//------------------------------// // Casus Belli // Story: My Little Teelo: Masquerade // by Ardwolf //------------------------------// In which the meek cry havoc, the blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and the masquerade is threatened. Teagan went to Spike and hugged him. “I tried to warn you,” she said. The baby dragon took a deep breath. She felt him grow rigid and jumped back as he growled. “Spike?” She asked uncertainly. He glanced at her and despite him being only three feet tall she felt her blood run cold. “Why?” He hissed, and she could see little curls of flame escaping from between his teeth. The flames weren’t the green color he used to send messages, they were red and orange. His eyes narrowed to slits and his pupils expanded until his eyes were almost completely black. His tail tip whipped back and forth like an angry cat. “Why would she order them to kill everyone?” His voice was raspy. The little licks of red flame were now mixed with a great deal more orange and some yellow. “Spike, calm down!” Twilight said, alarmed. “Getting angry about it won’t change what happened!” “But it will keep it from happening again,” Spike snarled. His voice was definitely deeper. The flames were yellow now, with little blue tips. His ridge was turning a darker green and his ear frills had turned almost black. “What are you going to do, Spike?” Teagan demanded. “Kill her? How would that make you any better than she is? She’s been taken prisoner! Her spine is broken. She’s no threat now!” “Good,” he hissed, his forked tongue tasting the air like a snake’s. His smile showed a lot of teeth. “I’ll just finish cleaning up the mess, then. I’m good at cleaning up messes, right Twilight? It’s what I do.” The last word reverberated in Teagan’s chest. “Is he getting taller?” Emma asked uneasily, taking a step back. “Oh no! It’s happening again!” Twilight moaned. “Spike, you have to stop! Last time you lost control like this you almost hurt Rarity!” “Oh, crap, oh, crap, oh crap,” Teagan whispered, eyes widening as she realized what was happening. “Spike, listen. I know you want to go nuts on Chrysalis and I really can’t blame you. But it won’t help anything. She’s not right in the head! I think losing so many of her children drove her crazy. She’s insane, Spike!” “I don’t care,” Spike was definitely growing—his voice was a bass rumble and his eyes were level with hers now. He was bulkier than he had been a minute before, the muscles in his arms and legs bulging like a bodybuilder’s. “Please, Spike! Just calm down!” Twilight pleaded. The dragon ignored her, dropping to all fours. His light purple scales were getting darker, and his ridge was a deep forest green. He stretched his back and everyone heard the series of pops as the vertebrae realigned to match his now quadrupedal stance. “I am very angry, Twilight,” Spike said, his body lengthening again. “Chrysalis needs to be stopped. She attacked Canterlot, remember? She tried to hurt my friends. She did hurt the Princess. Now she’s tried to kill Teelo! And worst of all? She tried to hurt Rarity. No more Mr. Nice Dragon. Time to take out the trash.” Wings sprouted from his back. Now nearly ten feet long the dragon probably weighed a quarter of a ton and he was still growing. He stalked toward the tall windows, a pale black tinge edging his scales. “Spike, I won’t let you do this!” Twilight stepped between the advancing dragon and the windows. Spike lunged suddenly, massive jaws snapping together an inch from Twilight’s muzzle. She shrieked and dodged instinctively. Crouching Spike launched himself through the windows, black wings unfurling even as gravity yanked him earthward. “SPIKE!” Twilight’s scream was counterpointed by the doors slamming open as both guards charged into the room, horns lit. Unnoticed in the uproar, the skinned and bloody head of a pony rose through the floor. Its teeth seized a glowing black crystal before sinking back out of sight with its prize. No one paid any attention to the faint odor of rotting flesh it left behind. They were too busy staring after the dark purple dragon rapidly disappearing toward Ponyville. ooOoo Sweetie Belle trotted happily along the path through the park on the edge of Ponyville, hurrying to meet the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders for yet another attempt at earning their cutie marks. The filly was singing a silly little song of her own creation, concerning ants and sugar gum drops when an earth pony stumbled into her path. “Help me, please! My sister, she’s been hurt!” Sweetie Belle came to an abrupt halt, startled by the bruised and bloody mare. “What happened to you?” She asked as the mare hung her head, her sides heaving. “Come quick, my sister’s not moving! Hurry!” The mare turned and stumbled away, nearly going down in her exhaustion. “Hang on, shouldn’t we find an adult?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as she instinctively followed the battered pony further away from town. “There’ no time! I’ll show you where—” The mare stumbled again and landed on her knees with a pained whinny. She struggled to her feet. “You need a doctor!” Sweetie Belle pleaded as the dogged mare plunged on. “My sister’s hurt worse than me,” the mare gasped, starting to limp now. “A lot worse,” A sob forced its way out of her. Sweetie Belle had no trouble keeping up with the silver mare with a lollipop cutie mark. The mare’s bright blue mane was filled with brambles and her tail was covered in cockleburs. “What’s your name?” The filly asked, giving up on stopping the stubborn pony for now. She’d just have to run for help once she found out where the pony’s sister was. “Ca-Candy Floss,” the mare panted, clearly on her last legs. “I don’t think you’re going to be able to keep going much longer, Candy Floss,” Sweetie Belle said in concern. “Is it much further?” “No, just a bit more—” The mare stopped and fell in a heap and started crying. “I—I can’t do this! Run! Run away little filly! Before they catch you! Save yourself!” “What are you talking about? What about your sister?” Sweetie Belle asked, bewildered. “Weak, stupid horse,” A voice snarled. “You betrayed us! Now you’ll be Doctor Rimor’s new plaything! Get that filly!” “NO!” Suddenly Candy Floss was on her feet, all signs of exhaustion gone. “Run, you stupid filly! It’s too late for me, but I’ll take at least one of them to Tartarus with me!” She screamed, a shriek of rage that bore no taint of fear, and pawed the ground, a deep furrow trailing her hoof. Shocked into motion Sweetie Belle spun, only to see a score of diamond dogs surrounding them. Several of them had nets. Candy Floss screamed again and charged. The alpha stood frozen, staring in shock at the suddenly no-longer-feeble mare. She leaped at the last moment, slamming her front hooves into his face even as her weight crashed into him. He went down with a yelp, four hundred pounds of maddened earth pony landing on top of him. She smashed all four hooves downward with enraged strength over and over again, legs blurring. Sweetie Belle cringed at the cracking noises. They sounded like sticks being snapped under hoof. The diamond dog lay silent and still under the savage trampling. Silver furred legs now stained red, the mare screamed again and charged another dog Sweetie Belle bolted, aiming for the gap between two dogs that didn’t have nets. They were too shocked by the fall of their leader to react in time, grasping paws clutching nothing but air. The filly heard a thud behind her, then a strangled yelp followed a crack, and frantic cursing as the pack swarmed their attacker. The mare’s furious whinnying screams acted like the sting of a whip to spur the filly to even greater speed. She galloped for a hundred yards before something slammed into her side, throwing her off her hooves and stunning her. She rolled to a stop, her side blazing in pain. Gasping for air, each breath squeezing tears from her eyes she looked up to see a huge looming figure striding toward her on two legs. She scrambled to her hooves, the pain wrenching a squeal from between clenched teeth. She recognized her attacker as a troll, and knew the only chance she had was to run. But she didn’t know if she could the way her side was hurting. Worse, the troll was between her and home. With the troll in front and the diamond dogs behind she tried to think, still woozy from the tumble. Just as the troll reached for her she turned to the left and forced herself to run. The pain was a white-hot blaze of agony. With each pounding step it nearly blinded her. She wheezed as she ran, terrified the troll was going to catch her before she could reach town. She groaned as she glanced off a tree trunk, sparing thanks to Celestia it hadn’t been her injured side. She could feel her strength leaving her and she panicked as the troll crashed through the brush so terribly close