Wind brushed against the trees as it swept through the Sweet Apple Acres farm. Brilliant sunlight, the sun high overhead, reflected off the ripe red skins on the apples that dangled from the trees. In the farmhouse kitchen, boisterous laughter reverberated throughout the quaint dwelling. Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy cheered at the Cutie Mark Crusaders with Big Macintosh and Granny Smith fixing lunch.
The three fillies slammed their hooves together, for what seemed like the fourth time. Though a day had passed, the trio giggled and smiled at their accomplishment.
"Listen, Sugar Cubes. I'm happy, ecstatic beyond belief ya'll finally earned your cutie marks. It's been a long time coming, but ya need to give it a rest. Those marks will fall off your flanks if you keep starin' at em'." Applejack said. She leaned back, shielding her eyes with her hat. After a slight grin, she glanced at Apple Bloom to see her sister still staring at the hard earned cutie mark. "It's been a long time coming you three, and we're all mighty proud of ya."
Rarity gave a polite, slow nod to Applejack. She nibbled on a piece of toast then dabbed a few crumbs from the corner of her mouth. The piece of toast, in her magical grasp, drifted to the plate. She swallowed and said, "O my. Darling. It looks like you've been summoned. That's rather odd. I've never seen our cutie marks glow like that before."
"I am?" Twilight said. Her cutie mark continued to glow in a bright light. She said with an ecstatic smile, "Yes!"
"It's gotta be important to glow like that. Feels like I'm looking at the sun." Rainbow Dash said. She huffed and turned away, " Geez. Why can't I go? Feels like forever since me and Pinkie went on our adventure."
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle looked at each other. The Cutie Mark Crusaders moved towards Twilight where they looked at the glowing cutie mark, back at themselves, and then towards every pony in the room. The fillies placed their hooves together. In a unison voice they said, "Can we come? Please..."
"Sorry, sugar cubes. This is just between us elements." Applejack said.
"Actually, I don't mind." Twilight closed her eyes and smiled. The five ponies looked at their friend. She rubbed her neck with her right hoof and opened her eyes. "I mean, it would be great for them to see what happens on one of our missions."
Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash faced each other. After a sigh, a trio puppy-dog eyed expressions melting away the ponies' resolves, the three ponies nodded at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
A bellowing "yes" resounded throughout farmhouse.
"Cutie Mark. Crusader..." The fillies' unison voice faded.
"Right, we earned our cutie marks. Anyways, what's the mission." Apple Bloom said.
"We'll have to find out. Meet me at the castle." Twilight said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders galloped towards Apple Bloom's room and collected their supplies from last night's sleep over party. They bolted downstairs and shielded their eyes with their hooves as Twilight vanished in a flash of light.
"Well. Ya heard her squirt. Get your flank to the castle." Rainbow Dash said, ruffling Scootaloo's mane before shooing her off.
"Though this is rather odd, I do trust there is a reason for all of this. Sweetie Belle," Rarity rubbed a hoof against her chin before placing it on the ground and smiling at her sister, "do be cautious. While Applejack and I encountered a few annoyances in the form of uncouth taxis ponies, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash's little... 'excursion' sounded quite dangerous." She said. A kind, gentle hoof pulled Sweetie Belle closer to her big sister. "Ok. Don't keep Twilight waiting."
"Nothin' ta say here, sugar cube. I'm mighty proud of ya, and I know Ma and Pa would be too if they were here." Applejack said.
With their saddlebags on, the trio galloped across Sweet Apple Acres. Trees whizzed by them, and then buildings and ponies. The castle came into view, its doors crystal doors soon flung open.
The fillies raced down the hallway. They bolted by several banners that hung along the walls. Strong hooves pushed open the doors to meeting hall. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo shrugged at each other as they entered the near silent room. The gems dangled from the tree stump, jingling against each other.
"Girls?" Twilight said. Soft hooves guided her behind the fillies where she gave a quiet, melancholic sigh to the group before looking away. From her saddlebag, a gentle magical grasp levitated out three pieces of folded clothing. "You'll need these for the mission. It won't be an easy one."
"Aren't these a bit drab?" Sweetie Belle said.
