//------------------------------// // Maternal Instinct // Story: Northern Lights // by MysteriousStranger //------------------------------// Sweetie Belle and Flying Feather explained what had happened to the older mares while Cutie remained silent. They were with their respective families. Fluttershy fainted onto Twilight’s lap. Applejack hugged Flying Feather, who didn’t resist while Rainbow Dash breathed furiously with fire burning in her eyes. Rarity held her sister tightly and Pinkie Pie was doing the same with Cutie. Trixie was trying to help Twilight to wake up Fluttershy. The lavender Unicorn hadn't said a word. “Twilight, what are you thinking about?” Trixie asked after several moments of silence, noticing her friend’s expression. “...I’m wondering why they'd be ponynapped. You heard what happened--the hooded ponies were only after Aurora, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Flying Feather… They specifically chased them when the fillies separated, and they said that Sweetie Belle and Cutie were ‘clean.’ What did they mean by that? And the foal they mentioned...” “Aurora, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Feather… Then the other foal. All of them must have some similarity…” Trixie meditated. “Well… They all have something in common, but…” Rarity commented, causing everypony to look at her. “But what, Rarity? Rainbow Dash asked with impatience. “I don’t know how to say this without making it sound bad, but… all of them have two mothers. Could that be the connection?” “That’s a stupid reason to ponynap! I don’t think…” The cyan Pegasus was interrupted by Twilight. “No, that makes sense... There are ponies who would do anything to hurt same-sex couples!” “And the foal?” Trixie asked. “Trotting Paradise!” Everypony gasped. “What are we going to do?!” The fancy Unicorn exclaimed. “Trixie, go check on Lyra and Bon Bon while I take Fluttershy home. All of you should do the same.” Twilight commanded. “We’ll meet at Sweet Apple Acres in a couple of hours to discuss what to do. Flying Feather is in danger as long as the ponynapers are still around.” Her friends nodded and took their leave. Twilight used her magic to lay Fluttershy on her back and started her way to the cottage. *** “This can’t be happening… Not my dear Aurora, no, please no!” Fluttershy was laying on her bed with a blanket on. Her fever was high. Twilight stood beside her, trying to calm her down. However, she didn't have much luck since she was just as worried as her wife. Moments later, there was a knock at the door and Twilight could hear Spike opening it. “Twilight, it's Trixie!” The young dragon yelled. “I’ll be right there!” Twilight replied before turning back to her wife. “I’ll be back soon, Shy. Try to get some sleep.” The timid Pegasus did her best to nod. Twilight trotted downstairs and saw her friend already sitting on the couch. “Spike, I need you to go with Fluttershy while I talk to Trixie.” “Sure, Twilight!” Spike hurried upstairs with Angel Bunny following him. “Hello, Trixie. Do you bring good news?” The lavender Unicorn inquired as she sat with her friend. Trixie shook her head.“I’m afraid not. Trotting Paradise was ponynapped too.” She looked at Twilight with a sad expression. “Oh no… Lyra and Bon Bon must be devastated…” “They are… Bon Bon couldn’t speak at all. She kept crying despite Lyra’s efforts to calm her down. They're both destroyed; Lyra couldn’t stop crying, either.” Twilight didn’t say anything, so Trixie continued. “They didn’t hear anything. Whoever these hooded ponies are, they're experts at what they do.” Silence ruled the room for several moments--moments in which only breathing and birds singing could be heard until Trixie finally spoke again. “I must say, Twilight, You seem to be taking this very well.” “I didn’t want to break down in front of Fluttershy…” Twilight said before looking away. Trixie could see a tear falling from one of her eyes. “Besides… crying won’t solve anything.” “It'll make feel you better…” “Only having my daughter back will make me feel better.” “I’m so sorry, Twilight…” The blue Unicorn placed a hoof on Twilight’s. “I’m here if you need me.” “Thanks, Trixie… You're a good friend.” Twilight wiped the tear away with her free hoof. “Listen, I have to go to Sweet Apple Acres now. Would you mind helping Spike take care of Fluttershy?” “Of course I don't mind.” “She’s trying to sleep now. Make her some tea when she wakes up.” Twilight stood up and headed to the door with Trixie following behind her. The bookworm pony turned after opening the door and hugged Trixie. “Thanks again, Trixie…” “Please be back soon. In moments like these, you need to be with your wife.” Twilight gave her a confident nod and headed to the farm as fast as she could. *** “Twilight! Good… Where’s Fluttershy?” Applejack said as she let her friend inside the barn. “She’s awake now, but she has a high fever… she won’t be coming, but Trixie and Spike are there to take care of her. How are you feeling?” She asked as both of them walked to the rest of their friends. “How