Chapter 7
Applejack continued to look at the human, she wasn't backing down now. The two had been engaged in a staring match for the last hour. During the time, she had perfected her look.
She had been feeling different since the humans arrival, it was a feeling she could not explain. It made her angrier and more determined to find the one responsible for her friends injury. Even if Celestia hadn't tasked her, she would've gone after them anyway. She felt it was her duty to bring him back in, but it wasn't about justice. She felt as if she should be the one to deliver the punishment to him. She could not explain why, but she did wonder if her other friends shared her confused feelings. She poured all of her feelings and emotions into her stare, unlike the Garren.
He stared back with the dryest, blankest face that Applejack thought was possible. She hated it. How could he look at her showing no feelings of guilt or remorse? How could he look at her showing nothing at all?
She closed her eyes and shook her head in anger.
"Stop lookin' at me." She said firmly.
"Just try to put him out of your mind, Applejack." Twilight said. "In a few days we'll be back in Canterlot and Princess Celestia will make sure that hes secure."
"Yeah." Rainbow agreed. "but what about that bandit?"
"Honestly, I really don't care about him right now." Twilight said plainly. "I just want to get back to the Castle and worry the thief later."
"I'm with you Twilight." Rainbow said. "We can get him later."
For the next hour, despite what Twilight had told her, Applejack continued to stared deep into the human. However, she did notice that he had started to get harder and harder to see. She looked around and could hardly see Twilight. Above her, Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be found. It was like someone had put a blanket of black over the sky, but cut out a circle just large enough for the moon. The temperature had also dropped and was continuing to get lower.
"OW!" Rainbow shouted. Applejack twisted around towards her.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I flew right into a tree!"
"I think we should stop for the night. I'm tired and I can't see two feet in front of me." Twilight said as she stopped.
"I agree."Applejack said. "How about a little light, Twi?"
"Oh sure, but I can't keep it on forever." The tip of her horn glowed with purple light.
Rainbow curled up in on a tree branch and very soon snores were from her.
"You too, Twi." Applejack said still standing. "We should take turns watching him, should he try to escape or that thief comes around."
"You're right." Twilight said. "I'll take up second watch. Wake us if you get tired or you need help."
"I'll be fine. Now you get some rest."
"Ok, AJ. Goodnight." Twilight laid down and within minutes was also asleep.
Good. Applejack thought. She turned and faced Garren with a disturbing smile on her face.
***********
Princess Celestia was locked in her chambers, where she had been for the past two days. She was conflicted and confused, which was very unlike her.
Twilight and her friends had returned two days ago to recruit pegasi to break up the clouds. But they also came to her looking for information about Time Fire. She had simply told them that he was a runaway spell thief. It was the truth, but not even close to all of it.
She had told them only the smallest bit of who Time Fire really was. She tried to reassure herself that it was to protect Twilight. Her student was already powerful enough to conjure portals and there was no telling what else she could do.
If she had told Twilight the whole truth about him, she knew that she would try to seek out and possibly try to repeat some of his spells. She could not have two immortal ponies walking around.
Celestia suddenly looked up. There was a knock at the door.
"Princess Celestia, I need to speak with you." Captain Wall's voice was heavily muffled by the door, by she still knew it was him.
"What do you need Captain?" She asked as she started to get up. She had been ignoring anyone who came to her since Twilight had left.
"I need you to see something." He said.
She opened the doors and stepped out. Captain Wall looked her up and down, she didn't look herself at all.
"After you." She said and Captain Wall led her to the court yard out side.
"What is all this, Captain?" She asked when she saw the construction and movement.
"You asked me to prepare the proper security measure for the humans return. We've gotten everything ready. Harnesses and restraints for his limbs, blindfolds, extra guards, we're ready for him here, but it doesn't really rely on us." He said.
"What do you mean?" Celestia asked him.
"Well all of this would have been in vain if hes not found and well... my men and I have been talking..." He trailed off.
"Talking about what?"
"Its just, how could three mare even have the chance of bring them back?"
Princess Celestia turned to him and got close. "Captain, I believe that you have greatly underestimated them. If there's anyone I know who can bring them back its them."
"Yes, but what about the pony? You saw what he did to my men. Whats stopping him from doing that to them? And if they do somehow get him here, how in Equestria will we contain him?" The Captains voice started to sound angry. He had never sounded angry at her before.
She noticed that everyone had started to act differently, and it had happened ever since the human had arrived.
"Captain, I have full faith in their abilities, maybe you should too. As for containment, I will personally handle the pony when he comes in." She stood proudly and spoke firm, hoping to discourage further anger from him.
"If you believe in them, then so will I. I'll try to prevent anymore talks among the ranks." He said, backing up.
