//------------------------------// // War // Story: The Pony That Fell From The Sky // by Zurvan //------------------------------// Chapter 10: War A guard rushes into the throne room.  "Your Highness!” He says as he tries to catch his breath. “Have the envoys I sent to Griffonholm returned?” Celestia asks. “No, but I have urgent news.  A weather pegasus reported being attacked by a group of griffons.” The guard reports. "Do we have any proof of this claim?” Celestia asks. “I know this particular pony Your Highness, she always works with the team and she arrived here alone.” Celestia looks at the guard. “How exactly do you know this pony?” The guard looks to the ground. “She is my wife,  I delayed telling you because I figured you'd think I was being biased." "It's true that I might have thought that, but since Princess Twilight vanished on her trip to Griffonholm, and the envoys I sent to investigate have not returned I must say I am already suspicious of the griffons.  I will send some of the other pegasi guards to investigate.” “Some of the other guards?” “Of course, even though I believe you I can’t send you, plus you need to go check on your wife.” “Thank you, Your Highness.” ================ “Rainbow Dash, can you please slow down?” Twilight asks as they fly back toward Ponyville. “Come on Twilight, you need to speed up! Our friends could be in danger, you saw how deserted Griffonholm was.” “I know Rainbow, but we need to be able to fight when we get there too. If we put all our strength into getting there we’ll be useless to our friends when we arrive.” “I suppose you have a point there Twilight.” Rainbow admits. “And it’s not like Ponyville hasn't been under siege by some force before. The Pony’s there are ready to fight.” “Yeah, we could get there and the entire fight be over with.” “That’s what I’m hoping for.” An hour or so later the two of them arrive at the outskirts of Ponyville, and see the city is in shambles, and still under attack. “Twilight, we got to do something!” “We need to find the others so we can activate the Harmonic Convergence, and use the Crystal Castle’s Rainbow Magic.” Rainbow nods, “We should split up. I’ll go to Sweet Apple Acres, and Carousel Boutique.” “I’ll go to Fluttershy’s cottage, and Sugarcube Corner.  We'll meet at the castle.” “Right,” Rainbow says as she goes off leaving her rainbow contrail behind her. Twilight arrives at Fluttershy’s cottage and amazingly it looks like it’s untouched. “Fluttershy!” “Twilight!” Fluttershy quickly comes out and hugs her friend. “I’m so glad you’re alright.” “Thanks Fluttershy, is Scootaloo here?” “No, she’s with the crusaders. Why do you need her?” “I need to find somepony who can remove this ring from my horn so I can use magic again. It has to be a pony that doesn’t use their innate magic much, I thought Scootaloo might be the best bet.” Twilight admits. “Let me try,” Fluttershy offers. “Not like I go flying into the clouds very often.” “I suppose it’s worth a try.” Twilight says. Fluttershy looks at how the ring is placed and takes to the air then reaches for the ring with her front hooves.  “ I think I can get it. ” . “Oh I can’t watch anymore.” Discord says as he appears.  He walks over to Twilight and using his taloned hand grabs the ring and pulls it off her horn, “There.” “I don’t understand,” Twilight looks confused. “You use magic all the time, you shouldn’t have been able to pull the ring off.” “I use chaos magic Princess. Completely different set of rules, remember?” Twilight rolls her eyes.  “Of course.” She turns to Fluttershy. “Let’s go.” Fluttershy nods and braces herself as Twilight teleports them to Sugarcube Corner. “You okay?” “Yeah, let's get Pinkie. ” Fluttershy answers. “Right.” Twilight says as they enter the bakery and see Pinkie crouched behind the counter. "Pinkie," Twilight starts but then has to quickly duck an incoming cupcake that hits Fluttershy. "Oppsy, sorry about that Flutters." Pinkie says. "I thought you were another griffon." Twilight looks at Pinkie and raises one eyebrow as she asks. “You’re using baked goods to fight griffons?” “Well, I do live in a bakery.” Pinkie points out. “And I have to use what's available." "I suppose you have a point there Pinkie.” Twilight sighs. “Come let's go to the castle. Rainbow Dash is getting Rarity and Applejack." With that they head to the castle. ================ Rainbow Dash flies to Sweet Apple Acres and sees the damage immediately,  a number of trees are laying on the ground either uprooted or trunks broke. She looks to  the farmhouse which looks intact,  but she sees the remains of their barn and hopes that all of them and their animals are okay. She flies over the farmhouse and sees Applejack and Big Mac and immediately flies down to them. "Hey, there ya are Rainbow.“ Applejack says. “What happened to y'all?" "The griffons ponynapped us. Thankfully Discord found us and set us free. We flew back as fast as we could. What happened here? ” “The griffons attacked Ponyville. Me 'n Mac got the animals into the basement right before they got here and knocked down the barn. By time we got out of the rubble they had down the rest of the damage and left.” “Where are Granny Smith and Apple Bloom?” Rainbow asks obviously worried about the two missing members of the Apple family. “Granny went to visit some of the family in Appleloosa, and Bloom had a sleepover at Rarity’s with the other crusaders.” “Wait, Rarity let them have a sleepover at her place?” Rainbow asks incredulously. “Yeah, Sweetie Belle got her cutie mark and that there colt got out of the hospital. They had themselves a real celebration I reckon. Applejack answers as she looks around. “We got lots of work to do.” “No time, Applejack the griffon’s are still attacking in other places. We need to get Rarity and meet up with Twilight in the castle.” Rainbow says.  “Unless you want other places to end up like this.” Applejack pushes her trademark hat down on her brow. “Let’s go then. Big Mac, do what you can. I’ll get the girls to help when we get back.” Big Mac looks around at the ruins of their farm and sighs. “Eeyup.” Applejack and Rainbow gallop/fly to Carousel Boutique which they find covered in a protective barrier not unlike Shining Armor’s shield.  “Woah!” Rainbow says as she nearly crashes into the barrier. “I had no idea Rarity could do this.” “Me either.” Applejack admits. “It’s not me.” Rarity says as she stands at one of the windows, the golden sheen of the shield seen clearly on her face. “It’s Ash, he did it somehow.” “Can you come on out Rarity?” Rainbow asks. “We’re suppose to meet Twilight and the other’s at the castle.” “What about the children?” Rarity asks. “I think they can take care of themselves.” Rainbow says as she taps on the shield. “I reckon this thing is almost as good as the one Shining Armor had up at the wedding.” Applejack says. “Ash, do you think you can be a dear and let me out?” Rarity asks. “I’m not sure, but I’ll try Rarity.” Ash says. Rarity goes to the door and a hole appears in the shield right where the door is and she steps out. “There.” Right as soon as she shuts the door the barrier closes. “I think he and Twilight are in for a long conversation when this is over.” The three of them rush to the castle where they meet up with the other’s.  “All present and accounted for I see.” Twilight says.  “Let’s go." The six of them go into a room with a six - pointed starburst. Each of them stand at one of the points and the rainbow magic envelopes them changing them into their rainbow forms.  With the power of the rainbow magic they easily drive the griffons away from Ponyville.  “Well I for one am glad that's over." Rarity says. “Twilight! Twilight!” Spike calls out. “What is it Spike?” Twilight asks. “Urgent letter from Princess Celestia.  Canterlot under attack!”