Hearing Jachs explain the overgrowth of the Everfree was one thing, but seeing it is another. Our convoy followed the Friendship Express train track at first, but the highway makes an abrupt end when it and the tracks are completely enveloped by the dense forest. We turned onto a dirt road tracing the edge of the Everfree instead and have been traveling along it for an hour or so. The truck’s design means I can’t see out the sides, but I can see out the front and the back. I only get glimpses of the Everfree on the edges where my sight isn’t blocked by the truck ahead or behind, but it’s enough to understand the damage.

We pass yet another set of abandoned buildings. “Why are all of these buildings abandoned?” I ask.

Marsilio responds, “A lot of ponies evacuated when the Everfree started running rampant. Most never returned because it’s still dangerous here on the periphery.” As if on cue, gunfire rings out from further ahead in the convoy. “Probably a timberwolf,” he says.

“How did the Everfree even grow this big?” I ask, this time directed at Fluttershy and Pinkie.

Pinkie answers first, “Zecora did this magicy ritual thing and made a really complicated brew. Then she dumped it into the ground, and suddenly everything went kablooey!”

Fluttershy looks less enthused, “It was necessary, but I’m not proud of it. After Equestria fell, nature was the only thing we could turn to to save us. We were finally able to defend ourselves, but it came at the cost of so many ponies’ homes, not to mention lives - ponies and changelings alike.”

I follow up my previous question, “So this wasn’t caused by removing the elements from the tree?”

Fluttershy shakes her head, “We didn’t touch the tree. Without the elements in the tree, Zecora wouldn’t have been able to control the forest, and it would have attacked us as much as it attacked the changelings.”

“Sorry to butt in,” Marsilio interrupts, “but are you referring to the magical artifacts? From what Jachs said before, you’ll need them to defeat Viira right? Are we going to have to make a trip inside the Everfree? It’s just… I’ve heard the stories.”

He raises an interesting point. Do we need the artifacts? My friends and I have faced a lot of threats to Equestria before, some with the elements and some without. The Storm King was defeated by convincing the Hippogriffs to intervene. No magical artifacts required. Nightmare Moon, on the other hoof, was the artifacts all the way. The Pony of Shadows, well, that was a bit of a hybrid deal. Sombra didn’t need the elements, but we used the Crystal Heart, another artifact. Discord, artifacts again. Well, we defeated him with the elements, but it was friendship that saved him.

“Uh, Princess?” comes Marsilio’s voice.

“Don’t interrupt her! She’s in her thinking mode!” Pinkie Pie exclaims before making an exaggerated shushing sound.

I smile apologetically, “Sorry. It’s a good question, Marsilio. One I’ve been asking myself as well. Just… give me a minute to think.”

He raises his hooves as if to say “mea culpa” and allows me to return to my thoughts. Where was I? Right, we froze Discord in stone using the elements, but one could argue that the hoof we extended in friendship later was more powerful than any magical artifact. Does that mean our path is just to do the same for Viira? I don’t think so. She’s more like Cozy Glow - unrepentant and unable to be negotiated with. Uegh, I still don’t know how such malice was concealed right under our noses… She and Viira are a special type of evil.

What is it that makes the elements of harmony special? Starswirl and the Pillars said the artifacts were grown from crystal seeds they planted. There’s nothing fundamentally special about them other than the values they represent. Without that, they’re just like any other magical artifact like Grogar’s bell or the Storm King’s staff. In the cases where we used them, we did just that - used them. When Celestia banished Luna a thousand years ago, did she embody all six elements? The elements are a tool like any other. Just because they chose us doesn’t make them special. It would be like if a cudgel chose us - it doesn’t make us special. Really, the mission to Hippogriffia was just like the one to defeat Nightmare Moon all those years ago: the use of friendship in order to achieve the correct force required to defeat our enemies.

I often say friendship is magic. When I say friendship is magic, I don’t mean friendship achieves magic. Friendship does achieve magic just like it achieves economic success or career success, but that’s not what I mean. What I mean is, friendship literally is magic. One event sticks out to me: Tirek. The tree of harmony gifted us the box, but it was us who offered the keys. The magic that we obtained was not given to us by the tree or the elements but came literally from our friendship. I know it didn’t come from anything else because Tirek absorbed all of our magic before that. Friendship is magic, and we don’t need the elements to tell us it is.

“No,” I state, “we don’t need the artifacts.”

“We don’t?” Pinkie Pie asks, confused, “But how are we going to rainbow laser Viira then?”

“Discord said something right before he teleported you to Canterlot, Fluttershy,” I start, “He said ‘you still have all the magic you need’. I think I understand what he meant now. The magic of friendship doesn’t just appear when we wear the necklaces and tiara, it’s in us right now.”

“But I don’t know how to use it,” Fluttershy replies, “I’ve never used magic like that before.”

“You have,” I reassure her, “When we defeated Tirek. The elements weren’t powering us then, our friendship was.”

She thinks for a second, and then speaks, “Well, if Discord said it like that, I trust him.”

A seamless tear in reality opens up in the truck, and Discord’s head pops out. “Thank you Fluttershy,” he says before turning to me,” You know, she’s always been the reasonable one - you could learn something. I’m just glad it didn’t take me constructing an alliance of past villains to attack Equestria for you to figure it out. It would have probably taken a premiere and a finale.”

“I don’t know,” Pinkie responds, “Sounds like they could be fun two-parters!”

I’m not even going to try to analyze any of that. He disappears as fast as he came, reality sealing up behind him. I am tempted to analyze how the tear in reality tracked along with our moving truck, but I don’t feel like giving myself a headache.

I’m suddenly struck by doubt too. I sounded so confident, but do I really believe we’ll just be able to use the magic like before? How do we even trigger it? I’m then reminded by my adventures in the mirror world where we triggered the magic of friendship via song in a world that didn’t even really have Equestrian magic. If that Fluttershy could do it, this one can too. If I did it then, I can now.

The convoy stops. We’re here. Fluttershy, Pinkie and Marsilio work together to get me on my wheelchair and onto the lift. As it hits the ground, he says, “I guess I don’t know either way if you need the artifacts or not, so I’ll take your word for it. I’m just glad we don’t need to go into the Everfree. Good luck!” He waves goodbye to the three of us as we make our way to the front of the convoy and towards Sweet Apple Acres.

I’m greeted by a familiar-looking set of buildings, though they clearly aren’t the same ones from the war. I visited a few times while the war was still going, and Applejack had industrialized her output to include a canning plant for sending apples to the front lines. I was saddened to see the farm become so much like it was in Starlight’s alternate timeline, but I understood it was necessary to increase output for the war effort. It looks like having to move everything to a new location after the Everfree overran everything has not slowed her down, because everything looks just as professional as it did before. I guess it has been three years since the Everfree - everypony had to move on eventually.

The dirt is not good for my wheelchair. The ride to the entrance is bumpy and uncomfortable, but it’s unavoidable as long as I can’t walk. We pull up to the main barn. Huh, if this is a totally new building, why does it still look like a converted barn? I guess Applejack wanted to keep the feel of her old home even in a new space. Like at the hospital, Jachs' mixed-race force stands by making sure no stray farmpony or factory worker can see me. I look up to the top of the building where the flag of the Changeling Queendom flies over our heads. It’s a reminder that though things may look similar, times have changed.

Fluttershy helps open the door for me, and I see Jachs sitting at the dining room table with Applejack. Applejack turns to look at the sound, her face transforming on realizing it's me.

She bounds forward from the table, “Twi, is that really you?”

“It is. Just a little worse for wear,” I respond, acknowledging how awful I look.

