Spike watched the purple mare sleeping on the floor, bandaged and bound as the potions accelerated her healing process. She had been crying a bit before, but she had calmed down, and now she lay on the floor with a smile on her face. Spike envied her, whatever had happened back in Ponyville, at least she seemed to be having good dreams now. The crystal around her neck glinted in the flickering light of the storeroom, reflecting the dancing orange and blue flame in a mesmerizing pattern. Spike looked down at his claws. The dragon was remarkably dexterous, and while Golden Radiance had taken Twilight's cloak to see what could be repaired, he had set about the creation of a cord for the crystal to hang on, weaving strips of fabric together by the light of a nearby torch. It was something to keep him occupied, as well as an object to help Twilight. Spike refused to acknowledge any of what had happened emotionally, choosing to set the problem to the side for later. For now, he needed to be strong, for Twilight and himself.
The mare stirred a bit in her sleep, mumbling nonsensically. Spike listened for changes in her breathing, and relaxed when she continued in the deep, heavy breaths of true sleep. Golden Radiance had estimated that she would be asleep for a few hours at least, and had said that it would be best if they waited for her to wake up before making plans. Spike agreed with the construct. As he twisted and folded the fabric of his cord together, he wondered about the magic that went into something like her. Could she truly be considered alive at this point? She exhibited all of the classical signs of life, and sentient life at that. She "ate" in a way, she reacted to stimuli, and Spike felt sure that she had the knowledge of how to make more of herself. She was able to form complex thoughts and ideas, she exhibited self-awareness, and was able to recognize sentience in others as well. Would any sane pony not look at her and recognize that Golden Radiance was a separate entity in her own right? Spike resolved to stop thinking of the construct as a construct, instead thinking of it as a "her". Pleased at solving that dilemma, he returned to his work.
The torches crackled slightly as the trio bent to their separate tasks, separated by the merest slivers of shadow. Spike bent to his cord, claws clacking like knitting needles as the length approached something resembling strong rope. He tied one end to a small iron ring he had found in a box of spare parts, lying disorganized in one corner. The other he continued to work with, carefully making sure that no strips crossed incorrectly. Golden Radiance lay quiet in one corner, reading over shipping manifests from the last known use of this storeroom, approximately two hundred and fifty years prior. Granted, most of the data was useless, but it did point towards the general location of the then-new colony of Fillydelphia, sponsored by House Cantata as an expeditionary city to begin trade with the Minotaur Hordes. Golden Radiance frowned. She had been out of the loop for far too long, it had seemed. Neither the city nor the family held any meaning for her, and she had literally written the book on noble Houses. Another scroll was set to the side, though the newer information was held in books. It was one of these she pulled close, a ledger for employees of her House who had been sub-contracted to Cantata to construct in the building of a railroad.
________________________________________
Twilight may have looked like she was doing nothing, but she was perhaps the most busy of them all. Beneath her slumbering exterior, the fully cognizant pony was thinking furiously, devising plans and contingencies, and planning out a route step by step. The landscape of her mind had changed even more, an entire city springing into existence by the road, each building a different train of thought or new idea. Twilight herself walked the newly cobbled streets, thinking furiously. She slumped into a chair that blinked into existence on a nearby street corner, and stared at a geometric model of the Whitetail Woods and Ponyville that appeared in front of her. She watched the known path of her and Spike, coupled with the likely positions of her friends and any pursuing guards and Pegasus flights. She watched as her representation proceeded to the vault and stayed there. This, she realized, had probably been a mistake.
The icons representing her friends' positions proceeded forward as a miniature sun and moon cycled through the sky. Based on what Twilight knew about her companions of the past ten years, Twilight estimated their rate of travel, and what she saw was not good. Her friends were likely very close to catching them, if they hadn't already. However, they had no reason to assume Twilight was currently napping in a shelter below their hooves, so odds were good they would simply continue on ahead. This was another problem, because at that point they would be between Twilight and her eventual destination, the weekly 4:18 AM magically powered and operated freight hauler to Fillydelphia from Canterlot. Assuming its speed remained constant, the train would be taking approximately two hours to arrive. Sunrise in Ponyville occurred around six this time of year, so...
There was no time to waste. Twilight threw together a plan, checked to make sure it would work, glanced at the spinning map in front of her, and woke up.
"Spike! Golden Radiance! I've got a plan to get us out of here, but we need to move fast. I'll explain on the way, but grab your packs and let's go!"
