“What?” Rainbow Dash was the first to respond after the shocked silence, taking to the air and approaching Firebane, oblivious to the pikes being directed at her by the flanking guards in response to the threatening gesture. “There's no way we poisoned the prince. Twilight did her best to stop it! You saw that!” She pointed to Starswirl with the last statement, appealing for his agreement.
“Indeed?” Firebane responded immediately. “And how did she come to know of the poison?”
“I...” Rainbow Dash landed. “can't... tell... you?” She smiled convincingly.
“But thou can insinuate that the source of the poison was the bottle of wine shared between them, one handled by the very same Twilight Sparkle?” Firebane walked forward slowly as she spoke, baring down on the normally confident pegasus with her sharp, piercing eyes.
“That is the source,” Twilight Sparkle blurted, rescuing Rainbow Dash from Firebane's intimidating stare, “but we came here to prevent the poison from reaching its target.”
“And thou never bothered to report this threat to the Royal Guard? Or even to thine own influential friend?” Firebane gave a sideways cursory nod of respect to Celestia. “And what was the source of thy suspicions to begin with? Who sent thee hither?”
“I am not allowed to reveal my sources,” Twilight Sparkle said, struggling to maintain a confident posture and tone under Firebane's gaze, and doing her best not to look in the direction of her future mentor.
“A shame,” Firebane snorted. “It seems thou cannot verify or prove any of the claims that may prove thine innocence. Guards.” The other guards stepped forward, but were forced to stop as Celestia stepped forward between the library entrance and intended prisoners. “Princess, thou art a noble guest, and my respect for thee is great, but this is now an internal Aurelian matter. Please stand aside.”
“Thou art accusing Twilight Sparkle and her friends of a crime they did not commit, and they arrived her under my protection, so that makes it my business as well,” Celestia countered, spreading her wings to their fullest position, her head held regally high.
“And what proof hast thou?” Firebane retorted.
“None,” Ceslestia countered. “But she... they... remain my friends, and I will believe and protect them even without proof.” The newly found element began to shimmer and glow, hovering beside her as she spoke. “One cannot abandon thy friends when things are at their worst. Indeed, that is when friendship must be its strongest.” The element flared, suddenly becoming a large, pink gemstone, exactly the shade of Celestia's mane. “And if thou must arrest them, thou will have need to arrest me as well.” She smiled slowly and added, as if speaking to the hall beyond, “but I don't think they are in a position to do that, are they?”
“Not today, Princess.” The guards with Firebane turned toward the voice to find themselves surrounded by Celestia's own Captain and honor guard. “We were on our way to the procession when we heard the commotion. Apologies for arriving late.” Luna emerged from behind him, head held high as she advanced so stand regally by her sister's side, breaking her mood only long enough to briefly turn and stick out her tongue at Firebane.
“Thou had best return to thy fate in Canterlot, Princess Celestia,” Firebane seethed as she and her guards lowered their weapons. “For I will be marching at thy heels. I will have my quarry.” She glared briefly at Twilight again before Fluttershy surprisingly stepped in the way, smiling reassuringly at Twilight.
“Do as thou must,” Celestia said, turning to face the window, nodding to Starswirl, who returned the gesture.
His horn began to glow, as did massive glass window facing out of the library. There was the sound of surfaces scraping each other as the windows slowly moved out inch by inch. He waved the others through, followed by the guards, the princesses, and finally Starswirl himself. In one final flare of his horn, they heard several slamming noises, followed by the window slamming back in place. “That won't slow them for long. We'd best hurry.”
As they began galloping along the castle wall, Twilight ran alongside Celestia. “Thank you,” she said simply.
“Of course,” Celestia replied. “I meant what I said. My trust was well placed, I assume? Wilt thou finally reveal thyself to me fully?” Beyond Celestia, Twilight could see Starswirl running, definitely within earshot for him, Princess Luna riding on his back, looking more like she was enjoying herself than running away from an army.
“I-,” Twilight began. I owe it to Celestia to tell her more, but how?
“Oh, for Celestia's sake,” Applejack called, catching up to them. Twilight started to shoot her a warning glance, but understood Applejack's gentle expression and smile before the words that followed. “We've not much to lose anymore, sugarcube.”
Twilight looked at the rest of her friends as they galloped and flew alongside her, and they all nodded, their expressions understanding, except Iris, who cradled her changeling hoof as she flew, still lost in thought. “It was thee who sent us.”
“I don't understand,” Celestia began, but then her eyes widened. “Thou knew what was gong to happen, thou knew because...”
