//------------------------------// // The Traitor and the Lost One // Story: There is a Season // by ArdanBlade //------------------------------// Chapter 13 The Traitor and the Lost One Spike had never run so fast in his entire life! He knew from the moment he saw the changelings enter the library that trouble was up, but what happened next confused and terrified him. Thundercloud started talking with them! Gasping for breath, the tiny reptile finally came to a stop below Rainbow Dash's cloud house. For several moments, he fought the urge to lose his lunch, huffing and puffing from the exertion of running halfway across Ponyville. He barely noticed when a shadow appeared behind him. Whipping around, he almost cried out, then breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Rainbow Dash. "Spike? What's going on? Is something wrong?" She asked, seeing him gasping. "Changelings… in… the library…" Spike gasped, fighting to get his breath. "Talking with… Thundercloud..!" Having passed his message, the exhausted dragon dropped over, sprawling into the grass. "Changelings? That traitor! I knew he was up to no good!" Rainbow stomped one of her hooves into the ground, snorting angrily. "Stay here, Spike, and don't tell anypony what you saw! We don't know who we can trust right now." "But what if you need… help..?" Spike asked, finally getting some breath back. "It's too dangerous. If something happens, I need you to send a message to the Princess explaining everything. I'm counting on you, Spike." Rainbow Dash explained, a frown on her face. "Besides, I need somepony to carry on my work if something happens." "Like what? What's gonna happen? Is everything okay?" The little lizard couldn't hide his concern. "Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen." As she turned to take wing, Rainbow winked back at him. "It's just in case." As Spike watched the blue pegasus launch herself like a bullet up through the clouds, he wished fervently that she was right. Something about this felt wrong, very wrong. * * * Thundercloud watched the three changelings depart the library, the conversation he had just taken part in filling his thoughts. When they had first approached, disguised as local ponies, he thought they might simply have been friends of Twilight, looking for the missing unicorn. That illusion had quickly been dispelled as they returned to their true forms. He nearly called the Guard, but for something the leader, a tough looking creature called Hidecracker, had said to him. "Hail to you, Captain Thundercloud! I see why the master chose you to be the one." The changeling had said, his voice growing reverent as he mentioned the odd title. "Master?" He'd asked curiously. "What one are you talking about?" "In you, our master has seen greatness, the power to take dominion where others, whom styled themselves to be greater, failed their subjects. You are the one who will be King!" The three changelings had bowed humbly, before the proud pegasus. "King!? What nonsense is this!?" He demanded, but his voice had wavered. Could it be true? "Oh yes, your highness! It is as our master spoke, and told us that no other was as worthy as you to replace the Royal Sisters, who have failed in their duties." "Is this some kind of trick?" Thundercloud was no fool. If they were merely playing him up, he'd have them strung up on the spot. "No trick, my lord. Our master sent us to greet you personally. He said that his war is not against you, nor your mighty brethren, but against the selfish, corrupt leadership of Princess Celestia and the unicorns who enforce her rule on all of ponykind." Hidecracker practically spat the mention of the Princesses out. "I'm listening." Thundercloud spoke slowly. Part of his mind told him to deal with these vile creatures now and be done with them. Another part of him was intrigued… "The plan will be set in motion soon, and for it to be accomplished all you must do, is stand aside. Our changelings will infiltrate the Royal Guard, and during the night, while the Princess is resting, they will put an end to her and her pitiful sister. The master has seen fit to let you come in afterwards and capture the assassins, to do with as you deem fit." Hidecracker explained, his voice growing sinister, yet inviting. "He will ensure your victory from then onward, allowing your victories to raise you before all ponykind as a hero, a savior. If any oppose you, perhaps they will suffer from the war on accident…" The tone in the changeling's voice left no doubt as to what would happen to any such