Escape from Arora Ridge Quarry

As the sun sank below the mountains, darkness slowly descended over the Quarry.

Misty was going over a set of diagrams and instructions in the hide. Meanwhile, Hitch and Zipp watched the last of the Yak being ushered into their hut. They were the last creatures to be locked in for the night.

“Not long now,” Hitch frowned. “How are you doing, Misty?”

Misty’s eyes widened and she let out a nervous squeak. “I…I’m buzzing with nerves,” she admitted as she nervously adjusted the straps on her saddlebag. Then, she closed her eyes as she let out a deep, shaky breath.

Zipp put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “If you do everything we discussed you’ll be fine. We’ve got this planned out to the last detail.”

"Yeah, we're really well prepared, not like the other missions we've done recently,” Hitch winked. “It’s not too late to change your mind though."

With her eyes still closed, Misty took another deep calming breath. Letting it out slowly before she opened her eyes and looked at her friends with determination. “No, I really think this is the only way. Once I’ve been in the hut I won’t have to sneak around anymore. I’ll be able to teleport straight in.”

“That’s the spirit, Misty,” Zipp smiled. “I still can’t believe you’ve already been down there.”

“Me neither,” Hitch confessed. “But it was a good idea, it’s all set up for her now.”

“Yeah, we’ve covered the variables too,” Zipp pondered. “I’m glad I did all the reconnaissance last night.”

Misty gave a small smile as she gave the plans one last look. “I’m glad you both agreed to this. I don’t think I could have come up with such a detailed plan on my own.”

“It didn’t take long too,” Zipp winked. “Feather Breeze confirmed there’s no anti-magic stuff. They use it all the time so can’t go without it.”

“Allura doesn't expect anypony to come from outside then,” Hitch said before frowning. “Misty, if you’re going, then you should go now that it's dark enough. You don't want to spend all night in the hut.”

Misty squeaked as her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected her call to action to come so soon. However, she took another deep calming breath and nodded. “Okay, if anything happens, I’ll teleport back here.”

“Good luck,” both Hitch and Zipp said before Misty’s horn glowed and she disappeared.

There was a flash between the two storage sheds as Misty appeared in the alleyway. Safely hidden behind the two piles of crates and other discarded detritus that she’d built earlier that day.

She let out a deep shaky breath to steady her nerves as her heart pounded. She knew that was the easy part, the hard part was just beginning.

Gulping, Misty’s horn glowed again, and she turned almost completely invisible. The only thing that anypony would be able to see was her eyes. Despite this, she was still very nervous and worried. “I…I can do this,” she whispered to herself. “J…Just follow the plan. I…I can remember the plan, right? Right.”

She gulped and let out another deep breath before she started making her way down the alleyway. When she reached the end, ahead of her was the area where the carts were stored. She’d need to cross this to reach the nearest hut.

Two watchtowers looked out over the carts. One near the cliff face to the next level above. While the other was near the cliff edge to the level below. Both had searchlights which moved across the carts in a pattern.

Despite being invisible, Misty knew she’d still leave a shadow. Feather Breeze had told her that wouldn’t be a problem. However, she still wanted to be careful and avoid the lights if possible.

However, her first challenge was the Nirik who were on patrol. She needed to wait until they’d passed before risking moving out into the carts.

Up in the hide, Hitch and Zipp were watching like hawks through their binoculars. However, they weren’t getting on very well.

“We should have had radios,” Hitch groaned. “We don’t know what’s happening.”

Zipp sighed. “If all looks normal then everything is going to plan. They seem to be very reliant on electronics so they might detect radios.”

Hitch groaned. “We won’t even see where she is. She’ll be invisible. Not like when she went down there earlier. I could at least keep an eye on her.”

Zipp shook her head. “Which wouldn’t have helped if she got into trouble.”

“Yeah, but it made me feel happier,” Hitch smirked.

“We just need to trust Misty,” Zipp sighed. “If only Izzy had the same abilities as Misty. Then she could help.”

“No, Izzy’s fine as she is,” Hitch frowned. “Misty works herself hard enough.”

