Protect the Child
It was near the afternoon in the desert. A carriage was flying through the sky with pegasus and hippogriff soldiers pulling it. Inside the carriage, Princess Celestia lay down on one of the seats with Jasmine Bloom lying next to her. Celestia’s wing was still in a splint, but she was in high spirits. On the opposite side, Princess Luna, King Myrrh, Majordomo KIbitz, Prince Hoofar and a couple of pegasus guards stood by the elder alicorn’s side.
“Are you doing alright, sis?” Princess Luna asked.
“I’ll be fine,” Princess Celestia said. “Now that we’re out of harm’s way.”
“It won’t be long until we reach the Equestrian mainland,” King Myrrh said. “Just hang in there.”
“Don’t worry,” Princess Celestia said. “I think I might. Besides, what will you do when this is over?”
“Right now,” King Myrrh said. “That is the least of my concern.”
“He’s right,” Majordomo Kibitz said. “Our concern right now is for your well-being. Even if King Myrrh has to remain in Canterlot, he’s willing to go out of his way to make sure you survive.”
Princess Celestia smiled as she looked at King Myrrh’s face. But as she did, she felt the carriage shake violently, causing everyone to fall onto the floor. Princess Luna looked up looked outside the window.
“Sister,” Princess Celestia said. “What’s going on?”
Suddenly, one of the pegasus guards flies from the front to the window with a terrible look on his face.
“Some unknown guards are denying us entry into Equestria,” The member of the Royal Guard said. “Banks’ orders.”
“What?” Princess Celestia yelled. “But we have to be in Equestria so I can get better.”
“This sounds a lot like the Banks’ private military group known as the Debt Collectors,” Princess Luna said as she placed her hoof on the handle. “No way am I letting this injustice get in our way.”
Princess Luna opened the door of the carriage and quickly flew out to the guard’s side. She flew to the front with the guard to see the rest of the pact halted in place with a private military group blocking their path.
“But this is a royal emergency,” the pegasus guard in the front said. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are in this carriage.”
“No means no,” The private military soldier said. “We’re under strict orders from the Banks not to let anyone through these borders.”
Immediately, Princess Luna flew up to the private military group and stared down at them.
“Stand down this instance,” Princess Luna said. “That’s an order from Equestria’s second-in-command.”
“Are you hard of hearing?” The private soldier commander said to Luna. “Banks’ orders are not to let ANYONE into Equestria. And that means you.”
Princess Luna stared down the private commander with a leer that could scare a bear half-to-death.
“You will do exactly as I say if you know what’s good for you,” Princess Luna said as she projected her voice into a powerful reverb. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Y...yes your majesty,” The commander said as he turned to his troops and said “You heard Princess Luna. Clear the way.”
The private military group moved out of the way as Princess Luna’s scowl turned into a smile. She flew back into the carriage as the lone guard stood by the others connected to the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Princess Luna took a seat as her smile never left her face. Princess Celestia, King Myrrh, Prince Hoofar, Majordomo Kibitz and Jasmine Bloom all looked at Luna, who just grinned at the group.
“I take it you had to put that Royal Canterlot Voice to good use,” Princess Celestia said with a slight chuckle.
“Well why not?” Princess Luna said with a smirk. “After all, you taught me how to best use it in cases like this.”
As Celestia and Luna laughed, Prince Hoofar tapped his hoof on Princess Luna’s arm, catching her attention.
“Is there any way you could teach me that Royal Canterlot voice?” Prince Hoofar asked.
Princess Luna giggled and said “That will take a lot of practice. Are you sure about that? You don’t want to wear out your vocal cords.”
“Princess Luna is right, my son,” King Myrrh said. “I hope you are prepared for strained throats and plenty of herbal cough drops.”
Meanwhile, at the royal suite of the Canterlot Hospital, Dr Trotdale removed Wanda’s oxygen mask, much to the subtle delight of the young man’s cub. The younglings and Princess Cadance were around the bed as Abigail jumped onto Wanda’s lap and licked her hand.