behind her. That’s when her hoof caught on a root and sent her to the ground. She had just enough presence of mind to land on her uninjured side but the impact still knocked the wind out of her, and turned her legs to jelly. There’d be no more running, she couldn’t draw a full breath, much less summon the strength to rise. She turned her head to see the troll kneel beside her and didn’t even have the breath to scream. She could barely keep from blacking out. The troll chuckled as it raised one massive fist. She closed her eyes and cowered, knowing she was going to die. ooOoo Chrysalis’s screams brought medical staff running. They crowded the doorway, not daring to enter when they saw both Celestia and Discord in the room. The latter gave Celestia a cheery wave and snapped his fingers, vanishing in a flash of light. Immediately after Discord’s departure the screaming stopped and the colors stilled around the huddled pony on the floor. Tentatively the multicolored pony opened her eyes, panting. “That hurt,” she said, hesitantly gathering her hooves under her and shakily clambered upright. “How do you feel?” Celestia asked gently, momentarily free of the maddening itches. “Actually—good. Very good. In fact, better than I have in six thousand years,” the other pony spread her iridescent wings and shook herself. “And the itch is gone!” The alicorn took in the sight of the transformed changeling queen. Hard black chitin had been replaced with soft black fur, the saddle she’d always worn replaced with one trimmed in gold and rubies. Her gnarled black horn was now a long slender shaft of gleaming spiraled ivory. The silly spiked crown was nowhere to be seen, but a pair of long delicate antennae sprouted from where the crown would have been. Her legs were now whole, with no holes in them. The tattered dragonfly wings had been replaced with those of a rainbow-hued butterfly, similar to the ones Rarity had sported during the Young Flier’s Competition. But unlike those fragile constructs made of morning dew and magic, Chrysalis’s new wings were opaque, shimmering with powerful magic. In fact the queen radiated power so intensely the resonance caused sparks to flash in Celestia’s mane and tail. “You may want to cloak your power, Chrysalis,” the Princess noted quietly. “You feel like a unicorn foal in the midst of a flare.” “Sorry,” the queen’s aura slowly dimmed to a slight shimmer. “Much better,” Celestia nodded. “Did your hive transform as well?” “No,” Chrysalis replied. “I must go to them, especially the ones here that were injured. And the proper term is kaleidoscope, Celestia. We are flutterponies, not changelings.” “I will remember,” the alicorn promised, gracefully dipping her horn. “Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me I must tend my children.” Celestia winced and snapped her tail against her back to quell the sudden reminder of her own situation. “I too have a task that will not wait. Good fortune, Your Majesty.” There was a flash and the alicorn was gone. “She is such a showoff,” Chrysalis snorted in amusement. “Now, will someone kindly lead me to my injured children? I have a great deal of work to do.” ooOoo “Did you hear somethin’?” Apple Bloom asked suddenly raising her head. “No. Where’s Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo asked in irritation. “She was supposed to be here half an hour ago. If she doesn’t hurry we won’t have time to look for our cutie marks!” “Maybe Rarity made her do some chores?” Apple Bloom offered. “Still, I’m getting kinda bored waitin’. Why don’t we go see what’s keepin’ her? I mean it ain’t like her to blow us off or nothin’.” “Sounds like a plan!” Scootaloo enthused. Let’s get moving!” Trotting down the ramp of their clubhouse Scootaloo hopped on her scooter while Apple Bloom climbed into the wagon. They were soon buzzing along, taking the same path Sweetie Belle had used on her way to them before her ill-fated encounter—which had ended only minutes earlier. Narrowed eyes, hidden deep in the trees, watched them pass. Once they had vanished around a bend in the path the dejected diamond dog retreated to rejoin what was left of his pack, who were waiting deeper in the woods. He slunk through his pack mates toward the troll scowling in the middle of the pack. Next to the looming troll stood a brown unicorn with aqua mane and tail, a filly lying sprawled at her hooves. There was no sign of Candy Floss. “The other two fillies just went past looking for that one,” the dog whined, nodding at the unmoving filly. “We need to go before Miss Rarity comes to punish us!” “Quiet!” The troll snarled. “I say when we go, mongrel. You’re being well paid for this, and the prize is ours. What do I care if a sydame comes after us? It will be hours before the ponies can organize search parties, they have no idea the filly is even gone.” “We needed her alive, Jern,” the unicorn said snidely. “Why did you hit her so hard?” The troll snorted. “Because these mangel hjerner couldn’t even catch a youngling, Glitter. If I hadn’t stopped her she’d have gotten away.” “And if I hadn’t intervened you’d be in Rimor’s clutches right now, Jern,” Glitter said sweetly. “You know he doesn’t tolerate failure. Or underlings that ruin his plans.” The troll scowled but said nothing. She waited a moment before continuing. “The dog is right. We need to get back to the caves before somepony stumbles on us. One dead pony is useful for sowing panic, but more would just trigger a response by the Royal Guard. In case you’ve forgotten we’re not ready for full on war. Not yet.” “I’m not afraid of the Guard. I can carve them up like cave lice, that armor of theirs is worthless,” the troll boasted, flexing his claws. “Thus revealing our organization to all of Equestria? You’d be screaming by morning,” Glitter said coldly. “Rimor chose you because you’re handy in a fight, and you know how to sneak around. That’s the only reason you’re in command. Besides, if you did manage to kill any guards we’d have the Horns swarming in here, or Celestia herself! And if that happened Rimor would be the least of your worries.” “Princess Shiny Flank can’t be bothered,” The troll sneered. “She’s too busy holding her nose in the air and stuffing herself with cake.” The unicorn face-hoofed. “You’re an idiot, Jern! Did swatting that filly make all the blood rush to your stomach?” The troll snorted. “As if. Oh, and speaking of stomachs, leaving that mare is such a waste, Glitter. It’s been a long time since I tasted pony.” “Ask me if I care, Jern,” the unicorn glared. “You can always have the filly when we’re done with her. Young meat’s supposed to be tenderer, isn’t it?” “Now you’re an expert on meat?” The troll asked disdainfully. “Besides, once Rimor’s done with them they’re not very appetizing. I like my meat still on the bone. It makes it more fun to eat. He always leaves them in such small pieces that it completely ruins the texture—it’s like eating mush.” Glitter looked annoyed. “We’re wasting time. Pick up the filly and let’s go. And be careful with her! Your ham-hooved attack was hard enough to fix, don’t make me do it again. Healing magic gives me hives.” “All right, all right! Come on, you lot,” the troll grumbled. “We not going with you!” One of the dogs said with a snarl. “You pay us now. Stupid pony kill Rover and Butch. Four more besides! You say job be easy,” the other dogs started growling too. “Not so easy! Now you say maybe get Celestia chasing us? No!” “You’ll do as you’re told, you stupid mongrel, or I’ll eat you!” Jern snarled, moving toward the complaining dog, apparently the new alpha. “Diamond dogs not so stupid, troll! Count!” The dog grinned, flicking his ears. “What?” Jern paused. “What do you mean, count? If you think there are enough of you to bring me down, think again you flea-bitten cur!” “Stupid troll! Count us. How many you hire?” Behind him Glitter did a rapid mental count. Then she did it again and her eyes widened. “A score of you. So?” The troll shrugged. “Mad pony kill six! How many left?” “Jern! Two of the dogs are missing!” Glitter called out. The troll hissed in annoyance. “What are you planning, stupid cur?” “Not stupid! Smart. Troll stupid. Diamond dogs know about caves! You try kill us those two run, tell ponies where you are! Where filly is! Now, you pay and we leave, no tell ponies.” “I’ll see you all dead first!” the troll bellowed. “Jern!” Glitter snapped. “Are you trying to bring them down on our heads?” The troll turned and snarled at her, infuriated. A green glitter ran up and down her horn as she glared back. “Calm down and think,” she scolded. “We have the filly, that’s all that matters! Pay them and let’s get out of here! That roar is bound to bring ponies to investigate!” The troll glared at her, then at the new alpha. Snarling he unslung his pack. Digging through it he tossed a large heavy sack at the dog’s feet. Bending down