//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: New Missions // Story: Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn // by Jeweled Pen //------------------------------// Flowerbloom stared out from her window, looking over the fields of cherries. The yellow earth pony let out a soft sigh before glancing back to her desk, and the letter that rested on top of it. She turned back and looked at her reflection in the glass, gently brushing her curved, red mane. She poked the bottom locks with her hoof, hefting them up a few times. She then nudged her bow with a hoof, nervously chewing on her lip. She looked down across the fields and saw her father, Fizzy Cherry, heading out for the last few chores. Below, she knew her mother would be readying supper for when he returned from the final chores. She knew she should be out there, helping, but she just didn't have the heart for it. She used to love bucking cherries, but now it all felt so... empty. She turned from the window and trotted to her desk, glancing over at the note she'd been trying to work up the confidence to write. A few words had already been written. Dear Princess Sweetie Belle, I, Flowerbloom Cherry, hereby request to be allowed permission to travel through the Earth Kingdom on a It stopped there, as she had been breaking her mind trying to find a proper excuse. Honestly, she didn't know what she expected to find there. All she knew was ever since she'd seen the sights there, something about it felt familiar. Even though she was an earth bender, she'd never NOT felt like a Cherry. Until now. Now she felt like an intruder in her own home. Almost like an enemy. Worst still, like she didn't belong. She reached out and stroked a hoof across her reflection in the vanity mirror, little tears forming in her eyes. She was starting to feel as if all those words she'd grown up hearing from the water benders were true. That maybe she was a lesser pony. She took a deep breath and turned away. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and steeled herself. “No. Ah ain't gonna wuss out this time. Ah'm gonna ask 'em. Ah don't care how scary it is tah find out. Ah needta know.” she gave a worried glance out the window. “Come on, Flowerbloom. Yah can do this. Ah... ah hope.” ------ Scootaloo groaned, looking outside the window as the starry night sky and the dim moon. The sun had laid down to rest and she would have given almost anything to join it. Instead, despite the fact that her muscles were so sore she thought they might snap and she was so tired she knew she'd drop if she so much as looked at her bed, the orange pegasus knew she'd have to head out there again in a few moments. She was allowed a few seconds to wipe the sweat off her body. A damp towel resided in a small water basin by the window, which she used to scrub herself vigorously. As one of the senior members on site, despite not technically being a Shadowbolt, she had been allowed a small private shed to work from. All that it held was her bed roll, the water basin and a small makeshift desk made of two bricks and a board. The mare looked down at her desk, a half finished letter laying on it. She'd been planning to write her friends for ages, but it just never felt right. Sweetie, especially, was difficult to write for. Her close friend terrified her, just a bit, and every time she worked up the courage to write her, a new task appeared that had to be done. Flowerbloom would be easier to write to, except Scootaloo was almost as afraid that the earth pony would share the same fears as her. Namely, that their friend was changing into something neither of them could recognize. However, before she could get her tired mind focused on the thoughts, a sudden pounding on her door broke her concentration. “Lady Scootaloo? Your next demonstration awaits!” The pegasus groaned before flipping the basin over herself, drenching her body and causing her pink mane to mold to her body. She smirked. “Okay! I'm ready!” She trotted out and shook, sending the water cascading around. She glanced at her students and sighed, shaking her head. Unfortunately, as pegasi went, she had one severe handicap. Namely, she lacked the ability to fly. It was the only thing preventing her from becoming a Shadowbolt and the reason she was finding most of these lessons so difficult. She received no respect without earning it first, and earning it was tiring. Her superiors had saw her skill and talent, allowing her a chance to prove herself