“So how do you feel, little Wanda?” Dr Trotdale said with a warm smile.
“I’m okay,” Wanda said. “A little dizzy, but I think I’m alright.”
“Well if your breathing starts to get worse,” Dr Trotdale said. “Then feel free to put this mask back on. I want to see how you do without it.”
“Don’t you worry little sister,” Princess Cadance said as she reached over and rubbed Wanda on the head. “It won’t be long until you feel one hundred percent better.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said when she flew up to Wanda’s face. “Once that happens, you’ll be twenty percent cooler towards your family and friends. The Princess of cool.”
“Princess of cool?” Wanda asked, confused by Rainbow Dash’s words.
“It’s a positive composure, Wanda,” Danged Spell said. “Like it’s intensely good. Though Princess of Cool has an ice ring to it.”
“Danged Spell,” The other younglings said before bursting out into laughter.
“Never fail,” Twilight said as she laughed hard. “Danged Spell is one to let out a pun when we least expect it.”
“Well that’s just him,” Moondancer laughed. “He’s the kind of pony who knows how to roll with the puns.”
Sunset Shimmer wiped a tear from her cheek as she jumped onto the chair next to Wanda’s bed.
“Well, once you’re all better,” Sunset said. “You should be ready for the Grand Gallopin Gala. And unlike the last number of times you had to attend, you will have plenty of friends to join you.”
“Yay,” Wanda said as she clapped her hands.
“Oooh,” Pinkie Pie said. “Maybe I can throw a big ‘Prepare for the Gala’ party of some sort. Or maybe…”
But before Pinkie Pie could finish, Chancellor Cinch ran into the room, looking completely scared.
“Chancellor,” Princess Cadance said as she turned her attention to Chancellor Cinch. “What happened?”
“It’s the Banks,” Chancellor Cinch said. “They’ve brought their Debt Collector squad to the front door of the royal suite. Our guards are trying to hold them off, but it won’t last. They’re coming after Princess Wanda.”
“Oh no,” Princess Cadance said. “Why are they doing this?”
“I’m not so sure,” Chancellor Cinch said. “But it’s starting to get ugly.”
Princess Cadance turned to Sunset Shimmer and said “Keep close to our sister, Sunset. Don’t let them lay a hoof on her.”
Sunset Shimmer jumped onto the bed and hugged Wanda close before she said “Don’t worry. We’ll keep her safe.”
“What exactly are the Banks up to?” Dr Trotdale asked.
“I don’t know,” Princess Cadance said as she’s about to run out of the room. “But it doesn’t sound pretty.”
But before Cadance could run out, she was held down by something. Cadence turned around and saw Golden Lace, Danged Spell and Applejack holding her down.
“Let us help you out,” Danged Spell said.
“I can’t,” Princess Cadance said. “I don’t want to put you all in danger.”
“We already are thanks to my mom and dad,” Golden Lace said. “At least give us the chance to defend Wanda.”
Princess Cadance turned to Chancellor Cinch, who only shook her head in disagreement.
“I don’t like the idea of using kids in our defense,” Chancellor Cinch said.
“Neither do I,” Princess Cadance said. “But at the same time, their lives are in danger.”
Suddenly, Cadance felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and faced Queen Novo, who had a look of fear on her face.
“They’re starting to bust through the front door,” Queen Novo said. “What should we all do?”
“Hold the line,” Princess Cadance said. “We’re not letting them in.”
At the lounge area, the couches are lined up like a barricade as a number of pegasus and hippogriff guards stood in front, holding shields in their arms. Right behind the couches are Twilight Velvet, Night Light, Bright Mac, Princess Skystar, Shining Armor, Buck Withers, Gad Zookes and Lemony Gems stood their ground as the front doors were beginning to come open.
