Stumbling through trees and long prairie grass slowly turned into trudging through the muddy swamp water of the Hayseed Swamp. Mud stuck like gum to the bottom of hooves, reeking of algae, fungus and rotting vegetables. An assortment of flies and mosquitos buzzed around anything that moved. Both Derpy and Maud constantly flicked their ears, trying to keep the little buzzards away from their faces.
Poor Spike could barely keep up with the other two as the mud had sucked him in up to his waist. He grunted from just lifting a foot out of the muck. “I don’t know about you two, but I can’t wait to be out of this mess.” He said.
Derpy, who’d recently unfolded her wings just to pull herself off the disgustingly squishy earth, nodded in agreement. She had to fly close to the ground, otherwise she’d be raked over by the scrambled dead branches of the surrounding trees. “It’s not exactly the Everfree Forest . . . Do you need some help?” Derpy asked, when she’d noticed Spike had stopped walking.
The dragon lifted each of his feet to no avail. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t know how you girls . . . how Maud manages to keep moving. It’s like we’re walking through wet cement.”
Maud stopped and looked down. She hadn’t really noticed the mud at all until she’d stopped moving. With her standing still though, she could feel the mud gently pulling her in. “We just need to keep moving.”
Maud looked up in time to see Derpy yank Spike out from the trough of gunk he’d found himself in.
“Do you need a ride?” Maud offered.
“That would be great,” Spike said, “but, I’m a little dirty now.”
“I don’t care.”
Spike shrugged.” In that case . . .” and he quickly clamored over to Maud before the earth could suck him in again. Jumping onto earth pony’s back, some of the mud ended up getting flung off his legs and onto Maud. “Sorry.”
Maud just shrugged, and silence once again fell upon the three as they continued further into the swamp.
Derpy found herself constantly taking glances at the pony beside her. After what had happened in Dodge Junction, she’d grown quite worried for the rock farmer. Maud had been so close to leaving them for Canterlot, and then all hell had broken loose in the town. Those ponies kidnapping Spike, and then how the Sun Flares showed up and almost got their hooves on Spike. It’d been only sheer, dumb luck that Derpy stumbled across the mirror exploit. Had she not, then Daybreaker would most certainly have the little dragon.
In a way though, and Derpy hated this thought. She was glad that those ponies had tried to kidnap Spike. If they hadn’t, Maud probably would be long gone towards Canterlot by now. She assumed that the whole ordeal knocked some sense, or some fear into the earth pony. Still, the question itched in the back of her head like a nasty ole bug bite. What had made Maud so desperate to want to split up?
Derpy watched Spike. The dragon was giving some basic directions on the quickest way to reach the other side of the swamp. They must’ve been closing in on the shoreline if that were the case.
When silence did eventually fall between the two, Derpy lowered herself to just a hover next to her friends. “Maud?” She asked cautiously.
The earth pony looked over to the pegasus in response.
“Back in the desert . . . what made you want to go to Canterlot?”
“I’m worried.” Maud replied. “About Pinkie Pie . . . and the others.”
“We all are Maud.” Spike added. “And we’re moving as fast as we can.” Then glancing over the edge of Maud’s back, he stared down into the bubbling muck of the swamps. “Well, as fast as this swamp will let us anyway.”
“Did something happen at Zecora’s?” Derpy asked after the earth pony failed to answer.
Feeling the eyes of both friends on her, Maud let out a sigh. Looks like she didn’t have any choice. Being selective in her wording, she eventually said, “Back at Zecora’s, I met the pony who saved us.”
“Who was it?” Derpy asked.
“It was . . .” then Maud stopped. “I don’t know.” She lied. She wasn’t sure what caused her to lie, but for some reason, Maud felt uncomfortable telling her friends the truth. Perhaps it had something to do with how Luna was hiding, or the shameful state she’d fallen to. Luna barely resembled a princess when she’d seen her. Perhaps it was best to keep her in the dark, at least for now.
“Well, what happened?” Spike asked. “What’d they say?”
