Chapter 1: The Road to Ponyville Part 1
“T’day’s th’day! T’day’s th’day!”
“Today is the day…” Twilight Sparkle automatically corrected her apprentice as she dragged herself away from the wonderful realm of sleep. The excitable filly was bouncing up and down at the foot of her bed like some sort of maniacal spring loaded automaton.
Apple Bloom’s smile didn’t fade in the least at her master’s tone. “Today’s the day!”
Twilight released an especially spectacular groan as she noted the sun had barely begun to rise outside. “You just had to be a morning pony didnt you? I bet Celestia knew it too.”
“Shucks master, it ain’t that early.” Bloom’s ears suddenly splayed. “Sorry. It isn’t that early.”
Twilights dour countenance brightened slightly at her apprentice’s self correction. “It’s alright, I know you’re excited. When we get to Ponyville we’ll set up some rules about when it is and isn’t appropriate to be waking me up.” The mare rose and shook out her coat, stepping out of bed with a faint grunt. “How’s the packing going?”
Her apprentice brightened at the question. “All set! I’m ready ta--to go.” Apple Bloom looked around the room in confusion. “Aren’t you bringing anything?”
Running a hoof through her mane and loose another incredible, jaw-cracking yawn, Twilight nodded slowly. “I am. I suppose I should do my own packing, hm? The airship is supposed to arrive within the hour.”
Apple Bloom was ready and willing to help her new master pack up her room. It had only been three days since her apprenticeship began, but already she’d learned more about magic under Twilight Sparkle’s personal guidance than she had in the last few years from her old Professors. While Twilight might have a similar tone when she delivered a lecture, her passion for magic shone through in her words, and it was a very infectious passion.
The small filly tilted her head curiously as Twilight levitated a single, small canvas bag to the center of the room. Flipping the flap open her horn glowed brightly as the magenta aura wrapped around dozens of the books lining her shelves, the thick tomes drifting through the air and into the bag. A bag that appeared to only be large enough to hold two, perhaps three of the large books.
Apple Bloom approached the seemingly ordinary bag wide-eyed, poking her nose over the edge. “Woooow! It goes on forever!”
“Not forever, but near enough to suit my purposes. It’s a bag of holding. It can hold about twenty five hundred pounds of materials before it’s full.”
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened further. “Don’t that make it to heavy t’carry?!”
“Doesn’t… and to carry. And no. It’s magic, it never weights more no matter how full it is.” Twilight meticulously cleared her book shelves, then moved on to her work tables. Her ingredients, components, and various items in the midst of being crafted joined the books in her bag. “Why don’t you get some breakfast and say goodbye to your little friend. She hasn’t left yet has she?”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “Not yet ma’am. I was sorta hopin’ ta…” The filly swallowed hard as Twilight’s ears swiveled toward her even while the mare’s back was to her. Bloom had spent enough time around her the last three days to know when she had that… disapproving look on her face. “...I was sort of hoping to see if Dinky could come with us. She’s going to the same place after all.”
“And who’s going to pay for her passage, Apple Bloom?”
This brought the filly up short as she faltered a bit at the question. “Uh… w--well you give me an allowance right? So… I will?”
Twilight turned to face her apprentice, packing on hold for a moment. “I give you five bits a week. Passage is two hundred and fifty. You’re going to go a very long time without any pocket money.”
Bloom shrugged, an easy smile on her face. “Shucks that’s alright. Spending a little time with my friend is more important than some money. She’s never been on an airship before either.”
Turning back to her packing, Twilight’s tail twitched once as she resumed her work. “Fine. But if she’s not ready to go when we are, she’s staying behind.” The mare grunted as Apple Bloom grabbed her haunches in a hug.
“Thanks master! I’ll go tell her right now! She’s gonna be so excited!”
Twilight Sparkle couldn’t help but crack a small smile at the filly’s exuberance as Apple Bloom galloped from the room at full speed. Shaking her head with a soft sigh she went back to her packing. Eyeing the door to ensure her apprentice was well on her way down the stairs she flipped the covers away from her bed and gently levitated a small wooden box from beneath the mattress.
Almost reverently she ran a hoof over the lid of the box. “Still holding onto those little mementos?”
Twilight stiffened and rapidly shoved the box in her bag, whirling to the voice. “Master! What are you doing in here?!”
Celestia smiled teasingly as she let herself into her former apprentice’s room. “Just Celestia is fine now, Twilight. You’re not my apprentice anymore.”
Once again, Twilight composed her face into the featureless mask she nearly always wore. “How could I forget?”
The larger mare’s smile dimmed a little. “You’re not too angry with me are you?”
Celestia winced as the fur along Twilight’s neck and back stood on end. “Oh no. Of course I’m not angry. What in the world would I have to be angry about?” She punctuated the last word by violently cramming a few robes into her bag. “You ended my apprenticeship years before necessary. You forced some poor filly on me, knowing full well how I feel about foals in general. And then, to top it all off, as if that weren’t enough… you send me away! A week’s travel away!”
The Archmage stood her ground as the young mare whirled on her, tears forming in her eyes. “What did I do?! I’ve behaved! I’ve done everything you and the others ask of me! I even wear this!” She lifted her hoof to the black leather choker around her neck, it was of fine craftsmanship inlaid with dozens of glittering gemstones. “I never take it off! Never! Is it… is it about the other students? I’ll try harder! I will!” By the time she’d finished the tears had actually begun to flow.
Celestia stepped closer and swept her majestic wings around the gently sobbing mare. “Oh Twilight. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not upset with you… nor could I ever be. Nopony means more to me than you do.”
Sniffling loudly, Twilight ran a hoof across her nose. “...then I don’t understand. Why are you making me go? This is my home…”
Wearing a smile that spoke of infinite patience, Celestia gently dried Twilight’s eyes. “It’s time for you to stand on your own Twilight. And not use me as an excuse to hold yourself back. You’re old enough to strike out on your own, and I think Ponyville will be good for you. It’s a very lovely town, very secluded… they hear very, very little about what goes on outside their town.”
Twilight’s eyes widened at the implication. “...even…?”
“Yes Twilight. Nopony knows who you are, and I dare say they never will unless you choose to tell them. The sister’s from the temple know of course, but they’re good and virtuous mares who will keep the information to themselves. This is your chance Twilight. To have a fresh start, to find your place in the world. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For you to be happy.”
Twilight was slowly regaining her composure. “...why the filly master? You know I’d be a terrible caretaker.”
Looking away from Twilight now, Celestia began to levitate the various alchemical equipment into her ex-apprentice’s bag. “I think you sell yourself short. Everypony said I’d be a terrible caretaker for a certain unicorn filly I brought home ten years ago. I think I did a pretty good job.”
Twilight chuckled softly. “You tried to get me to eat cake for every meal master, you’re a terrible parent.”
Closing the clasp around the bag, Celestia settled it over Twilight’s flanks. “Maybe I was. But I did my best. All things considered, I think you came out alright” Celestia cupped the young mare’s chin tilting her head up. “Just give it a chance Twilight. A realchance mind you. Meet your neighbors, interact with the townsfolk. If you really do hate it after a few months, you can come back to the academy. I’ll add a wing to my tower just for you. Alright?”
