“Are we there yet?”
“Time Turner, if you ask that one more time, I will take my wrench and shove it up your-”
“Miss Rarity, that ain’t gonna do nothing,” Big Macintosh interrupted the mechanic. The stallion turned his attention to the stallion on his back, “Turner, I don’t think you should keep askin’ that.”
“Alright…” he trailed off, “I think I can start walking again.”
“Heh. You oughta get more exercise,” Big Macintosh chuckled as the other stallion slid to the ground, “If you’re gonna live in Ponyville, you’ll be walkin’ a lot.”
“…I walked in Canterlot,” Time Turner feebly protested, “Just…not a lot.”
“What do you mean, not a lot?” Rarity continued, “Either you did or you didn’t.”
“Must we discuss this?” Lemon Hearts rolled her eyes, “Don’t we have better things to be doing?”
“...I suppose so,” Rarity trailed off, “How much further until the ruins?”
“Shouldn’t be too much,” Lemon Hearts pulled out the book again and scanned its pages, “…Huh, there was suppose to be a cave around here, guess something must have buried it.”
The other five ponies exchanged uncertain glances, “By what?” Time Turner inquired.
“Who knows,” the librarian shrugged, “Timberwolves, Trolls, Ursas…”
“What was that last one?” Time Turner interrupted her.
“Ursas?”
“There are Ursas here?” the Canterlot pony stared at her, jaw agape.
“Oh yes, as long as you leave them alone, they’ll be fin-”
“That’s fantastic!” the stallion exclaimed in exuberance. The other five ponies stared at him, completely shocked.
“Can we find one?” Time Turner beamed, “Please?”
“No!” the five ponies yelled back in unison.
“Time Turner, we have a task to complete!” Rarity yelled at the stallion, “Why in Equestria do you want to look for more danger?”
“…I like bears,” the stallion meekly replied.
“…I think we should keep going,” Lemon Hearts shook her head, “We can send you out for that later.”
The group continued along, as Time Turner sulked.
“…Are we there yet?”
“Almost,” Lemon Hearts looked up from the book, “…Huh.”
“What’s ‘huh’?” Big Macintosh trotted up behind her.
“Well, according to this, we should be at the ruins, but as you can plainly see…” Lemon Hearts motioned to their surroundings, “Nothing.”
“…Perhaps it’s hidden by a spell?” Dizzy suggested.
“Or maybe the map’s wrong.” Time Turner grumbled.
“I don’t think so,” Lemon Hearts shook her head, “There’s no signs indicating that a spell is being used. It’s possible the map is wrong, though. Look around a bit.”
The six ponies spread out, looking around the area for any signs of the ruins or any path to them.
Thunderlane trampled through a bush, eventually tripping over a root.
“Wait, what am I doing?”
Thunderlane got back to his hooves and took off, scanning the area from the air. The weather pony glanced around, frowning.
“See anything?” Lemon Hearts called out to him.
The stallion swooped back down and landed, shaking his head.
“Not really,” Thunderlane shrugged, “I can give you a lift and you can look.”
“That might be for the best.” Lemon Hearts nodded.
The weather pony grabbed Lemon Hearts and lifted her up into the air. In the meantime, Rarity, Big Macintosh and Dizzy Twister met up again.
“Any signs?” the mechanic asked.
“Enope.”
“Nothing.”
“Ah-HA!” Time Turner stood up triumphantly. The other three ponies rushed over to him.
“What is it?” Rarity peered over.
Time Turner spun around; a small brightly colored mantis perched upon his hoof.
“It’s a Yellow-spotted red-eyed Mantis! They’re supposed to be very extremely rare!”
“…See those things on th’ farm all the time.” Big Macintosh rolled his eyes.
“Why are you wasting your time with…with...gah!” Rarity spun around and stomped off, muttering to herself.
“….I think it’s cool. Manti are cool.” Time Turner sulked as the mantis flew away.
“…Time Turner, I think we really should focus on the task at hand,” Dizzy Twister sighed, “There will be plenty of time to fool around later.”
“I know,” the stallion sighed, “I…I really don’t feel like I should be here. I haven’t done anything useful.”
