After each pony finished their pizza, Twilight indeed paid for everyone’s food as she promised. “Alright girls, and Spike, let’s gather up what we know so far. There is something going on in that hotel, and we need to figure that out.” Twilight said, rubbing her sore head. “We also know from Fluttershy and Pinkie that Trixie is going to perform tomorrow in the park. And finally, we know that Spike’s gem has magical properties to it. The full extent of them, we don’t know. But it could be helpful.”
“Checkin’ up on Trixie wouldn’t be a bad idea. But before we pay her a visit, I have this for you, Twilight.” Applejack took off her hat, and placed a folder on the table. “I dunno what these strange symbols and drawings mean, but I have a feelin’ they might be important.”
Twilight pulled it open, regarding a bunch of papers covered in random drawings and a letter from the theater under them.
She lifted one of the pictures up with her magic, examining it. A shadow-like figure stood tall within a hall, sucking all the color out of its surroundings leaving only the color gray and black around it. Creeped out, she set it aside and put the letter into focus.
“Hmm, this looks encrypted. It’s too neat and condense to be just random symbols. Besides, who would store a wall of random text? For me to figure it out though, I’m going to need more information and another similar text. Sigh, I’m afraid we will have to return to the theater.”
Rainbow and AJ nodded as they smiled. “We are planning to do that tonight anyway.” Rainbow said, bro hoofing Applejack. “We need answers, especially after what happened in there. No pony or thing will threaten us without a consequence!”
“We have one heck of a rabbit hole here, Rarity missing plus all of what happened today. I’m not sure if I want to know what is prepared for us next.”
Applejack looked up to the sky, seeing the sun set at its highest. “Looks like we have time before night falls. Let’s have a talk with Trixie, make sure she is not up to something.”
“You are not going to hurt her, are you?” Pinkie crossed her hooves and frowned. “I really doubt she is responsible for what happened at the theater.”
Dashie placed a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder. “Relax Pinkie, we won’t go that far. Some questions need to be answered, that’s all.”
The pink pony stared at her friend. Keeping her frown as she shook her head.
“Come on, it’s Trixie! She has to be up to something!”
“We should not assume, Rainbow,” Twilight said as she got out of her seat. “But checking never hurts, that is very true. So let’s peacefully talk to her.” Twi shot a look at Dashie.
Dash rolled her eyes as they all got out of their seats, heading for the park where Trixie was supposed to be.
Trixie laid the saw down, using measuring tape to make circles to the side of the center stage. “It’s alright Trix, the owner you rented this stage from told you to do the best performance this park has ever seen. Besides, the great and powerful Trixie sure can fix some stupid floor!”
She then levitated the saw up, and began to create the holes she needed. Sawing two holes open, she put the saw to the side. Then removed the cut out wood and placed there two cannons she owned.
“There we go. Ha! Nobody expects two cannons under the floor! Now where did I leave those fireworks?”
The sound of wheels hit her ears, causing her to turn her head to see a wagon full of mirrors. A lime green mare pulled it through the park, stopping over to one of the statues next to the park’s lake.
Curious, Trixie jumped off her stage, and walked up to the mare as she promptly noticed her.
“Why hello miss, what brings you over to my not so humble stage?” Trix stared at the cart full of mirrors, giving the mare a confused look. “Why are you logging around so many mirrors?”
The mare gave her a smile, placing a large circular mirror and a little hoof mirror into the statue’s grip.
“I’ve got a big mirror order to fill out.” She pulled out a map and showed it to Trixie. “I have to make deliveries all over the city. The order is from the mayor, and you don’t refuse that. He wants to make things look a bit nicer. I would love to chat a bit more, but I gotta make ends meet! Have a good day.” The mare re-attached the cart to her and exited out of the park, leaving Trixie even more confused than she was.
“He? I thought the mayor was a mare. Oh well, guess that explanation will have to do.”’ She headed back to her stage and began covering the holes she cut out. “Now, if I was a firework, where would I hide…” She said, and started searching through the mess of boxes strewn around on the stage.
Something suddenly tackled her, knocking her to the floor and holding her down. “Well hello there, Trixie Lullamoon.” Said Rainbow as she pinned her down. “Have you perhaps been up to something… I dunno, malicious? Connected to unusual activities?” Dashie scowled at her.
