“Alright, Crusaders, it's up to us to help Angel Heart find her purpose.” spoke Apple Bloom as she huddled up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
“Yeah, she's awfully kind, maybe we should start with something simple, like saving a cat.” suggested Sweetie Belle.
“Ah come on girls, she wants to be a warrior, saving a cat is kid's stuff.” replied Scootaloo.
“Um...girls...” began Angel Heart trying to get their attention.
Apple Bloom glanced over her shoulder, looking towards Angel Heart. “What is it Angel?” she asked kindly.
“Um...my father wants you to take care of those bandits remember, maybe I can earn my mark by getting rid of them.” she smiled putting on a brave face. She knew she might not be of much help, but she'd at least try her best. She ran over towards her father, giving him a big hug, before turning back to face the Cutie Marked Crusaders. She couldn't help but feel just a tad jealous of them knowing what they were meant to do. She wished she could feel that way too.
“We should just charge in, and knock those bandits out, they'll never see it coming.” smirked Scootaloo, trying to think of what Rainbow Dash would do.
“No, Scoots, that has got to be the most naive idea ever.” explained Apple Bloom as she hoof palmed. “We need a strategy, from what I know of bandits, which isn't much they always have a lookout. We need to take him out before we can get in.” explained Apple Bloom.
“Well, I could probably use my magic to put him to sleep.” suggested Sweetie Belle. She couldn't believe how glorious her attire was, she was sure even Rarity would be impressed by the stitching and the weaving of her cloak and hat. She looked like a real mage. She knew it was only just a game, but she was going to totally tell Button Mash all about this! Oh boy he wasn't going to believe it, but it was true, she had actually been in a game.
“Hmm...that's actually not a bad idea. Yeah let's try it. Then Scoots and I will sneak in and work out way down to the bandit chambers, there is where the bandit chief will likely be, that's where you'll come in, Angel. You think you can handle distracting him long enough for Scootaloo to get a good hit on her?” she asked her.
“Um...I'll try.” replied Angel Heart. She was just a bit disappointed that her only real task was to be bait. It was very clear, that they weren't going to take any chances. She could fight though. She had to show them that, but for now she'd go along with their little plan, but she put a dagger in her knapsack along with, a few herbs from the nearby forest. There were lots of things out there, that you could use for healing and ointment, but she found that mixing herbs and berries, with just a bit of powder made good for cleansing wounds. She also put a few rags into her knapsack as well.
“Alright, I'm ready.” smiled Angel Heart with her knapsack over her back, she took a deep breath, calming herself before the steady of the strom. She was not about to let them down now. She was going to make her dad proud, and show that she could be someone worth be proud of.
Apple Bloom nodded, as she looked to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. “Alright, Crusaders we got some bandits to slay.” she smiled a huge grin on her face. This was going to be so much fun! Though she wasn't really one for killing, so they'd at least try driving them out of the town before resorting to violence, but she heard from Sweetie Belle that bandits often didn't listen to reason. She was going to prepare herself, she had never killed any pony before...but if it meant the town would be able to go back to normal once more, like the old days, then it was worth it right? She doubted herself, but she remained strong and viligant, after all she was the leader, she couldn't afford to show weakness or fear, not when the others were counting on her. She then led the way out of town, and had Angel Heart show her where the bandits had last been seen.
Angel Heart looked towards the cave. “Here it is. They must not be here right now, usually the guard is always sitting in that chair.” she spoke pointing to an old wooden chair. There was no sound around the area either, it was deadily silent...too quiet. Something was wrong, and then horrified, Angel Heart realized what was going on.
“The bandits, they must be planning to attack the town, we have to go back!” said Angel Heart with a very worried look on her hues. She didn't want to believe it, but it was the only thing that made sense.
“Hmm...Scootaloo, you and Sweetie Belle go with Angel and see what's going on in the town. I'm going to stay here and see what clues I can find in their hideout.” instructed Apple Bloom.
“Are you sure?” questioned Sweetie Belle.
“Don't you worry Sweetie Belle, I can handle myself.” explained Apple Bloom.
“Alright, if you're sure.” replied Sweetie Belle, though she couldn't help but worry. She knew how dangerous it was in these games to go alone and not have any backup, it was usually the quickest way of getting captured, or worse killed. She didn't even want to think about it.
Apple Bloom was sure, because they're might be clues as to what these bandits were up to in their hideout, and she wasn't about to miss out on a chance to find out, if she could find any leads.
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Angel Heart made their way back towards the town. Though Angel Heart hurried ahead of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle despite them trying to tell her that rushing in, wouldn't help any. She was driven by emotions and a concern for her father. There was no doubt she was worried not just about the town, but about her father, she didn't want anything to happen to him, knowing that she could have stopped it. They both understood that much, they'd both do the same and feel the same if anything happened to Apple Bloom with them investigating the town. They didn't like leaving her back there like that, but they trusted her judgement. Hopefully, nothing would happen and they wouldn't have to fret. Sweetie Belle looked towards Scootaloo, with a worried look.
