Fluttershy sat down, simply trying to relax a bit as she did a few calming breaths. Things really went from bad to worse since yesterday. Since Aki found out about Twilight being an Alicorn, she’s been on a witch hunt to find her, and anyone else who ‘harbored the Alicorn’.
“Fluttershy, are you alright? You’ve been telling Posey you’ve been feeling ‘funny’. How so?” Twilight asked as she walked in.
“It’s just… hard to explain,” Fluttershy replied in a slight nervous manner “I’m not sure if I’m sick, or if it’s just me being nervous due to what’s happening.”
“I see…” Twilight noted as she sat down on the bed, “What kind of symptoms have you been feeling?”
“I’ve had a bit of a headache, I’ve been rather hungry, yet queasy at the same time,” Fluttershy told her, “Does that help?”
“I suppose… hmm… let me think…” Twilight pondered.
---
“So… what is this flower or whatever, that you know who, got the poison out of?” Dash asked.
“It’s almost an non-existent flower,” Silver Hawk informed, “Myth says it’s a plant of the time of the Ponies of the Beginning… ah, here.”
He showed Dash a picture of it, making the tomboy blink a bit by the appearance. It almost looked like a budded rose, but at the same time, it looked a bit more like a fruit or something, almost sort of like an unripe radish.
“So… what is this thing called?”
“It’s supposedly called ‘Helheim no Kajitsu’. It’s poisonous to ponies, and to almost anything else that comes into contact with it,” Silver explained.
“Is it known to grow anywhere?” Dash asked next.
“Only one place in all of Equnia, the Everfree Forest.”
“Wait...these grow in the Everfree Forest?!” Rainbow gawked, “But… that’s impossible! I’ve been in that dang forest a few times, and never saw any of these things!”
“It’s only under certain events they grow… so they say,” Silver added before sighing, “I don’t know how Tomoe got her hands on an extract of one, but we need to figure out a way to expel it from Ai’s body fast.”
“Right. So what do we need to do?” Rainbow asked.
“...fruit juices. It’s said that counters the effects of it’s power. The strongest of them being oranges, strawberries and apples.”
“Apples? But where are we gonna get… ap… ples…” Rainbow trailed off as her eyes widened, “...Applejack! You might want to get in here!”
“Why?! What’s wrong?!” Applejack shouted as she ran into the room.
“Please tell me you have some apples with you,” Rainbow Dash begged.
“Yea, why?”
“Turns out the cure to that dust Tomoe blew in Ai’s face is fruit juices, and one of the most potent is apple's,” Rainbow explained.
“...Rainbow Dash, Ah swear t’ Celestia and Luna if yer lyin’, Ah…” Applejack began in a serious tone.
“She’s right, Applejack-san,” Silver spoke up as he showed her the book, specifically the page showing the flower/fruit.
“Huh… alright,” Applejack nodded.
---
“So… what’s with that fruit anyway?” Applejack asked as she brought in some apples.
“Supposedly, it would change the form of whoever ate it, and the Ponies of the Beginning did something to us ponies so that wouldn’t happen, but it had the counter effect of becoming poisonous,” Silver explained as he took a few apples from her, “Luckily, it could be curable if fruit juices were used, oranges, strawberries, and apples being the most potent.”
“It makes sense…” Kota admitted, bringing in the other fruits needed, “Is this enough?”
“It’s plenty, yes,” Silver nodded as he placed the apples on the table, “Do you know where your juicer is, Kota? ...That is if you have one?”
“I have one… but I’ve never known how to use it,” he admitted sheepishly as he pointed to one by a clock near the countertop, still in a box.
“Don’t have one, but Ah can make it th’ old fashion way,” Applejack offered, “But Ah dont’ think we have th’ time fer that.”
“...I think opening that would be our best bet…” Dash shrugged.
---
“...I’m so bored…” Timid sighed, looking at the ceiling back at the hotel.
“Me too…” Scootaloo yawned as she hung off the bed.
“There has to be something we can do,” Sweetie Belle muttered as she rested her head on the carpet, her butt sticking up in the air.
“I wanted to go out and see some sights…” Silver Spoon admitted, looking out the window, which was closed up tight, “But Twilight doesn't’ want us going out for some reason.”
