Chapter Eight
Twilight Sparkle folded her wings and came to a soft landing near Fluttershy’s cottage door. Fortunately nopony came out of the cottage or the nearby woods to kick her or buck her or blow strange magic in her face. Perhaps the morning’s chaos had not reached Fluttershy yet? She hoped so. It would be bad enough involving her now, but it was clear to Twilight they would probably need each other soon. Even if they could no longer use the Elements, there were no other ponies that Twilight would rather have beside her in a fight.
She gently knocked on the door, and Fluttershy opened the door, smiling gently at her. “Hello, Twilight…” She frowned, noting the look on Twilight’s face. “Is something the matter?”
“Yes, we have something of an emergency an-what the hay!” Twilight blinked as a strange armadillo creature with a dragonic face butted its head against her leg, as if trying to get her to move. The thing looked up at her and snorted, pawing at the ground. It’s back, tail and legs were bandaged, and it glared up at Twilight with foul tempered eyes. Fluttershy gently placed a hoof around its back and pushed it back in.
“Oh no, little friend, you’re still not well enough to leave. I promise it won’t be long though, but you need to rest.” Fluttershy looked up at Twilight. “I’m sorry, he’s very anxious about something, but I’m not sure what.”
“What is he?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen a creature like him before.” The Stoneback snorted and pawed at the ground some more, rolling his eyes. “He doesn’t speak any language I know. He really only seems to snort and grunt. He looks mean, but he’s a real softy.”
The Stoneback slumped to the ground and huffed in irritation. Damn ponies were worse then furbobs here! Couldn’t they understand ‘emergency’!? Even the human did after a few grunts!
“Fluttershy, I need you to come meet me at the library, we have a problem, and I need you.”
“Does it have something to do with the foals? Did you find them?” Fluttershy blinked as the Stoneback jumped up and down spitting at them. “Oh please settle down, you’ll reinjure yourself!”
“It might. I’ll tell you all when you get there. I need to find Rainbow Dash, Rarity…and eventually I need to find Pinkie.” Twilight said.
“Oh, I’m not sure I can leave him here…he might try to run away. I never met a creature so eager to leave my care before…I know he’s terribly upset about something, but I can’t tell what.”
“Bring it along then, as long as he doesn’t eat my books.” Twilight lifted her wings and flapped. “I’ll met you there, Fluttershy.” She turned and soared upwards towards Rainbow’s cloud home.
“Oh…I have a bad feeling…” Fluttershy shuddered, but the Stoneback grunted and pushed her with his head towards the road, gently. She nodded. “I have a feeling you know something, don’t you friend?” He nodded. “Maybe Twilight can help us figure out what you’re trying to say. This is the first time I’ve ever been at a lose, but…” She leaned down and scooped the Stoneback on her back. “You’ll like my friends, and you’ll like Ponyville.” With a small smile she fluttered her own wings and headed back to Ponyville.
A few seconds after Fluttershy had left, Pinkie bounded out of the woods, followed by the Ponylanders. The others didn’t want Draggle and Wind Whistler to make the trek through the forest alone, and Wind Whistler eventually agreed to let them come as far as the forest’s end. Through whatever strange power that Pinkie possessed, it had managed to guide her and the others right were they needed to be to see Fluttershy departing with the Stoneback.
“Hey, it’s the Stoneback! So that yellow one had him!” Gusty leaped out of a bush, pawing at the ground. “I’ll take care of her!”
“No! Wait! That’s Fluttershy! You can’t be mean to her! She’s really super sensitive!” Pinkie bounced in front of Gusty, who blinked.
“Gusty…we are trying to not cause anymore unfortunate incidents.” Wind Whistler put a hoof on her shoulder. “Please, desist.”
Gusty growled in frustration and sat down. “Fine fine.”
“…I have an idea…Pinkie.” Wind Whistler looked at Pinkie. “Instead of bringing us to your princess, please instead bring her and the yellow one, and the Stoneback here.”
Pinkie squinted at Wind Whistler, then nodded. “Okay! I’ll be right back!” She smiled and bounced down the hill after Fluttershy.
Gusty looked at Wind Whistler. “…this is going to be another of those ideas I’m not going to like, isn’t it?”
“Prisoner exchange. We will go with them in exchange for the Stoneback. No doubt they will want to interrogate us, and when they do, I can inform their monarch of the events on our end. In this way we get our friend back, and there is no more unnecessary fighting.” Wind Whistler said, eyes on the road.
