Chapter XI- Free Time 3: That Pony is a Spy! The Mole is revealed!
I was in the common area, with all the remaining ponies. FlashRain and Dawn, being the only two unscathed ponies, were doing most of the talking.
“The magic they use to monitor us isn’t strong enough to pick up whispers.” Flash spoke in a soft rasp. “I tested it. When I acted like there was an escape route, I told Dawn here in a whisper, just as quiet as this. Something like that, if they heard it, the guards would come running. But they didn’t. That means that they can’t detect voices at this volume.”
“Speaking of escape routes… Corona left the North door at the end of the hallway unlocked.” Dawn muttered. “I peeked through. There’s a way out, I saw an open window. It didn’t have the shimmer of a barrier spell. We can escape.”
“What about the other ponies?” I answered, in a quiet voice.
“We can break free, then get help.” FlashRain replied. “I mean, they can’t chase all of us at once. We just need one pony to escape, then the rest will be taken care of.” FlashRain took me aside. “Listen. I think Dawn’s the spy.”
“What makes you think that? Got pwoof?” I asked him.
“Look, just think about it. She’s the only pony who hasn’t gotten a strike yet, other than me.” He insisted. “Unless you think I’m the spy.” He added with a note of humor.
“Well then, we have to keep a close eye on her. Do you think what she said about the door was a twap?”
“It has to be. I’m pretty sure that door is locked, and once we try to go through, they’ll catch us. But we will be expecting that, and possibly evade them.” He turned to the rest of the ponies and gathered them close again. “ So, is everypony in?” he whispered. The other ponies nodded in agreement, and we departed, after deciding to regroup in ten minutes.
***
“So, everypony is here. Good.” FlashRain’s eyes darted to Dawn for a moment. We were still speaking in hushed tones. “Dawn, how was the door?”
“Still unlocked. We should be good to go.” Dawn replied calmly. Suspiciously calmly, in my mind.
“Then let’s move.” We got up and moved as a group to the door. As Dawn stated, it was open. FlashRain narrowed his eyes at this.
“Let me scout ahead.” Mentira offered. She walked through the door, and there was quiet for a moment. Then her voice came in a raspy whisper. “It’s good! I can see outside!”
As Dawn attempted to go forward, FlashRain struck her with a wing, temporarily stunning her. “You’re not coming with us.” He snarled. “I know you’re the spy!”
“Wh-What?” she stuttered.
“Give it up Dawn. All the logical evidence points to you.” I say. “Just… pwease… stay hewe.”
She had a look of confusion and shock on her face, which I attributed to her still trying to play innocent. We turned on her, and reached the doorway. My instincts started up again, and I closed my eyes. The pony that formed… was Mentira.
“No! It’s not Dawn!” I shouted, but it was too late. The others had already gone through the door. Almost instantly, a hidden door banged open, and there stood Corona, Torrent, and Talon. Mentira smiled and walked up to them.
“No way! But Dawn had no strikes!” FlashRain groaned. “How?”
“You think it was just that simple?” Mentira asked. “I deliberately got a strike, just to divert suspicion. And it worked.”
“Then Dawn-“
“She was innocent. Poor thing, you all abandoned her. But most of you won’t have to worry about that. Since all of you tried to escape, all of you will have to be punished with a strike.” Mentira shook her head. “I’m sorry for deceiving you all. Truly, I am. But I had to make sure Miss Corona did not fail in taking away all your pains and worries. I had to protect her and let her succeed in her pure quest.”
Dawn stumbled in, eyes filled with tears. “I told you it wasn’t me!” She cried.
FlashRain looked down guiltily. “I’m… I’m sorry, Dawn.”
Corona stepped up. “A few of you will have your worries erased soon. Do not worry. I will do what I have always done so far- take good care of you.”
Talon and Torrent moved to guard the door. “Please don’t resist, we don’t want to waste the knockout powder.” Talon warned.
I took a step back. A third strike would mean… Corona noticed my worry, and smiled at me, giving Talon an order. “Take him to my room, I’ll deal with him later.” Talon bowed, and gave me a gentle nudge. “Let’s go. You need a change anyway.”
“But evewypony else-“
“You know Miss Corona won’t hurt them. You’ll be able to see them later.” He gave me another nudge, and I allowed him to guide me out.
***
Foal Games- Competitor List
Remember, 3 strikes and you’re out!
001- Dawn- Pale Purple Unicorn, Female- Strikes: 1
002- Vine- Light Green Earth Pony, Female- Strikes: 2003- Leaf- Deep Green Earth Pony, Female- Strikes: 3004- SwiftCloud- Pale Gray Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 3005- LightningFlash- Yellow Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 3006- Oceana- Blue Unicorn, Male- Strikes: 3007- Crayg- Orange-Brown Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 3
008- SolidSteel- Gray Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 2
009- Clay- Beige Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 2010- Luster- Bright Blue Unicorn, Female- Strikes: 3011- Rhythm- Red Pegasus, Female- Strikes: 3012- SilverLining- Deep Gray Pegasus, Female- Strikes: 3013- Sprout- Brown Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 3014- Mentira- Pink Unicorn, Female: Strikes: N/A015- DustStorm- Gray Unicorn, Male- Strikes: 3
016- FlashRain- Pale Blue Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 1
“Dust?” I slid the paper back as Corona walked into the room.
“Miss Cowona?” I asked. “What happens now? Can the games weally continue?”
She shook her head sadly. “I don’t think so, Dust. Not after everything that just happened.”
“Then what will you do?” I asked her.
“Well… it wouldn’t be nice to turn everypony remaining into a foal. That would be breaking my own rules. I need more time to decide what to do.”
“What abouwt me?”
She turned around and sat down in front of me. “Well… everypony gets a strike. That’s the rule.” She pulled out a jar of the magic foal powder. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sowwy.” I said. “It’s okay, Miss Cowona. I know you’ll be twue to youw word.”
She hugged me tightly, and I felt warm and safe in her embrace. She nuzzled me softly and I nuzzled back. “Good night, Dusty.” As she shook the powder around me one last time, I felt all my worries melt away. My eyes grew heavy, and I focused my sight on Corona. One last word came out of my mouth before sleep overcame me.
“Mommy.”