The Excursion

Triple Crown: Friendship Sequence
Chapter 1 – The Excursion

“Just close your eyes, Spike. No, no, stop fidgeting. Now, concentrate.”
Spike sighed as Twilight Sparkle’s horn began to glow. He loved her dearly, but she was rather too fond of using him as a guinea pig for his liking. He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for something to happen.
He began to hear an odd, strained whisper in his head, and felt an uncomfortably itchy sensation at the base of his skull. “Ugh, Twilight! What are you doing!?”
The sensation ceased as Twilight groaned in frustration. “Spike! You broke my concentration! I think I almost had it!”
“Had what?”
“I’ve told you twenty times, already! It’s the new telepathy spell I’ve been working on for the past month! How am I supposed to improve my magical abilities if I can’t even practice them properly?”
“What is it even supposed to do? You could at least fill me in on that much before practicing weird stuff on me!”
“Communication without words, Spike. Think of the possibilities! I could just imagine words in my head, and anyone I wanted to could hear them! Why, if I worked hard enough at it, I’ll bet that I could establish two-way communication. And why stop there!? I could set up whole telepathic networks with enough effort! Why, I’ll bet that you could have a whole room full of ponies, all talking to each other in their minds, as long as this spell is in effect!”
Spike put a comforting claw on his friend’s shoulder. “You need to learn to relax, Twilight. Besides, why would you need a telepathy spell? I mean, it sounds really great and all, but why couldn’t you just talk to the other ponies? Why would you need to talk in your minds? Sounds kinda pointless to me.”
Twilight glared at the baby dragon. “It doesn’t really matter if the spell has any practical applications or not. The point is, I need to be able to do it.”
“You’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing again. You know what you need, Twilight? A bit of fresh air. Let’s go see what our friends are up to!”
Twilight took a deep breath. For the first time in two days, she cracked a smile. As much as she loved her studies, it pained her to go more than a day without seeing her friends. “You’re right, Spike.”

*** *** ***

“What I need, huh?” Twilight scoffed. “Are you absolutely sure that there’s no self-interest here at all?”
Spike chuckled. “Well, alright, maybe I just wanted a little fresh air myself. And there’s no air fresher than the air at Carousel Boutique!”
Twilight rolled her eyes. When would Spike realize that Rarity had absolutely no interest in him? She raised a hoof to Rarity’s door. Even if she was only here because Spike dragged her, it would be nice to catch up with some of her friends. She had sequestered herself in the library for two days, trying desperately to perfect that spell. There will be time enough for that tomorrow. Today, I’ll just relax and call on my friends.
Before Twilight could actually knock, however, the door swung open, almost bashing her in the face. An elegant gasp sounded from the doorway.
“My goodness, Darling, I’m so sorry! You really should watch where you’re going. One could get hurt walking into doors whilst they are opening!”
“Are you alright, Twilight?” asked a quieter, softer voice.
Twilight looked up and saw Rarity and Fluttershy, both ready for a journey, their saddlebags strapped tight to their backs.
“Hey, girls,” said Twilight. “Where are you going?”
“We were heading out to harvest some gems. I am, unfortunately, running a bit low, and Fluttershy has volunteered to accompany me.”
Fluttershy crossed her front hooves nervously, a deeply troubled look in her eye. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go alone, after what happened last time.”
“Nonsense, Darling,” answered the elegant white unicorn. “And even if those brutes do reappear, I have them wrapped around my little hoof.” She made a dismissive gesture in the air, grinning confidently at her easily-frightened friend. “Twilight, I believe you can perform the gem-finding spell almost as well as I can. And Spike, you were such a big help last time. The both of you are more than welcome to accompany me as well, if you wish.”
Spike blushed and nodded all too eagerly, “Oh, yes, Rarity! We would love to come with you, wouldn’t we, Twilight!?”
Twilight sighed. She had wanted to visit Applejack today, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. The little dragon had made up his mind, and besides, she didn’t want to hurt Rarity’s feelings. “Fine, I’ll go.”
“Don’t worry, Twilight, I’m sure we won’t be gone long. With all of us working together, we are sure to be home before sundown,” said Rarity, her tone chipper and her eyes sparkling with optimism.

*** *** ***

“Hey, everypony! What are you doing!? Are you going somewhere!? Is it somewhere fun!?” Pinkie Pie bounced up to her four friends eagerly. Rainbow Dash followed after, at a slower pace.
“Oh, hello, Pinkie,” said Rarity. “We’re just off to search for some gems. You may come too, if you like.”
Pinkie Pie cocked her head to one side with curiosity. She had just seen her friends walk past Sugarcube Corner, and she and Rainbow Dash had gone to investigate. “Gems? Don’t you have so many of those, Rarity? From that time with the Diamond Dogs? I mean, that was more gems than I’d ever seen in my life! Big gems and little gems and red gems and blue gems and…”
Rarity shrugged, interrupting her hyper friend’s stream of adjectives. “One can never have too many gems, Darling. Besides, I find that I’m running disgracefully low as of late.”
Pinkie Pie grinned broadly. “Okie dokie lokie! Have fun! Dashie and I were just about to visit the joke shop, right Dashie?”
Rainbow Dash returned the pink ponies grin, “Aww, yeah. Applesnack isn’t even gonna know what hit her!” The two mares slapped their front hooves together, and laughed wildly.
Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike exchanged glances, staring at their friends in their nigh-incomprehensible joy. The two were nearly inseparable, and had inside jokes that none of them could ever hope to understand. “OK, well, I guess we’ll see you two later then. Just take it easy on Applejack, won’t you?” said Twilight, hoping to be gone and back as soon as possible.
Pinkie Pie giggled, “Okie dokie lokie! Don’t worry, it’ll be a fun prank, we promise!” Dash just smirked, excited to see the look on Applejack’s oh-so-infuriatingly-confident face.
As the three ponies and the baby dragon set off down the road, however, and odd sensation seized Pinkie Pie’s body. This wasn’t a sign that she was familiar with, but it was extremely unpleasant. Her muzzle twitched uncontrollably; her tail lashing wildly from side to side. She tried to move, but while the seizure had control, it was as if she were tethered in place by immovable weights.
“Are you OK, Pinkie? You don’t look so good. You’re kinda freaking me out,” said Rainbow Dash uncomfortably. She was familiar with the “Pinkie Sense,” but the look in Pinkie Pie’s eyes said that this was a premonition that couldn’t be good.
As the blue pegasus went to place a comforting hoof on her dearest friend’s shoulder, Pinkie Pie stiffened and turned to her, a deeply concerned look plastered across her normally happy face. “You’re right, Dashie. Something’s really wrong.”
“With what?”
“I think it has something to do with Rarity and the others. I could be wrong, though.”
“I wouldn’t doubt the Pinkie Sense, if I were you. Maybe I should go with them, make sure they’re safe?”
Pinkie Pie froze in horror, then suddenly leapt Dash, almost knocking her to the ground. “Dashie, maybe you shouldn’t go. What if it’s dangerous?”
Rainbow Dash stood up as tall as her four legs would allow, puffing out her chest and opening their wings to their fullest extension. She resented this sudden concern for her well-being. Didn’t Pinkie remember who she was talking to? “Pinkie Pie, danger is my life! Whatever happens, I can handle it. Don’t worry your pretty little head, I’ll take care of our friends, even if an Ursa Major attacks!”
Pinkie Pie raised her eyebrows, looking mildly hurt. “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t doubt me? Dashie, trust me…”
“This is different, Pinkie Pie! This is me! Who’s the awesomest, coolest, most athletic pony in all of Equestria?”
“You are, but…”
“No buts. I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t sweat.” Before she could hear one more protest, Rainbow was off, trailing her other friends, mumbling lame excuses for changing her mind about going with them.
“Be careful, Dashie,” said Pinkie softly, even though she knew that it was too late for Rainbow Dash to hear her.

