Battlefield Alliance - Part One
“Away from her!”
The mare in golden armor had just barely regained her footing before she had fallen once again into the dirt. It was not physical injury that had undone her this time, but one of the mind. She could do nothing as her brother-in-arms had succumbed to the dark crystal magic, watching as his body had been encased in the living gem skin. Eyes, green and lifeless, had turned to her and frozen her soul. The feeling of tears running down her face barely registered as the darkened hoof reached out for her. Her enlistment into the army of corrupted ponies was not to be however.
White light and golden flame swathed across the field, yet somehow none but the single crystal pony was touched. The armored mare stared at the scant pile of ash the magical heat had left behind. The tears came faster now as the remaining cinders were all that was left of her partner of nearly two decades. Her best friend…
“You will have time to mourn him later.”
The mare looked up into the resolute expression of her leader. “Princess…” Her pink mane was dirty and scorched. Silver blood leaked slowly from a cut in her cheek and dribbled slowly down her neck. “Tower Shield…”
“Was one of our finest soldiers.” The Princess replied, firmly tempered respect in her voice. “What would he have you do in this situation?”
The mare bit her lip hard enough that red blood welled in her mouth. “He’d have me…” She wanted revenge. She hated the Unicorn King that would see himself an Emperor. She would spear his heart with Tower Shield’s own…
The Princess nodded as she watched the smaller mare’s breathing hitch, then slowly change to a calm rhythm. “You have your answer?”
“He never carried a lance, always a shield. He’d have me do my duty to the Solar Empire.” Dusting off her golden armor she stood, stronger now some how. “He’d have me get as many of the free crystal ponies to safety as I can.”
“Then make us both proud.”
“For Tower Shield!” She bellowed as she raced headlong into the nearest battle. “For the Princess!” Spinning in mid step she grabbed up a discarded shield and smashed it into the nearest corrupted pony, shattering him instantly. “For the Solar Empire!”
“They fight well for you Princess.”
The Princess did not turn as she felt a bandage pressed against her cheek. “They do not fight for me Starswirl.” She pulled away from her oldest friend as he tried to clean the blood from her white coat. “They fight for each other. As it should be.”
The wizard pony looked over the battlegrounds. “There are still many acres to go before we reach the heart of the Crystal Empire.” He grimaced. “No pun intended for once.” Pausing for only a moment he unleashed a spell to vaporize a group of attackers that were getting a bit to close for comfort. “Princess…”
“I see it as well.” Spreading her wings she allowed her magic to blast outward in all directions, shattering the opposing forces as if they were nothing. “I knew it once the barrier fell. Even if all my little ponies were to restore themselves as…” Her voice dropped away as she realized she did not even know the name of the pony she had just sent off into battle.
“Flower Chaser.”
The alicorn turned her head to face her advisor, clearly dismayed, before she turned away again. “How pitiful of a ruler am I that a pony with a name such as that must be in the armed forces.” Shaking her head she started to walk deeper into the battle. “Sound the retreat Starswirl. I will provide the time to allow as many as possible to escape. I will deal with the Shadow King alone.”
Starswirl galloped before the monarch and slapped her roughly across the face with his hoof. “If you expect your subjects to run while you wade deeper into danger, then you truly are a pitiful Princess!”
“I am no more special than they!” Her voice rose to deafening levels. “I will not see them die in vain!”
“Then fight for them!” Starswirl grinned knowingly. “As they fight for you! As it should be!” He laughed out loud as he was pulled into a tight hug.
“I expect you to survive this, you crazy old fool.”
“Earth pony heart, like a pegasi fly, take a unicorn horn to the eye if I lie!” He laughed again as the Princess rolled her eyes. “Knights of the Solar Empire! Rally around the Princess!” Like a pony possessed he raced along side his leader into the thick of the fight, laugher growing ever more maniacal as he fired spell after spell. “Have at thee you sons of griffons!”
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“Do we really need to do all of this so early?” Spike yawned as he lay half-asleep on Twilight’s back. “I mean the festival doesn’t even start until…”
“Sunrise Spike.” Twilight spared a quick disapproving glance at her assistant. “Which means we need to be prepared before hoof.” She rolled her eyes as a sleepily grumbled agreement was made.
“Twilight!”
The pony looked up as a blur of rainbow coloring zipped its way toward her. “How are weather preparations going?”
