CHAPTER 8
The gang looked around at the funny and whimsical world of pink surrounding them. They felt as if they were in a forest, because they seemed to be caught halfway up giant trunks of pink, sprouting from the darkness below and stretching high up into the sky above. As a breeze came over them these trunks began to sway in it, tilting ever-so-slightly to one side, almost in unison. The gang, perched on a small ledge on one of these giant trunks, surveyed the area and dusted themselves off. “Nice work, your majesties” Spike nodded approvingly, “I think we got out of there just in time!”
Scootaloo looked around nervously, “But where exactly did we end up?”
Luna shook her head frantically to remove some dust particles caught in her flowing mane. “Our spell has yet to be perfected – so I do not know, little one. But I may make an educated guess.” The other three looked at Luna with wide eyes. “I fear these are not trees of some foreign land. I think that we are in somepony’s mane.”
A universal gasp followed, and Twilight brushed her hoof along the thick strand of pink hair towering over them. “Fluttershy…” she said aloud, as Luna turned to her. “Fluttershy’s been keeping Rainbow Dash company all day; I asked her to…we must have teleported into her mane...”
“Why does it have to be Fluttershy?” Scootaloo asked, “it could literally be anypony!”
Luna explained, “our teleportation spell only works within a certain radius. Given that Twilight Sparkle says Ms. Fluttershy has been with Rainbow Dash all day – and that we tried the spell to teleport to one of the nearest detectable 'safe' places – it seems a reasonable suggestion.”
The four of them looked up to the sky which dominated their upwards view. Looking down, the darkness of the full set of pink hairs’ roots was intimidating-enough. As if sensing their need for a heavy prompt to investigate, a strong wind – or a quick movement from Fluttershy – caused them to lose their balance and fall down through the forest of hairs. Spike and Scootaloo screamed as they grabbed hold of a strand and slid down it as if it were a pole; the princesses followed them down through the mess of hair. As they descended, the strands began to seem wavier here and there, making them curious. Eventually they reached the scalp, and the princesses used the torch spells to light up their horns. It was then that they made a discovery which confirmed a slight oversight: this pony’s fur was pink too. Although a lighter shade than the mane, this was an unmistakably pink pony. Almost on cue, they heard Pinkie Pie’s voice shout and cheer about something they couldn’t see, but her jumping up and down nonetheless caused the mane to shake around and send the gang tumbling down the side of her head, eventually reaching a giant obelisk of a structure, towering upwards. They quickly identified this as her ear, and it was then that Twilight had an idea.
“Do you remember what Action Tremor was talking about Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie’s visit to Griffinstone?” They nodded slowly as she continued: “What if the wretched Eevies managed to make it into Pinkie Pie’s body too?!"
The others gasped. “So…so what are you suggesting, Twilight?” Scootaloo asked with a tremble.
“I think we should make sure that they didn’t,” Twilight said assertively. “Come on!” And without even awaiting a response she brought Spike onto her lap, put Scootaloo on Luna’s, and led the way around the side of the massive pink ear until they reached its canal entrance. The sound of a breeze flowing through the tunnel was like a mad wind. Turning to face the outside world, they were filled with emotions of desertion and withdrawal as they saw Rainbow Dash, her magnificent rainbow mane flowing down the side in their view; she looked completely disinterested at whatever she was looking at; Pinkie seemed very much to be enjoying it based on what they could hear from where they hovered. They suspect nothing, Twilight sighed, thinking how crucial it was to help whatever problems these two young mares faced. Perhaps if Pinkie hasn’t been behaving so negatively, she’ll be safe?
---
The alicorns flew slowly into the dark ear canal, but again – as with Rainbow’s - the curiously quaint sight of a multi-lane highway, lit up with streetlamps and vehicle headlights, came into view. So too did the obligatory billboard, wedged into a large clump of earwax, stating Welcome to the City of Pinkie Pie! Amused by the similarity, Spike and Scootaloo smiled, but as soon as they ventured further towards the centre of Pinkie’s head, the differences in the city became more obvious.