*** *** ***

The beige plain stretched out in front of their eyes, a clearing with some random trees and rocks scattered here and there. This place was a diamond mine, literally, and Rarity was not about to let a single glittering gem get away. Rarity and Twilight began searching for gems, marking the places for Spike and Dash to begin digging. The only remarkable landmarks that broke up the monotonous stretch of land were a series of massive craters, leading into a dark, convoluted series of tunnels. This was Diamond Dog territory, there was absolutely no mistaking it.
Fluttershy nervously eyed the massive craters in the ground. “Umm… I’m sorry to bother you, but are you all sure this place is absolutely safe? I mean, if you’re sure, then that’s OK, but if you’re not absolutely, positively, 100%...”
“Aww, lighten up, Fluttershy! Just let those beasts come! I bet I could take ‘em with one hoof tied behind my back!” Rainbow Dash scoffed at her friend, practicing her daring dives in between her digging for gems.
“But Rainbow Dash, I’m not sure that’s wise. I mean, maybe you could fight them all off, but, I’m just saying, what if Twilight or Rarity or Spike got hurt? What would you do then?”
“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t leave any of my friends hanging! I’d take care of them any way I could.”
“That’s good, Rainbow Dash. I’m really glad. Because if anything happened to one of my friends, I don’t know what I’d do with myself. I don’t think I could live with the guilt…”
“Guilt, schmilt. I’ll keep all of you safe, don’t you worry your pretty little heads!” Come on, you mangy mutts, she thought, just try to hurt us. I’ll show Pinkie what’s what.
“OK, ladies, knock it off! Nothing’s going to happen to us. Or at least, I don’t think so. I guess I can’t really say for certain. But for now, let’s just dig, alright? The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we can get home!” Twilight had had just about enough of their bickering.
Dash snickered, “I see, Twilight, you just want to get back home to Applesnack, don’t you? Ha! That’s funny! Twilight liikes Applesnack! Twilight liikes Applesnack!” The pegasus sang mockingly, flying circles above Twilight’s head.
Twilight blushed profusely, furrowing her brow. “That’s none of your business, Rainbow! Besides, maybe I’d just really like to get home. I was on the edge of a breakthrough in my telepathy studies, you know!”
“Alright, alright, don’t bust a lung,” said Dash dismissively. “I won’t tell her.”
Twilight grunted and tapped the ground with her hoof. OK, so, maybe she did like Applejack. So what? Maybe it did hurt a little to be away from her for two (no, it was three) days. It always caused Twilight pain when she missed her friends. She needed to be able to talk to them, to share things with them. Maybe it just hurt a little more when it was Applejack she missed.
“Please, Darlings, pay attention! I had thought that you had come to help me!” called Rarity, marking a cache of gems with an “X.” Spike followed slavishly, casting reproaching looks at his friends for their lack of attention to his beloved Rarity.

*** *** ***

The five friends searched and dug for several hours, until the sun was almost down.
“Are we almost finished? I was really hoping to be finished by sundown.” Twilight heaved a sigh. She just wanted to run to Sweet Apple Acres the moment she helped Rarity carry the gems to her boutique.
“Yes, Twilight, there’s just one more absolutely marvelous cache left over here. It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes to excavate.” Rarity indicated the spot.
Dash grinned. The last few gems of the day. She was going to make it a point to make the awesomest dive she could before digging it up. She was mildly disappointed at how uneventful the day had been. Pinkie Pie had almost gift-wrapped an adventure for her, and here she was, with nothing to show for her efforts but a day of hard labor.
She flew high into the air, until the ground was almost a blur. Faster and faster, she began her descent, until she saw her friends. They were staring down at their hooves. Was the ground rumbling? Dash couldn’t tell from this altitude. As she approached the ground, she finally saw the sight that she had been waiting for.
Right on cue, a large, ugly claw raised itself from the ground. A Diamond Dog! This was her chance! Now we’ll see who needs to be careful, Pinkie! She descended even faster this time. She was going to do it, she was going to give this Diamond Dog a taste of her new trick, her very own patented Atomic Rainbomb!
But as Rainbow Dash reached the ground, she didn’t feel the atmosphere break apart. She had missed her chance.
Heh, no problem! She thought, licking her lips with unconscious nervousness, I can still kick that monster in the face!
She continued her speedy descent, rushing towards the ground faster and faster. Just as she was about to lash out a back hoof at the Diamond Dog’s jaw... She realized she hadn’t been fast enough.
A few nanoseconds too late, and all she felt were those thick, grey fingers wrapping around one of her back hooves.
Rainbow Dash disappeared into the darkness.
“Rainbow!” gasped Twilight. She ran towards the crater, but her telekinesis wasn’t fast enough to prevent the monster from escaping with her friend. Suddenly, the ground seemed to burst as two large, muscular Diamond Dogs leapt from the hole.
One of them grabbed Twilight Sparkle, and disappeared deep underground.
“No, Twilight!” screamed Spike. He tried to run towards her. He stopped dead as the second Diamond Dog swiped at him, sweeping him up as well. Its rough paw grabbed him, scooping him up into the air as he struggled in vain.
“No,” came a harsh, yet authoritative voice from within the now much-expanded crater. “Not the dragon. The unicorn.”
The Diamond Dog grinned. His job would be easy. He threw the baby dragon to the ground, and it landed straight on its head, falling unconscious. They already had one unicorn, and for all he knew, they already had the right unicorn. He would just have to take the other one for good measure.
He lunged at Rarity.
Paralyzed with fear, the white unicorn just stood where she was, her blue eyes wide. This wasn’t right. To the Diamond Dogs, she had been like a queen. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She controlled them. What did they want with her?
Suddenly, a yellow blur streaked across Rarity’s vision. Before she knew what had happened, she was pushed out of the way in a flurry of yellow and pink. One of Fluttershy’s hooves collided with the side of her head, and Rarity’s vision went dark. As she lost consciousness, only one thought came to mind.
Fluttershy… be safe.
The Diamond Dog grabbed the first soft, warm pony body that met his hands. He retreated underground, before he even had time to survey his catch.
The creatures filled in the craters, to ensure that they wouldn’t be followed, and then descended through the labyrinthine passages of the Diamond Dog mines. Even if they were followed, there was no way that they could be found by anyone not intimately familiar with those passages.