“I knew I wouldn’t like it.” Gusty sighed.
“Trust me, Gusty.” Wind Whistler said gently.
“I do I do…” She glared down the hill towards Ponyville. “It’s them I don’t trust.”
Twilight had found Rainbow Dash, who had been asleep after a long day of looking for Fizzy, with relative ease. After waking up the snoozing pegasus, Twilight and Rainbow soared back down to Ponyville, heading for the library.
Now that Twilight had gotten a bit more flying experience, she now understood a bit why Rainbow had been so obsessed with it. IT really was a wonderful feeling, being able to soar above the sky under your own power, to flap your wings and ride the little gusts of wind and thermals into the air. It was very nice, and while Twilight was in no hurry to compete in flying contests, she was starting to enjoy it the same way she enjoyed activates like the Running of the Leaves. Not enough to want to be the best, but just enough to enjoy flying in general.
As she and Rainbow Dash came upon the library, Twilight noticed something odd. There was a small crowd gathered in front of the library door. She could see Big Mac standing beside it, looking a tad irked, and Fluttershy was cowering behind him, the Stoneback still perched on her. Right in front of the door was a large white unicorn, which Twilight recognized as her brother. Backing him was a group of four crystal pony guards. On the other side, opposite Big Mac, was three Royal Guards. One pegasus with a dark coat, and two smaller white unicorns. As soon as Twilight landed the Royal Guard ponies turned and bowed.
“Princess Twilight, Princess Luna sent us to act under your orders until Princess Celestia gets back. We are at your command.” The pegasus declared, with an odd funny look at Shining Armor, who…sneered at him?
Twilight had never known her brother to sneer.
She looked at the three guards, who gave her expectant looks. She didn’t like to take up the reins of a princess, but it was clearly what Celestia, and Luna, wanted her to do with two other alicorn’s missing. She had to show the same leadership here that she did during the plunder vine invasion. She tried to think of what Celestia would do, and she drew herself up into a more dignified pose, and nodded. “Thank you…Shining, why are you here?” She turned to Shining Armor, who snorted.
“I’ve come to take care of the group of invaders I heard was near here. They kidnapped Cadence, Twilight, and I’m not going to let that go!” He stamped, and Twilight blinked.
“Uhuuuuh….” Twilight studied Shining Armor, and then seemed to shrug. “I understand, Shining. But don’t worry, we’ll get her back.” She turned to Big Mac, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, who landed next to Big Mac. “Where are Rarity and Pinkie?”
“…not sure.” Fluttershy squeaked. “I haven’t seen them…”
“Grrr, Twilight we’re wasting time!” Shining shouted. Rainbow glared and flared her wings.
“Hey, what’s your big deal!” Rainbow demanded.
“My wife is missing!” Shining snarled back.
Twilight frowned slightly at Rainbow. “Its alright, Rainbow. He’s just worried about Cadence.”
“But-“ Rainbow protested, then stopped when Twilight gave her the most obvious wink she could and mouthed ‘quiet’ at her. Rainbow stared at her, then sighed. “Fine.” She hovered again, folding her arms and giving Shining a look.
“Now, we need to-“ Shining began, but was interrupted by a mild pink explosion. “Acck!” He jerked back.
“Oh Shining, you remember Pinkie, don’t you?” Twilight said, eyeing him again. He gulped and nodded.
“Who-who wouldn’t?” He stuttered.
“Hi! I found all of you! Come one! Wind Whistler wants to talk to you, Twilight!” Pinkie tried to grab Twilight by the wing and yank her back towards the forest.
“Wait, who?” Twilight asked. From the corner of her eye she saw Shining twitch slightly at the random name that Pinkie had blurted out.
“Oh!” Pinkie let go and bounced up and down. “She’s one of the new alien ponies! The one that smacked you last night, the pegasus with the grumpy face! She said she wants to talk to you, and she wants you to bring Fluttershy-” Fluttershy eeped at the thought of meeting an alien pony. “And the Stoneback on her back!” At this the Stoneback gave a very loud grunt and nodded vigorously at Pinkie.
“Wait, you knew where they were, and you’ve been hiding those fiends!” Shining snarled. “Ho-how dare you shelter them!”
Pinkie stopped bouncing. “I Pinkie Promised them not to tell unless Wind Whistler let me!”
Rainbow Dash’s face met her hoof. “Pinkie, honestly. Aliens are invading and you not only hide them, but you’re on a first name basis with them?”
