//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Choices // Story: Storm of Secrets // by Wolf Guardian //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash rose swiftly through the net of clouds, searching for her missing Wonderbolts. They should have been playing another game of cloud soccer, but the quiet sky did not surprise her. Rising higher, she cleared the top of their soccer field and found them spread out, sleeping on small drifting clouds in groups of two or three. Rainbow hovered for a few moments watching them: Firestreak snoring softly, Soarin' sleeping on his back with his legs twitching in the air, Misty and Silver Lining huddled close together despite the warmth of the afternoon sun. They were all so cute when they were asleep; so calm, so peaceful. Rainbow exhaled and bucked a nearby cloud, sending a bolt of lightning ripping through the field and shattering the stillness of the Wonderbolts’ dreams. Eleven terrified pegasi shot into the air like giant startled fleas. Soarin' seemed to vanish head first into the cloud he’d been sleeping on, while the rest dove into larger clouds like rabbits down their holes. (It was amazing how much faster they moved when they were scared.) Dash picked a visible spot in the middle of the field and waited; after a few minutes heads began peeping sheepishly out of the clouds, and the Wonderbolts gathered expectantly around her. “I hope you all enjoyed your beauty sleep.” Dash said with a smile. The Wonderbolts looked at each other sheepishly until Lightning Streak broke the silence, “uhh... yeah, it was OK. You didn't really have to do that Dash, you could have just asked us to get up.” This was true, but it would have taken ten minutes of groans and complaints; using the thunderbolt was quicker and much more fun. Dash quickly moved on to business, “Before leaving I told you all to be ready for anything. Are you ready for anything?” “You bet!” piped Surprise, “After you left we all did about twenty laps; we were going to do more but we figured we should save our energy for our big secret mission, and so we decided to rest until you got back. I take it you found out what our mission was?” Twenty laps? Yeah right, five at most. “Yes, I got our message,” the Wonderbolts leaned forward in anticipation, “we're going on a search and rescue mission for two ponies lost in the Everfree Forest.” The expression on their faces was priceless. “The ... Everfree Forest?” stammered Wave Chill in disbelief. “Yes of course,” said Dash casually, “two ponies went into the forest to look at something. They were meant to be back yesterday but nopony’s seen them since, so another pony who’s sort of like a park ranger is going in to look for them. We're going to help. Any questions?” After a few awkward moments High Winds burst out laughing, “I get it! You’re joking, like with the lightning bolt. You’re just having some fun with us, right?” “No,” said Dash cheerfully, “I'm serious. Three ponies are already waiting for us in Ponyville. We’re supposed to meet them at the library and then we're going into the forest until we find our missing ponies.” Several moments of silence passed before Blaze finally said what was on everypony's mind “Isn't this like, really dangerous? I mean, don't all sorts of monsters live in the forest?” Dash hesitated; no matter how irritating the Wonderbolts were to live with, she had always tried to maintain the veneer of honor and valor that the public saw in them—the lie that had drawn her to them in the first place; the lie she had become a part of. If she told them the truth now, there was no way she would get them to Ponyville, let alone the forest. She had promised Shining Armor the help of the Wonderbolts. She couldn't go back alone, and even if she could, they needed the Wonderbolts if they were going to find Storm and Cadance before the terrormongers did. Another thought presented itself. What if, underneath all their selfishness and cowardliness, the Wonderbolts really did have some of the valor they all pretended to have? What if putting them into a situation where they had to face their fears and work together to survive, they would find out how brave they really were and they would become the dream team she had always, always wanted. To find out, she would have to keep lying for just a little bit longer. “Sure it’s probably a little bit dangerous, but as long as we stick together we'll be fine. Our guide says there are heaps of ponies who live in the forest full time, so it can't be all that bad. You know how stories spread: ten ponies go into the forest, one of them gets into trouble and nothing happens to the other nine. When they get out, the nine ponies don’t say anything because their stories are boring, and the one pony that did get in trouble