//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13 
// Story: Pony Fantasy IV 
// by Leo Archon 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 13


        There was silence following Trixie's statement. It was finally broken when Scootaloo raised a hoof. "Uh, but if King Colton's been dead for months, who ordered Twilight to steal our Water Crystal?"

        Trixie, who'd been trying to magic her sword out of its sheath again, sighed. "Nightmare Moon installed one of her generals in the King's place, a unicorn named Blueblood. He's quite well-versed in water magic, but he's very arrogant and prissy. He also knows a glamour spell, and was able to imponynate the King quite easily. And nopony ever questioned anything."

        Sweetie Belle shook her head. "How did nopony hear all that commotion? I mean, with spells flying around and the king skewering himself…"

        Trixie looked at the filly. "Nightmare Moon is powerful, little one. A barrier to block sound would be simplicity itself for somepony like her." She shook her head, trying to retrieve her sword once more.

        Twilight finally spoke up. "Trixie, you can't just kill yourself. Doing so won't accomplish anything except making Colton weaker."

        Trixie looked up at Twilight, startled. "B-but my honor – "

        Twilight cut her off with a wave of her hoof. "Honor isn't worth dying for. Nor is duty to the crown. I found that out when I took that Carnelian Signet to Mist. The whole village was destroyed, and for what? Despite how I felt, I decided I had to live, so that I could one day atone for the wrongs I've committed."

        Trixie blinked. "Do you… do you think I can atone for my failure?"

        Twilight smiled. "The only pony who can truly answer that is you. Do you believe you can atone?"

        Trixie was silent for a few moments, before she smiled. "Yes. Yes, I believe I can. And the first step is to cut down that imposter!" she snarled as she started for the doors leading to the throne room. However, she wavered on unsteady legs, only to be caught by Applejack.

        "Now sugarcube, ah know yer ready an' willin' ta tear that imposter a new one, but ya ain't in any condition ta do so," the monk said. "Ya need ta lie down, get some rest. Ya've had a tough day already."

        "I can't just remain idle!" protested Trixie. "I need to do something!"

        "Then you can help us," Twilight said, moving around to Trixie's front. "Find Zecora, and let her know we're here." She smiled grimly. "The rest of us will deal with this Blueblood." She paused, and her tone lightened. "At least this way I no longer have to worry about likely accidental regicide."

        Trixie chuckled at that. "Yes, that is a plus to this whole situation, isn't it?"

        Starswirl shook his head at the confusing turn of phrase. "Must be a Colton thing," he murmured.

        Applejack reached for her saddlebags, and pulled out an apple. "Here," she said, giving it to Trixie. "An apple from the orchards of Stabul will get ya back on yer hooves in no time."

        Trixie took the apple, and bit into it carefully. Seconds later, it was devoured down to the core. "Goodness, I'd heard that Stabul's orchards made good fruit, but I never suspected they were this good!" And true to Applejack's claim, Trixie was able to stand on her own without assistance in moments. "I will release Zecora post-haste!" the guard captain declared, and with that, she took off to the eastern portion of the castle.

        Twilight sighed. "Well, everypony, let's get this over with," she said, leading her friends through the various sets of doors that stood between them and the throne room. The lavender unicorn was thankful that none of the guards seemed to be at their posts.

        When they got to the throne room, Twilight's eyes were hard as she gazed at the 'king', who stood up to greet them. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle! Welcome back! After all this time, I was beginning to think you weren't - "

        The paladin drew her sword in an instant, pointing it at the stallion on the throne. "Enough. I already know you aren't the king! Show yourself, Blueblood!"

        The 'king' blinked several times, before growling. "So, Trixie confessed, did she?" As he spoke, his mane began to lighten. Red and grey became a brilliant blonde, and a horn grew on his forehead. His frame shrunk slightly, but became more toned. The unicorn narrowed his eyes. "I suppose I shouldn't have expected more from a mere peasant captain."

        "Trixie's more noble than you ever could be," Twilight retorted. "She's free of Nightmare Moon, and she'll never submit again."