“Nothing but sun and fun in our forecast.” Rainbow Dash saluted playfully as she came to a hover alongside her friend. “But there were some weird looking clouds over on the edge of the Everfree Forest. I don’t think they’ll interfere, but I’ve never seen clouds like those before so I’ll keep and eye on them just to be safe.”
“Thanks Rainbow.” Twilight bowed her head as Rainbow again saluted and raced back up into the early morning clouds that remained to be cleared away. “Pinkie Pie?”
“Hi Twilight!” Pinkie dropped from the roof of a nearby building, using the banner that trailed behind her to stop herself, just before she hit the ground. “How’d you know I was there?”
“I think I might be starting to get my own version of a Pinkie-sense.” Twilight chuckled. “Are we ok for all the decorations?”
“We’re better than ok!” Pinkie beamed. “I pulled out all the stops and used ever bit of party know how I have. They’ll be talking about this festival for years to come.”
“Sounds great.” Twilight glanced to Spike again as he let out a rather loud snore. “That on the other hoof…”
Pinkie Pie giggled as she watched the dragon roll over. “Well, he is a baby dragon after all.”
“True.” The clip-clopping of hooves on cobblestone drew Twilight’s attention as an odd shape made its way towards them in the pre-dawn light of the moon. “Oh, morning Applejack.”
“Morning Twilight, Pinkie.” The farm pony slowed to a stop. “I brought the Apple stand so we’d have a bit more space to sell all the pastries and what not I’ve been cooking up. Makes them a might easier to transport too.”
“That’s a great idea.” Twilight turned to trot towards the center of town. “We’ll set it up with the concession areas that were started yesterday. Just a bit more towards the front so everypony will see that first.”
Applejack shook her head, but smiled. “Seems a bit like a trick to me, but I’d be lying if I said that a few extra sales wouldn’t be good for Sweet Apple Acres.” Her ears perked as she caught the sounds of singing off in the distance. “Sounds like Fluttershy is on her way too.”
The chorus of birds a few minutes later proved the prediction to be correct as Fluttershy floated down beside the group. “Good morning everypony.” She giggled softly a few of the birds settled on her mane and back. “My little friends are ready to give a wonderful performance for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Where would you like us to set up Twilight?”
The princess bucked slightly to bounce Spike awake. “Did the bird stand get set up yesterday?”
“I think so.” Spike rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “I asked a few of the construction ponies working on the stage to place it close by.” He sighed as Twilight raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ll go make sure…”
“I’ll go with you Spike.” Fluttershy fell into step with the dragon as they walked off together. “The cardinal and the blue jay have been picky about where they get to sit the last few days.”
“Any idea where…” Applejack was quickly cut off as they rounded the next corner.
“There you are!” Rarity raced over with her tape measure and fabric shears floating close behind. “We need to do your final fitting for your outfit Twilight!”
“Hasn’t anypony ever told you not to run with scissors?” Pinkie grabbed the shears out of the air and laid them down on Applejack’s stand. “Somepony could get hurt.”
“And I already told you that I’m not going to be wearing a costume for my part in the ceremony.” Twilight stretched out her wings. “I’m finally starting to feel like I’m getting the hang of these things and you want me to ruin my balance with a super frilly dress?” Her voice lowered. “Besides, depending on how today goes you wouldn’t want me to ruin one of your outfits would you?”
“Oh dear, you’re absolutely right.” Rarity tucked her tools back into her saddlebags, completely missing the not quite surpressed snickers of Pinkie Pie and Applejack. “What was I thinking?”
Twilight started to respond, but stopped as she felt a slight tug-like sensation at the back of her neck. Turning toward the feeling she observed Celestia just beginning to descend from the sky. “Princess Celestia? Is everything all right?”
“I’m afraid not my faithful student.” Celestia touched down gently. “It would seem the after effects of our shared experience have trouble Princess Luna far more than you or I.”
“Oh no!” Pinkie Pie hopped atop Twilight, making the purple pony frown and glare, in effort to get closer to Celestia. “Is Princess Luna ok?”
“I think she will be, but she will not be able to join us today.” Celestia shook her head.
“We could always postpone…” Suggested Twilight.
“The towns ponies would realize that something was amiss.” Celestia leaned down as her voice went softer. “And it would force us to reveal that even Princesses are vulnerable to magical attacks.”
