Chapters Author's Note
Let me start and say before you read this story you want to read the prequel first, Becuase this story continues off right where the other one ends. With that being said enjoy the continuation of Why Me.
We last left off with Jessica just meeting the leaders of the human ponies in their main tent.
Who are you?
They all just stare at me for three minutes not saying anything. I think one of them blinked. I know that wearing a guards’ chest piece is uncommon, but it can’t be that weird. I smile nervously at them trying to cover myself with my hooves.
“Soooo…How are you doing today?” I asked them,
The Griffin over there looks like he wants to eat me; as he licks his beak. But Matthew put a hoof on his shoulder and nodded no. He stands down, but he still looks hungry. Someone better feed that Griffin before he hurts someone. Namely me!
“We are doing find Jessica. Please sit down and tell us your story.” Mathew said gesturing to a pile of pillows on the floor.
The pillows are big enough to lay on top of and are soooo soft. I want to keep one. I relax on my new pillow as Mathew and the two other elders take seats next to him. The other ponies in the tent seemed to have left, along with the Griffin. I don’t know what is worst knowing where the Griffen is or not knowing.
In our little circle were some bake goods on some trays. I help myself to half of them. Oh, found one with jelly inside the bun. Pineapple my favorite. As I gorged myself I notice that no one had said anything. Looking I notice that I am the center of attention of everyone here. I swallowed my donut.
“Eehhh… I haven't eaten in a while.”
“It is fine. Please help yourself. You must have quite the story to tell us.” one of the elders told me. Well then don't mind if I do.
Once I was done I have eaten all the goods but left one donut for each of them. And this is why I can never work in a bakery. I am a gluten for baked goods. Which is why I do my best to stay away from them. My budget never likes me when I go to one.
“Okay so who are you all?” Asked them wiping my mouth,
“We are the humans of Equestria." Mathew spoke up "We all come from different part of the Earth to these land against our will. And sadly many of us speak a different language. It has been difficult getting everyone to work together. What you see before you are the very few of our kind that escapes our slave drivers. We live our lives on the road now until we find a way home, and help others like us.”
“I can only imagine what you all have gone through,” I said as someone took our tray and put another one filled with more baked goods. I pick up a donut and stare at it. “And what I barely escape from.”
One of the elders a greyish mare with silver mane spoke up. “Do not fear child anymore you are safe now.”
I eat my donut before looking back at Mathew “And everyone else?”
"Slaves." The other elder spoke up he had a dark blue coat with a grey mane, "Forced to work hard labor day in and day out at the mines in the mountains."
"What are they digging for?" I asked them
"A rare black ore." Mathew said, "We never knew what it was called, or why they wanted it. All that matter was how much of it can we got out of the mountain."
"I see, is there a plan to get them out of there?"
"We are working on it. But please Jessica, tell us your story."
I told them everything that has happened to me over these last few days here. And when I got to the part about the magical mirrors and the ponies who brought us here. Needless to say, they were happy to have finally found out where the main headquaters to our enemy is. However they seem to be more focused on the mirror I mention.
“So, you don't know where this mirror is.” spoked the elder stallion.
“No. No, I don't. But maybe we can use one of the Princess’s of these lands mirror to send us back. That is if they believe us.”
The elder mare joins in the conversation. “You have already said that she is aware of us, but doesn't believe we are who we say we are.”
“Oh right, I did,” I said scratching my mane.
“Then we must find this mirror of chief’s at once.” the stallion said stomping his hoof to the floor. "It will be our only hope of ever getting home."
"I have a question for you all," I spoke up,
"And that is?"
"How come you all never heard about the mirror until now?"
"I can answer that." Mathew said "Everytime a new human comes to these lands. They are taken to the mines and when asked about how they got here. They state that they have no idea. It is as if they went to sleep and woke up here."
"Considering that there is magic here. I wouldn't be surprised if they put the humans to sleep before kidnapping them."
"Indeed. Now that we are aware that they are using some kind of portal to take us away from our homes. We now have a reason to fight back instead of simply surviving."
"True but now I have a question for you Jessica." The elder mare said,
"What is it?"
"Why did the Chief of such a secret organization tell you all of this?" She said, "That just sounds very foolish."
"I am not sure. But he did say that I was a special order for somepony."
"Really now? Any ideas what for?"
"No idea. But something happened to me when I was being kidnapped and I ended up being in the middle of a forest instead of in their hooves."
"Good fortune I say," The stallion said, "There must have been some kind of malfunction with their mirror when they got you."
"Yeah lucky me," I said taking another piece of bread. “So what are we going to do”
Then Mathew speaks up. “What do you mean we?”
I stopped mid-bite to look at him, “What else would I mean. I want to help find the mirror, and take down Cheif.”
Mathew just shook his head slowly and looks at me. “Jessica. You aren't a fighter. I appreciate what you have told us already. But this is as far as you go. My men and I will find the mirror, defeat Chief and get everyone back home safely."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, “But...but you can't do that! I need to…” I was cut off when Mathew interrupted me harshly.
“Jessica. Either you willing stand down and let me take over. Or I will have no choice but to restrain you. This is the first real lead we have ever gotten on a chance to go back home. And I won't have a woman go rouge due to her personal feeling on this matter. If you want to help, go to the other side of the camp to help with the women. This is not a request. Do I make myself clear?”
Not wanting to start a fight with the only other humans here. I let out a sigh and agree. “Yes, sir.”
I then took one more bread before leaving the tent. Ruby wasn't outside. My guess she is on the other side of camp as well. However, he had failed to mention which side of the camp! We are at the center of the whole thing. Did he mean the far left? Or to the far right? I started looking around for Ruby, but I just got lost in the camp. I had no idea this camp was so huge. It's about the size of a swamp meet I used to go to. Ah, the good old days.
I was going to get some directions from one of the people here when I just notice something. No one here has a cutie mark. Well except for that mare over there. And that stallion. Okay, so the majority of people here don't have cutie marks. I wonder why.
I am still jelly over the fact that some of the people here can use magic except me. Take that mare other there. She can use magic and has a CUTIE MARK!
"That does it!" I walk up to the mare she has a light blue coat with a silver mane. She looks a little surprised when I walked up to her, but she remains calm. Before she could say anything I beat her to the punch.
“Hey, how come you got to be able to use magic!”
“Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie has always been able to use magic. Since she was just a little filly.”
I blink a few times at her statement, “Uh, why are you talking in the third person?”
*ahem* “Sorry force of habit. And what are you complaining about? I mean, I am a unicorn after all. It is only natural that I can use magic.”
“But aren't you a human?”
“No, I have always been a pony.”
"WHAT? But this campsite for humans what are you even doing here!”
“Your kind is one of my best audience in my tours. They don't mind me performing in the camp. I am one of a very few outsiders that are welcome here.”
“So, you know that we are different.”
“Yes, you ponies have no magic capabilities what so ever. It might also be the reason that none of you here can control the weather or use magic.”
“Now how in the world would you know?”
“I got curious one day and ran some magic test on some random ponies in camp. It might also explain why none of you have cutie marks.”
Okay, now I am curious. “Explain please.”
“Cutie marks on their own are magical in nature. So, if a pony has been born with no magic; even if they do find their special talent, they will never get a cutie mark. Because there is no magic in them to make one.”
“Well, that makes sense. Thanks, Trixie.”
“You are quite welcome.”
“Oh, one last thing. Do you happen to know where a pony by the name Ruby is?”
“Yes, she would be over at the edge of camp preparing the meals." Trixie said point to the east side of the camp, "Just follow the smoke.”
“Okay, thanks see you later.”
“Bye.”
She's a nice pony. I still wish I could use magic though. Because without it, I am useless in the eyes of Mathew. There is no way he is going to let me help find the mirror without a way of defending myself or others. It's not fair. I was the one who found out about it, and yet they want me to do nothing!
Calm down, Jessica. I may not be able to help them with the mission the way he wants. But that doesn't mean I can't find a way on my own. But then again, I have no idea where to start. Also, it will only be a matter of time before this caravan starts moving again. So, if I leave now, I might never see these people again. Whether I like it or not I can't do anything about it. For now. Well on the bright side there isn't some weird pony starker trying to get me here.
“Ooooohhhh, Jessica.” A voice spoke up behind me,
Huh? *GGGAAAAHHHH! * I turn around and saw the last pony I would see here. Lyra.
She has a flat stare on her face as she looks at me. “I found you.”
“Lyra! What are you doing here! How did you find me!?” I said backing up to a tent trying to get away from her.
“Silly girl you never answered any of my questions." She said moving in front of me, "What makes you think I wouldn't look for you once Bonbon left me alone?”
That still doesn’t answer my question on how she found me. I will give her one thing; she is persistent. I can only imagine what will happen once she realizes that she is in a campsite full of humans. Considering she single me out here, can only mean she has no idea that these ponies are humans. Well, as long as she is here I might as well find out what I can from her.
“Okay, I will answer one of your questions. If you answer one of mine.” I said pushing her away from me. Personal space you know.
“No that is not how this is going to work. You still haven't answered any of my questions yet. So, you answer mine first. Then I will answer whatever questions you may have.”
Oh, boy. She is in for the shock of her life. Well if she wants to know what I know about humans. Then I will give her the whole story.
“Okay, you want to know why I didn't tell you the truth about my knowledge of humans.”
“YES!” She shouted, causing some people to look at us before going back to what they were doing.
“Well, It is because some of the Humankind is trapped in your world and is forced into a life of slavery here. And any that manage to escape said lifestyle is now wandering travel ponies in search of a way home. And currently, we are at their campsite.”
She stares at me for three seconds unblinking before she speaks up. “That has got to be the biggest load of whoye I have ever heard of!”
“It's the truth.”
“I don't believe you. What kind of species in Equestria would want to ponynapped humans just to force them into a life of slavery!? It makes no sense!” she said stomping her hooves.
“I really don't care if you believe me or not, but what I said is the truth. So now it is your turn to answer some questions.”
“No that doesn't count! You can't expect me to believe that and then move on!”
“So, what do you want me to say instead. An acceptable lie or a horrible truth?”
“Don't try to confuse me, Jessica! I am on to you!”
“Oh really?”
“Oh yes. I know that you are just trying to get me to feel sorry for the humans and forget that you still haven't confessed the most important thing yet!”
“And that would be?”
“That you know where the humans are!”
I clap my hooves together in a mocking manner. “Wow, Lyra good job you knew that I knew about humans and know that I would do anything to keep you away from them. Give the mare a prize.”
“Don't mock me. I am the number one pony there is on human knowledge in all of Equestria!”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, I know everything about humans: their diet, living conditions, and their mating rituals.” She says confidently,
I am a little curious about what she knows about the last part, but I must stay focused.
“Okay miss smarty-pants what is a human lifestyle?”
“They are amazing creatures that walk on their hind legs and have hands for hooves just like a dragon. They have no magical abilities and yet they were able to build huge massive cities than anything we ponies have ever tried.”
Okay, so the crazy mare knows a lot about humans. But where is she getting her information from?
“And they able to find their true love for life. Just by looking into another’s eyes. It is so romantic with just one look they can find love without a shadow of a doubt.”
And now she is going back to being crazy again. I think she's now mixing up fairytale with her research.
“Just out of curiosity Lyra where do you get your information from?” I asked her,
“I could show but then I will have to kill you.”
“Your joking right.”
She gives me a flat stare.
“You’re not are you." I said surprised that she is serious about this, "Just what in the world are you hiding?”
“Secrets that ponies have been trying to steal from me all my life.”
I look at her in disbelief “You can't be serious.” I mean what can be so important that she has been hiding it for all of her life?
She looks left then right before she grabs me with her magic “This way then.”
“Hey!” I shouted before she started taking me somewhere. And she wasn't going to stop for anything. I felt sorry for all those people that got in her path.
"Watch where you’re going!"
"Ow."
"Aaaahhhh!"
We find ourselves in an empty tent with pillows and blanket everywhere. I pulled some flower out of my mane as I got comfortable. Lyra is looking around to make sure we are alone before she joins me on another pillow.
“Okay, I shouldn't be telling you this because it's top secret." She said with a flat face but she then smiles. "But the story behind it is cool. So I will tell you that much.”
Is it me or I am very easy to be kidnapped by these creatures. I am not that easy to be picked up on a blind date, but then again I have been on at least three of these before. Also, why does everyone I meet have the urge to tell me their life story? Not that I mind, I enjoy a good conversation every now and then. It just seems unusual. However, in this case, it just might shed some light on why this mare so obsessed with the ideas of humans.
“You see. Back when I was a young." Lyra started her story, but I raise an eyebrow at her at her statement. I give her a quick look over and she doesn't look that old.
She must have noticed and given me a little glare. "A Younger mare. I had just discovered my cutie mark in music. My parents were too poor to give me a cutie caira. So instead they gave me some bits, a nice saddle bag and let me have some fun in town. I was just a few minutes away from the bakery. When out of nowhere a stallion was running down the road like there was an Ursa major right behind him.”
“Now, of course, this was grabbing the attention of all the nearby ponies. But what struck me odd wasn't his actions, but rather his appearance. Even though he was far away from me, I can see that he looks like something was wrong with him. Parts of his coat was missing, and he was carrying a big bag on his back. Then before I knew it. Two Pegasus guards come down from the sky stopping in front of him. He didn't stop and asked why they wanted him. Instead, he put down his bag and once they got close enough to him, he started to attack them. Of course, I was rooting for the guards to win, but after the first two minutes, things started to go out of control. As a kid, I always thought that the Guards couldn't be beaten, but I was proven wrong when the guards started losing to him. I was almost squash as one of the guards landed next to me after being kicked by the stallion. Once the guard got up again. He notices me and told me to hid under the pile of straw nearby to keep me safe."
"I was scared for them and myself and before I realize it. I was under the straw, and I felt like sneezing. While under the straw I couldn't see the fight, but I could hear everything. The fighting was getting louder and then something touched me from behind. I was about to scream when my mouth was covered.”
“Please be quiet. I am not going to hurt you.” a voice said behind me.
I couldn't see who it was but the voice sounded like a mare. I was scared for my life, so I did as the mare said and nodded to let her know I understand. Three minutes went by before the sounds calmed down. The Guards must have been able to detain the stallion and take him away. But before they left. I could hear the guard that told me to hide calling out to me to see if I was okay. I could feel the mare behind me shaking as the guard continue to talk to me. I didn't know why she was scared of the guard, but I didn't want her to get in trouble so I stayed quiet. After a while, the guard left with the other guards and the mare let go of my mouth.
I slowly came out of the straw and the mare followed me. She was an earth pony with a light cream colored coat with a yellow messy mane and blue eyes. “Who are you?”
“I am just a pony trying to get home.”
"So, who was the mare then?" I asked Lyra,
"Do you mind? I am getting to that part."
"Sorry."
After some time, I learned her name was Aurora.
She told me that she and her friend were falsely accused of something that they didn't do and that was why the guards were after them. She seemed like a very nice mare and soon we became best friends. I help her set up camp on the outskirts of Ponyville. What struck me was me I asked her about her cutie mark she said that she never got one. She said the reason was probably was that she hasn't found her calling yet. As the days gone by he started telling me all kinds of thing, like how to survive on your own, how to track animals, and even how to tell if somepony is lying to you. She was also a quiet pony and keeps to herself most of the time. She was one of the best ponies I have ever meet in my life, and I thought the good times would never end. That is until the day she disappeared. At least that's what everypony think what happened. But I know what really happened.
One night I told my parents that I was going to a sleepover at a friends house. Which was true, but instead of going to a house in town. I made my way to Aurora's campsite. Night has already fallen on Ponyville as I made my journey. That was when I saw the glimmer of golden armor ponies searching the campsite. Fearing for my friend I ran to the campsite but I was stopped by some sentries blocking the way. Know I wasn't going to get past them I made it look like I was heading back to Ponyville but Instead headed to Ponyville Lake. Aurora told me that if anything happens to her I should head there. Once there I found her there waiting by the water. I hug my friend and tried to help her get away from the guards but she said it was okay.
“But they are going to take you away!”
“I know Lyra. But what can I do? There is no place left for me to go. It was only a matter of time before they find me again. I am tired of running.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I look at her. “But I don't want you to go. You are my best friend”
She wipes away my tears and lifts my face. “I won't always be gone. I will always be with you.” she then reaches in her saddlebag and pulled out a notebook. “This here is far more important than me. It is the true reason why they are after me. They tried to keep it a secret, but I found out. There are creatures out there, a civilization that is far more advanced then we ponies could ever achieve. Take this and find them. Find the humans.”
I look at Lyra in amazement “So, the secret you are hiding is the earlier discoveries of humans,” I told her as I finally got the last thing out of my mane.
“Yes, it is a detailed journal that goes on to tell the history of humans. But it never said where they were living at though. And I know that she would not have gone through so much trouble if they weren't real. So, after they took her away. I spent my life searching for these humans. And each night I would read her journal. To hear the tales about humans.”
"That is quite the story.”
“Yeep!” she said smiling.
“But how have you not been caught yet?”
*ha* “Those ponies couldn't have made a mare like me disappear. I am too smart for them. Plus, the first few years when I tried telling ponies about humans. They all thought I was crazy and label me the human pony. And since then, nopony took me seriously and those strange ponies never did come after me. I guess they figure that I was no threat to them.”
“Well, that is a relief.”
“No kidding. I only had a few encounters where Somepony tried to get the journal from me, but I took care of that.”
“Let me guess. You found a way to make them think that the book is gone, which it's not, and that you wouldn't have had a backup copy somewhere.”
“Yeep. Plus with nopony taking me seriously and acting as the crazy obsess pony with the idea of humans. I was able to freely search around for what Aurora left for me to uncover.” she then got in my face. “And YOU Miss JESSICA! Are the first pony without a Cutie Mark to ever lie to me about not knowing anything about humans. So now you tell me the truth, or I will make you tell me!”
I first push her away from my face before I said anything. “Lyra I swear what I told you about humans earlier is true. We are really in dan… oops.” she stares at me wide-eyed. Darn slip of the tongue. “I mean humans really are being forced into slavery here.”
“YOU ARE A HUMAN!”
I rub my ear to her statement. “Hay Lyra. Can you speak a little louder? I think there are someponies in the mountains who missed that.”
“But! but butb utbtu..." Lyra is now having a mental break down, "Wait humans have no magic in them. And you don't have a cutie mark.”
I don’t like where this is going. “Lyra.”
“In fact, many of the ponies here don't have cutie marks!”
“Lyra calm down!”
“Adult ponies should have already have gotten their cutie marks by now. Even if they are changelings they would have something on when they are in a disguise. Unless they could have never gotten one in the first place…That is why… and you..."She then grabs me by my front hooves. "I have so many questions to ask YOU!” Oh goody, there is the crazy eyes again.
“Get a hold of yourself.” I then slap her across the face.
That seems to do it as she looks back at me more sain. “You are right sorry. But you look nothing like what the journal describes.”
“Not in this world. For some reason, we are forced to take the form of a pony.”
“What is a telephone!” Lyra ask quickly,
Well, that came out of nowhere. “Come again?”
“Answer the question. I need to know if you are Truely are a human.”
“Fine. It's a small device that lets you talk to other people from anywhere as long as you know their number.”
Nods to herself. “What is faster a car or a plane?”
“It depends on what kind of car and plane we are talking about here.”
“The affordable kind.”
“Then it would be the car because planes are too expensive.”
She seems to be having a hard time staying in place. “What country stands for the red, white and blue!”
“There are many countries that have the color in their flag, but if we are solely going base on the color order. Then it is the U.S.A.”
“Wrong.”
Excuse me? “Wrong? Explain.”
“It's the United States of America.”
“I said that.”
“No, you said...oohhh.”
“Now you got it. I said the first letter of the country.”
There were a few minutes of silence before she thought of something to talk about. "So why are you wearing a guards chest piece?" and it had to be that subject.
"Becuase he stole my dress."
"He did?!"
"NO. I was kidding. Why doesn't anyone here understand sarcasm?!"
"Maybe its because nopony around here uses it?"
"That was a rhetorical question Lyra."
"Sorry. But are you sure humans are forced into being slaves in Equestria?"
"Yes, I am sure. The bad guy told me himself."
"Why would he do that? That seems like a dumb thing to do."
"I guess he didn't think anyone would be able to escape once they know."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing."
"What but why. I mean they are your people."
"Well, they are Mathew's people now. I am just a woman who just got caught up in something she has no control over. As much as I don't want to admit it, its true."
"So you are just going to sit here and leave your people to fend for themselves."
"I already told you. Mathew has everything under control. He now knows about the mirrors and the ponies responsible for all this. Besides, he doesn't want me to get involved with this."
"I am pretty sure it is too late for that."
"Yeah."
Now with that out of the way, what am I going to do about Lyra? Sure she is calm right now. But I believe she is just a disaster waiting to happen. Especially since now that she has found the humans she spent most of her life finding. For the sake of everyone here, I better keep an eye on her. The last thing that I need happening is some kind of fangirl going nuts around here.
