A unicorn, an earth pony, a zebra, and a dragon were all in a hot air balloon.
What sounded like the setup for a funny joke was actually Ledger Line’s current situation. Spike sat in the crossbars under the balloon, breathing fire to heat the air. Applejack pranced nervously in place. Zecora sat in the basket, breathing shallowly, back pressed against the corner and forelegs pressing against the walls to hold herself in place, clearly regretting the decision to join them.
“I hope we're not too late,” Applejack mumbled, looking up at the sky. She looked up at Spike helplessly.
Spike shrugged. “This is about as fast as we can go,” he said. To prove his point, he leaned his head back and blew another small hot flame, but nothing seemed to happen.
Applejack continued to prance in place, sweat trickling down the back of her neck. Everyone seemed affected by her nervous actions.
Except Zecora, who was still trying--and failing--to calm her own breathing.
As they approached the stadium, they could still hear cheering. Applejack took this as a positive sign. “Alright, we aren't too late,” she murmured, but she was clearly still nervous and unconvinced. “I hope we're not, anyway.”
Ledger Line looked down at the ponies milling around. “Security looks pretty tight. How are you going to get in there?” he asked.
Applejack turned and gave a tight rendition of her typical smirk.
Ledger Line wasn't sure he liked that look.
* * *
Rainbow stayed pressed against the wall, watching the show. All things considered, it wasn't too bad. Stratus Shine certainly was a skilled flyer, but knowing how he'd gotten that skill really rankled her. She could have done all of those tricks, and she didn't even need to make any bargains.
Then her ears pricked as she heard a noise behind her. A rustling. And then-
“Hey!” a voice cried out.
That was it. Security had found her. The gig was up. She had to strike now. She exploded out of the tunnel, leaving behind a rainbow contrail.
The crowd gasped as this new contender appeared, flying right between their formation.
“Rainbow Dash?” Fleetfoot gasped, almost breaking rank.
“It is her!” Soarin shouted, just as surprised.
The announcer spoke, clearly trying to make sense of this new development, and security ponies mobilized; but Rainbow wasn't listening. She was focused on one thing only.
Rainbow cursed her luck; Stratus Shine was on the other side of the pitch. Just like she'd feared, he had time to see her coming, and thus had time to break formation and fly away.
Rainbow may have been slightly out of practice, but she definitely still had her natural talent and an unnaturally strong drive. He tried to dodge around and try to rub her out against the wall, but she remained tight on his tail. He tried to peel away, but Rainbow went right along with him. Desperately, he dove, but Rainbow was faster; she flew along above him and then dove herself, catching up, racing towards him, now she was just above him, her knife raised to-
“Rainbow Dash!”
Rainbow pulled out of the dive just barely in time, missing Stratus Shine by inches. She rolled, skimming just above the surface, and then flew upwards, spinning around, eyes flicking wildly around. She knew that voice. “Applejack?!”
Applejack galloped around ponies as if she were at a rodeo and they were just barrels. Security followed her, but they might as well have been a hundred yards back for how fast she was running.
Stratus Shine clenched his eyes shut and flew upwards. Apparently, he knew something. Rainbow understood what she needed to do instantly.
Not being able to see somewhat limited a pegasus while flying, and Rainbow Dash had no such limitation. She blasted past security and grabbed him, clenched her wings against her back, and locked her legs around him, pinning his wings down.
They fell to the ground, ponies scattering in a panic as they did. Right before impact, Rainbow let go and pushed him down, slowing herself and speeding him up at the same time.
Ledger Line and Zecora watched as Applejack (curse her and her earth pony stamina!) ran up the stairs.
Rainbow had already landed and paced in front of him. The impact had broken though some of the clouds; Stratus Shine was stuck.
“Look at us,” Rainbow ordered.
Stratus tried to bury his face in the clouds.
“Look at us!” Rainbow leaned down and seized hold of his head and forced one eye open with a hoof.
And Stratus Shine saw both mares at once.
There was a sound like a small gust of wind. And then, as if they were shadows or ghostly afterimages made of sand, a timberwolf and a hawk seemed to slide off their backs, hitting the ground to scatter into nothingness.
“Did you see that?” Ledger Line whispered.
“Yes, I did, my little friend,” Zecora whispered. “They are together once again.”
“That’s it. Curse is broken. We win.” Rainbow tossed the knife aside. “You lose.”
But curse-breaking or not, you don't just burst into a Wonderbolts show and attempt to kill a Wonderbolt without consequences or drawing attention to yourself.
The consequences were apparent when security (who had finally caught up) and even royal guards with spears at the ready surrounded the three.
There was a pause.
Rainbow inhaled through her teeth. “Oops,” she muttered.
And then they got the attention of somepony very special.
A purple alicorn strode forward, making her way through the crowd. With a gentle head motion, she ordered the guards to stand down, which they did immediately, taking slight steps back. “Well, well,” she said solemnly. “This is an unexpected reunion.”
“Hey, Twi,” Applejack said with a shaky version of her normal smile. “Y- you've gotten tall.”
Rainbow Dash smirked. “‘Sup, egghead?”
