Outskirts of Ponyville Half an Hour Ago
Princess Celestia touched down outside of a one-story home. It was a modest place, but it had a homely feel to it, unlike the cold stone interior of the castle. For a second, Celestia silently envied the couple that lived here, but she quickly shook the thought from her mind. 'I don't have the luxury of thinking that way at the moment. That second object fell down near here. If The Doctor is here, this doesn't bode well.
"Sister." Celestia was broken from her thoughts by a voice coming from the doorway. Looking up, she saw the face of a blue alicorn with hair like a starry night. "I am glad you're here. I was about to send for y...." Luna cut herself off when she saw the mixture of fear and excitement in Celestia's eyes.
"Luna", Celestia looked to her sister. "The TARDIS is here."
Luna's eyes widened, "Sister are you sure?" Celestia nodded. Luna's face took on the same look as her sister's, "if that's the case then that sinking feeling I got was right."
"Sinking feeling?" Celestia Narrowed her eyes. "What sinking feeling?"
Luna opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. A look came across her face as she appeared to be thinking something over, then she opened her mouth again. "It'll be easier to show you. I want you to meet with the husband."
"The husband?"
"Yes. He and his wife are currently confined to the house." Luna paused to see that Celestia was following her. "The wife is perfectly fine as far as I can tell, it's the husband that was found at the crash site that worries me."
Celestia contemplated asking what she meant, thinking better of it, she instead let her curiosity go for the time being. "Very well, I shall meet with him."
Emerald watched as the thing wearing her husband's skin followed a guard out of the sitting room. As it left, Princess Luna entered. She rose to bow but was stayed when Luna raised a hoof. "There's no need to bow. I'm here to talk."
"About what, your highness." Contrary to what Luna had expected, her voice sounded resentful, rather than defeated.
To Emerald's surprise, Luna strode across the room and sat down rather casually on the couch next to her. "Well, anything." Emerald looked up to Luna, eyes wide with surprise. Luna chuckled, "you don't need to worry. We shall figure out what has happened to your husband."
"Wha-"
"Oh please. I realised as soon as I looked at him." Luna let a dry laugh escape her lips, a pathetic attempt to lighten the mood. "Miss...Emerald is it? My sister is going to try to get some answers, best we can do is wait."
Luna hated admitting so, but it was useless to deny the truth.
Eileen followed the guard through to the dining room, as they entered, the smell of coffee stung her nose. The walls were dotted with decorative plates, 'This place is sickeningly sweet.’ She held back the urge to scoff.
'Nothing to say?' The silence in her head was a welcome change, though she could still feel a weight in the back of her mind.
"Greetings High Flyer." A soft voice drifted through the room from the small wooden dining table in the middle of the room.
Eileen looked around in High Flyer’s mind for a name and then, "Princess Celstia" she gave a curt bow. Celsestia gave a slight bow of her head and motioned for her to sit.
After taking her seat opposite Celestia, she spoke, "I've already told Princess Luna everything I know."
"We shall see."
10 minutes later
Celestia had gone over the same questions Luna had asked, and Eileen gave the same answers. Eileen was starting to grow tired of this when…
"....and you are certain you have been 100% honest with me?" Eileen nodded. Celestia waited a moment before continuing. "Then I have one more question. Where is the object now?"
Celestia noticed the pegasus tense up a bit, "What makes you ask?"
That motherly smile never left Celestia's face, but her eyes seemed to narrow, "Mr Flyer, or should I say, the creature pretending to be Mr Flyer. Did you know we alicorns are slightly telepathic. We can't read thoughts mind you, but we can read intent."
Eileen froze. She had been sent reeling by this revelation. She saw the Princess' horn glow, and before she could react, she felt a wait around her neck. Looking down, she saw a golden ring wrapped around it. "WHAT IS THIS"
"You'll find all technology quite useless with that on. You're not the first alien that has taken advantage of my subjects, and you won't be the last. We aren't defenceless."
