//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: Incoming // Story: When Snow Falls // by Prophet Of Doom //------------------------------// Twilight’s eyes widened almost as much as her smile upon seeing the mare on the floor above, “Sunset!” She teleported straight up to her and embraced her in a hug, “How did you get here?” “The Crystal Mirror, it finally reopened,” Sunset half laughed, disengaging from the embrace. ”Are you ok?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at the level of concern in this question, “Of course I’m alright. Why do you ask?” “Well, when the portal opened, the journal we use to talk to each other with, suddenly filled up with messages that assume you had been trying to send me, and after that, the journey grew too hot to hold and turned to ash.” In a blink, Twilights expression changed from happiness to confusion, “How’s that possible? Did the portals reopening cause some form of magical backlash, or maybe something happened to one that affected the other…” “Twilight, focus,” -Sunset placed a hoof on her shoulder- “I came back to Equestria because I need to know what happened to the aircraft, the machine that flew through the portal.” The mode in the room suddenly went dark with the ears of Twilight and the other ponies joining them on the upper level dropped. “It crashed,” Twilight said slowly. “Just outside of Ponyville.” Sunset didn’t react, as if she knew that this outcome was inevitable, “Was it a devastating crash?” “Pretty devastating,” Said a pony that Sunset didn’t recognise. “It killed everyone aboard, save myself. And I didn’t get away unscathed.” Midnight unfolded his ‘wings’ to illustrate. Now Sunsets ears dropped, ”Oh…” “It is still good that you came, Sunset,” Cadence added. “Even though you have come here at such a bad time.” “Bad Time? What's going on?” Twilight put a hoof on Sunset’s shoulder, “We have a lot to catch up on.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The storm continued to ravage to wastes the hillside all the while Rainbow Dash and Soarin climbed it. Reaching the summit, the pair took a moment to recover their breath. “Hey, is it me or is the storm starting to lift off?” Soarin asked, looking skywards. Dash followed his gaze, “Yeah, just a little.” As if in response, a sharp wind battered the two, almost throwing them of their hooves. Soarin shivered loudly, “Dash, our patrols over now. Let's just head back.” No reply came from her, as Soarin looked away from the sky, “Dash?” Rainbow Dash’s attention was focused on the valley below. It was obscured by the storm but the faintest glow was just visible. Soarin also saw it and moved up alongside Dash, “What is that?” The blizzard suddenly cleared for a second, revealing the glowing source. A massive shield spell, being cast by several unicorns. Encompassing a massed formation of ponies. “Down!” Dash whispered sharply, as she and Soarin hunkered down. “Is it Nightmare Moon?” “Who else would it be?” -Dash to Soarin- “We need to report this.” “No, you go back. I’ll keep tabs on them in case the change direction.” Dash nodded, “Don’t do anything silly.” “I won’t,” Soarin answered, sharing a smile. “Now, go!” “Stat safe,” Dash whispered as she took off. Soarin watched her disappear into the storm before turning his sight back to the gathered ponies. The blizzard had concealed them once again. Pulling up his scarf, he cautiously made his way down the hillside. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Well, thats a certainly a…..bold plan,” Sunset responded. Twilight had just filled her in on the events of the last year and a half, of Nightmare Moon's return and the fall of Canterlot. Then of the plan that they had come up with. “It is bold but I think it can work,” Sunburst said confidently. Sunset ruled the back of her new, “But there are so many variables, like the stand in gems for the elements.” “True, but we have yet to find a better solution,” Twilight answered. “The only other alternative is an all out assault, which might not be able to get Nightmare Moon and may only destroy her host.” “None the less,” Cadence said. “It would only be prudent that we test run of this plan.” The others were nodding when a voice cut through the library, “GUYS!!” Eyes turned skywards as Rainbow Dash burst into the room, landing behind Sunset. She tried to get a message out which was only made incomprehensible by her lack of breath. “Rainbow Dash, take a moment. Get your breath back,” Luna coaxed gently. After a few deep inhales, Dash spoke, “Nightmare Moon’s making her move. She’s amassed a large army and will be here by dawn.” A grim sensation gripped everyone firmly, even drawing a large gulp from Fluttershy. Only Luna kept a somewhat stern look on her face, “She’s inadvertently forced our hand.” The group as one turned to her, “We have but two choices. We either go with this plan without the luxury of testing it, or we go for an all-out attack, which is likely to lead to a lot of casualties.” “Well that last one doesn't sound fun,” Pinkie Pie chimed in. “Not one bit.” “I’m agreeing with Pinkie on this one,” Rarity added, drawing agreeing nods from Applejack and Fluttershy. Luna turned to Cadence who was also nodding. “Despite my worries about this plan,” -Glimmer stepped up- “It is still the better of the two options.” “Are we in agreement?” Luna asked, getting a series of slow nods in response. “Very well, it is decided.” “I best get the guard ready,” Shinning Armour said before beckoning to his subordinate to follow. “Flash.” As the two made their way out, Twilight mulled over a thought she was having, “Sunset.” “Yes, Twilight?” “I was just thinking, maybe you should take Midnight and head back through the portal. You know, out of harm’s way” “Are you kidding?” -Sunset smiled- “After all you’ve done for me’ it's about time I repaid the favour.” She placed a hoof on Twilights shoulder, “I’m staying.” “Um.. What about you, Midnight?” Fluttershy asked gently. “Will you go back to your world, to your home?” Midnight did not answer immediately, clearly pondering his response, “My home is here now, in Equestria. There is nothing waiting for me on that side. Either way, it can wait. Foxtrot comes first for me.” “Well said,” Dash complimented exuberantly. “I don’t know what this plan is but I’m in.” This brought a small collective chuckle in the room. Spike though still showed concern, “There's still one thing that bugs me. No matter what we do, Nightmare Moon will use does hypnotised guards to shield her from anything we do. So how do we get around that?” “Yes, it is true that she will deploy such deplorable tactics. We’ll need to have her separate from the ones she controls,” Lune replied with a calm demeanour. “However, I do know how to so this.” “How?” A sly smile grew on Luna’s lips.