//------------------------------// // 16 - Intrigue and Lies // Story: Storm Of Secrets // by Beware The Carpenter //------------------------------// “The ...Everfree Forest?” stammered Misty in disbelief. “Yes of course,” said Dash casually, “Two ponies went into the forest to look at something. They were meant to be back yesterday but nopony’s seen them since. The secret letter from Celestia was asking us to go help someone who's like a park ranger go and look for them; any questions?” After a few awkward moments High Winds burst out laughing, “I get it! You’re joking, like with the lightning bolt. You’re just having some fun with us, right?” “Nope,” said Dash cheerfully, “I'm serious. Three ponies are already waiting for us in Ponyville. We’re supposed to meet them at the library and then we're going into the forest until we find our missing ponies.” Several moments of silence passed before Blaze finally said what was on everypony's mind “Isn't this like, really dangerous? I mean, don't all sorts of monsters live in the forest?” Dash hesitated; no matter how irritating the Wonderbolts were to live with, she had always tried to maintain the veneer of honor and valor that the public saw in them—the lie that had drawn her to them in the first place; the lie she had become a part of. She knew that the Wonderbolts were capable of acting courageously, and sensibly, if they were properly motivated. How to motivate them properly was something that until now, Spitfire alone could accomplish; but not anymore. If everything Shining Armor said was true, then if The Wonderbolts were in the forest they would have to act sensibly, because there would be no other choice. Two images came to her mind. The first was The Wonderbolts, and herself, dead; because when it came down to the wire they were worthless. Storm and Cadance would probably fare just the same though as help that never arrives is just as useful as help that never launches. The other image was The Wonderbolts returning with a captain who had led them through something far more intense than anything Spitfire had ever attempted. Respecting her as they should; and Spitfire's expression when she realized that Rainbow Dash, not her, was the real captain. She put on a brave smile; “Sure it’s probably a little bit dangerous, but as long as we stick together we'll be fine. Our guide says there are heaps of ponies who live in the forest full time, so it can't be that bad. You know how stories spread: ten ponies go into the forest, one of them gets into trouble and nothing happens to the other nine. When they get out, the nine ponies don’t say anything because their stories are boring, and the one pony that did get in trouble gets all the attention. We'll go in, find the missing ponies, and be back out before you know it. Think how much our ratings will improve when Canterlot hears how we bravely faced the 'perils' of the forest to bring back the lost ponies. We'll be heroes!” “Are you sure about this?” High Winds asked. Dash motioned for the Wonderbolts to draw nearer and spoke excitedly “OK, I was going to keep this as a surprise, but I'll tell you now. The forest is a tiny bit spooky around the edges but deeper in it gets really cool. The Royal family has this awesome, secret holiday resort in the middle of it all, and they're the ones who made up the stories about all those monsters so that their holiday resort doesn’t get swamped. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza went to visit it with one of her Royal Guards, but after getting there he got really sick and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza doesn't want to come back alone. All we have to do is go to the holiday resort, pick up The Princess and her sick guard and then come back home. The royal family will keep up the charade of there being monsters in the forest to keep their privacy, and so they'll tell everyone how brave we all were in rescuing Celestia’s favorite niece from a bunch of evil monsters. We'll be heroes!" At this the Wonderbolts lit up like school foals and everypony started talking at once. Wave Chill pointed out how Princess Mi Amore Cadenza took six Royal Guards whenever she visited a Wonderbolt air show, so if it only took one guard to visit the forest, then the forest must be one of the safest places in Equestria. Blaze, Fleet Foot, and Fire Streak fell to excitedly estimating (with ever more fanciful figures) what Celestia's 'generous reward' would be for helping her niece, and how much the Wonderbolts ratings would skyrocket once the media got wind of this. Silver Lining and Misty wanted to know if whatever had made the guard sick was contagious, but Dash assured them that it wasn’t. Soarin and High Winds wanted to know if the Wonderbolts could book this secret royal resort for their next holiday, (which they seemed to assume would come immediately after the impending success of their 'daring mission'). The rest of the pegasi showered Dash with praise for having landed such a golden opportunity for the