I have to say, "I love you," in a song.

by SparityLoveisForever

What I've got to say can't wait. I know you wont understand.

((P/N Pinkie's Note. Silly filly.))
Hey, there everypony! Can you believe it I'm gonna get to be all over this chapter? Sure took the author long enough to let me do my own thing. He wanted me all focused so I wouldn't have time to think about things like how many words rhyme with beans. I do really hate that he's made Spikey sad, but he says that with my help he won't have to be for too, too long. Which makes me happy! I bet you guys have been waiting a long time to see Auntie Pinkie more directly in the story. Well, it's here and... Ooh, I better get into place before the story starts.

(A/N)
Er... right um thanks for that Pinkie. In this chapter, I bring to the foreground two other background ponies whom I believe might have a bigger role as the story progresses. The first of these ponies is one called Creme Brulee according to the list of ponies wiki. This pony is the creamy orange coat earth stallion with the dark brown mane cut like Big Macintosh's with a similar green eye color which appears at the start of the season one intro. This stallion is not to be confused with Caramel despite having the same cutie mark. Creme Brulee is replaced in the intro by Big Macintosh in season two. The second of these ponies is called Quake according to that same wiki. This earth pony with a light yellow eggshell colored coat and a blond mane and blue eyes. First appears in the episode “Green Isn't Your Color” and is the masseuse giving Rarity a back massage.

Pinkie Pie was easily the fastest earth pony in all of Equestria, doubly so when she was focused on helping a friend out. After Twilight's orders, she responded with her standard, “Okie Dokie Lokie.” The orders were a side thought to Pinkie. She couldn't stand to see her friend Spike as sad as he had been after reading that letter; especially on his birthday of all days, no pony or dragon for that matter deserved to be that sad. Pinkie knew she would have to do everything she could to get whatever Spike needed, to get to Rarity back and to a put smile back on his face. Any other pony would've taken a half an hour or more to reach Carousel Boutique, from the Sweet Apple Acre's barn. Pinkie was there in just under five minutes, opened the front door quickly, went in thinking Rarity's work room would have some gems that could help out on the ransom.

When Pinkie got up there she started to look around, noticing that one thing was different about the room; Rarity's fire ruby necklace was missing since she always kept it on a special ponyquin that she had shown to Pinkie once. Pinkie had noticed that very ponyquin out and bare which meant Rarity must be missing. Almost like that time Applejack went missing. She shook this idea from her head trying to stay focused as she looked over all the cabinets, cupboards, shelves, chests, and drawers in the room. All of them contained different sections of fabric, thread, needles, feathers, and glitter strewn about in many different directions. Pinkie finally came to a relatively under-used set of drawers; upon looking at each one, there was an S, an M, or an L.

She opened the S drawer rewarded with a beautiful sight of a massive array of small gems, all labeled in different sections. “This must have been Spike's handiwork for Rarity,” Pinkie thought. Rarity even did her best to keep it organized when the rest of her creation process was a mess. Pinkie now knew she had to bring all three of these drawers back to the barn. She quickly put all three together on the ground, then picked them up in her hooves carrying them downstairs. She left them in the center of the boutique figuring she could use it as a gathering point for the expenses from Sugarcube Corner as well. Pinkie quickly locked the door as she went out. She began rushing over to her place of employment which was thankfully much closer than Sweet Apple Acres.

Pinkie dashed through the front door to Sugarcube Corner, which the Cakes had made to open from either side; after so many incidents of busy ponies smashing the door down. The Cakes were nowhere in plain sight, however, as Pinkie came charging in. She looked around quickly ringing the bell at the front desk with persistent force. “They wouldn't have gone out without baring the door,” Pinkie thought. She started with checking the kitchen and the upper rooms, only to find Gummy playing around in the bathtub.“Gummy, have you seen the Cakes?” she asked her pet alligator whose name still applied despite all his years of growth.

Gummy only responded with his usual wide-eyed blinking and a snapping of his jaws at Pinkie. To which Pinkie replied with a quizzical look saying, “They're in the basement!? That's strange! They hardly ever take Pound and Pumpkin down there.”

Gummy gave out another blink and a quick snap of his jaws, to which Pinkie said, “Oooooh. They were tied up and put in the basement. I'd better go check on them, but next time you should really try to help them out.” Pinkie bounded out of the room after her statement to the alligator who only responded with a snap of his jaw and a few blinks.

Pinkie rushed down to the basement feeling herself rushing past a magical barrier of some sort. She called out again, “Mr. and, Mrs. Cake? Pound, Pumpkin?” She could now hear whimpers and muffled cries for help. She dashed down into the main basement chamber to be horrified at the scene before her.

All four members of the Cake family were hogtied, blindfolded, and gagged. Pound had his wings tied to his back with his front and back hooves tied separately. Pumpkin had a metal horn inhibitor device attached to her horn, yet her hooves were tied much the same as her brother's. The thing honestly that horrified Pinkie about their situation was that Pound's front hooves tied to Pumpkin's back hooves, and Pumpkin's front hooves tied to Pound's back hooves. Their heads had been put in between the gaps of their front hooves to rest in between the back legs of the other. Pinkie was furious at this sight, but to have the same thing done to their parents Carrot and Cup Cake was unforgivable; she really wanted the pony or ponies responsible for this now.

She ran back upstairs to get a knife and rushed back down to the horrifying sight starting to slice through the bonds on their hooves; she then slowly moved her mouth to remove each ponies' blindfolds and gags, even removing the magic restriction device from Pumpkin's horn. She looked over them slowly, and she hugged them tightly once they were free, saying, “I'm super happy you guys are all safe other than some minor bruising. Did you guys manage to see anything of the attackers?”

Carrot Cake was the first one to speak after hugging his family personally, “Thanks, Pinkie, for getting us out of that. The last customer I saw was a grass-colored earth stallion with a blond mane. Then I was out like it was magic. When I woke up, I heard somepony laughing from upstairs, but I don't know why this happened, Pinkie.”

“That's strange; I don't recall any new ponies coming to town. But, I was at Sweet Apple Acres all morning. That may have thrown off my Pinkie sense. Did you see anything, Mrs. Cake?”

She just shook her head and said. “I was in the kitchen with the kids, showing them a simple cupcake recipe. The last thing I saw was a shadow of a unicorn...”

Pound interjected,“Aunt Pinkie, I saw that the unicorn had a white coat and...”

Pumpkin interrupted,“He had a blond mane, Pinkie.”

“ You're sure, dear hearts?”Pinkie said turning to the children looking at them very carefully. They both looked back up at her with their eyes about ready to water, nodding gently, not saying much else. She brought the two of them into another big hug stroking their backsides gently saying,“Alright, thank you. Now, Mr. and, Mrs. Cake, I need everything that's left in the register and any rainy-day funds you might have. Rarity's in danger. However, it has something to do with those who did this to you.”

“Take whatever you need, Pinkie. We can always count on you and Spike to help us get everything back.” Mr. Cake said in a confident tone,“Our rainy-day stash is in the flour in the pantry -- very last bag.”

“Take good care of them,” Pinkie said to no pony, in particular hurrying back upstairs retrieving the currency from the register, though, sales had been a little slow this week. Next, she went for the bits in the flour bag; the rainy-day fund had made what she felt was quite an impact. With Rarity's gems, they'd at least have close to enough for the first part of the ransom according to Pinkie's first personal calculations. She rushed upstairs getting her private stash for bit emergencies. She was about to leave her room when Gummy had just finished his bath and was heading into rest in Pinkie's room.

“Oh no, mister lazy alligator. I have a mission for you. You are going to protect the Cakes until I return. If you do this I'll owe you a favor,” said Pinkie.

