The sounds of song, of laughing and cheering, of dancing and racing feet and hooves echoed through the air. The streets of Gymkhana were jam-packed with horses, ponies, anubi, satyrs, and countless other types of creatures. Rainbow Dash didn't even recognize what some of these things were.
“Rapidfire said the Mesa District was where The Shadow struck when the Wonderbolts fought the military forces, didn't he?” Rainbow asked Pinkie Pie in a low voice.
“He diiid!” Pinkie confirmed, jumping all around her, her now-vermillion mane bouncing all around. “All of this excitement in the air is so, so contagious! I just wanna bounce and scream and cheer and laugh!”
“We're trying to avoid drawing attention to ourselves, Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow reminded her, elbowing Pinkie as she bounced by. “Let's get to the Mesa District and have a poke around.”
“Well, okay!” Pinkie agreed, grinning. She jerked her head at a map of the city on the wall near a tunnel entrance. “I bet this'll tell us where we need to go!”
“Aaah, nice find,” Dash said appreciatively, moving to examine it herself.
Her eyes raked back and forth, taking in the symbols marking the various shops and features of the city. According to a red circle, which marked their present location, the Amber Cottage and the marketplace they had passed by the night before were all located within the Crossroads.
The map showed that taking the tunnel would lead them to an intersection of passageways that would take them under the palace, eventually leading to the Mesa District. It would be quicker to cut under the city than to go around the other districts; Mesa was on the opposite edge of the circular city from the Crossroads.
“We take the tunnels, then.”
“I wish we could stay here and enjoy the Festival,” Pinkie bemoaned, sighing heavily as she approached the tunnel entrance.
“Pinkie, we have a time limit!” Rainbow reminded her. “We've gotta try and fix everything before we, y'know, die. We should go check exactly how much damage The Shadow can dish out to the city itself. Rapidfire said there's a news centre in the Mesa District as well, assuming it's still standing. That means we can probably find out what's happening with Spitfire and the rest.”
“I guess that is a great idea...” Pinkie gave a nod.
“Yeah, you should always listen to Rainbow Dash,” Dash said with a smirk.
“Pinkie Fly, you mean!”
Dash groaned, biting her lip. She was starting to hate that name. However, she rearranged her face into a smile. “Yep. Since Princess Luna decided not to show up today, we've gotta find our news somehow.”
Rainbow lead the way into the tunnel, which was lit with torches on either side. The blistering heat of the desert sun left her body as she descended into the much cooler underground. Soarin had said that the technology of Saddle Arabia was light-years ahead of Equestria, but thus far she had seen nothing to confirm that. As a result, she had a certain excitement building in her chest; Soarin had also said that morning that the underground had traces of 'special science'.
This excited bubble seemed to be enough to keep her ever-present doubts and worries temporarily at bay. However, she had found an optimistic thought: The prospect of three short days to finish their mission or else face annihilation meant that things couldn't possibly get any worse. Armed with this information, she had found it easier to concentrate, which spurred on a new determination to do her best to help make this endeavour successful. If they actually managed to make it out of this alive, surely she could look forward to a real, legitimate relationship with Soarin in seventy-two hours time. This new-found optimism even prevented her spirits from dipping lower when everything failed to go to plan earlier that day. Rather, they tipped sideways, from despair to slight anger.
They had wasted away the morning at the Amber Cottage, awaiting Princess Luna at long last, when an associate of Amadeus arrived to inform them that Luna was choosing to remain in the Palace. Precisely why Luna seemed to be avoiding them, Dash reflected irritably, the associate didn't seem to know. Thus, they had all decided to try a few reconnaissance missions into the streets of the city to try and gather intel on their own.
The city itself was a heck of a lot more different than their journey the evening before would have implied. With the curfew lifted, the Festival of Summer Flames celebrations were in full swing. With street performances, fireworks, horses dancing everywhere and food vendors every few feet, this would have been an amazing opportunity to enjoy themselves had the situation not been so dire.
While listening around for gossip or asking shopkeepers about any current events under the guise of being tourists, Rainbow and Pinkie had simply learned that the 'terrorists would face judgement' that day. It was this news that had lead Rainbow Dash to assume that Princess Luna had chosen to remain at the palace in order to try to protect the Wonderbolts; if there was any place in Gymkhana they were being held, the palace seemed the most likely place.
“Oooh, what's that?”
Pinkie's voice broke through the train of Rainbow Dash's thoughts. She hadn't noticed, as the pair of them continued to descend into the cold earth on this hard stone floor, that they had come to a dead end.
“Wait... what?” Dash croaked, staring at the wall. “The map said we could go through here!”
“At your hooves, Pinkie Fly, ol' pal!” Pinkie Pie jabbed a hoof at the floor.
“What do you mea-... oooh.” Rainbow Dash took a pace back and lowered herself to the ground, eyes fixed upon the glyph comprised of strange markings inscribed on the floor.
These runic symbols were arranged in various shapes: a circle within a square, the square housed within a triangle, which was encircled by a larger circle. Every few seconds they pulsed with a crimson light, like a beating heart.
“'The hell am I looking at?”
“This looks like an alchemy glyph!” Pinkie explained.
“Uh, I'll just... repeat myself: 'the hell am I looking at?” Rainbow asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Alchemy is the combination of science and magic, you silly filly!” Pinkie Pie chortled. “That's the symbol of the philosopher’s stone, but I bet it acts like a teleporter.”
“How in the name of Luna's great bulbous moons did you know that?” Dash demanded, feeling her jaw drop.
“I read it in Twilight's library one day!” Pinkie beamed at her.
“I didn't know you knew how to read,” Dash lied, doing her best to sound completely serious. Her expression betrayed her as she grinned.
“Of course I can read!” Pinkie giggled. “So, I'm betting that if you step inside the big circle and wait, you'll transmogrify, probably, and pass through the wall, or something!”
“Sounds legit. And if I don't transmission properly, what happens? Will I wear my bones on the outside afterwards? What a fantastic idea.” Dash gave a sarcastic, hesitant laugh.