“You know why she does that, don’t you?”

Hitch groaned. “To make up for her time helping Opaline.”

“Yeah, I don’t think she’s fully forgiven herself.”

Hitch sighed and could only agree.

Back in the Quarry, Misty gasped as a Nirik walked past the end of the alley. Desperately, she closed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seen.

However, with her eyes closed, she couldn’t see what was happening. Therefore, her invisible ears twitched back and forth as she strained to hear what the Nirik was doing.

Suddenly, she heard its hoofsteps stop. Barely daring to breathe, she kept still and waited. Finally, she heard the steps again as the Nirik continued its patrol.

After a few moments, Misty risked opening an eye. She sighed with relief as she saw the coast appeared to be clear. Therefore, she started to move from the alley, watching the lights and getting ready to hurry across to the nearest cart.

However, another Nirik suddenly approached from the opposite direction, straight towards her!

Barely managing to keep herself from squeaking in surprise, Misty flung herself back into the alleyway. She landed roughly on the floor and kicked up a cloud of dust. Covering her head with her hoofs, she closed her eyes.

She couldn’t stop trembling as she tried desperately to stay quiet and maintain concentration on the invisibility spell. Barely able to hear the Nirik over the sound of her beating heart.

When the hoofsteps stopped, she held her breath.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Nirik started walking again. Its hoofsteps got quieter and quieter before they finally disappeared completely.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Misty’s nerves were all over the place. Still trembling, she uncovered her eyes and carefully got to her hoofs. She wanted to abort and find another way.

However, she thought about Sunny, Sprout and then Feather Breeze and her family. “They’re counting on me,” she whispered.

Taking another deep breath, Misty tentatively poked her head out of the alleyway and confirmed there were no more surprises. The Nirik were both walking away on their route around the outside of the carts.

Gulping, Misty waited for the spotlights before hurrying out from her cover. Carefully, she picked her way between the rows of carts. She had to stop and take cover multiple times to avoid the searchlights. However, she made good progress.

Finally, she scrambled under a cart. Ahead of her was an open area before the side of the hut. However, before moving on, she needed to wait for the two Nirik from before as they continued their patrol.

This time, she could see them approaching, walking in the middle of the gap between her and the hut. Gulping, she closed her eyes and listened.

The hoofsteps of the Nirik slowly approached and then passed her hiding place. Eventually getting fainter and fainter as they walked away.

Misty opened her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. She frowned; her invisibility spell was working well and she started to wonder if she needed to be so scared. However, she quickly reminded herself to be careful.

She extracted herself from under the cart and carefully hurried to the side of the hut. Pressing herself up against it and closed her eyes as a searchlight passed over her.

She waited a moment before cracking open one eye. Sighing with relief again, she quickly made her way along the side of the hut towards the front.

Reaching the corner, she once again had to wait. She knew multiple Nirik were patrolling back and forth along the front of the huts. Therefore, she had to wait for the Nirik to arrive and turn around before proceeding.

However, when the Nirik walked out from behind the corner it still took Misty by surprise. Gasping, she closed her eyes and listened hard.

Fortunately, it seemed the Nirik hadn’t spotted her two floating eyeballs. It stood in place for a moment before turning around and walking back the other way.

Hearing its retreating hoofsteps, Misty carefully opened her eyes again. Seeing the Nirik had disappeared, she poked her head around the corner. Sure enough, it was walking away from her along the front of the huts.

Gulping, she narrowed her eyes and decided, she wanted this experience to be over as soon as possible. Therefore, she walked out and followed the Nirik. She knew doing so was risky. However, Zipp had told her it was the fastest method.

As she passed the door, Misty glanced up at the picture of a Yak above it and resisted the urge to let out a groan. Quickly reminding herself that next one would be the Diamond Dogs hut, then the Changelings. Only after that came her destination, the Ponies hut.

Her invisibility spell was giving her more confidence, she just needed to be as quiet as possible. However her heart was pounding, she just wanted to get there so it would all be over.