*** *** ***

“The raid went off without a hitch, I suppose?”
“General, I…”
General Schnauzer glared at his underling. “This had better be good, Captain Beagle.”
Captain Beagle swallowed and stammered, “It wasn’t my fault, Sir, it was the privates’. They mixed up the…”
“As long as we have Miss Rarity,” barked the General, the name feeling like acid on his tongue, “Please tell me we have that one.”
“You can’t blame them, Sir, they weren’t with Spot, Rover, and Fido that day. They never would have seen her. All that they knew was that she was the unicorn. And isn’t it just our luck, there were two unicorns today.”
The general raised an eyebrow, a sick light gleaming in one watery yellow eye. “Describe this other unicorn for me, Captain Beagle.”
“Well, Sir, she’s small, and purple, and…”
“I seem to recall that Spot’s report on the Rarity incident included a purple unicorn, with a small dragon on her back. This unicorn seemed to be the leader of the group who came to rescue that whining creature. Of course, it isn’t the same level of offense, but she still created quite an embarrassment, did she not?”
“Yes, Sir, I believe you’re right,” said Captain Beagle, his voice full of measured relief. Maybe he would keep his job after all. “Then, the procedure, Sir…?”
“Is to go on according to plan. These ponies will run the Triple Crown, as if this new unicorn was Miss Rarity herself.”

The Procedure

View Online

Triple Crown: Friendship Sequence
Chapter 2 – The Procedure

Fluttershy opened her eyes, and was surprised at what she saw. Diamond Dogs, as she remembered from her last foray into their subterranean territory, lived among dirt and rocks, in filthy, torch-lit corridors. This room however was clean, almost sterile. There was a cold light in the room that made Fluttershy feel uneasy. She tried to move, but found that she was too dizzy to do so.
She decided to look around her surroundings in more detail, and realized that she was not on the ground. She was lying on a slab, one that she recognized as a surgeon’s table. As much as she hated to operate on her poor little critters, she had a basic knowledge of surgery and, in a pinch, could perform it herself. It made her very squeamish, though, and just being in this room made Fluttershy extremely woozy.
Her head was already clouded enough. Had she been drugged? She couldn’t tell.
Just then, a tall, grey shape loomed over her. It was a Diamond Dog, long and lean. He was dressed, much to Fluttershy’s surprise, in a clean, white outfit. She felt a chill creep up her spine as she realized that he fit in all too well in this room. Obviously, he was a surgeon.
“Hello, my little pony,” he said, in a calm, measured voice. “How are you feeling? Might I ask what your name is?” He had the slightest hint of a rough accent that Fluttershy couldn’t exactly place.
“Umm… I’m Fluttershy,” she replied in the loudest voice that she could muster.
“Fluttershy, did you say? You have a very quiet voice, my dear. I am Dr. Pinscher. Dr. Doberman Pinscher, at your service. Now, you seem to be a rather shy little thing. That’s interesting. That’s very interesting.”
Fluttershy said nothing. She could feel her pulse racing. As calm as he sounded, she didn’t like Dr. Pinscher. It wasn’t bad enough that he was a stranger, but there was something very intimidating about him.
“Why don’t you speak?”
She gulped hard, swallowing nothing. Her mouth was suddenly very, very dry. Come on, Fluttershy, she told herself, he’s not a pony. He’s just a big dog. You like puppies, don’t you, Fluttershy? Just say something!
“Where… where are my friends?” she asked quietly, trying to keep her voice from squeaking.
“You don’t need to worry about them just yet, my dear. I’m sure that they’re just fine. Well... they are right now, at any rate.”
“What is going to happen to them?”
“Oh, nothing to worry about, little Fluttershy. Anyway, you look very hungry. Are you hungry?”
“No, not really, thank you.” Actually, Fluttershy was a bit hungry. However, she knew that Diamond Dogs were, like all canines, mostly carnivorous. She knew that they would probably feed her meat, and that it wouldn’t agree with her equine stomach. Not only that, but Fluttershy hated the idea of eating meat. She accepted that some animals did it for survival, but she could never eat a sweet little animal.
Dr. Pinscher chuckled. “No, no, I insist.” He snapped his fingers, and two other Diamond Dogs appeared. Each carried a plate with a delicious-looking salad on it. Fluttershy sighed in relief. She thanked the dogs with the salads, and began weakly nibbling on one of them. She met their eyes, though, and paused. She didn’t like how they looked at her with those gleaming yellow eyes of theirs. They looked as if they knew some dirty little secret that was theirs to know and hers to find out.
“Umm, excuse me, but I was just wondering why….”
One of them cut her off. “Less talking. Eat up, little pony.”
Fluttershy demurely lowered her head back to the plate, gracefully eating her salad.
“You see, Fluttershy,” said Dr. Pinscher, “We feel that you, at least, should get a decent meal. After all, it isn’t every prisoner we get who is as polite and gentle as you. This is why you will get such an easy, sweet treatment. Compared to your friends, at least.”
Fluttershy stopped, fear curdling her blood in her veins. “What… what did you say?”
“Hmm? Oh,” continued Dr. Pinscher, “Just that you should consider yourself very, very lucky. I know for a fact that, as we speak, the purple unicorn and the blue pegasus are not relaxing and eating salads.”
“What are you doing to them?”
“Never mind, never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Please… please tell me. Is there anything I can do to lighten their tortures? Why can’t I trade places with them? They don’t deserve anything cruel or harsh. They never did anything to you.”
Dr. Pinscher shook his head. “That’s not true, you all did. You all attacked a mining company in the midst of an important dig, and stole a very important captive from them.”
“But I thought it was Rarity who had those Diamond Dogs captive,” said Fluttershy quietly, afraid to contradict her captor, but too worried about her friends to care much for her own well-being.
Dr. Pinscher raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps. But still, you and your friends are on wanted posters all across Diamond Dog territory. You will be subjected to the same punishments as any heinous criminal of our own kind. You are foreigners, though, so luckily for us, the same legal channels will not have to be pursued. My orders come directly from the top of the Diamond Dog military. And I am to give you the lightest sentence possible in your situation. Your friends will not be so lucky. And there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.”
Fluttershy felt hot, bitter tears beginning to well up in her eyes. “I could never live with myself if I let you torture my friends.”
“Well, you won’t have much choice in the matter. You will have to live with yourself, powerless to save your friends; perhaps you will even help us torment them.”
“No! No, I will never help you! What makes you think I would ever do anything to hurt my friends? I would never become a monster like you!”
“As I said,” said Dr. Pinscher calmly, “You won’t have much choice. Ah, I see you’ve done with your meal.” He grinned an odd, nightmarish grin. “I hope you’re feeling satisfied.”
Fluttershy said nothing. She was no longer afraid of her captors. She was too busy being afraid of herself. Before she could say anything, the two Diamond Dogs who had been standing by the door of the room came towards her, one with shears in his hands, and the other with a gas mask. She began to protest as the first began to clip her tail, but was silenced by the mask.
Soon, Fluttershy fell into a deep sleep.

