//------------------------------// // Bastion Meets My Little Pony part 2 // Story: Characters Meet My Little Pony // by Equinoxx //------------------------------// 5:04 am, second day. In Vanhoover, the first battlefield of the war. Ponies were dying left and right, meanwhile Changelings were obviously winning. Celestia, in the townhall, was beginning to fear that she'd need to fall back from Vanhoover. Suddenly a messenger came into the room. "Princess Celestia," The messenger said as he bowed. "I have urgent news!" "What is it?" Celestia asked. "Manehatten has just caught sight of a Changeling swarm heading their way." That was news she didn't want to hear, this war just became more difficult. "... Tell them to hold out as long as they can. If we can win this battle then we can send a battalion of Pegasi to flank the changelings." Celestia ordered. "Right away" The messenger said, then sped away. Celestia came to the conclusion that they had to win this battle. Which meant that she had to let her army use anything available. "You," She pointed to a gray Unicorn guard. "Spread the word to the other soldiers that they're aloud to use their spears at all times." She told him. The guard nodded, then ran towards the battlefield. Celestia heaved a sigh. 5:45 am, second day. The CMC had woken up an hour ago and continued their treck to the mountain. But they seem to have hit a bit of a snag.. "Why did we try riding a Kragadile!" Sweetie Belle screamed to her friends as they ran from said beast. "Ah dunno, Ah was followin' Scootaloo's plan!" Applebloom responded. "Why did you think my plan was okay!?" Scootaloo asked. "'Cause Ah wasn't thinkin'!" "This way!" Sweetie yelled, leading them into a cave system. They stopped and saw the Kragidile fail to fit through the cave entrance. Everyone sighed. "Wait, where's the bird?!" Scootaloo asked, sending herself and Applebloom into a panic. Sweetie Belle on the other hoof, was not amused. "He's right here on my back." Sweetie turned to show them. Ganymede waved a hello. "Oh." "So now what? We're tarpped by a monsta again." Applebloom pointed out. "Well, this cave system seems to lead to the other side of the mountain, so we should continue going." Sweetie suggested and Ganymede agreed. "Well we can't go back anyway." Scootaloo said, pointing to the Kragidile still trying to get through the entrance. "Good points. Ah guess we'll follow tha cave then." Applebloom said with a shrug. And so they set off deeper into the cave. 6:02 am, second day. Bastion had began to write to communicate with Twilight so that Fluttershy wasn't needed. Meanwhile Discord watched from a corner. Fluttershy walked over to the Draconiquus with Spike following suit. "So, if I heard rightly, then your power is not as strong as it use to be?" Spike asked Discord. "Unfortunately, yes. But look on the bright side, I won't be annoying you as much!" Discord stated, then drooped. "Well that's not exactly a bright side for me, but" He popped up again. "At least I still have my personality." He pressed a fist against his chest. "Well I'm just glad that nothing else happened to you." Said Fluttershy. "So am I." Discord muttered. As Fluttershy and Discord continued talking, Spike went over to Twilight and Bastion. "So who's this friend of yours?" Twilight asked Bastion. Bastion quickly wrote down a reply. "His name is Ganymede and he is a Cockatiel Parrot." "I think Fluttershy said something about meeting a parrot along with you." Spike suddenly pitched in. "Yes, she did meet Ganymede." Bastion wrote. "Where is Ganymede now?" Twilight asked. "He should be at Fluttershy's cottage watching over the Cutiemark Crusaders." "Wait, so you only left a parrot to watch over the CMC?" Twilight asked carefully. Bastion nodded. "Oh no." Twilight suddenly had a feeling of dread. 6:23 am, second day. The CMC were walking through the cave, when a question suddenly sprouted in Applebloom's mind. "Wait'a second, why are we tryin' ta get ta thah top of thah mountain?" She asked. "Because-... I don't know. Scootaloo, do you know?" Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo sighed. "We're trying to find proof of a creature that lives at the top of the mountain." She reminded them. "Oh." Both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom said. Ganymede didn't like the sound of that at all. He tapped Sweetie on the shoulder with his talon to get her attention. Sweetie turned her head to Ganymede. "What's wrong?" She asked. Ganymede pointed a wing at Scootaloo, then facewinged. He then fell back playing dead. Basically saying that Scootaloo's idea could get them killed. "As long as we stay quiet we'll be fine." Sweetie whispered. Ganymede drooped his wings. "Don't worry, we'll be okay." She assured him. They continued on down the cave. After several minutes they saw light at the end of the tunnel. Ganymede flew off of Sweetie's back and hovered in front of the CMC, telling them to wait. After receiving nods in response, Ganymede flew up ahead and out of the cave. He saw that right outside was a narrow path up the mountain, but the path was narrow for a reason. It dropped off into a very steep cliff. Ganymede turned around to head back to the CMC, but he suddenly heard a loud and booming roar. He stopped for a few seconds in case anything else happened, when nothing did he flew back into the cave. As he got back he saw them talking. "What was all that rumbling about?" Scootaloo questioned. Sweetie Belle saw Ganymede. "Did you find a safe way up the mountain?" She asked him. Ganymede nodded. "Great! Also do you know what caused that rumbling?" Ganymede landed on the ground and imitated a monster by stomping around and spreading it's wings to make it look bigger. "Are ya sayin' that ya saw thah monsta?" Applebloom asked the parrot. Ganymede shook his head no, then opened his beak wide in a yelling motion. "You heard the monster?" Scootaloo asked. To that Ganymede nodded. "That's probably all the proof we need, we shoul-" Sweetie Belle tried to say before Scootaloo cut her off. "No, we're continuing until we get our Cutiemarks." Scootaloo said sternly. "Ah know we want our Cutiemarks, but is it really worth nearly gettin' killed, multiple times?" Applebloom reasoned. "Yes!" Scootaloo insisted instantly. Her friends and Ganymede stared at her for a couple of moments before Sweetie spoke up. "Scootaloo, no. Cutiemarks may be important but we need to be alive to actually value them. Not just that but do you really want to keep putting us in danger?" She asked. Scootaloo looked at all of them, and finally, her shell began to crack as she shrunk back. "I... No but..." "But I'm not going to let you go alone either, it's too dangerous." Sweetie continued. Now Scootaloo was beginning to tear up. "I'm sorry. I just want my Cutiemark so badly, and I wanted to help you two get yours too." She apologized. Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle went to Scootaloo and hugged her. If it weren't for having a beak Ganymede would be smiling so hard right now. Eventually they split from the hug. "So who wants to head back home and get grounded?" Applebloom asked with a smile. Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo raised their hooves. "Then let's get outta this here cave!" She declared and they all began the journey back. 7:46 am, second day. The battle in Vanhoover had begun to settle down. The ponies held the defense effectively and obtained the upper hoof, driving the Changelings to flee. Now it was time to send reinforcements to Manehatten. "General Hardwood, has the search and destroy team found any Changelings still in the city?" Princess Celestia asked the general. "Yes Princess, but they were quickly eradicated." Hardwood reported. "The Pegasi squadrons are ready, tell me when and they'll be flying to victory!" Celestia was glad that her little ponies still had determination. "Good, then send them and tell them that I wish them the best of luck." Celestia smiled. Hardwood saluted and went to the troop. Celestia sighed a sigh of relief, Vanhoover was safe and the losses came in as a surprisingly, but relievingly small amount. Unfortunately she expected the next fight to accumulate a lot more casualties on both sides. Suddenly the messenger from earlier returned. "Your highness, Manehatten has come in contact with the enemy! Fortunately they have been able to defend well and the Changelings have already began to route." He informed. Celestia nodded. "Good, then the Pegasi squadron should be the last step to have successfully defended both Vanhoover and Manehatten." Meanwhile, on the opposing side of the battle. "What do you mean they pushed us out of Vanhoover!?" The Changeling Queen, Chrysalis bellowed at one of her generals. "W-well we weren't expecting them to start killing. The ponies had never