Keeping herself trotting down a rather sloppy path of squelching, sewer like mud, Maud drooped her head a bit. The memory of Luna’s words was still fresh in her mind. “They said something bad was going to happen on the next red moon. Something awful.” Again, she found herself holding back. “I don’t suppose you know when the next one will be?”
Spike glanced over to Derpy who just shook her head in confusion. “No idea.” Spike answered. “Did they say what was going to happen?”
Maud only nodded.
The conversation died off into the thick, grimy air. Neither Spike nor Derpy had the heart to ask Maud just what it was that she’d heard. But neither one knew how to cheer the earth pony up. The silence grew heavier as the they moved through the swamp. The chilled, wet air sending a shiver down each of their spines.
Spike wondered more about Twilight and the others. Just what kind of state was she in? He hadn’t seen her, or the others for so long. And just how long had it been since they abandoned Ponyville? Days? Weeks? Everything melded together, making it difficult to tell. Spike couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.
What did Maud hear? What did that pony tell her? The question circled over and over in his head. If something terrible was to happen, maybe they could stop it. Should I ask . . . His thoughts trailed off, wondering if Maud would even expand upon what she’d heard.
Suddenly, both Derpy and Maud stopped dead in their tracks. “Spike, what should we do?” Maud asked.
Looking out past the two ponies, Spike’s gaze fell upon something he did not expect. A changeling, well more specifically, a dead changeling laid out in the swamp before them. Its head twisted around, with a chunk of its chest missing. Dried blood stuck to the ground, and bone with muscle protruded from the creatures’ body. Flies had already gathered around the wound and over the thing’s eyes, feasting down on it.
Spike gulped, holding back the sickening churning that knotted his stomach. “I don’t . . .” He started, but stopped when scanning the area, he found another. Then another, and another. Maud slowly stepped forward, walking around the bodies. “What happened here?” Spike asked.
As far as the eye could see, dead changeling after dead changeling coated the earth in grey and red. The smell was overpowering, dizzying the little dragon with the rancid odor of scorched flesh and rigor mortis.
“It looks like some kind of battlefield.” Maud whispered, carefully leading Derpy and Spike around the charred remains of countless changelings. Even the ground had stiffened up, as if it had died with all these creatures.
“Do you think someone is fighting back?” Maud asked.
“I don’t think so,” Derpy whispered. She’d wanted to close her eyes, wanted to leave this place far in the dust. But she had to stick together with her friends. And what the pegasus saw, told a different story. As much as she’d pushed the memories of Cloudsdale out of her head, they came swarming back in at the sight of the mangled mess of corpses. If ponies were attacking, they weren’t doing so with fire. It would’ve been with spears, and swords.
“I don’t think a pony could do this.” Derpy explained. She caught sight of a gaping hole in the stomach of one of the changelings and turned away. Its tongue had been hanging out, eyes rolled back. The thing’s legs broken and sprawled out; almost as if it’d been shot out of the sky.
“Then what?” Spike whispered, tightening his grip on Maud’s mane.
“Sun Flares.” Maud answered almost immediately. It was the only thing that made sense, the only thing that could do such damage. “Something must have happened between the changelings and Daybreaker.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Spike asked.
“Maybe.” Was Maud’s only words. “Let’s get out of here.”
The others nodded in agreement and started to silently move past the bodies. Derpy kept to the air and Maud tiptoed around what she could. As they crept along, a sound resembling a whisper froze the three on the spot. A choked cough sounded out and Derpy was the first to react.
The pegasus glided over the mess of bodies until she came across a slumped over changeling against a rock. He’d been impaled upon a broken tree branch, with the sharp end protruding from his gut. Somehow, the stake had missed all his major organs, and the poor thing had been left to die. His body trembled, blood leaked down from his lips.
Derpy hovered near the creature, with both Maud and Spike following closely behind her. She looked over to her friends, confused as to what to do about him.
The changeling shivered as the icy hand of death slipped in close upon him. He lifted his head and was aware of the three. “W-Who are you?” He asked in a raspy voice.
“We’re . . .” Derpy started, and then stopped. She did not know how to answer the question.
