Bird song through an open window woke a young alicorn from her sleep as the cool morning breeze fluttered through her curtains. Groaning the pony rolled over and buried her muzzle into her fluffed pillow. Her normal soft purple fur was a light sickly mauve and her mane was frazzled in such a bed ridden state it stuck up at ever angle imaginable. Weak autumn sunlight slipped through the translucent glass and cast itself across her soft carpeted floor. Snarling at the unwanted intrusion the pony yanked her covers over her ruffled main and moaned into the pillow, her head swimming and her stomach churning.
Getting up was not an option.
Moaning again she buried herself deep into her soft down covers, wondering why on earth her stomach was churning so badly, making it impossible for her to move from her foetal position, with her forelegs crossed over her belly and her back legs curled up into her chest. Daringly she cracked open her eyes, and lifted her head, and realised it was a horrible mistake as the room span on it's axis and she almost wailed as the bile and nausea slipped up her throat. Swallowing the sick back down the ill pony curled up tighter, wishing that she had a hot water bottle. There was a gentle tap on her bedroom door and a young voice sounded through the wood.
“Twi? You up yet?” there was a pause and the occupant gave a low groan of pain. “Twi?” the muffled voice sounded distressed through the old oak door. “Twi I'm coming in, it's gone past eleven and you were supposed to meet the girls for lunch,”
The alicorn in question groaned pitifully and rolled over to face her window, pulling the covers further over her head. There was a quiet whine of hinges as the door was pushed open and a young dragon stepped in, his scaly face falling into an immediate frown as he saw the purple coloured alicorn curled into her little ball. “Twi!” the alicorn heard the little claws as they skittered across the crystal floor to her bedside. She felt his scaly paw brush through her bed tousled mane. “Twi what's wrong?”
“I don't know,” she moaned weakly. “I've been feeling like this for a few weeks, but this is by far the worst, it gets better throughout the day,”
“Are you sure?” she didn't see the frown on the intelligent little dragon's face.
All the young mare could do was nod slowly as her world span around her. Groaning again she curled herself tighter into a ball, and tried to pull the curtains together with her magic. There was a small spark, and a spitz of purple light before her horn died.
“Oh,” the poor alicorn almost sobbed as she felt her magic refuse to leave her body. “I have nothing left,”
“Nonsense,” the baby dragon crawled onto her large double bed. Wanting to comfort the young mare he sat beside her, smoothing out her mane by running his sharp claws through the rough strands. “Do you want me to get one of the doctors?”
The mare shook her head. “It goes in a few minutes, but it just feels like I'm going to be sick. Please don't tell the others Spike,” the mare whimpered, wishing the room would stop spinning so much.
“Why?”
“I don't want them to worry about me,”
She heard a sigh from the baby dragon and he continued to comb his claws gently through her hair.
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It turned out to be around one as the duo made their way into the town square and the popular café where the mane six regularly shared lunch. The alicorn still felt woozy, and her head was spinning uncomfortably, but she didn't want to let her friends down, so she pooled all her energy into enjoying the rare afternoon off. The sun was now high in the sky and the birds chirruped happily as they swooped and flew, but there was a subtleundercurrent of foreboding that the mauve pony could feel deep into her bones. Lost deep in her thoughts the pony hadn't realised that she'd made her way to their favoured spot.
“Oh MY GOSH! TWILIGHT!” there was a sudden high pitched screech and a pink blur attacked the unsuspecting alicorn. Twilight let out a yelp as she was tumbled across the path. When she caughther breath she glanced up to see an over-excited bright pink pony, her aqua blue eyes shining with joy.
“Hi Pinkie Pie,” the greeting came out as a (almost) frustrated sigh.
“Er sugah-cube, don't ya thin' tha' ya should le' her up?” the alicorn couldn't help but thank the logic of her good apple-bucking friend.
“Oh sorry Twi!” the pink pony rushed an apology and pulled the ruffled pony to her hooves. Shaking the thickness out of her head the mauve pony gratefully took a seat. Immediately Spike poured her a generous amount of water into her glass, which she took between her front hooves and downed it quickly, gaining stares from the surrounding ponies.
“Darling are you all right?”
Twilight's muzzle scrunched up into a frown. “Why wouldn't I be Rarity?”
“Because you're not using your magic that's all,” Rarity replied. Her own cup hovering in its dark purple aura, as if just to prove a point.
“I'm fine,” Twilight insisted, placing the glass back down in front of her, a blush rising to her cheeks. “I'm positively fine girls,”
“You don't look fine,” the princess turned to an aqua blue peagsus. The blush on her cheeks deepening as they made eye contact. “You've been off for a while now. Something you're not telling us?”
“I'm fine!” frustration swelled in Twilight's chest. She knew that her friends were just looking out for her well being, but as soon as Rainbow Dash started to ask questions she knew that she'd be outed over her condition. “Look I just had a little dip in my magic over the last couple of weeks. Nothing big, but I'm not using my magic for simple tasks until I understand what the problem is,”
She ignored Starlight’s incredulous stare and pointedly looked away when the unicorn raised her eyebrow.
“Nothing big!” Pinkie Pie gasped dramatically. “Twilight that's like the worst thing that could happen to any unicorn. I mean it's made even worse by the fact that your an alicorn,” she stressed the word, planting her front hooves onto the table. “You've got to sort out what's going on! I mean you're the element of magic for Celestia's sake!”
“Pinkie Pie does have a point dear,” Rarity's calming voice tamed Pinkie Pie's frantic conclusions.
“You really do have to figure this out. Have you any idea of what it could be?” Fluttershy’s quiet voice imputed her concerns. The other ponies around the table nodded in agreement.
Twilight shrugged, glancing across to Starlight for some type of explanation.
“I mean you could have burnt out, I did when we were practising apperating spells the other week,” Starlight suggested.