The City of Pinkie Pie was a crazy place, like something out of a Dr Seuss story. Very little of the architecture appeared to make sense. It was all laid out just like Rainbow’s insides - but the way things were built, the way microponies walked and went about their days, was whimsical and unpredictable. The general vibe was as if there was a 24-7 party going on, and it was hardly surprising. Compared to what they’d seen earlier, there were no derelict buildings here, no dirty side-streets or cracked pavements; and no sign of any Eevies anywhere was encouraging. The gang reached the resplendent glossy-pink City Hall and asked to see the Mayor, and were met in the same manner they had received when they’d first entered Rainbow Dash's micro-metropolis months ago: numerous cellular ponies came up to them, wanting pictures and autographs, eager to speak to the friends Pinkie had known for so long now. However, they were eventually met here by a rather stern-looking stallion who wore a simple pink tie and glasses. He shooed away the pestering fans and addressed them: “Welcome to our super-dooper splendidly awesome city” he droned, lacking any conviction in the recitation. “I’m afraid the Mayor is extremely busy at the moment; we’re experiencing high levels of excitement…as usual…” he muttered. "I suspect you're all quite shocked to discover our humble abode within your friend."
"Nope" Spike said with crossed arms, smiling to himself.
The stallion looked deflated, and turned to the alicorns. “I am Buzz Gil, the Mayor’s deputy minister. What can I do for you, Princesses?”
The two alicorns looked at each other before Twilight spoke up. “We’re wondering if we could ask if there’s been a sighting in this city of a particular creature.”
Buzz Gil raised an eyebrow hesitantly, so Scootaloo took out her camera and showed him a photograph of an Eevie they’d seen on the street. “Oh I say…” he lowered his glasses and seemed horrified. “As it happens, I seem to recall our borders being threatened by such a creature a while back, when we visited Griffinstone with that pie-hating liar Rainbow Dash. We repelled them easily enough though, never saw them again. What are they?”
“They’re called Eevies and they're a microscopic nuisance, and Rainbow Dash has actually been infected and taken over by the troublesome things!” Buzz Gil stroked his chin and gave a 'hmm' of disinterest, but Twilight pressed: "You’re sure you haven’t seen any of those things in the city recently?”
“Well I certainly haven’t, but I shall notify our defences in the event that I do, and shall have warnings put up around the city!”
The foursome sighed in relief, and Spike noticed a bust of Pinkie Pie in-front of the giant brain which rose up ominously beyond it. “Look,” he laughed, “it’s Pinkie and the Brain!”
Laughing, Scootaloo took a selfie with Spike, and the group thanked the deputy minister for his time. Twilight spoke up: “Perfect, that’s a relief. Now we have to go back to save Action Tremor, save all of the citizens, and save Rainbow Dash!” The others nodded slowly and they set off once more. Heading back for the ear highways, they made their way through Cochlea Junction to the outer parts of the waxy canal. Their fortunes changed, however, when their path was blocked by a traffic jam. “Oh for Starswirl’s sake, what is the hold-up?!” Twilight exclaimed, as the answer manifested itself: a large clot of wax, wedged in an alcove of the canal, was slowly being broken up by a team of workers clad in high-vis jackets in this dark section of tunnel. The fact that the streetlights appeared to be broken around here wasn't helping. The gang watched as the team worked agonisingly slowly but carefully through torchlight, until the whole piece came crashing down and narrowly missed one of the thoroughfares of traffic. As numerous citizens emerged from their vehicles to complain about the apparently sloppy job, the whole tunnel seemed to shift downwards, and the two hovering alicorns were caught off-guard as the world around them tilted down. The brightness of the way out was suddenly blocked by what they presumed was a hoof, and the princesses looked at each other with a look of resignation. “Let’s go” Twilight muttered to Luna, navigating their orb as the traffic around them grew more impatient whilst the whole ear canal began shaking vigorously. The orb shot through the crowd and went flying into the open air outside, breaking out of the ear after the hoof had moved away. After the dark tunnel, the bright light dazzled the foursome so much that they lost their eyesight temporarily, but these moments proved costly as the alicorns were unable to see, blacking out and sending their orb crashing downwards. When they awoke, they found themselves in a sea of pink water. Are we still inside Pinkie?! Twilight wondered, as the calm waters around them bubbled quietly.
CHAPTER 9
Pinkie Pie tilted her head slightly as she moved her hoof up to her ear, wearing a confused expression. “Owee!” she said, causing Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy to turn their heads to her. The four of them – Rarity had muttered something about being too preoccupied - had been enjoying drinks in the sun on this bright afternoon, but Pinkie’s distraction had caught her companions’ attention whilst they were discussing the rumour that Twilight and Spike were working on their shrinking formulae again.
“Somethin’ the matter there, sugarcube?” Applejack asked sincerely.
Pinkie scratched her ear, “yeah Applejack, I just got an itch in my ear – feels like something’s moving in there!”
The girls gasped, but Rainbow Dash chuckled, “ha ha – hey Pinkie Pie, I guess it’s your turn to have some tiny pony mess around with you!” And with a cheeky smile she took a swig of her pink lemonade.