“They’re not invaders! They’re lost!” Pinkie protested. “And they’re really really nice!”
“Oh yes, I’m sure they kidnapped my wife to just give her a little tea party!” Shining snarled.
“…I haven’t managed to give them any party at all yet…” Pinkie said, scuffing a hoof.
“…Pinkie, you said their leader wants to meet me?” Twilight asked.
“Yep!”
“Great, then we can go there and catch them all red handed!” Rainbow flapped her wings and shot towards Fluttershy’s cottage. “I’ll take care of them!”
“Rainbow wait!” Twilight tried to stop her hotheaded friend, but Rainbow was already speeding away. “Everypony, follow me! Keep up with her!” Twilight flared her own wings and started to follow. “Fluttershy, bring that creature!”
Fluttershy eeped, but Big Mac nudged her gently as encouragement. She nodded at him, and they began to follow the others, mixing a bit with the crystal ponies and the guards. Fluttershy clenched her eyes in nerves, but the Stoneback nuzzled her a bit with his nose as if to encourage her. She turned her head and looked into his eyes.
“They’re…your friends, aren’t they?” The Stoneback nodded. “Then…I will get you to them.”
Gusty was pacing back and forth at the tree line, snorting in anger and impatience.
“Gusty, please, you are working yourself into an irrational rage. You must sit and recollect yourself before we encounter the Princess.” Wind Whistler said.
“I can’t sit, you know that.” Gusty said. She twitched her ears and looked up at the sky. “…is that a rainbow?” She titled her ear to the side as she heard Draggle hiss in annoyance. Witches and rainbows didn’t mix well. Gusty reared slightly as the rainbow landed at her, feet, revealing itself to be not a real rainbow, but a rainbow maned blue pegasus. Gusty stared.
Rainbow Dash snorted and faced Gusty, pawing the ground. “Alright, freaks, now you’re dealing with the Dash!”
Gusty lowered her head in a similar position and pawed the ground as well. “Oh yeah? Bring it Bobble Head!”
“Gusty, we are here to parlay, not to fight.” Wind Whistler chided.
“Aw shut up fatty! I’m takin’ you all in!” Rainbow snorted at Wind Whistler who blinked.
“I…am not fat.” Her head ducked slightly, and Gusty, after living a while with her, remembered that tone from the time she accused Wind Whistler of not having feelings. She snarled at Rainbow.
“Just cause she’s not a goat looking LOSER doesn’t make her fat!” Gusty shouted.
“LOSER! Oh I am so going to kick your flank, hornhead!”
“You couldn’t kick a weed with those toothpicks you call legs!” Gusty bellowed. By now both mares had leaned in so close that Gusty’s horn was almost touching Rainbow’s mane. She suddenly turned her head and slammed the side of her skull against Rainbow, pushing her back. “You ponies are so skinny I can see through you!”
“Yeah if I ate as much as you did I wouldn’t be able to see past my next meal either!”
“EAT MY HORSESHOES!” Gusty shoved Rainbow Dash with her head. She reared and smacked Rainbow Dash in the face with her hoof, and managing to shove her away. Meanwhile, both Wind Whistler and Draggle had covered their eyes with a hoof and a hand respectively and were shaking their heads. Wind Whistler was silent, but Draggle was muttering. Fizzy just watched, fascinated. Surprise was chuckling, and Morning Glory just looked generally depressed at all the fighting.
Twilight, followed closely by the others, finally skidded into the clearing to witness the Element of Loyalty berating one of the aliens, who was shouting right back at her, trading insults like a pair of old sailors.
“Pointy nosed freak!”
“Bug eyed idiot!”
“You’re voice sounds like a DUDE!”
“You look like a rainbow threw up on your head!”
“What’s your Cutie Mark mean, that you brush leaves for a living? How lame are you?”
“Lame? I’m not the one with the mullet!”
“At least I’m not a she-male!”
“I have a daughter you twit!”
“Oh? Who was the mother?”
“That’d be Wind Whistler over here.” Draggle snorted. Gusty turned at her.
“Whose side are you on?” She snapped.
“Eh, it was a good one.” Draggle said.
“…Draggle, do not drag me into this nonsense, if you will.” Wind Whistler sighed.
“Well Truly isn’t here…” Draggle chuckled.
“Draggle, please discontinue.” Wind Whistler asked.
“Okay, I think I’m done.” She grinned and patted the space between Wind Whistler’s ears. Wind Whistler nodded and nudged her.