gets all the attention. We'll go in, find the missing ponies, and be back out before you know it. Think how much our ratings will improve when Canterlot hears how we bravely faced the perils of the forest to bring back the lost ponies. We'll be heroes!” “Are you sure about this Dash?” asked High Winds. They needed a little more convincing. Dash motioned for the Wonderbolts to draw nearer and spoke excitedly “OK, I was going to keep this as a surprise, but I'll tell you now. One of the missing ponies is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. There's a bird watching post a few days into the forest that the Royal family keeps as a secret holiday resort. The princess wanted to visit it, so she took one of the royal guards along as a guide, but he got really sick after they reached the bird watching resort. All we have to do is go to the post, pick up the sick guard and the Princess, and we’ll be known as the ponies who saved Princess Celestia's favorite niece!” At this the Wonderbolts lit up like school foals and everypony started talking at once. Spitfire pointed out how Princess Mi Amore Cadenza took six Royal Guards with her whenever she watched a Wonderbolt air show, so if it only took one guard to visit the forest, then the forest must be one of the safest places in Equestria! Blaize, Fleet Foot, and Fire Streak fell to excitedly estimating (with ever more fanciful figures) what Celestia's 'generous reward' would be for helping her niece, and how much the Wonderbolts ratings would skyrocket once the media got wind this. Silver Lining and Misty wanted to know if whatever had made the guard sick was contagious, but Dash assured them that it wasn’t. Wave Chill and High Winds wanted to know if the Wonderbolts could book this bird watching resort for their next holiday. The rest of the pegasi showered Dash with praise for having landed such a golden opportunity for the Wonderbolts to show off their greatness. Dash let their imaginations fly wild for a few minutes before calling them back to order. The Wonderbolts would only receive credit for the rescue if they were the first to the scene. By now several other groups of would-be rescuers would have heard of the royal plight and be on their way. The Wonderbolts wasted no time in falling in behind Dash as she began the long dive to Ponyville, and after a few moments they began singing one of their many victory chants. Dash remained silent, basking in their adoration and trying to force down any doubts of what might happen if things went wrong. This had to work; after all, they were the Wonderbolts. ….................................................................................................................................................................. Spike was wrestling another bag of oats into an already stuffed saddlebag and Twilight's phoenix, Pyromite, was using his flames to speed cook some bread, when the library door swung open for Twilight, Apple Jack and Shining Armor, each carrying a large bucket of apples. “Hey guys, did you find Rainbow Dash?” “She's getting the Wonderbolts and then she's coming here,” answered Shining Armor, “How are the supplies?” “Good … I think. I still don't know how much food we actually need.” “We need enough for sixteen ponies for about four days of hard work.” Spike looked at his miniature hoard of snacks. “I don't think I have quite enough for that.” “Well, it’s a good thing we brought these then,” said Apple Jack with a smile, setting down her bucket of apples and indicating the others. “Will these make up the difference?” “Probably,” answered Spike, “but I'm already out of saddlebags; we don't have room for any more apples.” “There are some sacks under the counter,” volunteered Twilight, “you can tie them together and improvise saddlebags.” “Good thinking,” nodded Shining Armor, “Apple Jack, help Spike get the rest of the supplies ready; but save some room for medical supplies, we'll get them later. Twilight, come with me, I want to see your combat spells.” Twilight was about to follow her brother when Spike jumped on her back, “Combat spells? What's he talking about? What's going on?” “Twilight, Apple Jack, the Wonderbolts and I need to go into the Everfree Forest. It might be dangerous so I'm making sure that Twilight is up to it.” “But aren’t you meant to be on vacation from keeping the shield up?” Spike asked, worried. “I've already been through this with Twilight. I'm going. End of discussion.” “Well then, can I come too?” pleaded Spike, “If it's dangerous you might need me.” Shining Armor turned to Twilight, “Can he fight?” “Well ... ” hesitated Twilight, “not really.” Spike felt himself deflate as Shining Armor plucked him off Twilight's back and put him on the bench next to AJ. “Stay here and help prepare