“Only one way to find out!” Pinkie yelled excitedly, leaping upon the glyph.
Rainbow Dash felt a momentary flicker of panic as Pinkie Pie moved. Upon stepping into the circle of markings, a red mist materialized around her and swam hazily through the air for a brief moment. Standing stock-still with a grin on her face, Pinkie Pie appeared to dissolve into red smoke. Rainbow Dash yelled out in fear, mouth wide in horror. The smoke was sucked into the dead centre of the circle and vanished.
Dash fell back on her rump, feeling her heart thrashing against her ribs. She didn't know how to react to this. What did that do to her friend? Rack her brain though she might, she could not remember seeing any 'magic' or 'science' to match this. All she could do was pray silently, trying to calm her thumping heart.
There was a sharp red light and the smoke reappeared. It formed the shape of Pinkie Pie, the red haze returned, and the earth pony was standing before her again. What was more, she was no longer disguised; she was her usual pink appearance.
“PINKIE FLY, OH MY GOSH, COME SEEEEE!” Pinkie gasped, jumping off the circle and gesturing madly at it. “So many colours and so many ponies and horses and stuff, it's like a giant birthday party!”
Rainbow Dash was sputtering incoherently until she was able to find her voice. “Pinkie, wha-what happened? Where's your disguise? WHERE'S YOUR DISGUISE?!”
“Oooh, I'm me again?” Pinkie asked, cocking an eyebrow. She moved in quick circles, staring at her raspberry tail. “I suppooose having my molecules shuffled around like that returned them to their usual look...? We're learning so much today!”
“I dunno...” Rainbow spoke cautiously, staring at the pulsing glyph. “I'm not a huge fan of dropping this disguise and being all 'hey, Gymkhanites! I'm the only rainbow-maned, blue-coated mare on the planet! I sure hope your military leader isn't aware of my unique appearance! Wait, he is! Welp, shucky ducky, quack quack, the jig is up!'”
“Don't be so melodramatic,” Pinkie suggested with a giggle, bumping Rainbow Dash playfully on the flank and pushing her over the circle.
“PINKIE, THIS ISN'T SAF—” Rainbow's voice caught in her chest as the red haze obstructed her vision.
She felt weightlessness for the third time in a month. It was just like being transported to Luna's prism on the moon, Dash thought. Just as soon as she lost feeling in her extremities, thinking her body had dissolved, she reformed on the other side of the transporter. She hadn't even felt the squeezing sensation that she expected from the smoke being sucked into the centre.
She gasped. She had appeared on the edge of a grand room, a cathedral's interior in size. An incline descended from her lofty position half-way up the area's height, twisting back and forth horizontally until it reached the floor. From the shadowed ceiling hung a dozen crystal chandeliers full of candles, while hundreds of smaller ones littered the room on candelabras. Dozens of colourful tents had been set up, interspersed with numerous little stalls and tables. Plum-coloured sections of carpet formed walkways in and around the tents. Hundreds of creatures were going about their business. She was very, very aware of how exposed she felt if her disguise had vanished like Pinkie’s had done.
Far across the room, Rainbow Dash could see another incline, ascending up the opposite wall. The faintest glow of red told her that there were more transporters over there to join those in a row with her own. They all, she assumed, must lead to different sections of the city. The alchemy glyph leading to Mesa had to be over there.
Her eyes fell to her hooves and she studied the glowing symbols. Was that all there was to alchemy, she wondered? Transportation between two linked glyphs?
“Ma'am?”
Rainbow Dash gave a start and straightened up, glancing around. She saw no one.
“You look lost, ma'am. Can I help you?” Rainbow Dash glanced down to her left and spotted the source of the soft, friendly voice.
It was a small light-beige horse colt with startlingly blue eyes and a bright orange mane. If she had to guess, she would have placed him at six or seven years of age. He looked dirty and weak, but wore a smile. His ragged appearance suggested he had been living rough.
“Oh! Hello,” Rainbow said kindly, taking a step off the glyph. The moment she did, Pinkie Pie sprang up behind her, looking annoyed.
“You blocked my poofy!” Pinkie accused.
“Sorry!” Dash said quickly, turning to look at the child again. Aside from a pair of anubi remarking her mane with great interest as they left another transporter, the colt was the only one to notice her.
“You need help, ma'am?” he asked again.
“Well... we're new here, so would you mind tellin' us where we are right now? This whole teleporting business got me all outta whack,” Dash explained wearily.
“This is the Station commons, ma'am,” the boy explained. “It's where the alchemists set up free market. They're not allowed to practice outside, so they do it here and the guards don't care. We homeless live here, just down the ramp to the sewers...” He gestured near the end of the long room. Rainbow Dash could just make out a path leading down into the shadows. “Where are you goin'?”
“You're... homeless?” Rainbow asked as Pinkie continued to take the transporter again and again. “Darn… that sucks, kiddo…”
“I'm sorry!” he said quickly, looking awkward and embarrassed. “I shouldn't have said nothin'... we aren't allowed to talk about it.”
Rainbow Dash hesitated on the verge of speech, but thought better of it. Clearly, the child didn't want to talk about it.
“It was because of the Mesa Incident... but, um, sorry... Where are you headin', ma'am?”
“Mesa Incident...” Dash repeated in a small breath, leaning low to talk to the tiny horse easier. Moments prior, Pinkie had popped out of the transporter with a crow of laughter. “PINKIE, KNOCK IT OFF!”
“Whoops! Sorry,” Pinkie apologized, moving to stand beside her. “Was gonna go again, but maaaybe not! So, what's your name, little one?”
“My name is Neighshyte Mustangolin, ma'am.”
“You're really darn polite,” Dash complimented him, making a mental note on how strange the names sounded in these parts. Amadeus? Neighshyte? She expected Shady Inns for Amadeus, maybe. Or Vanilla Sapphire for Neighshyte.
“Thanks, ma'am,” he replied modestly, his cheeks brightening.
“Where's your mommy and daddy?” Pinkie Pie asked sweetly.
