Where Loyalty Lies

Hidden Enemies

Tapping noises arose from the sounds of the melting ice dripping over the rocks of the mountains. The gusts of wind the caressed the curves of the mountain side became warmer as spring began to set in. Two small figures would emerge from their hiding within the dark caves high up on the mountain. One was a small white Pegasus, the other a dark grey Pegasus; the white one had a blank flank while the grey had winged compass on his flank. They both looked at each other with a laugh “Who knew that thy special talent would be about survival.” Spoke the white Pegasus with a smile.

“You know, I am happier that we found shelter for that blizzard more than I am of earning this to be honest Ghost,” said the grey Pegasus with a laugh.

“Well I think it is still pretty cool Hunter, one day I will get mine and you better be there for it!” exclaimed Ghost with a giggle.

Everything went blurry as another image appeared. Three Pegusai flew through the cloud rings in a straight forward race. Each was adorn in the armor of the Royal Guard. Maneuvering to and fro through the obstacles that had been set for the challenge; the three rammed and kicked at their opponents, very equally matched in their abilities. Suddenly a solid wall was between them and the next ring, their speed ensuring they had no chance to avoid impact with the solid object. A loud crash could be heard at the armored stallions made contact, all three dropping from the clouds unconscious.

The blank flanked white Pegasus immediately dove off of the cloud stands with a gasp before snagging one of the Royal Banners that hung from the pillars. Her wings propelled her faster and faster in a death defying plummet to the earth below in efforts to catch the falling stallions. Finally catching up to the falling stallions, she quickly snagged them one by one in the large stadium banner and with all her might yanked on the material to pull it tight, slowing the decent of the falling figures. With the last of her effort her wings flapped harder and countered the fall, and lifting the fallen back into the cloud.

The stadium was silent as Ghost dropped the Guards onto the clouds and the leader of the group rose from under the banner. He lifted off his helmet, “Hunter… art thou okay?” Ghost asked as she set down her satchel in search of any medical supplies she may have.

“I am doing fine gold wings,” he said with a laugh as he would nudge her with his hoof.

Ghost tilted her head questioningly before realizing what the teasing meant. A grin appeared on the young Pegasus’ face “Ha, I knew mine would involve saving thy flank one day, thou art always getting in trouble.”

The happiness was soon dispersed into a view of flames and war before everything went white. Ghost’s eyes opened to the sight of metal bars all around. How long had she been out? Where was she? Her mind fumbled over her memories trying to figure out what had happened.

Meanwhile Rainbow Dash flew over to the lifeless figure of their friend that lay sprawled through the glass. The blue Pegasus would nudge the figure before its color would fade into a dark grey returning to its normal form. It had been a changeling, and it could only mean that their friend was nearby. “Nawt these things again,” Applejack muttered approaching Rainbow Dash.

“Why are they in Ponyville though? You think they would be in Canterlot after Princess Celestia and Luna. Seems like they are only after Ghost, this doesn’t make any sense.” Twilight said tapping her hoof “Wait, what if they are the ones who trapped Ghost...”

“Well whatever their reason they better not touch my cupcakes!” Pinkie would yell over the commotion as she trotted to the door of the bakery.

“Wait up Pinkie, y’all don’t know what’s goin’ on in there,” Applejack yelled chasing after the overly energetic pink pony.

Twilight shook her head and pointed towards Rarity’s home “Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, go make sure that Rarity is okay and meet us back here.” Twilight quickly followed her other friends into the bakery as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew off.

The group entered the Bakery, every light was off and the rooms empty of life. “Where are the Cakes at?” Twilight asked curiously as the trotted past the counter.

“They are on vacation, I have been running the shop,” Pinkie said in her normal upbeat tone. “There hasn’t been anything weird going on; I don’t know why they would be in here. Maybe they were hungry, they better not be eating everything. What if they are eating Ghost!” Pinkie screamed; her ears flopping as she bumped into Applejack.

“Quiet Pinkie, don’t y’all hear that noise?” Applejack said, as a dull clanking could be heard coming from below them. “Ah’ didn’t know that the Cakes had a basement.”

Pinkie tilted her head as her hoof tapped her chin in thought. “They don’t have one, well not that I have ever known. I mean I have been all over the bakery and never found a way to get into in at least.”

The clanking continued as the talked; Twilight listened closely to the floor to figure out exactly where I might be coming from. Suddenly the floor buckled below the purple unicorn, and in one swift motion she tumbled into the dark pit with a thud. Pinkie and Applejack quickly ran to the edge of the hole, calling for their friend. “I’m fine,” Twilight said as her horn lit up to illuminate the dark space, seemingly a tunnel. “It’s not much of a fall but there is a tunnel down here. It kind of looks like the ones that we saved Rarity from, I bet Ghost is at the end of this tunnel.”

