//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Sea of Sorrows // Story: A Derpy Princess // by Nailah //------------------------------// Midnight Star groaned, rolling his eyes. He looked out to the ocean waves as they rolled on. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He felt his eyelids closing as he sighed heavily. “I can’t take your place. You’re the leader, not me,” he spoke out to the distance beyond. Where was she? He really didn’t know. He knew he had the support of the others, and Emma had reassured him that he could do this, but yet he felt lost in his own self doubt. He wasn’t exactly the nicest guy, but it also made him blatantly aware of why the pirates targeted Derpy. “Midnight,” began Emma Flower as she approached her lover. She nuzzled against him. “You okay?” Midnight could never lie to her. He bit his bottom lip, and shook his head. “No...Derpy could be anywhere, and I have no idea where, or what sort of trouble she might be enduring. And when I think about what I wanted to do to her once upon a time, it makes me boil with rage, that I feel so useless now.” “Oh Midnight, you aren’t useless. You’re a powerful stallion, think. Try to envision yourself like a pirate. If you had an alicorn like Derpy, where would you take her?” “Hmm...somewhere secluded. Somewhere, no pony would be able to hear her if she screamed. Somewhere far far away from the main lands,” began Midnight, as he tapped his forehoof against his chin. “Like a tropical island?” asked Emma Flower. “Yeah...a deserted island would be perfect. Wait, did you think of that?” he asked her, as she pointed out the island up ahead. “Well seems we are heading right for one. Maybe we’ll get lucky.” She smiled, giving him a light peck on his muzzle, before turning around, to alert the others they might be docking soon. Midnight Star starred at the island up ahead. He bit his bottom lip, praying to whatever Deity was out there, that he’d be able to save Derpy, and get her back to them. If it wasn’t for her, he’d still be a half crazed lunatic with nothing but grief on his mind. Derpy had changed him, and he swore he wasn’t going to let her down. The ship docked, and Crimson Skies and Berry Delight were the first ones off the ship. Berry Delight, shifted her foreleg into the sand, testing the density of it. “Hmm...solid,” she remarked. “Really Berry? Now’s not the time to be building sandcastles, we gotta find Derpy!” Crimson Skies stated, shaking her head, and facehoofing. She adored her friend to no end, but this was just ridiculous. “Crimson it’s important to familiarize yourself with your environment. How many times must I tell ya this? You can’t be so reckless and just go charging in. That’s how you get caught.” “Pfft, I could easily take those pirates one hoofed,” smirked Crimson Skies, as she puffed out her chest fluff. “Of course you say that, but think they were able to capture an alicorn. Are you stronger than Derpy?” asked Berry Delight, raising an eyebrow towards her friend. “No…” Crismon sighed, as she landed beside her partner, already knowing exactly where this was going. “Exactly. Sure you’re one tough cookie, but the lot of us are better off sticking together and coming up with some kind of plan. Now Midnight, I reckon you’re in charge here. You know Derpy best out of the lot of us. What would you have us do?” asked Berry, focusing her gaze on the black stallion in front of them. Midnight gulped, surrounded by females. They were all simply trying to help him track down Derpy, but the pressure to not let any of them down was rather intimidating to say the least. He felt his fur standing on edge. He didn’t feel he was ready for this sort of responsibility.  He felt the sweat drop streaming down his cheek. Derpy needed him to step up right now, there was no one else here that could lead them. But...he wasn’t ready. He felt clouded by his past, biting his lower lip, if not for Emma being there as moral support, he wasn’t sure he could ever truly be the leader that she knew he could be. Derpy was counting on him, and he wasn’t about to let her down. Not now, Midnight Star wasn’t the stallion he used to be. “Alright, we’re going to form search parties,” he instructed as he gazed over the females, trying to figure out the most logical way to split them up. He was certain that Crimson and Berry would make a good team, Emma and himself could also be a team, but