//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Hearts of Class II: Lights of Love // by ImAPonyXY //------------------------------// The Dragon and The Lady Rarity soon made it to the Guard House and she barged into the building in a very unlady-like manner. “Silver Blaze!” she yelled aloud and she pulled the note out of her soaked bag. “Hmm...?” a different guard came to her response. It wasn’t Captain Blaze but it was just as good for now. “Sorry, the Captain’s a little drunk at the moment. What do you need?” she asked kindly and sweetly; she was fairly short too and stood at the height of Sweetiebelle. This new guard was a young woman who wore the same armour as Captain Blaze however it was a bit less detailed and not as layered. She also wore a hooded cloak, which symbolised that she was an elite soldier. She had a deep blue coat of fur, purple coloured eyes and cyan tinted hair and tail. When she showed her teeth, Rarity could see that was missing a few teeth and she had a long scar along her arm and a tiny scar just under eye. She didn’t have her sword by her side, but instead she had placed it in the weapon rack, feeling as though she wouldn’t need it. “My sister was taken and I have a note from her kidnappers...” Rarity explained, trying to catch her breath and calm down. “Ah yes, the captain told us about a kidnapping. Was your sister’s name Sweetiebelle?” the guard asked. Rarity nodded and flicked her wet hair out of her face so that she would seem respectful and show her entire face. “Show me the note please.” she held out her hand. Rarity nodded again and reached into her bag; pulling out the note and handing it to the guard who inspected it. The guard read it carefully, taking down notes of the conditions and who it was by as well as where they were to meet. “Alright, well we’re in trouble.” she said simply after finishing the notes. “Why?” Rarity asked uncertaintly. “Because the Black Apple Gang has your sister. They’re known to murder and to not live up to their promises. I will inform the Captain when he sobers up but I think we will have to send in a squad with you to ensure your sister’s safety as well as yours.” she explained and handed the note back to Rarity. “I want you to come back here tomorrow morning and we will have a plan... things a quiet here in Ponyville so we can devote all of our time to this.” “Okay.” Rarity simply replied and she walked out of the Guard House to head home. She figured that it would be best to tell Spike about this, but he would surely be asleep at this time of night. So she would inform him early tomorrow morning before heading back to Captain Blaze. She headed home, placed down her bag, fed her cat and went to bed. She went to sleep with the hope in her mind that they would be able to see Sweetiebelle by tomorrow. However, she would need to give up her Priceless Amethyst in order to ensure her sister’s safety. That night, she dreamt of a happy ending, where she could hold her sister in her arms again. Without the worry of anyone being kidnapped and where the Black Apple Gang never existed and that they never needed the help of the town guard. – The next Morning – KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Sounded the knuckles of Rarity against the wooden door of Ponyville Library that took the form of a large tree. The sounds echoed throughout the tree and Spike and Twilight awoke with a start. Spike got up and walked down the stairs. He was still wearing his pyjamas, which consisted of a pair of grey slacks and a white undershirt. He opened walked past the couch that was downstairs in the main compartment, which his friend, Lyvia was sleeping on, and he opened the door to see Rarity. “Oh, hey Rarity... What are you doing here so early?” he asked quietly and nervously, as he was still sad about the loss of Sweetiebelle. “Spike, we need to go to the Guard House... we’re going to rescue Sweetie!” she said eagerly and immediately grabbing Spike; running them both all the way to where they needed to go. The two of them burst into the Guard House in an untimely manner and Spike was still very confused as to what was happening. Did he here right, were they actually rescuing Sweetiebelle? How would they save her... what did she have planned? He hoped that he would be able to see her again, and so soon too. He had expected that they would be parted for weeks, but instead it had only been one night. However, that was still one night that Sweetiebelle was in someone else’s hands, where she didn’t have her own freedom... when she didn’t have the safety and warmth of Spike. As they entered the building, Captain Blaze immediately noticed them and looked up. He was sitting down at table with four others. One of those others was the female guard that Rarity had spoken to the night before. “Ah Rarity, Spike. Please, come an’ sit down.” he gestured to two available seats near the centre edge of the table and the two of them sat down. “Now, before I tell you the plan, let me introduce to my team members.” he stood up and gestured to the group of four guards that were sitting with