera. She picked up the photos and brought her candle close to them as if to set them on fire, but the look in one of the colt’s eyes caught her and she stopped. She let out a long painful sigh and put them back in the drawer before shutting it. “We ain’t family without memories. Even the painful ones.” She blew the candle out and all went black.

Luna stared out at the night sky, her head in the clouds and her anger simmering in her stomach. “Are you alright, Luna?” Celestia asked as she entered the balcony.

Luna pursed her lips. “That is all, correct?” she asked. “Everything you’ve told me. That is every secret you know?” Celestia nodded. She turned to her with a frown. “And that’s why you’ve never let me go on-”

“Luna,” Celestia cut her off. “Don’t lose sight of what’s important. You know everything I know now, which means we are both responsible for whatever happens next.”

Luna turned her head again back to the horizon as Celestia walked up next to her. “You were right to keep this from me,” she finally said.

“Don’t say that.”

Luna turned to her sister with confused and worried eyes. “I… don’t know what to do.”

Celestia wrapped a wing around her and pulled her close. “That is why I will be here every step of the way.”

A small boom sounded and the palace shook slightly. “They’ve already begun?”

Celestia nodded again. “That infernal tunnel needs to be destroyed. We can’t have any more surprises.”

“You never told me about the tunnel.”

Celestia frowned. It was the first time Luna had seen her worried in a long time. “That is because I didn’t know about it.”

They stood there and listened to the muted sounds collapsing dirt and rock beneath their hooves, a dark shadow over their thoughts.

The Jagter Tribe (No. 61)

Author's Note

Okay so maybe long is going to be the norm. I like to think of these as episodes instead of chapters anyway. No "previously on..." this time as well. Let me know if you want me to keep doing those.

The Jagter Tribe (No. 61)

Haylee’s Traveling Circus was beloved by all Equestrians big and small. Running for close to eighty years, nearly everypony has heard of the circus and the delights it provides. From clowns to acrobats to jugglers to lion tamers. It is a wonderful world of magic.

“That was a great show last week, guys!” The current proprietor, Baley Haylee, shouted to his troop as they marched down the long road to their next destination. They had just finished a gig in Hollow Shades and were on their way to a town called Ponyville. With the circus packed up the colorful costumes of the performers seemed off in comparison to the giant beige colored wagons that held the tent and other supplies. “I’m really proud of you! We brought a lot of smiles back there!” Everypony smiled. “But there are a couple of things I think we could improve upon.”

The troop let out a resounding groan. Haylee’s “little notes” could be anything but and the stallion tended to drone on. “Now come on, guys, let’s all be professional here.” He stood on the back of a wagon as it was pulled along by the strongpony up front as he addressed the crowd walking behind him. He pulled out a small notepad. “Alright, fire throwers!” Two bright orange mares in decorative gloves raised their hooves. “Yes, you stood a little too close to center stage this time. I know you don’t want to accidentally burn the audience but how can they see if you don’t get close. Uh… Tough Hide!”

A blue stallion near the back lifted his hoof. “I’m going to need you to go back to taking care of the lions. Whiplash nearly got his tail bitten off.” Another pony in a top hat rubbed his hind quarters at that mention. “And… our new acrobats!”

In the far back, apart from anypony else, walked four ponies in sleek blue costumes that covered every inch of their bodies including their faces. All that showed through were a set of goggles on each of them died a reddish hue. “Great work out there! But you came in a little late. Remember it’s right after the jugglers but before the clowns.” The four didn’t seem to respond or even acknowledge him as they walked along. “You hear that?” One finally gave a small nod. “Good!”

They continued to walk until nightfall when they camped down on the side of the road. Everypony seemed to take their place in some kind of social group as they huddled around the fires and ate merrily. Crickets chirped and the sound of wildlife gave the night a beautiful atmosphere. The four acrobats staying off to the side. A mare with a green mane and yellow coat leaned over to her companion as she watched them. “Hey, do those guys give anypony else the creeps?”

“You too?” her companion replied. “I don’t know, it’s just kind of weird how they never talk.”

“Has anypony seen them out of their costumes?” another asked.

“I think Haylee said they were a group of travelling zebras.”

“Zebras?” the yellow mare said surprised. “I’ve never seen a zebra before.”

“Do you think they’re disfigured under there?”

“Oh, be quiet. They’re probably just shy.”

The yellow mare looked back to the acrobats but was surprised to find them gone. “Did anypony see where they went?”

They all shrugged and went back to their dinners. The mare frowned as she too went back to her meal before realizing something. She looked up from her fire and noticed that the other fires were now empty too. Had everypony already turned in for the night? “Hey, is there a curfew or someth-”

She paused as she looked back to her friends. Their seats were now gone as well. The mare put down her bowl slowly and looked around. The camp looked deserted. How was that possible? Then something else hit her. Where were the crickets? It was like all sound had faded from existence. Even the fire’s crackling seemed out of place. She looked at the fire and saw a flash of red just beyond it. Two circular orbs in the darkness accompanied by a dark blue. She opened her mouth to scream but before any sound left a hoof was pressed against her muzzle from behind and she was pulled from the fire and into the darkness.

Silence fell over the camp as the fires sputtered and crackled in the moonlight. Without word or order four figures walked from the shadows and disrobed their blue uniforms, tossing them to the side. They proceeded to the closest wagon and rigged it to two of them while the other two went inside it. The four began to walk down the road in the darkness as the fires behind them, left uncontrolled, grew bigger. Within a few minutes the tents and attractions were an inferno and the four simply proceeded onwards toward their goal. Toward the town called Ponyville.

She was having that dream again. Fire surrounding her. The feeling of helplessness. The bodies. Then the wall collapses and he’s there. The look in his eyes. Anger. Pure unadulterated hatred.

Cloudy opened her eyes and shot up in bed breathing heavily. “Woah!” Spike shouted from beside her. He fell on his back in surprise trying to collect himself. “S-Sorry! Didn’t mean to disturb you! Just wanted to know if you wanted breakfast.”

Cloudy caught her breath and looked at the dragon. He had been bugging her for a while now ever since she moved in. Sure he was Twilight’s assistant but he didn’t need to act that way around her. In fact, she preferred if he didn’t. “I’m fine, thanks. Don’t worry about me.” She grabbed the sheet and rolled over in bed again.

“Okay, if that’s what you want,” Spike said as he slowly closed the door. Cloudy didn’t move or turn around. She heard the door click behind him and she turned her head to look at the ceiling. What was she doing here? It had been months, MONTHS, since Celestia sent her here. CRO was in total disarray still and Shining Armor had been with his wife for weeks. The thought of the Captain Armor from before, the one that turned out to be a changeling, giving her orders made her sick. Add to the fact that she was almost certain that Redwood was hiding somewhere in this town made her want to tear the place apart. She wanted to punch something. Hard. Really hard.

The door opened a moment later nearly clipping Spike’s tail off. He jumped in place as Cloudy stomped past him toward the front door. “Wh-Where are you going?!”

“Out!” she shouted back as she slammed the front door.

“At least take a sweater!” Spike got out before he winced as he heard the sounds of a window shattering. He sighed and walked toward the noise. As he turned a corner he bumped into a familiar face that appeared to have been hiding there. “Twilight?”

“Oh! Uh, hi Spike,” she greeted nervously. “Um, I see Cloudy left.”

Spike gave her a deadpan expression. “Were you hiding from her?”

“What? No!” Twilight waved her hooves dismissively, trying too hard. Spike wasn’t convinced. Twilight gave a sigh. “Okay, yes. But what can I say? I know Celestia wants her to make friends, but she’s not like anypony I’ve ever met. The others had a strong foundation because they wanted to make friends. This is like building something from a swamp! It collapses before you can even begin.”

“Excuses, excuses,” Spike muttered.

“What?”

Spike straightened up. “Nothing! Look, even if you can’t build a friendship right away you still need to start somewhere. You’ve been thinking of so many ways to approach her but I don’t think you actually have once.”

Twilight bit her lip. “You’re right. I just need to suck it up, don’t I?”

“It would probably also work if you didn’t put it like that.”

Rainbow rubbed her hoof in the dirt pensively as she stood in front of a normal brick building. The sign on the door said “Ponyville Psychiatry”. Rainbow stared up at the words with a sense of dread and nervousness. Every time she took a step toward it a pony would pass by and she would play it off by walking past it. Cold air turned to mist in front of her as she took deep breaths.

“Come on, Dash!” she muttered to herself. “Just get in there and get it off your chest. Nopony is going to judge you or think less of you.” Words she’d heard from Pinkie multiple times, the mare strangely enough being the one to most forcibly push her to therapy. She also tried to think of Scootaloo. The filly thought the world of her and though she hadn’t spent much time with her since emerging from her house, she could tell Scootaloo was worried about her. “Just get it over with, you big dummy!” she shouted into the air.

Everypony on the street stopped to stare at her and Rainbow blushed profusely and tried to bury herself in her scarf. “Well I see you’re up and about.” The voice made Rainbow pause and a heat began to grow in her gut. She turned to see a familiar purple Pegasus saunter toward her.

“Hello, captain,” she greeted through gritted teeth. Cloudy seemed to show no awareness or interest in Dash’s animosity. “Just what are you doing here?”

Cloudy rolled her eyes. “Can’t a pony take a walk without getting the third degree?” Her words were lined with a bitterness that she could relate to. But for some reason it made her hate the mare all the more.

“Hey, you called out to me!” Rainbow grunted giving her a cold shoulder.

“That’s because you didn’t seem too hot after the last time we met. I heard you’ve been in your house for the past couple weeks.”

Rainbow gaped at her. “We saw each other at the whole Ursa Major thing!”

Cloudy simply scratched her cheek nonchalantly. “Really? Guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

Rainbow felt her eye twitch. Okay, forget therapy. “That’s it!” she shouted while jumping into the air. “I have had enough of you!” She forcefully pushed Cloudy in the chest and the mare stumbled back tripping into a puddle. Deep inside her there was a little Pinkie Pie screaming in her ear to stop what she was about to do but all the rage was boiling over and Rainbow couldn’t stop it now.

Cloudy got up slowly and wiped the mud from her face. Her eyes narrowed like daggers. “Fine,” she hissed. “I was looking for something to pummel anyway!”

They were about to go at it when a mumble off to the side stopped them both. A couple of ponies stood to the side of the road whispering to each other and giving nervous looks. “Not here,” Rainbow said in a much more quiet tone. “Field outside town. Ten minutes.”

“I’ll be there,” Cloudy replied in an equally quiet manner. The two gave each other an indignant “humph” and walked off in separate directions. Somewhere in her head, Rainbow’s little Pinkie shook her head in dismay.

Rarity had been having a rough week, or that is to say, a tired week. She had been spending every moment outside work scouring the town for Barrel. It was pretty obvious that it was him that saved her from the hydra a week ago. And if what Twilight said was true, that Rayleigh Redwood was in town, then maybe, just maybe he was too.

Deciding to take a break from her search, and the fact that it was getting too cold to keep going, she trudged up the hill to Fluttershy’s cottage. Maybe some tea with her friend would cheer her up. Or maybe she just needed to get the thought of that big jerk out of her system.

As she passed the tree line and the cottage came into sight an enormous crash made her jump. There was some kind of clatter coming from inside her house. “Oh no! That’s not for standing on!” Fluttershy’s voice came through the door. “Wait! Don’t scratch that! Angel, grab his tail! Oh no! Angel!”

Rarity quickened her pace and slammed through the door. “Just what in Celestia’s name is going on here?!”

Everypony seemed to freeze, including the tall pony hybrid with a bag of flour over his head. Angel Bunny was hanging on for dear life from his tail as it swished back and forth. Fluttershy meanwhile was directly beneath the hulking figure, seemingly pinned by him. She blushed profusely. “Um… I can explain.”

After everything had been cleaned up and Dikiy had been released from his flour sack prison, the two friends sat down for some tea that had survived the skirmish. Fluttershy sat on the couch with Angel Bunny curled up next to her. On her other side on the floor was the curled up Dikiy Zver, the pony hybrid known as the Chimera. A billionaire/vigilante in Yakutian territories.

Rarity sat in her chair a little straight as she watched him. “Fluttershy, I thought you said you would send him home days ago?”

“I know,” she replied wearily. “And I’ve tried to convince him but Dikiy just likes it here in Ponyville so much.” She scratched him behind the ears and he lifted his scaly head to purr. It seemed like it wasn’t Ponyville he was interested in. Rarity wasn’t comfortable with the thought of somepony like him staying with her friend. She probably wouldn’t be comfortable with anypony that tried to kill them living with her.

“I still don’t understand how an heir to a billion bit fortune turns out like… this?” she asked waving her hoof at the hybrid.

Fluttershy’s expression became solemn as she petted him. “Dikiy told me he’s not the legitimate heir. Apparently Mr. Zver fell in love with a dragon but it was against Yakutian tradition. Dikiy was born in secret and abandoned by his mom. Mr. Zver tried to raise him in seclusion the best that he could but…” her voice became a little hoarse as if trying to hold back tears. “There could be long stretches between when they’d see each other. Dikiy pretty much had to raise himself.”

Rarity lowered her head. She hadn’t thought about how bad some cultures may have it out there. In Equestria, all races were accepted so intermarriage was more common. Outside the country though there were pony countries slightly more dedicated to purist pony philosophies. Perhaps Dikiy could have had a normal life if only he was born here. It made her think, where had Barrel been born? Did he have to deal with injustices like that? Just how far removed were they?

“If you’re sure that he’s safe then I’ll trust you on that,” Rarity sighed.

Fluttershy smiled at her. “Thank you.” She noticed Rarity’s face fall slightly. “Is everything okay?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing. I just came over to get my mind off of something.” And it doesn’t seem to be working.

“Oh? And what would that be?”

Rarity smirked. She came to get Barrel off her mind not talk about him. Yet… “I may have met this… stallion back when I was in Baltimare.”

Fluttershy spit out her tea making Angel Bunny jump. “You- Wha- Rarity did you actually-”

“NONONO!” Rarity shouted before her friend could finish her thought. “I didn’t… we didn’t do anything. As I said, I MET a stallion. Just an interesting stallion who helped me when I needed help.”

Fluttershy seemed to calm down. Honestly the yellow mare could go off at the slightest mention of anything embarrassing or unseemly. It made Rarity wonder how she dealt with living with a stallion almost twice her size.

“Well, if he helped you then he sounds like a nice pony.”

“Yes, he was.” She paused. “Well, he is. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I think he’s in town now.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

“Only I think he’s avoiding me.”

“Oh, that’s bad.”

“But I think it’s for a good reason.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“But it could be just because he’s listening to his jerk of a boss.”

“That’s… bad?” Fluttershy paused for a moment. “Rarity you seem to really care for this pony.”

Rarity’s face flushed. “What!? No I don’t.” Fluttershy gave her a witty smile. “Well, maybe not like that. I mean, I’ve only seen him that one time and…” she sighed. “I guess I just want to help him.”

Fluttershy reached over and patted her arm. “I can get that.” She pulled back and shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’m sure if that’s how you truly feel about him, then he must feel that way about you. Just give him time and he’ll come to you. And if that doesn’t work I can help you find him.” She gave her a wink.

Rarity chuckled slightly. “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

Twilight stood at in front of her door contemplating her next action. Spike was right, she was avoiding making friends with Cloudy. Like studying for a super hard test she just had to buckle down and do it. But how to go about it? She had been trying to remember how she made friends with the others but the more she thought about it the more a hard truth just kept hitting her. Everypony I know has come to me to be friends. “Have I ever made a single friend myself?” Twilight asked herself.

Suddenly the door knocked making Twilight jump. “Coming!” She opened it to be greeted by a familiar and all too missed sight. “Shiney!”

Shining Armor held his arms open as Twilight ran into them and the siblings embraced. “It’s good to see you too, Twiley.”

Twilight pushed him away with a worried look. “I thought you were still resting up in the Crystal Empire? Are you sure you should be travelling right now?”

Shining chuckled and waved a dismissive hoof. “It’s seriously alright, Twilight. It’s been close to a month and Cadence has been taking care of me.” Twilight smiled and breathed a sigh of relief at that, but Shining’s smile faded. “She’s also told me about all the things that have happened since I was replaced.”

“Oh?”

He took her by the shoulder. “Why don’t we go inside. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

They walked inside and to the library where Shining told her to sit down. “So, what’s this about?”

Shining took a breath and had a hard time looking her in the eyes. “Twilight, I want you to come live with me and Cadence in the Crystal Empire.”

“What?” she asked.

“Believe me, if I had it my way you would stay here, but both Ponyville and Canterlot have proved to be dangerous places. The Crystal Empire is protected, at least more than Canterlot right now. You’ll be safe there until we can figure everything out.”

Twilight looked at her brother like he was crazy and then began to chuckle. Shining raised an eyebrow. “I know how much you worry about me. But I’m not going.” Shining looked as if he was about to argue but Twilight stopped him. “I thought that things would die down if I left Ponyville too. But everyone convinced me otherwise. I want to stay here. Not just because it’s my home but because I want to protect it. I want to show whoever is after me that I won’t be intimidated. I want to become the princess that everypony believes me to be.” And that should start with helping Cloudy, she mentally added.

Shining stayed silent for a moment as he contemplated her words. “Alright,” he finally said. “If that’s how you really feel. But that doesn’t mean I still can’t worry about you. I’m going to double the guard around town. Tell me where Captain Gust is so I can coordinate with her.”

“Actually I was just going to go find her.”

“You mean she leaves you alone?” Shining asked with a hint of worry.

“It’s alright,” Twilight added hastily. She didn’t want to get Cloudy in trouble. “She usually just takes a walk around town to… uh… do reconnaissance.”

“Oh.” Shining seemed satisfied. “Well, I guess we can wait for her then and catch up.”

Twilight sighed inwardly as she sank back in her seat. She was happy to talk to her brother but she really needed to ride this high and go befriend Cloudy before she wussed out again. “Yeah, sure.”

Rayleigh Redwood stood in front of a familiar place. It was only a few months ago that he first stood here in front of the Royal Academy to turn himself in to the Guard. Now the School and its secret headquarters beneath were in disrepair, most of the soldiers and teachers taken leave. Construction workers set up a perimeter with tape that he could not cross but stood just outside to watch.

How? How had they known he was there? Not just Silk, but Inferno too. Both ponies knew of a secret series of tunnels beneath Equestria and used them for their schemes. Whoever knew about him also knew about that, something not even an immortal like Celestia knew about. All he had was a name. “Romane,” he muttered under his breath.

Giving the school he had once called home and his jail one last look he turned and began a walk to the market. Normally he would try to keep an eye out for wherever his bodyguard, Agave, hid while following him, but this time he knew she wasn’t there. He had ordered her to stay behind in Ponyville, along with Barrel. This was something he needed to do on his own.