Neighshyte shuffled his hooves uncomfortably. “Gone.”
“Oh? Where are...” Pinkie trailed off once Dash locked eyes with her, shooting her a warning look. “Well, it's fun up here by the portals, but let's check out the free market!”
Neighshyte nodded quickly and lead them down the incline. Rainbow Dash felt her feelings dip low again as they went. Ever since she had found out about the Wonderbolts being attacked, she had barely spared a thought for the innocent. 'We homeless live down here'. The homeless of the Mesa District, the site of the clash of pegasi, military, and the Voidwalker. Neighshyte was just a child... a foal's life ruined before it even had a proper chance to begin. These thoughts coursed through her like poison.
“We'll check out the market later, Pinkie...” Rainbow whispered to her friend as held out a wing to halt the colt's progress. “Neighshyte, can you show us where the rest of those who lost their homes to the attack live?”
“How did you know about that? Aren't you new?” he asked in surprise.
“I'll explain everything after,” Dash promised. She had to see the victims, she had to know the cost of the battle.
“The outcasts live nearer to the sewers. It gets real cold down there 'cause we're not close to Osiris...”
“Osiris?” Pinkie repeated in confusion.
“The sun, ma'am,” Neighshyte amended. “You sure you wanna come down there? I can show you wherever you need to go, I promise. We go around the city all the time...”
“We're heading for Mesa,” Rainbow revealed. “Please, show us your friends first.”
“Down here, Rainbow Dash!” Neighshyte called back. “You don't wanna take that way 'cause you might fall in the water!”
“Thanks, kiddo,” Rainbow said, keeping low to the damp metal walkway and slipping off to the left, where the ground was covered in garbage.
“What are we doing, anyways?” Pinkie asked her.
“We wanted to see what damage The Shadow was capable of, right? Why the parasprite snot didn't we think about those hurt by the attack? We're gonna see the damage, Pinkie. The real damage.”
The little colt was straight ahead, ducking around a large, hissing machine. The sounds of steam and pistons were loud in Dash's ears as the mechanism pumped water to the upper levels. According to Neighshyte, the sewers were a couple hundred feet below the palace. The cold, damp air and stench of waste choked her. Behind Dash, Pinkie Pie had a hoof held to her muzzle.
“Eeeww, this place smells!” she whined.
“Pinkie, it's a sewer... what didja expect? Onions and carrots?” Dash sighed in exasperation. “And the 'outcasts', as Neighshyte called them, have to live here. We saw the poor back near the free market, too, remember? It's awful...”
They slipped in behind the machine, Rainbow's eyes peeled for the colt. They cantered down a long passage and caught a glimpse of the bright tail whipping out of sight around a corner. As she lead Pinkie Pie around the corner herself, Rainbow stopped dead.
The vanilla colt was approaching a coffee-coloured, young looking stallion. The older horse was sitting on the cold floor by a large metal door, as though he were keeping sentinel. He looked no older than fifteen or sixteen and his eyes were fixed upon the sprinting colt, who threw himself into the other's arms.
“Big brother, I'm back! I couldn't find any food, I'm sorry...”
“Hey, it's alright...” the older stallion sounded disappointed, but did his best to hide it from the energetic child. “Thanks for looking, I know you didn't want it to be your turn today.”
“Oh!” Neighshyte said suddenly, as though just remembering something. He twisted around and jabbed a hoof in the place Rainbow and Pinkie were standing. “I brought friends!”
“Neighsh, what are you talking... about... Oh.” The youth looked up and Rainbow found herself pierced by his bright amber eyes. “Hello.”
Pinkie Pie strolled leisurely over to him, beaming. “Hiya! I'm Pinkie Pie and this is my bestest best friend, Rainbow Dash! You can call her Pinkie Fly, but she ain't pink right now!” Rainbow rolled her eyes.
“Strange names...” the youth remarked to himself. “No offense meant, please. Just... unusual.”
Rainbow herself walked forward, inclining her head and fixing a grin upon her face, despite there being no humour in anyone else. “Don't worry, kid! The names of you lot sound just as weird to us!” The smile faded as she got down to business. “We're from Equestria.”
“Equestria?!” the youth gasped, cocking an eyebrow and running a hoof nervously through his blonde mane. “It's not safe here in Gymkhana, if you come from Equestria. The government is not friendly to Equestrians.”
“We're aware,” Rainbow spoke quickly. “We're less concerned for our safety right now. Just… we’ll explain everything if you’ll give us a chance, don’t worry about it. Seriously, we’re not in danger.”
“I won't worry about you, but be careful. It's not just the government and our military... heck, this continent isn't friendly to your kind.”
“Are yooou... friendly to uuus?” Pinkie enquired slowly, tilting her head.
“I don't know yet... I tend to be cautious around strangers; it has nothing to do with you being from Equestria. You were kind to my baby brother, so we'll see. Why are you down here?” he demanded, still regarding them with apprehension.
“We'll get to that,” Dash said delicately. “Your brother says that the 'outcasts', as you call yourselves, live here? From Mesa?”
“We do,” he confirmed. “Why?”
“To start, we know what really happened there. Don't believe a word your leaders tell you,” Rainbow cautioned.
The youth's eyes widened. “Well... you're not the only ones who know what really happened. We were there. You already know those in charge lied to us, so maybe I will trust you.” He glanced down at his brother, who had remained silent since they had started talking. “What do you think, Neighsh? Do we let them in?”
“Yeah!” Neighshyte exclaimed at once. “Rainbow Dash called me polite and Pinkie Pie called me really cute on our way here!”
The youth smiled to his brother and got to his hooves, rapping one smartly against the door. “My name is Dameer Mustangolin. Welcome to the Hideout.”
After a few moments, there was the sound of a deadbolt sliding out of stone and the door swung open. A brown satyr stood standing at the doorway, eyebrow cocked.
“We've got visitors, Marius,” Dameer explained. “Dunno why they're here yet, but tell Numane.”
