//------------------------------//
// Wrath: What They Don't Tell You 
// Story: Dan Vs. The Magic of Friendship(Season 1) 
// by Barrobroadcaster 
//------------------------------//

"Hard to believe the whole Crystal Empire is contained within something so small," Rarity said. "And beautiful." She could help but find herself captivated by the jewel. It was so shiny, big and beautiful, and the thought that it would be an excellent centerpiece for a fountain or chandelier inside Carousel Boutique kept popping into her head.

"Well, it is," Twilight said. "So we have to be very, VERY careful with it." She levitated it into her saddlebag.

The Bursavis Prison Complex was cool and dry. Twilight and Rarity's hoofsteps reverberated off the walls and it seemed to echo on forever. The two of them, along with Doctor Whooves, Tuxley, Reginald and a few other random ponies and donkeys that decided to help out, moved everything important into one of the prison's loading chambers. As a prison, it had been the train platform to deliver supplies, personnel and prisoners to the complex, all under heavy guard. They were only just beginning to discover exactly how the complex was a cannon, but that picture was becoming clearer all the time.

The train car that had picked up Dan and company from New Troy originally was one of the 'bullets' for the cannon. This was how the New Baltimare Gun Club reached space: in style and comfort. It was no coincidence that the rails all led from around the country to the cannon. From the four cities, a party of adventurers could easily take a train to the moon itself, so to speak. Once the car reached the complex, it was loaded into the barrel of the gun.

Energy and magic from all four corners of the kingdom flooded a massive chamber beneath the barrel. Each of the four major cities was known for a specific export- New Troy had liquor, Spurlin had soup, Mesaco City had corn syrup and Burropolis was famous for soft drinks. All these things in massive quantities were used to create an explosive force powerful enough to launch an object into space. Took one helluva mixture to do it.

"That looks to be about everything," Doctor Whooves said. "So..." he looked around. "You do have a plan to load all of this onto the train with enough room for everyone else, right? Because I don't see how we're going to fit as is."

"We have a plan for this," was all Twilight replied with, calm resolve in her tone easing and closing the matter.

"Right, I guessed as much."

Twilight inhaled, then exhaled. "It's time to start boarding. Rarity, Doctor Whooves, can you round up everyone and get them here?"

The Doctor saluted. "No one left behind on our watch, Twilight. I'll see it done." He trotted off.

Rarity looked behind her. "Even without the books... the train car seems awfully small for all of us."

"It will be enough, Rarity. Trust me."

"Oh um, but of course, Twilight," she turned around again. "I'm sure we'll... manage."

It was too risky to tell Rarity the whole plan. Twilight didn't suspect her, but it was clear there were too many within earshot, too many loose lips, too much to account for. They had one last shot, in more ways than one, of escaping Equestria before the planet exploded.

In truth, Equestria died an angry death rather than fiery or explosive one. The sky, the land, the seas, all were crafted by the Fausticorn and magic was what held it all together. It gave the world life, reason, purpose. Without it, it would literally shear itself to pieces all the way to its core until nothing was left but the lifeless core which had been the source of its magic. Strangely enough, when all was done, Equestria would resemble its own moon.

As Twilight was about to leave to check on Dan and the others, Captain America walked in.

"Steve?"

"We have another problem."

"Great."

On the roof of the western tower, Cap and Knight gathered by a statue that hadn't been there before. Or rather, it had been there before, but it had been covered up by the prison generator.

"All eight tributary fuel lines have fractured under stress. No fuel can be pumped into the ignition until repairs are made to each line. Additionally, fuel will need to be pumped and monitored from each cardinal source."

"That's not the worst part. Tell her the rest."

The tiny mech pony looked up at her. "At present, we do not have the knowledge required to operate the cannon."

"You don't know how it works?"

She nodded firmly and adorably. "That is correct."

Twilight turned around. "Have you examined the statue?"

"We have," Cap said, rubbing his neck.

"I have a complete analysis of is physical construction available for viewing. After consulting with unit-Ace and unit-Vol, we have determined it is 'neat.' We have not been able to determine its function."

Twilight powers: actiaved. "Hmm, let's see..." She teleported to a point just above the statue to examine its head. Then, ported to the base to examine its base. Then again, to just in front of it to examine the front legs.

The four towers of the prison each had a statue positioned in the center, each one a monument to the original members of the New Baltimare Gun Club. The astronomer, the shootist, the connoisseur and the up-and-comer, all the donkeys that originally started the cannon project. They were surprisingly realistic and each were in a specific pose, holding the gun club's iconic treasures: the wine bottle, the range rifle, the telescope and the slingshot.

"Hmmmm," Twilight said. Then she zapped away for almost a full minute. In the distance, Cap and Knight could see other purple flashes, indicating Twilight was warping between the different towers. Her power was truly incredible now that she'd become accustomed to it.

She appeared back in front of Cap and Knight. "I think I've got it. Cap, come stand here."

"On it."

"When I say 'now,' lift up the telescope."

"The telescope?" Cap looked at the statue. The donkey mare with glasses depicted had a smile on her face and a telescope in her right hoof. She was leaning forward on it like a cane for support.

"It's attached to the base, though."

"Captain Rogers' strength will cause the statue to break if he attempts this measure."

"Just trust me," Twilight said to both of them. "And get ready."

"Alright," Cap said. Twilight zapped out again and Cap gripped the statue with both hands.