The market was quite busy for early in the morning as ponies of high society were walking about in their late fall attire. He walked down to the park section of the market and sat on a bench in the middle of the wide area. Ponies passed paying him no mind as he had his hat down and pulled out a bag of popcorn and began to throw it on the ground for pigeons. After a few minutes a green stallion with a large wool hat and scarf quickly sat behind him on the opposite bench. Redwood looked up from feeding the pigeons and sighed. “This really is your first time, isn’t it? You know, it’s actually less inconspicuous to be on the same side of the bench, then our voices wont project outwards when we talk.”

The stallion seemed to contemplate this for a moment then got up and walked around the bench with his head down. He sat next to him trembling with what appeared to be a mixture of cold and embarrassment. “See?” Redwood asked. “This makes it much easier to talk.”

The stallion lifted his large wool hat slightly to glare at him. “Not that I wanted to talk to you.”

Redwood chuckled. “Oh, come now, Sidq. You didn’t complain too much about the donation in your account.”

“About that,” Seek grimaced angrily and pulled out a bag of bits, tossing it on the bench between them. “I don’t know how you weaseled your way into my bank and I don’t want to know. Here’s your dirty money, take it and leave me alone. That’s all I wanted to say.”

He got up to leave when Redwood spoke. “I need your help.”

Seek chuckled. “Yeah, I figured that.”

“It’s not anything evil,” he specified.

“Yeah, I figured that too,” Seek replied a little more sarcastically. “Look, I don’t know what you’ve been up to or what you want from me, but I want no part of it. Ever since CRO shut down I’ve been out of the loop. They have me working in the mailroom of the castle.” He said that last bit with more than a hint of aggravation. “What could you possibly need me for?”

Redwood tipped his hat back to look at him. “Actually, it’s because you’re in the castle mailroom that I need you.” Seek bit his lip and narrowed his eyes but sat back down.

“You swear this isn’t anything nefarious?”

“Call the guards if you don’t believe me.” He pointed to a corner of the park where a royal soldier was patrolling. Seek really seemed to consider it before scratching his head roughly with his hooves and groaning.

“Fine! What is it?”

Redwood grinned. “I need you to get a message to somepony for me.”

On the outskirts of town Rainbow waited on the hill where she and Cloudy would finally settle their score. By now she had had a few hours to think about it and doubts had begun to creep up, but every time she considered backing out, anger outweighed her. That mare had done nothing but disrespect her since she got here. Now Rainbow was really going to prove how much better she was.

“Well, well, well,” Cloudy muttered as she walked up the hill from the opposite side. “I honestly didn’t think you had it in you.”

Rainbow grit her teeth as she glared at her. “I’m surprised you showed up too. Not exactly royal guard material to get into a fight with somepony.”

Cloudy seemed a little riled by this which pleased Rainbow to no end. “I’m only here to put SOMEPONY in her place. You brought the dragon, now you get the fire.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Whatever. I’m going to prove to you what a Wonderbolt can do.”

They squared off facing each other and splayed their legs in preparation to charge. “Fine by me.” A moment passed between the two as a leaf tumbled past them. When it fell over the edge of the hill they both took that as a moment to go.

Rainbow yelled loudly as she flew at Cloudy, charging headfirst. Cloudy merely sidestepped her and jumped in the air taking the fight to the skies. Rainbow stopped her charge and turned around to fly up at her once more. Cloudy rolled her eyes as Rainbow approached.

She grinned as she was mere inches away from the mare before Cloudy’s body twisted in midair around her and she kicked Rainbow in the back. Rainbow caught herself before falling and she spun on her. “Hey! What the heck was that?”

Cloudy chuckled. “Obviously the Wonderbolts have lost a lot of credibility if they’re recruiting ponies like you.” Rainbow growled and charged blindly again. “Seriously?” Cloudy did the same maneuver as before bending her body around Rainbow and this time giving her a slightly stronger kick that did send her to the ground. “Have you only got one move?”

Rainbow got up from the ground and wiped the dirt from her mouth. Any hints of doubt about this fight were washed away as she now had one goal. Hit. That. Mare.

Rainbow let loose another yell and shot off at incredible speed making a small seismic wave on the ground. Cloudy’s dodge didn’t work this time as Rainbow was too fast and the two connected in midair. They struggled against each other falling and rising in the air as they struggled to keep aloft.

Rainbow finally landed a punch on Cloudy’s cheek. The purple Pegasus responded equally viciously by kneeing her in the stomach. “Just… what is your… deal?!” Cloudy shouted through grunts as they continued to struggle.

Rainbow threw her own kick into Cloudy’s side and she reciprocated. “You… OW! You’re just a jerk!”

“I’m a jerk!?”

“Yeah! You don’t… care about anypony but yourself! Ugh!”

“You don’t even know me!!”

“I know a jerk when I see one!”

The two finally separated and floated in midair staring each other down. Rainbow had an enormous bruise on her arm and a cut under her eye. Her old injury to her wing was also acting up making her wings off sync slightly. Cloudy wasn’t all too better with a black eye and large bruise on her chest. Her right arm had a cut as well. She glowered ferociously at Rainbow. “You think everypony has to be like you? You think that all of Equestria is some kind of idyllic little Podunk town like this? I am what I am because that’s what I am! You don’t like it then just leave me alone!!”

Cloudy suddenly convulsed in the air and slapped the back of her neck. “What… was…” She didn’t finish as the world around her began to grow blurry and her eyelids began to flutter. Suddenly she felt like she’d just completed a marathon and every muscle in her body wanted to collapse. Her wings stopped flapping and she fell.

Rainbow’s eyes widened as she watched Cloudy begin to fall and she rushed to go save her. A quick pain in her neck made her grimace and she landed unceremoniously on the ground as Gust had. She struggled to her hooves but an overwhelming exhaustion took her. Two figures in combat boots and masks came from the forest side of the hill and began to drag Cloudy off. Rainbow tried to reach out and yell but her vocal chords were like jelly. The last thing she saw was another of the same masked figures standing over her and grabbed her legs. Then she blacked out.

Barrel stood by the fountain of Ponyville Park and impatiently kicked a pebble. He had now been waiting for nearly an hour out in the open for his friend to come back with food. What if Rarity had walked by? He scanned the park around him with its low amount of trees and bushes to hide in. This place was a sniper’s paradise, but not so much for one off duty trying to hide from the mare he liked.

A flush of red came to his cheeks as that thought crossed his mind and he let a little steam out with a sigh. “Damn it, Agave, you made me wait here on purpose.”

It was cold, cold enough that not a lot of ponies were out at the park. So he pretty much had the place to himself. He wrapped his coat around him a little tighter and pushed his cap down more just in case though.

After a few moments he turned around and jumped to see Agave standing behind him. “Whahuh!?” Agave placed a white bag with fast food on the edge of the fountain. Her scarf was pulled over her mouth but Barrel could tell she was grinning. “How long did you wait there for that?” he asked indignantly.

Agave wore her standard black jacket with a blue scarf around her neck and the lower part of her face. She had also changed her manestyle for the weather, braiding it into coils and wrapping them up in a bun so she could fit a pair of blue ear muffs. Barrel had only known the mare officially for a few weeks but she didn’t quite seem the talkative type. Any cconversations he or Redwood having with her often being one-sided. Still she seemed to understand him for the most part.

He pulled a veggie burger from the bag and took a bite of it. The warmth felt good in his stomach. “Ah~, remind me again why we’re out here anyway?” Agave didn’t respond simply chewing on a hay fry. “I mean, Redwood is out of town. Why don’t we just go back to the hotel?”

Again the zebra didn’t respond merely checking her surroundings. Barrel sighed, knowing he was never going to get a response. “Fine. I guess we can finish eating here.”

“Can we have some?” Barrel’s eyes widened and he looked down to see a familiar trio of fillies staring up at him with smiles. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were dressed in warm scarves and coats making them look even more adorable. Sweetie Belle was giving him the big sad eyes.

Barrel sighed and turned to Agave with a lidded expression. “This is why you wanted to be out here.” Agave let out a small chortle, her icy façade cracking for a moment. Barrel turned back to the girls and grabbed the bag of hay fries. “If I give you some, will you leave me alone?”

“Didn’t your boss say you had to play with us?” Scootaloo interjected. “So even if you do give us some of your fries you still have to hang with us.”

Barrel sighed once more and hung his head. “Fine, just take it.” He handed the fries to Sweetie Belle.

“Thank you!” she said and dug in with Scootaloo.

Barrel noticed Apple Bloom staring and turned to see her staring at Agave. “Something wrong?”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “No, it’s just your friend looked a lot like somepony we know.”

“Well, she is a zebra,” Barrel said.

“Hey, that’s not nice,” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “Not all zebras look alike.”

“Yeah, but she was the one who…” Barrel threw up his hooves in defeat. “Never mind.”

“Hi, ma’am,” Apple Bloom greeted Agave. “Mah name is Apple Bloom, what’s yours?”

Agave stared at Apple Bloom in silence before looking to Barrel. “Oh, you want me to be the interpreter? You got me in this mess, get yourself out of yours.” Agave merely frowned at him. Barrel rolled his eyes. “Her name is Agave.”

“How come she doesn’t talk?” Scootaloo asked.

Barrel shrugged. He’d never heard why the mare didn’t talk, that’s just the way he knew her. He gave Agave a questioning look but the zebra merely turned her head. “I don’t know. That’s just the way she is, I guess.”

“You really have some interesting friends, Mister Barrel,” Scootaloo chuckled.

“She’s not your girlfriend, is she?” Sweetie Belle asked with a grin.

Barrel nearly choked on his burger. “What? No!” He heard another snicker from Agave.

“Good,” Sweetie said. “Because you haven’t even tried to meet Rarity yet. And it would be bad if you were a philanthroper.”

Barrel had to go over that last bit in his head. “You mean a philanderer?”

“So you have been with a lot of mares?!” Scootaloo asked.

“No!” Barrel could feel himself aging with every moment he spent with these three. “Ugh, look what do you three want?”

The CMC all looked at each other excitedly. “We wanted to see you do more stuff like last time!”

“Fine,” Barrel sighed. “If it gets you off my back.” Agave snickered again and Barrel grinned. “Actually, Agave has a neat talent too. You should get her to show you hers.”

The three gasped and crowded the mare asking her excited questions. Agave’s eyes widened and she looked as if she didn’t know what to do. She glared at Barrel who shrugged and started to finish his burger.

Cloudy slowly opened her eyes only to be greeted by an intense pain through her body. She lifted her head only to feel the muscles in her neck strain with the effort. A quick look around told her where she was. “Everfree?”

Beside her another figure got up wearily. “Oh, my head.” Cloudy saw it was Rainbow Dash. The multicolored Pegasus seeming just as confused and weary as her. “Where are we?”

Cloudy got to her feet steadily and surveyed the area. “I’d guess were in the Everfree forest, though I can’t say for certain since I don’t know how long we’ve been…” she trailed off as she caught Rainbow’s look. The mare was looking around at the treetops, a wide eyed terror in her eyes and her legs wobbling like jelly.

“No, no, no, NO! I can’t be here! Not again! Not yet!” Rainbow began to run away before a sudden tug pulled at her back leg and she tripped. At the same time Cloudy felt her leg slip under her and she toppled backward.

They both looked between each other at the ground. A long white rope tethered both of their right back legs together, a gold cuff wrapping around each of their legs. “Oh, come on!” they shouted simultaneously.

A few minutes later, Cloudy had managed to calm Rainbow down enough to keep her still while she studied the rope. Rainbow still kept a vigilant eye out and seemed to flinch at every rustle or sound. Her breath fogged in front of her with every panicked exhalation making it readily known when she hyperventilated. “Just stay calm, I’ll have this in a second,” Cloudy said.

“Calm?” Rainbow tried to put on a brave face, failing. “I’m super calm. I’m the calmest! SEE HOW CALM I AM?!” Black birds shot out of a tree cawing at the volume of her words.

Cloudy shot her a venomous glare and made a zipping motion with her hoof. “Just be quiet,” she hissed. “Are you trying to get us killed?”

Rainbow froze at those words. “Wh-What do you mean?”

Cloudy rubbed her hooves on the rope continuing to study it as she answered. “Obviously, somepony wouldn’t just foalnap us and then dump us in the forest without some kind of plan. No doubt this is one of Sparkle’s bounty hunters. And if that’s true then they have more plans for us then just having us tied up.”

Rainbow wanted to scream out loud but she settled for just in her head. Then something about Cloudy’s words hit her. “Four.”

“Huh?”

“There were four,” she remembered. “Four ponies came and took us. They wore some kind of mask and…” She tried to remember whatever else she could. “Grah! I can’t remember.”

Cloudy let the rope fall and crossed her arms. “This is bad. And if there’s a team then it’s worse than I thought.”

Rainbow looked between her and the rope. “Why didn’t you cut it?”

Cloudy bit her lip. “It’s made of Gordian string. Magical. Only a sword can cut it.”

Rainbow rubbed her face forlornly. So this was how she went down? She couldn’t even say she’d reached her dream yet. Like hell she was going to just sit here and wait to be somepony’s meal ticket. She paused and looked around, something finally hitting her. “Hey? This rope connects us, but what’s keeping us tied to this spot?”

“Well, it’s common knowledge that when lost you need to stay put,” Cloudy replied with a slight haughtiness that made Rainbow frown. But Cloudy also frowned in thought. “Actually, that’s a good point.” She looked around and scanned the forest for any signs of life. “Also we’re not even being watched. What is going on?”

“Then why don’t we just go?” Rainbow asked indignantly. She spread her wings and impatiently began to fly into the air.

“Hold on! Ow!” She shot up too fast and pulled Cloudy leg up behind her. The purple Pegasus managed to start flying and correct her posture in the air before glaring at Dash.

She snickered under her breath. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” Cloudy muttered.

“You’re right, I’m not.”

Cloudy groaned and threw up her hooves. “Why do you care so much about me? I’m nothing to you! Just another pony in the background that will be out of your hair soon enough. Get over your pointless hatred, or rivalry, or… whatever this is and lets just get out of here.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “You know, this is why I hate you. You’ve got all this talent and you just keep calling yourself inconsequential or not important when you could be one of the best flyers in Equestria.”

Cloudy flew into Rainbow’s face. “I do important work!”

“So important the princess had you replaced,” Rainbow smirked.

“Why you-” Something sharp and incredibly fast whizzed between their faces and landed with a “chunk” in the tree behind them. They both turned to see a long arrow protruding from the trunk. The sound of another arrow being knocked drifted through the forest. “Run!”

Cloudy was the first to start flying and this time it was Rainbow’s turn to be pulled along. She struggled to carry her weight as arrows flew past them. They dipped and dodged through the trees, Rainbow taking abuse from the spare branches Cloudy managed to dodge. “OW! OUCH! WATCH IT!”

Another arrow sailed right past her temple and Cloudy swerved left to avoid it. That was close. Then again, almost all of them were close. These guys were good, but she was better. A dark thought crept into her head. Was she better? Every time Cloudy wanted to go one way an arrow would shoot and impede her path forcing her to turn. Was it possible they were…

“Look out!” She heard Rainbow shout from behind her and Cloudy turned to see an arrow coming from directly right of her and bearing down fast. Time seemed to slow. She could maybe fly fast enough to outrace it, but then Rainbow would be in the crossfire. Her eye strayed to the golden cuffs on her and Rainbow’s leg. It was a slim chance but the only one she had with the time she had.

Time seemed to progress once more and Cloudy jerked her back leg forward grabbing it with her fore leg. The arrow slammed into the cuff and exploded into twigs, directly on target but the splinters ricocheted off in all directions. Cloudy screamed in pain as one tore right through her wing. She began to lose altitude and speed heading for the forest floor.

Suddenly a pair of hooves caught her under the arms and lifted her up flying faster than even the arrows could follow. Cloudy looked up into Rainbow’s face as the mare grimaced with nervous energy and panic. “Damndamndamndamndamndamn!!” she repeated ad nauseam until they were sure they had sped away from the arrows.

Nearly a hundred yards back three figures stepped from the bushes and tree tops to converge. They each wore tribal masks and combat boots, their black and white stripes on full display. On each of their flanks the stripes seemed to make various symbols like a spear, an arrow, and a sword. The spear one picked up the remnants of the broken arrow and nodded to the sword. The other two seemed to pat him on the back before gathering up their own arrows and proceeding the way the two mares went.

Barrel kept his legs close as he walked so they would rub together and create some kind of warmth. Meanwhile, the three fillies and one silent zebra in front of him looked about as lively as they would be on any day in spring. Ah, to be young again. Even though he was only twenty six.

Sweetie Belle fell behind as her two friends kept trying to engage Agave. “Hey, Mister Barrel?”

“Yeah?”

“Why’d you come to Ponyville?”

He was slightly taken aback at the question. The answer was obvious. He was here to serve Redwood. Wasn’t he? “I’m kind of a bodyguard. I go wherever my boss goes.” He couldn’t believe he was telling this to child but Redwood seemed pretty flippant himself when talking to these girls so he might as well.

“So that gray stallion is your boss?”

“Yup.”

Sweetie’s mouth turned into a crooked smile. “Then why were you outside my house watching Rarity?”

Barrel froze. “Well, I… uh…”

Sweetie giggled. “Your blushing, Mr. Barrel.” He lifted a hoof to his face. Was he really? It was so cold he couldn’t tell. “You may act all serious about your job but I know your secret.” Oh, he’d like to hear this. The filly draped her hoof over her head and recited her words like a drama queen. “You met my sister at some show out of town and were smitten. That’s why you watch her from afar.” She burst into giggles. Barrel let himself chuckle. She wasn’t entirely wrong.

“You, um, you haven’t told your sister about me, have you?” he asked nonchalantly as he could.

“Hm? Do you want me to?” She asked with obvious enthusiasm.

“No! No! It’s fine. I just… need time to work up the courage myself.” She seemed to accept this. Really he had only said it to get her off his back but something inside him made him believe his own words. What was he doing?

“We’re here!” Scootaloo proclaimed. The five of them walked out onto a nice hill outside town that overlooked the forest.

Apple Bloom took Agave’s hoof and waved to the area. “This is where we Crusaders do a lot of our cruasadin’, Miss Agave.”

“Pole jumping, sky diving, sheep herding. You name it and we’ve done it,” Scootaloo finished.

Agave merely smiled at their happy faces. The two were obviously disappointed to not have gotten a response from her. Apple Bloom lit up as she pointed westward across Ponyville. “Over there is mah family farm and our clubhouse where we do the important crusader stuff.”

“Like planning what to do next over here,” Scootaloo added with a sigh. “It gets a little tough going back and forth across town like that. Especially when I’m the chauffeur.” Apple Bloom let out a nervous laugh.

She then pointed toward the Everfree forest. “And over there is Everfree, our friend Zecora lives in there. She’s another zebra we know.”

Agave seemed to show a little interest in this as she took some steps toward the forest line. Apple Bloom became excited. “We can have you meet her if you want?”

