Author’s Note: Wow 555 views so far! Thank you all for the love and support! Now this chapter is a very special chapter, because I dedicate it to my new friend mindless brotaku, because it’s his BIRTHDAY TODAY! Happy Birthday buddy, hope you get many many more! I want everyone to make sure to wish him a happy birthday in the comments or by message please, and make his birthday a good one. Remember to favorite and like please, and leave a comment. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
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“What are you two doing here at this time of night?” The Conductor asked the two as he stopped them outside the Friendship "Branch" Express.
“Uhh well you see we....we got to meet the Princess urgently!” Sweetie Belle said nervously, as the Conductor raised his eyebrow.
“Really, at 11 o’ clock in the night?” he asked them, as Sweetie Belle began to feel light headed from her nervous state. She didn’t have a good lie to tell this guy, and she was pretty sure Rarity might’ve known that she was gone by now. If Rarity caught up to them, she would be as good as dead. Knowing the situation was getting bad, Spike took over for his distressed lover.
“Look buddy, I’m Twilight Sparkle’s assistant Spike. I think you know she’s pretty close to Princess Celestia, and I don’t think the Princess will like the fact you’re holding me and my companion back from meeting with her. So if you keep it up, I’ll make sure to tell her, and I’ll make sure she sends you somewhere where the sun don’t shine” Spike said smirking as he pointed up to the moon, making the Conductor widen his eyes in fear and quickly take their tickets, as he allowed them to board the train with no further confrontations.
As the two took their seats in the last row, Spike began to snicker at the event that just took place.
“I can’t believe he took that, I mean what’s the chances of Celestia sending anypony ELSE to the moon, much less him! Gosh adults nowadays, such idiots” Spike told Sweetie Belle as he began to laugh again, only to make Sweetie Belle sigh, which caught his attention.
“What’s the matter Sweetie?” Spike asked as the train began to pull away.
“Oh Spike, I’m so scared about this whole plan. I mean, what if we get caught? Then we’ll be the talk of PonyVille, heck maybe all of Equestria!” Sweetie Belle said as she began to worry even more.
“What if my mother sees us in Canterlot? Oh no, MY MOTHER! If she catches me in Canterlot it’ll be the end of my Crusading days, my life in PonyVille, and most importantly our RELATIONSHIP! I don’t want to lose you Spike” Sweetie Belle said as she began to cry.
“Calm down Sweetie Belle! Nothing bad will happen to us ok? Even if something does go bad, I’ll protect you Sweetie, and never let anypony or thing tear us apart, I swear” Spike said as he kissed Sweetie Belle softly and hugged her, calming her down.
Suddenly the two looked up to see other ponies stomping their hooves in applause and approval.
“What a cute little couple” one mare said as others agreed in unison, as they all turned away from the little spectacle.
“Spike about what you said just now, that was real sweet” Sweetie Belle said as she kissed his cheek.
“I just really hope you’re right” Sweetie Belle said as she hugged him
“Me too Sweetie Belle. Now its pretty late, we should get some shut eye, tomorrow’s gonna be one heck of a day!” Spike told the filly as she laid down on his shoulder, and he laid his head on hers, and fell soundly to sleep.
Meanwhile to Rarity and Twilight....
“Thanks again for the drink Rarity” Twilight said sweetly as she began to get ready for her departure back to her home.
“Your welcome darling, though don’t leave just yet. Let me just make sure Sweetie Belle isn’t doing anything foolish up there, like texting or talking to Spike” Rarity said as she walked up the stairs.
Once she reached Sweetie Belle’s room, Rarity knocked on the door only to get no response.
“Sweetie Belle open the door please” Rarity asked, only to again get no response. Rarity sighed, and asked one last time.
“Sweetie Belle, please open the door or else I’ll force my way in” Rarity called again, only to get yet again no response, making her frustrated.
“Ok Sweetie Belle, I tried to be respectful, but you earned this!” Rarity called as she broke the lock on her sister’s door and busted through. Once she busted in, she screamed in pure terror.
