She took a deep breath.
The soft spray of cool falling water splashed onto her yellow coat, the liquid literally gliding down her sides. The droplets tickled her folded wings for just a brief moment as they fell between the delicate feathers, before they splashed onto the tile below. The hot shower was doing wonders for the mare, the action of getting clean always brightening up her mood. Of course, by this point, the shower was much less for actually getting clean, and much more for therapeutic reasons, the soap next to her rear hooves long since abandoned after its utilization.
She released the breath.
The desire to turn off the steaming water danced at the very edges of her mind, especially considering that Rainbow was just outside in the bedroom waiting for her to finish. Things between the two of them had been going swimmingly. Almost too swimmingly. Fluttershy found herself nearly in shock sometimes over how just two weeks ago, the idea of being any more than close friends with her Rainbow was only a dream. Now, they had grown into a full blown romantic relationship, if with a strange and rocky start. Yes, the pair had had their rough spots, the whole incident in the hotel in that one backwater town being the most vivid of them, but overall, they were doing well.
She took another deep breath.
Her wing was something that Rainbow was worried about every single day. Every few days, the prismatic-maned mare had checked on the wound, making sure that whatever muscles that were cut were growing back well, making sure that Fluttershy was stretching the wing the proper ways to promote healing, and making sure that there wasn't any sort of permanent damage to any nerves. Fortunately, all things looked good so far, and while there had been some muscle damage, she was already well past the point of actual permanent damage, a possibility that had scared her countless times.
She released the breath.
Though she was more terrified than ever before when she was tied up in that hotel, she was really scared now as well. All of the things that she had seen and heard over the past few days, especially when it came to the army still gathering just outside the cave, had absolutely frightened her. She was glad that Spike had gotten that army together, because she wasn't sure that she was able to fight. How could she? She had been able to talk that one basilisk into submission sure, but that was a completely different situation! There's a difference between staring down a misguided creature and fighting a living god.
She took a very, very deep breath.
At least Rainbow would be there to help her. Sure, she wouldn't be able to steel herself enough to fight, but maybe Rainbow would be able to fight for her. It sounded selfish personally, but what else did her friends expect her to do? Twilight was amazing at magic, Applejack was the strongest pony that she knew, Pinkie... was Pinkie, and Rainbow was the fastest and most amazing pegasus she had ever seen! Even Rarity had that amazing looking sword with her. Fluttershy didn’t have anything! All she had was that fake phoenix feather that—
A loud banging was heard through the door. “Fluttershy! You've been in there for thirty minutes! Are you alright!?”
Fluttershy forced a worried giggle out of her throat. “Alright Rainbow, I’m getting out now!”
True to her word, she turned the lever for the water with a hoof, shutting the water for the shower off. She allowed herself to drip in the shower for a few seconds, savoring the last little bits of warmth the lingering steam brought her, before opening the shower door. A blast of cold air took her by surprise, as it always tended to do, and she quickly made her way to the towel on the rack. Gripping the soft cotton cloth in her mouth, she draped it over herself, and using her uninjured wing to aid her, began the long process of drying off the vast majority of her coat.
Oh how she wished she was a unicorn for at least a few minutes.
Content with leaving her coat partially damp, she gently placed the towel back on the rack, and began to make her way towards the door to the bedroom. With a soft, delicate move, she opened it with her teeth, and made her way into the warm chamber. There, her sweet and lovely Rainbow was laying on their bed, idly playing with a few strands of red hair as she waited.
Looking up, Rainbow smiled, and jumping to the floor with a few flaps of her wings, approached her. “Hey! Look who's all clean!” She continued to smile as she got up against her, and lightly nuzzled her cheek. It was a move that she happily returned. After a few lingering moments of comfort, her marefriend pulled back slightly, and looked right into her eyes. “Alright, I know it's annoying every time we do this, but let's check on that wing of yours.”
The yellow pegasus frowned, and with a heavy sigh, extended her wing to its fullest extent. Quickly, Rainbow walked over to the wounded joint, brought her head close, and with the keenest of eyes, inspected the wound. They were silent for several seconds, the yellow pegasus eventually starting to feel the constant strain, her muscles not nearly as strong as a pegasus like Rainbow Dash.