Twilight shrugged. “I've never had a magic surge so powerful that is has drained me, and besides it would have affected me much, worse,” she shrugged and rested her cheek on her hoof. “I really have no idea. It's got me stumped,”
“Nah, you're never stumped,” Rainbow grinned, nudging her with her shoulder and slipping her wing around her back. “You're un-stumpable!”
Twilight tried to smile, but it drooped into a gravity stricken frown, the terrifying thought of being burnt out rising to the front of her thoughts. “I'm fine girls. I'm just not feeling it recently. I'll be fine,”
Rarity smiled at her, although it was creased with concern. “Dear are you sure you're okay?”
“Really I'm fine, girls, we need to start organising the Friendship Festival. Ponyville's been voted to host,”
“Ooh I say we party all week!” Pinkie Pie yelped excitedly, almost bursting with visible excitement. “Like opening party, mid-week party, and finishing party. And then of course-”
“Sounds perfect Sugah,” Applejack interjected. “We have to really think about what we're gonna put into event. I think ponies are not gonna be able ta cope with your excessive partyin',”
Pinkiepie pouted.
“But that's not saying that we can't party until we drop, is it darling?” Rarity nudged Applejack, giving her a solid glower.
“I was just sayin'-” Applejack was about to protest but Fluttershy interrupted her.
“I hope we don't party until we drop,” Fluttershy muttered, “That sounds too intense,”
Starlight nodded in agreement. “But an unlimited cider bar does sound good though. I could really do with a break from studying.”
“We need to have a cider bar, we just cannotnothave one. I mean c'mon I never get the cider. What'dya think Twi?” Rainbow glanced across to her best friend, who (to her surprise was blinking to keep the sleep out of her eyes). “Yo Twi,” Rainbow nudged her side gently. “Cider bar for the festival?”
“Oh yes, sounds good Rain,” Twilight replied, almost spilling her tea as she sipped it absentmindedly down her front as it bobbed and weaved as it levitated dangerously in front of her. Twilight gave the cup a small glower before lowering it down onto the table and she ignored the looks the rest of her friends gave her as her magic flickered with uncharacteristic weakness.
“Twilight you okay?” Spike touched her flank.
“Mmmm, just tired,” she slurred, pressing her face against Rainbow's neck. “I'm good,” she yawned loudly. “Organisation, Friendship Festival was what we were talking about wasn't it?”
She ignored her best friends' worried looks and jolted them into making plans. Pushing the worrying thoughts into the back of her mind.
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“Crash keep those wings tight!” Rainbow swore as her wing clipped against the edge of the circular training post. It sent her into an abrupt nose dive, and she barely had time to haul herself up from the cloudline to break her fall. “What's going on Crash?” Spitfire's taut voice held the lightest of hint of concern.
“Nothing,” Rainbow snapped, and then paused as she saw the raised eyebrow from her superior. “Sorry Ma'am. I guess I'm just distracted,”
“You seem to be, right everyone take five,” Spitfire's waved away the rest of the trainees, and nodded for Rainbow to join her for a quick flight. Rainbow easily caught up with her and the pair eased their way higher above the training grounds, allowing for the distance to cover their conversation. “You're going to be a liability if you continue to fluff up like this,”
“Tell me about it,” Rainbow muttered, flapping her wings and allowing her to glide along more steadily.
“Everything okay?”
“Really you're asking me this? Aren't you supposed to leave the pastoral care to somepony like Soarin?”
Spitfire laughed. “He's as subtle as a brick to the face and twice as dense,”
Rainbow snorted. “Yeah. I'm not doing good,” she paused. “I'm torn, being here when I feel like I should be at Ponyville, with the girls, and I should be here training-”
“That's not it,” Spitfire scoffed. “C'mon Crash that's not the reason. There's something else isn't there?”
Rainbow sighed. “Okay I can tell you this confidence can't I?” she pressed. “Cause It's kinda obvious, but not and I really need to talk to somepony-”
“Go on,” Spitfire's voice was now laced with worry, and gestured for Rainbow to join her on a nearby cloud.
“Twilight and I have been seein' each other for, like, the past few months. It's been real nice, and everything but she's not well, and it's scaring me. She's dead tired, to the point of exhaustion. She can't use her magic, she's not even using it for levitation, I mean come on!” she stamped her fore-hooves into the cloud, creating a short rain burst.
Spitfire sat quietly, listening to her co-worker's problem. She recognised the symptoms, but the princess couldn't be, could she? A unicorn friend had suffered from the same aliments a few years back, and the results after several long months were clear for everypony to see.
“It sounds like you need some time off,” Spitfire consoled. “Look I understand relationships are difficult and it seems that you have more on your plate than you first thought,”
Rainbow turned to face her. “What do you mean?”
“Look everything will be fine,” Spitfire placed a comforting hoof on Rainbow's flank. “Stay training until the weekend, and then you can go home on indefinite leave,”
Rainbow's face dropped, her stomach plummeted to the ground, and she shot upwards. “Wait what do you mean indefinite leave?” her anxiety was almost palatable with the sudden stress was not lost on Spitfire.
“Crash calm down,” Spitfire sighed, patting the cloud next to her and letting the embarrassed pegasus join her side again. “I'm not going to fire you. You're one of the best fliers we've had in years. Not to mention your leadership skills are second to none, but if you need to go home, then it would be wrong as the leader of the WonderBolts to keep you here when you need to be home,”
Rainbow opened and closed her mouth several times, before she seemed to slump in defeat and kick at the cloud below her. Spitfire watched as the puffs of vapour leapt from their resting place, before disappearing as they were caught by the breeze. The only noise that penetrated the sudden silence between them was the laughing chatter between the pegasi who were coming back from their break.
