Rain Sight ran out of the room and was heading downsstairs to take care of a certain problem before it got out of hand. She was confident she could deal with the situation, and still make Sovereign something to eat before he noticed anything was wrong. Not so fast! said the voice of Twilight Sparkle. She is not the only thing coming your way. DI will be onto us soon. I need to get you and Sovereign off Korhal, and there is only person I know who can guarantee your safety. Head to your office upstairs, I sent you some forms through a secure line you have to print out. Present them at the starport and you'll be able to legally get past security.
You want me to fill out paper work with that psychopath in my house?! thought Rain Sight.
You'll need it to secure your departure from this world. Let Sovereign handle it, replied Twilight. I'll be arriving shortly to deal with Sweetie Belle personally.
You want to let Sovereign keep her busy?! She probably wants to kill him more than anyone else! argued Rain Sight.
It only seems that way. Trust me, she won't be able to do it. If she sees you however, we'll have problems. Let the stallion do what he needs to do. This isn't a debate, this is an order. Get to your computer now! demanded Twilight.
Rain Sight sighed and obeyed her superior. She quickly made her way over to her office upstairs and checked her computer. She had a second screen, and on that screen, for the sake of staying informed on the situation, she brought up the security feed throughout the house. Down stairs she could already hear "Rain?" coming from Sovereign, followed by a, "Sovereign! My stallion, my angel, my love!" Rain Sight took a deep breath and tried to ignore it as she brought up the forms. So far it all seemed standard, but one in particular caught her attention. Are you serious?! asked Rain Sight.
It's the only thing I could think of to get Sovereign past security on such a short notice, unless you wanted to stuff him inside of a brief case, replied Twilight. Don't worry, he left plenty of signatures on Rayden IV. I just copied one of them onto the forms. Print it and sign it, ordered Twilight.
Gun fire starting going off down stairs, meaning the situation had just taken a turn for the worst. Rain Sight ignored Twilight for a moment as she noticed on the screen that one of Sweetie Belle's stray rounds shot into a cabinet, destroying many of the dishes inside. "My mother's china!" shouted Rain Sight. "She's destroying my house!"
Damn it Rain Sight, when DI gets there you won't have a house anymore. Stay focused! demanded Twilight.
Rain Sight took a deep breath trying to ignore what just happened, then printed out some more of the forms. Then she saw something else on the screen she didn't want to see. A book on a shelf had a hole shot through it, sending destroyed papers all over the floor. My grandmother's photo album! she shouted trying to hold back tears.
Rain Sight! the thought came through in a shout that almost gave Rain Sight a headache. She printed out the last of the forms, and began signing them.
Then she saw the most horrifying sight of all. Sovereign had picked up a cup. "No... Sovereign please no! Not that! Anything but that!" Sovereign tossed the cup into the air, after which Sweetie Belle shot the cup, shattering it to pieces. "My first addition Daring Do collector's cup! That is it! That bitch is going down!"
Wow... what a nerd Twilight thought to herself keeping it from Rain Sight. I'll get you another one, just calm down.
It was signed by Stage Stone Hoof herself at the Korhal comic con! Do you have any idea what I had to go through to get my leave approved so I could attend?! How the hell are you going to get me another one?! Twilight tried to argue, but Rain Sight finally blocked out her voice. She went to her bedroom and pulled a box out from under her bed. Inside the box was her grandfather's shotgun. "I'll teach you to destroy my house..."
Sovereign was doing his best to hold back the tears as he rolled on the ground. "You crazy... bitch! You shot... my knee!" he shouted.
"If you really think your life is ruined by a bullet to the knee, go cry to K-sec. I'm sure they have some guard openings available," replied Sweetie Belle with a chuckle. She levitated her duffle bag over and produced a first aid kit. "Hold still, this is going to hurt... a lot." Sweetie Belle's magic wrapped around the bullet, after which she yanked it straight out of the wound.
Sovereign screamed in agony. "What the hell... is the matter with you?!" he asked.
"My sister says it's important to maintain a state of equilibrium in a relationship. It's unhealthy if one member of the relationship has something he or she can hold over the other. It only leads to problems down the road," explained Sweetie Belle as she began to bandage Sovereign's leg.
"That's your... excuse?!" shouted Sovereign.
Sweetie Belle glared at him. "Now Sovereign, do you really want to argue about excuses after I just received some very graphic pictures of what you and Rain Sight did together?"
"This isn't... the same!" he shouted.
"Sovereign it's exactly the same! You hurt me emotionally on a very deep level, so I did the same to you physically. Now that we are even, neither of us has any leverage over the other. Equilibrium!" explained Sweetie Belle. "By the way, I thought that was only your second time. Some of the things you and her were doing on those photos... how would you know about any of that?"
