Hot Heads, Cold Hearts and Nerves of Steel

by Trinary

Rating: teen
Tags: Rainbow Dash, King Sombra, Adventure, Shining Armor, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Princess Cadance
Length: 141950

AU Dashverse: The Crystal Empire has returned and the foals of Equestria have gone missing!

Alternate Universe (Dashverse): A continuation of "Rainbooms and Royalty" Ponyville goes to sleep one night only to find in the morning that every foal in town is gone! The ancient evil King Sombra has returned and stolen foals from all over Equestria. But why? What is his true purpose in stealing them? It's up to Rainbow Dash and her friends to rescue the foals and stop this evil once and for all. But it's a long journey and complications arise with the ponies that join them. How can they save Equestria and preserve harmony when there is disharmony among their own ranks?

Published 2012-12-09 20:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-07 00:41:04 UTC

Chapter 2

&

By mid-morning, Rainbow Dash and her friends had gathered in Ditzy’s house, in Dinky’s room. Applejack and Rarity were both bloodshot and looking frazzled, clearly panicked over the disappearances of their little sisters. Applejack, due to her early-morning habits, had been the first pony in town to realize that something was wrong, as she was now explaining to her friends.

“…the first sign Ah got that something was wrong was when Ah went outside. Usually as soon as Ah open the door, Winona comes racing outside barking fit to burst. But she didn’t, so Ah went up to Apple Bloom’s room to see if she’d been sleeping on her bed again. A-and…and Apple Bloom was just gone. Gone, just like that!” Applejack looked at her friends, her worry etched lines revealed on her face. “And Winona—oh th’ poor darlin’—she was whimpering and hiding under the bed. She had the nastiest cut on her leg, like something tried to get her! A-ah kin only imagine that it t-took Apple Bloom…” The normally strong pony’s face crumpled as she fought to maintain her composure, on the verge of tears.

Rarity had no such restraints as she burst into loud wails at the possible fate that befell her sister. “Oh my poor Sweetie Bee-elle!” She started bawling in a manner that was at once sincere and completely over dramatic. The two ponies, different in almost every way, embraced each other; united in their grief. “W-who would want to steal all the foals?” Rarity cried. “W-what sort of beast would do this to us?”

Fluttershy whimpered. “What if they’re hurt, or sad or scared?” Pinkie Pie sniffled and started to hug her, the two of them holding each other for comfort. Twilight lowered her head and pursued her lips. But Rainbow Dash cast a frantic look at the door. “Keep it down!” She whispered harshly. “Ditzy’s downstairs and we don’t need her hearing about a monster grabbing Dinky!”

“A m-monster?” Fluttershy’s knees knocked together with an audible clatter. “Ohmygoodness!”

Twilight furrowed her brow. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions.” She looked over the room. “If it was some sort of monster from the Everfree Forest, then why would it come into Ponyville? They don’t do that often…and why target foals and only foals? How would it even be able to reach them in their own homes without anypony noticing? There’s no sign of any damage and no bl—er, sign of any injuries.” she amended quickly, seeing the expression on Applejack and Rarity’s faces. “So there probably wasn’t a fight. That points to something with intelligence, maybe even magic.” She trotted over to the window, looking outside.

Rainbow looked around. “Yeah…and there’s no way Dinky left through the front door or out the windows. They’re all locked at night. The windows weren’t broken either.”

“Hmmm…curiouser and curiouser!” Pinkie rubbed her chin as she blew some bubbles out of a pipe. She was also wearing an old-timey detective hat. Nopony even questioned it at this point. “It looks like we’ve got a mystery on our hooves, gang.”

Twilight looked at Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “None of you heard anything?” They all shook their heads.

“Ah’m afraid I was too busy sawing logs to hear a thing.” Applejack rued. “Whatever happened, it must’ve happened fast: Ah didn’t even hear Winona bark or raise a fuss until it was practically morning.”

Rarity nodded sadly. “Sweetie Belle was staying with me this weekend…how can I face my parents and tell them that I lost Sweetie?” Her lip trembled.

Rainbow hung her head. She knew that feeling all too well. “I didn’t hear anything either. I didn’t even know she was missing until I heard all the ponies outside start yelling for their kids. That’s when I went to check on Dinky and…” she groaned. “I should’ve stayed with her.”

“Rainbow Dash, you can’t—” whatever Twilight was about to say got lost as Rainbow slammed her hoof down on the floor.

“I was right THERE!” She exclaimed. “We were…she asked me to stay with her! If I had, then—”

“Then whatever took Dinky might’ve gotten you too.” Twilight put in. “You can’t blame yourself for what happened.” She trotted over gave her friend a supportive nuzzle. “It’s not your fault.”

The agitated pegasus hung her head. “…she looked up to me…and Ditzy trusted me…” She snorted angrily. “We’ve got to get her back—all of them.”

“Sugarcube, we’re both feeling the same thing.” AJ traded a look with Rarity, who nodded in agreement. “And we will. But if it was a simple as going outside and looking, we’d still be doing that.”

“What we need is more information.” Twilight chimed in. “We need to figure out how this was done, by whom, and why. That’ll tell us where the foals are.”

“But where are we supposed to get it?” Rainbow demanded. “Nopony’s found a single clue! No tracks, no signs—we still don’t even know how they all got out of their houses when they were all locked up tight!”

Rarity nodded. “It is quite the mystery…could they have teleported them out?”

“I don’t think so.” Twilight shook her head. “That much magic would’ve gotten somepony’s attention…and that doesn’t explain why none of the fillies or colts made any noise.”

Hesitantly, Fluttershy leaned down and reached out a shaking hoof to gently peer underneath the bed. She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she let it out with a sudden exhale. “Phew…I-I guess it wasn’t a monster under the bed.”

Pinkie frowned as she walked over to the window. “Oooh, this is making my pink little coco go all loco!” She smushed her face against the window pane, then went limp and slide down it, producing a horrible noise.

Everypony grabbed their ears as Rainbow yelled. “Pinkie, cut that out!”

“That’s worse than hooves on a chalkboard.” Applejack complained, tugging her hat down. “Ah’m surprised the glass didn’t break.”

Something perked Rarity’s interest. “Glass?” She trotted over as she delicately ran a hoof over the window. A softer, tinkling chime was heard. “This is delightful…” Her eyes lit up. “Oh ideee-aa!”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Really, you’re gonna go on about the glass while Dinky and Sweetie and the others are missing?”

“Hmph! I’ll have you know that this is extremely important!” the white unicorn proclaimed grandly. “This isn’t glass at all!”

The rainbow pegasus snorted. “What are you talking about? It’s the same cheap glass as every other window in the house. Ditzy can’t afford to have any expensive windows; she keeps breaking them.” she pointed out.

“As may be,” Rarity delicately agreed. “But this is most certainly not glass—look!” Everypony gathered around to look at it. She wrapped her hoof on the window pane. It held firm, producing a cacophony of soft tinks.

Twilight frowned as she critically examined the window. “Rarity’s right. This…this isn’t glass.” She dragged her hoof across it, making a faint hum. “It’s crystal...” Her eyes widened. “Rainbow Dash—go to the other house’s with missing foals. Go check the windows in their bedrooms! Quick!”

Rainbow nodded. “Right, be right back!” She opened the window and zoomed out. A scant few minutes later, she was back looking excited. “You were right, Twilight!” Dash announced. “And look at this!” In her hooves she held a pane of regular glass. “I found this right outside, buried underneath the snow!”

“So some…thing took out the entire window pane to grab the foals. Then they replaced it with some sort of crystal. But why not use put the actual glass back?” Applejack wondered.

Twilight grasped the window pane with her magic. “A hah! Look, they left claw marks around the edges when they pried it loose and gripped it. I guess whoever it was wanted to remain hidden as long as possible.”

“So this wasn’t a pony, that’s for sure.” Rainbow observed as she looked at the marks on the glass. Long thin marks, the kind made by claws were readily observable.

“That still don’t tell us who snatched Apple Bloom!” Applejack stomped her hoof in frustration. “Doggone critters tracks got buried by the fresh snowfall! Ah want to know one thing: Where. Is. Apple Bloom?”

Pinkie Pie looked out the window. “Ooh, maybe she knows!” Everypony crowded around to see who Pinkie was looking it.

It was Princess Celestia.

Rainbow Dash zoomed out of Ditzy’s house, careening to sudden halt in front of the Princess and her retinue. “Celestia!” The Princess used her wings to shield herself from the snow Rainbow had kicked up. Her guards were not as fortunate. “Eheh, sorry guys.”

Celestia lowered her wings, letting the snow drip off them. “Rainbow Dash,” she lowered her head to lay her neck across her student’s before wrapping her wings around Dash. “It is good to see you. I only wish that the circumstances were better.”

“You mean about the foals’ disappearing?” The blue pegasus looked up at her. “What’s going on? Dinky—my godfilly—she’s gone too! Please, we have to get her and the others back!”

“And we will.” Celestia promised. Casting her eyes around she saw a crowd of ponies starting to gather around, each desperate to find their lost foals, their children and younger siblings. They needed to know that it would all be okay. Celestia drew herself up to her full magnificent height. “I solemnly swear, as Princess of Equestria, that we will not rest until each and every filly and colt is safely returned to their loved ones.”

A flicker of hope crossed the faces of the worried ponies. Celestia nodded once to Rainbow Dash and her friends. “Please, follow me. I need to speak to you…in private.”

Falling into step beside her mentor, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help asking, “What’s this all about? What’s doing all this?”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed and her lip curled downwards. Her answer was a single word, packed in with as much loathing as she could muster. “Sombra.”

& & &

It had taken some doing, but the Princess had managed to procure a quiet spot in Town Hall where she could talk to the Elements of Harmony alone. The royal guards positioned themselves at the doors and windows to ensure their privacy.

“Please…Princess Celestia, can you truly get our sisters back?” Rarity implored, her eyes shimmering.

The Princess sighed. “I wish that I could…but I’m afraid that task will fall to you.”

“What? Why?” Rainbow asked. Celestia closed her eyes.

“Because I cannot leave Equestria,” She looked out one of the windows. “My absence in the face of these attacks could provoke panic. I need to keep my ponies calm, in case this is just the beginning. And Luna has yet to recover her full strength. That leaves only you.”

Rainbow stomped her hoof. “Who is this Sombra creep anyway? What does he want with
them?”

Celestia’s horn glowed as she gently floated a large pink crystal out from under her wing into the middle of the room. “I trust you are all familiar with the Hearth’s Warming tale…the unification of the three tribes and the founding of Equestria?” She looked around as everypony nodded. “The story actually condenses what took place. It took years for ponykind to be united and for Equestria as we know it to come into being. When my sister and I ascended to the throne, there were elements of the old unicorn royal family who wished to continue their rule unimpeded. Back then Luna and I sought to govern and advise, not to rule. The leaders of individual cities and settlements had a wide range of autonomy to rule as they saw fit. One particular city in the north called Tambelon was ruled by a cadet branch of the unicorn monarchy. Its ruler was a cruel tyrant named King Sombra.”

The crystal flashed, conjuring forth an image of a red-eyed, black-coated unicorn in armor standing atop a tower, eyes narrowed as he looked out over Equestria. “Sombra believed that he should be the rightful ruler of all Equestria. He desperately sought a way to increase his own power so that he could seize control.”

The crystal glowed again, revealing Sombra walking side by side with a female earth pony with a most…unique complexion. She looked almost translucent; shimmering as she moved in the light. “He reached out to a particular subgroup of ponies called the Crystal Ponies and promised them a home; even taking their leader as his bride. Together, they rebuilt the entire city out of magical crystals, renaming it the Crystal Empire. This greatly enhanced Sombra’s prestige.” The crystal shimmered, transforming the image of the city from one made of stone and mortar to one made of pure crystal. It was stunning in its beauty, marred only by the image of Sombra leering over his subjects with the look a dragon has for its hoard.

“After his wife passed many thought him a fitting…consort for me.” Celestia looked disgusted. “As soon as it was appropriate—or, thinking back, even before it was appropriate—he approached me with talk of uniting our two great houses. But I saw underneath his façade, there was no love or compassion in his heart: only greed and a lust for power. I spurned his advances.”

An image of the enraged unicorn appeared; fire in his eyes, as he bellowed angrily to the skies. “Bitter, Sombra sought to seize the throne by force. When designing the city, he crafted the crystals of the city to amplify Sombra’s own magic by diverting it from the Crystal Ponies, enslaving them to his will.”

“Sombra’s non-Crystal subjects fled the city, including his only foal; spreading word of his dark tyranny. Luna and I set out to overthrow the King. Our magic overpowered his, but he had a contingency plan we did not forsee. Not wishing to slay a fellow pony, we instead banished him to the realm of darkness. What we did not know is that just as his magic was bound to the Empire, the Empire was bound to him. To our horror, the city and the Crystal Ponies were also banished to the realm of darkness…” The city flickered and then vanished into the ether. “…until now.”

There was a pregnant pause as the weight of all this history pressed upon the six young mares. Rainbow dispelled it by shaking her head. “But…what does he want with Dinky and the others?”

“I don’t know,” Celestia admitted. “It could be a ruse to lure me away from Canterlot so he can attack. Or there might be another purpose behind it. I’m afraid the task of retrieving the foals falls to you.”

Twilight hesitantly raised her hoof. “But, why us?”

“For the same magic that bound Sombra to the Crystal Empire, and the Empire to the crystal ponies remains. I fear that the magic my sister and I wield, powerful as it is, is unsuited for the task of stopping Sombra without harming the Empire. The only thing that can undo his dark magic and defeat him once and for all is the Elements of Harmony.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “All right…so let’s go pound him!” She smacked her front hooves together.

“Hold on!” Applejack objected pragmatically. “Ah got no problem with going out there to bring Apple Bloom back myself, but that seems like a mighty tall order for just the six of us.”

Celestia dipped her head in acknowledgement. “You will not be alone. Sombra’s curse also made it impossible for anypony to enter the city without his permission. Any pony…except those of Sombra’s bloodline.” She slowly walked over to the door. “Accompanying you will be two ponies whom I trust you remember, particularly you, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash.”

A golden glow surrounded the doors, forcing them open. Inside stepped two unicorns, one mare and one stallion. The mare was tall and pink; the stallion was muscular and white, with a two-toned blue mane. Twilight’s face lit up joyfully, a matching expression appearing on Rainbow’s as they ran over.

“Shining Armor! Cadence!”

Shining Armor hugged his little sister tightly. “Hey Twiley. I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.” She hugged him back just as tightly.

After giving the two of them a moment alone, Rainbow Dash approached Shining Armor. “Hey Shiney hiney. ‘sup?”

The captain of the royal guard snorted. He winked at his little sister before pulling Rainbow Dash into a headlock and proceeded to give her a fierce noogie. “THAT’S what’s up Dashie!”

“Ack, hey!” The cyan pony squirmed. “Lemme go!” Her friends tried feebly to stifle their giggles. Finally, Rainbow pried her head loose. “Thanks a LOT Shining.” Dash grumbled good-naturedly as she tried matting her mane down. She bit her lip as she surprised herself by lunging forward to suddenly embrace him. “I missed you…”

Shining Armor took a half-step back, casting a quick glance at Cadence before looking back to Rainbow Dash. He relaxed and returned her hug. “I missed you too, kid. Canterlot’s become way too boring without you.”

Rainbow felt a familiar lump in her throat. “I—”

“Cadence!” “Twilight!”

Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor turned to see the princess and the eager unicorn doing their own little dance. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
Whatever the prismatic pegasus was about to say to Shining Armor was lost by the thought-destroying sight of Twilight shaking her rump in a way that most exotic dancers would say was too blatant. Stupid sexy Twilight.

After her little ritual with Twilight, Cadence turned to Rainbow Dash just as Shining Armor let go. Cadence beamed. “Dashie, Ooh it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” With a startling quickness and strength for the slender princess, she swept Rainbow off her hooves and into the air where Cadence proceeded to squeeze the daylights out of her.

“Hngh! Hi…Cadence.” Rainbow winced as the air was forced out of her lungs.

“Aww, hugs for everypony!” Pinkie announced as she wrapped her hooves around Rainbow Dash and Cadence…how they stretched long enough to envelop the both of them, the pegasus didn’t want to think about.

Applejack dipped her head to Shining Armor. “Good t’see you again. Do you happen to know just how this Sombra character stole away all our foals or which whey they went?”

Frowning, Shining Armor shook his head. “It wasn’t Sombra himself…we know that much. We found some claw marks but no tracks. We’ve already ruled out the Diamond Dogs and gargoyles—the claw marks were too different—but our best ponies are still examining the scenes.” He paused. “It wasn’t just Ponyville that was raided. A number of towns were hit last night, all with the same procedure. In total, there are about one-hundred twelve foals missing from all over Equestria.”

Fluttershy gasped softly. “Oh my goodness…that’s so horrible.”

Rainbow snorted angrily. “This Sombra is really asking for it. Which way did they go?”

Shining Armor reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a map that was marked with a number of red spots. “These are the towns that were attacked. Whoever it was, they made sure to avoid Canterlot…but look. All the locations have one thing in common: they were all close to…”

“The Everfree Forest!” Twilight exclaimed, noticing the pattern first. Her brother nodded.

“Tactically, it makes sense. Nopony goes into Everfree Forest, so nopony would’ve known they were coming and it makes tracking them back to where they came from all but impossible.”

“Y-you mean, we can’t follow them to find Sweetie Belle?” Rarity scrunched her nose as she fought to keep from crying. Cadence walked over and gently nuzzled the distraught unicorn.

Shining Armor sighed. “Whoever—or whatever—Sombra got to abduct the foals is already too far ahead of us for us to reasonably be able to catch up to them.”

“Speak for yourself.” Rainbow flared her wings meaningfully. “I could fly out and look for these creeps and then come back once I found them.”

Celestia stepped forward. “That would be ill-advised.”

Her captain agreed. “We don’t know what these forces are capable of. For all we know, they’re just waiting for somepony to try that. Our best chance is to stay together. If something happens to any one of you…” He looked out over Elements of Harmony and Princess Cadence. “Then we can’t stop King Sombra.” Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash folded her wings against her sides, grumbling. Shining looked out at Applejack and Rarity. “That goes for all of you. I know how worried you are for your little sisters, but one wrong move could ruin everything. So for their sake, and all of Equestria, we have to stay calm and stay together…no matter how much you want to rush off. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Rarity nodded.

Applejack was a bit more hesitant, but seeing the seriousness of Shining’s expression, she sighed. “Agreed. Apple Family’s honor.”

Nodding once in acknowledgement, Shining looked back at the map. “Fortunately, whoever has the foals are operating on hoof. Combined with the number of prisoners they have, that means their progress will be slow. That means we can head them off and intercept them before they reach the Crystal Empire.”

Twilight examined the map herself. “Where is the Crystal Empire?” Wordlessly, Shining Armor pointed to the extreme northern reaches of the world. “…oh.”

Pinkie smiled. “Ooh! Now I have a reason to wear my socks, my scarf, my hat and my sweater! Fan service! Yaay!”

Everypony just looked at her.

It was Celestia who regained her voice first. “I shall leave you to you’re your preparations. I will try to give what comfort to the devastated families as I can.” She walked over and laid her wing on Dash’s back. “The fate of Equestria is on your shoulders. Look out for one another and remember the magic of friendship; it can carry you through anything. I believe in you.”

“We won’t let you down.” Dash mumbled, her voice even raspier than usual.

“I know.” The Princess smiled encouragingly at all of them and then stepped outside to the grief-stricken ponies in desperate need of comfort. The doors closed behind her with a soft click. Then there was silence.

Shining Armor breathed heavily. “Pack your things. We leave in half an hour.”

& & &

Chapter 3

& & &

Rainbow Dash had no sooner stepped outside of Town Hall before she was besieged by a multitude of ponies who were asking, pleading, and demanding to know what the Princess had told her, and how they were going to get their foals back. She tried to explain that they were going to go rescue them, but she couldn’t even make herself heard over the din. Finally she zoomed up over the crowd and flew off, leaving Celestia’s poor guards to contain and calm the crowd.

Sighing in relief, Rainbow landed in front of Ditzy’s house. She opened the door only to find herself face to face with Ditzy Doo and Cloud Kicker; the latter of whom was wearing her dusty guard’s armor and was strapping on her wing-blades with Ditzy’s help. They paused when they saw her walk through the door.

“Rainbow Dash!” Ditzy rushed over. “Did the Princess tell you where Dinky is? When are you going? Just give me a minute, I’ve already packed!” Her rapid-fire barrage of statements threatened to bowl the cyan pegasus over as she scrambled to respond.

“I—you, huh?”

Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes. “Eloquent as ever, RD. Look, we know you’re the Princess’ go-to mare for this sort of thing. And we want in.” She looked determined.

“You guys want to come too?” Rainbow groaned.

Kicker nodded. “If you mess with our foals, you mess with all of us.” She pawed at the floor. “And not just us! They took Carrot Top’s little sister and she wants in. They also took Twist and you know how much Bon-Bon loves that filly. And where Bon-Bon goes, Lyra goes too. Berry Punch is already liquored up and ready to go after whoever took Ruby Pinch and Cheerilee wants to make sure her sister doesn’t get in over her head. I’m sure Big Macintosh will want in too, and...” She spoke faster and faster, as if hoping that the more she got in the less likely Rainbow would say what she knew she was going to say.

“You’re not going. None of you are.” Dash shook her head.

Cloud narrowed her eyes as Ditzy’s wings opened in surprise. “Rainbow Dash, they took Dinky! That’s my muffin out there and if you think for a second that I’m just going to...to sit here and do nothing, then you don’t know me!”

“It’s because I know you so well that I know you’ll stay.” Dash replied gently. “Sparkler’s due to come back from Canterlot tonight. Do you really want her to arrive only to find out that both you and Dinky--her whole family--is just gone? She’s going to need you.” The gray pegasus shook her head, trying to deny what Rainbow was saying, only for her to press on. “Ditzy, you’re really awesome but this is going to be a really tough journey. If anything happened to you, what would I tell Dinky?”

Ditzy swayed on her hooves, numbly falling back on her rump. She sniffled miserably.

Dash sighed as she kneeled down next to her. “Ditz … I’m sorry. But the best place for you will be here with Sparkler. Okay?”

Ditzy’s tearfully swept Rainbow Dash up in a hug, burying her face in Rainbow’s neck. “Y-you better bring Dinky and yourself back safe and sound. If something happened to either of you...I-I swear I’ll--I’ll spank your rump ‘til its red!” she sobbed. Smiling, the rainbow-maned pony hugged her back.

“I promise.” She just held Ditzy for a moment before climbing back to her hooves. Ditzy left to pack a few things for Rainbow, excusing herself from the room.

Once she was gone, Rainbow Dash turned to the still armed and armored Cloud Kicker. “CK, you're in charge of Ponyville while I'm gone.” She paused then sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. “A heh. Not, that I'm, ya know, technically in charge or anything but...yeah.”

Cloud Kicker snorted dismissively. “Horsefeathers. That's make-work to keep me busy, and you know it.”

“CK...come on,” The blue pony implored. “Celestia herself isn't sure if the foalnapping was a trick to lure her away or not. That means that there could be another attack coming. And if we're off chasing down whatever took Dinky and Alula, who else is gonna keep Ponyville safe?”

There were several seconds of frustrated silence from Cloud Kicker as she wrestled with Rainbow’s logic--Rainbow Dash being logical, there was a scary thought--before she weakly protested, “But ... I could help.”

Dash nodded. “Yeah...I know.” She walked beside Cloud Kicker and draped a wing over her back. “But you could help even more here.” She winked. “I mean, between me, Shining Armor, Twilight and Applejack, I think we're all set for badflank heroic types. Can't have too much awesomeness in one place you know.”

Cloud Kicker gave a weak snort of laughter. “You would think about it that way.”

"You know it," Rainbow winked. "If we run into anything dangerous I’ll just have to love and tolerate them.” She made a quick jab with her front hooves. “Meet love,” she held out her right hoof “and tolerate!” she gently punched CK’s shoulder with her left.

The two shared a brief chuckle. There was a friendly silence for a bit before Cloud Kicker suddenly glomped her friend. “Hey, you come back in one piece, okay?”

The cyan pegasus grunted in surprise before shooting Cloud Kicker her best, most confident smirk. “Hey...it's me!”

Cloud rolled her eyes. Rainbow didn’t notice Ditzy's return until she hefted her saddlebags over onto her back. Dash turned around just in time to have her old friend embrace her again. “I-I thought I’d pack you some supplies.” Ditzy’s voice was quivering. “I hope it’s enough for your big journey…dress warmly a-and be sure to get plenty to eat and…and…”

“I’ll be fine.” Rainbow hugged her back. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back with Dinky and the foals by Hearth’s Warming Eve.”

The gray pegasus shook as she gave her friend one last nuzzle. “O-okay, Rainbow Dash. I trust you.”

Rainbow smiled, but couldn’t help suddenly feeling ten pounds heavier than she had a moment ago.

& & &

Having marshaled their forces and supplies, Rainbow Dash was ready to tear out of Ponyville to save the missing foals and deck Sombra in the snoz. However she was forced to wait for their transportation to arrive. As the others stood at the Ponyville train station—the subject of no few stares from the curious populace, eager to see the heroes set off—Dash was tapping her hoof impatiently against the ground.

“You know, when I imagined us setting off on a mission to save Equestria...I didn't think it would be us waiting to catch a train,” she groused.

Pinkie Pie bounced and flounced around her, putting a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Silly Dashie, we’re riding a train, not catching one! Catching a train would be painful... and messy.” She made a face. “Besides we’d need like a big, big, biiiiig rope to catch it! Hey Applejack, do you have any rope?”

The farmpony chuckled as she dipped her head into her saddle bag. “Sure as shootin’ do! Got mah best lasso all wound and ready for whatever varmints nabbed Apple Bloom and the others.” Her face took on a look of grim determination; her eyes set as she tugged the brim of her hat down. “They better not have so much as put a single hair in her mane out of place, or so help me Celestia…”

Twilight reached out a hoof and put it on Applejack’s withers. “I’m sure they’re okay…King Sombra wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of sneaking them out of their homes if he just wanted to hurt them. He could’ve done that here, but he didn’t. That means he wants them in the Crystal Empire.”

“I sure hope so.” Applejack let out a shuddering breath, somewhat soothed by her friend’s steady logic. “…thanks Twi.” She added gratefully.

Rainbow, agitated as ever, looked impatiently down the track for any sign of their train. “Come on! Grah, that’s it! If that train isn’t here soon, I say we walk!”

Rarity nickered. “Oh come now, Rainbow Dash. Surely you aren’t suggesting that we WALK all the way to the frozen north? It’s much better to wait a little while for a train that can get us there sooner, and indeed, more comfortably than journeying on hoof.”

“Anything’s better than standing here doing nothing!” snapped the irritated pegasus. “We gotta get moving—and I think finding your sister is a little more important than your comfort!”

Rarity scowled. “Do NOT cast aspersions on my love for my little sister! There is nothing I wouldn’t face, no danger, no discomfort or even—” she shuddered. “…mess—if it meant bringing Sweetie Belle back safely. But the train is the fastest,” she stressed, “way to get to the north, which I think is something you of all ponies should appreciate. And if it happens to be more comfortable than slogging through Equestria on hoof, then I for one am not going to complain.”

Cadence took a step forward. “Girls, please…I know you’re all tense and worried about your loved ones. But this is going to be a long journey. The only way we’ll save them and stop Sombra will be if we work together.”

Pinkie Pie just smiled. “Yeah! This trip isn’t going to be any fun if we’re all frowny, grumpy mcgrump pants at each other.”

“Fun? Pinkie, how can you be smiling at a time like this?” Rainbow asked incredulously.

“Easy!” Pinkie winked at her as she cleared her throat. This could only mean one thing...

Even when trouble’s knocking at my door,
You can always find a smile on my face!
And just when the thunder storm begins to pour
You can always find a smile on my face!

Rainbow facehooved. She had to ask... “Pinkie...” But there was no stopping her. She was on a roll!

Ready for adventure, always on the go
I’ll be there to help against the meanest foe
Don’t have to be afraid ‘cause I always know
That things will turn out right!

The pink pony suddenly turned around and popped in between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, hugging them both tightly.

Even when I’m last, in a race
You’ll always find a smile, always find a smile,
always find a smile on my face!
Smile! Smiiile! Smiling! Smiiiiling!

She appeared standing atop of a surprised Shining Armor, grabbing his horn for support.

Even when I’m surrounded and there’s trouble ahead
You can always find a smile on my face!
I stare down my fears and be brave instead
That’s why you’ll find a smile on my face!

Ready for adventure, always on the go
I’ll be there to help against the meanest foe
Don’t have to be afraid ‘cause I always know
That things will turn out right

Hopping off the confused unicorn, Pinkie did a somersault that took her back to the ground. She landed on her hindlegs, spreading her hooves widely as she came to the big finish.

Even when I’m last, in a race
You’ll always find a smile, always find a smile,
always find a smile on my face
Smile! Smiile!

Somepony’s gonna help, some things will turn out fine,
That’s why you’ll always find a smile on my face!

As if perfectly timed to coincide with the end of Pinkie’s little number, the train pulled into the station. “Yay the train’s here!” She bounced up and down.

Shining Armor blinked. “How did she…?”

“Don’t.” Rainbow warned him, shaking her head. “Just…don’t.” She sighed. This was going to be a long trip.

&&&

Chapter 4

&&&

“It’s a touch…small, is it not?” Rarity couldn’t help observe as the train came to a stop before them. Aside from the engine there were only three compartments.

Shining Armor lit up his horn, carrying everypony’s bags above him as he started walking over to the train. “We have to be able to travel light and fast. The front car has the showers and restroom. We’ll be sleeping in the middle car. The rear car is for eating and planning and anything else we need to do. Now come on, the Elements of Harmony are already onboard.”

Everypony walked into the middle car. There were a number of bunk beds set up along the walls of the train. “Gonna be a mite cramped in here.” Applejack noted, shrugging as she tossed her saddlebag onto one of the beds. “Ah well.”

Princess Cadence smiled at Shining Armor coyly. “Ah, a lone stallion on a train full of attractive mares. I hope you’re getting combat-duty pay.” She chuckled as a red blush appeared in Shining’s white face.

“Ah heh…” he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Just part of being Captain of the Royal Guard.” He mumbled.

Cadence walked around him, flicking her tail beneath her nose. “It is such a hazardous duty, but somepony has to do it, hmm?” She giggled as she set her bags down atop another bunk.

Suddenly feeling very annoyed, Rainbow threw her own bags down. “So can we get going already? Where’s the engineer already?”

“There isn’t one.” Shining cleared his throat as he started walking to the front of the train. The others followed in his wake as he walked over to the engine. “We’re using an experimental new magical fuel that’ll keep the train running without having an engineer constantly shovel coal into the furnace.” In a bowl by the furnace were a number of red, shiny gems. Rarity gave a high-pitch little squeal in delight as she held one up with her magic. “They’re gorgeous!”

Shining Armor nodded as he took hold of it with his own magic and proceeded to toss it into the furnace, not noticing the dismayed look on Rarity’s face. He pulled a switch and tugged on the whistle. The wheels slowly began to churn and smoke began pouring out of the engine as the train got underway. “There isn’t much, but we just have to add a new stone every three hours or so and the train will keep running.”

“So why not toss them all in now?” Rainbow moved as if to grab the entire bowl. “We need to get north fast!”

At the last second, a frantic Shining Armor got between her and the bowl. “Don’t! These stones are very potent magic and still experimental! Using more than one at a time could cause the engine to explode!”

Rainbow Dash swallowed as everypony looked at her. “…oh. Sorry?”

Shining just shook his head as the train began to pick up speed, the wind blowing louder and louder. “Let’s just…go back into the train.” He turned and trotted back in, not seeing Rainbow sag despondently as she trailed after him.

It was much quieter inside the train itself. The front car, as Shining Armor had said, was a bathroom with several sinks, three enclosed shower stalls and other necessities, clearly designed to accommodate ponies undertaking long trips who didn’t wish to smell like train funk.

Rarity looked around, delighted to know that her carefully crafted looks wouldn’t be neglected. “Well, it’s certainly a good thing I made sure to pack plenty of scented soap, oooh and my favorite shampoo and conditioner! Did I remember to bring my nice towels?” She tapped her hoof against her muzzle in deep thought.

Applejack nickered. “Well, ah made sure t’bring plenty of apples and other essential supplies,” she stressed, looking at Rarity.

The fashionista sniffed dantly and raised her head. “I am certain that everypony present will be grateful for my foresight once they are forced to awake to your...outdoorsy musk.

“Are you saying ah smell?!” AJ objected furiously, anger coming off her in waves. “That’s rich coming from a prissy pony that smells like she fell in a darn barrel of perfume!” Rarity gasped as she drew a hoof against her chest, mortally offended.

Shining Armor looked to Rainbow Dash uncertainly as the two mares started bickering loudly. “Um, should I be worried?”

She shrugged. “Eh, I’d be more worried if those two weren’t arguing about something.”

“I...guess it’s better than having them worrying about their sisters.” Shining allowed, albeit doubtfully.

Cadence shook her head, sending her long mane waving. “No...fear and hostility aren’t an answer to grief.” She stepped forward, interposing herself between Rarity and Applejack. “Everypony be still,” her voice was calm; soothing as cool spring water. “You two are friends. I know that you’re very different ponies, but right now you’re feeling the same thing: fear and helplessness. Does this help deal with either one?”

Applejack and Rarity studied their hooves before looking up at each other. “Rarity, ah...ah owe you an apology for being such a gosh-darn foal.”

The white unicorn shook her head. “No, it is I who owes you an apology, dear Applejack. I know how much you’re just concerned for dear Apple Bloom, like I am for Sweetie Belle. Going on about...well, my normal routine was inappropriate considering what your state of mind must be. It was…just a reminder of what wasn’t normal for you. Forgive me?” She couldn’t help add a little pout at the end.

“Friends?” Applejack held out a hoof. Rarity accepted it gratefully.

“Friends.”

A softly bleated yay filled the car. Everypony turned to look at the source. Fluttershy blushed. “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to shout…I was just so excited that I lost control! …I’ll try to be quieter from now on.” She finished with a whisper that was barely audible.

Pinkie Pie giggled and wrapped Fluttershy up in a hug. “Silly Fluttershy! You don’t need to be sorry for being happy!” She whipped her head around to look at the rear of the train. “Oooh! I wanna see the dining car! Or is that the breakfasting car?” She zoomed off so quickly that Fluttershy didn’t have a chance to regain her footing and fell over with a soft meep.

Twilight quickly moved to help Fluttershy up. Once done, Twilight looked back to Cadence. “I’m really glad you’re here.” A wide grin plastered on her lavender face.

The princess smiled and gently nuzzled Twilight’s face. “Me too. Ooh, you’ve gotten so big!” She wrapped Twilight up in a hug. “I remember when you when you were just a little filly, pouring over your books and trying to sound out the big words by yourself.”

Shining Armor chuckled as he tousled his sister’s mane. “I remember the first time you came over. You had to literally drag Twilight away from her books. ‘Just one more page, just one more page!’” He imitated a young filly’s voice.

That got a snicker from Rainbow Dash, reminding Twilight that they had company. Applejack tugged her hat down and let her eyes dart this way and that as she tried, and failed, to look like she wasn’t paying attention. Rarity meanwhile brought a hoof up to her face and let out a gentle titter of amusement. The poor Twilight blushed and pouted adorably. “You guuuuys!” She couldn’t help letting a hint of a whine in her plea. “Not in front of my friends!”

Cadence gave an equally cute pout, shamelessly utilizing the dreaded puppy eyes. “What are you saying? I thought Shining Armor and I were your friends too!” Her lower lip trembled as her eyes shimmered.

“Y-you are! I—but—they—you—” Twilight stammered, her train of thought having collided headlong with a mountain.

“I think you broke her.” Rainbow observed, grinning.

Shining Armor nudged her. “Don’t you start Rainbow. I have plenty of material on you too.”

Rainbow’s face paled as she spied the toothy-grins Rarity and Applejack exchanged with one another. Princess Cadence’s eyes lit up. “Oh that’s right Dashie! You were so cute as a filly! I remember this one time—”

“SO ANYWAY!” Dash spoke loudly, interrupting her as she looked to Shining Armor. “You…uh, said the Elements of Harmony were here?”

The stallion nodded. “Right. To business.” He trotted over to the door and into the next car. “Watch your step ladies.”

The rest of the ponies—sans Pinkie Pie—followed Shining Armor into the sleeper car where they found him rooting around beneath one of the beds. “Ugh, where is it…aha!” Triumphantly he tugged out a small safe with a combination lock. “Here we are…the Elements—hng!—of—graah!—Harmony!” He tugged on the door handle with all his strength.

It didn’t budge. Somepony coughed.

“Um, maybe it’s locked?” Fluttershy suggested helpfully.

Shining sighed. “Great…what was that combination again?” his horn and the lock glowed with his magic as he spun the spinner around. “Was it two…no, three to the left…then back to the right…or was it right, then left?”

Cadence took a step forward. “Do you want me to—”

“No, thank you Princess, I’ve got this.” Shining grunted as he started spinning the lock, seemingly at random.

“Are you sure? Because I know the—”

“It’s under control.”

“But—”

“It. Is. Under. Control.” Shining asserted, a mad gleam in his eye. His pride as Captain of the Guard was on the line now. He would not fail! Especially in front of his sister and the princess!

“…why don’t I show them the eating car, then.” Cadence suggested diplomatically, taking a half-step back. “We’ll…catch up with you later. Come along girls.”

Nopony objected as they carefully walked around the determined unicorn and walked into the final car. There was a stove, an oven, several sinks and cupboards full of food supplies. The walls were lined with windows and fans graced the ceiling. Given the pony now occupying the kitchen car, this was probably a good thing. “Hi everypony!” Pinkie beamed as they came in. “I was just making a snack for you guys! Here!” A ready-made tray of cupcakes, delicately frosted, sat on top of a small table by the door. “Help yourselves! I made each one special for you and everything!”

On the tray sat eight cupcakes, each one frosted a different color to match a particular pony’s coat and mane. She even used a bit of icing to draw their cutie marks on top. “How did you do all this?” Applejack asked incredulously. “You couldn’t have been gone fer more than ten minutes at the most! It ain’t possible that you made eight cupcakes in that time.”

“Well, duh!” Pinkie rolled her eyes. “I mean, yeesh Applejack, you’re being a silly pony.” She reached into the over and took out another tray. “I made sixteen! That way everypony gets to have two!”

Applejack facehooved. Cadence picked up a pink and cream colored cupcake and took a dainty bite out of the side. “Hmm…this is delicious!” She pronounced. “This is the best cupcake I’ve ever had!”

Pinkie giggled happily and bounced up and down around her. “She likes it, she likes it, she likes it! You know what this calls for? A party!”

Any party preparations were rudely interrupted by a sudden cry of anguish coming from the middle car. “Shining Armor!” Cadence exclaimed.

Not hesitating, Rainbow Dash bucked the door open and flew into the sleeper car, quickly followed by Cadence and the others. “All right, put ‘em up! No pony lays a hoof on Shi…ny?” She blinked, her righteous anger burning away in an instant.

Shining Armor: the cool, collected captain of the royal guard, was busy using his magic to slam the safe against the floor like a foal in the middle of a temper tantrum. “Why. Won’t. This. Stupid. Safe. Open?!” He grunted angrily, punctuating each word with a slam against the floor.

He raised the safe up to the ceiling, intent on one final smash when he suddenly found the safe floating out of his magic’s control and into Cadence’s. “Shining Armor…are you really sure that puncturing a hole in the floor of a moving train is really the best method?” She quirked her brow skeptically.

The suddenly embarrassed unicorn rubbed the back of his neck. “Well…perhaps not.” He allowed. “But I know I got the combination right! I’ve tried everything!”

“Did you try asking nicely?” Everypony looked at Fluttershy, who promptly covered her mouth with her hoof. “Um, it couldn’t hurt…” She squeaked softly.

Applejack shook her head, walking up. “Allow me sugarcube. This sounds like a time for some good ol’ Apple family…finesse.” She reached out and bucked the safe latch. There was an audible klink and the handle switched positions, letting the safe door slowly creak open.

“….thanks.” Shining Armor grumbled as his cheeks flushed. Clearing his throat, he reached out with his magic. “As I was saying earlier…here are the Elements of Harmony.” The inside of the train lit up as he pulled out six magnificent jeweled necklaces, each one featuring a gem in the shape of the girls’ cutie marks: a red lightning bolt, an orange apple, a yellow butterfly, a green diamond, a blue balloon, and a purple six-pointed star, each one shimmering with their own inner light.

Everypony oohed and awwed at seeing the fabled artifacts. Cadence leaned in. “Oh my goodness…they’re so beautiful.” She paused. “Shame they aren’t tiaras.” At everypony’s questioning look, she blushed slightly. “…I like tiaras.” She pouted defensively.

Chuckling softly, Shining Armor gently put the Elements back in the safe, closed the door, and put it back underneath the bed. “They’ll be safe here until we get to the Crystal Empire.”

“How long will that be?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Pulling a map out of his saddlebag, Shining Armor unfurled it for everypony to see. “Unfortunately, the railroad won’t take us all the way to the Crystal Empire…it’s not as if we have a station just sitting in the middle of nowhere in the frozen north.” He chuckled grimly. “The last major stop is Vanhoover. After that it’s just a couple of small towns and then…end of the line. We’re looking at about a week on the train, then another two or three days on hoof.

Everypony winced. Being stuck on a tiny train for a week with over half a dozen other ponies was going to be…cozy to say the least. And the prospect of trudging through the frozen north on hoof for several days was even worse.

Rainbow shot her friends her most confident grin. “So we take a little train ride, do some hiking and camping and then we beat up the bad guy. Easy-peasy, one-two-threesie as Pinkie might say.”

Pinkie nodded. “She’s right, I would totally say that! And maybe even add rice-and-cheesy if you pleasy!”

Smiling slightly, Cadance reached over to give Rainbow Dash a shoulder hug. “I remember the time we went camping in the palace hedge maze. It took us forever to get through the whole thing. Of course, it didn’t help that a certain filly kept running ahead, trying every wrong turn and finding every dead-end.”

“Not my fault you were too slow,” Rainbow protested cheekily. They shared a quick giggle. “Getting through the Everfree Forest was quicker.”

Shining Armor frowned at them. “This isn’t a frolic through the palace grounds.” His tone was frosty as he chided her. “We’ll be trekking through some of the most hostile and unpleasant terrain in Equestria. You need to take this seriously.”

Rainbow felt her face heat against as Shining spoke to her like she was a filly. “Hey! My godfilly and a bunch of my friends’ sisters are out there! Don’t tell me I’m not taking this seriously!”

Shining surprised everypony by stomping his hoof down in front of her, snorting angrily. “Then ACT like it!”

His angry shout seemed to reverberate through the suddenly still cabin. Dash gave a weak nod. “…O-okay.” she swallowed shakily. “I got it. W-whatever…’scuse me.” She flapped once and flew over him. “I’m just…gotta take care of something,” with a strangled croak, she opened the door and made her way into the front car.

The door had just closed when Cadance turned to her bodyguard. “Shining Armor…” Her gaze was piercing, terrifying in its intensity.

The stallion winced, then sighed. “I know…I know. I’ll go take care of her.”

Cadance nodded once. “See that you do.” Shining made his way to the back of the sleeper car and opened the door. The noise of the wind rushing by filled the car only to fade away when he closed it behind him. Then there was silence.

& & &

“Rainbow Dash?” Shining Armor stuck his head into the compartment that served as a restroom and shower. “Dash…uh, can we talk?” He really didn’t want to make this more awkward by walking in on her at the wrong time. “Dashie…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap like that.”

Getting no answer, he stepped inside and looked around. There was no sign of her. He briefly thought she might have gone forward to the engine or even gone outside for a flight to clear her head, but then another idea struck him. Walking over to the showers, he opened the stall door. “Ah, there you are.”

Rainbow looked up at him from her place on the tiled floor, hugging her knees close to her chest. “Do you make a habit of walking in on mares in the shower?” She sulked.

Shining chuckled briefly. “Dashie…c’mon. Let’s talk, okay? I’m sorry I got mad.” He offered her a hoof. “Would it help if I got down and begged for forgiveness?” Flashing his pearly whites, Shining put on his most charming poster-boy-for-the-royal-guard smile.

“…fine,” grumbled the rainbow-maned pony as he helped her up. “You’re lucky I’m such a cool, forgiving pony, Shiny. Otherwise, you’d be dead.”

“Of course,” Shining allowed graciously. “Truly, your mercy knows no bounds.” His humor soon dissolved into concern as he gave her an apologetic nuzzle. “I’m really sorry. It’s just--this is big. We don’t even know what King Sombra is up to. I know you’re a really capable mare and you took care of Nightmare Moon, but...well, this time I’m aware of what’s going on and I have to take some of the ponies I care the most about into danger.”

Rainbow nodded. “I get it…”

He shook his head. “No…you didn’t know. I should’ve explained instead of just going off on you. But when I think about somepony I care about in danger—Cadance, Twiley…you.” He gave her a comforting nuzzle that made her cheeks flush. “I get so worked up that I lose my head sometimes. Forgive me?”

She didn’t have to think twice before throwing her forelegs around him and burying her muzzle in his neck. “Of course…” Rainbow breathed. “I can’t stay mad at you...”

Shining was too relieved to catch that last part, or the way she said it. “Thanks Dashie…” He hugged her back. “That means a lot to me. You know I trust you, right?” She nodded quickly. “Well, I’m going to tell you something I haven’t told anypony else. Not a one.”

Rainbow pulled back, watching him excitedly. “What is it?”

Taking a deep breath—and taking a last look around to make sure nopony was listening in—he blurted out. “I’m going to ask Cadence to marry me!”

The silence was deafening. Rainbow’s jaw dropped open as she could literally hear the blood rushing in her ears. Shining Armor…was going to get MARRIED? To Cadence? Even though Dash had come to grips with the fact that her longtime crush loved somepony else—or so she thought at least—hearing that he was going to get married was still a bombshell.

Mistaking her expression for one of amazement, Shining nodded. “I was going to ask her before but this stuff all sort of blew up at the last second and…well, I’m just so excited that I have to tell somepony or else I’d just explode!” A concerned look took over his face as he thought to ask. “Are you…okay? I mean, I know that this must be kind of a big shock considering—”

“A-are you kidding?” Rainbow forced herself to put on her biggest smile, her face about to crack under the pressure. “It’s great! Cadence is great. Y-you’re great…it’s all great!”

Shining sighed in relief. “That’s good…I’m glad I have your support Rainbow. You’re a good friend.” Rainbow winced as if in pain at Shining’s wording. As intelligent as Shining Armor was, at the end of the day he was still a stallion. That meant that there were something things about mares that he naturally just…missed.

Of course, one can’t really hear somepony’s heart break. You can only feel it.

Rainbow Dash was right. This was going to be a long trip.

Chapter 6

& & &

The first night on the train was probably the worst. The gentle—and sometimes not so gentle—rocking and trembling of the train, the new beds, the drama and chaos of the past day and the presence of seven other ponies sleeping in the same confined car…it didn’t add up to making a peaceful night’s sleep.

Even so, exhaustion took its toll on everypony present and one by one they slipped into a, if not deep or peaceful, then at least a sound sleep. All except for one: Rainbow Dash.

This was somewhat surprising considering she was by all accounts a champion sleeper. In clouds, in trees, in beds, on rooftops, on haystacks: you name a location and Rainbow had slept on it. She was never one to pass up a good nap, especially if there was homework or an assignment waiting somewhere for her to do. Not only could she sleep anywhere, but she could sleep through just about anything. But tonight sleep eluded her, proving that there were some things even the fastest pegasus in the world couldn’t catch.

Gripping her blankets, she stared upwards at the ceiling as a million thoughts raced through her mind. Contrary to popular belief, Rainbow Dash did indeed think. And like everything else she did, she did it fast. She was also easily distracted by stray thoughts that just created an unholy cluttered jumble in her head that made it impossible to think anyone thing through to the end. It just made for one heck of a racket that threatened to drive her nuts. She groaned and buried her pillow over her face.

It was all just too much! In the course of one day she had to go through finding Dinky gone, Ditzy’s maternal melt-down, the Princess’ laying out this Sombra stuff on her and then Shining Armor’s news about Cadence. It all made for one unholy din in her mind that made her want to scream and made sleep all but impossible.

Plus, Cadence snored.

After an hour of tossing and turning and finding increasingly new (and odd) positions to try to get comfortable, Rainbow gave up. Flapping her wings gently, she made her way over to the door to the rear car. She quickly opened and shut it behind her, trying not to wake everypony else by the sudden sound of the wind roaring past that could be heard whenever the doors were opened. After that she just brushed through the kitchen compartment and then out the back door.

The night air was chilly and brisk. Already wide awake, Rainbow loved it. She took a deep cleansing breath of fresh air before hopping onto the guardrail and jumping off. The wind tugged at her wings as the train continued to run. Grinning, she spread her wings wide and let herself get dragged along in the train’s wake for a bit. Then she peeled off and stretched upwards to the clear night sky. The twinkling of the stars and the fullness of the moon reflected brilliantly upon the freshly fallen snow.

Looking around, Rainbow Dash saw nothing but snow-capped hills and trees in all directions. The train had passed a few towns but they hadn’t stopped in them. Princess Celestia had the foresight to have whoever was in charge of the railroads keep a clear path for them. They would probably stop to replenish their supplies at some point along the way, but the train was pretty well stocked for the moment.

Rainbow swooped down along the length of the train, only to pull up before she would have collided with the engine car. She twirled her wings and let herself get carried up by the heat radiating from the train’s furnace.

Flying was great for clearing her mind. Dash hadn’t felt so peaceful all day. Idly curious, she lowered herself until she was flying next to the sleeping car and peered into the windows. She came across Fluttershy first. The canary-yellow pegasus was curled up, sound asleep and clutching her teddy bear. Rainbow let out a soft awww and flew a little faster, looking into the window above hers. It was Pinkie Pie’s. The window was full of little drawings she made with her breath. There was a pony, a sun, and a lot of cakes and pies and other bakery goods. Pinkie was nomming gently on the corner of her pillow and making happy noises. Rainbow snorted. “So random…”

Twilight Sparkle was in the next window. She…Rainbow giggled. Was she sleeping with a book? Of course she was. Just as Fluttershy was snuggling with her teddy bear, Twilight was literally curled up with a good book. Another was tented open on her belly. She was drooling slightly, which just made the scene that much more adorable. No, Rainbow Dash corrected herself. Adorkable.

Rainbow had to take herself up and over to the other side of the train to check in on the others. Cadence was still sawing logs, though looking graceful while she did it. It might have just been because the train was moving, but she swore she saw the windowpanes rattling as Cadence snored. Idly, the pegasus wondered if she was snoring with the Canterlot Royal Voice.

Shining Armor was literally looking over her, sleeping in the bunk atop hers. He was on his back, his forelimbs neatly tucked over his chest. Rainbow supposed that all that guard training really stuck with you. He looked so peaceful, but she knew was capable of some serious awesomeness on a moment’s notice. Just having him around her made Dash feel…safe. Like nothing bad could happen if he was with her. Even though she was outside in the cold air, she felt a warmth spread in her cheeks.

Shaking her head, she tore herself away. No need to get all creepy-stalker on him…she frowned as she realized that she hadn’t seen Applejack or Rarity. No wait, there was Rarity now. She was making her way to the front of the train. Rainbow gave a quick flap to propel her forward just in time to see Rarity meet Applejack in the train engine.

The orange earth pony was leaning against the window in the engine, apparently lost in thought. Rainbow Dash suddenly felt like disturbing her would be wrong. Still, she didn’t want to leave either. She tilted her wings and let herself be lifted upwards, landing gently on the engine’s roof.

She had just laid herself down on the engine when Rarity entered from the train. “Applejack,” Rarity nodded as if she’d just run into her in Ponyville while grocery shopping.

“Rarity,” Applejack returned, tilting her hat back as she turned around. “Cain’t sleep neither I’m guessin’?”

The white unicorn nodded primly. “Quite.” The two were silent for a while. “Rather chilly out here, isn’t it?” She offered after a bit.

“Yeah…” AJ sighed. “Ah hope Apple Bloom’s warm. She tosses her blanket off at night. If she gets a cold…”

Rarity drew herself up to Applejack’s side, sharing warmth and comfort to offset their mutual woes. “I know what you mean. Sweetie used to sleepwalk. Mother and Father never did warn me about that, I’ve had to tie bells on her hooves more than once.”

Applejack smiled lazily. “How'd ya fix er?”

“It was Opal actually.” The unicorn admitted. “Opal crawls into bed with her and she stays put.”

“Or she knows not to wake that durn cat.” The cowpony suggested coyly. “It’d probably skin her alive.”

While privately agreeing with that assessment, Rarity still felt honor bound to defend her precious little hell kitten. She drew herself up and sniffed. “Oh like you're one to talk, Applejack. Winona slobbers you awake every morning.”

“How'd you figure that?” The puzzlement on AJ’s face was clear. How did she know?

Rarity grinned wickedly. “Only you would think canine slobber is an adequate substitute for hair gel.” She brought up a hoof to her mouth and let out a little titter as Applejack ran a hoof through her hair and proceeded to sniff it. She made a face and dropped her hoof back to the floor as Rarity shook her head and sighed. “I do hope they’re all right.”

“Ah reckon they will be. After all, they’ve got each other.” Applejack patted Rarity’s back.

“Apple Bloom told me she started hanging out with yer sister at recess. Said she’s really sweet.”

“It is her name after all.” Rarity gave a sad, fond smile. “And Apple Bloom is so darling! That little bow suits her so perfectly.”

“Eeyup.” AJ nodded, channeling her brother. “Perhaps we should all go out for a picnic or something, set up a playdate for ‘em. Ah know Apple Bloom could stand to have some more friends. She’s a bit shy since she don’t have her Cutie Mark yet.”

Her companion nodded. “Sweetie Belle too…right now her only friend is that young pegasus, Scootaloo.” Her face must have given something of what she thought about the rather uncouth, rough and tumble pegasus for she turned to see Applejack frowning at her. “Oh don’t me wrong!” Rarity hastily added. “I’m grateful that they’re friends. Sweetie Belle’s told me how Scootaloo stands up for her against some of the school bullies. She has a good heart, even if she’s a bit…” she paused. “Scruffy.”

Applejack chuckled. “Reminds me of another certain pegasus we know.” She tilted her head up to look at the roof. “Ain’t that right, Rainbow Dash?” When there was no answer, the earth pony rapped her hoof against the side of the engine. “Come on out sugarcube, ah know yer up there.”

The pegasus in question sighed and poked her head down, appearing upside down in the window. “How’d you know?”

“Ah noticed you weren’t in yer bed when I got up for starters, and I could hear you settling down on the roof like a rooster on a chicken coop,” she smirked.

“Yeah, well, I was just testing you! To see how good your hearing was for the mission.” Rainbow blustered.

Applejack nodded amiably. “’f coursin’ you were. Weren’t she, Rarity?”

“Indeed,” Rarity raised an elegant eyebrow.

Rainbow nodded as she righted herself, landing beside the two of them. “Darn right!” Her confident grin faded after only a few seconds.

“So, you couldn’t sleep either?” Rarity asked.

Dash snorted. “Oh no, I’m totally sleeping. In my bed and everything. That’s why I’m standing here talking to you.”

Rarity sniffed indignantly at Rainbow, prompting Applejack to none too subtly nudge her. “All right, simmer down sally. Rarity’s just being polite.”

Rainbow looked away, grumbling something that might’ve been an apology or nothing at all. Applejack sighed. “You okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” When Applejack looked at her, Rainbow found she couldn’t meet her gaze. “…s’not like this has been the suckiest day ever or anything.”

“Darling…” Rarity walked over and put a hoof on the cyan pegasus…after carefully dusting off any stray snow. “Would you like to talk?”

“What for?” She demanded. “Not like talking’s gonna fix things. Not like it’s gonna…” Rainbow sighed. “Forget it.” The brash pegasus was mercurial at the best of times, her moods coming and going almost as quickly as she did. But after a day like today, with a definite lack of sleep and her usual naps, her mood was pretty firmly in the dumps.

Applejack quietly made her way over to Dash’s other side. “Yer worried about Dinky, aintcha?”

“…Yeah.” She twitched her wings as she rested her forehead against the window. “I mean…this time last night I was telling her bedtime stories and stuff.”

Rarity gave a sad smile. “You were telling bedtime stories to the little dear? That's simply adorable.”

Dash flushed, but smiled as she did it. “Yeah...she had Favorite and was all snuggled up and...she really liked having me around. She even said she didn't want to go to bed so she could stay up all night with me. How cool is that?

“Awwwwww…” The white unicorn cooed.

Applejack gave her friend a half smirk. “Tha's....real sister-like. Sounds like that filly right loves ya.”

Rainbow’s flush intensified for a second, but then faded away as her face fell. “Yeah…” she looked downtrodden.

That’s when Rarity trotted up and gave her a quick nuzzle. “Now darling, you mustn't fret. We'll get them all back, safe and sound.” Her voice was soft, encouraging. Then it suddenly took a turn for the vicious. “And then we'll rip whoever took them from us to pieces!”

Applejack snorted in angry agreement. “An' pound them pieces into the ground. Repeatedly. With our hooves.”

Rainbow cracked her neck, eyes narrowing. “I’m down with that.” After that moment of bonding over shared vengeance, she shot Rarity a look. “Heh. Rarity…..who’da thunk it?”

In response, Rarity just tossed her mane primly, pressing a hoof to her chest in an approximation of Rainbow Dash’s own posturing. Then she frowned down at her hooves. “I do hope I don't mess up my hooficure on those ruffians. Perhaps I could just give them a sound thrashing with my magic instead?”

“Nopony takes mah sister an' gets away with it.” Applejack agreed before giving her friend an eye roll. “How 'bout hold an' Ah pound? That'll keep yer prissy hoofjob intact.”

That sparked an annoyed huff from the offended unicorn. “Well excuse me for wanting to preserve my appearance!”

Rainbow snorted and rolled her own eyes in response. “You two should take this show of yours on the road. Maybe Trixie's looking to expand into comedy.”

All that did was prompt the farmpony into shifting targets for her grousing. “Oh, there's another pony Ah have words fer....she's lucky yer friend got ahold o' her first, a spankin's a blessin' compared ta' what Ah had in mind fer messin' with mah sister's head like that.”

Rarity gave a sharp nod. “So horribly uncouth ... though I suppose she did learn her lesson at the end.”

Dash snorted. “In the ‘end’…” she chuckled.

That caused yet another eye roll from Applejack. “Ah swear, ye're as bad as any filly around.” Rainbow, deciding to take the highroad, sniffed haughtily and tilted her nose up like a snooty Canterlot noble...and then stuck out her tongue out at her. “Yer face'll stick like that, if ya keep doin' that.”

“Worse than a filly.” Rarity pronounced. “My darling Sweetie Belle would never laugh at such lowbrow humor.” She paused, then started tearing up. “Oh, Sweetie! Where are you? Fear not, little darling! Rarity will find you!” She brought a hoof up to her forehead. “I will search high—” she dramatically reared up, “—and I will search low!” She dropped down. “Low and high, high and low!”

Applejack blinked. “Talk about yer emotional whiplash.”

Rarity paused, then prissily added. “I hope we don't have to search too low, though. The dirt stands out so horribly against my coat.”

Not entirely sure how to respond to…whatever that was, Rainbow reached out a hoof and put it on her back, “Hey Rares, s'okay. She's got the coolest ponies in all of Equestria here. We'll find her. Apple Bloom too.” She nodded to Applejack.

The orange earthpony took her hat off to cover a laugh. And just a laugh, totally not tears. “Yeah, me too. Apple Bloom still ain't ready t' face the world on her own, and 'specially not somethin' this big.”

“Oh, don't worry, darling.” Rarity soothed as she walked up to her. “I'm sure a tough, resourceful little filly like her will be just fine.”

“Ah'm sure Sweetie's sittin' tight and happy knowin' ye're willing t' risk grit and grime fer her.” AJ replied. “She's still jus' a filly... she's an Apple, but she's gotta long way to go 'fore she's ready to be set loose.”

Rainbow hesitantly looked out at the snow-covered scenery as it rushed past them. “...Can I ask you girls a question?”

“Ya just did.” Applejack pointed out.

Rainbow turned to shoot her a glare. “I’m serious!” She protested.

“Ah thought you were Rainbow,” Applejack drawled in amusement.

“Applejack!” Rarity warned, offended.

“Jus' trying t' break the tension,” she conceded with a half-smile. “Sure, ask away RD.”

“This is no laughing matter!” Rarity drew herself up, trotting up next to Rainbow and placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Do go on, darling. Some of us can be considerate.” She shot a pointed look at Applejack.

Dash fidgeted, trying to find out how to ask her question without seeming uncool. Finally she just gritted her teeth and asked “...how do you guys be good sisters?”

“....um, well, Ah ... jus' am.” Applejack scratched her head through her hat. “Ain't something Ah've ever thought about, Ah just do it. Like breathin'.”

“Well, I suppose it is important that one spend time bonding with their sister.” Rarity offered. “Going to the spa together, having her sit quietly in the corner watching me work, teaching her how to cook my favorite meals...”

Rainbow flinched. “Oh…”

Applejack walked over and put a hoof on her shoulder. “It's about spendin' quality time together, an' doin' stuff that ya both enjoy. Something that ya've already done, by the sounds o' things.”

“Oh yes, quite so!” Rarity gave Dash an encouraging smile. “Darling, if Dinky is as fond of you as it sounds, then I would say you're doing quite well at it.”

“I guess so....” Rainbow conceded. “I just...I don't wanna mess this up you know? Ditzy's one of my oldest pals. We go way back.”

Applejack nodded, agreeing with Rarity. “Sounds like it, if she's trustin' ya with her baby.”

“That's just it!” Rainbow burst out. “She trusted me with her daughter! Dinky made it through the Nightmare Moon stuff perfectly safe and after I move to Ponyville and start being with Dinky more..." She demonstratively smacked her hooves together.

“Darling, don't. You'll chip a hoof doing that.” Rarity pushed her hooves back down.

“None of us saw this comin' RD.” AJ agreed. “We all lost family this time.” Her face shifted determinedly. “An' we're gonna get 'em back.”

Rarity nodded. “Of course. Nopony could possibly blame you for losing Dinky under the circumstances, and you will bring her back completely unharmed.”

“But what if I don't?” Dash looked at the two of them. “Everypony’s counting on me to find their kids…how am I gonna face Ditzy and tell her that I lost her daughter on my watch? How am I gonna tell Cloud Kicker that she isn't going to see her sister again?”

“That will not happen.” Rarity chided her firmly.

“Hey…” Applejack gently shook Rainbow. “None o' that now. We'll get 'em back, okay?”

“We will get the girls back, safe and sound, and without one hair on their cute little heads harmed, or so help me...” Rarity coughed delicately and shook her head.

Momentarily buoyed, Rainbow turned to the other thought that was really bothering her. “...Can I tell you guys something?”

“But of course!” Rarity exclaimed as AJ nodded.

The blue pony hesitated. “...and promise that you won't hate me afterwards?”

“Ya got mah word.”

Rarity agreed. “Perish the thought, we could never hate you.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “The truth is...I've been trying to think of how we're gonna save Dinky and your sisters and all the other kids. But every time I try I keep getting...distracted.”

“Well, a great deal has been going on.” Rarity mused. “What's on your mind, darling?”

The pegasus fidgeted, having trouble coming out and saying it. “It's....” she looked up to see Applejack giving a patient, expectant nod. She groaned, her face heating. “...Shining Armor.”

The prim unicorn’s face fell slightly. “Ah, yes. I can see how being on a trip with him and his current paramour could be ... distracting.”

Applejack gave Rainbow a small, knowing grin. “Understandable.”

Dash groaned, covering her face. “You guuuuys...” she whined, her cheeks turning cherry red.

The earth pony shrugged. “Ah'm sorry, Rainbow, it's just...well, he ain't exactly hard on th' eyes.”

Rarity let out an offended huff at Applejack’s bluntness. “You could try to be a little more sensitive, Applejack.”

The pony in question winced. “All right…all jokin' aside, what's put a bee in yer bonnet, Rainbow?”

She bit her lip. Rainbow didn’t want to tell them about Shining's announcement...especially since he hadn't even told Twilight yet, the doofus. “It's just...being in the same train with him. The same tiny space...for a week. It's just...” She squirmed before letting out a frustrated yell. “Grah!” She walked over to bang her head against the wall. “Why can't I get him out of my head? I've got bigger things to worry about! Saving Equestria! Saving the kids! Instead I've got Shining Armor on the brain and I can't get him off!”

A suddenly concerned Applejack rushed over to hold Rainbow’s head back. “Hey, hey--easy there! A concussion won' do anypony any good.”

“Darling, there's nothing wrong with a few romantic desires.” Rarity agreed, before frowning and fixing RD's mussed mane.

“I'm a terrible godmom...” Rainbow groaned. “I should be spending all my time thinking about Dinky and how to get and the others back. Not...not on some STUPID crush!”

Rarity chided her. “Rainbow Dash! You are a wonderful godmother. You simply need to address this distraction, that's all.”

“You're here now, so ya ain’t a bad godmom.” Applejack agreed. “You're just a bit...yeah, distracted.”

“Perhaps you should try talking to him about the matter to get some closure?” The unicorn suggested.

“But we talked about it already!” Dash couldn’t help letting out a small whine. “After the Nightmare Moon stuff we talked and he was all nice and stuff...I-I thought I was over it. That he could just be like my big brother...but now he's here with Cadence and...grah!” She let out a frustrated growl, her wings stretching open and closing restlessly against her side, as if she just wanted to up and take off, a sure sign of frustration for pegasi.

Rarity nuzzled her withers comfortingly. “So the presence of his paramour has complicated things?”

It had the intended effect, if not for the reason she desired. “Para-what?” Rainbow blinked. “Nah, he just has his girlfriend here. You know, Cadance?”

Applejack snorted, trying to comfort Rainbow as best she could. “Prissy thing looks like she ain't never set hoof offa carpet before.”

That seemed to backfire as the pegasus shot her a glare. “Hey, Cadance is awesome! She was my foalsitter when I lived in the Palace. She took me to Wonderbolt shows and everything!” She sighed. “I really want to be mad...to hate her but...I can't…”

“An' there ah go puttin' mah hoof in mah mouth again...” Applejack winced.

Rarity pursed her lips in thought. “Perhaps it is her you should be speaking to, then?”

“That might not hurt.” AJ agreed.

But Rainbow Dash had a different reaction. “Are you kidding?!” Her face lit up in an embarrassed blush just at the thought. “No way!”

“Whyever not?” Rarity pouted. “It would seem to be the source of your current concerns.”

Applejack nodded. “Well stumblin' around things ain't gonna help none.”

“You guys don't know Cadence...she'll just...she'll be...” Rainbow groaned.

“Yes?” Rarity prodded.

“She'll be so understanding!” She grimaced. “She'll be so kind and nice and perfect and sympathetic that I'LL be the one who ends up feeling like a total mule over the whole thing. And...I'll just come off as a silly, little filly with a silly, stupid crush.”

Feeling a bit out of her depth, Applejack remained silent and let Rarity field this one. “Rainbow, there is nothing silly or stupid about how you feel. And if you're really that uncomfortable about your feelings, then you should definitely speak with her. You mustn't feel guilty about such things.” The white unicorn urged gently.

Dash shook her head but offering no arguments. “C-can we just talk about...something else for a bit?”

Rarity frowned and considered pursuing the matter further, but decided that Rainbow Dash would just dig in her hooves and get stubborn. “As you wish, though I still think you should speak with her.”

For her part, Applejack nodded in agreement with Rarity, but was willing to shift topics if that’s what Rainbow anted. “Sure! Um....so, how long've ya know Der—” she hastily corrected herself. “Ditzy?”

Rainbow missed the slight slip as she smiled wistfully. “Heh. Ages. Ever since I was a little filly at summer flight camp, didn’t even have my Cutie Mark yet. Ditzy was a counselor-in-training and was in charge of the cabin group I was in. There were some dumb colts at camp who liked to give me a rough time because of....one or two minor accidents I might have had. Maybe three.” She admitted.

“An' she was there t' stand up fer ya?” Applejack asked, a small smirk gracing her face.

Rarity gave a disapproving swat to AJ's shoulder. “Stop needling her, darling.”

“What?” Applejack looked indignant. “Ah'm serious this time!”

“I saw the look on your face, Applejack.” Rarity glared. You were practically enjoying hearing about Rainbow's pain!”

“Ah was not!” She stomped her hoof. “Would you just hush an'…”

Rainbow let out a warning groan. “You guys....”

The two feuding mares took a half-step back and looked down. “Sorry, RD.” Applejack laid her ears back. “Go ahead.”

Rarity stepped up to the cyan pegasus and gave her a sympathetic nuzzle. “My apologies, darling.”

“‘S cool. Anyway, AJ was sorta right. Standing up for ponies wasn't exactly her strong suit. She was all bubbly and sweet and asked the foals not to call each other names like....” she let out a faint, unintentional hiss. “Rainbow Crash.”

Any smile that might have been on the orange pony’s face faded into a frown. “Now that just ain't right, twistin' a pony's name like that.”

“Eh, it was nothing. The name thing really didn't bug me,” Rainbow shrugged nonchalantly giving the impression that it was all beneath her. But her gently twitching pinions and her flicking tail gave her away. “They were dolts, what can you do?”

Rarity wordlessly pressed up sympathetically against her, but said nothing to call attention to the fact that the bullying bothered her more than she would admit.

For her part, Applejack stroked Dash’s back comfortingly and nodded for her to continue. “Ya get jerks in every circle 'S good t' have ponies t' help ya at the end of the day.”

Rainbow nodded, accepting their comfort but not acknowledging it. “I liked Ditzy. Even after my worst crashes she'd always be there to help me up, take me to the nurse and stay with me. She even brought me muffins.”

“She is a very sweet mare.” Rarity agreed.

“Yeah....too sweet for her own good sometimes,” Dash frowned. “Some of the kids liked to call her names, y'know because of her eyes. And because she sometimes lost stuff or made some mistakes. Like that time she once set a cloud on fire. Don’t ask.” She added, forestalling the obvious questions that the other two ponies clearly wanted to ask. “She sometimes got on my nerves too when she goofed up, but she would just smile and sheepishly say, ‘oops, my bad!’ or ‘I just don’t know what went wrong!’ and how could you stay mad at her?” Her question was rhetorical, but she answered it anyway. “Well, some of the other counselors and camp workers did. I heard one of them say...well, stuff a filly really shouldn't have heard after she dropped some supplies through a cloud. Then she started to cry.”

Rarity let out a disapproving glower. “I see.”

“Jerks in all circles.” Applejack narrowed her eys. “She's a bit...well, her, but she don't deserve nothin' like that. Anypony can tell she means well.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow agreed. “So I went over and yelled at the creep who was making her cry. Then I kicked him in the knee.” She smiled.

“Entirely justified, but I can't imagine that ended well.” Rarity pointed out.

Dash let out a chuckle, sound pleased with herself. “Oh they shouted at me and called me a naughty little filly, but I didn't care. They sent me to my cabin without dinner but somepony left a muffin under my pillow.”

Applejack smiled, nudging her gently. “'Loyalty,' huh. Small wonder ya got it.”

The usually proud pegasus, rubbed her neck, flushing a bit. “Aw, c'mon....”

Rarity also shot Rainbow an approving smile. “So, that is how the two of you became such good friends?”

She nodded. “Yeah...she did her best to keep the bullies in line and the counselors and campers who made fun of her tended to end up the victim of a certain mysterious prankster.” Rainbow’s face was entirely too innocent. “They woke up to find rainclouds hanging over their beds, hail put in their ice cream and syrup in their feathers. Or so I heard anyway.”

Applejack snorted in amusement. “Remind me never t' tick ya off…too much.” Rainbow just shot her a toothy smile.

“Well, that's a lovely story, dear.” Rarity complemented.

The cowpony nodded. “Ah'm a might surprised ya weren't 'round more, bein' her baby's godmom and such. What happened?”

Rainbow flinched, then tried to pass it off as a shrug. “I-I wanted to, but being Princess Celestia's student cuts into your time, you know? And it's not like Dinky was ever at a loss for cool adults to watch out for her. Well, as cool and awesome as I was, I Ditzy's her only camper you know. I didn't even mention that she's the one who introduced me to Fluttershy and Cloud Kicker.”

Rarity quirked an intrigued brow at the pegasus. “Oh really?”
,
“Oh yeah!” She nodded. “Ditzy knew Fluttershy was really...well, Fluttershy, and got picked on a lot. She wasn’t a strong flyer. Those jerks at camp called her ‘Klutzershy.’”

That prompted another angry snort from Applejack. “'Klutzershy'? Really? Ah'll eat mah hat if that girl ever earned that name.”

Rarity also gave a disapproving frown. “I might have a word with those ponies some day about their treatment of Fluttershy.” She paused briefly. “And ... Cloud Kicker? I imagine she was a bit young to be so ... social.”

“Oh CK? Hardly.” Dash snorted. “She was a royal guard brat. Had a stick so far up her plot…”

That made the prim unicorn suddenly cough uncomfortably. “Y-yes, well…” she considered her words carefully. “I ... am having some trouble imagining that.”

“It's the truth.” Rainbow shrugged. “When I first met her she was always serious, trying her best to 'live up the name of the Kicker Clan' blah blah blah. Real boring. Anyway, Ditzy brought them into our group and cabin. I ended up sharing a bunk bed with Fluttershy. She wanted me to keep an eye on Fluttershy and try to get her to stand up for herself, and to try to get Cloud Kicker to loosen up a bit.”

“And perhaps she also hoped the two of them might help you learn a touch more gentleness and responsibility?” Rarity suggested delicately.

Rainbow blinked as if the idea had never occurred to her, which it likely hadn’t. “Huh.” She shrugged.

“So that’s how y’all became friends?” Applejack asked, a touch surprised when Rainbow shook her head.

“Not at first…we just kinda did stuff together because Ditzy wanted us to, but we didn’t really…connect.”

Rarity tilted her head curiously. “So what changed?”

“There was this trio of idiots who always gave me and Ditzy trouble.” Dash snorted in contempt. “Of course I could outfly all three of them with one wing tied behind my back, and they knew it. So instead they tried to go after Cloud Kicker and Fluttershy. CK could take of herself, but Fluttershy…”

Rarity frowned and AJ’s face darkened dangerously as a number of crude words were shared--most of them from Rarity. After making a mental note to invite them to the next camp reunion, Rainbow continued her story. “Yeah, so then they stole a care package from Fluttershy’s parents. Me and CK confronted them and, well, that was the first and only time those morons actually thought they could take us in a fight.” Dash grinned and pounded her hooves together. “That was the first time me and Kicker really close friends. I mean, we'd been hanging out because Ditzy asked us to, but that fight was the first time we were...really friend-y.”

“Figures you two’d come together over something like that.” Drawled Applejack.

“Yeah…it was a great day! Of we course we got in trouble for it: no dessert for a week and sent straight to our cabin, which really sucked since CK smelled like flank--Score sat on her.” Rainbow grinned. “But Fluttershy shared her care package with us and her mom’s cooking is way better than the food at camp, so I guess we came out ahead there. We’ve been buds ever since.” She stretched her neck, sighing in relief when she felt something pop.

Rarity rubbed her muzzle thoughtfully. “As uncouth as parts of your story was, it was...chivalrous of you and Cloud Kicker to defend Fluttershy’s honor and bond in the process.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Heh. Funny thing is, I had always thought Kicker was way too uptight and serious to know what it meant to have fun. But hey, kicking Billy, Hoops and Score around was awesome. When I told her that, she said ‘I kinda thought you were an irresponsible nut who only cared about feeding her own ego until then, but fighting alongside side you to help out Fluttershy...I guess it gave me a chance to see the real you.’”

“Ah guess that about sums you up.” Applejack mused. “Glad t’know the three of you managed t’be such good friends and influences on each other...even though Ah think you loosened Cloud Kicker up a bit too much, if'n ya ask me.”

“Hey don't look at me!” Rainbow defended herself. “I didn't get her started on...that.”

“Ah. I could've sworn the two of you were ... close.” Rarity commented after a moment.

Rainbow Dash shook her head determinedly. “She's just a friend!”

Applejack nodded, agreeing with Rarty. “The two of ya seem pretty attached t'the hip.” Then she added quickly. “Not that there's anything wrong with that.”

“We're just friends!” Rainbow exclaimed again, even more defensively; her face the same color as the apples on Applejack’s rump.

“Cloud Kicker's 'just' friends with a lotta ponies.” If looks could kill, Rainbow Dash’s gaze would have scorched, atomized and completely obliterated the orange farmpony.

“Curious.” Rarity chose to comment in lieu of continuing the argument. “With how long you've known her, I'd be quite surprised if she never ... offered to socialize with you.”

Rainbow coughed, choosing not to mention the number of time's Cloud Kicker had seriously or not so seriously hit on her. “Look, we've just...got a lot of history. After I did my Sonic Rainboom and became Celestia’s student our little group kinda...fell apart for a while.”

“Well, it's kind of a big thing bein' Celestia's student an' all.” Applejack commented.

“Heh, jealous much?” Rainbow snickered, prompting another eye roll from her friend.

“Oh, quite.” Rarity agreed with Applejack. Then she gave a little frown. “But Twilight said something about the two of you spending time in Canterlot. After the whole Trixie debacle.”

“I'm getting there, Rarity...” Dash ground out. “Anyway, we were talking about being Dinky’s godmom, remember?” After seeing Applejack impatiently motioning for her to keep talking, she decided to do so. “So, yeah, there was me, Fluttershy, CK, and Ditzy. Well, after I went to Canterlot it wasn't long before CK went back to Canterlot to live with her family. She even got into West Hoof early on account of her family—early admission or whatever. Fluttershy moved to Ponyville. I tried keeping in touch with Fluttershy, but letter writing...not really my strong suit. I visited Ditzy and Dinky a couple of times after she was born, and Dee moved groundside. But it just...kinda fell off my radar as more stuff kept happening in Canterlot." Rainbow looked down, feeling ashamed that she hadn't spent more time with her goddaughter.

Applejack tilted her head. “Why'd a pegasus wanna go groundside? Cloud Kicker's about the only one Ah know, and even that's fer her... uh, recreational stuff.”

Rainbow and Rarity shared a skeptical look at each other before replying in unison: “Dinky.”

AJ facehooved. “Right….And, um, what a cute little critter she is, too!” She added quickly.

“Fluttershy also prefers living on the ground.” Rarity reminded her, before adding sweetly. “You do remember Fluttershy, don't you?”

“Oh, burn.” Rainbow Dash snickered as Applejack flushed. “Where was I—oh yeah, Ditzy. Guess some doctor told her that her foal wasn’t gonna be a pegasus. So our group just kinda…drifted apart. Me and CK still hung out in Canterlot until she left West Hoof and moved to Ponyville too. Then a few months later the Nightmare Moon thing happened, and well, here I am. As for the godmom stuff, I...dunno why she even picked me. I wonder if CK or Fluttershy would be a better choice for Dinky's godmom now.”

“Ah’m not so sure ‘bout that.” AJ nudged her. “Ah don’t think yer giving Ditzy enough credit. She knew what she were doing.”

“I agree.” Rarity chimed in. “Ditzy might not be the most…coordinated of ponies, but when it comes to her family she certainly knows what she wants for them.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Maybe…after the Nightmare Moon stuff she made Kicker the godmother of her other daughter, Amethyst Star. But everypony calls her Sparkler. I think she made Fluttershy her medical proxy until the girls are old enough and…there was something else…oh yeah, I think Carrot Top is the executor of her estate.”

“Such a kind soul,” Rarity observed. “And ... forgive me if it's indelicate to ask this, but what of Dinky's sire?

“Ah wasn't gonna ask, but...Ah'm a might curious mahself.” Applejack admitted.

“....that's really not my story to tell.” Rainbow said after a brief hesitation.

“I see…” Rarity sought for some way to alleviate the awkwardness. “So, darling…” she smiled teasingly. “…I was certain I spotted you and Cloud Kicker hugging before we left…”

Applejack awkwardly clapped Dash on shoulder. “Ya go, girl!”

Rainbow’s face lit up in a bright blush. “C-c'mon! It wasn't like that at all!”

“Oh really? Yer face is tellin’ a different story than yer mouth.” AJ chuckled, nudging her. She broke off only to let out a massive yawn. “Whoo-ee! Heh, Ah guess all this jawing finally got me tuckered out. Maybe we should all hit the hay? Ah’m feeling better than Ah did a little while ago, maybe enough to grab forty or so winks.”

Rarity nodded primly, covering her mouth to hide her own tiny yawn. “Quite. This has been a rather pleasant evening, but it is time for me to get my beauty rest.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow agreed quickly, grateful to have that particular conversation ended before it got even more embarrassing. After tossing another piece of fuel into the furnace, the three mares made their way back inside the train, where the warmth and quiet stillness provided a vast contrast to the cold snow and wind outside. Quietly they all crept into their respective beds amidst hushed whispers of goodnight and sweet dreams.

Rainbow Dash was the last to fall asleep. She stared out of the window of the moving train, watching the snowy scenery rush past. Her talk with her friends had made her feel better, but she knew on some level that nothing was actually resolved. Still, she had made it through what anypony would easily concede had been a hard day. She only hoped that the next few days wouldn't be as hard.

With that thought in mind, Rainbow Dash fell asleep. She dreamed of her friends who slept beside her, of Ditzy Doo and Cloud Kicker, of Dinky and the foals, of the Princesses and the wicked King Sombra...and of Shining Armor.

It was a long night.

& & &

Chapter 7

& & &

The next morning Rainbow Dash awoke feeling refreshed and energized. The only downside to that was that there was still no place to go. Sharing the restroom and shower compartment with six other mares was a new and not entirely pleasant experience—for anypony.

“Hey, don’t use up all the hot water!” Applejack pounded on the door to one of the shower stalls. “Someponies still haven’t gotten their turn yet!”

“Can somepony please pass me a towel…if you’re not too busy, I mean.” Fluttershy squeaked as she poked her head out of another shower.

“Hmnggh!” Cadence nodded, her mouth foamed over with toothpaste floated over a towel with her magic.

“Who's toothbrush is this?” Rarity demanded. “It’s in my space.”

Twilight looked over at her former foalsitter. “Wow, your tail looks fantastic, Cadence. Mine is usually a nest in the morning.

Rainbow glanced at her own tail, ensuring that it met her usual standards of awesomeness. Not that she was trying to get any stallion's attention or anything.

“Pinkie!” Applejack knocked on the door again. “Y'r worse than Big Mac! If Ah gotta freeze my flanks off, Ah'm gonna buck ya like a tree come autumn!”

Of course it was poor Shining Armor who suffered the most—having to wait until everypony else was finished before he could avail himself of the facilities, lest an ‘awkward impropriety’ occurred, as Rarity put it.

“C’mon Rarity!” groaned the stressed stallion as he knocked anxiously on the door to the bathroom car, dancing on his hooves. “You’ve been in there for half an hour already!”

“Just a minuuuuute! I need to put my face on!” came the dulcet tones of the fastidious unicorn, the last pony in the bathroom.

A look of desperation passed across his face as he wished he had the forethought to go in and tend to his needs before the horde of mares had taken over the bathroom. To make it worse, his fillyfriend and the filly who used to (or so he thought) have a crush on him were flanking him on either side.

“It’s okay, Shiny.” Rainbow patted his shoulder sympathetically. “I’m sure she she’ll just be another ten minutes. Twenty tops.”

Cadence nodded sagely. “That seems about right.”

Shining groaned. “Why is it that whenever a mare says she’ll be a minute, that’s code for half an hour?” This was not the most diplomatic thing to say in a car full of mares, but his transgression can be forgiven, considering his desperation.

Well, mostly. “Shining Armor,” Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder. “You need to relax, not let these little things get to you.” She winked at Dash behind Shining’s back.

“Yeah!” She grinned. “You need to think of calm stuff. Close your eyes and think of soft clouds, gently rolling hills, sunny days...” Rainbow waited for him to close his eyes and sigh relaxingly before pouncing. “Gently running streams running into raging rivers, forming majestic waterfalls, rushing tons of water down every second of every day.” Sweat started beading on Shining Armor’s brow. “Rain clouds swelled fat with water just aching to be released...”

Shining’s eyes snapped open as he pounded on the door. “A-TEN-TION CADET! COME TO AT THE READY AND PRESENT ARMS!” Barely cognizant, Rarity rushed out of the door and hastily saluted Shining. Wasting only a half-second to return it, Shining barked out, “Coming through!” and proceeded to zoom into the bathroom and slam the door shut behind him.

Rarity stood there in a daze, her hair still in curlers. “W-what just happened?” She blinked. Cadence and Rainbow Dash cracked up.

“T-that was hilarious!” Rainbow held her stomach.

Cadence put her hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “He really is too easy to mess with.”

“Yeah…” The blue pony’s smile suddenly became a bit forced as she remembered who she was talking to. “…he’s really great.”

Smiling, Cadence looked down at her. “He is…I can't tell you how happy he makes me.” She nuzzled her suddenly. “In fact, I think I have you to thank for that.”

“R-really?” Rainbow’s voice broke into a squeak. “What do you mean?”

Standing back against the wall, Cadence settled in. “Well, I knew Shining Armor through his sister, but it wasn’t until later that we really started to get to know each other. In fact, I think the first time we really sat down and talked was when he was assigned as a palace guard. I was foalsitting for you and you insisted on playing hide and seek before bed.” She chuckled. “You always were a hooffull…I think I literally ran into him while I was chasing after you. I remember wondering why his uniform was bright pink.” Cadence gave Rainbow a bemused smile. “After I wrangled you into bed, we started talking and became friends. From there things just…bloomed.”

Rainbow forced herself to smile, even as she felt her stomach drop down into her hooves. “Heh, isn’t that…funny.”

Concerned, Cadence tilted her head. “Dashie, is something bothering you?”

“Heh, who me? Nope, not a thing.” She faked a yawn. “Oh wow, I’m still tired. I’m gonna go see what’s up for breakfast. Nice talking to you, see ya!” The prismatic pegasus zipped off without giving Cadence a chance to respond.

The sound of a shower turning on was heard shortly thereafter, which only served to fire the imaginations of every mare present (save Twilight) at the thought of the hunky captain of the royal guard showering his handsome physique.

“Hehehehehee!” Pinkie giggled as she tried to creep towards the door to the bathroom while Twilight was busy reading a book.

“Pinkieeeee!” Twilight warned without even turning away, her horn lighting up as she lifted Pinkie up. “Away from the door.”

“Aww, but I bet he was peeking. And it’s in my name to peek.” Pinkie pouted as she was floated over.

“How'd ya figure that?” Applejack wondered as she tried flicking cards into her hat. It was harder than it looked.

“Pink. Peek...It’s close enough.” Rationalized the pink pony, shrugging.

Rarity took a break from curling her eyelashes to look over. “Really, Darling. Show some respect. You don't see Fluttershy or Rainbow being so ill mannered.”

“Awww but they can fly. They can go outside and peek through the windows.”

“Eek!” Fluttershy squeaked as she proceeded to hide her her face behind her mane. “I'd never, never, never, even...eek...”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah right, Pinkie...” she then grumbled quietly as she realized that she’d have to rethink her strategy. She also wished she’d announced her intent to go outside for a flight a moment earlier.

Rarity and Applejack exchanged a significant look. “Oh, the poor dear is taking this all so hard.” The white unicorn exclaimed softly. “Did you see her talking with the Princess earlier? She looked so uncomfortable—we have to get her to open up to her!”

Applejack nodded, but looked doubtful. “How do you reckon on doing that? We can’t tell Cadence for RD, that’ll just make things worse.”

Reluctantly, Rarity nodded. “True…but trust me, I’ll think of something.”

“That’s what Ah’m afraid of…”

& & &

Pinkie Pie narrowed her eyes in deep thought. “I spy with my Pinkie eye…”

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. This was the fifth game of Eye Spy. The fifth game.

The day had dragged on ever since lunch. Shining Armor had prepped them about everything known about Sombra and the Crystal Empire (which wasn’t much) and some various guard survival tips and plans in case they got separated (which was too much).

After a while though, even Shining Armor was forced to admit that too much preparation and planning could stifle initiative and that it was impossible to plan for every possible scenario. The scandalized look on Twilight’s face was worth the tedium and boredom Rainbow had suffered through for the previous hour and a half.

Dinner had been an all too short respite, before long the boredom had come back twice as strong. Rainbow briefly regretting napping and lounging around while Dinky and the others were in trouble, but there literally was nothing else that they could do until they arrived north.

The lethargy broke over the others too, Twilight idly wishing she had brought more books with her. Rarity occupied herself by trying to color-coordinate everypony’s belongings…which also involved going through Shining Armor’s belongings and fiddling with his uniform. No matter how many times he told her not to.

“But Captain, surely your armor could use a little more panache…” Rarity implored once again, her knitting needles and work glasses at the ready as she prepared for fabulousness.

“No.” Shining grunted for the eleventh time. “Hooves off.”

Rarity turned up her nose and let out a fine little whine. “But I need to create! You wouldn’t deny a lady her only outlet for creativity and inspiration!”

Shining Armor groaned and looked over to Cadence pleadingly for help. She pretended not to notice him and instead set about trying to pick something out of her teeth. “Miss Rarity,” he decided to be as formal and polite as he could be. “I—”

“Pleeease? Please, please, please, pleeeheeeease!” Rarity pouted, her eyes wide and shimmering.

The stallion groaned. “All right, all right! Just—stop doing that!”

Rarity’s face lit up as she let out a delighted little squeal, grabbing his uniform and secluding herself onto her bed so she could work undisturbed. “Pushover.” Cadence teased, finally deigning to notice what was going on.

Applejack snorted playfully. “S’ that all it takes ya t’give in? She didn’t even have t’break out the heavy artill’ry.”

Rainbow would’ve joined in on the teasing but something bright and pink got in the way. “Come on Rainbow Dash, guess what I spy with my Pinkie eye!”

The cyan pegasus brought her hooves up to her face and groaned, sprawling backwards on her bed. “Gyah! I can’t take it! I’m so booored!”

Pinkie Pie let out a whine, her ears lowering and her lips pouting. “Bored? But Dashie, we’re all together! We’ll get to stay up late, play games and wear our jammies! It’s like a giant slumber party!”

“I’ve never been to one of those.” Twilight commented, flicking an ear as she looked through her book. “I read they’re fun.” That revelation made the party pony let out an extreme gasp of shock that made the windows rattle and drew the attention of every pony to Pinkie as she waved her hooves around. “…was it something I said?” Twilight asked worriedly.

“We are gonna need a lot of pillows, and s'mores, and sarsaparilla! STAT!” Pinkie exclaimed as she leaped onto her bed and started going through her saddle bags. “Twilight’s never had a slumber party! That’s terrible! But we can have a slumber party right now and that’s good! But I don’t have Gummy with me and he loves slumber parties and that’s bad! But we’re all here and we can make this the bestest, most superific slumber party ever and that’s good! But the frogurt is also cursed and that’s…I lost track, are we up to good or bad?”

“Uhhhh….Pinkie?” Rainbow tapped her on the shoulder. “You okay?” She let out a surprised yell as the pink pony grabbed her and shook her vigorously. “We gotta get everything set up! Quick, get out your pajamas!”

“Pinkie Pie? I dunno if it’s right fer us t’be laughing and goofin’ around…considerin’ the circumstances.” Applejack added awkwardly, feeling a bit bad for raining on Pinkie’s enthusiasm.

“But that’s WHY we need to laugh and smile!” Pinkie pointed out with a slight pout. “Because everything’s sad and scary and it’s only get even more sadder and scarier! Look at that face!” She grabbed Twilight, smushing her face between her pink hooves. “Can’t you see how deprived she is? Imagine, never having a slumber party in your whole entire life! She really, really, REALLY wants one, don’t you Twilight?”

Twilight looked from Pinkie to Applejack awkwardly, not really sure how to react. “Uh…well…” She admitted. “It does sound fun…”

“SEE?!” Pinkie beamed to Applejack, letting Twilight drop the floor in a heap.

Cadence walked over, putting a hoof on Applejack’s withers. “I think having a slumber party would be a wonderful idea. We need to be rested and in a good state of mind when we finally do arrive.”

“Well…” Applejack fidgeted. She hated the idea of relaxing and having a good time while Apple Bloom was Celestia-knows-where…but they were right: spending the whole trip fretting wouldn't do any good. And once Pinkie got an idea in her head it was hard to talk her out of it. “Ah suppose y’all got a point....”