“I don't know what to do,” Rainbow sighed. Her wings drooping visibly as she inwardly deflated. “I just don't know,”
“Your options are open,” Spitfire reminded softly. “You have Friday to make your decision. Now buck up Crash we have some newbies to train. Look sharp!”
Rainbow forced a smile onto her face and wondered how sharp she was supposed to look to hide her conflicting thoughts.
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This wasn't right, it couldn't be right. Twilight had been pacing back and forth for over an hour and she was sure that she was treading hoofmarks into the carpet, but she ignored her worry and continued to pace. It didn't make sense. She couldn't use magic. Could she have been cursed? Was it even worse than that? She couldn't make logical sense of her situation, and it was driving her insane. It was even worse that she couldn't draw comfort from the one pony that she had wanted to see right now. Rainbow had been called away for the new season at the training camp and she was missing her terribly. She was curious about what Rainbow thought about their long distant relationship was affecting her, they had been apart before, but never when they had been this intimate. The thought brought a blush to her cheeks and she stopped pacing, sitting on the space on the floor that she had allocated for her worried walking.
She had been looking up multiple symptoms that could result in her lack of magic, but so far she had not been able to find any logical explanation. Sighing she fell into the floor, resting her head against her fore-hooves she groaned in frustration at her situation.
“Tea Twi,” Spike's voice broke her from her revere. “I thought you might need some,”
A soft smile graced her muzzle. “Thanks Spike,” he placed the tea next to her and watched worriedly as she tried to levitate the cup, snorting in frustration as she failed.
“Still the same?”
Twilight nodded. “Yeah. I can't seem to get anything going. It's starting to worry me now,”
“Maybe you-”
“NO!” Twilight snapped, more forcefully than she meant causing Spike to stumble back in surprise, and Twilight winced as he fell flat against some of her older books. “Sorry Spike. I really don't need to go to a doctor,”
“Perhaps it would be best,” Spike replied, rubbing his rear with one paw. “Wait, what's this?” he bent down to pick up the book, it was a large volume, its pages brown and brittle with age. “Why have you got a book on pony family lines?”
“No reason,” Twilight muttered, leaning over to grab the book from Spike. “I just wondered if magical abnormalities were a generational problem.”
Spike snorted in reply and pulled the book out of Twilight's reach, burying his face into the musky pages to read the neatly scrawled notes in the margins. As he was manoeuvring his way from Twilight's grip he almost tripped on another book, he frowned placing the book that he was reading down and plucking up the other. It was a younger book and it looked barely read. He knew that Twilight had read all her books in her library multiple times, but this one had been seemingly ignored through several re-reads.
“What to expect when your expecting?” he finished the last word of the title with a pitched squeak. “Twilight what-”
“It's nothing!” Twilight struggled to cover up her flaw. “Spike please give me the-”
Ignoring his friend (and with his heart racing) he flicked through to the marked page. “Rare and unexpected pregnancies, and how to cope with them,” his eyes scanned the sub-headings, and he was drawn to an underlined heading which read Unicorn same sex pregnancies; how they occur and their early symptoms. “How long have you known Twilight? This explains everything!” Spike felt frustration rise in his chest. He didn't want his best friend in the whole world to suffer for any amount of time. To his shock he saw tears start to stream down Twilight's face.
“I wanted to make sure Spike. I wanted to be sure!” she cried her voice bursting from her chest. “I wanted to think of all the other possibilities, not the most obvious one. The nausea, the dizziness, the lack of magic, the mood swings. Oh I prayed to Celestia, to Luna, that it wasn't true, but it is! I can't even begin to think about what's going to happen. I have never been unprepared for anything in my life, and now this? It's unthinkable, unheard of! That's why I had the generational tree, I was trying to see if there was any other cases. There are a couple, and they are only rare, I, I – I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SPIKE!”
Spike watched in shock as his best friend broke down in tears, (he was used to panic attacks, bouts of stress-filled breakdowns, but nothing had ever seemed so distressing and hopeless). Dropping the book to the floor he rushed to comfort her as she buried her face into his scales, sobs racking her body.
“I don't know what to do Spike. I want it to go, I don't want it. And that's the hardest thing. I know it's a filly, it has to be! And that makes it even harder to get rid of it. I was going to make some remedies but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Oh Celestia Spike, what am I going to do? I can't handle this, I can't!”
Spike held her, his claws clutching across her flank as she gasped meaningless words through her tears. He was stunned. His Twilight was foal-bearing? His girl? His bestest friend in the whole world? Whoever it was that had reduced her into this state was going to get it.
And he had a good idea who it was. He felt her shift in his grip, and was relieved as her sobs started to die down into hiccuping unsteady breaths. He went limp with her, allowing her to lean against him as she nuzzled her head into his shoulder. His eyes strayed to her barrel, at present it was flat against her form, but he knew that there was life forming, growing and developing right under his gaze. The thought moved him and made his head hurt. It was too much for him to think about so instead he looked away and continued to sooth the alicorn in his grasp.
“You okay Twi?” he asked.
Twilight sniffled. “I don't know,” she muttered, a sigh escaping her as she relaxed.
“I think you need to get some sleep,” Spike suggested, nudging her into movement.
“I think you're right,” her words were interrupted as she let out a wide yawn. “I feel that I haven't slept properly in months,”
Spike gave her a startled look.
Her smile relaxed him. “No I'm not that far along Spike. Don't worry,” she stumbled over her own hooves and Spike hurried to help her to her room. They made the short walk to her bedroom in silence and Spike pushed the door open. Instinctively knowing that even simple spells that fillies could accomplish would be difficult for her now. Twilight smiled at him in thanks, making her way to her bed and collapsing onto it with a sigh.
“Spike can you stay?” she asked quietly. Even though he'd recently acquired his own wing in the castle, he did miss the times where he would be curled up against the foot of Twilight's bed.