“Why, you look like you’ve been through a tornado! Jachs said you were bein’ experimented on, but he didn’t say you’d be in a wheelchair! And your hooves - they're all overgrown!” she exclaims, full of worry.

“I’m alive, and that’s what matters,” I say, trying to draw attention away from my health and appearance, “It’s really nice to see you again.”

“I -” Applejack starts to speak, but then decides against it. “Same,” she says instead, embracing me. After a lengthy hug, she pulls away, her gaze focused on the outline of my ribs through my fur. “Twilight, you are thin. You need to eat something!” She starts to head towards the kitchen.

“Wait, I can’t eat that much solid food yet!” I call out with what strength I can muster.

“What? Why?” She stops in her tracks and turns around with an expression like she just heard the greatest crime against ponykind.

“I only just started eating solid food 2 days ago after not eating for five years. If I eat too much now, my body won’t be able to take it - I would literally die,” I explain, “I appreciate the thought though. Honestly, an apple sounds great.”

“Hey,” she shoots back, “Just because I grow apples doesn’t mean that’s the only food I have!”

“Oh, did you have something else in mind?” I ask.

“Well… no, but I could have had,” she says sheepishly.

“Ooo, ooo, I’ll eat whatever apple-related thing you were going to give Twilight!” offers Pinkie.

“Help yourself Pinkie. It’s good to see you and Fluttershy too,” says AJ. Pinkie hops into the kitchen.

“Sorry for destroying the old Sweet Apple Acres,” Fluttershy says, her tone full of guilt, “I wish it wasn’t necessary.”

“Right, you and Pinkie went off to fight with Zecora,” Applejack recalls, “I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings on the matter, but I forgive you. I dunno, I was so happy to see the Changelings get the what-for for once that I wasn’t even mad at the beginning, but then I had to beg the bug at the development office for a loan, and I had to promise all of these extra changeling preferential treatment policies… “ She trails off. “Apologies for calling your kind bugs, Generalmajor.”

Jachs steps forward, “No, no, it’s actually refreshing to see you so… you again. I mean, you remember our first meeting, right?”

“I do.” She responds, not elaborating. I don’t know the context of what they are referring to, so I give them a confused expression.

“I shouldn’t speak for Applejack,” Jachs says, “I understand this can be a sensitive subject. If we have your support, I’ll prepare for our departure.”

“Twilight has my support, not you,” she clarifies, “You might be nicer than the others, governor, but we both know that this mission ain’t goin’ change nothing about the occupation.” She takes a deep breath, “I will save my home, but not because you asked.”

Her words clearly had an effect on Jachs. He responds with a simple “I understand” and leaves just us ponies in the room, the door closing behind him.

“What did he mean?” I ask Applejack, “About your first meeting?”

“Jachs came to visit once. He was curious about what happened to the elements of harmony, and I happen to live in his jurisdiction.” She pauses, clearly not wanting to continue.

“It’s alright, Applejack,” says Fluttershy, “We’ve all done things we’re not proud of for the sake of Equestria. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but we’re here to listen if you do.”

Applejack's face looks unsure. She sighs and continues, “I should tell y’all. You deserve to know.” Pinkie renters the room, hooves full of apples. She looks as if she’s about to speak but notices the somber expression on Applejack’s face and listens too.

“I know you two and Rainbow Dash all went to fight in the resistance, but I had the farm to take care of. It ain’t just me I’m worried about, it’s Big Mac, Granny, and Applebloom too. If I kept fighting, I’d be dooming the farm and the family,” Applejack explains, “So, I did what I had to to protect the Apple family: I collaborated. The changelings wanted a dumb, obedient pony, so that’s what they got. That’s what Jachs saw when he came to visit - the act I put on for all the high-ranking changeling officials I have to stay in the good graces of.”

I can tell this hurts for her to say. The Element of Honesty, forced to put on a false persona to protect her family. I may have been experimented on and tortured, but, in a way, that reinforced who I am. In some ways, this is much worse. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say.

Fluttershy fills in for me, “Thank you for sharing, Applejack. No one could ask you to abandon your family to fight. There was no easy right answer.”

“I’ve come to terms with the decision I made,” Applejack says, “I’d do it again too. I may have had to sacrifice some of myself, but it keeps my family safe and fed, alongside all the other ponies who work here. I do feel a little guilty though when I see y’all were suffering for the cause while I was sittin’ pretty here.”

The room goes quiet as she finishes speaking. She tilts her hat down in an expression of sorrow. I feel like I’m supposed to have an answer for her - some kind of grandiose speech that can make everything better, but I can’t find the words. If I say Applejack did the right thing, I’m implicitly condemning Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. If I say they did the right thing, I’m implicitly condemning Applejack. I see everypony’s faces, and I realize this is about more than who did the right thing when; it’s about the real ponies in front of us.

Fluttershy is the first to act. She draws Applejack into a hug. I want to join them, but I physically don’t have the strength to wheel over. Pinkie sees this and extends her hooves across the impossibly long distance between us, pulling us all together in a group embrace.

“I really am glad to see y’all,” Applejack reiterates.

Nopony speaks after that. Nopony needs to. I feel a tear from Fluttershy land on me. I don’t know exactly what happened in the Everfree, but from everyone’s reactions, a lot of changelings died. I suppose in war, death is a constant companion, but its effects are left only for those of us alive to feel them. Did I dodge a bullet by being trapped in a cocoon for five years and therefore avoid having to compromise my morals? No. I don’t think so. This isn’t a contest of who suffered the most or the least. We’ve all suffered, and all of it is worth care.

I don’t know how long we stood in silence, but when we pulled back, it felt like it ended too soon. I think we all needed that bit of support from each other. We’re stronger together. On that note, Applejack begins packing her bags for the journey.

“Can I tell my family you’re back?” she asks me.

“I think it would be best not to,” I advise, “We’re trying to keep my whereabouts secret.”

“Alright,” she says. She heaves on her saddlebags before turning towards the stairs and yelling, “Granny, I’m going to be gone for a while. Take care of the farm while I’m gone!”

“Now hold on an apple-pickin’ minute!” comes the reply from upstairs, “What are y’all thinking tryin’ to leave during plantin’ season without any warning? Does this have to do with all the soldiers everywhere? Let me tell you, if -”

Applejack cuts her off before she enters a spiel, “Yes Granny, but it ain’t what you think. Just trust me, it’s important!” She stops to consider her wording, “I’m leaving to save the world.” That quiets her down.

“Just be home soon, you hear?” Granny finally says.

“I’ll do my best,” Applejack affirms.

“Pack your bags folks, this is the last time we’ll be in the castle for a while. Maybe ever if Canterlot gets nuked,” Jachs says as the eight of us enter the conference room. I sense his words are directed to his fellow changelings, as, amongst us ponies, only Applejack has bags to pack. Well, they did give the rest of us a saddlebag to hold some essentials that they put inside, but we don’t really have anything else to put in them given how we each arrived here.

I wonder what happened to all of my things. I would assume the Castle of Friendship is just like the Castle of the Two Sisters now given the Everfree’s expansion - basically inaccessible due to the foliage. I hope somepony got the important memories and books out. Maybe Starlight had a chance to - wait, I’ve missed some of the conversation.

“- and so that leaves us with a choice,” Jachs concludes, “Do we go after Rainbow Dash or Rarity first? I’m open to ideas here.”

“Where is Rainbow Dash these days?” asks Applejack, “I know Rarity’s up in Manehattan, but I ain’t heard nothing from Rainbow since the war.”

Alcippe brings out the dossiers she showed me before, “Well, according to this VOPS dossier, she hasn’t been seen in a while. There’s extensive documentation here before an operation by a Hauptjäger Rasch, after which sightings become scarce.”