“What do you think? I was getting ready for tomorrow night’s show! Get your hooves off the great and powerful Trixie!”
“Rainbow! I told you not to do anything rash!” Twilight shouted out. “Get off her now!”
Dashie released Trixie and jumped down off the stage, allowing Trixie to get up.
“What was this for? You better have a good reason for almost killing a magician!” The rest of the girls and Spike got up on stage with her. Her anger cleared up as she noticed Twi’s blood-covered face and Spike’s bandaged up nose.
“What in Celestia’s polished crown happened to you two? You both look like you were hit with dumbbells!”
“Long story.” Twilight replied to her. “We can tell you, but we wanted to ask a quick question first. How well do you do illusion magic?”
Trixie gave them a confused look, weirded out by the question. “I’m the greatest show pony in equestria, so illusions are obviously no match for me.”
“Okayy, what about illusion magic that could materialize hundreds of ponies?” Twilight asked, an eyebrow raised.
“Now this sounds weirdly specific. Let me guess, Rainbow Dash got pranked real hard, and the first pony that came to her mind was me.” Trixie snorted, and pointed a hoof at herself. “While I most likely could do that, I spent the entire day here, preparing the stage. It was in a really rough shape.”
Rainbow flew up to Trixie, and angrily looked her in the eyes. “Hey! What happened in that Luna damned theatre didn’t feel like a prank at all!... And if it was I would give it 5/10. Totally uncool.” Rainbow responded with a snort, crossing her hooves while hovering angrily above the ground.
“Oh please, what even could’ve happened inside of a theatre? Did one of the actors do such a poor job that it left a mark on you for the rest of your life?” Trixie giggled a bit at her own joke.
“You little mu-!” Dashie got stopped by Twilight’s magic, holding her in place.
Twilight grunted from the exhaustion of maintaining the spell. “Dash, not even kindergarteners get provoked this easily.”
“Sorry Twilight…” Rainbow said, shame filling her voice as she looked away. “We are done here, but know this. Not even your great and powerful hiney would stay cool after seeing row after row full of corpses, all reeking of blood.” Dash shook a bit while remembering that, and nodded to Twilight who in turn released the magical field.
“Yeah, true dat. Let’s go girls.” Commented AJ, and the group started walking away, leaving Trixie with her mouth gaping open behind them, visibly worried by the news she just heard.
“Wait!” She galloped and called out after them. “I-If that’s true, it must’ve been really terrifying. And this really doesn’t sound like something you made up to prank me neither.” She looked on the ground, digging at nothing with her hoof, then looked back at the girls. “This has to be solved!”
“Sure does.” Responded Dashie. “That’s why me and the girls are gonna break into the hotel and the theater tonight!”
“Hey!” Said Twilight, stomping her hoof jokingly and sounding offended. “It’s not a break in. You are making us sound like a bunch of robbers.”
“Okayy, ‘special investigating and only slightly illegal operation’ sounds better?” Suggested Dash with a raised eyebrow.
Twilight nodded and smiled happily.
“Do you have any specific plan on how are you gonna do it though? Busting into a theater is easy peasy, trust me. But hotels are locked up tight.” Explained Trixie, creating an image of what she was saying with her magic.
“That ain’t a bad question actually.” Applejack nodded and turned to Twilight. “What’s the plan, partner?”
“Well… I would normally just teleport us in, but I will be honest,” she touched her aching horn, “I’m not in the best shape after the latest encounter with that hotel guy, or whatever abomination that was.” Twilight responded.
“Then we will have to do this the old fashioned way! Heck yeah!” Cheered Rainbow, and did a few spins in the air.
“If I was you I wouldn’t be so excited, darlin’. This mission will require a bit of preparation, instead of just barging in.” Reminded her AJ, looking at Twilight for approval.
Twi nodded. “It will indeed. Whatever lurks in the hotel and the theatre is really dangerous. Walking in unprepared would be a suicide. But with no information on what is going on, we have no other choice but to go in blind. But we don’t have to be unprepared.” Twilight jumped on to the stage. “Trixie, we would greatly appreciate your help. …Since you claim to have experienced breaking into these buildings. I don’t even want to ask how.”
“Getting out of them actually. I had to get away from a few angry mobs in the past.” She frowned at Twi’s worried expression. “Worry not, Trixie hasn’t had that happen for a few years! Now, with the theaters I have been in, the backdoor lock tends to be no match for my powerful hooves, or pried open with a pry bar. I should have one right here, hold on a sec.”