"Thank you, Captain. You''ve done a commendable job getting ready." She praised. Captain Wall nodded and bowed before walking away to give more orders.
Celestia turned and walked back inside the castle.
Lets just hope that I'm ready. She said to herself.
*******************
Garren was tired and confused. Not long ago, he had been woken up, already bound by Twilight and now Applejack was coming towards him. She came in really close and looked him over. He tried to move back, but was restrained.
Seeing him trying to back away, Applejack gave a little chuckle.
"So where did you come from?" She wasn't really asking him, just thinking out loud.
Garren paid close attention to her, but something had caught his eye behind her.
He could just barely make out Time Fire, who was standing behind a rock. He had his rifle strapped across his back.
Applejack was still rambling on and Garren made sure to keep as much eye contact with her as he could, but Time Fire kept trying to get his attention.
He couldn't make out what he was trying to say. He kept switching back an d forth between him and Applejack, eventually she was going to catch on.
Garren was confused. Why doesn't he just torch them? He asked himself.
Suddenly Applejack stopped talking. She focused in on Garren's eyes then turned around.
"Twi, Dash wake up!!"" she shouted.
Twilight was the first up and wiped her eyes.
"What is it, AJ?" she asked with a groggy voice.
"Hes over here!" Applejack shouted again. She was already headed after him.
"Rainbow, Get up!" Twilight used her magic to levitate the pegasus out of her tree top branch.
"Ugh. What happened?" She asked, rubbing her head.
"That pony came back!' Twilight yelled at her.
"He did? Where is he? Wheres he at?" She instantly sounded more alert and full of energy. She looked around frantically.
"He went that way." Twilight pointed. "You can meet up with Applejack and follow him. I'll stay here with him, you guys are faster than me anyway."
Rainbow nodded and then took off through the woods to catch up with Applejack.
Twilight was very anxious and concerned as she looked of in the direction that her friends had gone. Garren watched her closely and noticed that she was paying little attention to him.
Now might be my chance. He thought to himself. With every once of his strength, he rolled off of the magic platform Twilight had made.
He fell off and landed on his stomach. It would've hurt, had the platform not been only a foot off the ground.
Twilight's ears immediately went up and she turned around. Garren could stand up so he was frantically trying to low crawl deeper into the woods.
However, he knew it was useless when he heard Twilight casually walk over over to him. She stood next to him and watched him crawl, she hadn't even made an attempt to stop him yet.
"There is no quit in you." She said. She placed a steady hoof on his back when stopped him. She levitated him back on to the platform and sat down watching him.
"I guess I have to keep a closer eye on you."
Your damn right. He thought.
Twilight continued to watch him, and he watched her back. Having had little sleep and the event of the last few days, Garren found himself taking longer and longer blinks. Despite his efforts he was dozing off. He wanted to stay awake and watch Twilight, but the need to sleep became to great. After a couple minutes he fell asleep and Twilight was able to relax and look away.
About four hours later...
Garren was woken up by the voices of the ponies. Garren cracked an eye open, but remained still.
"Did you you get him?" The voice was Twilight's.
"It was...too dark and he was...too fast, even for me." said an out of breath Rainbow Dash.
"Ah tried...to stay with him, but it was like he could see in the dark." Applejack said.
"Well at least you guys are okay. He tried to leave, we must hurry to get him back." Twilight said.
"We should go then." Rainbow said.
"Yes, lets go." Twilight instructed. The three mares continued on their way as the sun started to rise.
*****************
Time Fire caught his breath as he leaned against a tree. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had run him into the ground. He had to admit that they were very fast and had incredible stamina. If Luna hadn't darkened the sky for him, he would have probably been caught.
He knew he couldn't rest long though, he had to stay with the ponies. I would be dangerous to follow them back, but necessary. He had to get Garren back.
He had an idea that he would try later when it was dark again.
After many hours of back tracking, he was able to find the girls at about midday. They were moving very fast, not quite a run, but very close to it.
They were already crossing the same field, where they had fought days earlier. He and Garren must have been moving at an exceptionally slow pace.
"Come on." He heard Twilight shout. "Keep this up." She yelled to her friends.
Time Fire would have to wait until they crossed the field before following the, or he ran a high risk being spotted. He worried that at their pace, he might lose them if he waited that long.
As they approached the opposite side, Time Fire slowly crept forward. When they reached other side, he bounded across the field to catch up with them.
Unfortunately for him, they would keep up their pace and push him to his limits to catch up and stay with them.
On the way he went over his purposed plan in his head.
