//------------------------------// // Chapter VII: Shadow of a Doubt // Story: A Dash of Hope // by CaptainAwesome9 //------------------------------// The sun was at its peak in the sky by the time Rainbow Dash and Ageroth made it out of the forest. They were making decent time, but not as fast as she had expected. Ageroth had insisted on stopping frequently to make sure there were no threats around them. She wasn’t complaining though; better to arrive later than expected instead of not at all. The mountain chain that separated Manehattan from the greater part of Equestria could be seen far in the distance. It was a large succession of mountains, but they were circumventing the bulk of the massifs coming from the south. There were only lesser knolls ahead of them. After that it would be a strait trot though flat grasslands to Manehattan. After a couple of minutes of silent trotting, Rainbow Dash asked, “So from what you have seen and heard so far…how different is this time than the one you are from? Is it hard to get used to? I know I would go crazy.” At first, Ageroth seemed to not hear Rainbow Dash, and she was about to ask again when he hesitantly replied. “My time functioned exceptionally different…in particular ways that thou would refuse to believe. ‘Tis dissimilar on such an extreme degree, I tend to question if it truly be the same land. Then I recall that if I do not act, that is condemned to change.”  Ageroth offered nothing else, and was engaged deeply in his own thoughts. Something he seemed to be often. Rainbow Dash sighed. It had been an odd journey so far. She had tried numerous times to get Ageroth to open up about his past or at the very least reveal some of his thoughts and emotions. And every time, Ageroth would respond with vague and obscure replies that offered little help for her to piece together. All that she could tell was that he was very different from any pony she had ever met. That was something she had known from the very start. They both continued in reticence for another short stretch. The hills that had been close ahead were now directly in front of them. Before they began their ascent, Ageroth stopped. “Let us halt for respite. Thou mustn’t be burdened by so much exertion without cessation. Not with thine wound.” “I feel fine,” Rainbow Dash mumbled. Deep down inside, however, she knew it was true and was relieved Ageroth had offered. They found a few rocks that were suitable for resting on and sat down. There had been some wild fruit back in the forest that Rainbow Dash was able to pack in her saddle.  She decided now was the best time to eat, so she grabbed a piece to begin munching on. Noticing Ageroth watching her, she remembered he had been too busy searching for potential dangers to grab any. “Do you want some?” she asked between bites. Ageroth eyed the fruit. “What be thine sustenance. I am unaccustomed to it.” “It’s a dragon fruit,” Rainbow Dash replied. She took another satisfied mouthful out of the red fruit. “Why doth it be titled so? Ageroth questioned. He eyed the fruit like it might come alive and take a bite out of him. Rainbow Dash shrugged as she wiped bits of fruit off her mouth. “Some say because it looks like the fiery breath of a dragon. Others believe that some dragons actually have huge gardens of the stuff that they leave growing for centuries until they are large enough to feast on. They say they grow in Equestria because dragons sometimes drop seeds while migrating.”  She stopped and let out a little giggle. “I don’t know which is true, but I always imagine Spike keeping his own little garden of dragon fruit.” Ageroth’s glance shot up. “Thou…art acquainted with a dragon?” “Well, a baby dragon,” Rainbow Dash admitted. When Ageroth continued to stare in disbelief, she suddenly remembered the legends she had heard as a filly about the dragons of the very distant past. They were said to have been a constant danger to Equestria; capable of burning entire villages to the ground in a single assault. She wasn’t sure how much of it was true, but the legends wouldn’t still be told today if they didn’t have some hint of truth to them. “I don’t know about the dragons of your time, but they don’t harm us now,” Rainbow Dash assured.  “Besides a few incidents and misunderstandings, both our races live in peace. I wouldn’t say we are close though; dragons still prefer a fairly independent existence and rarely interact with other species.” She paused. “Of course, there are always exceptions,” she added, thinking back on her little green and blue friend still in Ponyville. Poor little guy was probably waiting for a reunion that was going much longer than expected. “I see…” the unicorn nodded, although he still sounded skeptical. “Anyway…you should have some, it’s delicious.”  Rainbow Dash withdrew another piece from her saddle and handed it to Ageroth. Slowly reaching for it, Ageroth thanked Rainbow Dash before raising the fruit to his face. Right before it got there, it suddenly became shadowed, just like the rest of his face. This confirmed her suspicion that the cloak was enchanted to always hide his face. She heard a small bite, and saw Ageroth’s eyes light up. “Thou hath not deceived me.” Ageroth confessed. “I determine thine fruit to be exceedingly appealing.” With a few more rapid nibbles, the dragon fruit was gone. Rainbow Dash smiled. “Well, there’s more where that came from. Would you like another piece?” Ageroth was about to respond when he froze. She saw his eyes dart to the edge of the forest. Before Rainbow Dash could ask what was wrong, he had her gripped tight against him. His horn let out a stream of golden aura that spread out until it engulfed the two ponies. The entire time, Ageroth’s eyes never left the forest edge. “What are you doing? What do you sense?” Rainbow Dash asked. She looked about for clues, but her vision was somewhat obscured by the aura that was still draped around them. “’Tis an illusion,” Ageroth