//------------------------------// // 23 - Aiko - Return to the Badlands // Story: Tales of an Equestrian Battle Mage // by Babroniedad //------------------------------// Waking, Sunset gently muzzled Aiko, who woke with a smile.  “Good morning, Sunny,” she greeted sleepily, yawning. “Good morning Aiko,” Sunset smiled.  Together they woke Cadance and Twilight, quickly performing their morning ablutions then heading out to join the Princess for breakfast. Entering the dining room they found the Princess already there, sipping her morning tea while reading reports. “Good morning, my little students,” she greeted them, smiling as she looked up from her papers.  Gathering them up and placing them to the side, she watched them take their places as the maid entered behind them with their tea and tea cakes.  Serving everyone, the maid left to fetch their breakfasts. “So mom, is there anything special going on today?” asked Sunset, finishing off her tea cake. “I have a Lunch meeting with the Griffonian Ambassador.  I would like you and Cadance to attend.  Don’t worry Cadance, I don’t intend to put you on the spot.  I want the two of you to observe and participate. I will discuss the issues we’re having with Griffon piracy, and I want your evaluations of his response afterwards,” answered Celestia. “So, it’s a test,” responded Cadance. “A bit,” admitted the Princess. “But it’s also an honest request for your input. I value both of your insights.” Both Cadance and Sunset promised to attend.  “What about Twilight and Aiko?  Don’t you want them to attend too?” asked Cadance. “I do,” agreed Celestia. “But pulling all four of you into a private meeting would put him on guard. I was hoping for a candid response from him, so I’m trying to avoid any awkwardness with apologies to you both. Please don’t take this as a slight.” Twilight and Aiko nodded.  “That’s okay.  Twilight and I will just have lunch in the common hall and join you afterwards,” agreed Aiko.” “Thank you, my little vixen, that would be perfect,” answered Celestia. They finished their breakfast then joined the Princess in the garden for their morning lessons.  They sat around her in the garden gazebo. “The weather team scheduled clear skies today, so it’s a perfect opportunity for us to have our lessons in the garden and enjoy this beautiful warm day,” stated Celestia. “Today we’re discussing the importance of personal relations in statecraft.  By forging friendships with emissaries from other countries, we forge friendships between our states themselves.” The Princess highlighted the power of friendship to overcome differences by uniting friends over commonalities and shared experiences, interests, and passions.  By focusing on what was in common and valued, friends, and countries, could grow and work together despite their differences or separate goals. “I’d bet you really get a chance to put that to the test with the Griffons,” grinned Sunset. “I’d swear sometimes the only thing we have in common is we both breathe.” “It’s not that bad,” laughed Celestia. “But yes there are many times that the friendship between myself and the Griffon Ambassador has kept us from hostile indifference, or even outright war.  For the sake of that alone we would value each other's friendship.” “I’m glad you were able to make friends with him,” acknowledged Sunset. “Most of the griffons I’ve met would just as soon kill me as talk with me.  They’re smug species supremacists and think they’re the best of everything.” “That’s an unfortunate consequence of their warlike culture. They view everything in terms of conquest and conflict.  Only the strongest rise above the rest, so when they have power or authority they act as if they’re entitled to everything they want.  Not all are like that, especially those like the Ambassador who have spent time in other lands or were exposed to other cultures. But that is their culture and how they’re raised,” replied Celesta. “Which explains why they seem to have no issues with piracy or slavery, especially against other races,” noted Sunset. “Correct, my dear student,” affirmed Celestia.  “And also why I keep relations with them close at hoof and value my friendship with their Ambassador.  Many times he has helped me shepard them towards a better way, avoiding open conflict that would be harmful to both our species.  He ‘s been an active partner to the betterment of both our countries. “Wow.  I wouldn’t have expected that,” answered Sunset.  “I’m definitely looking forward to lunch now. I want to hear what he has to say!” “I figured both you and Aiko would feel that way, especially as you’ve had rather direct experience with the problem at hoof,” agreed Celestia.  “Unfortunately, it would be overwhelming for him if I brought you all in.” “Then bring Aiko in instead of me,” offered Cadance. “I don’t mind! That way it’s still just two guests and Aiko could hear his response too.” “That’s very considerate of you, my dear niece,” answered Celestia. “But I cannot do that. The fact is, as you are a titled Princess I must include you in many of these meetings. So I need you to experience and grow comfortable with them.  I’m starting with this meeting because he’s a friend, so you’ll experience a friendly environment.  And with Sunset, whom you can lean on as a role model.  She has experience in these settings and comports herself well.” “Thanks mom,” Sunset snarked. “And I thought you just wanted my keen insights.” “I do, it’s a win win for me. I get both your insights and Cadance gets to learn from a pony who has the experience she lacks.  And I get to spend time with both of you.  I only regret I can’t include your entire herd,” Celestia teased. “We’re not a herd mom, we’re a leash,” teased Sunset. “Semantics,” laughed Celestia. “Words are important,” Sunset grinned. “Oh, you were paying attention. I am so relieved, “ teased Celestia. Aiko grinned. “Are you sure you're not really related?  You could be sisters the way you both carry on.” “I assure you, we’re not secretly sisters. I have a sister; she’s nothing like you, my little Sunbeam,” Celestia smiled wistfully. “Ah!  So the stories are true then!” Sunset replied excitedly.  “Your sister is the black alicorn! That’s the two of you on our flag!  Did she really become the mare in the moon?” she asked. “You’ve been doing your reading, my little Sunbeam.  Yes, that’s her.  Almost one thousand years ago, I made a tragic mistake, one of the worst in my life.  Because of my mistake, my dear younger sister is now the Mare in the Moon,” confessed Celestia. “I knew it!  I knew it! I knew it!” Twilight danced around, hugging the Princess.  “I knew the Mare in the Moon was the banished Princess!  I figured it out from the nighttime stories my mom used to read to me!” “Used to, squirt?  We still read those to you,” teased Sunset. “So? They’re really good stories,” answered Twilight. Sunset grinned, scruffing Twilight's mane. “You got me there, squirt, I always loved them too.” Twilight batted her hoof away, smiling up at her friend. “So, is your sister coming back?” asked Twilight innocently. “I hope so,” responded the Princess.  “I miss her very much.  I would love for her to come back.  We’ll see what the future brings.” “If she comes back, she will be the princess that rules by your side, right?” asked Sunset warily.  “You won’t need another princess, right?” “I certainly hope that if she comes back, she will rule beside me,” agreed Celestia. “But she isn’t the only other princess.”  