She walked over to her trailer and went inside, in search for the said tool. Sounds of stuff being thrown away could be heard.
“Thanks…” Rainbow said, surprised by what she just heard. “Are we sure she doesn’t have an axe to grind?” She asked, without letting her eyes off of Trixie.
“Rainbow! Are you serious right now!?” Pinkie spat out in anger. “Trixie has done bad things in the past. But what you said is ridiculous! You think she is that stupid to pull out a bloody ax?”
“Why would she still carry a pry bar? Does anypony else find that a bit fishy?” Rainbow replied defensively, gesturing towards Trixie.
Suddenly a crate came crashing down on the stage. Trixie, setting the tool down, looked at Dash.
“A simple answer, Trixie has for you.” Grabbing the pry bar, she set it on the lid of the crate and pried it open. “This is why I keep it, you think something like cannons would be stored in a cardboard box?!”
She tossed the bar over to Applejack, who nearly dropped it, not expecting it to be tossed to her. “I know what happened, Dash, and I understand why you don’t trust me. I have changed and I’ve already apologized for it. I want to help you so please trust me!” Trixie frowned a bit.
Rainbow crossed her hooves, rolling her eyes as Trixie turned to Twilight.
“Getting into a hotel is not as easy. Lucky for you, you have two pegasi in your team. The higher floor balconies have sliding doors for some of the rooms. They have no locks on them tho, so your friends can drop you off there. A big oversight on the architect’s part, I will say.” Trixie smiled, and tipped her hat with a hoof. " Trixie hopes you find what you are looking for.”
“Thank you again, Trixie.” Said Twilight, as she turned to the girls and they all began walking away, this time without an interruption.
“So now what?” Rainbow asked Twilight, hovering beside her. “We will definitely need some tools if we are going to do this. Just dropping you off won’t do the trick”
“Don’t worry Rainbow, I have a plan.” Twilight told her, thinking about the plan.
Dash looked at her, and then smiled. ”Of course you do.”
“This is much bigger than we thought, and can handle. We need to let Celestia know about everything that has happened, and ask her for help.” Twi told her, and pulled out a notebook with a quill. Closing up the bag on her back. “Pinkie and Spike, stay with me. Fluttershy, Dash and Applejack, go get the most necessary tools in case the Princess will not be able to send anything. We’ll meet back at the hotel tonight.”
“You got it, Twi.” AJ replied, and saluted, as the three ponies started trotting away.
“Alright, Spike? I need you to start writing the letter.” Twilight told him.
“On it!” Said Spike, immediately grabbing the quill and notebook from twi. “You can begin.”
“Write this,”
Dear Princess Celestia,
I realize how busy you must be during this time, and I wouldn’t ask you for help if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. In short, Rarity’s life might be in danger and help in the form of gear and weapons would be greatly appreciated. This is not any sort of joke. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.
“Twiii-light Sparr-kle.” Repeated Spike, as he ripped off the page, and burned it.
“Thanks, Spike.” Said Twi as she patted him and turned to Pinkie Pie. “I really hope she gets to read it soon. If not, we’re on our own. But I understand that Celestia is very busy.”
Spike put the notebook back into her pouch and said, “I wouldn’t worry about that. These letters always appear near Celestia after all. And she knows we wouldn’t send a letter this way unless it’s important.” Comforting her.
She smiled and said, “Yeah, good poin-” Just as she was about to finish the sentence, a flash of light appeared in front of them. A guard walked out, with two more following behind him as the light faded out.
Twilight just gaped at them with her mouth open, and Spike did the same. “Well, that was definitely faster than I expected.” He commented, following the guards with his eyes as they approached.
“Miss Sparkle?” Asked the dark coated guard in front of her, presumably their leader, as he looked directly at Twilight.
“Y-yes. I am Twilight Sparkle. Did the Princess send you?”
“Her majesty indeed sent us. And I have a message for you.” He then handed her an envelope.
Twi opened it, and read, ‘I will come aid you as soon as I can. Armor and a few weapons are on their way. For now, have my guards to protect you.’.
She hugged the letter, and thanked Celestia in her mind.
“Thank you, captain?...”
“Sergeant actually. Sergeant Starfield, at your service.” He replied, while bowing his head slightly.
