"The Trek"
EverFree Forest: Entrance
12:47 Pm
"Thanks Again Dash, for letting me help angel before we goto zecora's" Fluttershy said looking down at the sleeping rabbit she held in her two front hooves.
"Yea...Yea I get it, just fly faster" Dash said as she weaves past lines of trees.
"Ok, Sorry" Fluttershy said as trailing after dash.
"Arg... we are gonna be late" dash mumbled to herself as she flew over a set of branches.
"Late?...For what?" Fluttershy asked as she flew parallel to dash.
"To Help Aj... I'm sure she may have tried to eat me But, she's still my friend" Dash answered spiraling through a thicket of leaves.
"Help?... From what you've said how... How do you know you can help?" Fluttershy asked sheepishly
"That's Why We are going to Zecora's To find out" dash said as she felt a tear roll down from her eye. She wiped it away as she felt the bandage over her eye start to dampen. She took a deep breath and pressed forward.
EverFree Forest: Zecora's hut
12:55pm
Dash and Fluttershy came within sight of Zecora's hut. Slowing down they landed in front of her doorway. Dash raised a hoof and knocked 3 time when no response came she frowned. They heard several noises as the door creaked open revealing the black and white zebra.
"Ah, Hello my pony friend, To what this visit intend?" Zecora said happily.
"I'm sorry zecora but we have a major problem and need your help" Fluttershy Spoke out. Zecora gave a hard stare as she saw Dash come into view.
"Wounded is the Blue pony, perhaps assistance I can be" Zecora said inviting the two ponies inside. Fluttershy walked in followed by a hovering dash.
"Now tell About her fight, I wish to know what's right" Zercora asked sitting by her massive cauldron. Reluctantly Dash began to again iterate her story for the second time. She recalled ever bit of detail in those 13 hours. Zecora sat silence as dash Vindicated every minute detail. Fluttershy sat silently watching it all as dash finished her account at The apple farm. Zecora sat silently looking in particular direction. Dash felt several heartbeats go by in silence.
"Ponies... I will see What I can do and these supplies I will bring to" Zecora said dropping a pack in front of the two ponies. Zecora pulled on her Cloak as dash lifted the bag for her. Once finished The two ponies and zebra set out through the forest.
SugarCube Corner: Front entrance
12:42
Pinkie holding the door handle wiggling it. Dissatisfied she found the key to unlock the wooden door. She peered into the darkness as the door creaked open. A small box of moonlight was visible through the door being slightly blocked by her shadow. She stepped into the Darkened room her eyes taking everything in. She closed the door behind her making sure not to make a sound. She started forward using the Moon light rays to help guide her around the tables.
"Gummy?" she called straining her voice. She looked around waiting for a sign from the pet alligator. Hearing nothing she looked over the Cashiers counter. Looking through the Many cabinets and containers and finding nothing she moved off the counter. She saw something move from her peripherals and decided to investigate it.
"Gummy?" she called as she looked around through the kitchen. She looked under the stoves and through several cupboards. She made her way out with a slow gait. Stopping she saw another shadow turning to face it ,she saw nothing. She turned back startled as she saw her little pet alligator sitting before her on a table.
"Oh, there you are!" She said as she picked up the little alligator. She trotted her way to the door.
"Pinkie..." she heard. Stopping she looked around for it's origin. Finding nothing she continued outside.
"Did you hear anything Gummy?" pinkie asked the alligator locking the door. Gaining only silence she trotted away.
"Yeah...Me neither" She said as she walked with a moderate gait to rairity's boutique unbeknownst of the encroaching silence around her.
Rarity's Boutique: Main Room
1:05
Rarity sat down taking a quick break from all the work. She was tired from packing the travel bags. Her eyes trailed over to her sister SweetieBelle's resting place. Next to her laid her cat opal essence.She smiled happily at her joyed that she was safe. Snapping back to reality she heard a knock. She checked the time.
"1:15, That must be one of the girls" she said using her magic to open the door. She saw as 4 White armored pegasi march in single file. One stepped forward. He wore a bronze colored chest plate. He also wore a red cape and his helmet had red fril much like that of Spartans.
"Is the Boutique of the one named rarity?" he boomed. Rarity quickly made her way to the visitor.
"Uh...Uh...yes it is" rarity said standing in front of the visitor. He looked down at her hard expressionless. Rarity attempted a smile as he seemed to impose in on her.
"Is there a Miss Twilight Sparkle here?" He said unmoving.
"Sadly no... At least not yet she's on her way though... Uh is there anything I can help you with?" she said trying not to show fear. The visitor raised his head and looked around.