“Hauptjäger Rasch? Isn’t he the most decorated pilot in the Heer?” Finicus comments.

“Was. According to this, he passed away during this operation,” Alcippe corrects, “Anyways, since resistance has calmed in the last few years, it could be her resistance cell simply ran out of resources as time went on.”

“Or,” offers Marsilio, “She was injured during that operation and hasn’t been able to do as much.”

“All valid theories,” acknowledges Jachs, “but are there any concrete leads we can use?”

Alcippe scans through the rest of the dossier looking for information, “It appears she works with the Marechester cell of the resistance in Bluebell Fields, but there’s not much else here.”

“Marechester’s not too far,” I say, “Does anycreature know how we could get in contact with the resistance there?”

“The information in this dossier is compiled from agents who have infiltrated the resistance, " offers Alcippe, "but we don’t know them, and I doubt they’d be willing to help.”

“Yeah, working through VOPS is a no-go,” Jachs says, “They’re probably already organizing an operation to arrest the four of us, so we couldn’t go through official channels. Unofficially, well, I just don’t have good contacts there like I do in the army.”

Finicus looks at Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, “You two were in the resistance, right? Do you know how we could contact them?”

“Oh silly, that’s a secret!” Pinkie answers, “We can’t just tell you our secret communication methods! I made a Pinkie promise! Besides, Zecora’s Resistance and Starlight’s are, like, totally separate, so I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to.”

“Let’s table it for now then,” says Jachs, “What about Rarity?”

Alcippe responds, ”Manehattan’s under Viiradian occupation, so we’ll have to sneak past enemy lines. After that though, it should be pretty simple to just take a train to Manehattan. My only worry is getting back.”

I feel like the changelings are contributing a lot more than we the supposed heroes are. It makes sense though; they won the war - they have the resources.

“I think I might have a solution for getting back,” Jachs says, “I have a cousin in the navy who’s a submarine captain. She might be able to get a team out of Manehattan and back into friendly territory. It’ll take some time to organize though.”

“Who’s going to be on that team, though?” Fluttershy asks.

“Ideally, I think all of the elements should be on that team,” I propose, “In case there’s a problem getting out, all six of us would at least be together, and we could still face Viira if necessary.”

“Makes sense to me,” replies Jachs, thinking it through, “That means we’d have to get Rainbow Dash first, but organizing the submarine will take a good amount of time too, so that works out.”

“Then we’re back to how to find Rainbow Dash,” realizes Alcippe, “Any more ideas?”

“We just need to find something she can’t resist,” reasons Pinkie, “Like a race!”

“That’s… actually not a bad idea, Pinkie,” I say, a little surprised, “It might actually work, but it’s not a guarantee.”

“We could do a honeypot,” offers Alcippe, “Imagine this: the resistance gets wind of a limited-time treasure trove of resources the resistance could use that just happens to be in Marechester temporarily and with few guards. She’d have to come out of hiding.”

“No,” Jachs states firmly, “There’s too much risk. First of all, I don’t know how we’re going to tip off the resistance. Secondly, there’s no guarantee Rainbow Dash herself appears. We know she doesn’t appear as much anymore, so there is the possibility she sends someone else, in which case we wasted our time. Thirdly, this puts a lot of changeling lives at risk. Even if she does show, there’s a chance she’s too effective, especially given we won’t be trying to stop her. I could lose a lot of soldiers - our friends who already volunteered to risk their careers and lives for the sake of this plan. If we can’t catch her, their lives will have been lost for nothing.”

Alcippe goes over the three reasons in her head before responding, “Well, I have a solution for the first problem, but you’re right on the second and third.”

We need something that Rainbow Dash herself would come out for, huh? Pinkie’s idea of a race wasn’t bad, and if we did enough of these innocuous events, she’d have to go to one of them. Maybe a Daring Do fan meetup?

I turn to my friends. I’m about to ask them for things they know Rainbow cares about when I realize that the answer has been right there in front of me - just too close for me to see. Us. Rainbow is the element of loyalty - there’s no need to fake having gold or weapons when we have 4 much more valuable targets.

I vocalize this idea with an “I got it!”, which makes everycreature turn to face me. I think my strength is starting to return - that shout didn’t hurt. “We already have something that Rainbow Dash herself will appear for - us!” I say, gesturing towards the four of us ponies. Everycreature’s face becomes thoughtful as they each think through the idea themselves.

Applejack speaks first, “Are you sayin’ we use ourselves as bait?”

“Yes,” I confirm, “If we are able to communicate with the resistance, there’s a chance they won’t believe us if we tell the truth. However, I think they would believe it if a certain changeling governor was planning to execute four enemies of the Queendom. If I know Rainbow, the ponies around her are going to tell her to let someone else handle it, but she won’t take no for an answer.”

“That sounds juuust like her!” comments Pinkie, “But couldn’t I just throw a party? I’m sure she’d come!”

Jachs’ brow furrows, “Hmm… that… that might be a bridge too far. If the empress found out the elements were free right after learning I set Princess Twilight free, well, we’d all probably be branded as traitors immediately. At least with an unauthorized execution, she wouldn't see it as treason; I’ve hosted executions before, well not me personally, but I mean my administration has. That still leaves two outstanding problems; Alcippe, you said you had a potential solution for contacting the resistance?”

“We could run a story in the newspaper. The law obligates all print media to follow the directive of the Queen’s Tower, and you are the Empress’ representative in this region. Actually, you wouldn’t even have to make them print it, the story of four element bearers being executed sells papers by itself,” Alcippe elaborates.

“I suppose the Empress already knows we broke Twilight out, but I don’t really like this level of publicity on our activities,” Jachs says lukewarmly.

“I don’t think the public would bat an eye,” Finicus theorizes, “If anything, it makes it look to the Empress like we broke Twilight out to execute her.”

“The only problem with that,” Jachs counters, “Is that she knows me. Vaspier and Lacin too. Maybe they don’t know our ultimate plans, but they know that that would be very out of form for me. It would be highly suspicious.”

“If they already know we’re up to something, then that doesn’t change anything,” argues Alcippe.

“True,” Jachs admits, “but imagine this: you’re a media bug in Vesalipolis. Suddenly, you get a hundred calls about executing four element bearers, which you have no idea about. What do you do? Call the government offices of course. The Queen’s Tower is then stuck doing damage control about potential rogue officers and inconsistent policies. It’s not the unified front Empress Chrysalis wants, and it would force a quick response.”

“They’re already going to respond,” Finicus points out, “and probably soon. So, assuming they’re currently planning an operation, this doesn't change the timeline at all.”

“If Chrysalis already knows Twilight’s free, can't you just send her a message telling her our plan? It wouldn’t be an unauthorized execution, but an unauthorized secret operation instead. I'd reckon that'd reduce the ‘administrative chaos’ you're trying to avoid,” Applejack points out, "She may not approve, but that might keep her from tryin’ to kill us just yet.”

Jachs considers the proposal, “Hmm… I'm currently having everyling on the phones using delay tactics to stall questions from Vesalipolis about my activity. I could write a statement for them to pass on instead…”

“I think the question is how mad the Empress is,” Alcippe adds, "That determines if she just wants to talk, is sending VOPS to arrest you, or if she's told Lacin and the Queen's Guard to kill us. In the last case, communication is probably not going to do much, but in the case of the other two, it could get her to hold off temporarily.”

“We've already crossed our Folino River, so to speak,” says Marsilio,” It's time to commit to the plan. What was the point of saving Twilight if everything we do is going to be too escalatory?”

