2 – Bass Drop
After a minute of silence, chatter broke out between the ponies, save for Twilight, who was silently pondering Solo’s riddle. She stepped away from her frantically inquiring group and scanned the horizon. “The path to Loyalty is as treacherous as death;” obviously Rainbow Dash’s Element. “Snow and ice as a veil to unwinding flame.” In the distance she noticed the sparse foliage across the land give way to a sheet of snow and ice. “So high, the sun never sets and the summer quit the game.” Through the shroud of cold weather she could barely make out a large spire rising from the ground, stretching will into the clouds. A smile spread across her muzzle and her eyes filled with realization.
“That’s it!” Twilight shouted through the din of her friends' chatter. “That’s where we’ll find the Element of Loyalty!” She raised a hoof and pointed to the snow-laden land as the others gathered around.
“All the way out there?” Rarity whined, dramatically. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
“Sure looks mighty far, Twilight,” Applejack chimed in. “You’re positive it’s out there?”
“Not entirely… But it’s the only lead we’ve got.” The all looked at one another and nodded in agreement.
“Good think I came prepared for everyone,” Rarity sang joyously, turning to the luggage she had dragged up the slope. After rummaging through a few bags, there were seven sets of snow boots, scarves, and thick winter cloaks, all perfectly color coordinated for whom they were intended; one set being baby dragon-sized. “Let’s get going! I’ve been dying to wear the ensemble all year…” Winter clothes donned and fastened, they set off down the ridge into the wild unknown.
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“Applejack!” A small filly yellow shouted from atop a hill, a gentle breeze tussling her red mane. Her voice bounded across the rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres, no response returning to her but her own voice. Applebloom snorted in frustration and trotted back down the hill to her friends waiting at the bottom.
“Any luck, Applebloom,” asked a small white unicorn. “Did you find Applejack?” Applebloom lowered her head, her bow drooping with her ears, giving a solemn “Nope.”
Sweetie Belle reflected Applebloom’s downcast expression, while the third filly let out an irritated groan.
“Where could she be?!” the orange Pegasus filly shouted. “We’ll need her help if we’re gonna get our cutie marks!”
“Calm down, Scootaloo,” Sweetie giggled. “We’ll find her. But, um, how exactly is she supposed to help us in getting a cave-diving cutie mark?” Scootaloo rolled her eyes as if the answer was obvious.
“I already told you, Sweetie-“her explanation cut short by Applebloom.
“Big Mac!” she shouted gleefully. The three trotted over to the apple wagon-bearing stallion. “Big Mac, have you seen Applejack?”
“Nope,” the workhorse replied. Disappointment spread across the fillies’ faces.
“Do ya have any idea where she might be?” The stallion contemplatively shook his head for a moment, finally replying “Nope.”
“Oh… Well, thanks anyway, Big Mac.”
“Eyup.” He smiled and continued on his way with his cartful of apples and the Crusaders walked off toward town.
“What’re we gonna do now…?” Applebloom looked to her friends, who looked to one another and shrugged. “Maybe we should ask somepony in town…” The three fillies slowly trotted the short distance to town, spotting their beloved teacher Cheerilee.
“Maybe Ms. Cheerilee knows where we can find her,” Sweetie Belle piped with hope. They dashed over to the pink and white mane mare, in unison greeting her with broad smiles and bright eyes.
“Hello, Ms. Cheerilee!” the fillies chimed brightly.
“Hello there, my little ponies,” Cheerilee replied with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
“We were wondering if you’ve seen Applejack anywhere,” Scootaloo said. “Y’see, we need her help to get our cutie marks and-“she stopped mid-sentence, glancing at a figure just passing behind a building; a stallion with a flowing tail and mane similar to Princess Luna’s but bright, gleaming like a beam of sunlight. Cheerilee, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom followed her gaze but saw nothing.
“Scootaloo?” Applebloom waved her hoof in front of her dazed friend, bringing her focus back yet still seeming distant.
“Huh…? Whu..?”
“Are you okay, Scootaloo?” Cheerilee asked, concerned.
“Yeah… Yeah, I’m fine. Uh, thanks for your help, Ms. Cheerilee.” Scootaloo took off at a trot past Cheerilee.
“Um… You’re welcome…?” Cheerilee watched confused as Scootaloo rounded the building behind her. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked at one another confused and dashed off to catch up with her.
“Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle called. “Scootaloo, where are you going?” The two finally caught up to the little pegasus ducking behind a bush. “Scootaloo, what in Equestria are you doing?” Scootaloo shoved a hoof into her mouth, motioning for her and Applebloom do duck down. The three fillies peered through the bushes and saw a stunning stallion, his mane a golden cloud of sunlight and eyes blazing red.
“Who’s that?” Applebloom asked quietly. “I’ve never seen ‘im ‘round here before.” They continued to survey the stallion as he walked further into town, eventually reaching the library. He scanned his surroundings before his glimmering horn shimmered with magic, creaking open the door, and lightly closing it behind him. “Scootaloo, do you know that pony?”
“Not at all…” Scootaloo quietly said, sounding as if she were in a trance. She crept through the bushes, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle following behind. The Crusaders slunk along the grass, making their way to a window. They peered inside and the entire room lit up with magic, fading just as quickly as it had appeared.
Eyes readjusting, they noticed the stallion’s horn still flowing with magic, holding a small creature suspended in the air. They couldn’t make out any details of the creature and raised it up to the upper level and placed him out of sight of the Crusaders. Suddenly, his head turned in their direction, his crimson eyes practically burning through the window. They had ducked down just in time to avoid his gaze, shivering where they stood.
“I don’t like the looks of that guy…” Sweetie Belle whispered. “Maybe we should get out of here.”
“But what’s he doing at Twilight’s,” Applebloom whispered back. “And what was that thing he brought with ‘im? We need to investigate.”
“No, we need to go get help! What do you think we should do Scoot-“Sweetie turned and saw an empty space next to her. The oak door of the library creaked open and Scootaloo stepped inside. The stallion turned and faced her, a sly grin on his face.
“Welcome, my faithful subject…” the alicorn chuckled. “Are you ready to follow your true ruler?”
“Yes, Prince Solo…” Scootaloo said in a dazed monotone and bowed before him. “I am here to serve you.” He smiled as his eyes darted toward the window once again, locking gazes with the two frightened fillies. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both fell backwards, wasting no time in getting up and darting off. Scootaloo quickly made for the door, ready to give chase, but Prince Solo raised his hoof and Scootaloo stopped instantly.
“Let them go. Two little foals won’t be able to stop me, and soon, not even Celestia will stand in my way!” Prince Solo let out a triumphant laugh, Scootaloo joining in with a quiet sinister chuckle, but still retaining a hypnotized monotone in her voice. “Now,” Prince Solo raised his hooves and clapped them together twice. Scootaloo stood at attention, awaiting the order. “We must prepare for the downfall of Celestia!” Be laughed uproariously, a sinister and contemptuous tone blended with glee and excitement.