Friendship Under Siege
Princess Luna stood outside the entrance of the abandoned orphanage. In front of her, there was not a single sign of life within the front yard of the building, all while on the other side of the gate, the citizens of Equestria walked about their daily lives. But Luna’s eyes quickly shifted to the upper window of the mansion.
“Sunset Shimmer, I know you can do it,” Luna said. “We’re here for you in case Adagio Dazzle is unable to mend her friendship with you.”
But as Princess Luna continued her gaze towards the window, her ears picked up the sound of machinery. Luna turned around and saw bulldozers and wrecking balls approach the place.
“A wrecking crew?” Princess Luna said. “At this time of the day?”
Immediately, Princess Luna ran from the entrance of the building towards the demolition crew. The Forestallion took notice of Princess Luna and slammed on the brakes, coming to a complete stop with his companions following suit.
“Princess Luna?” The Forestallion said. “What are you doing out here?”
“What’s going on?” Princess Luna asked. “Dear sister didn’t call for a wrecking crew.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” The Forestallion replied. “Gold Banks gave us the green light to tear down this wreck of a place.”
“Gold Banks?” Luna screamed. “Why would she want to tear down a property that Princess Celestia took claim of?”
“Because I am now the sole owner of this land.” Princess Luna shifted her eyes to the back of the bulldozer, where Gold Banks emerged from behind, holding a deed with her magic.
“Gold Banks,” Princess Luna said. “How did you get your hooves on land that belongs to my sister?”
“I have my connections, Princess,” Gold Banks said, holding the deed up in front of Princess Luna’s face. “Far more than you can realize.”
“You’re not forcing one of my sister’s adopted children to get your hooves on it,” Luna said, glaring at Gold Banks. “Are ya?”
Gold Banks laughed and said “Are you kidding? Those snot-nosed brats? Oh you can thank my new buds in Manehattan for acquiring these. In fact, you can thank Neigh Nanners for doing the job for us. Now do yourself a favor and get off these lands.”
“But my sister is in that mansion,” Princess Luna said. “Along with two of her daughters and their friends, including three orphans who they are trying to amend.”
“Wait,” The Forestallion said. “You never told me about ponies still being there.”
Gold Banks turned to the Forestallion and said “Who cares? You have a job to do. Tear that place down so we can put in a new factory. After all, it would be a perfect replacement for all those useless schools in Equestria for the little brats.”
“I can’t do that,” The Forestallion said. “If they find out, I could have my license revoked.”
“If you don’t do as I said,” Gold Banks said, hitting the bulldozer with her hoof and scaring the Forestallion. “Not only will I revoke your license personally, but I will make sure you and the rest of these slackers will push a shopping cart on the streets for the rest of your miserable lives. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”
Princess Luna was appalled at Gold Banks’ tone. She turned towards the Forestallion, who just slumped up to the moon alicorn., Luna lowered her head towards the Forestallion’s position just as he approached her.
“Are you alright?” Luna asked.
“No I’m not,” The Forestallion said. “I don’t want them to get hurt or worse. But I fear her wrath, and what she’ll do if I don’t comply.”
“Isn’t there anything I can do?” Luna said.
“Get them out as fast as you can,” The Forestallion said. “I’ll try to stall for time.”
Luna nodded to the Forestallion before turning around and extending her wings out. She jumped into the air and flew towards the mansion.
“Best of luck, your majesty,” The Forestallion said.
But outside the gate of the mansion, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor were walking down the street when they took notice of Princess Luna, the wrecking crew and Gold Banks.
“What do you think’s going on?” Shining Armor asked. “And why is Princess Luna involved?”
“That’s a good question,” Princess Cadance said. “It’s not like Aunt Luna to work with Gold Banks. Unless there’s something she’s trying to do.”
“Come to think of it,” Shining Armor said. “I haven’t seen my mother around since this morning. I wonder where she went.”
“Actually,” Princess Cadance said. “That I can explain. She told me that Princess Celestia asked her to look after three orphans in that abandoned orphanage.”
“Wait,” Shining Armor said. “Three orphans in an abandoned orphanage?”
“They’re supposed to be former friends of Sunset Shimmer,” Princess Cadance said.
Shining Armor’s face went south over Cadance’s words. He saw the open gate nearby and began to run for it.
“Shining, wait,” Princess Cadance said, running after Shining Armor.
“No time,” Shining Armor said. “I have a feeling mother and those three orphans are in danger.”
“But you’ll attract Gold Banks’ attention,” Princess Cadance said, causing Shining Armor to come to a stop.
“But what can I do about it?” Shining Armor asked.