*** *** ***

Rainbow Dash yawned widely, and went to stretch. She had had a great sleep, and she was ready to bake some cupcakes with Pinkie Pie. That’s what she was going to do today, right? She blearily tried to focus her thoughts, but everything came into sharp relief as she realized that her limbs were too weak to stretch.
What gives!? She thought, snapping her eyes open.
She smiled for a moment as she realized what she was lying on. A surgical slab? You’re repeating yourself, Pinkie my dear. The last prank that silly, random mare had played on her had been a real doozy. Hadn’t that one started with some nonsense about cupcakes as well? Pinkie had dropped the knife before making a single incision, laughing maniacally. You should have seen the look on your face, Dashie! Priceless!
This wasn’t Pinkie’s apartment, though, filled with stuffed animals looking like corpses and covered in fake blood. This was a clean, clean room that smelled of chemicals.
Suddenly, a tall, thin Diamond Dog walked in the room.
“Where am I? What’s going on?”
“Patience, my dear. My name is Dr. Pinscher, Dr. Doberman Pinscher. And what might yours be?”
She bristled at the question. “I guess I wouldn’t expect a mutt like you to know me. I’m Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria! Now, where the hell am I?”
“You’re underground, Rainbow Dash. You’re in a Diamond Dog prison hospital. I’m afraid we don’t put too much stock in your aerial abilities here.”
“A prison hospital? But I haven’t done anything wrong!”
Dr. Pinscher hung his head, looking at her with sad eyes. “No, maybe you haven’t. I suppose you’re just a victim of circumstance, then.”
“What? Why am I here!?”
“You see, Rainbow Dash, we Diamond Dogs do justice a little differently than most creatures. What’s the best way to make someone suffer?”
“Uhhh… I dunno. Keep them in a cage?”
“No, Rainbow Dash. You make them hurt the ones they love. And so, when we want to punish those who have committed the greatest crimes, we capture both the criminal and his or her best friends. I guess you were just a poor friend of a criminal. Oh well, I guess that’s too bad for you, then.”
“None of my friends are criminals!”
“I beg to differ. The purple unicorn led a fighting squad against a company of miners. Many were injured, thanks to her and her baby dragon. She must be punished. You, I suppose, are just an unfortunate victim of her criminal behavior.”
“Hell, we just came down here to get Rarity back. She did something stupid, got herself captured, and it was up to us to rescue her!”
“You mean, like you did? You were captured, as well, this time.”
Rainbow Dash frowned at the remark. Dammit, the Diamond Dog had a point. “Yeah, so what are you going to do to me. You said something about making the criminal hurt their friend, right?”
“Something like that, yes.”
“So what, am I going to have to fight Twilight or something? Battle her to the death? I love her like a sister, but if you think Twilight Sparkle could hurt me, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“I suppose you’re right. That’s why you have to be placed in a position that makes you absolutely harmless.”
“Say what?” Somehow, thought Dash, this had to be Twilight’s fault. From the sounds of it, all of this stupid crap had something to do with that egghead. Hell, maybe even Rarity. She was completely innocent, and here she was, lying on a surgical slab and too weak to move.
Silently, Dr. Pinscher slipped a needle into Dash’s foreleg. He depressed the plunger, and Dash winced.
“Sorry, Rainbow Dash. It’s too late for anyone to stop this, now.”
Another Diamond Dog came into the room with a pair of shears, and trimmed Dash’s mane, leaving her completely bald.
She felt her eyes grow heavy, and the last thing she saw was a sharp, gleaming knife descending towards her face.
Then, the world went black.

*** *** ***

Twilight woke gradually, the wheels in her head groggily beginning to turn. She didn’t try to move; she needed time to think. She remembered that the Diamond Dogs had captured her, but that was it. They had Dash, too, and maybe even Fluttershy, Rarity, and Spike. She had to get out of here, and she had to find her friends as well.
She scoped the room out with her magic, to make sure that no one else was around. When she was satisfied that she was completely alone, she opened her eyes.
She took in her surroundings. Surgical slab? Check. Weird-looking tools? Check. Chemical smell? Check. Cold lighting? Check.
Obviously, she thought, this was some sort of clinic. Not the friendly, welcoming kind like Nurse Redheart’s back in Ponyville. This was more like the creepy dentist’s office in Canterlot that she used to go to as a filly. This lighting was obviously magical, and the only creatures capable of wielding those tools were unicorns and creatures with some form of hand.
…Like Diamond Dogs. This does not look good.
Suddenly, the door swung open. A tall, lean figure strode towards her, a look of calm malice in its golden eyes.
“Hello, Twilight Sparkle. I am Dr. Pinscher, Dr. Doberman Pinscher.”
“Hello, Dr. Pinscher,” said Twilight, struggling to remember her diplomacy. “Are you the person in charge, here? If you aren’t, is there any way that I could request an audience with anyone above you? While I realize that I am obviously a captive of some sort, I feel that it must be within my rights to inquire about my incarcerated state.”
A nasty smile appeared on the surgeon’s face. “I am so glad, my dear, to hear that you are obviously the most intelligent and diplomatic of your friends. It makes your… unique position so much more interesting.”
“I’m terribly sorry, Doctor, but I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Even though you and your two pegasus friends will all be forced to run the Triple Crown, and the details of this punishment will not be revealed to you until it is completed, you are the only one with whom I am obliged to share a general overview of this sentence, and the logic behind it. It’s always so much more interesting when the Pain runner is the one who is most well-equipped to understand the implications of the procedure.”
“Procedure? Pain runner? I don’t follow.”
“Tell me, Twilight Sparkle, are you in any way familiar with the Diamond Dog judicial system?”
“No,” said the unicorn, always a bit disappointed when faced with a subject that she could not discuss intelligently, “it is a subject I had not researched. Perhaps I will do some reading up on it when I return to Ponyville. I’m sure there must be a book somewhere in my library that deals with it.”
The Diamond Dog shook his head. “No, there will not be. Diamond Dogs do not share their ways with ponies, and we never have. In fact, we had, until the incident with this rebellious unicorn slave, seen you as nothing more than unintelligent beasts of burden. Now, we will no longer underestimate you ponies. This is why you have merited the sentence of a Triple Crown, to show that ponies can be punished, just as Diamond Dogs can, and do not need a trial to be so treated. The procedure was initially planned with this Rarity as the Pain runner, and any of the other five ponies mentioned in the report about the incident to be the other two. Unfortunately, a case of mistaken identity led Captain Beagle’s team to take you, instead of Rarity. Luckily for us (but not so much for you), the report cast you and your baby dragon as the leaders of the team to re-capture Rarity. This made you her perfect replacement. I must also point out one more flaw in your logic, Twilight Sparkle: you will not be returning to Ponyville. The Triple Crown is almost always fatal for both the Pain and Resentment runners. Quickly, if you’re lucky.”
“I’m confused. Isn’t the Triple Crown a series of races?”
“No, at least, not that I know of. It is a procedure in which three criminals are subjected to both physical and psychological torment, and we typically reserve it for murderers and rapists. Only the most heinous of criminals are made Pain runners.”
“But what is a Pain runner? And why does it have to be three?”
“The first runner is the Guilt runner. The third is the Resentment runner. And the second, my dear, is the Pain runner. This ‘middleman” finds it very difficult to communicate with either comrade, endures the greatest amount of physical pain, and is allotted a measure of both resentment and guilt, making it by far the worst position to be in.”
“I’m still not sure I understand.”
“You will, soon enough. Now, Twilight Sparkle, you must go back to sleep.”
“No!” she screamed, wrapping a telekinetic field around Dr. Pinscher, immobilizing him. “I may not be able to move, but I still have my magic, and there’s no way you’re torturing me or my friends!”
“Guards!” called Dr. Pinscher. Again, the door swung open, and before Twilight had time to think, another Diamond Dog had injected her with some sort of fluid.
She felt her magic grow weaker, and she finally released Dr. Pinscher from her telekinetic grasp.
“Now, begin the procedure proper,” said the surgeon, donning mask and gloves.
Twilight watched, her mind growing duller, as both her mane and tail were cut by the Diamond Dog goons.
My friends… Stay safe… thought Twilight, before thought left her entirely.