he scooped up the white filly. “Tricky dog,” he snarled. “Don’t let me see your face again, or I’ll tear it off and shove it down your throat!” The new alpha smirked, knowing he’d bested the troll. “Make sure pay is real,” he directed a lieutenant. The other dog quickly ran his nose over it. “Is good,” the dog assured his alpha. The alpha smiled and waved the troll and unicorn away. Snarling the troll broke into a run followed closely by the fleet-footed unicorn. The alpha directed his remaining pack to divide the contents of the bag between them and then the diamond dogs scurried away, leaving the sack lying abandoned in the dirt. ooOoo By the time Teagan and Emma had calmed down the seriously freaked out Twilight and the latter had ordered a chariot and a wing of the Guard as escort (at Teagan’s insistence, she was still twitchy from the ambush) Spike had already reached Ponyville, being easily twice as fast as a chariot. He’d stopped growing somewhere early in the flight and right now was twenty feet long, weighing about a ton. His scales were a deep purple color, almost black at the base and lightening toward the edge of each scale to a pale violet. The effect made a shimmering wave of color run down his body with each undulating stride. The fact he was glaring made any pony in his path bolt in terror. He stalked up to the entrance to the Ponyville Hospital and pushed inside, barely clearing the lintel even on all fours. “Where is she?” He hissed at the nurse behind the reception desk. “W-wh-Who?” The terrified pony stammered. “Chrysalis,” the word was rumbled calmly, but little licks of blue flame curled around his teeth. “And why do you seek Chrysalis, dragon?” A large horned flutterpony suddenly appeared between the quivering nurse and the dragon. “What are you supposed to be?” The dragon cocked his head in curiosity. “I’ve never seen a pony with butterfly wings before.” “I am the Queen of the Flutterponies,” the black pony said calmly. “Why do you seek Chrysalis?” “To put her out of Equestria’s misery,” the dragon replied. “Do you know where she is?” “Who are you to seek her out?” The flutterpony asked, studying the dragon before her with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. “I am told she is quite powerful.” “My name is Spykoranuvellitar. Chrysalis tried to kill a friend of mine. I’m going to return the favor,” the dragon’s rumble wasn’t particularly loud, but it reverberated like an earthquake. By now the reception area was empty except for the dragon and the flutterpony. “I see,” the queen studied him for a moment. “Who was this friend Chrysalis tried to kill?” “Lady Teagan of Clan O’Gara,” the dragon replied. “But that isn’t important right now. Do you know where she is or not?” “I do know where she should be,” the flutterpony nodded. “But this Lady Teagan is the Queen of the Trolls, is she not? My understanding is that Lady Teagan killed Chrysalis in battle.” “No. She didn’t,” Spike said flatly. “Chrysalis is still alive. An unfortunate state of affairs I plan to fix. Now tell me where she is. I am growing bored with this conversation,” the dragon’s jaws parted just a little, revealing the guttering flames in his mouth. “I will do better than that, Spykoranuvellitar,” the flutterpony replied. “I will lead you to her. You won’t be able to find her without my help. She is a tricky one.” “She is.” The dragon considered her for a moment. “Why do you choose to aid me, Your Majesty?” “Let’s just say I’m curious to see how this plays out,” the flutterpony replied. “Come with me.” She led the dragon out of the hospital and lifted into the air, arrowing away with astounding speed for a creature with butterfly wings. Spike launched after her, finding it difficult to keep her in sight. She led him out of town toward a large field adjacent to the woods where the diamond dogs had ambushed Sweetie Belle, landing in the center. Spike came down close to her. “There’s nothing here, Your Majesty,” Spike said with narrowed eyes. “Where is Chrysalis?” Turning to face him the flutterpony bowed. “Greetings, Spykoranuvellitar. My name is Chrysalis, formally Queen of the Changelings. I have reclaimed my rightful form and title as Queen of the Flutterponies this day.” There was no warning, no hesitation. The dragon opened his jaws and loosed a torrent of clear blue flame straight at the flutterpony queen. It washed over her with the hissing roar of a gargantuan flame thrower. Nothing made of flesh and bone could withstand such heat. It was well known that dragon fire is second only to the Wrath of the Sun in terms of deadly fury. ooOoo Celestia appeared in a flash at the edge of a tiny clearing in the Everfree Forest. She made her way to a squat tree that had colored bottles hanging from the branches and a stout wooden door. She knocked gracefully with her hoof. After a moment the door opened to reveal a zebra wearing multiple gold rings around her neck and left leg. She blinked in surprise, bobbing her head, which made her Mohawk-like crest bounce. “Your Highness, this is certainly a surprise! Though I dread what ill your visit implies.” “Hello, Zecora,” Celestia’s smile turned into a grimace as she slapped the underside of her belly with her tail. “Oh, that feels better.” The zebra cocked her head to one side. “Princess, please do not think me rude, but why is your tail in such an imperative mood?” “The tale of my tail is long and involved, and if truth be told, needs your help to be solved,” Celestia winked. Zecora chuckled. “A noble effort you put forth indeed, to honor this zebra, but there is no need. Still, tale telling is always a thirsty vocation. Perhaps some tea during our conversation?” “Tea would be lovely. Twilight tells me your teas are always delicious.” “Twilight Sparkle has always been kind, however such teas are easy to find,” Zecora said, waving away the compliment. “Please, step inside and be at peace, privacy I can promise you at least.” Celestia accepted the invitation, stepping into Zecora’s hut, which consisted of one large room, a small bed tucked in an alcove, the rest of the hut dedicated to a myriad of bottles and flasks and bunches of herbs drying as they hung from the ceiling. More bottles and jars filled the shelves along the wall and there was a large black cauldron resting in a fire pit in the middle of the hut. Zecora busied herself making tea as Celestia sat patiently, only occasionally biting at a particularly irksome itch. Once she had served her guest the zebra settled down and spoke. “I have heard how busy it is under our proud monarchs’ roof, I fear what brings you to seek my helping hoof.” “I need to ask a favor, Zecora,” the alicorn said. “While attempting to rid someone of a powerful curse I accidentally triggered a trap protecting the spell. The result is a magical itching, as though I were infested with phantom fleas.” “Such a curse I fear I cannot tend, this magic is one I know not how to mend,” Zecora said, shaking her head. “I know no remedy nor potion nor balm that could rid you of this curse so wicked and strong.” “Actually, I already know how to break the curse. All I have to do is roll in a patch of poison joke for about an hour and coat myself with the pollen.” Zecora stiffened. “Your Highness this cure I must surely protest! The blue flower’s dangers you have not addressed! The vile Tišina it did turn to stone, what makes you think it will leave you alone?” “Discord assures me the plant is only deadly to Tišina,” Celestia said calmly. “Although I’m sure the side-effects will be—unpleasant—I can assure you these phantom fleas are even more so.” Zecora sat in thought for a few minutes, clearly trying to find an alternative. “You know your business best, I’m sure, but trusting Discord does not reassure! That being of chaos I most surely detest, it would be wiser I think not to trust that foul pest.” “He’s reformed, you know,” Celestia chuckled, sipping her tea. “Although I do admit he was gloating over my misfortune very openly. Still, I trust him in this. He said something about getting more entertainment from my cure than my malady.” “Aye, that twisted snake takes pleasure in the suffering of others, beware Princess when you willingly submit to his druthers!” “I’m a big filly now, Zecora,” Celestia said with a chuckle. “This won’t be the first time I’ve suffered from one of Discord’s pranks. I only have to endure it for one day, how bad could it be?” Zecora shuddered. “Never tempt fate, oh royal mare with the long white horn! When Discord is playing you may rue the day you were born. None the less I will lead you to a dreadful blue patch, to roll and to tumble till your fleas you do scratch. Though in kindness most free, will I grant you a boon, the cure for poison joke to take at full moon.” “Would it be rude of me to ask you to hurry?” Celestia asked apologetically, squirming where she sat. “This itching