“Yippee!” Pinkie bounced around like a little filly. “Slumber party!”

“So, what do we do first?” Twilight asked, looking around. “Do we make a checklist of all the things we want to do? Let me just get my quill…should we organize the list alphabetically or—” A sudden flying pillow cut off her preparations. “HEY!” The started unicorn sputtered, whipping her head around as she looked for the culprit. “Who threw that?”

Cadence coughed delicately and tilted her head slightly in Shining Armor’s direction. He blinked. “What?” was all the startled stallion managed to get out before a trio of pillows encased with a purple magical aura collided abruptly with his face. “But—” PFF! “Twiley! I didn’t—” SMACK! “It wasn’t--!” PFF! “It was CADENCE!”

“Shining Armor, you’re supposed to be my bodyguard.” The princess giggled as she hid behind him, away from any oncoming pillows. “Protect me!”

“Ooooh she’s sneaky!” Pinkie smiled.

Cadence popped her head out from behind Shining Armor to beam at Pinkie. This proved costly as she was met with a pillow to the face. Unlike her, this time the attacker gave herself away by laughing her flank off. “Rainbow Dash!” The pink princess shoved her mane out her eyes. “You’re going to get it now!” She warned as she clutched a pillow in her teeth and charged at the pegasus. And then the battle was fully joined.

“Twilight!” Shining Armor ducked his head. “We need to form a strong point so we can counterattack!”

His little sister quickly joined his side. “But I don’t have enough books to make a proper book fort! We’ll have to use pillows instead.”

“Negative, that’s our ammunition! We’ll need to think of something else.” Shining Armor looked around before upending a mattress from a bed. As the unicorn siblings took cover behind it, the battle raged on.

Rainbow Dash and Cadence abandoned any semblance of tactics in lieu of simply batting each other with pillows as hard as they could. Applejack had bucked a pillow right into Rarity’s side, making the fussy unicorn squawk as her mane became disheveled. The orange earth pony did not expect Rarity to pick up a pillow of her own and charge her with a loud war cry. Pinkie Pie bounced through the battlefield, tossing pillows at random ponies: an agent of chaos. Fluttershy, mostly hidden beneath her blankets, still made a valiant effort. She even…nudged one of her pillows off her bed and onto Pinkie’s back!

"Oh my goodness! Are you okay, Pinkie?” She asked anxiously, looking down. “I hope I didn't hit you too hard with that pillow! Speak to me--SPEAK TO ME!"

Rainbow wasn’t so much a pony as she was a blue streak, dispensing pillows to heads and shoulders as she zoomed around the compartment. Nopony was safe from her relentless attacks. Worse, her speed made it hard for her to be hit. When a pillow did get her, it was usually the result of her flying INTO one already in midair, rather than somepony getting lucky and managing to nail her directly. Fortunately, there wasn’t enough space for her to stay in the air all the time, so she did spend enough time on the floor to slog it out with the others.

She was in the midst of applying a pillow to Shining’s flank when Applejack reared up behind her with a fierce yell. “Yeeehaw!” She battered Dash away. The pegasus just shrugged it off the before retaliating with one of her own that knocked the farmpony’s hat off. She was about to go in for the kill when she heard a pony in distress.

“Ack! Help!” Shining Armor sputtered in laughter as his fillyfriend battered him mercilessly. Twilight, her loyalties divided between her BBBFF and her favorite foalsitter, did the honorable thing and began clobbering Pinkie Pie instead of choosing a side.

Rainbow Dash took to the air. “I’ll save you, Shiny-hiney!” Grabbing a pair of pillows beneath her, she dove down on the pink princess. “Bombs away!” She released her payload, bombarding Cadence with pillows. The tall unicorn shrieked and dove for cover.

“Thanks Dash!” Shining Armor laughed, tossing her a salute. “I owe you one!”

The grin on Rainbow’s face was so wide it threatened to split her face in two. She clasped her hooves together in the air as if accepting accolades. That gave Cadence the time to counter-attack.

Cadence’s horn lit up with magic as the pair of pillows Rainbow had used floated up and sped around behind Dash. With a smirk and a toss of her head, Cadence sent them both at her target’s rump, impacting at high speed. “Yie!” Dash yelped. “Cadence, no fair!”

“All’s fair in love and pillow wars, Dashie!” The older pony chuckled as those same two pillows continued swatting Rainbow’s backside. The pegasus darted and maneuvered this way and that, but the confines of a train car did not provide much in the way of airspace. The pillows continued to find her rear end. “Gah! Call’em off! Call’em oooooff!”

Applejack grinned. “Princess!” She lightly tossed a pillow her way. It was soon caught up in her magic and proceeded to firmly batter Rainbow’s behind. Dash paused, tucking her hindlegs beneath her before lashing out and bucking the pillows away. One impacted Cadence in the face, the other lodged itself on Shining Armor’s horn.

“Ha!” Rainbow stuck out her tongue. Cadence lifted her head up, narrowing her eyes. Just then another pillow smacked her hiney. “HEY!”

Pinkie giggled as she fell on her back. “Pillow attack on Rainbow’s tushie!” Cadence had the same idea as every pillow in the car rose into the air and surrounded Rainbow Dash in a hurricane of pillows. They spun and whirled, blocking off any avenue of escape. And then…they stopped, all pointing directly at the pegasus in the center.

“…I’m screwed.” She gulped an instant before every pillow hit her at once. When the carnage was over and the last stray feathers had floated down, there was a massive pile of pillows in the middle of the car. There was no sign of the cyan blue pegasus save for her rainbow-colored tail, limply hanging out near the top like a flag of surrender.

Dash’s head poked out a moment later, her eyes spinning like Ditzy’s. Everypony laughed. Even her.

“What’s next?” Twilight asked, looking around with undisguised glee. She was obviously enjoying herself.

“Now we have to get into our pajamas and sit in a circle!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Doesn’t that sound like fun? Anything with the word pajama in it sounds fun! Pajama, pajama, pajama! Pajama barrel, pajama pickles, pajama games! Oooh pajama games sounds like fun! Does anypony have 7 ½ cents?”

“Pinkie, we didn’t bring pajamas.” Rainbow pointed out. Fluttershy nodded.

“I-I don’t really sleep in pajamas either…eep!” She squeaked as she realized that she had just admitted to sleeping in the nude—despite the fact that they walked around all day without clothes.

But Pinkie didn’t seem down at all. “Not to worry! I came prepared! And I bet between me and Rarity, that everypony will having totally awesome pajamas before you can say pajamas a hundred times!” She immediately started digging through her saddle bags, tossing out balloons, party hats, a rubber duck, an autographed picture of Sapphire Shores, DJ-P0N3’s latest record, some gator treats, a full prepared and frosted cake, a couple of whoopee cushions…Pinkie buried herself so deeply in her bag that only her hindlegs and her wagging pink tail could be seen. “A ha!” She proclaimed as she pulled something out. “Knew it was in there somewhere!”

“…she serious ‘bout this pajama stuff?” Applejack looked around questioningly.

“Inasmuch as Pinkie is ever serious, I think.” Rarity replied guardedly.

Pinkie turned around a moment later. “Ta da!” She grinned, resplendent in her pajamas. “Aren’t these the greatest?” She was wearing a bright pink fuzzy hoofsie covered in yellow and blue balloons that left only her head and her tail visible.

“They’re...very nice, Pinkie.” Twilight nodded.

“Twily used to have a hoofsie like that.” Shining reminisced, his eyes glazing over. “She’d use to sneak down the stairs in them every Hearth’s Warming morning to see what presents she’d gotten...”

“Armoooorrr...” Twilight moaned, blushing adorably as she buried her face in his shoulder. “Jerk.”

“Love you too, Twily.” He rubbed her mane.

Rarity pondered as she looked from Pinkie in her jammies to the other, pajama-less ponies. “I-dee-aaa!” Rarity sang out as she went to work. Her magic grabbed every stray piece of fabric within reach: from her saddlebags, from the mountains of miscellany Pinkie had brought with her...even from the curtains and drapes of the train itself. Within moments she had fashioned a pair of pajamas for everypony.

“...Yer kiddin’ right?” Applejack blinked as she beheld the flannel pajama shirt in front of her.

“Go on!” Rarity prodded her with her horn.

The orange pony yelped and tugged the shirt on over her head and front legs. “Hm...these duds ain’t half bad!” She turned around to look at herself. “Thanks, Rarity!”

“I like mine!” Twilight grinned, swirling her robe around. “I look just like Starswirl the Bearded!” She giggled. “This is great!”

Shining Armor looked incredulous. “...Why do I have these?” He used his magic to hold up a plain white shirt and a pair of boxer shorts studded with red-hearts.

Rarity looked from side to side. “No reason.” She grinned, entirely too widely.

Fluttershy looked at the thin pink nighty she slipped on. “This is very....nice.” She blushed.

“Is this silk?” Cadence ran a hoof down her own pink and cream pajamas, resplendent with lacy frills. “They’re gorgeous!”

Rainbow grumbled. “How come they all get the cool stuff and I get stuck with this?” She pointed at a blue one-piece hoofsie, identical to Pinkie’s except it was covered in rainbows, clouds, and lightning bolts. “I’m not wearing this! This is what little fillies wear!”

“Oh come on Rainbow Dash!” Shining nudged her. “I'm sure your friend worked very hard on those. Besides," he smiled. "I think you’d look cute in those.”

“R-really?" Her face lit up, but she quickly fought it back to a neutral, cool look. "Well...eh, if it makes you--er, Rarity happy," she with forced confidence. “Whatever, no point in complaining or anything, right?” she grunted as she struggled into fuzzy, somewhat foalish-looking pajamas.

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "Perhaps, we might play a game?" Rarity suggested innocently, looking towards Rainbow Dash. Too innocently.

“All right then, now for the good stuff.” Rainbow rubbed her hooves together as everypony sat around in a circle on the floor, using their pillows to get comfortable. “Truth or Dare!”

“Ah don’t—” Applejack started to object but Rarity overrode her.

“What a delightful idea!” She smiled, elbowing Applejack into silence. “This sounds like fun!”

The practical earth pony was rightfully confused. Since when did Rarity, prissy, fussbudget Rarity, want to take part in a game of embarrassing dares and awkward truths—she facehooved. Of all the ways to get Rainbow Dash to talk to Cadence…she shot the scheming unicorn a glare which Rarity dutifully ignored.

Wonderful.

& & &

Chapter 8

& & &

Everypony gathered in a circle as the game of Truth or Dare got underway. Pinkie Pie giggled. "I'm so excited, are you excited, 'cause we're gonna have a great time doing a bunch of silly dares and some silly truths...hm, can the truth be silly? I dunno...but anyway we're all gonna bond together and be really close friends forever and ever and ever!" She squeed. "You'll see, nothing brings pony together like laughter!"

"Heh, whatever you say, Pinks." Rainbow Dash grinned. “I’ll go first!”

Twilight’s love of order couldn’t help but object. “But shouldn’t we start in alphabetical order? Or what about Cadence? She’s a princess…”

“Twilight,” Cadence smiled, reaching over to give her a nuzzle. “When I’m with you, I’m not Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I’m just Cadence.”

The lavender unicorn beamed and nuzzled her back. “Okay…” Rainbow felt something stir in her gut as she watched Twilight and Cadence interact. First Shining Armor, now her friends? A quick stab of resentment made her flinch before she shook her head. She was being stupid, Twilight knew Cadence before they had ever met. And Cadence was a great pony. There was no need to be…“Cadence!” Rainbow blurted out, trying to cut her own train of thought off before it arrived at its destination. “Truth or dare?”

Cadence looked up at her, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Dare.”

“I dare you…” Rainbow’s face lit up. “…to do that thing. You know the one.”

The pink unicorn flushed, looking surprised at her. “That silly thing?” She chuckled. “Only for you, Dash…” the princess stood up and cleared her throat. Taking a deep breath she began belching the Equestrian anthem. “The fiiiire of friiieeendship liiiives in our heeeaarts! As loooong as it buuuuurns, we can noooot drift apaaaart!”

Every jaw in the train hit the ground at Cadence’s considerable skill and volume in burping. Rainbow was the only one not watching in horrified awe as she hugged herself with glee and started rolling on the ground with laughter. By the time Cadence reached the end, Dash was in tears.

“C-cadence.” Shining Armor was dumbstruck. “That—you—how?!” Everypony else nodded as he spoke for all of them.

Well, almost all. “I can do that!” Pinkie announced. “But only it comes out of the other end. Wanna see?” She started to get up.

“NO!” Everypony shouted at once, making Pinkie sit back down with a pout.

Blushing brilliantly, Cadence rubbed her neck. “Well, back when I was foalsitting for Rainbow Dash she liked to have a lot of contests and games. It was just about the only way to get her to agree to do anything. One night we were drinking sodas and well, one thing led to another,” She grinned. “It was one of the few times I could beat Dashie. She had to keep running to the bathroom after every soda.” Cadence winked at Rainbow, who was now blushing as the princess gave a falsetto whisper. “She has a tiny bladder.”

“H-hey!” Rainbow blushed furiously as everypony giggled. “That’s not true!”

“Really? Remember the reception for the Saddle Arabian ambassador?” She reminded her. “You asked me if anypony would mind if you used a potted plant!” Everypony laughed as Rainbow shrank down, but Cadence mercifully moved on. “Applejack, truth or dare?”

The cowpony dipped her head. “Truth.”

Cadence thought for a minute. “What’s the best and worst part about having a big family?”

“Shucks, that is a good question!” Applejack nodded appreciatively, ignoring Rainbow mouthing ‘boring!’ AJ took off her hat to scratch her head for a moment as she thought it over. “Ah guess the best part is jest having so many ponies around that care ‘bout you and love you. Back home our family albums have t’ be labeled in volumes and the cards we get ‘round the holidays…heh, poor Ditzy has to make two trips out to the farm to deliver ‘em all!” She fiddled with her hat. “Even when…well, even when things were about as bad as they could get…A-Ah wasn’t alone.” She sniffled, very softly. Her friends all looked at each other. She didn’t like to talk about it a lot, but it was no secret that Applejack’s parents were gone.

Shining Armor and Twilight looked at each other at the same time and fell into a wordless hug, sad for Applejack and grateful that they still had their own parents. Everypony else had the same thought. Fluttershy slowly unfurled a wing around Applejack comfortingly as Pinkie Pie leaned over to give her a hug. Rarity sniffed, dabbing at her eyes with a silk kerchief and Cadence leaned her head in to gently rest it atop of the farmpony’s own. “And you’re not alone here, either.” She murmured gently.

Rainbow Dash bit her lip. Was this the time to bring it up? She opened her mouth but Applejack wiped her eyes and continued. “Thanks y’all…I ‘ppreciate that.”

The cyan pegasus looked and promptly closed her mouth with a click. The moment had passed and AJ was talking about the other half of her question.

“Ah guess the worst part is that you ain’t got any privacy ‘round a big family. ‘Specially when you’re a growing mare and…well, Ah ain’t about to go into details.” She flushed. “Anyway, ev’ry little story gets passed around and brought up every time you run inta yer kin. Baby photos are passed ‘round like old bits, always turnin’ up when you least ‘xpect it. They ain’t never gonna let me live down that one time Ah ended up hogtying myself and falling into th’ pig pen.” Everypony giggled as Applejack tried to hide beneath her hat.

“Got any favorite relatives?” Rainbow asked. Technically this wasn’t in keeping with the rules of Truth or Dare, but nopony objected.

Applejack grinned. “Heh, shoot. Ah love all mah relatives, even though some of them can be grumpier than others. But Ah admit, Ah have a special place for my cousin Braeburn. He lives out in Appleloosa and boy, is he a hoot! Got more energy than a pack of rabbits that got into th’ coffee. A real great pony. He stayed with us for a while after, well...after. Then he headed west and helped found Appleloosa. Ah should go pay him a visit when this is all settled.”

A thought occurred to Rainbow. “Heh, your family being so big, did you ever have a crush on any of them before finding out you were related?”

“Ah already answered mah questions!” Applejack snorted, her red face giving the others all the answer they needed. They giggled as AJ did her best to ignore them. “Shining Armor! Truth ‘r dare?”

“Truth.” The captain nodded. “But no state secrets.”

“Well, Ah’m hoping that doesn't include telling us about how you and the Princess got together.” AJ’s eyes flickered over to Dash. ‘Sorry, sugarcube but you need to deal with this…’

Shining Armor rubbed his head. “Wow, wouldn’t you know? That’s a state secret. Sorry, you’ll have to try something el—”

“Shining Armorrrrr….” Twilight and Cadence said in unison, stretching out his name menacingly. He winced. This could only mean bad things.

He sighed. “Okay, okay. It all started the way most things around the palace do...” he shot a knowing look towards Rainbow Dash.

& & &

I was still going to West Hoof, but because I was at the top of my class I was granted the opportunity for field experience by getting a guard shift at the palace. That’s where I first met Rainbow Dash. My very first shift, she poured itching powder down my armor. Ugh, that shift was a nightmare! The palace regulars nicknamed me Scratchy Armor...hey, it wasn’t funny! Okay, maybe it was. A little.

Anyway, I became her favorite prank target and I got to know the little demon-brat pretty well. Oh, don’t look so pleased with yourself--it wasn’t exactly a compliment, Dash. When Princess Celestia was too busy to watch Dash herself, she used to have other ponies foalsit her. But Rainbow...well, you can imagine. She was always slipping in and out of trouble, flying circles around the palace staff and driving the last two foalsitters into early retirement. That’s when the Princess turned to Cadence.

I already knew Cadence from when she used to watch Twiley, but I didn’t see much of her since I went to West Hoof. It was good to see her again, but between Cadence trying to keep up with Dash and my guard shifts, we really didn’t have a chance to talk. That is, until one evening...

Shining Armor stood impassively in front of the throne room. There were times when it seemed like that was all he ever did around here. Of course this time was marked by the inevitable sniggers from his fellow guards and the palace staff as they went past. To be fair, the sight of a royal guard in bright pink armor will do that. Being on duty, he couldn’t even acknowledge their laughter. All thanks to--

“S-shiny!”

He winced. Right on cue, a small blue blurr with a high, scratchy voice plowed into him. He grunted, his armor producing a loud clatter as he fell over. “Gah! Rainbow Dash....” His admonishment was cut off by a small blue hoof inserting itself in his mouth.

“Shhh!” She whispered. “Cadence is lookin’ for me! She wants me to go to bed, but it’s waaaay too early!” She flapped her wings eagerly. “So I challenged her to a game of hide ‘n seek. If I win, I get to stay up as late as I want!” The filly grinned eagerly at him. “So I need you to distract Cadence for a bit while I get to my perfect hiding place.”

The put upon stallion groaned. “Dashie...” He got to his hooves and looked down at her. “I...” he trailed off. The tiny blue pegasus filly was looking up at him with her wide pink eyes, a hopeful smile on her face and....grah, he was such a sap! He kicked himself. If Equestria’s enemies ever harnessed the power of cute, he’d be done for. “...Fine.”

Rainbow Dash beamed and took to the air. “Great! Thanks Shiny! Remember! If you tattle, I’ll whoopee cushion you!“ He suppressed the urge to wince. That would be all he needed, a new nickname.

Throwing the filly his best parade-ground salute, Dash took her leave and zoomed off. Shining resumed his post only for another pony to run up, Princess Cadence. She looked at him oddly, her eyes widening in recognition. “Shining Armor? Is that you?”

He nodded and curtly replied in his best professional guard voice “Princess.” His ego took a hit when she started giggling instead of taking him seriously. Shining’s shoulders slumped.

“S-sorry.” She apologized. “It’s just....you were being so serious...and in that armor!” The pink pony started laughing again. Confused, Shining looked down at his armor and...oh yeah. Pink. Thanks a lot, Rainbow Dash. As if reading his mind, Cadence inquired, “Rainbow Dash’s work, I assume? Or do you simply have a thing for pink?”

Chuckling, Shining Armor shook his head. “It was Dash.”

Cadence smiled, knowingly. “Have you seen her? She’s supposed to be getting ready for bed, but she insisted on playing hide and seek first.”

“Erm...” Shining’s face twisted as he weighed the pros and cons of this situation. On the one hoof, telling the truth was generally the best policy and it would be the right thing to help Cadence out. On the other hoof, Rainbow was going to torment him if she found out he blabbed. But he didn’t have to say exactly where she was, did he? “She did go by this way.” He confirmed. “Need some help?”

“I won’t say no.” Cadence shook her head, idly straightening out her mane. “I love Dashie, but trying to keep up with her can be exhausting!”

“I know what you mean.” He fell into an easy step alongside her as they walked. “How’s Twiley doing? I don’t get to see her as much as I’d like.”

Cadence gave him a sympathetic smile. “They keeping you colts busy at West Hoof? Imagine that.” Then she gave a sad sigh. “She misses you, you know.”

“And I miss her,” Shining bit his lip. “Is she...doing any better?” He asked hopefully, only to be disappointed when his companion shook her head.

“I’m afraid not. The nightmares are becoming less frequent as are her, hm, nighttime incidents, but every attempt I make to get her to play with foals her own age ends up failing. She just digs in her her hooves and buries her muzzle even deeper in her books. It’s not healthy.” She frowned. “A filly her age should be having fun!”

Shining smiled at her supportively. “She tells me that she has lots of fun with you.”

“Flatterer.” Cadence smiled, but only for a moment. “But that’s not enough. She needs friends her own age. Besides me and you, who else does she have?” She shook her head. “It isn’t right. Twilight is punishing herself because of what happened at her entrance exam. She thinks that she’s just going to end up hurting anypony who gets near her and....Shining, it’s breaking my heart.” She sniffled, closing her eyes.

Without thinking, Shining reached over and put a hoof on her withers. “It’s okay....she’ll be all right.” In that moment he forgot that she was a princess and he was just a guard. “Twiley’s tough...you’ll see. She’ll get through this.”

Cadence wiped her face. “I know...thank you, Shining Armor.” She let out a chuckle.

Shining looked at her curiously. “What is it?”

“It’s silly.”

“Go on.”

“Okay...I can’t believe I’m going to say this...but sometimes I wish Twilight could be a little more like Rainbow Dash.” Cadence admitted with a guilty smile.

Shining Armor snorted with laughter before he could control himself. “S-sorry...didn’t mean to laugh.”

“It’s okay,” Cadence winked. “I know it’s funny. But honestly, Twilight could stand to be a little braver, a little more adventurous. Like Dash.”

“I agree,” Shining nodded. “And I wish Rainbow Dash was a little bit more thoughtful, patient and studious, like Twiley.”

Cadence tilted her head in thought. “Hm, maybe we could arrange a playdate for them?” She clopped her hooves together. “It’d be so cuuute!”

Shining chuckled. “Yeah it would. Can you imagine Dashie at a tea party with Smarty Pants, wearing a sunhat and sipping tea?” He winced as Cadence practically squealed at the image.

“That would be the most adorable thing ever!” She pronounced. Then she looked at him. “‘Dashie?’ You call her that too? Not very professional, Mr. Guard Pony.”

Sheepishly, Shining shrugged. “What? It fits. Besides, I like the little filly. She’s got a lot of spunk.”

The princess nodded. “Do you also think it’s cute how hard she tries to sound and act tough?”

“Incredibly,” he chuckled as they turned a corner.

Cadence nudged him. “Aww, you big softy.”

Blushing, Shining looked away. “Well, I-I think it’s great, what you’re doing for Dash. And for Twilight and all the other foals you sit for. Everypony loves you.”

“Really?” Cadence shot him a half-lidded smile. “Everypony?”

Blinking in confusion, it took a moment for Shining to fully absorb that. When he did, his face turned the same color as Cadence’s. “I, um, well, I suppose I--HEY! I think I know where Rainbow Dash is!” He grinned widely, running ahead. “Follow me!”

“...Don’t have to ask me twice.” Cadence uttered softly, eyeing his swaying flank.

Shining Armor led her through the winding corridors, down the steps, and out into the courtyard maze. Some quick navigating, marred by only a few missteps (Cadence grumbled when Shining Armor refused to let her lead or ask directions), and the two of them arrived at the center of the labyrinth. And there was Rainbow Dash, curled up and fast asleep on a stone bench.

Cadence walked over and gently nuzzled her. Rainbow yawned sleepily and rolled over. “Awww, her battery’s run out.” She giggled. “All that running and hiding to avoid bed tired her out!”

“Here, I got her.” Shining concentrated, his horn glowing as he carefully lifted the sleeping filly up and onto his back. She fidgeted and murmured softly in her sleep, burying her face in his neck as she snuggled up to him.

“You’ve never looked more heroic.” Cadence whispered gently as they made their way back to the castle.

Despite the pink armor he was wearing and the tiny filly gently snoring on his back, Shining Armor had never felt prouder. “After we put Rainbow Dash to bed, would you like to, um, catch up on old times?”

She leaned over and gave him a peck on his cheek. “I’d love to.”

Shining beamed and straightened his armor. Perhaps he did have a thing for pink after all...

& & &

Everypony awww’d as Shining Armor and Cadence leaned over to nuzzle each other. Everypony but one, Rarity and Applejack noticed. Rainbow was dispirited. She knew how well the two of them went together but...she gritted her teeth silently. She couldn’t let him go!

The game went on. Rarity admitted to wearing false eyelashes. Pinkie Pie was dared to act like a proper Canterlot lady for the next round. Then Twilight was dared to grow mustaches on two random ponies. It took forever to get Rarity out from under the covers. Shining Armor couldn’t even look at Cadence without shuddering. They even went around again before coming around to Fluttershy’s turn.

“C-can I just pass, please?” She asked softly.

“Aww but Fluttershyyyy!” Pinkie pouted. “I was gonna dare you to fly upside down while drinking a bottle of hot sauce!” Fluttershy meeped.

“Oh darling, Rainbow Dash already did that.” Rarity reminded her.

“I know, but it’s fun to watch!”

“Fluttershy…” Rainbow groaned, giving her a look. “Come on, everypony else is doing it! It’s really fun, I promise!”

“I—I don’t know…” she squeaked softly, crouching down. “What if I get dared to do something scary?”

Rainbow rubbed her muzzle thoughtfully. “Tell you what, what if I give you your first dare?”

“Well, I don’t—”

“Great!” Dash grinned. “Fluttershy—I dare you...”

Fluttershy bit her lip and brought her wings down over her face. “Oh really Rainbow, can’t you see that you’re scaring—” Twilight started.

“…to be as brave and assertive as I am for the rest of the night!” Rainbow announced grandly. Everypony blinked in surprise. “I know you can do it.” The blue pegasus urged. “You’ve got the right stuff.”

“O-okay, Rainbow Dash. If you say so...” Fluttershy slowly got to her hooves, determined not to let Rainbow down. She looked around. “A-Applejack, w-would you like a truth or a dare?”

Applejack nodded encouragingly. “Ah pick dare. Go ahead, Fluttershy.”

The yellow pegasus gulped. “I uh, dare you to…walk around with your eyes closed!” Seeing Rainbow facehoof, she quickly added. “And, uh…act like a bunny. Um, if that’s okay with you…”

“Heh, it’s fine, sugarcube.” AJ got up and crouched down on her hindlegs, hopping around in a circle with her eyes shut. “Uh, consarnit, what else do rabbits do?”

“Try to get to Albuquerque!” Pinkie helpfully tossed in. Applejack continued her blind-hopping circuit, occasionally bumping into a pony or a bed along the way.

“T-this is fun!” Fluttershy giggled, flapping her wings excitedly.

“Take another turn then.” AJ said encouragingly.

“O-Okay…Rainbow Dash! Truth or Dare?"

Rainbow grinned. "Dare. Hit me."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't do that!" Fluttershy exclaimed softly. "But um...I dare you to...spin around in a circle until you get dizzy."

"Come on Fluttershy!" Her friend groaned. "You can do better than that! Be daring! Bold!"

Fluttershy gulped. "O-okay! I d-dare you to...oh my...kiss Cloud Kicker when we get back home!” Everypony’s jaw hit the ground. Fluttershy gasped and almost gave herself a bruised lip as she brought up her own hooves to her mouth. She dove back to her seat, cowering under her pillow. “Sorry! I didn't mean to, I mean oh my...” she continued rambling as everypony remained frozen in shock.

“I did, but---she, I---” Dash was babbling. “Cloud Kicker will totally think I’m trying to hit on her! Oh geeze, she’s bad enough when I’m telling her I don’t like her that way and if I went up to her and kissed her she’d think, ohmygosh...”

Fluttershy meeped. “I-I’m sorry! You don’t have to...”

“Hey now, a dare’s a dare.” Applejack nudged Rainbow. “Unless of course, yer chicken.”

“Hay! No pony calls me chicken! But CK isn’t here and it’s a stupid dare...so I’m not gonna do it, so there!” She stuck out her tongue.

Twilight frowned as she thought aloud. “Hm, according to my book on slumber parties, the truth or dare section says that if you fail to perform a dare or tell a truth, then there’s a penalty.”

Rainbow grunted, hating the idea of losing. “Ugh fine ... whatever. Let's just move on." She then dared Applejack to stick her head out the window for three minutes solid. By the time she put her head back in, her mane was blown back and her eyes seemed stuck open. After helping herself to some warm tea, she was ready to continue. “Cadence, truth or dare?” Applejack asked her.

“Truth.”

“Why would a princess spend her time foalsitting when she could be doing anything else she wanted?”

Smiling beatifically, Cadence replied, “Because, foalsitting is what I wanted to do the most. I love children…being a princess really doesn’t require you to do all that much. And unless you’re like Prince Blueblood, having ponies fawn all over you get’s really irritating, really fast. But children don’t worry about what’s proper or all the worries and concerns that adults have. They just saw me as Cadance, their foalsitter. They liked me, trusted me...plus I got fridge privileges.” She smiled, chuckling. “One day I hope to have lots of foals of my own.” Off to the side, Shining Armor winced as if deeply pained. Fortunately, Cadence didn’t seem to notice. “I would trade all the balls and galas in the world to get to read bedtime stories with Twilight snuggled up next to me, or scrubbing down a filthy Rainbow Dash after she spent her time splashing around in mud puddles.”

“Awwww….” Everypony sighed as Twilight and Rainbow blushed adorably. “Heh, I bet you got some great stories of foalsitting these two.” Applejack commented.

Cadence beamed. “Oh, tons! Why I remember this one time when Twilight kept trying to sneak out of bed to read by her night-light…she wanted to get to wear glasses because she thought they looked neat!” Twilight’s cheeks blossomed red as she squirmed.

“Well, they do…” She pouted adorably.

The pink unicorn nuzzled her. “You look amazing enough without having to ruin your eyesight.” She smiled. “And Rainbow Dash, oooh the mischief that filly got into! Once she crashed a reception thinking that it was really a surprise party for her birthday! Fortunately Fancy Pants was most understanding...” Rainbow rubbed her neck, coloring as everypony chuckled at the cute image of a little filly Rainbow Dash bursting into a grand reception. The foalsitter chuckled. “I could go on for days. When Twilight was young, every night she would—”

Rainbow hissed. “Cadence!” She looked at her reproachfully. “Um, isn’t that a bit private?” She spared Twilight a glance. After Trixie rubbed her nose in it when she came to Ponyville, Rainbow wanted to spare Twilight any further embarrassment.

Nonplussed, Cadence blinked. “I don’t think it was that big a deal…you did it yourself when you were younger.”

That made Rainbow’s cheeks heat up. “No I didn’t!” She protested heatedly. “How can you even SAY that?”

Genuinely confused, Cadence tipped her head to the side. “But you did! You used to sleep with a stuffed Wonderbolt toy just like Twilight used to sleep with her Smarty Pants doll. It’s not a big deal, Dashie. Everypony does when they’re little.”

“Ooohh.” Rainbow wiped her head, sagging in relief. “Heh. So that’s what you meant.”

“Of course, what did you think I meant?” Cadence wondered.

Dash chuckled at herself. “Heh, I was afraid you were talking about how Twilight used to wet the be—”

“RAINBOW!” Twilight wailed, her face reddening in embarrassment as she ducked down in shame.

Shining Armor and Cadence shot Dash a synchronized glare that made the pegasus wilt in place. “I-I’m sorry, Twi—I didn’t mean to…” She reached out with a hoof only to have Twilight shy away.

“It…it’s okay.” Twilight bit her lip. “I know you didn’t intend to…” She rubbed her snout as her face was still lit up in a fierce blush. The rest of her friends shot Rainbow Dash a disapproving glower.

“Twi, I—look, I’ll do anything you want to make up for this. Really, you name it and I’ll do it.”

Cadence leaned down and whispered something into Twilight’s ear. The smaller unicorn giggled and nodded. “Okay!” She looked over at Rainbow Dash. Smiling sweetly, with just a hint of mischief, she announced. “I dare you to do the special Ladybug dance!”

“What?!” Rainbow sputtered. “B-but—that’s just for fillies!” She objected without thinking. The last thing she wanted was for Shining Armor to think of her as a just a little filly! Unfortunately she forgot about one important detail. Twilight lowered her head and let out a whimper before she could help herself. “No, no I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Rainbow apologized quickly. “I’ll do it, I’d love to do it!” She gave a sickly smile as she stood up, not noticing Cadence’s horn glowing.

Seeing Twilight smile again, Rainbow went on to do the dance with the most forced expression possible. “Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake.” She turned around and started shaking when everypony started bursting into laughter. “What?”

“S-sugarcube,” Applejack wheezed between breaths. “Y-ya forgot to do up yer rear flap!”

Her cheeks reddening, Rainbow turned her head to check for herself. Sure enough, the back flap of her hoofsie was hanging open. Right after she had finished shaking her rump at her friends and…Shining Armor. Letting out an impressive Fluttershy-like squeak, the red-faced pegasus lowered herself to the ground as if trying to sink through the floor. “I--I knew that! It was all just...a joke...”

Cadence reached over and gave her a hug. “It—it’s okay.” She bit down a giggle, her horn glowing again as she did it back up. “You okay, Dashie? It was just a little prank, okay?”

“O-oh yeah. Heh, yeah. Good one.” Rainbow flushed, her eyes refusing to meet Cadence's. Her former foalsitter frowned, reaching out a hoof to comfort her. But the blue pony turned away to look at the lavender unicorn. “So, uh, we cool Twilight?”

“Yeah,” her friend nodded as she walked over to give the cyan pony a hug. “We’re cool.”

“Awesome.” Rainbow hugged her back. “Of course, if it’d been me, I would’ve given you a totally wicked dare. My dares are the best.”

Twilight gave a conciliatory nod and smile. “I know…”

“And not every pony is as awesome with dares as me. I'm fearless!” Rainbow grinned, flexing and shooting a grin Shining Armor’s way. He shook his head and chuckled at her antics. Same old Rainbow...he failed to notice the disappointed look on her face at his casual dismissal.

“You haven't tried a truth yet.” Fluttershy observed. “I mean...it’s okay if you don't want to...”

“Hah! I can take any truth. I'm an open book. Ask me anything!” Dash pounded her hoof to her chest.

Rarity’s eyes gleamed. She surreptitiously whispered something in Pinkie’s ear. The party pony’s eyes lit up. “Ooooh that’s a good one!” She whispered back before pulling her head away. “Hehehee. O-kaaaay....” Pinkie grinned mischievously at Rainbow Dash. “Any stallions in Ponyville you liiiike?”

Rainbow gulped, her eyes darting quickly to Shining Armor and away again. “Uh...can I change it to dare?”

Pinkie thought about it. “Hmm…m’okay!" Rarity frowned at Pinkie's willingness to let her off the hook. At least, until the pink pony added. "Dare you to kiss him when we get back.”

“...You are evil.” The pegasus gritted her teeth. “Completely evil.”

The pink pony giggled and threw her hooves around her, smothering her with a big hug. “Aww Dashie, I'm just funnin ya. I'm sure Big Macintosh will be so happy to see you, he'll smooch ya himself.”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack wore matching expressions of shock and horror, their faces turning identical shades of red. “What?!”

Applejack recovered first. “Where'd you get a fool idea like that?!”

“He's a catch.” Pinkie shrugged casually. “Bet he gets Hearts and Hooves letters all the time, right?”

The orange cowpony felt something snap in her brain as she realized what those bags of mail Ditzy had dropped off last Hearts and Hooves Day were about. Then the thought of Dash fussing over her brother filled her head. “Oh Celestia, the horror…” She shuddered, thinking of a horde of lazy or over energized Mini-Dashes alternatively wrecking the farm and napping in the trees.

Rainbow’s face turned the color of a ripe apple as she spied Shining Armor chuckling. “I—it’s not like that! I mean, he’s a…and…”

“Should Cloud Kicker be jealous?” He teased gently, making her squirm. “When we get back to Ponyville, I’ll have to meet this Big Macintosh. See if he’s good enough for you, threaten to break his legs--the usual. It’s in the big brother rule book.”

Twilight and Cadence giggled. “Ooh, you!” Twilight chuckled as Cadence cuffed his ears playfully. Rainbow didn’t know whether to feel buoyed by Shining’s concern for her...or to be dismayed by the fact that he said it in a big brother tone. Oh right, then there was the embarrassment factor. That won out over both. She groaned.

“Come now, Rainbow.” Rarity purred like Opal. “It’s not as if there’s anypony else you’re holding a torch for, is there?”

In a matter of seconds, the prismatic pony’s face went from bright red to a ghostly pale white. Applejack bit her lip. She felt that Rainbow needed to talk to Shining Armor and Cadence about her lingering crush as much as Rarity did, but this wasn’t the way to go about it. “Twilight!” Applejack almost shouted. “Truth ‘r dare?”

Fortunately, it appeared that Twilight was quicker on the uptake than her brother. “Dare.” She paused. “If it avoids hot sauce.” She added.

Rainbow, grateful for the distraction, snorted at her. “Wimp.” She teased.

“I don't like hot sauce.” Twilight fidgeted. “I get...gas.” Shining Armor gave a brief nod in confirmation.

“I dare ya...to hogtie Rarity!” Applejack grinned, grabbing her rope out of her saddlebag.

Rarity shrieked. “WHAT!?”

Twilight smiled as she used her magic to float the rope over to her. “No problem. Relax, Rarity this won’t take a minute…now, this goes under here, or is it over and then under? Hmm…” Amidst mumbled fussing and general laughter, the two unicorns soon found themselves trussed up back to back. “This isn't right.” Twilight noted with some dismay.

Shining coughed, trying to suppress his laughter. “Oooo!” Pinkie waved her hoof in the air. “Me next, me next!”

After another minute, punctuated by grumbling and squirming, Twilight and Rarity finally freed themselves. Twilight in particular was in a real mood for being laughed at. “Okay, BBBFF...Truth or Dare.”

“What'd I do?” Shining asked, clueless.

“Truth. Or. Dare.” His sister repeated, her eyes narrowed.

“Dare.” Shining responded with a grin…one Twilight returned with twice as much force.

“I dare you....to do the Ladybug Dance, followed by your best Princess Celestia impression.” Rainbow’s wings flared open in shock right before she fell over on her back, kicking her legs and laughing madly.

Shining Armor’s jaw dropped. He was dimly aware of Cadence giggling. “You can't be serious.”

“It’s in the rules. You have to.” Twilight smirked. “Or do you want to pay the penalty too?”

Rainbow Dash looked far too pleased at the prospect. Shining groaned. “Fiiine…” Putting on his bravest face, he took a step forward into the circle of young mares. He did his best to act very suave and unconcerned…but he was blushing up a storm as the girls laughed and cheered.

“Yeehaw! Getalong little pony!” Applejack hooted, waving her hat in the air.

“Shake it! Shake it!” Pinkie giggled as he came to the final part of the dance. He moaned, hoping his guards never found out about this.

Cadence was holding both her hooves over her face as she giggled as well. “Anypony have any bits?” She teased, only to act surprised when a hooffull of bits landed at her feet.

Twilight giggled but there was some awkwardness in seeing her big brother get hit on by...well, essentially everypony present but her. Shining Armor had the same thought. “C’mon you guys.” He pleaded. “My little sister is right here!”

At the words ‘little sister’ the manticore in the room that everypony had been doing their best to ignore pounced. “Sweetie always enjoyed a good slumber par--” Rarity started before falling silent. “I’m sorry.”

Applejack sighed. “Ah reckon Apple Bloom does too. Not a pony fer frilly frou-frou dress up s'far as Ah know. But she could really pack away the vittles.”

The happy atmosphere leaked out of the train like a punctured balloon. Fluttershy looked at the ground sadly as she gently leaned against Rarity. Pinkie’s eyes watered and she hugged Applejack fiercely. Twilight put a hoof on Rainbow’s back, but the dour pegasus refused to acknowledge that she needed any such support. But she didn’t reject it either.

Cadence and Shining Armor exchanged a look. The stallion nodded. He knew what must be done...though he may pay a heavy price in the bargain, it was his duty as a defender of the realm. “So, now for my impression of Princess Celestia.” Shining Armor’s cheeks stretched painfully as he tried to smile nonchalantly. “My little ponies…” he made his voice as light and airy as he could manage. “How wonderful it is to see you all…”

Everypony started chuckling softly as he began delicately walking around on the very edge of his hooves, trying to make himself seem taller. “Come on Shining, you can do better than that.” Cadence teased. “Shake those flanks a little. You'll never get a stallion if you walk so stiff.” Wincing at the blow to his dignity, Shining did as his fillyfriend bade and was rewarded with chuckles circling through the room.

“Just pretend you are at the ball.” Rarity offered helpfully, a smile gracing her face again. “Your prince charming is casting his eyes over you…leaving him breathless….” she purred.

“And, um mmmaybe a l-little p-pout?” Fluttershy offered helpfully, giggling slightly.

Despite plastering a wide smile on his face, Shining felt a tiny piece of his soul die. Fluttershy was teasing him now. Testosterone levels...falling...falling...gone. Could this get any worse?

“Y’know Ah don’t think he can really pull off actin’ like Princess Celestia.” Applejack mused.

“You’re just saying that because he doesn’t look the part,” Rarity returned. Then her face lit up. “Ooh, that’s an idea! A make-over!”

Somehow Shining Armor’s white-coated face became even paler. “W-what?!”

“Um, well, he does have a nice mane.” Fluttershy noted demurely.

“Twilight...” Shining looked to his sister, to see her looking upwards as she tried to remember something.

“Well,” she mused. “It IS in the official book on slumber parties...” a tiny little grin crossed her muzzle.

“Whooee!” Applejack chuckled, patting Shining Armor’s shoulder. “Sorry sugarcube, you’re plumb out of luck. Better you than me anyways.”

Seeing the grinning circle of mares start to close in on him, Shining desperately cast his eyes about looking for an avenue of escape and, finding none, looked for allies. Pinkie’s wide grin and the merciless smirk on Cadence’s face doomed that hope quickly. “Dashie...” He pleaded imploringly.

Rainbow Dash thought about it. Normally the idea of having Shining owe her one was something she’d enjoy having. But after the bomb he’d dropped on her yesterday, plus all the needling he’d done that night, she was going to enjoy herself. This was the prank to end all pranks. “Don’t forget the hooficures!” She smiled. For once, she was going to take part in a makeover, willingly.

Before Shining could get another word in, Pinkie upended a container of glitter into his mane. “Ooooh! Shiny! Heehee, really shiny! He’s shiny Shining Armor! No wait, he’s Bedazzled Armor!”

“How marvelous!” Rarity agreed as she applied an emery board to his hoof. Twilight giggled as Cadence held up a container of hoof polish with her magic and started dabbing it on his hooves.

“D-do you think he looks better with red lipstick, or pink?” Fluttershy asked as she held the implement up.

“Ah got the, lesse here...” she looked at the label. “Mascara.”

Rainbow Dash stood over him, holding a powder puff with her wings. “And the blush! I got the blush!” Not that Shining Armor needed any by this point.

As the train continued chugging northwards, the sound of merriment and laughter accompanied the rattling train tracks. Everypony (save perhaps a certain captain of the guard) made sure to enjoy this moment of fun to the utmost, suspecting that it might be the last one they would have on this quest.

They didn’t know how right they were.

& & &

Chapter 9

& & &

In the underbelly of Equestria, the foals were sleeping. Night and day had no meaning in barely illuminated caverns and there was no way to tell time. It was with a certain amount of practicality that the foals decided that the time to sleep was when they felt tired. They cuddled up together under a large carpet of moss they pulled off the wall and hid in a crevice.

To say it was an uncomfortable, fitful sleep would be an understatement. It was only the exhaustion of the previous day (night?) that finally allowed Alula, Dinky and Pipsqueak to fall asleep. When they stirred, they had no way of knowing how long they had been asleep or how long it had been since they were taken.

Pip was the first to awake. He groaned when he felt something hard poking him in the flank. It turned out to be Dinky’s horn. The light in the tunnels was so low that he wasn’t entirely sure at first if his eyes were open or not. He yawned and looked around as best he could from his position between the two bigger fillies.

Dinky mumbled in her sleep and shifted to jab Pip again. He gave a tiny yelp as he moved to rub his sore flank, which disturbed Alula in turn. She rolled a bit in her sleep, twitching her wing so that her feathers softly tickled Pip’s snout.

The young colt started to regret sleeping in the middle of a filly sandwich as he scrunched up his nose. “Aah...aah...achew!”

Alula jumped, woken up by the sound of Pip sneezing. “Wuzgoing on? Who’s...” she blinked a couple times as she fully awakens. “Huh? Nothing there.” Then she felt something wet on her wing. “Ew!”

Dinky wasn’t as fast to wake up “Humm? Momma?” She looked around. “Momma?”

The piebald pony rubbed his nose and sniffed, murmuring his apologies to Alula. “Ick.” She made a face at him. “Dummy.” She started cleaning her wing, still warily looking around the caves.

Pip decided to take the high road and not respond to her...beyond making a face and sticking out his tongue at her when her back was turned. Then he began gently nudging Dinky’s shoulder with his muzzle. “Hey Dinky. You ‘wake?”

She rolled over. “Five more minutes? ‘m tired, an’ my back doesn’t feel good.”

“Sorry Dinky...” He gave her a gentle nuzzle.

Alula yawned and stretched. “We need to get up, Dinky. Gotta keep moving, even if we’re tired and hungry and don’t feel good.”

The mention of food made Pipsqueak’s stomach growl rather loudly, given his rather small size. “Did ya haveta mention food? I’m so hungry....”

Dinky blinked and opened her eyes. “We’re...we’re here?” She sat up, realizing that it wasn’t a bad dream. “Dunwanna go, somepony’ll find us won’t they? We’re, we’re gonna--not be lost, right?” she started mildly panicky as she tried to look around the blackness of the tunnels.

Despite being scared too, Pip gave Dinky his most confident smile. “S’okay...I-I’ll protect you too, Dinky.” He gave her a patented get-better-hug. “My Da says that’s what big colt’s do.”

Alula stepped up and put her clean wing on Dinky’s withers. “Don’t worry Dinky, we’re gonna be okay. I’m not gonna let anything happen to us. I’ll protect both of you.”

Nervously, Dinky latched on to the two of them. “‘K-kay....but who’ll protect you?”

With a hint of nervous pride, Alula beamed. “Kickers protect themselves. So I don’t need anypony to protect me.” The lavender filly rocked herself in place, clearly not convinced and trying to create a substitute for her mother’s arms. Trying to hide her own fear, Alula extended her wing into giving Dinky a full-blown wing-hug “Look, we’re gonna be fine, okay? Nopony needs to be a ‘fraidypony. We just gotta get outta here and find an adult, and everything’ll be fine.”

Pip meanwhile put his own hooves around Dinky and hugged her. “It’ll be okay...”

Sniffling, Dinky held Pip and nuzzled Alula. “‘Kay. I wanna get outta here.” She gave a big gulp, trying to swallow her fear. “S’go.”

“All right, so...” the pegasus who had appointed herself in charge looked around, trying to remember which way they came from and which way they were going. “Um...” she trotted around. “Feels like this ways goin’ up a bit, so let’s go this way.”

Dinky looked around. “Where’d the glowy thing go?”

“I think ‘lula had it.” Pip answered as Alula looked around a bit, getting very worried before she finally discovered the glowing crystal was under her wing the whole time. A thought occurred to the lone colt. “Maybe we should...pretend this is like an a’venture or something. Nothin’ bad--nothing REALLY bad--happens in my a’venture stories.”

Dinky grumbled. “We shoulda left bread crumbs, that always works in Gramma’s stories.”

Alula clutched the crystal that was their sole source of light beneath her wing. “Okay, that’s a good idea Pip, but we don’t even have any bread, Dinky.”

“Thanks!” Pip beamed, not used to Alula saying nice things to him. His stomach growled again. “I really wish we had some bread...not for crumbs and stuff, but to eat.”

“It was jus’ an idea...” Dinky grumbled, huddling close to Alula when the light came out. “Cool, it’s still going!” She looked ahead, straining her eyes. “You remember the way?”

“Uh, we’re goin’ this way.” Alula pointed down the passage that she thought had a slight upward curve. “And keep an eye out for anythin’ we can eat. Um...I think I heard ponies can eat moss and some kindsa mushrooms.”

The idea made Dinky gag. “Eew! Moss is slimy, it’d be almost as bad as spinach! Mmm....” She grumbled, grudgingly keeping her eyes peeled.

From their tiny vantage point, everything loomed large over them. To their overactive imaginations, the stalactites and stalagmites formed massive teeth, waiting to chomp down and gnash them to bits. The dim light of Alula’s crystal cast shadows along the walls and ceiling that constantly shifted and moved.

The only sound was the faint echo of their own hoofsteps and the noise of water constantly dripping down around them. Drip....drip....drip...

Every so often an icy drop would splash on a pony’s nose or back, prompting a brief yelp followed by a swift hushing from his or her companions. Dinky let out a low moan at the constant dripping of water. “Oooh, shut up! Stoopid cave.”

“Sshhh! We’re s’posed to be quiet!” Alula hissed.

“I can’t help it.” Dinky whined, dancing a bit on her hooves. “I gotta go to the baffroom!”

Alula rolled her eyes. “Well we don’t have a bathroom around here. Just…I dunno. Go behind a rock or something.”

“Ew!” Dinky made a face. “That’s GROSS. We don’t have a toilet or anything!”

“Well, you gotta do something, even if it is gross. You can’t hold it forever.” Alula shrugged with Kicker pragmatism.

Dinky let out a whine as she looked this way and that. "F-fine...just..dun look!" She blushed.

"S'okay, I won't." Alula promised. "I'll make sure the dummy doesn't either."

Pip frowned at her. "Why would I want to?"

"Cuz colts are weird and gross." She shrugged evenly.

"Are not..." he grumbled under his breath. Dinky slowly trotted into a side cave as her friends turned their backs and looked away. After a brief silence he looked to Alula. "So...how long do you think we're gonna be down here?"

"Not long. I mean, those zombies only grabbed us a little while ago, right? We can't be that far from home."

"I guess...but what happens if we are down here for a long time? C-can we really go around eating moss a-and going behind rocks and sleeping in caves and stuff?"

Alula frowned at him. "Don't be a worrywort. My whole family's guardsponies and stuff. I've been out camping loads of times. This is just like camping...just, in a cave is all. A big cave." She added when Pip looked disbelievingly at her. "Nothin' bad will happen."

Dinky coughed. "Um...I'm done." She blushed. "C-can we get going?"

"Sure," Alula held out the glowing crystal with her wing. "Let's keep going." Her stomach growled. "An' remember, keep an eye out for mushrooms and moss and stuff." Dinky made a face but kept quiet, having already said her piece on the subject.

Pip sounded worried. “My Mum always said that I was so tiny that if I ever missed a meal I might disappear entirely!”

Alula rolled her eyes impatiently. “You’re not gonna disappear, dummy.”

“How d’you know?” Pip questioned.

“‘Cause Momma said the same thing about Sparky, but she’s still here. There. Home.” Dinky chewed her lip worriedly. “At least, I think she is...” she gulped. “Unless she was in another cart!”

“I didn’t see Sparkler in another cart, just little colts and fillies.” Alula shook her head.

Pip agreed “Yeah...I dun think Miss Sparkler would fit in those carts. She’s too big.”

Dinky let out a relieved sigh. “Good. So, if it’s just ponies like us, then…then there aren’t any grown-ups. So we can go find ‘em.”

Fidgeting worriedly, Pip looked to his companions. “D-do you think they get everypony our age? Even Snips and Snails and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and...and...”

“Dunno, but we can’t worry about all that.” Alula cut in blankly. “Just think about gettin’ home.” She regretted the fact that she was too scared to risk waking up any of the other kids in the carts. Her mom or Cloudy or Rainbow Dash would’ve saved everypony, but she was too much of a ‘fraidypony. That just meant she really had to make sure Dinky and Pipsqueak were okay.

Dinky nodded. “‘Kay. Let’s go, an’ find somepony.” She looked back over her shoulder. “They’ll be okay. Everything’s always okay after we find a grown-up.”

“Who do you think will be the best pony to find?” Pipsqueak wondered aloud.

“Momma.” Dinky instantly replied.

Alula answered just as quickly, “Sis or Mom or anypony from my clan. Your mom’s neat, but sis or my mom could kick those ugly zombie ponies in the flank!”

“I want my Mum and Da...but they aren’t really fighting ponies,” Pip sounded sad that his family couldn’t beat up zombie ponies too. “Ooh! What about Rainbow Dash? My Da says she’s really brash...that sounds like brave t’me. Only sometimes he says she’s not a good role model cuz I’m so impreshinnable. Whatever that means.”

For a change, Alula had no trouble agreeing with the small colt. “Yeah, Rainbow Dash would be cool too!”

“Totally cool!” Dinky chimed in. “She could kick those zombie ponies’ flanks and still get us outta here!”

“Yup!” The tiny pegasus filly fluttered her wings in excitement. “Rainbow Dash is the coolest non-Kicker pony there is!” She thought for a bit, then exclaimed “Hey! If Sis and Rainbow Dash got married, then she could be a Kicker! That would be the best thing ever!”

Dinky shook her head. “Nu-uh! She should marry my Mommy! Then she could be my mom AND my godmom! That’d be the best thing ever!”

“No way!” Alula argued. “You already have Rainbow Dash as a godmom! That’s practically like having her as an mom already! Wanting her to be your real mom is just greedy. I want Rainbow Dash in my family too!”

Dinky thought about it for a moment. “But you’re family’s, like, huge! It’s sooper-dooper big! Mine’s small and I dun’ even have a daddy. So I need Rainbow more!”

“But if Rainbow Dash became a Kicker, and she was your godmom, then you’re family would be like part of my clan! We’d be one big family!”

“Cool!” Dinky exclaimed.

As the two fillies talked about how awesome it would be for their families to become one super-family, Pipsqueak started to feel a little left out. All of his old chums were back in Trottingham and he was only just starting to make friends in Ponyville, chief among them being Dinky. But when Alula was around it was hard to be heard. She was rather boisterous (to use one of his Da’s words) and, well, loud. The lonely colt let out a sigh.

Dinky took a moment in discussing the plans for Dinky to join Alula in practicing wing-blades and how her mom would have to let her once they became sorta Kickers to look Pip’s way. She expected him to be as excited as she was at the prospect of learning how to fight with swords and stuff--she knew his love for stories about adventures and pirates and stuff--when she saw him looking all sad.

“Hey.” Pip looked up as Dinky walked over. She gave him a little nudge. “Ya know, even if me and Alula became cousins or something, we’d still wanna play with you. You’re fun!”

Pipsqueak started to smile. “R-really?”

“Yeah!” Dinky nodded. “You could teach us how to be pirates and stuff and we’d show you how to use real swords! And then, we’d be like, soldier-pirates or something.”

“Awesome!” The colt grinned, his spirits restored.

The foals talked and chatted as they continued their dark trek through the bowels of Equestria. Their child-like imaginations and often short attention spans could only distract them from their present situation for so long. The tunnel was long and dark and the air, while flowing, wasn't exactly fresh. As the trio of little ponies went further, they began to notice something. There was a rotten, foul smell in the air. Alula, being in front, noticed first. She wrinkled her nose as she gagged. “Ew! Pip farted!”

“Huh?” Pipsqueak looked confused then the smell hit him and Dinky too. “Blech!” He spat.

“Dumb stinky colt.” Alula buzzed her wings, trying to waft the smell away. “Why’d you go and do that?”

“What? I didn’t do that!” Pip defended himself. “You did!”

“Did not! It was you!”

“Nuh-uh!”

“Uh-huh!”

Dinky sighed as she heard her friend start to argue again. She looked up to put in her two cents when she felt her sink into something gooey…and REALLY smelly. “EEEEWWWWW!” She squealed as she lifted her hoof. “I stepped in doodie!” Panicked she shuffled her hooves, trying to shake it off. “Ewewewewewew! It’s stuck in the frog!”

From Dinky’s disgusted cry came a series of high, piping shrieks from the ceiling. Alula held the glowing crystal up with her wings, revealing that the ceiling was coated with flapping, wriggling, squawking bats. “Aaaaaahhh!!” All three foals shouted, scaring the bats into taking flight, swooping down just above their heads.

“Ack!” Pip ducked down besides Dinky.

The frightened unicorn tucked her tail and shined her horn weakly. “AAAAA! Go away, go awa---ICKY, it landed on me!” She complained.

Alula leapt in front of Dinky and flared wings protectively, ending up with guano on her hooves for her trouble. “Go away you big nasty jerks!” She reared up and lashed wildly with her forehooves. “Leave us alone!”

“Yeah, go away!” Pipsqueak agreed as he picked up a rock—at least, he hoped it was a rock—and flung it upwards.

“GOAWAY!!!!” Dinky shouted again, her fear and panic sparking a bright flash from her horn. Though it quickly faded, it apparently did the trick. In a panicked flurry of motion, the bat colony flew off down the tunnels, leaving only echoed shrieks and more guano.

Pip blinked at his unicorn companion. “Whoa…that was so cool! You scared ‘em off!”

Alula looked her friend over. “Dinky! You okay?” Without thinking she brought up a single guano-covered hoof up to Dinky’s face.

“Yeah,” Dinky nodded. “I—” her nostrils flared as Alula’s hoof came close and when she felt it against her cheek a moment later she squealed. “EEEEWW!!!!”

Pip stuck out his tongue. “Ugh! Alula’s covered in bat poop!”

That only served to set Dinky off further. “Aaaack!” She shook her hoof furiously and rubbed her cheek, trying to get it off.

The pegasus filly give Dinky a sheepish grin before looking herself over. “Ew. I think we needta find some water.”

“Eeeww...‘lula! you got it on me!” Dinky complained.

Alula hung her head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

“’Sokay, it was an accident.” Dinky nuzzled her forgivingly, making Alula smile. She liked Dinky, especially her bright cheerfulness and upbeat attitude. Dinky widely grinned back at Alula, which confused for a moment until she realized that Dinky had nuzzled her with her dirty cheek. Making a face, she trotted over to Pip and nuzzled him to transfer the guano off her.

Pip gagged, first at being nuzzled by a filly (and Alula to boot!) and then for having bat poop on him. “Uuuugh!! What’d you do that for?”

“You’re a colt.” Alula stated matter of factly, as if that explained everything. And in a way, it did. “You’re supposed to like having icky stuff on you.” Having explained that, she reached out her dirty hooves to start wiping them off on him. “You’re coat’s already spotty and dirty. A little more won’t hurt.”

Taking a quick hop backwards, Pipsqueak stuck out his tongue on her. “Well, not poop! And my coat makes me special, so nyah!”

“‘LULA!” Dinky raised her voice. “Quit bein’ a meanie! Doodie’s icky for colts too. And dun make fun of his coat neither. It’s nice.”

Hearing Dinky’s admonishment, Alula flinched. Her ears went flat and she moved back from Pip. “‘Kay. Sorry Dinky, sorry Pip.”

The colt didn’t answer as he was too busy scrubbing the guano she had smeared off him off. When he was done he turned back to the tomcolt pegasus. “...why don’t you like me?”

“’Cause you keep bein’ a whiny crybaby dummy.” She mumbled, her head drooping. “Doesn’t make it okay to be mean to you, but you’re annoying.”

Pipsqueak took a half-step back. “But…” his eyes watered up as he started blinking and rubbing furiously. “No ’m not…”

Dinky walked up between them. “I’m scared too. Doesn’t mean I’m whiny.” She gave Pip a comforting pat as she looked to Alula. “We’re not like you, ‘kay? Our mommies and daddies didn’t make us not be scared.”

“But we gotta be not scared now!” Alula argued, defensive. “If we spend all day being sad and scared and crying we’re never gonna get home, Dinky! Pip’s gotta stop bein’ scared. You do too! You shouldn’t be scared, ‘cause I’m gonna keep you both safe. Promise!” She started going through the motions of a Pinkie Promise.

Dinky gave Pip’s head a rub as he fought down his sniffles. “‘Kay, but it’s not okay to be mean to him just ‘cause he’s scared.” She walked over to hug Alula too, so she didn’t feel left out. “‘Cause I’m scared too.”

Alula leaned into the hug, very quietly whispering to Dinky so Pip wouldn’t hear. “But him being a fraidypony makes me...I dunno, it makes me mad, and I don’t know why. He shouldn’t be scared, ‘cause I’m gonna protect both of you.”

“But you’re one pony.” Dinky pointed out. “Against zombie ponies. Lotsa zombie ponies.”

Alula shook her head. “But I’m a Kicker! I gotta do it.” She gave Dinky a nuzzle with her clean cheek, “I gotta keep you two safe. I have to.”

While the two girls were conferring quietly, Pipsqueak went off ahead by himself a little bit. He was a nice, sensitive colt, but he was still a colt. There was only so much girly hugging and stuff he could take. Besides, he didn’t want Alula calling him anymore names in front of Dinky.

That’s when he made his discovery. He grinned and shouted back to them. “Hey!”

“What? What’s up?” Dinky asked as she and Alula walked over to him.

“I found something!” Pip proclaimed, poking a hoof forward. It rippled and disappeared. He had found an underwater lake. “It’s water!”

Alula’s eyes lit up. “Water’s good! Dinky and I can get all this icky poopy stuff off!” She trotted over to the lake’s edge.

“Oooh, wait!” He interrupted her. “Maybe we should drink it first? Cuz I don’t wanna wash off the poop and then drink poopy water.” He made a face showing just what he thought of that idea.

Dinky gagged. “Icky!”

“Yeah, that would be gross.” Alula agreed. “Good idea, Pip.” She paused before quickly adding. “Well, good idea for a dummy.”

Pip started to smile...then frowned when Alula delivered the other half of her comment. “Well, you didn’t think of it at all, so phllbbbt!” He raspberried her.

Alula rolled her eyes at Pip and leaned down for a drink of water. The thirsty foals guzzled down as much water as they could stomach. Once their thirst was sated, they all sat down with a contented groan.

“Too bad we don’t have a canteen or somethin’.” Pipsqueak rubbed his belly. “In the stories, pirates always had canteens so they could get fresh water and stuff cuz they couldn’t drink sea water.”

“Well we aren’t pirates and we don’t have any canteens.” Alula’s tone was flat. Still... “Is there any way we could make, like, a water bottle or somethin’? To carry some water with us?”

Dinky looked around. “I dunno.”

“Darn,” the pegasus sighed. “Woulda been good if we could take some water with us.”

Hating to see her friend disappointed, Dinky thought hard. “I can try with your glowy thingy, but it’s hard...” she took a deep breath as she started concentrating. “Here goes.” Dinky’s horn started to shine. She went derp-eyed again as she focuses on the luminescent rock Alula had set down.

“Careful, Dinky...” Alula bit her lip, concern written all over her face.

“You can do it...” Pip encouraged her, though what ‘it’ was he had no idea. Still, he knew that she could do it, whatever it is.

Focusing so hard that sweat started to run down her face, Dinky clenched as her magic ‘grip’ on the stone increased, causing it to wobble...and then split in half, diminishing its glow. “Owie....stoopid rock.” She rubbed her forehead, scrunching eyes shut until they stopped being derped.

Alula walked over. “You okay, Dinky? Don’t hurt yourself.”

“What did you try t’do?” Pipsqueak asked her.

“I tried t’ make it…what’s it, ‘hollow’.” She explained, but then frowned. “But I jus’ broke it, an’ now my head hurts.”

“You shouldn’t push yourself so hard, Dinky.” Alula said importantly, in her best ‘leader-voice.’

Dinky sighed as Alula fussed over her, fixing her mane. “You’re doin’ everything, I was just tryin’ t’ help.” She pouted adorably before she idly kicked the broken chunk of crystal into the water. “Stoopid solid rock.”

“Dinky!” Alula groaned. “We still coulda used that! It was still a little glowy!”

The suddenly abashed filly laid her ears back and sighed. “Sorry...”

“S’okay,” Alula patted her back. “So I guess we can start getting all that icky bat poop off now, and maybe we can find the other part of our glowy crystal while we’re in the water.” She turned around to face Pip. “You gotta go away,” she proclaimed bossily. “‘Cause colts can’t watch fillies bathe!”

Pip looked at her in confusion. “What? That’s dumb.” A mischievous look came across his face as he waited for her to look away before he suddenly gave her a gentle shove into the water.

“Ack!” The surprised filly yelped, the water was cold! “Dummy!”

“Pip!” Dinky rolled her eyes...then she paused. “Wait, why’s that the rule again?” She stepped in the water as well.

Meanwhile Alula was preening her wings. She shrugged. “I dunno why it’s a rule, it just is. Pip doesn’t wanna be a prevert, does he?”

“Whatever.” Dinky shrugged. “I’m gettin’ this doodie offa me.”

“I am not!” Pip protested as he also hopped in, deliberately splashing Alula in the process. Then he set about washing the gunk off him. “…whassa prevert?”

“I dunno, but it sounds bad, and now you’re one. Prevert.” Alula giggled and sent a little splash Dinky’s way.

“Whatever! He’s still Pippy, too!” Dinky defended him, even as she splashed back at both of her friends.

“Pippy the prevert.” Alula retorted. She paused as a sneaky little smile appeared on her face. Then she dove under the water and out of sight.

“Yeah? Well you’re a do...do?” He trailed off as he let up on his splash war with Dinky. He looked around for the missing pegasus. “Where’d she go?”

Dinky looked around, then shrugged. “She’s gonna getcha, you know.”

Sure enough, the yellow-coated pegasus sprung up out of the water right behind him. “Ninja strike!” She exclaimed just before dunking him under the water.

“Gyah!” Pip sputtered when he resurfaced a second later.

Dinky giggled at him. “Toldja she’d get you!”

“Yeah? Well I’mma gonna get her!” He returned.

Alula rolled her eyes. “Yeah right...I’m a ninja! You can’t get me!” She gave some vaguely karate-like moves with her forehooves.

“Well, I’m the Dread Pirate Pipsqueak! Arrr!” Pipsqueak gave his best menacing growl, which of course came out adorably. “Everypony knows that pirates are better than ninjas!”

“No way!”

“Yes way!” The two foals glared at each other before simultaneously starting another splash war. Dinky giggled and joined in, splashing indiscriminately at both of them.

Taking advantage of the distraction Dinky offered, Alula grinned and dove back down underwater again. She swam up to Pip and dunked him again. This time he didn’t surface right away. Instead he grabbed her legs and pulled her under too. Alula used her wings to gently tickle Pip’s nose until he let her go.

Dinky took a deep breath and dived under herself, given away only by the tip of her horn breaking the surface of the water. Just as Alula had broken away from Pip, Dinky tickle-glomped her underwater.

“Glurb!” She hastily surface, Dinky still glomped around her. “How’d you find me?” Alula breathed as she spat out water. “I was bein’ sneaky!”

“You were makin’ bubble noises!” Dinky giggled.

Pip beamed widely at Alula. “...what’re you smiling at, dummy?” She demanded. He responded by spitting out a stream of water right in her face. “Gyah!”

The excitable unicorn reached out and tickle-glomped them both. Alula returned the favor by flicking her feathers over Pip. “Eheheeee!” He giggled. “No fahaair!”

“All’s fair in love and war!” Alula grinned as she and Dinky double-teamed him. The little colt was all giggles and squeals for a minute when Dinky suddenly stopped, dead serious.

“Shush up--shush up!” She repeated in a harsh whisper.

Alula and Pip stopped. “What’s wrong, Dinky?” She asked in a worried sounding whisper.

“Somepony’s movin’ near the shore!” She replied, sounding nervous. Alula peered toward the shoreline, very slowly and stealthily moving closer to try to get a good look at what’s there. Dinky and Pip slowly swam after her.

Dinky scooted ahead, remembering Pinkie Pie’s lessons about Sneaking. “I don’t see ‘em any more...” she whispered lowly.

“They might be bein’ sneaky too.” Alula whispered back. The trio watched the banks of the of lake in utter silence for several minutes. They didn’t see a thing.

Dinky looked this way and that, feeling the silence get to her. “...I saw somethin’ movin’ really.”

Ever the leader, Alula shifted around so that she was in front of the other two. “If there’s somethin’ there, we’ll find it. Just be sneaky and quiet.”

Pip looked around. “Maybe we should swim away, go to the other side of the lake?”

“‘Kay.” Dinky nodded. “But vewy qwietwy.” There was a pause as her friends looks at her funny. “What? It’s how Miss Pinkie said to say it.”

Even Alula didn’t argue. “Good idea, Pip. C’mon.” The three foals slowly and carefully started swimming to the far shore, making certain to make as little noise as possible as they went.

Having left the remaining half of the glowing crystal on the other side of the lake, the trio was swimming in pitch blackness. The only thing they heard was the sound of their own nervous breathing.

Pip shivered and the fillies did too. Even leaving aside the potential threat, the water was still freezing. “D-do you see anything?” He chanced a slight whisper as they were about halfway across.

“Nope.” Alula replied softly. “Nothin’s—” Suddenly she was yanked underwater.

“‘LULA!” Dinky screamed as she and Pip dived under after her. Below the surface, murky depths of the lake were illuminated, if just barely, by a few of the luminescent crystals that grew along the cavern walls.

They saw Alula wrapped around with something black and long, like an eel or something. It wasn’t until they saw several more of them slithering along the bottom that they realized they were tentacles. The one that had Alula trapped was slowly dragging her down along the lakebed...towards the head of a giant, ugly squid-thing.

When Alula saw what she was being dragged towards, she became increasingly terrified. The creature brought her closer and closer to it’s cavernous maw. A stream of bubbles escaped the poor filly’s mouth as she screamed in terror.

Dinky and Pip swam down, not entirely sure of what to do. That’s when Pip saw it, the broken bit of crystal Dinky had kicked in earlier. He gestured towards it and then pointed to Alula. Dinky gave a quick nod and swam towards the Alula as fast as she could, her horn shooting sparks in the water while she flailed at the tentacle holding her friend.

Pipsqueak was actually a very good swimmer, having grown up in the port city of Trottingham. He was able to make over to the crystal shard and scoop it up without any trouble. But his motion alerted the lake monster to his presence as it reached out for him with another tentacle.

Not sure of what else he can do, lacking magic like Dinky or any training like Alula, he did the first thing that came to mind: he opened his mouth and bit down on the tentacle. Hard. Dinky was inspired to do the same thing, clamping her teeth down on the tentacle holding Alula as the trapped pegasus furiously lashed out with her hooves.

Even from a distance, even through the water, Pip heard the shrill cry of anger and pain from the monster as it quickly withdrew it’s injured tentacle from him and even loosened the one holding Alula. The oxygen deprived filly managed to squirm free and swim for the surface. As soon as she surfaced, she gasped for air, and started to swim away, only to realize that Dinky and Pip weren’t behind her. She trembled slightly at the thought of going back down to that monster. But her friends needed her. She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and then dove back down.

By now the lake creature’s attention was on Pip and Dinky. Pip barely had time to grab the crystal he was after before he was tugged away by another tentacle. Dinky beat her hooves furiously as she found herself bound in the same tentacle she had just freed Alula from. As Pip found himself dragged closer the beast’s mouth he heard a sound. It was Alula plunging herself back down and swimming towards him. She tried tugging on the tentacles holding the two of them, but one filly couldn’t break the hold of two tentacles.

Alula frustrated and scared she looked around for something--anything!--that could help. That’s when she saw Pip waving the broken crystal at her. Her eyes widened. Swimming over, she snatched the shard out of his hooves and swam over to the monster’s head. Her movements were awkward and sluggish as she tried to stab the beast in the head, especially around the eyes. Even a skilled pony warrior would have had a difficult time fighting underwater, which is no pony’s natural environment, excepting of course for seaponies.

She was aiming blind it, but was never quite able to build up enough momentum to penetrate the thick ridges surrounding its eyes, or make her aim true enough. But for a creature used to the depths of an underground lake, the light of the glowing crystal so close to its eyes was excruciatingly blinding. It shrieked and slunk away, letting Dinky and Pip go in the process.

All three foals quickly made for the surface, greedily panting and gasping for air. “L-let’s go!” Alula coughed. Pipsqueak started swimming for shore, followed closely by Dinky.

But the lavender filly paused when she saw Alula hanging back behind her. “‘lula, come ON!” She started swimming back to her.

“No! Go!” Alula shooed her away with her hooves. “You go first!”

“C’mon, dummy!” Dinky grabbed for her mane but missed.

With a final frustrated growl, Alula turned around and started pushing Dinky towards the shore, following behind her. The two fillies made their way towards the shoreline, Alula pushing Dinky only to have Dinky reaching behind her to pull at Alula. When the two finally made it to the shoreline they collapsed on the bank, panting in exhaustion.

As soon as she had recovered her strength, Dinky glomped Alula. “You okay? Tell me you’re okay!?”

Alula nodded tiredly as she hugged her back, trembling from the aftereffects of fear and adrenaline. “I’m okay. I’m okay.” She pulled back slightly from the hug and hoofed Dinky in the shoulder. “Dummy! You could’ve gotten hurt! I told you to get to the shore so you’d be safe!”

“You coulda too, featherbrain! I need my friends, ‘kay?” Dinky defended. “We gotta get outta here together to get help!”

“I’m supposta protect you, dummy!” She latched onto Dinky fearfully. “You don’t get hurt, ‘cause I promised I was gonna keep you safe! I promised! So you don’t ever do somethin’ like that again, ‘kay?”

“Only if you two don’t either.” Dinky stated. “Momma…Momma said good friends stay together even in bad times, an’ that was a BAD time. ‘kay?”

Alula gave a weak nod. “Okay. But you gotta let me protect you. It’s my job.”

Dinky shook her head. “Friends gotta protect each other. Rainbow said so.”

“And Kickers gotta protect everypony,” countered the stubborn pegasus. “Mom and Sis said so. And I especially gotta protect you and Pip, ‘cause I promised.”

“We’re gonna do this together, ‘kay? All three of us. Kickers are ponies too, an’ that means they’re part of ‘everypony.’” Dinky reasoned.

Alula slumped her shoulders. “But...” she reluctantly bit her lip. “Keepin’ you two safe is my job.”

“An’ keepin’ us together is what keeps us safe, ‘kay?” Dinky squirmed as she put on the worst poker face ever seen by foal-kind. “Um, Pip might get scared sometimes.”

“‘Kay.” Alula glomped onto Dinky again. “Don’t get yourself hurt tryin’ to protect me, ‘kay? That’s my job.”

Dinky shook her head as she stood up, looming over her friend. “NUH-UH! Nopony gets hurt, ‘scept the dummy that brought us here!”

“But if somepony’s gotta get hurt, it should be me, not you or Pip!” Alula crossed her hooves stubbornly. “‘Cause I’m tough, so it won’t really hurt me.”

Pip cleared his throat, diverting the arguing fillies from their discussion, “Um, maybe we should get a bit further 'way from the water with the big scary monster?”

Alula and Dinky blinked as if he had just discovered a way for earth ponies to fly and pegasi to use magic. They nodded. Alula offered Dinky a hoof to help her up but the little unicorn shook her head. “I can walk, ‘lula. Sheesh, I’m notta storybook prince, ‘kay?” The three of them continued walking, shivering as the cold cave air wafter against the ice cold water still dripping from their coats. “Um...thanks for saving me guys.”

The beaming pegasus puffed out her chest. “It’s my job to protect you two. So you don’t hafta thank me.”

Dinky rolled her eyes at her. Then she paused as a thought occurred to her. “In the stories my Momma reads, the pony that was saved hasta kiss their rescuer.” She looked at the two of them. Alula looked at Pip.

The tiny colt blushed. “H-hey! Dinky and I saved Alula from th’ monster in the first place when it was gonna gobble her up! So she’d haveta kiss us first!”

“But then I saved you both right back!” Alula countered right before sticking her tongue out. “I’m not kissing you, you’re a pervert with cooties. And Dinky can’t kiss you either!”

Pip returned the gesture. “I wouldn’t wanna kiss you anyway!”

“I’d rather go back and kiss that ugly squid thing than kiss you!”

“You almost did!”

Dinky gave an annoyed grumble as she shoved Alula against Pip. “Oh shushup and be nice to each other!”

“Dinkyyyyy!” Alula whined plaintively. She reluctantly looked at Pip. “I guess you did okay back there. You were actually kinda cool.” She paused before adding. “For a wimpy little crybaby fraidypony.”

“Well...” Pip allowed. “You were brave, I guess. For a dodo.” Then he paused too. “But I’m still not kissing you.”

“Ew, no.” Alula gave a very slight blush. Instead, she offered him a hoof bump which Pip returned.

Dinky beamed. “Finally!”

Pip rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Heh. Thanks Dinky.”

The yellow pegasus agreed. “Yeah, she’s pretty neat.”

“Well, you’re pretty neat too.” Dinky chirped back at her. Then she nodded to Pipsqueak. “You too.” She threw her hooves around both of them and glomped them both right. “Friends forever, right?”

Alula glomped Dinky back, and included Pip in it. “Yeah, Pony Friends Forever.”

“Super Pony Friends Forever!” Pip cheered. His happy exclamation echoing down the tunnels.

As the three friends started on their way again, the only sound they head was the constant dripping of water falling from stalactites. But that didn’t mean something didn’t hear them.

Back aways in the tunnel, just on the other side of the lake, two distinctly non-pony figures crouched down. They heard a soft echo of ‘for...ever, ever...’ and looked the way the foals had gone.

The hunt was on.

& & &

Chapter 10

& & &

Rainbow Dash groaned. Today was their third day on the train and it felt like they had been there forever. The wind and snow was so intense that it made it all but impossible for her to go outside for a flight.

All of them were feeling the effects of such enforced closeness, but being confined in a tiny space was particularly infuriating for a pegasus like her. Three days of a confined space with eight ponies and little way to circulate the air left the train smelling, well, funky. And the bathroom….don’t ask. The windows were all stuck closed thanks to the snow. Even Pinkie’s Eye Spy games couldn’t break up the tedium because the windows were plastered with snow. Worry for their families, both behind them in Ponyville and ahead of them in the Crystal Empire took deep hold and since they could do nothing for them, worry gave way to brooding and boredom. And boredom eventually gave way to frustration, and in turn, anger.

They had been in such close proximity to one another for so long that they all knew each others’ annoying, disgusting or weird little habits. Cadence’s snoring was as bad as ever and even Shining Armor…well, apparently he had forgotten that he had company when he went into the bathroom to shower that morning.

A sudden cacophony of tortured noise jolted Rainbow Dash awake and sent her flying into the bathroom, thinking he was in the process of being maimed or killed…only to find him singing and dancing in the shower. Horribly. To say it was an awkward moment for both of them would be an understatement.

Little things about her friends that used to occasionally annoy her now became giant Ursas in the room that she couldn't ignore no matter how hard she tried…and trying to ignore them only seemed to make them grow bigger. Who would’ve imagined that the worst form of torture would be being trapped with your best friends?

Rainbow was lying despondently on her bed, lethargic and bored when Rarity walked over to her. “Darling, would you get up for a little while? Your sheets and blankets are all wrinkly and need to be remade.”

“Seriously?” The pegasus groaned. “It’s my bed. Why don’t you remake your own?”

“I have darling, as well as everypony elses.” The slight twitch in Rarity’s forehead showed that Rainbow was not the only pony who was feeling anxious and bored. “Several times.”

Yikes.

Rainbow crossed her hooves and laid back down. “Yeah, well I’m resting now. And if you did then I’d just have to mess it up again to get comfortable.”

Rarity huffed in annoyance. “Honestly, being comfortable doesn’t have to come at the expense of being a slob. Besides, you’ve already done quite a bit of resting today.”

“There isn’t much else I could be doing now, is there?” snapped the pegasus, wings ruffling in annoyance. “If Sombra or any of his stupid creeps were around I’d be flying circles around them and kicking their flanks before you finished combing your precious mane.”

Agog at the implied insult to her mane and the care she devoted to it, Rarity harrumphed. “Well!”

Applejack groaned from her position where she was playing tic-tac-toe with Fluttershy. “Would you two button yer yaps already? Ain’t like bickerin’ helps any.”

Both ponies turned Applejack looking disgruntled for her unlooked for and unwanted interjection. “We were having a private conversation, Applejack.” The white unicorn sniffed at her. “You are familiar with the concept of privacy, I trust?”

“Exc-use me.” The farmpony snorted. “If you don’t want anypony to butt in, mebe you should be keepin’ your voices down. Ain’t exactly like there’s much privacy on this here train anyway.”

Rainbow deadpanned. “We noticed, thanks for the newsflash AJ.”

She snorted. “Then stop fussing and feuding. Find something better t’do than just farting around.”

Her crude choice of words made Rarity curl her lips downward. Rainbow flicked her wings. “You’re one to talk, Applejack.” The cyan pegasus looked at her meaningfully. “Try cutting back on the apples, would ya?” Applejack flushed, furious.

“O-oh, s-sorry but um, could we all not fight please?” Fluttershy squeaked. Gritting her teeth, Applejack turned away. “If that’s okay with you, I mean…” The meek Pegasus added, drawing a circle on her board. “Tic-tac-toe.”

AJ sighed. “You win again, sugarcube. Fifty-four to zero.”

“I do? Oh, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy laid her ears flat against her head apologetically.

“Fluttershy…do you know how many times you’ve said sorry since we’ve gotten on this train?” Applejack groaned.

“Seven hundred and forty-two.” Twilight called out absently as she flipped a page in her book.

“…Seriously? You were keeping track?” Rarity looked at her oddly. “And ponies think I’m overly meticulous.”

“You are.” Several ponies commented as one.

Indignantly, Rarity tilted her nose upwards. “Well at least I haven’t spent this entire trip making up nonsense songs about the curtains, the bed springs, and even that ball of lint I threw out yesterday.” She gave Pinkie Pie a look that was completely missed.

“I think Pinkie’s running out of material to sing about.” Rainbow couldn’t help observing as the party pony dug through one of the emergency kits for fresh ideas.

“There’s no ‘I’ in teamocil…” Pinkie warbled tiredly, peering at one bottle of medicine. “At least not where you’d think…”

Everpony tried their best to tune her out. After her sixth full-length song, as well as five ditties, four poems, three limericks, two sonnets, one epic ballad and a matinee, Pinkie’s musical endeavors were beginning to wear thin.

“..You don’t have to keep apologizing for ev’ry little thing.” Applejack continued.

“I don’t? Oh, then I’m sorry for saying sorry too much.” Fluttershy apologized. Applejack’s eye twitched.

Rainbow propped her head up with one hoof. “Whatcha up to Twi?”

“I’m reading up on old pony legends about Sombra.” The studious unicorn replied. “He appears in some stories as ‘the dark king of the north.’ Maybe there’s something in one of those legends that we can use against him.”

“What’s to know?” Rainbow shrugged. “We have the Elements of Harmony, we zap him, end of story.”

Twilight frowned. “Well, when we fought Nightmare Moon the Elements purged the darkness that took over Princess Luna and turned her back to normal. But it isn’t clear if that’s what happened to King Sombra. So maybe the Elements will turn him back to good...but that’s assuming he ever really was good.” She tapped her book meaningfully. “That’s why I’m reading these old legends to find out. If he wasn’t corrupted like Princess Luna, then who knows what effect the Elements will have on him?”

“You’re overthinking it,” Rainbow Dash waved her off. “Celestia said the Elements of Harmony would work, so that’s that.”

“I guess so,” she allowed. “But these books also tell about his abilities and the nature of the Crystal Empire.” She coughed and took on her best lecturing professor tone.

“From his original realm of Tambelon, the dark king of the North assembled many powerful magical artifacts from the ancient and noble houses of the unicorn kingdom. These afforded him power over many dark and fell creatures and spirits that entered his service.

“When he manipulated the crystal ponies into reconstructing Tambelon from its foundations, thereafter known as the Crystal Empire, he twisted their every design to his own dark purposes. The Empire became a citadel to his power, magnifying it across the dominions of the northern reaches of the world. For crystals reflect and refract not only light and sound, but magic and energy as well. Sowing his dark crystals across the land, the dark king thwarted the magics of unicorns and others who opposed his designs.”

“Very pretty,” Applejack drawled. “But what’s that even mean? Can’t y’all high-brow types write plain so everypony can understand?”

Twilight frowned at the slap at her beloved academics and, indirectly, at her as well. “I’m sorry that the greatest scholars and historians of lore didn’t anticipate your literary critique,” she snarked expertly. “Tell you what, how about if I rewrite everything so that it could be summed up as simple Granny Smith-style farm aphorism like the king has ‘bad things a-brewin that’re nastier than a one-eyed snake’ or something like that. There, happy?”

Things were prevented from escalating by Cadence suddenly slamming the door from the kitchen car open, Shining Armor following right behind her. “--I said I’m fine Shining!”

“Will you just let me take a look?” He tried to cut her off. “I just want to make sure it doesn’t get infected and...” Cadence let out a tiny suppressed scream of frustration.

“What’s the matter?” Fluttershy asked. “Is everypony okay?”

Cadence nodded and said ‘yes’ at the same instant Shining Armor was shaking his head and saying ‘no.’

It was Shining who spoke up first. “We were making some lunch and Cadence--”

“I was making a salad and accidentally--” The unicorn princess realized it would be better if she got her version out before he did.

“--she stabbed herself in the face with her fork!” Shining declared, to gasps of horror.

“SOMEpony distracted me so I missed my mouth and lightly jabbed my cheek.” She corrected, shooting him an annoyed glare.

Shining tried examining said cheek, not noticing or caring how much of Cadence’s personal space he violated in the process. “Maybe we should bandage it...or at least rub it down with some anti-biotics. I’ll double-check to see if you need stitches.”

“It was covered with lettuce and never even broke the skin!” She cried incredulously. “Honestly, Shining! I might not be a member of the royal guard but I’m not some weak, helpless little foal!”

“But it’s my job to protect you!” he protested. “And...I lo--” suddenly remembering he had an audience, he rubbed the back of his neck. “--ook after everypony under my watch!” Shining corrected, fooling nopony.

Rainbow let out a disgusted snort and flopped back on her bed. She didn’t notice that Cadence hardly looked thrilled either as she shook her head and grumbled. “Honestly!”

That was all Rainbow Dash needed. To have Shining Armor obsess so thoroughly over Cadence that the rest of them barely existed to him. She contemplated going back to sleep when a misty wisp of magic entered the train and suddenly formed a sheath of scrolls. Rainbow’s eyes widened. “It’s the Princess! She must’ve sent—ack!” Her explanation was cut off as an additional scroll materialized, practically in her ear. “…Nice aim.” She grunted as she pulled it out to read. “Princess Celestia really needs some target practice—HEY!” She yelped again as Shining Armor grabbed the scroll out of her hooves with his magic. “Shining!”

“Sorry Rainbow.” He grunted as he started reading the missive from the Princess. “Guard business.”

“Ooh, magic mail call!” Pinkie chirped in excitement.

Rainbow frowned at the guard captain. “Yeah, well we’re all in this together so gimme!” She flapped her wings and darted forth, snatching the scroll out of his hooves so fast that he spent a moment blinking and trying to read the thin air for a second. Quickly speed reading through the scroll, she let out a sigh when she was finished.

“What’s it say?” Applejack asked quickly. “Any news ‘bout the kids?”

The pegasus dropped the scroll out of her hooves and idly kicked it away as it fell. “No.”

Applejack and Rarity shared identical looks of disappointment. Shining sighed softly as he picked the letter back up. “I’m sorry.” He dipped his head. “According to this there haven’t been any further attacks. She forwarded some reports from across Equestria that the guards have put together. Hopefully they’ll provide us with some idea of what we’re up against.”

“There anything in there f’r us?” Applejack looked at the pile of scrolls. “Ah’d sure like to hear from mah family...and to let them know Ah’m okay.”

Shining shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Essential communications are the only ones being sent through.” Seeing the upset looks he was getting, Shining felt it best to elaborate. “We don’t know what sort of magic Sombra has at his disposal. We can’t take the chance of him intercepting our mail. The more of it we send, the more likely it is that’ll happen. We have to make sure nopony knows where we’re going.”

Rainbow snorted incredulously. “Are you kidding? Half of Ponyville saw us off and even before we left, and Cloud Kicker and Ditzy’d already figured out we were going after whoever took the foals.”

“But that’s not the same thing as knowing where we’re headed or how we’re getting there.” He countered, looking at her seriously. “You don’t realize just how much care has gone into hiding our exact route. Other trains with guards have been sent on other tracks, just to make sure that Sombra won’t know which train the six of you will be on if he’s aware that we’re heading north.” He let out a small grin. “We’ve also created false reports about just who the six of you are. A lot of them.”

“Really?” Pinkie tilted her head. “You mean, we’re not us? Then who is us? Who am I?”

Twilight sighed “I think he meant that six other ponies are named in the reports as the Elements of Harmony. Right?”

Shining nodded. “For disinformation purposes, Applejack is Raindrops, Rarity is Carrot Top, Rainbow Dash is Lyra Heartstrings, Pinkie Pie is Cheerilee, Fluttershy is Derpy Hooves--”

“That’s Ditzy Doo.” Rainbow corrected. “Everypony just calls her that because she’s...well, derpy.”

“Then that’s just another layer.” Shining shrugged.

Twilight looked at her brother. “What about me?”

“Oh, you’re Trixie Lulamoon.” He answered casually then shrunk down when he saw the furious glare his little sister was giving him. “Um, there a problem?”

“T-Trixie?! Y-you have Trixie being the Element of Magic?” The normally erudite unicorn sputtered as she tried to come up with the right word to describe just how many different kinds of wrong that was.

Rainbow snickered. “Oh boy, better not let Trix see those reports. Her head won’t be able to fit inside her pointy hat anymore...”

“Looks who’s talking.” Applejack quipped.

The brash pegasus started to nod before she heard just what AJ was saying. She glared, pushing her forehead against Applejack’s. “You wanna start something, Applebutt?”

Seeing the potential flare up in the mix, Shining took a step forward, refocusing everypony’s attention on him. “It probably won’t work, but hopefully it’ll sow a little confusion into his plans. As for your mail, think about it this way: What if he intercepts a personal message from or to one of you? Say, something that identifies who your families are...” he trailed off ominously. The threat of further danger to their families rocked Applejack and Rarity to the core. The others looked similarly distressed. “I’m sorry.” He repeated sincerely. “I know my and Twiley’s parents must be worried about the both of us and I’d love to tell them that we’re all right but...we can’t.”

“S’okay sugarcube.” AJ nodded numbly. “W-we understand. Don’t we?” A chorus of faint murmurs and nods greeted her, but there was no hiding their dismay. Being cut off from the rest of the world only served to further isolate them in that tiny train and made it feel that much more an oppressive atmosphere. Cadence walked from pony to pony, offering them a sympathetic look, a hoof on their shoulder, or even a nuzzle as needed.

Taking pity on them, Shining Armor gave them a smile. “That said...there is a scroll here from the ‘Brevet Pro-Tem Militia chief of Ponyville, Cloud Kicker.” He held it up with his hoof.” Knowing her, I doubt she stringently stuck to military protocol as much as she shou--whoa!” He barely had time to blink before Rainbow grabbed the scroll out of his hooves. “Careful Dash, you almost took my hoof with you!” he half-joked, but Rainbow’s attention was fixed firmly on Cloud Kicker’s letter, her five friends crowded around her and looking over her shoulder.

She cleared her throat and began to read:

Rainbow Dash-

Hey RD. Hope you and the gals are okay. Everything’s quiet here in Ponyville. There haven’t been any signs of additional trouble, but a platoon of guards were assigned to reinforce us in case anything nasty comes in from the Everfree Forest. Somehow I ended up running the show, though some of the career guards aren’t all that happy about it. I guess Ditzy heard you ‘putting me in charge,’ and she just happened to mention it to the Mayor that the Princess’ student wanted me in charge, and...well, here I am. So thanks a lot for that.