neigh sayers. "Soon the Guard, the aristocracy, and all of Equestria will be calling out your name! They will flock to you like the foals they are, ready to bow before the mighty King Thundercloud!" "Why should I trust you?" Still not entirely convinced. "What if I were to stop you? I now know of your plans, and I could very easily end them right now." "Of course you could, but what would it gain you?" The changeling had left the question hanging in the air for a moment. Thundercloud knew, despite everything, that the changeling was right. There would be nothing but perhaps a parade, and the possibility of a feeble promotion for such an act. Compared to the glory of Kingship… "Think of it, anything you desire, anything you can imagine! All of Equestria will be yours…" "All of Equestria…" He had echoed, not even thinking anymore. His mind was already envisioning himself, the glorious champion King of all he surveyed! Every pony would bow their knee to his glory! Everything would be his for the taking! "There is one other danger to your rise to power…" Hidecracker almost whispered, drawing Thundercloud's attention back. "A threat you say?" He asked. "The Elements of Harmony, and their bearers." The sly changeling frowned. "Our master has seen it. They will try to oppose you, and would even dare to use the Elements themselves to defeat you! They must not be allowed to roam free, or else all will be for nothing." "Tell your master I will consider it." He had replied, keeping his voice neutral. With that, the changelings had left him, disappearing back into the Ponyville streets. Thundercloud had paced for some time, repeating the conversation to himself. This was quite a turn of events, one that could change everything. Still, there was that peril. Had it not been Twilight and her friends who had attacked his Guard the day they arrived? Were they truly destined to stand in the way of his power!? Making up his mind, he called upon Sgt. Ramrod. The burly earth pony arrived promptly, coming to attention with a crack of his hooves. Taking on a commanding tone, the Captain addressed his subordinate. "Sergeant, I want you to round up the ponies who carry the Elements of Harmony and bring them here. I have reason to believe that they may have been replaced by changeling spies in order to sabotage the war effort. Make sure they are firmly secured, and listen to nothing they tell you. "Yes sir!" Sgt. Ramrod barked, then headed out to gather a security detail, leaving Thundercloud alone with his thoughts. Thoughts ever more focused upon a throne… * * * Rainbow Dash had heard enough! It was all she could do to keep from bursting in and dealing with the cowardly traitor herself! Fighting the urge, she darted away from the library, sweeping up into the clouds. They would be looking for her soon, and she had to warn the Princess before it was too late! Maneuvering across the sky, she finally arrived at her home, only to see that a squad of pegasus Guards had already arrived! "Darn it!" She hissed to herself, watching them as they knocked on her door. "I don't have time for this! Gotta warn the others!" Higher up, hidden upon another tuft of cloud, another pegasus watched her. A grin creased Wildfire's features as he watched the rainbow maned pegasus make her escape. "You're good, but not good enough!" He whispered to himself, then shot down after her, diving sharply like a bird-of-prey on the hunt! He almost had her when Rainbow suddenly juked right, dodging the incoming stallion! He cursed inwardly, flicking his gaze over at her as she rolled away from his line of flight! "You'll have to do better than that, boy!" She mocked, waving her hoof back at him. "Don't you worry, girl, that was just to make sure you weren't getting slow!" The hotshot stallion shot back, twisting sharply to pursue her. "What's the matter, slowpoke!? Is turning traitor weighing your conscience!?" Rainbow laughed bitterly. "Look who's talking! You're the one plotting against us!" He snarled back, his usually childish demeanor vanishing as his eyes filled with fire! "I'm not the one plotting to kill the Princess!" Rainbow Dash stopped suddenly, fury blazing within her. "Nice lie, changeling! I'm not falling for it!" Wildfire didn't even slow as he impacted Rainbow Dash, sending them both tumbling to the ground. They squirmed and fought, each trying to get the upper hoof. For a moment, it looked like neither one could take advantage of the other, the two athletic ponies bucking, kicking, and biting each other in a violent struggle for