At the border of the Everfree forest, a mob of ponies were waiting anxiously. A few ponies were still arriving, but most of the town was there, including the guards that had arrived with Celestia. Many of the ponies were holding makeshift weapons, ranging from wooden posts to pitchforks. One pony, a grey mare with a blonde mane, had somehow managed to get hold of sword, and was busy stabbing a nearby tree.
“This is all you could get. There is only six guards. What can they do against Nightmare Moon?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I tried to get more diverted here, but every other guard is apparently busy keeping the populous controlled. Riots have broken out in the major cities. Everypony is frightened. The only reason we even have any in the first place is because they were already here.” The mayor had been arguing the same thing with the cyan pegasus for the last half hour.
“Are you serious?! This may be the only way to get the princess back, and they aren’t willing to send any guards?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Rainbow face hoofed. “I thought royal guards were meant to protect royalty.” She glared at a guard in the crowd. “Once we find Celestia, I’m going to have to talk to her about her security.”
“I agree darling. These must be the worst guards in Equestria.” Rarity raised her voice so the guards could hear her. “To let the princess be stolen from right under their noses is disgraceful.” This got her a few glares from most if not all the guards present.
“That is not the current issue now ladies. Our priority is getting through the forest unharmed.” Mayor Mare looked between the two. “I’m going to need you,” She looked to Rainbow Dash. “And any other pegasi we can spare, to scout from above to help any injured pony and get them out of harms way, if we are to get into any trouble.” Rainbow Dash saluted and flew off to gather the best fliers she could find.
“Do you really think we can beat her?” Applejack had a worried frown on her face.
“As long as we find those elements in time.” The mayor scanned the crowd, checking if everypony was present. “I guess this is the best we can hope for. Applejack, get everyone ready to leave.” Applejack trotted away to complete task. The mayor moved over to the nearest guard. “Excuse me.” She cleared her throat. “I want you and your men to scout the area ahead and make sure the path is cleared for the rest of us.”
The guard gathered in front of the forest before begrudgingly trotting in. Five minutes passed and nothing happened. Everypony waited, but nothing happened. Some had started to play some of the games Pinkie had brought along, including a very intense game of twister, which Pinkie Pie appeared to be winning. Berry punch was moving her left forehoof to a blue tile. The bushes at the edge of the Everfree rustled, breaking Berry’s concentration, which resulted in a pile of disoriented ponies and a giggling Pinkie Pie.
“Shh. I can see something.” Someone whispered. Everything was still. Somewhere nearby a twig snapped. Someponies visibly shivered. One of the bushes shook violently, then a guard fell out of it, the others falling next to him.
“Well? Is it clear?” The mayor asked.
The guard spat out a leaf. “Mostly. The flora is a bit difficult to pass, but nothing that could pose a danger to the civilians.”
“Perfect.” She turned to the now attentive crowd. “Sunset! Could you come here?” Sunset galloped to the front of the crowd princess.
“Yes mayor.”
“These elements… will they work?” A worried frown crossed the mayor’s face.
“I’m positive.” She grinned.
She sighed. “Then I guess it’s time.” The mayor went to the very edge of the Everfree and stopped. Everyone was now behind her, ready to follow her lead. Nothing happened. She just starred ahead, deep in thought. She had never been this close to danger before. What would happen to the town if something happened to her? A cheerful giggling cloud of pink flew past her ear. Pinkie bounced past the crowd and into the forest. Someponies shrugged and followed her into the woods.
The mayor stayed in the same spot, then hung her head in shame, before following the mob.
What kind of leader am I? I can't even walk into a bucking forest. Even Pinkie Pie is braver than me. She looked at the ponies around her and saw something she never expected. Even Flutershy is braver than me! Calm down, it is just a forest. You have to take charge. Show these ponies that you are worthy of leading them. She looked ahead and galloped to the front of the crowd, stopping next to Pinkie.
"Oh hey mayor. Whatcha doin?"
"Just making sure everything is fine." The mare responded nervously. "Want to make sure everypony is in tip top shape."
"Oh that's nice. Cinnamon bun?" Pinkie held the pastry in her forehoof.
"No thank you. I'm fine..." The mayor's head tilted in confusion. "where did you get that?"