I wish I could say that there’s been any news about the foals but so far we don’t have much. I have gotten to see some reports from the guard in other places since I’m ‘technically’ in charge of the Ponyville guards: it sounds like Princess Celestia pulled out all of the stops in Canterlot. Pegasi and tribes of friendly Griffons have been patrolling the skies all day and gargoyles at night, sea ponies have been keeping on eye on the seas, rivers, and waterways, and even those Diamond Dogs you guys befriended have agreed to keep an ear to the ground. Literally.

We’ve had a couple of ponies volunteer to join us as a sort of provisional auxiliary force for the duration of the crisis, most of them relatives of the missing kids. I guess they feel the way I do, that if they can’t physically be out there looking for them then they might as well try to make themselves feel useful. Either it’ll distract them or better yet, give them a chance to seriously hurt whoever did this if and when they show their ugly faces in town again.

I went by the schoolhouse the other day. It's just...empty. Cheerilee was just standing there, with this blank look on her face--she was the first pony to volunteer. Big Macintosh did too, after he called in some cousin of his to help take care of Granny Smith and the farm. Cute guy too, but...just not in the mood.

Ditzy wanted to join but I had to turn her down (I knew some higher up would’ve had my rump in a sling if I took her up on it). I tried to let her down gently, citing her vision and her...well, clumsiness. But really? I just didn’t want Sparkler to be alone if something bad happened. Call me selfish, but I just couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Ditzy under my watch.

I get why we had to stay behind, only so many ponies you can take with you. But still...the truth is, we’re hurting and scared. Especially since we can't do anything but sit back here and wait to see if Alula and Dinky’ll come home safe.

I just want her to be okay. She's my baby sis...

Sorry, kinda distracted. I thought I should let you know that everypony, and I mean EVERYPONY, is wishing you the best. If I had to pass on every message, this letter would be longer than your train. But there are a few I should mention:

Ditzy says to take care. She’s scared and worried for you, even as she’s being scared and worried for Dinky. She wanted me to remind you that what she said to you at her house still stands, so you better come back safe. She also said she was sorry for blaming you for what happened when she found Dinky gone. I tried to tell her that you would just say to forget about it, but she insisted. She hasn’t let Sparkler out of her sight since she came back from Canterlot. Normally Sparky would’ve gone nuts by now but she misses her little sis something bad.

Big Macintosh passes on his best wishes to you RD and has a message for Applejack. He said that he loves and misses you more than apples miss honey and says to stay safe. The big guy put up a brave front, but he’s a big ol’ softy. He poured through old family albums with me, just to talk about his baby sisters (apparently there’s a reason he talks so little, once he gets going it’s impossible to make him stop!). I think the Apples are the only family who can give the Kickers a run for their money in terms of size and members. Gave me a totally wicked idea for a family-reunion/competition, Kickers vs. Apples.

Blossomforth and Raindrops send their regards...Raindrops even said she’d take you out for a drink when this is all over. Should I be jealous?

Rarity’s parents send all their love to their, ‘pwecious Rarity-warity’ and...it got kinda hard to understand after that. I’m sorry I don’t have any messages to pass on to Fluttershy or Twilight since they don’t have any relatives here in Ponyville. But I figured I can pick up the slack by saying that you girls are smoking hot and I can’t wait until your bring your hot flanks back my way.

...Sorry RD. I’m rambling now because I don’t want to talk about how wrong everything is here. Guards are posted all around town, there aren’t any foals laughing and playing in the streets and without your posse here...somehow the town seems like it lost its soul. I want so badly for something to happen for me to do but mostly it’s just routine patrols, paperwork, and waiting to hear how things will turn out while everything is being decided without us.

You know my family prides itself on its loyalty to the Princess going back centuries. They were pretty disappointed when a Kicker didn’t get the Element of Loyalty and you did. I know it’s a big deal for them...but I thought they were being a bit dense. I know you and there isn’t a more loyal pony alive, Kicker or otherwise. But...this once I wish that it was somepony else out there instead of you.

Before you get all huffy and declare that you can take care of yourself just fine (which I know), I’m just...worried, is all. You and me and Fluttershy and Ditzy go way back and the thought of anything happening to you guys scares the horseapples out of me. And I know you. You won’t let anything happen to Fluttershy, your friends or the foals...even if it means taking stupid risks and putting yourself in harm’s way.

So please, Dash...watch yourself out there.

Brevet-Lt. Cloud Kicker,
Ponyville Militia

"PS: When you get back, I'm going to grab you and..." Rainbow abruptly cut herself off, refusing to read any more of the letter aloud. The blush on her face and the way her wings were slowly spreading open testified to the contents of the postscript.

Shining Armor coughed awkwardly. “Um, sorry to interrupt but I’ve got something here that might be of greater interest. Er, I mean interest. Just interest.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he held up one of the reports. “One of the guard patrols near Tall Tale Town came across a group of Diamond Dogs. They said that they’ve been driven from their mines by some ‘nasty creatures.’ They could be whatever Sombra used to take the children.”

“How horrid!” Rarity shuddered. “W-what kind of monster has my Sweetie Belle?” Her eyes watered.

“We’ll get them back,” Shining Armor promised stolidly.

“But what does this Sombra brute even want with them?” She demanded. “They’re innocent little fillies and colts! They should be home with their mothers and fathers and big sisters and brothers…they should be getting ready for Hearth’s Warming Eve, having snowball fights and drinking hot cocoa! N-not dragged out of their beds by monsters and taken underground where we might never e-even seen them agaaaaaaaain!”

“Shhh…there, there, sweetie.” Cadence wrapped the smaller pony up in a hug, rocking her gently. “It’ll be okay…why don’t we go sit down over some tea?” She gently ushered the shaking Rarity towards the kitchen car.

There was a sad lull as they heard the door to the next compartment open and close. “…So now what?” Rainbow asked dully.

Shining licked his lips. “The guards will investigate, see if there’s anything to this report. As far as we’re concerned…” he paused. “The plan hasn’t changed, we keep going north…” he spoke faster, seeing the looks he was getting from the mares. “…the best thing we can do for the missing children is to get to the Crystal Empire before them and defeat Sombra.”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “This really stinks, Shiny. We should be doing something to help.”

“We are.” He stressed firmly. “Just because you aren’t doing everything doesn’t mean that you’re not helping.” He put his hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “When I made captain, I still wanted to be out there on patrol, checking out every single thing that went on. But I had to learn to delegate, because no one pony can be everywhere. Not even the Princess. If she could, there wouldn’t be any need for guards or bureaucrats.” Shining smiled gently. “Not even you, Dash.”

She sighed. “I guess…so, we keep going north?”

“And we don’t stop for anything.” Shining confirmed. “As soon as the train stops, we start walking.”

“About that…” Everypony turned to see Cadance as she shut the door behind her. “I’m afraid that we’re going to have to stop. Our food supplies are almost gone.”

“That’s—impossible!” Shining blurted out.

“Oh no!” Fluttershy gasped, causing everypony to look to her. “I—I sometimes got hungry and in the middle of the night…I ate half an apple! This is all my fault!” She buried her face in her hooves. “I’m so sorry! Please forgive me! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

“Fluttershy…” Rainbow Dash groaned. “Geeze, keep it together, would you? There’s no way we ran out of supplies because you had half an apple a night.”

Shining’s jaw dropped. “We were fully stocked when we set out from Ponyville! The quatermaster’s office said those supplies should be enough to last for a month!”

Applejack groaned. “Ah’m guessing they didn’t account on Pinkie Pie.”

“I thought her super-duper-sized-pancakes-with-everything-in-them were a bit…rich.” Twilight mused.

Pinkie pouted. “Heeey, you said you liked them! You had seconds.”

“And Ah might’ve gone a bit o’erboard on making the apple cobblers.” AJ admitted ruefully.

Cadance walked over, putting a hoof on Shining Armor’s withers. “Well, whatever the reason is, if we don’t want to starve before we even get to the Crystal Empire, we better stop and stock up on supplies.”

“This is going to put us behind schedule,” he muttered grumpily. Twilight gave him a sympathetic smile. Then he sighed. “But I guess we have no choice.” Walking over to his saddle bag, Shining consulted his map. “The town we’re stopping at is a small railroad town. It’ll probably have a general store where we can get everything we need.”

The prospect of coming to a stop and getting off the train brightened everypony’s spirits. Shining Armor frowned. “I’ll go get the supplies. The rest of you can just wait here and--” The concentrated glares from seven furious, grumpy, and stir-crazy mares almost knocked the captain of the royal guard on his plot. “--or, um, I guess you can come too...”

& & &

When the train pulled into the station of the small town of Snowridge, there was such a stampede to get off that Shining Armor nearly up being trampled. Everypony wore scarves and hats and earmuffs made by Rarity herself that were, “simply darling!”

“Fresh air…” Rainbow Dash breathed, greeting it like a long lost lover. Her wings snapped open as she took to the skies, delighting in feeling the wind between her feathers.

AJ took a deep sniff. “Who-ee! It may not smell like apples, but it shore is better than a train crammed full o’ ponies!”

“Indeed!” Rarity smiled. “It smells crisp and clean!”

“Eeeee! Look you guys!” Pinkie squealed “It’s snowing!”

Applejack quirked her brow. “Um, Pinkie? It’s been snowing for the last day and a half.”

“Yeah but now I’m outside to enjoy it!” She stuck out her tongue, spinning in a circle as she tried to catch the gently falling snowflakes.

An earth pony swaddled up in winter clothing galloped to them. “Welcome!” He grinned widely. “I’m Mayor LePetomane. Welcome to Snowridge! If we knew you were coming, we would’ve had somepony waiting for you. Not good manners to let visitors freeze their tails off on a day like this.”

Shining stepped forward. “I’m Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard.” His tone was pure professionalism, undercut only by the sight of Pinkie’s continued frolics in the snow as she chased the falling flakes, tongue outstretched. Her tongue came into contact with a pole and became stuck fast. Doing his best to ignore her attempts to pull her tongue free, he continued with as much dignity as he could muster. “We need to gather some supplies: food, medicine, and additional winter gear. You will be reimbursed by Canterlot at the earliest opportunity.”

LePetomane winced at the news that he would have to turn over supplies to them without paying. And knowing bureaucracy, it would be awhile before Canterlot sent the money owed. The merchants would howl. But there wasn’t any way to say no to the royal guard requisitioning material on a mission. “...of course.” His smile was sickly. “We’d be...happy to help.”

“Thank you, Mayor. We’re also in a bit of a hurry, so the faster you can get those supplies, the better.”

“I will do what I can,” LePetomane sighed. “Most of my ponies would be indoors on a day like this, preparing for Hearth’s Warming Eve. You know it’s less than two weeks away.” The Mayor chuckled, not noticing the pained look on his guests’ faces. Applejack and Rarity looked unhappy at the reminder that the holiday best known for spending time with your family was approaching and they were away from their loved ones. Rainbow Dash felt even worse. She’d promised Ditzy that she’d have Dinky back in time for Hearth’s Warming. Being reminded of it suddenly made her impatient to get back underway.

The Mayor walked off to gather some local help to gather the supplies. Twilight and Cadance set about trying to pry Pinkie’s tongue off the metal pole.

The first load of materials was brought on sleighs pulled by a team of ponies. Pinkie--now free but with a sore tongue--busied herself by bouncing around them and asking their names if they would be ‘fwends’ with her (having her tongue removed from the pole had left her with a slight lisp). They found it best to just smile and nod.

Rainbow Dash was sipping some warm apple cider and enjoying the rare moment of solitude, the first she’d had in awhile. “Dashie?”

She shut her eyes and sighed. Of course. “Hey Cadance.” She turned her head to look at the older pony. “What’s up?”

The pink princess made her way down to Rainbow’s side, staring out at the pleasant little town. “It’s lovely.”

Rainbow flicked her wings, shaking off some snow that had fallen on them. “Eh, it’s okay. Ponyville’s way better.”

“I can see you really love Ponyville. You’ve made some wonderful friends.” Cadance leaned down to nuzzle Rainbow. “I’m so proud of you.”

But the smaller pony stood ramrod straight, not reacting to Cadance’s affection, much less returning it. I didn’t do it for you, she thought, but didn’t say. Still, enough of what she was thinking was reflected in how she held herself that Cadance drew back, concerned.

“Rainbow Dash...what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Who said anything was wrong?” She crossed her arms, not looking at her former foalsitter.

Cadance let out a sigh. It was always a fight trying to get Rainbow Dash to open up when she didn’t want to. Trying to pressure her resulted in her digging in her hooves and becoming even more stubborn. It often took a lot of gentle, patient coaxing and a willingness to let her open up on her own time and in her own way to get anywhere. Cadance knew this but...she couldn’t leave a pony she cared about in a such a state. Even if it was unlikely to work, she felt like she had to try reaching out to Rainbow.

“Dashie...please tell me what’s wrong.” Cadance gently stroked her rainbow mane with a hoof, knowing how much that soothed her as a filly. “We used to be so close, you could tell me anything.”

“....’s nothing to tell.” Rainbow finally responded, pulling away.

“Are we not friends anymore?” Cadance asked softly. “Is it something I said, or did? Or didn’t do?”

Against her own desire to say nothing, Rainbow couldn’t help jerking her head up at that. “N-no! We’re still friends! It’s just...it’s complicated!”

“Why?” A thought crossed her mind. “Is it because of my relationship with Shining Armor?”

Rainbow Dash gave a sudden start. “H-huh?! W-why would that be an issue?” She gulped.

“Well, I know you had a crush on him when you were younger and it seems like--”

“You knew?!” The blue of Rainbow’s face had been replaced by red. “Y-you knew and you never even--grah! Forget it!” Her hooves pounded through the snow as she broke into a run, ignoring Cadance’s calls.

She ran so swift that the icy wind caused tears to be formed in the corners of her eyes. At least, that’s what she would say if anypony asked. Once again everypony and everything conspired to make her look like a stupid, silly, little love-lorn foal. Why couldn’t everypony just...let it go, so they could focus on beating stupid Sombra and saving the kids?

As Rainbow headed back to the train station, she saw that the townsponies were almost finished packing all the supplies Shining had requested. They would probably be getting underway soon. Then the wind picked up, carrying fierce sounding roars and growls into town, bringing everypony to a silent standstill. “What the hay?” Applejack looked around as everypony gathered ‘round. The townsponies froze in their tracks, eyes wide with fear.

“Oh no…” Mayor LePetomane swallowed. “Everypony, get indoors now!”

Shining had to raise his voice to a shout to be heard over the wind, the roaring and the thoroughly spooked ponies. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Panicked yells and shouts were heard as ponies ran this way and that, slamming doors and windows shut and barricading themselves inside.

“Snow leopards!” The Mayor shouted as he too ran for safety. In under a minute, Shining Armor, Cadance and the girls were alone.

“You think they went to throw as a surprise party?” Pinkie asked hopefully.

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s the case.” Rarity answered.

“Eeep!” Fluttershy let out a terrified squeak, pointing behind them.

Much like timberwolves were wood-golems in the shape of a wolf, snow leopards were living piles of snow shaped like a leopard. Any chance of being mistaken for a snowpony or other creation of mischievous foals was dispelled by the snarling maws full of razor-sharp icicle fangs, dagger-like claws of ice, and beady remorseless eyes. They glistened wickedly, sizing up their next meal: Rainbow Dash and her friends.

& & &

Chapter 11

& & &

“I think we’ve been here before,” Pipsqueak spoke up, breaking the silence the three foals had been walking in all day.

Dinky looked at him. “How d’you know? All these dumb tunnels look the same.”

“That moss,” he pointed at a patch of moss clinging to the cave walls. “We tore some off for lunch, remember? You said it looked like a big muffin.”

“Sure didn’t taste like a muffin though." With a critical eye, Dinky examined the moss. "You’re right! It is the same moss! Grrr!” She stomped her hoof. “We went inna big circle!”

Alula groaned and came to a halt. “Oh, horseapples!”

“‘lula!” Dinky gasped. “You said a bad word!”

“It fits!” Alula grumped. “We’re going around in circles and it stinks like a big pile of horseapples!”

The little unicorn pointed a hoof at her accusingly. “You said it again!”

“Now what do we do?” Pip wondered as he looked around.

Alula rubbed her hoof under her chin and pondered. “There’s this big hedge maze in Canterlot, and when I got lost there once Mom said I could find my way out if I just turned right every time I needed to turn.”

“But what if we can only go left? Do we go left twice?” Dinky asked. “No, wait, that’d be two wrongs, huh?” She pondered it a bit more. “But how d’you know going right’s the right way t’go?”

“‘Cause Mom said so,” Alula’s tone brooked no argument.

“But that was a hedge maze.” Pip pointed out. “These are underground tunnels and caves.”

“Did Missus Nimbus come here an’ check too?” Dinky smiled hopefully. “Maybe she left a clue!”

Alula shook her head. “I dunthink Mom’s ever been down here, but it’s still a maze and we’re still lost.”

Pip shivered. “It’s cold down here.”

Dinky rubbed her legs together, looking at her friends. “Maybe we should make a fire? It’s what Daring Do did during the Day of the Diamond Dogs.”

“What’re we gonna make a fire with?” Alula asked, not rejecting the idea but unsure of how it could be done.

Pip thought for a moment before his eyes lit up. “How about some moss?” He suggested, then adding as he made a face. “I don’t think I can eat any more of that stuff.”

Dinky stuck out her tongue in agreement. “Yeah.”

“I dunno...” Alula mused. “Moss isn’t wood. How do we start a fire without matches or sticks or flint or something?”

“I could try somethin’...usually I just make sparks when things go wrong, but I could try to light it. We jus’ need enough moss, right?” Dinky tossed her head, showing off her horn.

“I wish Missus Doo was here...she always makes fires!” Pip commented. “Even that one time with that applesauce.”

Dinky nodded, unable to stop a small sniff. “Momma could make everything okay down here. Though she might try to make a moss muffin, if she didn’t bring anything to eat.”

“Moss muffins sound real good right now,” Alula put a wing around Dinky comfortingly. “‘Kay...so I guess we get a bunch of moss, and Dinky’ll try to set it on fire with her horn? Maybe if we cook some of the moss it won’t taste so icky.”

Pip walked over to the cave wall coated with moss and started tugging on a corner with his teeth. “Grrr…” he growled, shaking his head vigorously like a puppy as he tried, unsuccessfully, to pull it off the wall.

After wiping her eye on Alula’s wing, Dinky went over to help Pip, pulling a loose edge.

Alula grumbled. “Like this, du—Pip.” She showed him how to grip the moss so he’d have more leverage.

"Ish all shlimy and grossh!" he whined through a mouthful of moss. But taking Alula’s advice, he found that he was able to get a better grip on it. He tugged and pulled and the entire carpet of moss promptly fell over, covering all three of them.

“Eek!” Dinky squeaked from under the moss, but being close to an edge, she managed to wriggle out quickly. “lula! Pip! You okay!?”

Alula or rather, a Alula-shaped lump of moss, stood up. “...Dummy.”

“It was your idea!” A small lump of moss objected, looking like he was wearing a really cheap green ghost costume.

“Nuh-uh!” Alula shook her head. “You did it wrong ‘cause you’re a dummy.” She struggled and tried to get out of the moss, without success.

Pipsqueak had better luck, squirming out and plucking strays bits of moss in his coat. “How was I ‘sposed to know it was gonna come down at once?”

Dinky grabbed the edge of the moss, grimacing at the taste. “Ew! C’muuh, ith iccy!”

But Alula was still lost and trapped under the moss, giving a fillyish scream of frustration. “Dumb moss! Dumb Dummy getting moss on me!”

Pip whispered to Dinky as he helped gather up some moss. “Alula likes to yell alot, doesn’t she?”

“Her family can get shouty,” she agreed.

After a moment of futile struggling, Alula let out a groan and, very reluctantly, muttered. “Dinky? Pip? I need your help to get outta here.”

“You promise to be nicer?” Pipsqueak asked. In answer, Alula silently resumed her struggle, trying to free herself on her own.

Dinky gave a disgruntled sigh and waited. Alula petulantly groused. “Why’s he gotta be such a dummy?” The colt pouted adorably, not that Alula saw. Nor did she see Dinky’s frown. Alula sniffled from under the blanket of moss. “Stupid dummy-colt.”

Pip walked over to the pile of moss covering Alula and gave her a gentle pat on the back. “‘m not a dummy...why you got to be so mean?”

She responded with a louder sniffle. “Why do you gotta be a stupid dummy cootieface ‘stead of bein’ strong and brave an’ stuff?”

“I-I can be brave...” Pip lowered his ears. “I’ll show you! Um...” He thought for a moment, then grabbed a chunk of moss and started tearing, creating a hole for Alula to step out of. “Uh...ta da?”

Alula wiped her eyes while trying to hide that she was doing it. “Not bad, for a…Pip.” She gave him a very brief nuzzle as she walked passed. Then she blushed and hastily added with more embarrassment than real heat, “Y—you’re still a dummy!” She began tearing up the moss blanket with more strength than was really needed, grumbling under her breath.

“Uh, thanks?” He blinked, clearly confused as he backed away.

Dinky gave a satisfied nod. “Now we gotta get a buncha rocks in a circle, to make sure the fire doesn’t spread.” She looked around. “…does it still count if the rest of the ground is rock too?”

“Um, I think it’s fine…” Pip walked over to Dinky’s side.

Assured, Dinky tore off a section of moss, dragging it away from the main part and began to focus on it. She got a spark or two at a time, which quickly sizzled out.

“S’okay Dinky...you can do it!” Pip whispered encouragingly.

Her horn flickered, sputtered and ultimately fizzled. “C’mon...” she ground out, a small shiver working up her spine as she knelt on the ground, bringing the tip of her horn closer to the pile.

“You’ll get it, Dinky.” Alula announced confidently, bringing over more moss.

“Stoopid moss...” the little unicorn grumbled, the light in her horn sputtered for a moment, then died. “AWW, C’MON!” She scrunched up her face and was rewarded with a shower of small sparks.

An idea struck Pip as he quietly stepped away from Dinky and tiptoed behind her. He took a deep breath as he leaned in …”BOO!!!”

“AAAAAAUGH!” Dinky shrieked, her horn lighting up in a flash before she scuttled backwards. “Piiip!” She whined. “That was mean!”

Alula glowered at the small colt. “Dummy! Stop bein’ such a...” she trailed off as she noticed that Dinky succeeded in starting the fire due to being startled. “Oh...huh. Guess you’re not a dummy this time.”

“Sorry Dinky...but look! You did it!” He pointed triumphantly at the tiny, but growing, fire.

“Oh yeah, huh?” She gave a half-smile, then frowned. “It was still mean. I coulda done it myself.”

“Who cares?” Alula asked pragmatically as she tossed some more moss on the fire. “At least we have a fire now.”

Pip gave Dinky an apologetic nuzzle. “‘M sorry...s’just...it’s so cold!” He shivered. “And now we have a fire!” He grinned as he approached the fire, turning around so his spotted rump could get some warmth. He sighed happily as he gave a dopey smile.

Dinky giggled at him as she stood up, shivering as her knees left the cold stone ground. “S’better...Daring Do was right, a fire always helps.”

“Why’s it gotta be so cold in here anyway?” Alula grumbled as she stretched out her wings to soak up some warmth. The trio sat and munched on some fire-dried moss—it didn’t do much to improve the taste—and enjoying the warmth.

But it was soon interrupted when they noticed something in the air. “Ewww!! What stinks?!” Dinky held her nose.

Pip gagged and waved his hoof in front of him. “Bleeech!”

Alula started flapping her wings, trying to dispel it. “Maybe we should turn around and—AAAAH!!” She shrieked as she rounded a corner. Dinky and Pip screamed too as they came face to face with something from their nightmares. A pair of large, hairy creatures, one dark brown and the other a light lavender. The creatures were larger than a grown pony and bulkier too. One was crouched over on all fours while the other stood on its feet. They were covered with shaggy, matted and tangled hair that covered every part of them, save their arms below the elbow and their feet, which seemed small, thin and bony compared to the rest of them.

Their round heads were graced with long, thin, hairless ears tapered off in a point that gave the impression of horns. Their mouths were full of long, white fangs and they had bulging red globular eyes. Accompanying them was a foul odor, indicating that the two hairy things probably hadn’t had a bath in months.

“Oh look….” The brown one grinned as it rubbed its clawed-hands together. “Dinner.”

The three little ponies gulped. They were looking at the moss the foals had been cooking...right?

“H-hello…” Dinky shook nervously. “W-we’re looking for a grown-up…can you help us?” She shot them her widest, most pleading smile. Alula frowned at them in warning as Pip just looked at them with awed amazement.

The two creatures looked at each other. “Oh yessss...” The brown one hissed. “We can help. We heard that you lost your way…we’re here to bring you home.”

“R-really?” Dinky asked hopefully. “You’re gonna take us back to Ponyville?”

“I dunno…they don’t exactly look like good guys.” Alula murmured. “They look like monsters!”

“Well, Rainbow Dash made friends with lotsa weird monsters when she went to stop Nightmare Moon...” Dinky countered. “Maybe these are some of those hole-digging things? And Momma says it’s important not to judge somepony based on app—appe—how they look.” She looked over the new visitors again. “‘Sides, they’re kinda fluffy.”

Pip nodded. “Kinda fat too...”

The lavender-furred one grumbled. “Hey, we are not fat! It’s this fur, it makes us look...poofy.”

Dinky, with innocent naivete, reached out to touch the hairy leg of the brown furred creature. “Wow! He’s so fluffy!” She looked up hopefully. “You can help us, right?”

The brown one bit down on a growl before it could form. “Why...yesss...of course.” Its eye twitched.

“Great! I’m Dinky Doo, an’ we’re kinda lost down here. Can you help us get back to Ponyville? Pretty please?”

The lavender one nodded. “Of course we can. We know these tunnels like the backs of our hands.”

“Hands?” Dinky asked questioningly. The creature gestured with the appendage in question. It was startled when the little filly yelled. “AAAAH MISTER, YOU GOTTA BUNCHA SNAKES ON YOUR HOOF!”

“Gyaaah! Where, where?!” He frantically examined at his hands.

The brown-furred one facepalmed. “Those are your fingers, stupid.”

“….oh.” The other blinked. “Right. Hey, don’t call me stupid!”

“Then don’t act stupid!”

Pip murmured gently to Dinky and Alula. “Are you sure they can help us find the way home?”

“Ida know, but they seem…okay…enough…I guess.” Dinky shrugged. “At least we’re not alone now, right?”

“Yeah...I guess they’re better than nothing,” Alula allowed, watching them warily. “What are you anyway?

The brown one drew himself up to his full height, gesturing dramatically. “We are dwellers of caves and tunnels...the greatest hunters and trackers in the world. Once we get a scent, nothing can throw us from the trail. We are relentless, we are ferocious, we are...the bushwoolies!” He growled with deadly earnestness.

Pip let out a strangled snort.

“...Never heard of you before.” Alula remarked blandly. “So can you help us get back to Ponyville?” The brown bushwoolie clenched his fists angrily.

“Of course we can.” The lavender one replied.

Dinky gave a relieved sigh, then looked back to Pip and Alula triumphantly. “I toldja!” She looked back to the Bushwoolies. “Can we go now, pleasepleasepleaseple—“ she paused, looking at the fire. “Oh, wait, we gotta put that out first.”

The brown bushwoolie snorted. “Fine, make it quick.”

She went to the fire, then paused. “Um, does anypony have a fire extinguisher?” The brown bushwoolie facepalmed, again.

Pip shook his head. Alula walked over and tried to stomp out the moss, but yelped and pulled back after a few stomps. “Right...fire is hot.”

“That was kinda dumb, Alula.” Pip couldn’t help commenting.

Alula frowned petulantly. “You’re the dumb one, dummy.”

“Usually Momma’s only making fires, Sparky and I hafta put ‘em out.” Dinky pondered. “Maybe it’ll be okay if we just move the rest of the moss away?”

“FINE!” Barked the brown one angrily, stomping over to kick the moss away from the fire. “There, now let’s go!” He yelled at the ponies.

Dinky jerked back, afraid and tearful. “I was jus’ tryin’ to be responsible...sorry.”

That prompted an angry glower from the pegasus. “You dunhafta be mean about it.”

The bushwoolie grumbled angrily, baring his teeth at them until the lavender furred one stepped on his foot warningly. That just made the other one sulk and cross his arms. “Fine...let’s go.” He pointed down the tunnel.

“Jerks...” Pip muttered as he started walking, next to the sad-faced Dinky.

Alula protectively placed herself between Dinky, Pip, and bushwoolies. “You gotta apologize for bein’ mean.”

Gulping nervously, Dinky softly hissed at her. “‘lula, let’s just go.”

“Bushwoolies don’t apologize.” The brown-furred one growled.

“You were mean to Dinky. You gotta ‘pologize, or I’m gonna tell on you!” Alula threatened. That prompted the bushwoolie to bare his fangs at her.

Dinky laid her ears flat against her head, suddenly suspecting that they might not be nice…whatever they were. “Alula, c’mon. They can say sorry later.” She urged, before offering a small smirk. “Momma can make ‘em.” Alula giggled at that.

That prompted the one with brown fur to growl, baring his fangs again. “No puny pony makes me apologize! We’ve been chasing you puny mammals ever since you snuck away from the carts and the stupid ponies that were supposed to be watching you. Now follow us or stay here and starve!”

“You’re working with the bad ponies who stole us from our homes?” Alula demanded, outraged. “I knew you were bad guys!”

“Oh way to go. You couldn’t pretend for five minutes?” The bushwoolie with lavender fur demanded.

The brown one threw his arms up in frustration. “They’re just so annoying! I’ve eaten things that didn’t complain this much!”

“NOW who’s the stupid one?” The one with lavender fur crossed his arms smugly.

“You are…’cuz you’re a pain in the butt!”

“Don’t you take that tone with me!”

“Pain in the butt! Pain in the butt!”

While the two argued, Pip shouted. “RUN!” with a shriek, Dinky did just that, Pipsqueak following behind her. Alula followed, making a point of staying behind her friends.

Their quick departure snapped the bushwoolies out of their argument. “Get back here!” Snarled the brown one as they gave chase on all fours. The bushwoolies were fast, and larger than the ponies. They even rolled themselves up into balls, grasping their ankles with the hands and rolled down the tunnels.

“No fair!” Dinky yelped as she looked back to see two big balls of smelly, stinky fur bearing down on them.

Pip wrinkled his snout. “Peeeeuuuwww!!! Ugh, it’s like something the cat threw up!”

Dinky scrunched her nose at the smell, not seeing the rock in her path until she tripped over it and went sprawling. “Owww!!”

Alula slammed her hooves against the ground as she ran to stand protectively over her. “Dinky, are you okay?!”

Neither filly had a chance to respond. The bushwoolies unrolled themselves on either side, preventing any possible escape. They either ignored or forgot about Pip, who paused a little further down and was watching the scene with growing panic.

Alula flared her tiny wings and delivered some quick hoof jabs in warning. “Back off! I’m warning you...” But the bushwoolies had a much greater reach than she did and with two of them on either side of her, they could move faster than she could react. The brown one snarled and lashed out with his claws. Alula shrieked and dropped to the ground, clutching her back right leg.

Dinky gasped as a thin red trail seeped through Alula’s hooves. “Ohmygosh ‘lula!”

The brown bushwoolie grinned toothily as he leered over them. “All this running has worked up my appetite...I’m hungry.”

The lavender one looked at him severely. “You know the Dark One wants them back alive.”

“He has over a hundred of the little horsey mammals already! He won’t miss one or two.” The brown one retorted, sizing them up. “Perhaps…this one!” He reached out to grab Dinky.

“EEEE! DUN EAT ME! DUN EAT ME!” She shrieked, starting to cry. “LEMME GO!”

“Leave her alone or I’ll deck you!” Alula snarled, tears running down her cheeks as she laid on the ground, ignored.

That’s when Pip had an idea. “Don’t eat the fillies! They—they have cooties!” He blurted out. The two creatures looked at each other questioningly.

“Cooties? What are cooties?” The brown one asked.

Pip shuddered. “Cooties are the ickiest, most grossest things ever! They make you--well, I dunno what happens if you get too much of 'em, but it's really, REALLY bad!”

“And pony females have these cooties?” The lavender one looked sick.

Alula bristled. “No we don--”

“Shuddup!” Pipsqueak hissed at her.

The brown one stroked his chin as he dropped Dinky with a yelp. “All right, then we’ll eat you!” He grabbed Pipsqueak. “The puny spotted one won’t be missed…he’ll make an excellent stew!”

“Ugh, it’s always stew with you.” The lavender one balled his fists on his hips. “Why can’t we have a little variety? Like a light, fluffy quiche?”

“Quiche?! We’re big, scary monsters! Monsters do not eat quiche!”

“Why not?” Pip asked innocently, an idea forming. Given how easily the two had argued before…

“Why not?!” The brown one looked as if Pip was mad. “What kind of self-respecting monster would eat a dainty pastry dish?! Stew is what we will make of your bones!”

The lavender bushwoolie crossed his arms in a sulk. “I'm tired of stew! I want to put him in a crust and bake a light fluffy quiche! I’m sure the colt will make a fine pastry filling.”

“It's a matter of principle! MONSTERS DO NOT EAT QUICHE!”

“I kinda like quiche.” Pip admitted.

Dinky and Alula looked at each other. “Is that Dummy crazy?” Alula hissed. Her friend shrugged, wondering for once if Pipsqueak’s culinary suggestions really did make him a dummy.

“See?” The lavender one threw up his hands. “Even he sees that being a quiche would be great!”

“He’s just a stupid, tiny mammal, what does he know?” The brown bushwoolie countered, dropping Pip to the ground. As the two started arguing further, Pip desperately waved at his friends, desperately winking at them and hoping they would catch on.

The fillies eyes widened as they realized what he was trying to do. “No way!” Alula countered as she leaned against Dinky to take the strain off of her leg. Both monsters looked her way. “Stew’s faster to put together in the field.”

Now it was the brown one who crowed. “You see?”

“But we’re not in a field, we’re in a cave!” The other retorted.

Dinky tossed in her two bits. “But quiche is a bit like muffins. Only not as muffiny, and sometimes it’s got stuff like spinach in it.” She stuck her tongue out. “Gramma always makes it like that.”

“Ha!” The lavender bushwoolie grinned. “Three against two! I win!”

“This isn’t a vote!” The brown one cuffed him upside the head. The lavender one retaliated in the same way. Then they began to shove one another and it soon dissolved into a wrestling match between the two bushwoolies as all else became forgotten as they shouted their battle cries.

“STEW FOREVER!”

“QUICHE OR DEATH!”

Pip carefully made his way around the massive wrestling furball and ran over to Alula and Dinky. “Let’s go while they’re busy fighting.”

Alula nodded. “Right, let’s keep quiet and…hnnng!” she grimaced as she put weight on her injured leg.

Dinky gasped. “’lula!”

“I-I’m okay.” She lied. “You guys go, I’ll catch up.”

“You can’t walk like that! Those stoopid, stoopid rat things will catch you! Pippy and I will help you walk.” She proclaimed, nodding to him as they took up positions on either side of the injured pegasus.

Alula quietly fumed. “Imma Kicker! I can do it myself!”

“Nu-uh!” Pip shook his head. “Stop bein’ a silly-filly!”

“Dummy dolt-colt.” She feebly retorted, but didn’t object further as the three ponies started making their quiet retreat. “…thanks…”

Meanwhile, the two arguing bushwoolies were still going at it. The one with brown fur found himself stuck in a headlock when he noticed the prisoners weren’t where they had left them. “Did we order this dinner to go?” He asked his compatriot.

“No, why?”

“’Cause there it goes!” He pointed angrily. With a snarl of anger, the two creatures ended their fight and chased after their quarry.

With Alula’s injured leg slowing them down, the three little ponies couldn’t escape. “Help us! Somepony! Heeeeeeeeeelp!” Dinky shrieked, her cry echoing off the cave walls as the bushwoolies came closer.

“Forget it, tiny pony mammals!” The brown one huffed, bearing down on them. “You’re going to be my dinner and you’re going to like it!”

The trio quickly turned a corner, trying to stay one step ahead...unfortunately, that tunnel ended in a dead end. “Oh no...” Dinky turned around, pressing her back against the wall.

The bushwoolies grinned, their teeth glinting brightly in the dark. The terrified foals huddled together and closed their eyes. Had they been open, they would have seen a shadow detach itself from the wall behind the bushwoolies and slam a hoof against the ground.

The children opened their eyes and the hairy monsters whirled around in shock at the unexpected arrival. An oddly accented voice murmured strange words, “Eleka nahmen nahmen Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen!” A staff clutched in the strangers hooves lit up the tunnel in a pulsing green light.

The sudden light made the bushwoolies hiss and cover their eyes. “What pony trick is this?” Their answer came in the form of a series of sharp whacks to the head and shoulders, courtesy of the staff. Yelping painfully, the bushwoolies attempted to charge the interloper. When the lavender one threw a punch, the stranger leapt onto his arm and used it as a springboard to leap over him entirely, delivering a jump kick to the brown-furred one. Whirling back, the lavender bushwoolie received a sharp hoof to the jaw.

Alula, Dinky and Pip watched with awed amazement. Whoever this pony was, he or she moved like lightning! Always twirling and leaping, just a hair away from being caught or slashed. The staff rang out against the slow, bumbling monsters again and again until they could finally take no more and fled, running down the tunnel as fast as they could.

Once they were gone, the stranger turned back to the stunned children. “T-thanks mister...” Dinky stammered.

“Well, what have we here? What are you doing in this dark place, my dears?” The cloaked pony asked, tilting her head.

“Runnin' away from scary monsters.” Alula answered, relaxing a bit when she noticed the shadow had a distinctly pony-shape.

Dinky nodded. “An' tryin' t' find an adult. D'you know where one is?”

“I may,” she replied, lowering the hood of her cloak. She was a zebra with a mohawk, carrying her still faintly glowing staff and a warm smile. “With you I will stay. While I may not know where your parents abide, will you allow me to journey by your side?”

Pipsqueak looked up at the zebra with wide-eyed awe. “Wow...”

Dinky on the other hoof, burst out into a relieved smile. “Miss Zecora!” She rushed over and gave her an adinkable glomp, threatening to cut off all circulation to her head.

Zecora staggered back slightly before smiling and returning the hug. “Ah, what a mighty surprise! Dinky Doo, here, before my eyes!”

The little filly shook with relief, getting teary-eyed and choked up. Finally, a grown up! “What're you doin' down here?”

The zebra rubbed her back gently, murmuring soft reassurances. “Keeping an eye on the evil city has been my chore. I am awaiting the arrival of allies, to help me more.”

Alula gave a relieved sigh as Zecora set Dinky down. “Okay, that's good.”

“You know her Dinky?” Pip asked.

The unicorn nodded, hastily rubbing a hoof across her face. “Yah-huh! She was with me when...well, when Rainbow Dash came t' Ponyville. After…after my mom got stolen.”

“You mean when Nightmare Moon came and was all super scary and evil?” Pip’s eyes widened again.

Limping slightly, Alula took a step forward, unable to suppress a wince. “Oh yeah, I heard about her…”

“Ah my poor dear,” Zecora walked over to Alula. “You are injured I fear.”

Alula was quiet for a moment. As much as she wanted to be tough and strong and say it didn’t hurt…it did. “You…you know medical stuff, right?” she asked, biting down on her lip.

Zecora nodded, patting Alula’s back. “Tell me, what happened to cause you such pain? I shall fix you up while you explain.”

“We ran into some big furry nasty monster things.” Alula winced as Zecora examined the wound. “One of them scratched me.”

The older equine hmmed to herself. “Ah, I see. You have encountered a bushwoolie.”

“They were dumb and ugly and gonna bake me inna quiche!” Pipsqueak spoke up.

“Or a stew!” Dinky added.

Zecora frowned, snorting in quiet fury. “Such foul beasts! Dreaming of eating little ponies as treats!”

“Yeah, they were really mean.” Alula showed Zecora the red, inflamed scratch that went down her haunch and onto her back right leg. “Can ya fix it?”

“I have just the thing...but I warn you, this may sting!” Zecora warned before she removed a vial from her saddlebag and unstoppered it. She gently poured it on Alula’s wound.

The injured filly hissed and whimpered, tears welling in her eyes.

Her worried friends sat next to her. “S'okay 'lula...” Pip nuzzled her gently.

“S-she's okay, right? She’s gonna be okay?” Dinky asked worriedly, sniffling slightly.

Zecora nodded. “It is the medicine taking hold. I am sorry if I seem cold.”

“S'okay,” Alula whispered, grimacing. “Medicine hurts sometimes. It'll make me better, right?”

The zebra nodded. “Such a brave filly. Many adults would whine and act silly.” She gave the little pegasus filly a nuzzle.

“I gotta be brave...” Alula murmured to herself as Zecora made a poultice to gently apply to the filly’s leg. She bound it tightly with some wrapping, apologizing when Alula winced. “T-thank you, Miss Zecora,” she said when she was finished. “It feels a lot better now.”

Dinky let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good.” Just then a thought occurred to her. “We found an adult! An' not just any adult, but Miss Zecora! We're okay now!” She looked to Zecora. “We're okay now, right?” Her eyes were bright and hopeful.

Zecora hesitated. “I will keep you safe from monsters, beasts and spirits of black. But I'm afraid I cannot take you back.”

“But things were supposeta be okay when we found an adult!” Dinky sounded despondent and it broke the zebra’s heart.

Alula sat up. “Why can't you take us back?”

“I'm sorry little one,” Zecora was genuinely regretful as she scooped Dinky up in a hug. “But Rainbow Dash and her friends will need my help if the battle is to be won.”

Dinky gasped. “Rainbow Dash is comin'!?” Her face lit up again. “Wait...what battle?”

“She is indeed on her way, to make sure the evil of Sombra does not stay.” Zecora confirmed.

“Well ... we're safe with you at least, right?” Alula looked to Zecora, who nodded.

“With me, I can guarantee your safety.” She set Dinky down as she started walking, leading them out of the dead end and down another tunnel, different from the one the monsters had fled to. “Come Dinky, tell me now...how did you come here anyhow?”

“We were ponynapped. Or at least, ponies took us while we were nappin'.” She shrugged. “Same thing, I guess.”

“But we got away, but then we were lost.” Alula added before Dinky continued the narrative.

“An' we got chased by a zombie pony, an' attacked by somethin' in the water, an then those fatty stoopid-heads.”

“Alas, such a tale of woe! This truly upsets me so.”

Dinky nodded. “I wanna go home.”

“Me too...” Pip agreed. “All we have had to eat was moss and gross stuff. And we hadda go to the bathroom in the cave!”

“Yeah ... do you have any real food, Miss Zecora?” Alula asked hopefully.

Zecora smiled. “I have bread, oats and a gourd. Why, it is practically a smorgasbord!”

Pip smacked his lips happily. “That sound great!” Alula exclaimed as Zecora went through her bags, taking out small round loaves of bread and some fruit.

"Ah, but you my sick little foal, must drink all the herbal tea from my bowl.” Their new friend told her as she poured another bottle into a wooden bowl. It was a viscous purple and green solution that steamed, wafting its smell over to the foals.

Dinky gagged and made a face. “Smells icky!”

Zecora shrugged, her necklaces chiming slightly. “It might smell of ick, but it will certainly cure any who is sick.” Alula looked distinctly unhappy as she hesitantly reached for the bowl, sloshing its contents around. Being lost in a dark cave? Fighting monsters? She could deal with that, but like any foal, taking bad medicine was like torture. But she didn’t want Pip and Alula to see her acting weak and whining. So with a grimace, she started drinking down the medicine. It was every bit as bad as she expected it to be. It tasted like it had been cooked with smelly laundry.

Meanwhile, her friends gorged themselves on real food. Dinky was ravenously tearing into her bread, “Thanks, Miss Zecora!” She said around a mouthful of food.

Pip had the presence of mind to wait until he swallowed to give his thanks. “Yeah, thank you Miss Zecora, ma'am!”

She chuckled. “Such splendid little boy!” She reached out a striped hoof to rub Pip’s head. “I'm sure his charm brings you two much joy.”

“He'zokay.” Dinky allowed. Pip beamed.

Alula swallowed a mouthful of medicine, biting down on the urge to gag. “Got cooties.” She mumbled, having finished about half of the bowl’s contents. “C'n I have some bread or somethin?”

Pip pouted adorably. Dinky frowned at her friend. “'lula...” Zecora just shook her head and chuckled.

Alula ate a bit of bread to get the taste of the medicine out of her mouth, Dinky still scowling at her. She sighed. “Guess he's okay for a cootie-colt.” She finally allowed before going back to finish the medicine.

“Ah, the adorableness of youth! So sweet it is, I think it rotted a tooth.” Zecora noted philosophically.

Dinky held up a hoof to her mouth so she could faux-whisper to Zecora, “I think she likes him.”

The zebra chuckled. “I think you might be right my dear, but you will not get her to admit it, I fear.”

“Sheza bit weird, like that.” The little filly nodded seriously.

“Ick.” Alula made a face as she finished her medicine, though whether she was referring to the medicine or liking Pipsqueak is up to debate. “Do not.” She tore off another mouthful of bread, studiously ignoring Pip who was sticking his tongue out at her. “I think you better give Pip some of that medicine too.” She mumbled. “Just in case.”

Pip protested. “I'm not sick!”

“Be good my little ones,” Zecora chided gently. “I must contemplate on what is to be done.” After a chorus of okays, she got up and picked up her staff. She stuck it in the ground and then climbed up it. Then she stood upside down, balancing on her head with her eyes closed, meditating.

"Oh, cool.” Dinky exclaimed excitedly. “You can do yoda!"

“Wow...” Pip breathed as he tilted his head to the side, trying to look at her right side up. “That's amazing! Whup!” He leaned over too far and fell over.

The children started giggling as they continued their first real meal in what felt like a long time. They might not have found their parents or Ponyville, but they weren’t alone anymore. And that made all the difference in the world.

& & &

Chapter 12

& & &

The vicious pack of snow leopards snarled menacingly at the ponies before them. Rainbow Dash wasn’t impressed.

“Seriously?” she snorted. “Oh no, we’re being attacked by deformed snow ponies. Come on...” A snow leopard growled and slashed at the wall of one of the houses. Its icicle claws did not shatter, but tore a jagged rend through the wood. “...oh.”

Shining Armor stepped forward protectively, his head lowered so that his horn pointed at the oncoming beasts. “Stand back ladies, I’ll take care of this.” A beam of magic streamed toward the snow leopards. The front rank of snow creatures collapsed into their composite snow and ice. “There, now that was…” he paused as the mounds of snow and ice reformed themselves back into their normal leopard shapes.

“…disappointingly short-lived?” Twilight supplied nervously as angry monsters stepped forward.

“All right!” Rainbow cracked her neck, grinning widely. “Finally some action! Let’s kick some--!”

“Say ice an’ I’ll buck you.” Applejack warned.

The proud pegasus snorted, rolling her eyes. “Geeze, fine Applejack. No need to get all worked up.” A small, cherubic grin graced her face. “Just...chill.”

“….Ah hate you.” Her friend commented casually right as the snow leopards came upon them, snarling and growling.

Rainbow snorted, her hot breath creating small clouds of frozen air that made her look like a bull about to charge. “Bring it on!”

The lead snow leopard bellowed and the pack of snow creatures rushed at the ponies, claws and teeth outstretched. “Yee-haw!” Applejack whooped as the battle was joined. “Git you critters!” She turned and lashed out with her rear hooves at the nearest leopard. Her aim was true, but unfortunately bucking snow wasn’t the same thing as bucking trees or anything solid. “Gaah!” She let out a surprised yelp as her hooves sank into the packed snow of the snow leopard’s side. “Of all th’…I’m stuck!” She grunted, her lower body trapped in the snow. The snarling leopard didn’t seem too pleased either as it whirled, trying to snap at her. All it succeeded in doing was the equivalent of a dog trying to bite its own tail as it went around and around in a circle. Applejack’s face took on a green tint.

“Hold on, Applejack!” Cadence started forward to help, but Shining Armor leapt in her path.

“You stay back!” He shouted as he continued the charge she had begun. “Get inside one of the houses and stay safe, I’ll protect you!”

Cadence gave an angry snort. “Of all the stupid, mule-headed…” But even if Cadence were of a mind to heed Shining’s warning, there was no time or place to flee. The snow leopards had them completely surrounded, cutting off all escape back to the safety of the train. They surged forward in a charge.

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes, determined to meet their charge with one of her own. “Hi-yaaaah!” She charged forth and with a powerful flap of her wings, leapt into the air. With her bottom hoof outstretched into a fierce power kick, she came down and plowed through three snow leopards like it was Winter Wrap Up. “Aww, yeah!” She pumped a hoof triumphantly as she stood back up. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

Twilight’s sudden warning shout took her out of her victory revel. “Rainbow Dash, look out!”

“Huh?” The pegasus turned just in time to have the ice-filled jaw of a snow leopard snap shut half an inch from her nose. “Gyah! Oh come on!” She backpedaled to put some space between her and those teeth. Then she groaned as she saw the leopards she had so expertly demolished (if she did say so herself) reform themselves from the snow. “What a rip!”

“Aww, don’t fret, it could be worse Dashie!” Pinkie Pie chirped as she bounced around, seemingly oblivious to the snow leopards that kept pouncing where she just was, oftentimes missing by just a second. “At least they’re not made of yellow snow!”

Dash brought a hoof up to her face as she flew over the snow leopards, snarling and leaping at her hooves. “Thanks so much for that Pinkie…”

“Welcome!” After a few more bounces, Pinkie Pie abruptly stopped and turned on the snow leopards behind her. From behind her back she pulled out a pair of ice cream scoops. She twirled them in her hooves. “So…who wants to make some ice cream?” The leopards’ icy-eyes widened with fear as they hastily backed away. One in the forefront wasn’t quick enough. Pinkie’s hooves were a pink blur as she dug away with her scoops, tossing the leopard over her shoulder bit by bit, ending with its severed head. It blinked in confusion.

“Yum!” Pinkie licked her lips as she took out a can of whipped cream and a container of chocolate syrup. “I wonder what flavor it is!” The snow leopard gulped, ears flattening in fear as the hungry pink thing approached.

A blast from Shining’s horn demolished the snow leopard Applejack was stuck inside, freeing her. “Thanks pardner!” She gasped, climbing to her hooves and shaking herself vigorously.

The white unicorn didn’t even look at her. “Come on, we have to get back to Cadence and the others!” He ran off, not checking to even see whether she was following him as he rejoined the fray.

The mares were actually holding their own fairly well, despite having no combat training, Twilight was able to use her magic to great effect in fending off the oncoming snow leopards. Rainbow Dash was clearly enjoying the opportunity to stretch her wings and take out all the frustration and boredom that had been building up over the last few days, punching and kicking her way through the thickest part of the foe.

Rarity, naturally, was not one to resort to such a hooves-on method. While nowhere near as powerful as Twilight, she still made creative use of the abilities and materials available to her. This was powerfully attested to by the number of snow leopards around her that were tightly, if tastefully, bound with sheaths of fabric tied into festive ribbons like so many Hearth’s Warming presents.

Once Applejack rejoined her friends she immediately set about slamming her hooves back into any nearby beasts. But she had learned her lesson and was more careful about where she aimed. This time she focused on taking out their legs or bucking their heads clean through. “It ain’t hard to knock ‘em down!” Applejack called as her hooves bucked another leopard into so much snow and powder. Even as she spoke, it began to reform itself. “It’s getting them to stay down that’s the trick!”

To the others’ surprise Cadence wasn’t sitting idly by either. Her horn flashed again and again as she tossed leopards this way and that. Every time she took a step away from Shining Armor’s side, he would leap in front of her and blast whatever snow leopard she was about to engage, not noticing the frustrated look on her face...or if there were anypony else that needed his assistance more. Pinkie Pie was too, well, Pinkie Pie for the snow leopards to even touch her. But that just left one other pony…

Rainbow Dash looked around nervously, unable to spot Fluttershy from her place in the air. She finally spotted her soft-spoken friend huddled up against the side of a building, snow leopards closing in around her. Rainbow was about to head down there to kick some frozen flanks when she heard Shining Armor’s shout. “Cadance!”

Despite having held her own for a while, Cadance wasn’t used to using her magic in sustained combat. She was getting tired and the leopards were pressing their advantage. Shining Amor was pinned down by a larger than average leopard that had managed to get in close and wrestle him to the ground. As the pony and snowbeast grappled, Shining saw Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow! Help Cadance!”

Saluting, Rainbow flew over to help Cadance when she remembered Fluttershy. Rainbow looked from pony to pony. Both were in trouble—who should she go to first?

Cadance rose on her hindlegs and whinnied as she lashed out with her front legs, knocking an icicle fang from the jaws of one beast. Fluttershy was too terrified to even fight back. “N-nice snow leopards…” Fluttershy swallowed nervously, her knees knocking together as a group of the ice-golems had her pressed against the wall. “T-there’s no need to be upset…” She was so petrified she couldn’t get her wings to open. Worse, she didn’t notice the leopard standing on the snow-covered rooftop over her. It crouched down, preparing to pounce on the unsuspecting pegasus.

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and made her choice.

“Fluttershy, move!” Rainbow yelled as she zoomed over, her wings beating furiously. A dribble of fallen snow prompted Fluttershy to look up, just in time to see the creature above her leap down.

Time seemed to slow-down. The canary-colored pegasus froze. The snow leopard was pouncing downwards, its icicle claws outstretched. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. At the last possible second, a pair of cyan hooves shoved Fluttershy aside just before the snow leopard landed—on Dash.

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy cried out as the snow beast and the pegasus tossed and wrestled in the snow.

“Go!” Rainbow grunted as she tried to kick the leopard off of her.

“But—”

“GO!” Dash’s cry came out as a snarl. With a pained and fearful-sounding sob, Fluttershy flew up, looking for somepony to help them.

Rainbow’s wings were pinned down by the leopard’s snowy paws, depriving her of the ability to fly. “Getoff you over-sized snowball!” She grunted. As if it understood her insult, the leopard’s claws sunk down into her right foreleg. Rainbow bit down on the pained yell before it was fully formed. Her eyes blazed. “That is it!” She raised her backhoof up and planted it firmly between the snow leopard’s back legs. It howled, raising one of its paws off chest. While not freeing her, it gave Rainbow Dash the chance to pull a hoof free and vigorously apply it to the leopard’s face.

“Get! Off! ME!” Rainbow grunted, punctuating each word with a punch to the head. With her last furious blow, she knocked the head of the snow leopard clean off its body. It went rolling through the snow. “Ha!” She grinned triumphantly. “That outta do it!” But unlike every other time when she or her friends had demolished a snow leopard, the body didn’t fall apart. It did however scamper off her as it ran around aimlessly, searching for its head. “Wha...?”

Twilight blinked as the severed head of the snow leopard rolled past her. Then she looked to its headless body as it bumped into walls and its fellow beasts, looking for it. “That’s it...the regenerating magic is in their heads!” Her eyes widened. “Everypony, listen!” She called. “Destroying the snow leopards just makes them reform! But if you separate the head from the body without destroying either, then they can’t regenerate a new form!”

Rainbow pounded her hooves together. Got it!” She grinned, zooming over to pick up the head she had knocked away. It snarled feebly at her. “Pinkie, catch! Time for a game of keep away!” She threw it to Pinkie, began tossing it from hoof to hoof.

“Oooh, fun!” She smiled as she held the now dizzy looking head of a snow leopard. “Hi there!”

Applejack galloped hard to another leopard, only to turn around and coil her back hooves at the last second. “Heads up!” She stretched out her legs, kicking the head of the snow leopard off.

“And you were complaining about my jokes,” Rainbow grunted as she dive-bombed another one, her bottom hooves crashing through its neck. The snow leopard blinked as it suddenly found itself rolling around on the ground. Dash reached down and picked it up, tossing it over to Pinkie.

The party pony giggled as she began juggling snow leopard heads. “”Eeheee! There’s no business like snow business…”

Applejack whooped as she leapt onto another creature’s back. “Whooa, nelly that’s cold!” She shivered as sat down on its back. “Rarity, Ah could sure use something to bust this ‘ere bronco with!”

“It would be a pleasure, darling!” Rarity sang out as she levitated a scarf her way.

The cowpony grinned as she snagged it in her hooves. “Thank yew, kindly!” She whooped as the snow leopard bit down, providing AJ with a pair of reins. “Yah! Git along little snow doggy, er, kitty!” The leopard bounded this way and that, doing its best to buck his unwanted rider off. “This is how we do it down on the farm!”

Shining Armor shook his head. The most dangerous fighting force in Equestria…he idly wondered if there was a way to integrate this into the guards training routine. Maybe he could get the girls to come down and give a demonstration?

Twilight lifted a heavy beam with her magic and waited for the leopards to charge at her. Just when they were under the beam, she neatly dropped it down on their necks. Their heads went bouncing to her hooves. She gave a little grin and idly prodded one with her hoof…then winced as the bodiless head snapped at her with its icicle fangs. “Gyah!”

Pinkie bound over to let Twilight add the heads to the juggling circle of snow leopard heads. “Oooh, that was really cool Twilight!” She chirped as she continued juggling. “And look!” She giggled. “Their bodies are getting all dizzy and silly!” Headless snow leopards staggered around, bumping into one another and collapsing in the snow.

“Then they’re about to get even more dizzy!” Rainbow Dash grinned as she zoomed over. She flew in the middle of the juggled circle and began flying around Pinkie Pie. “Step back Pinkie, I got this!” Pinkie hopped away but none of the juggled heads fell. They all became caught up in the miniature-tornado Rainbow was forming. “Shiny! Batter up!”

Grinning, Shining Armor used his magic to lift up the beam Twilight had used earlier. “Gotcha!” He dug his hooves into the snow, gently patting the ground with the lumber. “Let ‘em rip!”

Pinkie Pie leaned over a balcony (how and when she’d gotten up there nopony knew), wearing a baseball hat complete with a bottle of cider on each side and a long straw to drink from both of them. “And it’s the bottom of the ninth with a runner on first and third and two outs! Shining Armor comes to the plate and he’s had a terrific season so far! But can he knock one more out of the park?” She pumped a hoof in the air, inserted into a foam hand. “Shiny, Shiny he’s our colt! If he can’t do it—uh, Dashie’s gonna molt!”

“Huh?” Rainbow looked at her, even more confused by her than usual.

“Sorry, I panicked.” Pinkie apologized. “What, all the songs can’t be good--you have to expect that once in awhile.”

The pegasus rolled her eyes and sped out of the tornado, letting it wander over to where Shining Armor was standing. He tossed his head and gave a mighty swing. The beam connected solidly with the tornado of snow leopard heads and sent them flying out of town, whining and howling. Their confused and headless bodies ran after them—including one covered in bits of syrup and whipped cream.

“And they are outta here!” Rainbow whooped as she came in for a landing, pumping a hoof in the air. “Shiny, that was awes—OWW!” She winced, clutching her foreleg. In all the excitement she had nearly forgotten about the deep scratch that snow leopard had given her. She had several others criss crossing her body, but none that bad.

Shining Armor looked over, worry written all over his face. “Are you okay?” He asked frantically as he started to run.

Rainbow Dash shrugged before realizing that it wasn’t the smartest thing to do with a torn up foreleg. Still, she was resolved to keep her cool. “Meh, no big deal. Barely a scratch…” she gave a shy grin as he approached her. “I mean, did you see me out there taking down those things? And the way the two of us teamed up to send them packing? It was so…” her voice faltered as Shining stopped, quickly looked her injury over, then ran over to Cadence without a word. “…awesome.” She finished hollowly.

“Cadence, are you all right?” Her coltfriend and bodyguard fussed over her. “I told you to get to safety and leave the fighting to the professionals!”

If looks could kill, Cadence would’ve eviscerated him faster than any snow leopard. “Shining, I’m fine! They barely even touched me…”

“What do you call THAT!” Shining demanded, pointing at bloody scratch near Cadance’s thigh, staining her pink coat crimson. He nuzzled her cheek.

Rainbow felt the bottom drop out of her stomach she watched the two of them. She shuddered, feeling cold all over as the wind blew past. Fluttershy meekly made her way over to her friend. “I-I wanted to thank you for—oh my goodness, Rainbow Dash, you’re bleeding!”

“I’m fine.” She ground out through clenched teeth.

“But, um, maybe I should make a bandage—” Fluttershy offered as she took a strip of gauze out of her saddlebags and gently began wounding it around Rainbow’s foreleg. But even her gentle touch sent a bolt of pain racing up the prismatic pony’s leg, fueling her anger.

“I said, I’m fine Fluttershy!” She yanked her foreleg away. “If you really want to help, then maybe next time you’ll remember to stay out of the way! Or at least learn not to get in the way without knowing how to throw a punch! You could’ve gotten killed out there!”

Fluttershy crouched down, give a faint squeak. “I-I’m sorry...” She whispered as Rainbow Dash stomped off angrily, wincing at every stomp on her injured leg.

Twilight trotted up behind Rainbow Dash, shooting her best scowl at her. “Rainbow! She was just trying to help!”

“Ugh, not now...” the pegasus grumbled, only to have Pinkie bounce up in her way.

“Well, it's a little late for earlier, and later just doesn't work. You were ROTTEN to her!”

“It was the truth! Fluttershy shouldn't be getting involved in fights and stuff! She should just stay out of the way.” Rainbow shot back.

“It's not like she was trying to get involved.” Twilight reasoned. “In case you didn't notice, we got attacked with almost no warning!”

“Since when do we ever get warning before something bad happens?”

“When I get a twitchy tail?” Pinkie chimed in, adding her two cents. They both ignored her.

Twilight took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “It's not like she was trying to put herself in a dangerous situation, Rainbow.”

“I know that!” Dash fumed. “It's just--look, she...she just shouldn't BE in these sort of situations!”

“None of us should be in this sort of situation!” Twilight snapped irritably. “But we are, and making Fluttershy feel bad isn't gonna help.”

“Well, speak for yourself!” Rainbow growled. “I can take care of myself just FINE! I don't want her to feel bad Twilight but...this…” she held up her injured leg, “happened because I had to be there to save her. What if I wasn't there, huh? What do you think would have happened to Fluttershy?”

Twilight glared. “And there's no way you could've made that point without upsetting her in the process?" She pointed at a sniffling Fluttershy, sitting off by herself. Pinkie lowered her ears and let her lip tremble at the sad sight.

Rainbow looked away. “…she has to be stronger.”

“Fluttershy is strong.” Twilight was firm, then added in a gentler tone. “Just...not the way you are.”

“...I know…”

Pinkie took a seat and reached over to put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. She jumped up with a yelp as her bottom touched cold snow. “HOO chilly!” She gently lowered herself back down and shifted her derriere. “Sorry! I’m good!”

In spite of it all, Rainbow shook her head, snorting. Twilight settled for a good old eye roll. “Pinkie Pie, this is serious.”

“Really?” Rainbow pretended to look surprised. “You mean the snow leopards that nearly tore us apart weren't a joke? I'm shocked.”

“Oh, sarcasm.” Twilight noted dryly. “That's original, Rainbow.”

“Answering sarcasm with sarcasm? That’s even more original Twi.”

Pinkie looked at each of them. “HEY! Jokes aren't funny if they hurt ponies, and sarcasm hurts!”

Twilight let out a frustrated groan. “What's wrong with asking you to be a little more sensitive?”

“Because being nice and sensitive isn't going to keep you alive out here!” Rainbow Dash exploded, her wings extended as she stomped the snow covered ground angrily. “Look around! It's cold and dark and full of monsters trying to kill us! Everypony HAS to be able to take care of themselves because Shining Armor himself said that I can’t be everywhere!” She swallowed nervously, the thought that for all her speed and loyalty that she might possibly not be there for her friends when they needed her shook the blue pony to the core. “I-if I can’t be here…y-you guys have to be strong, all right? Because I can’t…I can’t…you just gotta take care of yourselves!” She lowered her head.

Caught off guard and stunned, Twilight plopped down in the snow on her rump, not even caring about the snow. “Oh.”

Rainbow looked away from her, mumbling as she slowly sank down on her haunches. “I wasn’t there when Dinky needed me and…I can’t lose Fluttershy, or any of you guys. I can’t lose anypony else.”

“We're not going to lose anypony, okay?” Pinkie gave Rainbow a hug, rubbing her back. ”We're here to find ponies.”

“Now I understand.” Twilight murmured quietly as she leaned against Rainbow Dash. “You’re concerned about us, is that it?” She felt more than saw her nod. “Oh Rainbow…”

“Silly pony.” Pinkie sniffled. “When you’re worried you’re supposed to act worried, not get all grumpy and mad!” She gently started working her hooves through the pegasus’ namesake mane. “Lemme check…”

Rainbow snorted, closing one eye as a pink hoof got too near. “Heey...”

“You musta gotten your wires all mixed up. Instead of worried, you came out angry! Do you think when you’re sad you end up smiling? Or laugh when you’re hurt?” Pinkie thought long and hard on this…about a full three seconds. “I’ve got it! Maybe you can put a ribbon in your hair so we’ll always know just what you’re feeling!” Seeing their confused and incredulous faces, Pinkie groaned. “Duh, don’t you get it? Each color in Rainbow Dash’s mane can represent a feeling! Like when you’re feeling mad put a ribbon in your red hair! And if you’re feeling excited, then you can do the same for the orange! Yellow can be fear, green can be jealous, blue can be happy and purple can be when you’re feeling, uh…grape-y? No wait, that’s silly.” She pouted. “Purple is for when she’s feeling all fancy and great!”

Rainbow and Twilight blinked in synch. Then they looked at each other and shrugged. “So…you’re expressing your concern through anger. Okay, I've read about that.” Twilight mused.

“Seriously?” Rainbow looked at her. “You’ve read about that?”

“Rainbow...” Pinkie nudged her. “She's doing her own thing, okay?”

Twilight smiled softly. “It’s okay. Look, Rainbow, I know what happened to Dinky and what almost happened to Fluttershy has you a bit rattled. I’m scared too. But you’ve got to remember that even if we’re not all as brave and fast…”

“And awesome!” Rainbow Dash added.

“…and awesome.” Twilight allowed, shaking her head and chuckling.

“And fantasta-superrific!” Pinkie reminded.

“…and fantas…fantasta…” Twilight became tongue-tied. “The POINT is, everypony here has their own strengths and weaknesses, even if they don’t all correspond to physical traits, per se.”

“Who’s Percy?” Pinkie blinked owlishly.

Twilight pressed on, knowing that if she got sidetracked now she’d never reach the point. “ANYway, just because Fluttershy doesn’t have the strengths needed in a fight, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have other strengths that you or I lack. Just like back in the Everfree Forest, when Nightmare Moon returned: each of us had some skill or ability that helped get us through each obstacle we faced.” She gently draped her hoof across Rainbow’s back. “I know you’re worried for us, and caring about us is part of what makes you a good friend. But we can also take care of ourselves. You’re our friend...not our bodyguard.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Yeah...I know you guys are cool. I mean, did you see how Fluttershy won over those gargoyles? Totally. Awesome.” She shook her head. “I just...I don’t know. I want--”

“You want to protect us the way Shining Armor does?” Twilight guessed shrewdly. “Show him that you’re as brave and competent and self-reliant as he is?”

It took a concentrated effort on Dash’s part not to wince. Twilight had good aim. “...maybe?”

“Yeah, well, remember that my brother sometimes takes himself a little too seriously.” She paused. “True, I don’t think you’ll have that problem but it does get annoying sometimes.”

“Is Shiny always such an 'I'll protect yooouu!' serious McSeriouspants?” Pinkie asked. Then she paused. “Well, Seriousshirt, I guess, he doesn't really wear pants.”

“He always was a bit protective,” Twilight smiled fondly. “But joining the Guard did make him a lot more serious.”

Rainbow nodded at the assessment and then gave Pinkie a glance. “Why? Were you looking?” She snorted, nudging the pink pony.

Pinkie fidgeted. “Well, yeah? Just a bit of a sneaky peeky.” She shyly traced a hoof in the snow.

Twilight turned a little green at the idea of her friends checking out her big brother. “Hooves off, Pinkie,” she grumbled.

That amused the blue pegasus as she fought the urge to burst out laughing and draw anypony’s attention their way. “Heh…he was always kinda stiff but he knew how to laugh and take a joke and stuff. He was really cool.”

“Of course he's cool.” She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, like noting the sky was blue, or Dinky announcing that she had the best mom in the world. “He might have gotten a little more serious, but he's still my BBBFF.”

Rainbow gave a vague nod and looked over at nothing in particular. “When I was in the palace, he was the coolest pony I knew. He was just so smart and clever and funny and cute—” she winced, not having meant to say that aloud.

Pinkie giggled knowingly and nudged her. “Go ooonnnnn...”

As the cyan pegasus’ face turned a bright shade of red, Twilight squirmed uncomfortably. “Could we not talk about my big brother like that? Please?”

“Why? We already watched him like that!” Pinkie replied breezily.

“Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow hissed at her, still flushing.

“What?” She blinked not getting it. “Fluttershy found him first--she thought a kitty was in danger and went to investigate, but it wasn't really a kitty 'cause it was really him singing in the shower and--

Twilight covered her ears and Rainbow covered her reddening face. “I'm not listening to you talk about my brother like he's... a piece of meat!”

But Pinkie continued her stream of babbling. “…and then we all came to investigate and Rarity was all like, 'Fluttershy DEAR, are your wings okay?' and Fluttershy was all like 'Eepysqueak' 'cause that was all she could really get out, even though she meant...”

A frantic Twilight started humming to herself, pressing down even harder on her ears. Finally, Rainbow inserted her hoof into Pinkie’s mouth. “We get it, okay?!” She snapped, willing her own twitching wings to stay closed.

Despite the hoof making coherent talking impossible, Pinkie happily kept talking away for a moment. Twilight took her hooves off her ears and stopped humming to herself. "Thanks Rainbow…” She sighed. “I’m just happier not knowing if my friends are interested in Shiny...that way.”

“Heh, yeah…” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly as she tried to think of a way to change the subject. “Sooo, what about your old foalsitter?”

Twilight’s face brightened at the new topic. “Cadance? She's great!”

“So, you're okay with her and your brother...?”

Pinkie helpfully tapped her hooves together demonstratively to support Rainbow’s question. She smiled happily when her rainbow-maned friend took her hoof out of her mouth.

But Twilight only beamed further. “Of course! Back when I was a little I filly I used to tell Shiny he should marry her so Cadance could be my big sister!” She smiled happily at Rainbow Dash but stopped when she saw the strong pegasus look down, recalling Rainbow’s feelings. “I—well I didn't really know you back then, you hadn't even come to Canterlot yet, but I'm sure if I did...” Then it was Twilight’s turn to awkwardly rub the back of her head. “Sorry.”

“It's...it's fine,” Dash breathed. “Cadence really is a great pony...so is Shiny. They…they’re really good for each other.” She looked as if she was had just swallowed something really unpleasant.

“Yeah.” Pinkie hugged her. “But even good ponies can hurt other good ponies without meaning to.”

Twilight nodded. “My BBBFF can be just a little dense sometimes.”

“A little,” Rainbow chuckled dryly. “He didn't even tell you that he was gonna propose to Cadence!” She blinked, then facehooved. “Ooops.”

The excitable party pony let out a delighted gasp. Twilight squeed and clapped her hooves, raising her voice in an excited shout. “My big brother is gonna propose to Cadance?” She started bouncing around her happily. “He's marrying Cadance! He's marrying Cadance!”

Pinkie shook her head slowly. “Twilight is so random sometimes.”

Quickly, Rainbow chomped down on her tail and pulled her back down onto the snow. Twilight let out a short yelp at the cold sensation. “Twi, keep a lid on it! He only told me and I wasn’t supposed to let it get around!”

“Yeah, that's my job!” Pinkie nodded firmly. “I gotta send out the invitations and make the party stuff for a 'Congratulations Shiny and Cadence You're Getting Married if We All Make it Back Alive' party!” She paused. “Hmm, maybe I should cut part of that last bit out...”

Suddenly realizing the way she had acted in public, Twilight slowly shrank down, blushing up a storm and offering a sheepish chuckle. “Uh...right.”

“C'mon, you guys...Shiny will totally kill me if he finds out I told. Please promise you won't say anything?” Rainbow pleaded, pressing her hooves together.

“Okay...but...eeeheeheee!” Twilight clapped her hooves some more. After a moment her adorkable joy slowly died down, and was replaced with a frown. “Wait...why didn't he tell me? I'm his sister! This is kind of a big deal to not tell your sister about!” She grumbled. “I'm gonna go give that lunkhead a piece of my mind...”

Rainbow looked panicked as she put her hooves on either side of Twilight’s head. “Twiliiiiight! You promised! If you yell at him, he'll know I told you! He said he told me because he trusted me and I don’t wanna lose that! Pleeeeeease?”

The lavender unicorn sputtered. “But...he...” she sighed, resigned. “Okay.”

Dash sighed, dropping her hooves back to the ground with a slight wince. “Thanks...It--I really want Shiny to think I'm cool and stuff.”

Twilight gave her friend a sympathetic look…that quickly morphed into something else as what Rainbow told her earlier sank in. “He...he told you. What the hay was he thinking, telling you of all ponies? He knows how you feel—felt—feel—about him!”

“Um, no? Stallions are kind of dense like that.” Pinkie observed.

The nervous pegasus fidgeted. “W-well, remember when he snapped when he thought I wasn't taking things seriously? I guess he wanted to apologize and...” she trailed off, wanting to defend Shining Armor but lacked any ground to do so.

Twilight groaned and facehoofed. “My brother is an idiot.”

“Yeah...”

“No he's not. He's just a stallion.” Pinkie patted Rainbow’s good shoulder. “It's genetic, don't blame him.”

Despite herself, Twilight couldn’t help rolling her eyes and taking the time to correct her. “That's a massively unfounded stereotype used to justify continued misunderstandings between the sexes. Stallions and mares are perfectly capable of understanding each other and sharing open, honest communication.”

“...............you've never gone on a date, have you?” Pinkie questioned her.

Ignoring the byplay, Rainbow mused aloud, for whose benefit she didn’t even know. “I--I thought I was over him. I thought, I was okay with him and Cadence...then we're on this train with them and he's telling me he's gonna marry her and it's like I don't exist and...” she groaned. “I'm pathetic,” She flopped backwards into the snow.

Twilight sympathetically placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “I'm sorry…”

“...thanks Twi,” Rainbow sighed, sitting back up. “Sorry I've been so cranky lately.”

“It's fine. My brother was a doofus.”

“Good thing it isn't genetic.” Rainbow nudged her.

“Waddaya mean 'was'? He still hasn't told you about his gagement en-ay.” Pinkie pointed out.

“Good point.” Twilight turned to Dash. “Are you sure I can't give him a piece of my mind?”

Rainbow thought it over. “Wait until after he pops the question.”

“You think he'll tell Twilight before then?” Pinkie asked.

“He better...” Twilight grumbled menacingly. Forcing her frustrations aside, she nuzzled Rainbow. “Now, I think you should go talk to Fluttershy.”

The cyan pegasus nodded as she started flying off. “Yeah...all right. Thanks guys.”

“Anytime, Rainbow.”

“You’re welcome, Dashie!”

Feeling better, she circled around to look for Fluttershy. She finally saw her sitting next to the train...alongside a familiar pink princess. “Fluttershy!” Rainbow called as she came in for a landing.

“O-oh, Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy ducked her head down, nervously tracing her hoof in the snow. “I-I’m sorry I--”

Cadance gently put a hoof on her shoulder. “Fluttershy, we talked about this. You don’t have to apologize for anything.”

Rainbow felt herself gritting her teeth, feeling a hot flash of anger that was soon replaced by something much colder. “Cadance, could we have a minute? Alone?”

After a brief second of hesitation, one so brief that Dash was almost sure she imagined it, Cadance nodded. “Of course,” she looked to Fluttershy. “If you want to talk later...”

Rainbow felt an irrational spike of anger flare up in her. “She’s one of my oldest friends, Cadance.” She snapped. “If there’s anything bugging her, she can talk to me.”

“...of course.” Cadance repeated, lowering her head. “I didn’t mean anything by it...I-I’ll just leave you two alone.” She walked away slowly.

Once she was gone, Fluttershy hesitantly spoke up. “Um...she was just trying to be nice...”

Biting down on an angry retort, Rainbow closed her eyes and started to count to ten. She got to five. “Look, Fluttershy I--I wanted to say sorry. About earlier. You know.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I’m sorry that I was bothering you--”

“Fluttershyyyy...” Rainbow groaned. “You don’t apologize to me. I’m here to apologize to you!”

“You are? Oh, I’m sorry.”

It was all Rainbow Dash could do not to facehoof. “Fluttershy...” she sighed. “Look, I was mad and I took it out on you like a jerk. So I want to say sorry, okay?”

“It’s okay.” Fluttershy leaned her head against Rainbow Dash’s. “I forgive you. Cadance explained...”

Rainbow snorted angrily. “Cadance should mind her own feathering business.”

“She was just trying to help…like I was,” she added gently. Rainbow flushed and looked away. “I know things are…difficult for you right now. But she isn’t here to make things harder for you. So, um, think about what I said? I’ll just…bandage you up now.” Fluttershy murmured as she fetched one of the first aid kits the townsponies had been packing the train with. Rainbow Dash never said a thing as she was fussed over.

Once the snow leopards were gone, the townsponies hesitantly poked their heads out. Seeing the danger had truly passed, they ran out of their homes and cheered their newfound heroes. Mayor LePetomane ran up and eagerly shook Shining Armor’s hoof.

“Thank you, thank you, captain! My entire town owes you a debt! You may consider yourselves all honorary citizens of Snowridge.”

Shining Armor nodded. “Thank you, sir. What can you tell me about those snow leopards? Why would they attack? Is this normal behavior for them?”

“No,” a mare spoke up. “Normally the snow leopards stay away from settlements and live in the frozen wastes. But over the last few weeks, they’ve been getting bolder and bolder.”

Sombra. Shining narrowed his eyes. “I see.” He exhaled. “Mr. Mayor, normally I would be the first to stay to help clean up the damage and make sure those beasts don’t return, but I’m on a mission. Somehow, I think that if we were to move on, your troubles with them would diminish considerably.”

“Then we should get moving.” The mayor and Shining Armor turned as Cadance approached. “The faster we get going, the faster we reach the Crystal Empire.”

“But Cadance—” Shining began. “You’re hurt. We should take time for you to heal.”

“My injuries are minor.” Cadance narrowed her eyes, ignoring the wind blowing strands of her mane into her face. “And others have been hurt worse than I.” She tossed her head in Rainbow Dash’s direction. “We cannot delay our mission on my behalf.”

Desperate, Shining looked to Rainbow. “Well, we should wait for Rainbow to recover! Right?” He looked at the cyan pegasus, meaningfully examining the injuries on her he had all but ignored before. “She’s clearly too hurt and weak to go on…”

Rainbow Dash flinched. Was that how Shining Armor saw her now? “Hey, I can reach the Crystal Empire while the rest of you are putting on your horseshoes. I’m ready to go right now!”

It was all Shining could do not to snarl at her. An icy chill ran up his spine. Was that Rainbow’s plan? To push them all into danger in the hopes that she could get rid of Cadance? Well, he wasn’t falling for it. “What? No! Absolutely not!” Shining stomped his hoof. “It’s much too dangerous for Cadance!”

“What about all the kids Sombra snatched? They’re in danger every moment their away from their parents!” Rainbow glared back at him, the wind beginning to pick up. A nasty little thought crossed her mind: does he care so much about Cadance that he’ll let everypony else hanging?

This time Shining did snarl. “She’s a bright PINK unicorn, taller and thinner than most ponies and practically screams ‘Princess!’ We can’t risk dragging her through the frozen wastes in her condition!” His voice rose, keeping in pitch with the wind.

“But you can take Rainbow Dash and the others through in theirs?” Cadance shot back, glowering at Shining Armor with a look of pure, concentrated authority. “You’re right…I AM a princess. And as a princess, it is my duty to see to the needs of my subjects.” Shining opened his mouth but it was forced shut by Cadance’s magic. “I refuse to put my safety ahead of their own. I will not have my youngest and most vulnerable subjects’ placed in prolonged danger because it MIGHT be risky for me. We are going and that. Is. Final.”

Holding her head high, Cadance whirled, nearly smacking Shining Armor with her tail. She marched off to get her supplies, not waiting for Shining and the girls to follow her.

Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor watched her go. The two of them glared at each other angrily. “Well great,” the guard captain groused. “Now she’s determined to march herself off into danger and she’s mad at me. I know what you’re up to Rainbow Dash and it won’t work.” He stomped off, not giving her the chance to reply.

Her friends walked up to her, about to offer some words or gesture of comfort, but Rainbow stole a march on them. She passed by Shining Armor as she gathered her gear, neither meeting the others gaze.

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked at each other worriedly as they too got their supplies. Soon the eight ponies were bundled up in cold weather clothing and carrying heavy packs of supplies. They silently marched north, without any cheer or fanfare to mark the next leg of their journey, save for the eerie howling of the wind.

& & &

Chapter 13

& & &

Across the white expanse of the frozen north, the rolling white landscape was broken up by eight multicolored ponies struggling across the terrain. Their travel north was impeded by falling sheets of snow and howling winds.

However, that wasn’t the only thing slowing them down. Rarity suddenly startled everypony with a horrified shriek. “There is snow inside my scarf!” She danced about as she felt it dribble down her neck.

Applejack was less than sympathetic. “Well, shake it out an’ quitcher whinin’.”

“I am not whining! I am simply informing you all of a very important fact.” She shot her rustic friend an annoyed glare. “Would you like to hear whining, darling?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I think I can speak for everypony--everywhere--when I say: NO!” Not waiting for Rarity or Applejack to respond, she pulled ahead so she could brood. Her fuse, always a touch on the short side, had grown even shorter since leaving Snowridge.

She wasn’t alone in this. She, Shining Armor, and Cadance had alternatively avoided and sniped at each other throughout the day, leaving everypony else feeling caught in the middle. The tension only impeded their process further and left everypony awkward and on edge.

Dash shook her head as she turned her attention back just in time to hear Applejack finish up whatever point she was making to Rarity. “Ah’m just sayin’, we’ve got bigger issues at hoof than a little bit o’ snow gettin’ caught up.” Applejack replied, pointedly shaking off her snow covered hat.

Cadance raised a hoof to shield her face from the worst of the snow. “Don’t worry girls, it’ll get better soon,” she smiled in Rainbow’s direction, offering to mend fences. But Dash just ignored her.

“It’ll get worse before it gets better!” Shining Armor shouted over the wind. His special somepony shot him a glare that said ‘be more supportive or I’ll deck you.’

“Are we arguing? Can we stop?” Fluttershy pleaded as she struggled to move forward, her long mane whipping about.

Not hearing the first part of Fluttershy’s request, Shining shook his head. “No, we can’t stop! Just keep going, or else you’ll freeze to death!”

“But what if we run out of things to argue about?” Pinkie Pie asked, bouncing up and down the snow banks, the only pony who didn’t seem to have any real trouble moving. “Do we have to keep going with just mindless contradiction?”

“Oh my goodness! Well, if we have to...” Fluttershy slowly turned her head to the nearest pony, which happened to be Rainbow Dash. “Um—Rainbow Dash? Sometimes you can be very ... loud.”

Rainbow facehoofed. “Fluttershy, that is not what he--oh forget it, never mind.” She growled under her breath.

Her soft spoken friend flinched. “You hate me now, don’t you? Please don’t hate me! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it!”

Nopony could make you feel as big a heel as Fluttershy could. Rainbow’s anger ebbed as she saw Fluttershy trembling in the snow. “What? No, of course I don’t!” She gently laid her wing over Fluttershy’s back, sheltering her from the snow and guiding her forward.

Shining cast a quick look back and snorted, shaking his head forward. “Don’t slow down! We have to keep moving!” He turned around just in time to miss Cadance glaring at him.

Rarity forgot about the snow for a moment as she cooed happily at seeing Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy cuddled up. “Nice to see that some of us still know how to be friends,” she shivered. “It occurs to me that they do look rather less cold like that as well.”

Twilight nodded. “We’re going to be in a lot better shape if we share body heat while walking. It’s not much compared to, say, a fire or a blanket, but it’s better than nothing. A pegasus’ down feathers are an excellent source of insulation--

“Yay! Epic Hug Time!” Pinkie whooped as she took a flying glomp onto Twilight, knocking them both into the snow.

Sputtering, Twilight sat up and proceeded to spit out some snow. “--as is an extra layer of other insulation.” She climbed to her hooves, leaning against Pinkie as the two got back underway. “We should pair off, one pony with insulation with one pony with less.”

Rarity and Applejack immediately stared at each other and pointed, announcing in unison. “YOU have more insulation!”

Rarity recovered her voice first. “Ugh, I think not.” She trotted away from Applejack, hoping to spend time with a more civilized pony. She shot a hopeful look towards Princess Cadance, which she missed.

Cadance smiled at Twilight. “I think that’s an excellent idea Twilight. Isn’t it Shining Armor?” her tone was sharply edged.

Shining hesitated before giving a brief nod. “But we can’t slow ourselves down. The longer we’re in the open, the longer we’re in danger.” He paused. “Perhaps, as your bodyguard I should be the one to, well, guard your body.” His grin was awkwardly endearing and full of kindness, reminding Cadance of why she loved him. “We can’t take anymore risks with you.” His gaze flickered over to Rainbow Dash, suspicion written all over his face. And that reminded her of why she’d considered him such a tool lately.

“Armor, you’re not the only pony here.” Her voice was cool. “I would trust anypony here with my life.”

“But—” Cadance stalked away from him, heading towards Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Shining glowered at the rainbow-maned pegasus, unaware of his ire.

Fluttershy moved a little closer to Rainbow. “This is much warmer.”

Having her friend nuzzle and rub her face against her neck sent Rainbow’s face blushing up a storm. “Geeze, Fluttershy. I’m just glad CK isn’t here.”

That won a giggled from the more demure pegasus. “Oh yes, she would make things a bit more awkward.” She did give Rainbow a very slight frown. “She is very nice though.”

That tone of voice mixed with that look had Dash backpeddling fast. “I know, I know—I just don’t think hearing her comment on my flank the entire time would make this trip go by any faster.”

Fluttershy couldn’t—and didn’t—dispute the point. Their attention was drawn to the sound of crunching snow as Cadance approached. “Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy.” She nodded to each pony in turn before looking back to Rainbow. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I’m wondering if you would you care to walk with me?” Her voice sounded hopeful, with just slight a note of pleading worked in. “I thought we could take the opportunity to talk.” She bit her lip. “But if you’re with Fluttershy—”

“Oh, well, I kind of liked having Rainbow—but, whatever you want is fine.” Fluttershy assured her before facing Rainbow.

“Shouldn’t you be with Shining Armor?” Rainbow Dash grumbled. “Seeing how he can’t stand having you more than five feet away...I would just hate to tear you away from him.” She grunted, her tone saying that she wouldn’t mind that in the slightest.

“I--I actually think it would be best if he and I...well, we’re taller than most of you so I think it’d be best if we walked with other ponies. Separately.” Cadance smiled as widely as she could.

Pinkie Pie, hearing only the end of the discussion as she and Twilight approached, perked up. “So Shiny-hiney’s free?” She released Twilight and bounded over onto Shining Armor, taking the guard captain completely by surprise.

Twilight snerked. “Shiny-hiney.” she giggled before Pinkie’s absence became really noticeable. She shivered. “Hoo, that really did make a difference.”

Shining Armor was nonplussed to suddenly have a pink thing attached to him for warmth. “Do you mind?” He grumbled archly.

“Nopey-dopey!” Pinkie chirped, cuddling him in an entirely too friendly manner for such a casual acquaintance.

Shining grumbled. “I just wanted to cuddle up the pink pony I loved and I get the wrong one.” Pinkie responded by wrapping herself around him like a fluffy pink anaconda. “--at least it’s warm.”

Cadance meanwhile shifted uneasily from hoof to hoof as she waited for Rainbow Dash to respond. Rainbow looked from Cadance to Fluttershy and back again. “Actually, Cadance, I think I’m fine where I am.” Rainbow kept her words polite, even though her tone was as frosty as the weather. “Maybe you should go be with Twilight instead?”

Only a slight flinch betrayed Cadance’s hurt. “O-okay. All right. That’s—a good idea. See you later Rainbow. Stay warm.” She slowly walked over to Twilight, who gratefully huddled up next to her for warmth. Cadance smiled as Twilight saddled up next to her. “Are you okay, Twilight?” She nuzzled her fondly. “Not too cold I hope?”

“I’m managing.” Twilight smiled as she nuzzled her back. “How about you? I know this is a bit outside of what you’re used to.”

The princess let out a sigh, her smile growing thin. “There’s being cold and then there’s being cold.” Her gaze shifted over to Shining Armor. “Your brother’s changed. He used to be so caring and supportive. Now he’s cold and rigid.”

“It could just be the weather.” Twilight offered with a weak grin.

“No,” Cadance murmured softly. “It isn’t. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t talk about him like that to you. But the way he’s treated me--treated Rainbow Dash--it just makes me so angry I--I almost forget what it is I see in him!”

Twilight’s eyes widened a bit at that, so she gave her companion an encouraging nudge. “He’s got--well, a lot on his mind.” A mildly upset look crossed her face. “Besides, Rainbow’s not exactly the easiest pony to get along with at times.”

Cadance shook her head. “Your brother’s dealt with a lot worse than that, he’s Captain of the Royal Guard. He knows better than to snap and go blaming other ponies.” She frowned. “He’s gone from being protective to being obsessive! And if something happens to me, well, then it isn’t anypony’s fault: not Rainbow Dash or you or anypony else’s. I—I didn’t fall in love with him to become some trophy or award to be kept safe in a case on the mantle!” Her voice descended into a growl.

Analytical as ever, Twilight tried to set everything out rationally. “We’re out in the middle of wild territory chasing a group of foalnapping … something or other. And his special somepony’s caught in the middle of it.”

The princess snorted. “Can I tell you something? Something secret?” she looked around to make sure nopony would overhear before Cadance whispered solemnly. “Rainbow Dash has a bit of a crush on your brother.”

Twilight’s eye twitched. “You don’t say?”

Cadance nodded. “Oh yes. I’m afraid it’s just eating her up and Shining being so short with her over what happened with the snow leopards is just--terrible is what it is.”

“Maybe it’s just something they need to get out of their systems. They’ll sort it out.” Twilight pondered briefly. “Or get into an all-out brawl, but I think I know them better than that....”

“I thought I knew your brother,” Cadance grumbled darkly as she tied her scarf tighter as the wind picked up. “Turns out we don’t always know a pony as well as you think. If Shining Armor keeps dumping on Rainbow Dash…” Cadance trailed off. A very stunned and worried Twilight shivered.

The two pegasi were having their own conversation as Fluttershy gave her friend a grateful nuzzle. “Thank you, Rainbow.” She tightened her own wing around her slightly. “But, um, is everything okay? Because you seem just a teeny-tiny bit upset.”

“I’m not upset, who says I’m upset?” Dash spoke quickly. “Everything’s fine. It’s just wonderful.” She grit her teeth together slightly in what was supposed to be a smile but instead came off as a grimace.

Still, Fluttershy didn’t seem to possess an ounce of guile. “Oh. Well, you know if something was bothering you, I’d absolutely love to be able to help. I am one of your oldest friends, and I just want you to be happy. I know you trust me enough to tell me if something were bothering you.”

Rainbow Dash had taken blows to the stomach that didn’t knock the wind out of her that much. The best she could get out was, “I--everything sucks.” She looked over towards Shining Armor and Cadance. Fluttershy let out a sympathetic little noise as she nuzzled Rainbow’s cheek. The blue pony colored slightly, but was grateful for the support. “Shining only cares about her now. I might as well be something he scraped off his armor.”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, you know that’s not true.” Fluttershy chided her gently.

“Yes, it is!” Dash tossed her head at Shining Armor. “You saw him after the fight. It was all Cadance this, and Cadance that.”

“But that doesn’t mean—well, just because she’s his special somepony doesn’t mean he’s stopped caring about you.” The soft-spoken pony reasoned.

Rainbow shook her head. “He blamed ME for Cadance getting hurt. Like it’s MY fault, like I WANTED it to happen!” A strange sensation settled in her stomach as she said it aloud. The idea didn’t sound quite so bad when Rainbow thought about it…

Fluttershy however, missed her internal ruminations. “And he shouldn’t have done that.” She said firmly. “Do you want me to talk to him, and make him apologize? I’m sure he would, once we explained everything. He’s not a bad pony.”

“Fluttershyyyy...” Rainbow Dash groaned. “Don’t do that. I can’t have you fight my battles for me.” She had a reputation to maintain after all. If anypony ever found out that Fluttershy was defending Rainbow Dash for her, she’d never live it down!

