The group slowly approached a rather large farmstead. While at first it looked like any normal farm, it was easy to notice one major difference: a total absence of any form of plant life. The entire farm was in shades of gray. It looked like a very dreary place. "Where are all the crops?" Applejack asked, leaning against a rather large boulder.
"You're leaning against it," Pinkie pointed out. "This is a rock farm."
"Is this one of the bastions of hope we're supposed to find?" Rarity asked. "It doesn't look like this place has seen hope in a long time."
"It all depends on where you look," Pinkie countered. "And knowing how to look." She leaned over one particular rock for a time. "This one's ready," she said, giving the rock a few light taps with her hoof. The outer layer of the rock crumbled away, revealing a large, fully charged mana stone.
Everyone let out a loud gasp. Such stones were incredibly rare, and greatly amplified any spellcaster's magic. "Pinkie," Twilight whispered in awe, "how did you..."
"This is my home, where I came from," Pinkie explained. She glanced around. "I lived here for so long, I still know the place by heart." She glanced over to one corner of the farm. "Looks like the black opals are almost mature, and the fire ruby seeds have been planted. A few more cyclings, and we'll have a bumper crop."
Before anyone else could speak, the front door of the main house opened, and a stallion in Templar armor backed out. "I've told you people a thousand times to back off!" an angry voice snarled from within. "There's no way you're ever turning this farm into a church!"
"We just want to spread the word of our god," the Templar complained. "This is just a bunch of rocks-"
A hard right cross struck the Templar on his armored chin, sending him flying into a cliff face. "You insult my livelihood and my faith! This rock farm has and always will follow the teachings of the Dragon God! Come back again, and I'll break you in half!" The door slammed shut.
Pinkie giggled. "Looks like he's still in good shape." She ran up to the door and knocked.
The door swung open. A grizzled, dark brown stallion in work clothes stood there, glaring angrily. "I told you-"
Pinkie threw herself at the stallion. "Daddy!" she said happily, hugging him tight.
The stallion broke into a wide grin. "Pinkie," he said quietly. "You're home." He pulled her into a tight hug. "Where have you been all this time? What have you been up to?" As Pinkie took a deep breath, he covered her mouth with a hand. "Give me the Cliff notes version."
She nodded, giggling. "Okay. World is dying, we're here to save it, the church is the bad guys, and I'm crushing on a big bad dragon warrior! Bad as in cool, he's a good guy."
As other mares giggled or rolled their eyes, Spike looked confused, and Pipsqueak looked jealous, the stallion nodded. "Alright. Since you're on such a dangerous mission, you surely must have a reason for coming here."
Pinkie thought for a time. "Well, Seabreeze said something about making contact with bastions of hope-"
"Ah," the stallion replied. "Say no more. I have a few things around here that will be useful on your quest. But I need to ensure the harvest first. Could your friends help?"
Pinkie gasped. "I haven't introduced you! Daddy, this is-" Pinkie went down the line, introducing everyone by name. "Everyone, this is my Dad, Cliff Pie." She blinked, looking around. "Dad, where's Mom? And Maud? And Inkie and Blinkie?"
Cliff sighed. "Maud...joined the Church of OZ."
Pinkie gasped. "No! There's no way she would do that!"
Cliff shook his head. "She did. Though not before sending Inkie and Blinkie to Onamonapony, the shrine of the Dragon God to the west. The followers of OZ cannot approach there."
"Weird," Applejack commented. "Most followers of OZ have been eager to recruit anyone they know to the faith. Why would Maud send her sisters somewhere beyond the church's reach?"
"And," Cliff continued, "your mother...succumbed."
Pinkie's eyes widened. "But...but I'd been sending money back for the healers every month! Couldn't they help her? Couldn't they save her?"
Cliff shook his head. "She's not dead yet. But she sank deeper into her illness. The Shaman of Onamonapony said that she lacked the power to cure her, and would keep her in the Deathsleep until she recovered. She has an idea of what she might need to cleanse her body and revive her, but I can't perform the crop rotations needed to produce a star ruby alone."