"Sprinkles, Studmuffin Stand post and guard the door" The visitor said. In unison two of the four pegasi made their way through the door expressionlesly.
"Miss-..?" the visitor asked.
"Rarity" she answered.
"Miss Rarity, I am Praetor FaiKus and have been sent to assist you and your friends by order of the princess" FaiKus informed.
"Twilight must have asked for you" Rarity said to herself.
"Indeed, even though I was told to follow your orders I highly doubt your STORY has any truth to it" The praetor scorned. "Truthfully I think it's just a bunch of ponies trying to pull a prank on the royal guards, if it is you best tell so now, so that your punishment is less.... Painful"
"Good Sir I assure you That this is indeed no hoax or prank" Rarity said trying to sound a bit assertive.
"It better not" The praetor said walking away leaving the final pegasi standing. Rarity inhaled in relief as the praetorian left her presence. She was back on edge when the door bursted open as a blue pegasus crashed through.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry but, We really do need to get in" she heard Fluttershy say. Dash got up and glared at the two guards.
"Girls, it's ok they're here because of twilight and, sprinkles was it? These girls are friends and are part of this" Rarity said as the two guards gave looks of disapproval. Dash stuck out her tongue and gave a raspberry as the guards turned their backs. Rarity elbowed her in the side with a glare.
"Ow, What was that for?" dash questioned angrily.
"Be respectful, they are giving their time to assist us" rarity explained as dash mocked her from behind.
"Whatever, Wheres the others?" she asked as rarity faced her.
"Pinkie had to pickup something and twilight is still at her place I believe" rarity told. She let her eyes wander. "Hey where's Zecora?"
"Do not worry, my dear Miss Rarity I am just not as fast as Fluttershy or rainbow dash" zecora said passing the two guards at the door. She let hood flip back revealing her face.
"Uh, ok never mind then" rarity said as she moved closer to zecora.
"Also I am happy to, and at dash for Bringing SweetieBelle back to you" the zebra said as she moved to where the filly laid asleep. As if on que the filly slowly opened her eyes to the Zebra gasping at the sight of her.
"Hey arnt you Zecora?" the filly asked waking up.
"Why yes little filly, Why ask a question that is so silly?" Zecora asked rhetorically.
"Uh... I don't know I just was curious and am still trying to wake up" SweetieBelle said with a small yawn.
"It appears that is true, but tell me really How are you?" Zecora asked sitting next to the young mare.
"Living I guess" SweetieBelle replied.
"That is good young mare, Be ready as life doesn't always play fair" Zecora said rubbing the filly's back
"Not playing fair is right... I may never get to see AppleBloom or Scootaloo again..." the filly said as tears came to her eyes. Zecora looked at rarity with a questioning look. Rarity gave back with a simple mouthed I don't know.
"Look at me Filly, I understand the pain you see, for it's just a sting, But experience it will bring" Zecora said trying to comfort the little unicorn. The filly looked up at the zebra and hugged her.
"Thank you, one question though... Has anypony ever said you talk funny" The filly said gaining only a chuckle from the Zebra as she walked away. Rarity saw twilight walk in through the door carrying a sleeping spike on her back. Rarity Walked close to her and tried to whisper in her ear.
"We've got guest" she said quietly
"I know, I can see them" twilight replied.
"so you asked the princess for them?" rarity asked still trying to keep a low voice.
"Yes rarity, I asked for their assistance in case of some sort of problem" Twilight answered a bit angrily.
"We Co-..." rarity was cut off by the presence of the Praetor. He lowered his head between the two mares.
"If everybody is here We can start, Coorect?" The praetor said casually gaining a slightly fearful look from both of the female ponies.
"Very well" Twilight said clopping her hoof on the floor a few times to gain all the attention. She pulled out a map of ponyville, Sweet apple orchard and it's surrounding area.
"Ok as everypony knows we are here, We need to get here" she said pointing at both locations with a hoof.
"We will travel as a tight group unto the farm from there we will split into three groups, Two groups will consist of 4 the last will be of three" Twilight said as she unrolled a piece of parchment. On it contained 3 separate list with elaborates titles and objectives.
"Here's a list of groups and what they are supposed to do, I'll elaborate On it more once we get there" she continued as everypony looked over it. SweetieBelle frowned as she gave it a stare.
"Hey! Where am I going?" She cried
"SweetieBelle dear your staying here" rarity answered.
"But, I want to go" the filly pleaded
"Honey, I understand but you just can't" rarity said trying to reason with the filly.
"Dash, Twilight say something" the filly asked with a face of sadness. The two friends looked at each other sadly as one spoke.
"Sorry Kiddo, you've gone through this once already, no need to go through it again" Dash said to the filly. SweetieBelle feeling defeated slumped down in a corner pouting.
