//------------------------------// // Rinin? // Story: Night Patrol // by Foxgear //------------------------------// Luna rounded another bend in the trail and came to a flat open space with more paths branching off from the one she was on. She checked the map, looking to see which of the multiple pathways they needed to take. A red line marks the planned path the fore-ponies of Firehorn were supposed to have followed. They could have gone another way. Something could have drawn their attention and taken them off course. From the map Luna could see that many cave entrances were marked out, but who knew how many more were unmarked. This would be like finding a needle in a haystack. “How are you fairing Applejack?” Luna asked the earth pony as she came round the bend. The orange mare looked exhausted from their trek, not that Luna could blame her. A climb such as this would be hard for even a seasoned climber. Being weighed down with gear and armor as she was, Applejack was doing well to keep pace with her. Applejack panted for breath as she sat down to rest. The higher altitude making the air much thinner than the earth pony was used to. “Ah’m fine princess, Ah'm just a little winded.” A brisk wind whines through the valley, making both mares shiver. “And chilly, can’t forget that. At least mah feathers are coming in so mah hooves should stay nice and toasty for a while.” “Feathers?” Luna questioned, turning to the orange mare with a raised brow. Applejack raised her foreleg and showed blond hairs growing on the base of her legs. “Yep, feathers, mah Grandma was a shire pony, runs in the family. Every time around winter Ah start growing these here hairs on mah legs and shed them in spring. Like Ah said their real toasty and soft as silk too.” Applejack demonstrated by rubbing her hoof long Luna’s neck. That is soft. I wonder if there’s a spell that would allow me to grow feathers of my own? Luna muses. “A very handy gene to have in one’s bloodline, I’m jealous.” The two share a smile before becoming serious again. “On to more pressing matters. We need to choose a route, and I’m not sure we can trust the map. The fore-ponies could have taken an alternate path, and we would be none the wiser. We could wander up here for days and not find them if we take the wrong path.” “Couldn’t you just fly up and look for them? It would be faster, and I could check one of the other trails well you’re at it.” Applejack suggested. Luna shook her head. “I could, but the wind and clouds up here make it too hard to fly and conduct a proper search. Let us not forget it’s not just us and the fore-ponies up here. The thieves are here as well, and we know nothing of their ability or numbers. I fear they are cleverer than our last opponents. Tis wiser to stay together.” “Ah suppose your right when ya put it like that.” Applejack approached the trail carefully, looking around the small mound of soft dirt that lay on the path. “What are you doing?” Luna asked. “Ah’m looking for their trail, hoof prints and such, to see which way the might have gone, it’s tough though with all this hard rock around here. Especially since the trail is already a few days old.” “I see. I shall leave you to then since I have little experience in this field.” “You don’t know how to track?” Applejack exclaimed, “How can you be over a thousand years old and not know how to track?” Luna shrugged, looking unfazed by her outburst. “I never took the time learn.” Well Ah suppose since she’s teaching me stuff, Ah can do the same, only proper. “Well come over here then and Ah’ll show ya.” Luna trotted over to her with a spring of excitement in her step. The princess of the night was utterly focused as Applejack explained the basics of tracking and looking for signs of disturbed earth and other tips and tricks. By the end of their little lesson, they deduce that the fore-ponies had taken the trail leading to the tallest part of the mountain and set off once again. The trail was rough, rougher than the previous one. In fact, it could hardly be considered a trail at all. At several points Luna and Applejack had to jump from platform to platform to continue. A few times Luna had to fly them across, making the two wonder how the fore-ponies got across, or if they even took this path at all. “I think we might have guessed wrong,” Luna said as they climbed the ridge up to the summit of the mountains. The map said there was an abandoned mine at the top of the plateau. Applejack nodded in agreement, “You may be right, but we’re already here, so we might as well check and see if there’s another path that leads down or something.” “Agreed,” Luna led the way, the wind roaring in her ears, making it hard to hear, which was why they probably didn’t hear the commotion at the summit where the remnants of the former mining town stood before seeing it with their own eyes. Both mares starred in surprise as a dozen or more dark colored