“…Neither have I,” Dizzy Twister reminded him, “Lemony would say something like…oh, I don’t know, that different ponies are meant to play different roles. Not everyone can bake a cake, calm a crowd, or fight an army. Remember, you knew about the elements and that they could be useful. You’re the one who rallied everypony together. That has to count for something.”
“…I suppose.” Time Turner sighed.
“You didn’t think this would be as simple taking a stroll out into the woods, turning over a few rocks and finding them, did you?” an amused smile crept onto the pegasus’s face.
The earth pony blushed and became flustered, “Well…yes, actually.”
“Typical,” Dizzy chuckled, “oh, I don’t mean to offend you, but, that’s how Scootaloo and Dinky are sometimes. ‘Oh let’s go on an adventure and not tell mom! We’ll be back before dinner’,” the mare shook her head, “I gave up counting how often that happened.”
Before Time Turner could respond, Lemon Hearts and Thunderlane touched down again.
“Anything?” Dizzy turned her attention to them.
“We have an idea. The map was slightly wrong,” Lemon Hearts frowned, “Probably to throw ponies off. Let’s go.”
---
CANTERLOT.
DEBREIFING ROOM
Clagan trotted down the hall, frowning. He was joined by a tall, thin white-coated unicorn mare with a short cropped pink mane, and clad in a crisp white uniform. On each shoulder of her uniform laid a set of five golden stars.
“Ah, Generalissimo Fleur, I was expecting to see you with the others,” Clagan politely greeted the mare.
“I had another matter to attend to,” the mare replied, “Photo Finish’s spies sent a report back from the kingdom.”
“They are mobilizing?”
“On the contrary, they are doing nothing,” the Supreme commander replied. Clagan’s eyebrow rose in interest as the mare went on, “It seems they are waiting for something, our spies are not completely certain that they realize that Nightmare Moon has returned.”
“Hmm, this is important information, have…”
“The others have been informed,” Fleur cut him off, “We shall discuss this more with them.”
“Yes, yes.” Clagan sighed, “This is a disaster. I am aware that Mosely is usually the one to deal with these matters, but he is off taking care of the panic in Manehattan.”
“I am aware of that,” the commander shook her head, “How did word reach them so quickly, and why in the seven hells did they think rioting was a good idea?”
“I do not know,” Clagan shook his head, “But everypony is scrambling around trying to keep the situation from getting worse. I hope for some good news from this…”
The two ponies pushed open a heavy door, leading to a brightly-lit room. In the center of the room, three ponies sat around a heavy wooden table. The first was a golden-coated pegasus mare with an orange and amber mane, dressed in a dark blue uniform, four stars on her shoulders. The second was a plump amber unicorn stallion with a light-orange mane, clad in a dark green uniform with four stars on his shoulder. The final pony was a cream-colored earth pony mare with a blue mane with a rose stripe, and clad in a white uniform, four stars on her shoulder like the others.
“Marshal Spitfire, General Joe, Admiral Bonbon.” Clagan acknowledged the other ponies’ presence with a nod of his head, “Let’s get straight to the point, General?”
General Joe nodded before starting, “Manehattan is under control, and we were able to prevent similar riots in other parts of the nation. Oddly, Ponyville hasn’t erupted into riots, given that it’s the epicenter of this.”
“Good, what else?”
“I have the Second and Fifth under Toity and Magnum prepared to launch an attack into Ponyville and the Everfree if needed,” Joe paused, “I might decide to pull the Second back for later operations, depending on how the situation develops.”
“Only the two of them?” Clagan frowned.
“Both armies were relatively close and active,” Joe frowned, “Toity’s a good commander, he does care for his troops’ well being. Magnum’s a bit reckless, but I believe that he will buy us time to get the main army ready as well as our…other countermeasures.”
“That is satisfactory,” Fleur interrupted Clagan’s response, “Who is stationed at the border of the kingdom?”
Joe grimaced before continuing, “We did not expect this situation to happen so we sent…Apple Strudel.”
Clagan groaned, “Just replace that idiot before it’s too late.”
“Councilor, usually I would request that you do not insult my commanders, but…” Fleur trailed off, “I agree. Next then, Marshal Spifire?”
