//------------------------------// // Part Eleven: A Dark Intervention. // Story: The Elements of Lunar Harmony // by Paganbrony //------------------------------// The Elements of Lunar Harmony Part Eleven: A Dark Intervention. Morning broke in Equestria once more with a dawn chorus of birds that were rudely sent packing as several empty bottles were hurled in their direction by an angry Wonderbolt with an injured wing and a splitting headache induced by the previous nights ill advised downing of alcohol. Spitfire settled back down slowly careful not to agitate her injured wing any further than necessary, as she did Spitfire noticed that she was draped in what appeared to be Trixie’s cape. This brought several urgent questions to the forefront, ‘What happened last night and how’d I get covered by this…?’ ‘Oh no… What did I say…? Or do…?’ “What did that Wicca Witch do…?” Spitfire’s last memory was shouting… …At Trixie…! Spitfire seriously wondered how she’d not been incinerated for some of the insults and things she’d said… Looking around frantically for signs of violent magical misconduct (craters or burning pyres of ponies etc…) Spitfire quickly counted and was relieved to find all of her strange bed fellows alive and well not realizing she’d miscounted and forgotten a most important pony. Laid out sleeping around the burned out campfire each of them seemed peaceful in their dreams, Spitfire noticed Trixie and Roseluck were on the opposite side of the campfire to her and the others and wondered what had brought that about. Trixie lay with her mane covering all but her nose and mouth, Spitfire watched as the sleeping mare mumbled something under her breath and with the faintest glow of magic from her horn a nearby flower was consumed instantly by a flash and a poof of smoke. ‘No wonder every pony is over this side…’ Spitfire whispered while shaking her head before having a hazy flashback that caused her to check if Roseluck’s spider was still there… To her dismay it was. As much as the Wonderbolt enjoyed the sensation of the well made cape of Trixie’s across her she still shivered as in it’s sleep the spider clicked it’s fangs softly which made Spitfire consider offering Trixie anything in return just to blast it… …Well maybe not ‘ANYTHING’ she mused, the magician and her had had an awkward moment that left Spitfire feeling uncertain about what she felt about the magical mare, but at least she was sure on one thing she hated spiders and Trixie at least as a ‘friend’ could incinerate the giant hairy nightmare. Spitfire paused as she reflected on thinking of Trixie as a friend after all she was only used hanging out with other flyers, so ponies usually made their own minds up about what she liked due to her age profession and how strong of wing and heart she was. In truth she didn’t think about such things she’d had relationships with stallions but it had never worked out in the end mostly due to the jealousy of the stallions as she spent nearly all of her time with her team made up mostly of stallions. The Wonderbolts had a strict no inter team relationships rule that Spitfire was thankful for since she knew no pony would try it with her and the fact none of them were suitable prospects anyway. Especially that pie stuffing lay about Soarin who despite everything Spitfire felt very strongly about but in a sisterly or motherly fashion like her team, this train of thought continued into sentimentality until her wing began to twinge… The kind of twinge Spitfire felt when in danger whilst flying, an instinctual feeling of peril. Spitfire cast her eyes about and counted heads then despite her hung over state she finally realized Princess Luna was missing… Removing the hoof from her face Spitfire looked around, her eyes eventually coming to rest on a large seemingly deliberately placed rock near the fire with what appeared to be a folded scrap of paper poking out from underneath. She was about to move to retrieve it when a shadow loomed over her from behind and a whisper interrupted the silence. “Howdy there miss, would you be so kind as not to scream…” The Wonderbolt captain had little choice as she was grabbed from behind and dragged away a hoof over her mouth with Trixie’s cape used as an improvised covering for her head. As the remaining ponies continued to sleep on despite their companions impromptu rustling Roseluck’s spider awoke and with her many eyes watched the unfolding events and after failing to wake Roseluck clicked it’s fangs and followed the Wonderbolt and her kidnapper. As the sun continued to shine down it was Fleur who woke next, stiffly and awkwardly she gained her hooves and tried to forget about how much she missed her soft bed and all the things that denoted her as a city mare and then cursed the uncomfortable cold hard ground that had served as a bed last night. Fleur hadn’t given herself time to really think about everything that had happened since bumping into the Princess, she knew she wasn’t the most capable pony and she’d always been told she was ‘air headed’ by other ponies but now she was out doing something new for the first time in her life. It scared her but at the same time gave her hope that she could maybe contribute something to this mismatched group. Fleur took a moment to study her new friends in turn and as she did ran through her initial impressions, the pony Roseluck and her friend Apple Cobbler were both friendly and easy going as long as you didn’t make loud noises or as she had, asked why the farm pony spoke so funnily. The white unicorn stretched her legs some more as her eyes fell on Berry Punch who was laid out snoring atop a small pile of bottles that when she breathed in and out they rolled back and forth giving the effect of a rocking motion that clearly soothed the party hard pony. Fleur didn’t have a problem