"It's awesome if you ask me." Scootaloo said, placing the hooded cloak on. "Need ta get them altered and put our cutie marks on em."
Apple Bloom rubbed a hoof against her chin then raised an eyebrow at the dull colored cloaks. Her hoof brushed the against the fabric. She turned her raised eyebrow toward Twilight. "Where are we goin?"
Twilight illuminated her horn, and an aura enveloped the group. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo closed their eyes.
"We could have walked here." Scootaloo said, opening her eyes.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood on the platform beside Twilight as she pulled a stack of tickets from her saddlebag, soon giving one to each Cutie Mark Crusader.
Twilight emitted another sigh before she reached up and tightened the strings to the hooded cloak over her. She tugged on the strings of each hooded cloak around the fillies. "It should be here in a second. Stay close."
Sweetie Belle raised her hoof, and then lowered it. She backed away from the platform's edge along with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
Smoke billowed from the horizon. Heavy iron wheels skidded against the rails, a deafening sound coming from them. A black train with a red number 5 on its front plate rolled up. Fire and ash spewed forth from the smoke stack. The train stopped. A stallion engineer leaned out the window and glared at the four ponies. In a snarling tone he said, "Get On."
Shaky hooves guided the Cutie Mark Crusaders behind the nervous hooves of the pony in front of them.
Inside the train car, the four equines produced their tickets. The gryphon ticket master punched each ticket then returned them, tipping her hat.
A quick, violent jerk came to the passengers inside. Fire and Ash spewed forth from the smoke stack once more with the breaks released. Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders crept down the train car's decayed carpet. An elderly stallion raised his cane at Apple Bloom. He stared at the filly then lowered his cane.
"Twilight," Scootaloo looked at the train car before taking her seat, "where are we going? I've never seen a train like this one."
"..." Twilight mumbled to herself before she looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "We're going to the land of eternal night."
"WHAT!" Sweetie Belle said before she was silence by Twilight's well placed hoof. "..."
"Please, we have to be quiet." Twilight said, uncovering Sweetie Belle's mouth.
"If you told me we were going there, I would have said count me out." Sweetie Belle said in a hushed tone.
"Why?" Scootaloo said. She looked towards the window, "Apple Bloom, you ok?"
"Ah've... been there. It happened a long time ago when we visited Uncle Sour Apple. That place ain't right." Apple Bloom said. Her quivering right hoof steadied her left. "It's the one place in all of Equestria Big Macintosh nearly refuses to set hoof in. Granny Smith says it's where a lot of 'old legends' come from."
Twilight nodded at Apple Bloom. She whispered to the group, "We'll learn more when we arrive."
*** *** ***
Trees whizzed by the window. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle slept on their saddlebags as Apple Bloom sat near Twilight. Day turned to night with a heavy forest coming into view. Soon, the train's heavy iron wheels skidded against the metal track; the sparks that shot forth from the metal grinding against metal illuminated the area for a brief second. Four red lanterns hung from the beams above the station's platform.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo opened their eyes. The passengers around the four ponies gathered their things and departed in a hurry. Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders retrieved their bags then stepped onto the platform.
"Worse than Ah remember it." Apple Bloom said in a hushed tone, her withers twitching.
Rows of black streetlamps gave a small bit of light to the dirt path away from the train station, a dense mass of clouds overhead.
"..."
"What?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Nothing. Let's get going." Twilight said. She pointed at the lights in the distance. "The Raven Inn is just up ahead, and we need to get there before it gets any darker."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders crept along the muddy pathway. Their hooves plunged into the mud as they struggled to move. Hisses and Howls resonated around the group. A slight mist emerged from the ground. The trio's eyes darted about.
"What was that!" Scootaloo said, backing up against Twilight. The bushes continued to rustle near them before they ceased. "H-H-Hello?"
In an instant, a purple shield surrounded the group. Two gold eyes peered down at the group.
Apple Bloom tugged on Twilight's cloak, "Come on. We gotta move! "
The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded at each other. Each filly pushed and tugged Twilight along the road to the inn.
The Raven inn came into view. The equines darted inside, slammed the door behind them, and took a deep breath.
