Escape from Arora Ridge Quarry

Zipp carefully entered the Marestream, feeling hopeful. She paused at the cockpit door, remembering to knock before opening it.

The aromatic smoke stung her eyes and throat as she entered, and she started coughing. Once she recovered, she gasped as she noticed Misty was still lying in bed, and she was worried that she had woken her.

However, Misty smiled happily back at her. “Hey, Zipp. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

“Hey, Misty,” Zipp smiled knowingly as she shook her head. “Look, there’s no need for that, yeah? You haven’t caused any trouble. I’m really glad you’re going to be okay.”

Still smiling, Misty carefully sat up and held out her hoofs for a hug. Initially, Zipp hesitated but leaned in and gratefully hugged Misty back carefully.

After a short hug, Misty smiled expectantly. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Straight down to business then,” Zipp smirked. “Well, I’ve checked with Feather Breeze. Tomorrow, I’m heading back to Equestria. I’ll get the overload devices designed and manufactured.”

“As long as I rest now,” Misty nodded.

“Yeah, but I kind of need you to do something,” Zipp grimaced, feeling she was asking more than she should.

However, Misty’s eyes widened hopefully, “Do what? I’ll help any way I can.”

“Message Strawberry,” Zipp replied seriously. “Tell her we’re coming and that we need Mom to requisition Cloudstrike Industries. Specifically, their development lab.”

“Oh?” Misty groaned before breathing the aromatic smoke deeply. “I...I’ll try,” she added worriedly.

“I checked with Feather Breeze,” Zipp reassured as she placed a hoof on Misty’s shoulder. “She said you’ll be fine to use your magic.”

“It’s not that,” Misty sighed as she shook her head. “I...I need to rest but...”

“You’re worried she’ll have lots of questions,” Zipp realised. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay and help, make sure you’re not drawn into a huge conversation.”

“Okay,” Misty smiled before she took another deep breath of the smoke. Then her horn glowed as she began the spell.

A short time later, Feather Breeze couldn’t help grinning as Zipp and Misty emerged from the Marestream. “Oh good. I was about to send somepony to come and get you, the stew is ready.”

Misty grinned excitedly as she eagerly watched Feather Breeze ladle a large portion into a bowl. "Yay," she beamed as she accepted the bowl. "I hadn't realized how hungry I was."

“Well, you have been asleep for over two days,” Zipp chuckled as she poked Misty in the shoulder playfully.

Misty froze just as she was about to put the first spoonful of stew in her mouth. Gasping, her eyes widened, and she looked at Feather Breeze in horror. “Wait, you didn’t make this just for me, did you?”

“Don’t worry, Misty,” Feather Breeze smiled knowingly as she passed Zipp a full bowl. “I made it because I wanted to. But I knew you’d appreciate it.”

“We all do,” Zipp winked before heading to sit down. “Come on, let’s relax and enjoy this.”

One by one, the others each came over and gratefully accepted a bowl of stew from Feather Breeze. She smiled as she finally took a portion for herself and headed towards the campfire seating area.

As she sat down, she looked around the gathered ponies happily. “I...I want to say thank you,” she sighed. “Thank you for accepting me.”

As the others looked at each other in surprise, Pipp gasped and asked, "What's brought this on?"

“Yeah, why wouldn’t we accept you?” Izzy blinked worriedly.

Feather Breeze took a deep breath and sighed, “Because when we met, I was the evil creature that was stealing away your friends.”

“But you weren’t,” Pipp reasoned. “When you woke up, you were scared and confused. I was confident you weren’t a threat.”

Feather Breeze gave a small smile. “Exactly, you immediately listened to me, Pipp. You all did.”

“But that’s because you helped,” Hitch argued.

“Yeah, you answered our questions without hesitation,” Zipp added. “We wouldn’t have found the Airship without your help.”

“And you’re still helping,” Izzy grinned excitedly. “You’re doing everything you can to help.”

“I know and I want to keep helping,” Feather Breeze sighed as she closed her eyes, sighing again before looking seriously at Zipp. “When you leave tomorrow, I’m coming with you. Making an overload device is one thing but you will need to test it. You need a willing test subject.”

Pipp’s eyes widened in horror as she nearly choked on a spoonful of stew. Coughing, she banged a hoof on her chest as she forced it down the correct way.