Eileen attempted to pull at the ring, but it had fused itself with the skin beneath the fur. She began to panic 'Think Eileen, think. Ah.' A smile came across the pegasus' muzzle. "Technology you say. But does it limit biological functions."
Celestia's eyes widened as the pegasus began to glow. Without thinking, Celestia leapt for the guards at the door and, enveloping them all in her magic, teleported them and herself away. The light expanded outward. Everything it touched combusted, the light continued to expand when suddenly....
*BOOM*
The light connected with a gas tank. Eileen, however, had vanished.
The explosion had sent out a shock wave that tore the trees on the perimeter of the forest up by the roots. It crashed into the group outside the TARDIS, knocking them back and demolishing a few homes on the edge of Ponyville. At the same, there was a flash of light and Celestia, accompanied by two guard ponies, came flying at them.
Looking around, she hadn't noticed The Doctor. "WHERE'S LUNA." As she spoke as blue light rose from the flames, it stopped mid-air, and after a few seconds, lunged toward them. The two guards moved to protect Celestia, but she stayed them with a hoof. The blue light touched down in front of the group and faded to reveal Luna, and enveloped in her magic, was a rather disoriented Emerald.
She looked around and her eyes immediately found Celestia. Before she realised it, she was wrapped into an embrace, she returned the hug. Her eyes then landed on The Doctor.
"Sister. It's him." Hearing this whispered in her ears, Celestia turned her head slowly. that's when she saw him.
"DOCTOR!"
Everfree Forrest Clearing
*CLACK* *CLACK* "UGH. BREAK DAMN YOU!" *CLACK* *CLACK* "AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH" A stone was sent hurling and shattered against a tree, adding to the pile at the base.
Panting, Eileen Scanned the area. "You're stuck." That loathsome voice mocked her from the back of her mind.
"Back with us, I see." Eileen practically growled. "Aren't you a bit too nonchalant about this?" She picked up another rock and started banging at the ring again.
*CLACK* *CLACK* Nothing. The ring didn't even have a scratch. Screaming, she threw the rock at the same tree. "I WILL NOT STARVE IN THIS BODY!"
"AAARRRRGGGGHHH" The scream sent every single creature scattering. High Flyer could sense her panic. However, deciding not to poke the bear anymore, he elected to stay silent.
Her eyes darted left to right, scanning the area, as if something there could help. "That damned, loathsome dog Celestia"*GASP*
"Celestia. She'd know how to remove this. I'll make her take this off."
"HA"
"What exactly is so funny"
"Princess Celestia has lived for centuries. She sealed Nightmare Moon. She defeated Discord. She imprisoned King Sombra. She sent Tirek to Tartarus. You don't stand a chance.
"You do realize I don't know who either of those is. No matter. I may not be able to hurt her physically, but everyone has something they care about."
Though nobody was around to see it, a grin came across her muzzle as she looked to the castle on the side of the mountain.
Outskirts of Ponyville
"DOCTOR!" The two Alicorns shouted in unison. A surprised Doctor found himself caught in a crushing embrace. "IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"
The Doctor gasped for air as he struggled to break free. Panicking, Pinkie ran up and managed to pry the princesses off of him. They looked at her indignantly before they realized The Doctor's condition. Celestia was the first to speak. "What's wrong with him?"
Pinkie filled them in on everything that had happened since the Doctor had arrived, with each word the light of comprehension began to grow brighter in their eyes. It was Luna's turn to speak up. "So he had never seen a pony before?"
"I wouldn't say that. But he was surprised I could talk." Pinkie looked like she was going to continue until…
*Ahem*" HE is standing right here" The Doctor sounded more amused than annoyed. "Look. I'm a time traveler. I don't always meet peopl-eerr-ponies in the right order."
Luna and Celestia couldn't help the disappointed looks on their faces as they nodded. "We understand", Celestia sighed.
"It's just.....hard." Luna stepped forward, ears drooping.
The Doctor lay a hand on each of their heads, "I understand, and I look forward to developing those memories. But it hasn't happened for me yet so, how about we introduce ourselves."