ponies with scales instead of coats and leathery wings surrounded two stallions in armor similar to their own. They were probably the fore-ponies. One stallion was a tan unicorn with a shortcut blue mane, wearing shoulder and flank plate armor. The other was a big red earth pony with dark orange hair, wearing a scarf and shoulder armor. The two stood flank to flank, facing opposite directions. Both looked worse for wear, covered in cuts and bruises. The earth stallion's right eye had a large cut over it with blood running down his face. A red pony-like creature broke from the pack snapping its jaws viciously as it tried to chomp on the red stallion’s shoulder. The earth pony stallion thrust his shoulder forwards, hitting the red creature on the nose. It stumbled back, blood running down its muzzle. As it snarled its chest began to glow ballooning as fire spewed from between it’s fangs. “Watch out!” the unicorn cried, creating a shield just in the nick of time to block the stream of flames that would have roasted both of them alive. Another creature, this one a gray color with an orange mane came barreling in towards their exposed flank. The earth pony whirled around, swinging his pickaxe blindly the gray creature flying out of range of the attack. The flames died away, and the unicorn dropped the shield to fire at the ashen creature while the earth stallion brought his pickaxe around to attack the red beast, the two stallions keeping each other's blind spots covered. Six more of the creatures dived down to attack both sides of the stallions, ramming them and dogpiling atop of the two miners. For a moment it seemed the two studs were finally taken down until suddenly one creature was flung from the pile and then another and then a third as the stallions fought their way to the top. The earth stallion swung his pickaxe, hitting a creature in the head with the flat of the pickaxe. The beast let out a loud whimper as it retreated back into the pack. The stallions realigned themselves, ready for the next wave. The creatures began to steadily back away. Their teamwork and defense were nearly flawless! I haven’t seen anything like it in years. Luna took note of the attacking creatures’ condition, seeing many of them sporting wounds of their own. A few look like they had broken legs. Yet they still fight, why? Better yet what are they? They look like bat ponies, but they live in the caves far in the east. Bat ponies also don’t have scales. These ponies look more like pony dragons than anything… what a minute could they be Rinin? The rinin all began to growl, their chests glowing with magic, they intended to attack the fore-ponies all at once! “Applejack! With me!” Luna ordered as she charged towards the circle of Rinin. “As princess of the night, we order you all to stand down now!” She demanded, her Canterlot voice raised to its fullest volume. Both sides stumble to a halt as the two mares rush in, taking up position beside the stallions. The Rinin cautiously began backing away from the four, then suddenly they all unfolded their wings and swarmed into the sky, roaring as they circled once around the four before retreating into the nearby caves. The four ponies were left standing alone in the abandoned town. “Well, that was weird. Reckon you scared them off, princess?” Applejack inquired as she kept an eye on the caves, in case it was a ruse to throw them off guard. Luna frowned, feeling uncertain about the situation. “I do not know Applejack.” A raindrop fell from the sky, and thunder roared in the distance. A storm was rolling in, and fast. “Whatever the cause we must seek shelter. One of these buildings should suffice for now.” As Luna began to walk away, she noticed the two stallions remain rooted where they stood. They looked worriedly at her. “What is wrong?” She asked, “Come with us to shelter so we can better acquaint with one another.” The earth pony stallion scratched his head, pulling a piece of hay from the folds of his scarf, “Sorry ma’am, just... ah never thought Ah’d see a princess all the way up here, it's taking a little bit to process.” The Unicorn rolled his eyes, “What my brother means is it’s a pleasure to meet you Princess Luna and... Applejack was it? We’d be happy to join. I’m Tough Hide by the way, and this big brute is my quote ‘twin’ brother Rawhide.” “Ah was getting to introducing mah self-Tough,” Rawhide said irritably, “Ah’m just saying it’s not every day you see a princess on top of a mountain scaring off a bunch of nasty critters with nothing but her voice. Ah’d always figured- and ah mean no offense when ah say- ah thought you’d be up in that fancy city of Canterlot all the time. Figuring yawl be too busy running things to come all the way out here yourselves.” The rain began to pour down, soaking the four ponies instantly, Luna sighed as her mane was instantly drenched, making it sag and touch the muddy ground. That’s just great! “Yes, we’re