Whilst the others turned away from Rainbow unamused, Fluttershy had kept her gaze – and she noticed the tiniest of purple dots disappear into the unsuspecting pegasus’ maw with a gallon of lemonade. Fluttershy remembered Twilight telling her that Spike may join her at a later point in her mission; now anxious, she quietly checked her tracker and saw the little red dot on the screen entering Rainbow’s body outline. “Actually, Rainbow Dash…” she spoke up, unable to hold it in, “I think you just swallowed Spike.”
Everypony’s eyes widened as Rainbow Dash coughed and looked shocked, “oh come on, not again!”
---
The tiny foursome had looked up at the sky-blue pony’s giant face as she had opened her maw completely unaware, and with the princesses’ purple orb protecting them they had ridden a water-slide like no other. Here we go again, Twilight thought as they passed under Rainbow’s upper jaw of bared teeth; with the seas of lemonade all around them, they had roared through the oral cavity with such speed that they barely had time to spot the uvula sway above them before they were accompanied by a large gulp down the oesophagus. Scootaloo noticed up ahead the billboard in the throat that had once proudly welcomed visitors to the city; it was now covered in enough graffiti to render it meaningless. Amused, she was able to take a few pictures of it as it flew past, but the orb was not strong enough to withstand the heavy flow of liquid pouring down the throat.
As the stomach came into view Spike yelled – wishing he’d brought his goggles – and the gang braced themselves for one hell of a big splash. Cellular ponies were standing on the boardwalk watching as this latest arrival into the stomach sent a large wave heading towards the beach. The cordoned safe-section of the beach was unaffected, however, and no klaxon sounded. What did sound was a megaphone from one side of the stomach walls, blaring:
“Now arriving: Soft drink beverage third intake, several life-forms detected. Reflux and Breakdown, prepare for potential gaseous emissions. Docking crew standby to initiate unloading procedure.”
The orb burst and they found themselves standing on a half-digested sweetcorn kernel amidst the bubbling lemonade as it mixed with the acidic waters. The gang cleaned and shook themselves as bubbly soda dripped down their wet manes, whilst ferry and patrol boats made their way over. Luna gasped when she noticed a fair number of Eevies on-board these boats, and Spike huddled them together quickly. “Okay, I’ve got an idea. Princess Luna, Twilight, do you think you could work some more magic?” As the two nodded, Spike whispered his plan.
The boats docked and a pair of border-control guards climbed onto the giant corn kernel. The guards loudly proclaimed that the Mayor had sent out a city-wide arrest warrant for four escapees, but Scootaloo stepped out and held up a hoof declaring her innocence. “Oh, oh what am I doing here?” she swooned, as the guards looked at each other. “Has Celestia forsaken me, that I should be so cruelly sent to this unknown place after being cursed at this size?!” She then proceeded to fake a faint and flop over behind a groove in the kernel, as the guards rushed towards her. Once they reached her, the two concealed alicorns sent a spell their way that froze them temporarily in a state of surprise. The princesses then began setting about putting on the guards’ uniforms for disguise. Luckily for them, these uniforms covered the tails, and had a hood on the jackets; in these tight suits they were able to conceal their true identity, as Luna’s mane and tail didn’t have space to move! They arose from the groove and addressed the glaring lights of the waiting boats.
“We have identified this subject, and it is one the Mayor has been demanding to see. We are to present her to him immediately. Her accomplice here will join us.” Luna spoke in her booming voice, and a few Eevies leapt up from the boat and flew right up to their faces, staring them straight in the eye.
Whilst no words were said, they examined each other for a few moments before one of the Eevies shouted “Well get on with it then!” As its companion laughed, the alicorns slunk off, flapping their wings and pretending to struggle with Scootaloo and Spike as they soared up through the vast stomach and headed towards a motorway junction leading into a hole in the wall.
They continued through the hole into a tunnel and came to a stop in an innocuous lay-by once they were out of any suspecting citizen’s view. Traffic roared past them as they went up to an information board nearby, and Scootaloo picked up a City map brochure lying on the floor. Twilight and Luna removed their hoods as the former examined the map: “Right, good thinking back there, Spike. Okay we're here, on Pancreas Drive, at the moment. Now what we need to do is –“
“What we need to do is locate Rainbow Dash’s heart; I’ve a sneaking suspicion that the Mayor will have tampered with it. The Element of Loyalty is inside it, and maybe he’s done something to it to control the citizens” Scootaloo interrupted, assertively pointing on the map.
The others looked suspiciously at her, but she added: “Discord told me about it once. He said it was where he convinced everypony to support him as mayor.” She blushed innocently.