“Everypony’s up and active.” The pegasus curtly responded, “I have a group around Ponyville for support, but they don’t stand a chance against Nightmare Moon. They’re a class B group. All we had in the area.”
“Well, it’s better than nothing,” Fleur stated, “What else?”
“Moved most of the better units to Manehattan, Canterlot and the border. Rapidfire’s in Canterlot, Wildfire’s in Manehattan and Surprise is on the border,” Spitfire shook her head, “Same reason Strudel, we didn’t expect this now.”
“I suppose that is fine,” Clagan grumbled, “We are going to speak with the astronomy division, they are supposed to pay attention to this sort of thing.”
“We are also working with the Navy for the emergency protocol.” Spitfire concluded, “Bonbon will say more.”
“Which emergency protocol?” Clagan frowned, “we were not informed of this.”
“Protocol Louchuan.” Bonbon responded, to Clagan and Fleur’s surprise.
“I do not believe I gave permission for that,” Fleur eyed the earth pony, “Admiral?”
“Commander, I feel it will be necessary,” the mare returned the unicorn’s gaze; “We are facing a superweapon, that can decimate Canterlot, just as it has been done in the past. The Louchuan is heavily armored, heavily armed, and capable of keeping the government safe.”
“Would it not be safe to just relocate our government to one of our other predetermined locations? Neighport or Nokota City, for instance?” Clagan inquired.
“Neither would be able to house government in the long term,” Bonbon shook her head, “Neighport is too close to the rumored Pirate city, while Nokota is too close to the Kingdom’s border. I do not believe it would be best to take all our officials onto the Louchuan, just most of them.”
“Just incase something goes wrong, correct?” Joe inquired. As Bonbon nodded in agreement, he continued on, “So who stays behind?”
“We have a list for that sort of thing,” Clagan interrupted, “It’s on a need to know basis, and right now you do not need to know.”
“Sir, with due respect…”
“No, listen to me admiral,” Clagan cut off Bonbon, “Right now; no one knows what is happening. Mosely is out of the city, Ivory was in Las Pegasus for business and I believe Harshwhinny is still on vacation in Quilinguo. We have sent her a message, but we are not certain when it will arrive. Those three are part of the contingency, and are completely aware that it is their duty to stay where they are in case something happens to us here. We will inform you of who can go with you and who cannot.” Clagan cleared his throat, “Now what of military support?”
“This is going to be won or lost in the air and on land,” Bonbon gritted her teeth, “We can send marines, but it will make little difference.”
“I see. I will leave this up to you, Commander Fleur. I must check on others.” Clagan politely nodded and stood up. The stallion pushed open the door and left, as the commanders continued to discuss military matters.
“Excuse me, Councilor Clagan?” A white coated earth pony trotted up to Clagan.
“Hmm?”
“We received a message from Ponyville. It appears that your son is fine, a pony we spoke to saw him and a group of other ponies enter the Everfree.”
“Why would he do that?” Clagan frowned.
“Well sir…” the aid grimaced, “We don’t know.”
“And what of Nightmare Moon?”
“We do not know. She was reported to have taken hostages before the townsfolk pelted her with garbage and drove her off.”
Clagan chuckled, “It seems that our civilians have more fighting spirit than some of our generals, perhaps we do stand a chance.”
“Sir?” the aid gave the Councilor a baffled look.
“Nothing, merely a private joke,” the Earth pony explained, “Please keep me informed.”
“Yes sir.”
---
The ruins of the Castle of the Alicorn Sisters
Big Macintosh and Thunderlane pushed the crumbling remains of a pillar out of the way.
“That should be enough space.”
The two stallions continued on, leading the group. Dizzy and Lemon Hearts followed them, as Rarity brought up the rear. Time Turner floated behind her, encased in her magical aura.
“Please put me down?” the stallion begged.
“No. Setting off two traps is enough.” Rarity responded, not looking at him, “We don’t need any more delays.”
“I said I was sorry,” Time Turner sulked.
“’Sorry’ does not make up for nearly decapitating me.”
Lemon Hearts’ aura surrounded a pile of rocks, moving them away from a battered and moldy door.
“If this is right, this should be the way to the throne room and the elements.”
“Give me a moment.”
