Tintin and the Magic of Friendship

Chapters

Part I: Wee Foal's Dreams
Part II: The Secrets of the Everfree
Part III: Harmony's Treasure
Afterward
Prelude

Part I: Wee Foal's Dreams

The first thing he noted was the soft touch of grass against his right cheek, along with something else. It felt to him like feathers, though not so much touching his face as it seemed to be part of it. Before processing this further, another sensation came upon the left of his face. First there was warmth from the glowing sunrise, then a puff of air that came with a whimper. Something wet brushed against him. The whimpering continued, as he flickered his eyelids open to a blurred whiteness blanketing his vision.

“Alright, Snowy,” he groaned a reply. “I’m alright.”

The fox terrier panted with excitement and relief it seemed, as he backed away from his friend and master. The youth stretched his back and limbs, noticing that peculiar oddity again. Feathers and fur seemed to rest between his head, backside, and grass. Furthermore, he grew acutely aware of a fifth, sixth, and seventh ligament moving from his person.

“What happened, Snow? I don’t recall ever lying on grass.” He got his answer from a nervous bark to his right as he rose to his knees. For his effort, he sensed only the tips of his toes and palms of his hands planting squarely on the ground. Again, he felt the fur, but now an odd texture of skin and nails from his hands was added. He scanned the trees about him and his dog. “Where are we?”

“Augh! Thundering typhoons.”

“Captain,” he gasped with recognition. Turning towards the direction of that voice, he expected to set his eyes on the blue sweater, and black-bearded human of his good friend.

“Tintin,” said the most unusual creature instead, lying prone before him, “my face. It’s been tarred and feathered by marauders!”

The creature sprang onto all fours, the forelegs resembling those of talons, while its hind quarters had hooves. Wings outstretched, and talons to its beaked horse head, it screamed further in Haddock’s voice. “Blistering blue barnacles, I’m bewitched! Doomed to an eternal beasty existence like the devil, himself!”

“Captain, is that you?” The shock expressed by the youth was reciprocated when the creature turned to face him.

“Ah! So, I’m to be prey to this beasty demon too am I?” He charged at the boy with ferocious vengeance, prompting Tintin to spring out of the way with surprising ease.

“Captain, stop! It’s me, Tintin!”

“Bad enough he takes my body,” he growls with furious vengeance, “and gives me that of a mutant gargoyle. Now he’s got me best mate’s voice and ginger head to mock me!”

“Captain, wait! Please!” With each pounce the fumbling creature makes, Tintin evades with such swiftness that he backs away to gage their situation better. He spotted Haddock’s sweater most clearly, and his captain’s hat was lying on the ground. The disheveled, black mane of what seemed to be a hippogryph resembled the Captain’s head of hair. And a full-grown beard somehow managed to surround his avian maw and engulf his equine jaw. “Captain, what do you see?”

“A gryphon,” snarled Haddock, “one that makes an owlish mockery of Tintin’s eyes, voice and wavy cowlick.”

“Captain, believe me. It’s Tintin.” He found himself receiving his current state surprisingly well. “I’m as much disturbed by all this as you are. But look! Snowy’s still the same as we know him.”

Both men faced the white terrier barking at them during the whole exchange. Just then, Snowy rushed up to Haddock’s talon forelegs with a comforting brush of fur and licks. Frozen stiff with fright, Haddock gradually eased the tension off his new legs and wings. His face might have flushed beneath the fur and feathers, but Tintin could not tell. Not sure what to make of all this, Haddock muttered, “So, we're the only ones here, then?”

“It looks that way, yes.”

“Good. Because it’s dawned on me I’ve got no trousers.”

“Captain, we’ve got more pressing matters ahead of us! We’ll worry about clothes when we can. But first we must keep our wits about us, look for a road or stream, then find someone who can help us.”

“Or attack us,” he whined.

“All the more reason not to dilly-dally. Come on, Captain. Walk with me, one step at a time.”

Captain Haddock went to retrieve his hat from Snowy’s mouth, then cautiously moved towards Tintin on all fours. Placing one talon limb upon each other’s back, they traversed the tranquil wilderness. They were slowly getting used to their latest body shape and movements, as Snowy encircled them forward. Thankfully, they could hear the sound of a stream, or brook nearby. Following the source, they came upon a dirt trail leading to a small cobblestone bridge. Past that, they spotted thatched cottages and talking, colourful creatures resembling horses. It almost made Tintin believe they were in the Land of Oz. A titanic peak could be seen on the horizon, with towers of some sort jutting out from its sheer cliff face.

“What in ghastly gales is all this,” asked Haddock in a shared stupor. “Tintin, where are we?”

“I’m not sure. The air and landscape suggest near the North American Rockies. Or perhaps Mongolia.”

“Don’t recall ever hearing fish stories about this sort of thing. What are they? How can all this be here? And how did we get on the mainland? Oh, my sea legs are missing my ship, among other things.”

“I don’t know, on all accounts. But I do know this. We're in great need of help, and we’ve found a civilized place that can help us.”

“One step at time then, eh?”

“Yes, Captain, exactly. Now, to fin-” The terrier barked for their attention as he raced to the left of the bridge before crossing it. “What is it, Snowy?”

It took a while for the strange pair of stranded men to catch up, but thankfully not so far. They heard the sound of melodic birdsong in the air, soft and gentle, yet vibrant and clear. Around the brush, away from the village’s immediate view, they spotted an even more unusual sight. While birds sat perched on branches singing, a hovering, yellow Pegasus with rose mane and tail moved its forelegs about as if conducting the avian chorus.

“Tintin,” Haddock whispered, “we’re not dreaming, yea?”

“Shh,” said Tintin, equally dumbstruck by the scene.

“I swear I haven’t a bottle on me.”

“Hush, Captain,” he sternly rebuked him again. “We don’t want to cause unwelcome disturbances.”

“Aside from our own, ye mean?”

“Wait, Snowy.” Before Tintin could make another command, Snowy raced forward with a mild yelp. He startled the orchestrating creature and scared the birds away. Turning around, the Pegasus spotted him.

“Oh, hello” it spoke in a soft, female voice, “Where did you come from?”

Running back to Tintin and Haddock, Snowy drew her attention to the pair of them, still staggering on three of their limbs. Frightened at first, she asked, “You mean, these are your friends?”

Then she noticed how the terrier ran back to her, barked, and returned to them. As if she understood exactly what he meant, she feebly stepped toward them. “Um, are you both lost?”

“Yes,” nodded Tintin, “yes, we are. We’re not sure where we are, nor how we got here. My name is Tintin, and this is Captain Haddock.”

“Charmed, lass.”

“You think you can direct us to the nearest constable?”

“Oh, there’s no police or sheriff in Ponyville. But if you two are injured, I can treat you at my- oh, no I mean, guide you to the hosp- oh, no my cottage is much closer.”

“No, no injuries, thanks. Just regaining our balance, but your concern is greatly appreciated. Though now I’m curious about something. Your expression suggests a brief discourse between you and my dog, Snowy. Can you understand him?”

“Oh, um. Yes.” That last bit sounded less confident. “Oh, and I’m…Fluttershy.”

The stuttering pause and faint whisper at the end baffled him at first, but he came to realize how the pair might be intimidating her. “Well, it’s very good to meet you, Miss Flutter-er, shy. If you would point us to where we can find adequate lodgings, I’m sure we can manage from here and leave you peacefully.”

“O-okay. The town library has a few vacant rooms, just down the road and near Ponyville Hall.”

The library, Tintin pondered. Of course! The one place where we might find the answers.

“The town hall, yes? Tallest building, close by there?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Thank you. We’ll be on our way then.” Turning to stagger towards the road, the two men heard their new acquaintance talking with Snowy again.

"Okay, I will. I promise." Stopping them she asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“No.” “Quite sure, thanks.”

“Maybe I can help you with your, um, friend Snowy, while you help each other.”

“Only if there’s no trouble.”

“Mighty kind of ye to offer,” said Haddock. By then the birds have returned to their branches, for they heard Fluttershy saying she would return, and how they should continue practicing their trills.

Trotting past them at a steady pace with the terrier, she firmly, yet warmly said, “Follow me, if you don’t mind.”

They were confused, at first, upon seeing a simple sign of a book standing before a massive oak tree with windows, doors and a small terrace. But once they saw Fluttershy step through the doorway, Tintin and Haddock followed with less perplexity. They walked in to see shelves, floor, stairs, and even some furniture that were either carved into the tree, or crafted by its own wood. It offered a rather warm, inviting ambience to the place. Something they both needed greatly, and have received since leaving that serene forest.

“Thank you, Miss Fluttershy for your aid,” huffed Tintin, as he and Haddock tried to sit down and relax. “When will we expect the librarian, or lodger to arrive? So that we can arrange for compensation?”

“Nopony lives here anymore,” she replied. “The librarian retired and moved away last spring. Right now, the Mayor is managing the upkeep. As long as everything is kept orderly, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you need.”

“Very well. Again, thank you.”

“Aye, many thanks and blessings to you, lass.” Fluttershy strolled briskly out of the arbor structure, as Tintin made his way toward the nearest privy. His nerves and dry stomach finally caught on to reality. Catching the sounds he made with a twist of the ear, Fluttershy darted back in to help him steady.

“Tintin,” Haddock exclaimed, as Snowy whined with unease. “You well, lad?”

“Still much to process,” he gasped, after catching his breath. “Something to settle the stomach might do some good.”

“You go ahead and rinse,” said Fluttershy, “I’ll make a light snack.”

“No, Miss,” Haddock gently declined, “I’ll watch him. We’ve taken too much of your time, as it is.”

“We owe you a debt of gratitude,” Tintin added. “Let us know if we can ever repay you.”

"Don't worry, that won't be necessary." With that, she warily stepped outside once again, just as a blue Pegasus with prismatic mane hovered the doorway with great suspicion. The pair heard a raspy voice asking Miss Fluttershy about them, but paid no further attention. Snowy came to sit with his gryphon master and friend, as the hippogryph Captain rushed to find something to eat.

“Oh, Tintin, I’ve been so selfish! All along you’re keeping a level head during this infernal nonsense. And here I was behaving like a miserable wretch.”

“Captain, that’s enough,” Tintin grunted, weak to properly rebuke his self-loathing. “We're alive, and have shelter. We- Snowy made a new friend. And on top of that, we have exactly what we need to learn where we are, and what this place is about. It’s a miracle also that we got here so fast.”

“Aye, but now you need to gather your strength. You’re no good to yourself, Snowy and me if you don’t rest. Tell you what, eh. I’ll get a nice kettle boiling with some piping-hot tea for ye, then find whatever passes for food in this place. One thing I’m glad of having still, sort of, is our fingers. Can’t see how they use any of these things with hooves.”

“Then in the meanwhile,” asked Tintin. “what will you do?”

“I’ll rest a bit, myself. But then step out to gather my bearings. What did she call this place, Ponyvale?”

“That’s as good a plan as any,” Tintin nodded. “Just be sure not to travel too far from here. Neither of us can afford to be more lost than we are.”

“I hear ye, Tintin. You just rest easy on that nice, long sofa there.”

After the kettle was done, and Haddock found some slices of bread and butter for toast, he told Snowy to watch Tintin and stay put before stepping outside. He was shocked, once again, by the swift arrival of a golden chariot from the sky driven by two white Pegasus in gold armor. Their plume tops made him think of the Romans. Hopping out of the chariot came a pair of creatures he never expected to see pop out of his childhood. The first was a purple unicorn, with the grooming and voice to express that of the feminine persuasion. The second was a short, stout reptile of green and purple that reminded him of an iguana swimming off the Galapagos. They were arguing about something for a brief moment, before they turned to see a very, very, very pink horse see them, gasp at their presence, then rush past like a hurricane. “Augh, it worsens before it gets better doesn’t it.”

But then, something else caught his eye. He noted the small reptile carrying a scrolled parchment, and pointing a certain direction for the pair to travel. Recognizing a hardy navigator when he saw one, Haddock strolled briskly towards the unicorn and her scaly friend to learn more.

“Hello,” he called out for their attention. “If ye don’t mind me saying, you two strike me as the sort who, er, display such high standing and notable character.”

“A hippogryph,” asked the unicorn with bewilderment. “I never thought I'd meet one up close.”