Gummy looked back at her and gave a blink of each eye and a soft nod. He turned to leave Pinkie's room going downstairs to stand near the counter. He looked quite imposing as long as he didn't open his mouth. Pinkie rushed back downstairs to see Gummy setting up and then headed back to Carousel Boutique to drop off her increased currency.

Pinkie opened the boutique's door proceeding to pour the contents of the flour bag and register in the S drawer. She put the flour bag on top of the other two drawers. Pinkie now knew she had to ask the entire market if they had seen two clearly different ponies. She was no gem appraiser but even with the L drawer being as full as it was. Pinkie wasn't even sure she was a quarter of the way to the first goal. Just as Pinkie finished locking up Carousel Boutique again, she heard something like her party cannon in the distance, turned her head for a moment, and didn't have time to worry about it. She had to check if any pony else had seen the stallions in question.

Spitfire got out a,“Yes, my Princess,” before Princess Luna had left their presence. She turned to face the other two behind her saying, “Alright, Soarin, Fleetfoot, we've just been given an outstanding job by the Princess of the Night. We have only two hours to do a full stealth reconnaissance of the Everfree Forest.” She looked over her two fellow Wonderbolts, noticing Soarin was trying to say something.

She then said, “I'm sorry, Soarin, but our duties to the Princess's come before dinner or pie. Let's get our camouflage suits on; I want each side of the forest covered you two. Soarin, I want you to cover the south, the area closest to the old castle. Fleetfoot, I want you to cover the west side, the area closest to Ponyville. I'll take care of the north and east. Leave the way you came in to avoid suspicion. Magic detector goggles on at all times this is a stealth mission. Regroup at the Sweet Apple Acre's barn at sundown for a report.”

The goggles contain a lens allowing for non-unicorns to see magically active spells in the area. It was part of the last academy training of a Wonderbolt to learn the difference's in the kinds of spells so that you could know what you were dealing with quickly on missions.

Spitfire turned around to the others that were still picking themselves up after the Princess' arrival, “Princess Luna has requested that Soarin, Fleetfoot, and I perform a stealth mission to the Everfree Forest. I want you all to work on your starts and stops until I return telling you to stop. Start at one end of the Cloud Colosseum fly full speed the entire length of the Colosseum, come to a full stop at the other end, then come back full speed ending where you began. That way you won't embarrass yourselves in front of Princess Luna again. If we fail our mission, you may finish at noon tomorrow; if none of us make it back. Blaze, I trust you to run things in the absence of Soarin and I. Get them going, then you've got to as well.” Spitfire then turned away from her team to retrieve and don her stealth outfit, Soarin and Fleetfoot already waiting for her wanting to leave the base as a team.

When Spitfire had returned from changing, and she slowly passed by the field one last time before setting off. As she passed by there was a loud voice that called out to them. It was Fire Streak “It's been an honor flying with you, Ma'am. Celestia's Speed to you all.”

They all darted off after that send off each one taking a different route. Spitfire had the most direct way; it was a bad idea to split up; yet, with only three fliers it was the most efficient formation. She only hoped that Soarin would be all right, she knew Fleetfoot had the least danger at her check site. “Ugh, why have I sent Soarin on the most dangerous flight plan that's something the Captain should do,” Spitfire thought. Now wasn't the time to second guess herself or her friends, though. They could take care of themselves; she darted forward zooming towards Ponyville, clearly showing she was the Wonderbolt's Captain for a reason.

Spitfire made her way to the northern side of the Everfree Forest swooping into the trees for some additional cover from the north tip of Saddle Lake. As Spitfire examined her surroundings from the north, she could see the treeline extending to the east to a rock formation. The trees went around the lake with was no discernible magic in her area so far, apparently, they had not counted on someone arriving from this side of the forest. She quickly moved to the next target tree with fast, quiet wingbeats making slow progress around the edge of the lake. Spitfire had done a lot of work on her wing movements to make them silent as possible. By the time she had gotten carefully around the lake; she was positive there was no magical or mechanical surveillance on this side of the forest, which would make her exit much easier.

As Spitfire saw another gap in the tree line, there was no magic in the hole, but as she looked at the next tree line, she was facing what looked like a grid of magical beams in between the bases of the trees. As well as some very carefully placed crosses of the beams for the sections covering the tree tops. The beams were very clearly all alerting spells. She noticed a break in their system she headed quickly towards that tree. She knew there was more than one unicorn at a root of this problem. As she looked around from the one tree that had no exposed beams attached to it other than at the base of the tree, She noticed that there was a unicorn lookout who was wearing a pair of binoculars looking in another direction for the time being. She kept herself hidden among the leaves of the tree she was in. His horn was glowing with a magical aura the same color of the beams. Spitfire reexamined her surroundings searched for a way to proceed without notice.

Luna had told them reconnaissance only, and that was what Spitfire was going to maintain. Spitfire noticed one other way to continue; it wasn't going to be simple she saw the unicorn look away from her tree again, darting off to the next tree gap in the sequence. She noticed that there were small holes in the defense grid he had set up, but now saw multiple networks were being employed by the several different colored aurae of beams as she looked around from her new position. There were thicker parts of the grids obviously those were the parts along the path the dragon with the ransom was supposed to take.

She moved to the next tree at the next visual misstep of the outlooks. By the looks of it, the dragon was being set up for an ambush. No pony not even the Princess's warranted this kind of protection from intruders. It did, however, substantiate the claim that there were spies in the Everfree Forest today. Spitfire was glad she had taken this path Fleetfoot was speedy, but accuracy wasn't her thing, Soarin wasn't much better, but she trusted that he would take care of his problems in his way as usual. She liked that about Soarin being friends since childhood had made the two of them almost inseparable. Spitfire had to be harder on him since becoming Captain, even with him being her number one friend. She had to keep her head in the game for now, though.

Spitfire had to get through this literal minefield of small openings. Moving swiftly, silently, through the openings like the ace flyer she was. Closer and closer to the bridge that would lead to the entrance of the old Castle. She had never been through such a gauntlet before but was taking her time to make sure that no one saw her movements. She'd be cutting it close on the time limit with such a massive force consisting of guard unicorns. She had passed about ten of them on her way to the bridge as she scanned the area once she had reached a tree that was overlooking the area between the treeline, the old rope bridge, the old castle which had a magical dome over the top, and a new slightly glowing stone bridge? As Spitfire looked at the stone bridge that had never been there before she noticed that it must be being held together by the magic.

That was something important, it was too impossible to try to figure out who all the unicorn stallions were, but they clearly were set up for a defense grid. Spitfire took care to make the same quick movements that allowed her to slip past the security the first time on her way out. Not giving them one reason to suspect that any pony had been by the scene. Once out of the grid, across the gap in the tree line, and a few trees away from the gap, she sped off as the sun was setting towards the barn. Cutting the through the trees around the lake and then back across towards the farm. Spitfire only had moments to spare dodging the watchful unicorns had been quite an ordeal; she only hoped the other two fared as well with their missions.

Pinkie had till sundown to find out what every pony at the markets had seen of the two stallion's who had tied up the Cakes. Pinkie Pie bounded away from Carousel Boutique as she quickly moved she was soon at the edge of the market. Pinkie was about to pass a shop and decided to see if the flowerpony Rose knew anything. Bounding up to the stand, saying, “Hey, Rose, this is super important. Did you happen to see either an earth pony stallion, with blond mane and green coat or a unicorn stallion, with a white coat and a blond mane in the market today?”

“Hey, Pinkie, Thanks. Hmm... I don't recall any earth pony like that, but I did have a unicorn stallion with a white coat and a blonde mane today. He never said too much very much one of those business interaction types of ponies. His order was for thirty red roses. It was a quickly filled order since I got it quite early turning them over to the stallion at noon. Is something wrong Pinkie?” Rose responded to Pinkie.