Agave didn’t seem to be listening to her as her eyes were glued to the ground. She peered toward the forest line, a broken branch swinging helplessly in the cold wind. Her eyes seemed to track a trail of pressed grass that led up to the hill. “Uh, Miss Agave?” Scootaloo asked, now getting worried at her silence. Agave shot off up the hill, the fillies following. Barrel saw them run up and looked to Agave who gave him a grave expression.

“What is it?” he asked. The zebra pointed to the hill below them and then rolled her hooves around in front of herself before clacking them together. “A fight?” He had come to understand Agave’s interesting way of communicating. She nodded and pointed to the forest line. “You think it went in there?”

“Hey!” Scootaloo rushed past the two and picked up a stray multicolored hair from the ground. She beamed at it. “Wow! Rainbow Dash must have been here! I should save this for my proj- I mean… never mind.”

Agave and Barrel looked at each other worriedly. “I think it’s time you kids go home,” he told them.

Sweetie Belle groaned. “Aw, but-”

“No buts,” Barrel replied slightly harsher than he intended. “Just go home and stay indoors. We’ll meet tomorrow, okay?”

They all seemed to comply and began to walk away. Barrel turned to Agave. “If Rainbow Dash is in the forest with something, it’s got to be bad news. Go tell the princess. I’ll start combing the forest.”

She nodded and with an inpony speed disappeared leaving Barrel to run toward the forest line. Behind him three small sets of eyes watched. “I told you he was interesting,” Sweetie Belle whispered.

“He said Dash is in there,” Scootaloo whispered back. “We’ve got to go rescue her.”

They all put their hooves together and lifted them. “Right!”

“Ow! Watch it,” Cloudy muttered as Rainbow trudged next to her, lifting her up and keeping her balanced. Her back leg had been sprained with the force of that arrow. Now she walked with a limp. Her wing was also bleeding which could be a more severe problem.

“Sorry,” Rainbow muttered back. “Ugh, just where the hell are we?”

“Maybe if you hadn’t flown in one direction at random, we would know?” Cloudy turned away to mutter this.

“What was that?” Rainbow had obviously still heard it.

“I don’t really mean it,” she sighed. “It was the best way we had to escape. You made a choice and by all accounts it worked. You did… good.”

Rainbow frowned at her before straightening up and walking a little taller. “Th-Thanks.”

They were silent as they walked. “Why did you save me?” Cloudy asked.

“Huh?”

“Why did you grab and carry me? You could have just towed me like I did you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did, the way I’ve been.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Okay, one. You were injured. I’m not going to rub salt in the wounds. Two… You kind of saved me back there too. And three. It’s a Wonderbolts duty to save ponies. I’m not gonna give up that oath, even for you.”

Cloudy furrowed her brow. Rainbow had been able to see the arrow’s path like she had in that split second? She was obviously giving this mare too little credit. She chuckled. “I guess not all the Wonderbolts are useless.”

Rainbow fumed a little but stopped when she heard Cloudy’s laugh become less spiteful and more genuine. Rainbow began to chuckle too, then they both shared a laugh. “I’ll make you a fan yet,” she said.

Cloudy smiled and rolled her eyes. “We’ll see.”

Rarity and Fluttershy walked along the edge of Everfree, the unicorn standing between Fluttershy and the large imposing dark forest as a buffer. They’d decided to go for a walk in the fall air but were quickly beginning to regret it as the cold nipped at them. Rarity pulled her scarf tighter and Fluttershy burrowed her head deeper into her scarf and wool hat combo so only her eyes peeked out. Dikiy didn’t seem to mind the temperature as he walked obediently behind her. Yes, he had followed them. It was kind of the reason they decided to take such a scenic path. Honestly, that stallion was more dog than dragon.

“So have you given any thought about what to do with him?” Rarity whispered so she wouldn’t be overheard by Dikiy.

Fluttershy looked down. “I really don’t want to upset him. He seems to like it here so much. And he doesn’t seem to be doing any harm.”

Rarity knew she was going to say that. She lidded her eyes and smiled at her oblivious friend. “You know, maybe you could keep him here. Teach him to be a stallion and maybe even… be the mare he needs?” She punctuated her question with a giggle.

Once again Fluttershy was oblivious. “Hmm. Maybe. I suppose he does enjoy the animals and…” Her eyes widened beneath her layers and her cheeks turned bright red. “RARITY!”

“Only a little fun, darling,” Rarity retorted. She looked back at Dikiy who seemed to have become engrossed in sniffing his own flank. “At least I hope so.”

Suddenly, the tall stallion shot up straight sniffing the air. His pause caused Fluttershy to turn. “Dikiy? Is everything okay?” Dikiy’s eyes narrowed and he surprisingly leapt over the two bounding off over the hills. “Dikiy, wait!” Fluttershy rushed after him.

“Hold on!” Rarity shouted as she followed. It took all she could just to keep up with Fluttershy and Dikiy was almost out of sight. “What… is going on?” she huffed.

Fluttershy frowned as she ran, never losing sight of the stallion in front of her. “I don’t know.”

After a few minutes run for Dikiy and nearly ten minutes for the two mares. They collapsed as they finally found where he had been leading them. Dikiy stood patiently next to an old circus wagon sniffing at it and not seeming to like the vehicle’s over all feel. Fluttershy was the first back to her feet as she walked over to apologize to whoever pony must be stuck inside there scared of the tall monstrous-like stallion.

“I’m sorry,” she pled with whoever was inside. “He’s really friendly. Honest. He’s just not very house bro-” She stopped as Dikiy stuck his head inside the back flaps of the wagon. “Dikiy, no!” She ran to grab him but instead got a look inside. Dikiy had pulled the curtains open revealing the interior and the fact that there were no ponies inside was the least of what scared her. She stood frozen in place as she looked into what may have been the biggest collection of weapons she had ever seen. Chests covered most of the floor area of the wagon and they were open revealing rows of daggers and swords she’d never seen before. Hanging from the roof were cross bows and arrow quivers. But the coup de grace had to be the masks hanging from the walls. They had tribal designs like the ones Zecora had yet these were ten times scarier. They were red and black faces with tusks and sharp teeth, and large round expressionless eyes. It all made Fluttershy feel faint. And then the smell hit her.

Rarity got up and walked around to where Fluttershy stood. “What is going on with that sta- Oh my Faust.” She froze as she caught sight of the wagon’s inside as well. The smell followed soon after and she had to hold her nose. It was like something rotting, but that wasn’t all. Something metallic in there as well.

Dikiy was fully in the wagon now burying his nose next to whatever chest lay unopened until he finally came to one by the very back. He stopped hesitantly at it before reaching out. “Don’t!” Fluttershy shouted with a hoof to her mouth. She was already on the verge of tears. But Dikiy barely paid attention. He opened the chest and was greeted to silence. Neither Fluttershy or Rarity could tell what he was looking at but they knew they didn’t want to know. With his back to them the stallion lowered his head as if in pain before closing and picking up the chest. He carried it out past the two and planted it on the ground, a look of deep sadness on his face. “Dikiy?”

Suddenly his ears shot up and Dikiy turned to grab Fluttershy and Rarity. They both screamed and Rarity thought he was finally going to attack them, instead he held them close as the sound of two rapid thunks came from behind him. He let them go and spun to face the trees. Fluttershy and Rarity gasped as they saw two arrow shafts sticking out of his back. Rarity looked up at the trees Dikiy was looking at and saw blended into the foliage a figure with a similar mask as the ones they saw inside.

His cat-like eyes narrowed and he crouched with a low growl. The figure in the trees knocked another arrow in their bow but Dikiy’s claws were already out and he jumped. The wings on his back were far too small for flight but that didn’t seem to matter since the stallion seemed to be able to jump as high as he wanted. He reached the treetop with little effort, surprising the shooter and making them lose their grip.

While Dikiy landed in the tree, the shooter fell from its branches and landed on all fours by the forest edge. They turned and Rarity saw them look directly at them. Besides the mask it’s coat was striped like zebra and its mane was pitch black and short. “I think we’d better run, Fluttershy.” The shooter began to walk swiftly toward them, putting its bow back and pulling out a dagger it placed in its mouth below the mask. “Yes, I think that’d be wise.”

They both turned to run just as the zebra lunged at them. It didn’t get far, however, as Dikiy jumped from the tree and landed square on its back.

Fluttershy and Rarity ran behind the wagon, not wanting to watch as the sounds of fighting and scrambling came from the other side. The sound of a blade whooshing through the air could be heard and Fluttershy heard Dikiy roar in pain. She peeked around the corner to see if he was okay. Dikiy held his left arm as blood poured from it. The zebra used this moment to attack again but the stallion saw it coming and raised a backhoof to the jumping attacker. It hit it square in the jaw and the zebra dropped its weapon before flying back and landing against the wheel of the wagon.

Dikiy’s eyes were still furious and wild. He stormed toward the prone zebra, claws out and ready to tear them apart. “Stop!” Fluttershy’s voice seemed to find him in his fury and his eyes returned to normal. She stood before him now with a hoof wrapped around the leg that was bleeding. “He’s down. He won’t get up again.”

As if to answer her, Rarity peeked out the side of the wagon, wondering if it was over. At that moment the zebra shot up and grabbed her by the mane. “Aaah!” she shouted in fear before glaring at her captor. “Keep your hooves to yourself!!” Her horn glowed and she lifted the bow and quiver on the zebra’s back. With the strap around its waist the zebra went along for the ride it let go of her mane in surprise. She tossed the zebra toward Dikiy who let out one final roar and swatted the zebra again into the dirt. It slammed headfirst into the ground, cracking its mask, it’s head buried like an ostrich. All were silent before Rarity spoke up. “Um, Fluttershy, he’s not… is he?”

Fluttershy put a hoof to the zebra’s unburied neck and gave a sigh of relief. “He’s still alive.”

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief and walked toward them. “Good.” She kicked the zebra in an unmentionable place getting a muffled gasp as she walked by. “No one touches the mane.”

Dikiy began to lick at his wounds prompting Fluttershy to swat his head away and tend to it herself. “So what do you suppose that was about?” Rarity asked as Fluttershy pulled off her scarf and wrapped it around Dikiy’s leg.

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “But the answer is probably in that chest.” They looked to the chest that Dikiy had taken out of the wagon. The stallion gave a low sigh almost like a whimper. Rarity hesitantly took a step toward it, Fluttershy not following, not wanting to see. She opened the chest a crack and peered one eye in before opening it fully.

At first she didn’t know what she was looking at. She thought it was dresses or some kind of trunk for clothes. But then she noticed that this was where that smell was coming from. And all that red, that wasn’t a choice of the designer. “They’re pelts,” she whispered. Fluttershy seemed to still be able to hear, putting her forehead on Dikiy’s shoulder for support as she held back tears.

They had to be from all kinds of animals and beasts. There were even some horns and fangs she had only seen things like hydras. If this zebra was a hunter, then that meant they were here for the creatures that lived in Everfree, right?

The sound of a blaring horn shook the air. Everypony turned to see the zebra, awake and standing bby the wagon with a twisted horn in their hooves. Their mask was cracking revealing half of their face which showed nothing but hatred. Dikiy moved to attack once more but before he could another horn blew from the forest. As they were distracted by the second horn, the zebra rushed past them and into the trees.

Dikiy let out another roar and broke free from Fluttershy to follow them into Everfree. “Dikiy! Wait, it’s dangerous!” She ran behind him, following him into the deep dark forest.

Rarity stood there stunned and alone. Did Fluttershy just rush head long into the Everfree without a second thought? She picked her jaw up off the floor and trotted nervously in place. She was quickly losing sight of them. “Oh, come on!” She finally gave up and ran into the trees after them.

Rainbow and Cloudy stopped in their tracks as the sound of horns blaring through the trees caught them off guard. “What was that?” Rainbow asked.

Cloudy frowned and leaned off of Dash trying to prop herself up. “I don’t know, but it’s probably not a good sign. We really need to find a way out of here.”

Rainbow looked up at the tree tops. “Hey, why haven’t we just tried flying out?”

Cloudy looked up as well and felt a shuddering realization hit her. She slapped her forehead and groaned. “That would have made more sense than trying to fly through a bunch of trees. Wish I had thought of that before I shredded my wing.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Glad to know you’re not all-perfect.”

Cloudy gave Rainbow a friendly smirk before it devolved into a serious frown. “No. I need to be perfect, or else the bad guys get away. That’s how its got to be. I can’t make dumb decisions.”

Rainbow furrowed her brow and tried to touch her shoulder. “Hey, nopony says you need to be perfect. Celestia know, I’m not-”

Cloudy slapped her hoof away and glared at her. “The only reason I didn’t think about something that stupidly obvious was because I had to haul your flank around.” She emphasized her words with a push to the chest.

Rainbow narrowed her eyes at her. “Yeah, well, you’d be sunk if it weren’t for me! I saved your flank back there!”

“You wouldn’t have moved an inch if I hadn’t started flying! You were too scared!”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. She was scared before. She was still scared, what had been impeding that? “Sh-Shut up! You seem to always try to throw something back at me. Well, this is your fault! Why can’t you just admit that?”

“Because it’s not!” Cloudy took a step forward and glared at her.

“But it is!” Rainbow pressed her forehead against Cloudy’s, staring her down.

“It isn’t!” Cloudy pushed a little harder, her voice growing harsher.

“Why do you always have to be right?!”

“Because when I’m wrong ponies I care about die!” The two separated and Rainbow’s face softened to a surprise. Cloudy backed away as far as the rope allowed her and looked at the ground. “We… We need to get going. No doubt they heard us.” She began to walk in a random direction pulling Dash along.

“Yeah…”

Barrel walked carefully through the forest, making sure not to make too much noise, as he followed the trail best as he could. He had a little bit of survivalist training in tracking from his time with Crimson Rush, but that wasn’t enough to keep him on this trail.

He stopped and leaned down to pick up a broken stick. To his left another path unfolded with a broken tree branch. One of them was fake. Whoever these were they knew how to hide their tracks. He stood silently to examine both paths but froze when he heard the sound of hooffalls behind him. How many were there? Three? Most likely. They were hiding just behind the trees a few yards away.

With one swift movement he spun and threw some darts he kept hidden in his coat. They imbedded themselves in the three trees he assumed each one to be hiding in. A trio of soft young girlish screams came from them. Barrel deadpanned before rolling his eyes. “What did I say about going home?”

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trudged out from behind the trees. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom kept their heads down in apology but Scootaloo was bright eyed. “Would it help if I said that that made you like 20% cooler?” He raised a menacing eyebrow giving them a punishing expression. “Guess not.”

“You girls are going to get hurt here,” he said.

Sweetie Belle tried to speak. “Yeah, but we-”

“YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT!” he repeated. All three shrunk back. “Whatever’s happening out here you can be sure that it involves some nasty characters. Ponies that wouldn’t hesitate to harm you.”

“We just wanna help Rainbow Dash,” Apple Bloom spoke up.

Barrel sighed and rubbed his temples. So they had overheard. “Look, Agave is already on her way to get Miss Sparkle and the others. They can handle this.”

“Then why are you here?” Sweetie Belle asked. Barrel opened his mouth to answer but the sound of a horn stopped him. It echoed through the forest before dissipating. They all stood still for a moment as if in wait. “What was-” Another horn blew and cut her off. Barrel’s ears worked over time twitching around and trying to find where the source came from. As a sharp shooter he had trained both his eyesight and hearing. Both needed to be at peak efficiency. His ears locked in place and he smiled. Got it.

He turned to the girls. “I’m giving you all one last warning. Go home. You’ll only be in the way.” With another threatening look he ran toward the sound he’d heard.

The CMC stood silently in the cold forest as they watched him go. “Well, now what?” Apple Bloom asked. “He’s kind of right. Can we really do anythin’?”

“Of course we can!” Scootaloo shouted before jumping on top of a small boulder. “Rainbow Dash is in trouble. Sure everypony else can save her without a doubt, but the minute we think we can’t help, that we can’t do anything about it, that’s when we fail to be Crusaders!”

Sweetie shrugged to Apple Bloom. “Something could go wrong and they might need us. If we just stay out of sight I don’t think we’ll be in trouble.”

Scootaloo reached her hoof down for a cheer. “Cutie Mark Crusader Rescue Team?”

Sweetie Belle reached in her hoof followed reluctantly by Apple Bloom. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER RESCUE TEAM!!” With that they all followed Barrel’s trail into the forest.

Rainbow and Cloudy met another barrage of arrows and were forced to find sanctuary in a small abandoned fox den. They slid in just as the arrows went flying and held their breath. Above them was a small gap through the tree roots to see through. When the arrows stopped three figures walked out into the open and collected their arrows. They wore tribal masks and appeared to be zebras judging from their stripes. The one whose stripes were shaped like a spear stepped right above them causing some dirt to shake loose and fall on them. By now Rainbow was having trouble holding her breath. Finally, they left both mares could breathe normally again.

The space was still pretty cramped so Rainbow was backed into the corner with Cloudy in her lap. “Maybe we should just stay here,” she suggested.

“Few minutes,” Cloudy agreed.

They were silent for a moment. “So do you wanna talk about it?”

Cloudy raised an eyebrow and scowled. “About what?”

“About what you said. About ponies dying…” She stopped cold as Cloudy fought to glare into her eyes but the way they were positioned made that impossible.

“If you don’t shut up in the next five seconds I will bust out of here myself and bury you here,” she hissed. They were quiet once more. “Why do you care anyway?”

“Huh?”

“I asked you before. Whether it was caring enough to challenge me or fight me and now this. Why do you care about some mare you’ll probably never see again?”

Rainbow bit her lip. Why was she so angry? Right now in this situation it was hard to remember. “I guess right now I just want to keep my mind off the fact that I seriously don’t want to be here.”

Cloudy shifted her eyes and nodded. “Not like I want to be here either.”

Rainbow shook her head and her brow furrowed. “No, I mean, I really don’t want to be HERE. In Everfree, not after… what happened.”

Cloudy opened her mouth about to ask what happened but then it hit her. “The Mailmare thing?” Rainbow moved in a way that knocked Cloudy’s head against the roof. “OW!”

“…Sorry.”

Cloudy rubbed her head but nodded thoughtfully. “No, no, I get it. Sorry for bringing it up.”

Rainbow scoffed. “What do you mean, you get it? Somepony like you? Bet you could have gotten out of a situation like that easily.”

Cloudy was silent for a moment. “It’s not always about how strong you are.” Rainbow could hear the trembling in her voice. “There will always be somepony stronger. Somepony that can plow right through you, take everything you love and then leave as if you weren’t worth ending as well.”

Rainbow wanted to reply but even she knew how hard it must have been for the captain to say those words. She let her have her silence.