on a mountain. Now can we please go to that shelter over there?” She pointed irritably to one of the last structurally stable buildings. “Agreed,” Replied the brothers as they all made a mad dash for the building, which happens to be some sort of motel. It was a two-story building half made of wood- how they ever found enough up here was beyond any of them- and the other half carved out of a large rock formation. The kitchen and storehouse were carved into the rock, along with a quarter turned stairway that leads to the second floor. The second story was made of wood with four bedrooms with old ratty beds in each. There was nothing editable left in the storehouse, but there were coal and flint along with some oil in the storeroom. Eager to dry off they lit a fire in the iron stove. While they warmed their chilled bodies Applejack passed out what little rations they had, giving the brothers some cheese and apples. Rawhide was making his way through a granny smith apple when he asked, “So what brings you two all the way up here? Ah, doubt you came all the way up here just for us.” “Actually, it is just that,” Applejack’s answer made the two brothers pause. “You can’t be serious?” Blurted Rawhide. “Why would ya do that?” “I’m sure they have their reasons brother.” Tough hide interjected, earning a glare from his sibling. Luna cleared her throat breaking up their silent fight. “We originally came to get a contract for some armor, but after hearing of your town's… problem, I decided to lend a hoof and came up to look for you and discover what creatures were plaguing the town. I must say I was rather surprised.” “Ya know what those things are Luna?” Applejack asked. "They looked like Pegasi. Well more like monster Pegasi." Taking a deep breath, Luna prepared herself, “I thought they were only a myth, but the creatures you fought today are called Rinin. They are dragon pony hybrids.” “Dragon ponies?” Rawhide interrupted with disbelief, “You can’t be serious. Dragons have such huge… ya know… and ponies are so small. Either way Ah don’t see that working.” “Maybe when they’re teenage dragons? They are closer to pony size.” Tough hide suggested, “Even if such a strange mating ritual did happen, I doubt it’s happened enough to have that many of these Rinin flying around. If so we would have run into them much sooner than now, our clans have been in these mountains for generations, and we have no records or even scary stories of such creatures.” “Aren’t your kin really friendly with the dragons though?” Applejack asked, thinking back to what Allure had told them earlier. Tough hide shook his head. “Being in business with dragons isn’t the same as being friendly. We barely speak with them, let alone mate with them! Besides, no pony could hide such a thing for very long without somepony noticing, especially in such a small town like ours.” “Ugh, good point,” Applejack conceded. “Say, why were you all so late getting back anyway? Allure was mighty worried about you two.” Rawhide shrugged, “The ah… Rinin, as you call them took out a ledge on the path to get up here. He maybe my brother, but I don’t trust Tough to levitate me across.” “I only dropped you once and that was when we were colts!” “Yeah and I weigh three times as much now. Anyway, we had to backtrack to the other side of the mountain. There are a couple narrow slopes there you can use to get up here, takes a lot of extra time, but it safer and they’re not as easy to destroy.” Luna rubbed her temple fiercely, “We are getting off track. As I was saying, Rinin are dragon pony hybrids that were thought to be a myth Given the proof I’ve seen with my own eyes, we all know that they are in fact not a myth. That being said, we know nothing about them, but given what we do know, I think I know why they are stealing from the village.” “You do?” The brothers asked in unison. Luna nodded as she went into what she called Celestia’s lecture mode. “Yes. Now as we all know dragons eat gems and ponies eat fruit, vegetables, etc. Since gems and food were being stolen, we can assume the Rinin eat both gems and traditional pony food. It’s hard to say how their biology works, but they must need both to get the nutrients they need for both sides of their genes.” “But why steal? Why not ask or trade for the gems or grow their own food?” Tough hide asked. “They may have nothing to trade, and like Pegasi, they may not know how to grow food, nor can they mine like earth ponies and unicorns can. Besides, if a group of them wondered into your town could you say you wouldn’t be afraid of their appearance? There must be a reason they’re up here, and I’m afraid to think of what it is.” Luna looked out the window to the moon, finding comfort in its presence even if she couldn’t see it through the storm. “Let us rest. I will cast a spell that will alert us if anything tries to enter this building while we sleep. Tomorrow we go into the caves