Solar Eclipse: The Messenger

by The Lunar Samurai

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 32229

This is the story of Shiloh, a messenger for the light of freedom in the darkness of tyranny.

80 Years after the death of the Element Bearers, something happens to Equestrian society. Celestia's reign turns from a benevolent monarchy to a harsh dictatorship, but a lone mare has the ability to change that. Armed only with a letter and the instructions to deliver it, Shiloh finds herself in the midst of a battle between the demanding voice of a tyrant and the muted voices of the citizens of Equestria.

Published 2013-02-23 00:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-06 01:20:06 UTC

Prologue

Celestia looked to the western sky as the day began to fade. Her horn glowed as she lowered the flaming sun behind the clouds that were gathering in the distance. The shadows of the trees stretched as the vibrant red rays of the dusk bloomed and began to fade. As the last slivers of the yellow disk slipped below the horizon Celestia let out a sigh. The day had been one of the most bittersweet she had known. It was the day of the official commemoration of the Element Bearers’ memorial, one year after their passing. Her eyes closed as she recalled the times she had spent with them. A tear formed a path of emotion on her cheek and fell to the cold stone balcony. The emotion that gripped her heart was peculiar. Many ponies had come and gone in her centuries of ruling, but the Element Bearers were more than just her allies, they were her friends. And when they passed away, part of her had passed with them.

She opened her eyes to the shadowy world before her. The first stars were just beginning to show themselves amidst the blackening sky. The lights of the cities were just starting to flicker in the windows as the ponies prepared for their rest. Fireflies began to dance around the castle, emitting yellow blinking points of light. Beyond the horizon, the sphere of the night slowly drifted into the sky and bathed the world in a silvery glow. Celestia lifted the crown from her head and rested it beside her on the ornate railing of the balcony.

Hoofsteps behind her heralded her sister’s arrival. Celestia looked back to see Luna’s gaze fixed on the moon as she continued to lift it from it’s slumber. Once it was set on its voyage across the sky, Luna met Celestia’s gaze.

“The death of a loved one is never something that can be fully disregarded.” Luna said somberly as she trotted to her sister’s side. “I miss them too.”

“I know you do sister.” Celestia said as she continued to look over the vast sea of trees. “They were so loyal, so devoted, it is heartbreaking to think that they are gone forever.”

“Sister, you must not dwell on their death, but rejoice in their existence.” Luna said as she put her wing over her sister, but her words offered little comfort to Celestia.

A long silence followed as Celestia wept, pierced only by the drops of tears. Her mind drifted back to the day she met Twilight for the first time. She let out a broken sigh, “I do not think they ever knew how much they meant to me, and to Equestria.” She looked to Luna with a sentimental smile and tears in her eyes. “They gave me my sister back.”
Luna’s eyes began to water as she remembered lying on the ground at her sister’s hooves. She had been completely vulnerable, yet Celestia had forgiven her. She looked to the countryside as she tried to conceal the emotions welling up inside of her. “But now is time for you to rest, my sister. Sleep can help heal your wounds.” Luna said as she blinked the tears from her eyes.

Celestia lifted her crown back to her head. “I suppose you are right. Goodnight Luna.” She walked to the arch that led into the castle and placed her hoof on the solid oak door that led to the royal bedchamber. The hinges let out a faint whine as she slowly pushed the heavy door open and made her way to her bed. Maybe the morning will bring relief. She thought to herself as she lifted her crown from her head and placed it on her nightstand. She laid herself down on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep.

Light streamed in from Celestia’s window and rested upon her face. Slowly she awoke from her slumber and sat upright on the side of her bed. She stretched her forelegs. What a beautiful morning. She turned to grab her crown and froze. Why is it morning, I am the only one who has the power to break the dawn. The sunlight streaming from the window mesmerized her as questions flew through her head.

“Down with the Empire!” shouted a thousand unified voices from outside the castle. The sound snapped Celestia out of her trance. Quickly she darted out onto the balcony. The sea of trees had been replaced with thousands of ponies.

“Sister, you must stop this.” Said a voice from behind Celestia as the noise subsided. She spun around to see Luna standing in the doorway. She was wearing her armor and Celestia’s crown.

“What is the meaning of this?” Celestia half yelled as she pointed to the sea of ponies. “Why are you dressed in your armor? Why do you have my crown?”

“I have come to put an end to your rule.” Said Luna as she glared into Celestia’s eyes. Luna’s horn glowed as the balcony took on a dark violet aura and began to crack. “Goodbye, sister.”

Celestia’s eyes shot open as the sensation of falling jolted her from her sleep. Her heart was pounding against her chest. She slowly caught her breath and sat upright on her bedside, taking several deep breaths as the dread began to subside. “It was just a dream”. She said to herself, trying to quell any fiber in her that said otherwise. Using her horn to illuminate the room, Celestia looked to her nightstand for proof. The crown was still resting in its place. Maybe a stroll in the garden would calm my nerves. Celestia thought as she walked to the door of her room. The hallway was dark but serene as she walked down its length to the gardens.

Reverently, Celestia walked out into the courtyard of Canterlot Castle and let the cool night breeze flow over her mane. She strolled through the perfectly pruned hedges to the flowerbeds as she gazed at the organized rows of daffodils, roses, and violets. This perfection, Celestia thought as she stroked the petals of a rose that floated in front of her. It isn’t perfection. It’s organization. Ripping a petal from the delicate plant, Celestia let the flower fall to the cobblestone path. I don’t want organized nature. Celestia thought as she walked out of the garden. I want pure nature. Her hoof tore the rose as she trampled it on her way out.

Celestia silently walked out of the garden and onto the stone balcony. She hesitated, still shaken up by the nightmare, as she looked for cracks on its weathered surface. Her fears relieved, Celestia walked onto the stone and unfurled her wings. Gracefully she rose into the air and began to make her way to the forest below.
The full moon added serenity to the land as she soared over the treetops. The woods gave way to houses, roads, and open fields. Some lights were still on in the windows of the houses, but most of the ponies had long since fallen asleep. The city morphed into farmland. Perfectly striped lines seemed to point Celestia to the Everfree forest. As she darted over the treetops, a large clearing of trees showed itself along the horizon. Several dark objects rose ominously into the sky from the hole in the trees, it was the ruins of the castle she had once called home.

She slowed herself as she neared the ruins of the once great, Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. She gracefully set herself down atop the cracked cobblestone road that wound its way through the forest. Long ago the castle had stood as a symbol of the sisters’ unity, but once Luna rebelled, the castle was abandoned. Reverently she walked through the two columns that used to support the twin statues of her and her sister. Both had long since crumbled as the Everfree forest had taken full control of the structure. Moss and grass had sprouted in the cracked stone floor. Ropelike vines had climbed the walls and invaded like slow moving infantry. Sections of the castle had collapsed from the years of disrepair, leaving only rubble behind.
Celestia closed her eyes as she envisioned how the castle had looked like in its glory. The thick rock walls had been sliced by towering panes of glass that allowed for only the sunlight to invade their fortified ranks. Successive ornately carved marble pillars had once lined the large rooms and supported the weight of the ceiling. The castle had been built upon a firm foundation of marble and granite that was constantly being buffed to a shine.

She opened her eyes to see the dilapidated building. The windows had long since been broken; leaving only jagged edges and places for nature to invade in their place. The walls were weathered and cracked from centuries of assault by the forest. The few pillars that had survived the onslaught of nature were precariously worn and fractured; their beautiful carving having been replaced by cracks and scars. Sections of the ceiling had fallen, creating heaps of rubble on the floor. The gaping holes left had let the rains pour in and pool on the ground. The water collected in sections of the floor that had been warped and weathered. Grass and moss had taken hold in the cracks that ran along the once mirror perfect finish.
The castle she had once called her home was now a vague specter of what it had once been. She reverently trotted through the palace as she let her mind wander. She made her way to the central courtyard, the place where she had given many speeches, both to her generals and to the citizens of Equestria. Following routine she walked to the podium as one of her speeches flashed before her mind.

“Citizens of Equestria,” she whispered to herself. The vision of the crowd that had stood before her slowly came to life as she began to recall the address. “Today we have lost one of our most beloved. As many of you already know, the moon refused to set several days ago. The night pressed into weeks as I attempted to reason with her, but it was of no use. Her mind had been hardened, as her soul had been.” Her heart began to race as the memories of Nightmare Moon slowly blossomed in her mind. “It was out of love for Equestria, and out of love for her, that I exiled her to the moon. Many have said this action was tyrannical and cruel, but it was the only option aside from her death.” The silence of the imaginary crowd was deafening. “You will not see her again in your lifetime, as she has been banished for a millennium.” The crowd began to murmur.

Celestia’s sight began to blur as tears filled her eyes causing her to blink to clear the emotion from her vision. The memory faded as the droplets fell from her eyes and onto the podium. She looked down as they began to mix with the dirt and grime on the lectern's surface. As the liquid flowed down the incline it revealed a faint metallic glimmer. Celestia picked at the grime with her hoof as she wondered what the reflection might be coming from. The hunger for the unknown slowly manifested itself inside her as she began to work feverishly to uncover the mysterious piece of metal. She wiped off the last layers of grime and stepped back from the podium.

A crude inscription had been scratched onto its mirror like surface. Its deep jagged grooves formed the lines of a poem.

A raging beast has long been at rest
Its power has not been fully manifest
It lives as the soul of the citizens of the land
And cannot be controlled by the ruler’s hand
It lies in wait for justice to be decried
When it will let the citizens decide
Once the threshold has been passed
The statues of rulers will be recast
But if this beast can be restrained
The power within will be contained
The choice is yours for you to choose
But be wary of whom you might lose
For if the wrong path you should take
The beast of the nation will begin to awake

Celestia stood awestruck at the prophecy. I don’t remember this. She thought as she tried to search her memories of the ancient castle. She did not harbor a distinct memory of the pedestal, although it held great importance. I would have remembered this if it had been there.

The statues of the rulers will be recast? Celestia thought as her eyes drifted across the etched words. What is this beast that lies in wait? And what is it waiting for? She looked at the crumbling castle walls. “Its just an inscription.” She said to herself as she tried to dismiss the alluring prophecy. She turned and walked out of the courtyard back toward the great hall. As she passed through the stone arch that led back into the castle she stopped. Curiosity beckoned her to take one more glance at the plaque. The moon floated in the reflection of the metal. Its silvery figure marred by the jagged letters on its surface. As if under its spell she slowly walked back to the podium and let her eyes drift across the cryptic words, her mind slowly trying to unscramble the thoughts.

A drop of rain landed on the metal. The splash broke her free of the trance. She looked to the sky to see massive billowing clouds rapidly racing toward her. I should probably get back to the castle. She thought as the light rain began to grow. She spread her wings and gracefully lifted herself from the castle, quickly made her way out of the ruins. A brief flash of light was followed by a distant rolling thunder that engulfed the forest. A few stray flocks of birds were making their way from the treetops, startled from their perches by the low growl of the storm. The wind began to pick up as the storm greedily drew in the surrounding air.

Celestia’s horn glowed as she began to cast a teleportation spell. As the spell neared its completion, she glanced back toward the ruins. The silvery plaque flashed as a blinding lightning bolt struck one of the ancient towers. The crack of thunder pierced the air and violently shook the land. The floodgates of the storm opened and dropped a grey haze onto the treetops.
Moments later the forest had vanished from view and her bedchamber appeared around her. She walked to her bed and lay down to sleep. The prophecy ran itself through her head as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

“Sister, it is time to raise the Sun.” said Luna as she nudged her with her hoof.

Celestia moaned and rolled out of the bed. Groggily she lifted her crown onto her head and stumbled to the door. She stepped out onto the stone balcony and looked at the horizon. The world started a fresh new day as she lifted the sun into the sky.

“Now that you are awake, I shall retire to my bedchamber for the day.” Luna said as she walked back into the castle. “Goodbye, sister.”

Celestia froze. Goodbye, sister. The words echoed in her mind, and forced the events of the night rush back into her mind. The terrifying nightmare, The Everfree forest, the prophecy, the thought of them snapped her to attention as Luna closed the door to the bedroom. She repeated the prophecy in her mind as she tried to discern its meaning.

But if this beast can be restrained
The power within will be contained

The last two lines repeated themselves as Celestia gradually realized their meaning. “If I contain this beast, the power of the citizens, the nation will be prevented from collapsing.” She said out loud. “I must speak with my advisors.”
Celestia quietly opened the door to the castle and walked into the massive hall that led to the inner chamber, the location where she and her advisors would meet to decide the fate of the nation. “Courier!” she shouted as she walked toward the ornate door that led to the chamber.

A green pegasus galloped up to her side and trotted with her. “What do you wish?” he said as he struggled to match her lengthy strides.

“I need my top advisors assembled in the Inner Chamber immediately.” She said as she continued to walk toward the massive wooden doors.

“Understood.” The pegasus said before he rocketed from her side toward the room where the advisors were enjoying breakfast.

Celestia paused as she passed one of the several massive stained glass windows that lined the hallway. The colorful glass depicted the element bearers defeating discord and turning him to stone. Chaos. She thought to herself as she continued to connect the prophecy. That is what can bring a nation to its knees.

“Your highness.” Said a voice from beside her. Celestia looked at the green pegasus who was clearly out of breath. “The advisors are awaiting you in the inner chamber.” He said after he calmed his racing heart. “Is that all?”

“Yes, thank you.” She said as she ascended the ornate marble stairs that led to the room. The pegasus nodded and galloped back to his quarters. She reached the giant oaken doors and paused as she placed her hoof onto the dark wood. Protecting the country from itself. She thought as she took a deep breath and steeled herself. It must be done.
She opened the doors and walked to the massive stone table that sat in the middle of the large room. “Gentlecolts.” She said as she reached the head of the table. She placed her hooves on its surface and leaned forward. “I have reason to believe that our nation is on the verge of collapse.”

The advisors began to murmur among themselves. As the whispers subsided one stallion stood and looked at Celestia. “The country has never been stronger. The economy is growing, our alliances are strong and dependent, and war is out of the question.” The stallion paused as the other advisors offered their assertion to his point. “What makes you think that Equestria is on the verge of collapse?”

“The collapse is not coming from the outside. It comes from something that everypony has access to.” Celestia said as she sat herself down into her chair. “Chaos has begun to take hold in our country. This bad seed must be destroyed, lest it ruin us.” The advisors were silent. “I have given considerable thought to the matter, and have decided that we must try and unite the citizens once more.”

“How do you propose that?” asked an advisor.

“A convention.” Celestia said as she met the gaze of the advisor. “We must bring harmony back to the citizens. A single thing that they can all agree on will restore some tranquility to the land.” Celestia stood from her chair and walked to the lectern. “Nationalistic pride is what we want to instill in them, it’s the one thing that they all have in common.” The advisors nodded in understanding as Celestia continued to unveil her plans. “Parades, publicity, conventions, all of these things and more are at our disposal. We can bring them together.” Celestia continued as she raised her foreleg triumphantly into the air. “We can fix Equestria.”

An affirmative murmur circulated through the advisors as they began to realize the seriousness of the matter. One stallion, however, sat with a scowl on his face as he listened to Celestia’s speech.

“That is all well and good, but I still don’t believe that the nation is about to fall.” Said the aged stallion as he rested his elbows on the table. “With all due respect, where did you get such an idea?”

Celestia hesitated for a moment. Do I tell them of the prophecy? “I stumbled upon an ancient prophecy some time ago.” she said, trying to be ambiguous as possible. “It mentioned a power that lies within every single stallion mare and foal. This power is best described as a sleeping beast, ready to wake at the slightest nudge.”

“Does it give any way of keeping this ‘beast’ at bay?” asked the stallion as he stroked his white beard.

“If the beast is chained, it can do no harm.” Celestia said with a confident smile on her face. “We need to protect the people from the power that they do not fully comprehend.”

“How do you propose restraining the people without causing an uprising. In other words, we do not want to wake up the beast as we drape the chain around its neck.”
Celestia nodded. “We cannot do everything at once, we need to let it slowly build over time.”

“But how fast is too fast? Surely a millennia would be sufficient time, but a day wouldn’t be time enough.”

“Do you know any stories about daily life that have been passed down from your grandparents?” Celestia asked.

Several affirmations arose from the group, but each time Celestia asked them about specifics, they were baffled.

“Do you see? Hardly anypony harbors the stories of mundane tasks, but why is that? I’ll tell you why. Ponies are too caught up only looking at the extremes of their life. We must use this to our advantage as we chain the beast.”

“Change their lives in a subtle way to keep them from realizing we are doing it?” asked another stallion.

“Exactly.” Celestia said, striking the table with her hoof.

“But how? Any change will be noticeable”

“If we are going to accomplish anything, we need to know what to do.” said the old stallion.

“Any suggestions?” Celestia asked as she nodded to the scribe who prepared to write down the ideas.

“Identification tags could be used to ensure that if an uprising did occur, it could be easily traced. Also, we could use it to keep the ponies feeling secure.” Said one of the advisors.

“And you mentioned publicity earlier. We could use it to let people know there is hope through hired graffiti artists that will liven the city up with artwork.” Said another.

The scribe worked furiously as she wrote down everything the advisors said as they came to the minds of the advisors. The minutes turned into hours as they began to construct a plan. The timeframe to slowly change the nation was set at a century, long enough for at least two generations to pass before the country would be drastically different. The plan was given the name ‘The Phoenix Act’ and was kept under lock and key in the Solar Archives to keep it from prying eyes. The night pressed on as they continued to scrutinize the plan, needing every detail to be perfect for it to succeed. By daybreak it was finished and Celestia began to prepare the nation for the longest change in Equestrian history.

