The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

A few days pass. Arc knocks lightly before he enters Rarity’s room, which she is currently sharing with Applejack, and walks over to the two mares. They stand as he approaches and speaks to Applejack.

“How are you two doing today?”

“I’m feeling a lot stronger than I have recently. Then again, to be honest with you, I don’t think I’ve ever laid around this much in my entire life.”

Arc turns to Rarity. “And you, miss?”

Rarity puts a hoof to her forehead. “Still no change in my condition, I’m afraid.”

“Nothing?”

Rarity shakes her head. “Not even glimpses of my past memories, no.”

Applejack bows her head. “I’ve been doing my best to talk her through everything I can think of. From when we first met to our day trips to the spa to how we became the Element Bearers.”

Rarity nods. “And the various citizens of Ponyville too. Like mister and misses Pie.”

Applejack shakes her head. “No, no. Mister and misses Cake run Sugarcube Corner together. Pinkie Pie does party planning.”

Rarity appears confused. “I thought you said she’s a baker though.”

“Just a part time one.”

Rarity puts a hoof to her chin. “And Twinkle Sprinkle runs the library.”

Applejack facehoofs. “Again, her name is ‘Twilight Sparkle’.”

Rarity groans. “I just can’t believe that I’m a dress maker AND have so many friends too.”

Arc sits down across from the pair. “This is certainly quite a lot to take in, I’m sure. Believe me when I say that losing one’s memory is a very jarring thing to happen.”

Applejack appears surprised. “You’ve had it happen to you before?”

Arc nods. “Yes indeed. After a very… serious injury and magical attack some time ago.”

Rarity gasps. “Oh my!”

Arc continues. “But unlike you, Rarity, back then I didn’t even remember whom I was.”

Applejack looks to him. “So you were able to come around after a while, I’m guessing?”

Arc shakes his head. “Sadly, no. A friend of mine and I had to travel the world in order to get reagents for an ancient potion to do that.”

Applejack frowns as she points a hoof at Rarity. “Then why in tarnation can’t we do the same for her?!”

“It took forever to get all of them together. And that was when the sun still shone.”

Rarity appears hopeful. “What ingredients would be problematic?”

Arc sighs. “At this point, all of them. Without sunlight herbs aren’t growing these days. The destruction of the Crystal Empire means that I can’t get a special vial from them. And with the Dragon Lands being on high alert for attacks from all sides it’s not likely we could get a Dragon Fruit from their shores. To say nothing for the Poison Joke needed as well.”

Applejack bows her head sadly. “Yeah, I get what you’re saying. But I don’t see how that machine you mentioned the other day is supposed to help.”

Rarity nods. “Yes, even if I were to see my past it doesn’t mean that I’d be able to remember anything.”

Arc looks toward the window. “True. But at the risk of sounding rude, this is more for the benefit of your lost sisters than you, Rarity.”

Applejack grimaces. “I’m sure that Apple Bloom was with Sweetie Belle when things went south. So I’m hoping they left together.”

Rarity groans. “I still wish I could remember them.”

Arc nods. “With any luck they’re hiding out somewhere safe.”

Applejack grits her teeth. “But it’s been almost a year since this whole mess all started! What makes you think that they’d still be where they went?! Or even if they made it there in the first place!”

Arc sighs. “If nothing else, it will make for a good starting point. If they have moved on, hopefully they left some clues behind or a note of some kind.”

There is a small knock at the door. Arc stands to answer it. Opening the door, he spies Auriel standing in the corridor with a cart. Atop of it is the altered device with Brightwing perched happily on top of it. He steps aside to allow them entrance. Closing the door behind the pair, Arc turns to Auriel.

“Thank you for coming.”

Auriel looks down at the device as she wheels it toward Rarity. “It’s… it’s no trouble, sir.”

Brightwing giggles happily. “We’re here to help friends heal!”

Stopping in front of the mares, Auriel puts a claw on the machine and looks to Rarity before continuing.

“Now then, I don’t really know what you’ve been told of this altered device. But to sum it up, we should be able to use it to see exactly what happened on the day that the town of Ponyville was abandoned.”

Applejack looks to the cart warily. “Are you sure this thing is safe?”

Auriel nods. “Yes, I’ve tested it on both myself and the Hero of Light here. Both before and after the necessary modifications were made.”

Brightwing grins toothlessly. “Brightwing help too!”

Arc moves to stand with Auriel. “And I’ve used it numerous times in the past few years. That and it was fully tested by Canterlot prior to it being gifted to me by the princesses themselves.”

Rarity grimaces. “I’m still a bit apprehensive about doing this though.”

Auriel shrugs. “It’s certainly your choice on what you want to do here. If you’re not okay with things as it stands, I can go back to my lab and do more testing.”

Brightwing nods happily. “And we can do this later, friend!”

Applejack raises a hoof. “Um… if Rarity isn’t too keen on the whole process, do you think I could try it out myself?”

Arc appears confused. “You, Applejack?”

Applejack nods. “Yeah. I’d… kinda like to see something. If it’s okay, that is.”

Auriel turns to Arc. “Sir?”

Arc shrugs. “Sure. Let’s set it up.”

Reaching for his magic ring, Arc pulls out the screen as Auriel walks over to Applejack with her part of the device. Putting it on the mare’s head, Auriel explains the process.

“This will act as the reader while the device on the cart here processes the information and displays it on the screen. You can manually pull things up just by thinking about them. From there we can dial forward or backwards in time if you’d like.”

Applejack nods as she leans back in the couch to get comfortable. “Thanks, but I think I’ll stick with me pulling stuff up.”

Stepping back, Auriel presses a few switches on the headset as Arc turns on the machine for her. A few moments later Applejack takes a deep breath and concentrates. A scene of Sweet Apple Acres comes up on the screen as seen through Applejack’s eyes. The young mare pushes through the screen door of the farmhouse and make her way toward the barn. Stopping as a voice rings out behind her, Applejack turns around.

“Big sis!”

A filly comes into view from the direction of the farmhouse. Rarity gasps as she turns to Applejack.

“Is that…?!”

Applejack nods sadly. “Yup. That’s my little sister, Apple Bloom.”

The filly runs over to Applejack with a pair of bulging saddlebags on her sides. Coming to a stop, she grins and speaks.

“I’m all set and ready to go!”

“Did you remember your toothbrush and extra bows?”

Apple Bloom nods happily as she opens a saddlebag. “I did!”

“Good. Now then, do you want me to walk you over to Rarity’s place?”

Apple Bloom shakes her head. “It’s okay. I know the way.”

Applejack sighs. “I suppose you do. Be good and do what Rarity tells you to.”

Apple Bloom turns and runs down the path. “I will!”

Applejack waves a hoof after her. “Have fun!”

The screen goes dark as Applejack looks to Arc sadly.

“That… that was the last time I saw my little sister.”

Arc nods soberly. “I’m… sorry to hear that.”

Rarity turns to Applejack. “She was coming to my shop to have a sleepover with my… little sister.”

Applejack groans. “Yeah. And shortly after that I left the farm to go catch up with Big Mac whom was on their way to the hospital to check in on Granny Smith.”

Auriel gestures to the machine. “Would you like to see that part too?”

Brightwing giggles happily. “Brightwing would! Ponies are all so cute!”

Applejack bows her head. “It wouldn’t come up, as we never actually made it there.”

Rarity appears confused. “Never made it to the hospital?”

Applejack sighs. “I was walking there with my older brother, Big Mac, when all of a sudden the sun set and the moon rose. There was a lot of screaming and chaos all around us instantly. Then the guards descended on the town and started grabbing everypony.”

Arc frowns. “What?!”

Rarity gasps. “My goodness! How did you get away?!”

“Big Mac lunged at the ones that came for us. As he fought them off as best he could, he called out for me to get to Granny and see to it that we both got to safety. He’d run back and pick up Apple Bloom and meet up with us later. But as I neared the hospital something hard hit me in the back of the head.”

The young mare instinctively rubs her cranium as she continues.

“I fell and felt a number of other bodies jump on top, pinning me to the ground. The last thing I saw before blacking out was a dark mare looking down at me and smiling wickedly as she said ‘one down’.

