In the midst of their camp, the Pride had picked up their training activities, sharpened weapons, and keeping their stamina and strength up. Leandra kept a watchful eye on all of them like a hawk and carried a whip with hooks, sharp metal, and bone.
“Get yourselves in shape!” she bellowed, “We need to be in top form if we’re going to take that city called Canterlot!”
She growled in determination, gazing around at the lions punching bags, fighting one another, jogging in place, stretching and making sure their voices for their roars will be in top form.
“I better not catch you slacking off!” she shouted, “Two more fools had to be put to death! Traitors! Get moving!”
She heaved as she continued to stomp around the camp, making sure they’re all in shape. As she did so, Amra stepped next to her.
“Are things on track?” he asked.
“Looks like it at the moment, but one mess up and it’s curtains for them,” replied Leandra.
“Maybe hold off on that until after the invasion,” said Amra, “I spoke to the King earlier and he told me to let you know.”
Leandra huffed, “Fine. King’s orders.”
“And I heard the vultures helped the stakeout find some caves under the city of Canterlot, I believe?” Amra brushed his mane.
“Yes,” Leandra smirked, “Foolish ponies didn’t even seal it off.”
“I guess most don’t know that they even exist anymore.”
“Foolish to forget about things like that, it can lead to real trouble mostly undetected until it’s too late,” Leandra snickered.
“The King will be well pleased,” said Amra, gazing around the camp and making sure everylion is doing their part.
“We’ll be ready to head out in several hours,” said Leandra, “We need the darkness to make sure nopony suspects us coming.”
“And I was going to tell you that,” Amra smiled, “You pick up things wonderfully.”
Leandra puffed her chest out in pride, “It’s what I’ve been trained for by you.” Amra nodded and nuzzled her before they turned their attention back to the pride.
Meanwhile, in the middle of one of Equestria's many forests, Mystic examined a free map of Equestria she’d picked up, she compared it with what was written down on the paper. She furrowed her brow, writing down the landmarks from the map onto the piece of paper while trying to keep the main path intact.
When she finished, she deterred they were about fifty miles or so from Canterlot roughly in Northern Equestria. Looking up at the sun, it’s the middle of the afternoon and she knew she had to get moving now.
She placed the map back into her satchel, briefly catching a glimpse of her machete and a couple of knives she’d managed to retrieve earlier.
“Darn, I wish that castle had a map itself,” she said, “It was almost like a maze in there.” It’d taken a bit longer than what she wanted to get her trusty machete and knives back but it was so worth it. She really missed them.
“All right, time to go,” she told herself. She bolted through the trees and made sure to avoid thicker woods because she’s certain lions wouldn’t be in too thick of woods due to how large and how many there might be.
She made a mental note to create some more healing potions, fiery potions and whatever else she’d lost during the alpha’s attack. She continued on her journey.
As they came to the meeting place, Hong ordered his drivers to head down to a small opening in the forest below. They were mostly silent after their first meeting with the general. When they got lower to the ground, Hong’s soldiers came into view, discussing what to do, there were about eighty of them. Then Flash Magnus, one of the Pillars of Old Equestria, came into view with his squad of fifty soldiers.
“It looks like everypony’s arrived,” said Hong, “That’s good, we need to move ASAP.”
“Will do, general!” Rainbow saluted, causing Hong to smirk and nod at her.
The chariot lowered onto the ground and Hong’s men straightened up at attention. The Canterlot squad did the same. When he stepped out, they saluted.
“At ease, everypony,” said Hong, “I can see all of you arrived just as scheduled.”
“Yes sir!” his soldiers shouted.
“I know I’ve been rough lately, but I want to end this threat for both our land’s sakes. Do all of you?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Good. Now captain Lei, let’s have a brief meeting to discuss our game plan.”
“Yes sir!” Lei shouted (the buffy brown unicorn).
As Hong went over to discuss the plan, Rainbow went over to Flash Magnus.
“Hey Flash!” she greeted.
“Hey, Dash!” Flash greeted back, they hoofbumped, “Fancy seeing you here!”
“You know me, when there’s evil ready to get its butt kicked, you always find me and my friends beating it down before lunch!” Rainbow proclaimed happily.
Flash laughed, “Well, I’m glad to see you.” He turned to look at the others, “All of you as well!”
