//------------------------------// // 29 More Unwelcomed Guests // Story: What's Really the Most Important? // by KrishnaKarnak //------------------------------// The morning sunlight continued to crawl across the aquamarine carpet while enticing scents wafted in from the deep blue ocean surrounding the Herodotus. It was the beginnings of a simply marvellous day, with not a cloud in the sky and a calm breeze sweeping across the sea. All of her senses had to be lying to her. How could the morning be so perfect when all was cold and dark? Rainbow Dash's heart ached and her head pounded, feeling physically cold inside. The tears leaking down her face were warm against her the skin. Her breath caught in her lungs as she struggled to control herself, biting her lip so hard that it had started to bleed. She did not lift her head when she heard rapidly approaching hoof-falls. She could not find the strength to try and steady herself, nor could she find the courage to look the newcomer in the face without shame. She simply laid there on the warm rug, sobbing quietly, feeling completely broken. Dash felt a gentle set of hooves caressing her head and back, ruffling her mane and stroking her hair. There was a sweet scent coming from somewhere nearby coupled with a quiet shushing noise. Dash shivered as soft feathers brushed her body. “It's okay, Rainbow. Everything is fine. Everypony is safe. Whatever is the matter?” Rainbow Dash pictured a kind-faced yellow pegasus. Safe? How could everyone be safe? The concept felt foreign to Dash. “Fluttershy...” Rainbow whimpered, sucking on her bleeding lip and keeping her eyes closed against the glare of the light still flooding the hallway. She was finding it difficult to find any words to say. “How c-can you say that? I promised Scootaloo I would keep her safe... I promised her I would n-never let anything bad h-happen to her!” “Rainbow... nothing has happened to her,” Fluttershy explained gently, lying down on the floor next to her, still stroking the rainbow-coloured mane. “I can't protect her from what might be waiting when this boat hits land, Fluttershy... I can't even protect her from my o-own anger. I've never... shouted at her before. I told her I couldn't look at her!” Dash continued to wail, shaking her head back and forth, disgusted at her own actions. “I wouldn't be s-surprised if I set off her anxiety myself...” “Dash, that's enough...” Fluttershy said firmly, sitting up and tugging gently against Dash's shoulder to make her do the same. Dash reluctantly pushed herself off the floor and sat down on her flank, head averted from the kind mare and blinking to try and clear her vision. “You shouldn't say such awful things about yourself, dear...” “About myself?” Dash wiped her eyes, doing her best to try and control herself as she felt a hiccup erupt from her abdomen. “I shouldn't have said those horrible things to Scootaloo...” “What, um, did you say to her?” Fluttershy asked, unable to keep the fear from her soft voice. Dash closed her eyes sharply, the memories ripping through her like a wound. “I told her I wasn't happy to see her. Told her... I didn't trust her anymore.” Dash felt the yellow pegasus wrap her arms around her in a tight embrace. “Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said softly, brushing some orange and gold from Dash's face, “the girls were very foolish to follow us. Nopony can deny that, nopony can deny it's gonna be dangerous out here. I'm sure Scootaloo realizes that herself now. I'm sure she understands that you were upset, you two are so very close!” “I hope so, Fluttershy. I really do,” Dash said simply, tapping the back of her head against the wall to the left of the door, as if attempting to harm herself. “Would you feel better talking to her again, now that you've calmed down?” she suggested, giving Dash a small and friendly kiss on the cheek. “I think I would, Flutters,” Dash nodded, taking a deep breath, steeling herself. “Actually, I already feel a little better. That cry did me wonders...” “That's the first time I've seen you cry in such a long time, Dash. I thought you had forgotten how!” Fluttershy gave a small chuckle, apparently thrilled that Dash was slowly returning to her usual self. “I tear up all the damn time!” Dash said, laughing herself and wiping an arm across her eyes again. “But I haven't had a real, good cry in... man, it musta been a few years now. I just... stopped doing