that left Holly Leaf and Electric Flare as a team up. He wasn’t sure how they’d use their skills as a team, just looking at Holly, he could tell she’d be best paired up with a mare that had confidence and strength. “Holly Leaf and Crimson Skies, you two will be the first team.” he gestured for them to stand together. “Oh my. Well um...I don’t really know how useful I’ll be but I’ll try my best,” said Holly as she looked to the yellow pegasus with the red mane and tail. Her cutie mark with the sword coming out of the clouds on her flank. Holly Leaf trembled slightly and let out a slight eep as Crimson pulled her close. “Hey there teammate. I’m sure you’ve plenty of skills that will help us be the ones to find Derpy! Come on let me hear you shout as loud a thunder.”  “Yay?” asked Holly Leaf, fidgeting a bit. She didn’t want to offend anyone, but was Midnight really sure about this? She didn’t even know the first thing about Crimson Skies other than she was a friend of Berry Delight, though she supposed now was a good time to learn. Midnight Star studied the other three. Electric Flare, Berry Delight, Emma Flower. Whichever one he didn’t pair up here would be his partner. And as much as he wanted to have his partner be his special somepony, he knew right now, he couldn’t afford distractions. He knew that if he paired himself with Electric Flare that would make it very awkward considering that he had raped and enslaved her in the past. There was only one clear choice that made sense. “Electric Flare, and Emma, you two will be a team, and that leaves you with me, Berry,” said Midnight, guiding the group of them into smaller search parties. “The objective here is to find Derpy and Heart Stripes, but it’s also important to watch our flanks. Protect your partner, work as a team, and meet up back here by the ship by dusk.”  Holly lifted her hoof into the air, fidgeting. “What...do we do if we find the bad guys?” asked Holly, as she clutched against Crimson’s fur. “Ah come on! The answer is obvious. We fight them and show them not to mess with us!” smirked Crimson, as she shifted her forehoof, and petted Holly’s mane. “Fighting unnecessary battles is the last thing we should be doing. Our focus is search and retrieve. That means no sword fighting. No endangering yourself or your partner. If you see the pirates, you high tail it back to the ship. Do I make myself crystal clear?” said Midnight, glaring his deep blue hues towards Crimson. He understood the desire to give the pirates a lesson, but the most important thing was ensuring the safety of the group. Oh Derpy...man I wish you were here. “Lame,” muttered Crimson as she shifted her forehoof into the sand, letting out a huff. “Now, does anyone else have questions?” asked Midnight Star as he glanced from pony to pony. Crickets could be heard over the awkward silence that surrounded them. Midnight Star then marked a big X in the sand with his hoof. “We meet back here by dusk, if any of us find Derpy and Heart, head back here immediately and wait for the rest of us. Good luck every pony, and remember, Derpy is counting on us.” With that, each group wandered off into different sections of the tropical deserted island. Crimson Skies bolted off, grabbing Holly and flying into the center pathway. Surrounded by a thick brush of tall grass that was so high it would bury them if they didn’t fly. Emma Flower and Electric Flare took the path to the right edge of the island, Emma Flower led the way. She couldn’t help wondering how Midnight would do on his own. The last time she had left him...things hadn’t turned out as well as she would’ve hoped, but Midnight had changed. She believed in him. Lastly, Berry Delight and Midnight Star took the path to the left edge of the forest. Each group is dedicated to one task. Finding Derpy and Heart Stripes and trying to avoid confronting the pirates. “Um...Crimson, do we have to go so fast?” asked Holly Leaf as she clung to the top of Crimson’s body, clutching her hooves around her neck, as she shivered, and kept her eyes closed. She trembled. “Yes, we have to go fast, do you really want to walk through that tall grass? Your hooves would be so chaffed,” said Crimson with a slight sigh as she found an empty spot, and landed there, letting out a light cough to indicate to Holly she could get off her now. “Oh, we’re here already? Wow. That didn't last very long. You’re really fast aren’t