"Now, Team leaders will be Me, Dash, and Praetor FaiKus" Twilight explained.
"Now that's settled we move" FaiKus ordered. Everypony left the room except for SweetieBelle, Gummy, and Opalessence. SweetieBelle sat in the corner with tears slowly falling down her face as she watched her sister go out for what could be the last time she'd be seen. Opalessence came close and purred as she moved her tail in front of SweetieBelle.
"Its ok opal, it's just I want to be with my sister in case something happens, at least I won't be alone" SweetieBelle said slumping her head down.
"Waaaait a second, I'm a cutie mark crusader I do what I can for my curie mark even if it means breaking the rules" SweetieBelle said proudly just before dropping her head. "Oooh rarity gonna be so angry but, I've gotta do this"
The unicorn filly began packing things in a small white pack. The filly ran back and fourth carrying items to and from the pack. Finally finished she donned her cutie mark crusaders Cloak and looked at the two pets that lay in the corner of the room.
"Opal, Gummy stay here I have something to do" SweetieBelle said as she began to gallop out of the building and into the dark.
Ponyville outskirts: Path to Apple Farm
2:05
Dash marched silently up the path that lead to the apple family farm. Thoughts and emotions flew all around her head confusing the Pegasus. Silently she pushed the thoughts aside as she tried to psych up for the coming events. In a daze she snapped to reality as a male voice was talking to her.
"So... Your rainbow dash huh?" she looked to see who said this. Her eyes landed on a white Pegasus wearing standard issue royal guardsmen armor. He looked young probably first day in the field.
"Uh...Yea that's me" dash quickly replied trying to end the conversation.
"it was so cool when you did the Sonic rainboom and like blew everybody away!!" the Gaurd said excitedly.
"Uh yea thanks... Hey your really nice but I'm sorry could you leave me alone?" dash said calmly. The gaurd stopes his head and nodded in understanding.
"Ok, im sorry" The gaurd said defeatedly and started to walk away.
"Look I'm sorry, what's your name?" dash asked feeling guilty. The guards head perked up with a smile.
"My Uh, My name is S...Sparks, PvT. Sparks though most close friends call me Sparky or Sparkler" the guard explained ecstatically. Dash simply smiled at his personality.
"Well PvT. Sparks Perh-..." dash was interrupted by another gaurd. This one was wearing a more complex armor set and had a bigger helmet.
"Sporky, I do hope your not boring the lady with your booooring explanations" the gaurs said causing Sparks to lower his head.
"N...No sarge" Sparks replied Sheepishly. The Sargent smirked at his dominance over the private.
"Good Now, Be a good Guard and Cover the rear" The sarge Chrismatically commanded.
"I am terribly sorry for being late to save you from...Him he can be a bit... Annoying with his correctness" The Sargent began explain to Dash. The blue Pegasus simply tried to ignore the guard. Seeing this as an insult the gaurd moved to face dash trying to get eye contact.
"Names Sprinkles, Seargent sprinkles Worlds greatest Party animal" the Sargent boasted. "And the most bravest and handsome of any colt"
Dash rolled her eyes at the guard and continued around.
"Hey, playing hard to get I see you, maybe after this we can get more... Acquainted" The guard spoke in Dash's ear. Dash felt a nagging in her body as she tackled the gaurd knocking him to the ground.
"Now listen here I'll only say this once I've been through a lot today and I am NOT in the mood for you and your perversions am I clear?" Dash said holding down the guard. Everypony quietly watched as the Sargent squeaked out his reply. Dash moved off the guard slowly letting him roll off his back. Sparks walked past him smirking.
"What!?!" The sergeant asked angrily.
"Oh Nothing" Sparks replied as dash passed by. Feeling humiliated the Sargent ran up to dash once more.
"Look mare, It's all right cuz if you need help don't cry to me when you need help" The Sargent threatened.
"Ok, I won't" Dash simply replied. The sergeant felt a rush of anger flow through him but, pushed it down as he walked away. Dash trotted upto the front of the group near Twilight, The Praetor and Owliscious.
"In Due time Praetor, we are almost there, perhaps a few more minuets" Twilight said informatively to the Praetor. The praetor Nodded in acceptance as the group bounded the last hill. Dash moved closer to twilight as they came unto the gateway.
"StudMuffin, Break the lock" The praetor commanded. Another white Pegasus wearing armor similar to sprinkles came forward and brought down a plated hoof to the lock. The rusty lock broke into several pieces from the weight of the blow swinging the entrance door inward. Everypony stood in silence as they took the darkness into veiw. Twilight dropped her pack and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"Allright everypony, Time to break into groups"