“But,” Applejack tipped her hat back out of her eyes as she murmured her thoughts. “Didn’t we already sort of know that after Cadance’s wedding in Canterlot? I mean, plenty of ponies saw Chrysalis defeated…ow!” The farm pony stumbled as a pink hind leg kicked her in the side.
“You are way to honest for your own good sometimes.” Pinkie Pie whispered with a hint of anger. She glanced toward Celestia, relieved she didn’t seem to hear Applejack’s musings. “Do you know how much her feelings would be hurt if you reminded her of that?”
“I…” Applejack frowned, something about Pinkie’s reasoning was off to her but she couldn’t quite nail it down. “I guess I didn’t think of it that way.” She whispered softly.
“I know.” Pinkie smiled. “That’s why I gave you that gentle reminder.”
“That was gentle?” Applejack rubbed at her side. “Maybe I should hire you to help buck apples come harvest time.”
“Sure! I accept apple pies and a fritters as payment.”
The farm pony’s mouth opened, then closed as she decided to let this conversation go no further. “I’m going to go set up the stand.”
“And I have banners to hang!” Pinkie Pie bounced off for one of the, slightly less, decorated areas of Ponyville. “See you later Twilight!”
“You have very good friends.” Celestia walked along side her student, now peer in part too, toward the center of Ponyville where the celebration would begin. “I take it they know?”
A nervous chuckle was all Twilight was able to respond with at first. “You know how protective Spike can get. Both you and he know how I sometimes overlook the dangers to myself when trying out new things.” She looked up at her teacher. “Are you angry they know?”
“I allowed you to remain in Ponyville to research the magic of friendship.” Celestia looked up at the podiums for the Sun and Moon in the distance. “How can I be angry that your closest friends are standing at your side?”
“Still, I’m relieved to hear that.” Twilight let go of the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Looking around cautiously she lowered her voice. “Did you bring them?”
“They are in a chest being watched over by some of my Royal Guards who should arrive shortly.” Celestia looked around as a few ponies began to leave their homes and populate the streets of Ponyville. “You really believe they will attack again?”
“They?” Twilight questioned, catching the momentary clench of Celestia’s jaw as she did so. “I…I hadn’t even considered the possibility of multiple ponies. I’d been operating on the idea that it was only one spell caster since the intent was so…” She paused, her brow furrowing in thought. “Except, it wasn’t all that focused…”
“Perhaps we should continue this at another time.” Celestia cleared her throat as a small gather of ponies made their way toward the two Princesses. “Our little ponies arrive.”
Twilight’s head tilted slightly as she heard the words, and for the first time considered Celestia’s stature. “Yes, of course.”
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Blackbriar ground his teeth as he remained in the shadows at the outermost edge of the ceremony. The pressure on his molars redoubled as the younger princess shot through the sky and ignited it in a blaze of pinkish-purple light. “Its almost saddening, they are all so enamored with them. I could drop this concealment spell and I would still likely get no attention from any other pony here right now.” He muttered under his breath as he watched Twilight Sparkle roundabout to make her way back to the stage. Though hidden by his hood, his expression grew more sullen with each second. As she touched down beside her mentor Blackbriar gave up the last bit of hope he’d been holding on to.
Turning away he began to make his way down the almost empty streets of Ponyville. “What do we do now?” His head hung low as he walked. “How do I proceed? What the hay am I supposed to do now?” His muscles tensed as he continued on and anger began to creep into his voice. “What in Tartarus are we supposed to do now?” At the outermost edge of Ponyville he paused long enough to lash out a hoof at a nearby building wall, causing a flare of green magic to pass into the stone and mortar structure which blew it to smithereens. Staring at the mess for several seconds he sighed before turning to run down the road away from Ponyville.
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Pinkie Pie shot into the air as her mane poofed and her tail began to move in zigzag patterns. “Super, mega, collosal, twitchy-McTwitch-a-thon!” As she landed she spun and lifted one hoof, pointing like a tracking dog, toward the source of the disturbance. “Twilight! He’s over there!”
“Spike!” Twilight yelled over her shoulder as she began to charge in the direction Pinkie had shown. She didn’t wait for an answer, knowing he’d get his part of the plan completed. “Time to go girls!”
“Twilight? What is…” Celestia looked around in confusion.
“Over here!” Rainbow Dash called out as she dove down from her sweep of the town. “He’s all covered up with a cloak but I’m on him!”