you?” asked Holly as she gasped, and her mouth opened widely as she pointed a forehoof towards her. “Duh. Of course I’m fast. I’m the most awesome pony around after all. It’s a good thing Midnight put you with me. You’re in good hooves. What are you gawking at?” asked Crimson as she didn’t seem to realize there was something behind her. Something big. “Crimson...don’t move,” said Holly. “Why?” asked Crimson, as she slowly tilted her head back to look at what Holly was seeing. “Cuttlefish! That...what is this creature?” asked Crimson, not daring to move an inch, gulping nervously. Holly leaf studied the giant minotaur that was standing between her new friend.  “Um...it’s a minotaur, they’re usually not hostile creatures, but this one isn’t moving…” said Holly, as she looked closely at it. It seemed almost too still. It was clearly alive by the look in it’s deep red eyes, but it was just standing there. She flew up around it, trying to gain it’s attention. She knew very well that it could attack her at any moment, and she prepared herself for the onslaught of a bruising should it happen. But, nothing seemed to happen. She blinked as she flew back down beside Crimson who was cowering behind a rock. “Is it dead?” she asked, shivering slightly.  “No it’s very much alive. But it’s not moving. It’s like it’s trapped by something. What I don’t know,” said Holly with a slight sigh. “The poor dear. He must be suffering.” “Who cares about some stinking minotaur. Remember we have a Princess to save!” said Crimson, grabbing Holly by the foreleg, and dashing far far away from that strange...minotaur. It totally creeped her out. Once they were a good distance away, she let out a deep sigh of relief and hugged Holly closely, trying not to seem frightened, she petted the top of Holly’s pink mane. “There, it won’t hurt us anymore. You’re safe now.” “But…” she began as Crimson put a hoof over her mouth. “No buts. Now where would I be hiding if I was a bunch of no good pirates?” she asked herself, as she stared ahead to the trees that surrounded them. “Probably somewhere secluded away from prying eyes…” suggested Holly Leaf as she stayed a few paces behind Crimson. “Of course! A temple. It’s like the most obvious place for pirates to go to a place like this.” said Crimson Skies as she moved a bit of the brush of overgrown grass to the sides, and revealed to Holly, the temple, and sure enough down there she could see the pirates. “Oh my. This could be um...very dangerous. Maybe you should go in. I’ll just um. Wait here,” said Holly leaf, as she fidgeted back into a tree. When she hit the tree, there was this click sound.  Crimson knew that sound anywhere. She tackled Holly into the grass, pressing her head down, and putting her other hoof over her mouth, insisting for her to keep quiet. “Mhmmph” mumbled Holly Leaf, as she glanced out to the opening beyond them, not understanding why Crimson had shoved her into the grass and was keeping them hidden. “The alarm was triggered Captain. Shall we investigate?” asked the hench ponies. “I will go see to it, after all, one of my traps may have caught us our little Princess…” said Black Mane with a smug grin, as he had his hench ponies follow him for support. Bringing plenty of ropes in case she needed to be tied down again. If it was her, he wasn’t about to let her play her little games again. This time he would see to it that Derpy was killed. Without their princess, the rest of the ponies would bow down to him, and he would be King of not just the sea, but the entire world! “Hmm...hoof steps. Seems two ponies were here, judging by the smell, female,” stated one of his lackeys, as he lifted his muzzle from the ground. “What are you, some kind of animal Scout?” asked one of the other hench ponies. “Don’t you know it.” smirked Scout giving his buddy a wink.  “Would you morons focus on the task at hoof? The Captain doesn’t have time to waste on idle chatter. We have to figure out where the Princess ran off too. Seems she might not be far…” spoke Ruby as she huffed. Crimson found herself staring. It couldn’t be...right there. Before her very eyes was the one pony she had searched so long to see. So long she had searched and searched for her little sister. Here she was, all grown up now. She bit her bottom lip as she burst out of the bushes, leaving Holly behind and hidden. “RUBY!” she shouted as she felt the tears streaming down her face. “Ruby...it’s me, Crimson.” She whimpered as she hoped she’d remember her big sister. That day had changed her, harshened her view on the world, made her reconsider so much. Ruby looked at her older sister as she suddenly appeared back in her life. “Capture her boys.” she said without even a hint of emotion in her tone. Calculated.  