//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The Escape 
// Story: Six Brides For Six Brothers 
// by Midnight Song18 
//------------------------------//

The princes sat inside of their room, attempting to wipe away the stress of the situation. Running out of the royal ball wasn't the most mature reaction, but it seemed like the only way to sort through their thoughts. They were each lying on their beds and staring at the ceiling in silence. The silence grew louder and louder until it became deafening. It became too much for Flash. 

"We need an escape," Flash finally spoke.

"I agree," Discord said. "We need to leave and find a better life somewhere else."

"Me too... but where do we go?" Soarin wondered.

"Away," Spike replied.

Soarin sat up to look at Spike.  "No, I'm serious," Soarin said. "Where do we go?"

Cheese Sandwich rubbed his hoof against his chin in thought. "Well, I suppose we could try Ponyville! The girls said they lived there."

The girls at the ball. The six wonderful mares that they had stumbled upon by what seemed to be destiny. They just couldn't forget them, no matter how hard they tried. 

A smile crept across Flash's face. "That's perfect."

"You can definitely count me in!" Discord said.

"But we'll need to keep a low profile," Flash claimed. He rose to his hooves and trotted over to an old chest in the corner of the room, dusting it off before prying it open. He pulled out six dusty cloaks which used to be their cloaks for travelling, but they were deserted when the boys started travelling less when they grew older. 

"Discord, can you make yourself look a bit more like a pony?" Flash wondered.

Discord smirked. "Say no more."

Discord snapped his finger and a flash of magic turned him into a very hideous looking pony. His hair had not turned into a pony mane very well, making him look nearly bald and his eyes were still the same red-yellow color. His tail was mismatched to his mane, a crimson red like his normal tail instead of changing to match his hair color. 

His brothers just stared for a moment. 

"Good enough," Flash said. "Now, put the cloaks on."

His brothers put their cloaks on and threw the hoods over their head to hide their facial features. All except for Fancy Pants.

"Fancy Pants, put your cloak on," Flash urged.

Fancy Pants frowned. "But it's so tacky!"

"Do you want to escape or not?" Flash asked.

Fancy Pants cringed and reluctantly took the cloak from Flash's hoof. He put it on slowly. 

"Alright, let's go!" Flash beckoned.

As quickly and silently as possible, the princes slipped out of the castle gates, careful to avoid the guards.



With Discord's teleportation power, they had reached Ponyville in a matter of seconds. They looked around the small town and compared it to the grandness of Canterlot. Of course, it was much smaller and much fewer ponies roamed the streets. However, they looked friendlier and more inviting. Ponies in Canterlot tended to strut around and viewed themselves as the upper crust of Equestria, but everypony in Ponyville didn't seem to smack a label on anything or anyone. The houses were more traditional and the town gave off a peaceful, welcoming vibe. 

"Alright, guys," Flash said. "Now that we're here, where do we stay?"

Cheese Sandwich's attention seemed to be focused elsewhere. "Hey, look! It's the girls!"

"Cheese, this is no time for---" Flash began.

"No, really!" Cheese Sandwich claimed. "Look!"

Cheese Sandwich pointed towards a diner on the right side of the road. A few of the tables were outdoors and ponies sat around the tables, chatting and laughing with one another. At one of these tables were the six mares that they had met at the royal ball.

The princes couldn't believe their eyes.

"No way," Discord said. 

"This is perfect!" Flash told them. "We can ask the girls if there's any hotels around here or anything!"

"Let's go," Fancy Pants agreed.

Cautiously, the boys approached the table of the girls. None of them seemed to notice the boys at first. They were all too focused on the story Pinkie Pie was telling. Pinkie Pie always had a way of making her stories fun and exciting.

Twilight looked over to her left and she was the first to notice the boys standing there. The rest of the girls noticed after they looked in the direction Twilight was gazing. 

"Hi there," Twilight greeted. "Can we... help... you?"

"Ah, yes," Discord spoke without thinking to disguise his voice. "You see, we are travelers and we are looking for a place to spend the night."

An expression of shock crossed over Fluttershy's face. "Prince Discord?! Wh-wh-what are you doing in Ponyville?!"

Discord returned Fluttershy's shock. "Wh---? How did she...?"

"Well, I memorized the sound of your voice," Fluttershy explained, sheepishly. "I just couldn't help myself."

"So, if that's Prince Discord, does that mean---?" Twilight observed.

Flash sighed. "Guess it didn't take you girls too long to blow our cover, huh?"

"Just don't tell anyone that we're here!" Spike pleaded.