"What was I thinking. It was a mistake bring you three here." Twilight said, biting down on her lip. She walked towards the counter. "Here," Twilight slid a small slip of paper towards the inn keeper, "the moon and stars are always brilliant in the sky."
From behind the counter, a mare smiled. Her white fangs glinted in the light of the nearby candle. She flew to the top box. Key in hoof, the bat pony floated toward the ground and moved up the stairs, accompanied by the group of four.
Passed several old doors, down a semi-furnished hallway, the mare opened the door in front of her. In a calm tone she said, "Our mutual 'acquaintance' is here."
A spacious room greeted the group with an intricate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. White candles, in the chandelier, illuminated the bedroom. A large mirror resided in the back while a beautiful bathroom lay adjacent to the room's entrance.
The bat pony mare bowed to the group, and then closed the door.
A figure emerged from behind a curtain and said, "You've arrived."
"Princess Luna?" Scootaloo said.
"Yes, Scootaloo." Princess Luna said. Her gaze turned towards the pony behind the fillies, "Did the others suspect anything, Twilight Sparkle?"
"I shouldn't lie to my friends." Twilight said. Her ears lowered while she stood behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "That spell wasn't easy to pull off either."
"What's going on." Apple Bloom said.
Princess Luna scanned the room. Her horn glowed in a dark blue aura. The curtains closed, and a veil of darkness enveloped the group. She removed the hood to her cloak, "Your talents are needed, Cutie Mark Crusaders. After I learned of how you obtained your cutie marks, I believe you, and you alone are the ones to aid me in this endeavor."
"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle said.
"There is a strange presence here that eludes my abilities to see into the dreams of others within this land." Princess Luna said. She stepped closer, "Twilight Sparkle, did you tell them about Shining Armor?"
"No." Twilight said. Her voice remained melancholic, "It happened about two weeks ago. Princess Cadence found my brother unconscious on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. Though he's alright with no ill effect from the attack, what perplexes me is why the attacker rendered him unconscious just to shave his mane."
"Sounds like a practical joke." Scootaloo said.
Twilight shook her head. "It 'sounds' like a joke, but it isn't. We found traces of a potion that's quite dangerous if misused. Whoever did this knew what they were doing."
"Ok, I get the reason why Twilight is here. Why us? We're supposed to help ponies find out the true meaning of their cutie marks." Sweetie Belle said.
"That you are, Sweetie Belle, and I believe the Cutie Mark Crusaders have their part to play in this matter." Princess Luna said. In a brilliant flash of light, the world changed to that of a darkened cave. "Though I oversee Canterlot and Equestria with my sister, the land of eternal night is a place I call home. It is here that I ventured into a dream, where I discovered a bat pony in great pain. I'm sorry to say that what exists before you is all I could see that night. Something purged me from its dream, and now I fear the dreams of those who live within this land are unguarded."
Apple Bloom squinted at the silhouette, "Looks like a bat pony, but I've near seen a pony look like that before. Can ya like... 'stop' it there?"
Princess Luna illuminated her horn, freezing the dream in place. The group moved to the side. Apple Bloom ran her hoof across her chin.
"Darn, Ah can't see the cutie mark." Apple Bloom said. She and her friends faced Princess Luna. "Ah just have one question. Why not come to us and ask? What's with the secrets?"
"Princess Luna believes we need those who possess the special talent to assist others in discovering their true potential. I disagreed and knew the others wouldn't like you traveling to this place. We compromised on it being you three and me." Twilight said.
Apple Bloom snickered. "You're kinda miffed ya didn't get called on this one."
Twilight grimaced before she turned away. The Cutie Mark Crusaders chuckled at one another before Princess Luna cleared her throat.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders. I, Princess Luna, hereby issue you this mission of grave importance. Find and help this bat pony see its truth path. Be warned, " Princess Luna said as she placed her hood back on, "you are treading into dark, unknown territories. All I know for certain is that whatever is obscuring my abilities isn't magical in nature."
"Yes, Princess Luna." The Cutie Mark Crusaders said in unison. They bowed to the mare in front of them, "We will do our best."
"Go Cutie Mark Crusaders, and may you be safe on this journey." Princess Luna vanished into a veil of mist. The darkness around the room dissipated.