“It has already happened, and thou were hoping to change it,” Starswirl concluded for her. “That explains a few snippets that I overheard that made little sense to me.” He glanced around, then suddenly added, “Princess Luna, where are thy guards?”
“Acquiring more time for our escape, and gathering a few things we left behind,” she said smiling. “I sent them back even as the other guards moved into position around the Aurelians. I have them bringing the mugs I made, and thine egg, Twily!”
“Thanks, but-” Twilight stopped short, as the filly was beaming so proudly of her own planning. “Thanks,” she repeated, smiling gently.
They began to gallop again and were nearly clear of the outer villages before Celestia spoke again. “What now? I suppose you will return to thine own time?”
“I think so,” Twilight responded. “Only, I'm not sure why we haven't yet. We've failed, and the spell should unravel.” She lowered her voice before adding, “I'm concerned that we changed too much, and perhaps our future isn't there for us to return to.”
“Thou would be welcome in Canterlot, should we succeed,” Celestia said, her eyebrows raised with an unspoken question.
“I... best not tell thee too much,” Twilight said. “Lest we change things even more. Sorry, Tia, thine orders.” She smiled reassuringly.
“Well, thou had best follow those orders,” Celestia countered, smiling in return. “Besides, thy lack of answer is an answer. If we had failed, it would be worth the risk to change it.” The smile took the edge of a sharp grin, and Celestia winked. “No, Twily, fear not, I will pry no further. At least I know when we're parted that I will surely meet thee again, and that's enough.”
“Sorry to interrupt, Highness,” the Captain interjected, “but we're going to have trouble up ahead, I think.” He nodded back at the Aurelian castle, where a beacon fire was clearly visible from the guard tower. “There's an outpost ahead that's likely to stop us, now.” He took the lead, calling to the others, “formations!” The guards expertly circled the entourage. One of the bat-winged night guards caught up to them as they prepared.
“I'm sorry, princess, we delayed the beacon as long as we could. We hoped to buy more distance.”
“Thou hast done well, Blackmane,” Luna said, flying clumsily alongside him and placing a hoof reassuringly on his mane. “Where is Shadow Wing?”
“He insisted on stopping to get that infernal armor Lady Rarity designed for him,” Blackmane countered, rolling his eyes. “Damn foal,” he muttered, then adding, “begging your pardon, Highness.”
“It seems we'll have need for armor,” Luna countered, nodding ahead where the outpost guards were tiny dots on the road ahead. “Take thy position, and good luck!”
Twilight fell back a couple steps between Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Rarity quickened her pace to catch up and the pegasi all dived beside them to be in range. “Everypony, when we started this, I would have said to hang back and let events unfold. Well, forget that. Give it everything you've got.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack grinned outright, and even Rarity's eyes glinted fiercely.
“And me without my party cannon!” Pinkie Pie quipped sullenly.
As soon as they were in range of the guard outpost, and it was clear they were not slowing down, arrows began raining down on them, but they were no match for the magic shielding that Starswirl and Twilight had put in place. The two groups collided, Celestia's guard taking the forefront. They were outnumbered, but clearly more experienced as they pushed into the Aurelian guards, quickly splitting them up. Rainbow and Iris kept the archers' attention turned skywards after the initial volley, though the bows aimed at them began disappearing one at a time in a golden glow as Celestia magically plucked them from their owners. “We are not truly enemies,” she explained, “so I want as little bloodshed as possible.”
It seemed like they'd be through the blockade shortly, but suddenly several spears pierced the ground around them, some striking a couple of the guards before Twilight could redirect the shield. She turned to face the new threat, and the shield wavered slightly before she found her voice and yelled, “incoming, from behind! We need out of here, now!”
“The wounded will slow us down, but-” Starswirl stopped as he turned. “Oh.”
Twilight's friends lost their place in the battle as they turned to see the oncoming force. A dozen pegasi, and the unicorn Aurelian Captain, astride her dragon mount. Rubyscale's eyes were narrowed to slits, his expression of rage mirrored by his rider. As he raised his talons to strike, his rider jumped from his back, aligning her spear with her hoof as she dropped her body's full weight towards Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight hesitated only for a moment. If I pull back my shield, the arrows will get through to Celestia's guards. The furious unicorn was dropping towards her at an alarming rate, and she didn't have enough time to calculate a teleport. Twilight winced, raising a hoof as a meager attempt at defense.
There was a sudden glint of light reflecting off of silver and the sound of metal on metal.
Twilight watched the unbalanced Firebane as she bounced on ground nearby with a thud. Even as she struggled to her feet, Twilight looked up to see her rescuer.