"Now then, we best find Ruby," I said moving to the smoke with Lyra following me,
"Who is that?"
"She is a Human-like me. But she has been here a lot longer."
"Is she going to help us free the humans?"
"Maybe? I don't know. All I know is that. I have no idea what to do right now and she is our best bet for finding something to do around here."
What is everypony else is doing?
"So tell me. What is it like to be a human?" Lyra asked me as we continue wandering around camp.
I look at her with confusion, "I not sure what you mean."
"I mean what is it like being a human. You know with all those cars, buildings and technology?"
Oh, that what she meant. For a moment I thought she wanted to become a human or something like that. "Well, seeing as you come from a world with no tech. It is rather nice."
"And what about this thing called hamburgers. I don't know what it is but it sounds very tasty. "
uuuhhhh. I wonder if she is ever going to leave me alone? "They are good but I think you are missing an important ingredient about them." Can ponies even eat meat?
Rarity's Boutique Yesterday Morning
"What do you mean you don't know where she is!?" Exclusive said in Rarity face who pushed him away.
"Like I said Exclusive. Jessica left the boutique to find some work for herself during her stay here. And that was about two hours ago." Rarity said going back working on the sewing machine. As for Exclusive, he is a wreck pacing back and forth next to Rarity.
He then stops to face Rarity. "And no pony has seen her since?!"
"Now, now Exclusive." Rarity taps him on the shoulder in a calming manner. "A lady needs her time alone to you know. She must have found some work and is there as we speak," she said trying to calm him down. It doesn't seem to be working. As he now is going back pacing the floor.
"But then wouldn't she have at least let us know if she did found something to do by now."
"Exclusive!" Rarity said getting his attention and turning to face him. "We are her host. Not her keeper. Once she is ready to return, she will return. Now, are you going to help me finish this order or not?"
"Sorry, Rarity," Exclusive said going to his workstation. They work in silence for a few minutes before Rarity speaks up.
"I am sure she is fine. She is one tuff women from what I have heard about her."
"I don't know Rarity," Exclusive said stopping his work to look at his cousin. "I am just worried that's something has happened to her."
Rarity stops her work and turns to face Exclusive with a small smile."Why Exclusive. I didn't know you care so much for her."
Exclusive body stiffen. He can't let Rarity of all ponies know that he has found love. He remembers the last time she helps somepony in their love life. Twilight still isn't comfortable being around him yet, after the whole date failure two months ago. Rarity means well, but sometimes she can be a bit too strong in her approach in the love department. He stutters in his response "I....I... I am just speaking from experience. In the last few days since Jessica been here, it wasn't the best things a visiting pony would want to experience on their first time here."
"Well I can't argue with that darling, but we must have faith in Jessica that she will return when she is ready."
"But what if she never comes back?"
"Okay, now you are just getting paranoid. If you are so worried about her. Then go find her. I can take care of the rest of the orders he--"
"Bye!" and with that Exclusive is out of the bouquet in a gust of wind causing Rarity's mane to go straight in the direction of the wind.
"-re." Rarity brushes her mane back into place as a smile comes to her face at the actions of her cousin. "Why would you look at that. Somepony is in love." *hehe*
But then her smiles leave her face. "But what if she is in trouble?" Rarity then looks at a small burnt and soggy piece of paper she pulled out of a saddle bag. "If somepony like Pinkie Pie has to resort to sneaking around and giving pony secret note that destroys themselves, then maybe our (at the moment) peaceful little town of Ponyville may not be as peaceful as we thought. But I am going to have to wait until tonight to find out what is going on. Pinkie Pie never needed to be this secretive before." Rarity then put the paper away and resumes her work.
Meanwhile In Pony Ville
Exclusive is running all over town looking for Jessica. He already talked to Sweetie Belle and she said that the last time she saw Jessica was in the Boutique. This only fueled Exclusive's concern for her well being. He must find her. At the moment he is going from Pony to Pony asking them if they have seen her.
"Excuse me have you seen Jessica around here?"
"Sorry I haven't."
"Have you seen Jessica?"
"Who?"
"Have you seen Jessica?"
"Nope sorry."
'Have you seen Jessica?"
"Not since the party."
Where is she? Exclusive thought to himself. How can no pony around here not see Jessica at all? It's not like it is hard to miss her she the only pony around here that has a red mane with a white coat. She should be sticking out like a sore hoof! He then saw a white mare but stop his glee when he notices that she has blue and pink mane instead of a red one. She seems to be pulling a large bag out of her house. Must be trash day. Well I already ask everypony else.
Exclusive then makes his way to the mare. "Excuse me, Miss."
The mare stops pulling the bag and turns to face Exclusive. "Yes?"
"Have you seen Jessica around here?"
"Who is Jessica?"
"She is a new mare in town. She is a white earth pony with a red mane and matching tail with blues eyes. Have you seen her at all?"
She taps her face a few times thinking. "You know I might know who you are talking about."
"Really?"
"Yes, I think my roommate is talking to somepony similar in my house right now."
"In here?"
"Yes let me show you." the mare opens the door for Exclusive to enter the house.
"Jessica!" He said as he enters the house but found it to be empty. "Jessica where are you?" Exclusive said looking around. then he notices that there is only an unconscious green tea unicorn on the floor. "Wh-" that was all he was able to get out before something hit him on the back of his head.
*WHAM* Exclusive hits the floor groaning in pain. he can barely move. His vision is blurry and he can hear the sound of the front door closing.
"You are still awake? Well, that is new. Most ponies usually lose consciousness after one hit." the mare said moving in front of him reaching into a saddle bag nearby.
Exclusive forces his body to move up a little to face the mare in front of him. "Wh...a...what did... you... do with her?"
"That won't matter." she then lifts a small glowing jar an starts opening it. "Soon you won't even remember how you got here." she then blows some of the dust on Exclusive's face.
He titches a little before he starts calming down, and falls straight asleep.
"This stuff works great." Bon Bon said to herself. "Too bad it only works on unicorns." she then moves toward Lrye's body and starts pulling her body behind the couch and move the stallion next to her. "And I have no idea why it doesn't work on Lrye though. She must have built up an immunity to it after she inhaled enough of to put a whole town to sleep. I thought she died and I almost buried her." She then leaves them in the house. "Well, at least she isn't causing any serious problems for me. I would hate to have to be the one who has to silences her." Bon Bon then continues to pull the bag out of Ponyville.
Later that night in the Sweet Apple Acres.
Five ponies are seen moving to the barn as one pony already there opens the door for them to enter. Once they were sure that the coast was clear they all went to the center of the barn to begin their meeting.
"Okay Pinkie what is with all the exploding letters and midnight gathering?" Rainbow dash said irritated that she has to be up this late when she could be napping.
"I am with Rainbow on this Pinkie." Applejack said locking the door. "I know that we get together when something bad is going on. But why couldn't we do this at the Twilight's castle?"
"Becuase that is the first place they would be waiting for us to gather at!" Pinkie pie said looking out a window.
"Pinkie Darling you aren't making any sense." Rarity said shaking some dust off her hooves." Well, lease sense than usual. Who would be waiting for us?"
Pinkie pie then moves behind a haybale only to appear behind Fluttershy, "The secret ponies!"
"The who?" Twilight said not getting what Pinkie is saying. "Pinkie what is going on?"
Pinkie then jumps down from the second floor of the barn after putting a haystack down."Okay, I know this is going to sound like I made it up after eating three dozen chocolate cupcakes, but it is true."She then moves behind Twilight to pull down a white window screen with some random drawings on it. "There is a secret group of ponies in Ponyville ponynapping pony right under our noses."
"Oh, my. Who would do such a thing?" Fluttershy said shaking a little.
"Some really bad ponies Fluttershy."Pinkie said moving to Fluttershy, "I was only able to find out about them last night when I was refilling some of my energies supplies bandage around Ponyville." then proceeding to reenact what she saw." I was just finishing putting up some in the tree of Ponyville lake when I notice that right below me was Jessica talking to somepony."
"Did you get a good look at the pony?" Twilight asked.
"Sorry Twilight he was wearing a dark cloak with a hood over his head and everything." Pinkie said before putting on a similar cloak to the one the pony was wearing before throwing it away. "All I got was that he was a unicorn and their next target is Jessica!"
"Why would they be after her of all ponies?" Rainbow said scratching her head.
"I might have an idea," Twilight said.
"What would that be Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"Back when I had a chance to talk to her. She asked me if I have ever heard of a creature called a human before."
"Aaah not this again." Rainbow said pulling on her eyelids, "Don't we have enough to worry about then some made up two-legged creature from another world?"
"Well that is the thing Rainbow. When she asked me about them. She claims to be one of them."
"Oh great another Lrya! Get to the point Twilight."
"The point is Rainbow. That I believe her."
"What?" The girls said together
"Why?" Rainbow asked
"Well, I sort of believe her. After our talk, I went to Equestria's records of ponies to find anything about her." Pinkie Pie then interpreted.
"Hay. Isn't that only in the secure section of Canterlot's library?"
"How do you know that Pinkie?"
"I used it once and found out that me and Applejack are relative."
The girls who didn't know about this blinked a few times before Twilight responded. "Anyways I have a better copy of it in my library, my design, It has the ability to find out a whole family tree of somepony in three seconds. It still a working progress.
Rainbow Dash nod "Cool."
Twilight smiles seeing at least one of her friends like her new invention. "And I you know what I found out?"
"What?" The other girls said together.
"Nothing."
Silence filled the room before Rarity spoke up "Nothing?"
"Woah. Woah. Woah." Rainbow interrupted "Nothing. As in nothing. nothing?"
"What I mean that the name Jessica has never been used in Equestria before. There is no record of a Jessica anywhere. She just and appeared one day."
Applejack scratched her head in confusion. "You sure she is not a changeling?"
"I don't think so. She seems too sure that she was a Human and that I was her only way of going home. That what also got me thinking."
"What is it?"
"If she is a human form the other world I visited. Then why is her name different. Even if she is from the other world; there should have been a double of her living here in Equestria with the same name as her."
"Now that is odd Twilight." Fluttershy said, "What could be the reason?"
"I don't know. Whatever the reason is. These ponies seem to be interested in her. We better find Jessica in the morning, before anything happens to her."
"This is a disaster."Rarity said putting a hoof to her head. "This is possibly the worst timing in the history of timing!"
"Rarity calm down,"Twilight said moving over to her friend. "All we have to do it keep a closer eye on Jessica from now on."
"And once they strike we will be ready for them," Rainbow said smacking her hooves together.
"You don't understand. I am afraid we made be too late girls."
"What do you mean?" Twilight said a little nervous about the answer.
"Jessica has yet to return to the Boutique. I thought that she needed some time alone to herself. If I only know that her life was in danger. I would have never have let her alone today. And to make matters worse. Exclusive went looking for her two hours after she left the boutique and he also has yet to return. I am such a terrible friiiieeennd!" Rarity said as she cries on Twilights shoulder.
Twilight comforter her friend with a pat on the back. "It is not your fault Rarity. You didn't know. So there was nothing you could have done to help her." Her advice calms down Rarity. And Twilight looks to her friends each one showing their own face of concern. Then Applejack speaks up.
"What now Twi?"
"Now we set out to find a pony in need."
Back to present time Jessica
"And what about this thing called a hotdog? Is that tasty?"
"Oh look, something else to talk about!" I said pointing to show that we found the tent where Ruby was working in.
Lyra looks disappointed at me. "But what about my questions?"
"Later Lrya. Right now I got some work to do. SO you can either help me or go back to Ponyville."
"But what if this everyone here isn't here when I come back?"
"Then that is a chance you will have to take if you leave. SO what are you going to do?"
*Grrr* "I Hate working in the kitchen." Lyra said entering the tent. I smiled at her corporation.
"That better." I wasn't until I enter the tent is when Lyra comment reaches my brain. "Wait, what?"
Author's Note
more to come.
Why do I even need to bother
"I really hate this place," I said peeling a potato.
"Hay you are one who wants to come into this tent to work. So if there is anypony to blame for this its-"
I stop her by point my peeler in her face. "You finish that sentence. And I will peel your face off."
She looks at the peeler and then to me. The look on her face says that she not taking my threat seriously as she pushes my hoof away. "Temper. Temper Jessica. You should talk to somepony about that temper of yours. Before you hurt somepony."
*Hum*"Too late."
"What?"
"Nothing," I said quickly.
"If you girls are done messing around."Ruby said coming from around the corner, "Then I suggest you get back to work."
"Yes miss Ruby." we both said to Ruby as she goes back to work on cabbage on the counter. Lyra has an uneasy look on her face as she looks at Ruby for a few more seconds. She then turns to another pony (person) nearby.
"Is she always like that?"
The stallion looks at her for a moment before he replies to her as he resumes his work. "What being mean. She has no time to waste on people who won't work around here. So you either start making yourself useful or there the door right there."
Huh, maybe I should have stayed in the cell. I thought to myself I a put another finish potato in a bowl.
Meanwhile back at Ponyville.
Everypony is having a happy day going through their daily routines. This, however, cannot be said to two ponies in the town square. One Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle to be precise. After their late night meeting with the girls, Twilight divided everypony into groups of two to go around Ponyville looking for any signs of Jessica and/or Exclusive. However, after a few hours, one by one some of the girls were forced to give up the search as their lives caught up with them.
It started with Rarity as the order she and Exclusive were working on earlier was pushed to a soon date and she must get working on it least she not make the deadline. AppleJack and Fluttershy were next when Applebloom came to them to tell some of the fruit bats have left their sanitary and are in the Applebarn. And finally, Pinkie Pie said something about going radio silent and they haven't heard from her since. That was about an hour ago for the last two ponies looking for Jessica.
As their search continues Rainbow just realize that they could have asked for help from volunteers in Ponyville. But after the third random pony turned her down she was starting to get annoyed. Twilight tried to comfort her friend doing very little in her current mindset. After venting out her frustration on Twilight, Rainbow then talked about getting the guards to help find Jessica.
"So why haven't we ask the guard to help with finding her yet?"
"Sorry Rainbow. But as missing ponies procures go. A pony can only be declared missing after a whole day has passed since the moment he or she was last seen. We still got three hours before we can file a report."
"Who's idea was it to make such a dumb rule anyway?"
"Well, Celestia must have seen the paperwork for it at one point."
"Oh, come on Twilight! We have a pony missing whose life could be in danger right now!"
For some unknown reason, Jessica let out a huge sneeze on her potatoes. "What? NO! I just finished peeling those!"
"Regardless, Rainbow. I have the report ready and waiting for the time is up. Then we can turn this over to the guards."
"Wait. Are you saying that we should stop looking for her?"
"Yes, and No."
"What do you mean Twilight?"
"What I mean is that even if we keep looking for Jessica in Ponyville. There is a high chance that she may not be in Ponyville anymore."
"Then we will look somewhere else."
"Rainbow be reasonable."
"I am reasonable. There is a missing pony that, who I may or may not like very well, might be in danger as we speak."
"Rainbow I am worried about Jessica too. But sometimes there are things that are out of our control. We can't just stop our lives in Ponyville and look for Jessica until we find her."
"But Twilight-"
"RAINBOW!" Twilight shouted at her friend who remains silent. "I don't want to give up looking for her but look at the situation we are facing. Jessica is not a citizen of Equestria, also she is only been in Ponyville for a few days, and no pony has seen her since she disappear yesterday."
"But Twilight."
"We have no leads Rainbow. And even Exclusive is still missing since he went to find her. My only conclusion is that He did find her only to be captured by the same ponies that were after Jessica."
"SO that is IT! We are going to just give up!"
"Like I said Rainbow yes and no."
*AAAGGGHH* "Stop saying that and tell me what you mean."
"What I am saying is that we should stop searching for Jessica the old fashion way."
"Twilight, what are you thinking about. and is it going to hurt somepony?"
"No." Twilight said looking a little nervous "Maybe?" Rainbow lifts an eyebrow at her. "Look I have never done this before and I am going to need Starlights help to get it to work."
"Why do need he- Wait you are going to use a new magic spell to find her!?"
"Something like that."
"Well, what are we waiting for let's get back to the castle and get cooking." Rainbow then started flying towards the castle only to realize that Twilight went in the opposite direction. She flies back to her friend confused by her actions. "Ah, Twilight the castle is this way."
"Yes, I know that. But I need to get Starlight, who is at the spa at the moment."
"Oh, right. We better get her first then."
As the girls went down the road a brown unicorn stallion was slipping his coffee as his green companion had a hard time holding still in his seat. *sip* "Will you calm down Green hoof. You are making a fool of yourself."
"How can-"
*Shh*
Green hoof looks around them before replying softly to his companion "How can I? When we are in the heart of Ponyville and two of the Elements just ran right by us!"
*sip* "It's easier when you have something to drink."
Green hoof just looks at him with a flat stare "You know we can't getting any nutritional value from pony drink's you know."
"I know that. It the thought that counts."*sip* "Plus it makes me seem more nature around ponies."
"In any rate did you hear what they were talking about?"
"Yeah, but there is no way we can sneak into castle friendship like last time. Refill please." He called to a waiter.
"So how are we going to find out what they are up to?"
The waiter finished filling his cup and left "Thank you miss. And We aren't going to Green Hoof."
"But can't we use one of our agents in Ponyville? Surely one of them can-"
"And risk blowing their cover? No way. The Queen has put in too much effort in getting them into their positions. Just to be blown by some rumor. Besides, all we needed to do is wait patiently for them to lead us to the lost human. And who knows we just might find the rest of the lost sheep." *sip*
"You know its moments like these when I understand why you are in charge and not me."
"Oh please Green hoof. I am just a pony doing his duty to his queen and country." *sip* "Green hoof I need you to send a message back to the Chief."
"I have been meaning to ask about that. It that really his name?"
"Oh, course not. You know how those types of ponies are."
"Alright, so what is the message?"
"Tell him the debt will soon be paid."
"That a strange thing to say- oh it a code word for something right?"
"Your catching on. Now go."
Back with Twilight
They just pick up Starlight form the spa. Needless to say, she was upset about being interrupted her weekly spa visit. The three of them have enter castle friendship and went straight to the library.
"Twilight." Starlight complained while drying her mane with a towel she picked up from the spa before they rushed her out of there. "I know I am your student and all but what was so important that you had to pull me away from my spa visit."
"Starlight." Twilight started. "Have you heard about a pony named Jessica?"
"I think so. Was she involved with the Diamond dogs incident a couple of days ago?"
"Yes and the Fluttershy attack the day after that."
"How come I never heard about her before? She sounds like a regular around here."
"Well, believe it or not, she just arrived in Ponyville a few days ago."
"Well if you ask me if she gets anymore involve with the strange things in Ponyville. She going to go crazy."
"Too late for that." Rainbow quietly.
"What was that Rainbow?"
"Nothing!" she said quickly
"Okay, so what about her?"
"Well, last night Pinkie Pie gather me and the girls in a secret meeting at the Apple barn."
"Wait don't tell me Chrysalis is planning another changeling invasion! And she is coming back for revenge on me!" Starlight starts looking around for anything out of place. "We barely survive the last time she attacked us! I can't handle this!" Twilight then grabs her in her magic and brings her in close.
"There is no changelings invasion Starlight calm down!"
"Sorry. I got a little carried away there." She said as Twilight puts her down.
"As I was saying. The meeting wasn't about changelings at all. Pinkie pie told us that a day ago. Jessica was confronted by a mysterious stallion, who told her that soon she will be taken away from Ponyville."
"I don't like where this is going."
"That is what I thought, when Pinkie told us," Rainbow said landing next to Starlight.
"In any case thanks to Pinkie," Twilight said continuing the conversation. "We now know that this is not the first time these Ponies have done something like this."
"So, What you are saying is that Ponies have been making ponies disappearing all over Ponyville and Jessica is going to be the latest victim of theses ponynapping?"
"'I am afraid so."
"Then what are we doing here we got to find her!"
"I am afraid that they got her before we were able to get to her."
"So why did you bring us to the Library Twilight? If Jessica is already gone?" Starlight said as Twilight was scanning the shelves for some books. She grabs two of them and brings them to a table next to the girls.
"We are going to tweak a few old spells and make a new one."
"Twilight." Starlight said staring at Twilight with an uneasy look.
"Now now, it should be completely harmless."
"That wat you say right now. Just what old spells did you have in mind?"
"The crystal orb of viewing,"
"Okay. That one harmless it just lets you see old memories."
"The spell of far sight."
"Interesting."
"And time travel spell."
"TWILIGHT!" Both Rainbow and Starlight shouted at Twilight.
"Now just hear me out before you all go crazy on me."
"You are the crazy one. Haven't you learned your lesson with messing around with time yet!?" Rainbow said in disbelief in Twilights plan.
"Oh, but that is the beauty of it girls. If this works. We won't be messing up with the timeline at all."
"Okay Twilight what is your idea?" Starlight said a little curious about her plan.
"We are going to combine an Apprentice level spell and an Expert level spell with a Master level spell. To make an opening in the space-time continuum to view our desire location without disturbing the timeline."
