~ April 19th, 1020 ME ~
‘4:50pm‘
Ponies were hard at work scouring for changelings, getting testimonies to search for missing individuals, and informing the populace of the shelter warning as well as the Princess' public address scheduled for 6:00pm. With all the guards having their hooves full, the castle was emptier than it had been in hundreds of years.
Earlier today, when Twilight returned to Canterlot, she brought Spike back with her. He had been impacted greatly by the battle, and was glad to be back with Twilight, but he missed Wiz Frame as well. They had both saved each other's lives and formed a bond of trust that wouldn't be easily broken. Who knew a single night could have so much impact on one's life?
As for Twilight's friends, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie volunteered to prepare supplies for the mission they planned to embark on this evening. Rarity would probably prepare the kitchen sink, Pinkie would bring the unexpected items, and Applejack would provide the balance with her practicality. Rainbow Dash had caught word the Wonderbolts would be flying around the city limits to cover for the reassigned border patrols, so not to be outdone, she offered to help them until the Mane six and Blazing planned to leave. That left Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike to watch Blazing test his latest discovery. The short window of time would also help Twilight get her research and notes shipped to the Canterlot division of magical development.
Her brother was still going to go through with shielding Ponyville, despite her and Cadance's objections, so she would make sure he, and the ponies from Cloudsdale were as prepared as possible. He was insistent that he would protect the citizens of Equestria and return to his wife and daughter. Shields were a big part of his special talent, and this was his destiny. Before Shining departed for Ponyville he agreed on using both the mana blasters as well as some carefully sealed poison joke, but little else was able to be prepared on short notice. He also would give a speech during the princesses' address, encouraging ponies to join the force regardless of the draft. The troops would already have their own weapons and armor, so more than anything else, the reinstated Captain would need to be prepared to coordinate the defenses and lead with authority.
If things weren't already chaotic enough, transportation services were hectically having to make trips all over the place. The royal chariots were working overtime with all the ponies and items that were moving between the capital and Ponyville, and the trains in between weren't much better having been shut down to the general public in order to bring ponies from Ponyville to Canterlot for their safety. If the small town was going to be a continued battlefield, it wouldn't be safe for the families to remain where they would be in harm's way.
For Blazing, the most entertaining thing from the day so far was watching Twilight furiously take notes while he explained and tested some of what he learned in the archives, again purposely leaving out any details about STAR.
"From my understanding, the runes are meant to make elemental spell casting more efficient, but in theory any one of these spells could be created with will power alone."
"Hold on... but all spells require a weave of some sort to fulfill its designed purpose. What do you mean you can use pure willpower?"
"Well since my cutie mark is a depiction of fire, ice, lightning and water raining down from the clouds, I get the impression that I should be able to harness them all simply because magic wills it that way. My mind must be capable of automatically completing the spell without having to put as much effort into learning it. I don't really have proper evidence yet, except from the short time I've been here it has taken less time to learn control over the elements."
"That sounds scary," said Fluttershy.
"But also cool!” Spike added.
"Alright Twilight... I'm going to now attempt to use the power of the winds, but first I'm going to feel for Equestria's ley-lines. I remember having sensed them back in the forest when I had to focus my energy to overcome Sombra."
"I can sense magic , but in all my years, I have never dreamt of feeling ley-lines. What's it like?" Twilight asked.
Blazing had his eyes closed and his horn alighted gold as he stood motionless in the training grounds. This was where he first arrived in this odd world. He barely remembered the events after teleporting through the void between worlds, but the area still reminded him of the memory. Time continued to pass, but Blazing was experiencing a calmness washing over him that cleared his mind. The ley-lines flowed with pure mana permeating the air and skies. They were like streams bending around and passing through every material thing. He even felt a few passing through himself, which he attempted to redirect towards his horn bending them to his will. The feeling was almost overwhelming. A strength was felt that wasn't there before. The feeling was that of being energized before a race or refreshed by a cold drink on a hot day. In the moment he was reminded of God's goodness regardless of life's circumstances. Blazing took a moment to thank God for his provisions, and the opportunity to serve the ponies in need of his help. He also prayed for protection in the trials ahead.