“Thank ya, Rose, but, I don't have much time to explain it! A friend is in big trouble, and I need a lot of bits to help them out. The ponies I've mentioned have had something to do with it.” Pinkie had said.

Rose was a bit shocked to hear one of Pinkie's friends was in trouble. She took her basket full of bits and just handed it to Pinkie. Rose's response was quick, “Be careful, Pinkie; that should be about one hundred bits. I hope it helps.” Pinkie just nodded putting the basket on her back, bounding off to continue to ask others in the market about the stallions.

After talking to most every pony vendor at the market today which took about another thirty minutes. Pinkie sighed shouting to nopony in particular. “Why did I talk to all those ponies if none of them had any relevant information, Mr. Smarty Author!?”

Then she remembered that she had noticed that there was a stand with a picture of grapes and a strawberry on it that was very vacant. “Berry Punch,” Pinkie Pie thought. She only came to the markets as a vendor on Saturdays to sell any of her excess stock from her local tavern. If she wasn't in her stall, she had to be at home showing a client her private stores which held a wine collection that would rival the Royal Alicorn Sisters. Luckily Pinkie knew where she lived since she was one Pinkie's regular guests to her parties that weren't just for her and her personal group of friends. With that, the pink earth pony rushed off in the direction of the house of Berry Punch.

As Pinkie came up to Berry's front door first, she knocked on the front door calling out loudly to her. “Berry, are you home it's Pinkie?” No response.

With that Pinkie rapidly did a one-eighty bucking the door down. Running into the house this time going straight to the basement. She quickly found the door on the first floor leading down to the cellar. Upon going hastily down the stairs, she felt herself past another similar magical barrier. As she started to hear whimpers again, she called out again. “Don't worry, Berry! Pinkie's here, I'm going to get you out.”

At the bottom of the stairs a there was a horizontal hallway that had three doors they were three different temperature rooms. The central room read “Room Temperature,” and it was the one directly at the bottom of the steps. The muffled whimpers and whines did not appear to be coming from behind this door. She quickly checked the other two doors for a louder sense of the whimpering. She couldn't hear it at all anymore at the one to the right. When she came back to the other door it on the left, it was much louder, and this door read “Wine Cellar.” Pinkie opened the door quickly saying, “Berry, are you OK!?”

Pinkie was a little worried to see what had been done to another of her friends. She looked into the wine cellar observing the room quickly. Several large rows of wine bottles in organized wine racks lined the walls with enough space for a pony to pick what they wanted. Ice was being used to chill the wine racks within wooden rows, in-between two back to back wine-racks. The wooden rows for ice allowed for even dispersion of its frosty effects.

At the center of the room was Berry Punch; an earth pony with a light purple coat, a dark purple mane, and tail, and a cutie mark of purple grapes and strawberry. At present her hooves shackled in a sitting position to the floor. Blindfolded with her mouth held open with a bridle linking to a hose. The tube was attached to a large wine barrel suspended by a robust set of chains. The barrel was left with the tap flowing, thus flooding wine through the hose by the looks of it. Berry could just barely stop the flow every so often with her tongue to breathe. Pinkie rushed up to the device kicking the hose from her mouth. With the rest of the large wine barrel starting to spill onto the floor Pinkie undid the blindfold, and the restraint on her muzzle, not sure what to do about the shackles at the moment since they were chains, not ropes. She cried, “Berry, Oh my gosh are you alright!?”

Berry took in the light blinking her eyes to adjust to the light from the hallway, which was her first light in a while. Her throat coated with the alcoholic substance she sold. Berry Punch whimpered a moment, looked up at Pinkie, and moved her head to nuzzle at Pinkie gently. At which Pinkie put her hooves around Berry, who spoke, “I'm ... *hic* O...K... P... P... Puh... Pinkie. Th... Th... Those st... st... stallions said I'd... d... d... drown. Sh... sh... showed the... them... huh... Ugh... Wa... wa... wanted... t...two... of... my... huh... huh... hundred... ya... year... bot.. bot... bottles... kn... kn.... knocked... ow... out... ah... ah... awoke... to... la... la... laughter... and... da... da... darkness... as... the... wah... wah... wine... st... st... started... to... k... k... come.... da... da... down...” With that Berry just fell over onto Pinkie's shoulder.

Pinkie patted Berry's head putting the bit basket on her back down onto the floor of the cellar. She slowly lifted Berry's muzzle and put it into it. She looked back at her saying, “I need to go get you some help, Berry. Somepony to get you out of the shackles, and take you to the hospital.”

“Big Macintosh, will take too long to get,” thought Pinkie. She quickly remembered another muscular stallion who lived in town who could help her and Berry. Pinkie sped off to where he was likely to be this time of day seeing him in the park starting to shout out to him. “Creme Brulee! Creme Brulee! I need your help! It's Berry Punch; she needs a strong stallion to break her shackles! Follow me!” She quickly got around behind him starting to push the mighty stallion, with the creamy orange coat, his brown mane and tail, and green eyes which moved questioningly towards the pink mare shoving him towards Berry's home.

“Whats going on, Pinkie? I'm glad to help anypony, but what's the rush?” He said looking back at her slowly, his cutie mark was a trio of blue horseshoes, as a result of many confused him for Caramel. His mane and tail though the same color was much more like Big Macintosh's mane cut. Pinkie was just about the only pony who seemed to notice the difference's which made him a bit sweet on her.

“Come on, Creme, Berry needs to get to the Hospital, and she's shackled in her basement, and you're the only stallion close enough to break those bonds, and get her to the hospital in time! She was forced to drink way more wine than even she could stand!” Pinkie looked up at him pleadingly continuing to nudge the stallion along.

He got the picture rushing forward, with Pinkie quickly leading the way as she showed him to Berry's house. “Be careful with her, and leave the bit bucket there, I'll pick it up before I leave for Sweet Apple Acres. I can't stay to watch you get her to safety not a lot of time left! I need to check with two other ponies, but I'll see you later alright. Thanks for the help, Creme, also it's easy to tell you're not Caramel, I don't know what that guy is thinking.” With that said she was off again, rushing back into Ponyville looking for the last two ponies on her list for information in Ponyville, it's two biggest gossips Bon Bon and Lyra Heartstrings.

Fleetfoot was quicker than Soarin, and jetting towards Whitetail Woods; to come around the east side of the short mountain range to the west of Ponyville, coming back east along the river towards the west area of the Everfree Forest. Arriving at the tree line of the Everfree Forest, something hit her nostrils like Big Macintosh bucking full force into a tree. The scent that hit her was very clearly the smell of death and char from a blast. She looked around coming closer to the smell; the goggles enclosed her eyes thankfully, or they might be watering. She arrived at what was now a slightly charred clearing noticing the pony corpse that was slightly out of the original pony outline it had left in the tree by the blast.

Fleetfoot looked over the sight no noticeable magic signatures, but she still had to be careful. She came closer to the dead stallion's body, noticing someone had checked his coat color, and cutie mark, which was something she had never seen before, a pair of daggers, “That must be a unique talent,” she thought. She also noticed that the head of the pony was missing, and the tail of the stallion was blond. She went over the perimeter of the clearing once more there was little else there; she decided to go to the other side of the river figuring this was going to be all she could find on this side. Unbeknownst to her, however, somepony had been watching her movements since she came to the clearing, this mystery pony just silently followed her for now, though.

As Fleetfoot journeyed across the river and into that tree line. She stopped at the first tree to see what was going on in this part of the forest. She watched what was going on in this area; there were fields of magic on the ground looking like a minefield. Looking above the tree line there were also large quantities of them in the skies, some even drifting slightly in between the trees. She was shocked by sheer numbers held in the position looking around she saw the unicorn who was controlling the orbs in this section of the forest. If this section was for anything, it was more for a battleground, not a trap just a straight up fight. The way the magic fields held together, it was evident they weren't alert spheres, they were blast areas. It would likely be suicide to try to go in any further from this side as there was likely a forest's worth of Unicorns out there covering their sections. After deciding her best course of action was to return to the Sweet Apple Acre's barn she started to head back.