Twilight stepped forwards, Shining Armor right beside her, snorting aggressively at Gusty. Gusty noticed this and snarled, ears laying back. She stamped and, thankfully, backed up a few steps. Twilight eyed Shining, and stopped next to Rainbow. Shining made as if to move forwards, but Twilight held up a hoof and blocked him.
“Let me handle this, Prince. As a royal alicorn, this is my duty, not yours.” She said. Rainbow, who had been ready to taunt Gusty some more, looked at Twilight with shock. She landed.
“Uhh, what are you doing?” She whispered in Twilight’s ear. “Since when do you pull rank on your BBBFF?”
“Play along, Rainbow.” She whispered. “Please. This is very important.”
Rainbow looked confused, but nodded as the crystal guards trotted over to hover behind Shining. Each of them seemed tensed and ready to charge. The royal…her guards took a similar position behind Twilight, and Big Mac trotted up next to them, with Fluttershy still hiding behind him, supporting the Stoneback.
Wind Whistler nodded at Draggle again, the two of them came over to stand next to Gusty, who was still snorting and bearing her teeth at the enemies lined up against her, glaring at both Rainbow and the clearly hostile Shining Armor. Wind Whistler nudged her on the neck, but Gusty just flicked her ear at Wind Whistler. Fizzy gave Big Mac a brief look, but only a brief one. She walked over to Gusty’s other side and leaned against her. Surprise soon joined Fizzy, stifling her previous laughter in the face of a serious face down. Morning Glory fluttered out, and the Equestrians gasped at her. Twilight could hear both Rainbow, Fluttershy, and the guards gasp…but Shining and the crystal guard did not. She flicked an ear, but said nothing. Morning Glory stayed behind the others, hovering slightly to see them better, and letting them get a nice good long look at her shimmering butterfly wings.
Pinkie just leaped over the Equestrian line and bounded over to the aliens. She paused between the two groups, and looked form one to the other. “…we’re playing now? Is this a game of volleyball or something? Equestrians vs. Ponylanders?”
“…how did she learn that word, do you remember telling her that?” Gusty asked Wind Whistler.
“It is inconsequential at this time.” Wind Whistler said.
“If you are going to stand with those animals, Pinkie, then you will suffer their-“
“Prince Shining Armor, enough!” Twilight turned her head, giving her brother a look. “I will speak with them.” She looked at her guards. “Don’t let anyone step out unless I give the word.” The guards looked from her, to their prince and, for all three of them, commander at one point. Then they nodded.
“Of course, Princess.” The pegasus guard said, and Twilight could tell from the look in his eyes he would obey, even if he was confused by the way both Shining Armor and Twilight were acting. Twilight tried to hold herself the same way Celestia did, and stepped out of the line, walking slowly until she stood beside Pinkie, who looked from the Equestrians to the Ponylanders with sheer confusion.
“Twilight…I don’t understand.” She said.
“It’s alright Pinkie, just let me take it from here.” Twilight patted her friend on the shoulder. “I’ll take care of it.”
“…please don’t be mad at them.” Pinkie asked, suddenly realizing how serious this had gotten.
“Don’t worry. Go help Fluttershy.”
“…okay.” Pinkie, giving the Ponylanders an uncharacteristically disappointed look, she walked, with no bounce, back to Fluttershy. Fluttershy leaned close and spoke to her in a gentle, calming tone.
Wind Whistler drew herself up and stepped closer to meet Twilight in the middle. Draggle gave Fizzy a farewell pat before limping behind Wind Whistler. Fizzy made a small fearful noise and trembled. She felt Morning Glory hover over her and place a hoof on her shoulder blades.
“They will be fine, I don’t think that the winged unicorn will hurt them. She does not seem a cruel Queen.” Morning Glory said. Twilight looked up at her.
“Er, I’m an alicorn. And a Princess, not a queen. We don’t have queens in Equestria. At least not pony queens.”
“Ah, my apologies your Highness.” Morning Glory dipped her head.
“What exactly are you?” Twilight asked, her curiosity overwhelming her.
“She,” Wind Whistler said. “Is a Flutter Pony. But all of us pony or otherwise, are Ponylanders. As is the Stoneback you have in your custody.” She pointed a hoof at Fluttershy, who eeped. “We wish him returned to us.”
“He’s not a prisoner, you know.” Twilight said.
