“No... not here!” Rainbow Dash croaked, gazing with disbelief at the pegasus hovering over the floating ship.
“Captain!” Fleetfoot said sharply, placing a hoof on Spitfire's shoulder. “Do not engage. Rapidfire presented the proper course of action, ma'am.”
“Betrayed...” Spitfire snarled. “We were betrayed!”
“Soarin, c'mon...” Fire Streak said uncertainly. Dash noticed that Soarin had the same ugly look on his face as the Captain. His eyes were narrowed and his face was screwed up in a scowl. “There's a dozen guards with Wave Chill. Besides, there's that unicorn! We can't start a fight, there's too many innocents here!”
“We need to get out of the open. If he sees us...” Lightning Streak trailed off, shaking his head. “Soarin! Captain!”
Rainbow Dash stood rooted on the spot. Half of her wanted to retreat back into the commons while the other part wanted to know why their enemy had stopped the ship. Had they found out about the plan revolving around the Elements of Harmony? Had they discovered that the Wonderbolts were on board? Glancing about at the other passengers while these questions burned her mind, Dash felt a terrible jolt in her throat; Prince Blueblood was laying in a heap surrounded by a group of ponies some twenty feet away from them. Dash assumed he had stumbled and fallen when the unicorn had slowed the ship down. He was stirring feebly, showing her that he was still alive. Dash returned her gaze to the Admiral, cold sweat forming on her bow. She could still hear the four Wonderbolts attempting to dissuade Spitfire and Soarin from charging into action. Soarin had not said a single word since he warned Dash to return to the commons.
As the unicorn descended to the deck, Dash could make out a long brown cloak of sorts fastened around her neck, draping down across her back. As all four of her hooves made contact with the deck, the jade glow of her horn faded. Overhead, Wave Chill began to fly in her direction. With their enemies' attention on the Admiral, Rainbow Dash felt a strange calm flood her and she could martial her thoughts. She had a plan.
“What we need,” Dash said sharply, loud enough to be heard by the arguing Wonderbolts, “is a way to hear what they're saying. We gotta know why they're here. And look...” Rainbow jabbed her hoof toward the starboard side, at the end of the front wall of the superstructure. “It's another door to the hold. High Seas is standing near or above that trapdoor we used to get down to where the luggage was! We'll go under it and listen from the other side.”
Without waiting for a response from the team, Dash galloped to the trapdoor and bent low on her knees to study it. It was padlocked, but she didn't think that would be a big problem. Turning quickly, she pulled back one of her legs and thrust that hoof as hard as she could into the lock with a powerful buck. Ignoring the stabbing, searing pain in her throbbing hoof, she wheeled about to face the door again. With a feeling of sudden elation, she saw the lock's base cracked. Praying the mechanism was damaged enough to release, she pulled the arm of the lock and it slipped out.
Glancing about once again, Dash noticed most of the passengers had fled into the commons or the upper decks; she was alone with the Wonderbolts. If Wave Chill, the unicorn, or the guards were looking this way rather than at Hiexhes, they would be in serious trouble. Swinging the door open, she dived into the gloom, wings spread wide.
As she soared over crates and barrels, wires and ropes, she could see the sharp, thin line of golden sunlight streaming in through the crease of the bow's trapdoor. Diving around a supporting pillar, she soared toward it, hovering just below the ceiling.
Twisting in midair, Rainbow was satisfied to see the Wonderbolts, Soarin and Spitfire included, trailing her her wake. Placing a hoof to her lips, she perked her ears, yearning for the sounds above to paint the picture for her.
“... won't complicate matters, I hope?” It was the dreadfully familiar, perky voice of Wave Chill. Dash could hear none of the old lightheartedness or humour that she had come to associate with that voice. “We honoured our end of the bargain, Hiexhes; we didn't raze this ship! We know the Wonderbolts boarded the train from Canterlot. We know they're here! And yet you claim otherwise?”
