The Seven Tribes

by Scootaloo-009

Arc 7: An Awkward Week

        The noise from the basement had stopped a long time ago, but Twilight had yet to come upstairs. The morning sun was streaming in through the windows. The foals had all fallen asleep waiting. Suddenly Apple Bloom walked into the room.

        “Everypony up! Ah made breakfast!” she announced loudly, rousing them. The foals yawned and stretched. Seafoam slipped a fin out of her braces to rub her eyes.

        “Is it morning already?” Iggy groaned.

        “The sun rose an hour ago,” Apple Bloom informed them. “Y’all been sleepin’ in.”

        Frostfire groaned. “That doesn’t make it morning.”

        The sound of footsteps from the basement silenced them all. All eyes watched the door expectantly.

        “Cross your hooves,” Sketch said. Seafoam clacked her braces together but she was physically unable to cross them.

        The door opened and Twilight walked in carrying two foals on her back. Spike followed closely behind carrying a third foal.

        “They’re apart,” Twilight announced, removing the pegasus colt and unicorn filly from her back. The pegasus was brown with a green mane with a blue and an orange streak.

        “And they seem normal,” Spike said, putting the earth pony colt on the floor. He was yellow with an orange mane. It had a green and a blue streak.

        “No hint of magic in the other two. I ran every test I could think of to make sure it had worked. Aside from the mane discoloration, I think we can call this a success,” Twilight added.

        “Are they okay?” Quickquib asked.

        “The process takes a lot out of them but they should be waking up soon,” Twilight explained. “Yes, I think we should all head out now. Spike, send a letter detailing what happened to the Princess, and that we are on our way back. Their parents are probably worried sick.”

        “Princess Luna or Princess Celestia?” Spike asked.

        “Luna. You can send it to her, right?”

        “I can try,” Spike said. “Anything else you want me to tell her?”

        “Just see if she can meet us when we arrive.”

        “What about-” Spice began.

        “Breakfast?” Sugar finished.

        “I could make something really quick,” Spike suggested.

        “Ah already made oatmeal,” Apple Bloom stated.

        “You cooked? Uh oh!” Spike said, rushing into the kitchen.

        “Ah can make some things!” Apple Bloom protested.

        “Woah!”

        They all turned and saw the unicorn foal had woken up and was looking at them all.

        “Ugh,” Blue Heart said, getting up. She had a streak of green and a streak of orange breaking up her blue mane but she seemed as normal as before.

        “You’re okay!” Silver Star cheered. The foals gathered around, hugging Blue Heart, but Scootaloo hung back and instead went over to the pegasus foal. He yawned and opened his eyes.

        “Hey, how do you feel?” Scootaloo whispered sweetly.

        “My head... where... hey! I can’t hear them!” he exclaimed.
        
        “Shhh. It’s okay. We fixed everything,” Scootaloo said calmly, smiling a bit.

        He rubbed his forehead. “What happened?”

        “Somepony mixed you up with two other ponies but we got you apart again.”

        Trips looked at the other foals then back at Scootaloo. “Um... where are we?”

        “We’re in Ponyville. We’re going to be heading back to Canterlot soon,” Scootaloo explained.

        “Oh,” he said, sounding disappointed.

        “Twilight seems to think we’ll have to find your parents when we get there.”

        The colt’s eyes watered up.

        “It’s okay,” Scootaloo said, nuzzling him. “I know.”

        “It’s all because of her, isn’t it,” he said, pointing to Blue Heart, still surrounded by the other foals. “They weren’t going to come find us. Were they?”

        Scootaloo nodded shamefully. “No.”

        “Why? Why don’t they care?” he cried.

        “I care.”

        “And what does that count for?” Trips snapped.

        “That’s one more than you thought yesterday.”

        “Yay,” Trips moaned.

“You know, I know a way off the streets.” Trips looked at her, listening intently. “First you have to find your way to Cloudsdale. Try sneaking onto a carriage or something. When you get there find a griffon, and tell them you are an orphan and you want to join their clan.”

        Trips looked at her in horror. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

        “Naw, griffons are cool. The only ones who aren’t, don’t come near Cloudsdale anyway. Now they might have you do some weird things, some things you wouldn’t normally do, but it’ll be okay. If they say no, keep looking until you find one that says yes. Oh, and make sure to bow when you met them.”