Princess Cadance shifted her eyes to the front yard of the mansion. Bushes dotted the outer part that lined the gate and the wall.
“I have an idea,” Princess Cadance said. “We’ll take the bushy route.”
With that, Princess Cadance ran through the entrance and jumped into the bushes. She rustled her way through before sticking her head out and signaling Shining Armor.
“Always planning ahead,” Shining Armor said. “Clever. But she gets too much influence from Danged Spell’s use of puns.”
With that, Shining Armor ran through the entrance and jumped into the bushes before following Princess Cadance through.
Meanwhile, in the attic of the mansion, Sunset Shimmer and Adagio Dazzle stared down at each other with Sunset’s family and friends, along with Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk watching helplessly. While Sunset Shimmer had the face of remorse, Adagio Dazzle was surprised by Sunset’s presence.
“What do you think will happen?” Starlight Glimmer asked.
“I don’t know,” Wanda Young replied. “But I still remember the last time I was here.”
“Pain,” Abigail meowed.
Though Adagio Dazzle stood in place, Sunset Shimmer walked up to her former friend.
“Adagio,” Sunset said. “I’ve had a lot of thoughts since we last saw each other, and you were right. I did forget about you when Princess Celestia adopted me and Wanda became my sister. I was so caught up in the moment, that I forgot about you, Aria and Sonata. I broke that promise, and as a result, I broke that friendship. If you are still upset because of what path I went down without you, you have every right to be upset. And if you don’t think our friendship can ever be repaired, then I am terribly sorry for what I have done.”
Sunset Shimmer was about to turn around and walk towards Princess Celestia, closing her eyes as she faced away from Adagio Dazzle. But as she took a step, Adagio looked at Sunset and she began to cry.
“Wait,” Adagio said, causing Sunset to stop.
Sunset turned around and said “Adagio. Was it something I said?”
But just as Sunset finished speaking, Adagio Dazzle ran up to Sunset and tackled her to the ground. She held onto her former friend and cried right into her chest.
“No Sunset,” Adagio cried. “The last time we spoke, I said some horrible words to you. It was because I was both selfish and angry. Your sister is right. And because of me, I’ve allowed too many fellow orphans to hurt emotionally, including my own sisters, especially when Princess Celestia offered to let us live in the castle. I was just too angry to accept it.”
“Adagio,” Sunset said as she placed her hoof on Adagio’s head.
“I don’t know if I can truly take back everything I said to you,” Adagio Dazzle said. “But if I had one wish, I wish I could live in that castle with you to at least give my sisters a form of happiness.”
Wanda walked up to Sunset and Adagio with Abigail by her side. Her footsteps were enough for Adagio to open her eyes and look up at the Man’s Cub and her cat companion.
“And I also realized how hurtful my words were to you after you lashed out at my sister,” Wanda said as a tear fell from her eye. “I was angry back then, upset at how you treated my sister, and how selfish you sounded. But looking back, I felt awful with what I said, regardless if it was true or not. I was wondering if you can accept my apology as I had a lot to think about.”
Adagio Dazzle opened her eyes and looked up at Sunset, who nodded back at her. Adagio turned towards Wanda, looked her in the eyes and began to extend her hoof out.
Suddenly, everyone was started by the sound of glass breaking through. The entire group turned towards the now broken window where Princess Luna landed nearby.
“Sister,” Princess Celestia said. “You looked distressed. What happened?”
Luna stood up and said “I’m afraid Gold Banks has somehow seized the land beneath the ruins of this orphanage, and she has forced a demolition team to tear this place down and replace it with a factory.”
“Are you kidding me?” Twilight Sparkle snarled. “Doesn’t she know that we’re in here to help out the Dazzlings?”
“I did bring that up to her,” Princess Luna said. “But she told the forestallion that if they don’t tear this place down right away, she’ll take away their license and make them homeless for the rest of their lives.”
Every youngling along with Twilight Velvet gasped in horror. Starlight turned towards Sunburst and cried right into his chest while Danged Spell smashed his hoof on the floor.
“Is she kidding us?” Danged Spell yelled. “She wants to force them to take our lives away?”
“The Forestallion has told me that he’ll try to stall for time,” Princess Luna said. “But we don’t have that much. We need to get you all out of here.”
“Easy said than done,” Twilight Velvet said. “After all, you two are the only flyers who can get us out, one at a time.”
“That may be true,” Princess Celestia said as she extended her wings. “But we have a third who can help us out: My adopted human daughter Wanda.”
Twilight Velvet turned to Wanda Young, who glowed brightly until her insect wings formed on her back before nodding to the mother of Twilight Sparkle.