“I ain't tellin' him a dang thing,” the satyr challenged. “He's been stubborn as a mule since the Mesa Incident. You're in charge, are you not?!”
“Fine, I'll deal with him,” Dameer groaned, turning to look back at Rainbow. “You and your friend can come in.”
“Marius? Dameer? Numane?” Pinkie mumbled in a low voice, looking dazed. “So many new horses and satyrs to make friends with!”
“I'm starting to lose track of names, myself...” Rainbow replied in an undertone, moving toward the open door. Marius closed it behind them, now standing guard outside himself.
The room beyond resembled a very old boiler room illuminated by a few oil lamps. There were pipes and valves all over the walls and ceiling, although only a single pipe seemed to be functioning. No doubt the noisy machine outside the room and down the passage was pumping either hot water or hot air through to this room. There was a young purple earth pony with a long, flowing silver mane sitting down against the wall next to a pipe. In her hooves she cradled a light blue unicorn foal with a small wisp of red hair. She was leaning against the vibrating pipe for warmth, her eyes closed. Dash thought she might be sleeping along with the baby.
A pair of griffon twins sat talking quietly in a far left corner. An anubis was sleeping on the floor in the right. A dark red horse with a fiery amber mane and purple eyes was glaring from the back of the room. Aside from several boxes, a few large containers of water, and some rolls of cloth, the room had nothing but the dwellers within.
They were kids. They were all kids. Neighshyte's brother Dameer was easily the eldest one of the group, even looking older than the filly holding the foal, who was easily approaching marehood. The satyr and the other horse looked to be teenagers as well, but the rest were children. Rainbow Dash couldn't believe her eyes.
“This is the Hideout. We are the outcasts.”
Rainbow turned to stare the coffee-coloured horse in the eyes, her heart aching. “There's... no parents, are there?”
“One,” Dameer replied grimly, his voice very quiet. He jabbed a hoof at the filly with the foal. Rainbow felt her lips part as her jaw dropped. “The foal is her own. Yeah, she's thirteen, if you're wondering. She was raped. Welcome to Gymkhana.” Dameer shook his head sadly, approaching the centre of the room and sitting down next to a lamp. Rainbow and Pinkie Pie followed him, remaining on their hooves. “We are the outcasts, abandoned by God since the day the darkness descended upon the Mesa District and blocked His light.”
“Osiris?” Rainbow enquired softly.
Dameer nodded. “The Sun God, yes.”
Pinkie's face fell as she listened closely. “How are things... so bad?” Rainbow watched her throw a look over at the purple pony.
“Osiris has abandoned us. We pray, He doesn't listen anymore. He's busy with the rest of Saddle Arabia as they celebrate Him during the Festival activities. Who cares about some motley collection of brats?”
“I don't think anyone's abandoned you all yet,” Rainbow said, sitting down next to him. “We haven't really said why we're here, after all.”
Dameer gave a chuckle that suggested amused skepticism. “I'd love to listen, then. I'm sure everyone here would, but maybe we should show some hospitality and feed you what we can spare, hmm?”
“Don't be ridiculous,” Dash said quickly, shaking her head. “You kids need it way more than we do.”
“Well, have some water, at least. Numane, can you bring over the water?”
“Sure, let's share our limited resources with strangers,” the red horse hissed from the corner.
“Here we go...” Dameer sighed as Neighshyte sat down beside him.
“You don't have to give us anything, silly!” Pinkie said hastily.
“And you don't even have to be here,” Numane whispered, getting up so he could walk over and speak in a louder voice. The griffon twins watched him walk wearily. “Why exactly are you here?”
“Well, as we told your friend Dameer, we know what happened in the Mesa District,” Dash explained.
“That doesn't make you special! We all know what happened! The darkness swooped over the district and destroyed EVERYTHING that mattered to us. What little we had was lost. Our families were attending the prayer service in the great chapel... and Osiris saw necessary to sweep them away from us forever when the darkness made it collapse!”
“I'm sorry about what happened,” Rainbow empathized, “but—”
“Sorry? Sorry for what? It wasn't your doing, was it?” Numane's voice was rising in his anger. Over in the corner, the purple filly lifted her head. “I don't care what you or the pink one came to say, but if you hoped that EMPTY WORDS would make everything all better for the outcasts, then just leave!”
“Numane...” the filly said quietly, eyes still closed, “if you wake Appleberry, I'll break your face. Did your thick head already forget that my son was up all night? He's sick.”
The red horse was breathing deeply, but seemed to deflate. “I'm sorry, Grape...” he said in a lower voice.
“Thanks, Numane.” She laid her head against the pipe again.
“Since you're awake, do you wanna listen to our guests, Grape?” Dameer asked.
“Huh?”
“They're from Equestria.”
“Equestria?!” she repeated, her soft orange eyes fluttering open to gaze at them. “I'm always happy to see other ponies, so I'm game for listening. The name's Grape Blossom, by the way.” She ran a hoof very gently through the wisp of hair on the foal's head. “This handsome stallion here is my little angel, Appleberry.”
“He's sick?” Pinkie muttered with a croak in her voice, frowning.
“You didn't trot happily into our little sewer abode and expect to see a baby to be in perfect health, did you? You truly are new to this city.”
“Is life really that bad here? I always thought Gymkhana was, like, the top city in Saddle Arabia...” Dash mumbled, feeling dazed.
“Life was hard in Mesa,” Dameer explained. “Visitors to the city usually expect the Mesa District to be something akin to high society. Mansions, luxury, that sort of thing...”
“That's what I thought it would be like, yeah...” Dash admitted.
“Well, you aren't the only one. It makes sense, you know, the word mesa meaning a high plateau, but in Gymkhana, the Mesa District... is the poor district. It’s the highest district, but… it’s the slums. We were never as poor as those who live in the sewers before, but things were rough.” Dameer buried his face in his hooves. “Some nights we went hungry, Neighsh got hand-me-down toys, and the desperate stalked the streets at night...”
“Desperate thieves, and... predators,” Grape said in a hoarse whisper, throwing her eyes upon her son. “But we've always had our faith... until that day.”