As Fleetfoot was crossing back over the river, the unicorn stallion who had been following her silently blocked her quick exit grabbing her white tail with his magic. Pulling her down and through the water of the river, holding her down under pulling her back up for air just as she was about to stop breathing. He looked down at her and gripped her head with his magic this time; slamming her head against a rock, which left Fleetfoot very unconscious. He grinned with glee at sight taking her back to the castle himself; he hoped that this female would be his plaything like the other was going to be his masters.

He took Fleetfoot back across the river and used his magic to carry her back to the castle. When he got back with her, he got a scolding from his master, but the master was still pleased with his defense of the territory. So the stallion's leader agreed that the Pegasus could be his servant's plaything, only after the dragon was dead, though. Telling his servant to put her in chains, then toss her down the stairs to his prize. He followed the instructions to the letter without question. There were still thirty minutes till sundown maybe the sound of a pony falling over the steps would awaken masters sleeping beauty.

Angel, Jr. had noticed something he had seen before, only once had he seen the kind of trap before them, and if he wasn't careful, it might just snare him. He didn't want his sister to have to deal with this kind of thing since the results were devastating if the one in a snare was a rabbit. He always thought of himself as a smart rabbit all things considered. The fact that there was this kind of traps out in this section of the forest meant that there was enough security to keep smaller creatures like themselves away from the castle just in case they got too curious. He analyzed the situation making his movement swift and steady, grabbing a stick using it to trigger the snare letting it capture the stick. The area around the castle covered with numerous similar traps. He noticed two others already sprung by a pair of squirrels he had noted from the group at Fluttershy's, “Little time to mourn them now,” he thought.

As he looked over the field of snares in front of him, he noticed the part of the castle that the squirrels strung up by was near a grate over the window that looked like it could be part of the dungeon. Every step had to be measured to get to them without ending up in his own death snare. Grabbing another nearby stick he tripped the next loop in the path he was creating. Whoever had set the snares knew what they were doing. Primary and secondary snare traps had been established to ensure the captured creature would meet up with the Black Rabbit of Inlé.

There were still about three more loops until he could examine what they had tried to. The squirrels must have bounded over the first set only to jump into the last trap row. Angel, Jr. proceeded to trigger the three remaining first snare traps that impeded his progress. A total of 5 sticks now dangled by multiple wires much like squirrels did. He slowly hopped to where the deadly traps had been, being careful and steady not to trip any others that were clearly set up. He bounded again and was now right under the squirrels, who had tried to view into the grate attached to the dungeon.

The overwhelming feeling of magic seemed to emanate from the castle. He couldn't get too close to the window grill. An invisible force-field blocked him, however, as he looked into the grate from one side of the force-field he could see a unicorn pony bound in chains the flickering light of the torches making it hard to determine her color. He was about to look away going back to his sister when he noticed some movement. Another pony bound in chains fell to the bottom of the stairs ending with a terrible sound on the ground. He could tell this one was a Pegasus, the lighting where she had landed allowed him to see the blue color of her coat, and the snow white mane she had. He bounded back from the grate uncertain if they would notice him. He bounded quickly back along his safe path, tentatively jumping to each safe zone again as he made his way back to his sister. He thumped his right foot twice to motion her to follow him; the bunnies started to head back to Zecora's the sun was just above the mountains.

The two bunnies had dashed back away from the old castle bounding much quicker back over the rope bridge checking and dodging their way back to the hut of the Zebra. This journey moved at an accelerated pace to keep up with a schedule they were slightly on. They knocked on the door of the hut again this time the Zebra inside was quick to answer opening after the first set of knocks.

She looked down at the two rabbits beckoning them inside with one hoof. They slowly went into the hut that was her home waiting for her to begin with her story, “Angel, Jr. and my dear, Silver Heart, it has been a while since I told you two, to depart. My memory returning brew has been a success, and my memories of today have returned to surge anew. A unicorn cold eyes of blue ice, with a mane golden like the sun, asked if there was a unique brew quite nice, that could turn the tide of love or if it could even be done. I told him many brews ignite loves lost the fire. The most potent however is one begun with a flower called Heart's Desire. He asked if I could give him a vial of the special potion. I told him it would take half a day brew it so to accomplish any other errands would be a good notion. When he returned he was sparkling new, all fresh, clean, and smelling of fresh morning dew. He asked if the tonic was ready for his plan, I told him it was made to make sure he didn't lose his clan. After this, he must have brought me to the floor, as the only other thing I was able to remember was you two knocking on the door. If it is alright with you two, I would like to tell this to Fluttershy too,” Zecora said.

The Two bunnies listened intently to her rhyming story. They nodded happily at the notion at the end, and both jumped onto her back as they started to steer her towards the barn at Sweet Apple Acres. As the threesome heads out of the Everfree Forest, the Sun is just starting down, and they will be arriving at the barn shortly. They were coming up to the door on the barn just as the sun was now half way down. The group slid inside the large barn after a few quick knocks.

Creme Brulee smiled at the last thing Pinkie had said to him. He knew Pinkie Pie was random but when she was serious about this strange request he could hardly believe he had agreed. She was every ponies friend, yet, he thought, “Maybe there could be something more with himself and her than most of the other mares he had met in Ponyville.” Most mares had a hard time distinguishing him from Caramel, which had led him to some dangerous situations with getting a marefriend of his own. Caramel's marefriends would come up and slap him while he was on a date with another mare he was trying to attract. He barely knew Caramel, but he did know the things that did separate them were eye color and mane style. It just seemed like the only one who ever understood this was Pinkie Pie.

That meant something to him. He walked down the steps to the door on the left as Pinkie had explained to him. He slowly moved into the scene with the shackled pony with her head resting on a basket of bits. He noticed her hooves were bound to each other, then to the floor. He grinned at the set up moving his hooves up then slamming them down at the links of the chain holding her to the ground, with his first massive stomp he clattered the pony-iron chains to pieces. He looked to Berry Punch who was still dosing in a wine coma, yet breathing regularly. He picked her up putting her on his back started to carry her shackles and all, to Ponyville Hospital

Berry Punch was heavier than she would've normally been due to a large belly filled with ample amount of wine, and the thick iron shackles weren't helping much either. Her wet backside was dripping down onto his coat with the excess wine that had spilled out of the large barrel, covering her lower half and front hooves. Creme Brulee made his way past other pony's houses making his way to the hospital; he could see it gently in the distance as the sun was slowly nearing the horizon. He moved with her at a steady pace coming into the hospital to find, Nurse Redheart at the front desk he said in a calm steady tone. “She needs emergency treatment! I'm a friend of the friend who found her; she's consumed a great quantity of wine, and her name is Berry Punch.”

“Oh, my!” Was all the pure white pony with a light pink mane could say. She pressed a button on her board for emergencies. Two ponies came out of a door with a gurney. The first was Nurse Coldheart a light yellow earth pony, with a blue mane and tail containing light blue streaks, and a cutie mark of a white cross with a pink heart in each corner. The second pony was Nurse Sweetheart a light purple earth pony, a mane and tail of lavender with white stripes, and a cutie mark of a white cross with a pink heart in each corner.

Creme Brulee shifted his weight to put her down, just on top of the gurney. The nurses took her for treatment immediately. He looked back at the nurse at the desk and said, “I assume, I need to fill out some paperwork now, don't I.”