Big Macintosh spun around and gave the door a solid buck, shattering it into pieces. The group entered, taking the scene in.
Rusted swords and broken spears littered the floor. The walls remained covered in the tattered and ruined remains of once regal banners, and the shattered remains of two thrones sat at the far end of the room. In the middle of the room, the ruined remains of a statue stood, five gems piled on the floor. Rarity’s aura dissipated, dropping Time Turner to the ground in a heap.
“That’s it!”
The stallion ran over, tramping the ruined weapons, as the other ponies followed him. As the group reached the pile of gems, Time Turner’s smile faded.
“There’s only five.”
The stallion trotted off, searching for the last gem as the others examined the stones.
“…How do they work?” Thunderlane poked one of the gems with his hoof, as Lemon Hearts and Rarity levitated two gems, examining them.
“…I have no idea,” Lemon Hearts frowned, “The book says that they will be activated by a spark.”
“A spark of what?” Dizzy glanced at Time Turner, as he pulled down a banner to look behind it.
“Magic, love, fire, who knows?” Rarity dropped the gem into her pack, “It seems very va…”
Rarity trailed off as she stared out the window. A glowing pair of eyes stared back.
“Oh no,” Rarity’s aura surrounded the other gems and she quickly shoved them back into the bag, “We need to get out of her. Now.”
“Why?” Time Turner trotted back over to the group, “What ha-”
The window shattered as laughter filled the room.
“Such nonsense,” Nightmare Moon trotted into the room, “What hope did you ever have of defeating me?”
“Rar, Dizzy,” Big Macintosh motioned back towards the door, “When I give the signal, get out of here and get those things working.”
“What are you talking about?” Dizzy gave the stallion a worried look.
“Surrender now, and I may spare your lives. I do not tolerate rebellion but perhaps I may make an exception no-”
Big Macintosh grabbed the rusting remains of a sword and hurled it at Nightmare Moon. The corrupted alicorn knocked it away with her telekinesis.
“What a foolish and pointless ges-”
Big Macintosh rushed forward and smashed his metal hoof across the Alicorn’s face, forcing her to stagger backwards.
“GET OUTTA HERE!” the stallion yelled at the others.
“What about you?!” Dizzy yelled back, aghast.
“Forget me, get those things working!”
“What insolent cur dares raise his hoof again-”
Big Macintosh cut Nightmare Moon’s threat short with another blow from his metal hoof.
“GO!”
“You heard him, let’s go!” Rarity lead the other five out of the room. As Dizzy reached the entrance, she gave the stallion one last glance before leaving.
“...” Nightmare Moon stood up again, a small trickle of blood flowing down the side of her head, “It has been years since I have met a pony willing to fight against me. However, foolishness and bravery are often confused.”
“Ain’t nothing foolish or brave about this,” Big Macintosh grabbed the remains of a battle hammer in his mouth and flung it at Nightmare Moon.
“I gotta do what I gotta do.”
Nightmare Moon’s aura surrounded the thrown hammer, stopping it in midair, “YOU FOOL!”
She crushed the hammer before dropping it to the ground, “It appears that I must teach you your place.”
The Everfree
Dizzy skidded to a stop.
“Stop!” she yelled at the others
“What?” Thunderlane stopped, “Hold up, everypony.”
“What, what is it?” Rarity, Time Turner and Lemon Hearts stopped and trotted back to Dizzy.
“I have to go back.”
“Are you insane?” Rarity stared at the mare in disbelief, “You heard what Macintosh said, he’s sacrificing himself so we can figure this out.”
“I cannot… I will not let him do that,” Dizzy corrected herself, “What sort of pony would I be to let him do that?
We all knew the risk we would take when we did this, and Big Macintosh is willing to sacrifice himself for us. How can I do any less?”
With those words the mare spun around and took to the air as quickly as she could.
“I’m not letting her go by herself,” Thunderlane took to the air, “Sorry guys.”
Thunderlane sped off, following Dizzy. As Rarity and Lemon Hearts stared at the path back to the castle something caught Time Turner’s eye:
Something glowing within Rarity’s bag.
“That’s…interesting,” Time Turner muttered to himself. His eyes grew wide as realization sunk in.
“I’ve figured it out.”