before shown that they were even capable of doing so." The general futilely explained. "Yes they have! They just haven't for a good five hundred years. I have half the mind to impale you on your own horn." The Queen threatened. "You know what, I think I'll do just that." She said with a wicked grin. The screams of the poor Changeling general could be heard throughout the entire hive. 8:03 am, second day. "Where could those fillies had run off tah?" Applejack asked herself. She had seen Twilight, Discord and Spike searching frantically earlier and decided to ask what was wrong. She was pretty upset when she heard that the CMC had ran off to do... Whatever, probably more crusading. But right now she was more worried than angry. "I should've known a bird couldn't do a Draconiquus's job!" Discord pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?" Spike asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why babysitting of course! How was a bird suppose to babysit three hyperactive children?!" Discord berated himself. "Well, Ah hate tah say it but from what ya'll said it sounds like it was Fluttershy's fault." Applejack pointed out. Discord gave a 'honestly' scary glare to Applejack, but said nothing more. "Maybe, but at least she didn't leave them completely alone." Twilight pitched in. They continued their search for a while until the only place close to Ponyville left to search was. "The Everfree Forest." Everypony sighed out at once. "Again? Really?" Spike groaned. "What's with them and wandering into dangerous places? Specifically the Everfree Forest!" "Child curiosity?" Applejack offered. "Seems about right." Discord shrugged. "Whatever the case we need to find them! Who knows what trouble they coul-" Twilight was suddenly interrupted by a loud screech. Everypony's ears were ringing. "What made that awful noise!?" Discord yelled out a question. "It sounded like a Hydra from Froggy Bottom Bog!" Twilight answered. Well everypony's ears hurt except for Spike. "The powers of dragon ears." He said smugly. After recollecting themselves they headed to Froggy Bottom Bog, hoping both that the CMC were there, and that they weren't. Unfortunately for them they found that the CMC, and Ganymede, were there, and were being chased by a Hydra. Ganymede turned around and flew right at the Hydra. The Hydra tried biting Ganymede only for Ganymede to dodge out of the way, making the Hydra eat nothing but air. The CMC spotted Twilight & Co. and they gallop to them. "Girls, what are you doing in Froggy Bottom Bog?!" Twilight asked worriedly. The CMC all looked at each other, then Scootaloo sighed. "I wanted to try and get our Cutiemarks in monster hunting, or exploring." She admitted. "I'm sorry." Applejack shook her head. "We can worry 'bout punishments later. Right not there's a huge Hydra comin' this way!" She pointed out. Everypony turned to see the Hydra, Ganymede was still distracting it. "I'll help Ganymede distract the three headed orange peeler!" Discord volunteered with a raised paw and a mischievous look. "That's fine with me." Opted Spike. "Even with your powers weaker you should be able to take hits and be just fine." Twilight analyzed to Discord, who in turn rolled his eyes. "Well duh. I wouldn't have volunteered if I didn't think I'd be safe." Discord groaned. "Oh jus' go and help thah bird already!" Applejack scolded. "Fine, fine." Discord grumbled as he flew up to the Hydra and started dancing to distract it. And distract it he did. He did a dance in the air, confusing the Hydra. "Come on, let's go." Twilight called everypony to her, then teleported all of them and herself away. The Hydra was done being confused, so one of it's heads lunged forward, trying to bite Discord. Discord easily slithered through the air, avoiding the Hydra's jaws. "You're going to have to try a little harder than that." Discord taunted. Another one of the heads opened it's mouth and huffed a fireball at Discord. Discord summoned a steel bat which he used to whack the fireball back at the Hydra. Ganymede flew over to Discord. "Chirp tweetweet. (We need to lead it back to it's den.)" He told Discord. "Do you know where that even is?" Discord asked Ganymede with a skeptical tone. "Chirp, chitter. (Yup, you get his attention then follow me.)" Ganymede confirmed, then flew around the Hydra who had now recovered from the fireball. Discord flew up to the Hydra and tapped it on