Sovereign's breathing had finally calmed down, so he was able to speak more clearly. "I have the memories of my people. We don't reproduce asexually, so of course I was going to know stuff," he replied.
Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin as if contemplating the possibilities for a moment. Then the sound of gun fire went off, launching her across the room. "That's for my mother's china, bitch!" shouted an angry Rain Sight.
The round was only rock salt, as Rain Sight was given explicit orders not to kill her. Even with her ghost suit's protection, it still hurt really badly. As Sweetie Belle was about to get back up, she fired another round into her chest knocking the wind out of her. Had she not been wearing protection, the round surely would have broken a few ribs. "And that's for my breaking my collector's cup!... and for shooting my husband."
Despite their injuries, both Sweetie Belle and Sovereign managed to shout out, "Husband?!"
Scootaloo started making her way through the hanger bay to the cockpit, very eager to finally meet her fathers murderer. Rainbow Dash flew into the cargo bay behind her.
"You know she was really looking forward to meeting you," said Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo ignored the comment as she could hardly wait to open up the cockpit door. This time Rainbow Dash stopped in front of her. "Whatever it is, it can wait," said Scootaloo trying to get past Rainbow Dash.
"You called her your clone? Why would you say that?" asked Rainbow Dash. "The whole time she was excited she was finally going to get to meet her sister, and you just shot her down."
"She isn't my sister," argued Scootaloo. "Now get the hell out of my way!" she shouted.
Before the argument could progress further, it was interrupt by a shy and timid voice saying, "Scootaloo?" Scootaloo couldn't believe the voice she had just heard. She looked past Rainbow Dash to see Apple Bloom had just walked out of the cockpit. Tears of joy and disbelief filled her eyes. "Apple Bloom!" she shouted as she flew across the cargo bay to embrace her friend. Again forgetting her newly found strength, she practically slammed Apple Bloom against the wall, and embraced her in hug. "I never thought I'd see you again! What are you doing here?!" she asked.
Apple Bloom stared back at Scootaloo trying to come up with the right words. "I... I..."
Scootaloo again just hugged her. "It's alright. We'll talk in a bit. But I need to take care of something first," she said.
Scootaloo made her way over to the cockpit and opened the door to see at long last who was responsible for taking her father from her. As she opened the door, she found nothing. The cockpit was completely empty. She checked the two bed dorm, and the small bathroom, but still found no one. This doesn't make any sense! They should be here! she thought to herself.
"Scootaloo... there is something you need to know," said Apple Bloom who had just walked into the cockpit. Rainbow Dash and Jet Stream were both still waiting outside in the hanger bay, giving the two mares some privacy.
Suddenly Scootaloo started putting the pieces together. Someone hacked the Dominion battle net. Rainbow Dash couldn't have done it because she was talking with her benefactor. Supposedly Jet Stream had nothing to do with it. That only left one possible explanation. "Apple Bloom... why?"
Apple Bloom's mouth started to tremble as she tried to form words. Before she could say anything she was cut off with another "Why!" being shouted by Scootaloo.
Finally Apple Bloom managed to speak. "I... I... I just wanted to help you."
"You killed him!" she shouted as she tackled Apple Bloom to the ground.
Apple Bloom did her best to cover her face as Scootaloo began to pummel her mercilessly. A few months ago, Apple Bloom was definitely the strongest of the three of them, but now she could barely hold back the force of Scootaloos punches. Her legs felt like they would shatter if Scootaloo kept this up.
Finally Rainbow Dash ran into the room and shoved Scootaloo off. She was ready to jump in figuring there was a good chance things would turn sour between the two. Scootalooo ran past Rainbow Dash and flew out the still open hanger bay doors.
"Rainbow Dash, go after her!" shouted Apple Bloom.
"You said we needed to leave quickly, we don't have time to chase her down!" argued Rainbow Dash.
"Fine, I'll chase her myself!" said Apple Bloom who was about to futilely run after her friend.
Rainbow Dash stopped her and said, "Fine, I'll do it. Just try to keep up on the ship and be ready to get us out of here."
Sweetie Belle's horn started to glow, but before she could do anything, Rain Sight pointed the shotgun at her head. "Turn it off or the next one hits your face," threatened Rain Sight. Sweetie Belle complied.
"Listen up. We're leaving this world. All three of us. I've secured a shuttle, legal departure documents, and a safe house for when we arrive," announced Rain Sight. "I know the three of us might not all be on the best of terms right now, but the departure documents will only be good for a few hours. We leave now, or wait for DI to come and arrest all three of us. Sweetie Belle, I personally don't care if you choose to come, but I'm taking Sovereign with me."