“I-I...” Hiexhes spluttered. “Th-this is outrageous! How dare you threaten—”
“How dare me? HOW DARE YOU?” Wave Chill snarled. “You dare to go against the great nation of Saddle Arabia? You forget your place, Admiral! You speak with the commander of the Saddrabian Army, the same pony who gave you your liberty when you agreed to deliver us the Wonderbolts. I repeat, YOU FAT, WORTHLESS PIECE OF CRAP: WHERE ARE THE 'BOLTS?”
“Commanda... so soon?” Rapidfire whispered hoarsely. “Dis... can't be...”
“I to-told you... I do not know! They did not board,” Hiexhes said in what Dash thought was a most convincing lie.
“OUR WARLOCK,” Wave's voice roared and Rapidfire gave a short gasp beside Dash, “WITNESSED THEM BOARD THE TRAIN. YOU WERE TOLD TO GREET THEM WHEN SHE SENT YOU THAT MAGICAL LETTER! WHERE ARE THEY?”
“I did not meet them! I swear to you!” Hiexhes continued, his voice stammering tremendously. He seemed to be determined not to give them up.
“Very... very well,” Wave Chill said, his voice calming. Dash could hear pacing hooves above. “Here's what's going to happen, Admiral: we will search this flying piece of junk. If we don't find our quarry, our warlock here will send the Herodotus into the ocean as a flaming, burning ball of hydrogen.” Dash heard Hiexhes give a gasp of protest and her own thoughts immediately landed on Scootaloo's safety, her stomach clenching quite painfully as the fear stabbed her heart. “If we find the Wonderbolts and are convinced that you lied to us, then you will be tried for treason in Gymkhana and I will take great pleasure in seeing you hang from the gallows.”
“N-no! Please, I—” the Admiral gasped fearfully.
“Or,” Wave Chill continued, ignoring the ship captain's protests, “if you go and fetch them now, I may consider sparring your miserable life, the lives of your crew, and the lives of your passengers.”
Rainbow's eyes were wide with fear. She couldn't immediately spot a way out of this without putting either the entire ship at risk, or endangering the life of the pony who was refusing under threat of death to give the team to the enemy. The Wonderbolts were listening intently, hovering still in the air. From what little she could see of their faces, Rainbow Dash could see anguish and strain everywhere. All she could think about was trying to get Scootaloo off the boat, terrorized by horrible visions of the flames engulfing her.
“I can see your pitiful brain searching for a loophole to throw against us, Hiexhes. I assure you, should we burn this ship, there will be no survivors to bear witness. We will slaughter any pegasai who attempts to escape by flight. You've got five minutes to mull this over before we send our entourage to search. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a word with the warlock. And... don't you dare go anywhere, or we'll toss you to the sea a mile below us!”
Rainbow could hear the hoof-falls of Wave Chill and the unicorn he kept referring to as a 'warlock' retreating. Her throat was dry and her heart was pounding in her chest. She would never have imagined that the pony she had known at least as long as Soarin, though not as well, would be so bloodthirsty and cruel. He had zero regard for anyone on the ship and sounded happy to see them all burn to death. She was shaking with equal amounts of fear and rage.
“Well...” Lightning Streak whispered softly into the stunned silence, "this makes things much more straightforward.”
“I... agree, Lightning,” Spitfire said, biting her lip and closing her eyes briefly. She appeared to be doing some very quick thinking. “Right. Fleetfoot, Fire,and you, Lightning. Are you three with me? Are you prepared to do what it takes to save the lives of the ship?”
“Spitfire!” Soarin hissed sharply, eyes widening. “Wait, what are you—”
“I am, ma'am. We have been close friends for far too long for me to turn my flank on you, Spitfire. You have my wings,” Fleetfoot said in a shaky voice, bowing her head. Rainbow Dash felt a growing sense of foreboding at the fact that Fleetfoot was talking slowly and without her usual, long-winded vernacular. “Always, Spitfire... Captain.”
It was then that Rainbow Dash realized what Spitfire was possibly planning. “Spitfire... you aren't planning on giving yourselves up, are you?!” A sheet of ice slid down her throat and into her chest.