The hench ponies went to bind Crimson’s wings around her body so she couldn’t take off in flight. Crimson tried to buck away, but she was surrounded. She sighed as she felt them putting a rope like collar and leash around her neck and tugging her along.  “Wait...there’s hoofsteps for two ponies here. Find the other one. I won’t have any more slip ups from the lot of you,” stated Ruby as she took hold of the leash rope, and tugged her sister so the two were nose to nose. “Ruby...why are you doing this? You’re not like these ponies. You’re my little sister. Please Ruby…” she pleaded as she gazed into those soft green hues of her little sister, seeing her scarlet mane, and her crystal fur shining, the cutie mark of a treasure chest filled with gems. She knew it was her, this was her sister. So why was she acting so much like a pony she didn’t recognize. "The seas change you, I'm not the little sister that got taken from you. I'm Ruby, the gem of this here ocean, and now you will listen to me!" said Ruby as she tugged the leash firmly so it began to choke her older sister. She gave her a harsh cold look, as the slightest drop of a tear ran down her cheeks. “I tried waiting for you to come and save me, for you to be the big sister I had always admired, but you never came. You never stopped the pirates from taking everything, and now it’s my turn to take everything from you.”  Crimson Skies couldn’t believe it. Ruby was right there, so close to her, and yet so far out of her reach. She felt uneasy, this sense of guilt weighing heavily on her mind, that she couldn’t have stopped this from happening. That she hadn’t been strong enough or fast enough to save her little sister, and now...she wasn’t sure she’d ever get a second chance. “Ruby, please listen to me. That stallion has clearly perverted you into doing his bidding. Are you really going to let some other jackass run your life?” asked Crimson as she felt Ruby tugging the leash harder to make it difficult for her to breathe as they walked. “Pfft. Oh sister. How naive you are. Black Mane runs this crew yes, but he doesn’t control me. I chose this all on my own. I saw an opportunity to be his number one mare, and now even he will listen to what I say. You might as well give up on saving your sister. She’s dead.” “I’ll never give up on you Ruby, you’re my little sister.” said Crimson skies as she sulked, ears drooping to her sides. She could only hope those hench ponies didn’t get a hold of Holly too. That poor mare couldn’t fight her way out of a paper bag, let alone handle pirates. Ruby didn’t listen to her, as she pushed her forward, and threw a net over her, tying the net around it, and having the other hench ponies that weren’t out searching for the other mare, lift her up into the air. With her wings tied there wasn’t a whole lot that Crimson could do, as she gritted her teeth as they moved the rope line so she was dangling over the ocean water, and tied the end of the rope to a tree to hold her firmly in place. “Any last words, dear sister of mine? It’s such a shame to see you like this. You were my hero once.” smirked Ruby, as she turned away from Crimson, wrapping a wingtip around Black Mane, tilting her head up, puffing out her chest and walking away from her older sister once again. Crimson Skies whimpered softly to herself, low enough that Ruby wouldn’t hear or see the tears streaming down her face. Her little sister was gone...she couldn’t save her, and now she couldn’t even save herself. She felt so weak. So stupid. Holly...wherever you are, just get away from here, it’s too late for me. Holly hunkered down into the brush of the tall grass, doing her best to stay low to the ground and keep quiet. She could hear the stallions talking about her, or maybe they were referring to Derpy, but right now, all she could think about was Crimson. What horrible things were they doing to her right now? If she couldn’t get away safely then they’d both be doomed to whatever fate the pirates had for them. She was already running through her mind, all the horrible, terrible, awful