the snout. "Betch'ya can't catch me~ " He sung as he flew in circles around the Hydra. The Hydra tried swinging it's tail at Discord, but missed completely. Eventually it began trying to keep up with Discord's circling, but that only made it dizzy. Discord stopped circling it and flew a short distance away. The Hydra also stopped spinning and began stumbling around, trying to chase Discord. The Hydra shook off it's dizziness from all three heads, then it ran at Discord, but the Draconiquus just kept flying further away. The Hydra began running right through rock formations and trees, trying to catch up to Discord. It also began breathing fireballs at him. Discord slithered through the air, avoiding terrain and fireballs while following Ganymede. Eventually they reached the Hydra's den and Discord caught up to Ganymede. "So how do we keep it here?" Discord asked Ganymede. "Chirp. Tweetweet. Chitter chirp. (Simple. You can teleport us out. The Hydra won't know where Ponyville is from here.)" Ganymede explained. "Oh. That's surprisingly easy." Discord observed. He then teleported him and Ganymede back to the Friendship castle. Upon arrival they saw everypony there, safe. Including Fluttershy who gave Discord a bearhug the second she saw him. "I was so so so worried when they said you stayed behind to distract the Hydra! I didn't know if you could get hurt now because of your weakened powers." She somehow hugged him even tighter. "And I don't want to find out!" Discord wheesed out. "Oh sorry!" Fluttershy quickly let go of Discord, who promptly fell over. "I guess that's a yes." Fluttershy sighed. "A yes about what?" Discord asked as he stood back up. "About you being able to get hurt." Fluttershy lowered her head. "Oh. Yeah that's probably not good." Discord stated. Meanwhile Ganymede flew over to literally everyone else. He saw Applejack be absolutely in awe at the sight of Bastion, Applebloom trying to snap her out of it. Twilight and Spike were talking to the other two members of the CMC. He decided to go over to and land on Sweetie Belle's back. "So let me get this straight, you three went to Froggy Bottom Bog because you wanted to find proof of a new monster?" Twilight inquiried. "Yeah. We were hoping to get some sort of Cutiemark by doing it." Scootaloo said. "Though mostly me." She admitted ruefully. "Hey, me and Applebloom were the ones who didn't do or say anything earlier." Sweetie tried lifting Scootaloo's spirits. "Chirp!" Ganymede nodded in agreement and ruffled his wings. He knew he could have dealt with the situation better. "Well at least you learned some things." Spike chipped in with a smile. "I agree." Said Twilight. "But at the same time I'm forbidding you girls from going to Froggy Bottom Bog ever again. Your family and I don't want you to get hurt." Spike noticed Scootaloo's eyes get slightly misty, but concluded that it was because everypony was worried about her. "Okay." Scootaloo said with a forced smile. Twilight wasn't able to notice since a new voice entered the conversation. "Well Ah think ya'll were mighty brave." She congratulated the CMC as she and Applebloom came into sight. "But you're still grounded" She told Applebloom sternly. "I hope Rarity won't be too mad." Sweetie Belle said while hanging her head. "Nah. Knowin' her she'll pretend tah be mad when she's really jus' worried for ya well bein'" Applejack said with a chuckle. Ganymede looked behind Applejack to see Bastion, then flew over to him. "Tweetweet? (So how have you been?)" He asked the robot. "Beep. Bwoop buu bweep. (Relatively fine. Everyone here is so much nicer than the people on earth.)" Ganymede nodded in agreement. "Bweep boop bwop. (But I still want to know who sent us here and why.)" Ganymede nodded once again. Suddenly a burp, green flames, and a letter came from Spike's mouth. Both Ganymede and Bastion took a moment to process that. "A letter from the Princess?" Twilight asked herself as she caught the letter in her magic before it hit the ground. "Do'ya have any clue why?" Applejack asked Twilight. "That's because we were recently told that the Changelings attacked Vanhoover and that we should be prepared just in case they decide to attack Ponyville." Discord dumped the exposition on Applejack. "Wait what?!" Applejack yelled as her eyes widened. "And nun' o' ya'll thought it'd be a good idea ta tell me?! Or the others?" She inquired. Little did anypony