Back in the hide, Hitch and Zipp were still watching through their binoculars. Suddenly, Zipp gasped as she saw something.

“What is it?” Hitch frowned as he frantically scanned the area.

“I spotted her,” Zipp smiled. “Just in front of the Yak’s hut.”

“Really?” Hitch gasped as he focused on the hut in question. “I don’t see anything.”

“It was as she passed the door. I spotted her shadow from the light above it. Then a glimpse of her eyes.”

“Okay, so next one is the Diamond Dogs,” Hitch said as he refocused his binoculars. “Yes, I saw her. No eyes, but a definite Misty shaped shadow.”

“Wait, that’s really fast,” Zipps eyes widened. “Is…Is she following the Nirik?”

“Seems so, she’s being really brave,” Hitch blinked. “She must want it over and done with as soon as possible. Where did you hear about following somepony like that?”

Zipp grimaced, bringing a wing up to her face. “A video game.”

“A…A video game,” Hitch gasped.

“I didn’t think she’d choose that method. I thought she’d take it slower.”

“Zipp, Misty’s probably never seen a video game thanks to Opaline, let alone played one. She won’t know you can just reset if you make a mistake.”

Zipp groaned, she knew it was too late. They could only watch and try and keep track of Misty.

Meanwhile, Misty was making good progress. However, ahead she could see another Nirik was walking towards her. She knew she’d need to do something to get out of it’s way.

Therefore, as she neared the Changeling’s hut she didn’t continue along the front. She moved towards the side of it instead.

Pressing her back to the side of the hut, she listened hard as she looked through the corner of her eye.

The two Nirik passed each other between the Changelings and Ponies huts. Therefore, it was a little while before the approaching Nirik finally emerged from around the corner.

Misty immediately closed her eyes and her invisible ears twitched as she listened. She could barely breathe as the hoofsteps slowly got fainter and fainter.

Finally, she cracked open one eye and breathed a sigh of relief. The Nirik had once again carried on without seeing her.

Feeling even more confident in her invisibility spell, Misty moved to the corner and peeped around it. She couldn't help smiling as she confirmed the Nirik were both continuing their patrols.

With her eyes fixed on the door of the next hut, she made her way out from the corner. There was nothing else in her way now.

In the hide, Zipp and Hitch were starting to worry. They hadn’t seen evidence of Misty passing in front of the Changeling hut and had lost her.

“Where is she,” Zipp worried.

“Maybe she stopped,” Hitch pondered before he gasped. “Of course, to let the oncoming one pass!”

Zipp’s eyes widened. “THERE!”

“Yeah, I saw it too,” Hitch grinned. “A shadow at the door of the hut.”

“Okay, just one left. Never thought I’d get this worried about somepony else doing something.”

Hitch laughed. “And you’re supposed to be the brave one.”

Zipp couldn't help smirking playfully. “And you’re the one who’s supposed to look out for our wellbeing. To talk us all out of doing silly things like this.”

“Yeah, well, it didn’t stop Sunny did it,” Hitch sighed.

“Hey, we’ll save her,” Zipp reassured.

“I know,” Hitch smiled. “Wait! By the door to the Ponies hut. I can see her shadow there now!”

“She’s made it then,” Zipp grinned.

They both watched the door intently. However, they gasped as there was a blinding flash which forced them to pull their binoculars away from their eyes.

“Ah, that was bright,” Hitch gasped as he blinked rapidly.

“Tell me about it,” Zipp grumbled as she rubbed her eyes. “At least we know she made it.”

Hitch put the binoculars to his still watering eyes. He quickly scanned the area around the huts and breathed a sigh of relief. “No reaction from what I can see. We're lucky they didn't spot the flash, it was way brighter than we expected.”

“It’s the binoculars,” Zipp explained. “They amplified it.”

“Well, all we can do is wait some more,” Hitch smiled. “Misty did so well. I never thought she had it in her.”

“I think she can be pretty sneaky,” Zipp smiled. “She just gets massively nervous. Planning it all out must have helped.”

Hitch nodded in agreement as they continued to watch and wait.