with her she seemed quite fun when she’d imbibed her fill, but it was that blue mare she was wary of and according to the farm pony with good reason. Trixie was definitely scary and it surprised Fleur that such a sensitive caring and lovely princess could have her as a student, the Wonderbolt was pretty strong willed too and together they were pretty intimidating in a no nonsense kind of way even daring to speak to the princess and each other in such an insolent flippant way… Fleur cast her eyes over whole group as it finally dawned on her… Luna… Where was Luna? Fleur rapidly checked around and finally came to the conclusion she couldn’t see her anywhere, which meant… “Miss Trixie…” “Miss Trixie!!!” “…” “Miss Trixie please can you wake up…?” “Uh Fleur darling… You might want to step back a little there.” Apple Cobbler awoken by the white unicorns agitated voice barely had her eyes open before it sunk in Fleur was rapidly shaking Trixie with a hoof. Fleur stopped but as she looked at the farm pony she failed to notice Trixie arise behind her and when she felt hot breath on the back of her neck Fleur turned only to come face to face with a very volatile yet sleepy looking Trixie whose horn was beginning to glow brighter with the build up of magic. “YOU DARE AWAKEN TRIXIE IN SUCH A MANNER…?” “But Miss Trixie the princess is gone.” Roseluck like Apple Cobbler was just snapping back to reality and the now very tense situation before them as undisturbed Berry snored on, Roseluck was however momentarily frozen in fear at waking suddenly to find Trixie in full swing as the power build up continued. “And that warranted waking me like that… What do I care if that idiots not here I’m not her nursemaid she is a goddess after all.” Fleur swallowed nervously as the anger and volume from Trixie lowered to a venomous growl that left the white unicorn shaking but resolute in the face of certain magical repercussion. “Ah think it’s a mite worse than that, Spitfire ain’t here neither.” “W-What…?” Trixie stopped mid spell selection and turned to Apple Cobbler who was pointing at the ground where the Wonderbolt had lain the previous evening. “My Spider she’s gone…?” Roseluck unfroze chiming in suddenly as she too noticed a missing companion from the group and was so wrapped up in her surprise she missed the annoyed looks and relieved sighs from the others. “Maybe their answering the call of nature...?” “Fleur ah doubt it… It wouldn’t take them this long…” Apple Cobbler pointed to a small slug that was happily crossing a small dip in the grass that denoted where Luna had lain, the slug seemed so slow as not to be moving at all but had managed to cross at least halfway. Trixie along with Roseluck and Fleur watched as Apple Cobbler put into practice all the things granny Smith had taught her about nature as she’d grown up around her cousin’s farm. The farm pony began studying the ground around the group and the campfire before moving to check both Luna and Spitfires chosen sleeping spots. “Well…?” “Ah sure wish ah had my cousin’s dog Winona right about now…” The stern and still angry face of Trixie belied a storm within as Trixie used to abandonment and disappointment fought her conflicting emotions at the possibility Spitfire had left without her. Had she gone back to the Wonderbolts? Trixie knew Spitfire as the type to self sacrifice but after everything that had happened? Then Trixie remembered all the things Spitfire had said about her last night and the anger and frustration in the Wonderbolts voice… Had she decided Trixie wasn’t worth the effort of friendship? Then Trixie remembered her cape! Spitfire must have left it? But as Trixie retrieved her wide brimmed Magicians hat and searched for its companion piece she realized like Spitfire it was gone. “Ah think we may have a problem…” All eyes turned to Apple Cobbler as her voice dipped in concern. “Luna’s been gone a while… But there’s this.” The group all crowded around as Apple Cobbler unfolded the note she’d just found under a rock that hadn’t been by the fire last night which read… “Dear Friends. Ah have much to discuss with ma sister and ah must see how dire the situation is in Canterlot and if possible find out if there’s any replacement Wonderbolt Captains that can be hired. Will find you all after, just head for Canterlot and have a safe trip. Luna.” Trixie resisted the urge to snigger at the attempt Apple Cobbler made to sound educated and instead switched to an insult to relay her contempt of her mentor. “Replacement Wonderbolt… Ha… We need a replacement for her…” Roseluck interjected on behalf of her princess coming to her defense if a little nervously and with a small sounding voice. “W-Well if any pony could find one I’m sure princess Luna can… And you shouldn’t speak about her like that.” As Trixie just rolled her eyes Apple Cobbler quickly moved on. “Ah don’t think Spitfire went with the princess… And ah don’t think she went peacefully neither there’s signs of a struggle and drag marks leading off in that direction…” Apple Cobbler pointed a hoof at the woods that Trixie had followed Spitfire into the night before. “Drag marks! She could be in danger! What will we do? Maybe a monster took her… Maybe that spider took her and strung her up in her web and…” “FLEUR… Will you calm down, that spider couldn’t have dragged Spitfire away even if she didn’t struggle she was a nice spider.” “Ah hate to agree with Roseluck on this one but she weren’t dragged off by any spider unless it was the size of stallion and had four hooves.” Apple Cobbler showed the others the large hoof prints in the disturbed mud. “She was taken by a pony that much is for sure.” Trixie’s face darkened as Apple Cobbler gave her honest opinion and family orientated experience. “What are we waiting for then… Get tracking…” Fleur interrupted