"Though the 'Land of Eternal Night' is a bit of a misnomer, this place is still quite dangerous. You three take the bed, and I'll take the couch." Twilight said. She relaxed and retrieved a thick stack of papers from her saddlebag, soon pulling out a rock with three crystals protruding from it. "You three should get some shuteye. I'm going to catch up on a bit of reading."
"What is that thing anyways, Twilight? You mentioned somethin' about mah big sis and Appleoosa, but I didn't really get to see ya experiment on it since Big Macintosh took me out that day." Apple Bloom said.
"Braeburn found this meteorite out in Appleoosa, and Applejack brought it back to Ponyville. This unusual object has been on quite the long journey." Twilight said. She poked the rock several times. " I hate to admit it, but I have no idea what this thing is right now. The Doctor said it absorbed every bit of power in his laboratory."
"...violation of secondary thermodynamic law by removal of available energy within..." Apple Bloom rubbed her forehead, "You understand this gibberish?"
"Hey. It's not gibberish. I--" Twilight skimmed over the notes then shook her head,"-- ok, it's gibberish." She said. Her hooves ran down her face. A loud thud resonated in the room as the pony banged her head against the desk. She lifted her head up and rolled her eyes. "I understand concepts of magic and ideas of science, but this goes way beyond anything I've encountered. 'Quantum mechanics' and 'molecular physics' are just -- what is he talking about?"
Scootaloo stared at the notes, "Weird. He keeps sayin' something about 'absorption?'"
"That's about the only thing I could discern from this myself. He does mention that word throughout several pages." Twilight said.
Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on Twilight's side, "Why not give it a rest and get back to it in the morning. I bet even a princess needs her sleep."
Twilight smiled at the filly, "Perhaps you're right. It's bitter-sweet, but I am in luck. There's a name mentioned in the paper, and that pony lives here. Mr. Sine is a renowned mathematical genius."
"..."
"Scootaloo?" Twilight said in a hushed voice. She looked behind her to see the three fillies sound asleep. In a quiet voice the pony said, "I better get them to bed and get myself some shuteye. This won't be an easy mission."
*** *** ***
Apple Bloom let out a deep yawn before she rubbed her eyes. The filly's hooves touched the floor then guided her to the bathroom. Once finished, another yawn echoed in the small space.
Outside the Raven Inn, darkness faded away to dim light.
"Twilight?!" Apple Bloom said, bolting back from the window.
"What? What happened?!" Twilight said, floating into the air then coming down. Her eyes traced Apple Bloom's raised hoof that pointed at the window. "I don't see anything."
"Two eyes. They were like... shiny, bright green apples." Apple Bloom said.
"Hey, can ya keep it down. I want to get some shuteye." Scootaloo said. She glanced at the adjacent window, bolted into the air, and then quivered behind Apple Bloom, "Over there!"
Two green eyes gazed at the fillies in the room. A bat pony mare waved at room's occupants flying off.
"Uhh, girls. That's Ms. Broomstick. She runs the Raven Inn. You met her last night." Twilight said.
"Ah swear, Sweetie Belle could sleep through a darn storm of raining anvils on an iron mountain top in a cave." Apple Bloom said. She walked towards the bed and poked her friend's side, "Wake up, Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie Belle groaned. The unicorn filly rubbed her head, proceeded to the bathroom, finished her business, and came out with her mane fixed and combed.
"Ok. I'm up." Sweetie Belle said with a smile.
Twilight giggled to herself. "They're definitely sisters."
Apple Bloom combed her mane while Scootaloo then Twilight visited the bathroom. With her pink ribbon tied to her mane, the filly stretched her hooves and gave a final yawn. She took her cloak from Twilight's magical grasp.
"Well, Princess Luna --" Apple Bloom said, a magical field placed over her mouth. "..."
"We need to keep the identity of our mutual 'acquaintance' a secret. If the ponies in this place knew we were visited by Princess Luna, they would demand answers. Until we solve this problem, all of us need to be incognito." Twilight said. Three sets of confused eyes stared at her, "Keep a low profile."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded. After consuming a small bit of breakfast from their saddlebags, the equines left the room and headed outside. The trio of fillies stuck close to Twilight while they made their way through the town.
