Sequence 14
Celestia and Rainbow Dash flew as fast as they could back to Rainbow’s place. Rainbow gathered up her gear while Celestia carried Connor.
“Sister,” Luna, who was waiting back at Rainbow’s place, “what is going on?”
“A lot has happen since you have been gone, Luna,” Celestia replied as the three of them headed towards the door, “I’ll explain when we make it to Canterlot.”
“Of course.”
When Celestia’s carriage pulled by two pegasi guards arrived, Celestia gently set down Connor while Luna and Rainbow got in.
“Alright you two,” Celestia told the pegasi, “make sure they make it out of here without any trouble.”
“Yes mam,” they replied.
“You’re not coming,” Rainbow asked.
“I need to find Ditzy,” Celestia replied.
“Then let me come with you.”
“I’m sorry Dash, but you need to protect Luna and tell Edward about what happened.”
“But I need to help you.”
“No Dash. I’ll be fine,” Celestia assured, then grinned, “You don’t think you are the only one with training, do you?”
“Alright,” Rainbow reluctantly nodded, “but be careful. I don’t want to lose another mom.”
“You won’t,” Celestia replied as she watched the carriage fly off. She then turned around and flew off, “and I’m not going to let you lose another sister.”
Celestia flew in the direction of the Everfree forest, landing at the edge of the dark trees as she whistled loudly. There was a moment of silence as Celestia waited… then a whistle came back as a hooded zebra came out from the bushes.
“Hello Princess, it’s good to see you,” she said as she flicked her head back to reveal her striped face, “but I fear you bring the worst of news.”
“I do, Zecora,” Celestia replied, “I fear Ditzy has had a change in heart. Have you seen her?”
“I have in fact seen the cross-eyed mare, heading straight for our enemies’ lair.”
“Lair?”
“Yes, the lair is one you have seen before, where a family member is forevermore.”
“Eclipse?! They are hiding in her cave! I can’t go in there, or I’ll get trapped too.”
“It would be unwise to go inside… but maybe you can turn the tides.”
“What do you mean?”
“See to it that she is free, and soon to follow is Ditzy.”
“Free Eclipse? But… there’s got to be another way.”
“There are many paths to one place,” Zecora said as she put her brown hood back up and made way back into the forest, “but I suggested the smartest way.”
Celestia stared at Zecora as she disappeared into the fog. Celestia’s mind was in twists at what Zecora said, wondering if Zecora’s plan was the only way… until she concluded that there was only one way to save Ditzy.
‘I’ll free her,’ Celestia thought as she flew off towards Canterlot, ‘somehow.’
###
Ditzy sat atop a cloud above Ponyville as she saw the sun rise, watching as she knew who was responsible for the new day.
“So,” she said out loud as she turned to look at Canterlot in the distance, “Celestia made it home… what happened to the deal Gari?”
“Patience, Ditzy,” Gari replied as she and Ditzy looked at each other distrustfully, “We’ll get you Celestia… and it all starts, with these.”
Gari pulled out two golden tickets as Ditzy continue to just stare at Gari.
“How’d you get them,” Ditzy asked.
“Nicked them from a letter on the way to Celestia from her student yesterday,” Gari smirked, “Never underestimate alicorn magic.”
“Apparently your magic wasn’t strong enough to kill me at our little run-in during the Summer Sun banquet,” Ditzy glared.
“Watch it,” Gari growled as she got up into flight position, “Just keep your head down and stick around Ponyville.”
“I’m guessing you’re still not going to fill me in?”
“You’re too chaotic to trust,” was Gari’s only response as she flew off towards the Everfree forest, leaving Ditzy to wonder what it meant.
(To Be Continued…)