And so it began, first with miniscule things. Murals began to be painted on old dilapidated buildings for city beautification. Identification tags were issued much later, after a short scare following the Changeling rebellion, and the citizens accepted them without batting an eye. The nation grew as the seeds of The Phoenix Act slowly began to sprout in the community and give the citizens peace of mind, with nopony seeing its encroachment. The chain was silently draped over the neck of the sleeping beast as it lay unaware and secure, but as the lock clicked shut, it began to slowly awaken from its slumber.

---80 Years Later---

Rebellion

Shiloh’s horn glowed a deep crimson as she lifted the saddlebag from the floor and placed it on her back. Small particles of dust floated through the air of the old apartment, catching the light as they drifted by the window. The wallpaper was stained and peeling from the corners of the wall, evident of the years of use it had endured. Dents and scratches were littered across the warping wooden floors. The apartment had become a home for Shiloh ever since she had moved to Manehattan, but nothing could replace Colt Cliffs in her heart. The only thing she had to remember the small mountain village by was a lone picture that hung on the wall. Shiloh lifted the image from the wall to reveal the dark outline of grime the frame had left. She blew off the dust that had collected on the glass over years of reverent isolation. The faded picture depicted a middle aged red mare with a genuine aura of kindness about her. Shiloh smiled as she remembered how her mother had always reminisced over a better life in the past. She put the only connection to her past into her bag and walked to the door. She hesitated as she reached her hoof to the handle. The realization suddenly hit her that she was opening the door to a completely new life, one of deception, death, and hopefully a better future.

She took a deep breath and twisted the handle. The cool night air surged into her mane as she stepped out onto the concrete steps of the apartment. A chill raced up her spine, not from the air, but from her mind’s comprehension that this would be the last time she was again embarking on a life or death journey. The smell of rain filled the air as a light drizzle of rain lingered from the raging storm that had drenched the city over the past several hours. The street was lined with Manehattan residents as they cheered for the parade of soldiers that stretched for miles in either direction. The setting sun bathed the geometrically perfect lines of stallions in a warm hue, bellying the atrocities they perform in battle. Ponies showered the troops with confetti and flowers from the windows of their apartments as they marched through the street. Each soldier was an identical copy of the next, following in step to the beat of the drums that echoed off of the buildings

The street was filled with the shouts and applause from the ponies as pride for their nation welled up inside of them, however, Shiloh was silent. She knew the atrocities the Solar Empire had committed, and how its oppressive regime had taken hold of every facet of Equestria and turned it into a living nightmare. Shiloh shuddered as a victorious cheer rose from the crowd as another battalion passed by. The Empire was propagandizing the citizens right before her eyes. The entire scene, as majestic as it was, left a bitter taste in her mouth, and a firm resolve to continue her journey.

Shiloh stepped into the deafening crowd and gently pushed her way through the ponies. The dense crowd was constantly changing as they eagerly tried to get close to their beloved nation’s military. Slowly she began to make progress through them, while simultaneously attempting to avoid the detection of the guards that were stationed throughout the crowd. She knew that if they found what was in her saddlebag, the cause, and her life, could be very well lost.

Shiloh watched from the corner of her eye as one of the guards gave her a suspicious glance. Immediately she blended in with the crowd, cheering and hollering at the soldiers. The guard continued to stare. I need to copy the crowd. She thought to herself. She eagerly pushed her way through the mob, following its dynamic nature. The guard looked down to a small foal that was tapping on his leg, forgetting about Shiloh in the process.

The darkness of night lingered over the city as the last few rays radiated from the sun. A group of pegasi flew by to light the candle fired street lamps to ensure the parade could continue unhindered. Shiloh took one last survey of the guards to make sure the coast was clear. After she had assured herself it was, she darted into the dark byway behind her. Sticking to the shadows Shiloh furtively made her way around the corner and held her breath. The only hoofsteps she could hear was the cyclic beat of the marching soldiers. She had not been followed.

A small cloud emanated from her mouth as she let out a sigh of relief. The alleyway was damp from the rain and lichens had grown on the brick walls. Several flights of fire exit stairs extended to the roofs of the dilapidated buildings. The sky above her was dark, and water continued to spill from the clouds above. Shiloh began to search the ground for the iron disk that covered the entrance to the sewers. The alleyway was too dark for her to see, forcing her to use her horn to dimly light the ground around her. Immediately she spotted the cover and lifted it with her magic. She silently placed the disk onto the ground and peered into the darkness. The musty smell that emanated from the storm sewer made her gag. She held her breath and stuck her head into the hole. The red light lit up the small opening, revealing the iron rungs that served as a ladder, and the small stream of runoff that ran below. She exhaled and pulled her head out of the opening.

“What do you mean you saw somepony go back here? I can’t see anything in this darkness.” Said a stallion’s voice from around the bend. Shiloh snapped her head in the direction of the noise.

“I’m telling you, a white pony ran back here. ” said another voice. Shiloh’s time was running out. She carefully began to climb into the hole. Once her head had cleared the street she lifted the iron plate from the ground and placed it over the opening. Shiloh listened as the guard’s hoofsteps traveled through the ground.

“You are wasting my time.” Said the first guard as the hoofsteps came to a stop. “You were probably just seeing things again.”

“I know what I saw.” The other said indignantly. “Somepony is back here.”

“I know, its me.”

“Very funny, I’m going to try and find them.”

“Five bits says you won’t.” said the guard in a condescending tone. The hoofsteps neared as the guard continued his search. A clank emanated from the iron disk that was just inches above Shiloh’s head.

“Maybe they went into the sewer?” he asked as he tried to peer through the grid.

“You seriously think that somepony is so desperate that they would run into that putrid thing? Nopony wants to hide that bad.”

The guard sighed. “Maybe you are right. Let’s get back to the parade, I’m eager to see the new guys.” The hoofsteps faded as the guards trotted out of the alleyway. Shaking from the adrenaline rush, Shiloh made her way down the shaft and into the sewer. As she placed her hooves onto the concrete pipe the water began to pool around her hooves. The temperature in the channel was much colder than the city, making Shiloh shiver. Using her horn, Shiloh illuminated the walls of the sewer.

The sides of the pipe were covered in a thin layer of slime. Small piles of filth and refuse clung to the eroded brick. Water trickled into the conduit from adjoining drains. The overpowering odor of the pipe smelled sour and wretched. Shiloh gagged as nausea from the channel’s scent slowly manifested itself in her gut.

After the wave of queasiness had passed, she began to make her way through the dark channel. The small trickle of water had begun to numb her hooves, causing pain to shoot up her leg at every step. The only noise that could be heard above the noise of the water that echoed off of the concrete channel was the hoofsteps of armies marching above her. A grated drain allowed the light to spill into the conduit in a series of bars. She paused for a brief moment to peer up and watch the hooves of soldiers marching in tune to the same drum.

She walked for hours through the disgusting channel. Her hooves ached from the pain, exacerbated by the cold water. I need to get to the main channel. She kept telling herself after each step. Eventually the conduit emptied its creek emptied into the river of the primary waterway. A small river had formed at the bottom of the rectangular channel as the rainwater was still snaking its way to the ocean. Shiloh stepped onto the metal catwalk and paused. Sitting herself onto the relatively dry walkway she massaged the feeling back into her hooves. She looked around the tunnel. Torches lined the concrete walls. Those that had not been snuffed out provided a dim light that barely lit the catwalk. Several other conduits were still emptying rainwater into the channel, except for one.

The pipe with no function shall serve for our own needs. Shiloh repeated in her mind the words Mach had told her. The conduit had been sealed off by debris that had accumulated over the years of construction that had taken place. She pulled herself into the rugged pipe. It was barely bigger than she was, forcing her to inch her way forward on her stomach. The rough stone cut into her coat as she struggled to drag herself across the dry bricks. She followed the pipe to a brown package and a note that was stashed in a small alcove in the brick.

The envelope was wrinkled and the wax seal was mashed, but not broken. ‘Messenger’ was written in black ink on its front. She lifted the note and carefully opened the envelope. The hastily hoof written scrawl was barely legible in the dim light. Shiloh used her horn to illuminate the page.

Dear Shy, this is the last time I will be able to help you in your quest, I have been compromised. As I write this I can hear the search party’s shouts in the tunnels. You must continue on your quest to deliver the message. If you can, it will make the world a better place. I must go now, every word I write is another second ticking away. Equestria needs you. Signed Mach

He’s gone. She thought to herself as she reverently folded the page and slipped it back into the envelope. I can’t believe he’s really gone. She blinked the tears out of her eyes and looked at the brown package. She quickly unwrapped it to reveal a large tank of compressed air and Scuba gear.

She lifted the items and carefully backed her way out of the pipe. Several minutes and abrasions later, Shiloh reached the opening to the main channel and lowered herself onto the walkway. She checked the abrasions she had received. A few were bleeding, but not profusely, the rest were just raw. She placed the cumbersome tank on the edge of the catwalk and checked the gauge. That’s enough air for about an hour of dive time. She thought to herself as she placed the tank on the ground beside her. I’m going to have to swim fast if I want to avoid detection. She activated the valve on the mouthpiece and checked the airflow. A surge of stale air entered her mouth as she took a breath from the tank’s reserve. Everything seems to be in working condition. She thought to herself as she closed the valve on the tank.

She stood up and looked over the railing to the rushing water a dozen feet below her. The river of water flowed through the channel and into three openings blocked by massive iron bars. The center outlet’s grating had been cut through, revealing a hole just big enough for a pony to get through. Shiloh lifted a small tuft of moss that was growing on the metal catwalk. Floating it down to the river she let it fall in the center. It caught the current and flowed out of the middle drain. She opened the valve and strapped the tank onto her back. She lifted the regulator to her mouth and held it in with her teeth. Well this is it, I suppose. She thought as she stepped onto the cold iron railing. Shiloh let gravity do its work as she let herself topple into the water.

As she fell toward the water she twisted herself to make the tank connect first. The frigid water shocked her system. It engulfed her as the current pulled her under. She resurfaced and paddled to the middle opening. As she neared it she dove underneath the water. She straightened her body to rocket out of the opening. A she passed the gate, she felt weightless. The river of water spilled into the ocean in a massive waterfall.

As the salt water hit her body she felt the wounds she had begin to burn. The cuts and bruises she had received acted as vectors of pain all over her body. The frigid ocean water stunned her. She gasped for air as she tried to recover from the shock that had overcome her body. Paddling furiously, she swam against the surfs that were constantly assaulting her as she struggled to make her way into the ocean. Gradually she overcame the waves and began to swim into the desolate expanse of night. Once free of the current she dove underneath the water to avoid detection.

The constant paddling against the water slowly made her legs begin to ache. The sun, having set long ago, no longer illuminated the vast ocean. Instead it took on a dark form that met the slightly brighter sky in the distance. Stars had begun to wake from their daily rest and peek out of the dim veil of the night. The new moon lingered as a circle of nothingness in the sky, and lent no light to illuminate the desolate watery expanse. Minutes turned to hours as Shiloh paddled away from the city and into the darkness.

Shiloh glanced back at the gauge on her tank. The needle was in the red and slowly dropping to zero. Shiloh continued to breathe the last few precious breaths left in the canister. She inhaled once more only to take nothing into her lungs. Calmly she spat out the mouthpiece and rose to the surface of the ocean. Her head breached the water and she allowed herself to inhale once more. The salty smell of the ocean invaded her lungs. She quickly unstrapped her gear and let it float away from her as she turned to look at the city. Manehattan was only a faint skyline dotted with yellow light that disappeared and reappeared as Shiloh bobbed in the frigid waves. The night was crisp and the salt still burned the wounds that dotted her body. Distant rolls of thunder echoed off of the water from the large storm clouds that billowed in the distance.

Where is that boat? She asked herself as she tried to catch a fleeting glance of the ocean each time a wave crested beneath her. The only light was from the thunderstorm that flickered with lightning on the horizon. A distant glimmer caught her attention. It was a small twinkle of light just hovering over the surface of the water. That must be the NightStalker. She thought as the light, a searchlight, trained itself on her. She waved her forelegs over her head. The boat quickly skirted through the amorphous ocean. What seemed like an eternity later, the boat slowed to a stop beside her. The searchlight shone in her face and forced her to squint as she paddled to the edge of the ship. She lifted her hoof into the air and felt a strong pull as a stallion lifted her from the ocean.

Shiloh collapsed onto the deck, exhausted from her struggles against the water that was dripping from her body. A pool began to form beneath her as she tried to control her She looked up at the stallion. “Thank you.”

“What in the name of Celestia were you doing swimming in the middle of the ocean in the middle of the night.” Asked the stallion as he draped a blanket over her back.

“I was…” her voice trailed off as she realized what his curiosity implied.

“You were what?” he asked as he knelt down on the deck.

“I was just taking a swim off of the shore and got swept out into the ocean by the current.” She said as she chewed the inside of her lip. Why isn’t he asking for the letter, or telling me where Luna is. She thought as her gaze drifted over the deck of the ship. Two glossy words were written on top of the cabin of the ship, ‘Dawnbreaker’. Shiloh’s heart skipped a beat. The Dawnbreaker was a light reconnaissance boat that had been employed, along with many other ships, by the Solar Empire to patrol the coast of Manhattan at night.

“That must have been quite the current if it drug you all the way out here.” The stallion said as he rubbed his chin with his hoof. “Why aren’t you at the convention?”

“Well… I, um…” stammered Shiloh as she tried to fabricate a plausible story for her lack of attendance.

“You do realize it is a federal crime to play hooky from the Convention right?” asked the stallion. “What’s in the bag?” he asked as he pointed to Shiloh’s waterlogged saddlebag.

“You don’t need to worry yourself about that.” she said as she began to slowly back away. Her hoof trapped the corner of the blanket to the ground and pulled it off of her body. The letter from Mach dropped to the deck from her saddlebag.

“What’s this?” The stallion asked as he reached for the letter.
Shiloh pinned the letter to the deck with her hoof. “It’s just a letter from an old friend of mine.” She said as she lifted it from the deck. “That’s all.”

The guard lifted his hoof to his cupcake revolver that was holstered on his side. “Let me see the letter.”

Shiloh glanced around nervously as she tried to devise a way to escape the guard.

“As a stand-in for the Solar Empire, I order you to give me the letter.” Said the stallion as he drew the revolver.

Shiloh was frozen in fear as she watched the matte barrel of the revolver flicker in the light of the searchlight. Her hoof slipped off of the edge of the deck as she reached the side of the ship. Jump. Said her instincts as the click of the hammer echoed in her mind.

“This is your last chance. Give me the note, or I will be required to use lethal force.” The stallion said as he pointed the revolver at Shiloh.

“No.” Shiloh said as she stepped backwards. Without a chance for the stallion to react she had fallen off of the boat and into the frigid water. She heard a loud gunshot followed by a whiz beside her ear. The stallion had missed his shot. She hit the water without ample time to take in a breath. She could hear the angry shouts of the stallions as they waited for her to resurface. Her heart began to race as her breath slowly ran out. Frantically she tried to keep herself under, but her lungs screamed for air. She tried to stick her nose out of the water and inhale, but only succeeded in taking in a nose full of water. Involuntarily she shot out of the water and began to cough violently as she attempted to rid her lungs of the repulsive ocean water.

“There!” shouted the stallion as Shiloh resurfaced. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she watched the stallion pull the trigger to his weapon. A blinding flash of light emanated from the barrel as the round accelerated toward her. Her head snapped back as the round hit her face. Pain coursed through her body as she fell limp. Her vision began to fade as she drifted from the boat and into the waves.

She could hear the shouts of the stallions on the Dawnbreaker as they tried to find the mare among the serf. A loud crash startled Shiloh from her semi unconsciousness. The sound of crunching wood and bending steel came from the direction of the boat. A large cruise ship had slammed head on into the small recon vessel and had crushed its fragile hull. She looked toward the Dawnbreaker just in time to see the ocean water swallow the mangled boat. The cruise ship had been painted black to conceal itself against the night.

Once the Dawn Breaker had been fully submersed the ship lit up the water with several searchlights in attempts to find anypony among the wreckage. The light reflected off of the water and allowed Shiloh to read the title ‘NightStalker’ on its bow. Shiloh felt her forelegs instinctively waving in the air as the beams of light swept across the swelling ocean. It took only seconds for one to train itself on Shiloh. The NightStalker immediately began to move toward her. It traveled rather quickly for its large size as it smashed through the waves.

“Full stop!” she heard a voice from the ship yell. As the ship neared Shiloh it expertly glided to a stop. A commotion resounded from the deck as they prepared to pull her from the water. She watched as a stallion leapt off of the deck and dove into the water. Moments later he resurfaced and began to paddle furiously toward her, holding a rope in his mouth. He reached Shiloh and tied it around her torso. Using long arcing strokes he paddled back and held his hoofs above his head to signal the all clear.

Shiloh felt the rope tighten as she was lifted from the water. She watched, half dazed, as the stallion who had brought her the rope, paddle to his own.

As she reached the top two stallions leaned over the side and grabbed her forelegs. They pulled her onto the deck and quickly began to come to her aid. They loosened the knot from her torso and draped a heavy blanket on her back. She laid her head down onto the deck and rolled onto her side. The blood from her wound began to pool around her and mix with the ocean water. As she closed her eyes, she noticed a purple leg step in the pool of blood. The world faded to nothing as Shiloh’s mind drifted from reality and into a coma.

Resurrection

Two weeks passed before Shiloh had made a full recovery from her injuries. When they had initially brought her into the sickbay aboard the ship she was gravely hypothermic and she had lost a considerable amount of blood from the gunshot. She remained unconscious for a day and a half as the doctors diligently monitored her condition. When she finally did regain her consciousness she contracted severe seasickness and began to profusely vomit.

“Shiloh?” asked a mare dressed in a white lab coat as she walked into the infirmary. “Luna is here and needs to speak with you immediately.”

“Shiloh, I am here to discuss your message.” Luna said as she stepped through the door.

“What is the issue?” asked Shiloh weakly.