When he opened his eyes, he was met with an expectant Twilight.
"Well? It must have felt like something, right?"
"I'm sorry Twilight. If you had said something I must have missed it. It was like experiencing a sixth sense. A very serene sixth sense." Blazing paused briefly before continuing his description. "The world had a different perspective to it. I was reminded that I should take a moment to pray, and I didn't realize how much I needed it. For the first time since arriving, I would almost be ready to talk about my home now." Twilight was very caught off guard by what Blazing said. She had been wanting to ask him questions about it since he got here, but it would still have to wait. Unfortunately, she had to be reminded that there were more pressing matters than learning about an alien race.
"As much as I've been wanting to hear all about that... I'll try to refrain from asking about Earth so that we can keep this magic practice going, but if there's anything in particular you wanted to share, I would be very interested to hear about it. On a side note, I know a few self-defense spells I'd like to teach you after you've had a chance to experiment with the remaining runes you came across. Which reminds me that you'll have to tell me how you discovered them once things start to settle back down."
"A mare as smart as you may figure it out before I get a chance. You may also have to ask Princess Celestia about it. I'm not sure how much I can say, but I'm sure she would share if you asked. Anyways... I think I have a better feel for ambient magic now. I'm going to start with trying to control the winds." Blazing began spell casting and wanted a clear goal for what he was trying to make the rune do. He envisioned an air-bender using the winds to move through the skies.
"Um... Twilight? Should we be standing this close?" Fluttershy inquired.
"Don't worry Fluttershy, I've prepared different shield spells just as a precaution. I'm prepared for all possibilities." Twilight's confidence in her own magical abilities was clear from her latest statement.
Twilight was not prepared for when Blazing launched off the ground eight feet into the air and frankly neither was Blazing. Caught off guard by the sudden change in atmosphere that propelled him upwards, he lost his concentration on the spell he was casting and began falling back down. His own abilities surprised him so much that his body wasn't responding to the fall. Twilight in her fast thinking wrapped Blazing in her telekinesis, catching him before he impacted the ground. His face had already met dirt in this field one too many times.
"Are you alright?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'm fine I think... That's going to take a lot of practice..."
The practice session continued, with Blazing deciding to leave the air for a later time. He had great success creating lightning and ice blasts, but the latest thing he was practicing was proving to be quite difficult, maybe even impossible. He had little idea what the power over earth should do, and he also didn't have a clear vision of what he wanted it to do. Having made the rune several times over with no results he was beginning to think this spell may have been outside his abilities. He continued to try to no avail. Previously he had felt magic actively responding to his thoughts, the earth however, obviously didn't want to listen to Blazing.
"Hmmm... and things had been coming so naturally... I don't think I can manipulate the Earth. I just didn't feel any connection to anything when I tried to use the spell."
"The possibilities with everything else you did is a huge breakthrough though! No reason to be disappointed. What you accomplished in such a short time is amazing!"
"Thanks Twilight. We should go eat before the big speech. I know you had wanted to show me some things, but my stomach is telling me it's getting close to that time."
"You're right. Let's get the girls together for a nice meal before tonight. Maybe I can finally convince you to try some flowers, hmm Blazing?"
"No chance Princess."
"You did file to be an official citizen... so technically I can make a royal command for you to do it."
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, but I could."
"Well... its been fun, Fluttershy, Spike, but I will be having Discord send me home now." Blazing nodded towards them both completely ignoring Twilight as he began walking back towards the castle.