The clanking echoed through the tunnel, only making the darkness eerier than before. Applejack and Pinkie dropped down into the hole behind Twilight, Applejack looking back up at the top of the hole. “Ya think Rainbow and Fluttershy will know ta come down here?”

“Hopefully we find Ghost and get back before they even come, but knowing Rainbow Dash she will encourage the others to go follow down the pit. Let’s go, who knows what is going on down here.” Twilight said trotting off down the tunnel, her glowing horn lighting up their descent into darkness.

Elsewhere in the tunnel, Ghost continued to kick the metal bars that had contained her. The metal shoe causing a loud clanking, this drew her captor from the shadows. The tall white Alicorn approached her. “Thou art not Princess Celestia!” Ghost yelled out taking a defensive stance against the tall being. “Why does thou seekith to imprison thee?”

The Alicorn’s lips would curl with a grin, before echoing a diabolical laugh through the corridors of the tunnel. “You are right, I am not. I do not seek to only imprison you; I seek to destroy you for my revenge. If it was not for you the Lunar Republic would never have defeated me. It does entertain me to know that saving the real Princess Celestia only lead to the down fall of your own Princess.”

“What does thou speak of? I do not recall these events which thou hath mentioned.” Ghost spoke with a confused tone.

The imposter laughed with an evil grin “This is to perfect, you will perish never knowing why or how.”

“My friends shall find thee soon, and then thou shalt see who hath the last laugh.” Ghost said glaring at her enemy.

Ghost kicked at the metal bars once again in effort to get someone’s attention. “No one will look for you under the bakery of Ponyville. I am going to do away with you slowly to exact my revenge,” the imposter said with a crazed look before laughing once more. The fake alicorn’s horn glowed and Ghost was forced against the side of the cage, ropes floating up and tying her hooves to the bars. “I am going to clip those wings of yours. Let’s see you lead another revolt against me.”

The clopping of hooves against rock and dirt could be heard down the corridors of the tunnels. The imposter hissed at the sounds of the hooves as her eyes glared into the darkness. “Twilight Sparkle and her friends no doubt, here to ruin my fun once again, we will see about that. Minions! Follow me.”

Suddenly the dark figures leapt out of the darkness. Their unmistakable appearance gave them away, it was changelings. The herd of changelings ran off into the darkness after the search party. Ghost watched as the figures disappeared into the depths of the cavern, waiting a few moments before her wings flapped violently, loosening the ropes which bound her to the cage. Once free the Pegasus bucked with all her strength at the door, the metal shoes clanking against the chain the held the cage door shut.

Meanwhile Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy arrived at Rarity’s home. Rainbow Dash burst through the door hollering in a vicious battle cry. Rarity jumped in surprise as she looked at her friends who just burst through the door. “What are you doing Rainbow Dash? It is so rude to just barge into one’s home in such a manner.” Rarity spoke, startled by the commotion but continuing on with work.

“Thank goodness you are okay Rarity; we were so worried about you.” Fluttershy said gleefully as she flew over to hug the unicorn.

Before Rarity could speak Rainbow Dash flew over and started to drag both of the ponies. “That’s great, but we don’t have time we have to get back to Twilight and the others before anything bad happens.”

“What’s going on Rainbow Dash?” Rarity inquired as she was dragged out of her boutique.

“Ghost has been captured by the Changelings and Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie went to rescue her. They are at Sugarcube Corner!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she rushed the other two to follow her.

Not long after the group reached the bakery, quickly rushing into the building. It did not take long for them to find the large hole which had busted open into the caves below. “They must be down there!” Rainbow said with a dive into the darkness.

“But it is so dirty, and grim down there.” Rarity responded in a whining tone.

With that Rainbow Dash flew back up and gave Rarity a shove from behind before the unicorn could turn back, causing her to drop into the dark cavern. “We don’t have time for this Rarity our friends need our help.”

Once again the clanking could be heard echoing throughout the corridors as the group quickly rushed in the direction of the sound. “They must be this way,” Rainbow Dash said leading the herd.

One final kick would break the chains of the lock, causing the door to bust open as well. Ghost was free once more, and she hoped soon enough to aid her friends in the fight against the Changelings. Swiftly the Mare ran into the darkness, the ability to see in such dimly lit areas came natural to the guard of Princess Luna. The Pegasus’ wings flapped frantically to reach her friends as quickly as possible.

Changelings dropped from holes in the top of the caves in attempts to ambush the freed prisoner. Without hesitation Ghost would weave through the mass, kicking any who neared her as she fought to find the rescue party.