“...Hey yeah… Why is that?” Applebloom asked.
“Think it has something to do with our room being broken into?” Scootaloo asked.
“Wait what?!” Silver Spoon gasped at that.
“Somepony broke in and damaged our stuff…” Applebloom informed.
“...did you try and talk to the police?” Silver Spoon asked, worry evident in her tone.
“Our sisters did,” Sweetie Belle informed, “But we don’t know much about what happened next.”
“I...I see,” Silver Spoon noted slowly, “...Still, th-this is just wrong!”
“We know,” Scootaloo nodded sadly, “And whoever did this, she hates Fluttershy...a lot.”
“Huh? But… who would hate her?”
“...A-ano… I-I know who,” Timid spoke u.p
“...Really? And… I’m sorry, I don’t think I ever got your name.” Silver Spoon responded.
“T-Timid Swallow,” the shy filly introduced herself, “A-and as for who attacked T-twilight-tachi-san’s rooms… i-is the same pony who sent me and O-onii-chan a threat letter.”
“...that Aki girl. What is her problem…?” Sweetie Belle wondered.
“Sh-she really doesn’t like F-fluttershy-san b...because…” Timid paused as her eyes widened slightly, “I...I think Aki thinks she’s trying to steal Onii-chan from her.”
“...so, she’s jealous?”
“And dragged her stupid sister into it…”
“...Um, don't get me wrong or anything, but I think this is more than just jealousy,” Silver Spoon spoke up.
“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.
“Attacking Twilight and the other’s bedrooms and sending… um…”
“Timid.”
“Thank you. Timid and her… uh… brother?”
“Hai,” Timid nodded.
“Again, thank you. Sending Tmid and her brother a threat letter doesn’t sound like jealousy to me.”
Everypony gave Silver Spoon a look of curiosity if she had a theory on what was going on.
“To me, this might sound like something being done out of pure hate. Remember when…” Silver Spoon paused before looking away with a guilt and slight upset look, “Diamond Tiara ‘accidentally’ messed with your scooter, Scootaloo?”
“It landed me in the hospital for almost a month,” Scootaloo replied, frowning a bit at the memory before blinking a bit, “But...why ask?”
“...Well… back when me and her were… ’friends’, she told me about what she intended on doing to you to prevent you from getting your Cutie Mark,” Silver Spoon explained, “She told me in her own words that she couldn’t bear to see one of you ‘blank flanks’ have a Cutie Mark, so… well… I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen. After I heard about you being in the hospital, Scootaloo… my ‘friendship’ with Diamond Tiara ended right there and then.”
“And you became somepony special to me,” Scootaloo muttered quietly to herself.
“But… what does this have t’ do wit’ that Aki girl?”
“...If I can guess right, she can’t stand the fact that Timid’s brother likes somepony else, that she’ll end up ruining somepony’s life, just so she can be with him…. now that I think about it, that sounds more like a… a…” Silver Spoon trailed off as she tried to say the words right, “P...py...sy...Psychopath.”
“...Maybe,” the others nodded.
“I heard Love can make ponies do stupid things, but...” Sweetie Belle paused as she recalled what happened to the hotel rooms earlier, “Attacking somepony’s and their friends hotel rooms and sending a threat letter is going a bit too far.”
---
Ai let out a soft moan, slowly starting to wake up as her eyes began to open.
“*gasp!* Mr. Kota! Miss Applejack! Ai’s waking up!” Quirky called out to the next room.
Kota rushed over to see his sister, who simply smiled at him.
“Hi… Onii-chan… I’m sorry… I worried you,” Ai smiled tiredly before her brother pulled her into a hug, tears dripping down from his eyes.
“Don’t be…” he assured.
“Well, the poison has been cleared out of her system, and she should be safe enough to move now,” Silver Hawk told Kota as he walked in, “However, I suggest you keep a close eye on her in case Tomoe comes back and tries to do this again.”
“Gotcha.”
---
Soon, everypony was back at the hotel rooms and were ready to try and figure out a plan.
“...so… what’s our best plan of action right now?” Kota asked.
“I managed to talk to Celestia about this, and she and Luna are heading to see the empress as we speak, hopefully to talk,“ Twilight explained.