With a hint of what Rainbow called ‘Fluttersertiveness’ in her tone, Fluttershy pressed her. “He is hurting you, Rainbow Dash. Nopony is allowed to hurt my friends.”

Instinctively, Rainbow came to Shining’s defense. “It’s not his fault. It’s hers.” Her frowned as she looked to Cadance. “Everything was fine until she came along.”

Fluttershy blinked in surprise. “Her? Do you mean Princess Cadance?”

“Yeah her. Who else?” Dash demanded.

“So, um, you really think everything would be fine between you and Shining Armor if she wasn’t around?” Fluttershy checked. “Sorry, it’s just that, well, it looks to me like she’s been trying really hard to be nice to you.”

Rainbow opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before grumbling inarticulately. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy blinked, her voice earnest. “I’m sure there’s a reason that the pony who’s being nice to you is the problem rather than the pony who’s being mean, but I’m afraid I just don’t understand.”

Dash sputtered. “But it--she!! And he just--her--I--gyragh!” She growled, stomping at the ground. “You just don’t get it!” She announced by way of an explanation. “It’s her fault! It—it is!”

Fluttershy tightened her wing around Rainbow Dash, not saying a word.

Meanwhile, Rarity and Applejack found themselves close together. A touch too close for Rarity’s liking. She pointedly sniffed around Applejack. “What is that smell?”

“S’ the smell of good, honest work. With a bit o’ flank-kickin’ mixed it.” She responded with a slight grumble. “We ain’t all got magic t’ deal with snow leopards.”

“Well, good honest work and ‘flank kicking’ smells awful. Furthermore...” Her face screwed up in disgust as Applejack belched. “Ugh! Applejaaaack! You could at least excuse yourself after something like that.”

Applejack snorted in bemusement. “Oh, hesh. S’just a natural function.”

“It. Is. Disgusting! Ugh! I simply cannot abide another moment with such a crude, uncouth pony! I must have a replacement, or I’ll not be held responsible for what happens next!”

“Nopony holds ya responsible fer yer naggin’ anyhoo, Rarity. It’s like breathin’.” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Well, I never!” Her gaze shifted to Cadance and Fluttershy as she raised her voice. “I do hope that I can find somepony with a slight amount of class and sophistication to accompany me instead of this horrible brute of a mare!”

“If they’re smart, they’re already headin’ fer the hills.” Applejack looked around, sadly the only hills seemed to be in the distance “Consarn it.”

Shining Armor nodded quickly. “Changing partners sounds like a good idea.” He hastily agreed as Pinkie continued to casually invade his personal space.

“Aww! But I’m so cozy!” Pinkie pouted as her hoof idly wandered over his flank. Shining yelped.

“PINKIE!!!” Twilight facehoofed, groaning. “The things I’ve put up with on this trip...”

Cadance snorted. “Twilight, if you wouldn’t mind--” she tilted her head in Rainbow’s direction.

“Not at all, Cadance.” Twilight nodded. “Good luck.” She trotted over to Shining Armor and roughly levitated Pinkie Pie off of him. “Somepony else needs to find another insulator, too.”

“Geeze, Twilight. It was just a tiny little touchy-wouchy.” Pinkie sounded put out, but only for a half-second before she perked up. “But okay!” She zoomed off to glomp Applejack.

AJ found herself knocked into nearby snowbank. “Con-SARN it, girl!”

“Hi Applejack!” Pinkie started wrapping herself around her just like she was with Shining Armor before.

The farmpony huffed and panted as Pinkie suddenly clambered onto her back. “Tarnation, girl, ease up on the sweets!” Still, she couldn’t deny the extra source of heat Pinkie provided wasn’t nice. “Um, after all this.”

When Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie zoom away from Shining Armor, and Cadance’s own approach her way, she nodded to Fluttershy. “Well, uh, see you later Flutters. Stay cool. Er, I mean warm.”

“Oh. Yes, you too, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy hastily moved to intercept Cadance as Rainbow ran off to Shining Armor.

Cadance, a touch confused and worried by Rainbow and Fluttershy’s sudden maneuverings, still managed a smile. “Oh, hello, Fluttershy.”

“Hello, Cadance.” The yellow pegasus returned as she tentatively lifted a wing to block some of the snow from her back.

“Thank you,” The taller pony accepted it gratefully, if a touch awkwardly. “I had hoped to speak to Rainbow Dash but...” she bit her lip.

“Oh, um, I don’t think that would be a very good idea. She’s just a teeny-tiny bit upset right now.” Fluttershy apologized.

“That’s why I wanted to speak with her. She’s so torn up inside...” Cadance’s voice was sincere and full of desperation.

“Well, um, that’s actually why I don’t think you should talk to her right now.” Her ears drooped sadly. “I’m sorry, but, she seems to be blaming you for how Shining Armor is acting.”

Cadance lowered her head. “I see.” she sighed. “I suppose I can’t blame her.”

“It’s really not fair, when he’s being so awful to her and you’re trying to be so nice to her.”

“Do you have a coltfriend Fluttershy?”

“Oh, no. I’m afraid stallions aren’t interested in me. Besides, I wouldn’t have time for that when there are so many animals to take care of.” She gave a tiny little sigh.

Cadance briefly nuzzled her. “Well, that’s too bad. I’m sure any stallion would be lucky to have you. But word to the wise...they can make you crazy. The one you love even moreso than most.”

Fluttershy stammered, turning red. “Oh, I don’t know about that. But, um, I’ll keep what you said about stallions in mind.”

Cadance nodded. “I want Rainbow to be happy. But I’m afraid being around Shining Armor and Shining being so focused on me isn’t helping.”

“He seems to be acting very, um," Fluttershy tried to think of a diplomatic way to say ‘he’s acting like a bucking stinker.’

“Yes.” Cadance agreed archly with what Fluttershy left unsaid. “Honestly, just because I’m a princess, I’m thin, and I’m pink, he treats me like I’m weak or something! Can you believe that?”

“Oh, that sounds just awful.” Fluttershy nodded sympathetically.

“Do you have any idea how demeaning it is being treated like some weak and helpless foal, incapable of doing anything for yourself? Being seen as a burden to others?”

“Well, um, I am weak and helpless, so...”

Cadance looked at her traveling companion. “I don’t think that’s true.”

“Well, maybe not completely, but when everypony else is fighting monsters or--”

She was cut off when Cadance draped a hoof onto Fluttershy’s withers. “I think you’re a very brave pony. You’re here, after all. And I know how good a friend you are if you can get Rainbow Dash to open up. She can be very stubborn.”

“Oh, she’s not that bad,” Fluttershy instinctively defended her. “You just need to show a little kindness and know how to talk to her.”

“I used to be able to get her to talk.” Cadance sighed. “But now, she’s avoiding me. She refuses to talk, refuses to listen. We used to be SO close.”

“I’m sorry. If I’d had just a bit more time to talk to her maybe I could’ve--” Fluttershy began.

Cadance shook her head. “No, you can’t fix everypony elses’ problems for them. We’ll just have to work this out. Assuming Shining doesn’t do anything stupid.” Her eyes narrowed. “It’s all his fault.” she muttered grimly under her breath, her voice suddenly venomous.

Fluttershy nodded, a hint of anger in her voice. “He better not,” she was surprised to find Cadance giving her a nuzzle.

“You’re a good friend. Rainbow Dash is lucky to have you.”

She squeaked and blushed. “Oh, it’s nothing that special...”

“I don’t think so. She used to talk about you and your flight camp gang a lot when I foalsat her. She said that you were very cool and pretty.”

Fluttershy’s blush reached epic levels. “R-really?”

“Oh yes!” Cadance nodded kindly. “Even if you weren’t the strongest flyer, she thought the way you just were so naturally, well, lovely, that she sometimes felt embarrassed about how rough around the edges she was.”

“Oh my goodness! I never meant to upset her like that...” Fluttershy idly rubbed her legs together.

“She didn’t mean it like that! Silly filly.” Cadance giggled, giving her a supportive nuzzle. “It was just a compliment.”

“Oh. Um, thank you?” Fluttershy squeaked.

“You’re very welcome. I just wish I could’ve gotten Dashie to sit still long enough for me to make her mane as nice as yours. Do you know how hard it was getting her to take a bath?”

“Oh yes, she never did care much for personal care.” In a very quiet, conspiratorial whisper, Fluttershy added. “If there hadn’t been any rain clouds at Flight Camp, I don’t think she ever would’ve cleaned herself until the smell became positively awful.”

“I practically had to wrestle her into the tub. I don’t know how you and your camp friends could stand it!” Cadance wrinkled her nose.

“Well, whenever it got to be a problem Cloud Kicker would just wait until she was taking one of her naps, then get a raincloud and...”

Cadance covered her mouth to prevent herself from laughing out loud. “Makes me wish I was a pegasus! Would’ve made my job a lot easier!”

“I’m sure you did just fine.” Fluttershy assured her.

“I got her to chew with her mouth closed. That was a major victory.”

The demure pegasus giggled. “Oh yes. Nopony could ever stand sitting next to her at the mess hall.”

“Of course, I could never convince her to stop with her practical jokes.” Cadance added, smiling.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy gave a tiny little giggle. “She really is a wonderful pony though.”

Cadance nodded. “Yes, yes she is. That’s why I don’t want to lose her.” Her face twisted. “And if Shining Armor can’t understand that…” her horn shimmered menacingly, a dull whine of magic that the wind carried. Fluttershy bit her lip. First Rainbow Dash, now even Princess Cadance, why was everypony acting so cold?

When Rainbow Dash attempted to approach Shining Armor, he pointedly marched over to Rarity. “Rrrgh!” Twilight facehoofed at her brother. Rainbow Dash trotted up to her just as Shining left.

She stomped the ground angrily. “”Darnit! Guess that leaves you and me, Twi.” She smiled, sadly. “Heh, s’cool, right?”

Twilight nodded, disheartened “Yeah, that’s ‘cool’.” She looked around. “Though that’s probably what we’re trying to avoid, huh?" She gave a small, somewhat forced grin.

Still, it was enough to win a chuckle from Rainbow. “”Were you actually making a joke? Twilight Sparkle? Somepony alert the media!”

Feeling encouraged, Twilight smiled. “My stand-up’s a little rusty, but it’s still better than my dancing routine.”

“Your dancing is unbelievable.” Rainbow Dash said sincerely, if vaguely. Having seen her dance, it could be described as unbelievable.

“Heh.”

Their conversation lapsed for a few moments. “So, your brother.” Rainbow drudged up.

“Yeah.”

“Stupid Cadance.”

Twilight looked a little taken aback, “She’s really nice.”

Dash didn’t want to hear it, grumbling furiously. “Stupid, stallion-stealing, skinny, stuck-up...” she tried to think of more s-words but ran out. “...jerk.”

“You forgot ‘sister-in-law’.” Twilight nodded in bemusement.

“Not yet, she isn’t,” Rainbow reminded her, sulkily. “So not fair.” Twilight’s gaze softened as she opted to let Rainbow vent. “I--I thought I was over him. I thought I was done being a dumb little filly with her dumb, stupid crush.”

“It’s not dumb, okay?” Twilight nudged her gently. “You--” she pondered. “You liked him--still do, I guess.” Her tone was analytical. “It’s probably not easy to be this close to him when you can’t have the pony you want.”

“Gee, ya think?” Rainbow remarked acidly, glaring at her. But as soon as she saw the look on Twilight’s face, Rainbow lowered her head. “Sorry.”

“We’re all on edge, and you’ve got a bigger stake in this than most of us.” Twilight didn’t so much accept her apology as she did analyze the source of her outburst. Typical Twilight.

“Yeah, I should be thinking about that, not your stupid sexy brother.”

Twilight put on a distinctly uneasy look as she hastily changed the subject. “It’s too bad we can’t get any mail out.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow sighed. “I can only imagine what Derpy, Kicker, and the others are going through.”

Twilight nodded. “I’m sure they’d appreciate some kind of news, even if it’s just ‘we’re still looking.’”

“Do you remember what it was like? When Nightmare Moon took Shining Armor?”

There was a long silence before Twilight answered. “It was horrible. Seeing my BBBFF twisted like that--turned into something he’s not.” She looked forward. “It was worse than him being dead, in a way. He’d been turned into something that was everything he wasn’t, and up until we were able to change Dizty back, I wasn’t sure he’d ever be anything other than that ever again.”

“Derpy and CK, they don’t even know what happened to their little girls. They could be imprisoned or magicked up or even...”

“Don’t say it.” Twilight quickly cut her off. “Don’t. When Shiny was gone, I kept running through all of the worst-case scenarios in my head. What he might be doing to other ponies, what he might look like if that corruption ever got any worse... what he might do to me, if he ever cornered me.” She shook her head and rattled off something she read once. “It’s best to just focus on what we know and not wear ourselves down on what we don’t know.”

“So what do we know? I feel like I don’t know anything about anything!”

“We know that most of the foals in Ponyville were foalnapped and taken to a lair somewhere in the region--and that all evidence points to them being taken alive. Somepony, or something, took them without killing them, which means we can get them back.”

Rainbow hesitated. “Can I tell you something? And, um, promise you won’t laugh?”

“I promise.” Twilight nodded.

“I really liked having Dinky and Shining hug me and say that they loved me and stuff, like I was family.” Rainbow fidgeted, prompting Twilight to nestle in a bit closer to her. Dash nodded silently. “Now Dinky’s gone and Shining’s all--whatever. And it’s like I had it but now, it’s gone.”

“We’ll get her back, all right?” She paused as she tried to think of something else to say but for once couldn’t think of anything reassuring. In the end she settled for a weak smile. “Besides, you’ve still got me.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow wing hugged Twilight close. “You’re awesome.”

“Thanks, Rainbow.”

Shining Armor trotted over to the remaining unattached pony. “Miss Rarity! Would you do me the pleasure of joining me?” He glowered in Rainbow’s direction. “I find myself wanting some civilized companionship.”

Rarity noted the barb at Rainbow Dash and bristled. “I should like that as well, but unfortunately it would seem I must settle for your company.”

Shining Armor barely heard her. “Fine, let’s keep moving.” The two walked in silence for several minutes. “...so.” Shining finally broke his silence. “You make dresses?”

“That’s correct.” Rarity answered coolly.

“But ponies don’t normally wear clothes.” He couldn’t help observing.

Rarity fought the urge to roll her eyes. Like nopony had ever brought that up to her before. “They do for special occasions.” Rarity reminded him curtly.

Shining mused that over for a moment. “Like weddings and such?”

“That would be an example, yes.” Her voice was dry enough to counteract the freezing air around her. Of course weddings were a special occasion. Honestly, stallions! She only hope that other handsome, Canterlot ponies were more sensitive and less block-headed than Shining Armor was behaving right now.

“So, would you be able to make a wedding dress?” He asked, a touch hesitantly.

Rarity’s cold shoulder faded a bit at talking about her two favorite things: romance and fashion. “Of course! I love making wedding dresses. It’s just so--romantic.” She swooned.

“Nothing’s more wonderful than finding that one pony, the one you know you’re meant to be with.” Shining sighed blissfully.

“Oh, of course!” Rarity agreed fully.

“Do you have...?” He asked leadingly.

“Hmm? Oh, no.” Rarity shook her head. “Well, not precisely. There are ... certain stallions of interest.”

“Best of luck.” Shining Armor said simply, tilting his head. “When you find the right pony, there’s nothing you won’t risk in order to be together.”

Rarity smiled. “Oh, of course, true love is the most important thing in all Equestria!”

“Yes,” he looked over at Cadance. “And once you have it...you’ll never want to be without it. And anything or anypony that stands in your way...”

That remark made Rarity’s cold shoulder return in full. “That’s all well and good, but it hardly excuses treating other ponies intolerably.” She chided him sharply.

Shining Armor shook out his mane, frowning. “Rainbow Dash is jealous and immature.”

“And if she is, that excuses your behavior?” Rarity pressed. “She thinks the world of you and you seem to go out of your way to shun her!”

“I’ve seen what jealousy does to ponies.” Shining grumbled ominously. “It doesn’t turn out well for anypony involved. She just has to cope.”

Rarity sniffed. “And? Whatever your excuse, you are still treating her poorly, and I’ll not have it.”

Shining frowned. “She let Cadance be attacked.”

“She did not!” Rarity cried, fury and horror raging for control of her voice. “If you truly knew or cared for her in the slightest, you would know she could never do such a thing!”

“Princess Celestia probably said the same thing once about her sister.” Shining answered darkly. “Look how well that turned out.”

“How dare you!” Rarity’s eyes flashed furiously, her face red. She called out. “I wish to change partners again. Applejack could give lessons in manners and propriety to this ... stallion!”

“What’s going on?” Twilight asked as she and Rainbow Dash trotted over.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on!” Rarity cried. “This—this pony is the most uncouth, unchivalrous, uncharismatic—”

“HEY! Nopony calls Shining Armor unchrusimatic!” Rainbow shouted at Rarity, flaring her wings and drawing everypony’s attention.

“Simmer down, Rainbow!” Applejack stomped up to her and got in her face. “Shewt, Rarity’s been the one trying t’help you this whole time while you were mooning over a stallion who didn’t give a bushel of moldy apples fer ya!” The wind began to pick up as their voices were raised.

“Applejack, that’s enough!” Cadance stepped forward, her hoof crunching the snow beneath her. “Rainbow Dash is just on edge—”

“I don’t need your help!” Dash snapped at her, her wings ruffling in the breeze.

“Don’t you shout at her!” Shining Armor snarled at Rainbow.

“Shiny!” Twilight gasped, horrified.

“Armor, stay out of this!” Cadance barked at him.

“I don’t know who to yell at!” Pinkie announced loudly.

“EVERYPONY STOP SHOUTING NOW!” Fluttershy bellowed, her sudden shout echoing widely across the vast open space. Everypony turned to look at the usually soft-spoken, dainty and shy pegasus panting heavily as fury raged across her features. “What is wrong with everypony?” She demanded. “You’re all acting so mean! It’s like—like—what?” she asked as everypony looked at her with growing horror.

As one, they all pointed at something behind her. Fluttershy turned around and let out a little squeak. A large black crystal obelisk had burst out of the icy ground and cut off the path in front of them.

“What the hay is that thing?” Rainbow asked, confused.

Twilight looked at it. “I read about these. King Sombra scattered these all across the frozen wastes. They block any other magic beside his own.”

“That ain’t good.” AJ opined. “Ah’m guessin’ we should put tracks between it and us.”

Cadance nodded. “Yes we—” she winced as a high-pitched whine assaulted their ears. “What in Equestria?” Everypony clapped their hooves over their ears as the pitch grew higher and higher, until the crystal shattered and exploded outward, spraying crystalline shards in all directions.

“Hit the snow!” Rainbow cried as everypony got down on their bellies and covered their faces with their hooves. The terrifying barrage only lasted a second, but it was enough to thoroughly spook everypony involved. “Let’s get out of here!”

Twilight got to her hooves and frantically looked around. “Rainbow Dash!” When her friend stopped to look, her eyes widened. Black crystals started jutting out of the ground all over the place.

“Move it!!!” The group broke into a panicked gallop as dark crystals continued to burst out of the ground and explode around them. Rainbow Dash barreled and rolled this way and that, trying to avoid the flying bits of crystal. Looking below her, she could only direct her friends through the maze of crystals. “Keep going! Go left! Then right! Two more rights!”

The crystals started thinning out, and Rainbow let out a sigh of relief as her friends started to clear the crystal patch. Then there was a sudden shriek as a pony fell on her side. Rainbow spun in midair to see who it was.

It was Cadance. Either a crystal had struck her, or perhaps her injury from the Snowridge battle had been aggravated during the run. She had gone sprawling, coming to a halt beside one of the crystal spires, just as it began to hum and whine.

Rainbow flapped her wings and prepared to dive down when, unbidden, a dark thought snaked its way across her mind. You don’t have to save her. It whispered seductively. Once she’s gone, Shining Armor can be all yours.

Wait, what? Rainbow Dash shook her head. W-where did THAT even come from? I don’t want Cadance to die—she’s awesome. I just don’t—with Shining—and—her head hurt as if strongly encouraging her not to think on it.

Shining Armor loves Cadance, not you. But if Cadance is gone…that same part of her mind whispered again.

Dash clasped her hooves over her ears. “Shut up! Just—shut up!” She shook her head. Out of the corner of her eye, she could’ve sworn she saw a ghostly equine-ish face lurking over her. It was there for only a second before it vanished, leaving her to wonder if it was ever there at all.

Shining Armor turned his head. “Cadance!” He started running back to her.

“S-stay back!” Cadance gritted her teeth as she fought, and failed, to get up.

Rainbow shook her head. “Hang on, Cadance!” She dove down just as the crystal shattered, sending sharp bits and pieces every which way. At the last second, Rainbow tackled Cadance, covering her with her body and wings. She screamed as shards penetrated her skin.

“Rainbow Dash!” Shining Armor exclaimed as he drew close, his magic charging up, heedless of the crystal shards.

“Shining Armor, wait!” Twilight cried out. “Your magic—”

But it was too late. Shining launched a bolt of his magic that surrounded him, Cadance, and Rainbow Dash in a protective bubble. When bits of the black crystals thudded against the barrier, it wavered and shook. Shining Armor let out a sharp cry of alarm as the snowy ground beneath the shield gave way, dropping him, Cadance, and Rainbow Dash into the depths below.

& & &

Chapter 14

& & &

In the shadowy subterranean world beneath Equestria, Zecora and the three intrepid foals: Dinky Doo, Pipsqueak and Alula rested up after their recent encounter with the fearsome bushwoolies. Dinky and Pipsqueak were enjoying having real food to eat while Alula recovered from her scratch. She stretched her injured leg a bit, trying to see how much she could move it without it hurting.

Zecora meanwhile was meditating in her normal pose--standing atop the end her long bamboo staff. Upside down. On her head. Normal is relative, after all.

Pipsqueak tilted his head, trying to look at the upside down zebra's face. “How long d'ya think she can do that for?”

Dinky tapped her hoof against her face as she pondered ponderously. “I dunno. I’d get dizzy if I tried that, but Miss Zecora can probably do some rilly cool stuff.”

“Do zebras even get dizzy?” Alula wondered. “I dunthink I’ve ever seen a dizzy zebra, so maybe they just don’t get dizzy.” Her friends nodded, not thinking to ask how many zebras she had scene.

“What kinda cool things?” Pip asked Dinky, slurping a bowl full of water.

Dinky thought about it. “Um, balance onna stick?”

Pip tilted his head. “That it?”

“Cloudy told me that Rainbow Dash said she’s got all kinds of awesome zebra magic stuff and everything.” Alula supplied.

“That too!” Dinky thought for a moment. “An’ be here for us, so that’s rilly good.”

Meanwhile Zecora hummed and chanted softly under her breath in another language. Dinky listened, looking to Alula and Pip to see if they understand anything.

Pip scratched his head. “Sounds kinda funny.”

“I dunthink that’s Equestrian. It must be, like, some kinda zebra language.” Alula suggested.

Dinky squirmed, trying to be polite while getting anxious “Maybe she could go a little faster? I wanna get outta here, an’ we can’t do that if she’s medicatin’.”

“She’s an adult,” Alula reminded her as if that explained everything. And to a little filly or colt, it did. “She’s gotta know what she’s doing.”

Unsatisfied, Dinky walked over to the still meditating zebra and looked up. She reached out a hoof to tap the pole, but stopped herself. Just as she was about to work up the nerve to ask Zecora how long she was going to be, the zebra’s eyes snapped wide open, her blue almond-shaped eyes staring right into Dinky’s.

Dinky squeaked as she leaped back. “H-hi, Miss Zecora,” she smiled shakily.

Zecora’s own smile was calm and serene, with no thought given to her odd position. “Why, hello to you too. Is there something I can do for you?”

Alula cleared her throat and took a step forward. “Um, Miss Zecora? How long’re we gonna stay here? Didn’tcha say there was a lotta important stuff to do?”

The zebra shaman neatly flipped down off her pole, landing on her hooves. “As soon as you are ready, we shall go. It is true, we have much to do and cannot be slow.”

“I think we’re ready t’ go now. Like, rilly ready.” Dinky nodded.

Alula grumbled under her breath. “If we can’t be slow why’d we spend a couple hours with you sitting on top of your pole?”

“Stop being grumpy.” Pipsqueak hissed at her quietly. “She gave us food ‘n stuff!”

“Just seems silly to say we gotta hurry, then do nothing for hours.” Alula whispered back.

Apparently she didn’t whisper quietly enough for Zecora turned to Alula directly. “Though I am pleased to have found you before you were hurt any more, you are not the only ones I am here for.”

Alula was skeptical. “And you did that by sittin’ on top of a stick?”

Zecora smiled. “I find that meditation brings balance to my mind, as well as my body. It may seem strange to you, but it is most calming for me.” She walked over to gently nose the bandage on Alula’s injured leg. Once sure that it was secure and not hurting her, she tossed her head. “I have taken more than enough time, though. Come--let us go.”

Dinky looked back and forth, torn between staying with Alula and wanting to stick close to Zecora. “Pip, can you help ‘lula for a second?” She asked.

“But…” He pouted at her. He wanted to walk next to Dinky!

The little filly hit him with the big doe eyes. “Pleeeease?”

“Okaaay,” Pip sighed. “But she better not keep callin’ me a dummy. I’m gonna start getting offended!” He walked over and pressed his side against her bad side, allowing her to lean against him.

The injured filly rolled her eyes speaking matter-of-factly and with no real bite to the words. “But you are a dummy, Dummy.” She accepted the help regardless.

“Uff! You’re...heavy.” Pip grunted, staggering.

“S’cause I got more muscle and stuff than you do, Dummy.”

Zecora looked down at Dinky as she walked by her side. “Are you quite fine? Is there something on your mind?”

The little filly nodded, looking up at her imploringly. “How much more’ve we gotta do? I know we gotta go see Rainbow Dash an’ everypony else, but after that … we can all go home then, right?”

Zecora was a touch slow in answering. “When the trouble is past, you will all see your home at last.”

Dinky could be pretty mature, but at the end of the day she was still a lost filly who wanted to be home with her mom. This showed when she let a hint of a whine into her response. “But how long’ll that take? We’ve been here forever!”

Feeling sorry for the lost little filly, Zecora leaned down to gently press her muzzle against Dinky’s forehead. “I am truly so sorry for your suffering, my child. For as long as you’ve been here, it may still be a while.” Dinky let out a tiny sniffle as she pressed herself against Zecora.

Slightly limping along, Alula interrupted them. “Hey, Miss Zecora? You can make stuff, right?”

“Stuff,” the zebra repeated as she raised an eyebrow elegantly. “Can you be a bit more specific, or is that too tough?”

“I was just wondering if you could use your zebra magic thing to make some armor or something to keep us safe.”

Zecora shook her head. “Alas, this I cannot do. That is not something I can whip up in a brew.” Shooting the foals a reassuring smile, she went on. “In conjured shells we need not hide. To our defense, natures energies shall provide.”

“Darn. I was hoping we could get some cool sorta zebra armor or something.” Alula pouted.

“You’re heavy enough already.” Pip grumbled under his breath.

Alula rolled her eyes. “Dummy.” She commented as she leaned more heavily on him, just because.

“Diiiiinky!” Pip whined as he stumbled to the side. “I need heeelp! ‘lula’s crushing me with her big fat flank!”

“Dinky, make Dummy stop being a dummy!” Alula added.

The exasperated filly let out an irritated grumble. “Would you two be nice!?” She marched back around to shoot her most menacing glare at her two friends--missing Zecora’s attempt to cover her mouth to hide her smile. “We gotta be sneaky if we’re gonna get outta here, an’ fighting isn’t sneaky!”

“But the Dummy...” Alula started up.

“Then you quit bein’ a dummy too!” Dinky stomped her hoof adorably.

Alula grumbled. “M’not a dummy. He’s the dummy. S’why he’s called Dummy.”

Pipsqueak rolled his eyes. “S’okay Dinky. Alula’s just being ’lula.”

Zecora chose that moment to clear her throat. “My little ponies, please be still! There are many dangers in the tunnels that bear us ill.”

All three little ponies suddenly froze in place, with Alula instinctively placing a protective wing over Pip and Dinky. “What kindsa dangers?”

The cryptic zebra didn’t answer. She just tossed her head, indicating that they should follow her while holding a hoof up to her mouth for silence. Once she was assured that they were listening, she quietly led them through the tunnels. A softly murmured word cased the tip of her staff to emit a soft green glow, giving them a (somewhat spooky) source of light.

The dim, eerie green light cast all sort of shadows on the irregularly shaped caves. Full of branching tunnels, holes, stalagmites, stalactites, columns and all sorts of things, the tunnels were transformed—with some help from three overactive imaginations—into macabre forms of monsters and spirits.

Dinky swallowed nervously and kept going forward, decidedly happy to have an adult leading the way. Just then, there was a sudden movement and a high pitched squeak as a lone bat dropped down from the ceiling, nearly dive-bombing the travelers as it flew off.

“AAAUGH!” Dinky’s sudden scream echoed off the cave walls even after she clasped a hoof over her mouth. “...sorry.”

“Dinky, c’mere.” Alula lifted her other wing for her.

“I’m a’kay,” Dinky assured her. “…rilly.” She swallowed.

Pip, who had saddled up even closer to Alula, looked up at her. “H-how come yer not scared ‘lula?”

“‘Cause I gotta be brave,” the little pegasus announced officiously. “Now c’mere Dinky. Don’t be a dummy, that’s Pip’s job.”

“Still got a big flank.” Pip mumbled.

Zecora chuckled to herself, allowing herself to roll her eyes.

Dinky looked around, then ahead to Zecora, relaxing a little when she saw their guide was unworried. Still… “I think we gotta go back to bein’ sneaky.” She whispered.

“‘Kay,” Alula nodded. “I’m gonna be sneaky like a ninja.” She pointedly lifted her wing for Dinky again. “Now c’mere, so we can all be sneaky together.”

Pip nodded. “I’m gonna be sneaky like a pirate! Carefully on tip-hooves stealing...” He hummed as he gingerly pranced on his hooves.

Zecora shook her head, still amused at her charges’ antics.

Dinky looked up nervously, wondering if there are any more bats or--other things. She decided to take Alula up on her offer. “I’ll help you be sneaky.”

Alula wrapped her other wing around Dinky, placing herself firmly in the middle of a Dinky-Pip sandwich. “‘Kay, now let’s all be sneaky together.”

As the wound their way through the caves they noticed something new, something they hadn’t seen before. “Hey what’s that?” Pipsqueak asked, pointing his hoof at a glob of faintly glowing green goo.

“Dunno,” Alula shrugged. “…dare you eat it.”

“What? No way!” Pip stuck out his tongue.

The filly snickered. “Chicken!”

“Why don’t you eat it then?” Pip retorted.

“Cuz I dared you to first,” Alula reminded him of proper foalhood etiquette. “Duh.”

Dinky meanwhile went up and gently tugged on Zecora’s cloak. “Um, what is that stuff?” she asked innocently.

Zecora turned to see what Dinky was pointing at and stiffened slightly. “It is nothing Dinky, pay it no heed. Come children, we must make speed.”

Dinky tilted her head. “What’s a ‘heed’?”

Before Zecora could answer, a soft chittering sound emerged from a crack in the wall, just above where the goo was. Beyond that crack lay a branching tunnel. The noise of chitters and gentle clacking could be heard echoing down it. Alula leapt back, favoring her bad leg while holding it up as if ready to step on something. “Gaah! Stupid spiders...”

Pip looked dubious and slightly nervous. “That didn’t sound like a spider t’me...”

“That’s a big spider,” Dinky agreed, stepping a little closer to Zecora.

Zecora narrowed her eyes, making her movements slow and casual, especially so as not to alert or startle the foals. Movement on the other side of the crack drew Alula’s attention, causing her to lean in closer for a better look.

“C’mere, stupid spider,” she grumbled under her breath. “I can take you with a hoof tied behind my back.”

“Or wrapped up inna bandage?” Dinky whispered back.

“That too.”

There was a flash of something behind the crack and a gentle nudging sensation that Alula felt in her mind. It seemed to say, Little Wing...

Alula’s eyes went wide, and she awkwardly limped a little closer. “...Cloudy?”

Zecora called out a warning. “Be wary of what you see! It is not what you think it to be!”

A light-purple eye appeared in the crevice, one Alula would recognize anywhere. Cloud Kicker. Her big sis was here to make everything better. “Cloudy!” Alula’s face lit up as she either didn’t hear or ignored Zecora’s warning, hobbling closer to Cloud Kicker.

“What’s your sister doing inna wall?” Pip asked, tilting his head to try and get a better angle.

“Comin’ out of it?” Dinky put a hoof to her chin. “Or was that the wardrobe?”

Wordlessly, Zecora waved her staff and chanted under her breath. “Ah say ento pi alpha mabi upendi in comma coriyama!” She smacked her staff against the cave wall. From where it impacted, a flash spread across the wall like a shock wave. When it came to the crack, Alula saw Cloud Kicker’s eye shimmer and flash green momentarily.

“Wha-what!?” Alula’s wings flitted, propelling her backwards. “You’re not Cloudy!” Pip and Dinky clung to her. Out of support or fear, or both, she didn’t know and just then, she didn’t care.

An angry snarl crossed the face of the normally placid zebra shamaness. “Begon foul pest! Vile creature, flee back to your nest! I am wise to your tricks. If you trouble these foals again, I will surely put you in a fix!” She stomped her hoof. The, whatever it was, on the other side seemed to take Zecora’s warning to heart for the eye withdrew from the crack in the wall. A moment later the sound of wings buzzing could be heard, slowly getting lower as it moved further away.

Dinky and Pipsqueak held each other tightly, shaking hard from … whatever it was they had just seen. “That a big ruddy spider.”

Alula snorted, still breathing a little heavily from the encounter. “Spiders don’t have wings, Dummy.”

“What wuz it, then?” Dinky asked. “‘Cause that wasn’t Miss Cloud Kicker--that was scary.” She looked over to her friend. “You a’kay, ‘lula?”

“Fine.” The young pegasus’ answer came a little too quickly. “Let’s go, okay?”

Reaching out a comforting hoof, Zecora began to speak. “Little one--”

Alula opened her mouth to say something--maybe to brush Zecora off, or else to mention how Pipsqueak was (obviously) scared--but the only noise that came out was a small whimper. Zecora gently laid her hoof on Alula’s back.

Pipsqueak almost overbalanced as Dinky let go of him and hurried over to Alula, wrapping her head in one of her infamous get-better hugs. Pip soon recovered and went over to join the group hug in progress as Alula shook and sniffled. After a few minutes, the young pegasus was finally calm enough to try speaking again.

“C... can we go now? Please?” Her voice was much quieter than usual, and lacked the bravado everypony had become accustomed to hearing.

Zecora nodded. “Everything will be fine, I promise you. You will make it home and no longer have need to be blue.”

Alula nodded slowly, flitting her wings in an attempt to hide a shiver. “Thanks.”

Dinky and Pip gave her one last comforting squeeze before they fell into step, walking closely behind Zecora, Alula comfortingly being left in the middle. They kept walking until she came to a sudden halt, causing the trio to bump into her and each other.

After climbing out of the pile of tiny ponies, Dinky gave an imperceptible gulp as she peered ahead, trying to see what made Zecora stop. Alula protectively shifted a bit in front of Dinky and Pip, speaking very quietly. “Somethin’ wrong, Miss Zecora?”

By way of answer, Zecora waved her staff in front of her, the light shimmering and reflecting off the ground, only it wasn’t the cave floor. In front of them lay a vast underwater lake, one that made the one the trio had crossed earlier seem like a puddle. This one filled the entire length and breadth of their view, with no visible way across. “To reach what we are looking for, we must pass beyond to the far shore.” She rhymed, as was her wont.

“Um ... how we gonna do that?” Alula asked a touch nervously. If that smaller lake had a giant squid-monster, who knew what would be in this super-giant lake? She looked to their mysterious zebra guide, wondering if she had some way to get them across without being eaten.

The answer was not long in coming. Zecora exhaled gently and closed her eyes. She took a step forward...and her hoof stopped atop the water. She took another step until she was literally walking on the water.

Pip’s jaw dropped and Dinky’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates. “I didn’t know Zebras could do that!”

“That’s really, really neat!” Alula chimed in. “But ... how are we gonna get across? Do we ride on your back?”

Zecora, still standing on the lake’s surface, shook her head. “There is no need for me to be your steed. You will all walk upon the lake. I shall teach you for it is easy as cake!”

Alula’s eyes went wide as her wings buzzed excitedly. “So ... awesome.”

“I dunno, cake’s kinda hard.” Dinky commented. “Well, a’kay, makin’ it’s hard--the cake itself s’kinda fwooshy.”

“Fwooshy?” Pip looked at her, confused.

“Miss Derpy cooks funny.” Alula explained.

“It’s not funny,” Dinky defended her mother immediately. “It’s... um, thorough. An’ crispy.”

“‘Least you learned how to use a fire extinguisher,” was Alula’s comment.

Zecora cleared her throat meaningfully. Suitably chastised, the foals all turned their attention back to her. “Oh.” Dinky laid her ears back. “Sorry, Miss Zecora.”

“To cross the waters’ path, you must cleanse your mind. Do not let anger or fear rend you blind. To walk on water, you must be light. Just think good thoughts and focus on what is bright."

“‘Kay, that doesn’t sound so hard.” Alula sounded confident as she boldly stretched out her front hoof onto the lake. There was a splash as she promptly fell in. “Dumb water...”

Pip giggled to Dinky. “Guess ‘lula’s too heavy!” Dinky snorted and nodded in agreement.

“You should get out of the water, my little filly. And you may want to do it quickly,” Zecora smiled with bemusement. “The eels and leeches might mistake you for a treat, especially when they try to nibble at your little feet.”

Alula hastily scrambled out of the water, dancing up and down on the shore and shaking her legs out.

“But don’t we havta say magic words?” Pip asked, tilting his head. “You always say magic stuff!”

With an almost embarrassed little smile, Zecora leaned forward to whisper into his ear. “It is true I often use chants and incantations. These are uttered to help focus my mind, much like my meditations. But to tell the truth—even if I feel a little like a fool, I do not need to say any words—I just think it sounds cool.” She winked at him.

His mouth widening into an ‘o’ of understanding, Pip nodded. “Gotcha!” He winked back at her.

“So what do we do?” Dinky asked.

Zecora walked back to the shoreline, where Alula was frantically checking herself over for anything slimy and slithery or creepy and crawly. “Alula, I need to borrow a feather.”

Satisfied that she was clean, Alula looked up. “Why?”

“So that I may do something clever.” Zecora replied, explaining nothing.

Alula looked at her wing and then back to the zebra. She stretched her wing out and grimaced as she pulled a feather out. “Here.”

With a grateful nod, Zecora took the feather in her mouth and gently dropped it. It fluttered down until it softly landed down on the waters’ surface. “The feather floats, as a leaf upon the wind. We must embody this lightness to soar to the other end.”

Pip looked confused. “So … we gotta get Featherweight?”

“I dun think so.” Dinky scratched her head. “How d’we get to float?”

“The heart bears the weight of your body; you must still its troubles to be free. Balance turmoil and fear with virtue: think of the love and friendship, of the ponies close to you.” Zecora explained.

Alula looked skeptical. “Uh…mebe you should start with Pip? I mean, he’s the smallest so probably’d be the easiest to float!”

Unable to argue with that logic, Pip swallowed and took a step forward. “O-okay. S-so I just gotta talk about my friends and stuff?” At Zecora’s nod, Pip shut his eyes. “Well, I have a Mum and Dad back in Ponyville. We moved there from Trottingham. Mum makes my favorite meal, special just for me whenever I’m kinda sad. An’ every night, my Dad reads me stories of sailors and pirates and far off places…” A smile crossed his face. “I used to be kinda lonely, but now I have lotsa friends! There’s Rumble and Featherweight, they’re pegasusus who can already fly! Chowder’s a nice guy who really knows how to cook and stuff! There’s also Snips and Snails—they’re kinda funny, but in a good way!” He paused then looked over to the two fillies. “Dinky and Alula are my coolest friends ever. Even if ‘lula is a bit of meanie sometimes, but that’s cuz she’s scared and misses her mommy. She’s the bravest filly I know, even when she’s only ‘tending to be brave when she’s really scared too. She always tries to protect me and Dinky so she doesn’t have to be scared herself.”

There was a sniffle. “Do not…” Alula hiccuped, wiping her muzzle. Pip walked over and gave her a hug. To everypony’s surprise, Alula hugged him back fiercely, without a word of protest. “Dummy.”

“Hugs aren’t dumb.” He replied. Then Pipsqueak walked over and gave Dinky one of her own special get-better-hugs.

Dinky cuddled against him. “Yeah, those're rilly nice.” She agreed.

“You're really nice.” Pip replied, blushing.

She didn’t seem to notice his red face so she just beamed back at him. “Thanks. You're rilly nice too. Even for a colt.”

Pip glomped her tight, making Dinky squeak before hugging him back. “When I moved to Ponyville from Trottingham, I was kinda lonely. All the other foals either ignored me or picked on me for being small or having not having a Ponyville accent.” He leaned his head against hers. “You were the first friend I made in Ponyville.”

Dinky hugged his foreleg like a teddy bear “'M glad I made you my friend, Pippy. You're neat, an' cool, an'... um, nice. You're one of my bestest friends!”

Pip stood a little taller, wearing a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

Zecora beckoned him forward with her hoof. “Now, you are ready. Come take your steps, stand steady!”

Taking a deep breath, Pip puffed out his chest and strode boldly forth—or at least as much as he could with his tiny legs. He stretched out his right front hoof out onto the lake and—it stood firm on its surface! He reached out with his other front hoof and the water held it up too!

Alula and Dinky’s eyes went wide as Pip took a couple of steps until he had joined Zecora in fully standing on the lake’s surface. “This is so cool!” Pip announced. “Dinky! ‘lula! C’mon, you gotta try this!”

Gulping nervously but putting on a brave face, Alula stepped up to the water’s edge. “I—I dunno what to say!” Her wings fluttered in agitation. The Kicker Clan was renown for its stoicism and putting on a brave front, and here was this zebra asking Alula to lay her heart bare in front of everypony. It was hard, especially after what happened earlier.

Seeing as much, Zecora offered some soothing words of advice. “Alula, being strong means facing your fear. You have to do this if we are to move on from here. Fear is not something from which you can hide, but face it deep down inside.” She offered her an encouraging smile. “You need to be a pillar of courage for a little more if we are to going to reach the other shore.”

“O-okay,” Alula gulped. “Well, I gotta really big family, a Clan! There’s my parents, my big sis Cloud Kicker--my real sis!--Aunt Wind and my big cousins Storm and Star and, well, everypony in the clan! They’re really strong and brave and I wanna be just like them! And then there’s Dinky’s neat and stuff! Like, super-amazingly neato, except even neater than that!”

“Aw, thanks! You’re neat too!” Dinky beamed.

Zecora nodded proudly at Alula. “We may yet find what we seek! And what about young Pipsqueak?”

“He's a dumb 'fraidycolt and he has cooties and he's a dummy and he's tiny and his face looks weird and he talks funny and he's dumb, but I guess he's okay.” Alula blurted out in a rush, shyly rubbing her forelegs together. Then she took a deep breath and charged out onto the surface of the lake in a rush, her eyes squeezed shut. It wasn’t until after the first couple of steps that she realized that she had done it! She was walking on the water! “So awesome!”

Back on the shore, Dinky watched them both go across then paced nervously for a minute. “Right... ponies I love, an’ I’ll get it...” She eyed the water uncertainly.

Seeing Dinky hesitating, Alula shouted to her. “C’mon Dinky! You can do it! ‘Cause you’re the nicest, coolest filly I know!”

“Yeah!” Pipsqueak yelled in agreement.

Dinky took a hesitant step forward, then another one. Seeing Pip and Alula on the other side helped her lock on, and she started thinking about the rest of the ponies she cared for: “Um, Pip and Lula, are my two best friends--even if they get grumbly with each other a lot. 'lula's rilly nice. She stands up for Pip when Diamond Tiara makes funna him for her accent, or me for not havin' a daddy. And Pip’s really nice for a cootie colt and, well, I toldja how he’s super nice.” She smiled shyly at her friends on the water. “Uh, then there’s my Gramma and Grampa, they’re always, always rilly happy to see me! I’ve got a bossy, cool big sister Sparky, the best Mommy anypony in the world could ask for … and my super-cool godmom, Rainbow Dash!” She paused, before shakily sticking out a hoof. “Rainbow Dash’s gonna see us ... an’ I wanna go see her, so I gotta get across.” She murmured to herself, her hoof stretching out to firmly step on the water.

She let out her breath. She did it!

“Yay! Great job, Dinky!” Alula cheered, glomping her once she drew near.

Zecora chuckled. “Congratulations all around, but come, we are not yet safe and sound.” She led them across the water, her hoofsteps confident and easy.

Dinky looked down at the water, trying to peer down into the depths. “Whooooa ... Sparky’ll never believe this!”

“I wonder what’s down there?” Pip wondered, squinting as he tried to get a better look.

Knowing that it would be better for all concerned if they didn’t know or think about just what was lying beneath them, Zecora cleared her throat. “Come, the lake is wide. We still have far to go to get to the other side. But to pass the time, perhaps you three would care to join me in my rhyme?”

“Whatcha mean?” Dinky asked.

Zecora smiled. “When all is said and done...” she gently started to sing. “Just follow the day ... follow the day and reach for the sun!” She held her staff up high, its end glowing brightly, like a miniature sun leading them forwards through the dark. “Just follow the seasons and find the time. I’ll be with you in your time of need and you’ll be there for mine! Reach for the bright side! Believe in yourself and never hide! Just follow the day...”

Pip, Dinky and Alula felt their spirits rising, broad smiles stretching across their faces. Their bright voices rang out together with Zecora’s as they walked across the wide expanses of the lake. “Just follow the day ... follow the day and reach for the sun!”

& & &

Chapter 15

& & &

As Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor and Cadance fell through the ground, pandemonium reigned above. Rarity let out a high-pitched scream as the three of them vanished into the depths.

“Ohmygoodness!!!” Fluttershy squeaked, fluttering up and holding her hooves up to her mouth as the others sprung into action.

“Oh mah Celestia!” Applejack rushed forward, vainly digging out her lasso from her saddlebags. As she ran she ended up colliding with Pinkie Pie. The two of them went tumbling head over hooves into the snow.

Pinkie stuck her head out from underneath Applejack’s flank. “Hey, where'd they go?”

Applejack spat out some snow as she glowered at the pony she was tangled up with. “Where d'ya think they went, ya idjit!?”

“SHINY! RAINBOW! CADANCE!” Twilight panicked, galloping towards the spot where they had vanished with reckless abandon. Her horn glowed as she tried to levitate the fallen hunk of crystal out of the hole her friends had fallen through.

Rarity rushed forward to join her own magical effort to Twilight’s. Even Pinkie Pie joined in, pulling a giant crowbar out of nowhere to try to pry the crystal loose. But the blackened crystal was resistant to their magic and too heavy for even Pinkie’s appliances.

Sweat beaded down Twilight’s face as her horn glowed almost painfully bright. “Get...out...of...the...WAY!!! MOVE!!!” She barked at the immovable object, as if her demand would make the difference.

As if mocking her, the crystal silently stayed put. Rarity gently put a well-manicured hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Darling, it's not working.” She tried to project an air of calmness and understanding, even though her own voice threatened to break at the prospect of what had befallen her friends.

Twilight panted as her magic finally gave out. “Dig under it then! We can get a tunnel going!”

Applejack walked over to Twilight. “Ho no, girl, that ain't a good idea! We don' know how big that hole is.”

“Quite so,” Rarity nodded. “We could end up trapping ourselves down there with them.”

Twilight shook her head. “... but... they're THERE! Stuck!” She paces back and forth, her mind whirling.

Fluttershy flew back and forth over the fallen crystal as she started to panic, not quite sure of what to do. “Ohmygoodness, Rainbow Dash!”

“Grrr!” Pinkie growled as she started smacking the crystal with her crowbar in great overhoofed swipes. “Why! Won't! You! Move?!”

With a tiny whimper and a wobbly voice, Fluttershy squeaked. “It—it's no use!” She flew down to gently poked at the crystal. “W-what if it explodes again?”

Heedless of her fearful thought, Pinkie Pie continued to smack the fallen crystal, only now she was wielding a giant pink mallet. “You think it can do that? Explode twice?” She rolled her eyes at her flying friend. “Fluttershy, you are so random!”

“Well, we have to do something!” Applejack stomped a hoof.

“Um, panic?” Fluttershy offered meekly.

“Of course we do, but we can't do something that just leaves us no better off than they are,” Rarity agreed with Applejack. She did her best to ignore Pinkie’s continually frustrated efforts as the pink pony abandoned her mallet in favor of a jackhammer larger than she was and went to work on the crystal. Where Pinkie had gotten it, nopony wished to know, especially since she seemed to have just pulled it out of her mane.

Ignoring this in favor of preserving her sanity, Rarity looked around. “Well, perhaps we could try to find another entrance at a safer level?”

Twilight, actively fighting herself to keep calm, managed a quick nod. “That might work.” Looking up, she caught Fluttershy’s eye. “Can you fly up and see if there are any tunnels entrances that lead underground?”

The yellow pegasus nodded weakly. “O-okay...I'll try!”

While Twilight, Rarity and Applejack looked up to watch, Pinkie Pie pulled out a large white package out of her mane and tossed it onto the crystal. “FIRE IN THE HOLE!” She yelled before zooming off to dive behind a snow bank.

Applejack turned, tilting her head slightly. “…should Ah be concerned about that?”

As if in answer, the package started loudly ticking. “Most likely,” Rarity noted with aplomb. She casually shifted herself so Applejack was now between her and the package.

“Runnin's probably a good idea, then.” Applejack observed, not willing to let Rarity out-deadpan her.

“Quite.” As one, Rarity and Applejack turned and fled. Fluttershy let out a startled eep and flew further upward.

Meanwhile Twilight was still going over options and plans in her head as she tried to think about how she was going to find her brother and her friends. Ignoring everything around her, she paced back and forth. “I just—I need time to think. Oh, what to do, what to do…”

“Maybe git away from Pinkie's surprise package!?” Applejack hollered from behind a mound of snow.

Pinkie Pie shrieked from her own hiding place. “Don't you know what 'fire in the hole' means?”

“Could you please be quiet?!” Twilight turned to them. “I'm trying to think here and—”

“It means it's gonna—” Pinkie tried to warn but it was too late. The package loudly exploded in a mass of multicolored confetti and streamers that burst outwards with impressive force and distance.

Even Fluttershy was not safe, as she eeped upon finding confetti and streamers in her mane and tail. “Oh...my...”

Applejack adjusted her hat, which was covered in confetti as she got up from her hiding place. “That was underwhelmin'.”

Coughing and sputtering, Twilight ended up tangled up in streamers and had fallen face first into the snow. “And this isn't helping!”

Rarity blinked in dull shock, her voice low. “I have confetti in my mane.”

Gently brushing her hat clean of confetti AJ gave Rarity a look. “Priorities, Rare?”

“Ah, yes, right.” Rarity agreed, shaking out the mental cobwebs.

Pinkie, suddenly appearing beside her friends, pouted. “Darn, didn't even scratch that big dumb crystal.”

“So, what do we do now?” Fluttershy landed next to them, gently picking streamers out of her wings.

Applejack sighed. “Ah hate t' say it, but...”

Fluttershy’s eyes teared up. “Y-you mean, we might never find them?!”

Twilight put her hooves on her head. “I don't know, I don't know! My brother and Rainbow Dash are down there! And Cadance! And my magic can't do anything! And—” She broke off, hyperventilating.

At once, all of her friends were beside her. Pinkie gave her a hug from behind and Rarity put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “Twilight, calm down dear. Panicking won't help anypony.”

Fluttershy stretched her wing out over Twilight’s back, making soothing noises. The others left her to it. Nurturing was in Fluttershy’s nature. It seemed to be working as Twilight’s breathing started to even out as she leaned into Fluttershy’s feathery embrace. “I-it's gonna be all right...” The gentle pegasus assured her. “Rainbow Dash is really brave and strong. I'm sure Shining Armor and Cadance will be okay...”

“But what if they—no, can't think about that.” Twilight shut her eyes, trembling slightly. “Need to think. Need to find a solution.” Fluttershy just stroked her friend’s back with her wings, humming gently.

After a moment, Applejack approached her. “Did'ja see anything? How deep it coulda gone, what was at the bottom?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “I—I'm afraid not...” she shrunk down as if afraid of delivering bad news. “T-the crystal blocked the hole and I couldn't see anything else... I'm sorry.”

Applejack forced herself to give a smile for Fluttershy’s sake, even though the news made her want to do anything else. “Ya did the best ya could, sugarcube. Nuthin' to be sorry for.”

“Hmm.” Rarity tapped a hoof against her chin elegantly. “Well, we can't use magic on it directly, but...” Her eyes lit up. “I-de-a!” Grinning, she used her magic to pick up a chunk of ice and gently tap the crystal. However, as soon as her magical ‘grip’ came near the crystal, it dissipated and vanished. “Oh dear…I suppose that won’t work either.” She sighed. “How are we supposed to work on moving it, if we can’t use our magic on it?”

That prompted Twilight to pull away from Fluttershy, her mind racing. “That's it! We can't do anything to the crystal, but that doesn't keep us from working around it.” She walked up next to crystal. “It's a bit risky, but I can try and melt the ice around to the crystal and see if I can dig a tunnel down to them.”

“But won't that make the crystal fall?” Fluttershy brought up.

Applejack nodded. “She's got a point there, Twi. If yer brother an’ the rest are still underneath it when it goes in...”

Twilight bit her lip as she considered this. “That's the risky part, I could try and dig from just one end, but I don't know how stable this thing is.”

“Yes. It would be better if we could just move the crystal out.” Rarity agreed.

Fluttershy was more hesitant. “M-maybe we should just wait? I'm sure Rainbow Dash and Captain Armor and Princess Cadance will think of something.”

“We can't just wait.” Twilight shook her head. “What if they’re all—we can't just wait.”

Seeing her falter, Applejack spoke up in support of Twilight. “Waitin's not an option. Either they're down there an' we gotta get to 'em, or ... or those foals still need somepony t' help.”

“I have to agree. So, how do we move this crystal?” Rarity pondered, pursing her lips as she tried thinking of something.

That was when Pinkie Pie started bouncing up and down madly, waving a hoof in excitement. “Oooh Oooh Oooh! Pick me! I've got an idea!

“No good can come of this...” Applejack grumbled, before letting out a sigh. “All right, Pinkie, whatcha got in mind?”

“Well ...” Pinkie began. “How do we normally move heavy stuff when there's no unicorns to do their telkinetty things?”

Applejack tilted her hat back. “Find one?”

“Um, ask Big Macintosh for help?” Fluttershy suggested.

“Use a series of levers, pulleys, and cranes.” Twilight analyzed as she tapped her chin. “Or get a lot of earth ponies and use overwhelming muscle.”

Rarity’s ears perked up at her fellow unicorn’s suggestion. “Well, we don't have a lot of earth ponies available, but what about a lever or some sort?”

“Could work,” Applejack agreed, nodding at the crystal. “If we had one big enough fer that.”

Twilight idly blew a stray strand of her mane out of her face as she thought. “We're going to have to find a lever that can support a lot of weight to move this thing.”

“Wow, that's way better than my idea.” Pinkie announced with a little bounce. “I had no idea where we could find a trumpet and a set of lederhosen out here.”

Applejack’s eye twitched. “Wat?”

“It's ... probably best not to ask.” Rarity reasoned delicately.

Fluttershy swallowed. “Oh dear...”

Twilight started rubbing the side of her head. “Not going to think about it, not going to think about it...”

Fluttershy approached her, gently putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “Um, are you okay?”

“No, I'm not okay!” Twilight snapped at her, causing Fluttershy to squeak and flinch away. Twilight’s face fell as she saw what she had done. “I’m so sorry, I-I'm just worried about my brother. And Dash looked like she got hurt...”

Fluttershy flattened her ears as she leaned her head closer to nuzzle Twilight. “I know...I'm worried too.”

Twilight gave a heavy, shuddering breath. “I just feel so useless right now, Fluttershy. I spent my whole life studying magic, and the moment my brother and friends really need me, I can’t do anything. I feel so useless because I can't lift a stupid, big rock.”

“There, there, it's okay…” Fluttershy assured her. “It's not your fault that you can't use your magic to fix this.”

“No, but it doesn't change that I’m not being very useful right now.” Twilight sounded tired, closing her eyes momentarily.

“Well, I'm never very useful, but I try not to let it get me down.” Fluttershy smiled cheerily at her friend, trying to encourage her.

“Fluttershy, that’s not true—you’re very useful! I mean, I’m not friends with you just because you’re useful—not that you aren’t. Useful, I mean. Just that...what I mean is...” Twilight groaned. “Stupid crystal!” She kicked a chunk of ice at it.

“It's okay...and I'm sure the crystal isn't stupid...it's just doing what it's supposed to do. Um, not that that's a good thing.” Fluttershy gave an awkward, forced smile as she patted Twilight’s back. “Um...there, there?”

Twilight’s wrinkled her nose in confusion. “It's a series of molecules arranged in an ordered pattern identifiable by their macroscopic geometrical shape. It doesn't have any intelligence.”

“Oh...well, okay.” Fluttershy coughed. “Um, I'm sure Rainbow Dash is taking care of your brother and the princess. She always used to look after other ponies, like me.”

“But's she's probably hurt,” Twilight objected. “And if I don't help her, then who will?”

“Maybe they could all help each other? Your brother is very brave, and Princess Cadance is...nice.” Fluttershy idly wished she knew more about them so that she could say something else. But when in doubt, saying somepony was nice was always good!

“Right, they still have each other.” Twilight closed eyes and started to concentrate. “Okay, need to think of a solution. Find a way to help everypony.”

“I'm sure you will,” Fluttershy assured her, giving Twilight a friendly nuzzle. “You're a really clever pony. You can even figure out how to make sandwiches without crusts that don't fall apart!”

Twilight smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

Meanwhile, Applejack and Rarity searched around to find something to use as a lever. “Okay, uh--somehtin' fer a lever. A big rock, tree--okay, trees ain't around here. Um...”

“Perhaps a rock then?” Rarity suggested.

AJ’s face lit up. “Or maybe a coupla rocks, like a set o' hotpads fer a pie pan.”

“What did you have in mind, Applejack?”

“They ain't gotta be big rocks, just tough enough to hold up against that thing.” AJ explained. “It'll be like a four-point hotpad--jus' git the rocks under so they won't slip, then lift up.”

“That ... could work,” Rarity allowed, thinking it over. “It would be a bit difficult for Twilight to manage all by herself, though.”

Applejack gave her a sideways look. “So help her with the heavy liftin', then.”

Rarity gave a dainty sniff. “Not all of us are Alpha-Plus unicorns, darling.”

“And Ah ain't Big Macintosh, but Ah try anyway.” AJ snorted as she started pawing through the snow, uncovering some rocks.

Rarity’s brow twitched as she used her magic to gently brush away some snow. “I fully intend to try, but we need a workable plan.”

“Ah just gave ya one.” Applejack snorted.

“Darling, I simply don't have the raw magical strength for it.”

“Well, Ah don't see a lever around.” The farmpony looked around demonstratively as she gathered a small collection of stones.

Rarity tilted her nose up imperiously. “Well then, come up with a new plan that fits our resources.”

“Maybe we could harness yer ego as a lever?” Applejack suggested.

“My ego?” Rarity gasped, putting a hoof up to her forehead. “Just because your plan is horribly unworkable and shows no comprehension of the basic principles of the Ars Magicka is not reason to be rude.”

“You can use yer arse, ego or yer magic, ah don't care which, Just git liftin!”

Seeking a way to divert her friends from arguing, Fluttershy looked around. “Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?”

Applejack shook her head as she shoved a rock into place. “Uh-uh…”

“No, no, no!” Pinkie zoomed up and knocked one of the rocks away. “That's the wrong type of rock! Use this one instead!” She zipped away to wedge a new rock into place.

“Um, Pinkie?” Fluttershy hesitantly asked. “What are you—”

“How could you make a rock plan, and not ask for my advice? I mean, DUH!” She knocked away and replaced another rock.

Applejack blinked. “…'cause they're rocks?”

Twilight looked at Pinkie skeptically. “Um, what do you know about rocks?” she asked.

“Oh, just everything!” Pinkie beamed.

Twilight shot Pinkie a level stare. “Would you happen to have some rope and a lantern while you're at it, Pinkie?”

“Nopey, dopey! That would be silly!” Pinkie stuck out her tongue at her.

“Of course…” Twilight facehoofed, groaning.

“While confetti bombs were perfectly reasonable?” Rarity grumbled. “It's going to take me hours to get it all out of my mane.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Girl, we're on a rescue, could be goin' underground, and Celestia knows what else, and yer biggest concern is yer mane? REALLY?”

Rarity drew herself up proudly. “Well excuse me for caring about my appearance, instead of being content to look like some ... scruffy-lookin' ruffian!” She sniffed.

Applejack grumbled, adjusting her hat. “Who's scruffy-lookin'?”

“You are, Applejack.” Rarity replied primly.

“Prissy, shallow little—” Applejack grumbled as she bit down on the rope, moving another rock.

Fluttershy whimpered, holding her hooves up to her mouth. “Oh, please d-don't fight!”

“Girls!” Twilight barked, interrupting their bickering. “To state the obvious, rocks are heavy, we have one friend, a lunk-headed brother, and a princess stuck in a hole. Could we prioritize please!?” Her sarcasm bit through the winter cold. “Now, could somepony please see if they can look down the hole now? I'm kind of busy making sure these rocks don’t shift and say...fall into the hole to crush somepony?”

“Okey-dokey-loki!” Pinkie hopped over, shooting another look at the rocks Applejack procured. “And you stink at picking rocks!” She giggle-snorted. “I mean, look.” She stomped on one of AJ's rock, knocking a big chunk of it off. Applejack flailed her limbs as she fell backwards into the snow, prompting even more giggles from Pinkie Pie. “Seriously! You're picking rocks that are, like, half talc or something!”

Applejack grumbled as she sat up in the snow. “Well, you grab one then!”

“Okay!” Pinkie zoomed off, expertly finding rocks buried under ice and snow with unerring accuracy and speed.

“O-kayy...” The farmpony’s eyes derped slightly.

Pinkie rolled her own eyes. “You don't know much about rocks, do ya Applejack?”

“Ah know they don't belong in a field, an' how t' git rid of 'em.” Applejack retorted defensively.

Smiling, Pinkie bounced. “Well, Rock is practically my middle name. Pinkie Rock Pie!”

“Ah thought that was 'Diane'?”

“Diane?” Twilight looked at them questioningly. “That's not even a word.”

Pinkie shrugged. “Well, my full name's Pinkamena Diane Rock Responsibility Pie. For now.”

There was a sudden pregnant silence. Pregnant with triplets.

Applejack blinked again.

“Goodness.” Rarity joined the blinking chorus.

“That's a...very nice name Pinkie.” Fluttershy said after a moment.

Pinkie grinned widely. “Besides, I grew up on a rock farm. So I know rocks almost as well as I know parties!”

“Oh really? Well, that could be useful the next time I need to go gem-hunting...” Rarity mused as they continued to put the rocks into place, trying to slide them beneath the fallen crystal.

The wind changed direction carrying with it the sound of hisses and growls over to the group of working ponies.

Applejack stiffened suddenly. “... Rare, tell me that was yer ego lettin' off steam.” Looking around, they saw nothing but ice and snow as far as the eye could see. But…had those tall mounds of snow always been there? Almost as if forming a circle around them?

Pinkie joyfully bounced up to one of the moving snow mounds and stopped in front of it. “Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Who're you?”

The mound exploded outward, sending powdered snow everywhere. Standing in its place was a large, brown furred bushwoolie, teeth sharp and gleaming, claws bared and snarling in Pinkie's face. All around them, at least a dozen more had burst out of the snow.

“EEEEP!!!” Fluttershy squealed in terror.

Applejack reared up. “WHOA NELLY!”

For her part, Pinkie was completely unfazed. “Hiya! Wanna party?”

“Pinkie!” Twilight exclaimed. “Look out!”

As in agreement, the bushwoolie roared loudly right in Pinkie’s face, blowing her mane backwards as spittle flew from its gaping maw.

“Oh.” Pinkie blinked owlishly. “Here, have a present.” She tossed him a small gift package, expertly wrapped up and tied with a bow, before she hopped away. The furry monster looked at it curiously for a moment then tugged gently on the ribbon. A disproportionately loud confetti-bomb exploded, blowing the monster back a dozen feet into a snow bank

The other bushwoolies charged at the ponies, snarling ferociously.

“Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness—can't we talk about this?!” Fluttershy panicked. Applejack looped her lasso around a rock and started whirling it around like a sling.

Rarity ducked and scampered away from AJ and her swinging rock. “Careful, Applejack!”

“Sorry, Rare!” Applejack called as she swung her lasso around, cold-cocking one bushwoolie in the side of the head. “Yee-haw!”

Rarity sniffed. “So uncouth.” Another snarling monster ran at her only to have an abrupt encounter with her hoof. “Get away, you horrid beast! Hiiiii-ya!” Her kick sent the bushwoolie tumbling head over heels.

“Nicely done, sugarcube!” Applejack tipped her hat to Rarity. Her momentary distraction cost her as a bushwoolie charged her from the back, wrapping his arms around her barrel and clawing at her sides. Applejack yelped as she was tackled.

“GET YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFF OF HER, YOU DAMNED DIRTY BEAST!” Rarity roared, using her magic to tear the bushwoolie off of AJ and fling it away at extreme velocity.

The bushwoolie let out a panicked “SKREEEEEEEEE—” before landing head first in the snow. Applejack hissed as she examined her flank, seeing that the bushwoolie had ripped out a few chunks of fur. “Nice throw Rares. That'd getcha a medal in a rodeo.”

Rarity offered a shaky grin as she wobbled on her hooves. “Oh ... oh goodness. That was ... rather a lot.” She swayed.

“Easy girl!” Applejack rushed over to support her. “First toss is always the hardest...”

“Yes, well,” Rarity coughed daintily. “My magic really isn't meant for those sorts of ... brutish displays.”

Just then another bushwoolie leaped up and grabbed Rarity’s tail. “Hrrrm—fresh meat! And so much of it!”

“EX-CUSE ME?!” Rarity’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she drew back her hind legs. Applejack winced as the bushwoolie was bucked in the face. “How dare you?! I. Am. Not. FAT!” She kicked him again, knocking out teeth. “I—I—” she staggered. “Oh, I really shouldn't be using any more magic right now...”

“S’okay sugarcube.” Applejack grinned. “Ah found mah lasso.” The bushwoolie whimpered.

“Applejack, I'm probably going to faint once this fight's over. Catch me?” Rarity pleaded.

“Say Ah ain't scruffy-lookin' and Ah'll think about it!”

Pinkie meanwhile had somehow whipped out her party cannon. “Ka-blammo!” She fired it, sending high-velocity streamers and confetti into a half dozen bushwoolies, knocking them down.

Twilight looked around. “Well, if life gives you rocks...” her horn lit up as she started to levitate rocks rejected by Pinkie as not good enough to hold weight, but still good enough for throwing. The rocks orbited around her in a circle, keeping four bushwoolies trying to surround her at bay. “Hey! All of you back off!” Her horn shimmered as she turned the snow beneath the bushwoolies into a sheet of solid ice.

The bushwoolies started to slip and slide before they grabbed their ankles and rolled themselves into balls. They barreled down the ice towards Twilight picking up speed as they go. “What is your problem?!” Twilight demanded as she sculpted the ice in front of her into a ramp, sending the rolling bushwoolies up and over her.

Surprisingly, one of the other bushwoolies answered her. This one was clearly in charge, standing back and letting the others rush forward to fight. “The Dark King wants your heads!”

“He could use a decent one, given how poorly he understands the relationship of naming conventions for rulers and nations.” Twilight retorted, tossing a snowball his way. “I mean really, a king would technically be a ruler of a kingdom, not an empire. Otherwise he should call himself an emperor if he rules over something called the Crystal Empire, didn't he go to school?”

“The Dark One will become mightier than the Princesses of the Sun and Moon! He will rule the ponies and give the bushwoolies all the food we can...” the leader trailed off, looking at the purple unicorn in confusion. “Huh?”

“And I'm still not sure why it’s called the Crystal Empire, an empire is when you have one ethnic or breed dominating others. But the Crystal "Empire" sounds more like a city-state…”

The lead bushwoolie rubbed his long fingers into his scalp, trying alleviate his growing headache. “Will purple pony please shut up?”

Applejack, in the middle of lashing out and bucking another bushwoolie, seemed to agree. “Twi, shut up an' hurt 'em!”

“No, lecturing and educating is important!” Twilight stomped her hoof as she adopted her lecturing tone. “Ponies and—whatever you are need to know these things!”

The leader groaned in pain. “That voice! It just drones on and on…and on! It’s horrible!”

“I'm just saying these are important things that need to get straightened out at some point.” Her horn conjured up a giant snowball which she used to roll up the bushwoolies into it as it rolled across the battlefield. “These things are important.”

The Chief Bushwoolie managed to avoid being pressed into the snowball and snarled at them. “Fool ponies! You think this matters? The king will suck your little ones dry and become more powerful than Celestia! You will all suffer!”

That finally succeeded in derailing Twilight’s lecture. Her jaw dropped in horror. “He's doing what!? Th-that's the darkest magic imaginable!”

Applejack’s eyes hardened. “You lay a claw on mah sister an' Ah'll use ya fer fertilizer! An' yer king!”

“Nopony hurts my Sweetie Belle!” Rarity growled. She unleashed every bit of magic she had left on the chief, hurling a dozen hoof-sized rocks at bullet-speed.

“Dang straight!” AJ agreed as she bucked several more rocks at the chief.
The bushwoolie covered his head with his arms and was forced back under the fury of the barrage. When he lowered his hands, he found himself staring face to face with Fluttershy.

“YOU ... MEANIE!!!” She flapped her wings angrily as she hovered at eye level. “How DARE you even THINK about harming another creature, let alone a little filly or colt!” Her eyes widened as she used The Stare. “If anything happens to them, so help me...”

Against this, the chief bushwoolie was helpless. “Aaaaaugh!! Retreat! Retreeeeeat!” He curled up into a ball and rolled away, fast! A still furious Twilight used her magic to toss the giant snowball full of the other bushwoolies at him. It went flying and landed on him with a wet splat, breaking apart on contact. The freed bushwoolies groaned as they struggled to reorient themselves and continue their panicked retreated northward. Pinkie celebrated their retreat with one last barrage from her party canon aimed in their direction.

After they were gone, Rarity turned to Applejack. “Applejack, darling? Fainting now.” She swooned.

“Um, me too---if it's not too much of a bother...” Fluttershy added, swaying.

“At least ya come with an early warnin' system.” AJ commented as she awkwardly caught Rarity, who had conked out even before she was in Applejack’s hooves.

Twilight reached out with her magic to catch and support Fluttershy even as her mind raced. “Oh, this is really not good if what he said is true.”

“W-what do you mean, Twilight?” Fluttershy swallowed as she looked at her friend. “What’s wrong?”

Her response was to bite her lower lip. “None of you are going to like the answer to that.”

“Ah'd prefer th' truth to not knowin', Twi.” Applejack said as she awkwardly tossed Rarity onto her back.

“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed. “Spill the beans! Oh, and tell us what's going on after we're done eating!”

“Um, actually...I don’t mind not knowing…” Fluttershy started to say quietly, but nopony heard.

Twilight swallowed. “If that—thing was telling the truth, then we need to get to the Crystal Empire as fast as we can.”

“Ah git that.” Applejack bit out impatiently, her voice strained. “Question is, why?”

“If I'm guessing right, a lot of very bad things are going to happen,” Twilight fidgeted. “I'm only going off of related magical theories, I mean, this is some potentially highly illegal thaumaturgy. I think Sombra might be planning to use the foals as a sacrifice for an arcane ritual to give himself a significant power boost.”

Fluttershy whimpered. “I was right, I didn't want to know!”

“S-SACRIFICE!?!” Applejack’s face went deathly pale as she shivered. “Oh mah stars... Apple Bloom.”

“Relatively speaking, the lives of as many foals as has been kidnapped, under a properly set up ritual could produce significant amounts of power…” Twilight continued on, preferring the near babbling explanation of the process to thinking about the consequences for the foals.

Pinkie growled. “What a meanie.”

“There are reasons why even researching a spell like that is illegal.” Twilight finished weakly as Fluttershy let out a scared whimper. “The only good news is that something like that is going to take a lot of time, effort, and its not likely its going to be easy to hide.”

“Well, let's go deck him in the schnoz then!” Pinkie bounced.

“But, what about Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked, shivering.

Applejack swallowed. “Rainbow an' them can' take care o' themselves,” she replied hoarsely.

“B-but, what about the Elements of Harmony? C-can they even work without Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy pressed.

“I think we’re just going to have to hope that Dash find her own way to the Crystal ‘Empire.’ Otherwise we’re going to have to find some other way to stop Sombra.” Twilight agreed.

Pinkie waved her hoof. “Wait! What about the whole rock-lifty plan?”

Applejack shook her head. “Things jus' got a little different, Pinkie.”

“I'm afraid we are on even more of a time limit then we originally thought.” Twilight looked downcast.

“We gotta git goin' then.” Applejack grimaced, as if each word caused her physical pain. Then the ground below started shaking. “What in the wild world of sports is a’going on here?!”

As Cadance, Shining Armor, and Rainbow Dash fell through the snowy ground, the blue pegasus was reminded of something one of her flight instructors said about falling. Falling doesn’t hurt you…it’s the sudden stop at the end that does.

Luckily, it wasn’t a very long fall, probably no more than a dozen feet or so down. Another stroke of luck was that the snow had fallen down with them, cushioning their landing. But not by all that much.

Rainbow Dash had the air knocked out of her as she belly flopped onto a small mound of snow. She groaned, joining the chorus of Shining Armor and Cadance’s own groans as they fought to get up.

“Every…pony…okay?” Shining panted as he looked around.

“Just…peachy.” Rainbow grumbled as she brushed the snow from her belly.

Cadance looked around. “I’m--I’m okay. I can’t see anything though.”

With the hole in the roof now blocked off, nopony could see their own hoof in front of their muzzle. “Hold on…” Concentrating, Shining Armor was able to summon a faint glow from his horn, just enough to bring light to their surroundings. Looking up, he saw that the hole they had fallen through was now blocked off—by a large chunk of black crystal no less. “Just perfect.”

Looking around the tunnel they had fallen into, Cadance tried to peer through the darkness. “How do we find a way out?”

From her position on the ground, Rainbow opened her wings, her feathers outstretched. “I can feel air currents coming from that way,” she pointed a hoof down the passage way. “Doesn’t feel like it’s too far away either. We should get go—AGH!” She yelped as she tried getting up.

“Rainbow Dash!” Cadance was beside her in an instant, gently guiding her back down to the ground. She lit up her own horn to examine Dash. “You’re hurt!”

“I’m fine.” The injured pony grunted between clenched teeth. “HEY!” Cadance started examining her. Rainbow couldn’t turn her head enough to see what Cadance was looking it, but she did not like the way her eyes widened.

Cadance snapped her head up. “Shining! Come here, Rainbow’s injured!”

Hearing the urgency of her tone, Shining Armor trotted over them and leaned his own head in, letting the light of his horn add to that of Cadance’s. Then it was his turn to wince.

Dash really wasn’t fond of having the two of them gawk at her back without even telling her what was up. “Do you guys mind filling me in?” She snorted impatiently, regretting the sudden motion as pain shot up and down her body.

Shining exhaled through his nose. “Rainb—Dash. You’re pretty cut up. And…there are pieces of that crystal and stuff embedded in your back.”

Rainbow’s suddenly felt dry. “H-how much?” She asked, hating the way her voice wavered.

“From just below your wings down to the back of your legs,” Shining answered softly. “There are some big chunks and a bunch of small slivers. It’s—it’s a mess.”

It wasn’t until Cadance wrapped her hooves around her and held her tight that Rainbow even realized she was trembling. “Oh Dashie, you didn’t have to do this for me!” Cadance murmured soothingly into Rainbow’s ear.

“Yeah I did,” Dash gave a weak chuckle. “S’what I do.” She let out a nervous swallow. “So am I g-gonna—”

Suddenly realizing how he came across Shining whipped his head back and forth. “Nonono! You’re going to be fine!” A second later it occurred to him that since he had no idea how these crystals worked that he might be wrong, but shoved that thought aside. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s gonna hurt like hay getting these all out.” He placed his hoof between her shoulders as he looked her in the eye. “You’ll be okay, I promise. Trust me.”

Rainbow forced a smile onto her face. “Y-yeah. ‘F course I trust you…” She fluttered her wings, trying to get comfortable. “So what happens now? You just use your magic to--”

Shining grimaced and shook his head. “The crystals inhibit magic, remember? I’ll have to take them out one at a time. Myself.”

“…oh.” Rainbow Dash’s ears flattened against her head as Cadance nuzzled her comfortingly. “This is gonna hurt, isn’t it.”

“I’m afraid so.” Shining admitted. “I have some first aid training, but…”

Dash shrugged then let out a short cry as the shards dug into her back. “Hrrngh! F-fine—j-just do it.”

Cadance held Rainbow tightly as she gently helped her get comfortable. She cast a quick nod in Shining Armor’s direction. He returned it evenly, the tensions of the past day suddenly seeming to shrink into insignificance and dissipate behind them. Shining exhaled. “Right. Here we go.” He brought his head down and gently grasped the uppermost piece of crystal, wedged in just below her wings, and pulled it out with his teeth. He felt Rainbow flinch and heard a sharp exclamation as it came out. “Sorry,” he added after spitting the crystal out to the side.

“No…problem,” Rainbow Dash grimaced, settling in as Shining continued his work. She clenched her teeth each time as she felt Shining yank out a piece. Trying to distract herself, she looked to Cadance, who looked about as bad as Rainbow felt.

“Y’know…Rarity always wondered if acupuncture was good for you or not. We can just call this a prac-OW!” She yelped as she felt Shining Armor wriggling a particularly stubborn piece out.

Cadance sniffled, trying to smile for Rainbow’s sake and failing utterly. “R-right. We—I—I’m so sorry!”

Before she could even blink, Rainbow Dash found her head being held and lovingly cradled by Cadance. “C-cadance? The hay?”

“I’m sorry!” She repeated. “I’m sorry I haven’t spent more time with you, I’m sorry about me and Shining Armor, I’m sorry about your goddaughter and I’m sorry that you had to get hurt saving me and—”

Before Cadance’s transformation into Fluttershy could become complete, Rainbow quickly inserted her hoof into somepony else’s mouth (for a change). “Whoa, what are you talking about? I’m the…” she bit her lip as she tried to force the words out. “I’m the one who’s been acting totally lame…”

“Uh, ladies?” Shining coughed. Once making sure that he had their attention, he went on. “As much as I’d like to chime in and add what a complete flank I’ve been lately, this probably isn’t the best time.”

Cadance frowned at him. “What other time is there?”

Shining Armor fidgeted in the exact manner that a Captain of the Royal Guard shouldn’t and rubbed his neck. “It’s, um, look—I got all the broken bits of crystal out of her back—”

“That’s great news!” Cadance smiled.

Rainbow Dash nodded, beaming as well. “Really? That’s awesome! Thanks, I—ung!” She had started to get up and promptly regretted it. “What—?”

“That’s the thing.” Shining sighed. “I took out the fragments in your back, but there are, erm, a number of them left.” He rubbed his legs together awkwardly. “Further down.”

“…O-oh.” Rainbow said hollowly as it sank in. Her face started heating.. “So, you’re saying there’s a bunch of them left in my b—”

“Yes.” Shining confirmed archly, his face a matching red to hers. “I-I’d ask Cadance to do it, bu—however!—I’m the only pony with the proper training so…” he trailed off.

“So this is gonna get even more totally awkward?” Rainbow groaned. “And painful too?” At Shining’s nod she groaned again and covered her face with her hooves. “Figures.”

Cadance supportively nuzzled her. “It’ll be okay. I’ll be right here with you the whole time. Just like when you were young, okay?”

“O-okay.” Rainbow breathed. She trembled slightly as she felt Shining Armor’s hoof gently brush her tail out of the way. She felt her face light up with a massive blush as she felt Shining’s breath on her backside as he leaned in to close his teeth around another broken shard of black crystal. She let out a strangled sounding mew, whether from shame or pain, she didn’t quite know.

She quivered, practically able to feel her longtime crush’s gaze as he peered over her backside to pick out slivers and bits of crystals embedded in her rump. She hadn’t been this mortified and humiliated since…well, ever.

“Hey,” Cadance breathed gently, seeing her distress and nuzzling her. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

Nodding slightly, Rainbow felt a hot, stinging tear practically sizzle as it rolled down her already warm cheek. “I-I’m sorry.” She sniffled, having never felt more exposed, more bare to the world than she did just then.

Cadance soothed her gently. “Oh Dashie, it’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I know how much you care for Shining.” She murmured.

“Yeah,” Rainbow winced, as another piece was pulled out. “I—I’m happy that you and he…” she gestured vaguely.

“Thank you.” Cadance let her hoof brush atop Rainbow’s own. “It means a lot to me to hear you say that. Dashie?”

“Yeah, Cadie?” Rainbow acknowledged with a tremble, using her own short-hoof nickname for her old foalsitter. Hearing it made Cadance smile and gently rub her hoof through Rainbow’s namesake mane.

“I am so proud of you…look at you, so big and strong and brave in spite of everything. The Princess’ student…the Element of Loyalty…you’ve done so much.”

“…I had a good role model.” Rainbow murmured, looking up at Cadance.

That made her old foalsitter smile. “I almost forgot how much of sweetheart you can be, when you aren’t busy being tough and cool,” she teased gently. Then her face took on a more serious, understanding look. “I’m sorry, I know it hurts--”

Rainbow knew she wasn’t talking about the crystal fragments. “It’s s’okay.” She sighed. “I know. Shining Armor l-loves you. Not me.”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash that’s not true.” Cadance wrapped her up in another warm embrace. “He loves you to pieces. And so do I. Just because he doesn’t love youthat way doesn’t mean he loves you any less.”

Rainbow sniffled. “Y-yeah. I know. H-he told me after, y’know, the Nightmare Moon stuff. It’s actually kinda cool that you two got together. I mean, it’s like a perfect fit, right? I just…” she shuffled her wings awkwardly. “It’s dumb.”

“No it isn’t.” Cadance insisted, draping a leg across the pegasus’ back. “Your feelings are never dumb or unimportant. Especially when they’re about a pony you care about.”

Normally, Rainbow enjoyed talking about her feelings about as much as she liked going to the dentist. But given what was going on, she all-but welcomed the distraction. “I just—I liked it when I was the only filly he hung around with. Besides his sister, but I didn’t know her.” Rainbow winced, letting out a sudden gasp as Shining pulled out another fragment from her backside. “It was like…like I suddenly became less important whenever you were around and that’s dumb because you’re one the most awesome ponies ever and I was stupid and jealous and now I’m blubbering like a foal and am totally lame and you’re perfect and—” She had started rambling, trying to get everything out before she dissolved into tears and became incapable of coherent speech. Anything else she might have been trying to say got lost as she buried her face as Cadance’s neck and sobbed. All the while, Shining Armor continued his work in studied silence, painfully aware than anything he said right now, doing what he was doing, would only make Rainbow feel worse.

Cadance’s own face was wet with tears. “Oh Rainbow Dash, is that what you thought? I’m so sorry…” She held her tight and stroked her head. “Dashie, I’m far from perfect. I should’ve seen what was bothering you a long time ago. I knew you cared for Shining Armor and I didn’t say anything—I even started to blame him for driving a wedge between us and that wasn’t fair to him or you.”

She waited for Rainbow to look at her before continuing. “The truth is, I was a little afraid that you’d just left me behind.” Cadance admitted, shamefaced. “We didn’t see much of each other after you started getting too old for a foalsitter and I started magic academy classes and the next thing I knew you were off saving the world.” She idly dug a hoof into the ground. “I—I was afraid that you had outgrown me, which was foolish and unfair to you...but I was so worried and eager to reconnect and act like nothing had changed since you were a filly that I ignored the manticore in the room. No, I did worse than ignore it, I treated it as if it were Shining Armor’s fault that we weren’t as close as we used to be.”

Rainbow shook her head. “I—we’re still friends!” She protested. “I just…I suck at writing and stuff. It was the same way when I left flight camp and I lost touch with Kicker and Derpy and, well, you get the idea. …’M sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Cadance stroked her mane. “What matters is that we’re friends and we’re together, now.”

“Yeah!” Dash nodded. “What you said.” She paused as she fought for something to think of, something to say. “So, uh…how’s things? And, um, stuff?”

Cadance chuckled at the cheesy expression on Rainbow’s face. “Well, if you’re looking for something for us to reconnect,” her eyes gleamed slightly. “We can always talk about getting you a coltfriend.”

“We—wait, what?” Dash’s eyes derped.

“Fillyfriend?” Cadance offered after a second, chuckling at Rainbow’s put-upon expression. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” She nudged her gently, eager to distract her friend from her current situation. “I know it hurts, but I’m you’ll find a truly wonderful stallion, or mare, who would love to be with you forever.” She gave an encouraging smile. “I recall hearing something about Applejack’s brother--and your camp friend, Cloud Kicker?”

Rainbow squirmed, her cheeks taking on a familiar red hue. “Caaadaaance!” She whined, temporarily distracted from Shining pulling out another broken sliver from her rear, which had been Cadance’s goal.

The pink unicorn chuckled, idly running her hoof through Rainbow’s mane. “Sorry, Dashie, I do have a lot of missed time to make up for.”

“Very funny.” Rainbow Dash pouted, making Cadance chuckle even more. She let Cadance stroke her mane for the next few minutes as Shining Armor continued his work, thankfully in silence.

Rainbow, feeling her pride already stripped away from her, felt she had nothing less to lose by snuggling up close to Cadance as Shining continued to pull piece after piece from her posterior. It would be hard to say which stung more, the crystals themselves or the blows to her pride. “C-cadie?”

“Yes?”

“Y-you know that song? The one you always used to sing?” She fidgeted as Cadance nodded. “D-do you think…?” She looked up at her pleadingly.

Cadance understood. “Of course. Anything.” She did her best to get Rainbow into a comfortable position (or as comfortable as could be managed) before she gently started to sing. “Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?” Cadance stroked Rainbow’s mane. “Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.” She looked at Dash and smiled. “So we've been told and some choose to believe it. I know they're wrong, wait and see. Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers,” she looked at Shining Armor fondly and smiled. “The dreamers,” she looked back to Rainbow Dash and brushed her mane with her hoof. “And me.”

A contented smile crossed the beleaguered pegasus’ face as she settled in, her eyelids drooping. Rainbow Dash wasn’t aware that she had drifted off into a light doze, something between sleep and wakefulness until she heard somepony whispering in her ear. “Huh, wha?” She blinked tiredly, trying to focus her blurry vision in the darkened cave. “Cadance?”

“No, it’s—it’s me.” Shining Armor crouched down next to her. “Can we talk?”

“S-sure. You, um, finished?” She asked awkwardly, looking anywhere but at his face.

She noticed Cadance sitting a bit of a ways down the cave, giving them some privacy.

Shining gave a weak sheepishly grin that Rainbow (and most mares) found pretty adorable. “Uh, yeah. I removed all of the pieces...doesn’t look like any of them did that much damage. There was some blood, but I, um, cleaned that up with some snow. Feeling okay?”

“Yeah.” She showed off a lot of teeth in what passed for a smile. “Just fine.” Well, aside from having her longtime ex-crush-slash-big-brother-figure examining her butt and then using cold snow to clean it for her. Her cheeks burned as she silently thanked Celestia that she wasn’t conscious for that. “Super.”

“Good.” Shining Armor cleared his throat. “Rainbow…Dashie…I—I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do.” He insisted. “I’ve been uptight, paranoid, cold and just generally on edge this whole trip. I don’t even know why I’ve been so...” Shining shook his head. “And then there was the, uh, mentioning that I was going to pop the question to Cadance…that might not have been my best idea.”

Rainbow’s incredulous look said it all. Shining facehoofed. “Ugh, I know okay? It was stupid. I can only imagine what Twiley would say if she knew.”

“'My brother is an idiot,’ and that you’re a doofus and a lunkhead.” Rainbow casually tossed out. “Just guessing.”

Shining chuckled. “…Sounds about right.” He paused. “I know I told you this before, but it’s still true: you’re like another little sister to me. And whatever happens with me and Cadance, nothing’s going to change that.”

“Y-yeah. I know.” Rainbow flushed and looked away. “I—I don’t know why I was even so mad anymore…”

“I know what you mean,” he sighed. Gently turning her head with his hoof, Shining Armor softly rubbed her cheek. “Hey,” he smiled comfortingly. “It happens to everypony. Just thinking about some of the things I said, the things I thought—” he exhaled, looking very worn. “I’m so, so sorry Dashie.”

“Me too.” Rainbow sniffed. “W-we cool?”

Shining hugged her. “Frosty.” He shivered, only half-jokingly.

They held each other for a long moment until Rainbow piped up. “So…you gonna pony up and tell Cadance already, or am I going to have to do it?”

Shining’s expression froze. “…You wouldn’t.”

Dash grinned. “Try me.”

Gulping nervously, Shining got to his hooves. “Okay, okay…” He climbed to his hooves and called over to his fillyfriend. “Cadance? Can you come here a minute?” His voice broke audibly midsentence, making Rainbow cover her mouth to prevent her giggles from being heard.

Cadance slowly walked over. “Everything okay?”

“Y-yes. Everything’s fine.” Shining grinned nervously. “There was actually, uh, something I wanted to ask you.” He shifted from hoof to hoof. “Cadance, I—”

Tilting her head curiously, Cadance nodded, indicating that he should go on. “Yes?”

“I—Cadance, would—I mean, I want to—” Shining stammered, tripping over his words as he tried to line up how he always pictured this moment going versus how it was playing out.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, gently covering her face with her hoof. Okay, watching this was even more embarrassing than what had happened to her. This is was who she’d been crushing on since she was a filly? Seriously, Shining Armor was a doofus. Captain of the Royal Guard, defender of Canterlot, one of the most powerful unicorns alive—and here he was stammering and blushing like a freshman colt trying to get a date for the dance. His cheeks bulged as he tried to get the words out but his throat was apparently at war with his brain and refused to comply. Rainbow knew what she had to do.

Raising a forehoof, Dash narrowed her eyes as she focused in on her target. Then with one swift decisive move, she acted. Her hoof lashed out and punched Shining Armor right in the dock.

“CADANCEWILLYOUMARRYME!” Shining blurted out, the words literally bucked out of him.

The surprised princess gave a little jump and a whinny at the sudden shout, taking a second to translate what he said for it to sink in. Almost immediately, her hoof flew up to her mouth as her eyes widened, shimmering with moisture. “Oh S-shining…yes!” She flung her hooves around him and hugged him tight.

Their horns touched as they held each other. A bolt of energy surged from tip to tip, bringing them closer together until their horns touched, a bright spark emanating from them. It rose up and up, taking on the shape of a beating, pulsing, fiery heart.

Rainbow was the first one to recover the power of speech. “Whoa.”

The heart grew larger and larger until it reached the roof of the cave and the mass of black crystal that blocked the hole they had fallen through. As its light filled the cave, a despairing, howled whinny was heard. Then a trio of ghostly vaguely pony-like apparitions shimmered into existence, circling them.

“The hay?” Rainbow Dash drew herself up, ignoring the stinging pains that came with it. “Those aren’t what I think they are, are they?”

Shining Armor, one leg draped across Cadance’s back, nodded and put another hoof on Rainbow’s withers. “Windigos. Twiley said that Sombra had dark magic and evil forces under his sway. Should’ve figured it out sooner.”

“So I guess they were what was making us all…” Rainbow gestured vaguely with her hoof, making a small circle in midair.

Cadance shook her head. “Windigos encourage and feed off anger, strife and disharmony. They might’ve helped bring those thoughts to the surface, even intensified them—but they didn’t create them.” She looked down. “We did.”

“Everypony has their personal fears, jealousies and angers.” Shining agreed. “But they don’t make us who we are, unless we let them.” He looked to the two mares. “It may have been the windigos that made me say some truly horrible things, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t think them, deep down somewhere—despite knowing better. So for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too.” Rainbow rubbed her head with her wing.

“And me.” Cadance agreed, looking up at the windigos, snarling and howling as they tried to move in closer, but the glowing heart seemed to keep them at bay. “It’s just like something out of the Hearth’s Warming Eve play, isn’t it?”