“No kidding,” the reptile muttered. “I’m Spike, by the way. And this is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Haddock. Archibald Haddock.” He shook both claw and hoof with a firm grip. “Me and my best mate just came to town without a clue of where everything is. And we’re wondering if someone might help us with the lay of the land.”

“Well, why ask us,” Twilight enquired. “We just arrived, ourselves.”

“Oh, well I couldn’t help but notice this lavender salamander, here. It seems he’s got the means and skill to navigate these unchartered waters.”

“Um, I’m a dragon actually. But yeah, I've got a map with this list of things to do while we’re here for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Where’s your friend?”

“Caught a slight case of travel sickness,” he answered Twilight, pointing at the library behind him. “Nothing serious, but the lad’s resting from our hard day’s journey to Ponybelle.”

“Ponyville,” Spike corrected.

“Aye, that’s what I said. Ponydale. I don’t suppose you mind if I just stow myself away with ye?”

“I’m sorry,” Miss Sparkle stated, “but we’re on official Canterlot business.”

“Ahem,” Spike grunted with a hidden meaning.

She sighed most reluctantly before saying, “Though I won’t mind learning more about hippogryphs in the process.”

“Excellent! That makes two of us.” He strolled down the road before Miss Sparkle could ask for clarity. “Well come on, then! Where to first?”

“Uh, the other way?” Following Spike’s pointed claw, Haddock veered full rudder and took the opposing path with surprising ease.

“Lavender salamander.”

“Ugh,” groaned Twilight, “this’ll be a long day.”

“Come on, Twilight,” said Spike, “Making new friends isn’t just being happy with the first, or second try.”

“Can we stop at three?” As the trio set course for apple orchards, a distrusting figure rears its head from behind the clouds above. Always trailing them from a short distance, the cloud carried its sole passenger.

With time to regather himself, Tintin stood in front of a full-size mirror. While the Captain’s hippogryph figure bore a charcoal coat, feathers, and pitch-black mane and tail, Tintin’s gryphon shape presented itself with a peculiar spectrum of pastel colours. His fiery red owl head kept a wild tassel of feathers for his quiff, and he noticed his blue check suit covering the white of his chest feathers and abdomen fur. The red-tan shade of his folded wings and cougar body were also an interesting sight, seeing as how they neither interfered with, nor were bothered by his solitary piece of clothing. Also, much like the Captain’s brown eyes, his own blue set were widened to be emphatically pronounced.

“I’ll tell you one thing, Snowy,” he remarked, “this is unlike my brother’s Boy Scout days with our Texas relations.”

Receiving a snide groan in response, he turned to face his terrier friend. “Alright, alright. I know I seem emotionally divested in this harrowing endeavor. But I can’t help but marvel at how everything seems to align so well for us. Take, for instance, these shelves. Mounds of knowledge in our grasp, all about a world we can’t even imagine existing, written in letters and tongues so foreign to us. Yet in a Pentecostal manner of Providence, I can translate the titles on these spines with definitive accuracy! Which raises the question, Snowy: is this another world, or a time before humanity? The globe suggests a Pangaea sort of landmass, with smaller regions attached or near it.”

Then he pulled out a rolled-up map to examine. “And this chart! The star clusters differ greatly, yet some of the constellations are consistent with our own. There’s just so much I don’t understand! So many differences, yet familiar all at once. What is it about this place that brought us here?”

He and Snowy heard the door open downstairs of the main library, with a female voice calling out, “Hello? Any pony here?”

Not recognizing it as Miss Fluttershy’s, both decided to head down to greet the newcomer. “Not sure how to respond to that, seeing this is a public library.”

“Ah, well spoken darling,” said the white unicorn before them. She brushed the curls of her violet mane to the side, while carrying folded blankets of various colours. “I’ve been told some poor, helpless travelers were found lost in Whitetail Wood this morning, and were brought here. I said to myself: ‘Gracious me! They must feel so distraught by such a traumatic ordeal. I must put my décor for the celebration on hold, and offer whatever I can to make them feel more welcomed.’”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Miss…?”

“Rarity, dear. Plain, simple, yet elegant Rarity to you, Sir…?”

“Tintin. And this is Snowy.” The fox terrier offered a fond yelp in greeting.

“Very pleased to meet you, Sir Tintin.”

“Likewise, Rarity. And it’s just Tintin also.”

“And sweet, dear Snowy! Such a fitting name, much like my Opalescence.”

“You have a dog as well?”

“No, Opal’s my dearest, feline diva.” This evoked a sneering growl from the canine.

Tintin replied, “I first gave him the name Milou, but he always preferred it when others called him Snowy in passing. So that one stayed.”

“And I must say, Tintin sounds quite unique and colourful on its own. I don’t suppose you’ve ever been to Trottingham or Hoofdale?”

“Neither I’m afraid. Though I certainly travel quite often for my assignments.”

“You’re a reporter?”

“Journalist, actually.”

“My, what brings the pair of you all this way into Equestria?”

“Three of us, really. My friend, Captain Haddock, Snowy, and I found ourselves in the wood unsure of where we were, nor how we got there.”

“Foalnapped,” Rarity gasped. “Or more, catnapped in your case. Cubnapped? Birdnapped?”

“We’re not sure of that even. All we’ve got to go on are the wings and clothes on our backs, and Snowy as our brave assurance throughout.”

“Well, that most certainly won’t do! If you don’t mind my taking liberty, I brought some quilts and afghans to help with any turmoil you might be having.”

Watching her levitate her back’s cargo onto the sofa with a soft, blue glow from her horn, Tintin observed this current marvel with high fascination before saying, “Thanks. Your neighborly gift is most welcome. I’m sure we’ll soon find some way to compensate you.”

“Pish-posh, dear. Like you said, this is my welcoming gift to you. Also, if it’s not too much trouble, I can take your measurements for more suitable attire to match that fur and extravagant tuft of feathers you have.”

“I suppose not. But perhaps if we wait for the Cap-” Immediately, the unicorn whipped out a pair of spectacles, as well as a tape measure to spin, wrap, and slide down his neck, shoulders, and torso before he could even blink an owl’s eye.

Writing on a levitating notepad with a floating pencil, she stated, “There we are. After the Summer Sun Celebration, I’ll be sure to get straight to work on this! You must be positively exhausted from all that’s happened, so I’ll let you be. Hope you recover nicely, darling. Til then, Tintin: Ta-ta!”

“Rarity.” The door shut from behind her brisk departure.

After a momentary pause, he turned towards Snowy and said, “If she weren’t otherwise preoccupied, I wonder how long she might’ve stayed?”

His terrier yelped in affirmative.

“But Rarity did mention something peculiar. Summer Sun Celebration. I bet it involves the solstice. Now we really need to gather information. I noticed a history section earlier, as well as a culture reference around the bend. Come on, Snowy!”

Racing up the stairs, Tintin heard his dog bark and chase after him.

Captain Haddock cast off from Sweet Apple Acres with a grin on his face, and a hearty meal in his stomach. Whatever courses and delicacies those pony farmers offered, he accepted without fail. And whatever Miss Sparkle or Spike could not finish, he gladly assisted in their cause. This much-called-for meal prompted a gratifying belch, as he strolled down the road with a stored keg of cider, courtesy of his new, honorary family. Speaking of which, his honorary kin in Miss Twilight and Spike were glad of the experience in different ways. One was happy to take a load off his scaly back, and the other was simply relieved to go.

“Begging your pardon, Miss. Oh, I tell ye. Nothing may ever top me Mum’s cooking, but that sure struck close to my heart for second place.”

“You can say that again,” said Spike in kind.

“I would, if my mouth wasn’t so full.” Both laughed, as the unicorn carrying her reptile ward grunted with annoyance.

“One thing I learned about hippogryphs,” she muttered, “is that some can only be outspoken by their appetite.”

“But that can be applied to almost every creature, Twilight,” Spike remarked.

“Exactly my point. Nothing new has been learned from this endeavor, so far.”

“Now then, on that note,” Haddock spoke up in earnest, “tell me lass. What’s so special about this here Summer Celebration anyways?”

Happy for a subject change, and a chance to share her knowledge, Twilight began, “Well, every year Princess Celes-”

“Hold on a second, egghead!” They were rudely introduced to the same blue Pegasus Haddock caught a glimpse of this morning. “Don’t just give total strangers information about Equestria. They can try to use it against us.”

“If that's the case,” said Twilight, “then why would your neighbor put them in a library for housing?”

“Sometimes,” Spike uttered, “she can be sharp when she wants to.”

“And I’m guessing you’re Rainbow Dash,” Twilight continued.

“The one and only.”

“Yea, you’re the mare Spike mentioned who’s meant to clear the skies for tomorrow, eh?”

“Among other things, pal. I’m also training for the Wonderbolt tryouts. You are from this century to know about the Wonderbolts, right? The greatest flyers in the whole world?”

“Well so far,” finished Twilight, scanning overhead, “it doesn’t look like a job well done from down here.”

“Hey! I can buck these clouds to nothing in ten seconds flat.”

“She’s full of air, this one,” Haddock proclaimed. “All gob and no spit. Judging by Applejack’s harvest, I wager she won’t need no puny wings to finish the job for her.”

"Unless she can support her claim."

Now that he mentioned it, maybe he could do something about his aft hoof limbs, as well as his own feathery ligaments, despite his personal preference to sailing. But something Haddock said must have flipped Miss Rainbow’s lid. Instantly she darted, zipped, spun, kicked and brushed off every cloud in the sky before Twilight or Spike remembered to blink.

“Ha! You see that? What'd I tell you, old geezer!”

He blankly stared at her with a dark scowl. “You were supposed to do it in ten seconds flat.”

“Yeah, so?”

“That was eight seconds, you overzealous, cockamamie jockey!”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“You just wasted all that energy and speed. That could’ve been used if an actual storm blew in.”

“Where’re you from, the Everfree or Dragon Lands? No storm clouds come up on their own here in Equestria.”

“Oh-ho, so you’re not just a showboat, eh? You got some marauding, troglodyte-laboring factories doing the dirty work for ye to show your stuff.”

“You’re so smart, why not show me what you got, cider-toting, loudmouth bird-brain for a sailor with dragon breath!”

“Hey,” shouted Spike, as Twilight trotted away anxiously with him on her back. Along the way, she shoved Spike’s checklist parchment over her ears and ruffled her mane in frustration. Haddock no longer paid attention to his departing troupe, as he was busy glaring mutual daggers at the hovering, prismatic mare, seemingly to no end. A crowd of ponies silently viewed the exchange with hitched breaths.

Suddenly, both Pegasus and hippogryph collapsed onto the road with a belly-aching outburst, tearfully laughing to their hearts’ content. With that, the town returned to its ordinary activities.

“He-hey, you’re alright, old-timer,” chuckled Rainbow Dash, but then turned to see where the others had gone. “Though it looks like your bookworm friends missed out on all the fun.”

“Aye. Bless their wee, gold hearts,” he nodded a benevolent sigh. “That lass, she’s got the mind of a vast ocean, but makes port in the shallows of social ineptitude. Best not let her off the hook so easily.”

“You’re kidding, no way! I think she was starting to warm up during that whole ten-second spiel."

"Eight seconds."

"Whatever. But what makes you say all that sappy, ‘heart of gold’ stuff?”

“I heard her pestering her dragon mate about some dangerous threat during the Summer Celebration. She seeks to warn us about it, but instead feels her time’s been wasting away making sure everything’s ready for the big event.”

“What kind of threat?”

“Not sure, something about it happening after a thousand years.”

“Wait, you mean, during the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration? This year?”

“Maybe, though I can’t say really. What do you know about this hullabaloo?”

“It’s the Summer Solstice, the first day of the season. Princess Celestia celebrates this day with us ponies by visiting different places each year. Something that happened to keep summer and daylight from never happening again, or whatever.”

“What happened then?”

“It’s just some pony’s tale, I don’t know. Nopony takes it seriously.”

“Then how come Miss Twilight is?”

Snowy hopped back onto the seat beside his gryphon friend and master. He was scanning tome after tome about Equestria, atop a pile of several others he examined throughout the afternoon. Tintin found it odd at first how they were alphabetized by title, rather than authorship. The fox terrier did not try to let Tintin know about his venture downstairs.