Jachs takes a moment before responding, “Maybe… That still leaves the problem of the resistance being… overzealous and killing a bunch of my soldiers who are only pretending to guard you.”

I respond, “It would have to be isolated, a form of execution that doesn’t require direct physical intervention - like hanging. You could set us up on a hillside just out of town or something and then back up far away. When Rainbow comes to rescue us, we can talk to her and then regroup once she gets the plan.” I know I’m talking about what is ultimately a stage play, but still, talking about your own execution is a little surreal.

“Let me just make sure we’re all on the same page,” Jachs says, “We go to Marechester, declare we’re executing the four of you while informing the Empress of our plans to defeat Viira, then we put up gallows somewhere remote and just leave you there. I guess then we’ll form a perimeter say a mile away to keep out any nosy citizens. Rainbow Dash appears, you talk to her, and then we all get together to get Rarity.”

“Sounds super cool!” says Pinkie.

“And you’re sure Rainbow Dash will show up personally?” Jachs asks.

“Positive,” I reply. If there’s one thing I’m sure about this plan, it’s that Rainbow Dash will try and save us if she believes we’re in danger. I look to my friends, and they give me the same confidence in their expressions.

“I can’t say I love it,” Jachs makes clear, “but I don’t have a better plan.”

“Compromise has always been the name of the game for us,” Alcippe says, “He used to say that all the time during the war and things always worked out then.”

“Heh,” Jachs laughs, “I guess so. Alcippe can requisition the train to Marechester. I, on the other hoof, have a cousin to call and a statement to write.”

As we arrive at Canterlot station, the convoy doesn’t stop. Instead, we head out past the main station towards the railyard. The line of trucks and tracked vehicles stops next to a set of flatbed train cars. There is the sound of tens of doors opening at once as soldiers from Jachs’ unit begin leaving their vehicles simultaneously.

Pinkie Pie starts wheeling me off the truck lift as all around us is a flurry of activity.

“Wow, they all seem to know what they're doing,” Pinkie says.

A changeling officer approaches us, “Your car is that one over there.” She points at a passenger car in the distance, “We got one just for you and your friends, Princess. Well, that and the equipment.” I thank her, and we begin wheeling towards the car.

“Wait a minute,” Applejack calls out at the officer, “Shouldn’t we be, y’know, hiding? This is a train station after all.”

The officer turns around, “This yard will be pretty secluded. These trains are miles long, so just don’t roam too far.”

As we approach the train car, I hear the rumble of diesel engines behind me. The trucks and armored vehicles are driving along the beds of the train cars behind us to get into position, lining up on each train car before the drivers get off and begin lashing the vehicle to the beds. During the war, changeling soldiers in armored vehicles would have been a threatening image, but in this particular moment with these particular changelings, I actually feel relieved they’re here.

At the foot of the train car, I see the first obstacle to our mission to get Rainbow Dash: the stairs into the car. The cargo lifts on the trucks have been getting me through so far, but no such luck here.

“We can lift the chair in,” offers Fluttershy, “Um, unless you want to try it yourself.”

Try it myself, huh? I haven’t tried walking yet, but I do feel stronger today… “I’ll try it,” I decide, “Just… be ready to catch me.”

Applejack and Pinkie Pie come up on each side of my wheelchair. Ok. It’s just walking Twilight, you’ve done it countless times before. Let’s just start with my right hoof. I look at my overgrown hoof. It’s curved back on itself, creating a curved bottom that arcs back up, which doesn’t leave me a good standing surface. Hoo boy. I lean forward and put my right hoof down. Immediately, my weight shifts forward, forcing me to put my left leg down too. Nope, I can’t hold this position. Applejack and Pinkie catch me, one of them on each side, each holding a shoulder. I feel a wobble as my curved hooves can’t find a grip on the flat steel first step. Woah, two wobbles. I feel Fluttershy floating above me gripping my abdomen, relieving some of the weight.

“We got you,” Fluttershy says, “Take your time.”

Ok. With three ponies helping support my weight, I am standing. I lift my right leg, causing a wobble in my left. The force it takes to stabilize my left hoof strains my muscles, and I can already feel muscle pain in my fetlock. I put my right leg down on the next step. Another wobble. Do I dare lift my left leg? If I’m going to make it up, I’m going to have to do this for all three steps, and then also move my back legs. Last chance to back out… Yeah, this isn’t happening.

“Ow… ok, I’m not going to make it up,” I say, wincing at the pain in my left leg, “You can put me back in the chair.” Immediately, Pinkie and Applejack put more strength in bearing my weight and the pain begins to fade. Fluttershy pulls my body back into the wheelchair from above. Whew. I’m lifted like on a sedan by the three of them working together and successfully reach the top of the stairs. Well, that’s another foe defeated by the power of friendship. That’s funny, I should say that.

“Another foe bested by the power of friendship!” I say, projecting a little confidence in face of my defeat. Pinkie laughs, then Applejack, and then Fluttershy. It’s infectious, and I join in. We enter the passenger car. Half of the car has had its seats removed, but the rest of them are still around. We get into a set of seats facing each other, with my friends helping me off my wheelchair. Fluttershy trots over to the crates with interest.

“Whatcha looking for Fluttershy?” Pinkie asks.

“There should be - aha!” She says excitedly, “Here it is!” She opens a crate and begins bringing over the contents to our seats. A hoof stand, a pair of nippers, and a hoof knife - farrier tools. I look at my hoof again. I could definitely use a trim, actually a lot more than a trim, especially given the difficulty I just had standing.

“I asked Jachs if he could help me get some farrier’s tools, and he said he would get them in time for us to leave Canterlot,” Fluttershy explains, “I found this note on a crate here.” She shows us the note.

“‘Miss Fluttershy, you should find what we discussed in this crate.’,” Applejack reads, “Well that’s mighty considerate of him.”

“I think he’s trying his best to be good,” Fluttershy says, “He may be a loyal servant of Chrysalis, but that doesn’t stop him from being kind.”

“You know what would be kind,” Applejack comments, “not invading Equestria.”

“Maybe he feels that if it wasn’t him, it would be someling worse,” defends Fluttershy, “Maybe he didn’t do as much as we wanted to prevent this all from happening, but he is helping us now to save the world, so that much, at least, is worth our gratitude.”

“I just don’t like relying on a changeling,” Applejack expresses, but doesn’t push any further.

I put my left hindleg onto the hoof stand Fluttershy has set up. She grips the nippers in her mouth before looking confused at my hoof. Yeah, I wouldn’t know where to start either.

“When this happened on the farm and we called in a farrier, he always started with a saw,” Applejack says, adding her input, “And I never saw nothing like this before.”

“The crate didn’t have a saw…” Fluttershy sadly informs us, “With just nippers and a knife, this is going to take a while, but I’m willing to do it for you, Twilight.”

Pinkie suddenly dashes off to the crates and sticks a hoof between two of them, looking for something. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy,” she shouts back to us, “I have saws stashed all over Equestria, in case of saw emergency.” Somehow, she pulls out a saw from between the crates before dashing back over and giving it to a surprised Fluttershy.

How did she do that? That can’t have always been there. This train was only loaded when Jachs’ unit commandeered it, which is when these crates must have been put in. When in Celestia’s name did she have the time to stash this saw? What else is she stashing? Where? When? I’m about to open my mouth when I realize asking will probably only lead to more questions. Just Pinkie being Pinkie.

“Hold still, Twilight,” Fluttershy says before picking up the saw in her mouth and cutting through my excess hoof. I get a little nervous, but after looking again it’s actually still pretty far from my coffin bone. I’m just not used to getting this much cut off. Nor is anypony I suspect. How many other ponies have been left to rot in a cocoon for years and lived to tell the tale?