“Not from where I’m standing, but I realize that we cannot in good faith demand his return without an individual of equal or greater value to exchange. Though I don’t wish to sound a braggart, I do believe that two prisoners that can speak is preferable to one who can’t. You will not learn a thing from that Stoneback. They are incapable of speech. Myself and Draggle, however, are very much capable of discourse. And I believe that discourse is the only way we can come to a satisfactory conclusion to this particular predicament.”
“…what is Celestia’s name did she just say?” Rainbow shouted loudly.
“She’s trading herself and our friend for the Stoneback you dingbat!” Gusty bellowed back.
“…thank you, Gusty.” Wind Whistler sighed.
“Looks like we have some very similar friends.” Twilight said, eyeing Gusty.
“I do not believe we have anyone on our side with the same physics and scientific defying traits as your pink subject.” Wind Whistler said. “Though Galaxy comes close. Not in the energy portion, but the uncanny intuition is very similar.”
“Oh really?” Twilight smiled. “That’s fascinating! I’d love to discuss the similarities and differences between our two worlds sometimes. It already sounds intriguing.” Was she busting out her big words in response to Wind Whistler’s own?
Wind Whistler’s ears waggled. “I must say, most ponies are incapable of fully understanding my vernacular, must less keep up with it. It is very pleasant to meet one that can.”
“…now there is two of them. Gusty! Are you seeing this! There’s TWO of them!” Draggle bellowed back to Gusty.
“We aren’t trading places, witchy! You’re stuck with Wind Whistler One and Two down there!” Gusty shouted.
“You are such a saint, blowhard.” Draggle said.
“Ram it!”
“Gusty! Draggle! Please!” Wind Whistler turned her head to give them both a frown. “I do apologize. They are both rather hotheaded.” She turned back to Twilight with a shrug.
“I know what that’s like.” Twilight nodded.
“Twilight! Stop talking with them and arrest them!” Shining took a step forward, but the pegasus guard stepped closer to him as soon as he moved.
“Prince, I am afraid I must ask you to stay back as per the Princesses’ orders.”
While this was going on Wind Whistler lowered her voice.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle, I have reason to believe that creatures known as Changelings are among you, but I cannot explain fully here. Take me and Draggle into custody and I will explain in full.”
Twilight blinked, and her eyes cut to the still shouting Shining Armor. She turned and flared her horn with light. Recalling Luna’s Royal Canterlot Voice she attempted to duplicate the effect. Just a single word. Just one word.
“Enough!” The word gave a small reverberation, not as much as Luna’s, or as loud, but it did the trick. Rainbow, Pinkie and Big Mac boggled at her as the shockwave ruffled their manes, and Fluttershy cowered. Wind Whistler drew back, looking mildly shocked, and Draggle stepped forward, grabbing her mane. If this was meant to comfort Wind Whistler or Draggle, or for some other purpose, Twilight didn’t know.
Twilight looked over at Wind Whistler and Draggle. “In Celestia’s name, as Princess of Equestria, I accept your offer. Fluttershy, please bring your friend over here.”
Fluttershy eeped and crawled closer, going very very slow, as all the shouting and arguing had driving the poor pegasus into a terror. She also was scared of the Ponylanders, deeply. Morning Glory, seeing the crazy unicorn male was about to snap again, fluttered closer.
“If you permit, you Highness, I will take him.” Morning Glory said as she landed beside Twilight. Twilight nodded.
“Let her pass.” Twilight commanded, and not even Shining argued with her this time. Morning Glory stepped closer, and crouched to meet Fluttershy’s level. It wasn’t that difficult, as Flutter Pony proportions were closer to an Equestrian’s, at least in size and weight. She still looked a bit strange to them with her triangular head and small eyes, but she was of a more manageable size.
“It’s alright, miss. The Stonebacks are our dear friends, and I would never hurt an innocent pegasus. I promise.”
Fluttershy looked up at Morning Glory, who kept smiling gently at her.
“I’m Morning Glory. It will be alright.”
Fluttershy looked into the Flutter Ponie’s eyes, and sat up, the Stoneback still clinging to her. She stared for a long while at Morning Glory, and nodded. “…okay.” She nudged the Stoneback. “Thank you for being such a nice house guest.”
The Stoneback, for once not snorting and growling, rubbed his head against Fluttershy’s, the only way he could thank her. He reached over and gripped Morning Glory’s mane and swung on. Morning Glory bowed politely to the other ponies, and backed away, not wanting to startle Fluttershy. As soon as she got beside Twilight she fluttered and flew backwards to the Ponylander side.
