On the fourth floor of Canterlot Castle, in a private library, a small gathering sat in quiet thought. Some of them read books. Three of them were giving consideration to strange, glowing gemstones that they wore.

They had been quiet all the way back out of the storage cellar and all the way upstairs to this archive where they sat.

At last, Princess Luna spoke, “This fact... may interest us later. Dreamspace, and Reality... as the appointed guardian of Dreamspace, I know that most creatures and objects cannot transcend the two planes.”

Maud put to words what Luna was trying to say, “Your alicorn powers and alternate forms are the insane power of Dreamspace, but usable in reality.”

“Yes, but that's not all... the stag's words had to refer to something, he directly spoke to us who were watching the memory.”

Cobalt the griffon spoke up in her high, gravelly voice, “Um, Luna, what about these element thingies? I got mine from a dream.”

Luna nodded, and said slowly, “Yes, but, you were dreaming. How can you take or interact with an object without actually being there? Dreamers are no more than ghosts in Dreamspace.”

Sky spoke up, “I think... I need to be real honest about how I found my element.”

He told them about resting on an island in a river, dreaming of a portal into a gray nothing, and the dream within a dream that resulted in taking an item from that dream.

Celestia admonished him, “Why didn't you bring this up before?”

“Well,” said Sky, “I'm still not sure what it all was.”

Luna spoke, “A temporal mirror pocket... that is, a copy of the location you were in, very realistic in feel, that ceases to be when you wake up.”

“Is this significant?” asked Sky.

Luna nodded, “That's really quite rare. It's the best defense Dreamspace has to isolate dangerous things... and then another portal into someplace that was not the dream world. A platform, gray sky... it sounds so much like the Void.”

Sky didn't believe that. He said, “I went into the Void, the nothing, and came right back out safe again?”

“Well, yes,” said Luna, “But, no objects exist in the void. Only the barriers between worlds. And all this time, the focus has been Dreamspace, and your elements function in the realm of dreams.”

Maud added, “While it boggles the mind to ponder the concept of nothing, we do not know anything about the Void. Perhaps it has its own isolated world, magic, objects, monsters, as Dreamspace does. Consider how outlandish Dreamspace is.”

Luna agreed. Dreams took place in a physical dimension outside of reality you could only view while sleeping, where mortals were never meant to physically access.

Celestia spoke up, “We do know that the Void, if it even can be said to exist, is literally nothing. It is a concept. If there are multiple dimensions then there must be barriers between them and something to separate them. It would have no structure at all to support objects, no physics, no magic energy.”

Luna objected, “And yet, Sky just perfectly described the void. When I was banished, the last conscious thought of my own before Nightmare Moon overtook my will was of the tear in the pocket dimension. It led into a dark gray space with lights like stars.”

Celestia answered, “It would seem the decline of magic and the chaos of our world transcends even Dreamspace. This... is a subject we can offer no insight on despite our thousands of years of being.”

Skyblazer stood up and stretched. He spoke his mind, “All of this is going nowhere. It's just been monster fights, forbidden magic, mind-breaking insanity, I've been hurt, I've seen family hurt... what I need is a damn break.”

Cobalt hopped from her chair and walked over to him. She spoke, “Going back to visit the farm?”

Sky nodded. He said, “Autumn is here, it's harvest season. They could use the help. I've also earned enough bits to make a nice donation for the farm.”

Luna gave him and Cobalt a quizzical look with one ear down.

Cobalt placed a front leg on Sky's shoulders and said, “Mind if I come with you?”

“Not at all!” said Sky, “But are you sure? My dad ain't so great to be around.”

“I'm planning to be super friendly and a hard worker. Your father is going to be so confused and pissed at me. Won't know how to feel!”

“Language, please,” said Celestia as she sipped her tea.

“Sorry, miss Celestia,” said Cobalt.

Sky liked this plan. He and Cobalt spent some time in conversation with the other ponies here. They left the castle then, and walked through the political district of Canterlot until they reached a quiet flight platform away from the busy areas.

They prepared to take off from the wooden deck, but heard a loud burst of air behind them. Princess Luna had teleported to their location. She spoke,

“Follow me, please.”