Twilight whispered, "I think our best bet is to see where Mr. Sine lives and see if he can help us."
Sweetie Belle darted towards the center of the small village. On the water fountain, she said, "Any pony know where Mr. Sine lives."
The crowd of ponies stopped. Furious eyes glared at the filly. Twilight placed a firm hoof on her forehead before retrieving Sweetie Belle.
"Sorry. We're just looking for Mr. Sine. I have some questions to ask him." Twilight said.
Several doors slammed shut. Cautious, unnerved eyes followed the group.
Scootaloo waved at a small bat pony colt, but saw the pony taken away by a pegasus stallion.
Through the watery streets, the group followed a stony pathway to a set of large iron gates.
"Do you want to meet my daddy?" A grey colored filly said as she stepped out from behind the corner. She looked at the trio of ponies behind Twilight and smiled, "Hi. I'm Pipette."
"Hi. I'm Apple Bloom. This here is Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and we're," Apple Bloom stopped herself and looked at Twilight, "checkin' things out to see where Mr. Sine lives."
"Daddy lives in the castle." Pipette said. She opened the gate and pointed towards a cobblestone pathway, "Here, follow me."
The filly darted up the pathway. The Cutie Mark Crusaders galloped behind her with Twilight a few paces behind.
"That was fun!" Pipette said, skidding to a stop at a large door.
Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders panted.
"Wanna race again?" The unicorn filly said to the trio. She frowned, "I'll let you win."
"Thank you for the offer, Pipette, but I need to speak with your daddy. Do you mind leading us to him?" Twilight said.
"Daddy doesn't get along with princesses, but I'll see if he'll talk to you." Pipette said. She tilted her head at Twilight's dazed look, "I can see your wings sticking out from behind your cloak. Not to mention those cloaks are kind of outdated."
Twilight grumbled under her breath. She and the Cutie Mark Crusaders proceeded behind the unicorn filly into the castle. As the door opened, the castle's lavish interior came into view. Twilight stepped onto a marble floor with intricate, exquisite work etched into it. Light from the candles overhead brightened the entry way where an elegant set of marble steps came down.
"Pipette, you're supposed to play outside when I'm busy." A voice said in a calm demeanor. Heavy hoof steps echoed in the entry way. An earth pony stallion in a black suit entered from the top of the stairway and proceeded down the stairs. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, to do I owe the pleasure of this visit by the Princess of 'Friendship and Magic.'"
"Jerk." Apple Bloom said under a hushed breath, squinting at the pony. Suits of armor and paintings reflected off her eyes, "Wait. Ain't this the place of Dr. Stein?"
"Quite astute of you, my little filly. Legends would tell you my ancestor, who existed 200 yrs after Nightmare Moons defeat, lived in an extravagant castle. In actuality, the stallion resided in a shoddy hovel in the wilds of Equestria." Mr. Sine stopped at the bottom of the steps. His brown eyes scanned the fillies before focusing on Twilight, "Enough about me. How may I assist you?"
Twilight gave a sheepish grin. She cleared her throat and produced a stack of papers from her saddlebag. "There's an unusual object I'm researching, and I need some assistance. The Doctor in Ponyville mentioned you in his notes. Your reputation as a mathematical genius is quite well known."
"I'm immune to flattery, and I am rather annoyed by uninvited guests. Still, I am intrigued that such a stallion, "Mr. Sine grumbled, "more renowned than myself would mention me in his notes."
Mr. Sine stepped closer towards the group and held out his hoof.
"Some may think that 'math' is stupid or pointless, yet it's the key to understanding a great many things." Mr. Sine said. He adjusted his glasses. "Now this is intriguing. From the formulas, equations, and notations, it appears your so-called 'discovery' has the ability to literally nullify any form of energy, magical or mechanical. Fascinating. Pipette. Go fetch us some refreshments and prepare the guest bedroom. This will take some time, and I would like our guests to stay the night."
The filly smiled at the stallion before she bolted off.
