How the Tables Turn

Ashes had just finished her explanation. Phoenix had remained quiet, hugging Rainbow closely, letting her bury her muzzle into his shoulder. She wasn’t crying, he could tell because his shoulder was dry, but she was shaking. Horribly.

He drew her in tight, making sure she felt as though nothing could hurt her as long as they stayed like that. Ashes rubbed her back soothingly as she spoke softly into her ear.

“I know this is hard to take in, but I promise you, we will do anything to get you out of here before that happens. Anything. Even if it costs us our lives.”

“You mean that?”

Ashes prepared to speak, but Phoenix cut her off, knowing exactly what she needed to hear. “Rainbow, you don’t belong here. You’re a beautiful young mare with hopes and dreams and your whole life ahead of you. And you didn’t do anything to deserve this. We want to preserve that. And a stain like this on your history is exactly the opposite of what you need, especially so early in your life.”

“You don’t look much older than me. And I’m sure you didn’t deserve this either.”

“Maybe not, but I’ve lived like this my whole life. I’m used to it by now. You? You’re a Surface pony. Surface is Surface, just like Underground is Underground. And these two things… should never cross paths. A Surface pony down here would end up broken and miserable, just like an Undergrounder on the Surface would be lost and clueless. But I’m going to help you survive down here. And who knows? Maybe soon, you can help me survive up there.”

Phoenix gave Rainbow Dash a protective nuzzle, something that brought a smile to her face and a halt to her shaking.

“We’re friends, Rainbow, and we won’t let a few guards change that.”

Rainbow pulled Phoenix in tighter. “Thank you, Phoenix.” The embrace lasted a while longer before she let go and turned around to face Ashes. “You too, Ashes. Thanks for not leaving me in the dark.” Ashes pulled Rainbow into what felt like Rainbow’s millionth hug today. But she accepted with gratitude, pulling her in as well, and sinking into the softness of her coat. She felt so protected in the presence of these two. She knew they wouldn’t let her fall to any harm. And she knew the perfect way to repay them.

It may take days. It may take months. But it would happen.

Rainbow would help them escape.

Cloud Kicker and Sunbeam touched down outside the shack. Cloud Kicker was the first to call out. “Rainbow?”

They heard a sound from inside. Not Rainbow’s voice. Instead, it was the voice of an official-but-insane sounding mare, speaking clearly to them.

“Ahh yes. Come in, I’ve been expecting you.”

They weren’t sure what to think of this, but felt they had no other choice when the door was opened by magic. They walked in.

They stood facing three ponies. One a big-eyed unicorn mare that was the source of the voice. Her appearance matched her voice. She was a sickly white, as if she’d lived her entire life in a cave. She appeared to be insane, with snakelike eyes and a twisted smile. Her cutie mark was an iron hoof. Perhaps symbolic of an iron-hoofed rule?

She was flanked by two equally white guards, both unicorn, and both seemed to be in a trance. That’s when Cloud Kicker noticed.

Her horn didn’t stop glowing when she shut the door.

She gulped – was this the fate that had befallen Rainbow? She had no time to speculate on the matter, however, when she became aware of how tired she was.

Oh no. Ohnoohnoohnoohnoohnoohno-

Two thumps sounded out. One as she fell, and one right next to her. Somehow she was asleep, but at the same time she could still hear perfectly as the stranger’s voice rang out one more time.

“You can call me Mistress.”

And just like that, she fell into a dreamless sleep.