Twilight Sparkle inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she took a moment to just bask in Celestia’s presence. While she didn’t hold the Archmage in the deep reverence many ponies did, this was the mare who’d raised her for most of her life. “...that won’t be necessary. I’ll do fine in Ponyville. Once we’re settled in, maybe you can visit for tea.”
Celestia’s smile was warm. “I’d like that very much Twilight.” The smaller mare blinked in surprise as tears welled in Celestia’s eyes. “Ohh! My little filly’s all grown up!” The Archmage snatched Twilight off her hooves and scooped her into a crushing hug.
Sighing softly Twilight returned the embrace… then stiffened as Apple Bloom reappeared taking in the sight with disbelieving eyes. “...not one word Apple Bloom.”
The filly only giggled softly, and slipped back downstairs to wait with her friend.
***
“I can’t do this. I’m not doing this! You’re crazy! She’s crazy!”
“Rainbow Dash…”
The pegasus dashed about her quarters in the temple in a panic, Revered Mother Morning Glory watching patiently. “Mom I can’t be in charge of a whole temple! I thought you were joking!”
Morning Glory took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure who was more difficult to deal with, Celestia or her adopted daughter. “Rainbow Dash… it’s just you, Flitter, and Cloudchaser then this paladin the Order has sent to be your security. It’s not like you have dozens of clerics to oversee.”
“Right! But I’m in charge so that means I have to do the sermons and… and take confessions and stuff right!?” Dash planted her backside on the floor, sucking in great lungfuls of air.
Settling flank to flank with the mare, Morning Glory slowly ran a hoof down her back. The contact almost instantly calming the stressed out pegasus. “Yes, Rainbow Dash. You’re in charge of tending to your soon-to-be herd. I know you’ll do wonderfully.”
Rainbow Dash groaned miserably and sank to the floor. “I can’t even cast any spells!”
“A good priestess doesn’t need spellcasting, she just needs faith. Eloquence. Charisma. You know the tenets of harmony better than anypony in this temple, and you certainly try to live by all of them harder than they do.” The Revered Mother gently lifted Dash back to her hooves. “Trust in yourself. Trust in your friends. Find what gives you strength, and the spells will come in time.”
Darting her eyes toward the door, and finding nopony lingering outside, Rainbow Dash gave her mother a quick nuzzle. “Thanks mom, you always know what to say. Guess I better finish packing.”
Her mother smiled. “Probably a good idea Dashie.”
Rainbow Dash resumed the work of packing her meager belongings into a large canvas duffle bag. “I met her y’know… the other day?”
Of course Morning Glory knew, she’d received in detail what transpired between Rainbow Dash and Celestia the evening after their encounter. “Oh?”
“Yeah… she’s… not what I expected.” Dash stuffed a few spare robes into the bag haphazardly, drawing a wince from her mother. “I mean yeah she’s wise and gentle and kind and all but she seemed… normal.”
“Hmm.” Morning Glory took the bag and dumped it out, then began gently folding the robes within. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as a ‘normal’ pony. We’re all extraordinary in our own way. From Lady Celestia to the littlest foal, there’s always something that makes us special.”
“Even me?”
Now the older mare rolled her eyes. “A free pony barbarian who refused to kill an innocent creature and was exiled from her tribe, only to be found by the head of Lady Celestia’s faith and raised as a priestess? Who while she may have a few bumps in the road, has turned out to be a kind, gentle, caring mare who wants nothing more than to spread light, love, and harmony to her fellow pony. Nope. Nothing exceptional about that.”
Rainbow Dash huffed. “I’m not all of that…”
“You are Dashie. You’re all that and more. And one day you’ll see it too.” Morning Glory got Dash’s room cleared and bag packed in record time, slinging it over her daughter’s shoulder. “You’ll do brilliantly in Ponyville. I just know it.”
Dash fidgeted with the strap on her bag. “Did you have to send Flitter too?”
“It was her idea. When Cloudchaser was the only one to volunteer to go with you and start this new temple, Flitter was quite insistent on going along as well. I’d think you’d be happy for all the hooves you could get.”
A sour expression flashed across the younger mare’s face as she looked down into the courtyard. Flitter and Cloudchaser were already down there with bags of their own. The former looking pretty imposing in her heavy plate armor. “I guess…”
“You two are a lot alike Rainbow Dash. Both prone to getting angry too quickly, and acting far too rashly. You can’t behave like a foal anymore. The good ponies of Ponyville will be looking to you to set an example.” Glory’s voice was patient, but stern at this point.
Rainbow Dash nodded slowly. “Yeah… I guess they will huh?” Her ear twitched as the temple’s bell began to toll. “I guess I should get goin’ mom.” She turned to her mother, shuffling awkwardly on her hooves.
As ever, The Revered Mother stepped in first and enfolded her daughter in a warm embrace. “Be good. Not just for yourself, but for your herd and friends too. Lead them all into the light my little Rainbow.”
Blushing furiously Dash backed up a step. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure they’re all pretty in the light already. I’ll write when I get there!” With a running jump she bounded out the window, wings spread wide as she drifted down toward her fellow priestesses.
Morning Glory sighed watching her daughter land near the other two, but just far enough away to keep a safe distance. A small smile formed on her face as Cloudchaser boldly strode right up to Dash and gave her a friendly nuzzle in greeting. Shaking her head in bemusement she looked toward Celestia’s tower. “You always seem to know what you’re doing, don’t you Tia?”
***
Rainbow Dash settled in the grass outside the academy, scanning the skies expectantly. Cloudchaser was sitting right next to her on her right, while a quietly glowering Flitter stood a short ways behind the pair.
“This is my first time in an airship! It’s so exciting! Aren’t you girls excited?!” Cloudchaser gushed, for perhaps the third time.
Rainbow Dash cracked a smile and nodded. “Yeah I guess so. I mean we fly all the time so it’s not the same for us as it is an earth pony or something right?”
The cheery mare tilted her head as she considered this. “I suppose that’s true. But now we get to fly without our wings. At the very least it’ll be a new experience!”
Dash hm’d noncommittally and resumed her silent vigil. Flitter took the opportunity to speak up for the first time since they set out from the temple. “Isn’t somepony else supposed to be joining us? One of the academy students right?”
Cloudchaser shrugged and looked to Rainbow Dash, who frowned at being forced into conversing with the mare she’d savagely beaten three days ago. “Yeah uh… mom… the Revered Mother said Lady Twilight Sparkle and her apprentice.”
Both priestesses went rigid with shock. “Twilight Sparkle? Starfall Twilight?!”
Dash frowned at Cloudchaser. “There’s only one Twilight Sparkle so far as I know, and I don’t think she’d appreciate that nickname. She’s Lady Celestia’s personal apprentice, so show some respect.”
Cloudchaser’s ears splayed at the well deserved chastisement. Flitter moved closer to the group. “She’s her apprentice sure but c’mon, even you can’t be comfortable riding in an airship with her Rainbow Dash.”
Now Rainbow Dash fully turned to face Flitter “Why? She hasn’t dropped any stars on the academy in the ten years I’ve been there. I’m pretty sure she’s not gonna start now just because she’s leaving school. Plus she has her own apprentice with her, and Lady Celestia wouldn’t send her out of the academy if she wasn’t sure it was safe. You’re not doubting Lady Celestia are you?”