"Ahem." Celestia cleared her throat. "Yes, let’s."
The walk to the castle passed fast as they lost themselves in their introductions. They arrived to find a purple alicorn waiting for them at the door. She seemed to be looking around for something, her eyes widened. "Princess Celestia! I came as soon as I heard. What's lande...", Twilight trailed off as her eyes landed on The Doctor. "A HUMAN? But when did he come through the mirror?"
Spike cut her off, "If he came through the mirror then he'd be a pony. But that's not important right now."
"Spike is right. Something has happened." Celestia stepped forward. "But first, let's get inside. Best not to cause a panic." She turned to Silverstrike. "Round up the guards and tell them to keep everypony indoors." Silverstrike saluted and galloped off.
Celestia turned to the group and motioned a hoof inside. "Shall we."
Castle of Friendship
"....and you're all caught up." Twilight's jaw was practically on the floor.
"YOU'RE THE DOCTOR. I've read all about you. You're a living legend.” The Doctor stared bewildered.
“I have so much I want to ask you, but I guess you don’t have the answers.” Twilight’s ears drooped dejectedly.
“I’m sorry.” He pet her head and turned to Pinkie.
“Now.” He clapped his hands together. “Let me clear one misconception you two seem to have.”
Pinkie and Spike cocked their heads.
“I’m not human. I’m a time lord.”
“A what.”
The Doctor averted his eyes and seemed to visibly deflate. “I’m sorry but…could we not talk about this.” He looked back to them and gave what Pinkie presumed was supposed to be a reassuring smile.
Pinkie and Spike, both recognizing that it was a sore subject nodded understanding.
Celestia cleared her throat. “I hate to interrupt but, isn’t there something more important we need to be focused on.” She gestured a hoof toward Emerald.
Emerald raised an eyebrow, “I don’t appreciate being talked about like I’m not here. If you want to say something ” Her statement prompted a snicker from the scrawny earth pony sitting in the corner.
Celestia shot him a look that said, ‘not the time’, before turning a softer look toward Emerald. “Of course dear, I’m sorry about your husband.”
“High can take care of himself, I’m more interested in killing that thing infecting him.” The zebra’s voice grew more and more passionate. “I’m going to tear its throat out for laying a finger on him….assuming it has a throat…..or fingers.”
Every jaw in the room was on the floor, but The Doctor had a complicated look on his face. The silence lasted a few more seconds but, slowly, The Doctor spoke.
“I had a friend who once thought as you did, an eye for an eye, that line of thinking corrupted him and turned him into a monster.” The Doctor’s voice was low as if the mere memory was painful, but it carried to every ear in the room.
Emerald narrowed her eyes and raised her voice. “SO YOU’RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE THAT THING INSIDE MY HUSBAND.”
The Doctor stood up so that he towered over her. His voice was stern, but he never raised his voice. “Don’t raise your voice with me.” Emerald looked like she wanted to say something but she backed down, ears pinned back in anger.
“Now.” He knelt to her level. “I will help as much as I can to get your husband back, but I will not help you kill.” He stood back up. “We must give it a choice first.”
He put the next question to the room. “What do we know about this creature so far.”
It was Luna who piped up. “All we know for sure is that it is controlling Mr. Flyer.” She leaned forward. “And that it came down not long before you did.” She chuckled dryly. “One day we’ll see you, and something won’t be trying to kill us.”
“Do you remember anything before your regeneration?” Celestia put this question to The Doctor. When he looked away, she walked up to him. Coming to eye level with him, she lay a comforting hoof on his arm. “I know it may be painful but, it may be important.”
He sighed. “I was trying not to speak of this but..” He sat back down next to Twilight. “I had just sent Gallifrey, my home, back into the Time War…” The Doctor visibly winced has recounted the events that had led up to his regeneration. When he was finished, everyone in the room had their eyes downcast. Even Emerald, who until now had been glaring daggers at him, looked upon him with wet eyes.