Twilight faced Wind Whistler, who was giving her a calm, steady look. She was starting to understand why Pinkie kept calling her Stoneface. The alien pony’s face was almost totally unreadable; though from her time in Canterlot High Twilight could tell that the…witch was tense, and perhaps a bit frightened.
She turned to her unicorn guards. “You two, come here.” The unicorns nodded and trotted closer. “Take them in custody, but don’t harm either of them. The rest of their group is free to go.”
The two unicorn guards trotted over, horns glowing. Magical ropes appeared in the air. One of the stepped next to Wind Whistler. “Please lower your wings into a more comfortable position.” He said. She blinked at him.
“This is their most comfortable position.” She replied.
“…mid flap?” He asked.
“All Ponylander pegasi hold their wings aloft, though if it makes you more secure.” Wind Whistler slowly lowered her wings, a feeling of nervousness overcoming her the instant they were down. Ponylanders were just not designed to hold their wings against their sides.
As Twilight studied the strange pony’s wings she became curious agian. She watched them. “It looks like their bone structure is totally different then ours.” Twilight extended her own wing. “Ours naturally fold against our bodies, but you keep your erect? Is this cultural or natural?”
“I believe that it is a survival trait brought on by our natural environment. Our foals are born this way. A baby pegasi will have very wet wings, due to the natural birthing fluids, and they will usually hold them horizontally at this state, but still extended. Once they are fully dried they will began to hold them vertically for the rest of their lives.”
“Interesting, your bone structures must be entirely different from ours, at least when it comes to the wings, and the head…I would bet that your bodies are similar to ours, just heavier muscled with denser bones.” Twilight said, looking Wind Whistler over. “You won’t mind if at some point I take a few scans, right?”
“Scans?”
“X-rays. They’ll show me pictures of your bones.”
“…this shan’t give me an incurable condition, will it?” Wind Whistler asked.
“Oh no, it’s perfectly safe!” Twilight said as the unicorn guard decided to ignore the princess geeking in front of him in favor of gently wrapping the magical rope around Wind Whistler, and thanking Celestia that he was used to certain other odd princesses. After Celestia, Twilight was almost normal. He eyed his fellow unicorn carefully wrapping the other stranger, and trying to take her stick. She was having none of it.
“It’s not a weapon you dolt, I need it to walk.” Draggle tried to keep her voice calm.
“She is not lying, she does need that to aid in her locomotion.” Wind Whistler looked at Twilight. “Do you mind, Draggle?”
“Bah, I’ll tell em. Boar crushed my leg. Never really healed right.” Draggle looked at the unicorn, daring him to contradict her.
“…I can’t let you keep the stick.” The guard said.
Draggle suddenly grinned. “You can have the stick if I can ride you.”
“…what?” The guard stared at her.
“Princess over there did say unharmed, and if you force me to walk all the way back to your dungeon, or whatever, then there will be harm unless I take the stick.”
“I’m a royal guard! I don’t haul monkeys on my back!”
“I’m a witch, thank you.” Twilight almost giggled at that, as Draggle for a second sounded a bit like Wind Whistler.
Big Mac rolled his eyes and walked forwards, nodding at Draggle and patting his back as he got near her. He gave her a little wink.
Draggle cackled and, with a little boost from Wind Whistler, got on Big Mac’s back. “Thanks, Red.”
“Eyup.” Big Mac said. He looked at Fizzy and gave her a friendly wink. She smiled at him. Then her eyes wandered to Wind Whistler and she suddenly frowned, her face dropping in sadness. She broke ranks and trotted up, the guards tensing as she approached. Ignoring them she ran to Wind Whistler, tears forming in her crystal eyes.
“Please stay safe. I couldn’t bear it.” She nuzzled under Wind Whistler’s chin. “Please…”
“Fizzy, I won’t leave.” Wind Whistler whispered. “Not forever. I’m not like that. You know…”
“Yeah…I know. I’m so sorry!” Fizzy blinked.
“You just keep yourself safe, Fizz-brain.” Draggle said, and Fizzy reared to nuzzle her too. “Bah, enough with the mush, get out of here before you give the sparkly prissy dingbats a hernia.”
Fizzy looked at Big Mac, wide eyed. “You’ll watch out for them?”
Big Mac smiled. “Eyup!’
Fizzy beamed. “Thanks Big Mac!” Suddenly bubbly again, Fizzy turned and galloped back to Gusty, who gave Wind Whistler a respectful nod, before urging the others back into the forest.