Wonderbolts to show off their greatness. Dash let their imaginations fly wild for a few minutes before calling them back to order; the Wonderbolts would only receive credit for the rescue if they were the first to the scene. By now several other groups of would-be rescuers would have heard of the royal plight and be on their way. The Wonderbolts wasted no time in falling in behind Dash as she began the long dive to Ponyville, and after a few moments they began singing one of their many victory chants. Dash remained silent, basking in their adoration and trying to force down any doubts of what might happen if things went wrong. This had to work; after all, they were the Wonderbolts. …............................................................................................................................................ Spike wrestled another bag of oats into an already overstuffed saddlebag while Twilight's phoenix, Pyromite, was using his flames to speed cook some bread, when the library door swung open for Twilight, Applejack and Shining Armor, each carrying a large bucket of apples. “Hey guys, did you find Rainbow Dash?” “She's getting the Wonderbolts and then she's coming here,” answered Shining Armor, “How are the supplies?” “Good … I think. I still don't know how much food we actually need.” “We need enough for fifteen ponies for about four days of hard work.” Spike looked at his miniature hoard of snacks. “I don't think I have quite enough for that.” “Well, it’s a good thing we brought these then,” said Applejack with a smile, setting down her bucket of apples and indicating the others. “Will these make up the difference?” “I guess. But I'm already out of saddlebags; we don't have room for any more apples.” “There are some sacks under the counter,” volunteered Twilight, “You can tie them together and improvise saddlebags.” “Good thinking,” nodded Shining Armor, “Applejack, help Spike get the rest of the food ready; but save some room, we'll be getting some medical supplies later. Twilight, meet me outside in two minutes, I want to see your combat spells in practice.” Twilight was about to follow her brother when Spike jumped on her back, “Combat spells? What's he talking about? What's going on?” “Twilight, Applejack, the Wonderbolts and I need to go into the Everfree Forest. It might be dangerous so I'm making sure that Twilight is up to it.” “But aren’t you meant to be on vacation from keeping the shield up?” Spike asked, worried. “I've already been through this with Twilight. I'm going. End of discussion.” “Well then, can I come too?” pleaded Spike, “If it's dangerous you might need me.” Shining Armor turned to Twilight, “Can he fight?” “Well... ” hesitated Twilight, “Not really.” Spike felt himself deflate as Shining Armor plucked him off Twilight's back and put him on the bench next to Applejack. “Stay here and help prepare the supplies.” Before Shining Armor could turn away, flames engulfed half the kitchen forcing Shining Armor, Twilight, Applejack and even Spike to cover their eyes. When the party's eyes cleared they saw Pyromite; wings extended, burning brightly, croaking what sounded like a cross between humble begging and a voracious threat. (Fortunately, after his first few attempts at burning down the library as a baby, Twilight had taken to regularly casting fireproof spells over the library and everything in it.) “Can he fight?” Twilight shuddered, and Spike guessed correctly that she was recalling the one and only time she had brought Pyromite to have tea with Fluttershy. What had began as a squabble over a bowl of spaghetti between Angel and Pyromite, quickly turned into a terrible battle of beak against claw, tooth against talon, and white hot flames against Angel's deadly arsenal of poisoned katanas, knives, javelins, and silver bolts from a small repeating crossbow. The titanic clash had nearly destroyed Fluttershy's cottage before Angel finally fled in disgrace and Pyromite proudly claimed his prize of burnt noodles. “He can fight,” “Well then, meet me outside, Pyromite,” invited Shining Armor, “We'll see what you’re made of.” With a boastful squawk of delight, Pyromite lifted off his perch and followed Twilight and Shining Armor out the front door. “I guess I should get some packages of thermite then” sighed Spike as he and got the sacks from under the counter, then held them for Applejack to tie. The two worked well together finishing the last of the supplies, but Spike couldn't shake feeling left out, as loud explosions testified to a violent sparring match between Shining Armor and Pyromite. Applejack stopped and turned to Spike with a disturbed look on her face, though he couldn’t imagine why. “Just don't try to grow up too fast, Spike. Twilight still needs you.” “I know, but sometimes I think if I were just a little bigger, I'd be able to—” he noticed the flashes from Shining Armor's dual with Pyromite had ceased, yet the rumbling sound was getting rapidly louder. Applejack noticed it too and looked out the window, “What in tarnation!?”