However, it wasn't too long until Rainbow finally pulled back, a smile firmly planted on her face. “Well, it's obviously not healed up completely yet, that's for sure, but in another day or two, I think you'd be ready for any typical flying that you might need to do.”
A sigh of relief spread through the mare. “Good. I’m tired of this thing opening back up every time I fly.”
“Yeah... me too.” Rainbow smiled. Motioning with her head, the pair began to make their way out of the bedroom, and into the passage that connected to the foyer. “So, you ready to kick some flank?”
Fluttershy shook her head. “Of course not, Dash. You know that I hate the thought of fighting. I just... can't imagine myself doing anything like that.”
The prismatic-maned mare cocked her head slightly. “What are you talking about? From what I can gather, you were amazing against that basilisk, and that's loads harder than anything we're going to find out there.”
The yellow mare's breathing became a little bit quicker and more shallow. “The basilisk was just scared, and really didn't mean to do what he did. He was just protecting his house. This is different! This is... this is scary...”
Rainbow smiled. “Fluttershy, I don't think that—”
“Just in case we don't make it,” Fluttershy interrupted, her breathing slowing slightly, “I just wanted to tell you... that I love you Rainbow. So much. I just wanted to tell you... in case...”
“Hey,” Rainbow whispered. The pair stopped in the end of the hall, and with a gentle touch, the cyan pegasus playfully shoved Fluttershy with a forehoof. “Don't talk like that. We've been through worse. Tartarus, I died! Twice! Didn't even slow me down!”
It didn't matter what Rainbow said, for the yellow pegasus continued with her more and more frantic rambling. “But Dash, it's not just you and me just fighting a misguided basilisk anymore! It's you, me, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Spike, Discord, Lieutenant Wilks, our army, Discord's followers, the city of Conflound, all of th—”
She was silenced with a kiss.
As the kiss continued, she felt the frantic breathing of her marefriend begin to calm down, the flighty pegasus losing herself in the intimate moment. A light, satisfied moan of happiness escaped the yellow mare's throat... oh wait, that was her own throat. She let her lips linger on those soft lips for a few more seconds, savoring the light taste of of her mare's lips. Sure, the kiss was initiated by Fluttershy's constant worrying, but why shouldn't Rainbow enjoy the amazing feeling?
And amazing it was.
Of course, the sad thing about kisses is that they eventually have to end. With a final deep sigh, Rainbow broke off the deep kiss, and pulled away. She noticed that Fluttershy, like the adorably blushing pegasus she was, still had her eyes shut from the earlier passion. A light chuckle escaped Rainbow's throat, and as the timid pony's eyes fluttered open, and Fluttershy soon found herself blushing even harder.
The cyan pegasus' chuckled died off, and her smile became much softer. “I love you too, 'Shy. Just... don't worry so much. You say that it's more than just us two now, but that's the great part of it. It's not just me looking out for you and you looking out for me now. Pinkie, Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack are all going to be watching our backs too.”
Fluttershy timidly nodded. “I... I guess that's true...”
Smiling wider, Rainbow spoke with a humored tone, “Heh, sure, they'll probably just slow me down as I kick flank, but I'll make sure to let those ponies have a little bit of the action.”
Rainbow was finally able to get a giggle out of her marefriend. “I guess that's true.”
“It IS true! No guessing about it!” Rainbow motioned with her head, and together, the pair began to make their way into the foyer. Their silence was short lived, however, as Rainbow had to ask, “Hey 'Shy, you wanna grab a bite to eat?”
“Umm... I would love to, Dash, but I’m going to go check on Pinkie.”
The speedy pegasus' ears flattened to her head slightly. “She still in her little funk?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Yeah. I've tried talking to her, but she's still upset over something. I haven't the clue as to why though.”
“I got you...” Rainbow trailed off. Shuffling on her hooves slightly, she began again, “You sure you don't want me there?”
Again, Fluttershy nodded. “I'm sure. Go ahead and get something to eat. Everything will be alright.”
The thought of food brought another smile to Rainbow's face. Giving her marefriend a final kiss on the cheek, she turned, and made her way to dining area. She seriously had debated going against Fluttershy's suggestion and to check on Pinkie anyway, the pink pony has been in a really big funk recently for whatever reason. However, Fluttershy was much better with the whole 'touchy-feely' sort of thing, so she was sure Pinkie was in good hooves. Right now, Rainbow had a much different goal in mind, one that was much more suited towards her strengths.