Celestia was the first to speak. “Thank you, I’m sorry for pressuring you.”
The Doctor gave a half-hearted smile, eyes downcast.
Celestia took her place next to Luna again. “Sister.” Luna turned to Celestia with an accusing glare. “How does this help us. You’ve forced him to relive painful memories and for what? We’re no closer to figuring out what this thing is, what it wants or where it comes from.”
Celestia did not flinch at her sister’s words, but the look in her eyes told Pinkie that she agreed. Twilight piped up. “Princess.” Celestia motioned for her to continue. “Do you remember Starswirl’s book, the one with the spell you had me complete?”
“The one that gave you your wings? Yes, I remember it. But I don’t see how that…..” *Gasp* Celestia’s eyes widened with worry. “You can’t be serious.”
“Mind filling the rest of us in.” Spike tapped his foot impatiently, expressing the thoughts of everyone in the room. Except for The Doctor, who continued to stare at the floor with an unreadable expression.
“Ah, I’m sorry.” Twilight turned her attention to the room.
“You see. Starswirl created many of the spells we unicorns take for granted today.” She paused to make sure everyone was on the same page. “Some spells, though, he kept secret. Only jotting them down in his journals, many lost now, but some like that book give us glimpses at spells he began developing but never finished. One such spell was an invisibility spell.”
Luna leaned forward. “You don’t propose one of us spy on this creature, do you?”
“I do,” Twilight spoke matter-of-factly.
Celestia, worry evident on her face, shot up. “Twilight. You can’t be serious. A lot of Starswirls spells were erratic and unpredictable, even the complete ones. I can’t imagine casting one of his incomplete spells.” Celestia was pleading.
“Princess, I haven’t been idle these past few months. I’ve been working to complete some of those spells. The invisibility spell is difficult though, I can only cast it once. We will have to select somepony here.”
Celestia looked frantically to Luna, clearly hoping she would object. Luna met her look with a sigh. “I’m sorry sister. But it’s the best plan we’ve got. We don’t know enough about this creature.”
Celestia was becoming visibly desperate. “That may be true but…we still don’t know where it is.”
The Doctor chose this moment to look up from the floor. “Don’t worry about that.”
“What was that,” Celestia growled, anger replacing desperation. “SOME CREATURE IS OUT THERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ONE OF MY SUBJECTS. WE DON’T KNOW WHERE IT IS OR WHAT IT WANTS, AND NOW I’M EXPECTED TO LET ANOTHER ONE OF MY SUBJECTS BE SUBJECTED TO EXPERIMENTAL MAGIC THAT COULD VERY WELL KILL THEM. AND YOU TELL ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT! Celestia was panting by the time she was finished. Everyone in the room was silent. Everyone except…
“Are you done?” The Doctor’s voice was low. Receiving a glare from Celestia, he continued. “Like I was trying to say. From what you told me transpired at the house, the enemy is desperate. It will make a move soon enough. We will know then.”
Canterlot Castle
Prince Blueblood sighed to himself as the great stone doors to the assembly hall slammed shut behind him. Why he had to deal with the problems of the common folk he did not know. ‘If you ask me Aunty Celestia is too soft on these commoners.’
He scoffed to himself as he sauntered back to his chambers. Every time Celestia decided to leave the palace, he was left in charge. “If they don’t want their village overrun by Timberwolves, they shouldn’t have settled next to the Everfree Forrest.” Grumbling to himself, he ascended the large ornate staircase that lead to the upper levels of the castle.
Reaching the grand door to his bedroom, he gracefully pushed it open. The sun had long since set, and he needed his beauty sleep. Flopping down on the bed, he groaned. “Next time Aunty wants to go off gallivanting the peasants, she can call Aunty Cadance.” His face screwed up at that last part. He resented Cadance, sullying the royal name by marrying that commoner. But if she was willing to handle responsibilities in his place, he could grin and bear it.
Deciding not to dwell on such trivial things, he rolled onto his side and let sleep encompass him.