by taking over the basic training of many of the pegasi who had joined from the Fire Tribe lands, but they all scoffed when they found out her handicap. It tended to remain that way until she drove them face first into the ground, choking on their own feathers. Just because she couldn't fly, after all, didn't mean her wings didn't work. Since most of the Shadowbolt's lessons tended to be in stealth and attacking from the darkness, the night was her busiest time, keeping her up usually until the crack of dawn at which point she could finally get hours of sleep before starting anew. Thankfully, she didn't have to wear the black and purple uniforms the shadowbolts did, since she was their teacher. It meant, despite how hard they worked and sweated, the moisture wouldn't be strapped to her body. She could also mock them for not being able to keep up with her in the darkness, despite being so much easier to see. She trotted in front of her students, counting them quickly. Eight. Time to assert her dominance. “Okay everypony. If any of you can hit me,” she gestured and the lights went out, cloaking them in darkness. “You can go onto the next stage.” She could almost hear the cocky grins forming on their mouths. Unfortunately for them, she had been training in the darkness all her life and she had no qualms with showing them just how dangerous a 'grounded' pegasus could be. ------ Twilight kept her head low and tried not to panic. Fluttershy and Pinkie were on either side of her, keeping a little behind. All three scanned the streets nervously, but nopony seemed to be paying them any attention. Pinkie had, somehow, managed to make friends with near a dozen ponies in the short time they'd been here. Their packs were loaded with supplies and, since they wouldn't be taking a flying device out of the city, she was certain they could keep a hold of them. She was almost home free when suddenly a pony stepped in front of them. It took her a few seconds to recognize the pegasus, Flash. “Is it true?” “W-what? Is what true?” Twilight asked nervously, unable to look him in the eye. “You. Are you really pirates, trying to--” “NO! I am not! We are just...” The alicorn gulped nervously, before looking back to the city. She had to think of something, fast. Unfortunately, all she could think up was a blank. “We're Earth Kingdom civilians on the run,” Pinkie said suddenly. “After the Water Nation destroyed our home, we had no where to flee but deeper into your country.” “Pinkie!” Twilight hissed, wide eyed with fright. “Are you trying to get us executed?” “Come on, he's Flash. If he'd help some random girl he just met win a pageant, then I'm sure he'd be willing to help you now. Besides, you two even met in a school again, he's obviously got the hots for you.” The alicorn face hoofed, before turning to the very confused, but wary, pegasus. “I... I know my friend says some weird things, but we aren't a threat, I swear. Please believe me. We're just trying to get out of here before more trouble finds us. I'm sorry I lied, but I really didn't want to have any prob--” Her hair went on end when a loud cry came from behind her. “That's her! The pirate woman! She attacked us!” Crust yelled, pointing a hoof at the mare. Flash gulped, chewing his lip nervously. “So... you and your friends are just hiding, right? Don't mean us any trouble?” “None!” “Fine. If all that you said is true, that makes your friend an earth bender. Just... just trust me,” he said with a nervous smile. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders. “Get ready to run. Head down the right alley, it splits. Go right,” he whispered, before yelling. “I've got her! Hurry!” Twilight stared at the stallion, confusion on her face. The ponies came forward, charging forward. It was only two unicorns, as far as she saw. However, a small force like that would be adequate to reveal who she was, and she knew that would be bad. As the guards came closer, the stallion pushed up his wings and shrieked. He shot over her head and slammed, backwards, into the guards and brought all three down in a mass of ponies. Realization dawned on her and she smiled before galloping off. “Come on!” They galloped down the alley, heading right. She came to the split and headed right again, narrowly making it around the corner before hearing the ponies down the alley yelling for them. She ran for a few feet, then stopped. It was a dead end, blocked off by another building. She squeaked and turned to run back, but