For the second time in the past five minutes, Dash’s fellow priestesses looked surprised. “W--well no! Of course not! You’re right Rainbow Dash… we’re um, not being fair to Lady Twilight?”
Dash raised an eyebrow. “Is that a question or an apology?”
Cloudchaser smiled slightly and shrugged. “Both?”
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well I’m not the one you need to apologize to. She is.”
Her fellow pegasi turned to the academy entrance. Making their way toward them was the mare in question, wearing her well worn silvery robes, though now the collar was trimmed in midnight blue indicating her status as a full mage. Bouncing around her in a ball of frenzied energy was a yellow coated earth pony filly wearing the pale pink robes of an apprentice. Bringing up the rear was a unicorn in a simple vest and skirt.
Cloudchaser frowned. “I thought it was just her and her apprentice?”
Flitter shrugged. “Maybe she has two?”
“Hm.” Rainbow Dash studied the little group as they approached. Twilight looked as dour as ever, but the young cleric thought she detected a spark of something more in the lavender mare’s eyes. Amusement maybe? If she didn’t know better she’d swear Twilight Sparkle was in danger of smiling at the yellow filly’s antics. Throwing caution to the wind she started toward the mages, much to the surprise and mild alarm of the other two pegasi. “Hi there!”
Twilight blinked in surprise at the sudden approach of the cleric. Eyes darting back and forth rapidly she shrank back a step. “Ah… hello.”
Taking the initiative the cleric in question smiled toothily. “Name’s Rainbow Dash! This is Flitter, and Cloudchaser I guess we’re all taking the same ship to Ponyville?”
Twilight’s eyes went to the two obviously less comfortable mares, then returned to Rainbow Dash. “Yes, that’s right.”
Dash’s smile faltered a bit. She wasn’t sure what she expected, just coming right up and introducing herself like she had. She’d always thought about talking to Twilight Sparkle in the past, after all everypony tended to avoid the both of them like they were a pair of rabid parasprites. But now that she was actually in the mage’s presence she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. Unbidden, her mind flashed back to the stories she’d heard. “W--well… we’ll just uh, be over there if you wanna chat.”
Twilight Sparkle didn’t respond, she just watched the mare slink back to her companions. “Master ya coulda at least tried bein’ nicer.”
Twilight’s turned to fix Apple Bloom with a hard stare. The filly gulped. “You could have tried being nicer is all I’m saying. She was just being friendly.”
Twilight looked back toward Celestia’s tower, than to the trio of priestesses. Groaning tremendously she straightened her back and trotted over at first confidently, then with more hesitation as the three mare’s conversation stopped and settled into the uncomfortable silence everypony did when she was around. “...hello. I’m sorry for my rudeness a moment ago. It’s very nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. I’m Twilight Sparkle, as I’m sure you all know. This is my apprentice Apple Bloom.”
The bow-bedecked filly waved cheerfully. “Howdy!”
“And her friend Dinky Doo.”
Now the second filly waved timidly. “Hello ma’am’s.”
The three clerics shared a look of surprise. “Dinky Doo? Is she related to Ditzy Doo?”
Dinky’s mood brightened instantly. “That’s my mama!”
Twilight didn’t miss the look that passed between the priestesses. Apparently they knew Dinky’s mother. “Is that a problem?”
The cleric with the bow in her mane waved a hoof rapidly. “N--no! No of course not! We ah… that is, Ditzy is… famous! Yes. She’s famous among the order.”
Twilight got the distinct impression that Ditzy Doo was famous among her fellow priestesses, in the same way that sheWas famous amongst the students of the academy. “I see.”
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the adults, as the foals chattered away happily. Finally Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “So why are you headed to Ponyville?”
Grateful to the pegasus for breaking the tension Twilight focused on her. “My master graduated me and found me a position in the town. Apparently it’s quiet, secluded, and she assures me nopony has heard of me. Save the three of you. I suspect it goes without saying, but if rumors about me should start circulating, I will be less than pleased.”
The quieter pair of mare’s gulped visibly, only Rainbow Dash looked unconcerned. “No need to worry there, we’re going to start up a temple not a rumor mill. Right girls?”
Rapidly, a bit too rapidly for Twilight’s tastes, the duo nodded. “I appreciate it. I’d like to at least be ostracized for events that are my own fault rather than rumor and happenstance. I’m sure it won’t take me long, still… this is an important opportunity for me. I hope you understand.”
A hint of sympathy welled up in the clerics’ eyes at the earnestness in Twilight’s voice. Rainbow Dash’s smile shrank, but held it’s warmth. “Hey no worries, I’m right there with ya alright? It’s a new start for both of us.”
Twilight Sparkle searched the mare’s face for any signs of deceit or duplicity. Finding none, she nodded once. A simple gesture, but one of respect. “Thank you, Miss… Rainbow Dash was it?”
The mare in question beamed. “That’s me!”
With a nod for the other two as well, Twilight returned to her apprentice’s side, settling down comfortably to await their ride.
Flitter didn’t speak until the mage was out of earshot. “She’s… different than I expected.”
Cloudchaser nodded. “She is! She seemed so, I dunno… sad?”
Rainbow Dash just shook her head. “She’s lonely.”
Flitter eyed Rainbow Dash curiously. “How can you be so sure?”
Dash just sighed and settled in the grass herself. “...I know.”
***
“Now Jackie, yer bein’ just a wee bit unreasonable.”
Braeburn hastily ducked as one of the tables that was normally bolted to the floor was ripped from its moorings and flung at him at high speeds. “I’m reasonable! Yer face ain’t reasonable! Y’all know how I feel about Apple Bloom!”
Apple Fritter and Cross Fire watched in amusement as Braeburn tried futilely to calm his furious cousin. “Now Jackie I’ve had about enough a’this nonsense! If y’all’re that worked up about it then lock yerself in yer room th’whole trip! But that Miss Sunny Skies is payin' us a whole mountain’a bits so we’re takin’ th’job! It ain’t like little Bloom’s joinin’ th’crew! She’ll just be here for th’trip ta Ponyville!”
“No means no, Braeburn! If she’s gettin’ on then I’m gettin’ off!”
Braeburn stormed into the kitchen getting nose to nose with his much larger cousin. “You ain’t gettin’ off nowhere that I don’t okay! Yer fancy paladins putcha in my custody! So it’s sit in yer room like a foal or sit in a cell like a fool! Which is it gonna be Jackie?!”
Both Apple family cousin’s blazing green eyes bored holes into the other as they glared one another down. To both Cross and Fritter’s amazement… it was the mare who relented. Not by much, but her posture did relax. “Brae… c’mon… y’know why I can’t see her.”
Braeburn sighed. “Jackie… I can’t rightly say I agree with ya not tellin’ her what happened. But that’s between you, her, an yer Granny. The trip ain’t that long. Either avoid her, or come up with somethin’ if she asks about him.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Come up with somethin’? Me?”
The stallion wore a thoughtful frown. “Good point. Y’could always tell her the truth Jackie. She’s gonna find out sooner or later.”
Applejack’s eyes widened in horror. “I can’t! I can’t tell her Brae! And don’t any’a you think of tellin’ her one single word or I swear I’ll send’ja flyin’ over th’side’a this tub!”