“It's hard to believe it was only ten days ago. Ten days... that's it,” Dameer spoke in a hushed tone, face still in his hooves. “Wednesday, the 12th of June... school ended for Gymkhanites last month, so we were off. Neighsh was playing with three of his friends at the park outside of the community centre. I was watching them. Numane, Marius, and Fenuku, he's the anubis sleeping over in the corner... anyway, they were working out inside the centre. Grape was sitting in the park with Appleberry, Aidos and Alastor, those two griffons over there,” Dameer continued, gesturing at the twins who were now listening intently, “they were with us, too. There were twelve of us, counting the three foals who were playing with Neighsh. They're out in the city looking for food right now... anyways, we were all at the community centre when the skies darkened.”
“Our parents, our older brothers and sisters, our aunts and uncles, our cousins, our grandparents... everyone was at Wednesday morning worship. The chapel fell when the dark, smokey cloud swept over it. We could see the spires fall from the park,” Grape explained in a whisper. “They all... died.”
“The military came through the park. They were fighting pegasi dressed in blue suits,” said one of the griffons, speaking for the first time. "The Wonderbolts."
“They told us all to take shelter in the sewers. We were scared, because we saw everything falling and there were horses screaming, but we did as we were told. Took the transporters and made for the sewers,” his brother supplied.
“And that's pretty much it,” Dameer finished, looking up. “We've been down here ever since. This new pegasus in charge of the military came down to see us after a day or two, told us we were on our own, and that was it.”
Rainbow Dash breathed deeply, feeling her chest contract painfully. “That's awful...” She had a feeling she knew what pegasus they were talking about.
“That's so sad...” Pinkie sniffed. “You definitely lost your families...?”
“We did, ma'am...” Neighshyte spoke up. “We've been goin' all over the city since then, lookin' for food, and we found out about everyone who d-died...” He gave a shudder and his brother wrapped a hoof around him.
“The military is blaming the darkness on the pegasi they were fighting, the Wonderbolts from Equestria,” Dameer explained, shooting Rainbow a careful look. “None of us believe it. We saw what happened as we ran to the sewers. More of them arrived and tried to fight the darkness, but it killed anything it covered. It was after them.”
Rainbow Dash gave a solemn nod. “It was after them. We're gonna tell you kids why we're here in this city. Do you agree, Pinkie?”
“I do.” Pinkie Pie gave Dash a warm smile. “I trust these kiddies! They deserve to know what's happening and they need to keep their faith!”
“Well... we're listening. Get it out already!” Numane spoke with a bite of impatience.
“Numane, don't be a jerk,” Grape Blossom sighed, adjusting herself against the pipe. “And it's hard to keep faith when Heaven has turned its back on us.”
“I know things are dark, probably never been darker,” Rainbow began, “but you can't lose hope. Hold dear to your faith, guys... especially if it's all you have left.”
“Why?” Numane challenged. “God has abandoned us.”
“I may not pray to Osiris like you all do, but I know that no one has abandoned you!” Rainbow Dash's voice was growing in strength, though not in volume. “Because we're here. We were sent by Princess Celestia, who I think your government has had a field day with slandering with their totally B.S. propaganda. None of you believe it, right?”
The children all nodded their heads, one of the twins tapping their beak.
“We're here to help. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Pinkie promised.
“Uh... what?” Grape questioned, cocking an eyebrow.
“Pinkie Promise,” Dash answered with a soft laugh. “Same from me. Back home, we're champions of Princess Celestia. Now, I know we don't look the part. Like, seriously, we don't,” Dash continued, forestalling an interruption she saw coming up from the red horse, “but we have the necessary power to defeat what you call the darkness, what we've been calling The Shadow, and what is actually named...”
“The Voidwalker,” Pinkie concluded with a determined frown.
“My name is Rainbow Dash, this is Pinkie Pie, and we are part of a group of six who command the Elements of Harmony. In two days' time, the Voidwalker will return to the city from who-knows-where and will try to destroy it, our spy tells us. It won't get the chance, because we'll blow it to pieces!”
“So...” came a voice from the corner. Rainbow glanced over and saw the anubis who had been laying there since they had entered getting to his pawed feet. “The Elements of Harmony actually exist.”
“You were listening, Fenuku?” the coffee-coloured stallion asked, still holding tight to his little brother.
“Of course. How could I sleep with you all gabbing over there? I'm surprised little Appleberry is still snoozing.” The anubis walked over and sat down beside them all. “Do you remember learning about the spirit of disharmony in school, Grape? The one named Discord?”
“Uh...” Grape looked thoughtful. “I... think so?”
“H-how do you guys know about Discord?” Pinkie Pie enquired with a soft stammer.
“He ruled over Equestria, but his touch covered the entire world. Trust us, Saddrabian scholars are well versed in his reign of chaos,” Fenuku insisted. “We know that Celestia and her sister used the Elements of Harmony to defeat him at long last.”
“Well, you know,” Numane jested, and Rainbow was surprised to see him smile. “Since you're such a big dork.”
The anubis rolled his eyes. “Don't lie, Numane. I'm sure you know just as much about Discord as I do. You got ninety percent on your last history exam, remember?” Rainbow watched Fenuku give a satisfied smirk as the red horse looked uncomfortable.
“Discord actually returned awhile back, y'know!” Dash confided. “This time, me and my friends were the Element Wielders, and we beat him up! Black and blue!”
“Actually, we just turned him back to stone!” Pinkie corrected, grinning.
“I was being dramatic,” Dash sighed, but went on. “Anyways, yes, the Elements of Harmony exist, and we're the ones who can use 'em to take down the Voidwalker and avenge the lives he has taken from you all. I have the Element of Loyalty, Pinkie Pie has the Element of Laughter, and there are four others: Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, and Magic.”
“The unknown sixth Element... Magic...” Fenuku uttered, his blue eyes widening.
“Magic? That's an Element of Harmony? Seems out of place...” Grape argued.