“So,” Shining Armor said to Buck. “Ever had a scenario like this before?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Buck Withers said. “I lost my parents long ago to the Storm King on PomPony through many tragedies. This was one example.”
“You lost your parents to the Storm King?” Night Light said.
“That’s awful to hear,” Shining Armor said.
“It was also the main reason why he was originally afraid of rocs, Gad Zookes said. “The Storm King sicced them on his village, like he did to mine when I was young.”
“That’s just horrible,” Princess Skystar said. “To think we had tragedies because of that monster.”
“I thought our family had our own set of problems,” Twilight Velvet. “But those pale in comparison to what you had to go through. Losing a mother and a father to that despicable monster.”
“As much as I sympathize with you all on the Storm King,” Bright Mac said. “We have bigger problems.”
As the door was starting to open, Princess Cadance ran out from one of the rooms with Chancellor Cinch and Queen Novo right behind her. She goes up to a monitor panel and pressed her hoof on the screen, showing Gold and Silver Banks along with a number of Debt Collector soldiers trying to knock the door down with a barricade.
“Gold Banks,” Princess Cadance said. “What in my mother’s name are you doing?”
“You’re lying about Princess Wanda’s condition,” Gold Banks said. “We demand that you show proof that she is doing well or else.”
In an instant, Princess Cadance pressed a few buttons on the monitor, showing Wanda Young and Sunset Shimmer hugging in the other room with Abigail and Spike right next to them. Gold Banks looked at the monitor on her end with Silver right beside her.
“There’s your proof,” Princess Cadance said. “Now do you believe me?”
“She’s right,” Silver Banks said. “The little girl appears to be fine. We should go home and forget about this.”
“We will not,” Gold Banks screamed. “They are obviously lying, making it look like she’s alright when she’s really sicker than she appeared to be. Now get this door open. That’s an order.”
Gold Banks smashed the screen of the monitor on her end, causing the feed to disappear. Chancellor Cinch walked up to Cadance and placed her hoof on the youngling’s shoulder.
“What should we do, Princess Cadance?” Chancellor Cinch asked.
Princess Cadance was full of fury. Her eyes squinted down with a burning fire unlike anything she’s experienced. She raised her head and said “Push them back.”
The moment Princess Cadance finished her speech, the front doors busted open as Gold Banks and the Debt Collector group pushed forward, armed with shock batons. The pegasus and hippogriff guards pushed forward, holding them back as much as possible. Behind Gold Banks, Silver just stood there, completely ashamed.
“What have I done?” Silver whispered to himself.
As the pegasus and hippogriff guards held the private soldiers back, a couple of them jumped over the group and landed right behind the couch barricade, running all the way towards the back rooms. Queen Novo was quick to knock one of them down to the ground as Buck Withers tripped the other down with his whip before pinning the soldier down.
“You will not disturb the peace of the younglings, monster,” Buck Withers said as his tone became deeper and scarier.
As the guards continued to hold back the private troops, another jumped out of the pack and above the barricade. But instead of landing nearby, he rammed right into Princess Cadance, causing the young alicorn to scream as she was knocked down on her side.
“Oww,” Cadence said. “I didn’t see that coming.”
Princess Cadance looked up to see the troop standing over her. He pointed his shock baton out at Princess Cadance’s face.
“Time you learned your place, Princess,” the troop said.
Suddenly, he felt something bite his leg, causing him to scream into the air and bonk his head on the ceiling, knocking him out. Princess Cadance got up and saw Danged Spell with his eyes glowing a bright yellow and his teeth shown.
“Spell,” Princess Cadance said. “That’s your Wolf’s Breath curse. Then that means…”
“We’re here to help out, Princess.” Princess Cadance turned as Rainbow Dash flew past her and rammed her head into another incoming troop, knocking them back to the doorway. Princess Cadance turned to the back and saw Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Trixie, Fluttershy, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst, Moondancer, Golden Lace and Cozy Glow standing tall outside Wanda’s room.