Her horn glimmered purple and she tore a hole into the Dreamspace. All three entered. It was a beach, with waves rolling in from the ocean.

Cobalt asked, “Princess Luna, is it safe for us to actually be in the dream land? What if that crazy dark wizard finds us?”

“Even if he survived,” answered Luna, “It is doubtful he recovered his power so quickly. Further there are many, many pockets to Dreamspace. Now listen, please.”

Sky and Cobalt had a seat and were quiet.

Luna said, “I need to tell you a few things, and I need you to keep this private. You may share this with my sister, but nopony else. First, Celestia and I are aged beings with a deep grasp of the workings of magic. It is not so easy to pull the wool over us.”

Sky and Cobalt didn't like where this was going. Luna continued,

“I know that you are both responsible for petty theft and mischief in Canterlot. I also know that you impeded a violent jewel thief today. I am not here to discipline you nor admonish you.”

“Okay,” said Sky in a quiet tone of voice.

“While events were confined to the Dreamspace, we had some iota of control... now that the nothing between worlds is involved, Celestia and I are completely in the dark. This situation is an unthinkable enigma. Do not let your guard down. Not here, not in reality, not until this mystery is resolved.”

“I understand,” said Sky, and Cobalt nodded.

“All the ancient prophecies are coming true as magic falls apart. Without magic, our world will die. You must become worthy of the Elements of Conflict. A time may arise shortly when the elements test you. To be heroic is to face great hardship and sacrifice.”

Cobalt spoke, “Zecora warned us of some kind of darkest hour.”

Luna nodded, “It fast approaches. Continue on to the farm, visit family, but use caution.”

They exited the dream, and Luna galloped into flight towards her castle. Sky and Cobalt took flight in the opposite direction, angling with the sun towards Dodge Junction. Their armor glinted in the sunlight, and the cold autumn winds blustered through their feathers as they adjusted their wings to the currents.

The ring on Cobalt's talon began to glow. She thought towards Sky,

The waffles were tasty, but you know I have to have meat if we're taking a long flight.

Sky angled his wings to glide right and avoid migrating birds. His foggy gray crystal rippled as he thought, Let's look for water too, I need to refill my canteen.

They flew for about another hour. Ponyville was drawing close. A lake on the Northeast glinted in the sunlight.

Sky pointed it out to Cobalt. They tucked in their wings, and made a fast dive for ground level.

Both of them made a graceful landing at the forest's edge where it met the water. They refilled their canteens from a brook which fed into the lake. In the autumn chill, the river water was freezing and refreshing.

Cobalt wandered off into the trees to empty her bladder and look for animals to hunt. Sky waited back on the shore, exploring the lakeside for seashells and skipping stones.

The line of trees reflected in the water broke off into a grassy clearing. Sky noticed several tiny clouds in this clearing, right by the ground like fog.

He walked over to them, curious. The clouds were far too bulky to be natural. Three of them formed a ring around a hole in the ground where a fire had been built.

Ahh, a pegasus campsite. Who needs a tent when you can build one out of cloud?

As Sky turned to leave, his ears caught the rustle of something in the bushes.

From the thicket jumped an angry-looking red unicorn who had angry-looking scars on her body. The clouds now dispersed, revealing three pegasi.

They surrounded Sky. The unicorn spoke with a smirk, “Your money and possessions ain't worth your life.”

Sky launched off the ground in a flurry of wings and falling feathers. He focused all of his energy and magic on one of the clouds.

The low cloud slowly darkened. The pegasus sitting on it jumped off a moment too late as the cloud began to fizzle with static. A tiny bolt of lightning arced from cloud to pegasus, making a tiny peal of thunder.

It was still a lot of voltage, and the pegasus collapsed to the ground. The other two pegasi advanced on Sky now, as the unicorn stood back and waited.

Each pegasus unsheathed a jagged blade. They held the shortswords in their mouth and swooped in with aerial acrobatics.

Sky relied on his speed and agility. The harsh events Sky had been through, such as evading an elder dragon in the canyon lands, had bolstered his confidence and ability.