“...Oh boy. Aki and Tomoe are in totally big trouble if Celestia and Luna are involved.” Kota said, a certain realization in his mind.
“...uh-huh. The children of them will be able to do anything,” Ai giggled.
“I hope Celestia and Luna will be able to talk to her, because what Aki and her little sister did makes them applicable for arrest,” Twilight said with a small sigh.
“...they would probably just get instantly bailed out by their dad.” Timid sighed.
“Knowing Aki...I wouldn’t put it past her,” Fluttershy sghed as well before Silver placed his hand on her shoulder, making the shy pinkette turn to face him.
“Don’t worry, Butterfly-chan.” Silver Hawk assured.
---
Celestia and Luna were soon seated in a waiting area, the two of them simply waiting for the guards to get the attention of the Empress. While they waited, they saw a painting, which depicted the myth of the Ponies of the Beginning, and near the end of it, were two fillies…
“...brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Celestia asked Luna.
“...Indeed it does, sister,” Luna nodded, a small sad smile on her face, “...I miss them, sister… truly I do.”
Celestia looked at the ponies depicted, both of them were alicorns, the first one was female with blonde hair that had red highlights, beautiful pure white fur, and a Cutie Mark that resembled a swirling galaxy with a star in the center, hidden underneath the golden yellow kimono. The second one was male with dark brown hair with golden yellow highlights, a pure white coat of fur, and a Cutie Mark resembling a golden apple hidden under his pure silver armor.
“...where do you think they could be?” Luna asked.
“I’m not sure,” Celestia sighed a bit, “No pony has seen them in ages.”
“Celestia, Luna, the Empress will see you now,” a guard informed.
“Thank you,” Celestia nodded as she and Luna stood up, the latter noticing her sister’s hands shaking a bit.
“...Sister, are thou nervous?” Luna asked her sister.
“...Yes,” Celestia nodded in response, “I haven’t seen her since… since the war.”
“...She was a bit cold to me when I came to make peace,” Luna admitted as the two walked down the hallway before approaching a pair of large doors.
“IT was not her fault, Luna. The war….” Celestia began as she looked down sadly, “Changed her.”
The two entered the room after the guards have opened the door, the inside being large and ornate with a pair of statues in the room. Sitting on the throne at the far end of the room was a unicorn with a mane of pure azure with a slight crimson red highlight located in the front, pure magenta fur, and a Cutie Mark resembling a crown hidden under her elegant, pure blue robes.
“Hello...Celestia,” the unicorn greeted her, the unicorn having a cold look in her emerald green eyes.
“It is nice to see you again, Empress Evening Nova,” Celestia bowed with Luna.
“...Yes,” the empress nodded slightly, “Now… what brings you here, Princesses of the Sun and Moon? Apart from… obvious trouble with your little student. What was her name again?”
“...I do not take offense to my students lightly,” Celestia told her with a slight frown.
“No seriously, I can’t remember your student’s name. What was it, like… Sunrise Sparkle or something?”
“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia corrected her, her frown growing a bit more.
“Thank you.” Evening smiled, “...but what brings you here?”
“..My student has informed me of something dire,” Celestia sighed, “It seems a few of your subjects have found an alicorn filly, and are on a witch hunt to find her.”
“...Is this some sort of joke, Celestia?” Evening Nova frowned, “No Alicorn has been born here in decades.”
“...Well, there is one. And she sure isn’t my daughter, Tia’s, Cadence’s or Twilight’s.” Luna stated.
“...Choose your next words carefully, tsuki-no-hime (Princess of the moon),” Evening Nova warned her, a scowl on her face, “Or should I call you Akumu-no-hime (Princess of Nightmares)?”
“Do not bring my sister into this, Nova,” Celestia frowned at her before calming down, “...I apologize for acting out…”
“....It is fine...just do not let it happen again,” Nova stated.
“And please… don’t continue to sling mud at my sister… that’s what got our nations into war in the first place…” Celestia added.
“...hold up a second… twas I, the cause of the war?” Luna gasped, her eyes widened upon hearing that.
“...It was my counselor who said those things,” Nova explained, “I tried to calm your sister down, but things escalated, and… I said some things, and it resulted in the war between Neighpon and Equestria.” Nova sighed, “...but before we continue, I never encourage any sort of racism or prejudice against alicorns.”