replied back in a hushed tone. “We appear as a boulder on the exterior. Now be still.” Silently irritated that Ageroth had not answered her second question, Rainbow Dash folded her forelimbs but complied. She followed his gaze to the forest in hopes she could find out for herself. But no matter how hard she squinted, she could see nothing. They remained motionless inside the spell for a solid minute without anything eventful occurring. Rainbow Dash was about to ask if Ageroth had finally lost it when she saw a rustling in the undergrowth ahead. At first it was just a couple of bushes…and then half a dozen… and eventually more than she could count. She could hear a rout of crunching branches that grew louder each second. Whatever was causing the noise was approaching them, and there was more than one of it. Knowing their previous encounters, it couldn’t be good. Then, the first figure emerged from the bushes, quickly followed by several others.  Rainbow Dash strained to see them properly, with both the spell and their distance playing a factor in her struggle. From what she could tell, however, they seemed to be completely normal ponies. Rainbow Dash watched as at least twenty “ponies” appeared out of the undergrowth.  She noticed they seemed to move together in some bizarre formation. The group only progressed a couple hundred feet away from the forest before collectively stopping, but it was close enough for her to finally notice their infirmities. The jaw of everypony in the group was swelled outward, as if they had all been hit hard in the mouth. They all appeared to be earth ponies, or at least were before transformed into their current form. Rainbow Dash also noticed their eyes matched those Twilight had borne; both iris and pupil replaced with glassy black nothingness. It was truly horrifying sight, and Rainbow Dash found it difficult not to look away. She wanted nothing more but for the collection of atrocities to go away. The group continued to stand there, surveying every segment of their surroundings. Finally, after coming up with nothing of interest, the not-ponies began to slowly turn back. As they did, Rainbow Dash noticed something she hadn’t before. It was the “lead pony.” She had a bright pink coat that seemed familiar.  The pegasus strained to see her mane, and saw it was also pink. It then clicked…she knew exactly who the pony was. “PINKIE-,” Rainbow Dash began before catching herself. The not-Pinkie Pie stopped and turned her head their direction. Her mane had deflated from its usual fizzing appearance, but there was no doubt it was her.  She was even still wearing the Element of Laughter around her neck. After finding no other signs of the source of noise, not-Pinkie Pie returned to her saunter with the other ponies as they returned to the forest. It wasn’t until the last one returned into the undergrowth that Rainbow Dash let out the breath she was holding, leaving her gasping for air. Her blood turned to ice, and the reality of just how dreadful things were getting was finally hitting home. Ageroth watched the forest for a few more moments until he was sure the group wasn’t going to return before releasing the spell. “We be able to speaketh now, so long as our tongue remains low,” he said as he looked down at Rainbow Dash. But she didn’t perceive him among the perturbing images tormenting her mind. She would never forget those eyes. A pony that had dedicated so much of her life to the joy and happiness of not just herself but those around her…a pony Rainbow Dash had cared very deeply for…had just vanished. Her body was still there, but all the spirit, energy, and soul that inhabited that body was replaced with cold, dark, emptiness.  She was nothing but a desolate puppet being used to perform malevolent deeds. Rainbow Dash knew those eyes would haunt her in her sleep. It was a few more minutes before Ageroth was able to break Rainbow Dash out of her trance. “Art thou fine?” he questioned, concern rising up in his voice.   Rainbow Dash looked up, quickly wiping a tear off her face. “Yeah…of course I am,” she attempted with a feeble smile. “I just…I just got a little spooked by seeing so many of those…things. That’s all.” Ageroth nodded his head. “They are known as Nibblers. I reason that thee knows of their origin.” He saw Rainbow Dash slowly nod her head, and continued. “Whilst they haveth no magical enhancements, a single bite will contaminate a victim with an abysmal poison that will poison a pony’s mind until they descend into Plagueis’ control. Tending to travel in populous gatherings, they can conquer their targets by sheer number.” Running her hooves though her mane, Rainbow Dash let out a sigh. “That sounds like something Plagueis would create,” she muttered disgustedly. “Indeed it does,” Ageroth agreed. “However, there be more that disturbs you. The pink one…thou knoweth of her, doth thou not?” Rainbow Dash lowered her head. So Ageroth had caught that. “Yes…she was my friend, Pinkie Pie,” she admitted miserably.  “Just a few days ago, she was with me as we approached Hayton. She had tried to keep our spirits up, even when things were looking so dire.” Rainbow Dash smiled. “Just like she always did.” Her smile quickly faded. “And now…she is one of those monsters. Any happiness she had is…gone.” There were more tears streaming out her eyes, but this time she made no effort to hide them. Dropping his head to be level with Rainbow Dash’s, Ageroth met her eyes with his own concerned but resolute gaze. “I am acquainted with thy pain. There art many a time I even blamed myself for not preventing it from happening. ‘Tis a dreadful thing to see a companion you hath known an entire lifetime transmogrify into something so atrocious. I knoweth of it much too well, Rainbow Dash. It distresses me even at this moment, as thine pain prompts me of mine.”   