“Likewise,” replied Rarity, “You look rather dashing for the fight ahead.”
Flash smirked proudly, “I always am and always will be ready to fight.”
“Hey Flash,” said Twilight, feeling a little awkward talking to another pony named Flash, “We need some help while we’re on this mission.”
“Of course, my troops and I gotcha covered.”
“What I mean is that we’re looking for a pony who’s run off after the lions to handle them herself,” Twilight explained.
Flash’s eyes widened, “What?! She sounds crazy!”
“Not too crazy,” said Rarity, “She sounds like a rather tough fighter.”
“She fought off an alpha timberwolf and its pack away,” said Applejack.
"You're kidding!" Flash gasped.
“Eenope,” Applejack shook her head, “She’s a real kicker.”
Flash formed a determined look, “Wherever she is, I assure you, I will help you find her.”
“Thanks, Flash Magnus,” Twilight said in a relieved tone, “Stay strong while we’re out there.”
“I always am,” Flash stated with a smug look.
Twilight giggled at his ego, yet he had a good heart. She turned back to her friends and saw Pinkie looking at Hong and his men.
“Soooo,” she said, “What do you think of them?”
Twilight looked over at Hong and his soldiers, “I’m not sure. He seems like a dependable, honorable general.” She heard Hong shouting something and he did have a bit of a crazed look in his eyes, “But I’m not sure about him overall. We only just met him.”
“Regardless, we need to work together with him,” said Applejack.
“Speaking of which,” said Pinkie.
Hong was heading over to the Mane Six, calming down and taking a deep breath in.
“Troops can be a little complicated at times,” he said.
“Everything okay?” Twilight asked.
“Sure, sure,” he huffed, “I’m just wanting this to end.” He looked at her and her friends, “Are you and your friends ready?”
“Yes sir!” said Rainbow.
“Well, let’s get moving,” replied Hong.
“Wait, what about discussing the plan with us?” Twilight asked.
“We’re just going to move hard and fast. When we get close enough, we’ll make sure not to alarm them before we make our move. Then we’ll make some noise and attack,” Hong simply explained.
“Uhh...”
Hong quickly turned around, “Good, I hope you understand. Be ready to go in two minutes.”
Twilight was left a bit baffled. Shouldn’t a general’s game plan be clear to a princess such as herself? Sure, she wasn’t a princess like Celestia and Luna but she still had some authority over soldiers and captains (even when she doesn’t use them often). Other nations should respect the authorities too, the species of the other kingdoms captains and guards did.
“Is it me, or does he seem a little coo-coo?” Pinkie asked.
Twilight shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts, “Pinkie, don’t talk about the General like that. I’m sure we’ll all understand the plan.”
“How?” Rainbow simply asked, causing Twilight’s mind to go blank.
“We’ll know,” she said, not really thinking. She trotted forward while her friends gave each other uncertain looks.
She has traveled roughly fifteen miles and the sun’s a little lower in the sky since she began. It’d be sunset soon, so she really had to move. She’s in somewhat thick cover now but has seen little sign of the lions. But that didn’t deter her.
Down at the bottom of a hill, she caught a glimpse of a firepit. Eyes shining with interest, she carefully made her way over.
Jumping down off a ledge, she landed firmly onto some mud where there’s a camp. Or, what remained of one.
Some sticks were in the ground as if they were used to make tents, a firepit with ashes filling it.
The smell of rotting flesh hit Mystic’s nose, causing her to gag. Gazing around with a wary look, pulling out her machete with her magic, she gazed around.
She had to ignore the powerful smell. She saw some bones scattered around that had been there for a while. Walking in the direction she’d been going, she saw giant pawprints.
Mystic smirked and knelt down to examine them. Looking in the direction it’s heading, she saw some more trees but a little more spaced out, there were some clearings, and there seemed to be some rocky hills off in the distance.
She stood up and took off in the direction the tracks are heading, she kept a sharp eye out because lions can pounce out of nowhere due to how good of hunters they are.
They had been going quiet, stealthy and fast for the first fifty miles but then they’re slowing down to make sure that they’re not spotted by lookouts. Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack are in Hong’s chariot again as the fliers flew separated from one another to keep an eye out. The Canterlot squad and Hong’s squad were in their own formations and separate ready to follow orders at any time.
