Escape from Arora Ridge Quarry

The following morning, Sunny was glad the light on the port turned green, allowing her to remove the muzzle. As food was dispensed, she grimaced at the grey, lumpy, sloppy porridge before she reluctantly started eating.

She’d had an awful night’s sleep. Her predicament had made it hard to get comfortable. Not that the hard mat made it any easier. At least the lights were turned off.

Somehow, the food was worse than what she’d been fed in the main hut. She struggled through it as fast as she could. Assuming she’d be in trouble if she didn’t finish it.

The buzzer from the muzzle suddenly sounded, making Sunny gasp. She looked at the food in dismay, she was only just over halfway through. “No! It’s not time yet!” she exclaimed. “The rule is I have to eat it all!”

She flinched and cried out as she felt a pain in the back of her head. Her eyes widened; she knew the shocks would get worse if she didn’t put the muzzle back on. Therefore, she reluctantly moved to do so.

However, a thought forced its way into her mind. I have a choice...

She stopped, blinking with confusion. “Wait, do I have a choice?”

She grimaced and grunted as she was shocked again. “What am I thinking? There’s no choice here, I have to put it back on!”

I have control... she stopped again. She looked at the muzzle, the food, the water and then back at the muzzle.

“Aaah!" she cried as she was shocked again. "I don’t have a choice!”

Sunny desperately thrust her nose into the muzzle. A few clicks later, she pulled away from the port with the muzzle locked in place.

I didn’t have to... What? No! I couldn’t keep getting shocked!

She sat down and looked at the ground with confusion.

I have a choice... What? No! I don’t have a choice here!

Her head suddenly twitched involuntarily.

I have control... What? No, I don’t! I’ve no control here!

She closed her eyes tightly and shook her head violently.

Why do I keep thinking these things? I had to! I have no control! I have no choice! I... I...

Her eyes widened as she looked down at her shackled hoofs. She brought them to her face and felt the muzzle, locked in place. She looked at her back and flexed her wings as much as the straps would allow them to.

She gasped as a feeling of helplessness suddenly overtook her. The void in her stomach made itself known again as she gulped and stared blankly at the ground.

There was a loud clunk from the door, followed by a second and a series of clicks. However, it barely registered with Sunny that it was being opened.

She finally turned around as she heard snarling behind her. Her eyes widened as she saw three Nirik standing outside the cage. One was standing at the cage door whilst the other two on either side were holding chains in their levitation.

As her eyes darted between them, they snarled as their fiery manes flared.

Why are they here? I have control... Aaah! No, I don’t! They do! What’s with the chains?

A feeling of dread welled within her as the middle Nirik indicated she should come closer. Gulping, Sunny slowly did as instructed and walked towards the Nirik.

As she neared the cage door, the Nirik stopped snarling. The middle Nirik’s horn glowed, and it grabbed Sunny’s muzzle with its levitation. Sunny emitted a muffled squeak and closed her eyes. Then, the other two Nirik swiftly attached the end of the chains to the bridle, on either side of her head.

Sunny gasped as she was let go. I don’t understand, what are these for?

Even if she could speak, she knew the Nirik couldn’t. Suddenly, she remembered what Misty had told her about them. She wondered if the Kirin inside even knew what was happening.

The two Nirik attached the other end of the chains to the bars on either side of the door. Sunny blinked as she realised her mobility within the cage was now reduced.

Wait? What’s going on? What are they doing to me?

As her anxiety over the situation increased, two of the stray thoughts were pushed to the forefront of her mind again.

I have control... How?! How do I have control here?!

I have a choice... No! They’re doing this to me!

She closed her eyes and fought back the thoughts, shaking her head as she stepped backwards. I have NO control here! I have NO choice of what’s happening to me!

Sunny gasped and her eyes widened as the two chains went taught. She looked worriedly at the Nirik, they had stopped snarling and didn’t appear worried over Sunny’s reaction. Wait, are they leaving me like this?!

Sunny got her answer as the middle Nirik moved towards the control panel. It pressed a flaming hoof on a reader and a small part of the glass panel opened. Revealing six leavers and buttons.

The two Nirik on either side of the cage door pressed on panels on the floor. Then, the Nirik at the panel pulled one of the leavers.

Sunny blinked as the door of her cage emitted a loud clunk before sliding upwards. The two Nirik calmly walked into the cage, stooping under the chains.

Sunny gasped as they both started checking her over. Ensuring everything was still secure and appeared to be comfortable.

Then, one checked her bowls and emitted a grunt towards the third Nirik at the control panel. The Nirik in question grunted back and pressed one of the buttons. Sunny couldn’t see, but she could hear a slurping sound as the remaining food and water were removed from the bowls.

The two Nirik then stood alongside Sunny and detached the chains from the cage. They grabbed them in their mouths before they led her from the cage and towards the door of the hut.

Oh? Are they taking me for a walk? Or, are they putting me to work?