the supplies.” Before Shining Armor could turn away, flames engulfed half the kitchen forcing Shining Armor, Twilight, AJ and even Spike to cover their eyes. When the party's eyes cleared they saw Pyromite; wings extended, burning brightly, croaking what sounded like a cross between humble begging and a voracious threat. (Fortunately, after his first few attempts at burning down the library as a baby, Twilight had taken to regularly casting fireproof spells over the library and everything in it.) “Can he fight?” asked Shining Armor, a little more hopefully. Twilight shuddered, and Spike correctly guesses she was recalling the one and only time she had brought Pyromite to have tea with Fluttershy. What had began as a fight over a bowl of spaghetti between Angel and Pyromite, quickly turned into a terrible battle of beak against claw, tooth against talon, and white hot flames against Angel's deadly arsenal of poisoned katanas, knives, javelins, and silver bolts from a small repeating crossbow. The titanic clash nearly destroyed Fluttershy's cottage before Angel finally fled in disgrace. “He can fight,” Twilight squeaked. Spike and Apple Jack both knew that this was an understatement. “Well then, come outside, Pyromite,” invited Shining Armor, “we'll see what you’re made of.” With a boastful squawk of delight, Pyromite lifted off his perch and followed Twilight and Shining Armor out the front door. Spike sighed and got the sacks from under the counter, then held them for Apple Jack to tie. The two worked well together, but Spike couldn't shake feeling left out, as loud explosions testified to a violent sparring match between Shining Armor and Pyromite. “I wish I were a big dragon so I could go on more adventures with you and Twilight and the rest of the gang.” he said glumly. Apple Jack stopped and turned to Spike with a disturbed look on her face, though he couldn’t imagine why. “Just don't try to grow up too fast, Spike. Twilight needs you.” “I know, but sometimes I think if I were just a little bigger, I'd be able to—” he noticed the flashes from Shining Armor's dual with Pyromite had ceased, yet for some reason the rumbling sound was getting louder. AJ noticed it too and looked out the window, “What in tarnation!?” ...................................................................................................................................................................... Dash led her exuberant team in wedge tail formation over the rooftops of Ponyville, stopping every few streets for spontaneous stunts to please the gawking ponies below. Rainbow knew they should be moving along, but the Wonderbolts loved showing off, and if this helped bolster their spirits for the mission ahead, then fine, a few minutes wouldn't hurt. They switched formation several times and began a more complex routine of barrel roles and cartwheels as the crowd grew larger. Dash could see Twilight on her front lawn with Shining Armor talking into her ear and Pyromite on her back. Twilight's eyes closed and her horn was glowing as though she were focusing on some sort of spell. The eggheads were busy which meant the Wonderbolts had time to perform. Throwing themselves into a more complex routine of barrel roles, cartwheels, leaps and dives, the Wonderbolts preformed with one purpose—to please the crowds. The crowd grew with every new stunt, and so did the stakes. Simple barrel roles might be enough to impress fifty ponies, but a crowd of five hundred wanted better, more elaborate stunts. The Wonderbolts were happy to oblige. On one rooftop Scootaloo appeared, jumping up and down with excitement and waving at Rainbow Dash, trying to get her attention. Dash flew close enough to give her a high hoof and almost knocked her off the roof. Dash was about to double back and catch her, but Scootaloo caught herself just in time and scrambled back onto the roof, grinning from ear to ear as she did so. The crowds cheered louder and louder but eventually one chant rose above the rest, “DASH, DASH, SONIC DASH. DASH, DASH, SONIC DASH.” They wanted the Sonic Rainboom. Dash did one fast lap around Ponyville to pick up speed and gain altitude, then sped back to the center of town, breaking the sound barrier right above the audience just high enough not to cause any ear damage. Dash sang into visibility a glittering rainbow over the small township, doing all sorts of loop-the-loops through the clouds until finally settling into a spiraling dive, breaking her fall at the last possible instant and landing right in front of the library. The rest of the Wonderbolts lined up on either side of her and joined her in taking a bow before the wowed audience. Dash turned to Twilight who seemed as amazed as the rest of Ponyville, although a little confused, then turned to