“Very well, little filly. Onward, to the heart!” Luna exclaimed as they set off down a side tunnel and joining the relatively-quiet Circulatory line transit authority.
---
The microscopic group were pumped to the heart in no time at all, disembarking with several other microponies and heading towards the giant beating organ which aesthetically subjugated this borough, known as Chesterton. Citizens all around them seemed in no mood to give them a hard time; even most of the Eevies seemed disinterested in two immigration guards and two visitors. The quartet were able to navigate their way through this busy hub with citizens parting in front of them. This was normally a popular area – with nightclubs, bars and restaurants aplenty – and the gang were surprised to see so few younger citizens about. “LOOK!” Spike pointed at something and ran towards it.
“What is it, Spike?” Twilight caught up with him and realized he was pointing at a poster on the wall: Discord’s smug face, in an Obama 'Hope'-style stencil, captioned with ‘Never too awesome’. It was covered in graffiti branding him a ‘failure’ but there was no mistaking the familiarity of it. This indeed was where he had once come to sway the public months ago. Twilight mused sadly over how things had changed around here.
The foursome reached the base of the heart and walked round the vast perimeter. It was surprisingly quiet here and ergo they were able to slide unnoticed into a side entrance, marked -Service Elevator: No unauthorized access- of the massive thumping organ, and presently boarded a small elevator. Observing the buttons, Scootaloo didn’t hesitate to push one labelled Element Sustainability Dpt. They stood and waited as they shot upwards, occasionally feeling a jolt as Rainbow’s heart pumped away. “I can’t believe where we are!” Scootaloo cried as she took a selfie. “I always knew my sister loved me, and now I really AM in her heart!”
Spike face-palmed, “Come on Scootaloo, don’t you think you’re overdoing it a bit?”
Twilight interrupted. “She built a catapult to visit Rainbow’s parents in Cloudsdale…”
“We’re here,” Luna said abruptly. Sure enough, the doors pinged and they were greeted by a walkway lit by illuminated City of Rainbow Dash seals and logos in a wonderful electric-blue pigment. The muffled sound of rushing blood was audible from both sides; and as they walked down the dimly-lit corridor they turned a corner and were struck by the sheer brightness emanating from a doorway to one side. Entering the doorway they were nearly blinded by the shining red glow coming from whatever room or chamber this was. The light was coming from the element: a giant physical essence in the shape of the red lightning-bolt Rainbow’s Element-of-Harmony necklace bore. It rotated slowly on a giant pedestal – in a similar way as the Crystal Heart – and must’ve been soaring up 10 storeys high. It was pretty much translucent in appearance, and a continuous hum was coming from some machinery on an upper platform-gangway which circled and skirted the walls of this tubular chamber. As Spike headed for a staircase, Luna pulled him back and pointed silently to some Eevie guards scouting the perimeter above. The princesses used their freezing spell once more, rendering the guards motionless and then carrying them out of the nearest door, which Spike then went to lock. Now feeling sufficiently secure, they headed up the staircases and reached what appeared to be a major control panel.
Lights flickered everywhere and screens depicting status bars of all sorts flashed in front of them; it was as overwhelming as any cockpit! Spike noticed a log book which showed employee sign-ins; a notable recurring absence for weeks was the RD Heart Security Operator, flagged in red marker as 'getting too lazy'. He was showing this to Twilight when Scootaloo suddenly gulped loudly and pointed to one side, where a monitor labelled 'Commands History' had already been activated. Scootaloo sat down and was able to find a list of events displayed on it. “There!” Twilight said from behind her, pointing at an entry saying ‘HSO override access granted: Element maintenance in progress’. Continuing scrolling, the entries revealed that the Element had most definitely been tampered with. Various entries suggested that the Eevies had used some sort of technological magic to override the Element and alter its functions so that it manipulated its powers of loyalty to effectively brainwash the poor citizens. That must be why Oovla didn’t help us earlier…Twilight pondered. “You see? This is why we argued and split up earlier! The effects much bust be more rapid than we thought...Ugh! Why can’t these things ever be easy to reset?!” She cried out loud, startling Luna beside her.
“Um, Twilight?” Scootaloo smirked as she pressed some buttons until the monitor read: ‘restore settings? Yes ➡ Set date?’