“Of course not!” Spitfire said in a clear and quiet voice. “I have a better plan in mind.”
“I'm with you, Captain,” Lightning Streak agreed, looking ill.
Fire was hesitating, blinking his eyes momentarily. He was looking deep into Spitfire's eyes, who stared unblinkingly back at him.
“We've had our differences, Fire Streak. Breaking your nose is a threat I generally follow through with and your usual tomfoolery and wisecracks tend to put me on edge...” Spitfire admitted, closing her eyes. “But... I will not hold this against you. I respect every Wonderbolt, including you.”
“You have no worries, Captain!” Fire whispered in a voice that was nevertheless solid, face splitting into a grin. “I'm with you.”
“Listen, what exactly—” Dash began, but Spitfire answered the incomplete question.
“The four of us happen to be the only Wonderbolts who can out-fly Wave Chill. He's fast. Rapidfire... Dad... guard Rainbow Dash and her friends!”
Rainbow Dash gave a soft gasp. Soarin was looking confused. He opened his mouth to speak, but like many others, he found himself cut off when another spoke up.
“Spitfire!” Rapidfire hissed, inhaling sharply. “Da lot o' ya sed ya ain't turnin' yoselves in!”
“We aren't. We're going to lead these cowards away from the ship. We'll circle around these waters for awhile, give the illusion that we're lost, and then we'll fly for Gymkhana and lead them back there!” Spitfire explained, her arms and legs shaking slightly.
Soarin was mouthing wordlessly, looking in total shock. Rainbow Dash couldn't exactly find the right words to say either. There had to be another way. There had to be another solution! Wrack her brains as she might, she was drawing blanks.
“No, no, no...” Rapidfire groaned, shaking his head vigorously. “Please, Spit!”
“Get Dash and her friends safely to Gymkhana with Soarin's help! The Elements of Harmony are probably going be our only way out of this mess! We're wasting time here, we've gotta act!” Spitfire instructed, breathing heavily. Her eyes were over-bright.
“Spit, please!” Rapidfire implored, stretching his hooves out to her.
“That's an order,” she said simply, shaking her head and looking away, pain etched in her face.
“Don't ya give me dat crap!” Rapidfire snarled. “I'd neva allow... Spitfire, no! Dere's gotta be anotha way!”
“If you've got an alternative, then speak up, Dad!” Spitfire rumbled, not able to look into his face.
“Den... den let me go instead a' ya! Let an old—” Spitfire cut him off.
“I will not risk losing you,” she said, blinking away tears and turning her face toward him again. “Dammit, Rapidfire! Listen to your Captain! I can't l-lose you! And I've already had to suffer through losing Soarin once before! The both of you are staying with Rainbow Dash! Get back to the commons and make sure they're disguised, just in case Wave Chill comes back! He might not recognize Dash's friends straight away, but he knows what she looks like! For Celestia's sake, we haven't got time to argue!”
“Celestia be damned, Spitfire! Dere's a warlock up dere! Let's...” Rapidfire whispered in a rush, but his voice trailed off completely as they heard hoof-falls overhead again.
“Soarin, if anything should happen, take good care of the team and the academy,” Spitfire said with a deep breath, flying directly under the trapdoor and rotating in the air to face her back hooves toward it. “I won't worry too much about you, Rainbow Dash will take care of you.”
Before Dash or Soarin could raise their own objections, Spitfire gave the door a tremendous buck. The noise rang out like a bell being struck with a hammer. The steps above halted and they could hear Hiexhes scurrying away from the trapdoor himself. It did not open, evidently padlocked since they had all used it that morning.
Spitfire prepared to buck it again. Fleetfoot, Lightning Streak, and Fire Streak positioned themselves below her, ready to rush out. They all looked determined. Rainbow's heart was throbbing harder and harder, as Wave Chill would have known from the first crack at the door that they were in the hold. Soarin was gazing in horror at his Captain. Dash wished that she could peer into his mind to understand exactly what anguish he was going through.