“Read it.” Luna said as she floated the letter to Shiloh. The purple hue of magic changed to red as Shiloh took hold of the wrinkled page. The ink lettering had been slightly smeared from the corrosive ocean water, but the words were still legible.

Luna:

This is Mach. I have been compromised. I cannot carry out the operation. I can only think of one other pony who has the ability needed for the task. He is a former Solar Empire soldier who recently defected. If you can get in contact with him, then the mission may succeed. His name is Shadow, and he is currently being interrogated at an undisclosed location. This is most likely the last correspondence we will have before I am captured or killed. I wish the best of luck to you and to your cause.

Sincerely, Mach.

A tear flowed down Shiloh’s cheek and grazed her wound, making her flinch in pain.

“I gather you two were very close. I am sorry for your loss.” Said Luna as she patted Shiloh on her shoulder. Shiloh smiled at the princess.

“What do you need me to do?” Shiloh asked.

“For now, rest.” Luna said as she walked toward the door. “Later, however, I do have a task for you.” She opened the door and nodded to the doctor who walked into the room.

“Is there anything you would like?” asked the doctor as the door closed behind her. A clipboard floated beside her as she prepared to write down Shiloh’s request

“There is one thing that I can think of.” Shiloh said as she looked to metal nightstand beside her bed. “Can I have my saddlebag? You know, the one I had on when you found me in the water?”

“Of course.” Said the mare as she scribbled a few words on the clipboard. “Are you in any pain?”

“I’m nauseated, the cuts on my body sting, and I have a slight headache, just the usual.” Shiloh said as she went through her mental checklist.

“Alright then, I will be back momentarily with your saddlebag.” the mare said as she turned and trotted out of the door with the clipboard following her.

Shiloh laid her head back onto the pillow and sighed. I can’t believe he’s gone. She thought to herself as she squeezed her eyes shut. The attempt to barricade the tears proved worthless as they pried themselves from between her eyelids. Streams of emotion formed over her face and traced themselves over her scar, making it sting. She ignored the discomfort, as her emotional pain was much greater than a simple burning sensation. She felt lost, abandoned, and isolated, like the world had given up on her.

A knock on the door pulled Shiloh back to reality. “Come in.” she said as she wiped the tears from her face. The doctor opened the door and strolled in, carrying the saddlebag with her magic.

“Here you go.” She said as she set the bag next to Shiloh on the bed. She walked to the door and paused. “By the way.” Looking back at Shiloh with a gleam in her eye. “The stallions found a piece of paper floating near you in the water so they grabbed it after they pulled you aboard. It’s in the saddlebag.”

Shiloh quickly sat upright, causing a wave of nausea to wash over her. She leaned over the edge of the bed and expelled the contents of her stomach into the container. The vomit left a repulsive burning sensation in her throat. She continued to lean over the bucket as she lifted the bottle of water from the nightstand and brought it to her mouth. The water quickly dispelled the putrid aftertaste as she spat it into the bucket.

She turned her attention back to the saddlebag that lay beside her. The leather had begun to crack along the seams from exposure to the destructive salt water. The edges began to crumble as she carefully opened the bag and pulled out the contents. She pulled the picture from the bag and held it in her hooves. The glass was cracked and the water had spread into the paper, slightly blurring the image. The mare smiled at Shiloh and she smiled back. It was her only connection with her family that she had left years ago. She set the frame on the nightstand and turned her attention to the wrinkled letter that the stallions had fished out of the water. Hoping beyond hope that it was the letter from Mach she carefully unfolded it. Sure enough the signature on the bottom of the page was Mach’s. She read over the letter and cherished the words, as she knew they were his last.

She set the wrinkled page onto the metal nightstand and turned her attention back to the leather saddlebag. The main pocket was empty, save for a few rocks that she discarded out onto the floor beside her bed. She gingerly opened the side pockets and compartments only to find more debris and dirt. Her curiosity of the pockets quenched she floated the bag to the ground and laid her head back onto the pillow.

Shiloh grabbed the edges of the pillow and pressed them against her face. How could all of this have happened so quickly? She thought as she pressed the soft cotton harder into her head. She let the edges of the pillow fall back to the bed as she ran her hoof through her mane and over her face. She yawned and rubbed her hooves over her face. The once sickening pitching of the ship slowly began to lull her to sleep. As she drifted off she turned her head to the side to see the mare smiling back at her.

“Shiloh?” asked a voice from behind the door to the infirmary.

“Come in.” Shiloh said as she sat up and stretched her forelegs height above her head. The pitching of the ship had ceased and the deck was alive with activity. “What’s going on?” Shiloh asked as the doctor walked into the infirmary.

“We have anchored in the eastern doldrums to allow for some preparation of the ship for conversion.”

“Doldrums, Conversion, what are you talking about?”

“Doldrums are areas in the ocean where the water is perfectly still.” Said the doctor as she moved her hoof through the air simulating the water’s surface. “The conversion is making the NightStalker look less like a war vessel, and more like a cruise ship.”

“What for?”

“We are docking soon. Supplies are starting to run thin, and Luna decided to kill two birds with one stone and send you off on your journey.” The doctor eyed Shiloh’s scar. “That is, if you are ready by then.” The doctor walked over to her and took hold of her hoof. “Let’s see if you can stand.”

Sitting upright on her bed, Shiloh swung her legs over the edge of the bed and slowly put her weight on them. A tingling sensation coursed up her legs as they began to support her. She waited for the feeling to subside before she placed her forelegs on the ground. Her knees were shaking as she began to exercise her tired muscles back into shape.

It took her several minutes before she could walk freely around the infirmary. Luckily the ship was relatively stationary, she would get her sea legs later. “I-I think I can manage on my own.” She said as she let go of the hoof of the doctor and shakily made her way to the nightstand. A shiver ran down her spine and into her extremities as she looked at the crumpled letter on the desk. She quickly turned her head and walked back to the doctor. “Is there anything I need to do before I head out?”

The doctor grabbed a small slip of paper and quickly jotted something down “Here is your room number.” She said a she floated the scrap of paper into Shiloh’s saddlebag. She checked her clipboard for a moment then looked at Shiloh. “I think you are ready to check out, but sleep here tonight. Another night of monitoring would be beneficial after you exercise some.” Shiloh, excited about her newfound independence, walked out of the door and into the hallway.

Several ponies quickly trotted past her as they made their way down the hall. “What’s the rush?” The group paused and began to snicker.

“Why lunch of co-” the stallion paused as his gaze caught Shiloh. He bit his lip as he realized whom he was addressing. “Are you the Messenger?” he asked with his head slightly askew.

“It depends on who’s asking.” Shiloh returned, wary of freely giving information.

“You must have been really out of it or really focused to not remember me.” He said as he walked toward Shiloh. “I’m the colt that pulled you from the water.”

Shiloh’s face turned a light shade of red, embarrassed that she had not recognized the stallion who had saved her life.

“The whole ship was eager to get you out of the water.” The stallion said as he held back a laugh. “It was less of a noble act, and more of my friends throwing me off of the ship.”

Shiloh laughed. “Can I join you for dinner?” she asked as her stomach began to groan in hunger.

“Of course, but it might get you a lot of attention.” Said the stallion as he walked alongside Shiloh to the mess hall.

“What do you mean?”

“You have been the talk of the ship ever since you left the bloodstain on the deck.” The stallion said.

The noise from the mess hall reverberated through the hallway as they neared the door.

“I suppose that was a slightly dramatic entrance. Getting pulled onto the ship then lapsing into a coma. What even happened after that?” Shiloh asked as they walked into the cafeteria. As she finished her question she realized the room had become dead quiet.

“Brace yourself.” The stallion whispered out of the corner of his mouth. “Things are about to get interesting.”

A muscular stallion rose from his seat and stood onto the table. He took a deep breath and spoke with a loud booming voice. “Mares and Gentlecolts Let us give a warm welcome to the Messenger. A mare with the courage of a thousand.” A deafening noise filled the room as the rebels welcomed her with shouts, whistles, and hammering at the tables they were sitting at. The vessel shook from the uproar.

Shiloh looked to the ground and blushed. “I’m nothing special.” She whispered, her words concealed by the din of the mess hall. As the roar began to fade, Shiloh followed the group to get her food.

“So you want to know what happened after you went under?” The stallion asked as they shuffled through the line. Shiloh nodded in agreement. “This is one heck of a story, so hold onto your hooves.”

“Several soldiers had heard gunfire, and seen the tell tale signs of a reconnaissance ship, so naturally we investigated. And by investigated, I mean ran them over. We were only a stone’s throw away from its location, and we love to annoy Celestia and the Empire. After we turned on the spotlights, we found you floating in the waves, surrounded by a pool of blood. Once the NightStalker stopped beside you, these colts,” The stallion said as he pointed to the group, “Threw me in along with a rope. Once we got you on deck, you fainted. From there the medics quickly bandaged your wounds and took you to the infirmary where nopony was allowed to see you. And you probably know the rest.”

By now they had gotten their food and had sat themselves down at one of the table.

“That’s an interesting story, but you left out one part.” Shiloh said as she lifted some of the grass to her mouth. “You forgot the part where you tell me your name.”

The stallion smiled and put his head in his hoof. “I’m awful at this aren’t I? My name is Storm Chaser.” Said the stallion.

“And I’m Shiloh.”

“Its nice to finally meet you face to face Shiloh.”

“So how did you get roped into the rebellion?” Shiloh asked as she took another bite of her food.

“It’s a long story.” Storm Chaser said.

Shiloh looked around her. “Well, it looks like I have time.”

“It all started about a year ago. My marefriend and I were out on a date, you know, just enjoying the night together. We had just gone to a movie and I was walking her back to her apartment. When out of nowhere a stallion jumped her. Obviously, I got involved, and wrestled him to the ground. The commotion had caused quite a stir and several guards had surrounded us. They pulled me off of him and held us back, but then the strangest thing happened. As they began to question us, the assailant whispered something that caught their attention. Immediately the tables turned and they drug me off to prison. I was too shocked to do anything except stare. It wasn’t until about a month later that I discovered that the stallion had bribed the guards years before. After that I spent some time in jail and began to devise a plan to escape. It involved me getting the help from another trapped pony, a unicorn, to try and teleport me out of the prison, but that didn’t work. I ended up with three bullets through my back, as the spell only cast me as far as the fence. I got put in the detention cell and was tortured within an inch of my life. That’s what gave me this scar.” Storm Chaser showed a long jagged cut on the side of his neck.

“They left me for dead as I rapidly lost blood and hung in the shackles. But I had a guardian angel. The unicorn who had failed to teleport me had been beaten alongside of me in the cell. Using his last minutes, he used his magic to unlock the shackles and apply pressure on my severed artery. As I sprinted out of the cell I could feel his magic fade as he began to die.” The stallion paused as he remembered feeling the death of his savior.
By now Shiloh’s mouth was agape. “How did you get out?”

“Everything was a blur of rage, blood loss, and a drive for freedom after that. I recall bursting through glass, landing in water, and being picked up by the NightStalker.”

“I know that feeling.” Shiloh said, trying to interject some humor in the conversation.

“And that is only one story.” He said as he put his hoof on the shoulder of the stallion beside him. “This colt watched his parents both die at the hoof of the Empire.”

He pointed to the brawny stallion that had given Shiloh her welcoming committee. “He is a former Empire General. He served as a double agent until they went through his mail and discovered his ‘crime’. He fled, but not before grabbing a crystal sniper for the arsenal.”

“What about him?” Shiloh asked as she pointed to a lone stallion who was isolated from the rest of the rebels.

“Nopony really knows.” Said Storm Chaser as he looked at the three-legged stallion. “Rumor has it he fought off an entire battalion, but that is probably just a legend.”

A loud horn resounded through the room. Immediately the mess hall shifted as the ponies grabbed their food and raced out of the door. Shiloh trotted to the opening and stepped into the hallway

Ponies were racing down and up its lengths, squeezing to the side when they met one another in the cramped hallway. They were carrying everything from ropes to paint buckets to the deck of the ship. Shiloh tried to quickly make her way to the deck, but she was still recovering from being bedridden, and only succeeded in clogging the hallway further. “Excuse me.” She said as she darted into an open door to let the ponies through. Their angry faces changed to pity as they saw the condition she was in while they passed the doorway.

“Its quite all right.” Said one light grey pegasus as she trotted past the doorway, carrying a paint bucket in her mouth. “We are all in deep gratitude for what you have done.”

Word must get around here fast. She thought to herself as her cheeks turned a rosy shade of red. I wonder how much they know. She carefully ascended the stairs and opened the door to the deck. The blinding sunlight streamed in, causing her to squint her eyes and block the violent rays with her foreleg. Her pupils constricted as they adjusted to the harsh sunlight. When she could finally see the scene on the deck amazed her.

Ponies of all ages and races scurried across the ship. They were in the process of transforming the NightStalker into an innocent cruise ship. The massive battlements had been moved into the ship and been replaced with innocent lounge chairs and colorful umbrellas. Pegasi swooped from the deck to the side of the ship to change the dark camouflage hull to a bright and cheery blue. The NightStalker’s name was changed to the ‘Weekend Voyager’ written in flowing cursive script. The earth ponies on the ship took the roles of tourists. They grouped themselves in brightly colored groups as families and couples. The unicorns were dressed in black as they served the ‘tourists’ their beverages and prepared to begin a massive deception campaign.

Shiloh walked up to the bridge and rapped on the metal door. “Luna?” She asked.

“Please,” Luna said as she opened the door and addressed Shiloh. “Call me Captain of the Night.” She was clad in a formal captain’s attire. “We cannot afford any slip ups while we are at port. “Once the conversion is complete, and you have recovered, we will make our way to the port of Baltimare.”

Shiloh mentally checked her body. Nothing was seriously injured, and the doctors had released her from the infirmary. “I think one more night of rest would be a good idea.” She said as she caressed the scar on her face and flinched.

“I understand, once we are underway I will brief you on your mission. Until then, go ahead and treat this like a cruise.”

“Thank you Lun-, I mean, Captain.” Shiloh said as she walked out of the bridge and made her way to her cabin. Apologies were given as several ponies nearly crashed into her as she slowly pushed her way against the flow to her cabin. She opened the door to the dimly lit hallway lined with sequential wooden doors. She pulled out the piece of paper the doctor had given to her. ‘206’ was written in sloppy writing on the scrap. Doctor’s hoof writing will always be horrible I suppose. She thought to herself as she stopped at her door.

She opened the unlocked door and walked into the spacious room. This must be a luxury suite. She thought to herself as she ran her hoof across the dustless accents on the wall. Trotting to her bed she tossed herself onto its pleasantly soft surface. She looked to the nightstand to see the familiar picture resting beside the letter from Mach on its surface. A note rested on her pillow that bore the same doctor’s hoofwriting.

I noticed these on the cabinet after you left, so I brought them to your cabin.

“Transformation is complete.” Squawked the intercom throughout the ship. The robotic voice startled Shiloh from her sleep. “Prepare for launch.” Seconds later a deep mechanical hum pulsated through the ship as the massive turbines that drove the propellers of the vessel came to life. The NightStalker began to accelerate as the metal blades pushed through the water. The familiar rocking and pitching of the ship came minutes later as they exited the doldrums.

Shiloh jumped off the bed and quickly trotted to the doorway. Cracking the door she watched as several fictitious families rush to their quarters. She waited until they had all retired to their rooms before she began to make her way to the briefing room. She opened the door to the deck to see Luna standing on the bow of the NightStalker. Her horn glowed a deep violet as the half moon rose above the horizon under her command

“Hello Shiloh.” She said without turning her head. “Once we have finished awakening the moon from its daily slumber we will begin your briefing.”

“Understood.” Shiloh said as she watched the semicircular white figure silently drift above the ocean. The reflection of the heavenly body was an amorphous figure atop the choppy water. A light spray of ocean water was cast into Shiloh’s mane as the NightStalker drove through the water.

“Follow me.” Luna said as she started toward the briefing room. Shiloh tore her eyes from the desolate expanse and followed Luna as she walked to the door on the side of the ship. They made their way to the briefing room deep within the bowels of the ship. The luxurious wallpapered halls of the cruise ship disguise slowly turned into their true form of iron and rivets as they walked to the briefing room. Luna stopped next to the door labeled ‘cargo hold’. She turned the waterproof hatch and ducked to avoid hitting her horn on the small iron frame as she stepped into the room.

The massive cargo bay was lined with several iron catwalks that snaked their way in consecutive loops around its perimeter. At the far end stood two iron doors that reached from the floor to the ceiling. The light fixtures swung from the ceiling in sync with the rocking of the vessel. Several crates stood in the middle of the floor, their contents ranging from fresh food to newly made weaponry. A small room protruded from the corner. The tiny box had a single door and a small curtained window. Shiloh followed as Luna walked to the room and opened the door.

The space was pitch black, and Shiloh instinctively used her horn to brighten it. Luna struck a match and illuminated the dark box that served as the briefing room. A topographical map of Equestria stood in the center of the room. Small stubs of candles stood on the wall. Stalactites of wax dangled from their pedestals. As Luna lit the candles the room slowly became brighter.

“This is your task.” Luna said as she walked to the edge of the map and lifted several small figures from a shelf on the wall. Shiloh stood next to her as she began to position the markers on the map. “We will be docking in Baltimare within the hour.” She said as she placed a small ship in the Horseshoe bay on the map along with a small pony figurine. She began to move it across the map as she outlined the journey. “From there you will take a train to Appleloosa. The trip should be several days at best. We have a contact in Ghastly Gorge that is expecting a sensitive package from us.”

“Are you expecting me to walk through the desert from Appleloosa to Ghastly Gorge?”

“No, I expect you to cut your trip short here.” Luna said as she stopped the figurine before the trestle that crossed the gorge. She looked to Shiloh with a glimmer of amusement in her eye. “Have you ever jumped from a train before?”