in a small voice since Roseluck was still trying to grasp unfolding events and Berry was still snoring. “Shouldn’t we wait for the princess Luna…? She’ll know what to do…” “I’m going to find the one responsible and blast them and if I find they’ve hurt a hair on Spitfire’s mane I’ll do a lot worse…” Roseluck plucked up a momentary burst of confidence only to stammer quietly… “W-What’s worse than blasting them?” “Uh sugar ah don’t think that’s something you want to know, lets just hope that Wonderbolt is ok or we’ll be accomplices to well… Ah hope she’s ok.” Trixie had had enough of waiting around and began furiously stomping towards the wood her magic beginning to course through her body as her eyes reflected the fury within but was stopped as Roseluck quickly ran in front of her and appealed to her common sense. “W-Wait… What if it’s some kind of trap…?” “Now Roseluck who would be stupid enough to try to bait this wacko… …Aw shoot…” Apple Cobbler watched Trixie continue towards the wood as she remembered exactly who was chasing the blue so called criminal, the farm pony had always been fond of her cousin but she knew he was enough of an idiot to do something like this. “Don’t kill him!!! Please…? Ah don’t think ma family would be too pleased… He’s harmless really… Ah don’t wanna watch him get his butt kicked…” Trixie called back while Fleur and Roseluck looked on. “Then don’t follow me.” Apple Cobbler and the others stood completely silent as they watched Trixie disappear leaving no doubt that she was angrier than they had ever seen before. Continuing on Trixie made her way out of sight of the others with the lack of team understanding Trixie had, she’d failed to even consider they may have been of some use in locating their missing companion. But as Trixie made her way into the wood her anger triggered something in her magic, at first she failed to notice it but the small chain that Luna had given her drew her attention as it started to glow faintly at first then growing in strength. Trixie’s concentration was broken when something brushed past her, spinning around Trixie saw nothing and angrily dismissed it. Turning to continue she was startled as it happened again but again there was nothing there… Trixie already angry was in danger of flipping into homicidal rage at any moment but even she panicked when a voice as if carried by the wind whispered in her ear. “I… Feel your anger…” Trixie swung her head about in all directions but couldn’t see any pony so in true Trixie fashion she challenged it. “Come forth and show yourself… The Great and Powerful Trixie is not afraid.” “Oh… But you are afraid… …In fact you’re becoming more scared by the second.” After that response came from behind Trixie she once again turned but found nothing, growing concerned (after all Trixie would be the last to admit that this was indeed beginning to freak her out) the blue mage once again spun around as she thought she’d seen something move out of the corner of her eye. Even as she did something brushed against her flanks causing her to cry out in alarm firing a spell straight ahead and torching half a dozen trees along with several now featherless birds who’d been in them as she did yet another one eighty on the spot. Trixie drew the line right there and blasted wildly about with her magic hoping to catch the invisible pony off guard (at least she hoped it was a pony). Stopping to catch her breath and having created a not so small clearing with her magic Trixie breathlessly stood defiant despite not scoring any hits other than a few now blackened and smouldering squirrels that were left wondering what they’d done to deserve getting their nuts roasted in such a manner. “…I... …See why… ….She… …Chose you...” Trixie was about to send a powerful blast in the direction of the disembodied voice when as she turned she came face to face with… …The captain of the Wonderbolts. “Spitfire…?” Spitfire stood shakily against a tree but smiling as her mane and tail gently waved in the breeze, Trixie saw the exhaustion in her eyes as well as what appeared to be deep wounds. “Oh no…” Trixie rushed forward to aid her friend but Spitfire’s expression changed startling Trixie who came screeching to a halt unable to find the words to react to the Wonderbolts reappearance and the now strange look she was receiving which made her shiver a little. “S-Spitfire where have you been…? That dumb hayseed said it looked like you’d been kidnapped…?” Spitfire ignored the question and moved away from the tree walking suddenly without the need for aid until she had gotten right up to Trixie still smiling and leaning forward as her wings gently unfurled. “H-How did you fix your wing… …And why are you looking like you’re going to…” Trixie recoiled as Spitfire’s whole body changed in a flash before her, distorting into something for lack of a better word evil looking. This altered image shot forward and before Trixie could react she was bowled over and as she landed on her back the horror jumped on her pinning her to the ground all the while shrieking with laughter. Pushing the Wonderbolt off her didn’t work, the creatures strength was incredible, so Trixie tried magic instead which also failed as she couldn’t muster a drop, her panic overwhelming her. In her desperation and the fear that was now taking over she forced her head backwards and screamed… ...She continued to scream until she realized the altered image of Spitfire had let go, opening her eyes she realized she alone, the only sound a mocking laughter floating on the wind followed by the same haunting voice. “You desire power… …You desire respect… …You will need me… …Soon… …Then you will have it all… …And you will forever belong to me…” Trixie’s remained on the ground and tried not to cry as her mind ran rings around itself with all the questions.