and resolve this matter. They seem to have intelligence, meaning we should be able to come to a favorable agreement.” “And what if they’re just mindless beasts?” Rawhide asked. “What will we do then?” “We will cross that bridge when we get there. For now, all you go get some sleep I will join you upstairs after I secure our location.” The two brothers said their good nights and trotted up the stairs, their heavy hoofsteps making a racket on the wooden floor. Luna’s horn glowed as she began casting her spell. As she worked, she took note that Applejack hadn’t moved. “Is there something I can help you with Applejack?” The orange mare rubbed her growing feathers nervously, looking away from the princess. “Ah don’t know Luna. Ah’m just… worried is all. What if we can’t reason with those Rinin? What will we do with them? Their hurting so many lives, but they’re just trying to survive like everypony else. Ah....ah don’t want to hurt them is what ah’m trying to say.” Oh Applejack what a kind heart you have. Luna walked over and wrapped a leg around Applejack, bringing her in for a hug. She’s such a brave and mature pony that I forget how young and inexperienced she truly is sometimes. “I won’t lie Applejack, it is a real possibility that we may have to fight them, but rest assured I will do what I have to to make sure it doesn’t come to that.” Don’t make promises you can’t keep Luna. A voice whispered in the back her mind. “Now go and rest, I will join you shortly.” “Ok, see ya in the morning.” Applejack yawned and trotted up the stairs. Her hooves were much quieter than the brothers, Luna appreciates the mercy on her ears as she finishes her spell. Using her wings to fly silently up the stairs she entered the last remaining room at the end of the hall. The bed wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable as her bed back at the castle, but it was still a little bit better than the floor. Not by much though. She sighed as she folded her wings to lie down. She felt the warmth of something nearby and grabbed on to it, pulling it close. So nice and warm….Zzzzz… When Luna woke up she realized two things. One, the sun was up and the moon was gone, which meant Celestia had lowered it for her. Two, she was holding Applejack like a teddy bear. How in Equestria did this happen? I was sure this room was empty! Carefully not to disturb the sleeping mare, Luna carefully unwrapped her forelegs from Applejack’s neck and began to slowly ease herself out of bed. I’m not sure what I’m so embarrassed about. We are both mares and friends, but… umm Ahh… I got nothing. No, wait… awkward… yes, this is awkward, and it will be even more awkward if she wakes up and I’m still here! Just as Luna was close to being home free, Applejack threw her hooves around her neck and burrowed in Luna’s mane. Oh moon pies! Could they get any worse? The sound of hooves against wood made Luna aware that the Hide brothers were awake. Sorry Applejack… Clearing her throat Luna prepared her ‘wake up Celestia voice,’ or as Celestia nicknamed it ‘the Canterlot voice from Tartarus.’ Taking a deep breath, Luna unleashed her secret weapon. “TIS TIME TO WAKE THEE UP APPLEJACK, RAISE AND SHINE!” “Guaha!” Was Applejack’s response as she flew ten feet up into the air, giving Luna the few precious seconds she needed to get out of the bed and play innocent. After a light breakfast of oats, Luna, Applejack, and the brothers made their way to the caves, With Applejack still reeling from Luna’s wake up call. When asked why she did it, Luna replied, “We were in a mood for a prank, and it seemed rude to pull one on ponies we just met yesterday. Friends are fair game, however.” The three bought her excuse, and Luna promised not to wake Applejack in such a manner again. Though the princess of the night would be sleeping with one eye open for a while, Applejack may not seem like the revenge type, but after years of Celestia’s counter pranks, she wasn’t taking any chances. “We are here.” Tough Hide announced, drawing Luna out her elaborate counter plans to whatever Applejack may or may not be planning. The cave entrance was one of the old mine shafts, rotting timbers held up the ceiling, several lanterns remains swung gently on iron hooks, and a busted railway ran in the center with a few mine carts on the track filled with dirt and rocks. “Charming isn’t it?” Luna said jokingly. “Our great uncle died in this mine.” Rawhide deadpanned. Causing an awkward cricket chirping moment. Luna coughed, passing a sideways glance at the cricket to shut it up, once it complied she summoned a ball of light on the tip of her horn and walked into the mine shaft. “Let us be off now and get this over with. No need to make the townsfolk worry longer then they have to, right?” The other three nod and follow her into the darkness. It was dark alright. The light of Luna and Tough Hide’s horns barely light their way, and several times one