*** *** ***

Fluttershy opened her eyes after another, longer sleep. Again, she felt weak, but this time was so much worse. Before, she had just been weak. Now, she was completely numb. A sting of saliva hung from her lip, her hair hung awkwardly in front of her face. It should have been uncomfortable, but it felt like nothing.
She looked around with her eyeballs, unable to turn her head. Gone was the sterile operation room. Now, she was in an area that looked much closer to her initial conception of Diamond Dog architecture. This was a dungeon. Dirt floor, stone walls, iron bars, and torch light.
Slowly, painfully, she began to experiment with her limbs. They could move a bit, and that was a comfort. Her wings were gradually getting their movement back.
As sensation trickled back into her body, however, she noticed something disturbing. She couldn’t swish her tail. In fact, it didn’t feel like she had a tail at all. And yet, a burning, straining pain ran all throughout her rump and flanks. She tried to move forward, but couldn’t, as if a heavy burden chained her to the floor.
She moved her eyes desperately. She seemed to be alone. She couldn’t see Twilight or Rainbow Dash. Presumably, they were in another cell, unless they were just somewhere behind her, and she couldn’t move to check. There was a cloth covering something on one wall. It might have been a painting or something equally mundane, thought Fluttershy, but it also could have been a door. She strained towards it, but couldn’t move.
I have to try, she thought, and proceeded to attempt to move herself forward. Millimeters at a time, she thought she might be succeeding.

*** *** ***

Rainbow Dash awoke, and for a split second, she thought she had gone blind. If I’m blind, she thought, why can I look up? Or to the side?
Had the Diamond Dogs muzzled her or something? When she looked to the right, she saw a stone wall. When she looked to the left, she saw another stone wall with a cloth draped over it. When she looked up, she saw a boring stone ceiling. When she looked down, she saw only her own muzzle. When she looked straight ahead, she saw only a blurry field of purple, way too close to her eyes for comfort.
Her body was completely numb, but she wiggled her legs and wings to make sure they were still in perfect working order. They were.
She suddenly had to yawn. She tried to open her mouth, and found that it already was open. She couldn’t open it any wider, but she couldn’t close it, either. What a strange sensation.
She moved her tongue around in her mouth, and her blood ran cold. What happened to my teeth? Why can’t I feel my teeth? Speaking of sensation, hers was on its way back.
Pain shot through her face, like the time she had to have a few rotten teeth removed as a filly, but considerably worse. It was all through her gums, and across her cheeks, which felt swollen and lacerated.
She tried to pull herself backwards, but failed miserably. Whatever muzzle those Diamond Dogs had fitted her with, it was weighing her down. She scooted herself backward, desperate to make some sort of motion. Inch by inch, she thought she might be succeeding.

*** *** ***

Eyes still closed, Twilight awoke to a strange sensation. Even though her body was numb and heavy, it felt as though someone had tied ropes to her head and her flanks, and was slowly pulling her apart.
Sensations flooded back into her body, and pain consumed her. Her entire being was pain. Her mouth was swollen, it tasted like blood. Her flanks felt as though someone had sliced them apart. She had never imagined such pain.
She let her eyes remain closed, terrified of what she would see if she opened them.
“Stop moving,” said a gruff voice. “It’s feeding time. Those are the orders.”
Twilight felt the emptiness in her stomach. She knew that she was hungry, but she couldn’t focus on that sensation when she was in so much pain. At least the feeling of being torn apart stopped with the voice.
She heard something clatter, like a key in a lock. Rusty hinges squealed, and a metal door slammed shut. Something like a metallic disk clattered to the ground with a thud, and Twilight assumed that that was the food.
She listened intently as she thought she heard something like Fluttershy’s voice. “No thank you, I ate before I was put under.”
“Well, you’re supposed to eat again. We were told you might not want to, after you’ve seen.”
“Seen what?”
“Eat first.”
“I don’t want to eat,” said Fluttershy. “Where are my friends? I thought they were being hurt. I don’t want to be treated any better than them!”
Twilight stiffened. A memory came back. Something about guilt? She tried to open her mouth and tell Fluttershy, but found that she couldn’t. Her mouth was frozen in a wide-open position. She noticed with a start, through the burning pain in her cheeks, that her teeth were gone, and some obstruction blocked her open mouth. Against her better judgment, she attempted to investigate it with the tip of her tongue. Suddenly, something pulled her face again, as it had done before.
“What was that!?” A frightened Fluttershy seemed to forget herself for a minute, thought Twilight, in response to some unusual stimulus. But why this pulling on Twilight’s own face?
“Eat, damn you!” shouted the Diamond Dog.
Fluttershy said nothing, and Twilight assumed that she had lost her willpower under the intimidating jailer’s force.
Satisfied, the voice continued. “Fine. I guess it’s time you see exactly what the Triple Crown looks like.”
Twilight heard the sound of cloth being pulled aside. Fluttershy screamed. The pulling on Twilight’s flanks resumed, even harder than before.
She couldn’t keep her eyes closed any longer; she had to see what made Fluttershy scream like that.
Twilight wanted to scream herself, but couldn’t.
The wall to her left was a mirror. There lay Fluttershy, her hair covering her face. There lay Rainbow Dash, beating her wings futilely.
There lay Twilight, trapped between the two, in a single-file line.
They had been stitched together, like one long train, and where each pony ended, the next one began, her face buried against the flanks of the one before her.
Twilight didn’t even want to know what would happen next.

The Aftermath

View Online

Triple Crown: Friendship Sequence
Chapter 3 – The Aftermath

“Rarity, are you absolutely sure we’re goin’ the right way? I mean, I can’t help but get the feelin’ that we’ve seen this particular rock before.” Applejack felt fear welling up in her chest. How long did Rarity say she had been unconscious for? An hour, maybe? Add that to the hour it took to round everypony up and bring them out to the mines, plus the Celestia-knows-how-long they had been wandering around in the darkness… Where would their friends be by now?
“Don’t worry, silly,” said Pinkie Pie, a bit of concern coloring her usually-fearless voice. “We’ve been in these caves before; I’m sure we’ll find them eventually!” This was the doozy. Her friends had been kidnapped by Diamond Dogs, and now they were probably being tortured, or maybe even worse. No, Pinkie Pie, no bad thoughts. Remember what Granny Pie said? Pinkie began to chuckle, a harsh, nervous laughter.
“I… I’m not sure.” Rarity bit her lower lip. “The Diamond Dogs’ passages are an absolute maze, and I don’t know where they would have taken our friends. Wherever it is, I’m sure it can’t be very nice. I’m sure Pinkie’s right, though. She does have her ways of… sensing these things.”
Pinkie nodded, not wanting to voice her concerns. Of course, of course, she would know if anything horrible was happening to them. Let them believe she was psychic. Let them forget her Pinkie Sense didn’t work that way. Let them think whatever they wanted, it might make them feel better. Making ponies feel better, after all, was what Pinkie Pie lived for.