Rarity had noticed Hong has been talking to himself more often than the normal pony, he’s whispered things like “The plan,” “We got this,” “It’s all clear,” “I’ve got my eye on...” that last part trailed off. Rarity raised a curious eyebrow, who was he talking about? He seemed to have somewhat of a crazed look in his eye as he looked around, still whispering stuff to himself. He gave her a bad vibe.
The white unicorn noticed Pinkie and Applejack didn’t seem to notice as they gazed out looking for threats or suspicious activities. Turning her gaze to Twilight, the thought of what was happening with the School crossed her mind again. A lot’s been happening lately and Rarity hopes things slow down soon to give Twilight a break. As well as everypony else, but mostly Twilight. Maybe she’ll treat Twilight to a spa visit or eat at her favorite hayburger restaurant.
“Hey, I see something below!” Applejack suddenly said, causing Hong to turn his head, “It looks like a camp!”
The General looked where Applejack was pointing and he saw the remains of what looked like a camp that had bones and a firepit that had ashes in it.
“Take us below!” he ordered his drivers, “All soldiers hold your positions!”
“Hold positions!” Flash ordered.
The pegasi pulled Hong’s chariots down to the earth while Twilight and her friends flying with her followed as well. While they did so, Rarity heard Twilight gasp.
“What is it?” Rainbow asked.
“I saw her! The pony we’re looking for!” Twilight announced.
“You saw her?” Hong asked as the chariot landed.
“Yes!”
“I’ll send my troops out, and...”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got this, General!” Twilight assured him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Okay, be back here as soon as you find her.”
Twilight nodded Rarity watched her fly off. She looked at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, they gave knowing nods and followed suit. Rarity galloped off after them followed by Applejack and Pinkie, and Rarity followed their flying friends.
Mystic climbed a couple of rocky hills and has found herself in rougher terrain than in the forest. She suspects the lions traveled through here to avoid leaving behind any signs, but they didn’t do a good enough job cleaning up that campsite. Sure, at first glance it might look like some other creature had been there, but the pawprints they left were a giveaway if anypony with knowledge about tracks came across them.
“This terrain’s not really that much trouble,” she said to herself.
Continuing on, she deterred to get to a vantage point to look and see what the landscape looked like going forward. Then-
“Found ya!” a familiar voice shouted.
Mystic loudly yelped. She took her machete out of its sheath and whirled around with a look to kill. But her look was immediately replaced with complete surprise when she saw Rainbow hovering above her. She took some steps back.
“What the?!” Mystic shouted, “You... what’re you doing here?!”
“I could ask you the same thing!” replied Rainbow.
“Get lost!”
Mystic began running again but she was cut off when Rainbow landed right in front of her. Mystic tried to jump over the pegasus, but Rainbow grabbed her and they tumbled around on the ground while Mystic dropped her machete and they rolled along down a small hill until they stopped. Mystic pushed Rainbow off her, about to fight her off again...
“Oh, thank goodness Rainbow found her!” said a familiar voice that caused Mystic’s eyes to widen again. She turned and saw Fluttershy landing softly on the ground followed by Twilight.
“And you just had to stupidly follow me,” muttered Mystic.
“Mystic! What in the world are you doing out here?” Twilight asked with a stern expression.
“I’m here to handle what I came to do in the first place! I didn’t need you ponies following me!” Mystic said, glaring, she looked at Fluttershy, “And you, I didn’t want you following me into this mess!”
“Excuse me,” Fluttershy said in a stern tone, “While I appreciate your concern over me...I-”
“But nothing!” Mystic stomped her hoof, “I’m getting out of here!”
She turned to leave and grab her machete but Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity showed up alongside Flash.
“Wheeee! We found Mystic!” Pinkie cheered.
Mystic noticed Flash, “Who’s he?! Did you get the national guard to find me?! Did that shopkeeper make it that big of a deal?”
“No,” said Twilight, “We got word from the Princess that there were lions here in Equestria, and that they’d went to another land, injuring ponies.”
“And I think you probably knew of them and didn’t say a word!” Rainbow accused, pointing at her.
“Can it, slowpoke!” Mystic scolded.