The three pegasi looped and swirled and formed wisps of obscuring fog. Sky dove through the fog, closed his wings in against his body, and slammed into the silver pegasus with a shoulder.

The silver pegasus stayed airborne, but dropped his blade. Sky drew his own knife and snapped his wings out. He charged as though to slash at the face; the silver pegasus dodged left, and Sky juked right.

His knife snagged on feather and sinew as it cut the wing. Thus clipped, the silver pegasus fell towards the ground. It was a long, long fall, and Sky had no desire to be a murderer.

Skyblazer thought of the thrill of diving in flight. Wings tucked in, acceleration great. Wind blitzing past. Air crackling as the sound barrier nears. And then, he imagined diving into water, the fizzy bubbles surrounding you, slowing you down, gracefully...

His necklace glowed fiercely as the gray crystal filled with inward fog. A golden burst of magic ensconced the falling silver pegasus, and he began to float like a leaf towards the ground. He landed gently in the bushes.

The red unicorn noticed this. She thought to herself, I didn't do that.

While Sky was busy saving a life, the other bandit took his opening. Sky heard the whoosh of something heavy slicing through the air, and felt a sturdy metal sword slam into his back.

The dragon-scale vest took the stab with ease, and the sword slid off to the side. Sky rolled to avoid damage to his wings, and with the same rolling motion he used a spell he had practiced enough to use with ease: Pyro.

A wave of searing heat blasted over the dark blue pegasus. Fur smoldered, feathers caught on fire, and his breath burned in his throat.

The dark blue pegasus spiraled towards the lake like a shot-down aircraft, trailing smoke and fire. He managed to control his fall well enough, and safely plinked into the water.

Sky complained, “Ah hell, my back,” and stretched while looking through the fog and smoke for the red unicorn.

She had maneuvered behind a tree. Sky noticed just a second too late as a glint of red magic appeared in the thicket. All he could do was brace for impact.

The red unicorn was suddenly knocked over, and her magic missile went askew. It glanced off of Sky's abdomen, right below where the dragon scale armor ended.

It felt like a donkey-kick to the gut. All the breath was knocked out of him, and he began to fall from the air towards ground level far, far below.

Down in the forest, Cobalt had charged from the bushes like a lion in ambush and slammed into the red unicorn. They were fighting now, with magic and claw and fierce kicks.

Sky felt dizzy and weak. He could not focus enough to regain lift. All he could do was weakly send a message to the griffon, Help.

Cobalt noticed Sky's fall. She did not panic. A cold and calm light came into her eyes, and she attacked the red unicorn with the ferocity of a feral animal.

Red magic bolts slammed into Cobalt again and again, each magic missile badly bruising her, but she still ran forward.

With a savage lion's roar, Cobalt launched off a boulder, pulled her right front leg back, and raked her talons across the face of the red unicorn. The unicorn went down, clutching at her face and screaming.

Now Cobalt ran into the clearing, her claws leaving drops of blood on the grass. Her ring glowed fiercely, and she began an ancient magic incantation.

Cobalt's eyes glowed, and dark blue magic shot towards the falling Sky. The wind began to slow. A squirrel, running away from the commotion, slowed to a brisk walk. All was calm, except for Cobalt, who galloped towards her friend.

She dove, caught Sky, and slid on the rocky ground, further aggravating the bruises she had received.

Time resumed its normal flow. The red unicorn was back to her hooves, and her horn glimmered fiercely with some manner of angry spell. The silver pegasus, his wing badly cut and bleeding, had picked up his sword and was advancing on them.

Cobalt lie on her side, cradling Sky with her front legs. Sky was struggling to catch his breath. Cobalt put up a feeble magic shield, closed her eyes and grit her teeth.

Suddenly the air was rent by a series of bangs like cannons going off. Everypony present cringed and flinched.

Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and a contingent of unicorn guards appeared in the clearing, surrounding all of them, ready for a fight.

The battlefield was calm as the blast of wind from teleportation settled back down to a calm forest breeze.

Princess Celestia spoke, “Oh, it's you two. What happened here?”