“Thank you, sergeant. I wouldn’t write to the Princess if it wasn’t a life or death situation. So, um, our friend Rarity has gone missing. Me and my friends immediately started an investigation, and headed to the last place she was seen in. And when we went inside…” Twilight trailed off as she wasn’t so sure how to explain this to the guards. “We got kicked out by a pony using dark magic.” She said, with a serious look on her face.
The guards seemed to be a bit shocked at the revelation, but seemed to believe her. “Understood. So, you want us to help you get past the pony?” The sergeant asked.
“Well yes. Ideally I would love to avoid him, after our last encounter I don’t want to risk my friends’ lives.” Twi replied, resolve could be seen in her eyes.
“That is wise, madam. Though may I ask, have you tried calling the police first? They are the first choice ponies go to for help.” Starfield asked her.
Twilight didn’t respond for a few seconds, being struck by the question. “Um, well… we could have, but I don’t think this is a case that the regular police could solve. We are talking about someone using powerful magic. And the longer we would wait the more out of hoof it would get.”
“Fair enough. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t think less of you for your response. Wherever the Princess sends us, we go and do our job the best way we can. If it’s important to the princess, it’s our job to make sure things turn out smoothly.” The sergeant responded, shrugging.
“I see… Well, we should go and wait in front of the hotel until the rest of my friends arrive. I actually told them to get some of the gear we need, heh.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head while smiling awkwardly. “We really weren’t expecting you to come so soon. Who am I kidding, I didn’t expect the princess to send guards at all.”
Twilight smiled, and added, “I will make sure to thank her properly once she arrives herself.”
Well then, let’s go!” Starfield turned, and started heading towards the direction of the hotel.
“Wait!” Called out Pinkie Pie. “I didn’t get to know the other guard’s names! It wouldn’t be fair to want help from someone we don’t even know!” She jumped into a nearby bush, and somehow appeared behind the guards, startling them.
“Uh, it’s alright, miss. You will most likely never see us again. No point in learning our names.” Pointed out one of the guards, setting his helmet into the correct position after it nearly fell off of his head.
“Aww, don’t be silly! It would feel weird to work alongside someone you don’t even know.” Pinkie told them, her grin persisting.
“Um, well, my name is Jade Stone and this,” he pointed at the guard standing beside him, “is Iron Heart.”
“Hello Iron Heart and Jade Stone!” Pinkie said enthusiastically, while shaking both of their hooves. “I’m sure we will have a lot of fun working together!”
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were walking in the middle of a moderately busy street, when Rainbow noticed a sign saying ‘Da best hardware store’.
“Seems like we found the place.” She said, pointing her hoof towards the shop.
“Ain’t sure how trustworthy it is if they can’t even spell ’the’ correctly.” Commented AJ while shaking her head, as she and Fluttershy followed Dash inside of the store.
A bell above the door rang, and the clerk welcomed them with a bored tone, “Welcome to Da best hardware store. Hope you will find what you are looking for and have a nice time.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” Fluttershy said, as she started sorting through the items, in search for a rope, a bunch of screwdrivers and flashlights. The store was fairly small, with shelves lining the walls. Rainbow looked through them, noticing an empty one with a label ‘mirror frames for sale’.
“Alright, who in all of equestria would buy a mirror frame? Why is this shelf even empty” Dash commented.
“A stallion came in, loaded them all in a cart and left without even paying.” The clerk answered while flipping through a catalog he was reading. “It happened 4 days ago, and I also haven’t seen my boss since then.” He looked out the window, a shocked look came to his face as a royal guard came inside. “Um hello sir, what brings you here?” He replied, wondering what is Celestia’s guard doing in a random shop in Manehatten.
“I’m looking for Miss Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow dash. Twilight Sparkle sent me.” The dark brown stallion replied.
Rainbow turned around, eyeing the guard who looked at all of them evenly. “Did Twilight send us a message or something? Are you really one of Celestia’s guards? I doubt you all would arrive here that fast.”
“Rainbow, just look at the armor,” Applejack said to her. “Only the royal guards wear golden ones.”
“My name is Sergeant Starfeild.” He bowed and approached Dash. “I asked Twilight if I could check on you all. Everything is in order?” He turned to the store clerk who had a worried look on his face.