“Then why is my student and the young Alicorn filly being targeted?”
“...they grew scared of you. After the war… they feared alicorns.” Nova informed, “Apart… from a certain two…”
“...mother and father,” Luna clarified.
“Indeed,” Nova nodded, “I tried to convince the ponies of Neighpon all Alicorns aren’t truly evil, but a few believe they belong in the dirt… that they’re nothing but impurities to Equina. One such pony is Yuji, and he convinced his daughters to think the same way.”
“...I see…”
“...And he has committed a crime. You recall… Helheim no Kajitsu? He… was able to find some…” Nova informed with a sigh, causing Celestia and Luna’s eyes to widen in horror, “...We both know how dangerous those plants are. Please… find the plants and be rid of them…”
“We’ll see what we can do,” Luna nodded.
“...and please… we must do something about this whole alicorn situation. There’s some unease from Shibuya and Osaka. They say they blame you two, and there are some ponies who want to… go to war again.”
“...I will not let that happen,” Celestia assured her in a serious tone, “The war caused so much pain between our nations… I do not wish to see that happen again.”
Celestia and Luna then proceeded to head for the door, but Nova paused Celestia before she left.
“If you find this alicorn filly… bring her to me.” Nova said in a whisper.
“...I will,” Celestia nodded.
“Thank you…” Nova began as her eyes softened, a small smile forming on her face, “Old friend.”
---
“...These ponies are going mad.” Twilight muttered quietly as she and the group poked their heads out of a nearby alley to see a group of ponies carrying picket signs that had various kanjis for war on them. Twilight watched, the alicorn’s fur being a light pink and her mane being a white-ish color with a purple highlight.
“Do they not remember how much suffering the first war caused?” Posey added in a whisper, before she looked at Twilight, “...You know I don’t know why, but you disguised like that… it’s ringing a bell for some reason,”
“Ya feelin’ that too?” Applejack blinked.
“For some odd reason… same here,” Dash admitted, her cyan fur now a reddish-pink color and her rainbow mane being a pure light blue, “...Though I don’t know why I had to disguise myself as the legendary Firefly, Twilight.”
“...I don’t know why I did that, being honest with ya,” Twilight shrugged.
“...Wasn’t your dad’s name Firefly?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yea, it was.” Dash nodded.
The group slowly made their way out, simply all trying to figure out what to do now.
“So… what’s the plan going to be?” Ai asked.
“...We’re going to get you all to Ponyville,” Sunset stated.
Quirky and Ai both came to a total halt at this.
“What/excuse me?” the two filly asked as Dawn came to a stop.
“With the way things are here… it’s not safe for you girls,” Rarity explained, “Which is why Twilight rearranged a few tickets for you girls to come to Ponyville.”
“B-but what about Onii-chan?” Timid asked in worry, “A-and there’s also m-my kaa-san and t-tou-san, not to mention Yuki and Peaches. I...”
“I talked with them this morning, Timid,” Silver spoke up, “I promised them I’ll watch you, Yuki, and Peaches while we’re living in Ponyville.”
“...Aren’t we going to have some time to go home and pack?” Quirky asked.
“That’s what we’re doing now,” Twilight reminded, “Yeesh… you’re as scatterbrained as Pinkie can be…”
“She is/I am?” Pinkie and Quirky asked in unison, tilting their heads at the same time.
“...Oh my Celestia/kami-sama they’re exact copies,” most of the group groaned.
“A-are you sure this is okay?” Dawn finally spoke up, catching Twilight’s attention, “To...to just leave Neighpon?”
“Sometimes in order to win, you need to run,” Twilight informed, as they passed by the bookstore, “...Fluttershy, Posey, can you two stay here a little while?”
“...Why?”
“No offense… but you two are kinda going to be a problem. Because, well, Aki claims you two are ‘harboring’ myself and Dawn. Mr. Tozoki said he’d be fine watching you both,” Twilight explained, “We’ll call you to let you both know we’ll be coming to get you once we’re done.”
“...A-alright,” Fluttershy nodded in slight worry, “J-just please be careful, minna…”
“Gotcha,” Twilight nodded.