“I’ve seen power,” Cloudy continued, a new something in her voice. Fear? No, anger. “I’ve seen what it can do to ponies. I don’t want that. I don’t want to be known as strong or powerful. I want to bring the powerful, those that go unanswered for their crimes, to justice.” She began to move until she finally managed to turn around and face Dash. “You want to never be as helpless as that again? Fight until you can’t anymore. Fight everything that stallion stood for and let him know you aren’t damaged by him.”

Rainbow gazed at her, eyes wide. This was the first time she’d ever been truly moved. Their faces were inches apart but the look in her eyes was one Rainbow had expected from the captain all along. The look of somepony she expected to be able to beat her. The look of somepony with drive. “Alright,” was all she could muster.

They sat uncomfortable and awkwardly staring at each other. Cloudy tried to turn around but found she couldn’t and had to back out of the den this way. “Huh. Sorry about this.”

Rainbow laughed and shook her head as Cloudy backed out. “Don’t be.” Cloudy got free of the small hole but tripped backward as the rope connecting the two snapped tight.

“Damn rope,” she muttered.

Rainbow crawled out after her and held the rope in her hoof before a lightbulb popped over her head. “Hey, you said this thing is pretty strong right?”

Cloudy looked at her quizzically. “It’s made of enchanted fibers called Gordian string. Only specific objects like a sword can cut it.”

Rainbow let a wicked grin play across her face. “So these guys wouldn’t mind if we gave it back to them.”

Cloudy was about to ask her what she meant when a lightbulb popped over her head. “Oh~” She smiled too.

Twilight and Shining Armor dashed through the streets barely keeping up with the incredibly slick and stealthy zebra.

“You know *huff* Twily *puff* we’re going to have *huff* to discuss how you came to know Redwood’s personal body guard!” Shining talked as he ran, both angry at his sister for keeping secrets but also worried about Dash and whoever else was in trouble. She didn’t answer, horrible thoughts going through her head.

Please, Rainbow, please be okay! They left the town borders and ran up the hill stopping only briefly at the top for Twilight and Shining to catch their breath. “Agave,” she asked while breathing heavily. The zebra turned to her, seemingly unfazed by the run. “How deep… do you think they are?”

Agave looked out on the forest and narrowed her eyes before turning to her with a worried expression. Deep enough, she guessed. The sound of a horn blew in the distance and they all looked up. “What was that?” Agave narrowed her eyes again and ran into the forest. “Hey wait!” Twilight followed after her, followed by Shining.

Apple Bloom was now beginning to regret not voicing her protests louder. They had now lost sight of Barrel and Celestia knows none of them had any survival gear on hand. At least when they went monster hunting they had a compass. “We are so lost,” she moaned.

Scootaloo shifted her head left and right frantically trying to take everything in. “Well, we can’t just turn back. Rainbow Dash is counting on us.” A howl from an unknown animal cut through the trees.

“Uh, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle voiced as she began to back up toward Apple Bloom. “Maybe we should just go back. I think I remember the way.”

Scootaloo looked at both of them with a hurt expression. “Seriously? Guys, this isn’t about us. After everything Rainbow’s been through, you seriously want to leave her here with whatever dragged her off?”

Sweetie and Apple Bloom looked at each other. “Scootaloo, Ah know you think of Rainbow like a sister but sometimes it may just be best to leave it to the grown-ups.”

Scootaloo’s expression turned to anger. “You wouldn’t say that if it were Applejack! Or Rarity!” The two were silent. Scootaloo became silent as well and hung her head. “I’m… sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I just wish I could help her.”

Sweetie Belle gave her a small smile and went in to pat her back. “We understand. Maybe Mister Barrel’s just up ahead.”

A sound came from behind them and they turned to see a figure running unbelievably fast toward them. They didn’t even have enough time to scream before the figure pounced and grabbed Scootaloo by her chest and held her close. It looked like a zebra, somepony like Zecora and Agave, only he wore half a mask and sweat and dirt was covering his body. “Hey! Let go!”

“Let her go!” Apple Bloom shouted as she charged at him. The zebra simply swatted her away knocking her into a tree.

“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle shouted and ran to her. She had a bump on her head but beside that seemed fine. She reeled on the zebra. “I don’t know who you are or what you want, but leave my friends alone!”

At her last shouted syllable another figure jumped over her, this one much taller and bigger. It slammed its massive hooves down between them and glared at the zebra. It had fur matted with scales and tiny wings on its sides. On its hooves were claws and on one was wrapped a red scarf. The three were too stunned to talk before a shout broke the moment. “Dikiy!”

Sweetie turned around to see Fluttershy running through the forest. She caught sight of the scene and gasped with a hoof to her mouth. “What are you girls doing here?” Thee zebra slammed his hoof against a tree to get the attention back on him. “Oh, Dikiy, be careful!”

“You know this pony?” Apple Bloom asked as she rubbed her head.

“Well…”

“Can somepony help me before we get into introductions!?” Scootaloo shouted. “Ugh! I’ll do it myself!” She immediately sank her teeth into the zebra’s arm.

He screamed in pain and his grip loosened for a moment. Scootaloo pushed her way off and ran over to her friends. Dikiy spared no moment and lunged forward slamming his hoof into the zebra’s chest and pinning him against the tree. He slumped against it and fell to the ground, unconscious.

Fluttershy ran over to check if Dikiy was okay while the CMC stood in amazed silence. “That.” “Was.” Amazing!”

“Sweetie Belle!” the young unicorn froze, the voice coming from directly behind her. She slowly turned and grinned sheepishly.

“Hi, Rarity.”

Rarity shoved her face in her sister’s, a look of pure anger on it. “You are in so much trouble!”

“Can we still admit that I was pretty cool back there?” Scootaloo interjected, trying to ease the tension. Rarity shot her an equally angry glance. That didn’t work.

“Oh, you can rest assured that your mother will be hearing about this Scootaloo. And Applejack too, Apple Bloom.”

“But Rarity we just wanted to help Rainbow,” Sweetie pled.

Rarity’s anger faded for a moment. “Wait, what are you talking about?”

“Mister Barrel said that Rainbow had been taken into the forest and-” Rarity grabbed her by the shoulders cutting her off.

“Who said what?!”

Barrel knew he was on the right track. The trail had led deeper into the Everfree than he thought possible but as long as he could find Rainbow there was still a way out. This place was big but not maze. The survivalist training in him reminded him to mark his path.

He walked out into a small open area with hoof wide stream passing through a moderate sized ravine. This was the kind of place you’d expect to see animals drinking or something, but now that he thought of it he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of anything living since entering. Did that speak to the time of the season and everything was getting ready for winter, or was that because of whatever had dragged Rainbow Dash in here. Regardless, he had to find her fast.

He took a step down into the shallow ravine that had the stream and stopped. Rustling. Behind him? He turned and reached into his jacket for some darts but there were none. He’d forgotten to get them back after scaring the CMC. Some survivalist, yeah, right.

Two figures caked in dirt and leaves exploded from the bushes behind him and ran straight at him screaming. Between them was something like a long white cord. He didn’t know what was happening but his jumprope instincts took hold and he jumped in the air as the rope passed under his legs. However, to his surprise the two figures stopped their charge when their rope was under him and jumped over him crossing above and landing on opposite sides.

As Barrel landed on the ground the white rope twisted around him and both figures pulled to tighten it. He tried to move but the muddy ground made him slip and the force of their pull and the rope sun him around. He twirled on the ground like a top for a couple seconds before stopping, his head dizzy and unable to keep his balance. One of the figure trudged over to him, or was it two? His vision was getting doubled but he swore he could see the matted wisp of a rainbow mane. “Miss Dash?” he asked blearily.

Rainbow pulled back her arm and thwacked him across the jaw, knocking him out. Cloudy walked up to her pouting as she wiped the dirt from her face. “Hey! I wanted to be the one to do that.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Eh, there’s more where he came from.” They both laughed before Cloudy looked down at him. She frowned in concentration. “Something wrong?”

Cloudy lifted his face and opened both eyes checking him. He was definitely unconscious but there was something else. “I think I know him,” she said before getting up to cross her arms. “I just don’t know from where.”

Rainbow grabbed his arms and began pulling. “Well, we can figure that out when we interrogate him.”

Cloudy chuckled again. “You’re getting more and more vicious the more we’re here, aren’t you?”

“I’m cold, hurt, and there are ponies trying to hunt me. I think I deserve to be a little bit vicious.”

“No complaints here.”

A few minutes later they had dragged him downstream a little to a secluded area under a small moss covered cliff in the ravine. Rainbow splattered water on him and he began to sputter before becoming conscious again. “Wh-What? Where am I?” he asked.

“I’m asking the questions,” Cloudy said threateningly as she pushed his chest. “Where are your companions? Are they close?”

“Why did you take us out here?” Rainbow insisted.

Barrel shook his head to clear it. Two mares. One was Rainbow Dash and the other Captain Gust. This just got a whole lot more complicated. “Take… No! I’m here to rescue you!”

“Sure,” Cloudy chuckled. “And I only have dirt in my mane.”

“You should really take a shower when we get out of here,” Rainbow leaned in to whisper to her.

“You too,” Cloudy whispered back.

Barrel tried to rub his temples but he found his hooves tied behind his back with vines. Instead he opted to moan. “Look, you need to trust me. Whoever did foalnap you two and take you here are way more skilled than I am. I know you’ve been constantly moving and that’s good, but if you stay here with me too long they will find you. Find us. And with my hooves behind my back-”

“Like we’re gonna fall for something like that,” Rainbow sneered.

Barrel struggled to find something that might convince her he was there to help. “Um… Oh! Scootaloo! Scootaloo came with me! If you just come with me I can take you back and she-”

Rainbow’s eyes widened and Barrel saw a horrible anger arise from them. She flew at him and pinned him the wall. “You took Scootlaloo!? Where? Where did you take her!?”

Barrel sighed as well as he could with a crushed chest. “I didn’t take her! We’re friends! Sweetie Belle! Apple Bloom! All of them!”

“You expect me to believe that!?”

Barrel gritted his teeth. He knew the only way to convince her of his fellowship with the three fillies. He let out an aggravated sigh and rolled his head back and forth before accepting his fate. “Check my flank.”

“Pardon?” Rainbow and Cloudy uttered at the same time.

Barrel really didn’t want to say it again. “Check. My. Flank.”

Rainbow looked at Cloudy curiously and Cloudy walked over to his side. She lifted his jacket and her eyes went wide for a second before a truth hit her. “Oh, that’s rich.”

Rainbow finally let him go and put her head next to Cloudy. “What are you…” she stopped. Indeed, Barrel had no cutie mark.

Rainbow was silent for a moment before the truth hit her as well and she let out a chuckle, which turned into a laugh, which turned into a fit. She was rolling on her back laughing. “So… So you’re a… a…”

“I am not a Cutie Mark Crusader!” Barrel insisted but Rainbow simply laughed more. Even Cloudy let out a snort. “Can I have these off now?” he asked raising his hooves behind his back.

Cloudy’s smile dropped and she stood up again. “Not just yet. This doesn’t verify your story.”

“BARREL!” a loud shrill voice echoed from atop the ravine and they all looked up to see a very mad white unicorn whose coat was now red with anger.

“Rarity?” Rainbow asked. Behind the white mare three fillies popped up and smiled broadly to see him.

“Mister Barrel! We found you!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Does that?” Barrel asked with a smirk. An arrow whizzed past the three and embedded itself in the wall where he had previously been pinned. “Or maybe that?”

Rarity hadn’t known where to start. Both Rainbow and Barrel were down there. At least she thought that was Rainbow, the poor dear was caked with dirt. Behind her, the CMC and Fluttershy and Dikiy walked up. Dikiy still having his nose up and ears twitching alert. She was about to call out to Rainbow too when the sound of something whizzed by and almost hit Barrel.

She shot her head up and looked around before jumping over the girls. “Get down!” she shouted.

Dikiy’s head turned he growled before lunging at a tree. It shook and above in the branches a figure started to lose its balance. It was another one of those zebras with the masks. They seemed to glare down at the dragon-pony before jumping to another tree and branch. Suddenly, above them, three separate figures began to jump from branch to branch. Dikiy struggled to keep up with where each one was going but it was clear that they were trying to confuse him.

Below, Barrel turned his back to Cloudy. “Get these off me right now or they’re gonna get hurt!”

Cloudy gave him one last suspicious glance before untying the vines. “Okay, but what do you expect to-” She was cut off as Barrel grabbed as many rocks as he could hold and planted his feet. He then narrowed his eyes and watched as each hunter above hopped from branch to branch. Then with a rear back and a throw that was so fast even Cloudy didn’t see it, he hurled a rock like a ball and pegged one of the zebras in the forehead. The hunter yelled and then toppled over their branch crashing to the ground. He followed suit and began hurling rocks at the other two but they were now aware of his meddling.

Up on the banks of the ravine Dikiy stopped following the two on the branches and dedicated his efforts to the one that had fallen. He growled even deeper when he saw they had landed near Fluttershy.

Fluttershy jumped slightly when the zebra fell next to her but held out a hoof. “Oh, are you alright?”

The zebra spun on the ground and tried to grab her as it got back up but Dikiy pulled her back in time and opened his fanged mouth just as the zebra swiped at her. He caught it’s hoof and bit down only hard enough to hold him as he swung his head and launched the zebra into the small stream below. Dikiy gave Fluttershy a scolding look and her head sunk. “Sorry, force of habit.”

Above, one of the hunters jumped from their branch and fell toward Rarity and the kids. Barrel dropped his rocks in shock as he watched. “No!”

Suddenly Cloudy slipped and hit her head as she was dragged away. In a blur of blue, the pouncing zebra was slammed and launched into the air. Rainbow landed on the forest floor atop the ravine and struck a victory pose. “Oh yeah! Don’t even try to touch my friends, you freak!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo shouted in cheer and jumped on her. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“Me too, Scoots,” Rainbow smiled.

The zebra landed on the ground and spun to right himself like the first. He turned and glared at Rainbow before drawing a dagger from their pack and placing it in their mouth. Scootaloo hugged Rainbow a little tighter as she saw him. Rainbow looked between the zebra and Scootaloo, the filly’s trembling reigniting memories that she had forced back in a moment of crisis but now came back full force. Her legs seized up. No, no, not now.

A tap on her shoulder. Rainbow turned to see Cloudy dusting herself off and rubbing her head. She had been pulled up the ravine’s side by her leg and didn’t look all too happy about it. “That was for earlier, wasn’t it?” she asked with a smirk.

Rainbow chuckled. “I guess.” Cloudy looked at Scootaloo and the others, noticing Rainbow’s shaking legs. The zebra was just about ready to pounce.

Cloudy patted Rainbow reassuringly on the shoulder. “Let me take care of this.”

Her attacker lunged with the dagger and sliced it through the air. Cloudy moved her head back to dodge and then reared up. The zebra saw this as a chance to continue the assault and swiped again at her stomach. But Cloudy raised her unshackled back leg in a kick and managed to connect with his jaw. The zebra stumbled but still refused to give up his weapon. “Tenacious, I’ll give you that,” she muttered. “But so am I. Now!” She pointed behind her causing the zebra to spin around.

However, all that awaited him was Barrel half way up the ravine side. He looked up at the masked assailant and then around, unsure of what to do. “Uh…”

A kick from behind catapulted the zebra into the stream like the last one. He landed on his back, moaning like his predecessor. Barrel struggled to the top of the wall and raised an eyebrow at Cloudy. “Thanks for the distraction,” she smirked.

“No problem,” he muttered.

Rarity finally let go of the girls and ran to hug her friend. “Oh, Rainbow! I’m so sorry! I didn’t even know you went missing.”

“It has only been a day,” Cloudy said.

“What?!” Rainbow shouted, her legs finally able to move. “It feels like two weeks!”

Fluttershy ran over and hugged Rainbow as well. “Oh, I’m so glad to know you’re okay!” Dikiy ran up behind her startling the CMC, Barrel and Cloudy. He simply smiled and let his tongue waggle out of his mouth.

“Just what is that?” Cloudy asked with a hint of irritation.

“You have some catching up to do,” Rainbow said to her.

“As do you,” Rarity stated bluntly as Barrel tried to sneak off. He froze and turned awkwardly to her. “Barrel.”

Sweetie’s face brightened up. “Rarity! You know Barrel?”

“You could say that,” Rarity muttered through a slight sneer. She walked over to the stallion and poked him in the stomach. “You are going to explain how you know my sister and how you introduced yourself to her before even coming to me.”

Barrel rubbed the back of his head. “Ahem…” he was about to argue but Rarity’s look stopped him. “Yes, ma’am.”

Cloudy looked over the ravine. “Uh, hate to spoil the party, but weren’t there three zebras?”

Everypony froze as a realization hit them. Barrel looked above and saw to his horror the last of the hunters jumping from the trees, knife in mouth and holding an arrow. He reached out and grabbed Rarity, pulling her into a tight protective embrace. He expected to be stabbed through the back but after a moment, nothing came. Then he raised his head and saw everypony’s eyes glued above him. The hunter was suspended in air by a purple bubble.

“Is everypony alright?” Came a strong authoritative voice. Shining Armor ran out of the trees followed closely by Twilight. His horn was aglow, creating the bubble that held the zebra in place. Cloudy immediately straightened up in surprise.

“A-All fine, sir!” she shouted before blushing.

Shining nodded to her. “Good to see you alive and well, captain.”

“You as well, sir.”

He turned his attention to the others and saw the two ponies he didn’t recognize. Barrel and Dikiy gave him blank looks. Shining merely sighed and turned to Twilight. “I guess this is just more you’ll have to explain…” he trailed off as he saw her collapse in front of her friends and begin bawling as they held her close. “Though, I suppose that can wait.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight cried as she threw her arms around her. “I was so worried. I didn’t know if… I’m so sorry that…”

Rainbow pushed her back and held her shoulders. “Twilight, I’m fine.” She let out a sneeze. “Maybe a cold and a few scrapes. But it would have been much worse if it hadn’t been for Gust.”

Twilight turned to the captain who had stopped talking to Shining. She walked over to her, her face set in an unreadable emotion. “I’m still not sure if these guys were after you,” Cloudy said as Twilight walked closer. “But they were pretty well prepared so it’s probably best if we-” She was cut off as Twilight wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. Cloudy’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For protecting her.”

Cloudy pushed her away lightly and rubbed the back of her neck. “Um, it was nothing.”

Rainbow sauntered up to the two and wrapped a friendly hoof around Cloudy’s shoulder. “You’re darn right! She wouldn’t have made it out without me either.”

Cloudy smirked and took Rainbow’s hoof off her. “Let’s not get carried away.”

“Hold it,” Rarity said as she stepped on Barrel’s tail when he was trying to flee. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Barrel chuckled nervously but then his eyes went wide. “Look out!”

Above them the zebra in Shining’s bubble pulled out a new dagger, this one glowing with red energy. He sliced into the magic binding him and the bubble popped. Shining’s horn exploded with light as the force of his spell being forcefully cancelled out rebounded on him. “Gaaah!” he shouted as he fell to the ground.