Shiloh paused as she realized what Luna’s question implied. “You want me to bail out of a moving train with a delicate package?”

“The contents are sensitive, but the package is durable. We have made sure that it can withstand any kind of abuse you can put it through.” Luna said confidently. “But if the wrong pony does get their hooves on it…” a twinge of worry struck her face. “The consequences would be dire.” Luna lifted a yellow hiker’s saddlebag from the corner and placed it on the ground next to Shiloh. “You are taking the trip on the grounds of an adventurous hiker eager to get back on land.”

Luna opened the bag letting its contents spill onto the table. “This has everything you need to stay comfortable during your trip.” Shiloh sorted through the items. The necessities were more than covered and it even included some nonessential items. “I hope everything is to your liking.” Luna said as she watched Shiloh dig through the pile of amenities.

“I appreciate the thought, but some of these items seem... unnecessary.” Shiloh said as she lifted a compact makeup kit from the pile.

“I was only trying to make you more comfortable while you traveled to the gorge.” Luna said as she looked over the pile. “It is yours after all, you can remove whatever you like. Or, rather, what you don’t like.” Shiloh began to sift through the pile of items, tossing aside everything save the bare necessities.

“Wait!” Luna half shouted as she stopped a small vial inches from hitting the ground. “You need this.” she said as she put her hoof on Shiloh’s shoulder.

“Why would I need perfume?”

“Because it isn’t perfume.” Luna said as she rotated the bottle to show its label to Shiloh. “It’s a neurotoxin capable of killing a pony within ten seconds of consumption. Keep this with you at all times.”

“I don’t see how a neurotoxin is an effective weapon.” Shiloh said as she took the bottle in her hoof and closely examined it. “It’s not like I’m going to dump it down somepony’s throat.”

“It’s not for somepony.” Luna said as she took the vial from Shiloh and placed it on the table and met her curious gaze with a serious expression. “It’s for you.” A twinge of fear hit Shiloh like a bullet. Is she going to kill me? She thought as she slowly began to back away.

“Be still my faithful messenger.” Luna said in a soft voice as she noticed Shiloh’s sudden anxiety. “I would not give this to you if there wasn’t a threat that you would be captured.”

“Captured? But I’ll be in disguise.”

“Disguises don’t always work, and I cannot risk having you tortured to death by the Solar Empire.”

Shiloh nodded. “I see.” The room fell silent while Shiloh quickly shoved the few items that had made the cut back into her bag. “Well, the bag is packed.”

“One more thing.” Luna said as she lifted a lanyard from the table. “This is your identification tag.” she draped the lanyard around Shiloh’s neck.

“That should be everything.” Shiloh said as she placed the saddlebag on her back and tightened the strap around her waist.

“Then let us proceed to the deck. It is always amazing to see land slip above the horizon at night.” Luna said as she walked back toward the innocent parts of the ship. Shiloh said nothing as she began to realize how important, and how dangerous, the mission was. The refreshing ocean air relieved some of her anxiety as she stepped onto the bow of the ship minutes later.

“Can you see Baltimare in the distance?” Luna asked as she pointed to several pinpoints of light on the edge of the ocean.

“All I see are stars.” Shiloh said as she squinted her eyes and tried to block the moonlight with her hoof.
Luna smiled as she knelt down beside Shiloh and put her foreleg around her shoulder.

“Those stars you see are the tops of the buildings in Baltimare. That is where you will start your mission.” She said as she gestured toward the slowly growing lights. Shiloh watched as the skyline began to rise from the dark horizon.

“How did you come by this ship?”

“Come again?” Luna asked as she looked back at Shiloh.

“There is no way Celestia would‘ve let the NLR just up and buy a warship. The Solar Empire has eyes and ears everywhere.”

“It was a challenge, but one main detail has kept it secret.”

“What might that be?”

“The NightStalker is not a warship, she’s a cruise ship. That is the reason we can go into port in the first place. From the exterior she is just another tourist attraction, and Baltimare has plenty of Cruise traffic. She was decommissioned just as the NLR was beginning. I knew that Celestia would find out eventually, so I needed a way to avoid detection. This vessel used to be called the Morning Glory, slightly ironic name for the use I had in mind, so I renamed her the NightStalker.”

“Ingenious” Shiloh whispered

“Thank you.” Luna said as she looked back at the horizon. The two stood in silence as the ship neared the harbor. The flecks of light had divided and formed columns of half lit towers that rose into the sky. The city was falling asleep, but Shiloh was ever so slowly beginning to feel the surge of an adventure in her blood. It was hours before the ship began to slow itself to make its maneuvers into the harbor.

Baltimare was known for its ports, and Shiloh had long heard tales and talk about the wonders of its efficiency, but she could never had imagined that this is what it would be like. She watched as the dock quickly came to life as the NightStalker maneuvered toward it. Several ponies on either side of the dock tossed massive cables onto the NightStalker that were taken by the crew onboard. They quickly anchored the stalwart ropes onto the immense wrought iron deck bitts and signaled to the stallions on the pier.

The captain brought the ship to a crawl as the ponies on the dock carefully maneuvered the boat into the wharf. A loud shout was released from the dock stallions signaling the completion of the task. The captain shut off the propellers as they anchored the boat to the wooden pier. A wooden catwalk projected toward the dock where the stallions were awaiting its arrival. Once they had their hooves on the gangplank they carefully lowered it onto the ground and loosely tied it to two smaller deck bitts.

The earth ponies, who had just a day ago been soldiers, avidly made their way onto the dock, which was now filled with workers carrying supplies for the ship. The stallions patiently let the travelers move on down the dock toward the city. No doubt they had seen impatient tourists file off of a ship before, and they knew too well that nothing would get in the way of their ‘perfect vacation’. Minutes passed as the less than organized families struggled to get themselves off of the boat and to their destination. Shiloh was amazed at how naturally the ponies acted as they exited the boat.

Luna nudged Shiloh. “It is time for your journey to begin.” She said as she gently pushed her with her wing. Shiloh nodded her head and started down the catwalk toward the dock. A couple rushed past her and nearly knocked her into the water, but Shiloh kept her balance and quickly trotted to the wooden pier. The solid ground was a relief to Shiloh. The rocking of the boat had been somewhat of a nuisance to her and the feeling of the pier gave her a sense of security. That security came at a trade off as masses of ponies were also making their way to Baltimare. She timidly stepped into the stream of ponies and quickly found her place at a comfortable canter as they moved toward the city.

I need to get to the station. Shiloh thought to herself as she strained to see over the heads of the ponies around her. Every sign she could glimpse was immediately obscured by somepony or something. Frustrated, she barreled through the mob of ponies as she made her way out of the hoard. As she exited the mass she trotted over to a bench and sat herself on it.
The adventure in her blood wavered as she looked around the unfamiliar city. The only light came from the dozens of lampposts that dotted the road. The buildings of the harbor were dark and musty and many lay in disrepair. The corrosive ocean water had eaten away at several of the piers, leaving them as unusable eyesores. Shouts could be heard from one of the dozens of salt taverns as fights broke out among the intoxicated stallions. Shiloh quickly donned her saddlebag and trotted down the street toward the city. Slowly the dilapidated wharfs and piers gave way to the town, which had fared little better. Several buildings lay in ruins and many others were uninhabitable. Many of the brick walls held propaganda of the empire. This cannot be the city of Baltimare, can it? She thought to herself as she gazed at the awful scene before her. I need to get to that station. She looked for anypony who might be able to help her, but everypony was locking their doors for the night.

She noticed a small shop that appeared to be open. She trotted to the door and timidly knocked on its weathered surface. Silence followed as she waited for any signs of movement. She knocked louder, this time with more amiable results. A commotion of hoofsteps emanated from the building. Without warning the door swung open, revealing a grumpy old stallion with a red nightcap on.

“What you want?” he asked sharply. The smell of salt struck Shiloh’s face, making her gag at the putrid scent.

“I just want to know where the train station is.” Shiloh said timidly as she tried not to aggravate the already angry stallion.

“Down the street, you can’t miss it.” Shiloh started to smile. “Now scram.” He slammed the door just inches from her face, turning her smile into surprise. She could hear the disgruntled hoofsteps of the pony as he made his way back into his shop.

Well that went swimmingly. Shiloh thought as continued to stare at the door frozen in shock. She shook her head to rid the air of the smell of salt and trotted down the street toward the city. The giant glistening buildings that lined Manehattan were nowhere to be seen in Baltimare. A modest amount of small towers stood toward the middle of the city, rising as giants against the tiny shops and stands that made up the bulk of the town.

As she trotted down the road the city began to drift off to sleep. The only lights came from the streetlamps and from the candles that lit the windows of the small apartments and shops. Silhouettes of the shadows of ponies bled through the light curtains that covered the windows. Shiloh watched as the moving images of daily life flowed across the makeshift canvasses. A mare laying her foal to sleep played in one window, a heated argument in another. A shadow of a passionate kiss between a mare and stallion made Shiloh blush. She looked away, as if she had been invading their privacy, and began to canter down the street.

The grand train station lay in the downtown area of the city. Built decades ago, the station had long since seen its glory days. The copper lattice that supported the massive glass roof had tarnished green and the soot from the trains had darkened the glass. Every time one problem was fixed or one window repaired, another arose as if the building was mocking the ponies who tried to keep it from collapse.

Shiloh trotted up to the booth that stood outside the station and withdrew her ticket and her identification. The unicorn inside lifted both and inspected them through the dirty spectacles that rested on her nose. “Your train is leaving from concourse ‘C’ platform seven in half an hour.” She said in a nasally voice as she gave the items back to Shiloh.

“Thank you.” Shiloh said as she placed the ticket in her saddlebag and the identification around her neck. She trotted into the grand hall. Several families were slowly making their way to the concourse that stretched over several vacant tracks. Shiloh stifled a laugh as she watched a stallion struggle to tame his luggage as he tried to catch up with his group. The massive clock that stood in the middle of the station read thirty minutes until midnight. Several ponies stood staring at the departure board. The cards fluttered as they showed the next train to the station ‘Appleloosa C7’ appeared amidst the flickering letters. That’s me I suppose. She thought as she began to start toward the concourse. A stallion caught her eye as she shifted her glance from the board.

It was just by chance that Shiloh had caught the glare of his sunglasses. He was standing in the shadows, not moving to a concourse, not trying to control the crowd. He was simply standing, watching, waiting. The sight of him sent shivers down Shiloh’s back as she averted her eyes in an attempt to remain inconspicuous. Deftly she stepped into a group of ponies trotting toward the platform. Keeping her posture relaxed and confident she adeptly kept the stallion in her periphery, watching for any motion.

As she descended the stairs onto the platform she breathed a sigh of relief. The stallion had not followed her and she could keep an eye on him from her waiting spot. Maybe he is just a security guard. She reasoned as the faint cry of a train whistle echoed through the cavernous building. Leaning over the edge she spotted a lone train entering the station.
Black plumes of thick smoke rose to the ceiling as the train slowed to a halt at the platform, the clouds of ash filling the station with the smell of soot. Steam leaked from the cylinders as they pushed the train into the station. As the caboose passed the edge of the platform a middle age stallion jumped off of the train and trotted alongside it as it stopped and released its steam from the massive pistons of the engine.

“All aboard!” he yelled to the crowd as he opened the door to one of the cars. The families began to slowly shuffle onto the train with their tickets ready to give to the conductor. Shiloh followed suit and held the ticket as she made her way to the train car.

“Ticket.” The conductor said in a spry voice as Shiloh reached him. She floated the ticket to the conductor who tore the stub off of the end and gave it back. She gave him a thankful nod and stepped through the doorway. Chaos was unfolding as families tried to store their luggage and decide where to sit. Patiently Shiloh waited for the commotion to diminish before taking a seat next to the window and placing her saddlebag on her lap. She looked through the scratched glass to the clock tower that stood in the hall. The stallion that had been ominously lurking in the shadows was nowhere to be found. At least he’s gone. She thought as the last few families settled in their seats and the conductor waved an all clear to the engine.
The train lurched as the engineer disengaged the brakes. The scene of the station began to move as the train struggled against its weight. Her eyes caught a figure on the concourse. She froze as she watched the end of the platform disappear. The black stallion was watching the train as it departed from the concourse. The light from the station faded as the train entered the dense forest. Shiloh dropped her head onto the headrest and let out an exasperated sigh. Well that was… interesting. She thought to herself as the image of the black stallion imposed itself in her mind. Maybe some rest will do me some good. She laid herself back in her chair and began to drift off.

“Miss, this isn’t your seat.” The conductor said to Shiloh just before she fell asleep.

“Huh?” she asked, slightly irritated at the stallion for waking her up.

“Your stub was designated Caboose.”

Shiloh looked at her ticket. ‘Caboose’ was written in bold red letters across the bottom of the paper. The conductor motioned for her to stand up and follow him to the caboose. He reached the door of the car and opened it, letting in the cold night air and roar of the wheels on the tracks.

“You will have to jump over the coupling.” He yelled over the noise of the wind. Shiloh leaned over the gap to see the ties rushing below her.

“All right!” she yelled as she backed up and prepared to jump. She galloped to the doorway and leapt over the gap. She landed on the other side and trotted out her momentum. The two repeated the process for each car until they reached the caboose.

He tipped his hat. “I’m sorry for the trouble.” The conductor said as they entered the car.

“Not at all.” Shiloh said as she placed her saddlebag on the floor next to the bed. “I’m going to get some shut eye.”

“Ok then.” The stallion said as he opened the door to the caboose. “Yell if you need anything.”

Shiloh nodded to the porter as he closed the door behind him. A single oil lamp that swung from the ceiling lighted the interior of the disheveled car. The crew of the train had once lived here, but now it was only home to a family of mice that scurried across the ground. The beds were nothing more than worn burlap sacks filled with hay. The walls still bore some of the pictures that the crew had decorated them with. Images of families, marefriends, and foals were scattered haphazardly throughout the train car. The wallpaper was peeling from the ceiling, exposing the rough wood underneath.

Shiloh trotted to a bed with an image of Manehattan tacked above it. She dropped her gear on the floor and sat down onto the bed, causing it to creak underneath her weight. Laying her head onto the pillow she took a long look at the image of the place she had just a month ago called home. She rolled her head and looked out of the window. The wilderness was rushing past the glass in the darkness of night. The trees reminded her of her hometown of Colt Cliffs and how she had met Mach that fateful night. Maybe one day I can go back. She thought to herself as she closed her eyes and let sleep overtake her. Maybe one day.

The noise of breaking glass jarred Shiloh from her sleep. A wooden board had been pinned over the window lined by the sharp remains of glass. The train had ceased to move along the tracks. She tiredly watched as points of nails tore through the wallpaper as they anchored the wooden boards to the walls. They must be repairing the broken window. She thought as she looked out the other unbroken window. Dark grey clouds had encapsulated the train.

The silhouette of a pegasus appeared against the clouds and hovered next to the window. He reared back and thrust a bloody hoof through the pane of glass sending a flurry of clear blades to the ground. What in Equestria? Shiloh thought as she watched the mysterious pegasus hammer a board over the window frame. She groggily stood from her bed and trotted over to the window, carefully avoiding the shards of glass that lay on the floor. By the time she reached the window the pegasus had vanished. She pressed her hoof against the wood in an attempt to dislodge it, but to no avail.

Shiloh trotted to the door at the end of the caboose. She turned the handle, but it caught on the lock and stopped. Kneeling down she peered through the keyhole. The mechanism had been clearly broken, as several of the pins lay mangled in the tiny compartment. Slowly a sense of dread washed over her as she realized the severity of the situation. She looked at the doorframe to find that dozens of nails had been driven through from the other side, no doubt to pin several barricades to the frame. A loud crash of thunder shook the train and startled Shiloh’s frayed nerves. She carelessly galloped to the other side of the caboose, cutting her hooves in the shards of glass that lay on the floor. Reaching the door she tried to turn the knob, but it also caught on the broken lock. Her breathing grew heavier as she tried to force the knob out of desperation.

She raced back to the other door and slammed her body into it. The sound of cracking wood shone as a glimmer of hope in her mind. This isn’t over yet. She thought to herself as she backed up and galloped toward the door again. The cracks grew as she continued to batter the door with all her might. The nails were slowly retreating back into the wall with each successive strike. Once they had vanished behind the wallpaper she spun around and bucked the door with her hind legs. A loud snap and a howl of wind signaled that the door had been breached. Rain poured into the caboose and soaked her almost immediately. She quickly grabbed her saddlebag and galloped through the door.

The sight before her stopped her in her tracks. She could not see the ground as she looked over the running board she was standing on. The train was stopped precariously on a trestle that was surrounded by storm clouds. Rain pummeled Shiloh’s face as she leaned over the edge to get a look at the engine. A blinding flash of light followed by an eruption of thunder stunned Shiloh causing her to lose her balance and fall to the metal running board. The train quivered from the power of the thunder. Horrified screams of the passengers could be heard over the volume of the storm.

Shiloh jumped to her hooves and again looked back toward the front of the train. What are the pegasi doing? She thought as another flash of lightning and crash of thunder shook the train again. If they aren’t careful they could very well kill everypony on this- her thoughts were cut short by her mind. What if they are trying to kill everypony on this train? She tried to expel the thought from her mind, but it was the only conclusion that added up.
Several strikes of lightning lit up the train and shook it ferociously. Shiloh slipped off of the running board. As she fell her instincts took control and caused her hoof to grasp the rough metal step that protruded from the train. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she looked back toward the front of the train. The strobing flashes of light gave the scene a surreal image-by-image depiction of the chaos unfolding.

At the very front of the train the engine rocked back and forth on the tracks. Seconds later it overcame its tipping point and began to topple into the vast expanse of grey below. The car carrying the coal was next to follow the engine into the gorge. One by one the train careened off of the tracks and plummeted into the abyss below. Shiloh watched in horror as she realized the engine’s fate would soon be hers. Seconds later it was. The caboose twisted to the side and followed the rest. Shiloh lost her grip on the metal and fell alongside the train toward her fate.