        "Hmph. That much, we can agree on," Blueblood snarled. As he spoke, a torrent of water appeared around him. "Because neither she nor you shall live another day!" The wall of water grew, twisting and turning with the motions of his forehooves. "I am Blueblood, a general under Nightmare Moon! And by her authority, I shall – !" He was cut off as a titanic lightning bolt flashed and struck his horn.

        "It seems 'general under Nightmare Moon' is synonymous with 'pompous bag of wind'," Starswirl said as the water around Blueblood vanished. "At least Chrysalis had the sense to start gloating after she had us at her mercy."

        Blueblood coughed a little, smoke emanating from his mouth. "Ow…" was all he could say, as he noticed the others making their own preparations to attack.

        Applejack opened the volley of pain as she charged forward, her hooves glowing slightly. "KIAI!" she cried, as she spun around to buck Blueblood into the air, with a sound like a thunderclap accompanying the strike as the glow around her hooves vanished.

        Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo held a ball of fire between them. With a nod to each other, they threw the ball toward the pompous unicorn, where it detonated, flinging him higher into the air. The two fillies high-hoofed each other as they admired the results.

        As Blueblood began to fall, there was a flash of light above him. Twilight descended on him like an angel of death. "I'm no dragoon, but I learned quite a bit from the best!" she said, running Blueblood through with her blade as their combined weight crashed into the throne, Blueblood's body cushioning Twilight's landing. There were several cracks as his bones shattered under the double impact, along with the throne. The blonde unicorn was dead in moments, fading away without much fanfare.

        Everypony stayed tense for a moment, waiting for the other horseshoe to drop. When nothing apparent happened, Twilight relaxed, and sheathed her sword. "Well, that was decidedly anti-climactic."

        The doors to the throne room opened, and Trixie strode in. Surveying the room, she sighed. "Don't tell me you all finished the job already?"

        "Okay, we won't tell you," snarked Scootaloo. "Seriously, though, he wasn't that tough. Honestly, Chrysalis was more of a threat than he was."

        "A wrong has been righted in this room," came a distinct voice as Zecora trotted in. "This day shall sit ill with Nightmare Moon."

        "Zecora!" Twilight exclaimed, cantering over to embrace her friend. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

        "Of course she is," Trixie said with a roll of her eyes. "She'd actually broken out herself when I came to retrieve her. Believe it or not, she used one of her potions to melt the bars."

        "An alchemist?" Starswirl asked as he came up. "I admit that's one area of magic I haven't touched on that much. But then again, it's something of an art for you zebra, from what I've heard."

        "You hear correctly, my bearded friend," Zecora replied. "But there is more to do, more aid we must lend."

        "That's right," Twilight agreed. "We need to stop Nightmare Moon, and to do that, we need an airship. Zecora, are any of the Red Wings still in service?"

        Zecora shook her head. "Nightmare Moon keeps those airships away. She crews them with monsters that she need not pay. The old crews have been 'released from service' she states, because they're still loyal to you, unlike monsters with clean slates."

        "That was a bit of a stretch," muttered Scootaloo.

        Zecora smirked at the young filly. "If my speech patterns annoy you, you need not listen, I think." She turned back to Twilight, who looked downcast on hearing about the Red Wings. "As for an airship, your hopes aren't yet over the brink. There is one left in Colton that only I can access. One I built personally; of my designs, it's the best."

        Twilight smiled widely. "I knew you wouldn't let us down, Zecora!" she exclaimed. "Can you lead us to it?"

        The zebra nodded, and beckoned for all the ponies present to follow her. She led them out of the throne room into the hall. But when she pushed on the doors leading to the next hallway, they refused to budge. Zecora blinked at this. "What's this? The doors hold fast. But Trixie and I opened them when we came through last."

        There was the sound of a slamming door, and Starswirl, at the back of the group, jumped and spun around. Testing the door to the throne room, he grimaced. "This door won't open either!"

        A mocking male laugh echoed through the room. "That's correct, peasants," Blueblood's voice said. "Did you truly think you could best me so easily? I'll wait for your arrival in Tartarus! Enjoy my last laugh!"

        As he indeed began laughing maniacally, there was a grinding of stone on stone. Looking around, Trixie spotted the problem first. "The walls are closing in!" she cried.

