Escape from Arora Ridge Quarry

As yet another morning dawned, the Marestream continued to make its way through the sky trailing the Airship. Hitch grinned as he watched the sunrise from the controls.

The previous night had been somewhat hairy. Strong winds and heavy rain had battered them continuously. As a result, nopony had been able to sleep. Let alone Feather Breeze who’d needed to be comforted all the way through.

Now, however, Hitch didn’t care that Zipp hadn’t relieved him. All was calm as the sun pushed its way above the layer of cloud that was below them.

However, it didn’t last as Hitch realised he couldn't see the Airship in the distance anymore. Frowning with concern, he checked the tracking display and gasped. He hadn’t speeded up, but the distance to the airship was going down.

“Okay,” Hitch blinked as he started slowing the Marestream down. “They’re going slower for some reason.”

However, Hitch frowned as the distance continued to decrease. He slowed the Marestream down further but became more and more concerned.

“It's like they’re hovering. Wait, the Marestream can hover. Err, how did it do that again?”

He frantically looked over the controls. But having only ever landed the Marestream once, under Zipp's watchful eye, he quickly realised he was out of his depth.

“Zipp! ZIPP!” he shouted. “Agh, where’s the intercom button? ZIPP! I need you!”

Misty was wide awake in the rear compartment, her sleep pattern was all out of whack from too many all-nighters. She sighed as she continued studying the spellbook, getting nowhere fast.

Her ear twitched as she heard Hitch’s frantic voice. Then, she gasped as she realised the motion of the Marestream felt strange.

“Zipp!” Misty shouted as she leapt to her hoofs. “Zipp! Somethings wrong!”

Misty hurried over to where Zipp was still sound asleep. With her shouting not working, Misty shook the sleeping Pegasus violently. “Zipp! Wake up! Hitch needs you!”

“Huh, whazzat Mom?”

“No. Misty! Hitch needs you in the cockpit.”

Zipp gasped as her eyes flung open. Suddenly, they both felt a weightless feeling.

“What’s happening!” Misty cried.

“We’ve stalled!” Zipp shouted as she scrambled to her hoofs and towards the cockpit.

As Zipp struggled into the cockpit, Hitch turned frantically towards her. “ZIPP! What do I do?”

“Push the nose down!” Zipp instructed.

“But we’re falling!” Hitch cried. “We don’t want to go down more!”

“We’re going too slowly,” Zipp informed as she struggled over. “We need more speed. Push the nose down!”

Hitch gasped and pushed the wheel forward, then moved out of the way as Zipp arrived so she could take the controls.

As the Marestream pitched downward, the air rushing over its wings quickly saw them creating lift again.

Then, Zipp pulled back on the controls hard and the Marestream bucked as it lurched upwards. Before long it burst up out of the clouds.

Hitch sat panting as Zipp brought the Marestream level and began checking the displays.

“I...I don’t know what happened,” Hitch gasped. “The Airship. It started slowing down or something. I couldn’t maintain the distance. Why did we start falling?”

“We stalled,” Zipp explained as she turned the Marestream around. “That’s what happens if you go too slowly and there’s not enough air running over the wings.”

“But what about hovering?” Hitch blinked.

“That’s a different mode,” Zipp explained pointing to a leaver. "You select it here."

"The only one I didn't look at," Hitch groaned before looking down dejectedly. “I’ve lost the Airship, haven’t I?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Zipp replied as she continued to check the tracking display. “If anything, I think it’s descending vertically.”

Suddenly, there was a crash as Misty fell through the door into the cockpit. “Is it over?”

Zipp gasped and reached for the intercom. “Attention everypony. The Airship started descending, and it caught Hitch off guard. I think this could be it! Everypony to the cockpit."

One by one, the others all came into the cockpit. Suddenly, the Marestream burst out of a cloud and before them was the quarry.

“Oh, my hoofness,” Pipp gasped.

“It’s humongous,” Izzy blinked.