The zebra spun in the air once more, this time aiming Twilight, Rainbow and Cloudy. He was mere hooves away, it felt too late to move. Twilight saw the blade come just inches away from her nose. Then in a blur of black and white the zebra was gone. Disappeared in midair.

“What was that?” Rainbow asked.

Cloudy ran over to Shining to help him up. He sat up and wearily rubbed his horn. “The zebras. Where did they go?”

Cloudy cursed herself and ran to the edge of the ravine. The two at the bottom were gone as well. “Damn it!”

“Did they get away?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Dikiy sniffed the air and turned to Fluttershy, shaking his head. “It doesn’t look like their around anymore,” Fluttershy translated.

“Well, that’s good, right?” Rarity interjected.

“No!” Cloudy spat. “They could be regrouping for all we know!”

Twilight merely stayed still staring in front of her where the dagger nearly cut her. As the others argued around her only one thing flashed through her mind. It wasn’t the near death experience or even the fear of losing her friends. It was the cold feeling she got when she looked into the red aura on that dagger. Like some part of her was calling out to it. A magnetic feeling. She shook her head to clear it and the feeling faded. Her friends were safe, that was all that mattered.

She went back to join her friends as they bickered and a realization hit her. Where did Agave go?

Deep in the Everfree in a familiar hut, six zebras sat in silence. Four of them were unmasked and bound together back to back and unconscious while the other two sipped tea on a couch. Zecora looked her guest over. “I appreciate the visitation. But next time please meet my expectation.” She nodded to the tied up hunters. “You bring home stallions after so long. Yet, still I sense that something’s wrong.”

Agave put down her tea cup and pulled a dagger glowing with red energy from her jacket. She set it on the table and Zecora narrowed her eyes. Even without touching it she could feel the power emanating. Still she reached a hoof out and touched it. Immediately, images both cruel and ancient appeared in her head and she let go. “These hunters had a weapon so fierce. Created for magic, specifically to pierce. The blade is new but the magic old. It chills my heart to see a charm so cold.”

Agave looked at her and Zecora immediately knew what she wanted. “It’s origins I cannot say. But surely it is from far away. Across the sea and past the griffin home. An ancient place where ponies roam.” Agave waved her hoof as if asking more. Zecora shook her head and smiled mournfully. “I’m afraid that is all I can give.” Agave nodded and got up to leave, but Zecora grabbed her arm. “Please, let this go if you wish to live.”

The two mares stared at each other for a long time before Agave pulled away. She gave her one last look as, with a burst of speed she was gone and so were the four others. Zecora got up and walked slowly to her window. “Please be wary of those you let in. Protect yourself above all, my friend.”

Applejack had pulled all the family photos from the trunk and dumped them in her room. She had kept the door locked for most of the day now. Something Apple Bloom had said about recognizing Redwood made her uneasy and it had been itching at her. She opened the family album, her first sort of clue and examined that picture again. It was her parents laughing together, though the picture was cropped oddly. It looked as though somepony cut it right down the middle with the slightest hint of a hoof peeking through. She just couldn’t get it out of her head now.

She had been through the chest ten times now. Almost at it all day. She had time now since harvest was over and the cold was setting in, but she still had nothing to show for her efforts. She threw down the last of the pictures and leaned back on the floor gazing up at the ceiling. “Maybe Ah’m just thinkin’ too much. Ah mean, it’s impossible right?”

That was when out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something. The chest sat open so the bottom of the lid faced her. Wedged beneath one of the planks on the lid of the chest was what looked like a scrap of paper. No, there was color. A photo. She couldn’t see what it was of but something told her it was what she was looking for.

Applejack reached for the small slip and pulled it slowly from the wedge. As it came loose she stopped midway when she saw that it was a cropped picture. This was it. She took a deep breath, afraid of what she might find out, then pulled.

Granny Smith walked steadily up the stairs to her granddaughters room, rubbing her back as she did. “Honestly, that girl making me come all the way up those stairs.” She knocked on the door to Applejack’s room. “Applejack! Ah been callin’ ya! Dinner’s on!” The door swung a little open and Granny Smith peered in to see Applejack sitting on her floor with pictures scattered about. In front of her was a newly reconstructed photo of her parents and… Granny Smith’s heart went cold for a moment.

Applejack looked up at her grandmother with a confused expression. “Hey, Granny. Sorry, Ah was lost in thought.” She lifted up the newly found half of the photo. “Who is this?”

Granny saw the photo and felt a wave of relief rush over her. The mare in the photo was a pure white unicorn with a long sea foam green mane. Her cutie mark was simple musical note with a conductor’s wand next to it. She had her eyes closed in an expression of laughter and enjoyment while standing next to Applejack’s parents. “Hmm. That’s your aunt. On your father’s sister-in-law, Ah believe.”

Applejack looked at the picture scrutinizingly. “Well, how come Ah’ve never seen her?”

“She was around a little when you were young.” She walked over and sat next to AJ. “Though she died a little before your parents so Ah wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t remember her.” Applejack stared at the photo, a look of confusion and something else on her face. “Everythin’ alright, sugarcube?”

Applejack put the photo down and sighed. “Yeah, Ah just…” she let out a small laugh, “Ah guess Ah don’t know what Ah was expectin’.”

Granny smiled and wrapped a hoof around her shoulder. “Come on, it’s time for supper and Big Mac is getting’ antsy.”

Applejack smiled and hugged her grandmother. “Alright. Need any help down the stairs?”

“Nah, these old bones are still good for somethin’,” Granny chuckled.

Applejack still helped her up and they walked to the door. She stopped in the doorway. “Hey, what was her name?”

Granny looked at Applejack with a smile. “Symphonia.”

Redwood walked to the gates of Canterlot Castle, the only light coming from the lanterns hanging on the streets. The square was deserted of both onlookers and guards, something he went quite out of his way to accomplish. Nothing would get in the way of this meeting.

Below one of the street lanterns he saw a sealed envelope stuck to the pole. For a moment he thought he had been stood up but when he went to open it he let out a laugh.

“This is the last favor! Stop harassing me! Signed Seek.” the letter read.

He let out another chuckle as he pocketed the letter. “You seem cheery,” a voice all too unhappy to be here said from behind. Redwood turned and saw a figure emerge from the shadows. He was a slightly younger unicorn with a dark blue coat and well groomed blue mane. His cutie mark was that of two moons nestled in each other.

“Sorry for the subterfuge, but I knew you wouldn’t see me unless I tricked you, Night Light.”

Twilight’s father pulled out the letter addressed to him and shook it. “Royal seal and everything. How’d you pull that off?” Redwood was about to answer but Night Light held up a hoof. “You know what, I don’t want to know.” There was a pause. “What do want, Rayleigh?”

“Can’t two old colleagues get together to talk?”

Night Light walked up and got in his face. “No! Do not play that card with me! Don’t beat around the bush and act all high and untouchable. You and I both know you aren’t.”

Redwood’s expression fell and he stared blankly at him. “Fine. I came to give you a warning.”

Night Light laughed. “A warning?! Are you seriously threatening me?”

“Of course not! The threat is from me.”

Night Light glowered at him. “I know about my daughter’s situation. Believe me, Celestia hasn’t stopped sending soldiers to my house every day because of it.”

“Do you want her back?” Redwood asked.

“What kind of a question is that?” Night Light replied with disdain. “Of course I want her back home. It tears me up every time I hear what horrible thing happened to her in Ponyville. But she doesn’t want to leave.” Redwood looked away for a moment. Night Light’s eyes widened with realization. “This isn’t about Twilight or me, is it? This is about her.”

Redwood looked up at the sky, trying to look everywhere but his old friend’s eyes. “I saw her. In Ponyville. She’s… She’s doing well.”

Night Light sighed. “Yes, she is.”

“And… you still fund her endeavors?”

“Yes.”

“Just ask if you need more money.”

“I don’t use your money,” Night Light said through gritted teeth.

“What?” Redwood was shocked.

“Those payments you send by courier every month? I give it to the orphanage.”

Redwood’s face seemed to contort in anger. “That money is for my daughter!”

“And if she knew where it came from, she wouldn’t want it either!” He poked him in the chest. “You didn’t just ruin her life, Rayleigh. Because of you I always knew something like this would happen to Twilight. You want to take responsibility? Repay me for taking care of your mistakes? Protect her. Make sure that not even a scratch comes to my daughter because if so I will reveal her. I’ll tell the world just who the daughter of one of the most wanted stallions in the world is.”

“Is that a threat?” Redwood said, malice leaking through. Night Light backed off, his body trembling but still standing tall. Redwood finally let his anger subside and he walked past Night Light, stopping to put a hoof on his shoulder. “You wouldn’t do that. I know you, old friend.”

Night Light batted away his arm. “Just keep her safe.”

“I intend to,” Redwood replied as he walked away. “Both of them.”

The next day, in the cold morning. Two mares stood before the building titled “Ponyville Psychiatry”.

“Are you ready?” Cloudy asked Rainbow.

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. I think so.” She took a step forward but stopped.

“Something wrong?”

Rainbow turned back and smiled at Cloudy. “Thanks for everything. And for what it’s worth, I don’t want you to be a mare I just meet and say goodbye to.” She held out a hoof. “I want you to be my friend.”

Cloudy looked at the outstretched hoof and slowly smiled. She took it and shook. “Yeah, I kind of do to.”

Rainbow turned back and walked into the building. Cloudy let out a sigh as she turned to walk away.

“Wait!” came a shout from down the street. She turned and saw Scootaloo skidding her scooter to a halt in front of her. “Aw dang! Am I too late?”

Cloudy chuckled. “You just missed her.”

“I wanted to wish Rainbow Dash luck.” She kicked at the dirt mournfully.

Cloudy looked at the filly and smiled as a thought occurred to her. “Hey, come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

Cloudy shrugged. “Well, Rainbow is gonna need a celebration for her first day of therapy. Where else are we going to find a party planner?”

“Ooh! Sugarcube Corner!” Scootaloo cheered and scooted alongside the mare.

“Come on, I’ll get you a milk shake.”

The Mailmare (No. 88)

The gray earth pony stepped out of his carriage before the Royal Canterlot Academy. He tipped his wide brimmed hat and tossed the driver two bits.

“Don’t wait up,” he joked, a smug grin playing across his face.

The pony wore a fashionable black trenchcoat which matched his hat. The coat was long, obscuring his cutie mark. His mane was white and cut short, giving the impression of age. He trotted up the short stairs to the Academy doors and opened them into a large atrium. A pink unicorn receptionist stood behind a desk in the center, a red military uniform adorning her torso. The room around them was quite busy and the older pony waited patiently in line to speak to the receptionist. When his turn finally came he stepped up and leaned against the desk, removing his hat to dust it off.

“How can I help you?” the pink mare asked with a smile.

“Yes,” the gray pony replied nonchalantly. “I’m here to see Captain Shining Armor.”

“I’m afraid the captain doesn’t reside in Canterlot anymore, but I can get a message to him.”

“Don’t worry,” the pony grinned and winked. “He’s going to want to drop everything to see me. Why don’t you tell whoever is in charge that Rayleigh Redwood is here to see them. Oh, and he’s unarmed.”

The pink mare gave the stallion a confused look before turning to the papers on her desk, hoping to find something about an appointment. Suddenly a picture on her desk caught her eye. A wanted poster, the reward 50 million bits. The pony on it was the same as the one before her. The name Rayleigh Redwood scrawled underneath the picture.

The mare shot to her feet, knocking over her chair and aimed a glowing horn at the stallion. “Don’t move! Let me see you’re hooves!”

The royal guards and soldiers around them caught sight of the commotion. While some were perplexed, other older ones immediately drew their swords or aimed their horns at the black clad pony before them.

The gray stallion simply grinned, placing his hat on the desk and calmly sitting down to raise his hooves above his head. “So I take it this means I’ve got your attention.”

“Talk to me,” Shining Armor called to a green earth pony stallion in a red uniform as he entered the long narrow hallway of the Royal Academy. The stallion ran to his side and produced a file for him to read.

“Rayleigh Redwood,” the stallion said calmly but quickly as they walked. “Previous Captain of the Royal Guard. Earth Pony. Wanted on nearly seven hundred counts of theft, two hundred counts assault, bribery, blackmail, etc., and wanted in nearly twenty different countries.”

Shining examined the file then placed it under his arm. “We’ve been after Redwood for decades, he’s a ghost. Just who brought him in?”

“That’s just it, sir.” The two stopped at the wide double doors at the end of the hallway. “He turned himself in.”

A moment later they were in the Canterlot Royal Operations room. Unknown to most ponies outside the academy, this room was one of the only things that stood between Equestria and Chaos. Here ponies magically monitored the movements and dealings of some of Equestria’s worst criminals and monsters. Shining stepped to the edge of the balcony and looked down at the CRO. Lines of desks were arranged in view of a large screen projected by a unicorn. Each member at the desks wore a red uniform and operated a crystal orb that allowed them to peek at criminals or help them find wanted fugitives. Pegasi flew through the air of the large room delivering messages and communiques. The entire room was windowless and magically sealed. Nopony, not even the princesses, could spy on what goes on here.

“He gave himself up?” Shining asked, turning back to the green stallion.

“Yes, sir. Said that first of all he wanted to talk to you.”

Shining narrowed his eyes and returned his attention to the large screen before him. Redwood’s mug shot was plastered across it with details of time and place regarding his arrest. “What does he mean first of all?”

“I’m not sure, sir. Maybe you can ask him.”

“I’ll go to the detainment facility immediately.” He turned to go.

“Actually he’s here, sir.”

Shining stopped and turned back once more. A shocked look on his face. “He’s here? Why in Celestia’s name would you bring him here?”

The green stallion gulped and stammered, “Because… Because he already knew about.”

“Captain!” Redwood smiled happily as Shining entered the small interrogation room. “I see you got my message. So sorry to pull you away from your beautiful wife. Cadence, was it?”

“Don’t try to threaten me Rayleigh,” Shining swore as he slammed a hoof on the table before him. “You’ve already done enough damage. Those rookies out there might not have known what they were getting into bringing you to CRO, but I know you’re after something. Just what information are you looking for and how in Tartarus did you know about this place?”

“Oh, please,” Redwood replied with a dismissive wave of his shackled hooves. “You think I care about your little intelligence experiment here? I’ve known about this place since it was founded. What was that, a little over twenty years ago? The thing I’m fuzzy on is just why you’re predecessor created it in the first place.” He gave the stallion a smirk that said he was being sarcastic.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your mouth!” the prince shouted and the gray pony went silent, his uncaring expression unchanged. “Why did you turn yourself in?”

“Finally,” he lifted his hooves and head to the sky in a thankful posture. “We’re getting to the point of this little visit. And that’s all it is really, a little visit. I actually have an appointment to get to by…” he checked his hoof but there was nothing there. “Well, they took my watch. But I’m pretty sure I’m still on time.”

“You’re stalling.”

“No, just getting a little off topic to distract you from the severity of the words I’m going say next.”

Shining leaned in closer and glared at the stallion. “And what’s that?”

Redwood leaned back in his chair and steepled his hooves before his chest. “I’m not speaking to anyone but Twilight Sparkle.”

“Achoo!” Twilight sniffled as she blew her nose.

“You alright there, Twi?” Applejack asked, stopping in the process of planting seeds.

“I’m fine, Applejack,” the alicorn responded. “I think I might just be getting a little cold.”

“Well, I’m happy you volunteered to help me with these chores but I wouldn’t want you to get a cold so close to your birthday.”

“I’ll be fine,” Twilight waved a dismissive hoof. “I mean it’s not like it’s the end of the world to be sick on your birthday.”

“Are you kidding me?!” Pinkie screamed, appearing from nowhere between the two mares. “Getting sick on your super special most awesomest day is the worst awfullest baddest thing to happen to anypony ever!”

“Which is why you should probably just go home,” Applejack smiled and gave her alicorn friend a friendly smile.

Twilight frowned. “Okay, I guess. But I promise to help out later, okay?”

“You got it, sugar cube!”

“Bye!” Pinkie and Applejack waved until Twilight was out of sight, then put their heads together conspiratorially.

“So what do we have planned for Twilight’s birthday tomorrow?” Applejack asked Ponyville’s premiere party planner.

“First of all,” the pink mare replied. “Rainbow Dash is going to take her out for a flight. While their out, Rarity and I will decorate the castle. You and Fluttershy are in charge of rounding up ponies for the party. I wanted this to be a super special surprise so I didn’t risk any invitations.”

“Sounds like a plan, Pinkie.”

The two hoof bumped and dispersed, their minds abuzz about tomorrow.

Twilight trotted home a little bit slower than usual. She could have flown, but this cold had just been affecting her balance and she didn’t want to risk it. She sniffed as she opened the front gates to the castle she called home and walked in to a groaning voice echoing through the halls.

“Spike?” she called.

“Over here,” the baby dragon replied weakly from around the corner.

Twilight followed the groans and found Spike lying on the floor clutching his stomach, a pile of letters beside him. He burped and another popped out.

“What are these?” she asked, grabbing a sealed letter.

“I don’t know,” Spike moaned. “But they’ve been coming all day. I tried to go find you but every time I try to stand up they keep-“ Spike was interrupted by another letter appearing.

Twilight opened the letter in her hand and read it.

“’Poor little Twilight, sitting by the moonlight. When the water’s just right, I will show you a real fight’?”

She picked up another letter and unrolled it. “This is pretty much the same.” She read more. “They’re all weird poems and threats.”

“That’s weird,” Spike groaned.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Twilight helped Spike to his feet and placed him on her back. “Princess Celestia should be the only one able to access the fire message system. Just who’s doing this?”

Suddenly the sound of wing beats could be heard from outside. At first Twilight thought it could be her friend Rainbow Dash, but when she looked outside she was surprised to see an overwhelming number of Royal soldiers. Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth pony were all lining up outside her castle. “That’s odd,” she whispered. “I don’t see the Princess anywhere. What do you suppose they want Spike?” She turned to the baby dragon but he’d already begun to throw up another letter and moan on the floor.

Twilight picked up her number one assistant with her magic and laid him on his stomach on her back. A large knock came at her door and Twilight tentatively walked over to it. She gulped as she opened the door. Two large unicorn guards in golden armor greeted her. They were flanked by a smaller dark purple Pegasus mare in a red uniform. “Princess Sparkle?” the mare asked.

“Yes?” Twilight replied. “Can I help you?”

“My name is Cloudy Gust. Your brother has sent us to escort you to Canterlot,” the mare replied.

“My brother?” Twilight asked skeptically, looking at all the guards and soldiers present. “Why couldn’t he come here himself?”

Cloudy Gust didn’t respond to the question. “He’s instructed us to bring you to Canterlot, ma’am,” she said in a serious tone.

