Standard Disclaimer: I do not own MLP, nor am I in any way affiliated with the author of the story this fic is based upon.
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Chapter Eleven
Don Calamari and his men filed into the room, all of them staring directly at Rainbow Dash. “Well, well Mr. Dashell...” The Don said, “You are full of surprises... Animatronic or some really good genetic engineering?”
“He thinks I'm some kind of robot.” Dash thought to herself.
The Don continued, “Either way, I like it. A bit too colorful for my taste, of course, but still full of possible uses. Sadly, you've still gotta be punished for trying to escape.”
“You want we should waste one 'o his friends?”
“Hmm... Maybe. Or maybe youse should just blast away at the horse. He cans always build a new one...”
The enforcer took aim at Dash, but before he could open fire there came an enormous booming sound from the front of the warehouse, followed by a single loudly shouted word: “POLICE!!!!”
“Aw hell!” The Don cursed. He motioned to two of his men. “You two, stay here wit them! The rest of you come with me!” He pulled his gun and rushed out the door. Moments later more yelling could be heard, followed by gunfire.
“Great. A police raid, now.” Brian grumbled.
“You talk like that's a bad thing!” Thomas argued, “We're saved!”
“Hey!” One of the Guards shouted, “None 'O you is goin' anywhere! Now shut up and get up against the wall!”
Threatened by the guard's brandished weapons, the group backed up against the nearest wall and huddled down near the floor. The gunfire continued, occasionally interrupted by a louder sound, most likely flash-bang grenades. Dash glanced down at the recall necklace, with it's still red lights. “Hurry Twilight...” She thought, “Now would be good...”
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Elsewhere Pinkie Pie, having returned to Earth after delivering the message to Twilight, was sneaking through the warehouse looking for Dash and the others. She wanted to help out more, but had gotten lost in the huge structure and now had no idea where she was in relation to the others. That wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for the scary sounds of gunfire that now echoed through the building.
Twice so far Pinkie had nearly ran straight into groups of humans, either mobsters or police. She wasn't sure if revealing herself to them would be as bad a thing as she suspected, but contrary to what most people or ponies would think she wasn't completely stupid; It was best to stay hidden in this case.
Still, she had to find Dash and the others. Her element might be laughter rather than loyalty, but she still wasn't about to leave her friend here alone. What if Twilight needed longer than expected? What if something went wrong? What if... Well, just what if? Pinkie twitched, her senses telling her that something big was coming. She hurried faster through the maze of aisleways...
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Canterlot. Twilight paced worriedly back and forth as the unicorn technicians finalized their work on the gate's recall beacon. As soon as it was finished, Rainbow Dash would be able to safely return from whatever danger she had gotten herself into. As she watched the work with concern, the lab's main doors opened and Princess Celestia strode in. “I received your letter my student.” She said. “What is wrong?”
“I'm not sure exactly.” Twilight answered. “Just that Pinkie came to me saying that Rainbow Dash and some humans were in danger and that we needed to get the gate open for them. Of course, that's not possible yet in a full sense, but we're getting the beacon ready at least.”
Celestia frowned. “Indeed. Pray tell, how did Pinkie Pie know of what is happening?”
“She says she went to Earth 'On her own.'” Twilight shrugged. “Just Pinkie for you.”
“Indeed.” The Princess repeated. Looked around. “I do not see her. Did she return?”
“I assume so. She just vanished when my back was turned for a second.” Twilight frowned. “Princess? Are you rethinking this decision again, with something bad happening so soon?”
“Not as such, no. Although... I'd be lying if I said the thought didn't momentarily cross my mind.”
Princess and student looked towards the gate as a cheer went up from the unicorns standing around it. One of them, an aged stallion named Quantum Tunnel, trotted over, bowed to Celestia, and said “The beacon is active. Rainbow Dash's emergency recall should now be functional.”
“Excellent.” Celestia nodded. “Now we need only wait. Clear the arrivals platform!” Several ponies rushed to be off of the platform where the returning Dash would materialize...
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Earth. Rainbow Dash and five humans huddled together in a back corner of the warehouse, covered by a pair of Mafia enforcers with very large guns. “Aw man, there's no way we're getting' out of this alive!” Thomas whispered.
“Will you relax?” Dash countered. “I told you, Twilight will come through for us!”
“Yeah, and maybe-” Thomas started to argue back but was stopped by Brian.
“Look! This is messing with your head, I get it! But it's all real man, and we're gonna be okay!”
“Daddy's right. Just trust me.”
“Well...”
“I trust you Rainbow.” Miri said.
Solomon nodded. “I think maybe I do too.”
“HEY! We told youse ta shut up!” The guards shouted.