Shining Armor, expecting to see a similar expression of wonder, only to see eyes that stared daggers. His mouth moved but the crowd was cheering too much for Rainbow to hear anything. She moved closer and motioned for him to repeat himself, there was a flash of light and the noise faded; looking around Rainbow recognized Twilight's basement. “What do you think you are doing!?” repeated Shining Armor. “My job, I'm the Wonderbolt captain, this is what we do.” “Your job right now is to help rescue Princess Cadance and Silent Storm from the Everfree Forest! To do that, I was hoping to leave Ponyville quietly, so nopony would think to follow us or ask us why we were going into the forest, but you just ruined every chance of that with your little charade.” Dash didn't know what to say. It had been spontaneous; she never thought it would cause any harm. “Come on, it's not that bad, is it?” “Maybe you didn't understand what I meant when I said the rangers plant poison joke along the paths to discourage stupid travelers. If we go into the forest now, half the town will go trooping in after us. Do you have any idea how stupid that was?” “I ... ” “Apparently Princess Celestia thinks the Wonderbolts are smart enough to take on a classified mission. Is she wrong? Because if they're not fit, you should take them home, right now! In fact that would be useful as it would distract the town long enough for the rest of us to get into the forest.” How dare he? Dash had spent her life dreaming, bleeding and striving to be a Wonderbolt, and he was belittling them as though they were nothing. He had not earned the right to be angry at them like she had. “You bet they're ready.” Shining Armor calmed down, but only slightly, “You've told them about the terrormongers and the Rangers?" Dash ignored the weight in her gut and answered on instinct, “I've told them everything they need to know.” “Good. I have some letters to write, go make sure your Wonderbolts are ready for the job. So long as you can keep them under control, we should be fine.” “Oh, they'll be ready,” promised Dash angrily, “and frankly, you should be more concerned about you keeping yourself under control then worrying about them!” With that Rainbow turned and leaped to the top of the basement with a single bound. Hearing about the Rangers and the mission had distracted her momentarily, but it hadn't made her forget what she saw when she flew in the window earlier today. It hadn't been Storm she had seen embracing Twilight, it had been Shining Armor, and in its own way, that was even worse! He was engaged to Princess Cadance. So what was that, adultery plus incest!? Even if Shining Armor wasn't engaged, Rainbow highly doubted that Celestia would tolerate incest in the royal family, or the royal guard, or her school for gifted unicorns, or just about anywhere for that matter. Shining Armor, seemed enough of a jerk to try just about anything, but Twilight... something was seriously wrong with her. “Wow, a baby dragon!” Rainbow followed Misty's voice into the kitchen where several of her Wonderbolts were gathered around Spike who seemed to be enjoying the attention. “He's so cute,” squealed High Winds, “What's his name? Can he talk?” “You bet I can talk,” retorted the dragon, “just call me Spike.” “How old are you Spike?” asked Rapidfire, goggling at the adorable reptile, “Wait, let me guess. You’re ... seven.” Spike hesitated a few moments and a mischievous glint lit up his eyes, “Actually I'm three thousand, four hundred and forty-six! You see, dragons are born big and then they get smaller as they get older. I used to be the dragon emperor, but then I got overthrown in a horrible palace coup. So I'm hiding out in Ponyville until I can organize an army to retake my throne. Oh, I hired a unicorn assistant to help me in the meantime. She's a swell gall; sleeps in a basket next to my bed, makes me breakfast, stuff like that.” Three shocked Wonderbolts’ jaws hit the floor almost in unison. Spike stood perfectly still, looking almost regal on his little three inch legs, until Rapidfire began to sink to his knees, sending Spike into a hopeless series of hysterics. Rapidfire jumped back to his hooves, afraid that his gesture had somehow offended the little sovereign but Spike by now was laughing too hard to notice. “Did we do something wrong? Is he angry with us?” asked Fleet Foot in a panicked voice as Spike's laughter began to sound like some kind of barking. “He's about to eat you!” shouted Dash who had crept up behind them, “Run. RUN!” The Wonderbolts fled the room leaving Rainbow alone with Spike, whose hysterics only redoubled at Rainbow's interference. Eventually he was able to get enough of a grip of himself that he recognized his old friend. Still struggling to recover Spike was