it, y'know? I fight the urge when it comes with everything I gots! Honestly, fighting the urge to cry is something I've been doing my entire life. Mom told me never to cry when things got too tough and those are words I've taken to heart. It still happens when I really can't stop it, though. Anyways... thanks, Fluttershy. You always seem to know what to say. You'd make a good mom yourself one day.” Dash thought about the look Fire Streak had given Fluttershy on the train. “Remind me and Soarin to work on hooking you up on a blind date or two once this mess is all over!” “Oh, no!” Fluttershy shook her head vigorously. “I haven't even spoken to a boy I liked! Crying does help, though! I cry all the time!” she added, smiling broadly and fluttering her wings. Rainbow Dash gave her a weak smile and slowly got to her hooves, holding her head high. “Seriously, thanks a load, Flutters!” Fluttershy got to her own hooves and nodded, turning to continue down the hallway. Dash watched her enter room #222, a slight feeling of nervousness creeping within her breast. Taking another deep breath, Dash wrenched open the door to her room and proceeded back inside. The filly was still curled up on the bed, crying silently. Rainbow Dash found it comforting that she was able to look directly at Scootaloo, even after the snap of the door closing caused the filly to lift her head and look directly into Dash's own eyes. Rainbow proceeded across the room, her hooves suddenly feeling a thousand times heavier. It was incredibly distracting to her, to be this nervous for no real reason. “Mom... I-I'm so, so... s-sorry, I should have thought about the con-quences...” Scootaloo said tearfully, ears drooped. 'That's the second time she's called me 'Mom' now...' Dash noted. 'Is she still just scared? Or has she decided that she's comfortable with saying it to me now?' Not breaking eye contact, Dash sat down on the bed beside Scootaloo. Turning her body to face the filly, she held out her arms, inviting Scootaloo to accept this peace offering. The filly quickly scrambled into Dash's embrace and started to cry even heavier into her chest. “I want you to listen very closely, Scoot, and I don't want any interruptions,” Dash began, rubbing her hoof over Scootaloo's back, just between the wings. “Now, you should have thought about the consequences. Scootaloo, I know you have a pretty bad guilty feeling in your belly right now, so that's gonna take the place of any punishment you've earned yourself today, but you are going to apologize to the Princess herself when your butt is back in Canterlot. Ya got that, kiddo?” Rainbow Dash could feel Scoot nodding, her hair tickling the mare's own fur. Rainbow gave her a tighter squeeze before continuing. “I'm sorry I yelled at you, Scootaloo, but I can't lie and say I'm pleased with you. Dashie's very upset with you, Scoots. I hope you understand how much danger you and your friends are in and that you'll accept the fact that you and the girls are going straight home as soon as we meet up with Luna. I'm only looking out for your well being and I want you to be safe. Your place is not here with me, do you understand? It's in the safety of Canterlot! When we, that is to say, me and my friends, defeat the evil guys, I will come home to ya, just like I promised.” Scootaloo had said nothing to any of this. All she had done was nod in the appropriate places as she continued to cry softly, slowly and slowly regaining her composure. Once the filly had fallen silent, Dash lifted Scoot's chin with her hoof to make the filly look into her eyes. “If you want me to trust you again, Scoots, then you're gonna have to listen to me from now on, alright? No looking for loopholes like going after me when I tell you I've gotta go and you've gotta stay home. Got it?” Dash asked, her voice a shade more stern than she had intended out of her ever-present worry. “Yeah... I got it, Sis. I'm sorry, I really am, Rainbow Dash! I'll listen to you from now on, I swear...” Scoot said earnestly, drawing a hoof across her chest before rubbing her nose with the other. 