“There are hundreds of creatures down there,” Feather Breeze sighed. “All the Auroricorns, all the Kirin, Hippogriffs, Griffons, Diamond Dogs, Yak and Ponies.”

Pipp put a hoof on Feather Breeze’s reassuringly. “It’s okay, we’ll all play our part to save them all.”

“Hoof to heart,” Feather Breeze smiled.

“Okay, time to make sure we’re not spotted,” Hitch gasped.

“Yeah, that rainbow trail of ours can be pretty obvious,” Zipp admitted.

Zipp banked away and back into the clouds, bringing the Marestream around on the other side of a mountain that overlooked the Quarry. Then, she started scanning for a suitable landing site.

Meanwhile, Izzy gasped as she sat down worriedly. “It’s so big, how are we supposed to find Sunny?”

“It’s not just Sunny we want to rescue,” Misty reminded. “We’re going to save everycreature there.”

“Oh, yeah,” Izzy blinked. “But how are we going to do that?”

“We’ll work it out, Iz,” Hitch reassured. “Feather Breeze, what happens to the creatures now the Airship has landed?”

Feather Breeze sighed. “They’ll be discharged from the ship. They’ll lower the cages and start sorting them.”

“So, they go to different parts of the quarry?” Pipp asked.

“Not really, but each kind of creature is kept separate,” Feather Breeze explained. “To begin with they need to be fitted with equipment. Like the ponies need their harnesses for pulling carts. I...I’m so glad I’m not seeing their worried and scared faces. It tore me up, not being able to help them.”

Finally, Zipp spotted a landing site. “Hold on everypony. We’re landing now.”

Skilfully, Zipp brought the Marestream down into a small clearing. It was near the peak of a large tree-covered mountain, on the other side of what overlooked the Quarry so they wouldn't be seen.

Sighing, Zipp finally shut the Marestream down before turning to the others. “One thing is clear. We need to be careful and take our time.”

“Agreed,” Hitch nodded. “No more rushed plans. Everything needs to be well thought out and executed. We need to coordinate with the captured creatures.”

Misty sighed worriedly. “I can’t get my head around the messaging spell though. The one that would let others respond. There’s part of the incantation that I just can’t read.”

“Then first we need surveillance,” Hitch responded.

“We’ll gather as much intel that we can,” Zipp agreed. “Then we can work out if there’s a way for the creatures to leave messages for us or something.”

“So, you’re going to watch?” Izzy asked.

“For the moment, yes,” Zipp nodded. “Why?”

Izzy grinned. “Then I have something you’re going to need. Come on!”

The others could only look at each other in confusion as Izzy suddenly bounded out of the cockpit.

By the time they caught up to her, Izzy was standing outside the Marestream. Held in her hoofs was what looked like a large black Frisbee.

“Come on! Come on!” Izzy giggled. “You don’t want to miss this.”

“Izzy, this isn’t the time to play catch,” Hitch frowned.

“We’re not, silly,” Izzy grinned. “You’re going to need this to hide.”

“What?” Zipp blinked looking at the others who all looked just as confused.

Izzy laughed as she threw the ‘Frisbee’ in the air. It suddenly expanded and by the time it landed it had become a domed hide. Covered in branches and leaves so that it appeared to be a bush.

“Ta-Daa,” Izzy grinned as she skipped on the spot. “It’s a pop-up hide.”

“Oh, Izzy!” Pipp exclaimed. “Why didn’t you warn me?! I COULD HAVE FILMED THAT!”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Izzy grinned. “It pops down just as quickly.”

Zipp couldn’t help looking confused as she inspected the hide. The branches and leaves on the outer surface were very effective. She couldn’t even work out where you would see out of it.

Izzy beamed as she opened a flap so Zipp could see inside. Zipp gasped, there was more than enough space for three ponies to sit comfortably. “I...It’s incredible, all these branches of foliage, how’d they fit inside when it’s collapsed?”

“Probably best not to know,” Misty blinked.