of them almost set their hoof down on some pointy rusty object long abandoned. As they traveled deeper, they came across a few old storage shacks. Finding hoofprints in the dirt, Tough Hide and Rawhide entered one of the shacks to investigate. After a brief, tense moment of silence, they give the all-clear for Luna and Applejack to enter. Inside they found the brothers messing with a lantern, Tough Hide lighting it with a small flame from his horn. The three sources of light were enough to clearly illuminate the room which had several blanket rolls laid out like beds. “I thought this was a storage shack?” Applejack said looking puzzled in the lantern light. “Looks more like a bedroom to me. Real squished ones too, there must be about fifteen blanket rolls in here.” “It is a storage shack,” Rawhide rebuked, holding the lantern up to the east wall to reveal a smaller room of tools with a big iron box tucked away in the corner. “No sane miner would sleep in a mine.” He held the lantern up to the hole in the wall where another room has been dug out. “These claw marks say they made the room bigger and were using it for sleeping quarters. The bed rolls even have our clan mark on them. We must be getting close.” Rawhide entered the storage area, inspecting the pickaxes and shovels. “These have been recently used.” He noted. Applejack walked up beside him looking curious. “Do you think they tried mining for gems themselves first?” Rawhide chewed his lip. “Maybe.” Tough Hide and Luna exited the addition each levitating several jars. Both earth ponies not realizing the two had walked past them. “Well, I found some of our food. Some jarred peaches and carrots probably stole them from…” Tough Hide froze his eyes fixed at the iron box next to Applejack. Is that what I think it is?” Tough hide asked, inspecting the box for himself. “It is indeed.” Rawhide replied as he stepped around the confused mare, “Open it up Tough.” As Tough began working his magic on the locks Luna entered the room. “What are you two up too?” Luna asked, a little unnerved by the amount of sharp pointy objects in the room. Some pony could get hurt in here. “Getting some insurance. We’ll go along with your peace plan, but in case things go south we’ll want what’s in this here box for protection.” Rawhide answered just as Tough got the last lock off. “And just what is this insurance?” Luna asks making her way over to the box for a closer look. Her jaw dropped from what she saw. Rows and rows of short red sticks. “This is…” “Dynamite,” Tough finishes for her, placing a dozen sticks in his saddle bag. “This batch is a little old, but it should still have some pop to it. You find any flint Rawhide?” “Yep,” The red stallion replied, holding his hoof up and showing off a flint and steel brace adorning his leg. Luna looked worriedly between the two stallions. “Is this really necessary? You could bring the mine down on our heads.” “We know princess, trust us we know, we are miners after all.” Tough Hide reminded her, “We know how to dig a mine and how to bring it down. This here dynamite is just to make sure those creatures don’t try to swarm us. I’m sure they like living just as much as we do. I suppose a magic blast would do just as well, but there are certain stones down here that can negate magic, so this makes for a good back up.” “Yeah, we learned what not to do when Uncle Stout Hide blew himself up.” Chuckled Rawhide. “Is that the same Uncle you said died here?” Applejack asked in concern. Rawhide nodded, which only increased her unease. “Um… Luna?” Luna frowned as she thought back to the stone cyclops she had fought, “There are anti-magic stones down here?” Rawhide raised a brow at the question, “Where else do you get stones? Though I suppose you could make em’ with your magic or something. You can do that, right Princess?” “No, that’s more alchemy then magic.” Rawhide shrugged and walked out of the tool shack, Applejack following nervously behind him. “I suppose that’s enough TNT, shall we get going, princess?” Tough Hide asked as he locked the iron box. Luna nodded and they reenter the tunnel. The four continue down the dark tunnel, it was eerie, to say the least. There was no sound other than that of their own hooves. For all the Rinin they saw yesterday they expected to see at least one of the creatures by now. They had been traveling for almost two hours, maybe longer, it was hard to tell down here. I still feel the sun in the sky, so it’s still daytime. I am worried about those three and these cramped tunnels. I won’t be able to fight to my fullest. Hopefully, the Rinin prove to be reasonable. I’d rather we not fight, but if they are just trying to survive then what will we do with them after this? Could they live in town? Will the city accept them? Will anypony take them? The three tribes’ relations were still strained. There were a few towns where two of the three tribes manage to work together, but