Pinkie nodded. "Then we'll help! We'll work our magic and bring the star ruby to the shrine!"
Cliff smiled. "Thank you Pinkie. Thank you all."
Spike nodded calmly. "We're happy to help."
After a couple of days intense work on the farm - shifting boulders, reshaping them, piling rocks in one place or another, and performing unusual dances - Cliff leaned back with a smile. "Now...as long as lightning strikes any of the boulders in that circle-" he pointed to the formation of massive stone slabs arranged in a circle that they'd been working in "-within the next three days, a star ruby will form on the altar in the center."
Rarity wiped her brow, unused to this level of hard labor. "And if lightning doesn't strike?"
Cliff shrugged. "Then we do it all over again and hope for lightning."
Scootaloo collapsed. "I don't suppose magic lightning would work?"
Cliff nodded. "As long as it comes from the sky and not somepony's hands."
Luna turned to Twilight. "Shall we speed things up, then?"
Twilight nodded. The two raised their hands to the heavens, and fired off a massive blast of lightning into the clouds above. The clouds swirled...and lightning came down, striking the entire formation all at once. There was a massive, soundless explosion of light. When the light faded, the altar in the center of the circle was buried in tiny, blood red stones with flecks of light trapped inside that moved as the stones tumbled, as though each ruby contained a fragment of the night sky.
"Wow," Cliff said, blinking away the spots in his vision. "That's more star rubies than we've ever produced."
Spike walked up. "Then it should be more than enough...to help...the shaman..." His voice trailed off. Up close, the gems looked so...delicious...
Cliff chuckled. "Take 'em all," he said happily. "Feel free to snack on any you want once she's better."
Smiling, Spike shoveled them all into his satchel. "Alright. Let's head to Onomanopony and save your Mom!"
It didn't take them long to make the journey to the shrine of the Dragon God. A rather self important looking pony stood at the gate. "Halt!" he proclaimed. "Only followers of the Dragon God, pilgrims, and other select individuals are allowed to enter-"
Luna stepped forward and leaned forward. "I come at the behest of the chosen Dragon Warrior. I am Luna. Step aside."
Gulping, the stallion leapt to the side. "Proceed!"
The group made their way in. Pinkie looked around. "I wonder where Inkie and Blinkie are-"
There was a sudden, loud, and enthusiastic ringing of bells.
Pinkie grinned as the bells rang. "That's them! They must be the bell ringers." Seeing most of the worshipers heading towards the bells, she sighed. "Guess I won't be able to say hi. They're kind of busy."
"Then let's find that shaman," Spike insisted, heading deeper into the shrine.
In the deepest part of the shrine, an off white, elderly mare lay on a slab of solid stone deeply etched with runes. She wore a plain gown, with half moon glasses resting on her face. She was unmoving, seeming dead. Behind the slab, a zebra stood mixing potions, chanting spells, and drawing runes around the seemingly lifeless body.
Applejack and Apple Bloom's eyes widened in shock. "Zecora?" they both cried in surprise, Apple Bloom's voice filled with joy as well.
The zebra turned with a smile. "If it isn't my two favorite apple mares, no longer burdened by a curse's cares. What a joy it is, you two to see; tell me what brings you all to me?"
Pinkie ran up. "Dad said you needed a star ruby to save Mom! We brought some!"
As Spike came up and started unloading the star rubies, the Apple sisters turned to each other. "How do you know Zecora?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I left home to find a cure to our family curse, not knowing it was magical. She gave me some pills to stop it, and taught me how to make them. How do you know her?"
Apple Bloom giggled. "She stopped by Applefort not long after you left. I needed someone to talk to, and she was nice. She taught me alchemy and potion making. I learned how to make most of my ARMs from her."
Applejack smiled. "Guess we both owe her quite a bit."
Zecora lifted one of the star rubies, examining it. "A magnificent stone, this ruby of star; I should never see its quality, no matter how far." She turned and smiled. "Truly you knew how to accomplish this deed. You also brought me what else I need."
Pinkie blinked. "What else do you need?"