Shining glared at the two. “For your sakes you better know where Cadence is.” He looked at Twilight. “You should have waited for them to give her to us.”
Wind Whistler gave Shining a mild look. “I don’t know a Cadence.” Shining’s ears lay flat.
“If I have to break both of you to get her back-“ Shining began, but Twilight cut him off.
“I will keep the promise I made, Shining Armor. We will keep searching for Princess Cadence, but we aren’t going to be breaking ponies, or witches, to do it.” She gave Shining her most Celestia like look. “Now, let’s go back to Ponyville. I need to update Princess Luna, and see if she has discovered anything about Cadence’s location on her end.”
Shinning nodded. “Very well.” He finally backed off, letting Twilight and the others surround Wind Whistler and Draggle. Twilight was relieved that her brother was letting her take the reins at last. They started out towards Ponyville, and Twilight was a bit surprised that Fluttershy was going with them. She pulled up next to Big Mac, big eyes on Draggle.
“T-“ Fluttershy swallowed and tried again. “Tell me if you start to hurt to much. I think I can find something if you need it.”
“What are you, a doctor?” Draggle asked.
“No, I take care of injured creatures.”
“Ha, a vet then?”
“Well, I don’t just take care of pets.” Fluttershy said. “I just…you’re winching a bit when Big Mac steps.”
“Leg. Been using it to much.” She shrugged.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy said.
Draggle grunted. “It’s my own fault.”
“You did it to save a foal, Draggle. I keep telling you that you don’t have to be ashamed.” Wind Whistler said. “Witch or no.”
Twilight watched them, then asked. “What’s the difference between a witch human and a normal human? “
“Witches are evil.” Draggle grinned.
“Unless they are neutral.” Wind Whistler said. “But there are a few…biological differences. Witches like Draggle here cannot tolerate sweets or pleasant foods.”
“Not pleasant to me.” Draggle said.
“Right. In fact, their biology is exactly opposite to a pony’s. Where we prefer sunlight they prefer darkness, and so on.”
“Interesting.” Twilight said. “She doesn’t look any different then the humans I met…her color’s a bit odd though.”
“You have wings and a horn.” Draggle pointed out. “That’s just strange for a pony.”
“She’s an alicorn!” Rainbow darted in front of Draggle’s face, hovering. “She’s one of the four most powerful ponies in Equestria!”
“Rainbow, I’m…not that special. I’ve only been an alicorn for a few months!”
“What were you before?” Wind Whistler asked. “And how did you become this?”
“I was a unicorn, and I became an alicorn when I completed a spell that not even the greatest unicorn mage in history could not complete.” Twilight said.
“Interesting.” Wind Whistler said. The two ponies began to chat amicably to each other, and if it weren’t for the rope around Wind Whistler’s wings the two might have been a pair of new friends chatting about common interests. Rainbow snorted and flapped around Draggle, studying her with interest. She had never seen a creature that could use magic without a horn.
“So if you can use magic, where is your horn? Is that stick a replacement horn?” Rainbow asked.
“I don’t need the stick, or a horn. I just do it.” Draggle said.
“Yeah, but how?”
“I don’t know! I just…do it.” She grumbled. “When I –can- do it.” She raised her voice. “And will you stop that, your mane is making me dizzy.”
“How is my mane making you dizzy?” Rainbow asked.
“It’s a rainbow. It hurts my eyes to look at.”
“Wow…” Rainbow blinked. “Stoneface over there was right about you being the opposite of a pony.”
“Her name’s Wind Whistler.” Draggle growled.
“Yeah yeah, sure sure.” Rainbow snorted and Draggle glared at her.
Pinkie watched her two groups of friends interact, and her smile returned. She was sure that somehow things would be alright.
By the time that Luna had returned to the palace in Canterlot, the steward pony was waiting for her. As soon as she had touched down the steward trotted over, eyes darting around in worry. She was a small, iron grey earth pony with a darker grey mane and a rolled up scroll for a Cutie Mark. She stopped in front of Luna.
“Princess, there is…an entourage to see you and Princess Celestia.” She stuttered.
“Princess Celestia is unavailable, but I would be pleased to meet with this entourage. Pray tell, who are they and what do they want?” Luna said.
“It’s the ambassador from the Griffon kingdoms and…a dragon, your highness.”
“A dragon?” Luna frowned. “They rarely have time, or a care, for other creatures. Why does this one approach us?”
“I am not sure, but both of them seem rather anxious.” The steward said.
