*Nicholas POV*
As Raiden ran off to go after Twilight, I turned and walked over to Tak and Scootaloo.
"Are you two ok?" I asked them as Tak nodded and Scootaloo smiled.
"Are you kidding? It'll take more than that ruffle my feathers!" Scootaloo said with a laugh, but stopped when Tak didn't join in. "Tak, what's wrong?"
He sighed and looked to the carriage that had just flew off. "If we don't find a way to save Ronin from that death penalty, then my kind is doomed."
I frowned. "How so?"
He turned to me, a frown deep on his face. "Ronin has had an affect on my mother. Ever since they have met, she has been more open to the pony way and much more friendly to others. If she suffers a loss now, on the brink of her becoming a better changeling..."
Scootaloo finished his sentence. "Then she would go back to her old ways...or worse."
I gulped a bit. Another situation like the canterlot wedding was the LAST thing we needed.
Applebloom and Sweetiebelle, Followed by Diamond and Silverspoon, came up to us.
"Nick...Are ya gonna be ok?" Applebloom asked me as I sighed and turned to face the four of them.
"Honestly, I don't know. What I do know is that its obvious that I can't trust a princess to save my brother. It's going to come down to those who really care for him, and I plan to be there for him till the end." I said as everyone smiled at my words.
"Then we're coming too!" Sweetiebelle said, but I shook my head.
"Sorry y'all, but minus Tak, this isn't your fight. I've seen movies and books involving situations like this, and I think this whole thing may be a bigger rabbit hole than what it seems." I said, but Diamond Tiara stomped her hoof.
"Even more reason for us to come with you!." She said, the other girls nodded in agreement as I sighed before an idea popped in my head, one I wish I didn't have to do.
"Fair enough. You girls might want to pack for the trip though." I said as the four of them split off. I turned to Tak, who was nuzzling a slightly sad looking Scootaloo.
"Trust me, it's safer for you this way. I'll be back in a couple days. Then we can practice for the dance." He said as Scootaloo gave him a quick peck on the cheek before turning away.
"You better come back, Tak." She said quietly before flying off. Tak sighed and turned to me.
"There is no way your letting then come with us, are you?" He said as I nodded.
"Yup. I saw some other changelings earlier while I was on the float. Could you get them to stop them from getting to the train station later?" I asked him as he nodded.
"I believe that can be done easily. Meanwhile, I would recommend waiting for your brother to return. If your worries are true, than we will need everyone to be on their guard." He said as he went off to gather the troops. I went to walk over to Luna and Celestia when I was turned around to face Chrysalis, who looked like she was ready to commit genocide.
"Mini Ronin, What happened to your brother?" She demanded as I sighed.
"He just got carted off to canterlot to face trail for those guards he killed a while back." I said as Chrysalis groaned.
"Of course this happens while I am not around! Why did he go with them?" She yelled out loud as Pinkie hopped up to us.
"He probably didn't want to cause a fuss. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?" She asked as I looked away.
"Execution for murder." I deadpanned as Chrysalis and Pinkie gasped.
Now, two things happened that day that still shock me to this day. One: Pinkies mane and tail immediately flattened as her face became one of fear, tears starting to well in her eyes. Two: Chrysalis immediately sat down on the ground and seemed to stop moving while looking at the ground muttering "Ironheart" over and over.
Pinkie looked at Chrysalis and pulled her into a hug, though Chrysalis still didn't react. "Chrysi...what's wrong?" She asked her.
Chrysalis finally blinked and looked to Pinkie, a weak smile on her face. "Ronin is going to die, isn't he?" She said as a lone tear came down her face. Pinkie blinked before walking up to Chrysalis and-
SLAP! Smacking the tar out of her.
"Snap out of it, Sister!" She pretty much yelled at her, causing Chrysalis to snap out of her funk to glare at Pinkie...
...before cowering from the glare she was being given.
"How DARE you give up on Ronin like that! Would he give up on us if we were accused of something?" Pinkie said in a commanders tone.
Chrysalis shook her head, looking VERY much like a child being told off. "N-No...he wouldn't."