"One is a gem of fire and cold; the other is a dragon both brave and bold."
Spike blinked. "You need me? What do I do?"
"A dragon's fire brings great strife; but with this gem in his gullet, it brings only life."
Spike tilted his head. "Huh?"
"She says yer supposed to eat the star ruby, then breathe fire on the patient," Apple Bloom explains, as Zecora nods. "Not sure how that will work."
Luna nodded. "Certain gems affect the properties of dragon breath. Apparently, star rubies turn it to healing fire."
Spike shrugged. "Well, they do look tasty." Picking up the gem, he popped it into his mouth and chewed. His eyes went wide, and he spat out an intense golden flame that surrounded the mare on the slab.
"If this will succeed, we cannot say," Zecora finished. "All we can do now...is pray."
Spike and company prayed.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
Spike and company prayed harder.
As nothing seemed to change, Pinkie suddenly reached into...somewhere and grabbed hold of...something. "Now listen here, buster!" she snapped. "I've already got some idea what's coming, and I don't like it one bit! I'm not going to let this go! Now you do what you have to do and make my Mom better, or I'm going to climb right through that screen and rearrange your reproductive tract!"
"Okay, okay, okay!" a voice said from the other side. "Just don't go Cupcakes on me!"
As Pinkie released...whatever she'd grabbed, the mare on the table absorbed the golden fire and took a deep, shuddering breath. Spike stared at Pinkie. "...who did you threaten?"
"Just the button pushing overlord," Pinkie said, before glomping onto her mother and hugging her tight.
The mare blinked, her arms wrapping around the pink pony. "Pinkie," she said quietly, nuzzling her.
Spike stepped forward. "A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Pie," he said formally.
"Please," the mare replied, "call me Cream." Pipsqueak started snickering, and the mare sighed. "Go ahead and make the joke."
"Your name is Cream Pie?" he gasped out, laughing.
Cream shrugged. "I don't have a problem with that, since Cliff is still vigorous enough to give me one on a regular basis."
Pinkie summed up everyone's feelings on that statement. "Eww! Mom!"
As Cream chuckled, Zecora stood up. "A well done to you all; with the other shamans, I shall await your call." Without a flash of light, puff of smoke, or even a swirl of wind, Zecora vanished right there before their eyes: there one moment, gone the next.
Twilight whistled appreciatively. "I have got to learn to teleport that cleanly."
The group returned to the rock farm - Spike carrying Cream, as she was still somewhat weak - joyfully. However, when they were almost there, Pinkie went pale. "Hey!" she shouted, charging towards a Templar stomping around the fields. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
The Templar turned towards her. "Cliff has seen the light of the teachings of OZ. He has joined the church, and donated the farm to be turned into a church. This letter will explain-"
"Liar!" Pinkie yelled at the top of her voice, slamming her hoof into the Templar's gut, slamming him into the wall. "Where's my father you seriously, you've read this story how long? Did you really think there'd be real curse words under the censor bar?"
The Templar groaned, struggling to sit up.
"May I ask why you are assaulting a member of the faith?" Garble asked, stepping out from behind a corner. "It is my job to protect members of the Church of OZ."
"Father Garble!" the Templar called joyfully. "The owner of this farm, Cliff Pie, joined the Church and donated this farm to be the grounds of a new Church. He left this letter to explain it to his daughter when she returned."
"Lies!" Pinkie proclaimed.
Garble took the letter. "...it seems to be in order," he mused.
"And it certainly is his handwriting, as compared to other letters in the house," the Templar insisted.
"Not quite," Cream said, taking the letter. "This is my handwriting, and I've been in Onomanopony for the past three months."
Garble raised an eyebrow. "While that is compelling, you're asking me to take your word over-"
"My husband never learned to read or write beyond numbers," Cream pointed out. "And he had trouble with numbers, because he's also dyslexic."
Garble's eyes narrowed. "Then there is no possible way this letter can be from him?" he asked dangerously as the Templar began to back away.
"None whatsoever," Cream insisted.