As she saws through, I speculate on the insides of my hoof. Usually, misgrown and overgrown hoof is irregular or distorted and can be full of false sole, dirt, and infection, but a lot of that comes from contact with the ground. I was held in suspension, letting my hooves grow freely without the normal downwards pressure, creating a perfect curve on all four never seen in regular life. The insides are also probably perfectly uniform, with no blemishes given the lack of contact.

Fluttershy saws through, and the excess hoof falls to the ground with a thunk, leaving behind a still overgrown hoof but something that actually resembles something that should be at the end of a leg. She switches to nippers, gripping one end in her mouth and the other in a hoof as she clips off small bits of hoof to shape it into something good for standing on.

After a few layers of clipping, she puts down the nippers. “How’s my hoof looking?” I ask, curious.

“Actually, pretty clean,” she says, “Not like the animals I usually do this on.” I will definitely take that as a compliment. “I still can’t find your frog though. Maybe I should have sawn a bit closer to the bone,” she assesses.

She takes the hoof knife in her mouth and begins up and down carving motions in search of my frog. I try to imagine what it looks like as I can’t see the bottom of my hoof with it in the stand. No frog, huh. I visualize a normal hoof, just without the normal heart-shaped indent. That’s probably what it looks like right now, just with the whole thing being a bit longer given the overgrowth.

Fluttershy grabs the nippers again. “I think my sawing angle was a bit off, let me even things out a bit,” she explains before another set of clipping ensues. There’s a sudden lurch as the train begins to move, interrupting us for a moment.

“Off to Marechester,” I comment.

“And to Rainbow Dash!” adds Pinkie.

After a few more minutes of nipping and carving, Fluttershy brings out a file and begins smoothing everything out. From what I can tell, my hoof, at least this one, finally looks, well, like a hoof.

“There, all done!” She proclaims, a little weariness evident in her voice. I turn my hoof around to see the bottom. The upside-down heart shape greets me, one I realize I haven’t seen in five years. At last, a healthy hoof.

“Amazing work, Fluttershy!” I praise.

She smiles, “I’m not sure I can do that three more times, but I’m glad I could help.”

“I can take the next one,” helps Applejack, “I care for the hooves of our animals on the farm, so this should be no problem.”

She switches spots with Fluttershy as I switch to my other hindleg. Taking the saw, she also starts working. I’m so happy to be with my friends again. It isn’t just the fact that it would be very difficult to do this myself given the level of overgrowth, but seeing their willingness to help me just fills me with warm feelings and just so much gratitude. I can’t wait to be reunited with Rainbow and Rarity.

Applejack finishes off the next two hooves with Fluttershy taking the last one. Not only is there literal weight off my hooves now, but that’s another mark of my imprisonment gone. My mane, feathers, and fur will probably grow back ok after a few weeks of eating properly, and gaining back my weight probably won’t take too much time either. For the first time since being in the pod, I see an actual future, at least related to my physical recovery. Time will tell if I live that long.

For dinner, Applejack gives me half an apple, which is all my digestive system can take after my porridge, and we arrive in Marechester with Luna’s moon just rising. I’m once again helped into my wheelchair when we arrive at the stairs that bested me hours earlier. The girls get in position to lift me down, but I hold out a hoof.

“Wait,” I interrupt, “I want to try again.”

The girls look at each other, “Are you sure?” asks Fluttershy gently, “It seemed very painful for you before.”

I respond, “It was, but I actually have something to stand on now.” I use one hoof to point at another, showcasing my lack of overgrowth. “Besides, going down is easier than going up, right?”

“Okie doki loki, but we’re holding you the whole time, got it?” Pinkie conditions.

“I’ll need it,” I confirm, before beginning my lean forwards. I’m more ready this time, and land with both hooves. Whoa, that’s a world of difference now that I have a flat bottom to stand on. Sure, Applejack and Pinkie are supporting at least half my weight, but I feel like I could do this for a while.

Fluttershy moves my wheelchair to the bottom of the stairs and flutters back up with her front legs outstretched, ready to support me from the front. Let’s try just a standard walk. I start my hind left leg forward. Ok, no problem. Left front leg down the first step. The metal sounds as my hoof makes contact, and I move my right hind leg forward one step. Wow, it’s working. Finally, I move my front right leg onto the first step down to match my left leg. One successful cycle! It's a tight fit with all three of us on the stairs at the same time, but Pinkie and AJ are determined to help. As my body angles downwards to walk down the stairs, Fluttershy moves in to provide more support, cushioning any potential downward force due to gravity. I hear her affirming words, but I’m too busy focusing on the minutiae of my movements that the words themselves are lost to me.

This used to be so instinctual that when I actually have to use my mind to focus on exactly what body movements to make when walking, it feels almost like I don’t know how. Like, obviously, I know how to walk, but now that my conscious mind is totally focused on the task, the “right way” escapes me. It doesn’t help that my legs feel totally different now given how thin and weak they are now.

My feet make contact with the dirt as I hit the bottom of the stairs. It’s a familiar feeling, but one that feels foreign after not having experienced it for five years. I see the wheelchair in front of me. Even with the help of my friends, I can feel the exertion in my muscles. If Pinkie or Applejack let up their support even for a moment, that leg would probably immediately buckle. Instead of taking another step, I put my hoof down on the armrest of my wheelchair. Sensing my intention, Fluttershy stops supporting my weight from the front and gets behind the wheelchair to stop it from rolling away from the force of my weight on it. Deliberately, and with some help, I turn my body around and resume my sitting position. Sweet redemption.

“Woo!” I give a little cheer. My friends join in, their joyful faces buoying my spirits.

“Congratulations, Princess,” Jachs’ voice rings out from towards the front of the train. I didn’t see him disembark, but I suppose my mind was focused elsewhere. “It’s good to see you walking again, even if it's with assistance.”

“It sure feels good. Maybe I’ll be able to walk using a walker soon,” I speculate hopefully.

I hear the sound of trucks behind me. I initially want to look at the trucks being unlashed from the train, but the sound isn’t coming from that direction. The sound gets louder as those around me begin turning their heads as well. Thankfully, Fluttershy notices my wheelchair is still facing the train and rotates me around. Looks like 3 cars. The middle one is quite nice, while the other two are military vehicles. Someling important?

“One of your friends?” I ask Jachs.

“Not that I know of. This could be bad - shoot, they’ve seen us,” he says, starting to worry, “Uh… look imprisoned!” He grabs a couple nearby soldiers, “You two, guard the elements!” They get the message and are soon by our side, submachine guns hanging from their slings. The cars pull up parallel to this section of the train in front of us. The changelings in Jachs’ unit look wary as they continue unloading the vehicles. They don’t know what’s going on either - are they worried things could come to violence?

Armed changelings exit from the new vehicles, and one of them opens the door of the nice car to reveal an officer, who steps out and begins walking towards Jachs.

“Generalmajor!” he calls out, “My secretary told me you were coming to town, so I thought it would be best to greet you at the station. Oberstleutnant Ernst - we met at the officer’s party last year?”

“Ah… yes,” Jachs replies, seemingly remembering, “You’re in charge of the occupation here in Bluebell Fields, correct?”

“Yes, sir,” he says, “Here to be of service. What brings you here to our fine slice of Her Majesty’s empire? I assume this has to do with them?” He cocks his head towards my friends and I. “Quite the prize, I’d imagine.”

“Indeed,” Jachs acknowledges, “I’ll only be here a couple days. We’re executing these four tomorrow evening. Actually, could you prepare a press statement about the matter to be published in the morning?”