"Okay, so can you explain that again to the pony that doesn't speak geek," Rainbow said
Twilight rows her eye before simplifying her answer. "My idea is to make a viewing orb the will show small parts of Ponyville of what has already happened in the area,"
"Oh, I get it. You want to find out where Jessica was the day she disappeared."
"Yes. If we can get this spell to works. All we have to do is follow where Jessica went right after she left the Boutique to the point where she went missing."
"Twilight that sounds great and all but I am not sure we would be able to control such a spell for long. Messing with time is hard enough on its own, and you want to create a new spell with it to open a window to look into the past?"
"That the idea."
"Ah huh."
"Starlight I know we can do this. If anypony can create a new form of the time spell to find a missing pony it is you Starlight,"
"I don't know about this Twilight. Who knows what will happen after we succeeded in make the spell."
"What are you going on about Starlight?" Rainbow asked
"What I mean Rainbow is that. The time spell was a long forgotten spell in Canterlot. Then shortly after Twilight finds it. I then use it to change Equestria for everypony, and not for the better."
"Yeah kind of not notice that," Rainbow said since she only heard what happen from Twilight.
"I am just saying after we do this we must never tell anypony about the spell. If this secret group of ponies is real. Then imagine what kind of damage they could do with a spell like that."
"I see your concern. No pony would be safe from them."
"Then it is agreed. After we find Jessica. This new spell must never be used again."
"Agreed. now then let's get started."
"You two are DEAD!" Ruby said throwing a knife that landed near my head and embed it's in the wooden pole.
"Out of my way!" I said jumping over Lyra dodging another knife. That one almost got Lyra.
"Wait for me!" she said running to catching up with me. We were able to get out the tent but it looks like Ruby wasn't done with us yet. She right on our tails armed with more kitchen tools of death.
"This is your fault, Jessica!" Lyra shouted dodging another knife.
"What do you mean me?!" I shouted zig-zagging from cover to cover to remain in one piece. "You were the one in charge of the pasta!" I duck my head behind a barrel. Ruby is very good with those knives. Lyra then joins me behind the barrel.
"Yah and who was the one who gave me the bottle of vinegar!"
"You should have read the label first before you add it to the pasta!"
"You should have given me the right bottle in the first place!"
"I wasn't the one who dropped the bottle in the pot in the first place!" We stop our shouting, which wasn't a good idea in the first place, as a knife stab through the barrel between us. We both scramble to get away as Ruby jumps over the barrel.
Our chase continues throughout the camp. And to my surprise, no one came to our aid. They all got out of way and no one seemed surprised that the killer red pony of death is behind us. I think I heard one of them said some about they brought it upon themselves. I can only conclude that this isn't the first time Ruby has chased a person while throwing knives at them.
And as great chase go, there comes to the point where there is no place left to run. How there is a dead end in a camp with nothing but tents is beyond me. Slowly I and Lyra turn to see the killer. She has a look of death in her eyes, and if I either make it out of here alive. I will never enter someone else's kitchen ever again.
"Now Ruby can't we discuss this as civil people?" I said backing up away as far as I can.
"Why yes." she has a smile on her face, NOT creepy at all! "Which side of your face would you like to keep?" she said slowly waving a knife at us.
"How about both sides?" Lyra said with her voice cracking a little.
"Funny."
I don't want to die in a colorful land of ponies just because somepony couldn't read a label and is dragging me drown with her! I then remember that one of us here can actually use magic. I then started to shake Lyra to hopefully snap her out of deer light trance. "Lyra do something!" Once I let her go she shook her head and look at Ruby before she answered me.
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know. How about a shield!?"
"It no good." I could feel my eye twitching when she said that.
"What? You mean no good! After all these years of hiding and running. You are telling me that you don't know how to cast a shield?"
"I didn't say that. I used one earlier to block those knives but they went through it like butter. She almost got me that time."
I look back at the red death. "AH, Ruby just WHAT kind of knives are your throwing at us?"
"Well, they are My own personal set of anti-magic knife set. That is all." She said tossing said knife in the air and caught it.
"Why do you ha- oh right." Humans on the run need a way to defend themselves against magic users. I really hope she is running out soon or we are dead.
"What are you going to do to us?"
"Oh, I dear not say. It is too horrible to speak of."
*Eeewww* Me and Lyra said together.
Meanwhile back at Castle Friendship
Twilight along with Starlight are busy at work writing formulas on the new spell. They're making great progress except for one hitch the has been going on for the past hour. A colorful, flying, annoying hitch.
"Are you done yet?"
"No."
"Are you done yet?"
"No!"
"Are you done yet?"
"NO!"
"Are you done yet?"
"NO!" Starlight then brought Rainbow in close "NO! Rainbow we are not done yet. Stop asking every five seconds! It is not funny!" she then lets her go and resumes her work.
"Sorry, but what is taking so long? You guys should have been done by now."
"Maybe we would be. But Somepony keeps interrupting our concentration."
"Oh, who is it. I will take care of them." Rainbow said punching the air, not aware of Starlight eye twitching.
"I will KILL YOU!" Starlight said charging at Rainbow but was stop by Twilight's magic.
"That enough you two. We are no use to anypony if we are fighting amongst ourselves." Twilight then drop Starlight at her station; who was grumbling to herself.
"Yay. What Twilight said." *OW* Rainbow said as Twilight hit Rainbow with a book on the head.
"Starlight does have a point Rainbow. I know You want to help. But right now the best thing you can do is making sure we can work quietly."
"Fine," Rainbow said and land on top of one the bookcases nearby. They work in silence for five more minutes before Twilight spoke up.
"Okay, that should do it."
"Finally. Let's try it out and then it is off on a rescue mission." Rainbow landing next to Twilight. Eveypony gathers around eager to see how the new spell works.
"So what now?"
"First we need to know where we want to see and then when." Twilight said before thinking of the first test "How about the kitchen a few hours ago."
"Why?" Starlight asked
"Becuase I want to know what happened to all the cookie I had in the kitchen earlier."
Twilight shot a bolt of magic from her horn. The magic spot in mid-air and form a silver ball which grew to the size of a basketball. There wasn't anything shown on the ball for a few seconds until the image inside started to clear and show the kitchen in the castle.
"So far so good."
Rainbow took a closer look and Twilight was going to tell her not to get to close but then Rainbow notice something. "Hay if you look at the orb at a different side, you can see the kitchen from a different angle." the other two test this and found out it was indeed true.
"That neat." Starlight said. But before she could say anything Twilight gasped and look at her.
"So it was you!"
"They are cookies Twilight. What did you think was going to happen to them?"
"You could have left me some!"
Rainbow moved to Twilight's side of the orb to see Starlight eating a bunch of cookies forms a jar that says 'Twilight's jar don't touch.' on it. Rainbow then turn to the other two. "Hey, guys."
Both Twilight and Starlight turn to shout at Rainbow."WHAT!"
"Now that we know that this works. How about we use it to gee I don't know. How about using it to find the missing pony we were searching for in the first place!"
"Oh right sorry." they then made the orb move from one point of Pony Ville to another looking for Jessica. After searching for an hour the saw Exclusive running around town. They were confused as too why they are seeing him instead of Jessica. Then Twilight notice that she had set the orb two hours after she disappeared.
"Oops, sorry girls," Twilight said to two angry ponies. she then adjusted the time frame on the orb.
"There she is." Starlight said as the others moved to her side.
"Good. Now, all we have to is follow her." They follow Jessica through Pony Ville and had to recast the spell a few times due to the fact that the orb is a stationary viewing orb.
"Ah oh." Starlight said getting to other's attention. They move to Starlight side and see Jessica having a conversation with a very familiar Mare.
"Wait, wasn't she the one that is nut's about the ideas of humans?" Rainbow ask Twilight.
"I think so. I don't remember talking to her very much."
Then they turned back to the orb only to see that both Lrye and Jessica were nowhere to be seen. "Hey, where did they go?"
"Lyra took her somewhere." Starlight answered. As her left eye twitch a little. She can't believe this. Just how much can one mare do to herself in a few days.
"What! Why?"
"I don't know. Lyra teleported them somewhere and I couldn't hear them. I guess this thing doesn't account for sound." she said tapping the orb a few times.
"Twilight what gives!"
"I was only focusing on seeing the past. Adding sound would have at least taken another three hours." she then turns to Rainbow. "Care to wait?"
"Ah! No thanks." Rainbow thinks she is going to die if she has to wait any longer. She had no idea trying to help to find somepony in need would be this difficult. "Okay, so Lyra was the last Pony to see her. So now we need to find Lyra. Okay to Lyra house then." Rainbow was expecting the orb to change locations but she got frustrated when nothing happens. *groan* "What wrong now?!"
"We can only see places that we have been before Rainbow," Twilight said putting a hoof to her head.
"Okay then let go."Rainbow fly out of the room but return when she noticed the others didn't follow her. "Let me guess you two don't know where she lives."
"Do you?" Starlight asked her back raising an eyebrow.
"Point taken. So let's talk to Pinkie she knows where every pony is."
Twilight shakes her head then looks at her shot sighted friend. "Rainbow. Don't you remember earlier?"
"Oh yeah." Rainbow rub the back of her head in embarrassment "WELL, why does she have to take off to Discord knows where now of all times?"
"She will be back when we need her." Twilight said calm down her friend "But let's not forget that Jessica isn't the only Pony missing."
Rainbow eye then widen when Twilight said that "Right! Exclusive went looking after her."
"Right. Now let's see where that wandering stallion wonder off to." It didn't take long before they found Exclusive again but this time he was talking to somepony.
"Wait isn't that Bon Bon, Lyra's friend?" Rainbow asked
"It is." Starlight said then looked at her teacher. "That is a bit of a coincidence don't you think?"
"I am not sure."
"Well, they went inside the house." They wait for a few minutes and saw Bon Bon leaving the house alone.
"Where is Exclusive?" Starlight said stating the obvious.
"I don't like this," Twilight said looking down to think about this putting a hoof to her chin.
Rainbow then moved to another side of the orb to see Bon Bon again. "Hey! Where is Bon Bon going with that bag?" the others moved next to Rainbow to she Bon Bon dragging a rather large bag away from the house. A pony size bag.
Twilight know that what they are seeing is very incriminating on Bon Bon and Lyra's part. But she will take this slow and logically. After all, as far as they know. Bon Bon is just taking out the trash. "I don't want to jump to conclusions here-"
"Then I will!" Rainbow shouted taking to the air. "Bon Bon and Lyra are ponnynapping ponies in Ponyville! We have to stop them!"
"Rainbow we don't know that. All we know is that Lyra and Bon Bon are the last ones to see both Jessica and Exclusive."
"Then they are suspect number one! Let go get them!" Rainbow was about to charge out the room but Twilight stop her friend from doing anything rash with her magic.
Twilight then moved in front f her friend trying to reason with her. "Rainbow Calm down."
"How can you be on their side Twilight!"
"I am not on their side Rainbow." Twilight then put a hoof on Rainbow mouth stopping her from replying. "Nor am I on your side. I am on the side of Justice Rainbow. If we are going to do this. We are going to do this the right way." She then let go of Rainbow. "SPIKE!" then the scrapping of fast approaching feet was sound nearby and before long Spike enters the room.
"Yes, Twilight?"
"I am going to need you to take a letter."
Author's Note
And there the story so far on the Why Me series. I hope you all are enjoying it. Leave a like and a comment down below. And I will see you guy's later.
"I really don't like this place," I said laying my head on the table.
"Yeah. Me too."Lyra said copying me. "I am even thinking about going back to Ponyville."
I then lift up my head from the table to look at Lyra. "Really?"
"Are you kidding! Oh, course not."
I figure as much. We have survived the red death, but only because of her husband. He was nearby and literally picked her up and took her away. However, Ruby was screaming at us that she would deal with us later. Not wanting to deal with her again. Me and Lyra left the site and now are resting in one of the mess tents as the people...ponies... I am going to need to come up with a name for Human's turn ponies this is just getting ridiculous. How about humies or pomans nay that just sounds dumb.
"Well, it is safe to say that we aren't welcome back to the kitchen," I said stretching my back.
"So what now?"
"Now we rest and hope for whatever disaster that is going to come. That it will come later." I said putting my head back on the table on my forelegs and closing my eyes.
"What makes you think there is going to be a disaster coming soon."
I then turned my head to look at her from my position. "Not soon. Later. And the reason is that is all that ever happens to me." *sigh* "I just all of this to be over with and go home and pretend that this never happened. But I know that will not happen. Not as long those ponies have their mirror; no one is safe from them."
Lyra then speaks up "So how did you end up here Jessica?"
"Lyra I not in the mo-... you know what. I think you need to hear this." If she is going to be with me for who knows how long. She might as well the truth.
Back at H.Q. for the secret Ponies.
"What do you mean she is gone?!" BonBon screams at one of pony's in the agencies. She returned to the agency before getting to her house when her green gem she always keeps with her started flashing red. A sign that there is a problem at H.Q.
The guard has a blank face as he replied to her.
"Just like I said Agent Sweetie Drops. Jessica broke out of her cell an hour after you left, and we have no idea where she is."
"But how? No human has ever escaped from their cells before. How did she do it?"
"That no longer your concern Sweetie Drop. The Chief is personally handling the matter as we speak."
"The Chief is doing it?" Sweetie Drop replied with a surprised look on her face.
"Yes, he sees this as a disgrace to the agency and wants to deal with it as soon as possible."
"This isn't a wild animal we are talking about here. This is a dangerous and clever human. Don't make it seem like a milk run here."
"Hey don't look at me Sweetie Drop. You got a problem with this. Take it with the chief after his meeting."
"Oh let me guess he talking with the ones who are going to take care of her."
"Your words not mine."
"You are no help." Bonbon then makes her way to the Cheif office and enters the room without knocking. In the room, the Cheif is with a green stallion who looks at her in surprise. "Chief I need to talk with you."
Before she could get another word out the Chief beat her to the punch. "Forget it Sweetie Drops. You are not going after her."
Bonbon then moves to the front of the Cheif desk ignoring the other pony in the room. "But I am the best you got at capturing humans. You got to let me bring her in."
"Sweetie Drops the only reason you capture her was that you got the drop on her. She knows your face and won't get near you with a ten-foot pole. Besides this may soon be a blessing in disguise." The Cheif said calmly with made Bonbon tilt her head in curiosity.
"What do you mean?"
"This stallion and his team have already found a lead as to her whereabouts."
"Already? Who are these ponies and how come I have never heard of them." She said pointing to the green stallion in the room.
"That information is above your pay grade Sweetie Drops." The Cheif replied sternly "Now I am telling you this stay away from Jessica. We will get her rest assured. For now, you are to return home and wait for further orders. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Bonbon said backing away from the desk and making her way out of the room. "When did I become distrusted with the Chief?" Bonbon said quietly to herself as she left the room.
Once the door closed behind her the green stallion then turn to face the Chief. "You know she is going to look for her."
"You let me deal with my agent's good sir." The Cheif then makes his way to a wall map that is covered with missing ponies photos along with drawings of ponies. Some of them are clean pictures but some of them have an '?' or 'x' on them. There are also red strings is connecting between pictures all in different places. "Jessica has become our best chances at finding the rest of the humans that have escaped. We will never get another chance like this. If what you said is true then all we have to do is wait patiently for the right moment." He said putting up a drawing of Jessica's face on the wall and then looks at his guest. "And the chances of retrieving the spell."
"That a no good. It would also appear that they are taking precautions against anypony trying to get to their notes. Not to mention that they are planning to destroy their notes on it once they have found her. It would appear that they are somehow aware of our presence."
"No matter. What is important is finding the humans no matter what." The Cheif then moves back to his desk and starts searching through one of his draws. "Tell your friend to retrieve the spell formula and bring it to me. And I will double his pay."
"Will do Cheif." The stallion said leaving the room as the Cheif found what he was looking for.
He then looks back at Jessica's picture. "One way or another, you will be my little golden goose, Jessica. No creature makes a fool out of me and gets away with it." He said throwing a knife at the Jessica photo hitting it in the middle.
Back at Pony Ville
Twilight is in front of BonBon's house and is accompanied by Rainbow along with Starlight.
"Is this the place Twilight?" Starlight said looking at the said building.
"It should be."
"Alright then. Let's bust in there and get them already!" Rainbow said moving in close to the build but was pulled back by Twilight's magic to her side.
"This is not a raid Rainbow. We are merely going to ask Bon Bon and Lyra about their last time they have come in contact with Jessica and Exclusive."
"But you saw the orb!"
"It is all circumstantial. As far as we know. Jessica and Exclusive are guests in BonBon's house. Or they just used another way to leave the building like teleporting."
"And what if they are trapped inside with no way out?" Rainbow continued,
"We can't prove that Rainbow."Starlight spoked up, "Which is why we don't have a search warrant. Besides we are not guards we are merely ponies worried about their friends."
"Well yeah but you know they are guilty right Twilight?"
"ALL WE KNOW" Twilight then relies on how loud she was and compose herself *ahem* "All we know is that they are the last ponies to be seen with them. Unless we can prove that they have committed a crime. There is nothing we can but ask. We are not above the law Rainbow."
"So what was the point of sending that letter to Celestia than?"
"Oh, that." Twilight said before turning to her friend, "It was informing her of a possible led to the disappearing ponies in Ponyville, and that we would be looking into it. That way if something were to happens to us. Celestia will be aware of that and will continue where we left off. If I don't send her a report at the time I specify in her letter."
"Alright then, knock away," Rainbow said disappointed that she wasn't going to fight anypony.
They then knock on the door to the house and receive no answer. They tried again and call out to anypony inside the building. After the third time, Rainbow flew around the building looking through the windows before coming back to the others.
"Nopony is home." she then notices that Twilight is leaving with Starlight looking between them wondering what is her teacher doing. "Hay! Where are you going Twilight?" Rainbow said getting in front of Twilight.
"Home." she simply says.
"But this is the best time to look for clues!"
"Rainbow we can't just break into somepony's house. It is a crime." Just as Twilight finish her statement a light arua green glow surrounds Rainbow and sends her screaming straight into Bonbon's house and breaking one of the windows in the process. Twilight then looks to Starlight who horn just stop glowing.
"Oh, would you look at that. Rainbow just had a terrible accident and crash through the window. We better see if she is okay." Starlight said innocently as she begins walking back to the house as Twilight joins her.
"You could have just thrown a brick Starlight."
"Whatever for? We are just checking up on a friend in need." Starlight said as she opens the door with her magic and was surprised to find it open.
Once they made sure that Rainbow wasn't in need of going to the hospital they began their search. They search the house inside out looking for any signs of ponies or hidden rooms. After five minutes the girls gather in the living room to give each other their reports. "Nothing up here," Rainbow said from the upstairs level of the house.
"Clear on my end." Starlight coming from the left side of the house.
"And I can't prick up any signs of a basement," Twilight said putting a hoof to her chin in deep thought.
"Well, they aren't here. They must of move them somewhere," Rainbow said thinking about a possible hideout in the wood somewhere.
Twilight knows that they have overstayed their welcome in the house and better get out of here before somepony sees them here."We are done here." Twilight horn then glows bright and teleported all of them out of the house and into castle friendship.
"What the big idea Twilight!" Rainbow said not liking being teleported without a heads up. It makes her stomach feel weird.
"We got what we needed." Twilight simple said making her way to the table room with the others right behind her.
"But we got nothing. Oh! Wait! The spell!" Rainbow said excitedly at Twilight's plan.
"Right. Remember the spell only works on places we happen been to before." Twilight then secures the area with some spells before activating the time viewing orb. "Now we shall see."
Back with Jessica
I just finish telling Lyra all that happen after her best friend Bonbon had knocked her out. She was calm at first, and laugh at the part when I got knocked out as well but what shocked when I mention the agencies ponies. And she hates the Cheif and personal I agree with her also she was impressed with my escape from their facility. But once I got the part with Ruby singing me to death. Well...
*Hahahahaaa* I think I should have skipped that part. Now I can't get her to be quiet. Some of the ponies nearby where looking at us wondering what is so funny. Again with the stares, come on.
"Lyra it is not that funny."
"No, it wasn't. But it was the way you said it is why it was so funny." Lyra then does her best impersonation of Jessica's voice. "Oh, help me, help me my ears are going deaf by the sound of music." *hahahahaa* And now she is on her back.
My face turns red at her statement, "I didn't say that!"
"But that is what you meant." Lyra then wipes away a tear from her eye before sitting upright. "But seriously. This Cheif pony is the one behind this?"
"Yes for the most part. He is the supplier of Humans to his client who knows where. If he is taken down then the strings of kidnapped will end and then all of us here can go home."
Lyra then taps her hoofs together "Can I come with you all?"
"I don't know. Honestly, It never came to mind if a pony can come into our world. But I guess it is possible. But first thing first. We need that mirror."
"So what is the plan?"
"We stay out the way and let the bigger people handle it. I already told you Mathew is going to take care of it and we would only get in the way."
"But then why don't you sound happy about this?"
"Because it should be me taking down Cheif, not Mathew. And the fact that I can't fight makes me feel useless."