Food.
Stepping her way into the dining room, she found the table strangely empty. Almost every other time that she had come in here, another pony had so kindly took it upon herself to set up a few things for the rest of them. Today, there was only a single small plate on the table, with only a single pony sitting in front of it, the alabaster mare instantly recognized as Rarity. Rarity apparently hadn't realized that Rainbow had walked into the room, the mare instead idly munching on her meal. The pegasus had no idea what the mare had been eating, most likely something something really 'slimming' or silly like that, but to each her own.
The idea to scare the mare out of her hair crossed Rainbow's mind for a moment, but she decided against it. Flapping her wings, she flew up next to Rarity, she softly landed in the seat next to the unicorn. “Hey Rares. This seat taken?”
Rainbow swore she saw Rarity's eyes widen for just a moment in shock, before the settled back down into a genuine smile. “Why, Rainbow Dash! Please! Sit!”
Grinning back, Rainbow let her wings flap once or twice more before she folded them back to her sides. She was about to start the whole random set of greetings when she stopped for a moment, and after thinking for a second, spoke, “It's been a while. Since we've talked I mean.”
“It has, hasn't it,” Rarity said. She thought to herself for a moment, before continuing, “In fact, I’m pretty sure that we haven't even had a moment to talk to each other in private since starting this whole mess.”
“Yeah... pretty much.” The cyan pegasus rubbed the back of her neck. Trying to think of something to talk about, Rainbow decided to pick the gigantic elephant in the room. “So... I like your new horn.”
Rarity shifted her weight a little. “Thanks. I'm afraid it clashes with my coat, but everypony keeps telling me otherwise.”
“NO!” the chromatically-maned mare shouted a little too loudly. Shifting slightly, she lowered her voice, “I mean... uhh... it doesn't clash with you at all. Actually, it goes really well with your cutie mark. I mean, it's not a set of sapphires or anything, and your horn is more clear than blue, but it looks similar... kinda?”
The alabaster mare blinked. “...Thank you, Rainbow Dash.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow chuckled to herself. “Too bad you won't really be able to use it anytime soon.”
Crossing her eyes, the unicorn looked at the very tip of her diamond horn. “Oh, I do hope that you are right, darling. Sadly, I fear that you may be sorely mistaken.”
“I meant other than to create homemade kabobs.”
“Goodness no!” Rarity shook her head as she spoke. “I mean I fear that, despite what Spike hopes to try and achieve, we are going to have to fight this one out ourselves.”
“Geez! First 'Shy, then you! Why are all you ponies out to think that we're going to fight?” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I bet my left-freakin' wing that we won't do anything but twiddle our hooves around in boredom.”
“You're on, though I think we should just stick with a few bits instead of actual body parts,” Rarity said as she stuck a hoof out in Rainbow's direction. Smiling wider, Rainbow spit in her hoof, and bumped it into Rarity's.
The cyan mare nearly burst out laughing at the face Rarity now gave her now slightly moist white hoof. Shuttering slightly, Rarity was somehow able to regain enough composure to keep her voice level as she spoke, “Yes... but regardless of the outcome, you still owe us for the first one.”
Rainbow scrunched her brow together. “First one?”
“The first bet dear! The one you yourself came up with! I’m almost surprised you forgot about that thing. Just goes to show that you indeed do have a selective memory.”
“I don't remember ma—” Rainbow stopped, her mouth slightly agape as the gears in her mind finally hit the proper connection, the memory now flooding her head. Her ears lowering slightly, the pegasus groaned as she spoke, “Ponyfeathers.”
“Oh don't be so downcast. Somepony had to lose, and it just so happened to be you and your dearest Fluttershy. I'm certain that I'll think of something that isn't too degrading to the both of you, but now is not the time for that sort of thing.” Rarity chuckled as she scooted herself away from the table, and onto her hooves. “How about I grab you a few things for you to eat, and we can catch up with each other. It's been far too long, dear Rainbow Dash. Is there anything in particular you might want from the pantry?”
She thought to herself for only a second, the craving in the cyan pegasus' mind too strong to deny, until she decided on a suitable treat.
