Chapter 6: The Great Train Something Or Other
“You’re sure you want to do this Sunset?” Celestia couldn’t hide her emotions well as sunset crossed the small distance from the station platform to the train car. Any pony that within a few foot radius could see that Princess Celestia, the mare who raised the sun every morning and for over one thousand year single hoofedly ran the country, was pouting.
“Yes Princess, I think it will be a good thing for me to do. Plus Twilight has told me a lot about the crystal empire and this will be the first time i actually get to see it unlike the last time…” Sunset paused as she remembered the only time she had been in the crystal was before her transformation into a raging she-demon.
“....Ok then...i was just hoping that we-” Princess Celestia started but stopped when Sunset suddenly hugged her.
“I know. After this is all over it’ll be nice to have some us time.” Sunset said to her before letting go and taking a step back, Celestia took a moment to compose herself before smiling her normal princess smile once again.
“Agreed, it will be nice. Be safe.” She said
“HA, safe? With me going with her there is no way she will not be safe! There is absolutely nothing to worry about Princess!” Reinhardt suddenly interjected himself into the conversation, his massive frame nearly bowling over several ponies in his wake. Celestia watch the spectacle and couldn’t help but giggle, even with how old she knew Reinhardt was it was funny to see how he acted so child like with being chivalrous.
“I believe you Reinhardt, I hope you all have a safe trip back to the empire.” Celestia told both of them and then gave a small wave to Cadence and Shining Armor who were already waiting on the train car. Celestia watched them get on the car noticing the slight dip that happened when Reinhardt got himself into the car. Don’t worry Aunt Celestia, we’ll get to the empire, show them Flurry Heart, get them the crystals they need, and then send them on their way back.” Candace said as nearby the conductor gave the signal for all to board
“Ok then, have a safe journey all of you.” Celestia said albeit a bit reluctantly as she stepped away from the train car.
“Ok so who’s Flurry Heart?” she heard Sunset say as the door to the train car closed
“Are you going to be ok Tia?” Luna had come to stand next to her sister when she wasn’t paying attention. She watched as her sister looked through the window at Sunset Shimmer who was standing next to Cadence and Shining, clearly listening intently to something that was being told to her. As she wondered she watch the look on Sunset’s face change quickly
“YOU TWO HAD A WHAT!” a shout rang out from the train car before the shrill noise of the whistle sounded and the train began to pull away. Celestia got one last glimpse of Sunset and her eyes practically bugging out of her skull form what Cadence had just revealed to her. That small sight let Celestia let go of some of her worry as the train started to pick up steam and seconds later it was a small dot on the horizon.
“Well that’s a start to solving all of this.” Tracer in her usual manner popped in and broke the tension with her cheery tone. “Not that being here is any problem! It just that we got a few people who might be wondering where we are right about now back home. So the quicker we can solve this mess the better right? Besides we just beat those rocky things, is there anything worse than those that could come at us?” Tracer asked and no sooner than the question leave her lips, Spike rounded a corner waving a crystal in the air and shouting as loud as he could.
“TWILIGHT! TWWWWWWIIIIILIGHT!” he kept it up until he reached the train station only pausing once he was right in front of Twilight, finally pausing to rest his claws on his knees and take a few breaths. His words came out in between every breath. “We…Have...A...Problem…” he held the crystal up and Twilight took it in her magic and activated it. Her friends slowly gathered around her as the video started playing
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Several Miles out of town…
“So you know for a fact that the train is going to be coming in a few minutes?” Junkrat asked as he stood next to Roadhog and Chrysalis who were hiding in some bushes close to the railroad tracks. Once the group had listened to Chrysalis’ information Junkrat quickly came up with a plan.
“I am a conqueror whose people are master at espionage and subterfuge, getting a train schedule is easy. They have pamphlets.” Chrysalis shot Junkrat a glare. “The train left Ponyville a few minutes ago and so it will be here in mere moments. Do you have a way for us to get on the train?” Chrysalis asked noticing how both of her new “teammates” were earth ponies, albeit weirder earth ponies than she had ever come across.
“Yeah…” Roadhog said and lifted his hook slightly, his gaze never breaking from the horizon.