'Well,' Dash thought sadly, 'back to 'Sis', am I? If I weren't such a coward, I'd ask her why she's afraid of calling me 'Mom' to my face when she's fine with acknowledging it when talking to other ponies.' “Sis?” Scoot said uncertainly. “Huh? Oh, sorry, I, uh, spaced out for a sec there. Right, I don't really buy the whole 'listen from now on' thing, since I see myself when I look at ya, Scoots!” Rainbow said, ruffing Scootaloo's hair and grinning. “You wouldn't be Scootaloo if you were a total angel, would you?” “But I am an angel!” Scootaloo giggled, giving Rainbow's stomach a tight squeeze. “A likely story! But, listen... we're gonna lay some ground rules, alright? Until lunch time or so, I'll let ya leave this room. But, you aren't leaving my sight. If Applejack and Rarity decide to let Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle out of prison, the lot of ya can do whatever you want as long as you stay by me. This ship's transforming into a zeppelin any minute now, so I figured you'd probably wanna see that, right?” Scoot listened closely, looking slightly more animated as Dash spoke on. Once she mentioned the Herodotus transforming, Scootaloo's wings gave a small, excited buzz. “Yup!” Almost as if on cue, a voice sounded within the room. There were no speakers on the ceiling or anywhere else Dash might have noticed them. The voice was loud and clear, as though the speaker was there in the room with them. ”Attention all passengers, this is your Navigator, Prince Vladimir Bluebood,” the voice spoke, sounding very tired and groggy. Dash assumed that the voice was transmitted to the ship by magical means. She also assumed he was hungover. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we've had to delay the lift-off of the Herodotus. However, the ship is all set to fly and will begin its ascent in five minutes time.” “Looks like you're in luck, Scoots!” Dash laughed. “He sounds funny!” Scootaloo said matter-of-factly. “Yep, he totally does. We'll go watch this thing morph! After lunch, though, you're on lock-down unless I say otherwise. You've been gettin' off way too easily lately, so don't expect to be so lucky next time!” Dash warned her, slipping off of the bed and stretching her wings. “Yeah, yeah! C'mon, let's go!” Scootaloo cheered, leaping from the bed and rushing for the door. “Hold up, you,” Dash said calmly, stamping one of her front hooves down on Scoot's tail, causing her to jerk back. “I need to leave Soarin a note in case we don't see him; Soarin said he's coming back up here once he's spoken to the Admiral about the little adventure you and the other Crusaders went on!” “No need!” Scootaloo said upon hearing a knock at the door. Tugging her tail free, she ran to the door and reached up to turn the handle, pulling it open. “Soarin!” “Hello, Wonderbolt Trainee!” Soarin said, stepping inside of the room with a container held under one of his arms. “I got you some pancakes, Dashie. Figured you must be hungry.” Dash was only now fully appreciating how big of an appetite she had in the wake of discovering the Cutie Mark Crusaders within the ship. While her emotions had been roused, her hunger was at bay. Remembering the bread she had eaten in the parlour with Spitfire, she moved forward to gratefully accept the container. “All I've had in the last twenty four hours or so were a couple rolls! You're dang right I'm hungry!” Dash beamed at him, looking affectionately into his green eyes. She noticed a dawning look of concern creeping across his face and realized that her own eyes must still be red from her little crying session. “So, uh, thanks! I'll totally eating this while walking, though. We're on the way down to the main deck, gonna take Scoots to see the ship transforming. Not that she deserves it, am I right, Scootaloo?” “Yeah, yeah!” Scootaloo repeated, trying to push past them. “Goodness of your heart and junk. C'mon, Sis! We're gonna miss it!” Dash reached out to nab Scootaloo by the ear with one of her front hooves while holding the container aloft with the other. Deftly popping the top off with her teeth, she allowed the delicious aroma of the warm pancakes to send her into spasms of delight for a moment. “Naw so fass, Scoos. Wai' fer me,” Dash said, teeth gritted against the lid's corner. “Need a hoof, Dashie?” Soarin asked, grinning. “Hurry up!” Scootaloo groaned, jerking her head forward to yank her ear from Rainbow Dash's grasp. “Don't be ridiculous!” Rainbow replied confidently to Soarin, spitting the container lid from her mouth and on to the dresser. “Lemme go already!” Scootaloo protested, now trying to pull herself free with her hooves. “How are you going to open the little syrup packet, exactly?” Soarin asked with a chuckled. “That's a great question,” Dash admitted, sighing. “Let's