"Come with us," Twilight beckoned. "It's safer where nopony can see you."

The princes agreed and they followed the girls. They ducked behind a tall tree which seemed to be a residence of some sort. A balcony with a telescope upon it was at the top of the tree and windows covered the trunk of the tree. There was another balcony near the middle of the tree with a lantern hanging from the handle that stretched from the window. At the base of the tree, there was a deep cherry red door with an image of a flickering candle on the front. 

Once they were all concealed behind the tree, the princes decided it was safe to unveil their faces. The princes put the hoods of their cloaks down and Discord snapped his fingers, reverting back to his original form. 

"What brings you to Ponyville?" Pinkie Pie wondered.

"We wanted to escape," Flash admitted. "We don't want to be a part of an arranged marriage. We thought Ponyville might be a good place to hide."

Twilight was a bit surprised. "Hide? What about your family? You don't want to make them worried. And it is a part of your royal duty to---"

"Please," Soarin said. "Don't tell anyone. They'll... they'll make us go back."

Twilight stared at the princes for a moment. They seemed desperate to escape their confinement and Twilight began to feel sympathetic. She knew she wouldn't want to participate in an arranged marriage either. "We understand," Twilight said. "We don't want you to be trapped in a loveless marriage either. We'll try our best to give you a place to hide here."

"Thank you," Flash replied.

"You don't know how much we appreciate your kindness," Fancy Pants added. "Could you perhaps guide us to some hotels around here?"

Twilight thought for a moment. "Well... there's the Ponyville Inn, but I think it's full. The Summer Sun Celebration is being held in Ponyville this year."

"Oh, that's okay," said a rather disappointed Flash.

"Aw, poo," Discord cursed. "What are we supposed to do now?!"

"I guess we'll have to go," Flash said, believing there was no other option. "Sorry to bother you, girls. Thanks for your help."

The princes sadly turned to go. Maybe there was an open hotel in another town. Not all hope was lost, but their hopes of staying near to the girls seemed to be diminished like a gust of wind blowing out the flame of a candle. 

"Don't go!!" a voice pleaded from behind them.

They turned back to the girls to see a very nervous Twilight chuckling from embarrassment. "I mean, maybe there's another option."

"What do you mean?" Flash wondered.

Twilight fumbled for an answer. "Well, um... maybe you can stay with us! I think we have room in our houses for guests."

"Really?" Flash asked. "You'd do that for us?"

"Of course!" Twilight replied. "It makes us happy to help. Right, girls?"

Twilight's friends nodded and made sounds of agreement.

"Oh, thank you so much!" Flash exclaimed.

"Of course," Twilight said again. "Flash, you can stay in my house! I have an extra bed available for guests in my library."

"You live in a library?" Flash asked. The smell of books must have been overwhelmingly delightful.

"Yes!" Twilight replied. "I love to read!"

"Great!" Flash exclaimed. "I love adventure stories!" 

Flash had always read adventure stories growing up. They took him to far-off places that he could never imagine travelling to. He loved the daring heroes and the intense action. He loved the suspense that built up inside of him when something exciting was taking place. He would skim over the paragraphs as fast as possible to see what happened next. 

"I've got some adventure stories that you might enjoy!" Twilight offered.

"I'll be there!" Flash said.

"Let's go!" Twilight beckoned. "I'll show you my favorites!"

Twilight rushed off in excitement and Flash followed her with a smile. The rest of the princes were taken aback a bit when they saw Twilight open the door to the tree they were standing behind and run inside with Flash on her tail. The door closed just as fast as it had opened.

"And I've got a guest room in my boutique!" Rarity added. "I have gemstones as far as the eye can see---"

Spike felt excitement begin to well up from inside of him. "Gemstones?" he asked, eagerly.

"Yes, all kinds of gemstones!" Rarity confirmed. "I use it for my fashion designing---"

"You're a fashion designer?" Fancy Pants asked.

"I certainly am!" Rarity replied. "I try my best to put TLC in every stitch. That stands for time, love, and couture."

Spike began to speak, "Rarity, do you think I can stay---?"

Fancy Pants unintentionally cut Spike off, "Miss Rarity, may I perhaps spend my time in your boutique? I do appreciate a mare with a keen eye for fashion."

Rarity was more than delighted to have him stay. "Why, of course you may, Fancy Pants! I'm so flattered that you're interested in my designs. I can show you my latest fashion line if you come along with me."

"I would love to see what you've created," Fancy Pants said.

Rarity began to lead Fancy Pants back to her boutique as he put the hood of his cloak back on. Spike watched them go and sighed, dejectedly. Only Applejack seemed to take notice.