“Of course, sir” comes the response, “May I ask though, why here?”

“Too many resistance sympathizers in Canterlot, as you might expect,” Jachs quickly fabricates, “Same reason for the lack of warning to the public, can’t risk any rebel activity.”

“Makes sense. Do you have a venue in mind? If too many prying eyes is the issue I would assume you would want it to be remote,” Ernst offers helpfully.

Jachs, sensing an opportunity, quickly says back “If you have a location, I’m all ears.”

“There’s this hill just outside the city proper that should suit your needs - I’ll have my folks send your folks the address. Welcome to Marechester!” He turns, but his gaze catches on us. I try to give him my most sincere pained look, which I hope my sickly countenance helps to amplify. “I must say, Generalmajor, you sure are confident. No hoofcuffs or restraints on the prisoners?”

“Prin-” Jachs catches himself, “Twilight Sparkle is in quite poor health, hence our need to get our political mileage out of her while she’s still alive. As for the others, well, this is their last day alive. I’m trying to show them some decency.”

“It seems your reputation is well earned, sir. As long as the job is done in the end, I suppose,” He says, continuing to look at the four of us, “I get it though, who knows what the Queen’s Guard must have done to her, huh? They really do just feel like a bunch of sadists sometimes.”

“Heh, true,” Jachs says as Ernst begins walking back to his car. He calls out, “Good to see you, Oberstleutnant!” I didn’t realize it, but everycreature around us had stopped their work to watch that conversation. I see Alcippe pop out from behind a stack of crates with a squad of changelings with their guns drawn - I think they were preparing for a firefight in case Ernst tried to stop us. With the cars pulling away, the soldiers resume their activities. Jachs gives a large exhale and turns back towards us.

“Wow, nice acting!” compliments Pinkie, “You totally had him fooled!”

Jachs sighs, “I guess, but it didn’t really feel like acting to me. That was just me letting loose a little. Sometimes I feel that if I didn’t have my conscience, I’d just be like that all the time. Does that make me evil?”

This sounds familiar. Then I remember I have two protégés who are reformed villains, and it all makes sense. “Our consciences are part of us too, Jachs, and yours won’t disappear as long as you don’t want it to,” I tell him.

“I will say,” Applejack comments, “you were very convincing. I almost believed you.”

“It’s my job, so it would probably be bad if I couldn’t act the part,” he says, “You know, I never asked to be governor of Canterlot. I just happened to be the one in charge of the garrison there when the war ended. That ended up meaning running things there and, after a while, Queen Chrysalis just gave me the title. I guess my point is, I’m feeling pretty out of my depth right now. Secret missions of dubious legality? Saving the world? That’s supposed to be above my pay grade.”

“I understand what you’re feeling. I felt the same when I first became a princess,” I share.

“Really?” he responds, surprised, “You always seemed so… larger than life.”

“I didn’t ask to be princess either. For me it was just one day where I had to save my friends. I never expected that Princess Celestia would come to me at the end and just give me wings. I didn’t know what my role really meant for at least a year,” I elaborate.

“So, if even you feel out of your depth, what hope is there for the rest of us?” Jachs says, pessimistically.

“I’m just a pony, I make mistakes from time to time,” I instinctively respond. That felt wrong - that was definitely the wrong thing to say. He needs some encouragement. I consider my words, “I think everycreature feels like an imposter sometimes. The vulnerability that comes from sharing it isn’t a bad thing, actually, it’s a good thing for friendship. Celestia, Chrysalis, I’m sure they have days where they feel like they don’t have the answers too. Maybe even Viira.”

“I doubt she does,” Jachs dismisses.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. She feels like one of those types to be sure of everything, even when she isn’t right. Heh, she could probably do with feeling a bit more out of her depth,” I reason, building off of Jachs’ point. He chuckles slightly at the thought.

“Well, I may have felt unworthy of being a princess, but if there’s anything we as a group have done, it’s save the world," I pivot, trying to inject some optimism back into the conversation.

“Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Tirek,” Applejack lists, “Heck, that ain’t even half of them.”

“Yeah!” seconds Pinkie, “King Meowmeow, the Dazzlings -” She catches herself, “Whoops, sorry! Wrong timeline.”

I have no idea who Pinkie is referencing, but Fluttershy steps in to speak, “Well, for me, I still always feel overwhelmed whenever we go on an adventure to save the world. But, somehow, when I’m with you all, it isn’t so bad.”

“The magic of friendship, huh,” Jachs says pensively, looking lost in thought. He says nothing for a few seconds. “Well, that’s that problem solved. I’m going to go on ahead and get the local garrison to provide us with lodgings. I’ll try to get you all somewhere private.” He looks around, searching for someling before his eyes land on Alcippe. “Alcippe!” he calls out, the changeling turning at the sound of his voice, “Escort the princess and her friends to the barracks - I’m going on ahead.”

“Yes, sir,” she replies. Approaching us, she gestures in the direction of the back of the train where the vehicles are around half unloaded from the train, “This way. We have a big day ahead of us, and not a lot of time to make preparations.”

Brr… It’s still chilly. We’re heading on hoof (or on wheel for me) to the cliffside where the mock execution is to take place. We left the barracks at 7am, so it’s still pretty early. I think I’m the only cold one though. Looking around, everycreature else seems to be just fine in the temperature. It must be my lack of fat. Being undernourished for five years had quite an impact on my figure, and I’m now sensing the practical issues that come with having zero natural insulation.

I look down at my copy of this morning's edition of the Marechester Gazette. Our article is on page 3: “Four Elements of Harmony to be Executed” reads the headline. Simple and unsensational, as was the intention. We want to minimize the potential for public action that could lead to spontaneous riots. The less attention on us, the better. How much a headline does, well, that’s up for debate. With less than a day’s warning though, there shouldn’t be too much interference - we just want the main star: Rainbow Dash.

Looking up, I see the changelings and ponies of Jachs’ unit hard at work constructing a gallows. The execution is scheduled for the afternoon, so we need to be ready long before then because we don’t know when Rainbow plans to rescue us. Knowing her, she’ll be out here as soon as she can, so we need to have our “trap” ready by then.

We arrive at a group of changelings tying knots in some rope with their levitation. Jachs addresses them, “Stabsgefreiter, are the hanging setups prepared?”

A changeling gets up to report, “Almost sir, Clypeus thinks he has an arrangement that will appear from afar like they are being hanged, but we want to test it first to make sure.”

“Anypony want to volunteer to be hanged first?” asks Jachs.

Who should it be? I look down at myself. I don’t know if I have enough muscle to support myself comfortably no matter how they distribute the weight. They’ll probably have to change the rig for me. It would be best to start with the pony least at risk of being hurt. Maybe Fluttershy since she could flap to ease the weight off in case it doesn’t work at first.

“Ooo, ooo! Pick me!” My train of thought is interrupted by Pinkie’s eager volunteering.

“Now why in tarnation would you want to do that?” Applejack expresses with disbelief.

Pinkie hops forward to where the test ropes are set up, “Sounds like it’ll be like a trapeze, and I love trapezes!”

“That settles that then,” Jachs says, “Stabsgefreiter, hang Miss Pie.”

Two changelings gather around her. There are two ropes hanging from a hastily constructed beam, ending in two loops. The first one is shorter and looks like a traditional noose while the second is longer and ends in a much larger loop. The changelings help Pinkie step into the larger of the two loops and put the noose over her head.

“Here goes nothing…” one mutters. He then tightens both ropes and begins turning a winch to lift her up. First its her front hooves leaving the ground, but once the winch lifts the rope to the point beyond where Pinkie can stand, her back hooves follow.

