"My Queen, what do you say we do?" Asked the lead changeling guard. Queen Chrysalis looked up from the chaos emerald to look at the guard before answering him.
"Send out the spy again, I want to keep in check exactly what that hedgehog is doing. Do not interfere with him though unless he does something that is not in our favor. He could be trouble if he found out we have this emerald. Our spy is going to make sure that doesn't happen, understood?"
"Yes, my Queen, we will send the spy out again immediately. We'll make sure the hedgehog doesn't do anything that isn't beneficial to us."
"Very good, you are dismissed."
With that, the guards gave a final salute before piling out of the throne room. After they were gone, Queen Chrysalis gave a low dark chuckle. "Excellent, I have a feeling that everything be in our favor now," Queen Chrysalis picked up the emerald with her green aura of magic and began to twirl it around in front of her face, "Yes, everything will be in our favor," after that, she began to laugh maniacally as she still stared at and twirled the chaos emerald around.
o.0.o
Everyone stood in front of the library waiting for Twilight to finish her final preparations and to finish packing her bags. Sonic tapped his foot and kept checking his non-existent watch impatiently. Everyone kept looking around or kicking at the ground, anything to keep them occupied until the purple princess got ready. They all guessed that she had to pack extra quills and parchment for taking notes and documenting important events. Sonic began to get antsy, he wasn't really one to be patient and hated waiting. He was about to run on ahead to the train station but was stopped by the library door opening and a purple alicorn along with a purple dragon walking out.
"All right, I believe I have everything. I have checked, double checked, and double checked my double check. Everything is in order, I hope. Now spike," the purple dragon looked up at Twilight as he closed the library door, "you are in charge of keeping the library in order while I'm gone. That means you need to keep all the shelves dust free, and clean up any messes that may occur. If a pony checks out a book, make sure they get the correct one they ask for." Spike nodded his head at all of it. Twilight put her hoof under her chin to think of anything else she may need to tell Spike. Her face lit up as if something very important just occurred to her, "Also, no staying up late. You need your sleep." Spike saluted at the last thing Twilight said.
"Yes your majesty, you will not be disappointed."
"That's what I like to hear, except for the majesty part. You can still call me just Twilight, Spike."
"Heh heh, okay, just Twilight," Spike chuckled into his claws after he said this.
Twilight looked at Spike with a smug expression, "Ooohh, you."
Spike just shrugged at her comment, but stopped when they heard an annoyed hedgehog clear his throat. Everyone turned their attention to him to listen to what he had to say.
"If you're done, I'm ready to GO. Let's go see this world of yours. I am ready to explor-," Sonic was cut short when he heard a faint shouting and the sound of a scooter.
"WAIT, WAIT." Everyone looked to see Scootaloo and the other Crusaders riding towards the group. Scootaloo came to a skidding halt in front of the group, Scootaloo cut the engine and jumped off her scooter, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were in tow right behind her.
"Were coming with you." Everyone looked surprised at this exclamation by the Crusaders.
"Oh no," Applejack began, "it'll be too dangerous for ya'll. It'd be best if ya' just stay here."
"But Applejack, we found Sonic so were technically responsible for im'. We go where he goes Sis." Applejack was flabbergasted at this remark from her sister, she knew what Applebloom was talking about though, just like how she was responsible for Winona. None of them knew what to do, only half of them had authority over the Crusaders and they certainly couldn't say no at Applebloom's statement. They were in a bind, until Sonic stepped up to them and kneeled down to be level with the Crusaders. He looked each on of them in the eye from Applebloom, Scootaloo, then Sweetie Belle.
"Now, I am not sure if I speak for everyone but I know where you are coming from. If you do come, that will make me responsible for all of you as well. There may or may not be dangerous things where we go, and we will be gone for a long time. If your sister and parents do allow you to go, you must stick close to me and not go running off unless someone is with you, understand?"
"Yes," Scootaloo said.
"Yep," Sweetie Belle said.
"Affirmative," Applebloom said, coaxing strange looks from the other two Crusaders.
"Dictionary," Scootaloo said under her breath. Sonic turned back to the rest of the group to await their answers. They all began to look around, not really wanting to answer. Rainbow Dash wasn't afraid though, she flew over to Scootaloo and rubbed her head with her hoof and said, "It's alright with me pipsqueak, if you think you can handle yourself."
Scootaloo gave Rainbow Dash a cocky smirk at her words, "Definitely."
"Well, it is alright with me," Rarity began, "but Sonic dear, if anything is to happen to Sweetie Belle. Well, let's just say you will have a bad time for the rest of your stay here. I am not worried anything will happen though, it is just a forewarning." Rarity ended her sentence with a warm and happy smile. All eyes then turned to Applejack, who then turned to look at the puppy dog eyes Applebloom gave her. A bead of sweat dripped down her head at the intensity of the decision she had to make. She finally gave in and sighed, then looked at Applebloom.
"All righ', you can go. But I want you to stay close to one of us at all times, especially Sonic if things get too dangerous."
The Crusaders then gave each other high hoofs and cheered, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS EMERALD HUNTERS, YAY!!!"
Everyone covered their ears at the loud out burst from the Crusaders. Everyone loved them to death, but they just couldn't handle how loud they could be sometimes. After the shock of their loudness, Scootaloo walked over to Sonic.
"So, how about another race." Sonic could only blink at this, they had no time for a race right now for it was time to go.
"I think we might have to do that later, right now we have to get down to the train station."
"That is what I mean silly, a race to the train station. The winner will be deemed fastest in all of Ponyville. From here to the Train Station, you up for it."
Sonic chuckled at this before turning to the others, "I'm already the fastest in this world but whatever. Hey, me and Scootaloo are gonna rush ahead, alright? Don't wait up"
Sonic and Scootaloo stood right beside each other, Sweetie Belle being the one to do the countdown.