She smiled at Cadance. “And I will rule beside all of my princesses, together in Harmony.” “So, I could still become a princess then, and so could Twilight, right?” asked Sunset hopefully. “Sunbeam, when the time is right I am sure you all will,” assured Celestia. Sunset breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought for a moment there you didn’t need me anymore.” “My dear little Sunbeam,” Celestia hugged Sunset under her wing. “I want you, Twilight, Cadance, and now your dear student Aiko to be by my side for as long as you all live.  If that is as princesses then I am happy. If instead it's as my students I will also be content.  I value you all and want to enjoy every moment we have together as friends, and as family. “I do hope someday you all become princesses, just as you saw yourselves in the mirror.  But regardless of what happens I will always consider you my friends, my family.  You will always have a place in my heart,” Celestia smiled. Cadance and Aiko joined the hug, with Twilight still wrapped around the Princesses leg. When the lessons finished Sunset and Cadance joined the Princess, returning with her to the formal dining hall for the state Lunch.  Aiko placed Twilight on her back then loped towards the common dining hall. “So what did you think about that?” whispered Aiko to her little friend as they took their lunches to an empty table.  Setting their lunch tray down, she lifted Twilight off her back, sitting her down next to her.  Twilight took her lunch and drink from the tray and sipped her apple juice as she thought. “I always knew the Mare in the Moon was the other princess,” she replied after a moment. “At least I was pretty sure, it just made sense.  But that would mean the Mare in the Moon is coming back, because the story said she would come back on the day of the longest night after a thousand years.  That’s good right?  Because she would get to be with her sister again?” “Maybe?  Is she coming back as the Princess or as this Nightmare of the Moon thing? If I recall from the stories, the  Princess is good but this Nightmare thing tried to kill the Princess and everyone else, right?” Aiko asked. “You heard the stories growing up too?” asked Twilight in surprise. “Sort of. When I was still very little, my uncle told me about your land. I was fascinated by it, so I looked the stories up.  That’s part of the reason I ended up joining the diplomatic corps,” answered Aiko. “You think she might come back as Nightmare Moon?” asked Twilight. “I think that’s possible, yes,” agreed Aiko. “I hope not!  That would be kind of scary,” said Twilight. Aiko nodded in agreement. “If I had to guess, I think the Princess is concerned too.  If she thought everything was going to be okay she would be more excited. I bet she’s worried that when her sister returns she’ll just start the war between them all over again, still as this Nightmare Moon.” “Then we’ll just have to stop her and make her be friends with her sister again,” stated Twilight. “That we will,” agreed Aiko with a smile. After a quick stop in the Princess’s suite to freshen up, they entered the formal dining room.  They were announced by the head waiter.  Nodding in acknowledgement to the standing Ambassador and his staff, the Princess entered the room with Cadance just behind and to her right, and Sunset a step back and to her left.  She took her seat with Sunset standing to her left and Cadance to her right. When she was seated, they sat along with the rest of their guests. “Lord Gestal, it has been a while, has it not?” The Princess smiled at the Griffon Ambassador.  “How are things in your fair kingdom?” The Ambassador snorted. “Ah Princess, ever the wit.  Thank you for not saying that while I was chewing or drinking,” he laughed.  “It’s as good as it ever is, thank you for asking.  The King is concerned the coffers are not as full as he would like.  The House of Lords is concerned the projects showcasing their importance are not being given proper consideration.  And the king's subjects would all just rather everyone bugger off and let them turn a bit, honest or otherwise. Yet we somehow manage to continue to not burn our kingdom to the ground and reduce ourselves to rabble while we rob each other blind.  We clearly are the finest kingdom in existence, if I do say so myself.”  He chuckled, taking a sip of his wine. “Surely you overstate things my dear friend.  It can’t be all that bad,” smiled Celestia, taking a sip of her cider. The Ambassador nodded to Sunset sitting next to her. “From what my staff tells me, your mage could tell you stories that might convince you otherwise.”  He smiled at Sunset, and raising his glass in salute took another sip.  Sunset smiled and nodded, raising her cider and sipping as well. “Her stories were indeed most colorful.  She’s certainly had many occasions to enjoy Griffon hospitality,” agreed Celestia, starting on her salad. Cadance was watching the friendly banter intently while trying to daintily eat her salad.  Sunset caught her eye, and winked with a smirk. “If you’ll pardon my impudence, Ambassador, I must confess I have not had grievous issues with anyone in your kingdom,” Sunset interrupted with a charming smile.  “With a few passing exceptions, your king's subjects have been most helpful while I was in your kingdom.  I’ve had very little to complain of from my visits.” “I’m delighted to hear that, my dear mage,” smiled the Ambassador.  “And it’s no impudence at all, I’m delighted to hear from you and everyone here.”  He took a bite of the sausage from his plate. “I regret I cannot say the same of your kingdom’s denizens I’ve interacted with apart from your fine kingdom,” Sunset continued, taking another bite of her salad. “And there's the rub,” agreed the Ambassador.  “We are an ambitious lot.  And those of us who range abroad in pursuit of their ambitions often leave their graces behind,” he lamented. “Yes, not to put too fine a point on things,” agreed Celestia, rejoining the conversation.  “A topic of conversation I meant to bring up at an opportune moment.” “I believe the moment is upon us,” smiled the Ambassador.  “We’re all friends here, please speak freely. What’s on your mind?” At the Princess’s behest Sunset related her earlier misadventures with the slavers in Klugetown, including the death of her teammate and wounding of her Major.  She ended with the tale of her, Aiko and the crew of the Graceful Albatross fighting off the Griffon pirate crew.  The Ambassador nodded, listening and asking the occasional question throughout her tale. She finished about the same time everyone finished their main course.  The Ambassador nodded in understanding. “That is extremely unfortunate.” “Appalling is what it is, Gestal,” countered Celestia politely.  “While I understand neither you nor your kingdom is responsible for what goes on outside your borders, is there nothing that can be done to reign this in?  It’s reached the point where a frigate now expects to be attacked during the course of its voyage. It’s quite out of hoof.” “You’re not wrong,” agreed the Ambassador. “They’ve become so proflagrant, they’re now targeting even griffon ships.  The king was willing to turn them a blind eye while they marauded competing fleets, but with so many self-proclaimed privateers ranging for bounty, no fleet is safe, not even our own.  That reason alone may persuade him to be amenable to my suggestions.” Deserts were passed out, then Celestia continued. “I do hope you understand this situation has come to the point where it is simply untenable.  We have to put an end to it, even if it means mobilizing our naval forces against them.  