        “I’ll think about it.”

        “The best part is they can teach you all you need to know to survive on your own. Even how to get real food that wasn’t thrown out but somepony else.”

        “How do you know all this?”

        “How do you think? I still remember the top five dumpsters in Baltimare. My mom adopted me a year ago and she’s taught me everything I’ll ever need to know to take care of myself. A griffon will be able to help you with that, too.”

        “Now that you are all awake, how about we eat then get you all back to Canterlot,” Twilight said, noticing Sing Song had woken up as well.

        “Food!” Sing Song exclaimed. Twilight chuckled and led the group into the kitchen. The place was fairly orderly and Spike was busily gathering every bowl he could find and stacking them by the stove where a big pot steamed.

        The room was crowded so they stood while Spike served up the oatmeal and they began eating. Trips and Sing Song inhaled their portions so Spike gave them a bit more.

        “It won’t take very long to reach Canterlot by train,” Twilight said while they ate.

        “Aw... do we have to go back?” Sing Song whined.

        “Of course you do,” Twilight said, surprised. “We’ve got to get you home.”

        “But we don’t have to go to Canterlot,” Trips said.

        “Aren’t you from there?” Twilight asked.

        “I’ll handle this, Twilight,” Scootaloo said. “You guys can’t stay in Ponyville. This town is barely big enough for one of us. You can try going to another town but you can’t both stay here.”

        “Well I might head to Cloudsdale,” Trips replied.

        “Your best bet is still to get a ride from Canterlot.”

        “I’m very confused,” Seafoam said.

        “They’re orphans, like I was,” Scootaloo answered. “Ponyville’s too small though. You need to have a big town or else the only way they’ll find enough food is by stealing.”

        “That still doesn’t mean they need to go back to Canterlot. There have to be ponies looking for them!” Spike said.

        Trips and Sing Song snorted and Scootaloo shook her head sadly. “Some orphanages do care, but the Canterlot Orphanage is not one of them. No pony would miss them except the other orphans.”

        “Still, they’re two missing foals,” Sweetie Belle said.

        “Orphans go missing all the time. They’re lucky,” Scootaloo said. “They’re going to come back. Most don’t.”

        “That’s awful!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

        “That’s reality,” Scootaloo said.

"The great Princess Luna herself visits me in my lowly cell. To what do I owe the honor?" asked the pitch black earth pony from behind the thick iron bars.

"I am here to give you a choice," Princess Luna replied,

"What? Execution or life in here?"

"I have a series of missions I need completed by you and a couple other ponies. If you complete these missions, I will grant you a full pardon."

"What kind of missions we're talking?"

"There are several facilities I require located, infiltrated and controlled. You will not be alone."

"Let me guess, I'm doing the infiltrating."

"You will do as commanded by the team leader. When all the facilities are located and under royal control, you will get your pardon. If you run away, I will put a kill-on-sight order out on you."

"A full pardon... alright. I'll do it. When do I start?"

"As soon as the first facility has been located."

"Good. My dye was beginning to wear off."

        Twilight led the foals up to the front of Canterlot Castle where Princess Luna stood waiting for them. Trips and Sing Song had scampered off as soon as they had arrived in the city.

        “Hello, Twilight Sparkle,” Princess Luna greeted. “I see you were successful in undoing the terra pony’s work.”

        “Yes. I was wondering if we could talk about this.”

        “I’m afraid I am too busy. However, you should speak with Gearbox. He is part of my group like you. I will hopefully speak with you again at another time. Their counselor is waiting in the side garden.”

        Twilight nodded and Princess Luna went inside. She then led the group around the castle until she ran into her mother.

        “Twilight!” Velvet exclaimed, rushing over. “Thank Celestia you found them.”

        “Actually they found me.”

        “Regardless, they are all safe. What were you all thinking, running off like that?”

        “I was foalnapped,” Blue Heart explained. “They rescued me.”

        “Blue Heart was a victim of an experiment but I was able to reverse the effects. From what they told me, they were able to track her down just in time,” Twilight explained.

        “I am just glad they are all alright.”