“Yeah sure,” the young dragon was about to curl up at the foot of the bed, but Twilight surprised him by capturing him in a gentle embrace, and pulling him to join her on the bed.
Spike laughed as Twilight nuzzled him playfully. “I'm not a toy,” he pushed her muzzle away from her, still giggling at his best friend's affections.
Twilight pouted but relented, allowing Spike to bury his way under the covers and snuggle into the soft cushions. He curled up against her back, breathing in her soft comforting sent, a mix of old book musk and something that was defyingly Twilight.
“Night Spike,” she murmured, sleep quickly overcoming her as she felt his warm body next to hers.
“Night Twi,” Spike yawned, darkness overcoming him. He started to drift off to sleep, but there was one thing on his mind.
What was going to happen next?
Author's Note
Been working on this for a while. I really do like the sporty/egghead coupling but something always struck me about the bond between Twilight and Rainbow. Also with the character development of Rainbow Dash throughout the series I personally think that she has gone from strength to strength.
I started working on this years ago. And never had the gall to post it. I have a habit of starting things and not finishing them, but presently I really need to be able to write to keep me sane!
Please can I have any feedback on this you are willing to give? As I would love to get deeper into the community that I have loved for years but have always just been on the fringes of. I love these characters and their flaws and I would love to know if I need to adjust the way that I write them to make this even better.
Cheers,
Lazurite.
“I'm tellin' ya it ain't right!” Applejack's voice broke Twilight from her thoughts. She had been called to the main room. Her flank burning brightly as her cutie-mark pulsed with worrying ferocity. “I'm sure that we'll not have enough cider for the Friendship Festival, it wouldn't be right to have too much, we'll waste it,”
“Seriously? That's your excuse. C'mon AJ, think about how much business you'll drum up!”
Wait was that Rainbow? Her heart soared, and she pointedly ignored Spike as he smirked up at her from his comic. She couldn't help but let a smile grace her muzzle as she realised that two of her best friends were talking about the yearly cider shortage.
“Hey Twilight!” Twilight couldn't help but beam as she saw Rainbow hovering next to AJ. Without a second thought she was up on her hooves and had embraced Rainbow in a tight hug. Rainbow returned the hug, squeezing her tighter then necessary and burying her muzzle into her mane. Twilight fought back tears of relief and annoyance. She was here, Rainbow was back sooner than she had expected and her heart swelled. However she had to go as her cutie mark was flashing brightly. The map had summoned her and AJ, calling them to it and presenting their cutie-marks hovering over a small village in the griffon kingdom.
“Long time Rainbow,” she laughed, her relief that her mate was okay.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “It's been three weeks, Twi,” she chuckled. “But missed you too,”
Applejack watched the reunion with a fond expression, but was drawn to the map when she realised where they were summoned. “Really?” she asked, annoyance and doubt creeping into her voice.
Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at her.
“I don't like them,” Applejack replied. “I just don't. They terrorised my ancestors in the First Griffon Wars and it took all my will to go back that one time. I don't want to go,” she paused, sucking in a breath at their equally shocked expressions. “I'm the element of honesty, not loyalty, take Rainbow for this one,”
“I'm sorry AJ, but the what the map says goes,” Twilight soothed. “We'd better get going-”
“Wait are ya well enoug' ta sugar cube?” AppleJack pressed and both ignored Rainbow's surprised expression. As unbeknownst to Rainbow Dash Twilight’s magical aliments had become increasingly obvious to the point of suspicion over the past few weeks since she had been away. However only known to Twilight and Spike they had narrowed down the symptoms to suggest that she was already half way through her first term. Consequentially the foal-bearing symptoms were showing but they were not as obvious as they would be in the near future.
“I don't know,” Twilight admitted. “But I am needed, and it's my duty that I must go. We've learnt this,”
“I can go to, if you want,” Spike offered, leaning over the arm of his crystal armchair. “I mean if you need back up,”
“I'm sure we'll be fine, thanks Spike,” Twilight cut his question down immediately, knowing (and understanding) why he wanted to go with her.
Spike pouted. “Fine. It's not like it's a great place anyway. And besides I'm sure I can find something to do,”
“What like guys nigh'?” Applejack chuckled.
“Whatever, we have a wicked time at guys night,” Spike retorted, putting his comic carefully on the table. “Twi your stuff is already packed,”
“Thanks Spike. I can do it myself you know,” she smiled and Spike grinned back. “However you could work with Starlight on her preperation for her lessons whilst we're away, that'd be a real help. If of course you have time with your busy schedule, guys night and all,”
“Sure I'll help-”
“Found the saddle bags!” Rainbow was back at their sides, before dropping Twilight's bag carefully on her back.
“I got my stuff back at the barn, we need to make a detour,” Applejack explained. Watching the interaction between her two best friends carefully.
“That's fine,” Twilight replied, as she adjusted the saddlebags to fit comfortably.
“I'll come, should I notify the girls that you're goin'?” Rainbow Dash asked. Hovering in between them, only Spike noticed the momentary anxiety that flicked across her expression, obivously Applejack's concern over Twilight's health had ruffled Dash's feathers. Nonetheless Spike knew that Rainbow would let it lie (for now) as he knew that she knew that if Twilight felt that she was well enough to go on this particular mission Rainbow would let it slide. But he also knew that he was going to be interrogated about the situation as soon as AJ and Twilight were on the train.
Rainbow was a stubborn pony at the best of times and he dreaded to think what tactics she would use to get him to talk when she wanted to know the answers.
“It'd be nice, but I have a horrible feeling that we are needed in the Griffon Kingdom as soon as possible. We should get the next train ASAP. Can you fly forwards and hold it for us?” Twilight's voice brought Spike out from his reverie.