Twilight was about to just close the door on them and write a letter to her brother herself, but then she remembered that Spike was pretty incapacitated at the moment. She bit her lip and took a step out of her home. “Alright, fine.” The guards began to reach for Spike who seemed to have lost consciousness, but Twilight pulled away from them. “Stop! What are you doing?”

“Orders are to bring you and only you, princess,” Cloudy said without emotion.

Twilight furrowed her brow at Cloudy angrily. “I’m not going anywhere without Spike, he’s sick!”

Cloudy stared at Twilight for a brief moment before whistling to a couple of pegasi attached to a chariot. They flew in her direction and set themselves down at the bottom of her steps. “These soldiers will escort you then. But I’ll be right behind you.”

For a brief moment, Twilight thought she could see a flash of anger in the pony’s eyes. But then it was gone once more, replaced by her unemotional expression. Twilight boarded the chariot and set Spike down beside her. She watched the baby dragon sleep to try to distract her from whatever her brother could be doing to need her to come to him with quite literally an army.

“Good to see you, Twily,” Shining said as he greeted her in the lobby of the Royal Academy. Spike had fallen asleep once more on her back. Twilight merely gave her big brother a stern look before approaching him and getting in his face.

“What was that?” she asked indignantly. “You couldn’t come see me yourself so you send the entire guard? You’re not even the captain anymore! What would the princess say if-”

“Celestia is the one who authorized the ponypower,” Shining interrupted before his sister could get into a long winded speech. Twilight was slightly taken aback by this news. Shining pulled his sister in close and whispered to her. “You should also know that the reason you’ve been brought here is top secret. Nopony, not even your friends, should know you’re here.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well, you didn’t exactly make that easy to do.”

Shining smirked. “As I said, not my call.” He nodded toward the guards that had escorted Twilight and they bowed dismissing themselves. Cloudy began to follow them but Shining turned to her as well. “Cloudy, you’re dismissed as well.” Cloudy stopped short and looked between Shining and Twilight before reluctantly bowing and walking away.

Twilight looked up at her brother as they continued to walk down the hallways of the Academy. “Do you know what’s up with her?”

Shining sighed. “Cloudy is very… serious about her job. She was just starting as a cadet when I retired to live in the Crystal Empire. She’s got a lot of experience under her belt though and rose pretty high after I left.”

“So what rank is she?” Twilight asked. But her question was drowned out as Shining opened two large doors at the end of the hallway they had been walking down. She took a step into the large room and had to hold up a hoof to her eyes. Almost every bit of wall was brightly illuminated with pictures of ponies and mosters as well as maps of Equestria.

“Just what is this place?” Twilight asked, her mouth agape at the enormous room in front of her. She looked down over the edge of the steel balcony and saw the lines of ponies at their desks looking through crystal balls. “Are you spying on ponies?” she asked hesitantly.

“Twilight,” Shining reassured his sister wrapping his hoof around her shoulder. “Believe me when I say that each and every one of the ponies in those images are bad news.” Twilight frowned but nodded her head. “And I’m sorry to say but you have to meet one of the most dangerous of them all.”

They proceeded to walk through the CRO until they came to a series of detention rooms. Shining opened the door to one for his sister and she walked into the tiny space. She looked around expecting to see somepony but the room was empty.

“Uh, are we in the right room?” she asked.

“Don’t worry,” Shining replied. “We needed to take a little bit more caution with this one than most.”

He pressed a hidden brick in the wall and the entire opposite wall pushed in, beginning to spin around. When the wall completed its rotation, Twilight stepped back in shock at the sight of an older gray earth pony sitting in a comfortable easy chair surrounded by a magical glass dome. A small table sat beside him with a cup of steaming tea. He seemed to be in the middle of reading a newspaper with most of the words redacted. The gray stallion looked up from his paper.

“You know if you’re going to black out nearly every article you think is a coded message, why give me the paper at all?” His red eyes caught Twilight and he turned his attention to her. “Ah, Miss Sparkle, now the gangs all here.”

“Just who is this pony, Shining?” Twilight asked concerned.

Shining trotted over to his sister’s side and held a hoof out toward the gray stallion. “Twilight, meet Rayleigh Redwood. Number two on Equestria’s Most Wanted list.”

“Charmed,” Redwood gave the two a compliant grin.

Twilight’s expression darkened as she turned to her brother. “Shining, just what is this about?”

“You know, I’m so glad you asked,” Redwood interrupted. “Would you like to take this, Shiny, or should I?”

Shining shot the imprisoned stallion a glare and sighed, turning to Twilight. “You’re in grave danger, Twilight.”

“Extremely grave,” Redwood continued getting the attention of the room, Shining clearly glaring at him. “Close to 48 hours ago a bounty was placed on the head of our little princess here. 800 million bits. You’re being hunted.”

Twilight held a hoof to her chest, her breathing heavy and worried. She gulped and tried to put on a brave face. “Why would anyone want me dead?” she asked, her voice seeming to crack.

“Oh, I never said they wanted you dead,” Redwood’s grin never wavered. “The stipulations of your bounty were quite clear. They want you humiliated, you’re life and reputation torn apart… Then they want you dead.”

The room went quiet once more. Shining was the first to speak up. “This just doesn’t make any sense, Redwood. Just who would have such a grudge against Twilight?”

“Who knows,” Redwood shrugged. “The point is that over a hundred of the most depraved and cruel monsters and villains you haven’t even imagined are on their way here.”

Twilight felt her blood run cold, the letters she received through Spike’s message system. The cryptic threats. If this was all true then…

Twilight’s gaze stiffened on Redwood who continued to sit in his easy chair nonchalantly. “Just where do you fit into all this, Mr. Redwood? Are you after me too?”

Redwood grinned. “Please. I have more important business to deal with than killing an alicorn. Plus I really don’t need the hassle.”

Shining turned to his sister. “Redwood offered himself up to the Canterlot authorities willingly.”

Redwood waved a dismissive hoof. “Just so happens that it would be very detrimental to me and some of my business partners if a princess of Equestria were to die. Thus I’ve come here to offer my aid.”

Twilight frowned and raised an untrusting eyebrow. “You. Want to help me?”

“That’s the plan,” he leaned forward in his chair eagerly. “So tell me, Sparkle. Anything strange happening lately. Maybe a new friend come to town or strange messages in your cereal?”

Twilight pursed her lips and turned to her brother for support. His face was no less worried but he nodded an affirmative. “My assistant has been receiving letters from an unknown sender. This is impossible since only Princess Celestia can send letters through him.”

Redwood smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Then we’re just in time.”

“Time for what?” Shining asked.

“Time to save a couple lives. The Mailmare’s in town.”

“Just who is the Mailmare?” Shining asked the green earth pony from before who now sat at a crystal ball station. The stallion pushed his hooves over the spherical orb as lights began to dance across it. A picture came into view and the stallion motioned to a blue unicorn that stood to the side. The unicorn’s horn lit up and illuminated the crystal ball, projecting the contents onto the large wall of the CRO base. It was a collection of newspaper clippings and letters all marked “suspect.”

“The Mailmare is a name that’s appeared in several unsolved cases. Victims believed that they had been scammed by phony letters or magical messages,” the stallion scrolled further through the pictures revealing a few crime scene photos. “The name has even appeared in several murder investigations as an intelligence source used by the criminal underworld.”

“That’s not even the half of it.” Everypony turned to Redwood who had been transferred from his imprisonment to the open atrium of CRO, shackled to a chair. He slumped over in it staring up at the wall of pictures. “Imagine, if you will, an entire world dependent on written communiques and magical faxes to survive. Now don’t imagine because it’s right here. Our world couldn’t work without the postal service or letters, however that is a weakness that the Mailmare exploits wholeheartedly. She began as a simple forger and worked her way up to con man. Before long she was offering her services as an expert mail forger and spell hacker to the highest bidder. Criminals would use her to entice their enemies into ambushes. Wealthy businessponies would be tricked into making lousy deals because their hot tips from trusted advisors would actually be bogus. Write something close enough to somepony else and they’ll never question it.”

Shining looked back at the wall, placing a safeguarding hoof on his sister. “I don’t understand, just what does this pony think she can do to Twilight?”

Redwood cricked his neck and hummed thoughtfully, “Well, let’s see. She’s already incapacitated her assistant.” He rolled his eyes at the sleeping dragon on Twilight’s back. “Probably has read most of her private mail, so she knows the events that are coming up in her life. Tell me, princess, is there any event coming up that the Mailmare could use to hurt you?”

Twilight gasped. “Shining! My birthday! What if all my friends are in danger?”

Shining turned to a pink unicorn who stood to the side. “Get soldiers to Ponyville by tomorrow morning. I don’t want anything happening to those citizens.” The pink mare saluted and ran off to relay the orders. Shining turned back to Twilight. “In the meantime, you’re staying here in CRO.”

“What?” Twilight shouted.

“No arguments!” Shining grimaced. “A killer is after you. I will not let you put yourself in danger.”

Twilight got in her brother’s face. “If my friends are in danger, it is my business to be with them.”

“Damn it, Twily! Be sensible here!”

Twilight rushed out of the room in huff. Shining let his back legs fall and sat, gripping his head with a hoof.

“You know mares can get quite feisty at that age,” Redwood joked from his shackles. “You’ll have to deal with it a lot longer when you’ve got your own filly.”

Shining snarled and waved a hoof. “Get him out of here!”

Twilight tossed and turned in her small cot in the holding cells of CRO. Shining had been successful in stopping her and Spike from leaving when a squad of armored ponies intercepted them before they could leave. She tried teleporting as well but Shining explained that the walls of CRO we’re made of a super rare stone that absorbed magic.

Shining assured her that everpony in Ponyville would be fine without her. Still she just couldn’t stop thinking of her friends and the danger they were in. Just how would this Mailmare strike? Would she hurt the citizens of Ponyville just to get to her? When Princess Celestia had made Twilight a princess she warned her that there would be more responsibility on her shoulders, she never mentioned anything about death threats.

Twilight turned again in her uncomfortable cot, facing Spike curled up at the foot of her bed. She frowned in thought and came to a decision. She decided Spike would be safer off here with her brother, but she needed to get back to Ponyville and there was just one way since her brother had no intention of letting her leave. After a quick check that any guards were posted at the end of the blocked hallway, Twilight snuck down the hall. She came to the cell she remembered Shining showing her and to her surprise found the door unlocked. “I suppose since it looks empty from the outside they thought it would be more believable to have it unlocked,” she surmised under her breath.

She entered the empty room and felt for the wall, searching for the loose brick that Shining had used before. Her hoof collided with a brick that jutted a few centimeters from the wall and she pushed it in. The wall opposite her swung around and Redwood sat in his easy chair, clearly awake and a black hat on his head.

“Glad you’re finally moving,” he said smugly. “I’ve been waiting for a good few hours now.”

“You were expecting me?” Twilight asked in disbelief.

“Indeed I was,” he answered. “You’re worried about your friends. I can understand that. I don’t have any friends myself, only acquaintances. But in my line of work that’s pretty much the best you can have.”

Twilight looked into the pony’s red eyes and saw no hint of joking. “You seriously think that?”

“Don’t get me wrong, miss Sparkle. Friendship is Magic and all that. But every body you attach yourself to just adds to the area of flesh that can be cut and taken away from you.”

Twilight wanted to leave in disgust at that comment but she needed this pony’s help if she was going to get out of here. She grit her teeth. “You swear you’re not trying to kill me yourself?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Redwood replied, reciting the famous Pinkie promise of her beloved friend.

Twilight shuttered at the thought that this stallion knew such a promise but she had to shake it off. “Fine, now how do I get you out of there?”

Redwood pointed to the brick below the one she’d just used. “Pull that one outward.”

Twilight used her magic and pulled on the brick. It made a clicking sound as it receded and the glass dome surrounding Redwood opened up. He took a few steps off his chair and stretched. “Ah, nothing like a little leg room.” He sauntered past Twilight to the door. “Now we’ve got to hurry, we only have a small window of time to get past the guards during their shift switch.”

“You know their shifts?” Twilight asked in a hush as she followed him outside. “And how do you even know what time it is?”

Redwood tipped his black hat and smirked. “Trust me, I know.”

Rarity and Pinkie Pie had been working diligently to make the castle look as festive as possible. Though the two ponies styles may clash sometimes, this was an area where they both excelled immensely. “Oh, darling, don’t you think that should be to the center of the room?” Rarity asked as Pinkie pushed a giant crystal fountain of melted chocolate to the side of the big ballroom.

“No way!” Pinkie replied with a smile. “We need this room for the dancing and games.”

“Yes but couldn’t we simply work around it?” Rarity asked as she held up her hooves like a camera and looked around the room. “The fountain is the centerpiece of the room that all eyes will be drawn to and I couldn’t imagine a better place than right here.”

Pinkie laughed. “Well, I suppose if it gets in the way we can move it.” She began to heave the large fountain once more just as a familiar blue Pegasus streaked in through a window.

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity exclaimed. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be keeping Twilight busy.”

“I know!” Rainbow shouted. “But I can’t find her anywhere.”

“What do you mean?” Pinkie asked.

“I mean I came here early like you said and knocked on the door but nopony answered. So I let myself in and checked around but I couldn’t find her. I’ve been flying around looking ever since!”

Rarity and Pinkie looked at each other dubiously. “Come to think of it,” Rarity muttered. “Spike wasn’t here either.”

“Does anypony know what the hay is goin’ on?” Applejack’s voice came from the hallway. Everypony turned to see her enter with Fluttershy. “We’ve been all over town lookin’ for ponies to invite but can’t find a single one!”

“There’s nopony in town?” Pinkie asked. Fluttershy gave a hesitant nod.

“Well then why are we here?” Rainbow asked. Everypony was silent as the sound of hoofbeats and wingbeats could be heard from outside.

Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief and walked to the front doors. “Oh, see? They were probably just all on their way here. A little early though.”

Rainbow flew up to a high window and looked out. “Uh, Pinkie, I don’t think that’s the townsfolk.”

Pinkie threw the doors to the castle open with a smile but it deflated when she was greeted by the stern look of a purple Pegasus in a red uniform. “Pinkamena Diane Pie, I presume?” the Pegasus said in a serious tone.

Pinkie nodded as the others came over to the door. The purple Pegasus bowed to them. “I’m Cloudy Gust of the Royal Academy. We’ve been sent here to protect you and the town of Ponyville.”

“Gonna be pretty hard to do that when we don’t know just where the town is,” Applejack said with a frown.

Cloudy turned to the town and squinted her eyes as if scanning the horizon. She gave a nod and motioned a few other ponies off to the town with her hoof. Several soldiers ran off towards the seemingly abandoned town.

“Um,” Fluttershy muttered. “Could you tell us just why you’re here to protect us?”

Cloudy looked back to Fluttershy with a serious glance which made the yellow Pegasus shrink in fear. “That’s classified.”

Rainbow frowned at the mare and flew into her face before poking her in the chest. “Hey! If you’re gonna just show up out of the blue the least we deserve is an explanation!”

Cloudy stared at Dash, her eyes narrowed and serious. “Do. Not. Touch. The. Uniform.”

Rainbow felt slightly shaken by the heaviness of the words but she steeled her resolve. “Make me!”

Cloudy’s eyes widened for a brief second and she looked as if she was going to round house kick Rainbow, but a soldier cried out from the town line and stopped her. “We found something!” the soldier shouted as he raced back to the steps of the castle. He handed Cloudy a slip of paper and she read it silently. After she was done she looked up at Pinkie.

“Miss Pie,” she began. “Is this your hoofwriting?”

Pinkie looked at the paper and saw it to be one of her custom invitations, complete with illustrations of balloons and stars. Pinkie smiled. “Yup! That’s mine alright!”

Cloudy narrowed her eyes. “Can you tell me why you would be preparing a party at Princess Sparkle’s castle and yet advertise the party location for the outskirts of the Everfree Forest?”

Pinkie’s eyes widened as she grabbed the invitation and gave it a more thorough look. “What?!” she shouted. It looked like the mare was right. Come to think of it, she hadn’t even made invitations for this party. “But… But that’s impossible!” Pinkie lifted the invitation to the sky. “It even has my watermark!” The ponies all looked as the sun showed through the paper and revealed an image of Pinkie’s cutie mark.

“You watermark your invitations?” Applejack asked incredulously.

“You don’t?” Pinkie asked back.

“Regardless,” Cloudy slightly yelled over the two mares. “If this is where the rest of Ponyville has gone then we must go as well.” She turned and began to fly in the direction of Everfree.

“Wait!” Rainbow shouted as she caught up with the pegasus. “We’re coming too.”

Cloudy didn’t turn to look at Dash but simply said. “Fine, but do as I say.”

Twilight was amazed with how smoothly she and Redwood had gotten through the security of CRO. It was almost as if Redwood knew every little movement that anypony was going to make before they even made them. At times they would stop at a corner and he would do a countdown under his breath. When he reached one the guards would move out of their way, clearly on some sort of schedule. They made it back to the appropriate locations of the academy with no sweat.

“How did you do that?” Twilight asked with amazement.

“Even an Earth Pony can have his own magic,” Redwood replied with a smirk. He straightened his coat and began to walk down the hall. “It’s called being observant.”

“I’m observant!” Twilight shouted slightly louder than she anticipated. She closed her mouth and looked around before catching up to Redwood who seemed to be walking briskly with no fear of being caught. “I’m pretty observant too, you know?”

“Oh, that’s right,” Redwood replied. “You are observant. Just not observant enough to realize that you’re being watched.”

Twilight growled. “How was I supposed to know about somepony like the Mailmare?”

“I wasn’t talking about the Mailmare,” Redwood replied seriously.

Twilight stopped walking for a moment. “What are you talking about?”

Redwood stopped walking as well and turned around, his face no longer as disinterested as before. “You’re problems began long before this bounty, Twilight Sparkle. You’ve been a target for far longer than that.”

Twilight wanted to ask him what he meant by that but Redwood suddenly threw a hoof over her and pulled her around a corner. She squealed in surprise but Redwood shushed her and pointed down the hall they had just been through. Some ponies she recognized from CRO were darting around frantically looking around. He let go of Twilight’s mouth and she glanced at him nervously. “What do we do?”

Redwood looked at her and she felt slightly intimidated by the closeness of his blood red eyes. “Teleport.”

“What?” Twilight asked.

“Teleport,” Redwood repeated. “We’re outside of CRO which means no more magic dampeners. You can use as much magic as you want.”

Twilight frowned. “But I can only teleport a few hundred hooves at most. Plus I’m not familiar with the academy. We could reappear in a wall.”

“Then think of someplace you are familiar with,” Redwood replied hastily as the guards began to grow closer. “Like Ponyville.”

“What?!” Twilight asked again. “I just told you I can only teleport a few hooves.”

“First it’s a hundred and now it’s a few,” Redwood replied angrily, grabbing Twilight by her cheeks and pulling her close to his face. His eyes were narrowed to slits at her, making him look like a beast of prey. “Get it together, Sparkle. You are an alicorn. One of the most powerful creatures on the planet. Concentrate.”