I don’t want protecting our own merchantmares misunderstood as an act of aggression.  We just want trade to flow freely, and our citizens to travel free of the threat of death or slavery.  We have no complaint against Griffonstone nor the king and his court.  We just need to clean the skies and waters of these threats.”  She cut a corner off her slice of cake.  “Mmm, delicious. My cooks have outdone themselves, you simply must try this.” The Ambassador took a bite of his cake and nodded pleasantly. “I’m not one for the sweet flavors.  My tastes tend towards the savory.  But yes, this is certainly exceptional.”  He smiled, “And I concur, if you were to clear the skies and waters of threats to all trade I rather suspect the king and his court would be grateful, as it would relieve them of the awkward task of correcting our own wayward citizens.” “Only suspect, Gestal?” quipped the Princess, taking another bite of cake. “My dear Princess, if you want something in writing, send me a postcard.  I’ll be more than happy to send you an appropriate reply,” smirked the Ambassador. Sunset snickered, earning her a teasing glare from her Princess. “Just so, Gestal.  Perhaps I will send you a lovely missive.  Thank you for the advice,” smiled Celestia, finishing her cake then daintily wiping the crumbs from her muzzle. “Anytime, my dear Celestia.  Always happy to be of service to our friends in Equestria,” smiled the Ambassador, taking another sip of his wine.  “Ah! This is an excellent vintage, it truly cleanses the palate and tongue.  Your vineyards are second to none.” “Thank you, Gestal!  I’ll be sure to pass along the compliment,” smiled Celestia. “So how is that niece of yours?  Greta, correct?  I haven’t seen your nest in ages.” The business of the meeting over, the conversation settled into pleasantries and banalities, filled with the friendly banter of two old friends catching up on family and personal events.  Cadance or Sunset were drawn into the conversation whenever some point of their involvement became the topic of the moment, but for the most part their participation in the conversation was as pleasantly absorbed but passive listeners. As the end of lunch hour approached the Ambassador begged the Princess’s indulgence as he had another meeting to attend.  The princess graciously gave her leave, so the Ambassador and his party bowed then departed. After they left Celestia turned to her students.  “Well done, my little ponies.  That was a productive and pleasant meeting.  Thank you for taking part, your efforts as always are deeply appreciated.”  She stood and thanked the wait staff, who bowed in reply.  Together she and her students departed for the Princess’s apartments. Aiko and Twilight were waiting for them, both on the Princess’s bed engrossed in their studies. “So, how did it go?” asked Aiko, looking up as they entered. “It went well, my little vixen.  I’ll do my best to have you at the next such meeting. I really feel you could have added to our discussion if I had been able to force the accommodation,” replied Celestia.  “So, did you enjoy your lunch?” “Yup!” chirped Twilight, putting her book away in her saddle bag.  “We talked about your sister and the Mare in the Moon.” Aiko rolled her eyes. “Smooth, little one.  Truly you are without guile,” she grinned, ruffling Twilight’s mane. “What’s guile?” asked Twilight. “Is that something I should be learning and practicing?” “Certainly not!” laughed Celestia. “Aiko, please don’t be putting such ideas in my young students' heads.” Aiko grinned. “Of course not, Princess.  Forgive me,” she laughed, bowing. “There’s nothing to forgive,” Celestia said, pulling them both into a wing hug.  “It was a productive and pleasant meeting.  We received assurances Griffonstone will not oppose us when we clear out the rogue privateers capturing our citizens and absconding with our trade. That’s better than I expected, and all I could have hoped for.” “And Sunset got to tell your stories, or at least the pirate parts,” added Cadance. “How you bravely fought the pirates that attacked your ship.” Aiko smiled at Sunset. “It’s easy to be brave when your partner is fearless.” “Oh I know fear,” Sunset grinned. “I just make sure whoever I’m fighting knows fear better.  I keep fear as a passing acquaintance, not an honored friend.” “Well said, my little Sunbeam,” smiled Celestia.  Sunset smiled back. “Thanks, mom.” “So we’re going to fight the pirates?” gasped Twilight happily. “We are not fighting.  Aiko and I will take care of the fighting.  You and Cadance will be doing the learning.  You’re not ready for battle, either of you,” responded Sunset. “Speak for yourself,” interjected Cadance, clearly flustered.  “I’ll have you know I battled that witch when I earned my horn!  I know how to fight.” “I’m sorry Cadance, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise,” apologized Sunset. “What I meant is that Aiko and I don’t want you or Twilight involved in any fighting until we can properly train you both.  When you’re full battle mages in the Princess’s Battle Corps then you can join us.  Together, side by side, we’ll defeat the enemies of our Princess.” Cadance smiled. “I know you didn’t mean offense Sunset, so none taken.  I’m looking forward to training.” “Me too!” agreed Twilight.  Smiling, Aiko gave her a hug. “We can start this afternoon if you have no objections,” Sunset replied to Cadance. “Train me too!” insisted Twilight. “You need to train me too!” “Squirt, we will train you,” agreed Sunset. “But I really think you’re too young for this type of training right now.  You should focus on your studies and improving your magic.  There’ll be plenty of time for learning to battle when you’ve grown a bit more.”  Sunset scruffed her mane with a grin. Twilight pouted. “I’m plenty old enough.  And I can totally keep up with you, just watch me!  Please?” she begged. “You know Sunbeam, she does have a point,” agreed Princess Celestia. “While I certainly wouldn’t teach her any mortal techniques now, there’s nothing wrong with Twilight learning defensive skills and improving her fitness.  It will even help her studying, as a healthy foal can concentrate more effectively,” Celestia prompted. “Mom, seriously?” Sunset groaned.  “I know she has to learn all this but she’s just a foal!  Can’t she please stay a filly for a while longer?  She really doesn’t need to experience the things Aiko and I have been through at her age.” “I’m not asking you to subject her to anything of that sort,” explained Celestia. “But she can start learning combat basics and getting into shape.  I expect great things from all of you!  There’s no time like the present to begin preparing for your destinies.” “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling me something?” asked Sunset. “It feels like you’re rushing us. Mom, what’s going on?” “Just call it a hunch, my little Sunbeam.  Chalk it up to my intuition,” Celestia smiled. Sunset looked at the Princess askance. “This feels like more than just intuition.”. “You’ll know more when I do, my dear,” replied Celestia. “I have a really bad feeling about this,” groused Sunset in a whisper to Aiko. A bit louder she replied. “Fine. Twerp, we’ll include you in our basic training. We don’t want you left behind so you need to apply yourself to get fit and master the basics of combat.  And we’ll be with you through all of it.”  Twilight pranced happily. Excusing themselves, the students retired to Sunset’s apartment to study. “Okay, beginning today, Aiko and I will be initiating you into the Sacred Sisterhood of the Zebrican Arts.  