“Sorry for the delay!” Shadow Wing reared in the air, grinning. The sunlight glinted off every etched line of the silver armor, and gave the green cat's eye jewel embedded in the chestplate an eerie glow. He shifted his spear to one hoof and gave the winged helmet a debonair tip towards Rarity. “Lady,” he nodded politely.
“Oh, it's fabulous!” Rarity called as Twilight's jaw dropped. I've seen that outfit before... but Rarity wouldn't have.
“I'll keep the dragon busy!” Shadow Wing called boldly, launching in the air right toward the dragon's narrow eyes, dodging a gout of flame as he flew.
“Don't dare ignore me!” Firebane called as she closed on Twilight, diverting her attention back to the ground. Twilight wilted as the gaze of the fierce eyes, filled with rage and pain, locked on her own. Firebane would be within spear range within seconds, and Twilight was locked in place.
“How dare you!” a voice rose above the din as Fluttershy dropped down to intervene. “You think you can attack us, can accuse my friends without proof?” Firebane stopped instantly as her line of sight came into contact with Fluttershy's eyes.
Both stood motionless, speechless, as if suddenly turned to stone. The palpable will between them seemed to collapse back on itself, neither able to look away. Twilight's attention was pulled back to the dragon, who howled and took to the air, flailing wildly at the pegasi around him. With his mistress neutralized, he went into an unfocused wild frenzy. It slammed back into the ground, shaking it with such force that the earth ponies and unicorns from both sides staggered.
“Is everypony okay?” Twilight called turning in circles. Pinkie and Applejack were visible ahead, alongside Celestia's troops, driving the outpost guards back into their tower. Rarity had a giant boulder lifted into place, ready to drop it front of the gate and trap them. Starswirl had focused his shield down to around himself and the princesses, blocking a stray arrow or two, Celestia having stripped most of their opponents of their armaments. Luna cheered the airborne troops as they and the Aurelian pegasi dodged each other in the air, a constant almost mesmerizing act of acrobatics. The Dashes and Luna's guards attempted to keep the dragon's attention scattered while he swiped wildly at any target he could reach.
Suddenly, Shadow Wing emerged from the fray, swinging back around and diving at the dragon's head. He lined up his spear, ready to strike it in the eye. Rubyscale doesn't even see him coming... Twilight took a half step forward, unintentionally interrupting the stalemate between Firebane and Fluttershy. Both immediately turned to follow Twilight's line of site, and before she could comprehend it, Rubyscale's face was blocked by the yellow pegasus, her hooves and wings outstretched. Firebane appeared on the dragon's shoulder, tugging on his neck. Shadow Wing reared up and stopped, his spear just short of Fluttershy, who smiled reassuringly at the confused bat-pony.
Everything seemed frozen for a brief moment, until the dragon's massive claw smashed into Shadow Wing, completing the swing he had begun before the interruption. He was driven into the ground with a single bounce, where he staggered briefly, then collapsed to the ground, motionless.
“No!” Fluttershy squealed, turning to face the dragon squarely in the eyes. Twilight was running towards Shadow Wing, nearly colliding with Rarity, who had unceremoniously dropped the rock she was placing and come running, so Twilight didn't hear what else Fluttershy said, but she felt the slight shake as the dragon landed gently. Shadow Wing's armor had deep scratches across the fine etching, and his breathing was uneven.
“So, was I magnificent?” Shadow Wing gasped, managing a weak smile at Rarity.
“Ab- absolutely,” Rarity stammered. “Radiant beyond words, a light in the dark!” She smiled uncertainly, placing a hoof gently by his bat-like ears. He winced slightly, but she calmly stayed just as she was.
“I don't understand,” Firebane's voice was so uncharacteristically soft, almost inaudible, so that Twilight turned from the emotional scene. “Why would thou save him?”
Fluttershy smiled reassuringly at the question. “Oh, he was just scared, and he needed somepony to tell him it was all right. He's not really a bad dragon, he was just worried about you.” She left Firebane speechless, turning towards Shadow Wing. “Will... will he be all right?”
“He comes from sturdy stock,” Celestia's Captain of the guard muttered from behind Twilight. She turned again to realize the fighting had all ceased, and Celestia's entourage was reassembling. There were a few bruises and minor wounds, but nothing severe. “Plus, that pretty armor of the Lady's seems to have saved his life, too.”
“What's happened?” Twilight Sparkle asked Celestia as she approached the gathering.
“It seems our pursuers have ended the fight,” Celestia nodded to Firebane, who was leaning against Rubyscale gently.
