Escape from Arora Ridge Quarry

The following morning, the Ponies all lined up and waited for the Nirik to inspect them. However, as the Nirik entered the hut, it became clear that there were twice as many as usual.

As the Nirik worked their way down the lines of Ponies, they checked their bridles and harnesses as normal. However, the extra Nirik started attaching leads to their bridles, connecting each pony to those next to them.

Sunny gasped as a lead from Sprout was attached to her bridle, under her chin. Then, a second lead was attached to the back of her head. The other end of which was attached to Sugar.

It wasn’t long before all the ponies had been leashed together into one long line. A Nirik took the leash from the pony at the front and began leading them from the hut.

Sunny couldn’t help feeling worried as she followed Sprout outside. She tried to look around, but it was difficult with the leash pulling at her. However, from what she could see, nothing seemed out of place.

The Nirik led them through the quarry, down the narrow paths between the levels. Eventually, they walked towards the buildings at the very bottom of the quarry.

Sunny spotted Sprout glancing behind him. He looked as anxious as she felt, and she couldn’t help worrying about her disguise. Thymus and the others had done a good job patching it up. However, her mind raced, was this happening because it had been failing yesterday?

Eventually, they were led towards one of the buildings and were ushered inside. They went through a set of double doors and found themselves in a pen inside the building.

Above them, a circular walkway was suspended from the ceiling. Multiple Nirik walked around this and kept a watchful eye on those in the pen below.

Above that, the roof of the building had a set of skylights. All were slid open to allow fresh air in as the day got hotter. However, all but one of these were fitted with a set of bars.

Ahead there was a gate in the pen which led to a narrow corridor made of metal. In the walls of the corridor, there were what looked like small jet nozzles. They were positioned randomly and appeared to be pointing in different directions.

The floor of the corridor was also metal, shaped and angled so that water would flow into the multiple drains that were set into it.

At the far end, there was a doorway out of the building. Above the corridor, there was a belt suspended from the walls. Attached to this belt there was a set of hooks.

Above that, to one side, there was another walkway suspended from the ceiling. It intersected with the circular walkway and ran down to the far end of the building. There was an opening to the area outside when it reached the wall.

Sunny looked around worriedly as the doors behind them were closed. She didn’t like the look of this at all.

Sugar nudged her and indicated with her eyes toward the open skylight. Sunny frowned; she knew what Sugar meant but she wasn’t so sure. She looked around at the Nirik and tried to weigh her options.

However, any options disappeared as Allura flew in through the skylight. She landed on the walkway above the corridor and walked toward the pen. On her back, there was a small greyish-blue rabbit.

“Welcome Ponies,” Allura grinned as she paced back and forth. “Ordinarily, I don’t get involved unless creatures are misbehaving. But today I make an exception. You have all been working very hard, so have been chosen to be the first to use Twitch’s new masterpiece.

“Twitch knows how unbearably hot it gets in the quarry. Pulling carts is dusty work and that dust gets stuck to you. He convinced me that you need relief from it. You and all the creatures need an opportunity to be cleaned besides the rain. You all have him to thank for this.”

Twitch started hopping around on Allura’s back and made grumbling squeaking noises. Allura growled and spun her head around at him angrily. “Yes, yes, yes. Stop your jumping you idiot, I’ll tell them.”

She turned back to the ponies and smiled. “Twitch wants you to know the water used to clean you is fresh. It’s not dirty used water, it’s taken from the lake. He also insisted it’s filtered before being put back.

“Also, if you talk within this building you will not be punished. Nirik! Situation Ninety-Nine!”

The Nirik all stood to attention as Twitch jumped from Allura’s back and ran along the walkway above the corridor. He stopped a few times and looked over the edge of the walkway, seemingly checking things.

Eventually, he reached a control panel at the very end of the walkway. Just before the door out of the building. He immediately began pressing buttons. Smiling as suddenly there was a loud noise as a set of pumps spooled up.

As the noise settled into a loud humming, water began shooting out of the nozzles. It clattered off the metal walls, making a loud drumming noise. It was soon very clear why they were allowed to talk, there was no way the Nirik would know if they did.

Twitch pressed another button on the control panel and the belt with the hooks began moving. He looked around, checking all was well before he pulled a leaver.

The gate opened and Allura nodded towards the Nirik that was still standing at the front of the line of Ponies. It walked forward, pulling the leash and ensuring the Ponies followed.

Sunny looked at Sprout and Sugar. Their worried expressions told her all she needed to know. She looked around, even without the leashes, she could see no way of escaping the building.