“H-Have you seen Queen Chrysalis? Is she alright?” The changeling asked, desperation in his voice.
Maud only shook her head. “We assume she’s in Canterlot.”
The love sucker gagged, sputtering out a mist of red. His head dropped, the strength to even meet their gaze leaving him. “S-She’s in danger . . . p-please . . . you have to help her . . .”
“Then Daybreaker has turned against her.” Maud concluded.
The changeling nodded. “She’s trying to be rid of us. S-She’s up . . . to something.” The changeling tried to pull himself off the branch, but his legs had long since forgotten how to move. He slumped back down and said in a hopeless voice, “She’ll kill us all . . . S-She’s crazy. We have to save the queen. We have to.”
The changeling forced his head up, to see the three one last time. Whether or not he realized they weren’t actually changelings, no one was really sure. But it didn’t matter. For when he dropped his head once more, he was gone. His breathing stopped. His heart went still. For a moment, it felt as though all life, and all the air had been sucked out from the swamp.
“We should go.” Maud said to a befuddled Derpy and Spike. “We’re running out of time.”
Neither Spike nor Derpy answered. The two silently agreed and Maud steered them back onto course, past all the bodies and towards the edge of the swamp.
Tremor stood in the dilapidated throne room of the Canterlot Castle. He’d just received word from members of his squad who had been tracking Spike’s movements. They’d tailed the little dragon into Dodge Junction, and would have made a move, but Daybreaker’s minions had to show up and ruin everything. All was not lost though. He’d gained vital intel on the weakness of these otherwise impenetrable beasts. Something Queen Chrysalis would be only too happy to hear about.
Speaking of Daybreaker’s shady creatures, Tremor stood in this throne room not alone, but alongside the sole Sun Flare that had survived the attack in the little town. While he’d ran and flew in escape from these things, he never actually thought he’d be standing next to one like this. The thing radiated heat from its body, and ash flaked off its skin like dandruff, drifting onto Tremor’s body.
“So, you’ve finally returned!” Daybreaker announced, entering into the throne room. Her expression changed almost immediately when she found that only one of her three Sun Flares was standing; and empty hooved at that.
Tremor, having not been given any permission to speak, waited and watched as the Sun Flare somehow telepathically relayed information to Daybreaker. He understood well enough the content of the discussion as he watched Daybreaker’s mildly annoyed expression slowly transform into one of uncontrollable rage. Even her mane and tail exploded to life with powerful flames funneling up to the ceiling.
“How?! How is it that they defeated you?!” She stormed towards the Sun Flare.
Again, the thing silently transmitted its answer and Daybreaker’s mouth fell open. “Mirrors?! Well that’s just utterly ridiculous and . . .” The alicorn stopped. A realization hit her and she said, “So only the magic that created you can bring about your demise. A lucky little find indeed.” Daybreaker appeared to consider this and eventually said to the beast, “Go then, gather the remainder of your brethren and bring them to the castle. I can’t afford to be sending you out any further.”
The Sun Flare vanished from sight, and suddenly Tremor was left alone with the alicorn. He waited with baited breath. Daybreaker paced back and forth. Her grip on things had managed to slip, if only a little. The frustration of allowing one’s enemy to discover and exploit a weakness such as this, Tremor could only imagine the rage that festered inside of the alicorn.
“Changeling.” She finally addressed him.
“Yes?”
“How long would it take for your soldiers to capture that nuisance of a dragon?”
Daybreaker had her back to Tremor. He could only guess the thoughts shoving around in her head. “It shouldn’t take too long. They had arrived in Dodge Junction around the same time that your Sun Flares did. With as close as they are, I am certain they could capture Spike for you in short order.”
Daybreaker took in a deep breath. “Then do it. Bring him to me.”
“What of his companions? Surely you know that he is not travelling alone. What should we . . .”
“Kill them.”
“E-Excuse me . . .”