Spitfire gave another hard buck and there was a metallic snapping noise. Twisting around once again, Spitfire dropped down several feet before giving her wings a great flap and rocketing straight up, front hooves held out in front of her. With a crash, the trapdoor flew open. Wings rustling, Fleetfoot and the brothers raced out behind her. Dash, Soarin, and Rapidfire quickly moved away from the light now flooding the area from the open door.
“Wave Chill!” Spitfire roared. “You slimy bastard!”
“Well, well! What a development!” Wave Chill's laugh was cold and full of hatred. “Look at that, Hiexhes! The Wonderbolts are here!”
Dash continued to back away, wings beating hard, worried to death that one of the guards would peer into the trapdoor and find them. She reached out and grasped Soarin's hoof, clinging to it for dear life. Soarin's eyes were fixed upon Rapidfire beside them, who seemed to be fighting with all his might to resist the urge to fly out after his surrogate daughter. Within another few seconds, they were out of the range of light, but still able to hear the commotion above.
“We snuck on! We figured you'd have some sort of spy or plant! The Admiral had no idea we were here!” Spitfire's voice echoed.
“Consider yourself lucky, Hiexhes,” came an unfamiliar voice. “We have what we've come for. I will leave the ship in one piece.”
“Yes, indeed!” Wave Chill gave another harsh laugh. “Get out of my sight and keep this hunk of junk sailing to Saddle Arabia! Draw any attention to what has happened here today and you will be killed, Admiral! Now... what to do with you. 'Captain!'” Wave continued, putting a sarcastic emphasis on the word. The Admiral could be heard trotting away, huffing and panting fearfully. “You're surrounded, Spitfire! You and... let's see... Lightning Streak, Fire Streak, and Fleetfoot! Where's the rest of our team?”
“We came alone!” Lightning Streak's voice spoke clearly with a growing fury. “And let's have less of the 'our team' talk, if it's all the same to you, traitor!”
“Do you take me for a fool?” Wave Chill asked.
“You are a damned fool!” Spitfire snapped. “I'm going to murder you with my bare hooves, Wave Chill!”
“I saw two more Wonderbolts board the train after you stripped off your suits. There were also numerous other mares in your group,” that mysterious voice spoke again and Dash realized it must be the aforementioned warlock. “Where are they?”
“Yes, where's Rainbow Dash and her friends?” Wave Chill demanded and Rainbow felt her heart jump into her throat again.
“They accompanied us to Baltimare, but I ordered the rest of the team to return with them. It wasn't worth the risk!” Spitfire explained.
“Wasn't worth the risk?” Wave Chill asked, laughing again. “Brilliant choice of words, Captain! Wasn't worth the risk when you just handed yourselves over! The Voidwalker truly watches over us!”
“Handed ourselves over? You want us, come and get us, you son of a bitch!” Spitfire challenged.
There was a flutter of wings and much shouting. There were unmistakable sounds of hooves against flesh, a voice yelling 'get 'em', more shouting, a hollow tapping noise as a spear landed on the deck, and finally silence.
“Shall I immobilize them, sir?” the warlock asked after a few seconds.
“No... I'll enjoy the hunt,” Wave Chill replied grimly. “Meet me at the palace. You!” Wave seemed to be shouting at someone else. “Get up, your worthless whelp! If you can fly, get after them!”
More hoof-falls crossed the ceiling before the warlock spoke again. “Good luck, sir. May the Voidwalker guide us.”
“May the Voidwalker guide us,” Wave Chill repeated.
There was another flutter of wings and a crackling noise that reminded Rainbow Dash of lightning or static electricity before all was quiet once again. The whole situation suddenly felt very surreal to her, as though she had been sleeping and dreaming one moment and awake the next, without realizing she had fallen asleep.
All Rapidfire did was curse under his breath over and over, shaking his head in the gloom. Slowly, cautiously, Dash dipped low and circled close to the light streaming in from the open trap door, eyes skyward, ready to rush back into the shadows if she caught a glimpse of a set of eyes. Moving to float directly below it, she had an unimpeded view of the heavens above. There was not a sound to be heard but for the blowing of the wind.
