//------------------------------// // Chapter 45 // Story: Internal Darkness // by Silver Sorcerer //------------------------------// Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all associated characters, settings and stories are the rightful subjects of Hasbro, the HUB, Studio B, and Lauren Faust. Chapter 45 They traveled faster than they thought and covered more sky than they calculated as the closer they got to Magicon's Mansion. They didn't know exactly where it lay, but they had to try and find it. The more time they spent trying to locate it or wait until morning, the more time Magicon had to amass his power and prepare for their arrival. He may be just able to defeat them and they were scared of that thought, much less the thought of what would happen to Equestria should they fail. But they didn't plan on it. They had all been hurt in some way, shape, or form and all, to some extent, wanted revenge or justice. Even humane Fluttershy couldn't deny her bitterness of Magicon's deception to her regarding her friends. They all were driven and they would find him and stop him before it was too late. "How are you guys holding up?" Twilight called to the three mares pulling the carriage, her mane blowing in the wind and her voice barely audible. "What did you say Twilight?" Rainbow yelled back as she managed to see the purple unicorn out of corner of her eye. "I said, how are you guys holding up?" she shouted. "We're managing! Can hardly see anything though! These clouds are getting thicker!" "Well, best of luck!" Twilight encouraged, regretting that she was unable to help them. She knew very little about pegasus flight and only hoped they had a sense of direction and would get to Manehattan soon. She climbed back inside the carriage and closed the window, the winds still howling around them. "I feel so bad," she regretted. "I mean, the three of them are really toughing it out and I feel so helpless to just sit here." "We all feel that Twilight," Rarity sympathized, "But there's nothing we can do. We have to trust that they know what they're doing." "Yeah, it's not like we can just grow wings," Pinkie commented. "Twilly, look at it this way: they're doing their service to Equestria by getting us to Magicon quickly. If it weren't for them we would be having a much harder time reaching him and being able to beat him." "Don't say things like that, BBBFF. We'll beat him." "I can only hope; Ah!" Shining let out a loud yell as the other girls in the carriage screamed as a thunderous crash rocked the carriage, sending all the ponies to the floor. Lighting suddenly flashed around them followed by loud crashes of thunder, causing the carriage to shake and divert left and right. "What's going on?" Applejack asked as she attempted to straighten her hat in the now rocky carriage. "Well, it looks like we got caught in a thunderstorm," replied Rarity before another loud crash made her jump. Rain suddenly pelted the windows of the carriage with such intensity that they sounded like small nails and shards being driven into the sides of the carriage. "Oh this is not good," Shining stated. "We need to ground now before we're shocked out of the sky by lightning!" "Ah agree with Shining. Ah'm not letting my Dashie get hurt again." "This doesn't make any sense," contemplated Twilight, "I was just outside mere moments ago and it wasn't great, but it definitely wasn't a thunderstorm. And now suddenly we're in an intense one." "It doesn't matter whether or not it makes sense! We need ta land now!" Applejack commanded and ran to the window. "Applejack, don't-" cried Rarity, but it was too late as Applejack forced the window open. The rain immediately pelted everypony inside the cabin and their manes blew everywhere thanks to the intense wind. Worse still was that Applejack was sucked right out of the window, screaming for dear life as she was pulled further away from the carriage. "Applejack!" they screamed as she was sucked into the storm. They lost sight of the screaming earth pony within seconds, unable to do anything as the storm continued to shake them. The wind tried to pull them out of the carriage but they held to the seats and walls inside as Shining rushed to the window and scrambled onto the roof. The wind howled and screamed against him like nothing else before. Even the winds of the Frozen North weren't this bad. He clamped his hooves to the roof of the carriage and lowered his head and body to try and steady himself as the carriage shifted back and forth from the wind and rain. Lightning flashed all around him, blinding him, and thunder crashed against him, practically making him deaf. Worse still, the rain pelted like hail and ice and was unbearable. His mane blew around furiously, practically detaching itself form his body and he swore he was going to be torn to pieces by this incredible storm. He covered his eyes with his hooves, yet managed a small peak