________________________________________
Pinkie Pie stifled a yawn as she stared at the first rays of sun peeking over the forest. They had been going all night, after Fluttershy had spoken to the animals near the edge of the woods and confirmed that a unicorn and dragon had indeed gone off the path and into the woods. The friends had spread out into a line, parallel with one another and ready for anything, going by Fluttershy's indication of where they had gone. Wary and alert, they had crept forward carefully, scanning the woods around them, ready for a gout of flame or burst of magic to speed towards them. They had walked. And walked. And walked. So, for several hours, they had chased their wounded unicorn friend through the woods, waiting for a sign that she was nearby, in almost total silence.
It was not surprising, therefore, when they had burst out of the edge of the woods and Applejack proclaimed that she could find no tracks. Clearly, they had missed their friend somewhere in the woods, and so they had settled down to wait. The thing about the Whitetail Woods is that, while they were indeed large, they were contained in a natural bowl, which tapered down as it fell away from Ponyville. Though it wasn't really mountainous, per say, the nearby hills would have left Twilight and Spike exposed, so they were likely to have proceeded along lower ground. The group of five had set up camp near the exit to the woods, and agreed to rest and wait for Twilight to come out of the woods. The general consensus was that she wouldn't dare make a break for it in daylight, and so they agreed to post a watch, which Pinkie had drawn first lot for. The pink mare watched the woods, looking forward to getting some rest underneath the tarp Applejack and Rainbow had set up before her friends had collapsed in a tired heap, promising to relieve her in two hours.
She frowned. Had something been moving in the trees? Pinkie looked closer, and noticed that something pony sized was indeed flitting furtively from one piece of cover to another. Getting to her hooves, she readied herself, preparing to call her friends to her aid if Twilight came charging out of the woods. A sudden movement, the thumping of hooves, and Pinkie Pie panicked, suddenly unable to scream at all. Wildly, she reared, ready to fight...only to gaze in bewilderment at the doe that had bolted across the field to vault a nearby stream. Sighing, Pinkie Pie relaxed, chiding herself for her foolishness. She got too excited way too easily. Honestly, she was tired enough that she was jumping at shadows.
________________________________________
"Sorry, Twilight." Spike whispered, peering out at the startled pink party pony. She had settled back into her normal position, but she definitely looked more wary then she had before.
"Not your fault, Spike. You've done pretty well so far." Twilight hefted a small rock with her magic, her face focusing. "Leave this next part to me."
________________________________________
The pebble that flew through the air towards Pinkie Pie had been carefully calculated to knock her unconscious quietly, without leaving anything permanently damaged. However, calculating the amount of force necessary to do so was dicey at best, and disastrous at worst. Twilight watched as her magic missile sped through the air silently, before impacting the Earth pony squarely on her forehead, right between the eyes. Silently, the pink mare slumped to the ground, going completely limp, and her sky-blue flame flickering out with a dreadful sense of finality. Twilight looked to Spike, who nodded. She breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't killed her, though Pinkie Pie would have a huge headache when she woke up.
Carefully, the trio crept out of the woods. Twilight checked the sky. They didn't have much time, and they had plenty of ground to cover in that time. The train tracks were a mile away, and Twilight wanted to get there early. She looked at Pinkie Pie, who didn't so much as stir as the fugitives passed by, skirting the edge of their makeshift camp. There was a tense moment when Twilight stepped on a branch near the tarp, but after freezing in place and listening carefully, they were able to determine that the noise had woken no one. Not a word was spoken, nor did any of the companions breathe easy until they had left the boundaries of the camp far behind.
Once clear of the camp, Twilight spoke only one word. "Run."
And run they did, knowing that they had very little time until the train passed by, and indeed Spike thought he might have heard the sound of running wheels and a low whistle in the distance. Faster and faster they ran, Golden Radiance outpacing them by the slightest of margins, galloping across the plain towards the train tracks, which gleamed coldly in the light of pre-dawn. Twilight swept the skies briefly, making sure that they were clear. The last thing that they needed right now was an unanticipated flyer to come rocketing out of the sky and take them all by surprise. Nothing except the stars overhead and the towering columns of light peeking over the mountain range containing Canterlot.