Arc clenches a fist. “Nightmare Moon.”

Rarity appears confused. “But why would she go after you, Applejack?!”

“For the same reason she probably sent others to get you, Rarity. To take down the six Element Bearers. After all, we’re the only ones whom could stop her.”

Arc nods soberly. “And it seems that she was successful in that regard. After all, we’ve heard no word from the other four nor been able to locate them either.”

Auriel puts a claw to her chin thoughtfully. “Not to be crass, but why would this Nightmare Moon individual have wanted to capture you two? I mean, if you and your other friends really are the only ones whom could stop her wouldn’t it have made more sense for her to just outright kill the Element Bearers?”

Brightwing gasps, wide-eyed. “Scary!”

Arc frowns as he thinks. “Yes. Capturing you and Applejack doesn’t make much sense to me either.”

Auriel turns to Arc. “Could it have been part of a plan to weaponize the Elements of Harmony? Perhaps she had hoped to take them into her service.”

Applejack shakes her head. “That wouldn’t have worked anyways. After all, the Elements of Harmony are non-lethal. All they really do is to restore balance.”

She looks out the window at the planet before continuing.

“Something that Nightmare Moon doesn’t seem to be too interested in doing right now.”

Rarity frowns. “Then we have no choice but to do everything in our power to stop her!”

Turning to Auriel, she continues.

“I’m ready to do my part.”

Auriel appears confused. “Miss?”

Rarity holds out a hoof. “Give me your device.”

“Are you certain that’s what you want? I mean, you were so apprehensive about doing this just a short time ago.”

Rarity nods soberly. “I still am, yes. But if this land is to be saved, we must all do our parts. Even if such things aren’t completely safe.”

Looking to Arc, Auriel appears conflicted. After a few moments Arc silently nods. Auriel turns and puts the device on Rarity’s head as Brightwing flutters over to her to help.

“Here you are, friend!”

Rarity smiles nervously. “Thank you.”

Arc walks over to Rarity as Auriel finishes her task. “Now then, all we need you to do is focus on the last thing you remember.”

Rarity sounds confused. “Waking up in the prison?”

Auriel nods as she steps over to a small control panel. “Yes. From there I can dial your memories back. With any luck we’ll be able to see how you got there in the first place.”

Applejack frowns. “That must be quite the tale. After all, Luna Bay Prison isn’t exactly what I’d call a hop, skip, and a jump from Ponyville, after all.

Arc clenches a fist. “And with a bit of good fortune, we might just be able to find out what happened to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.”

Closing her eyes, Rarity takes a deep breath and concentrates. The scene unfolds on the screen of her awakening groggily with a number of prison guards all around her. Looking around, they see that she is surrounded by sand and water with a full moon shining overhead. Rarity calls out as the image freezes.

“This is me waking up on the shores of Luna Bay.”

Arc turns to Auriel. “It’s all up to you now.”

Nodding, Auriel begins pressing buttons. Rarity grimaces as she does so. Applejack looks to her friend, concerned.

“You doing okay, Rarity?”

Rarity makes a face. “It just feels very… strange. Like somepony is stirring the contents of my brain with a spoon.”

Applejack takes Rarity’s hoof. “Just remember why you’re doing this. It’s for our little sisters, after all.”

Rarity nods as she squeezes Applejack’s fetlock. A short time later Auriel shakes her head.

“There’s nothing.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“The memories from how she got to Luna Bay aren’t there.”

Brightwing tilts her head to one side, confused. “Did friend just forget them?”

Auriel shakes her head. “Memories, especially those from less than a year ago, can never truly be forgotten. They really should be in there somewhere, but for some reason aren’t.”

Rarity puts a hoof to her head. “How could this have happened to me though?!”

Auriel puts a claw to her chin thoughtfully. “Well… it is possible that you were knocked unconscious.”

Applejack frowns. “Like I was?”

Auriel nods. “Yes. However, that wouldn’t explain the missing year of memories.”

Rarity grimaces. “What if I was unconscious the whole time?”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Unconscious for the better part of a year?”

“Yes.”

Auriel shrugs. “That would be the most plausible explanation for the lack of any memories, yes. However, that in and of itself would have been extremely difficult to do and would have left behind signs.”

Brightwing looks Rarity over. “Signs?! Like for directions?!”

Auriel shakes her head. “More along the lines of severe muscular atrophy, residual drugs in the bloodstream, and other signs of mental damage.”

Applejack turns to Arc. “Could somepony have cast some kind of magic spell on her then?”

Arc frowns. “Something to make her forget, you mean?”

“Right.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing, no. Auriel?”

Auriel puts a claw to her chin thoughtfully. “It would be possible to do, yes. At least in theory, that is. However, I’d like to point out that if such a thing were indeed possible it would take a magic user of unimaginable power to do such a thing.

Rarity grimaces. “Like Nightmare Moon you mean?”

Auriel shrugs. “It might be possible, yes. But it still wouldn’t explain the complete lack of evidence pointing to a long term coma. To say nothing for exactly how those memories were apparently erased.”

Brightwing looks Rarity over. “Is friend okay though?!”

Auriel nods. “It would appear so, yes. After all, she hasn’t shown any adverse effects since being found.”

Rarity grimaces. “What would I have to look for?”

“Theoretically speaking, brain damage from the procedure, an inability to form new memories, difficulty with motor functions, and balance issues.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “So you’re saying that we can rule out the memory wipe then?”

Auriel shakes her head. “No, sir. In truth, both explanations have rather large holes in their logic. However, they’re also the most plausible at the moment.”

Applejack groans. “We can explore those theories later. Right now we should be focusing on whether or not we can see what happened to our little sisters on the day the sun fell.”

Arc nods. “Right. Auriel?”

Auriel turns back to her panel. “All I can do is try.”

Manipulating the controls, Auriel slowly turns a dial counter-clockwise. The screen remains blank for several minutes before Auriel looks up and speaks.

“I think I’ve found something!”

Rarity gasps. “What is it?!”

“If we’re lucky, exactly what we’re looking for. Let me just tune this in first.”

A few moments later she looks to the screen as a myriad of colors flash across it. Grinning, she points a claw excitedly.

“There!”

Rarity squints. “What is it?”

Applejack shrugs. “It just looks like a mess of colors to me.”

Auriel nods. “True. But they’re brighter than before. More vibrant.”

Arc points to the screen. “As if it was a bright, sunny day!”

Auriel grins. “Exactly.”

Arc walks over to Auriel. “Can you show us this particular memory from the start?”

“I think so, yes.”

Turning some dials, Auriel continues to look at the screen with the others. Soon enough they see a sewing machine and two white hooves working on a garment of some kind. Rarity gasps.

“I’m sewing!”

Applejack nods. “It’s your trade, after all.”

Arc points at the screen. “That and there’s sunlight shining on the corner of the desk.”

Brightwing grins. “Sun is pretty! Brightwing misses it!”

A small thumping sound rings out from the speakers. Turning her head, the mare on the screen calls out loudly.

“Sweetie Belle, would you be a dear and answer the door please!”

“Yes, Rarity!”

Rarity goes back to work as the sound of small hooves running down the stairs somewhere off screen ring out. They hear a door opening and more small hooves approaching. Sweetie Belle calls out again.

“Apple Bloom is here for the sleepover, Rarity!”

Rarity gasps as she quickly turns around. “What?! That’s today?!”

Sweetie Belle grins. “Yup!”

Apple Bloom hops up and down excitedly. “It’s the weekend, after all!”

Rarity looks to a calendar. “Aha, that it is. Sorry for forgetting.”

Sweetie Belle pouts as she looks down at the floor. “So we can’t…?”

Rarity interrupts her. “Oh, no, no, no! I said that you two could have a sleepover and I meant it. Now then, I want both of you head upstairs and put Apple Bloom’s saddlebags in Sweetie Belle’s room. That will give me time to put the finishing touches on this dress before making lunch for you two.”

Sweetie Belle turns to head out the door. “Okay, Rarity!”