---
“So… what’s Otou-san’s next big plan so those pests are outta our way?” Tomoe asked, “...and please tell me it’s not poison, I seriously didn’t want to go through with that…”
“He says… lead the angry mob to the hotel and have those ponies arrested.” Aki informed, looking at her phone, “...That’s pretty much it, really.”
“Good. The poison was just to far…even for our dad’s brilliant plans,” Tomoe admitted.
“Agreed… same when he hired some of those ninja to trash the hotel rooms Losershy and her friends are staying in. All I did was leave a note at darling’s house, and on Losershy’s door.”
---
“Hey,” Sunset waved, as she walked into the bookstore.
“Sunset… what are you doing here?” Fluttershy asked.
“...I was worried about you two, so I decided to come back and keep you two busy,” Sunset replied.
“Oh? Is this one of your friends?” Mr. Tozoki asked.
“Hai. This is Sunset Shimmer,” Fluttershy informed, making Mr. Tozoki’s eyes widen.
“...Sunset Shimmer? As in… the adoptive daughter of Princess Celestia?” he asked.
“...Yes,” Sunset nodded.
Tozoki smiled and shook her hand, “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Same,” Sunset smiled back, before she turned over to Fluttershy, “Hey uh… can I speak with your privately for a moment?”
“...Ano, sure,” Fluttershy nodded as she followed Sunset to the back of the store, “Wh-what is it?”
“...I know you like Silver Hawk… but… there’s something I need to get off of my chest… I… uh… have a… small… uh…”
“...A small what?”
“A small crush on… on…” Sunset paused as a heavy blush formed on her face, “...you.”
“Wh-what?” Fluttershy gasped quietly, her eyes widened a bit in surprise, “Y-you have a crush...on me?”
“Yea,” Sunset nodded, the unicorn blushing still, “B-but I’m not sure if it’s you...or...th-the other you.”
“Other… me?”
“...long story,” Sunset sighed as she looked down, “I-I’m just so confused right now...I-I like you… but at the same time, I like the other you… I… I really wish Twilight was here to help me with this.”
“...Y-You know… you are… cute,” Fluttershy admitted, a small blush on her face
“...Really?”
“H-hai. D-demo…”
“You like Silver Hawk, I know,” Sunset sighed, “And...I know he likes you back.”
Fluttershy couldn’t help but blush heavily at that last part.
“...I’ll be fine, I promise,” Sunset assured her, a small sad smile on her face, ”I don’t want to get in your way of your happiness, Fluttershy.”
“I sort of… felt… something for you,” Fluttershy admitted, “I don’t know if it’s a crush or not… but whatever it is, I felt it for both you and Rarity.”
“...Wait. Rarity?” Sunset blinked at that.
“I’ve just…known her a long time. And if I didn’t remember Silver-kun…I think I might have tried and pursued her affection…and then you came in… and… uh…w-well…” fluttershy blushed, poking her pointer fingers together in a shy manner.
“...You’re so cute…” Sunset giggled, making her blush further.
“...A-arigat-” Fluttershy began before she felt a bit queasy, “Ohh~ N-not again…”
“Fluttershy? Are you alright?” Sunset asked her in worry.
“Hai… demo… I’ve been feeling… funny… for lack of a better term,” Fluttershy panted before she covered her mouth, the pinkette dropping to her knees as she tried to keep it down.
“Oh crud…Posey!” Sunset called out to Fluttershy’s cousin, “Help! Something’s wrong with Fluttershy!”
---
Soon, a doctor had arrived and was looking over Fluttershy, currently checking the shy pinkette’s heartbeat.
“Now butterfly-san, do you remember eating anything funny before these symptoms kicked in?” the doctor asked her.
“No. The only thing out of the ordinary I’ve done was… sleep alongside somepony…” Fluttershy informed, blushing a bit.
“...Soka…” the doctor noted, “...Did you two...ahem, you know…?”
Fluttershy blushed heavily in response, knowing what the doctor was trying to ask, “...no.”
“Are you sure? I need to be certain, Butterfly-san.”