“What?!”
“Rainbow!” Applejack shouted, “Let us handle this!”
Mystic groaned loudly. “You idiots should’ve just stayed out of this! This is my business!”
“Now hold on there, Mystic,” Applejack said sternly, she took a few steps towards her, “We’ve been in situations lots of times before, and this here ain’t no different.”
“Sure, be the big heroes like you imply to be.”
“We are!” Rainbow insisted.
“Rainbow! Shut it!” Applejack shouted.
“I’m sure we can work things out if we just calm down here,” said Twilight.
“Not with an egotistical pegasus nearby,” Mystic muttered.
“Mystic,” said Fluttershy, causing the unicorn to look at her, “We know you believe you have to handle this alone, but you should’ve told us about this.”
Mystic let out a dry laugh, “Seriously?! After I had my pride shattered by a blowhard pegasus and forced to pay off a loan?”
“We didn’t want to, but you didn’t cooperate to make things easier. Without your story, we just did what seemed appropriate.”
“Yeah, right.”
“And not to mention she really is a thief like I thought she was!” Rainbow said, causing Applejack to shout at her again.
Mystic glared at Rainbow, “I’m not a thief! I just retrieved what was mine that I had lost during that scuffle!”
“Mystic, you can trust us,” Twilight said softly, “Do you know something of the lions?”
“I don’t have...”
“But nothing. You’re trying to avoid answering us when we just clearly want to help out. You cannot just shut us out and expect to solve things on your own,” said Twilight, causing Mystic’s right eye to twitch.
“It’s not easy to rely on anypony or anycreature out there, Princess,” she said, holding her ground.
“Just because you don’t trust anycreature, doesn’t mean you can’t let some help you fight a common enemy.”
Mystic scoffed and rolled her eyes.
Twilight raised her hoof to lecture again, but before she could do so, Mystic saw some of Hong’s pegasi flying. Her eyes widened as she let out an involuntary gasp. She ran over to the edge and watched them as they searched the rugged hills.
“Mystic?” Rarity asked.
Mystic didn’t move for what seemed like a few minutes.
No... No it can’t be! Her heart thudded, her blood turned into ice. He can’t be here!
She turned back to the Mane Six.
“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Who are those soldiers?” Mystic asked her voice barely over a whisper. I can’t be brought back!
“Uhhhh...”
“Who are those soldiers?!” Mystic demanded, her look hardening.
“They’re from a city called Imperial City...” Twilight squeaked out.
Mystic’s eyes widened again. Anger bubbled in her chest, replacing her fear.
“Who is the general? Who’s in charge?!”
“Hong,” said Applejack, causing Mystic to become even more horrified and angry, “Why?”
“Get out of my way!” Mystic roared.
The ponies jumped at her voice, and she ran past them to grab her machete. Thinking quickly, the ponies followed her as she placed her machete in its sheath.
“Mystic,” said Twilight, “What’s going...”
“You brought Hong here?!” Mystic roared, as she turned to then with absolute fury in her eyes, “After you said I could trust you?!”
Twilight took a step back, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
“You tracked me down so he could find me?!”
“Mystic!” Fluttershy shouted.
“No! I am done with all of you!” Mystic shouted, she turned to her left, “I cannot believe you tried to butter me up with all of your antics!”
She began running off again, causing everypony to go after her.
“Go away!” Mystic shouted as she continued on.
“We were told to meet with him! He is after the lions too!” Applejack shouted.
“Yeah right! He’s just a truly evil pony! And you decided to co-inspire with him!”
“We just met the stallion!” Rarity cried out as they came upon steeper territory.
“Mystic! Stop running!” Fluttershy cried.
“No! I want to be away from all of you! And that maniac!”
Rainbow flew right alongside her, “What’s the big deal? You...”
“What’s the big deal?!” Mystic shouted, “You don’t need to know!” She magically grabbed Rainbow and slammed her to the ground before sliding down a hill with the others following her as Flash helped Rainbow up.
“Mystic, please!” Fluttershy cried out, causing Mystic to cringe out of slight regret, “Let’s talk this over!”
“I can’t!”
“Mystic, please, we want to help!” Twilight protested.