“Here’s something else, Snowy,” he exclaimed. “The Pillars of Equestria were those of six ponies bearing the magical properties of Sorcery, Hope, Bravery, Healing, Strength, and Beauty. I think I’m translating this right, but sorcery and magic seem to be used under a separate context from demonic influences, séances or satanic rituals. Otherwise, this entire civilization would have collapsed on itself ages ago. After all, ‘a house divided against itself shall never stand.’ And these ponies seem to emulate fraternal charity more than anything else.”

Imagine Thomson and Thompson hearing about this place, one without a police force.

Tintin kept reading: “The Pillars sent the aquatic pony sirens, who were poisoning the hearts of Equestria, into another world. One that mirrors the qualities of Equestria, but inhabited by alien creatures. What sort of world are they talking about, Snowy? They use the same technique against the Pony of Shadows…locking themselves with it in Limbo. But before their departure, the Pillars of Equestria planted saplings of their pivotal charms into the heart of a forest known for its untamed magic. From those saplings grew the Tree of Harmony, which bore the Elements.

The princess sisters harness the Elements against Discord, master of chaos…they built their castle over the Tree of Harmony’s cave…used the Elements against Tirek…obscure reference to an empire lost to memory. And they were used to banish Nightmare Moon, who wished to bring eternal night out of jealous rage. After she was sent to live in the very moon she was tasked to govern, Equestria has since celebrated the Summer Solstice to commemorate Princess Celestia’s salvation of the balance between night and day.

There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth remains a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters, located in what is now called the Everfree Forest. When those five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed. But only after a thousand years, when the planets align, the spell breaks, and the Nightmare escapes from her lunar prison, can the Elements be harnessed by new bearers with pure hearts. Only then can peace and unity be fully restored throughout the world.”

Leaning back on his seat in contemplation, Tintin sat quietly for some time before turning to face his canine friend with uncertainty, yet also determination.

“Nothing's adding up, Snowy. This world has a strong source of magic to manipulate the world and moon’s orbit, and can alter reality as we know it if ever abused. Does that mean the Nightmare has already escaped? But the solstice isn’t ‘til tomorrow, so not yet it seems. Then how were we brought here? This makes no sense. But the answer to our questions must lie with the Elements from the Tree of Harmony, if not the Tree itself. Nightmare Moon is most surely acquainted with them, and who knows how many others are aware of their existence during this time? All that considering…”

His eyes widened at what may come. Tintin could not shake it, nor attempt to deny it. For with all that has happened, he knew full well something much worse than pirates, crime syndicates, tyrants and war lords was amiss. There was only one clear, yet terrible conclusion he could reach: “…it's now a race to the finish.”

Just then, every lamp throughout the library dimmed. The sun was low, such that no natural light could enter through the windows. At least, not until the moon rose. Something was shifting, grumbling, hushing and bumping against furniture from the main study downstairs.

“Steady on, Snow,” he hushed the yapping canine. “Steady.”

Quietly, carefully, Tintin hoisted Snowy upon his feral feline back. He was making his slow approach to the staircase with both ears and owl eyes wide. No further noise could he pick up from the obvious intruders.

Suddenly a door swung open, then slammed furiously shut.

“Huh. Rude much?” It sounded like a boy, but Tintin was unsure. He caught the shapes of a unicorn and small reptile in the darkness.

“Sorry, Spike,” spoke the unicorn, with another female voice, “but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time.”

Realizing they were not the intruders, Tintin feared the worst. Next, he felt Snowy jump off his back to run down the dark staircase. He whispered hoarsely, “No, Snowy. Wait!”

“Now, where's the light?” As if on cue, the entire library blazed with light, balloons, streamers, and ponies surrounding them.

“Surprise!”

“Ah,” Spike cried out.

“Great snakes!”

“Thundering typhoons!”

“Captain?”

“Tintin!”

“Hi, Snowy!” The white terrier barked his reply.

"It's supposed to be quiet in the library!"

In short, almost every pony in town gathered together in that compact reception space. Almost every pony, until Miss Fluttershy entered. Tintin was shocked at how the entire main floor was decorated without his or Snowy’s notice. In addition, he spotted Haddock breaking free from a pink horse’s grip and both were heading in the direction both pairs of creatures were standing.

“Captain, what’s all this?”

“They’re here for us, Tintin,” Haddock exclaimed, “all of them! They came under the motley leadership of that sugary, salmon-coloured trout to bushwhack us! Taking us somewhere in the wilderness under cover of night, where nobody will take note of us and our plight after dark.”

Eyeing the ponies, they started to mingle, laugh, eat, and some breaking into song even. He said, “Captain, look. They’re not here to abduct us. They’re hosting the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. But why have it inside a public libr-”

“Hey, Mister Owl-Face and Captain Bird-Pony,” exclaimed the pink horse. She rushed to meet Haddock and Tintin in a tick, after rambling with the purple unicorn and dragon Tintin overheard. “I’m Pinkie Pie! And I got this whole party ready for just the two of you, and that unicorn and dragon over there, because you’re all new in town, and if you’re new in town then that means you might not have any friends here, and if you don’t have friends here, then that means you might feel so left out and worried about what to do, and who to ask to be your new friends, and where to go to make new friends here, so then I brought this party and everypony here to the library because I figured that at least your owl face and the unicorn’s must really, really, really like to read books, so that way you don’t have to feel so worried or left out, and your friends, the Captain and dog Snowy made sure to help me keep it all a surprise for you! What do you think? Do you like it? What’re your names? I already heard your Captain friend call you Tintin, but I just thought I’d ask you directly! I’m Pinkie Pie, by the way! Do you want to be friends?”

“I’m starting to really miss Madame Castafoire now,” moaned Haddock.

After such a barrage of questions and a run-on sentence, the gryphon youth shook out of his stupor to notice the purple unicorn darting upstairs and away from the festivities. The small, purple dragon picked up a bottle and straw from among the refreshments, seeing that it was labeled a sauce with burning spices. The pink horse, formally known as Miss Pie, rushed to pour some of it onto a cupcake prior to consumption.

“That celebration, Tintin,” whispered Haddock once they were left to themselves, “I found out that it’s the thousandth summer since the Mare in the Moon.”

“Nightmare Moon, yes Captain. Before the dawn of the solstice, after the planets realign, she will escape imprisonment.”

“Well I’m glad to know we’re on the same page. But how does that fit with our getting back home?”

“Right now, we can only guess. But it’s no coincidence that we found ourselves here, in this extraordinary world, while gaining such knowledge about an upcoming event. We must get to the bottom of it, seeing that’s our only lead.”

“But none of these equine folk even know of the threat, thinking it’s all a bunch of hooey. An old Mother Goose fable.”

“Mother knows best,” Tintin remarked. But then his eyes widened with realization. “Of course! The unicorn who passed us up the stairs.”

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“You met her?”

“Aye, she and her fire-breathing iguana arrived on some flying chariot shortly after us.”

“What brought them here, do you know?”

“She kept prattling on to her dragon friend, Spike about wanting to get here. Find out more about Nightmare Moon and warn the Princess, rather than talking to ponies and preparing the festival.”

“I was able to discern as much when she barged in. Captain, gather Snowy, the dragon, any and every willing hoof you find, to meet us outside right away! We need all the help we can get.”

“What will you be doing?”

“I need to compare notes with Miss Sparkle.”

He turned to rush up the stairs again, as Captain Haddock called out to the gryphon. “Just mind your step with that one, Tintin! An uptight, flabbergasting firecracker of a fussbudget she is.”

“Hooey! It sure is swell seeing you again, Cap.” The hippogryph sailor turned to see a familiar orange pony with a long mane and tail of gold, while wearing an American Stetson to boot.

“Hello, Miss Applejack,” he greeted stoically.

“Archie, what I tell ya? We’re honorary kin, remember? It’s AJ to you and my friends. You, Twilight and that Spike character you was helping out.”

“Right, yea. Of course, AJ.” His talon stroked his beard in deep thought, before facing her directly again. “Er, I don’t suppose, what with your harvesting skills, if they translate into putting up a tussle in a pinch?”

“Well, shoot. I ain’t no Canterlot Royal Guard material, but I reckon I know how to work my four hooves against a chimera if need be. Plus, Rainbow Dash and me put on some friendly competitions to keep ourselves ready for anything. Nothing violent, though.”

“Yea, that’ll have to do,” he muttered, appreciating the honest sentiment. “I’d like to see some of that competitive spirit in action, if ye don’t mind.”

“Well, Rainbow and me are set for a fine game of horseshoes in a few weeks, if that’s what ya mean.”

“No, no, no, I mean tonight! Something’s about to happen that could mean big trouble. I’m trying to find some folks willing to lend me, Twilight, and my friend a ha-hoof!”

“What sort of trouble are we talking here, sugar cube?”

“The worst! The kind that could spell doom to us all. Ye think you can find me an abled-body crew amongst these yellow-livered beasties?”

“Well, I can’t promise ya nothing, except that I won’t leave no family member out in the cold with a pack of timber wolves. Let me see what I can do.”

“Good on you, lass!” After giving Applejack a hardy pat on the shoulder, she rushed back into the pony crowds. Haddock turned around then to find Snowy directly at his stern. “Ah, there he is!”

Snowy stood amongst foals, Fluttershy, Miss Pie, and some white unicorn pampering and grooming him. Haddock spotted Spike as well, standing and gawking at the unicorn mare. Noting a bit of anxious displeasure from both terrier and Fluttershy, the Captain popped his talon knuckles, rolled his horse neck then withers before getting to work.

“Hold fast, Snowy. I’m coming for ye.”

Tintin calmly, patiently leaned towards the door that Miss Sparkle slammed shut a few minutes prior. Picking up very little sound from outside with his avian ear, the youth firmly, yet gently tapped against the wooden barrier from the library’s hallway. He received no answer, nor heard signs of movement from within. Tapping on the door again, more loudly this time, the gryphon was unable to gauge the state of the study’s current occupant where he sat previously. He checked to see if the door was bolted. Finding it not to be the case, he pushed it slightly ajar to speak.

“Miss Sparkle, are you alright?” Again, no reply came to him. More anxious of what might have happened than social etiquette, Tintin slowly widened the gap as he called out a second time. “Miss Twilight Sparkle, please answer.”

Once he opened the door completely, he spotted the unicorn mare of purple coat and nightly blue mane with magenta and purple strands. She sat engrossed in the solitary candlelight, with the pages he examined previously. Amethyst irises narrowed with fascinating concentration at every word traversed.

“This is incredible,” she gasped, most likely to herself. “Everything I was looking for is right here. But I don't understand. I was right all along, yet Princess Celestia told me it was not worth looking into. Why would she tell me that?”

“What exactly did the Princess say?”

“Oh, it’s more what she didn’t say,” she huffed with indignation. “She just sends me a letter to tell me I should make new friends and spend less time reading some dusty old books, after I sent her a message to warn her about this exact thing that’s been in plain view for everypony to read!”

“While I certainly appreciate a good novel, or an historical account, perhaps she was offering something of greater value.”

“She does this to me all the time,” she said, ignoring Tintin’s suggestion, “Telling me something that makes me interpret it one way, when she means it in a completely different way. Princess Celestia always likes her riddles. Why can’t she just tell me what she’s trying to say?”

“You find it hasn’t been a helpful learning tool? One without merit?”

“I ran a statistical analysis on the subject one day, when she told me to choose a subject of study that I wanted. Instead of the constellations in relation to feral star beasts, or the correlation between one lost civilization and another, I really wanted to know if her teaching me through puzzles is a legitimate method of instruction.”

“And?”

“And…well. I gathered records from every student she taught throughout Equestria, first from their former schools and academies, then as Celestia’s pupil. Test results consistently show an overall rate of improvement in most, if not all fields. A few showed the opposite effect, but only because they dropped out from their studies with her. Plus, historians and witness testimonies support the claim that she’s used the same method with those pupils as she does with me. It’s uncanny!”

“What does that mean to you?”

“I don’t know! I mean, I found the answer that I was looking for in this book. And she told me not waste any more time staring at books! Maybe this is one of those rare occurrences when her method of teaching reveals its…its…”

“Go on?”

He detected a level of dread, mixed with confusion and guilt from her movements and facial expressions. “Flaws? Weak points? Or maybe it’s just about how I’m receiving the lessons, I don’t know.”

“Every teaching method has them, however well-ordered. Even when they're used by one with great wisdom and authority.”

“Maybe there’s just some things she knows she can’t teach me through books and lectures? That there’s some things I just have to learn for myself, from my own experience?”