Pinkie smiled weakly, though her hair stayed the same, and pulled her into a hug. "Then please don't give up on him, Chrysi. I really like having you guys around, and nothing is going to take him from us." I decided to let them have their space and made my way over to the princesses, who were facing away from you and talking to each other.
"Sister, we must have a private room on the train with our mate!" You hear Luna exclaim as you got closer.
You hear Celestia groan. "Luna...I understand your heat begins a week before other mares, but haven't you already satisfied your urges."
Luna, I kid you not, prances in place while speaking. "But sister! We have a thousand years worth of carnal lust to subside, and one night does not satisfy that desire to have Raiden impreg-" She stops immediately and leans in close to Celestia.
"Sister, young Nicholas is behind us, amd has probably been there for a while." Celestia spins around with a look of shock on her face.
"Nicholas!" She says, her nervous tone betraying her stoic face. "How much did you hear?"
I sighed. "Far more than necessary, but whats a heat?" Luna and Celestia both shared red faces at that.
"U-Um..." Celestia started.
"thou see..." Luna attempted to pick up, but I stopped her.
"Ya know what, I don't want to know. I'm just came over to ask when we will be leaving for Canterlot." I said with a roll of my eyes. Luna sighed in relief while Celestia smiled.
"We will be leaving this evening around seven, why?" She said as I looked around and saw Tak talking with four changelings. He saw me staring at him and mouthed the words "what time?"
I smiled and lifted seven fingers. He nodded and turned back to the changelings around him while I turned to the princesses again.
"Oh, my friend wanted to know." I said while looking at Luna. "Oh, and Luna...Raiden is veeery ticklish in his sides." With that, I walked off as Luna giggled mischeviously and Celestia face-hoofed with a sigh.
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Ronin POV
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Man, this carriage was cramped.
The idiot prince had thought it a good idea to stick four guards And himself with me in damned thing. So now said prince was cramped between two guards while I had two of my own on both my sides.
For a while, no one said anything. It was just every guard and the prince glaring at me while I kept eye contact with Blueblood. Then, the boy spoke.
"Ronin, when we arrive in Canterlot, you will be given a day before the trial begins. But I feel like I must ask what you think is going to happen. Surely you don't believe you can get away with being not guilty?" He said, a sneer coming almost with every sentence.
I chuckled lightly, earning a harsher glare from the prince, while the guards looked slightly unnerved.
"Oh no, Blueballs. I know I'm guilty. All this trial is going to determine is what my punishment is." I leaned in as close to him the guards would allow. "Let me say one thing though, I am currently tapped into the hive mind of the changelings. If any of you boy scouts attempt to mistreat me, I'll have millions of my drones descend on your wives and children."
The prince paled at that, but kept his look of superiority. "You jest! The changelings were almost wiped out a month ago!"
I leaned back and chuckled. He was right, but he didn't need to know I only had at most a hundred or two changelings... I think. Hard to know with all the voices in the hive mind.
"I have been in ponyville for a month with the queen of those bugs. What do YOU think I have been doing in my free time?" I said as Blueblood and three of the guards looked sick to their stomachs at the thought, while the one to my right looked jealous of what I had said.
"You are absolutely disgusting!" Blueblood exclaimed as I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever you say, bluey." I said as I sighed. This was going to be a loooong ride.
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Raiden POV
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I walked into the quiet library and looked around. The door had been wide open and the place looked slightly messy, like someone had quickly came by in a rush. I sighed and walked up to Twilights room.
I found a book igloo in the center of the room with muffled tears coming from inside of it.
Welp, found Twilight. I thought as I peered into an opening and saw Twilight staring back at me, tears in her eyes.
"G-Go away!" She cried half-heartedly as I sighed.
"Not gonna happen, Twi." I said as I grinned mischeviously. "Now, get out of there before I set fire to your books."
What followed was an angry gasp followed by a flash of light ending with Twilight on top of me giving me a death glare.
"Don't you dare!" She yelled as I laughed.
"Chill Twilight! I said that just to get you out of your book igloo." I said as she rolled her eyes before getting off me. I stood up and turned to her. "Now, why are you so upset?"
She looked away and sighed. "I nearly caused a big accident in town today, getting your brother and the girls hurt. I didn't want to be anymore trouble, so I came here." She said as I groaned and rubbed her head.