“I thought for a little bit there might’ve been something different with you ponies! Apparently not!” Mystic said as she jumped over a gaping hole. Her pursuers managed to get around it without issue as Mystic climbed a rocky hill, some rocks tumbling down as she did so.
“What’s so bad about Hong?” Rarity asked.
“Are you scared of him?” Applejack asked.
“Not scared! Just want distance!” Mystic jumped to the other side of a crack on the top of the hill and began sliding down with a large rock. She firmed her hooves and let gravity take her down. Soon, Pinkie slid up beside her on her own rock.
“Wow, you’re fast,” Pinkie said with a small smile, causing Mystic’s eyes to widen at the sight of her, “Seriously, we can all work this out and help you smile!”
“I doubt I’ll be smiling anytime soon!”
Pinkie gasped, “What?! You have to smile! It’s a real joy!”
“More like a curse at times!”
Pinkie gasped louder before they made it to the bottom of the rocky hill. Mystic jumped off her rock and continued on.
Twilight was able to catch up to Mystic, “Mystic, we’ll make sure Hong doesn’t do anything to you.”
“Like I can believe that now!” Mystic ran faster.
“I insist! We just met with him to deal with the lions! We didn’t know you’d known him or if he had anything to do with you! Whatever that might be!”
Mystic didn’t reply but just kept running.
“Please open up to us, Mystic!” Twilight shouted, “We need communication!”
“I rather think I can handle my situations myself!”
“Mystic!”
“Thanks, but no thanks!” Mystic kept running.
“Mystic!”
“Leave me be, princess!”
“Come on, somepony catch her!” Rainbow shouted.
“Don’t try to do that!” Twilight ordered.
“Applejack, use your lasso!”
“No!” Twilight shouted, “She needs to stop on her own!”
“That’s not gonna happen!” Mystic shouted.
“Mystic, we’re not trying to catch you! We’re wanting to talk things over with you!” said Fluttershy, speeding up.
“Yeah, and why would we just find you and not turn you into Hong right away?” asked Applejack.
“For the reasons I mentioned!”
“Please stop running! I thought you had warmed up to me!” said Fluttershy, causing Mystic to feel another tug at her heartstrings.
“She just took advantage!” said Rainbow, “That was just cruel of her!”
“You don’t know that for sure!” Fluttershy glared at Rainbow before she got alongside Mystic, “Please...I’m begging you please stop.”
Mystic huffed, feeling annoyed, angry, and another tug at her heart.
Letting out a shout and closing her eyes tight, she screeched to a stop. The others screeched to a stop while Rainbow crashed into a rock sticking out of the ground. They turned to face the unicorn, she huffed as she glanced around, looking for signs of the soldiers.
“Thank you,” Fluttershy said softly.
Mystic furrowed her eyebrows, her eyes still holding some of their fury and distrust.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Like we said, we just want to talk,” said Twilight, taking a step forward.
Mystic took a step back, “I have my eyes on you. Don’t try anything.”
“We won’t,” Twilight assured her as Rainbow got alongside her, rubbing her muzzle.
“Your rainbow one was talking of lassoing me,” Mystic pointed at her.
“Which we weren’t gonna do,” Applejack said, then turned to glare at Rainbow.
Rainbow shot her hooves up in defense, “Hey, she didn’t seem like she was gonna stop!”
“There weren’t a reason to do that as of that moment!” said Applejack, “And we’d figure something else out other than that!”
Rainbow growled, causing Applejack to growl back as well.
“Okay, you two, that’s enough,” said Rarity, stepping between the two, “Clearly, we’ve got more problems than debating this.”
“I don’t know if I should waste more time like this,” said Mystic, “I...”
“You don’t have to face them alone,” said Twilight.
“I think I do,” Mystic looked away with a glare.
“Mystic,” said Fluttershy, “You can trust us. We’ve shown you kindness and friendship.” She glanced at Rainbow, “Most of us anyway, and tried to form a connection with you.”
“She’s right,” said Pinkie in a genuine tone, which Mystic didn’t expect from an energetic pony, “You might’ve gotten a rocky start with us but we do want to see you smiling and having lots of friends.”
“I agree,” said Twilight, “We’re just ponies like anypony else, we’re not too important for anypony.”
Mystic seemed a little surprised at that, “Why?”