Apple Bloom calls out after her. “Hey! Wait for me!”

The fillies run out of the room as Rarity goes back to work. Sewing the last gusset onto the dress, she stands and lifts it with her magic. Looking it over for a few moments, she turns her head and puts it on a mannequin before looking it over once more and sighing.

“Another order finished. Just ten more to go.”

Leaving the back room, she meets the fillies whom are running down the stairs together. Smiling at them, Rarity motions to the kitchen.

“Let’s see what we can make for…”

She is cut off as another knock rings out. Turning to the door, Rarity steps forward and opens it. Spike stands there with a couple of books under his arms. Grinning widely, he speaks.

“Hey, Rarity. Twilight wanted me to bring these over to you.”

Rarity squeals happily as she trots in place. “Oh good! Those must be the experimental sewing techniques books I asked for some time ago!”

Spike nods as he walks inside. “That they are.”

Rarity points a hoof. “You can just set them down on my desk in the back room, Spike. I’ll take a look at them later when there’s time.”

Apple Bloom grins. “We were just about to make lunch, after all.”

Sweetie Belle looks to her older sister. “Can he stay too?”

Rarity nods. “I don’t see why not. Would you like to join us, Spike?”

Spike gasps happily. “Sure would!”

They walk into the kitchen together as Rarity speaks.

“Now then, what do you three want for lunch today?”

Sweetie Belle hops up and down excitedly. “How about Grilled Cheese?!”

Apple Bloom gasps. “That sounds great!”

Spike grins. “Agreed! Rarity makes the best Grilled Cheese I’ve ever had!”

Rarity giggles as she levitates a skillet from a cupboard over to the stove. “Thank you for saying so, Spike.”

Sweetie Belle runs over to the refrigerator. “I’ll get the cheese!”

Apple Bloom hurries over to the counter. “Here’s the bread!”

Reconvening at the stove, they give the items to Rarity whom is just setting out a cutting board. She takes the ingredients and sets them down as Spike walks over with a stick of butter. As she takes it from him, Rarity calls out.

“Now then, which one of you wants to…?”

She is cut off as the sun quickly begins to set. The young ones run over to the window and gasps. Sweetie Belle is the first to speak.

“It’s way too early for evening!”

Apple Bloom nods. “Right! We should have six more hours of daylight!”

Spike turns to Rarity. “Twilight didn’t say anything about an early light’s out to me.”

Rarity frowns. “This doesn’t make any sense. We should probably…”

Sweetie Belle points a hoof. “Look! Soldiers are flying in from Canterlot!”

Apple Bloom appears relieved. “That’s good. Maybe they’re coming here to speak to Twilight about this!”

Spike squints. “That’s an awful lot of armor and weapons for just a talk.”

Rarity grimaces. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Turning to Apple Bloom, she continues.

“Run upstairs and get your saddlebags! Hurry!”

Apple Bloom nods fearfully and does as she is told. Rarity turns and tosses her own saddlebags at Spike. Catching them, he watches as Rarity puts a number of packages of food into them with her magic. Confused, he speaks.

“Rarity, what are you…?”

Rarity interrupts him. “Taking precautions, Spike! Just keep holding the bags open for me!”

Spike does as he is told. A few moments later Apple Bloom returns with her saddlebags. Rarity rips the straps holding her bags together and turns to Sweetie Belle. As she ties the ruins of the straps to her little sister’s back, she speaks.

“Now then, I need the three of you to run to the Everfree Forest!”

Sweetie Belle gasps. “What?! But you told me never to go there, Rarity!”

Rarity points a hoof. “Just follow the path! When you enter take a right at the first fork and a left at the second!”

“What’s there?!”

“A small hut that belongs to a zebra named Zecora! Tell her what happened and she’ll let you stay there until the danger has passed! Spike knows the way if you get lost!”

Apple Bloom gasps. “Danger?!”

Spike sighs. “Rarity, it’s probably not that…”

Rarity angrily interrupts him. “Do as I say!”

Spike draws back, clearly surprised. “Yes, ma’am.”

Rarity’s expression softens as she again speaks.

“Take care of them for me, Spike.”

“I will.”

Sweetie Belle begins to sniffle. “But… but Rarity! What about you?!”

Rarity smiles sadly. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be alright.”

Apple Bloom calls out from the window. “Those soldiers just landed in the town square!”

Rarity grimaces. “You three have to go! Now!”

Sweetie Belle throws her hooves around Rarity’s neck as she begins crying. Patting her head, Rarity gently pushes the filly back and motions to Apple Bloom. She grabs her friend’s fetlock and pulls.

“Come on! We’ve gotta go!”

Spike grabs the other half of the saddlebag and hefts it onto his back. “This way you two!”

Rarity watches as the trio runs through the door and down the path. Looking after them from the doorway, she closes it, locks it, and steps back wordlessly. Sitting down on her haunches in the middle of the shop floor, Rarity waits patiently. Eventually there is a loud banging on her front door. Rarity does not move as the pounding gets louder and louder. Eventually the door gives way and a number of guards swarm inside. One of the first ones in roughly hoofs the mare in the face as the screen goes dark. Auriel turns to Arc as she turns off the device.

“It would appear that’s all there is.”

Applejack gasps. “They… why did they do that though?!”

Brightwing growls angrily. “Those were very bad ponies!”

Arc frowns. “Probably for the same reason you were tackled and knocked out, Applejack.”

Auriel nods. “They were clearly targeting the Element Bearers.”

Applejack sighs. “Yeah. But at least now we know that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Spike are safe with Zecora. Right, Rarity?”

Turning to her friend, Applejack sees tears streaming down her face silently. Putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, she continues.

“They’re okay. I’m sure of it.”

Rarity sniffles. “I… I sent them away!”

Arc nods soberly. “To safety though.”

“Through a dangerous forest, all alone!”

Auriel shrugs. “It appeared to be your only option at the time.”

Applejack grits her teeth. “Darn right! Those stallions would have grabbed them too if they were there!”

Brightwing looks to Auriel. “We should help friend.”

Auriel sighs. “I think we just did.”

Rarity stands and pulls the device off of her head. “We need to go there and get them right away!”

Arc shakes his head. “That wouldn’t be wise, Rarity.”

Applejack stands. “I’m coming too!”

Auriel gasps. “But the two of you are extremely high value targets right now!”

Rarity frowns as she walks over to a closet and begins putting on her armor. “I don’t care!”

Applejack nods soberly as she puts on her hat. “Right! Our sisters are in trouble! We have to head over to Zecora’s hut and make sure they’re okay!”

Arc sighs. “Alright then. I’ll escort you two.”

Auriel calls out as they head for the door together. “Be careful out there!”

Arc nods. “We will. And thank you for doing all of this, Auriel.”

Auriel smiles nervously. “It was… my pleasure.”

As Arc and company leave the room, Auriel walks back over to the machine. Brightwing flutters over to her and frowns.

“Why pretty lady not finish?”

Auriel appears confused. “Finish?”

Brightwing nods as she points a claw at the machine. “You didn’t push that extra button!”

Auriel bows her head. “I… I just couldn’t.”

“What was that for anyways?!”

“It was a… circuit breaker bypass.”

“Oh?”

“When this was done, I had been planning to press it and let the machines overheat.”

Brightwing frowns. “Overheat?! But pretty lady told Brightwing that heat is very bad for machines!”

Auriel nods. “That it is. However, it would also have prevented my design from being used in the future.”

“But you didn’t press it! Why?!”

Auriel looks to the door sadly. “Because I… I now believe that the Hero of Light would only use it for good and noble purposes.”

“He is a really nice one!”

Auriel sighs as she begins packing up the device. “That he is.”

Meanwhile, Arc, Applejack, and Rarity walk down the corridor toward the Main Hall. Entering, they walk up to the stallion on duty. Rarity is the first to speak.

“We need to go to Ponyville right away!”

The stallion looks to Arc. “Sir?”

“First I need you to page Special Agent Tempest and Colonel Spitfire. I need some backup for this mission.”

“My apologies, sir, but they are both in Baltimare at the moment negotiating with the mayor for an upcoming trade.”