"You're no fun." Twilight commented. Then she started getting nervous because Blazing didn't turn back or say anything. "Blazing? I won't force you to do anything I-"
"-Gotcha" Blazing said, turning his head over his shoulder with a smirk on his face. "I guess that means I win this round and there will be no flowers tonight." Blazing laughed a little at how fun it was to experience Twilight trying to be sarcastic when she was so serious about most things. Twilight took the opportunity to 'chase' after Blazing Waters, feeling a little silly at how easily she had thought she had pushed him over the edge with something she said. Fluttershy and Spike all the while just looked at each other, trying and failing not to read too much into the interaction.
Maybe I should try that with Rarity, thought Spike. Not wanting to be left behind, Spike and Fluttershy followed their friends towards the dining hall.
‘6:00pm‘
Celestia stepped to the front of the castle balcony overlooking the main square. It was filled with thousands of ponies. In her royal Canterlot voice, her voice was amplified enough for everypony to hear.
"Citizens of Equestria, My Little Ponies, the state of our national defense is being tested. I know there is much fear, especially now with the disappearances happening all over, but everypony matters. We will fight to rescue every last missing pony!" A cheer went through the crowd. As it settled down Celestia continued. "We will do everything in our power to prevent being surprised again. Now more than ever I know you have concerns. I'd like to reassure you that if we come together for the common goal of protecting those we love, we can make it through this. Already we have resources and troops coming in from other nations to defend what we stand for, to defend harmony! Responsibilities have been delegated in order that we may continue to serve you and reopen court to hear your requests. We are hopeful that with our best ponies working hard, we will recover stronger than ever."
Shining Armor then moved forward to begin his segment of the address, which unfortunately would be something ponies wouldn't want to hear. "Currently the guard is doing what it can, but we simply cannot protect every city without more of you fighting alongside us. Which is why we've had to make a difficult choice. Something that hasn't been done in almost a millennium will be reinstated. 500 ponies between the age of 20 and 30 will be receiving draft papers in the mail to serve in guard. The fate of Equestria may very well need your special talents. Our enemies will not get the chance to usurp the throne and bring about ruin. Even if you aren't drafted, your service could still make the difference in this war. The princesses have agreed that you shouldn't be kept in the dark even if that means our enemies will know that we are aware of them. Chrysalis, Sombra, and the Nightmare are all confirmed to be back, and we have suspicions to believe their actions are not isolated events, but rather collaboration. We will fight for you. I will fight for you. the question is... who else will take a stand for what we know and love?"
Shining stepped back from the front and embraced his wife. The reaction from the crowd towards the message was mixed. No doubt some ponies would be upset with the developments, but others were proud to be citizens of Equestria with such driven leaders; Leaders that ruled from the front lines and not just from a throne. Leaders that would be willing to make difficult decisions. There was stomping and more cheering from the crowds below. The Princesses had never failed them before, so they felt confident putting their trust in the ponies standing on the balcony, which included all of the Princesses, The Mane Six, Shining Armor, and towards the back just out of sight from the crowds, Blazing Waters.
‘7:00pm‘
The time had come for The Mane Six, Blazing, and Spike (at Twilight's request) to make a trip down to the sealed tunnel entrances under Canterlot. Somehow Spike had ended up carrying all of the things Rarity thought of bringing. Fluttershy would have offered to help him, but her wing still hadn't fully recovered from Sombra damaging it. Pinkie Pie had her usual bounce to her step despite where they were headed. Rainbow Dash was talking with Applejack, which left Blazing talking with Twilight. "Twilight, I was just thinking... how did you get your cutie mark?"
"That's a pretty personal story, but I can tell you it was one of the happiest days of my life, possibly also one of the most embarrassing too. It was the day Celestia asked me to be her personal protege at the school for gifted unicorns. I was trying to hatch a dragon egg using my magic, but I just couldn't do it. Suddenly a rainbow wave filled the sky and I felt raw unbridled magic coursing through me. I did a lot more than hatch the egg, but in the end Celestia recognized my potential and Spike was born from the egg! Any reason in particular for asking?"
