//------------------------------// // Too Late // Story: Iron Mare // by Plain Hunter //------------------------------// Twilight yawned as the computer activated the next model of the prototype, blasting the dummy back, watching as it hit the wall. “Test concluded, Ms. Sparkle. The test dummy seems to be completely intact, with all of it’s inner workings left unharmed.” The computer said. Twilight sat up, “did you double check it?” She asked. “I triple checked it.” The computer responded. Twilight jumped from her chair and slid her hoof through the opening in the device as the dummy was set back up again. “Alright. Now just to see if it’s comfortable to use.” Twilight said, aiming towards the dummy. Twilight heard the device ‘whirr’ quickly before shooting out the blast, knocking Twilight’s arm back slightly as the dummy was hit with the same results as before. “Alright, good job computer. Now make three more based exactly like this one.” Twilight said. “Yes, Ms. Sparkle.” Twilight got up from her chair and trotted outside of her office, biting her blueprints and taking them with her. She called for Spike, who appeared almost immediately after she called, and he opened the door to her lab for her and followed her down. “So did you complete the prototype Twilight?” Spike asked. “Almost Spike.” She replied, “I still need to test one last thing. Yes, it can be used to knock an enemy back, but I also have plans for it to be used as something that earth ponies and unicorns can use to fly with the Pegasus soldiers with.” “Ohhh.... That sounds awesome! Are you going down here to try it out yourself?” Spike said. “Well I can’t ask you to do it Spike.” Twilight said back. The two reached the bottom of the stairs, both watching as the tables and lab equipment were pulled to the sides of the lab, and large, thick glass panels were placed in front of them. “For the equipment’s protection.” The computer explained. “Good thinking computer.” Twilight gave the blueprints to Spike, walking up to two mechanical arms that were holding one of the prototype models each. She slid her hooves inside each of them and shook violently as she struggled to stay on her two hind legs, another mechanical arm appearing and putting a type of body armor around Twilight that adjusted, tightening around her stomach and chest to allow her to stay upright without shaking. “Alright computer, let’s go for a safe test, so use only 30% power, and increase slowly.” Twilight said, aiming her hooves down as the devices activated, slightly jerking her up before she began slowly lifting off the ground to stop just a mere inch. “Now adjusting to 40% power.” The blasts from the devices got louder and bigger, becoming more powerful as Twilight was lifted slightly higher as Spike watched in awe. “Now adjusting to 50% power.” Twilight was lifted even higher about 2 feet as the devices slowly got stronger, looking down and to each device to make sure they weren’t showing signs of malfunctioning. “Alright... Now let’s try to fly around the room a little. Test to see if they can do more than just hover.” Twilight gently began moving her arms back, leaning them as she slowly began moving forward, her hooves beginning to shake slightly as she moved her left arm out a bit to turn right and fly back to Spike, stopping as she hovered directly above him before he moved out of the way. “Okay computer, adjust the power to 70%, I’m feeling pretty confident about this.” Twilight said. “As you wish, Ms. Sparkle.” The prototypes shot out a stronger blast of energy each, Twilight suddenly beginning to hover higher about 5 feet, nearly touching the roof of her lab as she began maneuvering around slowly. Going in circles before going to the other end of the lab, then returning. Twilight gulped and leaned her arms back more, flying faster around the lab, but still slow enough to control. “Do you wish to lower the power, Ms. Sparkle?” The computer asked. “No, no,” Twilight replied, “this is good. But we need a bigger area to try 100%. So open the hatch to go outside and let’s see how it goes.” “Yes Ms. Sparkle, get ready.” The computer said, lowering the power in each prototype to 25% each. “But Twilight, what if you crash? You could get hurt bad!” Spike said. “Right... Hmmm.... Computer, remember that armor prototype I made for the Equestrian military before I replaced it with an even better model? Twilight said. “The one you couldn’t get the right eye size on?” The computer asked. “That’s the one.” Twilight said. “You wish to use it to avoid injury?” “Yes computer, please.” “Very well.” The computer replied. “Are you sure about this Twilight?” Spike asked. “Don’t worry Spike, I’m sure the prototypes will work just as expected. They’ve been doing just that so far with no sign of malfunction. So I’m sure they’ll continue working just as they should.” “The armor is ready for you to wear, Ms. Sparkle.” The computer said. Twilight turned and held her arms out for her to appear in a ‘T’ position, a group of mechanical arms putting the armor on her one plate at a time. She watched the front part of her helmet close and she could