        The group looked around in a panic. The two walls that didn't have doors were indeed closing in on them. Twilight looked at Starswirl. "Can you teleport us out of here?" she asked, trying not to let her hysteria show through.

        Starswirl closed his eyes, only to reopen them a moment later. "I can't! Something's blocking my magic! Try yours!"

        Twilight, Trixie, and even Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo discovered that their magic was being blocked. "Great, now what?" gulped the pegasus filly, as the walls continued their inexorable march.

        Applejack glared at the door leading away from the throne room. "If the doors won't open normally, we'll force 'em open!" She charged, spinning around to buck the wooden door… only to bounce off. "The hay?!" she exclaimed.

        "Magical reinforcement," Twilight replied, helping the monk back onto her hooves. "Brute force isn't going to cut it here."

        Zecora gave a grim smirk. "Magical reinforcement is all well and good," she said, drawing a flask from her saddlebags. "But in the end, Blueblood, this door is still made of wood!" She motioned everypony away from the door, and threw the flask at it.

        On shattering, the door was covered in a greenish liquid for a second, before a loud hissing permeated the room. The door dissolved right before their eyes in a matter of moments. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stared. "How the hay…?" the unicorn filly began.

        "No time!" Starswirl barked, magicking the two into the air. "Go, go, go!" He charged through the door carrying the fillies, followed closely by the mares. Applejack barely got her tail through before the walls snapped together, leaving not even enough room for a sheet of parchment.

        "Hoo-wee, that was close!" Applejack exhaled in relief. "Ah thought we might've just bought the farm for sure! Ya done saved our hides, Zecora!"

        "A simple task for an acid flask," the zebra replied. "Twilight said brute force would fail, so I placed my hopes on alchemy to prevail."

        "And good thing you did," Twilight said. "We're lucky Blueblood didn't consider that you would have something like that. Then again, he didn't strike me as the brightest candle in the room."

        Everypony nodded. Zecora took charge again. "Follow me, friends, to my secret ship. We'll surprise Nightmare Moon before she can give us the slip!"

        As the others made to follow Zecora, Trixie stayed where she was, looking at her hooves. Seeing this, Twilight slowed her pace. "Coming, Trixie?"

        Trixie sighed, then looked up. "Actually, Twilight, I'm not."

        "Wha – ?" Everypony paused at that. "Whaddya mean ya ain't comin'?" Applejack asked, coming back. "Ya still ain't thinkin' about offin' yerself, are ya?"

        "No, no, nothing like that," Trixie assured the monk. "It's just… I don't feel I can contribute anything significant to the group."

        "Trixie, that's not true!" Twilight protested. "Another set of hooves is always welcome!"

        Trixie chuckled. "But what could I do? I can't use helpful magic, like the Maresidians and Starswirl. I'm not as physically fit as the monk, here. I don't have the know-how to aid Zecora in either potions-making or piloting an airship. And of the two of us, Twilight, you've always been my better in swordplay, not to mention your own abilities, old and new. Really, I'm better off staying out of this."

        "But…" Twilight stuttered, trying to rationalize a reason for taking the guard captain with them.

        "In addition to all that, Twilight," continued Trixie, "I have the kingdom to consider. The law clearly states that, in the event of the reigning monarch's death, if there is no heir apparent, the captain of the guard is to assume the title of Regent until such time as another monarch can be chosen. I have to remain here to keep order. Though, for your sake, I'll delay the choosing of the new monarch until you can return from dealing with Nightmare Moon."

        Well, can't argue with that, Twilight thought. She gave Trixie a hug. "Well, if you're sure, then I guess we'll part ways for now. Good luck, Trixie."

        "The same to you, Twilight," replied the azure mare, walking off to the town.

        Twilight sighed, then turned back to face the others. "Let's go."


***Elsewhere***




        "Pfagh!" Nightmare Moon dispelled the image as Twilight and the others escaped the deathtrap Blueblood had set. "That incompetant wretch! I can hardly believe I'm agreeing with that filly, but Chrysalis put up more of a fight than he did!"

        Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "To be fair, it wasn't all his fault. I mean, he got unlucky, facing three skilled mages, the grandmaster of Stabul, and Twilight all at the same time."

        "Yes, Twilight," sighed the alicorn. "I've underestimated her. Her power is growing at an alarming rate. It has to be curbed before she becomes a real threat to me."

        "Things not going according to plan?" mocked Rarity, from where she was tied up. "It's as I said, Nightmare Moon, Twilight will rescue me. Two of your generals have fallen to her already. And I have no doubt that the others, along with you, will follow in rather short order."

        "Silence, wench!" howled Nightmare Moon, spinning around and raising a forehoof to smite the mouthy unicorn.

        Rainbow Dash quickly interposed herself between the two. "Whoa, whoa, let's not go flying off the handle here, boss. Focus. Twilight's getting a bit big for her armor, but let's concentrate on something else. Like… the crystals!"

        Nightmare Moon's anger evaporated, replaced by frustration. "Yes. The Earth Crystal will be no easy matter to acquire. Trotta is surrounded by forests, making landing an invasion force difficult at best, outright impossible at worst. And I dare not bombard the castle, lest I damage the crystal."

        "Sounds like you're out of luck on all your problems," Rarity taunted.

        Nightmare Moon growled, contemplating just zapping the unicorn despite Rainbow Dash's desires. Really, keeping Twilight Sparkle's former friend appeased was simple, but…

        Twilight Sparkle's friend…

        Nightmare Moon began to chuckle. "Ah, of course! I've just thought of a solution to both of my problems!"

        Rainbow blinked. "Really?"

        "Yes," the alicorn replied, smiling evilly. "I just remembered that we have a very important bargaining chip. Twilight would do anything to make sure you were safe, wouldn't she, Rarity?"

        "Of course she would!" Rarity declared.

        "Including retrieving the Earth Crystal from Trotta?"

        Rarity's spirits fell as she realized the verbal trap she'd walked into. Rainbow, on the other hoof, began to chuckle as well. "Ooh, good one, boss. Want me to tell Twilight the deal?"

        "Yes, I believe I'll let you handle this," Nightmare Moon replied. "Honestly, if you manage to screw up delivering a message, I'll make sure to rip those proud wings of yours right off your body."

        Rainbow gulped, but took off, flying from the top of the tower the alicorn was using as her base for the moment.


*****




        There was a grinding of stone on stone, as a wall moved out of place, revealing a secret passage. "Nopony save me knew this was here," Zecora explained, trotting down the passage. "This was to protect my finest work that I hold so dear."

        "Ain't never been on an airship before," Applejack mused. "What's it like?"

        Twilight smirked. "Well, I could tell you, but you'll be finding out soon enough anyways."

        They continued on down the passage, as it turned into a stairwell, leading deep underground. For a moment, Twilight wondered why they were so deep underground, before she mentally slapped herself. Airships aren't something that can be hidden that easily, she told herself. By extension, neither are airship hangars. After several minutes of walking, they emerged into a large open area. Before them stood the most impressive sight many of them had ever seen. Even Twilight was speechless for a moment.

        The airship was painted a golden color, a stark contrast to the aptly-named Red Wings. White trim gilded the paint job, so it wasn't blinding in its entirety. It was about the same size as one of the standard airships, but the propellers were half again as large. The wings were more streamlined, as well. But the most impressive difference was the prow. Where the Red Wings had plain, standard-looking prows, this ship had a large model sun on the very tip.

        "Fillies and gentlecolt, feast your eyes on my greatest of works; I call it the Sunrise." Zecora sounded very smug as she said this.

        "Okay, that's pretty amazing, Zecora," Twilight admitted. "And you say you built this all by yourself?"

        Zecora chuckled. "A small exaggeration, to be sure, but my helpers were few, to keep the secret pure. Hiding this from the imposter king was no small feat; when he learned of it, it was already complete. I made sure he could not find it, no matter how hard he looked; after all, I'd sealed access to this particular nook."

        "Most impressive," Starswirl mused. "A little gaudy on the paint job, but that's no big deal."

        "I can't wait to see how fast this thing is!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "I bet it could outfly any pegasus!"

