Later after the race the group, along with Gilda, was in the throne room standing before the gryphon king.
“Marvelous job Fluttershy” the King beamed
“It was nothing really I’m sorry what happened to your other eggs” Fluttershy said
“Don’t worry” the king laughed “those were not real eggs we don’t risk them for the races”
“You mean Shelly will never hatch?” Fluttershy said a little sadly
“Now with the Shadow business how can we be of assistance?” The king said his cheerful tone changed to a serious one.
“The ponies are all already working on defenses and plans” The Spirit began “we need all the help we can get on the
preparations. With your kind more suited to long distance flying we were hoping you could lend a…uh…claw”
The king was silent for a moment “consider it done I will send Gilda as a messenger between the Princess and myself.”
“But dad!” Gilda protested
“Dad?” Rainbow asked
“No buts Gilda consider it a chance to redeem yourself after losing the race…I thought I taught you better.” The king said to
the gryphon
“Fine” she turned to the group “I’ll meet you there” she took off flying out a castle window
“I swear she takes after her mother” the king said aloud “I’m sure you have quite a lot of work ahead as do we until we meet
again ladies” the king bowed “Sir Knight”
They headed back to the courtyard where the carriage along with the rested Pegasus’ was waiting.
“Way to go” one of them called out to Fluttershy “We saw the race too”
“Taught her everything she knows” Rainbow said
The journey back to Canterlot was uneventful. Fluttershy explained how she easily drifted through the dangers of
the race since they were busy with Gilda and Rainbow.
“But how did you get past the snakes at the nest?” Rainbow asked
“Oh I just asked them if I could visit the nest and leave. They were quite friendly especially Steve.” Fluttershy responded
“You asked them…” Rainbow stared dumbfounded
Spirit laughed at Rainbow Dash as she replayed the race in her head.
“Face it Rainbow she got the better of you” he continued
“Yeah I know” she replied “so what’s the plan know we gonna go fight some dragons?” Rainbow began shadow boxing
“Dragons!” Fluttershy began
“Not for you two”
“What why!?” Rainbow asked as Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief
“I want you two to help coordinate with the gryphons to get our air routes secured and supply lines going.” Spirit said looking
at a map of Equesrita with lines and notes written on it.
“That sounds so boring” Rainbow groaned “and safe” Fluttershy added
“I know but its necessary here take a look this is what I’m thinking.” As Rainbow and Fluttershy looked at the paper in his
hand
The Spirit spent the rest of the trip working out details with the two Pegasus’ on his plans for the skies in Equestria. In no
time the carriage had landed in Canterlot where the entire city was abuzz with activity.
The cliffside city had a semi circle of narrow towers with purple glowing orbs around it. The side of Canterlot
overlooking the valley below had similar towers in various stages of construction floating in the open air.
“What are those?” Rainbow asked as they departed the carriage.
“Magic barrier generators” Twilight called out “Hopefully they will protect the city. We also have them being built in Ponyville,
Manehatten and Cloudsdale will be the last one to get them.”
“I thought you unicorns could just cast a barrier?” Rainbow Dash asked looking at the towers.
“We can but it takes loads of concentration and it’s very tiring. With these anypony can turn them on with the flip of a
switch.”
“Did you design them?” Spirit asked craning his neck to look at the towers.
“I can’t take all the credit” she said “They are modeled after some of Starswirl’s work”
“How long till they’re done?” the Spirit asked the purple pony
Twilight quickly did some math in her head “Canterlot’s should be done soon. Ponyville didn’t need as many so they might be done already. Manehatten should be done soon too. We are having difficulty with the floating ones since almost only pegasus can work on them. That’s why Cloudsdale is last.”
“I like them” the Spirit said
“Hopefully they don’t ever get used. How did the gryphons respond to our request?” Twilight asked
“Fluttershy had to show off for them but they are with us” the Spirit lauged as Twilgiht gave the yellow Pegasus a look.
“It’s a long story” Fluttershy said sheepishly
Early the next morning Rainbow and Fluttershy set off to begin the Spirits plans with the gryphons. Spirit was once again standing in the war room looking at the growing pile of information around him. He began reading snippets of info aloud.
“Reports of increased hydra activity in the swamps. Desert Shield guards claim Diamond Dogs have disappeared into their
caves. Gryphons have begun ferrying heavy supplies from Canterlot to outlying villages. Civilians advised to be ready to
move at a moment’s notice. Appaloosa abandoned due to week long duststorms.”
“It’s defiantly coming isn’t it?” A royal voice said behind the Spirit
“I’m afraid so” he said tuning to face Princess Luna
“Do you think we stand a chance?” she asked
The Spirit looked at the Princess “all we can do is try” he said “I have no home to go too. I don’t think I could lose another
world.”
“I’m glad to hear you call Equestria your home.” She said approaching the Spirit
“It’s all I have now I don’t know how I got here or how to return home” The Spirit thought back to the deal Shadow offered.
“For what it’s worth. I’m glad you’re here” The Princess said as she left the Spirit to his thoughts
“Good morning Princess” Rarity said as she passed the Princess on her way out.
“Ah good morning Rarity” Luna said awkwardly she wasn’t quite used to all the visitors in the palace
“Rarity glad you could make it how goes your project?” The Spirit asked.
“Well it’s defiantly different” she said as she magically floated a stack of papers to the Spirits hand. “Here is what we
designed so far.”
Sketches of ponies, gryphons and dragons all wearing various styles of armor filled each page. Notes accompanied each
picture detailing the advantages and disadvantages.
“I’m impressed” the Spirit said glancing briefly at each picture “I think you found a new calling”
“Hardly” Rarity began “those designs don’t allow me to show the beauty that I like to show. Since they made for many to
wear I can’t put the little personal touches I enjoy in each dress and the materials are just so heavy.”
“Have you started making any yet” Spirit asked
“Princess Celestia assigned a large group to me. We have made one of each we were waiting for you to decide.”
“Me?” the Spirit said “This is your project Rarity I’ll go with whatever you think is best.”
“Really” a surprised Rarity said “Why thank you I appreciate your confidence. We’ll get started right away.” The white
unicorn began to leave the room.
“Rarity can they start without you?” Spirit asked
She stopped for a second “Yes I suppose so the design phase is over now all we have to do is assemble them. Why?
“I’m taking you and Twilight to help me win the dragons to our side.” The Spirit said as he looked at the lava fields on the
map.
“I don’t know what I can do to make the dragons join us.”
“Twilight said the dragons have no official leader, but they traditionally follow the eldest dragon we win him over we gain the
dragons support.” The Spirit said
“I still don’t know how I could help” Rarity continued
“One of the hardest parts is finding the elder. Twilight read that the older the dragon is the more they stay in one spot. The
more they stay in one spot the bigger their stash of treasure is.”
“T…treasure” Rarity stuttered now intrigued
“I was told that you have the power to find large amounts of gems and I was hoping…”
“I’ll do it!” Rarity exclaimed
“Good we are taking a boat down river then we can walk a short distance to the dragon lava fields. Meet us at the Canterlot
docks when you’re ready.”
“I’ll be there with bells on” Rarity said with gems dancing in her head.
Spirit honestly believed to see here wearing bells when they met again.