“...W-well… I s-sorta spent the night at Silver Hawk-kun’s place. He comforted me and… w-well…” Fluttershy paused as she blushed further, ”O-one thing lead to another and…”
“...Itoko-chan…” Posey blinked in surprise, “I always thought you’d be the type of girl to wait until you got married to do… that,”
“...I-it was the threat letter Aki sent that...l-lead to me and Silver-kun d-doing…I-it,” Fluttershy admitted, “I-I really wanted to wait but… I-I just felt so safe in his arms. My… my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. N-next thing I knew...w-we kissed and...”
“So that would mean…” Sunset blinked before her eyes widened, “...Yea, we need to get you out of Neighpon. If Aki hated you before, she’s gonna want to send you right to Tartarus if she found this out…”
“...G-good idea,” Fluttershy nodded, “B-but please don't’ let Silver-kun or the others find out. We all already have enough to worry about.”
“That is true,” Posey nodded.
“Yeah...I just hope Twilight and the others are alright,” Sunset hoped as she looked out the window.
---
Ai put a sunhat on before looking around her room for a few other things, the pegasus filly trying her best to hurry up as her brother was waiting downstairs.
“Oh… what else to take?” she muttered, looking around her room before she spotted a picture on her nightstand, “...Kaa-san and Tou-san’s picture…”
She picked it up and looked at it, small tears forming in her cheeks. She then hugged the picture, holding it close to her heart.
“Ai-chan, are you r-?” Kota began, walking in to check on his sister before he noticed her hugging the picture, “Oh…” he then walked over to her and knelt down, placing his hand on her shoulder, surprising her a bit as she turned to face them ,”You miss them too...don’t you?”
“Hai,” Ai nodded, sniffling a little as she rubbed the tears out of her eyes, “I wish they were here, Onii-chan.”
“Same,” he nodded, hugging her, “Why don’t we bring that with us?”
She nodded as she carefully put it in her bag, adding it to the various things she’s taking with her before she closed the bag.
“I’m ready, Onii-chan.”
The two headed on down slowly, they looked around the house, memories of their life there flashing before their eyes. The two actually hugged and began to cry. They made so many memories here. Their parents opening the farm, meeting new friends, farming out in the fields, birthdays in the kitchen, so many good memories here. They wish they could stay..but due to recent events, they had to say goodbye.
“Onii-chan… I don’t want to go…” Ai whimpered.
“Me neither, Ai-chan…” Kota sighed, “But so much has changed these past few days…”
“...Atashi… atashi…” she began.
“Eh?”
“...I don’t want to go…” Ai cried.
“...we’ll come back. I promise,” Kota assured as he guided her out, allowing Applebloom to try and calm her down.
Kota then turned over to Applejack, “If things calm down… we are going to come back, right?”
“Ah guarantee it, Sugahcube,” Applejack assured him with a soft smile, “Fer th’ meantime, y’all can stay with me and mah family when we get back t’ Ponyville.”
“...thanks,” he smiled.
---
Timid looked at her room, the forest green walls looked sort of barren without the posters that once decorated the walls.
“Nee-chan… you okay?” Silver Hawk asked as he poked his head in.
“I… I… don’t know… is this really the best plan?” Timid asked.
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“M-moving away from home...from kaa-san and tou-san…”
“...Timid-chan…” Silver spoke as she walked in, “They’ll be okay… I promise you that. In fact… Kaa-san and Tou-san wanted me to tell you something.”
“N-nani?” Timid blinked a bit as she turned around to look at her brother.
“They told me to tell you, ‘No matter how far away we are, even if we’re not of this world anymore… we will always be with you. Be brave, continue to do what you love… and find somepony special to share your life with… that is until you’re old enough. But...above all else...’” Silver paused as he hugged Timid, a soft smile on his face, “‘We love you and your brother with all our hearts,..my little Swallow...’”
Timid began to cry at this, tears forming in her eyes as she hugged her brother back, staining his shirt with her tears.
“So… you fully packed?”
“Almost…” Timid informed, “I...I just need to pick one or two more things to take with me, Onii-chan.”
“Alright, but please hurry,” he told her.
---
“Bye-bye house…” Ai whimpered while waving to the house, “Maybe I’ll see you again some day…”
“...Don’t worry, Ai,” Applebloom spoke up as she put her hand on Ai’s shoulder, “Ah sure y’all love Ponyville. Plus, like mah big sistah said, y’all can stay with me and mah family until you and yer brother can go home.”