“Oh my goodness Rarity what’s wrong?” Twilight asked as she teleported into the room, only to see the only ponies occupying it was Rarity and herself.
“S-S-Sweetie Belle’s GONE!” Rarity yelled as she looked all over the filly’s room for her, as Twilight looked around for clues, she noticed that the window was open.
“She escaped” Twilight said as Rarity looked at her with wide eyes filled with disbelief of what she just heard.
“She WHAT?” Rarity yelled as she walked beside Twilight to inspect the open window.
“Look here, she left a blanket rope leading outside. She must’ve escaped out somewhere” Twilight told Rarity, as she continued to investigate.
“Uh how about maybe your place!” Rarity told the purple mare as she simply rolled her eyes.
“No way, my place is too practical. Sweetie Belle is young, but she wasn’t born yesterday you know. She would know we’d check there first, so she probably went off somewhere else too hide out, and I’m guessing Spike is with her as well” Twilight sad as she looked at Rarity, who seemed to be thinking it over.
“Well shouldn’t we look for them?” Rarity asked Twilight as she yawned.
“No, we should wait until morning, then I can use my magic to find them. I can also get the others to help out as well” Twilight said as Rarity agreed with a sigh.
“I suppose, you can sleep here tonight” Rarity said as Twilight smiled and thanked her for the offer.
“Your welcome darling, you can sleep on the spare bed in my room. The bed should be in my closet, just open the door and it’ll pop out” Rarity said as Twilight thanked her friend again and left the room.
“Oh Sweetie Belle, why are you always interfering with my plans?” Rarity said as she turned off the light in the filly’s room, showing her eyes glow green as she closed the door.
The Next Day.....
The sun shone brightly on Twilight as its rays invaded the room through the open window. She smiled, dreaming about her brother and his wife and her in their younger days. Suddenly her dream was interrupted, when she felt her body fall off the bed.
“Augh!” Twilight groaned in shock as she landed on the floor, only to see Rainbow Dash hovering above her.
“Rainbow Dash what the heck did you do that for, and why are you here?” Twilight asked as the cyan pegasus sighed and yawned.
“Rarity called me and the others here, now get up and get downstairs egghead to understand the details” Rainbow Dash said as she smirked, making Twilight groan as they went downstairs.
When Twilight got down there, she noticed Spike and Sweetie Belle's pictures on the table, with her friends surrounding them. As she sat down next to Rarity, she saw Pinkie Pie blush when Rainbow Dash sat next to her. This made Twilight real curious, until Rarity spoke up.
“Well good morning everypony! I brought you all today to ask if you’ve seen or have Sweetie Belle at your home, because you see she left my home late last night without my knowledge” Rarity asked as the mares all looked at each other in confusion.
“I haven’t seen her” Pinkie Pie said first.
“I didn’t see her last night when I was with Big Mac” Fluttershy said as they all looked at her in confusion.
“Fluttershy, why’d you say all that?” Rainbow Dash asked as the yellow pegasus blushed hard and hid her face.
“Uhh slipped my tongue” Fluttershy said as she lowered her voice, as Rarity began to feel frustrated.
“GIRLS! None of you saw my sister?” Rarity asked them, as they all nodded no.
“Well then she must not have gotten far, I’ll just follow her steps with my magic” Twilight said as she casted a spell on the floor, allowing her to trace Sweetie Belle’s steps.
“Rainbow Dash, follow me” Twilight said as they went out the door.
As Twilight and Rainbow walked through town, the traces led them to the Train Station.
“Excuse me sir, have you seen a filly and a baby dragon by any chance?” Twilight asked the conductor as his eyes widened, remembering last night.
“As a matter of a fact, I did! They got off in Hollow Shades, the last stop of the Friendship Branch Express” he said as Twilight’s eyes widened.
“Hollow Shades? Oh my goodness!” Twilight said shocked as she ran back, leaving Rainbow Dash confused.