Arc sighs. “Then call for Sunset Shimmer and Daring Do.”

“Yes sir.”

Picking up his phone, the stallion does as Arc requests. A few minutes later the two mares hurry into the Main Hall and over to Arc. Sunset Shimmer is the first to speak.

“We came as quickly as we could, sir!”

Daring Do lands and looks around. “Where’s the trouble today?!”

“A bit of a foray into the Everfree Forest.”

Sunset Shimmer groans. “That place?”

Daring Do grins. “Sounds like an adventure to me!”

Arc nods. “I’ll give you more details once we’re on site.”

Turning to the stallion again, Arc points to the map as he continues.

“We need to go…”

Stopping, he thinks for a few moments before speaking again.

“Actually, never mind.”

The stallion appears confused. “Sir?”

“I’ll handle the transport there myself.”

Leading the group over to his sigil nearby, Arc motions for them to step onto it. As they do so he calls forth his armor and powers it up. In the blink of an eye they are teleported to Fluttershy’s cottage. Looking around, Daring Do speaks.

“So we’re in Ponyville now?”

Arc nods. “Yup.”

Applejack looks around. “Fluttershy’s cottage.”

Rarity taps her forehead. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

Applejack turns to her. “She’s another of the Element Bearers. And a good friend of ours.”

Arc sighs. “Indeed. I came here a while back while looking for… something.”

Sunset Shimmer raises an eyebrow. “And are you still looking for that ‘something’?”

“Yes, I am. However, that’s not the mission for today.”

He walks toward the window before gesturing toward the Everfree Forest nearby.

“We’re heading into the forest in order to investigate the disappearance of two young fillies and a baby dragon.”

Applejack nods. “Our sisters and their friend.”

Daring Do raises an eyebrow. “And what makes you sure that they’re here, sir?”

“New information from Rarity.”

Rarity puts a hoof to her head. “The Hero of Light had me wear a mind reading device to reveal this.”

Daring Do shrugs. “Still sounds kinda sketchy to me.”

Arc frowns. “Agreed. They went missing when the mess in Canterlot started about a year ago.”

Sunset Shimmer bows her head. “I hate to say it, but if that’s the case it’s not likely they’re alive then. After all, the Everfree Forest is well known throughout Equestria for being extremely dangerous.”

Applejack scoffs. “They were told to run to Zecora’s hut. She lives in that place full time.”

Daring Do smirks. “Sounds like my kind of pony! Adventurous and brave!”

Arc shakes his head. “Not really. She’s actually an apothecary of sorts.”

Applejack chimes in. “And not a pony either.”

Sunset Shimmer raises an eyebrow, confused. “Then what…?”

Applejack interrupts her. “Zecora’s actually a zebra.”

Sunset Shimmer gasps. “Interesting. I’ve never actually seen one of their species before. Just pictures in books.”

Arc sighs. “Do try to curb your enthusiasm until after we find the two fillies and dragon, please.”

He leads the group out of the cottage and down the path. Turning to Applejack, Arc continues.

“I know Rarity gave directions to Zecora’s hut in that memory, but do you know the way as well?”

Applejack nods. “Yes, I do. My friends and I used to visit her sometimes.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Did you now?”

“Yup. She’s really good at treating ailments that fall outside of traditional medicine and magical means.”

Arc calls out to Cherry telepathically. “That’s interesting.”

“What is, Arc?”

“That Applejack and her friends know Zecora.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not inherently, no. But in our home world they never met.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. When Ember, Sereb, and I approached Zecora’s place during a search for a cure for the princesses’ Sanguine Azolla illness, she was upset that ‘ponies’ were banging on her door. In fact, she wouldn’t open up until I told her that none of us were ponies.”

“What does she have against ponies though?”

“Probably a lot. Being different isn’t easy, after all.”

“You made it work though.”

Arc sighs inwardly. “Well, it would appear that our version of her didn’t get the same benefit of the doubt that I did.”

Sometime later they approach the small hut. Arc turns to the others and gestures to the dwelling.

“All of you should wait here.”

Daring Do tilts her head to one side, confused. “Uh… why?”

“Because this might be dangerous.”

Applejack waves a hoof dismissively as she steps forward. “Hogwash! It’s just…!”

She is cut off as a blast suddenly bursts forth from Sunset Shimmer’s horn. It connects with a spring loaded spike trap bursting out of the ground, smashing it to pieces. Applejack instinctively jumps to the side at this, but accidently steps onto a hidden pitfall. As the ground under her hooves gives way, Daring Do flies toward her faster than can be seen. Grabbing the mare’s fetlock, Daring Do pulls her back to the others. Rarity calls out as she reaches her friend first.

“Are you okay?!”

Applejack nods weakly. “Y-yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for the save you two.”

Sunset Shimmer looks around nervously. “Don’t mention it.”

Daring Do scoffs. “It was just a common pitfall trap. Nothing too elaborate.”

Applejack puts a hoof on top of her head before looking around. “Has anypony seen my hat?”

Arc nods to the pitfall “I think it fell in there.”

Daring Do frowns. “Let me check.”

Making her way forward, the mare cautiously checks every step she takes. Reaching the hole in the ground she looks down into it for a few moments before turning back and frowning.

“Looks like it’s down there pretty far.”

Arc sighs. “I’ll get it.”

Rarity gasps. “Be careful!”

Arc looks to Daring Do. “Is the ground to your right safe?”

Daring Do appears confused. “Yeah. But why?”

Without another word, Arc Blinks next to her. Daring Do frowns as he kneels down and looks into the hole. Reaching out, he casts a Telekinesis Spell and pulls the missing hat to his gauntlet. Turning to Applejack, he Blinks back to her and holds out the hat as he speaks.

“There you are. Might want to wash that when we get back though.”

Applejack appears confused as she takes the hat from him. “Oh? Why’s that?”

“It’s a bit… soiled.”

Applejack looks it over. “Nothing I haven’t…”

She stops as a tinge of red comes into view. Arc continues.

“Apparently you weren’t the first to almost fall in there.”

Daring Do nods soberly. “Right. And some weren’t so lucky.”

Sunset Shimmer gasps. “Are you saying that there are dead bodies down there?!”

Arc nods. “That there are. A lot of sharp sticks pointing upward saw to that.”

Daring Do frowns. “And a few pony skeletons too.”

Rarity charges forward. “WHAT?!”

Sunset Shimmer pulls her back with a spell, grunting to hold the nearly frantic mare back as Daring Do continues.

“Not to worry. These are fully grown ponies. Not fillies.”

Rarity grimaces. “Are you sure?!”

Daring Do nods. “Positive. They’re also wearing armor.”

Applejack looks to the hut. “Guess we’d best get in there then.”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “Agreed. But we need to do so safely.”

Sunset Shimmer steps forward. “I can Blink to the front door easily.”

Rarity holds out a hoof to her. “But who’s to say that it isn’t trapped too?”

Applejack sighs as she turns toward the pitfalls. “Considering what we’ve already seen, that’s certainly not out of the question.”

Arc looks to the mares. “I’m open to suggestions on this.”

Daring Do steps forward. “Let me go then.”

Rarity raises an eyebrow. “Why you?”

“Because trap avoidance is kind of my specialty.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Are you saying that you’ve seen every trap out there then?”

Daring Do shrugs. “Pretty much. But who’s to say?”

Applejack frowns. “This thing just got a whole lot more complicated.”

Sunset Shimmer sighs. “Agreed.”

Rarity grimaces. “What are we supposed to do then?”

Arc sighs. “I’ll go. After all, I’m the one with the heaviest armor here.”

Applejack points a hoof at the pitfall from earlier. “And if there really are more of those things between here and there?!”

Arc points to the pitfall. “Then I can Blink to safety before hitting the pokers at the bottom.”

Rarity points a hoof. “What about more of those buried spikey things that spring out at you?!”

Arc taps his chestplate with a gauntlet. “Pretty sure my heavy armor can take those things on. I mean, they’re really just sharpened sticks.”

Sunset Shimmer frowns. “That’s putting a lot of faith in something so critical to your survival though.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin. “What if I had a secondary defense?”