“Yes but there are no flashlights on the shelves. Do you have any spares?” Fluttershy asked the clerk as he closed the catalog and grabbed some keys.
“Yeah, I forgot to restock them upfront. Sorry about that, I’ll be right back.” He unlocked the door behind him, went in and slammed it shut.
“I can sense he doesn’t like this job. I was in the same place like him, before becoming a guard.”
“Really, what was your past job then?” Dash questioned him with a smirk.
“Working in a sewing shop actually.” He replied and she lost her smirk. “What? That was what my family has been doing since the very beginning. I really didn’t like the job so I trained to become a guard instead. Took me five years to reach the point where I am now.”
“Your family must be proud of ya then.” Applejack smiled. “I doubt it was easy to get in the army.”
“It wasn’t easy. And no, my family was fairly disappointed actually. They wanted me to carry out their business and I didn’t want to. If they want to keep it alive, they will have to pass the torch to someone else.”
“Aw shucks. I can’t say I’m happy to hear that you have troubles with your parents, but at least you stood up for yourself and followed your dream.” AJ replied.
“Yeah well, life is a mule. It is very much a pain, but you should spend it by doing what you love, not by what someone tells you to do.” Starfield said, and after a while looked at the clock and eyed the door the clerk went through. “Hmm, he has been gone for a bit.”
“He is probably just taking his time. Though I don’t get what is so hard about getting a bunch of flashlights.” Rainbow commented as he walked over to the counter.
“It doesn’t take long to grab some flashlights. You three stay here, I’m going to take a look.” He opened the door, slipping through into the room. “Hey, is everything alright?” Starfield shouted out. The light flickers and there was only silence. Shelves storing the goods were knocked over, the clerk laying on the ground under one. He wasn’t moving, Oh no he thought, running over to him.
He lifted a crossbow up and loaded it up with his magic and started to point it to all of the directions strategically. “Show yourself!” He commanded. The place stayed quiet, as he kept his eyes forward. He tried to set his hoof to the unicorn’s chest, but he only felt the floor under him. He looked down, but the body was gone. “Wait what? He was right there!” Scanning the floor, he noticed something on the floor. Black hoof prints marked the ground, leading to the back of the room. Couriously, he followed the trail, keeping his eyes open as the place felt weirdly heavy. Like something was watching but he couldn’t only feel its presence.
The trail ended abruptly, with no further evidence of anything being here. “This doesn’t look like rats footprints… Hmm why is that mirror covered?” He looked at a half covered mirror, light shining from the uncovered part.
He eyed it cautiously and decided to have his crossbow ready, holding it in his magic as he examined the frame and placed his hoof on it. “Strange.” He said, pulling his hoof away as it went numb. “What is this made of?” He said and shook his hoof in the air. Curious, he pulled the cover off the mirror. His eyes widened in shock at what he was seeing.
A mare sat in the reflection, her coat smeared in black as the left side of her face looked as dry as a desert, missing the green color the rest of her body had. It was like mold was growing on top of her skin, and her left eye looked to be caved in. One of her legs was ripped off with a black mark being the only thing in its place. Its eyes met Starfield’s as it twitched its body and growled.
“What the hell?!” Starfield looked behind him. It wasn’t there though. Starfield realized that as he noticed the thing lifting its hoof up and and getting on it’s back legs. “Oh horseapples!” He backed up as the creature started to rush towards him through the glass surface of the mirror, its hoof phasing out of the mirror and reaching for him. He fired at it, the bolt racing and shattering the mirror, causing the creature’s part of the body that got out of the mirror to vanish as it let out a hellish scream.
“Ya alright Starfield?I could swear ah’ heard a scream!” Applejack shouted out.
“Yes… I’m good, just give me a sec.” He shouted back to her while quickly eyeing the room and grabbing the flashlights the clerk was supposed to bring. He then bolted out of the room and met Applejack and Rainbow. “I found the flashlights for you.”
“Yay,” Called out Fluttershy, and asked, “How much will those cost?”
Starfield looked back into the room, and quickly glanced back. “I don’t think you will have to worry about paying anymore.”
The girls looked at each other, then back at him confused as he grabbed a bag and placed the items in it. “I’ll tell you what happened on the way to the hotel.” After that, he escorted the girls out of the shop, and upon leaving, he paid one last look towards the room with the now shattered mirror, and flipped the sign saying ‘CLOSED’.