she could already hear the unicorns chasing after them. They were trapped! Pinkie tapped on her withers. “Umm, Twi?” “What?” “Earth bender.” The alicorn stared in confusion for a few moments, before looking down and face hoofing. She tapped her hooves and the ground opened under them, sucking them up before sealing over them as if nothing had happened. The guards took a quick peep down the alley, before running in the opposite direction. “How are you feeling?” Fluttershy asked, holding Angel close to her stomach so the little bunny wouldn't get hurt or dirty. “T-tired,” the avatar said, before sighing. “But not so tired I can't get us out of the city. We'll have to be careful though.” Twilight started walking, forming a narrow tunnel for them to walk through as they went. If nothing else, she was finally beginning to appreciate all those lessons Applejack had forced on her. She swore to herself, once she got out of the city and far away, she'd take the longest nap she ever had. Even if the sun had risen by then. ------ Rarity growled at nothing, her head laying on her pillows. Her eyes were twitchy and bloodshot, her temperature went from too hot to too cold when she moved around the covers and she had a pounding headache that wouldn't go away. She'd assumed once the... creature was gone, she'd finally be allowed a moment to rest. Proper sleep. The avatar was as good as dead! So why did she feel so miserable? She could feel this dread, gnawing at her core like a mosquito, refusing to let go no matter how she moved. It made getting comfortable impossible and, even as tired as she was, all she could do was lay there while the night just went on without her, stealing more time away from the sleep she so desperately needed and deserved. She growled and picked up her pillow, slamming it down on her head with a huff. All she managed to do was make it hard to breath. “Whhhhy?” she asked with a groan, before wriggling about in her bed and moving so her head and pillows were at the opposite end. She closed her eyes and forced herself to lay still. To her surprise, she fell asleep almost instantly. Unfortunately, the dreams returned once again, more vivid and harsh than she'd ever had. She shot up in her bed within moments, the darkness outside telling her she hadn't been out for long. She panted heavily, her heart pounding in her chest, once again too tired and dreadful to go to sleep. She hopped out from her bed and shook her mane, before finally trotting to her desk. She quickly lit a candle and sat down. “Fine. If I can't sleep, I'll work. The avatar is dead. I know she is. There is no longer any need for me to stress!” ------ Flowerbloom gulped softly, her hooves trembling as she stared down the stairs. She could do this, she knew she could. She just had to work up the courage to trot down there for dinner and confront them. She chewed on her lip. Maybe she could just claim stomach pains? “Flowerbloom! Your food is getting cold!” her mother, Jubilee, yelled. The mare let out a yipe and trotted down the stairs, keeping her head low. She made it to the kitchen and sat down, gently nudging her spaghetti around on the plate. Her parents sat across the table from her. Cherry Fizzy was wearing his cowpony hat, keeping his black, wet mane from getting in his eyes. His brown coat was matted and bunched, soaking wet from the bath he'd had to take before dinner. He was busy talking to her mother about this year's harvest. Normally, Flowerbloom would have listened with unbridled determination, hoping to gleam more information she would one day use when she helped run the farm. Tonight though, she couldn't even eat one of her veggie balls without wanting to throw up. “Flowerbloom? Yah okay?” Jubilee asked. The mare was of a far paler complexion than her husband, with a wild, boisterous bright red mane that could be seen a mile off. “Ah just... errr... ah...” “Are yah not feelin' well, darlin'?” her mother asked, concern flashing in the mare's eyes. Flowerbloom finally slammed her hooves down, startling both them and bringing her father's attention on her. “Ma, pa I--” “Flowerbloom, what have ah told yah about slammin' your hooves at the dinner table?” Jubilee asked with a glare. “E-eep, s-sorry!” the young mare said with a squeak, withdrawing her hooves. “Good. Now, what yah have on your mind, sugarcube?” “Ah just... ah... dad. Ah wanna know where ah came from.” The stallion froze in place. “Flowerbloom, ah don't know why yah'd--” “Don't try