//------------------------------//
// Day 22: The Wild, Wild West 
// Story: The Problem With Magic 
// by deathtap 
//------------------------------//

“Get up, ponies!” A gruff voice shouted, “Get up!” 

My eyes shot open, and I sat up instantly. When had I fallen asleep? Couldn’t recall. I just sort of faded out of consciousness at some point. Was it morning? I couldn’t tell. I could’ve been sleeping for ten minutes for all I knew. Aiden was sitting in the corner of our cage, his eyes wide open and his expression unreadable. There was a glint of steel resolve that made me shudder. 

The gruff voice had come from one of the guard Dogs, who was now unlocking the cage. “Come here, pony!” He ordered, reaching in and pulling me out by my mane. 

I let out a cry of agony, as the dog threw me to the ground and reached for Aiden, but the green Unicorn’s look made the Dog stop. He exited the cage with his dignity, look over to me with an apologetic look. 

I remembered his words from last night; we had to play play along. He wasn’t going to help me. Not yet, at least. Not that I really had a choice, these Dogs were a lot stronger than me. The really did look like gorillas with dog heads, and from what I knew about the apes back on Earth, they were pretty damn strong too.

Atom and Spike were already outside their cage. Spike had a metal collar around his neck and two chains that was being held securely by two really beefy looking pugs. 

“You okay, Spike?” I asked.

“Been better.” He muttered.

The next thing I knew, one of those metallic collars was latched onto my right hoof. And I had just gotten used to having something not on there. My mind instantly thought of the Saddlebag still securely placed on my rear. Why had they not confiscated it?

“Tell me about it.” Aiden muttered in response to Spike as the other end of my chain was attached to his left leg. Now we were joined together. There wasn’t much slack between the two of us, perhaps just enough for us to walk without tripping the other up.

“Shut up, ponies! You don’t talk!” The Dog that had let me out of the cage shouted as he smacked Aiden across the face. “Dragon and that pony dig. These will move gems. Now, move!” 

We were led towards the center of the large hall-like ‘prison’, where cages were embedded into almost every visible inch of wall, exactly how Aiden’s and mine here. Hundreds of ponies were being forced along, guided by the Dogs and... some ponies? That can’t be right. Ponies enslaving ponies? 

“By Celestia’s mane, would you look at that.” Aiden whispered to himself, clearly disgusted by what he saw.

We were all being shoved forwards by the Dogs, the sharp sound of the crack of a whip echoed whenever a pony moved too slow for the Dog’s patience. Aiden’s face glowered scarily when he saw one of the Dogs whip a Unicorn hard enough to draw blood. Twice more the whip snapped on his flank before he scrambled to his feet, fleeing behind the mare he was chained to, cowering behind her pleading for the whipping to stop.

“Patience, Aiden,” Atom whispered, “I know it’s hard, but we need to do this properly.”

“No talking, pony!” The Dog leading Atom shouted, pulling on his chain, making him trip up and fall flat on his face. As he picked himself up from the ground, I swear to Celestia that look in his eyes would have made an Ursa think twice. But as he stood up, the deadly stare faded and he put on a friendly expression. He actually smiled.

The Dog, clearly confused, just shoved him forwards again. 

We were forced towards one of the long tunnels where a bunch of other ponies were digging the ground using their hooves or tools to get at gems. These were then loaded onto the backs of other ponies, who dumped them into minecarts. These were pushed by the Diamond Dogs themselves into another tunnel, where all the tracks seemed to converge. There was a large wood door that was open with a sizable number of Diamond Dogs standing guard.

“Sing, pony!” a Dog shouted, snapping my attention back to where I was going. The mutt whipped the poor Unicorn mare who was carrying a load of gems with her magic to the nearest minecart. “Sing!” 

“With a hoof upon my head,
All this is an poorly written joke,
And with a mirthless laugh,
I am a slave to the Dog’s yoke.

Oh, how I wish to wake in your hooves,
Back in a warm bed with you,
Back in the place I call home,
That is what I want to do.”

Her voice sent chills down my spine. Ponies sang all the time, but this... this was painful to hear. I could hear the anguish in her voice, the sadness in her words, the pain in every refrain. 

“We can’t leave it as it is,” I whispered to Aiden, “when do we do something?”

“You heard Atom. Patience. We need to know more before we can do anything. I know it’s hard, but we have to wait.” Aiden replied, but I could tell by the way he bit his lip that he struggled to contain himself.

After what felt like an hour of walking, we reached the end of a tunnel. An elderly Unicorn was chained to what looked like a cube, his horn giving off a dim glow. From the cube, long wires with lights extended along the walls bathing the tunnels in a dingy glow. Several ponies had already begun to dig away, the stronger ones using tools to tear through the thick rock. 

Each pony was chained in teams of two, with the job of either digging or the job of collecting gems and transporting them to the nearest minecart. Aiden and I were one of the transporting ponies.

“You ponies new?” One of the others asked. He was a slightly built, dark red pony, almost the same color as Big Macintosh, with a purple mane and a Cutie Mark that looked like a saw. A carpenter maybe? 

Aiden nodded, “Just arrived yesterday.”

“Welcome to The Pit. Least, that’s what we call it here. The name’s Wood Work. Was workin’ near Gallopping Springs when these mutts foalnapped me and dragged me down here.”

“Gallopping Springs?” Aiden exclaimed, “That far west?”

“Yeah, I take it that I’ve come a long way from the reactions of others, only it took me a few minutes to reach this place, whereas all of you say that you traveled quite a distance to get here. By simple logic...”

“We’re near the very edge of the western border of the Known Lands.” Aiden finished.

Wood just nodded, “Never seen ‘em bring in a Dragon before. He a friend of yours?”

Spike was using his tail like a jackhammer against a particular wall, demolishing it quickly. All the while the two pugs that were holding him kept alert, with one hand on the chain, and the other on a spear that was precariously pointed at Spike’s back.

“He is.” Aiden replied neutrally, “How many ponies are here?”

“Who knows? A hundred, more... I don’t know. I just know that the only way out is through those doors...” He pointed back at the heavily guarded doors, “That’s where they take the gems out.”

“If you know that, why haven’t you tried to escape?”

Wood looked down at the ground, “I did. But when I got out... I didn’t know where I was except that it was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by desert on all sides. Without any food or water, where could I go?” 

He did have a point. 

“We’ll try to help you, but for now we need to lay low.” Aiden whispered, dumping gems into the minecart. The Dogs guarding us were off to one side laughing and joking with each other, completely oblivious to our discussion. 

“How are you going to help us when you yourself is stuck here!” Wood exclaimed out loud, which turned a few heads. 

Aiden just placed a hoof on his shoulder, “Just spread the word. Let all the ponies know that they’ll need to head for that exit soon. Just... continue what you’re doing until then.” 

At first Wood stood there disbelievingly. I didn’t blame the guy. If some strange pony suddenly appeared out of nowhere claiming that they could get them all out without some reservations was either being a little too optimistic, simply a crazy fool, or he had the goods to backup his claim. Still, whatever the case, they had nothing to lose? It wasn’t as if they had other more pressing engagements, and the Dogs weren't going to kill them. They needed them to work the mines.

“I will do it. But you better come through. There’re a lot of ponies who’ve already lost hope and have resigned themselves to doing this for the rest of their lives.” Wood gestured with his chin to the pony next to the cube that powered the lights, “You can’t raise somepony’s hopes like that. How do you expect to pull of such a feat?” 

“Just do it. Let me worry about how.” Aiden replied, already tired of the pessimism.

Wood stood there without comment as Aiden and I walked back towards the dig site. I looked at the ex-Royal Guard with new found respect. He might not have been a soldier in Her Highness’ forces anymore, but he was still badass enough to give me confidence and hope. There was nobody down here that I’d rather be chained to at that moment than him.

Spike was at the front still using his tail like a jackhammer, still tearing through the hard rock with ease. Every so often he would stop to allow Atom to gather the gems he’d uncover and place them into a basket near his feet. It was almost full by the time we arrived and we placed our currently empty baskets down next to it. 

Atom and Aiden chatted quietly together for a few moments before one of the guard dogs spotted them. “Hey! Back to work!” He growled.

Atom turned around, “Yes, of course. He was just asking me if I could place the baskets on his back more evenly so that it didn’t hurt him. He’s got a sore shoulder, you see...” Atom continued to converse with the Dog, while Aiden’s eyes scanned the two large pugs holding Spike. 

“Enough, pony! Take basket. Load pony!” The guard glowered at Atom as he walked off.

“This is why nopony likes the Diamond Dogs,” he muttered under his breath, “you try to nice and they just act like a bunch of...” Atom’s eyes drifted over my flank, “How do you still have your saddlebag?” He asked barely whispering, picking up the basket full of gems and heaving it onto my back.

“Maybe they think it’s my Cutie Mark.” I replied just as quietly.

“No talking!” A Dog snapped, followed by the loud crack of a whip as I felt a fierce burn on my rump. 

“Son of a bitch!” I yelled out of reflex.

Aiden stared at me. Atom stared at me. Spike stared at me. The Dog that hit me stared at me.

Fuck.

My mouth felt dry, my legs felt weak. Was this it? My bracelet was gone, so any second now I could disappear. Any moment this could all be over. My dreams, my new life. Everything! I could almost feel Tutela reaching through the space-time continuum, preparing to rip me out of this reality at any sec-

“Yes... mother is bitch...” The Dog said slowly scratching his head.

There was a long pause before I threw my head back in rancorous laughter. Despite the current situation, I couldn’t help but laugh. That was the funniest thing I had heard in my life. Whether the laughter was out of relief at not blowing my cover or from the confused look on the Dog’s face, I’ll never know. All I knew was that this was the funniest thing I had ever had the pleasure of coming across, and I let the whole mine know it. 

That brought everybody’s attention to me, from the ponies as and the Diamond Dogs. For at least two whole minutes the entire mine stopped to watch me laugh my flank off. I tried to stop, but it was too friggin’ funny.

“What’s going on here?” One of the better dressed Dogs demanded, walking up to me as I wiped the tears away from my eyes.

“I think pony is broken. I hit with whip, he laugh!” The other ‘lesser’ Dog replied, bowing his head.

“Bring them.” The well dressed Dog ordered before turning around, walking quickly towards a customized minecart that was cut in half. There was a large cushioned chair facing forwards and it was attached to a handcar that was powered by two strong-looking pugs, similar to the ones that held Spike’s chain. Speaking of chains, the one that was attached to Aiden and myself was clumsily wrapped around the back of the minecart. The two pugs started pumping the handcart and we were forced to run behind it. 

The doctor had specifically ordered me not to run! Oh well. Wasn’t like I had a choice in the matter anyway.
 
Behind us the voice of the mare started singing again.

“This is not what I wanted from life,
This is not what I wanted from life,
This is not what I wanted from life,
Slaving away in dark, dingy mines,
Forgetting what it feels like to be free,
Longing to feel the sun on my face,
Oh why is this happening to me?”

“Forest, what have you got in that bag?” Aiden quietly asked, jogging along with me.

“Rope, that suit Rarity made, that bracelet, a snowglobe... and... a,” I thought about mentioning the blade. Was it the right thing to do? “a dagger.”

“A dagger?” Aiden asked, “You have a weapon like that on you?”

“It’s Spike’s. He lent it to me to hold, okay?”

As Aiden stared at me, the voices of several ponies joined together in that slow droning melody, drowning out the sounds of our hooves clopping along the ground.

“This is not what I wanted from life,
This is not what I wanted from life,
This is not what I wanted from life,
We must learn to stick together,
Utter words of reassurance to bolster hope,
Dreaming of the time we return back home,
Something special for our hearts to cope.

Perhaps one day when we are free,
If we have some foals eventually,
We’ll tell them of our struggles here,
Of crushed hopes, broken dreams, and blinding fear,
And if we never escape this deep catacomb,
At least we’ll be together in this giant tomb.”





“Why did they lock us here?” I asked Aiden, who was busy taking in his surroundings. “Can you throw a little light?”

“Can’t. These cuffs are made of anti-magic material. Can’t cast any magic until I get rid of them. Not strong enough to.” Aiden replied, finally taking his eyes off the prison bars and focusing them on me, “Sorry, but I can’t help you.”

“But I can,” Came a quiet voice out of the darkness.

Slowly a faint bluish glue illuminated our surroundings. It was a large cell, with around a dozen or so ponies lying around. Most of them looked to be in bad shape, but the Unicorn who lit up the cell had it worst of all. One eye was purple, bruised over completely, dried blood had coagulated around her snout and the edges of her mouth, her cheeks were swollen on both sides. She hanging against the wall, chained to the ceiling, her hind legs off the ground and her forehooves locked together over her head. 

“You...” I whispered, “I know you...”

“What is this place?” Aiden asked walking to the mare, looking up at her, “And what in Celestia’s mane, have they done you?”

“It’s her mouth,” a stallion spoke up, limping towards us, “she brought that upon herself. The Dogs bring ‘broken’ ponies in here for ‘fixing’, which usually entails severe beatings. That essentially means ponies that don’t do as they’re told. Nopony’s been killed yet, but if she doesn’t start obeying and stop disrespecting them...” He let his voice trail off. “We tried to get her to stop being so stubborn, but she’s too bucking proud. It’s her own fault she’s like that.”

“How many of you are here?” Aiden asked.

“Ten. Most of us were just resistant to their brutish ways. She,” The stallion gestured to the pony in front of us, “is the worst off.”

“What’s your name?” Aiden asked the mare.

“I am... the Great and Powerful Trixie.” She croaked, pausing for dramatic effect, which failed miserably.

“You’re that mare from the Everfree Forest!” I blurted, “The one in the trailer where Brian...”

“Wait, you know her, Forest?” Aiden asked.

I wobbled my head not sure if yes or no was the correct answer, “Well... sort of. I never really met her. I just... it’s a long story.” I didn’t feel like explaining, “You should be ashamed of yourself. Because of you, that human is in the hospital.”

“What? Why?” She asked, her eyes opened wide in shock.

“Because you gave him a heart-attack!”

“Shut up, ponies! Shut up!” a Dog shouted while frothing at the mouth. He was standing at the entrance to the cell, banging it with a metallic club, “Or we fix you all now!” Some of the ponies whimpered, a few quietly pleaded for us to shut up. “Turn off light, pony! Or we break horn!” 