The entire scene was a depiction of serene horror to Shiloh. Through the clouds she could make out small slivers of light that escaped the boards that covered the windows of the train. She could hear the faint screams of the passengers who were using their last breaths on the natural cry for help. Far below her the lights from the windows began to bend and contort as the railcars smashed into the bottom of the crevasse. Surprisingly calm, Shiloh uttered one last phrase. She did not know who it was directed to, or who might hear it, but it felt right.

She closed her eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Wilderness

A speck of dust drifted through the amorphous cloud gradually collecting droplets of water on its defect-ridden surface. Slowly it became obedient to gravity and began to plummet with millions of others toward the ground. For its minute long lifespan the droplet broke up and reformed as it raced downward. The wave of rain struck the ground, adding to the already saturated soil. The drop landed on a body of a mare, half submerged in the river that cut through the gorge. Her dark red mane was matted with dirt, sand and soaked with water. Deep cuts were scattered across her body. The blood that seeped from them had stained the water that surrounded her a shade of red.

Shiloh slowly awoke as the pain roused her from her unconsciousness. She tried to pick herself up, but her legs refused to support her weight, causing her to topple back to the ground. Painfully she began to drag herself onto the relatively dry sand that posed as a sort of beach to the river. She inhaled sharply as pain shot through her body as the sand buried itself in her wounds. Behind her a trail of blood was forming. Again she tried to rise to her hooves, this time bracing herself against a rock. She rested on her hooves for several minutes as she mentally quelled the pain in her body.

Slowly her mind pieced the events that had happened what seemed like days before. The caboose being locked, the raging storm, the engine toppling into the gray, her body slamming into the water. The floodgates of her memory spilled out the horrific scene, but her emotions did not react. It had been completely alien to her to see such a travesty and the only thing she felt was astonishment that it had occurred at all. She looked back at the trail of blood that led to the puddle she had just exited. The rushing river, carrying some globules of oil from the wreckage of the train, occasionally spilled into the stagnant water, stirring the amorphous blood into vortices of red.

The mangled heap of metal formed a partial dam, causing the water to spill over it’s top. Shiloh looked at the wreckage. Some of the boards had been dislodged from the windows, allowing water to liberally pour into the metal frame. A powerful chill ran down her body as the lifeless corpse of a mare spun in an eddy that had formed behind the train. That was meant to be me. She thought as she stared at the ghastly figure in the water. A sense of anger rose in her as she realized the recklessness of the pegasi. The cowards killed everypony on the train instead of confronting me.

Her emotions began to well up inside of her causing conflict within. She was alive, yet every pony that was on the train had perished because of her. You can’t beat yourself up like this. Shiloh told herself, as she knew serious repercussions of guilt would follow if she took the blame for their deaths. I need to focus on something else. She thought as she tried to ignore the scene of death before her. A yellow saddlebag, stained with blood, laid a stone’s throw away from Shiloh. She painfully limped over to it and lifted it onto her back.

She let out a cry as the weight forced her to the ground. Rolling to her side she let the bag fall off of her back and onto the sand beside her. The flap fell open to reveal the few things she had kept in her possession. Still lying on the ground she used her magic to lift them from the bag and suspend them in the air. A dozen items floated around her head as she decided what was truly necessary, and what was expendable.

Minutes later the only items she had deemed vital were a compass, a map, a rope, the poison vial, a canteen, and the package. Shiloh moved the other items over the river. She paused a moment to be sure of her next action. She let go of the items and let them fall into the violent current of the river. The splashes they made could barely be heard over the roar of the rain that continued to drench the saturated ground.

Struggling again to stand she rose to her hooves and placed the much lighter saddlebag on her back. She carefully limped across the beach as she tried to maintain her balance in the unstable sand. Making her way onto the rocks underneath a large tree Shiloh steadied herself and withdrew the map from her saddlebag. The paper was soaked and the ink was starting to run.

She traced the track from Appleloosa to Baltimare with her hoof. I couldn’t be in ghastly gorge. She thought as her hoof stopped over the trestle that ran across the gorge. She followed the line to the next bridge just northeast of Ponyville. That must be where I am. She thought as her gaze drifted back to the river. But how can I know for sure. She pondered as she noticed the other bridge on the map that lay just outside of Baltimare. She scratched the back of her head with her hoof as she tried to figure out how to discern where she was.

If it was near Ponyville, I would be able to see Canterlot, but I can’t see anything through these clouds. She thought as she removed the saddlebag from her back and placed it on the ground. The soft grass invited her to lay down and rest while she pondered her predicament. She noticed the compass lying in the bag and placed it beside the map. She watched as the red needle slowly drifted north. Slowly an idea came to her mind. Which way is the river flowing? She thought as she limped back out into the deluge with the compass floating beside her. Placing the compass on the ground she adjusted it until it pointed north and eyeballed the river’s direction. South, it’s flowing south. She thought to herself as she quickly returned to the map.

The river that flowed underneath the bridge near Ponyville flowed southeast, while the one near Baltimare flowed due south. Shiloh smiled with confidence as she pointed to the Baltimare. That’s where I am. Her smile slowly faded as she realized where she needed to be. Ghastly gorge lay on the other side of the massive forest, but what scared her more was what forest it was. The Everfree forest was known for its self-sustaining flora and unpredictable weather patterns. Even more dangerous was the wildlife that roamed in the shadows. Manticores, cockatrices, even Hydras were known to live in the untamable wilderness.

Shiloh swallowed her saliva as she looked toward the imposing forest. Maybe I should start tomorrow. She thought as she began to bargain with her fate. Once the skies clear up I can make sure that I can’t see Canterlot. She lowered her head onto her forelegs as she placed the map and compass back into her saddlebag. I will begin my journey tomorrow. She thought as she drifted off to sleep.

The happy chirps of birds filled the air and replaced the deafening roar of the rain the night before. Shiloh opened her eyes and stretched her aching muscles. The sunlight shone through the gaps in the tree’s leaves and cast dancing shafts of light onto the ground. The grass glistened with water droplets that had been lucky enough to fall through the tree’s dense leaves. The world seemed cheerful and Shiloh smiled along with it, but that smile froze as she turned her attention to the river. The body of the train still lay crumpled in the water beside the pylon that supported the trestle that stretched over the river.

Shiloh looked to the horizon to try and discern the royal city of Canterlot. Only clouds drifted beyond the treetops and signified that she was indeed at the bridge near Baltimare. She placed her saddlebag on her back and tightened the strap. This is it I suppose. She told herself as she looked at the imposing line of trees that stood as sentries to the forest. Closing her eyes Shiloh took in a deep breath and tried to suppress the small flame of fear that had ignited inside of her.

Clenching her jaw Shiloh quickly cantered toward the wall of trees. Her heart began to race as she neared them. Her trot turned into a gallop as she braced herself for the world that was an about face to her reality. After taking one last look at the wreckage as she galloped to the forest she leapt between the trees and landed with a thud onto the ground. Immediately she curled herself up in a ball as she skittishly surveyed the forest. I hope the stories aren’t true. She thought to herself as she lay shaking on the ground.

The noises of the forest made her mind begin to bring back the images of the foul beasts that prowled the forest. The air was stagnant as the trees blocked its movement among its dense wooden pillars. A slight breeze blew through the forest, causing a small branch to graze her back. Shiloh let out a scream and jumped to her hooves. Nervously laughing off the twig, Shiloh again found herself naturally lying down to avoid detection. Several trees had long jagged scratch marks along their trunks. A set of yellow eyes flickered beneath one of the fallen trunks. Shiloh shook in fear until she realized it was simply the product of two lightning bugs. The forest was as dark as night, as most of the light was blocked by the dense canopy of the forest. What little light that did seep through was lost among the piles of leaves, branches, and shrubs that littered the ground. Occasionally a figure would scurry around the trees, and each time it did so it made Shiloh’s heart skip a beat.

Minutes passed before Shiloh was able to calm her drumming heart. Slowly her fear dissipated and turned into curiosity and wonder. All the stories of the Everfree forest she had heard in her childhood were nothing more than simple fairy tales and legends. Her confidence grew as she trotted deeper into the forest.

As she traveled through the wilderness every snap of a twig would make her hair stand on end. Slowly, however, she became comfortable with the random sounds of the forest as they proved to be nothing more than little animals that were as afraid of her as she was of them. The white clouds drifted peacefully across the sky with no pegasus in sight. It was a completely alien world to her, but it was not threatening as she had assumed it would be.

Why has everypony always been so afraid of this place? She thought as she wandered through the trees. It’s strange, but what is wrong with strange? All strange is, is something different, not something bad. Shiloh continued to ponder as she trotted through the forest.

What’s this? Shiloh thought as she walked into a clearing. She placed her saddlebag onto the soft grass and walked to the crystal clear pool of water that lay in the center of the opening. She withdrew the canteen from the saddlebag and dipped it into the water. Ripples raced from the canteen and quickly ruined the water’s mirror like surface. Once the bottle was full she lifted it from the water and secured the cap. She then used her hoof to hold her hair behind her head as she leaned into the pool to take a drink. The cool water was a refreshing relief to her parched throat.

After she had quenched her thirst Shiloh looked toward the appetizing grass that lay unscathed around her. Happily she began to pluck clumps of blades and begin to eat as she withdrew the map from her saddlebag and laid it out before her on the ground. She placed the compass beside it and stared intently at her only way of knowing where she was. A clearing was nowhere to be found on the map. For all I know I could be right next to Ghastly Gorge and I wouldn’t even know it. She thought to herself as she tried to find some sort of landmark on the page. Why didn’t I just walk alongside the river? She asked herself as her frustration began to grow.

She struck the ground with her hoof as she realized how foolish she had been. The only thing she could do now was to attempt to make her way through the forest to a river. From there she could get her bearings. She lifted the compass to her face and adjusted it as the red needle steadied itself. She turned until it pointed her east, the direction she believed to be the most promising, and set off into the forest once again.

The sun was hovering above the forest, making it uncomfortably humid for Shiloh. She took off her saddlebag and carried it with her magic to try and relieve herself of the heat. Sweat drenched her body as she continued to trot through the dense underbrush that grew around the trees. Sparingly she sipped her water as she tried to make it last as long as she could. With no way of knowing when the next fresh water source would come along, she had to be careful not to be wasteful. For hours she trotted, feeling as if she was making little to no progress as impassable barriers of briars and thick plants became commonplace. Several times a rogue root from a nearby tree would catch her hoof and send her toppling to the ground. Every time she picked herself up from one of the falls she felt her mind becoming weaker and weaker.

As the heat of the day faded into the coolness of night a new challenge arose. Now not only were the plants seemingly against her, but she could sense that the predators were watching her every move. Using her magic, Shiloh lit the forest around her as she attempted to see the creatures that lurked just outside of the rosy aura that emanated from her horn. A large stick floated beside her, a weapon that she would use in the event of an attack. The security the branch gave her was minimal, but it made her feel like she had a defense. Fear pushed her eastward, as she dared not allow herself to sleep, and thus become defenseless.

“Just try me.” She whispered to her invisible assailants. The words gave her a feeling of control, even though her mind told her otherwise. Restlessly she traveled into the unknown that stretched out before her, completely alert, yet slowly becoming sluggish in her movements. Finally she could no longer fight the siren’s call of sleep that sounded so sweet to her ears. She reached an area where a small cave had formed from the root system of a fallen tree. Shiloh ducked into the hole and curled up on the dirt floor. Sleep came fast to Shiloh as she laid her head down on the ground to rest. She closed her eyes and almost immediately began to dream.

A low growl awoke Shiloh from her sleep. She looked out of the alcove of dirt and root to see flecks of sunlight dancing on the trees outside. She took in a deep breath, but the refreshing air she was expecting was putrid. Gagging and coughing, Shiloh placed her hoof on the wooden hoofhold and took a moment to wake up. As her mind slowly began to awaken she realized that the root was moving. She looked at her hoof, which rested on the piece of wood, and what she saw made the blood drain from her face. The root was the snout of a small timber wolf. Her mind told her to panic, but the only thing she could do was stand there in fear of what might happen next.

Seconds passed as Shiloh waited for the inevitable that never came. Slowly she realized the creature was in a deep sleep. She carefully removed her hoof from the snout of the wolf and silently backed out of the shelter. Picking up her saddlebag and stick she exited the shelter and let out a deep breath. She had not realized that she had not been breathing, and the feeling of air back in her lungs was relieving. I need to be more careful; maybe those stories hold some credit after all. She thought to herself as placed the saddlebag on her back and continued to trot through the forest eastward.

Her close encounter with the timber wolf continued to dominate her thoughts as she trotted onward, but soon they were taken over by a necessity, water. Her canteen was almost empty, and she was severely thirsty. Her spry canter, fueled by the adrenaline of the encounter slowly evolved into a sluggish trot as she realized how thirsty she really was. As she grew more and more weary she began to stumble along. Again the roots seized the opportunity and pulled her to the ground as she haphazardly tripped over them. She landed in a soft bed of damp moss. Her initial thankfulness for the moss was for its cushioning of her fall, but she soon realized, from the dampness that cooled her head, that she could harvest it’s water. She bit off a chunk and sucked on it in her mouth, but gagged as she tasted the bitter dirt.

She tried again to suck the water out of the moss, but with similar consequences. Letting her anger get the better of her, Shiloh slammed her hoof into the soft bed of moss. A pool of water formed around her hoof as it sank into the ground. Once more she grabbed a lump of the moss, but this time pressed it in between her hooves. Several drops of water fell from between her hooves. Shiloh smiled as she repeated the process over the open lid of the canteen. The gratifying sound of water filling the container urged her to repeat the process with successively larger clumps of the fleshy plant. Within minutes the water had reached the rim of the canteen.

Shiloh brought the container to her mouth and began to drink the liquid. Immediately she spat it out. Its dirty bitter taste had come as a surprise to Shiloh, but she knew that she had to drink. Again she lifted the bottle to her mouth and forced the revolting water down her throat. However disgusting it was it came as a relief to her parched mouth, and soon she found herself ignoring the flavor altogether.

Shiloh withdrew her compass and confirmed that she was still moving eastward through the forest. Shiloh started on her journey once again with a confidence that came from her newfound ability that had weaned her from the infrequent pools of water. A sense of freedom from perfect water gave her a sense of pride in her as she realized that the forest could no longer kill her with attrition. She began to canter quickly toward the unknown, no longer unsure of how she might survive, only unsure of how she would thrive.

Citadel

The day had grown late, but Shiloh’s newfound freedom had awoken a strength from within that urged her forward. As she pushed her way between two large trees she noticed something strange before her. A line of grass had been cut through the forest, creating a tunnel of trees that wound its way toward some unknown destination. As her gaze drifted across the path, she noticed the stones that served as a sort of road. She stepped onto the cobblestones and paused.

What is this here for? She thought as her gaze drifted down the grassy line. She looked to the forest that stood on the other side, and then to the expanse of road that teased her curiosity. Surely it will lead somewhere notable. She reasoned as she deviated onto the stone road and began to quickly make her way down the overgrown path.

As Shiloh trotted down the path the sun began to sink below the trees, and her hopes started to fade with the light. What am I doing, I need to get back into the forest. She thought as she tried to pull herself from the allure of the winding road, but her mind was too intrigued to let her body wander back into the trees. Hours passed as she quickly skirted through the forest, making good headway along the trail.

Rounding what seemed like the hundredth bend Shiloh stopped. The cobblestone sliced through the forest to a crumbling arch that stood in the distance. Columns that had once lined the road now lay in piled heaps on the ground. Shiloh’s curiosity continued to fuel her as she trotted toward the ruins. What is this place? She thought to herself as the structure came into view. It looks like a really old castle, but what is a castle doing in the Everfree Forest?

She paused in front of the archway that towered above her. Nervously she skirted through the curved stone doorway, fearful that it might collapse from the mere sound of her hoofsteps. She looked around her as the miniscule adrenaline rush quickly subsided. Standing in awe, Shiloh gawked at the size of the structure, and how it had withstood centuries of the assault from the Everfree Forest. A weathered inscription was written atop the archway. ‘Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters’ was engraved in curling script along the top.

'The castle of the royal pony sisters, what is that? Shiloh asked herself as she looked through the gate at the disheveled structure. Maybe it’s on the map. She lifted the paper from her saddlebag and scanned the forest. A small section was labeled ‘ancient ruins’. That must be where I am. Shiloh looked to the distance. She could just see the moon as it slowly rose from the horizon. I need to get my rest, and I might as well try and find someplace to sleep in here. Shiloh thought as she began to walk toward the giant hall on the opposite side of the courtyard. The smell of the forest gave way to the sharp scent of wet stone and stagnant water. Small puddles rested in the pitted and weather surface of the courtyard and swarmed with insects like desert animals at an oasis.

Mold and moss grew on the walls along with the large vines had snaked their way up the sides of their stalwart surface and spilled over into the castle. Grass and weeds had risen from the cracks that had formed over years of neglect. Several walls had collapsed, leaving only piles of rubble where they had once stood. Shiloh walked into what she presumed to be the royal hall. The ceiling still remained partially intact, but it seemed that a stiff breeze would send it crashing to the ground. The supporting columns were weathered and scratched. Despite their appearance they had succeeded in their task of supporting the ceiling for centuries. Shiloh’s hoofsteps echoed off of the walls as she trotted past the piles of rubble where the ceiling had collapsed.

At the end of the hall a small opening stood in the massive stone wall that supported the structure. As she neared it she realized it led to a balcony. Vines crawled from the edges of the doorway and stretched onto the wall. Shiloh trotted out onto the stone ledge and looked out over the courtyard that stretched out from under her. A stone podium, covered in moss, jutted from the railing. Shiloh, realizing her water was beginning to run low again, pulled off a chunk of the moss with her mouth. The entire blanket of moss that was on the podium slid off of the smooth surface it had rested on. That’s odd. Shiloh thought to herself as she tore a manageable chunk of the waterlogged plant from the patch of moss. She squeezed the moss of its water and let the fluid dribble into her canteen. A glimmer of light caught her eye as she looked back at the podium.