Spike looked up to the sky, where the sun was nearing the edge and setting. “C’mon, night is almost here, what’s taking the girls so long?”
Twilight closed the book she was reading and set it into her bag with her mouth. “I’m not sure. That’s why I asked Starfield to check on them after all.”
After a bit of waiting, Starfield appeared with Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow in tow.
“AJ!” Called out Pinkie, while she bounced around a pensive looking Applejack. “How did the shopping go? Did you get everything? And why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
AJ responded to that by looking at her, and saying, “It went well. We should have everything we need outside of weapons and armor. And kind of yes. Starfield here will tell you more.” She then approached Twilight and greeted her.
Starfield checked up on his squad, and began telling them what happened. “This is bigger than we all thought. A clerk from the shop we’ve visited just disappeared.”
“Figuratively, sir?” Asked one of the soldiers.
“I wish. When I went looking for him, all that awaited me was a strange mirror… and a creature within it that almost killed me. Yes. A monster inside of a mirror. I want you to immediately send a report to Princess Celestia.”
Another soldier saluted, and began writing. “Yes sir!”
Starfield then turned away from his soldiers, and walked over to Twilight and her friends. “We are awaiting your next commands, Miss Sparkle. By the way, the gear should be here any minute. I was told by our warehouse master it would take approximately 1 hour to gather and ship.”
“The best course of action would be to wait here. I assume our gear is going to arrive at the same place you got teleported to?” Twilight asked, and Starfield nodded.
“Yes, over there.” He pointed at the chunk of ground where they first appeared. “Also, it’s none of my business but do you have a plan for when we will be escorting you in the hotel?”
Twilight replied with “Actually, I do. First you will-” Just as she was about to finish the sentence, multiple crates appeared at the precise spot Starfield pointed at.
Everyone gathered around the crates, and they began to open them one by one.
“Sweet!” Called out Dashie, as she held a similar golden armor in her hooves. “Will we get to wear these?”
Twi nodded, as she picked through the other crate, containing spears as well as swords with runes on them. “I can’t thank the Princess enough! This is exactly what we need!”
She then dug into another crate, this one containing medical boxes filled with bandages, syringes and other medical equipment. “Oh my. I totally forgot to ask for medical supplies! I love you Celestia!”
“Um, Twi? I ain’t a doctor but there is enough supplies to stitch up more than ten ponies. Should we, I dunno, worry?” AJ asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Well… yeah, maybe a little bit. Where we are going, it will be very dangerous. That’s why I asked the Princess to send in the armor. I couldn’t withstand one of my best friend’s death…” She finished, tears welling in her eyes.
“O-Oh yeah, better safe than sorry.”
AJ replied, tugging at her hat and bringing it down to cover her eyes. After that she grabbed an armor, and started putting it on slowly.
“By the way, has anyone else noticed something strange?” Commented Dashie.
“What do you mean? I’ve seen a lot of weird stuff today.” Responded Twilight, strapping on her armor.
“I know, but why is nopony around? We are literally in the middle of one of the biggest cities.”
“It’s almost night, every pony is probably in their apartments right now.”
“What’s the hold up ponies? Let’s get this party started in the hotel!” Pinkie Pie cheered, and group-hugged Twi and AJ.
“Not so fast, Pinkie.” Twilight told her . “First we need to put the armor on, and if possible, everyone carry a weapon.” She pointed at Pinkie, who forgot to put on her armor.
“A weapon? Um, no thank you.” Said Fluttershy quietly.
“You don’t have to, of course. Especially if you’ve never wielded a sword before. They are quite heavy. And honestly Im not sure if I will be able to hold one myself.” Twilight assured her, and tried to lift a moderately long sword up to swing it around, but she soon decided to stop, to not hurt her horn even more.
“No complaints here!” Called out Dashie, already wearing golden chain mail. When She finished talking, she reached under her wing with her mouth, and grabbed a short sword stored in a pouch. She then swung it around, but sadly didn’t think about its weight, which made her dangerously turn to the side, almost falling.“Wooah.”
She spit it out, and looked at Twilight. “Magic makes everything so easy.”
“Don’t worry Rainbow, you can pick a lighter one. Or use a crossbow instead… even though I doubt it’s pleasant to aim with bare hooves”. Twilight replied, slightly dropping her ears.