to distract me. We both know ah'm not your child.” She paused and shook her head. “N-no. Ah didn't mean it like that. A-ah know ah'm your lil girl. It's just...” She lowered her head and let out a sigh. “Ah wanna know about mah family. About where ah came from. Where yah found me...” “Flowerbloom, this really isn't a discussion for--” “It's never a discussion!” the mare said with a growl. “Every time ah try tah talk tah yah about this, yah jus' avoid the whole thing! Yah always have an excuse or... or somethin'...” She felt her voice wavering as her gaze lowered. She wanted to give up this time as well, just let it go. But she couldn't, not now. She hadn't asked since she'd returned to the farm, but now she couldn't give up. “Ah... ah wanta... no. Ah needta know. Please. Tell meh.” The stallion sighed and looked down at his own half finished meal, before closing his eyes and sinking his head. “Ah knew this day would come. Ever since yah came back from the Earth Kingdom. Listen... there's a lot for us tah talk about, but not until after supper. Your mother made a wonderful meal, an' ah won't have it spoiled by this kinda talk.” “Are yah jus' tryin' tah--” “No. Ah mean it. We can talk, after. No more excuses,” Fizzy said with a sigh. The meal past painfully slow, though nopony seemed able to eat more than a few bites after that. They didn't to want to be the first ones up, either. Instead, they sat at the table, all poking and nipping at their meal, unwilling to look each other in the eyes. Finally, Jubilee got to her hooves, picked up her plate and made her way to the sink. “Yah all can get to your... talk. Ah'll clean up.” Silently, the two earth ponies got out of their chairs and slowly walked out from the kitchen, heading to the lounging room. Flowerbloom sat on the couch, while Fizzy took the large chair across from it. “Well... ah... always meant tah tell yah, mah lil Flowerbloom,” he said softly. “Ah... ah know sometimes it musta been hard livin' here. Especially... considerin' yah...” “That ah'm a earth bender.” “Eeyup. Ah'd have been happy hidin' yah away from all that war an' fightin'... but it was never mah right tah hide yah from the world. Ah jus' hope when yah... when yah hear the whole story, yah won't come tah hate your old man. Ah've made more'n mah fair share of mistakes over the years an'... an' ah want yah tah know ah'm sorry. But ah never, ever considered you one'a 'em.” She slowly nodded, though she felt anxiety bubble in her stomach. “Ah know, pa. Just... tell me. Mah parents, who were they?” He sighed again. “Ah don't... ah don't know. It all started durin' one'a our invasions into the Earth Kingdom. We went in deep, plowed right through their lines. It was all dark back then, cause, well, yah know how dark it was before the sun. Even with the lil bit a moonlight we had, yah could barely see your hoof in front of your face. We went in on a suicide mission, ain't a single one of us expected tah come back alive. Almost didn't.” Flowerbloom watched nervously, her eyes widening. “What... what happened?” “Mah battalion an' a few others plowed through their lines, like we were supposed tah. However, once we were in an' the job was done, we had nowhere tah retreat to. They were closin' in an' we couldn't go back. Nopony was gonna come an' save a earth pony battalion, even with the hoofful of benders we had with us. With no real choice, we jus' ran.” “D-did yah get away?” He chuckled and nodded. “Yeah. We did. Though, sometimes ah wish we hadn't. We kept goin' north, tryin' tah find a way out. Ran into a few benders here an' there, but we didn't encounter any real trouble. However, our scouts told us we had a couple a earth benders on our tail, so we had tah keep movin'.” He lowered his gaze. “Supplies were runnin' low. When we saw those trees filled with apples, it was like a gift from the stars themselves.” His brow furrowed into a frown. “Ah never thought it would turn inta a nightmare.” Flowerbloom couldn't suppress it, her body shivering slightly. “What... what happened?” “It was your home, my little Flowerbloom. Ah jus'... ah couldn't keep the ponies contained. They were tearin' at the trees, stuffin' their faces, eatin' as much as they could. Ah tried tah keep 'em quiet, they were gonna wake everything within ten miles. They didn't listen. Next thing ah know, a tree crashes down on one'a the ponies. It was so dark, all we knew was there was some earth benders out there, hidden in the trees. There was a blind