Points of light reflected off of the surface that rested atop the podium. Shiloh drew closed and looked at the astonishingly unscathed plaque. The scratches that dotted its surface seemed to be crudely formed words. What’s this? Shiloh thought as she began to brush the rest of the moss aside. The crude letters spread to words, which spread to sentences as Shiloh stepped back and began to read.

A raging beast has long been at rest

Its power has not been fully manifest

It lives as the soul of the citizens of the land

And cannot be controlled by the ruler’s hand

It lies in wait for justice to be decried

When it will let the citizens decide

Once the threshold has been passed

The statues of rulers will be recast

But if this beast can be restrained

The power within will be contained

The choice is yours for you to choose

But be wary of whom you might lose

For if the wrong path you should take

The beast of the nation will begin to awake

Shiloh shook her head as she tried to discern the meaning of the cryptic poem. What power does everypony have that can topple a nation? She thought as she continued read and reread the passage. Is it some sort of hidden weapon or army? Shiloh tapped her head with her hoof as if the action would knock the idea into her mind. Come on Shiloh think. What does everypony have that could dethrone a ruler? It just doesn’t make any sense. “In the masses of ponies unaware.” She said aloud as she tried to dissect the meaning of the words.

“So it isn’t something that lies in all of us,” Shiloh said as she slowly began to break the code. “It is something that lies among all of us.” Her heart began to race as she realized that she was slowly coming upon the meaning of the poem. Her eyes darted from left to right as she connected the last pieces. “That’s it!” she exclaimed as she struck the plaque’s metallic surface. “The power is the-”

Her victorious cry was cut short by a deafening roar that echoed off of the walls and shook the ground beneath her. Pebbles dislodged themselves from the ceiling above and fell to the floor creating a drizzle of stone rain. A flock of birds took to the air in flight as they scurried from the potential threat. Beads of cold sweat trickled down Shiloh’s mane as her eyes tried to find the source of the noise. A deafening silence followed as she held her breath trying to hear anything else.

She felt the next sign of the noise, a deep repetitive thud that pulsated through the stone. Her heartbeat quickened as the vibrations slowly turned into faint beats that echoed off of the walls of the structure around her. The way the noise reflected off of stone and ground played tricks with Shiloh’s mind as she tried to discern their origin. The treetops at the edge of the forest shook ever so slightly, as if something was pushing itself through at their base. Shiloh began to step backward, sensing the presence of a hungry predator. Her thoughts began to race as she thought back to the tales she had heard as a filly. Images of hydras, timber wolves, cockatrices, and dragons flitted through her mind.

Shiloh trotted through the great hall. Pieces of dust and debris fell with each hoofsteps and alighted on her body as she quickly trotted through its length toward the archway. A loud crumbling noise echoed off of the castle as a column behind her collapsed from the tremors bringing a section of the roof to the floor with it in a flurry of dust and rocks. Slowly beginning to panic Shiloh tried to find anywhere that might conceal her in this twisted game of hide and seek.

She spotted an alcove underneath the stairs, but as she neared it, it became apparent that it would only disguise her from a fleeting glance of a passerby, not the hungry stare of a predator in search of a meal. She remembered back to the stories she had heard of castles as a foal, trying to glean any recollection for something that might serve as a hiding place. Her eyes lit up as she realized the towers that were erected at the corners of the wall were heavily fortified bunkers. She frantically scanned the area for the round structures that might save her life.

In the distance she could make out a circular building that lay between the ends of the wall. With every muscle in her body Shiloh galloped to the shelter and clambered through a window barely big enough to let her in. She illuminated the darkness with her horn. The moss covered stone smelled of mildew and stagnant water. Puddles of dark liquid lay atop a layer of grime beneath her hooves. She trotted to the bottom of the staircase that had once wound its way up the tower and squeezed her body underneath the first two steps that lay on the other side of the window. She extinguished the light coming from her horn plunging her into darkness. The low thuds continued to reverberate off of the castle and grew increasingly louder.

Shiloh held her breath. A dark figure emerged from the hall. As it stepped out of the shadows the blood drained from Shiloh's face. The beast unfurled its leathery wings. Its red mane shifted along its neck as it rose to its hind legs. It let out a deafening roar. It sniffed the air and slowly turned its head in Shiloh's direction. Its beady eyes fixed on the tower. It crouched to the ground and began to silently stalk toward her. Its scorpion tail waving back and forth. Shiloh’s heart began to race as the manticore grew ever closer with every step.

Unsure of what to do, Shiloh silently withdrew the coil of rope from her bag and laid it on the ground. The manticore broke out into a sprint as it realized its prey was trapped. It hit the tower with tremendous force, causing some of the stones to shift, but it withheld the beast. Using its paw it reached through the window and tried to grasp Shiloh on the other side of the tower, but she was out of reach of the beast. Angrily it began to scratch at the walls as if it could draw her within reach. The animal’s claws latched onto one of the bricks that bordered the small opening and ripped it free. Realizing the boundary of the tower could be destroyed the manticore began to furiously rip out the stones that supported the tower.

As fear took hold of her body her horn began to glow. A rosy aura began to encapsulate her body as her horn took control and began to cast a complex spell. Slowly her hooves began to disappear from view, followed by her body and head. Within seconds Shiloh had disappeared from sight, but the manticore’s arm was still wildly flailing about as it continued to destroy the tower. Pausing for a moment, the beast peered into the darkness to ensure its prey was still there. Shiloh shivered as the eye of the beast looked right at her. Can he see me? She silently stood up. The animal did not react to the movement. Seizing her opportunity Shiloh quietly moved up the stairs to the top of the castle and teleported the coil of rope to her feet. Using her magic she dangled the rope down the shaft and swung it around to attract the attention of the manticore. The beast reared back and threw its paw into the opening, shaking the tower as it slammed into the wall. Shiloh quickly lifted the end of the rope out of the reach of the beast and set it down beside her. She leaned over the edge of the wall and watched as the manticore’s body twisted and jerked as it tried to reach deeper into the tower.

Shiloh looked at the rope that lay on the ground beside her. She noticed her hoof was slowly becoming visible as the spell began to wear off. What can I do now? She thought to herself as she watched the manticore throw another stone behind its body. As she watched the animal work an idea hatched in her mind. She began to lower the rope down the edge of the tower and looped it around the manticore’s neck, careful not to alert the beast. She chewed her lip as she used her magic to tie a noose in the rope. Slowly she tightened the loop around the manticore’s neck and began to lower the other end down the shaft.

The beast pulled its arm out once again to look for its prey. There, dangling in front of the opening was a rope. Convinced that the string was prey the manticore grabbed it in its claws and ripped it from the window. As the animal pulled the string, the other end of the rope constricted around his neck, tightening over its airway. Unwilling and unable to let go of the rope that was caught in his claws it struggled to tear the force from his neck, but only succeeded in contracting it further.

Blood began to flow from its mane as it violently tried to remove the rope that was slowly draining the life from its body. Shiloh watched as the beast became sluggish and disgruntled. Its energy all but expended, the beast laid itself on the ground as it struggled to take in the air. Slowly its eyes closed, and the beast became still, except for the infrequent twitch that arose from its oxygen-deprived muscles.

Shiloh waited for several minutes to assure herself the beast was truly dead before she timidly ventured down the stairs. Shiloh picked up the yellow saddlebag and trotted to the window. She waited several seconds before she clambered out of the tower. The manticore’s mouth lay open; its tongue was a deep shade of blue, a sign of oxygen starvation. She couldn’t help but feel bad for the creature now that it was in peaceful state of death. Staring in awe of the powerful beast Shiloh marveled at the muscles that still minutely twitched underneath its golden coat. The body of the manticore was still warm, and Shiloh found herself drawn to the alluring heat that radiated from its skin.

Shiloh stood beside it as the heat slowly began to fade. A stiff breeze of wind surged through the ruins of the castle and gently teased Shiloh’s hair with its frigid fingers. She shuddered and tightened the strap of the saddlebag around her waist, attempting to take advantage of the little heat it trapped against her body. I need somewhere to sleep for the night. She thought to herself as she looked around the castle. The only place that offered her protection from the wind was the same structure that had protected her against the manticore. She trotted to the small window and struggled into the tower.

The adrenaline that had surged through her from the manticore had finally worn off, and hunger and pain had taken its place. Her stomach growled as she dropped herself onto the damp floor of the tower. The structure was cold and damp, but it kept the wind from reaching her. Its something I suppose. She thought to herself as she tried to find a place to sleep among the puddles that made up the majority of the floor. Finding a dry spot she curled herself up into a tight ball as she tried to fit herself on the island. A cozy feeling came over her as she heard the wind batter the tower and whistle against the cracks. Her eyes drifted closed as her exhaustion took hold of her mind

Light streamed in through the window and alighted on Shiloh’s face. Stretching her forelegs she stood and shook the water that had soaked her coat during the night. The sunlight warmed her body as she slowly regained consciousness from her slumber. A quick glance at the walls made her shudder. Long gruesome scratches from the manticore’s failed attempts littered the sides of the stone. The scene from the night before flooded back into her mind as she remembered how she had narrowly escaped death, and how her body had vanished from sight.

Her ears perked up as she remembered the invisibility spell that her horn had cast that saved her life. She concentrated on her memories of the event, but the only thing she could remember was the overpowering sense of fear and dread of the moment. A faint recollection of the complicated spell gleamed in her mind. That’s it. She said as she strained to coax the rest of it from the recesses of her memory. Come on out. Gradually parts of the spell came to her mind, but every time she tried to follow them, they would vanish.

Quickly becoming frustrated in her failed attempts to replicate the spell, she struck the ground with her hoof and clambered out of the small window. The scene changed from a dark musty old tower, to a bright fascinating old castle. Now she could see the structure in its full glory. Parts were crumbling, but she was astonished at how much had actually survived the centuries of abandonment. This must have been built well. Shiloh thought to herself as she trotted out toward the arch that had served as an entrance all those years ago.

Reaching the dilapidated gate Shiloh took one last look at the weathered inscription that spanned its length. The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters was barely discernible yet unmistakably penned in time across the stone. Taking a deep breath, she ventured out onto the cobblestone road that cut through the forest toward civilization.

As she neared the first bend in the road, her stomach growled. Realizing her hunger she surveyed anything that she could make into a meal. A few wild berries were growing alongside the path at sporadic intervals, but they served only as filler food with little nourishing value. As she trotted past the trees that lined the road, a glimmer of light shone from between them. Shiloh stopped and began to maneuver herself to get a view of the source. Again it caught her eye and she realized it was a small clearing among the trees with several puddles of water that reflected the light of the sun.

She stepped off of the path and into the underbrush. Pushing the overgrown bushes out of her way, Shiloh slowly trotted toward the clearing. As she struggled through the last bushes she was met with dismay. The puddles were murky and the grass that had grown around them was coarse at best, and toxic at worst. At the sight of the disgusting grass, Shiloh’s stomach growled again, this time louder. Do I try to find something else to eat, or do I eat this? She thought as she tore a wad of grass with her hoof and held it in front of her face. The long strands of grass looked harmless enough, but Shiloh knew it could only be supplied with the tainted water.

Taking one strand she stuck it in her mouth and began to chew. The sweet grassy taste made her realize how great her hunger was. Without hesitation she began to down large tufts of grass as she began to appease her stomach. Minutes later she had eaten her fill. The plot of grass had several areas that had been picked dry by Shiloh’s hunger. Her appetite satisfied, Shiloh trotted back onto the path and withdrew her map.

She quickly spotted the ruins on the paper and traced her hoof along the road that led to Ponyville. Several sections of the road spanned the multiple adjoining rivers that ran through the Everfree forest and into Froggy Bottom Bogg. Looks like I’m going to get a little wet. She thought as she realized the quickest route to Ghastly Gorge was through the bog.

She rolled up the map and placed it into her saddlebag. She began to canter down the cobblestone road toward the swamps. As she trotted she began to develop a plan for getting down the river. Stories of ponies who had lived here before the modern age flooded her mind as she remembered the way they had fashioned canoes out of massive trees. After realizing she had no tools to fell a tree, let alone hollow it out, she abandoned the idea. She continued to pry her mind for a solution to get down the rivers and through the swamps.

Minutes turned into hours as she continued down the stone pathway, stopping every now and then to pick the wild berries that grew along the edge of the road. As the sun began to set, Shiloh’s stomach began to cramp. Great, she thought to herself as she squeezed her abdomen with her foreleg, looks like that grass was a bad idea after all. Her canter slowed to a crawl as the sudden arrival of pain seemed to pull her to the ground. Her stomach began to groan as the toxins of the grass reacted with her intestines. Gingerly lowering herself onto the ground, Shiloh began to take deep breaths to try and quell the overpowering pain.

Feeling her body begin to heave she turned her head to the side and vomited onto the cobblestone. Fortunately the puddle of putrid bile contained no traces of blood. Shiloh again expelled the contents of her stomach as her body began to rid itself of the poisonous materials. Wave after wave of nausea assaulted her body as she lay helpless on the ground.
Eventually she began to dry heave, signaling the complete emptying of her stomach, yet her body continued to convulse. Hours went by as Shiloh lay in complete misery. Dizziness only added to the nausea as she moved from the pile of vomit and laid her head down on the cold stone. The temperature of the rocks soothed her warm body and provided some relief from the pain of the sickness.

Sleep evaded her as she tried to escape from the pain her stomach put her in. The convulsions slowly began to spread thin as she tried to calm her body. The moon was now fully overhead, a crescent of light that dimly illuminated the scene around her. The forest was silent, save for her heavy breathing, and offered a sense of peace for Shiloh, as she lay helpless on the ground. She tried to capture sleep, but it eluded her as the pain battled it away.

As the night went on, Shiloh began to think about her past life. Only a few memories of her life at Colt Cliffs remained after the several years of separation she had from them. The sunset in the distance, the scenic view of the pastureland that spread out below the mountain the town was placed on, and the massive storms that would ravage the village were the only things she could distinctly remember of her hometown. Vague and fleeting pictures of her family were the only things she had to remind her of her innocent life in the tiny town.

One day she had no trouble remembering was the day when Mach arrived in the town. Battered and bruised, the rare newcomer was taken in by their family, and Shiloh bombarded him with questions after she discovered he was from Manehattan. Those were the only things she could remember before she moved to the city. Everything she had taken for granted were the most precious things she had. Her once innocent life had been turned on its head after Mach had told her about the New Lunar Republic, and about the plans for revolution.

Her emotions began to well up inside her as she began to think of how Mach had disappeared that one night in Manehattan and never returned. A drop of water landed on the stone and pulled Shiloh back to reality. She had not realized she had been crying, but that was not the source of the drop. A light drizzle of rain had started. Shiloh looked to the sky to see a light haze of clouds drifting high above the treetops.

She had lost track of time, but she assumed it had been awhile since most of the pain had departed. Slowly she rose to her hooves and set out toward the swamps, making up for lost time. Shiloh used the water to suppress her hunger, as she tried to ignore the discomfort. The darkness no longer intimidated her as she used her horn to illuminate the forest in a rosy aura. A resolve burned within her as she suppressed the little amount of pain that was left.

Tempest

Slowly, the sound of rushing water met her ears and lifted her spirits. Shiloh lifted the map from her saddlebag and trotted next to a tree to shield its delicate paper from the marring rain. I can’t be too far from the bog. She thought as she stashed her map and began to gallop toward down the road. As the sound grew louder, so did her spirits. The fact that she had made progress to this point was enough to harbor some pride in her that she was accomplishing something worthwhile.

She rounded a sharp bend in the road and slowed to a trot. Her hope had turned to dismay as she saw the road. It meandered into the water and vanished underneath the raging current. Nothing suggested a bridge had ever been constructed to carry it above the water. Centuries of erosion had cut a new river over the road and the murky water was treacherous. Shiloh trotted to the bank and dipped her hoof into the water. It was cold to the touch. The rain, which had been tolerably light until now, had begun to pick up, causing her to look for shelter along the coast of the river.

A large oak tree stood on the other bank, its limbs stretching across the river. They beckoned her to seek shelter underneath their broad reach. Shiloh trotted to one of the sturdy limbs that stretched over the raging current. Slowly she grabbed onto the branch and gripped it with all her might as she began to slowly inch her way across the river. As she neared the middle of the river a stiff wind rushed over the river and shook the branch. Her hind legs lost their grip causing Shiloh to dangle by her forelegs as she held on for dear life. She felt her saddlebag begin to slip as she again started to inch her way across the river. Unable to concentrate long enough to levitate the bag, she let it drop onto her back legs. Using her back hooves, Shiloh held the bag on her ankles and shuffled the rest of the distance using her forelegs.

Once the bank was beneath her she dropped the saddlebag to the ground. Swinging herself to the grassy ground she trotted over to the yellow bag that lay just feet from the edge. A sigh of relief escaped her lungs as she realized nothing had fallen to the river. The adrenaline began to fade, and Shiloh absentmindedly took a bite of the grass. She immediately spat it out, worrying that the nausea might begin again, but after she realized nothing was near that could contaminate it she began to eat.

By now the rain had turned into a deluge and the sound of the torrent atop the leaves was deafening but tiring. Shiloh pulled the saddlebag close and allowed her eyes to slowly close shut as she awaited the rest. Seconds later she was sound asleep dreaming about what had once been.