“Whee!” Pinkie exclaims as her back hooves lift off. From this angle, it’s pretty clear her weight is being held almost entirely by the rope now snugly caught in the nook between her front legs and torso, but I can imagine that, from the front or afar, nopony would be able to tell she wasn’t being hanged.

“Given the short notice and limited materials, I’ll give it a pass,” Jachs says.

“It just needs to be realistic enough that Rainbow doesn’t suspect a trap and that we’re not changelings in disguise,” I say, “We just need her close enough to talk.”

Is this setup good enough though? If I saw this, would I suspect anything? Well, without the knowledge that it’s fake, I probably wouldn’t question it. Eeeeh, Rainbow’s an experienced insurgent at this point, right? She should be on the lookout for signs that this could be a trap. She’s not unobservant; if she’s actively searching for things out of place, would the second rope trigger anything? I’m not so sure.

“Is there a thinner rope we could use to hold us up?” I ask the noose team, “I just want to make sure Rainbow doesn’t sniff out a trap and leave.”

One of the changelings shakes his head, “Sorry Princess, this standard-issue rope is all we have.”

“Um, could somecreature maybe go out and buy some thinner rope then?” Fluttershy asks, “Unless it’s too late, of course.”

Jachs is about to respond when a runner pulls up behind him, calling for his attention, “Generalmajor! The perimeter team is reporting that protesters are already showing up trying to get through!”

“What!?” he responds, “Already? It isn’t even 8am yet!” He suddenly has an epiphany, “Wait, this early in the day, already organized… they must be from the resistance!” He has another moment of realization. “If the resistance is here already…” he stops speaking and looks to the sky.

I hear shouting from Jachs’ soldiers all around. Lots of hooves start pointing upwards. I follow everycreature else’s gaze and see a rainbow streaking across the sky - she’s here. It’s too early, way too early.

“Everycreature listen up!” Jachs shouts, “We are officially improvising! Stop everything you’re doing and vacate the area and give the elements some privacy. Remember the rules of engagement: whatever happens, do NOT fire at Rainbow Dash.” He turns to face us. “Good luck!” he wishes us before turning around and rallying his forces to retreat.

The changelings and ponies still setting up the gallows ditch their tools where they stood and begin scrambling to leave. A deafening kaboom rings out directly over us as the tell-tale explosion of a sonic rainboom expands over our heads. Pieces of paper whoosh past us caught in Rainbow Dash’s wake as she passes us at supersonic speeds. I can feel my bones rattle in the shockwave. Where’d she go? There - looks like that was just the first pass - she’s turning, probably preparing to come around again. Pinkie is left swinging in the wind, but she looks like she’s having a good time.

Shouting from all sides fills my ears as Jachs and his soldiers attempt to leave as fast as possible. With the rules of engagement being to never shoot, nocreature is eager to stay and get picked off by the Wonderbolt ace.

Rainbow Dash returns. She must be going slower, because I can actually see her this time. Headed directly at us, her blue coat is unmistakable. She has a rifle in hand and is aiming in our direction. She - oh my - she has a metal wing!

Pinkie yelps. The rope on her neck falls loose as it snaps, leaving her to hang on only the rope around her torso. Was that a bullet? I didn’t hear anything. I hear the next shot though, and Pinkie gives another surprised sound as the second rope is shot through, sending her to the ground, which is thankfully only a foot below.

Rainbow passes over our heads again, but this time she pulls up, leaving her far above us. In an instant, she’s flying directly down on us and lands with tremendous force, kicking up a dust cloud.

“Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, AJ!” Rainbow yells, “We’ve gotta get out of here before the bugs come back. That rainboom is probably only going to scare them for another minute or so. There’s a car waiting for us, but I can only fly one of you there at a time. Who’s first?”

This is all going way too fast. Rainbow takes that split second of hesitation to answer the question herself. She quickly looks at the four of us before turning to me.

“Twilight, you look like you need help. You’re up first,” she declares. She almost throws me on her back and takes to the skies with zero warning. I can hear the others shouting for Rainbow to stop, but they quickly fade as we move out of earshot.

“Wait! Rainbow! You need to stop and go back!” I shout to the best of my ability.

“Don’t worry Twi, I’ll get everypony else in a second,” she says back, misunderstanding my meaning.

“You don’t understand!” I try explaining. I didn’t get the chance to plan out what to say to her - how do I tell her what’s going on? “This isn’t a real execution!” I desperately yell.

“Heh, yeah, it’s a trap to lure me out? I figured.” she replies, not changing her heading, “Chill, I’m way too fast for them!”

“That’s not what I mean, Rainbow! What I mean is that the execution was my idea! We’re not in danger! You can slow down - woooahah!” Rainbow’s altitude suddenly drops, and she skids to a stop in the middle of a thicket. She sloughs me off her back and onto the ground. Ow.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you confessing you’re a changeling!?” She says with equal parts contempt and confusion.

“What? No!” I respond. I instinctively try to stand up, but I’m instead reminded why I need a wheelchair. “Listen, a changeling named Jachs rescued me from my prison. He needs us to defeat Viira for the sake of the world!”

“You’re working with a changeling? That’s exactly what a changeling would say. I’m not buying it,” She points her rifle at me, “Tell me something only the real Twilight would know.”

Uhhhhh… Something that only I would know? Something that Rainbow can verify…

“We… We once taught a lesson together at the Wonderbolts Academy. Remember Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger?” I recall.

Rainbow looks unamused, “Anypony could have looked that up. More personal!”

“Uh… You don’t like Pinkie Pie’s pies!” I blurt out.

Her demeanor changes and she drops her rifle, letting it hang free from its strap, “Wait, it is you? You’re working with… them?”

“It’s… a long story,” Ok, maybe it’s not that long, but it’s hard to come up with where to start right now.

Rainbow thinks for a second, “So that means the stories about Viira are true then, huh. I thought it was all changeling propaganda.”

“I know it all sounds crazy, but a few days ago, Jachs marched into the lab where I was being held and rescued me from the cocoon I was being experimented on in. He thinks the elements of harmony are the only chance the world has against Viira, and, from what I’ve heard, he’s right,” I sum up.

“And to think they’ve always thought their armies were so great,” Rainbow scoffs, “Still, do we have to defeat Viira? With the changeling army busy fighting the war, it meant we were finally starting to make some progress.”

I sigh, “I wish I could say doing this would somehow win Equestria’s freedom, but we’ll have to settle for not being mind controlled. At least for now.”

Rainbow groans, clearly not enthused at the thought of working with the occupation. “Fine, but for you - not for them.”

“Thank you, Rainbow,” I say, “Um, can you give me a lift back to my wheelchair? Five years in a cocoon wasn’t great for my muscle strength.”

“Five years!? Geez, no wonder you look so skinny,” Rainbow comments, “Alright, let’s get you back.”

Rainbow carefully puts me back on her back and begins flying back at a much more leisurely pace.

“You’re sure they won’t shoot us?” she questions.

“They won’t. The reason all the soldiers scattered when you did your sonic rainboom was because they’ve been ordered not to shoot you, even in self-defense.”

“Wow.”

As we reach the gallows, Fluttershy, AJ, and Pinkie wave at us. Rainbow lands right in front of my wheelchair, and the four of them work together to put me back in. Not being able to walk sucks.

“So, you all agreed to pretend to get executed just to get me to come?” Rainbow asks us.

“Yeah!” Pinkie says, “Did you like my trapeze?”

“I didn’t when I thought you were being hanged!” Rainbow replies, “I’m just glad you guys are safe.”

“Sorry for making you worry,” I apologize, “Time is not on our side, and we needed a way to get you as soon as possible.”