Trixie obeyed without the slightest hint of hesitation, shutting off her horn.

The Dog lumbered off.

“How long have you been here?” Aiden quietly asked the stallion when the coast was clear.

“Not sure. Maybe a couple weeks. Name’s Rough Boulder. Used to work in Appleloosa as a hired hand.”

“I know that name,” I interrupted. 

“Yeah, Braeburn mentioned you.” Aiden added, “You know him?”

“Yeah, of course I do. Everypony in Appleloosa knows Braeburn. Without his farm, Appleloosa would be nothing more than a forgotten outpost along the train tracks. It’s because of him and his farm that it’s become such a vibrant community.” 

When he said those words, I thought back to Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. Perhaps the same thing happened there, the apples from the Apples breathing new life into the town. My thoughts drifted back to Applejack, and another pang of regret surged through me. Seriously? How long does it take to get over someone?

“It’s nice that someone back home remembers who I am.” Boulder sat down on his haunches before continuing, “I moved to Appleloosa about two months back, with nothing to my name except for the saddlebags on my flank. It was hard at first, and I did everything or anything I could to earn a few bits. After a while, I built a reputation as a good, honest worker and ponies began hiring me more and more. One day I got hired by a pony who wanted some help prospecting. Was alright the first few nights, but the next thing I knew I was being dragged down into this... pit.” He sighed, “But that pony isn’t down here. At least I haven’t seen him around. Have you? He’s tall, black, has a Cutie Mark with a lamp and a shovel and pickaxe...”

“Yeah. Seen him. In the saloon back in Appleloosa...” Aiden replied.

“Coincidence? You saw him in the saloon, and now you’re down here with us...” 

The two of them continued to talk in hushed voices while I turned my attention to Trixie. I could barely make her out in the darkness, only the edge of the top of her head was defined by the faint light that seemed to stream in through the prison’s bars from outside.

“Is... is it really my fault?” She asked, barely audible. “Is... is it really my fault that he’s... that human is...”

“In the hospital? Yes.” I wanted to tell her that Brian was in pretty bad shape, but it didn’t seem... right. I wasn’t sure why either.

There was a long moment of silence before she spoke up again, “Is he dying?”

Now it was my turn to think. To be asked that outright like that... I didn’t know what to say.

For a long time the only sounds I heard was the faint whispering between Aiden and Boulder they talked and compared notes. Then, quietly, I heard Trixie sniffling in the darkness above me. I walked as close to her as I could and looked up. A droplet of warm, salty water landed on my face. 

“What have I done?” She shouted, startling me. “Let me out of here! Let me out! I have to get out!” She screamed, pulling on the chains above her and the ones fixed to her ankles. She shook herself, banging against the wall.

“What are you doing?” Boulder shrieked as the sounds of heavy footsteps approached the cell door.

“Shut up, pony!” The Dog from before ordered.

Trixie did not shut up. She kept on going demanding, pleading, ordering, begging to be released. The Dogs, unable to take it anymore, opened the cage door. Two of them carried whips, but the third carried something much more sinister. The two Dogs stood and watched as the third walked forwards with the object, it looked like a butcher knife, as he approached Trixie.

“Silence, pony! Or I will fix you permanently!” The Dog pointed the huge knife towards the light blue Unicorn. 

This was serious. Real serious. I wanted to do something, but my body refused to move. That wasn’t a knife, it was a friggin’ sword! What the fuck? Seriously! Was he actually going to kill her?

“C-c-c-calm down, Trixie...” I said, the urgency in my voice sounded foreign to me. Despite what she had done, the last thing I wanted to see was her getting hurt. “P-p-p-please, just relax...”

“Relax? How could I possibly relax? It’s my fault! My fault! All my fault! Why did I have to go and do something like that? I never meant to harm him! I would never really harm anypony!” She gritted her teeth, “And now I learn that I might’ve k... k... killed,” her voice squeaked around the word, as if saying it took every ounce of strength she could muster. “him...”

“You didn’t...”

“You don’t know that!” She retorted, cutting me off, “I ran away like I always do. I only wanted to get a little payback on Twilight Sparkle! I just wanted her to see what I could do! I just wanted her to acknowledge me! I never meant to hurt anypony... I never meant...”

“Pony! Shut! Up!” The Dog leaned back and brought the blade over his head.

Without thinking, I jumped in front of the strike. Why I did this, I don’t know. That was completely and utterly the dumbest thing anyone could have done. Most people, or in this case ponies, would have attacked the wielder of the weapon, not stand in front of it like an idiot and scream like a little filly.

Luckily for me, Aiden wasn’t an idiot, and he didn’t scream like a filly. Instead her roared like a lion.

The Dog didn’t know what hit him, as he slumped to the ground. Aiden had brought his hoof down hard against the back of his head, the blade clattering on floor. In smooth motion had turned around to face the two other Dogs. Both of them didn’t know what to expect and lashed out their their whips, but Aiden was a pony with a plan. Using his body strength, he swung his left hoof around, sending me flying into the Dogs like a flail. I didn’t know who was more surprised, me or the dumb mutts. One of them actually managed to sink his teeth into my flank, while the other was unlucky enough to get stuck between myself and the wall. That one dropped down to the floor completely unconscious. 

The impact had dazed the Dog that bit me and before he could react, Boulder bucked his face sending its helm flying off. He too slumped to the ground unconscious.

As I picked myself up from the ground, Aiden flashed an innocent smile, “Sorry about that.”

“I bet you are.” I grumbled.

One of the other prisoners looked at Aiden in shock. “What have you guys done? Y-y-y-y-you attacked a guard! Do you know what they’ll do to us?”

“Look, things here are worse than you think. The leader of these Diamond Dogs is a really, really, really bad... dog. You have no idea how bad the situation really is. Right now, we need to escape, and tell the Guard what is going on.” Aiden looked over at the ponies cowering around him. “I can’t leave any of you here, so you’ll all have to come with me. All of you.”

“We didn’t ask for this! They said they’d let us go if we helped them!” One of the other stallions yelped.

“Keep it down!” Aiden cast a quick worried glance at the entrance to the prison. Nothing. He exhaled a sigh of relief, “Listen, all of you. The Dogs are up to something real big here. We’ve got to inform the Kingdom otherwise you’ll be digging in mines like these for the rest of your lives! And maybe even your foals, and their foals. Do you understand?”

The ponies looked at each other.

Aiden smacked his head, “We don’t have time for this! Forest, say something.” 

“Me?” I asked, incredulously. The fuck can I say? “Well, uh... Aiden is a Guard. We should listen to him.”

“You’re a Guard?” Boulder asked, “Why didn’t you say so?”

“I’m retired. I’ve only been recommissioned to watch over him,” Aiden pointed at me, “not to resume my duties to the Kingdom.”

“Methinks that they need you more than I do, Aiden, and this is for your country. I think the Princesses will forgive you.” They all looked at him, hope filled their eyes. “Anyway, let’s get these cuffs off.”

“Good idea,” Aiden nodded in response, “and Forest, it’s your country too.”

That made me smile. 

Aiden searched the Dogs for the keys while I rubbed my flank, glad that my bag had managed to soften the Dog’s bite on my rear. Soon the three Dogs were locked down in the same chains that they had used on the ponies, with an addition. We gagged them by tying bits of the rope from my saddlebag around their muzzles, and behind their heads. By ‘we’, I mean ‘Aiden’. It was impressive how he tied them with his hooves, not his magic. I’m still unsure how that was possible.

So, now here we were. Thirteen ponies, seven were healthy enough to move on their own, five were in no condition to do anything and could barely stand without help. The last pony was still securely chained up at the far end of the prison, none of the keys worked on Trixie’s locks. She down at us, and I could see the panic starting to well up in her eyes as the last key failed.

“Please don’t leave me here.” She whimpered.

“I’ll stay here with her.” I grumbled, turning to Aiden. “You go and find the keys to her locks.”

“I can’t just leave you here, Forest. You’re my respons-”

“Aiden, is this really the time to worry about something like that? I’m not going to go anywhere, okay? I’m just going to sit right here and wait for you.” 

The green Unicorn stared at me for a moment before talking, “You do know that the Dogs could come in at any second.”

“I know.”

“And you do know that they could kill you, right?” 

I gulped despite myself, “Yeah.”

“Even so, you want to stay here,” he gestured to Trixie with his head, “with her?”

“It’s not that I want to, it’s that somepony has to. And the rest of these guys don’t looked like they’d like to spend another moment in here. I mean, if something bad happens, I can do what I do best.” I smiled mirthlessly. 

“What’s that?” Boulder asked.

“Run. Run like the wind. Don’t you know? I’m the fastest Earth pony in Equestria...” 

“How would they know that, Forest? They’ve been down here. It’s not like they’d know who you are.” Aiden shook his head, “Enough. We’ve wasted enough time. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but if things get too dangerous, you have to get out of here.” He looked at Trixie, “Whether or not she can come with you.”

Trixie’s eye opened wide, “You can’t just leave me here alone!”

“You brought this on yourself.” Aiden’s voice was uncharacteristically cold. “From what I understand, if you had kept your mouth shut you wouldn’t be locked up like that.”

The two Unicorns glared at each other, but it was Trixie who broke contact first. “I know.”

I felt bad for the blue Unicorn.

“Okay, everypony, let’s go. Quietly.” Aiden then lead the others away. I followed them to the entrance and poked my head out the door, watching them go to the end of the hall. Aiden held a hoof up, telling them to wait a moment as he made sure the coast was clear. Then they all disappeared around the corner. 

A part of me wanted to run after them. To leave and get out of there, but then what would’ve happened to Trixie? And... why did I care? She wasn’t a pony that I particularly cared for. I didn’t know who she was. In fact my only interaction with her was that brief and disturbing incident back in her trailer in the Everfree Forest. How the hell did she end up here?

Walking back into the prison, I walked over to mare in question. She just looked down at me, I could tell by the way the faint light from outside bounced off her head. Courteously, she lit up the cell with her horn. The silence between the two of us was awkward. Although I wanted to say something to her, I just couldn’t think of anything. 

At about my eighth attempt and conversation, she interrupted me, “Are you a friend of this... ‘Brian’? The... creature from the trailer.”

That caught me completely off guard, “He’s a human, not a creature. And about us being friends... well, I don’t know... I don’t think so, but...”

“Think so?” She asked.

“We have a... history. It’s a long story.”

“I have time.” She replied, rolling her eyes.

“Well, I don’t feel comfortable talking with you about it. No offense, but I’m not interested in becoming your friend, okay?” 

Trixie’s eyes opened wide at those words, but she looked away and nodded, “I understand.”

Why did I feel so... guilty?

The sounds of grunts and whimpering came from behind me. The Diamond Dogs had awoken and were struggling against the chains and their make-shift gags. One of them growled at me as I looked over at him. 

“I hate them.” Trixie whispered, “I hate them for what they did to me.”

“What did they do?”

“Look at my face! Do you really need to ask that?” She quipped.

“Well, what did you do to make them do that?” I retorted.

“I...”

“Forest!” Aiden barked, cutting Trixie off as he rushed into the cell, “No time. Keys. Now.” 

He threw them to me using his magic. I caught them in my hooves and fumbled a little as I tried the first key into the ankle chains. Not the right one. Next. 

“Hurry up!” Aiden shouted. Dog barks echoed in the hall. “Celestia confound it!” 

The door to the prison swung shut with a loud clang as the noises drew closer. Aiden backed up a few steps as the first of the canines slammed themselves into the bars with a loud crash. About six more Dogs followed along a moment later. Trixie let out a yelp, despite herself. 

“Not good. Not good!” Aiden pointed out. “Forest! This isn’t good!”

No shit, I muttered in my head, you think that I didn’t notice the half a dozen snarling gorilla-dogs baying for our blood?

Aiden saw me taking the third key and trying it on the locks. “Hurry up, Forest!” 

“Please hurry.” Trixie looked down at me, “Please. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“I’m,” I grunted as I put the fourth one into the lock, “trying!”

One of the Dogs shoved the others aside and tried to open the prison with his key. Aiden reacted quickly, taking the dropped blade from before with his magic, and thrust it through the bars. Instinctively, the Dogs all hopped backwards. 

“Get archers!” The leading Dog shouted.

“Forest...” Aiden said slowly.

“It’s the last key!” I shouted in response, “It’s always the last key...” I whispered to myself as I placed the sixth and final key into the lock and turned. My mouth dropped. “No...”

“Any day now!” 

“It’s... it’s not working!” I shouted, fear slowly threatening to engulf me. 

Aiden whipped his head to look at me, “What?”

“It doesn’t work!” 

“What?”

“It’s the wrong key!” I shouted.

Trixie looked at me, then over at Aiden, then back to me, “No. No, no, no! You can’t leave me! You can’t leave me here! They’ll kill me! You promised...”

“I didn’t promise you anything,” I cut her off before she could believe that nonsense, “what you need to do is relax. Can’t you just teleport out of here?”

“If that was possible, don’t you think I would still be here?” Trixie shouted at me.

What do I do? What do I do?

My mind was racing a mile a minute. What the hell was I supposed to do? 

“Think of something!” Aiden ordered.

Then, somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard a voice. “The blade is made from the same stuff that the Royal Guards armor's made from. It can cut through a Dragon's scale-armor...” 

Spike! Of course! Reaching into my saddlebag, I pulled the dagger out with my mouth. It was like grabbing an icicle, the hilt made me shudder at the sudden change in temperature. Walking over to Trixie, I took the knife and placed it carefully in the space between her hoof and the cuff, careful not to cut her or break the vial in the middle. That would’ve been very bad. Then I pulled. 

Like a hot knife through butter. It cut clean through it completely. I made quick work with the second hoof, but I could see her concerned expression in her horn’s faint glow. But still, her forehooves were too far away for me to reach.

“Two days ago I was the most popular stallion in Canterlot. Now look at me. I’m a prisoner in some hole in the ground infested with the stinkiest creatures with two Unicorns...” I grumbled angrily as I thought of how to get Trixie free. 

Aiden tapped me on the shoulder, “Allow me.” Using his magic, he levitated the dagger and sliced the chain that connected Trixie to the ceiling. She dropped down like a rock.