“They may be heavy for me,” Wanda said. “But don’t you worry Ms Velvet. I can help out.”
Wanda jumped in the air and fluttered in one spot for a bit before she flew down and picked up Sonata Dusk. Aria Blaze jumped on Princess Luna’s back while Adagio Dazzle and Sunset Shimmer jumped onto Celestia’s back.
“Wanda, Luna, are you both ready?” Princess Celestia asked.
“Ready,” Both Luna and Wanda replied.
“Then let’s get them out of there before we go for the rest,” Princess Celestia said.
With that, Princess Celestia jumped out the window with Adagio Dazzle and Sunset Shimmer holding on. Right behind her, Princess Luna jumped back out with Aria Blaze holding on while Wanda flew behind her, holding onto Sonata Dusk. All three fliers landed on the ground, prompting Adagio, Sunset and Aria to jump off the alicorn sisters’ back while Wanda sets Sonata on the ground.
“That’s just the first set,” Princess Luna said. “We have to go back for the others.”
“And you better hurry,” Sunset Shimmer said, pointing to the bulldozers slowly making their way towards the mansion. “I don’t think they’ll delay any longer.”
“Right,” Princess Luna said. “We better hurry.”
But just before Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Wanda Young were about to take off, they noticed a rustling in the nearby bushes. Princess Celestia walked up to the bushes, where Princess Cadance and Shining Armor emerged and landed their hooves on the grass.
“Princess Cadance, Shining Armor,” Princess Celestia said. “You picked the right time to come here.”
“Mother,” Princess Cadance said. “I take it those bulldozers are going to tear apart the whole mansion, and there are still ponies inside.”
“Unfortunately, that is correct,” Princess Luna replied before Celestia could say a word. “But now is not the time to explain. We need your help getting everyone else out.”
“What can I do?” Shining Armor asked.
“Gather everyone together and get them out of the way,” Princess Celestia said. “We’ll go get the rest out of harm’s way.”
Shining Armor nodded. He turned to Sunset, Adagio, Aria and Sonata and said “Come. Let’s get you out of the way.” Immediately, Shining Armor ran towards the bushes with Sunset Shimmer, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk in pursuit. Celestia, Luna and Cadance extended their wings out while Wanda flapped her insect wings at a rapid pace.
“Let’s get the others out before it’s too late,” Princess Celestia said.
With that, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance and Wanda Young flew back up towards the broken window at the top of the mansion.
But nearby, Shining Armor was able to get Sunset Shimmer, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk to the bushes nearby.
“Everyone accounted for?” Shining Armor asked.
“So far, yes,” Adagio Dazzle.
Sonata Dusk turned to face Sunset Shimmer, causing her jaw to drop in horror. She immediately tapped Shining Armor by the flank.
“Excuse me,” Sonata Dusk said. “But there is something wrong with Sunset Shimmer.”
Shining Armor turned his head towards Sunset Shimmer, where the poor filly was lying on the ground, wincing in pain as if something was bursting out.
“Oh no,” Shining Armor said. “As if our day couldn’t get any worse.”
Back inside the mansion, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Wanda flew through the open window, where Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst, Moondancer, Danged Spell, Twilight Velvet, Spike and Abigail awaited them. Twilight Sparkle’s face beamed at the sight of Princess Cadance.
“Caddy,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“No time for our dance, Twilight,” Princess Cadance said “We have to get you all out.”
Princess Cadance turned around and lowered her back down, allowing Twilight to hop up on Cadance’s back.
“But what about Spike?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Leave that to me,” Princess Celestia said. She turned to Moondancer and said “And that includes you, young lady.”
Princess Celestia levitated Spike and Abigail into the air and gently placed the duo on her back. Moondancer came running up and hopped on Celestia’s side, struggling to pull herself up. Celestia smiled before she levitated Moondancer into the air and onto her alicorn back alongside Spike and Abigail.
“Unfortunately,” Princess Luna said. “We can’t get everyone out in this round.”
Danged Spell stepped forward and said “I’ll stay here with Twilight Velvet.”
“Spell, no,” Moondancer said from atop Celestia’s back.
“Don’t worry about me,” Danged Spell said. “Get yourselves out before it’s too late.”.
“Then that leaves Sunburst and Starlight,” Princess Luna said. She turned to Wanda and said “Wanda, are you able to get Starlight out of here?”
“Leave it to me, Aunt Woona,” Wanda said with a salute.
Wanda flew down towards Starlight Glimmer before picking her up with her arms. At the same time, Princess Luna levitated Sunburst into the air and placed him on his back. Sunburst turned towards Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet.