*** *** ***

Hang in there, Fluttershy, come on, Fluttershy, you have to hang in there! The yellow Pegasus let the tears roll down her face, her hooves dug resolutely in the stones of their nightmarish prison.
For hours, they had laid there, stood there, shifted, tried to be comfortable despite the pain. She couldn’t see what her friends were doing, couldn’t know what they were thinking. They screamed occasionally, a horrifying, muffled sound. Other than that, though, she had no way of knowing.
All she knew was that she had an absolutely duty to uphold. Fluttershy knew a bit about biology, including the fragility of a pony’s digestive tract. They weren’t as hardy as Diamond Dogs were. Sure, she had seen Pinkie Pie choke down things that would make your average mare on the street feel rather ill, but she was certain that there were certain shocks it wasn’t equipped to handle.
Besides, she couldn’t even imagine how horrible it would be to actually…. No, no, that was a route her mind couldn’t go down. She was going to remain as clinical as she could. She was a healer of animals, though; she couldn’t do anything about ponies. All of her medical knowledge would only make her feel worse, over time. For now, though, she could hide behind it.
Still, she had a duty, and she stuck to it resolutely. All of Fluttershy’s willpower was concentrated on one thing and one thing alone. She could never live with the guilt if she were to actually….
No, she wouldn’t even think about it. It simply wasn’t going to happen. She couldn’t subject Twilight to that kind of horror. Besides, this way, she wouldn’t become a monster.
It was as the Diamond Dogs said. She would be treated much better than the others. She would be forced to hurt them. If she tried, though, she knew she could avoid it.
She would stay strong; she would focus all of her will on her internal organs. They would obey her commands, whether they wanted to or not.
But then, came that little, nagging, medical-pony voice, certain actions are almost completely involuntary. How long will you actually be able to hold out?
“As long as it takes,” she whispered to herself. “As long as it takes. As long as it takes, as long as it takes, as long as it… as long as it takes as long as it takes as long as it… takes-as-long-as-it-takes-as…LONG-AS-IT-TAKES!”
Fluttershy bit her lip, shutting off the stream of words that barely sounded like words anymore. They continued running in her head, though. If she didn’t obey them, she was worthless, she didn’t deserve her friends, she didn’t deserve to live. She played them again and again in her head, biting her lip harder and harder, stamping one back hoof in frustration.
It couldn’t last, and she knew it. She’d be lucky if it last five minutes. She’d eaten those salads… how long ago? Besides, they would be stuck down here for… she didn’t want to think about how long.
She felt her willpower slip, she felt her control slip.
Tears rolled down her face harder than before.
She was going to fail.
“Twi… Twilight,” she squeaked nervously. “I… I don’t know how to say this… I… I don’t want to, but… Oh, Twilight, I’m so sorry…”

*** *** ***

Rainbow Dash heard Fluttershy’s words, and her muscles stiffened in horror. It was beginning. She heard Fluttershy’s sobs come harder and harder, and then a sound that she never wanted to hear again. She couldn’t describe it, didn’t want to. She dropped her ears tightly, to muffle the already horrifically-muffled sound.
Twilight was crying too, now, she could tell. She was worried, for a moment, that her friend would simply choke, and that would be the end of that.
The sound stopped, and only the sobs of the ponies in front of her remained.
Dash felt her blood run cold. She felt moisture begin in her eyes. No, dammit, no crying! You’re not a filly anymore!
She tried to rub her eyes, but lowered her hoof quickly when she couldn’t do it without jabbing Twilight in the leg. Instead, she blinked back the tears, trying to remind herself that it wasn’t anyone’s fault that they were down here. Twilight was her friend! She had known Fluttershy since they were just fillies!
But Twilight’s the only one they wanted, she thought bitterly. Sure, her only crime was to save Rarity, and there’s no way she deserves this. But I don’t deserve it either! What did I do, anyway!? And Fluttershy, why does she get to be all nice-and-cozy in the front? Why was she the one crying? Didn’t she get fed nice salads? Didn’t she get to eat real food, and speak, and have her hair? Couldn’t she breathe unobstructed, without her jaws wrenched open? Why cowardly little Fluttershy? What did she ever do to deserve to have it so good, when I’m trapped all the way back here!?
As far as she knew, Dash would be stuck there for years, her face permanently part of the egghead’s backside. That was something that she couldn’t tolerate, and wouldn’t stand for.
She flapped her wings wildly, and felt her heart skip a beat in rapture when her hooves left the ground. She heard Twilight’s muffled screams as she lifted her back half up with her, and heard Fluttershy squeak when she began to be pulled as well.
Rainbow Dash touched back down again, suddenly aware that she was hurting her friends even more. Well, so what? Twilight’s going to be torturing me soon enough, and Fluttershy’s torturing us both!
She whipped her tail in frustration. She couldn’t fly, she could barely even move, without hurting those two. The coward and the egghead. Why should she care?
Because they’re your friends, said a tiny little voice inside her head.
Rainbow Dash sighed, a thoughtless action that only made it harder to catch her breath for a few seconds. Her inner voice was right, maybe she was being too harsh.
Yet, she couldn’t shake those black seeds that had been planted. Not after hearing what had happened to Twilight; not after realizing that she was the only one who wouldn’t become a monster, an implement of torture. She resented her friends, and if that was wrong, Rainbow Dash didn’t even want to be right.

*** *** ***

Twilight Sparkle tried to comfort Fluttershy. She felt bad for herself, and a part of her almost wanted to hate Fluttershy for putting her through that. She knew, however, that the sensitive pegasus hadn’t asked for this anymore than she had.
She knew that Fluttershy was tearing herself apart for losing control of her organs, and all she wanted was to tell her that it was OK, that there was nothing she could have done, that Twilight forgave her.
There was just one problem. Twilight could no longer speak. She tried to grunt, but it was muffled. She tried to use her hoof to comfort Fluttershy, but every movement she made was nothing but awkward.
Her whole body ached and her stomach groaned in protest, but the thing that hurt Twilight Sparkle the most was knowing that she couldn’t get through to her friends. She would have to watch and listen as Fluttershy suffered.
What about Rainbow Dash? She was probably suffering, too, thought Twilight. She didn’t seem as emotional about the whole thing, but Twilight had felt Rainbow Dash try to fly away. She felt her body leave the ground for a moment, and had felt for a second what it felt like for a pegasus to fly. It might have been a pleasant feeling, if not for the terribly painful pulling that occurred when Dash had done it.
Resentment, thought Twilight. Those damned Diamond Dogs probably gave her some sort of victim complex. Now she just wants to get out. She’s going to hate me if I lose control, too. She probably already hates Fluttershy.
Twilight felt her tears trickle down her face, and felt her complete powerlessness. Two of her best friends were suffering. It wasn’t just a physical suffering, either, but a terrible psychological pain that Twilight couldn’t ease. She couldn’t talk to them, couldn’t reassure them, couldn’t even tell them how much they meant to her.
This was true pain.
No, thought Twilight, inspiration suddenly hitting her. I do NOT have to be powerless. Not anymore. This has gone on long enough!