When the Nirik reached the gate, it attached the leash it was holding to one of the belt hooks as it passed. The pony at the front of the line gasped as they were pulled into the corridor.

As each Pony arrived at the gate, the Nirik removed the leash from the back of their head. It then attached this to a hook on the conveyor. One by one, the Ponies were pulled into the corridors.

Sugar gulped as she moved closer to Sunny. “Your disguise won’t survive that,” she hissed. “They’ll find you out, you need to get away.”

“I can’t,” Sunny whispered back. “There’s too many watching us and Allura is right there. You heard what Misty said about her.”

Sugar looked up at Allura and gasped. Her eyes were watching the ponies intently. Suddenly, she spread her wings and took off, flying out through the same skylight that she’d entered through. However, after she’d done so, a set of metal bars slid down into position like all the others.

“She knows,” Sugar said worriedly. “Allura knows you’re here. She just doesn’t know which of us is you.”

“Well, there’s only one way out now,” Sunny breathed. “I’m getting washed, the same as you are.”

“You should fly away when you’ve gone through,” Sugar advised.

“No, she’ll be ready for that,” Sprout warned. “Hide among the rest of us.”

Sunny said nothing more, she could only anxiously await her turn.

All too soon, Sunny’s turn arrived. She couldn’t help gulping as her leash was attached to the belt. Then, she grunted as the leash went taught and she was pulled into the metal corridor.

As the first jets hit her, Sunny couldn’t help squeaking with surprise. Water hit her from all directions as she was forcefully pulled along. Thankfully, the water wasn’t freezing cold, it had been heated to a temperate temperature.

Suddenly, two jets of water hit her in the face, one from either side. She squeaked with surprise, closing her eyes tightly as she tried to pull back from them. However, the leash pulled her forward, keeping her head up and in the full force of the jets. She sputtered and coughed as she was forced through the wall of water.

Below, the water that ran off her was a thick black as the dye in her coat was washed out. It left streaks all along the floor as it was washed into the drains.

Above, Twitch’s eyes widened as he watched the dirty black pony that had entered turn into a clean orange one. Thumping a hind paw on the walkway multiple times, he hurried out of the doorway.

Sunny gasped and spluttered as she finally emerged from the corridor and out of the building. Another Nirik was waiting for her and detached the leash from both the belt and her bridle. Placing it on a rack with all the others.

Sunny immediately ran forward to join the other Ponies in the centre of another fenced area. She hurried into the middle of them before looking down and confirming what she already knew. Her disguise was completely gone.

She gulped, her normal coat and mane colours were clear to see as was her normal cutie mark. Suddenly, she felt somepony put their muzzle in her ear.

“She’s watching,” Sprout murmured.

Sunny looked at him before looking around the pen. Around the upper edge of the fencing, there was yet another raised walkway. It intersected with the one that ran through the building.

There was yet more Nirik that stood and watched them intently upon this. However, Allura was also there, standing directly opposite the building.

Allura scanned the ever-increasing crowd of ponies with a keen eye. On her back, Twitch was hopping up and down. Squeaking and grumbling as he pulled at her ear and pointed into the crowd of ponies.

“Will. You. Stop that!” Allura growled angrily. “I know what you said, you idiot. You’re so annoying! Go look after your machine.”

Twitch gasped and gave Allura a look of hurt and dismay. Then, he hopped down and crossly squeaked at her. He waved a dismissive paw in her direction as he walked along the walkway and back toward the building.

Allura rolled her eyes and resumed carefully watching the ponies.

Meanwhile, Sunny stood with Sprout and Sugar as they tried not to be noticed. They were amongst the largest grouping of ponies possible and looked everywhere other than toward Allura.

However, as she looked around, Sunny suddenly realised all the other ponies kept looking at her. They were only glances, but they were doing it far too often for her liking.

Everypony was on edge too, apart from not talking there was a feeling of apprehension in the air. One that Sunny knew was due to her disguise being removed. They were all waiting for her to make a move.

Suddenly, Sprout put his muzzle in her ear again. “This isn’t good, she’s looking straight at you,” he hissed. “You need to go.”

Sunny gulped and risked looking up at Allura.

Allura’s piercing stare met Sunny’s eyes and caused her heart to skip a beat. Her eyes widened and she couldn’t help staring back at Allura in shock.

“That’s right, Sunny Starscout!” Allura grinned deviously. “I know who you are! I know all about your abilities too. Trust me, make this easier on yourself and come willingly. Escape. Is! IMPOSSIBLE!”