Ageroth’s voice trembled with grief, confirming what he said was true. For the first time ever, Rainbow Dash got a gloomy but insightful look into Ageroth’s past. “But thou mustn’t allow this pain to affect thy devotion to one’s own life,” Ageroth countered with strong conviction.  “We must keep our focus on our quest if we are to liberate thy friend…if we are to save this land from Lord Plagueis.” Rainbow Dash nodded. “I know, Ageroth. It’s just…I’ve never done anything like this without my friends. All my eagerness and courage comes from them. They’re always there for me. After all, together we are the Elements of Harmony.” “The amulet the pink one…Pinkie Pie wore…it was very similar to thine,” Ageroth pointed out. “Be these the Elements of Harmony thou hath mentioned.” “Yeah,” Rainbow Dash replied, realizing she hadn’t explained them to Ageroth yet. “There are six of us. We all represent one quality of friendship that, when put together, can achieve remarkable things. Like Pinkie Pie, for example, represents the Element of Laughter. And I…I represent the Element of Loyalty.” She held up the red bolt to allow Ageroth a better look. Ageroth examined the amulet in his hoof. “Loyalty thou say… interesting.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Well, it doesn’t do me any good unless the other parts are present. Not unless I’m with my friends.” “I do not agree,” Ageroth retorted. “Thou hath no need to be with thine friends to represent loyalty. Moreover, thou still hath time to attain new friends.” He stopped. “I knoweth thou to hath already made one,” he added with a much more gentle tone. His eyes sparkled with encouragement. For a long moment, Rainbow Dash didn’t know how to respond to Ageroth’s sudden spurt of kindness. Her decision was gripping him in a tight hug. “Oh Ageroth, you’re right. You’ve been as much of a friend as I could ever hope for.” She smiled, realizing she felt much better. “Just promise me that…you won’t ever leave me; that I will never have the pain of losing you too.” Ageroth paused, but slowly completed the hug. “Thou haveth my word,” he vowed. The two stood there in their embrace for a long time before Ageroth let go. “We mustn’t deferral our journey further. I hath no desire to complete it subsequent to nightfall. “You and me both,” Rainbow Dash agreed as they began climbing the hill. She found herself surprised by her sensitive reaction. Normally she considered herself emotionally tough. Certainly not one to give hugs unless a friend really wanted one, let alone need one herself. Maybe it was the sudden separation from her friends that had caused her softness. Or maybe it was just how bad things were getting in general. Either way, she was glad she had Ageroth to help her though it. It was moderately confronting to know she wasn’t entirely alone in a world that was feeling less and less like her own.     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Clearing his throat in the most professional way possible, Captain Greencoat opened the doors to the throne room and stepped in. The first thing he noticed was the two stone masons repairing the large hole in the east throne room wall. Princess Celestia still had neglected to explain how it had got there, but the captain decided it was best not to pry. It was no secret that the princess had been emotionally distressed the past few days, and he didn’t want to bother her with such inquiries. Princess Celestia herself was viewing one of the many stain glass murals lining the throne room. As Captain Greencoat came drew closer, he observed that it was the one depicting the Elements of Harmony and their victory over Nightmare Moon. The princess didn’t even notice his approach; she was as detached as she was in their previous meeting. It pained the unicorn to disturb her, but he knew he had a job to fulfill. “Your Majesty, I must speak with you,” Captain Greencoat said, elegantly bowing his head. The alicorn didn’t react, still regretfully eyeing the mural. The captain repeated his call; this time prominently louder while still keeping its regal manner. Jolting back as if waking from a dream, Princess Celestia looked back with dazed eyes. It took her a moment to focus back onto Captain Greencoat. “Captain…” she laughed, “you snuck up on me.” She still appeared slightly distracted, but otherwise her typical self. “Yes…I apologize, Your Highness,” the emerald unicorn tentatively replied. “I should have made my presence more clear.” Princess Celestia smiled. “It’s quite all right,” she assured. “I assume you have more news for me.” Nodding his head, Captain Greencoat pulled a letter from beneath his chest plate. “It is a message from Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Kingdom,” he declared. “Come now, Captain.  You know Shining doesn’t care for us to state his prominence so,” Princess Celestia reminded him. Captain Greencoat sighed. “It does not change the fact that he his royalty, and should be announced as such.” “You’re right, Captain Tiberius Greencoat of the Royal Canterlot Guard,” the alicorn remarked with an innocent smirk. Ignoring the satirical comment, Greencoat handed the scroll to the Celestia. “Prince Armor has offered to return to Canterlot to help with the current situation. He says Princess Cadence agrees he would be more helpful with his experience here than in the Crystal Kingdom.” Celestia’s smile vanished as she took the scroll. “I appreciate their concern,” she said ambiguously, “but I’m afraid that would be a mistake. I cannot say for sure…but I have a feeling I may need them there for the time being.” “Princess…?” Captain Greencoat questioned. The princess closed her eyes and shook her head. “Let’s just hope that I am mistaken,” she sighed. The uneasiness was clear in her voice. Greencoat noticed her attitude was fluctuating rapidly, which made it difficult to see how she really felt.   “Was there anything else, Captain?” she asked, absently pacing between her throne and Greencoat. It was obvious she was still plagued with guilty feelings from the loss of the Elements of Harmony. Something that made Captain Greencoat very apprehensive to continue, even though he knew he must. “Yes…Your Majesty…” he trailed off, still attempting to build enough nerve to speak. The respectable and dignified unicorn had never felt so inept in his long-established vocation with the Royal Guard. “Prince Armor…also wishes to know about his sister. He does not know of…her disappearance yet. Princess Celestia stopped mid-stride. She put a hoof up to her face as if just realizing something. Slowly turning to Greencoat, she murmured, “In all of this mayhem, I have not even taken into consideration the families of the Elements of Harmony, have I?” Knowing he was treading on thin ice, the captain quickly thought of ways to tell the truth while avoiding damaging Princess Celestia’s emotional state any further. “Princess, you have been under too much stress these past few days to worry about such things. Nopony can blame you for that.” “Don’t try to sugarcoat this, Captain…” Celestia said with a humorless laugh. “You know as well as I do that it is yet another mistake I have made in this whole entire situation.” She thought for a second, and her brow fissured in concentration. “Fortunately, there is still a way for me to fix this one,” she resolved. “I will go and personally tell the families myself.” “Your Majesty…” Captain Greencoat shrilled. “You can’t be serious.” Princess Celestia nodded. “As serious as possible,” she replied. “I know in my heart this is what I must do.” Rubbing the back of his head hesitantly, the captain struggled to find the right words. “Princess…” he disparagingly began, “I understand how much stress you have been under. And I also see why you may think this is your responsibility. But trust me, you are much too busy to worry about such trivial matters.” “Trivial matters!” the sun princess thundered. She stomped over to Captain Greencoat, towering over him. “I do not take the emotional state of my subjects to be trivial matters, Captain!” She was angrier than Greencoat had ever seen her, and he found himself shrinking down at every word. “I owe this to their friends and families,” she continued. “This is the very least I can do for my part in the disappearance of their loved one. And you can save any argument you think you may have, Captain, because it won’t do you any good. I AM doing this, whether I have your approval or not. Do I make myself clear?” She glared at the cowering unicorn, waiting for an answer.  Captain Greencoat attempted to regain a respectable position, but found he was unable to. “Y-Y-Yes, Your Highness…” he peeped. The alicorn only grinned before turning and heading for the doors of the throne room. As she was opening them, Captain Greencoat heard her heave a long and weary sigh. “I apologize for that, Captain,” she said. “I feel strongly about my opinion, but I did not intend to be so ferocious about it. You are welcome to join me, but I’m sure you would rather stay and attempt to keep order here.”  She saw the captain give a small, nervous nod. “It is probably for the best anyway,” she agreed. Turning to leave, Princess Celestia remarked, “I fear this entire situation is beginning to bring out the worst in us, Captain. And despite all the difficulties we are already facing, it is likely to get worse before it gets better.” The doors slammed shut, and all that could be heard were Celestia’s departing hoofsteps.  Captain Greencoat was left alone in the room with the two stone masons, who continued to work as if nothing had happened. “Somepony raised the wrong side of the sun today,” Greencoat quavered as he straightened his mane dusted off his armor.     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The sun was in the process of lowering beneath the horizon, casting elongated, dusky shadows throughout the region. However, neither Rainbow Dash nor Ageroth needed the sun to see what lay ahead of them: the bright, expansive city of Manehattan. “What did I tell you?” Rainbow Dash asked remarkably. “Quite a sight, isn’t it?” Ageroth was silent, but the pegasus could tell he was amazed by the look in his eyes. After all, Rainbow Dash had been born in the current century and still felt a sense of marvel every time she saw the metropolis. She wondered how the citizens of Manehattan could ever get use to towering buildings and glamorous shops in every direction. Then again, they probably felt the same way about a pony being content to live in a rural settlement like Ponyville. Rainbow Dash began to head for Manehattan, but stopped when she saw Ageroth wasn’t following her. “What is it?” she asked, hoping that he didn’t sense yet another danger ahead. Ageroth shook his head, as if reading her thoughts. “We be not in danger at present,” he assured her. “I hath simply…envisaged a possible hazard I had not afore. Come hither.” The unicorn started for a small pond about ten yards off the path with Rainbow Dash close behind. When he reached the edge of the water, Ageroth telekinetically plucked a group of reeds and brought them in front of him. He then turned to Rainbow Dash and began gradually running his hoof along her the back of head to her tail, making sure to avoid her scar. “What in the hay are you doing?” Rainbow Dash protested. She was starting to become more comfortable around Ageroth, but this was a little too invasive of her personal space. Rolling his eyes, Ageroth ran another hoof from the top of her back down to the bottom of her front hoof. “Calm thyself,” he said. “I am simply noting thy dimensions.” “And why would you need to do that?” Rainbow Dashed asked, feeling little comfort in his answer. Ageroth placed his hooves on either side of her body, taking a final measurement. “At Hayton, thou were struck with the same spell as thy friends, were thou not? By plausible circumstance, shouldn’t thou have experienced the same condition as they did? ” “Well…yes,” she said slowly. “But thou did not. Thou resisted Plagueis’ direct power. Something I have never observed before. I see it as evidence of thy destiny.” Ageroth sighed, turning his attention back on the reeds. “But I was not the only witness to your accomplishment.” Slowly piecing it together, Rainbow Dash nodded. “You mean, Lord Plagueis saw it too. He knows that… I’m different.” “Precisely,” Ageroth crossly replied. He began to cast a spell that transformed the reeds into an amorphous, wispy mass. “And he now finds himself facing something he never thought he would: a insusceptible threat…” What Ageroth did next confused Rainbow Dash. It looked as if he literally grabbed a shadow from a nearby bush and added it to the mass in front of him. The mass began to take a new form. “He now knoweths of thine appearance, and no doubt desperately wishes to capture thee,” he bitterly spat.  “And when Lord Plagueis desires something, he will halt at nothing to acquire it.” The obscure muddle in front of them stabilized, and Rainbow Dash saw at once what it was. “Oh come on…” she protested. She was not eager about what Ageroth was proposing. “I hath concealed my appearance, for Plagueis knows of my form as well,” Ageroth countered. “It is time thou doth the same.” He then levitated the newly made cloak over to Rainbow Dash. Reluctantly snatching the hooded garment, Rainbow Dash opened it up. It felt as if she were holding a very thin cloud. It looked identical to Ageroth’s; the only difference was that it was made to fit her smaller frame. “I don’t get it,” Rainbow Dash cogitated. “What do you expect to find in Manehattan that would pose a danger to us?” Ageroth shook his head. “That be just it…I am irresolute on that. One thing I am sure of, however, is that thou should not underestimate Plagueis. He be most cunning, and may hath a method of observing the city.” He gestured to the cloak. “I beseech thee to simply have belief this be the best decision.” Sighing deeply, Rainbow Dash began to slip into the cloak. It felt as light on her body as it did in her hooves, like she wasn’t wearing anything at all. The garment also fit her implausibly well, which was a clear sign of its magical properties. She flipped up the hood, and found it was not unlike putting a pair of sunglasses on. Expect instead of a lens, it was a strong enchantment covering her face. The concealed pegasus leaned over the pond to get a full view of her mirror image. Her eyes were the only visible features on an otherwise obscure figure. She felt a shiver go down her spine. “I don’t know how you can stand to be like this constantly,” Rainbow Dash said in marvel. “I suppose I won’t be flying anytime soon either.” Ageroth’s reflection joined hers. “One grows accustomed to it,” he assured. He laid a hoof on her back, as he often did to give encouragement. “After all, it be merely a piece of attire.” “I don’t know…” Rainbow Dash repudiated. Somehow, the figure staring back at her in the pond just didn’t seem to be her. Like she wasn’t just concealing her identity, she was changing it. But Ageroth was probably right; this was just another thing she would have to adapt to. “I’ll try.” “That is more like it,” Ageroth said, nodding in approval. Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, and let off an indiscernible smirk. “Must I speaketh resembling this as well?” she said in her best Ageroth impression. Narrowing his eyes, Ageroth looked down at her. “Rainbow Dash…” he warned. “I give forth my sincerest apologies,” she countied. “I did not intend to mocketh thou.” Ageroth shook his head and began trotting back towards the trail. “Come…we waste time,” he muttered.  But he wasn’t fooling her. Even as they continued on the path, Rainbow Dash could hear him desperately trying to suppress a chuckle. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The southern entrance to the newly enclosed Manehattan was routinely guarded by three Royal Guard members.  However, one had been sent on an essential assignment to a small settlement up north. This left only two pegasi to guard the newly-formed gate that was made up of whatever scraps that could be found at the time. It had served its purpose so far, and there was no reason to expect it would be needed for any heavier use. At least that’s how one of the guards felt. His comrade was not so confident. “Why were we the ones put at this post,” the light silver-blue pegasus complained. “If Manehattan was attacked, we would the first ones to be hit…probably in a surprise attack. We wouldn’t stand a chance.” Rolling his eyes, the other pegasus turned to his friend. “Iceskidder, we’ve already been over this,” he said. “Manehattan is not going to be attacked. The only reason Princess Celestia sent us here was to calm anypony who is fearful enough to think it might happen.” Iceskidder shook his head, irritated by the bright yellow pegasus’ brashness. “Oh…and how can you be so sure of that, Cloudstriker?” “First of all,” Cloudstriker began, “it has never been attempted before, and never will be. Second of all, I’m convinced whatever happened in Hayton wasn’t an invasion. There is no tactical - or for that matter, practical - reason to do so. Not to mention its location. Who would have even have a chance to invade it…the buffalo herds of the Mild West?” He chuckled. “If that’s the case, I don’t think we have much to worry about.”    “Look, I’m not going to say it’s a sure thing, or even a probable one,” Iceskidder admitted. “I just don’t think we should dismiss it as a possibility. The truth is, we just don’t know what’s going on over there, and that’s what scares me the most.”  