//------------------------------// // xxxix - Artemis' Moon // Story: The Path of Absolution - Punishment // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------// Cadence and Shining Armor were at the hospital where they saw a strange pegasus enter the room. “You’re Gale Force, right?” Shining Armor said. Gale nodded. “I think my team can lend a hoof to your efforts.” “I assume you know what I need a search party for,” Shining Armor said. “Not every day you get to rescue the princess, huh?” Gale said. “Though it’s unlikely that Celestia would stay captive for long.” He tried to hide his frustration behind a pretense of kindness. “Why are you lending us your team?” Cadence said. “I’ve been thinking about things for a while now,” Gale said. “I decided that my team needs someone more experienced to lead them for the moment while I stay confined in this place. They already knew about the windigos for some time now.” “They were the pegasi that investigated the storm from the Frozen North?” Cadence said. Gale nodded. “So where can we find these pegasi?” Shining Armor asked. “They are visiting me today,” Gale said. “I’ll have them meet you in front of the castle around 4:00 PM.” “Thanks,” Shining Armor said. He and Cadence left the hospital. In the memories of Ponyville, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Silver Spoon searched the west field of Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon were creeped out by the trees in the forest. Applejack thought, ‘That’s weird. Where’d the fruit bats go?’ The group of three searched the field for the gate. Applejack told the fillies to be careful. A few moments later, Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon were searching one of the trees. Apple Bloom was still wary of Silver Spoon. “I don’t get it,” Apple Bloom said. “Why in Equestria are you helping us?” “I want to make it up to you,” Silver Spoon said. Apple Bloom was both a little surprised and unnerved. She knew Silver Spoon was Diamond Tiara’s only friend. She wondered what had happened between the two bullies. Meanwhile, Applejack searched a nearby patch of forest in the orchard. She knew she had to tell Apple Bloom about what happened in Canterlot, but she wasn’t sure when would be the right time, or if there ever would be a right time. Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom saw a crimson key hanging from a branch. “I’ll go fetch Applejack.” Apple Bloom trotted away to find her sister. Silver Spoon looked at the red key. She noticed that most of the the key resembled a sword. The bow itself was shaped like a sword’s handle, narrow and slender, while the teeth were sticking out of the tip of the blade. Apple Bloom returned with Applejack. Applejack noticed the crimson key that hung on the branch. “You two might want to stand back,” Applejack said. She kicked the tree until the key was knocked off. It fell to the ground and stabbed the dirt. Applejack thought, ‘Wonder if Twilight knows anything about this?’ and picked up the key. The three ponies left the field. Silver Spoon wondered if she could earn the Crusaders’ trust. In Canterlot, Princess Luna was trying to move the moon and sun. She had managed to tie both of her spells together, but the magic required to move both the moon and sun had taxed her power. Spike was nearby tending to the princess. He was worried about both Twilight and Celestia. They both saw Shining Armor and Princess Cadence enter the room. Luna said, “Did you find enough ponies for the search?” “Yes,” Shining Armor said. “And we seem to have recruited some pegasi that can help with the windigos.” “Good,” Luna said. “I’m afraid I can’t help you. All of my magic is now dedicated to making sure the moon and sun keep moving.” Spike said, “I’ll go with them.” Both Shining Armor and Cadence were a little shocked. “You will?” Cadence said. “But,” Shining Armor said, “it’s too dangerous.” Spike said, “They didn't just capture the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Princess Celestia, they took my friends.” He knew the risk involved in confronting the windigos, but he couldn’t stand by while his friends are within the Crusaders’ minds and captured. “Besides, you’ll need someone to report to the Princess and warn her if something happens.” “You have a point,” Shining Armor said. “Alright, you can come.” “Do you have room for two more?” Lyra and Bon-Bon entered the room. “Lyra,” Cadence said. “But why?” Shining Armor was getting tired with of 'whys'. “I figured we can help with the search,” Lyra said. “I did some research on the Orpheus Strings and found out they can sooth various animals, sometimes put them to sleep. Could come in handy.” “That... Nevermind, you can come,” Shining Armor said. He hoped that nopony else would want to come. The party then went to find the able-bodied members of the guard. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Scootaloo flew around the train station. There were several ponies lining up to board the Friendship Express trains. They felt a sinister air around the area. Rainbow Dash looked back to the last time she saw this place. She remembered the ice and snow that the windigos brought. Scootaloo said, “So what do we do if this gate is on the train?” Fluttershy was worried. She thought ‘I can’t fly fast enough to catch a moving train.’ Rainbow Dash saw the sweat on Fluttershy’s fur and said, “Don’t worry, I’m sure the gate's not gonna move away on a train.” She wondered if the gate would do exactly that when the time was up. “We probably might want to check the trains just in case.” The three pegasi checked every train and platform in the station and every door in the nearby buildings. The feeling lingered on as they searched to find the gateway. After a while, the three regrouped back at the lobby. Scootaloo remembered how much she hurt the other two pegasi and the entire town with her gossip. She noticed that everypony else had already left. “Hey,” Scootaloo said to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. “Can I tell you something?” “Sure,” Rainbow Dash said. “Of course,” Fluttershy said. “I’m sorry about the Gabby Gums thing,” Scootaloo said. Rainbow Dash had almost forgotten about the gossip. Scootaloo continued, “We got too caught up in the hype, and were writing what everypony in town wanted to see. By the time we tried to stop, something kept pulling us back in. I’m sorry about everything involving the gossip.” Rainbow Dash said, “Yeah, well, I guess I behaved a little harshly too. I'm sorry about the deluge of storm clouds.” Rainbow Dash moved forward until she tripped and fell. “Ow,” she said. Fluttershy saw a viridian key lodged in the floor near Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked back and picked up the key. The three noticed that the viridian key had no teeth, but a fang. It resembled a scythe. “What an unusual key,” Fluttershy said. “Maybe Twilight knows anything about it?” Scootaloo said. Rainbow Dash wondered if the key had anything to do with the gate. She said, “Yeah let’s find her and ask.” The pegasi flew off to find Twilight.