Apple Fritter and Cross Fire, both skilled warriors in their own right, hastily dashed off tails tucked firmly between their legs. Braeburn wore a disapproving frown. “Applejack this ain’t like you. I know it’s hard but we’re talkin’ about family. Y’know she ain’t gonna be mad.”
The burly mare shook her head. “It ain’t her bein’ mad that’s the problem Brae. What’s she gonna think of me when she learns what happened?”
Braeburn heaved a sigh. “I surely don’t know Applejack. I wish I had answers for ya, I do. But lyin’ t’yer little sister ain’t doin’ you or her any good. It’s killin’ ya inside Jackie. No matter what you’ve done, ya ain’t a liar. An’ yer never gonna be one. Ya gotta come clean Jackie.”
Applejack sighed miserably. “She’s supposed ta be at that school fer another ten years! Why’s she even goin’ back t’Ponyville?!”
Braeburn shrugged. “Dunno exactly. Maybe cause’a the new master of hers? Miss Sunny said we’d be pickin’ up a wizard an her apprentice. Reckon Bloom’s the apprentice in this scenario.”
Applejack snorted. “So this’ all her fault.”
“...that’s some mighty impressive logic ya got there cuz. Don’t you be causin’ any trouble with this here mare y’hear me? She’s a very, very valuable customer. An’ this Sunny Skies seems like she has bits t’burn. We stay on her good side this could be a long, profitable relationship.”
Applejack’s hackles were rising again, but her cousin slammed a hoof down. “I mean it Applejack! Frankly we need this. We’re barely scrapin’ by. Flim an Flam are keepin th’old girl together but eventually they’re gonna run outta spit an’ polish and we’ll need real repairs. And the Doc don’t work cheap.”
His cousin deflated at that. “His wife’s on the crew!”
Braeburn grunted and nodded. “I know, an believe me they fight about it somethin’ fierce when we have t’go t’him hat in hoof. We still owe him from last time y’know?”
The stallion could see his cousins fierce internal conflict. At length she nodded slowly. “Fine… I’ll be nice. But you owe me.”
“Tell ya what. You manage t’play nice the whole way an I’ll treat at the next tavern.”
A dangerous glint flared to life in Applejack’s eye. “You sure?”
Brae removed his hat, holding it to his chest. “On my honor as an Apple.”
Smirking now, Applejack spit in her hoof offering it out, her cousin didn’t hesitate to return the gesture. “Reckon yer gonna be sorry for that.”
Braeburn swept his hat back atop his head, smiling now as his cousin trotted off in higher spirits. “Not that sorry cuz, not that sorry.” Feeling his own spirits lifting at defusing the dangerous situation, he eyed the destroyed table with a sour look. “Applejack! You get back here and fix this table!”
If his cousin heard him, she gave no indicator.
***
“I see it! I see it! There it is!”
Even the sour faced Twilight Sparkle smiled a little at the fillies’ exuberance. The little ponies are bouncing up and down staring in rapt attention at the incoming vessel.
Twilight had to admit, it was an impressive craft. It looked large enough to easily house thirty ponies or more. Held aloft by an alchemically hardened balloon, it was painted rather fancifully with the seven colors of the rainbow going from the tip to the end of the balloon. The lower half that actually housed the crew looked rather similar to an ordinary ship you’d see on the sea. Made of a dark wood, here and there small windows could be seen.
The craft descended slowly, before landing fully on the ground. A hatch opened revealing a smiling earth pony stallion. His yellow coat and brown leather jacket seemed equally dusty, but his vivid green eyes were warm and welcoming beneath the well worn hat atop his head. “Howdy there ladies! It’s my pleasure t’welomce y’all about the Harmony!”
Apple Bloom nearly knocked Twilight on her rear as she charged out from behind her master. “Braeburn!”
The stallion grinned and caught the small filly shaped missile out of the air and pulled her into a hug, before holding her out at legs’ length with a look of confusion on his face. “Hold on there little missy. I was expectin’ my cousin Apple Bloom. Yer way too big t’be her!”
Giggling now, the filly’s grin widened. “It’s me! I promise! It’s just been forever since we saw each other!”
“Hm.” Braeburn set her on her hooves eyeing her skeptically. “I dunno…” He looked to the approaching mares. “This here really Apple Bloom?”
Twilight Sparkle typically had little patience for nonsense… but she was trying to be… ugh, nice. “I can assure you this is my apprentice Apple Bloom. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Braeburn was it?”
“Yes ma’am! Now let’s see how I do. Yer Miss Twilight Sparkle naturally.” He turned to the identically colored pegasi. “Rainbow Dash in the middle. Flitter with the armor and bow, and Cloudchaser with the ponytail?”
The clerics looked suitably impressed. “How’d you know?” Dash looked more curious than her fellows.
Braeburn flashed a grin. “I cheated. My client gave me everypony’s description. C’mon aboard and I uh…” His grin faded. “Thought I was only takin’ on the one filly.”
Dinky shrank back a little at his scrutiny. “This here’s my good friend Dinky Doo!” Apple Bloom helpfully supplied.
Braeburn’s eyes widened. “Dinky Doo? Y’all ain’t related t’Ditzy Doo are ya?”
Dinky tilted her head. “How come everypony keeps asking me that? She’s my mama.”
The stallions eyes widened further. “Would y’all excuse me for just one sec? Fritter! C’mon over an show our passengers t’their rooms wouldja?!”
A confused looking mare trotted over, her deep green mane pulled into a pair of pig tails. She smiled nonetheless for their guests. “Uh… sure? Howdy everypony. I’m Apple Fritter. Just Fritter’s fine with me. If ya wouldn’t mind followin’ me?”
The four mares and two fillies fell into step with their new guide. “Dunno what’s got him so worked up. So the trips gonna take us two days t’get from here t’Ponyville.”
Twilight cleared her throat. “Two days? It was my understanding it was nearly a week’s flight.”
Apple Fritter smirked toward the unicorn. “For a normal ship sure. But this here’s the Harmony. The finest vessel ever crafted. Nothin’s faster in the whole sky. Er, for the most part a'course. She's gettin' on in the years.”
Rainbow Dash’s fellow cleric’s noticed her stiffen a little at the pronouncement. She looked very much like she had something to say on the matter, but stifled herself. Twilight was nodding slowly as she ran an appreciative eye around the craft. “Well it’s certainly well made. I’d love to see the engine’s if at all possible.”
Their guide shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Long as ya keep out of our mechanics’ way there shouldn’t be any trouble. So! These’re the spare rooms. Y’all can help yerself t’whichever y’like.” She turned a fond smile Apple Bloom’s way and ruffled her mane. “Good t’see ya again by the by little cuz.”
Apple Bloom smiled up at the mare. “Hey where’s m’sister?”
The adult’s didn’t notice the mild look of panic in Apple Fritter’s eye. “She’s uh… busy. Doin’ important stuff. She’ll come by soon as she can.”
The answer did little to satisfy Apple Bloom, but she was ushered into one of the rooms by her master. “Let’s leave your cousin alone for now Apple Bloom. Get settled in and we can find your sister later, alright?”
Bloom looked like she wanted to protest, but at length she sighed. “Yes master. C’mon Dinky we can share a room.”
The fillies chose a room for themselves. Rainbow Dash took the second one, while Flitter and Cloudchaser helped themselves to the third. Twilight frowned suddenly. “There are only three?”