Twilight, Aiko will be your sensei, while I will be teaching Cadance. Get a drink, wash up, use the bathroom, whatever you need to do.  When you're done meet us on the balcony and we’ll start,” Sunset invited. They all quickly drank some water, performed their ablutions, then moved to the apartment balcony. Aiko took Twilight aside, walking her through the initiation into the Zebrican Sisterhood and showing her the empathetic mind magic that comprised the so-called Zebrican Arts.  They practiced it together until Twilight could lead a session start to finish on her own with minimal correction and support. Unsurprisingly she was a very quick and astute study. While Aiko worked with Twilight, Sunset did the same with Cadance. “Okay Princess,” Sunset smirked, “Welcome again to the mysteries of the Sacred Sisterhood of the Zebrican Arts, or just the Zebrican Sisterhood as we usually call it.” Hearing her title, Cadance frowned, but quickly recovered due to her curiosity.  “So this is something you learned while in Nippony?” she asked. Sunset grinned and nodded. “Sort of.  It’s the art Aiko and I used to survive the brothels.  We trained our leash sisters to use for their protection in the brothels too.  Basically it’s a strong form of empathetic mind magic that’s usually keyed on touch.  But the truth is once you become proficient in it touch is useful but optional for an accomplished mage. That’s not something we teach our leash sisters, but as a Princess and Battle Mage you need to know everything about the art and its uses.” Cadance nodded.  “So as this is a Zebrican Art, I guess it makes sense it’s keyed to touch as they don’t have horns.  Odd though that you only found out about it in Nippony.  You’d think somepony would have heard of it here with all the studies our mages and the staff at the School for Gifted Unicorns are doing.” “You’d think,” smirked Sunset, laughing. “What?  Sunset, what are you not telling me?” asked Cadance, suspicious. “Would I lie to you?” disassembled Sunset, trying her best to look innocent.  It was proving difficult with the shiitake eating grin she couldn’t wipe from her muzzle. “Come on Sunset!  Tell me the truth,” complained Cadance, looking hurt. Sunset leaned into Cadance, pulling her muzzle next to hers.  “It’s a secret.  You can’t tell anyone.  Aiko knows, but other than her no one else knows. Promise you’ll keep the secret,” Sunset whispered. Cadance nodded, smiling.  “I promise!” she whispered back. Sunset smirked, looking her straight in the eyes. “I made it all up.” “What!?” shouted Cadance in shock. Sunset laughed and facehooved.  “Smooth, Cadance.  Secret, remember?” she grinned. “Sorry!” said Cadance. “What do you mean, you made it up?  It isn’t real?” she whispered in surprise. “No!  No, it's real.  The magic is real.  It’s just not Zebrican,” Sunset explained quietly. “It’s not a lost Zebra Magical art.  It’s forbidden mind magic I learned from the forbidden archives.  I needed a cool name for it and a backstory I could sell.  I had to teach it to others, and I couldn’t very well tell them ‘Hey! You should learn this really useful forbidden magical technique!  It may just save your life!’ Because as soon as anypony heard the word forbidden, they would have scurried away like rats from sunlight.  So I invented a cool backstory for it and a catchy name.  That way I can teach it and save the lives of my leash mates, of all the other sisters caught in the slavery of the brothels.” “So you made this all up to protect the other mares and vixens that were trapped with you in the brothels?” clarified Cadance. “And myself, yes.  I used the techniques to protect myself and save my own life while I was undercover as a slave in the brothels.  The technique worked!  And when I realized I could teach the others trapped in the brothels the same techniques, and allow them to save their own live too, I had to find a way to share it. Sunset grinned. “Though the truth is I made up the backstory very spur of the moment.  My Madam found me out.  She caught me using mind magic on a client, and I had to think and talk fast, trying to pass it off as an unknown art so she didn’t realize I could still use magic even though they’d glued an inhibitor ring on my horn.  It just kind of tumbled out as I talked fast to cover my flank.” “You always were good at being a sneak,” grinned Cadance. “Hey!  I’ll have you know that’s a finely honed survival craft, don’t be making it sound all evil or something,” laughed Sunset. “It is kind of the opposite of good, Sunset,” chuckled Cadance. “It’s harmonious to tell the truth.” “It’s harmonious to stay alive and not let others get hurt.  If a little fib helps that happen, that sounds harmonious enough for me,” countered Sunset. Candace smiled. “Well, your heart’s in the right place, as always. Thank you for telling me the truth and explaining it to me.”  She hugged Sunset, then sat back expectantly. “Okay, so that said, are you going to teach me this Zebrican Art?” “That’s the plan,” agreed Sunset, smiling.  “Okay, it may seem a little weird at first, but think of it as a shared dream.  Here goes.”  Sunset reached out a hoof to Cadance who promptly fell asleep. Sunset entered her mind, showing her how to leave her mind and enter another's, and how to separate her conscious self from the rest of her psyche allowing her mind to dream and take part in the shared experience, even as she sat apart with Sunset co-directing and controlling the shared dream. Despite Cadance’s current limitations with magic she quickly picked up the technique, running through Sunset’s mind without help or too much guidance. “You really have a gift for this,” noted Sunset as she followed Cadance through their shared dreamspace. “I was concerned that with your magical issues it might be difficult for you to pick this up, but you’ve figured it out fairly quickly. “If you were a vixen, I’d bet you’d have ascended another tail at this point,” she laughed. “Wait, what?  How does that work?” asked Cadance, curious. “It’s a kitsune thing,” explained Sunset. “They ascend in stages. Each time they learn and master a new type of magic they earn another tail, it’s their version of ascending.  One you have nine tails, you’re as powerful as a Princess, meaning mom.  When Aiko learned this technique she ascended another tail.  She was a three tail when we started. It was pretty cool.” Once Cadance had mastered the technique, Sunset took her to a virtual arena to learn basic combat skills, just as she had with Aiko before.  She even showed Cadance the refined version of the shield spell she used for combat, placing it into her mind in the shared dreamspace as an image just as she had with Aiko.  She was delighted to find her suspicions were correct.  Seeing the spell in that para-physical form, Cadance was immediately able to grasp it and use it correctly with very little issue. “Oh, thank the Maker!” breathed Cadance. “This  makes so much more sense!  If you can teach me this way instead of just reading and rereading those primers and books the Princess keeps hoofing me, I may just get this yet!  Thank you so much for showing me this, Sunset!” She pulled Sunset into a wing hug. Sunset hugged her back with a nuzzle.  “Happy to help, Cadance!  I knew you would understand eventually.  I’m glad this worked out.” By the end of the session, Cadance could quickly cast the shield spell with a few rudimentary battle spells while keeping the shield spell active. Trying to extend her attacks, Cadance got frustrated.  