“It is that time of year,” Rainbow noted as she glowered at the windigos. “Hey…you guys remember that carol? The one for the Winter Solstice?”

Her companions looked at her, thinking this an odd time to be strolling down memory lane. “Yes…” Cadance answered finally. “Why?”

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Just—sing. All of us.” She nudged Shining Armor.

Shining just looked at her, wondering if that exploding crystal had done more damage to her than he had thought. “I was about to try my barrier spell. We don’t know how long that heart will keep them away and we need to get back to—”

“Trust me.” Rainbow’s voice was firm, full of conviction. It wasn’t loud, cocky or bragging. Neither was soft or imploring or begging. That’s what got Shining Armor and Cadance’s attention. After sharing a quick look, Cadance stepped forward and began to sing.

“Old friends, dear friends. Here were we ought to be. We’ll be together at Solstice…”

Shining stepped next to her as he joined in. “Old friends, dear friends. Living in harmony. We'll be together at Solstice…”

“Some things change with passing years, let this feeling stay…” Rainbow Dash looked up and smiled at Shining and Cadance, even as she thought about Princess Celestia, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Ditzy Doo, Cloud Kicker, Blossomforth, Raindrops, Trixie and all her other friends, wishing they were here with her. And in wishing it, they were there. With her, in her heart.

“Old friends, new friends. Home with our family. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Snowflakes, sleigh bells, bringing back memories. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Some things change with passing years, let this feeling stay…” Rainbow smiled as she stood beside Cadance and Shining Armor. “Old friends, new friends. Hoping we'll always be--Here with each other together on Solstice Daaay…”

The fiery heart grew in a sudden spurt of energy. It grew three times its previous size. The windigos howls turned to fear as a wave of warmth and light spread outwards in a shockwave, knocking them away. Whether they were destroyed or simply pushed far, far away, Rainbow Dash didn’t know. It didn’t really matter anyway. They were beaten.

The ceiling shivered, sending flakes and bits of rock and dust raining down. The cause of this was easy to discern. The black crystal had started to shiver and crack under the strain, until it too could bear no more and shattered completely. Light from above filled the tunnel even as Shining Armor protected them with his barrier to prevent the raining bits of crystal from landing on them.

Rainbow Dash stretched out her wings, glad to feel flowing air on them again as she looked up. They were free.

& & &

Chapter 16

Through the dark recesses of the underground, the gloom and doom was dispelled by the raucous singing of a certain tiny colt. “Our captain will stand on the bridge and sing—Pirates are all we can be!” Pipsqueak bellowed out joyously. Since Zecora had led them across the lake, the foals had been feeling their spirits improve tremendously. It was enough to get the lone colt and pirating enthusiast to roar out a lusty sea shanty.

“Dummy.” Alula grumbled. “Not s’posed to sing when you’re being sneaky.”

Dinky nudged her. “It’s okay, we got Miss Zecora!” She beamed happily at her. “And she said there weren’t any scary things on this side of the lake.”

Alula pouted, wanting to tell Pip to be quiet but not wanting to argue with Dinky either. Pip meanwhile continued his nautical singing. “With a hii hii hoo and a hii hii hey, we're hoisting the flag to be free! We will steal the show, Jolly Rogers go!” He capered and bounced around on his tiny legs. “We are wolves of the sea! We are wolves of the seaaaaaaaaaaa—ulp!” his hoof came down on a smooth patch of stone and he slipped. He went sliding down until he collided with the striped hindquarters of Zecora. “Hmf!” Pipsqueak waited for his eyes to stop spinning before he got back to his hooves. “Sorry Miss Zecora.”

“It is quite all right, no harm was done.” The zebra guide smiled kindly. “It will take more than that to hurt me, little one.”

Dinky and Alula had run over to quickly join them. “You okay Pippy?” Dinky asked. Pip nodded, earning a grunted ‘Dummy’ from Alula. Satisfied that everything was normal there, the little unicorn turned to Zecora. “How long until we find Rainbow Dash?”

“It is not much further my friend,” Zecora smiled encouragingly. “Your lonely trek is nearly at an end.”

Alula walked over. “How d’you know?”

“The nose knows.” The zebra noted, tilting her snout up demonstratively.

The foals all took a deep sniff and promptly started coughing as the smell of ponies who hadn’t bathed in a week filled their nostrils. “Ugh…Pip smells!” Alula complained plaintively, waving a hoof in front of her face.

“Nuh-uh, you stink worse!” Pipsqueak shot back, holding his nose. “You need to wash under your wings!”

The pegasus glared at him. “What are you, my mom?”

“I never wanted to take a bath so baaad.” Dinky whined.

Zecora rolled her eyes. “Aside from stains and sweat, stretch your senses further and you will not have regrets.”

Hesitantly, Dinky took another sniff. “Hey…I smell fresh air!”

“That must mean there’s a way out!” Alula cheered, buzzing her wings excitedly. Just like that, all three of them were reinvigorated with energy and hope as the little ponies charged down the tunnel to the opening, to freedom.

Smiling, Zecora followed them at a more sedate pace. Not only had she smelled the fresh air, she had also sensed the sudden magic force created from the power of love and friendship. She knew who had created that and the thought of seeing them again brought a smile to her usually enigmatic face.

Twilight Sparkle and her friends fought to stay standing as the ground beneath them shook. “What in tarnation?” Applejack yelped as Rarity slid off her back, awakening in the snow with a start.

“Hmph! Of all the--Applejaaaaack!” Rarity shook her mane free of the snow. “I knew I should’ve expected such uncouthness!”

AJ ignored her, turning to Twilight. “S’it a stampede or what?”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t think so!” She shouted above the noise of the ground cracking and her friends screaming. “This isn’t normal tectonic activity! We’re far removed from any plate boundaries or volcanoes or anything that could create such a seismic--”

“Save th’ oration!” Applejack snapped as she grabbed Twilight’s tail with her teeth and yanked her away from the black crystal as it started to shake fiercely, cracks beginning to form.

“Ooooooh IIIIIII sssssoooound silllllyyyyyy!” Pinkie warbled as she let the vibrations in the ground move her around. “Wheeeeeee!”

Just then, the large black crystal that had blocked them from their friends shattered and burst upwards, showering down bits of broken shards and forcing the ponies to flee to a safe distance.

“Duck!” Twilight called as she ran behind a snow mound, lowering her head and covering it with her forelegs.

“Oh no, where? We have to help that poor duck!” Fluttershy cried. Rarity rolled her eyes and with surprising firmness, yanked the two of them behind another snow bank. And just in time too, for it started raining broken slivers and pieces. Fortunately it lasted only a few seconds before subsiding.

Pinkie Pie poked her head up. “Holy moly! That’s a big hole-y!” She pointed to the empty spot where the fallen black crystal had once been, revealing a gaping hole in the ground.

“Everypony okay?” Fluttershy looked around. “Oh my...” Hovering above the hole was a large reddish-purple fiery heart, radiating warmth and light.

Rarity’s eyes grew three sizes. “Oh my goodness ... it’s beautiful!”

Ignoring the magical phenomenon for the moment, Twilight rushed out of cover and galloped over to the opening, fearing the worst. “Shining Armor! Rainbow Dash! Cadance!” She looked down. “Are you all right?!”

“Twiley?” A familiar voice warbled out of the dark, quickly illuminated by a unicorn’s horn.

A relieved smile crossed her face as she heard her brother’s nickname for her and saw her friends. “Shiny! Everypony okay?”

“We’re okay, but Rainbow Dash has been hurt.” Cadance called up. “Can you bring us up?”

Twilight nodded. “Right!” Her horn lit up and her magic surrounded Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor and Cadance. She slowly lifted them up out of hole and gently lowered them down to the ground. “W-what happened down there?” Twilight asked, panting slightly. Between her attempts to remove the crystal, the fight with the bushwoolies and her more recent efforts, she was feeling pretty drained.

Shining Armor draped his neck on top of hers. “It’s okay, we’re fine. But what happened to you?” He looked at Twilight’s companions, who all wore minor reminders from their skirmish with the bushwoolies. “Are you okay?”

“Just a little dust up.” Applejack assured him, taking the opportunity the clean some debries from her beloved stetson. “Twi held her own.”

Shining Armor let out a proud smile. “That’s my little sis,” he chuckled as Twilight’s cheeks pinkened.

After hugging her brother, grateful he was okay, Twilight trotted over to her other friends. “Rainbow Dash! I saw you get hurt and--”

“S’no big deal.” Rainbow insisted, smiling despite a slight twinge of pain coming from her back. “Cadance and Shining, uh, took care of it.” She silently willed her face not to blush, with little success.

Fluttershy hurried over to her. “Rainbow Dash! Oh please be okay!” She gently but firmly forced her way to her to her friend’s side to examine her. “You’re injured! I have some iodine and bandages in my saddle bags...”

Rainbow winced in anticipation of iodine, especially the though of it being applied to her more personal areas. “It’s fine Fluttershy, really! I feel perfectly, ow!” She yelped as Cadance gently prodded her.

“Now Rainbow, Fluttershy is just trying to help.” She chided her. “And I think it would be for the best if we properly treated your injuries while we have the chance.”

Before Dash could think of a proper protest a new voice interrupted. “If I may be so brash, I think I have just the remedies for our friend Rainbow Dash.”

There was only one equine Rainbow knew who spoke like that. She whirled her head around so fast she almost ended up giving herself whiplash. “Zecora?!”

Sure enough, the zebra shamaness was standing behind them as if she had been there all along. Shining Armor moved around until he stood protectively in front of Rainbow Dash, lowering his head so his horn was poised straight at the mysterious zebra. “Stay where you are!”

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow reached out and swatted him with her wing. “Chillax, Shiny-hiney, that’s Zecora, remember?”

After a moment Shining Armor seemed to relax. “...Right.” His eyes still narrowed suspiciously. “You disappeared after Nightmare Moon was defeated.” He said in a not quite accusing tone.

“There were other places I needed to be.” Zecora replied simply, as if that actually answered anything. “Things to attend, things to do, and much to see. Speaking of which, I found you some company.” She took a half-step aside.

A look of stunned surprise crossed Rainbow’s face as she beheld three little ponies—two fillies and a colt—standing beside Zecora, one of them very, very familiar. “Dinky?!”

The little filly’s eyes watered as she heard her name. This time it wasn’t a dream, wasn’t some stoopid heads trying to trick her…this was for real! “RAINBOW DASH!” Dinky zoomed over at Dash-like speeds and leaped up into a flying tackle-glomp into her godmother’s chest that knocked Rainbow Dash to the ground.

The stunned pegasus put up no resistance. She was so shocked that she could have just as easily been bowled over by a feather. “H-how, what did—” she tried to ask any one of a thousand questions she had for the filly, only to promptly realize that it didn’t matter. Explanations could come later. For now, she just held Dinky and hugged her tight.

Dinky trembled slightly in Rainbow’s embrace as she started a breathless recounting of what happened. “I wuz so scared 'cause there were wasn't anypony around an' I couldn't see anything an' it was just me an' Pip an' 'lula an' 'lula got hurt an' then Miss Zecora had to help us fight off these scary monsters an' I wanted Favorite 'cause I couldn't see Mommy an' I MISSED YOU SO MUUUUCH!” She bawled, hugging Rainbow Dash even tighter, threatening to cut off Dash’s circulation.

Rainbow returned it, unconsciously rocking Dinky. “I-I missed you too, Dinks. Don't worry ... you're safe now.” She vaguely heard some sniffling from Fluttershy but didn’t pay it any mind.

In a sobbing babble, Dinky mewled. “I missed you 'cause I love you so much an' I wanna go home!”

Instinctively stroking the scared filly’s mane, Dash started whispering soothing noises in her ear. “S-s'okay, Dinks, s'okay ... I'm here.” Dinky sobbed into her chest, the built-up tension and fear from the last few days overflowing and finally pouring out.

Concerns for image and coolness forgotten, Rainbow Dash continued to gently rock Dinky while Cadance walked over to gently stroke the poor filly’s back. “I muh, I muh, m-missed you all...” Dinky sniffled, beginning to calm down.

“I missed you too,” Dash hugged her tightly.

“We all did.” Fluttershy agreed as she went into nurturing mode, nuzzling Dinky. “Don't worry, everything’s going to be okay.”

Dinky nuzzled her back. “”Miss F-Fluttershy...?” Her eyes went wide and shimmered as she shot a hopeful look at her. “Did Mommy or Sparky come too?”

“O-oh dear.” Fluttershy lowered her ears. “Um, I'm sorry Dinky but it was too dangerous for them to come. But I'm sure they're getting everything ready for you back in Ponyville.”

The poor filly visibly seemed to deflate upon hearing that. “…a'kay.” She murmured, redoubling her hugging of Rainbow Dash. The moment was too much for Pinkie Pie as she burst into great, wracking sobs and tears flowed from her face like fountains.

Fluttershy felt heartbroken. “I'm sorry … please don't be sad. Your mom did ask me to bring something for when we found you.” She turned her head and began nosing around in her saddlebag. After a moment she succeeded in pulling out a familiar white blanket covered in cute animals.

Dinky’s eyes lit up. “FAVORITE!” she grabbed her accurately, if not originally, named comfort blanket and wrapped it around her. “Thanks Miss Fluttershy!” She reached out her hooves to give Fluttershy a hug.

“Y-you're very welcome, Dinky.” Fluttershy let her hug her and after a moment, Dinky returned her attention and hugs to Rainbow. For her part, Rainbow Dash held Dinky tightly while gently sniffling and tearing up herself.

The other foals had not been standing still after they—finally!—had found some adults from Ponyville. Despite not being that familiar with the adults present, Pipsqueak ran over to them, needing some comfort himself. He ended up running over to Applejack and began tightly hugging her right front leg.

Applejack took being held by a more-or-less unfamiliar colt in stride. “Easy, Sugarcube,” she stroked his head gently with her other front leg. “We're all here for ya.” She sat down and hugged him. “C'mon now, ya'll''re all right.”

Pip let out a sniff. “T-thank you, Miss Applejack.” He hugged her back tightly.

“Aw, hay son, ye're welcome.” Even though she didn’t admit it, Applejack needed this as much as Pipsqueak did. As glad as she was to see some of Ponyville’s foals safe and sound, she was still worried out of her mind for Apple Bloom.

Even Alula, who tried to radiate a tough-as-horseshoes attitude appropriate for a Kicker, was overjoyed to see some familiar faces. She let out a tiny sniff before rubbing her face roughly. “Toldja I'd get us outta here, Dummy.” She had the grace to remember to look to Zecora and amend her statement slightly. “We'd get us outta here.”

Fluttershy, spying Alula’s injured leg, sprang into action. “Oh my goodness!” She zoomed over and scooped up Alula, cooing at her. “Oh you poor thing!”

“WAAAUGH!” Alula yelped in surprise at the sudden grabbing. Having swallowed her panic, she immediately began trying to rebuild her tough warrior filly image. “...It's justa flesh wound.” She grumbled.

“Oh you poor baby!” Fluttershy’s nurturing instincts having been kicked into overdrive. “Don't worry, Fluttershy will make it all better! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!” She started kissing Alula's hurt leg.

Alula squirmed. “Ach! Miss Fluttershy, 'm fine!” She tried vainly to wiggle free only to find that Fluttershy had a surprisingly iron grip.

Rainbow Dash finally felt Dinky calm down enough so she could start asking her what happened. “Dinky, how'd you get away?”

The little unicorn nodded to Zecora. “We had a lotta help from Miss Zecora! She showed us some RILLY neat things an' got us past a buncha scary monsters!”

“I got us past some too...” Alula pouted.

Rarity hesitantly approached Zecora, not afraid of the zebra, but of the news she was desperate to have yet still feared to hear. “ ...What of the rest? Please, was there any sign of my Sweetie Belle?”

Applejack, still holding Pip tightly, listened intently. But their answer came not in the form of a rhyme but in the gentle clinking of Zecora’s jewelry as she shook her head. Rarity seemed to collapse in on herself and Applejack just compensated by hugging Pip tighter.

“These three were very blessed,” Zecora intoned sadly. “They wandered away from the rest of this mess.”

“They were in these mine carts being pulled by zombie ponies!” Pip announced.

“Z-zombie ponies?” Applejack gulped as she broke out into a cold sweat.

“Oh Sweetie Belle!” Rarity swooned, only to be caught by Twilight’s magic.

“They have an army of the dead?!” Pinkie Pie gasped. “Quick, somepony get a chainsaw and put it on my hoof!”

“They're not zombie ponies.” Alula explained. “Just really slow and stuff.”

“Like Sparky onna Saturday, but not as grumbly.” Dinky offered.

“They were still scary!” Pip insisted. “But not as scary as the lake squid monster or the bushie things!

Zecora dipped her head. “Those would be the crystal ponies, still enchanted by the wicked king. Once Sombra is dethroned will freedom again ring.”

Applejack looked Pipsqueak over and swallowed heavily. “Oh mah stars, you ain't kiddin.”

The young colt nodded earnestly. “The dumb rat-things said they wanted to bake me inna stew and gobble me up! ... or maybe a quiche.” Unconsciously, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack hugged Dinky, Alula and Pip tighter.

“That wuz scary...” Dinky shivered, clinging even tighter to Rainbow Dash.

Alula rolled her eyes, hiding her own nervous swallow. “Dummies wouldn't know how to cook a pony if they tried.”

Pinkie Pie was furious. “Trying to bake ponies into pastries? That's disgusting AND stupid! Who would ever even THINK of doing a thing like that?!” She demanded, snorting angrily.

“ ...Can we go home now?” Dinky asked, looking around at the adults.

Applejack shook her head sadly, hugging Pip a little closer. “Not yet, darlin'. There's still other ponies t' help.”

“You mean like Apple Bloom and all the other fillies and colts?” Pip asked.

Rarity nodded, walking over to Applejack and taking the opportunity to ruffle Pip’s mane. “Yes, dear. My ... our little sisters are still out there, in that filthy, dreary place.”

Fluttershy let out a scared little whimper, more afraid for the abducted foals than for her own safety. She also squeezed Alula a little tighter, prompting an indignant squawk from the squirming filly.

Rainbow gave Dinky a comforting rub. “Don't worry. I--I promised your mom you'd be back in time for Hearth's Warming Eve and that's what I'm gonna do. We're just going to kick the bad guy’s butt and then you'll be home in time for presents.”

That won a small smile from the little unicorn. “ ...I like presents.”

“When we get back, I'm going to get you anything you want.” Dash promised. “Anything at all.”

“I want Mommy, an' Sparky.” Dinky answered immediately. “An' you. An' Gramma an' Grampa.”

“You'll see them all. I promise.” Rainbow gave her another little squeezed before she looked over to Alula. “And Cloud Kicker and your parents and your Clan will be there too.”

Alula, by this point barely visible from Fluttershy’s embrace, managed to get out. “'Course they'll be.”

“And your folks too.” Dash added to Pipsqueak, who beamed. She looked around at her friends. “And we'll save everypony else too: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, the foals, the Crystal Ponies, everypony.”

Princess Cadance nodded in agreement as she walked over to the fillies. “You must've been so scared.” She stroked Dinky’s back with one hoof as she leaned over to nuzzle Alula, still in Fluttershy’s grip.

“Kickers gotta be tough.” Alula tried saying with the grunting tone she heard some of her guardspony kin use, and fail adorably.

“Of course they are.” Cadance agreed soothingly, kissing Alula’s forehead and ignoring her grumbles.

Dinky relaxed, sighing. “...Yah-huh. But we got through it, an' we're okay now.”

“Uh-huh!” Pip nodded, still hugging Applejack.

“Well, you're just the bravest little fillies and colt I've ever seen.” Cadance smiled. “My name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza but you can call me Cadance. And you must be Dinky Doo. Rainbow Dash has told me a lot about you.”

Dinky peeked up a bit. “...Rilly?”

“Really.” Cadance’s smile grew softer. “I used to foalsit for Rainbow Dash, just like she foalsits for you.”

“Whoooa...” Dinky tilted her head as she regarded the pink princess in awe. “Are you immoral? 'cuz you look RILLY young for that!”

Applejack let out a snerk as Rarity hid her amusement behind a polite cough.

Cadance felt cheek her cheeks grow even pinker, especially when she saw Shining Armor trying to hide his amusement. “Well, I’m just a regular old unicorn, I’m afraid.” She nuzzled Dinky.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Shining smiled fondly at his new fiancee.

“Definitely not.” Rainbow Dash agreed firmly. Twilight’s face lit up at seeing the tension and animosity between them gone. She was about to ask them just what had happened down there when Dinky interrupted them.

“It's a'kay!” She told Cadance. “'Cause if you foalsat for Rainbow Dash, it's only cause you're, like, almost as cool as she is!”

Cadance let out a most un-princessly squee. “Aww, that's so sweet!” She rubbed her nose against Dinky’s.”You're as cute as Rainbow Dash was when she was your size!”

“Rainbow Dash was as small as me?” Dinky gasped in amazement. “'Cause I know I'm kinda small.”

“Everypony was a tiny little cutie wootie at some time!” Cadance smiled. “Even Rainbow Dash!”

“...Cutie-wootie.” Applejack snerked in Rainbow’s direction. Rarity just tittered to herself, pretending to help Fluttershy with Alula. Rainbow Dash felt a massive blush engulf her face as she tried not meeting anypony’s eyes.

“So you've gotta be rilly good at foalsittin', huh?” Dinky pressed.

Cadance nodded. “Oh yes! I foalsat for Rainbow Dash, for Twilight Sparkle...”

“For her AN' Miss Twilight?” Dinky asked in amazement, giving her an experimental hug.

“Oh yes! They were the cutest little fillies ever!” Cadance proclaimed, rather loudly for Rainbow and Twilight’s liking. “Except for you and your friends, of course.”

“Caaaaadie...” Rainbow whined precociously as her friends giggled in the background.

Twilight facehoofed, groaning as Shining Armor chuckled at her blushing face. “Quiet you.”

The teasing smile on Shining’s face only grew. “Oh you better get used to it, Twilight. Cadance and I are going to have a lot of Twiley stories to tell, especially now that we’re engaged.” He grinned at his little sister.

“Look, I don’t care if you--” Twilight’s jaw dropped as his message sank in. “E-engaged? Y-you and Cadance are--you mean--you actually ponyed up and asked her?” She looked from Shining Armor to Cadance and back again.

Shining Armor quirked his brow, looking from Twilight to Rainbow Dash. “You told her?” He pouted a little at her.

Dash shrugged. “Hay, I couldn't be sure if you would ever actually work up the nerve to ask Cadance. Figured your sister at least deserved to know. No offense Shiny, but you can be a real dork sometimes.”

“What, you think I wouldn’t tell my own sister that I was getting married--to her old foalsitter no less?” Shining looked skeptical. “That’s the most ludicrous thing I ever heard.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged and didn’t reply. The ear-piercing squee from Twilight was more than enough of one. “You’re marrying Cadance! You’re marrying Cadance!” Twilight hopped around her brother gleefully before bouncing over to Cadance. “You’re marrying Shining! You’re marrying Shining!”

Fluttershy gasped. “How wonderful!” She fluttered off the ground happily.

Applejack tipped her hat to them. "Well, Ah'll be--congratulations you two!"

“A r-royal wedding?!” Rarity squealed, clutching her mane with both hooves. “Oh I must put together an ensemble worthy of attending such an event!”

“Wheee!” Pinkie cartwheeled by. “A wedding, a wedding! Oooh there’s gonna be a super fantasterrific party! With lots of cake and music and dancing and kissing!”

“Eeeww!” Alula made a face. “Gross!”

Twilight suddenly stopped mid-bounce, not noticing Pinkie Pie having joined her at some point. She walked over to Rainbow Dash and gently gave her a hug. “Hey. Are you okay?”

A weak smile crossed Rainbow’s face. “Yeah.” Somehow she managed to put everything she was feeling into that one word. She hugged her back. “It’s cool, Twilight. Thanks.”

“What happened down there?” Twilight asked. “I know you said you were fine and Shining Armor said you were fine but...”

“Look, Twi, it was nothing.” Rainbow Dash insisted. She shrugged. “We just talked about what was bothering us, we sorted it out, Shiny proposed to Cadance and then we banished an ancient evil that encouraged and fed on our anger and strife.”

“Oh well that’s--wait, what?!” Twilight goggled at her. Rainbow shrugged again as if to say, ‘eh, stuff happens.’ Which for them, tended to happen a lot, Twilight mused to herself. So perhaps she shouldn’t be so surprised by all this.

After a congratulatory hug, Dinky tapped Cadance’s leg. “You're rilly nice, but can I go back to Rainbow Dash now?”

Cadance smiled, not put off in the slightest. “Of course sweetie, you can go back to your godmom.” She instead reached over to cuddle Alula, who was now sandwiched between Fluttershy and Cadance.

Dinky thanked her and ran off to latch herself back onto Rainbow Dash. After a comparison hug, she nodded. "Yeah, you're a better hugger.” She told her godmother.

“Thanks, Dinky.” Dash hugged her back. “Everypony missed you.”

Rarity looked to Pipsqueak. “ ... Young colt, did you see another unicorn filly with you? One that looked a bit like me, perchance?”

“You mean, like a marshmallow?” He asked innocently.

The prim white unicorn twitched and forced a smile onto her face. “If you think the description fits.” She ground out between teeth clenched in a painfully wide smile.

Applejack chuckled. “Ah knew Ah liked this colt.”

“I think she was in another cart being pulled by the not-zombie ponies.” Pipsqueak answered. “The bushie-rat monster things said they were taking all the fillies and colts to the king.”

Rarity swayed, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. “Oh ... oh Sweetie Belle...”

Applejack reached out and put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. She swallowed before looking back to Pip. “An' one that looked like me? Didja see her?”

Pip shrunk down in Applejack’s embrace. “'M sorry...”

The farmpony hugged him a little closer. “Nuthin' to be sorry for, hun.”

He sniffled. “It was so scary, and all of my other friends are probably there: Snips and Snails, Featherweight and Rumble and Chowder and...” Pip started rambling, going on to list almost every filly and colt and Ponyville. Applejack and Rarity’s eyes grew wider as they heard more and more names. “...Ruby Pinch and Twist, Archer, Lickety Split and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom ... even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon!”

Applejack held him like he was her younger brother. “ ... Oh mah stars.”

Pipsqueak trembled slightly. “And there were a whole lotta other carts and a whole lotta kids and...” he latched onto Applejack, shivering slightly. “They wanted to do bad things. I just know.”

“Easy, hun, easy.” Applejack soothed, stroking his back and looking to Rarity. “They ain’t gettin’ you.” Rarity nodded and approached, hugging both Applejack and Pip, trembling slightly herself.

“I want my Mum and Dad. I wanna be home...” Pip murmured.

“I do too, darling.” Rarity said gently. “I want all of us to be home.”

Rainbow Dash looked from Dinky and the foals to her friends. “We'll get them back. We'll get them ALL back.”

“All of 'em?” Dinky asked in awe.

Dash nodded. “Every. Single. One.”

After a moment Dinky nodded and hugged her. “You can do it, Rainbow Dash. 'cause you're Rainbow Dash.” After a brief squeeze, Rainbow helped Dinky onto her back.

Applejack and Cadance followed suit, helping put Pipsqueak and Alula on them. “All right, that's three.” AJ noted. “What now?”

“Now?” Rainbow Dash echoed. “We get to the Crystal Empire and kick the throne out from under Sombra so fast his rump leaves a crater in the ground!” She reared up and whinnied, the still glowing fiery heart silhouetted behind her.

Clinging to her back, Dinky pumped a triumphant hoof in the air. “Yeah!”

Chapter 18

Nine multicolored equines charged through the dust and smoke into the dark palace of King Sombra. The six necklaces bearing the Elements of Harmony shone all the brighter in the dark.

Even Sombra’s magic-inhibiting black crystals were no match for them, even as they swallowed up all other light. Their only source of light was their necklaces and rows of lit torches adorning the wall which barely provided any illumination. Not that there was much they would want to see of Sombra’s wicked fortress. The decor was no more pleasant on the inside than it was on the outside. The ceiling was high and the corridor’s wide, making their echoing hoofsteps seem small and insignificant. The shadows promised of perfect places for their enemies to launch ambushes, albeit with no places for them to hide in. But that wasn’t their plan anyway.

“We better hurry!” Shining Armor shouted. “Every monster and minion in the castle must’ve heard that commotion.”

“So which way is Sombra?” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “He’s got an appointment for a flank kicking!”

Pinkie put on her best thinking face. The others, not used to seeing it, assumed she just had gas. “Hmm, well if princesses are kept in the towers and prisoners are kept in the dungeons, then I guess evil kings must be somewhere in the middle!”

Cadance nodded to her companions. “Makes sense to me.”

“You’re delusional. Probably still suffering from magical overuse.” Shining Armor patted her head comfortingly. “We won’t hold it against you.”

“Gee, thanks,” she snarked back.

Zecora rolled her eyes. “Let me guess: newly engaged, I presume? Shouldn’t we look for the missing foals before we find Sombra’s room?”

“If Sombra’s planning to drain them to empower himself and if the entire city is designed to augment his power, then it doesn’t matter where they are,” Twilight reasoned. “We’d have to find them, break them out, and get them outside the city before Sombra begins the spell.”

Shining Armor shook his head. “We don’t have time to do all that. He could be starting his spell anytime.”

“But Sweetie Belle!” Rarity protested. Applejack snorted, siding up next to her in clear agreement.

Rainbow Dash frowned at Shining. “I don’t like the idea of leaving anypony hanging—especiallya bunch of scared kids in some evil creep’s dungeon.”

“We’re not leaving anypony behind. We’ll free them all.” Shining promised, looking to Rarity and Applejack. “But for right now, they’ll be safe enough there until we finish stopping Sombra. The longer we take in defeating Sombra, the more time he has to complete his spell.”

After considering this for a moment, Rainbow looked from her friends to Shining Armor and back again. She stomped her hoof against the crystal floor. “This sucks.”

Shining sighed. “Yeah.”

The rainbow-maned pony pounded her hooves together and narrowed her eyes. “Then we’ll just have to stomp Sombra fast.”

“You can count me in, sugarcube.” Applejack tugged the brim of her hat down. “Let’s give this galoot a lickin’ and then give him the old heave-ho.”

Rainbow grinned at her. “Aww yeah.” She high-hoofed AJ. “Rarity?” She looked to the prim unicorn. “You in?” She was a little taken aback by the intensity of the fashionista’s eyes as Rarity put on her war face.

“I’ll destroy him before I let him harm one hair on Sweetie Belle’s precious head!” she roared, her voice echoing off the hallway walls and down the corridor.

“Aww, yeah!” Rainbow Dash pumped her hoof. “Let’s go get him!”

“So which way do we go?” Cadance asked, looking around.

Suddenly, a wall of crystals grew out of the ceiling, walls and floor, completely blocking the way they had just come from.

“Forward.” Rainbow deadpanned. With a mighty flap of her wings, she was up and away.

Twilight frantically called after her as she flew down the hallway. “Rainbow Dash, wait! We need to stay together!”

But Dash had already rounded the bend and was out of sight. “Dang-blasted, hot-headed, leaping-before-she-looks…” Applejack grumbled as she reared up. “Git along ponies! After her!”

Outside the castle, in what dwellings the enslaved crystal ponies had, two little ponies sat and watched a third as she slept. Dinky was dreaming. She knew she was dreaming because she was flying and she wasn’t riding Mommy or Rainbow Dash. It was nighttime and the stars were out and moon was really, really big.

A soft voice echoed around her. “Dinky...”

“Who izzit?” She looked around. “‘M not gonna fall, am I? Cuz I don’t have any wings...”

Somepony chuckled. “You're not going to fall little one, though I would catch you in a heartbeat if you did.” There was a flapping of large wings as Dinky stared, open-mouthed as Princess Luna, ruler of the night flew over to her as if they had just bumped into each other in the market. “Hello, Dinky Doo.”

“Oh, wow!” Dinky exclaimed. Then she thought of something. “You helped me wake up from that bad dream I was in!” She gasped. “The one the bad ponies put me in with my mommy, only she wasn’t my mommy and she wanted to take me somewhere but I knew I didn’t want to go and--”

Luna shushed her gently, holding up a hoof. “Yes, young filly. As Princess of the Night, I can enter into my subjects’ dreams. I tried to find the fillies and colts that were stolen, but because of King Sombra’s dark interference, I could only enter the dreams of the one filly I had a connection with.” Luna smiled at Dinky. “The one who gave me a muffin the night of my return.”

“That was me! I gave you a muffin!” Dinky beamed. “So--wait, why’re you in my dreams?”

“Because I have a message for you to give to Rainbow Dash and her friends.” Luna draped a wing around the little filly. “I could not tell her or her other companions, in case Sombra was watching their dreams.” She paused. “I need you to tell her that she needs to remember what she did when she faced m--Nightmare Moon. She must be able to face down her deepest fears and conquer them in order to stop Sombra. You must tell her!”

“I will!” Dinky nodded. “I promise! I won’t let you down!”

Luna smiled, lowering her head to nuzzle her gently. “I know you won’t. Now, it’s time for you to wake up...”

“...wake up! Dinky, you awake?” Pip prodded her gently with his nose. Her only answer was an adinkable snore. “You gotta wake up!” He nudged her again. “This is no time to have a kip!”

“Quit using weird words,” Alula lectured him. “She’s sleeping, not having a kid.”

“That’s not what I said!” Pipsqueak frowned at her. “And I am not using weird words! You’re the one who uses weird words! Like recon-goiter.”

She huffed. “It’s a real word.”

“Is not!”

“Is too!”

Dinky grumbled in her sleep and wrapped herself tighter in Favorite, snuggling further into her makeshift pillow.

Pip shook his head. “We gotta wake her up!” He looked to Alula. “What if she’s under some kinda magic spell, like in the storybooks?”

Alula rolled her eyes. “Those’re storybooks, Dummy.”

“Yeah? Well she was put to sleep by magic from a princess! That’s kinda like the storybooks.” Pip argued. “Maybe she needs a kiss to wake up!”

“A kiss?!” Alula snorted. “Just get some water and pour it on her. S’what Daddy did when Cloud slept in, when she used to live at home.”

“...Your family is weird,” Pip said. Dinky stirred, mumbling sleepily into her pillow. “I’m giving her a wake up kiss!” He leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. “MWAH!”

Dinky went wide-eyed as her brain started to boot up “Waaaugh! I’m ‘wake I’mawake I’mawake!” she squealed, bolting upright.

“Yay! It worked!” Pip hopped and down on the bed triumphantly, beaming at Alula.

“Water woulda done the trick too,” she grumbled grumpily. “Or coffee.”

Pip shook his head. “We have tea in my house. My Dad says only colonials drink coffee.”

“No coffee...” Dinky whined sleepily. “Miss Pinkie gets rilly scary when she’s near it.” She rubbed her eyes then paused as things caught up with her. “RAINBOW DASH?! Where’s Rainbow Dash, she was just here!”

“You got magicked to sleep and now we’re in some crystal pony’s crystal-y house.” Pip explained, sitting down on the bed. “All the grown-ups went to fight the bad guy, King Sombrero.”

“But she was just here!” Dinky protested. “We just found her an’ now she went away again!” She hopped up, wrapping Favorite around her. “We gotta go find her!”

“She’s gone,” a dull voice broke in. Standing in the doorway was the perpetually dour crystal pony, Azure Prism. “She’s already broken into the King’s castle. There’s no way in. Or out.”

Dinky gasped. “Then we gotta go save her!” She hopped down off the bed with a thump, joined a second later by Pip and Alula. But when they headed for the door, they found Azure standing in the way.

“She told me to keep you here where it’s safe. Or at least as safe as anyplace is.” Azure’s shoulders slumped down. “It doesn’t really matter. Once the King is ready, we’ll all be his slaves ... forever.”

Alula frowned at her. “Nuh-uh! There’s Rainbow Dash and my sister and my mom and the whole Royal Guard and they’re gonna beat him up! Stop being a scaredy-pony! You’re worse than Pip!”

The piebald colt frowned at her. “Hey!”

“If they’re in trouble … then we rilly gotta go help them!” Dinky tugged on the crystal pony’s leg.

The bigger pony just shook her head. “The King controls who can enter and who can leave.”

“There’s gotta be some way in.” Pip insisted.

Alula nodded. “Mom says only really dumb dummies build a place that doesn’t have an exit strategy in case of ‘mergencies or something.”

“Oh yeah! Like a secret passage in the sewers?” Dinky suggested.

Pip and Alula made a face. “Ew,” they said in together in a rare moment of agreement. Pipsqueak looked up at the reticent looking Azure Prism. “Is there some other way in?”

She paused for a long moment. “There is no way you three can use.”

“Can you use it?” Dinky asked.

“I...”

Pip chimed in. “Well?”

“There … is an entrance,” Azure finally admitted. “It is for the slaves only, for bringing in the imprisoned foals. It is guarded. You won’t be able to get in.”

“We can pretend! We can pretend RILLY well an' you can lead us in!” Dinky exclaimed.

Azure tried to protest. “But...”

“Pleeeeeeze?” Dinky looked up at her with wide, shimmering doe-eyes.

“T-they ... they told me to keep you here ... it's not safe...” The crystal pony mumbled, her resolve weakening. Years of servitude under Sombra’s oppressive hooves have the crystal ponies with little will of their own. “The King has traps in the castle … and the snow leopards and bushwoolies, they'll be there too. We should just wait and—”

“NO!” Dinky stamped her hoof. “I've been away from Rainbow Dash an' everypony else already!” Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she sniffed, wrinkling her nose to prevent them from falling. “I—I gotta find Rainbow Dash! W-when Mommy and Sparky’s not around, she’s the pony who makes everything better! How can it be better if I’m not with her?”

Azure seemed to crumple in on herself while a frown slowly made it’s way onto her face. “I dunno ... maybe we should stay here, where the adults told us to be. Good soldiers gotta follow orders.”

“But we’re not soldiers ‘lula!” Dinky almost shouted. “We’re s’posed to be with our moms and sisters and stuff, but they’re not here! We gotta be with Rainbow Dash a-and the princess, otherwise how’ll things be okay?”

“Things’ll be okay ‘cause Rainbow Dash and the Princess know what they’re doin’,” Alula answered, doing her best to keep her cool. “They told us to stay here, so we oughta listen to ‘em. Not go runnin’ off.”

“But the other princess told me that I haveta help them!” Dinky insisted. “She was in my dream and told me that I had to be brave and stuff!”

Alula blinked in confusion. “What other princess? Just ‘cause you had a weird dream doesn’t mean we can disobey orders.”

Dinky groaned. “The new one! The one Rainbow Dash saved! Princess Luna!”

Pipsqueak gasped. “Princess Luna was in your dream? Wow! … How’d she do that?”

“She’s the princess of the moon and night, duh! She can go into your dreams and stuff.” Dinky looked to Alula. “And she’ll punish you if you don’t do what she says!”

Alula snorted and rolled her eyes. “Well yeah, but she’s not here. You just had a weird dream about her is all.”

“Nu-uh! It was real and stuff! I’m going and that’s that!” She huffed, walking over to the door.

“You can’t!” Alula galloped over to block the doorway. “We gotta stay here, where Rainbow and the Princess told us to. We can’t just leave an’ go runnin’ after them ‘cause you had a weird dream!” The filly paused, and her eyes drifted down to the bandage on her flank. “Bad stuff’s happening, Dinky. We could get hurt.”

“It wasn’t a bad dream!” Dinky stomped up and down. “I promise! Princess Luna had something super secret to tell Rainbow Dash only she couldn’t and now I gotta tell her and if I don’t then even more bad things’ll happen and they can’t happen because she’s Rainbow Dash and she’s got to be okay!” She panted, her tiny chest heaving.

Pip hesitated, looking between his two friends. “I … I think we should go.” He said, standing next to Dinky. “If a princess said so, then it’s gotta be okay, right?” He nuzzled Dinky’s shoulder. “Dinky’s really smart and she’s the one that helped us get away and … and I believe her.”

Alula went quiet, trying to figure out what she should do next. On the one hoof, orders were orders, and for all she knew Dinky just had a nightmare. On the other hoof ... well, Dinky certainly seemed to believe something serious was going on. And maybe the Princesses could show up in a pony’s dreams. They were the Princesses, after all. “Are you sure it was rilly the Princess and not just a funny dream. Like, super-duper sure?”

“Totally super-duper awesome-mega sure!” Dinky swore. “She’s the one who woke me up when we were in the tunnels, when we were in that cart? If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have woken you two up and then we’d all be stuck in a dungeon or with those stinky bush monsters like the others!”

Alula thought it over for a bit longer. She still wasn’t convinced that Dinky had really gotten a message from the Princess, but it was too important to take a chance on. “Okay, we gotta do a fourth axe thingy. That makes it okay to not do what Rainbow and Princess Cadance said, ‘kay?”

“Akay!” Dinky beamed, hugging Alula and Pip tightly around their necks. “Dun worry, it’s all gonna be okay!” A few minutes later, once the trio had combined their efforts and successfully badgered Azure into taking them to the castle, their enthusiasm waned.

“Um, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…” Pip gulped. The three foals gulped nervously as the cringing Azure Prism walked them over to the looming black castle. Dark spires and bits of jagged crystal jutted out at random intervals, lending an acute sense of danger and fear to its already large and imposing structure. “Whoa … scary.”

Azure Prism was almost completely overtaken with pure terror. “Shh! Y-you’ve got to be quiet!” Her voice tried to come off as commanding but was instead pleading. “I-I’ll take you to the guards and tell them that you’re some prisoners who escaped. They’ll let us inside and we can find your friends … I hope.” She trembled.

The trio looked at each other nervously before looking back at the castle. They gulped but all nodded together. It wasn’t hard to act the part of terrified, abducted prisoners as Azure led them around to the back of the castle, where a pair of bushwoolies stood guard.

Looking around, the kids didn’t see any door or other way. How were they going to get inside then? Once the bushwoolies spotted them, they began to growl. “Halt! Who goes there?”

Azure Prism shook and cringed away. The foals hugged her legs. The poor crystal pony was even more terrified, having spent the entirety of her life being beaten down by Sombra’s tyranny. Azure’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Alula had to nudge her sharply to get her to say anything. “I—I—bring prisoners!”

“Why weren’t they with the others?” Demanded the other one.

“They … e-escaped in the tunnels.” Azure squeaked out. “They were recaptured and I-I was told to bring them and put with the others.”

The first one grunted and wrapped a knuckle against the smooth wall behind him. At once, a giant crystal seemed to slide upwards, revealing a doorway and a staircase. “Take them and go.”

“A-at once.” Azure bowed her head. She quickly led Alula, Dinky and Pipsqueak inside. The guards growled at the foals, delighting in them flinching away. They guffawed as the entrance closed behind them, locking them inside.

It was to nopony’s (or zebra’s) surprise that despite only having been out of sight for a minute, when they found Rainbow Dash, she was in the middle of a fight. At an intersection where the corridor branched off into half a dozen hallways, she had encountered a patrol. She was in the middle of quite a dustup, brawling with two unlucky bushwoolies. “Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy cried out, alerting her to their presence.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow snapped her head up. “Get back! I can—GAH!” She yelped as she was clouted in the ear by one of the bushwoolies who took advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration.

“Dagnabit, Rainbow!” Applejack grunted as she leapt into the fray and bucked said bushwoolie in the side. “Just what the hay were you thinking, rushing off ahead like that?”

Dash gave a quick snort as she tossed her head. “I had this—under control!” She flattened the other bushwoolie with a roundhouse blow to the face. “We needed to find Sombra, so I went and found us some tour guides!”

“Tour guide, singular.” Twilight corrected, looking at the one Rainbow Dash had just knocked out. “I don’t think he’s going to be answering any questions while unconscious.”

Pinkie Pie looked at the ground. “Or without his teeth! Hey! Maybe I could have Gummy teach him how to talk without teeth. You know, Gummy is a very clear speaker and has perfection diction!”

That won a questioning glance from Rarity. “I didn’t realize you knew the importance of diction.”

“Course I do!” Pinkie bounced up. “If you didn’t have diction, then you couldn’t have dictionary, and then where would Sweetie Belle be?”

“Quit yer jawing and help out!” Applejack snarled as the remaining bushwoolie had grabbed her by the tail and had hauled her up off the floor. He regarded her curiously, easily avoiding her flailing limbs thanks to his longer reach as he contemplated what having a pony for dinner would be like. Absently, he spun the orange cowpony around to better examine her thighs and rump, prodding them curiously.

“Great Appleloosa!” Applejack cried, her face burning red with a massive blush. “Get this per—verted monster offa me!”

Rainbow Dash circled around and divebombed down at him. “Allow me!” Pushing out her front hooves out in front of her, she called out to the hairy monster. “Hey, ugly!”

The hapless minion looked up just in time to see two blue hooves attached to a pegasus-sized ball of awesome come in at ramming speed. His ears folded against his head and his eyes went wide. He only had time for a tiny whimper before Rainbow was on him.

The blow knocked him clear across the corridor and into a wall where he slid down, visions of blue pegasi flying around his head.

Applejack let out a yelp of her own as she found herself suddenly dropped to the ground, her face having an intimate encounter with the floor. “Ow,” she mumbled casually.

“Oh my goodness. Are you okay, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked, nervously rubbing her hooves together.

“Just peachy, sugarcube.” Applejack deadpanned. “Bein’ felt up by a big ugly monster and dropped on my face is how Ah like to spend every day.”

Fluttershy coughed. “Oh. Well, that’s … nice?”

Grumbling furiously about the one-two blow to her dignity, Applejack got up and stormed over to the bushwoolie as it moaned, clutching its head.

“All right you ornery varmint. Ah’m only gonna ask this once: which way to ol’ King Sombra?” Her eyes glinted with fury. “An’ you better not try to lie t’me, cuz I’ll know if you do. And you do not want to tick me off anymore than you and yours already have, got it?”

Plainly terrified, the bushwoolie weakly raised a trembling arm and pointed down the center hallway. Applejack tipped her hat to him, her tone polite. “Much obliged.” A hoof to the jaw later and the bushwoolie was laid out, unconscious. “Right, we got our directions.”

Shining Armor nodded, stepping forward. “Then we should go—without rushing ahead, Rainbow.” He looked at her meaningfully before taking up position at the head of the group.

“Wait.” Zecora’s accented, soft-spoken voice wafted over the group. “Does this not seem to you like bait?” She went on, seeing that she had everypony’s attention. “Is our whole plan to rush in to confront the enemy amidst a huge din?”

“Of course not.” Shining Armor bristled. “Our tactics will be determined once we find out what Sombra’s strength is, if his army is with him and so on. But our strategic premise is sound: we have to stop him before he casts his spell.”

Zecora dipped her head. “Far be it for me to disagree, but I sense there is something else we need, if our quest is to succeed.”

“Ooh, do you have a zebra sense? Does it tingle?” Pinkie hopped around her, eagerly firing off a question with every bounce. In an effort to save time and sanity, Zecora closed her eyes and plugged Pinkie’s mouth with her hoof.

“You’re just telling us this now?” Rainbow groaned at Zecora, clapping a hoof to her forehead. “I know you like being all mystical and cryptic, but come on!”

Twilight bit her lip. “What do you mean Zecora? We have the Elements of Harmony—they’re the most powerful magic known to ponykind.”

The zebra nodded. “Indeed they are and normally would be a match for Sombra any hour. But remember where we are: in his place of power. His dark crystals shaped and molded the city, amplifying his power—more’s the pity.”

Cadance nodded. “Crystals can amplify sound, like making music with crystal glasses. But magic crystals can also amplify energy, emotions and magic, or cancel them out completely.”

“So, what, we can’t beat him?” Rainbow demanded. “I bet a zap from the Elements would be enough for us to take him down. If it was good enough for Nightmare Moon, it’s good enough for this two-bit poser.”

Zecora willed her to understand as she explained. “Yes, I believe the Elements can sound his defeat’s knell. But remember, he has had a long time to weave his spells. He poured his black soul into the crystals he controls. Thus his essence is spread out to the entire city and its population—stallions, mares and foals. The Elements can blast him away, but a small part of him may stay.”

Cadance nodded. “I think I understand. Sombra used the magical properties of the crystals that the Empire is made of to amplify his power. He ended up putting so much of himself into the city that it’s practically bonded to him. That’s why the Empire vanished with him when Celestia and Luna banished him.”

“And the crystal ponies, too.” Twilight chimed in. “Though I don’t think they have many crystalline properties, apparently they can amplify magic just like the non-living crystals. This would explain the stories I’ve read that state that if the Crystal Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.” She cast a look at her friends, trying to make sure they followed her. “The crystal ponies must be able to reflect their feelings and emotions, through the city’s crystals, to all of Equestria. But that works both ways. Anything that can channel your power out can also be used to let something in. Therefore, if Sombra’s presence has seeped into the city, it’s seeped into the crystal ponies too.”

Rainbow didn’t understand all of that, but she got the essential bits. “So you’re saying that Sombra isn’t just a pony we can blast with the Elements ... there’s parts of him in the city and in all the crystal ponies?”

“Exactly!” Twilight exclaimed. “Even if we defeat Sombra in pony, parts of his presence could linger on in the crystal ponies. And if his will were strong enough, he could take them over until there was an entire city-full of Sombras.” She panted, short on breath after her lecture.

Shining Armor frowned. “All it would take is one—one crystal pony who was out of range of the effects of the Elements of Harmony for Sombra to escape in a new body. Who knows if we’d find him again.”

“Hang on now.” Applejack interjected. “Ah may not be the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to magical theory and whatnot, but didn’t y’all say that the Crystal Empire makes magic stronger? Then why not have it make the Elements of Harmony, stronger?”

“I think that’s what Zecora meant when she said there was something we needed.” Cadance reasoned, turning to the zebra. “Is that it?”

Zecora smiled and nodded. “You have hit the matter at its root. There is an artifact, great in power and ancient to boot. The dark one feared it and locked it away, but with it, and the Elements, we can win the day. Sombra will be bested and the city and crystal ponies saved, then we can all rest.” Her face grew more somber as she went on, her gaze locking with Cadance’s. “But only one can hope to find it and restore the Crystal Empire. One of Sombra’s blood, great in power and strength, tempered by fire.”

“Absolutely not!” Shining Armor exploded. “I’ll go and find it. Cadance can—”

“Shining Armor, it’s okay.” Cadance exhaled gently. “I’ll do it. Zecora hasn’t given us any cause to doubt her before. If she says I’m the only one who can do it, then I believe her.” She looked at the rest of her friends before turning back to her fiance. “While I’m gone, we can look for the captured foals, too … I have to do this Shining.”

The lone stallion took a deep breath before letting it out. “Okay ... but I’m coming with you too.” He forestalled her by raising a hoof. “You might have to do this, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”

“Shiny...” Twilight and Cadance said together, looking at each other. Neither one of them spoke. They both didn’t want Shining to leave them, but couldn’t bring themselves to ask him to stay and abandon the other.

Shining’s face crumpled as he realized what was being posed before him: choosing between his little sister and his fiancee. Rainbow Dash extended a wing over Twilight’s back. “Hey, Shiny, it’s okay. The six of us can take care of ourselves pretty well on our own. Just ask Nightmare Moon.” She winked so both Shining Armor and Twilight could see it. “Cadance and Zecora are gonna need you more.”

Twilight opened her mouth, but Rainbow leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “Hey, it’s like everypony was telling me about Cadie and Shiny. Just because Shiny loves Cadance doesn’t mean we’re not important to him, remember?”

“Yeah…” Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. “I know.” She nodded. “Rainbow’s right, BBBFF. Zecora and Cadance need you more. And being where you’re needed most—”

“—Comes with the job description.” Shining Armor finished. “Okay, just—stay safe, Twily.”

Rainbow reached over to gently muss Twilight’s mane, ignoring her feeble protests. “Hey, she’s got me watching out for her.”

“Right.” Shining’s tone was neutral. “Twily?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll watch out for her too.” Twilight batted Rainbow’s hooves away. “You guys better get going. Stay safe Zecora, Cadance … Shining.”

“You too.” Cadance dipped her head. “I’ll make sure Shining Armor comes back safely.”

“I know you will.” Twilight smiled, a touch misty-eyed. “You two are good for each other.”

Zecora cleared her throat. “I am sorry, but we must make haste--us to find our treasure and you to stop the tyrant from laying Equestria to waste.”

“All right. Let’s go kick some evil rump!” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings. “Good luck getting the big city de-purifier thing while we knock Sombra off his throne!” She looked to her friends. “Right?”

“Right!” They chorused back at her. With a final exchange of ‘good-byes’ and ‘good lucks,’ the group split apart, with Zecora leading Cadance and Shining Armor down another corridor. The Elements of Harmony rushed down the main hallway and kept going until they reached a massive double-door.

Applejack pushed her hoof against the door, testing it. “Ah’m gonna take a wild guess and say this is Sombra’s throne room.”

“Oooh! You’re good!” Pinkie Pie complemented her. “Do you also know who stole the last cookie from the cookie jar?”

“Uh, you?” AJ hazarded warily.

Pinkie gasped. “Wow! You really good!”

Fluttershy looked around. “Oh my, that’s a big door. I hope it isn’t locked.”

“Only one way to find out…” Rainbow stepped forward, a determined look on her face.

“Actually, there’s a lot of ways to find out.” Twilight pointed out. “Testing, experimentation, careful observation for any locking mechanisms…”

“Too late--my way’s faster.” Dash hurled herself against the door and pushed. To her surprise, the doors seemed to slide open without much effort. “Told you, Twilight!” She announced as she rushed inside, her friends flanking her. “All right Sombra you’re going…down?”

The inside of the room was pitch black, through which nopony’s eye could penetrate. However, as soon as they were clear of the doors, they snapped shut behind the Elements, locking them inside. Then a row of torches along the walls suddenly lit up, illuminating the room and the danger the ponies were in. Inside the room with them was a great horde of bushwoolies, over a hundred of them grinning and baring their teeth. A pack of snow leopards prowled around the edges as three windigos circled above them. There was no other way out.

“We’re trapped!” Rarity cried.

“Wrong—they’re the ones that are trapped.” Rainbow snorted, pawing at the floor with her hoof, preparing for a charge. “All this means is that they can’t escape.”

“There’s about a hundred of them and six of us.” Twilight pointed out warily.

“Yeah…” Rainbow’s grin was fierce. “They don’t stand a chance.”

Applejack nodded, fishing her lasso out of the inside of her hat. “I think we can take ‘em.”

“I think you’re right.” Twilight stepped forward, feeling the others’ bravery bolster her own. The others soon joined her, forming a solid wall of multi-colored ponyflesh.

“CHARGE!” Rainbow Dash shouted as her friend surged ahead, hurling themselves at the army of bushwoolies, snow leopards and windigos that were meeting their charge with one of their own. The two sides met in the middle and the battle was joined.

Chapter 19

“Whoa, this place is really sparkly!” Dinky’s voice echoed softly off the crystalline walls as Azure Prism and the three foals walked through Sombra’s dark castle.

“Shhh!” Azure hissed frantically, her head twisting this way and that, mortally afraid of being discovered. “We’re in the King’s castle!”

Pipsqueak looked around. “Uh, where are we going?”

“To find Rainbow Dash.” Alula frowned at him. “Dummy.”

“No, I mean … do we know which way to go so we can find her?” He explained.

Alula snorted. “Of course we do!” Then she paused, looking to Azure. “Uh, you do know, right?”

Azure flinched. “I … I know how to find the main corridor. The throne room should be in the center of the castle.”

“A’kay!” Dinky smiled. “Then you find that core-a-dor and then we’ll find the throne room!”

“Cloudy calls the bathroom the throne room sometimes.” Alula shrugged. “Maybe the king’s taking a bath or something?”

“Maybe he’s onna toilet!” Pip made a face.

“Don’t be dumb, Dummy.” Alula genlty whapped him with her wing. “Evil ponies don’t haveta go to the bathroom!”

“Everypony hasta use the bathroom!”

“Have you ever read a story where everypony stopped so the bad guy could potty?” Alula demanded, rolling her eyes as she turned to Azure Prism. ““Have you ever seen this King Somebody use the bathroom?”

Azure blinked. “Well, no I haven’t…”

“See?” Alula stuck her tongue out at Pipsqueak. “Toldja, Dummy.”

Pip drew himself up and, comporting himself as a true Trottingham gentlepony would, stuck his tongue back out at her. “Don’t call me Dummy, Loo-Loo.”

Alula frowned and stomped her hoof, glaring at Pipsqueak. “Don’t call me Loo-Loo! It sounds like a potty.”

The piebald colt giggled. “Well, you said the throne room was a bathroom, so it makes sense that we should call you Loo-Loo!”

“Quiet or Imma start calling you, um … Squeaky!”

“Hey, I hear something!” Dinky interrupted, tilting her head. “It sounds like … singing?” Everypony fell silent so they could listen. Soon they could all hear a faint melody echoing down the corridors.

“Look for me at dawning, when the earth is asleep.
Til each dewdrop is kissed, by the day”.

“Hey, that sounds like Sweetie Belle!” Pip realized.

Alula’s wings buzzed in excitement. “Then all the other kids must be here too! Let’s go find ‘em!”

Azure opened her mouth to warn them about the guards or whatever else might be in their way and once again the trio raced off, leaving her to trail after them.

Dinky led her friends down a winding series of corridors, flanked on either side by Alula and Pipsqueak as they all kept an ear out for Sweetie’s singing.

“There where ‘neath the rowan and alder, a vigil I’ll keep.
Every moment that you are away.”

Just as the soft song faded away, the three foals turned a corner and found themselves in front of a big heavy door made of black crystal bars. Beyond it was a huge room with over a hundred fillies and colts inside. Most of them they didn’t know, but they spied some familiar faces in the crowd.

“Hey, there’re our friends!” Pip realized as he pointed to some of them. “There’s Apple Bloom and Scootaloo! And there’s Snips and Snails!”

“And Archer and Twist!” Dinky chimed in.

Alula looked too. “Hey isn’t that Diamond Tiara?”

“Yeah!” Dinky confirmed. “And Sweetie Belle!”

Pip waved a hoof. “Hey! Rumble, Chowder, Featherweight! It’s me!”

The locked up kids looked up. “Who’re you?” One colt asked.

A gray pegasus rushed to the door. “It’s Pipsqueak! And Alula and Dinky! They’re our friends!”

“Rumble!” Pip smiled. “We found you!”

Apple Bloom wriggled and pushed her way through to the front. “Oh mah star apples! Yer here! How’d you get away?”

“S’was easy.” Alula said proudly.

“We found Rainbow Dash!” Dinky added.

Scootaloo made her way to the door, almost shoving Rumble out of the way. “She’s here? Where?” She looked around as if expecting her to appear out of nowhere.

“Well she isn’t here right now.” Dinky flattened her ears. “I’m here t’find her! She’s here with her friends so they can stop the bad king!”

Apple Bloom’s face split open in a wide smile. “Applejack’s here?”

“And Rarity?” Squeaked Sweetie Belle as she tried hopping up and down to look over Apple Bloom’s head.

Pipsqueak nodded. “Yeah! We’re gonna let you all out so you can go see ‘em!”

Dinky looked around. All the foals--from Ponyville and from other places--were crowding the door, trying to see what was happening. “What happened to you?” She asked.

A chorus of voices answered her until they dissolved into a general babble. Fillies and colts talking about how they went to bed at home and woke up being pulled out of carts by scary monsters who snarled and shouted at them.

“It was plum terrible!” Apple Bloom shivered as she adjusted her off-kilter trademark bow. “They’re a bunch of bullying varmints!”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah! Look what they did to Silver Spoon just cuz she wanted to go home!” She pointed to the silver filly who sat off to the side.

Dinky and her friends leaned in to look. “Silver Spoon?” She slowly asked. “You ‘kay?”

Silver Spoon, her usually braided mane looking frayed and disheveled, let out a sniff as she looked up. That’s when they saw that her glasses were broken in two, and the lenses were just a collection of cracks held in place by the frame. “T-they broke my glasses.” Silver Spoon hiccupped. “I—I can’t see!” She sobbed.

Dinky frowned. “Stoopid hairy things. That’s not nice!” She poked her snout through the bars. “S’okay! Rainbow Dash is here and she’s gonna rescue all the ponies and save the day cuz that’s what she does. Then we’ll get you some new glasses so you don’t have t’be sad anymore, a‘kay?”

Frowning slightly, Alula nudged Dinky. “We gotta focus on ‘scaping. ‘Sides, she’s a bully.”

“Mommy always says that mean ponies don't always stay mean unless you push 'em away.” Dinky replied, before adding. “But Silver Spoon an' Diamond Tiara need to not stay mean fast.” Twist walked over to Silver Spoon, offering to trade glasses for a while. Silver Spoon hesitated, especially at the rather dorky-looking glasses Twist wore, but eventually accepted them with a murmured thanks. “So, now we can all ‘scape!”

“How’re you gonna do that?” Scootaloo asked.

Alula looked at the door. “Okay, so the first thing we gotta do is make a headcount to make sure everypony is here.” She nodded importantly. “Then we can let them all out.”

Dinky looked confused. “Why’re we only countin' their heads? The rest of 'em are there too.” She gave a tiny gulp. “Right?” She asked weakly.

Alula facehoofed. Azure Prism, huffing and panting, turned the corner to rejoining them. The imprisoned foals shrank away from the bars. “It’s one of the ponies that brought us here!” Apple Bloom yelped.

“Nono it’s okay! Her name is Miss Prism and she’s gonna help us! It was the bad guy that made the crystal-y ponies do bad things!” Dinky explained. “She’s gonna help get you all free and I’m gonna go find Rainbow Dash!”

Pip and Alula frowned at Dinky. “What? But we’re coming too!” Pip protested.

“Yeah!” Alula nodded in a rare moment of complete agreement with him. “Just as soon as we get the dumb door open, we’ll all go find Rainbow Dash!”

“But that could take forever!” Dinky couldn’t keep a hint of whine out of her voice. “You and Pip can stay an' count heads an the resta ponies an' stuff but I gotta find Rainbow Dash! Miss Princess said I hafta do it 'cause... uh... it's rilly, rilly important!”

Alula put on her little soldier face. “Kickers’ dun let their friends go off alone!”

“We’re not leaving you!” Pip agreed.

“... I'll be right back.” Dinky promised weakly.

“What’s all this racket?” A deep, growly voice grunted. Everypony’s ears twitched as they turned around to see a pair of very familiar, menacing bushwoolies.

“Ahh! It’s the hairy things that wanted to eat us!” Dinky yelped.

“Look, it’s our ingredients!” He smiled toothily in a distinctly unpleasant manner the made the kids behind bars scamper away from the door.

The three free kids looked at each other and had the same thought. “Run!” The foals squealed and took off down the hallway.

Azure hesitantly stood in the middle of the hall, between the fleeing children and the bushwoolies. “S-stop--” The bushwoolies wasted no time in shoving Azure aside and chasing after them.

“Get back here! We’re gonna make a stew out of you!” Snarled the first one.

“Or a quiche!” The other piped up.

“Oh shut UP!”

The Elements of Harmony found themselves staring down an oncoming horde of hairy, smelly, clawed beasts called bushwoolies as they charged at them. Knowing that to stand still would end up with them being bowled over or simply being trampled, the six mares met the enemy charge with one of their own.

In the years to follow, historians and writers would laude this epic charge in song and story. The most famous of which was a poem that ended thusly:

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Harmony Brigade,
Noble six heroes!

The reality was somewhat different.

“Once more onto the britches!” Pinkie shouted as she bounced at the enemy, literally hopping on the heads of the bushwoolies as they tried in vain to catch her.

Fluttershy let out a tiny ‘grr’ and bared her teeth ever so slightly before gasping, having managed to scare herself with her fearfulness. “Ohmygoodness!” She covered her face with her hooves.

“Hiiii-yaaa!” Rarity judo-chopped one bushwoolie in the gut. As it doubled over, she grabbed him by the arm and hip-tossed him over her.

“Where’d you learn to do that?” Twilight asked, impressed.

“A lady must learn certain skills in order to keep one’s poise in balance.” Rarity pronounced. “And I find that tai-chi slows the aging process and keeps one nice and poised.”

“With your skill, you’d easily be a black belt.” Twilight noted.

Rarity sniffed. “A black belt? How tacky! I stopped once I got my blue belt. It goes much better with my eyes, don’t you think?”

“Quit fussing over yer accessories and fight!” Applejack barked as her hoof met a bushwoolie’s face. It fell over backwards, landing on and splattering an unlucky snow leopard.

Rainbow Dash flew over the heads of the hairy beasts, taunting them. “Yeah, come on you ugly furballs! Your mothers were a bunch of dust bunnies and your fathers smell like carpet cleaner!”

With an angry growl, one enterprising bushwoolie picked up a snow leopard and compacted it into a large ball. With a mighty heave, he hurled it upwards. Rainbow barely had time to gawk at the sight of a giant snowball with a snarling face and row of sharp ice fangs before it knocked her out of the sky.

Dash grunted as hit the ground, trying to hold the growling snow boulder away from her face. “Oh that is it!” She sat up. “Time for some contact sports!” Rainbow threw the compressed snow leopard up in the air. As the snow ball came back down, Rainbow dealt it a swift kick with her back hooves, sending it flying across the room, right into a pack of bushwoolies about to pounce on Rarity. They went down like a bunch of ninepins. “Striiike!” Rainbow pumped her hoof triumphantly as she got back up.

Twilight looked around seeing her friends all in the midst of battle--well, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity were anyway. Pinkie Pie was more bouncing here and there and everywhere, leading the pursuing bushwoolies and snow leopards to crash into one another in a vain attempt to get her. And Fluttershy mostly squeaked and covered her eyes … which ironically is what the monsters were doing as well, clearly terrified of the petite pegasus’ stare from their last encounter.

That just left her not contributing anything. Twilight took a deep breath and concentrated. Her horn lit up with magic as she attempted to cast a spell, any kind of spell. But the dark crystals that seemed to make up the palace prevented her from casting even the slightest cantrip.

While she couldn’t perform any spells or use any magic, that’s not the same as being unable to see and sense magic. The black crystals gave off an aura of their own as they drained the magic away from Twilight’s spells before she could even finish casting them. But beyond that, she could see something beyond them. The crystals here didn’t just absorb magic. If they did, they could eventually be overloaded and explode. But these ones diverted all the magic to someplace else. Someplace just beyond the far wall, something dark lurked.

That had to be King Sombra! Twilight’s shot open. “Rainbow Dash!” She called out. “I know where Sombra is!”

Rainbow looked up after kicking a bushwoolie in the face. “Really?! Where?” She looked around as if expecting him to be hiding behind a curtain somewhere--not that there were any).

“I think he’s in another room, behind the wall!” Twilight called out over the sound of the battle. “We need to get to the far wall!”

The others started to converge on her position. AJ looked, her hair band long gone and her mane in her face. “Which one? The one behind us? The one guarded by snow leopards or the one guarded by windigos?”

Twilight pointed to the back wall, directly behind the main body of bushwoolies. “The fourth wall!”

“Oooh I love that wall!” Pinkie beamed. “The fourth wall is the best wall ever! And if you’re on top it, you can burn bad comics.” She nodded seriously.

A twitch started to develop above Twilight’s right eye. She hoped that didn’t turn into a thing. She was about to either ask Pinkie to explain (something she knew was pointless even as she contemplated it) or direct her somewhere else when she got an idea about how to get past the enemy. “Pinkie, we need your help. Be a distraction.”

That won a snort of laughter from the cowpony as she bucked a snow leopard’s head clean off its body. “Shucks, Twi. I was afraid y'were gonna ask her to do somthin' hard.” Applejack quipped.

“Aww—I was just gonna make a lot of noise instead.” Pinkie pouted, sounding put out. “But okay…” She bounced around, waving her limbs in all directions. “Hey look at me! I’m being distracting!” Somehow, that garnished the attention of every bushwoolie, snow leopard and even the three windigos into watching Pinkie’s escapades and pursue her all over the room.

“There are so many reasons why that shouldn't have worked,” Twilight groaned as she and the others raced for the now-abandoned far wall.

Rainbow Dash hovered over her impatiently. “Well? How do we get through?”

“There isn’t a door or anything I can see...” Twilight muttered, half to herself as she examined the crystalline wall.

In the background, Pinkie Pie did a little jig as she kept two hooves ahead of the horde of monsters and evil spirits. “Oh, I had a blind date who couldn’t really rumba! He was kinda dark and ugly—his name was King Sombra! I went right on through it, that date was pretty rough. Sure it was a blind date, but I wasn’t blind enough!”

Applejack knocked her hoof against the wall. “Whooee, sure seems solid t’me.”

Twilight let out a frustrated growl. “Oh, if only we had somepony who knew more about these crystals! An architect, a thaumaturgist or...”

“A pony who grew up on a rock farm?” Pinkie Pie suggested.

“Yes, or--aaah!” Twilight let out a startled shriek and leapt into the air, spinning and falling on her rump. “H-how did, where did--weren’t you being a distraction?!”

Pinkie hmmed, rubbing her face in deep thought as she pondered the question. Then her face lit up. “Oh yeah! I was, but I delegated.”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight shared a look before turning back to the pink pony. “Delegated?” They asked in unison.

By way of answer, Pinkie pointed behind her. Her friends turned to look as they saw Applejack racing across the room, chased by Sombra’s goons … while wearing a Pinkie Pie suit.

A dumbfounded look crossed the faces of Rainbow, Twilight and Rarity (Fluttershy was too nervous to look). “Don’t ask me!” AJ yelled when she noticed them staring. “Ah don’t know how this happened neither!”

Rarity cleared her throat demurely. “ Moving along...” she turned to Pinkie. “You were saying, darling?”

“Oh, I never know what I’m saying.” Pinkie shrugged. “I say so much stuff that sometimes, even I don’t think I make any sense! Except when I do make sense, only I don’t know that I’m making sense until later.”

Twilight sighed. “Yes, well, you were saying that you raised on a rock farm, right? Does that mean you know about crystalline lattice structures? Perhaps weak points?”

Rainbow Dash facehoofed. “Twi? You’re talking to Pinkie Pie. She probably doesn’t know anything about crystal lettuces or whatever--”

“The crystal lattice parameters are in a classic symmetrical hexagonal pattern where all constants are equal,” Pinkie rattled over, examining the wall with a critical eye. “There are a few weak points or, shatterpoints, in the structural integrity that can be aggravated through a continuous application of high-pitch frequency of 1.21 gigahertz.” Her analysis completed, Pinkie Pie turned around to face her friends.

She was a greeted by a chorus of slackened jaws.

Rainbow Dash eloquently summed up what the rest of them were thinking. “Hub buh bwah--bwaaaah?”

Yep, eloquent.

Rarity recovered first and examined the crystal wall herself. “I believe Pinkie is right. These crystals aren’t naturally grown nor are they treated and refined. A high pitched sound might just shatter them like a crystal glass at an opera.”

Twilight beamed at her friends’ knowledge and clever reasoning. “Pinkie, Rarity, that’s brilliant!”

“Sounds good.” Rainbow said, not quite understanding the content of the discussion, but picked up the end result quickly enough: a way through. “So, how do we do it?”

Pinkie grinned. “I know!” She reached out with her hoof and dragged Fluttershy over. Next, Pinkie pulled out a tuning fork from her mane and tapped it against the wall. “Hmmm...” She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a second, then her eyes lit up. “A ha! Got it!” She proceeded to lick both of her forehooves and traced them up the necks of Fluttershy and Rarity.

The two mares let out a startled high-pitched shriek that prompted Twilight and Rainbow Dash to clasp their hooves over their ears.

The shrieks seemed to echo and reverberate off the walls and ceiling, amplified by the crystals. The shout themselves were of a most impressive pitch and duration, lasting roughly half a minute. Rainbow made a mental note of their impressive lung capacities and spared a moment to think of a way to get the two of them into a burping contest. Such thoughts were cut short when a large crack appeared in the wall.

“All right!” Rainbow flew up. “Here we go: first we crack the shell, then we crack the nut inside!” She pounded on the crack in the wall, slamming her hindlegs against it again and again.

The wall groaned and strained, bites and pieces falling away under her hammer blows. Rainbow Dash flew back, giving herself some flying room as she prepared to charge it. “Okay everypony, as soon as I take the wall down, follow me inside!”

Twilight tried to warn her. “Rainbow Dash, wait!”

Forelegs outstretched, Rainbow Dash circled around the room a few times to build up momentum and then headed for the cracked wall at top ramming speed. Her hooves impacted the wall and it shattered. A pony-sized hole smashed through as Rainbow found herself on the other side of the wall. She turned her head to see if her friends were following, but saw that most of the wall was still intact. Still, not a major problem since she could always swing around again and keep at it until the rest of the wall fell. No worries.

That’s when things started to go downhill. Rainbow absently careened into another wall and bounced off, falling to the ground and skidding across the floor. Rubbing her already much abused rump, Dash shakily got to her hooves and looked to where she had gotten through.

The fractured wall was thin, and on the other side she could she pony-shapes either fighting other, larger shadows or beating on the wall with their hooves. The wall shuddered. Through the hole she made, Dash heard a faint shout of ‘Rainbow!’ from Twilight, Applejack and the others.

She took a breath, about to answer back to let them know she okay, when the next worrying thing happened. A new wall of crystal grew out of the floor and ceiling, completely re-sealing it. “No!” Rainbow Dash ran over and pounded a hoof on the reinforced wall, but it was no use. It was much thicker and stronger now than it had been before. She couldn’t hear or see a thing on the other side.

Rainbow groaned and rested her forehead against the wall. She was all alone now. A cold chill ran up her spine as she started to turn around, somehow getting the feeling that she wasn’t as alone as she had thought...

Chapter 20

“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Shining Armor cast a hesitant look around. The pathway the zebra had led them down had turned into a long spiral staircase spinning downwards into the dark and gloom. The only light came from Zecora’s staff and the horns of the two unicorns. The stairway was chilly, and it did nothing for Shining’s peace of mind that every faint noise seemed amplified, nor that the crystals refracted the light into myriad ever-moving shadows.

It was about the third or fourth time he had asked Zecora that question or one very much like it. Zecora suppressed a sigh. Traveling with Dinky and her friends had been more enjoyable: at least they didn’t ask a dozen variations of ‘Are we there yet?’

“Surety is most assuredly a lie. Through one’s life the only certainty is the unexpected, so we must adjust as we go by.”

“Okay, fine, but do you know where you’re going right now?” he pressed. “Are we lost? Twily and the others could need us right now and we’re off looking for something we don’t even know exists--”

Cadance looked at her fiancée tiredly. “Shining...” she said warningly. “Don’t antagonize her.”

“I’m not!” He protested. “But if we’re lost, I think I’d like to know!”

Zecora exhaled through her nose, asking her ancestors for patience. “I can understand your worries and your desires.” She spoke slowly, letting an edge of hardness creep into her voice as she turned around to glare at him. “But I will not have a back seat driver!”

Shining Armor drew back. “Sorry.” He bit his lip. “I guess you don’t have some special zebra magic that can just get us this artifact, or whatever it is?”

“I don’t have any voodoo or hoodoo or magics of the kind which you describe.” She paused. “Nor do I have any friends on the other side.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” Zecora faced forward and continued on her way down. “We have a magical item to find.”

Cadance and Shining Armor exchanged a look and followed her down the winding staircase. There was an awkward lull for a while before Cadance gently coughed. “So, Zecora … tell us a little about yourself. You’ve helped us so much, but we know so little about you. Where you’re from, why you’re here? Do you have any family? Any friends? A coltfriend?”

Zecora half-turned her head so that she could shoot Cadance a skeptical glance, her eyebrow elegantly quirked upward. “Down in the depths of fear and gloom, your first question is to ask me if I share my bedroom?”

“Well, it is a big part of pony's life.” Cadance defended herself sheepishly. “Besides, I just got engaged. I'm allowed to have romance on my mind.”

“I suppose you are entitled to have your mind be somewhat fickle,” Zecora allowed. “But please remember, Princess, that we are still in something of a pickle.” She faced forward, not breaking her stride.

Cadance nodded. “I’m aware of all that, but is there some reason you don't want to answer the question?” Silence answered her. “You’re a long way from your home. I suppose unless you can find a pony who makes you happy...”

“My goal in life is not my own personal joy,” Zecora responded, a touch of gruffness entering her voice. “It is … enough that I can assist the good, without worrying about a girl or boy.”

“Come on, miss,” Shining Armor scoffed from the back. “Even I know there's more to life than service.”

Cadance sighed gently. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any painful subjects.”

Zecora paused before answering. “I have journeyed far, and long have I roamed. I am far from the familiar faces of my home.”

“Why did you stop at Ponyville?” the princess asked.

“Because there was a call I heeded: I knew I was needed.”

Curiosity tinged Cadance’s next question. “How did you know that? Are you only staying until the current crisis is ended?”

“There will always be another disaster,“ Zecora replied, effectively ignoring the first part of the inquiry, “though peace is what I'm after.”

“That sounds ominous,” Shining noted.

Zecora shrugged languidly. “If you desire comfort, seek a pillow. I am merely telling you what you should know.”

Shining Armor snorted. “Never a dull moment.” He sighed. “Can we at least finish one disaster before moving onto the next?”

“When Night has been overthrown and Fear is passed, you shall know Chaos at last,” the zebra intoned solemnly.

The two lovers exchanged a worried look. “Chaos?” Shining questioned. “That's not exactly comforting, miss.”

“When do we get to the nice happy times of peace?” Cadance all but pleaded, her hope beginning to falter.

Seeing as much, Shining Armor gave her a supportive nuzzle. “I don't know. Stopping Sombra's a start, then...” He shrugged. “We'll deal with whatever else until we get there.”

Zecora turned her head to regard the two of them. “Life is unpredictable, at best. You fight the bad, and then live at peace for the rest. My words were meant not to scare—certainly not to lead you to despair.” Her tone was gentle, even friendly. “You ponies are strong in will and happiness and life. With friendship you can do no wrong, nor will you yield to strife.” Her almond-shaped eyes radiated strength and conviction.

Deep down, Cadance knew with the utmost certainty, that everything would certainly be fine. “Thank you.” She breathed in a whisper.

A smile crossed Zecora’s striped muzzle. “In life you may struggle and fight—but I can at least promise you bliss on your honeymoon night,” she teased, chuckling.

The recently engaged pair sported a matching set of bright red blushes as they coughed and mumbled for a moment, attempting to buy time for their dignity to return. Cadance recovered first. “Well ... um ... yes.” She cleared her throat. “That's good to know. I just hope whatever trouble we have to deal with is resolved in time for us to raise our foals in peace.”

Shining Armor managed to trip over the flat surface of the stairs at ‘our foals,’ apparently not having thought that far ahead, and went tumbling down about a dozen steps before coming to halt.

“Shining Armor!” Cadance gasped as she ran past Zecora. “Are you okay?”

“’M fine…” Shining groaned as he picked himself up. “Must’ve been a loose stone.”

“Crystals make up all the stairs,” Zecora helpfully pointed out. “There are no loose stones in there.”

Shining shot the zebra a dirty look as he shook himself off, grumbling.

Relieved, Cadance elbowed him gently. “Oh, don't be like that, Shiny. You’ve always been somewhat…” she fished for an appropriately accurate but not cruel word. “...absent-minded, at times?”

Shining drew himself up with a huff. “I absolutely am not! I’m always attentive and alert when I’m on duty.”

“Oh yes, I know.” Cadance smiled at him. “You’re the best guard in all of Canterlot—but that doesn’t mean that you haven’t, say, accidentally walked into the mare's room.” The look on Zecora’s face prompted Cadance to smirk and elaborate. “Well, Shiny used to be ... less than careful about making sure he used the proper bathroom facilities.”

“ONE wrong turn in the middle of the night—once!—and you never hear the end of it.” Shining grumbled, feeling suddenly outnumbered by the two chuckling mares.

“Princess Luna was rather ... loud about it.” Cadance giggled.

A wince and a groan was Shining’s response as he started to rub his ears. “It took months for the ringing to stop.”

“Well, that's what you get for getting caught by the Princess,” Cadance replied.

Zecora laughed. “Was it mishap? Or was he hoping to have a private moment with his princess, perhaps?” Her teasing elicited another pair of blushes from them. “Ah, such pleasing stories of fun and merriment. May they keep the gloom away from our current predicament.”

“Yeah, yeah laugh it up. Let’s go find this artifact, or whatever it is,” Shining grumbled as he beat a hasty retreat, putting himself at the head of the group. Zecora quirked her brow as Shining Armor took up position ahead of her. She thought about pointing out that he had no idea where they were going, but held off. It was a stairway, after all. And besides, she had to admit, the view was nicer from the back.

& & &

The moment after the new crystal wall was formed and Rainbow Dash was cut off from her friends, pandemonium reigned.

“RAINBOW DASH!” Twilight shouted as she vainly thumped her hooves against the wall. “Nonononono--! Rainbow … you featherbrain!”

“This looks a job for my—” Pinkie Pie reached into the nth dimensional space within her poofy mane and took out an impractically large, impractically pink sledge hammer. “—Pinkie-Pico Hammer!” She vigorously applied it to the wall, but with no visible effect.

Rarity looked over the reinforced wall with distress. “Oh dear … this wall is much thicker than the last one. I don’t think we’ll be getting through that one the same way—not that I have a problem with Pinkie Pie running her saliva-coated hoof down my neck again, of course,” she added parenthetically.

The bushwoolies formed a wide arc and had the five remaining mares pressed against the strengthened wall, grinning and leering maliciously as they closed in.

Fluttershy squeaked as she narrowly avoided the claws of a snow leopard. “W-what do we do?!”

Applejack tilted the brim of her hat down slightly. “Looks like we gotta buck these broncos ourselves.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie nodded, taking a break from her wall-whapping. “And Applejack—you’re really good at apple bucking. That’s why you have so much muscle in your rump!” Applejack grumbled something about the size of her rump compared to Pinkie’s, but the pink pony missed it as she paused in thought. “Hey, why do they call it apple-bucking? 'Cause I heard you can use 'buck' to mean other things too, and that makes your job sound really, really gross.”

The face Applejack made would later accompany the dictionary entry for ‘nonplussed.’ “…Wut.”

Pinkie just laughed as Applejack held her hat over her face, grousing angrily into it. “Why aren't you laughing, Applejack? Don't you get it?” Pinkie giggled. “It sounds like you have sex with apples!”

Applejack huffed, crossing her hooves. “Makin' fun of a mare's honest work, fer shame....”

“Oh, I getcha!” Pinkie gave her an exaggerated wink, then pulled an apple out of her mane and hoofed it over to AJ. “Have fun!” She merrily bounced off.

Applejack stomped her hoof and swore in a wordless rage before she could remember that she knew basic speech. “ConSARN it girl! It ain't like that!”

“Girls!” Rarity barked. “Might we try focusing our attention on the horde of vicious monsters, please?”

Twilight nodded. “We need a plan.” She bit her lip. “What would a brave pony like Rainbow Dash do?”

“Didn’t we just see what she would do?” Rarity asked, not quite rhetorically. Then she stiffened. “Twilight, darling, please tell me you’re not—”

“CHAAARGE!” Twilight bawled out as she rushed out to the ranks of the bushwoolies.

“...she did.” Fluttershy finished for Rarity, who was too busy applying her hoof to her face.

“Dadgum, crazy ponies—it’s spreading!” Applejack fumed. “C’mon gals, we can’t let her go alone!”

“Woo-hoo!” Pinkie Pie bounced happily with the others as they ran after Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle puffed as she ran. Her friends were in trouble, her big brother best friend forever and her former foalsitter (and new sister-in-law to be!) were lost in the underbelly of the city looking for some ancient artifact, and Rainbow Dash was trapped on the other side of the wall. And her? Twilight was stuck in a place where her magic ability was suppressed, unable to help her friends or family. Useless.

She gritted her teeth as she summoned her magic. “No…” Her horn flickered and sputtered as it pressed against the dark crystals diverted her magic before she could form a cohesive spell. “I won’t let my friends down!” The black crystals began to vibrate and hum as they diverted more and more magic—but Twilight was just putting out more and more magic. “I WON’T!” Her horn flared into a solid white beacon, glowing brighter and brighter as she approached the bushwoolie and snow leopards, who threw up their paws to cover their faces from the light. Even the trio of windigos circling overhead whinnied in fear and backed away.

Horror began to gnaw at the guts of Sombra’s minions as they realized that his promise that the ponies could perform no magic in his domain, no longer held true. They began to back away, but not fast enough. Just as Twilight Sparkle reached the front ranks of the bushwoolies, her magic discharged.

Then everything went white.

Chapter 21

Rainbow Dash picked herself up and looked around the room she had just tumbled into. At the other end of the room perched upon a large dais was an immense throne of black crystal. Upon it sat King Sombra. He looked impassively down at the Rainbow Dash, red pupils gleaming, and glowing with a menacing green. His armor glistened and blended in with his grey coat, and his black mane and tail writhing as though they had a life of their own.

“YOU!” Rainbow Dash was up off the ground in a flash and hurtled toward Sombra. The ghastly figure didn’t so much as twitch as Rainbow’s outstretched hoof reached forward and passed through his head, impacting hard against the throne. Rainbow yelped and pulled her hoof back, cradling it. “What the hay?” To her surprise, Sombra’s body flickered and shifted like black smoke. “…What are you?!”

The smoke circled around Rainbow Dash, enveloping her. Frantically she started beating her wings and lashing out with her forelegs, trying to dissipate it. Soon her vision blurred and all she could see was inky blackness as everything else fell away. She fought desperately for breath, only to find that she was not being suffocated.

Fighting down her momentary panic, she looked around. The blackness soon parted to reveal that she was in an entirely new place. Rainbow Dash found herself standing in another throne room, this one made of ancient, almost crumbling dark stone. Utterly lost, Rainbow started to look around. The walls were drab and the view from the few windows was equally bleak. The entire city seemed to be made of darkened, decrepit stone spires and towers. If a dragon burned the place down, all it would do would make the place look better.

Rainbow Dash almost missed the lone mirror hanging on the wall, coated as it was with dust and cobwebs. She reached out a hoof…only to stare in horror as she realized that it wasn’t hers. Instead of cyan blue fur, it was coated with a dark, ugly, gray color and the hoof was covered by some sort of royal-looking shoe. Like what Celestia wore, only drab and gray like everything else around here.

Frantically, Rainbow started scrubbing the dirt and grime off the mirror. When she was finished, she took a step back and gaped at the view in horror. Staring back at her was a handsome, dark gray coated unicorn with a pitch black mane and tail. It was, Rainbow realized with a start, a younger less-smoky version of Sombra.

“What the feathering buck?!” Rainbow shouted right before her hoof smashed into the mirror, shattering it and sending broken shards of glasses to the floor. As if seeing herself as Sombra were the trigger, Rainbow found her head suddenly being filled with thoughts that weren’t her own. She somehow knew things…like she was in Tambelon and she was its ruler. No, Sombra ruled Tambelon. Why did she think that she…?

Rainbow groaned, holding her head with her hooves…or, whoever’s hooves she was borrowing. It was so confusing. It was like being hungover and then having to listen to Twilight’s last lecture on Magical Trans-whatchamacallit. Mortification? Modification? Why was it so hard to think?! She could only guess that Sombra’s smoke had seeped into her head and was messing with her or something. The stuff she was seeing and feeling had to be coming from him.

Alien thoughts and feelings filled her head. And they were unpleasant: feelings of vanity, supreme arrogance, a casual bigotry for non-unicorns and those not of her—Sombra’s!—class and an utter disdain for anypony else. It was petty, snotty, vain and incredibly against all things cool.

Rainbow briefly thought of some of the more obnoxious Canterlot aristocrats she’d known, like Prince Blueblood, then shook her head. Blueblood might be a royal pain and full of himself, but at least Blueblood wasn’t this puffed up or bigoted. She wanted to gag, filled with utter loathing. Dash felt unclean simply having these thoughts in her head, regardless of whether they came from her or from Sombra.

If Sombra was trying to tell Rainbow Dash something about himself, it didn’t seem like he was trying to paint a pretty picture of himself. Seriously, how could someone this snooty and hoity-toity ever become a menace to anyone beyond his servants?

As if in answer, the scene before Rainbow Dash vanished. She now found herself standing by an altar, in the middle of a wedding ceremony! Next to her was a lovely crystal pony mare with a cream colored coat and a pink mane. Rainbow knew—without quite knowing how she knew—that this was the ruler of the crystal ponies. She—dangit, Sombra!—was marrying her largely for political reasons. The crystal ponies’ expertise with crystals and gems would refurbish and enrich the dilapidated city of Tambelon and give it a new lease on life. Glancing through the window outside, showed that the process was already well under way. The Crystal Empire was starting to take shape; replacing the thin, dark, wicked-looking stone towers of Tambelon with beautiful spires and houses of bright, multicolored crystals.

The crystal princess smiled and leaned in, her lips drawing closer to her own. Rainbow’s mind let out a shriek as she found her body—was she in Sombra’s body or was he in her head? Graah!—leaning in to kiss her. The fact that the crystal princess looked a lot like Cadance did NOT help! Rainbow’s mind railed. Lemme out of here, lemme out of here, lemme--

There was another flash and a change of scene. Dash winced, hoping it wasn’t about to drop her in on the honeymoon. But no, Rainbow found herself staring through a window. The princess, looking disheveled and exhausted, held a tiny infant close to her, clearly having just given birth. Rainbow felt a twinge of pride from Sombra and, to her surprise, even affection for his wife and daughter. How did he go from this to becoming the dark king of the north?

Again, the answer revealed itself to her. She, or rather, Sombra, sat idly flipping through a book. A spark of interest flared through her as she read a second called ‘On Crystals and Power Amplification.’ Ambition surged through her as Sombra began beckoning servants over, demanding them to summon the most knowledgeable unicorn sorcerers and crystal pony experts to the castle.

A series of flashes showed Sombra—no, they showed Rainbow Dash, or was she Sombra?—and several crystal ponies slaving over books and potions, over forges and spells. Soon whatever they were doing was completed and she held aloft his prize. What they had wrought was a small red gem affixed to a triangular bit of dark gray metal, topped with a pair of gray and red wings and a stylized unicorn’s head. Rainbow Dash instantly was flooded with knowledge of what this was: the Alicorn Amulet. With this, she would know power beyond that of any unicorn since King Platinum and the Six High Princesses gave up their power to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. With this…she could be a king.

Rainbow grit her teeth. No, Sombra would be king! This was Sombra’s doing; these were his memories! But she was seeing everything from his point of view. She felt like she was drowning in it—and it only grew worse after he started wearing the Alicorn Amulet. Bitterness and anger started to grow within him, marked by a pronounced cruelty and lust for power.

The next few memories reflected that. Rainbow Dash found herself challenging other, more effete, unicorn nobles to magic duels … only to use the power of the Amulet to utterly flatten them. She watched with growing horror as Sombra went from victory to victory, at first merely gloating over his victories … to using increasingly cruel and powerful magic to injure and torment his opponents, finding newer and more horrible ways to fight. No matter how much Rainbow wanted it to stop she could do nothing but watch. It felt like she was the one doing all these terrible things.

But that wasn’t enough. Dash felt Sombra begin to tire of these petty cruelties and his mind turned to the greater workings of magic and power. Slowly, the power of the Alicorn Amulet caused him to feel ever more remote and distant from the concerns, morals and limitations of lesser ponies. Rainbow saw him bully, bribe or trick other nobles into lining up behind him, claiming that he sought to restore the old unicorn monarchy. But she felt Sombra’s disdain for them even as he used them to achieve his own ends. The plots and concerns of nobles and aristocrats felt too small for her. Why forge a dynasty, when godhood lay in her reach?

Dangit! She meant Sombra’s reach! She was about to scream when she found herself distracted by a new shift in scenes. She was in a brightly colored room, a nursery she guessed by the stuffed toys and crib. A quick look out the window confirmed that they were still in the Crystal Empire, located in one of the upper rooms of the castle.

Then she saw Sombra’s wife, the princess of the crystal ponies. She walked by the crib where her infant daughter slept, her smile benevolent and kind. With her cream and pink coloring she looked so much like Cadance. But whatever affection she once felt for her wife and child was now gone. They were merely pawns to be used. And now, one of them had outlived their usefulness. They were a loose end that needed tying up.

Rainbow appeared in the doorway, her eyes radiating malice and grinning wickedly. Silent as a ghost, she followed her wife outside onto the balcony. Creeping up behind her, she suddenly grabbed her with magic and threw her off the tower!

