//------------------------------// // Chapter 4:Star of Loyalty // Story: The Fourth Alicorn // by Cobalt the Kitsune //------------------------------// Chapter Four:Star of Loyalty It was a crisp morning in Ponyville. One could feel summer drawing to a close. Reese was enjoying a wholesome sleep when he was jolted awake by a white filly jumping on his stomach. “GACK! Are you going for waking up a sleeping alicorn cutie mark? If so Cobalt’s at my sisters’ house.” Said Reese irritably. “No, he isn’t.” Said Cobalt coming in groggily along with the other two bright eyed fillies. “If we’re all up I’ll start on breakfast.” he yawned as he when into the kitchen. “So, why are you here?” Asked Reese getting out of his hammock. “We need supplies for a camp out.” Said Scootaloo. “Hey do you guys want waffles or pancakes?” Cobalt asked from the kitchen “Pancakes.” Said Reese. “Why do you want to go on a camp out.” “Because...we haven’t tried a campin’ yet.” Apple Bloom said. “You guy’s want hash browns?”Asked Cobalt “Of course” Reese replied “And where is it you want to go camping.” “Just over Apple Ridge.” Said Sweetie Bell “And I suppose you’ll drag Cobalt along with you?”Asked Reese now rummaging though a chest “Actually.. We were planning on it just being us.” Admitted Scootaloo. “What! You can’t go out camping with out protection.” Shouted Cobalt from the kitchen. Reese then entered the kitchen and shouted at Cobalt “DON’T BE SEXIST!” “If you really think you should come Cobalt I guess you can come.” Said Sweetie Bell. Cobalt put his head thought the door. “REALLY?!?” Said Cobalt very surprised. “I’ve never been camping before. At least i don’t remember going camping before. Oh by the way foods on.” “OK but I’m going along.” Said Reese. “Why?” Asked Scootaloo “Most of you haven’t been camping you need some one to show you the ropes.” Said Reese while he sat down at the table. “Well I guess That makes sense.” Said Apple Bloom while cutting a bite of pancake. “So when do we plan to set out?” Asked Cobalt with a bite of his own pancake in his mouth “Well we’ll need to get supplies today so we should be able to go tomorrow morning maybe.” Said Apple Bloom “Well then let’s get started.” Said Reese “We should first get saddle bags.” “Luckily for us I know a great place to get some that are lets just say... bigger on the inside.” said Scootaloo …................. “So that’s five saddle bags.” Said Colgate. “That’ll be ten bits.” Reese brought out a small purse and counted out the coins. “Thanks mom.” Said Scootaloo “My pleasure, honey.” She replied. Cobalt’s mouth was hanging open. “SHE IS YOUR MOTHER?” Cobalt shouted in utter shock “Well not she isn’t my birth mother but she did raise me.” Said Scootaloo. “That’s more believable.” Said Cobalt “Whats next on the list Reese?” “Sleeping bags.” Said Spir. “They don’t have to be very warm.” he added while he was walking away along with the three fillies. Cobalt lingered long enough to hear a conversation. “I still don’t like you selling these bags.” Said Doctor “It’s no better you and Derpy popping in and out every other day with the TARDIS!” Shouted Colgate. “WOULD YOU TWO TIME PONIES JUST SSHHHAAAAT UP!!!” Reese shouted back at them. Cobalt shrugged off the conversation easily. And he ran after the rest of the group. …............... When the afternoon was over the group had five tents, Sleeping bags, and saddle bags. They also had a camp stove, a shovel, and Reese insisted on bringing an ax just in case they needed fire wood. Cobalt insisted he bring his saber as well. It was shining like the sun but he still scrutinized it with his cloth once and a while. “See you tomorrow guy’s” Said Cobalt walking into the library. “Who are you going to see tomorrow?” Asked Twilight “Oh, Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, your brother, and I are going camping on Apple Ridge.” Said Cobalt setting his new saddle bag by the door. “That sounds fun. I just hope the pegusi don’t decide to have another surprise rain storm.” Said Twilight. “We’ll be fine. Rainbow said it was supposed to be clear sky's till Wednesday.” Said Cobalt. “If you say so.” Said Twilight. …................ “You Ready to go Cobalt?” Called Reese from outside the library. “Just a minute.” Cobalt shouted back. He strapped his saddle bag and sword to his back. Then he called out as he went outside. “See you in a couple days Twilight.” “Have fun!” Twilight replied. “So how far is our camp site and how are we getting there?” Asked Cobalt. “We’re walking about 3-5 miles.” Reese. “Sounds... invigorating.” Said Cobalt. “It is. A brisk morning walk is a perfect way to start the day, I always say.” Said Reese “Hm, rhyme. We should be there...” Reese looked at the sun. “About mid day.” “Then let’s get going.” Said Scootaloo. “Can we go get some food first.” Sweetie bell said her stomach grumbling “I got some apples from the farm,” Apple Bloom stuck her he ad old in her bag and brought out a deep red apple and tossed it at her friend. “Thanks Apple Bloom.”Said Sweetie Bell while she was eating her apple. “Let’s get going.” Cobalt said. The rode out of Ponyville wasn’t paved at all. It was only dirt and rocks. That suited Reese just fine. He hiked along humming a merry tune. While the fillies and Cobalt where tried and out of breath. Then Cobalt Realized something. “Why am I walking when I could be flying?” Said Cobalt taking off into the air. “Do you have any idea where we’re going?” Shouted Reese up at him. Cobalt landed defiantly. “How long till we get there any ways” Asked Cobalt “At most... still a couple hours. Step lively.” Said Reese as the fillies and Cobalt moaned at the prospect of more walking. …................... “Here we are.” Said Reese. The camp site was at the base of a little hill. There was couple of trees on top of it. There was a rocky butte with a large cave in the side. “Hey girls, We could try rock climbing while where here.” Said Scootaloo looking at the butte. “Dream on kid. No pony has climbed Old Rocky.” Reese smirked to Scootaloo. “Shouldn’t we get our tents set up.” Asked Apple Bloom. “I vote for setting up tents.” said Sweetie Bell “Yes let’s” added Cobalt. He pulled out the poles and tarp for his army surplus tent. He had it set up in a couple minutes. The cutie mark crusaders got tangled in their tents. “Do you guys need help?” Asked Cobalt. “No, thanks.” Replied Sweetie Bell’s muffled voice. Cobalt then flew up the hill and said to Reese. “Aren’t you going to set up a tent?” Reese tied some ropes for a hammock around a tree. “I prefer to sleep under the stars.” He said. “Hey, Is that a storm cloud?” Asked Cobalt “Can’t be Rainbow said that I would be clear skies.” said Scootaloo while coming up to join the stallion and colt on top of the hill. “Well if does end up raining I’ll put up my tarp.” Said Reese. “This isn’t an ordinary storm.” Said Cobalt. A chilling breeze blew past. “Burr, is any one else cold?” Asked Sweetie Bell. A few white specks started to fall. “Snow? But Its August!” Exclaimed Apple Bloom. “This storm’s gonna get a whole lot bigger.” Cobalt said “And our tents aren’t going to help.” The breeze turned into a gale. “Let’s get to that cave.” Reese said. More snow flakes started to fall. “That might me a good idea.” Said Scootaloo. The three fillies and the stallion galloped towards the butte. Cobalt stood still as a statue. A white glow surrounded both his horn and the hilt of his saber. “Come on Cobalt.” Sweetie Bell’s shout was enough to break Cobalts trance. He started to run towards the rest of the group. The rocks where all ready coated with ice and where slippery. So climbing the steep slope was perilous. The three fillies where clinging on Reese neck. Sweetie Bell lost her grip. Cobalt quickly reached out and grabbed her hoof. “Hold on!” Cobalt called over the howl of the wind. “I can’t!” Shouted Sweetie Bell. Her hoof was slipping away for Cobalt’s. “Ahh!” Sweetie Bell’s hoof slipped away. “NO!” Shouted Cobalt. Sweetie Bell was enveloped in a purple glow. “HUH?!?” Shouted Cobalt as Sweetie Bell got lifted in to the cave. Reese already had reached the cave. Cobalt then climbed up into the cave. When he reached the cave the entrance froze over in a blanket of ice. He saw a fire burning in the middle of the cave and cloaked mare in the shadows. Then she removed her hood. …................... Twilight Sparkle stared out the window into the white out. I sure hope Cobalt, Reese, and the crusaders are OK out there. Suddenly there was a knocking at the door. When Twi opened the door Colgate, Applejack, and Rarity stumbled in from the blizzard. “Dreadfully cold out there.” Said Rarity said removing her scarf. “Extremely unnatural for this time of year.” Said Colgate “I’m kinda worried about my apple