all three? None as far as Luna knew. Many Earth ponies still resented the treatment their ancestors were subjected to by the Unicorn and Pegasi tribes back before the time she and Celestia came to power. Many in the Pegasi tribe didn’t like the overwhelming Political control the Unicorns held in the government and were made to pay the same land taxes as the Earth ponies, despite the majority of Pegasi settlements being in the clouds. Finally, the Unicorn’s, many in the noble class, held to the ‘master race’ complex and looked down on both the earth and the pegasi tribes as inferior. The fact the rinin were half dragon, dragons a long-standing foe of ponykind, wouldn’t earn them any favors in the eyes of the other tribes. “Look up ahead! a light!” Applejack pointed, knocking Luna out of her musing. At the end of the tunnel was a beam of sunlight pouring down from the ceiling. “It must be the main junction, the center point of the mine; it’s where all the tunnels connect.” Rawhide explained as they exited the tunnel and entered the large open chamber. it was dark save for the light from above, and also the hundreds of glowing eyes from the surrounding tunnels. “Ah think we found ‘em.” “Indeed we have,” Luna whispered. “You three stay here. I will speak with them.” “Ah’m going with ya,” Applejack insisted, firmly standing next to the princess. Rather than fight with the stubborn mare, Luna simply smiled allowing Applejack to company her. The mare had proved to be good luck in their last adventure, perhaps the same will be here. “We got your backs. Besides, I doubt we’d be a welcome sight for them.” Tough Hide said as he and Rawhide took up a position at the tunnel entrance, making sure to stay in the darkness of the tunnel. They had a couple of sticks of dynamite ready and waiting in case things went south. Luna only hoped their preparations wouldn’t stir the Rinin into a frenzy. Luna walked to the center of the junction and adjusted her voice for the echo of the caves. She didn’t want them to think her greeting was an attack. “Hello, ponies of… this mine. I am Princess Luna, ruler of the night. I have come here to speak to you of your actions against the town of Firehorn. Your thievery is hurting the ponies there, and it needs to stop. I wish to discuss how we can resolve this matter in peace.” From the shadows of one of the other tunnels a large Rinin stallion emerged. Standing as tall as Luna, his coat was grey, while his scales were silvery blue, along with his eyes. He slowly walked towards Luna and Applejack, stopping about five feet away. His hackles raised as he growled at them. “Get out! Leave us be!” He barked, crouching into an aggressive stance. Luna cursed herself for letting him get so close, he could clear the space between them before she even had a chance to cast a spell or draw her weapons. She carefully moved in front of Applejack while continuing to speak in a calm, neutral voice. “I can’t do that. Now please, I wish to speak with you peacefully.. Are you the leader of your group?” The Rinin didn’t back down or change his stance. “I am.” “What’s your name?” Luna asked, stepping closer. The rinin backed away and dug his claws into the ground, his muscles tense. He was spooked, she would need to play this carefully. “Applejack back away, Rawhide, Tough Hide stay where you are. Everything is ok.” “I think we have different opinions on that!” Rawhide shouted from the tunnel. She heard hoofsteps, but couldn’t tell which way they were coming from with the echo. Suddenly several more Rinin stepped out of the darkness, standing beside their leader defensively. Slowly she counted without moving her eyes. Four, maybe two more on the ceiling above. “You all stay back!” Rawhide yelled as he rushed ahead, the sound of the flint lighter striking. “Everypony stay calm!” Luna ordered as Tough Hide also ran out with his brother. The two stallions flanked Applejack who was only four feet behind her. Suddenly something dropped down from the ceiling. Luna strained to look without turning her head and was dismayed to find their exit blocked. The Rinin began to growl, their chests glowing as they built flames inside their bellies. Tough Hide floated several pieces of dynamite while Rawhide waited with the striker, both of them looking nervous as the dragon ponies surrounded them. “What are we going to do Luna?” Applejack whispered frightenedly. Luna frowned. “Everypony, please just calm down! We don’t need to resort to violence!” The red Rinin beside Sixes viciously snapped his jaws, smoke pouring from his nostrils as he seethed, “There’s already been violence!” “There wouldn’t have been if you vermin hadn’t been stealing our food and gems!” Rawhide barked back. Both the miners and the rinin began to growl, inching closer to one another. Luna stood her ground, if she backed away now, they’d attack for sure and then they’d all die. “Then let’s not resort to