Apple Fritter shrugged. “Yup. Least in this part’a the ship. An’ they’re the only rooms we got fixed up for passengers. We were only expectin’ five of ya. Hope it ain’t too much trouble.”
Twilight sighed. Rainbow Dash seemed an alright sort. And it wasn’t like she was planning to spend a lot of time in her room. “It’ll be fine, thank you Miss Fritter.”
“Aw shucks! Just Fritter’s fine miss. Y’all’re our guests after all.”
“Alright then. Fritter, thank you. Is there a way for us to contact the crew… or a specific place and time we should know for meals?”
“Uhhh…” Apple Fritter pondered the questions. “Well only way t’get ahold’a one of us is t’actually get ahold’a one of us. Chow’s pretty much whenever ya get hungry. We don’t have an official cook or nothin’.”
“Thank you, Fritter. I suppose I’ll see you about the ship.”
“Sure will Miss Twilight! Enjoy yer flight!” The smiling earth pony turned and trotted along the corridor and out of sight.
Twilight Sparkle stood before the door Rainbow Dash had entered, hesitating a moment before entering. Chastising herself for acting like a filly she steeled her nerves and stepped inside.
The room was rather spartan, quite a bit how she preferred it. A pair of bunk beds were stacked against one side of the room. A footlocker sat at the end of the bed, then there was something that suspiciously appeared to be a locker pried from a locker room and hastily added to this room to give it more of a ‘homey’ feel. Rainbow Dash had already tossed her bag in the locker at the foot of the bed, so Twilight levitated her own luggage into the one against the wall. Once her bag was inside she placed her usual arcane lock over the door.
“You don’t gotta do that. I’m not gonna go rifling through your stuff.”
Twilight turned to face the other mare in the room. “It’s not you I’m worried about. The Apple family are mercenaries, and while they’ve been friendly so far some members of the crew may be somewhat less scrupulous.”
Rainbow Dash blinked at the revelation. Her eyes drifted to the locker containing her own belongings. “D’you think I could uh…”
Without a word Twilight levitated the pegasus’ bag from the locker and placed it in the magically sealed one next to her own. Dash flashed a grateful smile. “Thanks. You wanna head up on deck? Check out the ship as it takes off?”
“I suppose so. Flying isn’t that new to me. It’s a spell I use frequently but I’ve never been on an airship before.”
A sudden excited voice outside drew the mares’ attention. “Muffin!”
They looked to one another in confusion, until they heard Dinky Doo’s excited squealing. “Mama!”
Rainbow Dash suddenly looked pensive, piquing Twilight’s curiosity. “Why the reaction to Dinky’s mother? If I may ask?”
Dash rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably. “Ehh, it’s really unfair of me of all ponies to look down on anypony for some quirky behavior. But Ditzy’s a walking disaster. She actually leveled an entire temple one time. She’s a great cleric… spell wise. I’ve heard she can fight pretty good too, but she’s really, really clumsy. There was this one time where-”
The door banged open revealing a furious grey coated pegasus mare. Mismatched yellow eyes roved about the room, until both snapped into focus on Twilight Sparkle. “Did you tell my filly she’d never be a wizard?!”
Twilight’s ears splayed. Suddenly she wondered if perhaps this was the reason the academy faculty tended to string the untalented students along. “Weeeeeell…”
***
Braeburn made his way to the bridge. Cross Fire already present and making the final preparations for take off. “They here?”
He nodded to his second in command. “They surely are. We’re ready t’go.”
The towering mare grunted as she started flipping switches. Eldritch light filtering along the control panels and running along cables leading down into the floor flared to life as the propellers on either side of the ship began to spin. “So whaddya think?”
Braeburn shrugged casually. “Of our passengers? Nothin’ too exciting. Look like quiet sorts t’me.”
Cross Fire grimaced. “What about Starfall?”
Braeburn’s expression hardened. “That’s Miss, or Lady Twilight Sparkle t’you Cross. She seems quieter than the rest. Suits me just fine. Way I figure it, we don’t do nothin’ t’get her riled up, she don’t drop stars on us. See what I’m sayin’?”
The larger pony nodded. “Yeah I gotcha Brae, sorry. S’just… havin’ her aboard don’t sit right with me.”
“I surely ain’t too thrilled myself but for a hundred thousand bits I can’t think’a too many folks I’d turn down.”
Braeburn’s second grinned at that. “Think we can finally get some weapons on this tub.”
The stallion affected a shocked look. “Why Miss Cross Fire! You know that’s illegal. We’re not allowed armaments after we signed that treaty.”
Snickering now, the mare turned her attention back to the controls. “How could I forget? Though if somepony happens to drop some weapons on the ship…”
“Why we’d be remiss if we ignored so genteel a gift. It’d be downright inhospitable even.”
Both silenced instantly as Applejack made her way onto the bridge. “They here?”
Braeburn nodded in the affirmative. “They are. Got ‘em set up in the west corridor.”
The newcomer huffed softly. “We fixin’ t’head up then?”
“Yes ma’am!” Applejack’s cousin lead her from the bridge, nudging the door shut behind them. “They’re probly gonna head up on deck t’watch. You comin?”
Applejack’s sides heaved outward as she sighed. “S’pose I might as well get it over with.”
Braeburn laid a comforting hoof over her back. “Relax. Y’don’t gotta lie t’her just… deflect the questions.”
His cousin nodded slowly. “I can do that.”
“Remember she idolizes you. Y’can probly say just about anything an’ she’ll run with it.”
Snorting softly the mare took the stairs up tot he deck two at a time. “...s’pose that’s true.”
***
Ditzy Doo regarded Twilight Sparkle silently until the mare finished speaking. “...well… there’s no chance she can ever be a wizard?”
Twilight felt a bit of sympathy rise up inside. “I’m afraid not Miss Doo. Keeping her in the academy would only prevent her from finding her real path in life. I know this isn’t good news, but it’s best to learn this now rather than ten years down the line when she’s still struggling to conjure a light spell, and too old to apprentice to a new profession.”
Ditzy sighed softly. “I see. Well she doesn’t seem disappointed.”
Twilight shook her head. “Not at all. Relieved is more the word I’d use. She seemed very excited to be going home.”
Now the pegasus frowned. “The problem is nopony’s at home to look after her. I’m always with the ship here, and her father’s an artificer. So his job has him traveling the world over.”
Excitement lit in the other mare’s eyes. “An artificer? Really?! A true artificer? He can create magitek?!”
Ditzy’s frown reversed into a smile at the change of topic. “Uh huh. We met a long time ago, when I first signed on with the Apple’s. He built the Harmony, and was doing some repairs. It was just after the uh… the war y’know?”
Twilight nodded slowly. “I do. Lady Celestia and the academy remained neutral but we heard plenty of news.”
The grievance entirely forgotten now, Ditzy happily trotted from the room, leading Twilight toward the stairs up. “Well! Turner was so… cool and mysterious with those goggles and all his funny little tools. Applejack finally pushed me into talking to him. We hit it off right away! We got married the next summer.” She proudly displayed a promise bracelet fastened securely around her right foreleg.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. Typically promise bracelets were made of a precious metal, inlaid with gemstones. This one seemed to be a mix of magitek gems and clockwork gears. If she squinted hard enough she could see the tiny pieces of machinery all moving together. “That’s amazing.”