“Don’t try to face him alone!” Twilight looked to her left to see Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie catching up to her. “I’ll explain everything later Princess Celestia!” Side-by-side with her friends she made her way through Ponyville. “Fluttershy?”
“Went ahead to help Rainbow.” Applejack caught up easily with Twilight. “Shouldn’t you be up there?”
“If he’s as strong as I think he is we need to do this together.” Twilight replied as she looked to see Fluttershy pointing them in a new direction, toward the Everfree Forest. “He’s trying to run.”
“Or lead us into a trap.” Rarity remarked sardonically. “And I don’t mean to be a bother, but it would seem that Princess Celestia’s guards have joined in on our little party.”
Groaning, Twilight forced her legs to move faster. “I don’t think that will end well, we need to get to him first.”
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The thunder of hooves and flap of wing beats behind him drew a disinterested look towards the Royal Guards from Blackbriar. “I’ve no time to deal with fodder.” Frowning he weighed his options as he got closer to the edge of the Everfree Forest. “Sorry, guess your times are going to come up a little early.”
Inhaling slowly, his eyes began to glow green under his hood. “Soil brown, grass of green, powerful roots from depths unseen, ensnare my pursuers, keep them from me, as there is no time to deal with each pony.” Slamming his hoof down on the ground a wave of green energy rippled along the stone and dirt walkway. In but a few moments cracks began to form and long, green vines began to emerge between them and struck towards the approaching armored guards with incredible speed.
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“Twilight!” Fluttershy screamed. “The guard ponies need help!”
Skidding to a stop as she clear Ponyville city limits, Twilight Sparkle stared at the armored ponies that were on one of the adjacent paths in the distance. Grasses and roots of various sizes and thickness had bound the guards immobilizing them, but that wasn’t the biggest problem. Those that still had free hooves were trying to claw at their throats as the bindings wound tighter. “No!” Vanishing in a burst of light she reappeared at the center of the chaos and curled in as she gathered her magic. With horn aglow she released the most powerful shield spell she knew.
Rarity shield her eyes as the magic shredded through the vines but left the guards unharmed. “Applejack, recall what I said about the difference between myself and Twilight?”
“Yep.” Applejack nodded.
“The gap is far larger than it used to be.” Rarity whispered quietly.
Twilight landed, stumbling as she did so, and looked to the nearest guard. “Everypony ok?”
“We…we will be fine Princess.” The pony nodded. “It will take us a moment to recover and then…”
“No, stand down.” Twilight ordered. “Whoever this pony is, he’s not holding back.”
“But Princess…”
“I am Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Pulling herself to her full height the purple pony locked eyes with the guard. “Barer of the Element of Magic, Sister of Prince Shining Armor, Sister-in-law to Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and student of Princess Celestia. I am ordering you and your stallions to stand down. Do you understand?”
The unicorn stumbled backward from the force of her words and her stare. “Yes, Princess Twilight.”
“Come on girls.” Twilight turned and resumed her pursuit. “Stay close in case he uses any other spells like that.”
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“Rainbow Dash!”
The blue pony looked back as she heard her name. “Fluttershy! Where are the others?”
“They had to stop to help the guards.” Fluttershy strained to catch up with the faster pegasi. “He tried to…”
Rainbow Dash growled as she saw the tears start to form in Fluttershy’s eyes. “First Twilight, now other innocent ponies. That’s it, I’m taking him down.”
“Rainbow wait!”
Ignoring her friend’s cry Rainbow Dash folded her wings and went into a freefall dive. “You hurt my friend, and now you’re attacking other ponies!” Unfurling her wings she used he momentum to slingshot herself into the small opening that lead deeper into the untamed forest landscape to close the gap with the racing pony. “You weren’t going to get away from me in any case, but now you’re not getting away without a few bruises too!”
Moving closer she attempted to strike the cloaked escapee, only to be sorely disappointed when he spun and blocked her attack with his own hoof. She faltered, cradeling her hoof slightly, as she considered what she had just learned. “He’s got to be at least as strong as AJ.” When the hood turned toward her, a single glowing green eye making her blood chill.
“Stones below learn to fly, strike the Pegasus from the sky.”
Rainbow Dash’s ears perked as the trembling of the ground below them began to grow stronger. “Whoa!” Rolling in mid flight she barely managed to evade the first stone that shot from the earth towards her wing. “What the hay is this?” Flapping quickly she climbed higher as more stones pulled themselves free of the ground, the faint glow of magic around them as they hurtled toward her. Despite the multitude of projectiles Rainbow Dash easily avoided every single one. “Ha! Missed me!”