Mr. Sine maintained his expressionless demeanor when he glanced behind Twilight. "Perhaps your 'filly friends' could 'crusade' along with my daughter while we attend to more mature matters of science."
"Hey. You have a problem with us, just spit it out." Apple Bloom said.
"Apple Bloom, there's no reason to be rude." Twilight said.
"No, she's right. This stallion has a serious chip on his shoulder." Scootaloo said.
"It's quite alright, 'Princess' Twilight Sparkle." Mr. Sine said. He turned towards the steps, "I do apologize if my words are harsh, however, I prefer solitude over the abhorrent noise of companionship and camaraderie. Pipette on the other hoof is rather lonely. I believe you three could entertain her."
The group proceeded up the steps and down a hallway. Several ornate doors passed by. Mr. Sine continued to skim over the mathematical notations in the notes. The stallion looked up from the stack of papers. He shook his head, passed by the group, and proceeded down another hallway. A crackling noise resonated from behind a doorway. The sound intensified as the door opened.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Twilight covered their ears to the deafening sound. They looked up to see two metallic orbs close together emitting several bolts of lightning. The group unplugged their ears after Mr. Sine pulled on a nearby leaver, the sound ceasing.
"The laboratory of Mr. Sine..." Twilight said with an ecstatic smile. Several, tiny lights blinked on and off near a metal panel. The pony flew towards the metallic orbs, a machine in the back, and then a nearby chalkboard.
"No. Bad pony. Bad." Mr. Sine said, grabbing a broom stick. He shook his head, "Pardon me. Enthusiasm and excitement detract from one's work."
Twilight raised an eyebrow before coming down. The Cutie Mark Crusaders glared at Mr. Sine.
"Refreshments are ready." Pipette said in a cheery tone.
"Good." Mr. Sine said. He retrieved a small snack from the plate, and, with the tray placed onto a table, he faced Pipette, "Why don't you and the Cutie Mark Crusaders go play."
"How do you know us?" Apple Bloom said.
"Mr. Sour brings me fresh apples, Apple Bloom. Much like this place, his name is quite the misnomer." Mr. Sine said.
"You're Siney?" Apple Bloom said.
"Yes..." Mr. Sine said, ending with a small groan. "Now, if you will excuse me. I have some work to attend to these formulas."
Pipette waved a slight hoof at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the trio of fillies followed their guide to a small area behind a machine. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle followed Pipette down a dim passage way. They stopped.
"This is my room," the filly said in a quiet voice. A small "click" was succeeded by bright lights that reflected off the Cutie Mark Crusaders eyes. Pipette smiled at the fillies who gazed at the toys spilling forth from a toy chest, a dresser overflowing with clothes. "I have lots of games and toys."
"What's up with your dad?" Apple Bloom said. She winced and turned to Sweetie Belle, "What? I'm just curious."
Pipette pointed at her toys, and then moved behind the group.
Apple Bloom gazed at the vase on the table near the window containing a red rose. Outside, small lights flickered in the distance. Scootaloo buzzed around on a scooter while Sweetie Belle examined the dresses. Clouds rolled across the sky.
"Is there something you want to play with in particular? I've got plenty of toys." Pipette said.
"Thanks." Apple Bloom said. She rubbed a hoof against her neck, "Sorry bout what I said earlier. Your dad just seems so uptight."
"It's alright. He's a 'recluse,' whatever that means." Pipette said.
"Where's your mom?" Apple Bloom said.
"Daddy doesn't talk about her." Pipette said.
"It's alright. I don't know my mom either." Apple Bloom said. She turned around, "Sorry! I didn't mean to knock the vase over."
Pipette latched onto the vase. Water spilled out of the top, slid down the filly's back, and her flank.
"Why would you hide your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle said. She levitated a towel towards the cowering Pipette, "Wait, isn't that cutie mark --"
"Shining Armor's?" Scootaloo said.
"..." Pipette shivered. Her left hoof rubbed against her forehead, knocking her horn off. Bat wings shot forth from Pipette's sides. Her mane color changed to semi-dark blue with a single light-blue strip down it. "No. Why can't I make any friends?!"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at the tall bat pony mare in front of them. Apple Bloom crept towards her, and then smiled.
"That's awesome. How did you do that?" Scootaloo said.