able to pull himself to his feet, “Rainbow hehe Dash, good to see you. I haven’t seen you since... well... about two hours ago really...” “Wait a minute. You saw me when I came in before?” “Well of course, I was in the room with Twilight and Shining Armor. You probably just didn't see me because I was behind the door.” Dash felt like her blood was running cold. Shining Armor was horsing around with Twilight... with Spike in the room. What kind of a library was this? “...What were you all doing in the room?” “Well Celestia said that there might be unexpected side-effects from Shining Armor's body swap, so I moved my basket into Shining Armor's room so I could keep an eye on him. He slept for ages and then he started thrashing around and yelling in his sleep so I ran out and got Twilight, who came in and woke him up. He was freaking out from whatever he had been dreaming, something about Twilight being dead, but then he realized it was just a nightmare and gave Twilight a hug. Ah and then you came in... screamed at him... then flew away crying.” Spike's voice trailed off thinking of the bizarre visit and looked at her quizzically “why did you do that?” Rainbow took several moments to digest what Spike was telling her. Nightmare, brother and sister hug, not inflamed lovers hug. “I just... ummm... I saw Twilight with this red stallion, hugging next to a bed, saying they loved each other and thought--” Spike, caught her drift and fell into another fit of hysterics. “You thought... you thought Twilight and Shining Armor… were in love?” he managed between giggling fits before stopping cold “wait a second.... ew, that’s gross! They're siblings for crying out loud!” “Well I didn't know it was Shining Armor! I thought he was... somepony else.” rebutted Rainbow, wishing he would keep his voice down. “Which you obviously wouldn’t care about as you hardly know Storm.” said a voice behind her. Dash pirouetted to find herself nose to nose with Shining Armor again. Shheesh! Couldn't he announce himself before sneaking up on somepony like that!? “Just how well do you know Storm?” he pressed. “None of your business!” snapped Dash “and you should learn not to listen in on other ponies conversations.” Shining Armor regarded her coldly for a few seconds before responding “I need Spike for a few minutes. Go make sure that your Wonderbolts are ready.” …............................................................................................................................................................ Spike watched Rainbow grunt in frustration and then trot out after her Wonderbolts, before giving his attention to Shining Armor who was levitating two scrolls in front of him. “You want me to send these to the Princess?” Shining Armor pushed one of the scrolls a little closer “I've already inscribed it with an alternate address, just breath on it and it will go where it needs to.” Spike complied and the two watched as the letter dissolved into smoke and flew out an open window “and that one?” Spike asked indicating the remaining scroll. Shining Armor looked around to make sure they were alone then closed the door and lowered his voice “tomorrow, some ponies are going to come looking for me. When they arrive, give them this.” Spike reached for the scroll, instantly feeling a faint tingling of magic as his nails touched it. Spike had spent enough time with Twilight to recognize a protection spell when he saw one. Without the proper counter spell this scroll would be impossible for him to mail or open. Spike tossed the scroll around in his claws, getting a feel for the mysterious energies that seemed to emanate from it. It was obviously an powerful enchantment, even Twilight probably couldn't open this unless... Spike looked questioningly at Shining Armor. “I'd appreciate it if the others didn't know about this. Can I trust you?” Shining Armor was one of the first ponies Spike had met after he was hatched at Cesestia's School for gifted unicorns. He had been about the only pony who was able to knock Twilight out of her obsessive studying and get her to have some fun, and on his weekly visits to Twilight he had almost always brought Spike a bag of sweet sapphires or spicy fire diamonds. But to keep something from Twilight… “Yes.” Spike said hesitantly. “Thank you. The rest of us will be leaving in a few minutes and there's one more thing I need you to do for me.” “…All right” “I need you to prepare some more supplies, like the ones you already made but only about half as much will be necessary this time. In my room there's a bag with about six hundred bits in it. Use what you need to buy the next set of supplies and the rest is yours.” Spike quickly did some calculations, all up the supplies Shining Armor was asking for would probably cost about