Nurse Redheart just smiled back at Creme Brulee handing him a simple questionnaire that just explained everything he knew about the patient and everything he could remember about how he had arrived at Ponyville General Hospital today. He sighed taking a quill and some ink from the desktop, starting to fill out the form with much disgust at his hoofwriting. He hoped Pinkie would end up alright after all this trouble. 'There I go again,' he thinks, 'My thoughts turning to that bright pink pony with nothing, but the happiness of others on her mind.' She had even made him smile just before leaving him with this massive task to accomplish. He finished up the questionnaire handing it back to Nurse Redheart. As he left the Ponyville Hospital noticing the sun slowly starting to set against the horizon gently, he decided he would go over to Sweet Apple Acres, to see just what was going on.

Soarin had the furthest to go to stealthily approach the Everfree Forest, and was following the path of Fleetfoot until she turned east to head along the river. Soarin headed south instead of east along the edge of another mountain range before coming up to the farthest edge of Ghastly Gorge he followed it north to the Everfree Forest. Navigating the gauntlet that was Ghastly Gorge with ease, slowly approaching the forest making sure his magic detecting goggles were on. Taking refuge in the first tree he could find.

Soarin took about thirty minutes to accomplish even just trying to get into position. Spitfire always seemed to give him the most difficult flight paths. Not to mention if there were spies throughout the forest he had the most likely chance of being spotted. Soarin had to be in top form today, and his thoughts about a pie for dinner would have to wait. Spitfire and Fleetfoot would already be in place starting their own observations in the time it had taken him just to get the first tree. He glanced around taking in the forest with the goggles on. Soarin looked out at the bog seeing nothing of importance. Examining where Fleetfoot should be flying the giant magical fields seemed to make that path look even more complicated than his own. He hoped his teammates would be alright as he turned back towards the treeline that was in front of him.

There was no discernible nearby magic from his tree, but he noted there was a large magical field that went gently above the tree line. “That must be a force-field protecting the old castle,” thought Soarin. He surveyed the area around the bottoms of the trees before darting to the next one to make sure that nothing was going to follow him. He scanned the area from his new viewpoint; he could still see the bog from this point of view. Not having seen any pony other than himself, yet he knew something was going on in this forest tonight.

Soarin darted to another tree carefully making his way towards the massive bubble over the trees. As he went, he checked with dedication every possible angle for magical traps still finding not a single one. He was only about three tree jumps from being in a range of the castle ruins when he saw his first magical flare other than the large barrier that would've been invisible to the naked eye. Two unicorns were walking in a perimeter formation both gently talking to each other; he noticed they had their horns lit up to construct an earpiece. Soarin knew the earpieces meant the band of unicorns here must be very coordinated set guards on the back of the castle.

Soarin now faced a tough choice in what he should do. He had to wait for the guard ponies to look away from the tree that was hiding him anyway. His choices were limited, he could rush back to Sweet Apple Acres, or he could make a dart to the next few trees in the sequence he had been following, thus getting to the force-field. Where he could obtain a magical intensity reading from the force-field with the magic detector lens, which would be an important piece of information to relay to their side. He thought for another full revolution about a full five minutes from start to finish, of the elliptical shaped path of the guards had set up. Then he said in his mind, “Time to prove you are a Wonderbolt, Soarin.”

With the unicorns backs to his tree, Soarin darted to the next tree in his path. Examining the ground he could see that the last set hadn't noticed his departure which was good since silent flying wasn't his strong suite. He saw the next group of ponies in his path. This pair worked together walking in a box formation allowing them to see the others flank at all times. Soarin finally saw the break in their formation waiting for it to happen again, then dashing to the next Tree. Only one more tree and he could get an accurate reading of the force-field's power. Another pairing of those darn unicorns triple fail-safe protection around the entire castle most likely. “If that dragon went in alone he'd inevitably be overwhelmed before he even got close enough to try to save the Element of Generosity,” thought Soarin. This last pairing of ponies stood in silent sentry at opposite ends of themselves looking at each other and over the section in between them. “Wow, what a set up where did this guy spend all his time the evil revenge strategy warehouse?” thought Soarin.

Spitfire had always called him superstitious, but he had just the thing for this situation. Having a single bit tucked behind each ear his good luck routine. Tonight he would prove what a good idea it had been. He took the first one and tossed it with all his might at the far pony's side of the forest. Soarin's play played out perfectly as the pony closest to the noise turned towards the sound looking away from his partner and allowing him the hole needed to cross. It added a tree to his trek but with a quick dash he made it to the tree he had required before the pony had found the bit that was laying on the ground a decent distance away. He moved and examined the force-field with the lenses over his eyes. With a much closer view, they started registering the level of how powerful the force-field was, just a little more and then he had it. A very standard eight point five power rating, point five less than the force-field Shining Armor could conjure. However, this force-field was being generated by two fields of magic. With that last bit of information, he quickly turned back to the unicorns who were back to staring back and forth at each other.

The second bit came out from behind his ears; Soarin proceeded to toss this one towards the pony who hadn't stood up last time. He watched as this stallion turned his attention away from the other. With that Soarin darted quickly around the other stallion overhead, returning to the tree he had been in before the other set of unicorn ponies. Two groups of ponies between him and the perfect escape. He watched for the break in the secondary group's view pattern again; then he darted to the tree he was in before coming past the first group. One group of ponies until a complete mission. The last group of ponies was his easiest chance for a simple get away. He waited for the break in their formation and darting to the tree he had been in before he attempted to get past in the first place. He let out a sigh of relief when he noticed they hadn't been alerted. Suddenly from out of nowhere came a loud growl from the pit of Soarin's stomach.

“Awww Man!” He said, then darted through the trees dodging bolts of magic, shooting at him from the forest. He kept moving through the trees like a slalom course back towards the way he came. If he could get to Ghastly Gorge, he'd be home free. He moved quick as he could, but he did feel a bolt of fire magic singe his tail. His body is nearing the destination that no unicorn could follow closely. A bolt of lightning magic struck his flanks dead on it hurt, but he had to keep going his rump was going to be sore and numb for weeks. He burst past the tree line diving into the top of the gorge another set of bolts flew out past him missing entirely. As Soarin was about to get out of range, there was one more spell that hit his front hoof solidifying it, making it heavier as the ice formed around it. He dove towards the ground as he started to see the ice spell slowly climbing one of his forehooves.

He hit the bottom of the gorge with the Ice covered limb primarily, and the spell shattered before being entombed in Ice. Soarin flew back up never looking back from where he had left. He didn't have much time till sundown, but he had to keep going. He finished exiting the other side of the gorge intact. Soarin continued back the way he came this time however he got to train tracks on the other end of White Tail Woods. Soarin following them back east to Ponyville, as well towards the Apple Farm. With his mind determined and his body shivering, his wings beat with power sending him forward. Before Soarin knew it, he was at his destination the sun had set. He had missed the rendezvous, and he could only hope they hadn't left yet. Soarin came up and knocked on the barn door exhausted.

As Pinkie Pie rushed away from Creme Brulee she thought, she felt his eyes look back at her once more before she left. She, unfortunately, didn't have time to explore that yet either. A focused, determined Pinkie was an unstoppable force of nature all those who knew her knew that. She dashed along the streets of Ponyville Checking every bench as she went. Of course, Lyra and Bon Bon were on the last one she checked. She approached them tentatively saying. “Hey Ladies, Did you two happen to hear anything about a grass colored earth stallion today? Or Perhaps a white unicorn stallion?”

“Hey, Pinkie.” Said Bon Bon with a mischievous smile spreading across her face. “Any particular reason you want to know?”

“It's really important you two, I need all the help I can get. And if you don't help I might have to let some pony in on your secret.” Pinkie said concerned she wouldn't want to, but if they didn't say something or help her, she felt it would be justified to get this information. She never discussed breaking her promises lightly. So that she would be willing to break this promise to get what she needed said a lot.

