Ponid-19

“Escape?!” Rose breathed, “but, however shall we manage that?!”

Luna smirked. “My sister might have siphoned my magic before hurling me against these walls of stone and iron, but she didn’t count on my mind. I was able to save a sliver of my abilities, and I was waiting for the perfect moment to use it. I can see that the moment has fluttered its wings and alighted on us. I can hypnotize the guards into letting us out. If you’ll call your daughter over, Rose, we’ll discuss it.”

Rose smiled and she turned to wave her daughter over. Kite somehow limped her way over to where the three older ponies were, but each new hoof step caused a jolt of pain. Her eyes filled with tears as she wondered why the normally kind and benevolent Celestia would have sent her, her mother, and their new friend to be flagellated and imprisoned. She felt the stings of her scratches, and the awful tearing of fur and skin as each movement sent barbs hurtling through her small being. By the time she got to her mother and was able to prop herself up, the tears were like waterfalls.

Princess Luna took pity on the small pony, and gingerly reached out a hoof through the hole in the wall. She managed to touch the filly’s face, and revolted internally at the amount of swelling that presided there. The poor pony had been beaten so badly that she was nearly unrecognizable. But there still lay a fire within her tear filled orbs that Luna noticed and deeply treasured. It was determination like this that would help save their beloved homeland, and Luna was counting on the filly and her friends to play important roles in that rescue.

“Little Kite String,” Luna said, “I have seen your dreams at night.”

“You…have?” Kite asked as her pain induced sadness turned into awe.

Luna nodded. “Indeed I have, young one. I know how much you wish to grow up and help ponies with your special talent.”

Kite looked at the floor and scraped a hoof along nervously. “But…my special talent is kite flying. I don’t know how I’ll help others with that.”

Luna smiled. “Perhaps, you might fly kites outside the windows of the foal hospitals and help cheer up all of the sick colts and fillies who reside there; or, perhaps you might fly your kites in a retirement community and bring friendship and light to the older ponies. There are a lot of options and, even if it does not directly involve your special talent, you can still find ways to help your fellow Equestrian.”

“I can?”

“Absolutely, my young friend,” Luna said warmly, “and I believe that with every fiber of my being. You can begin by helping us to stop my evil sister and rid Equestria of this terrible affliction. Ponies should be free to pursue their interests and lives, and I won’t allow Celestia to get away with her scheme. Will you help us?”

“Your Majesty, I will do my best!” Kite squeaked proudly.

Rose had to stifle her laugh, but she couldn’t stop the smile of pride that lit up her face. Her daughter had truly listened when her father and mother had taught her the virtue of chasing a dream, living freely, and making the conscious decision to help others. They had always told her that she was her own individual pony, but that there were many other individuals as well, all chasing dreams of their own. They taught her to make friends when her path collided with somepony else’s, and to help them find their own individuality and character. “Ponies are not one collective group,” they had told her, “they are each special in their own unique way. That is why you must make friends and learn from them. It will lend credence to your own individual thinking.”

“Alright,” Luna said, snapping Rose out of her reverie, “Celestia’s turned Equestria into a sickness riddled hell on earth. We must stop her, and I have a part for each of you to play.”

“What’s my part?” Kite asked.

Luna stopped and thought hard. If it weren’t for her injuries, Kite might be able to get to Ponyville and warn Twilight of Celestia’s secret coup against Equestria. But she had promised the quivering filly that she might play a special role in their escape and saving of the nation, and she didn’t want to break that promise. So, she began looking around the dungeon, searching for something that would both aid their escape and create an air of importance regarding the filly. Luna had to stop herself from laughing as Kite wiggled her small rump in excitement.

“Um…uh…I know!” Luna said, “you can be the lookout!”

“The lookout?” Kite asked, a bit disappointed in the job.

“Oh, it’s very important!” Luna exclaimed, “you need to use those eyes of yours and keep a sharp eye out for guards while I am fighting Celestia.”

“Fighting?!” Kite asked in fright, “but…I figured you’d just…talk with her and she’d apologize and everypony would be happy.”

“I’m afraid life doesn’t work that way sometimes, Kite,” Luna said gently, “the best thing for me to do is battle my sister and attempt to usurp the antidote from her. If I can do that, then I can get my magic back, we can duplicate the cure, and circulate it throughout Equestria. But I’m going to need your eyes to watch out for guards, okay?”

Kite nodded, a bit concerned about the fighting, but overall happy with her position. Luna then turned upwards and addressed Rose Garden and Smooth Boulder. She smiled as she noted how much like a father and his daughter they looked. It reminded her of times past, when a stallion had impregnated her and she’d secretly given birth to two fillies. When Celestia had found out, she was furious, and Luna had to send her daughters away. She had no idea what had become of them, nor where they had gone, but they had always remained within the confines of her heart.

“Are…you okay, Princess?” Rose asked as she noticed the tears begin wafting over Luna’s eyes.

“Yes, I…I’m fine,” Luna said as she quickly wiped them away, “just some dust, I guess. But back to business. I need the two of you to leave the castle, jump on a train, and get to Ponyville as fast as possible. Once there, you need to get to Princess Twilight and tell her that I need help. I can always count on her and her friends to assist in fighting evil.”

“Wait a minute,” Smooth protested, “I’ve never stepped hoof in Ponyville! I don’t know where Princess Twilight will be!”

“That’s easy,” Luna said, “just follow the main thoroughfare until you get to a gigantic castle with an adjoining school and dormitory. Knock on the door, and if a dragon answers, tell him ‘Luna needs Twilight, and it’s urgent.’”

Smooth and Rose nodded, unsure of just where they were going, but knowing of their determination to see it through to the end. They just needed a push in the right direction, and the thought of their various family and friends succumbing to the disease created that acceleration. Their faces took on very rigorous looks, and they decided right then and there that death in this endeavor would be much better than failure. Equestria needed them, and they would not disappoint it.