“Mmhm. My Turner’s the best! He’s so good lotsa ponies call him the Magitek Doctor, cause he can fix anything!”
The unicorn nodded slowly as she listened. “So I’m guessing Dinky wasn’t planned?”
Ditzy’s smile turned sheepish. “No. Me and Turner love each other to pieces, but we both have our jobs y’know? We see each other as much as we can. Dinky was born… and we both lead such dangerous lives. His work takes him to some pretty hairy places y’know? And my um… my life isn’t any place for a little filly. I never approved of Babs being here but she’s not mine so it’s not my place to say.”
Twilight assumed this Babs was an Apple family foal. “So you sent her to the Academy?”
“Uh huh! It was Turner’s idea. I guess he knows the mare who runs it.”
Now both of Twilight’s eyebrows shot up. “He knows Celestia?”
Ditzy blinked and looked surprised. “Lady Celestia runs the academy?”
Twilight’s look was one of disbelief. “H--her name is in the title…”
“Huh! Whaddya know? I guess I never noticed.” And just like that the carefree pegasus was trotting across the deck toward her filly. Twilight shook her head in silent bemusement.
“Hm. Where have I heard the name Applejack before…” She quietly mused to herself as she set out to find her apprentice. No doubt the eternally curious Apple Bloom would want to see the ship in action as it took off. She paused to study one of the large propellor mechanisms. There were three along each side that would lift the ship and keep it in the air.
She spotted her apprentice chatting with a mare she guessed was yet another member of the crew. She was one of the more well muscled mare’s Twilight had ever seen, with a rich orange coat and straw-yellow mane and tail. A well worn leather hat perched atop her head. This was probably the sister, Applejack. As the mare turned slightly and Twilight got a good look at her face, recognition lit in the mage’s eyes and she nearly staggered to her knees in shock.
***
Applejack’s smile was considerably less forced than it had been a moment ago, as she ended the tight embrace with her little sister. “Shoot musta been what… five years since Granny sentcha off t’that fancy magic school?”
Apple Bloom’s smile was ear to ear. “Sure was! And it’s great to see you again Applejack! I can’t wait to hear all about what you’ve been up to!”
“Well nothin’d make me happier than t’catch up some Bloom. Just s’long as it don’t get in the way’a my work. I got lotsa important stuff t’do. Maybe you can tell me about your schoolin’ huh? Braeburn says you got yerself a proper master teachin’ ya now?”
“Uh huh! There she is!” Apple Bloom frantically waved to Twilight, beckoning her over. Applejack frowned as the lavender mare’s eyes focused on her brand. “Applejack, this is my master Miss Twilight Sparkle! Master, this here’s my big sister Applejack!”
Twilight nodded slowly. “Apple Bloom can you excuse us for just one minute? I’d like to talk to your sister about something important.”
Apple Bloom’s ears splayed as she looked from one mare to the other. “Is everything alright ma’am?”
Twilight forced herself to smile. “It is. It’s just… grown up stuff. Why don’t you go say hi to Dinky’s mother?”
Casting one last passing glance at her sister, Apple Bloom complied with her master’s wishes. Applejack’s smile was more than a little strained. “Good t’meetcha Miss Twilight. Hope ya plan on takin’ good care’a my sister.”
Twilight didn’t return the mare’s smile. “Does she know?”
Applejack’s expression did a one-eighty. “No. She don’t know, and she don’t need t’know.”
“You and I will have to disagree emphatically on that point. I was with Celestia when she was called in to investigate your case. You may want to keep the truth from her, but I should warn you, if she comes asking me I won’t lie to her.”
Fury blazed in the earth pony’s eyes and she stood nose to nose with Twilight. “You threatenin’ me?”
Twilight didn’t back down a step. “No. I don’t make threats, it’s a waste of time and effort. I simply act. Apple Bloom has been remanded into my care. As her master I’m not only responsible for her magical education, but all facets of her life from here on out. I won’t volunteer what I know but if for some reason she should ask me, I will tell her.”
Without another word, Twilight turned and trotted back below decks. Leaving the fuming earth pony mare to glower after her.
***
Rainbow Dash slipped into her cabin just after the sun had set. “Hey Lady Twilight, see whatcha wanted to see?”
Twilight glanced up from the tome she had open before her hooves. “I saw the engines, yes. Interesting work and something I’d like to study more in depth when time allows.” She paused before going back to her reading. “You can just call me Twilight. We’ll be neighbors after all, yes?”
Rainbow Dash cracked a smile. “I guess that’s true. You know anything about this Ponyville?”
“As a matter of fact I was reading up on it just now. Evidently it’s only made it onto the maps in the last fifty years. It’s generally believed to be just on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, however…” Twilight Sparkle turned the book so Rainbow Dash could see an illustration of a map.
Dash’s eyes widened. “It’s inside the forest?! That’s like… right in the middle of the Everfree! Who’d be crazy enough to start a town in there?!”
“A mare named Golden Delicious apparently. You’ve heard of zap apple jam I’m sure.” At the pegasus’ nod Twilight continued. “Well zap apples only grow inside the Everfree. Evidently the seeds won’t grow anywhere else. So this Golden Delicious just settled inside the forest. Eventually ponies began to migrate toward the apples, she let them live around her home and build and expand until… Ponyville.”
Rainbow Dash sat on the edge of Twilight’s bed with the other mare, causing her to scoot back uncomfortably. “Huh. Kinda cool really. Explains why there hasn’t been a temple or anything right?”
Turning the book back towards herself Twilight closed it gently. “Yes it certainly does.”
Rainbow Dash frowned suddenly. “So the crew seem alirght mostly… but did you notice that Applejack pony had an uh…”
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “A mark of justice? Yes. I was present when she received it in fact.”
Dash leaned in excitedly now. “Oh yeah? What’d she do?”
“Murder.”
Rainbow Dash recoiled in shock. “What?! Really?! Are we safe?”
Twilight seemed to consider the question. “Yes, I believe so. From her at least. There were extremely extenuating circumstances surrounding her trial. But she was a member of the Order of Light and for a paladin to kill a helpless pony like she did…” The unicorn shrugged.
Slipping off her roommates bed, Rainbow Dash trotted to her own. “So what all happened? Why were you there?”
“Lady Celestia was called in to investigate the circumstances. Powerful magic was involved and-”
Both mares turned toward the door as it swung open, revealing Apple Bloom and Dinky Doo. “Hey master. Just wanted t’say good night.”
Twilight simply nodded. “Good night Apple Bloom. Rest well. And good night to you as well Dinky Doo.” Abruptly the wizardess frowned and looked toward the wall of their cabin. She sucked in a breath in alarm. “Get away from the door! Get to your own-”
A dull WHOOM shook the ship as a powerful ball of fire slammed into Twilight and Rainbow Dash’s cabin wall from the outside. Wood and glass burst inward in a shower of debris, almost instantly the air began to rip at everything in the room, sucking out anything not bolted down.
Including the four ponies.
Rainbow Dash recovered from the shock quickly, shaking her head to clear the ringing from her ears. She looked around frantically seeing Twilight Sparkle falling in one direction, Dinky Doo and Apple Bloom the other. Momentarily torn, her decision was made as she spotted Twilight frantically gesturing toward the fillies. Nodding firmly she took off after the plummeting foals.