“You can’t be serious? Is he serious? Do you seriously think that-” A shrill whistle sounded interrupting Chrysalis, she turned to find the train moving in their direction just as she said it would. “See? I told you my information was accurate.” she said with a slight air of superiority.
“Alright so you got one thing right today, good for you, ok buddy time for your part,” Junkrat said before he nudged Roadhog who slowly moved out of their hiding spot as the train came closer. The three watched as train cars passed by, seeing brief glimpses of ponies through the windows.
“...OK.” Roadhog broke the silence as the end of the train started to come up. Before Chrysalis could object a large forearm swept over her and junkrat and brought them close to Roadhog’s side. Despite his looks Chrysalis found that he didn’t in fact smell as bad as he looked. As the last car came into view Roadhog readied his hook and with split second timing he hurled it forward. It sailed through the air until it collided with part of the last car, causing the hook to somehow wrap around it.
“Oh you have got to be kidding MEEEE!” Was all Chrysalis could saw before the slack of the hook’s chain was picked up and Roadhog help on causing all three of them to be pulled into the air behind the train.
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Inside the train…
“I think she’s finally calmed down,” Reinhardt said looking at Sunset whose demeanor had changed abruptly a couple of times over the course of the train ride. After having heard of Cadence and Shining Armor baby she was freaked out, then she became furious and it seemed like she was about to self ignite. Then the anger went away and she was sad and tears began to fall in waterfalls which freaked out Reinhardt a little bit. After that came the denial where she poked and prodded Cadence saying that she looked to good to have delivered a baby and the finally came the acceptance and now Sunset sat on one of the chairs that lined the car and watch the scenery go by with a slight smile on her face.
“I sure hope so…” Shining Armor said as he slowly put down the fire extinguisher he had been holding for the past couple of minutes.
“You both know that she can hear you right?” Cadence gave the two a look as she sat a few seats away from Sunset Casually reading a book, she had remained calm during Sunset’s little “episode”.
“How did you stay so calm during all of that?” Shining replied to his wife with a question of his own.
“Well one of us had to, plus I’ve had plenty of experience dealing with things like this.”
“When have you….oooooohhhh right.” Shining started to ask but then nodded once Cadence started to give him a stare.
“Heh you two remind me of myself and A- someone that I used to know.” Reinhardt started to say a name but stopped and changed his words.
“Oh was that a name you were about to say Reinhardt?” Cadence picked up on it quicker than Shining or Sunset.
“NO!....I mean, no I don’t know what you’re-” aloud series of knocks on the car door interrupted him. All four of the car's occupants looked at the door and saw a small group of ponies crammed just outside looking terrified. Reinhardt opened the door and the group quickly filtered inside and began to huddle near Cadence.
“Your highness, Queen Chrysalis has come on board with two weird looking ponies!” A mare all but shouted. Cadence’s eyes went wide and before Reinhardt could even begin to ask Cadence moved past him and into the next car. Reinhardt just watched as Shining followed her and then Sunset Shimmer, leaving him with the scared ponies.
“Don’t worry everyone we’ve got this!” Reinhardt said to the ponies as he hefted his hammer over one shoulder. And followed behind the three other ponies catching up to them quickly. “Sp does anybody wanna-” he caught something green out of the corner of his eye and in a flash moved himself to the front and raised his foreleg to activate his shield. The green blast hit the shield then dissipated as Reinhardt watched a figure walk towards them from the other side of the car.
“Well well well this is a bit of a fun reunion.” Chrysalis stepped forward and glared immediately at Cadence and Shining.
“Really...that’s the best you got? You couldn’t think of any other line besides-” Junkrat walked up with Roadhog behind Chrysalis with full intent on using all of his snark but stopped short when he recognized the giant armored being before him. “Reinhardt?”
“Junkrat. Roadhog” Reinhardt replied two both of them as Roadhog just exhaled
“Chrysalis” Shining and Cadence said in unison as they stared down the Changeling queen.
“Cadence...Shining” Chrysalis said with a sneer
They all stared at each other and there was a split second or two of complete silence before… “Sunset Shimmer!” Six pairs of eyes landed on the mare who called out her own name. “I...didn’t want to be left out.” She said sheepishly