anymore. As far as I know, no pony has been killed yet. We can still settle this peacefully. Now you, what is your name Rinin Leader? This will go much smoother if we can actually address each other properly.” The Rinin leader rose up from his battle stance, eyes darting around, analyzing the situation and seeing the mutual destruction that would come if things didn’t cool down and quick. “My name is Sixes.” He answered. With his tail, he tapped the red rinin beside him and gestured for him to move back. The red rinin growled and snapped but did concede and stepped away, as did the others save for the one guarding the exit. Luna sighed, visibly relaxing, “Good now we can…” “Wait, Sixes? Like the number?” Applejack blurted out, causing Luna to cringe, thinking negations had already failed. It’s happened before; turns out foreign leaders get really offended if you mispronounced their name or you think it sounds funny. Before Luna could start yelling for Rawhide and Tough hide to light the fuses Sixes chuckled. “Yes, little pony, like the number, or rather 6666 to be more precious. However that gets to be a mouth full, so ponies have just started calling me Sixes. Now, I believe we have more serious matters to discuss.” Sixes said, turning his attention to Luna. “I believe you are here about, our… appropriating of the town's supplies.” “Indeed, you must know what you are doing is wrong and the danger you are putting the town in. Surely we can come to a peaceful solution?” Sixes frowned, “If it were that easy Princess, we would have done it, but it is complicated.” “How so? If you are willing, we can go down to town and resolve the problem now, and arrange it so you won’t have to steal anymore. We might even be able to speak with the dragons. You being Rinin they might be willing to take you in.” Sixes furrowed his brow in confusion, “Rinin? What is that? Why would dragons want anything to do with us?” Luna and Applejack looked at each other and then to the two brothers, who shrugged, not knowing what to say. Luna spoke again, “You are Rinin correct? Half dragon, half pony, or are you bat ponies?” More Rinin emerge out of the tunnels, Rinin of all shapes, sizes, and colors, from foals to full grown adults, they chatted excitedly among each other before Sixes raised his hoof for silence. “We don’t know what you are talking about Princess. I don’t remember much of my past or my parents. In fact, I only remember waking up in this cave three or four months ago, it’s the same for all of us.” Sixes turned so his flank was showing, on it was the number 6666 where his cutie mark should have been. “We don’t know our real names or even what we are, all we know is that we woke up here and we all have a number on our flank.” This… this is… I don’t know what this is! But making sense isn’t one of them! How could so many ponies not know who or even what they are? In fact, how can they all have numbers for marks? After Sixes' big reveal Luna asked if they could inspect more of the Rinin to verify his story. Sixes agreed and soon a long line of ponies was before Luna. Each and every one of them told the same story, there were some variances like some ponies said having wings didn’t feel right, or they felt something was missing. The most disturbing part was their marks; it was like somepony had branded them. Luna saw numbers from 0014 to 0711 and even numbers as high as 9413, however, there were only 150 ponies in the cave. Satisfied, Luna regrouped with Applejack and the brothers, who had long since put away the TNT. Applejack got straight to the point, “Well, what are we gonna do with ‘em?” Luna sighed as she looked at them all, “Rawhide, Tough Hide, do you think they could stay in town? They could work for their meals and lodging.” Tough hide shook his head. “I’m sorry, princess, but the town can’t support 150 more ponies, at least not all at once. We could take in twenty tops, but any more and we’d run out of supplies and room for them. They could stay up here or in other caves, but that still leaves the food issue and the fact there’s not enough of it, they eat more gems then we can mine, even with their help. Then there are the safety issues that come into play with inexperienced miners.” “Couldn’t you open a new mine, just for them?” Applejack suggests. This time Rawhide spoke, “We could, but we’d have to find a vein of gems first, and that’s hit or miss even with spells. Also to open another mine, we’d have to go through the dragons first, and they’ll want their share.” “Which is?” “Sixty percent, and at that rate digging a mine just for them to eat wouldn’t be profitable, what with all the tools and equipment and rails we’d have to set up for it. You have to remember mining is our livelihood and as much as I want to help, our workers have to eat and support themselves too.” “Well shoot, what are we going to do then?” Applejack cursed and stomped her hoof. “We take them with