"Scootaloo, I think you are definitely going down this time. I don't have your friends weighing me down this time, so you can kiss the title goodbye."
"That's some big talk, I hope you can cash the check your mouth is making out."
"Ready," Sweetie Belle asked. They both gave her a confirming nod. She then began her countdown when they were set.
"3," Sonic kicked the dirt off his shoes by tapping his toes on the ground behind him as Scootaloo started her engine.
"2," Sonic placed his hands on the ground in a crouching position as Scootaloo revved her engine.
"1," Sonic was now in a take off position, Scootaloo tightened and tapped her helmet to test its resilience. It was now or never for Scootaloo, and she awaited for the horn, in this case the 'horn' was Sweetie Belle saying "go."
"Go," Scootaloo was off like a rocket, but Sonic still stood there in his take off position. Rainbow Dash flew over to Sonic to see what was keeping him.
"Uuuhh, Sonic, the race has started."
Sonic looked over his shoulder at Dash at smiled. He began chuckling and slowly came to a standing position.
"Yeah, I know, I just thought I'd give her a head start. She's already lost." Dash's eyes opened wide and her pupil took up nearly all of her eyes, a very thin line of magenta could be seen.
"Watch this," and after that. Sonic was swirling around in a ball with with little orbs of energy flying in and out of him. All of the ponies just stared amazed, Dash reared back and stared along with the others. After a few seconds of charging Sonic shot off after Scootaloo, passing other ponies along the way and leaving only a streak of transparent blue behind him.
o.0.o
Sonic leaned against the wooden support beam of the train station with his arms crossed, eyes closed, and one foot pressing against the beam as well. It was a while before Sonic heard anything, but after what felt like hours he finally heard the rumming of the all too well known engine of Scootaloo's scooter. Sonic opened his right eye and smiled when he saw the orange pegasus ride up the ramp and skid to a halt in front of him. Her mouth was agape as she stared at him, with the smirkiest smirk he could give.
"W-wha, b-but, how? I even took shortcuts to get here." Scootaloo asked, fumbling over her words.
"Heh, you're not the only one who knows about shortcuts, but I guess it was good I didn't take any or else I would have had to wait longer for you."
"But, but I, huuuuh, welp, it was bound to happen sooner or later," Scootaloo held out her hoof, "you were a very worthy adversary Sonic and I am glad I was able to have a chance to race against you."
Sonic stared at the offered hoof until he finally took it in his gloved hand and shook it. "Yeah, good race, and you aren't too bad yourself. I just can't help that I'm so fast though. Now, let's go find some emeralds."
Scootaloo smiled at his words, "Yeah, let's."
They both turned to the sound of huffing and puffing of tired ponies running up behind them. Everyone was there ready to go, desperately gasping for air as they walked over to the racing pair. Twilight huffed as she tried to ask them something. After a minute or two of heavy breathing.
"S-so, who won?" Twilight asked.
"Ladies and... ladies," Scootaloo began, "may I present to you, our CHAMPION." Scootaloo pointed both hooves at Sonic, as if presenting him to a crowd of investors to a new product. The Crusaders aww'ed at the news of their friend not winning, but she waved her hoof to them, telling them not to worry and that is was alright. Sonic had won fair and square this time.
"Well," Twilight began, "let's go ahead and get our tickets." Everyone nodded and walked over to the ticket booth. Twilight was the first to get her ticket.
The ticket booth pony brightened when he saw her, "hello Princess Twilight, what can I do for you today?"
Twilight only smiled at his politeness and said, "One please," followed by Rarity and Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, Applejack and Applebloom, Fluttershy, and finally Pinkie Pie, all paying for their respective tickets. Sonic was the last to walk up to the booth and ask for a ticket.
"One please," Sonic asked.
"All right, that will be seven bits," Sonic stopped as he was reaching into his supposed 'pocket'.
"Uh, what was that?"
"Sonic, you do know that we use bits as currency here right?" Sonic just stared at the ticket pony at the sudden revelation of which everyone has refused to tell him. The others over heard the others conversation and all gave each other an "oh no" expression.
Sonic got out of his stupor and shook his head to clear it, "that is all right, I will just run alongside the train and follow it to where we need to go."
"I am sorry Sonic," the ticket pony began, "but I cannot allow that. It is for your own safety and against the Railroad Regulations Code, you must buy a ticket and ride the train."
"Hmm," Sonic thought as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms to think about what he could do, until Twilight jumped in.
"Oh, it is alright Sonic, I will pay for your ticket, it is no trouble," Twilight said as she pulled out the correct number of bits and paid the ticket pony.
"All righty, here is your ticket Sonic, enjoy your ride," the ticket pony said as he handed Sonic a golden slip of paper.
"Yeah... thanks...," was all Sonic could say at the ticket pony. The conductor began to yell "ALL ABOARD", which was everyone's cue to get on the train. They all piled onto the train, flashing their tickets at the conductor as they did.
They chose an empty boxcar to settle in for their long trip. After a few minutes of waiting the train's whistle gave a loud blow and shortly after the train lurched forward slowly picking up speed. Sonic watched as the station passed and the scenery was replaced with open fields of nothing but grass. Sonic got bored of the scenery pretty quickly and turned to watch everyone converse. Twilight noticed Sonic's agitation and giggled before talking to him.
"Might as well get comfortable Sonic, this is a 10 hour train ride." Sonic's eyes shot open and sat up in a record time to stare at Twilight."
"10 HOURS, WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE GOING." The excitement and agitation in his voice could almost be felt physically.
"Buckle up if you need to Sonic, were on our way to Saddle Arabia."