Dash’s eyes shot open! “NO!” She called out in her own voice. Shaking her head, she bonked it against the wall. “Get! Out!” Not feeling anything from Somba, Rainbow raced forward and dived off the tower, her wings snapping open. She darted down, hooves outstretched as she tried to grab hold of the falling pony. “C’mon … closer … closer—”

Just when she was within reach, Rainbow grabbed at the princess—only to barely miss! For Rainbow Dash, the pony who lived for speed, the fastest pony alive, everything seemed to crawl by at a snail’s pace. The princess’ wide, panic-stricken eyes seemed to meet hers. Seeing their softness, their gentle violet color—Rainbow was reminded so much of…

“Cadance! NO!”

The princess fell. There wasn’t enough time to catch her or to pull up and save herself. Cursing herself for her weakness, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes a second before the impact. The next thing she knew, she was standing back at the top of the tower, looking down at Sombra’s hoofwork. His presence was back in full flower, icy cold and satisfied at his work.

Rainbow shivered. She felt a transformation had taken place. From a vain, callow princeling, Sombra had turned into a monster. She couldn’t stand to have him in her head—or vice versa—for an instant longer. Get OUT! She shrieked, not knowing if she was thinking it or saying it aloud. She didn’t care either way.

She felt sick to her core. This … this thing, this monster, had just tossed his own wife out the window like so much garbage. The look on her face as she fell--Dash knew she wouldn’t be able to get that image out of her mind for a long time. The look of horror, of dread, of--of betrayal. That’s what it was.

Dash couldn’t wrap her mind around it. How could anypony just, turn on somepony they cared about? Not just that, but his own wife and the mother of his child for pony’s sake! It was completely alien to her. She thought back briefly to when Nightmare Moon had thrown her friends off the edge of the ruined palace in the Everfree, taunting Rainbow to choose which of her friends she would save and which she would let hit the ground. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t abandon any of them. But not only had Sombra abandoned her, he freaking pushed his wife over the edge!

She started to feel his thoughts intrude in on hers again as she felt his own smugness, his rationales and thoughts about what he had just done. Murderer! she screamed inside her head, trying to keep her consciousness separate from his. She didn’t even want to be in the same city as this guy, much less have him in her head and using her body to re-enact his life story!

Reality shifted again as Rainbow Dash found herself, as Sombra, kneeling before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “We are most sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Princess Glisten.” Celestia spoke regally, but gently. “Know that you have our deepest sympathies, for you and your young daughter. If there is anything that can be done, you have but to ask.”

“Your Highness is most gracious.” Rainbow bowed low, speaking in a voice that wasn’t her own. She wanted to tell Celestia, warn her, ask her for help--but this had all already happened. She couldn’t change anything. “I would ask that I and my daughter be allowed to remain awhile in Canterlot. I feel I cannot return to my kingdom just yet. The pain … is simply too great.”

“Of course.” Celestia nodded. “As long as you are with us, you and your daughter will be shown every courtesy. We hope that in some small way, we may help to heal thy broken heart.”

Rainbow Dash felt the smirk that crossed her/Sombra’s face as she replied. “I have every confidence that my stay here will be most … rewarding.” The young pegasus wanted for nothing more than to get Sombra out of her so she could plant her hoof up his smoky plot.

Reality cut away again. Some time had passed as Rainbow saw Sombra’s filly—Cadance’s ancestor—was happily running through the Palace gardens, chasing a butterfly. Slowly following behind her was king gruesome himself and Princess Celestia.

“You have a most magnificent garden.” Sombra complemented while not even looking at the garden.

Celestia smiled and dipped her head. “Thank you. It pleases us to see your daughter enjoying it so. We had feared—I had feared that the death of her mother would have been too much for one as young as her to bear.”

Rainbow felt Sombra’s taking note of Celestia dropping her use of the royal ‘we.’ He took it as a sign that his attempts to win her over were succeeding. “She is young … and children are often more resilient than given credit for.” Rainbow said in Sombra’s voice, her eyes sliding over to Celestia. “With your love for foals, and your obvious skill with them, I must admit some surprise that you have not started a family of your own.” Internally, Dash was gagging. She was hitting on Princess Celestia! Ewww!!

“I like to think that all of ponykind is my family, and every foal my child.” While majorly corny and extremely sappy, from Rainbow Dash’s view, she knew that Celestia meant every word of it. But from Sombra, Rainbow only felt disgust. Recovering quickly, he tossed out, via Rainbow, another attempt. “A noble sentiment but, if you do not mind my saying, spoken by one who has not yet experienced the joys of parenthood.”

What a load of horseapples, Rainbow fumed. If Sombra’s little trip down memory lane had been evidence of anything, it is that he didn’t give a rusty horseshoe about anypony but himself. Whatever part of him had cared for others had died a long time ago. “It is a pity that I doubt my daughter will recall her mother in coming years. No child should be without a mother.”

Of all the--! What was that word her grandmother liked to use? Oh yeah, chutzpah. Rainbow would’ve traded everything she owned for one chance to get her hooves around Sombra’s smug, lying, murderous throat…especially once he wasn’t using her throat to say this horseapples!

Sombra dipped his head to Celestia. “I can think of nopony better suited—or more deserving—of motherhood than you.”

“You flatter me,” Celestia said diplomatically. “But ponies—above all parents—cannot be swapped around and replaced with the ease of filling a vacant position. It is a tragedy that Princess Glisten cannot be there for Resonata. If you should fall in love again then it is my hope that your daughter and bride would form a bond of love suitable for mother and child. I wish you success in locating a pony you truly care for … and not simply seek out another mare out of the desire to fill the role of mother to Resonata – or any other role you may have in mind.” Celestia dipped her head politely and walked ahead, shepherding Sombra’s daughter off to some other part of the gardens.

As soon as the Princess was out of sight, Sombra grit his teeth together in frustration. Dash felt nothing but happiness at the turn of events. Hah! I knew Celestia would never go for a butt-ugly creep like you. Loser.

She felt Sombra’s unhappiness at Celestia’s stubbornness—by which he meant her taste and her ability to spot a fake from a mile off. But Rainbow felt Sombra’s mind shift gears, away from Princess Celestia…and to Princess Luna. Oh you evil son of a— Rainbow started to swear when time seemed to lurch ahead again. It was night and she was standing on a balcony overlooking the castle grounds. Princess Luna stood as she looked sadly out at the darkened lights of the dwellings near the palace.

It didn’t take much to see the Princess’ obvious depression and loneliness. It was practically palpable. And Rainbow Dash wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“Princess Luna?” Sombra bowed as he walked out onto the balcony. After waiting for the Princess of the Night to turn to him, he went on. “Forgive me, I did not wish to intrude. I’ll just leave you…alone.” He made as if to start to walk away, albeit very slowly.

Luna flinched. “Nay, wait. I would welcome some company just now.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.” Sombra dipped his head politely as he joined her on the balcony. “A truly marvelous evening.”

“We are pleased that you noticed.” A tiny smile crossed Luna’s muzzle.

“Indeed, such a pity that so few truly take the time to appreciate it, don’t you agree?” Sombra asked, not quite rhetorically. “So many spend their time basking in the radiant if somewhat garish sunlight of your sister, that they often overlook your supple, subtle, starlight and moonlight.” Okay, so now Rainbow was hitting on the former (or was that future?) freaking Nightmare Moon with Sombra calling the shots. There was not enough industrial grade brain bleach in the world to make herself feel clean again.

But she could tell that Luna was caught off guard by the all-too rare compliment. She seemed furtive, unsure of herself. Rainbow felt Sombra’s sinister confidence, like a predator moving in for the kill.

Luna smiled weakly. “We are grateful for your appreciation, at least.”

“Many are the wonders and treasures of the night,” Sombra agreed before leaning in to gently whisper in her ear. “But none so great as its Princess, I think.” Luna’s eyes snapped open as she reared herself up.

“Y-you forget yourself!” Luna tried to sound authoritative but her blush betrayed her.

Rainbow felt Sombra’s satisfaction at how easily he could fluster and manipulate Luna. “My extreme apologies, Princess.” Sombra bowed low. “Please, allow me to make it up to you…”

Dash groaned to herself where nopony could hear it as Sombra treated Luna to dinners, nights under the stars and appeared at royal events as her companion.

As intelligent and wise as Luna was, Sombra was cunning and manipulate enough to know which buttons to push to make her sadness and isolation (apparent even back then) all the more overwhelming. Every compliment to her work was framed to emphasize how few ponies cared for or appreciated it. Every whisper about her beauty contained a backhoofed remark about how everypony loved her sister more…and that only he, Sombra, put her first. Every heaping of praise upon the work of the Royal Sisters highlighted a supposed imbalance of power between Celestia and Luna. It was insidious.

Rainbow Dash knew she was not what you’d call the most emotionally aware of ponies. She knew ponies considered her impulsive and inconsiderate--and she was, a lot of the time. But even she could tell that she was watching something horrible being born: she was seeing the seeds of Nightmare Moon being, if not planted, then at least being nurtured.

The brash pegasus felt sick and deeply bothered. She had seen Sombra go from a shallow, self-absorbed egotist to a monster of hate and rage, and was watching Luna go from a sad, lonely pony into a bitter mare of darkness. Rainbow shivered. If it could happen to them, could it happen to Princess Celestia? Her friends? Or even, her too?

There was a reason Rainbow Dash wasn’t fond of introspective moments: spending too much time examining who you are prevents you from moving forward, which is what Rainbow was all about. To her, overthinking was equivalent to paralysis. And right now, she felt like she couldn’t get this crud out of her head so she could think about how to stop Sombra.

Instead, she just watched helplessly as Sombra manipulated the younger royal sister. Princess Luna, not quite as wise as her sister and feeling oh so lonely...was all too eager to find company in the comfort of a pony who claimed to love her and her night and that nopony else did. Rainbow Dash looked on in horror and disgust as Sombra began accompanying Luna everywhere. They were always in public together, chatting and laughing. Sombra and Luna were pretty much attached at the hip.

Luna cherished Sombra’s companionship, overlooked as she was by those who would sooner look to her sister. The time he spent with her was very rewarding. Information, knowledge, magics, and power beyond reckoning, the very secrets of the alicorns, all these Luna shared with Sombra, freely.

And Sombra, in turn, whispered ideas in Luna’s ear, about how things would be different if Luna was afforded the power and love given to Celestia. But all this did not go unnoticed. Some time a few months after Sombra first started working over Luna, he stepped outside only to find himself confronted by Celestia.

“Ah, Princess Celestia!” Rainbow bowed low. “Might I be of service?”

“You may.” Celestia frowned. Rainbow Dash recognized that look. The last time she’d seen it she’d gotten a two hour lecture about how telling the royal guards that the princess was under attack and having them burst in on her when she was in the shower was not funny. Only this look was even more serious. Celestia’s nostrils trembled. “Stay away from my sister.”

Sombra pretended to look confused. “Majesty?”

“You heard me.” Celestia tossed her head. “Get thyself gone from my castle and my city. And do not talk to my sister again.”

Rainbow drew herself up. “I would think that would be Princess Luna’s decision. After all, she is co-ruler of Equestria, equal to you … is she not?”

Celestia flared her wings out. “Do not attempt to dissemble with me. I’m aware of your attempts to turn my sister against me.”

“I am merely awakening her to certain … inequities in your rule.” Against her will, Rainbow found herself smirking.

“I will not bandy words with a traitor and tyrant.” She narrowed her eyes. “You have delved into dark magic and engage in acts of unspeakable cruelty and treason. I give you this one chance to leave Canterlot and mend your ways. Otherwise…”

Rainbow threw back her head and laughed. “Your threats do not frighten me.” Her hoof reached up to tap the amulet clasped at her throat. “I am now the most powerful equine in the world! And you—you have seen your last sunrise.” A cruel grin crossed Rainbow’s face as Sombra spoke through her.

Celestia’s face was unperturbed. “So be it. One shall stand, one shall fall.” Celestia raised her head high and took a stance. She was as Rainbow Dash had never seen her before, great and terrible in her splendor and power.

“So be it! You must tire of life, to throw it away so recklessly.” Sombra’s voice spat back.

“I would say the same to you, Sombra.” Celestia’s voice was steady, unphased by Sombra’s threats.

“Foolish old nag. With my new powers I shall crush you beneath my hoof!” Despite not having a horn of her own, Rainbow still felt a tingle as Sombra charged his up. She struck first, with a powerful bolt of sickly green magic lancing out at Celestia. The princess batted it away effortlessly with her wing before retaliating with a golden beam that knocked Rainbow off her hooves.

But Rainbow rallied quickly, scrambling back up. Instead of another direct attack, she allowed Sombra’s magic to flow through her entire body. She rushed Celestia, shoulder-checking her through the wall.

Rainbow felt a rush of adrenaline and a flash of pride … quickly overwhelmed by a sudden sense of horror and dread. She was fighting Princess Celestia! And she was liking it! Or Sombra was making her like it—or was she just feeling Sombra liking it or—Graah! Get out of my head!

Princess Celestia was not down long. She burst through the wall and, grabbing Rainbow around the barrel, took them both through the outer wall and into the palace courtyard. Rainbow guessed that Celestia wanted to make sure that there wouldn’t be any innocent bystanders. Of course, that thought came a while after Dash’s more immediate thought of Oh buck, this is gonna hurt…she closed her eyes as she got intimate with the ground. AAAGH! That one hurt! She screamed in her head. No, nonono think about something else. Your memories not his! Dash found herself thinking of the time Princess Celestia tried taking her to the opera … actually, she found herself briefly thinking that getting slammed into the ground was less painful. Seriously, what was the attraction of fat ponies in brass undergarments singing about rivers while the orchestra tried to drown them out—sadly not in said river.

Still, Rainbow did manage to distract herself momentarily from the remembered pain Sombra and his flat-out disturbing thoughts about just what he would do to Celestia as revenge. He got up as if being hurled through a solid stone wall and plummeting fifty feet down into the crash ground was an everyday occurrence. Celestia was also back on her hooves and they were both ready for round two.

Sombra unleashed all sorts of dark and fell magicks against Celestia: spells to boil her blood, drain her magic, to drain all the water from her body, to age her into a withered old crone, and things even more horrible. But, Rainbow realized with glee and Sombra with dismay, that there was no spell in his arsenal that was a match for an alicorn in battle.

That was when Rainbow—SOMBRA!—switched up tactics. She reared up on her hindlegs and tossed her head back. It was an archaic challenge between two unicorns—horn fighting. She charged forward and met Celestia’s horn with a resounding CLACK!
Horn fencing or jousting was a dying art. Or, that’s what Shining Armor had told Rainbow Dash when she found him fighting a training dummy with a plunger for a horn—something she had teased him about, before affixing the plunger to his rump with superglue right before he was due to go on duty.

But that was (is?) a long time from now. Horn fencing was still alive and Sombra and Celestia were masters of it. Both their horns were radiating with power, sending sizzling sparks in all directions with every impact. As odd as it was for Rainbow to be acting out Sombra’s memories—including fighting her own mentor!—she was now fighting with a body part she didn’t even have, which upped the scale on her weird-o-meter a couple of points.

Rainbow felt more than saw her eyes flash with energy as the Alicorn Amulet grew brighter and brighter. She lashed out with her hooves, nearly clipping Celestia’s eye. It almost immediately began to bruise and Sombra pressed the advantage. While she couldn’t kill Celestia with a single spell, she could wrack up quite a bit of damage through concussive blasts of energy and magic. Technically cheating for a horn fencing duel but … who cares?

Soon the white of Celestia’s coat was broken up by patches of singed fur and bruised flesh. A trickle of blood ran down from a cut above her right eye, forcing her to close it. But Rainbow found that Sombra was not having such an easy time of it himself. Those long, elegantly thin legs of Celestia could actually pack quite a wallop!

Rainbow winced as one blow connected, sending her flying—without use of wings—across the courtyard, digging a furrow in the dirt when she landed. “Wench, I'll use your horn as a tooth pick!” Dash roared as her mag-his magic built up to attack. Grunting, she got back up and retaliated with a barrage of blasts from her horn. Celestia responded with her own attacks and soon the entire courtyard was ablaze with green and golden blasts of energy.

Dust and smoke rose from the impacts, obscuring much of the courtyard. Sombra looked around, trying to spot Celestia after she stopped firing. It was all but impossible to spot her. Rainbow felt her head turn just in time to see Celestia’s pure swan white wings gracefully cut a swath through the smoke and charged at her. The Alicorn Amulet aided Sombra in a magic duel, but he forgot that there was more to Princess Celestia than a long horn and fancy magic. Sombra reared, trying to ward her off with his flailing hooves just as Celestia spun around and bucked with her hindlegs.

"ARRRGH!" Dash roared as the royal hooves came in contact with her—SOMBRA’S! (damn this was weird!)—family jewels. Sombra cringed in agony and, memory or no, Rainbow winced breathlessly in pain. Quickly Celestia struck out again taking the wanna-be King's legs out from under him. As she rolled over, Celestia slapped Sombra’s muzzle sharply with her wings.

"A lucky shot," Sombra wheezed as he got back up, still cringing slightly. From the corner of her own mind that was watching Sombra act this out with her body, Rainbow snorted contemptuously. Lucky her flank. That was Krav Pega. Cloud Kicker called that move the "Date Ender." Ohmygosh OhmyGosh! Rainbow’s mind raced. The Princess could fight hoof to hoof! The pain felt real, but Dash still swelled with pride for Celestia. Sombra backed off enough to catch his breath. Dash felt none of Sombra's pain, or his rage that moment. Just pride in her Princess.

Sombra twisted Rainbow’s mouth into a sneer as he spat in the dirt. “Witch! You fight like a mud-pony instead of a goddess!” The twinge between his (her?) haunches made his voice seem hollow. “Some clever tricks shall not save you!”

“On the contrary,” Celestia retorted. “My instructor would be … ashamed,” she gasped “Had that landed properly you would not be retreating,” she growled. “Though if the world is kind, you will have no further heirs for a while.”

Was … was that trash talk?! Dash's mind reeled in shock. Celestia—Princess Celestia?!—was trash talking in a hoof fight?! Dash tried to commit this to memory, intending to bring it up later. She had never been prouder of her teacher.

Sombra didn’t let his rather embarrassing dispatching slow him for long as the fight was rejoined. When Dash could spare a minute to wonder where the heck the guards were, she noticed the golden shield that kept the courtyard—and the still battling Sombra and Celestia—cordoned off. She guessed Celestia didn’t want any innocent bystanders, even though keeping up a shield spell of that size and strength was undoubtedly drawing her attention and energy away from her own personal defense against Sombra. That was Celestia to a ‘t,’ protecting others at the expense of her own safety.

So of course, Sombra tried to take advantage of that. He unleashed several bolts of magic against the shield, forcing Celestia to focus and reinforce it. Then when she was distracted, he attacked Celestia directly.

But despite all his augmented power, despite all his dirty tricks and cheap shots, he was losing. Rainbow Dash could feel his fear and desperation as it finally dawned on him that no amulet, no matter how much it increased his strength, could change the fact that he was a unicorn, but Princess Celestia was an alicorn.

Sombra had blundered, and blundered badly. He began to realize that he wasn’t going to walk away from this, not unless he dramatically changed the rules of this engagement. Fortunately, he spied a blur out of the corner of his eye that gave him the opportunity to do just that.

Falling to her knees, Rainbow prostrated herself before Celestia. “I beg your forgiveness! Please, whatever it is I have done to upset your majesty, please give me pardon! I beg of you!”

Celestia wasn’t buying it. “The time for supplication and false apologies has passed.” She lowered her head, her horn glowing. “Sombra of Tambelon, I hearby—”

“NO!” The princess was surprised when she found herself tackled and restrained by her own sister. “Don’t hurt him!”

“Luna?!” Celestia struggled to stay upright and to free herself. “What are you doing?!”

“Sister, please! I love him!” Luna begged, throwing up her wings to block Sombra from Celestia’s view.

If looks could kill, Sombra would have been struck dead, buried, dug up, resurrected, had his face flattened into mush, had the mush set on fire and then buried again. Celestia snorted, her rainbow-tinted mane flickering until it looked like a flame. “He does not love you Luna—he is merely using you so he can seize the throne for himself!”

“That’s not true!” Luna protested heatedly.

Celestia tried rearing up to look over Luna’s head to keep an eye on Sombra, but Luna wouldn’t let her. “He uses dark magic and has entered into pacts with windigos! He murdered his own wife!”

“NEIGH!” Luna protested hoarsely. “Y-you are merely jealous that for once somepony loves me instead of fawning over you!”

“Sister, I have never lied to you before—listen to me now! He’s—” Whatever she was about to say was lost as a blast from Sombra’s horn slid underneath Luna’s wing and grazed her side as it went on to strike Celestia’s dead-on in the chest.

Luna looked down it horror at the smoke rising from the blackened, charred hole in her sister’s chest, burnt flesh visible beneath. Celestia opened her mouth but no sound came out. She tried to say something to Luna but the words would not form. She sank to her knees and then toppled over on her side.

“TIA!” Luna cried, throwing her hooves around her sister’s neck and lifting up her head. Rainbow felt horror burning inside her. It was if a sudden icy chill had worked its way up her spine and into her mind. She screamed and railed inside the confines of her own head, even as she knew that she could do nothing.

Sombra walked over and gently put a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, my dearest Luna…” he whispered softly. “She gave me no choice. Her bitterness and jealousy towards what we shared was twisting her mind.” He nuzzled Luna’s mane. “But now we can be together…we can—” A sharp sudden smack to the face had never felt so good to Rainbow Dash as it did just then. Sombra’s mind raged as his (borrowed) head snapped back at the force of Luna’s blow.

“WRETCH!” Luna bellowed, her eyes glowing white.

“… I tried.” Sombra shrugged before quickly building up a magical charge in his horn and using it to blast Luna away before she could react. Luna ended up sprawled on the ground several feet away. After that, he didn’t spare her another second’s thought. Instead he made his way over to Celestia, who was feebly attempting to make her way over to her sister. Rainbow could only seethe as Sombra kicked Celestia’s side. “I have waited a long time for this … it’s over Celestia.”

The fallen ruler strained and struggled to lift her head up so she could look Sombra in the eye. “Hrrn...hn…” She panted as she began to focus, her long horn flickering as she attempted to summon her magic. Sombra sneered arrogantly—only to pale when Celestia’s horn began to glow a solid, shiny gold that only grew brighter and brighter until it became like a miniature sun. A prickling along the back of his neck alerted to him to a simultaneous build up from Luna’s own horn.

“—NEVER!” Celestia cried as her magic lanced out her horn and struck Sombra dead-on as Luna struck him from behind. Sombra and Rainbow screamed as one as the magics merged. She felt what he had felt a thousand years ago: his entire body shifting and distorting as he felt himself being pulled apart, molecule by molecule and being squeezed through dimensions to another place, a Realm of Darkness.

The memory cut out sharply and Rainbow Dash gasped, falling to crystalline floor back in Sombra’s throne room. Her face was beaded with cold sweat as she tried to push Sombra’s memories and lingering thoughts out of her mind.

She felt Sombra being pulled out of this reality and dragging the Crystal Empire and its ponies along with him, drawing what sustenance that he could from them in order to stay alive, after a fashion. If it wasn’t for the Alicorn Amulet and its connection to the Crystal Empire, Sombra would not have survived at all. As it is, he lingered on as a shade … barely alive.

But even from his new place, Dash could feel him still watching developments in Equestria with satisfaction. Even if he had failed to topple Celestia or co-opt Luna, he still succeeded in driving a wedge between the royal sisters and tainting the populace's view of Luna, who had been seen in Sombra's presence often enough before his downfall for the two to be linked in the public’s mind. And Luna felt more alone than ever...leading her down the road to becoming Nightmare Moon The glee he felt at Luna’s fall and transformation into Nightmare Moon, thanks in part to his own machinations, was palpable.

How he eagerly awaited her return a thousand years later so that she could take care of Princess Celestia for him. The spell keeping Sombra trapped in the Realm of Darkness weakened when Celestia had been forced to merge herself with the sun when the Nightmare returned. Then, once Nightmare Moon had weakened herself in the process, Sombra would return from his exile and dispatch her. Then Rainbow Dash felt his frustration when that plan was thwarted—by Rainbow herself and her friends.

On top of everything else, she knew what he was doing. All of it. How he had lost a thousand years to the Realm of Darkness, leaving him as the parasitic shade that she had seen (and experienced) for herself. Having lost a thousand years, he would need a thousand years back to merely restore himself to his former strength. The crystal ponies were already his thralls and were unusable, so that’s why he took the foals. He was going to take a decade from each of the hundred or so foals to restore him to his former strength and life.

Then, once the foals were at their prime, he would steal not their youth, but their very life essence. Sombra had learned from his past failure: an amulet does not make a unicorn a match for an alicorn. And he heeded the old wisdom, if you can’t beat them, join them.

Cutie Marks were a reflection of a pony’s soul, their destiny. Destiny is a powerful force. But there are other forces, even more powerful. Ponies without Cutie Marks are full of limitless potential energy—the potential to be anything, do anything. By draining the essence of such ponies, Sombra would acquire that same limitless, untapped potential energy. And as for the foals who did have cutie marks, Sombra would end up acquiring those talents and abilities for himself. Either way, he’d gain. And age-advanced foals would have the unique attributes of being without Cutie Marks while still being in their physical prime.

He would drain them until there was nothing left of them…and Sombra would become an alicorn. Rainbow snarled as she climbed to her hooves and glared at the vile king. “So why show me all of this? So I’ll be so scared of an ancient fart like you that I’ll just give up and let you get away with this? Dream on!”

Dead silence greeted her, the only sound she heard was her own panting for breath. She started to wonder if King Sombra could even talk at all when a grinding noise from above stole her attention. A large obelisk of crystal descended from the ceiling, halting about half way between the floor and the roof. Sombra’s curved, red-stained horn began to glow as the crystal pulsed with magic energy. That’s when it hit Rainbow Dash. This was why he had taken the time to show her everything.

It had already begun … and there wasn’t anything Rainbow Dash could do to stop it.

Chapter 22

“EEEEEEE!” Dinky shrieked as she ran through the hallways. Pip and Alula ran alongside her as they tried to stay ahead of the two snarling, drooling, and hungry looking bushwoolies behind them. “Rainbow Daaaaaaaash!” She bawled, wanting somepony to come rescue her.

“Come back little ponies!” Shouted one of the monsters. “I promise we’ll stuff you full of nice, delicious things before we bake you into a quiche!”

The other one growled, swatting his companion with a claw. “For the last time, stew! We’re going to make a stewfrom their bones!” He shouted, prompting the three terrified foals to keep running.

“I-I dunno if I can keep running!” Pip panted, his face covered with sweat. “I—I dun feel too good…”

Dinky winced. “Me neither … I’m startin’ to feel all–barfy.”

“What do we do?” Pip asked, sides heaving.

“We gotta find some way to slow 'em down 'fore they catch us!” Alula looked around trying to find something she could toss in their path for those dumb monsters to trip on. But she didn’t see anything but a bunch of stupid crystals.

Dumb rocks.

Dinky let out a small moan. “Ooooh ... d'you feel funny too?”

“Whatcha mean?” Alula flapped her wings, hoping to get a little extra burst of speed out of it.

Dinky sweated, panting. “Like ... like ... I 'unno. My head's feeling all light and spinny.”

Alula felt a sudden throbbing in her head. “Me too, but we gotta keep movin'.” She thought for a moment. “You an' Pip go ahead, I'll catch up.”

“Wha?” Pip looked at her like she was nuts. “Nuh uh, they'll eat you up inna stew!”

“Or a quiche!” Dinky added.

“Just go, Dummy!” Alula shouted loudly before she suddenly turned around and charged at the bushwoolies.

Pipsqueak bit his lip as he and Dinky pulled up ahead. “’Lula!”

“GO!” She shouted again as she ran up to the two slavering, drooling, snarling monsters. She gulped. “I'm not scarda you! I'm gonna beatcha up!” She ducked her head and charged.

The lead bushwoolie shot her a toothy grin, his red eyes gleaming. “A meal that delivers, how convenient!” He reached out, his sharp claws slashing through the air—only to miss as Alula ducked and slid between his legs before getting up to run past him.

“Get back here!” The incensed monster roared.

“Betcha can't catch me, stupid-heads!” She started running off in the opposite direction as Pip and Dinky.

The other one growled as he started towards her. “Who are you calling a stupid-head?”

“Don’t be a fool!” The first one cuffed him. “She’s trying to bait you!”

“What, are you scared?” Alula taunted, quickly thinking of the insults she’d heard from the Guards. “Ya bunch of quiche-eating old muffler suckers!”

“Who are you calling a quiche-eater?!” The first one yowled, outraged.

“Don’t you talk about my momma!” The other shouted as he started to advance on Alula.

“Comrade, you get the bratty chicken-thing, I'll get the other two!” The first turned around and started to lumber after Dinky and Pip.

“So you're gonna let him eat two ponies?” Alula asked, catching her breath in between taunts. “While you only get one?” Alula asked the monster approaching her

The bushwoolie stopped. “Hey...” He looked to the one who was heading in the direction Pip and Dinky had ran. “She's gotta point!”

With a frustrated growl, the other bushwoolie snarled back. “Don't argue with me comrade, you're getting fat as it is.”

“I am not fat!”

“Are too!” Alula chimed in.

“You see?!” The first bushwoolie exclaimed.

“You’re agreeing with the food!” Shouted the second.

Alula smirked. “And you're still fat!”

“Grrr...” The put upon bushwoolie slapped his forehead. “Look, if you get the bird-pony, you can eat the wings!”

The other one tilted his head, looking interested. “Both of them?” He drooled. “Deal!”

Feeling things started to fall apart, Alula blurted out. “He told me you're a stupid fatty fat dummy-face!” She pointed to the other bushwoolie.

The bushwoolie stopped drooling. “What?! Then I'll ... I'll ...” He thought for a moment. “Bake you into a quiche and not let him have any!”

His compatriot facepalmed.

“But ... uh ... but quiche is fattening!” Alula added.

“Blasphemy!” The first one barked. “I'll bake you inna quiche!” He roared and chased after Alula.

“Ack!” The little filly squeaked, managing to run a bit faster since she had a chance to pause and catch her breath. She ran the opposite way as her friends for a bit, then looped around the bushwoolie chasing her and soon ran out ahead of the one after Pip and Dinky. She hoped she bought them a little extra time.

The one chasing her collided with his friend, leaving the two monsters tangled up in a heap. “Ow…”

“…The winged pony was right, you are a stupid fatty fat dummy-face.”

“Oh, shut up!”

Alula ran as fast as she could, not stopping for anything until she passed a dumbwaiter. Right as she passed, it opened up and a pair of hooves reached out and grabbed her. “WHOA!” Alula yelled as she was pulled inside.

“Shhh!” Pipsqueak held up a hoof to his lips. “S'us!”

Alula nodded, not making another sound, but immediately began to squeeze Pip and Dinky tight.

“You’re okay!” Dinky hugged Alula back.

“Ack!” Pip paused before hugging Alula back. “Dun ever do that again!” He gently whapped her. “Dummy!”

Alula’s wing returned the favor. “You're the dummy. Now shush!”

“What do we do?” Dinky whispered.

“Hide an' be quiet 'til they go away.” Alula whispered back. Just then Pip let out a groan. Alula frowned at him. “I just tol’ you to be quiet!”

Pip swallowed, looking like he was about to be sick. “I-I don’t feel good.”

“Me neither.” Dinky whined, right before her leg spasmed, kicking the side of the dumbwaiter.

“Stoppit!” Alula whispered furiously, right before her wings sprung open. “Gah! What’s going on?!” Her foreleg twitched, slamming into the wall. Then her face found itself pressed against the side by Pip’s flank. “Gyah! Move Dummy!”

Pip mumbled around a faceful of Dinky’s mane. “There’s no room!” He was right. It suddenly seemed a lot more crowded in the dumbwaiter than it had a moment ago.

Alula gulped as she heard footsteps outside. “This isn’t good...”

The brighter of the two bushwoolies (for all that meant) glared at his counterpart. “You and your quiche … now look where it’s gone and gotten us!”

“It’s not my fault we lost them, especially if a certain someone can’t help tripping over his own fat feet!”

“I am not fat!” The first snapped. “You--” His ears twitched. “Do you hear that?”

“The sound of someone’s fat retaining all the liquid from this precious stew?” Scoffed the second. “Because that’s all I can--HMMM!” A clawed hand suddenly pressed itself against his mouth.

“Be quiet, comrade!” The other one strained, hearing a series of dull thumps. “This way!” The two hairy monsters lumbered down the hallway with as much subtlety as two giant hairballs could muster, slowly creeping up on the source of the noise.

Their mouths grew wide and they smiled toothily as they approached the source of the noise, a dumbwaiter. From inside, the muffled voices of the foals continued to argue.

“'Lula, you're steppin' on my hoof.” Dinky whispered.

“Sorry.” Alula whispered back, shifting around and accidentally wing-whapping Pip in the face.

“Ow!” Pip yelped. “Hey!”

Alula winced. “Sorry, Dummy. S'really tight in here. Why's the room gettin' smaller?”

“I dunno.” He tried to wriggle and shift around, only to have his hoof smack into the side of the door. Loudly.

“Shh! They'll hear us!” Dinky whimpered, looking his way.

“I can't help it!” Pip replied, then suddenly ducked, pressing his head against the floor. “Dinky, your horn's too sharp! Careful!”

Dinky tried to back up, ending up bumping into the back of the room. “Nuh-uh, it isn't! I'm not old enough for that yet!” She turned her head, her horn stabbing a wood panel. “Uh ... I think my horn's stuck.”

“Toldja,” Pip mumbled.

“Quiet, Dummy!” Alula warned. “Urgh!” She spread a wing, filling everypony’s face with feathers. “Whoa! My wings're all weird now!”

“Moh! Moola, 'ur 'ing's in 'y 'ace!” Dinky mumbled around a faceful of wing. “A' i'sh 'LUFFY!” Pip’s response was even less sensible.

Alula frowned. “This room is weird an' it's shrinkin' an' doin stuff to us!” She tried to get her wings out of the way. As the foals continued to fidget and squirm, trying to find space when there seemed to be less and less, the two bushwoolies opened the door of the dumbwaiter … only to have a trio of adolescent ponies fall out on them. “Hello pon--AAAH!”

“Gyah!” Alula tumbled out onto one of the bushwoolies. She tried to pick herself up, but was having some difficulty. “Whoa! Everythin's all weird!”

Pipsqueak landed on the floor with a surprisingly loud thump. “Ow … I'm okay.”

Dinky’s eyes did a passable imitation of her mother’s. She shook her head until they came back together. That’s when she saw that she was laying atop one of the bushwoolies. “AAAAAAAAH! THE MONSTERS!” She flailed her hooves, falling off the monster. She and the bushwoolie both scrambled to get to their feet. Dinky squeaked as a clawed, hairy hand reached out for her. Scrunching her eyes shut, she blindly lashed out with her hoof and landed a solid slug right in the bushwoolie’s gut.

he was propelled all the way the far side of the hallway. That’s when Pipsqueak realized something. “Hey! The monsters shrank too!”

Alula blinked as she took stock of the situation. Looking down, the floor seemed much further away than it used to. Her legs, as well as Dinky’s and Pip’s, seemed much longer than they used to. Dinky’s horn was much longer and came to a sharp point. Pipsqueak was--whoa. Her eyes widened. Pipsqueak was huge! Fairly bulging with muscles like Big Macintosh. He towered over her and Dinky, to say nothing of the two monsters. When she looked to herself, Alula gasped. She spread out her wings and was amazed by how big they were. “We’re so big…” she said to herself before looking back at the two bushwoolies, who suddenly didn’t seem quite so big or menacing. “Huh. Us gettin’ bigger makes more sense than everythin' gettin' smaller, I guess.”

Pip tilted his massive head in thought. “So … Wait! That means you can fly! And Dinky, you can use magic! Like big ponies! Cuz we are!”

“Yeah, and they're so small now! Well, not small, but smaller than they were.” Alula grinned evilly at the bushwoolies, flexing her wings. “We're gonna getcha!”

The bushwoolie Dinky had just slugged pointed at his comrade. “It was all his idea!”

“HEY!” The other protested indignantly. “You wanted to bake them into a quiche!”

“MEANIE!” Dinky’s horn sparked angrily, her face scrunching up. “You were bein' mean an' stuff to us, an' YOU HURT 'LULA!

Alula growled, her wings spread in an aggressive pose she’d seen her family use. “You tried to put Dinky an' Dummy in a quiche!”

“You took our friends and locked 'em up!” Pipsqueak grumbled as he stomped his hoof, making a resounding CRACK! against the floor.

“An' you took us away from our mommies an' daddies!” Dinky huffed and puffed as her horn continued to spark. She pointed it at the two terrified bushwoolies and… “Uhh,” Dinky tapped her horn, before letting out a loud whisper to Alula and Pip. “How d'you work this thing anyway?”

Alula shrugged. “How'm I s'posta know? Just try an' zap 'm!”

“I always thought you just 'magined stuff happening and it would. Like making 'em all bald and stuff!” Pip offered.

Dinky giggled. “They'd look like big-butted baboons if they got balded!”

“Yeah!” Alula smirked. “You should bald them, while Dummy an' I beat 'em up!”

“Hey!” Objected one of the bushwoolies. “I do not have a big butt!”

“I dunno...” Dinky looked doubtful. “That doesn't all look like poofiness.”

Even the other bushwoolie seemed to agree. “You have been retaining liquid from all those stews...”

“My weight is appropriate and attractive!” Snapped his companion.

“Fatty.” Dinky commented as her horn glowed as she experimented with casting magic.

Alula mimed a few punches and kicks in the air to get a feel for her bigger body. “Stupid-heads!”

“Wankers!” Pip stuck out his tongue, cracking his neck. “...whatever that means.”

Dinky grumbled as she focused really hard and tried casting magic. “Coulda sent some 'structions or stuff, 'cause this i--” Just then, her horn sent out a small gout of fire. “--WHOA!”

“Gah!” The unlucky bushwoolie in Dinky’s line of fire ducked, the hair on his back starting to smoulder slightly. “AH! Hothothoooot!”

“Hee-yah!” Alula charged at the other one, kicking him in the gut. Hard. “Oooogh!” The hapless monster clutched his stomach and doubled over. Alula followed up with a kick to the knee. With a pained yowl, the bushwoolie collapsed on his back.

Dinky fired off another burst of fire at the first bushwoolie, who yowled and started to pat out the fires on him. “Put me out! Put me ooooooout!”

“Lemme try!” Pipsqueak ran forward, bearing down on the other bushwoolie like a steam train. He plowed into the monster, smacking him up against the wall. The monster hissed and tried to claw at him. In a panic, Pip reared up and smacked him with one of his enormous hooves. That sent the bushwoolie flying … and his teeth trailing behind.

Alula and Dinky’s jaws dropped wide open, impressed. Dinky found her voice first. “WHOA!” She gasped. “Pip you got RILLY big an' strong an' stuff!” She paused. “I think you need a new name.”

“Yeah!” Pip looked down at himself again, before looking over to Alula, who stood a good head shorter than him. “And you're not!”

Alula responded with a raspberry. “Still a dummy.”

Pip grabbed Alula in a headlock and proceeded to noogie her. “Ha! who’sa dummy now?”

“Gyah! Leggo!” As Alula squirmed in a feeble attempt to escape her epic noogieing. “If Daddy'd taught me the cool stuff ... an' you're still a dummy! Just a big, strong dummy.”

The two bushwoolies took advantage of their distraction to collect themselves and go. “Let's get out of here, comrade!” whimpered the still smoking bushwoolie, now coated with soot.

“Co’oing!” Replied the other as he picked up his loose teeth, the two of them setting off into a run down the hall.

“Yeah you BETTER run!” Dinky shouted after them. “Or I'll--I'll--” She thought hard. “I’ll do somethin' you won't like!”

Pipsqueak gave Alula one last noogie and let her go. “Dumb Pip.” She grumbled as she tried to fix her mane.

The suddenly-grown colt looked at his two friends. “Whoa … Dinky, you look like Miss Sparkler! 'scept you've got a really long pointy horn! And Alula's wings are ginormous!”

Dinky looked at herself. “Yeah I DO! An' 'lula's got bigger wings now.” She gasped suddenly in realization. “Can you fly now!?”

Alula gave her new wings an experimental flap, lifting off the ground. “Whoa! Yeah!” She grinned. “This is so cool! Dinky's rilly pretty now, and Pip's so big han—” Alula caught herself. “Big and dumb.”

“I'm big!” Pip danced up and down on his clodhopper sized hooves giddily. “Now, Diamond Tiara can’t pick on me for being small anymore!”

Dinky jumped aside, getting out of the way of Pip's super-stompy hooves. “Hey! Now that we're big an' stuff, we can go help the others, 'cause we can beat up the other meanies that took 'em!”

“Yeah! We can!” Alula grinned.

“Hey, yeah! We can get all the other kids outta being locked up and then help the big ponies---I mean, the other big ponies fight the bad guys!” Pip exclaimed.

Dinky nodded. “I can be all fwooshy, you can be all stompy, an' 'Lula can be all... uh... wingy?”

Pip scratched his head. “Maybe she can tickle 'em or something?”

“I know some krav pega, Dummy.” Alula grumbled.

“Oh yeah, that! C'mon, let's go!” Dinky started to run, only to trip over her hooves. “Aaah!” She grumbled from the floor. “Stoopid gravity.”

Pip walked up to her. “I can help!” He slid his leg underneath her and used his newfound strength to casually toss Dinky onto his own back. Only it wasn’t a flawless throw as Dinky’s rump ended hanging off his shoulder and her face was buried in his back. “Oops.”

Alula, in the midst of a wobbly, almost Derpy-like flight over their heads, shot them an annoyed look. “C'mon! Let's GO!”

Despite her own words, none of them managed much more than a leisurely trot. They were all getting used to their newly resized bodies. Alula kept flying into the walls and bouncing off, Pip had to hunch his shoulders to get through some of the narrower entries and Dinky almost singed off Pip’s tail with her magic.

By the time they finally backtracked to the room where they had seen the others, the three of them felt pretty tired. “G-get the door.” Alula panted, landing next to Pip. Flying was harder than Rainbow Dash made it look!

“Can’t Dinky?” The large colt asked, his tongue hanging out.

Dinky slid off Pip’s back and shook her head, accidentally poking him in the side with her horn. “Oops! Sorry Pippy! Nuh-uh, I don’t wanna fwoosh the door!”

Pip sighed and walked towards the barred door. “Okay…here I go.” He bucked the door clear off its hinges. “Oops, sorry in there!” He called as he stuck his head in, Dinky and Alula squeezing by him to get in.

“We're here an' you're all gonna be a'... kay?” Dinky blinked as she took in the strange sight before them: all their friends from Ponyville had grown up too! Diamond Tiara was precariously balancing her now teeny-tiny looking tiara on her head, while Twist’s glasses were scrunched up against her face and the others were tentatively trying to get adjusted to their new forms.

“Golly!” Apple Bloom explained as she cantered around, trying to get a better look at herself. “We're big!”

“Cool!” Scootaloo exclaimed as her wings flapped happily.

Sweetie Belle looked to her side. “Aww, I’m grown up and still no cutie mark! No fair!”

That made Dinky pause to check her own flank. “Aww, still no mark for us either!”

“I got one!” Pip yelled excitedly. “I--no wait, that's one of my spots. Nevermind!” Alula snerked at him.

Dinky looked around. She saw lots of ponies she knew, and even more that she didn’t. She even saw Ms. Prism, the crystal pony who had brought them there. She must’ve gotten locked up too. Dinky was about to go say hi to her when she bumped into another pony, one she also knew: Diamond Tiara. She blinked at her, confused. “Um.... hi?”

Diamond Tiara’s mane and coat was all frazzled and messy. Her face was wet and she sniffed big, loud sniffs. “I-I want my daaaaddyyyyyy!” She bawled.

Dinky didn’t quite know what to do at first. Diamond Tiara was the biggest, meanest bully at school. But she was still a filly like her and she was scared, so … Dinky gave her a get-better hug. “I wanna go home too.”

The sobbing pink pony latched onto Dinky. “W-what if my Daddy doesn't recognize me because I'm so big and my tiara doesn't fit and … and …” She started to cry some more.

“Um … I dunno, but he's still your daddy an' stuff, kinda like Mommy's my mommy.” Dinky hugged her. “It’ll be okay, ‘kay?”

A little bit away, Pipsqueak let out a sudden eep as somepony put their hooves all over him. He turned to see that it was Silver Spoon, groping blindly since her glasses had been broken. “I--I--what happened to us?!” She asked nervously.

“Um, we got big and stuff.” Pip scratched the back of his neck. “Maybe we had too many vegetables or somethin'?”

“But we didn't eat spinach or anythin' like that. Just moss.” Dinky pointed out from her get-better hug.

Alula hmmmed to herself as she thought. “Why would a buncha weird monsters take us an' make us get big?”

“Maybe they were trying to fatten us up, but got it wrong?” Pip offered.

Dinky nodded. “It's what they said they wanted t' do, an' make a big ol' brew then gobble us up in a nice tasty stew.” She paused. “Or quiche, they kinda got all grumbly about it.”

Diamond Tiara gulped at the suggestion and went over to hug Silver Spoon. “I wanna go home.”

“I miss Rarity...” Sweetie Belle stuck out her bottom lip, looking down.

“We all wanna go home an' see our mommies and daddies.” Alula said, looking around at all the other former-foals. “But cryin' isn't gonna do anythin'. We gotta get outta here first, an' to do that we gotta help Rainbow Dash an' stuff!”

“But what can we do?” Asked a colt they didn’t know. “We're just kids! They're grownups!”

“Um,” Dinky pointed out. “We're kinda big ponies now, too.”

Pip nodded. “Yeah! Real big!”

“We're big now, so let's go do big pony stuff an' beat up those big nasty monsters 'till they're the ones cryin' for their mommies!” Alula encouraged.

Her enthusiasm proved infectious. “Yah-HUH!” Dinky hopped up and down. “We can help Rainbow Dash so we can go home!”

“They're right y'all!” Apple Bloom called out. “Maybe we can get our cutie marks for bein' heroes!”

“Well … if it means we can go home,” Rumble tossed in. “I'm sick of being locked up in here!”

Scootaloo pumped a hoof in the air. “Let’s go get ‘em!”

“All right ponies!” Alula jumped out ahead of them. “Chaaarge!”

With a yell, a hundred-odd magically aged fillies and colts (plus one hapless crystal pony mare) went charging out of the prison cell and into the hallways of Sombra’s castle. As they ran, something occurred to Pipsqueak. “...Do we know which way we’re going?”

In the bowels of Sombra’s castle, a relieved sounding sigh echoed off the walls. “I never thought I’d be so glad to see the bottom of a staircase.” Shining Armor grunted as he set his hooves on the stone floor.

It had taken them what felt like hours, tentatively journeying down the darkened, spiral staircase into the unfathomable depths below. But finally they had made it.

A moment after Shining Armor cleared the landing, Zecora and Cadance also stepped off the staircase. Cadance looked slightly out of breath, but Zecora seemed as poised as ever. “We have journeyed far and long. Now we come face to face with all that is wrong.”

Shining Armor whickered in annoyance. “You couldn’t have mentioned this before?”

“I could not.” The zebra answered primly as she walked up to the only thing around: a plain-looking wooden door in an archway topped by a large crystal. “Had I done so, your fears would have made our trip all for naught.”

Cadance looked at the door warily. “What do you mean? What’s behind that door?”

Zecora sighed heavily. “Yourself.” When she was sure she had the others’ attention, she elaborated. “That door shows us the fears that we hide behind the shelf. The fears we try to avoid, to not acknowledge for fear of what they’d destroy.”

A hitch caught in Cadance’s breath. “Y-you mean, that door shows us our deepest fears?” Zecora nodded solemnly.

Shining Armor took a step forward. “But why not warn us? Give us time to prepare?”

“The longer you had to think, the faster things would’ve gone down the sink.” Zecora answered. “With more time to fret and fear, your panic would grow and doom all you hold dear.”

He reluctantly seemed to consider that. “Fine. When do we go in?”

Zecora forestalled him with a hoof. “We do not go. It must be the Princess’ task and hers alone.”

“WHAT?!” Shining stomped a hoof. “Absolutely not!”

“No.” Cadance stepped forward. “She’s right.”

Shining whirled on her. “Cadance…”

“We’ve been over this. This is my empire, my ponies, my responsibility.” She took a deep breath before leaning in to gentle nuzzle him. “I-I’ll be with you soon, Shining.”

"If we both go we might confuse the spell...” Shining argued. “Maybe weaken it for the others to proceed. Divide and conquer! Who says the bad guys are the only ones that can use that move?"

A sharp rap to the head courtesy of Zecora’s staff cut him off. “This is no living foe, but the essence of fear. What you face comes from within here.” She pointed at Cadance’s head and then her heart. “Inside one’s own mind is a place where others cannot easily tread. Going in too cannot help her there … but give her one more thing about which to dread.”

“But, I...” Shining’s voice trailed off as he failed to think of a counterargument.

“If what Zecora says is true, then whatever I see will appear in my own mind.” Cadance pointed out. “You can’t exactly travel inside my head, Shining.”

“Cadance...” Shining pleaded.

She nuzzled him tenderly, then pulled away to flash him her warmest smile. “Shining “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

The outnumbered stallion sighed and nodded. “Okay. Just … take care. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Cadance turned away hurriedly. She didn’t want him to see her cry. Looking to Zecora, Cadance cleared her throat. “Any words of advice?”

“Stay safe.” Then Zecora did something Cadance didn’t expect: she suddenly embraced the princess and hugged her tightly.

With a deep breath, Cadance crossed the threshold and entered the door. She shut her eyes, trying to buy herself a last second or two of preparation before she had to face … whatever was before her. Slowly, Cadance opened her eyes and saw …

A wedding?

Garlands of flowers sweeping the scenes. Tapestries of flowing silk hanging from the golden flying buttresses of the grand hall. Large crowds lining the red carpet isle. Each one with a face of hope and anticipation. An orchestra of birds filling the air in song. Fluttershy really has a great ear for music. “This is more than I would have ever wanted.” Cadance murmured, awestruck. And … she blinked was that Blueblood blubbering in the isle?

Still, as worst fears go, this was pretty … well, not. She walked around, not paying much heed to the crowd of ponies gathered until she got to the main isle. Standing at the altar stood her beloved Shining Armor, waiting for her. She smiled as she made her way over to him.

She had no sooner started walking than a beautiful rendition of Here Comes the Bride, started up. Her heart skipped a beat as she strode forth, her head held high. As the song reached a crescendo, her hoof reached the altar. All of a sudden, there was another pony there: wearing a white dress and a veil over her face.

Cadance had a sudden sensation, of something cracking inside her chest. All her life, Cadance had been what could be generously called a hopeless romantic. To her, love was the greatest driving force of life. Her special talent was helping others find love and being able to express it. And she knew, from the depths of her heart, that she and Shining Armor were all but meant for one another. The sight of him with another pony … it hurt.

It wasn’t a hurt born of narrow pettiness or jealousy. If somepony genuinely loved Shining Armor and he loved them in return, she would not seek to stand in the way. But this was all wrong.

Shining Armor smiled and moved forward, completely ignoring Cadance in favor of the new mare. He lifted up her veil and leaned in for a kiss. With a stunned look on her face, Cadance marched up and used her magic to tear away the veil on the other mare. Her jaw dropped. “Rainbow Dash?!”

A smiling, blushing, Rainbow Dash leaned into Shining Armor, nuzzling him gently. “That’s Mrs. Armor, actually.”

And just like that, the tension in Cadance’s gut was gone. Her eyebrow raised itself so high it almost vanished into her hairline. “Seriously?” She looked around. “This is supposed to be my deepest fear? Shining Armor marrying Rainbow Dash? Was Blueblood too obvious?” She snorted. “Where do I begin … first of all, there’s no way Rainbow Dash would give up her name. She’d probably make Shining change his name to Shining Dash. And that’s the least ridiculous part of this … farce.”

She looked around, as if trying to find somepony to directly tell off. “I know my love for Shining Armor is deep and true. And I care for Rainbow Dash too. If the thought of the two of them being happy together is supposed to represent my deepest fear, then you don’t know me at all.”

Confronted with Cadance’s resolve, the scene started to dissolve. Everything faded to white, a bright flash forced her to cover her eyes. When she risked looking again, she found herself face to face with another, more joyous sight: a beautiful sky blue crystal in the shape of a heart.

“The Heart.” She breathed gently, almost reverently. The Heart, known as the Crystal Heart, the Heartstone, the Heart of Equestria or simply the Heart, was legendary. It was said to be the crystallization of the Fire of Friendship, the spell forged from the friendship of a pegasus, unicorn and earth pony that defeated the windigos and led to the founding of Equestria. It was an extremely powerful artifact. And now, here it was: floating in front of her in a small locked away cell. No wonder Zecora had wanted them to stop and retrieve it.

But how did she even know it would be here? Cadance wondered. She shook her head. There was little point wondering how the mysterious zebra knew or did any of the things she did. What mattered was that the Heart was here and she had it.

Cadance grasped the Heart with her magic and ran out of the cell. She hoped that the doorway was enchanted so that she’d return to where she just was: with Shining Armor and Zecora.

No such luck.

“What?” She skidded to a halt, stumbling through the doorway and emerging in the middle of Sombra’s throne room, right as Sombra and the six Bearers were in a free for all brawl.

Cadance leapt to the side to avoid a falling piece of the ceiling. Up on his dais, Sombra was lashing out with his magic, firing deadly bolts of dark magic at the girls. The girls for the most part ducked and avoided, unable to really fight back. That is, except for Applejack bucking broken bits of crystal at him, Twilight trying to counter his spells with some of her own, and of course Rainbow Dash, who tried to rush him. With predictable results.

Rainbow Dash suddenly smashed into the ground in front of Cadance, almost bowling her over. “Rainbow!”

The cyan pegasus groaned as she picked herself up, blood leaking from a cut on her forehead. “C-cadance? Where did you--”

“It doesn’t matter now!” She shouted back, holding the Heart in front of her. “I have the Heart!”

“Great, now all we need is brains and courage!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she narrowly avoided a blast from Sombra’s horn.

“Some of us more than others...” Applejack grunted as she tried to hogtie the evil king.

Cadance ignored them. “Get out the Elements! Use them on the Heart!”

Rainbow nodded. “Right! Twilight!”

“I’m on it!” Twilight summoned her magic and pulled out the six golden necklaces upon which the Elements of Harmony sat. “Here they come, girls!” The necklaces flew across the room, landing around the neck of their rightful owners.

“Let’s do this!” Rainbow Dash soared upwards, her Element of Harmony glowing brilliantly. “Let’s pour it on!”

One by one, the six Elements of Harmony lit up: Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter and Magic. Cadance felt a tingle run up her spine as the Elements created a brilliant, shimmering, perfect rainbow.

Looking at it, Cadance knew—just knew—that everything was going to be fine. She held the Crystal Heart aloft with her magic, pouring her own magic into it. All of her love and compassion, hope and joy…everything Cadance was, she put into the Heart as the rainbow merged with it: love and friendship, together.

The Heart shattered.

Cadance barely felt the tiny pieces of the broken Crystal Heart as they pelted her coat. She was numb, her face paling. “H-how?!”

“Cadance, what did you do?!” Rainbow demanded as the Elements of Harmony flickered and went out.

The baffled princess shook her head. “Nononono ... I-I didn’t—I don’t…” She looked up at the confused, scared and angry looks on the faces of her friends. “Girls…LOOK OUT!”

Rainbow Dash was half turned-around when she was struck by Sombra’s dark magic. Time seemed to stretch out as her pained screams echoed off the walls. Cadance let out her own scream when Rainbow’s charred form fell to floor, still and smoldering.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight ran over to her, frantically searching for some sign of life. Her horn lit up as she tried—Cadance wasn’t actually sure what Twilight was trying to do, but if there was anypony who could help, it was her.

Cadance dared to feel a faint stirring of hope … only for it to be brutally cut down in front of her when Sombra attacked Twilight while her back was turned. “NO!” Cadance started running over even before Twilight’s body hit the ground.

She stopped, looking over the forms of two young ponies she had foalsat for. Even now, amidst all the carnage and destruction, she could still remember two precious little fillies, both full happy and full of life, each in their own way. Twilight giddily explaining a new book she read to a rapt audience of Cadance and Smarty Pants. Rainbow Dash showing off a new trick, gushing about how awesome the Wonderbolts were…

This can’t be happening. Friendship and love was supposed to triumph over fear! It had to! They had everything they needed! The Elements of Harmony! The Crystal Heart! She had just helped make things right between Rainbow and her and Shining Armor … and Twilight was going to be her sister-in-law! How was she going to tell her parents? Or Shining Armor?

Tears streamed freely down Cadance’s face as she was wracked with sobs. How could it all have gone so wrong?

“Oh no… no … Rainbow! Twilight!” Fluttershy let out a horrified whimper and burst into tears, hugging an equally distraught Pinkie Pie. Rarity abandoned all pretense at elegance or poise and buried her face in Applejack’s shoulder, bawling openly and loudly. Applejack hid her face behind her hat, but the shaking of her hooves and the heaving of her shoulders betrayed that she was crying as well.

“Cadance!” Her head snapped up when she heard somepony calling her.

Her heart leapt into her throat. “Oh no .. Shining Armor!” She looked in time to see Shining Armor running into the room, his shield spell protecting him from Sombra’s attacks. When he saw Rainbow Dash and Twilight, his steps faltered.

He fought for breath, fighting down his gorge. “T-twily! Twily, no…” A trembling hoof reached down and gently stroked her cheek. “Twilight…”

“Shining, I—I’m so sorry.” Cadance whispered in between her own sobs.

Shining Armor snapped his head up, piercing his fiancée with his gaze. “How did this happen?” He demanded in between clenched teeth, his nostrils flaring. “Didn’t you get the Heart?”

The distraught mare nodded. “Y-yes, I did!”

“Then why did this happen?!” Shining shouted.

“It broke!” Cadance cried, tears flowing anew. “I tried putting my magic into it a-and it just broke and—” Shining Armor suddenly grabbed her shoulders, pressing hard against her. He shook her, hard. “S-Shiny…”

But Shining Armor was in no mood for restraint. “Then this is all your fault! You didn’t try hard enough! You didn’t love her enough! You didn’t love Equestria enough! You didn’t love me enough!”

“That’s not true!” Cadance cried, tears flowing again. “I-I loved Twilight and I love you will all my heart!”

“Not enough!” Shining pointed at the bodies of Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Then he swept his hoof around the room. Cadance moaned as she saw the others laying prone on the ground. They were all dead: gentle Fluttershy, strong Applejack, demure Rarity, bubbly Pinkie Pie, clever Twilight Sparkle and brave Rainbow Dash. All gone.

Her fault.

“No…” Cadance wept, reaching out for the comfort of her love. “Shining Armor…”

Shining Armor recoiled away from her touch as if she was poisoned. “You failed! They’re all dead and it’s your fault! Sombra will kill the foals just like he killed Twilight and her friends. Equestria will fall, friendship and love will fail and everything you love is going to be destroyed because it’s all your fault!” He ranted, his wide eyes making him look like a deranged prophet of old. “Go take your place beside your ancestor’s side, Cadenza, for you have noplace else to be! Not anymore!”

In his rage and fury, Shining stepped back into the open. He was still snarling at Cadance when Sombra’s attack took him in the side. His eyes widened in shock as he regarding the burning hole in his side before turning back to Cadance. His eyes rolled up and he collapsed on the floor.

Cadance screamed and, heedless of the danger, rushed out to be with him. She cradled his head in her hooves. “N-no…Shining—Shiny. Please, I can’t lose you too! I love you!”

A raspy, death rattle sounded in his throat as Shining Armor spoke his last words. “Not … ’nough … Your … fault …”

As Shining died in her arms, Cadance looked around. Everypony was dead. That’s when she saw a sliver of the shattered Crystal Heart. With a trembling hoof she picked it up. “I failed … I know what I have to do.” She murmured as she pointed the sharpened tip right at her own heart.

So wrapped up in her pain and grief, she didn’t even notice the rest of the room fading away, until all that was left was Shining Armor’s body, the shard, and herself. Somewhere, Sombra was laughing.

Chapter 23

In the anteroom to Sombra’s throne room, a hushed silence fell after Twilight’s magical outburst. Everyone present--pony, bushwoolie, and snow leopard--had been knocked to the ground. Even the windigos seemed content to hover a bit closer to the ceiling.

And in the center of the room, surrounded by scorch marks in the floor, stood Twilight Sparkle. She panted heavily, her coat ruffled and her face beaded with sweat. “Woo...” She wiped her forehead with a hoof.

Applejack sat up, her mane blown out of its hair bands and her hat missing (it was currently perched atop Pinkie’s upturned rump). “Twi … you okay, darlin’?”

“Y-yeah. Sure,” Twilight said numbly as her friends got to their hooves, approaching her. “Just … a little winded. That’s all.”

“Um, Twilight?” Fluttershy pointed at the unicorn’s horn, which was smoking slightly at the tip.

Twilight strained her eyes upward until she saw what Fluttershy was talking about. “Heheh. Oh. I’ll take care of that.” She licked her hoof and gently pressed it against her horn tip, wincing slightly as it made a slight sizzling noise and then went out. “There we go!”

“So, is the power back on?” AJ asked.

Rarity focused and her horn lit up with magic. “Oh my! So it is!”

“Aww, this is gonna get good!” Applejack recovered her hat from Pinkie’s backside and plopped it back on her head. “We just evened the odds!” She grinned … then she frowned and took the hat off her head, wafting it back and forth as she tried to air it out.

“Sorry,” Pinkie apologized sheepishly when AJ glared at her.

Their attention was suddenly drawn to Fluttershy when she let out a gasp. “Oh my goodness, look!” She pointed behind the others. They turned to see the wall that had separated them from Rainbow Dash. While it was still there, it was now translucent. They could see a pony-shaped blue and rainbow blur confronting a black and gray blur.

“It’s Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed.

“And I guess that other individual is none other than King Sombra.” Rarity snorted. “The brute who took my Sweetie Belle!”

“We gotta help her!” Pinkie hurled herself at the wall at top speed, only to end up as a pony pancake when she smacked up against it. “Oww...”

Twilight ran up to her. “Pinkie Pie! Are you okay?”

With a wince and a pop, Pinkie peeled herself off the wall. “A huh!”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Darling, as much as I’d like to assist Rainbow Dash in tearing that heartless monster limb from limb!--” she coughed daintily as the others looked at her. “Well, anyway, I fear we have our own issues to deal with.” She pointed to the room full of bushwoolies and snow leopards as they climbed back to their feet, snarling angrily at the ponies responsible for the generous headaches they were now feeling.

“Oh.” Twilight blinked. “Right.”

“No need to worry, gals.” Applejack grinned. “I feel mah second wind comin’ on.”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, and I feel my fourteenth wind!”

Twilight nodded, stepping forward. “All right girls. The sooner we finish here, the sooner we can help Rainbow Dash stop Sombra.”

“Then let’s rumble like it’s apple crumble in the jungle!” Applejack hollered as she charged forward, lasso at the ready.

Rarity shot her fellow unicorn a most unladylike smirk as her horn started to glow. Twilight returned it as her own magic began to charge up. That left Pinkie Pie, who turned to Fluttershy and said: “Fluttershy, toss me!”

Fluttershy was understandably confused. “Um, excuse me?”

“It’s easy!” Pinkie bounced up to her. “I’m gonna roll myself in a teeny-tiny Pinkie ball and you can throw me at the bad guys! Easy-peasy, pudding in the freezy!”

“I don’t know if I can do that...” Fluttershy mumbled, tracing a hoof against the floor.

“Hmm.” Pinkie Pie pondered profoundly, tapping a hoof against her muzzle. Then her eyes lit up. “Oh, I got it! Pretend those big ol’ bushwoolies tried to beat up some bunnies!”

Fluttershy’s eyes flashed. “They WHAT?!” Her face lit up with an angry red hue as she grabbed the closest thing to her--which happened to be Pinkie Pie--and hurled it at the thickest part of the bushwoolie ranks.

“Thank youuuuuu!” Pinkie shouted as she tucked herself into a ball right before impact. Half a dozen stunned bushwoolies were knocked over like ninepins. From the groaning, furry pile of monsters, Pinkie stood up, none the worse for wear, and started to sing.

“Oh I knew Sombra’s mother, yes, I must tell the truth!
When she was nursing Sombra, her milk was ninety proof!
She wanted to kick the habit, she didn’t know what to do!
But if your baby looked like that, then you’d be drinking too!”

Amid angry snarls, Pinkie leaped down and capered off before they could grab her.

Twilight took a breath and started to levitate a group of bushwoolies with her magic. She tossed her head to the side, slamming the group against the wall. But then she was caught off guard and tackled to the ground by a snarling snow leopard, it’s icy paws sending a sudden chill through her as they pushed down on her.

“Get off!” She grunted, trying to force it off. A sudden paw smack to her horn temporarily disrupted her magic, as well as giving her one merry hell of a headache. Twilight futilely tried to dislodge her attacker, but was out weighed and out muscled by the snow beast. It snarled in her face, its breath icy cold and its icicle fangs sharp and gleaming. Twilight tilted her head away and closed her eyes.

The next thing she knew, she felt the weight of the snow leopard vanish from her chest. “Get off her right now!” Twilight opened her eyes and looked around … to see Fluttershy, her hooves on her hips, scolding the snow leopard like a naughty child.

Whimpering and whining as it cringed against the floor, the leopard buried its face behind its paws. “Now you think about what you’ve done!” Fluttershy wagged her hoof at it for good measure before turning around to see Twilight. “Twilight! Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine.” Twilight said shakily. “Thanks, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, it was nothing really.” Fluttershy wriggled a hoof against the floor. “I just got so upset to see you being treated that way … those snow leopards should know better!”

Twilight gave a weak laugh. “Aheh heh … right.” She looked around. Applejack was in the thick of a crowd of monsters, bucking and kicking any of them bold enough or dumb enough to try and get close to her. Rarity--Twilight smiled. Rarity was using her magic and some of the supplies in her saddlebags to neatly brush, braid or otherwise gussy up the fur of the bushwoolies. Small ribbons were tied into their fur … and larger ones were used to bind their hands and feet. The big hairy monsters couldn’t run fast enough from her. Twilight snorted.

And as for Pinkie Pie. Well, she was being Pinkie. She was happily bouncing on the heads of the bushwoolies, hopping from one to another with her eyes closed, a smile on her face and humming a silly little tune. She might as well have been back in Ponyville, hopping and skipping her way down to the Sugarcube Corner.

They were all handling themselves well … but still, Twilight frowned. The bushwoolies outnumbered them twenty to one. When she counted the snow leopards in, it was closer to twenty-five to one. Having her (and Rarity’s) magic back helped even the odds, but only to a point.

Twilight was exhausted after her big magical outburst, and Rarity’s own magic was not as versatile or strong as hers. It seemed that they simply couldn’t get an edge on their more numerous opponents.

A loud crack of lightning suddenly caused Twilight to leap up in the air, and she wasn’t alone. Every creature—pony and bushwoolie alike—reacted the same way. She looked for the source of the noise, but nothing seemed different … until she cast a look through the now translucent wall separating them from Rainbow Dash and Sombra.

“Oh no…” Twilight wasn’t aware she’d spoken out loud until her friends turned to follow her gaze. Soon they were all staring beyond the wall at Sombra’s throne room. The upper third of the room was now filled by blackened storm clouds: not the product of any local weather phenomenon, but the byproduct of powerful dark magic.

Fluttershy let out a whimper as lightning flashed, lighting up the clouds momentarily. “Rainbow Dash…”

Applejack looked at her Element of Harmony, still gleaming on the necklace she wore. It was one of the most powerful objects in all of Equestria, but without Rainbow Dash’s, it was useless. “We have to git to her somehow! I just know that dadgum pegasus has gotten herself in over her darnfool head again!”

“It’s hardly as if we are faring any better Applejack.” Rarity pointed out.

Pinkie bounced in the middle of their group. “Hey! Lookit those icy-grumpy-ghosty monsters!” She pointed up at the windigos. “They’re getting all circely and stuff!”

“Like a bunch of vultures.” Applejack grunted disparagingly, only to wince when Fluttershy gave her a small disapproving look. She apparently didn’t like unkind comparison to her friendly buzzing buzzards.

“They’re—leaving?” Pinkie watched as the windigos gave a ghostly whinny and charged through the wall to the throne room, passing through it like ghosts. “But why?”

“Sombra must need them for some part of his spell,” Twilight reasoned.

Applejack frowned. “That just means we have to get through that wall even faster!”

“We still have the bushwoolies and the snow leopards to—what are they doing?” Rarity asked, blinking in confusion as the leopards. The snow leopards drew back, blinking and pawing at their eyes. Their heads turned this way and that, as if confused.

Twilight gave a sudden start as she figured out. “Of course! The snow leopards are wild animals, like timber wolves! They wouldn’t be working for Sombra, it must’ve been some sort of magic!”

“How horrible!” Fluttershy gasped. “Those poor snow leopards! How dare he?”

Nopony commented on how a scant few seconds earlier, any one of those ‘poor’ snow leopards would just as soon mauled her as look at her. They knew it wouldn’t make a difference.

Clearing her throat, Twilight gently guided Fluttershy away from a potential berserker rage at Sombra’s mistreatment of the ravenous monsters that almost crunched their faces off. “Yes, well, I guess Rainbow Dash is keeping Sombra too busy to worry about whatever magic he used on them.” She cast a worried look through the wall that cut them off from their friend. “—and now that the windigos are gone, the room is going to get too warm for them to want to stay in. I guess they’ll be looking to heading for a colder climate any—”

Amid roars and yowls, the entire snow leopard pack bolted for the door, knocking aside any bushwoolie who happened to be between them and the exit. The doors groaned as the pack clawed at it. Deciding to help them out, Twilight grabbed the door with her magic and opened it for them. The pack sped through without a moment’s hesitation.

Fluttershy waved after them. “Oh my, stay safe! And please don’t eat anypony on your way out!” She looked to her friends. “Oooh, I do hope they get out okay.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Rarity assured her, rolling her eyes slightly as she started fixing her mane.

Applejack tossed her hat up. “Whoo-ee! No windigos and no snow leopards! I’d say the odds are turnin’ in our favor!” Just as the doors began to close, the burst wide open against as another twenty or thirty bushwoolies ran into the room. “…aww, nuts.”

Pinkie Pie whistled. “Boy Applejack, you’re really bad at that!”

“Um Twilight, darling, I don’t suppose you happen to have much more magic left?” Rarity asked, a touch worriedly. “I must confess to feeling somewhat … drained after that last bout of unpleasantness.”

Twilight shook her head, swallowing nervously. It just wasn’t fair. Things had finally started to go their way … only for fate to slap them on the muzzle. She felt jittery as the bushwoolies ran down to join their fellows. Her friends looked the same way. In fact, the whole room seemed to be shaking.

Having first thought it was nerves, Twilight then thought it was thunder from the magical storm in the throne room. But a quick look dispelled her of that idea. The five friends huddled together, fearful of what new monster or calamity Sombra was throwing at them. Even as she held her friends close, some part of Twilight’s mind couldn’t stop trying to analyze what was happening. It sounded oddly familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her hoof on it. That’s when it hit her: the sound was the thundering of hooves on the floor. Hundreds of them!

Applejack put the realization into words. “It’s a stampede!”

No sooner had the words escaped her throat then the doors burst wide open again, revealing a herd of ponies charging through the door. Applejack whooped. “Looks like the cavalry’s come a’ calling!”

The mass of ponies raced down into the anteroom. The bushwoolies panicked as they saw their numerical advantage nullified. And the sight of a hundred ponies charging headlong at them would unnerve even the most redoubtable of foes, which the bushwoolies were certainly not.

“Where did they all come from?” Twilight asked as she ran forward, trying to help their rescuers rout the enemy. “How could they get through the barrier?” Her face lit up. “Maybe it’s the guard! Maybe the Princess has taken down the barrier and—”

Applejack snorted. “Who cares? Figure it out later, fight now!”

“Wheeheee!” Pinkie bounced around. “It’s a rescue PARTY! Ooh we’re gonna need balloons and streamers and cake!”

“How romantic!” Rarity flung a hoof to her brow. “Just as all hope seemed lost for the beautiful lady, her rescuer came to her—a magnificent steed ready to whisk her away.” She cast a look at some of the more magnificent looking stallions in the herd. “Oh my…” she fanned herself with her hoof, feeling flushed as she looked at one tall and rather muscular unicorn stallion with a yellow coat and delightful teal mane. And his horn was rather … long.

“Rarity!” The sudden squeaky shout from behind her took Rarity out of her romantic fantasies. She’d recognize that squeak anywhere. “Sweetie Belle! Oh thank goodness, they’ve rescued her!” She turned and leaned down to nuzzle her little sister when found herself face to face with a pony’s chest. Tilting her head upwards, Rarity soon found herself looking up into the bright soft green eyes of her little sister. She lifted her head until she was starting face to face with her. “Sweetie Belle?”

“Hi Rarity!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, her voice cracking slightly as she hugged her sister tightly.

“S-sweetie Belle?! How can this be?” Rarity’s jaw dropped as she looked her sister over.

Sweetie Belle gave a little hop. “Oh, um, magic, I guess? All of us are grown-ups now!” She tilted her head. “Does this mean I can stay up late now?”

“Huh, buw bwaaaah?” Rarity cast around, recognizing a pony here or there, now that she knew what she was looking for. There was little Twist, only she wasn’t so little anymore, with her trademark frizzy mane and her crossed candy cane cutie mark. And that orange pegasus zipping through and whacking the bushwoolies with her hooves must be Scootaloo. Her eyes widened. And that must mean … she looked at the stallion she noticed earlier, just now seeing his cutie mark: a snail.

Rarity screamed.

“Applejack!” The blond farmpony looked up in time to be hugged by a yellow mare with a bright red mane and an all-too familiar pink bow.

“A-apple Bloom?!” Applejack’s mind reeled, pulling back to get a good look at her.

Her no-longer little sister smiled at her. “Howdy sis!” She was muscular and lean, looking every inch like the apple-bucking farmpony AJ was. “Ah’m as big as you now!”

Applejack was torn. Half her brain was in danger of seizing up at the sight of her baby sister looking more like her twin than anything else. On the other hoof … buck it, she was her sister. “C’mere you…” Applejack hugged her tightly, sniffling. “Ah missed you something terrible.” She half hiccupped, half sobbed. “Don’t matter none to me if yer as big as a barn. Yer still mah li’l sister!”

“Ah love you, Applejack!” Apple Bloom sniffled as she rested her head on Applejack’s shoulder. “Ah missed you so much!”

As the sisters reconnected, chaos reigned as bushwoolies and aged foals chased after one another. The foals, despite being artificially aged, were still children at heart. The bushwoolies that stole them from their families still scared them and they hadn’t had time to adjust to their new bodies and abilities. However the bushwoolies weren’t paragons of courage either. And after their long battle with Twilight and the others, the prospect of fighting off a hundred fresh ponies filled them with dread. It was a toss up to say which side was the most scared.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon hesitantly tried to make their way through the melee. “What’s going on?” Silver Spoon asked, everything a blur with her glasses broken.

Diamond Tiara led her past a groaning bushwoolie. “N-nothing … we’ll be okay, right?”

“R-right.” Silver Spoon offered a weak smile as she held out her hoof. “Bump?”

“Bump.” Diamond Tiara returned the hoof bump. They bumped their front knees together as they chanted together: “Sugar lump!” They spun around to complete their little ritual. However, Silver Spoon was disoriented without her glasses and ended up spinning around too much. So when it came to the last part of their secret hoof shake, Silver Spoon stuck out her hindquarters and shouted “Rump!” away from Diamond Tiara, knocking over a bushwoolie who had been creeping up on them.

“Yay!” Sweetie cheered, bouncing slightly as she knocked a bushwoolie over absently with her magic. “Can I help?”

Rarity winced as she delivered a quick one-two chop to one bushwoolie’s side. “Yes, well … certainly. I suppose. Hmm, I’m thinking something pink and purple, to match your mane!”

“I like green, to go with her eyes…” The woozy bushwoolie groaned right before Rarity hip-tossed him aside.

“No pony asked you!” Rarity sniffed. “Though it isn’t that bad an idea at that…”

As the foals continued to rout the bushwoolies, Twilight gaped as she put the pieces together. “King Sombra’s spell … it must have siphoned off years from their life force in order to re-power himself.”

A surprised sounding “Whoaaaa…” prompted Twilight to turn around. She ended up coming face to face with a fully grown Dinky Doo staring at her. “That sounds really, um, magical-y?” Dinky added.

“Dinky? What are you doing here?” Twilight gave a sudden start right before she was swept up into a bone-crushing hug. “You were supposed to stay with Azure Prism!”

“Ummmm...” Dinky shuffled like the little filly that she was at heart. “Well we did stay with her, 'cause she came in with us! An' she's right ... Um ... ” she pointed at a mare that looked somewhat like her. “There? Wait, no, she's over there!” She pointed in the opposite direction. “Or maybe that's her over there?” She rubbed her head, pondering. “Well, she in wunna those general directions. Ooh, here she comes!” Azure Prism ran past, chased by a pair of bushwoolies, who were in turn chased by a half dozen foals.

Twilight groaned. “Dinky … you shouldn’t have come here.” A thought occured.
“Are Alula and Pip with you?” Dinky nodded, then pointed over at her friends as they fought a group of bushwoolies.

Twilight’s jaw dropped when she saw Alula and Pipsqueak. Alula’s wings were huge, and Pipsqueak was a Big Macintosh-sized giant. He reached out and slugged a bushwoolie with one of his now-massive hooves, sending the monster tumbling head over heels.

Alula grumbled. “Your technique's wrong, Dummy.” Pip responded by sticking his tongue out at her. That made Alula grumble even more and wing-whap him. “You need lessons.”

Dinky rolled her eyes the way she’d seen her mother do sometimes. “You two get so grumbly that you should just get married!”

“Ewwww!” Pip and Alula squealed in disgust. Pipsqueak made a face. “Don't be gross Dinky!”

“At least they're still them,” Twilight sighed to herself.

Having dispatched the monsters, Alula trotted up and saluted Twilight. “Hey Miss Twilight. Everypony's accounted for … I think.”

Pip looked down at her funnily. “You're an accountant?”

“…Pipsqueak?” Twilight reconciling her image of the tiny colt with the behemoth standing over her. Her brain refused to process the image.

Alula nodded. “Dummy got REALLY big.”

Dinky nodded too. “He kinda needs a new name.”

“What's wrong with 'Dummy'?” Alula asked.

Pip pouted in a way that totally belied his massive size. “I'm not a Dummy!” Then, as if remembering that he was bigger than Alula now, he grabbed her and started noogieing her.

“Alula, that's not very—” Twilight started, only to weakly trail off as the surreality of everything sank in. She face hoofed.

“That's what we've been sayin’,” Dinky grumbled, but soon smiled as a thought came to her. “Ooh, now that I'm bigger, we can do more magic an' stuff now, huh?”

Twilight rubbed her temples, trying to gather her thoughts. “Well, yes…”

Dinky squealed happily as she tightly hugged Twilight again. “AWESOME!” Twilight let out a startled squeak at the air was suddenly forced from her lungs.

After letting Twilight go, Dinky looked around. “Hey, where's Rainbow Dash? I gotta see her too!”

Twilight winced and bit her lip. “Rainbow Dash … got separated from us. She's on the other side of that wall.” She pointed at the wall in question.

Dinky followed her hoof, undeterred. “A'kay! I'm gonna go find her!”

“But Dinky, you can't get past the wall.” Twilight pointed out.

That caused Dinky to blink as the thought the matter over. “Um…” She pondered. “…dumb wall.”

“Maybe your mom could come sit on it, or something?” Alula offered. The destructive power of Derpy’s rump being a well-known legend amongst the ponies of Ponyville and its environs.

“Ida know, that only works sometimes.” Dinky pouted, then brightened as she got a different idea. “Oooh, but she'd make it get all fwooshy an' stuff! I can try that!” She adorably scrunched up her face and concentrated, pointing her horn at the wall. After a moment of nothing happening, she tapped her horn gently. “Stoopid horn, c'mon an' work!”

Twilight stepped forward. “Dinky, wait! You—” She jumped back with a yelp as a large steady stream of magic fire wooshed from Dinky’s horn and impacted against the wall.

“Gyah!” Alula exclaimed, jumping a little in surprise. “Nice!”

“W-whoooaa … uuuh ... izzit workin'?” Dinky grunted, sweat starting to bead her forehead.

An alarmed look crossed Twilight’s face. “Dinky, that wall is made of magic crystal. we can't reach Rainbow Dash like that!”

“But I gotta try, 'cause she tried for me!” Dinky grunted as she closed her eyes and strained even harder. The intensity of her magic increased, causing the flame to grow and turn from a reddish fire to a blue and white hot inferno.

Dinky whimpered as the strain caused her head to pound. “It's not workin' ... owie … owie, how do I stop it!?”

“Miss Twilight, make her stop!” Alula cried, rushing forward to try to tap Dinky’s horn in the hope of shorting it out.

“Don’t touch it!” Twilight shouted as she stepped in front of her. Her horn flashed as she started siphoning magic away from Dinky's horn. “It’s going to be okay Dinky, just relax.”

“Oww...” Dinky whimpered as she collapsed to her knees. “Mommy … it hurts … IwunRainbow…”

Twilight’s eyes started to water “Shhh. It’ll be okay ... just rest now.” Dinky’s flame flickered and sputtered as it started to die down, her excess magic now pouring into Twilight. Finally, it went out completely as Dinky sank to the ground, Twilight managing to catch her before she fell. Dinky clung to Twilight in a desperate hug, her eyes fluttering as she passed out.

Her lips trembling, Twilight gently held Dinky for a bit as she cautiously laid Dinky down on the floor. “Just rest now, Dinky ... it'll be okay.”

Alula looked Dinky over, talking to convince herself as much as anypony else. “She'll be okay.” Left unspoken was the ‘Right?’ that died on her lips.

Twilight sighed, nodding. “Yes, she will. She just went through magical exhaustion. She used more magic than her body could handle. She just needs rest.”

“I'll stay and protect her from the monsters.” Pip stepped forward, standing protectively over her.

For once Alula said nothing in contradiction, just nodding. “We're her guards, 'til she wakes up.”

“Thank you.” Twilight dipped her head as she took stock of the situation. The bushwoolies had camped out in one corner of the room, packed in tightly as they tried to stay as far away from the ponies as they could get. They had enough for a while.

She then turned to the wall separating them from Rainbow Dash. Dinky’s magic had scorched and even partially melted a section of the wall.

“Twilight! Twilight!” Pinkie Pie bounced around her. “What’s the plan? What do we do? Can we go help Rainbow Dash? Can we stop that big meanie Sombra weenie? “If you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce do they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does?”

“Give ‘er some room!” Applejack grumbled as she came over, using her hat to shoo Pinkie away. “Go on, git! Ya ornery, nonsense-making…”

“A-anyway.” Twilight cleared her throat. “I think the wall has been weakened … but magic isn’t going to break through it. We need something more hooves-on.”

Applejack nodded. “Hooves-on, eh? Well we got plenty of hooves ‘round here.”

Rarity gasped, looking down at her hooves. “How barbaric! Twilight, my hooficure! Surely you can’t be suggesting…”

“That we buck this here wall like mah Granny’s first apple tree?” AJ nodded firmly. “You bet your finely-styled mane she does!”

“It’s the only way.” Twilight tried to assure Rarity. “We need to get to Rainbow Dash before the King completes his spell. Or…”

“Um, or what?” Fluttershy asked hesitantly.

“Twilight?” Rarity pressed.

Twilight fidgeted. “Or Sombra’s spell will keep draining the foals life force until they’re completely … gone.”

A horrified gasp tore itself free from Rarity’s throat as she snapped her head around, trying to check on her sister, Applejack joining her. They let out a relieved sigh as they saw Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo hoof-bumping each other as they bragged about how strong, magical or fast they were and how many monsters they beat up. Then they all turned to look at their flanks and let out a groan when they saw they were still blank.

Rarity swallowed. “Well, then, shall we get started? That wall isn’t going to break itself down, after all!”

Applejack pushed her hat down. “Right!” She tossed her head to the one hundred plus ponies milling about the room. “All right you not-so little ponies! Line up along this here wall and get a bucking! Break this wall, break this wall! One, two, three, four! Together we can break this wall! One, two, three, four!”

Hang on Rainbow Dash. Twilight thought as she took a place alongside her friends and began pounding on the wall. We’re coming.

Chapter 24

Sombra’s grinned wickedly as power surged into him. Rainbow threw up a hoof to block the sudden glare from the crystal. When it dimmed, she squinted, trying to see what had happened. The inky-black smoke trailing Sombra vanished as he stepped forward. He looked more ... solid, than before.

The spell had worked. Sombra was now flesh and blood again. He had regained the thousand years he had lost to the Realm of Darkness. And all it had taken was ten years from the lives of a hundred innocent foals.

Ten. Years.

Her friends’ sisters. Her goddaughter.

The dark miasma from the spell littered the ground. Whether it was part of the spell or a trick of the light or her own imagination, Rainbow Dash saw them and all the other lost foals of Ponyville and Equestria. Their shadowy silhouettes laying lifeless on the cavern floor. It wasn’t right! They should be home in bed, or ready to open gifts on Hearth Warming Morning! Anywhere but here!

Rainbow Dash saw red. An enraged bellow tore itself loose from her throat as she charged at Sombra, her wings beating so fast they were practically a blur. Had there been more space, she might have pulled off a Sonic Rainboom right then and there.

Sombra probably had cause to regret his sudden solidness when Rainbow’s hooves smashed into his face. He bounced down the steps and onto the hard floor as Dash fulfilled the promise she had made days ago: to sock Sombra right in his evil snoz.

“Get up!” Rainbow Dash growled as she hovered over him, hooves out stretched and ready to deck him again. “Get up, so I can Love and Tolerate the shit out of you.” She jabbed the air, readying ‘Love’ and ‘Tolerance’ respectively, fantasizing about them planting them in Sombra’s skull.

However, fantasies of revenge distracted Rainbow Dash from the fact that Sombra was a unicorn--and thus, had magic. With a snarl, he jutted his horn at her, beams of magical energy erupting forth. It was only thanks to her incredible speed and frankly awesome (her words) reaction time that she was able to avoid getting a faceful of magic.

“Oh no you don’t!” Dash growled as she divebombed him, her hindlegs outstretched. Her hooves drove into his side, knocking him back down again. A tremor ran up her legs as her hooves impacted against his metal armor, rendering them numb. She panted as she landed, trying to catch her breath.

Sombra was already back on his hooves and blasting away with his magic by the time Rainbow got back into the air. Instead of concentrated streams of energy, this time Sombra went for larger, more intangible clouds of magic. From them, he fashioned various constructs: lightning bolts, grasping claws, and slashing swords, all designed to tear Rainbow Dash apart.

Rainbow barely had time to let out a started “Whoa!” before she start to weave and wind her way through Sombra’s deadly obstacle course of weaponry. A corkscrew spin took her neatly between the closing fingers of a claw and then dived to narrowly avoid being struck by magical lightning.

There was a snarl as Sombra tried and failed to get this most annoying pegasus out of his mane. Though their brief meeting of the minds had mostly been one way—him departing information to her—he still got enough of an impression from her to know that she wasn’t about to give up or give him a moment’s peace.

His brief moment of irritation cost him, distracting him just as Rainbow cleared the last hurdle Sombra had put up, and proceeded to tackle him to the ground. With the speed and momentum she’d built up, the result was akin to striking Sombra with a runaway cart. His armor clattered and clanged as it hit the floor, Rainbow pressing the advantage by buffeting him with her wings and striking him repeatedly with her hooves; trying to inflict as much damage as possible.

Rainbow banged her hooves on Sombra’s armor, his neck and head until they started to throb in pain. She panted, exhausted from her brief battle rage. Her rage quickly returned when he threw her off him and got up, none the worse for wear. Minor cuts and bruises started to heal even as Dash watched. His armor straightened and smoothed out the dings and dents inflicted upon it.

“Oh come on!” Rainbow protested, furious. Nothing she did had any lasting impact. This was almost worse than being unable to land a blow on him at all. Frustration started eating at her as she angrily bucked the air with her hindlegs. She promptly regretted it as the motion drew her attention to the fact that she had reopened the wounds on her hindquarters from earlier. She cursed. On top of everything else, she had to battle an ancient evil with the fate of the world on the line with her rump bleeding. Gyah!

She mentally made a note to keep an eye on how much blood she lost. She was at a disadvantage here to begin with. Stupid magic. How was she supposed to beat him if he just heal himself? Why couldn’t he have any degree of class and challenge her to a race or something? Plothead.

But Rainbow Dash wasn’t about to give up.

When you strip away all the bragging and ego, the self-doubts and fears, and awesomeness and coolness, at bottom, what Rainbow Dash was—what she really was—was a somepony who hated to see ponies getting hurt. Who would do anything and everything in her power to set things right because ponies getting hurt, in pain and feeling sad was just wrong.

With a fierce scowl, Rainbow hurled herself back down like a thunder bolt. “Hi—yaa!” Her hooves impacted Sombra with such force that he practically flew across the room, slamming into the far wall.

Sombra snarled and got back up. He had had enough. This rainbow-maned pest was just a fly. Better to ignore than to waste the time and effort to squash it. Godhood awaited him.

He closed his eyes and radiated a bright flash from his horn, which was refracted by the various crystals that made up the entire room. The ensuing glare was blinding. Spots exploded in Rainbow’s eyes. She yelped in pain and covered her face, hoping to dull the pain.

Sombra took advantage of her distraction to magically pin her, her hooves and wings spread apart and affixed to the wall by telekinetic bonds of magic. “Let go of me!” Rainbow demanded as she struggled, still half-blinded by the flash.

The dark king marched over to examine his challenger more closely. “Your skills are formidable.” Sombra mused, more to himself than to Rainbow. “I might have seen you as a prospective mate … were my impending ascension and immortality rendering the need for an heir--and thus, a wife--moot.”

“Yeah, well, seeing what happened to the last two mares you’ve dated, I think I’d pass anyway.” Dash shot back as she struggled against his magical grip, her vision still blurry.

Instead of staying to get his butt kicked by her witty-banter, Sombra turned and marched away from Rainbow. He had been delayed for long enough.

His horn flashed, summoning the last thing his spell needed for it to succeed: the windigos. Their ghostly forms hovered through the wall, whinnying and shrieking their otherworldly howls.

Sombra’s face split into a wide grin as he tilted his head back and laughed victoriously. Finally, the moment of destiny! He stood up on his hindlegs, gesturing beseechingly to the windigos, and bellowed an incantation to the skies.

To the ancient shades of shadows, give me the power I beg of you!
To the mercy of my soul. (Iris tenebras apparere!)

The other worldly voices of the windigos moaning out in a chilling chorus. The spell filling the very air with terror.

To the point of my death. (Iris tenebras apparere!)
Hear the call from my condemned voice.
Branded by wrath. (Iris tenebras apparere!)
Animate my form. (Iris tenebras apparere!)
Bound by my will. (Iris tenebras apparere!)
Breathe into me new strength.
At this time of Victory! (Iris tenebras apparere!)
In this moment of Glory! (Iris tenebras apparere!)
To the ancient shades of shadows, give me the power I beg of you!
Iris tenebras apparere!
Iris tenebras apparere!
Iris tenebras apparere!

With the third repetition, the windigos whickered and circled around him faster and faster. Having lived for so long in the frozen wastes of the north, Sombra had grown very acquainted with those spirits and what they were capable of. Another pony might’ve theorized that so much contact with those spirits of fear and hatred had a lasting impact on Sombra. Regardless, Sombra had come to realize that if windigos were capable of feeding on emotions, as well as encouraging them, in order to acquire sustenance, they might be capable of transferring other forms of energy as well.

That made them the perfect conduits for this spell. The crystals throughout his empire were draining the life forces of the foals he’d acquired, diverting them all to the main crystal in his throne room. And then with the windigos as the conduit, they would give him and his spell the energy needed. Then Sombra would ascend himself from a unicorn king to an all-powerful alicorn god! Already he could feel the energy surge through him.

Sombra began to writhe as his body strained against his armor, reshaping itself until his armor could no longer contain it. It broke apart and fell to the side as he grew taller and his muscles took on more earth pony dimensions. He screamed as his horn spiralled upwards, becoming longer and even more pointed than before. Skeletal wings exploded out of his back, soon becoming augmented with flesh and blood.

Rainbow gagged and looked away, fighting the urge to vomit. She almost wished her vision was still blurry. The magic Sombra had used to bind her to the wall faded away and she dropped to the floor. She swore and rubbed her wings, massaging the feeling back into them. By the time she looked back to Sombra, it was over.