else in the room knew, Twilight had read the full letter. "Sorry Aj. But first I'd like to declare that Vanhoover has been successfully defended. Second; again sorry. I was just so enamored by Bastion's technical design that I completely forgot about the Changelings. I should have told you and the other girls." Twilight apologized. Applejack sighed. "Well 'least you're sorry. But we should tell tha others now." "But Rarity's out of town." Sweetie Belle chipped in. "How will we tell her?" "Well she is in Canterlot, I imagine that Luna has told her." Twilight answered. "Spike and I will tell Pinkie. Fluttershy, can you tell Rainbow?" She asked, to which she got a nod in response. "Well in tha meantime, you have a good groundin' ta get to." Applejack told Applebloom with a smirk. Getting a pout from Applebloom in response. "I'll probably be grounded too." Scootaloo said while rolling her eyes. "Uhh, what about me?" Sweetie asked. "Oh I'll be up for babysitting!" Discord exclaimed, raising a paw. Everyone gave Discord a stern look, even Sweetie Belle. "Or not." He spun around. "Then on second thought I'll keep an eye on you." Twilight told Sweetie. "Spike, do you think you could tell Pinkie by yourself?" She asked. Spike saluted. "Aye aye!" He exclaimed. And with that, they split off. 10:32 am, second day. Princess Celestia had just finished her final evaluation on the battles and was now on her chariot back to Canterlot. She had also sent a letter to Twilight, telling her that Vanhoover is safe for the time being. As she arrived at the castle she saw Luna there, ready to greet her. "Hello sister, how have you been since I left?" Celestia asked. "I could be doing worse." Luna joked. "I have informed Rarity of the situation and she has said that she will be going back to Ponyville within the day." Celestia nodded. "Of course." She stepped off of the chariot and began walking into the castle with her sister. "Has there been any new reports from Twilight regarding the magic disturbances?" "Not yet, but I have no doubt that she will soon." Luna answered. The two sisters walked into the castle, both receiving bows from the guards at the door. "If I may ask... Do we have a estimation on the casualties?" She questioned Celestia carefully. "The Changelings lost approximately over two thousand troops." Celestia answered readily. "I... I meant our casualties." Luna corrected. "... Over five hundred." Celestia continued to not make eye contact with Luna. "... Right." Luna knew how much losing so many subjects at once affected Celestia. It clearly hurt her, but there wasn't much Luna could do other than help in any way she could. They made it to the throne room and Celestia simply sat down on hers. Suddenly green flames came through a slightly open window, and rolled into a letter. It landed right at Celestia's hooves. She levitated the letter to eye level, seeing a look of 'I told you so' on Luna's face before it was blocked by the parchment. "Dear Prin Celestia I have recently found that a machine named Bastion, alongside a bird named Ganymede, has been brought to Equestria the same way Sonic was,. Not just that, but Discord has recently informed me of where the supposed source of the magical disturbances is. He tried interacting with it, but it somehow blocked out Discord's magic, as well as either took most of it, or nullified most of it. If this magic anomaly, or Peirha as Discord calls it or her, is so strong as to weaken Discord this much, then I am very concerned for what else it can do. I also was concerned for you in general. The defense at Vanhoover seemed to last quite a while, and I can't imagine it was easy for anyone there. But I'm certain you can handle it, you have to of been through much worse in your lifetime and I'm sure this is nothing compared to those times. Your friend, Twilight." Celestia couldn't help but smile over Twilight's concern, but also be intrigued that Twilight knew where the anomaly was. Luna noticed the look on her face and giggled. "Well it looks like someone is in a better mood." "Yes, it seems that Twilight has discovered where the source of the magic anomaly came from." Celestia confirmed. "I'm looking forward to when she finds out more about it. But I am worried about one thing she mentioned." "What is that?" Luna asks. "She said that the anomaly is so powerful that it can drain Discord's magic." Celestia continued worriedly. "That doesn't bode well." Luna remarked. "No... No it doesn't." Celestia agreed. "Hopefully it's draining capabilities doesn't translate into it's actual power, but magic doesn't just disappear. Especially that large of an amount." Luna simply nodded an agreement. 