Cloudstriker snickered. “Well it wouldn’t be the first time you got scared over nothing. Remember when you had night duty at the castle and you raised the alarm because you thought you saw a dragon heading for Canterlot.” He saw his friend’s face redden and laughed even harder. “What did that dragon turn out to be again?” Sighing, Iceskidder lowered his head. “Princess Luna returning to the castle,” he grudgingly answered. “Oh, the look on your face when she landed to see what all the fuss was about…” Cloudstriker reminisced. “Priceless.” Eager to regain his honor, Iceskidder replied “Oh yeah? What about the time I had a strange feeling about Princess Cadence?” His eyes widened in emphasis. “You know, the fake one,” he stressed. For a moment, Cloudstriker was silent. Then he shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, so you were right about one thing,” he admitted casually.  “It was probably just a lucky guess. Besides, you don’t really think it’s the changelings, do you? I think they learned their lesson when we kicked their flanks back to whatever hole they crawled out of.” “Again, I think we should at least consider it.” Iceskidder said. “And if I remember correctly, it wasn’t us who beat them; it was Shining Armor and the real Princess Cadence. We don’t have either of them here,” he pointed out. “If the changelings were to try again…” “Commander Maverick would be able to handle it,” Cloudstriker finished. “He may not be some prodigious unicorn or royal alicorn, but you can bet he makes up for it with other strengths. Princess Celestia wouldn’t make him a commander if she didn’t think so herself. Trust me…we wouldn’t have anything to worry about in an attack with him leading us.” Raising an eyebrow, Iceskidder replied with a melodramatic, “Unless he is really just a changeling himself…”  Cloudstriker couldn’t find an appropriate response to this statement, and instead placed his face in his hoof. An awkward silence followed, with both pegasi contemplating their exchange. Cloudstriker broke the silence with a long sigh. “I don’t even know why we are having this conversation,” he grumbled. “I heard Princess Celestia sent the Elements of Harmony to Hayton shortly before sending us here. She didn’t publicly announce it for obvious reasons, but word eventually gets around among the Guard. I bet they have already fixed whatever is going on over there. Just watch, we will be heading back to Canterlot by tomorrow.”  Even the fretful pegasus didn’t have a negative retort to this. “Yeah, you’ve got a point,” he admitted. “I doubt there is anything they can’t handle.” There was a strong manner of admiration in Iceskidder’s voice. Maybe it was even a little more than that. Cloudstriker had on more than one occasion caught his friend eyeing the group when they happened to be in Canterlot. One of the mares in particular - the cyan pegasus Rainbow Dash - seemed to interest him. It was one of the few things Cloudstriker didn’t tease Iceskidder about. After all, even he found that he fancied one; Rarity. The way her wavy purple tail curved down to her perfectly pared hooves… Shaking his head vigorously, Cloudstriker trembled a bit. He knew he shouldn’t act like this in front of Iceskidder. It was bound to raise questions he was too chary to answer. Still, he couldn’t help but smile as he thought about the beautiful white unicorn. Meanwhile, Iceskidder was preoccupied with something else. “Cloudstriker…” he whispered. When he didn’t get a response, he gave the yellow pegasus a firm shove. “What…?” came a gruff yet distracted reply.     Instead of answering, Iceskidder just gave an urgent point at the path down below them. It was hard to see in the growing shadows of the evening, but with enough effort he saw what his distressed comrade was designating. Two figures were hastily approaching the gate. Even considering the developing twilight, they appeared excessively obscured. They were obviously wearing cloaks. “Oh great, what do we do now? I don’t like the look of those travelers…” Iceskidder griped. “Should we tell somepony?” Cloudstriker held up a hoof. “Now just hold on a second. These are probably just a couple of ponies who haven’t heard about the act that limits any entry or departure of the city.” Contrary to his response, Cloudstriker did find their arrival quite odd. The regulation had been in effect for almost a week, which gave plenty of time for the word to spread to even the tiniest of settlements. And what were the hooded cloaks for? Maybe they were on a royal assignment that demanded secrecy. As the figures drew closer, the guards saw that one was larger than the other, and had a horn emerging from the hood. Other than that, their eyes were the only distinguishable features the stallions could see. When he was sure they were within earshot, Cloudstriker called out, “Halt! Who goes there?” The travelers stopped. There was a small, private discussion between them, and the larger figure began to step forward. The smaller one then stopped him, and what appeared to be an argument followed. After some tense, hushed conciliation, the larger figure stepped aside and the smaller one approached slowly. “Hey there,” the now established mare called out. “My name is Scootaloo, and this is…uh…Night…trotter.” She looked back at her companion, who gave an encouraging nod. “Is there a problem?” She sounded innocent enough, but there was definitely an uneasy edge to her words. Narrowing his eyes, Cloudstriker attempted to understand the duo before him. He looked back at Iceskidder for help, but he was too busy gawking at Scootaloo like a jumbled foal. Rolling his eyes, Cloudstriker turned back to the others. “I am afraid there is a problem, Ms. Scootaloo,” he stated authoritatively. “I have strict orders not to allow entry into Manehattan. No exceptions.” Scootaloo shook her head. “But…you can’t.” The mare was clearly irritated. “You don’t understand…we have to get in. It’s very important.” “I’m not the pony who makes the rules; I only enforce them. In fact, this particular decree came straight from Princess Celestia herself. So unless you wish to disobey your own ruler, I suggest you turn back and head home.” Cloudstriker raised an eyebrow.  “That is, if your loyalties truly lie with her…” The yellow pegasus watched the hooded figures closely and waited for any sudden aggressive actions. Moving forward, Scootaloo returned the stallion’s glare with startling determination. “Now you listen here,” she growled. “I have gone through too much trouble these past few days to have my loyalty questioned by some arrogant, self-centered guard. I would never deliberately violate Princess Celestia’s orders unless it was for a very significant cause, like the welfare of Equestria.” The angry pony was almost at gate now, and her companion was gradually following her. “Now my friend and I just so happen to be in one of those situations right now, so either you open this gate for us or you get somepony else willing to do it.” Dismayed by her inimical warning, Cloudstriker retreated a bit before regaining his authoritative stance. It may not have been a hostile threat, but it was fairly close to one. He was about to threaten to detain the pair when he felt an urgent tap on his shoulder. Iceskidder had slid over to him and was pointing at the cloaked mare. “Call me crazy, but that pony seems very familiar. I think I know her from somewhere,” he whispered. “Whatever you say, crazy,” Cloudstriker mocked.   “No, I’m serious,” Iceskidder assured. He bent over the elevated platform that held them and looked down at the still fuming mare. “Hey,” he unassumingly called out, “do you come around Canterlot often?” Scootaloo’s glare abruptly cooled. She fumbled with a few words that didn’t come out as coherent speech. Nighttrotter leaned over and whispered something where her ear must have been and she nodded. “No, we’re from…Stableside. We don’t get to Canterlot much.” she cagily replied. Iceskidder didn’t believe it for a second. “I’m sure I know you from somewhere. Maybe if you took off your cloak, I could see for myself.” “Yeah,” Cloudstriker joined in. “What do you need them for anyways?” This question really seemed to throw off the mare. Again, the unicorn whispered to her, but she seemed more reluctant to agree. “I…I’m a chicken,” Scootaloo bashfully murmured. “At least when I’m around crowds. Kind of self-conscious, I guess." She tried to act as if the entire outburst she had gone into just moments before hadn’t happened. “Same goes for my friend Moonwalker here. We just get nervous around lots of ponies, that’s all”  “You mean Nighttrotter?” Iceskidder corrected. Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “Uh…right. Moonwalker is just my…nickname for him,” she said with a poorly made laugh that changed into a tense whinny. “Well be that as it may, it’s only us around,” Cloudstriker reassured. “That’s not very many ponies. I think you can take off those cloaks…both of you.”  It wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command. The yellow guardspony was sure Iceskidder was just confused as usual and didn’t really know whoever stood in front of them, but it was providing a chance for both Cloudstriker and his partner to agree on the same action. After all, his friend had been right to some extent; whether there wasn't or somehow was a threat to Manehattan, it was best to absolutely know either way. And these ponies were definitely hiding something. Nighttrotter was whispering again, but Scootaloo didn’t seem to agree with whatever he was saying. “Look,” she said as she brushed the unicorn aside, “I just don’t feel comfortable doing that. I’m sorry, it’s just not happening.” She raised her forelegs in a shrug that she immediately regretted. The gesture brought up her cloak and exposed her lower body for a second, which was all Iceskidder needed to finally put the pieces together. “Celestia’s Mane!” Iceskidder exclaimed. “It’s you…Rainbow Dash!” He grinned and turned to his partner to brag about being correct. But he didn’t get the chance. The pegasus’ body froze before he managed to get a word out. Cloudstriker had a moment to give Iceskidder a questioned look and turn back to the hooded duo before he too experienced the same trance. It was like someone had unplugged his brain from the rest of his body. He could still think, but any kind of movement or sensation was no longer possible. He was lost in a void of nothingness.  This, however, only lasted a few seconds before Cloudstriker lost all forms of cognitive thought altogether. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A frustrated Rainbow Dash watched helplessly as the two sentries above her suddenly became immobilized. She didn’t understand what was causing their predicament until she looked over at Ageroth. His horn was letting off a small aura and his eyes were fixed on the captive guards. Their predicament was clearly his doing.  “Ageroth, what in Tartarus are you doing?” Rainbow Dash questioned. Instead of answering, Ageroth gently took her hoof in his. Instantly, she found herself standing on the elevated platform only a meter from the paralyzed guards with only a rapid golden flash to indicate the change. The sudden change was very disorientating to the cyan pegasus, as well as remarkable. Twilight had, on rare occasions, teleported Rainbow Dash while practicing her magic, but never so quick and effortlessly on account of how much harder it was to teleport and entire pony that wasn't the caster. However, that didn't seem to be a factor for Ageroth, and he had even been able to teleport himself simultaneously. While the mare was still recovering, Ageroth stepped over to the first inert guard, whose eyes were still glaring off towards the ponies that were no longer there. Leaning in close until he was almost touching the guard’s head with his horn, Ageroth closed his eyes in deep concentration. Rainbow Dash looked over just in time to see an intense spark fly out of the guard’s skull and into Ageroth’s horn, followed by small steady stream of golden aura between the two. Nothing else happened for a few seconds, and Rainbow Dash was about to ask Ageroth what he thought he was doing