Above, in the grate above, Eileen looked down on the young prince. “My god,” she whispered, her tone was scornful. “Is this what passes for royalty on this planet?” High didn’t respond. She could not feel his presence anymore. She assumed he’d already faded into her subconscious.
Using a wing, she carefully unlatched the grate, and using her wings, she clumsily flew to the floor. Taking a second to regain her balance, she looked over the sleeping figure. “Hmm. Not a bad figure. Muscle mass not the best, but could be worse.” She gave another once over. “Yes, this body will do quite nicely.”
Chuckling she began to separate from High. That blood-red vapor collected in the air and slowly, as if struggling, made its way to the sleeping prince. It slowly merged with the pony, and High’s body fell limp on the floor. However, as quick as he’d merged with the new body, she was pulled out and back into High’s.
She picked herself up, feeling at her neck, the ring was warm. Her face twisted in rage as she cursed under her breath. “This godforsaken thing again.”
The prince began to stir. Slowly opening his eyes, he turned to the source of the voice. Seeing this, Eileen acted quickly. The prince had only just opened his eyes when Eileen slammed a hoof down on his forehead, knocking him unconscious.
“No matter. I still have her Nephew.” She grinned to herself. “I’ll make her take this thing off.”
Castle of Friendship
The room was empty now. Twilight had left to complete Starswirl’s spell, Celestia hot on her heels pleading with her to reconsider. Pinkie could tell from Twilight’s face that ignoring her old mentor’s pleas was hurting her to do, she knew how much Celestia cared for Twilight, but given the situation, no one could think of a better plan. Not even Celestia, in all her pleading, could not offer a better solution.
Luna had headed out into the town to help Silverstrike quell the crowd that had gathered around the TARDIS. The scrawny pony, Specs Luna had called him, had hobbled after her on unsteady legs. Emerald had left to a guest room that Twilight had offered her, she needed a place to stay now that her house had been destroyed by that creature.
Sometime after the meeting, the other element bearers had arrived at the castle, Twilight had briefed them on the situation, and had sent them around the town, putting up posters of High Flyer’s face. Due to her speed, Rainbow Dash had been sent to Canterlot to put up those same posters. They hadn’t even seen The Doctor yet.
Only Spike, The Doctor, and Pinkie Pie remained in Twilight’s study. Neither of the three knew what to say as they sat there, shuffling uncomfortably. The Doctor seemed to be staring at nothing in particular, his gaze had been clouded over ever since recounting the events before his regeneration. He had been as vague as possible when recounting it, and she had many questions, but she would not open that wound any further by prying. What she needed to do was bring him back up. Sitting across from her was a potential new friend, and she would not allow this negative atmosphere to persist.
‘A team is only as strong as its morale, that’s what my Nanny Pie used to say.’
Reciting the saying in her head she hopped over to The Doctor. “Heeeey Doctor.” He looked up from the floor and smiled. The smile surprised her because it looked completely genuine. All traces of his previous melancholy seemed to have vanished. However, looking closer, Pinkie could see he was putting on a mask. ‘Time to turn that façade into reality.’
“Sooooo I was thinking, since your new here and everything, you need someone to give you the tour of the town.” The Doctor looked at her confused.
“Now,” he asked.
“Well Twilight said it’d take a few hours to complete Starswirl’s spell, and there’s nothing you or I can do to help yet soooo…” The Doctor seemed to consider for a minute before nodding and standing up.
“Might as well.” He stood up and, folding his battered trench coat over his chair, followed her.
Spike jumped from his chair. “I’d come with you but Twilight will need me.” He puffed out his chest. “She’ll never admit it, but she’s lost without me.” With that, he left for the library.
Pinkie turned to The Doctor. “Shall we go?”
Everypony was still inside, save for the odd guard here and there, the streets were empty. As they walked Pinkie excitedly chatted to The Doctor. She had done all the talking since leaving the castle, The Doctor trying to get a word in now and then, but failing to Pinkie’s onslaught.