Sunny gulped and she took a step backwards in shock. She glanced around at the others and realised they were all watching her. They were all waiting for her to make her move, to make her decision. Her heart was pounding as she spotted Sugar.

Sugar calmly looked back at Sunny’s horrified expression. She glanced to the sky and silently mouthed ‘go’.

That was all Sunny needed to break the deadlock in her mind. Bending her legs she jumped into the air as high as she could. Her powers activated with a flash and her wings gave a powerful flap. She shot skywards as fast as she could.

“NIRIK! Situation Zero!” Allura roared. “Target the orange Alicorn!”

From their positions on the raised walkway, the Nirik all began firing beams at Sunny. However, her shield activated, and they bounced harmlessly off of it.

Meanwhile, Sunny gasped, her mind went blank, and she didn’t know what to do. Her horn glowed as she started the messaging spell.

“MISTY! My cover has been blown! Allura knows all about my powers. I’m trying to escape! I don’t…”

Sunny’s eyes suddenly widened. She stopped flying away and started hovering as beams continued to impact her shield. She looked down towards the group of ponies below and spotted Sprout and Sugar. Her heart sank as she realised, she was leaving them behind.

“…M...Misty. I don’t know what to do! I...I can’t leave…”

That was all Sunny managed as Allura suddenly slammed into her shield with all four paws. Pushing off, she sent Sunny flying out of control.

Crying out in surprise, Sunny went tumbling through the air, her shield failing as she lost concentration. Suddenly, Allura grabbed hold of her, grasping her tightly with her paws from behind.

Sunny tried to kick out with her hoofs as the pair tumbled toward the ground. However, she couldn’t reach Allura as she clung to her back. Her wings were caught under Allura’s legs too, making them useless.

Allura used her wings and body weight to put them into a fast spin. Sunny cried out as her world spun and she desperately tried to escape Allura’s clutches. However, the spinning took its toll, and she was soon completely disoriented.

Allura meanwhile knew exactly what she was doing. As the ground came to meet them, she rolled them along it. As a result, the impact was significantly reduced and neither of them got hurt.

Then, Allura skilfully used her body weight to ensure that, when they stopped, she was on top of Sunny. She placed a paw on top of Sunny’s head and pushed it into the ground. Pinning her down so she couldn’t get away.

“G…Get off of me,” Sunny grunted. “You…You win, I’ll come quietly.”

Allura sneered as she put her mouth to Sunny’s ear. “No, you made your choice already.”

With that, she began to purr.

Sunny gasped and her eyes widened as Allura’s purr infected her mind. It felt like it was penetrating right into her very soul. Her eyes flashed and her expression went completely blank. Her muscles all relaxed and she stopped struggling, lying limply on the floor.

Knowing she had Sunny under her spell, Allura slowly stood up. All the while, ensuring her purring was still aimed directly into Sunny’s ear.

From the pen, Sprout, Sugar, and all the other ponies could only watch as Sunny slowly stood up. Then, she started walking away with Allura right beside her, still purring away into her ear.

As they disappeared, Sprout and Sugar looked at each other worriedly.

Aboard the Marestream, they also had their own situation that morning.

Zipp groaned as she tried to focus her tired bloodshot eyes on the instruments. It started getting harder and harder for her to keep her eyes open. Eventually, her eyes began closing and opening repeatedly, her head nodding forward each time they closed.

Hitch entered the cockpit and gasped as he saw Zipp’s head fall forward onto the steering wheel. She inadvertently pushed it forward, putting the Marestream into a steep nosedive.

“ZIPP!” Hitch shouted as he hurried forward.

“Huh, wassat?” Zipp groaned as she was woken up.

Her eyes shot open as she realised what had happened. She immediately began pulling back on the controls as Hitch grabbed them too. Together, they hauled the Marestream out of the screaming nosedive.

Zipp gasped as she checked the instruments and brought the Marestream back on course. Sighing with relief as she saw they were still tracking the airship.

Hitch meanwhile sat down panting, looking at Zipp with a confused expression. “Zipp, have you been up all night?”

“Y...Yeah,” Zipp admitted before yawning.

Hitch gawped. “I thought you said you could use the autopilot?”

“Autopilot...w…wouldn’t lock onto the t…tracking signal,” Zipp yawned.

“Okay, then you need to be relieved,” Hitch frowned as he got up and moved forward.

“B...But... You’ve only flown o...once,” Zipp yawned.

“Which is better than you falling asleep and making us tumble out the sky,” Hitch argued.