        “I have somepony I have to meet. I’ll try and come by before I leave,” Twilight said. “Bye mom.”

        “You are alright, right?” Velvet asked after Twilight left.

        “I’ve still got a headache, but I’m okay now,” Blue Heart replied.

        “What are we gonna do fer camp?” Apple Bloom asked.

        “I’m sorry, but camp is cancelled,” Velvet said.

        “What?” Scootaloo exclaimed.

        “We can’t possibly continue after what happened,” Velvet said, chuckling nervously.

        “We can and we shall.”

        They turned and immediately bowed as Princess Celestia walked through the grounds towards them.

        “Princess, I was going to send them all home. After the trauma of what happened, it is for the best,” Velvet Sparkle explained.

        “This act of terrorism cannot be allowed to have any visible effect on us. If the affected foals need help, they shall get it, but the rest of us will continue on as though nothing has happened. These criminals will be dealt with but if we change our actions, they will have a victory. I will not allow that,” Princess Celestia said.

        “As you wish, Princess,” Velvet said, bowing again.

        “Good.” Princess Celestia slowly walked off.

        “You heard her,” Velvet sighed. “Let’s go, foals. I’m sure I can find something for us to do.”

        Twilight wasn’t sure where to meet Gearbox, but it seemed he had anticipated this because within a couple minutes of wondering about, a night guard had come up to her and explained she would take her to Gearbox. She soon found herself in the royal library with the gray pony pouring over a dozen maps spread over all the tables.

        “There you are,” he said, looking up as she entered. The guard saluted them left them alone. “I hear you were able to undo what that lunatic did.”

        “I still don’t understand how you knew to send those parts,” Twilight said. “But thank you. If wouldn’t have worked otherwise.”

        “There’s a funny story about that. When I started examining it, I found that,” Gearbox said, pointing to a book on a table. It took a glance to confirm it was indeed a copy of the same one Twilight had.

        “It makes me wonder just how many of these there are,” Twilight said out loud.

        “At worst, thousands, but probably a dozen or less,” Gearbox said, staring at a map. “There aren’t that many with the ability and resources to make one, and this appears to be the work of just one sanctuary.”

        “So what are you doing now? Did the terra pony give some hint as to the location of a Sanctuary?” Twilight asked.

        “He’s dead. Shot himself before the guards could get him.”

        “Oh...”

        “But you are right, I am trying to find a possible location.”

        “Is there anything I can do to help?”

        “Yes. Luna has told me you and one of your friends are part of the terra pony task force she’s putting together. The best way to help is to make sure the two of you are ready the moment we have a confirmed location. There are a lot of lives riding on our speed.”

        “If they are that much of a threat, we should send in the guards,” Twilight suggested.

        “They’re not the ones I’m worried about. It’s that Psycho Sun Princess.”

        “What!” Twilight snarled. “Princess Celestia is-”

        “Threatening the lives of about two thousand ponies if we don’t get results within a month.”

        “I don’t believe for a second Princess Celestia would ever do something like that,” Twilight said confidently.

        “Two days ago I would have agreed with you, but here I am,” Gearbox said. “If you don’t need anything else, I need to get back to work.”

        “I’ll leave but I still don’t believe you,” Twilight said before leaving. Gearbox rolled his eyes then returned to scanning the map.

        The rest of the week passed without incident. It went like a blur for Scootaloo. Nopony could really focus after what had happened and their efforts were hampered. Velvet Sparkle had them learning spells to get themselves out of trouble, like the spell signal flare that they could use if they got lost. She instructed them in the basics of teleportation but none of them were able to do it except Sugar and Spice who managed to do it once, though they simply switched places. They only managed to learn a few more spells before it was time to go home.

        “Bye!” They chorused to each other as their parents came.

        “Bye,  sis,” Scootaloo said, giving her sister a hug. She turned to her friends. “I need to do something, so I’ll meet you at the train station. I want to get out of here before-”

        “There you are, Starflare.”

        “-my parents show up,” Scootaloo groaned.

        “Oh... you’re here too, Comette...” Star Dust said, stopping still.

        “Star Dust,” Scootaloo grunted.

        “Comette,” Star Dust said softly.