Spike could definitely hear the train now, and the group sped up, Twilight wincing as her not-quite-healed injuries protested at their rough treatment. The drake noticed Twilight falling behind, and swiftly snatched her up in his jaws, setting her onto his back and speeding up in one swift motion. Thus encumbered, Spike surprised Twilight by settling into an easy lope, forcing Golden Radiance to rush to keep pace with the young dragon. At last, they reached the tracks, the train still a good three miles away and closing quickly. Twilight turned to face the horizon, staring at where she knew her friends were, and at the columns of colorful fire that represented them. And she was able to watch, horrified, as a familiar pillar of sky-blue fire flared on the horizon, converging on the other pillars, which flared as well.
"Spike." Twilight said, not taking her eyes off of the horizon. "Get ready. Pinkie's up and running, and so are the rest." She watched as the lead pillars, orange and red, began to speed towards them, followed closely by the others. She slid off of his back, and faced the oncoming flames. "That train won't be here in time. We're going to have to fight."
Spike nodded, nursing his burning legs slightly. "How long do we have?" he asked, as Golden Radiance sucked another stone dry, preparing for a fight.
"At the speed they're moving? I'm not sure. It took us ten minutes, but they've been...augmented, somehow. They're moving fast, faster than I've ever seen any of them go. I guess maybe five minutes?" Twilight said, making sure her bags were tight and adjusting her newly repaired cloak.
Golden Radiance nodded. "From what I have heard about your Elements, I suspect that they are capable of physically augmenting their Bearers in combat. I would surmise that they work more efficiently as a team now."
Twilight glanced at the train, still frustratingly far away. "Yes. I think so as well. Potential plan of action would be to keep you in reserve, as they do not know you are here. An extra spells linger would be useful."
"Negative. There is nowhere for me to hide that would afford easy access to the conflict. I shall remain at your side." Golden Radiance said.
Spike spoke up. "Hate to break up the party, all, but Twilight's estimate is off. They're going to be over that ridge in thirty seconds, I can hear them already."
Twilight took her position, Spike and Golden Radiance flanking her. Her horn flared with violet light, the tip of her aura tipped with dangerous black. Spike prepared to fend off Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who would surely perceive him as a threat. Golden Radiance began to glow with emerald light, which illuminated her from the inside out, causing her to look like a paper lantern. Spike growled a countdown.
"Five."
Twilight heard the sound of hooves.
"Four."
She poured more magic into her horn, and could sense Rarity doing the same over the hill.
"Three."
Twilight didn't want to hurt her friends, but she would do what she had to if it came down to it.
"Two."
Time slowed, and she saw Rainbow Dash make it over the hill as Spike finished. She let loose just as he yelled.
"One!"
________________________________________
The Elements of Harmony dashed over the hill at an incredible speed, straight towards the trio on the tracks. Three was hardly the same as two, and so the plan was adjusted accordingly. Rarity broke off to engage this strange new unicorn, her pale blue magic colliding with the bolt of emerald green sent by her opponent. Altering tactics, Rainbow and Fluttershy broke off to engage Twilight, leaving Pinkie and Applejack to hold off Spike. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash wove through the rapid bursts of magic being sent at them with considerable effort, and Rainbow was behind Twilight before the unicorn could react, holding her down while Fluttershy closed, her gaze crackling with the Stare.
Twilight desperately tried to avoid her friend's eyes, but Rainbow held her fast. Twilight was forced to meet Fluttershy's newly enhanced Stare, full on and without warning. Twilight found herself lost in her friend's eyes, their ice blue fury completely dominating her mind. At least, that's what happened at first. "Atta girl, Fluttershy!" she heard Rainbow Dash call. "Keep it up!" But Twilight realized something, as she felt Rainbow Dash lift herself off of her back. Fluttershy was using a sort of mental magic, an unbelievably strong kind as well. But the thing about mental magic was that you needed to be able to completely dominate a mind, especially if the target was a magic user. Because if you didn't, and the other user was stronger, they could partition that part of their mind off, and go right back to throwing spells at you. Twilight searched for the will to do so, and suddenly found it, a small reservoir in the back of her head. Seizing hold of it, she allowed her entire mind to focus on the Stare, and then she pushed, as hard as she could. She felt Fluttershy's eyes widen, and Twilight was suddenly free, coming to her hooves as Fluttershy scrambled back. Twilight wheeled, both of her hooves connecting squarely with Fluttershy's chin, her head snapping back. The yellow Pegasus hit the ground hard, unconscious.