“...Thanks,” Ai smiled, hugging her.
---
Soon, everypony had arrived at the bookstore, most of teh group noticing the slightly nervous look on Fluttershy’s face.
“...Is somethin’ wrong, sugahcube?” Applejack was the first to ask.
‘...I-it’s nothing,” Fluttershy replied, “I-is everypony ready?”
“Yes. We just…” Twilight began before she noticed somepony missing, “...Where’s Dawn?”
“What do you mean? She’s r-” rainbow began before she noticed the Alicorn filly wasn’t there, causing her eyes to widen.
“What if Aki and Tomoe got to her?” Quirky asked in worry.
“...I hope not,” Twilight whispered as she began to leave.
“Woah woah woah! Where are you going?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she got in front of Twilight.
“I’m going to go find her.” Twilight informed.
“Uh… not with Aki out there you're not!” Rainbow Dash argued.
“I’m not gonna leave her out there!” Twilight snapped back, “She’s probably alone and scared right now!”
Dash gave her marefriend a look, the alicorn having a serious look on her face.
“...Alright,” Rainbow sighed in defeat, “Just...be careful out there, Twi.”
“I will. ...I love you.”
“I love ya too,” Rainbow smiled softly as Twilight gave her a quick kiss on the lips before she ran out.
---
“Dawn! Dawn Star, where are you?!” Twilight shouted as she ran through the streets, hoping to find the filly. The alicorn mare was very scared at this point, hoping Aki didn’t find her first. She soon skidded to a halt when she noticed the unicorn not too far off, talking on the phone.
“Seriously dad, why do we have to keep continuing this hunt? She’s just a kid,” Aki stated, not noticing Twilight hiding in a nearby alley, “I mean, I know to get that Losershy out of the way, any means are necessary… but… seriously? A freaking witch hunt?”
-All will make sense once we capture her, Aki. She’ll be good for negotiating-
“Nego-Negotiating for what?!”
-Why, to make sure you can marry Silver Hawk of course. He’s one of the best doctors at the Kokoro Hospital, so my daughter should have the best after all-
“Yes, guilty as charged. But...I think we went too far when you had Tomoe blow that extracted plant dust in that Ai girl’s face,” Aki admitted.
-One sacrifice is needed to make sure this plan works-
“Yes but…”
-But what, Aki? ...Unless you want that wall flower to steal Silver Hawk away from you?-
“....”
-Well?-
“I won’t let that wall flower get him. He’s mine, and mine alone.”
-That’s my girl. Now, find her, or you can forget coming home tonight-
“What?! but d...and he hangs up...of course,” Aki muttered as she closed her phone, “...I’m starting to think Silver Hawk’s not worth this…” she then cupped her chin in thought, “Then again… I don't’ want Losershy to have him either…”
‘She doesn’t have Dawn,’ Twilight gave a mental sigh of relief, ‘But...what was she talking to her father about?’
Twilight then saw Aki get up and walk off, the unicorn looking around for her target. Once she was out of sight, the Alicorn carefully got out of the alleyway and resumed her search for Dawn Star.
---
Dawn was simply wandering around the park, trying to get some memories before she left. She stopped as she looked in the distance, managing to see the castle. She didn’t know why, but something about it felt...familiar to her.
“...Why did my mom and dad leave me? Is it… because I’m who I am?” she wondered aloud. She then heard somepony approach, causing her eyes to widen as she ran towards a nearby tree to hide behind, folding her wings so nopony would see them.
“Dawn! Dawn Star, where are you!?” the voice of a certain violet haired Alicorn called out causing Dawn to look out from her hiding spot, and sure enough, there Twilight was.
“Miss Sparkle?” Dawn whispered before Twilight noticed her.
“Dawn!” Twilight gasped as she ran over to the filly and hugged her, “Oh thank Celestia you’re alright.”
Dawn looked at her with wide eyes before she returned the hug, the Alicorn filly starting to cry a bit as she held onto the older Alicorn.
“Shh… it’s okay. I’m here…” Twilight assured her in a soothing tone, “I’m here…”