Sombra stood, testing the feel of his new body. He was as large and as muscular as Big Macintosh, with massive hooves and bulging muscles. Sombra’s horn was larger and more prominent than ever, while retaining its odd curved shape. His wings were large and bat-like, similar to those of the negasi, the so-called gargoyle ponies. But while they were leathery, the wings were made up of scaled feathers, combining the wings of negasi with those of pegasi.

“What, no seapony parts?” Rainbow tossed out sarcastically, trying to settle the feeling of nervousness in the pit of her stomach. How the hay was she supposed to beat him now? Fortunately, she had a distraction from such uncool, defeatist thoughts when she noticed that his armor was gone--revealing something Sombra had taken great pains to keep hidden. “Hey, King Barren Butt! That’s a nice blank flank ya got there!”

It was true. Sombra lacked a cutie mark of any sort, his body covered a solid dark-gray coat. Apparently, her shot had struck home as Sombra glared at her balefully. “I have just achieved my destiny … and soon, it will be completed once I topple Celestia and Luna from the throne!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow Dash waved him off as she climbed back to her hooves. “You know, you had me going for a while with the whole ‘dark, scary tyrant’ routine. Thing is though? You’re really just pathetic: you’re just a foal having a temper tantrum because you still don’t know what your special talent is.” A determined smirk crossed her face. “And now I know you’re going to lose, know why? Because if you were any good at taking over the world, you’d have gotten a cutie mark for it already.”

Sombra snarled as he tried to blast her with his alicorn-empowered magic. It was only thanks to her infuriating speed that Rainbow had managed to stay one hoof ahead. “You fool. You think I have done all this for the sake of a cutie mark? I have not conquered death and the mysteries of the universe to be psychoanalyzed by a whelping brat!”

“Dunno, you sure come across as psycho to me!” Rainbow quipped as she narrowly avoided another blast. “Sheesh, somehow with all your build-up, I expected you to better than Nightmare Moon.”

Sombra seethed. His lack of a cutie mark truly did not disturb him. However he would not simply be written off as some emotionally stunted foal lashing out over a lack of some mark on his haunch. “You are a fool. You think so … small. A no mark could ever hope to show what I embody: the eternal pursuit of power! Limitless power! I will never stop growing stronger, never stop until all of existence bows down before me!”

“Eeeeego!” Rainbow called out in a sing-song taunt.

“Enough!” Sombra’s horn glowed red and a second later, a similar aura wrapped itself around Rainbow Dash. He jerked his head to the side, sending Rainbow smacking into the wall with a loud smack.

The impact knocked the wind out of her and left her crumpled in a heap. Dash groaned as she fought to get back up. She rubbed the back of her neck and blinked her eyes back into focus … just in time to see Sombra bearing down at her in a full-on charge. Uh-oh.

Rainbow spun away mere seconds before Sombra’s enormous hoof collided with the spot her head had just been. Sombra’s hoof left a large dent, surrounded by fractures and cracks in what had been a solid crystal wall. Sombra was flexing his new-found (and enhanced) earth pony muscles. Gotta keep moving. After a short running head start, Rainbow was back in the air. She looked down just in time to see Sombra spread his bat-like appendages and take off after her.

Dash allowed herself to feel a moment of confidence. She might not be able to do all the freaky magic Sombra was tossing around and his super-earth pony strength meant that one wrong hit and she was pulp, but in the air she was untouchable. Sombra was way too big and bulky to be able to keep up with her. But that moment of self-assurance cost her: Sombra soared up to her much faster than he had any business being.

Sombra relentlessly bore down after her, like a dragon hunting a falcon. Injured and unable to make her normal top speeds, Rainbow Dash had to strain herself to swerve and avoid him. His massive bat-wings beat silently as her gave pursuit, the silence only unnerving Dash more.

She hazarded a look behind her and promptly regretted it. The cruel sneer was on Sombra’s face: exulting in his new found powers and clearly fantasizing about how to best utilize them on her. Rainbow determined not to give him the opportunity, but Sombra decided to cheat and use magic. Dash let out a pain filled scream as her right wing was magically yanked back, effectively dislocating it. Her flight faltered, giving Sombra enough time to hit her full on.

Once again, Rainbow was bodychecked into the wall by a mountain of pony muscle. Apparently Sombra was taking that whole punch to the face thing a touch personally. Sombra backed away and held Rainbow in place with his magic. Then his horn lit up as he prepared a deadly barrage to end this.

“Grah! Let me go!” Rainbow Dash struggled futilely.

Sombra wasn’t taking any chances. He was going to end this, and her, right now. Besides, he mused to himself. This is an excellent way to test my upper limit. His horn became brighter and brighter.

Rainbow closed her eyes and looked away. There was a blinding flash and then ...

Nothing.

Literally, nothing. Dash hazarded a quick peek and saw Sombra frowning as he looked upwards at his horn, which was smoking slightly and its magic aura was sputtering in and out.

“You know, I think they have pills for that.” Dash couldn’t help tossing out with a grin.

With an enraged snarl, Sombra magically tossed Rainbow Dash aside, her life suddenly irrelevant. This was wrong! The ritual had worked, he was an alicorn! Yet his abilities felt … muted. He felt the strength of the earth pony and the natural flying abilities of the pegasi. His magic was stronger than ever – but it still wasn’t as powerful as he’d expected. Sombra from the extensive time he had spent with Luna and, to a lesser extent, Celestia, just how powerful they were. His new abilities certainly put him ahead of any other equine in the world … but still fell far short of those of the Royal Sisters.

What was wrong?

Sombra brought a hoof up to check his horn for any damage when it brushed against something that made a soft metallic clink.

His eyes widened as he swore softly. The Alicorn Amulet!

Its power had greatly enhanced his abilities when he was a mere unicorn, as well as helping to sustain him when his body was destroyed. But the source of magic he used for the Ascension ritual was completely different than that of the Alicorn Amulet. Magic didn’t like it when you tried to mix two different power sources. Boon though the Alicorn Amulet was to him when he was a unicorn, now it was inhibiting his alicorn abilities, choking off the energy that the ritual should be directing his way.

Regaining his corporeal form had weakened the connection he had established with the Crystal Empire, but he could still feel the presence of the foals he’d taken through his network of crystals. The ritual should have completely drained them. Grumbling at the inconvenience, he removed the amulet and tossed it aside. He wouldn’t need it anymore. Now, all he needed to do was reconnect his magic to the central crystal, hanging down from the ceiling. He would draw power from the main crystal, which would in turn draw power from all the black crystals scattered about the empire, and drain the life force of the foals.

Just as he was about to do so, he got an unpleasant reminder of his unfinished business. “Hey. You dropped something.” Sombra snapped his head around to see that accursed pegasus holding his Alicorn Amulet in her hooves. In a single fluid motion she fastened it around her neck, snapping it closed with a click. It hung awkwardly around her neck, fighting for space with her Element of Harmony. But regardless, its effects were already becoming apparent.

Rainbow Dash tensed as she felt power racing through her. All her injuries, all her aches and pains were washed away by a sudden onrush by the power of pure awesomeness coursing through her. Her wings snapped into place. She had so much energy she idly felt like bursting through the walls of the palace and flying around the world once or twice to bleed some off. And she could have done it too. She knew.

Her pain faded as her injuries rapidly healed. Her partially dislocated wing, her bruised ribs, her cuts and scratches … all faded away. Rainbow grinned. She was back at the top of her game. Even better than that. “Hey, King Somber-flank! Guess who’s back? Aaaand idiot says ‘what-smack?’”

“What—" SMACK! Sombra's head whipped back when Dash slugged him in the jaw. Her speed was incredible, having accelerated from standing perfectly still to near super-sonic speed in the blink of an eye.

“Booyah!” Rainbow grinned as the speed and sudden impact sent Sombra hurtling head over hooves up into the air. With the barest of efforts on her part, she flew up meeting him in mid-air as he was in mid-tumble. She dove down like a griffin, her lower hooves outstretched and impacting Sombra in the back. Hard. His spine bent under the impact as Sombra bellowed in pain. Under the force of the blow, he was sent hurtling back down to the floor so hard that he formed a crater when he hit.

Rainbow Dash grinned as she examined her hoofwork. The power was hers now. She could stop Sombra, stop Sombra and Nightmare Moon put together. She could stop anypony, anything that would ever try to threaten her friends, keep them safe forever. And if anything even looked at them wrong, she had the power to stop them.

Permanently.

And nopony, not even the Princesses, would be able to stop her.

Chapter 25

Dinky Doo was the luckiest filly in the whole wide world! She hugged Favorite tightly around her as she did her absolute most favorite thing to do with her family—snuggling!

It was even better ‘cuz it was Hearth’s Warming Eve and they just came in from playing in the snow. It was super fun, but really cold. But now they had a fire in the fireplace (Mommy didn’t even fwoosh the carpet this time!) and were all dry and warm and snuggly! Dinky was on the couch in the middle of a super hug with her Mommy and her bestest-big sister Sparky! And her Gramma and Grampa were in the kitchen making hot chocolate and everypony else was laughing and watching Rainbow Dash noogie Cloud Kicker!

And tomorrow her whole family was going to open presents and then go out and play with their friends and Dinky’d get to show Alula and Pipsqueak all her neat presents and her family and everything was going to be absolutely—

“Diiiiiinkyyyy...”

Dinky’s ear flicked. Somepony was calling her, only they were being real quiet about it. Their voice was all shaky and stuff like – she gulped. A ghost!

Before Dinky could get too scared—or before Rainbow Dash could beat that stoopid ghost up and make it go away—it called her again, only this time it didn’t sound like a ghost. “Dinky…”

“Huh?” She looked around, but she didn’t see anypony. Then all of a sudden the air in front of her got all wibbly-wobbly (but not timey-wimey!) and this purple-y ghost pony appeared. But instead of saying ‘boo’ or hovering around or getting chased by dogs like normal ghosts, this one became less-see through and more pony-like.

“Dinky, can you hear me?” It was Princess Luna!

“Whooaaaa...” Dinky’s felt her eyes go big and she nodded, relieved that it wasn’t a ghost. “Yah-HUH I can hear ya! An' I can see ya, too!” She smiled, patting an empty sofa cushion next to her. “Come watch, Miss Princess! Rainbow Dash has Ms. Kicker in a Smelly Nelson!”

While looking around in minor confusion, Luna did join Dinky on the couch, almost comically dwarfing the little filly sitting next to her. “Dinky, do you know where you are?”

“Home!” Dinky chirped as she snuggled up with her. “I'm back with my family--ooh, an' it's super cool that you're here, 'cause you can meet 'em all now!” Luna was quiet for a long moment that seemed to stretch out uncomfortably. Even Dinky’s smile shrank a little. “Miss Princess?”

When Luna spoke, it was with a heavy tone. “Dinky … what is the last thing you remember?”

“Ummm...” She made the scrunchy-face she’d seen other ponies make when they were trying to think real hard. It must help, she reasoned. “I was inna closet with Pip an' 'Lula, an' then we got rilly big for some reason, an' then those mean ol' fuzzy thingies came by again--'cept it was a'kay this time, 'cause we beat 'em up and made 'em run away! Then we found all the other kids and they were big too and then we found Miss Twilight and Miss Pinkie and Miss Fluttershy an’ Miss Rarity and Miss Applejack and there was this stoopid wall.”

Luna nodded. “Then how did you get out of the Crystal Empire and back to Ponyville? And look upon yourself, Dinky Doo. You are not big here.”

Dinky looked down, examining herself. “Whoa! You're right! I'm all dinky again an' stuff!”

“Indeed.” Luna intoned. Then her gaze softened. “I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you are not here. None of this…” her wing swept wide, taking in the whole room “is real. You are merely dreaming.”

Dinky’s jaw dropped open, then she shook her head fiercely. “Nuh-UH it isn't! It's rilly real! I’m home! Right Mommy?” When her mother didn’t chime in, Dinky turned around to poke her. “…Mommy?” The scene around them had frozen in time, with just the faintest him of grey. Derpy and Sparkler and all the other ponies included. “M-Mommy?” Dinky whimpered, shaking her mother’s unmoving foreleg. “MOMMY! Mommy what’s wrong?! Why won’cha move?!”

“Your mother is fine.” Luna gently lay a hoof on Dinky’s withers. “But this is just a dream.”

Dinky pulled away from the princess. “I dunwannit t’ be a dream, I wanna be home!” She wailed, heartbroken as she clung tightly to her immobile mother. “I WANNA BE HOME WITH MOMMY AGAIN! Come on, I wannit t’ be home a-an’ back with everypony a-a-a-an’...” She choked off with a scared, sad sob.

Luna wrapped a wing around Dinky and pulled her close. Dinky almost immediately buried her face in Luna’s side, crying. The immortal princess gently stroked the small filly’s back with her wings until she started to calm down. “I am so very sorry, young Dinky.” Luna nuzzled her. “But I promise you, you will be home again soon.”

“P-promise?” Dinky whimpered, looking up at Luna.

She nodded. “I promise.”

"...Pinkie promise?"

Dinky's curious remark forced the Princess of the Night to blink in confusion. "What?"

"You can't break those. Or else." Dinky explained as she showed her how to make the promise. "You got to cross your heart and flap your legs--or maybe your wings 'cuz you got those--and hope to fly, and stick a muffin in your eye." She closed her eye and put a hoof over it. "See? Then what you promised comes true!"

"I ... see..." Luna looked skeptical. "Very well. I Pinkie promise." The millenia old Princess of the Night and ruler of Equestria crossed her heart, flapped her forelimbs like a chicken and intoned that she would stick a muffin in her eye. If Celestia ever heard of this...

Still, it put Dinky's mind at ease. Dinky sighed as she leaned against the princess, snuggling close. “How’dya even get here anyway?”

Luna smiled, throwing back her head and laughing. “I am the Princess of the Night!" She announced in the all-but abandoned Royal Canterlot Voice. "Thus, I--" she paused, looking around. Dinky had vanished. "Little one?"

A pair of large golden eyes peeked out from behind the sofa. "Um, do ya got to be so loud Miss Princess? That was rilly scary!"

The princess flinched and looked down. "My ... my apologies, Dinky. It was not my intent to cause fright."

"Oh. A'kay!" Dinky climbed up the back of the sofa and landed back down on the cushion next to Luna with a plop, her fears forgotten.

Clearing her throat, Luna picked off. "As Princess of the Night it is my task to watch over my subjects in their dreams; to protect them from the terrors that lurk in the recess of their own imaginations. I am here to tell you that now is the time to pass on the message I gave you to Rainbow Dash and to Princess Cadance.”

“Oooh, cool!” Dinky looked amazed for a moment, then she tilted her head in thought. “Wait, is this somethin' new? 'Cause Mommy's a mailmare, an' if ponies are gonna figure out how t' do this insteada sendin' letters, she's gonna need a new job.”

Luna strongly fought the urge to facehoof. “Dinky. Focus.”

“A'kay!” The little filly saluted her with the wrong hoof. “Are they sleepin'?”

Luna shook her head. “Neigh. They are trapped and assaulted in their own minds by the foul magics of Sombra. He has distorted what they see and feel and manipulated their fears.” She bit her lip and lowered her head, feeling a sense of shame. “He ... learned such techniques long ago. For all intents and purposes, they are nightmares. I would enter their minds and aid them, but Sombra’s magic was devised to keep me out. And so I must send you in my place, to free them from their nightmares.”

“N-n-nightmares!?” Dinky gulped, shivering.

Luna’s voice was solemn as she wrapped her wing protectively around Dinky. “Cadance and Rainbow Dash will be experiencing nightmares born of Sombra's magic, to weaken their resolve and break their spirits. You must help them face their fears, and conquer them.” She paused. “Were there any other way, I would have taken it.”

‘A'--A'kay.” Dinky nodded shakily. “I dunlike nightmares, 'cause they're scary an' stuff, but Rainbow was there for me when I had bad dreams, so I can do that for her, too. And Miss Princess Cadance too.”

“You are a very brave young filly.” Luna said softly, nuzzling her. “I shall send you to free Princess Cadance. Good lucky, young Dinky. Remember, bravery lives even in the smallest of us.”

Dinky let out a small, scared little whimper before nuzzling her back and nodding. “A'kay.”

Luna’s horn began to glow and Dinky’s dream began to shift away. The little filly cast one last longing look at her family as remembered them, right as they faded from view.

The next thing she knew, Princess Luna was gone and so was everything else. She was in an all white place, without even walls or a floor. Dinky tried flapping her forelegs to keep herself from falling, but soon found that she didn’t need to. After wiping her brow with a relieved ‘phew!’ she turned to see Princess Cadance sitting in the middle of this place with a sharp pointy thing in her hooves and pointed at herself.

Dinky gasped. “MISS PRINCESS!!!” She ran over to her as fast as her dinky little hooves would carry her over the void.

Cadance, her eyes glassy and dull, barely even registered her presence. Her eyes flicked over to the filly as she stopped in front of her. “Dinky…” she sighed, as if talking took up almost all her strength. “You shouldn’t be here.”

But Dinky was more worried about the sharp piece of crystal in Cadance’s hooves. She grabbed her forelegs and pulled them down. “Careful Miss Princess! That's sharp an' owie an' stuff! I once grabbed a pair of skissors like that in school and cut myself, an' it rilly hurt!”

“Dinky ... just…” Cadance let out a small sob. “Leave me alone...”

“Nuh-UH!” Dinky shook her head stubbornly as she applied a fierce get-better hug. “What's wrong, Miss Princess? Whya sad?”

“L-look around....” Cadance choked out. All around her, in the battle-scarred remains of Sombra’s throne room, lay the bodies of her friends: Twilight, Rainbow Dash and…her soul shattered just thinking about it…Shining Armor. Cadance was alone, surrounded by death and destruction. Friendship had failed, love had failed and now there was nothing left.

Dinky looked around. Nothing but more of the same whiteness she’d seen when she first entered. “Whooa... it's all white an' stuff!”

Cadance barely seemed to hear her as she looked around at the visions before her. “I--I lost everypony … everypony I cared about.”

“I'm here.” Dinky hugged her. “An' so's Miss Twilight, an' Azure Prism an' bunches of others, too!”

“No! N-no!” Cadance shook her head. “I--I'm all alone! They’re all gone, Sombra’s won and it’s all my fault! I'll never see them again!

“No they're not!” Dinky protested. “I got here 'cause of Miss Princess, 'cause I got all floppy an' snorey an' stuff after castin' a spell, an' I was back with Mommy an' Sparky an' Rainbow Dash an' Cloud Kicker--'cept it wasn't real, 'cause I got rilly big 'cause of somethin' an' I went back to bein' all tiny an' stuff, plus I was back in Ponyville insteada bein' in the Crystal Empire, which didn't make any sense 'cause I had no idea how I got there…” She inhaled deeply before continuing. “Cuz, it wuz jus' a dream, like this is! Only mine was a happy dream cuz I wuz at home with Mommy and everypony, and you’re having a rilly bad dream, but it’s still justa dream an’ stuff!”

“A ... a dream?” Cadance repeated slowly.

Dinky nodded sagely. “Miss Princess Luna said she'd've come, but Mistah Sombrero wouldn't let her in, but she came t' me, an' I'm helpin' her!” She gave Cadance another squeeze. “I know it's scary an' sad an' stuff, but she said ya... umm... ya gotta... face your fears an' conquest them an' stuff.”

Cadance risked looking up from Dinky at the carnage and death around her. “It…it isn’t real?” She took that small sliver of hope to heart. “It’s not real…” She closed her eyes, thinking about all of them: Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Shining Armor, “They’re not gone—they’re not gone…” She opened her eyes to see everything fade away. “It—it isn’t real!”

“I dun think so,” Dinky commented, still only seeing white and wondering what Cadance was looking at. Then she gasped. “Wait! Or that could be it, 'cause Miss Twilight once said 'I think, therefore I am', so if ya don' think about them very much, they might not be.”

“They're....okay. I'm---I'm not alone?” Tears of joy cascaded down her face as she hugged Dinky tightly to her chest, laughing and crying all at once.

Dinky squeaked at the sudden embrace, but gladly returned it. “We're all here, 'kay Miss Princess?” Cadance nodded, sniffling. The little filly nodded and nuzzled her. “We're gonna be a'kay! I gotta go get Rainbow Dash! You can wake up now, a’kay?”

Cadance sighed, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, Dinky was gone and so was the illusion that had bound her. She now found herself in a stone dungeon, bare for but a single pedestal. And on it sat the Crystal Heart.

The pink princess blinked several times, trying to make sure this was real and not just another illusion. She stepped forward, her horn tingling as she got close. This time it was the real deal, she could feel it.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only thing she felt. A quick glance at the ceiling and the floor around the pedestal revealed a ring of black crystals. Their presence as magic inhibitors meant that she couldn’t stand on the far side of the room and levitate or teleport the Crystal Heart over to her. And the placing of the crystals on the ceiling and floor was very odd. It was probably a booby-trap of some sort. She shuddered as she had a sudden mental image of stepping forward to the Heart, only to be impaled by sharp black crystals from the floor and ceiling coming together like a set of teeth.

Cadance carefully walked around the room, examining the crystal ring from all sides. She frowned. Surely Sombra would have some way of getting past it if he ever wanted the Crystal Heart. Perhaps it was like the barrier he had around the city, that only he could get past?

Well, Cadance thought to herself. If I could bypass the barrier because I’m descended from Sombra, then maybe … she focused, her horn lighting up as she stretched out with her magic. She could sense the trap, laying in wait. Let me pass. She ‘told’ it with her magic. Let me pass. Let me pass…

Taking a deep breath, she took a hesitant step over the threshold. She cringed, but the crystals didn’t snap down and impale her. She took that as a good sign. Her forehead throbbed as she had to continually ‘tell’ the magic trap to let her pass. Cadance took another step towards the Crystal Heart. Let me pass. Let me pass…

The Heart was just out of reach of her hoof. Another few steps. Let me pass. Let me pass. Her head was pounding and her horn sparking under all the strain. She reached out with her hoof and--Got it! Her eyes lit up as she held the Crystal Heart. I did it! I really did--Her joy interrupted her concentration and the trap was suddenly triggered. With a leap and dive most athletes would’ve been impressed by, Cadance narrowly dove clear of the trap just as the crystal spikes from the ceiling and floor snapped closed.

Panting and shuddering, Cadance clutched the Crystal Heart to her for comfort. That had been too close. But she had done it. She had the Crystal Heart! A giddy little giggle escaped her.

But she couldn’t bask in the moment for long. Dinky had said that Rainbow Dash was in trouble. They needed the Crystal Heart, now.

As she turned to leave, the enchantments tried one last time to fill Cadance with doubt; make her think that everything would go awry. Her head was awash with images of the Crystal Heart shattering, of the Elements of Harmony fading. But she rudely shoved such thoughts aside. You’re getting scared. She thought, not sure if she was talking to Sombra, the enchantment on the room, or nothing. You know you’re in trouble now. And I’m not going to stop until Sombra is defeated and everything set right.

The Crystal Heart seemed to glow a little brighter in pulses, almost like a real beating heart, and the darkness of the room receded. The doorway appeared and Cadance charged through it, half expecting it to vanish before she cleared it. She was still running when she nearly collided with Shining Armor, who had been pacing nonstop by the door.

“Shining!” She cried, hugging him tightly.

“Cadance!” He threw his hooves around her and kissed her. “I was so worried…”

She smiled and returned it, gently. “I’ll never lose you. Never.” Then she kissed him again, Shining taken aback but returning it

Zecora looked away … but after a moment she turned back to see them still kissing each other passionately. “As much as I hate to interrupt you sucking face, there is--after all--a time and a place!”

The two ponies broke apart, blushing. “Er, right!” Shining rubbed the back of his head.

Cadance nodded. “Dinky told me that Rainbow Dash and the girls were in trouble. They needed the Crystal Heart. Now.”

Shining looked at her in confusion. “Wait, what?”

But Cadance didn’t waste time with explanations. “We need to go. Now.”

Zecora nodded, but Shining Armor let out a low groan as he looked back at the long, winding staircase that led back up. Cadance winced in agreement. They didn’t have time to waste with the stairs. “Feather this.” She grumbled, focusing her magic on the crystals around them. She was the princess of the crystal ponies. The crystal ponies, the Crystal Empire, the crystals it was made of, and her were all connected. If Sombra could use and manipulate the crystals, then so could she.

Once again, her horn shimmered as she summoned all of her concentration and might into the crystals that made up the palace around them. Shining let out a surprised yelp as the patch of floor they stood on began to shudder and then rise up, forming a great pillar stretching up towards the ceiling.

Cadance held the Crystal Heart tightly in her hooves as she and her companions rose towards the top of the stairs. In a single flowing movement, she leaped from the rising tower of crystal, back through the doorway to the castle proper, and started to run down the hall to the throne room. A clatter of hooves and quick look back confirmed that Shining Armor and Zecora had followed suit.

“Hang on girls,” she murmured softly. “I’m on my way.”

Chapter 26

Rainbow Dash grinned wickedly as the power surged through her. The battle between an (relatively) underpowered alicorn and a (definitely) overpowered pegasus might have put them on a more-or-less equal plane, but Rainbow definitely held the advantage at the moment. She’d already gotten a measure of Sombra’s strength, abilities and tactics when he’d been knocking her around. On the other hoof, Sombra had no idea how the Alicorn Amulet would work on a pegasus. Neither did Rainbow for that matter, but she’d never let a minor detail like that stop her.

She felt like she had electricity in her veins, storm clouds in her stomach and a tornado racing inside her heart. Rainbow felt exhilarated, intense, alive. And most of all, she was going to reduce Sombra to a greasy red smear on her hooves.

Lunging at the newly ascended alicorn, Sombra was left with less than a second to react before Rainbow’s hoof struck him in the chest, sending him sailing up in the air. She sped over to where he was about to land.

“This is for Derpy!” She slugged him across the face. “For Dinky!” She punched him again. “for Cloud Kicker … and Applejack … and Rarity! Alula! Pipsqueak! Princess Glisten! The Crystal Ponies! The foals! Luna!” She hit him again and again, before pausing to wind up her hoof as much as she could. “And this … is for everything else!” She hit him, sending him soaring halfway across the room.

Rainbow flapped her wings, getting the air moving again within the room. She stuck out her tongue, partly to infuriate her foe, but she had another reason for it: she was tasting the water in the air.

Her wings flapped harder and harder as she separated out the water in the air and condensed it into a fine mist. Her wings began to beat, creating a gentle updraft that carried the mist to the ceiling where it expanded and cooled into clouds.

All pegasi had the ability to manipulate and shape the weather, but Dash was taking this to the next level. By flapping her wings, she wasn’t just pushing air around. She was creating winds: high pressure or low pressure, warm front or cold front, north or south or any kind she could imagine. She began beating her wings quickly, the wind whipping around her fiercely. For Sombra, he had to dig in his hooves and use his magic to prevent himself from being completely blown away by the howling hurricane winds.

But Rainbow wasn’t through. “Hey, you ugly sack of horseapples!” She waited for him to look up before she plunged a hoof into one of the clouds she’d constructed and—somehow—managed to pull out a thunderbolt! No pegasus had ever managed to simply create a thunderbolt, much less touch it! But Rainbow simply readied herself, and pulled back the thunderbolt, all the while grinning triumphantly at the dumbstruck Sombra. “Shazam!” She tossed the bolt right at the dark king. He hastily threw up a magical shield which the bolt impacted on. Even though it didn’t hit him directly, it still knocked him back Undeterred, Rainbow pulled out another thunderbolt, and then another. Sombra managed to block or bat aside the next two bolts, but the third struck true.

He roared out an anguished bellow of pain as he looked to his scorched side. He was far from powerless, but the initiative was firmly on Rainbow Dash’s side. With a toss of his head, he commanded the windigos to join the fray.

The ghostly apparitions howled as they charged down at Rainbow Dash. She made no move to stop them until they were practically on top of her. At the last moment, she flared her wings and started beating the air, creating fierce tornado winds that scattered the windigos.

With that threat neutralized, the grinning pegasus bucked the clouds, creating a torrential icy rain to fall on Sombra. It was soon joined by sleet and hail the size of hooves. Rainbow Dash—master of the elements! It had a nice ring to it. After all, Celestia had the sun and Luna had the moon.

Sombra reached out with his magic, a thousand black strands of crackling energy, trying to close in on Rainbow Dash. She snorted contemptuously. He might have been an alicorn, but she was Rainbow Dash—the Thunderer! Hmm, she thought to herself. The name is cool, but it could be cooler.

Rainbow dove, spiraling around the lightning as she traced it back to its source—and proceeded to kick Sombra’s horn. Hard.

This proved to be a poor move for both combatants. Sombra’s magic abruptly cut out with a pained yell as Rainbow Dash backed away, clutching her singed and smoking hoof. She flew back upwards, putting some distance between them. Okay, so perhaps that hadn’t gone perfectly. Still, it was just a small hiccup in the great battle of Rainbow Dash the Thunderstriker! Nopony could stand against her—alicorn or not!

Sombra stayed on the ground, having realized that any battle in the air would favor Rainbow Dash. He mustered his strength, content to wait for his magical reserves to replenish. He knew that this upstart pegasus was too enthralled by her sudden rush of power to think clearly. She would soon overreach and make a mistake. All he had to do was wait for it and then—strike!

A cold smirk crossed his face as he consoled himself with the thought of just what he would do once he seized the initiative. But for the moment had to settle for dodging thunderbolts.

The Alicorn Amulet shone brighter as Rainbow Dash drew upon its power. It was such a rush. She had never felt so energetic! So incredible! So … so … scared. A small tremor ran through her body as she thought of what would happen if she didn’t stop Sombra now. Images flew through her mind at near-rainboom speeds: Sombra standing triumphant on a pile of foals, including Dinky and her friends. His darkness radiated even stronger than it had before as he stood before her: a true alicorn of unfathomable power. Other visions soon followed: a dark shadow spreading across Equestria, plunging everything into terrifying blackness. Ponies screaming and panicking as Canterlot burned and everything fell into ruin. Celestia and Luna obliterated by a wave dark magic as Sombra strode through the halls of Canterlot Castle.

Then Rainbow saw Ponyville burn. Sweet Apple Acres lying desolate and fallow, Fluttershy’s cottage and Sugarcube Corner smashed flat and the library and Carousel Boutique burned down. She flashed to the Crystal Empire, seeing her friends in agony, crying and bleeding as Sombra stood over them. There was a flash of his horn and then … nothing.

Dash trembled at the imaginary visions of horror. Her friends being hurt…or worse…all because they had tried to help her do what should have been her job and hers alone—because she just wasn’t good enough. Her veins filled with ice. That was the truth of it. Her friends—the girls, Dinky and the kids, Shining Armor, Cadance, Zecora—they were in danger because she wasn’t capable of taking care of Sombra herself. And why wasn’t she? Because she was a failure. That was the truth of it. She was all talk … she couldn’t even get to the Crystal Empire without help.

She wasn’t good enough, and because she wasn’t, her friends and her fellow ponies were going to pay the price for it. Rainbow gripped a thunderbolt in her hooves, so hard that she could feel tiny jolts of electricity running up her limbs.

Dashwouldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t—couldn’t!—fail. She was going to make sure nothing happened to any of them, make sure they stayed safe: forever. And the only way to do that was to ensure that everyone who even thought about doing something bad ended up on the business end of a thunderbolt before they could even blink. That’s where Celestia failed, Rainbow thought bitterly. She didn’t act to nip evil in the bud until it was already a monster-sized threat. And what did she do when she did beat the bad guys? She banished them. Whoop-de-doo, Rainbow snorted. All that meant was that they could come back and try again, be given another chance to hurt the ponies Rainbow cared about.

Well, she wasn’t about to make the same mistake. If Celestia was too weak to permanently end evil before it took root, then Rainbow would have to do it herself. Some tiny part of her mind recognized that Celestia probably wouldn’t agree with her … but she ruthlessly shoved that thought aside. Celestia was immortal, all-powerful. She didn’t understand what it was like to be a normal pony, to see them so vulnerable and hurt. No, Dash would do what she had to do. And if Celestia or anypony else didn’t see the wisdom of it … well, she could take care of that later.

Rainbow Dash brought down the thunder on Sombra’s shield, again and again. His barrier began to crack under the strain as smoke and debris filled the air, completely shrouding the dark lord’s vision. Sombra’s eyes narrowed as he waited for the smoke to dissipate. It did—just in time for him to clearly see Rainbow Dash’s hoof crashing through his shield and snap his head back.

Once she had him off-balance, Dash was determined not to give him a chance to recover. She punched him, and punched him, and punched him some more. Her hoof actually started to ache from all the times she planted it against his face. But she didn’t stop, wouldn’t stop. Not until she was sure that it was over.

She wasn’t going to be as nice to Sombra as she foolishly was to Nightmare Moon. The Nightmare pony could’ve just as easily taken advantage of Rainbow’s mercy to hurt her friends again. They just lucked out that time. But the thing about luck was that it eventually runs out. This time, there’d be no second or third chance for Sombra to see the ‘error of his ways.’ Rainbow Dash hefted another thunderbolt as she decided that she would be his judge, jury, and executioner.

Hmm … Electrocutioner. Now that sounded nice.

Dinky was confused. She didn’t quite know what to do after Princess Cadance went away. How was she supposed to find Rainbow Dash? The little filly wandered around, calling for her godmom. “Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash, where are yooou?” After several minutes of wandering aimlessly through the void, Dinky sat down and grumbled. “Dumb place. How’m s’posed t’find anything if there’s nothing anywhere?”

She pouted for a bit before hitting upon a solution. My horn always tells me when Mommy’s nearby … maybe I can use it to find Rainbow! Dinky concentrated hard, her horn flickering and sputtering as she tried to find Rainbow Dash. She tilted her head, trying to get a better look to see if it was working. Looking at your own horn was hard!

Her horn started to glow when she tilted her head a certain way. She experimentally tilted it another way, but the glow died down, but returning it to the other position made the light shine again. Maybe Rainbow Dash is that way! She guessed as she started walking in the direction her horn was pointing when it got all glow-y.

Dinky walked and walked for what felt like forever and then, two minutes later, she found Rainbow Dash! She saw her beating up a really mean and ugly pony who must’ve been Mr. Sombre … Samba … Sombra … Sombrero … whatever it was.

“Rainbow Dash!” Dinky yelled as she ran over to her godmommy, ignoring the ugly pony. She would’ve kept on running but she ran straight into an invisible wall. “Owie…” She whined as she shook her head. Now she knew how her Mommy felt!

Dinky shook her head and tried to go around it, but the wall wouldn’t let her get to Rainbow! “Stoopid wall!” She banged a hoof on the wall and called out. “Rainbow Dash!”

But after a while it became clear that Rainbow couldn’t hear her. With a sad whimper, Dinky slumped down in front of the wall and sat, watching Rainbow Dash beat up the bad pony. She wondered if Rainbow was gonna give him a spanking. He deserved it for being such a meaney and taking her away from Mommy and Sparky and everypony.

And Rainbow Dash was rilly beating him up! “Go Rainbow Dash!” She hopped up and down. “Go get ‘im! Get Mistah Sombrero!” She grinned, knowing that Rainbow was going to stop that big, dumb, cootie-infested jerk. Beat him up until he said uncle!

Not until she was sure that it was over.

Huh? Dinky rubbed a hoof in her ear. It was like she was hearing invisible ponies—or maybe even ghosts!—talking. It sounded kinda like Rainbow Dash only more … grumbly.

Electrocutioner. Now that sounded nice.

Dinky whimpered. She knew that word from that time Mommy accidentally made the toaster all lightning-y like a storm cloud. It was a bad thing. “Rainbow Dash!” Dinky shouted, pounding her hoof against the wall. “Stop! You sound rilly grumbly, an' I don' like it!”

Rainbow had hefted Sombra, barely conscious--if at all--up and held him against a wall. A thunderbolt was clutched in a drawn back hoof, ready to deliver what she expected to be the coup to end all de graces. But all of a sudden, she heard something.

You sound rilly grumbly, and’ I don’ like it!

It sounded like … Dinky? In her surprise, Rainbow dropped Sombra. “Huh? What was that?” She turned around, looking hard. Something rippled out of the corner of her eye, but when she turned to look, it vanished. Then it happened again, with similar results. Frustrated, Rainbow started headbutting Sombra's unconscious form. "Stop with the tricks!" After a minute of this, she backed away, her eyes bleary as she tried not looking at anything. And that time … a familiar purple-grey filly materialized before her. “Dinky?” Rainbow blinked. “Is that you?”

“WHOA!” Dinky jumped in surprise when Rainbow looked at her. A wide grin split her face as she rushed over to tackle-glomp her. “Hi Rainbow Dash!” Despite having materialized seemingly out of thin air, Dinky’s hug proved to be surprisingly solid.

Rainbow’s expression was torn between stunned surprise and horror before compromising on gobsmacked. “Dinky? What are you doing here? It's not safe!” She looked behind her at the still immobile Sombra. “Get out of here!”

She wasn’t even aware her voice had become a yell until she saw Dinky shrinking down. “N-nuh-uh! I'm here t' help ya!”

Dash closed her eyes and realized she was getting worked up. She tried counting to ten … but only got to five before her patience gave way. “I don’t need your help Dinky … I’ve got this.” She looked behind her at the stunned Sombra. “Just go--” she blinked as she tried to fathom just how Dinky came to be here in the first place. “--wherever it is you just were.”

Dinky refused to budged. “But Miss Princess said I had t’ help! She said ya needed help and--”

“NO!” Rainbow barked, stamping her hoof and summoning a clap of thunder, the power of the Amulet making her eyes glow red. “It's my job to help you, to protect you! I’m the pony who keeps all of Equestria safe! It’s my job, mine! I'm going to do it alone so nopony ever gets hurt by monsters like Nightmare Moon or Sombra!” Her voice had gotten progressively louder and angrier, taking on an enraged—and possibly deranged—tone. “Only I'm not gonna just lock them away for a thousand years and make it somepony else’s problem! No, I'm going to stomp their faces into the floor!”

“S-stomp ‘em?” Dinky gulped. “B-but that’s mean!”

Dash snorted. “It’s what they deserve.” She cracked her neck. “Should’ve done this from the start. Hay, I should’ve done this to Nightmare Moon when I had the chance.”

That made Dinky gasp. “But Miss Princess is really, rilly nice! She wants me t’ help you!”

Rainbow tossed her mane short-temperedly. “Whatever. I don’t need Luna’s help … I don’t need anypony’s help. I’ll take care of everything myself. I’ll stop the bad guys … permanently. And I’ll do the same thing to anypony or anything that gets in my way!” Her eyes flashed red again, terrifying poor Dinky.

“No ya don’t!” Dinky tugged pleadingly on Rainbow’s leg. “You don’t gotta do bad stuff!”

Rainbow paused, her anger ebbing slightly. “Dinky…ugh!” A sudden headache gripped her, the amulet glowing against her chest. “No!” She shook her head, as if bedeviled by flies. “I’ve got to crush Sombra beneath my hooves … make him pay … make him suffer.”

Dinky gave a scared little intake of breath as she tightened her hug on Rainbow. “Nuh-uh! Don' do that, Rainbow, that's mean an' bad an'--an'--an' EVIL!”

“Evil? EVIL?! I'm not evil!” Rainbow slammed her hoof against the floor, looking at Dinky suspiciously. “You--you just want me to spare Sombra! This is all just some trick of his to distract me and spare his miserable flank!” She flared her wings and snorted, agressively. “Well, it’s not going to work! I’m going to destroy him, just like I’m going to destroy everything evil in Equestria—no matter what anypony says!”

Dinky gasped, backing away from Rainbow. “Y ... y-you ... you're not ... Rainbow Dash wouldn't say that!”

“Yes, I would!” Rainbow stomped her hoof again. “Now that I have the power to make sure that all the monsters and evil ponies can be stopped once and for all! That none of them can ever hurt my friends, my family or anypony else ever again!”

Dinky stomped her hoof right back. “No she wouldn’t! 'Cause Rainbow Dash doesn't destroy stuff! She makes stuff, like she makes friendships with Mommy an' Miss Cloud Kicker an' other ponies, an' the only time she destroys stuff is when it’s food or clouds! She—she wouldn’t be mean like that!” Dinky rubbed her face with her foreleg, trying not to cry. “Rainbow Dash is a good pony, an' the bestest pony 'cause Mommy wouldn't let anypony else be my godmommy--but you're soundin' mean an' stuff, an' Rainbow Dash isn't mean!”

Rainbow raised her hooves to her forehead, suddenly stricken with a head-splitting headache. “I—I have to stop the bad guys from doing … bad things. Otherwise—it’s all my fault.”

“Then ya gotta be there when it happens, like I was there for Miss Princess” Dinky frowned as she hugged Rainbow tight. “Bad stuff happens sometimes, but if you make other bad stuff happen t' try an' stop bad stuff, then that makes you a bad pony, an' I don' like bad ponies!”

Dinky bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “Ya gotta be brave now ‘cept ya also gotta to it in a way that makes you a good pony, just like my godmommy'd only make me do things that make me a good pony.” She sniffled as she gave Rainbow a tentative embrace. “I—I love you, Rainbow Dash.”

Dinky felt moist drops fall on the top of her head. “D-Dinky…” Rainbow leaned down and wrapped the little filly up in the tightest, warmest hug Dinky had had in what felt like forever. She tilted her head up to see Rainbow Dash was crying–and her eyes weren’t all red and glow-y anymore.

“Rainbow!” Dinky grinned up at her. “You’re back t’normal! Yay!”

“I--I'm sorry!” Rainbow gasped out in between hitching breaths. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry....”

Dinky held her onto her. “S’okay Rainbow … you were just bein’ grumbly cuz you were scared. And I still really, rilly love you!”

“I--I love you too.” Dash hiccupped, trying to suppress her sobs as she kissed Dinky’s cheek and hugged her even tighter. “So, so much.”

“Whoa!” Dinky giggled as she mwa’d Rainbow’s cheek. “Now I know you're rilly Rainbow Dash, 'cause she's the only pony that can make me all squeaky when she gets snuggly!”

Rainbow gave a choked, half-laugh, half-sob as she held her goddaughter. “Dinky…”

Dinky held her godmom in a get-better-hug. “Ya gotta de-feet Mistah Sombra, but ya gotta do it while bein' a good pony, 'kay?” Dash nodded solemnly, earning an approving nod from Dinky. “Good! Now go get 'im! 'cause he's a super-big meanie that also made me super big!”

The vision of Dinky faded away and Rainbow found herself staring back at Sombra’s limp form, dangling from the end of her hoof. A thunderbolt had been prepped and was clutched tightly in her other hoof, preparing to jam it directly into Sombra’s eye. Her hoof trembled, still wanting to do it.

A glint of light caught the corner of her eye and she looked to see what it was: it was the Element of Loyalty, peeking out from behind the Alicorn Amulet. Rainbow regarded it for a moment, gently brushing the amulet away so she could stare at the ruby lightning bolt. Loyalty. That’s what she was.

Sure, she was loyal to the Princess, loyal to Equestria and of course she was super-loyal to her friends and stuff. But Rainbow started to realize that loyalty meant a bit more than doing anything for the folks you cared about. It was also about being true and loyal to yourself—to your morals and stuff. All that … stuff she had been thinking earlier was trying to sound all loyal and stuff to protecting ponies—which Rainbow was totally behind—but it was asking her to do it by being totally un-loyal to who she was.

She was Rainbow Dash: and Rainbow Dash is everything awesome and radical, but not a despot (she really will have to thank Celestia for the dictionary for Hearth's Warming. It was more useful than just looking up naughty words). She let the thunderbolt drop to the floor and dissipate, joined a moment later by Sombra’s inert body. Another pulse of energy ran through her body like concentrated adrenaline, courtesy of the Alicorn Amulet. If it had a voice, it would’ve been screaming at her to maim, kill, destroy, burn!

Rainbow flicked her ears. “Oh shut up.” She grunted as she fumbled with the clasp for the amulet hanging around her neck. While a part of her tried to suggest that she wait to take off the amulet after she dealt with Sombra, a much larger part of her knew that if she did that--if she took the step of actually killing another pony--she’d never be able to take the damn thing off.

She stepped away and tried looking over her shoulder, trying to see if she was even getting it right. After a moment she had succeeded, and pulled the Alicorn Amulet off her neck and away from her. She spent a long time looking at it and wondering if she was really doing the right thing, turning her back on this power—all the good she could do, saving Equestria from its enemies and stuff.

Then about half a second after she started thinking about it, she tossed the thing over her shoulder without a glance. With all due respect to Twilight and the Princess, sometimes thinking too hard about stuff was just a distraction; Rainbow had been all about listening to her gut. And right now, her gut told her she wanted nothing more to do with anything that had been created by King friggin’ Sombra of all ponies.

Speaking of, Dash turned around and walked back to the unconscious alicorn. As soon as she got close, she winced at the smell of burned feathers and charred flesh. She had really gone all out on the tyrant. Suddenly worried that she had already gone too far, Rainbow stretched out a hoof to check his pulse. He might’ve been an evil, monstrous creep who deserved every bit of the beating he’d gotten, but Rainbow didn’t really want to be a killer.

As soon as her hoof drew close to his neck, Sombra’s eye snapped open and grabbed her by the leg and tossed her aside. Rainbow landed hard, a whoof of air forced from her lungs as she hit the floor. She quickly scrambled back up just in time to see Sombra getting up, his wounds and injuries magically healing. “Great…” Rainbow flew over in a flash, intent on striking him before he was fully recovered.

But Sombra anticipated her, and used his magic to neatly slam her onto the floor. Rainbow groaned and turned over, just in time for Sombra to step over her. His right foreleg pressed down on her wing, his left foreleg digging into her chest. Rainbow struggled, but couldn’t dislodge the larger, heavier pony. “What now, pompous brat?” He hissed in her face as he stood over her.

“I…” Rainbow grunted as she raised one of her hindlegs “…improvise!” Then she jerked her hoof upwards and planted it firmly between Sombra’s back legs.

The tyrant’s pupils dilated as the pain registered with his brain; he screamed in agony and rage. With him distracted and the pressure on her lessened, Rainbow managed to break free and roll away. She got back into a fighting stance just as Sombra recovered.

“Fool.” Sombra spat furiously. “Did you really think you could defeat me all by yourself? Me? A living god?!

“Actually, yeah.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head, climbing back to her hooves and staring at something just behind Sombra. “But on the off chance I might have been wrong…”

Sombra turned to see what she was looking at—just in time for the wall to explode inward. Chunks of shattered crystal went flying in, giving Rainbow Dash the chance to put some distance between her and the enraged alicorn.

And enraged he was, snarling at being interrupted at the moment of his triumph once again. When the dust and smoke cleared, he found himself face to face with five unfamiliar mares, each wearing a necklace to match the Element of Harmony around Rainbow Dash’s neck.

The pink earth pony on the far right tossed her hooves up in the air and announced boldly: “Ta-daaa!”

Rainbow Dash had never been so happy at the sight of pure randomness. “Took you long enough.” She said casually, trying to offset the mammoth grin on her face.

“Aww, sorry Dashie!” Pinkie pouted. “But do you know how hard it is to arrive just in time for a Big Darn Hero moment?”

“Heh, it’s okay.” Rainbow joined her friends at the middle of their line, the six Elements together again. She grinned at Sombra. “So, has it sunk in yet how totally screwed you are?”

Sombra bared his teeth angrily at the six mares. Apparently it had. Applejack narrowed her eyes at the alicorn. “This that Sombra fella?” She scraped her hoof against the ground, snorting as if preparing for a charge.

“I am King Sombra.” He corrected. “Lord and master of the Crystal Empire and soon to be god-king of all Eques—” His introduction was cut off by a chunk of crystal bouncing off his snout.

Everypony turned to look at the thrower. “You @%#&!” Rarity spat at him. “How dare you steal away my Sweetie Belle and then take her youth?! I’m going to stomp you into the dirt where you belong and grind you into dust!” She panted as everypony just looked at her.
“…Oh my.” Fluttershy blinked.

Rainbow shook her head. “All right, Rare!” She grinned at her friend. “You said it! let’s curbstomp this creep!”

“Foolish wretches! Mewling impudent imbeciles! Sniveling tools of an outmoded order!” Sombra snarled as the six mares took up positions around him, forming a circle.

“Ah reckon that mean’s he don’t fancy us much.” Quipped Applejack.

“Would be my guess.” Rainbow deadpanned as they circled around him, drawing the noose tight and denying him any avenue of escape.

The six Elements of Harmony on their necks began to pulse in synch with each other. They glowed brighter and brighter, forcing Sombra to cover his face with his wing and shrink away from them. Each Element sent out a beam of rainbow light that spread to the ones on either side of them. By the time it had finished, the six friends had formed a ring connecting them. The rainbow light began to constrict, but Sombra summoned all his strength and created a black shield of magic energy to hold the Elements at bay.

“Come on everypony!” Rainbow Dash called over the din of the crackling and sizzling from the colliding magics. “Pour it on!”

“Fools!” Sombra laughed. “The entire Crystal Empire is my place of power! I have had over a millennium to weave my enchantments over it, to bind it and its inhabitants to my very being! Destroy me and you destroy them as well!”

“No.” A determined voice rang out. “Not this time.” The six mares risked looking at source of interruption … to see Princess Cadance, flanked by Shining Armor and Zecora, stepping through the hole in the wall and into the throne room.

Rainbow’s eyes lit up. “Cadance!”

“Shining!” Twilight cried out joyously at seeing her big brother.

“Zecora!” Pinkie whooped, not wanting the zebra to feel left out.

“Yay.” Fluttershy cheered softly.

Cadance gave her friends a nod and a smile. “Hello girls … sorry I took so long. I had to dig a family heirloom out of the basement.” In her magic grip, she held the Crystal Heart high. “You won’t be dooming the Crystal Empire or the crystal ponies this day, Sombra. This,” she indicated the Heart with a toss of her head, “is the heart of the Crystal Empire. Not you. And unlike you, it doesn’t take anything from the crystal ponies. It gives. The love of the crystal ponies is what powers the heart, and spreads love and joy across all of Equestria.”

“NO!” Sombra snarled as he tried to grab the Heart with his magic, even as he fought to maintain the shield around him.

Cadance staggered, but planted her hooves firmly and tugged back, keeping the Heart ensconced in her own magic. “Girls!” She called out to the six ponies surrounding Sombra. “F-focus your Elements on the Heart once I get it into position!” Unlike before where Sombra and Cadance were engaged in a pulling war over the Crystal Heart, now the two tried to push the Heart away. Cadance was trying to put it into position right above Sombra, in the middle of the girls’ circle and Sombra was trying to push it away to anyplace but there.

The pink princess grunted in an unladylike fashion, as she pushed and strained against Sombra’s more powerful magic. Her grip weakened and sweat beaded across her brow. She felt a pang of fear that the two of them might end up grinding the Heart to dust between them … like in her dream!

But her fears died before they could truly be reborn. Shining Armor saddled up next to her, lending her his warmth and strength. His own horn shimmered as the two of them managed to slowly push Sombra’s magic back, and helped Cadance push the Crystal Heart into position.

“Now!” Cadance called to the others. Rainbow and the others tilted themselves back and up, their Elements sending a burst of rainbows straight into the Crystal Heart. The Heart began to spin in place, beaming the power of the Elements of Harmony up and into the main crystal Sombra had used as a conduit.

The Elements of Harmony continued beaming out rainbow colored-light to one another. The beams of light began to crisscross until each and every Element Bearer was connected to each other; forming a complex lattice matrix, centering on Sombra’s failing shield in the middle.

With the power of the Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Heart combining, Sombra’s shield gave way. Sombra let out a strangled cry of defiance as the light poured into him. He threw his head back as light poured out of his eyes and mouth. A multicolored shockwave burst out from him and spread out. The wave washed over the group … and it felt wonderful. All their aches, pains and tiredness seemed to be washed away as the rainbow light continued to spread out. All the black crystals shattered upon impact with the wave, and regular crystals became brighter.

And though the group couldn’t see what happened after the wave passed through the walls, it spread through the Crystal Empire and beyond, destroying all traces of Sombra’s dark crystals and ridding the Empire of his evil taint. With a fearful whinny the windigos were buffeted by the shockwave and knocked together, a solid wall of crystal forming around them: trapping them inside.

As for Sombra, he seemed to shrink as the light poured from where he stood, which wasn’t so far from the truth. His bat-like wings shriveled and decayed to the point of falling apart into nothing and his long, curved horn began to shrink and straighten out. The earth pony size and proportions he had gained melted away, leaving him a normal unicorn again.
There was a flash of light and then … it was over.

Chapter 27

As the light began to fade, everypony blinked and waited for their vision to adjust. They checked their necklaces. The Elements were still faintly glowing, but no longer active. The Crystal Heart began to fall before being caught in Twilight’s magic.

It was Fluttershy, of all ponies, who found her voice first. “That – that was really … amazing.”

“We did it.” Twilight said softly as it started to sink in. “We really did it!”

“Was there ever any doubt?” Rainbow’s cockiness sounded a touch forced, belying just what a long and difficult quest this had been. Still, it was over.

Cadance shook her head and stepped forward. “Not quite.” She corrected, making Rainbow realize she had said that last part aloud. Cadance calmly strode over to the fallen king as he lay panting on the floor. Sombra, too weak to even stand, glared up at her—though the fear in his eyes was visible even from where Rainbow and the others were standing.

“Oooh! Is this the part where he stops being a big old meany-meany pants and wants to be our friend and we can have a big party where he says sorry?” Pinkie asked in a single breath, leaning forward eagerly.

Sombra curled his lips back at Cadance and pointedly turned away, facing the wall. Shining Armor growled and started advancing on the fallen tyrant, intent on teaching him some proper manners. But Cadance held up a hoof, stopping her fiancé from stomping Sombra into the floor.

Applejack looked confused at the scene. “Why didn’t the Elements of Harmony work on him like they did Nightmare Moon?”

“Some ponies just have no good left in them.” Cadance scowled at him. “But we have other things to worry about. We still need to reverse the spell Sombra used on the foals, to restore the life force he stole from them.”

Applejack nodded dully. “Yeah. Don’t know how Ah can explain to Granny Smith that Apple Bloom’s sprouted from a sapling to a tree in less than a minute!”

Rainbow looked at her curiously. “What do you mean?”

The answer came in the form of a thunderous roar of hooves pounding against the floor. She turned in time to see a stampeding herd of ponies make their way over. At the forefront were a number of mares and stallions Rainbow recognized from Ponyville … only they used to be little fillies and colts. “What the hay?!” She blurted out, jaw dropping in surprise.

Twilight walked over to her. “Sombra’s spell. It took ten years from each of the foals he had taken … that resulted in them all aging ten years.” She nodded over to a grown looking Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as they stood by—and even over—their nominally older sisters.

Rainbow shook her head as she walked around, briefly running into a much put upon Azure Prism, who was trying to run herd on all of the aged up ponies. Despite having already encountered them, Applejack and Rarity were, understandably, still having a hard time dealing with it.

Rarity pressed an elegant hoof against her cheek, looking over her beloved sister. “Sweetie Belle ... you're ... look at a you...”

“Yeah! I'm really big!” Sweetie squeaked innocently. Then she looked at her flank and pouted. “Awww ... still no cutie mark! No fair. I thought if I was a big pony I'd at least get my cutie mark!” She turned back to Rarity, wearing a worried look. “I will get it … right?”

“Of course you will,” Rarity soothed, running her hoof through Sweetie’s mane.

Sweetie’s face immediately brightened. “Hey, since I’m older now, can I stay up after nine?” Her horn sparkled as she gave a fillyish bounce. “Being older is gonna be great!”

“Now I can finally reach the top shelf of Cloudy's closet where she hides all her really cool stuff!” Alula gave a little hop of her own, flapping her large wings in excitement.

Applejack was still trying to form a coherent sentence when Apple Bloom approached her. “So, how about that advancement on mah allowance?”

“Apple Bloom, yer big enough t' earn yer keep now,” Applejack replied, trying to sound jovial … but the end result came out a bit forced.

“Sooo ... does that mean you'll let me have a taste of the hard cider like you always promised?” Apple Bloom asked hopefully.

Applejack automatically started to give her standard response to that question. “When ye're old enou—” She trailed off into a grumble. “Consarn it...”

“Ha! That don't work no more!” Apple Bloom grinned triumphantly. “Hey AJ, aren't I old enough for a coltfriend now?”

An odd twitch developed under Applejack’s eye. “Eeyup. Jus' lemme polish of the ol' pitchfork an' anypony foolish enough to try is welcome.”

“Applejaaaaack!” Apple Bloom whined in a typically fillyish manner that belied her artificially advanced age and size. “That's not fair!”

“'Neither's life.” AJ snorted unsympathetically. “Good lesson t' learn if yer're gonna be a grown-up.”

Apple Bloom shot her sister a dark look. “How 'bout I turn you over mah knee? 'M bigger than you now.”

It was true. Applejack took half a step back. “Do it an' Ah'll ground ya fer a week!”

“An' I'll ground you!” Apple Bloom retorted.

“You ain't got th' authority!”

“Ah'm bigger than you!”

“Big Mac an' Ah can take yew! 'Sides which, ya still answer t' Granny Smith!”

The two sisters suddenly found Pinkie Pie between them, hugging them close together. “Awww, c’mon you silly-willies! Is that any way for sisters to act? Even if one of them did end up getting ten years older thanks to an evil king’s spell, so what? That just means you’ll have a super deca-birthday to celebrate!”

Applejack sighed, letting all her frustrations slide off. “Yeah … Ah mean—” she looked Apple Bloom over. “Ah remember changin' yer diapers.”

“Aw, Applejaaaack...” Apple Bloom whined as she blushed.

Applejack went over to hug her. “Aw, c'mere. Big or small, ye're still mah sister.”

“Apples f'rever...” Apple Bloom sniffled as she hugged back … with surprising strength.

Gears spun in Rainbow’s head as she tried to take it all in. “Then—then that must mean…” She looked back just in time to see a large lavender-gray coated unicorn with a blond mane and a long horn prance up to her, beaming at her with large, familiar looking gold eyes. “Dinky?” Dash gaped.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!” Dinky squeezed her tightly, her forelimbs completely wrapping around Dash’s slender frame and forcing the air out of her lungs.

“D-Dinky?” Rainbow wheezed as she was set down. “W-what happened to you?!”

Dinky shrugged. Then, as if to add to the confusion, when she spoke it was with an older voice, but still with foal-like pronunciations. “Ida know.”

Dumbfounded, Rainbow found herself looking her grown godfilly in the eye. “Dinky--you're so … not dinky.”

“Nuh-uh!” Dinky shook her head. “Imma BIG muffin now!”

“Yeah…” Rainbow swallowed. “Um, do you still want…” she held up Dinky’s comfort blanket, grateful that Azure had brought it with her and thought to give it to her when they had met.

Dinky’s bright golden eyes went wide. “Favorite!” She eagerly hugged the now much-too-small blanket close to her, rubbing it against her cheek. Instinctively, Rainbow reached out to give her a nuzzle and a noogie, only to find that she couldn’t quite reach.

The grown filly let out a deceptively small giggle. “Now you can't bald my mane, Rainbow!” She wrapped Favorite around her neck like a hoofkerchief, then began to noogie Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow squawked and tried to squirm out of Dinky’s grip. “You can’t do that! I’m older than you!”

After a minute, Dinky finally let her go and grinned at Dash. “I gotcha good, huh Rainbow?”

“Y-yeah, sure did.” Rainbow swallowed as she gently started stroking Dinky’s neck with her wing. “You’re so big…”

“Yah-huh!” Dinky agreed with a nuzzle and a hug. “But even though I'm a big pony, can you still be my godmom? 'Cause I still love you.”

Rainbow’s eyes watered as she buried her face in Dinky’s neck. “Of course!”

Dinky hugged her, slightly relieved. “Good. 'Cause I like havin' you as my godmommy.”

With a happy sigh, Rainbow held Dinky for a moment. “You thinking what I'm thinking?”

Dinky thought hard. “I dunno. Think louder.”

Rainbow gave a strangled snort. “I think you’re the most awesome filly ever.”

Apple Bloom turned to Applejack. “Saaay, now can you finally tell me 'bout colts and fillies?”

A panicked look appeared on Applejack’s face as she looked to her bare foreleg. “Oh lookit th' time! Ah gotta go buy a watch! But first--Twi, Cadance, how're we gonna git the little ones back t' bein' little?”

Cadance nodded once. “Yes.” She walked over to Sombra. “The power of the Crystal Heart and the Elements didn’t just restore Sombra’s original form … it destroyed the black crystals and his control over them. He can no longer control the Crystal Empire or its ponies. I can use the Crystal Heart to siphon the time he stole back into the foals, restoring their true age.”

“That sounds wonderful!” Rarity cried out, hugging Sweetie Belle. “Please, make haste and, pardon my vulgarity, do it already!”

“What will that do to Sombra?” Fluttershy asked meekly.

Cadance’s face grew stern, much like Princess Celestia’s. “Cut off from the Crystal Empire and with his stolen youth returned … I imagine that there won’t be anything left of him.”

“But—but that means he’s going to…” Fluttershy squeaked and shrunk down.

“Buy the farm?” Applejack offered.

“We can’t do that!” Fluttershy burst out. “That’s—that’s horrible!”

Cadance shook her head. “Sombra is a monster, Fluttershy.” Her tone was frigid as the weather they had tracked through. “A tyrant and a murderer. His life isn’t worth the decades he stole from those children.”

“B-but he didn’t kill them!” Fluttershy argued.

“Hm ... we are in a pickle that is a positively ponderous predicament.” Pinkie Pie pouted. “Poopy.”

Fluttershy shuffled her hooves, looking very uncomfortable. “But...”

“Hmm! It's the least that brute deserves after what he did to my Sweetie Belle!” Rarity sniffed.

“Rarity Esmeralda Belle!” Pinkie gasped in horror. “That's no way to talk about another pony!”

Rarity opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before getting out a very confused: “That’s not my name.”

A sudden bright flash accompanied by a loud bang, got everypony's attention. “Girls!” Twilight shouted, looking at them. “And Shiny. We shouldn't be arguing about this--especially in front of the kids. We should have a debate. I was in the Debate Club, I know exactly how to handle this. Now, I'll be the moderator, and we can start by going around once...”

“Seriously, Twi? A debate club?” Rainbow looked at her incredulously. “We're talking about a pony's life and the future of the kids!”

“This ain't about him, Rainbow,” Applejack argued. “It's purely about Apple Bloom, Dinky, Sweetie Belle, an' all them other foals that got hurt by him.” Her face hardened. “Way Ah see it, there ain't even a debate t'be had.”

“Well, we need to have a calm, rational, and orderly debate,” Twilight replied calmly. “To make sure we make the right choice and to make everypony here understands the necessity of whatever choice we do take. We’re all friends here and we need to come to a consensus. Now then…” She trotted off, scrounging for writing materials and gently shepherding the aged up kids away from the group.

Rainbow Dash face-hoofed.

Shining Armor shook his head in bemusement. “That's Twiley...”

A moment later Twilight returned, having either found or magicked up a quill and scroll. “So. Let’s take a round so everypony can say what they think about what we should do.”

“Are we really havin' this talk?” Applejack gave an unhappy frown. “Ferget about Sombra. Put them kids back t'normal.”

Fluttershy fidgeted and Pinkie frowned, clearly both of them unhappy with her attitude. When it became obvious that was all Applejack was going to say, Twilight cleared her throat. “Maybe you could explain a bit more about why you think we should restore the foals?”

“Put the name o' every last foal on that list, an' ya've got a pretty good start.” Applejack snorted, holding onto her fraying temper by the strongest of wills. “And their kinfolk.”

Twilight flinched. “I don't have that much ink, and I don't know all those names ... so I’ll just make a note. Shining Armor?”

Shining dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I think Cadance and I will speak together, being on the same page here.”

Cadance nodded. “We can't leave Sombra with their stolen youth. If that means that he dies...” Her lip compressed. “He should've died a thousand years ago. Instead, he’s had the crystal ponies crushed under his hoof and trapped them with him in the Realm of Darkness. He can’t be allowed to get away with what he’s done.”

“There's also the number of encounters we had with either Sombra directly or his underlings.” Shining Armor added. “Let's face it: we're very, very lucky nopony died in all of that.”

“Don't be a silly-billy, Shiny-hiney!” Pinkie cut in, her head suddenly appearing between Cadance and Shining, her hooves wrapped around the both of them. “We made it because we're good ponies, and good things happen to good ponies. Which is why we can't do something bad!”

Shining didn’t look too pleased at having his personal space violated … again. “By that logic, though, bad things have to happen to bad ponies.”

“It did!” Pinkie chirped. “He got beat up. Dashie was all--Woosh! Swoosh! Pow! Bang! Onomatopoeia!”

Twilight cleared her throat. “This is supposed to be an organized debate.”

“That means hesh an' wait yer turn, Pinkie,” Applejack put in.

“Awww … sorry.” Pinkie’s lip jutted out in an apologetic pout and she pulled herself back from Cadance and Shining, accidentally causing the two of them to bump their heads together.

Shining rubbed his head. “Anyway, next item: we have no alternative. Even if we imprison him, it still leaves the foals without any kind of recourse to regain their youth.” He shook his head slightly. “If we could restore them without killing Sombra, I’d be all for it. But if we have to choose, the future of innocent foals comes before just about anything else—especially when it’s a murderous tyrant who just tried to destroy everything and everypony we hold dear. It may not pretty but it is justice.”

“But together, we could be justice!” Pinkie put in, her head popping out of his mane, scaring a whinny out of him as he fell over.

“Pinkie!” Twilight groaned, covering her face with a hoof.

“Pinkie, waitcher turn!” AJ barked.

Pinkie winced as she pulled glass jar out of her mane that was crudely labeled 'Pinkie's interrupting jar’ and put a couple of bits in. “Sorry again!” She hopped away to stand next to Fluttershy.

Rarity daintily cleared her throat. “I believe it is my turn now? I believe Captain Armor and Princess Cadance have it precisely. I will concede that the idea of ending Sombra is ... distasteful, but it hardly seems right to let him keep the years he stole from my Sweetie Belle!” She sniffed. “If it comes down to letting my precious little sister go into an early grave or ending Sombra...”

Applejack nodded firmly. “Fer once, Rares an' Ah're in total agreement.”

“But, um, he doesn't have his powers anymore ... he's helpless.” Fluttershy hesitantly spoke up, flinching when all eyes turned on her. “W-what he did was bad—really awfully bad—but the foals can live, even if they are a bit—older. But Sombra will die if we take back those years. And that’s, just—just wrong. It’s … it’s unthinkable!”

“What're ya talkin' about?! Of course it's easy!” Applejack snorted.

“But the passing of pony is never something to take lightly, Jackie!” Pinkie tossed in, only to draw a hoof across her mouth in a zipper motion, remembering to wait her turn. Then she began insistently shaking the Interrupting Jar in Applejack’s direction for her own outburst, who did her best to ignore it.

Fluttershy flinched and crouched down. “Sorry.”

Applejack winced and patted Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Sorry. That 'un came out kinda harsh.”

“It's okay,” Fluttershy murmured. “And, how do you think the kids will feel when they see a pony d-die so they can be young again? The poor dears will have to live with that for the rest of their lives.”

“That's a big weight on a pony's shoulders.” Pinkie agreed, slumping down like she was carrying a really heavy weight. “And that's a hard thing to carry. Especially for kids!” She leaned forward. “Oooo! I got an idea! Pick me! Pick me!”

Twilight quirked an eyebrow at her curiously “All right, Pinkie. Go ahead.”

“What if we only give some of their years back? Like, so they only lose a year, or maybe even less? Might that be enough to keep Sombra alive and stuff? Is that possible? I dunno how your magic works. It kinda confuses me sometimes, to be honest.”

Cadance shook her head and answered. “There's a reason he took the amount of years that he did. He spent a thousand years in the Realm of Darkness, he needed a thousand years to simply restore what he lost there. Anything less would mean his demise, be it one year less or all one thousand. The only reason he survived at all was because he leeched off the energy of the crystal ponies, sapping their will and spirit.” Cadance’s eyes flashed. “If the properties of the Realm of Darkness were more similar to those here, he would’ve just as soon drained them of their years, just like he planned to do to the foals.”

Pinkie’s ears flattened in disappointment. “Darn.”

“Magically speaking, it took a lot of power to bring him back. It wasn't a coincidence he picked the method he did to make his return,” Twilight tossed in.

“Mm.” Cadance nodded. “It's a heavy price to pay, but like Shining said, justice isn't always pretty.”

Twilight reluctantly nodded. “I … don’t see anyway around it. I don’t want to see anypony die, not even one as evil and vile as Sombra. This isn’t about punishing him for all the things he’s done in the past though, it’s about those foals’ futures. They didn’t do anything wrong, and now they’re all teenagers and young adults.” She bit her lip. “The psychological and physiological adjustment alone is just tremendous, and a terrible strain on their bodies. And, what’s to become of them? Send them back to school even though they’re biologically in their teens? Give them jobs even though they’re mentally children?

“And from a strictly mathematical view of it … Sombra’s a middle-aged stallion. He’s probably going to live another fifty or so years. The kids just had their life span reduced by ten years—all one hundred and twelve of them. That’s … horribly imbalanced.” Twilight took a deep breath and then exhaled. “I--I hate to see a pony die, but I don’t see any other way for things to be made right.” Twilight look sad, hanging her head at the conclusion she’d come to. If she was sad, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were horribly depressed: feeling isolated in their opinions and dreading the realization that a pony might soon die in front of them.

Shining Armor looked, seeing an uncommonly thoughtful look on Rainbow Dash’s face. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Bit for your thoughts?”

Rainbow Dash’s wings twitched. “Dinky is worth more than a herd of Sombras. And I know that Rarity and Applejack and those kids’ families feel the same.” Applejack and Rarity nodded. “I have no idea how I could bring Dinky and the others home only for them to be … like that.” She tossed her head to where Azure Prism was watching the herd of aged children. “I want everything set back to normal, y’know.” She bit her lip. “But…”

Applejack’s ear twitched. “But what?”

“Go ahead, you can say what you honestly think, Rainbow.” Twilight encouraged.

“Before you guys showed up here … I got that Amulet of his and wore it. And it—it really messes with your head.” Fluttershy put a wing over Rainbow’s shoulder.

Twilight nodded to herself as the mulled that over. “I'd have to know the story of the Alicorn Amulet to know what its effects on a pony are. It wouldn't be the first powerful magical item to have negative side effects.”

“No kidding.” Rainbow grumbled, ear flicking at the memory. “I--I watched his memories and stuff. He wasn't a nice guy or anything, but he wasn't always a monster.” She looked over at Cadance. “And even though he just married the Crystal Princess for political stuff ... I think he really cared about his kid. But then he had that Amulet made ... he used to be this stuffed shirt, snobby, kinda bigoted jerk, but not the monster who pushed his wife off a ledge or would try to kidnap and kill kids.”

Cadance’s lip thinned. She most likely found it more preferable to think of Sombra as an unrepentant monster through and through. The idea that was once a normal pony, flawed yes, but a normal pony nonetheless, added an element of ambiguity she didn’t care for. “That may be, Rainbow ... but I don't see how this changes anything. Whether he was always a monster or not doesn’t change what we need to do. He may not have chosen to become the monster he became, but it was his ambition and choices that led him to a place where he could be corrupted. He made his own bad decisions. I don’t see why any pony’s child needs to die ten years early because Sombra deserves her life force more than she does.”

Rainbow flinched, her ears flattening against her skull. “…If I wasn’t able to get the Amulet off—if I did bad things and became like—like him—would you get rid of me too?”

Cadance’s eyes widened. “Rainbow…” She walked forward to nuzzle her. “That’s not what this is about. You didn’t do anything wrong. No matter what the Amulet made you want to do, you were able to fight it. And even if things had gone differently, you’d still be my friend and I’d do everything I could to save you.” She exhaled gently. “But if you did the sort of things Sombra did, and there was no other way to stop you and make things right--I think you would want me to do what was necessary to keep everypony safe.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Rainbow sighed, pressing against Cadance for comfort. “But it’s not like I was just able to get the Amulet off so that makes me a good pony and Sombra couldn’t which makes him a bad pony. I had some help and—you're gonna think I sound nuts...”

Applejack gave a small, teasing grin Dash’s way. “Ah always think that. Let's hear it anyway.”

“Applejack...” Fluttershy said with just a touch of reprove.

Just that was enough to make AJ’s ears flatten as she sheepishly mumbled. “Jes' havin' a little fun t' lighten the mood.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Rainbow, we've had dozens of foals kidnapped from Ponyville, tracked all the way across Equestria, fought monsters every step of the way, freed the Crystal ‘Empire’, and defeated Sombra to save Equestria. A little bit of nuts is not only okay, but kind of expected at this point.”

“All right, all right.” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “So when I was wearing the Amulet and beating the snot out of Sombra, I wanted to do all these sort of bad things—really bad things—then Dinky popped into my head and told me not to.”

Everypony just blinked once in stunned confusion.

Pinkie recovered first. “Whoa, Dinky conscience! That's awesome!”

“Yes,” Fluttershy agreed with a supportive nuzzle. “I'm glad she was there for you when you needed her, Rainbow.”

“Okay, so maybe that's a little bit crazy,” Twilight admitted, looking over at Dinky. “How did she--?”

“She said that Princess Luna sent her and--okay, it does sound weird,” Rainbow confessed.

Rarity gracefully tossed her mane. “I've heard stranger things, darlings. But perhaps we could move on to the relevance of it?”

“Well, I wanted to pound Sombra into goo—even though that probably would’ve meant the kids would be stuck like this.” She winced. “Dinky told me that it wasn’t right to do it when I had him on the ropes and I said that he was evil and didn’t deserve another chance. But then Dinky mentioned Luna. Who knows what sort of bad things she did a thousand years ago. Does that mean we were wrong to give her a second chance? I know it's not the same but ... it's not different enough either.”

Pinkie beamed at her. “I think you're totally right, Dashie!”

Applejack and Rarity snorted. “So over a hundred innocent foals deserve to suffer, to have their childhood stolen, just to give him a second chance?”

“Ain' no way.” Applejack shook her head.

“We didn't need to sacrifice any innocents to save Luna.” Cadance pointed out. “It’s Sombra or the foals. There’s no other choice.”

“I don't want him to suffer needlessly, but I will not allow my sister to suffer for his crimes.” Rarity announced firmly. “It is simply ... unconscionable.”

“He don't matter in the grand scheme o' things. Givin' them foals back their years is what matters.”

Rainbow Dash hung her head. “So … I guess that’s it. We’re gonna do it.” Fluttershy whimpered and buried her face in Pinkie Pie’s shoulder. She didn’t blame her. Dash was ready to do what was necessary to save Equestria. But destroying a monster or an evil king in a fight was different than executing one after he’d been cleansed of his evil. That was something else. But what other choice was there? None that she could see, nor anypony else there. She looked at Cadance. “So, I guess you’re gonna use the Crystal Heart to drain the life force back from Sombra?”

Twilight and Cadance shared a concerned look. “Are you saying that Sombra’s spell involved more than just his magic and his connection to the Crystal Empire?” Cadance asked with a worried tremor in her tone.

“Um, well, he used a big crystal to drain the years away from the foals…and that kinda got destroyed when the Elements and Crystal Heart zapified everything…” Rainbow trailed off when she saw the growing realization of dread in the eyes of Twilight and Cadance, the most magically astute among them. “…that’s a problem?”

Twilight stamped her hoof. “Of course! That kind of powerful dark magic would require a conduit to make the transfer—and if the Elements of Harmony or the Crystal Heart could’ve done so, it would’ve when is purged Sombra and the city.”

“Hang on now, are you sayin’ you can’t change Apple Bloom and the rest back without some big honkin’ crystal?” Applejack demanded. “For pity’s sake, we’re in a city made of the stuff!”

Twilight slumped her shoulders. “You don’t understand. In order to correctly transfer the life force back into the foals, the crystal has to have precisely the same configuration: the same shape and facets. Otherwise, even if it works, a lot of the energy will bleed out—be lost during the transfer.” She translated, seeing her initial explanation fail to properly register with her friends.

“W-what happens if some of that energy gets lost?” Rarity’s lip trembled anxiously.

“Then not all the foals will be restored to their true age.” Cadance announced mournfully. “Some may end up their proper age, some may not change at all. Some may even get too much life force returned at the expense of another foal.”

“What if you do yer fancy spell without this here conduit?” Applejack pressed.

Cadance shook her head slightly. “Then the amount of energy lost during the transfer would be even greater. That’s why a conduit is needed in the first place.”

Pinkie Pie bounced up, raising and waving her hoof eagerly. “Ooh! Couldn’t the Princesses and all those super-smart really talented unicorns in Canterlot and crystal ponies here figure out how to fix up a new one? Why, with all the Princess’ ponies and all her mages, surely they can put the crystal back without it taking ages!”

“The longer Sombra retains their life force, the harder it will be to properly restore it.” Twilight explained. “He’s using up their life force every day he stays … well, alive.”

Applejack slammed her hoof against the ground so hard it was a wonder neither her hoof nor the floor shattered into pieces. “Then what the hay d’we do? There’s got to be somepony who knows how to fix things up proper!”

“There’s only one.” Cadance turned her head. The others followed her gaze until they fell upon the deposed dark king of the north.

Sombra.

Chapter 28

“What?!” Applejack’s eyes practically popped out of her head. “Yer tellin’ me that the only pony who can set the li’l ones back to rights is the low-down, no-good ‘ornery son of a snake what changed ‘em in the first place?!”

“I would hardly think it likely that Sombra would help us – seeing as his own miserable continued existence depends on him retaining the years he stole.” Shining Armor pointed out bitterly.

“Then—is that it?” Rarity’s eyes wavered, her voice cracking slightly. “S-Sweetie Belle is going to miss out on her foalhood years—the best part of a young mare’s life?”

Rainbow drew everypony’s attention by snorting angrily and shaking her head. “No. No, she isn’t.” She marched over to the sullen, reserved form of the deposed tyrant.

Sombra’s only sign that he heard her coming was a slight twitch of his ear. Rainbow Dash waited for him to acknowledge her, but when he gave no acknowledgement of her presence, she grew impatient. “Hey!” She cuffed him with her wing, snarling. “Look at me!” With a slight grunt, the gray and black unicorn tilted his head up until he was staring into the hard cerise eyes of the pony who had beaten him. “You hear me?”

“I – hear you.” A soft, dull rasp floated up to her.

Rainbow nodded at him. “Good. You know what’s going on?”

“You were … debating my fate.” Sombra’s mouth thinned into a line. “To restore the children requires me to give up my life force. If I do that, I die.”

Dash tried to repress the flinch that ran through her body at that pronouncement. “Yeah. I know.” She let her shoulders sag a little. “But you have to.”

Sombra gave a small smirk, his teeth flashing against the darkness of his coat and mane. “Do I? It appears that I’m the only one with the knowledge and abilities to recreate the conduit crystal used in the ritual. And since cooperation means my demise, that hardly makes me want to volunteer.”

“Use your head,” Rainbow snorted. “Do you really think the Princess is just going to let you get away with what you’ve done?” Rainbow crouched down to look Sombra in the eye. “If you don’t give the kids back their life force, the Princess will just drain as much as of the life force as she can. You’ll die anyway, and the kids won’t even get aged back to normal. So you’ll be dead and hated. What sense does that make?” When Sombra didn’t answer, Rainbow pressed on. “It’s a bit late for the silent treatment. Hay, we shared memories, walked around in each other’s minds.”

Sombra’s eyes tightened with barely subdued anger. “Don't presume that means you know me.”

“I know that you weren’t always a psycho-monster,” Rainbow snorted. “And I know that you weren’t meant to be one either.”

“And how can you possibly know that?” Sombra drawled derisively.

Rainbow bristled at being dismissed.“Because if you were meant to be this evil overlord, then you wouldn’t have needed the Alicorn Amulet to corrupt you. You didn’t start to do the really nasty stuff until after you wore it. I know it messed with my head after I put it on.”

“Perhaps the evil was there all the time,” Sombra suggested, “and the Amulet merely provided its release.”

“Yeah, right.” Dash frowned, remembering her own experience with it. “What about your cutie mark? A cutie mark is a sign of your special talent, a reflection of your soul--maybe even your destiny. In all the time you spent being an arrogant princely creep or a full-blown monster, you never got it. That means that whatever it is you’re meant to do, being a tyrant isn’t it.”

Rainbow looked down at the Element of Harmony around her neck. “The Elements are all about harmony … I’m guessing that turning you into a puddle of goo wouldn’t count as being all harmony-ish or whatever. And—I’m thinking that maybe the Elements knew deep down that this had to be a choice for you to make. Considering how the Elements cured Princess Luna, they could’ve made all the kids the right age again. But they didn’t—because I think they knew that there was enough decency left in you that you would set things right yourself.”

Sombra scowled. “The past is littered with my crimes. I have no future to look forward to. All I have is the here and now—and you want me to give that up. I refuse to be remembered as just another defeated monster alongside Discord or Nightmare Moon.”

“So how do you want to be remembered?” Rainbow demanded. “As a failed ruler, murderer and foalnapper? Or as somepony who was willing to redeem himself by making the most noble sacrifice of all? The Elements cured you of the Amulet’s influence. This is your chance to make things right.”

He looked away and was silent for a long while. Rainbow Dash almost started up again when Sombra looked back to her, his eyes moist. “I—I don’t want to die.”

This time, Rainbow couldn’t keep herself from flinching. “Then don’t. You know more about these crystals than anypony alive. There’s got to be some way of transferring the life force you took back to the kids without killing you.”

Sombra shook his slowly head. “There isn’t any.”

She licked her lips, thinking hard. “You know … Princess Luna can enter dreams and stuff. She could—”

“I know all about dream walking and mind reading, as you’re undoubtedly aware,” Sombra reminded her. “I might not be able to keep them from finding the information forever, but you can be sure I can hold them off for a good while.”

So that was it then. Rainbow Dash looked away; she found she couldn’t bring herself to look at Sombra, the kids, or her friends just then. Her gaze wandered all over the room, which had been drastically altered by the wave of magic from the Crystal Heart. This must be what the place was like before Sombra redecorated and reshaped the Empire with his dark crystals. Now it was all bright and full of color and—the hay was that?

A large chunk of crystal was suspended in the air, connected by a thin length to the ceiling. Inside it was a dark shadowy mass. Rainbow had to narrow her eyes and tilt her head until she figured out what she was looking it. It was the three windigos, imprisoned and motionless inside the crystal.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of … whatever the hay they were, Rainbow mused. “Wonder what’s up with them?”

Sombra’s ears perked at her mumbled query, following her gaze. “They’re encased in the crystal. It is keeping them in a state of suspended animation: frozen in time.”

“Soooo, they’re stuck?” She flew up, idly tapping on the crystal. She waved a hoof in front of their frozen eyes, the windigos not so much as blinking.

“Something like that,” Sombra concluded. “I would keep them in there, if I were you.”

Rainbow rubbed her snout, an idea was bouncing around her head but she just couldn’t get it to come together.

“So what would happen if we kept them in there? Would they die or—”

“I’m not sure if spirits like windigos can die as such. Destroyed maybe…” Sombra mused. “But the harmonics of the crystal keep them perfectly suspended. They won’t age a day, assuming that windigos age at all.”

“That’s it! That’s perfect!” Rainbow whirled on Sombra. “We’ll stick you in a crystal!”

Sombra looked less enthused and more confused. “What are you babbling about?”

“Well, we need a crystal to focus the spell needed to draw the energy out of you and into the foals—what if you were in that crystal? It could draw out your energy and stuff, but if we don’t open the crystal again, you’ll stay in—whatever you called it.”

“Suspended animation,” Sombra provided. “However, the fact remains that I could never leave that crystal. The moment the spell was completed and you set me free, I would die.”

“What if we didn’t?” Rainbow asked. “What if we left you in there until—until we found someway to make it so you wouldn’t die?” She looked him straight in the eye. “If you do this—then I promise I will get the Princesses to get her smartest egghead unicorns and mages and stuff to find out someway of reviving you and keeping you alive, some day.”

Sombra slowly licked his lips, thinking it over. “There is … no guarantee that it would work. Or that they’d ever find a way to replenish my life force.”

“There’s more of a chance than if we go back to Canterlot and the Princess drains you,” Rainbow shot back. “Think about it … you could be woken up in another hundred or thousand years. Nopony would even know all the stuff you did when you wore the Amulet: a fresh start. A new chance.”

Sombra still hesitated. Rainbow was trying to be as sympathetic as she could be, but her natural impatience soon shown through. “Hey, it’s not like you’re getting any better offers on the table, guy. This is the best chance for everypony!” She leaned forward, forcing him to look her in eye. “You don’t want to be a monster anymore? Now’s your chance to prove it.”

Sombra sighed and his shoulders slumped down. “…I’ll do it.”

Rainbow nodded awkwardly and backed away to give him room, going back to her friends to fill them in.
Cadance frowned, still uncertain. “What if he merely encases himself in a crystal barrier that prevents us from regaining the stolen energy?”

“What good would that do him?” Twilight spoke up. “The Princesses could easily get him out again and he’d be back where he started. I think Rainbow Dash is right. This is our best chance for everypony.”

Cadance was quiet for a long moment before sighing. “I hope so.”

Sombra reared up, his horn flashing a blinding light as shoots of red crystals emerged, growing all around him. They shimmered as they slowly grew up around him, encasing his body. The last thing to be covered was his horn, which let out a bright flash before being completely covered. The flash temporarily blinded everypony present. When they looked back they saw Sombra frozen in place.

Cadance sighed. “All right then … let us begin.” Her horn began to glow, a similar magical aura surrounding the red crystal. The two started to pulse in synch with one another. A single bead of sweat made its way down the side of Cadance’s face as she dug in her hooves and poured in all her strength to reversing the spell. A hoofull of small glowing sparks started emanating from the crystal. There were a few at first, moving slowly toward the herd of aged-up foals. But soon more and more of them started pouring out of the crystal, moving faster and faster. It was a like a stream of stars washing out over the onlooking ponies, wondrous and incredible.

The tide of magical energy started to ebb until only a trickle of sparks emerged, then even fewer, until none. Cadance collapsed in exhaustion, only to be held up by Shining Armor. “Did … did it work?”

An excited whoop from Applejack answered for him. “It sure as sugar did!” She galloped over to her little sister and scooped her up in a tight hug. “That’s much better!”

The little filly squirmed and whined. “Ack! Applejaaaaack!”

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity’s eyes shimmered as she ran over to her now petite little sister.

“Rarity!” Sweetie squeaked happily, wrapping her hooves around Rarity’s neck.

It wasn’t long until everypony was laughing and hugging and celebrating. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, the natural celebrator and nurturer, were all too happy to act as surrogate old siblings and parents for the restored kids and dish out plenty of hugs in their stead.

Of course, there was one filly Rainbow Dash reserved for herself. Dinky squeaked as she was squeezed. “Rainbow Daaaash! I'm a muffin, notta squeaky toy!”

“Heh. Then why’d you squeak?” Rainbow returned, looking around to make sure she had some privacy before kissing Dinky on the nose.

Dinky gave her a kiss back. “Mwa! C'ause you make me all squeaky!” She beamed up happily at her godmom, before frowning in thought. “You didn't get cooties from that stoopid meanie, didja?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Nah. We blasted the cooties out of him.” She held Dinky tight, but turned her head to quickly check the crystal. Sombra looked the same as he had before the spell … except for one minor difference. On his formerly blank grey flank, there was a cutie mark: three red crystals. Awesome. Rainbow gave Dinky another relieved squeeze.
“Good!” Dinky sighed, clearly relieved as she gave Rainbow a squeeze. “That was scary!”

“I know.” Dash nodded, acknowledging the scariness of the situation without admitting that she herself was scared. “But you were a really brave little filly ... then a big filly ... then a little filly again. Huh.” She blinked. “You know, this was kind of a weird day.”

“Yeah.” Dinky agreed. “I got rilly big, but then I was a shrinky Dinky again, which is good, 'cause snugglin' with you would been hard when I was that big.” She nuzzled Rainbow. “Rainbow Dash? Can we go home now?”

Rainbow grinned. “You know it. Ready to see your mommy and Sparky?”

“Yah-HUH!” Dinky nodded emphatically, before giving a small sniffle, wrapping Favorite around her. “'Cause I missed 'em as bad as I missed you. I wanna go home, an' see Mommy an' Sparky an' have you stay over with us, an' we can be a big family again an' we never hafta come back up here again, unless Miss Cadance rilly lets Miss Rarity pritty things up.”

“Sounds like a plan, kiddo.” She ruffled Dinky’s mane. “You were such a brave filly. I'm really proud of you.”

Dinky gaped up Rainbow, her chest puffing out with pride. “Rilly?”

“Really,” Dash repeated, flicking Dinky’s muzzle with a feather.

Dinky wrinkled her nose. “Cool! But...” she looked around. “Can you keep a secret?”

Rainbow tilted her head curiously. “Sure. Go ahead.”

Dinky fidgeted in her grip. “I didn't feel rilly brave. I was scared.”

“That’s okay.” Rainbow held her close. “I'm still proud of you.” Relieved, Dinky snuggled her contentedly. “So …. Ready to go?”

“Yeah!” Dinky wriggled out of forelimbs and onto the floor, where she started eagerly dancing up and down on her hooves. “So let's gooooooo!” She turned and ran out the door.

Rainbow cleared her throat and pointed her hoof in the opposite direction. “Dinky? The way out is that way.” She waited and heard the sound of Dinky’s hooves stop and then suddenly scamper back.

Dinky poked her head back in. “Oh. I knew that!” Then she started scampering across the room to the opposite door.

Dash laughed and quickly followed her. “Come on Dinks! Race ya!”

Dinky started bouncing around the others when they failed to match her pace. “Come on! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!”

Cadance smiled as she looked down at her. “We’re going, Dinky … first we just have to let all the crystal ponies know that things have changed.”

Pinkie nodded. “Oooh! You could put up a big sign that says ‘Under New Management.’”

Cadance smiled. “Something like that.” She turned to the other adult in the room, the crystal pony called Azure Prism. “Azure, please … go out and tell the crystal ponies of what has happened. Sombra’s evil reign is over. The crystal ponies don’t have to be afraid anymore. Tell them to dance and sing and celebrate, let the joyous news be spread--and let the bells chime out for all Equestria to hear--let the bell of freedom ring!”

Azure, the normally meek and scared pony beaten down by years of enslavement, had a new gleam in her eye. “Yes, your majesty! At once!” She gleefully whinnied and galloped out, eager to spread the news to her fellow ponies of the joyful tidings.

“Hitting the ground running, huh?” Rainbow quipped as Cadance held the Crystal Heart over her head.

“These ponies haven’t had anything to celebrate in a long, long time.” Cadance smiled. “I aim to start correcting that. Starting now.”

A wide manic grin began to cross Pinkie Pie’s face. “Their first party. In a thousand years?! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE------” And with a pink flash out the door, she was gone.

“Whoo-ee!” Applejack wiped her brow. “Ah think Pinkie’s about to have herself a moment.”

“She sure seemed excited.” Twilight agreed. “I guess we should see what she’s up to before--” Her ears twitched as the sound of bells began to peel and chime. “You don’t think that Pinkie…”

“Only one way to find out.” Princess Cadance led the way through the Crystal Palace, now resplendent with bright colors and refracted light, until the group reached the front door. Cadance took a quick breath and opened the doors with her magic. Outside, the entire populace of the city had turned out, eager to see if the stories were true. Whispers had made their way through the Empire that Sombra had been deposed, tyranny and oppression replaced by love and freedom and that the rightful Crystal Princess had returned.

Spontaneous fireworks and banners, streamers and confetti had appeared all across the main avenue leading from the castle to the edge of the Empire. At in the middle of the street stood--or rather, bounced--Pinkie Pie.

Nopony even questioned this.

When the crystal ponies saw Cadance, the Crystal Heart held above her with magic, the explosion of joy was untrammeled. Bells and chimes ringed out all across the city in a spontaneous celebration that had Pinkie Pie bouncing giddily in place. Cadance smiled, gently leaning against Shining Armor as she walked down to meet her subjects. The joy in her heart could not be contained it was not long before she expressed what she was feeling to her new subjects, her subjects echoing her, knowing that things after so long would finally change for the better.

With a thankful heart, with a endless joy, with a growing family every girl and boy will be nephew and niece to me! (Nephew and niece to me!)

Will bring love, hope and peace to me! (Love, hope and peace to me!)

Yes, and every night will end … and every day will start—with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart!

With an open smile and with open doors, I will bid you welcome, what is mine is yours. With a glass raised to toast your health! (With a glass raised to toast your health!)

