SWWC Side Story 3: Taking Off the Hat

Fourteen months later...

The black crystal had long open and revealed all the evils inside. Many forms of malice and hatred was unleashed mere months ago. And only now did things finally calm down enough for the new forces of Shimmer/Glimmer Pharmaceutical 2, could enter unheeded. The company had been renamed since renovations and removal of certain underhanded tactics.

Two pale soldiers dropped out in the front, leading the rest secretly into Canterlot. They had to be careful not to be seen by the new rulers of this fallen kingdom. The mare at the front with green hair curled into a familiar hairstyle, her attire had become more uniform, but was still akin to the frame she had previously. She knew they would have no chance against the stronger forces, so she kept her attention firm and resolute. Once their landing was clear, her second saluted her as she passed by. "All clear, Saffron 2."

Saffron smiled at his answer, relaxing her shoulders and reaching out for his hand. "At ease, Hoo'far 2." Taking a turn, her labcoat flowed by in the winds. It bore the emblem of the Pale Mare upon her back. The Element of Magic pale of all color and shattered into pieces with the six thrones around it, all loosely connected by the vines and the apples. Her eyes scanned the city until she saw a familiar path. She held her free hand and waved out several agents of the reformed Shimmer/Glimmer Pharmaceuticals to sweep this direction too.

"Are you certain she's here?" Hoo'far 2 asked, staying beside her the whole time. He remembered this early well enough from his previous life.

"No, but this place..." Her eyes came upon the ruins of a familiar restaurant. "However, here shall make a fine starting point." Saffron 2 broke her hand away from her second and approached the door and opened it carefully. A loud squeak came out as she almost wanted to wince with a tinge of fear echoed at the back of her head. The mare had long accepted her father was dead, but his body might be a different question.

She walked inside, stepping over the rubble. Most of the building had collapsed inward, leaving only a few spots for her to walk around. Each step echoed in her heart, hoping that her fears were unfounded. She reached the back and found a door to the basement still intact. It was the one room her father kept private. Caving her held breath she opened and smiled.

At the bottom of the stairs, he was nothing more than just bones now. His big heart was still on fully display as her father's last desire was to hold onto a picture of his daughter. Saffron 2 could feel the tears coming again, but she stopped and held the emotion in.

Turning back to the entrance, she called out. Hoo'far 2 followed her command, waving his staff around to clean up the mess. Soon, the floor was bare, and the walls stood solid. A simple spell was cast with his new and improved staff. A few runes were left in the air as he approached his boss.

Saffron 2 slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders for support. She wanted to seem strong in her new position around the other troops, but there was no reason to lean on him while they were alone. Much had changed for the both of them since that, not just in the shapes of their new bodies, but also their hearts and minds. They were more aware and understanding of their new roles in this group and with each other.

Hoo'far allowed this small disregard of rank and leaned his head again her cheek. He knew she needed this small act, if not a nuzzle or maybe a kiss later in more private charmers. He did whatever he could help her accept these emotions of finding her father's corpse until she let go and return her focus to the mission.

Saffron stomped and brought him back to full attention. "From this vantage point we have access to the entire Tea District. Send out as many of our soldiers as we can spare. Take DNA and disguises as soon as possible." She approached the window and looked out to the twisted form of Canterlot Castle. "Make sure the master of this land is unaware of our presences."

"Yes, my lady." He bowed and gave the command to the others. "We shall find our targets."

"Exactly..." She turned take her leave when her foot hit a familiar pan. The mare stopped all commands and leaned down to pick it up. Wiping it over she laughed at the memories bubbling. Her eyes leered over to a chef's hat sitting inside it. Pulling it out, she flipped the dust off it and draped it over her head.

"Saffron..." Hoo'far 2 stopped at the exit. "Are you sure about this? We have a dangerous battle ahead of us. Plus, wehave no idea if Starlight is even here."

"Yes, but we can't give up." She walked over to the sink and turned it on, dropping the pan inside and raising her sleeves. "Until then, send for supplies." Joy grew in her face as a clever idea came to her. "Dr. Firelight adopted daughter loved my father's gumbo."

"Sounds like a tasty meal." Hoo'far 2 shrugged his shoulders. "I'll make the preparations." He left his leader alone to her devices.

"It's going to be a long road." Saffron 2 stared back into the water and saw the reflection of her father as if he was in the kitchen with her preparing the lovely meal. She smiled, turning her back on the sink, enjoying the blissful memory, but also keeping her guard up. They were behind enemy lines now.

The princesses were dead. The main six were still missing. Starlight was out here somewhere in this wasteland that was formally known as Canterlot. All their friends were in danger from the evil forces of King Kray, King of K. This was a fight worth treading through blood and ash. The least she could do was ensure her allies left with full stomachs and came back to the warm, pleasing smell of a new meal.

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