to see the three lead ponies struggling in the storm. Fluttershy was barely flying, her wings half their normal size, the rest bunched to her body out of fear. He knew she was crying, even if he couldn't see it. Rainbow Dash, despite her best efforts, was struggling to level the carriage. She kept veering to the left and right and yet sometimes jumped when a lightning bolt flashed near her or thunder crashed nearby. Worse still was Cadance who was trying to conjure some sort of spell while trying to fly. He knew they would be deaf to his voice and any others. He felt himself going deaf due to the intensity of the storm. Yet, he knew what he had to do. Their lives depended on it. Dipping into his magical reserves his horn began glowing and he began creating a small sphere that slowly expanded to encompass the entire carriage. Suddenly the rain stopped, the thunder ceased, and the lightning made no impact on the carriage. Looking up Shining saw that his signature shield was working properly. The storm raged outside but on the inside the weather was normal. All he could hear was the sound of the pegasi flying. Yet they were slowing down and looked around in confusion as to what happened. Cadance immediately knew the spell and turned around and here heart nearly stopped when it landed on Shining. She immediately motioned the other two to look back and land, which they did in a matter of seconds. Yet the landing was rough and uneven and they bounced around before finally coming to a stop. The wheels smashed under the weight of the carriage and it was heavily damaged on the bottom and sides from the storm and the landing. Shining was thrown from the carriage but quickly got up and ran to the damaged transport. Once grounded he expanded the bubble for the rest of the group to occupy who quickly escaped the carriage to regroup. "Everypony alright?" Rarity asked. "Wait, where's AJ?" Rainbow asked worriedly. "She…well…umm..." Pinkie mumbled. "She was sucked out of the carriage by the storm," finished Shining. "What!?" raged Rainbow in shock and immediately began to take to the sky before Twilight grabbed her tail and prevented her from flying away. "Rainbow Dash! Stop it right now!" she gritted through her teeth. "I need to save my AJ!" she yelled trying to pull away from Twilight's mouth. "Not in this storm you're not!" "Are you crazy, Twilight? My AJ is being tossed around like a ball in this storm! She'll die! She might be dead already!" "But we can't lose you too, Rainbow," Pinkie stated. "There's no point in going out in the storm by yourself when you have no idea where she is nor do we have any idea where we are." "Let me go!" Rainbow roared yet Twilight would not let her go. She continued to struggle and argue with her friends over her lover while Cadance and Shining reunited. "I hope you're okay," he said. "I'm alright. That storm was rough on all of us." "You more than me." "I'm just glad you were able to cast a shield." "I don't know how long it'll last so don't rely on it." "It's better than having us fall from the sky." "True, but thank Celestia you're safe." He kissed her and she returned it and they hugged out of safety for a few moments before Cadance shied away. "What's wrong?" "This just…doesn't feel right." "Oh…" "Oh no, it's not that Shining. It's just…look, we need to find and save Applejack before it's too late." "I agree, but that's not what's bothering you." "It's nothing." "It's something. Tell me." "I shouldn't have kissed you just now." "Oh…I'm sorry?" "No, Shining, it's just…I'm not ready." "But I thought you forgave me." "I did, but that doesn't mean I really want love and affection right now. There's too much at stake." "Are you afraid?" "Of course I am. Magicon is insane and has done terrible things. We need to stop him, but-" "But you're scared of facing him again with me at your side because of what he might do to me or you to affect either one of us." "Well…yes." Shining fell silent and tuned away from Cadance, thinking. He wasn't even sure what to think or how to think it. He knew he loved her and he knew she loved him, and he knew they couldn't avoid Magicon. They had to face him, together. Yet, it felt uncomfortable and not quite right. Something was out of place and Shining could only guess it was the doubt that Magicon had cast on both of them. Turning back to Cadance he stated, "Look, we'll talk about this later. Just to let you know, I still love you. But our friend is out in that storm and her lover is desperate to save her. If we're going to stop Magicon we need to find Applejack and fast." Cadance simply nodded and went back to the front of the carriage while Shining joined the arguing girls. Rainbow was still desperately trying to escape but Pinkie and Twilight were holding on to her tail while Fluttershy tried to calm her by hovering next to her. "Come on, Rainbow. You need to be reasonable. We'll find her once this storm