The red unicorn, her face dripping blood from deep cuts, spoke in a soft and girly voice, “Celestia, these awful robbers tried to steal my money! And the griffon tried to kill me!”

Luna's horn glimmered and sent some sort of spell at the red unicorn. She was surrounded by an arcane bubble. Now, Luna spoke, “Sky and Cobalt, what do you say happened here?”

Skyblazer had finally caught his breath, but he wasn't able to stand just yet after having the wind knocked out of him. He lie on his belly and spoke feebly, “I can barely talk, sorry... ugh, Cobalt...”

Cobalt was now standing in front of Sky full of adrenaline with her wings bristled, still braced for an attack. She took several deep, calming breaths, sat down, and spoke,

“Well, I say me and Sky were taking a break when we were ambushed by bandits. Sky was refilling the canteens while I was off hunting my dinner—yeah I know, I'm a scary predator. Grrr and stuff.”

Luna interrupted, “Nopony here is judging your biological needs. Continue.”

“I didn't see most of the battle. When I heard that zinging whoosh kinda noise magic missiles make, I ran over, saw the unicorn attacking Sky, and knocked her over.”

Celestia nodded, and asked Sky if he was able to talk now.

Sky nodded weakly, and spoke in a raspy voice, “They ambushed us. I saw some magic clouds at ground level, went over to check it out. Unicorn, two pegasi attacked me.”

A female unicorn guard spoke, “Sir, I observe two pegasi and a unicorn here. Where is the third?”

“Check the lake,” said Sky with a malicious grin.

Celestia sent several flashes of light into the air from her horn. A shape hurtled towards them from the skies above, and an armored pegasus whooshed over them towards the water.

This pegasus guard hovered over the water, picked something up from it, and slowly flew back to them with heavy flaps of his wings.

The dark blue pegasus bandit was deposited roughly on the ground. His burnt fur and feathers were soaked, and most of the fur on his face had been singed off.

“Well then,” Celestia spoke, “They certainly chose their targets poorly.”

Another unicorn guard stepped forward. He spoke to the princesses with a Manehattan accent, “Your majesty, I recognize the red unicorn. Wanted for a long list of crimes in Eastern Equestria. Looks like she fled West, probably hopped a freight train.”

The guard dug into a saddlebag, and took out two rolled-up scrolls. The first was a poster with the red unicorn's likeness drawn on it and her name, Raindancer. Her list of infractions took up the entire second scroll.

Celestia nodded grimly and said, “Most likely her accomplices are swords for hire. How much did you promise them, hmm?” she asked of the red unicorn.

The unicorn looked at the ground and slowly responded, “A thousand bits each plus loot shares.”

Luna spoke, “I will heal your injuries, but first, I must lower the defenses I placed. If you fight or flee with magic, it will be considered a capital crime and we will cut off your horn. Understood?”

A frightened nod from the red unicorn, and Luna took down the arcane bubble. Dark purple magic shone on the face of the unicorn, the bleeding stopped, and the wounds scabbed over.

Celestia sat by Sky and Cobalt, joined by a unicorn scribe who held a quill and parchment with magic. She asked them to relay every detail they could, and they did so.

Finally, she asked Cobalt, “You know ancient magic? I am honestly caught off guard by this. I expected it of Skyblazer, who we have discovered has an affinity for it.”

The response from Cobalt, “Well, I am best friends with Zecora.”

Celestia nodded. That was fair. She spoke gently, “I'm sure you know it's forbidden, even in self-defense. Did you not have any other spells at your disposal?”

Cobalt shook her head no, “I don't know the soft landing spell and he was falling too fast to catch him.”

“Okay,” said Celestia, “Let's call it... a one thousand bit fine for use of forbidden magic. This will be taken from the reward money, which is four thousand bits.”

“Leaving us...” said Cobalt, as she trailed off in a disbelieving whisper, “Three thousand bits... how do we even carry that much money?”

Princess Luna's horn glowed, and she cut a hole in reality. She stepped into a dimensional pocket where a broom, mop and other cleaning supplies could be seen neatly stacked.

She returned carrying a bulky cloth bag in her mouth. This was dropped in front of Sky and Cobalt, making a jingling noise.