“Rainbow Dash! Look out!”
The Pegasus turned her head as Fluttershy called out to her and her heart sank a little as she watched the stones arc into a return trajectory. Had she free and open skies this would not have been a problem, but in the cramped overgrowth of the forest it was far worse. “Aw come on! That’s not fair!” Rolling with the wind she ducked the return salvo of rocks, only to find a fresh batch of stones rushing up from the ground to meet her. “Not today buddy!” Folding her wings tight she shot through the oncoming barrage, protecting her head with her forelegs as she did so, taking the hits straight on knowing she couldn’t avoid both sides. Clearing the attack she spread her wings again and zeroed her sights on the escaping pony. “Come back here!”
Thoughts of pursuit fell away as the scream reached Rainbow Dash’s ears. Her irises constricted to pinpoints as she recognized the voice. “Fluttershy!” Veering off from her target Rainbow flapped her wings for all they were worth to get back to her friend who had fallen further behind. “Hang on!”
Fluttershy groaned as another rock hit her in the side. Without the level of speed that Rainbow Dash had, never mind the agility, the yellow Pegasus was a sitting duck for the magically fueled stones. A particularly large stone struck at the joint of her right wing causing her to lose the rhythm of her flaps. Fear over took her as she tumbled end over end towards the dirt, screaming as she tried again to right herself in flight. She could see Rainbow Dash getting nearer; giving her a moment of relief knowing her friend would have someway out of this. Then the world exploded into bright light, followed quickly by darkness.
“SHY!” Rainbow Dash watched helplessly, still to far away, as the rock stuck Flutershy in the back of the head. Droplets of blood seemed to trail in slow motion from the wound into the air as the unconscious pony rag dolled to the ground below. The edges of Rainbow Dash’s vision blurred and everything seemed to slow down.
Twilight flinched as multicolored wind stuck her with far more force than she ever remembered a rainboom being able to produce. “Everyone! Close together now!” Her horn exploded in a burst of magical light that surrounded the remaining ponies and warped time and space around them.
Rarity collapsed, groaning as she did so, as the teleportation bubble popped. “Oh…I never liked teleporting spells. I think I’m going to be…” Horror filled her eyes as she took in the sight of Rainbow Dash standing guard over Fluttershy’s limp body.
Applejack stood rigid for several seconds as she took in the sight of blood on Rainbow Dash’s blue fur. The farm pony’s teeth clenched as she saw the far larger volume of blood slowly seeping into the soil beneath Fluttershy’s pink mane. “Head wound! If she’s awake, keep her that way!” Her voice harsh as her hooves began to carry her to her fallen friend.
Twilight’s eyes darted to the airborne projectiles and began to prepare a counter spell to halt their attack, but before she could do so the aura died away. She watched in confusion as the stones dropped lifelessly back to the ground. “Don’t move Fluttershy! We don’t want to make the injury worse.” Her order stopped Rarity before she could activate her levitation spell. “Rarity, I need you to hold her still while I cast the healing spell. Still as you expect your models to be while you do alterations level finesse.”
The unicorn swallowed visibly, but nodded all the same as her magic began to glow around Fluttershy. “I understand darling.”
Kneeling down Twilight closed her eyes and opened her senses. “Injury new, bones broken in two, to original form mend, to heal a hurt friend.”
Pinkie, her mane straight and dull, watched nervously as Twilight’s magic moved slowly from horn to the injured Pegasus. Her attention turned to see Rainbow Dash also looking on worriedly, to the point of ignoring her own injuries. Silently moving away from the group she cast her gaze around the forest and quickly found a few plants that caught her attention. With far more calm than most ponies would give her credit for she picked the herbs and moved to Rainbow Dash’s side. “Sit down.”
“I’m fine Pinkie, I don’t…”
“Sit. Down. Rainbow. Dash.”
The aerial ace turned ready to yell, but stopped as she saw the barely held back tears of the pink mare. With a grunt of dissatisfaction Rainbow sat down. “What is that stuff?”
“Helps keep wounds clean.” Pinkie replied softly. “Used to use it a lot on the rock farm when I’d cut my hooves or nose.”