Twilight felt scared as the criminal held her head but she nodded and closed her eyes. She focused every bit of her mind on one thought. Home. The word resonated within her and she could soon feel it erupt from her horn. She opened her eyes as they let out a blinding light and the next moment the two ponies were gone.

Twilight and Redwood reappeared inside a familiar surroundings. Twilight panted as she dropped to the crystal ground of her castle home and smiled. She rolled over on her back and checked her hooves. “I… I can’t believe I just did that!” she yelled happily.

Redwood got up before her and brushed his coat. “Congratulations. Now I think we have a party to save?”

Twilight nodded resolutely and struggled to her feet. Redwood offered a hoof to her but Twilight pushed it away. “I’m fine,” she muttered.

Redwood shrugged and went to the door. “Suit yourself.” He opened it and the two looked up at the sky. It was beginning to get late in the day. Twilight looked back down at her steps and saw a piece of paper lying on the ground. She picked it up and scanned it.

“Oh no.”

Outside Ponyville hundreds of ponies had gathered into a picnic area just outside Everfree. The first to arrive found a well decorated hillside with picnic tables, balloons and games. The only thing missing was Pinkie Pie. “Honeybunch,” Mister Cake said as he, his wife and their twins arrived early, “Are you sure this is where Pinkie is throwing the party?”

Cupcake pulled out an invitation she had found slid under the door. “It’s what Pinkie’s invitation says.”

Mister Cake glanced nervously at the dark and imposing forest just a few hooves away. “It just seems… dangerous for her is all.”

Cupcake frowned and nodded. “It does seem odd. Hmm?” She walked up to one of the tables and picked up a letter, this one in Pinkie’s hoofwriting. “To whoever arrives first, sorry I’ll be late. Just preparing the most super, stupendous, astounding, amazing, wow-eriffic…” She turned the letter over and continued to read until she flipped the page over and turned to another stapled sheet of paper. “And it just kind of goes on like that.” She reached the end of the letter and looked all over it. “I think she forgot what she was writing about.”

Mister Cake smirked. “Yup, that’s Pinkie.” They stood on the hillside as more and more ponies began to arrive, the neighborhood foals beginning to play the various games set up around. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to stay a little.”

“Yeah.” They set the twins down and allowed them to crawl around for a little while the parents indulged in some cake.

From high atop a cloud, a sinister Pegasus watched the guests arrive one by one. In his hooves was a list of specific ponies to which Princess Twilight Sparkle knew personally. He checked off each one as they arrived and grinned. “Looks like the gangs all here,” he chuckled. He got up and cracked his neck before rearing his legs back and driving them down on the cloud he was on. A lightning bolt shot out and hit the Everfree below, setting the trees on fire. “Hehehe!”

Rainbow couldn’t quite believe it but she was having trouble keeping up with Cloudy Gust. The purple Pegasus’ short lime tail billowed in front of her with Rainbow having trouble passing her up. Suddenly a cry of panic echoed out from the area by Everfree. Cloudy started to fly even faster. “Wait!” Rainbow found herself shouting. It actually made her pause midflight for a moment. She was shouting for somepony to wait up for her? She grit her teeth and flew as fast as she could making it to the scene just moments after Cloudy. The mare not looking at all tired, unlike herself.

“Just how did you do that,” Rainbow panted, “without getting winded?”

Cloudy didn’t look to her so Rainbow put a hoof on her shoulder. “Hey! I’m talking to you!”

Cloudy turned and grabbed her hoof with both hers, twisting them around Dash’s body. “Hey! Ow!”

“Get your head out of your plot!” Cloudy yelled. “There’s a situation here in case you can’t see.” She angrily shoved Rainbow off and flew towards what appeared to be a fire. Rainbow rubbed her hoof as she finally caught a sight of her surroundings. The trees on the edge of the forest were ablaze with several dangerous creatures running out and causing chaos among the gathered citizens. She saw Cloudy kick a Timberwolf into splinters just as it was about to attack an unprotected filly.

“R- Right,” Rainbow muttered shakily still nursing her hoof. One thought going through her mind: Who could have done this?

“Rainbow!” Dash turned and saw her friends as well as most of the guards that had accompanied Cloudy Gust. Applejack was the first to reach her. “What’s happening?”

“W- What’s it look like?” Rainbow said a little offensively. She didn’t know why she replied harshly like that.

“Okay?” Applejack raised an eyebrow but shook it off. “What do you need us to do?”

Rainbow shook her head clear of any lingering thoughts she might have had. This was a situation and her friends were looking to her for guidance. Not Cloudy. “Start taking care of the monsters! I’ll see if I can whip up some rain!” In a flash of blue she was gone and Applejack was left. She turned to the others.

“Alright, you heard her. Let’s get a move on!” The four split up and began to fight off the beasts that were threatening everybody.

A large crocodile was had cornered the Cakes. Cupcake and Carrot Cake cowered under a picnic table as the twins cried in their hooves. The giant crocodile raised its massive body up and slammed it back down on the wooden table, showering splinters everywhere. The Cakes all screamed in terror as it felt like the furniture would buckle underneath the weight. Then with the sound of a high velocity kick the crocodile flipped over and was knocked out cold. Mr. Cake opened one eye and breathed a sigh of relief. “Alligators are better!” came a familiar voice.

“Pinkie?” Mr. Cake asked.

Pinkie appeared at the table and lifted the splintered wooden remains off of the family. “Oh, hi, Mr. Cake!”

She held out a hoof which he shakily took and helped his wife up as well. “W-W-What’s going on, Pinkie?”

“Not any kind of party I know,” Pinkie said seriously. Her eyes narrowed and for a moment Mr. Cake thought he heard a sound like “dun dun dun” “This is… Anti-Party.”

Applejack and Rarity batted away timberwolves with their magic and bucking skills until some familiar voices cried out. “The girls!” they both shouted to each other.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders had found themselves caught between the flames enveloping the forest and a hydra. Its four heads reared back and surged towards the fillies. Two heads were stopped by a wall of magic as their faces planted into levitated tree, while the other two were each dealt a hard bucking by each of Applejacks cannons. Each head cried out in pain as several sharp teeth fell from their mouths.

“Alright!” the three shouted.

The two older sisters turned to them with worried looks. “Are you girls okay?” Rarity shouted as she grabbed Sweetie Belle.

“We’re fine, Rarity,” Sweetie said muffled by her sister’s chest.

Applejack let out a sigh of relief as she smiled and patted her sister on her head. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

Applebloom’s eyes went wide as she pointed behind her. “Applejack! Look out!”

Applejack turned just in time to see one of the hydra heads get back up and lunge at her. Instinctively she held out a hoof to protect herself. The hydra’s maw snapped shut around Applejack’s hoof and she let out a scream of agony.

Rarity turned from the girls and pushed them back before blasting the head with magic. It relented and let go, slinking to the ground unconscious. “Your hoof!” Rarity exclaimed as she looked at Applejack. The farmpony held her front left foreleg aloft. It didn’t look like any of the hydra’s teeth had dug into it thanks to the earlier hit, but the force of the bite still left her leg at a weird angle. She knelt on the ground and winced in pain. “Here, let me-” Applejack shook her head as Rarity reached for her.

“Go and help the rest,” she said. “I’m no good like this.” She nodded to the crusaders. “I’ll watch them.”

“But…”

“Just go!” Rarity didn’t argue and ran to the pandemonium once more. Applejack and the crusaders covered their eyes as a flame spit from the trees and nearly reached them. “We should find somewhere else to lay low.”

Twilight ran to the crest of the hill and panted heavily to catch her breath. She looked on at the horrific sight of fire and carnage with a pale face. “This is all my fault,” she whispered.

“Are you always so quick to blame yourself?” Redwood replied from beside her.

Twilight grimaced and looked at all the ponies running in fear. “I… I could teleport them one by one to safety and then…” She stalled and could feel tears build up behind her eyes.

Redwood sighed and put a hoof around her shoulder. He lifted his other hoof and swept it across the scene. “Look at the situation before you. Look at it like a puzzle.” She looked at him with confusion for a moment but then nodded and focused. “Several pieces are out of place, correct? Parts of a different puzzle?”

Twilight shut her eyes and now visualized the scene as a jumble of jig pieces. “Yes,” she muttered.

Redwood leaned down and whispered into her ear. “You have the power to make it right. The power to change it all.” He slowly let go of Twilight and backed away from her as he noticed her horn begin to glow. “Now separate them.”

Twilight’s mind view flashed with different colors as every piece flew by her and she separated them. In reality, Twilight had opened her eyes once more. An eerie glow erupted from them as every monster disappeared one by one. With a final roar the last of the creatures disappeared and the ponies began to nurse their wounds. On a hillside just next to where Twilight was, a single pony watched it all as the dark cloaked figure next to her whispered into her friend’s ear and Twilight let loose more magic than she had ever seen her do.

“Twilight?” Applejack whispered in amazement.

When the Mailmare saw Twilight appear he abandoned his sentry cloud. However moments after leaving his perch he was blindsided by a blue blur. Rainbow Dash stopped and turned to him. “Oh, sorry about that, buddy! I’m in kind of a hurry.”

“No problem,” the Pegasus replied, slightly surprised to see the Rainbow Dash out this far. Hmm, this might not have been a total wash after all. “What’s going on?” he asked innocently. “I heard some ponies screaming.”

Rainbow frowned. “Big fire! I’ve got to get some rain clouds.”

“I just saw them a couple miles back that way,” the Mailmare pointed south. “I’ll show you.”

“Really? Awesome!” she shouted and followed him.

Twilight glanced at the fire enveloping Everfree. With another lavender flash of light from her horn and eyes the fire disappeared. Twilight stood still for a moment, making no movement or sound as the power within her seemed to overflow. Then a pair of hooves wrapped themselves around her neck from behind. “Twilight!” Pinkie shouted happily. In her surprise Twilight’s eyes dimmed once more and her horn lost its glow. “I’m so super duper glad your okay!”

Pinkie squeezed a little tighter and Twilight gagged. “I’m fine, Pinkie,” she squeaked out.

“Can somepony please explain to me what’s going on?” Mister Cake said as he and the rest of the ponies came to the hillside to join them. “Pinkie! Why would you throw a party here?”

Pinkie let go of Twilight. “It wasn’t me!”

Twilight coughed slightly and rubbed her neck. “She’s telling the truth, Mrs. Cake. This was all a…” Twilight stopped talking as she heard wingbeats form behind her. Everypony looked up to see a squadron of royal soldiers landing on the outskirts of town. On one of the chariots pulling several of the unicorn and earth pony soldiers was a fully awake and seemingly healthy looking Spike and her brother who didn’t look pleased.

“Twilight!” Spike shouted as he ran to her. Twilight embraced the baby dragon in a hug. “When I woke up you weren’t there and Shining Armor was pretty mad.”

Twilight looked up at her brother who was approaching her. He wore a look of pure fury. “I told you to stay put!”

Twilight furrowed her brow and took a step toward him to get in his face. “I wasn’t going to abandon my friends!”

“We had no idea about the capabilities of this villain,” Shining said angrily. “For all we know this could have all been a trap to lure you out, or even…” Shining paused as he suddenly took stock of his surroundings. He pulled his sister to the side and whispered harshly in her ear. “Where is he?”

Twilight was about to ask who he was talking about but then she realized. She looked around. Soldiers and medics were tending to the ponies that had been injured or trapped. But no matter where she looked she could not see Redwood. “He… He was just here,” she stammered.

Shining stomped his hoof into the ground causing a small shock wave that surprised a couple of ponies milling about. He turned to soldier by his side. “Get a group of six CRO agents. Fan out and find him!”

“Twilight!” The purple alicorn turned and saw two more of her friends approaching. Fluttershy and Rarity embraced her in a hug. “Where have you been, darling?” Rarity asked.

“It’s a long story,” Twilight laughed the question off.

“Ah got time,” Applejack replied seriously. Twilight turned to her friend who had started limping over to her. Her eyes widened when she saw her mangled foreleg.

“Applejack!” Twilight shouted in a panic and ran over to her. “Your leg!” She lit up her horn an approached her. “Here let me help.”

Applejack drew her leg back in a swift movement. “No!” she shouted. Twilight looked at her surprised. “W-What Ah mean is that… there’s ponies here that need more help than me. You should save your strength for them.”

“Alright,” Twilight said hesitantly. For some reason the way Applejack looked at her was odd. She could swear it almost looked like fear.

Rarity was talking to Spike, seeing how he was before a plume of green flame shot out from his mouth. Spike grabbed the scroll that exited the flamed but also his stomach as he keeled over. “Not again,” he moaned.

Spike’s moaning caught her attention and Twilight walked back over to him. She looked at the scroll with a little trepidation and gulped as she pulled it open and read it. Her eyes widened in shock as she finished the letter. “No,” she whispered painfully.

Shining Armor saw Twilight panic and grabbed the letter from her. He scanned it and cursed under his breath before turning to his cadre of soldiers. “I want all available pegasi to scour the area above Everfree! We have a criminal in hiding, be advised there is a hostage! From cumulus to cirrus, leave no cloud unturned!”

“Sir!” Shining turned as he saw Cloudy Gust fly down from above and salute. “What is the situation?”

“A hostile in Everfree has foalnapped somepony from town,” he replied. “I want you to take your squad and…” He was cut off as Cloudy shot off in a purple blur toward the forest. “Damn it,” he muttered.

A soldier in a red uniform came up to him. “Your command, sir.”

Shining rubbed a hoof on his temple. “All available unicorns take the main path through Everfree. See anything and report it in. I need earth ponies here to help the wounded and still trapped.”

“Yes, sir!”

Shining turned to Twilight. “And Twily, this time I want you to actually…” Once again he was cut off as he saw his sister and their friends were gone. “Mother of Faust,” he cursed.

Rainbow groggily opened her eyes as she looked around. “W-What happened?” she muttered.

“Glad you’re awake,” a masculine voice came from left. Rainbow tried to turn but she found herself cemented in place. She looked down and saw that her entire body up to her neck had been encased in hard cloud, the kind pegasi used to build places like Cloudsdale. She struggled by stretching her neck but simply couldn’t get her hooves or wings to move. “You should probably stop struggling. The surface of this stuff may be hard as rock to pegasi but when you’re below the surface it’s like quick sand.” As if to justify his point Rainbow felt her lower legs slip a little deeper and she set her chin on the surface.

“Let me out of here!” she shouted and turned to the voice. She saw a dark green Pegasus with a white mane sitting on a little mound of cloud next to her. “Hey! Are you listening, idiot?”

The Pegasus smiled creepily and pulled out a little mechanical device. Rainbow looked at it with trepidation for a moment before the stallion rolled a switch on the side. A green flame shot out of the top of the device and a paper materialized. He grabbed it from the air and cleared his throat to read it. “Rainbow Dash. Element of Loyalty. Born in Cloudsdale. Moved to Ponyville eight years ago. Recently accepted into the Wonderbolts Reserves, not bad. Likes: Racing, Speed, Competitions. Dislikes: Cheaters, Destructive Behavior, and Being Slow.” He rolled up the paper and sparked his lighter again dismissing the scroll. “Gotta say, that is one week life.”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes harshly at him and growled. “Who are you?”

“Glad we get to that,” the stallion said as he stood up. “You can call me, the Mailmare.”

Rainbow stared at him for a moment then raised an eyebrow. “But you’re a dude?”

The Mailmare laughed. “That’s kind of the point, Dashie. Pick a name that implies the opposite gender and immediately anypony looking for you will be inclined to search out a female.”

Rainbow shook her head. “Fine. So you’re a mailpony. What do you want with me?”

The Mailmare grit his teeth a little bit. “I’m not a literal mailpony. But I’m glad you ask. I’m going to wait for your friend Twilight Sparkle to arrive. Then I’m going to kill you in front of her. Let her stew for a while with the guilt. Then launch a nasty rumor that this whole fire and your death were all her fault. Her reputation will be in shambles. I can easily hire some loser pony to off her. Then I get a cool 800 million bits.”

Rainbow’s eyes went wide. “You’re crazy! And twisted! And nothing you said would ever work. What pony would believe that Twilight would kill me? She’s my best friend!”

“Is she?” the Mailmare asked with an evil smirk. He pulled out his lighter again and summoned a set of papers. “Cause these diary entries I have from her say some pretty mean stuff about you.” He cleared his throat once more and began to read. “Dear diary, Rainbow Dash is so boisterous and annoying. I wish she’d just disappear. Dear diary, Rainbow Dash angers me so much. Always being so prideful and thinking she’s better than me. It makes me sick.”

Rainbow laughed at him. “That’s pathetic. Twilight would never say that!”

The Mailmare smiled and threw the papers on the ground so Dash could read. “Take a look for yourself.”

Rainbow glared at him but hesitantly looked down at the papers near her head. Her eyes gradually widened as she recognized Twilight’s loops and the way she would accidentally dot her “t’s.” “This… this is just fake!” she yelled, trying to convince herself.

The Mailmare laughed out loud. “Yes, and maybe you’ll be able to see through it because your friends and hold some kind of special relationship. But do you think the aristocracy of Canterlot will tell the difference? Do you think all the little citizens of your Podunk town will be able to tell?” He lowered himself and kneeled to her level so he could look into her eyes. “All it takes is a little practice and anypony can become somepony else. I simply have a knack for that.” He moved his saddlebag and revealed his cutie mark. A blank face with an evil grin whispering into another’s ear. “I can take your life and throw it into the garbage with a single letter. I don’t need to know your secrets when I can create them myself. You’re the Element of Loyalty. Meet the Element of Deceit. I’ll screw over anypony that gets in my way. And it just so happens that today that pony happens to be you.”

Rainbow looked into the Mailmare’s eyes and she felt something she’d never felt before. True fear. There was no love or warmth behind those deep green eyes. Only greed and her own reflection. He looked at her as if she were simply bug in the road. And right now that was what she felt like.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Applejack,” Rarity asked her friend as they travelled through the Everfree.

Applejack waved Rarity off with a dismissive hoof and chuckled. “Ah’ll be fine.” She put her hoof down and winced as she tried to put some weight on it.

“You’re most certainly not alright,” Rarity said with worry.

“Ah told you, Ah’m fine,” Applejack replied as she lifted her leg again and they kept on walking. Up ahead Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were discussing the current plan to save Rainbow Dash. Twilight hadn’t explained much before they ditched Shining Armor but she made it clear that she somehow knew that Dash was in trouble. Applejack frowned and turned to Rarity as the two walked alongside each other. “What do you think of Twilight right now?”

“Pardon?” Rarity asked.

“Twilight,” Applejack reiterated. “Something just feel’s off about her since she got back. And she still hasn’t told us where she went.”

Rarity frowned but looked ahead. “She doesn’t particularly seem all that different to me. Plus this probably isn’t the time to be thinking of such things if Rainbow Dash is in danger.”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, Ah guess you’re right.” Still, what had Twilight been doing with that figure in black? And just where did she learn to use all that power?