“Because friendship gives you that kind of mindset when you embrace it and stick with it. Believe me, I know.”
Applejack nodded, “Trust me, she does an’ Ah’m the most honest of the group. And if you can’t trust ponies who’ve shown you kindness like we did probably out of a whole world of ponies, who else can you trust with yer issues now?”
Mystic didn’t reply. She just looked at the ponies, still suspicious but her look has softened some. Her heart began slowing down as she continued to look at them.
“Why did you just run off like that?” Twilight asked softly.
Mystic gained a look of uncertainty, not sure how to tell them what she knows.
“We need to communicate, Mystic,” said Fluttershy. “Please...” Mystic looked over at Fluttershy, the shy pegasus’ eyes pleading, “Can you please tell us?”
Mystic blinked and began thinking. Could they just be buttering her up? Could that be for her to get her to Hong? They did seem genuine when crying out to her about just meeting with him about the lions. Looking around at the ponies that surrounded her. She did sense something about them, but she did have the doubts as she always did.
“Mystic,” said Twilight, “We’re not here to get you in trouble. We’re here to help you, and as close friends, we want to reach out to you too.”
“Why?” Mystic asked softly.
“Because we care about everypony, even those who’re shaken up.”
Taking one last glance around her, Mystic thought some more and finally, she sighed.
“Fine... I’ll tell you what I know,” she said.
Twilight and her friends felt as if a weight was lifted off their chests as Mystic took a deep breath in.
“What do you want to know?” Mystic asked.
“First,” said Fluttershy, “What did you retrieve from the antique shop?”
Sighing, Mystic pulled out the map and the lion medallion. Some of the ponies in the herd lightly gasped while Twilight looked at it with wide eyes. She magically levitated them over to Twilight.
“Those are what I retrieved,” said Mystic.
“Did you lose those in the Alpha’s attack?” asked Fluttershy.
“Yes...” said Mystic, causing Fluttershy to widen her eyes as the unicorn continued, “Before that, I was in my hut one night during a storm and I heard something outside.”
“What was it?” Twilight asked.
“I didn’t see it fully then. But after I fought it off, it dropped those two items I brought with me,” Mystic explained as Twilight unfolded the map.
The alicorn’s eyes widened, “This looks like a place to meet.”
“I figured that out, too,” said Mystic, “I had heard of lions but never seen one. I wanted to go out and find whoever decided to cross my path and make sure there wasn’t trouble.” She sighed, “Apparently, there was and still is.”
“Did you think you could handle a pride of lions by yerself?” Applejack asked.
Mystic felt a tinge of anger, her pride slightly damaged, “I know how to leverage things to my advantage. I would’ve figured something out.”
Applejack looked to want to say something else, but a look from Twilight silenced her.
“Did you find anything else?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’ve seen tracks in various locations going all over the place from some placees called Appleloosa and Las Pegasus,” Mystic explained, “I think...”
“That they’ve been scouting our land,” Twilight eyes widened with realization.
Mystic nodded, “It was hard to deter where they were heading due to how far and scattered the tracks were. With them being there a while, I couldn’t tell which ones were fresher.”
“Wait,” Rarity realized, “The wild beast you said you fought in Ponyville. Was it a lion?”
A slow nod from Mystic confirmed this, and Rarity gasped.
“Ah can’t believe it!” Applejack said with wide eyes.
“But did you steal some produce before you tried to leave?” Pinkie asked.
Mystic rolled her eyes, “Yes. And if you believe Skittle Head, ponies saw me taking them.”
Rainbow nodded, “But is there anything else you need to share?”
“Nothing more.”
Twilight and most of her friends got closer to Mystic. The unicorn kept her eyes on them as Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulder.
“We’ll deal with them together,” she said, “We have a common enemy, don’t we?”
Mystic sighed, “I-I guess we do.” She looked Twilight in the eye, “Don’t try to treat me as some celebrity or hero though. I just want to find and stop them.”
“We won’t treat you that way,” Twilight assured her.
“What about Hong?” Fluttershy asked, causing Mystic to tense up and widen her eyes again. She growled and stepped away from the group of friends, she kicked a stone, causing it to tumble down the cliff.
“That pony isn’t what he seems,” she said angrily, getting a feeling in her gut to tell a story while keeping most of what really happened a secret.