lets up." "It'll be too late for that, Fluttershy! My AJ needs me now! She saved me too many times and now when I need to save her you all won't let me! That's not fair!" "Rainbow, there is no point in you going in that storm. You'll be killed!" warned Twilight. "I don't care! I want my AJ!" "Well, we care! And we don't want you killed!" yelled Pinkie. "If you go there's little chance of you or AJ returning and then we'll be that much weaker to fight Magicon. How would you feel about that, Element of Loyalty?" Twilight asked. Rainbow suddenly stopped resisting her friends and simply hovered above them. She gazed out at the storm which blew violently against the shield. She wanted to find her best friend and partner but she couldn't abandon her friends, especially when they needed her in a time like this. She let out a heavy sigh and landed with Fluttershy at her side, trying to hide her tears. Pinkie and Twilight released her tail and she turned away from them. "I'm sorry, Rainbow. It's for the best." She made no response other than the silent tears streaming down her face. The other girls huddled around her and attempted to comfort her. Shining remained outside the group looked up at the storm outside his protective sphere and at his wife. He beckoned her over and motioned for her to join the others. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Listen, girls, I have a plan. It's obvious that we can't just stay here while this storm rages on outside. But we also can't just leave one of our fallen beside, especially since we don't even know where she is. That is why I'm suggesting we stick to the ground and stick together and begin searching for Applejack. It's not easy for me and it won't be easy for you. But I don't know when this storm will let up and if we wait until it does, well…the worst might've already come to Applejack. I would…never live with myself if that were to happen, so let's not make it happen. Everypony, get moving. We've got a long ways ahead of us." The girls smiled at Shining, but turned back to Rainbow. It was ultimately her decision and her guidance that would lead them to find Applejack. "Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah?" "Do you think you can find Applejack in this storm?" "I know I can." "That's good," Shining interjected. "But we have to do this safely so listen up. Rainbow, you'll lead the group and attempt to find Applejack. If anypony knows her, it'll be you. Pinkie and Rarity, you two will help. Twilight, you and I will use our magic to move the shield as we move. We're abandoning the carriage; it's beyond repair anyway. Cadance, just keep an eye out for anything that Magicon might've set up for us. Look for the mansion if you can. Everypony understand?" "Umm…Shining Armor…sir…what about me?" Fluttershy asked. "Oh sorry, Fluttershy. You…well…umm…keep an eye out for woodland creatures. Yeah, see if they can tell us where we are and if they know where Applejack is or where Magicon's mansion is located." "Ok." "Listen, everypony. I don't know how much of a chance we have of accomplishing either goal but we've got to try. So let's move!" Everypony nodded and began walking towards the edge while Twilight's and Shining's horns began glowing and moving with the rest of the group. Their shared magic made the task much easier and both were able to converse while they walked. "Twilly, there's something wrong with this storm," he whispered. "What do you mean?" "Can't you feel it?" She put a hoof to her chin in contemplation and after a few moments she could only venture a guess. "Well, now that you mention it, this storm seems stronger than a normal one." "Exactly. And how often do storms occur in the middle of winter, especially of this intensity?" "Very Rarely." "Exactly. So what I'm saying is-" "That this is no normal storm," Twilight finished. Shining nodded. "I think Magicon is behind it. It's very powerful, very dark, and dangerous. When I was on the roof I swore it tried to knock us out of the sky." "Magicon knows were coming. If this is his own creation, then we're getting close." She looked up at the storm outside the sphere, watching the streaks of lightning flicker against the black clouds. She couldn't hear the rain or thunder, but she knew it must be intense to anypony or any living creature. She only hoped that nopony was out there, other than Applejack. Applejack. She worried about her just as much as Rainbow did, who was practically running ahead of the rest of the group. They all wanted to find her and hope for the best, because the worst was very much possible. "Shining, do you think we'll find her?" "We have to." "But-" "No 'buts', Twilly! We will find her. She's out there somewhere." As the two conversed the rest of the girls continued moving forward. Rainbow was on the edge of the shield, practically ready to bolt out of it into the maelstrom. Rarity and Pinkie did their best to restrain