She prepared to reset back to that first override as Twilight blushed, “oh…just like in the movies…”
CHAPTER 10
The City of Rainbow Dash experienced a sudden inundated sense of awe, and all around the streets microponies simply stopped what they were doing and shook their tiny heads. Secretary Marjorie massaged her temples along with other City Hall officials who sat in almost-catatonic states of shock and disillusion; up in the uvula, Oovla rubbed her head as she and her colleagues looked at each other in a daze. The Eevies were equally confused by the sudden standstill, but became aggressive when some of the citizens glared at them and became confrontational, just as Rainbow herself might be in the face of danger. As brawls broke out on the streets as the citizens fought back, the gang – still inside the heart – watched as the facility was filled with various Eevie guards, running around frantically to the commands of a Tannoy barking orders. Red beacons and alarms made their presences known, and the gang slipped out quietly by following signs to an exit to the Chesterton hub.
They had left the Element of Loyalty’s chamber after they felt they had successfully set things back the way they should be, and the two princesses had cast a protective spell over the HSO's monitor, preventing any tampering from occurring again. The control panel screens had briefly depicted scenes of happy memories of the Mane 6, assuring the gang that the loyalties had been mended. Then, Scootaloo had used locksmith skills - that she'd developed in a CMC venture years ago -
to set pony-only padlocks on the chamber doors, and the quartet allowed themselves a smile as they walked out into the district to find microponies furiously attacking the Eevies and kicking the living daylights out of them in typical Rainbow Dash style. “Now we must find the city officials who’ve been imprisoned” Luna decreed, and they studied their city map once more. “Hmm, where could they be…Hoofham…Lukington…South Side - there!” she pointed, finding a section of Brain Central marked ‘Correctional Institute and Detention Facilities’. And stripping of their patrol uniforms the group found some abandoned cars in the middle of the road – such was the chaos – and with Luna taking the wheel they sped off up a nerve towards the brain.
---
“I’m sorry…I really don’t know what to say, Fluttershy.”
“Look Rainbow Dash, I was only looking out for you because you’re my closest friend. We have to stick together.”
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had left the girls to go up to Rainbow’s Cloudominium. Rainbow had been panicking about Spike entering her body earlier – again - but Fluttershy had managed to convince her that she had seen Spike a few moments ago in the castle. Rainbow had believed this lie, and had suddenly become very apologetic, to Fluttershy’s delight.
“I guess I was triggered a little bit, you know? I’ve totally been feeling bad for…like, swallowing Spike a couple months ago, when Twilight was being an egghead with that shrinky spell thing” Rainbow said, looking sadly at Fluttershy with a sigh. “It made me feel kinda down and dumb, and then when it happened again…I think it must’ve made me act out. I’m sorry.”
Fluttershy looked away shyly. “It’s okay, Rainbow Dash. Your friendship is important to me.”
Rainbow smiled. “Of course it is. I’m like the number one loyal pony! And as your loyal friend, we can do whatever you want now – and I promise I totally won’t complain.”
Fluttershy turned slowly and hugged her childhood friend. “Maybe we could go feed the animals back at my cottage?” Rainbow rolled her eyes with a smile and the two headed off.
---
The gang were back in Rainbow Dash’s brain faster than they could have anticipated, coasting through the traffic in a manner that left serious question marks over the supposed 'regal and graceful' nature of Luna’s driving. They had, however, stopped on the Optic Nerve Boulevard and managed to rally together some rebellious citizens, who had followed them determined to restore order to their proud city. Following signs for the prison, they reached a dark section of the borough that was void of any residential streets; rather, factories and plants that seemed to produce nervous electricity dominated the district's scene. Eventually they came across a large light-grey square building, lacking any aesthetics whatsoever. In big cyan writing printed on it were the words City of Rainbow Dash Correctional Institute – this was about the only decorative feature. The gang headed inside cautiously, and the princesses readied themselves with their freezing spell. When the first Eevie appeared, two citizens rushed up from behind the alicorns and knocked them out before tying them up speedily. A cheer rose up from the small accompanying mob, and they swiftly followed suit into the prison.
They found a large cell block and encountered about ten Eevies who put up a good fight. The citizens attacked, with punches thrown and even some horns' magic tested, and some were even able to push some of the Eevies into unoccupied cells. Meanwhile, the foursome inspected the cells. Some were filled with angry germs and bacteria, carefully detained behind heavy-looking doors and screens; one cell which seemed particularly heavily-secure was labelled as Influenza. Luna barked in her booming voice: “Are there any government officials unfairly detained in this block?” An immense roar came from the upper row of cells, with numerous pony arms reaching out of the bars. “Let’s go” Luna nodded to Twilight, and they set to work unlocking the cells with the keys recovered from a vanquished Eevie. The mob cheered and the government officials shook themselves as Twilight prepared to address them; she paused momentarily to hug Action Tremor who had run up to her in gratitude.