Finally, she looked at Feather Breeze in panic as she gasped for breath. “NO! You are not going to be a live test subject! Tell her, Sis!”

Pipp looked towards Zipp for support but gasped in surprise at her sister’s thoughtful face. “Sis?” she said slowly. “Zipp? You’re not seriously considering...”

Zipp sighed as she looked at Pipp calmly. “I...I don’t like it either,” she admitted before turning towards Feather Breeze. “But it would make sure that the solution works.”

Pipp harrumphed as she crossed her forelegs, looking away from her sister in disgust.

“Pipp,” Feather Breeze sighed. “Please, I have to.”

“Why?” Pipp spat. “You’ve put yourself at risk so much already.”

Feather Breeze sighed again as she looked down sorrowfully. “For Spring Flare, for my family, for all the Kirin and other creatures.”

Izzy gasped, putting her bowl down and moving to put her hoofs around Pipp’s shoulders. “For Sunny.”

“We’d all do the same, Pipp,” Hitch pointed out.

“Yeah,” Zipp sighed as she shook her head. “I’d totally do everything I could to help you, Sis. For any of you.”

Feather Breeze grimaced as she shook her head. “Each night, I…I feel the weight of helping them on my back. That it’s my responsibility and there’s nopony else who can help them. I…I know that’s not right, but I still have this burning desire to help them in any way I can.”

Pipp gulped as she looked out into the forest with a pained expression on her face. She closed her eyes, gritting her teeth in pain and worry.

Eventually, she took a deep breath and turned back towards Feather Breeze. “You’re right,” she sighed. “I’ve no place trying to stop you, Feather Breeze. I want to do everything I can as well, so I’m coming too.”

“How will you help by coming?” Zipp frowned with confusion before gasping as her eyes widened in realisation. “You just want a signal, don’t you!”

“No!” Pipp cried hotly as she scowled back at her sister. “If Feather Breeze is going, she’ll need to meet Mum. Plus, I want to be there for her if you’re going to use her as a test subject.”

Hitch shrugged. “Well, there isn’t really anything Pipp can do if she stays here.”

Izzy beamed as she rubbed Pipp on the shoulder reassuringly, “Yeah, I’ll look after Misty.”

“And I’ll watch the Quarry,” Hitch winked.

“Okay, okay,” Zipp sighed as she put her hoofs up in defence. “I’m sorry, Sis. You’re right, if you come too then you can look after Feather Breeze. Plus it will help with the whole Queen of the Hippogriff’s being in Equestria thing too.”

Pipp smiled as she patted Izzy on the hoof gratefully. She got up and moved over to Zipp, putting a grateful hoof around her. “It’s settled then, thanks, Sis.”

“Err, can I ask something?”

Everypony looked towards Misty as she licked her bowl clean. “When you come back, could you bring Strawberry with you?”

Hitch’s eyes widened. “What? Seriously?”

He gasped in shock as Misty shot him a scathing glare.

“Misty,” Zipp sighed as she shook her head. “I’m kind of with Hitch. She wasn’t exactly much help before.”

“Yeah, she was just arrogant and let herself get caught,” Pipp frowned unsurely. “We don’t want her getting in trouble.”

“We should give her a chance,” Izzy argued. “I bet she feels awful.”

Misty closed her eyes and sighed before looking down sorrowfully. "I…I know she didn't do that well," she said, pausing for breath. "B…But if you get these devices made... W…Who's going to fit them?"

Zipp’s eyes blinked in shock. As she looked at Misty, a worried expression crept onto her face.

“E…Exactly,” Misty panted. “I…I might not be... be...”

“Misty,” Hitch gasped worriedly. “It’s okay, we get it.”

Zipp let out a deep sigh. “I’ll speak to her,” she offered.

“T…Thanks, Zipp,” Misty said, smiling as she held her empty bowl out to Feather Breeze. “C…Could I have seconds?”

“Of course, Misty,” Feather Breeze smiled as she took the bowl in her magic and got up to refill it.

However, Izzy's expression was one of concern and worry as she gazed at Misty. "You sound really bad. Maybe you should go back to the cockpit?"

Misty smiled and nodded in response before gratefully taking the refilled bowl. Then, panting and wheezing, she gave her friends a reassuring smile before heading back inside the Marestream.