Tintin would admit to not expecting such a candid interview with this level of sensitivity. But he also had his share of interactions with those he found disagreeable, at least on first meeting, to sympathize her plight. Captain Haddock, for example, he would have never guessed to become such a constant and good friend in his life, or vice versa. Nor had he ever taken the time to reflect on it so deeply as he did during these pressing matters and trying times.

“The method may not be perfect, but it doesn't detract from the lesson by default. What is it that she wants you learn? What’s obstructing you?”

“I’m not sure. I mean, maybe she’s right abou-” That was when the unicorn finally looked up to face whomever she was speaking. From her perspective, Miss Sparkle must have seen the silhouette of an owl at the doorway, with refracting blue irises staring back at her, as well as the feathery rendition of his quiff. “I’m sorry, was this your resting station?”

He smiled faintly at her sudden shift to someone with well-mannered hospitality, before answering her question. “On the contrary, Miss Sparkle, I believe everything here was placed exactly for you to find.”

“How do you know my name? I don’t remember meeting a gryphon in Ponyville.”

“We haven’t met, that’s true. But you’re acquainted with my friend, Captain Haddock. Already he speaks highly of you.”

“How can that be? We barely know each other.”

“In his own way, I suppose, he finds you quite amiable. With his hyperboles, alliterations, and coarse bearing, I’d say you left him with quite the impression.”

“And you are?”

“My name is Tintin. Much like yourself, I’m looking for answers pertaining to the Elements of Harmony.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then you're probably aware of Nightmare Moon and her inevitable return to Equestria.”

“Yes, indeed. Which is why Captain Haddock is gathering all that he can to help us find the Elements before she does.”

“What was that you said earlier? How things are set up in a way for me to find?”

“It’s just something I picked up, during my travels to strange places and extraordinary events. That no matter how things may seem to be sheer happenstance or commonplace, or however badly they turn out, nothing ever unfolds by accident. Including the accidents.”

The shadow of his figure shifted, enabling some light to touch her meditating countenance. “Why?”

“I’m sorry?”

“I mean, what is it that you hope to gain from this? Helping me find the Elements? Why not just look for them, yourself?” He was discerning what baffled him most: figuring out how to answer her, or himself.

“Mr. Tintin!” The voice shouted from downstairs.

“Aye, Captain?”

“We’re all set, lad! Charting a course for Nightmare Moon, and what is likely our own hurried demise.”

“We're on our way. Just a moment.” Turning to face the mare, he saw her rise from the desk of books, tomes, scrolls, and parchment. The young gryphon detected an air of eager determination, which made him wonder if others viewed him that way. “Are you ready for your next lesson, Miss Sparkle?”

Smiling with some anxiety, she answered, “Only one way to find out, Mr. Tin…tin.”

“Just Tintin will do.”

“Twilight.”

They stepped down the narrow stairs single-file, with Tintin going first since he was closest to them. Ponies on the first floor halted the festivities as they were quietly watching the two newcomers departing for a destination unsure to be real. One even asked if they were going to visit the Nightmare statue near the Everfree, while another scoffed at the prospect that the two were chasing after nonsense and sheer folklore. Stepping out onto the street-lit road, Tintin and Twilight caught a glimpse of the troupe that Haddock enlisted.

“Wait,” said Twilight, recognizing them all from the preparations, “you want to help me?”

“Well of course, darling. Nopony should ever brave that malevolent Nightmare all by herself.”

“You’re darn tooting. We sure ain't letting no friend of ours go out bucking all by her lonesome. We're sticking to you like caramel on a candy apple.”

“Especially if there's candy apples in there! What? Those things are good.”

“Besides, some of us can’t let you four take all the glory. Five, if you count the dog.” That earned a growl from Snowy.

“Miss Fluttershy,” asked Tintin, “you’re joining us too?”

“I just want to make sure all my friends will be okay.”

“What about your birds,” Twilight wondered.

“Oh, a veterinarian I met knows the melody that we rehearsed. She was at the party when she heard about somepony asking for my help.” With a yap from the canine, she added, “Oh, also I promised Snowy I would make sure Tintin and the Captain are okay when they were lost.”

“You must be full of surprises then, Miss Fluttershy. And they're certainly most welcome.” Tintin spoke with admiration, prompting a meek smile from the yellow Pegasus. As he stood beside the hippogryph sailor and Snowy, he said, “Well, Captain, is this every soul on deck?”

“Believe me, Tintin. They may be a bunch of neophyte ninnies on the surface, but something's telling me they got more than what it takes. Let's just hope they believe that, themselves.”

“So,” whined Rainbow, “what’re we waiting for? Let’s go and kick some Nightmare Moon flank!”

“Yippee! Super mystery, scary, nighttime quest! Those are always my favourite!”

“Hopefully, not too scary.”

“Where are we heading, Twilight,” asked Applejack, “We ain’t exactly broached on all the details.”

“We’re looking for the Elements of Harmony,” she answered, “which were last seen in the Castle of the Two Sisters a thousand years ago.”

“And with those Elements, six in total,” joined Tintin, “we must seek out those with pure hearts to harness and use them to restore the magic of this realm, starting with Nightmare Moon.”

“Awesome! So where’s this castle at, huh?”

“It’s located in the neighboring woodlands…”

“Of the Everfree Forest,” Twilight finished. That sent an icy chill throughout, with a silence that evoked shattered glass from inside the library.

“Unfortunately,” Tintin added, “we’re not sure if the Elements are still there. We can only surmise that at least some sort of lead can be found to indicate what might’ve happened, and where they could’ve gone during the past millennium.”

“The solstice hasn’t begun yet,” said Twilight. “That’s approximately eight hours away. This means we have that much of a head start to look for clues before Nightmare Moon even shows up.”

“Whatever happens out there, always stay together. There’s no telling what, or whom we might encounter. As Twilight reminded me earlier, this information was open to the public for centuries. Others with piqued interest may be checking those ruins to determine whether the legends are true, and to whatever end.”

“Oh, dear,” Fluttershy muttered.

“With that in mind,” Twilight finished, “are there any questions, comments, or concerns.”

“Yeah, are we ready to go yet?”

“I have something of input, darling,” Rarity said after Rainbow Dash. “Before we can even decide on what to do with the Elements upon finding them, how do we prepare for such unsavory characters, wild beasts, or dank obstacles of nature from the Forest?”

“Like Tintin said, missy. Stay close, make sure your eyes are peeled, and ears close to the ground.”

“That last part worries me,” she told Haddock while stroking her mane.

“Anything that happens, AJ, Rainbow, Tintin and myself will hold the line while the rest of ye follow Miss Twilight's lead.”

“Sounds good to me,” nodded the farm pony.

“What about me,” asked Spike. “What do I do?”

"Actually, Spike, I need you to stay here and let Princess Celestia know what's happening."

"What? But what about assisting you?"

"You are still my number one assistant, and always will be. That's why I'm counting on you to do this for me."

"Then, why was I out here?"

“I was unaware of your actual age before this," said Tintin. "But it's good to have everyone here who might share some valuable suggestions. Save your fire breath for later, if you have it. We don’t want a wildfire getting us lost, separated, or worse.”

“Don't fret about it, lad. I’m sure you can put up a good fight in some capacity someday.” The Captain’s words seemed to have brought the small drake some relief.

But then Spike asked, “Does anypony have a map?”

Realization struck Twilight with a spark, seeing as how both she and Tintin had forgotten. With a flash of light, she left their presence momentarily. Upon returning, she was seen levitating two scrolls with the magenta glow of her horn. “There should be a trail leading straight to the ruins. If we hurry, it’ll take about twenty minutes. There’s also a rough schematic of the castle as soon as we reach it.”

“Excellent,” Haddock nodded. “Another three cheers for our reptilian renegade.” That seemed to lift his spirits also.

Miss Dash was growing more impatient with time. “Okay, okay! Now can we go?”

“I suppose with any surprising developments,” replied Tintin, “we just improvise and work with what we’ve got.”

“And with that being said,” Twilight nodded, “let’s go.”

“Finally!”

“You said it, partner. Best get a move on before there’s no more daylight to burn.”

“Yay! Adventure time! Adventures of the gryphs, and ponies, and baby dragon, and puffy dog too!”

“Yea, that’s the spirit!”

“Save your energy for the road,” warned Tintin. “Who knows what lies ahead.”

Snowy yelped with a gusto that was felt by all. Including Fluttershy, who muttered, “I hope you’re right about that.”

The company of nine quietly marched with eager focus and wary anticipation, as the smallest ran back inside. Unbeknownst to them, however, a solitary cloud glided high in the starlit night. It made an effort to avoid the moon’s glow from casting its shadow over Ponyville. Watching the company’s progress as it did this morning, its hiding occupant recognized a need for distance, especially when it came to a watchful flyer in that prismatic mare. Machinations and desires cut swiftly as comets across the starry dome, though patience was key to achieving whatever was sought, and at any cost.

To be continued...

Part II: The Secrets of the Everfree

Author's Note

I enabled the comment section of this story after trying it without. Mainly, I was curious to know what would happen as a result. I'm coming to recognize more benefit in having comments to the story, since I'm not using the main page that often.

Thank you all, for your kind welcome and warm reception. May you enjoy more of this tale, as it comes.

Happy Thanksgiving, and God Bless!

Part II: The Secrets of the Everfree

“Tell me,” said Tintin, “what is it about these woods that frightens everyone?”

“It just ain’t natural, sugar cube.” Applejack minded her surroundings as they spoke along the wide path. “You got them critters and plants that’ll snatch ya, and gobble ya like an armadillo at an ant farm.”

“Every place has its exotic flora and dangerous beasts, certainly. But what makes you say it’s unnatural?”

“Them timber wolves I told yer Cap’n back there, they’re as the name says.”

“Wolves,” Rainbow Dash spoke in hushed suspense, “made of wood. Never seen anywhere else in Equestria. Or even the whole world. And anypony who sees them…are never seen again.”

“Then how do ye come to know about them, I wonder,” Haddock muttered, seeing Fluttershy’s hunched, worried demeanor. He was thankful of Snowy’s presence, not just for helping her, but also with his own nerves. He kept watch with Tintin, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow for anything dangerous in the brush. He spotted Twilight having her eyes glued to the charts. The sea was his element, what with its vast horizon beyond human measure, and the depths containing all sorts of wild and strange creatures. Not to mention the untamed lioness of the sky, wind, and waves, rather than the stagnant, placid terrain of the earth. “And what you said about clouds being shaped on their own here? How’s that out of the ordinary?”

“Guess wherever you’re from that’s just normal,” she remarked. “But here, it’s especially wild, not just in taking shape, but the different kinds of shapes also. Sometimes, they can be more unpredictable than Pinkie Pie.”

“And that’s saying something,” she beamed with a skip in her step. “I’m just not sure what.”

“Um, excuse me…”

“Not to mention more deadly,” added AJ. “For all we know, they’re building up over our heads where we can’t see past them thick branches, just cuz they might sense where ponies are.”

“If that’s the case,” Tintin pondered, “then perhaps planting the Tree of Harmony here prevents it from invading other regions.”

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt but-”

“Wait, I thought we were looking for the Elements of Harmony,” Rainbow said with confusion. “What’s some dumb tree got to do with them?”

“Because that’s where they first sprouted and grew. They were gathered and harnessed by the Princesses of Equestria to defeat certain threats, as found in Discord and Tirek. The Tree was their point of origin.”

“Princesses,” Rarity asked. “As in, more than one?”

“A thousand years ago, yes. When Equestria was governed by Celestia, and her sister. It was Celestia's sister who was banished.”

“I really think that you should know…”

“How,” started Twilight, lowering the map with intrigue, “how do you know all this?”

“How could you not,” said the Captain, “It’s all in your history.”

“But a lot of that’s just make believe,” Rainbow countered. “Embellished legends just to make them sound awesome.”

“What are they teaching in schools these day?” Now, that is not to say he did not enjoy a folktale or two from his Granddad. But Haddock also knew whether he was speaking truthfully, or exaggerating. And sometimes, he would blur the lines between the two, teaching Haddock about the wide assortment of things about the world, mind and heart than just what hair-brained intellectuals would make him believe. Not all of them, of course, but just those who lack the proper use of imagination.

“Snowy just-”

“I read these things while perusing that reference guide you examined, Twilight,” Tintin answered. “There’s a fascinating history involving those Elements, should one find the time to explore it at length.”