“Carrots.”
Rarity giggled at the somewhat random request. “Carrots it is.”
Turning towards the pantry, Rarity's mind was in furious motion about the matching dresses she was going to make Rainbow and Fluttershy wear. It would have to favor the brighter colors of Rainbow's mane, especially the red and yellow, so that it flowed with Fluttershy's coat that much better. And the lace, oh sweet Celestia would she put so much frilly lace on the dress it would make even herself gag. Sure, making Fluttershy and Rainbow wear matching dresses and taking them to some kind of formal ball, if those even existed in this time, wasn't really much of a thing the timid pegasus would mind.
Dash's reaction, on the other hoof, would be worth it.
As she pushed her way through the door, an audible creaking coming from the hinges, she saw Applejack already inside. The mare was carefully holding a tray of various fruits, vegetables, and some bread atop her back, the mare looking for even more foods to place on there. Looking at the tray, Rarity noticed that it was a lot of food that was on the tray, way too much for just one mare. At first, it appeared that Applejack didn't notice Rarity's presence in the room, which was somewhat surprising considering the noise opening the door made.
Rarity made her presence known immediately after. “Applejack, darling! Why don't you come join me and Rainbow? We're having the most delightful conversation about what dear Rainbow and Fluttershy are going to have to do now that they lost that bet.”
Applejack turned slightly, making sure not to drop the tray on her back. “Bet? Wha' bet?”
“Seriously? Did nopony remember it?” Rarity spoke as she rolled her eyes. “Remember? The bet that Rainbow had us all make just before we left? Which ponies were going to get back last loses?”
It took a second of thinking before recognition flashed in Applejack's eyes. “Oh! Yeah, Ah remember now. Ah'd love to jab at Rainbow, ya know tha', but Ah gotta take this to a certain grieving unicorn we both know and love.”
Rarity's smile fell instantly, a frown now forming on her face. “I see...”
“Yeah...”
“...So... how is the dear doing?”
“Honestly?” Applejack began, setting the tray on one of the shelves so that it wouldn't fall, “Ah ain't sure. She's not as angry, tha's for certain. Ah think she got most of tha' out of her when she blew tha' mannequin to the moon an' back.”
The alabaster mare fidgeted slightly. “Yeah... that wasn't pretty.”
“Wasn' pretty?” Applejack smirked. “Scared the cutie mark off of me personally. Took a while to cool off after tha', but now? Now she's jus'... well... she's jus' in tha' funk tha' she's been in for the past three days. Tried to talk to her and everythin', but nothin' Ah say gets to her. Now she won' even let me tha' room except to give her food.”
“I see.” Rarity thought to herself, looking up to the ceiling in thought. After a few seconds, she looked back at Applejack, and began again, “Do you think that I should talk to her, or at least do you think it'll help?”
Applejack shook her head. “Probably would help, but not righ' now. Let's give Twiligh' another day or two to settle a little more, then we'll see what we can all do together.”
Rarity levitated the tray the orange mare had placed onto the shelf, and gently placed it on the earth pony's back. With another flash, she grabbed a single carrot that was on the shelf as well. “Sounds good. Please give Twilight and Pinkie my regards.”
“Ah'll do jus' tha', Rarity,” Applejack said as she turned around, and made her way out of the pantry. No matter how often she did it, it was strange talking to Rarity in such friendly terms. The two were more likely to bicker over the most senseless things than to cooperate with each other in more friendly ways. That wasn't to say that the two weren't friends, Applejack loved Rarity dearly, but if it wasn't for Twilight, the two probably wouldn't have ever gotten to know each other.
It was the same situation with her and Pinkie Pie, if not more so. Before this entire thing began, the pair were friendly, sure, but like with Rarity, it was more because of association than actual friendship. That had shown even more when the pair began to make their way towards Pinkie's Element, and the vast amount of annoyance that she felt the entire first half of the trip. Was it fair? Of course not, Pinkie was a completely lovable pony that had so many thoughts and feelings past the initial blast of enthusiasm, but the inner workings of a mare with complex emotions was sometimes hard to see.
Well, at least until recently.