Before anyone else could react, Garble spun, and his sword cleaved clean through the Templar, who dispersed into hissing black smoke. "OZ frowns on deception, and so do I," he growled, obviously quoting scripture. He sheathed his sword. "I will investigate this incident, and ensure the safe return of your father and the deed to this property to you both," he told Pinkie and Cream. "My word of honor."
Cream nodded, but Pinkie frowned. "How do I know I can-"
"Cross my heart," Garble replied, drawing an X over his chest with one claw. "Hope to fly," he continued, flapping his wings. "Stick a cupcake in my eye," he finished, taking out a cupcake and flattening it against his face. "If you can find a way to fly to the island of Ozrai, you can even escort him home yourself. I will personally ensure none will stop you." With that, he turned and left.
Pinkie frowned. "How are we supposed to fly? Only four of us have wings, and we don't even know where Ozrai is!"
"We should return to Unicornia," Rarity spoke up. "There is an artifact there that might help us."
Spike nodded. "Alright." He turned to Cream. "Can you handle the farm until we bring Cliff back?"
She nodded. "Don't worry about me. Get going."
With that, Luna cast her spell.
Rarity led them up the path to Unicornia Castle. "I need to speak with King Magnum," she said simply.
The guard blinked. "And what business do you have with the ki-"
"Let her in," Queen Pearl said softly from behind the guard. "Let them all in." Confused, the guard stepped aside and allowed them entry.
As they filed into the castle, Rarity tilted her head in confusion. "...mother?"
"Magnum is dying," Pearl said sadly. "He's been asking for you." She points up the stairs. "Go to him, my daughter."
Rarity ran up and hugged Pearl, before turning and heading up the stairs. The others followed.
Once in the King's room, Rarity ran to his bed side. "Father, I'm here."
Magnum groaned as he opened his eyes. "Rarity...is that you?"
Rarity nodded. "It is. I'm here."
Magnum smiled. "I've missed you dear. I'm so sorry we had to send you away..."
"It's alright," Rarity replied, nuzzling her father's shoulder.
A priest stepped forward. "Your Majesty, now is the time to spread the teachings of St. OZ, so that God may cure your sickness!"
Magnum glowered at the priest. "Your bile has sullied the air long enough. As I've told you time and again...I will not institute a state religion!"
"Hey!" Twilight spoke up. "The king's not ill! I just did a deep scan, and he's under a death curse...the same one Cream Pie was under, but stronger!"
"What?" most of the group demanded in shock.
"Well, I know how to fix that," Spike spoke up, pulling a few star rubies from his satchel. "If it's stronger, I'll just make the fire stronger." He popped the rubies into his mouth and bit down. He then released a huge blast of golden hued flame which funneled into King Magnum's body even as the priest - and everyone else - leaped back in shock.
When the flames passed, Magnum blinked. "I feel...healthy." He sat up. "I'm well."
"Impossible!" the priest shouted. "Only the will of OZ could-"
Scootaloo confronted the priest. "The only way that could have any truth," she said calmly, "is if it was the will of OZ that he be cursed in the first place. Are you telling me the Church attempted a political assassination of the Unicorn King?" The priest backed away quickly.
"Can I kill him?" Pinkie asked. "Please?" The priest fled.
Magnum smiled as he hugged Rarity tight. "I'm alive!" he proclaimed happily. He turned to Spike. "Noble warrior, how can I repay-"
"Welcome Rarity back as a member of your family," Spike interrupted. "I know what it's like to be separated from my family." He pulled Scootaloo close. "Rarity doesn't deserve that."
The king grinned even wider. "Thank you, noble warrior, for giving me a politically acceptable way to do what I've wanted to do for years!" He pulled Rarity into a tighter hug. "Welcome home, daughter. Welcome home."
Rarity hugged her father back just as tightly. "It's good to be home, father." Her eyes were filled with tears.
After a time of tight, tearful hugs, Magnum pulled back. "So what brings you, Rarity? I know it wasn't my health, since that wasn't publicized."
Rarity sighed sadly. "I...I need to go to the basement."
Magnum's eyes widened. "You...you seek the Sky Sigil?" Rarity nodded. "Why?"