“Ya know what Twi, I don’t think me or Dashie really need a weapon. If anything attacks us, I will just smash it with my hooves.” Applejack said and flexed her legs, muscles showing.
“You betcha!” Agreed Dashie and brohoofed AJ.
Meanwhile Pinkie was choosing her own armor, and asked Starfield with a surprised look, “So there are no pink editions? Not even ones with cake or candy ornaments?”
Starfield nodded no, and told her, “Sorry, miss. The closest to pink would be Princess Luna’s guards’ dark violet armor. And there’s no way to get it now.”
“Aww.” Frowned Pinkie, and looked around for an alternative. “I will go with this one, then!” She pointed at the default armor, and started to dress into it.
“Hey, what about me?” Asked Spike, hopeful look on his face.
“Sorry buddy.” Said Twilight, and patted him. “They don’t make dragon armors.” As she saw Spike frown at that, she added, “Why would they after all? Your scales are more powerful than anything. Plus you can breathe fire, none of our weapons can match that.”
She then gave him a warm smile, and Spike returned it. “You’re right, Twilight!” He replied.
“Alright, are we all ready to go, girls?” Twilight asked, and got mostly an excited ‘Hell yes’ and ‘Wohoo’ as a response.
“Just let me pack the supplies, and we can go.” Said Fluttershy, while she stuffed the medical supplies into both of her pouches.
“Let me help you carry some of that, miss.” Said Starfield, and started packing the supplies into his bags as well.
“Thank you Starfield, think you can carry some of the syringes too, Rainbow Dash? It would be wise to distribute the medicine amongst more of us in case something, well, happens to us.”
Dash nodded and Fluttershy handed them over to her.
“I will stick with Twilight for now. We will need to spread out to search the place. Jade stone you will stick with Spike, Iron heart you will stick with Pinkie Pie. Do not separate yourselves from the one you are assigned to, got it?”. Starfield commanded his guards.
“Sir, yes sir!” The guards said simultaneously and saluted.
After finishing the preparations, mane 6… well, 5 plus Starfield with his guards, now stood in front of the Manehatten’s Hotel. Compared to the other buildings surrounding it, a fair amount of dark clouds hovered above it.
“Is it just me, or has the hotel really gotten scarier?” Twilight asked, scratching her head and eyeing down the hotel.
“It really didn’t look like this the last time I stayed here.” Starfield answered, and looked at the mildly surprised looks the ponies were giving him. “What? Guards have to stay somewhere when we are on a mission. So why not choose a fancy hotel.”
“Oh yeah.” and “That makes sense.” Sounded from the group.
“Soo, will we barge inside or-?” Asked Dashie, excitedly flying through the air.
Twi alongside most of the group gave her flat looks. “Yeah sure. Let’s go in, beat the bad guy, save Rarity and profit. Sounds like a foolproof plan to me!” Called out Twilight, grinding her teeth a bit in irritation.
“Heh, sorry.” Rainbow apologized and landed on the ground. “So, what’s your secret plan, then?”
“It’s not exactly a secret. But here it is.” Twilight breathed in, and started explaining her plan. “So, we will go to a balcony on one of the higher floors. There are nine floors and we will each get three to look through. Me and Starfield will have the ground floor up to floor two. Pinkie and Iron Heart, you will have floors three through five. Spike and Jade, you have the top floors. We need to search the whole place. Each of us going through different floors will make it easier.
“What about me?” Asked Dashie eagerly.
“You’re going with Fluttershy and Applejack to check out that theater. Starfield, I’ll share with you what AJ brought to me when we get inside. You will definitely find it interesting, especially one of the pictures. Good luck, I hope you three stay safe.”
“Don’t worry sugar cube, we got that handled. Just a quick question,” she turned to Fluttershy. “You sure you know how to use that stuff?”
“What, the medical supplies? I do know how to bandage simple wounds, as well how to fixate a broken limb. Hope it never comes to that though. I’m always on the verge of crying when I see one of my animal friends getting hurt!” Fluttershy responded, and added, “But I promise that I will do whatever it takes to protect my friends inside of this hotel!”
“That’s muh girl!” Called out AJ, and turned to Twilight. “I think there’s no better time to go than this one.”
“Agreed. The sooner we go the better.” Said Twilight, waving to the three of them, gesturing to Starfield to teleport them.
* * *