only see out of the tiny, rectangular eyes before a holographic screen appeared in front of her face, surprising her. “W-Woah! What’s this? This wasn’t in the original blueprints of the suit. You could have just made the eyes bigger computer. Nopony is going to be shooting at them, so it would have been fine.” She said. “Well I just thought that this would be a much better way of checking on the prototypes, the suit itself to make sure the suit stays together, and also so you and I can stay in contact better.” The computer replied. “Good thinking AIVHA.” Spike said. “Yeah, good job.” Twilight added. “Thank you, both of you. Now, shall we give the prototypes a test flight?” AIVHA said. “Yes, now let’s go.” Twilight turned, Spike staring in awe at the silver suit as it turned to face a wall on the opposite end of the large laboratory, the wall lifting to reveal a dark tunnel which illuminated with light as the wall raised. “Alright Twilight and AIVHA, good luck!” Spike said. “Thank you, Spike.” Twilight and AIVHA said in unison. The prototypes whirred loudly as they were activated with 50% power, Twilight leaning her arms back and her body forward and flying out of the lab through the tunnel with ease. Daylight filled the tunnel as Twilight flew closer to it, the prototypes slowly gaining power. 60%. Then 70%. Then 80%. Then finally they flew out of the tunnel about 3 miles off the borders of Ponyville, the prototypes flying at 90% now. “Computer! Is everything okay?” Twilight asked, gulping and breathing heavily. “Yes, Ms. Sparkle. Everything is working just as expected. You can calm your breathing now.” “Hehe... Right. I’ve just... I’ve never flown like this. Even before I lost my... My...” Twilight just stared forward in silence as she continued flying upward, remembering her times flying with Rainbow Dash as she helped her get better adjusting to her wings, and flying with Fluttershy when she just wanted a nice, calm time. “Ms. Sparkle! Ms. Sparkle! You’re going too far up!” She heard her computer yell, breaking her out of her trance, “you need to turn around now or the suit will freeze!” Twilight yelled and stopped the prototypes, turning around and starting them back up again, flying directly down before she turned upward. “S-Sorry computer... I just kinda zoned out there for a moment...” Twilight said, shaking her head. “It’s alright Ms. Sparkle.” AIVHA replied, “the prototypes seem to be working exactly as expected, would you like us to turn around?” “No computer, I’d like to continue for just a bit longer. Make sure they’re working just fine.” Twilight said, leaning downwards more as the blasters gained more power. “Yes Ms. Sparkle. How long shall the test last?” AIVHA said. “Just a few minutes, Computer.” Twilight said, “I want to see just how smooth this thing can move.” Twilight faced her hooves forward, sending her curving upwards quickly and flying up to the air, hearing the wind whistling past her ears outside of the helmet. She could see herself flying directly into a cloud, then burst out through the other end where she slowed herself down, turning herself to look downward at Ponyville. She smiled softly as she saw the small little town, turning herself to fly forward in it’s direction, staying high up so she doesn’t cause some kind of panic amongst the ponies seeing the flying object that definitely wasn’t Equestrian Military. “Wow... This sure is a nice view.” Twilight said softly, under her breath. “This is a pleasing view.” AIVHA said, “do you wish to stay and enjoy the view or turn back to the lab now, Ms. Sparkle?” “Just a few more seconds and then I’ll return.” Twilight smiled as she responded, taking in a deep breath in and then releasing it, closing her eyes as she heard the wind flow past her helmet as she held herself in her place. She opened her eyes and took one last look to the small town, the town she never thought she’d see again, then she turned and began flying back to the underground tunnel entrance. “Alright, so I think it’s safe to say that the blasters are certainly working as expected, wouldn’t you say Ms. Sparkle?” AIVHA said. “Yes, I would,” she responded, “we can begin mass producing more of these soon, we just have to hope that the current source of energy doesn’t begin-” Twilight was cut off by her holographic screen turning red, and a quiet alarm going off. “oh please don’t tell me that’s the power source...” “I’m afraid that I have to be the bearer of bad news, ma’am.” AIVHA said. “Crud... What happened? I can still fly easily, but my right leg is feeling heavy.” Twilight said. “It seems that the power source for the blaster in the bottom right hoof has begun depleting, most likely from overuse.” “So the replacement power source has a short time limit...” “I recommend haste to the tunnel to avoid the others failing as well. As in now. So hurry.” AIVHA said. Twilight nodded and turned the power up on the three working and sped to the tunnel, lowering the power as she approached and flew downward into the tunnel, through it as fast as she could while keeping stability, and then slowing down immensely when she saw her lab ahead of her. She stopped in the center of the lab, and slowly began lowering. “Easy... Easy...” She said to herself as she lowered, crying out when she eventually fell down with a loud clang onto her back. “Ow...” That was all she managed to say as she turned to get back onto her feet. “Don’t tell Spike about that.” “I’ll try not to.” AIVHA replied, holding back a chuckle. “No need to.” Spike said from the other end of the room, chuckling, “nice landing.” Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling, “Alright computer... Looks like it’s back to the drawing board...” “Might I recommend a short break, Ms. Sparkle? It might do you some good.” “Yeah... Yeah, okay. But during the break I want you to think of any possible ways to do one of two things. I want you to find another power source that could work as a long lasting source for the blasters, or find a way to keep these ones from losing power so fast.” Twilight said. “Will do, ma’am. I will print out any copy of the research I find and leave it all on your desk.” AIVHA replied. “Alright, thank you computer,” Twilight said, then turning to Spike and taking off the helmet to her suit, setting it down on a nearby table, “so, anything good on Spike?” “No, not really. I have to wait a whole three days for my favorite show to get it’s new episode and it’s killing me!” Spike said, laying down onto his side, “ugh... You wanna take the controller for a bit?” “Yeah, sure, hoof it over.” Twilight said, Spike tossing the controller to Twilight with AIVHA’s mechanical arms catching it. Twilight then pushed down gently on one of the buttons with the edge of her hoof, switching it to the news channel. “Oh, come on! The news?” Spike exclaimed in a voice too whiny for Twilight’s liking. “Yes, the news. I like watching the news. Seeing all of the things happening over Equus. It was never possible before, with it only happening through cards and letters, but now we can actually see these things happening!” Twilight said, growing a big smile as she thought more about what she was talking about, “don’t you find that amazing?” “I guess it is kinda awesome... But come on, the NEWS???” Spike sighed, then picked up a comic from his side and opening it, “tell me when it’s over.” Twilight chuckled and rolled her eyes, shaking her head and then turning her attention back to the news. “Crime in Manehatten seems to be at an all time low since a while now, making Manehatten lower down from it’s spot as the third most dangerous city in Equestria, and down to the fifth. The one responsible for this seems to be the same red stallion helping the police, the very same stallion that police officials haven’t been able to catch ever since his appearance two weeks ago, which is when the crime rate began declining.” The news mare said. “Still nothing new for that guy still I guess.” Spike said. “Of who?” Twilight asked. “This stallion in Manehatten. He hasn’t been seen at all outside of the night before you returned, but he made himself known. They said that he wears some sort of a weird red suit. And he looks kinda like a horned monster. He’s all mysterious and spooky.” Spike answered, not looking away from his comic. “Hm... Strange.” Twilight said, turning back to the EED. “Also in international news, the terrorist group known as the Four Rings, are on the move again.” Twilight’s eyes widened, her pupils becoming as small as pinpricks as she heard that name, her breathing becoming quick and short. “The Equestrian Government earlier had an anonymous tip from one who referred to themselves as a “urban legend” from the Zebra Kingdom. The tip stated that a large group of them is moving north towards the desert.” Twilight stepped back, Spike not noticing her frantic breathing as he had put his headphones in and was too busy with his comic. She began panting heavily and holding her chest. “Ms. Sparkle! Are you alright?” AIVHA asked. “T-T-They... T-The desert... T-The... The replacement!!!” Twilight cried out, “they’re looking for it! They’ll find it!” Twilight then stopped her frantic breathing, the room was nearly silent, with the only noise heard being from the news mare on the EED. She began remembering her times in the cave, how they had tortured her, Spitfire and Whooves... How they had cut off her wings and horn... And how much her blood boiled at the thought of them. She was angry, so angry it somewhat scared herself. And then she thought of what would happen if the Four Rings, or anypony else had gotten their hooves on the replacement she had made. She couldn’t let anypony. She had to find the cave she was forced in, and she had to find the replacement she had made, and hide it from everypony forever. Or destroy it. Either option was fine by her. “Computer!!” Twilight cried out, putting her helmet back on and raising her hooves, allowing AIVHA’s mechanical arms to remove her gauntlets, “I need you to transfer the power for the current blasters on the suit to be given by the arc reactor on my chest! I need to find that group and stop them from finding the replacement reactor!” “M-Ms. Sparkle?!” AIVHA said, “can’t we