three hundred; Shining Armor was practically giving him a small fortune. Spike began grinning as he began counting his blessings and then belched a blast of flame as an incoming letter materialized in front of him, which Shining Armor caught without hesitation. Shining Armor began to leave then looked over his shoulder to the slightly bewildered baby dragon. “One last thing, there's also a bag of your favorite star sapphires with my other bags. I was going to give them to you a little later but it seems I might not have a chance so, feel free to help yourself.” Spikes mouth began watering as Shining Armor left the room. He stashed the cryptic letter under the bench and then headed towards Shining Armor's room. He had some shopping to do, but first; he was going to find those gems. ….................................................................................................................................................................. For all their failings, the Wonderbolts were able to understand that they needed to get into the forest secretly, so other ponies wouldn't learn about the troubled princess, and organize competing rescue teams. After collecting their share of the supplies, they provided a brief but grand farewell to the ponies still gathered outside the library and then took off at a considerable pace and altitude towards Las Pegasus. After putting a few miles and a large hill between them and Ponyville, they dropped almost to ground level and slid into the forest; skirting along the edge just inside the tree line until they regrouped with the others. The path was just wide enough for two ponies to comfortably trot abreast. The two unicorns led the way, deep in conversation and giving a clear feeling they did not want to be disturbed. Leaving the Wonderbolts to take up the rear and carry on with their own pointless discussions, Rainbow walked beside Apple Jack and couldn't have asked for a better companion. Apple Jack did most of the talking, telling her all about the comings and going of Ponyville this last year: the blind cockatrice that Fluttershy adopted, Twilight doing substitute teaching for Cheerilee, the apple harvest and a dozen other minor, everyday occurrences that Rainbow had missed. Rainbow would have been content to listen to Apple Jack for hours but it wasn't long before Zecora's hut came into view and both mares came to understand the empty room in their packs for medical supplies. From the window drifted the smell of bubbling concoctions and the laughter of two ponies. Was one of the Rangers visiting Zechora? No the other voice sounded more like a filly. Rainbow jumped towards the window to get a better look but only made it a few feet before she was seized mid air and dragged back to the ground. Rainbow shot a dirty look over her shoulder just in time to see Shining Armor's horn stop glowing. “Wait here with the Wonderbolts and Apple Jack.” he commanded, then turning to Twilight he more cheerfully invited “you coming?” ….................................................................................................................................................................. Twilight opened the door and entered into to a warm room lined with pots of exotic herbs and spices. In the middle of the room sat Zecora next to her large bubbling cauldron along with Apple Bloom who must be on one of her semi-regular visits. “Twilight!” exclaimed Apple Bloom when she saw her come in “Tell Zecora that that she should give me somethin’ to make me stronger so I can beat Scootaloo in a contest.” “To defeat your friend in ways not legit; heed my words, no good will come of it.” warned Zecora as she scouped spice from a drum into the cauldron. “But Zecora” whined Apple Bloom “She's got her wings which give her an unfair advantage, I'm not looking to cheat, I just want things to be even. Are you sure you couldn't fix me up a little something?” “Indeed I could, but that does not mean, I should.” Twilight only half understood Apple Bloom’s desire for a muscle stimulant. She knew that Diamond Tiara had boasted endlessly about her planned graduation party at the palace with the Wonderbolts performing a private show, and how Silver Spoon was the only other foal from the class who was invited. Diamond Tiara and Silver spoon had rubbed the other foal’s mussels in it till they were sick to death of it, and so as compensation Mrs. Cheerilee had put on the best party she could afford for the rest of the class. Word spread from student to parent and from parent everypony else. Soon, half the town was involved in creating a counter party that was probably far more fun, but at a fraction of the cost. Fluttershy established a petting zoo, Pinkie and the Cakes made sweets, Twilight arranged a fireworks display and