Picking herself up from off the ground, she stumbled a bit before getting her bearings right. I took the dagger and cut the cuffs from her wrists. That changed everything. Trixie transformed from a timid filly to this angry, and dangerous looking mare. 

I quickly returned the blade to my saddlebag.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned! Now, I must dispense some much needed justice on the flanks of these mangy mutts...” She grinned from ear to ear as she walked up to our prisoners picking up the two whips that was laying on the ground. Seeing this, and being unable to escape, two of the three Dogs fainted, while third tried unsuccessfully to stare her down. 

“No time! Trixie, right?” Aiden asked. Trixie nodded, “Can you teleport?”

“I have enough power to teleport us all to the surface of this place,” Trixie struck a pose, “for I am the Great and Powerful Trixie...”

“Then go.” I said, “Get out of here. But promise me one thing.”

The blue Unicorn looked at me, “Trixie is listening.”

“Do you have to refer to yourself in the third person? That can get real annoying real quick, you know...” 

“Forest!” Aiden snapped.

“Fine! Look, just promise to return to Ponyville, and tell Brian... just see him.” I turned to go.

“But... won’t he get mad if he sees Trix-- me? I don’t think he’d want to see me...” 

“Who cares what you think!” I exclaimed, “You owe him that much. Now, get out of here.” 

There was a moment of silence before she nodded, affirming my request. “I will go. Trixie has enough power to take all three of us out of here...” 

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m afraid that is something I have to pass up on. I’m allergic to magic, if you cast that spell on me, it would either not work, or I’d die.” I saw the confused and alarmed look plastered across her face. “Just go, okay? Go on!”

“But...”

“Trixie!” Aiden shouted, “Get out of here, or so help me Luna, I’m going to...”

She enveloped herself in her magical aura, “Thank you,” she sounded so sincere and genuine. I found that a part of me was glad that she was safe. 

I returned her smile with one of my own. “See you later.”

Then, with a ‘pop’, she was gone. 

“Okay, now that’s out of the way, what do we do?” I asked.

Aiden was staring wide eyed at the prison gate, “Run.”

“Run?”

“Run! To the wall over there!” He darted off towards the wall next to the prison’s entrance as a volley of arrows streaked into the prison.

I heard someone scream. I think it was me. 

Arrows ricocheted off the back wall and I found myself trembling next to Aiden. 

“Glad you could join me.” He flashed a wry smile in my direction.

All he got in response was a deadpan stare. At least here, the wall nearest the prison doors, their arrows couldn’t reach me. Several more volleys zipped by before they stopped, an eery silence now hung in the air.

Aiden quickly jumped back in front of the gate and swung the large sword-knife at the door, making the Dogs yelp and jump back into each other. They had tried to open the gate perhaps thinking that one of their arrows had somehow did a u-turn and hit us. Almost instantly more arrows found their way through the bars.

“Now what? We’re stuck.” My powers of observation served me well.

“How did you escape the Ursas?” Aiden asked, smacking the doors with the blade again when the next volley of arrows stopped. Again, the Dogs yelped and started firing more in panic. 

“Don’t they learn?” 

Aiden grinned at me, “You can’t teach an old Dog new tricks.” 

I didn’t know how to react to that, so I just reverted back to the original question. “You saw the replay of the race?”

“Yeah...”

“You know how after the lake I ran over to the rock and put my back legs against it?” 

“Yeah... oh! So that’s where you learnt it. That super-acceleration trick.” 

“Super-acceleration trick? Can’t you come up with a better name for it than that?”

“No.” 

I couldn’t help but make a face. “Anyway, why are you asking me that? You don’t expect me to just run into those Dogs...” I didn’t need to finish. “No bucking way!”

“Come on, Forest. It’s the only way. You just need to relax and do what you do.”

“Easy for you to say!” Seriously? Run into a bunch of psycho dogs with weapons? “There’s no way I’m going to do that!”

“You got a better idea?” 

“Well... what about Spike and Atom? Maybe we can hold out till they come and help!”

“I’m sure Atom would if he could. Right now, we need to figure something out for ourselves. We’re alone for now, okay?” 

“Then why did we send Trixie away?” 

Aiden just stared at me for a moment as if I was the stupid one. 

“What?” I questioned, “It makes sense! She could’ve helped us!”

He didn’t sound too convinced. “You saw how shaken she got thinking she’d killed Brian. You think she’d actually harm these... creatures? There’s a reason why the Guard keep to themselves, Forest, and that reason is simple. We kill. Most ponies live their entire lives in peace and tranquility knowing very little what happens along the borders of the Known Lands and the Princesses like it that way. We protect, they live.”

And there I stood, dumbfounded. I had no idea how much these soldiers sacrificed for their country. It just seemed so... much. 

“Well, can’t you blow a hole through the wall here?” I pointed behind me.

“No. My magic isn’t that strong. I doubt even the ‘Great and Powerful Trixie’ could’ve faired any better.” He then looked at me, his face lighting up, “But you can...”

“Aiden, I can’t cast magic, remember? Or did you conveniently forget just to get my hopes up...”

“You can’t cast magic on your own, Forest. But you still can cast some magic with a little help.” 

What was he talking about? Oh. Oh! Oh shit. “No. No way! I just got it off me!”

“It’s our one chance to survive this, Forest. We can just go back to Canterlot afterwards and have Her Highness take it off again. It’s either that, or you rush the entrance as soon as the doors open. Now decide, before they figure out how to open that door!”

Reaching into my bag, I took out the golden bracelet and stared at it. Why? Why me? This was completely unfair! 

“Today would be nice!” Aiden shouted, slamming the sword against the cage again. 

Thoughts flashed through my mind. This was the guy that tried to get me to spill everything the last time I put this thing on. This was the guy who tried to extract the truth from me. This was the guy who almost sent me back to Tutela. Could I really trust him to not be a dick? I had no choice. I had to risk it. Despite everything, Aiden was still the closest thing I had to a best friend, except for Spike, and maybe Atom. There was just no way I’d ditch them for certain death... wait!

“You teleport out of here, Aiden. I’ll... I’ll figure something out.”

“What?” Aiden looked at me.

“Look, you can escape. You should just go. Teleport out of here. I’m a survivor. I’ll be fine. Somehow.” 

“I’m not leaving you behind, Forest.” Aiden looked at me as if I was off my marbles. 

“Just listen to me. I’m not going to die here. I can run much, much, much faster than you think. I just... it takes me time to prepare, but when I’m ready...”

“No. Forest, if they get their hands on you, they’ll kill you. You expect me to just up and leave you alone?” He smirked suddenly, “Do you know what Twilight would do to me?”

“Aiden...” 

“Please, Forest. I don’t know if you’re trying to be brave, heroic, or if you really just want to help me, but I really can’t leave you. It’s not something I do. I didn’t do it during the Changeling invasion, and I’m not about to now. We’re sticking together through this.” Aiden placed a hoof on my shoulder, “I’m not just saying that. Even though the mare that I love loves you, I still consider you my friend.”

It hurt to hear those words. Here I was trying to save my own selfish flank, and all that while Aiden thought nothing but me. Some friend I am. “Thank you, Aiden. I... you don’t know how much that means to me.” 

“Don’t get sappy on me. We’re still in mortal danger.” 

And with that, I put that damned bracelet back on. My heart sank when I felt it tighten around my wrist in that familiar embrace. It was done. The thing was, somehow I trusted Aiden enough to not ask about the truth about who I was.  

The familiar burning in my wrist was both welcoming and unwelcoming. It was like my feelings for Applejack. I was happy she cared for me, but I was also unhappy about it because it was over. Mostly thanks to that flankhead Atom. Stupid Atom. Spoiling my happy-time with her...

“Forest Fire!” Aiden looked into my eyes, “Show me where you are!”

… but now Twilight likes me. She helped Princess Celestia set up the Unicorn part of the race, and she beat the snot out of some bad ponies. Yeah, Twilight’s a badass...

“Show me where you are!”

… I just wish that I felt the same way for her, but I just... don’t...

“Show me where you are!”

The familiar feeling of pain surged through my hoof as the spell exploded forth from my hoof via that stupid bracelet, as it had done so many painful times before. Aiden seized my arm and pointed it at the wall opposite us, aiming it right next to the three Diamond Dogs still chained up against the wall.

“Keep it up, Forest,” Aiden shouted as he walked through the newly made hole in the opposite side of the prison, “you’re doing great!”

“Hate you. Hate you so much.” I lamented as I struggled to pick myself up from off the ground. 

Still in agony, I shook off the pain and somehow followed the green Unicorn through the newly created ‘doorway’. Walking past the three Diamond Dogs, I noted they were all slouched over each other, clearly unconscious. Probably fainted after witnessing that big blast. I know that if I saw a large beam of light tear through a solid wall a few feet away from where I was chained, I’d blackout as well.

The blast had torn through the wall and into one of the mining tunnels. We ran down it, not sure if the way we were going was a dead end or not, but Aiden seemed to know what he was doing. At least, I thought he did until we reached a dead end and had to double back. We did that several times before we managed to find an exit that led onto a wide cobbled road. It was pretty dark, except for a set of small lamp posts that were aligned along the walkway. We followed the road for a little ways, before stopping a moment to catch our breath.

Aiden let out a gasp and then pointed to my left. I couldn’t see what he was pointing at, “Right in front of you, Forest. Water. An underground lake.” 

Aiden must’ve had night vision, because I couldn’t make out what he was seeing. Water? Deep underground? Was that even possible? I couldn’t believe it. Since when does water collect in underground areas such as this one? I wanted to kick myself for coming up with such a stupid conclusion. Of course there was water underground. That’s why they built wells! A part of me was glad that I hadn’t opened my mouth. 

We walked slowly through the gloom, every once in awhile there seemed to be a ‘ghost’ or something dancing just off my peripheral vision to me left. Every time I looked towards the source, it would disappear. Just as I was about to comment on it, I heard something.

“There! There!” A rough voice called out through the gloom. In the distance I could see figures moving towards us under the lamp posts in the distance, “Get them!” 

“Great. Just great. When you think you’re safe, some stupid gorilla-dog actually manages to...”

“Stop your whining and move!” Aiden shoved me with his head prompting me to run. 

I let him overtake me and followed close behind him, acutely aware that the lake was on my left. Then it hit me! The ‘ghosts’ I saw were the reflections of the lights from the lamp post! But on the other side there was nothing but complete darkness. A steep drop into a black abyss.

“Aiden! We’re on a dam!” 

“What?”

“A dam!” I shouted again, easily keeping up with the Unicorn.

Aiden looked to the left and right before nodding, “Well, that sucks.”

“Wha-” I was cut off by the sounds of shouting coming from in front of us. Fucking piece of shit! Why can’t I catch a break! Mother-

“Forest! Pay attention. We’re going to have to swim for it, okay?”

“Are you kidding me? I hate swimming...” an arrow whizzed past my face, “I bucking love swimming! It’s the most awesomest thing ever!” And I ran into that water as quickly as my little pony legs could carry me.

We started to swim away from the dam, the Dogs firing arrows at us, but either the darkness was making it hard for them to aim, or they were just shitty aimers, we were quickly slipping away. I was very glad that we weren’t being riddled full of arrows. 

“Get boats! Hurry!” We heard one of the Dogs shout. “They must not escape.” 

“They have boats? They have boats!” I shouted at Aiden who was still swimming away.

“Oh, thanks for letting me know. I didn’t hear them the first time!” His voice was thick with sarcasm. 

“What do we...” I was cut off by a bright flash of light, followed by some sort of explosion.

“Forest!” Came a shout.

Thank Celestia! “Twilight!”

I stopped, turned around and started to swim back towards the purple glow of light. Without pausing, I rushed up to the mare, who threw her hooves around my neck and gave me a quick peck on my lips. In any other scenario, I would’ve blushed and been all shy, but at that moment, I returned her kiss because... well, let’s face it, she did just save my life and saying I was grateful would’ve been an understatement.

“Forest. Thank goodness you’re alright.” Sweetie Belle walked up to us, “Where’s Spike?”

“I’m okay too...” Aiden pouted.

“Oh, sorry Aiden. I’m glad you’re alright too. It’s just, you’re capable of taking care of yourself...”

“Oi.”

“Anyway, where’s Spike?” Sweetie’s eyes shot between Aiden and myself.

“Probably still in the mines. There’s a lot of ponies imprisoned here. How’d you find us?” I asked.

“After you got foalnapped, Twilight used her magic to follow you down the tunnels. When we got down here, we were amazed. Miles and miles of tunnels going every which way. We searched for hours and were about to give up when we started see more and more Diamond Dogs. We followed a patrol of them for a while and came across this dam. We stayed near here for the night and were about to leave when we got luck. Fluttershy saw the two of you running across the dam.”

“Not the smartest thing running in the open like that,” Aiden commented, “letting the enemy see us coming from a mile away. I should’ve seen that coming. That was very bad.”

“It helped us find you.” Pinkie piped in, smiling in that wonderful way she does, “So it wasn’t that bad.”

“So, did you guys come down here on your own?” Aiden’s question came out more like an accusation. 

“Yep. We don’t need nopony else. You got four Elements, and the sister of a fifth. What more d’ya need?” Applejack grinned.

“An army.” Aiden stated, “This isn’t a magic-based villain, or a single giant beast. These are soldiers, warriors, with real weapons and real agendas. Magic on its own isn’t going to be enough.”

Twilight put a reassuring hoof on Aiden’s shoulder, “We’ve tackled with the likes of Discord and Nightmare Moon. I doubt a few Diamond Dogs will...”

Aiden cut Twilight off with a look in his eyes made me shudder. “Twilight, there’s a reason why there’s still an active army in Equestria. If the Elements of Harmony could solve all our problems, then why would there be a need for soldiers like me or your brother?” 

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked slowly, not getting what Aiden was talking about. 

He held the silence for a moment longer, you could almost see the gears in his brain churning, contemplating whether or not he should tell her what he meant. And from the look in his eyes, it was obvious what meant.

“Spill it! We ain’t got all night.” Applejack seeing that Aiden wasn’t going to answer her, looked over to me.

“Can you guys kill?” I asked.

Now all the girls looked my way, their expressions ranged from shock to disgust. 

“That’s not what Aiden meant, Forest...”