Sunset reminded her. “Foal steps, Cadance.  You need to learn to trot before you can canter.  You’re doing great!  You’ll get there.” Sighing, Cadance nodded. “Thank you Sunset.  I needed to hear that.  I’ll keep practicing this until it’s second nature.” Sunset hugged Cadance. “That’s all I ask.  You’ve got this.  Ready for a break?”  Cadance nodded. Dismissing them from the shared dream, Sunset and Cadance woke to see Aiko and Twilight were finished.  “So, how’d you do, squirt?” asked Sunset, giving Twilight a quick hug. “She did remarkably well,” answered Aiko. “Unsurprising I guess for such a driven little filly, but I think she’ll be a natural at this before long.”  Twilight nodded,  beaming at the praise. “I need to take care of something I’ve been putting off this afternoon, but why don’t you all do something fun to celebrate?” suggested Sunset. “That sounds wonderful.  I know, I’ll take you both out for ice cream, my treat!” replied Cadance. “Sorry I’ll miss it,” smiled Sunset.  “Have fun! I’ll see you all for dinner.”  She trotted out of the apartment, heading for the brig and a discussion she had put off far too long. Sunset nodded to the sergeant at arms, who opened the cell door. Taking a deep breath she trotted in, the sergeant closing and locking the cell door behind her.  The mare laying on the bed rolled over, looking up to see who had entered. “I thought you’d forgotten about me,” she said as she sat up on her cot facing Sunset.  “No Major, I didn’t forget. There’s been a lot happening. You’re being treated well?” Sunset asked.  “Well enough,” the Major responded. “I can’t complain. It’s my own fault I’m in here anyways.”  She looked up at Sunset. “So where do we go from here?” Sunset crossed the cell, sitting on the cot next to the Major. “That’s really up to you, Major. “You can trot out of this cell right now. You’ll be on probation until it’s clear your attitude issues are completely resolved. If you’re over them, if we don’t have any more issues like we’ve been having, this incident and your incarceration will be expunged from your record.  You’ll be free to continue your honorable career in the guard as if they never happened. “Major, you’ve been through Tartarus. Nopony expects you to be fine after what you’ve been through. You were grievously injured in the line of duty. One of your subordinates died in the same attack.  None of that was your fault. “Your commanding officer made a mistake, one that placed you and your subordinate in mortal danger. I was that officer, I made that mistake. Was I at fault?  No. Did I learn from it? Painfully. Am I a better officer for it? Absolutely. “We were in combat. Mistakes in combat happen. When they do, bad things happen. That’s why we train. That’s why we learn. And that’s why we fight. To protect others so they don’t have to suffer what we do, or what we did.  “Major, I’m not going to tell you everything’s going to be alright. We both know it’s not.  I’m not going to blow sunshine up your trotters. But that’s okay, because we can deal with it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. “You can’t do that alone, Major. We move forward together. We fight as part of a team. And we recover as part of a team. I’m recommending you to a counselor I’ve worked with, she can help you move forward. I’m not ordering you to see her, but she can help you, together. Don’t try to do this alone.  “So, what’s next is up to you. If you want what I’ve just offered, come with me and put this behind you.”  Sunset rose, trotting over to the cell door. She wrapped on it with her forehoof, then the sergeant at arms opened the door for her. She looked back over her shoulder. “Are you coming, Major?” The Major rose from her cot and trotted out behind her. After settling the Major back into her barracks, Sunset returned to her apartment to get ready for dinner.  She smiled thinking of Aiko and Twilight off with Cadance, window shopping in the city as they enjoyed their afternoon out. Looking out over the city from her balcony, she saw the weather team had pulled in a storm front in preparation for rain tonight leaving clouds scattered over the city. She grinned.  With a teal flash and a pop, she disappeared from her balcony. After spying from several clouds around town, she located her query, a familiar pink princess oblivious to anything but her two dear friends.  Sunset smirked.  She popped away in a flash of teal. Cadance was sitting at a table outside the cafe with Aiko and Twilight, eating her strawberry swirl sundae while her sister students enjoyed their treats.  She smiled over at Aiko. “So, do they have anything like this over in Yokeo?” “With less climbing, yes.  Yokeo is a bay city like Manehatten, not set on a mountain like this.  But we have our cafe’s, and we do have our treats.  Not much ice cream, but sticky sweet noodles and sweet and savory confections. And of course tea,” Aiko laughed. “How are you doing, Twilight?  I haven’t heard much from you since you sat down,” grinned Cadance at her young friend. Twilight pulled her muzzle from her oversized shake. “Still eating!” she chirped happily, diving back into her treat.  Aiko and Cadance both grinned. There was a shout, the ponies around them looking up at the sky and pointing.  “What’s that pony doing?” a mare called out, shielding her eyes with a hoof to get a better look. Another stallion, his own hoof shielding his eyes from the evening sun, called out as well. “What’s that crazy pegasus doing?  She’s flying straight down towards the ground!” Behind them a pegasus mare called out in panic. “Oh sweet Celestia!  That’s not a pegasus!  That’s a unicorn!”  She leapt up into the sky racing towards the falling pony. That got Aiko’s attention.  She turned, looking where they were all pointing.  Pegasus from all over the city were racing through the clouds to get to the falling mare.  She placed a paw over her eyes for a better look.  “Son of a..” A flash of teal filled the sky, the falling unicorn disappearing to the shock of everyone watching. There was a teal flash and pop right behind them. Cadance suddenly felt two forelegs wrapped around her shoulders and muzzle in her ear.  “Did you miss me?” a playful voice whispered. “Gah!” shouted Cadance, launching her sundae up into the air.  It was caught in a teal glow and gently returned to the table before her.  Her eyes wide in shock, Cadance slammed up straight into Sunset’s hug.  She threw her fore hoof out in front of her, taking slow, measured breaths as she slowly moved her hoof in and out, her panic slowly fading. Turning to face the playful intruder still hanging over her shoulder, she looked into Sunset’s grinning face. “So Cadance, did you miss me?” repeated Sunset, grinning like a cat face to face with a very surprised canary. Cadance smirked, raising one eyebrow.  Across the table, Aiko placed both paws over her face trying unsuccessfully to hide her laughter.  Twilight looked up from her treat, noticing her big sister hanging over Cadance’s shoulder. “Hi Sunset!” Twilight chirped, her face covered in ice cream.  “When did you get here?  Are you going to join us?”  Aiko laughed so hard she nearly fell from her chair. When she finally stopped laughing, Aiko grinned at Sunset. “You. Are. A. Brat!” she gasped. “What?  I just thought it might be nice to join you all for a bit.  I finished earlier than expected so I decided to drop in on you,” smirked Sunset. Twilight looked askance in confusion. “Huh?” she asked. Aiko turned to Twilight with a grin. “Did you hear all the people talking about the falling unicorn?” “Yeah, and?  