        “Mom was wondering when you wanted to have a visit. She’s okay with any day as long as it doesn’t interfere with school or my job.”

        “We’ll... be in touch,” Star Dust mumbled.

        “Er...” Starflare said. “Bye, Scoots.”

        Starflare followed Star Dust as she walked off stiffly.

        “See you two soon,” Scootaloo said before walking off herself.

        The three fillies leapt off the train as soon as it stopped. Three mares were waiting for them and there were hugs all around.

        “I’m so glad you are okay!” Rarity exclaimed.

        “We heard what happened from Twahlight. Ah’m not lettin’ yah outta mah sight again.” Applejack said.

        “They were worried but I wasn’t,” Rainbow Dash lied.

        “I still don’t understand why you weren’t brought home straight away,” Rarity said.

        “Princess Celestia said we had to keep the camp going,” Sweetie Belle replied.

        “Ah wanna go back again! Ah learned a lot!” Apple Bloom cheered.

        “Mom, I was really confused by something,” Scootaloo said.

        “Oh?”

        “That terra pony... like the first one he had two henchponies. One was a Trals griffon.”

        Rainbow Dash tilted her head to the side. “Are you sure? It was probably just a similar mark.”

        “No, she was definitely Trals. If she wasn’t, she would have said something when I called her out on it.”

        “Rainbow? What’s this about?” Applejack asked.

        “Apparently the terra pony was able to enlist a griffon that eats ponies,” Rainbow Dash replied.

        “You said griffons don’t eat ponies,” Rarity said.

        “It’s illegal but a few clans still try and get away with it. I don’t know why one would work with a pony...” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing her head. “Maybe he was paying her in food... but... Trals hate ponies... hmm...”

        “Just another problem,” Applejack said.

        “I’ll have to talk to my dad about this.”

        “Rainbow Dash!”

        The six turned and saw Twilight galloping towards the station. She skidded to a halt, panting heavily.

        “I- I-”

        “Slow down, and breathe,” Applejack ordered.

        “I-” Twilight stopped and took a deep breath. “I just got a letter from Princess Luna.”

        “Okay...” Rainbow Dash said questioningly.

        “They’ve definitely found a terra pony sanctuary. She’s calling us to take care of it,” Twilight explained.

        “Okay. Scoots, get on,” Rainbow Dash said. “You can tell me all about camp on the way home.”

        Scootaloo obeyed, hopping onto Rainbow Dash’s back. Her mom then grabbed her bags and flew off. As they soared, Scootaloo talked all about what had happened. She went over a lot of the spells she had learned but left out the fact she hadn’t yet learned enchantments yet. She resolved to talk to Twilight about that when she had the chance.

        “So it turns out I’m really good at flowing spells but not much else,” Scootaloo finished as they walked in the door. “I didn’t get near teleporting. I don’t think I have enough magic to do it.”

        “It makes sense, I guess,” Rainbow Dash said absentmindedly.

She put Scootaloo’s bag down then went upstairs. Inside her room, waiting by the door was a bag. She slung it over her shoulders and headed back down where Scootaloo was looking a bit confused.

        “I’m going to be gone for a few days while I take care of this.” Rainbow Dash pulled out a bag of bits and placed it on the living room table. “There’s food in the fridge and you know how to get more, but if you need anything, use some of this. Try not to go crazy, I’m not sure how long this is going to take. I’ll see if Fluttershy can check up on you every so often. Be good and take care of Tank for me, please.”

        Rainbow Dash gave Scootaloo a hug and a peck on the head before heading for the door.

        “Wait, where are you going again?” Scootaloo asked.

        “To go beat up some bad ponies. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

"We're here, Princess," Twilight announced. It was dark out by the time they reached Canterlot and they found Luna in the courtroom. The alicorn dismissed the guards.

"I'm glad you made it so quickly. Why have you brought Pinkie with you?" Luna asked.

"It's a terra pony base so the only pony we could send in without being detected is another terra pony," Twilight explained. That was half true. Pinkie had insisted on going along to discover the origin of the implant in her head.

"I already had that covered, but this cannot hurt," Princess Luna said. "Meet the rest of the team."