“She's going to get herself killed.” spoke Sweetie Belle.
“Well then let's hurry!” spoke Scootaloo as she rushed towards the town. Though, they both stopped in their tracks, Angel Heart was standing right outside of the town, tears running down her cheeks.
“Father!” she shouted towards the town, being engulfed in flames by the second. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked horrified by what they were witnessing.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both rushed after Angel Heart, as much as they didn't want to think about it, it might already be too late to save the townsfolk, but neither of them was about to give in to such a grim thought.
Angel Heart rushed in, to her father's forge, she found him laying on his side reaching out for his trusted axe.
“Father!” she shouted as she coughed, the smoke getting to her, but she was not about to leave him, not now.
“Angel?” coughed the father. He could make out his daughter despite feeling dizzy and distorted from the ashes of the burning flames that now engulfed his home. “Run...you have to get out...before...” he coughed but before he could answer he fell limb.
“Father!!!” shouted Angel Heart clinging to her father's dead form. It couldn't be. He wasn't dead...she didn't want to believe it.
Suddenly a hoof clasped around her mouth from behind. “Hey boss, looky what I got here, a scared little filly.” smirked a male's voice.
She knew not to seemed scared, that wouldn't help her now, so she bite into his hoof as hard as she could, forcing him to break his grip. She hurried to grab her father's axe, the one thing she wasn't going to leave behind, and ran, she ran right into Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
They both hurried to get her out of the flames, and away from the smoke, as the three huddled in a safe place. Angel Heart clung to Sweetie Belle.
“He's dead...he's dead...” she sobbed.
Sweetie Belle held around her, not sure how to comfort her. She knew if her father died, she'd feel the same pains. Even worse if it had been her sister. She wasn't sure if she could recover from it.
“Those bandits did this, it had to be them.” spoke Scootaloo angered. She wanted to run down into the town and find them but she knew it was a lost cause. She felt Sweetie Belle putting her free hoof on her shoulder. “They're long gone, Scootaloo. We can't help them by getting angry. We have to find them.”
“Wait, if they aren't in the town wouldn't they be heading back to the base? Apple Bloom is there!” spoke Scootaloo with a horrified look. Their friend was in danger, and if they didn't hurry, she might end up just like the father. Why had they even entertained the idea of her going alone? If something happened to their friend, she'd never be able to forgiver herself. She only hoped that Apple Bloom would return to them safely, but right now things sure as heck, didn't look good for any of them. What did this mean for Wild Ace? Sure he knew more about these games, then they did, but that didn't mean he wasn't in danger right now too. The worst part was there was nothing they could do about it. Scootaloo felt weak. She never knew how hard it must be for Rainbow Dash when the lives of Equestria were on the line, and now she was learning just how much was really on the line, and how important it was for all of them to remain viligant and strong, even when she felt utterly fragile and weak. She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks as she turned her head away from Sweetie Belle and Angel Heart not wanting them to see that she was crying.
Sweetie Belle couldn't help but notice it. She was busy trying to comfort Angel Heart who was still sobbing and clinging to her, or else she'd extend support towards Scootaloo. She hadn't wanted to tell any of them how scary these games could be, but for her, it had always been, just a game. Now, it was so much more, than just a game...it was real...She still wished that she could ask Button Mash what to do...he had to know something but she had no clue how she might be able to get a hold of him.
“Scootaloo...I'm so sorry.” began Sweetie Belle. She felt like part of this was her fault. There was more she could have told them, more she could have done. Yet she had been excited over the prospect of being in a game. She had let her excitement get the better of her.
“This is not your fault Sweetie Belle.” spoke Angel Heart as she had managed to calm herself, despite feeling weak. She was unable to help her father. All she wanted was to make him proud of her, and now she'd never have that chance. She was ashamed of herself.
“Angel...I know how hard it must be for you right now, but can you think of anything your father might have said to you, about the attacks, that might help us?” questioneed Sweetie Belle.
“Um...I don't remember.” replied Angel Heart. She found it hard to focus, hard to think. She didn't want to do anything right now, but she wanted to remain strong for him, he had always been so strong for her. She had to be strong. Then she remembered something.
“He said something about them being no good for nothings, and that a few of them used to live in the town. I don't know how helpful that is though. Wait a second, your friend, Apple Bloom, she went into their hideout. She could be in danger right now!” she stated as she picked up her father's axe putting it on her back.
“She's right, we have to go after Apple Bloom, who knows what trouble she might be in.” replied Scootaloo, as she had her spear at the ready.