It sounded like they were all going to help,” responded Twilight, licking her muzzle still trying to get the tasty treat pasted all over it. Aiko grinned, looked over at Sunset, then back.  Twilight looked at Sunset, then back at Aiko.  “Oh!” she exclaimed a moment later. ”I get it!  Drop in on us!  Good one!” She went back to her treat. Cadance snorted and giggled. “Never change, Twilight,” she laughed.  Turning back to the mare still violating her personal space she grinned, giving her a friendly peck on the cheek. “You’re a dork!” she laughed. “You darn near gave me a heart attack!” Sunset smiled and nuzzled her, then sat in the chair next to her.  “You’re way too nice, Cadance.  Ugh!  Even when I get a rise out of you, you’re still perfectly adorable!  I couldn’t hate you even if I wanted to!” she laughed. Cadance grinned.  Scooping out a dollop of whipped cream, she artfully flicked it onto Sunset’s muzzle.  “Wouldn’t want you to miss out on the fun!  There, now we’re even!” she laughed. Sunset grinned, licking off the cream then stealing Cadance’s napkin to wipe off her muzzle.  “Sure, call it even,” she grinned. Aiko smirked at Sunset. “So, are you going to clear that up?” she motioned back to the bedlam still going on behind them.  Pegasus were still flying all over through the clouds, with ponies still talking and pointing to where the mare disappeared, the confusion running rampant. “Nah, they’ll figure it out.  Eventually,” grinned Sunset. Sunset joined them for the rest of their evening.  When the time for their dinner with Celestia came they returned to the castle, stopping to clean up in Sunset’s apartment, especially the delightfully sticky and fully frosted Twilight, before heading to the Princess’s private dining hall.  They arrived early and were seated enjoying their tea and tea cakes when the Princess arrived. The Princess entered and took her seat, glaring at her little Sunbeam from the moment she entered.  Sunset stared back, smiling.  The Princess sat and raised an eyebrow. Sunset’s grin widened. “So my afternoon was entertaining, how was yours?” Celestia asked her students, her eyebrow still raised and not looking away from Sunset.  “Did anything interesting happen during your outing?” Twilight started giggling. “You mean like a pony falling out of the sky and half the city freaking out?” asked Aiko, taking a sip of her tea. “Something like that,” affirmed the Princess, eyebrow still raised, still staring directly at Sunset. Sunset took a long sip of her tea. She looked away, trying very hard not to laugh.  Getting herself under control, she turned back to the Princess. “Wow, that sounds dramatic,” she snickered. “Do tell,” agreed the Princess, still staring. “I’ve just spent the last thirty or so minutes assuring everypony that there isn’t a missing unicorn and that there’s no need to mobilize the guard for a marehunt to find the poor missing pony who may have fallen out of a balloon.  At least that was their current guess.  You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you, my little Sunbeam?” she asked sweetly. “Maybe?” smirked Sunset, looking away.  She stuffed her muzzle full with the last of her tea cake. “You don’t say,” snarked the Princess back. Aiko smirked at her friend. “Brat,” she snickered. “Indeed,” agreed the Princess. “Sunset, please don’t trigger metropolitan level emergencies with your pranks,” she admonished, breaking into a grin.  “I’m not sure the city can take them as often as you seem to think is humorous.” “It was pretty epic,” grinned Sunset after swallowing the last of her cake. “Do I need to make myself more directly clear?” the Princess smiled. “No mom, I got it. Don’t panic the populace,” agreed Sunset with a laugh. “Good,” grinned Celestia, finally taking a sip of her tea then starting on her cake. “I am sorry I missed it.  It did sound quite epic.” Aiko laughed. “You know, she really doesn’t need the encouragement.” Sunset grinned. “I’ll be good, I promise.” “See that you do, my little Sunbeam,” Celestia smiled.  The maid brought in their dinners  Celestia led them in harmonic grace.  As they ate, she turned to Sunset. ‘I have news on the meteor fragments you found,” she informed them.  “I asked the professors from the School for Gifted Unicorns to examine the fragments you brought back.  They consulted with the scientists at the Celestial Observatory, and together returned some unfortunate news.  I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to return to the crater and search again.” “Why is that?” Sunset asked. “Based on their analysis of the impact crater and the measurements they made of the mass you collected, what you found could only be a tenth or less of the asteroid that created that crater.  You haven’t found it all yet,” the Princess explained. “Crab nuggets,” swore Sunset. As they soaked in the tub before bed, Sunset groused. “Well, that happened.  I wonder what we missed?  I’m pretty sure we gathered everything there was at the impact point.’ “Maybe it broke prior to impact and we didn’t notice the other part,” noted Aiko. “I guess,” agreed Sunset.  “But what did we miss?  I scanned everything.” “We’ll know more when we get out there tomorrow,” consoled Cadance. “One more trip on the pirate ship!” celebrated Twilight, paddling back and forth across the tub. Sunset smirked. “Yup, another ride on the Phoenix Sun.” The next morning they rose then joined the Princess for breakfast.  She served them her favorite breakfast pancakes, sharing how she used to make them for her sister.  Enjoying the brief time they had with her for the day, they thanked the Princess then quickly trotted back to Sunset’s apartment.  Cleaning up and gathering their packs, they left the apartment, heading out and across the courtyard to the castle air port. Reporting to the mare at arms they were escorted to the schooner's berth, where Captain Full Sail welcomed them aboard the Phoenix Sun. “Welcome aboard, Commander!” she saluted, smiling. Sunset smiled back, returning her salute.  “Thank you, Captain.” Sunset and her sisters joined the captain in her cabin.  When everyone was settled Sunset left her sisters to study, once again joining the Captain on the bridge.  Taking the same place as before, she joined the XO as the Captain returned them to the badlands crater. The journey was without incident.  When they arrived at the crater Sunset rejoined her sisters.  Gathering their saddlebags, they teleported down to the crater floor with Sunset enveloping Cadance in her teal glow. Down on the crater floor Aiko immediately noticed the missing boulder.  Loping over to the fragments, she called out. “Hey, look at this! Somepony blasted that big rock and hauled most of it off.  Do you think that might be the missing part of the asteroid?” “Maybe,” Sunset agreed, trotting over to her.  She picked up one of the fragments in her frog, feeling for any sense of the anti-magic.  “I’m feel something, but not much.  Maybe it was a solid core covered by this rock?  There’s definitely a trace here but it’s so slight I only just get a sense of it, even holding it here in my hoof.” Twilight wandered over, picking up another fragment. “Ouch!” she called out, dropping it quickly. “What do you have there, Twilight?” asked Aiko, reaching over and taking the dropped fragment in her paw. “Oooof,” she grunted, holding it up. “Yup, you found another fragment.” Dropping the fragment she was holding, Sunset crossed over to Aiko.  