us.” Luna declares softly. Applejack and the brothers to stare at her. “We take them back to the castle with us Applejack. There are caves in the Everfree behind the castle, and we can build more shelters for them. They don’t just eat gems so we can feed them what we can. I’m sure there is somewhere near the castle where they could dig for gems. The rocky area to the north may have some gems tucked away if the diamond dogs haven’t found them.” Applejack, Rawhide, and Tough Hide all stare at her with their mouths agape. “What, is there something on my face?” Applejack shook her head and decided since she was the princess’s friend she should be the one to talk to her about her… decision. Pulling the Alicorn into a secluded tunnel, Applejack spoke, “You really want to bring all these ponies back to the castle?” Applejack held up her hooves, stopping Luna’s retort short. “Look it’s your castle, and I can’t stop you from doing this if it’s what you want to do, but what are these ponies going to do there? Hide in the woods? That’s no way to live Luna. Folks might take them as some new monster or something.” Luna exhales deeply, “I know how they look Applejack. Their different, normal ponies will fear them, but I believe there is a way they can win the love and respect they need to fit in.” “What are you talking about Luna?” The princess of the night walked towards the edge of the tunnel and looked out at the mass of ponies before turning back to Applejack with a coy smile, “Well I did say I need ponies to join my night Patrol, and I see 150 ponies that could fill the ranks very nicely.” “You mean?” “Yes, I do. Applejack, say hello to your new comrades.” Luna walked into the light, raising her voice for all to hear, “Ponies who dwell in this mine I have an opportunity for you. You may refuse it, but I urge you to hear me out. I must protect all ponies from the dangers of the night, and it is a task too big for even I to do alone. So I ask you, to join me, to fight for me, for Equestria! To fight against the evil in the night! The road ahead will be difficult, ponies will fear you for your appearance, but over time they will respect you for your actions! All I can offer in exchange is food, shelter, and the promise that no matter what fate may be waiting down this path, I will stand beside you. No matter what. Now, what say you? Will you join me?” The Rinin chatted among themselves, a group of them forming around Sixes. Some were fearful, a few uncertain, while others were filled with hope at the idea of food and shelter. Others were not so inclined. “What if this a ruse Sixes? A plan to lower our guard and take revenge?” The red rinin snorted, looking distrustfully of the Princess and her group. “There’s no way they’ll just forgive and forget what we’ve done! We have to stand our ground!” “With what food and weapons?” Sixes shook his head. “We gave all the food to the foals and mares. I haven’t eaten in days and you haven’t either. None of us have. All of us working together couldn’t defeat those two stallions, and now there are four of them, and the princess has both a horn and wings. Her powers must be even greater than the others. If we can get food and shelter from the princess in exchange for serving her then it’s an opportunity we can’t just ignore. There’s more to the world than just this cave and stealing scraps.” The other rinin fall silent, each of them thinking of a life outside of the mine. It had served as their home for three months since they all found themselves here. If there wasn’t so many of them or so many foals and mares with foal maybe they could make things work, but that wasn’t the reality. They needed a new home. They each looked to Sixes and nodded. The red rinin snorted in displeasure. “Fine..” Sixes patted the red rinin on the shoulder and walked over to Luna. “We’ll take your offer under consideration, for now, I’ll go apologize to the townsfolk on behalf of my kin.” Luna smiled. “I’m happy to hear that.” She looked over to the other rinin Sixes had been speaking with. “I promise I will return him unharmed.” The red rinin snorted and turned away, the others following him deeper into the caves. “Out of the way, 301.” Sixes ordered the rinin guarding the exit. The rinin bowed and made room for them to pass. “Don’t ya have names?” Applejack asked as they entered the tunnel to the surface. “Yawl can’t just be calling yourselves by numbers all the time.” “Some of us have names and some still go by numbers until somepony either names them or they come up a name they like.” Sixes replied as they passed the miner’s shack. “I don’t suppose you have a clan name then? My full name Applejack Apple of the Apple Clan.” Sixes chuckled as they step into the sunlight. “That’s a lot of apples, but we do have a name for ourselves, it was scribbled on the wall where we all woke up.” Luna looked at him with interest. “And what name was that?” “Shadowbolt.”