"Like hell you are!" shouted Sweetie Belle as she coughed out a small amount of blood. She was again silenced by the shotgun pointing towards her.
"He's my husband, I'm not leaving him," replied Rain Sight. Somewhat out of duty towards the Dominion, and somewhat out of geniuney concern for her newly announced spouse.
"Wait... when did... that happen?" asked Sovereign who was starting to feel light headed. Sweetie Belle was interrupted by the rock salt shell she received before she could finish bandaging his wound, so he was still losing blood.
"I filled out the forms while she was busy shooting up my house," explained Rain Sight. "I know it's kind of out of the blue, but it was the only way I could take you alongside me through security."
"You think a forged document makes him your husband?!" asked Sweetie Belle who was now on four hooves. She didn't let the shotgun threat silence her this time, though she refrained from letting her horn glow. She didn't want to give Rain Sight a reason to fire.
"Sweetie Belle, I have nothing against you personally. I'm just trying to do my job, and I'm trying to make things go as smoothly as possible between Sovereign and I. You'll just have to accept it," replied Rain Sight. "And it's not forged. It's been made official. I am now Rain Sight High Ground Grey Horn de Steel Wing... sorry."
"But this is just a job to you-" started Sweetie Belle.
She was interrupted by a "ladies!... I'm losing... blood here... can we-"
"Sovereign this is important, just wait a minute," said Rain Sight. She turned her attention to Sweetie Belle. "I know this is awkward, but do you really think we have time to work this out right now? With Dominion Intelligence on its way, and Sovereign bleeding on the carpet? I think it would be better for all of us if we just proceeded to the starport, and discussed this at a later time."
"Thank you!" said Sovereign.
Sweetie Belle looked down at her bleeding stallion and realized he didn't have time for the two of them to work out their issues. If he was going to live, she would have to cooperate... for now. "Alright, let me get him fixed up," she said as she again began treating his wound. "Though out of curiosity, how am I going to get past security?"
"Twilight activated your security clearance," said Rain Sight.
"Twilight is involved?!" shouted Sweetie Belle.
"Again, time is short," responded Rain Sight. "She said she would have to cover her tracks, which means it'll only be a few hours before your clearance documents become invalid. We have to leave now."
Sweetie Belle finished treating the wound and helped Sovereign get back on his feet, "We can make our way through the sewers again. That's how I was planning on escaping."
"That'll take too long. I have a vehicle. Load him in the back, I'll drive," said Rain Sight.
"We're driving?!" asked Sweetie Belle. "You don't think K-sec will stop us?!"
"K-sec and DI are both very busy with the mess you left them," explained Rain Sight. Sweetie Belle again filled with guilt over all the Imperials she hurt not to long ago.
There were no further arguments. Rain Sight grabbed her documents along with Sweetie Belle's duffle bag. After changing out of her rather conspicuous ghost suit, Sweetie Belle loaded Rain Sight's "husband" into the back seat. They took off shortly afterwards.
Scootaloo was taking off as fast as she could. She didn't really have any idea where she was going, and frankly she didn't really care. She had no idea what to do anymore. Sweetie Belle was dead, her father was dead, her best friend betrayed her, and she was still a wanted criminal. Where the hell do I go from here? she asked herself.
She still couldn't believe the events of today. Watching Card Shark get murdered, then hearing her father die on the radio minutes later was bad enough, but she never could have foreseen it was Apple Bloom's doing. Why would she do that to her! But even after this horrible betrayal, Scootaloo still couldn't imagine herself killing Apple Bloom, despite the good pounding she had just given her.
Scootaloo heard a noise coming from behind, it was the cargo shuttle being led by an armored Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo wasn't going with them. Perhaps the best thing she could do was just return to the Ice House and surrender herself? If they killed her on sight, she honestly didn't mind if that happened.
Scootaloo started to speed up and picked up altitude to clear the mountains. She hoped she could outpace the encumbered pursuing pegasus behind her. Faster and higher she went towards the mountain tops. She was actually quite impressed with herself at the moment. She had never been able to go this fast when she was a civilian. She had also not been able to fly unencumbered when she was in the Ice House, so this was her chance to finally see just how fast she could really go.
But as she continued to pick up speed and altitude, she began to feel dizzy. This had never happened to her before. Breathing was becoming rather difficult, and her vision started to blur, but she continued pressing on.
Behind her, Rainbow Dash had activated her jetpack and was slowly catching up. For some reason, Scootaloo just couldn't hold her speed anymore. In fact, she couldn't even see; eventually, her body shut down. She flew upwards for a few more seconds because of the inertia, and just as she began to fall, Rainbow Dash caught her. With Scootaloo secured, she slowly brought the mare back down to Tom.