“I must confess, I have misjudged thee,” Firebane said, shaking her head gently. “I will leave the field in defeat, though it pains my pride to do so.” She smiled and nodded at Fluttershy. “It's the least I can do, to show my gratitude. However,” she turned and looked back in the direction of Aurelia, “We were just an advance guard, and the full force of Aurelia will not be far behind.”
“We understand,” Celestia said. “We shall use the time thou has gifted us well. May we meet again in happier times, Captain Firebane.” Firebane nodded and quickly mounted her dragon, her tattered troops following behind. The sun departed suddenly as well, the night sky suddenly decending.
“This is problematic,” Starswirl chimed in. “The march is a long one, but the supply cart was damaged in the battle.”
“Will we not make better time without?” Celestia countered.
“Normally, but the troops are worn, and while Shadow Wing will pull through, he'll have to be carried for now,” her Captain added. “Leave us behind to block the way, Highness. Take your sister and Starswirl and pop Discord in the mouth once for me, and that should be good enough.” He must be tired to be so informal with her, Twilight thought.
“Out of the question,” Celestia replied almost before he finished. “We will go together.”
“Think of the greater good of Canterlot, Highness!”
“I am, what good are we if we lose what makes us who we are?”
As the clamor of the argument continued, Twilight looked around at her friends. Fluttershy and Rarity leaned gently against each other. Pinkie and Applejack had some smudges and a few bruises from the battle. Rainbow Dash was absorbed with Iris, who studied her own blackened changeling hoof with a distant stare. She thought back to when they first met Iris Dash, and the wild journey that began with that meeting.
With the Sonic Rainboom.
“What if there was another way?” Twilight said loud enough to drown out the arguing. She turned to face Celestia's group. “Tia, would they attack thy troops if those accused were no longer present?”
“They would probably allow them to surrender and release them, assuming they promised no interference,” Celestia said.
“Which we could never do while they are trying to catch you!” the Captain told her. “We were taking orders, but you willfully interfered with their arrest, and Princess Chrysalis is mad with grief.”
“What if thy charges were beyond capture?” Twilight interrupted again. “Say, all the way back in Canterlot?”
“I admit I've seen more power from thee than many,” Starswirl countered, “but even with the ease with which I've seen thee teleport, I would have to believe Canterlot is out of range.”
“Not if I have a boost,” Twilight said, turning again. “Rainbow, Iris, can the two of you perform a Sonic Rainboom?”
“In my sleep!” Rainbow Dash said, her eyes darting to her double, awaiting a matching reply, but got only uncertain silence.
“Iris,” Twilight said gently. “Please, I need you to be Rainbow Dash just a little longer, can you do it?” She reached up and gently, but deliberately, touched the changeling hoof. One by one, her friends followed suit. “Please?”
Iris smiled gently, then looked at Twilight. “What is loyalty good for, if not this? I'm in.” She shooed them back a couple steps, then focused. Her changeling hoof flickered briefly, then was slowly covered back up by the illusion of Rainbow Dash's cyan hair, almost like sock sliding on, until no sign of the changeling underneath remained. “I'm ready.”
“Just one question, Twi,” Applejack added. “Why a Sonic Rainboom?”
“Other than our teleport to Canterlot before we came here, the longest teleport I ever managed was while running,” Twilight explained. “I think some of the momentum is preserved during the teleport, maybe even amplified.”
“So if they're moving really really fast when you teleport them, they'll go really really far!” Pinkie Pie concluded, gesturing emphatically in the general direction of north.
“Luna is one thing, but can Rainbow Dash carry a full sized alicorn?” Applejack asked.
“She carried myself and three wonderbolts,” Rarity reminded her.
“What is this 'Sonic Rainboom' of which thou speak?” Luna chimed in. “It sounds impressive to grant one such speed and strength.”
“Oh, it's quite impressive!” Fluttershy began to explain.
“What of Starswirl, though?” Celestia interrupted, her brow still furrowed with worry. “He actively blocked the Aurelian army, and may be considered part of the royal party.”
“I can get myself back to Canterlot by a series of smaller teleports,” Starswirl reassured her. “That will allow me to get my bearings during each jump, too.”
“Bearings!” Twilight said, inhaling nervously. “Does anypony have any idea which direction Canterlot is from here?”
“Twenty-six degrees east of north from Aurelia,” the Captain chimed. He grinned proudly in response to a few questioning glances, and added, “What? My father was the Royal Cartographer.” He reached under his armor and pulled out a small trinket that rattled suspiciously, causing his smile to fade somewhat. “I can't help with North, though. It looks like my compass was damaged in the fight.” He sighed.
