Emma waited by the door to Rainbow's like a patient dog. Rainbow had said something about "important buisness" and had flown off. Now it had been three hours, and Emma was worried that something was wrong. She waited to see a cyan rainbow fly toward her, and when Emma looked into Dash's eyes, they were hardened and cold, like polished stone. Intimidated by this before-unseen side of Rainbow, Emma backed off a few paces.
Rainbow turned to look at her slowly. "The amulet," she rasped. "Regina wants it. Is that true?" Emma nodded speechlessly. "How did she know about it?" Rainbow began raising her voice and pacing. Confused, Emma began to stammer out how she learned Regina wanted it and how Trixie had taken it. Rainbow laughed, but it seemed more of a nerveous laugh then humored. "Of course Twilight would explain it that way! She wanted to protect you!" Rainbow stopped pacing, stood there a moment, and slunk down a few minutes later, defeated.
Emma trotted a few steps forward. "What way? Why would she want to protect me?" Rainbow didn't look at her, but her flapping wings definitly had anger written all over them. "Trixe bought the amulet, banished Twilight, made us her personal mare-maids... Need I say more?" Emma shook her head hastily. Rainbow sighed and stood up, seeming slightly wobbly. "The gang told me to go check on Zecora and the amulet. I want you to come with me, 'cause you know Regina best. Not because I'm scared or anything," Rainbow added quickly, and Emma resisted smiling.
Not too long later, the two pegasi were flying over the Everfree Forest. Rainbow pointed out all the placed she and the gang had been, and Emma listened with interest. "Ah, there's Zecora's now." Rainbow pointed down to a colored hut in the forest. Landing a few meters away, Rainbow told Emma to stay there until she had brought out Zecora. Emma obeyed, staying close to the hut. She had heard of the Timberwolves and Manticores, and she really didn't want to meet one.
Zecora had soon stepped out, Rainbow flying just overtop. "Ah, a new one in my sights. I do hope she has not been afraid of hieghts," Zecora directed her speech at Rainbow, who shook her head. "Natural flier." Zecora then turned to Emma. "The Alicorn Amulet is wanted once more? I suppose I must reinforce my door!" Emma tilted her head. "Meaning you have it in..." she simply pointed at Zecora's home, and the shaman nodded. "Safe and sound it is." She didn't rhyme this time, and Emma guessed it was for the better.
Soon back at home, the two pegasi went to their own rooms, reflecting on the chat with Zecora. Emma felt safer that Zecora was keeping the Amulet, because her home seemed hard to find in the forest. It would be safer there. In the meantime, they needed to find the spell tome. Their quest had not yet begun. And they needed to start soon.
Before it was too late.