Despite this, The Doctor found himself enjoying the pink pony’s company, it reminded him of his time spent with his granddaughter Susan, she would often talk his ear off when she got excited. ‘I should check in on her sometime.’
As he reminisced, he heard Pinkie shout, “Yooohooo. Rarity. Over here.” The Doctor looked up and saw a white unicorn with a curled purple mane, beside her a smaller unicorn stood, white like the other with a puffy mane of various shades of pink.
She looked from the poster she had just put up and, seeing Pinkie and The Doctor, she turned to the smaller unicorn and said something. The smaller one groaned but, horn sparking as if she was having trouble, picked up the bucket of paste and the posters and ran to the next building.
Rarity turned back to them with a look of pride on her face. “Twilight’s magic lessons are really coming along. She can levitate objects now, I’m so proud of her.”
She shook her head. “Hello, Pinkie.” Rarity inclined her head in greeting before turning to The Doctor. “You must be this Doctor fellow I’ve heard so much about.” She reached out a hoof. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Rarity, and that charming young filly just now was my younger sister Sweetie Belle.”
The Doctor took her hoof and gave it a shake. “The pleasure is all mine. Meeting new peo-er-ponies is the spice of life after all.” He let go of her hoof.
Pinkie looked at Rarity with confusion written plain on her face. “I’m surprised Rarity.”
“Whatever do you mean Pinkie?”
“Well just look at his suite.” The Doctor looked offended but Pinkie paid him no mind. “It’s in complete shambles.”
Rarity looked a little offended. “I’m not insensitive Pinkie. I heard the manner in which he arrived, of course his outfit is ruined.”
The Doctor looked down at his suite and, for the first time, realized the state it was in. “I suppose I could use a new fit. It’s a shame really, this suite was a gift from Charlie Chaplin.”
Rarity offered him a sympathetic smile. “I would very much like to meet this pony. I can tell that that suite was once a marvellous item.”
The Doctor smiled and clapped his hands together. “I could arrange that, be warned, he’ll talk your ear off.”
Rarity chuckled and turned to Pinkie. “Now Pinkie. What are you doing here?”
“Well I thought I’d show my new friend around the town, we may as well help with the posters while we’re at it.”
“Marvellous.” Rarity turned to the building across. “SWEETIE BELLE.”
The little unicorn galloped over, struggling to carry a stack of posters in her magic. She stopped just short of them, staring wide-eyed at The Doctor. She approached slowly. “Is this that alien?”
Rarity opened her mouth to reply but The Doctor stayed her with a hand and, knelt down to Sweetie’s level. “Hi. I’m The Doctor. I hear you’ve been learning magic.” He spoke softly so as not to spook her.
“That’s right. I can levitate things now.” She puffed up her chest in pride, as her magic flickered, causing a poster to fall, she smiled sheepishly and deflated a bit. The Doctor smiled remembering how proud he’d been when he’d been accepted into the academy. The Master and he had gotten into so much trouble during their celebration. The memory was bittersweet.
“That’s very impressive. Are you working hard to help your big sister?”
“Mhm. We’re almost done.”
“Good job. You continue to help your sister.”
Sweetie Belle nodded rapidly and dashed off with posters and paste. Rarity looked on smiling. “You do have a way with kids. She was practically dragging her hooves before.”
The Doctor stood up and looked over to her, well I have experience dealing with kids.” He chuckled to himself.
“Well I’d better go after her, there’s no telling how much mischief she’ll get herself into.” Rarity started off after her sister before stopping to turn around. “Oh and Doctor. Once all this is over, feel free to stop by my boutique. I shall welcome the challenge of tailoring for an alien.”
With that, she disappeared around the corner after her little sister.
“She seems nice.” The Doctor turned to Pinkie.
Pinkie smiled. “I’m happy you two get along. It’s really important to me that my friends like each other.”