“No. That’s exactly what I meant. Can you do it? Can you take the life of another being?” Aiden asked, “Even when you fought the Changeling army, you didn’t kill them. None of you did. But several dozen good soldiers did die that day, several others got badly injured, and there were a few civilian deaths. Injuries that still hamper them to this day. You must have read it in the news in the aftermath. These creatures might be worse than the Changelings. Can you kill them?”

The girls looked at each other unsure how to react to that. Aiden was a living testament to that war. He had lived it, and came out with an injury that hampered his magical abilities permanently. That very injury was what granted him the pleasure of becoming my guardian. Without that, well, I doubt we’d have even met in the first place. 

“Oh... but I couldn’t,” Fluttershy squeaked, “hurt others... I just can’t... killing...” She looked like she was going to be sick.

“That’s why we have an army. This isn’t one of those times when you can use your magic to fix everything. There are hundreds of ponies in those mines being forced to work like slaves for a tyrant who wants nothing more than to destroy everything we know and love. And he will do it without kindness, without remorse, without mercy. He must be stopped.” Aiden turned to go, “Forest, you’re useless. Stay here with the girls. I’m going to help Atom and Spike and put a stop to this.”

Useless? Me? “Yeah. Okay.” Well, I was. 

“I’m coming with you,” Twilight argued, walking alongside the green Unicorn, “and I’m going to help whether you want me to or not. Spike’s family to me and if you think you can talk me out of helping my family, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“Fine. But stay close.” Aiden and Twilight began to head back the way we had come, back towards the tunnels and the prison. 

The other three Elements stood with me looking concerned. Soon I felt four pairs of eyes lock onto me. “What?”

“You’re going to let them go by themselves?” Pinkie asked me, “Why if they need our help?”

“You heard Aiden! I’m useless. If I go I could do the opposite of helping.” What was it called? Failing? 

“We’re goin’,” Applejack said, gripping my tail with her mouth, “and yer comin’ wif uf.”

“Okay, okay! I’ll go, but it’s going to be super dangerous, y’know? Really dangerous. This danger level is right up there with slow dancing with a Timberwolf on the danger scale. In other words: really, really dangerous.” They all looked at me funnily, “I’m not gonna lie, I’m comfortable here waiti-”

Something next to me hit the ground, and I noted the long, narrow black stick with the tip in the floor. It was obvious that it was an arrow, yet the rest of my mind wanted to ignore it. Ignore the fact that more arrows were soaring through the air towards us. 

I wanted to scream so badly. So I did.

A dome of sky-blue magic surrounded us as Sweetie Belle conjured a protective shell that deflected the arrows. Unicorns could do that? Why didn’t Aiden do that?

“Hurry... I... can’t do this... for long...” Sweetie grunted every time an arrow struck the shield. 

We didn’t need to be told twice, as the four of us ran towards the opposite end of the dam. Sweetie walked backwards covering our retreat. As we continued, I turned around to see the white Unicorn on her knees. “Wha... what’s going on? Why isn’t she running away?”

“Oh no! Her magic is wearing off!” Pinkie exclaimed, “We have to help her!”

God damn it! I yelled in my head. Before she could say anything else, I was off at full tilt. Doctor’s orders be damned! Save pony first, heal later.

It took me no time to run back to Sweetie, took me no time to get her onto my back, and took me no time to run back the way I came. All through this I was holding my breath. Running into flying arrows isn’t what I signed up for when I came to Equestria! Not that I signed up for coming here in the first place... but that wasn’t the point. And on top of that, putting that stupid bracelet on my wrist made sure that my ‘fast-track’ out of here was no longer an option. 

Damn you, Aiden!

“Are you okay?” Applejack worriedly asked Sweetie, helping her up. 

The white Unicorn was sweating profusely, as if she had just run a marathon and back. She gave Applejack one reassuring nod, she was fine. 

I, on the other hand, was in agony! Sprinting that fast had really hurt my hooves. Ignoring the pain just wasn’t an option. Funny how running slowly had been fine, yet spriting for half a minute killed me. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Forest,” Sweetie grimaced as she saw me limping, “if only I were stronger like my sister.”

“Yer plenty strong, Sweetie. Now, let’s get off this dam and head somewhere safe.” Applejack helped Sweetie by swinging the white mare’s forehoof over her shoulder. “C’mon, let’s move and quick!”

“Easy for you to say...” I grumbled hobbling after them. Pinkie offered to help, and I accepted gratefully. 

Back into the tunnels we went, the sounds of explosions and thunder echoing in the distance.

“What’s going on?” 

The mares all looked at each other, clearly as confused as I was. We needed to hurry.

The four of us moved as quickly as we could, heading back up the tunnels. We ran into some Diamond Dogs lying on the ground, which helped direct our path. Poor Fluttershy, she wanted to go and help them. She really did live up to her title as the Element of Kindness. 

Eventually we reached the hole in the wall that led into the ruined prison. 

“Fluttershy, wait!” Applejack turned around in an attempt to stop her friend, but it was too late.

As she stepped through, her face contorted in horror at the sight. There were Dogs everywhere. On the floor, against the wall, on top of the one another... everywhere! Some looked unconscious, while others looked a lot less... lively. Blood seeped out from numerous bodies, and there were a few bits and pieces here and there. 

Shit.

Pinkie gasped, and rushed into my chest, burying her face there. Fluttershy almost fainted, if it hadn’t been for Applejack and Sweetie Belle she would’ve fallen to the floor. I had to admit, I found it hard not to empty my stomach.

“Those noises we heard earlier...” Sweetie started, “they must have come from here. I can’t believe Twilight would...”

“No. Not Twilight.” My voice was firm. There was no way Twilight would harm these creatures, not like this. This was all Aiden. If anything, Twilight would have tried to stop the green Unicorn. “Aiden.”

“This ain’t right. Nopony deserves this. Not even a Diamond Dog.” Applejack whispered, trying not to notice the corpses that littered the vicinity, “Thin’s like this only instigate more hate t’wards us. I don’t mind a good scrap... but not this...”

“Can we go. Please.” Pinkie pleaded, looking up at me, her eyes on the verge of tears.

We backed out of the cell via the way we entered, through the custom made entrance Aiden had forced me to create. Outside we all moved further up the tunnels away from the prison, away from the bodies, and hopefully away from our pursuers. 

“We can’t stop,” Applejack pushed me along with her head before I could sit my flank down, “They’ll find us.”

“Just for a minute, my hooves are killing me.” I looked down at the custom made boots the doctor had made for me, “I just need a moment. They won’t find us that quickly, will they?”

“Forest, they’re dogs! Of course they’ll find us. They got a keen sense of smell!” 

Unable to resist, I smirked, “Yeah? How can they tell with that horrible body odor?”

The girls looked at me for a moment before smiling a little. It was just a teeny bit, but that was better than nothing. Even Fluttershy showed me a smile, although it looked a little forced.

“So, where to now?” Sweetie glanced worried looks back down the tunnel towards the dam, “I don’t want to be here.”

“Let’s just go this way.” Pinkie trotted a little ahead in the opposite direction, away from the dam and away from the body infested prison cell. 

As we walked, I felt the pain in my hooves decrease. Slowly, but it was nice to not feel agony whenever I took a step. Perhaps I had grown numb to the pain, or perhaps my healing factor kicked in. Like that super hero guy; what was his name? 

I bumped into Applejack, my mind had wandered and didn’t notice that everyone had stopped. 

“What’s...”

They all shushed me at the same time.

“... going on...” I whispered as quietly as possible.

Pinkie was crouched behind some rocks and pointed downwards. Looking in the direction she directed, I saw that we were standing at a tunnel that overlooked The Pit. Here the ponies were still digging away, unaware that Aiden and Twilight were somewhere causing havoc. 

“What’s goin’ on?” Applejack was shocked, she had never seen anything like this before. 

Nor had I, for that matter. Only now, standing atop the entire project could I take in the sheer size of it. Hundreds of ponies was an underestimate. There were at least a thousand in this area alone! Who knew how many there were in total.

“We... we have to do somethin’,” Applejack looked at me, “Forest, can you fight?”

“Me? Fight?” I asked incredulously, “I can barely walk. Not that I could fight even if I could walk... but that’s besides the point. Let’s just wait for...”

A ear wrenching explosion erupted somewhere down one of the tunnels under us. There were screams as mares and stallions alike started to panic. Before I could say anything, more explosions ripped through the tunnels and two Unicorns burst from one of the tunnels. A green Unicorn stood in front of a purple one, their eyes were glowing white as they took hold of the power of magic within them.

A howl echoed from the tunnels behind us, and I turned to see a large group of Dogs with bows and arrows rushing our way. “Ah. Shit.” 

Without thinking, I charged them, shouting at the top of my lungs. The Dogs didn’t expect that, nor did they expect my speed as I plowed through them like a bowling bowl. They tried to get up, but I turned around and headbutted the nearest one. Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. These stupid mongrels wore helms! The impact dazed me, and I saw stars for hovering in front of my eyes. Shaking my head, I tried to force the dizziness out of my head as I stared right at three Dogs with bows pulled back, arrows aimed straight at me.

My breath caught in my throat. 

Three mares bucked three heads, sending three Dogs toppling over each other in pain and confusion. Two of them drew short swords while a third was unlucky enough to smash his head into the far side of the tunnel. Applejack must’ve kicked that poor sod. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. 

Sweetie used her magic and levitated the two Dogs into the air slightly, and swung them against each other, their helms making an empty knock as they collided in midair. They dropped their weapons before Sweetie released them. 

“Thanks,” I sighed in relief. 

“Next time use yer brain! Don’t just rush off like that!” Applejack walked over to me, placing a hoof on my shoulder, “I... I don’t know what I’d do if...”

“Please. Don’t.” I whispered, “We can’t...”

My heart raced. There was just no way I could get over her! I liked Twilight. A lot. But I still loved Applejack. Badly. And I knew she could tell. No! Our moment had gone. It was over between us. 

But it hurt so much...

“Uh... guys...” Sweetie Belle stood next to the orange mare, “We can’t stay here.”

A blast of white light erupted from below in the The Pit. Applejack turned away out of reflex, releasing me from her bewitching gaze. Thank Celestia. Any longer and I would’ve done something stupid for sure. 

Running to the edge I peered down and saw Aiden standing on a rock, his horn was glowing a bright green that it looked almost like it was white. A cascade of light flashed outwards from it at a row of Diamond Dogs holding large shields in the shape of turtle shells. The flashes of light bouncing off of them towards the ground, walls and ceiling creating bright explosions. Twilight was behind him, her horn glowing as well, but instead of shooting bolts of light, she was picking up the Diamond Dogs and cramming them in the very cages that they had trapped the ponies in. 

Several other Unicorns joined Aiden and Twilight, their horns glowing as they started casting their own spells. Some threw rocks at the enemy, some took up weapons and proceeded in paw-to-hoof combat. But where was Atom and Spike?

As if answering my question, a bright green burst of fire exploded from one of the other tunnels as several Diamond Dogs screamed in agony. Spike appeared, a spear on each claw, and behind him came Atom with a short sword firmly gripped in his mouth. 

Even with their numbers, the sight of the Dragon wielding two spears while spewing green flames made the Dogs think twice. Backing away from Spike, they fled towards the main door yelping. Once the Dog’s regrouped, they formed a bastion by holding their shields together around them with their backs to the door. 

Aiden and the Unicorns attacked the armored canines with everything they had but the shields protected them from whatever they could throw. The green Unicorn turned to Twilight shouting something at her. She nodded and her eyes blinked off to their normal color as she started talking to the Pegasi. They nodded and started picking up heavy rocks, flying high above the dogs and dropping them. The Dogs raised the shields over their heads, now protecting their heads as well as their bodies. Now the turtle armor really did look like a large turtle. 

“We gotta help!” Applejack said looking at Atom as he attacked a Diamond Dog. He moved with deadly grace and precision, dodging between the weapons of those nearest him. The blade in his mouth passing through them easily. 

“Watch out!” I shouted.

“Atom!” Applejack screamed.

He turned and looked up towards us! No! No, you moron! Behind you! Fucking hell! Look behind you! A Dog was right there, a spear in his paws pointing right at the Pegasus! 

The Dog suddenly flew backwards letting out a yelp as he was pinned to the tunnel wall with a spear. Spike had thrown it with deadly precision, but he didn’t pause to relish in the badassery of what he had just done. His tale swung over his head, like that of a scorpion’s, slamming another Diamond Dog’s head into the ground. Another Dog dodged the Dragon’s tail as he pulled it back for another strike and stabbed Spike in the chest with his own spear

Sweetie gasped. I winced. Atom laughed.

The the spear broke in half. 

Spike gripped the Dog in his claw, and brought it close to his face. The Dog yelped and struggled against the Dragon’s grip, but Spike just tossed the mutt headfirst towards the tunnel wall. The helm on its head broke apart before pooch slumped to the ground. 

“Oh my... there’s... Dogs... behind us. Oh no...” Fluttershy squeaked. 

“Sweetie, cast magic on me!” I shouted.

“B-b-b-but...” She was about to argue, but I raised my wrist up and showed her the bracelet. She cast spell on me, and I felt my wrist burn again. 

Was it me, or was the pain a lot worse now?

“Cast the Marking spell now! Applejack, push my wrist down towards them, okay?” 

“Forest Fire! Show me where you are! Show me where you are! Show me where you are!” Sweetie screamed as the Dogs got closer and closer.

“Nnngh!” I gritted my teeth as the spell fluctuated through me body. 

This time the blast was different. If I compared to Aiden’s ‘normal’ painful magic, Sweetie’s was a lot brighter and the color was a blue-green hue. Whatever it was, it was a lot more painful than even more painful and agonizing than Aiden’s magic. 

When I opened my eyes, my jaw dropped. The tunnel walls were melting. The Dogs were... gone. Completely. Every trace of anything in the hall turned to dust. 

“Wow. That’s... different.” 

“What was that?” Pinkie asked, all the humor and mirth in her voice had gone. 

“No idea. The marking spell has never done that before.” I turned to Sweetie, “Your magic is different.” 

“Really?” Applejack replied sarcastically. “Well, whatever happened, it saved us.”

“Now what?” Pinkie looked over the edge, “We can’t get down here. Unless we fly, but I don’t have wings... or my hot-air balloon.”