“Well if you put it that way I don't think we have much choice, Bon.” Lyra Looked back at her friend who had become so much more recently and said. “ I saw the earth grass pony by Sugar Cube Corner he hung around there a good three hours when Rarity came out and passed by that was the last time I saw him they turned the corner together and were gone after that.”

“Lyra are you really not ready to tell the world we're together yet?” Bon Bon shook her head and sighed and turned back to Pinkie and said. “I saw the unicorn who purchased the red rose order from Rose's stand. He had a shaggy blond mane, after placing his order he went to the spa. He came out sparkling white, and his cutie mark was a gold four-point star on top of a blue four point star. I don't know what that makes your talent, but from what I saw he left Ponyville in a rush after collecting the red roses from Rose.”

Pinkie thought about this for a moment. She couldn't remember where she had heard the description of this stallion's before, but it was so faint in her memory. She decided with only a half an hour left before sunset there was time to ask the Spa Sisters, Aloe, and Lotus, what happened; after all, they kept relatively healthy relationships with their clientele, so surely they had some insight into what had been happening. “Thank you, ladies, I'm sure you'll find the right time to tell every pony about yourselves. I need to go to the spa then. Take good care of each other,” Pinkie said before bounding off in the direction of Ponyville Day Spa, which had benefited from Rarity's success almost as much as she had. From a longer client list to more visits from the lovely fashion pony.

Lyra looked back at Bon Bon when Pinkie had bounded off saying,“As much as you say you want too dear heart. You're the one who's not ready.” Lyra looked into her eyes, kissing Bon Bon gently in the yellowing skyline. With that tender kiss, Bon Bon knew she was right, and gave her just a peck back on the cheek.

Pinkie made her way quickly towards Ponyville Spa she rushed in through the front doors and looked around the entrance way for any sign of the Spa Sisters before ringing the front desk bell As she did she looked around slowly calling out to the inside of the spa. “Aloe, Lotus, Are you here?” She waited for another few moments before dashing past the entrance area's passing by another magic barrier. This time when she called out, she heard a response. It was Quake an earth pony, with a light yellow eggshell colored coat, and a blond mane, and blue eyes who is the head masseur for the spa.“Pinkie? We're in the message room. Something happened to them this morning.”

Pinkie rushed to the massage room opening the door she was shocked again with what she had seen inside the chamber. Two ponies were sitting on the two tables in the massage area. The first was Aloe, an earth pony, with pink coat, and a Blue mane. The second was her sister Lotus, an earth pony with a blue coat and a pink mane. Both ponies had a cutie mark of a lotus, and right now both looked like they had just walked out of a desert without water. They each had a water bottle with them for now, but there were more than a few empty bottles around them. Signifying that they had been here a while already both of them panting heavily.

Quake moved around to face her and said, “Pinkie, I don't know what happened. However, I didn't have any appointments till three today. When I arrived, it was strange to see no one in the front entrance with no closed sign. So I checked all the rooms to be sure no one was around, and I found them passed out on the ground in the sauna chamber. I dragged them out as quickly as possible and got them some water. I've been afraid to leave them on their own to get a doctor. It's so strange the sign in book was burned to a crisp when I arrived. They've been mumbling something about a unicorn stallion. Could you stay with them for a moment I just want to get a doctor here.” With that Quake rushed off towards Ponyville Hospital he was a good friend of Doctor Stable he would be able to help him he hoped.

“Sounds good,” said Pinkie looking in between the two sisters, She gave them each a gentle nuzzle and then continued, “Did you two get the name of this mysterious unicorn?” She said looking at them questioningly hoping they would be able to answer her despite being almost steam baked ponies if Quake had shown up too much later it would've been a critical health hazard for the two.

Aloe spoke first after a big swig from her water bottle saying “No, he signed the registry P. E. B. we just referred to him as Peb. He asked for a full groom and considering how shaggy his mane and everything looked when he came in he needed it...”

“...He looked like royalty when we finished, and he certainly paid us like he was upfront. We took to cleaning him up quickly, even after he told us he wanted one of us to run his sauna instead of an automated set up. Aloe agreed, and then no more than 5 minutes later he called out asking for my help saying something was wrong with her when I came into the steam filled the room the last thing I saw were steam clouds then I was out. If Quake hadn't saved us I don't think we would've even known we were going to die,” Lotus continued with her sister's story to Pinkie. They didn't know why they were just telling her, but it felt right to tell somepony. Pinkie just nodded looking over the two noticing their water bottles were getting low rushing off quickly returning with water bottles.

“Here is some fresh water bottles ladies. I have water bottles stashed in places all over Ponyville just in case of water emergencies," as Pinkie finished her sentence she had a thought. 'Hmm P. E.B. huh, that's some of the best information I've gotten all day. Trying to track those two bad ponies who've hurt my friends,' as she had completed that thought. Quake returned with Doctor Stable. He looked over the two dehydrated spa ponies smiling; he looked back at Quake and Pinkie who were looking at him with feelings of uncertainty. He checked the spa ponies over again saying in a definitive tone. “Severe Dehydration, keep giving them fluids and fruits like berries, also have them check with me daily for a progress check. To make sure there are no long-term effects. Glad I could help, Quake, thanks again for that message last week.”

“Quake, take good care those two until I can get to the bottom of this. I'll make sure the ponies who hurt them get what's coming to them. Be safe,” with that Pinkie rushed out of the spa at top speed. She was heading back towards Berry Punch's house; she gathered the bucket of bits from her basement. Then hurried back to Carousel Boutique to pick up the bits from Sugarcube Corner and the gems. After combining the bits in the bucket with those in the flour sack she stacked the drawers on her back, then grabbed flour sack with her mouth, she started to head out towards Sweet Apple Acres. Now was a perfect time for one her shortcuts hidden all over Ponyville, for times when she needed to be somewhere fast. With that, she took her shortcut to Sweet Apple Acres with a lot of new Information for Twilight just as the sun started to set.

“Luna!... You can't just take half the Royal Treasury! We can't just give into these demands sister,” said Celestia in a stern tone looking contemptuously back at her sister.

“Tia... what does it say if, We are not willing to give a little to get a lot back. Ever since coming back it has taken a lot of work to get the citizenry of Equestria to welcome back their Princess of the Night. You were there with me by my side, Tia telling me that everypony would be glad to have me back eventually. I did not think it would be possible but watching the night I could see that there were ponies who enjoyed it as much if not more than your day at times, Tia. I trust that Spike would never let Equestria loose two million bits especially to the vile pony holding his love captive. But I think he needs to money to ensure her safety first.”

“Luna, what if this is a trap for Spike? What if Rarity is already gone? It's not Spike I don't trust with the money dear sister it's whoever had Rarity captive that I don't trust.”

The Two Regal Sisters were about to continue their discussion when someone who had been part of the conversation finally joined it. “Princesses! First off I'm honored by the trust and faith you put behind this offer, Luna. Celestia, I'm not going to be a baby forever, and you can't keep treating me like one. What we need is a plan, and I can't think of any pony better to plan my castle siege than, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Well said young dragon. I think I should also note I sent three of the Wonderbolts to do a stealth reconnaissance mission to the Everfree Forest. They should be back before Sundown, is it not drawing close to that time of day, dear sister?”

“It is Luna, but tonight I'm drawing it out. I was asked to extend it by a very particular young dragon. The delay may yet aid our forces in earning some extra information. Twilight my 'son's' life is in your capable hooves once again.” Celestia held back a tear as she turned away from the group of ponies, going get some punch.