Izzy smirked as her cutie mark glowed. “That’s a trade secret. I did start trying to make suits that would make anypony super sneaky. Then I remembered Misty can turn invisible, there’s nothing more sneaky than that. Then I realised we’d likely need to hide, so I thought this would be better than hiding under a bush. It’s waterproof and machine washable.”

“It’s perfect, Iz,” Hitch grinned. “So, Zipp. Shall we go put it to use?”

“Definitely,” Zipp smiled as Izzy collapsed the hide. “Feather Breeze, could you come too? You’ll be able to tell us what we’re looking at.”

“O...Okay,” Feather Breeze gasped. “J...Just please help me if I get upset.”

“Don’t worry,” Hitch reassured. “We will.”

“And whilst you’re gone, we’ll set up camp,” Pipp beamed.

“Okay, just nothing fancy,” Zipp frowned. “This isn’t a Bridlewoodstock glamping trip.”

Pipp’s eyes widened. “But...”

“Sis, we may need to leave quickly. We can’t spend ages untangling the Marestream. Anything you put outside it might need to be left behind.”

Pipp sighed in resignation. “Okay, fine. I promise we won’t go overboard.”

“Don’t worry,” Izzy beamed. “Leave it to me!”

Hitch and Zipp rolled their eyes as they looked at each other worriedly. However, Misty looked back at them reassuringly.

“I’ll keep an eye on them. My head’s spinning from the spellbook as it is.”

With that, Hitch, Zipp and Feather Breeze set off for the top of the mountain.

Elsewhere, Sunny sat looking at the LED above the port, staring at it intently through sorrowful eyes.

From her cage, Sugar couldn’t help sighing. She thought Sunny had seemed better last night after their hug. However, she’d woken up to find Sunny crying and realised she’d clearly taken another nosedive into despair.

She racked her brain, trying to work out what to do. However, Sunny hadn’t seemed the least bit interested in another hoof-clapping game. Everything else Sugar could think of was foiled by the muzzle, the shackles or the simple fact they were locked in separate cages.

Suddenly, Sunny grunted as the LED turned green. She shoved the muzzle into the port, seemingly desperate to get it off. Sugar gasped and hurried over to do the same. Neither noticed a panel in the ceiling above the control panels opening and two eyes watching them from the darkness.

Sunny gasped with relief as she pulled her face from the muzzle and exercised her jaw.

“Sunny,” Sugar gasped as soon as her muzzle was released. “What’s wrong? I thought you were better last night?”

“I...I thought so too,” Sunny sighed sorrowfully. “But... But then I had another nightmare.”

“Another nightmare?” Sugar said worriedly. “How many have you had?”

“Every night I’ve been in here,” Sunny groaned. “Last night was the worst. It was Maretime Bay Day, everypony was enjoying it at first but then everypony started disappearing, one by one. Including you and Sprout.

“When I found you all, I got trapped in some sort of spell. I couldn’t move or speak or do anything.” She sighed closing her eyes. “Then Allura appeared and whisked you all away again. Saying you were all hers. That’s when I woke up.”

Sugar frowned, unsure how to respond. However, Sunny sighed and gave a thin smile. “I know, it’s kind of silly. It’s just a dream, it wasn’t real.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what to say,” Sugar admitted. “But I do know one thing.” She grinned, as she struck one of her trademark catwalk poses. “I don’t think even I could make this outfit look good.”

Sunny couldn’t suppress a chuckle. It feels so good to laugh. She sighed, looking at Sugar gratefully. “Sugar, why are you here? I don’t think for a second you would have gotten into trouble just to join me.”

Sugar sighed, looking down. “No, I didn’t.”

“Well, come on then. What did you do?”

Sugar groaned. “I stopped Skysurf and Giselle getting caught. Well, they had been caught already. I just gave the Nirik somepony else to chase.”

Sunny’s eyes widened with curiosity. “How’d they get caught? What were they doing? What did you do to make the Nirik chase you?”

Sugar couldn’t help smiling. “They were outside the watchtower they were infiltrating. I think the Nirik came out at the wrong time and caught them. I kind of ran the Nirik over with my cart.”