him. He then pointed to the female guard that Rarity had spoken too. “This is Cloud Heart and second in command to me,” he then pointed to another guard, a man that sat just next to Spike. “His name is Shadow Flash... and his name is Crimson Rush,” he said, pointing to another man. “And finally, we have Dazzle Star.” he finished, by pointing to a small women who sat closely to Rarity. “All of them specialise in a different field, which is why I chose them. For example; Cloud Heart specialises in Defence and Long-Range Communication, Shadow Flash specialises in stealth and assassination, Crimson Rush is the best at assessing the situation and strategic planning... he’s the one that came up with this plan, and Dazzle Star is the best archer on the team.” he explained and small smile formed upon his face; he was clearly proud of them all. “They are the elites of the elites and serve to be the best that I have commanded... They will not fail.” Spike sat there in awe, he was thrilled to be near such talented people and to have their help. He felt somewhat honoured and he wouldn’t disappoint them, no matter what an assignment would be. “So what’s the plan then?” Spike asked eagerly and the sounds of excitement were all to clear in his voice. “Good to hear that you’re so eager, dragon.” Crimson Rush stated and looked down at his notes and pointed to a map that was upon the table. “Rarity and Spike will be negotiating a trade with the Black Apple Gang at this abandoned house while Dazzle and Cloud will be stationed on top of this hill...” he then pointed to a set of tall hills that were just north of the house, “... Shadow and I will be hiding in the bushes near the house just in case something goes wrong while the captain will be travelling with Rarity and Spike to assert authority over the gang members... is everyone good with that plan?” Everyone nodded, including Spike and Rarity and so he plan was solid. Hopefully it would work and they would be able to get Sweetiebelle back unharmed. Spike felt so excited at the thought of seeing her white coat and hearing her angelic voice yet again. As soon as she was ready, he would take her on the most romantic date that they would ever have. He would take her out for a picnic, and if Rarity would allow, he would take her out that night too. They would surely have a great time and things would go back to normal. To him, everything relied on this plan to succeed, and he needed it to. “Then it’s settled.” began Captain Blaze and he looked at Spike and Rarity, “I will meet you two here at noon while the others will head there now and get everything ready.” The other guards nodded and all stood up. They got their swords and cloaks that they wore when they left the town as well as for added camouflage. Then, once they were completely ready, they headed out, walking calmly, even though they knew the dangers of dealing with such a gang and that they may not return. Rarity smiled as she saw them walk out, she knew that it would work and she knew that she would finally see her sister again. She wondered whether or the operation would be a success and if she should have told Twilight and Spike’s friend, Lyvia or whatever her name was. Maybe she would go tell them now, which might be a good idea since they were both concerned about Sweetiebelle’s sudden kidnapping. “Well, I’ll see you guys here later. Go get lunch, it’s going to a big day.” Blaze said and he stood up and poured himself another mug of rum. “Oh, and I’ll try not to get drunk for the mission.” “Thank you, Blaze. I appreciate your help.” Rarity thanked and kissed his cheek. “Don’t mention it, lady. It’s my job after all.” Spike and Rarity left the Guard House and both ate lunch at Sugar Cube Corner. They then just hung around for a few hours, talking about how excited they were for this and how they would love to see Sweetiebelle again. Rarity also asked Spike how they got expelled and Spike simply replied with, “They don’t like students dating.” This made Rarity realise how loyal Spike must be to her. To choose the love of her little sister over his own academic success was definitely something to reward, not condemn. She supported their choice, even though she wasted thousands of Bits on that school, which angered her whenever she thought about it. Once it was time for them to head back to the Guard House and meet up with Captain Silver Blaze, they did so. The two of them walked by the building to see Blaze standing there in a brown cape and fully dressed in his armour. He had an empty mug in his hand and a shield in the other. “Ready?” he asked, sounding sober, which meant that he didn’t drink enough to get drunk. Spike and Rarity nodded enthusiastically and when Captain Blaze began to walk, they followed him. The path would lead them out of town and directly to the house, where Sweetiebelle would hopefully be and where they would get her home. The though of getting her away from harms reach filled the two of them with adrenaline and nothing would stop them. A dragon, and a Lady would save the damsel in distress with they aid of a heroic knight.