“You own a hot-air balloon?” I felt my left eyebrow raise itself as I stared disbelievingly at the mare. 

“Six!” Pinkie grinned back at me.

That made me do a doubletake. “S-six? Wha-... what for?”

“I made them.” Pinkie caught me staring at her and she just stood there looking back at me for a long moment, “What?” 

“You’re incredible, you know that?” And despite the current situation, I couldn’t resist a light chuckle. 

“How do we get out of here?” Applejack interrupted us, “That’s the way out, ain’t it? Behind those mangy mongrels.”

Spike inhaled deeply and placed his front claws on the ground and let out a long breath of fire at the shielded Dogs. He held his flame for a long moment, but the shields held firm, the Dogs not budging. Spike took a step forwards only to stumble back with a shout. An arrow was stuck in his arm as he took a step back. Spike pulled out the arrow and looked at it, taking another step back in shock..

“They have arrows that can penetrate Dragon scales.” Although I spoke aloud, I was thinking to myself, my thoughts going over to the dagger safely stored at the bottom of my saddlebag. 

Sweetie Belle looked at Fluttershy, “Please, Fluttershy, can you bring me down there?” 

“No! Don’t bring her into that... we’re supposed to be getting away from...” Suddenly a small wave of water washed by Spike’s feet, past the Dogs and into the tunnels beyond. Water?  “Guys, I know... I know how we can end this. Fluttershy, can you tell Twilight and Aiden to get the ponies to higher ground?” 

Fluttershy saluted me, and flew off. 

“Sweetie, l want you to cast another one of your magical spells at me like before... only more. Okay?” 

“Sure... just give me a second.” Sweetie closed her eyes and deep a long deep breath.

“Applejack, you’ve... you’ve got to carry me. That okay?”

“Forest, what you plannin’ to do?” Applejack peered deep into my eyes. This time the feeling from before didn’t happen, and instead it was like a worried friend looking at another friend. Thank Celestia, I doubted that I could’ve resisted her if she looked at me the way she did before. 

“I’m going to blow the dam. We can’t break through those Dogs and their shields. Not without seeing a lot of ponies get hurt. This way, we can get rid of the Dogs without anypony else being hurt.” I looked at her and placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Can you please carry me?”

“Well... okay. But I’m not sure that that’s such a bright idea. What if you get hurt? What if you... something bad happens?”

“Nothing bad’s going to happen. Now, please, before something bad does happen, please promise to carry me to the dam.” I blushed, “I’m... I’m not strong enough to walk alone.”

Again she looked at me with that expression. Why was she so damned stubborn!

“Fine. I’ll carry you, if you promise that you won’t do anythin’ stupid.” Applejack looked at me with her arrows narrowed. 

“Cross my heart...” 

Fluttershy reappeared, “Okay, Forest. I told Twilight. She... she said to be careful.” 

“Thank you, Fluttershy. You better tell Atom and Spike to get to higher ground as well.”

She saluted me again, and was off. That made me chuckle a bit. 

“Are you sure, Forest?” Sweetie asked, “You looked in pretty bad shape the last time you held my magic in your bracelet.”

“I’m sure. Just do it before I change my mind.”

Sweetie Belle nodded and took a step back. Bowed her head, she inhaled slowly and exhaled just as slow. Seconds passed while down below the fighting continued. For a moment it looked like she had fallen asleep and I was about to say something when she raised her head up slowly until she was looking up at the ceiling. Then her eyes opened, she was glowing, like Twilight and Aiden, but her eyes weren’t white. No, her eyes were a beautiful light blue hue, like the color of the marker spell that she had made me cast before. 

“Ready?” Her voice sounded strained, as if she was holding her breath.

“Let me have it!”

In hindsight, perhaps not the wisest choice of words. 

The magic swirled through my wrist making it burn. It was like putting my hoof into a pit of lava or into Celestia’s sun. I held my hoof against my chest and gasped for air. My vision became blotchy, large sports of black kept fading in and out. It felt like a weight was put on top of my head, my body felt like it was in a vice slowly being tightened, and my legs felt like every bone was being broken over and over again. Every noise that I caught sounded like it was inside my head. 

“Is he okay?” Applejack’s voice roared.

“Oh no! Forest! Forest!” Pinkie screamed six times louder.

“Dam. Now. Pain. Too. Much.” I manage to vomit out before my jaw locked up again.

Applejack’s touch sent waves of anguish throughout my body. It was worse when she pulled me onto her back, and there are no words capable of describing the sensation I felt when she started running. Every jolt she took sent misery into my very being. Opening my eyes slightly, I saw Pinkie running next to us, using her hoof to hold me in place. Funny... her touch didn’t hurt me at all. 

“Okay, Forest. We’re at the dam...” 

My eyes opened and looked up. There were Diamond Dogs running towards us from the opposite side... at least they looked like Diamond Dogs. My eyes couldn’t focus.

“Cast. Spell. Now.”

“Forest Fire! Show me where you are! Show me where you are! Show me where you are!” Applejack and Pinkie yelled together.

Ever had to hold in a very upset stomach indefinitely? Agonizing every second, fighting your abdomen from exploding all over the yourself? Well, imagine that feeling in every part of your body from your heart to you head, coupled with the knowledge that even if you had wanted to, you couldn’t relieve yourself. Then, suddenly, the tension, the uncomfortableness, the distress just evaporates into the ether. Yeah, it was almost like having an orgasm. 

Before the spell had a chance to ignite, I felt something tackle me from behind, sending me sprawling forwards making me slide on my face against the dam. 

“Let me go!” I roared.

The Dog, in all his wisdom -- which probably wasn’t much, did not. He pinned my hoof down as it started to shake, shudder and glow. 

“Pony scum!”

“Get. Off. Me!” 

Before he could respond, the signal spell exploded. It shot across the top of the dam, firing over surface, the stone melting downwards and my hoof moving down with it, like a block of ice being melted by superheated metal rod. Steam exploded into the air, enveloping everything in a thick fog. The result wasn’t exactly what I had planned, but it worked out rather well. That was until I heard a loud crack. What I hadn’t expected was that the damn dam was so badly built, that the blasted thing started to crumble... with me on it!

As the dam started to split from the middle, sending huge stones of debris down into the dark abyss, I turned my body around and scrambled away from the collapsing edge that was quickly approaching. The Dog that was on top of me was now dead. The entire right side of its body had been charred completely, it’s arms and half its shoulder had turned into ash. Pushing him off of me, I stumbled falling to the ground again.

“Jump! Forest!” Applejack said, stretching out a hoof for me.

Jumping with every ounce of strength I could muster, I grabbed her hoof. How? How does one grab a hoof with hooves? Whatever the case, she held me tightly as I dangled above the roaring rush of water under me. Boulders were being swept away by sheer force, and I could hear them thud in the depths below. The fog had already begun to clear.

Then I felt the two of us slip downwards and noticed that Applejack was losing ground. Pinkie grabbed her legs before she could get any closer to the edge. 

My eyes locked onto hers, “I didn’t do anything stupid!” 

“Don’t talk. Don’t talk... just hang on. I can... I can pull you up.” She tried. I could feel her pull. 

Again she shuffled forwards a bit. This was getting dangerous. This was bad. This was...

“Applejack.” I said gently as gently as I could, "Let go.”

Again those eyes. Those eyes that melted my heart. Those eyes that I wanted all to myself. My heart ached, nothing mattered more to me in that moment than her life. Hers and Pinkie’s. No. I couldn’t let anything happen to either of them. 

“I’m not lettin’ you go!” Applejack screamed. “Forest! Please! Your other hoof...”

“You’ll fall, Applejack. You’re both slipping towards the edge. You can’t lift me...”

Again she shuffled forwards. 

“Forest! Please!” 

The two girls slid forwards a little more. Pinkie gave a quick yelp.

“Applejack. Listen to me. You have to let me go.” I tried to keep my voice calm.

“No!” 

“What about Applebloom? She needs her sister! And Granny Smith? What about your brother? You can’t die here.” I implored her, “Please let me go.”

“Never!”

“You’re as stubborn as a mule!” I laughed, “Trust me! I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t lie to me!” 

“What about Atom? Don’t you love him?”

“But... but... but I love you too...”

And right there my heart stopped. Tears formed in my eyes. How beautiful those words were. I know it was a shared love, but for some reason that was good enough. I felt closure. With my end quickly approaching, I think that was a fitting memory to go with. 

Reaching up, I touched her hoof that held me, “Thank you. Thank you for everything. And... goodbye, my dear Applejack.” 

Pulling her hoof off, I felt myself become weightless as I fell. I watched her face as I plummeted down towards the rushing water. The horror, the terror, the sadness. All these emotions were combined into a single expression. How I wished that the last image I had of her would be that warm and loving smile. Atom was a lucky stallion. You better treat her right! Or I swear that I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life! I’ll come back from wher--

Something crashed into me, pinning me against wall. I groaned in agony from the impact.

“You think you get to die after making my mare cry?” Atom grinned down at me, holding me against the wall, his wings latched onto the rocks like two giant hands against the side of the broken dam, like a feathered bat. “Guess again.”

There must have been a real stupid smile on my face because Atom just laughed at me. 

“You... you heard?” 

“Yeah. But, don’t think I’m going to give up on winning her heart. She said she loved you too. So, she still has feelings for me.” He grinned aggressively, “And I ain’t somepony who gives up without a fight.”

“Atom...” What did I do to deserve friends like this? Risking his life to save me. 

“We need to get out of here. The rocks aren’t stable. Your little plan worked. The water from the dam washed away the Dogs guarding the entrance. We’re just waiting for the water to recede before we head up and out of this hole. You’re a hero, Forest.” Atom looked up and smiled at Applejack who was showering us with her tears. 

“Aw, you made her cry.” I whispered.

He looked at me and grinned, “Those kind of tears are okay by me.”

We both laughed at that. I was so happy that I was still alive.

The rock behind me shifted. Atom’s laughter died in his throat as did mine. 

“Always something! Always!” I shouted.

“Can you climb?” Atom asked.

I nodded. It wasn’t like I had much of a choice in the matter. 

Upwards. Slowly we started to climb. It was slow going because finding places I could grip with my hooves was difficult. I couldn’t resist looking down at the water. It was still flowing steadily from the dam. Just how much water was behind it? This was insane! Underground lake, my ass! It was an underground fresh water ocean!

“Hurry up!” Atom pushed my flank with his head, “I don’t want to keep staring at your rear.”

“Then stop looking!” I barked back. 

Together we climbed back up the way we came. Once in awhile a rock would come loose, and I’d have to warn Atom to mind his head. He used his wings like hooves to help him climb, which made me slightly envious. It was a shame he couldn’t fly.

“You!” A voice thundered across the way, and I turned my head to see a huge Dog standing at the opposite edge of the broken dam on the other end. 

“Fuck.” I muttered as quietly as possible.

“Buck.” I heard Atom mutter. 

“You will pay for what you have done!” He stretched his arm out, spreading his fat, pudgy fingers on his fat pudgy paw, “Archers, at the ready!”

“Atom...”

“I know, I know!”

“Aim!” Tyrant Rex hollered.

“Not good, not good, not good...” Atom repeated. 

“Fire!”

Even from this distance I could hear the bows twang. Because of the lack of lightning, I couldn’t actually see the arrows coming at me, but I could hear them, and they were coming in quickly. Very quickly. Super quickly. 

“This is going to hurt a lot, isn’t it?” I asked stupidly. 

Atom laughed mirthlessly, “Worse.”

“Ah!” I yelled, the burning feeling of erupted in my wrist and I struggled to keep hold of the rock I was on as a purple bubble formed around us. The arrows hit it and bounced off. “Twi...”

“Hang on, Forest!” Atom called up to me.

“Someone! Anyone! Anypony! Please,” Twilight looked down at me over the edge, “Save them! Fluttershy? Where are you?” 

“Where’s a Pegasi when you need one...” Atom muttered as he climbed up as quickly as he could.

“Ignore the two down there, aim for the purple Unicorn!” Rex hollered, “Fire!”

The arrows soared through the air, and the visible, light purple, transparent barrier formed around Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight as the arrows struck it. 

“Keep firing!” Rex shouted, taking one of his Dogs and throwing him screaming into the rough waters. He was quickly swept away, the last I saw of him was a paw struggling to keep above the water. That current was strong. 

Wave after wave of arrows struck Twilight’s shield, the arrows bouncing harmlessly off of it. 

“Enough! Get me my bow.” Rex pointed to somewhere behind him. 

Four Dogs carried a box on their shoulders and placed it next to their leader. He opened the large object and removed a huge bow that fit his large stature perfectly. Moments later, a large quiver was brought forth, and placed next to him. Grinning, he picked up the first arrow. It was huge! Probably as long as me if I stood up on my hind legs. He notched it in his bow and aimed.

Unlike the others, Rex fired the arrow straight at Twilight. No angle, no arc, just a straight shot, right at her. 

The arrow exploded on impact, and Twilight screamed. The shield had a huge crack in it. It was like the shell of an egg after being dropped. 

“Twilight!” Atom shouted, “Run!”

Rex pulled out a second arrow, and notched it carefully. He took aim, and pulled the bow back. The arrow went straight at Twilight. Her shield stopped the arrow, but Twilight’s it shattered like glass, bursting into a million little pieces that rained down on us. Each one that touched me made my hoof burn more and more. Twilight’s magic... felt strange.

“Applejack! Get her out of there!” Atom pleaded.

This time Rex and his Diamond Dogs took up arrows. They all aimed and fired. The Dogs fired first, and then when their arrows were airborne for a couple seconds, Rex pulled his bow back and released. 

“No!” Atom screamed, and pulled past me, and... it almost looked like he was flying upwards, but I knew that it was him using his wings like arms as he pulled himself upwards, using his wings to pull himself higher and higher.

I couldn’t move. I was in too much pain. Once again, I have proven myself to be synonymous with useless as I clung there helplessly.

There was no way Atom would have made it, so imagine my relief when a green transparent orb formed around the edge where the mares were standing.

“Aiden...” Thank Celestia. Thank Luna. Thank whomever else!

“Forest!” Aiden’s voice shouted, “You still alive?”

“Bare-barely...” I gasped. There was no way he could’ve heard that.

“He’s fine!” Atom shouted from above me. He had made quite a way. 