"You're... not afraid of me?" the pony said.
"That was awesome." Scootaloo said. She tilted her head, "I'm just curious, is Pipette your real name?"
"Daddy -- Mr. Sine calls me Pipette, and I pretend to be his daughter." The bat pony said. She sat down and raised her hoof, but retracted it. "You're lying. Every pony is afraid of me."
"My sister is the element of honesty, and I can honestly say, as her sister, I'm not afraid of ya. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle aren't afraid either. Why should we be." Apple Bloom said. She received a gentle smile in return from the bat pony. "Wait. What about Twilight?"
The pony shook her head at the trio, "The stallion has probably captured her. He's not fond of princesses and thinks of them as 'anomaly' in Equestria."
"Please. We have to get to Twilight." Sweetie Belle said.
The pony placed a quivering hoof over her neck. After a sigh, she resumed her smaller form, and then removed the block from the wall in her room. "Daddy will be mad, but you three are so kind."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders thanked the filly before moving down the tunnel.
*** *** ***
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle crept out from behind the machine and scanned the room.
"No." Sweetie Belle said in a hushed voice. She galloped into the room. "Twilight. Twilight. You ok?"
"..."
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo picked her up. They walked towards the door. Sweetie Belle tugged on the knob with her magic.
"Sweetie Belle?!" Apple Bloom said, pushing on her friend, "You ok?"
"Yea, it's weird. I latched onto the knob with my magic, and my body went numb." Sweetie Belle said.
Mr. Sine stepped out from behind a sliding chalkboard. He flashed a sinister smile before raising a hoof that pointed at the tarnished handle of the door, "Unihalcon: no magic can touch the metal without it being drained away. My ancestor realized the properties of a unique metal, much like the ponies of long ago. You're precious 'princess' found out the hard way."
Scootaloo crept along the stone floor with Twilight on her back, and then collapsed. "Apple Bloom was right. You're a jerk."
"Sticks and stones, my little pegasus filly. Sticks and stone." Mr. Sine flashed a wicked smile.
"Who is this guy?" Sweetie Belle said. Her legs wobbled as she stood up. "Apple Bloom?"
Apple Bloom marched forward with a stern eye. "Where's Hide?"
The stallion's devious grin disappeared. "Legends are legends, nothing more."
"I read a book about your 'ancestor' and his cruelty--" Apple Bloom said.
"Enough! I will not be examined by a filly. Nor will I allow that, that 'thing' to leave. Princesses are abominations, regardless of what you idiots believe. Pegasi, Unicorn, and Earth combined into one form. Disgusting." The stallion said. He pulled a lever. The two metallic spheres opened. Two platforms moved towards him. "How fortuitous. My experiment is finished, and now I have a group of 'test subjects' in front of me."
"No. You won't harm these fillies!" Twilight said, struggling to her hooves. A strong, purple, luminescent shield enveloped her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "... how?"
"Did you know that impregnating Unihalcon with charged particles allows for it to emit a focused beam. Coupled with its ability to nullify magic -- well, you get the picture." Mr. Sine said. The stallion smirked as Pipette came from behind him, the filly casting off her illusionary form. The bat pony hung her head, and then bolt, with her right hoof out, into Twilight's shield. "Your brother's mane provided the perfect sample. Even better, I managed to impregnate the coat hairs near my creation's hooves with Unihalcon. She's the ultimate weapon, a perfection of science to combat magical users."
Twilight stood up, her horn aglow. A blast of coalesced magic rocketed towards Mr. Sine. Her eyes widened as the strong magical blast dissipated. In front of her, the bat pony held out a single hoof. All that remained of the magical blast were several small spheres of light that faded away to nothingness.
"My turn." Mr. Sine said.
A blast of white energy hurtled towards the ponies. Apple Bloom grabbed Twilight's satchel, retrieved the stone, and held it up.
Mr. Sine gritted his teeth and unleashed another blast of energy, and then another. Apple Bloom held onto the stone while it absorb the continuous beams of energy.
"Impossible. Inconceivable!" Mr. Sine said, blasting several more times. His once perfectly combed mane ruffled. "Get down there and remove that worthless rock from them."
"Dad..." The pony said.
"Move!" The stallion said.
The bat pony floated towards the ground, facing Apple Bloom. "Please, give me the stone. As he said, I'm just his creation."
"You're wrong. Look at your cutie mark. It's a shield, and shields protect those they care about." Sweetie Belle said.
"Shining Armor saved all of Canterlot by protecting the ones he cared about." Scootaloo said.
"Please, save us." Apple Bloom said.
"Be our Aegis!" The fillies shouted.
The bat pony froze in place. Her cutie mark flashed in a brilliant light. She closed her eyes just as a tear streamed down her cheek. When she opened them, the pony's gold colored eyes changed to a light purple color. "Aegis?"
"If you won't obey me, you'll be destroyed along with them!" Mr. Sine bellowed. A large blast of coalesced energy rocketed forth from the stallion's gauntlets. His jaw dropped. "An anti-magic, magic shield?! You can't cast magic. You're not a unicorn."
"I am Aegis, and I will protect my friends." The bat pony said.
The stallion closed his eyes. The bolt of energy zipped towards him. Windows shattered, its glass flying towards the earth pony. The powerful beam of light struck the machine and melted it into a pool of liquid metal. The grey liquid solidified.
"Thanks Aegis!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said, latching onto their friend.
The bat pony wiped away her tear. She reached down and helped Sweetie Belle to her hooves before helping Twilight. The image of the Cutie Mark Crusaders reflected off her eyes while she smiled. Soon, a gentle hoof touched her withers.
"Princess Luna?" Aegis said.
"Yes, my pony. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry I could not aid you in your time of need. This stallion's contraption used the properties of the Unihalcon to create a shield over this place. With it destroyed, the ponies can now rest easier." Princess Luna said.
"Don't come near me, you disgusting anomaly!" Mr. Sine said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders glared at the stallion while he struggled to free himself from his ethereal chains.
"What are you gonna do with him?" Apple Bloom said.
"He has committed a heinous act. Ultimately, Princess Celestia and myself will be the ones to render judgment." Princess Luna said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other, and then turned to Aegis. They watched Princess Luna nod to their friend.
"A father is meant to protect their child, to be kind and caring. You're none of those things. A monster like you deserves to live in Tartarus." Aegis said. Her wings relaxed and turned away. The bat pony smiled at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "I cannot forgive him, yet I cannot bring myself to hate him."
Princess Luna nodded to Aegis then placed a small stone around the stallion's neck. Mr. Sine vanished.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders," Princess Luna said in a regal tone while placing a hoof over her chest, "I thank you for the deeds you have done this day. Not only have you helped a pony discover their potential, but you have rescued them from a cruel hoof."
"What about Aegis?" Twilight said.
"That is up to her. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind having a 'friend' in the castle since it gets lonely at night. As you all know, Canterlot isn't too far away from Ponyville." Princess Luna said, cracking a slight smile.
Aegis returned to her filly form and grinned at Princess Luna. After a final hug, the Cutie Mark Crusaders watched their friend vanish.
*** *** ***
Out of the castle, a final goodbye given to Ms. Broomstick, the group headed down the dirt path towards the train station.
"So, I don't supposed you three can keep this to yourselves?" Twilight said.
"Yea, I don't think --" Apple Bloom said.
A white glow emanated from Twilight's saddlebag. The flap opened, and the meteorite floated into the air. Light from the three crystals intensified until they transformed into a sphere of light, which split into three orbs. The orbs crept towards Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, and then floated into their chests.
"Twilight?" Apple Bloom said.
The group watched the meteorite turn to sand, the particles drifting into the wind.
Twilight froze in place, "O no... no, no, no. This isn't good. Are you all ok?"
"We're ok here." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said.
"Ok, you have to really, really, really, 'REALLY' promise me you'll tell no pony about this. I mean Pinkie Pie promise." Twilight said, placing her hooves together.
"We Pinkie Pie promise." The trio said.
A quick sigh came from Twilight before the group resumed their short journey towards the train station. In a hushed voice she said to herself, "What in the name of Celestia is going on? Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash are gonna raise Tartarus over this if they ever find out."