Meanwhile, inside the Ponies hut, the creatures had gathered as normal. However, Bingo was far from happy.

“So, we have no message?” she grumbled. “Then what’s the point of meeting.”

“We could get a message anytime, Bingo,” Thymus sighed. “Also, we ought to get to know each other better. We’re in this together and should know more about our allies.”

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the other end of the hut. They turned to look and saw the ponies were all gathering near the door. Clapping, hoof stomping and cheering.

Eventually, the creatures all gasped as the crowd of ponies parted and a blue unicorn was ushered towards them. She was panting but had a beaming smile on her face as multiple hoofs patted her on the back and welcomed her like a hero.

“Misty!” Sprout gasped as he hurried to meet her. “Misty? Is that really you?”

“Y…Yeah, it’s me,” Misty gasped. “I…I made it, I actually made it.”

“So, this is what you meant about being brave,” Sprout beamed as he put a hoof around Misty’s shoulders. “Come and meet the others.”

As Sprout escorted Misty towards the other creatures, they all looked at her with shock and bewilderment.

“Is it a new prisoner?” Bingo frowned with confusion.

"It's too late for that," Skysurf blinked. "Besides, I didn't hear the door."

Minty shook her head. “No, she’s not a prisoner like us."

“W…What?” Giselle gasped in shock. “If she’s… How?”

“Hold on, hold on,” Sprout grinned as he waved a hoof. “Introductions first, this is Misty Brightdawn. She’s one of Sunny’s best friends and one of our Guardians of Unity. She’s the one who’s been messaging us. She’s here to help us.”

“She’s the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria,” Minty added. “She’s made headline news for the things she’s accomplished.”

Misty gasped and couldn’t help blushing profusely. “P…Please, j…just call me Misty.”

“Well, it is very good to meet you, Misty Brightdawn,” Thymus smiled. “You must be very brave to come here yourself.”

“I…I don’t feel brave,” Misty admitted before gasping as she sat down. “My heart’s still pounding. H…Hold on…”

The others looked confused as Misty reached into her saddlebag and produced a recorder. “Zipp suggested I record what we discuss. I’m not going to remember it all.”

“Sounds sensible,” Thymus nodded with a smile. “Presumably, you’ll get told what you’ve omitted to tell us too.”

Misty only nodded before she started the recording and set the recorder down.

“Come on, everycreature,” Sprout beamed. “Introduce yourselves to Misty and her friends. Bingo, would you like to go first?”

Bingo looked dumbfounded but managed to find her tongue. “Y…Yes. I am Bingo of the Diamond Dogs. There are members from many packs here and that makes it difficult to maintain our status. So, am not the highest-ranking dog, but I was chosen to represent us.”

“I’m Skysurf and I represent the Hippogriffs of Mount Aris and Seaquestria. I’m the personal guard of Princess Coral Cloud. We were on our way to Equestria to meet your Queen Haven and were ambushed. Coral Cloud was targeted specifically, and I was captured whilst I was protecting her.”

“I am Thymus the Changeling, and I am one of our hive’s guards. Sworn to protect the hive from any threat. Therefore, I was captured in an operation to identify what was happening to my fellow Changelings. Generations ago, the Changelings underwent a metamorphosis thanks to the friendship we forged with pony kind. I'm honoured to be meeting so many ponies now, Equestria has been isolated for too long.”

“Giselle of Griffonstone, I don’t have any fancy titles or anything. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and saw a fellow griff get captured. I couldn’t stand around and do nothing so ended up getting caught myself trying to stop the Nirik from getting away.”

Minty was stood to one side, seemingly not wanting to get involved. Therefore, she looked surprised when everycreature looked expectantly at her. She raised a hoof and pointed at Sprout. “Wait, he should go first. He’s been far more involved in this than I have.”

“Oh, my friends and I know Sprout already,” Misty smiled. “Honestly, I think I know who you are, but…”

Holding up a hoof, Minty sighed and stepped forward. “I’m Minty Cloudstrike. I got myself and three of my friends caught because I was stupid and didn’t follow the Queen’s curfew.” She let out another deep sigh. “You probably know I’m the leader of Pegasus for Pegasi.”