“And so you decided to stage an execution?” She asks rhetorically, “That’s… awesome actually.”

Fluttershy looks over at Rainbow’s metal wing, “Rainbow, your wing…”

“Oh, that,” she acknowledges, flexing the metal feathers, “Yeah, a few years back I got shot down on a mission. Don’t worry, I got the guy that did it. Not as good as the original, but still pretty good.” She moves on, “Anyway, you said time isn’t on our side, how long do we have?”

“Jachs said Viira would be in Canterlot in two to three weeks. The rest of Equestria and the Changeling Queendom will fall soon afterwards. This probably isn’t widely circulated, but he also said that most of the changeling army has already been lost,” I explain, “And, we still need to find Rarity in Manehattan, which is now in Viiradian hooves.”

“The changeling army has already lost? That’s great!” Rainbow immediately responds. Her expression then becomes conflicted, “I guess in this specific circumstance, maybe it’s not so great. Dang, never thought I’d feel sorry for the bugs.”

“You can say that again,” Applejack commiserates.

“So, we’re a few weeks before the end of the world, and we have to go on a secret mission behind enemy lines to save Rarity, and then the world?” Rainbow says, now interested, “Sounds like one of our old adventures! Where do we start?”

“Let’s meet back with Jachs,” I say, “If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to leave immediately for Manehattan.”

The five of us head to the tents set up at the halfway point between the gallows and the perimeter. The guards, one pony and one changeling, greet us happily and escort us to the command tent. I take a look at Rainbow, who is clearly feeling a little antsy around so many armed changelings. She pulls her own rifle closer to her, perhaps to remind herself it’s still there.

As we approach the command tent, a changeling approaches Rainbow Dash, “Um, could you remove your weapon before entering?” he requests.

Rainbow looks uneasy. “Why, is that a policy?” she says defensively.

The guard hesitates, “No… It’s just that I feel like I wouldn’t be doing my job if I let a known terrorist see the generalmajor with a loaded weapon.”

I see Rainbow’s face. She does not want to relinquish her rifle. I should probably try and defuse the situation.

Before I can speak, a tent flap lifts up, revealing Alcippe behind it.

“I thought I heard something.” She sees Rainbow Dash and turns her head back to the tent, “Generalmajor, she’s here!” She turns back to us, “Come on in!”

The guard looks surprised and cocks his head towards Rainbow’s rifle. “Ma’am…” he says, his meaning clear.

“Relax, Schütze, if anycreature is in danger here, it’s them,” Alcippe replies. We take her invitation and enter the tent, discomfort still visible on the guard’s face. I apologize to the guard for the… unorthodox situation as we enter.

Jachs has a radio in one hoof, and we catch him in the middle of issuing orders.

“- it up. Bring everything back to the barracks, and we’ll debrief,” he finishes, setting the device down. His face lights up when he sees Rainbow Dash, and he walks up to her.

“Miss Rainbow Dash, thank you for being here,” he begins, “I know this is probably a lot to take in, but rest assured, I am willing to put aside any of your past crimes against the Queendom for the sake of defeating Viira.” He extends a hoof. “Truce?”

Rainbow Dash looks taken aback at his kind tone. She waits a moment before shaking it. “Sure… just don’t call me ‘miss’, that’s… weird.” She regains her composure, “If Twilight thinks Viira is a threat, I believe her, but don’t think that means I’m ok with you or the rest of your Queendom in my country.”

Jachs sighs, “I get it. You’ve been dealt some bad cards. I’m doing the best I can to treat the ponies under my jurisdiction with respect, but you have to understand that I’m not given a lot of wiggle room by the crown. If I do too much…”

“You’ll get a reprimand?” Rainbow sounds offended at the explanation, “A slap on the wrist and you keep your cushy pension.”

“- I’ll get replaced.” Jachs firmly finishes, “and you better believe the changeling who replaces me will be hoofpicked by the Queen’s Guard.” He suddenly looks wistful, “It’s probably what’s going to happen if we succeed anyway.”

Rainbow still looks like she has something to say, but after realizing Jachs’ self-sacrifice, she doesn’t continue.

This moment of silence is an opportunity to get everycreature back on task. But… should I? This is as good a time as any to discuss what will happen afterwards. Would it do a disservice to Jachs’ goodwill to try and make some kind of deal for Equestria? A promise to save the world, but only if he promises to try and give ponies more rights - maybe frees some political prisoners. Would it do a disservice to Equestria if I didn’t try? Well, I’m not going to let indecision make my choices for me. We need a plan.

I’m coming at this from the wrong direction. This isn’t about Equestria or the Changeling Queendom - this is about me talking with my friend Jachs.

“Jachs,” I say, breaking the silence, “Assuming we win, what do you think is going to happen afterwards?”

“I…” he hesitates, “Honestly, I’ve been trying not to think of that for now, seeing as a lot of the scenarios I can think of involve me behind bars or worse.”

“What do you want to happen? Regardless of what actually does, we should all be on the same page. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings or hurt feelings when the time comes,” I push. This is a conversation that needs to happen.

“If - when, we succeed,” Jachs says, “I hope everything will go back to the way it was before Viira, but I know that’s not possible. I can protect the six of you for a time, but if the Empress asks me to step aside, I will. I’m not Thorax.”

“Then I won’t ask you to protect us,” I offer, “When the time comes, we’ll go our separate ways.”

“Maybe you should ask, Twi,” Applejack says, “This is the opportunity we have to negotiate for more independence.”

“Perhaps, but I won’t hold the world hostage to do so,” I reply, “We’re going to try and save the world regardless of what happens, so our threat wouldn’t mean anything anyways. The only thing we would be doing is making our friend, who has already risked so much for our sakes, feel guilty.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Jachs replies, a mixture of gratefulness and guilt clear in his voice, “Your grace is undeserved.”

“It’s what friends are for.”

Author's Note

Well, there's going to be a part 3. To go over some of the timeline differences with main canon, Season 6 is where things stop lining up nicely. The whole Pax Chrysalia and stuff is basically the Season 6 finale, just flavored kind of differently, hence why Starlight runs the Equestrian Liberation Front. The Storm King was defeated in this timeline before the start of the game in 1005, before he ever gets to Equestria. Rainbow Rocks also never happens because the Dazzlings are banished to the bottom of the ocean rather than through the mirror, but the rest of Equestria Girls should still work alongside the logic of activating the magic of friendship via song.

If the hoof trimming didn't make sense, look up a video of a horse with overgrown hooves. It sucks for them. The frog is the V-shaped indent in a normal horse hoof that is a backwards heart shape in gen 4 mlp ponies. It isn't seen in the normal show art style, but it is drawn in the movie.

Ok, for the "I have saws stashed all over Equestria, in case of saw emergency", it totally should have an "a" before the "saw", but in the original episode, in both cases, Pinkie omits it. I don't know why, but I had to keep it here to maintain consistency.

The Folino River reference is a little dubious. I'm making a reference to the Rubicon River, but, of course, there is no Rubicon River in this world. The rivers in Equestria at War are not well documented, but there is a Reddit comment by a user named Eltirions that names some of them. I lifted one in Wingbardy (which is basically Rome) from there to use as a substitute for the saying "crossing the Rubicon". I don't know if there is an equivalent EaW history event for them to reference, but whatever.

Rainbow does have a metal wing in this timeline. In the Equestrian Liberation Front storyline, the ELF finds Rainbow Dash in a hospital nursing her wing. The operation by Rasch is an event in the Pax Chrysalia route and Rainbow is shot, but the two events aren't ever confirmed to be linked I don't think. I'm reading between the lines a bit and connecting the two.