“He seems like a good general,” said Rainbow.
Mystic whirled around glaring daggers at Rainbow. “Seems is the key word! He’s a crazy pony, out to lash out at others and use his soldiers for his own gain!”
“What do you mean?” Pinkie asked.
“I mean,” Mystic sighed, pausing to try to control herself, They cannot know about my amnesia or the ponies I once knew... She scowled, “Try traveling, minding your own business and all of a sudden a general seizes you not even entering his domain!” The group’s eyes widened.
“He forced me into prison! I tried to get away but he, his soldiers and the leader of Imperial City wouldn’t have it!” Mystic stomped on the ground in anger, now in full force of her made up story.
“What did he do?” asked Fluttershy.
“Nothing nice! He woke me up all the time before the crack of dawn in a jail cell so I’d do some hard, backbreaking work! There weren’t any breaks either and meals were cruddy!”
“Didn’t you steal things too?” asked Rainbow.
“I did steal some food whilst on the way to the next destination, but I didn’t want to,” Mystic glared, more upset than angry, “You try living in a cell with nothing but rocks to break up, wagons to pull, repairs to the city the prisoners had to work on and some died while doing so.” The Mane Six and Flash’s eyes widened in horror, and Mystic felt a jab at her heart when she got to the next part of her lie.
“My parents have had rough times with him back in my youth, but now clumsy naïve me had to wander a little too close for him to get me!” She huffed, sitting on the ground, her eyes showing pain and anger, “They tried bailing me out, but he accused me of crimes I didn’t even commit, from murder to vandalism, to kidnapping and seemingly providing solid evidence for it all. I couldn’t get away.” She sighed, blinking back tears, “I did see my parents for a while but later I didn’t see them again.”
Fluttershy held her hooves up to her mouth in horror as she blinked tears back, the others, including Rainbow, have looks of shock and some had sympathy for Mystic.
“How did you get out?” Flash asked.
“I worked a tunnel under my cell since I got there,” Mystic explained, “After a year or so I managed to get away and move far from him and that city.” She looked up at Twilight with sad eyes, and lips slightly trembling, “You’ve got to keep me away from him! He’s a mad pony!”
Twilight rushed to Mystic and wrapped her forelegs around her calmly yet protectively. There weren’t any needs for any words, Twilight made her gesture clear. Fluttershy did the same as Twilight and rubbed Mystic’s withers. Mystic saw the others, except Rainbow, look at her with sympathy.
Mystic stood up, calming down some, she began breathing in order to calm down as Twilight and Fluttershy stood up.
“I...” said Mystic, but then she got an idea, “If Hong’s here, maybe you can get me disguised or something.”
Twilight rubbed her chin, thinking about it. Rainbow was about to say something but kept her mouth shut.
“And...” Mystic started, thinking of a way to keep herself safe, “I-I was thinking maybe we could b-b-be...uh...fr...”
“Did you find her?” said a masculine voice. Mystic’s blood ran cold as she tensed up, disregarding her desperate question. Hong wasn’t more than ten feet away. When Mystic saw his face, it was almost as if she were seeing a demon. Mystic hid behind Twilight and Fluttershy, a look of horror in her eyes, but she did try to calm herself down.
“General Hong,” Twilight said in a little fast tone, “You found us?”
“Not so hard when you hear shouting and rocks tumbling,” replied Hong, his look neutral.
“Oh, that,” Twilight chuckled awkwardly, “Yeah, things got a little eventful.”
As Twilight talked with the general, Fluttershy rubbed Mystic’s shoulder and gently calmed her down with her soft hoof. Knowing she will be seen or probably has already been seen, she closed her eyes tight and stepped a little out of cover. Hong didn’t even look at her yet as he talked with Twilight.
“-and that’s all what happened, really,” Twilight finished explaining.
“I wish you’d found and caught up to her sooner,” said Hong. He looked over at Mystic. The young mare expected Hong to react in some way, but he didn’t, he just kept his neutral look, “Ah, so you’re the one they needed to find?”
Mystic didn’t reply but formed an on-guard look, her eyes a little wide in fear and ready for anything.
“Yes,” said Twilight, “She’s just a wanderer and needed to come back and deal with some friendship lessons back at the School.”