At her words, a side door opened and three ponies, a griffin, and a messenger dragon marched into the room.

"Trixie!" Twilight snarled. She charged her horn and got ready to fight, but a magic bubble formed around her.

"Calm yourself," Princess Luna ordered calmly.

"She attacked your sister and was going to break my horn!" Twilight protested.

"Princess Luna has explained that if Trixie does this, she will be forgiven for her crimes and be allowed to return to Equestria," the blue fake alicorn replied.

"And him?" Rainbow Dash asked, pointing to the griffin.

"I go where she goes," Greg said simply, standing next to Trixie. “And I’m getting paid. Well.”

"Maybe we should have some formal introductions," Luna suggested. "First is Doppler, my personal messenger dragon. He shall send and receive all messages for you."

"Doppler of the Royal Canterlot Messenger Dragon Corps," the blue dragon with orange spikes said saluting. He was a bit shorter then Glare, and probably younger.

"You have met Gearbox, Twilight. He is a machinist," Luna went on.

"I invented a magic amplifier among other things. I'll handle any tech we encounter," the gray pony explained.

"And?" Luna prompted.

"I'm a terra pony machinist," Gearbox admitted. "My sanctuary is not a threat."

"But is under threat right now." Princess Luna added. "Next is Sticky Hooves. She's a master thief who even stole Celestia's crown once. Her name is an alias, but she won't say what her real name is."

"A thief? Can we really trust her?" Twilight asked.

"I was rotting in a cell with five life sentences to look forward to. I get amnesty for this. I'll do what I have to," the pure black pony said simply.

"Trixie knows a variety of magic and while not particularly powerful, her knowledge will be valuable. Plus the shock value of an alicorn will be significant, but you understand we cannot risk ourselves," Luna went on.

"Trixie can help you learn to fight with magic," Trixie said to Twilight.

“I’ve learned that already from the Princess you don’t respect,” Twilight snapped.

"I'm with her. I'll fight whatever gets in our way," Greg said. “You already know my name is Greg Fook, professional mercenary.”

"Next is Rainbow Dash Qnak. She is the fastest pegasus I have ever seen and I have heard she has managed to do a sonic rainboom more than once," Luna continued.

"Look, I'd love to help, but I really can't if this is going to take a long time. I have to find my daughter a therapist soon or she goes back to jail. I'd really love to help, but I can't be off on some mission far away," Rainbow Dash said. Princess Luna rolled her eyes.

"Have thou forgotten who I am?" Princess Luna said. She levitated two scrolls and quills to herself and wrote on them in sync. When she was done, she stamped them with a royal seal and levitated them to Doppler. "Send one to the Cloudsdale Police Department, and the other to the Ponyville Mayor’s Office."

Doppler sent the two away in two bursts of orange flame.

"There. I've commuted her sentence. Now she just has twelve hours of community service to be served within four months. Is that acceptable?"

"Okay, yeah, that’s fine," Rainbow Dash said, bowing. “Thank you.”

"Finally there's Twilight Sparkle. She is the personal student of my sister and will lead the team. She is the most powerful unicorn either of us have ever seen," Luna finished.

"Um... hi," Twilight said shyly.

"Don't forget me!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "I'm a terra pony too."

"Really?" Gearbox said surprised. He looked at her closely. "Could have fooled me."

"From now on you are known collectively as Eclipse. You answer to me alone. Celestia only vaguely knows of your existence and will not be informed of your actions. Do not contact her with anything regarding the mission. You are allowed to violate any orders given by any authority except mine and Twilight’s, even my sister’s. Show them my seal if they are causing an issue. You may ignore the law when necessary, though I cannot help you if you somehow get involved with a foreign power.

        “I urge you to work with haste. Many, many lives are at stake.”

        “What is she talking about?” Pinkie asked.

        “If we don’t do something within a month, Celestia is going to destroy my whole home town,” Gearbox spat. “Two thousand lives. Gone because of her senseless grudge.”

        “I still don’t believe a word of that,” Twilight said, shaking her head.

        “Believe it, Twilight Sparkle, for I was there when she said it as well,” Princess Luna replied.

        “It’s a town of terra ponies. Innocent ponies who have been living in peace for three decades but apparently that’s not enough for her,” Gearbox added.