After she vanished, Izzy remained motionless, her face showing concern and worry as she gazed at the door.

“Izzy,” Feather Breeze sighed as she put a hoof around her comfortingly. “Trust me, she’ll be fine. She’s doing very well.”

“Are you sure? Like really, really sure?” Izzy blinked unsurely. "Her breathing sounded so bad."

“I am, she’ll make another step forward overnight,” Feather Breeze reassured. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“But will she be ready for when we get back?” Pipp sighed.

“That will remain to be seen,” Feather Breeze admitted sadly. “It depends on how much she rests.”

As they enjoyed the last spoonfuls of stew, their expressions shifted to concern. Eventually, each of them turned to gaze worriedly at the cockpit.

Elsewhere, Sunny was stood waiting for her cart to be unloaded. She grunted as she lifted a hind hoof and wiggled it around, scowling in annoyance at the sound of chains rattling.

That morning, the Nirik had fastened a new pair of shackles around her hind hoofs. On their own, they weren’t much of an issue. However, an additional connecting chain had also been added.

First, it was linked to the pairs of shackles, connecting them. It then ran up to her bridle, connecting beneath her chin. This restricted her movement, if she lifted her head too high, the chains became taut, making walking nearly impossible.

She furrowed her brow in confusion; it made no sense. She didn’t understand why she had suddenly been fitted with these extra restraints. They only slowed her down, restricting the number of trips she could make with her cart.

Absently, she lifted her hind hoof and wiggled it around again as she continued to wait.

By the time the cart was empty, three Nirik had arrived and were waiting for her. With a nod of acceptance, Sunny waited for them to attach their escort chains to her bridle before they started leading her away.

It wasn’t long before they had deposited her cart and arrived back at her hut. However, Sunny blinked with surprise and confusion as they reached the door, it was closed.

She had never seen the door being opened from this side before and watched with interest as one of the Nirik approached. It opened a panel in the door and revealed a pad, which it pressed and held with a hoof.

Panels opened on either side of the door and revealed another pair of identical pads. As they were outside the first Nirik’s reach, the two remaining Nirik moved towards these pads and pressed them.

A loud clunk surprised Sunny, making her jump. She looked around worriedly before she shook her head with relief. It was only the door starting its unlocking sequence.

Eventually, as she was brought inside, Sunny gasped at what she found.

Sugar was asleep in her cage, her sides rising and falling peacefully as she lay on the mat. Her hind hooves twitched, making the new shackles around them jingle. She’d also been fitted with a connecting chain like Sunny’s, running from her bridle down to her forehoof shackles and then to those around her hindhoofs.

A feeling of relief washed over Sunny, and she couldn’t help grinning. She had been so worried about Sugar, and it felt like a huge weight had just been lifted from her. However, as she was brought into her cage, she suddenly noticed Sugar wasn’t the hut’s only occupant.

In the cage next to hers, nearest the door, Giselle was lying on the mat.

She had a muzzle locked over her beak, connected to a bridle. Pairs of rigid shackles were also locked around her claws and paws, a chain connecting them together. Meanwhile, her wings were also restrained by a set of straps.

Sunny frowned. She wasn’t sure if she was asleep. Her breathing sounded raspy, but it was hard to tell if that was because of the muzzle or something else.

It wasn’t long until the Nirik left, and Sunny gasped and grinned with excitement. However, she wasn't sure who she was most worried about. Her head darted back and forth as she looked between Sugar and Giselle with wide eyes.

Suddenly, a beeping sound made her jump. She cried out in surprise and skittered backwards in shock. Her hind hoofs got all caught up in the shackles and chains, tripping her up and making her fall. She landed on her bottom, but momentum made her head and forelegs carry on, causing her to flip over herself.

She landed with an ‘oof’ on her back, and she lay on the ground groaning and shaking her head slightly. Then, her ear twitched as she heard something being dispensed in the bowls above her head.

Looking up at them, she gasped, her food bowl was being filled with something white and granular, like rice. Quickly picking herself up, she looked disbelievingly at the bowl. Sure enough, it was full of hot, steaming rice. Blinking in disbelief, she glanced toward the bowls in Sugar and Giselle’s cages; they were filled with the same thing.