Rainbow didn’t turn, but her eyes studied the earth pony as she worked. “You ok?” Rainbow prided herself on her title as Loyalty’s Bearer, but Pinkie Pie valued friendship in a way that even she couldn’t compare to.
It was tiny, especially by Pinkie Pie standards, but Pinkie did smile slightly. “You’re the one who’s bleeding.” Laying a few of the larger leaves against Rainbow Dash’s wounds her expression saddened again as the blue mare flinched. “What was it that made the rocks start to move on their own?”
Magenta eyes flitted towards the stones, part worry and part accusation, before she spoke. “It won’t start them up again right?” Rainbow Dash sighed as Pinkie Pie nodded, though she did wonder how the earth pony could be so sure. “Something about rocks learning to fly and Pegasus falling from the sky.”
“When we popped in you were standing over Fluttershy.” Applejack joined the other two, unable to do anything for Fluttershy or her magical healers at the moment. “The stones dropped when we showed up. I thought it was Twilight’s doing at first but...” Sitting beside them Applejack’s expression turned pensive. “Could it be that since neither one of y’all were in the air the spell was done?”
Rainbow Dash looked back at Fluttershy. “Maybe.” The yellow of her coat looked brighter and her breathing looked ok as far Rainbow could tell, but she still hadn’t moved. “He’s getting away.”
“Dash…” Pinkie started to speak as her friend stood up quickly and popped herself up into the air. She could hear the growl in Rainbow’s tone that meant only one of two possible outcomes.
“Twilight, do everything you can for Fluttershy ok?” Satisfied that her hovering didn’t seem to be reactivating the spell on the stones Rainbow started to turn in the direction they’d last seen the robed pony. “I’m going after the jerk that did that to her.” She knew it was a rotten trick, since Twilight couldn’t break her concentration to respond, but it really wouldn’t have made much difference. As she reared back to get her start Rainbow saw her rival step up beside her.
“I expect my trying to get you to wait would be rather useless.” Applejack’s tone was calm, but firm, as she endured Rainbow Dash’s glare. “Just like your trying to go it alone would be rather useless.”
“Heh.” Rainbow couldn’t keep the little scoff from escaping as she understood Applejack’s intentions. “Just try to keep up.”
Pinkie Pie stood slowly as she watched Rainbow Dash and Applejack race off into the forest. She looked back at Twilight still hard at work, the telltale frown on her face that she did not agree with Rainbow’s choice. Lifting her hoof she tapped the ground three times slowly, a second later she too raced off after the departed ponies.
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“Damn, blast, blight and scortch.” Blackbriar muttered as he raced along the quickly darkening trail. Pausing he glanced about for ideas on where to go, where to head next. “Can’t go home, can’t let them follow me back there.” Something flashed in his peripheral vision, making him turn in time to see a set of glowing, yellow, eyes in the forest undergrowth. “You?” Taking a step towards the eyes caused them to vanish as quickly as they had appeared, but he hadn’t expected their owner to actually stop to talk to him.
“Applejack? You found his trail yet?”
“No! You have anything from up there?”
“Tch.” The sound was a mixture of annoyance and defeat as he treaded into the brush and away from the meager trail. Trading speed for stealth he moved along the direction the eyes had shown, doing his best to leave as much of the landscape undisturbed as he could to make his pursuers’ search more difficult. Slowly and surly he continued on until he saw the light begin to increase in the direction he was heading.
Finding a suitable hiding spot in a nearby bush he crouched low and narrowed his eyes at the source of the light. After a few moments of thought he closed his eyes and mentally retraced his steps, attempting to determine his location. His grin grew quickly as he realized where he was being directed. “Perfect. It will end where it should have the first time.”
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“He’s just one pony!” Rainbow Dash yelled in exasperation. “It shouldn’t be that hard to find a single pony!”
“Because yelling sure isn’t going to alert him to where we are.” Applejack snapped back, though a bit quieter. “Don’t you know anything about flushing critters out of the tall grass?” Spying a rather large knothole in a tree she crouched and moved toward it. “For example…” Once close enough she started to stand upright again and attempted to peer inside. Her scream echoed through the forest as something suddenly popped towards her from within.
“Well that’s not a very nice way to say hello.” Pinkie Pie frowned as she climbed out of the knothole. “And here I though it would be a good way to lighten the mood.”
“Pinkie Pie? How in the hay did you get in there?” Applejack pointed towards the tree accusingly. “How did you get ahead of us to hide in the first place even?”