She reached over and touched the fragment in Aiko’s paw. “Ah, ouch, yeah.  Good find, squirt.  Definitely what we’re looking for.  Wherever that core went, that’s our missing magical rock, aside from any other fragments scattered here.  Let’s gather those up then try to figure out what happened to our core,” Sunset suggested. They scattered, sifting through the shattered fragments looking for more of the rocks, and placing anything they found into their saddlebags. Sunset tossed the rock Twilight had found into her bags, joining them in their search. While they scoured the crater for any further fragments Sunset kept her eyes open for any clues to the whereabouts of the missing core.  When they finally gathered everything they could find, they sat together by the shattered fragment. “I can’t see any sign of anypony dragging away that core.  If it was that prospector who was here, Earth Pony or not I don’t see her just carrying that away,” commented Sunset. Cadance shook her head. “You’d be surprised what a healthy Earth pony can carry.  Growing up with my parents on their farm there were plenty of times I saw them carry something so big and heavy I couldn’t believe it,” she related. “I guess that’s true,” Sunset conceded.  “But there would still be hoofprints heading somewhere.  Something that heavy, there’s no way she wouldn’t leave deep prints in the soil, right?” “That’s true.  Maybe she flew it out?” replied Cadance. “Earth pony, how’s she gonna do that?” asked Sunset. “She had help?  And don’t give me that look.  A healthy pegasus can lift plenty!  I used to haul our wagon full of harvest produce all the time! I had no problem flying with it.  I’m just saying if she had help, they could have flown it out. I could have done it, so I’m sure if she had a pegasus helper they could have just flown it out,” answered Cadance, annoyed by Sunset’s incredulous look. “You can fly a full wagon loaded with an entire harvest?” smirked Sunset. “Try me!  You think I can’t?” glared Cadance back. Aiko moved between them, hugging them both. “I’m sure you can, Cadance,” she smiled at her. Turning to glare at Sunset, she growled.  “Soni….” Sunset sighed. “Sorry Cadance, I’m sure you could and that you did.” She hugged them both back.  “So any sign of where they could have gone?” Looking around, Cadance shook her head. “If they had a cart, there would be tracks somewhere.  You can tell when a cart has been flown out.  We usually need a running start, so you would see the wagon tracks getting very faint just at the very end when our magic kicked in and they took off.  I’m not seeing any tracks anywhere.” “If they didn’t use a cart, could they have just tied it up and hauled it out?” asked Aiko. “Sure, that’s a lot harder though. If they were strong enough it would work,” agreed Cadance. “Well that’s our working theory then,” agreed Sunset.  “So, how do we find them? Without some hoofprints or wagon tracks to go by, I’m stumped.” “Maybe if we look from the air we can see some sign of where they came from,” suggested Twilight. “Maybe they camped somewhere around here on the way in or out, and if we find that we can tell what direction they were going,” she added. Cadance smiled.  “Twilight, that’s brilliant! Come on little ladybug, let’s go look!”  She scooped the filly up onto her back, setting her between her wings.  Twilight held onto her mane grinning happily as Cadance leapt up into the air, flying off to scout for any sign of the missing prospector. Aiko laughed. “Well, that happened.”  She smiled watching Cadance and Twilight fan out from them in ever widening circles. “She has a point. It’s a good plan, but they’re going to take forever looking that way though.  Let’s get some help,” agreed Sunset.  Together she and Aiko flashed back to the deck of the schooner.  Seeing them appear the Captain trotted over. “Any progress, Commander?” she asked. “We think the prospector who was here before found the core and flew it out.  We’re trying to circle around and find her old campsite to get an idea of the direction she was heading.  Our little princess over there will take forever to find it herself so we were hoping your crew could give her a hand,” directed Sunset. “Understood.  I’ll get my flyers on it right away,” the Captain saluted.  Moving off she called her staff to her, giving instructions.  A pair of pegasus mares darted off, tapping out eight other crew members who followed them off the ship after the still searching Cadance. In the distance Cadance stopped as the pegasus mares surrounded her and Twilight.  After a brief exchange, they all took off heading in different directions. “They’re a good crew and excellent spotters.  This shouldn’t take too long,” commented the Captain, coming back over to stand beside them. An hour later, Cadance and the mares long since passed from sight, Sunset and Aiko sat on the deck sorting through the fragments they had collected.  Aiko took the bulk of them, leaving Sunset with the fragment Twilight had originally found with a few others of note to show the Princess when they returned.  As they put their bags back on, a magenta flash filled the deck beside them. With a pop Cadance and Twilight appeared. “I did it!” Twilight crowed from Cadance’s withers. “Yes you did,” agreed Cadance, lifting her little ladybug down to the deck. “Thank you!”  She turned to Sunset and Aiko. “We found the campsite.  We told the nearest watchmare and she went off to tell the others.  They should be back shortly, but Twilight wanted to rush right back so we could tell you,” she grinned at her little sister.  “She thought flying took too long and didn’t want to wait.” “How far away is it?” asked Sunset, scruffing Twilight’s mane. Twilight grinned, swatting her hoof away. “A bit over half an hour’s flight from here.  I’d guess just under two hundred stadia or so?  At least a half day’s walk if you were to walk from here,” answered Cadance. “That’s great!  That should give us a good idea of the rough heading then,” smiled Sunset.  “And you teleported all the way back here?  Good job, twerp!” she grinned. Twilight beamed. “I had to do it in three hops. But I did it!” she chirped happily. Cadance scooped the beaming filly over to her with a wing, snuggling her up next to her. “And saved me a good twenty minutes of flying.  Thank you Twilight.” She smiled down at her friend. Sunset trotted off to find the captain and relay the news.  Finding her on the bridge, she shared what they had found.  With a smile, the captain gave orders to the crew to prepare to make way as soon as the scouts returned. Sunset returned to her sisters with a happy grin. “Okay, we’ll head out as soon as everypony returns,” she informed them.  Snuggling next to Cadance, Twilight and Aiko, they waited for the watch mares. Twenty minutes later they were underway following the heading given by the returning mares.  The students sat together on the bow looking out over the railing at the badlands landscape passing beneath them. Eventually they saw an open clearing with a camp circle clearly visible.  “That’s the site we found!” Twilight called out happily. They passed over it keeping their current heading.  Sunset stretched out her senses, feeling for anything out of the ordinary below them. An hour later they were still on the same heading, the watch mares having found two more campsites near their path along the way.  Sunset still hadn’t sensed anything out of the ordinary as they continued their journey. In the distance ahead of them a spire rose from the rugged landscape.  