Sunny blinked with surprise as she exited the hut into the bright sunlight. She couldn’t bring a hoof to shield them due to the shackles. The Nirik didn’t stop walking and she gasped as she was pulled onwards by the chains.

She risked glancing around. The hut she’d been in was part of a small group.

Giselle said about high-security confinement. She remembered. They must have a hut for each kind of troublemaker.

She wasn’t led far until they reached a one-pony cart. Sunny frowned as she was attached to it.

Ah okay, they are putting me to work! Are they going to escort me all day?

After hitching her to the cart. The Nirik continued to lead Sunny, two in front holding the chains with the third following behind.

They neared a gate in a fence that had two Nirik stood either side of it. They opened the gate as the group approached, allowing them to walk through.

I bet I couldn’t get through there on my own. That fence must go around the high-security huts.

They reached the bottom of an incline where there was a large pile of rock. Stood being loaded by a small group of Diamond Dogs was a large twin axle cart pulled by two Yak.

Those Diamond Dogs have shackles too. This must be the worksite for troublemakers. Wait, what are my escorts doing?

Sunny could only watch as the Nirik attached the end of the chains to the back corners of the Yak's cart. Forming a V shape from Sunny’s head.

Okay, I’m going to be stuck following the Yak then... Wait! Her eyes widened in realisation. I’m not even going to be able to steer myself!

Whilst the Diamond Dogs loaded her cart. The Nirik took one final look at her. They checked the chains were secure and the shackles weren’t too tight before walking off toward the nearest watchtower.

Oh, okay. No more... WOAH!

Sunny was yanked from her thoughts as the chains went taught. The Yak walked forward, and Sunny almost fell over as her conjoined hoofs struggled to keep up with the sudden movement.

As she followed the Yak, Sunny realised she had a problem. She was walking as fast as the shackles would allow her to. However, the chains from the cart remained taught. If the Yak moved faster, she wouldn’t be able to keep up.

Suddenly she heard a voice. “Is Pony okay back there?” one of the Yak said.

“Yak hope so,” the second Yak added. “If too fast, tell Yak. Yak have to be careful due to collar.”

Sunny grunted with realisation. Wait, I can’t tell you!

Sadly, the Yak didn’t realise Sunny was unable to respond.

“Why Pony no speak?” the first Yak grumbled.

Sunny’s eyes widened. Because I can’t!

“Maybe Pony is scared of Yak,” the second sighed. “Pony not seen Yak before.”

“No, Pony ignored Yak,” the first Yak sighed. “Yak hope Pony okay.”

With that, the two Yak fell silent again as they continued pulling the loaded cart.

Sunny grunted as she struggled to keep pace. Then she twitched as, once again, the thoughts forced themselves to the front of her mind.

I have control...What? No! I don’t have any control at all! I can barely stop myself from being pulled over!

I have a choice... Why am I thinking this?! I’ve got NO choice here! None at ALL!

I didn’t have to... Wait! I… I didn’t have to be here! I could have listened to Zipp and Hitch!

Her eyes widened as she felt the chasm in her stomach again. I…I can’t… This is… Please, somepony, stop this.... Help me.

Elsewhere, Feather Breeze sat mesmerised as she looked out the cockpit of the Marestream. It was a beautiful day; the sky was a deep shade of blue and the few clouds around were light and fluffy. They seemed to float gracefully past as the Marestream made a sweeping turn following the Airship.

Pipp smiled as she sat beside her. “You see, it’s not so bad.”

“It...It’s not,” Feather Breeze gasped. “This is far better than the Airship. Seeing why we rock really helps.”

Zipp smiled as she levelled the wings. “Yeah, it’s how the Marestream turns,” she explained. “Putting the nose up makes us climb. Putting it down makes us descend.”

“And you do that by moving the wheel thing,” Feather Breeze said understandingly as she pointed.

"Exactly," Zipp grinned.

“Like when she fell asleep on it," Pipp smirked. "That made us go down."

Zipp rolled her eyes. “Har, har, Sis. Don’t worry, that won’t be happening again.”

“The Airship was always shaking,” Feather Breeze remembered. “I hated it because I could never find out why. This has been so smooth though. After the falling asleep incident that is.”

“Keeping it smooth is all down to the pilot,” Zipp grinned. “The Marestream can be fast and agile too. The airship has some pretty big propellers to power it along. At a guess, they’ll be the cause of the vibration.”

“So, what powers us along?” Feather Breeze asked.

“We’re using Prisbeam Power,” Zipp winked.

“Pr? Pris? What?” Feather Breeze blinked.

“This,” Pipp pointed to the lantern on the console. “This lantern contains a little bit of the Prisbeam energy which is given off by the Unity Crystals.”

“The Prisbeam is how the Crystals distribute magic to everypony,” Zipp smiled. “It allows me and Pipp to fly. Misty and Izzy to use their horns and Hitch to use his plant growing magic.”

