I quickly dashed back out of the open castle doors, past the guards, and down the steps. The cupcakes could stay there for all I cared; I had more pressing matters at hoof to tend to.
I couldn't believe what I’d just heard. The Changelings? Actually coming back? Yes, it was true that they had been convincingly defeated at Cadance and Shining’s wedding. But next time—this time—they would attack mercilessly, strategically plotting against us and our major cities. They had learned what us ponies were capable of, and so adjusted their tactics.
Everything seemed to be in their favor at that point.
I teleported directly back to Canterlot Station and caught the very next southbound train. The world outside whipped by in the usual half-hour, yet it felt like time had slowed and I would never reach home. As soon as the train approached Ponyville Station, I mustered up my power and teleported directly into my bedroom, though not before apologising to the train conductor for my rude departure. I panted slightly and rubbed my horn before stepping out onto my balcony.
In defiance of my mood, it was a gorgeous day in Ponyville as usual. Celestia's sun shone bright as ever, and there wasn't even a cloud in the sky. The birds were singing their daily songs. It seemed so unreal to look at Ponyville for what it was, considering what I had just learned.
I frowned and tried to think about what I should do first. It seemed most logical to gather everyone and explain the situation. But what I really needed to do first was retrieve the medallion in question. I trotted back inside and downstairs into the library; I was greeted first by a cool breath of air, and second by a frowning Spike, across the room with his arms folded.
"Hey, Twilight," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Where did you go?"
It was at that point I realized that I had forgotten to tell Spike where I was going. Then again, Spike wasn't my father. It was more like the other way around. Our relationship was one for the ages.
"Oh, sorry, Spike. I went to give..." I trailed off for a bit as I walked around the room looking for the Medallion. I knew I put it somewhere, but I was having trouble remembering. "Uh, Shining… Armor some of Pinkie's—" I started to look through the bookshelves, eagerly and unnecessarily tossing literature to and fro "—homemade cupcakes."
Spike didn't seem to know how to respond; he was more focused on watching what I was doing than trying to solve his own questions. "All... right?"
Spike shook his head rapidly before glaring at me again. "Twilight, what exactly are you doing?"
I jerked my head up and desperately thought about what I could say, without exactly lying. "Uhm, something important."
I internally facehooved. Real smooth, Twilight.
"Oh. Well, I can help you look for it!" Spike said, puffing out his chest. "I'm great at finding things!"
I groaned internally as he jogged over to me.
"No!" I shouted, louder than I had meant. I glanced at his stunned face and cleared my throat sheepishly. "I mean… no, I'm good. I can find it on my own."
He furrowed his brow at me, lips pulled into a pout.
"You sure? I really wouldn’t mind. I have nothing else to do..."
Suddenly, an idea. I just hoped he'd forgive me for this.
"Fine, Spike. You can help—" Spike laughed before giving me a playful salute “—it’s… um, round. There was some blue on it—flat.”
I hoped I was just vague enough. It always made me uncomfortable to lie to Spike, no matter the situation.
"Don't worry, Twilight! Your Number One Assistant is here to help!" he recited before he, strangely, went into the kitchen to search.
I utilized the priceless opportunity to bolt upstairs. As I thought about it, I could remember taking the artifact upstairs just last week. I ran into my room, frantically trying to recall.
"Think, Twilight, think..." I told myself, hitting my hoof against my head. It didn't seem to work; I continued to stand there totally clueless. I flopped onto my bed with a groan, completely lost in thought. I must have put it somewhere!
I wiggled around in my bed out of frustration, before my head hit something hard. A soft ting accompanied the new pain in the back of my skull. As I rubbed my head, I overturned my pillow only to find the Medallion sitting there. I would have wagered that, if it had a voice, it would be laughing at me.
Why did I think that was a good place for it?
"Gotcha!" I shouted. I quickly grabbed my saddlebag off a hook near my door and placed the medallion inside. The bag was just big enough to fit the whole gold necklace in there, to my amazement.
I walked downstairs to find Spike still searching thoroughly. I considered telling him that I found what I was looking for, but to avoid raising questions I decided not to.