“I believe I might be of assistance,” Luna said. She hovered slightly above the ground, studying the sky seriously. She closed her eyes tightly, straining with effort as the light speckles in her mane seemed to glow a little brighter. In the sky above, a new light suddenly flared into existence. Followed by another, and then two more. They moved off in different directions towards the horizon. “One for each point of the compass,” Luna panted at the effort, smiling weakly. “Stars to aid in our escape.”
Stars to aid-
Twilight looked to her friends. Rarity and Fluttershy were wide-eyed, Rainbow Dash and Applejack had their mouths hanging open in undisguised shock, and Pinkie Pie was nodding with her eyes closed, smiling broadly.
“I can always take them down once we've completed our task,” Luna said apologetically, taking Twilight's expression for disapproval.
“No!” Twilight nearly shouted. “I mean, they're absolutely amazing! Thou should leave them up.” She smiled nervously, trying her best not to shiver as her hourglass sent another jolt through her flank. Not much sand left. One last thing, then. “All right then. Dashes, get ready for your approach!”
“Princesses, take to the-- ah!” Twilight found herself embraced form either side by the alicorn sisters.
“What of thee, and thy friends, Twily,” Celestia asked, her tone not one of a question.
“We shall return whence we came,” Twilight said softly, and Celestia nodded.
“I will miss thee, Twily,” Luna said tearfully.
“And I thee,” Twilight said, then she added impulsively, “but know how much I will love thy beautiful nights until next we meet!” She felt her own tears running down her cheeks. Poor little filly. She is in for so much pain...
“Thou art certain thou can return to the world thou left?” Celestia voiced her final concern.
Twilight looked to the four beacon stars in the sky. “I am absolutely sure, yes. It will be as we left it.”
“I am glad thou can find thy way home,” Celestia said softly, looking back towards Aurelia, “though I know it means thou failed thy mission. We will send back to Princess Chrysalis if all goes well in Canterlot, and try to mend the bonds, though we cannot mend her heart.”
Twilight nodded mutely. I might as well let her keep her false hope for now. Then, more bitterly, like she let me. She looked seriously at them both, and finally said, “Luna, Tia, until next we meet.”
“Until then, Twily,” Celestia smiled warmly, then she and Luna flapped into the air, ready to be snagged by the Dashes.
“Twenty-six degrees,” Twilight echoed, facing the star to the north. It was Griffini Oculo, the Griffin's Eye. In another age yet to come, on a star chart in her library, the star was circled with a question mark noted by it. I thought so. The captain had paced out the angle and was waving to her. She focused her magic and set her horn aglow. She nodded to Fluttershy, who took to the air and waved to signal the Dashes. As suddenly as it had vanished, the sun reappeared, giving them full view of the descending pair of rainbow-maned mares.
As they drew closer, Twilight pulled still deeper into her magic reserves, then waited breathlessly. Sure enough, only seconds later, two rings of rainbow light emanated out from the diving pegasi. Twilight shut out the exclamations of surprise and awe from the guards and waited patiently for them to grab the waiting royalty.
Now.
The rainbow contrails blazing behind the Dashes suddenly ended as they vanished from the sky. Twilight's horn dimmed and she wobbled slightly from the sudden drain put into the effort. Her remaining friends were suddenly all around her holding her up. She smiled weakly.
“Thou did it, I think,” Starswirl said, not a drop of surprise in his tone. “I'd best follow them quickly, to aid however I can in the coming battle.”
“Sir,” Blackmane said approaching, “the princess was insistent that we bring these things.” He handed a bundle to Starswirl. “Perhaps you'd best take them.”
Starswirl opened the bag slightly. “The mugs,” he smiled. “And this.” He lifted the egg out of the bag, smiling at Twilight Sparkle. “Thine, I think?”
“Thou must keep it safe for me,” Twilight said shaking her head. “I will return to claim it.”
“We shall meet again, then,” Starswirl queried. Twilight tried to phrase a response, but she felt the weariness at her efforts close in on her, and the delay was too long. “I see.” Starswirl extended a hoof towards her. “It's been an honor to meet thee.”
“No, the honor is mine, I assure thee,” Twilight retorted as emphatically as she could manage, lifting her hoof to meet his.
Starswirl turned toward Canterlot, glancing at the fading contrail to get his bearings. He muttered, “Perhaps I could cast a spell on it, change the egg somehow, so that it will only open for you, and for you alone...”
Twilight felt the shivering in her flank again as she marveled. Father of the amniomorphic spell... She would have laughed outright, but she turned at that moment to see the hourglass on her flank had no sand in the top part, and had began to shimmer, gently at first, but with growing intensity.
“Out of time,” she said briefly, giving her friends a warning, but no time to reply, as they suddenly fell back into the cold, bright space between then and now.