Daybreaker spun around and faced Tremor. She glared down at the changeling and commanded. “Kill them. Or eat them. I don’t care what you do to them, but just get rid of them. All I care about is the dragon. He was one of Twilight’s closest friends after-all. There’s no telling what he might do.” Then calming herself down, Daybreaker took in a deep breath, and then let it out. “You’re dismissed.”
Tremor nodded. “May I speak with Queen Chrysalis before I leave?”
“No.” Daybreaker answered immediately.
Not wanting to press his luck, Tremor turned to leave. He stopped though when Daybreaker called out to him once more.
“Changeling. You have not addressed me once as your queen during this entire briefing. Might I ask why?”
Tremor stopped. He certainly hadn’t forgotten Daybreaker’s request to refer to her as queen. He had only hoped that she had instead forgotten. “My sincerest apologies Queen Daybreaker. It was a mere slip of the tongue.”
Daybreaker only scoffed. “Slip of the tongue? Don’t let it happen again. Now get out.”
Tremor bowed his head, and left Daybreaker to her thoughts.
“Hang on Derpy, we’ll get you down!” Spike hollered from below.
Maud watched as Spike clambered up the tree towards the tangled pegasus. After leaving the Hayseed Swamp behind, they’d wandered into a bit of a jungle to say the least. The trees had grown thick, with vines thrown about like party streamers. If not for the overwhelmingly greenery of everything, Maud could’ve mistaken the setup as another one of her sister’s wildly unwieldy parties.
With the excitement of leaving the swamp and its mass grave behind, Derpy had charged head on into the jungle. The pegasus’ spike in enthusiasm was also impart due to her seeing the coast just beyond the trees. Of course, such a revelation meant they were almost at the Dragon Lands. It also meant that with such recklessness, Derpy had wrapped herself up in hundreds of vines shortly thereafter.
Maud waited below. She could hear Spike’s fire breath emitting like a blowtorch against the vines. Her head raised to watch for a falling Derpy, and Maud cursed under her breath. They were wasting their time with this nonsense. If Derpy hadn’t flown into the trees like this, they’d probably be on the other side of this jungle by now.
“Don’t move.” Spike said from above.
The sound of ripping and tearing echoed down through the branches. Another rip and then branch after branch broke as Derpy fell down through the web of leaves and bark. Keeping her eye on the prize, Maud stirred herself around, trying to guesstimate the pegasus’ landing. Derpy probably could’ve flown out to safety, but between the unravelling of the vines and the tearing of the branches, she’d never get a clear chance to open her wings.
Maud took a leap two-feet to her right. A second later, Derpy tumbled down on top of the earth pony. Their heads bounced together and the sudden force of Derpy’s landing flattened Maud against the dirt. She let out a groan and puffed out a cloud of earth in frustration.
“S-Sorry Maud,” Derpy said, hurrying to climb off the earth pony. “You alright?”
“I’m fine.” Maud answered. The earth pony dusted herself off from the spectacular face plant she’d had with mother earth. “What about you? You didn’t hurt yourself on the way down did you?”
Derpy shook her head. “I don’t think so.” The pegasus inspected each of her wings, feeling a touch sore, but no pain that she wasn’t already familiar with. As with any fall, her wings ached and her back creaked. Derpy knew though that such minor aliments would pass with time. Her eyes though, must have lingered on her left wing just a touch too long though, because soon Maud had her snout pressed up against it. “R-Really . . . I’m okay.” Derpy insisted.
Maud looked ready to argue with Derpy on the matter, but she stopped when the sound of Spike’s claws grazing over the hard bark of the tree announced his landing. Plucking himself free from the wooden pole, Spike hurried back over with his friends. “Everyone alright? I saw the landing. It didn’t look pretty for either of you.”
“We’re fine.” Maud said. She’d considered questioning Derpy further on the matter, but if the pegasus said she was fine, then Maud would just have to believe her. Besides, though the landing had been hard, Derpy still carried herself just fine. She didn’t limp or drag her wings the way she had when first they’d met. More importantly, they didn’t have the luxury of time to go through a whole physical every time someone might be hurt.
