Author's Note

This is a part of the Jest Days of Christmas, where I update something every single day of December. Go check out the link for the full list and check back everyday for a new update!

Rainbow Dash and Company

“What is taking her so long?” Rainbow Dash muttered.

The pegasus paced slowly back and forth, pausing occasionally to glance back toward the town of Ponyville. Around her sat, or stood four other ponies, none of whom were thrilled to be out in the rain, even if it was only spitting at that point. The sun sat high and bright in the sky, though its rays scarcely reached the ground, intercepted by the many dark clouds driven by the cool breeze.

“Are you sure that we cannot reconvene another day?” Rarity complained. “My galoshes may be stylish but they are far from comfortable.”

“As loathe as I am to agree with Rarity on this, I gotta side with her there sugarcube,” Applejack added. “I don't really see why we can't head out after the storm’s finally passed.”

“You guys can't back out now!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, turning to her friends. “Those murderers saw the weather clearing and already left to kill Ghuzrod! If we don't leave soon then he’s going to be capital D, dead!”

“Are you suuure?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Cus they seemed mean but not that mean.”

“What, why don't you believe me? Pinkie you were there when they tried to fight me back at Sugarcube Corner!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.

“Yeah but you sorta had it coming. You did give that one lady second-degree burns all over her face,” Pinkie Pie pointed out.

Everyone present winced, including Rainbow Dash.

“Okay, that wasn't my fault. She knocked my coffee out of my hoof,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“Please don't take this the wrong way Rainbow Dash but did you ever think that maybe they… might be right?” Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow Dash gasped. “Fluttershy! I can't believe you would be okay with murder!”

The shy mare grimaced. “I mean if he really is a part of some terrible invasive species then maybe it wouldn't be too bad if he um… went to sleep,” Fluttershy murmured.

“I can't believe you guys,” Rainbow Dash muttered, shaking her head. “You would not only let me go out there alone but you’d let the guy who saved my fricking life die.”

Rainbow Dash scowled. “You aren't the elements of harmony, you're the elements of… jerkness!”

“H-hey I know we don't quite agree but don't you think that's going a bit too far,” Applejack retorted.

“No. If anything I haven't gone far enough. Now if you’ll excuse me. Since I’m the only one with a spine, I’ll go in by myself,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.

The pegasus turned and was about to fly away when a voice called out.

“Wait!” someone shouted.

Rainbow Dash paused and glanced over her shoulder to find that both Spike and Twilight had joined them.

“What, Twilight? What are you doing here? I didn't think you were going to join the expedition to save Ghuzrod,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“I wasn't going to at first but then I gave it some thought,” Twilight admitted.

Rainbow Dash turned back around and cocked her head. “And? Please tell me you aren't on the side of Furious Flare like everyone else is.”

“H-hey I didn't say I was with her!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“I’m not,” Twilight stated firmly. “Her texts may be genuine but there are too many things that don't add up. If nothing else I think we should give this Ghuzrod fellow a chance.”

“Ha! You hear that we should give him a chance!” Rainbow Dash mocked. “And you all were ready to condemn him just for being an ork.”

“Come now Darling, there is no reason to be quite so mean,” Rarity retorted. “We were never on the side of this Furious individual. We merely had reservations about your plan.”

“Yeah, you don't have to rub it in,” Pinkie Pie added.

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Sorry, it's just a loyalty thing you know?”

“I know you’re trying to defend your friend Rainbow, but we’re your friends too you know,” Fluttershy added in a low tone.

“Yeah yeah… So,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, glancing at Twilight. “What's the plan?”

“We gotta find Ghuzrod before Furious Flare does. Which is where Spike comes in,” Twilight declared.

Spike stepped forward. “Twilight enchanted my fire so it leads us towards him! See?”

The dragon inhaled deeply before breathing a plume of green flame. The fire seemed to freeze in mid-air before morphing into an arrow and pointing towards the Everfree. It lingered there for a moment longer before being carried away by the wind.