        “A whole village?” Pinkie exclaimed.

        “Yeah. It’s called Haven. Haven’t you been there?”

        “No. My family left the sanctuary a long time ago and we’ve never gone back. I have no idea where it is,” Pinkie explained.

        “Ponies, please, you must work quickly. The deadline looms near,” Princess Luna interrupted. “Head towards the armory. My guards will fit you with some armor.

        “Right. Team, let’s move out,” Twilight commanded.

Six ponies, one griffon, and one dragon strode out of the palace and into the streets of Canterlot.

"How can you be so okay with this?" Twilight asked Rainbow Dash.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash replied.

"That griffon attacked you, and now you're working with him."

"Yeah, so? That was then, this is now. We fought but it's over now," Rainbow Dash answered.

"Yeah, griffon's don't hold grudges usually unless murder was involved," Greg added.

"And you, how dare you show your face around here!" Twilight snapped at Trixie.

"Trixie did not wish to be here, but she had no choice," Trixie replied.

"Twilight, just let it go," Rainbow Dash urged.

"Just let it go? She was going to break my horn!"

"It would grow back," Trixie said simply.

"Is that all you have to say?" Twilight demanded.

"Can we get this over with?" Sticky Hooves growled, ending the argument.

"So, where are we going?" Twilight asked, still angry.

"The sanctuary is about twenty miles to the west of here," Gearbox replied. “It was one of the locations I suspected and a patrol confirmed it. We don’t have any data on numbers or weapons though."

"Okay." Twilight said. “It shouldn’t take too long to get there by air.

"What?" Gearbox said, leaning away from Pinkie who was staring at him intently.

"I've just never seen another terra pony before that wasn't part of my family or trying to kill me."

"What is there to see? We're just earth ponies without mana glands."

“Still, it’s cool!”

“I don’t know why we need armor,” Greg said.

“They’ll likely all be armed with firehooves,” Gearbox replied. “I’d like to have a sheet of metal between me and one of them, personally.”

“Well I brought my own and I’m not wearing anything else. That steel will weigh me down,” Greg complained.

“Ditto,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Ditto on what? The weighing down or bringing it yourself,” Sticky Hooves asked. “And I agree. I’m not wearing any armor. I can’t be walking around in anything noisy.”

“Both,” Rainbow Dash replied. “It’s griffon armor but it’s served me well so far.”

“In what, picking flowers?” Greg taunted.

“Hey! I’ve raided half a dozen Tral and Yuig caves with my dad. This isn’t my first big fight. We were there for the big changeling invasion too, so we’ve seen combat, though they haven’t had their first yet.”

“Great,” Greg groaned. “Just what we need, a team full of ponies soaking wet behind the ears.”

“We have enough veterans to make this work,” Doppler said. “They can do support.”

“I feel so left out,” Pinkie said.

“I’ll put this simple. You, Twilight, and Gearbox are not seasoned fighters like the rest of us,” Sticky Hooves said.

Twilight laughed out loud. “I’ve fought ton’s of things before.”

“But you haven’t had to kill and that makes all the difference,” Gearbox said. “And I have, just saying.”

“I’ve... killed...” Twilight said quietly.

“That didn’t count,” Rainbow Dash said bluntly. “As long as you can use your magic to shield us, it’ll work out.”

They had already reached the armory where two night guards were waiting. They were ushered inside to the forge.

“You lot better appreciate this,” the smithy said as he shoveled more coal into the furnace. “Normally I’d tell ya to come back in the morning, but Luna paid extra for this to be done now and entirely custom which means I won’t be getting any sleep at all.”

“And she didn’t pay for the lip,” Gearbox retorted.

“That’s always on the house,” the smithy replied. “Come along, I have to get your measurements.”

        This arc is over. I’m taking a break from this story to finish up Forever a Changeling.

        Forever a Changeling, my new story starring Rainbow Dash as a changeling.
        Samurai Applejack, a drastically different kind of story. It’s rated mature for violence and some suggestive lines.
        Night of the Werepony, what I consider to be my worst story, but it’s my most popular. It’s just one chapter long.
        My tumblr, an alternate universe mixing MLP and Cyborg 009.