Thinking that she had to be mad to do this, Dash flew up to the opening and slowly poked her rainbow-maned head out of it. As her view crossed the dividing space between the hull and the deck, she had to fight with herself to keep her heart from exploding out of her chest. Blinking, she turned her head this way and that.
“Nopony there...” she said softly to the two Wonderbolts who had approached her from below. “They're gone...”
Flapping her wings, she flew out of the hole properly and landed on the deck. Her eyes raked the sky for some sign of a pegasus or perhaps the unicorn. Narrowing them, she could see the faintest blur in the distance, soon swallowed by clouds.
“Fools, damned fools!” Rapidfire snarled, exiting behind her. In the light, Dash could see that he looked rugged and defeated. “Dis all happened so fas'...” He swore again.
“Rainbow Dash, I...” Soarin tried to speak as he flew out behind them both, but seemed unable to form his words after a moment.
Dash jumped back into the air and rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his chest. “I know, Soarin... I don't know what to do either. We should, uh, get back to the commons and my friends. We've gotta tell them what happened.”
“I'm gonna find out if da navigata is a'righ',” Rapidfire said softly, spitting on the deck. His eyes were glazed over and he was looking centuries old, “n'... speak wid Hiexhes. We owe 'em a great deal righ' now.” Dash could see him depart out of the corner of her eye, but did not see where he had flown off to.
“This feels like a dream...” Soarin groaned softly, shaking his head. “Doesn't even feel real!” he spoke, voice suddenly savage. “If anything happens to them... my own brother! My own twin! If Spitfire doesn't kill him, I will!”
“Soarin...” Dash mumbled softly, still holding him tight, “we're going to get to the bottom of all of this.”
“I'll beat him to death myself... you heard him, Dash! He would have seen this whole ship and everypony on it die! He u-used to be so gentle! He liked w-watching birds, we always gave our show money to charities, and...” he trailed off again, holding a shaking hoof to his face as his body began to tremble. “What happened... what happened to him, Dashie?” Soarin's voice was hollow and croaky, cracking as he spoke.
“We can only pray he's bewitched or something, Soar...” Dash whispered softly to him, feeling his chest heaving with his grief. “Sssh, we're gonna fix this... you've gotta keep it together. Let's... get back.”
Rainbow peered into his face. Both of his eyes were closed tight and she could see tears leaking from under them as he shook. Wordlessly, she wiped them away and took one of his front hooves in both of her own, giving him a small tug. Soarin seemed to obey her pull without conscious thought, eyes still shut tight and his breath sharp and heavy. Rainbow turned to face the superstructure, still holding Soarin's hoof with one of her own, and fluttered her wings, drifting slowly toward it.
Passing through the double glass doors, Dash landed on the steps and slowly began to descend them into the common area as she let go of his hoof. She could hear Soarin following her quietly. She couldn't string two thoughts together. The noise of the room was almost deafening to their ears as the three of them continued into the chaotic scene. It was as though every passenger on the ship were converged here, shouting in panic. In the distance, she could see Blueblood on shaking legs, surrounded by other crew members.
One of them had asked him something, but he merely shook his head and responded in an undertone. He levitated a drink to his lips before gingerly making his way toward the stairs. Dash and Soarin took to the air once again to let him pass by below them. Scanning the room, Dash caught sight of Scootaloo standing next to a group of ponies she did not recognize. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were with her. All three of them looked scared.
“Scoots!” Dash said, descending next to her and dropping on her flank. “Are you alright? Where's the girls?”
“Sis!” Scoot gasped, throwing herself into Rainbow's embrace.
“I told ya I'd be back. I'm sorry I took so long...” Dash whispered to her, stroking her mane.
“Rainbow, it's us!” an unfamiliar unicorn with an all-to-familiar voice spoke softly to her.
“I—” Dash gasped before logic caught up to her senses. “Oh! You disguised!” She studied the unicorn closely. Twilight's size and mane styling were quite the same, but she had primarily white hair with streaks of varying shades of silver. Her fur was golden-looking tangerine.