Within were thirty coins made of gold, which had a sun symbol on one side and a moon symbol on the other. They were twice the size of a standard bronze bit, which was bean sized.

Sky had never even seen one of these before. Each was worth a hundred bronze bits. He took one coin in his mouth, and placed it on a wing to feel the weight.

Luna used her healing magic to heal a few cuts on Sky. Cobalt was in worse shape, and had a number of scratches and bruises to heal.

Luna put her ears down and spoke to Cobalt, “Through my healing spell, I could feel that one of your ribs was cracked with a small, hairline fracture. It is not severe, but it is bad form to attempt magic for healing broken bones. They must be left to mend naturally.”

Cobalt stood, grimacing with the sheer pain of the injury. She spoke, “Guess we're stuck walking... dammit, Sky's farm is a long way off.”

Sky, who was standing now and clutching at his sore gut with a front hoof, spoke, “We could always take the train. You're properly registered and all.”

Celestia, Luna and the royal guards took a moment to get their bearings. They teleported back to Canterlot with the manacled prisoners. The torn air pockets closed with loud bangs.

Sky and Cobalt held up arcane shields to protect their ears from the racket. They split the heavy gold coins between them, and walked to Ponyville while leaning on each other for support.

Suddenly, the voice of Princess Celestia was in their minds, Cobalt the griffon. Thou who says ye art but an unwanted outcast. I can't believe you endured seven high-level magic missiles at point blank range for the sake of a friend, that is heroism on the grandest scale.

Cobalt smiled through the pain in her ribs.

Now Luna's voice came to their minds, clear as day, Perhaps now that you have some bits to your name, you two could refrain from petty theft and pick-pocketing?

Here Cobalt frowned and thought back, Yes, ma'am. Sorry ma'am.

About a half hour later, they arrived at the Ponyville train station. The armed and armored pegasus and griffon pair received plenty of stares from the mild mannered townsfolk.

As the pair walked down the street towards the platform, an earth-pony mare with her kids crossed the street to avoid them. She paused then, and asked, “Monster hunters?”

Sky answered, “Yes ma'am, we were just injured fighting some bandits. Taking the train, hurts too bad to fly right now.”

The mare replied, “Oh, in that case thank you for keeping the ponies and fillies of Ponyville safe.”

The next train to Appleloosa wouldn't arrive until the next afternoon. They had a whole day ahead of them, and the ponies they most wanted to speak with were still out in Canterlot.

Cobalt spoke, “Let's restock our supplies and take some time to relax.”

Sky agreed. They asked around and found a blacksmith.

They heard the building before they saw it. A hammer was ringing off of hot metal, and the sound of red-hot iron sizzling in cold water met their ears.

The building, with open sides to let heat vent out, was a very warm and comfortable place to be in the cold of autumn. A wooden sign on it was crudely painted, 'Haystack's Armor Shack'.

Sky raised an eyebrow at the name as he entered. The sweating blacksmith unicorn noticed them, and took a few heavy steps over.

The bulky, muscular unicorn looked like he could show up even Big Mac in pure strength. Cobalt realized that physical endurance probably factored into magical stamina.

He spoke in a rumbling baritone, “What have we here? A couple of adventures, pegasus and griffon? Y'all seem a hearty pair. I take it you wish for me to refurbish your equipment?”

“Yes,” said Sky, “and I noticed your name is Haystack.”

“Aye, Brickhouse Haystack. I changed only the first name. What pony wants to go by 'Oatmeal'?”

Cobalt snickered, and Sky smacked her on the shoulder before speaking, “I'm from a farming family too, sir. I am Skyblazer Haycart.”

With an evil smirk, Cobalt said, “He was first named Haul-Ass Haycart, cause he flies and hauls ass.”

Both the blacksmith and the griffon had a laugh at this while Sky sat with his ears down and a sour expression.

Brickhouse gave Sky a friendly smack on the back, making him stumble, and then spoke, “What are we but fellow farm ponies with family trouble! As ye pegasi say, birds of a feather we be! Why this call for a beer.”