her, but kept a quick pace. Fluttershy moved about the shield looking for any buses or tress that they passed and talk to woodland creatures to no success. Cadance simply trailed them were her head hung low. Rarity managed to see this and slowed down to walk with her. "How are you feeling?" she asked. She looked at Rarity with heart-broken eyes, conveying all her feelings and emotions with those simple eyes. "Oh, I see…" Rarity fumbled. "Well, if there is anything I can do for you let me know. If you ever want to talk or something I'm right here." She began moving forward before Cadance said, "Wait." Rarity stopped and turned back to the alicorn who walked up to her. The two walked together a few moments before Cadance spoke. "I've lost him." Rarity waited and listened, assuming Cadance would continue. When she didn't she looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?" "What I mean is I fear he is no longer mine. That even though he doesn't like Magicon I feel though he doesn't love me the same as he used to." "You mustn't say things like that Cadance." "I know, but I can't help it. My feelings are just like that. My heart is telling me that he has changed his feelings toward me." Rarity waited a few moments before speaking, knowing the delicacy of the alicorn and her husband. "Cadance, Shining still loves you. And you must still love him enough to forgive him for his actions. It'll be hard going forward but that's what'll make you and him strong as a couple: your ability to stick together. If Magicon wasn't able to break your bond then nopony will." "But what I fear is this going to be a theme throughout our marriage? I mean I was imprisoned and Shining nearly married a changeling and now Magicon had an affair with my husband. I fear what'll be next." "You can't worry about what's next. Nopony knows what lies around the next turn; you just have to take it and be able to overcome it. As the saying goes these things are sent to try us." "I wish they would try somepony else," Cadance mumbled, yet Rarity was still able to catch it yet made no comment. "Look Cadance," she continued, "I said my piece and I'm always here for you. But you must be strong and faithful. Shining will come around. He's probably too emotional as it is to deal with it so he's just trying to avoid it. Not the smartest plan if you ask me, but whatever." Cadance sighed and lowered her head as they kept walking. Rarity stroked her mane and walked alongside her in silent for support. They were oblivious to the raging storm outside and Fluttershy's mad dashes around the sphere to find critters and talk to them, trying to gather as much information as possible from them. As the group moved the shield moved with them and fallen trees and scattered bushes crossed their path, completely destroyed from the sheer intensity of the storm. Some were smoldering, victims of lightning strikes. Others were just knocked down by the high winds, their branches rattling violently against the wind. Yet when they crossed into the shield all was calm and a few critters, curious to the sudden change of weather emerged, much to Fluttershy's delight. Though she desperately wanted to help them rebuild she knew now was neither the time nor place to do so. She felt wrong to take of advantage of them by asking about Magicon or Applejack when they were in such distress, but she did anyway. Her friends needed her to or else all was lost and she couldn't afford that. Unfortunately, many of the woodland creatures were either too scared to talk or didn't know about Applejack, since they had hidden from the storm and were quick to hide again once they saw the shield move away from them and the storm take over once more. Fluttershy was growing desperate and the girls saw it as she flew around the protective sphere like a madpony. "Fluttershy, come here!" Pinkie called excitedly, causing Fluttershy to jump and scramble to the Earth Pony. "Umm…yes, Pinkie?" "Any luck?" "Umm…no. The animals are just too scared of the storm. They've never seen anything like it. It's like this storm isn't natural." "Well, duh, it's obviously not natural. Who has a thunderstorm in the middle of winter?" "Magicon does," Shining interrupted. Pinkie and Fluttershy hadn't noticed that they had regrouped near Twilight and Shining Armor and they overheard their small, but important conversation. "What do you mean, uhh…Shining, sir?" Fluttershy asked. "What I mean is that this storm is Magicon's doing. He created it to defend himself and his mansion. He knows were coming." "Oh my!" "And still no luck, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. She shook her head. "Well, keep trying. We can't give up on either of those ponies." Fluttershy nodded and left the group to the edges of the sphere to talk and get any information she could from the woodland creatures. The three of them walked in silence until Twilight thought on an unusual