"I have room in my cottage for anyone who'd like to stay," Fluttershy chimed in. "I always have a guest room in case of slumber parties. I have a garden full of wonderful flowers and there's all types of animals inside and out."

Discord cringed at the light and happy description. "It sounds so... beautiful."

"Oh, it is!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "Would you like to stay, Discord? I bet you'd fit right in!"

An awkward silence filled the air. Discord was confused by this. Fluttershy had mentioned animals at her cottage, so he wondered if she was comparing him to her animal friends. "I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted."

Fluttershy realized what he meant and felt a little guilty. "Oh, I apologize, Discord! If you don't want to stay, I-I understand. It’ll probably be much more comfortable for you if you stayed with somepony else," she said, quickly. Fluttershy sighed. She hadn't meant to upset Discord, especially since she was beginning to grow fond of him. 

Discord looked at her. "Oh... I'm being guilt tripped," he muttered to himself. He spoke up, "I shall be more than happy to stay in your... cottage."

"Oh, wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaimed, her features brightening in an instant. "I was hoping you would say that!"

Fluttershy flew up next to him with eagerness. "Come on! I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised!"

Discord forced himself forward and followed the mare to her cottage. The lack of chaos would normally give him a headache and he was unsure if Fluttershy was open to letting him create his own. He would have to ask her.

After they disappeared into the distance, Pinkie Pie began to speak to Cheese Sandwich in the same eager manner, "Cheese Sandwich! I think I have the perfect place for you! There's an extra guest room in Sugarcube Corner with the Cake family! That's where I live! There's all sorts of sweet treats like cake, cookies, brownies---"

"Say no more! I'm coming!" Cheese Sandwich said.

"Woohoo!" Pinkie Pie cheered.

The two rushed off together, giggling like a pair of maniacs. The pair seemed like a match made in heaven.

"Well, Soarin's the only one left who can come up and stay in my house since I live in the clouds," Rainbow Dash realized.

"You do?" Soarin asked.

"Yup!" Rainbow Dash replied. "Got the only cloud house in all of Ponyville!" 

"Sweet, I'm-" Soarin winked. "Up for the challenge."

Rainbow Dash smirked at his attempt to make a funny pun. "Make a joke like that and I'll send you to stay with Pinkie Pie and Cheese. They're a lot more-" Rainbow Dash nudged him with a playful gleam in her eye. "cheesy."

Soarin chuckled.

"Let's go," Rainbow Dash said. "I've got some racing trophies if you'd like to see them."

"Cool!" Soarin exclaimed.

In a matter of seconds, the two rushed off, leaving their respective trails behind them as they flew. 

Spike sighed sadly. He had wanted to stay with Rarity, but once again, he failed to get his way. Spike was unsure if it was because he was a dragon, but the notion of it made him feel left out.

Slowly, Applejack made her way over to the dejected dragon, "Well, uh... my guest room is open. Do you want to stay with me down on Sweet Apple Acres?"

Spike sighed. "Looks like that's the only option. I just... I wanted to stay with Rarity."

Applejack chuckled. "I'm not insulted. She has lots of gemstones and I think Twilight said something about that being a dragon's main source of food once."

"It... wasn't because of the gemstones," Spike admitted. He paused, considering if he should really tell Applejack about his feelings. He decided that he could trust Applejack. She didn't seem like the type to blabber everyone's secrets against their wishes. "Okay, don't tell anyone else this... but I sort of like Rarity." He sighed. "But once again, Fancy Pants always gets his way just because he's a pony and I'm..." He said the word with a venom as if he was no longer proud of it, "A dragon."

Applejack tried to sound as comforting as possible, "Spike, I'm sure that's not why she invited him to stay. Come with me. I don't have any gemstones, but I do have some apple pie that you might like if you're feeling hungry."

Spike smiled weakly. "Well, I do like apples."

"Then, let's go," Applejack said. "There's lots of apples down where I come from."

Spike only nodded and began to follow Applejack. Throwing on the hood of his cloak, he glanced back in the direction Rarity and Fancy Pants had gone. They seemed to be going in the opposite direction. He looked back down towards Applejack. She was staring down at the grass and not saying a word. Spike considered asking Applejack if she was alright, but surmised that getting Applejack to reveal personal feelings would have to wait until they knew each other better. 

Spike stared ahead. The roads gradually turned into grass and the buildings began to disappear. A big red farm came into view and miles of apple trees covered the fields ahead of him. This would be his new home.