just call the Council and have them send a team??” “No! If the Council gets their hooves on it then we’ll never see it again! I need to get it myself!” Twilight said, AIVHA’s mechanical arms adjusting her blasters and connecting their wires to her arc reactor on her chest, “Oh Tia... Oh Tia… Oh my Faust… This is crazy... B-But I can’t let the Council OR the Four Rings get their hooves on it! I’ll... This’ll be a one time thing... I’m doing it only to protect everypony from them having the arc reactor... And that’s it...” Twilight felt the arms let go of her hooves, allowing her to turn to the tunnel entrance opening up and the lights inside shining, showing Twilight the way out. She turned to Spike, “I’ll be safe... Don’t worry,” she said, her helmet lowering and clanging shut as she then lifted up off the ground, flying as fast as she could out through the tunnel. Spike lifted his head and looked around, lifting one side of his headphones away from his ears and looking around, seeing nothing. He shrugged and put it back, leaning back down on the floor and continuing his comic where he left off. The group groaned as they heard what their comrade had asked, several of them facehoofing themselves. “Are you kidding me???” One asked. “You just went 10 minutes ago!!!” “Well I really have to go now guys! I can’t control it!” The comrade said. “Fine! But hurry up! Trixie expects us to be there soon, and if we’re not there then she’ll show us to the leader of her little group she’s in. And word is he’s not very forgiving to those who don’t work to his coworkers expectations.” One of the members said. The group all groaned as they sat down in the hot sand on their backpacks, each of them covering their eyes from the blistering sun as their comrade galloped far away from them. “So... What exactly does Trixie want us there for? Can’t she and her own little team she already have with her look by themselves? She has that one guy with them, that assassin for her group’s leader. Can’t he help her find it?” One member asked another. “I don’t know man. She just told us to meet with her team out here in the desert. She also told us to travel light, taking things that aren’t essential. She said we want to be at the cave with them before the Panther can get us.” The other member responded, his voice carrying a thick accent. “The Panther? Man, that guy even shows his ugly mug and I’ll blow it off.” “Yeah, sure you will. Believe me, the Panther moves faster than you can blink. Pfft... I’m sure Trixie will want us to deal with the Panther soon anyways, make sure he doesn’t start screwing up our operations.” “Well we can handle that freak. Easy as-” The member was interrupted by the sound of screaming from a nearby member, followed by a loud whirr sound and two blasts of energy knocking the two members who were talking back onto the ground hard, leaving them groaning and holding their stomachs. The figure was bent down, and appeared to be a pony made of silver. It was looking to the ground with one hoof planted firmly on the ground and it’s other pointed upwards diagonally. It lifted it’s head and the members could see the small, rectangular, purple eyes staring at them, and it lifted it’s hoof from the ground and shot a blast of energy that knocked another member back. Another member aimed his rifle to the silver pony, about to fire before it quickly turned and fired, knocking him back. The silver pony jumped up as it’s feet shot two blasts of energy, it’s front hooves knocking the last member on the ground, groaning in pain and holding his stomach with his comrades. The pony landed and stood up on it’s hind legs, the area around the stomach tightening to allow this. “Now... I don’t want to hurt you all any more than I have already. So please, tell me,” the pony spoke with a robotic voice, deep and understandable. It walked over to one member and bent down onto it’s knees, face to face with a member of the Four Rings, “where’s the cave you all are headed too?” “G-Go to Tartarus... F-Freak...” The member said, groaning. “Please tell me... Please! I don’t want to have to blast you again.” The pony said. “Y-You think I’ll betray the Four Rings???” The member said, “you think I’m crazy???” “Please work with me... Please... Please do what’s right... I can’t allow the Four Rings or the Equestrian Council to get their hooves on the object they’re looking for. Please. If you help me, then I promise you that I will make sure the officials know you helped me stop something terrible from happening.” The member was silent and stared at the pony, then he spoke, “and when the Four Rings are ordered to find me?” “They won’t find you. I promise. I’ll get you and all of your friends to be hidden and be protected by the Zebra Kingdom Government. I’ll find a way. I promise.” “And how do I know that you’re a pony that has that kind of influence??” The stallion asked. “I guess you’ll just have to trust me.” The member stared into the purple lights that the pony had for eyes, then rolled his eyes and scoffed, muttering to himself, “i’m bucking insane...” “Fine! Only to get away from these psychos