harvest.” Applejack said. “What brings you here girls asked twilight.” Asked Twi while she forced the door shut. “I’m worried about Scootaloo.” Said Colgate “Same here, only for lil, Apple Bloom.” Said Applejack “I to must say I fear for Sweetie Bell’s safety.” Rarity said. “I to am worried, For Cobalt and Reese” Twi said. “The Princess gave me cage of Cobalt. And Reese is my brother. He might be annoying but he’s the only one I got, and well I care for the ol’ fool.” “Well there’s only one course of action then.” Applejack said assertively. “As soon as this storm lets up well go look for them.” “I agree with Applejack.” Said Colgate “I also concur with Applejack.” Rarity said. “We’ll then that’s what well do said Twilight. …................ “TRIXIE?!?” Shouted the three fillies in unison. “Yes it is I THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE.” The purple mare said. “The great and powerful who?” Asked Cobalt. “Ditto.” said Reese. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is the most talented and magical pony in all of equestria.” Boasted Trixie. “Doubt that.” Cobalt wispered to Reese. “What was that? Do mine ears deceive me. you think you have more power than the great and power and Trixie?” Said Trixie. “Probably. I took down a chimera and didn’t even tap into my reserve magic.” Said Cobalt. “Well the Great and Powerful Trixie banished an Ursa Major no sweat.” Trixie returned. “No you didn’t.” Scootaloo said “The great and powerful Trixie asks you to please be silent.” Said Trixie “Why do you keep referring yourself in the third person?” Asked Reese who was warming himself by the fire. “Cuz, That’s the way, uh huh uh huh, the Great and Powerful Trixie likes it.” Trixie said. “Would you stop arguing. She did save my life.” Sweetie Bell said “You did save Sweetie Bell’s life so you have to have a heart.” Cobalt said. A X-ray screen magically appeared in front of Trixie. “Although I can’t seem to find it in these scans.” suddenly the fire went out. “I’ll get started on another one.” Reese said pulling out two sticks. One was curved and had a piece of string tied to it. He made a loop in the string and stuck the other stick which was strait. He then took out some kindling and set it on the floor. Set his fire making device in the kindling putting his hoof on top of the straight stick. He moved the bow he made rapidly back and forth. “Can you not conjure a fire for the great and powerful Trixie?” asked Trixie. Reese stopped and looked at her. “You don’t know me do you?” He asked sarcastically. The kindling brust into flames. Reese then took several small twigs and set them around the flame. “This storm isn’t going to let up soon.” said Cobalt staring out the sheet of ice that blocked there escape. “Apple Bloom, How much food did you bring?” Asked Cobalt “Some pies, a couple bushels of apples, ten apple dumplings, and a few fitters.” Said Apple Bloom. “That should last use a couple days. Do you have anything Trixie?” Asked Cobalt “The great and powerful Trixie might have foodstuffs, and she might not.” Trixie said vaguely . "It's a simple question! Do you or do you not have food!?!" Yelled Reese. "Trixie does not want to answer that question." She said sticking her nose up in the air. Reese then moved towards Trixie angrily "This is a life and death situation! And can you stop referring yourself in the third person? It's getting really annoying!" Reese yelled. Trixie was taken back a little. She then went to one of the darkest corners of the cave and brought out a small bundle "I'm afraid it isn't much but it's what I have." She set the bundle down. Reese cocked his eye. Trixie untied the bundle and the sides fell down. There was a couple berries. Two loafs of bread wrapped in leaves. “That’s good. If we’re smart that well last us another day.” Said Cobalt. “But I don’t think this storm will last more than a day maybe a day and a half.” ….................... The fire burned as the day came to an end. The silence was unbearable to the colt. So he decide to break the ice by finding out more about there host. “So Trixie,” Cobalt started “Where you from?” “I never really had what you would call ‘a home’” Trixie said “I don’t even know how my parents are. The first thing I remember I was a filly shivering in the cold. Ever since I’ve been bouncing around from town to town. Went I found out my talent was magic I