“Sure thing!” Rainbow gave her a mock salute and exploded off in a streak of colour.
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The afternoon sun had started its slow decent to the horizon as the pair of ponies headed out of the elaborate crystal castle. They broke into a steady trot (knowing that they were running short of time) and followed the well worn road to Applejack's family farm. Both ponies had fallen into a comfortable silence as they wondered what their mission had in store and why either of them had been called forth. It was a thought that played on all of the mane six's minds' before missions and they had talked for many hours on how to quell the understandable anxiety that naturally came with a mission. Even though each had drawn up their own "emotional coping manual" (as Pinkie had dubbed it) the nerves still persisted. One of Applejack's (several) ways of coping was to mentally recite every member of her family tree. It relaxed her as she knew of what she had coming back. Even if it went badly she could still return to her family, and she knew that her family would welcome her back with open fore-legs.
But something else was itching at the back of her mind. Twilight. Having seen her friend's use of magic slowly dwindle over the past few weeks she knew that something was up. However, she knew that, if Twilight had decided she was going to go on this mission then nothing would stop the alicorn. Even with the lack of magic. So Applejack made sure to mention that Rainbow Dash had to grill Spike whilst they where away. Just to make sure that Twilight was okay. Although she still felt slightly guilty leaving Spike to be harrassed by Rainbow. Ingoring the thoughts swirling through her mind she couldn't help but smile as she saw a small trio of familiar ponies standing next to the entrance to the farm. As tactful as ever Twilight slowed her pace and stood back, motioning to Applejack with a flick of her ears that was not going to interfere.
“AJ are you really goin' away?” Apple Bloom had greeted them at the gate, followed by her brother and their grandmother. Big Mac was holding AJ's saddle bags, his eyes full of worry.
“Yeah, sorry sugar cube,” Applejack gave her sister a small smile. “I've gotta go,”
“Where?” the young filly asked, her interest obviously peaked.
“Can't tell ya I'm afraid,” Applejack replied. “C'mon we've already delayed the train longer than I want ta,”
As Twilight stood back, allowing the family to say their goodbyes, she felt suddenly homesick and the thought brought a lump to her throat. The sudden surge of emotion was unusual, as the logical part of her brain knew that her and AJ would be back in a week, and there was no reason to feel so melancholy. Forcing the sudden sensions down she blinked the tears away that had pooled in the corner of her eyes and was brought from her thoughts as Applejack called for her.
“C'mon Twiligh', we'll be late otherwise,” Applejack called.
“Yeah,” she shook herself from her reverie and joined Applejack as they broke into a quick canter to get to the station. As the station neared Twilight saw that the train was still in the station, steam billowing out of its chimney, almost raring to go. As they took the stairs two at a time they were greeted by the rest of their friends on the platform.
“SURPRISE!” Pinkie's excitable screech brought them to a halt on the platform as they were bombarded by their friends. “We had to come and say goodbye!”
“Girls you didn't-” Twilight started.
“Darling, you're going to be away for Celestia knows how long,” Rarity interrupted, a small smile gracing her muzzle.
“We couldn't go without a proper goodbye,” Fluttershy explained.
“Yeah, and you might be gone for ages,” Rainbow finished. “I'm gutted I'm not goin'!”
“I wonder why?” Starlight smirked and Rainbow glowered at her playfully. “You'd better get back soon, I don't know how long I can study on my lessons without your guidance,”
“I'm sure Twi has a whole bunch of lessons for you prepared,” Rainbow chuckled, casting a fond gaze to a flushing Twilight.
“All aboard!” the conductor called sharply.
“HUGS!” Pinkie demanded, throwing her fore-hooves around the two ponies. Everypony joined in, each wishing their farewells. As the group pulled away Rainbow pressed a ghost of a kiss against Twilight's cheek.
Only Starlight and Spike noticed the gesture.
“ALL ABOARD!” the called, sounding slightly more aggravated due to their prolonged waiting time.
“We'd better get going,” Twilight urged. “I think we've kept the train long enough,”
“I agree,” Applejack nodded. “Bye girls we'll see you soon!” the pair headed into the carriage only to appear again at the nearest window, waving to their friends as the train started to pull off.
“BYE!” Pinkie yelled, and Spike clambered onto her back so he could join her in her frantic waving.
“See y'all later!” Applejack yelled from the window, her eyes stinging from the steam from the engine. As the train finally pulled out of the station Twilight fell back against the seat backing, sighing in resignation as she allowed tiredness to wash over her. She gave Applejack an encouraging smile, and Applejack smiled back.
They both wondered what was in stall for them.
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As the train pulled up to the knackered station of Griffonstone City the hairs on the back of Twilight's neck immediately stood on end. They'd had to change onto a second train (which had been automatically powered by a set of iron pulleys (which AJ had to disgruntly fix) before the had even managed to get to the edge of the kingdom. Twilight was pretty sure if the old station owner hadn't recognised her as a princess they would have had even more trouble getting to the village. After fixing the train (and starting it) the two ponies tried to make themselves as comforable as possible for the steep ride up to the furthest corner of Griffonstone. The sun had started to set and the rusty darkness of dusk was enveloping the rugged landscape as the dilapidated train jolted its way uncomfortably up the rough mountain track. Twilight wondered if Applejack was sensing the same type of apprehension as she was the further they made their way up the mountain. Part of her wondered if the battered old train was a symbol for the faliing relationship with the Griffons. The Princess of Friendship hoped not.
The single carriage jolted to a stop and the pair hastily made their way out onto the platform. Relishing in the feeling of solid rock under their hooves. Twilight couldn't place it, but it felt like they were being watched as soon as they stepped out onto the platform. Applejack's nose twisted as she regarded the crumbling ruins of the dilapidated station house.