“What are you doing out here?” Princess Cadance yelled. “You’ll get yourself hurt.”
“We’ve been in this situation before when the Windigo’s Guild attacked us during the Ponyville Providence Fair,” Applejack said. “No way are we letting those goons get the best of you.”
“But the Banks…” Princess Cadance yelled.
“I’m afraid my daughter’s right, your majesty,” Bright Mac said. “This is no different from what those despicable varmits did to us. Besides, we were all held captive by that monster Coldnelius Snap. Besides, they’re already trapped, and there’s no way most of them can get out.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Gold Banks yelled. “If any of them were to escape, I would easily tarnish their names to the point they could never show their faces in any part of Equestria again.”
Princess Cadance turned towards Gold Banks as she became really agitated. But as she did, Golden Lace ran from the group towards Gold Banks.
“Lace,” Princess Cadance yelled. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I know,” Golden Lace said. “But something has to be done.”
Golden Lace ran past the guards and the troops fighting each other as she ran up to Gold Banks. Silver only looked at her before turning his face away in shame.
“Mother,” Golden Lace said. “You have to stop this madness.”
“You dare to show your face towards me, you disgrace of a daughter,” Gold Banks yelled.
“I do,” Golden Lace said. “I realized just how much I had been missing after you threw me out of the house. Ever since then, I realized how much I had missed out on thanks to your selfish attitude. Even my new friends treat me better than how you treat me.”
“Don’t you DARE speak to me like that,” Gold Banks yelled as she slapped Golden Lace on the face, shocking everyone in the room sans the Debt Collector squad. “I am your mother, and you will obey everything I say if you ever want any respect again.”
Golden Lace cried on the floor as she felt the sting on her cheek. Princess Cadance levitated Golden Lace to her side and hugged her before glaring at Gold Banks. Chancellor Cinch took Cadance’s side, also glaring at Gold Banks. Silver Banks continued to turn his head in shame, refusing to even look at anyone’s face.
“You have made a grave mistake,” Cinch said with a cold tone. “Especially towards your own daughter, monster.”
“She made her stupid decision,” Gold Banks said. “Now she will pay the price like the rest of those filthy brats.”
Princess Cadance turned towards the younglings and said “Let them have it.”
Without warning, Gold Banks felt something bite her leg. She raised it and saw Danged Spell sink his teeth into Gold’s leg as he growled. Gold Banks yelled as she shook her leg until Danged Spell let go and landed near Princess Cadance, barking madly at Gold Banks.
“Forget the royal guards,” Gold Banks yelled. “GET THOSE BRATS!”
The Debt Collector Squad dodged out of the way of the pegasus and hippogriff guards as they charged towards the younglings. Twilight Sparkle looked at the incoming soldiers and smiled.
“FIRE!” Twilight yelled as she, Starlight Glimmer, Rarity, Trixie, Moondancer and Sunburst fired off bursts of magic from their horns, hitting the incoming soldiers and knocking them down.
“Don’t just stand there you fools,” Gold Banks yelled. “Make them pay for this.”
“Would you morons like cash or credit?” Trixie yelled, causing Gold Banks to stomp her hoof down in complete disgust.
“SEIZE THAT SMART ALECK,” Gold Banks yelled as she pointed to Trixie.
A couple more soldiers of the Debt Collector Squad charged forward at Trixie, aiming to grab the little filly as she began to back into a corner.
“No,” Trixie said as her ears drooped down. “Get away from me.”
Suddenly, the troops that advanced on Trixie were hit by flying apples. They turned to their right to see Applejack and Bright Mac kicking a bushel full of apples in their face.
“How the hay did they sneak in apples into the hospital?” One of the troops said.
“Oh we’d want to keep it a secret,” Applejack said. “But it’s more amusing to let you know that they’re food to keep our spirits up.”