“She ran off because of friendship lessons?” Hong raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, no! She just took a detour while on an errand and got a little lost!”
“Seems like an awful long way to come for an errand.”
“Well, it’s just...” Twilight paused, “She’s a pony we’re trying to teach and she kinda gets a liiiiittle crazy.”
“Yeah, we’re not buying it,” Hong’s look hardened. “Because that pony there, that you’re protecting, is a wanted criminal in Imperial City.”
“Wait, what?” Rainbow cried.
“We’ve been looking for her for years,” replied Hong.
“I’m sure that I’m not such a criminal,” Mystic spoke up.
“I have a good memory on who’s a criminal and who isn’t,” said Hong, “This criminal is wanted for theft, vandalism, arson, and worst of all, murder.”
Mystic’s eyes widened in horror, she shot Twilight a pleading look before looking back at Hong.
“M-Murder?” Fluttershy squeaked out.
“Yes,” said Hong, “Several actually.” He looked at Twilight, “I think it’s best if I took her in for questioning.”
Mystic was about to object, but then Twilight stepped in front of her.
“Hold on,” she said. “We can work something out. I’ll clear this matter up and...”
“And nothing,” Hong said with a stern look, “We can’t have somepony like this in the way.”
“I can handle myself out here,” said Mystic.
“Can you now? Going out on a dangerous mission alone?” Hong asked, “Seems rather foolish if you asked me.”
Mystic held back a growl, “I work things to my advantage.”
“Look,” said Applejack, “We’re defenders of this land and bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and we’ve been able to handle Mystic for all the time she’s been here.”
“That’s right,” said Rarity, “As hard as she might be in terms of personality, she hasn’t been much of an issue.”
Wait what? Mystic paused, completely taken aback. What did they just say?!
“Even if you are handling her, you don’t know her well,” said Hong. “I on the other hoof, do.”
“I insist! I don’t know who you are!” Mystic shouted in defense.
“I’m not taking any chances with that.”
“Wait!” Twilight cried. Hong looked at her, “I’m the Princess of Friendship and I have a connection with Princess Celestia. She and I can discuss this matter with you.”
“Twilight, are you defending a potentially dangerous criminal?” Hong growled.
“What I’m seeing is that there isn’t any real evidence and if there is, we need it to go before the court and Celestia. I myself will take full responsibility for Mystic,” Twilight assured him, this caused Mystic’s and Hong’s eyes to widen.
“Princess, you’re imposing on what is Imperial City’s business. We always tie up loose ends and make sure none come undone.”
“What I’m really imposing on is something that concerns us and you as well. Mystic arrived here in our territory and has since become our business, so I think we should handle her in our way and discuss this like the political leaders we’re supposed to be.”
Mystic watched her in amazement as she stood up to Hong. The general and alicorn Hong and Twilight both had hard glares with one another, both of their eyes narrowed.
Hong sighed, “Fine. But I don’t want your criminal friend attacking any lions. She’ll stay behind.”
“Deal,” said Twilight, “But she’ll stay with our Canterlot squad until we sort this out after this mission.”
Pft, as if I’ll follow through! Mystic thought, not wanting Hong to stop her now.
Hong snorted and began walking off, “Come on, we’ve wasted enough time.” His troops followed him as Fluttershy draped a wing over Mystic’s back.
“Wow, Twilight,” said Applejack, “Way to take charge of the situation.”
“Only temporary,” said Twilight, she looked at Mystic, “I do believe you, but as leaders and political figures, we have to discuss things like this.”
Mystic shook her head, still surprised of what Twilight did, “I just wish you can smash them with a hammer or something and be done with it.”
“That’d make things a little complicated, Mystic.”
Mystic rolled her eyes, “Still...” She paused, swallowing her pride, “I’m grateful for what you did.” She sighed, “Even if it was just temporary.”
“We’ll see what comes next,” said Twilight.
“I don’t want anywhere near him. I won’t ride in a carriage with him,” Mystic asserted.
“Don’t worry, you’ll fly with me,” Flash smiled, “I can carry you.”
Mystic looked at him, “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Flash assured her, “I told these brave ponies I’d help them find you and I’m going to carry you to the destination.”
“Okay,” said Mystic, taking a look at Hong and glared at him.