//------------------------------//
// Mission 
// Story: 500 X 7 
// by CHeighlund 
//------------------------------//

        Apple Bloom’s heart pounded in her chest as she ran across Ponyville, her precious burden carefully slung across her back.  She’d lost Scootaloo and Rumble some distance back; the enemy closing in upon them had brought Rumble down, and Scootaloo had turned to hold them off, urging Apple Bloom onward.
        As she tore through the market, Apple Bloom heard a voice calling out from behind her.  “Hey, wait up!”  She turned, and saw a clear-eyed Scootaloo running as fast as she could to catch up.
        Apple Bloom was confused, and confusion quickly turned to suspicion.  “Ah thought you were gonna hold them off?”
        “They got away with Rumble, but I managed to take down the ones coming after me.  After I got away, figured I’d try to catch back up with you, make sure you got to the base safely.”
        “Right nice of… eep!  Watch out!”  Both fillies twisted and turned, skimming their way around the shoppers milling around the market square.  Several mares turned to glare as the two went past, and both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had to call out ‘I’m sorry’ several times as they moved.  Apple Bloom noticed, however, that each step Scootaloo took carried her nearer and nearer to the package on Apple Bloom’s back, and more importantly, that Scootaloo didn’t seem to want to use her wings any.
        As they neared the market fountain, Apple Bloom made her decision.  “Scoots?”
        “Yeah, Apple Bloom?”
        “Ya know the mission’s what’s important, right?”  At her friend’s nod, Apple Bloom continued.  “If that’s really you, Ah’m sorry about this.”  Without another word, Apple Bloom swung her hoof into Scootaloo’s stomach; catching the pegasus filly on the rise, the hoof lifted her upwards, out of control, and she sailed into the fountain, sputtering as she landed.
        After regaining her balance, Apple Bloom headed onward to her final destination - the town library.

        As Apple Bloom neared the library, she saw the marker that Twilight had left for her, the small vase that her burden needed to be placed in.  It stood inside a ten-foot wide circle, and was flanked by a second vase holding… nothing.  That shouldn’t have been the case.  Apple Bloom skidded to a stop.  “What…?”
        “Oh, hello Apple Bloom.”
        “Sweetie, what’s goin’ on?  You were supposed ta be standin’ guard in case they came here!  What happened?”
        “Well, she seemed so nice…”  Sweetie finally turned around, and Apple Bloom jerked back at the sight of the green over her eyes.  “She was so friendly, and she asked so politely if I could get it for her.  How could I say no?”
        “Oh, Sweetie, no…”  Apple Bloom looked back to the twin vases, both still dull brown, and began to move toward them.  As she did so, Sweetie stepped in front of her.
        “I can’t let you do that, Apple Bloom.  Dinky said not to let anyone else near them.”
        “Sweetie, Dinky’s a changelin’!  Yer not supposed ta… oh, ferget it!”  Apple Bloom jumped to the right, only to have Sweetie match the move and knock her to the ground.
        “Dinky!  I’ve got Apple Bloom here for you!”  On cue, the gray unicorn filly walked out from behind the library, and over to stand above the prone earth filly.
        “I’ll admit you did well, Apple Bloom.  By the way, nice work figuring out that last little trap in the market.  But it’s all over now, I’m afraid.”  The gray filly’s horn lit up, and a band of green began to dance in front of Apple Bloom.  “Just relax, Apple Bloom.  It’ll all be over soon enough.”
        “Ain’t gonna happen!”  Apple Bloom began to sweep her legs around, as though making a snow angel in the dirt.  It wasn’t enough to stop Dinky, but it was enough to throw Sweetie aside, and Apple Bloom just barely dodged out of the way as the green band lanced past where her head had been and tore into the dirt.  Another sweeping roll, and Apple Bloom was back on her feet, charging at Dinky, who was preparing for another attack.
        “Like I said, it ain’t gonna happen!”  Apple Bloom jumped at the last instant, over the hypnotic attack and actually over Dinky, who fell to the ground to avoid Apple Bloom’s charge.  In an instant, Apple Bloom was inside the protective ring around her target, and she pulled her prize from her back and slammed it into the waiting vase.  The vase lit with a brilliant white light, and a chiming tone rang out from it as the white light began to pulse outwards.

▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

        “Aww, shoot!  I was certain we’d won that time!”  Apple Bloom turned toward Dinky, who was rolling back to her feet.  “If I’d just gotten that lousy headband on you…”
        Apple Bloom shrugged.  “Sorry, Dinky.  Ya did do a good job of plannin’ your traps, though.  There were a few times I thought I was a goner, and ya did make me finish it off alone.”  She looked at the flag unfolding in the breeze, a green banner with a black hoofprint on it.  “So what’s the score now?”
        “Changeling team three, Pony team two… thanks to your miracle comeback.”  Dinky and Apple Bloom both turned to look at the library door, where Twilight Sparkle stood watching the aftermath of the game.  “How’s the equipment holding up, girls?”
        Sweetie spoke up.  “The headbands are a little weird, but the walkie-talkie spells on them are a nice touch.”
        Dinky chimed in as well.  “And those illusion capes are doing a good job, Miss Sparkle.  Thank you for making them for us.”
        Apple Bloom nodded her agreement.  “Makes for a right fun game, that does.  Um, getting wet won’t hurt those, will it?  I kind of threw somepony in the fountain.”
        Twilight laughed and shook her head.  “No, but you might want to go back and help clean up any messes you might have made.”
        “Yes’m.” She turned to look at Dinky and Sweetie again.  “Same thing again tomorrow?”