“Well I can see why I've been summoned,” she joked, but it fell flat, and she glanced across to Twilight, who was standing stock still her ears flicking back and forth. “Hey Twi?”
“Some thing's not right,” Twilight replied. “Last time we were here I swear that we helped them more then we obviously did,”
“They're griffons,” Applejack muttered, ignoring the look that Twilight gave her. “They're stubborn.”
Twilight shrugged. “We can't think like that. We need to find the quickest way to the village,” the pair picked their way through the rubble of the station houseand headed into the city. The wind swung lazily around the abandoned buildings, ruffling up leaves and sending them into chaotic dances of their own. With the wind whistling quietly through the abandoned buildings and their hooves clicking against the cracked cobblestones gave the city an eerie haunted feeling.
Applejack's ears twitched as she heard claws clicking over cobbles. She glanced over at Twilight, who had also heard the disconcerting sound.
“Hello?” Twilight called. Her voice bouncing off the derelict walls. “We were wondering what was the best way to get to Light Sky,”
AJ frowned, her muzzle creasing as she and Twilight continued their journey. Something was definitely not right. The fur on the back of her shoulders was standing up and her ears were flicking rapidly from side to side, trying to pick up on the slightest sound. Suddenly she heard the methodical clicking of claws against the dry uneven cobbles, and she turned to see a group of three hooded griffons stalking towards them.
“Twi,” she muttered, nudging her friend, causing her to turn. Twilight was about to greet the griffons but she stopped as she noticed amulets hanging from around their necks.
“AJ, run,” Twilight gasped. “Get out of here,” The sudden fear in Twilight's voice caught the earth pony off guard. Sensing Twilight's sudden and foreboding panic adrenaline started to slam its way through Applejack's system and she fought to keep her resolve.
“What?” Applejack replied, stepping backwards and towards Twilight.
“They're using griffon magic, the amulets-” she was cut off as a blast of white hot magic split them apart. Applejack dove to the right, falling hard against the cobbles as she skidded into a building. She groaned, lifting her head and watching with terror as she saw the griffins stalking towards Twilight.
“Oi get away you freaks!” Applejack stumbled to her hooves, her vision blurring as she struggled to regain her balance.
One of the griffons turned, and Applejack saw an evil glint flash across his eyes. “I'm not the freak!” he yelled, and Applejack saw the amulet around his neck starting to glow.
“AJ RUN!” Twilight's desperate plea shook her to her core and Applejack was rooted to the spot in fear.
“Finish the earth pony, we'll deal with the princess,”
AJ snorted and scuffed at the ground with her hoof, she was not about to go down without a fight. Her fighting instinct had over ridden her thought of flight and she allowed the full effects of the adrenalin coursing through her system to take control. Flicking her tail she readied herself for the onslaught.
“If that's how you want it horse,” the hooded griffon laughed, and he reared, his wings outstretched as his amulet glowed with a brilliant white light. “I'll be happy with your head on my wall! And your tail as a scarf,”
AJ was about to dive to the left as she saw the amulet nearing its full power, but she stumbled as an explosion of white and purple tinted feathers flew across her vision. She heard a shout and was immediately knocked backwards from the force of the uncontrolled magic. Shaking the ringing from her ears she staggered upwards and tried to make her way towards Twilight. Something caught her tail and hauled her backward. Letting out a shout she twisted and slammed her back hoof into her assailant. She couldn't help but grin as her attacker let out a cry of pain and let go of her tail. Without a second thought she charged towards the group of griffons attacking her friend. Letting out a gallant war cry she jumped into the fray, knocking back the two griffons that had downed her friend, and bucking several well aimed kicks towards them. In the fray she wasn't sure if any of them made contact but with one swift moment she had placed herself between Twilight and their hooded attackers. A growl rose from deep in the back of her throat as she stood firm, wearily surveying their attackers, body tense, back taut, and hackles raised. She was ready for a fight.
“Back off you bucking freaks,” she snorted, flicking her tail in annoyance. “I can take you on,”
“AJ get out of here,” Twilight's voice was laced with pain and Applejack turned to see a large gash in her side. Without thinking she was immediately next to the alicorn, desperately trying to ease the blood pouring from the wound underneath her crippled wing.
Caring was her downfall.
Pain suddenly lanced across the back of her head, flowing down her neck and back before finally snapping at her hooves. She let out a startled cry and collapsed to the ground. As her vision faded all she could see was the trail of dark red blood left behind from her wounded friend.
“I'm sorry,” she gasped as her vision faded, she slumped to the ground, her hoof outstretched in a desperate attempt to save the princess from her obvious fate. She didn't even notice the clicking of claws and the shadowed figures gathering around her as she passed out against the pavement. She was too exhausted to fight back as they scooped her up and carried her off and away from her princess.
~~8888888888888888888888~~
“Do you think she's awake?” a male voice brought Applejack out from the pleasant darkness of unconsciousness. She groaned as an unpleasant thumping at the back of her skull was the first thing she felt as she rose from the bed. The second thing she realised was that she didn't recognise where she was. She realised that she was in a dimly lit room where there were several figures dotted around the large living space. The room itself was in disrepair, but had been made habitable by several sparse furnishings and some dark drapes that were hung across the window.
“Yes, I believe she's awake,” Applejack instantly recognised the voice and turned to see Gilda slouched on an uncomfortable looking wooden bench. AJ blinked a couple of times to phase the fuzziness from her vision and pulled herself into a sitting position.
“Where am I?” she asked, ignoring the gravely tone of her throat.
“You're in an undisclosed location just outside Griffonstone. Sorry we can't tell you,” Gilda replied, checking her claw as she regarded Applejack from the corner of her eye. “What are you doin' here?”
"We were on a friendship mission,” Applejack replied, (ignoring the smirks from the other griffons).