Ok so I can't fight hurt, them so I'll have to create a diversion. If I can lead them away from him. I might have a chance. If its Applejack or Rainbow Dash who stays, I can take them easy, but if its Twilight... Time Fire shuddered. Shes more powerful than I realized, I don't think I can get Garren without hurting her. I can still do this, I still have time.
"Alright lets do this." He said out loud to himself.
About nine hours later...
Time Fire dragged his body to a tree. His breathing was heavy and his legs were shaking. He was relieved when they finally came to a stop. The girls had covered an incredible distance. After the first hour they slowed their speed down a bit and paced themselves. Doing this, they could go about three hours without stopping. The girls had only taken three short breaks in about nine hours.
Time Fire knew he couldn't go ahead with his plan in his current state. He would have to rest, it would be safe enough with Luna darkening the sky again. He looked back and saw that Applejack was taking the first watch.
He analyzed the situation in his head.
Ok so if Applejack is watching first that means that Twilight will recover most of her strength from the journey. However, it could always mean that when I create my diversion, Applejack will stay behind instead of Twilight. He chuckled and shook his head. Either one wouldn't be good.
He almost immediately fell asleep. It wouldn't be for very long, but would give him much needed rest.
******************
"Twilight? Twilight wake up?" Rainbow dash shook her awake.
"What is it Dash?" She asked.
"See fer' yourself." Applejack said. Everyone looked up, even Garren managed to tilt his head, they all saw the fire.
It had to to be at least 300 yards in front of them, but in the almost pitch black darkness it was easy to see.
"Its him, it has to be. When did you notice it?" Twilight asked.
"About three of four minutes ago." Applejack answered.
"Ok when you-" She was cut off.
Suddenly the fire rose to great height and tower over the now visible trees around it. The tower then dropped its size and rapidly spread out in either direction in front of them.
"He's trying to block us off!" Twilight shouted. "You guys split up and follow one end!"
Applejack and Rainbow nodded and ran in opposite direction following the walls of fire.
"Be Careful!" She shouted after them.
Twilight was concerned for her friends, but it was really her who was in danger. Less than ten minutes sfter her friends had left, she heard a rustling in the bushes in front of her. Her first thought was that it was one of her friends, she put on a relieved face. When a very surprised, Time Fire jumped through the bushes and landed in front of her, her expression turned deadly serious.
The two stared at each other for a moment, while Garren made triumphant sounds through his gag. Suddenly Twilight snapped back into focus and her horn lit with her purple energy.
"Don't make this difficult." She offered him the chance.
Time Fire looked reluctant, but he lit his horn up in flames. "I'm trying not to!" He shouted.
Twilight jumped back and shot a purple blast of energy around Garrens body. A faint purple bubble formed around him, a force field.
"I assume you now what this is, correct?" Twilight used a serious voice. She thought she had it under control. "You won't get him, hes going to Celestia."
Time Fire sighed. "You still have a lot to learn from her." He said. He shot a continuous blast of fire at the force field. The fire seemed to wrap around the bubble and it slowly flaked away. The whole time Garren's shouts could be heard from inside.
Unfortunately, Time Fire was too focused on removing the field, that he didn't noticed Twilight charging her horn.
As soon as he had completely destroyed the field he looked up and saw Twilight shoot something at him.
The blast of her purple energy picked Time Fire up and slammed him against a tree trunk.
"Ughahh!" He screamed. Twilight must have have realized what she had done because she brought her hooves up to her face.
"Oh Celestia." she said softly.
She tried to run to him, but he rose flames to block her. He quickly limped away and she made no effort to pursue him.
She sat down in the dirt and shook her head. She had not been herself lately. She had felt so angry, so confused inside in the few days. With that blast of energy, she felt like she had let all of her pent up felling about the entire situation out.
What is happening to me? She thought as she cried in her hooves.
****************
Time Fire had moved a nearby river. The water helped to soothe his aching bones and he had slept there through the night. Twilight's blast hadn't broken anything, but it had left him in bad shape. There were bruises and cuts all up and down his body.
The water was heavenly, but he was still weak. However, he knew he had a task to complete and he was determined to do it. When the sun rose, he did too.
hurt and took a long time, but eventually he was able to find catch up with them. Twilight looked sad, but kept moving. The three began to climb a steep hill. On the bottom there was a brown heap and a similar one on the hill.
We can't be here already, can we? He thought to himself.
He waited until the mares were up the hill, until he began. When he got to the top, he could just barely see over the trees.
Sure enough, there were the tops of the towers belonging to Canterlot Castle. They had made it there it record time.
"I'm sorry, luna." He said softly. "But now I have no choice." He sighed ran through the woods to the Castle. He knew that soon It would be over him, but he was going to go out with a bang.
End Chapter 7