“The collars!” Sunny gasped with realisation. “S…So did they get in? Did they get them?”

Sugar sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know. I hope so. I hope they got them.”

Sunny looked thoughtful as her cutie mark flickered. “I hope so too,” she smiled.

I can’t escape... Sunny rolled her eyes. Oh, woken up have you! Yes, I know, and it doesn’t matter, we’ll get through this.

Sunny looked anxiously at the bowls. Wait! Where’s the food and water? She looked over towards the control panel at the far end of the hut.

Meanwhile, Sugar closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Sunny… I…I need to apologise.”

Sunny frowned and looked confused. “W…What for?”

“For how I treated you after we finished school,” Sugar said as she looked at the ground. “I’ve been a complete jerk.”

“W…Wait, I don’t blame you for that,” Sunny said earnestly.

Sugar’s eyes widened with surprise. “You…You don’t?”

Sunny shook her head. “No, how could I? You had a well-paid job at CanterLogic. You couldn’t risk that by being friendly towards me. Not with all the things I did at the showcases. Phyllis would think you were involved.”

“But what about the whole Alicorn thing? I…I completely blanked you when you mentioned being at school together. I…I…” Sugar sighed sorrowfully. “I didn’t want to look bad in front of Rosedust and Lily, or… what’s her name?” She groaned. “You see! I can’t even remember the name of the Unicorn we were with either. I was such a stuck-up idiot!”

Sunny’s eyes widened and she gasped knowingly. “Opaline.”

“No, I thought it was Marcy, or Minty, or something like that,” Sugar groaned. “I can’t even remember what her cutie mark was.”

“That’s because she didn’t have a cutie mark,” Sunny explained. “That Unicorn, it was Misty.”

“Y…You mean your Misty!” Sugar’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, wait, what? How? B…But Misty’s mane is a completely different colour!”

“Yeah, because Pipp and Izzy dyed it for her,” Sunny explained. “The whole Alicorn thing. Misty told me later; that it was one of Opaline’s plans.”

Sugar blinked repeatedly as she tried to process the information. She frowned, looking down and shaking her head.

“No, that still doesn’t make how I treated you any better,” she decided. “Sunny, I completely ignored our previous friendship.”

“I…I know,” Sunny sighed. “But I still don’t hold it against you. If anything, it helped me figure out more about my powers.”

Sugar looked gratefully at Sunny, feeling a weightlifting from her shoulders. “Thank you, Sunny,” she breathed. “I’ve been hoping to ask, did they do something to your powers?”

“Yeah, this bridle,” Sunny sighed as she tapped it. “Allura said it’s isolated them. I can’t even turn them off. Did you see Allura when you were brought in here?”

Sugar shook her head. “No, only Nirik. They put all this stuff on me then left me in here. I wouldn’t have known how to get food if it wasn’t for you.”

Suddenly, there was a beep. They both looked around in confusion before food and water were finally dispensed. Sunny gasped and immediately started drinking.

“Sugar, drink as much as you can. We won’t be able to drink the water they give us at the inclines.”

“O...Okay,” Sugar said absently. “Sunny, are you doing okay now?”

Sunny sighed as she continued to drink. “Better, the thoughts are still trying to torment me though. I’m sure that’s why I’m having nightmares about everypony being captured.”

“Sunny, it won’t happen,” Sugar said reassuringly.

“I...I know,” Sunny admitted. “Allura’s trying to break me with these thoughts. I...I know this sounds awful, but, I’m kind of glad you’re here.”

Sugar took a mouthful of the food. Her cheeks bulged as she almost spat it back out. It took her a moment, but she eventually managed to swallow it. “Oh, that’s even worse than yesterday,” she groaned, taking a mouthful of water before finally answering. “It’s fine, Sunny. I’m glad I’m not in here on my own too.”

Sunny gave a small grateful smile before she began eating too. “I find it’s best to eat than drink,” she advised. “It washes the taste away.”

Unsure how much longer they’d get, silence descended as they both concentrated on eating and drinking.