really is terribly uncomfortable.” “Not at all, dear Princess, my friend in great need, let us away to the blue flowers to do the kind deed. Here is your cure, I always keep plenty, for ponies so silly, who knows just how many?” She donned a bag and put the cure inside, then led Celestia through the woods where no paths led and finally to the largest patch of flowers Celestia had ever seen, blue blooms stretching out of sight under the dimness of the trees. “The wind is blowing away from us here, go deep in the patch and roll without fear. Not a single monster there is but that dreads the blue flower, I attest to you now all fear its fell power.” Celestia strode into the patch of flowers without hesitation. She walked a hundred yards before turning and looking at the zebra, who nodded and waved at her. Taking a deep breath Celestia lay down and began to roll and squirm, a faint blue haze rapidly surrounding her as she wallowed in the poison joke, crushing it under her weight. ooOoo Rarity was in her shop doing inventory when Apple Bloom and Scootaloo arrived. “Hi Miss Rarity,” Apple Bloom said. “We was wonderin’ when Sweetie Belle was gonna be done with her chores.” Rarity paused, confused. “Why, whatever do you mean, darling? Sweetie Belle left to join you over half an hour ago.” “That’s weird,” Scootaloo said, scrunching up her face. “She’d never just dump us. I wonder where she is.” Rarity frowned in concern. “You’re right, Scootaloo. She said she was going straight to the clubhouse because I had kept her a little longer than I meant to. This silly inventory business is taking much too long, even with her help. It shouldn’t have taken her more than ten minutes to reach you.” “You don’t think somethin’ coulda happened to her, do you?” Apple Bloom asked, her pupils contracting to pinpricks. Rarity stiffened, thinking rapidly. Knowing her sister wouldn’t just wander off when the other Cutie Mark Crusaders were waiting for her made her heart race. “You came straight here from the clubhouse, did you not?” Rarity asked casually. Eyes wide, the two fillies nodded. “And you saw no one on the way?” “No ma’am,” Apple Bloom said. “If she was headed fer the clubhouse we’d a run into her.” “I’ve been working on braking, okay?” Scootaloo muttered. Rarity ignored her, still thinking. “Far be it for me to be a nervous Nellie,” she said in a carefully optimistic tone, “but perhaps we should see if any of the other mares have seen her. Scootaloo, I want you to find Rainbow Dash, and have her alert Fluttershy so we can have some eyes in the sky. Apple Bloom, I want you to go to Sugarcube Corner and tell Pinkie we’re looking for Sweetie Belle, then go home and tell Applejack. Tell them to meet me at the clubhouse.” “We’re on it!” Scootaloo exclaimed as the two fillies spun and ran out the door. When they were gone Rarity’s face twisted in worry, and she picked up her saddlebags, headed out to see what she could find along Sweetie’s Belle’s most likely route. Reaching the door, she paused, and then went back. Hastily she gathered a bristling pin cushion, a handful of knitting needles and a quartet of hatpins. She slipped them into her saddlebag. “A lady must always be prepared,” she murmured to herself and hurried out. ooOoo The blast of flames ceased, revealing Chrysalis standing in a circle of unburned grass. There was a faint emerald flicker in the air around her, forming a dome that enclosed her completely. Spike snarled and loosed another torrent of flame, concentrating until the jet narrowed and brightened, turning almost white. He let it burn against one spot of the dome, right in front of her face. The flutterpony narrowed her eyes against the glare even as the dragon began walking forward, never letting the jet waver. The dome brightened where the flame impinged on it, the glow growing brighter as the dragon approached. The rest of the dome faded to near invisibility as it fought off his flame. Spike’s eyes crinkled in amusement as he came within five feet of the dome. Without warning the flame cut off and Spike spun in place, his thick tail coming around to slam against the dome’s base, wrapping half way around as it cracked like a whip. There was a loud chiming ring as the dome failed, vanishing with a flash. Chrysalis leaped frantically straight up, using wings and magic to gain height even as Spike used the impact to spin back to face her, lunging forward with jaws gaping. The snapping teeth missed her, his muzzle passing mere inches beneath her hooves as she clawed for altitude. Coolly she cast a spell even as she rocketed away. Vines burst from the ground and bound the surprised dragon in place, growing thicker by the second. Spike roared in fury and reared upward, ripping half the vines out by the roots. He twisted his neck and deliberately breathed fire at the remaining vines, not caring when the flames played over his own scales in the process. They wilted instantly under the dragon fire and he shrugged them off. Spreading his wings he lunged into the air, forcing Chrysalis to evade the plume of fire he spewed at her. With supernatural speed she pirouetted around the blazing column and dove under the climbing dragon, laughing at the ludicrous comparison of her graceful speed against his lumbering strength. She yelped in surprise as his tail unexpectedly lashed at her, forcing a wingover to avoid it that sent her straight toward the meadow grass. At the last moment she managed to twist so that she struck the ground hooves first, legs absorbing the massive blow. Without looking back she sprang forward into a gallop, ducking her head to avoid the flames that would have caught her had she chosen to fly instead of run. A roar alerted her that she wasn’t clear yet as Spike slammed down, rear talons digging into the earth where she had been an instant before. The white flash told the dragon she had successfully teleported and he kicked off, using his remaining momentum and beating wings to regain height. “You are very good, Spykoranuvellitar!” The queen said, laughing from a hundred yards away. “How did you know how to break my shield?” She leaped into the air, straight at him. He watched over his shoulder as she sped toward him, waiting until the distance closed and her horn started to glow. He spat another column of fire behind himself, banking almost vertically into a hard turn, his head staying on target the entire time. The queen lazily performed a barrel roll around the roiling flames, spiraling toward him, adjusting her flight to match each attempt to hose her with his flame. “I’m amazed a dragon as small as you has this much fire in him,” she remarked as she sped past. “You’re what, maybe sixty years old? So much magic in one so young!” She was right. Spike didn’t feel tired—his flames were still burning inside him, unabated as was his bloodlust. “Twilight Sparkle studied shield spells after your defeat, Chrysalis!” He bellowed at the rapidly retreating queen. “I’m her research assistant! We looked for ways to defeat every shield spell we could find! Over fifty of them! I know how to break them all!” The flutterpony climbed straight up, no longer running. Spike started to climb after her, knowing he couldn’t catch her but still positioning himself to take advantage of her inevitable attack. “Well then!” She called down as she leveled off. “I suppose I’ll just have to change my tactics!” Her horn started to glow and suddenly the sky clouded over with dark angry clouds. “Behold the full power of the Flutterpony Queen!” She folded her wings and dove like a stooping eagle straight at him. His fighting instincts kicked in and he roared at her, ready to char broil the pony or slash her to ribbons, he really didn’t care which. ooOoo The chariot sped through the air with two humans and an alicorn onboard, pulled by a pair of pegasi. Around the chariot a score of grim armored guards flew escort, watching for anything that might harm their princess. “I still can’t understand why he attacked me,” Twilight fretted. Emma looked sympathetic but said nothing as she clung to a hoof ring as far from the open end of the chariot as she could get. Teagan likewise kept a firm grip on her own ring but not with the same frantic strength. She was getting used to flying in the open vehicles. “I’ve been thinking about that, Twilight. I don’t think he meant to hurt you because he missed. I’m sure it was on purpose too.” “Not by much he didn’t!” The alicorn protested. “I’ve never seen him like that before! It was like he was a feral dragon. I thought he was really going to hurt me!” “I think that was his plan,” Teagan noted. “He knows you. He knew you’d dodge him instead of blasting him with a spell. All he wanted to do was go after Chrysalis.” “Yes, but you don’t understand, Teelo! When feral dragons become enraged they don’t care who they hurt. That’s one of the things that make them so dangerous. A