"Don't worry, Twilight! When I find something that looks important, I'll be sure to let you know!" he declared before returning to his excavation of the bookshelf. I smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks, Spike," I said as I quickly exited the library, a small grin forming on my face.
"All right. Priority one: find the girls."
***
I walked down the streets of Ponyville while lost in thought yet again. How was I possibly going to round up all of my friends? I needed to talk to everyone now. Maybe if I found Rainbow Dash, she could do the job much faster than I could. However, the chances of me finding her were already slim; her sleeping pattern was unpredictable at the best of times, as was her chosen resting place.
I walked around town expecting—hoping—to see Rainbow lying on some sort of cloud. But I didn't. She was nowhere to be found. I sighed with the knowledge that I'd have to round everyone up one by one, much to my chagrin.
I was closest to the Carousel Boutique—literally only a few steps away—so I decided to go there first. After looking inside the windows, I quickly knocked on the door of the large white building and waited. Seconds passed yet there was no answer. I knocked again.
“Rarity! Are you home? It’s me, Twilight!”
Still nothing.
I let out a frustrated grunt and walked away from the boutique. I shouldn't have been surprised. Knowing Rarity, she was probably at the spa, or acquiring materials for her newest dress.
With Carousel Boutique a bust, it seemed logical to try Sugarcube Corner next. Quite often, I could find at least one of my friends milling about in there. Still a little drained from my long-range teleport before, I tried to keep a smart, consistently-paced jog so I wouldn't tire out before I got there, but after a few moments of trotting my patience wore thin. Needless to say, I arrived at Sugarcube Corner sweating buckets and wheezing uncontrollably.
By Celestia, I need to get out more, I thought as I pushed through the double swinging doors.
Sugarcube Corner was exactly the same as ever: simply a counter covered in various pastries and goodies, and many tables and booths scattered around for those wishing to eat their cakes sooner rather than later. The walls were white like frosting, complemented by the chocolate-brown floor.
"Hi!"
The voice came out of nowhere. I was too exhausted to scream, but not so tired as to not completely fall over onto my back.
Pinkie Pie gazed over me now looking puzzled. "Are you okay?" she asked.
A familiar blue pegasus jumped into my peripheral vision and pushed Pinkie Pie away from me.
"Pinkie, what did you do?"
"I think I broke her!" Pinkie giggled, holding a hoof up to her mouth and not even registering the shove.
"That ain't nothin' to be proud of."
I could hear Applejack in the background. Pinkie must have either not heard Applejack, or just ignored her completely, because she was still in hysterics as if the funniest thing in the world had just happened.
"Oh, don't worry! She's still breathing!"
"Ya better hope so!"
"Here—” Rainbow Dash’s voice floated in “—help me get her on her hooves."
She grasped my forelegs while Applejack pushed me up from behind. When I found my footing I wobbled around for a second, sick to my stomach. For a moment I thought I might have had to excuse myself to the restroom, but I managed to compose myself.
Rainbow and Applejack ushered me to the bright pink table that all of my friends were sitting at. Rarity took one look at me and my slightly messy mane and her jaw almost hit the floor. Apparently, it was harder than I previous guessed to maintain a perfect mane when you were running so fast that you could feel a heart attack coming on.
"Twilight? What happened to you?" Rarity asked, fawning over my dishevelled appearance. On her right sat Fluttershy, sipping from a glass of water.
"Oh, nothing, really... just almost died running... to get here to talk to you all..."
I exhaled, still trying to catch my breath. Almost everyone each raised an eyebrow at me. Pinkie Pie, for some reason, was nowhere to be found.
"What did ya need, sugar cube?" Applejack drawled, putting a hoof on my shoulder.
I explained how I had found the Medallion, and about what I had read in the strange book about the ‘Deadly Sins.’ I also explained what I had heard Celestia say. I had to tell them not to spill the beans, though; I was positive that Celestia’s meeting with Odysseus was never meant for my ears.
"You were eavesdropping on the Princess?" Rarity questioned after I finished.
"No, no!” I said, waving my forelegs around and shaking my head. “I only ever intended to deliver the cupcakes that Pinkie made to Shining Armor, and apparently I came at a bad time."