that our boss works with... We’re headed to the mountains. To the part with the largest mountain that’s highest in the sky. Right next to that is the lowest part, there’s a cave there. That’s where we’re headed.” The member said. “Thank you. You don’t know how many lives you most likely just saved.” The pony said, looking to the mountains and standing up. “Alright... Now I’ve kept my end of the deal... Now you have to do the same!” The member said. The pony nodded and looked back down, “Of course I will.” The pony turned and put it’s hoof to the side of it’s head, muting its voice to the outside. “Computer... I need you to send a message to the Zebra Kingdom Military. Tell them to show up to these coordinates and take these stallions away. And have them make sure they’re protected and hidden from anypony that might wish to do them harm. Make it anonymous. Also! Use the name that the tipper that the news mare used.” Twilight said. “Right away Ms. Sparkle. And it has been signed as you asked, with the name ‘Urban Legend’.” AIVHA replied. “Thank you.” “Ms. Sparkle... Are you seriously going to allow these stallions to not be taken into custody?” AIVHA asked. Twilight turned to look at the stallion, her mute staying on. “Everypony deserves a second chance. They will be punished, as they should be for what they’ve done, but everypony deserves a second chance.” “Yes, Ms. Sparkle.” AIVHA said. Twilight turned her mute off and watched as the previous member returned from his break, slowly trotting to them with his rifle aimed to her. “B-Back off!” “Don’t worry. Help is on the way. Just remember to use this second chance wisely.” Twilight looked up and the blasters started, lifting her up off the ground and flying through the sky towards the mountains with the two members sitting alone, accompanied only by their injured comrades. “... Who was that?” The returning member asked. “I don’t know... But I really hope they’re a pony who keeps their promises.” The member replied. Twilight scanned the mountains she was flying over, finding the smallest peak and searching it until she found a small cave entrance. “There it is!” She said, flying downwards and landing in front, stopping as she looked inside. “Are you alright, Ms. Sparkle?” AIVHA asked. “... I-I... N-No... B-But I have t-to go inside... I-I have to get the arc reactor and stop anypony else from ever getting it...” Twilight took one shaky step inside, then another, then another, and another until she found herself walking on her hind legs deeper into the cave. She could feel chills go down her spine as she continued, AIVHA turning on night vision tech so they could see in the dark tunnels. Eventually they reached the fork, the right side leading to where the Four Rings resided, and the left side leading to the room she, Spitfire and Whooves were held captive. She took a deep breath and continued down through the left cave, finding the broken door to their room hanging off the hinges. She walked in and could see the place was torn apart, evidence that the Four Rings had been there before and had searched. She trotted over to her previous bed, and looked down, her eyes widening as she saw a cut in the bed. She put her hooves inside and felt around the entire area, putting her other hoof inside and tearing the bed apart, searching through the bed’s filling in a desperate attempt to find the object she had been looking for. “No... No! No!!! No!!!! NO!!!!! NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!! NO!!!!!” She yelled out, punching the ground hard with her fist when she gave up. “... Ms. Sparkle...?” AIVHA hesitantly said. Twilight was silent, looking down to the ground, covered with the stuffing from the bed, and the arc reactor nowhere in sight. Twilight blinked when AIVHA spoke, wondering just how long they had been in this position, as it felt like it had been forever. She kept her head down as she was on her knees, “... t-they... They took it... They got here before we could... And now... Now they have it...” Twilight eventually said. “Ms. Sparkle... We could go back to the lab and find the arc’s energy signature, find out where they hid it.” AIVHA suggested. “... I made that arc in a cave with a box full of scraps... There’s no way it’ll be able to make an energy signature powerful enough for us to track...” “... Well… We cannot give up hope yet ma’am... There must be some way we can find it.” AIVHA said. “..... For now I just want to get home computer..... Then we’ll talk about where to find it.” Twilight said, looking back up to her destroyed bed, and then turning to see two more beds, one that belonged to Spitfire and the other belonging to Whooves. She got up and sniffed, turning back around and walking outside of the cave. When she left the cave she could see it was night, with Luna’s moon high in the sky. She looked to the ground, seeing burn marks from the escape. “Are you alright, Ms. Sparkle?” AIVHA asked. “... No... Computer... No, I’m not alright.... I just wish I hadn’t forgotten it... Then maybe Whooves and Spitfire would still be alive... And then... Then they could be home right