The Doctor smiled down at her. He found himself enjoying Pinkie’s company more and more. She was such a breath of fresh air from the darkness that existed in this world. He was broken from his thoughts by the sound of rumbling. Looking down he saw it was Pinkie.
She smiled sheepishly. “ Sorry about that. Everything’s happened so fast that I haven’t had a chance to eat today.”
Hearing her say this The Doctor realized just how hungry he himself was. He looked down at her and flashed a smile. “Y’know.” He straightened his battered collar. “It just occurred to me, I never did get to eat my sandwich.”
Pinkie giggled. “If it’s a sandwich you’re after, then I know just the place.” She gestured with a hoof and The Doctor Followed. “We can put up a few of those posters on the way.”
“Nononononono. UGH.” The sound of crinkling parchment could be heard as Spike entered the library. He dodged a crumpled piece of parchment as it flew into the corridor outside.
Twilight was already scribbling on a new piece of parchment before he could say anything. Celestia sat on the opposite side of the library, she sighed as she half-heartedly scratched at a piece of parchment. The look in her eyes was one of conflict, however, she seemed to have resigned herself to the fact that this was the best shot.
The only thing they needed to decide on now was who would go. Spike had given it some thought himself and had decided he was the best candidate He was the smallest, and therefore lightest, creature here. Less likely to make noise while moving. He had come to convince Twilight.
He approached her cautiously as she threw another crumpled piece of parchment at the wall. “Uhh. Twilight?”
“WHAT!” The shout, and the speed with which she spun around, made Spike recoil. Her irritated gaze softened as she realized who she was speaking to. “Oh. Sorry, Spike. It’s just, completing Starswirl’s spell has proven more complicated than I’d thought.” She levitated Starswirl’s journal over to her. “And his hornwriting isn’t helping matters.” She turned the book towards Spike to show him the atrocious scrawl on the page.
“Wow. That’s bad.” Spike was momentarily taken aback. He shook his head to get his mind back on the important topic. “I was thinking about this plan an-“
Celestia cut him off, approaching him from the other side of the room. “We’ve actually got an update on that.” Spike looked to her, as she approached he could see in her eyes fear mixed in with resignation. “We know the location.”
She hoofed over a scroll. “This was found in Prince Bluebloods bedchambers. We received it through dragon fire around half an hour ago.” She began to tear up as she said the next part. “It took him.” Twilight put a comforting hoof on Celestia’s shoulder.
Spike picked up the scroll.
Princess. I have your sorry excuse for a prince with me.
Do not worry. He has not come to any serious harm.
I propose an exchange, you can have your nephew if you remove this curse you’ve saddled me with.
Meet me in The Castle of the Two Sisters at dawn tomorrow.
If you are not here at the immediate crack of dawn, I shall execute him and lay his corpse at your hooves.
Sincerely Eileen.
Spike looked up from the note to Celestia, he understood now why she had resigned herself to Twilight’s plan. They couldn’t give this creature what they wanted. They couldn’t let it kill Blueblood.
“Well now we have a name, but more importantly, we have a location.” Twilight looked to Spike. “This is where you come in. You shall be the one to scope out the castle.”
Spike gaped. “I had actually come here to volunteer myself. I thought I’d have to argue this out with you.”
Twilight looked down at him with a hint of pride in her eyes. “Spike. Need I remind you that you were the one who defeated King Sombra, you saved the Equestria Games. By now I trust you to get things done.”
Spike tried not to let the praise go to his head, but he had to admit, hearing his accomplishments felt good.
Twilight looked back to the scrolls. “We still have to figure out this spell,” she sighed.
At this, Celestia gently removed Twilight’s hoof from her shoulder and, wiping the tears away, trotted to the table she had been sitting at. “Actually I think I have handled that.” She levitated the scroll she had been scratching when Spike had entered over to Twilight.
Scanning it over she beamed. “Princess you’ve done it.” She hugged Celestia before realizing what she had done and, pulling away and blushing in embarrassment, looked to Spike. “When can you be ready?”
Spike puffed up his chest. “I’m ready when you are.”