Twilight let out a relieved breath as the cleric sped off in chase of the falling foals. Rainbow Dash was flying fast enough she’d easily be able to pluck them from the air. Tuning out the sound of the wind roaring in her ears, she closed her eyes and began to softly intone the words for her spell. Bands of magic wrapped around her body, as wings of light flared into being around her back for a moment before vanishing. Her flight spell now cast, she arrested her own descent and looked about to get her bearings.
A pair of airships had flanked the Harmony. The pitch black balloons and painted lower halves would make them nearly impossible to detect against the night sky. She doubted she’d have been able to see them even now, if not for the arcane glow of spells being cast illuminating them. She suspected the fireball that destroyed her cabin had been meant for the propeller located just behind it, but the caster seemed to have poor aim.
Eyes narrowing sharply she angled upward and began to slowly drift through the air toward the enemy ship on the right.
***
“Who in Tartarus are they and why are they shootin’ my ship?!” Braeburn ran out on deck, eyes wide and frantic as he looked up at their attackers.
Cross Fire, as usual was at his side. The large mare nudged him in the ribs and pointed toward the ship on the left. She offered him her crossbow, and he hefted it with a grunt looking through the scope. It held plenty of enchantments, the most important at the moment was it allowed the wielder to see through darkness as clear as day. He gulped when he spotted the insignia of a moon surrounded in a black nimbus of light. “Look familiar?”
He handed Cross Fire her weapon back. “It surely does. Apparently these folks are lookin’ for the case we relieved them of back near Appleloosa.”
“Easy job huh?” Cross Fire raced off not giving Braeburn time to answer. The captain of the mercenary company scowled up at the enemy airships. “Why can’t anything ever be easy?”
Pounding hooves on the deck drew his attention. “Captain what’s happening?!”
He sighed seeing two of his passengers. Flitter and Cloudchaser were gasping for breath from the wild gallop to find him. “We’re bein’ attacked. Pirate’s I’d reckon.”
The priestesses exchanged a quick look. “How can we help?” The armored Flitter looked ready to fly up and attack the enemy ships on her own.
Cloudchaser laid a restraining hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Can we outrun them?”
Braeburn shook his head. “Don’t think so. They’re smaller and sleeker, so faster. Either of you gals have any big whammy spells?”
Both shook their heads. “Flitter’s a battle cleric, and I’m focused mostly on healing. If we can get close we can do some damage.”
Braeburn looked to the deck where Cross Fire was futilely shooting at the enemy ships with her bow. “Think you ladies can carry a couple’a us up there?”
Now the clerics grinned. “Absolutely.”
***
Apple Bloom squirmed frantically in Rainbow Dash’s grip as the mare set her on the deck. “What about master?!”
Dash shook her head. “She sent me to get you, I’ll go grab her right now alright?”
Dinky peered over the edge. “Look! Miss Twilight’s flying!”
Now the other two joined her looking out over the deck. Twilight Sparkle was indeed flying, her robes billowing out behind her as she climbed through the air toward the airship on the right. Rainbow Dash squinted. “What’s she doing? Does she have some kind of super killer spell?”
Apple Bloom shook her head with a little frown. “I don’t think so. She said she doesn’t like evocation magic!”
The three ponies watched as Twilight pulled something from her robes. A bright flash lit the dark night sky as a huge bolt of lightning crackled out from the unicorn punching into the balloon holding the airship aloft. Bright arcs of electricity ran along the balloon and down the lines attaching it to the ship. It didn’t rupture, but the crew of the deck began to frantically shift their focus from attacking the Harmony to attacking the enemy wizard.
“She needs help Miss Rainbow Dash!”
Dash nodded at Apple Bloom’s cry. “Right. Get inside girls, let us handle this!” Rainbow spread her wings vaulting into the air once more. She closed in on Twilight, then yelped as a stray crossbow bolt nearly clipped her wing. Dipping into a low dive she flew below the ship, Twilight soon joining her. “What’s the plan?!”
Twilight shook her head. “I had hoped the lightning bolt would rupture their balloon, but the material is stronger than I expected. I could possibly destroy their engines but I’ll be a sitting duck out there!”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Leave it to me then! I’ll distract them!”
Twilight stashed her wand. “Alright. Let me give you a haste enchantment then.” Twilight started a new incantation, the magic swirling through the air as tiny red motes began to dance around Rainbow Dash. The twinkling sparks of magic drifted into the pegasis’ body as she glowed with a brilliant crimson aura.
Rainbow Dash’s whole body felt like it was super charged. Twilight Sparkle seemed to be moving in slow motion now as she pegasus flitted out from beneath the ship. She’d only intended to fly a short ways from Twilight, but in the blink of an eye she was passed the Harmony and on the other side of the ship, watching as Cloudchaser and Flitter slowly flew Cross Fire and Applejack toward the enemy ship. Without missing a beat she flashed forward, snatching the mare with the massive, sheathed broadsword over her back from Cloudchaser and darting back toward the enemy ship.
Applejack’s scream of surprise seemed to draw out in slow motion to the speeding Rainbow Dash as she deposited the swordsmare on the ship in the midst of the enemy ponies. Another pass toward her fellow clerics and she’d snatched the second pony they were carrying and placed her on the deck a short ways from the battle. Both seasoned warriors recovered from their surprise quickly, and set about their bloody work.
Cloudchaser and Flitter stared mutely as Rainbow Dash raced back passed them, and to the other ship once more. Twilight Sparkle was only just now making her way out from her cover, and Dash wasted no time landing on the deck of the enemy ship. The crew turned in agonizing slowness to regard her, but she was already moving again. Zipping in among the robed ponies she suspected were the enemy wizards, she was a flurry of bucks, stomps, punches, and headbutts rendering most of them senseless in seconds.
She blasted off the deck and back into the air as the warriors closed on her. Laughing in delight she soared high into the sky, higher than she’d ever gone. The temperature was dropping rapidly but she luxuriated in the frigid cold. Gasping with elation she turned and sighted the airship far below. Rearing back she dropped into a fierce dive, tucking her wings in tight against her body as she formed a living missile, angling for the deck. The howling of the wind had oddly died, despite how fast she was flying. Her eyes were watering, and the wind was blowing her mane straight back. She felt it ripping at her robes, and barely spared them a second glance as they were torn away, the tatters flapping into the air behind her.
Gritting her teeth she ignored the growing pain building in her protesting body as she flew harder and faster than she, or likely anypony ever had before. She forced herself onward as an aura of bright light began to flicker around her body, but she ignored it pushing on. She’d intended to stop on the deck and resume pummeling everypony in sight… instead what happened as she hit the deck… and kept going. Blasting through the deck and out the bottom of the ship, causing it to list wildly and veer off course.
Shaking her head in a daze she felt the world snap into proper focus again as Twilight’s haste spell faded. Looking up, she couldn’t help but grin at the huge hole leading through the bottom and out the top of the ship. “Now that’s how you bring the dash.”
***
“Return what was stolen!”
Applejack ignored the shouts of the lunatics attacking her family ship, and swung her massive bludgeon across the deck, sweeping ponies from their hooves, and sending one unfortunate unicorn toppling off the side. Cross Fire kept a steady stream of crossbow bolts trained on the mages, keeping them from casting more spells.