things that Crimson might be enduring. And to think she was so brave. She shivered. She wasn’t brave, nor talented. What could she possibly do? Her mind went back to the minotaur. Oh if only I knew what happened to you, then maybe you could get me out of this mess. “You see anything Scout?” asked the one hench pony as he searched for signs of the other mare. “Nope, not yet. She couldn’t have gotten far without us noticing. We’ll find her and when we do we’ll have a little fun before we bring her back to the Captain.” smirked the other hench pony. “Shessh, is sex the only thing on that mind of yours?” asked Scout with a slight shrug. “Myself I prefer torturing them, making them squeal before cutting their throats.”  “Do you always have to be so violent? Buck you need serious therapy.” said the other hench pony. “And what kind of pony would be suited to give me guidance? I’d try them going on and on about how my childhood affected me, and made me out to be some kind of cruel and sadistic stallion. Well guess what buck, I’ve always been like this, even as a colt, I’d love ripping the heads off my sister’s toys,” said Scout Fly. “You’re so lame. Whatever happened to your little sister anyways?” asked the other hench pony. “Oh...you don’t wanna know.” smirked Scout Fly, licking his lips. Holly leaf trembled with fear. Who were these ponies? Why were they saying such horrible things? Her heart beat thumped faster and faster as she panted. She bit her lip to try to control her breath. Cowering, and wishing to whatever being was out there to spare her… “You know it’s really annoying how Ruby gets to boss us around. It’s not like she owns us.” grumbled the hench pony as he leaned his muzzle right down, barely inches apart from where she was hidden. “Nothing. I don’t know how she did it, but that pony ain’t here.” “Well if it was Derpy she might have teleported away to safety, we’re doing all this hunting when we’re just wasting our time on a lost cause.” said Scout Fly as he kicked against the ground. He muttered to himself groaning.  “Guess that means we keep searching deeper into the forest. When I find this mare, I ain’t giving her back to the boss right away. I at least want to put the fear of death into her.” groaned Scout, as he and the other hence ponies began walking away. Holly Leaf panted heavily as she got up from her hiding spot, brushing the blades of grass off her light brown fur.  “Oh dear…” said Holly as she looked all around her. She had no idea where she even was. She had to save Crimson, she was out there somewhere, and she couldn’t just do nothing. She had to be brave. Her thoughts went back to the minotaur from earlier. If only… She whistled a tune to get the birds to come.  She was surprised when the birds flew down to the ground, she noted how they weren’t the kind of birds she had in mind. They were...vultures. “Um hello everyone. Thank you for coming. My dear friend is in trouble.” she would then explain to them what Crimson looked like as best she could. “Please, could you find her for me? And if any of you do find her, come back here right away.” The vultures let out a sound of approval, as Holly felt relieved she still had her animal friends. She did hope that Jack remembered to feed her sandworm. He could get very agitated if he went without food for too long, and ponies were not a food he should eat. They were bad for the digestive system!  “Oh Crimson...I promise I’m coming.” she spoke as she stared at the minotaur having gone back to where he was. “What happened to you? Oh I wish you could talk to me. There has to be something I can do for you.” she reached her foreleg out and touched the minotaur’s fur. Nothing happened. She sighed heavily. She hadn’t really expected anything, but she had hoped maybe there was something she could do for the poor critter. He must be suffering. She couldn’t dwell on it now, she had to save her friend.  “Um...sending vultures might not have been the best idea. She might get the wrong impression. Oh dear…” she sighed as she sat back on her hindlegs. She hoped Crimson was okay. Even if she knew that probably wasn’t the case at all. The poor mare was probably suffering a...she didn’t even want to think about it. Crimson Skies sulked, as she heard the sound of vultures. Just my dumb luck. “Great, not only am I going to die, but stupid birds are going to eat away at my remains.” said Crimson, as her ears drooped to the side of her face. Could things get any worse than they already were? She glanced down to the view of the ocean she had from her view as fish bait, and saw fins...great. Bucking fantastic. Was this the end? But then suddenly just as quickly as they had arrived, the vultures flew off. “Weird. That’s like not normal right?” she asked herself, as she hit her forehoof into her face. “Great now I’m talking to myself. I’m going to go stir crazy if I’m not eaten first!” The vultures returned to Holly who was sitting on her haunches by the minotaur. They let out a low shrill shriek to alert her they had found her friend. Holly stood up and sighed as she glanced at the Minotaur. “I wish I had the time to figure out how to save you too, but right now, she needs me more. I’m sure you understand.” said Holly as she flapped her wings and flew off into the sky, wiping away a tear as it slid down her cheeks. It was just so heartbreaking to see the minotaur like that. What had happened to him, and who would do such a cruel thing to such an innocent creature? Flying down to where Crimson was tied over the ocean, she quickly had the vultures cut at the ropes with their beaks, and caught Crimson in her front forelegs, and flew them both down to the ground safely. She looked to Crimson as she untied her from her binds. “Are you okay?” she asked gently, as she wrapped a wing around her. She sensed her friend was under much distress, and really needed someone to listen to her right now. Crimson Skies sighed heavily, as she felt Holly’s wing wrapping around her. She kicked her front left foreleg into the sand beneath her hooves. “Ruby...I couldn’t save her. She’s my sister. I should have been there. I was her hero, and now look at me, relying on a meek pony like you to come to my rescue,” whimpered Crimson pouting. "It's okay to hurt, and sometimes it's okay to lose, but remember there is always hope." said Holly leaf as she pulled Crimson snuggly against her body, and simply held around her with her light brown wings. She nuzzled against her crimson mane, and gently hummed a tune that always had this soothing effect on her critters. Crimson Skies sulked, her ears drooping to her sides. She bit her bottom lip, and just allowed Holly to hold her, to cradle her in her arms, Right now, she felt weak, like there was nothing she could do to save the one she loved. If only she was stronger, faster, better. Maybe Ruby could have been saved. “It’s still not too late.” said Holly. “What do you mean?” asked Crimson sniffing, and wiping the tears from her eyes. “It’s not too late to save her. She’s still your little sister, and if you really love her as much as you claim too, are you really going to accept she’s gone?” asked Holly. “Of course not!” said Crimson as she stood to full height, spread out her wings, and haunched down to the ground, giving an intimidating look. “When I get my hooves on that Black Mane...I’m going to show him what happens to ponies that mess with me,” she growled, as she shifted her forehoof against the sand. Holly leaf smiled at that, and gave Crimson a wing high five. “That’s the spirit. Now shall we continue looking for Derpy? I know you might want to go after Ruby first, and I totally would understand, but remember what Midnight said.” “Yeah, I remember. Shessh, he only repeated it like three times.” groaned Crimson. “Um...Holly. I thought you said that thing couldn’t move.” Crimson blinked, moving backwards, stammering, and jaw open wide. “What? Huh?’ she asked, turning to see the gray and white minotaur standing there. “You can move? Can you talk?” she asked, as she felt the glee in her, as she yipped out excitedly. “I can talk yes, what are you?” he asked her. “I’m a pony. Don’t you know what a pony is?” she asked. “Know pony yes, not what I meant. Who are you?” he asked in return. “Oh I’m Holly Leaf, and this is my friend Crimson. Do you have a name?” she asked him, politely. “Krandor. That is the name mom gave to me when I was a babe.” said Krandor as he looked at her and her friend. “I do not know how long I’ve been here on this island. I cannot remember but I feel like it was important.” “Oh don’t worry about that right now. I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so worried about you being stuck like that. You must be so stiff.” she flew up and began massaging his shoulders.  