“So that’s the plan,” Twilight finished up ahead. “I don’t know just what kind of pony we’re dealing with but we can be sure that they’ll be formidable.”

“Why did they take Rainbow in the first place?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight lowered her head. “It’s because…” She was about to tell them all about the current threat to her life and everyone she loved. About her Brother inviting her inside CRO and about Redwood too and how he might be loose again. But something nagged in the back of her mind. Right now her friend were all innocent in this. They had already suffered enough for whatever grudge some pony had against her. Did she really have the right to bring them into this? If she told them now. No doubt they would want to help. Suddenly the image of Rainbow came into her mind. She didn’t even know if her friend was still alive, she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose any of them. If Redwood was right and it was beginning to look like he was, then her life would change drastically. She wanted her friends here. She wanted them to stay as they are, not tainted by whatever evil was now following her around. If that meant carrying the weight of secrecy on her shoulders, then for now she would bear it. “… I don’t know.”

Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all nodded and looked ahead with determination. Applejack stayed a little back, her eye only on Twilight.

“Help! Help!” Rainbow shouted. The Mailmare glared down at her a he rolled his eyes.

“Quiet!” he yelled.

“Screw you!” Rainbow shouted back. “Help!”

The Mailmare grabbed his saddle bag and pulled out another kind of device. This one was longer with a forked tip. He made a move to specifically show it off to Rainbow before flipping a switch. Lightning arced between the two prongs of the fork. He lifted himself from the cloud and drove the fork into the cloud. Rainbow shouted in pain as a jolt of electricity coursed through the cloud and through her. When the Mailmare finally pulled it out he grinned and blew on the fork to dispel any lingering smoke.

Rainbow lay there motionless with her mouth open and her hair and body slightly singed. She gradually moved her neck and winced at the Mailmare. “What… was that?”

The Mailmare landed back on the cloud and flipped the forked device between his hooves. “This? It’s a new toy from across the pond in Neighpon. Did you know that since their population is mostly earth pony that they’ve had to develop tools for most of the work that’s performed by unicorns or pegasi? This is a lightning prod. It catches electricity from storms and expels it later on. Now its normal use is for weather control but I like to use it for other things.” He smiled gleefully and planted the prod into the cloud again. Rainbow screamed as the lightning shocked her again and she leaned her head back unconscious. The Mailmare pulled his prod back and raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? This is just the lowest setting, you know?”

His ears perked up as the Mailmare heard the sound of movement in the forest below him. He had planted his cloud in a particularly misty part of the forest. A place that he was sure only Twilight Sparkle and her friends would be able to find with their connection to the Elements of Harmony. Though he was quite surprised. He wasn’t expecting them so soon.

A gray earth pony in a black trench coat and matching hat walked out of the underbrush and looked up. He caught the Mailmare’s eyes with a confident smile. “Oh, I had a hunch you’d be here.”

The Mailmare raised an eyebrow at the pony before his eyes went wide with recognition. “No bucking way,” he muttered. He sprang back and grabbed his saddle bag, pulling out a few bombs he had prepared in case things got hairy. He snapped the pin off of one and hurled it down toward the older stallion. He merely raised a hoof and swatted it away at the very last second, exploding a tree nearby. The stallion had to grab his hat to keep it from being blown off from the pressure of the blast.

He moved a hoof back and forth in a “tsk tsk” motion. “You should be more sparing with that. Blast powder is kind of hard to come by in Equestria.”

“Buck you!” The Mailmare shouted, still hiding himself above the cloud. “What the hay are you doing here?”

“Can’t a gentlepony be out for an afternoon stroll?” the stallion replied.

“Buck that! I know who you are, Rayleigh Redwood! You’re here to steal my reward!”

The stallion rubbed his chin in thought. “Oh, right. We ran that job back in Istanbull. I must say, I admire your work.”

The Mailmare paused and peeked his head out. “You do?” He froze as a familiar black object flew towards his face from below.

“I did say to be more sparing with those,” Redwood smirked. “Now me I make sure to only bring one or two at most on a job like this.”

The Mailmare ducked back before the bomb could hit him in the face but the blast went off right beside his cloud sending him flying back and off into the forest below. A ringing echoed through his ears as he struggled to his hooves. His vision was still a little blurry but he swore he could see a figure in black approaching him through the trees. “No! Stay away!” he shouted, trying to move his wings but he found one of them to broken in a few places. He frantically grabbed inside of his saddle bag and pulled out the lightning prod. He turned it on and waved it back and forth haphazardly. “Stay back! Or I’ll pump you full of lightning!”

As his vision came back he could finally make out the face of the stallion in front of him. He wore a nonchalant smile and looked straight at his weapon without flinching. “How quaint,” he said. “You know they have a new model of that out. Packs much more punch.”

“Shut up!” the Mailmare screamed and lunged towards him with a wild swing. Redwood took the opportunity to duck under the swing and drive his shoulder into the Mailmare’s chest, knocking the wind right out of him. The Mailmare dropped the lightning prod and fell to his knees. Redwood grabbed the prod and examined it.

“You know I absolutely deplore such barbaric toys,” he soliloquized. “I’ve always preferred the more direct approach to dealing with a pony.” He snapped the prod below his hoof. “Hoof to hoof.” The Mailmare knew he was done for, but thankfully he had one more ace up his sleeve. He went for his saddlebag but Redwood was simply too fast and snatched the satchel from him. He looked inside and began to drop each item out of reach on the ground. “Let’s see what we have here. Several explosives. A backup prod. A dragon lighter? That explains a lot. Hmm?” He looked at the bottom and started to laugh. “No way!” He pulled out a small coin shaped piece of wood with a white piece of paper on top. “A relocation coin. That must have cost you some bits.”

“It’s mine!” The Mailmare shouted and grabbed for the coin. Redwood responded by driving his foreleg into his gut, doubling him over again.

“Is this how you were planning on escaping Twilight Sparkle after you killed her friend?” he chuckled. “I gave you too much credit.” The Mailmare glared at him as he coughed up a bit a blood. Redwood sank to his knee so he’d be level with him. “Let me be straight with you. You don’t piss off an alicorn. This little bobble might have gotten you half way across the country but she’d still be at your doorstep in a second.” He leaned in and smiled as he whispered in his ear. “There’s powers in this world you cannot even begin to imagine. And you’re just in the way.” With another hard punch Redwood knocked the Mailmare on the back of his head and he fell face first into the dirt.

“Redwood!” He turned and saw a purple blur streak down from the trees and land hard in front of him. Cloudy Gust pulled out a long sharp blade from her side holster with her mouth and pointed it at him. “By authority of the Canterlot Royal Guard, you are under arrest!”

Redwood slipped the coin into his coat sleeve and lifted his hooves in the air. “Easy, Captain. I’ll go quietly.”

Cloudy’s face tangled into one of fury and anger as she slowly approached the stallion and pressed her blade against his throat. “Why my predecessor decided to work with you, I’ll never know.”

“Maybe it was my charming personality,” Redwood remarked. He winced as Cloudy’s saber pushed closer and actually drew blood. He looked into her eyes. “Now, Captain, don’t do anything too rash.”

Cloudy grit her sword’s handle in her mouth as her eyes were filled with venom. “I was there, you know? Twenty years ago.” Redwood didn’t respond. “You betrayed the princess, sure. But you ruined a lot more lives than that.”

Redwood’s expressionless face didn’t change. “Do you want me to apologize?”

“No,” Cloudy said. “I want to watch you die.”

Redwood lowered his hoof and slipped the coin back out from his sleeve. Cloudy saw the motion and swiftly brought her sword in but Redwood had already disappeared in a flash of light. Cloudy stood there silently for a minute before letting out a scream of anger and slashing wildly at the air. When she was done she dropped her sword and panted slightly. Her eyes caught sight of the Mailmare. She grabbed a pair of shackles from her saddlebag and tied the still unconscious stallion up, leaving his face in the mud. She looked up at the sky and scowled. “I will get you one day, murderer.”

Twilight was surprised to see Rainbow Dash safe and sound. Cloudy Gust had appeared beforehoof and freed Rainbow from what appeared to be a hard cloud. They all rushed to Rainbow’s side as she was supported by Cloudy. Applejack hobbled over as well, Rainbow slightly surprised to see her friend in such a condition.

“You’re not lookin’ too good yourself,” Applejack chuckled. Rainbow tried to chuckle in return.

“Y… Yeah,” she muttered.

“Just what happened?” Rarity asked. “Why would somepony kidnap you?”

Rainbow turned to Twilight for a brief moment before looking back to her friends. “I… I’m not sure.”

Everypony else seemed to accept this answer, except for Applejack, who seemed to be the only one who saw Rainbow’s look. She sighed and decided that Rarity was right about one thing. Whatever was going on should be put on hold, since their friend was safe. “Ah’m just glad you’re alright.” Rainbow smiled in response, though Applejack could tell that there was something off about the way she smiled now.

As they arrived back, only several ponies were still milling about. It had gotten dark and Shining Armor was still commanding the few remaining guards from the hillside. He looked up with relief as he saw his sister and the others leave the Everfree. He ran down to greet them and hugged Twilight before pulling her back and glaring at her. “What were you thinking!?”

“I needed to save my friend,” Twilight said. “If you were in my shoes you’d do the same.”

Shining sighed and simply pulled his little sister in for another hug. “Just… don’t do it again.” He looked past the six friends as Cloudy Gust approached dragging an unconscious Pegasus behind her. Cloudy saluted.

“Sir, this is the criminal known as the Mailmare,” she said.

“It’s true!” Rainbow blurted out. “He… He’s a pretty bad pony.”

Shining nodded and turned to Cloudy again before giving her a salute. “Good work, Captain. I knew I was leaving the Guard in good hooves.”

Cloudy’s face turned slightly red as she returned the salute. “Y-Yes, sir.”

“Take him away,” Shining commanded one of the soldiers to take the green Pegasus as they threw him in a special caged chariot. Shining turned back to Cloudy. “Did you find any trace of…” he paused to look over his shoulder. Twilight and her friends were still there so he didn’t want to risk it. “You-know-who?”

“I did, sir,” Cloudy replied. “He was the one that incapacitated the Mailmare. However… he ran after I arrived.”

Shining lifted his head and sighed. “I trust you did everything you could?”

“Yes, sir,” Cloudy replied without thinking. Shining nodded.

“Very good. Dismissed.” Cloudy began to walk away before she stopped and turned.

“If I may be so bold, Captain. Do we know exactly what he wants?”

Shining was silent for a moment as he looked past Cloudy toward his sister. Despite everything the six had been through today, it still seemed like they were laughing at jokes and having fun. He didn’t want the look he saw on his sister’s face right now to be destroyed by some megalomaniacal pony like Redwood. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I just don’t know.”

“We should just go home,” Mister Cake pleaded with his wife.

“I’m worried about Pinkie,” Cupcake replied. “She went into the forest ages ago.”

Mr. Cake sighed and looked around at the ponies still gradually leaving the destroyed picnic area. In his saddlebags the twins had already gone to sleep. He frowned and leaned down to his wife’s ear. “About Pinkie. You don’t think that she actually planned this party do you?”

Cupcake looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that was her invitation, no question about it,” Mr. Cake replied. “I know Twilight said she didn’t have anything to do with it, but…”

“But what?”

“Pinkie has… gone off the rocker a few times. Maybe she’s…” Mr. Cake twirled a hoof around his head.

“You think she’s crazy?” Cupcake replied. “That’s ridiculous. We’ve known her for years and she’s lived with us for more.”

“I know,” Mr. Cake replied defensively. “But I read this article about a couple that had been together for years. Turns out the guy had a split personality disorder and had kept it a secret from her for years. He was dating like five mares.”

Cupcake rolled her eyes. “That’s just tabloid trash that rich ponies use to protect their own flanks when they do something like that.”

Mr. Cake shrugged his shoulders. He supposed she was right.

“Hey guys!” Pinkie shouted. Both Cakes jumped back in surprise as they saw Pinkie appear between them with a knife. Mr. Cake screamed like a little girl and curled up into a fetal position, waking up the twins. Pinkie looked at him in confusion. “I just wanted to return your knife. It looks like a lot of the desserts and stuff that got used here were swiped from the store.”

Cupcake took the knife and sighed with relief. “Thank you, Pinkie.”

“Your welcome,” Pinkie replied happily and bounced away.

Cupcake looked down at her husband as he tried to pull himself together, the twins giggling at him. She shook her head and gave a small chuckle.

Twilight walked slowly along the dimly lit streets of Ponyville. She had said goodbye to her friends a few minutes ago. Fluttershy offered for Rainbow to stay at her place and surprisingly the tough Pegasus had agreed. Twilight wasn’t surprised though. After going through something like that anypony wouldn’t want to be alone. Spike walked alongside her, his stomach finally settled.

“I am starving,” he grumbled.

“I’m sure,” Twilight chuckled. “With all that was going on I don’t think you’ve eaten all day.” Her own stomach rumbled and Twilight blushed.

Spike chuckled. “Hehehe, looks like your one to talk?”

The two shared a laugh as they approached Twilight’s Castle on the outskirts of the town. Twilight stopped just before the large steps as something flashed in the darkness. She frowned. “Um, why don’t you go ahead, Spike,” she said. “I’ll be right behind you. I just want to look at the stars.”

Spike shrugged. “Okay, don’t wait too long. I’m making quesadillas.”

Twilight shot him a glare and Spike chuckled before walking inside. “It’s clear,” she spoke to the darkness.

From behind her steps came a familiar figure in a black trenchcoat. “Took you long enough,” Redwood said. “I’ve been waiting here for hours.”

Twilight looked the criminal in his red eyes. “No you haven’t.”

Redwood clapped his hooves and smirked. “Very good. He who gets better at lying becomes better at spotting them.”

“I’m not lying,” Twilight said. “I’m just…”

“Withholding certain truths,” Redwood finished for her. “A sin of omission is just as punishable as a sin of action. And let me assure you, we will all be punished for our actions one day.”

Twilight glared at him for a moment before letting out a sigh, “What should I do?”

Redwood raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking me?”

Twilight grit her teeth and nodded. “Yes. I never thought to go so far with my magic. I was raised a unicorn so it never occurred to me that I could do more, even when I became an alicorn. In my mind I still feel like that little pony I was before. I… I need guidance.”

Redwood turned to her and smirked. “And you want me to guide you? In case you haven’t noticed princess, I’m not an alicorn.”

“But you know about them,” Twilight responded. “You knew how to get into my head. You knew my limits, or lack thereof. I… I don’t know how you knew them but…” She bowed her head reluctantly toward him. “For my friends, please help me become stronger.”

Redwood looked at her with his nonchalant gaze. “How much stronger do you want to become, princess?”

“As powerful as I can,” Twilight replied resolutely. “Can you do that, Redwood?”

He smiled. “Please, call me Red.”

After meeting with Twilight, Redwood waited until the coin could recharge and went back to Canterlot. Shining Armor and the rest of the Guard were surprised to see him walk right back into the Academy. A few minutes later he was back in CRO custody, this time they placed him in a cell that was supposed to hold the most dangerous and powerful of monsters. Locked deep underneath the Canterlot Castle was a large warehouse. In the center was a ten ton metal box lined with magic absorbing metal. Within that was a glass box made out of enchantments of the highest caliber. Within that, Rayleigh Redwood sat on a comfy chair and enjoyed a cup of tea, a small lamp his only source of light.

He wasn’t surprised when he heard the sound of a knock from the walls. The ten ton metal lid slowly lifted up and a pony in a red uniform appeared at his glass box to open it. She slid a key in and slowly struggled to pull the enormous door open. When she finished she wiped her brow and looked at Redwood. “Visitor for you.”

Once again he wasn’t surprised when a tall majestic white alicorn stepped into the cell. Princess Celestia turned to the uniformed pony and nodded. “That will be all. You can shut the door.”

“But princess,” the pony replied but Celestia smiled and she knew that everything would be alright. “As you wish.” The pony took the giant door and pushed it back into place.

Redwood sat across from Celestia for a long moment, it looking like the two were having a staring contest. Finally Red was the first to break the silence. “I’d offer you some tea but I’m afraid I don’t have another cup.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Celestia said. Her face gave away no emotion. “So… I hear you’ve met her.”

Red smiled. “Your pupil is certainly strong willed. I’m sure she takes after her mentor in that regard.”

Celestia smiled a little bit before sighing and looking at him with a serious gaze. “Twenty years. I haven’t seen you in twenty years. And this is what you’ve become.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, Princess, I no longer answer to you,” Red replied.

“And who do you answer to?” Celestia asked, her voice laced with a little mesmer magic.

Red smirked and tapped his head, it made a small metallic noise. “Got something installed just for tricks like that. The cost was pretty high, messed with my central nervous system for a while, but you’d be surprised by how much magical manipulation there is in a unicorn’s words. Do you think it’s an innate thing or do they all just know and don’t say anything?”

Celestia sighed again. “Just as tribeist as always I see.”

“I was never tribeist, Princess,” Red replied. “Everypony just looked down on me so I looked down on them.” He leaned forward in his chair. “And ponies like me are all you’re going to be dealing with for a while. The one’s that compensate their inadequacies through other darker means. The Mailmare was able to intercept your dragon message system through using this.” He tossed a lighter on the ground at her feet.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “How did you sneak that in here?”

“A dragon lighter is a device sold in the not so right end of the street markets of Saddle Arabia,” Red continued without answering. “It uses the combustion gland of a dead drake to imitate dragon fire. That one has been specially manufactured to produce certain types of magical flames. In fact I have no doubt that the Mailmare probably held all his files and records in an undetectable location, the only way to retrieve them with that device.”

Celestia raised a hoof to her mouth. “That’s barbaric.”

“That’s just the beginning,” Red stated. “Every scavenger and monster you could never imagine is coming. You’ve been out of the loop a long time, Princess. The rest of the world has changed quite a bit. It’s either evolve or die.”

“Is that what you were trying to do all those years ago? Evolve?” Celestia asked seriously.

Red didn’t respond. Celestia took that as a sign that talks were done for the day. She picked up the lighter with her magic and knocked on the door for somepony to open it. “CRO will investigate this lighter. If it’s like you say, then this might just be the start of an evolution like you wanted. Make no mistake, I may be a civil and just leader, but you’ve seen the kind of wrath I can bring down on somepony.” The door slid open and she began to step out.

“Wait,” Red called out. Celestia stopped and turned. Red steepled his hooves together. “Have you seen her recently?”

It didn’t take Celestia long to realize what he was talking about. “No, I haven’t.” She walked out of the cell as it closed behind her. She looked down at the lighter and grimaced. Were things like this truly the kind of world Redwood had been a part of for so many years. And now it would all be brought to her doorstep. But that didn’t matter. No matter what threat she would face it head on. And if that didn’t work, she could simply burn them to cinders.