Zipp blinked blearily again and nodded. She moved to one side, allowing Hitch to take the controls before letting go. Then she gestured to a display on the instrument panel and started pointing things out.

“F...Follow the green marker. Keep it within the two yellow lines. Keep the numbers here between a hundred and a hundred and fifty. Lower and we’re too close and could be spotted. Higher and we’ll lose the tracking signal.”

“Got it,” Hitch said confidently. “I remember your instructions from last time too. Keep her steady.”

“Wings level, nose up,” Zipp added wearily. “OH! And the number here is the altitude of the airship. Keep ours higher.”

“Got it,” Hitch nodded.

Zipp sighed wearily and turned around to find the others had appeared behind her.

“Come on, sleepy Zippy,” Izzy grinned. “Let’s get you to beddy byes.”

“Yeah, come on, Sis,” Pipp smiled as she let Zipp rest on her. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. You should have woken us up last night.”

Feather Breeze was clinging fearfully to Misty as they both watched Zipp being escorted by Izzy and Pipp into the rear compartment.

“W…W….What happened?” Feather Breeze trembled.

“Zipp stayed up all night,” Hitch explained. “She should have told us she needed to rest.”

“O…Oh,” Feather Breeze said understandingly. “S…So the flying didn’t do that to her?”

“Well, it sort of did,” Misty admitted. “But only because she should have taken a break.”

“We’ll swap over from now on,” Hitch advised. “It’s okay, Feather Breeze. We’re not going to crash, honest. It’ll be smoother from now on.”

Feather Breeze frowned still shaking slightly as she held onto Misty.

Suddenly, Misty’s eyes widened in shock. “S...Sunny’s messaging!”

“What? Now? How?” Hitch gasped.

Misty didn’t respond, her horn glowed as she activated the messaging spell and listened to the message as it played in her head. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock and horror.

“SUNNY?!... SUNNY?!...” Misty cried. “What’s happened? Are you okay?... SUNNY!”

Misty gasped as her horn stopped glowing, tears welling in her eyes.

“Misty?” Feather Breeze said fearfully.

“Misty?” Hitch blinked as he tried to concentrate on two things at once. “Speak to us, what’s happening?”

Misty gasped as tears ran down her face. Feather Breeze gasped and hugged her comfortingly.

“S...Somethings happened to Sunny,” Misty sniffed. “Her message, it was all rushed and broken up. She said something about her cover being blown, her powers and Allura.”

“But how would Allura even know about her?” Hitch frowned before gasping as he looked back at the instruments.

Misty and Feather Breeze cried out in surprise as Hitch put the Marestream into a tight turn to bring it back onto course behind the airship.

“Sorry, just getting used to following something,” he explained.

“Allura knowing, that’s likely my fault too,” Feather Breeze said sorrowfully. “I didn’t just collect creatures. I collected intelligence too. I remember taking Newspapers from your city.”

“There’s bound to be news about Sunny in those,” Hitch realised. “She opened a museum not so long ago and it made the front page.”

“Sunny sounded so scared,” Misty sniffed. “She said something about not knowing what to do. Then the message cut out.”

“I’m so sorry,” Feather Breeze said as tears welled in her eyes. “This is all my fault.”

“We don’t know that,” Misty reasoned. “You weren’t in control of your own actions.”

“But...But that means nothing,” Feather Breeze argued. “I know what I did. I regret it all so much.”

“I regret a lot of what I did in the past too,” Misty admitted. “But what I did, I did because I wanted to.”

She sighed and placed a hoof on Feather Breeze’s supportively. “I was taken away when I was small. Whisked away from everypony I knew by an evil pony called Opaline. She was all I knew for so long. I wanted her to be pleased with me so much that I did everything I could for her.”

Misty sighed looking down sadly as she rubbed Feather Breeze’s hoof reassuringly. “Opaline used me, she made me do so many bad things. Things I could have just said no to doing.

“Now, I’ve got wonderful friends who’ve forgiven me. They helped me understand what Opaline was doing. That I didn’t have to do what she was saying. Together, we defeated Opaline. They became my family and then helped me find my dad.

“You were forced to do what you did against your will. You couldn’t say no. You couldn’t change your mind. You had no choice. I’ve come to terms with what I did in my past. It doesn’t define me; I make my own future. You can too.”

Feather Breeze smiled. “Thank you, Misty. I...I need to come to terms with what happened to me too.”

“First step is rescuing everycreature,” Hitch said with determination. “Whatever’s happened to Sunny, we’ll help her too.”