“Looks like the others have managed to perfect their amulet techniques,” Applejack turned in her seat to see a large griffon, peering over a faded map. His beak had been injured in a recent fight, and a crack was forming around the lower cartilage. He seemed to be doing all right as he locked his brilliant blue eyes with AJ's. Placing his quill down onto the table he walked towards her, his claws clicking dully on the wooden floorboards, and his jet black tail flicking from side to side.
“Names Gallivant. I saved you from the Amulet Wielders. You fought well,” he held out a paw for her to shake.
Applejack took it wearily. “Thanks,” she hesitated before pulling her hoof from his light grip. “So Amulet Wielders?”
“They try to harness the powers of the ancients from years ago,” another griffon explained, his light blue feathers ruffling as he stood from his seat. “I'm Glaive, I'm one of the griffons that saved you in the attack,”
“Thanks,” she paused, her eyes flicking around the room. “Wait where's Twilight?”
"The the other griffons took her before we had a chance to do anything,” Gilda replied, guilt lacing her tone. “I'm sorry,”
Applejack had to suck in a large breath to calm herself down.
“I hate to admit it but they're stronger than us now, what with their magic,” Glaive shrugged his haunches. “The only way that we could get any upper paw would be to ask help from Equestria and beyond, but I highly doubt many griffons would stand for that,” the rest of the griffins in the room nodded.
“He's right,” Gallivant agreed. “There's nothing we can do,”
“Now hold on,” Applejack countered, surprising herself with the sudden burst of energy coursing through her system. She was prepared to work with this griffons - friendship mission or not - to save Twilight. That was the top priority and right now she was willing to allow any past misconceptions. “There's gotta be somethin' yer can do, I mean there's always a way,”
“You'd be willing to help us?” Gilda asked, one brow raised in surprise.
“I surprised myself to be fair,” Applejack replied. “We've gotta do somethin'. Cause I ain't leavin' Twilight in the claws of those monsters,” she paused when she realised all eyes were focused on her and her ears flattened against her head as she realised her mistake. “I mean you guys are totally different,”
“Nah, we hate their guts as well,” Gilda smirked. “So AJ, what's the plan?”
~~8888888888888888888888~~
"You got this?” Applejack hissed as she narrowly avoided being flicked in the face by Gallivant's tail.
“I'm not normally a heavy lifter,” Gallivant shot back, ruffling his feathers anxiously.
“I don't care if you're not a heavy lifter Gal, just help,” Gilda grunted as she and Applejack heaved the last of the stones away. As the weight was lifted from Applejack’s hooves she lent back against the dirt walls with a sigh and pulled her hat from her head to try and cool off.
"I didn't realise how hot these tunnels would be. It's like a hot mid-summer day on the farm,” Applejack grunted replacing her hat so she could get back to work. “I ain't used to tunnels, I hate them,”
“Well if you want to get your friend back it's the only way that you can save her,” Gilda replied tautly as she heaved another block out of the way. “These tunnels were used in the old Pony Wars, there's a huge network under all the cities, linking everything up. If we want to move undetected we can-”
“Wait Pony Wars?” Applejack asked, immediately intrigued.
“Yeah y'know when griffons and ponies fought for controls of the sky’s over Equestria. Don't you know your history?”
“Yeah but we call them the griffon wars. That's why the cities went completely dead,” Applejack bucked back another rock that was blocking their path. “Makes sense,”
Gilda rolled her eyes and pushed away another boulder. “Well duh. But most of these tunnels have been blocked for years and years. It would take decades to re-new them, but we haven't got decades, and with the main Griffonstone tunnel opened up we can really make use of them again,”
“We think that we could help if we could get-”
“No thinkin’ doin’,” Applejack demanded. “We’ve gotta save Twilight,” she easily bucked another set of rocks down and out of their path. As soon as she saw a viable entry path she shimmied her way through. “There are two paths,” she called back through the rocks.
“Left,” Gal replied, pulling away boulders with his claws. He paused. “Wait do you hear that?”
Applejack froze. She could hear it too. It was a gentle tapping echoing down the hallway to the right. Without a second thought she pressed her ear to the ground, carefully listening to the repetitive echoes.
“What-” Gilda started but Applejack’s immediate shush stopped her.
“Shut it, it’s Morse code,” AJ hissed, pressing her ear into the dirt. “Rebel group of griffons. Injured. Send help. Twi,” her brow furrowed and she twisted her muzzle before pulling her cheek from the dirt and headed back down the right tunnel.
Gilda broke into a quick trot to catch up with the pony as Applejack followed the tapping, stopping every-so-often to check if she was going the right way. “Woah, you promised,” she stopped Applejack from taking a left as the tunnel split into multiple directions.
"Ah, promised and then it changed,” Applejack replied curtly, trying to get past the griffon as politely as she could.
“You did and a promise is a promise,” Gilda snapped back. Without thinking Applejack spun round and slammed the griffon up against the stone wall.
“Listen ‘ere okay?” Applejack hissed, ignoring the surprised look on Gilda’s beak. “Twi is in trouble. One of the princesses of Equestria is in trouble and your determined to risk her life to perform some haphazard craftsmanship? Please, these tunnels won’t last one day in this condition. They’re to structurally unsound. Help me help Twilight and then, perhaps – maybe – when this is all over I’ll help you fix the gosh-darn tunnels,”
“Guy’s down here!” Gal’s voice broke the argument before it had even began, and Applejack left Gilda, scrabbling through the hole in the wall before breaking into a canter to join Gal’s side. “This is the entrance that used to follow up into the old courthouse,” he felt along the wall as he explained. “I’m looking for-” he let out a grunt as he found what he was searching for. With one quick movement he slid out a concealed stone from the side of the damp wall. It thudded on the ground as he dropped it before standing back as a – previously concealed – set of complicated stone locks started to pull apart in their own logical chaos as they linked and interlinked in a series of complicated manoeuvres. After several seconds the system stopped and a small, square panel in the wall slid forwards, jutted out at a right angle and then slid unevenly into the top of the archway that now stood between them.