Karn sat on a chair in an interrogation room by himself as he waited for his interrogator to make his or her appearance. He had been disarmed, and his front hooves had been bound together with chains. An external neural inhibitor was also placed around his neck to keep him from activating his magic. He had no idea how long he had been out for, but when he awoke, he found himself in a cell. He'd been there for a day until the guards brought him into this room where he'd been waiting the last couple of hours.
Finally the door opened, and he was met by a familiar lavender mare.
"Twilight Sparkle," greeted Karn. "I thought you were off digging holes in a backwater looking for some Terran ruins? Heard that one really, what's the term for it? Blew up in your face. I take it you found nothing useful in that burning wreckage?"
"Oh I recovered a useful item or two," she replied.
"Yeah, the one you let escape. Wait until Hawkens finds out about that. I take it you won't be able to explain yourself when I tell him your pet came by my house and attempted to kill my daughter now will you?" he threatened.
"I suppose I won't. Fortunately you won't be telling him anything," she replied.
"What makes you think that?" he asked.
"Well what you might not know is that your daughter's boyfriend was also a wanted criminal, and that she has been knowingly harboring a fugitive for a few days now," she responded.
"Under your orders I'm certain," said Karn. "I take it that won't help your situation with Hawkens either will it?" It was no secret that the director wasn't a fan of Twilight Sparkle. She was the kind of agent who used her position to frequently go over the director's head to pursue personal goals.
"I'm sure it wouldn't. But let's just analyze that for a moment," said Twilight. "Your daughter willingly and knowingly followed my orders in harboring a criminal. And not to long ago, she left Korhal with her criminal associate, who is actually her husband by the way."
"What?!" shouted Karn.
"I performed the ceremony myself," replied Twilight. "A shame her father wasn't there to walk her down the isle. Oh well, it was a real shotgun wedding anyway."
Karn didn't know what to think about that. Was she forced into marriage? Were they planning on running away together? Either way, he kind of wished he could have been there.
"To top it all off, traveling with them is Sweetie Belle, the most hated psychic terrorist in the Dominion right now. Well no one really knows who she is, they just know what she did. I guess that means if I go down, your daughter will go down with me. Except there isn't any paper work linking me to their escape. I guess that was entirely of her own accord. I'd hate to see what Hawkens would do to her."
Karn trembled in anger, but there was nothing he could really do about the situation at the moment. "What do you want from me?"
"Next to nothing really. Just stay quiet during the interrogation. Hawkens will need someone to take the fall, so he'll probably claim you were responsible for the attack," explained Twilight.
Karn stared at Twilight in disbelief. "Are you serious?" he asked.
"The people will want justice after what happened today. All those dead Imperials, and so many of them children," she replied. "Of course if you don't want to play scapegoat, I'm sure you daughter and her husband would be more than willing to take the fall for you. I have their location you know. I could just track down your daughter myself, kill her, drop the blame on her, and hand over the two suspects myself. I'm sure that'll make me look good."
In a fit of rage, Karn reached across the table, only to be levitated by Twilight's magic. "Hawkens is busy with the press, but he'll be here shortly. The clock is ticking, what's it going to be?" she asked.
Twilight released Karn. He weighed his options, but ultimately concluded Twilight had him right where she wanted him. Karn sighed deeply and finally said, "Fine... I'll stay quiet."
"That's a good little pawn," replied Twilight giving a most sincere smile. "And it's nothing personal, but you were just at the right place and right time. I was on my way to help deal with the situation, but they had already left. When I found you there, I had to seize the moment. After all, success is one part planning, two parts improvisation right?" Twilight happily left the room, leaving Karn to contemplate his fate.
Scootaloo awoke in the one of the shuttle's cabins. She had a small headache, but was otherwise alright. Her eyes opened, and she was met with Jet Streams smile. "You're alright!" she said as she hugged her.
Scootaloo gently grabbed her hooves, and forced her younger self to let her go. "Yeah... don't touch me." She wasn't a fan of having near strangers randomly hug her.
Jet Stream was a bit offended, but complied.
"How'd I get here?" asked Scootaloo.
"You went too fast, and flew too high. It's hard to breath at that speed and altitude you know? You passed out midair, but Rainbow Dash caught you before you could fall," answered Jet Stream.
Scootaloo didn't reply, and instead walked out the dormitory. She heard Rainbow Dash and Apple Bloom talking about something in the cockpit.
"So you want us to go to Cadia?" asked Apple Bloom. "I don't know about that. I know it's right at the edge of Consortium space, but it also borders Dominion and Confederate space as well. Wouldn't it be safer to just head straight for Consortium space now?"