“You haven't seen our friend, Twilight Sparkle! Most gifted unicorn in the world, easily!” Rainbow Dash spoke with confidence, fixing her eyes on Grape's foal. “I'll ask Twilight to give your boy some tutoring once he's older! Appleberry will be the BEST unicorn in Saddle Arabia!”
“Hush...” Grape said warningly as the foal stirred. “I'm grateful, I really am, but c'mon... you're getting loud.”
“Sorry,” Rainbow apologized, still smiling.
“This is all pretty amazing to hear,” Dameer admitted.
“Yeah, it is,” Neighshyte agreed, “I knew they would be cool, big brother!”
“But... what does all of this have to do with us? Why come down here and tell us all of this?” the older brother demanded.
“Well...” Rainbow hesitated for a moment. “Consider this greedy, or whatever, but I thought you lot could be useful. Our side is building a resistance to challenge the military before the Voidwalker shows up and our time is super, super short. Your baby brother said that the outcasts go around the city all the time. I thought you could make nice scouts, keep an eye on the movement of officials, that sorta thing.”
“I... suppose we could try that,” Dameer said thoughtfully.
“There's more. After hearing what happened to you all... I really want to help you, beyond just winning your allegiance. You've been losing your faith, you're all practically starving, living here in the sewers... heck, Grape's child is sick. If you guys don't wanna help us to avoid putting yourselves at risk, that's fine, but join us in the Crossroads anyway for your own good.”
“How can we help them, Dash?” Pinkie pleaded with a worried look.
“Food and medicine cost money, Pinkie. Remember my air show payment? The Wonderbolts were very generous with my little windfall of bits, and if there's one pony who doesn't need riches to march around with swagger, it's totally me.”
“We should probably think about this...” Grape suggested, sitting up straight. “But whatever you all decide, I'm game for Dash's help. Appleberry's out of diapers and I'm tired of using newspapers like he's some house pet. We need food, too, but I'm not as worried about me than the rest of you. Appleberry could use actual baby food, not just what I can provide for him.”
Rainbow Dash got to her hooves. “We'll leave you guys to decide for yourselves, but remember, Grape: Your health is important to your child, too. You can't nurse him if you starve, can ya? Whether you all choose to help us or not, go to the Amber Cottage in the Crossroads and talk to Amadeus. He'll give you guys food.”
She turned to leave, spotting three horse foals entering the room as she did so. There were two fillies and a colt, looking startled to see her. She figured these had to be Neighshyte's friends, who were out looking for food.
“So, Crossroads. Amber Cottage. Amadeus. If a stallion named Soarin is there, ask him about my money, he's holding onto most of it. Take every single bit, my daughter and I will get by, even if I gotta take up that second job again. C'mon, Pinkie, let's bounce!”
“Dash... can I talk to you first? Please,” Pinkie begged, looking hopeful.
“Uh... yeah, Pinkie. Why wouldn't you be able to? Duh. Seriously, am I suppose to ignore ya all the way to Mesa?” Dash joked.
“No... now.” Pinkie sounded dead serious.
“Sure... now,” Dash echoed.
“Be right back,” Pinkie assured Neighshyte as she followed Rainbow out of the room, past the confused foals and Marius at the door.
“What's up, Pinkie?” Dash asked, though she felt in her hear that she already knew what her friend was about to say.
“I'm staying,” Pinkie admitted abruptly, giving her an apologetic look.
Rainbow didn't need to ask why. She had rarely seen her pal looking as depressed as she did while listening to the plight of the outcasts. Pinkie lived for making others happy, and there were twelve hungry, upset, and lost children inside the Hideout. Losing their faith and losing their hope.
“I wanna be there for them, answer any questions they have. I just... I think they need me, Rainbow Dash! I wanna make them smile, the way they talked about being abandoned... it breaks my heart. Even if they don't decide to go to the Amber Cottage, they need somepony like me.”
“I'm not gonna try to stop ya, Pinkie, but remember that we need you, too. We can't destroy the Voidwalker or blast the evil out of Wave Chill or that warlock without you and the Element of Laughter.”
“When it's time to fight, you know where to find me! And we'll take it on together, all of our friends! And we'll bring smiles to everyone and everypony in this entire city! But right now, I'm better off bringing smiles to the faces of Neighsh and his friends, I think!” Pinkie spoke earnestly. “Besides, I'm a pastry chef, so I know how to cook. I have some money on me... I could buy them ingredients and cook them up a really, really yummy meal! Even if I gotta use... ick, meat... for Marius, Fenuku, and the twins!”
“Alright, just make sure Grape Blossom can get medicine for Appleberry. If they want to stay put, we can't force them, but drag that filly to the Amber Cottage if ya gotta! Give her all of my money if I'm not there to do it myself. Get the foal to a doctor and get some medicine! Pinkie Promise?” Rainbow implored her.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie beamed.
“Keep us updated and keep safe, 'kay? And don't forget, seven o'clock on Monday is when the Voidwalker will be summoned... we'll freakin' need ya for that. We don't even have sixty hours...”
“I'll be there, Pinkie Fly!”
“Hey, it's Rainbow Dash until I can get my disguise again. I'm gonna check out the free market and find my way to Mesa, then... Good luck, Pinkie!”
“Bah, lucky!” Pinkie sighed, but she giggled anyway and jumped upon Rainbow, wrapping her hooves around her.
“Stay safe, Pinkie...” Dash begged her, patting her friend's mane.
Pinkie Pie grinned broadly and bounced back into the boiler room, pausing to look back at her. Rainbow turned and walked down the hallway, feeling buoyant.
She really felt like she had a purpose in this city now. They weren't just battling Wave Chill and the Voidwalker for Equestria; they were fighting for the 'innocent of Gymkhana', as Soarin had put it.
She could not, would not allow herself to fall into the same depressed stupor that she had slogged through for so long. She was determined, determined to remain calm, to remain confident, to remain strong. If possible, she could not allow her fear to consume her, there was simply too much at stake. Rainbow Dash would treat her fear and worries just the same as she treated crying: it has to be avoided.