The pink earth pony shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe I ran past you a while back?”
“You? Ran past us?” Rainbow Dash tone all but dripped with disbelieving disapproval as she floated back down from her search above the canopy. “I don’t think so.”
“Anyway.” Applejack stepped between Pinkie and Rainbow before the two could get into some kind of nonsensical argument. “Did you see the guy in the robe anywhere?”
Pinkie shook he head. “But, if I were him, I’d totally go try and find a hiding spot in the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters and hope that the ponies following me missed me.”
Rainbow Dash blinked a few time and exchanged a glance with Applejack. “That’s actually a pretty smart plan. Remember all those secret passages?”
Applejack shivered, despite herself, at the memory. “How could I forget?” Pointing in the general direction of the castle she continued. “Ain’t to far from here if I remember correctly.” No sooner had the words left her mouth before Rainbow had already started off while the two earth ponies hung back a bit. “Pinkie Pie? You doing ok?” She motioned to Pinkie’s mane. “It’s a bit back to normal but…”
Pinkie nodded. “Just worried about Fluttershy.” Her expression brightened and her mane poofed up again. “But now I’ll have the perfect reason to throw a ‘Get Well Soon’ party for her.”
Applejack chuckled at the speed with which Pinkie could turn her fears around. “I think she’d like the idea.” Tactfully, she left out that the Pegasus mare would also likely hate the idea of being the center of all that attention. “Come on, before Rainbow does something rash.”
Rainbow Dash circled the castle from above a few times while she waited for her slower companions to catch up. “This place really is in bad shape, even with the little bit of repair Twilight has been trying to get done.” Peering through the overly large windows, or holes in the roof where available, she could see no trace of any recent activity. “If he is here he’s good at hiding.” At the sound of hooves near the bridge she looped back around and landed beside her friends. “Didn’t see anything from up high, I think we’re going to have to do this the hard way.”
Nodding the three mares spread out and began to search, activating the few levers and switches they had found on previous visits along the way to search harder to reach areas. “You guys remember the first time we were here?” Pinkie Pie asked as she pulled a trick candelabra.
“Of course, our first real adventure together.” Applejack nodded as she checked a trapdoor. “Why?”
“Just feels kind of familiar is all.” Pinkie trotted away from another empty stairwell. “Rushing off into the dark and scary Everfree Forest.”
“Chasing down an evil pony.” Rainbow Dash crawled back out from the hidden shelter behind a bookcase. “Though I don’t think this guy is in the same league as Nightmare Moon.”
“You mean Princess Luna.” Applejack frowned. “She was actually a good pony under all that darkness.”
“Yeah, but we didn’t know that at the time.” Rainbow defended. “She was one of the most legendary villains of all Equestrian history! Almost every threat I heard growing up about being a bad little filly ended in ‘Nightmare Moon is going to get you’.”
Pinkie giggled at the way Rainbow Dash tried to make her voice deep and threatening at the last part. “Exactly, a pony who everypony thought was really super evil, turned out to be one of our most important protectors.”
Applejack paused as she heard the unspoken thought in Pinkie’s words. “You can’t honestly think this mystery pony might be…”
“We were wrong about Nightmare Moon.” Pinkie shrugged defensively.
“He hurt Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash’s voice went cold. “Nopony who does that is a good pony.” With one last look around Rainbow started for the upper floors. “Come on. Still a ton of hiding spots to check.”
“Too many to check them all.” Applejack fell into step behind Rainbow Dash. “And who knows how many we don’t know about.” Her eyes shifted as she noticed Pinkie tapping at the ground, but didn’t think much of it. “Maybe we should go back and get the others. Make sure Fluttershy is…oomph!” A blue hoof to the mouth silenced her quickly.
“I hear something.” Rainbow Dash whispered. “There.”
“The old throne room.” Pinkie Pie whispered.
Applejack pushed Rainbow’s hoof away. “Resting place for the Elements of Harmony before they got re-forged during our fight with Nightmare Moon.”
Sneaking up quietly, Rainbow Dash peaked around the corner and saw the hood figure sitting at the base of the ancient pedestal. “Show time.” She whispered as her wing began to spread. “Back me up?” She grinned as she glanced back at the two earth ponies who nodded to her.
The hood lifted as the three mares raced around the corner towards him. “Here we go.”