feral dragon is unpredictable at the best of times, but if it goes berserk it stops thinking about the long term consequences of its actions. All it wants to do is rampage.” “How’d he get bigger like that?” Emma asked suddenly. “He grew wings, too. Can all dragons do that?” “Well, when they get old enough. They don’t normally grow that fast. But Spike doesn’t—didn’t—have wings because he’s just a baby. He wasn’t supposed to get wings for at least fifty years.” “He didn’t have wings the last time,” Teagan said. “Why did he grow wings this time?” “How did you—oh, that’s right. Those plays,” Twilight said tiredly. “I don’t know! His growth last time was magical, caused by dragon greed. A lot of the things that would happen naturally didn’t happen because of the speed of growth. It should have been the same way this time.” “Wait, so greed makes a dragon grow?” Emma asked. “So does anger? Hasn’t he been mad before now?” “Yes he has. But anger shouldn’t have triggered growth like that,” Twilight said. “Something must have been different this time.” “Why did he get so dark?” Emma asked, more to distract herself that anything else. “Do dragons get darker when they age?” “Some do,” Twilight nodded, happy for the distraction. She paused. “But not that much darker. I wonder…” “What?” Teagan asked, feeling a chill run down her spine. “You think Spike had a little help?” “What?” Twilight asked, surprised. “You think something boosted his anger? To the point he started growing?” She clarified. Twilight’s eyes widened. “A catalyst! Of course!” “What’s a catalyst?” Emma asked. “A substance that amplifies magical energies without being consumed by them,” Twilight said automatically. “But there aren’t any catalysts in my office. It would be way too dangerous! If the wrong catalyst were present it could cause all kinds of bad things to happen if you cast a spell.” “But you didn’t cast a spell,” Teagan pointed out. “At least I don’t think you did.” “Well, not right then,” Twilight admitted. “But earlier when my simulacrum contacted me—” Twilight’s pupils contracted violently and her jaw fell open. “Uh, Twilight? Hello? You okay?” Teagan said after Twilight hadn’t spoken for a moment. “What? Oh, yes, I’m fine. I just figured out what happened with the Tairseach Urlabhra spell I used to speak with your parents.” “Huh?” Teagan said. “What’s that got to do with catalysts?” “There must have been a catalyst in my office after all!” Twilight declared triumphantly. “When Spike’s anger started generating dragon magic, the catalyst amplified his anger until it grew to rage. Then the rage triggered his change.” “Wouldn’t that take a lot of magic?” Emma asked uncertainly. “I mean he went from three feet high to ten feet long and grew wings.” “Well, yes. But you see Tairseach Urlabhra normally only takes minute amounts of magical power—which is measured in a unit called thaums. But instead of microthaums I was pumping in kilothaums, an enormous amount of magic! The spell lasted for several minutes too. If the catalyst absorbed all that energy and then fed it back into Spike there’d be plenty of magic to power his transformation.” “Okay, so now we know why it happened,” Teagan said, feeling an irrational relief from having learned something. “The next logical question is what the catalyst was and why it was in your office.” Twilight’s ears drooped. “I have no idea. My office is considered a sensitive area so the Horns routinely check to make sure things like that can’t happen.” “How often do they check?” Emma asked. “Once a week,” Twilight responded. “The next check is in two days, so if a catalyst was in my office it had to show up in the last five days. As far as I know nothing new came in.” “Call me paranoid,” Emma said, “but didn’t you say Chrysalis knew we were coming, Teelo? That somebody tipped her off?” Teagan stiffened. “Yes. I thought it was Discord, but he denies having talked with her for several thousand years.” Emma snorted. “And you trust him? Is this the same Discord that tried to torture Fluttershy to death?” “No, he isn’t,” Twilight said firmly. “He was possessed when that happened. Fluttershy reformed him. I’m not saying he can’t lie, but I doubt he’d hold a big enough grudge to do something like that.” “Hah. You weren’t there Twilight,” Emma said, shuddering. “It was horrible.” “I know,” Twilight’s voice became gentle. “I’ve faced many enemies, Emma. It’s always horrible. But when you fight for your friends it’s always worth it.” “What she said,” Teagan said softly. “Guys, we need to focus. Emma, are you saying that whoever tipped off Chrysalis might have planted the catalyst?” “That’s what I’m thinking. Isn’t it just a little convenient that Chrysalis knew when we were coming and that this catalyst thingy is in Twilight’s office exactly when we show up and make Spike angry? Somebody is playing us. And that somebody seems awfully well informed.” “Hmm,” Teagan said thoughtfully, “That makes a lot of sense. But it’s a scary to think our enemy knows that much about us.” “Almost like they planned it?” Emma asked, raising an eyebrow. “Or have I been watching way too much TV?” “You think there’s another evil villain threatening Equestria?” Twilight asked skeptically. “Discord’s reformed, Tišina’s turned to stone, and Chrysalis has been captured. Who’s left?” “Twilight, this is Equestria,” Teagan said patiently. “You’ve got monsters, and demons all over the place and who knows how many ancient evil gods, most of whom are crazy. We know for a fact Discord and Tišina are elder gods from beyond the Veil and shaped this world. Discord brought Chrysalis here, who knows what else he brought? Not to mention the Princess herself had other enemies in the past. Is it really so hard to believe somebody we never heard of is back? Or even somebody brand new is trying their hand at world conquest?” “I guess not,” Twilight admitted reluctantly. They spent the rest of the flight trying to figure out what the catalyst could have been and who would be in a position to know everything the mystery villain seemed to know. ooOoo Rarity trotted along the path, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. When she arrived at the clubhouse without spotting anything she sat down heavily and hung her head. She tried telling herself that nothing was wrong, that Sweetie Belle had simply changed her mind and gone somewhere else—but she didn’t believe it. “Sweetie, Where are you?” Rarity moaned, a treacherous certainty growing in her belly. “Rarity!” The unicorn’s head snapped up as a pink blur stopped in front of her, revealing a badly limping Pinkie Pie, who was looking uncharacteristically alarmed. “Darling, why are you limping?” Rarity asked, instantly assuming the worst. “Oh, Rarity, it’s super-duper-nasty-bad! My knee is so pinchy I can barely walk! And it isn’t stopping,” Pinkie whimpered. “Something really scary is happening and it’s really, really bad. I’m scared, Rarity!” Rarity felt a chill go through her. She had never seen Pinkie Pie genuinely terrified before. “Pinkie, Sweetie Belle is missing,” the unicorn blurted. Pinkie’s irises contracted and she began to tremble. “Oh, no, no, no...Rarity my tail’s pinchy too!” Rarity was momentarily taken aback. “Something’s going to fall?” “Not twitchy! Pinchy! Like my knee!” “What does that mean?” “Some pony’s—hurt,” Pinkie whispered, quivering, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. “Sweetie Belle?” Rarity choked out. Pinkie nodded miserably. “It’s getting worse, Rarity,” she whispered. “She’s gonna get hurt even worse.” “We’ve got to find her!” Rarity yelled, panic making her throat constrict. “Rarity!” Fluttershy landed next to them. “What’s going on? Rainbow Dash said Sweetie Belle is missing? She told me to come here to meet you. She said she’s going to make a quick search around town.” “Oh, Fluttershy, it’s awful! Pinkie’s Pinkie Sense is telling her Sweetie Belle is hurt, and she’s going to be hurt worse!” “Oh no! Pinkie, where is she?” Fluttershy asked frantically. “I don’t know! My Pinkie Sense doesn’t work that way!” Pinkie started weeping, not in her typical theatrical waterfall, but small trickles that darkened the fur under her eyes and down her cheeks. Fluttershy took a step back, shocked. Pinkie’s mane and tail were slowly going limp, turning straight and flat. The sound of pounding hooves alerted them as Applejack came thundering into the clearing, Winona close at her heels. “We’ve got to find her!” Rarity said to Fluttershy. “Before it’s too late!” “Hold on there, Rarity. What in tarnation is goin’ on?” Applejack demanded. “Apple Bloom said somethin’ about Sweetie Belle not showin’ up when she was supposed ta?” “Sweetie Belle’s missing, and Pinkie says her twitches are saying she’s hurt!” Rarity was turning hysterical. “We’ve got to find my sister, Applejack!” “We will, we will, jus’ settle down, Sugarcube. That’s why