"Well it's our ship," said Rainbow Dash. "We're taking the path I say, and I say we're passing through Cadia."
"Alright fine," said Apple Bloom knowing she really had no choice in the matter. "I just don't see what you want to run the risk by flying past that ball of ice."
"No one is going to stop us, it's been taken care of," reassured Rainbow Dash. "We'll have a straight shot for Cadia. Our flight has already been approved."
"By who?" asked Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash almost called her squirt, nearly mistaking her for her sister. "Scoots, go back to bed. This has nothing to do with you."
"We're in the same boat...shuttle, it has everything to do with me," argued Scootaloo.
"Need to know only. And you're welcome by the way," retorted Rainbow Dash referring to saving her earlier. She would have been more willing to inform her on the situation had she been more respectful towards her little sister. But it was clear Scootaloo would never embrace Jet Stream as anything more than a clone. Frankly she was worried her earlier fears about original templates killing their clones might be well founded after all.
"Fine, whatever," said Scootaloo as she made her way into the cargo bay.
"The weapons are locked, so don't bother," shouted Rainbow Dash just as Scootaloo left the cockpit.
Jet Stream entered the cockpit and asked, "So do we have a heading yet?"
"Sure do squirt," said Rainbow Dash. "You're taking us to Cadia."
Jet Stream raised an eyebrow. "Umm sis... any reason why we are taking the long way to Consortium space? I'd rather not freeze my wings off on that planet."
"Just trust me squirt, I know what I'm doing," said Rainbow Dash.
"I'm going to go check on Scootaloo," said Apple Bloom before leaving the cockpit. "I'll yell if I need help again."
"I'll come running," assured Rainbow Dash.
Jet Stream sat down in the pilot seat and set the course. Rainbow Dash could tell she was still upset with Scootaloo's earlier reactions. "Hey squirt, I know Scootaloo wasn't exactly what you were hoping for, but you don't need her. I'm your sister, and I'll always be there for you. You're more than just a copy, no matter what anyone says," said Rainbow Dash.
"I know... thanks," said Jet Stream. "But when I talked to her, she seemed so... angry and yet, sad. And the way she attacked Apple Bloom like that. Why would she attack her best friend who just helped her get out of prison? What happened between the two of them sis?"
Rainbow Dash sighed deeply and began to explain the events that happened during their escape from the ice house. She decided it was best to exclude the part where she shot a guard through the face, as Jet Stream is usually not very accepting of Rainbow Dash's methods at times.
"I see. So Apple Bloom killed our... Scootaloo's father," said Jet Stream.
"He's just as much your father as he is hers," said Rainbow Dash trying to encourage Jet Stream. She hated seeing her little sister doubt her own self-worth.
"Well, the autopilot is set," said Jet Stream. "Maybe we should check up on them?"
Sweetie Belle sat in the back with Sovereign, consistently talking to him, trying to make sure he didn't pass out. The last thing they needed was for him to go into shock. He seemed to be getting better though, so there was a good chance his blood loss wasn't as life threatening as originally anticipated.
Seeing Sweetie Belle comforting her husband for her disturbed Rain Sight. She was very concerned of what Sweetie Belle's presence would do to their "marriage" in the long run. Rain Sight hoped to separate from Sweetie Belle as quickly as possible to avoid any complications.
Finally they had arrived at the starport, and the three of them made their way in. "I should help him," said Rain Sight. "Could you carry the bags please?"
"I don't think so," answered Sweetie Belle. "I think you're taking this sham of a marriage too seriously."
Rain Sight's eye twitched slightly in anger, but she let the comment slide. "It has nothing to do with that. He is my husband according to records, it would look less suspicious if I were the one who accompanied him. It would be safer for all three of us if you instead made your way to the transport on your own on a different shuttle. It'll draw less attention if the three of us aren't seen together." Rain Sight was being sincere in her logic, though there was also a bit of stigma towards seeing Sweetie Belle holding Sovereign.
Sweetie Belle wasn't too pleased with the situation. Already, she could imagine Rain Sight trying something with Sovereign. She wasn't concerned Rain Sight would try to leave Sweetie Belle behind, if she wanted to do that, she would have done so at the house. But seeing how she was right about drawing less attention to themselves if they separated, she complied with Rain Sight's suggestion. "Fine," she said. "But I better not catch you and him doing anything together."
"Uhh... he is my husband you know," said Rain Sight awkwardly as she handed Sweetie Belle her documents.
"Ladies, can we just get a move on before those papers expire like you said they would?" Sovereign pleaded.