Halfway across the metal walkway, Dash remembered that she was no longer in the company of earth or unicorn ponies. She gratefully threw out her powerful wings and flexed them lovingly. With a gallop, she leapt into the air and flapped them. Dash soared over the garbage and the dirty streams of murky water, circling higher and higher in the freezing cold, stagnant, smelly air. As she went, she thought about how awful a place it was to live down here. She prayed that the outcasts would take them up on the offer. Yeah, the sewers would make a great hiding place, she had to admit it. However, she wouldn't stand by and let them live here full time, even if she had to pay for their rooms in the Amber Cottage out of her own pockets.
'Gotta give 'em credit, though... especially Grape... they're holding out well,' she thought to herself. Grape Blossom was still a filly, yet there she was, a strong mother of a foal. That couldn't be easy, but her attitude suggested that she had self confidence and was maybe even comfortable with her life, regardless of the hand that fate had dealt her. Rainbow felt deeply sorry for what had happened to that girl, but she was nevertheless impressed.
She flew over the poor citizens of Gymkhana, closer to upper levels of the sewers where it was warmer. There were so many things wrong with the city, but Wave Chill and Gwyndolin were just making things worse. How far had their corruption extended through the government? What the hell were their motives? Did they have the leaders bewitched? Who else was working with them? What does the Voidwalker want?
These questions bludgeoned her brain as she soared back to the free market. She had no answers. Dash didn't even know if Luna had any answers. All she could do was hope that they would finally meet with the Princess soon. She touched down outside a stall near the centre of the hall. There was a satyr manning it, hunched over and carefully pouring a bright cyan liquid from a long vial into a larger container.
“Excuse me,” Dash requested, not really wanting to disturb the alchemist, “but can you tell me something?”
“I suppose, miss,” he said without interest, reaching for several herbs and crushing them in his palm. He deposited them into the beaker and shook it vigorously, corking it with a claw. “Are you looking for a potion?”
“A potion?” Rainbow questioned, momentarily distracted. “I thought alchemy was used for teleportation?”
The alchemist laughed. “You must be new to the city! Alchemy and magic, together, link the transporters leading to and from the Station. Alchemy can used to enchant letters or symbols, you see. It turns them into vessels to hold magic, like teleportation or transmogrification spells. It has other purposes, of course, but enchantments are the easiest. So, what did you need?”
“That's pretty... neat, I guess! Anyways, yeah, I wanted to know if you could tell me which of the transporters up that ramp over there would take me to Mesa,” Rainbow explained.
“Do you work there? Otherwise, the military isn't happy with citizens or tourists going to the Mesa District right now,” he explained.
“Yeah... I'm aware,” Rainbow said. “I'll take the risk.”
He cocked a furry eyebrow at her. “Very well. The middle one.”
“Thanks,” Rainbow Dash replied.
Flapping her wings yet again, she flew over the crowded market and up the twisting ramp on the far side of the commons. Landing by the circles, she took a deep breath, walked upon the middle glyph, and exhaled. The red mist swam around her, the feeling in her limbs left her, and she was enclosed by darkness for a moment.
The mid-afternoon sun blazed overhead, making her plumage slick with sweat. Her heart pounded in her chest as she flew over the ruins of the chapel, the very site where the outcasts had lost everything. Other buildings didn't fare any better, she noticed. Clearly, the Voidwalker had perused the Wonderbolts in and around the district as they battled the military. How could a mere shadow cause such destruction? She wondered if the true threat of the Voidwalker was something hidden by the darkness that surrounded it. She steeled herself, determined not to feel fear as she imagined the shadowy form of King Sombra swooping over the Crystal Empire.
She had seen enough. Since leaving the tunnels for the Mesa District, she had flown all over the slums, surveying the damage, watching the horses and guards moving about, observing clean-up crews still working on clearing the debris. It was no small wonder to her why the poor had clogged the sewers; there seemed to be no actual residents left in the district.
Rainbow Dash spotted a large, queerly-coloured building against the city wall. It was painted white and black in a checkered fashion. Assuming this was either the news centre or a giant bathroom, she decided on the former and dipped low and skidded to a halt.
As she approached the doors, they flew open and a horse galloped out, carrying a stack of newspapers strapped over his back. Well, Dash thought, that cleared that up nicely. She walked up to an open window on the side of the building, where a sleepy-looking anubis was leaning against a counter.
“Hmm?” she mumbled, lifting her head off her arms.
“Uh, hi,” Dash greeted awkwardly.
“You look like a paint factory exploded!” the anubis gasped. “Can I help you?”
Rainbow Dash smirked. “Yeah, my colours rock. So, this is one of the city's news centres, right?”
“Yeah, it is,” the anubis clerk replied. “Not many come by aside from workers these days, but we're kept busy shipping papers to the closest districts.”
“Hey, whatever pays the bills, am I right?” Rainbow jested lightheartedly. “So, uh, do I just ask for a paper, or do I gotta buy one, or do ya just tell me?”
“You ask for a paper to buy, but they're only two bits,” the tired clerk explained. “Or I could just tell you whatever you wanna know, as you're the only pony, hell, the only anyone to come by today.”
“That works for me!” Dash laughed. “I wanna know what's happening to the, uh, terrorists. The Wonder... Colts, or whatever they call themselves!”
“Aha, you're in luck! That's the front page of the evening herald!” she explained, rummaging around out of sight and extracting a stack of newspapers. She separated one from the pile and held it out. “Feel free to read the story, but I want that back if you aren't gonna buy it.”
“Thanks...” Dash said, unfolding the copy of 'Gymkhana Herald, Evening Edition'.
She turned around so that the sun shown clearly upon the words on the paper. The front page had a large picture of the Wonderbolt's insignia, Soarin's cutie mark. Below it, she read the accompanying story.
Your Evening Herald is pleased to inform its readers, the proud citizens of Gymkhana, that judgement has been passed upon the terrorists responsible for the events of nearly two weeks ago.