“Forest... one more time.” Aiden shouted, “I know it’s asking a lot, but we need to end this now.”

One more time? What is he talking... oh... oh shit.

“Aiden! You can’t!” Atom shouted, “Think of something else!”

Aiden grunted as the next volley of arrows hit his shield. Twilight formed a barrier over Aiden’s, but hers exploded into pieces the instant Rex’s arrow touched it. The worst part for me was the burning getting worse as I absorbed more of Twilight’s magic as the pieces fell on top of me.

“Forest Fire!” Aiden shouted.

“Stop!” I heard Applejack yell. “You’ll kill ‘im!”

“Show me where you are!” Aiden continued.

“I said stop! I’ll buck you right off this dam if you don’t!” 

“Yeah, Aiden, don’t be such a big meanie! And you too, you big bad doggy! Stop being so mean to us ponies! Stop it!” Pinkie demanded. 

“Show me where you are! Show me where...” He was cut off. “Stop it! This has to be done!”

“But... but...” Pinkie was at a loss of words. 

“The magical residue from Twilight and me is infecting the bracelet! Please!” 

“No! Not until he’s up here, you ain’t castin’ that spell!” Came Applejack’s twang.

“You are quite correct.” Aiden replied.

My hoof burned. Clever bastard. ‘You are’. The last two words of the trigger... clever, clever bastard.  

“Forest! Watch out!” Atom yelled. 

Looking up, I found that one of Rex’s mammoth arrows was careening towards me. That wasn’t going to be very good for my health. 

The Pegasus dropped down on top of me, sending the both of us cascading down towards the newly created river. The Pegasus tried to glide down, but I was still trying to stop the spell from casting. With Atom right above me... I had to hold it off for as long as I could. 

Atom caught up to me and gripped my right hoof. 

“Point it at him!” I shouted.

He spread his wings and grunted at the sudden stop to our momentum. We floated a few feet over the river, all the while Atom did his best getting me to aim my arm towards Rex. Arrows sang by us as the Dogs aimed their projectiles in our general direction.

What was taking Twilight’s magic so long? 

As if on cue, the magic did fire itself from my wrist. This time was a lot different than before. That is to say; it wasn’t like Aiden’s steady stream of light like a ‘cannon’ or Sweetie’s really, really hot ‘melty’ beam. No. This was more... potent. It shot out like a cannonball, a huge orb of light fired out of my wrist, with a weaker, thinner beam trailing behind it that tapered all the way back to my hoof.

The ball hit the other end of the dam in a blinding explosion that I can only compare to a nuclear warhead going off, the impact shook the entire room. Dust swirled and blocked our view, we couldn’t see a damned thing, or what the damage was. 

Due to the force of the power that came out of the bracelet, we were sent flying backwards like a jet engine. Atom hit the side of the broken damn first as I crashed into him. I heard something break, and I felt his rib fold. We both fell, landing hard on a large, smooth boulder. 

“Always something!” I grumbled to the universe, “Must you always do this to me?”

“Forest!” Atom struggled to keep away from the water, his wing left wing was folded inwards, and he was taking long labored breaths. “Give me your hoof!”

Trying, I reached for him, but I couldn’t move. 

A loud splash echoed across the river as what was left of that side of the damn toppled over, crashing into the water. A fairly large wave heading straight for us.

“Quickly!” The urgency in Atom’s voice seemed to stir something in me and I forced myself to stand and...

The wave hit me from behind shoving me forwards, Atom seized my right hoof, before the backwash tried to pull me away. Talk about dejá vu. Didn’t I just go through this a moment ago with Applejack? That really ended up being bittersweet. Atom groaned as he held my hoof. Even with a broken rib, he never let go. But the current was powerful, and the wave was receding, I could feel it pulling. 

“Forest, please... I need your other hoof,” Atom grunted. Holding on was a difficult task, especially when the pony in question was useless. I mean myself. I just couldn’t do it, I was exhausted. Perhaps from all the magic? No wonder Sweetie Belle was sweating profusely after taking on the Diamond Dog archers. “You can do it, just... reach over.”

“I can’t...” I gasped. 

I lost my grip on the black Pegasus, but Atom still had me. He refused to let go. He still held my hoof, his grip was now on my bracelet. 

I felt it slip off a little. 

Hope.

So, here I am, at the bottom of a broken dam clinging for dear life onto a flightless Pegasus, my body from the chest down underwater. I could feel my saddlebags filling up, and I worried about the wish stones! 

Wish stones! Forest, you idiot! Why didn’t you just use those! 

“Forest! Come on! Keep trying!” He encouraged, but I didn’t feel like trying. I was too tired. 

Again, the bracelet slipped. Struggling, Atom locked himself against anything that could help him, using all four limbs and his wings. 

“Hang on, boys. We’re comin’!” Applejack called down to us.

“It hurts, Atom.” I whispered, “I don’t think I can hang on.”

“Just a bit longer!” Atom looked up, “A little help here! Now!” 

The bracelet slipped a little more.

“Forest?” 

“Can’t... breathe...” My head felt light. There was a strange sound coming from somewhere. It sounded like rain... or was it static?

“Get your flank down here now!” Atom shouted, “Something's seriously wrong with Forest!” He spoke to me gently, “Stay with me, Forest.”

Get off of me! I willed the bracelet. Let go of my wrist...

“Somepony,” The fear in Atom’s voice made me smile. He really did worry, “I can’t hold him.”

Twilight appeared in a flash of light on a small bit of the boulder, balancing precariously on it. She was beautiful. Why did I not love her? She was perfect! Kind, gentle, a little crazy, I think, but brilliant, and... beautiful. Anypony would have given their right foreleg for her. And I would too... but...

“Forest! Give me your other hoof!” Twilight knelt and reached for me.

I tried. I really, really tried, but I was too tired. I had no strength or energy. I couldn’t fight the current. I couldn’t reach Twilight. 

Then... freedom. 

I watched as the current took me and carried me down the river. It felt so good to not wear a bracelet.

Down, down, down. Deep inside the water. Deeper and deeper still. The pressure from the water made my ears ache. My lungs burned. Air. Air! I needed air! I must have air! I needed... please... someone... anyone... save... me...





“Augh!” I gasped, breathing in sweet delicious air, coughing out the water that had managed to seep into my lungs. “What took you so long?”

“Just wanted to see you suffer a bit. Plus, I needed to wait until your friends could no longer see or find you.” Tutela replied, tossing a towel at me. 

I took it and dried my face flashing her the dirtiest looks I could muster. After drying head head and mane off, I started toweling the rest of my body off. I looked back the way I had come, the doorway back into Equestria. It was like watching one of those nature TV shows where the camera was underwater. I limped over to a chair and took off my boots to inspect the damage. Nothing serious, but my right forehoof killed me.

“Well, that was clever. How you used the dam to cause a flood in The Pit,” She waved her hoof and the screen-like display did a replay of the Dogs hiding behind the shield being swept away by the current. It was pretty comical to watch.

“Glad to see it worked.” I sighed in relief. 

“So...” Tutela sat across from me, “Twilight, huh? Honestly, didn’t see that one coming. I mean, I thought she gave up on you after that spa incident...”

“Neither did I. Wait, you knew about the spa?” 

“I did.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You never asked.” Tutela laughed to herself, “Shall we see what your friends are up to?”

The ‘screen’ switched to Twilight and Atom still standing and staring downriver. Fluttershy appeared moments later looking pale.

“Oh, Twilight, I’m sorry... but, I can’t go further. The water is too high. He must have been... dragged under... oh, Twilight, I’m sorry...” Fluttershy hugged her friend. 

“No. I refuse to believe he’s... he’s...” Twilight choked back the sob.

Atom placed a hoof on her shoulder, and she turned and hugged the Pegasus bawling into his shoulder. Fluttershy looked away, tears in her eyes as well. Atom’s face was like stone. He looked more angry than sad.

My heart broke. They really did care for me. I felt so bad, especially for Twilight. I wanted to feel the same way about her, but my heart just wasn’t in it. I loved her, but not in that way. And I felt like a bastard. A big, stupid bastard. 

The next moment the three ponies were gone in a purple flash. They had teleported.

The screen switched to the ponies standing out in the sun, some were laughing, others were crying. My friends appeared on a ledge above the entrance, which was against a small rocky outcrop. Hundreds of Chariots were there, and Royal Guardsponies started to enter the underground labyrinth. A familiar looking Unicorn was directing them, giving out orders, and another familiar looking Unicorn sat out of the way casting worried glances in Twilight's direction. Trixie kept her head down, and her mouth closed. 

“Twily!” Shining Armor rushed over to his sister, “We got word about Diamond Dogs from Braeburn, and that showpony led us here. We came as soon as we could. I’m so happy you’re safe... what’s wrong?” 

Twilight blinked her tears from her eyes and hugged her brother and sobbed into his shoulder. The girls couldn’t meet Shining’s eyes. None of them wanted to tell him. 

“It’s Forest.” Aiden sighed, “He... didn’t make it.”

There was a moment of silence before Twilight spun around and knocked him to the ground. 

“This is your fault! Why didn’t you listen to us! If you hadn’t used that spell... then he’d... we’d...” Twilight gritted her teeth.

Aiden picked himself up, “He’d be dead, and so would we.”

“Is that true?” I asked Tutela.

The Changeling nodded, “Indubitably.” 

“I need to go back. I need to tell Twilight that I’m okay...”

“You may, but it’s a long, long run to Appleloosa, and they’re many miles southwest of that town. If I were to guess, I'd say it'd take more than two days from Ponyville, unless you ran...” 

“You can’t send me back there now?”

“Have you already forgotten? I can only send you to one place in Equestria.” Tutela walked over to her kitchen, opened a drawer and pulled out a chopping board and a knife using her magic. Then she proceeded to cut some onions and carrots, “But I’ll slow time down for now. You can use this time to heal yourself and when you’re ready, I’ll send you back.”

At those words, the screen showed Twilight and the others barely moving. Literally, I could count the seconds it took for their eyes to blink. Slowing time down. That was one heck of a talent.

“Hungry?” Tutela asked, “I don’t eat food like you, but I do enjoy the flavor and taste of it. There’s something so... fulfilling about eating. That feeling of something in your gut...”

“How are things with Brian?” 

She blinked at me, not expecting that question. “He’s doing okay. It’s only been two days since you last saw him... oh, I see. You met that blue mare from before.”

“Trixie.”

“Hm, yes. Well, she’s always been a troublemaker of sorts, although I do believe that she actually means nopony any harm.” Tutela took some tomatoes and started cutting them into thin slices, before levitating a cucumber and started slicing that as well. “She’s just... trying to prove a pointless point. Then again, aren’t we all?”

“Is that why you made me accept a bet you know I can’t win?” I did nothing to hide the venom in those words. 

“What fun would that be? Making a bet that I know you could never win? That would be pointless! Oh, I see where you’re getting at. But, my dear, I didn’t make that bet with you because I thought you couldn’t win. I made that bet with you because I don’t expect you to win.” She pushed all the chopped contents in a large bowl, “There is a difference.”

“How am I supposed to win if I don’t know what to do? What is the true meaning of friendship?” The question had no answer to it! At least, none that I knew of. 

“If I told you, that would annul our little deal, and you’d forfeit your right to freedom. Besides, telling you would make that answer... empty. You have to discover it on your own.” She took a bottle of vinegar from one of the lower kitchen cupboards and a bottle of olive oil, mixing the two together. 

“Easy for you to say...” I muttered watching her go about whatever she was doing.

Tutela walked over to a fridge and took out milk, ketchup, a small jar of mustard. I watched as she added all three to the vinegar concoction, then she put a small plate on top and shook. After a minute of that, she poured the mixture on top of the chopped vegetables in the large bowl and placed it in front of me.

“Eat.”

I looked at her with a quizzical expression, “Seriously?”

“You’re not hungry?” 

I leaned forwards and took a leaf in my mouth. The flavors, they burst in my mouth igniting my taste buds. The tanginess of the vinegar made my mouth water, a slight spiciness from the mustard added a little heat to the dish. Suffice to say, I destroyed the contents as quickly as I could. I was beyond starving. I had not eaten since Braeburn’s home! I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.

“That... that was fantastic. You cook... make... chop really well!” I said, licking the bowl clean.

Tutela giggled, -- yes, she giggled -- and looked over to me, “That’s one of the many things you can look forward to when you lose,” she sung.

“I’m not going to lose.” I looked up, “So, don’t expect anything.”

All she did was give me a bored expression. “You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk.” She zapped the green towel with her horn and it vanished into thin air. She did the same thing with everything around us, and it all blew up into nothingness. 

Then she concentrated, and the room started to shift and bend. The walls changed color, the windows shifted and grew smaller, the door also changed. The room looked exactly like my tiny bedroom in my apartment back on Earth. 

“Sleep.”

“Can’t you have used the Clubhouse, or Brian’s guestroom? I hate this place.”

“So... you hate Earth now? Why the change of heart. Before you were so eager to get back there, and now... my, my, my. This is just too cute.” Tutela laughed to herself.

“Think what you want, but I like it here. If I win, I’m never going back. Ever.” I sighed, “In the short time I’ve been on Equestria, I’ve made great friends, fallen in love, won an amazing race, and...” I looked at the Changeling, “I guess I should thank you. Thank you for sending me there. Even if I lose, at least you gave me something incredible.”

“And what’s that?”

“A life.” And I was surprised with how genuine it felt to say that. “Thank you, Tutela. Very much.”

“Y-you’re welcome, Forest. Now, get some rest. Sleep well.” She turned around quickly and switched off the light before closing the door. 

I wish she’d waited until I crawled into the bed before she did those things, though.

Laying down, I stared up at the ceiling. The past day had been very eventful. So, I was a prisoner of some mutts called the Diamond Dogs, then I broke free, tried to help out, which backfired, and started a chain of events that led to me getting ‘killed’. Now, my friends think that I had drowned, and here I was snuggled in a warm bed safe and sound.

And I felt terrible. Awful! How could I sleep and rest when Twilight was that upset! I needed to let her know that I was safe. To let her know that I was fine. I closed my eyes, and drifted out of consciousness. 

A part of me hoped that I wouldn’t dream. Didn’t feel like it.





I awoke the smell of something delicious. What was that heavenly odor?