"It's become evident the longer I'm here that ponies cutie marks being linked to their destiny is a pretty big deal. I wanted to know what the experience was like for you. Every time I think about my cutie mark all I can think is that Discord already knows a lot more about me then he lets on. I even have gotten the impression that Princess Celestia might know things about me that I don't know yet. It's a scary thought but... I was wondering if they... or even if you could see the future?"
"Maybe, but I wouldn't be so sure. When I tried to warn my past self about something from the future, all I learned is that time loops can't be altered that way. Everything still came to pass as it was meant to. Discord's chaos magic can sometimes break the rules so to speak, but he usually prefers not to mess with things that promote order, time included."
"Yeah, but then I think about all the things he has messed with, and it seems like he is almost chaotically working to maintain order. It’s paradoxical. The Spirit of Chaos evidently is pulling more strings than anyone else involved in this war. Aren't you the slightest bit concerned about his motives?"
"I hadn't thought of it that much until now. We have been trying to trust him more since he became reformed and Fluttershy has tea with him every week, so I can't see what he might want or even if that's a bad thing. Besides causing some trouble for you in the process, it seems like he just genuinely wants to help."
"I'm not convinced, but I'll let that go for now. Do you have any plans for what we might find when we get to the main entrance of these tunnels?"
"Well, if we find they are all still magically sealed then we can head back to the castle and get the rest of the night off to get some needed catch up on sleep. If things are as I'm expecting, we won't find it sealed. If that's the case, we spend the night looking for evidence of changelings and any leads on where they may have taken the missing ponies from Canterlot." upon reaching the cave entrance nearest to the castle it was closed off. The mine that was once in the caves had long since been abandoned. It looked exactly how Twilight had last seen it. Stones had been put in front of it and enchanted with spells that wouldn't allow them to be moved. Her friends were relieved that nothing was out of the order, but Twilight wasn't convinced. She felt magic was still present, but the spell weave wasn't what she was expecting. "Blazing do me a favor and try to levitate one of those stones."
"I can't seem to get a hold of it."
"That's because it's not there and neither is the spell that prevents tampering. This wall is an illusion."
"This is the spell you used in your lab." Spike was amazed that he could now see evidence of the illusion and he knew why Twilight had seen through it; she was familiar with it.
"Similar yes, not quite the same. This one has more flaws." Twilight responded as she used her magic to dispel the illusion. What revealed itself was an expansive cavern going deep under Canterlot. Blazing couldn't help but wonder how this didn't cause the city to collapse from it all caving in. He took a moment to feel for the ley-lines flowing through the cave as they all walked in together. As they carefully made their way several steps into the cavern, something felt off. Some of the magic was bending as if it was interacting with other magical creatures besides their group. "Wait!" Blazing quietly but intensely whispered. "We're not alone."
"Pinchy knee! Pinchy Knee!" Pinkie Pie couldn't help herself from sharing her Pinkie sense with the group.
"What does that mean?" Blazing being the only one in the group who didn't know meant the other ponies and Spike were already starting to back their way out of the cave.
"It means something scary is about to happen." Pinkie's answer sounded completely ridiculous to Blazing, but he had already been told by Twilight not to question it. Instead, he followed their lead backing his way out of the cave as well. He ended up backing straight into Applejack who had stopped along with the rest of the group. When they looked towards the entrance, a wall of dark figures were lined up in front of it. Then looking back into the cave where they had originally been heading, they saw even more of them. "We're surrounded" Rainbow Dash spoke what their entire group had been thinking. How could they have known we were going to be here at this time? Blazing's thoughts were interrupted by a sound that scared him, just as Pinkie had foretold.
All the dark figures spoke at once, perfectly on cue. "We've been expecting you." The same voice was coming from every single figure. There had to have been near a hundred. That wasn't the only thing that made it scary. Every single one of them shared a voice Blazing had heard before. The sound of Sombra echoed off the walls as the cave entrance was blocked with a wall of black crystals springing up behind the dark figures. That could only mean one thing: Sombra had not only recovered enough to use magic, but he was also somewhere among the changelings surrounding them.