“And Sunny to use her powers,” Pipp smiled. “Here, I’ll show you.”

Pipp whipped out her phone and opened the gallery. After a minute of flipping through, she found a photo of Sunny with her powers active. Her wings were spread wide, and she had a beaming smile on her face.

Feather Breeze gasped as she looked at the photo. “And this is your friend who we need to rescue?”

Pipp nodded. “Yep, she was taken from the city.”

“But how?” Feather Breeze frowned. “The instructions were no horns, no wings. She has both.”

“Yeah, she can turn her horn and wings off,” Pipp explained as she flipped to another photo.

Feather Breeze gasped as she looked at the image of Sunny without her powers. She was in her smoothie cart, grinning as she passed Misty a smoothie.

“We don’t have the best record when it comes to Ponies being bait,” Zipp sighed. “Two attempts and both times the pony has ended up being captured.”

“So, what are we going to do when we get to the quarry?” Feather Breeze asked worriedly. “I’ve been thinking about it and I’m worried. I’m worried I will turn into a Nirik and get taken over by the purr.”

“That won’t happen,” Pipp said reassuringly. “We won’t let it.”

“But you can’t stop it,” Feather Breeze sighed. “I start feeling angry thinking about the quarry, Pipp. All my friends and family are trapped there. I suppress it because I don’t think turning into a fiery monster would be a good thing to do right now. But I don’t think I’ll be able to when I’m in the quarry.”

“You won’t be in the quarry,” Zipp responded. “At least not straight away. First, we need to gather information. As much as possible. Then we’ll form a plan and part of that will be making sure you don’t get taken over by the purr again.”

“I don’t know how I can help with any of that,” Feather Breeze sighed.

“Well, do you know all these Situation numbers?” Zipp asked.

“Yeah, I do,” Feather Breeze frowned. “They’re etched into my memory, along with the instructions each one contains.”

“Then that’s going to be a massive help,” Zipp grinned. “We’ll find somewhere we can safely observe. Our camp needs to be a ways off from it though.”

“Then, if you feel angry you can come back to the camp and let it out,” Pipp gasped.

Feather Breeze smiled and nodded. “That reminds me of something. An old story that has been passed down generations of Kirin...”

Sunny couldn’t help feeling relieved when the Nirik eventually came and unhitched her from the back of the Yak’s cart.

The day had been sweltering and she’d had no respite from it. Water had been provided at the central incline where they unloaded. But with the muzzle locked in place, Sunny had been unable to drink it. Even though she’d tried.

Worse of all were the stray thoughts. They kept coming back, over and over and reminding herself they weren't true was getting to her. It was a continual reminder of just how dire her situation had now become. She’d tried ignoring them, but then they just kept repeating.

Allura smiled maliciously as she flew above the quarry and spotted Sunny being led into the confinement area by the Nirik. Sunny was looking down with sorrow-filled eyes as she tiredly trudged along.

Allura banked around and landed directly in front of the group. She held up a paw to bring the Nirik to a stop.

Sunny gulped before narrowing her eyes, looking up at Allura with an accusing scowl.

“I see you’ve still got some fire,” Allura smirked before she purred. “Just remember, there's no escape! Just remember, I'll capture your friends!”

Sunny’s eyes widened as they flashed for a second. She flinched and shook her head as new thoughts forced their way into her mind. There's no escape… She'll capture my friends...

Allura grinned deviously as she watched Sunny’s reaction. “Let’s see how long your hope lasts. From what I can see, you’ve had a miserable day and they’re never going to change.”

With that, Allura turned back to the Nirik. “Nirik! Continue.”

The Nirik all nodded as Allura spread her wings and flew away. Sunny blinked with confusion as she felt the chains going taught and she was ushered forward.

When they arrived back at the hut, Sunny found the process of putting her back in the cage was the reverse of taking her out. There wasn't a moment that she was able to move freely until the cage door was firmly closed.

After the Nirik had left, Sunny groaned as she sat down. Suddenly, her eyes widened as the thoughts that tormented her pushed through again.

I have a choice... No, not again! No, I don’t! I don’t have any choice here.

I have control... No. I have no control at all! I can’t decide anything for myself!

I didn’t have to... She grimaced and closed her eyes. I… I…. I didn’t have to play bait. I should have listened. Why didn't I listen?!

There's no escape… Her eyes widened as she looked around the cage. I… I can’t…. I really can’t! I can't escape! I’m completely helpless and it’s all my own fault!

She closed her eyes tightly as she began to tremble.

She'll capture my friends... Her eyes shot open in panic. T...They're coming and she...she'll... NO! Nonono! I can't warn them! They're going to all end up like me!

She closed her eyes again as she hunched over, struggling to breathe with her heart pounding in her ears.

No! No, please! Please, I… I can’t… Please, somepony, anypony, help!