Applejack thought this last point as she made her way into the foyer, and found both Pinkie and Fluttershy laying next to the metal door to the room Twilight had encased herself inside. Pinkie of course had the longest face that the orange mare had ever seen from of her. The frown was a deep one, the sides of her lips sagging as far as her face would allow, or at least a normal pony's face. As for Fluttershy, the newcomer had a frown as well, though it was most likely due to concern for her friend rather than actual unhappiness.
“Hey 'Shy,” Applejack whispered, attempting not to disturb the mare inside the enclosed room. “How're ya doin'?”
“Oh... umm...” Fluttershy paused for a second. “I'm doing alright. Rainbow is getting some food right now, and I’m not hungry, so I decided to come say hi to you and Pinkie. That's not a problem, is it?”
“Of course not.” Applejack got up closer, and with a careful movement, slid the tray onto the floor next to her, and sat herself down. “Ah for one welcome the company. Not tha' Pinkie here ain't good company, but... uhh... Ah mean it's good to see ya. Haven' talked to ya much.”
“Oh, don't worry. You've been busy, and... umm...” Fluttershy blushed slightly, “...I've been a little occupied.”
Applejack nudged the yellow pegasus lightly. “Ah sure you have been, 'specially after the lights go out, if ya get wha' Ah'm sayin'.”
To that, her yellow friend's face flushed even more red, a quiet stutter escaping the mare's lips as she spoke. Wh-wh-what? Oh... no no no. Dashie and I haven't... we weren't... at least not since... oh dear...”
“Ah'm just teasin' ya Fluttershy.” Deciding to file that small bit of personal information under the ever growing amount of things to tease Rainbow with, Applejack again nudged the mare. “Don't go havin' a panic attack on me. Ah don' think RD would like tha' one one bit.”
“Oh, okay. Umm... how's Twilight doing?”
“She's sad,” Pinkie suddenly injected herself into the conversation.
The orange mare nodded. “Yeah. Really sad. Can' say tha' Ah blame her though. Sugarcube jus' had her entire past thrown righ' into her face a few days ago. Can' imagine how Ah would've takin' it.”
“But you did,” Fluttershy said, before lowering herself slightly. “I mean... have something like that happen to you, with Apple Bloom when Spike told the story.”
“That's... differen'.” Applejack sighed, before sliding her way down to her belly. “Don' get me wrong, when Spike told me 'bout Apple Bloom, it hurt. A lot. But, wha' Twilight's goin' through, it's different. When Spike told me about AB, tha' was it. He told me, an' it was over. Sure, Ah didn' like it, but Ah didn' have her body thrown righ' into mah face like Twi did. Ah mean, in a way, she's sittin' on Princess Celestia's grave righ' now. Ya get wha' Ah'm sayin'?”
Fluttershy lowered herself to her belly as well, meeting Applejack's gaze. “But... that's a good thing, right?”
“Good? Ah don' understand wha' you're sayin'. How is this good?”
“Umm... how do I say it.” The pegasus was quiet for a few moments before she began again, “With Apple Bloom, yes, she's... umm...gone, but Princess Celestia, she's just trapped in stone, right?”
“Ah don' see your point, but yeah.”
“Well... if the Elements of Harmony can turn Discord into stone, couldn't they also turn Celestia back from stone?”
Applejack paused, and thought to herself for a few seconds. That was true. Very, very true. Why couldn't they turn Celestia back? That was the same thing as turning a creature into stone, right? There wasn't any difference... maybe?
She shook her head. “Ah reckon tha' tha' migh' be true, but considerin' Twi hasn' mentioned it at all, tha' idea doesn't look too good. 'Sides, even if tha' was true, we still can' do it until Sarlaka gets RD's Element.”
Fluttershy sighed. “I guess that's right. Maybe after all of this we can try.”
“Ah think tha's an idea. Hope you're righ', 'Shy. Anyway. I got some food for both us and Twilight. Was jus' about to bring her share to her. Ah'll be out in jus' a sec.”
“I'll take it to her.”
Both Fluttershy and Applejack turned their heads, and looked at the still downcast pony to their right, Pinkie already getting up to put the tray on her back. Her face was serious, determined, and lacked all of the happy and perky traits that the cowpony had grown to love about her.
With a sigh, Applejack spoke, “Ya sure, Sugarcube? Ah was jus' gonna take it into her, and come righ' out. Nothin' fancy.”