Tonight so far had turned out as no one had expected, many guests were arriving, while most of the first guests were still together in one part of the barn. In fact, things were about to get a lot stranger. Princess Celestia scooped some punch from a ladle into her cup with magic. In the middle of doing this, She was knocked back from the table with the punch spilling over her when the whole table flipped over onto the wooden floor. Pinkie Pie was coming from what appeared to be a door in the floor of the barn. She slowly put the Drawers of gems next to bags Princess Luna had brought putting the flour sac on top of then and said, “Hey there, everypony! Sorry, I had to use my shortcut to get back here before sundown. I've got a lot of information; that should help with identifying the ponies responsible for ruining Spike's big day today. Oooh, Is that punch, Princess Celestia?” Before waiting for a response from the party favor covered Princess. Pinkie bounded over to her, giving her cheek a lick saying, “Yup, definitely punch.”

“Pinkie Pie! If you would Spike and everypony here would like to hear what you've learned,” said a very slightly frustrated Twilight Sparkle. Spike had the most interested in the information, and her pink friend had managed to gather around town. They had little information to go on right now; the fact that Pinkie had a lot of information was a good sign. If she ever got around to telling them what that was.

“Oooh Right, sorry, Twilight. Well, It went like this...” With that Pinkie Pie went into a long winded description of the two ponies she had heard. The description of the first one a grass green earth pony stallion with a blonde mane made Rainbow Dash cringe a bit despite the fact Pinkie didn't have a cutie mark for the first pony. The second pony Pinkie described the white unicorn with blonde mane a stallion with a cutie mark of two four point stars the lower was blue and the first star was golden. She also included the stallion using the initial’s P. E. B. at the register in the spa. Pinkie explained all the things that happened to their friends around town including the items requested by the unicorn. Pinkie then finished up her explanation of where she went, the info she gathered, and who from with, “And that's how I found Gummy!”

Pinkie quickly spring boarded away from the set of friends she had been talking too, bounding over to the another party favor table taking two cups of punch filling them carefully. She quickly returned placing the first cup down near to Princess Celestia. Who was about to make a comment about the description of the secondary pony, as well as continue lowering the sun. When suddenly there was a flurry of knocks on the door and the sound of wings coming through the window.

The Wonderbolt who had just come through the entrance Rainbow Dash had used earlier in the evening stood tall and proud. Spitfire was wearing her camouflage stealth suit and magic detecting goggles; she flipped up the goggles, turning to face Princess Luna saying, with a bow, “Princess, there is dome encompassing the primary structure of the castle aerial rescue is not possible. There is a magically constructed stone bridge to cross the gap between the forest and the castle. I think it was a trap for the ransom bearer. Lastly, there is a grid of alert magic beams all along the path to the castle. Groups of unicorns are maintaining them at least ten from the trail I covered.” Spitfire looked back up at Princess Luna; Spitfire finished her full report of what she had seen along the flight path giving Luna some time to process it.

Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle had moved to answer the barn door. When Twilight opened the door, she found a very distraught Zecora and two slightly shaken bunnies on her back. Fluttershy rushed over to the bunnies and brought them into a hug and said, “Oh... my... goodness. What happened to you two?”

As the bunnies did their best to explain their trek to Fluttershy, Zecora began telling the trouble she had gone through to Twilight Sparkle. The bunnies were recalling the overwhelming amount of magic in the forest, the strange stone bridge and the snares around the window; which contained two ponies chained and bound one blue pegasus with white mane, and a possibly white unicorn. As Zecora explained to Twilight about her lost memories of the day and the potion she needed to brew she ended, “Twilight you can not let her drink the potion I've been made to brew, for there is no antidote known that can undo.”

As Fluttershy told Twilight what her bunnies had told her. She was very accurate with the description of the ponies. They couldn't see too much because of the dim light. But they had seen a blue pegasus with a white mane and unicorn in chains in the castle's dungeon. Twilight had started to gather her thoughts after receiving all the information so far. Spike had been listening to most of the information but was staying close to Twilight. He knew she would know what to do best once they had all the information. While Twilight was thinking this through the Sun had finally been lowered by Princess Celestia and the moon was slowly rising by Luna's Power. As night set in Spike let out a controlled blast of his fire breath to light all the candles with his green flame making sure not to burn anypony.

As Twilight moved over to Princess Luna to see what information the Wonderbolt had given her, there was another knock on the door. This one sounded calm and collected not at all like Zecora's had been. Spike being much closer to the door now he opened it slowly to notice it was another guest, another of the selection of people of those from Canterlot and Ponyville who Spike had chosen to invite. It wasn't just any pony though it was a white unicorn stallion, with a light blue mane, mustache, and tail, with a cutie mark of three golden crowns, lastly, he had a monocle over one of his light-blue eyes.

Most knew him as Fancypants he was a good friend of Rarity, Spike had asked him for something he felt only he could get for Rarity. The item in question had been brought and wrapped up in a box about the size of a hat box. As Fancypants came in, he looked over the current guests and noticed there was one white unicorn missing and said. “I say, Spike didn't you say that Rarity would be here. I see her friends and a few ponies I don't recognize at all, but I don't see her.”

“Sorry, Fancypants, but there has been a complication with tonight’s events. It's a lot to take in, but I'll explain it short and sweet since I think you deserve to know the truth, with all the help you've given the Boutique over the years. Now Rarity's kidnapped, they've asked for a ridiculous amount of money to return her safely to us. Twilight is helping me figure out a plan of attack I've got about eight hours now to save her.”Spike looked down at the ground a lot was riding on his shoulders right now. With every moment he wasn't out there trying to save her another tiny pin prick against his heart.

“That's just atrocious, old boy. I trust you'll do everything to get her back safe and sound. After all, someone only asks me to help them get one of these for their special some pony. Good luck old boy, and Happy Birthday. ” He gave Spike a wink after special some pony with the eye behind the monocle. He gave Spike the box, then swiftly left Spike after the short greeting and goodbye, Fancypants was a pony who enjoyed mingling with almost any group of ponies, since he knew very few here he felt he should get started understanding them.

Spike moving towards his big sister put an arm on her shoulder and said. “Where are we Twi? I need to get going if I'm going to make it before sunrise especially with the bits.”

Twilight felt a bit shocked by his touch her mind racing after his question. So much information in such a short amount of time it was a lot for Twilight to take in. The information Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had gathered had brought together a lot of info on two of the primary conspirators. There was an overwhelming amount of magic in the forest tonight by the Wonderbolt's report and Fluttershy's animals story. Most of the set up had occurred with many unicorns. Spike would likely have thirty or more male unicorns to deal with if there were at least ten along the path one of them saw. The wine and the roses were likely the way the captor was going to make Rarity ingest the love potion. Her thoughts finally in order she spoke to Spike. “Well Spike your arrival with the ransom is the one shot we've got at saving Rarity. While they're distracted with following your movements we have to start breaking down their defenses to make sure you don't get ambushed. From the sounds of things, one of the Wonderbolt's Luna sent has been captured as well...”

Twilight was about to continue down her thought process, her plan to Spike, when suddenly there was a loud, slow knock to the door. Spike went over to the door again and opened it slowly. Soarin was relieved with the door opening. His tail singed, his front left side freezing, he moved into the barn where it was much warmer thanks in part to the brightly shining candles. Soarin looked like heck his whole body shivering as he made his way to Princess Luna. He about fell over as he was moving up to her putting a hoof in salute, “S... S... Soarin, second in k... k... command of the Wonderbolts reporting, Puh... Puh... Princess. The back way is out there is a sk... sk... squad of at least twenty unicorns wah... wah... watching in a tight fuh... fuh... formation. The fuh... fuh... force-field over the k... k... castle is an eight point five power s... s... strength generated by two unicorns. West covered in magic fields. K... K... Can I get a b... b... blanket and a hot app... app... apple pie?”As he finishes his last statement, he falls to the ground shivering.