“Sorry!” Sara answered. She then whispered, quietly as possible “But what about them? Even if your friend does something, we'd need to distract them!”
Rainbow answered “The move from one world to another is, like, instant.”
“Yeah, but are you willing to risk our lives on that 'instant' being faster than the high-velocity rounds guns like those shoot?” Thomas whispered back.
“Well...” Rainbow stared at the guards. “...You're right, we need a distraction.”
Just then, a distraction came: A voice familiar to Rainbow Dash. It echoed throughout the room, saying, “I am the Terror that bakes in the night. I am the Equine that trots through a hippophobe's nightmares! I... Am Mare-Do-Well!” Everyone looked up to see Pinkie dressed in the old Mare-Do-Well costume, standing atop a roof support staring down at the guards.
“Mare-Do-Well? Really?” Rainbow groused.
“Worse: How does Pinkie know about Darkwing Duck?” Brian asked. “That was his old taunt style.”
“Better:” Solomon said, pointing at the recall necklace, “The lights just turned green.”
Then all hell broke loose. The enforcers opened fire on Pinkie, who jumped off of the roof support shouting “Dashie go! I'll be fine!” The dark-clad mare stayed just ahead of the enforcers shots,
and ran for the exit door, rounding the corner just before she would have been hit.
“Dash, push the button!” Miri shouted.
“But Pinkie!”
“Can get back on her own, remember? Pinkie Pie fourth-wall breaking!”
“But...!”
The enforcers started to run out the door behind Pinkie. Before they could go, A team of police in SWAT uniforms rushed in, leveling their weapons at the mobsters. They hadn't noticed the hostages yet, but that wasn't going to keep. Pinkie's voice echoed down the hallways again, “Dashie, GO!”
Dash swallowed back her doubts. “Everyone touch me.” She pressed the button and held. One second... Two... Three...
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Canterlot. “Oh I hope we were in time!” Twilight fretted. “It's been ten minutes, if they were in danger they should've showed up right away!”
“Patience Twilight.” Celestia counseled. “This delay could mean anything.”
“I know but-” Twilight was cut off as all of the indicator lights on the gate suddenly turned green.
“Incoming!” Announced Quantum Tunnel. “Quite a bit of mass too. Definitely more then just Rainbow Dash.”
A pinpoint of light appeared over the gate's arrival platform, then exploded into a blinding surge of multicolored light. As the light faded and it was possible to see again, Twilight uncovered her eyes to find Rainbow Dash, her adopted father, and four other humans.
“Urrgh... Everyone okay?” Brian asked.
“Fine here Pops.” Dash replied.
“Me too, I think.” Miri said.
Solomon and Sara also affirmed that they were okay, though Thomas suggested he felt like throwing up.
“Rainbow Dash! Are you okay!?” Twilight galloped over to her friend's side.
“Yeah, we're all good Twi. Thanks.” Dash got to her feet and stood, shaking herself off. Then she noticed Celestia. “Oh, um, hi Princess...” She glanced back at the humans, then to her liege. “Um, I can explain...”
Celestia chuckled. “It's alright Rainbow Dash. We know from Pinkie Pie that there were extenuating circumstances...” The Princess walked over to where the group of humans were getting to their feet. “Welcome to Equestria.”
“I, um... Thank you Princess.” Brian answered. “We're terribly sorry about all of this...”
“No matter. You can be returned home when the rest of the gate's functions are completed in a few days. For now, let me extend my hospitality to you all. For, so long as you are here, we have much to discuss...”
“We do?”
“Oh yes indeed. There are many mysteries to unravel. But not here or now, I want my sister, and the remaining element-bearers present as well... Speaking of which... Where is Pinkie Pie?”
“She created a distraction for us ma'am.” Miri said. “We thought she'd come back on her own since she can apparently do that.”
“I'm sure she'll be along then.” Celestia nodded. “Twilight, I must return to the day-court. Can you see to lodging for these people, and send letters to your other friends to join us here?”
“Of course Princess.”
“Very well then. I bid you all a good day.” Celestia turned and strode out of the room.
“Okay, so... I guess introductions are in order...?” Twilight asked. Dash took the opportunity to introduce Miri and Brian's friends, yet all that both she, Twilight, and three of the humans were thinking was “Where the heck is Pinkie? I hope she's okay...”
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Earth. Having discarded the Mare-Do-Well outfit, Pinkie Pie made her way through the warehouse. She was searching out a place to hide until such time as all the humans were gone. Don't a sk why she didn't simply go back to Equestria; Pinky logic was in full force. What matters is, that she rounded a particular corner to find herself facing the business end of a dozen cocked rifles. “Oopsie.” Pinkie whispered as her hair deflated...