Twilight cracked the briefest of smiles before replacing her mask. “I suppose you've got a good explanation for this?”
Stratus Shine blurred out. “These crazy ponies are accusing me of making dark deals in Tartarus! It's not true! They're the ones making deals, trying to kill me! Test them!”
“Really? How long've you been practicing that line?" Rainbow demanded.
“Enough!”
Apparently, the Royal Canterlot Voice was not magical; all three were shocked into silence.
“Dark deals in Tartarus?” Twilight repeated. Her lips pursed. “That is quite the serious accusation. You know what you're insinuating?”
“I do.”
“And you know the penalty for such abominable acts?”
“Yes; but it's not harsh enough!” He reached down and scooped up the knife. He held it up demonstratively, over his head so all could see. “This is a cursed blade!”
Twilight nodded slowly. “There is a test; but the spell is not very distinctive. Any contact with dark magic at all is enough for a positive test.” Her eyes narrowed. “Even just touching such an artifact.”
Ledger Line's eyes widened. This was his plan! Just touching that knife would have 'tainted' him, and he could claim he was innocent!
“So there's no way to tell?” Rainbow demanded.
“I didn't say that,” Twilight said slowly. “In the course of my magical studies, I came across something very interesting. Those who have made Dark Contracts in the realms of Tartarus lose something of themselves in the process. They give up their pure magic in exchange for something tainted.” She began to pace, now immersed in her lecture mode. “As you know, ponies are magical beings, and need their intrinsic magic to survive. Ponies who have replaced it with a dark or tainted magic are almost animated, like a marionette, with that strange, tainted magic. But a simple magic-blocking spell is enough to cut them off from that magic, which would be analogous to cutting the strings off that marionette.” She looked around. “Those magic-blocking gates by the entrance contain exactly the kind of spell I’m referring to. My judgement is that each pony here must walk through the gate. Any pony who has not traded their magic for Tartarus’s gifts will pass through unharmed. Any pony who has…” She let her voice trail off. She didn't need to finish.
Stratus spread his wings, ready to flee; but before he could, there was a flash of yellow. Spitfire was there, holding him down by a winglock, pinning him in place effortlessly even as he struggled to escape. “Going somewhere, Stratus?” she asked icily.
“Spitfire,” he protested angrily. “Let go! You know me!”
“I know you were in the meeting where we decided to ask her to join the main team after Whirligig retired. I know she disappeared two days before we were going to extend that invitation. I know she was there with you that night before she disappeared. I know I was there when she came back and tried to kill you.” Her next sentence came out through gritted teeth. “And I know for dang sure that you're going through that ga- aigh!”
For with strength born of desperation, Stratus Shine had reared back and slammed the back of his head into Spitfire's muzzle. The shock made her loosen her grip, and he burst free.
Twilight raised a hoof. “Seize him!” she ordered.
As the pegasus guards, stadium security, the Wonderbolts, and even a couple civilians took to the air, Twilight cracked a smile. “I've always wanted to say that,” she murmured.
Spike chuckled. “She really has.”
* * *
Twilight Sparkle stood on the other side of the gate. She smiled invitingly. “Whenever you're ready.”
Rainbow bumped Applejack with her hips. “Ladies first.”
“Age before beauty,” Applejack retorted, bumping her back.
Rainbow paused, doing a little mental calculating. “Then you go; I'm, like, a year younger than-”
“Girls!” Twilight interrupted.
Rainbow threw her hooves up. “Fine!” She galloped at the gate and passed right through. She thrust her chest out heroically and gave a little victory trot around Twilight.
Applejack rolled her eyes, and trotted after her. She, too, passed through without issue.
Twilight turned to Stratus Shine, wings bound, being held by no less than five royal guards. She nodded. They obediently came over and then physically threw him through the gate.
He passed through as well, but landed on his stomach. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, his body twitched.
But he did not get up again. He lay there, glassy-eyed and immobile.
Rainbow looked at Applejack. “We did it,” she said.
“We did it,” Applejack repeated.
“Hey, Rainbow!” Spitfire trotted over. “Welcome back! It's great to see you again.” She raised an eyebrow. “You know, with that sweet flying you did today, that invitation still stands.” She grinned. “What do you say? You ready to finally move up from the Reserves and be a real Wonderbolt?”
Ledger Line smiled and looked over at Zecora. He was here to see their happy ending after all.
But Rainbow paused. She looked down, looked at Spitfire, and then looked over at Applejack. “You know,” she said, still looking at Applejack, “I'm gonna have to pass. I’ve got a lot of lost time to make up.” And with that, she pulled Applejack into a kiss.
This romantic moment was somewhat spoiled when Rainbow threw her head back and whimpered, “Oh, it has been too long!” before resuming; but for her, that was quite romantic.
Spitfire nodded and turned back to the crowd. She whistled sharply, drawing the attention to herself. “Hey, we've still got another hour and a half left in the show!” she shouted. “Get back to your seats and hold on tight! We're not done yet!”
The show was amazing. At least, so they heard; Applejack and Rainbow Dash were a little bit preoccupied.