Back with Twilight
Twilight has just finished casting her spell to find out what happened inside of Bonbon's house. She indeed discovered that Bobbon has indeed ponynapped Jessica and knock out Exclusive along with Lyra. Rainbow was ready to go after Bonbon and make her answer for her crimes. However, Starlight keeps her in the room long enough to find out that Bonbon disappeared into the ground with Jessica near a tree on the outskirts of Ponyville.
The girls made haste to the tree and found nothing.
"But didn't Bonbon just touch the tree like this," Rainbow said mimicking what she saw Bonbon did to the tree. "And down they went?"
"Rainbow, be patient," Twilight said to her friend before looking at the tree. "Base on what Bonbon is apart of, and the fact that this appears to be an ordinary tree; it is obvious that they are well organized. And will not be discovered so easily." Twilight gives the area a look over. "My guess is that whatever tunnel system they are using only works for certain days and not the others."
"Then what are we going to do then?" Starlight asked.
"Well, Scanning around for more entrance would be a waste of time," Twilight said touching the tree. "They most likely have a countermeasure for that. Although."
"You got something Twilight?" Starlight asked,
"We could try a tracking spell."
Rainbow eye starts twitching after Twilight said that they could have found Jessica hours ago. "Why didn't we use that in the first place!"
"First of all, it is an expensive potion to make and I only have enough for one. Furthermore, we would need something that belongs to the pony we are looking for. This way was much more efficient."
Rainbow looks at Twilight in confusion. "Potion? But I thought you said it was a spell?"
Twilight puts a hoof to her face before explaining it to her friend. "A potion is a spell in liquid form."
"Oh. Well, I can help with the item we need then." Rainbow said which got the other attention.
"You have something that belongs to Jessica?" Starlight asked,
"Yeah. Remember how I said we used our hair during our escape from the caves?"
"Yes."
"Well, it was my hair. And I didn't want to leave it behind. So I took the makeshift rope with me."
"And Jessica's hair was part of it." Twilight said, "That's perfect."
"Can we just go back to the castle and make the potion?" Starlight said interrupting them.
"Fine. But Jessica going to owe me after this."
Meanwhile
Bonbon has just returned to her home to find that one of the windows was broken. Carefully she approaches the house and then peeks inside through one of the windows. She doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. That worries her. No signs of Lrya or Exclusive. With is odd, because both of them should have barely started waking up now. So where did they go?
She then enters the house and started noticing the minor details out of place. Somepony was searching her house. Quickly she makes her way into her room to pull out a hidden crystal in the wall along with a mirror. She attaches the gem to the back of the mirror and watches as it comes to life.
"Show me the break-in." Bonbon said to the mirror and the colors swirl and then show Rainbow Dash crashing into the house followed by Starlight and Twilight entering the house. But then instead of seeing if their friend was alright and then leaving, they start looking around the house.
"What are looking for? There is no way this is connected to Jessica, could it? No, it can't be. Lyra brought her to the house with magic. Even somepony as powerful as Twilight needs to know who cast the spell first to track it. And that wouldn't work because of jamming crystal in the house. So how did she know to look here for her? That is if they are looking for her." Bonbon continues to watch the girls searching the house until they gather up in the living room. They talk about not finding her or Exclusive and then disappearing with magic.
Bonbon put the Mirror back in the wall and starts to think to herself.
'There is no way Twilight could have found out that Jessica was in my house. But that would be the only reason why she would she want to search my house. She must have come up with a way to find somepony even when there is a jamming crystal that blocks all known tracking spells. And if she tracked Jessica all the way here then H.Q. location has been compromised!' Bonbon rushes to the door but stops herself half ways.
"Calm down. Even if they get to the entrance there is no way in for them. And last but not least Jessica isn't there anymore. This girl is becoming more of a problem then she is worth!" She then goes to the hallway closet and gets her saddlebag and then heads out. "Jessica you are going to pay for this."
And back to Jessica
"Are we really not going to do anything to help out those humans?" Lyra asked me as we entered a tent with many makeshift beds everywhere.
"Lyra we been those this. I much as I want to help them. I physically can't do anything. I mean look at me! I am an Earth Pony with no magic, I have an injured leg that acts up even now and then, and I can't take on the whole underground empire of slave trades by myself." I then lay down on one of the beds getting ready to go to sleep. "As much as I don't like it, It would be best if we just stay out of the way for now."
Lyra just stares at me with an unbelievable look on her face. "You can't be serious Jessica."
I lift my head up to see her. "And what would you want to do then. Gather a bunch of humans and ponies to go attack the headquarters of the slave traders?! This is not some fairytale story where the heroes always win Lyra. This is the real world where people can get hurt and even killed if they are not careful. Just one spill up and boom your dead. And no mean of magic or mystical power can change that!" I then put my head back on a pillow and close my eyes.
"You are afraid," Lyra said to me which got me very angry.
"Of course I am afraid Lyra. I want to help them become free, but I don't want to die in the process!"
"And what about your people forced to work day and night without a guarantee of seeing tomorrow? Isn't a chance of freeing them worth taking a risk!"
"Lyra it is not our problem anymore it is Mathews. He will save them all."
"How can you just turn your back on them, Jessica? Have you no heart?!"
"I just want to be left alone!" I shouted at her. "Leave me alone." I don't want to deal with any more drama. I just want to go home.
"I see then. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life here then." Lyra said before leaving me alone. I then rest my head back on my hooves to get some well-deserved rest.
Why can't I have my normal life back?
"Can't believe Jessica how can she be so heartless to her own Kind!" I said out loud to no one in particular. I can see some Humans looking at me wondering what is wrong with me. I thought when I finally found humans I would find an amazing group of creatures that would help anypony in need. But what I do I find. Heartless creatures that only think of themselves, and will abandon any of its members that can't keep up with them.
I made my way to the edge of camp and was block by the guards there. I beat them to the punch of their words. "I am not ever going to tell anypony about this place. And I am going home. So you can get out of my way or get me something to attack understand?" They didn't seem to understand why I was so angry but let me go without saying a word.
I can see the camp behind me. Even if Jessica doesn't want to help them I know I can get help from Twilight. If anypony can stop this corruption in our lands it is her. However, before I can get too far I was attacked from above and they had some kind of collar but around my neck.
"Hold her!" one of my attacks said
I tried to cast my magic to find them off but I couldn't feel it. What is going on? I then can feel them put some cuffs on me.
"Got it."
"On your hooves Pony."
Once I could see them I could see that it was the royal guard! What are they doing here? "Let me go! Why are you doing this?"
"Lyra Heartstrings you are under arrest for withholding government secrets of Equestria, and for aiding the escape of a fugitive of the law."
"What are you talking about!"
"Take her away."
I struggle to get away from them but it was no use. As I was forced into a wagon they have for prisoners I looked in horror as hundreds of royal guards invaded the human settlement. As I looked at the scene in front of me only one thing came to mind as they closed the door on me.
"JESSICA!"
I woke up from my sleep to the sounds of screaming and fighting outside of my tent. Before I know what was going on two ponies came crashing into the tent making me jump out of the way. One of them dressed a guard I saw in the Underground headquarters and the other was a human pony. It didn't take me long to figure out that they have found us and are going to capture all of us and turn us into slaves.
Quickly I got out of the tent and started to make my way out of the camp. Everywhere I look I can see humans being capture or fighting back. Tents where on fire and humans ran for safety out of the camp. However soon I learn that wasn't an option. The entire camp was surrounded by guards that would zap anyone that would get out camp. It must be some kind of stun spell. So running away isn't an option. That only leaves fighting, but without some kind of protection from their magic, I won't last long. What I remember seeing someone working on some armor in one the tents towards the center of the camp. If their chef has antimagic knives then their armor must have the same thing!
Running as fast as can, I made my way deeper into the camp dodging and avoiding fights that would get me captured. Soon I found the tent but notice that the entrance was on fire. Looking around I couldn't find a way inside until I was pulled aside by someone. They put a hoof to my mouth to stop me screaming and I found out it was Ruby. Unlike last time I saw her she was armored up in a grey armor with red outlines and have knives strapple all over her body.
"Are you trying to get yourself captured?" She said to me,
"No. I was just looking for better armor. I wasn't sure if this chest plate will be of much help."
"Trust me you are better off with that chest plate than anything that we have," Ruby said peeking around the corner.
"So how are we going to get out of here?" I asked her,
"You can run if you like. Me. I am going to make sure that everyone else here gets a chance to escape."
"But they will capture you. Isn't there a saying about live to fight another day?"
Ruby then look at me, "We won't have another day is they get us now." Ruby then turned back to the corner and grab a guard nearby and knock her unconscious. "Here finish up your uniform with this guards and get to the wagons of prisoners outside of the camp. Maybe if you are lucky you can get some of our people out of here."
"And go where?"
"Away from here. Now move it!"
I finish putting on the guard uniform which was a better fit than mine. I also notice that notice I put on the armor my mane and tail colors turned from red to blue, just like the guards. I knew if I had any chance of getting to the wagons I am going to need to look like I am supposed to be there. I am going to need a prisoner.
Ruby said anyone that isn't a fighter will do. Just make sure to fill them in. As I started looking I notice that the sounds of battle are starting to calm down. Which means that the fighting is almost over and I must hurry. I found a family of three hiding behind some fallen tents. They weren't very friendly with me until what I had in mind.
I didn't know how the enemy captures humans so this is a big gamble. Hopefully, there isn't much talking needed while putting prisoners in the wagons. But something doesn't sound right with the plan. They took precautions to knock out people before kidnapping them. Surely they must have a full proof way of capturing humans? However, before I could come up with another plan. More guards found us hiding before they started capturing the family I found. I followed them to the wagons and found out what I feared to be true. The guards that are pulling the wagons all have wings. I may not have been here for long but even I can get the idea that the prisoners are going to flown out of here.
I am not strong enough to pull the wagon of prisoners myself. And it is to late to find another human to help me. There is nothing I can do.
I then notice that they have captured Mathew. And are bringing him to a guard with a different style of Uniform. Their leader no doubt.
Mathew stares in rage at him. "How did you find us?"
"A bonus prize Mathew my old friend. We were just looking for one fugitive and look what we found. The whole lot of you."
A fugitive? Does he mean me? Did I do this but how? Did they track me somehow? Man, I really hate magic right now.
The leader turns to one of his subordinates, "Has our golden egg layer been found yet?"
"No sir the human know as Jessica has not been found yet. She must still be hiding somewhere at the campsite."
"Well then what are you waiting for, find her."
"I need to get out of here." However right as I turned to leave things got worse.
"Oh and make sure to check the earth mares in our guard. Jessica has been known to disguise as one of us."
"Yes, sir."
I don't know what to do. I need to get out of here NOW. I began to run but then the ground beneath me disappeared and I fell into darkness with a small scream. "Aaa..."
"What was that?"
"I have no idea, sir."
"Whatever put Mathew with the other important one. And keep searching. There a reward for whoever brings Jessica in."
"And what do we do with the dress?"
"Throw it to the flames it done it job."
The guard then throws a red dress with golden outlines into the fire.
Author's Note
Well, that just happened. What does the future hold for Jessica and the rest of the humans?
Stay tuned for more.
What is going on around me?
The darkness finally leaves my present and I immediately make a break from where ever I was. However, I really need to start looking where I am going.
*ow* "Who put a wall in my way?" I said as is slowly slide to the floor. " Yuck! I think something got in my mouth!" I said out load trying to clean my mouth.
"I would suggest that you restrain yourself from making any more rash decisions, Miss." A voice spoke behind me.
I turned around quickly to see a creature covered in shadows. It stands a foot taller than me with two big yellow eyes staring back at me. I don't respond right away but started to look around where I was at. I seem to be in another cave? What am I a bat? In any case, I can many tunnels but no signs of which one can get me out of here, and then there is this creature I have to deal with. I do not know what he wants but one thing is for sure; I am NOT joining the dark side.
"I want out of here!" I shouted at the ghost in front of me.
"Is that any way to talk to the one who just rescued you from the Royal Guard?" It simply said
"NO. But I have seen where this leads before. I watch movies."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you just saved me from the ones that wanted to capture me earlier. Just so you can make me owe you a favor now. And then you will make me cash in the favor to help in a plot to kill someone or even taking control of these lands. Well here is my answer to that, It is not ever going to happen. You bug eye... bug eye... What are you anyway?" I asked not knowing what this thing is.
"Are you done ranting?"
"Hold on I got a little bit more in me." I then proceeded to give him some raspberries for five seconds. "Okay, I am done."
It shakes its head slowly at me, "How you have taken his heart is a mystery to me. But that is not my concerned."
"Who's heart? What are you talking about?" I asked knowing that I haven't taken any hearts. I am no heartless.
"Listen to me, rude creature."It said moving in close to me and I back up to the wall, "It is not safe to leave this cave yet. Wait for my return or the arrival of the one who asked of your safe return."
"Wait you are just doing a favor for someone?"
"Wait. Here." It said before moving into the darkness of the cave disappearing from sight.
"Am I ever going to be able to do something that I want to do without something or someone interfering with it?" I said to no one in particular as I sat down and waited.
"I hungry."
Lyra's Point of view
So this is the end of the line for me. They are going to lock me up forever and throw away the key and only feed me leftovers from last Wednesdays meal. Not the ending I thought I would be facing. I kind of thought of growing old in a nice home with grand foals around me.
Well, I not going away quietly. "Yo let me out of here!" I said to the guard outside of my cage.
I then got hit on the head by a very fast stick from the outside of the bars. "Quiet Pony!"
I rub my head at the stop where he hit me. That was smarts. Lucky he didn't hit the horn. "Where are you taking me!"
"To the mines miss, well at least that where I am going." A voice said in the corner of my cell.
I almost forgot that they put him in here with me. I turn to look at the stallion who just stares at the ground defeated, "Who are you?"
"My name is Mathew. I used to be the leader of the Human resistant." He said in a quiet voice.
"Wait, you're the leader of that human campsite? But why were you capture so easily? I thought leaders were supposed to be hard to take down?"
He looks at me in the eyes, And I can feel a strong emotion coming from them. "When another person life becomes more important than your own. You would do anything to see them safe." He then looks away. They must have someone very important to him if he gave up without a fight or maybe he made sure that someone got away safely? I am not sure but whatever the reason was he is here now. I can only hope that we still have some right in where we are going because we are going to need them.
I am not sure what is at these mines, but if they need humans for it, beings without magic. What can they be possibly be digging for? I guess I will find out soon enough for I can see a mountain we are closing in, but It didn't take that long to get here. Maybe this is the first stop for one site of the mines they have? Or I don't know a prison? There are so many questions I have right now but I have no one to get the answer from. Will I ever be free again? Will I ever be able to see my family and friends again? I just don't know.
Back with Twilight and her small group.
Twilight has just finished the preparations for the tracking spell. Once Rainbow had joined up with them, along with Jessica mane sample, they made their way back to the tree where the lost the trail.
"So how long does this tracking spell last for anyways?" Rainbow asked handing Twilight Jessica mane.
"For about a day," Twilight said separating the mane into two groups one big and one smaller one. "However since Jessica has been missing longer than that. Is another reason I didn't want to use it. Until we ran out of leads." Twilight then put way the smaller group of mane in her saddlebags and pulls out a small blue potion from it.
"So how does it work? All you going to do is pour some liquid..."
"Potion." Starlight corrected her.
"Potion on it and then what happens?"
"It works by how the object of the pony we are looking for, which is hair, in this case, reacts to where we are facing. It will glow brighter the closer we get to her." Starlight explains to Rainbow.
Rainbow looks confused at her statement because of a simple fact. "But didn't we just establish that she is underground somewhere?"
"True but Jessica has and uncanny luck of getting out of prisons alive. My Hypothesis is that if she was able to get out a Diamond Dogs jail cell on the first-day being there. Then there is a 53% That Jessica has already gotten out of whatever cell they put her in down there, and just got lost coming up." Twilight explained pouring a small blue potion onto the hair and it started to glow when Twilight moved it around with her magic. "See it is saying that she is this way."
Rainbow is a bit surprised when Twilight just used the potion after saying that Jessica was an escape artist. Just because that they got lucky with the Diamond Dogs. "Ah, Twilight you do remember how we got out of that cell in the first place right?"
"Yes, You girls used your hair correct?"
"Yeah only did that because of fact that the keys to the cells where just out of reach."
Twilight stop in her tracks once she realizes what Rainbow was going on about. She then turns to look at Rainbow with a shocked face. "You mean to tell me that I could have wasted my potions ingredients on this tracker spell if Jessica was still down there."
"Yeah," Rainbow said rubbing the back of her head before turning Twilight attention back to the glowing hair. "But hay look. She is not. So your hunch about Jessica being an escape artist was right."
"Hypothesis Rainbow. And now it is your turn."
"My turn to do what?"
"Find Jessica. The hair will glow brighter the closer you get to her." Twilight said as she tied the hair around Rainbows left foreleg with her magic. "So all you have to do is fly all over the place until you find her."
"Okay then. But what are you two going to do in the meantime?"
"We need to head back and check up on how Ponyville is doing. It won't take us long and if you find her. Protect her Rainbow, she is the only known pony that has ever escaped from the ponynappers."
"Got it, find Jessica. And keep her safe no problem." Rainbow said taking to the skies and the others leaving the site. Unaware to them that they have a fourth pony among them.
Bonbon then leaves form her place in the tree and makes haste to follow Rainbow. "If I any chance of finding Jessica before they do. I got to get that hair from Rainbow Dash or delay her long enough for the spell to wear off." She then hides behind a bolder when Rainbow Dash stops for a moment. "Now how do you stop Equestria's fastest flying mare?" Bonbon said to herself as Rainbow took a second to look around her.
"Did I just saw a sneaking pony behind me?" Rainbow said to herself before doubling back and checking the hair to look unaware of the others pony presents. "Well, it not Pinkie Pie she better at following me than that. And if it was a fan of mine they would have just flagged me down to talk to me. Then it must be one of the bad ponies! I guess they don't know that I aware of everything around me when I am flying. Well if they want to follow this pony, they are going to need to think fast!" Rainbow then takes off in a hurry leaving Bonbon behind.
Bonbon Just looks at where Rainbow was going for no reason.
"Come on Rainbow. Even I could see that the hair was glowing more the west then to the north. She must have noticed me and is trying to lose me, but that is a double edge sword Rainbow. You are on the clock. And when you move into strike me down. You will leave me one step closer to finding that Human." Bonbon then laughs to herself. "Well then, lets the games begin." Bonbon said going after Rainbow unaware that Twilight and Starlight were nearby watching the whole thing.
"How did you know that there was somepony listening to us Twilight?"
"I didn't. But if these ponies are smart enough to sneak ponies out of Ponyville without us knowing. Then they would have to make sure to keep somepony nearby us to see if the coast was clear. Or in this case, follow us and let us do the dirty work of finding somepony important." Twilight then pulls out a similar glowing potion and pours in onto another bunch of Jessica's hair. "Known then Let's find Jessica," Twilight said moving the hair in front of them as they began there journey.
Starlight did a double take on what Twilight is currently using. "Wait that's the tracking spell. So then what did you gave to Rainbow earlier a fake?"
"No, it is the tracking spell but a weaker version which will only last for six hours. This one we have here will last for 18 hours."
"So you divide the tracking spell into two potions just in case?"
"Well Yes and no. I really thought that we would only need the six hours one. So I gave that to Rainbow to see if she can find Jessica before then. But on the off chance that she was being followed. Is why I said that we should slip up and meet back up again. That way at least one of us would be able to find her."
Starlight nods at Twilight explanation but then notice Twilight only said half the reason why she split the potion. "And the other reason?"
Twilight sighs an then fesses up. "I could still reverse the remaining portions of the potion back into the ingredients before; if we didn't have to use it." Starlight stares at Twilight with a 'really' look on her face. Twilight notices this and backs up her reason why. "It is not a cheap spell Starlight."
"But don't you get funding from the Castle Treasury for items like this?"
Twilight lets out a deep sigh. "They cut off my research funds after the whole Woona swarm last month."
"What you did that! I thought Princess Luna was just having a relapse over something."
"No, she wasn't. And Princess Celestia thought it was the cutest thing to happen in a while but..."
"Princess Luna didn't felt the same way as her sister did."
"It was an accident!"
Author's Note
Things are really moving along here. It is just a matter of time before everyone meets up. And secrets are revealed.
Stay tune everyone.
"Bord. Bord. Bord. BORD." I said laying on my back as I stare up at the ceiling.
Is that shadow thing ever going to come back or was I left here to die? I wonder if I can live off the land once I make it out of here alive. I wonder what happened to the suit of armor I was wearing earlier, but I don't care about that anymore. With the many times, I have lost what I was wearing and had to make due, I am starting to get used to not wear any clothes. I don't think that is a good thing or is it? Whatever. I wonder if I'am ever get to sleep in a nice comfy bed again. So many things to think about. But for right now.
"Bord. Bord. Bord."
"JESSICA!" Someone shouted nearby. I didn't recognize the voice but who found me?
