//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: The Reception's Been Canceled // by sister_mike //------------------------------// Chapter 9 Twilight Sparkle Princess Luna knew of a secret exit out of the dungeons. Apparently, while the rest of the court had forgotten about the old dungeons, Luna had spent a lot of time down there, brooding and plotting in her Nightmare Moon days. Once they were outside, Luna ran off into the labyrinth. Nopony except for her and Celestia knew where the new Discord statue was hidden, for extra safe keepings. There were many secrets within the maze. It didn't take long for the changelings to chase them. Twilight and the Shadowbolts took an improvised route to the train station, hoping to lose the changelings along the way. The Shadowbolts were excellent guards. Two of them flew behind, fending off any changelings by air, while one ran alongside Twilight, whom she kept a protective bubble around. While she still didn't quite feel like her usual self, her magical energy was increasing back to normal. They didn't have long to rest at the train station, but during what little time they did, Twilight inspected the trapped ponies. There were a lot here, more than she had realized when she first passed it by. Not as many as in the palace—nowhere near as many—but it was the second biggest cluster she had seen. Clearly many ponies had tried to make a run for the train, plus any pony who had just arrived at the station was trapped, as well as unsuspecting ponies waiting for the train to take them elsewhere. There were quite a few ponies in the station's uniform. They must have been trying to keep order, to keep calm amongst the ponies. Before she could inspect any further, one of the Shadowbolts tapped her on the shoulder, and nodded towards an oncoming group of changelings. Looking up and down both directions of the tracks—she had no idea where the train was—Twilight began to run to the left. "There's no time to wait for Princess Luna here if we're going to be attacked; we'll start heading towards Ponyville and meet her there," Twilight shouted at the Shadowbolts, as they began re-group into their previous formation and run along the tracks. The Shadowbolts obviously didn't reply. Twilight wasn't sure, but she almost got the feeling as though she didn't need to speak to them; as though they could read her mind. She almost wished Luna could spare more of her dark magic, so the Shadowbolts could talk, like they did to Rainbow Dash that one time. She realized that she didn't like the silence, even while running from danger. It wasn't long before they ran into the tunnel. Twilight continued to run, and then skidded to a stop. The Shadowbolts had slowed down. Twilight created a light ball. "Why have you?... Oh. The changelings. They didn't follow us into the tunnel?" Twilight said. One of the Shadowbolts shook her head, while another looked behind him. The changelings had surrounded the entrance they had just ran through, but they did not follow. "Why...?" Twilight wondered. It was just like how the changelings couldn't get into the labyrinth. Except the entrance to the labyrinth sealed itself. I don't know what they're doing now. Twilight decided to take advantage of the moment and catch her breath. Something rustled from within the cave. She turned sharply and expanded the light ball until she saw the source. Further down the tracks, the third Shadowbolt was making a ruckus, trying to get her attention. There, slightly smoking, and tilting off of its tracks, was the train. It looked as though it had derailed, but not fully, since it was inside—or partially inside—the tunnel. Twilight couldn't see through the darkness to see the other end of the train. "This is the engine; it was heading towards Canterlot when it was attacked," Twilight said, as she slowly approached it. It had obviously been on fire at one point, still slowly smoking out. The whole front engine was black, covered in ash and cinders. The front windows were open, and from inside she saw something glowing green. "There might be ponies inside!" she said. Twilight searched for the nearest door. The train was tilting towards one side too much, that she couldn't get in on that side. There wasn't enough room between the train and the wall. One of the Shadowbolts made noise from the other side. Twilight ran around to where they were standing. The first door, on the engine care, was bent out of shape and had deformed from the fire. It was impenetrable. But the first door on the second car was off its hinges. One of the male Shadowbolts entered