Daring Do appears confused. “A what?”

“Something like this.”

Reaching for his ring, Arc pulls out his shield and takes up a defensive stance. Sunset Shimmer looks him over for a moment as she muses to herself.

“That would be helpful in this regard, yes. But such an endeavor will still be very dangerous should a trap be sprung behind you.”

Rarity horn glows. “Then we’ll just have to be sure to watch that part of him!”

Applejack raises an eyebrow. “And do what? Call out a warning?”

Sunset Shimmer moves to join Rarity. “I think she means that we could try to counter any traps that the Hero of Light doesn’t see.”

Rarity nods. “Right!”

Daring Do raises a hoof. “Blinking over to the doorstep was brought up earlier. What if the Hero of Light were to just Blink straight inside the place? I mean… they wouldn’t have traps in the hut, right?”

Arc shrugs. “It’s not likely, no. But considering the circumstances here, I don’t really want to risk doing such a thing.”

Applejack shudders. “To say nothing for scaring the tar of out anypony in there.”

Arc taps his armor. “So that just leaves my shield and backup plan.”

Daring Do turns to Sunset Shimmer. “It’s probably the best way to get in there safely.”

“Agreed.”

Looking to Arc, Sunset Shimmer continues.

“Rarity and I will be ready to blast anything that comes up from behind you.”

Daring Do plants her hooves firmly. “And I’ll call out anything suspicious that I see.”

Arc looks to the mares. “Alright then. Now that we have a plan are we ready to implement it?”

They all silently nod. Arc turns to look over the land before him before his eyes rest on the hut. Taking a deep breath, he levels his shield in front of him and slowly but surely steps forward. Making baby steps Arc slowly advances toward the hut. A spike trap pops out of the ground behind him and is blasted by Rarity and Sunset Shimmer in tandem. Daring Do calls out loudly.

“PIT!”

Kneeling down, Arc smacks the ground with his shield to knock away the brush from a hidden hole. Stepping over it carefully, he continues on his way. Two more spike traps pop out and are blasted by the mares. However, a third one pops out directly in front of him. Winding up, Arc melees it with his shield, smashing the trap to splinters. As he approaches the hut’s door Applejack spies something overhead.

“LOOK OUT!”

Charging forward, Applejack runs past the others and the rest of the ruined traps. Plowing into Arc, the two of them crash through the door as a falling log from overhead narrowly misses hitting them. Slowly sitting up, Arc looks back at the log lying on the ground outside. Turning to Applejack, he breathes a sigh of relief.

“Thanks for the save.”

Applejack nods shakily. “You okay?”

“I am, yes.”

As Arc reaches out to help the young mare up, he is suddenly thrown through (yes, through) a wall to crash into a tree outside. Before he can react, something hits him in the gut hard as a familiar voice rings out.

“Die, monster!”

Arc Blinks back toward the huge hole in the side of the hut as Applejack hops through it. Gasping, she calls out loudly.

“Spike?! Is that you?!”

The creature stops and turns to look behind him. Arc takes the opportunity to position himself in front of Applejack. He puts an arm in front of her and takes up a battle ready stance.

“We don’t want to hurt you, Spike. Now then, I need you to just calm down and let us help.”

The creature before them sighs and looks to Arc before speaking.

“Is that you back there, Applejack?”

Applejack nods as she pokes her head out from behind Arc. “It’s really me, Spike. The Hero of Light and a couple others are just here looking for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Are they okay?”

Spike nods as he points a claw at the hut. “Yeah, they’re just in the basement.”

He leads the pair back into the hut through the hole Arc’s body made in the wall. As they do so Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, and Daring Do cautiously enter via the front door. Sunset Shimmer’s horn glows along with Rarity’s as she points to Spike.

“Is everything… okay in here now?”

Arc nods. “I think so yes.”

Applejack turns to Spike. “How do we get to my little sister?”

“Right over here.”

Walking over to a rug in front of the fireplace, Spike pulls it back to reveal a small trap door. Tossing it aside, he opens the door and calls out.

“Come on up! Your sisters are here!”

The sound of small hooves running rings out as the fillies clamor up the ladder together. Apple Bloom jumps into Applejack’s hooves and buries her face in her sister’s shoulder happily. Sweetie Belle does the same to Rarity as the young mare nervously pats her head and looks around.

“I’m… uh… glad you’re okay.”

Applejack looks Apple Bloom over. “You two are okay, right?”

Apple Bloom nods happily. “We sure are!”

Sunset Shimmer looks around. “Anypony else here?”

Daring Do looks to Spike. “We were told that somepony named Zecora was supposed to live in this cottage.”

Spike sighs. “Not anymore she doesn’t.”

Arc frowns. “What?”

Spike points a claw outside. “She… went out to forage for food one day and… didn’t come back.”

Apple Bloom nods sadly. “Spike’s been watching out for us ever since.”

Sweetie Belle hops up onto the table to put a fetlock on his shoulder. “Yeah. Ever since he started getting bigger, that is.”

Sunset Shimmer looks to Arc. “We should probably send somepony out to look for Zecora’s remains.”

Daring Do looks outside. “Not liking that idea. Her bones have probably been picked clean by now.”

Applejack bows her head and removes her hat. “Yeah, you’re probably right. That and I know for a fact that Zecora wouldn’t want anypony to risk their lives for such a thing.”

Arc waves a gauntlet to the party. “We can talk about all of that later. Right now we need to get these three to safety.”

Opening a portal, Arc turns to see the fillies backing away nervously. Applejack puts a hoof on her sister’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, Apple Bloom. That’s just how we get around at the moment.”

“What… is it?!”

Sunset Shimmer walks over to her. “A magic portal. It connects two points magically to allow for instantaneous travel.”

Sweetie Belle looks over. “Say what now?”

Daring Do shrugs. “I don’t get it myself. But it does work.”

Spike sighs. “Yeah, I’ve seen the princesses use these things before… you know.”

Apple Bloom nods. “Okay. Um… Applejack, could you…?”

“Sure thing, sugarcube. Hop on.”

Apple Bloom hops onto her older sister’s back. They walk through the portal together as Sweetie Belle tugs at Rarity’s fetlock.

“Let’s go, Rarity!”

“I… uh…”

Sunset Shimmer moves to Rarity’s side. “It looks like your sister here is a bit wobbly at the moment.”

Daring Do shrugs. “We should probably get her back to base then.”

Nodding, Sweetie Belle and Sunset Shimmer help Rarity through the portal. The rest follow with Arc taking up the rear. Reappearing in his quarters in Light’s Hope, Arc watches the portal close behind him before turning to Applejack.

“Would you please take Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle into my private bathroom and help them get cleaned up?”

Apple Bloom frowns. “But we’re not babies!”

Sweetie Belle sniffs herself and makes a face. “We could probably use the help though.”

Spike sighs. “None of us have been able to stay clean for the longest time.”

Apple Bloom appears hopeful. “You’ll come too though, right Spike?”

Sweetie Belle wipes a hoof on his scales. “Yeah, you need to wash up too.”

“I don’t think we’d all fit though.”

Arc shrugs. “Probably would. I do have an extra-large shower, after all.”

Applejack motions to the bathroom. “This way then.”

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Applejack, and Spike all head for the bathroom together. As the door closes behind them, Rarity turns to Arc nervously.

“Uh… sir?”

“Yes, Rarity?”

“I, uh… I’ve never seen that filly before in my life.”

Sunset Shimmer groans. “You still don’t remember her then?”

Rarity shakes her head. “Not in the least.”

Daring Do sighs. “I was kinda hoping that you seeing her would jog something loose in there.”

Arc groans. “Well, it doesn’t appear to have worked that way.”

Rarity grimaces. “What am I supposed to do though?!”

Arc looks toward the bathroom door. “I’ll talk to them first. Get their take on what happened between the day they left your shop and now.”

He turns to Sunset Shimmer and Daring Do before continuing.

“Thanks for your help. Why don’t you two get cleaned up and head to the cafeteria for something to eat?”