"I was just holding onto it, just in case I got hungry." She stuff the pastry into her fluffy mane. What else has she got in there? Pinkie smiled, then slowed her pace to join the rest of the group, leaving the mayor at the front of the pack.
The mob was now travelling along the edge of a large cliff. Most ponies clung to the inner path. Sunset looked to the ponies around her, many were visibly shaking in fright, while others just looked worriedly at the drop below. Sunset tentatively peaked over the edge of the cliff, before returning to safety, swaying on her hooves, but not from fright. The ground was shaking. Sunset watched as cracks appeared in the ground, spreading at an alarming rate. Many ponies jumped for safety.
A large portion of the mountain fell taking an even larger portion of ponies with it, including Sunset. Sunset watched all the ponies around her, flailing and screaming in despair. The pegasi were catching all the ponies they could, but there were too many. Sunset saw the ground rush up to meet her. Concentrating her magic, a light surrounded her form and when in dissipated she was gone, appearing with a pop at the top of the cliff.
She glanced down at the carnage below. Earth ponies and unicorns lay on the ground far below, lying at awkward angle. Everyone stared in horror at what had just happened. A guard pegasi flew down to assess the situation. Her reached for one of the fallen ponies hooves and held it for several seconds. He looked up at the crowd and shout.
“There ok, mostly. Just severely injured. We need to get them to the hospital.” Everyone looked to Mayor Mare. It was up to her what happened next. She did a quick calculation in her head before nodding.
“I want the pegasi to take the wounded back to Ponyville. But I will need a few to remain her to scout ahead for any further dangers. From here on, I want unicorns to remain at the back, in order to lend assistance in any threat should befall us.” I’m getting good at this. Everypony nodded before going about their duty.
The remaining earth ponies went to the head of the pack and continued along the path, unicorns staying a few yards behind, away from danger. The few pegasi that had stayed were flying in circles above the group, constantly scanning for any disturbances.
Soon after everyone had relaxed, the pegasi dived to the ground, landing in the middle of the crowd. Rainbow managed to yell while also whispering. “There’s something up ahead. Something big.”
Pinkie bounced happily. “Any orders General?” She asked, directing her questing to the mayor.
Did she just call me General? “We need to be ready for anything. I want every earth pony to gather all the large rocks and boulders you can, quickly.” They ran off in search of the largest rocks they could find. “I need all unicorns to line up in two rows.”
The manticore felt a huge pain in its right paw. It felt like something was constantly stabbing at it. The large beast swiped at a nearby branch and brushed by a large bush, crawling into a clearing. That’s a lot of ponies. It looked in confusion at the large mass. It took a step forward. Its right paw sent another jolt of pain through its body, eliciting a pained roar from it.
The monster bared its fangs at them and let loose a terrifying roar. Mayor Mare mistakenly took this as an act of aggression. “First line, fire!” She shouted at the unicorns. Their horns lit up, their brows sweating in concentration. Large boulder rose above their heads then flew towards the manticore. The first few missed, but one or two found their mark, but only succeeded in making it angry. “Second line, fire!” The first line stepped back, the second stepping up to the mark. Boulders already raised, they fired in quick succession. This time they were more accurate and scored a few good hits. But now the beast was charging. “Open fire!” Each unicorn grabbed the nearest thing they could and flung it at the monster. Sunset looked around her, but all the good ammunition had already been used. She saw a half buried boulder, the size of a small house, and concentrated. The rock was barely moving and she was already exhausted. Slowly the rock began to rise from the ground, dirt and smaller pieces of rock falling from it. Raising it into the air, she tossed it as hard as she could at the charging beast. The beast’s eyes widened as it saw the enormous object fly toward it. Only letting out a small scream as it was crushed.
Silence overtook the forest. Everything was still. Sunset breathed heavily, sweat dripping from her muzzle. The silence was soon shattered by a loud cheer. Everypony galloped towards Sunset and congratulated her on the victory. Sunset accepted attention given to her, even posing for a few seconds.
At the edge of the clearing, a dark shadow watched the cheering crowd, a devious smile stretched across its face. “Such viciousness, to cheer in the presence of death. It seems things haven’t changed much in Equestria after all these years.” She focused more on the mare being celebrated. “Maybe that mare could be of use to me.”