“Great,” moaned Dash, “we’ve got two eggheads with us on this trip.”

“Oy! I’ll have ye know tha-”

Hearing a bark from the ridge above, all turned to see what Fluttershy had been trying to say. Up top, the fox terrier was sniffing and pawing at a stone or stump.

“Snowy, now’s not the time to wander off,” shouted Tintin. “Get back down!”

“He said he’s found something,” the yellow Pegasus offered. But that was when everything took a drastic turn for the worse. Below Snowy was a massive landslide plummeting towards the party of eight.

“Aw, come on,” wailed Dash.

“Quick,” said Tintin, “clear out!”

The Pegasus mares took to the skies, while the unicorns and ponies raced away from the rolling boulders. Both gryphon and hippogryph cut across the impending traffic by reaching towards the hillside barrier of the trees. Some boulders crushed a few at the tree line, but Haddock and Tintin barely ran deep enough for other trees to repel them. They heard shouting and screaming further down the path, where there was a sheer drop beside it. As he raised a coughing Tintin from the ensuing dust cloud, the Captain spotted AJ holding tightly to Miss Twilight, while Fluttershy and Rainbow swerved down with Rarity and Miss Pie.

“Tintin!”

“I see them!” Both raced down the slope before the massive bulk of a wooden predator obstructed their path. “Great snakes!”

“Crippling crustaceans!”

Unable to process what they were witnessing, the tall, formidable timber wolf, charged at them at full speed. Tintin shouted, “Dive!”

Jumping in opposite directions, the youth and sailor felt the heavy blow of wood on soil vibrate through their bones. Another scream was heard from the disastrous precipice, as they rose again to see Applejack without Twilight. She turned to notice their situation, as they were flanking the foul wolf of lumber.

“Go on, Tintin!”

“No, Captain wait!”

“Geronimo!” Haddock pounced onto the timber wolf’s back, stomping his aft hooves against its bark hide while clinging to it with his talons. “If it’s a fight ye want, then it’s a fight you’ll get! En garde, ye poplar-pilfering parasite!”

Before Tintin could react, he felt something wrap around his shoulder and torso, then a tug that took him away from the battle. Skidding onto the ground beside AJ’s hooves, he saw the lasso and rope the orange mare brought with her. He sprang back up to find Haddock scraping at the wolf’s glowing, jade eyes. Hurting and angering the beast, it dropped to the ground and rolled over its back. Tintin spotted his sailor friend sprawled on the torn, crushed grass. The wolf rose back on all fours, making its way towards him.

“Captain-” The youth was about to race it, but felt the rope holding him back.

“Hold it, partner. Don’t get too heroic.”

“What?”

“Trust me.”

Turning back, Tintin spotted a flicker of light from behind a great boulder on the hillside. He could see Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle thankfully, using their combined force to push the massive rock onto the unsuspecting beast. They must have had Twilight’s help to transport from the ravine floor. Before it could evade, the boulder collided and pushed it. It managed to break away from the rock before it fell into the ravine, but splintered its paw in the process. It was limping away in defeat, before Tintin slipped out of the rope and ran towards Haddock.

“Captain?” He called out, just as he was joined by the others from all sides. He put his talon to the chest for a pulse. “Captain, can you hear me? Captain! Captain!”

“Billions of blistering blue barnacles,” moaned the growling sailor, much to ever pony’s relief and the youth’s elation. He got back up with surprising agility, then made a great, snapping pop of his stretched spine. “Oh, where did that mangy mutt run off to? He better have something to show his wee litter as a warning.”

Fluttershy darted straight towards the hippogryph with a massive vice wrapped around him. “We were so worried…”

“Augh, don’t be so sentimental and soppy over me,” he beamed with assurance, brushing her rosy mane and yellow fur. “I’m as fit a fiddle, and fine as a flounder.”

Turning to see Twilight, Tintin, and the rest, he stated, “Ah, it’s good to see all are well, and in one piece. I feel a nice glass of Sweet Barley and Golden Oats AJ told me about is due.”

“Are there any more of those things,” asked Pinkie. “Because I’ve never seen a timber wolf go out hunting all by himself before. Then again, I’d never seen a timber wolf in my life before.”

“She’s right,” Applejack joined in. “You’re both lucky that was just a straggler.”

“Agreed,” nodded Rarity, “Best we carry on, post haste.”

“Then let’s get moving,” said Rainbow, leading the troupe without a second thought.

“That’s the quietest I ever heard her,” AJ remarked, as they were trotting along.

“Normally,” added Rarity, “she would boast something along the lines of her speed in catching Twilight.”

They were walking gingerly forward, as Snowy rushed to join Fluttershy beside the hippogryph. “Ah, Snowy. Was it you who started that avalanche?”

After a bark and yelp, Fluttershy said, “No, it wasn’t. He said it was some sort of vibrating stake. A whole line of them.”

Twilight ventured a guess. “They must’ve been enchanted to shake the mountainside loose.”

“Then whoever set them,” said Tintin, “came prepared for competition.”

That prompted them to pick up the pace, bringing them into the thick of the bramble and vines over the path’s much less trodden section.

“What I don’t get,” Twilight wondered, “is how neither of you used your wings to avoid the rockslide, or that wolf. Why is that?”

Slapping his talon against his head, Tintin muttered, “Of course! How could I have been so stupid? We should’ve told you from the start.”

“Told us what,” asked Miss Pie.

“We’re grounded,” Haddock answered. “Washed out, the pair of us.”

“What,” Rainbow snapped, furiously enraged. “You mean to tell me-us that we nearly lost you guys because you forgot to mention your handicap?”

“Yea, guilty.” “Afraid so, yes.”

“Is there anything else you forgot to tell us?”

“Easy, sugar cube.”

“Something that might be helpful to know before Nightmare Moon zaps you and everypony else to dust?”

“Rainbow Dash, stop!” Fluttershy glared sternly at the prismatic mare, catching all by surprise. “I know that you’re upset, and you’re right that we needed to know this sooner, but that gives you no excuse to treat them harshly after what they did for us.”

“Like what,” Dash stammered.

“That timber wolf could’ve attacked Applejack and Twilight when they were helpless. Instead, it went after Haddock and Tintin, which gave you the chance to catch Twilight, and Applejack to help them in turn.”

“Y-you don’t know tha-”

“Maybe not. But I do know that you’re just as scared of losing your friends, as much as the next pony and gryphon. So don’t go using that anger and frustration to try and hide it, and hurting those who are trying to help.”

This prompted the Captain to catch a glimpse of Tintin’s hardened countenance. “Thundering typhoons.”

“Now,” she finished, “I believe some apologies are in order.”

“We’re sorry for our negligence to you all,” offered Tintin, almost instantly. “Such a lapse in judgement shouldn’t go unmarked.”

“Sorry to get your gold heart racing like that, Rainbow.” Haddock took off his sailor hat in soft remorse. “A new development for us, ourselves, it is.”

“Yeah, sure,” she puffed with discomfort, “just make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

“Ahem?”

“And I’m sorry too, for losing my cool like that. Okay?”

“Apology accepted,” both nodded.

Seeing Fluttershy once more, she said, “Yeah, me too.”

“And me three,” said Pinkie, raising her hoof.

“It never occurred to me how much we quickly mattered to you.”

“To either of us, Tintin.”

“That sort of impromptu empathy,” he added, “it’s foreign to us to say the least.”

“You really put that much care and trust in us,” asked Haddock.

“So far, you ain’t said or done nothing to make me think you're dishonest. Fact, I’d reckon you’ve gone the other way in making yourselves genuine as possible.”

“Quite right. Here you both are, after your first day in Equestria as stranded sojourners and castaways, and you strive to prevent a calamity from falling upon us. Helping us to believe that Twilight was on to something, when we failed to listen.”

“And without working wings to fly with, all at the same time,” finished Pinkie. “We just want a teeny bit more communication from you guys, is all.”

“For starters,” Rainbow muttered in earnest. The gryphon youth and hippogryph sailor exchanged eye contact, before the sea captain spoke again.

“Well, on that note-” Suddenly the fox terrier caught wind of something else, barking and racing off the old path.

“What is it now, Snowy,” said Tintin, rushing after him.

“Ugh,” groaned Rainbow Dash. Once again, the ponies and strangers moved with haste.

As the last pony trotting, Twilight was speechless at the intense profundity that developed. She would never have expected such a swift moment of solid bonding to happen between creatures as she just witnessed.

Just then, she was shaken from her stupor by total darkness.

“Whoa, hey! What just happened?”

“I don’t know, Rainbow Dash. Maybe the Forest decided to dowse the lights.”

“Very funny, Pinkie.”

“My eyes didn’t want a break from this horrid place that badly. This is intolerable!”

“Hey, who did that?”

“Sorry, Applejack,” said Fluttershy.

“Girls,” called Twilight, “Girls what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, darling! I can’t see my hoof in front of my face.”

Tintin remained still and silent as he listened for further activity through the abysmal shift. Slowly, dimly, he noticed the surrounding area of deadwood stumps receiving a sort of glow all about and beneath them. First, he spotted the string and pulley mechanisms surrounding the sterile field, which would raise and lower some sort of blinds. Next he saw the results of a chemical reaction to provide bioluminescence on the branches and stems. Then lastly, he took note of how it provided for optimal, upsetting spectacles from the dead bark, as though they wore ghoulish faces. He was engrossed by the simple transition, such that he failed to realize he never heard a single pony’s reaction.

“Astonishing.” But that was not what caught Tintin’s attention. It was something that he sensed most inherent beyond alchemy and contraptions. He was aware of the looming shadows prickling the fur and feathers down his back. The morbid sensation of a preternatural dread struck him to his core.

“Most extraordinary,” he whispered with awe. I wonder if Snowy perceives-

He heard a frightful yelp. “Snowy!”

He circled around each tree while listening for the sounds of his pet and friend. He stopped and turned at certain intervals, noticing the howling cries echoing from all around. “Snow, where are you!”

The gryphon made a final turn around the dead trees and barriers, only to spot a cloaked figure standing before him with his terrier firmly held close. Despite his squirming efforts, the dog could not break free.

“Who are you? Why are you after us?” No reply came from the creature, simply remaining still. “Answer me! Who are you? Let him go!”

Despite his adamant persistence and channeled fury, the stranger made no response to Tintin’s question or requests. There was a sudden snap of a twig, which alerted the cloaked figure to another’s presence. By the time Tintin turned back to face the stranger, the cloak furled swiftly into the breeze further back. He was too late to pursue when he cried, “Stop! Wait!”

That was when he finally heard the sound of ponies behind him. Inhaling deeply and slowly, he calmed his wits so not to overreact and charge after Snowy. Sorely conflicted, Tintin decided to examine briefly the stranger’s former spot. Knowing he must return to the main group, he noted the peculiar shape of hoof tracks left on the soil, grass and fallen leaves. He turned about and took a stiff trot back to the main road. Tintin came upon the sight of six mares sharing a laugh while surrounded by bioluminescent deadwood.

“What’s all this?”

“We’re laughing our fears away,” chuckled Pinkie.

“What?”

“Just roll with it pal,” smirked Rainbow, a complete change of attitude from moments earlier. “It’s not like whoever’s doing this can actually scare us.”

Tintin shook his head, “I don’t follow.”

“Pinkie was saying – or, more singing,” said Twilight, “how all these different ways of scaring us are nothing more than distractions. Nothing that’s terrible can last forever, if you don’t let it.”

“Did you find Snowy,” asked Fluttershy, gaining a glance from his shifting eyes.

“Snowy’s been taken. Where’s Captain Haddock?” All fell quiet with unease, before Applejack answered plainly.

“A raven went and snagged Twilight’s maps soon as it got all bright again. He went after it a short while back, looking for you and Snowy also.”

“Are you well, Tintin?” Rarity and the others could apprehend how troubled he was.

“Look, uh, Tintin,” said Rainbow anxiously, “sorry you lost your dog, and we didn’t stay with your pal. It’s just that everything’s been happening so fast.”

He seemed to pay them no heed. “Distractions. Terrors. Façades. Six ponies, and six Elements. One of them unnamed.”

“Uh, you okay there, buddy,” Rainbow asked, looking genuinely worried.

“Honest transparency. Compassionate understanding. Courageous laughter in the face of void evil. Everything points to Nightmare Moon’s return and the forming of restorative bonds,” he continued. “But there’s something missing. Someone.”