Bright Mac gave a noogie towards Applejack as he said “That’s my girl.”
As Applejack and Bright Mac kicked more apples at the members of the Debt Collectors, a couple of them are seen approaching Fluttershy, who was backed into a corner. The little pegasus filly could do nothing but stare as the two troopers approached her.
“There’s nowhere for you to go, little lady,” one of the approaching troops said.
“That’s right,” The other said. “So you better get use to the fact that you’re going to a labor camp.”
“No,” Fluttershy said as she covered her face. “I don’t want to go there. Leave me alone.”
But as the two private troops approached the timid filly, they each felt a bang on their heads before they collapsed onto the ground. Fluttershy looked up and saw Cozy Glow wielding a frying pan in her hooves.
“Someone had to do it,” Cozy Glow said as she held the frying pan behind her back with an innocent blush on her face. “Besides, they were dumb enough to not wear helmets.”
“Thanks,” Fluttershy said. “I appreciated the help.”
“Anytime,” Cozy Glow said.
As the Debt Collector troops began to bypass the guards and approach the younglings, Queen Novo and Princess Skystar had been using their wings to blow them back, hoping to push them out of the room.
“Keep flapping as hard as you can, Skystar,” Queen Novo yelled. “We can’t allow them to get to smallfry.”
“I know, momma,” Princess Skystar said. “These guys remind me of what the Storm King tried to do, and I won’t let these monsters do the same thing to Wanda.”
“That’s the spirit,” Queen Novo said as she flapped her wings harder.
As Novo and Skystar continued to push some of the Debt Collector Squad troops back, Twilight, Rarity, Trixie, Starlight, Sunburst and Moondancer continued to fire at any of the strays that came their way. But the fillies started to tire as their horns were smoking hot.
“They keep coming in,” Rarity said. “And I’m starting to wear out my horn.”
‘How are we going to keep those meanies at bay?” Starlight said.
“Only one answer,” Twilight said. “Bring in the big boy.”
Twilight Sparkle turned towards Pinkie Pie and gave the earth pony filly a wink. As a couple more troops approached Pinkie Pie, the pink filly dug her hooves into a nearby corner and pulled out her party cannon.
“You wanna play rough?” Pinkie Pie said. “Okay.”
The two troopers began to laugh at the sight of Pinkie Pie’s party cannon.
“That’s going to take us out?” One of the troopers chuckled..
“Give me a break,” the other said as he couldn't stop laughing.
Pinkie Pie just looked at the guards as her grin grew deeper. She eyed the button on her cannon and positioned her hoof above it.
“SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND,” Pinkie Pie said as she slammed her hoof on the cannon button.
Suddenly, waves of cream pies flew right out of the cannon, hitting the two troopers in the face and blinding them. They ran frantically away from Pinkie Pie as she continued to fire more cream pies at the retreating cowards.
“Where the hay did she learn how to speak like that?” Moondancer asked.
Twilight Sparkle just stood there smirking as she said “Whatever’s in that filly’s mind is something you don’t want to know.”
The Debt Collector Squad were being pushed back by the pegasus and hippogriff guards who defended the suite. As many of them were beginning to back off, Gold Banks just stood there, completely dumbfounded while Silver Banks barely glanced from a nearby corner.
“I knew I should have paid extra on supplies and extensive training,” Gold Banks said. She pulled one of her own soldiers to her and yelled out. “Don’t just stand there. Let loose a smoke grenade.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the soldier said as he removed a grenade from his vest, pulled the tab off the grenade and threw it into the room.
As Princess Cadance held Golden Lace, she looked up and saw the grenade fly her way. Her eyes shrunk before she pointed her horn at the incoming object.
“Get away from us,” Princess Cadance yelled before she fired a blast of magical energy at the grenade.
The moment the magical blast hit the smoke grenade, it exploded and unleashed a cloud of smoke into the air. The blast knocked Princess Cadance out, causing her to lose her grip on Golden Lace and sent the young filly flying backwards across the room. Shining Armor watched in horror as he saw Princess Cadance get knocked to the ground.