11:03 am, second day. Spike arrived at Sugercube Corner, ready for a surprise at any moment. He entered the bakery, seeing several customers either eating sweats at one of the several tables, or buying said sweats at the counter. He saw that Mrs. Cake at the counter. "Mrs. cake, do you know where Pinkie is?" Spike asked her. "She's upstairs in her room, she's obviously upset about something but she wont tell us what." Mrs. Cake answered. "I'm sure that if anyone could help her, it would be a good friend like you." She was quite obviously telling Spike to try and help Pinkie cheer up, which he was happy to do. Spike went upstairs and knocked on Pinkie's door, he soon heard a "No one's home!" from inside the room. He rolled his eyes and knocked again. "Pinkie, it's me, Spike!" He called through the door. A few seconds later the door swung open and Spike was quickly pulled into the room and in front of a sad looking Pinkie. Complete with the drooped mane and all. "Fine, what is it?" She asked with disinterest. "Twilight wanted me to tell you that the Changelings have essentially started a war with Equestria. She thought that you and the others should know so that you're ready just in case." Spike explained. "Great." Pinkie groaned. "So now I know, can you leave now?" "Well I was just gonna tell you then leave, but you seem... Sad. What's wrong?" Spike questioned. Pinkie raised an eyebrow, like she expected him to know. When Spike continued to not say anything she decided to elaborate. "You... You should know what I'm upset about." Spike dug through his thoughts, finally landing on what he assumed to be the reason. "Is it because of... Sonic?" He asked. Pinkie slowly nodded with droplets of tears in the corner of her eyes. Spike patted her on the shoulder. "I don't know much, but from the rumors I heard... I don't blame you for feeling sad, I doubt anyone does. But just know that me, Twilight, and the rest of the girls are here for you. And probably Discord too." Pinkie looked at Spike and allowed herself a small smile. "Thank's Spike." She then suddenly realized something. "Oh no! If I'm feeling this downy wowny frowny then imagine how Dashie must feel." She said with worry. Speaking of which, Fluttershy had just arrived at Rainbow's house. She slowly flew up to the door and softly knocked. It took several moments but eventually she heard her friend ask "Who is it?" from inside the house. Thanks to it being made of clouds, it was extremely easy to hear through the door. Probably too easy. "Rainbow, It's me." Fluttershy responded, starting to grow worried. The door slowly opened, revealing a very frazzled and clearly tired Rainbow Dash. "Hi Fluttershy. Come in." Rainbow said with very little emotion, trotting away from the door right afterward. Fluttershy followed Rainbow in, closing the door behind her. She turned to see Rainbow who was no lying on her couch. Fluttershy trotted to the couch and looked at Rainbow with high levels of concern. "Rainbow, a-are you okay?" She asked. Rainbow seemed to ignore her, but then she spoke. "No." It may not have been much, but Fluttershy could tell that one word meant a lot. It may not have held much in tone, but it meant volumes in meaning. That one word spoke of so much pain, trauma, and sadness, that Fluttershy nearly teared up even though she didn't even know what Rainbow had been through. "I'm sorry." As Fluttershy said that she began crying, not hysterically, but simple soft sobs. Rainbow didn't know why Fluttershy was crying, but goddamn it was contagious. She began tearing up as well, starting to let out all that pent up sadness. They both sat there, crying for what seemed like hours. Eventually they both ran out of tears to shed, and they both felt a little bit better. "Sorry, I know I had no reason to cry, at least not as much as you." Fluttershy apologized. "It's okay. But damn is it hard not to cry when you're crying." Rainbow said. They both shared a giggle at the remark. "But, I know why you're sad... At least I think I do." Said Fluttershy. "Go ahead and guess." Rainbow encouraged. "I-It's because of Sonic, r-right?" Fluttershy asked. "I-i remember