His ribs shook with each trembling breath. He sat down. He experienced this before from elsewhere. The familiarity of someone very close being lost. His lack of comprehension, his inability to find answers to questions. The infinite mystery that plagued so many, countless generations, the drive to seek some manner of peace and resolve, to press on against overwhelming odds and ruthless obstacles. “I don’t understand.”

Fluttershy got up and slowly made her way to the gryphon. Watching him attentively, he stayed rigid and placid. She wrapped a wing over his shoulder, to which he gave no response. Pinkie Pie leaped back onto her hooves to join in with a hoof onto his back. She was followed shortly by Rarity and a heartfelt Applejack, who both rested their hooves next to his talons. Rainbow Dash was more confused than anything else, but gradually stepped into the fold with her own wing on the opposite shoulder. As for Twilight Sparkle, she started to wonder if this was how her family and Celestia saw her during her darkest hours.

“I don’t understand.” He spoke through gritted beak and maw. Why was he doing all this? Why does he seek to aid complete strangers when he was lost himself, long before this? Why has it taken him this long, so far from home, to contemplate the motivations of his adolescent self? How is it that it required such high stakes and potential loss for him to reevaluate all for which he had striven? It all came back to the very root of his torment.

“I don’t understand.” This time, Twilight stepped forward to place a nervous hoof upon his front shoulder.

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

That seemed to light a fuse within. Downcast eyes staring blankly were now emboldened with renewed vigor and iron will.

“Of course.” That prompted the mares to shift back and look at him quizzically once again. He got back on all fours, slowly stepping forward. “Whoever’s behind the smoke and mirrors seeks to deter anyone who gets in their way. They expect us to cower, turn back, or chase after specks of light and our own tails like mad dogs. They even go so far as to shake all resolve with utter confusion, making us believe nothing we do amounts to any sort of worth, save only what we can make for ourselves. Dullness and idleness become their ultimate weapons. Coaxing us with the comfort of our own narrow lens, tinted by a poor understanding of things.”

“What’re ya getting at, partner?”

“You ponies must carry on. We can’t afford to allow them the upper hand.”

“Uh, what’s a hand?”

“Don’t you see,” Tintin continued after Rainbow. “The only reason they’re putting this much effort against us is because we’re much closer to our goal than we realize!”

“Ya mean the Elements might be still in the castle,” asked the orange mare.

“Or at least somewhere close, within reach. If there had been nothing but small leads, they would’ve been taken. We would be none the wiser had they left us alone. They can’t just be diverting us from an elaborate expedition for mere clues.”

“But if we keep going,” said Fluttershy, “what about you?”

“I have to find Haddock and Snowy. So long as their captors remain unknown to us, they can’t be properly dealt with. But it’s urgent that you all press forward undeterred. Something’s telling me also that each of you must face a certain obstacle. How, when, why, that remains to be seen. Some of you may have done so. But it all comes down to you, on whether or not you’re open to that moment of truth, yourselves.”

“Now I’m not sure if I understand,” said Rarity.

“That’s alright,” he nodded with enthusiasm. “That’s perfectly, exactly right! It can only come to you at the precise moment when all things align. And only then can you fully send out your signal doing what is right, however daunting it may be.”

Pinkie Pie was sniffling and tearing with a handkerchief over her hoof. “That’s just the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life, so far.”

“It’s the final question that really matters: are you willing to do so?”

“But,” stuttered Twilight, regaining herself, “but how will you find them?”

“Yeah,” joined Rainbow, “just what exactly is your plan to deal with whoever’s trying to stop us?”

“I can’t entice them with false security, plant seeds of doubt, or a suitable distraction. But I must find out where they took my friends. The one who has Snowy most likely has accomplices, who went after the Captain as he veered off course. Following one trail must lead to the other. And after finding them…well, we’ll just have to improvise.”

“And work with what you’ve got,” Twilight finished. But she still lowered her head with concern, confusion, and unease. “Even if you’re right, and neither of them are…completely lost, do you think the three of you will make it to the castle in time?”

“Can you promise that you’ll come back,” added Fluttershy.

Tintin took this moment to pause and carefully consider his response. A talon brushed over his fiery red quiff, as he weighed down all factors that he could recall. “This day has come with a chain of one fine mess after another. I have no plans of leaving it unfinished. Not if we can help it.”

“Well then,” said AJ, “all that being said, for what it’s worth, I wish you the best of luck sugar cube.”

Extending her hoof, the gryphon accepted it wholeheartedly. “Thank you.”

Rainbow Dash was more perplexed than anyone, but still offered her own blessing. “Look, just make sure Haddock doesn’t beat up all the bad guys before I get there, okay?”

“I’ll do what I can,” he answered, to which she smirked. Tintin approached Rarity next.

“You better not leave a closet full of gryphon clothes in my boutique, you hear! Otherwise, I’ll have to discard such a terrible waste of my talents in some fashion. I’m not so sure if I can stand making more like it afterwards.”

“You’d finished already?”

“Wasn’t so hard,” she sniffled. “I just realized something simple and pragmatic was more to your liking.”

“Then I hope to make it to my first fitting.” He bowed with a solid grasp of her raised hoof, before turning to the yellow Pegasus.

“You’re sure you don’t need us to come with you?”

“No, I am not,” he admitted. “But I do believe this is the best course of action.”

She rushed over to give Tintin a very firm, yet gentle embrace. Landing on his shoulder was a tear of dread from the highly sensitive mare. “Please be careful.”

“Like I said to you before, you’re full of surprises.” Parting from her cordially, he glanced at the next mare.

“Oh, oh! Me! Me! My turn! My turn!”

“Miss,” Tintin smiled, “I believe I did you a great dishonor at our first meeting. My name is Tintin.”

“And I’m Pinkamena Diane Pie! It’s very nice to properly meet you, Tintin!”

“Likewise, Pinkamena.”

“You can call me Pinkie Pie. Or Pinkie. Or Mena. Or Diane! Or you can say it backwards: Ipe Nayide Aneemakneep! Or maybe Ipe Eekneep.”

He sniggered faintly before saying, “Pinkie it is, then.” The sound of a party horn emanated from her wide grin.

Sighing to release residual tension, he turned to the purple unicorn. “I must admit this entire day has been most unusual, for me.”

“Me too,” nodded Twilight. “I never knew just how much I didn’t learn from reading dusty old books. And I’m coming to recognize that so much later.”

“Don’t fuss, it hasn’t come to a close yet. And I’m sure there’s a deal more ahead of you.”

“What about you?”

“I suppose there’s only one way to find out.” Extending his talon to her, Tintin shook her hoof with steady resolve and assurance as best he could. “Good luck.”

“You too.”

“Now then, which way did the Captain run off?”

“Right behind you,” Pinkie beamed. “Second to last spooky tree from the left. You’ll see his tracks in the mud there.”

“Thanks. We’ll rejoin at the castle, as soon as possible.” The six mares shared a small, nervous wave of farewell as he marched solemnly into the deep clutches of the Everfree.

As soon as he was out of sight, Rainbow Dash wondered, “Uh, did we just let a flightless gryphon walk into the unnatural, dark, scary, wild forest all by himself?”

“Don’t worry,” Pinkie answered in song. “He just hasto giggle at the ghostly, guffaw at the grossly, crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy, chortle at the kooky, and snortle at the spooky!”

“Maybe we should’ve told him that,” moaned Fluttershy.

“The way he’s carrying himself,” said AJ, “I reckon he’s got that covered.”

“Come on, girls,” Twilight announced, “we’re still not halfway to the castle.”

“I take it you know the way then?”

She answered Rarity with a brisk trot, “I memorized the route and schematics before the landslide. Should be straightforward.”

“Isn’t that pretty much what we said before we started?”

“Not now, Pinkie,” snapped Rainbow.

“What? I’m just saying.”

He knew it could have been one of three things. The first, someone would sneak from behind, club Tintin, and take him someplace for questioning. Second, someone would sneak from behind, club Tintin, and take him someplace to drown or crush him. Third, someone would sneak from behind, be clubbed by the Captain, but someone else would club Tintin and the Captain, and take them someplace to drown or crush them both. But in the brief, yet arduous lifespan he was dealt, Snowy hardly would have guessed someone coming from up front, snatching him, and then taking off with him.

He caught the strange air of one pony, but then picked up something else before he recognized it as a masking scent. But by then, he was already picked up by the hoof of a cloaked stranger, who ran as soon as the other pony made a noise. Whoever that was must have sensed there was no chance of taking Tintin, Snowy, and the stranger. Or perhaps this was meant as a setup, with Snowy used for bait.

All the fox terrier knew was that he was taken away from his gryphon friend and master, who was left in the terrible shadows of the forest. No sight, sound, or smell of Haddock, nor from any of the six ponies traveling with them was sensed.

On top of that, this stranger was taking him ever deeper into the dark, unsettling woodlands. The cloaked figure still said nothing, with only the beating from the chest for his canine ears to listen, alongside the disturbing sounds throughout the area. Now, more than ever, Snowy wished Tintin were here. He was also wishing his playmate, Brutus would show.

Next thing that happened was their entry into a small hut, built inside an old, knotted tree. The creature placed him calmly, yet firmly on a sleeping mat of some sort, keeping him steady so he would not retaliate.

“I know you are frightened about what may, but first listen closely to what I say.”

The voice sounded like one from the African continent he visited with Tintin. Upon getting a better sight from the well-lit cottage, he noticed the zebra stripes on his captor’s fur. In addition, the pitch and texture of the throat matched with the scent, when the cloak was lifted, of one who was female. He saw and heard the jingling bracelets, earrings, and neck bracers. But above all else, he could sense the gentle serenity in both speech and demeanor.

“Your friends are safe, know this to be true. But others mean harm, by luring you.”

Now Snowy was glad someone else was speaking to him in earnest. Not only was this zebra talking to him directly, rather than having him listen to a whole rant or exchange before something else caught his attention, but she also shared his awareness of the situation. First Fluttershy, and now also this zebra was bringing him full, comprehensive attention. Even her delivery in verse was soothing to his easily bothered ears.

“Eyes and ears, so low and close to earth, can sense small details of great worth. You do your breed proud with a mind so sharp. But now you must learn to keep safe when dark.”

Releasing him, she walked towards a boiling cauldron at the center, from which she poured something into a bowl. Snowy sniffed the liquid from below, recognizing simple herbs and spices, alongside a root with properties he felt were unique to this region. Unlike the use of magic to scare and torment from the dead trees before, this smelled appetizing, and felt like a product of genuine goodness. Instead of placing it before him, wagging his short tail with delight, she spoke further.

“It’s much too hot for your sensitive tongue. So it must cool with time passing along. First I will share with you what you must know, then you in exchange travel where I go.”

The fox terrier was unsure what she meant by that. But she picked up his anxious stance and groans, and offered a smile.

“Where I lead you is not so far, taking less time from where you are. There are those who seek to serve Nightmare, and meanwhile your friends approach their snares. But also there stand those of goodwill, who hope for magic to heal all ills. The untamed magic of this harsh wood left ponies dazed, time passed where they stood.

Each obstacle set by foes for your friends, those allies knowing best have come to mend. Your gryphon must wait at the source’s power, and not reunite ‘til Harmony’s hour. So long as he stays at the Tree’s great stem, no evil shall reach or try to condemn. The other would be safe, alongside a third, if they wait with him for the sixth, hidden word.”

She finished her directions to Snowy, as she placed the bowl and its cooled contents before him. “This brew heightens your senses more so, which also conceals pearly white glow.”

Taking a few licks from it, he could taste that genuine nectar tenfold. Rushing to consume the rest as though from Haddock’s cellar, he also found it better, surpassing the freshest spring and finest broth together. He was wondering if it also made him think as the zebra.

“This tonic won’t last after all is finished. You soon will shift back, exactly as you wish.”

He first noted his paws, pitch black as a Labrador. Instinctively he tried rubbing them, thinking he spilled another of Tintin’s fountain pens. But then he grew more acutely aware of his surroundings. Snowy felt the soft glow of the cauldron fire now harsh and bright. Looking outside the night-covered window seemed to him clear as day. And that was without mentioning his other adjusting senses.

“Come then with me, shadow dog of the night.” She whispered for his newfound hearing. “There’s much to do before Summer’s dawn light.”