“Yeah, we saw you on TV,” Misty confirmed.

Minty groaned and looked down. “C…Could we maybe not talk about Pegasus for Pegasi? I don’t think it’s really relevant to this situation.”

“Sure,” Misty smiled. “We’ll save all of that until we’ve gotten everycreature out of here.”

Minty sighed and nodded but said nothing more.

Suddenly, Giselle bound towards Misty excitedly, making her squeak in surprise. Giselle got uncomfortably close and hopped up and down on the spot. “So, you’re, like, the most powerful Unicorn,” Giselle beamed. “What magic did you use to get here?”

“W…Well, mainly teleportation,” Misty squeaked. “I…I turned invisible too, but it was still really nerve-racking.”

“Invisible!" Giselle’s eyes widened in excitement. "You really turned invisible, can you show us?”

Misty blinked with confusion. However, her horn glowed and, sure enough, she turned completely invisible.

Giselle squeaked with excitement, “That’s amazing!”

However, Misty suddenly opened her eyes and made Giselle squeak in shock. She skittered backwards in surprise and almost fell over. Much to the amusement of the others.

Misty gasped as she reappeared. “S…Sorry.”

Giselle placed a claw over her pounding heart and panted for breath before smiling. “Not your fault. I just wasn't ready to see two floating eyeballs. Why aren't they invisible too?"

Misty shrugged bashfully. "I don't know, that's just how the spell works."

"Sort of makes sense, how would you see if they were?" Thymus pondered. "I have a question about teleportation. Sunny mentioned you can take a few with you?”

Misty frowned in thought before responding. “I think I’ve teleported up to five others before, I’m not honestly sure. Magic is still so new and I’m learning all the time. I…I’m sorry it took me so long to sort out a messaging spell. I’m still so bummed I can’t get the responding one to work.”

“Hey, I think coming yourself has more than made up for it,” Sprout replied. “It’s a good job too, we’ve got something for you.”

“Y…You have?” Misty blinked.

Skysurf helped Sprout reveal the second hole. Then, they removed the collars, bridles and straps from where they'd been hidden.

“Giselle and I successfully infiltrated one of the watchtowers,” Skysurf informed. “We took these and were hoping you’d be able to work out their secrets.”

Misty grinned. “Well, I won’t but I know a pony who will. Zipp will be so pleased, she was kind of bummed after I destroyed the one that Feather Breeze was wearing.”

“Feather Breeze?” Thymus questioned. “Isn't that the Nirik you captured?”

"More like rescued," Misty nodded. "She's a Kirin... But, I suppose she’s a Nirik too." She paused and sighed. "I'll go over what I know. Y...You see, Kirin transform into Nirik when they get angry. Allura uses her purr to take over their minds. For some reason, it works way better when they’re Nirik than when they’re Kirin.”

“I think I remember,” Skysurf frowned as she held up one of the collars. “These somehow lock them in Nirik form so the purr works on them."

“It will be similar to ours,” Thymus said as he tapped his collar. “They stop Changelings using our natural ability to change form. Not unless they want us to.”

“Sill silly to think a purr controls creatures,” Bingo sniffed.

"Of course it would seem silly to a Diamond Dog," Giselle grinned.

Bingo grunted but nodded in agreement.

Misty sighed. "It affects some creatures more than others. Like the Auroricorns, it affects them the most. This whole quarry, it used to be their home. Before Allura came and took control of them with her purr.”

“I…It did,” Giselle gasped.

“Feather Breeze told us,” Misty nodded before frowning. “Well, she told Pipp first, but she told the rest of us later."

"So, what happened to the Kirin?" Thymus asked.

"Allura used the Auroricorns to lure them into a trap," Misty sighed. "Their leaders are friends and Allura used that against them. All the Auroricorns and Kirin are here, every single one of them. They're all under Allura's control."

Sprout frowned. "The Auroricorns don't seem to be under anycreatures control though."

