Chapter 13: Dissension
As the sun sank into the west, veiled in Celestia's yellow aura, Luna and the four humans trekked back into the castle after a long, grueling afternoon of learning and fighting. Thomas wrote on his board.
WOULD LOVE A TACO, MY IPOD, AND AN EMPTY CHAIR RIGHT NOW
"Truly I am sorry to disappoint thee," said Luna, "But now we must see to the mental pre-battle preparations. To succeed we must out-plan as well as out-fight our enemy."
"Sounds simply delightful," said Michael, sarcastically.
"In here," said Luna, ushering them into a side room with one long table surrounded by chairs.
ONE OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD, wrote Thomas, sitting down in the largest chair which was obviously meant for him.
Twilight and her friends were already there, going through volumes upon volumes of ancient tomes.
WHAT LOOKING FOR?
Twilight looked up after she was nudged by Rainbow and answered Thomas.
"Remember Zecorra's prophesy? I'm looking up all kinds of monsters to see what we might be dealing with. I was trying to find some link to the prophesy, and I think I managed to uncover something."
"Indeed," said Celestia, who was also sitting at the table, "An old student friend of Twilight's managed to locate a book with some reference to the Dead Island. It has been referenced in several other books, and we have a pretty good idea where it is, but none of these other works give any kind of history or even a very good description of the island."
Thomas felt Twilight's head sink at the mention of 'an old student friend' and decided to ask about it.
WHO FOUND BOOK?
"Some pony named uhh... Moondancer," said Applejack, "But that ain't important now, right Princess?"
Celestia seemed to notice Twilight's change of attitude but then, sighing, she continued, "True, there will be time for that later Applejack. Right now we must focus on what we have found. As I said the island is referenced in several ancient books, but never explored or expounded upon. In fact very few seem to take any interest in it."
"Why?" asked Mira, curiously.
"We do not know," said Luna.
"However we know enough to determine its location, and the rest we inferred from some local legends regarding it," said Celestia, turning to Twilight.
"We have traced the island," said Twilight, pushing a volume of Ancient Equestrian Explorers across the table for them to see, "Down the eastern coast past the badlands and Zebra territory practically to the bottom of Equestria. It's a small volcanic island no more than four miles off the coast."
Thomas touched his finger to Michael's flame so he could get a better look at the map and shared it with Lucas and Mira.
"Apparently," said Rainbow, "There are a whole bunch of legends surrounding the island about it being cursed and stuff. But the weather there is wild, there are rumors about free magic running amok, and mysterious creatures."
"But other than that," said Twilight, "We don't know much about the history of the island or anything that might lend itself to some kind of monster."
Thomas leaned back in his chair, which squeaked loudly in protestation, and scratched the back of his head. Then he leaned forwards and, raising his hand, let Mira translate for him.
"We have one day left before the creature arrives, according to Zecorra's prophesy. It seems to me that we can't learn anything more about whatever it is that is coming, so I suggest we head down to Horseshoe Bay and prepare for the attack."
Mira paused for a second and then said, "Tom, what if I went to check out the island? I'm pretty fast and -"
No! thought Thomas to Mira, It's too dangerous. Besides we'll need you to scout the area around the bay to figure out how best to set up defenses.
"But we won't know what type of defenses to set up if we don't know what type of monster we'll be fighting," said Mira.
We'll do our best, and try to plan for all contingencies thought Tom.
"But -"
"Excuse me," interrupted Michael, "But the rest of us are only getting one half of the conversation."
"Oh, sorry," said Mira, "Thomas thinks it would be better if I stayed with the team."
Lucas piped up and Mira had to translate him for everyone else as well.
"I think Tom has a point. When we get to the bay, I can explore out to sea, and figure out what's coming. Exploring the island just sounds like a waste of time. Plus I think sticking together is a good idea."
"But what if this island has some sort of old weapon or ancient secret that could stop this monster?" asked Mira.
"We're the weapon," said Michael, "The important thing right now is to know what we're up against and Lucas can do that, without you leaving on some wild quest."
"Refraining from Michael's bravado," returned Lucas, through Mira, "I still think Tom's right. We need to know what we'll be fighting first and foremost, and then we need to prepare. Splitting up is good if we're searching for something, but right now it sounds like a very unsafe idea. Besides how would you sleep without a bottle handy?
The silence that followed was cut short by a snorting laugh from Pinkie. Which soon turned into loud guffaws from both her and Ranbow.
"Let's try and keep the story G-rated," said Pinkie, through her laughter. Then, looking up her face fell, "Aw Peanut Brittle, TEEN?! COME ON!"
"I mean, you won't be able to sleep if - You need someone to ... We ... " stammered Lucas, trying to make up for his blunder.
"I know what you mean," finished Mira, for him, "But I still think-"
"Sorry Mira, but you're outvoted," said Thomas, "It's not safe, a waste of precious time, and we don't even know if it would be worth it."
Even though she had to say all this for her friends, Mira still felt that her idea had merit and was practically fuming that it had been brushed aside merely because everyone else thought she couldn't handle herself. If she was so helpless, then why did they need her to come along in the first place?
"Then it's decided," said Celestia, "You four shall continue on to the ocean to prepare for the coming battle."
"And I shall join them," said Luna.
"Are you sure Luna?" asked Celestia, "This monster feeds on-"
"Yes, I know sister," said Luna, "I shall keep my distance and direct from afar, but these four still require assistance."