Walking out of my room, the hallway was so familiar. I had seen it before. This was Applejack’s hallway. Or was it Braeburn’s? Walking down the stairs, I heard some jazzy music blasting. I knew that tune. Very well. 

“That’s ‘Take The ‘A’ Train’ by Duke Ellington... I love that tune.” I said from the entrance of the kitchen. 

Tutela was pulling something out of the oven, “Oh, I know. Remember, I used to watch you, so I know what songs you like. It’s surprising that you like that kind of music. I’d think you’d be more of a... what is it you call that kind of music?”

“Noise?” I offered, chuckling a bit at my own joke.

She just rolled her eyes and placed the hot bread on the counter, her green magic faded out as soon as it was safely placed there. She got a serrated knife from a kitchen drawer and started to saw slices off the loaf. She placed several on a plate and put it in front of me.

“Tell me how it tastes. This is the first time I’ve baked properly without just conjuring it out of thin air.” Tutela pulled out a chair gestured for me to take a seat. 

It was disarming how nice she was acting towards me. She was actually being very... pleasant.

“So... I began, you can just create anything? Out of thin air?”

Tutela sat opposite me, and looked at my face for a moment before bursting into fits of laughter, “Out of thin air? That’s a good one! No, Forest, no. That’s not how it works.”

I took a slice of bread and put it to my lips, “Then how?”

“I steal it. From your world or mine.” She grinned, “I just reach over and... take it. Everything in this place is ‘borrowed’ to some extent. The house itself is an abandoned house I found somewhere in your world. Just... poof! Once an object is in here, I can manipulate however I want.” Her horn glowed and the kitchen completely changed from a rustic looking one to a very modern, snazzy one.

“Nice.” I nodded in approval, “Where’d you snag this from?”

“You wouldn’t believe it, but an ad agency just threw all this stuff out after they made their commercial. What a waste. I was glad that I found it. Actually, that’s somewhat because of you. I was watching you get into a fight.”

“A fight? When?” 

“Years ago. I’ve been watching you for a long time.” Tutela smiled, “I think you were just starting high school.”

I made a noise in my throat. “No. Don’t remind me. I hated those years of my life.”

“I know.” There was a long moment of silence as she watched me eat, “So, how’s your body? Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah. There’s no pain in my hooves. Still a little sore on my back from where Atom slammed me into the damn dam, but nothing serious.”

“Damn dam... really?” Tutela snorted a laugh, “You really have changed.”

“No, not really. I’ve always had a dry, sarcastic sense of humor.” I took another big bite from the bread. 

Tutela rolled her eyes, “No, not that. I’m saying that you’ve become a lot more... I don’t know how to put it. I guess if I were to put it into a word, I’d say ‘better’. But the subtext is elusive.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it sounds like a compliment, so I’ll settle for a simple ‘thanks!’ and continue to stuff my face with this most amazing bread. What did you use to make it?” 

“You really curious?”

“No. Just making conversation.” I replied with my mouth full.

“Well, eat up. I’ll send you back after you’re done.” Tutela stood up.

“Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll need to get to Twilight and the others. A day believing I’m dead must really...” I saw Tutela planting a hoof on her face. “What?”

“Are you really that dense?” She replied sardonically. 

I did the only thing I could. I shrugged. “I suppose so.”

“Time here has no meaning. I can’t stop time, but I can adjust the flow of time outside. That is why I can make it day or night here, because I can adjust how we view time. On one side of your planet there’s day, and the other,” Her horn glowed and the sky ‘outside’ turned dark. The moonless night sky was sprinkled with thousands of stars twinkling in the sky, “there’s night. We can move this reality anywhere we like, but we cannot change time except to move it forwards.”

“‘We’?”

“I meant ‘me’, I was just saying so you’d get the idea,” she sniffed. 

“So, to Twilight and the others, how long have I been dead for?” 

“About three hours. The sun would be setting now back where they are in Equestria.” Tutela looked into the distance, “I’ve been watching them. The pink one is the most visibly upset amongst the three, but I feel most sorry for Twilight.”

“Um... why?”

“Oh, I’m rooting for her to take your heart,” Tutela grinned, “but it’s so fun watching you try not to acknowledge how you feel for Applejack. It makes for the most entertaining situations. I just wish I knew what was going on in that head of yours. It must be the most painful thing to listen to yourself completely misunderstand everything.”

“I’m liking being here less and less.”

She laughed at my expense. “So, are you ready to get back then? You can wait for as long as you want, but I suspect you’d rather head back and get on with it.” 

“I should. I need to let them know that I’m save. That I’m alive and fine.” Pushing the seat back, I stood up and looked at Tutela, “And the sooner I leave this place, the sooner I can get back there.” 

“I don’t want to hamper you resolve, but how are you going to explain how you escaped from there?” Tutela then walked into another room. 

I followed, “What do you mean?”

“They watched you drown, Forest. They watched you get swept down a rushing river. Do you think that you appearing unhurt won’t get them to ask questions?” She shook her head, “Sometimes your cluelessness really amazes me.”

As much as I wanted to say something, I couldn’t. She was perfectly right! How could I explain myself? The answer was; I couldn’t. Or could I?

“Tutela, you know how you couldn’t teleport me with the bracelet on right?”

“Yes.”

“Could you teleport the bracelet on its own to us here?”

Tutela stared at me for a long moment before nodding, “Yes, I could.”

“Can you do it now?”

Her horn turned green and in the next moment something appeared in mid-air between the two of us and fell to the floor with a thud. And just like that, the bane of my existence was lying on the floor on top of the perfectly white shaggy carpet.

“Perfect. Now. Can you send this to the Everfree Forest?” 

“Right now?”

I nodded.

“So be it.” And then it was gone. No flash, no pop, no noise, nothing. It was there one moment and gone the next. Vanished. Of course, I knew that it had gone back to Equestria, but it was still mind boggling. Magic! Seriously.

“Before I go, whatever happened to that large Dog dude? You know the one. Big guy, fired arrows the size of ponies, mean and ugly.” 

Tutela snorted a laugh, “Oh, you mean the Diamond Dogs’ filthy leader. The dreadful, cowardly mutt, Tyrant Rex.” The horn on her head glowed green to reveal the Dog in question in a large cage with several of his guards surrounded by Guards. “He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“Tyrant Rex is lucky that Equestria doesn’t have a death penalty.” I looked over at Tutela, “Right?”

“That’s right, but it isn’t Equestria that’s going to try him. He’s a wanted criminal in several other nations, including the vicious Griffin Empire. I’m afraid that Rex’s days are numbered.” Tutela frowned, “Can’t say I’m upset at the fact, he’s had it coming for so long... but I just feel that he deserves something more than just death.”

“Like what? Have him tortured?”

Tutela sighed, “I don’t know. It’s just that Equestria was always such a peaceful and caring nation. The ponies there aren’t out to harm anypony, and those Dogs just do their best to ruin everything. What that Rex doesn’t understand is what it takes to build a utopian society. If he ever gets to be in charge, he’ll run that poor nation into the ground. That’s the sad truth. You cannot rule a nation through force without severe repercussions. Your world is a testament to that.”

“Not my world anymore, Tues.”

“Tues?” She cocked her head to one side, “Did you just give me a nickname.”

“Tu-teh-lah takes too long.” I grinned, remember what Lavender told me when she told me to call her Lav for short. “So, Tues. Like it?”

“As a matter of fact, no. I don’t.”

“Perfect!” I let out an evil cackle.

The Changeling just shook her head, “Get out of here before I decide to hurt you.” Her horn began to glow green again.

“Oh, thanks for the bread. You’re a great chef.” And with that, I found myself standing in the Everfree Forest. 

The sun was setting low on the horizon, so I got out of there. Fast.





“Oh hello Forest, it is good to see you, please come on in, do.” 

Zecora stood aside as I walked into her home. I hadn’t been in here since my very first day. How long ago was that now? Too long, and yet not long enough. 

“Would you like something sweet, something to drink or eat?” 

“Again with those flawless rhymes? Is it a force of habit?” 

“Not all of my people speak like this, but my parents did insist. Our native tongue rhymes constantly, a habit I just happen to carry with me.” She poured me a glass of water and placed it gently in front of me, “Last I heard you were headed for the desert, it is good to see you unhurt.”

“Yeah... about that... well, let’s just say I did get hurt, and ended up here in the Everfree. What would you say to that?” I smiled nervously.

“A feat such as that would be a spectacle, I would even venture further and say it was a miracle. Things like this do hot happen that I know, it would be like expecting summer snow.” 

She did have a point. Even if Twilight could teleport huge distances that no other could, she was still not powerful enough to teleport from Appleloosa to Ponyville. That was way too far. I chatted with Zecora for a while after that, talking about her and why she had come to Equestria from Zebrica. Most, if not all, of it went completely over my head.

After wasting enough time I headed back towards Ponyville, walking directly towards Carousel Boutique. I knocked on the door and waited. 

A few moments later, Rarity opened it and gasped, “Forest! Oh my! Why are you here? I thought you were heading to some faraway place. Is my sister with you? I mean, I know she’s a big girl, but I just can’t help but worry sometimes, she is my precious sister after all...”

“She’s fine, Rarity. They’re all fine. I know they are. Look, I need your help. Can you come with me?” 

“Of course. What do you need me to do?”

“Um... I need you to get all the Unicorns in Ponyville to cast magic on me.” 

The looked she gave me spoke volumes. It was as if I asked her to jump off a building, or do some other heinous thing. 

“D-did you say ‘get all the Unicorns cast magic on you’?” 

“Eeyup.” 

“If I recall, the last time I cast magic on you, it bounced off and hit the tower...”

“Please, Rarity. This is very, very important. Don’t worry about me, I’ve got that covered. Just... get as many Unicorns as you can to meet me on the hill next to Sweet Apple Acres, near the lake. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” 

Rarity bit her lip nervously, “Are you sure that my sister is fine? This is a completely unorthodox request, I just don’t know...”

“Your sister is fine, but everypony thinks I’m dead. I need to let them know that I’m fine, this is why I want you to gather all the Unicorns, okay?” I placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Please, Rarity. I know that I don’t have any right in asking you for anything, but if you could do this one thing for me, I’ll do anything you want. Anything. That might not seem like much, but it’s all I’ve got.”

“Well... one can’t have too many favors. Still, it is an odd request. I’ll do it, but I’m going to expect that you’ll keep your word.”

“Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I smiled, “Now I can’t break it even if I wanted to, Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise.”

Leaving Rarity to round up the Unicorns, I headed towards the hospital. 

Opening the doors, I was almost immediately set on by Nurse Redheart who let me have it. Whoo-boy, was she pissed. And when I mean pissed, I cannot emphasize just how pissed off she really was. You could see the anger and frustration literally dripping off her. But, she was only angry that I hadn’t done anything to make up for what I had done.

“Nurse, I promise that if you help me, I’ll do anything you say.”

Nurse Redheart raised an eyebrow, “Anything?”

“I said that what I’d do, and I’ll honor it.” 

“Fine, I want you here tomorrow at dawn to help out. You’ll be doing errands for the entire day.” Nurse Redheart smirked, “You will make up for the havoc you’ve done.”

“I will. I promise.” I made the universal sign for a Pinkie Promise, “But... I need you to help me now. Please. It’s very important.”

“What do you need?” Redheart asked, all evidence of her hostility evaporated away at once when I had agreed to help out with the hospital.

“Can you or somepony with medical skills come with me to the lake now?” 

That made the nurse give me a suspicious look, “Are you planning on getting hurt?”

“Yes. I am.”

That made Redheart take a step back. I doubted she expected that blunt of an answer, and it was clear that I hadn’t really thought this entire thing through. Still, the knowledge that Applejack, Pinkie, Atom, Aiden, Spike and especially Twilight all believed I was dead didn’t really make me plan this whole thing out carefully. I was just running with it.

“Why?”

“Long story. I’ll tell you next time. Can you come or not?” 

“Forest, letting ponies hurt themselves... it’s... it’s not something I can condone...” 

“Look, it’s for something very important. If you can’t do it, I’ll do it without you, but I’m not going to let my friends suffer anymore! So, please, help me. I’m begging you. I’ve already given my word that I’d do anything for you. Even if I have to leave Ponyville on a quest, I will! But right now, just this once, please indulge me.” 

“Okay, I’ll come with you.” Nurse Redheart shook her head and walked around the reception desk and pulled out a doctor’s bag, “But you better be the first pony through those doors in the morning, and the last to leave.” 

I nodded, “Let’s go.” 

We trotted towards the lake, and I had to make one more stop along the way. 

Knocking on the front door, a large red Stallion pulled it open and did a double take when he saw my face. “Hello, Big Mac. Is Applebloom home?”

“AB! Forest’s here ta see you!” Big Macintosh hollered, “I thought you’d gone with Atom and Applejack on some crazy adventure.”

“Oh, it was crazy alright. Too crazy.” 

“What is it Big Mac, can’t you see that I’ve got... Forest!” Applebloom rushed over and gave me a vicious hug. I gasped in pain, as she reminded me about sore back. Thinking of that made me worry about Atom. I had felt one of his ribs actually break. 

“Hello, Applebloom. Surprise! Anyway, can I ask you to come to the lake?” I saw Big Mac shooting daggers with his eyes at me, “We’re expecting a lot of Unicorns to be there.” I added quickly.

“What fer?” Applebloom asked, “And what are you doin’ here?”

“That’s a long story, and I can’t really remember all of it. Just that I woke up awhile ago in the middle of the Everfree. Anyway, I’m getting all the Unicorns together to cast magic on me,” I placed my forehooves on her shoulders, “and I need you to use the marking spell. I trust you, Applebloom, because I know you can keep a secret. Rarity... I’m not too sure.”


“Okay, Forest, I’ll do it,” She gave me a kittenish grin, “on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Well, there’s this stallion that I like... and I want him to notice me. So, I want you to take me out tomorrow for a date, so he’ll get all jealous and then ask me out!” She grinned at me, “Does that sound like a good plan?”

“Honestly?”

She nodded.

“No. That’s a very bad plan. You should just tell him how you feel.” Where have I heard that before? “Now, can we go?”

“Fine, if you don’t help me with getting that boy to look my way, you can do all my chores tomorrow and the day after.” 