"To save the world," Rarity replied. "The Church of St. OZ is likely to be the source of the demonic activity around the globe, especially as a Templar of the church was a demon beneath his armor. We're on a quest to take down the church and its demons to save the world, but we must fly to reach the main church."
Magnum sighed and nodded. "I...understand. I'll give the order to let you enter the basement."
Rarity nodded. "Thank you father." She turned to the others. "I'll be right back. I need to retrieve the artifact from the basement. Please wait for me in the guest room." She turned and left.
Everyone turned to each other in confusion, but went to wait in the guest room.
Later that night, Rarity returned, holding a small crest. "This is it," she said sadly.
Spike looked up. "So...how will this let us fly?"
"I'd rather not talk about it," Rarity replied. "It will all become clear tomorrow, when I...perform the ritual to activate it. For now, let's just get some sleep."
Spike nodded, and everyone did their best to curl up for sleep.
On towards morning, Rarity awoke. Something felt off. She went to check the drawer she had left the Sigil in...and found it missing. "What? But who..." Her eyes widened. "Sweetie Belle!" She rushed off towards the ceremonial tower. As she expected, she found herself in hot pursuit of her little sister. However, the door to the tower was slammed in her face, and it could not be opened by magic. "Sweetie Belle! Open this door!" Rarity shouted, pounding on the door.
"No, Rarity," Sweetie replied, her voice sad. "You've built a good life for yourself, and even found the one you love. You can have a happy future with Spike. And now that you've been accepted into the family again, I don't need to stay as a Princess; you can do that. I won't let you throw all that away."
"So you'll throw your life away?" Rarity wailed. "Sweetie, if you use the artifact, you will become the vessel of the Qi-lin! You're body will become that of the great sky beast, and all your memories, thoughts, and feelings will be gone forever! Why would you do that?"
"What have I got?" Sweetie asked. "I'm the spoiled Princess. The only times I've left home is to hear your stories of the outside world...and then to get kidnapped. And unlike the stories, I wasn't rescued by a prince, or my true love, or anything like that. I'm just...excess. At least this way, I can help you."
"Sweetie, no!" Rarity wailed anew, banging on the wall.
Sweetie Belle ignored her sister's calls, walking up to the altar. She lifted the Sky Sigil, and its magic awoke. "You always shone brighter than me, sister. I've always been in the shadow. At least this way, from your shadow, I'll be able to help you." She closed her eyes, letting tears fall, as the artifact floated out of her hands.
A thrown dagger shattered the Sigil, destroying the magic and interrupting the ritual. Sweetie Belle spun around to see who had done so.
Pipsqueak stepped out of the shadows. "I can't let you do that to yourself, Sweetie."
"Pipsqueak? What are you doing in here? How-"
"I know the legend of the Sky Sigil," Pipsqueak replied. "As soon as King Magnum mentioned it, I knew what Rarity planned. But if I tried to tell the others, Rarity would force us to let her go through with it, either through persuasion or keeping us under lock and key until it was done. So I came up here, to study the runes of the altar. It was my intention to disable it, so it couldn't be used to activate the Sigil." He chuckled. "Would have pulled it off if I'd had till morning. But when you came in instead of Rarity, I had to know why."
Sweetie hung her head. "But...the Sigil's destroyed...now I can't help-"
"Yes, you can," Pip assured her, stepping forward as the doors opened and the others funneled in. "Come with us. You're stronger than you think, and your skills are greater than you know."
"But...but I'm not a proper healing or combat mage. Just a support..."
"Then be a support mage," Pip insisted. "You have no idea how much of a difference you can make that way. You don't need to be in the spotlight to shine."
Sweetie blinked at Pipsqueak for a time. Then, tears in her eyes, she threw herself into his outstretched arms.
Scootaloo smirked. "Well, that's all for the good."
Pinkie blinked. "Wait...but...how are we going to get to Ozrai if we can't fly?" She seemed especially confused by this turn of events.
Pipsqueak smirked. "From the basement. Dogs dig anywhere."
Sweetie Belle joined the party!