panic, ponies runnin' everywhere. All those trees made it impossible tah see who they were or where they were.” “How many were lost?” Flowerbloom asked softly. “Three or four. We thought they had a whole battalion. Ah made for the nearest light ah could, an old barn. It was full of straw an' ah knew there was no way for us tah fight these ponies off without a way tah see 'em. So... ah lit it up. All it took was a few sparks an', even as cold as it was, the thing turned inta an inferno.” He took a deep breath. “With that light, findin' 'em wasn't hard. They were earth benders alright. Illuminated in the fire like that, they looked like angels'a death. Ah don't know how, but they seemed perfectly able tah track us in the darkness. But, once ah could see them ah could act. Ah jumped one of 'em when the pony buried one of my ponies. Snapped the pony's neck in a single movement.” He sighed softly. “The other got impaled by a shard of ice from one of our benders. We expected more tah come, but none appeared. It took us a while tah realize there was just the two of them. It wasn't until... after we gathered everypony together that ah realized the two were just civilians.” Flowerbloom's eyes went wide and she gasped. “B-but yah always said that civilians—” “Ah know what ah said!” Fizzy roared, before cringing and shaking his head. “Ah... ah'm sorry. Ah know what ah said. Oh by the stars. Ah wish ah had known what would happen that night. Ah woulda gone the other way. All we wanted were the apples, rations. Food. Those two ponies were probably as terrified of us as we were'a them.” He stomped a hoof down. “Ah found yah in their house. Yah were... sittin' on a lil chair. Covered in applesauce. Yah weren't even crying, just teething on the bowl.” He closed his eyes and leaned back, practically melting into it and seeming to age ten years in a second. “Ah... ah don't know why they didn't just take yah and run. There was a town nearby, there couldn't have been anythin' worth their lives in that farm. We took what supplies we could an'... ah took you. Yah would have frozen to death if ah hadn't. No pony there tah help yah.” Flowerbloom stared at her father, body trembling slightly. “So... you... you killed my parents?” He slowly nodded. “Yes. It was mah fault, mah lack of discipline in mah men and mah actions that led to that night. Had ah done things differently, they may have never attacked. Had ah just called for a surrender, rather than kept us marchin' on, we may have never come tah that town. Instead ah... ah did that.” He paused and looked at her. “Ah understand if yah are furious, Flowerbloom. Ah understand if yah hate me. But please, yah must know. Ah never regretted taking yah as mine, not even for a second. While ah would give up everything ah have tah give yah back the home yah deserved, ah always loved yah an' ah always will.” Flowerbloom stared at him for a few moments before lowering her head. “Ah... ah don't hate yah. Yah will always be mah pa, even if... even if not by blood. But... ah needta know. Ah'm gonna request permission tah go to the Earth Kingdoms. Ah... ah wanna know about mah family. About mah home. About where... about where ah came from.” Fizzy stood up. “No! Ah forbid it, goin' back there is dangerous! Ah don't care if they say they got it controlled an' tamed, too many ponies would jump at a chance tah--” “Ah went there when it wasn't held by the Water Nation, ah can do it now!” Flowerbloom yelled back, standing to meet her father and glare up at him with defiant eyes. “Ah want, no, ah need tah know about mah past! Ah have jus' as much right tah know as anypony else!” “No, it's dangerous an'--” “Ah know it's dangerous! Yah jus' told meh yah'd give anything tah give me the life ah deserved, but now yah wanna hide whatever family ah might still have from meh? No!” “But--” “Ah'm doin' it, with or without your permission,” Flowerbloom snapped, narrowing her eyes. “Ah'm old enough tah take care of mahself an' ah don't need--” “You're right.” “--anypony tellin' me what ah can an'... wait, what?” “You're right,” Fizzy repeated. “Ah have no right to tell yah no, not on this. Yah deserve tah know about your family. But, allow meh one caveat.” “What?” Flowerbloom asked warily. “Allow me tah come with yah. If yah wanna get back tah where ah found yah, ah'm your best bet. Especially considerin' how much it has changed since then. A map jus' won't be good enough, not any more.” He sighed. “Most the landmarks ah used likely