Shiloh awoke coughing and gagging as she tried to expel the water she had just inhaled. She quickly realized the torrential downpour had caused the river to break its banks and flood the grassy knoll with murky brown water. Rising to her feet, she noticed the yellow saddlebag scooting along with the current toward the rushing river. Immediately she focused on the bag and lifted it using her magic. Setting it down on her back, Shiloh let out a sigh of relief that was cut short at the sudden realization. The map. She thought as she opened the flap and lifted the rolled up paper to her face. “No, no, no!” She exclaimed as she watch the black, ink filled droplets fall into the water.

She unrolled the map to see that the water had all but destroyed it. Her heart began to race as she realized she had no way of knowing where she was or where she was going. The water was still rising, and Shiloh had to act fast. The large oak tree loomed over her and again called her with its branches to seek shelter. With much effort, Shiloh slowly began to climb the tree. One hoof after the other she slowly began to distance herself from the ever-rising current. Perched like an owl in one of the swaying branches in the top of the tree, Shiloh watched as the water slowly began rise.

This tree had better hold up. She thought to herself as the water continued to rise. A cracking sound made Shiloh nearly lose her balance as she shook in terror. A tree upstream had fallen from the forest and into the water. She watched as the tree struck the side of the oak and wrapped around it. Another loud crack resounded from the log as the water snapped it around the base of her perch and began to flow down the river once again.

Shiloh breathed a sigh of relief as she realized the water had reached its full height but was only lapping at the base of the oak tree she was standing in. I really need some sleep. She thought to herself as she tried to find a comfortable space to lie down. The branches offered her little stability, and she could not bring herself to try and fall asleep on them. This is going to be harder than I thought. Shiloh lifted the saddlebag from her back and draped it over one of the branches near her. Beginning to brainstorm, Shiloh pulled the rope from the bag and floated before her face. How can I use this? She thought as she began to tie one end to the branch and stretch the other over a second branch. I could make a hammock I suppose. She thought as she tied a knot in the middle of the rope. But what can I use for padding? I don’t know how to knit I need something premade. Shiloh’s eyes drifted to her saddlebag that hung on a nearby branch. Slowly the wheels of her mind began to turn as she lifted it from the tree and undid the strap.

Taking the leather strap to the branch, she worked furiously as she tried to secure the bag in a stable position. Several minutes, and a few near slips later, Shiloh had created her makeshift hammock. It stood in the center of a forked branch. She had anchored the bad horizontally from the fork and used it as a headrest and the fork she used as a leg rest. Carefully Shiloh positioned herself on the hammock and tied a makeshift harness around her body as protection if she was to fall off. Sleep once again took hold of her mind, and she quickly drifted off.

Shiloh awoke the next morning to find herself dangling high above the ground, suspended by a single rope that was slowly twisting and untwisting itself. Startled, she tried to right herself, but the harness prevented her from moving. After realizing her struggles were only tightening the knot, Shiloh let her body fall limp and dangle in the breeze as she tried to devise a way out of her predicament. She noticed a branch that was just out of her reach. Beginning to pump, she slowly started to swing herself, getting closer with each swing. Her hoof finally grabbed onto the wood allowing her to pull her body onto the branch.

Uneasily, she rose to her hooves and untied the harness, and held onto the branch for dear life as she did so. Inching her way along the branch, Shiloh slowly moved toward the larger branches of the tree. As she reached them she allowed herself a moment to see where her saddlebag had gone. One of the straps that had secured it in place had torn under her weight and had caused her to fall during the night. That’s funny. I wonder why I didn’t wake up from the jolt. She thought as she untied the saddlebag and rope from the tree. Placing the bag on her back, Shiloh lowered the rope into it and began to climb down the tree toward the damp ground.

The morning was brisk, and carried the scent of rain with it. The clouds had long since dissipated, and the river had receded to its banks, yet still roared with the ferocity of a lion. The base of the oak was scarred from its encounter with the tree that had fallen during the storm. The sun was shining overhead, and the birds were beginning to chirp again, but Shiloh still had not figured how to get to the bog. I really don’t want to have to walk beside the river to the bog, but there is no way something can survive going down that water. She thought as she watched a small branch struggle to stay afloat in the rapids and eddies of the raging current.

Shiloh watched as a clump of debris gently soared atop the water, undeterred by the rapids of the murky water. “That’s it!” She exclaimed as she watched the clump disappear around the bend in the water. “I’ll make a raft!” Quickly she began to rummage through the piles of debris that lay near the tree as she tried to find several large branches that would serve as the base to her raft. One by one she lined the branches up in a disorganized row on the saturated grass. Once she had found about a dozen she used the rope to tie them together.

Shiloh carefully grabbed several smaller sticks and placed them atop the base of the raft. Slowly the raft took form as she placed the last few twigs to make the top of the raft slightly even. This had better work. She thought as she stepped back and looked at the makeshift raft. It looked less like a vessel and more like a heap of sticks, but aesthetics were not her objective. Carefully she lifted it with her magic and carried it to the edge of the water. As she placed it into the eddy beside the bank, the branches shifted and several sticks fell into the water. Shiloh let out an angered sigh as she watched them disappear into the water. Turning her attention back to the raft, Shiloh slowly placed her hoof on the raft. As it took her weight the water began to rise through the cracks. She hesitated as she assured herself that it would float in the rapid current.

Taking a deep breath, Shiloh leapt onto the craft. It tipped dangerously to the side, and she shuffled to the other as she tried to balance the raft. Once the surface leveled out, Shiloh lay down and pushed herself into the current of the river. The craft began to buck and jerk as the water pulled it into the middle of the river. Using her hooves as rudders, Shiloh spun the craft to see downstream. A pile of rocks stood in the middle of the river, splitting it in two. Paddling furiously, Shiloh maneuvered the craft to the side of the river and drifted by the jagged stones.

The river was much calmer than Shiloh had expected and put her mind at ease. She idly spun the craft as she tried to pass the time while the raft meandered down the river. The sun’s rays shone through the tree’s tops and created dancing flecks of light on the water’s surface. The air was cold next to the river, but warmer than the water itself. On occasion Shiloh had to avoid a small rapid or eddy, but she spent most of the time relaxing as the water carried her to the swamps.

The shadows lengthened with each lazy bend the river took. As the day turned to night the forest began to mingle with the water. Cattails swayed in the gentle breezes of the night that carried a brisk coolness with them. The smell of stagnant water rose from the river as it began to slow from a strong current to a meandering flow that wound its way into a large swamp. Large trees, supported by branching roots, rose from the water, blurring the lines between water and forest. Small islands of cattails and grass rose from the murky water and swayed in the gentle breeze of the swamp.

This must be Froggy Bottom Bog. Shiloh thought to herself as she instinctively lifted the map from her saddlebag. A frown spread across her face as she remembered how the water of the river had destroyed it. Placing it back into her bag, she surveyed the trees in the faint light of the crescent moon that was overhead. Small splashes of water arose intermittently around her as the fish of the swamp nabbed the insects that dared to drift too close to the surface. Shiloh looked around to see that the minute currents of the swamp were no longer pulling her craft. Great, now where do I go? She thought as she contemplated abandoning her raft and making the rest of her journey on hoof.

Spotting a loose branch nearby, Shiloh used her magic to pull it toward her. Carefully, she sat upright and lifted the branch from the water. Using it as an oar of sorts, Shiloh pushed her way through the swamp, trying to find a place of solid ground where she could try and figure out how to get to the outlet that led to Ghastly Gorge. Spotting a small island in the distance, Shiloh pushed the craft with long strokes as she carefully tried to avoid the trees that sprouted from the water. As she neared the little plot of land, Shiloh held the branch out and tried to use the ground to pull herself to it. Her branch, however, did not contact solid ground, but instead a patch of mud that was overly saturated with water. Rolling her eyes, Shiloh started off toward another island.

This time her stick contacted dry ground as she docked her raft beside the plot of land. She stepped onto the grass and lifted the raft halfway onto the bank to keep it from flowing away in the tiny current. Kneeling down, Shiloh tried to recall the map in her mind. The only thing she could remember of the bog was that the outlet was on the southern part of the swamp. She lifted the compass from her saddlebag and illuminated it with her horn.

She waited for the needle to steady and then judged her direction through the swamp over the past several hours. She had been heading west. She laid her head down on the grass and slowly waited for sleep to come to her. As her mind began to fall to rest, Shiloh watched as the peaceful swamp water drifted past the island.

Shiloh awoke from her rest and stretched her stiff body. That was a great night’s sleep. She thought to herself as she looked around the swamp. The light of the day showed the true nature of the swamp. A light fog hung over the water, and was a slight tint of green. The bog was alive with animal and plant life. A quiet wind drifted through the trees and blew the leaves and twigs that drifted in the water in spirals. South. Shiloh thought as she withdrew her compass and pushed the raft into the water. I need to go south. She lifted the stick that served as her oar and slowly began to push her way through the water.

After a while her forelegs began to ache from the repetitive long strokes she had used to push her way through the water. Looking through the trees, she realized a wide path had been cut through the forest. That must be a stronger current. She thought as she began to paddle toward it. As she neared the winding clearing the sound of gently flowing water met her ears. She gave one last powerful stroke and pushed her raft into the river. As the gentle current of water caught the boat it began to move. Shiloh put the branch on the raft and laid down on its wooden surface.

The river meandered through the swamp, carrying Shiloh with it as it wound in wide turns through the forest. Sounds of wild birds met her ears as she drifted through the water. Other noises arose from the wilderness around her, but their sources lay behind the shroud of the woods. Shiloh played with the water as she waited for the river to take her to the outlet to the gorge. She let out a deep sigh as she remembered how life had been so different only a month ago in Manehattan. Her body still ached from the overuse and undernourishment it had received over the past several days. The wound on her cheek from the bullet had slowly begun to close again. The image of the floating body of the mare flashed in her mind and made her body shudder, causing ripples of water to emanate from her raft.

A loud sound echoed through the forest. Shiloh shook her head and smiled. That was some animal that has no interest in me. She thought as she looked at the river that served as a barrier between her and the wilderness. Shiloh turned her attention to the flock of birds that had alighted from the ferocious sound. Waves began to rock Shiloh’s raft as an unseen beast moved the water deep within the forest of the swamp. That must be one giant animal. She thought as she bobbed over the rippling water.

Another roar, closer this time, rose from the forest. Fear began to grip Shiloh as she watched the tops of the distant trees sway as something plowed through them. This can’t be good. She thought, as the ripples grew larger. A large snakelike head poked out of the forest and loomed over the treetops in the distance, making the blood drain from Shiloh’s face. Her heart began to race as three similar serpentine heads rose beside it. Is that a… hydra? She thought as the heads surveyed the landscape. Shiloh’s body began to shake as she tried to figure how to evade the massive looming creature that stood in the distance.

A rosy aura encompassed her body as she tried to cast the invisibility spell that had spontaneously occurred days ago. Aided by adrenaline she began to recall the massively complex spell and started to summon it. Slowly her extremities began to disappear as she focused all of her energy on the spell.

The hydra looked with its snakelike eyes at the land before it, trying to find anything that might help satisfy its hunger. It looked at the opening of trees that had been cut by the river. A small pile of debris floated down the river, but it quickly moved on, as it realized nothing was alive on its surface.

Shiloh watched as the beast stared right at her. Confident that she was invisible, Shiloh met its stare with her own in a one-sided staring contest. The hydra’s gaze only lasted a second as it realized it was only a pile of garbage and moved back into the forest as it tried to find something else to eat. Shiloh’s heart beat like a drum in her chest and she stopped the spell as she lay down onto the raft. As the adrenaline subsided a splitting headache arose, a side effect of the spell. Rubbing her temples with her hooves she tried to quell the ache.

It took several minutes for the pain, and the black spots in her vision, to finally subside. Once they did, Shiloh noticed she was trapped in a small pond. I wonder where I am. She thought as she looked at the forest. The air had changed from a gentle breeze to a stiff wind that caused the treetops to sway and the water to become choppy. The sounds of the forest’s wildlife had been replaced by a low roar of water that emanated somewhere beyond the curving river. Water now only stayed within the confines of the river that was lined with dirt banks. Trying to get a view of where the noise was coming from, Shiloh paddled to the edge of the pond and looked downstream. The river ended in a fog that encapsulated the trunks of the trees around it.

That has to be ghastly gorge. Shiloh thought to herself as she paddled her raft toward the bank. She took a long moment before she began to disassemble the raft to retrieve the invaluable rope she had used to lash the raft together. Slowly the vessel began to fall apart as she untied its bindings. Minutes later the only thing that remained was a pile of sticks that slowly swirled in the stagnant water. Coiling the rope and stashing it in her saddlebag, Shiloh started along the edge of the river as she quickly trotted downstream.

The water of the outlet was much more violent than the river that had taken her through the swamp. As the sound grew louder the fog grew thicker and began to engulf her. Slowing to a crawl, Shiloh carefully trotted toward the noise, warily avoiding the rushing water that surged toward the gorge. The fog grew blindingly dense, forcing her to feel her way to the waterfall.

Carefully, Shiloh felt the ground before her before she placed her weight on it. Several steps later, all she could feel was air. A strong breeze began to pick up and blew the fog from her view. As the haze cleared, Shiloh could start to make out the scene before her. Large mountains rose above the horizon in the distance, scraping the sky with their white-capped summits. A large forest stretched into the distance far below her. The water that fell from the edge of the cliff refracted the sunlight, causing a vivid eternal rainbow that encircled the waterfall. A great chasm sliced through the forest and cut its way toward the horizon.

Chasm

The craggy scar of the earth was mesmerizing. Never before had Shiloh ever seen such natural desolate beauty. Along the horizon was a large thunderhead that frequently flickered with lightning as it hovered above the trees. She stood at the edge of a massive cliff with an ocean of trees below.

The beauty of the scene before her made Shiloh gasp in amazement. “So this is Ghastly Gorge.” She said aloud as she followed the river into the canyon. Minutes passed as Shiloh stood in complete awe of the grandeur of the view. The fog began to coalesce again and shrouded her sight once more. Shiloh carefully trotted to the edge and leaned her head over the cliff. Protrusions of rocks and branches litter the cliff face. Acting quickly to avoid losing sight of the world completely, Shiloh gently lowered herself over the edge of the cliff and onto one of the rocks that jutted from its side.

The rocks cut into her hooves as she began to descend the face of the cliff. Her heart was pounding as she lowered herself one protrusion at a time into the massive ravine. Several times she was forced to stop and calm her shaking body as it posed a threat to her grip. It took hours for her to completely make the descent, but only minutes for her muscles to begin to burn.

By the time she had made it to the bottom of the chasm her body felt as if it was on fire. Her breathing was heavy, and her adrenaline was rushing from the numerous times she had nearly fallen from the slippery rocks. She collapsed onto the ground and drew in the air in gulps as she tried to quell her shaking body. Too weak to stand to her hooves, she used her magic to lift the canteen from her saddlebag and pour the last of its contents into her parched throat. She took bag off of her back and set it onto the ground as she tried to keep herself from falling to sleep. The light from the sun was crimson as it slowly set into the horizon.

The roar of the waterfall was deafening, and the bottom of the chasm was littered with rocks. The air was stagnant and stale. The whole scene was desolate and devoid of life, save the few plants that could survive the perpetually dark canyon. “Hello?” she called out in a feeble voice. The rushing water trapped the noise and masked it with its own roar. Shiloh laid her head down onto the ground in desperation. How am I supposed to find the contact if I can’t even move? She thought to herself as she tried to stand. She fell to the ground and began to pull herself across the ground as she tried to distance herself from the deafening torrent. Her mind flashed back to the dry tunnel she had found the letter from Mach in. A firm resolve surged through her body. I must deliver the package. She thought as she painfully rose to her hooves and staggered into the canyon.

The crescent moon was overhead as Shiloh finally got far enough from the waterfall to try and call out one more. “Hello?” She shouted, her voice echoing off of the walls of the chasm and into the darkness. Moments later a dark figure rushed over the canyon against the dark blue sky. Shiloh readied herself as much as she could on the off chance the newcomer was an assailant. The form arced down into the canyon and rocketed toward the ground. The figure landed just a stones throw away from her with a thud. It was a pegasus.

A cloud of dust rose from the ground around the stallion as he absorbed the tremendous speed with his knees. He paused for a moment before looking at Shiloh and rising to his full stature. A dark leather vest was draped over his light blue coat. His grey mane had been teased by the wind, giving him a disheveled look. Shiloh met his stare and prepared to vanish if he attacked.

“Who are you?” Shiloh asked as she kept her distance from the pegasus.

“I could ask you the exact same question.” He responded with an unwavering expression.

Shiloh thought for a moment. How can I ask him if he is the ‘asset’? As she tried to devise a one sided question, the stallion spoke up.

“Do you have the package?”

“It depends on who’s asking.” Shiloh responded, still unsure if the stallion was part of the Solar Empire.

The stallion stretched his wings as he prepared to flee if his words would reveal too much. “I am an ally of the night. Luna may have referred to me as an ‘asset’.” He said as he closely watched Shiloh’s face.

“In that case, I do have a package for you.” Shiloh said as she lifted the paper package from her saddlebag and set it on the ground between them. I wonder if its contents have been broken? Shiloh thought as Blackbird knelt down and examined it. The brown paper that covered the container was torn, soaked, and wrinkled. His gaze shifted from the battered package to Shiloh. A concerned look was on his face.

“I sincerely hope it wasn’t much trouble to deliver.” Blackbird said.

Shiloh coughed to cover her laugh; nothing could be further from the truth. “There were some… minor setbacks along the way.” She said trying to downplay the torture she had endured through her journey.

Seemingly satisfied with her response, Blackbird turned his attention to the package and tore off the brown paper to reveal a brushed steel container with several deep scratches and dents. He looked at the latch that had been bent and contorted from the journey. With much effort he managed to pry the clasp free and gingerly open the box.