*** *** ***

Fluttershy’s world had completely fallen apart. She had failed in her duties, let down her friends. She wasn’t even a pony; a pony wouldn’t do such a thing. She was a monster, maybe something closer to a Diamond Dog. Twilight would probably never forgive her. She had heard that choking, that screaming, that crying. She had felt that pulling that might have been Twilight trying to hurt her in revenge. She had felt Twilight nudge her awkwardly, in what might have been attempts at blows.
Suddenly, a new feeling gripped her. This was an odd sensation, one she had never felt before. There was an uncomfortably itchy sensation at the base of her skull, and the odd sound of a strained whisper.
She tried to shake her head to rid herself of the awkward feeling, but it persisted. The whisper seemed to get louder, but it still didn’t sound like words.
“Who’s talking? Who’s there?”
Sssh, said the whisper, and Fluttershy obeyed, too scared to speak.
Fluttershy… Can you hear me?
“Y… yes, voice, I hear you loud and clear, now. Who are you?”
I said “sssh,” responded the whisper. Just think what you want to say really hard. Concentrate.
Fluttershy closed her eyes and strained really hard. She didn’t know what the voice was, but it knew her name, and it did sound rather familiar. She decided to trust it.
Like this? She asked with her mind.
Perfect! It works! Ha, I knew this spell would come in handy!
Twi… Twilight!? How are you… How am I… How are we...!?
I’ll explain later, Fluttershy. It’s just a little something I’ve been working on.
Oh, Twilight, I’m so, so sorry about when I…
No, let’s not even talk about it. I forgive you; you can’t help it. Do you want to see if we can expand the network?
What do you mean?
If we can talk to Dash, the three of us might be able to come up with a way out of this awful mess.
Oh, yes please! Fluttershy’s heart beat fast with excitement. If they could get out of here, they might have a chance again. Maybe her friends would live. Maybe she could be a pony again. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to forgive herself.
Concentrate on her, then. Come on, Dash, we need you….

*** *** ***

Rainbow Dash ruffled her feathers in annoyance. If she tried to scratch the back of her head, she’d just ram her front leg into Twilight’s back one… again. Seriously, if it weren’t for the incisions hurting like a bitch and… well, the obvious… this would really be more of a torture-by-annoyance than anything.
She just couldn’t shake the itch and, what’s more, she was starting to hear voices. Now that couldn’t be a good sign. Had this sick, twisted thing that the Diamond Dogs called torture finally driven her crazy?
Rainbow, I know you can’t talk just now, said the louder of the two voices all of a sudden, but please, think as hard as you can about whatever you want to say. Just think about it, OK?
Think about it? Think about what?
Good, good, you’re doing it! The voice sounded absolutely overjoyed.
Oh, yay, thought Dash, in the most sarcastic tone she could muster without using her literal voice, I’m just sooo excited.
Please, Rainbow Dash, just focus, OK?
Yes… umm… please? We may be able to get out of here. The quieter voice was now audible, and seemed to concur with the first. The idea of escape, however was new.
Waitaminute, that quiet voice sounded like… Fluttershy? What are you doing in my head? And is that you, Egghead… uh… I mean, Twilight?
Yes, Rainbow, it’s us, said the Twilight voice authoritatively. Now please, we really need to put our heads together! Figuratively speaking, of course.
So what? How are we gonna break out? We can barely move! What do you want us to do, break down the bars and fly the heck out of here?
No, we’re going to need a plan, said Twilight. And the first thing we’re going to want to do is to learn how to walk.
That… that actually sounds pretty easy, said Fluttershy, sounding a bit braver than she had before.
Easy? It’s gonna be a cakewalk! Rainbow Dash finally felt confident with the whole mind-talking thing, and she was ready to go.
Good. On my count, girls. Left foreleg. One, two, THREE!
In perfect unison, the girls stepped out with their left forelegs.
Twilight would have smiled if she could have moved her mouth.

*** *** ***

“Hey, hey Cocker!” The Diamond Dog guard outside of the prisoners’ cell called to his comrade. “You gotta check this out! Look at these crazy ponies!”
“This had better be good, Iggy,” sighed Cocker, absolutely hating looking at Triple Crowns. They were the worst prisoners to have, really. Never stopped screaming, and just the very idea of it… Oh, it made his blood run cold.
Cocker and Iggy stood and watched, their lips turning up at the corner, and a chuckle beginning to come out.
“How cute!” called Cocker.
“They’ve found a way to make the Triple Crown bearable to watch! Bravissima, my little ponies!” Iggy hooted, watching the marvel unfold before his eyes.
The three mares were marching in step, gradually picking up speed. They were walking perfectly, almost as naturally as if they had been born that way. It was really entertaining to watch.
The guards were glad that, unlike Diamond Dog Triple Crowns, the ponies’ legs did not have to be disabled. The ponies, being natural quadrupeds, fit perfectly into the procedure without any modification. Not only did it make them more amusing, but it also reminded them that these were ponies. Maybe they were clever animals, but they were animals nonetheless. They weren’t real people, not Diamond Dogs, and that made their pain all the more bearable to witness.

*** *** ***

They’re watching us, Twilight, squeaked Fluttershy nervously. What should we do?
Tell ‘em off, Fluttershy! Rainbow Dash snarled, don’t let ‘em make fun of us! Oh, if I could talk to them, I’d…
No, no, this is a good thing. Twilight felt the wheels turning in her head, and knew that her plan was perfect. They think this is funny. If they like us, maybe they could be convinced to let us out for a moment. So we have to practice something new, but I’m not sure how well it will work.
Can’t hurt to try it, said Dash.
Suddenly, Dash was blinded by a magenta light in her field of vision. It seemed that Twilight’s rump was encased in light.
What are you doing? Dash asked, eyes wide with wonder.
I’m trying to levitate. You two are holding me down, though. You know what you have to do, right? On my count, FLAP! One, two, THREE!
With Twilight counting and holding herself up, the three ponies were suddenly airborne. Twilight’s magic kept her weight from pulling terribly on their sutures, and the pain was kept to a bearable minimum.

*** *** ***

A whole pack of Diamond Dogs had assembled in front of the Triple Crown’s cell. As if it wasn’t cool enough when they were marching around like perfect little soldiers, now they were zooming about the room! This was one of the most entertaining things that they had ever seen! They whooped and hollered, some cheering them on, others taking bets over how long it would take for them to crash-land.
Yet they all watched, enthralled, as their captives put on a show for them. Finally, their jobs were interesting! Finally, their jobs were bearable!

*** *** ***

Wow, said Rainbow Dash, unable to keep a tiny amount of perverse excitement from creeping into her mental voice, They really like us! Is this what it feels like to be a Wonderbolt?
Focus, Dash, scolded Twilight, this is no time to…
Twilight? What is it? Fluttershy’s mental voice was nervous. Why had her friend suddenly cut off?
Let’s land for a minute, said Twilight, I don’t feel so good. Dash… I feel I have to warn you in advance….

*** *** ***

The Diamond Dog crowd was displeased when the Triple Crown finally came in for a landing. They wanted to see more aerial feats!
Then the choking began again, and the crowd turned their heads in disgust.
This is why no one really liked the Triple Crowns. They really were the worst prisoners to have. Several turned and went back to their posts.

*** *** ***

As the Diamond Dogs began to leave, Fluttershy felt fear welling up in her heart. She would check on Twilight and Dash later. Now, she had to do something. This was her chance. She would redeem herself. This was the difference between rescue, or further torment!
“Oh, wise and powerful Diamond Dogs, do not go away!” Fluttershy put on her most desperate, begging voice. The monsters seemed to stop and listen to her entreaties. “We are very tired, you know. We’ve been flying around this tiny cell to entertain you, and it’s really, really boring. Couldn’t you please just let us out to fly around the block a little bit?”
They guards stood around, unsure of how to respond. “We can’t do that. We’re under direct orders.”
“Oh, but couldn’t you please? We… umm… we just want to cheer you up a little bit. It must be very frustrating to listen to… that… all day,” said Fluttershy, inclining her head back towards the suffering Rainbow Dash. “Won’t you please let us make you smile? Just a little bit?”
Fluttershy remembered how easily manipulated Diamond Dogs could be. Just because some of them were smarter than the miners didn’t necessarily mean that they all were. Maybe, just maybe, these ones would listen to her.
For once, something went right.
The rusty iron bars swung open. The ponies had a clear passage out into the hallway.