Flitter was proving to be as fierce in a fight as Ditzy Doo, if not quite as destructive. She wielded a heavy mace with expert precision cracking bone and battering her foes aside with quick swipes. Any time one of their opponents did score a lucky hit, Cloudchaser was on hoof to work a bit of healing magic.
The battle was almost over before it’d even begun thanks to Applejack and Cross Fire’s rapid, and sudden appearance taking the crew by surprise. Applejack began backing toward Cross Fire and Cloudchaser, just as her fellow earth pony loosed a new bolt, directly into the balloon overhead. “Get off the ship! Get off!”
Taking her own advice and trusting in one of the clerics to catch her, Applejack leapt over the edge, Cross Fire following suit. A confused Cloudchaser and Flitter did likewise, each snatcing one of the falling ponies from the air. “What’s going on?!”
Applejack was about to answer Flitter’s question, when Cross’s bolt went off. A massive fireball burst from the enchanted bolt, rupturing the balloon and causing a second, larger explosion. The force blew the four from the air, though luckily they had fallen far enough that hitting the ground was painful, but not fatal. Shakily the four climbed to their hooves, Cross Fire grinning ear to ear.
“Nothin’ better than makin’ things explode. Absolutely nothin’ better.”
***
Twilight loosed a third lightning bolt from her wand, destroying the second engine on the ships right side. It began to list wildly and fly in out of control circles, heading for the ground and crashing with a dull boom into the ground.
An exhausted Rainbow Dash made her way to Twilight’s side. “W--well we got ‘em.”
Twilight Sparkle surrounded Rainbow Dash in her levitation aura, taking the exhausted mare’s weight as she flew them both toward the Harmony. “We did. You were spectacular Rainbow Dash.”
“Heh, thanks to your spell. That was some awesome magic Twilight.”
Twilight gently landed on the Harmony, setting Rainbow Dash on her hooves. “I suppose we can both agree that we were equally amazing, hm?”
Rainbow Dash laughed softly. “Sure. Now I uh… think I want some sleep.”
“Yes, that’s an unfortunate side effect of the haste spell. It tends to leave the one hasted in a state of extreme exhaustion. You should be fine in the morning.”
Braeburn made his way over as Rainbow Dash slumped down below deck. “Mighty fine spell slingin’ Miss Twilight! And I surely do appreciate the assist.”
Twilight frowned. “Yes well, their first fireball blew the wall off of my cabin. I, Apple Bloom, Dinky Doo, and Rainbow Dash were blown out into the air.”
The captain’s eyes went wide with alarm. “Is everypony alright?”
Twilight nodded. “Yes. Rainbow Dash rescued the fillies. I’m more interested in who they were.”
Cloudchaser and Flitter made their way back to the deck, their earth pony passengers dropped off as well. “We’d like to know that too.”
Braeburn and Cross Fire shared a quick look, one that Applejack took ntoe of. “Pirates. It happens sometimes, a sad fact of flyin’. They’re rare but they do pop up now an’ again. I’m just glad we had you ladies on hoof t’pitch in.”
Ditzy Doo chose that moment to make her arrival. “Braeburn those couldn’t have been pirates!”
Brae and Cross both paled a bit beneath their coats. “Wh--what makes ya say that Ditz?”
The mare grinned proudly. “Because, we’re nowhere near water. You can be so silly sometimes.”
Braeburn blew out a relieved breath. “...reckon you’re right about that Ditzy Doo.”
***
“How are your studies going boys?”
Two unicorn colts sat in companionable silence, studying from thick tomes. One was a bit on the heavy set side, with a rich green coat and sharply contrasting orange mane and tail. His fellow apprentice was a tall, willowy colt bearing a mustard yellow cot of fur, with a closs cropped green mane. “Great master! I just summoned a big snake!”
Their master smiled at the thicker colt. “Excellent Snips! And Snails? Any breakthroughs?”
Snails lifted his eyes and blinked slowly. It was easy for most ponies to assume him stupid and write him off for his slow manner of speech and how long it took him to decide on anything. His master knew differently however. He was a brilliant pony, he just took a long time to decide on what he wanted to say. “...going well. Cast the mirror image spell earlier. Working on invisibility now.”
Snips sighed. “How is it you’re always so far ahead of me?”
Their master, a young unicorn mare with a powder blue coat and silken smooth silver mane smiled. “This isn’t a race Snips. Some mages develop quicker than others. Snails isn’t necessarily stronger than you, he just learns spells faster.”
Snips eyed his friend dryly. “A little ironic if you ask me, master.”
Snails returned his friends' look with a big smile. “It’s okay Snips. I’ll help ya out if ya want.”
“An excellent idea. Now if you boys will excuse me, I have to meet a friend.”
Both apprentices looked up in concern. “Should we come along?”
Their master shook her head. “No, no. I won’t be gone long either. Don’t stay up much later. We’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”
The colts saluted smartly, and went right back to their reading. The mare couldn’t hide a smile as she stepped out of the wagon and into the crisp evening air. Tugging her star studded cloak a little tighter around her body she set a brisk pace from the wagon that served as her home and lab. It also folded out into a stage when she’d perform the shows that kept she and her apprentices fed and clothed.
They were parked just outside of Hoofington, and she headed into town toward the local tavern. Their arrival was met with mixed results. The townsponies had at first been surprisingly hostile to their presence… some business about a gypsy assaulting their priest. The poor toothless stallion looked far too young to be sporting a mouth free of teeth. A little of her usual charm, both magical and mundane had smoothed things over and they’d been welcome to stay in town.
She checked to ensure her sword was securely fastened to her hip as she pushed her way into the tavern. It was at the hour when everypony was off work and looking to unwind so space was at a premium. She spotted her quarry easily enough. The dark cloaked stallion lurking in the back corner couldn’t be any more conspicuous. With a disgusted groan she trotted over. “I trust things went smoothly?”
His hesitation was answer enough. Her eyes narrowed. “What went wrong?”
“Y--you have to understand it wasn’t our fault! We weren’t given the right information!”
Gripping him by the collar, the mare dragged him outside around the back of the tavern. “What happened?!”
The stallion straightened his cloak. “There wasn’t just the one pegasus. There were four. Two of them were clerics too! And there was a mage! We were told there were no mage’s on the vessel!”
His superior frowned. “There shouldn’t have been. It’s a tiny crew and the only unicorns are the two artificers. Did anypony get a clear look at them? We need to know if they’re new crew or something deeper.”
He nodded, grateful for the chance to prove himself somewhat competent at least. “The clerics all looked the same of course. White coats and golden manes-”
“The wizard! I don’t care about the clerics!”
He gulped. “We did. She was a mare, late teens to early twenties. Lavender coat, indigo mane with a-”
“...a pink and purple stripe?”
“Y--you know her Lady Trixie?”
Trixie’s eyes blazed with sudden fury. Her subordinate took a step back in alarm at the look of purest hated twisting the normally charming and charismatic mare’s countenance. “Twilight Sparkle.”
Trixie Lulamoon Neutral Good
Wizard: 5 Fighter: 1 Arcane Warrior: 3
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 16
Favored Spells
Mirror Image, Invisibility, Bull’s Strength, Haste, Displacement