"huh?" I sat up to see who called me only to be tackled two feet about from where I was. I gave a glare at the pony... correction filly who attack me and is currently hugging me.
"Your Okay!" she said.
I would be so happy to huge this small cute little yellow filly with a dark green mane. If I wasn't trying so hard to figure out how she knew me when I have never seen her before. I am a celebrity now or something?
"Excuse me little one, but who are you?" I asked her,
She lifts her head to look at me with big blue eyes and a confused look on her face, "You don't know me?"
"If I did I wouldn't be asking you."
"Maple please show some courtesy to Jessica. She has just gone through a rough time." Some else said nearby. But I recognize that voice!
"Exclusive!"
Rainbow Dash has landed on a cloud and looked around her to see if she is still being followed. There is nothing out of the ordinary but thanks to all those games of hid and seek with Pinkie, she knows that she is not alone here. "Now where are you?"
Bonbon who is currently hiding in a tree and looks at Rainbow. "If you were pretending to not notice me before then you are doing a really bad job now." She then reaches into her saddlebag "I am getting really tired of these games," and pulls out what appears to be a large green cylinder object with a small opening at one end along with a picture of a pegasus with a big red x on it. "Time to bring you down to Equestria Rainbow Dash." She said as she aims at Rainbow. Once the object made a high pitch sound Bonbon push a button on the side and something fast leaves the opening of Bonbon device leaving a trail of smoke behind it as it heads straight for Rainbow.
"What. The. HAY!" Rainbow said before taking off fast away from the fast-approaching object that just suddenly came out of a tree. And for some reason no matter what she did it just keep following her.
"That will keep you busy." Bonbon said blowing at the end of the device before putting it away. "I doubt that will kill her but it will hurt that is for sure." Bonbon said with a small smile on her face as she leaves the tree. "I always wanted to use that."
"Think FAST!" Rainbow said closing in on Bonbon
"What?" Bonbon said before Rainbow grab her and made her drop her saddlebags is the process as she continues to fly away from the rocket. "HAY! Put me DOWN!"
"Are you sure about that Bonbon!"
"What?"
Bonbon then breaks the one rule not to do when you are very high up, moving at the high speeds, and have a fear of heights, she looks down.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Bonbon scream next to Rainbow's ear grabing onto her for dear life.
"Bonbon eases up. I still need to breathe here!"
"PUT ME DOWN ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" Bonbon shouts,
"We aren't going to die. But I can't guarantee that we will be safe with this thing still following us."
"JUST THROW SOMETHING AT IT BEFORE IT HITS YOU!"
"Really? It that's all!" Rainbow then flies close to the ground to grab a rock with her tail and flies back up. Once high enough she goes in for a nose dive and then once she was sure it was right behind her she let's go of the rock and it hit the rocket and cause a big explosion behind as they leave it behind.
Once she was sure they were safe, Rainbow dash then lands on a cloud. She notices that Bonbon had her eyes closed the whole time. Rainbow rows her eyes at the pony. "You, know. For somepony that is heartless enough to be working with ponynapping Ponies, you really are a scaredy cat with it comes to flying."
"I am an Earth Pony Rainbow Dash!" Bonbon said angrily at Rainbow but holding onto her. "I am not meant to fly across the sky like you do or do life-risking maneuvers like we just did... and why aren't we on the ground yet?" Bonbon asked noticing that her grip on Rainbow is getting weaker and sees that the ground is so very far away.
"Becuase you are going to tell me everything about the ponies that are stealing ponies from Equestria. Or it is going to be a long way back down." Rainbow said sitting down on the cloud making Bonbon readjust her grip on her.
Bonbon looks at Rainbow "You wouldn't do that! Would you?"
"Hay I am just the fastest pony in Equestria not a unicorn with the magic that can let you walk on clouds,"Rainbow said as Bonbon tries to hold on to Rainbow. "Sooner or later you are going to lose your grip."
"But you are the element of Loyalty you wouldn't do this!" Bonbon said trying to hold on but she is slowly slipping.
"I am loyal to my friend alright. So that means I will do whatever it takes to protect them from ponies like you."
"But the ponies that I have ponynapped are not even ponies!"
"Okay, you are doing good. Go on."
"They are humans that are coming into our world from another world just to take advantage of our way of life and are hurting ponies! I am trying to stop them before they hurt any more ponies!"
"And what happened to Jessica? Is she alright?"
"She escaped our custody and is on the run somewhere and my superior is personally overseeing her recapture! That is all I know about her!"
"Custody, superior? You are making it sound like you are a secret agent for Canterlot or something?"
"I am!"
"Wait. Are you telling me that you are the good guys?"
"Yes, I was under orders from the crown to capture Humans that are all around our world. Rainbow you have got to believe me!"
"What do you mean was? Did something happened?"
"After Jessica escape. Cheif took me off the case. And sent me back home. I have no Ieda where Jessica is but when I came home I found that you and Twilight were in my house and were following my trail where I took Jessica and I had to stop you."
"But that doesn't make any sense from what Jessica told Twilight. Not to mention that Pinkie Pie said that you ponies were going to ponynapped Jessica for an unknown reason."
"I don't know about that Rainbow. I only ever capture humans that I could sneak out of Ponyville so that we could send them back home. And sometimes I help other agents that need help when there are too many to handle. I never wanted to hurt ponies Rainbow. I only wanted to protect them!" Bonbon said before she lost her grab and began to fall only for Rainbow to grab her by the hoof.
"If what you are saying is true then somepony is lying and I am not sure who it is. But for now stay out of our way Bonbon. Once we find Jessica we will know the truth."
"Then does that mean you are going to put me back on the ground?" Bonbon said hopefully, but notice that Rainbow had to think about it for a moment.
Rainbow not sure if she should let Bonbon on her way because she could just be lying to her. But then again what if she is telling the truth? She going to have to head back to Twilight to come up with a plan. Now, what to do with her? Rainbow then notice that their cloud has drifted to a familiar area and decide to have a little fun. "That not how the saying goes Bonbon."
"What?"
"Come on, Everypony knows that whenever something like this happens. The pony who is captured would say' Does that means you are going to let me go?'"
"Rainbow Dash No! That is not what I said!" Bonbon said panicking that Rainbow is going to do what she just said.
"So yes I will let you go," Rainbow said as she let go of Bonbon falling to her death. At least that what Bonbon was thinking as Rainbow looks down as Bonbon does a big body splash at Ponyville lake. "Ooohh that looks like it hurt." *hehe* "I always wanted to do that." Rainbow said as she takes off the skies.
Bonbon floats to the surface and glares at the rainbow streak in the sky, "I will get you for this. ow."
I can't believe this out of all the Ponies to find me it is him! "But how, why, when and wait more importantly who is this she?" I said pointing to the little filly between us.
"This is Maple. She is my daughter."
"Nice to meet you, Jessica." She says sweetly,
"What? But wait how come she already knows me? And how come I have never seen her before, when I was at the Boutique or at your house?"
"She was with her friends during both times. She doesn't like being stuck in the house for very long."
"That doesn't explain how she can recognize me when we never meet before."
"Oh, I have been around here and there watching you Jessica." Maple said laughing at something "You have some very funny adventures."
"I wouldn't call them that," Exclusive said to his daughter, "But right now we need to get out of here before they find us."
"Wait you are the one that sent that shadow creature after me. How did you convince it to do that?"
"Can I tell her Please Daddy!"
"No Maple." Exclusive said sternly "Head back to the campsite we are leaving."
"Yes, sir." Maple said slowly walking away.
I look at her then at Exclusive "You don't have to be so harsh on her you know."
"We have to get out of here as soon as possible."Exclusive said ignoring me and walking away, "Come along Jessica."
"RUDE!" I said following him,
We made our way out of the cave in silent. Exclusive seem different. It is like he is very angry at something...someone. We soon found ourselves at a makeshift campsite as Maple is packing some saddle bags. "Where are we going?" I asked noticing that there are three pairs of saddle bags, one small and two large.
"Out of Equestria. It is not safe here anymore." Exclusive said helping his daughter with her saddle bag.
"NO!" I shouted at him.
Exclusive turns away from his daughter to address me "Jessica please understand..."
"NO, you understand. I have been running away from the Cheif and his lackeys for too long. And because of my actions, an entire colony of humans has lost their freedom. I want to help them!"
"And get captured in the process? Jessica, you can't fight him. He holds too much power in Equestria. And he is in League with Chrysalis. You know what that means?"
"NO honestly. I have never heard about her before."
"It means that soon you cannot trust anyone in Equestria. Chrysalis is a changeling that can make herself appear as anyone we know. And thanks to the Cheif she now has a new army of changelings ready to take on Equestria and it's Heros."
"But we can stop them right?" I asked a little scared of the answer.
"No unlike the last time where it was just Chrstails making the calls by herself. She has help on the inside this time. We must leave before it is too late."
"And how do you know all of this? How do I know that you aren't a changeling in disguise as Exclusive!"
"Jessica you have to believe me..."
"Make her believe what exactly?" A voice said from behind the trees to reveal that Twilight has found us along with a pony I have never seen before. "Exclusive you got a lot of explaining to do," Twilight said lighting up her horn.
Author's Note
Oh. well... things are starting to get interesting. What is it that Exclusive not telling everyone and when did Chrysalis get into the picture. And is it true what Bonbon told Rainbow? Next chapter we will see.
"Princess Twilight what are you doing here?" Exclusive Said not expecting to see her here. Neither was I.
"I was looking for Jessica after she went missing." Twilight said moving into the campsite and in front of Exclusive "The better question is How did you get to Jessica before we found her."
Now that is a good question. I then turn to face Him. "Exclusive, Have you been stocking me?" I asked him trying to make sense of this situation.
"No," Exclusive said quickly before taking a breath and then starts his story "After you left the Boutique I got worried that you went on your own. So I went searching around Ponyville until I ended up being knocked out at Bonbon house. Maple found me shortly afterward and woke me up after taking me to a safe place. Once I came to, I knew you had to be in trouble so I asked an old friend to go looking for you and then bring you here."
Well, I am not sure I should be happy that he was worried about me and went looking for me or concerned that he is friends with a shadow creature. What has become of my life? Before I could answer the other mare with Twilight spoke up. She has a lighter purple coat then Twilight and a blue streak in her mane.
"But that doesn't explain about the part where you mention Chrystalis having a new army." she said adding to the conversation. "Only some pony on the inside would know about that."
"Yes, Starlight that would be the only way anypony would find out about secret organization members or they happen to stumble upon it by accident. And last I check Exclusive you never like to leave Ponyville. Now that could be just for personal reasons but then again it could be that you are hiding from somepony or hiding something." Twilight said before getting between me and Exclusive. " But then what would you need to hid from everypony? A bad family history? A pony that has sworn vengeance on you? Or perhaps a new start with a new name? In fact you there is almost no history of an Exclusive in Equestria."
I looked at Exclusive with a surprised look on my face "What are they talking about?"
"What I am saying is that there is no copy of a birth certificate of Exclusive in Cantarlot's royal archives. The name Exclusive only pop up out of no way three years ago when you moved into Ponyville. Now that wouldn't be a problem because you could have been a foreigner moving into Equestria with no ties to anypony here. However, Everypony knows that you have said that you and Rarity are cousins. And last time I check Rarity family tree is not that big and she has no cousin named Exclusive." Twilight said moving in front of Exclusive "So who are you two really?"
'Jessica' I heard Maple said but I didn't hear her with my ears but I heard her in my head.
'What?' I thought and turn to the filly and notice that she has moved behind me. "Did you say something Maple?" I asked her while Twilight continues to expose Exclusive as a fake.
'I don't like her. Jessica make her go away' She said but didn't move her mouth.
"How are you doing that?" I asked her quietly. No one else seems to notice our conversation.
'Daddy said only talk to ponies I trust like this when I am scared.'
'Are you talking to me in my mind.' I thought talk back to her not sure if this works both ways. 'Wait why are you scared it is only Princess Twilight...' I stop once I notice something. Twilight looks like she is getting ready to pick a fight with Exclusive as they circle each other. Exclusive doesn't seem to be scared of her and he keeps looking back at us but keeping his focus on Twilight.
Isn't Twilight the Princess of friendships? Wouldn't she be avoiding a fight not starting one? Isn't she taking this a little to far trying to provoke the pony they are trying to capture? And then there Exclusive. I am going to have a long talk with him once things calm down. And finally, there is the other mare over there. I don't know who she is, and she seems to be waiting on the sidelines not lifting a hoof to help Twilight but rather watch and see how this plays out. Some friend she is. If she is truly her friend she should be trying to stop this fight; not standing there waiting to see who will win. I may not know the Twilight or Exclusive long enough to decide who to trust right now, but fighting amongst ourselves is not going to solve anything.
"Will you two calm down!" I shouted getting both of their attention and stopping them in their tracks. "Okay, so Exclusive has been lying to everyone about who he is for a while, big deal. He must have his reasons but that is not the big issue here. What if he is telling the truth about these changelings working with the ponies that are stealing humans from my world. Shouldn't we be trying to figure out if that is true at least? Becuase that can become a serious problem." Priorities people. Wait they are ponies how does that work.
Despite my effort in stopping this useless fight Twilight seems very determine in her goals of hit first and ask questions later. "Jessica you can't trust anything that Exclusive is saying anymore,"Twilight said moving back on over to her friend. "What if he is just luring you away with him just so he can to turn you into the ponies that ponynapped you?"
"Jessica I would never do that to you," Exclusive said look back at me. "I am just trying to keep the ponies I care about safe." He then looks back at Twilight taking up a fight stance.
I was going to comment on his statement when I heard Maple again. 'He wants us to run.'
I then look back at the filly 'Okay Maple what is going on? Why does everypony here want to fight each other?'
'Jessica. That mare is not Twilight.'
'What? Are you saying that she is an imposter?' Maple nods her head at me. This isn't good. Children as young as her only see things as black and white, good and bad. And right now she is saying that the Princess of Friendship is bad. She might just be favoring her father side because he is her dad. But then again what if she is right? 'Well, I know one way to find out. Stay close to me Maple.'
"Hey, Twilight," I said getting her attention. "How have the others been doing since I left Ponyville?"
"They doing fine Jessica," Twilight replied,
"And what about Ruby? We were going to make a cake together before I was kidnapped."
"She still waiting for you back at Ponyville Jessica," Twilight said without a second thought. "Now can you help me get Exclusive here for questioning?"
'Wrong answer Twilight or whatever your real name is. Maple, tell your dad that we are going to run.
'Okay.'
"Sure Twilight. Come on Maple. We are out of here." I said picking up Maple and putting her on my back while moving her away from the fighting area.
'Maple grab onto my back and whatever to do. Don't let go!' I thought back the little filly getting ready to run.
"What did you say, Jessica?" Twilight said before I start to run away from them. "Hey get back here!" Twilight said before she got a magic blast from Exclusive.
Ah, my old enemy running, why does it have to be running? I have never had to run so much before in my whole life. On the plus side, my leg doesn't bother me anymore. But what now? The Princess is an imposter, I lost one of best friends and I got a filly I just meet on my back run to who knows where. Is there any place that is safe anymore? My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Maple in my head again.
'Is Daddy going to be okay?'
'I do not know. Is your Daddy a fighter?'
'Yes, but he hasn't had to fight anypony for years.'
Wait Exclusive can fight? Why has he never shown signs of that before? He must have had a reason not to during those times when trouble came up. Just who is he?
"Don't let them get away!" Twilight said to Starlight but was stop by Exclusive's magic blast her into a tree. "You are really starting to get on my nerves Exclusive!"
"You can drop the act Bug I know you are not Twilight," Exclusive said getting between them and where Jessica ran off to.
"Hun I guess you are right." The imposter Twilight said before a green flame covered her and a changeling stood where she was. "Then again once I have defeated you. I will just have to take your appearance and go after those two." He said as his partner drop his disguise.
"You make it sounds like you are going to win."
"Of course we are going to win you bug. There are two of us and one of you. I never thought I would have to fight another one of our kind. Chrysalis is going so please once we bring you in. But before I smash your head into the ground, I have a question for you Exclusive."
"And that is?"
"What makes you and your brothers so special? Chrysalis herself said never to cross paths with you all? What is all that about? Did you make some kind of deal with her or something?"
"Something like that. And the answer to your question is simple changeling. We are not like the rest of you. And now I have a question for you," Exclusive said as his horn lights a dark green color and the area around them all started to get darker and darker as the shadows of everything around them grow in size covering everything and everypony in darkness.
The changelings were trying to move but the bodies refuse to move as shadows slowly covered their whole bodies. "What is going on!"
"Are you afraid of the dark?" Exclusive said as the last ray of light disappeared.
meanwhile back with the real Twilight and Starlight.
"Did you hear Something Twilight?" Starlight asked Twilight.
Twilight was moving Jessica's hair back and forth until she realizes she was asked a question."What? Heard what?"
"Like a scream in the distance."
"No, I didn't hear anything. Now come on. It looks like Jessica is on the move. We better pick up the pace if we are going to catch up with her."
"Right," Starlight said un-sure that she was hearing things. "I hope she is alright. If she is running then something must have happened."
"Good point I wish Rainbow was back by now so she can search ahead of us." Right as Twilight said that a rainbow blur flew over them before returning back to them.
"Hey Twilight,"Rainbow said flying in front of them.
"Rainbow! Good timing. I..." Twilight got cut off when Rainbow but a hoof to her mouth.
"One Second Twilight. I got a question for you." Rainbow said before removing her hoof from Twilight's mouth.
"And that is Rainbow?"
"Does Celestia know about the humans in Equestria?"
"Well just about Jessica" Twilight said before noticing what Rainbow just said. "And what do you mean by humans?! I thought Jessica was the only one here."
"That what I thought before I interrogated Bonbon earlier and she spilled the beans about everything."
Both Twilight and Starlight were surprised that Rainbow was able to get information out of one of the Ponynapper's "How did you make her do that?" Starlight asked wanting to know for her own reasons.
"I have my ways." Rainbow said smiling upon remembering how she did do it and how she left Bonbon in the middle of the lake, "In any case, Bonbon said she was a secret agent under orders from the CROWN to find humans in Equestria and capture them. Jessica was just the next human on her list."
There was a moment of silence as the two mares in front of Rainbow process what they were told. Rainbow started to get nervous as she thinks she broke them and was about to shake them before she was blasted away from them by their collected shout.
"WHAT!"
Author's Note
More questions than answers here. But all will be explained in due time. I hope you are all enjoying the series leave a like and comment on what you think is going on.
See you all later.
Catching up with friends.
After I don't really care anymore about running I stop by a stream for a break. I collapsed on my belly and Maple jumps off my back. After catching my breath I craw to the water for a drink and dunt my head into it. Not the best ideas I ever had. I still got to breathe after all.
*GASP*
"Are you okay Jessica?" Maple said moving next to me as I cough a little.
"I am fine. I just tired." I then move away from the water and made myself comfortable under the shade of a tree nearby. "So you and your father said that you two were going to leave Equestria before the changelings attack correct?" I asked Maple as she moves in to lay down next to me.
"Yeah, but that my Dad's idea. I thought he would get an army of soldiers and take down the Changelings before they did anything! There would be a glorious battle with my Dad leading the charge and once the dust settles. The Chief would be under his hoof begging for mercy. And then he would strike him down forever and will become ruler of these lands." Mable then proceeds to stand on her hind legs and throw her hooves in the air. And shouts an evil laugh for about three seconds before she tips over.
I just stare at the filly wondering what her dad lets her read and what stories has he been telling her. "You make it sound like your dad is a conqueror of lands," I said as she gets back up and moves in front of me.
"Well, he used to be something like that." Maple said before putting a hoof to her face think about something. "At least that what Uncle Berry used to tell me."
"WAIT, Berry as in Pinkie's cousin?" I knew there was no way there could be ponies of the same color of coat and mane could be relative.
Somewhere in Equestria, two brothers, stallions sneezed for no reason.
"Yeep."
"Let me guess that not his real name is it?"
Maple then tilts her head to the left to think about my question before answering. "I don't know. They never called themselves anything else."
"And how many uncles do you have?"
"Four." She said happily "There's Uncle Berry, Uncle Applejack, Uncle Blitz, and Uncle Butterscotch."
"And do they also happen to be living in Ponyville as well?"
"Nope. Uncle Blitz is in Cloudsdale. Uncle Applejack lives in Appaloosa but I think he is helping at the Sweet Apple Acres right now. And Uncle Butterscotch is in Canterlot."
Okay, that would make sense as to why I haven't seen them. Wait, every time I meet one of Maple's Uncles, there seems to be a mare that looks just like them. Like with Exclusive and Rarity and Berry with Pinkie. The only difference between them besides their genders was their cutie marks. If they were trying to blend in then they aren't doing a very good job at it, if they copying the looks of a mare in town. Makes me would what the remain three Uncles look like.
"Well, at least they keep track of each other."
"Ah huh."
There were a few moments of silence before I spoke up again. "So what are you all then. Was what that Twilight saying was true about Exclusive not being a real pony of Equestria?"