Ah brought Winona. Her nose can lead us straight to the little filly.” “Fluttershy, tell her to find Sweetie Belle!” Rarity demanded fiercely. The pegasus nodded lowered her head to speak to the dog. “We’re really worried about Sweetie Belle, Winona. She’s hurt and lost. Can you take us to her? She disappeared somewhere between here and Rarity’s place.” Winona barked and wagged her tail, then put her nose to the ground and took off at a trot, the ponies following anxiously. When she came to the point where Sweetie Belle had met Candy Floss she started barking rapidly. “Winona says Sweetie Belle met an earth pony mare here and followed her that way,” Fluttershy translated. “Off into the woods. She said—” Fluttershy swallowed. “The mare was hurt. She smells blood.” “Oh dear Celestia! Then go after her!” Rarity said, stamping impatiently. Winona barked again and then headed into the woods, having to move slower now. When she reached the spot where Candy Floss had fallen she paused, barked and moved on. “She says the mare fell here, and then got back up. Sweetie Belle was still following her.” “Sweetie must have been trying to help her,” Rarity said. “But why would the mare go away from town?” “That is a puzzler,” Applejack said as they followed the brown and white dog deeper into the woods. “Seems like Sweetie Belle shoulda tried ta go fer help.” Just then Winona seemed to go berserk, snarling and growling. Her furious barks came faster than Fluttershy could translate. “She says the mare fell down again and a lot of diamond dogs came. More than five, no, ten, no, more. Lots. Sorry girls, dogs can’t count past twelve…There was a fight, and blood…oh no!” Fluttershy sank to the ground, trembling. Winona darted into the trees and started howling. The ponies looked at one another. “What did she say, Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, dreading the answer. “Death,” Fluttershy whispered, staring with wide shocked eyes. “She’s saying to come here, she found the mare.” “What about poor Sweetie?” Rarity asked, gasping for air. She looked ready to keel over. “She just keeps saying come here, come here,” Fluttershy forced herself to her hooves and stumbled toward the howling dog. The rest followed her. “Oh no,” Pinkie sobbed, turned her head at the grisly scene. Rarity swayed, her eyes darting everywhere. Winona slunk back to Applejack, who was clenching her jaw, the rest of her face expressionless. “Reckon its plain ta see what happened,” Applejack said in a neutral voice. “Them diamond dogs done jumped that poor mare and Sweetie Belle. Looks like she went plumb loco on ‘em. Took out six o’ the varmints afore the rest o’ the pack pulled her down. That one there looks like she done trampled him inta the ground.” “We need help! They’re crazy,” Pinkie Pie shuddered. “I don’t see her, Applejack! Where is she?” Rarity’s voice was desperate. “She ain’t here, Rarity. They musta carried her off. Lest ways it means she’s still alive.” “We don’t have time,” Rarity wheeled on the earth pony, her eyes white rimmed and wild. “They’ve got my sister! We can’t just stand here and wait for help!” “What about your light spell, Rarity? The one you used at the Gala? Rainbow Dash is in the air, she could get here really fast,” Fluttershy said, causing Rarity to pause. “Yes! They can’t be that far, Rainbow can find them!” Rarity pointed her horn straight upward and closed her eyes. Her horn glowed blue. The color deepened and flared, and then her horn emitted a stream of red spheres that sped upward. A series of rapid crimson flashes turned the already gruesome scene absolutely lurid. Rarity repeated the spell over and over for at least two minutes before a rainbow arrowed down the clearing. “I’m here! What—oh my gosh! Is she—are they? Oh my goshomygoshohmy—” “Dashie! Keep it together! Looks like the diamond dogs carried off Sweetie Belle. We’re thinkin’ she’s hurt, so Ah need you ta get back ta town pronto and bring back as many ponies as ya can gather up right quick ta see ta this poor mare, and come after us as soon as may be. We’re goin’ on ta find the filly, an’ looks like we’re gonna need as much help as we can manage. Now, git.” “Yes, ma’am!” Rainbow Dash snapped out of her shock and saluted. She shot upward in a cyan blur. “Pinkie, you and me gotta stomp hard ta leave a trail fer the other’s ta follow. Fluttershy, Ah’m gonna need you up in the air ta be a lookout. Keep an eye out fer diamond dogs an’ if ya see any come down an’ tell us quick. Rarity, you know that there chop suey hoof-ta-hoof fancy fightin’, doncha?” “Yes,” Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “But trust me, dear Applejack; they will never get that close,” her horn glowed and two hatpins came out of her saddlebag, hovering like angry wasps on either side of her head. “They have hurt my sister. Now, I will destroy them!” She turned away from her friends and the two slender lengths of steel flickered and vanished, becoming glittering silver serpents six feet long. They danced and struck at the dead diamond dogs with supernatural speed, all the while making an evil hissing noise that rose and fell with the rhythm of their movements. The snakes hit so hard and so fast one of the smaller dogs was actually flipped over, much to the horror of the watching ponies. Rarity raised her horn and the snakes suddenly leapt straight toward her. Fluttershy cried a warning as the deadly creatures reached the unicorn—only to turn back into a pair of two-foot long hatpins, hovering sedately to either side of her. The first third of each needle no longer glittered in the sunlight… “Sweet Celestia, girl! What was that? An’ what exactly are you fixin’ ta do?” Applejack was pale. “Just a simple illusion to frighten opponents. But you’d be amazed at how much damage a simple hatpin is capable of—especially when they can’t see it coming,” Rarity said with a smile that made Applejack swallow. “I know things is bad, Rarity, but yer startin’ ta act like Teelo did that time Discord hurt the Princess.” “Am I?” Rarity asked sweetly. “How odd. I may be a lady, Applejack but even a lady has her limits. Those diamond dogs have forgotten who I am! How dare they ponynap my sister? I am going to get her back. Winona, be a dear and find Sweetie Belle for me, would you please?” The dog kept a wary eye on the unicorn but did as she was bid. She sniffed around and then reversed course, headed back almost, but not quite, the way they had come. “Looks like she got away,” Applejack said hopefully as she stomped and dragged her hooves to mark a trail. Winona’s snarling and barking killed that hope almost instantly. Fluttershy was waiting for them with a seriously agitated Winona. “Winona says Sweetie Belle got knocked off her hooves here,” Fluttershy said sadly. “She says something big hit her. Look, you can see where her hooves left the ground and where she landed. Applejack whistled. “Good gravy! That was some hit! No wonder she got hurt. What hit her?” Winona whined. “She doesn’t know the smell,” Fluttershy replied. “She says it’s not a bear, she says it stinks but not like that. Sour and salty, she’s never smelled it before. But there’s something else too, another creature. She doesn’t recognize it either, but whatever it was used magic.” “Magic has a smell?” Rarity asked, surprised. Winona barked several times. “It smells like the air after a storm,” Fluttershy translated. “Of course Winona’s nose is much more sensitive than a pony’s.” “Land sakes! We got somethin’ big what can knock a pony off its hooves and somethin’ else what can use magic, and they ain’t nothin’ Winona’s smelled afore? And they’s runnin’ wi’ diamond dogs? Ah’m thinkin’ we done bit off more than we can chew. Might oughta wait for reinforcements,” Applejack said doubtfully. “It doesn’t matter,” Rarity said quietly. “They have Sweetie Belle. Nothing is going to stop me getting her back. I’ll go on alone if I have to.” “Rarity, be sensible! We dunno how many of them varmints are waiting fer us! Ain’t gonna do Sweetie Belle no good if’n we end up like that poor mare back there. Help’s comin’, we just gotta wait.” “And while we wait they’re hurting my sister, Applejack! Isn’t that right, Pinkie Pie?” The pink mare nodded miserably. “Dagnabit, girl we only got two good fighters here! Fluttershy, no offense, but this kinda fight ain’t one you can handle. Besides that, jus’ look at Pinkie Pie! She’s done got the gumption plumb kicked out o’ her! Just us two against a magic using whatsit and a big nasty thing, plus all them dogs? We’d be the snowball in their fryin’ pan!” “Oh, of course Fluttershy can’t be in this fight,” Rarity said dismissively. She looked at Pinkie, who sat huddled, tears pouring down her face. “And clearly Pinkie can’t help us either,” she paused. “But I know somepony who can—somepony who fought Tišina in her very lair, in fact.” Applejack’s eyes widened and