“It took a little longer to rework the scrying spell to function with Spike’s fire,” Twilight explained.

“Well, shoot. If we got a plan then let's see it through,” Applejack declared.

“And then we can throw Ghuzzy a welcome to Ponyville, and thanks for saving our friend party!’ Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

“Oh I hope he's a good ork,” Fluttershy muttered. “From what I’ve heard it would be really really bad if he wasn't.”

“I’m sure the boss is a good guy,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed confidently. “He wouldn't have saved me otherwise.”

“Uh, what was that Rainbow Dash?” Applejack asked.

“He wouldn't have saved me otherwise?” Rainbow Dash replied.

“No, the first part,” Applejack retorted.

“I’m sure Ghuzrod is a good guy,” Rainbow Dash stated.

“That's not… whatever,” Applejack muttered.

“Right. So is everyone ready to head out? I see you all have rain gear on, except for Rainbow Dash,” Twilight exclaimed.

“All I need is my trusty machete!” Rainbow Dash declared.

The pegasus then pulled a sharpened shovel from her saddlebags and raised it over her head.

“Why in Equestria would you need something like that?” Rarity demanded to know.

“Is that a shovel?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Yeah, I borrowed it from Applejack!” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Now just wait just a gosh darn minute,” Applejack interrupted.

“How did you sharpen it anyway? Last I checked you were still banned from buying sharp knives due to the uh… incident,” Twilight inquired.

“Oh, I made my own sharpener!” Rainbow Dash stated.

“You made one?” Fluttershy pressed.

“Out of a bunch of random stuff from around the house. It came to me in a dream I had during my mid-morning nap,” Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed. “Worked really well too!”

Rainbow Dash swung the sharpened shovel for emphasis, the blade whizzing audibly through the air.

“Wowee that does look sharp!” Pinkie Pie remarked.

The dull boon of thunder could be heard in the distance, though only Spike turned to its source.

“Annnyway,” Twilight Sparkle declared. “I think we should go over the plan just so we’re all on the same page.”

“Yeah that does sound like a good idea,” Applejack agreed.

“So we’ll head into the forest, use Spike’s breath, find Ghuzrod, and hopefully get him to return to Ponyville with us so we can ask a few questions,” Twilight explained. “If all goes according to plan we won't have to fight anybody, and the princess can confirm that he is indeed a good ork.”

“He is,” Rainbow Dash declared.

“If anyone is a good judge of character it's the princesses. I’m sure they will be able to get to the bottom of this,” Rarity stated.

“So we’re all on the same page and in agreement then?” Twilight asked.

“Yupperdoodle!” Pinkie Pie declared.

“Uh, guys?” Spike muttered.

“What is it, Spike?” Twilight replied.

“I think something weird is going on over there,” Spike answered.

The dragon pointed in the direction of the Everfree to what looked like a seemingly random cloud hovering low over the forest.

“It's just a cloud dude,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“But it's just sitting in one spot like it's unaffected by the wind or something,” Spike explained. “Plus it keeps shooting lightning bolts in the same spot.”

“That's hogwash. Everyone knows lightning doesn't strike the same spot twice,” Applejack dismissed.

“Actually that's not true, you see-” Twilight began.

The unicorn’s explanation was cut off by the boom of thunder and the bright flash of lightning. It wasn't just one bolt, however, as dozens of rapid-fire strikes occurred over the span of a single second. The pressure it produced was powerful enough to roll over the landscape like a shockwave, knocking everyone back.

The six ponies and one dragon stood there in shock for several seconds before one of their number broke the silence.

“I’m coming to save you, boss!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

The pegasus then took off like a cannon shot, flying into the forest with her homemade machete raised high over her head.

“We should probably go after her, huh?” Applejack asked.

“Uh yeah,” Twilight muttered. “We should probably do that.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? To adventure!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.