“Keep yer voice down!” Applejack hissed at her. “When nopony was lookin', Twilight used her spell on each of us in turn.”
Rainbow turned to look at her and had to fight a momentarily incredible urge to laugh. Applejack was the splitting image of her brother with a red coat and orange mane. Panning the group, she saw Fluttershy with a cream coloured coat and cerulean mane, Pinkie Pie with light green fur and a puffy, vermillion mane, and finally Rarity, sporting a violet mane with magenta highlights and a pale blue coat.
“She modelled me after the famous painting of Sparkler, that absolutely gorgeous opera singer two hundred years ago!” Rarity whispered, looking rapturous. “It's a great pity that my own eyes still see my usual facade!” Rarity continued, standing on her hind legs and glancing down her body, tail twisting around her waist.
“It's far too crowded in here to risk casting my spell on you, Rainbow Dash...” Twilight mumbled. “So, what's going on, exactly?”
“Let's head to one of the rooms where we can talk privately,” Dash said. “We aren't in any immediate danger anymore, but—”
“Whatcha mean, 'anymore'? What happened out there?!” Applejack asked, voice full of concern. “I mean to say, ponies were talkin' about pirates!”
“We will explain everything. C'mon, let's go to the suite. Hopefully Spitfire left it unlocked, since there's lots of room in there to my knowledge,” Soarin spoke clearly, seeming to have pulled himself together.
With murmurs and nods, the strange looking group followed Soarin back up the stairs. Out onto the deck once again, Dash could see Blueblood leaning over the port side, possibly examining the propellers. Wave Chill had threatened Hiexhes to keep the ship moving to Saddle Arabia, after all. Had Hiexhes already been in contact with Vladimir? Rapidfire said he was going to talk to them, but Rainbow Dash couldn't see him anywhere as they progressed around the superstructure to the stairs leading to the upper levels.
Once inside the second floor, Twilight stopped to glance up and down the main hallway.
“Nopony there. Alright, Rainbow Dash, let's get you disguised!” Twilight said, bowing her head to point her horn at Rainbow.
“Pinkie Fly!” Pinkie cheered, stamping her hooves.
A white beam ripped from Twilight's horn and hit Rainbow in the chest. Although Dash could feel nothing, she could tell by the reactions of her friends that she had once again transformed into the pink and blue colour scheme of the renaissance flier, Firefly.
“Ha, I like it!” Soarin said, giving an approving nod.
Dash could feel her cheeks warming, but knew it would be difficult to discern with pink fur. “Yep. The blue hair's the best, though. Blue's amazing. And best of all, I still look like me to me!”
“I still love it!” Scootaloo grinned. “You look awesome no matter what you, uh, look like!”
“I expect no less from my Number One Fan!” Dash beamed at her.
“Slash daughter slash sister,” Applejack chuckled as the floor below them began to shake. Evidently, the ship was starting to move forward again.
“Whatever,” the pair of them spoke in unison as the group reached the door to the suite, stumbling a little as Herodotus started to immediately pick up speed.
“It's unlocked,” Soarin discovered, hoof on the handle. “Let's get comfortable, then...”
As they entered the suite and gathered around the table, Applejack started. “So, what the hay happened out there? Ponies were panickin', the little ones were scared out of their wagons, and nopony seemed to know what was goin' on.”
“I...” Dash began, but hesitated. “Scoots, you and your friends can go play in the parlour. That's the door at the end of the suite,” Dash explained, pointing. “But for the love of Celestia, don't drink anything that ain't in a water bottle!” Scootaloo nodded, albeit uneasily. Rainbow Dash knew the look of concern on Scoot's face all too well. “The grownups gotta talk, 'kay?”
Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to make a retort to that, but caught Rarity's eye and hesitated. Rarity shook her head softly and jerked her head in the direction of the parlour. Shrugging, Sweetie slipped off in the direction of the door. With a hoof on her shoulder, Apple Bloom was able to convince Scootaloo to follow.