gooo, stop ignoring me!” Scoot wailed, stamping her hooves. Soarin, who evidently seemed to have noticed Scootaloo about to move into a position to bite Rainbow's arm, reached over and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “How about this, Dashie... I'll fly Scoots down, you eat that here and fly to join us?” Rainbow let go of Scoot's ear and dropped the container on to the dresser, next to the lid. “Alright, that works. Looks like you're winning today, Scoot! Got out of this room and you get to leave my watch for a little bit!” “Yeah, awesome...” Scoot said absentmindedly, rubbing her ear and looking close to tears again. Her aspect changed at once when Soarin bent low to allow her to climb on to his back, however. “Finally!” She scrambled up and buzzed her little wings. “So cute together...” Dash mumbled as they both left the room, preparing to dig into her pancakes. While she could not exactly say she was happy that her mood had been so indecisive over the last day, Rainbow was at least satisfied that she was feeling content again. Scootaloo's anxiety had not been triggered and she was quite comfortable with allowing Soarin to watch her. Opening the syrup quickly and dousing her pancakes, she scarfed them down hastily, starting with the largest. Choking down the smaller ones afterwards, she gave a tiny hiccup again. “Way to forget a drink, Soar!” Dash sighed, suppressing another hiccup and finally leaving the room herself. She locked the door and slipped the key around her neck. Spreading her wings wide, she took off down the hallway at a gallop and jumped into the air, stiffening her wings to catch herself. Bumping the door at the end of the hallway open with a hoof, Rainbow swooped out of the second floor and gracefully soared over a guard rail. Circling around the superstructure, Rainbow scanned the heads of the ponies who were now gathered on the main deck, waiting anxiously for the ship to take to the skies. Spotting Soarin standing near the starboard side with Scootaloo, Rainbow dropped down to land next to them. “Didn't get me a drink, ya goof!” Dash grinned at him, jabbing his side with a hoof. “Oops! I'm sorry, Dashie!” Soarin apologized, smiling at her. “Want me to go get you one?” “Dude, are you nuts?” Dash asked, laughing. “I'm just kidding, Soar!” Rainbow Dash stood next to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for bringing me breakfast to begin with! And bringing Scootaloo some food earlier.” “Glad to do it!” Soarin responded, nuzzling her cheek with his own. “You two are so gross,” Scootaloo said simply, staring up at the large chamber at the very peak of the ship. “Look! It's opening!” Rainbow followed her gaze to the highest point on the ship. The top of it was open like a box, both halves on either side. A team of white-uniformed pegasai were working with ropes to drag the deflated balloon from within. “Hey, y'all!” Dash looked down at the sound of Applejack's voice, watching the orange mare marching towards them with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle by her side. “Figured I'd see ya out here somewheres.” “Awesome! You two made it!” Scootaloo said with glee, taking her eyes off the working pegasai above. Rainbow glanced down at Sweetie Belle, who was in conversation with the other two fillies already, and then back up at Applejack. “Rarity's sleeping, I take it?” “Rainbow Dash didn't kill you?” Sweetie Belle asked conversationally. “Nope,” Scoot shrugged. “Got yelled that, that was kinda scary!” ”Me too... sorta.” Apple Bloom grinned. “I think our sisters realized we could take care of ourselves, so we got off easy-peasy!” “Yep. She said she didn't get any last night. I slept like a baby, I tell ya what!” Applejack laughed. “She sure tuckered herself out by roaring at poor Sweetie Belle, though.” “I'll say...” Sweetie Belle chipped in with a mumble, giving her own ears a tug. “Thought I was going to go deaf!” “Better deaf than what she'd probably do to ya if she was in any proper state!” Applejack laughed again. “Better deaf than what happened to me!” Apple Bloom said earnestly. “Applejack bored me with a talk!” “Was more than jes' some regular ol' talk, missy!” Applejack scoffed, shaking her head. “Yer lucky I didn't take ya out behind the barn.” “What barn? This is a boat!” Scootaloo questioned, turning to Apple Bloom, who looked just as confused. “So, where's the rest of our little special forces