"C'mon Twilight. That wasn't even your fault. Some pony bumped into you and caused your spell to go crazy. It's not like you attacked my family or anything." I said as she looked up at me, her eyes beginning to sparkle again.
"So your not mad at me?" She asked me as I shook my head.
"If I'm mad at anyone right now, it's Celestia." I said, causing Twilight to lean back in shock.
"What did princess Celestia do?" She asked me as I sighed.
"Just some of her choices involving the safety and lives of others has me concerned, that's all." I said as I began to walk to the door. "Oh, and we need you to come to Canterlot with us."
Twilight tilted her head. "Wait, what? why?" She asked me as I turned to the doorway.
"Ronin's been arrested, and if we don't help him, then he might die." I said as Twilight gasped.
"Then we have no time to lose! Let's go!" She says as we quickly begin to make our way to the train station.
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Nicholas POV
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After Raiden arrived with Twilight, I looled over everyone who was coming along.
Twilight and Fluttershy were definitely coming, the latter insisted on coming to make sure I didn't get hurt (she had freaked after learning I had nearly died). Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all had their jobs to attend to, but wished us luck before they left to go to said jobs. Twilight was coming to help in researching equine law for any loopholes we could use to lessen any sentence Ronin gets.
Redheart, Pinkie, and Chrysalis were definitely coming. Chrysalis, however, was currently inches away from fighting Celestia right here at the train station.
"What do you mean its out of your hooves?! Your the bucking princess!" She growled as Celestia narrowed her eyes.
"Being a princess does not allow me to bypass the law. Ronin killed my soldiers, and he has to pay for those crimes. There was only so much I could do to ward off any attempting to press charges." She said as Chrysalis scoffed.
"When it concerns your people, your willing to bend the law at will and killing is a 'necessary evil'. But when it involves another species, your morals suddenly tighten." With that, Chrysalis turned and walked onto the train. Pinkie walked by and gave a weak smile to Celestia.
"Chrysi isn't exactly in the best of moods right now I don't think any of us are." She said slightly depressingly as she walked onto the train. Redheart walked up, looked to Celestia and frowned slightly.
"This whole thing happened well before I met Ronin, but it seems an awful lot like you've completely given up on him, and that alone shows why Ronin hasn't asked you to join the herd yet while I have." With that, she followed her freshly new herdmates onto the train, leaving a slightly hurt Celestia standing there.
I walked up to her and smiled weakly. "Please don't take what they say to heart, everyone's moods are kinda wack right now." I told her as she gave me a weak smile of her own.
"For all of this involving your brother, you seem unfazed." She pointed out as my smile broke and I looked off into the distance.
"After a while, you learn to wear a pretty good mask when a bunch of bad things happen to you." I deadpanned. "But on the inside...I'm scared as hell." I whispered as Fluttershy walked up to me and together we walked onto the train.
Celestia had booked the whole train for us, so we could have as much privacy as possible. As she had mentioned before, Luna managed to snag a train car alone with my brother (He is gonna be sore in the morning), while Tak, myself, and Fluttershy shared a room. Twilight was either sleeping with Celestia or attempting to get into Raidens room. I honestly didn't know or care enough to find out.
I leaned back on the seat and looked out a window. The stakes were high as ever, this time it was Ronin who was in danger. And it's not even a bad guy that can be punched in the face or anything!
I groaned and laid out sideways on the seats. If I was gonna figure this out, I needed some sleep.
As I laid back, I found myself looking straight up at Fluttershy, who wore a sweet smile on her face.
"Heya mom." I said softly, causing her smile to grow wider as she nuzzled my cheek before stretching out herself on the seats.
"Hello, Nicholas. I wanted to ask if you know why Tak is sitting like that." She said, pointing to the now upside down Tak who was currently mumbling under his breath.
I knew exactly why he was doing so, but telling Fluttershy that we had sicked four soldiers on our friends to keep them from coming seemed...not a good idea. So I lied.
"I have no idea." I said before Tak suddenly sat up and turned to me, causing me to sit up as well thinking something was wrong.
"Nicholas, three of them failed! Applebloom, Diamond Tiara, and Sweetiebelle are hidden on the train!" He exclaimed as I could feel the stern look from Fluttershy.