His horn glimmered with magic the color of caramel. The beam of magic roughly swiped three bottles off a shelf with clinking noises, set them on the front counter with a clunk, and snapped the bottle caps off.

The beer was dark as coffee, and Sky coughed after taking a swig. Cobalt had hearty gulps with gusto.

Sky held the cold, frosty bottle with a dexterous wing, and took smaller drinks. He and Cobalt helped each other take all their armor pieces off, with assistance from the blacksmith.

Brickhouse stared at the glowing rune on Cobalt's back leg.

Cobalt noticed, and told him about choosing to endure a magic brand in order to earn Zecora's trust. Brickhouse whistled, and said,

“That's some commitment now lass, an I ain't got a thing against no griffon, mind ye.”

Cobalt thanked him as he took their weapons and armor back into his shop.

They continued talking and drinking beer at the counter. Brickhouse had come from a vegetable and flower farm in Northwest Eqeustria, south of Vanhoover. His family was famous for their pickles and preserves and flower fields.

It was clear that flowers and gardening was not his passion in life. Though a unicorn, he took great pride in physical brawn. He became an assistant at the smithy when he came of age.

His parents approved but his siblings detested his choice. This made for some nasty family conflict, and he was swift to catch a train out of town when he had enough smithing experience.

Brickhouse spoke, “Y'all might wanna stay put here, got a storm scheduled today. Been a dry spell fer some festivities, gotta make it pour to make up for that.”

Cobalt lowered her voice and asked, “Sir, do you have like, a back room where Sky can help me bandage up my side? I have a broken rib from our last bounty. It hurts like you wouldn't believe now that I pulled the armor off.”

The unicorn smith offered a hearty chuckle, “Yes I do have a storage room y'all can use. Reckon you don't want ponies to think yer doing something else, aye?”

Sky's face turned a deep crimson color, and he quickly stepped back into the smith's shop with Cobalt.

They returned shortly. Cobalt's ribs had been bandaged tightly with gauze held together by a few drops of thornsap. She flexed, and grimaced in pain.

“Yep,” she said, “that hurts about as bad as an arrow stuck in my leg.”

She relayed the story of her arrival to Equestria. The paranoid guards in Manehattan had chased her off and shot a volley of arrows. She had hid in a train tunnel and almost been run over.

Such was her welcome to the 'peaceful and loving' kingdom of Equestria.

Years had gone by since then. Cobalt had calmed, matured, adapted. She now knew to be calm and polite in the presence of ponies, who scared easily.

With her armor and equipment, it was obvious she was a monster hunter or guard. This gave some reassurance to the ponies, who were always thankful for the few brave souls who could handle such a dangerous profession.

Cobalt's time in the company of Zecora, her first real friend, had given her a working knowledge of alchemy, fighting monsters and living off the land that was far beyond the average. Her numerous skirmishes against the creatures of Everfree had taught her agility and skill in flight.

Now this griffon was ready and willing to spend time even in major pony cities. With the company of Sky and a signet ring which declared her a licensed bounty hunter, as well as the support of the princesses, she could find a new life in Equestria.

Brickhouse the blacksmith noticed the metal signets they wore. He said with deep respect, “Oi, you two don't just battle monsters? You take on sapient beings what pose a grave threat? That's a bounty hunter's discount then. Notch above monster hunting, I reckon.”

It really was. When they had asked the princesses about the signet symbol on wanted posters, they had been informed all about it. Becoming a licensed bounty hunter meant knowing how much force to use in self defense, and avoiding collateral damage.

They were required to avoid causing serious injury or killing a wanted fugitive except as a last resort. Causing any major harm—such as Sky clipping the pegasus' wing—would have to be reviewed and could lead to reduced rewards and even loss of the license.

Normally only ponies could become bounty hunters, and foreign races could only hunt monsters. An exception had been made for Cobalt.

The rain subsided to a gentle drip as the last echoes of thunder resounded off the distant hills. Cobalt and Sky stepped out from beneath the roof of the smith building.

Cobalt asked, “How about some sweets?”

Sky realized something now and said, “Oh Cobalt, did you get a chance to eat? I'm not sure how much time passed before I was attacked.”