Tentatively, she picked up a small amount in her mouth and swirled it around to confirm before chewing. Her eyes widened in surprise as she did so; it was definitely rice, and it tasted delicious.

As she swallowed, Sunny’s ear twitched as she heard grunting. Looking over, she smiled as she saw Sugar was awake and slowly rising from the mat.

“S...Sunny?” Sugar grunted as she rubbed an eye with a hoof. “I…Is that you?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” Sunny grinned. “Sugar, our food. It’s not the normal slop, it’s rice!”

Sugar groaned as she turned to look blearily at her bowl. Seeing the rice, her eyes widened slightly. Then, without another word, she struggled to her hoofs and towards the bowls. Seemingly fixated on the food.

Sunny gasped. It was only then that she realized how exhausted Sugar looked. Worriedly, she glanced back towards Giselle. Although her eyes were open, she didn't seem awake. She looked at Sunny through half-closed eyes, as if she had no clue where she was.

“Giselle?” Sunny breathed as she pointed towards the bowls. “Come on, food.”

Giselle grunted, as her stomach made a grumbling sound. She groaned as she slowly rose to her claws and looked towards the bowls drowsily.

“That’s it,” Sunny coaxed. “It’s food. You must need food.”

Giselle grunted again, looking at Sunny with confusion.

Sunny blinked before gasping understandingly. She looked towards the port between the bowls and smiled. “The port, Giselle,” she pointed with a hoof. “The light above it is green. You can get the muzzle off.”

Giselle blinked and grunted again as she shook her head, as though she were shaking out the cobwebs. Scowling, she finally struggled to her feet and awkwardly moved towards the port.

When she arrived, she didn’t need any further instruction. She pushed the muzzle in and after a few moments pulled her beak free. She gave Sunny a weak, thankful smile before she began eating.

Sunny beamed as she looked between her two friends before gasping and looking at her bowl. The rice looked a whole lot more appealing than their normal food and she quickly began tucking in.

Her mind was racing with questions to ask Sugar and Giselle, but she knew they needed food so didn’t interrupt. The rice was too good anyway and she wanted to finish it before it could go cold.

Eventually, Giselle grunted as her muzzle began buzzing. Sunny looked over worriedly, but Giselle seemingly knew what that meant and pushed her beak back into the muzzle.

With it locked back in place, she groaned as she left what remained of her food and water and headed back towards the mat. Groaning again as she lay down and promptly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, it took ages for Sugar to finish. After doing so, she moved back towards her mat as well. Laying down awkwardly, she let out a sigh of relief as she got as comfortable as she could.

“Sugar?” Sunny gasped worriedly. “Are you…”

“As good as I can be,” Sugar interrupted with a small smile. “I ache all over. R…Really tired too.”

Sunny moved closer to the bars, grimacing as her chains clattered off the floor. “Have you both been stuck in the ice since yesterday morning?”

Sugar groaned as she shifted on the mat. “Yeah, we have. I….I really needed that food.”

Sunny frowned as she looked down in thought, her ears drooping. “You should rest. I’ll save my questions for later. I’m just glad she’s not done something else to you. To either of you.”

Sugar groaned as she closed her eyes. “Twitch… I…I think he spoke to Allura. He looked concerned when she freed us. C…Checked us over and everything.”

Sunny looked away and sighed, she couldn’t help herself. “So, Giselle? Does Allura know?”

“Not sure,” Sugar admitted without opening her eyes. “She didn’t stick around.”

“Okay,” Sunny nodded. “Try and sleep. Tomorrow, if they put us both to work, I’ll try to take the weight off you.”

Sugar didn’t respond and Sunny watched worriedly as she didn’t move, save for her sides rising and falling. It wasn’t long before a light snoring sound could be heard which made Sunny smile. “Goodnight, Sugar.”

Unbeknownst to any of them, up in the ceiling a set of eyes had been watching. As Sunny lay down to rest, Twitch smiled with satisfaction as he replaced the ceiling panel before quietly leaving.

Thymus grunted as he made his way through the tunnel, finally seeing the exit just ahead. However, he sighed as he reached it, not at all confident about climbing out on his own. Groaning, he closed his eyes as he panted for breath and slumped against the side of the tunnel.

“Thymus, we were starting to think you wouldn’t make it.”