Thanks, Tak. Now I'm probably going to be grounded the whole train ride.
I looked to the slightly irrated Fluttershy and smiled sheepishly. "Soooo I may have known what he was doing, but it was supposed to keep the girls safe."
She sighed. "Now Nicholas, no matter the reason, lying is wrong. Especially to me of all ponies." How she managed to scold people while talking quietly amazes me to this day.
I groaned. "Sorry, Mom. Won't happen again." She beamed at me and hugged me while I glared at a now laughing Tak.
After Fluttershy let go of me, I got up and looked around. "Alright, so they are in the train. But which car?" I asked as Tak shrugged.
"I have no idea. All the guards said was something along the lines of how they managed to jump on the back and climb inside the train from the caboose."
I pointed to the door behind us. "Then lets go and find them. If they are in the train anyway, then why not go ahead and bring them here?" I said as he nodded.
"Lead the way, my friend." Tak said as we began our hunt.
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Ronin POV
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After we landed, I was immediately stripped of my sword and escorted to a cell nearby the barracks and was locked in.
"You will stay there until the trial begins." Blueblood stated, venom clear in his voice. He turned and walked out, but not before looking to the lone guard who was at the door.
"If he escapes, you'll take his place on the noose." He said as the guard gulped. Blueblood walked out and I sighed.
An hour or two ago, I was relaxing and enjoying life, and now I was in jail cell with a small bed and a veeery undignified toilet. Greaaaat.
"What did you do to get put in here?" I heard a gruff female voice state as I looked to the wall on my right. There wasn't any holes or anything to see my talking bud through, so right now I was speaking blind.
I shrugged. "Killed a couple of ponies to save a species, you?"
I heard a growl of irratation. "Smart mouthed a princess and found myself thrown in here."
I raised an eyebrow. "Which one?" I said as I heard her laugh.
"Heh. the one with the speech impediment."
I snorted a laugh. That would be Luna. "Ha! You've got balls of steel, girl."
It was her turn to snort. "Well, considering you straight up killed a couple of these scaredy cats, you've got a pair yourself." I heard what sounded like wings being flapped, perhaps them being stretched.
That meant either a pegasus had decided to smart mouth the princess, or I was talking to another species. Considering these ponies track records, it was probably the second one.
"So...does the snarky voice behind the wall have a name, or am I finally going insane?" I asked, honestly bored beyond belief and wishing for some kind of conversation to make time fly.
A chortle could be heard from behind the wall. "Man, I wish Equestria had more ponies like you, My names Gilda."
I smiled, starting to enjoy being locked up. "Well Gilda, My name is Ronin, and I'm no pony."
"Doesn't suprise me too much, considering you sound more like a griffon than pony. What are you then?" I heard her ask as I stretched out my arms, leaning against the wall facing the cell door.
"Well, I'm known as a human. But my kind aren't from around here, so there is only three of us." I said as I suddenly heard claws press against the wall, as if Gilda was trying to look through it.
"Wait...your a human?" She asked, disbelief clear in her voice.
"Uh...yeah. Why does that sound like you've heard of me?" I asked as I heard a well pronounced groan.
"Our king has talked nonstop about some new weapon that the princess has been hoarding for a month now. Said it was called a human. It's been getting on our nerves for a while now, considering Celestia is a peaceloving ruler."
I frowned. "Well, I'm no tool of the princess. And who's this king guy? I've heard about him before."
"His name is Grimbeak. He has been ruling us for years. But it was about three months ago he started saying that 'winter was on its way' and 'times were a changing' and 'The time of Griffonia was at hand'. If you ask me, he's absolutely insane."
I thought about that. Three months ago would be about a month and a half before We arrived. Considering this Grimbeaks obsession with us, could he have known we would arrive?
Nah... That's crazy, right?
I chuckled. "Sounds like a king that doesn't have his priorities straight."
I heard a fist hit the wall her voice was coming from. "Understatement of the century! All he cares about is plotting against Equestria these days! He's let our economy fall to ruin and crimes occur hourly in our city! Hell, that's why I was here to steal the..." She trailed off, realizing she had let something slip.