“Ah,” Rarity said as she nodded.
“Did somepony say cupcakes?”
I jumped, again having to fight the urge to succumb to heart failure as Pinkie chose that moment to bounce up from under the table and into my immediate view. “Did Shining Armor like them?” she squealed, an oblivious grin on her face.
"This is serious!" I yelled. "We have to find those ponies!" I decided to change my attitude by speaking calmly and directly. I cleared my throat, and felt my irritation fly away. Pinkie Pie didn't seem dejected, but she took her time sitting next to Fluttershy.
"How do ya expect to do that? These special ponies could be anyone!" Applejack replied. "They could be you, or me, or somepony on the other side of Equestria!"
Her words stirred something in my mind. I’d never thought about that. How were we supposed to find them? Yet I felt as if the answer were right in front of me. I had a unique idea.
"Maybe with this?"
I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out the Medallion. Everyone stared in awe at it, but none more than Rarity, who was completely awestruck. I think I actually saw the gem’s reflection in her eyes.
"Oh! That's gorgeous! You must let me try it on!" she stated. She scooted closer and closer to me, to which I promptly pushed her away.
“I’m sorry, Rarity, but now’s not the time for a fashion debut,” I said.
“Humph.” She crossed her forelegs and stuck out her bottom lip.
I played around with it for a moment, something that I had never thought to do previously. Upon touching the gem, it lit up the colour of sunset. The light from the jewel bounced off the ceiling and radiated around the store, as well as in multiple other directions. All my friends and I were mesmerized, eyes wide and full of wonder. It was beautiful, nothing like I'd ever seen before!
"Whoa!" Applejack laughed. "That's impressive!"
I took my hoof away from the jewel, only to have it return to its default azure color.
"What was that all about?" Rarity asked.
I thought for a moment. "I think… maybe it's some sort of tracking device. We can probably use this to find the seven ponies in question," I said, setting the artifact down on the table.
Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Okay, so what if we do find all of these ponies? What are we gonna do? Tie them up and carry them here?"
I looked over at Applejack, who had a very devious smirk on her face. She probably would have enjoyed that. It’d save her time when it came to practicing for one of her lassoing competitions.
"No…” I hesitated, looking around before I continued. “I think we're going to have to split up."
For a moment, nopony spoke. Finally, Fluttershy broke the silence.
"I-I don't think that's a good idea..."
"Me either. There's only one medallion thing." Applejack pointed as she spoke. "How’s that gonna work?"
"Well..." I thought for another moment. I could try to find a spell that would let me clone the artifact. But would it work? I would have to test it out later. "Let me worry about that."
Fluttershy didn't look very reassured. Her eyebrows were upturned and trembling.
"Look, there’s no telling how long we have before the Changelings invade again. It might be a month, a week… a few days..." I explained. "In order to be more efficient, we’ll have to split up. I suggest we split into pairs."
Everypony nodded except for Fluttershy, who was looking genuinely nervous.
Rarity smiled at her. "Don't worry, darling. If you'd like then we can go together!" she offered. Fluttershy bit the inside of her lip before giving a barely noticeable nod.
"Okay," she said in no louder than a half-whisper.
"We can figure out who's going with whom later,” I said, waving a hoof. “We don’t know exactly how long we’re going to be gone. I suggest we rest and pack a few things, perhaps enough supplies for a week on the road. Only a week, and only essentials," I added with a glance at Rarity.
“Oh! Er, yes, of course,” she said. I rolled my eyes with a smirk—I emphasized because otherwise, Rarity would bring her whole Boutique along with her, and she knew it too.
"Awww yeah, this is going to be great!" Rainbow roared, actually jumping out of her seat and hovering in the air, her hoof raised. "We're going to save Equestria again!"
I smiled at my friends. Reasons like this were why I was glad I came to Ponyville in the first place. They give me a reason to keep going. They helped me to go on, and to make myself a better pony. To be quite frank, they were my backbone; I was not sure what I would do without them by my side. I felt my eyes start to water up a little bit, but I managed to suppress my feelings for the sake of the moment.
In two hours, one of the greatest journeys of our lives would begin.