preformed magic tricks, Cranky Doodle Donkey played the bagpipes (which he did remarkably well), but the real star of the show had been Cheerilee's new coltfriend, Jell Gibson, who brought a two-hundred gallon tub of jelly for the foals to play in. After what had seemed like a free for all jelly fight (though the foals insisted that there had been teams) the foals took to having wrestling contests in the jelly with Scootaloo claiming first prize and Apple Bloom second. “I thought the contest was already over Apple Bloom. Why would you need help winning something that's already happened?” “Cause the fight wasn't fair!” Insisted Apple Bloom “I was gonna just challenge her to rematch in the pond, but Snips and Snails heard about it and suggested we hold our own iron pony competition to decide whose the most athletic pony in the school. We start next week but if Zecora doesn’t help me, Scootaloo's gonna use her wings just like Rainbow Dash did against mah sister.” Twilight thought for a minute “Doesn’t the fact that Snips and Snails suggested it; tell you that an iron pony competition is a bad idea?” Before Apple Bloom could answer her eyes looked behind Twilight and blinked. “Well howdy do Mr., I haven't seen you before. I'm Apple Bloom.” Twilight turned to see Shining Armor in the doorway, looking impatient to get a move on. “Apple Bloom I'd like you to meet-” Shining Armor's clearing his throat cut her off. “Well Apple Bloom,” he said quickly “I'll bet you'll never guess what's outside. Apparently the Wonderbolts got lost on their way to Los Pegasus and are right outside. I just gave them directions out of here but they've decided to rest for a few minutes before heading out. Why don't you go say hi?” “Do you mean it?” asked Apple Bloom, her eyes growing wide as saucers. “I do, but they're won't be there for very long so you'll have to hurry up if you want to see them.” “Oh boy, oh boy” shouted Apple Bloom jumping up and down with excitement. “Bye Twilight, bye Zecora, bye... whoever you are” and with that she was bolted out the door with her with her mane and tail billowing behind her. “Salutations Silent Storm” smiled Zecora after Apple Bloom had left “Your return is sooner then you warned. Yet never fear my long held friend, your armor I was quick to mend.” “Madam Zecora-” began Shining Armor with a bow but he was but was almost instantly cut off by Zecora who had risen to her hooves, catching him in her intense gaze. “Perhaps just now I spoke in haste and my words of greeting were but a waste. I sense not the stench of a changeling veneer, but yet it seems you are not whom you appear.” “Age has not dulled your sight” said Shining Armor, head still slightly inclined “its me, Shining Armor. Storm and I engaged in a body swapping spell and-” “Shining Armor!” bellowed Zecora, drawing herself to full height, suddenly appearing menacing as though the cauldron next to her was boiling due to her rage instead of the fire beneath it. “To dare come here you show great nerve, or care not for your life preserve!” “Zecora please listen to me” started Shining Armor as he backed away before Zecora's advance, ears flat and mohawk bristling. “No! For your offense it was most grave, your shameful acts prove you a knave! To become a friend, and one so dear, then leave and then visit not, in donkey's years?” Quick as lightning Zecora threw one hoof around Shining Armor's neck and drew him in for a brief but fierce bear hug, ruffling his mane with her other hoof before releasing him with a cheerful laugh. “Come and be welcome my prodigal friend. Tell me what aid that I might lend. Tell of your travels, while you were away, and tell why Storm's face you have today.” Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, Shining Armor sat down with Twilight and as quickly as possible, described his keeping up the shield, his body swap with Storm, and the disappearance of Storm and Cadance through Storm's port gem. Zecora listened patiently, waiting for Shining Armor's tail to finish before speaking “the path you have taken, it was not wise. Great shame on you, for misleading your bride. Yet what's done is done and those lost must be saved, I will provide what help you need that I might speed you on your way.” “Thank you Zecora. We have enough food and blankets to last the journey, but we don't have any medical supplies, or anything to reveal the illusions of the forest. The rescue party is myself, Twilight, thirteen pegasi and one earth pony.” “All that I have and indeed much more, you have come at an opportune time to drain my store. Flares to reveal what lurk in the night, potions to heal and increase your might.” “Thank you again” affirmed Shining Armor “But tell me, did I hear you correctly when I came in? Do you have Storm's armor here?”