I turned to the wall. "Well, I figured smart mouthing wasn't enough to get you in here. Whatcha really do?"
I heard another groan, before a sigh. "I tried to steal from the royal vault, got caught, and now waiting for my sentence. But if I didn't do that, my family would've starved!"
I sighed. Here we were, another species with another problem. At least this time they did it to themselves. "Your family?" I asked her.
"My mother and father. They produced a couple new chicks recently, but with the currency being non-existent, they might end up losing them just as fast." I could hear the sorrow in her voice, and considering her personality, it sounded so out of synch for her.
To be honest, I wasn't feeling so good myself. Sure, I was making conversation, but I honestly don't see this situation working out. I WAS guilty of the crime I committed, and I wasn't sure anyone could save me from the death sentence.
...
Unless... I looked to the guard, who was now asleep. Great work, bud.
"Hey, Gilda." I spoke out, breaking the slience that had engulfed the room.
"What." She said, gruff and annoyed. Guess talking about her failure didn't help her mood any.
"If someone needed a quick escape to Griffonia...where could they teleport?"
I heard her sit on a bed that creaked loudly. "The only area in Griffonia that magic won't be traced from is the lower district, but how would you get there? I doubt you can teleport, and I'm sure some random unicorn won't be able to do so."
I laughed. "I am able to teleport, but it may take a lot of love energy to jump to another country. But if I could, I will need an exact place to do so "
I heard something snap open. "I have a picture of my parents nest. If you could manage to obtain that much energy, you could use it as a place." The same noise happened again, must be a locket or something.
I nodded, even though she couldn't see it. "That'll work, but once I manage to do so, your coming with me."
I could FEEL the raised eyebrow she gave me. "And why would you do that?"
I smiled to myself before getting up and laying on the bed, it being equally squeaky. "Well, I will need a guide. That, and you sound like someone capable of fighting, and that may end up being necessary." With that, I closed my eyes and slept all the while connecting myself to the hive mind.
For this to work, I need the girls help.
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Chrysalis POV
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I am Chrysalis and I am pissed.
I was currently sitting on a train to Canterlot to try and find a way to keep my future husband from dying by the hands of some snot nosed prince. So what of he killed a few ponies? He was merely following orders from myself to do so.
...Yes, I am aware that won't sound too good if said aloud. I might have to change that if I am to be a witness or something.
Looking to the nurse, who had recently joined the herd, I could see she was in deep thought. She hadn't said a word since zinging Celestia back at the station and was currently looking out the window with her eyes closed. I couldn't blame her, imagine finding out your coltfriend was guilty of murder? Though she didn't seem too upset about it. Maybe she was raised similar to how we are, her father IS a griffon after all.
I looked to Pinkie Pie, her hair had yet to recover to its normal state. Normally, I wouldn't care about feelings of others, but seeing the pink brat the opposite of happy was actually unnerving.
I got up and went over and sat next to her as she turned to me.
"Hey Chrysi..." She said weakly. I narrowed my eyes at the sad tone she used. "I'm not really in the mood for any silly stuff right now."
That does it. I stood up and walked in front of her, earning a slightly confused look from her. I lifted my hoof and swung it across for a backhoof to the face.
SLAP!
"Snap out of it!" I yelled, causing Redheart to snap from her thoughts and look to us. Pinkie had recovered and was now looking at me, a tear of two in her eye.
"How dare you tell me to not give up on Ronin, just to sit here and do the same by pouting!"
She didn't like that at all, considering she jumped up and glared at me. "I haven't given up on him! But excuse me for not liking the fact Ronin is currently locked up somewhere and MAY DIE!"
I growled. "Are you implying that I am enjoying this? I may not be the most likable being, but I DO care about him!"
Pinkie gritted her teeth, but before she could say more, Redheart stepped in.
"ENOUGH!" She yelled, causing both me and Pinkie to jump back in suprise at the sudden interruption. I growled at her.
"How dare you talk to me lik-"
"HOW CAN YOU TWO EVEN YELL AT EACH OTHER LIKE THIS?" She pretty much screamed at us before taling a breath. "I may have just joined this herd, but it's clear you two care for Ronin as much as you care for each other. I understand Ronin is locked up, but that's why we are going to Canterlot, to get him back." she turned to Pinkie and smiled softly. "So please, don't argue anymore about this. We need to stick togethor if we are gonna save Ronin."