*** *** ***

Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I’m really, really sorry.
Twilight felt anxious when Dash’s mental voice was silent. Had her friend died? Or was she just not speaking to her?
A wave of relief flooded her as a small, tentative voice finally answered: It’s… It’s OK, Twilight. Just… please, please never do that again.
Well, said Twilight, Fluttershy just came through for us! I don’t think I’m ever going to have to again.
Yeah! Way to go, Fluttershy!
Fluttershy said nothing, but blushed. She had earned her friends’ approval, and that was all that really mattered.
I’m… I’m sorry that I was so harsh on you guys before, said Rainbow, truly penitent.
What are you talking about? Twilight Sparkle was confused. Why did Rainbow Dash feel the need to apologize to them?
I just… I was feeling pretty bad about you guys back there. But now.... Well, I’m just glad you guys are my friends.
Come on girls, let’s not waste this opportunity! Twilight wrapped herself in her levitation magic once more. We’re busting out of here!

*** *** ***

It was against his better judgment, but Iggy had been the one to slip one of his keys into the lock. He knew it wasn’t allowed, but their hearts had just melted from one glance of the yellow pony’s eyes. It was as if she wasn’t a prisoner, but a living creature that really cared about them all. She wasn’t just the Guilt Runner of a Triple Crown. She was… well… Fluttershy. Those eyes had captivated them, bewitched them, enchanted them.
But now those eyes were full of rage. They had never seen such eyes. They felt ashamed that they even existed. It was an indescribable feeling, and the Diamond Dogs didn’t like it.
Diamond Dogs had never seen the Stare before.
They also weren’t expecting so many hooves in their faces.

*** *** ***

Airborne, the trio was unstoppable. Twelve hooves of fury lashed out in all directions. The Diamond Dogs, still dumbstruck by the Stare, stood in awe as the strange Triple Crown barreled straight at them.
Of the crowd, about half were rendered unconscious by hooves to the head.
When some tried to grab the trio from the side, Dash did the only thing she could think of. She whipped her head to one side, and Fluttershy cascaded into the Diamond Dogs, knocking them into the wall.
Sorry, Fluttershy!
That’s OK, there’s more on the other side! Do it again! The usually pacifistic yellow pony was ready to take on as many Diamond Dogs as she had to, never mind the pain.
Between kicks and wild flailing, and with a little help from Twilight’s magic, they had subdued the entire crowd.
The group flew through the prison, finally stopping for breath when they knew they had lost any Diamond Dogs that might still be cautious.
We’re lucky every guard in this place came to watch us, said Twilight.
Only one problem, though. How are we getting out of here?
Dash is right, Twilight…. Do you know any spells that might help?
Twilight thought for a moment. Suddenly, it came to her. The mines are the closest part of Diamond Dog territory to the surface, right? Let me use my gem-finding spell! I’ll call directions; you girls just fly like the wind!
With that, they were off, down sideways and byways, until at last, they found the mines. They were almost at the surface.
Suddenly, they heard approaching footsteps.
Brace yourselves, called Dash, I think we’re in for another fight!

*** *** ***

Spike cautiously tip-toed a few feet ahead of his group of friends, peering ever-so-slightly around corners and walls whenever they came to a turn.
Suddenly, a large, indistinct shape barreled towards him. This wasn’t a Diamond Dog, but it didn’t really look like a pony either. In the darkness, it looked like a huge insect, flying towards them with legs wildly flailing the air.
Spike gasped as he recognized the yellow hoof that almost hit him between the eyes.
“Flu… Fluttershy?”
“Spike!? Oh, Spike! We’re so glad it’s you!”
“But… but… but… Why? How? What? I don’t even understand what I’m looking at! What happened to you three!?”
“That’s a really, really long story, Spike.”

*** *** ***

The next day, Twilight Sparkle lay in her hospital bed, thinking over the events of the past day as if they had been a dream. Nine hours they had been underground, nine hours of torment and pain. Yet, she remembered her feelings when Fluttershy overcame her guilt, when Rainbow Dash let go of her resentment. Then, the pain had stopped being pain. It left a gaping hole that could only be filled by determination.
When they finally found their friends, it had been a surreal, crazy scene. Rarity had fainted. Pinkie kept asking difficult, tactless, tasteless questions. Applejack, though, oh Applejack. The farm pony had only insisted that they help their injured friends to the surface, and take them to Nurse Redheart. “They can tell us everything later. That is, if’n they want to.”
Nurse Redheart hadn’t wasted any time. She did what she could do. Within an hour, unicorn specialists in surgery and in trauma had been called. Sutures were cut, wounds were healed, even teeth were magically restored. There was still some soreness, but Nurse Redheart had told them that that was normal. Their manes and tails would grow back, and the kind earth pony nurse had placed both Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash on special contraptions that filtered any infections that they might have received out of their blood streams.
Suddenly, her privacy curtain was pulled back, revealing her loyal assistant.
“Hey Spike,” said Twilight, happy to see him, and happy to finally have use of her actual voice again.
“Hey, Twilight, I just came to see how you were doing. You’re looking really good, and I’m so relieved. We were kinda worried for a minute there. I mean, you have no idea how bad it looked. Not to mention the whole…”
“Yes, I know, Spike.”
Spike cleared his throat uncomfortably, worried he had said something he shouldn’t have. “Is there… is there anything I can do for you, Twilight?”
Twilight thought for a moment. She looked beyond her privacy screen. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were in their own separate beds, their own screens also drawn back by well-wishers. Pinkie Pie singing happy little songs to Rainbow Dash; Rarity trying a new hat on Fluttershy, explaining that it was hers “free of charge.”
Twilight smiled softly. “Spike, take a letter.”
Spike was absolutely floored. “Take a letter!? You can’t seriously be thinking about your homework at a time like this!?”
“No, this is something I need to do.”
Spike sighed. Twilight was such a workaholic. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill from Nurse Redheart’s desk, certain that she wouldn’t miss it.
Twilight cleared her throat.
“Dear Princess Celestia,” she began, thinking long and hard about what she was going to say.
“I don’t even know where to begin in my Friendship Report today. I’m sure you’ve heard that I’m in the hospital. I don’t know if anypony’s told you why. For the moment, let’s just keep it that way. All I need to say is that no matter what kind of trouble you find yourself in, no matter how hopeless everything looks, no matter how… how hard to swallow the situation, a friend will never abandon you. A friend is a pony who can look beyond guilt, resentment, and even intense pain to help you when you are in need. Friends are ponies who will always stick together, even when they might feel like they can’t. Friends are ponies who can still believe in teamwork, no matter the obstacles. And the most important thing is, a friend is a pony who knows that just being shoved together in uncomfortably close quarters isn’t enough to be a friend. Friends have to be close in mind, as well as in body, and once they are, there is nothing that they can’t achieve. Signed, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
She frowned. It wasn’t her best work. It didn’t quite capture what she was trying to say, but she knew that, in that moment, Dash and Fluttershy had heard her. Whether they had actually overheard her, or whether it was the remnants of their telepathic network, Twilight didn’t know. It didn’t matter, though. When they smiled, she knew that it would be the most serious letter she had ever sent, her hardest-earned lesson. She also knew that she never could have asked for better friends.

END