“CADANCE!” Shining Armor yelled as he reached out to Princess Cadance.
The smoke started to fill the entire royal suite. The guards, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, Chancellor Cinch, Buck Withers, Lemony Gem, Gad Zookes, Bright Mac, Queen Novo and Princess Skystar all got down on their knees and started to cough as they closed their eyes.
“What in the name of Queen Eternia is this?” Twilight yelled as she coughed up the smoke.
“Smoke grenade,” Chancellor Cinch said. “They’re forbidden from being used in the Equestrian Military. But the Banks have figured out how to bypass that rule through lobbying.”
Starlight coughed up a storm as she cried “I can’t see. Mom. Dad. Sunburst. Help me.”
“I’m right here,” Sunburst said as he was barely able to see Starlight Glimmer before grabbing her and holding her tight. “I won’t let those bullies get the best of you.”
Golden Lace got up and saw the room fill with smoke. She backed up near one of the doors, scared stiff.
“Get away from me,” Golden Lace said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Lace?” That sound came from Rainbow Dash, who was still trapped in the smoke. “Is that you?”
“Yeah,” Golden Lace said. “What can I do?”
“Flee to Wanda’s room,” Rainbow Dash yelled from within the smoke. “Stay with her. And be safe.”
“I’ll try,” Golden Lace yelled as she ran into Wanda’s hospital room before the smoke began to inch closer to her.
As the group struggled with the smoke, more smoke grenades were lobbed into the room, expelling more smoke and reducing the visibility. Nearly everyone in there struggled to get up as they continued to cough out the smoke from their lungs.
“Dad,” Applejack said as her eyes began to water. “Are we...gonna die?”
“We’ve been...through worse,” Bright Mac said as he coughed. “This is nothing….compared to the Windigo’s Guild.”
“Even that roc….,” Buck Withers said as he coughed hard. “Makes this...look weak.”
“Buck,” Gad Zookes said. “Don’t...over do it.”
“I can’t see...anything,” Fluttershy yelled.
“Mom...dad...Mrs Cake,” Pinkie Pie said as she stretched her arms out. “Where are you?”
“I knew...the Banks...were despicable,” Cozy Glow said. “But not….like this.”
As the smoke fills the room and everyone in there is helpless, Gold Banks looks inside and smiles with a sense of satisfaction.
“This,” Gold Banks said as she put on a gas mask. “Is how you get things done, Banks-style.” She turned to her husband Silver and said “Now you come with me. We have a little girl to meet with.”
Before Silver could speak, Gold Banks pulled on Silver’s ear and leads him through the smoke-filled room as members of the Debt Collector Squad followed from behind.
“Honey,” Silver Banks said. “I haven’t raised an objection.”
“Well your objection is overruled,” Gold Banks said as she dragged Silver through. “We have an objective to take care of, and we’ll make sure it’s done.”
Gold Banks marched through the smoke-filled lounge area. She looked down at Danged Spell, who’s eyes were closed shut all while he just sat there, coughing.
This is for biting me, animal,” Gold Banks said before she swatted Danged Spell aside, sending the little colt flying towards a couch and landing near Moondancer, scaring the little filly.
“Spell,” Moondancer said. “Is that….you?”
“It...is,” Danged Spell said as he groaned in pain.
“What..happened?” Moondancer said.
“Something...knocked me...aside,” Danged Spell said. “Couldn’t tell...who it was.”
As Gold Banks dragged Silver Banks through the room, Princess Cadance started to open her eyes and make out the two as the Debt Collector Squad marched past her.
“Oh no you don’t,” Princess Cadance said to herself as she slowly got up and extended her wings. “You want to mess with my sisters? Then you’ve messed with me.”
To Be Continued in….
Reunion of mother and daughters