Twilight wheeled, seeing Rainbow Dash diving on to Spike from above. Furious, she hit her squarely with another bolt of magic, blasting the cyan Pegasus out of the sky. Rainbow hit the ground, tumbling sideways, before coming to her hooves and leaping into the air over Spike again, angling straight for Twilight. Twilight fired off one last crackling bolt of energy before rolling to one side. Rainbow impacted the ground hard, a small crater forming around her hooves, her back coming around and hitting Twilight straight in her burned ribs. The unicorn huffed as the breath was driven from her, and it was her turn to roll uncontrollably across the ground. Twilight turned her magic inward, artificially accelerating her mental processes, as she watched Rainbow leap toward her again, hooves outstretched and face determined. Twilight had an idea, but realized that she'd need an opening.
Rainbow Dash soared overhead as Twilight hit the dirt, laying completely flat, an expression of surprise on her face. Twilight came to her hooves again, Rainbow already looping back around for another assault. A bolt of lightning flew from Twilight's horn, and as Rainbow attempted to dodge, she saw to her horror that it was expanding rapidly into something resembling a net. Desperately she tried to brake, to no avail. The energy contracted around her, condensing into a sphere. Rainbow shut her eyes tightly, expecting to feel it biting into her coat at any moment. Nothing was forthcoming, and she opened one eye to see Twilight galloping away, her world shrunk to a purple force field. She tried to break free, reaching for the purple wall in front of her, she was unable to move forward. It suddenly hit her, what Twilight had done. Rainbow Dash was suspended perfectly in the air, unable to gain traction on the walls around her. She couldn't hit what she couldn't touch, after all.
Spike was currently facing his own problem, and the name of that problem was Pinkie Pie. The pink mare was incredibly elusive, weaving in and out of his grip, distracting him just long enough for Applejack to buck him square in the ribs or chest. Snarling, he batted the orange cowpony aside, buffeting her with one of his wings as he whipped his tail towards Pinkie Pie, doing his best to hurt neither of them. Applejack bore the blow solidly, and was back in a moment, while Pinkie hopped over his tail as if it was a jumprope. Reluctantly, he backed up, unwilling to cause serious damage to his friends. He was saved moments later by a jet of magic which knocked Pinkie unconscious for the second time that day. Applejack wheeled just in time to see the unicorn she called a friend, her mane flying in the wind, unleash a stunning spell. Her eyes widened, and then rolled back in her head as the arcane energies sent her into dreamless sleep.
Spike and Twilight turned to see if Golden Radiance needed help. The construct was trading blows with Rarity, and most curiously seemed unperturbed by the latter's attempts to bring her down. To the contrary, she actually appeared to be instructing the unicorn on the finer points of combat magic.
"Come on, hit me!" she yelled, as the alabaster mare fired another spell at her, which she caught on a shield. "I hardly even needed that! You have control, now use power!"
Rarity's face contorted, and she sent a considerably more intense beam of light at her, which caught Golden Radiance’s shield, causing it to flicker. Bending, she seized several loose stones from the ground, which orbited around her horn before whipping at Golden Radiance. The paper mare blinked away from the rocks, which slammed into the ground, causing bits of earth to fly through the air. "Good! You're learning!" she said, and fired a stunner spell at her, causing Rarity to slump into the dirt, fast asleep.
Golden Radiance smiled broadly, as the train rumbled by. She trotted over to the duo, who waited for her before they moved towards the train, slightly in awe at her cheekiness. "She has potential, that one." she said, as they ran next to a boxcar halfway down the train. Twilight pulled open the door, and Spike was the first to make the leap, landing inside. Twilight was next, falling just short enough for her hooves to scrabble on the edge before Spike pulled her in. Golden Radiance was the last, easily making it inside and shutting the door behind her.
As the train pulled away from the unconscious mares outside, Twilight felt that she had forgotten something, but her side throbbed, and she forgot all about it as she pulled out a new bottle of healing potion.
Rainbow Dash watched helplessly as the train pulled away from her unconscious friends. Still stuck in the bubble, she idly wondered how long it would be before Rarity woke up and let her out.
________________________________________
And you're sure she's coming here?
Indeed. A representative of mine shall be along presently. Expect her in town early tomorrow morning.
I understand. I sent her a letter with the information. Any chance it could be intercepted?
Possibly. I'll have my agent in the post depot keep an eye out for it.
Many thanks, my Princess.
Be ready. And I would suggest making preparations to leave soon. This will bring the wrong kind of attention to you.
Of course. Anything else, Highness?
Not presently. Keep your glass close, if anything else happens I shall let you know. That is all.
Ego Servire Nocte, Highness.