Thymus groaned as he opened his eyes before looking up to see Skysurf above him, holding out a claw. “S…Sorry. I must admit I’m not feeling good.”

“Well, don’t leave me hanging,” Skysurf gasped. “I’ll help you up.”

Thymus nodded as he took Skysurf’s claw. She grunted with effort as she readily pulled him up and into the Pony’s Hut. He looked around and saw Sprout and Minty were watching worriedly.

“No Bingo?” Sprout frowned worriedly.

Thymus shook his head. “No, she’s decided not to take the risk anymore. I’m going to keep the Diamond Dogs updated.”

Grunting, he sat down and looked around, panting. Sprout, Minty, and Skysurf all exchanged worried glances.

“The heat,” Thymus groaned. “And lack of water, it’s getting to me. To all the Changelings.”

“It’s got to be hard work digging the rock,” Minty nodded.

“It is,” Thymus sighed. “We’re all getting dehydrated.”

“Don’t worry, we’ve got you,” Sprout gasped. “We were just working out which fruit had the most water.”

Thymus watched as Sprout quickly used his Earth Pony magic to grow a small pear tree, laden with juicy pears which quickly ripened to maturity. Grinning, Sprout immediately picked one and gave it to Thymus who smiled thankfully.

"He tried melons but didn't get on so well," Minty explained as she gestured to a pile of shrivelled watermelons.

Sprout grunted as he ignored her. “We’ll bring plenty through to the other huts later."

“Thank you, although that’s not the only reason why I’m late,” Thymus revealed. “Misty Brightdawn sent a message.”

“She did?” Sprout gasped. “W…What did she say? What’s happening? Where is she?”

“Calm down, Sprout,” Skysurf frowned. “Give him a chance.”

Thymus gave a small smile. “Well, the first thing is, Zipp and a few of her friends are headed for Equestria tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Minty scowled. “You mean they’re not there now?”

“Yeah, I thought that was why we hadn’t seen her,” Skysurf blinked. “Did she say why?”

Thymus sighed. “The tower that caught on fire. That’s the one they got the binder from. Misty, she…”

He trailed off as he started coughing hoarsely. Skysurf gasped, putting a claw around him to steady him.

“S…Sorry,” he wheezed. “Misty, she got caught in the fire when she returned the binder. She’s said she’ll be okay, but it’ll take time.”

Sprout frowned, sitting down as he took in the information. “O…Okay,” he said after a moment. “So, where does that leave us?”

“Waiting,” Skysurf groaned as she closed her eyes. “We’re stuck waiting for Princess Zipp to return from Equestria with her solution for the collars.”

“All while Allura is hunting us,” Minty scowled before shaking her head in dismay. “What was Giselle thinking?”

“Only she knows,” Sprout grunted as he folded his forelegs.

Skysurf and Thymus looked at each other worriedly, neither knowing what to say.

Misty groaned as she sat in her bed in the cockpit of the Marestream. She’d just about managed to send her message to Thymus but doing so had taken it out of her. Despite that though, she couldn’t sleep.

“Can’t sleep?” a voice said suddenly.

Misty was surprised to see Feather Breeze standing in the doorway, holding a steaming cup in her levitation. She shook her head sadly and then closed her eyes, holding her hooves to the side of her head. "I... I can't," she wheezed. "I feel so tired, but my mind won't turn off."

“I thought as much,” Feather Breeze smiled as she levitated the cup towards her. “Here, this tea will help. I see some of the aromas have stopped too. I’ll see to that.”

Misty blinked as she accepted the cup gratefully. Blowing on it, she took a sip and sighed with contentment as the hot liquid hit her tastebuds.

As she sipped away, Feather Breeze went around the various saucers, cups, pots and pans. Before long the aromatic smoke was starting to fill the cockpit again.

Smiling, Misty returned the empty cup to Feather Breeze. “Th…Thank you…,” she yawned as she stretched. “…Feather Breeze.”

“That’s perfectly fine, Misty,” Feather Breeze smiled as she helped her get comfortable.

“S…See you in the…the morning,” Misty yawned as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

Feather Breeze couldn’t help grinning as Misty’s eyes finally closed and she drifted off to sleep. Silently, she settled herself down into her meditation position before taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Her horn glowed as her magic mixed with the aromatic smoke again, wafting it around and around Misty’s bed as she slept.