And a promise to share the wealth! (Promise to share the wealth!)

I will sail a friendly course, file a friendly chart … On a sea of love and a thankful heart!

Cadance turned to smile back to her companions from the long journey there.

Life is like a journey … who knows when it ends?

She made sure to shoot Rainbow Dash in a particular comforting smile.

Yes, and if you need to know the measure of a mare, you simply count her friends. Stop and look around you!

She gestured to the glittering buildings and spires of the Crystal Empire.

The glory that you see … is born again each day, don't let it slip away. How precious life can be!

The procession continued, with the herd of foals watching all the beautiful buildings and strange new ponies in awe. Cadance dipped her head to the crystal ponies.

With a thankful heart that is wide awake, I do make this promise with every breath I take -- will be used now to sing your praise! (Used now to sing your praise!)

And beg you to share my days! (Beg you to share my days!)

With a loving guarantee, that even if we part -- I will hold you close in a thankful heart. I will hold you close in a thankful … heart.

Cadance held a hoof over her heart as the crystal ponies stomped and cheered.

“Now that is the way for a princess introduce herself,” Rainbow said to her friends over the din.

Dinky tugged on Rainbow’s wing to get her attention. “That was rilly fun! But can we go home now?”

“Sure. We just need to get Cadance and then we’ll head back to the train and—” Rainbow was suddenly cut off by Shining Armor tapping her on the shoulder.

“Actually, that won’t be necessary.” He reached down to rub Dinky’s mane. “Cadance and I decided that we’ll be staying here in the Crystal Empire.”

Rainbow blinked. “Whoa, really? Looking to trade up from Captain of the Royal Guard to Prince?” She chuckled and nudged him.

“Er…” Shining coughed, coloring slightly. “Anyway, we need to help adjust the crystal ponies to being part of Equestria again, as well as make up for all the time they lost.” He looked over his shoulder to Cadance, who was dictating a letter to Twilight. “Cadance is explaining everything to Princess Celestia and telling her what we’re going to need. We’ll need teachers and counselors to help with the adjustment, mages to collaborate with the crystal ponies to better understand how the crystals work … we’re even going to extend the railway line so that it reaches the Crystal Empire itself. Not to mention removing the crystals with Sombra and the windigos to be transported back to Canterlot, under heavy guard.”

“Sounds good.” Rainbow shuffled her hooves awkwardly. “But, you’re gonna come back eventually, right?”

Shining mussed her mane. “Of course we are; we’ll need to go over our wedding plans with you gals.” He chuckled and put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “There’s something the last Captain of the Royal Guard told me when he retired. There are three things a good guardpony needs: a cool head, a warm heart and nerves of steel. You might still have a ways to go on the first thing, but when it comes to the rest: you’re pretty solid stuff.”

Cadance’s face was beaming serenely as she walked over to an open space located beneath the palace. Unlike most national treasures, this resting place for the Heart wasn't some vault or safe where it was going to be locked away until needed again; the mount was open to the crystal ponies in a specially-prepared section of the palace hollowed out and exposed, presenting the massive jewel to the ponies who so depended on it for their wellbeing and safety. It was a visible representation of the trust and hope endowed in the ponies, abused for so long by Sombra and his minions.

When she inserted the Crystal Heart into place, it began to glow and spin as it absorbed the love and happiness of the crystal ponies. A bright flash worked its way from the ends of the Crystal Empire inwards, lighting up the roads and closing in on the Crystal Heart. It began to spin even faster as the beam of light shot up through the palace and emerged at the top in the form of a glowing, wavering aurora borealis.

Everypony oohed and ahhed as the magical wave swept across them, blanketing them with warm feelings of love and joy. The crystal ponies began to shimmer, their coats no longer dull and faded, but lustrous and bright.

“So coooool…” Dinky gasped as she leaned against Rainbow Dash, snuggling up close as Rainbow wrapped a wing around her.

“You want to see cool?” Rainbow rubbed her head. “Just wait until we get you home for Hearth’s Warming Eve with your family.”

Dinky’s eyes gleamed. “YEAH!”

“So we just have to walk you kids to the train…” she winced. Marching a hundred foals through the cold and snow just to get to the train didn’t sound enjoyable. There was something else nagging at her, but she couldn’t quite put her hoof on it.

“Uh, Rainbow? About the train?” Twilight spoke up.

“Yeah?”

“That’s how you’re planning to get the foals home, right?”

“...Yeah?”

“The train … with only three compartments?” Twilight prodded. “The train that the eight of us found really cramped and uncomfortable for a week long journey?”

Rainbow raised a hoof only as Twilight’s words sunk in. “Oh, horseapples.” She facehoofed. Dinky giggled. Silly Rainbow!

“No need to worry.” The two looked to see a radiant looking Cadance stepping between them. Cadance tilted her head up and closed her eyes, soaking in the magic being radiated from the crystal ponies, channeled through the Crystal Empire to her. “I can harness the magic from the love of the crystal ponies to send you all back home. To send all the children home.”

“How wonderful!” Rarity put a hoof up to her brow, the other still firmly wrapped around Sweetie Belle. “The thought of return trip in that cramped little train … I would almost rather fight Sombra all over again!” She paused. “Um, your Majesty will remember to send the train back with our belongings though, won’t you?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes as Cadance promised that they would. “Okay, so let’s get going!” The impatient rainbow-maned pony snorted. “Cadance, do your stuff.”

“Ooooh! Wait! I almost forgot!” Pinkie piped up. She started rummaging around her mane with a look of pure concentration on her face … that, or gas. Her eyes lit up as she pulled out a small package in neat bow. Before anypony could ask, she started tied it to a rocket and lit the fuse, sending it hurtling out over the city and into the frozen wastes surrounding the Empire.

“Um, Pinkie? What was that about?” Twilight asked in confusion.

Pinkie smiled mysteriously. “Oh just a little snack to tide over some hungry guys we know.”

“Oh?” Twilight decided to humor her. “What did you make them? Cupcakes?”

She was surprised when Pinkie shook her head. “Nope! Quiche!”

Rainbow facehooved. “Cadance? Before anything else happens?”

The princess chuckled. “Of course.” She closed her eyes and her horn began to pulse in harmony with the Crystal Heart. There was a bright flash, and then they were gone.

Chapter 29

It was Hearth’s Warming Eve in Ponyville, and the town had never known a bleaker one. The loss of the children had cast a pall over any attempted celebration of the holiday. It would be passed over in complete silence, save for the sobbing.

Here or there, ponies trudged through the snow. Some were Cloud Kicker and her ersatz pony militia, which included a despondent Sparkler and her mother, the heartbroken Derpy Doo. They had joined in the slim hope of finding Dinky or at the very least, feeling better by actively doing something. Right now, both seemed far out of reach.

The group patrolled past Town Hall just in time for a bright light from inside to blare out through the windows, blinding them. “What is that?” Somepony in back shouted. “Is it an attack?”

Sparkler raised a hoof to shield her eyes from the glare. “I think … they’re back?”

Derpy suddenly zoomed between them, knocking Cloud down as she grabbed Sparkler. “Who is it!? Are they there? Who's with them!?” She hopped up and down, unable to control her excitement.

Sparkler couldn’t help but bring her usual teenage snark and aplomb to the situation. “Mom, you have wings.”

Derpy stopped her shaking and looked to her sides, where her wings were twitching in excitement. “…Right.” With that, she zoomed over to Town Hall, crashing through the doors. Dust and wood chips went flying as the doors fell in on the bubbly pegasus. “Tell the Mayor I’m sorry about the doors!”

Inside, the party from the Crystal Empire blinked at the sudden entrance. “Derpy? That you?” Rainbow asked. “Wait, broken doors – of course it is.”

“Isn’t that your Mom, Dinky?” Pipsqueak asked, pointing at the rubble.

“Mommy?!” Dinky’s eyes lit up. “Mommy!”

Beneath the rubble that used to be the doors, a gray ear twitched. “Dinky?” Hearing her daughter’s voice was enough. She blasted out of the debris and hurtled through the air until her outstretched hooves wrapped themselves around Dinky. Unable to stop, the two started rolling about on the floor as they waited for the momentum of Derpy’s charge to die down.

“WHOA!” Dinky yelled. “That was zoomy fast!”

Derpy lay on her back and held Dinky close, burying her face in Dinky’s mane. “My baby ... my baby ... oh my baby…”

From the doorway came another familiar face. “Derpy?” Cloud Kicker asked as she walked inside. “What was that abo—Dash? And … Alula?!” Then it was Cloud’s turn to charge in, albeit with more grace and precision than Ditzy had shown.

“Hiya Cloudy!” Alula jumped up and down, waving. Cloud sped over and began hugging and nuzzling her sister, trying to confirm that she was actually there.

“You okay?”

“M’fine.” Alula nodded. “We were inna cave and then we got lost, well, Dinky and Dummy got lost but I didn’t and I beat up a whole buncha monsters and…” she started happily babbling about her adventures as if she was retelling the events of a typical school day while Cloud just held her tight, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Sparkler slowly walked in, carefully stepping over the remnants of the door, “Mom, I know 'through the roof' is a turn of phrase, but—” she blinked trailing off when she saw Dinky and immediately galloped over to join the hug. Derpy began quietly sobbing as she held her daughters.

Dinky nuzzled her comfortingly. “I'm a'kay, Mommy, I'm here an' I'm home, an' Rainbow Dash an' her friends brought us ALL home!”

Rainbow fidgeted awkwardly as the room filled with the anxious parents of Ponyville, eagerly scooping up their missing children, overjoyed at their reunion. She saw Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s parents come over and embrace their two girls tightly … even the normally stoic Big Macintosh’s lip was trembling as he crushed Apple Bloom and Applejack to him, not noticing the slightly bluish tinge to their faces.

For a moment, Rainbow Dash was reminded that she was a new arrival to Ponyville. She didn’t have any family here. Hers was back in Cloudsdale. And with all these family reunions going on she stuck out like a crooked pinion. Even Pinkie Pie had the Cakes and Fluttershy had her animal friends to fuss over them. And Twilight had just been with her brother and her soon to be sister-in-law. But Rainbow Dash…

Sparkler, who was still holding her little sister tightly, looked up and caught sight of her. “Hey.” She nodded to Dash. “It’s okay. C’mere.”

With a deep breath, Rainbow trotted over, slowly resting a wing on Derpy’s back as she shed tears of relief. “Hey, s'okay. She's okay, Derpy.”

Derpy sniffled, hugging Rainbow tightly and nuzzling her. “Thank you. THANK you, thank you thank you th-thank you...” She sobbed quietly. “I thought I'd never see her again.”

“No. Way.” Rainbow held her. “I'd never let my friends down - especially when Dinky and the others were on the line.”

Dinky saw her mother crying and leaned over to hug her. “Why’re you crying? I'm here, Mommy … it's a'kay. I'm here.”

Derpy smiled through her tears and nuzzled Dinky back, her eyes still on Rainbow. “Thank you, thank you, THANK you ... thank you for taking the others to save them.” She bit her lip, fighting for composure. “Dinky ... she's ... Rainbow, I thought I'd lost my baby.” Derpy kissed her daughter’s forehead, and then turned to nuzzle Dash. “I knew you were an amazing godmother, but this ... thank you. Thank you.”

“Yeah!” Dinky wriggled free and gave Rainbow Dash a fierce tackle-hug. “You've been like my mommy 'cause you're always there for me an' you've loved me forEVER an' ever an' stuff as my godmommy even if you couldn’t be here in Ponyville but now you are an' I love you so, so, so, so, so, SO much! I love you, Rainbow Dash! I love you.”

Rainbow felt her lip tremble as a mushy, uncool emotion threatened to destroy her whole cool image … and for the life of her, she didn’t care. She wrapped Dinky up in a tight, tight hug that won a startled squeak out of the little filly. Rainbow was saved from having to formulate a further response by a new arrival stepping through the doorway and drawing all attention her way. “Princess Celestia!”

Everypony in the room quickly kneeled, cutting out their fond reunions with the appearance of their sovereign. The silence was broken by Dinky squirming in Rainbow’s grip and waving to her. “Hi Miss Princess! Rainbow an' her friends brought me home!”

Celestia smiled and walked over to the Doos and Rainbow Dash, gesturing for everypony to stand. “I am very glad to hear that.” She gave Dinky a gentle nuzzle. “Nothing makes me happier than knowing that all my little ponies are safe and sound.”

Dinky responded in her usual subdued manner by attaching herself to Princess Celestia’s face and giving her a combined glomp, nuzzle and dinky-sized kiss. Rainbow smiled at the sheer adorableness as she went over to nuzzle her mentor. “Princess…”

“Rainbow Dash.” Celestia returned the gesture, resting a wing across Rainbow’s back and laying her head on her student’s. “I’m so happy that you’re back and everypony is safe. But where are Princess Cadance and Shining Armor?”

“Oh, uh, right. Cadance wrote it all down for you in a note … I think Twilight has it. Nothing to worry about, everything’s fine.”

“I’m sure.” The Princess nuzzled her. “While I would like to talk to you more about your journey, it will have to wait. It is Hearth’s Warming Eve and now is the time to be with family. I suggest that you and your friends celebrate your good fortune together. But even without knowing everything that you and your friends have been through, know that I am so very proud of you.”

“Thank you.” Rainbow returned the nuzzle, just enjoying the Princess’ presence for a bit. After a moment she turned her head back to her friends. “Hey everypony! Who’s up for a Hearth’s Warming Eve celebration at my place!” Technically, her place was actually Derpy’s place, but Derpy was too busy hugging Dinky to register any objection. “Cider and hot chocolate all around!”

“And cupcakes!” Pinkie bounced up and down. “We need cupcakes!”

“Yaay!” Dinky cheered. “Can we have muffins? And cookies? And—”

Derpy made her way over and gently pried Dinky from the Princess’ face, nuzzling her daughter some more. “We can have absolutely anything you want, Muffin.”

“Whoa!” Dinky hugged her mother tight. “That sound rilly cool!”

“Yeah! Can we go too Rarity?” Sweetie squeaked adorably.

Apple Bloom waved her hoof. “Don’t ferget abou’ me!”

Rarity and Applejack looked at their families, then at each other. They smiled and looked to their younger sisters. “Absolutely.”

Scootaloo stood by awkwardly, scuffing her hoof against the floor. She wanted to go too, but didn’t want to be all pleading and stuff. That’d be lame. Besides, what if she was told no?

Rainbow Dash saw her self-declared number one fan looking down and regretted not having spent more time making sure she was okay too. Dinky was her god daughter of course, but she wasn’t the only foal in town who looked up to her. “Hey, Scoots, you wanna come too?”

“Do I?!” Scootaloo’s face lit up and her wings buzzed excitedly. Then she coughed and belatedly tried to recover her poise. “I mean, yeah sure. If you’re inviting me. I’ll just go and check with myparentsrightnowdon’tgoanywhere!” She zoomed off, presumably to find her parents and beg them for permission.

Rainbow smiled. “That kid is way too much like me.”

“I’ll say.” Rainbow turned to see Twilight walk up to her with a smile. “I don’t know if Equestria can handle two Rainbow Dashes.” Twilight mused teasingly.

Rainbow just shrugged with a grin. “Gotta leave a legacy of awesomeness behind for the next generation.”

“Oh, you’ve got that, don’t worry.” Twilight patted her shoulder. “After all this, there’ll probably be songs about you.”

“That sounds totally neat!” Pinkie exclaimed, sticking her head between the two of them. They hadn’t even noticed her approach, naturally. “Ooh, I got one!” She coughed and began to bounce around Rainbow, singing. “She's Rainbow Dash, and you bet she's gonna make a splash! She'll fly in and make the day all awesome and coool! And then she'll go over and pick up Dinky from schoool!”

Applejack rolled her eyes as she, Fluttershy and Rarity made their way over. “How about somethin’ more festive an’ less ego-riffc?”

“I’d like to sing some Hearth’s Warming Carols,” Fluttershy spoke up. “They’re so much fun.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Rarity agreed as Derpy, Sparkler, Cloud Kicker and even the Princess approached.

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “Ah, what the hay. Allright…

Old friends, dear friends. Here where we ought to be. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Old friends, dear friends. Living in harmony. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Some things change with passing years. Let this feeling staaay.

Dash smiled at the ponies surrounding her. Old flight camp friends, her new best friends, the Princess, her expanded Doo family … all together on Hearth’s Warming Eve. She’d kept her promise and brought the kids back, and just in time too.

Old friends, new friends. Home with the family. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Snowflakes, sleigh bells. Bringing back memories. We’ll be together at Solstice.
Some things change with passing years. Let this feeling stay.
Old friends, new friends. Hoping we’ll always be...
Here with each other together on Solstice Daaay!

Everypony applauded and stomped their hooves in approval. After singing, Dinky hopped down from her mother’s back and and scampered over to Alula and Pipsqueak, still being embraced by their families. “Hey 'lula, Pippy! C'mon an' meet Miss Princess!”

“Whooooaaa ... the Princess!” Pipsqueak gaped as he made his way over.

Alula fidgeted in Cloud’s grip, throwing the Princess a salute as Cloud Kicker finally set her down and trotted over to her friends.

Celestia smiled. “Dinky, is it? And Pipsqueak and Alula, correct?”

“Yah-HUH!” Dinky chirped, nodding to her friends. “We got lost an' stuck an' it was SUPER-scary sometimes, but Rainbow an' her friends came t'save us! 'Lula an' Pip were both rilly brave!”

“I'm sure you all were,” Celestia smiled as she bent down to nuzzle Dinky, Pip and Alula in turn.

“Gosh....” Pip blushed, shyly tracing his hoof across the floor.

Alula flushed, but managed to keep her composure a little better, throwing a tiny salute to the Princess. “Hello, Highness.”

Celestia smiled, dipping her head in acknowledgement. “You're a Kicker, correct?”.

“Yes, Highness,” Alula answered in an odd combination of meek but disciplined.

“I thought as much,” Celestia mused. “You made it through none the worse for wear, I trust?”

Dinky nodded sagely to the Princess. “'Lula got kinda hurt protectin' me an' Pip, but she's a'kay now!” Rainbow Dash flinched, looking towards Cloud Kicker. Alula’s sister bit her lip and looked like she had to restrain herself from flying over to immediately check Alula for her injuries.

Alula chimed in. “Yes, Highness. I got hurt a little, but not bad or anything.”

“Yeah! 'lula's rilly tough--kinda bossy, but tough!” Pip added.

“Thanks, Du—Pip.” Alula managed to give him a small smile.

Dinky looked up at Celestia. “Hey Miss Princess? Thanks for sendin' Rainbow an' her friends t'help us.”

“Anything for my ponies,” Celestia cast her gaze in Dash’s direction, making sure that she heard. “I knew Rainbow Dash and her friends would not disappoint.”

Rainbow couldn’t repress the goofy grin her mentor’s praise sparked in her. She was about to join the Princess and the kids when she found herself surrounded by grateful parents and family members of the rescued foals: Cheerilee almost crushed Rainbow’s neck with her enthusiastic embrace, Carrot Top shook her hoof so much it nearly fell off and Filthy Rich gratefully promised her a lifetime discount at his Barnyard Bargains store. Rainbow had no idea how so much gratitude could hurt. Big Macintosh’s tearful, mammoth, full-bodied hug put her in more danger of dying than all the bushwoolies under Sombra’s command.

She had no sooner gotten free of her well wishers than she found herself the subject of somepony else’s attention. “Dash?”

Rainbow turned around to see Cloud Kicker. “CK?” Her ears wilted slightly. “I’m sorry Alula got hurt.”

“It's fine, Dash. More than fine.” Cloud assured her as she leaned in close. “You brought my sister back to me. Thank you.” Then she kissed her.

“Hmmpphh?” Rainbow eloquently blurted out.

Dinky spotted them first and called out a warning. “Ackpt! Watch out for cooties, Rainbow!”

Alula turned to look, her eyes widening. “Whoa!”

Princess Celestia raised a wing to her face and covered her mouth.

“Oooooooh!” Rarity grinned manically as she watched. Fluttershy whispered something into her ear, prompting a titter and a gossipy giggle back from Rarity.

“Think ya can let her come up fer air now?” Applejack drawled from her place with her family.

“You're right!” Pinkie gasped. “Cloud, that's too long! Rainbow's turning blue!”

“Rainbow's always blue.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

Cloud Kicker slowly broke the kiss with Rainbow Dash. “Thanks,” She gently said again.

Rainbow Dash, whose eyes were busy imitating Derpy’s, smiled weakly as she rubbed her reddened cheeks. “W-welcome…” It was then that she became aware of the looks and giggles of her friends, Rarity whispering to Fluttershy and looking pointedly at Rainbow’s wings … which were now fully spread. Fluttershy covered her mouth with a hoof, letting out a quiet giggle as Rainbow fought to push her wings back down.

“Whoooaaa...” Dinky noted as she saw Rainbow’s slightly derped eyes. “Nice one, Miss Cloud Kicker! You fixed her eyes!” She tilted her head in confusion. “But why're her wings all sproingy?

“Because of reasons,” Sparkler explained as she hugged her sister.

Alula just looked back and forth between Rainbow Dash and Cloud Kicker with a huge grin on her face. “Cool!”

Princess Celestia coughed delicately. “Yes, well, I'll leave you to your ... celebrations. Happy Hearth's Warming Eve to all.”

“A'kay!” Dinky waved at her. Then she wriggled out of Sparkler’s hooves and ran after Celestia as she headed to the door. “WAIT! Miss Princess!”

Celestia stopped and turned back. “Hmm? Yes?”

“I gotta rilly 'portant question for ya!” Dinky proclaimed grandly.

“Of course.” The Princess nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Why do ponies call ya 'Your Highness'?” Dinky tilted her head back so she could look up at her. “Izzit 'cause you're so tall?”

Celestia just chuckled as Dinky looked up at her expectantly. “I ... suppose it is at that.” She ruffled Dinky’s mane with a wing, winking to her. “You are very adorable, Dinky Doo.”

“Thanks Miss Princess!” Dinky smiled. “But I dunno why ponies keep callin' me a door-a-bell. I just knock wherever I go!”

Dinky’s mother and sister groaned and did a simultaneous facehoof. “Oh my gods…” Sparkler groaned.

Derpy shook her head. “Oh, Dinky…”

“Silly Dinky!” Pip giggled.

“Yeah, she’s so goofy.” Alula nodded in a rare moment of agreement.

Princess Celestia shook her head. “Nevermind. Go and enjoy the holiday with your family Dinky, with my blessings.”

“Ooh. Cool!” Dinky grinned. “Thanks again Miss Princess!” She reached up and hugged the Princess’ face, giving her a kiss on the cheek before happily hopping back to her mother.

The Princess blinked at the filly’s unabashed forwardness and her sudden exit. “You’re ... welcome.” She shook her head once and made good on her earlier farewell.

After she had left, Cloud Kicker went over to Rainbow and draped a wing over her back. “So ... let's go do some Hearth’s Warming celebrations.” She gave Rainbow a squeeze. “I wanna hear all about what happened. Were you awesome?”

Rainbow puffed her chest out slightly, eager to “Uh, of course? Duh!”

“So...” Cloud grinned. “Got any good stories?”

“Well, let's see,” Rainbow mused coyly as she picked up Dinky and plopped her on her back. “I think I could tell some awesome stories over some hot chocolate. Maybe even open Hearth's Warming presents early”

“YEAH!” Dinky cheered as she hugged Rainbow around the neck, quickly echoed by Pipsqueak and Alula as the group: Rainbow Dash, her friends, their families, the Doos, Cloud Kicker, Alula, Pipsqueak and.

“So, about that story...” Cloud prodded.

“Oh, you wanna hear about how I kicked Sombra in the face?” Rainbow tossed her mane. “Well it started like this … I first had to fight my way through five hundred bushwoolies. By myself. Blindfolded, and with three hooves tied behind my back.”

“Rainbow...” Twilight chastised with a groan.

“Okay, okay...” Dash relented. “TWO hooves behind my back.”

Every adult present groaned and facehooved.

& & &

Far from the warmth and togetherness of Rainbow Dash and her friends, a lone figure trudged through the snow of the Frozen North. Zecora sighed, her breath a cold puff quickly lost to the biting wind. She had made her way out of the Crystal Empire while the others had debated Sombra’s fate. A quick incantation rendered Zecora invisible to the senses of the bushwoolies who inhabited the surrounding wastes. However, most of them were busy gobbling down quiches to notice her anyway.

While she wished she could have stayed to assist them in that difficult task, she knew that they had to find the solution themselves and not grow too dependent on anypony--or zebra’s--advice. Beyond which, they probably would not have looked too kindly on what she had done. Zecora looked up to check that she still had her prize. There, dangling from the top of her trusty staff, hung the Alicorn Amulet.

THE END

Chapter 1

An icy wind was howling, fierce than the bellow of any manticore, hydra, or dragon. Ice and snow came down in sheets that threatened to bury any poor traveler in its frozen embrace. There are times, Zecora mused to herself, when she thought ponies a particularly strange folk. For instance, who ever considered ‘on top of the world’ to mean a good feeling? For that is where Zecora, quite literally, stood. She was on top of the world and she had never felt so low. Not because of the biting cold--although that certainly did not help--but because she just had her worst suspicions confirmed by her own eyes.

“It is as I feared,” her breath came out in a puff of frozen air. “This accursed place has reappeared.” Her heart felt cold with dread that had nothing to do with the current climate. In order to keep herself warm she had adopted a meditative poise as she precariously stood atop her staff, upside down, balanced on a single fore hoof. A distant howl, not of wind, sounded close by. Narrowing her eyes, Zecora did not lose her balance or poise. She gracefully dismounted from her curious position back onto all fours. She drew her traveling cloak closer to her as she retreated from the mysterious city. There was much to do and so little time left. In the middle of her mental planning, Zecora spared a thought for the rainbow-maned pegasus and her friends.

Would they be ready for this? She mused to herself as she retreated back to the cave she had been staying in. There was only one way to find out and it wouldn’t be long until she did; for she’d be seeing them again soon.

& & &

Ponyville was blanketed lightly with snow as even more fell from the sky. Winter had arrived and everypony was getting into the Hearth’s Warming season. Even for a snowy night, though, it seemed unnaturally cold. There was a chill in the air that was not part of the planned weather; and that would not be dislodged. This was a cause for annoyance, but not concern.

In one particular house a certain lavender-gray unicorn filly buried herself beneath her blankets. “Brrrr!” Dinky Doo shivered as she peeked outside where the trees swayed in the wind. “Why’s it so cold?”

Sitting on the edge of her bed was the pony in charge of Ponyville’s weather: Rainbow Dash. “It’s probably some cold wind coming in from the Everfree Forest. It’s unpredictable Dinks, nopony knows why it acts like that. It just does whatever it wants to do.”

“I don’t like it!” Dinky announced precociously. She snuggled herself deeper into her blankets. “It makes it too cold! I’m supposed to go sledding with ‘lula and Pip tomorrow!”

“It’ll be fine by morning…in the meantime,” Rainbow reached behind her back. “would this help?” She pulled out a white patchwork blanket covered with cutesy animal designs sewn in--puppies, kittens, bunnies and the like.

Dinky’s face lit up. “Favorite!” She reached out and hugged her aptly named favorite blanket close to her.

“Yup! Fresh from the wash too.” Rainbow smirked, watching Dinky cocoon herself in Favorite. “Your mom did the laundry today.”

Dinky looked up at her godmom. “Is mommy gonna be back soon?” She bit her lip. Ditzy had to fly an important package all the way to Hoofington that afternoon. Dinky didn’t know exactly where that was, but to her it was a long way away. It would take, like, a bazillion years if she had to walk there on hoof!

Seeing that she was worried, Rainbow mussed Dinky’s hair. “Aw, c’mon. Don’t be like that, your mom will be back soon. The wind isn’t that bad, it’s more annoying than anything else.” She smiled encouragingly. “It’ll be a piece of cake…or a muffin, I guess. I promise, Ditzy will be here in time to wake you up and then, we’ll have pancakes for breakfast before you go out to play. Then tonight Sparkler will be back from Canterlot and we can all have dinner together. That sound good?”

“Okay, Rainbow Dash. If you say so,” Dinky said with that perfect trust in adults that only a young child can have. “Can you tell me a story?”

“A story, huh?” Rainbow quirked her brow at the sleepy filly. “How about the story of the ‘Sleepy Filly Who Really Ought to Go to Sleep?’”

The little filly shook her head. “Nu uh!”

“…The Story of the Awesome Pegasus Who Really Needs A Certain Filly to Go to Sleep Already?’”

“No!” Dinky shook her head stubbornly.

Rainbow groaned, flopping her head back on the bed. “Ugh, fine. What do you want to hear then?”

“Can you tell me an a’venture story?” Dinky rubbed her eye. “When I grow up, I wanna be a big, brave a’venturer…just like you.”

Against her own will, Rainbow Dash felt a large, dopey smile cross her face. Her ability to resist the cute—gone. “…sure thing, Dinks; whatever you want.” She cleared her throat. “Okay, so this is the story about how I flew from summer Flight Camp over to the Griffon camp for this awesome prank. Only I may I have gotten just the teensiest bit in over my head and your mom came to rescue me. Interested?”

Dinky cuddled up next to Rainbow, resting her head against the older pony’s chest. “Ya huh.”
“Well, it all started one April Foals’ Day…”

As Rainbow launched into her story, she failed to notice the pair of glowing red eyes peering in from the window. They settled back into the darkness to wait.

“...any they were so mad when they saw all their feathers had turned pink!” Rainbow snickered as she got to the punch line of her pranking story.

Dinky giggled. “I bet they looked silly!”

“Oh yeah, you better believe it Dinks!” She laughed. “I thought I was gonna molt my feathers, I was laughing so hard.”

“So what happened next?” Dinky asked.

Dash gave an awkwardly forced smile, rubbing her neck. “Weeeell, this is might be the part where I made the mistake of hanging around to watch them...I got busted.”

The filly gave her sitter a playful smirk. “Mommy says you never made got away with pranks 'cause of that.”

Indignant, Rainbow put her hooves on her hips. “Oh yeah? What else does ‘mommy’ say?”

“Oh ... lotsa stuff.” Dinky answered innocently.

Dash’s brow quirked upwards. “Liiiiiike?”

“Well ... she said Cloud Kicker was the brains of your pranking group.” Then the filly frowned. “But she also said Miss Cloud Kicker was all serious back then, so I don't know if she's right about that...”

“Hey!” Rainbow affected to sound hurt. “I came up with TONS of great ideas!” There was a beat as the rest of Dinky’s statement sunk in. “Um, yeah...” She rubbed the back of her neck again. “Well, some ponies change when they get older.”

“Did you change? 'Cause Mommy says you didn't.”

“Nah...” Rainbow winked. “You don't change perfection, kiddo.”

Dinky looked up at her with wide-eyed admiration. “Yeah, I guess you're pretty neat.”

The cyan pegasus beamed, buoyed but also a little embarrassed by Dinky’s sincere praise. “Heh, yeah I am!” She grinned for a second, then paused. She lowered her voice, “Can I tell you a secret?” Dinky nodded eagerly. “I know I'm awesome and all...but your mom helped me be even more awesome when I was a filly. She was the greatest camp counselor ever.”

“Well of course Mommy's neater than you! She's Mommy!” Dinky said as if it were the most simple and obvious thing in the world. Then she grinned. “But you're almost as neat as Mommy.”

Rainbow’s face contorted as she tried to determine how to handle that. In the end she settled for just a weak smile. You really can't argue to a filly that you're better than her own mom. “Thanks squirt.”

“So what happened after you got caught? Did Mommy save you?” Dinky asked eagerly.

“Well first the griffin campers argued about turning me over to their counselors or if they wanted to, uh, deal with me themselves. Some of them wanted to pluck out all my feathers or shove me in a thunder cloud.”

Dinky frowned adorably. “That's mean!”

“Griffins are kinda tough customers.” Dash explained, before grinning. “But not tougher than me though!” She rubbed a hoof against her chest.

“So didja beat 'em all up?” The little filly stood up and mimed a couple of punches. “ I betcha were all 'I'm Rainbow Dash, I'm awesome!’ Wham! Pow!” She swung and accidently knocked over a table next to the bed. “Hehe ... oops.” She grinned in adorable sheepishness.

“That's exactly what happened!” Rainbow said shamelessly as she rubbed Dinky’s head. She certainly wasn't subdued, held down and tickle-tortured until Ditzy arrived. No sir.

Fortunately for her, Dinky couldn’t read minds. “Cool!”

“I know, I know…” Rainbow said with false modesty.

“S'what happened after that?”

“Well this one big griffin named...I dunno...Grunhilda or something, snuck up behind me while I was fighting off five or six other griffins. Then they rushed me into their cabin and, uh, interrogated me.”

The little filly frowned. “So ... you lost?” She asked, the disappointment clear.

Rainbow Dash could practically hear her reputation being sullied in Dinky’s mind. She quickly explained. “Only cuz they cheated! Besides, the sun was in my eyes...anyway, even Daring Do sometimes ends up getting captured in her stories, ya know!”

This Dinky understood. “Oooh, Did they putcha in a giant pit with closey-inny walls and spike and snakes and spiderses and acid and...”

But the older pony shook her head. “Nah. Griffin's aren't that cool. The worst thing they had was smelly laundry.” She wrinkled her nose. “Which was pretty bad.”

Dinky adorably wrinkled her own nose. “Ewwie.” She pronounced firmly. Dash couldn’t help giggling at her expression. “So when did Mommy save you? Oh, did Miss Cloud Kicker help?” Dinky smirked playfully at her godmother and foal-sitter. “'Cause you're, like, totally her side-kick, right? So she's gotta save you!”

Rainbow felt her jaw drop. Did…did she just get trolled by her godfilly? She fumed. “Hey, I’m nopony’s sidekick! If anypony's a sidekick it's Cloud Kicker. ‘Kick’ is part of her name for Celestia’s sake!” She wasn’t aware that she had been raising her voice until she found herself shouting.

The unicorn filly jumped in surprise and fright. “Eek! Sorry!”

The cyan pegasus flattened her ears, embarrassed at having yelled at a filly. “No...I overreacted. Sorry Dinks.” Dinky hugged her without a second thought. Saying sorry and hugs fixed everything, right? “You're a good kid....” Rainbow hugged her back. “Uh, could you maybe not mention this to your mom when she gets back?” She shot the filly a hopeful, pleading smile.

Dinky grinned. “If you don't mention who knocked over the table. Aaaaaand if I get a cookie.”

“Sneaky filly,” the older pony grumbled, half admiringly. “Fine.”

“Yay, cookie!” The filly cheered.

Dash chuckled. “You're okay, you know that squirt?” She ruffled Dinky's mane. “You're all right.” Dinky beamed and once again hugged Rainbow Dash, who smiled. “Now, I think it's about time a certain filly went to bed.”

“Awww! But I'm not--” Dinky broke off to yawn. “…sleepy.”

“Oh, I think you are”

“Nuh-uh! And I didn't get my cookie and ice cream yet!” She pouted adorably.

Rainbow sighed. “I didn't say you'd get a cookie now...and who said anything about ice cream?”

“Mommy always lets me have ice cream...” Dinky said with as much sincerity as she could muster.

The pegasus scoffed skeptically. “Oh really?”

Dinky nodded. “Uh-huh!” She gave her a big, cheesy, entirely too-innocent grin.

“Is that so?” Without another word, Rainbow grabbed Dinky and began tickling her belly. “Tell the truth, squirt!”

“Eeee! Noooo!” She squealed, squirming and wriggling to try to escape.

“So, about that ice cream?” Rainbow yawned as she languidly flicked her feathers on Dinky's belly as she laughed uncontrollably, writhing with giggles.

“Mommy gives me ice cream ... sometimes.” She got out between laughs.

Rainbow grinned. “Sometimes?” She drew the word out. “Before bed?” As a coup de grace, she blew a raspberry on Dinky’s tummy.

“Eeee!” Dinky squealed, her hind legs kicking uncontrollably. “A-after dinner!”

“Thought so.” Dash nodded as she stopped her tickle attack. “Give up?”

Reluctantly, the unicorn foal nodded. “'Kay...” she rolled onto her hooves. “Can I getcha a glass of water?” She offered.

Rainbow shrugged. “Sure.” Dinky hopped off the bed and trotted out. She returned a moment later, using a little bit of telekinesis to hold the glass, which she then offered to Rainbow Dash. “Thanks!” The older pony said, accepting the glass and starting to drink.

Dinky waited until Rainbow was in the middle of a big sip to ask, “Are you and Mommy banging?”

“GLURK!” The pegasus comically sprayed a font of water across the room in an epic spit take. “PFFFFF!!! DINKY!! Where did you--how did you--where'd you even hear that word?”

The little filly started laughing so madly she fell onto her back, legs twitching in the air. She wiped tears of laughter out of her eyes when she finally calmed enough to talk. “Miss Cloud Kicker said you'd do something funny if I asked you that while you were in the middle of drinking something, but...” she fell into a fit of uncontrollable giggles.

Rainbow looked stunned. “Let me get this straight...Cloud Kicker told you to ask me if your mom and I were banging?” She made a mental note to kill CK.

The filly nodded. “Yuh-huh. She said she owed you for the thing with Princess Celestia.” Then she asked innocently, “What's banging?”

The older pony grit her teeth. “I am so gonna kill Cloud Kicker....” she grumbled, before clearing her throat. “It's uh...well, time for bed!”

Dinky pouted. “Do I hafta? I wanna stay up all night having fun with you!”

She was so earnest it was hard for Rainbow to say no. “Awww...you're a good filly. But your mom will totally be mad if she comes home to find you all tired and sleepy. You don't want to make your mom mad at me, do you?” She gave the filly her best puppy dog eyes.

Reluctantly, Dinky yielded. She didn’t want to get her favorite foalsitter in trouble! “I guess not...can we snuggle?” she asked hopefully.

“Snuggle? Um...” Rainbow felt her smile stretch uncomfortably until her cheeks hurt. Snuggling was really not part of what she did. Heck, this would totally ruin her reputation! “Well, uh…”

Dinky shot her the sad puppy look. “Pleeeease?” Dinky stuck out her trembling lower lip, her eyes shimmering. Rainbow never stood a chance.

“Oh...okay. C’mere.” She sighed. “Okay…scoot over.” Squealing happily, Dinky shifted to the side to let Rainbow Dash slide under the covers and join her in the bed. “Comfy, squirt?”

“Ya huh.” Dinky nodded, snuggling up to the pegasus.

“So, you looking forward to your big day tomorrow with Pipsqueak and Alula?” Dinky just yawned and nodded sleepily. Rainbow awwed softly. “Dinks? I'm....I'm really happy you’re my godfilly.” She leaned over to peck Dinky on the cheek. The half-asleep filly wrapped her hooves around her and mumbled something that sounds almost like 'mommy'. The prismatic pony felt her heart melt as she laid next to Dinky, listening to her breathing gently against her side. She laid there for a while, just watching Dinky sleep. Her godfilly. She had a godfilly. It was like having a sonic rainboom go off in her heart.

Rainbow gently wriggled herself free and pulled back the covers so she could get up and tuck the sleeping filly in. “G’night squirt,” she whispered, gently stroking the filly’s mane. Dinky responded by snuggling even deeper into her covers and sighing peacefully. Dash felt her heart melt. This godmother stuff might be a bit mushy, but it was still pretty darn cool. Sitting up she carefully trotted out of Dinky’s room and softly closed the door shut behind her. Yawning, she walked over to her own room and turned in for the night.

As Rainbow Dash joined the rest of Ponyville’s citizens in the gentle embrace of the Sandmare, the wind took on a different pitch. It was no longer howling angrily, but was now a soothing whisper; almost gentle tinkling of wind chimes.

Dinky stirred, tossing and turning in her bed. “Hnnnng…m’kay.” She murmured in a trance, sitting up and crawling out of bed. “Momma, izat you?” The little filly wandered over to her window. “Mom?”

A pair of red eyes blazed in the window as an outstretched claw pressed against the glass.

& & &

The sun had risen by the time a tired Ditzy Doo flew into Ponyville. She yawned massively, rubbing at her baggy eyes. All she wanted to was to go home, see her little muffin and then crawl into bed and sleep. At least it was Sunday and she had the day off.

But as she landed in front of her house she noticed something wrong. There were a number of ponies out and about, without any scarves or hats on; peering into alleys and calling out. At first Ditzy thought they were looking for a lost pet or something. Then she managed to hear just what the increasingly frantic ponies were shouting.

“…Archer! Archer, where are you?!” “Featherweight, this isn’t funny!” “Please has anypony seen Silver Spoon? Have you seen my daughter?”

Her heart sinking, Ditzy recognized Berry Punch calling for Ruby Pinch and even Cloud Kicker was out, desperately zooming over houses and shouting the name of her little sister, Alula. It seemed as if everyfoal in Ponyville had gone…somewhere.

One couple ran up and down the street. “Pipsqueak! Pippy, please come back!” Ditzy remembered the little piebald colt that Dinky was good friends with. There was a loud gasp and it took Ditzy a moment to realize that it had come from her.

“Muffin!” She cried out as she slammed her front door open. “Dinky, muffin, please be here!” The panicked mare flew up the stairs and into Dinky’s room, almost colliding with Rainbow Dash as the cyan pony frantically tore sheets and blankets off of Dinky’s bed.

Ditzy was trying very hard to stay calm, and not succeeding. “Rainbow? Where's my baby?”

Surprised, the blue pony looked up from her search. “D-Ditzy! I--I--She was here last night! I swear! We snuggled and everything...when I got up to go to my own room she was still asleep!”

Ditzy’s self control starting cracking, her voice going up to a near-shout, “Where's my baby?”

“I don't know, I don't know!” Dash exclaimed miserably. “Please, Ditzy I'm sorry!”

The trembling mother pegasus was furious. “You lost my baby? How could you...” Tears started gathering up in her eyes “.... my baby...”

Rainbow reached out with a shaking hoof. “Ditzy please....s-she couldn't have gotten far. I mean, the doors and windows were all locked and shut!”

Ditzy whimpered and cried for a few seconds, then quickly gathered herself and rushed out the door. She started flying around and calling out. “Dinky? Muffin? Baby, where are you? Mommy’s looking for you!”

“Ditzy wait!” Dash flew after her. “It's not just Dinky, every foal in town is gone! Please, just come back and we'll--we'll figure out something!” But Ditzy ignored her and continued searching. “Come on Ditz...I'll gather up the girls, I'm sure we'll come up with a plan...” Rainbow grabbed onto her and held her tight. "It'll be okay."

“Let go!” Ditzy exclaimed through frantic tears “I have to find my baby!”

Rainbow's shoulder slumped. “Ditzy...if--if she was nearby, she'd have heard somepony.” She hastily wiped her own eyes. “I—I don't think she's in Ponyville.” She paused before gently adding. “I'm...I’m sorry.” She lowered her head, a tear dropping down her cheek.

She kept holding onto the struggling Ditzy Doo as she half-heartedly attempted to escape. “I have to find her!” She exclaimed weakly. “My baby... my...” The gray pegasus clutched Rainbow and started sobbing.

Rainbow embraced her old friend and stroked her mane. “We will...I promise, I'll find Dinky. I promise.”

Chapter 5

& & &

“Momma! Are we there yet?” Dinky’s voice echoed oddly as she walked alongside her mother. They were in a weird white place that wasn’t inside and wasn’t outside either. There wasn’t any floor nor any real way to mark their location. In the far, far distance was a tiny black square. They’d been walking towards it for a really long time but they never seemed to get any closer.

Ditzy was silent, so Dinky piped up again. “I don’t wanna complain cuz you said that complaining isn’t nice, but we’ve been walking for a really long time and my hooves are starting to hurt and can’t we just stop for a little bit, please and where are we going anyway?”

“Someplace special. Now come along…everypony is waiting for you,” Ditzy’s voice lacked her typical maternal warmth or her bubbly enthusiasm. Dinky frowned. Something was wrong with Momma, but she sure looked like momma. A little voice in her head whispered something she couldn’t quite hear. She forgot about her doubts and started bouncing around her mother excitedly.

“Who’ll be there, Momma? Oooh! Is Sparkler gonna be there? Will Miss Cloud Kicker and Rainbow Dash? And Gramma and Grampa and Alula and Pipsqueak and…?”

“Yes,” Ditzy replied blandly, blinking slowly. “Now come.”

Excited, Dinky raced ahead as fast as she could. She couldn’t wait to see all her family and friends--maybe they were all coming for a big party for Hearth’s Warming Eve! That’d be the best thing ever! They would all sing carols and exchange gifts and play and...

The unicorn filly frowned. That dumb door wasn’t getting any closer! Maybe it was magic. Dinky’s eyes lit up. Well, if that’s how that stupid door was gonna be, fine! She had magic too!

Scrunching her eyes shut, Dinky concentrated as hard as she could. Her horn faintly glimmered and sparked. “C’mon…c’mon….”

“Stop.” Ditzy walked over. “That’s enough.”

Dinky pouted. “Aww, but Mom…” Her brow furrowed. “Wait...a minute.” Something was wrong. Her horn always told her when her mom was near. But it wasn’t telling her that now. But if her eyes said it was her Momma, but her horn said it wasn’t...Dinky frowned. “Do you love me?”

Ditzy blinked slowly. “Yes.” Her voice was lifeless, with none of the love and joy that typically filled it. Her eyes were the right color…but where was the life behind them?

“…you’re not Momma!” Dinky proclaimed. “Where’s my Momma? Tell me now!” She lowered her head, waving her horn around. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll make you tell me!” Dinky took a deep breath and poured all her magic into her horn, gritting her teeth as she ground out: “Where’s. My. MOOOM?!”

The fake-Ditzy shattered like that time she dropped Miss Rarity’s mirror. Then the white stuff all around started to tremble and crack too. Dinky screamed…

And then woke up. “Huh?!” Scared and panting, Dinky sat up and looked around. “Mommy? I had a…scary dream?” She wasn’t in her bedroom…or even in her house. Instead she was in a mining cart…she knew it was a mining cart because Miss Cheerilee showed a picture of one in class when they were learning about Appleloosa. There was some hay and straw on the bottom so it wasn’t too cold…but that also might have been because she wasn’t alone. “Alula? Pipsqueak?”

Her two friends were curled up next to her, their sides rising and falling as they slept. Dinky looked up to see that they weren’t in Ponyville anymore…it looked like they were in a cave or a tunnel. It was scary and dark, but there were crystals in the wall that glowed so she could still see. There was a sad-looking pony hitched to the cart who was dragging it forward on a track. There were a lot of carts and ponies, all being taken the same way.

This wasn’t fair! She pouted. Once you woke up from a bad dream everything was supposed to be all right. Not get all weirder! “’Lula! Pip! Wake up!” She nudged the tiny colt with her head as she reached out with her hoof to shake Alula’s shoulder. “Something weird’s going on! Come on, waaake up!”

Pipsqueak’s eyelids fluttered as he was stirred awake. “Hnnng wha?” He rubbed his eyes. “Wha—” A massive yawn cut him off. “What's going on...” He tried again. “Dinky? What're you doing here?”

Alula mumbled sleepily. “I dunwanna do wing blade training mo—” She shook her head as she started waking up. “Huh? What's...this isn't home?”

Dinky covered their mouths with her hooves. “Ssh! Sumthin' weird's going on.”

“Hmmph?” Pip asked, eyes wide, around a mouthful of hoof.

Alula tensed, as she pulled away. Then she quietly whispered. “Weird how?”

Dinky looked over her shoulder. “Ida know...Momma's not here, we're not...home.”

“Where are we?” Pip looked up at the ceiling. “It looks like a cave...”

“Somthin's wrong.” Alula frowned. “We gotta ... get a repsit or somethin'. Reconeroterie.”

“It's kinda like Miss Cloud Kicker's closet.” Dinky mused. There was a beat as Pip and Alula looked at her incredulously. “It's gotta lotta whips and long, glowy things.”

Pipsqueak, not really knowing Cloud Kicker, just blinked in confusion. Alula however, nodded, getting it. “Cloudy has weird stuff in there, but Mom says I shouldn't look around.” The pegasus filly looked around. “So ...uh ... we're in a minecart. Why are we in a minecart?”

The sole colt shrugged, scratching his head adorably in thought. “I dunno…maybe somepony wants us to mine for buried treasure?” Pip suggested.

“Why are we here? Where are we?” Dinky tried to think. “How....I was asleep, how'd we get here?” She trembled slightly. “Where's Rainbow Dash?”

“I dunno Dinky.” Alula rested a wing against her friend. “Dunworry though. Momma always says Kickers keep other ponies safe.” She paused to think. “Okay, so...I say we should get outta the cart.” Alula, stood up and peeked over the edge of the cart; Pipsqueak being too small to see over the side and Dinky being too scared.

The lavender-gray unicorn filly hunkered down, “Waddaya see?”

Alula looked around. “’Kay ... we got some weird lookin' ponies pulling the carts, and a lotta tracks. There's other carts with the other kids in 'em.”

“D'you see a grown-up? Somepony that's not a stranger?”

“Uh-uh, just those weird-lookin' ponies pulling us away.”

“Nopony we know? Rainbow Dash? Your sister?” Dinky gulped. “Momma?”

Pip piped up with his own question. “Which way is Ponyville?”

Alula furrowed her little face in thought. “Um ...if all the kids from Ponyville are here, they're probably taking us away from Ponyville, right? And there're tracks...so maybe we just follow them back?”

“Maybe..?” Dinky hesitantly agreed.

“S-so, we should get out of here before it takes us further away from home, right?” Pip suggested.

“I don't see any adults. So I guess we gotta...” Alula thought back to what her Mom told her. “Yeah. We gotta stay calm, and go find an adult to help us.”

“Maybe we should ask one of the adults pulling the cart?” Dinky suggested helpfully as she hopped up besides Alula and turned to the pony pulling them. Pipsqueak used Dinky as a step stool so he could peek out over the side too.

Alula tried to grab Dinky. “No!” She hissed quietly, but it was too late.

“Hey! Um, d'you know how to get back home?” The little filly asked hopefully.

“Dinky! These ponies are taking us away from our parents! They're bad ponies!” Alula hissed.

The pony pulling the cart didn’t even give a start or slow down. Then she slowly turned her head back to the trio of foals. Her eyes were glassy and vacant. Almost like she was in a trance or a....

“Zombie pony!” Pipsqueak shouted. Dinky gave a shriek and fell back into the cart, taking Pipsqueak down with her. Alula ducked down too as panic soon infected all three of them.

Alula shuddered. “Probably wanna...gobble us up or something!” She exclaimed in horror.

Dinky was shuddering as well. “I was gonna be a zombie pony for Nightmare Night...I didn't really wanna be one!”

“Let's get out of here!” Pip yelped as he tried to climb up and out of the cart in a panic. But unlike the two fillies he wasn't tall enough to climb out on his own. Alula had to help him out by giving him a nudge.

“We got stay quiet, get outta here, and get back home.” She whispered to her fellows as they made their escape. “Or at least find an adult who can help.”

Dinky was next. She clambered up and banged her back hooves on the cart as she fell, letting out a pained yelp. “Ow!”

Dusting himself off, Pipsqueak ran over to Dinky as Alula made her own, less uncoordinated, exit. “A-are you okay?”

The injured filly sucked on her knee for moment. “Mm-hmm. Just hit it funny. Owie....” She shook it off. “'kay, let's get outta here!”

Alula trotted over to join them, warning with a hissed whisper. “We gotta stay quiet, or the zombie ponies will get us!”

Wide-eyed with fear the two other foals nodded. “R-right.” Pipsqueak whispered softly.

“Sorry.” Dinky tucked her head down and walked over to a crevice, hidden in the shadow of a glowing crystal. Pipsqueak trotted after her. Alula took a second to give a hesitant glance at other carts. She considered trying to wake up other ponies, but decided the risk of getting caught is too great. So she followed Dinky and Pip into hiding.

“So...now we wait for the zombie ponies to go past, then we go the other way?” The little piebald colt asked.

“Yeah,” Alula breathed softly. “We just gotta follow the tracks, and we'll get back home.”

Dinky thought, then nodded. “We gotta get outta here and find Momma. Or somepony else who can help.”

“We’ll need to find somepony really brave and strong.” Pip thought aloud, tapping a hoof against his muzzle. “Like Captain Pip Sparrow, fiercest pirate captain on the seas! Arrr!” He winked roguishly at Dinky, making her giggle.

Alula rolled her eyes. “Stop being silly! This isn’t playtime, we need a real pony!” she argued. “Like Cloudy or Mom or Dad or Rainbow Dash or...”

Dinky nodded. “Or Momma or Uncle Cirrus.”

“Or a Princess?” Pipsqueak suggested, not wanting to be left out.

“'Kay. So we keep going until we find one of them, or anypony in the Guard.” Alula confirmed, taking charge.

Dinky nodded again and looked back at the way the carts were coming from. “It's dark that way...um, I don't think we can take this with us.” She nodded her head up to the large crystal.

“Well...” Alula thought. “As long as we stay on the tracks, we won't get lost.”

“But it's dark.” Dinky let out a mild whimper.

“ Maybe...” The pegasus filly reached up and smacked the crystal with a hoof. The results were not encouraging. “Oww ...” Alula winced and waved her hoof. “No wonder mom wears metal shoes...”

Looking around, Pip saw a chunk of crystal lying on the ground near the wall. “Look!” He pointed out before trotting out to get it. However he found that picking it up with his teeth wasn’t going to be possible as the crystal was rather heavy. Not that he didn’t try. He grunted and pulled.

Dinky shook her head knowingly. “Momma always says to lift with your legs, Pippy.” Then she went out and tried only to overbalance and almost fall over the instant she tried to pick it up. She stomped her hoof and let out some angry foal-curse words. “That's heavy!” She tried again, managing to lift the crystal a bit before having to let go. “Stoopid heavy thing!”

For his part, the diminuitive Pip was trying to show the fillies that he was a big and strong pony by trying to lift the crystal up himself. “I gaff it!!” He grunted, digging his hooves into the ground and strains, trying to lift it…and failing. “Gah!”

Alula scratched her head. “Dinky? What about your telek—telkin—magic?”

“I'll try, Sparky's been teachin' me some stuff...” Dinky puffed out her cheeks, her horn sputtering sparks as the crystal rolls on the ground a bit, but that was all.

“Okay ... well maybe if all three of us carry it together?” Alula suggested. Pip nodded glumly.

But Dinky shook her head, grumbling. “Lemme try somthin'...stoopid magic....” her cheeks puffed out again and her eyes crossed in concentration as her horn glowed very slightly.

Pipsqueak took a hesitant step back. “Um, are you okay Dinky? Your eyes are starting to look like your mum's....”

She nodded, focusing her derped gaze on her horn. “Sparky said I gotta think about it a lot...so I gotta watch an' make sure it's still glowing.”

“Dinky?” Alula bit her lip as the crystal began to shake. “Be careful...”

“Of what?” Dinky asked, right before she tripped on a flat surface. “Owie...so that's why Momma's always crashing.”

Pip rushed over. “Are you okay?” He gave her a comforting nuzzle before looking over to the crystal. “Look!” He pointed. Dinky hadn’t managed to lift the crystal up but the next best thing happened. It cracked and broke off a piece, forming a smaller, lighter and easier to carry shard. “You made the crystal break!”

Alula nodded. “Yeah! Good work Dinky!” She rushed over to give her an impulsive hug.

Dinky rubbed her head, but hugged them both back. “M'okay.” She looked at the shard. “'lula, can you carry that under your wing?”

Pip frowned. “Why can't I carry it?” He walked over and picked the smaller crystal up with his teeth…but its additional weight caused his body to overbalance and he ended up faceplanting into the ground, his rump in the air. “Awww....” he pouted as he spat out the crystal and sat on the ground. “Dumb rock.”

Alula just rolled her eyes as she answered his earlier question. “'Cause you're a boy, stupid.” She picked up the crystal and tucked it under her wing.

Dinky came over to pat his head sympathetically. “You'll get it later. You just need an awesome pony to show you how.”

Sulking, Pip grumbled as they started walking back along the tracks. “M'not stupid…and I am an awesome pony.”

“'kay ... so I guess I go first since I've got the light.” Alula stated. “Then Dinky, then Pip. We gotta go single file, 'cause…” She thought and drew a blank. “I forget, but it's important.”

“Ponies gotta go single file to hide their numbers....and we scare easy, but come back in bigger numbers.” Dinky suggested. Then she shrugged. “'least that's what Miss Pinkie says.”

‘Lula’s eyes brightened. “Yeah, that sounds right Dinky!” The unicorn filly beamed proudly.

“W-why do I have to be last?” Pip bit down on his trembling lip as he remembered that in the comics, the pony at the end of the line always gets grabbed without anypony noticing.

“'Cause you're a colt.” Dinky explained. “Cooties'll scare off anypony coming from behind.”

“But I don’t have cooties!” Pip protested, but in vain.

“Everypony knows colts have cooties.” Alula stated matter-of-factly.

Pip shook his head as he marshaled his arguments. “Nuh-uh! It's fillies that have cooties!”

“You got cooties.” Dinky said bluntly. “S'okay, Miss Cloud Kicker says condos help keep them away.” She paused, thinking. “I dunno what a condo is, though she was talkin' to Sparky when she said that.”

“Cloud Kicker's kinda weird.” Pip scratched his head. ”My Da said she's easy...makes it sound like she's a game or something.”

“Cloudy says lotsa weird stuff sometimes.” Alula agreed. “Mom says it’s not important.” Then she glared at Pip. “She's still the coolest big sister ever!” She towered over the tiny colt.

Feeling sorry for him, Dinky piped up. “Nuh-uh, Sparky's the coolest!”

“Cloudy could beat up Sparky.” Alula argued as she started walking, Dinky and Pip falling in behind her.

That made Dinky huff. “Nuh-uh! Sparky's got magic!”

“Cloudy's got Guard training and Krav Pega and wing blades and stuff. Sparky's just got magic. So Cloudy's, like, three times as good!” Countered the little pegasus.

“What's Krav Pega?” Pipsqueak asked.

“It's this really cool thing we learn that let's us go all wham! Boom! Pow!” ‘lula mimed punches with forehooves.

“Ssh!” Dinky hushed her intently.

Alula bristled defensively. “I was bein' quiet!”

“Yer being loud!”

“Am not!” ‘lula whispered harshly. Dinky responded with a loud hushing noise.

Pipsqueak took a big breath as he tried to think of what his Da would tell him to do. He’d say to keep a stiff upper lip and all that…what the ‘all that’ was, Pip never found out. Still, Pip decided that this could be just like one of his adventure books. The brave stallion who led the scared fillies out of the deep dark cave and rescues them. He beamed at the thought. He’d be a hero! His overactive imagination started picturing all kinds of scenarios: monsters and sword fights and treasure!

Then…a stray drop of icy cold moisture dripped down from the ceiling and landed right down on his rump. So lost in his own thoughts, the startled colt let out a fillyish shriek “EEEEEEK!!!” The sudden noise made Dinky shriek and jump as Pip’s wild imagination went into overdrive. “AAAH! Zombie pony drool! They’re gobbling my backside!” He wailed.

Alula jumped in front of the two of them and flared her wings protectively. “You try and hurt my friends and I'm gonna getcha!” She shouted in a tone that she would insist definitely did not make her sound even a little bit scared. At all. Dinky huddled behind her and Pip behind Dinky, clinging closely to each other.

There was an utter silence, broken only by the occasional shiver, knocking of knees and the dripping of water. Drip....drip....drip...

Dinky breathed heavily, then giggled. “'S water you dolt-colt,” she nudged Pip.

The tough pegasus turned around and scowled, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “I ...” she frowned, using her wing to swat the back of Pip’s head. “Dummy! You sca—you startled me!”

Pip rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Ow! Well, I thought it was drool from a zombie pony!” He defended himself.

“And you got cooties all on me!” Dinky added.

“I did not!” Pip protested. “You got cooties on me!” In the distance there was the faint sound of water dripping again. He squealed and hugged Dinky again.

“Maybe we should keep goin' an'—” Alula growled in annoyance, swatting Pip again. “Stop bein' a fraidypony, Pip!”

Dinky rolled her eyes and went to shove him off again when she heard something else in the distance.

Drip...clip-clop....drip...clip-clop.....drip-clip-clop.....

Pip froze. “W-what's that? Do we run or hide?”

In a very light whisper, Alula murmured. “Hide first.”

In a tense and quiet tone, Dinky whispered. “'lula, hide your crystal.” She tucked it beneath her wing, hiding its light completely. Dinky pulled both of them into a tight crevice, covering Pip’s mouth. The scared colt trembled, huddling against the girls as something approached.

A pony like one of the cart-pullers approached and looked around, its eyesight distorted by the crystal held in its mouth to guide itself. It looked around at knee-level, clearly not searching for an adult.

Alula gulped and covered her mouth. Dinky went wide-eyed and held her friends in a panicked chokehold as Pip trembled. Thinking quickly, Alula carefully grabbed a loose chunk of rock, and threw it back down the way they came from. The pony made an animalistic grunt and turned to follow the source of the sound, passing within feet of the three of them.

Once the pony had gone past, Alula whispered quietly. “Quick!” She started to run as quietly as possible. Dinky bolted as well, chomping onto Alula's tail to keep from getting separated as Pip, in turn chomped on Dinky’s tail and ended up getting pulled along, his hooves not even touching the ground as they ran.

The foals kept running and running until Dinky started to tire and slow. She wasn’t as in-shape as Alula, and Pip barely ran as much as he was pulled…and as blasphemous as it might be to say in the Doo household, muffins don’t make for a healthy, well balanced diet (Ditzy had attempted to introduce ‘healthy’ broccoli and asparagus muffins but those didn’t turn out so well).

Seeing Dinky slow made Alula reduce speed as well, until all three of them finally came to a complete halt. Pip spat Dinky’s tail out of his mouth. “Ugh....I think I got your tail hair in my mouth...”

Poor Dinky, more worn out than either of them, panted in gasps. “Got....colt-slobber....in my tail.”

Alula was looking winded as she regarded her own tail, now Dinky-free. “Dinky-spit. At least it doesn't have cooties.”

Shakily, Dinky lied down for a breather. “Nuh...nuh-uh.”

Pipsqueak mumbled something about girls and cooties that even he forgot about when he lifted his head up and looked ahead. “....uh-oh.”

The fillies looked up too, Dinky going wide-eyed as they saw the main tunnel suddenly splitting off into five or six branches...each one with a rail running into it. There was no way of telling which one led back to Ponyville. And though they didn’t realize it, the main tunnel itself had not been a straight line either, but had twisted and turned any number of times during their trek.

They were well and truly lost.

Realizing this, Alula used a couple words she heard at the Kicker training yards once. Still panting, Dinky looked at her. “Whadda those mean?”

Her friend just shrugged. “I dunno. They just seem like mad words.”

Dinky nodded, scrunching her face up in thought. “....I'll ask Momma when I get home.”

“...which way do we go to get home?” Pip asked.

Licking her lips as she tried not to panic, Dinky tried to think of an answer. “Um.....”

“Uh ...” Alula started pointing at random and quietly muttering under breath. “Eeny meeny miney moe...”

“Catch a griffin by the toe...” Dinky continued when she was cut off by a sudden, low growl. “…ifhehollerslethimgo!”

“That one looks good!” Alula yelped as she jumped in surprise and ran down the third tunnel on the left, Dinky hot on her hooves.

Pip hesitated for a second then chased after them. “But—Uh, guys?”

As she ran, ‘lula looked back at him. “What?”

“Um, that was just me.” Pipsqueak admitted.

Alula stopped running and shot an annoyed look at Pip. “That was your tummy, wasn't it?”

Sheepishly, Pip nodded. “A huh. I’m hungry.”

“Tell it to shush.” Dinky asked doing her best to totally sound not scared.

“I can't help it!” Pip bit his lip. “I'm really hungry...”

Alula swatted the back of his head again. “Dummy.”

He sulked for a moment, then proceeded to giggle. “You were both scared of my tummy.”

Alula drew herself up proudly. “Was not!”

“Was too!”

“Was not!”

“Too!”

“Not!”

“Too!”

“Not, cootie-face!”

“Too, featherbrain!”

Dinky put her hooves over her ears and pouted. “Quiddit guys, 'm thinking.” Alula and Pip stopped and looked to their friend. Alula sat down quietly waiting for Dinky to think.

“'bout what?” Pip asked curiously.

Dinky went derp-eyed. “Tryin'ta remember what Miss Pinkie taught me.....itchy neck means somepony's watching you....” she started walking in a random direction. “…creaky knee says which way to go....” she sped up excitedly. WHAM! “Oh yeah. And a wall to the face means you've found the wall.” She groaned as she pulled her face away from the rock.

Pip winced sympathetically. “Um, does that even work for ponies who aren't Pinkie Pie?”

“You okay, Dinky?” Alula asked.

Dinky reached up and rubbed her now bloody nose. “Owie.....”

Pipsqueak trotted over to give her a get-better-hug, as Alula hastily joined them to clean up the blood.

“A-are you okay Dinky?” Pip asked in concern, patting her back.

“Ogay....dat didud hurd.” Dinky groaned.

Pip tried to think of what his Mum would say if she were here. He tightened his hug and patted her back again. “Um...there, there?” He had no idea what that even meant, but if the grown ups did it, it must work, right?

“'posedta what, 'ere 'ere?” Dinky blinked in confusion.

“…I 'unno” Pip admitted sheepishly. “It’s supposed t’make you feel better.”

Dinky snerked and accepted the hug. “'kay.”

Alula meanwhile was trying to think of what her Mom would do. “It's not that bad.” She said at last. “We gotta keep moving.”

“But she's hurt!” Pip protested, looking up from his hug. “And we don't know where we're going!”

“Crying's not gonna make her not hurt.” Alula huffed impatiently.

“Well what if she gets even more hurt? Maybe we could, um...make a stretcher!” The colt suggested.

That prompted another eye roll from Alula. “Her legs are fine, dummy.”

“Stop calling me dumb!” Pip stomped his hoof, getting upset. “Who put you in charge anyway?”

Dinky rubbed her sore snout as she looked at her friends. “Quiddit! We gotta go, 'kay?” She sniffed as her nose stopped bleeding.

“Yeah….” Alula shot a last annoyed look at Pip, then cleaned the rest of the blood off of Dinky's nose. The little colt snorted, deliberately turning away from her.

The little unicorn sat still as she let Alula clean her. “You too. Bein' mean's mean.” She paused for a beat. “And, uh, not okay down here.”

“But he keeps being a dummy!” Alula exclaimed defensively, throwing her hooves up.

Pipsqueak sniffled.

Dinky rolled her eyes, then looked to the side. “You're bein' mean, 'lula.”

The rebuke from her friend made Alula give a guilty flinch. “But...”

Pip meanwhile wasn’t paying attention. He was rubbing a hoof across his face as thought back to his Mum and Da. Big colts don't cry...that's what his Da told him. Big colts don't...cry…a drop of water ran down his muzzle and plunked onto the ground.

Dinky meanwhile pulled head away from ‘lula. “You're. Being. Mean. And a bigger dummy.”

Then it was Alula’s turn to sniffle. “'Mnot mean.” Dinky said nothing, she just motioned her head to Pip as the little colt’s whole body seemed to shake as he sobbed softly. Alula hung her head and very quietly mumbled. “Not a meanie...”

Grumbling at her friend being stubborn, Dinky got up and gave Pip a get-better hug. He immediately latched onto Dinky and started crying in earnest. This wasn’t like the adventure stories! “I--I wanna go home!”

She shushed, trying to get him to be quiet, even as she was trying not to tear up herself. “Me too.”

As much as she tried to stop it, the tears started to come for Alula too. She raised her voice angrily. “I wanna go home too, but crying and being dummies isn't gonna help!” This wasn’t fair! She was just doing what her Mom did when Alula was hurt or scared. I can't cry like a baby, she thought to herself. I gotta be tough and brave! She was, after all, a Kicker. She was from a long-line of royal guards ponies—as her mother was always fond of reminding her. Her mom was a guard, her dad was a guard…even if she wasn’t a guard yet, it was up to Alula to be brave and strong for other ponies 'cuz that’s what Kickers did.

She frowned grumpily. Stupid Pip. Him being scared made it harder for her to deny that she was too! And she couldn’t let herself be scared! Then as quick as her anger came, it left just as fast. She let out a soft sniffle. “We gotta be strong an' tough and stuff. Like soldiers, 'kay?” She pleaded for them to understand.

Dinky nodded. She went over from Pipsqueak to give Alula a get-better-hug as well. “'kay. Let's go, I wanna go home.”

Pip nodded, wiping his eyes as went over to join them. “M-me too...I miss my Mum and Da.”

Alula held onto Dinky and very quietly whispered to herself. “Shouldn't be crying. Dumb me. Gotta be tough.”

Dinky pulled them both close, nuzzling Alula. “'m scared too.” Pip hugged both of them.

After wiping her eyes on Dinky's shoulder, Alula sniffed back her tears. “You dunhafta be scared Dinky, 'Cause I'm a Kicker, and Kickers keep other ponies safe.” She gave a half-smile at Pip. “Even dummy colts with cooties.”

The little colt didn’t seem to mind this, as he continued to hug them both tightly. “We all got cooties now.”

“Maybe Miss Cloud Kicker can give us a condo to help when we get back?” Dinky suggested.

“Yeah, sis'll do that.” Alula nodded. “And we'll get back safe. I'll keep you both safe, 'cause it's my duty.” Dinky and Pip looked at each other and then back to the super-serious Alula. They both snorted and started to giggle. “What?”

The pressure of the situation and the ensuing emotional rollercoaster had taken their toll on the normally more mature Dinky and Pipsqueak as they burst out together: “You said doodie!” Then they fell against each other and began giggling madly. Alula blinked incredulously, but then she started giggling too.

At that, despite the seriousness of their situation, all three foals cracked up and started laughing and hugging, creating one bright spark of hope that seemed to drown out all the dark and gloom around them.

& & &

Chapter 17

“There it is. The Crystal Empire.”

Rainbow Dash listened to Shining Armor with only half an ear. She was too busy looking at the fabled cursed city herself. From what Twilight’s books had shown her, the Crystal Empire formed a symmetrical, intricate pattern. Like a snowflake. But instead, black, irregular spires of dark crystals jutted forth at random locations. And the Crystal Palace was completely transformed by them into a dark and terrible fortress. Surrounding the city was, according to Shining, an immense magic barrier that kept out anypony and anything Sombra didn’t want to get in.

“How do we get inside?” Applejack looked around. “Ah don’t suppose they’ll just let us in ifn we waltz up and knock politely.”

“The only knocking we’re going to be doing is gonna be on Sombra’s face.” Rainbow Dash snarled as she flapped her wings angrily.

Shining Armor reached out and gently laid a hoof on her back, slowly lowering her back to the ground. “Take it easy, hot-shot. It’s not that easy to get inside.” His face took on a hooded expression. “Cadance?”

Rainbow looked confused. “Uh, how is Cadance gonna get us in? Don’t get me wrong,” she hastily added. “She’s pretty awesome, and I know she’s a princess, but…”

Cadance let out a rueful chuckle. “Dash, have you ever wondered just what I was a princess of?” She asked rhetorically. “I don’t move the sun, the moon or anything else. So why am I princess?”

“…beeecause you’re pink?” Rainbow hazarded, giving a wide grin as if she hoped that would compensate for her lousy answer.

Still, it was good enough to get a snort out of Cadance. “I’m not a princess of Equestria, at least, not like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are. Remember when the Princess told you about the spell Sombra put on the Crystal Empire? Only he or one of his bloodline can control who can enter or leave the Empire.”

In truth, Rainbow had forgotten that. Between everything that had happened before the Princess had arrived and everything since, it had completely slipped her mind. But now that she had time to think about it—“You mean you…”

Cadance nodded solemnly. “I’m descended from Sombra, the last pony of his bloodline. My ancestor was the ruler of the crystal ponies, until she married Sombra.” Her eyes narrowed. “And then when he saw the chance to rule Equestria by trying to woo Princess Celestia he arranged an ‘accident’ for her, and abandoned their child.” Shining placed a comforting hoof around her shoulders. Cadance appreciatively leaned against him. “As much as I hate the idea of being related, however many generations removed, to that monster, if there’s anything I can do to help stop him, I’ll do it.”

Twilight leaned up against her comfortingly, her face wrinkled in thought. “Then, that means…you’re the rightful ruler of the crystal ponies.”

“And Sombra has them enslaved,” Cadance lifted her head, staring defiantly at Sombra’s fortress. “Even if I couldn’t help you get into the city, it’d still be my responsibility to help you free my ponies from his rule.”

Striding forward with determination, Cadance’s focused her magic through her horn, bathing the entire area with a soft pink glow. When her magic reached the barrier around the city, it stalled. With an unprincess-like grunt, Cadance pressed harder. Her horn lit up even brighter as she began to push back.

“What’s she doing?” Rainbow asked Twilight in a whisper, unable to take her eyes off Cadance. It might have been a trick of the pink light of her magic, but her face was growing red—as if she was holding up an enormous burden.

Twilight explained that pretty much was the case. “She’s trying to modify the barrier to let us pass through.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “But she’s a thousand years and who knows how many generations removed from Sombra. It isn’t going to be easy.”

Sweat beaded Cadance’s brow as she dug her hooves into the snow, bracing herself as she pushed against the magic wall. Every muscle was strained taut, and she looked like she was about to pull something.

Rainbow Dash took a half-step forwards before finding her path blocked by a white foreleg attached to Shining Armor. He shook his head at her. “We can’t break her concentration.”

“We have to do something!” Rainbow looked back at Cadance. “She’s gonna hurt herself at this rate!”

Dinky tugged at Dash’s wing gently. “Um, Rainbow Dash? The princess can borrow my magic, if she wants.”

Rainbow draped her wing around Dinky, giving her a brief smile before looking back to Cadance with concern.

The princess’ horn was now a solid beacon of light, blinding in its intensity. The maelstrom of magic she summoned forth beat relentlessly against Sombra’s barrier. “You can do it Cadance!” Shining Armor and Twilight called out together, raising their voices to be heard above the din.

Dinky hopped up and down and shouted. “Yeah! You can do it! Princesses can do anything! Prin-cess! Prin-cess!”

That gave Rainbow Dash her own idea for encouragement. “C’mon Cadance! Ca-dance!” After a moment everypony else joined in the chant. “Ca-dance! Ca-dance! Ca-dance! Ca-dance!”

As if drawing strength from her supporters, Cadance seemed to stand a little taller and her eyes grew even more determined. With one last burst of effort, an archway of light emerged, appearing out of nothing. “Hurry!” The beleaguered princess half-stumbled forward. “This is the only way through! Go now!”

“You heard her!” Shining Armor scooped up Alula and plopped her on his back. “Move it!”

Rainbow Dash carried Dinky, and Pip ended up on Applejack’s back as the others ran to the archway, which wavered and seemed to slowly be shrinking. “Git along ponies!” Applejack called as she and Rainbow passed through first in a dead heat. Zecora sprinted through next, followed closely by Twilight and Shining Armor.

Rarity huffed and puffed inelegantly through as Pinkie joyfully bounced and cartwheeled her way in—accidentally knocking Rarity into the snow. “Whoops! Sorry Rarity!”

Shining cast a frantic look back at his fiancée. “Cadance come on!” He waved his hoof. “You can’t keep that up forever!”

Had she not been so focused on the tremendous effort of keeping the spell going while carefully walking forward to the barrier—taking great care not to trip or do anything to disrupt her magic—she would be shooting him a glare that would reduce him to ashes for the pointlessness of that reminder.

It was painfully slow going for Cadance as she walked forward, her eyes almost screwed shut from the intensity of her own horn. She made it about halfway through the archway when her horn began to flicker. Without any hesitation, Twilight and Shining Armor quickly grabbed Cadance with their own magic and hauled her through, just a scant second before the archway collapsed and vanished.

“That…” Shining panted as he held Cadance tightly, “was too close.”

“Thank you…” Cadance breathed as Shining nuzzled her. “…Captain Obvious.”

Zecora drew their attention with a soft murmur. “Behold the crystal city. Fallen on such evil times, it is truly a pity.”

Everypony turned to look. The streets were cold with tattered remnants of warmth and joy clinging to the walls. What once spoke of pride and joy to the ponies remained as twisted scars and tokens of the horrors they faced day after day.

Pinkie’s mane seemed to deflate under the weight of all this misery. “This must be the saddest place in the world ... outside of Detrot, anyway.” Her face hardened in a rare serious moment. “As Dash as my witness, they will celebrate once again!”

Shining Armor looked around. “I don’t see any guards around here. No snow leopards, or windigos or those bushwoolies you were talking about.”

Cadance shook her head. “As far as Sombra is concerned, nothing can get through the barrier without his permission, so why bother with guards?”

“But now that we are through, won’t Sombra know that we’re here?” Twilight asked.

“He knows,” Zecora intoned solemnly. “The entire empire is infused with his essence. As soon as we were through, he was aware of our presence.”

Rarity raised an elegant eyebrow. “If that is the case, then should we be expecting less than polite company?”

Zecora shrugged. “We may. Or perhaps he trusts the gates of his palace will keep us at bay.” She pointed a striped leg forward, pointing to the forbidding, dark palace made of black crystal in the center of the city.

“We’ll see about that.” Rainbow Dash snorted as they started for the castle. As they walked down the streets of the Crystal Empire, they managed to spy their first glimpse of its inhabitants.

“Those ‘re the zombie ponies!” Dinky pointed, clinging tightly to Rainbow’s neck.

Dash turned to look, getting her first glimpse of the crystal ponies. For being crystal-like, they seemed lackluster. Their heads hanged low and their expressions universally dull and downcast. At even the glance from the heroes’ party, they whinnied in fear and shied away.

“It’s okay!” Shining Armor called out, succeeding in only driving them back further. “I’m Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard. We’re here to free you from Sombra!”

This declaration failed to bolster any confidence or hope in the crystal ponies. It didn’t even seem to warrant a response of any sort.

An incredulous Rainbow Dash snorted and stepped forward. “What’s the matter with you ponies?!” She demanded as the crystal ponies shrank back. “We’re here to rescue you!”

“Um, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy approached her. “Oh, sorry, but maybe I should try? If that’s okay with you, I mean...”

With a disgusted grumble, Rainbow turned around and stalked away. “Fine! Be my guest! Good luck, Flutters.”

Fluttershy took a slow, measured half-step to the nearest crystal pony. It was a strange experience, Fluttershy being the more assertive of the two ponies. “Hello, m-my name is Fluttershy. What’s yours?”

The pony, a mare with a pale bluish-gray coat with a soft purple mane, hesitantly pranced in place. She was clearly afraid of being addressed by Fluttershy, but couldn’t break away from her gentle stare. “A-azure Prism.”

“Hello Azure Prism. That’s a very lovely name.” Fluttershy lowered her head to be as nonthreatening as possible. And when Fluttershy put her mind to it, she could be very unthreatening. “My name is Fluttershy and we’re here to help you.”

“You can’t help us. Nopony can.” Azure Prism seemed to collapse in on herself. “The King owns us…forever. He—” her face crumpled as she let out a pained whimper.

Fluttershy immediately had her forelegs wrapped around her in a comforting embrace. “Oh, you poor dear!” Her long luxurious pink mane seemed to drape itself around distraught crystal pony, surrounding her with brightness and warmth. “Oooh, I am going to have a serious talk with that mean old king and—and spank him!” she proclaimed, as mad as she had ever been.

The shivering crystal pony looked up at her. “But…he’s too powerful.”

“You let me worry about that.” Rainbow Dash stepped forward, looking at Azure Prism confidently. “Now, we need to know—where has he taken the foals?”

“T-the castle…” Azure answered weakly, as if the strain of merely replying sapped what little strength she had.

“Is there anyway to get into the castle?” Rainbow pressed. Azure Prism shook her head. “Listen, are any of Sombra’s goons around? Bushwoolies, monsters or whatever else he has?”

Azure shook her head again. “H-his troops are in the castle.”

Rainbow nodded once. “Good.” Everypony looked at her in askance. “That means the kids will be safe with you.”

“What?!” The trio of little ponies objected. Azure also blinked in dull surprise.

“B-but Rainbow Daaash!” Dinky protested. “We just found you! Why d’ya havta leave again?!”

Cadance crouched down next to her and wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. “Because where we’re going is going to be very dangerous and no place for little ponies.”

Shining Armor spoke up. “And it’ll be easier for us to go in and rescue the other foals if we know that you’re someplace safe, and we don’t have to worry, okay?”

“Oh.” Pip nodded in understanding. “So you wanna keep us safe and locked in so you can go free the other kids from being…locked…up…” he blinked. “Wait, what?”

“C'mon, it's gonna be way too dangerous for y’all to come with us.” Applejack spoke up in defense of Rainbow’s proposal.

Alula stomped her hoof. “We did fine without you already--even Dummy.” She stared up at the adults defiantly. “We'll be even better with you.”

“I dunwant you to leave again, Rainbow Dash!” Dinky pleaded, wrapping her hooves around Dash’s leg.

Rainbow bit her lip. “I know ... I know you don't ... but it has to be this way.” She lowered her voice. “I can't stand the idea of you kids getting hurt.” Her eyes flickered toward Alula’s bandaged leg.

“I'm fine, and I can take care of Dummy and Dinky again!” Alula continued to argue.

“An' we're safer when we're not alone.” Dinky agreed. “Mommy says we’re not ‘sposed to be alone with strange ponies we don’t know—‘specially when they all zombiefied and stuff.”

“You won't be alone. Cadance can stay with you.” Dash’s attempt at reassurance fell flat when Cadance blinked and looked at her in askance.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Well...somepony's got to stay with the kids.” Rainbow reasoned. “And, well, you kinda exhausted yourself breaking the barrier. So I thought...”

Cadance drew herself up. “I'm not going to hide while somepony else fights my battle for me, Rainbow. As cliche as it sounds, this is my empire, and I'll help fight for it, thanks.”

Sighing, Rainbow looked to Zecora. “Would you mind staying behind with the kids?”

Zecora raised an elegant brow in her direction. “You would leave behind your medic and guide, to venture into the fighting inside?”

A frustrated groaned whinny escaped Rainbow’s lips as she threw her hooves up in the air. “Oh come on! We can't bring them with us, can we? And we can't really leave them alone with the crystal ponies either! We need the six of us to use the Elements and that just leaves you, Cadance, or Shining Armor.”

Shining returned the expectant looks he was getting from the others dubiously. “I want to keep them safe as much as anypony else, but if we're going into combat, we’re going to need my shield spell and my experience.”

“But Miss Twilight can do it too! 'Cuz she's rilly good at any kinda magic!” Dinky pointed out, causing Twilight to flush.

Rubbing her hooves together bashfully, Twilight cleared her throat. “Aheh, thank you Dinky ... but the truth is that Shining Armor’s skill isn’t something I can learn in a day. I don’t think I could keep that up and deal with whatever else I’ll have to use my magic for.”

“Can you teach me your shield?” Dinky asked Shining Armor.” Then I can cast it over me an' Pip an' 'Lula!”

As Shining Armor tried to break it to her about how impossible that would be, a soft cough interrupted them. “Wait...” to everypony’s surprise, the gentle interruption had come from the all-but forgotten Azure Prism. “I--I’ll keep them safe.”

“You sure?” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “Because if anything happens to them...”

Azure flinched, causing Cadance to gently nudge Rainbow in the side. “Rainbow? Breathe.” The princess put a hoof to her chest, then leveled it out in front of her as she exhaled, finishing with a small smile.

Dash sighed. “Right...” She extended her foreleg out and mimicked Cadance’s gesture, adding in an extension of her wings seeing as she was a pegasi. She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Sorry.”

Cadance rubbed her back. “I know what it's like to worry about a little pony you've come to care for, but I also know when to let go and trust somepony else to do it for me.” She fixed a caring but firm stare on Rainbow Dash. “And I never had to threaten the other pony to do it.”

Rainbow colored and look down. “...’M sorry.” She repeated, to Cadance and the crystal pony. “I’m sure the kids will be safe with you.”

Dinky latched onto Dash in a dunwanna-leave hug. “I don't want you to go! I've been away from you an' everypony else already!”

Rainbow winced, feeling awful for having to leave the little filly on her own again, but she didn’t have a choice. “I know...but I have to. I can't take you into a fight. Just think how mad your mom would be with me!” She smiled feebly. “It'll only be for a little bit and then I’ll be right back.”

“No!” Dinky wailed. “Mommy'd want me to stay with you! If Mister Shiny can teach me his shield spell then I can stay with you an' keep you safe.”

“No ... she wouldn't.” Dash shook her head. “She'd want you to be safe. Just like I want you to be safe. No spell can do that for you.” She gave Dinky a squeeze.

Dinky squeezed back, latching onto Rainbow’s torso pointedly. “I wanna stay with you.” She said simply.

Rainbow shut her eyes. Why did this have to be so hard? “I know, I know ... but I'm your godmom, and you have to do what I say, okay? So stay here.”

Dinky started panicking, knowing it was serious when the grownups were pulling rank. “Rainbow Dash, you're leavin' me alone again. Dunleave me alone again, 'kay?” She pleaded, her eyes wide and starting to tear up.

But Rainbow’s own eyes were tearing up as well. She hung her head. “...'M sorry.” She looked over to Azure Prism. “Keep her safe. We'll be back.” She risked a glance back to Dinky. “I promise.”

“Hey! That's not fair!” Dinky stomped her hoof, not letting go. “Rainbow Dash, I dunwanna leave you again! RAINBOW DAASH!”

Cadance slipped in behind Dinky and gently lowered her horn to a spot behind Dinky’s ear. There was a soft flash of magic and then the little filly’s eyes started drooping. Within seconds she was snoring softly, her grip on Rainbow loosening.

A second later, Dinky was being magically lifted onto Azure Prism’s back. “Sweet dreams.” Cadance whispered softly as she gently lowered Dinky down. She looked to Alula and Pipsqueak. “Please ... look out for each other and stay safe. Understand?”

The two other foals looked at Dinky and lowered their heads, their expression subdued. “I'll take care of Dinky ‘til you get back.” Alula promised.

“We’ll both take care of Dinky.” Pip corrected.

Rainbow recovered enough of her voice to murmur a scratch ‘okay.’ Azure dipped her head and started off, the two foals in tow. “Wait.” Dash called, walking over slowly to them. She stopped to gently nuzzle her sleeping god daughter. “...Love you, Dinky.” She leaned down and kissed Dinky on the forehead. She made her way back over to her friends in silence.

“It’s okay, Rainbow Dash...” Twilight whispered gently, putting her hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “You did the right thing.”

“...Yeah.” Rainbow mumbled, not agreeing or disagreeing as she watched Azure Prism take the kids away. “Let’s go find this Sombra guy and end this.”

The walk to the castle was done in silence, the streets empty and quiet as they approached the palace. It was a dark, forbidding structure with no discernable entrance. “So, how do we get into the castle?” Applejack asked.

“I know!” Pinkie Pie waved a hoof in the air.

Ignoring her, Twilight scrutinized the building. “If it’s made from that same black crystal, then we can’t use magic to get us inside.”

“I don’t see any windows…how tacky.” Rarity examined the palace critically.

Pinkie bounced up and down. “I know how!”

Shining Armor frowned in thought. “Perhaps if we made enough of a ruckus, we might convince Sombra to open up to let his forces out. Then we can punch through them and get inside before he closes the doors again.”

“Maybe.” Cadance countered. “That’s a big risk, and there’s no way to be sure all of us will be able to get inside in time.”

“Ask me! Ask meeeeeeeeeeee!” Pinkie’s whining set a vein in Rainbow’s forehead pounding.

“FINE!!!” She whirled on Pinkie, her frustration having reached the boiling point. “Go ahead and tells us what youre idea is?! Lemme guess, we throw a party and invite Sombra as the guest of honor? No wait, we tie a bunch of balloons to the castle and have it float off the ground! Or do we build a giant wooden rabbit and hide inside it? Is that it? Go on and tell us what your great idea is Pinkie, go ahead!”

Pinkie Pie blinked. “Uh…I was gonna say that we can use those pretty, red, fire-y gems that we used to make the train go that Rarity has in her bag.”

“Ah ha ha, Pinkie dear, you do go on…” Rarity chuckled sheepishly under her compatriots combined scrutiny.

Twilight blinked. “Wait, why would Rarity bring those with her?” She paused before adding. “And how do you know?”

“Who cares?” Rainbow whooped as she flew over and locked Pinkie in a friendly headlock-turned-noogie. “Pinkie Pie, you’re a genius!”

Shining Armor nodded as he caught on. “If we pile the crystals by the door and ignite them, it’ll blow them open!” He frowned. “But that depends on how many gems Rarity has with her.”

“Pardon me, Rarity.” Applejack said blithely as she marched over and neatly unslung Rarity’s saddle bags and began shaking them out. Among a number of clothes, needles, balls of thread, and a very lacey ensemble that set poor Rarity’s face ablaze when everypony looked at her questioningly, was a pile of the red stones used to power the train engine.

“They looked so pretty…” Rarity pouted in defense when everypony just looked at her oddly for basically stealing train fuel and keeping it in her bags.

“Then let’s get to it!” Rainbow scooped up the fire stones with her wings and flung them at the door. “Light ‘em up, Twilight!”

Twilight’s horn started to glow. “Hold on a minute, Rainbow.” She used her magic to group the scattered rocks together in a pile and then formed a partial shield around them. “This way, the explosive force will be directed outward, towards the doors and away from us.”

“Uh, should we be moving outta the way?” Applejack asked, backing up slightly. “Not that I don’t trust you sugarcube, it’s just…”

“Yeaaaaah.” Twilight winced. “That might be a good idea.”

Shining Armor nodded. “I got this.” A trace of pride seeped into his voice as his own magic went into effect, creating a pink shield-bubble around him, Cadance, Zecora and the six Elements of Harmony.

“Oooooh!” Pinkie squealed. “I like it! It’s so … pink!” Several ponies let out a snort.

The Captain of the Royal Guard narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s a magical barrier. It’s one of the strongest and most durable conjured.”

“I’m sure it is.” Fluttershy complemented, coming off slightly patronizing. “It’s a very…nice color.”

Shining Armor groaned as his fiancé, little sister, ex-crush and her friends starting giggling madly. Even Zecora suddenly covered her mouth in order to let out a strangled cough. “Just set the stones off already.” He grumbled.

“Okay, BBBFF. I just need an opening in your very lovely barrier so my magic doesn’t rebound on us.” She shot him a teasing grin. “I don’t think setting us on fire would help.”

“Or would it?” Pinkie questioned, narrowing her eyes and stroking her chin in thought. “Oh wait, no, I guess not. Not unless we were made of dough and wanted to be turned into pastries, buuut I already said that turning ponies into baked goods was dumb anyway, so nevermind!”

Twilight’s face scrunched up in a textbook definition of confusion. “Ookaaay. Anyway...” she poked her horn through an opening Shining Armor made in his shield. She sent a spark of magic out to the fire rocks before quickly pulling herself back in. “That should do it!”

Everypony (and zebra) watched as the spark landed on the pile. They then turned away and quickly closed their eyes and covered their ears in anticipation of the large explosion that was sure to follow. Right now. Any second now.

...

After several long seconds, they all turned and stole a peek at the pile of red gems. Not a single thing seemed to have happened. Rainbow Dash started tapping her hoof impatiently. “Come on already, what’s taking so long?

“There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!” Pinkie pouted.

“Maybe they’re duds.” Applejack suggested, her shoulders sagging.

Fluttershy looked around at her friends before screwing up the courage to suggest. “Um, maybe if we asked the stones real nicely?”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Sure Flutters, why don’t we go over there and say, ‘Oh Mr. Rock, won’t you please explode for us if you’re not too busy? Thanks.’ I’m sure that’ll--”

There was flash of white light a deafening explosion that drowned out everything else. Everypony belatedly covered their eyes and crouched down low. Shining’s shield spell was battered, but held firm against the onslaught. Finally, when the last pieces of broken crystal had pinged off the shield and everypony’s eyes swam back into focus, they lowered the shield and looked around.

The gems had certainly done their job. The massive doors to the crystal palace had not just been blown open, but had been blasted--along with a good chunk of the adjoining walls--into rubble.

“Oh ... my ...” Fluttershy whispered gently as they all hesitantly started walking towards the gaping maw that used to be a door. What lay beyond it was obscured by dust and smoke.

“Anypony got anythin’ inspiration-like t’say?” Applejack asked as she looked at the ruined doors and the smoking debries.

“There is a seapony battle cry of which I am aware.” Zecora said. “Cry halibut and let slip the cods of war!” Everypony looked at her. “…I said it was a battle cry. I never said it was good, by the by.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Moment’s gone, let’s go!” With that, she rushed forth into the breach, her friends and allies at her side.