this time. That’s when Cloudstriker’s eyes rolled back into his skull, and he collapsed onto the ground. Ageroth lowered his own head so he could maintain the connection. Other than that, he continued like nothing had happened. Rainbow Dash stood feverishly rigid. She had an overwhelming urge to stop Ageroth and whatever horrible thing he was doing to the innocent sentry, but at the same time felt reluctant and even a bit fearful to interrupt her companion. As a result, she simply watched as the unicorn finished. After a few more tense seconds, Ageroth finally raised his head and opened his eyes. The guard was lifeless on the ground. “Just what the buck do you think you’re doing?!” Rainbow Dash growled. Her anger was a bit impetuous, but she couldn’t help it. She had just witness her so-called friend harm, or possibly murder, an innocent guard simply because he was doing his duty. Even if the guard had been somewhat rude to her, it still enraged the pegasus that he harmed on her account.         “Still thyself, Rainbow Dash,” Ageroth whispered. “Thou words of malice hath not a purpose.”         Attempting to lower her temper, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. It helped, but only marginally. The yellow pegasus was still motionless on the ground, and Rainbow Dash had assumed the worst. “Oh yeah,” she satirically agreed. “There is nothing immoral about killing Royal Guard ponies that have done nothing wrong. After all, they’re only trying to protect Equestria from a threat Princess Celestia has obviously become more worried about.”         Ageroth, who had been trotting up to the second guard, stopped and turned. “Kill? Doth thou thinkest I hath done so?” He looked down at the motionless yellow guardspony. “Hast thou not ever witnessed a Menscompos spell?”         Taking the perverse silence as a sign she had not, Ageroth put a hoof up to his indiscernible chin and nodded. “My apologies,” he began, “For had I been mindful of thine unfamiliarity, such insensitiveness would not be shown.” He returned to Rainbow Dash. “I give thee my word that this sentry remains unscathed,” he sincerely vowed. “I did not a thing but alter his cognizance.”         Rainbow Dash’s anger vanished and was replaced with confusion. “Uh…could you run that by me again?” she asked.         “I reformed his memory to disremember his happenstance with us,” Ageroth elaborated.  “For thou see, a Menscompos spell allows for the caster to separate a pony’s mind from his or her body for a limited time to change it to a certain degree. This leaves the pony comatose, but only for a diminutive phase.” He paused. “It be most illicit, yet I believe this situation called for it. Now, prithee, excuse me whilst I finale the enchantment, lest it abate.         The unicorn walked away as Rainbow Dash considered what she had just heard. Could he really be speaking the truth? She had, of course, seen Ageroth do extraordinary things since meeting him, but this was by far the most unbelievable. Never had she even considered that it was possible to take such control over another pony’s mind. Not unless it was by some being such as Discord. She wondered if even the Princesses themselves could do it. If they could, Twilight had neglected to mention it.         Ageroth had begun to repeat the process with the other guard. That’s when a chilling thought entered Rainbow Dash’s contemplations. If Ageroth could alter somepony’s mind so easily…could she have been affected by the same spell? Maybe she was still under his influence in some way. After all, she could never be sure he hadn’t, which disturbed her greatly. For all she knew, everything that had happened to her since her first meeting with Ageroth could be some elaborate ruse that she had fallen for. The question that had been present since the begging of her exploit had suddenly gained a darker importance to it. Who was this pony who seemed to hide so much from her, yet claimed to be a friend? More importantly…should she really be putting her trust into him?         Shaking off the feeling, the Element of Loyalty decided now wasn’t the best time to play on her misgivings. Instead, she gradually rejoined Ageroth as he finished the spell. When he opened his eyes, he gave an uncertain look to Rainbow Dash.         “What is it?” she asked nervously. For a moment, she feared the unicorn had somehow read her thoughts and knew about her dubious feelings of him.         Ageroth seemed hesitant to answer. “Well, the sentinel before us…he feeleth…” He stopped and gave Rainbow Dash another odd gaze before looking away. “Nay,” he decided. “It be not for my tongue to convey.” Saying nothing more on the subject, the cloaked pony strode to the other end of the platform. The street below, which was thankfully deserted, held his attention as he looked for a spot to teleport to. When he had one in his sights, Ageroth held up a hoof. “Come hither,” he said while still focusing on the street, “whilst the guards remain cataleptic.” Rainbow Dash, who had been looking at the silver-blue pegasus on the ground and pondering what it could be Ageroth found interesting about him, looked up.  Her companion was waiting, but she found herself hesitant to comply. She may never get another chance to leave the furtive pony. The empty plains wouldn’t make for the perfect asylum to hide in, but she might be able to make it work. The thought was ridiculous, of course. Even in light of her recent discovery, and how much the moors called to her – as did the chance to hide from the new terrors of the world – Rainbow Dash could quickly dismiss the idea. For better or for worse, she felt this was where she needed to be. It may be the only chance of ever seeing her friends and Equestria as they should be, and it would be cowardly to run from that chance. And she was certainly not a coward. “Here goes nothing,” Rainbow Dash thought as she grabbed Ageroth’s hoof. With a flash, the two were gone.