“Listen up – we’re taking back this city, and we need your help. You must return to the sectors and departments you worked for before, and help restore the order which made your Rainbow Dash the most awesome pony around! Don’t worry – Princess Luna and I, with the help of my trusty dragon and Rainbow’s biggest admirer here, will be dealing with the ‘Mayor’ immediately. We will need your help. We need distractions, decoys, anything to aid in our penetration of City Hall!” There was an immense cheer as the mob had now grown; nearby factory workers on their breaks had curiously entered the loud building. “Does anypony know where the DAA barracks are?” she asked.
A small stallion held his hoof up. “Princess Twilight, I know where they are! They’re in the wing muscles over in Wings Peak.”
Of course, Twilight recalled, we’ve even been there before. Action Tremor nudged her, “I’ll take you there. Wingsward ho!” And the reunited five took off again, whilst the mob hurried out into the streets to gather more citizens.
“How can we trust that stallion, what if he was a Movement sympathiser trying to cause trouble?” Twilight asked.
Action Tremor frowned, “that was no sympathiser. That was Chancellor Danid who answered; he’s been one of Oovla’s most loyal employees for years.” Reassured, Twilight sped up, and they eventually reached the barracks.
The DAA were undergoing drill commands, but were doing so blindly in an almost zombie-like state under the direction of several Eevies and Movement members adopting DAA officers’ uniforms. Luna and Twilight froze the Eevies that charged towards them, paving the way for Action Tremor to address the troops he once governed. The foursome watched as Action Tremor eyed them all up and down, before barking at them unexpectedly. That alone was enough to shake a few soldiers out of their hypnosis, but he pressed on: “I hardly need to remind you of where your loyalties lie. You all took an oath, you all swore under the great seal! THIS is what you're defending, THIS is what you fight for!” At this point he produced two large photographs: one of Rainbow Dash enjoying the company of her friends at the Gala, and the other of the Mane 6 statue inside City Hall captioned Loyalty Pays Off. “Our beloved city is in danger by evil forces, and I’ll be damned if I become any part of the history books which just sits there and lets this happen. We’ve had too many momentous victories in the past to let this become our future. I know you feel the same way, and I know that you know I’m right. This is your home, this is your freedom, and this is your duty! Get out there and make your City proud!” His speech had definitely shaken the hypnotic spell over the army – but whilst it didn’t stir up the huge ovation he’d clearly expected, the units all went to work preparing for the attacks. It all worked liked clockwork; within 10 minutes the troops were moving out for battle. Taking a small unit from a DAA regiment with them, the foursome stormed City Hall only to discover a riot had broken out. The quartet headed for the elevator and quickly set off up the cerebrum’s centre towards the Prefrontal Cortex offices, whilst an amateur-piloted tank fired aimlessly at the brain’s base.
---
Meanwhile, Applejack had got in touch with Rainbow Dash’s parents that afternoon, concerned for her friend’s well-being. Her parents had flown down immediately, and had arrived to find Rainbow in Fluttershy’s cottage, petting a squirrel with a blank expression across her face. She did, however, rub her forehead with an ‘ow!’ at one point, seemingly pained. “She sure must have a lotta things floatin’ around up there, y’all.” Applejack offered, tapping the side of her own head. The sight of her parents’ distressed faces caused Rainbow’s eyes to well up with tears – which she naturally fought back – but presently she accepted the incoming hug of her mother. Applejack smiled at the embraced and even Fluttershy’s animals awed at the moment. Assured that she had friends and family to help her through rough times, Rainbow Dash gave a smile broader than anypony had seen from her for a long time.
Back inside her brain, the doors opened to the Office and the Mayor was once again waiting for them: he and his guards threw themselves onto the alicorns and tied them up, covering their horns. Spike and Scootaloo managed to escape, however, sliding under the melee and heading for cover by the desk. Whilst the Mayor laughed at the struggling alicorns, Action Tremor appeared through the elevator doors all of a sudden, and with his own ropes caught the Mayor and tied his wings together. As this happened, Spike suddenly got an idea when he spotted something on the desk’s control panel. He jumped up onto the desk and taunted the Mayor, shaking his behind and laughing at him – the Mayor wasn’t having any of it and lunged at him, but at the last minute Spike dived out the way and the now-flightless Mayor’s leg caught the lever which opened a panel of glass in the office wall. The ‘outside’ air came in and Scootaloo tripped the Mayor up as he came crashing down, sending him hurtling out the window and plummeting down into the plaza below. Unable to flap his wings, he crashed into a pile of citizens who bore down on him instantly. The two guards in the office were distressed by this and immediately flew out the window in pursuit. The mayor’s office was silent as all five of the heroes panted for breath. Action Tremor untied the alicorns and observed the office he knew so well, from his chair right up to the broom closet. “Well, that’s the end of that, I hope!” he sighed, a comment which trivialised the events so much that the alicorns chuckled with him, out of both relief and happiness. Down below, a cry of support rose up to suggest that the battle was won. As the foursome peered over the edge of the opened pane, they saw an immense throng of citizens cheering, punching the air and presently shouting ‘Rain-bow Dash! Rain-bow Dash!’ in unison, seemingly aimed up at the office windows of the immense City Hall; chants of Action Tremor's name soon followed. Beaten Eevies were strewn about, unconscious, and the DAA fired a 21-gun salute as the city flag was raised outside. The gang even spotted Oovla out in the crowd, cheering them on happily. The scenes of celebration were moving, and Twilight Sparkle turned to Action Tremor.