The Wonderbolts, the notorious team of psychopathic pegasi, organized by Princess Celestia in Equestria, have made their mark well known upon this glorious and ancient city. The Wednesday before last, they attacked the Mesa District with a terrifying and evil creature of darkness and corruption. Tragically, many lives were lost and the city has yet to recover from the structural damage to many of the oldest buildings in Gymkhana.
While the Festival of Summer Flames celebration is in full-swing, our brave citizens pray and give tribute to our Sun God, Osiris, thankful for His warmth and light to help these deep wounds heal. The recently re-branded crown of the Saddrabian military, the Tempered Feather, meanwhile, is prepared to carry out justice in the name of Osiris and the citizens of this fine city.
Lead by the beloved Commander-in-Chief, the pegasus Azure Wings, the Tempered Feather had successfully captured four of the terrorists responsible yesterday in a skirmish outside the city walls. Those captured include the Wonderbolt Captain, Spitfire, as well as the high-ranking members Fleetfoot, Lightning Streak, and Fire Streak.
After a short, private trial by the Ruling Council of Gymkhana, the criminals sentence is as follows: The pegasi will have their wings bound as they are hung before the palace in the Jewel District at 7:30 PM this evening. The execution will be overseen by Azure Wings himself and a delegation, including members of the Ruling Council and Azure Wings' personal entourage of Gwyndolin, Moonlight Sonata, and the best soldiers of the Tempered Feather. While it is rumoured that other members of the Wonderbolts are in or around the city, bringing the Captain to justice will surely serve a deadly blow to their morale and show Princess Celestia that we will not be intimidated.
Long live Gymkhana. Long live Saddle Arabia.
Rainbow Dash had barely the time to fully comprehend what she had read. As she read, her apprehension increasing with every word despite her own assurances of her bravery, she had not heard the gentle clip-clop of hooves approaching her. However, as they drew closer and closer to her, she could no longer ignore their noise.
As she lifted her head away from the paper, she was nearly blinded by the shimmering light reflecting off the tip of the spear pointed directly into her face. The clerk at the news centre gasped as a thickly-armoured stallion jabbed another spear in her direction.
“Go!” he commanded. “Close the window!”
Rainbow Dash heard her obey at once and the window slam shut behind her. She took a careful step back, away from the deadly weapon inches from her muzzle.
“Rainbow Dash, you really are stupid.”
No. It couldn't be possible, all of her senses had to be lying to her. The newspaper fell with a rustle to the dirty ground.
“Did you really think you of all ponies could fly around this city without my knowledge? It is pretty damn lucky I decided to check up on the progress with cleaning up this district before inspecting the gallows, huh?”
How could her fortune drop so low? She was foolish to come here without finding Twilight Sparkle and reapplying her disguise. But she never would have imagined that this would actually happen.
The guard before her stepped aside, allowing her a clear view of the pegasus she had developed a fierce hatred for. The bastard who had betrayed his brother, his teammates, and his kingdom. Steely blue coat, dark blue mane, Rainbow Dash glared into the dull green eyes of Wave Chill.
“I knew Spitfire had to be lying. There was no way my brother and Rapidfire would let the rest of them travel to Saddle Arabia alone. Figured you would tag along with Soarin. After all, my warlock saw you all board the train bound for Baltimare,” Wave Chill hissed, taking a step forward. “Hope you enjoyed reading tonight's top story. I sure wish you could see it all unfold later, but a worse fate awaits you, my dear.”
“You...” Rainbow Dash was having difficulty finding words. Whatever fear she had developed was long gone. Her chest heaved as anger and rage boiled in her blood.
“I'll enjoy hunting down my former Captain, Rainbow Dash. And Rapidfire, too. But, really, it's Soarin who I'm looking forward to meeting again the most!” He laughed wickedly.
“Dammit, W-Wave Chill!” Her voice shook with her fury. “COME TO YOUR SENSES! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! YOU'RE BEING CONTROLLED, OR SOMETHING!” Rainbow roared at him. “YOUR BROTHER LOVES YOU! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO HIM?! FIGHT THE VOIDWALKER'S HOLD OVER YOU, IT'S NOT TOO LATE!”
Wave Chill paused a moment, his expression blank. Very slowly, his lips curled into a smile. That smile became a maniacal grin. “You... you actually think... I'm being mind controlled? DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU, RAINBOW DASH, THAT THIS ENTIRE OPERATION WAS MY IDEA TO BEGIN WITH?!”
“No...” She would not believe it.
“If there's anypony being controlled, it's these poor, unfortunate souls carrying spears beside me. I must say, the military was pretty damn boring until I staged this little coup. It was easy to lure my brother and the rest of the team here. All I had to do was play along and await the loving embrace of the Voidwalker, Rainbow Dash. I forced them to slaughter the ambassador's militia. I forced them to kill any Gymkhanite who dared rise up against them. This is my city, Dash, and it will lead me to destroying Equestria.”
“You're insane...” Dash spat, panting and gritting her teeth and her anger continued to bubble within her.
“No, I'm brilliant!” Wave challenged. “After I'm done watching Spitfire die, I'm going to hunt down Soarin, 'Dashie'. I'm going to enjoy, really, really enjoy telling him in loving detail all of the things I did to you, his little SLUT, before I killed you. And then I'll cut his throat, maybe. Or gouge out his eyes. Whatever tickles my fancy.”
Rainbow Dash flung out her wings. She could no longer speak, blind with rage, her blood coursing through her veins like electricity. Wave Chill roared with laughter, flicking out his own.
“Go on, then. Fly away, you coward. I'll catch you! I have the Voidwalker's blessings within my body and soul. With his boon, you will never outrun me. I control these wretches without effort. I caught up to Fleetfoot, perhaps the greatest flier in the world, just as easily.” Wave Chill waved off his guards, who backed away at once.
Rainbow Dash kicked off from the ground hard. Wave Chill's face immediately jerked up to the skies, ready to track her. It was precisely what she had expected him to do. She knew he would not have expected her to rush forward, not up. He would not see her racing through the air directly for him, ready to attack.