"But they do act strange," Skysurf pointed out. "It's like they don't know where they actually are."

"Exactly, they're in a trance," Misty sighed. "Thing is, there's got to be someway that Allura doesn't have to keep purring."

"Actually, there was something we saw in the watchtower,” Skysurf smiled.

“A piece of massive equipment,” Giselle explained. “Took up one side of the room at least. Buttons, dials and switches all over it. Along with a tape player thing with two tapes.”

“We think the tapes might be what control the purr,” Skysurf added.

"I'm glad this is all being recorded," Misty smiled. "Zipp's a brilliant detective. She'll work all this out."

“In that case you should know, Nirik are afraid of us Diamond Dogs," Bingo grunted. "They use our collars to keep control. You get these off, or turned off or something. Then we’ll be able to fight the Nirik.”

“You shouldn’t need to fight them,” Misty revealed. “As soon as I removed the one from Feather Breeze. She transformed back into a Kirin and passed out. When she woke up, she wasn't under Allura's control anymore.”

“So, turn off Diamond Dogs collars and we’ll take the collars from the Nirik,” Bingo said confidently.

“Or turn them all off,” Thymus countered. “Turn off every single collar and we’ll be free to help the Kirin when they pass out.”

Giselle snorted. “Yeah, but how would you do that?”

Silence fell as the creatures all looked at each other unsurely.

“They must have a way to charge them,” Minty said suddenly before gasping as all eyes turned towards her. “W…Well, they’re clearly electronic. They have so many flashing LED’s on them. So, they must have a battery.”

“See, you are useful,” Sprout reassured.

“Well, I just know electronics is all,” Minty replied before gesturing to the collars. “I…I assume it’s Princess Zipp who’ll be looking at these?”

“Yeah, it will be,” Misty smiled before squeaking as Skysurf rounded on her.

“One of your friends is the Princess of your Kingdom?!” Skysurf barked. “Why would you let her come with you?”

“Because she’s a Guardian of Unity,” Sprout defended. “Bet her sister’s there too.”

“Y…Yeah, Pipps back at camp,” Misty confirmed.

“T…Two Princesses!” Skysurf goggled. “You have… two... here?”

She sat down, looking completely baffled.

Misty frowned. “It’s not that big a deal. If we end up needing to use the Elements, they have to be with us. They only work when we’re all together.”

“I…It’s just Coral Cloud is always under my protection,” Skysurf sighed. “I took the beam that was aimed at her. I’m just glad she’s not here.”

Giselle suddenly grunted uncomfortably and looked very worried. “Err, Skysurf, I hate to worry you. But she could be.”

Skysurf turned and looked dumbfounded at Giselle. “What do you mean? She’s not here, I would know if she was here.”

“Did you check High-Security Confinement?” Giselle said worriedly. “When I got here, I was put straight in there.”

“N…No, but…” Skysurf gasped before shaking her head. “No, she couldn’t be. I…I’m sure she wasn’t on the Airship.”

“But she could have been in a different bay,” Thymus pointed out. “I hate to say it, Skysurf, but Giselle has a point. After her escape attempt on the Airship, she was taken away.”

"Yeah, I was hauled off and put in a cell," Giselle said worriedly. "Then when I got here I was escorted straight to Confinement."

“Give me a description,” Misty offered. “We’ll look for her as we’re watching.”

“No, she’ll be locked in a hut,” Giselle answered.

“Sunny isn’t,” Misty responded. “I’ve seen her out pulling a cart alongside Sugar Moonlight. I…I think I also saw at least one Hippogriff like you pulling a cart on that level too.”

“She’s light pink with a yellow mane and tail,” Skysurf responded. “There is only one Hippogriff that I know of that should be in confinement.”

“Okay,” Misty nodded. “I’ll make sure we keep an eye out. Don’t worry, if she is here then…”

“…Yes. But it will mean I’ve failed,” Skysurf said earnestly. “I’m supposed to protect her. I…I…I’m…”

The others all looked on worriedly as Skysurf trailed off. She groaned, looking more and more concerned before closing her eyes and shaking her head. “It’s not at all professional, but, we’re best friends,” she admitted. “We’ve spent so long together that we’ve grown closer than we should."