By now Shiloh’s eyes were riveted on the box she had nearly died to deliver. As Blackbird opened the box a layer of foam expanded out of the lid. He removed the protective layer and set it on the ground. Beneath it was a layer of dense shielding foam that had been cut to fit the contents of the box. In the largest partition rested a camera body. Next to it lay a massive telephoto lens along with at least a dozen rolls of film. A camera? Why in Equestria does he need a camera? She thought as she watched him carefully lift the body from the foam and attach the lens to it’s front.

Dear Asset

Included in this box is everything you need to accomplish your mission. Once it is complete, bring its results to me. Currently there is no pony with the kind of camera you possess. It has been retrofitted to withstand the extreme altitudes and velocities you will achieve during your mission. It is water resistant, and the lenses are hardened to resist cracking. Operation observer is go.

Signed, Luna.

Holding the viewfinder to his eye, he looked toward the distant mountains and turned the dial on the lens. His unwavering expression slowly turned into a grin as he zoomed in on the summit of the mountain. “Seven.” He said as he began to disassemble the camera and placed it back into the protective compartments of the box.

“I beg your pardon?” Shiloh asked.

Blackbird pointed to the white-capped mountain on the horizon. “Do you see that summit?”

“Yes.” Shiloh said, not understanding where he was going with his train of thought.

“There are seven mountain goats battling for the peak.” He said as he looked back at Shiloh.

Her eyes grew wide. “Could you see that far with the camera?” She asked, astonished at the power of the lens.

“That and more.” He said as he picked up the box and began to trot into the canyon. “Long live the Princess of the Night.” He said as he spread his wings and prepared to begin his mission.

“Wait!” Shiloh yelled, catching Blackbird mid down stroke.

Blackbird looked back at her with a raised eyebrow as he hovered off of the ground. “Is there something else?”

Slightly embarrassed Shiloh asked, “Do you think I could get a ride out of this canyon?”

“Absolutely.” Blackbird said as he flew over to Shiloh and hovered above her. He picked her up by the shoulders and lifted her a few feet into the air. He gave the package to Shiloh. “Hold the camera and brace yourself, this will be marginally intense.” He said as he began to pump his wings. Blackbird’s forelegs cut into her as they rocketed into the air. The ground raced from her hooves as they quickly ascended out of the canyon. As the treetops raced below her, a wave of dizziness struck Shiloh as they arced toward the ground.

As their hooves touched the ground, Shiloh collapsed and let out a laugh. Blackbird stifled a snicker as she tried to stand again, but only succeeded in falling to the ground once more. She rolled herself over and stared into the sky. “Give me as second for the world to stop spinning.” She said with a laugh.

“Where are you headed now?” Blackbird asked as he sat himself down on the grass next to Shiloh.

“I was told to lay low in Appleloosa until Luna needs me again.” she said as she slowly sat herself up and shook the dizziness out of her head.

Blackbird frowned in confusion. “Appleloosa is almost a hundred miles south of here.”

“There is a train that runs once a week from Ponyville to Appleloosa.” He said as he looked toward the bridge that spanned the gorge in the distance. “If I am not mistaken, it should cross the bridge in a few hours.”

“Does it stop for stragglers?” Shiloh asked as she laughed at the mental image of a train stopping for her as she stood on the tracks.

“That’s the tricky part.” Blackbird said as he met Shiloh’s inquisitive gaze. “You’ll have to jump onto the train.”

Shiloh played the situation over in her mind. After a long pause she responded, “Sounds doable.”

“If you would like, I can fly you over there, but after I drop you off, I’ll have to leave.” Blackbird said. “My orders were to conduct the mission as soon as I received the package.”

“What is your mission exactly?” Shiloh asked as she tried to figure out why she risked her life to give this stallion a camera.

Blackbird cocked his head at Shiloh’s translucency. “I’m sorry,” he started as a look of disbelief crossed his face. “I’m not allowed to divulge that, as it could endanger the life of several others.”

“Oh, right.” Shiloh said as her cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. A long silence followed before Shiloh worked up the nerve to speak again. “Can you take me to the bridge now?”

“Sure.” Blackbird said as he picked her up by her forelegs and flew, this time much slower, over the canyon. The trees rushed below her, passing what would have taken hours to hike in mere seconds. The two were silent as they raced toward the trestle. Blackbird began to slow to a hover, and then descended gently, out of courtesy to Shiloh.

Once her hooves touched the ground, Shiloh turned to face Blackbird. “Thank you.” She said as she looked at the pegasus.

“You’re welcome.” He said as he looked toward the crescent moon. “But I must go now. Maybe one day we will see each other again, but until then, long live the Princess of the Night.” With a powerful down beat of his wings, Blackbird rocketed into the air and disappeared into the darkening sky.

“Long live the Princess of the Night.” Shiloh echoed in a whisper as she wondered where he was off to. She trotted over to the trestle and laid her saddlebag on the ground beside her. I wonder where he’s going in such a hurry. She found herself thinking as she waited for the train to come. What if he is a spy, and is taking the camera back to Celestia? Her mind began to come up with many differing thoughts as she tried to decipher what he might be doing. Is he spying on a city? Is he just taking scenic pictures for Luna’s ship? She shook her head to dispel the rogue thoughts that whizzed by in her mind.

A loud train horn awoke Shiloh from her state of restfulness. Bolting to her feet she quickly tightened the saddlebag around her waist and prepared to board the moving train. She looked in the distance to see a faint star hovering over the tracks. That must be my train. She thought to herself as she stretched her legs. As it neared her she could make out the large black cloud of soot that loomed over the train, carrying flecks of orange burning charcoal into the air from the furnace deep within the train.

As it neared the trestle its brakes squealed as the engineer slowed the train to a crawl as it prepared to cross the chasm. Shiloh could feel the vibration of the train through the iron frame of the bridge as it entered the other side of the trestle. Hiding herself behind the thick steel beams that supported the framework, Shiloh waited for the engine to pass her. Moments later the massive black engine that pulled the rest of the cars sped past her. She pushed herself off of the metal and began to canter alongside the train. Shiloh began to lengthen her strides, as the train seemed to begin to slow down beside her.

Taking a fleeting glance behind her, she realized the caboose was almost beside her. Breaking out into a gallop, Shiloh prepared to make the jump onto the train. As the caboose passed her she used her foreleg to reach out and grab hold of the yellow railing on the tail end of the caboose. With her muscles screaming at her she took one final bound onto the running board of the caboose.

Shiloh took several deep breaths before she worked up the nerve to let go of the railing of the caboose. The wooden ties blurred together as the sped from beneath her. She looked toward the front of the train to see nothing but desert before them. Breathing a sigh of relief she pushed her saddlebag off of her back and sat down with her legs dangling off of the running board. She leaned her head back and rested it on her saddlebag. So this is what it feels like to be a hitchhiker. Shiloh thought to herself as she closed her eyes and smiled. I wonder what Appleloosa will be like.

Homestead

The warmth of the sun alighted on Shiloh’s face as it rose from the horizon. Somewhere, Celestia is doing that. Shiloh thought with a twinge of anger as she looked at the colorful horizon. The desert had given way to rows upon rows of apple trees and had filled the air with the scent of apples. Ever since Appleloosa had been settled, it remained virtually isolated from the rest of Equestria. Its only contact was by the train that arrived every week, and it usually carried family members and supplies to the town, not propaganda or guards. It was pure, just like Colt Cliffs.

Shiloh rubbed her eyes and leaned over the edge of the running board to see where the train was headed. Rising above the trees was the clock tower that stood in the middle of the town. Shiloh knew that it would be only minutes until the train arrived at the station as she felt it begin to slow down. I don’t want to start of on the wrong hoof. Stepping off of a train ride that you didn’t pay for is not a good way to make a first impression. Shiloh thought to herself as she prepared to bail out of the train. A lake, presumably hoof made, served as a reservoir for the water that served the community. As the train approached the shallow trestle that crossed the lake Shiloh pushed the saddlebag off of the running board and onto the sand. Seconds later she vaulted from the train and hit the water with a thunderous splash.

Shiloh resurfaced and spat the water from her mouth like a fountain. The cool lake was a welcomed relief from the dry air of the desert.

“What’s ya’ll doin’ in there?” Shouted a distinctively southern voice from the bank. “Ya’ll know that’s our drinkin’ water right?”

“My apologies.” Shiloh yelled as she quickly paddled to the edge of the bank and trotted into the sand. Instinctively Shiloh shook the water from her coat and turned to address the pony who had called her out. A young mare stood beside her with an amused expression on her face. The water Shiloh had flung from her coat had struck her in the face and left her orange mane soaking wet. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” the mare leaned close to Shiloh. “I was planning on taking a dip anyway.” She whispered into Shiloh’s ear and laughed. “Where are my manners, I’m Hayseed. Nice to meet you miss… um… what was your name again.”

“Shiloh,” she responded, “Nice to meet you Hayseed. Do you know how to get to-”

“Yup.” Hayseed interrupted, “I can getchya pretty much anywhere in this town. I’ve lived here since I was a little filly.”

“That’s great, can you take me to the Macintosh farm?” Shiloh asked.

Hayseed’s mouth dropped open at the mention of the farm. “Are you the special visitor they have been talkin’ about?”

They’ve been freely proclaiming things about me? Shiloh thought as she hesitated to answer. “I’m not really supposed to say anything to civilians.”

“Ooo…” Hayseed said in amazement. “You must be really official. All right miss Shiloh, you win, I’ll take ya to the farm, just follow me.”

Hours had past since they had first begun to tour the city. Hayseed must have decided to take the scenic route; we just circled the clock tower twice. Shiloh thought as she looked at the clock tower. “Hayseed?” Shiloh asked. “I am really enjoying this, but I would love to see the Macintosh farm.”

“Well why didn’t ya say so?” Hayseed said cheerfully as she spun around and trotted past Shiloh. “Follow me.” Shiloh rolled her eyes and trotted behind Hayseed as they made their way to the outskirts of the town. A long fence stood as a barrier between the rows of houses and rows of trees.

“Is this their farm?” Shiloh asked as she trotted past the various kinds of apple trees.

“Yup,” Hayseed said as she vaulted the fence and plucked an apple from one of the branches. “And they have such a bumper crop this year, they are literally giving their apples to the town folk.”

“Impressive,” Shiloh said as she used her magic to pull an apple from one of the trees and took a bite. “They must be pretty well off if they are giving away their crop.”

“I guess so.” Hayseed said as she took another bite from her apple. “But our apples are the best in all of Equestria. The city ponies pay a lot of money to get their hooves on them, little do they know that we eat them for free.” She said with a childlike glee in her voice. “There’s the gate up ahead.”

Shiloh looked to the large wooden sign that rose from the fence. As she neared it she could make out the chiseled letters that spelled out ‘Macintosh Fields’. Hayseed bolted ahead of her and held the gate open for Shiloh. “Thank you Hayseed.” Shiloh said as she trotted onto the dirt path that wound through the rows of trees.

“Ya’ll have a good time now!” Hayseed yelled as she closed the gate and trotted back into the city. The road cut through the perfect rows of trees and Shiloh felt as if they were pointing her toward the house. Rounding a sharp bend in the road Shiloh gasped. A massive wooden house sat atop a hill that overlooked most of the farm. They really are well off. Shiloh thought, as she stood frozen in awe of the structure.

The front door opened. “Shiloh? Is that you?” yelled a spry old mare as she trotted out onto the porch. “Come inside dear you look horrible.” The comment caught Shiloh off guard and she cocked her eyebrow in confusion.

“Excuse me?” Shiloh asked.

“I could see how that could have been taken the wrong way.” Said the mare, “I meant to say you look like a bull ran you straight over.”

Shiloh blushed as she looked at herself. Her mane was matted and caked with dirt and grime, and her coat was covered in scratches and blood. Wow, I really do look horrible. She thought, shocked by her disheveled state.

“Come on now, the family wants to meet ya!”

“Family?” Shiloh asked as she uneasily shifted her weight to the other legs.

“Yes a family.” The mare said as she scampered down the steps and made a beeline to Shiloh. “Let me get your bag for ya, it’s the least I can do since you are trying to save Equestria and all.”

The two strode up to the solid wooden door. An ornate carving of a letter ‘M’ decorated its face. “When was this house built, miss…” Shiloh’s voice trailed off as she realized she didn’t know the name of the mare next to her.

“It’s miss Macintosh.” She said as she opened the door and yelled. “She’s Here!” a thunder of hoofsteps emanated from the house as everypony gathered around the opened door.

“How was tha trip?” asked a stallion

“What happened to you?” Asked another, a mare punched him in the shoulder and scolded him.

“That’s none of your business Bucky.”

“Shiloh?” Asked a small, high-pitched voice from the floor. Shiloh looked down to see a light orange filly at her hooves. “Do you have any stories?” The sight of the innocent filly brought tears to her eyes.

“I have several.” She said as she knelt down and patted the filly’s head. “But I need to get cleaned up first.”

“Ok, ok, part the waters!” shouted miss Macintosh as she pushed her way through the ponies. “Shiloh needs to go get tidied up for supper, so ya’ll need to make way.” Shiloh followed miss Macintosh through the crowd and up the wooden stairs to the bedrooms. “You will be staying in here.” Miss Macintosh said as she pushed open a rickety door to reveal a spacious room.

Shiloh gasped.

“Is something wrong?” asked miss Macintosh.

Shiloh turned to her. “Nothing’s wrong, you just don’t know what its like to see a bed after what I have been through. The most comfortable thing I have had to sleep on was stone.”

Miss Macintosh smiled. “Well make yourself at home.” She said as she gently set Shiloh’s saddlebag on the ground and trotted to the door. “Dinner will be ready in an hour, and I’d wager they family would love to hear about your adventure.”

Shiloh laughed. “I think I’ve got that taken care of.” As miss Macintosh closed the door, Shiloh turned to mirror that hung on the wall. It’s finally over. She thought to herself as she looked in the mirror. She barely recognized the pony that stared back at her. Walking to the saddlebag her saddlebag that lay on the floor, Shiloh withdrew the few things she had to remember of her home. The picture was faded, cracked, and soaked, but somehow the image of the smiling mare still gazed back at her. Reverently, Shiloh set it on the wooden nightstand beside her bed and withdrew the letter from Mach, placing it beside the picture.

Shiloh threw herself onto the bed and shuddered in its comforting embrace. It felt like it had been years since she had felt a bed beneath her. I’m filthy. I should probably get washed up before I try and rest. It took several seconds for Shiloh to work up the willpower to leave the embrace of the sheets. Tearing herself from the bed, Shiloh trotted to the bucket of water in the corner and washed herself of the filth that had built up during her travels. The water stung her cuts, but it was a good kind of pain, a cleansing pain. She dried herself off and looked back at the mirror. She ran her hoof along her face. The sight of the long scar on the side of her cheek brought back the vivid memory of that fateful night at sea, the night that had changed her life.

After she had finished cleaning, Shiloh trotted to the window and looked out over the orchard that surrounded the house. Rows of trees stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction. Small trails wound their way through the organized forest, and Shiloh felt a desire to tread through them, as if the forest was calling her back into its midst like an old friend.

“Shiloh!” shouted miss Macintosh from the bottom of the stairs. “Supper’s on the table!”

Shiloh checked herself in the mirror one more time before quickly hurrying down the rickety stairs and into the dining room. A large table fashioned out of a single tree lay in the middle of the large room, and the family was eagerly waiting to eat, and hear of Shiloh’s adventures. Shiloh started to trot to the foot of the table, but a gruff voice ordered her to stop.

“And just where do you think you are goin?” asked a burly old stallion on the other end of the table. “I cannot in my right mind let a guest sit at the foot of the table, take my seat.” The stallion stood and ushered Shiloh to take the stool at the head of the table.

“That isn’t necessary.” Shiloh said as she hesitated.

“Oh, but it is. Please, accept my seat as a gift.”

“Well, since you put it that way, thank you.” Shiloh said as she took the chair at the head of the table.

Miss Macintosh leaned over to Shiloh and whispered, “They have been itchin’ to hear your story for the longest time.” The family began to eat their fill as they waited for Shiloh to begin.

Shiloh held up her hoof, instantly quieting the table. Standing, she placed her hooves on the table and took on her most authoritative tone. “I’ve heard you have been itching for a good story, well I’ve got one for you that you will never believe.” The family sat in awe at her dramatic intro.

“We want to hear this much!” said the little filly as she strained to stretch her forelegs as far apart as possible. “Please.”

Shiloh smiled and paused for a moment as she quickly organized her memories. The eyes of each and every pony were trained on Shiloh as she began to tell her journey. “My story starts in Manehattan, during the annual marching of the troops. Or rather, underneath their hooves in the dark and cold storm drains that run beneath the city…”

A Flippin Foreword

A Flippin Forward
By:
Caleb (king of awesome)

So my friend asked me to write a forward for his book…which I have no idea what it’s about, except ponies. I have never done on of these before so I’m just gonna write a bunch of random crap. Well I guess I should talk about the author a little bit. The only thing I can really say about my bud Lunar that there should be a college major dedicated to understanding his mind. And to those brave souls who which to conquer this tough objective and minor in insane diabolical thinking is recommended. That’s all I have to say about him. Now what…blah blah blah…words words words. Hmmm well could tell you readers about me. Wait that’s probably not a good idea since the last person I met died from over exposure to the awesomeness. Anyways I don’t really know how long a forward is supposed to be. I guess I will just stop whenever I get bored. So I am eating a sandwich right now and it is quite delicious. It is like a group of wombats having a beach party in my mouth! And if you don’t know what that taste like, well its pretty good. Well I guess that’s all I really have to say. I hope you enjoy the book that this forward precedes. I still havnt read it so can’t tell you what to expect. I will get around to it eventually. Anyways till next forward!
And by the way, just a rule of thumb, keep your butt away from high powered electric fences. Even with clothing you aren’t safe…

Author's Note

I must give a shout out to my editor, Joey8225. He stuck alongside of me and read what was originally crap so you don't have to.