when Pinkie gathered up me and the girls to go follow you two, b-but when we reached the Everfree Forest..." She trailed off. "Yeah... I'd rather whatever happened stay forgotten." Rainbow sighed. "You don't remember what happened?!" Fluttershy asked, concerned again. "Don't worry my head's fine... But I think my brain just... rejected it. Y'know?" "So your mind locked the memory away?" Fluttershy questioned. "Parts of it, yeah. Doesn't mean that the outcome was forgotten though." Rainbow hung her head. "... I also remember someone else being there." Fluttershy perked up in interest. "Do you have any clue who it was?" "Other than the fact they were tall, no, not at all." Rainbow shook her head. Fluttershy thought about it, but ultimately came up with nothing. Suddenly the reason she came here in the first place resurfaced. "Oh right! I originally came here to tell you that the Changelings have began war with us, and that you should be ready just in case." "Sweet! I'm lookin' forward to kicking some plot so I can relieve some stress." Rainbow smiled while pounding her hooves together. Fluttershy giggled. "Don't get too ahead of yourself." "Meh, no promises." 4:26 pm, second day. A knock was heard at the castle door for the fourth time this day. Twilight trotted to the door and opened it, finding an exhausted Rarity outside. "Rarity, come on in." Twilight led Rarity into the castle then used her magic to close the door. "I'm guessing the train ride wasn't pleasant?" Rarity gave Twilight a 'what do you think?!' glare, then closed her eyes and sighed. "No it wasn't." She opened her eyes and suddenly looked like she had a lot more energy. "Anyway you most likely know why I'm here." "For Sweetie Belle right?" Twilight presumed. Rarity nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back with her." And with that Twilight went to somewhere else in the castle. Several minutes later and Twilight returned with Sweetie Belle and Spike in tow. Rarity instantly ran over and hugged Sweetie Bell, though it was more of a death grip. Meanwhile Spike tried to hold in his mirth. "Oh I missed you so much!" Rarity cried. "I could tell." Sweetie squeaked. "If I may?" Twilight asked for attention. Rarity reluctantly let go of Sweetie and looked at Twilight. "I'm pretty sure Princess Luna already told you what's going on, but there's another thing I should tell you." "Oh no. Is it something bad?" Rarity asked. "Not really, but the CMC basically went to Froggy Bottom Bog to try and find proof of a monster. That includes Sweetie." Twilight explained. Rarity narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze to Sweetie. Suddenly they became eyes of concern. "Are you okay?!" She worried as she hugged Sweetie again. "Yes." Sweetie struggled to say. Spike leaned to his right, towards Twilight. "I guess Applejack's right." He whispered, followed by a snicker. Twilight rolled her eyes, but agreed. After that, Sweetie went with Rarity back home, meanwhile Twilight continued to basically interview Bastion. The rest of the day and most of the following day was uneventful. It mostly consisted of more questions and some much needed downtime. Eventually midnight of the third day came around. Twilight was in the middle of asking how Bastion actually functioned and he was about to write a lengthy reply when a rainbow portal suddenly opened and instantly sucks him in. Twilight just stared, dumbfounded, until she finally came back to the real world. Unfortunately she was too late. She then remembered about Ganymede, maybe he wasn't gone yet. She rushed around the castle, trying to find the Parrot. Eventually she found him in the kitchen. "Ganymede, the portal opened then sucked Bastion into it, when the portal opens for you then I'm hopping in too." Twilight quickly explained. Ganymede was somehow able to understand her, but he only continued to stay still, waiting for the rainbow spiral to appear. After some time, it did. And Ganymede was immediately swooped in. Twilight jumped through just in time as the portal closed. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ God damnit! *sigh* I wasn't expecting Twilight to jump through the portal. Unfortunately this means I'll have to retrieve her... Manually... I may as well send in someone else in the meantime. I may not be able to watch it in real time, but I'll still have the recording. Hopefully nothing else unexpected happens.