group?” Rainbow Dash asked Applejack, glancing up at the workers again, surprised to see most of the large, long and grey balloon already out and rapidly inflating. She then turned to face Soarin, who was watching the zeppelin inflating and apparently not paying attention to a word the mares were saying. “On that note, where's the rest of the Wonderbolts? Soarin? Soarin!” “What? Oh!” Soarin said distractedly, running a hoof through his mane. “Well, Spitfire went to bed and the rest are in the commons. Said she was up all night and had a pretty nice chat with you. From the way she was talking... I take it things are better between you two?” “Yep, Dashie fixed it, like it ain't no thaaang!” Dash said, tossing her hair. “Well, I'm jes' gonna break up your fancy little egomania for a moment, Dash... ” Applejack said, taking off her hat and tossing her own hair. “To answer yer question, the rest of the gals, minus ol' Rarity, are pokin' around the deck. Everypony wants to see this thing bloom!” Blooming was certainly the right word for it, Rainbow thought. As she watched, the balloon was swelling rapidly as what she could only assume was helium was pumped into it. There was a loud clanging noise coming from over the railing of the ship's starboard. Satisfied that Applejack was keeping a close eye on the fillies, who were deep in conversation, Dash leaned over the edge to take a look. “Don't fall, ya dumb-dumb!” Scoot warned, turning away from her friends to give Dash's tail a tug. “You're the dumb-dumb, Scoots! Thinkin' Rainbow Dash would ever fall!” Dash grinned, rolling her eyes. “How often do you ever fall down?” Soarin asked her in a whisper, grinning as well. “More times than I like to admit! I slipped getting out of the shower the day of the airshow try-outs!” Rainbow laughed, still craning her neck for a sight of what was making the loud noise. “Slipped? And yet you still managed to out-race Spitfire? Very impressive, Dashie,” Soarin complimented. Dash could feel her cheeks brightening. She thought it was amazing how she could make out with that stallion any time of day or night without so much as a blush, but every time he complimented her or said something nice, she beamed and burned up like a star. “Soarin, you're incredible, y'know? I say we skip the second date when we finally get home when this is all over. I'ma just gonna start calling you my boyfriend,” Dash said in a rush, still peering over the side of the ship. Soarin gave an embarrassed little chuckle. “I'm nothing special, Dashie.” “Ya might be a little dim sometimes, Soar. Especially, like, when you say stuff like that... but you're anything but ordinary, bro. The fastest mare in Equestria wants a relationship with a Wonderbolt like you. This is where you say 'welp, sure, Dashie! When we go home we'll get together and live happily ever after,'” Rainbow laughed, a happy inflating feeling erupting in her chest. She would not have imagined that she could discuss something like that with Soarin a month or two ago. “Oh!” Dash said suddenly, her eyes widening. “Look! That's what that noise was, part of the ship's hull was opening!” Slowly, a long and massive aluminium wing was extending outward from the hull of the ship. Looking around, Dash could see ponies on the port side looking over their own edge gleefully. Clearly, the wings were coming out on both sides. Opening her eyes wider, Dash could make out large barrel-like containers attached to the bottom of the wing. Once it was fully extended, she noticed three of them. Each seemed to have a series of propellers inside. “I wanna see!” Scoot begged, tugging at Rainbow's mane. Rainbow Dash turned to scoop Scootaloo into her chest. Keeping one arm firmly around Scoot's torso, she leaned back over the rail. Scootaloo let out an exclamation of delight as the wings began to rotate upwards. Steeper and steeper they angled until the barrels were nearly vertical. Dash noticed Applejack giving both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle the same view, standing awkwardly on her hind legs with an arm around either. Rainbow smirked; Applejack could never quite manage standing as easily as she could. “This is gonna be SO EXCITING!” Pinkie's voice echoed from a short distance away. Looking down the ship in the direction of the stern, Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie Pie bouncing along to meet them, Twilight Sparkle shortly behind her. “Hey!” Twilight