Which turned out to be a good thing as, not long later, the buzzer from Sunny’s muzzle sounded. “NO! NO! That’s not fair! It’s not even enough time to drink all the water.”

Sunny grunted as she felt the pain in the back of her head. She growled with annoyance before moving to put her muzzle back on before she could be shocked again.

Meanwhile, Sugar snarled as her muzzle sounded its buzzer. “It’ll be designed like this on purpose. We won’t let it beat us, Sunny! We can, and will, get through this!”

With her muzzle already locked in place, Sunny blinked with surprise as she watched Sugar push her nose into her muzzle.

Sugar’s right. That's why I’ve never finished the food and water. We’re not supposed to! It’s all a mind game! I can’t escape... Hold on? Is that it now? Nothing about control anymore?

Suddenly, Sunny and Sugar looked around as they heard a clunk from the door. Followed by a second and a series of clicks as it unlocked. Sugar looked worriedly at Sunny, clearly unsure what was happening.

Shoot! I didn’t explain anything! Sunny gasped. I…I suppose we were talking about other things.

After the door swung open, five Nirik entered. One heading straight towards the control panel whilst the other four split up. Two standing at each cage, carrying chains.

Sunny couldn’t help blinking with surprise. Two each? Are we really that much of a threat? Wait, are they giving us the same cart or separate ones?

Sunny looked at Sugar and nodded towards the cage doors. Come on, Sugar. Make it easier on yourself.

Sugar looked at Sunny with confusion. Then at the two Nirik standing on either side of the door to her cage. Then she watched as Sunny moved towards her cage door and raised her head.

Frowning, Sugar remembered the previous evening. Sunny had been brought into her cage on the end of two chains. Sighing, she copied Sunny, moving towards the cage door and raising her head. Then she remembered Sunny mentioning water and presumed they must be being put to work.

However, she still wasn’t ready for the two Nirik to attach chains to the bridle on either side of her head. Blinking, she took a step backwards and grunted as she realised the other end of the chains had been attached to the cage. She looked at Sunny, realising the same thing had been done to her.

I’m sorry, Sugar. Sunny sighed to herself. If only I’d had enough time to explain.

Sugar gave a muffled squeak as the cage doors opened. She could only watch with widened eyes as the Nirik entered her cage and started checking her over.

It wasn’t much longer before Sunny and Sugar were being led from their hut. They both looked around with surprise, there were puddles of water everywhere and everything looked wet.

Sunny blinked in confusion. I didn’t hear rain last night. At least it feels cooler now.

Meanwhile, behind her, Sugar couldn’t help feeling worried. However, she quickly remembered that Sunny had gone through all this on her own.

As they were led away, Twitch appeared from a small door in the back of their hut. He watched them go before smiling with satisfaction as he hopped away.

They didn’t have to go far to where two carts were waiting, and Sunny frowned with surprise.

There’s the one I had yesterday but where did the other one come from? Oh, it’s for two ponies, we must be working together. I can’t escape… She rolled her eyes. Yes, yes, yes, I know that! Wait, what’s that sound?

Sunny and Sugar both looked up and gasped. Emerging from the clouds was one of the Airships. It made a loud roaring sound as it descended and docked with the metal spires on the level below.

Sugar blinked, she was sure she’d just seen a glimpse of a rainbow through the clouds. However, she was roughly pulled from her thoughts by the Nirik escorting her. They brought her alongside Sunny and began hitching them to the cart.

Please. Sunny closed her eyes. Please, let this mean we don’t get stuck following the Yak.

After they’d been hitched to the cart, two of the Nirik disappeared. The other three took the chains in their mouths and started to lead Sunny and Sugar from the Confinement area.

Sugar glanced at Sunny, indicating where the Airship was docked.

I know Sugar. Sunny nodded excitedly. The Airship is here and Misty said they were still following it. She closed her eyes. I can’t escape… Again? Yes, I know. But my friends are near, I can feel it. She’ll capture all my friends… She wishes! They’re too clever! I trust you everypony, I know you’ll save us.