“Spell,” Sunburst said. “Be careful.”
“And keep mom safe,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“I will,” Danged Spell replied.
With that, Celestia flew out of the window once more with Moondancer, Abigail and Spike holding on for dear life. Luna flew after her sister with Sunburst holding on with Cadance following right behind with Twilight Sparkle hanging on. Right behind them, Wanda flew out of the window holding onto Starlight.
“I hope Danged Spell makes it out alright,” Starlight Glimmer said.
“So do I,” Wanda said. “So do I.”
Danged Spell approached Twilight Velvet and placed his hoof on hers.
“If it makes you feel better,” Danged Spell said. “I won’t leave your side until they come back.
“Thanks Danged Spell,” Twilight Velvet said. “If I make it out, I’d like to tell your parents Fortwright and Shanoa on how wonderful and loyal you are.”
Outside, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Wanda landed on the grass once more. Moondancer, Spike, Abigail, Sunburst and Twilight Sparkle jumped off the respective alicorn’s back while Wanda released her grip on Starlight.
“That’s nearly everyone,” Princess Luna said. “All that’s left is Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet.”
Suddenly, Shining Armor ran up to the group from the nearby bushes alongside Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. Twilight Sparkle looked at her brother’s face and noticed the despair in his eyes.
“Shining,” Princess Celestia said. “What happened?”
“It’s Sunset,” Shining Armor said. “She’s on the ground in pain.”
“Oh no,” Princess Celestia said. “As if we didn’t have one problem to worry about, now we have Sunset’s demon form trying to break out again.”
Princess Cadance ran towards the bushes as she said “Leave that to me, mother. Go get Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet out.”
Celestia stood there as Princess Cadance ran up to Sunset Shimmer, who was beginning to mutate into a demon. But before she could move, Luna placed her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder
“She’s got this,” Princess Luna said. “Let’s deal with Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet.”
“Right,” Princess Celestia said. “Lead on.”
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna extended their wings out before flying back up towards the broken window atop the mansion. Wanda looked upwards, watching her adopted mother and aunt until they disappeared into the window.
“Be careful mommy and Aunt Woona,” Wanda said.
Shining Armor placed his hoof on Wanda’s shoulder and said “Come on. We need to get you and your friends to safety.”
Immediately, Shining Armor ran towards the bushes with Wanda Young, Abigail Albright, Spike the Dragon, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst, Moondancer, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk in pursuit.
But meanwhile, the bulldozers continued to move slowly towards the mansion with the Forestallion in the front of the pack. The Forestallion watched as the younglings followed Shining Armor towards the bushes before shifting his eyes towards Sunset Shimmer, still aching in agony and slowly transforming into her demon form.
“Poor kids,” The Forestallion said. “And judging by the alicorn princesses’ actions, there’s still some left in the building.”
Suddenly, The Forestallion heard a knock on his bulldozer. He turned to his left to see Gold Banks trotting along, glaring at the Stallion.
“What are you doing?” Gold Banks screeched.
“I’m not risking my career just to result in the deaths of younglings,” The Forestallion said.
“You will do it unless you want to be forever homeless on the streets,” Gold Banks yelled.
“Why?” The Forestallion said. “Because you want me to be a child killer? I wouldn’t forgive myself if that happened.”
Gold Banks snorted loudly before grabbing The Forestallion with her magic and throwing him out of the bulldozer, causing the rest of the group to come to a complete stop. Gold Banks jumped into the bulldozer and sat down, placing her hooves on the controls.
“You want a job done right,” Gold Banks said. “You have to do it yourself.”
Gold Banks moved a couple of levers, causing the Bulldozer she’s in to pick up speed. The Forestallion just watched as Gold Banks drove that giant vehicle towards the building.
“Princesses,” The Forestallion said. “I tried my best. Now it’s up to you.”
Inside the attic of the mansion, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna immediately ran up to Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet. Danged Spell got up on his four hooves, looking nervous, and yet excited.
“Is it time?” Danged Spell asked.
Princess Luna levitated Danged Spell upwards before she said “We haven’t got much time to waste. Something is wrong with Sunset Shimmer and Princess Cadance is trying to keep Sunset’s demon form under control.”
As Danged Spell landed on Luna’s back, he said “Well what are we waiting for?”
Princess Celestia immediately levitated Twilight Velvet into the air before placing her on her back. The sun alicorn immediately nodded to her sister.
“That should be everyone,” Princess Celestia said. “Let’s go.”