"Well, he is a pony. If that what you are wondering. But if you are meaning his species I am not sure. Daddy never likes to talk about before Equestria."
"So you are foreigners. But if that the case why did your dad want to hide that fact?"
"I wonder about that myself and even I asked Dad about it where we come from. But he just told me that the past is better off forgotten. And I should just focus on the right now."
"Sounds like your Dad brought you here for a new start in life."
"Yes, but what about you."
"Me I am doing fine."
"No not that. I mean are you really an Alien?"
"Well, I never got called that before. But yes, I would believe so. And no I am not going to eat you or do anything else to you for that matter."
"Wasn't going to ask that. You are to nice to do something like that."
"Well, when it comes to children you are correct. Also, my species is known as Human. And I do have a question for you Maple."
"What is it?"
"How come you trust me so easily? I know that you have heard about me from your dad and you might have seen me around Ponyville, but I want to know is why? I could have been putting on an act the whole time."
"Oh, that kind of hard to explain. It like whenever I am near you. I feel like I am meeting with my best friend in the whole world, and that I can trust you with anything including my safety. I don't know why I feel that way with you but I do Jessica. It is strange."
"That is strange. No one has ever felt like that before around me back at home."
"And what about that thing you talking about earlier? That there are others like you in Equestria?"
"Now that a long tale. Maple get comfortable and let me tell you all about the Humans in Equestria."
Meanwhile
"Thisdoesnotmakesense.Thisdoesnotmakesense.Thisdoesnotmakesense.Thisdoesnotmakesense.Thisdoesnotmakesense." Twilight keep saying to herself as she paces back and forth in front of her friends.
"Ah Rainbow. How long is Twilight going to be like that?" Starlight asked Rainbow thinking that she would know how to deal with this situation.
Rainbow puts a hoof to her face to think about before telling her. "Give her a couple of hours to cool off and remember to water her every now and then."
"What water her! Why?"
"I am just kidding with you. To be honest I don't know. She never acted this way before. It is like she is having a mental breakdown of everything she knew."
"Maybe she just needs some time to figure this out." Starlight suggested but Rainbow was going to have none of it.
"Well, we don't have the time for that and neither does Jessica. She is still out there and my tracking spell is acting up. And Twilight has the other half of the spell so I need to her to stop acting like a maniac." Rainbow then Inhale deeply and then shouted to Twilight. "HAY Twilight I going to head back to your room and let a tornado loss in there, try and stop..."
Rainbow's rant was stopped when Twilight forced her to the ground with her magic and staring daggers into her eye. "DON'T Mess up my room Rainbow!"
"Welcome back Twilight," Rainbow said weakly as Twilight let her go.
"What happen?" Twilight asked her friend because she forgot what caused her to be like she was earlier.
Not wanting to deal with unnecessary conversation. Starlight decides to steer the conversation back to the main problem at hand. "We were going to find Jessica."
"Oh, Right. Let's get a move on."
"Hay about that Twilight," Rainbow spoke up. "No offense, but you two are really slowing this rescue mission down."
"What?!" Starlight said to Rainbow but was stop by Twilight before she did anything.
"No she right Starlight. But you could have said that in a nice way Rainbow."
"I will make a note of it. Come on Twilight hurry up with the spell potion whatever you call it."
"It's a potion Rainbow. And I already used it on this piece of hair." Twilight said lifting the piece of Jessica's hair to Rainbow.
"Okay, then give it here," Rainbow said lifting her hoof.
"Now remember Rainbow," Twilight said to her friend as Rainbow tied the hair to her foreleg. "We are trying to save her not to scare her away."
"I know that. And once I do find her I will let you now with a rainboom." Rainbow said taking off into the sky but was stop my Twilight's magic. "Oh now, what?!" She said as she was moved in front of Twilight.
"No rainbooms Rainbow! You may have stop Bonbon from find Jessica. But that doesn't mean that she was the only pony looking for her." Twilight said letting Rainbow fly again.
"Okay I get it but then what am I supposed to do then?"
"If you do find her make one of the nearby clouds start to rain instead."
"Yeah, and what if the cloud runs out of water?"
"Then stay with Jessica until we arrive. And if night starts to fall know that we will start heading back to Ponyville. And if that happens, get her back to Castle Friendship A.S.A.P."
"You sure that a good idea Twilight?" Starlight asked her teacher
"We don't have much of choice here," Twilight said moving in front of her friends. "None of us here has anything we can use to make a campsite. And Rainbow has the last of the tracking spell. If anypony has a chance to find Jessica it is Rainbow."
Rainbow then makes a salute "You can count on me Twilight. I will find her." Rainbow then takes off to the skies leaving her friends to follow her trail.
"We will follow you as best as we can Rainbow."
"And then I fell into a lake of darkness and once I came out of it that's where I meet a creepy shadow creature who told me to wait in a cave, and you know the rest." I have just finished telling Maple everything I know about the other humans in Equestria and my last encounters with them. She was very attentive and listen to everything I had to say. And like any good kid, they save their question to the end of the presentation.
"So what happened to Lyra? Did she make it back to Ponyville?"
Now that is a good question. "I don't know. She left around the same time the camp was attacked. I want to believe she got away in time, but there is no way of knowing." But with how many guards were there at the campsite I don't think her chances were high.
"So does Mathew capture mean that the humans have lost?" Maple asked.
Mathew. I honestly thought he could do something about all of this but he couldn't. There are just too many of them. But that doesn't mean I have to give up. "We lost the battle but not the war. But I don't know what I can do though. I am just one mare. I want to fight back but I don't know how to." I told Maple as I rest my head on my hooves.
"Maybe my dad can help."
I rowed my eyes at her statement before looking at the filly, "If he wanted to help he would have done that already. Not run away." Maple was going to argue, but I raise my hoof at her letting her know I wasn't done yet, "But I have a feeling that part of the reason has to be that he is just protecting you above all else."
"But there are Ponies getting hurt out there. And I know Uncle Berry wouldn't lie to me, so that means my daddy can fight back."
"And you are his little girl. There is no way he would risk your safety to save someponies he doesn't know."
Maple starts pacing in front of me trying to come up with a plan to get her daddy to fight back that doesn't involve getting herself in trouble. She then stops as an idea comes to her head. "Maybe you can make him fight back."
"Me?"
"He loves you, Jessica. He would do anything for you. It is the perfect plan!"
"Maple, I am aware of that. He made his feeling for me very clear a few days ago. But I told him that I wasn't interested."
"That doesn't mean anything." Maple said quickly
"What are you going on about?" Because I am just getting the feeling that she just wants to ship me with her dad.
"Even after you turn him down. He still went looking for you after you disappeared and was going to take you with us once he found you."
Okay, I can see where she is going with this but "That just him being a good friend. He himself said that..." I was interrupted by Maple asking me these simple words.
"But do you love him?"
Author's Note
The big question has been drop. I wonder just what can be going through Jessica's head right now?
Jessica head"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"What?" I asked Maple,
"Do you love my dad?"
"Ah, no?"
"You don't sound convincing."
"I don't?"
"Nope."
I don't believe this! Now a little filly is asking about my feeling for Exclusive. And what is worst of all it is his daughter. I don't want to ask about her mom because it is very obvious she not around anymore. Otherwise, she wouldn't be asking if I love...er like her dad. Besides I am not that easy.
"Anyways it doesn't matter anymore," I said getting up,
"It does too."Maple said getting up and following me "I know you love him. I can see it!"
"How?" I said stopping and turning to face her. "We just meet about two hours ago."
"But I can." Maple said before looking around for something before talking again. "Because it is one of the things that I can do."
"What do you mean Maple?"
"Remember how I said that I don't know what species my dad and I are?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I don't understand how but we can see what others around us are feeling."
"Wait. You mean you can see my emotions?!"
"Well, I think so. I only ever see them whenever I get hungry."
"What do you mean by when you get hungry?" I asked Maple getting a little nervous,
"Well, I eat emotions."
"What!"
Back at the H.Q.
"And you are sure you looked everywhere?" The Cheif asked one of his subordinates in his office.
"Yes, sir. We looked everywhere but she was nowhere to be found. One of the guard's reports losing her armor during the raid. We suspect that Jessica escapes disguising as one of us. But we did manage to capture Mathew along with the other elders' sir."
"It was only a matter of time before we found them," The Chief made his way to the wall of photos and stops in front of it, "but I want Jessica!"
"Sir if I may be honest. I think you are starting to become a little obsessed with this Jessica."
"Did I ask for your opinion?!" The Cheif said looking at the agent.
"No, sir," he replied standing up straight,
"Don't you see what is happening here?" He said looking back at the wall,
"No, sir."
"Jessica has escaped the capture of Diamond Dogs. She has also escaped from our very own prison cells right under our noses, and now she has escaped from one of the biggest raids we have ever done in decades!"
The agent nods understanding what is his boss is saying, "I understand sir."
"And that is not the worst of it." The Chief continues,
"What is the worst sir?"
"It doesn't matter at the moment." He then goes back to his desk and takes a seat letting out a heavy sigh before looking back at the agent, "Now then. Has my guest arrive yet?"
"Yes, sir she is waiting outside." the agent replied,
"Send her in." The Chief said to the stallion. He then leaves the room and a few seconds later his guest enters the room. She wears a dark cloak around her covering her whole body. Once she closes the door behind her she then seals the room off with magic before taking a seat in front of the Cheif desk.
"I thank you for coming here." The Cheif said to his guest as she pulls down her hood revealing the Princess of the Night, "Princess Luna. It good to see you again. You are looking as beautiful as ever."
"Spare me the flattery Cheif," Luna says glaring at him "And tell me why you have asked me to come here?"
"Straight to the point as always. It would seem that capturing Jessica is proving to be troublesome."
"She still out there? What happen!"
"I cannot say any more than what my agents tell me."
"Do you realize how valuable she is to our plans?" Luna then slams her hoof on the desks standing up to face the Chief, "She is one of five!"
"I am aware of that you don't need to remind me." The chief trying to calm Luna down, "In light of this, we do have Mathew and his elders."
"Ah, four of five and maybe even three of five." Luna smiles at this and sits back down, "And where are they now?"
"On their way to the Crystal Mines under Canterlot for safe keeping. What should we do with the elders?"
"Prepare them for the trails? The three of five is one of them and we will find who it is."
"Are you sure about that?" Chief asked Luna, "I am not sure the elders will have enough strength to endure the trail."
"Did you forget that they were only turned into old hags because they escape before they complete the trails in the first place? It is their fault for their current conditions. They must finish what they started."
"It just seems hash to do that to a living creature is all I am saying. Although there is one thing that concerns me."
"What is it?"
"My agents in Ponyville reports that Exclusive has disappeared around the same time as Jessica. You don't think he is looking for her?"
"That depends. What are reports about his daughter Maple, where is she?"
"She is also missing. It is too much of a coincident if you ask me. What are we to do if he finds her first?"
"Then we are to do nothing," Luna said looking away in anger not noticing the Cheif rage,
"Excuses me! What?"
"You heard me." Luna said looking back at the Cheif, "We are going to do nothing."
"But surely if I gather my best agents and send them after him-" The Cheif continue but was cut off by Luna,
"Then you are sending them to their doom."
The Cheif was going to talk more but stop when Luna raised her hoof,
"Cheif, If Exclusive has indeed found Jessica before us then there is nothing we can do. Exclusive may have sworn to never fight another creature again, but even so, he is not to be taken lightly. Don't forget what he and his brothers did to the Shadow Hive after they tried to take Maple from them. There isn't a team in Equestria strong enough to take them on short of the Pillars of Old Equestria themselves. Even though Exclusive's team is divided, I rather not have to fight any of its members if all possible." Luna said while looking at her left foreleg and rubbed it,
"However he wouldn't dare risk the safety of his daughter. Most likely what has happened is that somepony shook the safety he felt in Ponyville and he is leaving Equestria and is taking Maple with him. And if we are lucky he will not take Jessica. However, if he does then I will personally have to bring Jessica in. She is too valuable to lose. The chances of finding another one of five is almost impossible."
"So you are saying that have to hope on luck that he doesn't take her?" the Cheif said confused,
"What I am saying Cheif. Is that I might have to risk everything getting her back."
Rainbow Dash is fly across the skies and notice that the hair around her hoof is really glowing now.
"She must be close."
Rainbow dash then starts looking at the ground and notice two ponies having a conversation under a tree. When she passed over them the hair started to get dimmer.
"Found her." She then doubles back and brings back a rain cloud with her and stop over the ponies. "Wait why would Twilight asked me to make it rain if she is nowhere to be seen? By the time she gets here this cloud may not be here. Making a lightning strike would be better. And if there is anypony else here I will just grab Jessica and fly on out of here." Rainbow then lifts her hooves up.
"What do you mean that you can eat-" I was interrupted when a lightning bolt came out of nowhere and almost hit us!
*CRACKAKABOOM!*
This cause both me and Maple to run all over the place screaming until I trip over a rock and land on my face. Maple I believe came to a complete halt by running into my side.
"Ow. What happened?" Maple said separating herself from me.
"I am not sure but I get the feeling we are not alone anymore," I told her as I heard some laughter coming from a cloud above us. I don't know who it is but I rather not stay and find out.
'Maple we are leaving' I thought to Maple as she back away from the cloud with me.
"I am sorry I didn't know it was going to be that loud-"Rainbow started but notice that Jessica and the little filly were leaving "Hey where are you going?!" She then flying down in front of the two.
"Stay away from us!" Jessica said to Rainbow as she gets into a protective stance in front of the filly.
"Jessica relax it is just me Rainbow. You know from Ponyville."
"And what makes you think that I would trust even if you are truly Rainbow?"
Rainbow got confused with Jessica choice of words, "What are you going on about? Come on Jessica we need to get you back to Ponyville." She said moving to Jessica but they moved back,
"I am not going anywhere with you."
"Jessica you are just making this harder on yourself. Then it has to be." Rainbow said getting annoyed at her behavior,
"Then prove that you are Rainbow Dash!"
"What wrong with you? Do you think I am a changeling or something?"
Both Jessica and Maple spoke up at the same time, "YES!"
Rainbow's eyes widen at there decoration of her being a fake and got mad. "Alright, then I will prove that I am me." *Ahem* "Hay, Jessica remember when you were in the hospital and Pinkie Pie shocked you with those shock pads and when you finally woke up you and Exclusive-" Rainbow was cut off when Jessica rushed over to her and covered her mouth.
"NOT another WORD!"
"What happened?" Maple said confuse to Jessica actions, "Did you do something with my dad, Jessica?"
"NOTHING!" Jessica said turning red remembering what happened. "Nothing happened. Nothing worth mentioning." she then turns to Rainbow whispering angrily to her "Ever again."
"Finn" Rainbow said through her closed mouth.
Jessica then lets go of her mouth and moves back to Maple. Rainbow doesn't recognize the filly and looks between her and Jessica a few times before talking again.
"Hay Jessica. I may not familiar with having kids and all that. But I am sure you weren't gone long enough for that to happen."
"What? NO! This is Exclusive daughter Maple. She is not mine."
"Maple?"Rainbow then looks at the filly closely before her eye widens in recognized Maple, "Oh, it is Maple! But what happened to you? I thought your colors to your coat and mane used to be white and blue?"
Maple then but on an angry face, "Somepony added yellow dye to my shampoo four days ago. I haven't been able to get my normal colors back yet."
"Oh!" *Hee* "Yeah. That was meant for your dad." Rainbow rubs the back of her head realizing the mistake in making sure her prank actual went through. Rainbow just thought that Exclusive doesn't bathe that often. After seeing that he didn't change colors.
"It is not funny Rainbow. I look like I have had a gallon of mustard dump on me."
"Well that explains a few things," Jessica said out loud,
"What do you mean Jessica?" Maple asked her,
"It does matter right now. So, Rainbow how did you find us?"
"Oh, you got to thank- wait I need to get you back to Ponyville right now!"
"And just how are you going to do that? In case you haven't noticed we are in the middle of nowhere."
"We are going to fly back oh course."
"Are you sure that is a good idea Rainbow?"
"But what about my Daddy? He will still be looking for us."
"Wait Exclusive is out here?"
"Long story Rainbow but yes he is out here somewhere."
"Well we can come back for him later but I need to get you back to Ponyville now."
Jessica then starts to think. If Rainbow takes us back then Exclusive then would have to follow us, and we might be able to get more answers from him then. But what if he just comes back for Maple and leaves? If we are going to fight back at this ponies and changelings then we are going to need all the help we can get. Either way, I am not running away anymore.
"Okay, then Rainbow takes us back to Ponyville."
"But what about my dad?"
"If he found me in the middle of nowhere. Then he can find you, but first, let's go to a safe place for his return."
"Okay."
Author's Note
What is going on anymore? Why is Luna in on this, and what does she mean one of five?
Stay tuned for more.
"So how are we going to do this?" I asked Rainbow on her idea of flying everyone here back to Ponyville,
"Well you hang on to Maple and I will grab you then we will be on our way."
"Let this?" I said grabbing Maple around her middle and holding her close.
"Yes now don't let go." Rainbow said grabbing onto Jessica, "And if you are losing your grip let me know and we will stop for a while."
"How long will it take for us to get back?" Maple asked,
"By myself four hours, but with you two maybe six."
"Can you fly for that long?" I asked Rainbow curious if she can,
"What am I a taxi pony? Of course not. I will have to take break stops every other hour. But then again it depends on how much daylight we have left."
"Oh, right it is harder to see in the dark, thus making it not safe to fly."
"That the about right. Now let's going." Rainbow said taking everyone to the sky
Oh, will you look at that the ground so far away from us and we are going really fast? If I close my eyes and focus on hanging onto Maple I won't have a panic attack. Think of your happy place, Jessica.
'You okay Jessica?' Maple thought to me.
'I am peachy. I just not used to flying.'
'Well Unclue Blitz takes me flying sometimes, and I find it easier not to be afraid when you just look around you and directly down.'
'Really' I open my eyes to test her idea. Well, what do you know? It works.
After a while, Rainbow got us out of the forest but now there is nothing of grasslands around us. We stop for a break soon after and I can see that night is soon upon us. I looked around us but I can't see any place that we can stay for the night. Then I notice that Maple is having a difficult time trying to get her saddlebags off.
"Hay Maple, what are you doing there?" I said moving next to her,
"Trying to set up my tent." She said pulling at her bags for a while before she begins to biting it off. "Whe doe thes hav to be swo difficult!" she said through her teeth,
"Here let me help," I said pulling at the strap to get the belt straps up done.
"Thank you," she said as the bags fell off her.
"Wait, Maple you said tent but isn't that your saddlebags?" Rainbow said finial noticing what we were doing.
"It is and it is." She then pulls a small string on the side and the saddlebags inflate and then four ropes with tent spikes came off the side of it and set up a small purple tent with white stars on it. "Uncle Biltz gave this to me for my birthday after our first camping trip." Maple said with a smile and enters her tent.
"Now isn't that something?" I said to Rainbow who nodded in agreement. We both jump when we heard a crash coming from inside the tent.
"I am okay." Maple said from inside the tent,
"Maple what was that?" Rainbow asks getting closer to the tent,
"I just forgot to clean up in here the last time I was in here."
"Ah, Maple just what do you have in there?" I asked wondering what this little filly could possibly be doing in there.
Maple then pokes her head out of the tent. "Just my stuff,"
"Maple just what can you possibly have inside that little tent? You just set it up."
"Want to see?" Maple asked,
"Sure why not," Jessica said moving to the entrance of the tent.
Jessica then enters the tent with Maple leaving Rainbow behind. But then Jessica comes out of the tent and look at the outside of the and the inside a few times.
"What is wrong Jessica?" Rainbow asks wondering why she was doing that.
Jessica turns her face to Rainbow with big eyes, "Logic has left the building."
"What do you mean?"
"Take a look for yourself," Jessica said opening the tent of Rainbow to see inside. Rainbow looks inside and can see a huge room made of logs wall. There are two couches, two windows on opposite side of the room. In the corner of the room, she can see a large bed for Maple to sleep in along with a shelf filled with many stuff animals. Moving inside she can see a table with some food prepared to eat and a smash dollhouse in the middle of the room. Looking through one of the windows she can see a winter wonderland of a place she hasn't seen for years. Rainbow looks at Jessica for an explanation, but she shook her head and points back to the fillies who is sweeping was remains of her dollhouse the side of the room.
"How?" Rainbow finial said once she snapped out of it.
*hum* Maple said putting down the broom, "Oh, the front of the tent has a consent teleporting spell linking to this Cabins' doorway."
"Really? I never heard of a teleporting spell being used like that."
"Well, it only works when it's getting dark. And we have a big alarm clock to wake us up before the doorways close and we are stuck here." Maple said pointing to the huge clock on the side of the wall,
Okay mental note never sleep here, Jessica thought to herself before looking back at Maple, "So where are we now?" she asked Maple as Rainbow is moving closer to one of the windows,
"I am not sure." Maple said moving to the table and getting something to eat,
"What do you mean you don't know?"Rainbow said from the window, "Can't you tell just by looking out of the windows here?"