        Zecora smirked. "Would you like to see firsthoof, young one? If so, climb aboard; this journey's barely begun!"

        Scootaloo whooped and followed the zebra aboard, with Starswirl close behind. Twilight used her magic to snap Sweetie Belle and Applejack's jaws shut. This shook them out of their awe-inspired stupors, and they too climbed aboard the ramp. Twilight was the last on board, and she retracted the ramp that led to the dock. Turning to Zecora, who stationed herself at the helm, she asked, "Shall we?"

        Zecora nodded, and the propellers began to spin as she pulled on a lever near the helm. At the same time, there was a rumbling above them, and a set of doors began to open, allowing sunlight to peek down at them. As the doors fully opened, the ship began to rise out of the hangar. Soon, it was hovering over the town of Colton, various ponies looking up at it in wonder.

        Twilight let out a content sigh. "Ah… I've missed this. The feeling of the wood vibrating against my hooves, the wind in my face… gosh, it feels like it's been a lot longer than a week since I've flown."

        "The Red Wings were your pride and joy," Zecora said. "Now, to Nightmare Moon, they're just another toy."

        "A toy I intend to reclaim," the paladin replied. "But I think I'll make the Sunrise the new flagship."

        "No kidding. That's one sweet ride, Twilight."

        Everypony looked up at that. Twilight's eyes widened. "Rainbow Dash!"

        The dragoon flew down to land on the deck. As she did so, Twilight's aura appeared around her sword's hilt, ready to draw at a moment's notice. Applejack shifted her stance, ready to fight. Even Zecora had a hoof reaching for her saddlebags. Seeing the hostile reactions of their friends, Starswirl, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo took steps away from the newcomer, magic slowly charging.

        The reactions of the crew caused Rainbow Dash to sigh. "No hug, Twilight? I'm hurt."

        "I know you're not yourself, Rainbow," Twilight retorted. "If I hugged you, you'd probably stab me in the back. Literally."

        Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Sheesh, I'm not here to fight. I'm here to propose a deal from Nightmare Moon."

        "Buck off, ya tin-can feather duster!" Applejack growled. "Ain't no deal that pony can offer that we'll listen to!"

        Rainbow Dash smirked. "Oh, really? My mistake, I thought you all wanted to make sure Rarity was alright."

        Applejack's eyes narrowed. "Oh, ya dirty – "

        "Applejack!" Twilight cut the monk off. She turned back to Rainbow Dash. "Let me take a wild guess. Nightmare Moon wants us to get the Earth Crystal from Trotta for her."

        Rainbow clapped her forehooves together slowly. "Brilliant deduction, Twilight! You're still the brains of Colton, I see."

        Twilight rolled her eyes. "Since the forest around Trotta makes invading tricky, she wants to send in a small group. And since she has Rarity, she figures I'll make the perfect patsy." She sighed. "Is that about right?"

        "Got it in one, Twilight! Gosh, this delivery went a lot easier than I thought," mused the dragoon. "I didn't even have to say a thing." She shrugged. "Ah, well. We'll contact you once you've gotten the crystal!" With that, she hopped over the side of the airship, and began flying off at high speed.

        "Can't we catch her?" asked Applejack.

        "A foolish prospect," Zecora replied. "We may be fast – " A thunderous sound and a shockwave of color nearly bowled over most of the ponies on the bridge. Zecora regained her equilibrium. "But there's a reason she is known as Rainbow Dash."

        Sweetie Belle stared agog at the visual display. "What in the hay…?"

        "A Sonic Rainboom!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "When a pegasus flies fast enough, they can break the spectral barrier, causing a massive display of light, and they can travel faster than the speed of sound! But I thought it was just an old mare's tale!"

        "Boy, howdy," Applejack murmured. "That's impressive alright. Still wish ah coulda taken a swing at that feather duster."

        "Ladies, please," Starswirl called, ending everypony's train of thought. He turned to Twilight. "Well? What do we do?"

        Twilight's bangs covered her face, at least at first. When she lifted her head, though, her eyes were hard with determination. "Zecora, set a course for Trotta."