Sunset Shimmer nods. “Alright. Should we report this to the mayor?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not yet, no. I want them to have plenty of time to get cleaned up and debriefed before anything else. That and I’ll have her come by at some point to see the fillies herself.”

Daring Do chuckles. “Good luck talking this mess out.”

They leave the quarters together as Arc walks the pair out. As he closes the door behind them, Arc sees Rarity sitting on her haunches looking out the window at Equus. Walking over to her, he puts a hand on her shoulder and speaks.

“We’re going to get through this.”

“How though?! I mean… I don’t even know that little filly!”

“But she remembers you.”

“How does that…?!”

Arc interrupts her. “Because Sweetie Belle needs her big sister right now.”

Rarity groans. “Don’t you mean her mother?”

Arc shakes her head. “She doesn’t know about that yet. As far as she’s concerned, you’re her older sister.”

“I really don’t know what to do or say though.”

“It’s fine. Now then, I’ll start with the debriefing if they’re up to it after showering. If not, I have two beds in the next room they can take a nap in while we wait out here.”

“And then what?”

Arc shrugs as he leads Rarity over to the couch. “We’ll decide that after our talk.”

Sometime later the bathroom door opens and the two fillies trot out. Spike follows them with a towel slung over his shoulders. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hurry over to the couch and stand before Arc and Rarity happily.

“All clean!”

Sweetie Belle runs a hoof through her mane. “And it feels funny too! In a good way, I mean.”

Spike tosses the towel into the hamper. “I didn’t realize how much dirt had accumulated under my scales.”

Arc stands. “Very good. Now then, are you three hungry?”

Apple Bloom shakes her head. “We had breakfast about an hour before you came.”

Sweetie Belle puts a hoof on her belly. “It was really filling too.”

Spike smiles nervously. “That it was.”

Arc gestures to the nearby living quarters. “Then how about we get started?”

Apple Bloom appears confused. “With what?”

Rarity smiles nervously. “We all just need to have a little talk.”

Applejack nods soberly. “That we do.”

Arc gestures to the couch as he steps to one side. “You three have a seat and we’ll get started.”

Spike, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle walk over to the couch and sit down together. Arc looks to them before continuing.

“My name is Arc. I’m the nation’s current Hero of Light. We’ve been looking for the Element Bearers for some time now and happened across information of where you three were as well.”

Spike turns to Rarity. “We did just like you said. Zecora took us in and provided for us. At least as long as she could.”

Rarity looks away nervously. “Um… th-thank you for that.”

Applejack looks to the fillies quizzically. “What did you three eat though? I mean, food must be pretty scarce in the Everfree Forest, I would assume.”

Apple Bloom grimaces. “Roots, berries, leaves, and a few… other things later on.”

Sweetie Belle grimaces as she puts a hoof to her stomach. “They were very ‘other’, that’s for sure.”

Arc looks to the trio. “Please elaborate.”

Spike sighs. “After Zecora went missing, I took over foraging for food. Since I couldn’t find enough to feed all three of us, I started hunting small animals to supplement my own diet.”

Rarity puts a hoof to her belly. “Small… animals?”

Spike shrugs. “I am a dragon, after all.”

Applejack turns to the fillies. “Then why aren’t you hungry now? I know you said that you ate before coming here, but that couldn’t have been a very filling meal.”

Apple Bloom sighs. “Eventually the food got so scarce that we had to… branch out, so to speak.”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “Oh?”

Sweetie Belle grimaces. “Animal flesh.”

Rarity gasps. “What?!”

Apple Bloom bows her head. “We aren’t proud of it, of course. But we were just so hungry!”

Spike sighs. “It was either that or… I mean, they were getting so skinny until that point! All the while I myself was getting… bigger.”

Sweetie Belle looks to Arc nervously. “Are we in trouble for that?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, you just did what you needed to do in order to survive. However, I will have you three sent over to Baltimare Hospital when we’re done here.”

Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Why though?”

Applejack pats her sister’s head. “To make sure you’re really okay. Especially on the inside.”

Spike groans. “Me too?”

Arc shrugs. “Might as well. After all, you were living off the land for some time as well.”

Sweetie Belle raises a hoof. “Where are we now though, sir?”

“A military base on the moon.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes grow wide. “What?! How?!”

Rarity sighs. “At least it’s safe here.”

Arc gestures to the window. “Fancy a look?”

The trio hops off the couch and runs over to the window. Arc opens the curtains to show them the landscape and Equus far below. Apple Bloom is the first to speak.

“We’re so high up!”

Sweetie Belle giggles. “You can see EVERYTHING from up here!”

Spike smiles. “Twilight would love this!”

Turning to Arc, he continues.

“She… isn’t here though, right?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, I’m afraid not. Applejack and Rarity are the only Element Bearers that we’ve been able to find thus far.”

Spike sighs. “Yeah, I kinda figured that.”

“Speaking of Twilight, I don’t suppose you know where she might be.”

Spike shakes his head. “Sadly, no. The day this mess all started Twilight had sent me to Rarity’s shop to deliver something. Up until that point though it was a normal day for her and I.”

Arc groans. “Great.”

Applejack bows her head. “That’s a darn shame.”

Spike turns to Rarity. “I don’t suppose you have any idea on what happened to Twilight.”

Rarity looks away. “Um… I don’t… ah…”

Arc interrupts. “That’s the next thing we need to talk about as well. Rarity’s memories.”

Sweetie Belle appears confused. “What are you talking about, sir?”

Apple Bloom shrugs. “Yeah. I mean, if she doesn’t know, then she doesn’t know.”

Applejack sighs. “It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

Rarity nods soberly. “I don’t remember anything.”

Spike grunts. “It was worth asking though.”

Arc bows his head. “No, she means it literally.”

Sweetie Belle looks to her sister. “Rarity?”

Rarity averts her gaze. “It’s true. I don’t remember anything from that day and before it.”

Sweetie Belle gasps as she stands on her hind legs to look her sister in the eye. “But you remember me though, right?!”

Rarity shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I don’t.”

Arc points to his head. “We were only able to find out where you three went by using a device to revisit those missing memories of hers.”

Applejack nods soberly. “That led us to Zecora’s hut.”

Apple Bloom appear suddenly frightened. “But you still remember me though, right Applejack?!”

Applejack pats the filly’s head. “I do, yes. At least now, that is.”

Spike frowns. “What do you mean by ‘now’?

“When the Hero of Light found me, I was kidnapping ponies and forcing them to work.”

Apple Bloom gasps. “But why?!”

Applejack hangs her head. “I really don’t know. Everything from the day Ponyville fell to when I was discovered is kind of a blur to me.”

Rarity puts a hoof to her forehead. “But unlike me, her memories were able to be restored.”

Sweetie Belle looks to Arc hopefully. “Could the same thing be done to my sister?!”

Arc shakes his head. “I’m afraid not. Applejack’s condition was more akin to mind control than memory loss.”

Spike gestures to Rarity. “So what are we supposed to do for her?!”

Arc sighs. “When the problems with Canterlot are solved, and the sun again shines over the land, I’ll be able to devote my time to gathering the ingredients for a very special potion.”

Rarity appears suddenly interested. “A potion?”

Arc nods. “It restores lost memories.”

Spike raises an eyebrow skeptically. “Are you sure it works though? I mean, Twilight always said that when something sounds too good to be true it usually is.”

Arc turns to Spike. “Sound advice, yes. However, I can assure you that this one does indeed work, as I’ve used it myself.”

“On you?”

Arc puts a hand to his forehead. “After a particularly traumatic injury I lost all of my memories. Including my identity too. However, that potion brought them all back in just a few moments.”

Sweetie Belle grins as she looks to her sister. “We’ll get you back to normal someday, Rarity!”

Rarity smiles nervously. “I’d… like that. I think.”

Apple Bloom grins. “Now we have a plan!”

Spike frowns. “Right. But no way to implement it.

Arc turns to Spike. “I’ll need your help at some point to help make it.”

Spike appears surprised. “Me?”

Arc nods. “It involves going to the Dragon Lands and other various places throughout Equestria to find rare reagents.”