“Yeah, I snagged a couple rabbits and a fish from the river.”

“Still hungry for dessert, though?”

“How's that a question? Let's go to Sugarcube Corner.”

They walked down the dirt street away from the shop, avoiding potholes in the road. The dirt trail became a cobblestone street as they entered the business part of town.

Two rows of wooden buildings lined each side of the street, looking like an average wild west town. There was technology though, magic electric lights and devices were in some of the shop windows.

Sky spoke to Cobalt, “I feel weird without my armor on. I've worn it so long now, it feels like I'm floating.”

The reply from her was, “I'm sure it feels better than walking with a cracked rib. Every damn step feels like fire.”

They passed by a small gathering of ponies conversing on a porch. One of them stepped away from the crowd; this was a unicorn wearing the bronze armor and signet that declared him a royal guard.

He took several haughty, cantering steps towards Cobalt, stared her down, and said loudly, “Now didn't we tell you to get the hell out of Ponyville? Looks like I need to haul you in to the dungeons. Damn griffons, monsters all of you.”

Cobalt began a low growl, and heard a telepathic message from Sky to shut up and let him handle this one.

Sky nuzzled into one of her saddle packs and found what he was looking for: a rolled up document.

He used delicate telekinesis to pull the twine off the parchment, unroll it, and present it to the guard.

The unicorn guard snagged the document with his own magic, almost tearing it. His eyes ran down the page, he gave an angry snort, and he gave the document back.

“Fine, damn you. Guess you can stay. I know it was you who stole the cider, who else is strong enough? Oh, and Celestia didn't find out who did it yet either huh? Suspicious.”

Sky and Cobalt continued on their way with angry glances back. They walked on to the bakery, and met no more resistance on the way.

Sugarcube Corner was a much more positive experience. While Mr. and Mrs. Cake were startled to see a griffon walk through the door, they didn't express any sort of intolerance.

Instead Mrs. Cake said, “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner y'all. What can I get for you?”

Cobalt answered in a quiet and sweet voice, though still gravelly with some hint of her usual sarcasm, “Oh, let us look around a minute please. Smells so good in here.”

Sky and Cobalt bought donuts, jelly fritters and chocolate milk. It was a well-earned meal. Mr. Cake asked about the griffon's injuries, and they discussed their encounter with Raindancer the wanted outlaw.

Mr. Cake reacted to this with an angry huff, saying, “Ooh I know that pony personally. Would you believe she and her gang robbed our bakery once? A damn bakery! We ain't got that many bits even on a good day.”

The Cakes gave them a gift on the way out: a sturdy wicker basket that clasped onto Cobalt's saddlebags. It was for breads, pastries and other fragile items. With it, they were given a free loaf of garlic bread which smelled just divine.

Sky and Cobalt waved goodbye to the Cakes, and walked over to the crystal castle. They found the guest rooms on the first floor, and each took a separate room for the night.

It was eerie being here while nopony else was. Even Spike wasn't home. A note said that he was away on a trip with Rarity to help her with the Manehattan boutique.

They had a sound sleep in cozy guest beds stuffed with soft fresh hay. A rooster woke them in the morning.

Author's Note

ᵀʰᵉ ˡᵒʷ ᶜˡᵒᵘᵈ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵈᵃʳᵏᵉⁿᵉᵈ. ᵀʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵍᵃˢᵘˢ ˢᶦᵗᵗᶦⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᶦᵗ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᵘᵈ ᵇᵉᵍᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶠᶦᶻᶻˡᵉ ʷᶦᵗʰ ˢᵗᵃᵗᶦᶜ. ᴬ ᵗᶦⁿʸ ᵇᵒˡᵗ ᵒᶠ ˡᶦᵍʰᵗⁿᶦⁿᵍ ᵃʳᶜᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶜˡᵒᵘᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉᵍᵃˢᵘˢ, ᵐᵃᵏᶦⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵗᶦⁿʸ ᵖᵉᵃˡ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ.

BOOM

"ᴼʰ, ᵈᶦᵈ ᵐʸ ᶜʰᵉᵉʳᶦⁿᵍ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵃᵗˀ"