//------------------------------// // The Chains (Part 5 of 8) // Story: The Rainboom Thieves // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// Twilight sat there on the hospital bed. She sat there and slowly closed her eyes and laid her head on her pillow. There, her mind began to monologue, '...Okay, I know I looked at my options earlier...However, things didn't go they way I thought they would...let's look at the pros and cons Twilight...if I stay...pros: I'll be under Celestia...this means I could probably get to go to the Canterlot Archives, quite possibly the greatest library of magic in Equestria...I also might be able to get pardons for myself and the Rainbooms...cons: if I got pardons, my friends lives would be out in the open...Rainbow and Pinkie wouldn't mind but...Scootaloo would be revealed and taken away...Rarity's business could be ruined if they found out she was a thief...same with Applejack's family and the farm they run...I couldn't do that to them...and...I probably wouldn't be allowed to see them anymore...my other option is escaping...pros: I get to be with my friends again...cons: it will be even harder to be a Rainboom...I also would never be able to see my family again...is that really bothering me? Strange...However, if I do escape...that means that the prophecy won't happen...wait...why am I caring about that? Cadance said she could handle the elements...so why should I care?' Twilight slowly opened her eyes and saw her family sitting in the room with her. She then spoke up, “Hey...um...” “What is it Twilight?” asked Twilight Velvet. “You guys...you can go home...” “What do you mean?” “You guys have wasted your day being here...go home...I'll be out tomorrow alright?” The family looked at each other and then said, “Is that okay?” “Yeah...go ahead.” The family members slowly left one by one. Twilight then laid her head down again and thought one thing, 'Sorry everypony...but I've got to get out of here.' A few hours later the Celestia set the sun and raised the moon... Twilight got up from her bed and stretched her legs. She yawned as she looked out the window. As she was looking a small bird came up to window and began tapping the glass. “Huh? What's up little guy?” asked Twilight as she opened the window. She then saw the bird instantly fly away into an alley down in Canterlot. Twilight looked down at the alley and saw a small light. “What is that...a waving pony?” Twilight looked as hard as she could and recognized the pony waving. 'Fluttershy!' thought Twilight. 'She's signaling me...it must mean the getaway plan is ready...' Twilight grabbed her bag and stretched her legs and hooves. She then looked at the door out of the hospital room. 'Alright, let's get this party started!' thought Twilight as she stepped outside the room into the hallway. There in the hallway was four bored guards, sitting in front of Twilight's room. “Hi guys.” said Twilight with a huge grin as her horn began to glow. “Huh?” POW! BAM! WHAM! SLAM! “Don't get up, I'll let myself out.” Meanwhile at the bottom of the hospital... BAM! “Holy cow! Who is this cloaked mare?!” yelled one guard. “Watch out!” said another. POW! “Why you little-” WHAM! “Sorry pardners, you're in my way.” said a disguised Applejack. “You're going to pay for that!” yelled another guard. Then a bunch of light appeared behind the guard. BAM! “Hey Twi.” said Applejack. “Hey, couldn't you have caused a little less ruckus? Being silent didn't occur to you?” “Stop complaining and come with me. We already ordered train tickets.” “Good.” said Twilight as the two then began to run to the train station. However, the pegasus guard that was stationed on the roof of the hospital then saw Twilight and the cloaked Applejack leave the hospital. He spread his wings out and began to fly to Captain Shining Armor. Applejack handed Twilight a cloak which she put on and then put on her disguise ring. The two then got to the train station. “About time you got here darling, I got us tickets for the last train of the day.” said Rarity with an impatient face while standing right by Fluttershy who had made it back a little before Twilight and Applejack. “Thanks. Go ahead and deactivate your rings girls, only mine can go through the shield undetected.” said Twilight. “We know.” said Rarity as the four entered the station. “Where's the train headed?” “Trottingham. We'll have to find a hotel and stay the night there. We'll find a better train tomorrow.” The four got on the train and went to a private cabin. There, Twilight sat down and immediately slumped over. “Ugh...finally out of there...” “Are you okay darling?” “I'm fine...” said Twilight as she looked at the three. She then got up and bowed down, “Thank you so much!” The others looked at each other and then Applejack said, “You don't need to bow Twi, you would do the same fer us.” Tears went down Twilight's cheeks. “I know...it's just...I'm so sorry I put you all in so much danger...I'm sorry!” The three all hugged Twilight. “It's okay Twilight.” “It'll be fine darling.” “Don't worry so much, pardner.” The four hugged each other for a little longer and then all sat down. Applejack then spoke up, “Uh...Twi...I know I am being blunt here...but...are we in trouble?” “No...they don't know I'm a Rainboom...they never found out...” said Twilight. “However, I've got quite a story to tell you all...” Meanwhile at the Canterlot Castle... “Let me guess...Twilight ran away?” said Celestia to Shining Armor in her throne room. Shining lowered his head, “Yes.” “There's a good chance she's already out of Canterlot this time...” said Celestia, “Is there anything else Shining Armor?” “Yeah, she left a note on the hospital bed for you your highness...” said Shining as he handed her the note. Celestia then read it. It said only one thing. Go find another pony to do your dirty work. Celestia then put the note down and dismissed Shining. She then said only one thing, “Sigh...Guess I don't have a choice...I'll have to try and make Sunset inherit Harmony...” “Are you sure?” asked her adviser. “No...I'm not sure. However, unless I find Twilight again...Equestria will be in grave danger...” “What about Princess Cadance your highness?” “...I don't know.” Meanwhile in Manehattan... In a broken down apartment, Sunset Shimmer began to open her eyes. 'Ugh' she thought, 'I feel like I got hit by a Canterlot train...three times...' “WAKE UP!” yelled a rough looking pony in front of her. “Aah!” yelped Sunset. “Ah...you're awake. Good.” said the pony with a smile. Sunset's eyes widened as her eyes scanned the room she was in. Then she realized she couldn't move her body. “What's going on?” “Look down.” Sunset looked down only to find herself tied to a chair. “Um...what's going on?” “What's going on? Oh, it's something very simple.” said the pony as he sat down on a chair in front of Sunset. “My name is Muggy Snide, I was robbed by the oh-so-great Rainbooms a while back.” “What's that got to do with me?” POW! Muggy hit Sunset right in the face and then said, “Simple, you're going to tell me everything you know about them.” Muggy then pointed his hoof to another part of the room. “Or your friend Trixie gets it!”