The two mares shot icicles at each other with their stares, then finally parted ways. Sweetie Belle would board a different shuttle to the DSP in orbit. Once there, they would board a luxury liner and head towards their new destination. Sweetie Belle decided it would be a good idea to look at her ticket to see where she was being taken. "Cadia?" she said out loud to herself. "Great, from a desert wasteland to a frozen wasteland."
Karn sat silent as Hawkens finally entered the interrogation room. "It's a real nightmare out there. The media is really going crazy over this one," said the stallion as he took a seat in front of Karn. "I take it Twilight had good reason for arresting you?" Karn simply sat silent. "I see... so she is just trying to cover her tracks."
Again Karn stayed silent.
"Karn you've worked for us for years. Your daughter worked for us. Her children, should she ever have any, will probably also work for us. I don't think you would do anything to intentionally hurt the Dominion," said Hawkens. "I'm certain Twilight had a word with you, but whatever she says, don't believe it. Your daughter is in danger Karn."
That last part did catch Karn's attention. He already knew for a fact his daughter was in danger if she was involved with Twilight.
Hawkens presented some photographs then continued. "We believe she is with a very dangerous criminal named Sovereign Grey Horn. These images were taken at a starport a few days ago. They're already off world and have reached their destination. I don't know what she is doing with him, but this doesn't look good for her." Hawkens then presented another photograph of Sweetie Belle who was also at the starpart. "This is Sweetie Belle, a rogue ghost operative. Someone, somehow authorized her security clearance, and she used it to get off world as well. She was seen boarding a different shuttle to the space platform, but she left orbit on the same luxury liner that you daughter and Sovereign left on. If you know anything about this Karn, you have to tell us."
"Do you know where she went?" asked Karn, finally deciding to speak.
"The transport left for Cadia. We're trying to work with the local authorities to have the fugitives arrested," replied Hawkens.
"You don't have authority on that world," replied Karn. "How do you plan to arrest them?"
"That is not your concern. The personal at the starport should have stopped them, but they left using documents approved by Dominion Intelligence. That means that your daughter provided them with the means to escape. At least that's what the reports seem to suggest," said Hawkens.
"She would never do that!" shouted Karn.
"I don't think she would either," said Hawkens. "But whoever did it also did a good job of covering their tracks. That means that the only suspect we have right now is your daughter... unless you can give us a name."
Karn knew this was Twilight's doing. If he gave up Twilight, all that would do is confirm Rain Sight's willing involvement with her. Even with a plea bargain, Twilight was too well connected to cross. Sure he could take her down right now once and for all, but he wouldn't put it past Twilight to use her families connections to drag Right Sight down with her as a final revenge. In the end, Karn decided to keep his mouth shut. Hawkens had no guarantee he would be able to arrest them on Cadian soil, so it was best to just take his chances with silence.
"I'm afraid I can't help you Hawkens," he finally answered.
"You're leaving me with no choice Karn. This is the third attack in a single month, two of which happened in one day. The people want a body, and I'm under pressure from the Emperor himself to give them one. If you can't give me any information, it's going to be you," said Hawkens.
"Why?!" asked Karn. "Because Twilight brought me in?!"
"The third attack happened shortly after the second attack. This one followed a path traveling under the sewers. A path that your partner Eye Glass can confirm the two of you followed," said Hawkens.
"We were tracking a target!" shouted Karn.
"Which led to an underground bunker that connected to your house. Inside we also found a computer which contained many classified files. We also found a number of zerg under your house, which is also causing speculation over you and your daughter's loyalties," explained Hawkens. "This isn't looking good for either of you Karn. I don't think you are responsible, but I think you know who is. Give me a name."
Karn remained silent. Hawkens sighed at his lack of cooperation. He took no pleasure in selling out an agent he knew wasn't responsible, but someone had to pay. That's how things worked in the Dominion. "You'll be put on trial in a few hours. Expect execution. Some guards will come for you soon." Karn said nothing. Hawkens stood up from his chair and left the former agent to his fate.
Apple Bloom entered the cargo bay. Her face still had a few marks on it from the beating she had received. In the bay, she found Scootaloo in a pool of sweat, doing push ups to pass the time. "Hey Scoots..." she managed to get out.
Scootaloo said nothing. She didn't even look up to face her. She just continued as if Apple Bloom didn't even exist.
Apple Bloom approached her friend in hopes of making amends. "Scoots listen, I know nothing I say will ever undo what I did. I also understand if you never want to talk to me again Scoots, but believe me when I say I never wanted to hurt you."
Scootaloo continued to ignore her, and pressed on with her push ups.
"When I heard you were arrested, the only thing on my mind was helping you. I was the one who had Rainbow Dash drop off that tablet in your room. I was watching you almost the entire time through the security feed. All the horrible things they made you do. I had to get you out of there Scoots," said Apple Bloom.