“I'm sure,” the slightly depressed mare responded.
Receiving a nod from Applejack, Pinkie finished putting the tray on her back, and with a little help from Fluttershy and Applejack opening the door, she made her way into into the dimmed room.
Inside, it was a depressing sight. The lights were dimmed, the walls were bare, and with the exception of the massive statue in the center, there wasn't a single object in the chamber. Twilight herself was laying on one of the hooves of the statue, not really looking at anything, her gaze focused more on the back wall than anything else.
“Hey, Twi-Twi,” Pinkie whispered, her voice still traveling through the entire room clearly. She slowly began to make her way across the empty room, her hooves sending a sharp echo with each tap they made against the hard stone underhoof. Swallowing a sock in her throat, she wasn't sure why she was so nervous with the situation at hoof. It was only Twi-Twi... right?
Still, the silence was unnerving.
Swallowing the second sock in her throat, the pair of hoof-wear now in her stomach, she began again, “I was just bringing you some yummies.” Carefully Pinkie set down the tray of goodies, and waited for Twilight's reply.
Silence.
Pinkie was now swallowing a pair of shoes. “Twi-Twi, you've been in here for a very long time. I think it might be a good idea to come out and talk to your friends.”
Silence.
High-Top boots now. “We're starting to worry about you. Do you... do you maybe wanna talk to us? Please?”
Silence.
Pinkie waited a few more seconds before releasing the air in her lungs. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew her friend was hurting, that was for certain, but what could she do to help? Was there anything she could do to help? The two ponies did have an awkward rift between them, and it wasn't getting any better by just standing here, begging for the magical mare to come out. Perhaps it was time to let Twilight remain in her solitude, and think. Turning, she intended to do just that.
Until a single bout of inspiration came to her head.
Her body facing the door, she began, “For a few days now, I've been thinking about the world... well... the old world I mean, where we were able to go outside and do nothing but have fun every day and night. Thinking back, I’m starting to get scared, because I can't quite remember as much as I wanted to of the ponies I loved. I don't mean loved... romantically, but I mean family and friends, friends outside of you and the other girls. The Cakes I remember somewhat, but a lot of the details I took for granted I don't remember. Even my family...” Pinkie's eyes blurred with tears, “...my own family... I... I can't remember their faces at all.”
There was still silence in the room, but now that she had traction, Pinkie wasn't as nervous as before. Tears threatening to fall, she chuckled. “It's funny in a sick way. Back when we were in Ponyville, I never gave a second thought towards my family back on the rock farm. I always assumed that 'hey, I can talk to them whenever I wanted, so why do I have to make the effort now?' Heh... I guess the saying that we don't realize what we have until we lose it is really does mean something, huh? If we didn't come here, in this crazy and wacky place, I wouldn't give a second thought to my family. Now? I... I would give up parties forever to see them again.”
Pinkie knew that Twilight wasn’t going to say anything, but right now, it didn't matter to her. What mattered was that she finished her thought. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone here when it comes to grieving. We've all lost ponies we've loved, friends we've neglected, and family we... left on bad terms with. Just remember that you can talk to any of us, not necessarily me. I know the rest of them would be more than happy to talk to you... if you don't like talking to me.”
She began to make her way out. Even if Twilight didn't hate her, it wasn't the time to linger over the mare, especially after that last line. It didn't matter to Pinkie though, she said what needed to be said, and even if Twi-Twi didn't come to her, she would surely talk to one of her friends. Applejack or Rarity would be great ponies to—
“Wait...”
Pinkie turned back towards her, a very confused face on display. Twilight herself wasn't sure why she called out to the mare in front of her, but whatever the reason, it was too late to take it back now. It must have shown on her own face how troubled she was feeling, for the longer that the two looked at each other, the lower and lower Pinkie's mood seemed to drop.
Finally steeling her resolve, she whispered, “Please... don't go...”
There was another few seconds that the pair looked at each other, neither really knowing what to say or do. The entire time, the last three words seemed to replay in her mind, the desperate and somewhat pathetic plea teasing her, mocking her, every time it replayed. She must have looked like a fool, making such a silly request, not only because of the situation she was making it in, but because she asked the one mare that she had been so terrible to recently.