dominance. "I'm not a changeling, you two bit flier! I'll teach you to threaten my friends!" "The only friends of yours I'm threatening are your worthless changeling cohorts!" "Ow! Leggo of my wing!" "Oof!" "Take that!" "Yah!" "I'll teach you!" Suddenly the fight stopped, with Rainbow Dash lying firmly on top of Wildfire, who squirmed and thrashed underneath her. "Who's on top now, boy!?" When she saw him grinning up at her, Rainbow's temper snapped! The hoof punch impacted Wildfire's left cheek so hard it spun his head about, leaving the Guard pony unconscious upon the ground. Chuckling to herself, Rainbow dismounted the unconscious pegasus. "That'll teach ya' to- hey, let go!" Rainbow Dash found herself pinned as two more Guard ponies grabbed her. "Rainbow Dash," Sgt. Ramrod barked, his permanent frown glaring down at her, "by order of Captain Thundercloud, you are to be taken into custody. If you resist, we will use force to sedate you." Hanging between two large stallions, Rainbow stared sullenly back up at the Sergeant, her teeth clenched. "You think I'm gonna give up that easily?" She growled. "No." Ramrod replied, signaling the Guard ponies to release her. "That's why I'm giving you a chance to fight me." "Bring it on!" Rainbow shouted, lunging at him. The blow landed so fast she barely registered it. Her eyes went bleary as she hit the ground, her wings spread eagle. The single powerful blow blackened Rainbow's left eye, sending her head spinning. She slowly tried to right herself, only to collapse a moment later. "Pick her up." Sgt. Ramrod commanded, then gestured to Wildfire's unconscious form "Bring him too." "Yes sir!" The two Guard ponies replied, picking up the beaten fighters. * * * In the distance… laughter… foals playing, their cries of delight breaking through the inarticulate gloom. His eyes peering out, the assassin stared longingly at those distant fields, where a little yellow unicorn colt laughed and frolicked, free of worry or care. Several other fillies and colts were with him, reflections of friends long forgotten and a life neglected. For a long while, the silent stallion merely stared, wishing he could once again be that happy foal. The children abruptly ceased their play as curious eyes fixed upon him. Confused, he took an uneasy step back, watching as the little yellow unicorn he used to be approached him. "Who're you?" His younger self asked innocently. "I-I'm…" He stuttered, suddenly finding himself lost for an answer. "Do you have a name?" The tiny unicorn persisted, still smiling. "I do… I know I do… My name is… is… GAAAAAH!" He suddenly shouted, feeling as if somepony had begun stabbing him with hot brands. "What's your name?" The question echoed about him as he fell into the void of his own mind. "I don't know!" He shouted back. His eyes snapped open. * * * There, right in front of his face, an orange mare was watching him, her blond mane sticking out from under a cowpony hat. She looked concerned, and was holding a hoof out. Glancing about quickly, the assassin took stock of his surroundings. He was in a rustic looking room, complete with a rope looped up on a peg, and was laying on a wooden truckle bed, covered in a warm quilt. The strange pony was holding a hoof on his right foreleg, which was crudely splinted and wrapped in soft cloth. Bandages wrapped all about his body, underneath which he could still feel the burning sting of open wounds. For several moments, he just lay still and stared, not sure of what to make of his sudden predicament. The earth pony's expression changed into a smile. "You're awake. We were worried for ya for a while there." He opened his mouth slowly, trying to find the right words to reply, but none came. "So what's yer name?" She asked. Hearing the question was like having a knife buried into his head! The pain returned with a vengeance! He tried to reach up and take hold of his head, but when he moved his forehooves more pain shot up through him. The mixture of physical and emotional pain built into a crescendo, tearing a shout from him that seemed to shake the windows. Applejack did her best to keep his hooves in place, holding him tight to keep his struggles under control. The wounded gelding thrashed and kicked, his agony overriding any sensible response. Finally he went limp in her hooves, shock overwhelming his system. Applejack felt utterly helpless. When she had found him, concern had filled her, and she tried to take him into town. The Guard refused to admit the strange pony, so she did the only thing she could, she brought him