“That’s not fair!” I protested, I even looked to Big Mac expecting him to tell his youngest sister off, but instead he was just standing off to one side stifling a laugh. "Fine. I'll help with the chores, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow I've got to work at the hospital."

Applebloom thought about it a moment, then nodded. "Okay, Forest."

When I arrived on the hill next to the lake, I couldn’t help but be amazed. There were a lot more Unicorns in Ponyville than I had taught. I was under the impression that the vast majority of ponies in Ponyville were Earth Ponies, like myself. 

“Alright, I’ve brought as many of my friends as I could find, Forest.” Rarity looked around, “Is this enough?”

“That’s perfect, Rarity. Thanks for doing this. I appreciate it.” I trotted to the top of the hill, “Please make a circle around me. Thank you, thank you. Please, I know that most of you here are wondering why Rarity asked you to come. I need you to cast your magic on me so that I can... let Twilight know that I’m alive and well.” 

“How do you suggest we do that? Casting magic on you hardly seems like the correct thing to do. The smartest thing would be for everypony to let her know when she gets back.” A light blue-green Unicorn asked, “I don’t understand what the hurry is.”

“They think I’m dead and if I don’t let them know they might spend days searching a pit of dead Dogs and never find my body because I’ve been safe and sound in Ponyville during all that time.” I whipped around to face the rest of them, “Anymore questions? Please, don’t be shy.”

Not a single raised hoof, although a few did mutter to themselves. Good.

Reaching into my saddlebag, I pulled out the bracelet that I had taken from the ground in the Everfree Forest, and for the second time that day, I slipped it on my wrist. The familiar feeling of the metal closing around my hoof, clenching down tightly, made me cringe on the inside. But this was for my friends, this was for Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy. For Spike, Aiden and Atom. But most of all, this was for Twilight. So, when it finished securing itself on my hoof, I actually accepted it and forced myself to feel glad that it was there.

Turning to Rarity, I nodded once and closed my eyes. In the back of my mind I kept seeing Nurse Redheart telling the ponies to not listen to me, and to stop what they were doing, but I heard nothing. Well, except for Rarity telling her friends to start charging their magic.

Wow. This was actually really not that bad. I mean, yes, it burned a lot and it ached like nobody’s business, yet I felt a measure of peace and tranquility inside me. Perhaps I now had some innate magical affinity that makes it possible for me to absorb more magic! Maybe I could start casting spells left, right and center! Maybe I should stop daydreaming and concentrate. The real reason is that I was probably getting used to the pain. 

Wave after wave of magic flowed into my bracelet. I could feel it coursing into the bracelet as every drop was sucked out of my body and into itself. More and more power flooded into me, and I struggled to stay on my feet. Every single pony there was giving it their all. I could tell. Their magic flowing out of them and into me. Soon, one by one, ponies began to collapse, tired beyond their measure. 

Nurse Redheart was already on those that couldn’t contribute anymore, giving them a slab of chocolate and a word of encouragement. It was almost like after giving a blood transfusion. Those that could kept on casting, and I noticed that out of all the magic that was flowing into me, it was Rarity’s that stood out. It was a strange feeling, and I could tell it was her. It tasted like freshly washed fruit, and the smell was like a cool, gentle breeze after a rainshower in the middle of a field during summer. The tone was peaceful, and the Unicorns were loving it. Letting their magic go wild must have been a real treat considering how willing they were. 

But after some time, I just couldn’t take it anymore and dropped to my knees. That was it, and Rarity held up her hoof. The magic cast by the other Unicorns slowly died down until it was over. But was it enough? Will the others be able to see? The suspense was killing me.

“That’s your cue, Applebloom,” Rarity encouraged the young mare. 

“Forest Fire,” She said slowly and properly. “Show me where you are...” 

No! Stop! Don’t tell those other ponies about that spell! They might abuse it!

“Show me where you are! Show me where you are!”

The power that flowed from my hoof seemed to pierce the night sky bathing all in a bright light that rivaled Celestia’s precious sun. Well, not really, but it was still pretty damn bright. The light shot straight up into the air, higher than even Canterlot, higher than Cloudsdale! I stood there with my hoof in the air, letting the magic extinguish itself, grimacing from the pain, sucking it up like a true stallion. On and on it went, until finally it tapered, diminishing into a thin beam and finally into nothing. Then as the last bit of light faded into oblivion, the spell that held my hoof in the air released me and I lowered myself to the ground numb from the neck down.

“Is he alright?” A blue Unicorn asked.

“Did we use too much power?” Another questioned.

“Isn’t he that stallion who won the race a couple days ago?” Another pointed out. 

There were some gasps, “It is!”

“It’s him!” 

“Forest! Forest Fire!” 

“Twilight’s coltfriend.”

 “Clear a path! Medical mare coming through,” Nurse Redheart shoved a few Unicorns aside and made a beeline straight for me. “Can you explain to me what that was all about? Shooting a beam of light into the sky? Are you sure you don’t have a Cutie Mark.” 

I gestured with my eyes down to my rear, “Eeyup.” My voice sounded weak and strained. 

“Relax, you need to rest.” She walked off and started conversing with another pony as Rarity approached me.

“Thank you,” I whispered. 

"It was my pleasure. Anything for a friend." Rarity replied just as quietly.

I was so, so tired. But why? I hadn’t done anything to earn this level of exhaustion! My eyes felt heavy, and my body refused to do anything that involved effort. My mind was still acting for the most part, though I did find it hard to keep my eyes open. Despite just waking up a few hours ago in Tutela’s place, I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep again. Perhaps the amount of power that I sucked into the bracelet had exhausted me, like trying to hold up a heavy weight with you own two hands -- hooves by yourself. 

“Okay, we’ll carry him to the hospital. Let’s get a stretcher.” Redheart turned around to face me and gently said: “We’re going to take you to the hospital for observation, okay?”

I nodded.

“Forest, you did great,” Applebloom reassured me, “and I’m sorry if I wasn’t supposed to say it that loud.”

I tried to laugh, but I couldn’t. Just too tired. Instead I smiled.

As the placed me onto the stretcher, I closed my eyes and ignored everything that came to mind except for one troubling thought. Did they actually see it. A part of me didn’t want that question answered.

Then I closed my eyes, the rocking momentum from the stretcher lulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep.









“How are you holding up?” Aiden asked, sitting next to Twilight as they both stared at the makeshift camp below. One thousand three hundred and thirty three ponies were freed from the Diamond Dog’s nightmare. Amazingly, only one casualty. But to them, it was a very painful loss, especially for the lavender mare who took it very hard.

“Holding. I just can’t believe it. I keep expecting him to walk through the center of the camp, smiling like he usually does.” Twilight picked up a rock with her magic and threw it ahead of her into the darkness of the desert. “If only I had listened to you and insisted that I come with the Royal Guard...”

“Twilight, you can’t blame somepony for what happened. That’s not fair on you. You need to come to terms with your grief, but no more blaming anypony.” He put his arm around her shoulder, “You’re a smart girl, you can figure this out.”

The Element of Magic looked up at Aiden, “Thanks. I think I need some time alone.”

“Take all the time you need. I’ll be here if you need. We all will.” Aiden stood up and walked away.

If only she hadn’t come. If only she had been faster. If only she could fly. If only she hadn’t wasted all her magic trying to stop that overgrown mongrel’s arrows. So many things that could have been done, and yet none of them happened. In the end, Forest drowned.

Shining said that he was making a small group of his Guards trawl the newly made river, but they had no idea how vast or expansive the tunnel network was, so it could take weeks or even months to recover a body, if they recovered it. 

Looking up and across the way back towards her home, she wondered how Rarity was doing, and Rainbow Dash, and Brian. Everypony. Rarity did look so happy when Fancypants had asked her out, but Twilight couldn’t help but feel a slight bias towards Spike. He was, afterall, her assistant, advisor, and most of all, her son. Not blood related, of course, but that didn’t change anything.

Her mind went back to Forest. A part of her kept on hoping, hoping that it was all just a bad dream and that at any second now she would wake up, everything would be back the way it was, and Forest would be there to kiss her and hold her. She knew she was being foalish, but she couldn’t help how she felt. She knew that Applejack still had feelings for him, and yet she didn’t care. She knew how important it was for him to find this ‘Tutela’, but she didn’t care! At first she had no idea what was wrong with her, but after reading several large tomes, sourcing several encyclopedias, there was only one logical answer. She was in love. 

She remembered how at one point the revelation did not appeal to her at all and she denied it vehemently. He was Applejack’s coltfriend. But one day she saw him in the spa. She had gone to pick something up from the back room and spotted Forest laying in the jacuzzi. Seeing him there, she couldn’t resist and kissed his lips. That was very bad. She knew it was, but she couldn’t help herself. After that, she swore to not interfere. Then, Applejack and him broke it off, and she had never felt happier! And it ate away at her.

Now here she was, alone. She knew Aiden’s feelings for her, but she couldn’t look at him like that. He had always been there for her, but she never had romantic feelings for him. And she couldn’t believe the nerve of that guy when she confided her feelings for Forest to him. He didn’t say anything. At all. Not until that embarrassing Date Auction...

Twilight knew everything about Aiden, they had spent quite some time over the years together. Usually in the early morning hours at his café, before the early morning rush. Even back then she didn’t have feelings for him, but she had to admit she did think he was cute. 

And her heart did skip a beat when she saw him fighting off the Diamond Dogs, even with weak magic, he was deadly. She was still furious about his lack of respect for life, especially after what happened in that prison cell, but Twilight had almost been hurt after an unprovoked attack. That was when he went insane, carving through the Dogs the way he did. It was scary watching him, but in a strange way she couldn’t help but feel flattered. Aiden didn’t use magic directly on the Dogs at all, and instead used them on the weapons around him.

“Hi, Twi. Thought I’d come keep ya company.” Applejack looked at her friend who was staring off in the distance.

“What? Oh, hello AJ.” 

“You wanna talk?”

“Yes and no,” Twilight sighed, “do you think I am a bad pony?”

“What? Why would I think somethin’ like that?” Applejack was visibly shocked.

“It’s just that while you and Forest were... courting all I wanted was for him to stop seeing you. I actually felt really happy when Atom came back.” Twilight plastered a miserable look on her face, “Can you forgive me?”

“Don’t be silly, we’re best friends. I can’t stay mad at you, ‘specially not now with...” Applejack looked away, “It’s funny how thin’s work out.”

“He was right there, AJ. Right there! I was so close. I could’ve reached him if I had teleported ten seconds sooner,” She reached out with her hoof, emphasizing her point, “he’d be right here with us, talking, being silly...”

“I know, darlin’, I know.” Applejack hugged her friend tightly.

Just then a pink mare appeared to their right. “Ooh!” Pinkie moaned, “Owie-ow-ow-ow!” 

“Pinkie? What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“It’s my Pinkie Sense, it’s acting strange. I’ve,” she grunted as her ears stretched out, “never,” she that squealed as her tail shook and spread out into three equal parts and poofed up into three smaller bunny-tails, then slowly reverted back to its original shape, “had these before.”

Twilight eyes opened wide, and she looked at Applejack.

“I don’t wanna get my hopes up, Twilight. I don’t think you ought to either.” Applejack put in, but even she couldn’t hide it. Hope. Just maybe...

Atom walked up, his body was wrapped up due to a fractured rib, and sat next to Applejack gazing off into the distance. He hadn’t said much since the incident. Forest was with him all through, and being an ex-Guard, failing to protect his friend must have been painful. Applejack knew Atom better than anypony in Equestria. She knew that he was blaming himself for what had happened, and she knew that he’ll talk about it when he was ready. It was uncanny how, even after all this time, she knew how that stallion worked. Both him and Aiden acted so cold and distant. 

Spike walked up, a bandage on his shoulder, Sweetie Belle next to him, helping him along. Everypony sat there, looking towards the distance, towards their home. Home felt so far away.

Sweetie started humming a tune and everyone could not help but listen. Soon her humming gave way to singing, and her voice sounded bitter-sweet.

“So long, our very good friend,
We’ll leave a special place for you in our hearts,
Please don’t think this the end,
Just a break before we meet again,
And then we’ll sing and dance and play,
Like we did before today,
That would be something we’d do,
But... if it’s possible, please stop and stay,
Because it’s painful, and we miss you.”

The silence that settled in was deafening, and Sweetie nuzzled Spike, trying to hide her tears. Spike wrapped an arm around her, a slight color appearing on his cheeks. Sweetie had not left his side throughout the entire ordeal, and hers was a comforting presence.

Aiden returned and sat down next to Twilight. 

“Do you blame yourself?” Twilight asked.

“No.” Aiden whispered, “No!” His voice picked up and he stood up and laughed! He laughed and he laughed and he laughed. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Twilight was confused and angry. Why was he laughing?

Tears streamed down his eyes and he stared out over the horizon. “By Luna’s mane...”

“What? What’s going on?” Twilight asked, getting up, and looking in the distance. In the distance a beam of light broke through the sky. The ponies in the camp saw it, and point to it, there was a lot of shouting and murmuring. 

There in the distance was the unmistakable sign. There couldn’t be any doubt. 

Atom stood up, turned to Applejack and kissed her on the lips. She was visibly shocked by his sudden change in character, but he had a wide smile on his face. Relief flooded his eyes. 

“Atom...”

He placed a hoof over her lips, and shook his head, “No words. Let’s just relish this moment.”

The orange mare could only smile at him. Atom would never change, and she liked that about him. No, she loved him for that.

Pinkie bounced around and around, “Yes! Yes-yes-yes! Ooh! That’s Forest! That’s forest! Did you see my doozy? It was a doozy of a doozy!” 

“Thank Celestia,” Spike whispered, pulling Sweetie closer to him. She didn’t mind that one bit, and let herself be the pillar he needed, “thank Luna.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Twilight said, trying to fight the tears of joy flowing down her face. 

Huddling together, Twilight closed her eyes, and concentrated. She knew that she couldn’t teleport to Ponyville from here, but the nearest train station was a few hours away, and the last train the Canterlot was due in the next ten minutes. A train that would take them all back home.

“The first thing I’m going to do is sit on that flankhead until he tells me how in Celestia’s mane did he end up all the way over there!” Aiden frowned, and shook his head, “After I strangle him for making us worry so much.”

“Agreed.” The all replied together.