Scootaloo finally stopped, stood up and gave a reply. "If you were watching me the whole time, then why the hell didn't you suspect maybe something was going on between me and the warden?!" she shouted.
"Scoots, all I saw was that every day he beat you senselessly," responded Apple Bloom. "As for taking you into the office, there weren't any cameras in there. We were thinking that maybe he was... you know... asking you for favors. I thought that's why the guards kept bringing you extra food."
"That's sick!" shouted Scootaloo. After a few seconds, she calmed down. "Just leave me alone alright."
"Scoots please! You know I would never do anything on purpose to hurt you," pleaded Apple Bloom.
"But you did! That was my father! The man I never thought I'd ever get to see again. I finally met him. I finally got to be his daughter. I finally started to think maybe we were going to be a family again. And then you came and ruined everything!" shouted Scootaloo.
"I was just trying to help!" replied Apple Bloom.
"I didn't ask you to!" shouted Scootaloo. "Apple Bloom... I hate you... I never want to see you again when we get to Cadia. Just leave me alone..."
Those words hurt far more than any of the punches Scootaloo had thrown her way earlier. Apple Bloom managed not to cry somehow, then turned around and walked away slowly.
"Scootaloo, do you have any idea what she went through to help you?!" shouted Jet Stream who had just entered the cargo bay. It was a small shuttle, so it wasn't hard for her to hear the whole thing.
"No one asked you!" replied Scootaloo.
"I don't care! Your friend moved heaven and earth to get you out there. She risked her life and freedom to do this. She could have turned around anytime she wanted to, but the only thing she thought of was you!" shouted Jet Stream. Scootaloo was about to tell her off, but Jet Stream continued her rant. "No one else in the entire sector believed you were innocent Scootaloo! Even your own mother thought you committed those murders. Apple Bloom was the only mare who gave a damn if you lived or died. That's why she did the things she did, because she cared about you. But after seeing how you're acting, I frankly can't see why she should care at all! You don't deserve a friend like her!"
Scootaloo walked up to the Jet Stream and met her eye to eye mere inches away. "Do you have any idea what I had to do to survive in that hell hole? The people I killed. You don't think I'll do the same to some piece of crap I can't even stand to look at?" asked Scootaloo.
An armed Rainbow Dash had now entered the room, and was not happy with what she was seeing. She was getting ready to put down that ungrateful mare if she so much as touched her little sister.
"You think that makes you tough? Killing me? Fine! Do it! But it still doesn't change the fact you're the only piece of crap on board this ship who can't appreciate what she has," said Jet Stream.
"Jet Stream, just let it go," pleaded Apple Bloom.
"NO!" replied Jet Stream "Scootaloo, I'm sorry about our dad, I really am-"
Scootaloo struck Jet Stream in the gut for saying that. She grabbed her by her mane, lifted her face to face and told her, "He was my father, not yours! You don't get to call him that!"
Rainbow Dash drew a pistol, but Scootaloo grabbed Jet Stream hostage using her as a shield. She threatened to snap her sisters neck.
"Let her go! Don't think for a second I won't kill you where you stand," threatened Rainbow Dash.
"Do you think I care anymore Rainbow Dash?" asked Scootaloo while giving a chuckle. "Go ahead and do it. We're both reapers, we both went through the same hell. The Ice House was meant to turn us into soulless killers. Well it worked! Prove you're a reaper Dash! But do it fast because I'm about to prove I'm one too!"
Jet Stream began to speak, despite the rather painful position Scootaloo had her in. "You lost someone who cared about you, but he wasn't the only one who did. You're about to throw away the only family you still have left."
The words finally hit home. While she was certainly still angry with Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom was the only person she had left who she could count on. If she pushed her away now, she'd be alone forever. It wasn't worth it. Scootaloo let Jet Stream go. "I'm sorry" she said softly.
Apple Bloom approached her friend carefully, then gently put a hoof on her shoulder. "It's ok Scoots... I'm sorry too. I promise I'll do everything I can to make it up to you." She slowly wrapped her hooves around Scootaloo, and the both of them shared a hug.
"I can't believe we're going to Cadia," said Rain Sight. "I grew up on Meinhof and Korhal; Desert worlds. I'm going to turn into an icicle over there." The newly weds were inside of a large luxury transport, enjoying all the comforts the Dominion had to offer. They were on a floor filled with food, drinks, and music where couples could have a nice time together, provided of course both were willing. Posing as a married couple on their honeymoon, they had not attracted any attention yet, which means Twilight had done a good job of running interference for them. "So... you haven't said much yet," said Rain Sight, questioning her husband. "This is a honeymoon... we should probably be... you know..."