With that, the three started up a slow trot towards the edge of the jungle. Derpy took the lead, hovering a few feet off the ground. She allowed her body to softly zig zag from side to side and she kept out far enough ahead that both Maud and Spike had to keep at a brisk jog just to keep up. Obviously, Derpy had just as much desire to get this over with as Maud did. Maybe more when Maud thought about it. Her sister was missing, and so were her friends. That was bad enough. Derpy though, that pegasus had actually battled against the changelings before Maud had even entered the picture. There were scars there, under those feathers and fur.
“Maud,” Spike softly asked from the side. His voice had been faint, probably to avoid the curious ears of their delivery friend. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Maud said, not breaking pace with the little dragon.
Spike appeared to choose his words carefully. Maud had an inkling about what he might ask. Then sure enough, “You said something bad would happen to Twilight and the others. W-What’s going to happen to them?”
Maud bit her lip. She thought over the ramifications of telling the dragon what Luna had told her. Princess Twilight will be turned against her friends . . . and she will kill them. The words from the hopeless princess echoed through Maud’s head. The thought of Twilight performing such a deed, it sounded impossible to say the least. “Something bad.” Maud vaguely answered.
Spike sighed, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. “Like what? Come on Maud, those are my friends. Don’t I deserve to know?”
“And if I told you, what would you do about it?” Maud asked. When Spike failed to come up with an answer, Maud provided the response for him. “You’d be doing exactly what you’re doing now. Saving them and stopping this from happening.”
“That makes sense but . . .” and Spike’s voice trailed off. He was silent for a moment and Maud almost thought he’d dropped it. “Is it really that bad?”
Maud only nodded.
Spike slowed down. A sudden realization seemed to overtake his thoughts. He slowed to a crawl and finally stopped. Maud took one look at Derpy and could see the shoreline through the trees. They were practically there at this point. She watched the pegasus excitedly burst out onto the narrow beach, shouting for them to join her. Maud watched Derpy for a moment, allowing a smile to sneak across her lips. Then she looked back at Spike. He eyed the ground, a sullen look spread across his face.
“T-They’re going to die . . . aren’t they?” He looked up, meeting Maud’s concerned gaze. “That’s what the prediction was about, wasn’t it?”
Sparing Spike the details, Maud walked over to the dragon and placed a hoof onto his head, petting him gently. She didn’t speak one word but she nodded in confirmation.
The dragon gulped. This was certainly expected at some point or another, but to think that things had already come to this, it’d been a shock all the same. “How do they . . .” and then Spike shook his head. “No, I don’t want to know that.”
“It’s not going to happen.” Maud whispered. “that’s why we’re here.”
“Right.” Spike said. He stared up at the pony, forcing a smile over his face. He still shook with fear. His eyes threatened tears, but he stood firm. He had friends here, and they were going to help him rescue Twilight and the others. Leaning in, Spike hugged Maud. He embraced her, needing that extra support to help keep him standing. Without her, he feared he’d fall over into a broken mess.
When Spike did pull away, Maud noticed a tremble in his step. “Are you alright?” she asked.
“No.” He said in earnest. “but I will be. Once this is all done, I will be.”
Maud couldn’t help but agree. She was about to speak when suddenly Derpy’s voice hollered from behind. “What are you all doing over there?! Come on! The beach! The beach! And I can see the Dragon Lands from here!”
Spike gave the pony a nod and they both turned towards Derpy’s voice. Rushing out to meet the pegasus on the white sand, Maud stopped when she saw the Celestial Sea right before them. Endless water for as long as the eye could see. And to the south, a blip of an island with a tiny smoke stack lingered just over the horizon.
“That’s the Dragon Lands, isn’t it?” Derpy asked excitedly.
Spike stared. “I-I think so!”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Derpy cried out.
Maud took in a deep breath. They’d made it this far and there was zero sign of the red moon. Maybe they would make it in time. Being this close, maybe, just maybe things would work out. Letting herself indulge in this notion, Maud smiled to both Derpy and Spike. It was a smile she rarely put on and could only count one other time she’d used it. With this smile, Maud said to both of her friends, “Let’s go.”