guess I let it go to my head. When I went into Ponyville that day I found out there’s always some one better than you. My traveling home was smashed by the Ursa Minor. I found my way out here. I found food and shelter. To be honest... this is the first social interaction in over a year.” “Really?” Said Reese “Ya, I actually miss talking to ponies.” Said Trixie. “Well I’m not going to allow you to starve. I think that you should come back to Ponyville with us.” Said Reese. “But I have no place to stay.” Trixie returned “Well your welcome to stay at my place.” Reese said “No,no I can’t impose.” Trixie said humbly. “It’s not imposing if I asked you.” said Reese. “Well if you put it like that...” Trixie said thoughtfully. Cobalt and the three fillies were moving there heads back and forth tennis match style. When Trixie paused the fillies puon there best puppy dog faces. “I’ll guess I come.” Said Trixie “Yes.” The three fillies and Cobalt said in unison. “Oh, look the storm seems to be subsiding.” Cobalt said looking though the ice. “Well that’s great we’ll head out in the morning.” ….................. “Well Twi, time to set out to look for Cobalt and the fillies.” Said Applejack. “If I know my brother there probably on there way all ready.” Said Twilight “Well I hope little Scootaloo is alright.” Said Colgate “I still can’t believe that Rarity wouldn’t help to look for her own sister.” Said The Doctor. “And in case they got hungry out there I baked some muffins.” Derpy said. “Good for you, Derpy.” The doctor said patting the pegasus mare on the back. “Well let’s get going.” Said Applejack. “I’m home.” Called Cobalt while opening the door. “Cobalt!?! We where just planning to go out to look for you.” Said Twi “Well It’s not like we where out in the cold.” Said Cobalt. right as Trixie walked in. “Trixie!?!” Rang the chorus of mares from the inside. “What do you want?” Said Applejack getting in Trixie’s face. “Whoa, Whoa” Said Cobalt holding the two mares apart. “Trixie here helped us get though the night.” “Not to mention saved my life.” Said Sweetie Bell as she walked in “She’s also rather good looking.” Said Reese. All the mares gave him a strange look. “I mean she has sharp eyes. You know she had to be fast to save Sweetie in time.” Cobalt shook his head smiling to himself. “So, where you’re going to stay, while here in Ponyville?” Asked Twilight cautiously. “Well your brother, Reese, Has generously offered accommodations at his home.” Trixie Said. “Oh, well that's unusually nice of him.” Said Twilight, glancing smile at Reese. “Well it’s the least I could do.” Reese said scathing behind his head. “Well I’m going up stairs if anyone needs me.” Cobalt said. As he walked up the stairs Twilight got a view of his flank. On it was a small star “Cobalt, what’s that on your flank?” Asked Twi. “DID YOU GET YOUR CUTIE MARK?!?” Sweetie Bell yelled in awe. “I guess.” Said Cobalt “I don’t see why it’s a big deal.” “It means you found your special talent.” Said Apple Bloom “Looks kinda small.” Scootaloo criticized “Don’t worry it will probably add on to it’s self later.” Said Cobalt. At this remark he went up stairs leaving everypony stunned and confused. …......................... “Welcome, to my humble abode.” Said Reese setting his saddle bag one the work bench. The home was a greasy, oily mess. But since Trixie never had a home she didn’t really care “The kitchen’s in the back. Bathroom's down the hall. Bed room is up the stairs.” Reese said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not need a bed.” Replied Trixie “Too bad The Great and Powerful Trixie is getting one. And you do really need to stop referring yourself in the third person.” Reese shot back as he leaped into his hammock in the corner of his shop. “Ga, night Trixie.” Said Spir “Good night. Spir” Trixie said.. Resilient “Reese” Spirit watched her walk up the stairs and sighed. He couldn’t help but be amazed at how much pride Trixie held for herself. The way she carried herself, and acted about herself. He sighed “A glided princess, behind the facade of the entertainer is the insecure terrified filly. As broken as when I first arrived.” Reese turned to a darkened corner of his work room and smirked. “May Luna’s moon bring you better days Gilded one” While flopped onto Reese’s bed she though to herself. The great and powerful Trixie, after all these years, has a home