Approaching it they saw it was considerably taller than the surrounding terrain and filled with arching caves and caverns. “Well that’s not even remotely ominous,” snarked Aiko as they moved closer to the spire. Sunset started. “Wait!  I have something,” she called out.  The watchmare on deck called out the bridge and the ship slowed. “Is it the big ugly spire?” asked Aiko, still staring at the imposing rocky peak rising up from the landscape. “No, it’s off to the west, over there!  Let’s go check it out,” Sunset answered, pointing over the railing towards a recession in the landscape. Cadance scooped Twilight back up in her wings, placing her again on her withers as she leapt over the side of the ship with Twilight holding tightly to her mane.  Aiko leapt up to the railing preparing to jump off when Sunset leapt up to her back, grabbing quickly a hold of her and teleported them both to the bowl in the distance. When the teal flash cleared with a pop, Aiko looked over her shoulders at the grinning Pony clutching onto her. “Give a vixen some warning why don’t you,” she laughed, shaking out her fur as Sunset slid down off her back. “It was faster,” smirked Sunset, standing next to her.  Before them a cave opened in the side of the bowl, hidden from view before by the depths of the recession.  “It’s coming from there,” Sunset pointed to the cave opening. “Awesome,” Aiko rolled her eyes.  “Let’s wait for the rest of the crew before we leap into danger,” she advised. “Spoilsport,” teased Sunset. “Fine, we do it the safe way.”  They sat and waited for Cadance and Twilight to catch up.” Hiding among the rocks at the lip of the recession a team of insect ponies looked down on the two below them.  They watched as a pink Pegasus mare with a unicorn foal on her back flew in to join them, then with the others trotted towards the cave entrance.  When they had all entered the cave the team darted down over the lip of the bowl, racing through the cave entrance and into the cave. Still sitting on Cadance’s withers Twilight lit her horn, dispelling the darkness around them. “Do any of you know the night vision spell?” Sunset asked them, looking around with a purple glow enveloping her eyes. “Nope,” replied Cadance. “Thanks Twilight.”  Twilight nodded, still holding her mane tightly as she looked around the cave they were passing through. “I don’t like this,” she said quietly, muzzling down into Cadance’s mane while keeping her eyes on the cavern around them. “It’s scary! There’s something wrong with the place.” “You’re not wrong there, squirt,” agreed Sunset, leading them deeper into the cavern. “I feel something off about this place too. It’s not like the draining magic rocks though. This feels more like it doesn’t want us.” “Or don’t belong here,” muttered Cadance, following Sunset and Aiko. A still pond in the cavern blocked their way forward completely. The surface was smooth as a mirror, not a ripple moving across it.  Aiko reached down, picked up a pebble, then tossed it in.  It soundlessly broke the surface of the pond, causing a brief splash and concentric ripples that quickly died out.  “That’s not water,” observed Aiko. “No, it doesn’t look right,” agreed Cadance, bending down to look closer, Twilight leaning over her head to see as well. “No, it’s not water. It’s liquid magic,” Sunset answered.  Her horn glowed as she bent down over the surface. “I recognize this. There were tanks of it on the Albatross. It’s what fueled the Stratos engine.” They were still examining the surface of the mirrored pool when a pulse of green magic shot out from the rocks behind them catching Cadance on her flank.  “Ahh!” She screamed out, springing into the air in shock and pain. Twilight hung on for her life as Cadance slammed into Sunset then bolted down the cavern in panic, barreling past a surprised team of changelings facing the students behind the rocks they were using for cover. “Sunset no!” Aiko cried out, trying to catch her leash sister as she tumbled into the pool.  Sunset slipped into the mirrored surface, passing soundlessly through as it closed over her, the ripples fading away in moments.  Looking back over her shoulder Aiko could see no sign of Cadance or Twilight. “Hang on Soni, I’m coming!” she shouted, diving into the pool where Sunset had fallen.  She too passed soundlessly through the mirrored surface, the ripples quickly fading. From their places behind the rocks the team of changelings trotted forward, looking into the mirrored surface then at each other. Their leader shrugged. Cadance shot out of the cave entrance, Twilight still clinging to her mane.  “Nope nope nope nope!” shouted Cadance as she rocketed towards the Phoenix Sun.  Landing on the deck of the schooner, she recovered her wits. “Help!  We were attacked in the cave and Sunset fell in!” she yelled, looking desperately around for anyone to respond. Twilight added her voice. “Help!  Sunset fell into a magical pool!  I think it’s some kind of portal, she just disappeared!  We need to get in there and help her out!” she called out in panic. The XO shot out of the bridge landing next to them. “What happened?” she questioned sharply, snapping Twilight and Cadance out of their panic. “We went into a cave in that depression over there,” Cadance pointed. “Sunset felt a magical power coming from it. The magic she sensed was coming from a mirror pool in the back of the cave. While we were examining it we were attacked!  Sunset fell in, and I flew back here as fast as I could.  We have to save her!” “They shot you!” added Twilight, looking over her shoulder at the angry pink wound on Cadance’s flank.  Her coat had burned away where the shot had landed with a trickle of blood seeping from the worst of the wound. “And they shot me!” added Cadance. “And I bolted up!  And bumped into Sunset, and she fell into the pool. Then I panicked and flew past the insect ponies that shot us and straight out cave straight back here…” Cadance collapsed onto her backside, her eyes wide.  Twilight slid down her back, scampering around to hug her tightly.  “Oh sweet Celestia, what have I done?  I knocked Sunset into the mirror pool!  I hurt Sunset!  Oh sweet Celestia!” Cadance broke into tears, racked with sobs as Twilight hugged her tightly. With a quick whistle and nod from the XO the six watch mares took off towards the depression, sweeping down into it in moments. A minute later they returned.  “It was empty. There’s no pony there, insect or otherwise.  We saw the pool, but no sign of the Commander or her student,” the lead mare reported. “We need a magical expert,” the Captain called out. “This is beyond our expertise.  I’ll send a flyer back to alert the Princess and request immediate assistance.”  She turned to her XO, but Cadance called out. “I’ll go!  It’s my fault she fell in and I can get there quickly,” she said. “Let me go and get help.” “Fine,” the Captain relented.  “XO, you have the bridge.  Watch mares on me!” she ordered, launching over the side of the ship and flying towards the depression.  The XO sounded general quarters then returned to the bridge. Twilight scrambled up Cadance’s back, holding tightly to her mane again. “What are you doing, Twilight?  Aren’t you going to stay here and wait for Sunset?” “No! I’m coming with you.  I can help you and we need to get help now,” Twilight answered. “Okay, let’s go!”  Cadance leapt over the railing, her wings flaring out as she launched them up into the clouds and back towards Canterlot.  As they broke through and over the clouds there was a flash of magenta and they disappeared.