“It looks as if this city is yours once again, Mr. Mayor.”
Action Tremor shook his head with a smile. “The city is indeed ours, Princess Twilight, but we’re going to need a mayor who can lead us out of the mess that has been created, to clean up this not-so-one-horse town. I am no longer the man for the job.” Scootaloo gasped as he held up a hoof for silence. “It's been one hell of a ride for me, but I don’t deserve it anymore. I enjoyed my tenure, but it’s time to let somepony else take the reins. I've had enough time now.” Twilight and Luna nodded approvingly, as he added: “The city will hold an election soon - but firstly, we'll dispose of the Eevies once and for all through the bowels, and that’ll be the last we hear of them. None are to remain in this city.”
Whilst the group looked down silently, Luna suddenly spoke up. “Actually, I may have an idea – a use for this Eevie species, if I may.”
Action Tremor looked down and saw that the crowd was dispersing and ponies were now preparing to begin rebuilding their shattered home together. The collective effort brought him great joy as he watched, but he turned to Luna seriously. “Be my guest. Take them out of here, we don’t ever want to see them again in the City of Rainbow Dash. Just make sure you know what you’re doing with them, Princess Luna; they’ve caused enough trouble.” Luna nodded and he turned to a microphone on his desk, holding down a button and preparing to speak. The others realised this was a public address system, and thus all corners of the city would be hearing whatever he was to say. “Citizens of Rainbow Dash – we have resumed control of our city. With the endearing loyalty and support of each and every one of you, I can assure you that every last Eevie and Movement offender will not be seen in our borders ever again; and City Hall will hereby introduce a stricter border-control enforcement! I’m Action Tremor, and stay cool, citizens!” He released the button somewhat dramatically and sat back in the chair, sighing heavily. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done. My God, I can’t begin to think where Rainbow Dash would be without the help of the friend she has in you, Twilight Sparkle! You’ve helped save our city twice now, given me a new lease of life, and we even managed to get some valuable positive contact with the Parental units today! I would say you’re welcome to visit again any time, but I don’t think you’ll want to visit anymore given that there’s always a problem haha!”
Twilight allowed herself a hug with the former mayor and he presently called for a private helicopter convoy to escort them out once again. Luna proceeded to gather together some unconscious Eevies, finding at least ten, and sealing them in a storage container for the time being. This was loaded onto a freight helicopter which travelled behind them. Spike looked delighted as they sat in the VIP chopper and flew over the scenes of celebration throughout Brain Central, “now this is more like it!” he exclaimed as Scootaloo laughed next to him. Whereas last time their exit had been via Rainbow’s ear, the pilot headed for the nose this time, venturing into the Nasal District and turning down the busy left nostril due to a blockage in the congested right passage. Nose-hairs whooshed in the breeze of the chopper as they soared over the traffic, and soon they flew over the outskirts of the nostril – where an immigration garrison was stationed along with a billboard bidding a fond farewell – and they left the confines of the city, exposed to the harsh natural light here in Fluttershy’s garden. They turned back and looked up to see Rainbow Dash's nose dominating their skyline, with the fringe of her mane cascading down the horizon above them over her massive eyes. Once more, the gang felt a strange sensation seeing the pegasus: knowing full-well what had occurred within her body whilst she remained happily oblivious. The chopper flew down onto the ground near one of Rainbow's hooves, and the pilot hovered and signalled the freighter to unload its cargo for Luna. Once completed, the choppers turned and rose up towards Rainbow's head; the gang watched as Rainbow laughed as a dirty squirrel licked her face. As Twilight used her magic to create their protective orb, Luna used hers to fly the Eevies alongside them. “So Princess Luna, why do you need the Eevies?” Spike asked.
Luna smiled at him, “these are indeed a special species which my sister and I have studied for many years now. I wish to conduct further studies on them in a laboratory setting, where specimens can be monitored to ensure they do not become contaminated or developed, even. I’m thinking I will build a formicarium for them.”