“Yes, we must go find Apple Bloom, but we need a plan. Going in without a plan will only get us captured.” replied Sweetie Belle.
“But...” began Scootaloo, if they waited too long, Apple Bloom might not be there to be saved and she didn't even want to think about that. It was bad enough ponies had lost their lives this day to those bandits, there was no way in Equestria she was about to let them get her friend. She knew Sweetie Belle had played these games before, but there was a time for planning and a time for rescuing. Scootaloo went on ahead of Sweetie Belle.
“Scootaloo wait!” began Sweetie Belle but it was already too late, she was long gone. Sweetie Belle sighed to herself. “We'd better go after her.” explained Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle and Angel Heart hurried after Scootaloo, Scootaloo seemed happy they “agreed” to her plan. Even though there wasn't really a plan at all. The whole thing was to rescue Apple Bloom. Heck, they didn't even know if the bandits had returned. By the time they got there, they immediately noticed something that was different from the first time, there was a guard pony sitting on the chair watching the entrance, and fear sat in the pits of their stomachs as they gulped for breath.
“Oh no...” spoke Sweetie Belle as she grabbed Scootaloo and Angel Heart and they hide behind a bush nearby. “We need a plan. How are we going to get past the bandits? There's likely guards all through there and we don't even know the layout of the interior design.” explained Sweetie Belle.
“We fight. It's the only way to save Apple Bloom.” explained Scootaloo with a determined voice.
“Save me from what?” questioned a voice from behind them. They all turned their heads to see Apple Bloom, looking to them with a confused glance.
“Apple Bloom!” shouted both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as they embraced Apple Bloom in a big hug.
“Um...gals, I appriciate the gesture, but did something happen with the town?” she questioned.
“The town's gone, the bandits raided it, and set it in flames. There were no surivors to be found.” spoke Angel Heart with a saddened look on her face. “My father, he fell victim to those bandits.”
“Oh no, that's horrible my friend. I'm awful sorry for your loss, is there anything I can do to help?” she questioned.
“Could you um...maybe take care of those bandits?” questioned Angel Heart.
“I think “bandit slaying” may be a bit out of our skills, but we could perhaps make them attack each other. After all bandits are known to be greedy, and if we make them think the others took from them, they'd quickly turn on one another. After I saw the inside, I knew what I had to do.” smiled Apple Bloom with a big grin. “And I'm going to need all of you to make it possible.”
“We're in.” smiled Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
Angel Heart hestiated but she nodded in agreement to their plan. Of course they'd have to deal with the bandits, but she would do her best, despite her grief to help the Crusaders, she just hoped Apple Bloom's plan would work, because if it didn't....they might end up being killed. She wasn't about to let herself think of such grim thoughts, she tried to stay strong, but she felt really weak right now. She had just lost her father, her town, and what did she have now? Nothing...she felt Sweetie's hoof on her shoulder.
“You still have us, Angel, no matter what, we're not going anywhere.” she spoke towards her, she knew it was hard for her right now. She could only imagine how much pain she was in, but they needed her help if they wanted this to be a successful plan.
Angel Heart desperately wanted to believe Sweetie Belle's words, but she couldn't help the sense of fear and uncertainly that engulfed her. She had to be strong. She had to be...for her father, for the town. This was only the beginning. She was going to make those bandits pay for what they did.
Apple Bloom looked towards the others. “The cave itself honestly isn't even that big or complex, but I have a feeling there's a least twenty bandits, just judging by the amount of bedrolls I saw. I also found some sort of key, but I have no idea what it might unlock.” spoke Apple Bloom as she pulled out a strange looking key. It almost seemed like it had symbols on it, of a bear, an owl, and an butterfly but what could this mean?
“Hmm...well it must unlock something, but that's not important right now. What is important is stopping those bandits.” explained Sweetie Belle.
The four of them huddle together, whispering to themselves as they formatted a plan of strategy before moving in, to take down the bandits. There was no way, Angel Heart wasn't going to be a part of the group now. She had to be, for her own sake and for her village, she would defend them.
Apple Bloom led the way, of course keeping low to the ground so that the bandit on the chair, wouldn't be able to spot her from where he was sitting. She would have to get his attention somewhere else, so that they could sneak in, and take down the bandits once and for all. Apple Bloom knew how much Angel Heart's father must have meant to her, and she was going to help her somehow. They had too, it wasn't something any of them were good at, but they had to help. Helping ponies was what they did, and what they would continue to do. They were the Cutie Marked Crusaders and Apple Bloom was the leader. She wasn't going to give up, she had to be strong, for all of them, especially for her right now. She knew in her heart, she was bound to do something reckless if she wasn't careful, so Apple Bloom would be keeping eyes on her, as they went further into the cave, after making the bandit outside distracted by throwing a rock opposite of where they were now.