“I’ll help you then. But what should I do in the meantime?”

“You can always stay here with the others.”

Applejack nods. “This place is sort of a refugee camp too.”

Rarity grins. “And a rebellion.”

Arc points outside. “We’re known to many as the ‘Lunar Resistance’ these days. Mostly because we have a military base and standing forces. But also house a large number of ponies whom were forced to flee their homes when this all happened.”

Spike grunts. “Not sure where else I’d go. But I do have one request.”

“What is it?”

“Someday when you’re able to figure out where Twilight is, I want in.”

Arc nods. “Sounds reasonable enough.”

Applejack approaches the dragon. “In the meantime, we could all help out in the greenhouses.”

Spike appears confused. “Greenhouses?”

Applejack nods. “We’re growing food to feed everypony here and a large number back home.”

Rarity points a hoof to the door. “Why don’t we get some lunch before showing you around though? After all, I’m sure both you and the fillies would like a bit of a snack at the very least.”

Apple Bloom shrugs. “I guess so.”

Sweetie Belle sighs. “Sounds okay.”

Arc nods. “I’ll have someone escort you to Baltimare later for that medical check I mentioned earlier.”

Applejack smiles. “And I’ll come with you three.”

Rarity nods matter of factly. “As will I.”

Spike shrugs. “Let’s get going.”

They leave Arc’s quarters together. Sighing, Arc sits down heavily on the couch and leans back. Cherry calls out to him as he does so.

“Is something wrong, Arc?”

“I just… kinda thought that when Rarity saw Sweetie Belle she’d remember her.”

Cherry sighs. “That’s not how memory loss works though, Arc. Believe me, I know.”

“Yes, well… I was just hoping that this time it would. After all, it’s not like I didn’t go through the same thing a while back.”

“As did I if you recall.”

“It’s… scary, you know. Not knowing who you are or where you came from.”

“I at least remembered most things. Other than you and our confession of love for one another.”

“Right. But for me the memory loss was total. That and I was alone.”

Cherry sighs. “Rarity has Applejack and now Sweetie Belle to help her through this time though.”

Arc looks toward the door. “That’s good for her. However, I still want to do more for both Rarity and Applejack.”

“They both suffered from memory loss. Or repression as the case may be. But I think what they really need right now is just to be able to maintain a sense of normalcy. That and the support of their loved ones too, of course.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “So you’re saying that I should be doing what exactly?”

“Focusing on the mission at hoof. Returning the land to normal.”

Arc sighs. “While I know you’re right, I still feel as though I should be doing more.”

Cherry groans. “Which is what you always say though!”

Arc shrugs. “I can’t help it. After all, everyone is looking to me to fix everything.”

“Then just focus on that.”

“Huh?”

“Leave food production, base leadership, and literally everything else to the others so that you can focus on doing what you need to do, Arc. Getting into Canterlot and stopping Nightmare Moon’s reign of terror.”

Arc sighs. “I know that I should. But at the same time, I don’t really know what I would do with all the in-between time.”

“Use it to actually rest for a change. Or train your skills with somepony. I understand that you don’t like just sitting around doing nothing, Arc. But at the same time, you also can’t work yourself to death.”

“You’re right, of course. However, at this point I don’t really know where to start. I mean… we can’t just march into Canterlot, what with that barrier up.”

“Then focus on what you CAN do at the moment.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “What I can do.”

“Either alone or with help, of course.”

Arc smirks. “An interesting way of putting it.”

“All I’m saying is that you just need to let everypony else do their jobs while you do yours. When something comes up that requires your personal attention you can switch to that.”

“There are a number of problems that we need to address here in Equestria. And elsewhere, naturally. I just need to look for ones that I can do something about.”

“It sounds to me as though you’ve already figured that one out.”

Arc nods as he stands. “That I have. I just need to get the ball rolling on a few things here first.”

Heading for the door, Arc makes his way down the corridor to the War Room. After being admitted, he pushes open the office doors. Seeing Cherry, Spitfire, and Tempest going over paperwork he approaches the desk.

“Something going on?”

Tempest shakes her head. “Just being proactive with planning guerrilla tactics.”

Spitfire shudders. “In case things get to that point.”

Cherry grimaces. “Hopefully they won’t, of course.”

Arc nods. “I suppose it does pay to be prepared though. But I came here for a bit of a reveal of sorts.”

Tempest looks up. “Oh?”

“It’s another tool for us in the future fight against Canterlot.”

Spitfire sighs. “Unless it’s a massive cache of weapons along with equally powerful armor for our forces I don’t really see how anything could really help right now.”

Cherry quickly chimes in. “But we will accept anything to help further the cause nonetheless.”

Tempest shrugs. “That we will. We’d be fools not to, of course.”

Arc picks up a blank piece of paper and a pencil. “Then please call for these ponies and tell them to meet us behind the base. I’ll meet you there.”

Spitfire calls out to Arc as he heads for the door. “Meet us behind the base? Where are you going then?”

“Just to get the last member of the team.”

A short time later the ponies Arc rescued from Luna Bay Prison walk around the side of the building. Sunset Shimmer, Cherry, and Tempest are waiting for them. Tight Ship approaches Cherry and speaks.

“What is this all about, ma’am?”

Cherry shrugs. “I’m afraid that I don’t know.”

Tempest sighs. “We’re just as confused as you are at the moment.”

Spitfire looks around. “The Hero of Light just told us to meet him out here regarding some kind of aid, or something.”

Arc walks around the building with Auriel by his side. Approaching the group, he speaks.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Auriel, will you please join the others?”

“Yes sir.”

She does so as Arc continues.

“As you know, we’re going to be fighting an uphill battle to retake Canterlot and take down Nightmare Moon at some point. We’ll need every advantage available to us in order to make that happen though.”

He begins walking past them and away from the base.

“Therefore, it’s time to show you all another trump card of mine. Something that will allow us to even the playing field a bit.”

Arc removes something from his ring and sets it down on the ground. Stepping back, he casts a counter spell on it. Slowly it begins to grow before their eyes. Everyone gasps as a large airship comes into view and towers over them as Arc finishes his task and turns to them.

“Everyone… may I present to you my personal airship, The Equinox.”

Tight Ship turns to Arc. “But… but I heard this airship was still in Canterlot when it fell to Nightmare Moon!”

Arc gestures with a gauntlet. “Yet here it is. However, it’s not the same ship that was originally commissioned.”

Soarin appears confused. “What do you mean, sir?”

Stellar Flare looks the ship over as she speaks. “The outside appears to be slightly altered from the plans I saw.”

Arc motions for them to follow him. “Even more so inside. Let me show you.”

Leading the group up the gangplank, Arc and company enter the ship together. Making their way to the Bridge, Arc gestures to the weapon systems as he speaks.

“This ship, which I’ve dubbed ‘The Equinox’ is equipped with both shields and a prototype cloaking system.”

Wrangler grins. “That makes us more or less invincible!”

Arc shakes his head. “Not quite. You see, we can’t raise the shields and fire the weapons at the same time.”

Thunderlane raises an eyebrow. “What’s this about a cloaking system?”

“The ship can turn invisible at the captain’s command. However, that takes an immense amount of energy. Which means no weapons or shields at that time.”

Moon Dancer nods. “And I would assume that our top speed would be reduced as well?”

“As it stands, to about half.”

Lemon Hearts looks to a station. “Communication?”

Arc shrugs. “We’ll need to make some adjustments to be able to transmit to Light’s Hope, I would imagine.”

Auriel turns to him. “All of this is very impressive, sir. However, I noticed a very strange console next to the weapons system.”

“That’s a very special subsystem. Now then, this is top, TOP secret, but…”

He lowers his voice before continuing.

“…when charged, this particular subsystem can be used to disable large scale magic barriers. Like the one surrounding Canterlot.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “And you just happened to have such a thing already installed aboard your ship?”

Spitfire frowns. “This stuff doesn’t officially exist!”

Cherry gasps. “Oh my! Has it been tested?!”

Arc nods. “In actual combat, yes.”

Auriel looks over. “What powers it?”

“That’s the down side. It requires an outside power source and be charged manually by at least one magic user.”