Pinkie nodded and turned to me, tears now clear on her face. "Chrysalis...I'm sorry about being such a party pooper and-"
For some odd reason, I found myself hugging her. "No, Pinkie. Your just worried about our stallion, we all are." Mid-hug, I pulled Redheart in with magic, which she happily joined the group hug.
It was then I felt Ronin's presence in the hive mind. I blinked and focused so I could hear his thoughts.
Enter Eureka, I have a plan.
I snorted. Of course the brainless goof had some wacky plan cooked up. I looked to the two other herdmates.
"Now that we have reconciled, how about we show Redheart the mindspace of the hive?" Pinkie smiled as Redheart blinked and frowned, confused. I lit my horn, activating the sleep spell that would transfer us to the mind and watched as the room was enveloped in a green light.
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Raiden POV
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I stumbled out of my train car and sgut the door, leaving a peacefully sleeping Luna inside. The mare had teleported me into the room and locked all the doors fo ensure we weren't interrupted.
Luna was absolutely insane! We went six rounds in less than two hours! I thought as I sat down in a seat. Did this have something to do with that 'heat season' she referred to?
As I was contemplating that, I heard a door open and saw Twilight walk through with several books, each on was on law or something similar. She wore a slight frown on her face until she saw me.
"Raiden! There you are! I was wondering where you went!" She said as she sat down next to me and showed me some of her books. "I've been reading up on pony law and punishments that follow and we might have a chance!"
I nodded, glad to hear some good news about this whole mess. "Great to hear. Say, uh, Twi? What's heat season?"
Her face went as red as magma as she registered the question
"W-Why would you ask me that question?" She asked me as I tilted my head.
"Uh...Because your a very smart pony that can explain why Luna has been cuddle-crazy for a while now." I said as she went even more red.
"That means Luna is in heat." She said before sitting up and clearing her throat. "You see, mares go into heat around spring and summer. Each mare themselves vary, but most go into it around the same time."
I nodded. "Yeah, but what does it do."
She looked away sheepishly while she started fidgeting again like before. "It has different side effects with each mare, but all of then suddenly crave the urge to reproduce...or as you call it so bluntedly, sex."
I blinked. So the entire countries population of females was about to go through a lovemaking season? Welp, that explains Luna.
A thought crossed my mind. "How old does this start?" I asked her as she thought about it before answering.
"About sixteen, why?" She asked me as I sighed in relief.
"Nicholas is safe then." I said before the door behind me opened and Luna looked around before her eyes landed on me. Her lips curled into a big smile.
"We were wondering where thou had gone. Come! We require more attention from you immediately!" With that she pulled me into the room and slammed the door shut.
Twilight, who had been looking at the whole event with wide eyes, now shook her head.
"Luna is sooooo lucky!" She pouted as the door behind her opened with Nicholas and Tak running through.
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Nicholas POV
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We had ran through ten train cars, most of them as empty as the next, save the one that had a working Celestia (something about taxes) and Ronin's girls sleeping next to each other.
This one had Twilight in it. She turned around and smiled at us. "Hello Nicholas. What are you two doing?" She asked me as we walked towards the door she had been staring at.
"We're looking for our friends. They may have snuck onboard and we need to find them." Tak said as I went to open the door.
"Wait, Nick Don't!" Too late came Twilights warning as I opened the door.
"YES, RAIDEN!!! SET MY INSIDES ON FIRE!!!!"
I shut the door quickly and took about ten steps back. That was the last thing I wanted to hear opening a door.
I turned to Twilight, ignoring Taks now slack-jawed state.
"Could you teleport us to the last train car please?" I asked as Twilight, red faced as ever, nodded quietly and shined a purple light on us.
As the light faded, we found ourselves in the back of the train.
"Yes!" I cheered, pumping my fist. I turned to Tak, who was now pointing behind us with a slightly worried glance. I turned around to see Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Diamond Tiara glaring at me with three changelings tied up and blindfolded.
"Ooooh boy." I said, realizing the trouble I was in.