It was those reasons that caused Twilight to widen her eyes as Pinkie turned, and headed back towards her. The way she walked, the slow and careful steps were so... so... uncharacteristic for the normally excitable mare. Was Twilight the cause of all of this? Was that one encounter in the dining room that much of a bad memory for them, or was it more the tolls of this terrible, terrible time beating the happiness out of the mare in front of her.
She wasn't sure which she would rather want.
Caught in her thoughts, she was taken by surprise when she felt the soft hairs of her friend brush up against her, Pinkie laying down right up against her side. Instinctively, Twilight shifted, allowing some of her weight to press against the pony next to her. With a deep sigh from both of them, they just lay there, enjoying the company.
The silence reigned, allowing the unicorn to think about what was going to happen. There was going to be a battle, that was certain, but past that, she wasn't sure what was going to happen. Would they triumph in the battle, destroy Discord, and save all of Equestria? Would they barely scrape by a victory, suffer a terrifying amount of deaths, and barely survive? Would they lose, but stay alive to fight another day?
Would they all die, and forever give control of the world to Discord, allowing him to reign in a world of chaos?
A shiver traveled through her, and flew through Pinkie. Twilight lightly rested her head between Pinkie's shoulders, and sighed. “Spike... please... please be safe...”
Wind whipping against his face, Sarlaka few across the landscape, eyeing the ground below. This was one of the very useful traits about him that most other commanders couldn't match. He was able to fly high in the air, and scout out the terrain for possible choke-points, troop movements, ambushes, and other logistically important information. Sure, being a pegasus would confer the same advantage, but there really weren't that many pegasi outside of the small flight corps that could fulfill this sort of role effectively.
That, and being a heavily armored dragon helped with survivability as well.
From the looks of things, the Harmony Coalition was still encamped in the valley ahead of him, meaning that there wasn’t' any sort of natural barriers between that military force and him. No mountain passes, no river crossings, and no sneaky underhanded tricks. Just large fields and plains. Sure, there were a few lakes between the two, but they wouldn't be much of a threat to actual movements.
He banked left, and with a leisured glide, began to make his way back to where he came from. Slowly, his body fell from the sky, the heavy scale armor easily supported by the massive panels of skin stretching in his wings. It was slower than flapping his wings, sure, but it would allow him to save his strength and energy, and considering the amount he required to eat, any amount of energy he could save would be well worth the extra minute or two.
Several minutes later, he carefully flew to a small hill overlooking the plains all around him, and with a few heavy beats of his wings to slow his movements, landed onto the outcropping with a thud. It was an ironically calm and pleasant day, considering what was about to happen. The wind was still, the sun was bright, and he swore that if it was a little quieter, he'd be able to hear the sounds of actual wildlife around him.
With a loud 'pop', that calm ended.
“Are we there yet?”
Sarlaka sighed heavily. “For the last time, what does it look like to you? Does it look like we arrived yet?”
Discord giggled, a devilish smile on his face. “Oh please, don't be so mopey, my little dragon friend. I’m just so terribly bored!"
“Then why did you come? You could have waited in your little castle,” Sarlaka said with another exasperated sigh.
“Because that's even worse! I do have to say though, your idea of bringing these insane friends with us?” Discord pulled out an umbrella, and used it to shield himself from the sun. “Totally makes up for how long this is taking.”
“If you say so, Discord.”
“Oh, I do say so!” The draconequus rolled back and forth on his feet. “Anyway, how does it look out there? Any super amazing surprising things that require my observations? I could certainly use some excitement.”
Chuckling slightly, Sarlaka turned his head towards Discord. “Unfortunately for you, it looks like they're not going to be pulling any sort of tricks or traps of any kind. Instead, they are hedging their bets on a brute force approach. Assuming that, we should arrive early tomorrow morning, and as long as things stay the course, we should be ready to fight the afternoon of the day after.”
Discord and Sarlaka both turned, and watched the area around them. On all sides, row after row of ponies pressed forward, their curiously ordered march thundering past the two creature's perch. Every single one had blank eyes, their minds corrupted by the chaotic creature above them. Sarlaka knew their capabilities—they were highly skilled, would never run or surrender, and stubbornly hard to put down.
The God of Chaos smiled. “Marvelous.”
A/N: Yes yes, I know it's late. Sue me (please don't really).