Soon enough, they came towards the work site. Sunny couldn’t help feeling happier as she saw the Yak weren’t there. However, her heart sank as the Nirik held them back and took them to one side. No! They’re waiting for the Yak!

Sunny frowned as she tried to look back to see if the Yak were coming or not. However, the chain between her and the Nirik kept going taught, preventing her from being able to see.

Eventually, the two Yak came lumbering along with their huge cart. As they passed, Sunny looked at them hopefully.

Please. Please let them see our muzzles and realise we can’t talk.

The Yak looked at each other with concern. One of them certainly looked like they had taken a good look at the two ponies.

Then, as the Yak stopped to be loaded, the Nirik moved Sunny and Sugar into position and attached the four chains from their heads to the back of the larger cart. The Nirik formed a W shape with the chains, between their heads and the corners and middle of the rear of the cart.

Sugar looked around with concern as the Nirik gave them both a final check before walking away. She looked at Sunny, then gave an experimental tug on the chains between herself and the cart in front of them. Realising they would hold them directly in line behind the Yak.

Sunny nodded, then lifted one of her conjoined hoofs and waggled it back and forward at the extremes of what the shackles would allow her to move.

Unsure what Sunny was getting at, Sugar frowned and looked down at her conjoined hoofs in confusion.

Oh well, you’ll know soon enough, Sugar. Sunny sighed.

As soon as both carts were loaded, the Yak started to move. Sugar grunted as she was nearly pulled off her hoofs. Sunny was more prepared but couldn’t stop herself from being yanked forward.

As they walked along the sodden path. Sugar finally realised what Sunny had meant. She was walking as fast as her shackles would let her. But the chains between her and the larger cart remained stubbornly taught. She looked at Sunny and saw she was in the same situation.

As they both struggled onwards, Sugar couldn’t help feeling thankful her hind legs weren’t shackled as well. Just concentrating on moving her forelegs as fast as possible was bad enough.

Eventually, as they continued to struggle, they heard a voice.

“Did Yara Yak see? There two Ponies today?”

“Yara saw. Yara also see Ponies have things on faces. Think Ponies not able to speak.”

“Yakov check. Ponies? Can Ponies speak?”

Sugar and Sunny both frowned and glanced at each other.

“Yakov Yak silly. How Ponies respond if can’t speak?”

“Ponies did not respond. Means Ponies can’t speak.”

“Yara admit, that make sense.”

The Yak both stopped talking as they neared and then walked past a watchtower. Sugar closed her eyes, clearly struggling to stop herself from being pulled over.

Eventually, the Yak started talking again.

“Yara worried. How Yak check speed right if Ponies can’t speak?”

“Yakov not sure. They need to make noise, somehow.”

Sunny’s eyes widened. Why the hay didn’t I think of this before?! I can’t escape… Ah, that’ll be why!

Quickly, Sunny kicked out with one of her hind legs. Banging her hoof on their cart repeatedly.

“Ah, Yara Yak hear Pony banging. Bang once for yes. Two for no.”

Sunny inwardly grinned as she banged once more on the cart. Sugar couldn’t help sighing with relief as she continued to struggle.

“So, Ponies, Yakov wonders if speed okay? Yak can’t go too fast due to collar.”

Sunny banged twice on the cart.

“Speed not okay! Yakov, Yara Yak worried, Yak can’t go faster.”

“Pony, is speed too fast?”

YES! Yes. It’s too fast! Sunny gasped as she banged once.

“Speed too fast! Yakov, we slow down. Will see what happens.”

“Yakov agree. We go at minimum speed. Will speed up if collars shock Yak. Ponies bang three times if too fast, okay?”

Sunny banged once on the cart again, letting the Yak know they understood.

Then, as the Yak slowed down. Finally, it felt like they weren’t about to be pulled over. Finally, everything was much, much easier.

As Sugar looked at her gratefully, Sunny couldn’t help sighing with relief. I can’t believe how much better things suddenly are!