“Soarin!” Spitfire rushed over to his side adding her body warmth to his own. She could feel his body shivering the Ice spell had started to chill his body quite well. She put her wings around his body trying to warm him frantically. Seeing this Spike moved quickly over to one of the tables, pulling the table cloth from it in a very dramatic fashion causing the few drinks and plates to float up landing back on the table correctly. He proceeded to move over to Soarin brushing Spitfire's wings off him covering him in the table cloth turning his head to Twilight he said, “Heat the material like a warm blanket, Twi.” Spike turned his head to Spitfire saying, “Spitfire, somepony needs to get Doctor Stable here on the double. Ask Nurse Redheart at Ponyville General. Twilight will keep him stable till you get back.” Spitfire left almost as quickly as Spike had said Redheart.

Her mission very clear in her mind, and she would bring the good doctor even if she had to carry him. Turning to face the farm pony Spike said,“Applejack, think you can oblige him with an apple pie?” Applejack just nodded and left to fetch this newcomer a hot fresh pie. Spike looked back at Twilight saying, “Twilight if you guy's start taking out guards before Rarity is safe they might speed up their timetable. I can carry the bits and gems in an apple cart. I need to get going if I'll want to make it in time. I know it's a trap, but if I don't go, I'll have failed her completely. Wait for a large pillar of my flame from the forest it'll be my signal to you to come in after us.”

Spike had turned away from his from his “big sister” and friends who had heard him say this getting ready to leave to save his love. Twilight turned to him and shouted, “Spike wait! Don't use the stone bridge. Also, the force-field will crash if one of the two ponies generating it goes down. Please be careful Spike it's going to be a gauntlet for you any way you go about it.” Her voice filled with concern.

“I know Twilight, once you see my signal though I need you to start knocking out the kidnapper's forces. I'm counting on you guy's to make an exit route once Rarity is out of their clutches.” Spike responded turning his head again this time to Princess Luna. “ I can't let anypony down, and you've put a lot of trust in me, Princess Luna, I'm going to say this once, though, if I have to choose between the bits and Rarity's life you know which one I value more. Even if I work for the rest of my life to repay you and 'mom' I will.”

With that Spike left the barn bringing an apple wagon to the front of the barn. He slowly started to bring the bags of bits out to the large cart. The two big bags of bits were put them into the back of the wagon first, following with putting the large amounts of gems from Rarity's shop into the cart. Each drawer filled with gems each one a memory of an afternoon spent with the lovely mare of his dreams. He was about to leave towards the center of the Everfree Forest as a voice came from the barn. “Spike!” Came the royal Canterlot voice from just behind him. Luna was calling out to him and lowered her voice after gathering his attention. “Now may not be the best time to ask this of thou. But dost thou think Twilight Sparkle would be interested in me?”

The question hit Spike like a ton of bricks. 'Now was the worst time to bright him this question' he thought. His mind did wander a bit on the subject, though. Night time was Twilight's favorite time of day. It was a wonder she woke up at all before him anymore. All the late nights she spent studying star charts. Spike turned his head to Luna saying. “I think there is somepony else you should ask about this Luna. I do know she likely appreciates your night-scapes more than most ponies. If you really want to know how she feels about you, though, you have to pony up and ask.”

“Thank you, Spike. Take this please, and I hope it will guide you tonight.” Luna moved her hoof over Spikes claw putting something in his large clawed hand. He clasped his claw around it, and just nodded knowing what it was.

Spike started to head with the wagon in tow towards the old castle making steady progress. Just as he was making his way to the edge of the farm, he saw Spitfire returning with the Dr. Stable in her hooves. Spike chuckled a bit at this since Stable looked none too pleased about the flight with a black medical bag in his mouth. Spike continued into the Everfree forest passing by Zecora's hut he moved deeper into the Everfree Forest. Going past the first set of alert beams they now knew he was coming...

“The sun has finally set,” Rarity thought. Looking out the single barred window the golden shimmer from the sun now vanished to a dark blue tint. She was about to test her magic flare plan. However, her thought process was interrupted by the sounds of the door clattering open at the top the stairs. The shale like voice called down in a condescending manner, with the sound of hooves approaching, “Oh my little white dove, are your eyes all aflutter or do I have to wake you the hard way like a bad white bitch?” There was an almost psychotic look to his eyes as the back half of the of this statement came out.

Rarity shut the eyes that had been open only moments before, upon hearing the hooves trot down the long winding staircase. Rarity waited until the sound of hooves stopped clacking against the stone. Then her eyes fluttered open looking around frantically as if she had only just awoken and said, “What?... Where?... How did I get here?”

After Rarity had pulled that off; she turned her eyes towards the stairs, she looked over her captor taking in his form once. She did a double take by blinking her eyes, after realizing who it was that held her captive. He was now standing just over the unconscious Wonderbolt, it took her moment of slight shock at who it was to speak again.

“All unimportant questions my dear dove. By the look on your face, you didn't think you or anyone would see me again, after the divorce of my first wife. Such beautiful thing she was, but not a loyal trophy wife,” his eyes going wide with the last statement.

Rarity had been informed of the wedding by Princess Celestia herself, even asking if she would do the designs for the bridal dress. Even at the Princess' request, she declined stated in a return letter that Carousel Boutique's creations were always chic, unique, and Magnifique. Her personal motto was something she could not guarantee for that wedding; Spike sent her response immediately after delivering the request. That if she were to take the request she could not personally remove herself from the situation to let it just be another job. If Rarity couldn't focus on the task at hand, or if she didn't feel she could give the job her all, were the only reason she would ever turn anyone away. The Princess had decided not to pursue the further issue figuring she had every right to decline the request. Rarity had heard about the divorce only a single year of wedlock, something about troubles in the bedroom according to the news and gossip columnists. She had never pursued the real reason as to why figuring she didn't need to know.

Rarity thought that would be last she would ever hear or see of the stallion who stood before her now. Blueblood's pristine coat shimmering in the low-lit dungeon, his hooves expertly manicured, his golden mane and blue eyes shimmered much like the first time they met. Prince Eugene Blueblood she only knew his full name from the article she read on the wedding. She didn't know what to say to him she was usually civil around him, since the events of the Grand Galloping Gala all those years ago; he certainly was the start of disappointing stallions coming into her life, she slightly despised him for it.

The scar of the depressing dream horse on Rarity's heart had never really fully healed, but now that she thought about it Spike had been there at the gala as well, even at the doughnut shop after the gala she was the last one out, Spike had held the door open for her. He held her hoof in his hand for a moment and said, “Rarity, you deserve a stallion who shines bright even in the darkest night.” Spike lead Rarity back to the carriage there was a mud puddle between her and the steps up to the carriage. He moved up to the carriage and took down the coat she had given him to wear at the gala and put it over the mud puddle guiding her across it like a real gentlecolt should.

Rarity's mind only had moments to go over these thoughts as she was brought back to the present with the harsh firm reality that she was in fact in the presence of the stallion she hated the most in the world. Looking back at Blueblood she said in a steady tone of voice. “Thought you'd lose yourself in a bottle in Canterlot after the end of that debacle of a marriage happened. Heard it was something about not enough 'blue blood' for your little prince.”

He trotted right up to her and smacked her across the face after kicking Fleetfoot in the gut, “Now you listen here dove. It'll be more than enough to satisfy you come morning, and your little dragon prince is dead.”

“You can't kill love, Blueblood. Not with a thousand swords, and not with fifty unicorns of Twilight's magical prowess or greater. I know he loves me he shows me every moment we're together. I haven't acknowledged his feelings, yet, and for the first time, I feel like I'm ready to. I know he will come for me. Not you or all your men can stop him. I love him the more I think about him.” Rarity said this with a certainty that was almost unmatched.

“Not when I get through with you, my dove.”