Without a second thought AppleJack pushed her way past the two griffons and started to make her way up the steady sloping tunnel. To her surprise the persistent tapping echoing dully against the walls was louder here then it had been in the tunnels. Pressing her ear against the cool stone she listened intently before moving on a few paces, stopping and then repeating the motion. Her actions lead her up through several winding passageways and crawl spaces (which were far to small, run down and musty for her liking; small being the main issue) before footsteps halted her in her tracks. Gilda and Gal realised that their pony acquaintance had paused in her movements and stopped as she raised her right hoof.
“Hoovesteps,” she hissed, her voice sounding unreasonably loud in the quiet dankness of the tunnel. “Y’know where from?”
Gallivant pointed upwards. “We must be underneath the courthouse by now. There were cells in the lower levels. Some of the crawl spaces we passed were where some of the more disreputable prisoners were-”
“Save the history lesson,” Applejack replied tautly. “Could yer navigate from ‘ere?”
Gal’s beak twisted into a frown. “I think I can, but it’s been a while,” he paused, moving past her as he made his way further down the passageway, he turned a concealed corner and hissed out a command. “Follow me,”
Gilda and AJ quickly followed his footsteps to find him standing just shy of a metal grate sitting in the ceiling of the tunnel. Dirty yellow light filtered through the gaps in the rusted metal, throwing disconcerting shadows out across their small passageway.
“Each grate was inscribed with a number,” Gal hissed, quickly snatching a piece of faded parchment from his knapsack. With practised ease he quietly unfolded it and studied it intently. “It was to keep tabs on the prisoners locked below in the scrawls,”
AJ raised her eyebrow at the name.
“Crawl Spaces,” Gilda replied. “D’you know where we’re at Gal?”
“Yeah, we’re under A113,” he paused. “I dunno-”
“Shush!” Applejack hissed, pushing the two griffons back down and around the corner.
Gilda was about to open her mouth to protest but the dark look Applejack gave her was enough to silence her response.
“I thought she’d give more of a fight,” the first voice was rough, hoarse and tinged with laughter.
It made Applejack’s blood boil.
A resounding snort was the reply. “Nah Grist, she’s a goner. There’s no way she survived the magic absorption. Not even an alicorn could survive that many Rituals,”
Grist (the first griffon Applejack presumed) laughed in response. “Perhaps their dear leaders. But she’s barely got enough magic for a retort. It seems that she burnt out protecting that other mare yesterday,”
Applejack tensed. Twilight was burnt out? That was not good. She knew that a unicorn’s magic was powerful and was intertwined with the users mental ability, but she also knew that if the user was over exhausted, mentally or physically, not even their magic could give them the energy they needed. She had seen it when Starlight had almost driven herself mad with a particularly difficult spell, the poor unicorn had refused any help from her magically enabled friends and had almost exhausted herself to the point of burning out. It was only after Twilight had practically drugged her with a sleeping potion that the over-exhausted student had finally relented. It was now Applejack realised that Starlight had not even been close to properly burning out. The emotional strain of the fight yesterday, her diminishing magic and whatever these Rituals were would have definitely burnt her out. It took Starlight over two weeks to recover. If Twilight was in a worse state than her student only Celestia would be able to fathom the depth of the possibility of her recovery.
A dead weight of fear dropped into Applejack’s stomach.
“Boss wants her in for another session. Perhaps she’ll spill the secret of the amulets this time,” the second griffon prompted.
“If it doesn’t kill her first,” Grist replied. “Gauche you tried your amulet yet?”
“Nah,” Gauche seemed uneasy. “Don’t wanna yet. ‘pparently some of the griffons who used it were sent mad-”
“Oi enough you two talkin’!” another gruffer voice echoed down the hallway. “Get to your posts. I don’t want anythin’ happenin’ to the princess when I’m gone! Otherwise it’ll be yer beaks on the line, understood?”
“Sure boss,” and “Yes Sir,” were answered simultaneously.
“At least she gotta cell,” Gauche’s confusing statement caused the covered trio underneath their feet to glance at each other in question.
“Don’t tell me you’re startin’ to get a heart, Gau!” Grist laughed mockingly.
“No it means that we don’t have to use those stinkin’ tunnels!” Gauche shot back, his voice getting fainter as they walked down the corridor. “They’re haunted,”
“Oh shut your beak Gau, you’re a moron!” Grist’s faint voice could be heard as they made their way further from the trio’s hiding spot. “Wait one sec, need a whiz, you go over to the princess’s cell and I’ll join you later,”
“Brilliant!” Gal hissed as he grinned at the two females.
“What that he’s taking a whiz?” Gilda glanced at Applejack, who (was obviously taut and ready for battle) sent her a shrug in return.
“We’re under grate A113, meaning that your princess is in one of the cells two grates down from here. The toilets for this floor are positioned next to those sets of cells, so logically she must be down there-”
“They’re ain’t many guards-” Applejack started.
“If Twilight is unable to fight back then griffons are proud enough and stupid enough not to place more guards,” Gilda explained. “Trust me I know, they’ll have a small squadron, max six, looks to be three, ones out, ones takin’ a piss and the other one is an idiot. The others must be out of patrol,”
“We strike now?” Applejack grinned, her anxiety lessening as their haphazardly put together plan started to fall somewhat into place.
“You read my mind,” Gilda grinned. “Lets go,”
Author's Note
Thanks for the reviews in the last chapter. It really made me smile!
Any constructive critism will be greatly appriciated! Always nice to improve with the help of fellow writers!
Hope you enjoyed and see you in the next chapter!
Laz