greeted with a wave, smiling warmly at the euphoric look on Scootaloo's face. “Big wings, aren't they?” “Huge!” Scootaloo said with an excited giggle. “This'll be so awesome!” “Came for a better view of the wings, eh?” Soarin asked them, giving a nod in greeting. “A super and spectacular view! I can't wait for this thing to float! Is there enough helium inside the balloon yet? That makes balloons float!” Pinkie squealed, stamping her hooves in excitement. “It could be hydrogen...” Soarin speculated aloud, stroking his chin with a hoof. “Helium makes things float! I mean, duh!” Pinkie said, throwing up her arms and rolling her eyes. “It also makes you sound like a squirrel when you inhale it!” “I'm not sure what gas the zeppelin uses,” Twilight said, pointing to the balloon, “but it's sure getting huge now!” The balloon had nearly reached its full size. It had a distinctly triangular shape, with the two back corners stretching near either side of the vessel while the point reached toward the bow. As it swelled bigger and bigger, Scootaloo pointed out how the ship seemed to be floating out of the water. Dash thought she seemed right about that, as the water did seem to be further away than normal. “Here we go, here we gooo!” Pinkie exclaimed, pointed excitedly a balcony attached to the front of the superstructure housing the upper floors. Prince Blueblood was standing on the balcony, gazing out over the deck and the mass of ponies now flooding the area. Closing his eyes, his horn began to glow a soft orange. The propellers on either side of the ship began to glow orange as swell as they started to rotate slowly. With each passing second, their revolutions grew more and more numerous as their speed accelerated. The moment Rainbow Dash could hear a faint humming noise, she could feel the deck of the Herodotus pressing hard against her hooves. “It's flying, Sis! It's flying!” Scootaloo screamed in delight as the ship started to rise out of the waves. Rainbow Dash dropped Scootaloo safely back on to the deck as the waters below inched further and further away. Applejack imitated her, holding on to her hat as the wind started to whip across the ship. Rainbow herself was smiling just as broadly as either of the fillies as she watched the wing slowly rotate once again. As the barrels moved into a horizontal position again, the ship started to move forward. With a rush of excitement, Dash noticed a second pair of wings extended outward, complete with two additional barrels. She had no idea how many propellers were now whirling in place, but Blueblood's spell seemed to be only gaining in strength as the seconds turned to minutes. “Hot dooog! This is crazy!” Applejack cheered loudly, her left arm clamped tightly over her hat as her mane rippled in the breeze. “How fast are we goin'?” “I have no idea!” Twilight said, giggling herself as the ship moved through the air faster and faster. “This is kind of fun! We'll arrive in Saddle Arabia within hours at this rate!” “Most oceanic zeppelins can reach nearly four hundred miles an hour when aided by magic!” Soarin explained in a loud voice as the noise of the wind increased. “I know from aviation courses at the academy! We might be a little protected from the ship's slipstream on the deck, but it's still going to get really windy! Maybe we should step inside the commons soon?” “That's probably a good idea, Soarin!” Dash agreed, her eyes narrowing against the rush of air. “Ol' Vladimir up there gotta grit his teeth and face this wind! Ha!” She thought about Rarity for a moment, possibly still sound asleep and missing all the excitement. Then Dash thought about Fluttershy, who she hadn't seen since the yellow pegasus comforted her in the hallway. “Where's Fluttershy, Twilight?” “Still in the room! She said the idea of the ship flying made her nervous!” Twilight hollered shrilly against the wind. “Let's go inside now!” With nods all around and with much enthusiasm from Apple Bloom, who didn't seem to be enjoying the flight as much as Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle, the group moved toward the glass double doors leading into the commons. Dash had to remark that the glass must be sturdier than it looks to withstand the turbulent air that was now making the ship rattle occasionally. Once inside, they descended the stairs to the sunken floor below and joined the other Wonderbolts, sitting at a cluster of tables in a far