Sovereign was helping himself to another drink at the bar. Sweetie Belle didn't let him drink as much as he liked when they were staying together at the hotels, so it was nice to finally unwind. "No... I don't," replied Sovereign.
"Sovereign, you know what's expected of us," she said. Rain Sight took the drink away. "Alcohol inhibits performance hun, and I think with the blood you lost, that's the last thing you need. Now come on, I think we should get started." Rain Sight put the glass back down in front of him hoping he would see things her way.
Sovereign didn't look back at her. He simply picked up the drink and finished it. "Thanks but I'll pass."
Rain Sight closed her eyes as her hoof shook in anger. She calmed herself down and brought back the smile befitting that of a loyal wife. "It's about Sweetie Belle isn't it?" Sweetie Belle so far had been keeping a distance, but she was always watching them from across the room.
"I don't feel right cheating on her again," replied Sovereign.
Rain Sight just about busted a capillary from hearing him say that. The entire trip she was trying her hardest to be a loyal and loving spouse, but so far he refused to even look at her, much less touch her. Her patience for her husband was reaching its end. "Listen to me!" she whispered angrily. "You aren't cheating on anyone. The only person you can cheat on right now is me. I'm sorry it had to be this way. I wish it could have been different, but these are the cards we've been dealt. Let's make the best of an awkward situation, or else we're in for a very miserable lifetime together."
Sovereign sighed and walked away. Again one of Rain Sight's hooves was trembling in anger. She gave up for the day, and returned to her room, tears flowing from her eyes. The ship would reach its destination in a few hours, so she decided to get some rest in her large and tragically, empty bed.
Seeing Rain Sight had retreated to their room, Sovereign decided to approach Sweetie Belle, who engaged him in a passionate kiss. "She still insist that the marriage counts for anything?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah... as insistent as ever," replied Sovereign. "I do feel bad for her though. She didn't ask for this, she's just following her orders."
"Sovereign, if I had just followed my orders, you'd be a vegetable by now," she said.
"But you did follow your orders. You threw me out the bus and killed me remember?" he asked.
Sweetie Belle laughed, "Are you still upset about that?"
"I guess I could look past it," replied Sovereign.
"Well... I know one way I could make it up to you," replied Sweetie Belle giving him a wink and naughty smile. She took Sovereign's hoof and led him back to her quarters. Once they were inside, it didn't take long for Sweetie Belle to start undoing her dress. Sovereign quickly caught on, and began doing likewise with his clothing.
Now coated only in her fur, Sweetie Belle crawled under her bed covers and waited for Sovereign, who joined her shortly afterwards. Ok, this is it. It's really happening, she thought to herself. She did her best to stay calm as Sovereign's hooves wrapped around her.
Sovereign could tell Sweetie Belle was really nervous, "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Sweetie Belle was a bit red on the face as she said it. "I'm... not really sure what to expect," she admitted.
"OH... first time I see," he replied. Sweetie Belle nodded her head somewhat nervously.
"Don't worry, we'll take things slow," he said as he got her into position. One good thing about being a Preserver was he had the memories of all the mares of his people, as well as the stallions. It gave him a good idea of how far to take things the first time around.
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and waited with a feeling of excitement and anxiety. She waited five seconds, then ten, then thirty, but nothing happened. "Is something wrong?" asked Sweetie Belle. She could see Sovereign was panicking as he was trying to straighten things out. Hard as he tried, he had a hard time getting hard.
Sovereign pulled covers over her head and said, "Just a second!" with a somewhat embarrassed tone of his own now. Could Rain Sight's warnings about the alcohol have been true? If so, there was a good chance nothing was going to happen any time soon.
"I see," said Sweetie Belle who had taken the liberty of reading his mind. "Well... maybe tonight wasn't a good night anyway," she said somewhat disappointed. He was certainly drunk when Twilight approached him, and he was poisoned when Rain Sight did. Despite those handicaps, they still managed to arouse him just fine. Sweetie Belle began to think maybe she was the problem? Maybe he just didn't find her attractive? "Umm... good night," she said as she turned around and tried to get some sleep.
Sovereign could tell by her town she was upset, and perhaps even embarrassed? He felt horrible, but there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. Regretfully, he too simply laid down and tried to get some rest.
Rain Sight was rather displeased with her husband. She knew where he was and what he was trying to do. I can't believe I had to resort to that, she thought to herself.
When Rain Sight took Sovereign's drink from him, she knew he wasn't gong to be convinced. While he wasn't looking, she slipped a little something into his drink. A drug that would hinder blood flow to lower extremities. It was rather shameful the things she had to do to keep her husband faithful. In time he might just come around, but until then she needed to keep a close eye out for Sweetie Belle.