"Oh those aren't real windows they only let you see past memories." Maple said eating a sandwich, "They are kind of cool actually."
"Wait you can see memories through those?" Jessica said moving to the snack table,
"Yeah. So if don't want others to see something embarrassing, I would be careful what you remember near those windows."
"What!?" Rainbow said just when the window next to her change from a winter wonderland to view of Ponyville and a younger Rainbow Dash is following somepony. "AAAAHHHH! How do you change memories!" Rainbow said panicking and looking all around the window to find a way to stop dark secret from her past.
"Think of something else." Maple said to her,
Rainbow quickly thought of the time she and Pinkie went on a pranking spree and the window change to that memory.
"Awe I want to see what Rainbow was remembering," Jessica said disappointedly.
"Not going to happen!"
Jessica rows her eye at that and turns her attention back to Maple. "So the only exit here is from where we came in?"
"Well yes and no. Uncle Blitz did say there is an actual exit from here, but he never told me where it's and I can't find it."
"Interesting, So does everypony have something like this?"
"Are you kidding me, Jessica," Rainbow said moving next to them "This is the first time I have ever heard or even seen stuff that we are seeing before."
"Really that is interesting."
"That is because only the chosen ever are worthy of these gifts." A new voice made itself known,
We all turned to see a creature we have never seen before at the entrance of the room. It was shaped like a pony but it was black with green eyes. It wears a wooden like arm guard on its right foreleg and a black metal arm guard on it's left. He is also wearing a lime green armor covering its chest and backside. Along with a lime green scarf covering its mouth. Before I could respond Rainbow beats me to it by flying in the air and shouting "Changeling!"
She then charges at it only for it to sidestep her dodging with ease. Rainbow then comes around for the second time but this time the changeling grabs her by her foreleg and pulls her downward. This causes her to crash into the couch, flipping it over. And before she could get back up the changeling is on top of her and from his wooden guard comes a glowing green blade that makes a high pick 's' next to her neck.
"Surrender Pony. My quarrel isn't with you but with that child."
I then pulled Maple closer to me once he said that, "What do you want with Maple!" I shouted at him.
"She is an abomination and must be eliminated." He then presses his blade closer to Rainbow "I will not allow her to escape again. She must be destroyed."
"Over my dead body!" Rainbow said,
"That can be arrange." The changeling said switching hooves to holding down Rainbow by her neck with his right hoof causing her to struggle.
Time seemed to slow down as the changeling lifts his blade up. There is nothing I can do she is too far away and I have to keep Maple safe. I am sorry Rainbow. The changeling then brings his blade down and I turn Maple's head away from what was going to happen; when I heard someone else voice.
"NO!"
I turned around to see another pony has appeared out of nowhere and started fighting the changeling. I can hear Rainbow coughing but I couldn't see anything. For some reason, everything around us started to turn dark hiding the two creatures in an epic showdown. I can see the outlines of the fighters attacking each other. Then changeling activates its blade again glowing in the dark and I could see another blade being activated by the stranger, but this one was sky blue. If I wasn't so terrified for my life right now. I would be going crazy about the fact that there is a lightsaber fight was five feet away from me. Well kind of.
The blades clashed against each other making a deep 'm' pitch sound everytime the collided. Their battle rage cross the room moving everywhere. Sometimes the fighters would get close to us but then the stranger forces the changeling away. Before long the fighter with the blue blade was able to pin the changeling on to the ground making him turn off his blade.
"What are you doing?" The stranger said to the changeling. "We are brethren. Stop this meaningless struggle! This fight is over! Yield!"
"This fight will never be over Templar!"
The changeling then knocks the stranger off of him and then stands up to fight him. And then a second blade coming from his other arm guard but this one was a red one. The stranger ready himself for the changeling next attack. However, for some reason, the changeling turned off his blades and runs to the darkest part of the room and all was silent. The light slowly came back to the room and the changeling was nowhere to be found. My first thought was 'what was that all about', and 'is Rainbow okay'?
I then made my way to Rainbow side to see that she just was getting back up again.
"You okay there Rainbow?"
"Yeah, I am okay. That changeling just got lucky that is all."
"Sure it did." Jessica giving Rainbow a light punch in the shoulder but then notice a lot of red on Rainbow foreleg. "You are hurt!"
"What? No I am not."
"But then what is wrong with your leg wait..."Jessica stop taking a closer look "Is that hair?"
"Oh, right it is yours," Rainbow said finial noticing that she never took off the bundle of Jessica red hair.
"Why do you have my hair around your leg?"
"Well, Twilight used it to help me find you. But more importantly what was a changeling doing here and how did it find us?"
"I do not know. It might have been the same ones that Exclusive was fighting off before you found us."
"Wait Exclusive was fighting changelings and we left him behind. Why did you mention that sooner! We could have gone back for him!"
"He told us to run and even if we did go back for him. We have no Idea where he is right now. We would just get lost."
"Is everyone alright?" The stranger said moving closer to us.
"Yes, we are fine-Huh!" Jessica started but had to do a double take on the stranger in front of them. He had a yellow cream coat and a short pink mane and blue eyes and a golden arm guard on his left foreleg. "You are not Fluttershy."
"Who?" The stranger said tilting his head to the side,
"Uncle Butterscotch!" Maple said charging at the stranger and giving him a big hug.
"It is good to see you again Maple." Butterscotch said hugging Maple back, not know that the other two persons in the room are having a small mental meltdown.
"WHAT!" both Rainbow and Jessica said together.
Author's Note
. . . . . . WHAT just happen!
Butterscotch rubs his ear at the girl's shout. "You don't have to shout girls we are only three feet away from you."
"You're Maple's Uncle?" Rainbow said, "But then my do you look like my friend Fluttershy, but as a stallion!"
"I don't know how you are talking about. But these are my colors and any chance that another pony has the same is just a coincidence."
"Well then if you two meet. Then you two can be mistaken for twins." Jessica added to the conversation,
"Really?"
"Yeah cool whatever."Rainbow interrupted them, "More importantly, how did you get here?"
"Maple summoned me."
"You can do that?" Jessica said to the filly who smiles back at them,
"Kind of you see this hairpin." Maple said point to a small yellow daisy next to a leaf hairpin on the left side of her mane.
"Oh, there it is." Jessica said after taking a closer look, "I couldn't see it because it blends in with your mane."
"Well, my dad told me that if I was ever in danger. This hairpin will always send for help."
"That is cool and all."Rainbow said looking at the hairpin, "But that doesn't explain how you got here so quickly Butterscotch." she said looking at the stallion, "And who and what was the deal with that changeling that got away?"
"I believe you are entitled to an explanation." Butterscotch said but then was interrupted by someone else shouting,
"Where is it! Where is the danger!" Somepony else shouted from the other side of the room.
We all look to the entrance of the tent to see two ponies I thought I would not see again until we got back to Ponyville. The pink duo of trouble Berry and Pinkie Pie. I have no idea how they found us but they are armed with their cannons moving them around looking for anything to be shot. Is everyone going to be finding us in the middle of nowhere right now?
"What are you two doing here?" Jessica asked getting confused.
"Jessica!" Pinkie said Jumping over her canon and moving very quickly to give Jessica a big bear hug, "I am so glad I found you! You are safe now no bad ponies are going to hurt you now."
"Pinkie...air... breathe..." Jessica said turning blue in the face.
"Oops,"Pinkie let Jessica go to breathe, "Sorry excited. You are a very fragile mare you know that Jessica."
"It is starting to become painfully clear."
"Can somepony explain to me what is going on here, before I lose my mind!" Rainbow said shouting into the air,
"Right. Well if everyone can take a seat. I will explain. And Berry." Butterscotch said to the other stallion,
"Yes."
"Why did you bring Pinkie Pie with you? You could have some alone."
"Well, she was with me when I got the call for help. And she kind of grab me and while I was teleporting here."
"You do know that only works if you want them to come with you right?" Butterscotch said causing Berry to rub the back of his head, "Regardless back to the main problem at hoof. Regarding that changeling from earlier."
"No, we asked you all how you guys are teleporting out from nowhere first."Jessica spoke up, "Last time I checked you need a horn for something like that."
"I will get to that but that changeling that attack us takes priority."
"Yes, what was he." Rainbow asked, "He wasn't like any changeling I have ever fought before."
"That is because he is not from Chrysalis hive."
"Wait there is more than one kind of hive?!" Rainbow said, "Well besides from Thorax's hive, and Chrysalis herself. Does she count as a hive by herself?"
"Yes, because technicity she is the last of her kind. As far as we know. But then again she could have started up a new hive somewhere else."
"She can do that!"
"She is a queen of incest type kingdom or was. Anyways that means she was the first changeling of that hive and she has made every changeling after her. So that means all of the changelings that you know of are her children."
"Oh, so when the changelings were reform they lost their mother. I didn't even think about that when she was defeated." Rainbow said rubbing the back of her head. "That is pretty deep."
"Don't dwell on that thought for long. Remember they are much happier now then they were before."
"So who hive is he from?" Jessica asked,
"He is from The Shadow hive."
"The Shadow hive huh sounds mysterious," Rainbow said playing with the idea of what that can mean,
"The Shadow hive compose of changelings that are similar to the changelings you know of the past. However, they train their soldiers in the art of the shadow and only those that can pass harsh trails can wield their hives blade."
"Oh yeah. What was that glowing blade anyway?"
"It is known as a Warp Blade. The guard on his leg has a unique emerald inside of the top portion of it that, when magic is channeled into it, it forms a blade made of the user’s magic. All shadow hive warrior have one."
"But he had two of them." Jessica pointed out,
"He did!" Berry said but back down when Butterscotch gave him a look, "I am going to be quiet now."
"You do bring up a good point Miss. I do not know why he has two Warp Blades or why the other one is red. This goes beyond my current knowledge."
"Is red uncommon?" Rainbow asked,
"It is unheard of. As you can see with my Warp Blade," He said activating it again, "It is blue, and all shadow hives Warp Blades are green." He then turns is off,
"You think he was from another hive then?" Maple asked curiously,
"Impossible. Long ago there was a great civil war between all Changelings hives. The reason was there was too much competition for the same food source, love. And in the end, only two hives were left standing."
"Chrysalis hive and the Shadow hive," Jessica said,
"Well, her Mother Queen Mantis and King Zu of the shadow hive. They gather together on top of a mountain known as Canterlot today. He said that everywhere where the sun sets on these lands from this mountain is his and where the sun raises is her. So long as neither one of them enters each other's territory than the two hives can live in peace.
"That really happen?" Maple asked,
"Yes, but it was a long time ago," Berry replied,
"So what became of the Shadow hive?" Jessica asked,
"The last time I have heard of them, they are on the outskirts of Equestria. They mostly keep to themselves in their emeralds mines and are not fond of outsiders finding them."
"But if that is the case then why was one of their members doing here?" Rainbow asked trying to make sense of what she is hearing,
"Following orders from Chrysalis."Another voice said entering the tent.
We all turn to the entrance of the tent to see a familiar white unicorn stallion entering the tent.
"Hey bro what took you so long?" Berry said giving Exclusive a hug,
"I had some bugs to interrogate," Exclusive said going to hug his daughter, "I am glad you are safe."
After he let go of her. Maple started asking unusual questions, "Are the bug's still alive? Was there Blood? Did you take something from them to remember them by?" Maple said to her dad smiling.
Exclusive looks confused by her words before looking at Berry, "Berry, have you been telling Maple war stories again?"
"What no never."Berry said crossing his forelegs, "I would never do that after the last time."
"Good."
"It was Biltz."
"I am going to kill him."
"Hay Exclusive," Jessica said getting his attention,
"Jessica." He replied moving towards her but her back away from him and he stops his advances. "What is wrong?"
There are so many questions that Jessica as for Exclusive. But there is one that has been bothering her ever since her talk with Maple, "I know that you three boys are related with two other ponies known as Rainbow Biltz and Applejack."
"Seriously!" Rainbow said before addressing the three stallions, "Are you guys trying to copy me and my friends?!"
"What do you mean?" Butterscotch asked as Exclusive trying to figure out how did she know about that.
"When did you..."
"Does it matter?" Jessica interrupted him, "Since you are all brothers then you would know why one of you have a blade that no pony has heard of before. Or even be able to teleport to a pony in need of help without having a horn," she said looking at Butterscotch who looked away from her, and then she looks at Exclusive, "Or be able to give a filly such a such a useful items whenever she would be in trouble." She raised her hoof cutting off Exclusive chance to answer her, "I can get overprotective family members, but with everything, you have given Maple here. It is like you knew that she would be in constant danger, and made sure that she was given everything she needed to be safe."
"Jessica we had our reasons," Berry said,
"Oh yeah? Then what did you boys do to put this filly's life in danger every day of her life? Who are you three?" Jessica said to the three brothers, as they move next to each other,
"Exclusive they have to know, if they are to ever trust us again," Butterscotch said to his brother,
Exclusive lets out a sigh before speaking up, "We are the Templars of the Shadow hive. And Maple is the first of her kind. For she is half changeling and half pony."
"She is a hybrid!" Rainbow said,
"You know what that is Rainbow?" Jessica said,
"I only read about them in stories! They are not supposed to be real!"
"SO that is why you never told me what we are." Maple said, "Becuase I have no Idea what we are."
"We are unique Maple," Exclusive said,
"So you are all changelings," Jessica said simple taking this all in,
"You can say that," Berry said,
"Prove it! Show us." Jessica demanded,
"We can't." Butterscotch replied,
"Can't or won't."
"We can't. Jessica," Exclusive said trying to reach his hoof to her but she moved away from him and he stops once again, "The Shadow hives changelings are unlike our brethren hive of Chrysalis. We can't change our appearance as she can."
"Then why was that changeling rocking the old black and holes legs?" Rainbow said knowing that only Chrysalis looks like that now,
"Well that is because that is what we used to look like," Berry said,
"Okay so your appearance have change for some reason, but you also said that every member of the shadow hive has a Wrap Blade that is green. Why is your blue and is made of gold?" Jessica asked noticing that one detail mention earlier,
"In our warp blades, we have an Aquamarine Gem instead of an Emerald Gem. It is given to the Templars of the shadow hive, to show to others of our strength and rank. Also, the Templars weren't made to be a stealth group. We were made to fight the enemy head-on. That is why the color gold was part of our uniform."
"So what is a Templars anyways?" Rainbow asked,
"The Templars of the Shadow hive are an elite group of shadowlings made to fight any foe that dares threatens the safety of the hive. We were created by bonding our souls and bodies with one of Chrysalis changeling. Doing so we were able to gain unique abilities that no other shadowling has ever posited before us."
"We became SUPER Shadowlings!" Berry said jumping in the air,
"Berry!" Exclusive scolded him,
"Sorry."
"Anyways we did gain the ability to change our appearance, however, we soon learned that we only had a limited number of times we could do that."
"Yeah to put it simply, we used up our morph abilities and are stuck looking like what we are," Berry said summing up what his brother said,
"Okay, so you guys are like super changelings." Rainbow started,
"Shadowlings." Berry corrected her,
"You know what I mean. But what you didn't say how come you guys can teleport from out of nowhere."
"It is a special ability that all Shadowlings have." Exclusive answer her, "It's a special type of teleportation called shadow warp that works by teleporting from one shadowed location to another. So long as there is a shadow, we can teleport there, however, we must also know where we are going. For we can get lost in the shadows. And you must never use it on a living creatures shadow."
"I guessing that is a bad thing right?" Rainbow said,
"Very much so. Only three shadowlings have ever survived using a shadow warp on their own shadows. Not to mention that the side effects on the survivors are unpredictable."
"That bad huh. I am guessing that is why you gave Maple here that hairpin?" Rainbow asked,
"Yes, whenever she is in danger. It sends out a beacon that we can follow in the shadow warp to the closest shadow available."
"Is that why Butterscotch here came out of nowhere when he first showed up?" Jessica asked,
"I came from underneath the other couch," Butterscotch said,
"Oh like a boggypony." Pinkie said,
"A what?" Jessica asked before shaking her head, "Nevermind. Exclusive I need to speak with you."
"Okay, what..."
"Privately." She said getting up,
"But why? We can just..." He tried to speak his mind,
"Now!" Jessica said walking by him to the exit of the tent,
"Yes, mam." He said quickly following her,
"Oh, somepony is in trouble." Pinkie said out loud, as Berry does a whipping sound.
Rainbow Dash then looks at Butterscotch with one more question unanswered, "So is there really a pegasus stallion out there that is known as Rainbow Blitz?"
"Yes," Butterscotch said and takes a closer look at Rainbow, "And now that I think about it. You two do look a lot alike."
"You guys are copying me and my friends! I want to sue!"
Author's Note
What could Jessica want to talk to Exclusive about? And whatever happened to Lyra? More and more questions. The next chapter is going to be the biggest chapter in this story by far. Stay tuned for Exclusive's story.
The night sky hung over us as we exit the tent. But I wasn't focused on that. My thought where focus on one creature and he is standing in front of me,"When were you going to tell me?" I said to him not looking at him.
"Jessica, Please.."
"Did it even cross your mind to tell me about this."
"A few times yes."
"I don't know what to think of you anymore Exclusive." I then start pacing in front of him, "At first, you were a very friendly stallion I meet at a clothes store, Next, you said that you were in love with me. Then I find out that you have a child and that you aren't even a pony." I then look at him straight in the eyes, "I don't know who you are anymore."
"Jessica..." He tried to reason with me, but I wasn't done yet,
"No, no. I get it." I said waving my hoof in front of him, "Bad past, new start and thought that I would not be able to handle the real you. Well here is a news flash for you, I don't like being lied to."I then take in a deep breathe "So what are you going to do now?"
"I am taking Maple away from here before things get out of hand here."
"What happened to you. You said it yourself that you are part of an elite group of shadowlings. Why aren't you fight for your homeland?"
"It started years ago."
"Ah, ponyfeathers." Here comes another origin story. Wait, I am cursing like ponies now. That just perfect.
My brothers and I were doing the weekly patrol of our lands for any signs of enemies. And we just came across a group of ponies that were setting up a basecamp too close to the hive. Our captain ordered us to drive away the ponies from here. They put up a good fight, but they were no match for us. Once the last pony was driven away our captain wanted us to resume our patrol, but as soon as I was going to take flight. I heard something coming from inside of one the building nearby. One of my comrades asked me what was wrong and I told them about the sound.
"It must be a pony that got left behind." he said activating his blade, "I will take care of it."
"No, I got it. Head back to the captain and tell him that I will regroup with you all soon," I told him, he deactivates his blades and shugs at me
"Fine just remember. If the captain chews you out. It is not my fault." He said joining the others,
Cautiously I enter the house with my wrap blade ready to attack anything. Seeing nothing, I then used my sense of smell lead me to where the other presence was hiding. It was hiding under a fallen wall. Not risking a surprise attack, I then manipulated the shadows around me to move the wall out of the way,
"You can control shadows!" Jessica said interrupting my story
"Yes but only ones that are nearby. Not my own."
As I was saying, I used the shadows to move the wall out of the way and revealed an earth pony mare laying on the ground shaking in fear. She had a dirty cream colored coat with a yellow messy mane and was covering her eyes with her hooves. I didn't know why she was left behind or to the reason as to why she and her ponies were here, but I knew I had to eliminate her it is my duty. No other kind of creature is allowed near the hive. Moving to her I raise my blade to strike her down, but for some reason, I couldn't do it.
I have eliminated many other creatures before in similar situations such as this one. And every time I did I never hesitated to do so. However, for some reason on that day, I felt something that I have never felt before. I felt pity for the mare. Unable to harm her, I took in a deep breath before I put my blade away and move closer to the mare.
"Are you alright?" I said touching her side.
She moves away from my touch and backs into a corner, staring at me with her deep blue eyes,"Please don't hurt me."
"I am not going to," I said offering her my hoof. She moves away from my hoof. Most likely thinking that I was going to hit her or something."I am here to help you." She looks at my hoof for a second before accepting my hoof and rights herself off the floor.
"Who are you?"
"I am a Templar of the shadow hive."
"Okay, but what is your name?"
"I don't have one."
"But you are a living creature. Surely you must have one."
"I do not Miss. Please come along, we don't have much time."
"Okay," she said following me out of the building,
"What do you mean you don't have a name?"
"Please, Jessica you are ruining the story."
I took the mare to an old an abandoned cabin far away from the hive. It, not the best place for someone to live in but it was better than nothing. I told her that she would be safer here then going back to the nearest village. For fear of that, the other shadowlings would find her and kill her. I told her that she must never leave this house. I also told her that I would bring her food and water whenever she would need it. Along with anything she needed for the house to live there. The last thing I told her was that it this was only a temporary solution until I could find a way for her to safely leaves this lands. Then she is on her own. She accepted my terms and enters the house.
When I started to take care of her; I soon realized that there was no way I could get her out of these lands without the hive knowing about it. So instead I decided that I would slowly take some of her love and bring it back to the hive as payment for staying there. I made sure to bring my armor with me each time I would see the mare. Who knows what would happen if I needed it and not have it. As the days rolled on soon the time came for me to collect my payment from this mare. I found her in her room and asked her to sit down. She then sits on her makeshift bed she made from straw that was lying around the cabin. She lows her head in my presence. It was something that I never told her to do but she did it anyway. I let out a sigh at her actions but I had a mission to do.