“Alright,” Dash said, clearing her throat once the room was filly-free, “first thing's first, whatever the hell your worst fears were when the ship basically crashed mid-air were true. It was Wave Chill. Him, some unicorn broad he kept calling 'warlock', and like a dozen pegasai guards. They came looking for the Wonderbolts. Apparently they saw them board the train through that warlock's crying or whatever Luna called it.” Dash registered the look of surprise and fear on everyone's face.
“He was... heartless when they spoke to the Admiral. Apparently he ordered Hiexhes to hand us over when they came or else they'd destroy the boat. He must've considered it, since he didn't warn us beforehand. However, I guess he changed his mind because he wouldn't betray our whereabouts, just played ignorant,” Soarin explained into the shocked silence. “Wave gave him an ultimatum to hand us over or step aside so they could search. Threatened to burn the ship or kill him. Spitfire, Lightning Streak, Fire Streak, and Fleetfoot emerged to meet them to prevent that and try to lead them off...”
“We were hiding in the hull, ya see. So we could hear every word that jerk said,” Dash said softly. “Spitfire had no choice and the four of them are the only 'Bolts quicker than Wave Chill himself. Either way, they saved our lives, but... man. This is pretty much a rescue mission now on top of everything else. That is, assuming the Wonderbolts don't escape or aren't killed on the spot!” Dash groaned. “It was Spit's intention to get them back to Gymkhana. So... that's the situation. We've gotta get in touch with Luna, y'know, go from there...”
Applejack swore softly under her breath, hat tilted low over her eyes and her arms crossed over her chest. Rarity was shaking her head, a hoof over her eyes.
“I expected this to be... fun,” Pinkie bemoaned, her new, red hair razor straight again. “It's not, though. It's kinda... scary. I can't even find something to laugh at...”
“Tell me about it,” Applejack sighed.
“Twilight?” Dash asked, brow furrowed. “You've had a weird-ass look on your face this whole time. Do you have a plan, or...?”
“You mentioned,” Twilight spoke in a clear voice, “that the one doing the scrying was a... warlock?”
“She did,” Soarin nodded. “I'm unfamiliar with the term, myself.”
“I've heard it before, I'm pretty sure. Dad used to tell me stories all the time and I've totally heard him mention them, but I...” Dash closed her eyes, pummelling her brain in an attempt to bring back the memories, “I can't remember what they were or what the word even meant. I think Rapidfire knew what they were, though. His eyes went wide as dinner plates when he first heard it.”
“I'd imagine they would!” Twilight said seriously, frowning. “Warlocks aren't supposed to exist anymore.”
“But... what is a warlock?” Fluttershy asked.
“A warlock,” Twilight began, “is a, well... a type of unicorn mutation.”
“A mutation?!” Dash asked, surprised. “Ya mean, like, an extra head or something? She looked normal to me.”
“Not necessarily a physical mutation, but one that nevertheless deals with genetics. As I understand it based on my reading of more or less everything Starswirl the Bearded ever wrote, warlocks were a unicorn mutation in which their magic becomes increasingly potent as they age, but far, far more destabilized with use. The worst warlocks were without equal in power, but were so unstable that the magic had affected their minds! They were afflicted with madness, dementia, and nearly unending power! They were very dangerous.”
“Like King Sombra!” Dash gasped. “Right?”
Twilight bowed her head. “That's been under debate for centuries, actually. Whether or not Sombra was a warlock, I don't know. He was exceptionally powerful, though. Warlocks were supposedly bred out of existence before his time. In fact, Starswirl himself was involved in reducing their numbers. He had alchemized a potion that would cull the mutation. Most warlocks took it willingly to save themselves and make it legal to mate, as they were forbidden by law to reproduce and risk spreading the aliment.”
“So, if there's a 'lock workin' with Wave Chill, then... chances are, she made the Shadow! I bet she's the one behind dang-near everything!” Applejack said confidently.