question to ask Pinkie. "Umm…Pinkie, is your Pinkie sense going crazy?" Pinkie looked at Twilight with an inquisitive glance, making Twilight feel a bit embarrassed. "No, Twilight, it hasn't. Why?" "Well you said earlier that your Pinkie sense could help us find Applejack or Magicon." "Sorry, Twilight. My Pinkie sense hasn't been acting all that normally. I expect it to be nerves more than anything else." "Well, uhh…thanks anyway, Pinkie." Twilight attempted a smile only to have it appear as awkward and meaningless. Pinkie didn't even smile in return; she just left the two of them alone once again and trotted up to Rainbow Dash who continued to rush ahead of the group, just about to cross the barrier and be sucked into the storm. Rainbow was a complete wreck; stressed beyond comprehension over having her partner literally ripped form her. It didn't help that she learned about it after-the-fact. Her mane was everywhere and her eyes were bloodshot and she looked ready to risk everything she had to find Applejack. Hesitantly, Pinkie asked, "Rainbow?" "What?!" she roared whipping around with a face of anger causing Pinkie to take a few steps back. "Umm…maybe I should go." "No! I mean, no," Rainbow replied, managing to calm down. "What do you want, Pinkie?" "I was just wondering…how are you feeling?" "My partner has been sucked into a dangerous and deadly storm and may never come back! How do you think I feel?!" "I guess…pretty bad." "That's an understatement! It's absolutely horrible!" "I'm…uh, sorry, Rainbow." "Yeah, yeah, I know. You all are. I just want my AJ." "We all want to find her." "Yeah, but I love her. I can't stand to see anything bad happen to her." "I know, but I-" Pinkie stopped herself midsentence as she and Rainbow Dash stared out at the storm and saw something just on the edge of the sphere. Rainbow wasted no time as she flew to it with Pinkie closely following. The rest of the group, unable to see the object, ran after the two to keep them safe. "Dash, wait up!" Pinkie called as Rainbow Dash flew out of the sphere and directly into the storm, much to the horror of the rest of the group. "She's going to be killed!" cried Rarity as they ran in her direction. "Twilight, help me expand the sphere!" Shining yelled and Twilight ran alongside him, horns glowing as the protective sphere grew in size against the unyielding power of the storm. As it grew Pinkie observed, "Look over to the right! It's Rainbow and…Applejack!" They all ran as fast as they could and were with them in a matter of seconds. Rainbow was huddled over the earth pony, tears streaming down her cheeks as the earth pony lay silently near a fallen tree. Fluttershy ran over and took her pulse and other medical practices with a worried face but let out a sigh of relief after thirty seconds of unbearable tension. "She's alive," she stated, much to the relief of everypony. "But she's unconscious." "Can we do anything for her?" Rainbow asked, hurriedly. "Well…umm…get her out of the storm and into a bed." "How are we going to do that?" Cadance asked. "There's nothing out here but this storm and falling trees." "Except Magicon's Mansion," Pinkie stated. "Wait a minute!" Shining shouted. "Twilight, Didn't you say you could create a magical tracker to find Magicon?" "Well…I, yes I did!" she announced with an enthusiastic smile on her face. Twilight immediately charged her horn, concentrated, and in a few moments her horn was ablaze with magic as she searched for Magicon's trace. Despite the storm and the defense barrier, that Shining was now holding on his own with no difficulty, Twilight managed to find him. "He's near, less than a mile away." "Wait a minute!" yelled Cadance. "Isn't it a little dangerous to leave Applejack inside Magicon's Mansion while we are battling him and trying to stop him?" "I'll watch over Applejack," Fluttershy stated. "And I'll stay too," Rainbow added. "No, Rainbow Dash, you have to come with us," Shining stated. "But I won't leave my AJ!" "It'll be for nothing if Magicon kills us then comes after you three. You'll be unable to stop him. Remember your challenge. Remember your defeat. You can't do this alone." "But, I…" she crossed her hooves and the tears streamed down her face harder than ever before. "I…just…can't…lose…her." "I'll create a protective spell over Fluttershy and Applejack so Magicon can't get to them. They'll be at least somewhat safe." "I'm not sure if this is a great idea," pondered Twilight. "It's our only option to safety. We can't stay in this storm forever. Our magic is weakening against its power anyway. We need to find Magicon, now!" "Which way, Twilight?" Rarity asked. Twilight concentrated a few moments before answering and then she pointed east, stating, "That way! Straight in that direction!" They all followed her and charged through the storm towards Magicon. It wouldn't be far now. They found Applejack and they would find Magicon.