she paled even further. “No siree, Bob! Absolutely not! Not her. She’s asleep and we ain’t waking her up!” Applejack protested, taking an involuntary step back. “That there pony is seriously bad mojo, girl!” “She’d be worth three of Celestia’s guard ponies in a fight. You know that,” Rarity said calmly, walking up to Pinkie. “Yeah? And how do we know she won’t turn on us?” Applejack demanded. “She’s a demon Rarity!” “To find my sister I’d take help from Nightmare Moon herself,” Rarity retorted, making Applejack’s jaw drop. “Pinkie, dear, we need to speak to your houseguest.” Pinkie sniffled. “You sure? I didn’t think you liked her very much. Besides, she’s grumpy when she first wakes up.” “She is crude and unrefined,” Rarity admitted. “Polite society is not her element. But I think she’ll find this party will fit her unique personality to a T. Perhaps you could use the opportunity to find Sweetie Belle as well? The way you found Garnet?” Pinkie shook her head. “I jumped into Garnet’s head before she left the operating room. I don’t know where Sweetie Belle’s head is, Rarity. If I did I wouldn’t have to jump into it! Anyway, let me get her. This could take a minute.” “We are in a rush, dear,” Rarity reminded her. Pinkie nodded and closed her eyes. It seemed like a lot longer than a minute to the skittish Applejack and impatient unicorn when the pink pony finally opened her eyes again. “Well, look who it is. I would chew you out for waking me up,” she said, yawning, “but Pinkie filled me in. Sweetie Belle’s been taken and Pinkie thinks she’s hurt pretty bad, right?” Rarity nodded. “By the way, love your new accessories, Rarity,” the pink pony flashed a grin, then got up and stretched. “AJ, I know you don’t trust me, but let me tell you something. I got a soft spot for fillies—and Pinkie. These plot holes hurt Sweetie Belle and made Pinkie cry. That pisses me off. When I find them—well I won’t be holding back, know what I mean? You got a problem with that, Rarity?” “No,” Rarity said. “Once we have my sister back I’ll leave whatever’s left of the ruffians to your tender mercies, Cerise.” Cerise raised an eyebrow. “My, my, my. And here I thought you ponies didn’t have it in you. Maybe you aren’t as pathetic as I thought. You up for a serious fight, AJ? These guys already killed one pony, this isn’t like Appleloosa. It won’t be thrown apple pies and silly songs this time.” “Ah’ll do what Ah gotta do ta get Sweetie Belle back,” Applejack nodded. “But once we got her we’re leavin’. Just so’s we’re clear on that.” “As crystal,” Cerise grinned. “You guys would just go and throw up everywhere once I get warmed up anyway.” “Make sure Pinkie don’t see,” Applejack warned her. Cerise rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. Pinkie doesn’t deal at all well with my kind of party. I’ll make sure to take a bath and get far away before waking her up. So, how do you plan to find Sweetie Belle?” “Winona can follow her scent,” Applejack said shortly. “Winona, go ahead.” The dog watched Cerise warily, but quickly took up the chase again. She started barking before they’d gone another ten yards. “She says the big thing and the magic user were carrying Sweetie Belle when they split up with the diamond dogs. Then they started running.” “We must hurry! Before they get away!” Rarity exclaimed. Winona yipped and broke into a trot, her nose now held high. The three wingless ponies broke into a canter as Fluttershy soared overhead. “They must know they’re being chased. They’d have no other reason to run,” Cerise noted. Rarity slipped her hatpins back in her saddle bags to conserve her energy. Her eyes narrowed. “Fluttershy, ask Winona how long ago they passed here,” Rarity called up to the pegasus keeping pace with them. Obediently Fluttershy dove down and asked Winona a question, her soft voice not carrying over the pounding of hooves. A sharp bark was the response. “About an hour,” Fluttershy reported, and then returned to fly above the trees. “We’re moving too fast ta mark the trail,” Applejack fretted. “The others ain’t gonna be able ta find us.” “We’ll have Fluttershy fly back and guide them,” Rarity said, finding it hard to talk and canter at the same time. The ponies plunged onward. ooOoo The chariot landed in the midst of chaos. As the three piled out they found Rainbow Dash haranguing a crowd. Twilight hurried toward her friend, the wing of Royal Guards trailing behind her with Teelo and Emma bringing up the rear. “Who’s with me?” The cyan pegasus bellowed, leaping into the air and lifting one hoof skyward. The answering shout was actually frightening, stallions pawing the ground and trumpeting their challenges as the mares reared and shouted. “Rainbow! What’s going on?” Twilight yelled amidst the tumult. “Twilight! Thank Celestia you’re here! Sweetie Belle’s been ponynapped by diamond dogs! Pinkie says she’s hurt pretty bad. She went off to help some mare and diamond dogs jumped them. The mare’s dead, Twi! I’m getting together as many ponies as I can to go back and help. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy took Winona and are tracking the ponynappers now. We’ve gotta catch up and help them! These Royal Guards will be a big help!” “What? Diamond dogs? Sweetie Belle’s hurt? A mare’s dead? Who was it?” Twilight asked in shock. “I didn’t recognize her,” Rainbow Dash admitted. “She was an earth pony, silver with a lollipop cutie mark and bright blue mane. Whoever she was she was tough,” Rainbow’s face turned grim. “She killed a half dozen of them, Twilight. One wasn’t much more than a red smear on the ground.” “Killed?” Twilight gasped. “Rainbow, ponies don’t kill!” “This one did,” Rainbow said, shuddering. “She got six diamond dogs before they killed her so it must have been a huge pack. We gotta go, Twi! Sweetie Belle’s in real trouble!” “All right,” Twilight said, forcing herself to block out the horror long enough to become a princess again. “Wing Commander, have your guards gather the strongest townsponies and go with Rainbow Dash.” “We can’t leave you unguarded, Princess!” The pegasus stallion objected. “She won’t be, Wing Commander,” Teelo spoke up. “Crush and I will be guarding her. Would you want to try attacking an alicorn guarded by me and Crush?” “No, ma’am, I would not,” he said fervently. “The pair of you could probably deal with a full grown dragon.” “It’s all right, Wing Commander,” Twilight said. “I’m coming with you. We’re going to find Sweetie Belle, and we’re going to get her back. Then we’re going to arrest those ponynappers and make sure they never hurt anypony else.” “Yes, Your Highness,” the guard snapped a salute, then turned and started bellowing orders. “Do you want to stay here?” Teelo asked Emma as the guard rapidly organized the Ponyville citizens into an effective posse. “I think it might be safer since Søyle isn’t here to guard you.” “I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Emma said. “Besides, I don’t know anybody here. I’d feel safer with you guys. It’s a large group so I should be safe enough, right? And doesn’t Twilight have some crazy-strong magic?” “They killed somebody, Emma,” Teelo said. “These guys aren’t kidding around. When we find them I want you to find a shady spot. I’ll have the Wing Commander assign a guard to watch you.” “I’m not helpless, you know,” she said indignantly. “Yes, you are,” Teagan said somberly. “You don’t have a weapon, you don’t know how to fight, and these things murdered somebody. It may not be as bad as when Chrysalis ambushed us, but it’s still plenty bad, Emma.” The other girl sighed. “Okay, okay, I’ll keep my head down. Happy?” “Milady, you should take this,” A guard hoofed Emma a spear about six feet long. She grinned. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! You were saying?” She asked, leaning on the spear. Teagan sighed. “Have you ever even held a spear before?” She asked without much hope. “No, but how hard can it be? You poke the bad guy with the sharp end, right?” Emma asked reasonably. “Yeah,” Teagan said, deflating. “Hand me that for a second, will you? I want to make sure you know how to keep somebody from taking it away from you.” Frowning, Emma gave her the spear. Teagan was by no means an expert but Matt had drilled her on most of the old time common weapons, including spears, so at least she could show Emma the basics. She had Emma practice a few stabs, cautioned her not to overextend herself in a lunge, and to always use the spear in both hands. “But above all, do not get in a situation where you have to stab somebody. Because it’s a lot harder to make yourself do it than you’d think,” she told her friend as they finally set out. “You won’t want to, and that will make you hesitate. The other guy won’t hesitate, he’ll just kill you. So don’t give him the chance. Stay out of the fight. Please.” Emma nodded. She was quiet now and no longer smiling. The group headed toward the CMC clubhouse, Rainbow Dash leading the way. Twilight marched along, mind boiling with contingency plans. In her shock and concern for Sweetie Belle’s safety, Twilight had completely forgotten what brought her to Ponyville in the first place. ooOoo Spike launched a flame at the stooping Chrysalis, catching her full on. She exploded in a massive fireball, making the dragon roar in triumph—just before a hammer blow to the base of his left wing turned the triumph to enraged agony. He spun sideways in the air, the blow momentarily numbing his wing. “Too slow, Spykoranuvellitar!” Her voice mocked him as the completely unharmed flutterpony curved upward, out of range. “You are powerful, but you lack perceptiveness! A filly should have seen through that illusion!” “So you have to resort to tricks, Your Majesty?” Spike roared back. “Is that all you have, smoke and mirrors?” “Mirrors, you say?” The Queen laughed at him. “What a marvelous idea! What do you think of this little trick?” The flutterpony plunged upward into the dark clouds above and suddenly a hundred flutterponies were diving at him, wings folded. Spike snorted in contempt and ceased his climb, letting them come to him. As soon as they were in range he spewed a cone of fire, catching most of the cluster of attackers as the cone swept sideways through the sky. Where the cone passed the ponies were simply gone. “Too easy!” He shouted mockingly toward the clouds. “You didn’t even dare face me yourself, did you? Coward!” “It’s called strategy, my dear Spykoranuvellitar. And I grow weary of your utter predictability,” her voice sounded right next to his head. He rolled one eye, finding her pacing him. Without pause his neck flexed, letting his head come around and his jaws snap shut with a loud snap—as his teeth plunged through yet another illusion. With an ear-splitting bang a massive lightning bolt struck the dragon without warning. Spike screamed in agony as the electricity played over and through him. The paralyzed dragon fell from the sky, muscles locked in an excruciating rictus as he lost control of his body. A second bolt struck an instant later, even as a tornado caught the now unconscious dragon and tossed him around like a rag doll. But it did slow his fall to the point where the bruising impact didn’t actually break any bones or pulp any internal organs. Even as he skidded to a stop the tornado winds died down and Chrysalis appeared in a flash of light at his side. “Now, my brave avenger let us see what you’re really made of,” her horn glowed green while an aura of black surrounded the unmoving dragon. “Oh, now this is interesting,” she murmured to herself. “So much magic, where did it all come from? And this isn’t dragon magic either, no it is not.” Humming to herself the flutterpony cast another spell and studied the magic as it began boiling off the dragon like smoke from a fire. As the magical dissipation accelerated the unconscious dragon began to shrink and its color lightened. By the time the smoke finally ceased she was left with a baby dragon no more than three feet long, colored bright purple and vivid green. “I thought so,” A smile came to her face as her eyes narrowed in calculation. “Oh, this is too perfect for words! Princess Twilight Sparkle now owes me a huge favor! Celestia will just love that…” A light hearted laugh filled the clearing as the flutterpony and baby dragon vanished in a flash of white light. ooOoo A piercing whistle caught Celestia’s attention. She looked over to see Zecora rearing and waving both front hooves over her head. When she saw Celestia watching her she dropped to all fours and waved the alicorn toward her. “Finally!” Celestia murmured as she stood up and vigorously shook herself. A cloud of blue powder flew from her coat. Coughing, the alicorn made her way back to the zebra. “That was unpleasant,” Celestia said as she stepped out of the patch. “Thank you for your help, Zecora, I would never have found this place without you.” Zecora’s eyes were watering and her mouth twitched. “Zecora? Is something wrong?” Celestia asked, raising her eyebrows. “No…” the zebra wheezed, “…it is not so,” Zecora turned away but not before Celestia saw her clamp her mouth firmly shut. “There is something amiss, isn’t there?” The alicorn sighed. “It’s all right. I won’t be angry. You did warn me, after all.” The zebra’s head lowered and her shoulders started to shake. Alarmed now, Celestia stepped around to face the zebra, who refused to look at her as the shaking continued. “Zecora, what’s wrong?” Celestia asked again. The zebra opened her mouth to answer and shocked Celestia by emitting a bray of laughter. The zebra collapsed in a seated position, tears running from her eyes as she laughed helplessly. “Oh dear. Is it really that bad?” Celestia asked apprehensively. Zecora nodded, tried to restrain herself, and then lost it again. She pointed a hoof at Celestia’s flank. Celestia turned her head to see what Zecora was trying to tell her. “That’s—different,” she said in a tone of mild interest, a thousand years of iron self-control the only thing keeping her from shrieking in absolute horror. But in the privacy of her own mind it was a different matter. M-m-my cutie mark! It’s changed! That’s when she noticed that other things had changed too… ooOoo After about an hour Winona led them to a bare rock outthrust from the cliff they found themselves atop. Winona approached the edge cautiously and whined. “She says the scent ends here,” Fluttershy reported. “But a dragon was here too,” she shivered. “It was a full grown one.” “What?” Rarity screeched in fury. “What is this, a conspiracy? First two strange creatures are in league with diamond dogs and now a dragon? What in Equestria is going on?” “Winona says we only missed them by about fifteen minutes,” Fluttershy said, trying to be helpful. But that only infuriated the unicorn more. “A mere fifteen minutes? If we had hurried just a bit more…” She suddenly collapsed and began to wail. “And if we had caught them? What then?” Cerise asked, snorting. “I’m good but even I can’t handle a full grown dragon out in the open.” “Ya didn’t seem ta have no trouble wi’ Tišina,” Applejack noted, hugging Rarity, who huddled miserably against her friend, sobbing. “It wasn’t in the open like this. Her cave wasn’t nearly big enough to let her fly. Besides, those portals in her lair half-blinded her,” Cerise said casually. “She couldn’t use her breath on me either, because of the portals but I could use them for cover. By the time I actually faced her she was so panicked she couldn’t think clearly. It was a whole different ballgame.” “Oh. Well ain’t you got a ton o’ weird hoodoo powers an’ such? Least ways sumthin’ what would tell us where they took her?” “Hoodoo powers?” Cerise laughed scornfully. “Well, yeah, actually I do. Not to mention Pinkie’s got a bag of tricks you would not believe. But neither one of us can track a dragon through open sky. That’s a job for Subtle Dancer’s bunch.” “The Horns?” Rarity lifted reddened eyes hopefully. “They could find her? How?” Cerise rolled her eyes. “Remember those compasses we used to find Tišina’s lair? You don’t actually need blood to make one. Just something that came from her body. Hoof clippings, for instance.” Rarity’s eyes lit up. “What about hair?” “Sure,” Cerise shrugged. “Well, it looks like I don’t get to play with the bad guys after all, so if you don’t mind I’m gonna get back to my interrupted nap.” “We maybe could run into them diamond dogs,” Applejack said thoughtfully. “Reckon they could tell us what the hay is goin’ on. ‘Course they might need a little persuadin’...” “Why, Applejack! Are you actually asking for my help?” Cerise teased. “I’m proud of you!” Applejack looked down and pawed the earth halfheartedly. “Well, I ain’t proud to admit it, but Sweetie Belle’s in mighty deep trouble, right enough. Thought maybe you could scare ‘em—a little. They ain’t the bravest varmints, so it shouldn’t take much. All you’d have to do is look at ‘em cross-eyed.” “Hmm. You know what else is scary?” Cerise asked, a slow smile spreading across her face as she watched Applejack. “Pain. Pain is scary,” Applejack swallowed and couldn’t suppress a little shiver. Fluttershy eeeped and hid her face. Even Rarity looked uncertain. “You mean, look at them like that?” Cerise asked innocently, tilting her head. “Yeah,” Applejack let out her suddenly pent up breath. “Yeah, that’ll do it, sure as snow in the wintertime.” “I’ll get you your answers, AJ,” Cerise grinned again. “I never met anybody who wouldn’t answer my questions—eventually. Shall we go?” Regretting every step, the three ponies followed Pinkie’s “houseguest” back toward Ponyville. Winona made sure Applejack was between her and Cerise the entire time. Since they were under the trees not one of them noticed the subtle change in the sunlight.