Tight Ship looks the console over. “I would imagine that such a feat would take several magic users, yes.”

Arc sighs. “And it’s set up to only use Dark Magic.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “Uh… why?”

Spitfire puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “Is it for security purposes?”

Cherry appears confused. “Security?”

Spitfire nods. “It would make sense to use the least understood school of magic to power it. Then even if an enemy were to steal such technology, they would be unable to make use of it.”

Auriel looks over the controls. “Without making extensive and extremely time consuming modifications, yes.”

Arc sighs. “I don’t know the specifics of how this device works, of course. However, this ship and its components only solves one problem.”

Tempest grins. “Taking down the barrier around Canterlot.”

Arc shakes his head. “Not even that. You see, to make use of this particular feature the ship must first land and deploy its outriggers. Then all power is diverted to the subsystem to help charge the shot.”

Spitfire groans. “Which makes the ship and the device easy to take down.”

Soarin looks outside. “It would take a lot to defend such a large ship while that was happening.”

Lemon Hearts shudders. “And even then, such would only get us into the capital.”

Wrangler stomps a hoof angrily. “Right. After that we’d still have to deal with Nightmare Moon.”

Tight Ship turns to Arc. “Which would be a completely different plan I would assume.”

Arc nods. “Right. At the moment, the only known way to take on Nightmare Moon would be to use the Elements of Harmony on her. Which is why I’m putting so much effort into locating the Element Bearers and their respective Elements.

Stellar Flare salutes. “All we can do is to make sure that the ship is ready to go when you say the word, sir.”

Arc grins. “Just what I wanted to hear.”

Auriel raises a claw. “I can go over this device if you’d like. Make sure it’s ready to disable that barrier when the time comes.”

“That would be very helpful. Thank you.”

Spitfire looks around at those assembled. “Sounds like we have the beginnings of a plan here. But there’s another variable that hasn’t been spoken of yet.”

Tempest points a hoof toward the planet outside the main window. “The war abroad?”

Spitfire nods. “When we attack Canterlot our nation will be extremely vulnerable.”

Cherry gasps. “It would be a prime opportunity for either the Griffon Kingdom or Abyssinia to make a move on our shores.”

Wrangler looks to the controls. “Or us particularly.”

Soarin groans. “And we’d be too busy to deal with them.”

Moon Dancer shudders. “If they timed it right, we’d be forced to fight on multiple fronts against completely different enemies.”

Lemon Hearts points to the science station. “We could have others watching the shorelines to make sure we attack when they’re not around.”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “While an early warning system would of course be helpful, it would still be just that. A warning system.”

Auriel raises a claw. “What about stationing troops on the border to intercept them?”

Tight Ship shakes his head. “We’ll need every available hoof to be front and center when attacking Canterlot though. Nopony can be spared to possibly engage what amounts to just a potential threat.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “What if we could guarantee that neither side could attack at that time?”

Cherry looks to Tempest. “Would that even be possible?”

Tempest shrugs. “No idea. But it would have to come about before the attack on Canterlot to raise our chances of success.”

Arc nods. “Right. At the moment, I’m looking at disabling the barrier at least long enough to get myself, the Element Bearers, and a number of honor guards inside to infiltrate Canterlot Castle. From there we can engage Nightmare Moon while the Element Bearers do their thing and reseal her.”

Wrangler grins. “It sounds easy enough when you put it that way, sir.”

Lemon Hearts shudders. “Only if there are no surprises though.”

Moon Dancer taps the map on the wall. “Hence the idea of stopping a potential invasion at that time.”

Spitfire shrugs. “It is a very bare bones plan nevertheless.”

Tempest smirks. “But from what I can tell, such a thing would have the highest chance of success. At least if we coupled it with some sort of diversion.”

Arc chuckles. “Our forces outside of Canterlot fighting the traitorous Royal Guards would fit that bill.”

Tight Ship frowns. “I don’t like the idea of us fighting our fellow countryponies though, sir.”

Cherry sighs. “While I understand your feelings on this matter, it has to be done though. They’ve betrayed the oaths they took to protect and serve the public, after all.

Arc nods soberly. “I’ve already faced them in the past. The guards didn’t seem to care that I was the Hero of Light and insisted on fighting me, earning themselves swift deaths.”

Spitfire steps forward. “I don’t think any of us like the idea of fighting our fellow Equestrians. However, the truth of the matter is that we have to at this point. The citizens are counting on us to take back our land for them. To restore some sense of normalcy to their lives. And to allow them to rebuild their homes and lives.”

Tempest nods. “Colonel Spitfire is right. We all have a duty to our country that needs to be upheld. Not to the capital and not even to the princesses themselves. But to the citizens whom call this land home.”

Tight Ship salutes. “I’ll do my best to help with that, sir.”

Soarin joins with the captain. “As will I.”

Wrangler stomps a hoof with conviction. “We’ll fight for Equestria!”

Lemon Hearts grins. “And make it a free and happy place to live once again!”

Moon Dancer looks toward the window. “We owe it to those whom have put their faith in us.”

Stellar Flare taps a console. “At this point we can’t let them down!”

Thunderlane turns his gaze to the pilot’s seat. “And we won’t!”

Auriel raises a claw. “I’ll help too!”

Tempest grins. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything. I’m in too.”

Spitfire spreads her wings. “Let’s free our country!”

Cherry nods happily. “I’ll keep things running smoothly up here while all of you are fighting.”

Arc clenches a fist. “And I’ll be on the front lines doing my best to make this plan a reality.”

Everyone assembled cheers as Arc continues.

“Now then, I need all of you to take your stations and go over every inch of this ship to make sure it’s in prime condition for what’s to come.”

Cherry grimaces. “You mean the upcoming battle?”

Arc chuckles. “In a manner of speaking. Like what was said earlier, first we have to see about neutralizing the oversees threat of Abyssinia and the Griffon Kingdom.”

Tempest looks around. “And we can do that with this airship.”

Arc grins. “Right. It can ferry us across the ocean stealthily to their homelands.”

Spitfire smirks. “Giving us a chance to limit their ability to wage war on us.”

Auriel sighs. “And one another hopefully.”

Arc points to the planet outside. “I’m still working on a plan to do just that. But I need this ship ready to go when the time comes.”

Tight Ship salutes. “We’ll see to it, sir.”

The crew joins him in a salute as Arc looks around and nods.

“All of you will be stationed aboard ship until further notice. Captain, assign quarters and call the supply depot for anything the ship needs.”

“Yes sir.”

Arc turns to leave. “Whatever they don’t have I’ll find a way to get you.”

Auriel calls out. “And me?”

Arc looks back. “You may either continue to use your quarters inside the base or move into a VIP suite here. Or do both. Just let the captain know of your decision.”

“Okay. But for now I need to get back and finish up a few things.”

She follows Arc out the door as Wrangler turns to Tight Ship.

“Sir, what do you think our chances of success are?”

Tight Ship sighs. “Very low, I’m afraid.”

Cherry raises an eyebrow. “Then why not tell the Hero of Light that, captain?”

Tight Ship walks over to the captain’s chair. “Because we really don’t have a choice here. We may fight and die on the battlefield, yes. But at the same time, it’s the only option available to us.”

Lemon Hearts looks to the base outside. “We could always stay safe up here though.”

Tight Ship shakes his head as he sits down. “And who’s to say that this place will always be out of Canterlot’s reach?”

Soaring nods as he approaches Tight Ship. “The captain is right. We fight and win or die trying.”

Moon Dancer frowns. “You’re pretty adamant that those are the only two options though.”

Stellar Flare groans. “For the citizens, yes. After all, should Canterlot continue to stand unchallenged it is likely that the three sanctuary cities will eventually fall one by one to their forces.”

Tempest grits her teeth. “And by that point they’ll be too powerful for anypony to stop.”

Spitfire bows her head. “All hope would be lost by then.”

Tight Ship nods soberly as he looks out the main window at Equus below. “Right. Therefore, we must act before Nightmare Moon is able to get to that point. Or everything that’s been done up to this point will be for naught.”