“Twilight what’s wrong?” Rainbow asked as Twilight looked at her with scared eyes.
“Rainbow Dash, those two are stuck in Hollow Shades! That’s not too far from Foal Mountains!” Twilight told Rainbow Dash frantically as they continued to rush back to the Boutique.
When they reached the Boutique, they rushed through the door and began to pant for breath.
“Twilight what’s the matter?” Applejack asked her as Twilight looked at her in shock.
“SPIKE AND SWEETIE BELLE ARE IN HOLLOW SHADES!” Twilight yelled as everypony stared at her in shock and disbelief.
“They’re WHERE?” Rarity asked Twilight in shock.
“You heard her, Hollow Shades. Though it gets worse, because I hear it’s scheduled to Thunderstorm over there in a little while” Rainbow Dash said as Rarity nearly fainted.
“Oh no this is bad, this is really bad!” Twilight said as she began to pace frantically back and forth.
"Oh no, those two must be really scared out there" Fluttershy said as Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement.
“Calm down everypony, I’ll tell the weather patrol to look out for the two in Hollow Shades now. In the meantime you guys should hop on the train and get over there!” Rainbow Dash said as she ran outside and took to the skies.
“Alright guys, let’s go to Hollow Shades!” Twilight said smiling proudly as they ran to the Train Station, with Spike and Sweetie Belle’s photos in their saddlebags.
Meanwhile to Spike and Sweetie Belle....
“mmm Spike” Sweetie Belle groaned as the sun's rays shined brightly on her head.
“What?” Spike asked as he tried to go back to sleep.
“I think we’re almost in Canterlot” Sweetie Belle said as she rubbed her eyes.
“Really?” Spike asked as he stood up and stretched.
“Yeah, the train is slowing down” Sweetie Belle said as she looked outside, only to see a new Train Station nearby.
“Good! My plan is working” Spike said as he sat back down.
“Um Spike” Sweetie Belle called nervously.
“Well ok, it was kind of your plan too I suppose Sweetie” Spike said smiling.
“Spike?” Sweetie Belle called again, this time more frantic.
“Though it was more my plan, since I tricked the Conductor” Spike said as he began to snicker, remembering last night.
“SPIKE!” Sweetie Belle yelled, getting his attention.
“What’s wrong Sweetie Belle?” Spike asked as he noticed her trembling in fear.
“Spike we’re not in Canterlot, we’re in Hollow Shades!” Sweetie Belle said freaking out as they neared the station with a sign saying 'Welcome To Hollow shades!'.
“Oh look you two are awake! Guess Princess Celestia won’t be pleased when she finds out you two aren’t coming” The conductor said smiling as he looked at the two.
“Hey man you mind taking us back to PonyVille?” spike asked as the Conductor laughed.
“Yes I do mind! Unless you got extra tickets?” he asked as he pulled out his hole puncher.
“No we don’t have extra tickets! Though c’mon help us out” Spike asked as the Conductor frowned and opened the door.
“No way amigo, you thought you could get away with tricking me?” he said as he dropped them outside the door and onto the platform, and put 15 bits in Sweetie Belle’s bag.
“That should hold you two liars off, see you later!” the Conductor said waving as the train pulled out, leaving Spike and Sweetie Belle on the platform.
“Stupid Conductor, c’mon Sweetie Belle lets go find somewhere to stay” Spike said as Sweetie Belle sniffled and whimpered.
“Sweetie Belle, are you ok?” Spike asked as they walked out the Train Station.
“No Spike I’m not ok! I was stupid enough to believe this dumb plan would work, and now we’re stuck in Hollow Shades, a place I have never even HEARD OF! I’m scared, starving, and hurt at the same time. You said nothing bad would happen, and now look!” Sweetie Belle said angrily as they looked around the small town.