first. Twilight followed. The car was dark, except for a small trail of green wafting along the ceiling. Twilight was surprised she hadn't seen the color brighter from outside the train; then again, most all of the unbroken windows were covered in black soot. She checked out the engine car first. Inside, the room was destroyed. One pony's decaying body could be seen under a pile of metal and rubble. The other conductor was in a pod. The changelings had caused the crash. The second car was empty, glass scattering the floor from broken windows. The Shadowbolts led the way through the train, two in front, one behind Twilight. The third car had mostly dead bodies, two young fillies in pods. The crash didn't seem that big; I wonder why most of them are dead. As they progressed through the train, the dead bodies became less, as the pods became more. Most of the ponies in the front of the train had been impacted by the crash, while those in the further back cars had been ok, but quickly imprisoned. The third car from the last was half inside the tunnel, half outside. Twilight was expecting to see changelings surrounding the windows, but there was nothing. They continued with caution. "This is too suspicious," Twilight murmured under her breath. One of the Shadowbolts nodded. Suddenly, one of the Shadowbolts stopped. The one behind him stuck out her arm for Twilight to stop. There was something moving in the next car. The first one began to tread into the car. "Wait," Twilight whispered. He stopped and turned towards her. "Can you see through their disguises? The changelings? Like Princess Luna can?" The Shadowbolt nodded. "Then don't attack if it's a pony," Twilight said. The Shadowbolt nodded again. He stepped inside, and Twilight followed. The first thing she recognized was the hat. Purple, with stars. It was bobbing up and down. It wasn't until the pony lifted her head that Twilight fully recognized and remembered her. "Trixie?" The pony whipped her head around and her eyes grew wide when she saw Twilight Sparkle. Something dropped from her mouth. Was that... a pinecone? "Were you just eating a pinecone?" Twilight asked, before she could stop herself. There were so many more important things to ask right now. "Trixie... the MAGNIFICENT!" Trixie said. Twilight was taken aback. What? "Yes, I know who you are. Trixie—" "The MAGNIFICENT!" Trixie said. She stood and did an odd twirl. Her cape was torn. Her mane was a mess, her tail was ragged, as though it had been cut. Her eyes seemed unfocused. She glanced down at the pinecone again. "Yes," Twilight said slowly. She turned her head towards the nearest Shadowbolt. "You're certain she isn't a changeling?" The Shadowbolt nodded firmly. "The... the magnificent... magnificent.." Trixie whispered. "Trixie, it's Twilight. Twilight Sparkle? We met in Ponyville?" Twilight said, talking softly. "P-Ponyville? I... I have a show to do in Ponyville... the MAGNIFICENT!" Trixie laughed maniacally. Her horn sparked. "Yes, I saw your show," Twilight said slowly. Something was clearly wrong with Trixie. She must have gone through something... something terrible. Twilight wasn't sure what to do. "It.. It was a great show." "Magnif...NIFICENT!" "Yes, it was magnificent," Twilight said. This was almost too sad to see. Sure, Trixie had been rude and a show off, but she had been ambitious and level-headed—even if she only thought of herself. And now... now she just wasn't herself. Maybe she just needs to be reminded of who she really is. Just some TLC. I can't just leave her here—she's eating pinecones for Pete's sake. I just... I can't leave her alone. Maybe I can help her. Something stirred outside the train. One of the Shadowbolts huffed angrily. The changelings must be close. "Listen, Trixie—" "The MAGNIFICENT!" "Listen Trixie the Magnificent, how would you like to come to Ponyville with me?" Twilight asked. She could see dark shadows moving outside of the train. She tried not to panic. This couldn't be rushed. She didn't want Trixie to panic. Sure, she wasn't as powerful as Twilight, but she didn't want her to set off her magic by accident. Any accidental unicorn magic could be fatal. "Ponyville... I have to do a show there," Trixie said. "I'm late!" "Yes!" Twilight said, "Come with me Trixie. I will take you to Ponyville, to do your show." "Ponyville... mag.. magnificent..." She glanced towards the pinecone again and back at Twilight. She seemed almost sad. "You can bring the pinecone," Twilight said. Trixie straightened her hat and happily picked up the pinecone. And then the train was attacked.