do you think ah'm feelin'? Mah sister, Scootaloo Aurora and Trotting Paradise have been taken away to Damashooves… Don’t you feel bad too?” “Terrible… I want them back--I want my daughter back…” “But what can we do, Twilight? Damashooves is far away from here and we don’t know even know how to begin our search if we go there!” Rainbow Dash joined the conversation. Twilight and Applejack had arrived now and they could see that Rarity and Pinkie Pie were already there. “We can’t all go… You heard what the fillies said; they'll be back for Feather.” “What are you proposing, darling?” The fancy Unicorn questioned. “...I’m going to Damashooves to rescue the fillies myself.” “WHAT?!” All the mares exclaimed at the same time. “Are you crazy?!” Applejack yelled, clearly disapproving her friend's decision. “Well, Applejack, you and Rainbow have to stay with Feather, and I would like somepony else to look after my wife. I trust Trixie and Spike, but they would appreciate an extra hoof.” “But, Twilight, you can't do it alone!” Rarity protested. “I have to, Rarity. I promised my daughter that I would always be there for her. I won’t break my promise!” “Damashooves is far away from Equestria; the Princesses won’t be able to help you and it’s not the same!” The cyan Pegasus tried to reason with her friend. “Maybe not, but I will tell her to send guards to watch over Ponyville in case they come back.” “Are you actually goin' to go?” Applejack said. “Is there anything we can say that will change your mind?” Pinkie Pie spoke quietly. “No, Pinkie… I’m leaving tonight on the last train, and I won’t come back until I find them and bring them back home.” Twilight noticed her friend's worried expressions. “Don’t worry about me, girls… I’ll be fine and the fillies are fine. From what we heard, they don’t want to hurt them.” “They already did… they're hurt inside.” Rainbow Dash said. The lavender Unicorn turned and headed to the exit of the barn, opened the door and turned away. She was crying silently. “I… I have to go get ready for the trip… Take care…” Before any of her friends could say anything, she closed the door, walked a few steps and she wiped her tears before teleporting. *** Night arrived and Twilight was already at the train station, waiting impatiently for the train. She told Trixie the situation and rejected her request to accompany her. She asked her to stay and take care of Fluttershy. She also told her that her friends might check them periodically. She then wrote to Princess Celestia, explaining the details of what happened and asked her to send guards to Ponyville. Her response surprised her: she didn’t try to stop her, she wished her luck instead. Princess Celestia also told her that the guards would be arriving first thing the next morning. Her friends also tried to stop her one last time, but she ignored them. The lavender Unicorn didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to her wife, but when she entered to their bedroom she found her sleeping, Twilight kissed her on her forehead and left. Fluttershy smiled in her sleep when she was kissed. “Come on, you're half an hour late!” Twilight angrily exclaimed at the empty station, pacing impatiently. “What’s taking them so long?!” “Sometimes trains take time, sugarcube!” Hearing the familiar voice made Twilight freeze on the spot. She, then, slowly turned to see Applejack approaching her. "Applejack? What are you doing here?! There’s no turning back--I’m leaving whether you like it or not!” “Ah know, sugarcube. Ah'm not here to stop you." Applejack said before standing in front of her friend. "Ah'm here to go with you.” It was then when Twilight noticed that her friend had a bag. “What?! No way, I have to do this alone!” “Twilight, mah sister and niece are there too. Ah’m going! Yer not the only pony who made a promise! No buts! You told me, years ago, that there are times that we feel that we have to do somethin’ alone and don’t need any help, and you were right! Now look at you doing the same. Please, Twilight, you know it’s true... You need help and Ah’m going to help you, whether you want it or not!” Twilight thought for some moments, trying to find a way to reject her friend, but she couldn’t. Doing it would turn her into a hypocrite; Applejack had her cornered. She sighed. “Alright, fine… But what about Feather and Rainbow?” “I told Rainbow what Ah was plannin’ to do and she didn’t stop me; she just told me to be careful. They are goin’ to be fine, don’t worry. Did you tell Princess Celestia what's goin' on?” “Yes. She will send guards. They should arrive in the morning.” “Good, then they will definitely be fine! Look, that’s our ride.” The farmer pony said, pointing to a train in the distance. “I think you’re right! Wait, do you have a ticket?” “Eeyup! I bought it after you refused to listen to us today.” “Seems like you were determined to come with me!” Applejack smiled sheepishly in response as the train stopped at the station. “All aboard for Damashooves!” “Last chance, Applejack... Are you sure?” “Course Ah am. Let’s go!”