She looked down, the pain and worry evident on her face before jumping as Giselle placed a claw on her shoulder.

“Hey, if she’s here then she’ll escape like the rest of us,” Giselle reassured.

“Leave it with me,” Misty recommended. “If I see her, I'll let you know straight away. I'll be able to message you directly now we've met properly."

"Yes but Coral isn’t allowed out much, if at all," Skysurf groaned. "The trip to Equestria, it’s further than she’s gone in a long time and she was so excited. Her mother will never let her out the castle again, especially if she's here." She groaned again. "I'm sorry, none of that helps does it."

"If we know she's here then we can factor getting her out into our plans," Thymus reassured.

Misty nodded. "Yes, leave that with me, I'll make sure to mention it to Zipp. I have a question though; how did Sugar end up with Sunny?”

“She saved Skysurf and Giselle,” Sprout answered. “They got caught on their way into the watchtower and she provided a distraction.”

“I’d say it was more than a distraction,” Giselle said as she folded her forelegs. “She ran them over with her cart!”

"She sacrificed herself," Skysurf sighed. "She saw we were in trouble and acted."

“O…Okay,” Misty gasped. “I didn’t realise she had that in her.”

"Same as you then," Sprout smirked. "I didn't realise you were brave enough to actually break into a prison to speak to the prisoners."

Misty blinked and looked at Sprout with surprise. "I...I didn't think of it like that..."

“Very good but we need to get back to our huts before lights out,” Bingo grunted suddenly. “The other Dogs will be wanting their bananas before then.”

“Well, I can’t think of anything else of importance to discuss,” Thymus admitted.

“Well, before I go. I’ve got some writing materials for you,” Misty said as she unpacked her saddlebag. “Zipp thought it would help. Allow you to write things down or draw out plans.”

“Yes, that will be a big help,” Thymus smiled.

Misty smiled as she passed paper and writing implements to Thymus before she packed her bag with the collars, bridles and straps. Putting the recorder in last before she closed the flap securely.

“I’ll be back tomorrow night,” Misty smiled. “Now I’ve seen the inside, I’ll be able to teleport straight here.”

“Until tomorrow night then, Misty Brightdawn,” Thymus smiled. “Please, thank your friends for being here to help.”

“I will,” Misty smiled. “Don’t lose hope, we’ll help you all escape.”

With a final round of smiles, waves and a few nods from the creatures. Misty’s horn glowed and she disappeared with a flash.

“Oh, thank hoofness,” Minty groaned. “Was it only me who had visions of her not being able to teleport away?”

Sunny sighed as she lay on her mat. They’d had their food for the evening and now she was contemplating getting some sleep, despite the lights still being on. If only we didn’t have these things stuck to our faces. She scowled. Then we could sit here talking.

However, she gasped, and her eyes widened. She froze as a familiar voice filled her mind.

“Sunny, I’ve got important news for you. We’re here! We’ve set up a camp and have been watching the quarry from a hide that Izzy made. We’ve seen what they’ve done to you and Sugar. Don’t worry, we’ll save you!

"I’ve actually been to see Sprout and your other friends in the Pony hut and we've made lots of progress. Tell Sugar that, thanks to her, Skysurf and Giselle were successful. I’ve just delivered a saddlebag of collars, straps and stuff to Zipp. She’s already heading back to camp to get started on examining them.

"Hang in there, we will save you. I promise, hoof to heart!”

Sunny gasped as tears of joy welled in her eyes.

Oh, Misty, I can’t believe you actually went to the hut! She shook her head and blinked away the tears. Oh yeah, she can’t hear me. Doesn’t matter, I can’t believe it! They're here! They're actually here! I can’t wait to tell Sugar tomorrow.

Finally feeling like she could get some sleep. Sunny sighed as she lowered her head onto her forelegs and closed her eyes. I can feel it now. Things can only get better, it's only a matter of time.