Princess Luna and Princess Celestia walked up towards the broken window. But when they looked down, they saw a lone Bulldozer barrel towards the mansion. Twilight Velvet held onto Celestia as she looked down, shrieking in horror at seeing Gold Banks operating the behemoth of a machine.
“Is she crazy?” Twilight Velvet said. “What is she trying to do, kill us all?”
“Not on my watch,” Princess Celestia said. “Now hang on.”
Immediately, Danged Spell held onto Luna as she jumped out the window. Celestia followed from behind with Twilight Velvet holding on for dear life.
Outside, Celestia and Luna extended their wings and slowed down their fall as the bulldozer dashed past the group. Celestia, Luna, Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet watched as the bulldozer was now inches away from the building.
“When we hit the ground,” Princess Luna said. “Jump off and look away. It’s not going to be a pretty sight.”
As Celestia and Luna landed on the grass, Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet jumped off the alicorn sisters’ backs and ran towards the rest of the group, keeping their eyes turned away from the mansion.
“This has got to be some sick joke, this has got to be some sick joke, this has got to be some sick joke,” Danged Spell chanted.
The moment Danged Spell and Twilight Velvet approached the group, Moondancer got on her two legs and hugged onto Danged Spell, who proceeded to close his eyes. Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle ran up to Twilight Velvet and gave her a hug.
“You’re alright, mother,” Shining Armor said.
“You scared all of us.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Scary,” Spike said.
“Don’t you three worry,” Twilight Velvet said. “Thanks to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, we’re safe.”
Nearby, Princess Cadance’s magic surrounded Sunset Shimmer in a warm aura. The filly’s aching began to subside as she transformed back into her filly form. Sunset opened her eyes and saw her big sister look down at her.
“Welcome back.” Princess Cadance said.
Sunset Shimmer said nothing, only to jump at her older sister and give her a big hug. Adagio Dazzle came up behind and hugged Sunset from the back, crying into her fur.
“Please don’t scare me like that again,” Adagio Dazzle cried. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“It’s not a guarantee,” Sunset said. “But I’ll try my best.”
Suddenly, they heard the sound of metal crashing against word. Everyone turned around and saw the Bulldozer slam many times into the mansion, tearing a big hole into the foundation. Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk could only watch helplessly as the orphanage ruins were being torn apart.
“Our home,” Sonata Dusk cried.
“We had so many fun memories there,” Aria Blaze lamented. “Now it’s all gone.”
With one last smash, the bulldozer hit another part of the foundation of the mansion before pulling back. Gold Banks looked up with a smile as the Mansion began to fall apart, crumbling under what’s left of the foundation. Everyone could only stand there and watch as the former orphanage was crumbling completely.
“This isn’t how it’s supposed to end,” Starlight said before planting her face into Wanda’s chest and crying, causing Wanda to pat Starlight on the back.
“What a despicable mare,” Sunburst said. “To put our lives in danger like that.”
The Forestallion and his wrecking crew walked up to Princess Celestia before the head of the group said “I’m terribly sorry. Gold Banks got impatient and decided to take matters into her own hooves.”
“It’s not your fault,” Princess Luna said. “Gold Banks forced you into doing the task while my sister, my nieces and their friends were still in what was once the abandoned orphanage.”
“Wait,” Wanda said as Starlight continued to cry into her chest. “Mean Banks did that?”
“Yes,” Princess Luna said. “Gold Banks stole Celestia’s land with the purpose of replacing the orphanage with a factory. And she wanted to force the wrecking crew into tearing the place as fast as possible, with no regard for life. Even more so, she threatened to have the Forestallion’s license revoked and to forever be homeless if he didn’t go along with his plan.”
“That is despicable,” Shining Armor said. “Putting my sister and mother in danger for her own personal gain.”
“You’re right,” Princess Celestia said. “In fact, I think she has a lot to explain for that senseless act.”
“On the contrary.” Everyone turned their heads to the bulldozer that stood in front of what’s left of the orphanage ruins, where Gold Banks stomped towards the entire.
“There’s no contrary,” Princess Celestia said in an angry tone. “You put my daughters, their friends and even the mother of one of them in danger. Even more so, you had the audacity to seize something that I bought fair and square.”
“It was their fault for even being there in the first place,” Gold Banks said. “And besides, you were letting the land go to waste. So I had to seize it so that it could be put to good use.”
Celestia glared at Gold Banks before she said “That gives you no excuse to put lives in danger.”
“I beg to differ,” Gold Banks said. “As a matter of fact, I hereby place you, your sister Princess Luna, your own delinquent daughters and their so-called friends under arrest for trespassing and impeding progress.”
To Be Continued in…
Friendship Reforged