Once the zebra turned towards the door, Snowy did not hesitate. Now, more than ever, he wanted to get back to Tintin, and his sailor hippogryph friend. He was unsure how this zebra knew about the trio, nor how much. But he did not dwell on that, seeing how the only thing that mattered was getting back to help his master and friend. Taking the obvious dirt path beneath the tall grass and brush, he did not have to turn and wait for the zebra to hurry, as both were jaunting at a pace that matched.

“See here, ye numbskull Neanderthals, nocturnal ninnies. You’re going to wish you could see the sun shining by the time I’m free of these irons and am through with you.”

The ponies that looked like Pegasus but were not simply lugged him towards their forest barracks situated in the thick numerous branches. From the platforms that encircled and bridged the suspending encampments, to the elaborate pulley systems for loading and unloading, transporting and delivering gear and supplies. The ponies occupying and operating those intricate structures were unlike the ones the hippogryph has seen in Ponyville.

Rather than each having distinct pastel colours, their fur coats were grey, grey-blue, or charcoal with wings, manes and tails matching of nightly blue, brown, maroon, or grey-blue. The wings stuck out for how they had thin membranes, rather than Pegasus feathers. The only things that reminded him of the regular ponies was the Romanesque sort of armor they wore, which also had its own variants of nightly greys, blues, and violets.

But it was the faces of these bat-like ponies that struck the most unusual to Haddock. From the dimly lit ramparts and tents, he spotted fangs jutting out from their equine jaws. And their eyes were those of feline marbles gleaming with icy blue, gold or fiery brown from the dimmed lights of their settlement.

They hauled him with chains to his talons, hooves, and neck, straddling him to a long pole face down. He could only gain that good a look of his captors after they hoisted his tethered self upon the ceiling, where he could make out the makings of a brig. Down to the birdcage sort of craft in their cells. He hung on an open hook, looking down towards the forest floor deep beneath the waves of branches.

“Bat-brained, belly-aching troglodytes!” They left him without a glance his way. He turned stiffly to scan the area. No sign of Tintin, nor any trace of white fur patches to suggest Snowy had been here. The sea captain thought he was the sole occupant of this facility. But then something caught his attention that made him rethink his assessment. He was hearing the choked up, quivering breaths of a small lad in the birdcage across the way on his port side.

“Ar-Archie,” said the trembling voice, “is that you?”

“Spike,” he exclaimed. “Thundering typhoons, what in the blazes ye doing here?”

“I don’t know,” answered the purple drake. “After sending that message to Princess Celestia, she told me to relay something to Twilight. But I couldn’t. It kept coming back to me through my dragon fire, so I told the Princess. She said the magic of the Everfree was blocking it, and told me to wait. So I did. I waited all night watching for you guys to get back. Hours!”

“Er, what now?” Captain Haddock was growing more flummoxed by the second. It was less than an hour since the company left, by his reckoning.

“I fell asleep on the balcony, I guess,” he continued, “Then I woke up here. Nopony came to tell me where I am, or what I’m doing here. I…I got scared. I don’t know what’s going on, or why this is happening! I just want to go back home to Canterlot, and have Twilight back!”

“Hey, hey, hey,” the hippogryph called out softly, knowing the small youth was on the verge of tears again. “I’m right here, lad. You’re not alone any longer. And let me tell you something, admitting you’re scared just made you even braver than I ever was at your age.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m not just giving some soppy sentiment about bravery being afraid and doing what’s right regardless. I’m telling you that I was too afraid to admit to anyone how scared I was of never measuring up to those I looked up to as my heroes. Those in my family that showed bravery and spirit that I might someday let down. Even though I knew they had died long ago. I just thought their spirits were looking down on me with high expectations, when they’d probably tell me different.

I clasped on tightly to that fear, because I was too proud to admit it to myself. I set myself up for self-drowning shame and ruin, Spike. Because I bottled it in, stowed it away, smuggled it into the dark abyss of my soul for no one to see. That’s until someone showed up on deck and helped me regain command of my treacherous crewmates and face my demons. He helped me to bring that shameful fright of a sea beast to the surface, and rear its hideous mug out in the open to have for supper.”

“Who?”

“That baby-faced ginger, and his morbid-pale mongrel of all things. Tintin and Snowy became my wellspring of solace to regain my own self-worth. That I got my own sort of bravery, when I truly believe and own it to myself that there are moments when I do get scared. As I am now.”

“You’re scared?”

“Aye, lad. I’m scared of not being able to get out of these chains to help you, Tintin, Twilight, and the rest. Ye see, because in my heart of hearts, I swore to myself as the last of the Haddocks, as I still breathe, no one dear to me will ever be harmed. And now, I’m scared I won’t be able to honor that oath. I’m scared of letting you, Tintin, all of them down.”

“You’re the last one in your family?”

“Yea, Spike. The last surviving member from my bloodline. But like with Tintin, I’ve found a sort of family bond with you, if you can believe that. Because this sort of bond, filled with danger and strife, the thought of losing and fighting for those dear to us. That makes us family in arms, Spike. A fighting family. And I’m proud to consider you a part of that family with me, Tintin, and Snowy.”

“And Twilight too?”

“You bet, Spike. Twilight too.”

The small drake was sniffling less so than before, adding, “I never knew who my real family was, before Twilight hatched me.”

“Then I reckon that makes her truly your family. She and the rest of her kin, through and through. Mum, Dad, sisters, brothers.”

“Just one brother. He’s awesome,” Spike said. “But I’m not sure I understand everything.”

“Augh, that may be. Here I’m babbling on about things that probably make no sense. Sounded mad to ye.”

“You don’t sound angry to me.”

“My point exactly. I’m just an old bachelor of a seabird, who knows nothing about children.”

“You’re a great storyteller,” Spike offered. “I liked the part about the sea beast showing his ugly coffee mug for dinner.”

Haddock could not help but chuckle at that, which prompted Spike to join the hippogryph in such brief merriment. But that stopped when they heard hooves approaching from the nearest platform, alongside a few click-clacks. What stood before the young drake and sea captain was a bat-winged steed of highest rank and great girth, flanked by three others on each side. His helmet was violet with blue plumes and gold trims, matching his wings, tail, and cat irises respectively. Nothing intimidating or oppressive was in his demeanor, yet he also had an air of command.

“Apologies,” he bowed politely, with a firm baritone, “Please know that this is far from how I wanted us to meet. But I’m afraid this was necessary.”

“And just who might you lot be,” asked the Captain, dubious of such courtesy.

“I’m Vortex Helix. Commander of the Lunar Regiment’s 73rd Battalion. I understand you and your gryphon friend found yourselves displaced in Equestria. Am I right, Captain Haddock?”

“What have you done to him,” snarled Haddock slowly.

“He’s alive and well,” Commander Helix assured him. “In fact, you may see for yourself.”

Standing to one side, the familiar youth’s gryphon-face and quiff was presented with irons clapped on his talons and paws, and chains about his wings.

“Tintin!”

“Hello, Captain,” he nodded, smiling with genuine relief, “I’m glad to know you’re well, all things considered.”

“You too, lad. Is Snowy with the rest?”

“I was hoping to find you both here. It’s why I came quietly. But I see you have company, regardless. Spike, are you alright?”

“I’m feeling better, now that I’m not alone anymore.”

“Rations will be provided shortly,” said Commander Helix, stepping forward. “Once again, I hope you’ll understand we’re taking precautions in whom we trust.”

“What do you want with us, anyway,” Spike asked, building up courage.

“I ordered my troops to bring you here, firstly, for the sake of communicating with your Princess in Canterlot. I’m aware of your pony upbringing, particularly under the family of the Princess’s star pupil. We’re keeping you here for the time being, while considering how you might help us.”

“And why should he, or any of us, help a flapping nest of cowardly soldiers who abduct wee children,” Haddock growled.

“For the same reason he trusts in a Princess that sends inadequate security before arrival. The reason he should trust six ponies without military experience to find lost relics in the wilderness.”

“Which is,” Tintin enquired.

“That all will be well, and in their rightful place.” His level, sincere delivery lacked any, and all derision. “As soon as the Mare in the Moon returns, we hope to right the wrongs that were done to us, and the world, by listless, inactive pony tribes.”

“How do you mean, Commander?” Tintin stopped Spike from refuting Helix’s claims.

“Over the past millennium, after the Princess’s misuse of the Elements to banish her own sister, however justified, has brought great unrest and confusion to the rest of the world. Starting with us, her sister’s loyal subjects of the night.”

“And you say the three tribes of Equestria failed to alleviate that? Neglected even, in light of their Princess’s involvement?”

“Your sharp eyes can’t be fooled, Mr. Tintin,” he nodded, again in earnest. “You, yourselves can attest to this, considering what happened to Gryphonstone, Mount Aris, and many others. How the ponies show little care for those outside tribal bonds, not to mention their own history. Sitting comfortably with their own misconceptions”

“And you believe yourselves to be the ones who’d pick up the slack, eh?”

“Yes, Captain Haddock. Which is why I’m here before you, with my own proposition.”

“And that being?”

“If you give me your binding word not to attack us, help us regain the Elements for our lost Princess, and even find those with pure hearts to wield them if you wish, I will give you my word, and our services, in helping your own cause for answers, stability, and home.”

“But what if we say no,” Spike wondered.

“After our Princess returns, we'll let you out of your cages. But you’ll be kept under our custody, ‘til further notice. Know that my offer stands, whenever you change your minds.”

With that, he nodded to his fellow bat ponies, who then sent Tintin into the birdcage adjacent to Spike’s. “Once again, a precaution before hearing your answer. Take as much time as you need to discuss amongst yourselves. Again, food will come.”

The troops and Commander Helix departed without another word, the sound of their hooves against the rampart grew less pronounced with each step away from them.

“So what’s the plan, Tintin,” the Captain asked. “You’ve got a plan then, don't ye?”

“Captain, not yet,” he huffed in reply. “Before we can come up with ideas, we must be sure we’re of the same mind and heart on what we’re doing.”

“Are you scared, Tintin?”

Spike caught the young gryphon by surprise. “I’m sorry?”

“Well,” he answered, “I told Archie about how I got really scared of being brought here all alone, and he said how that’s part of being brave. Then he told me how he’s scared of not being able to keep us safe and letting us down. You just said to have the same heart, so what’re you scared of?”

Taking a perplexed glimpse at the Captain’s strung presence, Tintin saw Haddock prodding him to answer. He shook his head in bewilderment, eyes darting left, right and center to formulate a response.

“About a great many things, I suspect. Unable to find Snowy, never knowing what happened to us, nor how we can get back to where we belong, no chance of rescue, falling into hopelessness. Or, perhaps the chance that, with all my efforts journaling events, engaging with those I interview, not one reader was inspired to strive for goodness, truth, and wonder. Or, challenged to naturally seek a greater wholeness beyond themselves, and whatever this mortal life has to offer! Magical elements be damned, if they don’t.”

“Someone’s bad day’s finally got to him,” said Haddock with warm endearment. “Well, you’ve got my tally, mate. Every day I follow ye to some cockamamie crusade for justice, honour, and valour. Because you showed me just how much we souls are worth fighting for.”

“Thanks, Captain.” Tintin sighed with a certain lightness to his chained shoulders. “For what it’s worth, I have high regards for your company also, as you are. One can certainly consider you as that of family.”

“Yeah, me too,” exclaimed Spike. “You and Archie are like the cousin and uncle I never knew I wished for!”

“If not for these confounded chains and irons,” Haddock choked, “I’d pull you both in for a bone-crushing embrace, ye baby-owl-faced feline, and fire-breathing beast!”

“At this rate with personal bonds,” remarked Tintin, “I would be shocked if Haddock doesn’t find a wife to catch him.”

“Oy!” That got Spike to chuckle at the seabird.

Smiling briefly, the gryphon continued, “Humour aside, we need to be sure which way we are to lean, as one. Whether to seek some form of alliance with these bat ponies, or not.”

“What,” stammered the purple dragon, “what’re you talking about?”

“We need to examine all our options first, Spike. Before we can truly stand for, or against someone with good conscience.”

“They dragon-napped Spike, Tintin.”

“True, but only insofar as they seek direct correspondence with Princess Celestia. Keeping him for ransom doesn’t strike me as part of the Commander’s stratagem.”

“And what about the Elements of Harmony,” offered Spike. “Aren’t they trying to get them to Nightmare Moon?”