"Do you know why I am here Today?" I ask her,
"No sir," she replies without lifting her head,
"I came for payment of your stay here."
She then looks at me in fear, "But I have nothing of value to give you sir." she said,
That was true. The only then she has was half a saddle bag with a book in it. My guess was that it was her journal. She brought it with her when I found her that day. I didn't ask about it seeing not important to it. However, she is wrong when she said that she has nothing of value to give to me, "Yes, you do. I want your love as payment."
"I see." She then starts to lay on her bed.
I then slapped a hoof to my face because of her actions. I don't know why she thought of that but is not what I meant when I said I want her love. I guess she never had to deal with a changeling before. I stopped her before she embarrasses herself any further.
"That is not what I meant."
"Oh, my mistake." She said getting back up, "But then how do I give you my love?" she asks me confused,
"Just close your eyes and I will take it from there."
"Okay," she said closing her eyes,
I could have taken it from her with her eyes open, but I could stand the idea of her looking at me when I would. I move in a little closer to her and was going to drain her about half of her love, but I couldn't. Yet again something deep inside of me just refused to let me harm her. I knew that the process would be painless for the most part, but it would leave her completely helpless. I had no idea why I was feeling this way. I grind my teeth moving away from her trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I am a shadowling and she is a pony. I am supposed to take love away from prey. That is how it works! Sure I don't need as much as love as the other members of the hive to survive, but still. What is wrong with me!
She hears me moving in front of her and wonders what was taking me so long. Before asking, "Is there something wrong Master?"
I then turn to her and shout in front of her face, "NEVER CALL ME THAT!"
She then falls to her bed pulling her legs in protectively and scared by my outburst,"I am sorry,"
I then let out a heavy sigh. It wasn't my intention to scare her, "It is not your fault miss. You didn't know I hate that word. If you need to call me something. Call me Templar."
"Okay."
"Now get up again. I still haven't gotten your love yet."
"Alright," she said getting up again and closing her eyes,
I move in to take her love again but that feeling return once again stopping me. Feed up with the feeling in my gut. I then decided to resort to the next best thing. I then kiss her on her forehead. When I pulled away, I could see that her face was shocked by my actions. I guess she never thought that I was going to just kiss her. I then lifted her chin with my hoof so that I can look into her eyes.
"I will come back for your love later," I said before leaving her there stunned.
I never did collect any of her love after that. And for some reason, I didn't mind.
And our cycle of life repeated after that day, I would arrive at the house to help her improve the place and leave before the other shadowling knew I was gone. As the days turn into weeks and turn into months I grow fond of the mare under the wall. Soon she became more comfortable with me and started talking to me whenever I would arrival. To celebrate her boldness I started bringing her some tea for her to make whenever I was there. I would never drink it. It was for her to get more comfortable around me. During one of our talks, I learned that she was taken away from her family long ago, and didn't have a name either. The only thing she had that was a clue as to where she came from was a journal. The author of the journal was a mystery to the both of us. But what was more mystery was what was written inside the journal. It talks about a creature that is weak physical but had the ability to create cities. I no longer remember what they were called but she never let the journal go too far away from her. It was all she had. I also notice something odd about her. She didn't have a symbol on her flank. Even though she was a full grown mare she didn't have her cutie mark. I never ask her about it. Thinking that she just hasn't earned her's yet.
"Exclusive were you eying her flank?" Jessica said with a small grin on her face,
"That has nothing to do with anything!" Exclusive replied very quickly, "Let me finish my story!"
"It wasn't a no."
"ANYways!"
I would tell her about my hive, my fellow templars and some of the missions we were sent on. And she did ask me why I save her when I found her. My reply to her was that I was so tired of killing other creatures around me. It was all I ever know to do when I am outside of the hive. But when I meet her, I saw some pony that I could help for once. I never did wanted to kill all those creatures that I did in the past, but it was an order of the king him. And fail to do so would result in my death, or worse my banishment from the hive. And no one wants to leave the hive, for the hive means everything to us. And we should be honored that we can serve in its great empire.
Three months later she started calling me Exclusive, saying that I was her shadowling. I did not like the name. I told her that names mean nothing for warriors shadowlings even for Templar shadowlings. For only a royal shadowlings ever receives a name. But she never stops calling me that. And I never did tell her to stop calling me that. For she was starting to become something special to me. In a way that I have never felt for another creature. It made me feel happy, being given a name, but I never told her that. In return for giving a name, I gave her one too. I called her Aurora, for she is a light in this world that I wanted to protect.
"Did you say Aurora?"
"Please stop interrupting."
Then one day,
I have just finished helping her fixing a floor panel when she came into the room.
"Hello there Exclusive."
"Mam."
"Can you come into the kitchen please?"
"Alright." I enter the small kitchen to see that there is a small cupcake on the table with an unlit candle on it and a lit one next to it. I look to Aurora wondering what she is up to now. "What is this?"
"It has been one year since you save me. And I wanted to do something special for you." She then lights the candle with another candle she had nearby before moving the cupcake closer to me. "To the first creature in this lands that ever shown me kindness. I give you my cupcake that I have been trying to make for the past three weeks."
"So that is why this place has been smelling like burnt food," I said smiling trying to think on how many times she almost set the cabin on fire,
"I am not done." I then nodded to her showing that I wasn't going to speak and then she resumes, "For giving me a home, for giving me a life, and for giving me a friend I can trust. Exclusive the Templar." She then starts moving in front of me with an unusual look in her eyes. I have never seen her look at me with those kinds of eyes. I started to feel very uncomfortable in my armor and started to get very nervous.
Ever since I saved her a year ago, I have never thought what would happen if she sees me more then her protector. I never thought she would be around for as long as she has been. And I never thought of her as more than the mare under the wall. I could feel my heart racing as she moves in closer to me. Never before have I ever been more afraid of Aurora than I was at that moment. I didn't know whether to stop whatever she had in mind or let it play out. But before I could make up my mind, I then realized that I have been moving backways from this mare and hit the wall behind me. She then stops in front of me and places a hoof on my chest stopping my movements as she leans in close to me.
"I give you all of my love," Aurora said kissing me.
I didn't know what to think. I should have stopped her and end it all right there. But I didn't. When I was with her at that moment. There was no hive, there were no missions, there was only her. This mare was giving me the one thing that I never thought I would ever be given freely. She was giving me her love. I embrace her and return her kiss as candle burnt itself out.
"Exclusive that is nice and all but what does this have to do with anything?" Jessica asked turning a little red in the checks,
"I am getting to that Jessica. But let's skip to the next day,"
"Oh come don't stop now Exclusive. It is just getting good." Rainbow Dash said with a smile from the entrance of the tent, along with Berry and Pinkie all on top of each listen in on the story.
"Get out of here you little devils this is a private conversation!" Exclusive said using a shadow to throw some rocks at them, making them retreat into the tent. "Now where was I? Oh yes."
After that night I never return to the hive and decide to spend the rest of my days with her. I knew if the hive knew I was keeping a pony to myself. That they would take her away from me. I couldn't let that happen. So I put up dozens of protection spells around the house along with magical ruins to make sure that no pony or creature could ever find us here. And if we ever needed to leave the cabin it would be at night for we could shadow wrap to travel safely. I then gave Aurora a small gold necklace with a yellow daisy next to a leaf hanging from it. It is to serve as the consent reminder of my promise to her, that I will always be there to protect her. But then after another year had past Aurora told me that we were going to have a foal. I thought it was impossible with us being different species but it was happening. But I also knew that is also a big problem for us.
For I knew that the shadow hive would never allow our child to live. They refuse to let a hybrid creature run loose in our lands. And I should know. I was sent to kill some of those hybrids. If our child was going to live and grow up, it would have to be with the ponies. Away from the hive. When the day came for her to give birth I rushed her to the nearest hospital and wait outside ready for them. I have my warp blade along with my golden armor with me and was prepared to fight them off to protect the ones I love. The shadow hive has no doubt has been trying to find out what has happened to me and have scout nearby all known Ponytowns. It was only a matter of time before the first shadowlings arrival in front of me. But what I wasn't prepared for was that the first shadowlings to find me were five of my Templar brothers armed for battle along with our captain.
The Templar move to the sides of the captain. Some of them were sad to see me, and the other showed no emotion at all. But my captain only had rage in his eyes.
"Shadowling you are charged with desertion of the hive. How do you plead!" My captain shouted at me,
"Guilty."
The captain shacks his head at my answer before looking into my eyes, "It didn't have to come to this. All you had to do was follow orders and eliminated whatever target the King tells you. Now he demands your recapture or your destruction."
"You can try and take me, but I will not leave her."
"A female! You left the hive for a mare! That would explain why you came to this town, no this building! Your offspring is inside. WHAT have you done!"
"What I felt was right in my heart."
"I can not believe you would do this, a shadowling of the highest of honors would dare create a monster! Templars, we can not allow that abomination to see that light of day. Take him down, I will handle the monster myself."
"No!" I shouted drawing my blade at his captain but was stopped by two templars blades hitting my own blade. They pushed me back as the Captain then leaves us alone to enter the building.
I fought against my brothers to get to my family but it was no use. It was a losing battle for they are as skilled as I. Each time one of the Templars hit me away another would continue on the battle. But for some reason one of the Templars didn't join in on the fight he stood there on the sidelines watching.
"Give it up shadowling, you are outnumbered yield." One of Templars said, clashing blades with mine before pushing me away,
"Never!"
"What is with you? You were never like this before."Another Templar said, "Did that mare really change you that much?"
"You have no idea."
"But she is not even shadowlings." A third templar said attacking Exclusive from above, "Why do you even care about her so much?"
"She means everything to me!" I shouted at him punching him away,
"But we were a hive. We are brothers,"A fourth Templar said holding the side of his head not understand why are they fighting, before looking back at me, "We were born to protect the hive. The hive is everything to us. Does the hive mean nothing to you anymore? Why do you want to give up the hive?"
"For my family with Aurora, I would give up anything and everything to save them."
The last Templar looks away from the battle to the building and then backs to them. He then grabs one of the other Templars and pulls him away from the fight. And then makes their way inside the building. I was quickly defeated as the remaining shadowlings charge at me all at once knocking me to the ground then tieing me up as two Templars hold on to me.
"I will be back. I must tell our captain that we have him." The third Templar said leaving them to carry me away,
"Why didn't you use your shadows in that fight?"
"I can only use other shadows of non-living objects. There was none close enough for me to use."
"Nuts."
I couldn't fight back anymore as I could only cry as they pulled me into the shadows. Away from my family, and back to the Emerald mines I used to call home. I didn't fight back as they removed my armor and warp blade before throwing me into one of the cells. I just lay there motionless. I didn't have the willpower to do anything. Aurora is gone and I will never know what the face of our child would look like or even if it was a boy or a girl. I could only wait there until the king sends for me and punish me with death. And he would be doing me a favor. For I can no longer find a reason to stay in this world. l then heard the door open. Looking up with my eyes only I can see that a Templar has entered the room. I then look away.
"Get up." He said but I didn't move, "I said get up. We don't have much time."
"What?" I said raising my head to look at him,
"I never have seen a fellow Templar fight so desperately to save another creature's life before."He said looking away from me before looking into my eyes, "So tell me, if you could go back to them would you?"
"Without a second thought."
"I see. Let's move," he said as I followed him out of the cell,
"Where are we going?"
"To your hive. Sorry I mean to your family."
"They are alive!"
"Yes, I manage to convince our captain to bring them in and let King Zo decide there fate."
"But he won't let the child live either!"
"Calm down. I am doing the best I can here. It is already treason just letting you out right now."
"Where are they?" I asked him but he pulled me flat against the wall as a patrol goes down the hall. Once the patrol was gone the Templar answers me,
"They separate the mare from her child at opposite ends of the hive until the king sees them."
"But how can we get them both?"
"We don't." He said leading me to a hallway that goes left and right "But you are going to get your foul out of here."
"But I can't leave Aurora here!" I told him, but he told me to be quiet.
"Don't worry I have a brother seeing to her safety. You just focus on getting your offspring out of here."
"Alright. But how will I be able to find them once they are outside?"
"Head to the mountain on the border of our lands, there is a crystal cave system there that you can stay and take this." He said handing me an emerald necklace with a silver chain, "It a royal pendent that should shield you from the shadow hive from shadow warping soldiers next to you."
"But what about you? You said it yourself this is treason."
"Don't worry about me. After all, I am Prince Zulu. What can they do to me?"
"Thank you, my friend."
"Don't just thank me. Who do you think make sure that we are getting as far as we have."
I eyes winded at his statement. There are only five other shadowlings that I know of that would risk everything to save me, but the question is, "Why would the Templars help me? They are under orders from the king himself."
"Yes, they are. And we are brothers in arms and I am the future king of this hive. Let's just say they are getting tired of the old ways, and for once want to save other lives instead of killing them. You have started a great change, Templar. You should feel proud of yourself."
"It is Exclusive your highness."
"Get going you crazy bug. And remember you can always trust your brothers, Exclusive." He said as we parted ways, making my way to one of the hatcheries at this end of the hive. I found among the larva shadowlings a small foal crawling across the floor. She had a white coat to her and a blue mane. I thought there was some mistake she doesn't look anything like her mother. However, the moment I pick her up I knew that she was my little girl. She has her mother's eyes, those deep blue eyes cannot be mistaken.
Once I made it out of the hive. I made my way to the mountain and found my fellow Templars there along with Aurora. After reuniting with my family. The Templars said they weren't able to recover my armor or my blade; for they were being destroyed the moment they were removed from me. Another one of the Templars gave me a saddlebag tent that was magically linked to the cabin that Aurora and I were living in. He also said that thanks to the protections I put around the house. The shadow hive wasn't going to find it. For only a Templar could find it, and the hive couldn't make anymore. We were the first and the last of the Templars.
But just in case, we sealed off all the windows and doorways leading to the outside of the house. I thank them for their help and was surprised when they said that they wanted to stay with us. Their reason was that they wanted to wait for the Prince to become the King before returning back to the hive. Not because they missed me. Thanking them for their help, Aurora then decides to give them all names much to their glee. She then named them Dusk Shine, Rainbow Biltz, Bubble Berry, Butterscotch, Applejack and for our little girl she called Maple. For she is a sweet as a Maple leaf.
We stay in that mountain for four years before Berry said he saw some ponies roaming around in the caves. Fearing that we may be found down here. Everyone went inside the tent and moved three boulders hiding the tent form view. Then in about thirty minutes later a strange pink wave washed over the tent and made every shadowling fall onto their backs. We had no idea what that was about but for a precaution, we took turns doing a patrol around the tent.
After a week we decided to leave these caves and head to an old castle ruin in a forest. However, we just have finished taking down the tent and I had finished getting my family ready for the journey. Applejack was saying that he couldn't shadow wrap to the outside. Even with the pendant that the prince gave me. You could still shadow warp away from it. You just could shadow warp into its area of influence. We know that the only other reason for this was that there was nearby shadowling stuck inside a shadow warp nearby and are preventing us from shadow warping out of the caves.
It could only mean one thing. There is an army of shawling nearby and they are going to fight us. Quickly we made our way to the entrance of the caves and found a tenth of the whole shadowlings army in front of us. I don't know how they found us but I knew that I had to get my family out of there. And to do that we would need to break through an army of shadowlings. Staying close to my family and made my brother charge at the army before us.
The battle was fierce as our blades clashed with the army of shadowlings. I would use the shadows around me to protect my family and attack any shadowling that gets to close as for my brothers. They fought against the army in their own unique ways. Biltz would attack them from above and slam down on any shadowlings that were underneath him. Berry would blast them with a small canon that he has been working on for a while, but once it stopped working he used his wrap blade instead. Applejack was just charging through them and knocking everything out of his way. Butterscotch was causing any shadowling that was nearby him to lose 95% of their eye sight making them effectively blind and knocking them out. And Dusk was using his magic to incase shadowlings in spikes of emeralds coming from the ground. In the end, we were the only ones left standing. However, we soon learn that it was only the first wave of many to come. As strong as the Templars are together, we couldn't keep this battle going on forever. Especial with Aurora and Maple here with us.
Our brother Dusk Shine said that he could get Aurora and Maple out of there, and then we would meet again at the castle. I wanted to take them out of there myself, however, before we could finish there was a sudden cave-in and I couldn't get my shadows up in time. Once it was over, I found Aurora trap under a rock and was protecting Maple with her body. I move the rock out of the way and discover that Maple was knocked out from the cave-in but was fine. However, Aurora could not walk on her own. She then gave me Maple along with her necklace and told me to get her out of there. I took Maple from her and place her on my back holding her there with my magic. I didn't want to leave Aurora here but then Dusk picks her up and places Aurora on his back. He told me that he will carry her out of here.
As the next wave of shadowlings came to fight; the others went to fight them off to buy us some time to escape. We were so close to freedom, however, when we exit the cave we were stopped by Princess Celestia along with the royal guard behind her. I don't know why she was there, but I knew that this was the end of the line. There was no way we could fight the royal guard and protect the girls on our back at the same time. However, Dusk Shine had other ideas and began to force a shadow warp into his own shadow. I saw what he was doing, but I couldn't stop him in time. I watch in horror as Dusk fell into his own shadow taking Aurora with him. I reach out to her and she reaches out to me saying my name before disappearing into the shadow. Quickly I move Maple off my back and into the air as I landed on my side avoiding hurt her. I move Maple back to me hugging her close as I paw at the ground where I last saw Aurora. They were gone and that was the last time I have ever seen them again. If only he wait for the Princess to explain herself maybe they would still be here.
The Princess came here to stop the fighting under her castle and had her guards help the Templars fight off the remaining changelings. In the end, I knew that the shadow hive has lost at least a 40% of its fighting forces in that fight. And I lost Aurora and Dusk. Once my brothers join me outside, I beg the Princess to help me find the one I lost. She asked me why would she do such a thing for changelings? And I told her that Aurora is the love of my life and now she is lost to me once again. And I can't let Maple grow up without knowing her mother. She agreed to help me but told me that if I were to stay in this lands. Then we would need to look the part, considering that changelings just attack the capital a week ago.
We agree with her demands and we all used up the last of our morph available to change into ponies. Biltz went with a light blue pegasus but couldn't decide on what color mane he wanted to he chose all of them including white and black at the ends. Berry wanted to stand out so he went with a pink earth pony with a macking mane. Butterscotch also turning a pegasus but with a yellow coat and pink mane. He said he saw the colors on a poster before and thought it would look nice. I was going to change into a unicorn with a white coat and a blue mane to match Maple, but Celestia said that an indigo mane would look better. I did not know why she said that or why she suggested that Applejack should go as an orange earth pony with a blonde mane. But I thought it would be a nice color to pick from. She then had us separate into different towns until she finds them.
She said that if we all where to go to live in one town together it would look suspicious. Two to Ponyville, one to Canterlot, one to Cloudsdale, and the last one to Appaloosa. She said that we would keep in contact with us once we reach our new house. She also said that the mayors of the towns would be waiting for us with our back stories and we were supposed to roll with it. I should have asked her what she meant by that but I the only thing that was on my mind was finding Aurora. My first days at Ponyville were as you would expect. With all the chaos and random events that kept happening every other day; I was scared to even leave my house. I thought for sure that the princess was just trying to get rid of me. Sending me to this death trap of a town.
But let us fast forward two years.
Maple was finally able to go to school when a royal guard came to my house. I told Maple to head to school while I talk with him. He told me that they have found Aurora. I was filled with joy but then he said he wasn't finished.
"What happen?" I asked Exclusive,
"He said that Aurora was reported dead in the woods of Ponyville seventeen years ago. When a guard went to investigate a campsite."
"But how is that possible!?"
"Shadow wrapping is dangerous enough on it own but even worse if used on one's own shadow. Like I said only three shadowling have ever done that successfully. And now we know what happened to the others, they were lost in time in the realm of shadows."
"That doesn't make any sense. It must have something to do with the principle of how a shadow wrap works. Did you tell Maple?
"It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do. That is why I don't want to fight anymore. I don't want to lose Maple like I lost Aurora. I don't think my heart can take it. So I did my best to protect her and move on with my life without Aurora. I thought that I was never going to be happy as I was with Aurora." He then moves in front of me and touches the side of my face rubbing it softly, making me blush again, "That was until I found you, Jessica."
"Exclusive." I said moving his hoof away, "We have already been through this. But how your story ends doesn't make any sense to me."
"What do you mean?" he said tilting his head to the side.
"A friend of mine who lived in Ponyville her whole life said that when she was a little filly. She knew a mare by the named Aurora."
"What does that how to does with anything?"
"She was there when the Grauds came to her campsite. And she said that Aurora was still alive when they took her away."
"What!" Exclusive shouted,
Author's Note
Oh boy.
And yeah the longest chapter I have ever written.