“Thank you. Bring them into the throne room in ten minutes.” Luna nodded at the steward’s bow, and teleported directly to her and her sister’s throne room. She took a seat on her own throne; her sister’s conspicuously empty. She took a deep breath, having never entertained foreign guests alone. But right now, she had to. She noticed a pair of her special night ponies, ponies with large bat wings, tufted ears and small fangs, come into the throne room and flank her throne. The night ponies were a special breed of pony, born in the caves underneath Canterlot and almost completely nocturnal. They had served her before her transformation into Nightmare Moon, but had not followed her in treason. However they had been happy to welcome her back, and many now served as her personal guard.
Luna nodded at the two, carefully folded her wings, and breathed, composing herself. A few moments later, the huge doors to the throne room opened, and two figures started up the hallway.
One of htem, the dragon, dominated the room, a gigantic form that made the very foundations of the castle quake. The dragon was twice the size of the young male that had taken a cave near Ponyville, whose nap almost caused a disaster there. He was pure white, with a long snout, a spiked tail, and narrow yellow eyes. The dragon loomed over boht Luna, and the figure beside his right claw.
The griffon ambassador was a more familiar sight to Luna. Despite the rather bratty nature of many younger griffons, Galenad was an elder griffon. Many of his red feathers had started to grey, especially around his neck, making it appear as if he was wearing a grey collar. He moved a tad slow, normal for a griffon of that age, and his talons were dull and dusty, but Luna always had a feeling the old griffon would be able to bring a good fight if provoked. Luna had never had reason to provoke Galenad though.
Luna had a feeling that she would have to use the Royal Canterlot voice, if only to make sure she could reach the ears of the dragon. So she filled her lungs with air, and as the two approached, spoke.
“Greetings, Ambassador Galenad. Greetings, sir dragon. What do you ask of the Princess of the Night?”
The dragon rumbled. “I was told there was two of you.”
“Princess Celestia is on a diplomatic mission to a foreign land, but she will return soon. In the mean time, I am here to aid you in anything you might need.”
“Princess, there is something you must know.” Galenad said, beak frowing in worry. “A few weeks ago the King of our lands was approached by a strange creature, asking for our aid in overthrowing Equestria.”
Luna blinked. That was…strangely upfront. “Explain, please.”
“This creature resembled a zebra, but walked on two legs, and carried a strange bag with him. He attempted to sway the King to his side, but griffon and pony have been allies for a long time, and it is not a peace our King wishes to squander. However, he managed to get a large number of our young on his side and…” The griffon paused. “Last night we found our young, drained of their energy and only barely alive. Not long after a large dark cloud was seen on the horizon, heading for the Crystal Empire.”
Luna blinked. “A black cloud? Tell me, Ambassador, did your young cast shadows?”
“No, they do not.”
“I expect your people have experienced something similar?” Luna looked at the dragon.
The dragon rumbled. “Dragons do not care for each other, in general. We are not a community, only coming together for migrations or when a greater threat rears it head. But yes, this zebra approached a few dragons. Most turned him down, but several young teenage drakes were tempted. One of them was my hatchling. I found him recently, drained as the young griffons were…and no he now casts no shadow.” The dragon’s nostrils filled with smoke. “I care not a wit for any of them, but this zebra and his cloud attacked my hatchling. That is the only reason I come to you, and the only reason I would throw my lot in with your kind.”
Luna frowned, her eyes widening at each word. “No shadows…”
“Your Highness…what do you know?” Galenad asked.
“I know the name of this cloud. I met it a thousand years ago. There are few creatures that can face it, and they are…not friendly.” Luna said.
“What is it? And who can beat it?” The dragon asked. “I can…convince them.”
“No being in Equestria, or anywhere else in our world. Only the legendary Flutter Ponies can fully defeat this evil, and they are not only out of our reach, but it is unlikely that would help at all. They did not aid my sister and I when we fought Discord the first time, due to their reclusive nature.”
“I’ve never heard of a Flutter Pony.” The griffon ambassador blinked.
“As I said, they are reclusive, and rare. Even more rare then the Breezies.”
“Bah, we will have to settle without them. Tell me the name of our foe, Princess. I like to know whom I am crushing!” The dragon thumped the floor with a claw.
Luna looked up at him, then looked outside, remembering a long forgotten world, and the isolationist ancestor of Queen Rosedust…and the evil black cloud that once ruled a portion of the land.
“Arabus. Our enemy is Arabus, the Cloud Demon.”