//------------------------------// // Chapter 31: The Second Distraction // Story: Realm of the Lost // by Orsuros //------------------------------// “Once we get in, we trample the mushroom fields and get out once we attract too much attention.” Yona nodded and stepped on a bush that was in their way. “It will be just like helping Grandma plow the fields. Yona was always the best at that.” “I should learn more about your family. You already met mine, but now’s probably not the best time for talking about that. We’re supposed to be sneaking in.” Sandbar’s ears swiveled in the cute way that pony ears always did. His ears fixed on something he heard. Yona stood behind a large tree and peeked around the side. Some changelings were standing near a tunnel, but they had left their posts and were heading toward her and Sandbar. “Changelings coming soon. Should we hide?” “Great idea, but let me do something first.” He stomped some hoofprints into the mulch on the jungle floor. He pulled a few vines loose from a tree and snapped off some leaves on a bush. He pointed another direction. “Let’s hide over there. I hope my fake trail is convincing.” They slipped into a better hiding spot and watched as the two guards found Sandbar’s tracks and started to follow them. “How did Sandbar learn how to trick guards with plants?” “I used to do the same thing to the other foals when we played hide and seek.” They got up once the guards had moved out of sight. Yona had to go first in the tunnel, but she could hear Sandbar galloping behind her as they rushed toward the central cave. The tight dark cave made her nervous, but she didn’t trip on any unseen rocks. The cave opened up suddenly. Small fields of glowing mushrooms spread out around the spire of the changeling hive. A few shouts behind them made it obvious they had been seen, but she wasn’t going to slow down. She dipped a horn to the side and plowed it through the soft dirt. The neat rows of mushrooms were trampled under her hooves or dug up by her horn. Sandbar kept up and trampled two more rows. It wouldn’t be enough to ruin the mushroom fields, but it was definitely enough to attract the attention of all of the guards. The buzzing of changeling wings echoed from near and far in the cave. Yona lifted her horn out of the dirt and looked around. Three guards boxed them in with a triangular formation as the first of the changelings caught up. Yona slowed down and looked over at Sandbar. “If we can’t run, we fight! Yona stomp!” “But only until we can run again!” Sandbar added. “Starlight, are you still listening?” “What?” Starlight’s voice started to cut out. “Something’s stopping- spell. Hold on!” “Uh, Yona, that’s not good.” “Plan still the same. Even if magic fail at worst time, like magic always does. Yona and Sandbar complete mission then worry about the rest.” Yona felt Sandbar’s flanks bump against her own as they stood back to back and faced their opponents. For a small pony, he was remarkably sturdy. If he had Yona’s back, she’d only have to worry about the two bugs in front of her. One of the guards charged Sandbar. Another charged Yona while the third stayed back and powered up an attack spell. The magical blast was too weak to hurt Yona. She reared up on her hind legs and headbutted the bug in front of her. He staggered back. She pushed him down before he could recover. “Yona! A little help!” Sandbar got a light kick in but got singed by magic. Yona charged after the one using spells. One horn twist and kick later and the bug was down. Sandbar yelped as a powerful kick hit him in the chest. “Sandbar must learn to fight better. Yona help.” She smiled as his hoof met hers. She lifted him up and gave him a nudge toward their remaining opponent. He jumped and spun and finally got in a powerful kick with his back left hoof. Yona used the distraction to bowl the changeling over. “Phew. Thanks, Yona! I don’t know what I, um, what we’d do without you.” Sandbar gave her a quick hug. “But I think we need to start running. More of them are coming.” Four more changelings flew at them from nearby fields. They ran back toward the tunnel they used to enter the cavern. The nearest changeling caught up and tried to grab Sandbar, but her friend slipped away and sprinted ahead. Two more changelings appeared at the tunnel entrance. “No slowing down,” she said. “Smash any bugs that get in our way.” The tunnel guards tried to block them, but speed and weight was on their side. She tossed one aside while Sandbar bucked the other into the wall. The cave walls were tight, but there was still plenty of room to run in the dim tunnel. A small root almost tripped Yona, but she scrambled and caught herself without losing much speed. A blinding light marked the end of the tunnel. The cool subterranean air changed to the stifling humidity of the jungle as they leaped small bushes and dodged trees. They stopped when they were both gasping for breath. “Yona, Sandbar, can you hear me now?” Starlight’s voice in their heads made both their ears perk up. “I think you’re further away from the interference. I can locate you now. Hold on. We’ll be there in just a few minutes.” Yona found a tight group of trees to hide in. They hid under a large, leafy bush when they heard the buzzing of changeling wings overhead, but the noise soon faded. A few minutes later, Gallus and Silverstream flapped down from between the trees. Gallus was holding Starlight and set her down. They exchanged their secret code names and numbers and breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good we found you,” Starlight said. “I think the queen is messing up my magic, somehow. The closer any of you get to the hive, the worse the interference gets. I’ve lost touch with Ocellus and Smolder. If I use the amulet, we’ll get one shot to teleport to them. Unless I can reach them with my communication spell, we’ll be going in five minutes.” Yona hated trusting magic so much, but she trusted Starlight. Sandbar had a few little welts from the recent fighting, but they were both ready for the next battle. She was looking forward to it.