Krandor groaned and sat down in the sand to allow her easier access to his joints. Krandor did not know why this pony cared for him, but he liked how kind she was. “Krandor does not know why pony is so kind to me. I am a monster. Isn’t pony afraid?” “You aren’t a monster. You are a kind creature. Minotaurs are often misunderstood. Why...don’t you come with me?” said Holly leaf, beaming up at him. “Come with you? Where?” asked Krandor, as he was a bit puzzled by this kind pony’s actions. He shuddered a bit, looking down, almost ashamed of what he was. “Won’t I scare your friends?” he gestured to Crimson who was visibly shaking. “Oh well...you are quite intimidating to most ponies, but I’m sure after they get to know you, we’ll become good friends.” said Holly as she flew up, and extended her forehoof towards him. “What do you say Krandor? Will you be my friend?” “Of course my little pony. Krandor is a good minotaur, he will be friends with you, and the others if they aren’t scared.” said Krandor. “Okay Holly, can we like um go now?” asked Crimson, she really wasn’t sold about having a minotaur along, but as long as Holly could control him, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad… “Oh I do hope wherever Derpy is that she’s okay. This place is so large, she could be anywhere, and if the pirates find her before us...Oh dear.” “Don’t worry Holly, I’m sure wherever she is right now, she’s kicking flank and taking names. After all she is the Princess of Klutziness.” said Crimson puffing out her chest, and standing tall. She couldn’t imagine how stressful it must be to be Derpy, to have every pony counting on you, it sorta reminded her of being a Captain of a ship. Every pony looked up to you, and that’s when Crimson realized, she couldn’t let Ruby get to her like this. She had to stand strong, and fight for what she believed in, and right now, she believed she and Holly could endure anything so long as they worked together. Maybe it wasn’t so bad having her for a teammate after all. Though she still wasn’t sold on the minotaur. Holly Leaf flew back down to the ground and walked beside Crimson as they trailed from the sands, towards the temple. “Are you really sure about this?” asked Holly. She was shaking as she spoke, as she clung to Krandor’s leg. “Of course I’m sure. I mean it’s right in the books of Donkey Do. The bad guys always go for stuff like this. There’s probably some sort of artifact here they wanted and needed Derpy to get. Now if only I could figure out how to get in…” she spoke as the doors to the temple didn’t budge. “You’re going to get hurt if you keep slamming the wall like that.” warned Holly, concerned for her friend, but Crimson kept trying, and trying. Eventually she finally stopped.  “Darn it all. There’s probably some sort of way to activate a secret opening.”  “I don’t suppose asking the door to kindly open would work?” asked Holly. “Are you serious? Of course that won’t work! It’s not like I can just go up to the door and be like hey door, would you PLEASE open. Ugh. Holly sometimes I swear you drive me half batty,” sighed Crimson. Crimson knew there was something off about this temple, but she couldn’t figure it out, and if they couldn’t get in, then it was back to the forest, and possibly encountering her little sister again. She hated to admit it, but finding Derpy was far more important. “Alright, let’s head back, it’s starting to get dark.” said Crimson noting the sun setting in the distance. “I’d say we could fly, but you just had to go and make friends with this...creature.” “His name is Krandor.” she replied, with a slight huff. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let’s go. This is going to be so annoying. My hooves are still sore, and I ache all over.” “I told you to stop hitting the wall, but you didn’t listen.” said Holly, as she crossed her forelegs across her chest, and tilted her head away from Crimson. “Alright, I’m sorry. Could you please tell your new friend to carry us back?” asked Crimson. “Krandor, would you mind carrying us to a ship?” “I don’t mind Holly. You are kind to me. Most aren’t like you. I will help you.” he said as he lifted Crimson on his left shoulder and Holly onto his right. Holly kissed his cheek, and instructed him on where to head to meet up with the others. They hadn’t found Derpy, but Holly had made a new friend, and for her, that was worth the trip. She just hoped that Derpy was safe out there, wherever she was.