“Commander Helix specifically stated that he seeks those of pure hearts, whomever they are. Whether or not he’s capable of attaining that goal upon Nightmare’s return, that remains to be seen.”

“But what about Twilight, Rarity, and the others? He’s still going after them. And so will Nightmare.”

“Yes, indeed. Though something tells me he’s watching their movements now, more than threatening them. Despite the avalanche, blinding shadows, and timber wolf.”

“You guys saw a timber wolf!”

“Why would he change tactics with the ponies, now?”

“Because, Captain, after those incidents a reflection of the Elements was seen in a few of those ponies. Who knows how perceptive these bat ponies truly are, and what else they saw!”

“So,” Spike muttered, “aren’t we going to help them? Twilight and the others, I mean?”

Tintin sighed, considering his words carefully. “We’re outnumbered, without armour or weapons, chained and in cages, surrounded by a whole battalion. Even if we tried to escape, we can neither distract them to give Twilight and friends an opening, nor take some of their weapons and armour before dashing blindly into the wild forest. Without a compass, charts, supplies, anything.”

“So, you’re saying it’s hopeless.”

“I never said that,” he chided calmly. “I’m just weighing in what we can, and can’t do.”

“So then,” said the Captain, “what can we do?”

“Commander Helix offers liberty outside this brig. We can say our word is bond, and use that to help sway these soldiers to allow the six ponies that same chance, seeing as how Helix wants Harmony restored as well.”

“But he’s going at it all wrong, Tintin. You out of all of us should know that.”

“I do, Captain. But I also know that using that oath as an in to play turncoat would not just be dishonourable, but self-destructive in the vein of Nightmare Moon. And Helix is bound to know that full well. That can work to his favour, as well as our own.”

“But he’s still helping Nightmare Moon,” Spike shakily insisted. “That means it won’t matter what that Helix guy wants. She’s still the one that wants everything her way. Bringing eternal night, and everything. Right?”

“I agree with Spike here, Tintin. We’re not siding with these dismal delinquents while knowing they’re after our friends, and wanting what we want the wrong way. And I doubt that Helix bloke can keep the bewitched Princess in check.”

Tintin seemed to smile in the shadows at their consensus. “Is that what you want then? Resist them?”

“Yeah,” Spike shouted.

“Was there any other course?”

“Then it’s settled. Spike, on my signal, you melt the bars of your cage with your fire, while I work on freeing the Captain.”

“Wait, what?” Now it was Spike’s turn to be fully surprised. He suddenly bore witness to Tintin twisting a lock pick to free his talons, one that he kept tucked away in his feral feline paw.

“Where in blistering blue barnacles did ye find that?”

As he was working, Tintin spoke further. “I’ll tell you later. Spike, once you’re freed we’ll have you melt the joints of your cage next for a drop.”

“But,” he stuttered, “but I can’t. I never used my fire breath except for messages, candles, and sneezes. And if I make just a puff, that won’t be enough to melt the bars. Just turn stuff to ash.”

“You’re right. You’ll have to breathe fire another way.”

“How?”

“It’s quite simple. Just long, narrow breaths as you would a straw.”

“Huh?”

“Aye, lad. You know how to whistle, don’t ye?”

“Well, yeah. A-a little bit.”

“Then it’s just the same thing. But instead of a wee toot, you just send your blazing gullet’s flame past your lips.”

“Give it a try,” said Tintin, starting on his leg bracers next. “Take in a few gusts for practice.”

"I-I don't know if I can."

“We believe in you, Spike,” encouraged the hippogryph. “Know that we’re with ye every step of the way.”

“Twilight needs your help,” Tintin added, “You, her faithful assistant.”

“Aye, and her wee brother to boot you are.”

Just then, they saw and heard a swarm of flying creatures, flocking and swooping down upon the encampment. Crows, bats, ravens, falcons, eagles, and hawks rushed ont the treehouse barracks, surrounding all areas save only the brig.

“What in ghastly gales is all this?”

“Later, Captain!” Tintin was now working the bolted lock to his chained wings. “Spike, it’s now or never.”

Building his courage back up, the purple drake took deep, calming breaths before whistling a couple of notes to prepare himself. The anxious youth started to send plain puffs of air through his lips instead, setting off not even a whiff of smoke.

“You’re doing well, lad.” The Captain told Spike, “Don’t hold onto that fear. Use it to start, but then push through it.”

He decided to think he was whistling a tune to himself, one that Twi-his mother sang to him. That was when his fifth gust built up at last, smoke rising and soon followed by a green tongue of narrow flame. Reminded Haddock of a blowtorch used by welders on his ship. He could not help but wheeze cheerily and proudly at the small dragon, talon thumbs raised stiffly. Then he spotted Tintin on his starboard, working on his birdcage’s lock after dropping the loose chains.

“Well done, Spike,” Tintin cheered. “Now start melting!”

Amidst the clamouring, cawing, flapping, and screeching that echoed throughout the woodlands, Spike got to work on the cell bars ahead of him. One spot at a time, he circled down then back up each with blazing precision. Pieces dropped to the ground far below with glowing ends as he finished, which enabled a freed Tintin to jump over, pick up Spike, and then place the drake atop his own birdcage. “Hold on, and stay still!”

He then leapt over to the Captain’s hook, paws and talons perched over his beam. He started with the neck brace, then picked the other locks over the seabird’s legs and wings. Tintin caught Haddock as he shook the chains off himself to join the forest floor too. Hoisted up with a sneering grunt, the pair of strangers stood on top the beam together, before jumping onto Spike’s cage.

“I say when,” he told them, “we will jump off.”

“Tintin,” Haddock said worriedly. "I'm not so sure about this."

“What's wrong,” Spike asked, “Can’t you fly?”

“Never used our wings before now.”

“What?”

“Spike, melt the hook.” The purple dragon did so, causing the entire cage to drop through the tree branches and barrack platforms. Then Tintin grabbed hold of Spike suddenly, as he shouted. “Now!”

Before the cage slammed violently onto the forest floor, the gryphon and hippogryph leapt off, with Haddock and Spike screaming with terror. Instinctively, Tintin and Haddock’s wings stretched out to catch air from beneath and send them gliding downward. “Ten thousand thundering typhoons!”

The pair of them skidded, then rolled onto the leaves, dead bramble, grass and moss, with Tintin keeping Spike tightly to his chest. Haddock’s albatross wingspan folded itself naturally before his back touched down, as well as the young gryphon’s owl feathers. They rose from the ground, shaking and brushing the dirt, twigs and mire off themselves.

“Tintin,” the hippogryph gasped with bewilderment, “as astounding as that was, best not have more surprises tonight, eh?”

“Sorry Captain,” he answered, “but I’m afraid there’s more to come.”

With that, Spike and Haddock witnessed some of those crows, hawks and bats from earlier swoop in before transforming to more bat ponies. Stepping towards them with tranquil, yet firm steps, stood another stallion of powerful build and armour. Coat of grey-blue with maroon wings and tail, his feline eyes were blue as ice.

“Captain Haddock, Spike,” said Tintin to his wary friends, “allow me to introduce Colonel Galewatch, of the Lunar Regiment.”

“We don’t have much time,” he grunted. “If you want to survive out here, stay close to us.”

To be concluded...

Part III: Harmony's Treasure

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Afterward

Coercing the insecure, anxiety-induced underclassmen did not prove to be difficult. Oftentimes, just telling them what they did not want shared was enough to flock like sheep. Trips to the Equestrian Parliament of Canterlot gave some pointers also. No, the actual trouble involved concealing her presence, erasing any memories the figures had of their unexpected entry, dispersing them to various regions with intricately difficult teleportation, as well as keeping them off track long enough before her three-day deadline was reached. She was just glad she had surplus reserves for that cloud-walking spell after using so much energy beforehoof, all of which boosted her own confidence exponentially.

Discarding the tattered cloak she had since her arrival, she reopened the chat page to type aloud, “All clean!”

Elated she did not have to send more of her precious time down the toilet, she saw the reply. Does anyone suspect?

“If I was tracked, you’d know about it.”

Yes, or no please. This entrepreneur joke of a ham always irked her by simply belittling her like a foalsitter.

“No. Period. Exclamation point!”

And you’re certain they can’t get back to us?

“Even if they find out anything remotely about us, I made double-sure that some of them are stuck on a wild goose chase. At the very least, they’ve got two and a half years before they even consider the possibility of getting back here.”

Then I suggest you use that time well, to prepare for any more surprises. Reading that reminded her of what she learned from her latest visit. Pulling out a torn piece of paper with a drawing of that unicorn's tiara, she placed it onto the scanner.

“Oh, by the way. I’m sending you a sketch for your people to sculpt, as per my 'preparations'." She hoped that her facetious tone could be gathered from the screen. "Doesn’t have to be solid gold. Brass or tin will do. And if you guys can’t get an amethyst off the black market, just make a magenta hexagram out of plastic.”

Received. Expect a cut from your salary. Bad enough she had to rely on this self-righteous creep for housing, employment, tuition, and all other expenses since coming here. There was always that grating reminder, as if to tell her who was truly in charge of the situation. She played along, as she has done, until the time was right.

“Nothing’s personal, with you.” She then closed the page. Huffing with relief that whole ordeal had past, she was ready to rest and prepare for another day's work. She was walking down the hallway of lockers in the late afternoon gleam, when she felt something in her backpack resonate.

"What, now?" Taking it off to unzip and view its content, she spotted the source of her added frustration. She opened the old journal that gathered dust, from where she tore a page to make her sketch, forgetting that it might go the other way. On the first page that had no ink or lead, she viewed the new contents appearing onto it with graceful script.

Dearest Sunset,

I’m sorry I missed your most recent visit. You are dearly remembered by all who love and care for you. Hopefully, we may catch up the next chance we can.

Your friend,

Princess Celestia

P.S. Best wishes to you on your--- She slammed the journal shut, with disgruntled moisture that began to build. She hated her for the way she used words like that. She knew what that mare was doing, what she was actually saying between so few of lines.

Deciding on what to do next, without a second thought, she stormed towards the nearest waste bin, ripped out the page, tore it into several pieces, and sent them on their merry way. The hardbound spine of pages was held viciously in her hand. She knew she had every reason to treat it the same way, that she would be right to send it to a landfill or sea barge. But she also knew that there was still some useful information that was hidden, deep inside her former mentor's, riddle-marked pages. She was able to calculate Nightmare's return, which coincided with her need to drop off her latest situation after all.

What she did, rather, was send it back to the furthermost corner of her fallow locker, letting it collect more dust as before. She slammed the locker closed, and marched onward, without ever looking back.

Little did Sunset Shimmer know that that this apparent act of defiance was a redirect by her lively conscience, for the sake truly needing it.

A.M.D.G.

Author's Note

This has been a lot of fun, for me, and I'm definitely looking forward to what might unfold next! I do hope others feel the same.

Thanks, again, for all of you who are following, commenting, and adding this to your favourites.

God Bless, and Happy, upcoming Advent!

Prelude

Sitting in the pitch dark of an office space, its sole occupant typed aloud with cold deliberation. “What do you mean, nothing?”

The reply came almost immediately. Exactly that, genius. There’s no record of them from any database that exists.

Expecting such correspondence after all this time, the following message was sent: “How could this happen? You said there was no other point of entry?”

I don’t know, okay! The complaint included something akin to, It’s not like there’s a safety protocol or instruction manual for this.

“We have to get them out of here," the occupant typed once again. "Out of sight, and fast.”

And where do you propose we send them? How do you plan to transport all these bodies across, without drawing any attention?

“I can tell you this," said the individual typing, "Their presence will cause unwanted prying, if we don't act.”

Thanks for the obvious rebuttal. Very helpful. Next came another snide remark. It’s bad enough I have to deal with an overreaching micromanager. Don’t make this harder than it is already.

“Can you take care of them, or not?”

What do you think? The desk chair swerved evermore slowly, with each attempt made by its user to keep calm.

“Investing so much to this project allows me the final say of it ever leaving the ground. Remember that.”

As always.

“Fix this, before it becomes your problem.” With that, the chat box was closed. Then the office's only light source flicked off from the desktop. The user stiffly rose to depart from the nightly shadows of the building, huffing with deep agitation. If there was anything about overnight hours most despised, unexpected dilemmas would make for a solid argument.

J M J +