home. With Granny Smith's help, they bandaged his wounds, reset his foreleg bone, and worked up a simple splint to keep it from shifting. It had been hard, but she refused to let another pony suffer. Watching him scream in such pain had cut her deeper than any physical wound. She was right here, yet it seemed whatever was wounding the stranger was beyond her reach. She wanted to tell the broken stallion that everything would be okay, that soon enough the pain would be gone, but she couldn't. He was not alright, and she wasn't sure he ever would be again. "Ah'm so sorry." Applejack whispered, daring not disturb the fitful sleep he had returned to. Brushing her hoof through his mane, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stem tears that threatened to break free. "Ah don't know how to help you, but ah'll find a way, somehow…" * * * Rarity had been less than willing to acquiesce to the Guards' demands, but in the end, she wasn't about to get rough with a bunch of large, strong stallions just because they wanted her to go somewhere. This didn't stop her from letting them hear what she thought about it. "Do we have to walk so fast? It's not like we're in a hurry or anything." She complained irritably. "I am sorry ma'am," Sgt. Ramrod apologized flatly, "however we are under orders to secure yourself and all of the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony. We do not have time to waste." "All of- what exactly are you saying, Sergeant?" The fashionista questioned, eyeing him severely. "I do not question orders, ma'am." The stern earth pony replied as they approached their destination. "Sugarcube Corner?" Rarity looked confused. "Why are we here?" "This is the temporary location of our detainment center, since Ponyville is not equipped with a proper holding facility." Ramrod explained. Rarity stuttered, trying to think of a reply. "But… it's a bakery! This is hardly the kind of place I'd expect to have proper facilities for keeping ponies for prolonged periods." "You are correct. Unfortunately, desperate times force us into this position, so I have no choice but to keep you here until command directs me to do otherwise." With that, the small group marched into the shop, passing by a rather flustered looking Mrs. Cake, and down the basement stair into the dark room below. A single light illuminated the space, revealing a pair of Guard ponies watching the door, while Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stood over Rainbow Dash, who was still dazed from the blow she had received. "Girls, are you alright?" Rarity asked as she trotted over to them, her face anxious. "We're okay, but Rainbow Dash got hit really hard. She can't even sit up straight." Pinkie explained, while Fluttershy brushed a damp rag over her friend's swollen eye. Outraged at the sight of her friend's condition, Rarity trotted back over to the Guards, her face livid! "How dare you strike one of my friends! I can not imagine your superior ordering you to harm us in such a way!" "She resisted, knocking one of my Guards unconscious. I gave her a fair chance." Sgt. Ramrod explained, softening his voice. Despite this, the furious Rarity continued her tirade. "Regardless, that is no reason to use violence against somepony you're supposed to be protecting! She was your responsibility, and I'd say you failed that responsibility quite badly! Why, if I weren't to be held down here I would go to your commanding officer right now and give him a piece of my mind!" "Calm down, miss. If it will help you, I will get the Captain, and you may take your grievances up with him." Sgt. Ramrod offered, taken aback by the fury of the smaller unicorn. "Don't bother." Rainbow Dash managed as she sat up, brushing away Fluttershy's administrations. "That traitor Thundercloud won't help us. I'll bet he's even planning on getting rid of us right now." "As long as you are not changelings, such a notion is unbelievable. He would never intentionally harm civilians." Sgt. Ramrod answered, his voice raising slightly. "Oh, wouldn't he!?" Rainbow Dash pushed herself to her hooves, stepping towards the large Guard pony. "Is that why he set the fire!? Is that why he was talking to those changelings today!? Is that why he's involved in a plot to murder the Princess!?" Rainbow's voice had grown steadily louder until she was shouting! "Lies!" Sgt. Ramrod's cool broke, and his brown face started reddening in anger! It looked like they would come to blows again when all of their attention was grabbed by a battle cry from above! "YAAAAAAAAAAGH!"