now... In Equestria... They’d be happy... But now they’re gone... And it’s all because of the Four Rings...” Twilight said, “... let’s just get home computer... I want to get to bed soon after we talk about where they could have taken the arc reactor.” Twilight took one last look back into the cave before blasting off into the sky. She sniffed again as she remembered Whooves and Spitfire’s faces, remembering their last moments, which they spent trying to make sure Twilight made it out alive. She looked to the moon and felt her eyes watering slightly, yawning as she had just realized how exhausted she was. Trixie groaned as she leaned forward, burying her face in her hooves as she sat down on a small bed in the cave room. She could hear the members of the Four Rings searching the room, all of them searching for anything Twilight Sparkle could have left behind. She looked up to a member and called for him, causing him to trot to her quickly. “When’s the assassin going to get here? I need to get away from here...” Trixie asked, “No... I deserve to be here... To be in the same room where he sent the prisoners I was forced to torture...” “Just a few, I checked in a minute ago.” The member said. “Good... Now go.” Trixie waved him off and buried her face again. Trixie rubbed her temples softly, perking her ears up when she heard voices from the hallway, knowing they were arriving. She could still feel a slight pain in the back of her head from after she had visited the leader of her group, it was beginning to throb softly. She was hoping they would finish up soon so she could get back to her office in Equestria and get her medicine. She looked up as she continued rubbing her temples, but what she saw made her eyes grow wide. She saw a group of her leader’s personal soldiers, all outfitted and armed. But in the middle of them was the leader’s own personal assassin. His own personal guard he trained and hired a few days ago. A stallion with a brown mane, coat and tail. His cutie mark was burned off, and his mane was cut short and in a messy style. “Dr. Whooves...” Trixie thought to herself, “Oh mother of Faust... What did they do to you...?” She stood up from the bed and slowly trotted to the stallion, who was looking around the room with an angry glare, his eyes could be shooting daggers out of them. “S-So. You must be Whov-” Trixie was stopped by one of the soldiers next to Whooves. “His name is Agent 48, our leader’s personal guard.” The soldier said. “Ah... Right. So... Agent 48... We were told that you would be able to help us find the special... Item... We’re looking for. Since you remember being here for a time. Do you... Remember why you were here?” Whooves’ face begun to strain, showing that he was struggling as he was obviously trying to think about why he was there. “Hey!” One of the soldier said, “unless you want to have a death wish I suggest you don’t ask anymore stupid questions!” “It’s... Fine.” Whooves said, moving forward to Trixie, “I... I remember something glowing... Something... Something circular and... Purple... Near there.” He pointed a hoof to the area around the beds. Trixie whistled to her guards and pointed to the same area, all of them nodding and moved there to continue their search. She looked back to Whooves, his face never changing from it’s angry expression, and his body remaining stiff as if he were ready to attack anypony at any time. “Boss!” One of Trixie’s guards called out. She turned and saw him holding a small, glowing, circular purple object in his hoof, trotting slowly to her. “I found it from it's light glowing in one of the beds!” Trixie used her magic to pick it up, "Hiding it in a bed... Hm." she thought, then showing it to Whooves. “T-That’s it. That’s... That’s what I saw.” He said, “I can’t remember why... But I remember that.” “Alright, good! Now come on ponies! We have to get Agent 48 out of here now!” One of the soldiers next to Whooves said, the others taking him away, “and I suggest you all get out of here soon! The Panther might be done attacking that little group of bait in the dessert and will be coming here.” Trixie’s guards all gulped at the thought of going up against the Panther, and they all began trotting quickly to the exit of the room to the tunnel. She looked back to the room when she reached the door, then looked forward and continued down the tunnel. “I knew I should have just killed Whooves instead of let the leader turn him into... This!” Trixie held her head as she felt a sharp pain, forcing her to stop and lean against a wall of the cave, “Nopony deserves what I and the others had to go through....” She continued holding her head and trotted as fast as she could to the exit, climbing onto the helicopter and hitting the door to the pilot seat, telling them to lift off. They lifted upwards and began flying away from the cave, Trixie sitting down and holding her head, leaning back against the a wall and sighing. She looked outside to the stars and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m sorry Twilight... If only I knew what pain he had put you through... I could have stopped him...”