“I know I messed up Sweetie Belle, and I’m sorry ok? Though did you forget the other part? I told you if something bad were to happen, I’d protect you from harm’s way. All I need you to do is trust me” Spike said as he looked into her eyes and kissed her hoof, making her smile and look away.
“Ugh fine, I trust you” Sweetie Belle muttered as he kissed her cheek and hugged her.
“Good! Now let’s go find someplace to eat” Spike said as they passed some strange looking houses.
As they walked through the small village, Spike noticed a lot of Zebra presence in the area. He stopped one to ask for somewhere to eat.
“Excuse me sir, but you know somewhere to eat some breakfast?” Spike asked the zebra, who replied in rhyme just like Zecora.
“My my my is that a baby dragon and pony I see? Well my fair dragon the eating grounds is right here, beside me” the zebra rhymed as he pointed to the large hut on his right.
“Thanks for the help!” Spike said as the zebra smiled and left, leaving Spike and Sweetie Belle to go to the hut.
“He rhymed just like Zecora” Sweetie Belle said as they neared the hut.
“Yeah, I guess most zebras do” Spike said as they walked inside, only to see a large amount of Zebras in here as well.
As the two got an open booth at the back, a zebra came to take their order.
“I’d like waffles with blueberry in them, with some grape juice please” Sweetie Belle asked kindly.
“Just some toast, with jelly on it!” Spike asked as the zebra rolled her eyes at him and left to get their order prepared.
"What's her problem?" Spike asked his fillyfriend as she sighed, then began to laugh.
"You didn't say please to her when you ordered ding dong" Sweetie Belle said snickering.
"Oh.." Spike said as Sweetie Belle broke out into more fits of laughter, with Spike soon joining her.
Suddenly, two zebras came up to them who looked pretty rough and cold looking.
“Listen up half pints, we don’t take kindly to your kind here” one of them told Sweetie Belle angrily.
“Yeah, so once you’re done eating here, you two best skidaddle outta here and back to PonyVille where you BELONG!” the other one said angrily as he got up in Spike’s face.
“Hey! You two bullies better back off, or else I’ll have to call the cops” Zecora said smirking as he two backed off of Spike and Sweetie Belle.
“Aw Whatever Zecora, you pony lover!” The two complained as they left the hut.
“Zecora! What are you doing here?” Sweetie Belle asked as Zecora smiled and hugged the filly.
“I could ask you two the same, for two young ‘uns here is very strange” Zecora asked as Sweetie Belle blushed.
“I’m looking for an artifact, one that will lead me to a forgotten Alicorn from the past” Zecora said as Spike looked at her confused.
“Forgotten Alicorn? There’s more than just Celestia, Luna, and Cadance?” Spike asked the zebra, who nodded yes.
“Alicorns are an ancient race, nearly extinct by Discord’s reign” Zecora said as their food came.
“Now enough on my pursuits, explain to me why its just you two here alone, without an adult to watch you?” Zecora asked as Spike and Sweetie Belle looked at each other, hoping the other would have an answer.
“Are you two on the run? If you are I’ll let you stay with me, I won’t ruin your fun” Zecora said as the two smiled brightly, and finished their breakfast in a flash.
“Oh thank you Zecora, you always understand us!” Sweetie Belle said as she hugged the zebra tight.
“I’ll call Twilight later and tell her the news, but for now you two are gonna help me find some clues!” Zecora said as they left the bits on the table and left the hut, in pursuit of the ‘missing’ Alicorn.
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Author’s Note: Man that was long! I did it because its your birthday today mindless brotaku! Hope this is a good present brother, and hope you all wish him a happy birthday :). I hope you all liked this chapter, and will like, favorite and comment please! We’re nearing the end of this book, so be prepared for the shocking conclusion! Forgive me if this has some errors, I’m the only one proof-reading. I do not know if Shallow Shades really is a Zebra populated area, I just did it for the story, so don't ask how do I know ok please, just enjoy the story. Again Happy Birthday buddy, and hope you have many more! Until later my friends!
*Story coincides with How To Save A Life?*