corner. Rainbow Dash had an enjoyable morning together with her friends, the Crusaders, and the Wonderbolts as the ship continued to sail through the air at incredible speeds. She was sitting with Soarin on her right and Scootaloo on her left, listening to Rapidfire explaining some of his more interesting experiences on board zeppelins. As Rapidfire moved into the climax of one of his stories, a waiter brought another basket of muffins to the table. It had been their sixth. “A' course, dat's when dey were sayin' dey would ratha jump to da ground below wid dere wings broke den 'ave a'nutta round o' cards. I managed ta talk 'em into it, though. Botta Rocket was countin' on me, since we lost dat show commission to da Steel Talons. If I could beat dem griffons in one last round, they'd give us da job. Was funny, really. I neva intended ta get into a fo'ite. Almost lost an eye!” Rapidfire gave a roar of laughter, shaking his head in exasperation. “Lemme tell ya dis; dey did not expec' ta lose all dere bits to me on top of da commission. I actually jumped from da ship and flew off 'fore dey could scratch me good!” “Not that silly Steel Talons story again, Rapidfire?” came Spitfire's voice from behind them. “C'mon, Cap'n! You love dat one,” Rapidfire said with a hoarse laugh. “How'd ya sleep?” “Brings back memories of Bottle Rocket, that's all, since he yelled at you for about a straight week beforehand! Anyways, I slept fine. At least until it felt like an earthquake tore through the ship! Did you feel that patch of turbulence five minutes ago? Surprised this piece of junk held together. Anyway, Bottle Rocket was a fine captain...” Spitfire said reminiscently, sighing. “What happened?” Twilight asked delicately, buttering herself a blueberry muffin. Spitfire flinched slightly. “A hell of a bad crash.” Dash frowned, wishing Spitfire wouldn't swear in front of the fillies, but otherwise made no comment. She was not surprised when she realized that Scootaloo was too preoccupied talking to her friends anyway to hear any swearing. Judging by the fierce look on Sweetie Belle's face, it had to be a cutie mark scheme. She was quite impressed with how well behaved they were acting, though. “I'm sorry to hear about the loss...” Twilight said solemnly. Spitfire laughed. “He didn't die, Sparkle! He retired. That's the depressing part. But it was a bittersweet departure. No idea where he lives now, he left Cloudsdale ten years ago.” The group remained in the commons as the day stretched on. Lunchtime came and went they they were eventually joined by Fluttershy and Rarity. Scootaloo threw Dash a worried look now and then, as if expecting to be dragged back to the room and locked up. As Rainbow's elation continued, she was quite happy with letting the filly off the hook. Of the course of the day, she did learn of the full story of the Crusaders' little adventure from the train to the boat. They had simply remained with all of the luggage, since some of the train passengers had boarded the Herodotus. While initially irked that Scootaloo seemed to have lost her saddlebag, Dash soon found out that the girls had simply left them all in the belly of the ship with the rest of the luggage. Scoot had asked if someone could go retrieve it for her so she could have her diary to occupy herself with. “I wouldn't worry about needing to busy yourself with that, squirt. I'm lettin' ya stay with us,” Dash explained in a low voice, ruffing Scootaloo's hair. “I'm not mad anymore, baby. Any and all threats still stand if you decide to do anything else dumb, though. Just sayin'.” Scootaloo gave a low giggle. “Dumb? Me? I think you confused me with Apple Bloom, Sis!” “Somepony say my name?” Bloom asked, looking across the table at them. Scootaloo shrugged and Dash suppressed a grin. “You're such a little brat sometimes, Scoots!” she continued in another whisper, giving Scoot a playful tap on the noggin. “Only 'cause I got the biggest brat to come outta Cloudsdale as a big sister! I love you, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo beamed at her. Rainbow beamed in return, reaching over and giving Scootaloo a one-armed hug. “I can't say I'm still not happy you're with me, kiddo. Well... not happy that you came on the ship, but happy I get to be with you right now. Dashie really loves you a lot, Scoots.” “Whatever are you two smirking about over there?” Rarity said with a lofty giggle, before lowering her voice so only Rainbow Dash would hear her. “Fluttershy mentioned that you were upset earlier? Is everything alright, my dear?” “Yep. I'm amazing right now! Not even worried about the mission! I see you've forgiven Sweetie Belle as much as I'm letting Scoots off the hook,” Dash said, pointing out the sleeping filly curled in Rarity's lap. “One could say that the sleep did me justice, honey!” Rarity said, fluffing her mane. “So...” Dash whispered, looking around to see if anyone was listening. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were listening to a story Fluttershy was telling them and Soarin was deep in raucous conversation with Fire Streak and Lightning Streak about an air show the previous year, “what in the blue hell were you doing with Blueblood last night?” Rarity blushed slightly. “He's quite the arrogant pig when he's sober, this is true. Vladimir is actually a lamb once he's had a few knocked back, strangely enough! Royalty is royalty, Rainbow Dash!” Dash rolled her eyes. “Rarity, sometimes even you manage to dissapp—” Rainbow slumped against the table and nearly fell off of her chair as the ship tilted. The ship's bow had suddenly dipped down dangerously. There was a smattering of screams and confusion as ponies were thrown to the floor. The Herodotus was decelerating at an alarming rate and within fifteen seconds had come to a complete stop. “What...” Dash groaned, pushing herself off the table. She had smacked her face against the surface and felt momentarily dazed. “Sis, are you okay? What's happening?!” Scootaloo whimpered fearfully from beside her. Dash gave her head a little shake and quickly stood up, scanning the room. There were still ponies getting to their hooves, chairs had fallen over, glass had smashed, trays and food littered the floor and the doors at the top of the staircase were still rattling. The Wonderbolts had already rose into the air as one and were speeding to the top of the staircase. Rainbow draped an arm around her filly and held Scootaloo close to her. She could not find words to comfort her. Like a bubble bursting upon a blade of grass, Rainbow's feeling of elation had vanished, to once again be replaced by fear and nervousness. “S-Scootaloo, stay with Applejack and the others!” Dash told her in a shaking voice. “P-please, Scoots!” Dash said as the filly immediately began to protest, looking horrified. “I've gotta see what's going on! As soon as I know, I'm coming straight back!” Dash spread her wings and jumped into the air, flying high above the tables and total disarray of the other passengers to follow the Wonderbolts to the doors. Slamming her shoulder into them, she knocked them open and the sturdy glass banged off of the wall with another great rattle. Zipping out on to the main deck, she quickly scanned her eyes from left to right and felt a spasm of fear cripple her. At the bow of the ship, over the heads of the ponies assembled on the deck, she could make out the distinctive figure of a unicorn mare. The unicorn was floating in midair as though she could fly. Her jet black mane whipped around her starlight-white figure as her body glowed in a light green aura. On either side of the unicorn were around a dozen heavily armoured pegasai in dark brown colours, all of them carrying spears. The unicorn was staring down at the figure of Admiral Hiexhes. “Dashie! Get back inside!” Soarin's anxious voice rang out from beside her. Rainbow had only just realized that Soarin and the rest of his teammates were clustered in the shadow of the superstructure, just outside of the commons. Panic was rising in her chest like steam and her breathing was sharp. “Soarin? What's happening? Who the hell is that?!” Dash asked hysterically, chills dripping down her spine. “We cannot be certain who the achromatic unicorn is,” Fleetfoot said in a low hiss, “but it would appear that she has suspended the Herodotus' flight herself. I have never imagined magic so powerful!” “Tings are gettin' worse!” Rapidfire said in a shocked voice, pointing directly overhead. “Cap'n, Soarin, we need ta hide. We can't face 'em 'ere, dere's too many civies! Rainba Dash, get back inside and get Twiligh' to disguise ya all!” Dash looked fearfully in the direction he was pointing and felt her stomach plunge through the bottom of the ship. A steely blue pegasus was floating overhead, eyes fixed upon the bow and the Admiral, his dark blue mane eerily still in the breeze.