Darkness. That was all that was in the woods. It was dark, it was cold, and the ponies were scared.
Scared on what they might find, when they find Nightmare Moon and the foals, if they do find them.
After five nerve wrenching minutes, the ponies were just outside the clearing in the middle of the woods and saw...
"Nothing?" Soarin asked confused.
"What do you mean nothing?" Rainbow asked pointing into the clearing. "Can't you see all the foals in cages and Scootaloo knocked out right in the middle of the place. Strange Moony's not here..."
"All we see is an empty space Sugarcube." Applejack said but looking around anyway.
"Then you need to get your eyes fixed." Rainbow said moving out of the shadows of the tree "Come on!"
"Rainbow, they can't see anything because their not Shadows." Spectrum said looking out into the clearing at a fixed spot, anger on his face.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Rainbow asked in a loud whisper.
"This is Her Garden of Shadows," Spectrum said never taking his eyes off of the clearing. "And it's obvious that She doesn't want it to be found. " he said looking at the confused party with them. "Only true Shadows can see the Garden, and what lies within. And the only Shadows, who aren't in there already," he said talking about Scootaloo "Are you and me."
"But what about the other Shadowbolts?" Rainbow said getting worried. "Wouldn't they be able to do anything?"
"Perhaps," Spectrum said rubbing his chin "But I doubt it. We can try, but I wouldn't place my bits on it."
"We'll get them Sir." Pinkie said saluting bouncing a little. "The more there are who can see the Garden, the more chance we have of saving all those foals." she said turning around with the others and heading to the castle to get help.
When they got there how ever, it seemed like they were the ones who needed help.
The castle was being attacked by the Wonderbolts surprising, Fire Blitz, Spitfire and Soarin, all looking up to try and find Lightning Strike.
"She must be inside already." Firefly said "Come on, theres a secret tunnel around here somewhere." she said leading them down the wall keeping as close to it as possible so not to be seen.
"How do you know about the tunnel Ma'am?" Fluttershy whispered.
"I was the who found it." Firefly said looking around. "Whenever I needed some air or wanted to be alone I'd use it without anypony knowing I was gone."
"Were you the one who told Rainbow about it then Ma'am?" Pinkie asked remembering their days as filly's and the Hide-and-Seek they played.
"I was. Ah here we are..." She said pointing to a hole in the wall that was being covered by ivy vines. Pulling back the curtain, Firefly said "Just follow the tunnel, and wait for the rest of us when you get to the door."
After a few minutes they were all in the ballroom looking around ears twitching trying to ignore the noise from outside.
"Ah... There you are," somepony said getting their attention making them all look up to the main balcony.
"Lightning," Fire Blitz said stepping forward anger and determination on his face. "Now is not the time for this stupid war you're having with these ponies. We need their help to rescue tens of foals."
"Ha, yeah right," Lightning Strike said "You mean the ones going into Nightmare Moon's woods?"
"And just how do you know about that?" Applejack asked.
"While we were setting off to come here, we saw the foals heading towards Whitetail Wood."
"And you didn't think on doing anything Miss?" Mac said annoyed surprising most of the ponies he was with. "You saw all the kids, younger brothers, younger sisters, sons and daughters, being drawn to that horrid place, and you did Nothing?
"Was it because you knew you couldn't or because you let your anger and hatred for the Shadowbolts blind you?"
At this Lightning backed away a bit changing her face from one of anger to one of thinking on what the red stallion had just said.
"Come on Fly lets try and break up the fight." Fire Blitz said running towards the door.
Outside everyone was tired, everyone was angry, everyone wished it would end. Most had been hit pretty bad, while surprisingly, only a few had broken looking wings.
After a few minutes for each side to catch their breath, they all shakily got back on to their hooves ready for another blow.
"STOP!"
Two streaks of orange flew in and faced each side determination on each others face.
"Bolts, this has to stop." Fire Blitz said to all of the ponies in uniforms. "We now have bigger things to deal with than trying to defeat each other, by showing off."
"Shadowbolts," Firefly said hovering in the air a bit so all could see her. "Who of you are True Shadows born from Nightmare Moon's Children of the Night?"
A few stepped forward confused looks on their faces looking up at Firefly.
"Spectrum and Rainbow need your help in Whitetail Wood, rescuing foals from Her Garden of Shadows" Firefly said getting to the point. "Go. Now."
With that all those who stepped forward took off and went for the woods to help.
"Now the rest of you," Blitz said getting in the air now himself. "This war between us has to end. Look at us. We're exactly the same." he said giving a pause to let the ponies on the ground look around. "What differences do you see? We're all Pegasi. We're all skilled flyers. We've all got big heads from boasting how great we are. And we're all tired of this feud between each other. It must end."
"YEAH!" they cried ripping off their goggles and throwing them away in disgust, going over to the other team saying sorry's and getting to know each other.
"Now what?" 'Fly asked her brother still in the air.
"Well first, I'm going to add this to the points chart, 295 to 2" Blitz said hoof pumping the air getting an eye roll from his sister, clearing his throat. "But the only thing I think we can do is wait, and see how it turns out. For everyone." he said spotting Soarin looking out towards the Woods a wishful look on his face.