don't exist any more.” She furrowed her brow, but nodded. “Fine. But yah have tah promise tah help. No tryin' tah drive me away from it, in the hopes ah won't ever find out where ah'm from. Promise?” He raised a hoof. “Ah cross mah heart an' hope tah die. I will do everything in mah power tah try an' find this home of yours.” He looked down at his little girl, tears misting in his eyes. “Thank you,” she said, before turning away. “Ah'll get tah work on the letter.” She trotted out from the room, pausing a moment at the bottom of the stairs. “Pa... yah know you'll always be mah dad. No matter what.” She trotted up the stairs, her stomach slowly knotting into a ball. It was too late now, no going back. ------ “Is that really all yah got?” Scootaloo asked, looking down at the panting, groaning and heavily disabled pegasi at her hooves. They hadn't so much as left a mark on her and most would need to wait quite a while before they could move their wings again. Their confident smirks and comments about her flightless wings had gone the way of their pride, smashed into the ground. “You all think that flying like that will put you in the Shadowbolts? I've seen earth ponies with more grace and three times the common sense! They fall better, too!” “Owww...” Was the only response she received. She finally just rolled her eyes. “Pick yourselves up and go see the nurse. I'll expect all of you back in training the moment you get the go ahead. Barely even made me sweat!” The ponies didn't make a move to get up, so she smirked. “Any pony still here in ten seconds gets a remedial lesson. One. Two.” The ponies, despite their pain, darted away like frightened school fillies. She chuckled and watched them go, though within a few seconds even she couldn't make out their dark uniforms in the night. Allowed a moment's rest, she dropped down and let out a groan, before trying to stretch the groggyness away. Suddenly, light flooded the grounds as the torches were lit. She turned to look, and three Shadowbolts, decked out in the full uniform, stood watching her. While their uniform was the same as the initiates, the way they stood and watched her left no doubt to the fact they were fully trained and graduated in their positions. She bowed politely to her superior. “There's no need for that, Scootaloo. You are just as much a Shadowbolt as any of us,” the one in front said. “My name is Venomwing. A pleasure.” Scootaloo gulped. “B-but I'm not a full Shadowbolt, I--” “You are just as well trained, disciplined and... might I add dangerous, as any Shadowbolt I have ever known. You may lack the flight that is required, but you make up for it with with connections.” He paused for a moment. “Besides, your reputation in aiding out princess has more than earned you a spot in our ranks, even if a technicality prevents it from being official.” The mare flushed and lowered her gaze. “Well, I uhhh... I don't know what to say. I--” The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, right as she heard the soft flutter of wings. She shot to the left, barely stepping out of the way of the surprise attack from behind. She swung around instantly, her other hoof swinging out and connecting with the stallion's side, forcing his wings to lock up. The pony slammed into the ground and skidded, groaning after finally stopping. She chuckled. “Not a bad attempt on a sneak attack, but you need to work on adjusting your wings in flight. Get back to the medics.” She then turned to Venomwing. “How may I help you, sir?” The stallion snickered and motioned her forward. “I've been keeping an eye on you, as a matter of fact.” He started walking, leading her on. The other two shadowbolts fell back, leaving them alone. “While there have only be a hoofful of Shadowbolts assigned here, what with our numbers being currently so thin, you've worked twice as hard, at least, as any of them here.” She turned even redder. “W-well, I wouldn't say--” “No need for modesty, Scootaloo. We both know how hard you've been working. The Shadowbolts have never been known for slacking off when a job needs doing. Despite not being an official member, you've managed to take on every job assigned to you, without a single complaint.” “You honor me, sir.” A frown crossed her face. “Though I doubt you came here just to complement me. I'm reminded of the old saying, 'you catch more flies with cupcakes than porridge.'” The stallion chuckled. “Indeed. You are quite talented, but not officially a Shadowbolt. However, you're