“I don't believe that's true.” Soarin had his head in his hooves. “My brother and the warlock spoke as though they themselves served it. Assuming the Shadow is the Voidwalker, of course. I definitely believe this unicorn is a warlock, however. She stopped this ship dead with ease and could fly without wings.”
“At least we've got Luna...” Fluttershy added, looking a little less frightened at the idea. “I bet she'd sort a warlock out!”
Twilight gave her a tragic look, shaking her head again. “I'm afraid it won't be so simple. All magic, including alicorn, has its limits. Warlock magicks are exceptions to the usual rules through their sheer power. Luna would be the only pony capable of fighting her if we have to fight her, though. Rarity or I would be... destroyed...”
“Indeed!” Rarity said, giving a weak smile. “Twilight's magic does exceed my own, sadly! I would be support at best. Protective shields, perhaps? Although...” Rarity trailed off, giving a deep sigh. “I've never done them.”
“If they'd even work against magic as powerful as this warlock's...” Dash mumbled. “Even still, we've never really been in real combat unless you count that brawl with the changelings, so I don't think any of us can blame ya, Rare... This whole thing makes me want to get drunk off minotaur snotrags again, to be blunt as an elephant fart.”
“That's very elegant, Dash, my dear, but they're called 'sweatbombs',” Rarity said softly, although it was evident from her expression that she didn't really believe it was important. “I just pray that the Elements of Harmony would work against a warlock.”
“How do they work, exactly?” Soarin asked the room at large.
“The elements work primarily by attacking the evil in somepony's heart. The severity of the damage they can inflict is proportional to the evil-good balance within them. Princess Luna, for example, still had vestiges of her goodness deep down when she allowed her magic to enhance her heart's darkness, which transformed her into Nightmare Moon. The Elements purged the evil and her goodness surged back into dominance. She could transform into Nightmare Moon whenever she wants, but she'll remain her true self now. Discord, though... worked a little differently.”
“How so?” Soarin asked with interest. Dash was glad for the topic of conversation, as it was keeping Soarin's grief at bay.
“Discord lacked true evil intentions,” Twilight explained. “He was a spirit of pure chaos and disharmony. Lacking evil to attack, the Elements took the neutral route of petrifying him, I suppose. I don't believe he has any good, either, so if he did have evil in his heart, he probably would have been destroyed by them.”
Pinkie Pie's body suddenly jerked. Narrowing her eyes, her ears twitched and flopped and she started grinding her teeth. This caught everyone's attention and they stared.
“Uh... what?” Dash asked, confused.
“Pinkie sense!” Pinkie said, cheering up suddenly and jerking a hoof over her shoulder in the direction of the door to the suite.
Dash and the rest looked in that direction for a moment.
“Nothing's happening,” Applejack said, shrugging. “I... oh!'
The door suddenly opened and Rapidfire slipped inside. He hesitated on the threshold, looking confused at all the new faces. Soarin, however, gestured him forward.
“It's alright, Rapid, it's them; they're disguised, remember?”
“Ah, a' course,” Rapidfire said, nodding and strolling to the table. “Did ya fill 'em in, Soarin?”
“We both did,” Rainbow explained, waving a hoof. “Rainbow Dash, sounding off over here!”
“Pink? Interestin'... anyways, I jes' spoke ta da Admiral n' tanked 'em. I tink he'd be quite 'appy t' see da back o' us, though. I expect we'll get ta Saddle 'rabia in a few hours,” he explained. “Hopefully we meet up wid Princess Luna 'fore long.”
“That's the plan, anyway!” Applejack nodded.
“Well...” Rainbow said, getting to her hooves and giving Soarin a swift kiss on the cheek. “If nopony has any objections, I think I'll go for a drink. A little liquid courage never goes amiss...” she said, moving toward the parlour. “Once I kick the Crusaders out, anyway.”
“I think I'll join y'all...” Applejack said, getting up to join Dash. “After all... things are about to get crazy.”
“AJ... they already are,” Dash said, marching to the parlour door. “And in a few hours, I betcha it's gonna get ten times worse.”