“Just be careful, Princess Luna” Twilight urged her, and heading back to the castle they prepared to use the regrowth potion behind closed doors. Twilight poured it over the four of them as they anxiously grimaced in the suspenseful moment, but it worked: in a matter of seconds they felt themselves over as they looked around, back at normal size in their surroundings. Scootaloo was excitedly examining her photographs on the camera around her neck, whilst Spike kissed the ground. They had subjected the Eevies’ container to the spell as well, but quickly re-applied enough of the potion that they were reduced back to roughly ant-sized. With this held in her grasp, Luna said goodbye and shot off towards Canterlot. Twilight, meanwhile, told Spike and Scootaloo to join her and they hurried to Fluttershy’s to join their friends.
EPILOGUE
Rainbow Dash was in the process of apologizing to her friends at Flutterhy’s cottage when Twilight came bursting in with Spike and Scootaloo. “Huh?” the sky-blue pegasus looked confused as the three attempted to look casual, receiving equally-quizzical looks from Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Rarity and Fluttershy ran up to them and greeted them in a way that perhaps seemed overly-friendly to the others.
“Where’ve you been?” Pinkie Pie demanded. “Rainbow Dash was saying sorry for acting super-dooper weird.”
“Yeah” Rainbow laughed nervously. “I’m sorry I acted the way I did. Next group dinner is on me!” The gang all laughed together and Scootaloo ran up to hug her idol. “Woah easy there, squirt!”
But smiling Scootaloo hugged Rainbow’s chest so tightly she could feel the heartbeats. “Oh Rainbow Dash, I really feel like I’m closer to you than ever before!” And she turned and winked to Twilight and Spike, who blushed as a confused Rainbow simply shrugged and hugged Scootaloo back.
---
“…and the heart contains whatever you hold most dear to you, and it rotates on a giant pedestal for everyone to see! Oh, and the nose always has loads of congestion in it because the fans are making energy! And the stomach is like an airport ‘cos stuff is always coming and going in and out, and all our cells get to enjoy it like a beach and…”
Cheerilee rolled her eyes as her student Scootaloo continued this most bizarre project demonstration. The filly was using an outline of Rainbow Dash and explaining the body’s functions with such excitement and frenzy that she seemed to be describing a theme park! She had pegged a few photos up as well, but they were poor quality and hard to really see what was going on. One picture did look suspiciously like a pony’s stomach lining… Just because they're your idol doesn't mean they're constructed in some unearthly way, Cheerilee thought, considering how better she could've phrased the biology assignment. As she found herself yawning Cheerilee forced herself to stop Scootaloo mid-presentation. “V-very good, Scootaloo, let’s have our next presentation.” The half-asleep students clapped apprehensively as Sweetie Belle went up next, giving her friend a doubtful look as she passed her, muttering to show her those photos later.
Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were waiting outside the school hall for their fillies to emerge. Rarity groaned: “Ugh, what could possibly take so long about some science presentations?! Whatever they’re talking about must be quite impressive! I told my Sweetie Belle that I wasn’t going to help her with it this time.”
Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, but the latter spoke up: “I bet whatever Scootaloo was talking about, it kicked some serious butt!” When the bell eventually rang and their fillies came out, Rainbow asked “how’d you do, squirt?”
Scootaloo looked annoyed, “I got a D for content, but an A- for creativity…”
Rainbow smiled and stroked the filly’s mane. “Ah don’t worry, kid. I still think science is for eggheads.”
As the six of them walked home slowly, Spike ran up to them in a hurry, panting. “Rarity! Applejack! Rainbow Dash! Twilight needs you to…to come imm-immediately! Sunburst has discovered Starswirl’s scroll!” As the three big sisters exchanged glances, Spike rephrased: “important magic stuff, come on!” And they hurried off to help.
---
“Ah, I remember that; they came here to Canterlot to show my sister and I.” Celestia thought aloud as she finished reading the ridiculously-long letter sent to her by Twilight, beginning to write one back to the Princess of Friendship:
“My dear Twilight Sparkle,
Let me assure you that my sister Luna’s formicarium – which I can’t say I entirely approved of initially - is producing intriguing results; for the Eevies have begun repopulating but not adjusting well to their new size. It is my thought that their days are numbered. The magic of the Zeromac potion has once again been locked away until the time is right for us to study it again. Do not worry, though, such magic has been used in the past with lesser consequences, and I am sure that with careful research we can make this potion become something to help us benefit ponies all across Equestria.
Yours truly, Princess Celestia.”