more than capable of seeing who has the capability and talent to become one, as well as put them through the basic training required.” “Yes...” “The Shadowbolts are in a... tight spot now. The flow of our army is changing,” the stallion said, the smile disappearing from his face. “We have always been members of the greatest pegasi in the world. Even compared to the Wonderbolts. However, our numbers are comparatively low due to our strict requirements. Even with the numbers we've taken in from the Fire Tribe ponies, we now only make up a fraction of the Water Nation's forces. If we want to remain as her highness's specialized fliers, we'll need enough numbers to maintain and support our more... boisterous army. Especially with all our new territory.” Scootaloo nodded. “So, to put it bluntly, you're afraid with how many earth ponies there are, they'll end up taking over a lot of the Shadowbolt's positions and power?” He nodded. “We've always had a special position, answering directly to her highness. We have quality, but we must ensure we have enough quantity to make a difference. That's why I want you to travel to the Fire Tribe lands.” She stared at him, wide eyed. “W-what? Why would we want to go there? We already have--” “The vast majority of their forces, yes. However, they still left a sizable force in the country itself. Ponies who were trusted, loyal and skilled enough to maintain order with such a small percentage remaining. The pegasi there are likely a cut above many that we had brought to our forces. Unfortunately, we don't have enough Shadowbolts to just send a herd to examine all the pegasi and see who amongst them is Shadowbolt material. A detachment of earth ponies and pegasi will be sent back soon to help keep our hold, and I want you to go with them and find which pegasi there you believe will one day make fine members of our unit.” Scootaloo gulped and nodded. “O-of course! It would be my pleasure, sir!” The stallion paused, before smiling. “There is another reason why we are choosing from them. The soldiers and ponies residing there are likely going to be far younger, many still in basic training. It is easier to train a Shadowbolt from a young age, so make sure to keep an eye out for anypony of sufficient talent.” He pulled out a scroll from behind his wing and held it out to her. “This is a command from her highness, Nightmare Moon. You are free to draft any pony you deem suitable, even if not a member of their fighting forces.” He paused for a moment. “Willing, or not.” Scootaloo nodded slowly, tucking the scroll under her wing. “I-I see. I will do my best, sir. When do I depart?” The stallion smiled. “Good, no complaints. That's what I like about you, Scootaloo. Plenty of initiates would be whining about such a task, especially considering it could take months to complete. But you accept it with the mind set of a true Shadowbolt.” He looked up towards the moon and sighed. “It truly is a shame you can't fly. You're already a cut above some students twice your age.” She flushed at the complement. “Thank you sir. But, I do need to know when I depart.” “And focused on the task at hand, truly a sign of good training. You'll depart today. An airship will be arriving at dawn, when it leaves at dusk you will be on it.” He paused. “Your classes will commence as normal, but daylight classes will be canceled so you may pack and have a full day's rest. I take it you'll be able to perform as needed?” “Of course, sir,” Scootaloo said with a nod, before saluting. “I will serve her highness until my dying breath.” The stallion nodded, before looking down at her. “Good. Now, I believe you have another class to teach. Dismissed.” Scootaloo nodded and turned away, trotting back towards the practice grounds. She made a mental note to write a letter to Sweetie and Flowerbloom once she was finished with training. She idly wondered what the Fire Tribe lands would be like. She cringed slightly as she remembered the fire benders they'd encountered near the Everfree Forest. She prayed her trip went smoother than that. ------ Twilight trembled, nervously glancing out the cave they had hidden in. She wanted to make a fire, but they could still see the lights from the city nearby and she knew alerting a patrol to their presence would be suicide. She kept her eyes up, watching with trepidation as each movement or sound in the night could either be her friends arriving, or a patrol coming to descend and tear them apart. “Come inside and rest,” Fluttershy said softly, patting the floor near the back of the cave. “I'm sure they'll be here soon.” “What if they were captured? What if they were found out? What if the pirates attacked and they got caught in the attack?” Twilight shivered. “What if they're... what if they're dead, because of me? I should have said to leave as soon as we got here. Instead I tried to get information and... and...” “They're not dead!” Pinkie said, slamming a hoof against the wall so hard the others jumped, even the bunny. “I know a lot of things are different, but there is no way, at all, that the story could continue without them. None! I'm sure of it!” She nodded her head rapidly, though in the dark of the cave all Twilight could see was a bouncing pink hair. The avatar sighed and dropped down. “You're probably right. Rainbow would never allow herself to be caught and Applejack has more than shown herself capable of getting out of tight binds. There's... probably nothing that could come close to causing trouble for those two. Probably.” “Aside from tryin' tah find the lotta yah hidin' in this gosh darn cave. Yah have any idea how blasted hard it is tah run around in the dark, while tryin' tah keep out of sight of the patrols?” Applejack snapped from the cave entrance. “Especially when you're travelin' with miss 'shoot me full of arrows' rainbow-butt here?” “Applejack!” the avatar shrieked, getting up. Before she could cover half the distance to them, Pinkie was on the two returning mares in a massive hug. “Hey, oy! You're gonna ruin my wings!” Rainbow objected, though ruffled the earth pony's mane. “I'm guessing you all missed us?” “We thought you were goners! Come on, let's get out of here before we get found,” Twilight said before trotting past them, but the ground shot under her, sliding her back into the cave. “Now hold up, sugarcube,” Applejack said with a chuckle, pulling herself from Pinkie. “We still gotta decide how we're gonna go from here. We got a coupla maps should get us outta here proper.” “But what about the patrols? If they find us, we're toast!” Twilight whined, before nervously glancing outside. “They're probably searching everywhere for me! I never should have run like that...” “Actually, far as ah can tell, you'll be fine,” the earth pony said with a chuckle. “They're hardly even lookin' for yah.” “What?” “Eeyup. Apparently lil miss water bender has a bit of a reputation when it comes tah claimin' pirates. They think you're jus' another red herring. They got a few ponies keepin' an eye out for yah, but I don't think any pony is really takin' it seriously. Yet.” “But, but I ran. They have to suspect that--” “Yah ain't the first pony tah run when a water bender comes askin' for trouble, an' yah won't be the last. Judgin' by the rumors I heard from my unit before I slipped out, you're just a little bit of excitement when they don't have time tah deal with it.” She paused for a moment, before shaking her head. “Though, once they realize they can't find yah tamorrow, they might change their tune and put a bit more vestment in that bender's words. For now though, we should be good. By then, we'll be long gone.” She stomped a hoof down and the cave closed up behind them, then a table of stone popped up in the middle of the room. She then kicked out against the wall and small, tiny air holes formed all along the cave wall. “Build us a fire. We can take a quick look at the maps, and set our next destination. Okay?” Twilight let out a soft, relieved sigh and nodded. “That sounds fine. No, actually, that sounds perfect.” Her horn lit up and the maps were yanked out. It didn't take the alicorn long to choose her destination, once she glanced through them and the others told her what they'd gathered on the pirates. “We'll go here,” she motioned a bit inland, to a small lake surrounded by hills. “No coastal towns and if we're fast, we can cross through without being seen by the Water Nation. We should, hopefully, be able to circle around to this town from there as well.” She tapped on a small inlet village. “If the pirates have been as active there as you heard, we should be able to get some information on them.” The others nodded and they quickly gathered their things, put out the short lived fire, and escaped through the side of the cave. The five galloped through the night, away from the town. Though, in the darkness none of them could see when Twilight glanced back at the town with sad eyes. Or when Rainbow did the same.