"Very well then."
"Rainbow an' me are gonna be helpin' load 'n unload the train, and Pinkie 'n Fluttershy'll help evacuate the city," said Applejack.
"And I," corrected Rarity.
"I thought y'all wouldn't want t'get yer hooves dirty," said Applejack.
"Twilight and I shall be staying here," said Rarity, "To keep searching for anything that might help you. And once you're all done at the bay, we'll meet back here to help guard Canterlot."
"Then why did'ja say ya were helpin' us load the train?"
"I didn't. I was correcting your grammar."
"There ain't nothin' wrong with ma grammar; you need to stop bein' so fussy."
Rarity rolled her eyes.
"I know Zecora said we wouldn't be able to do anything," said Twilight, "But I think we'd all feel safer if my friends and I are all together if it gets to Canterlot."
"Hopefully, it should not come to that," said Luna, frowning.
"I shall warn the nearest towns beyond Horseshoe Bay," said Celestia, "Just in case you need any extra leeway during your fight."
THANK YOU.
"Think nothing of it," replied Celestia, "Twilight would you get the maps of Horseshoe Bay and the surrounding area?"
Twilight unrolled the maps and Thomas held up Michael, one finger in the flame, to get a good look.
"Assuming that whatever it is that's coming, sticks to the prophesy and lands on Equestrian soil at Horseshoe Bay," said Twilight putting her hoof on the horseshoe shaped inlet on the right side of the map, "We have several things to worry about. One being that the monster follows the river upstream to this fork, ending up either in the Everfree Forest or passing right by Canterlot. The other thing to worry about is that it changes its mind and, once it arrives, leaves the bay and attacks somewhere else along the coast."
Thomas raised a hand and let Mira verbalize his thoughts.
"What about Baltimare?"
"A ghost town," said Luna, "Long since evacuated following your first message yesterday."
"How do we know it's limited to water?" asked Michael, strangely serious, despite all the ponies present and the ponified place names.
"We don't," answered Celestia, "But since it's attacking from the sea we are assuming it's aquatic in nature."
"That means I should be really useful," said Mira for Lucas, "Right?"
"Indeed," replied Luna.
Unlike me, thought Mira to herself.
You are of great use, said Thomas through their connection, Just look how you're helping us now.
You mean helping you, said Mira again, but this time, privately.
Thomas put his other finger on the map following the edge of the bay as Mira translated, "We should create some kind of barrier which we could close across the opening to the bay once it enters, and create some kind of deterrent to it crossing this small patch of land to reach the ocean again."
"I can'st deal with this," said Luna.
"Perhaps some fire along the beach," suggested Michael, "If it's aquatic, I don't think it would like fire that much."
Celestia nodded to a pony by a side door and said, "Oil, and lots of it. Attach it to the train leaving tomorrow."
The pony bowed slightly and darted out the door to see to his princess's orders.
"I think we should see if we can trap it in the bay," said Mira for Thomas, "But if that fails let's funnel it upstream."
"Nearer to Canterlot?!" said Twilight, obviously distressed.
"Make a dam," said Lucas, "Send it to this Everfree place."
"That's dangerous," said Twilight.
"Yeah, there are all kinds of kooky, spooky creatures in there," said Pinkie, "Not to mention friends."
"Tell the Zebra to wait in town," said Michael.
"There's also a friendly sea serpent, a deserted castle with many precious works of literature, and possibly the most magical tree in all Equestria," said Twilight.
Dang! Forgot about the Tree of Harmony, said Thomas to himself.
"Is this tree really that important?" asked Michael, doubtfully.
"Without a doubt," confirmed Twilight, "It helped us defeat Tirek, and it protects the Elements of Harmony, possibly the most magical artifacts in existence."
"This Everyfree place is out then," said Michael, "Simple, we just send it the other way."
"Right past Canterlot?!" cut in Twilight again.
Thomas tapped the map again and Mira narrated for him, "We've got plenty of room between the fork and Canterlot. More room, in fact, than we would have had if we diverted it into the Everfree. If you ask me the hard part, considering the Tree, will be getting it to head towards Canterlot in the first place."
"Not if my sister and I are both here," said Celestia.
"But Princess-" interjected Twilight.
"The good of our subjects comes before us," said Luna.
Twilight bit her lip, but didn't answer that.
Yay! The princesses are doing something for once, thought Thomas, Sure they're being glorified targets but still...
Suddenly an idea came to Thomas. Pointing to the map, Mira translating, he laid out his idea.
"If we get whatever it is lined up perfectly just before Rambling Rock Ridge we could cause a rock slide from the opposite direction. That would stop pretty much anything wouldn't it?"
"True," said Twilight, frowning, "But it would also completely destroy the train-line as well."
"Is the train really that valuable?" asked Mira. Then, speaking for Thomas, she continued, "Unlike you, Mira, I can't fly. The train makes it easier to travel, therefore complicating things."
"Your idea could work," said Celestia, looking at the map, "If timed just right that could be a last ditch defense. As for the transportation, if we position a train on either side of where the rocks should fall, well away for safety, facing in opposite directions it could solve the issue of transportation."
"I didn't think of that," said Mira for Thomas, "This could work."
They stayed up for a few more hours going over further considerations and defense strategies, but at last Celestia stood up, and said, "I think it is time that we retired for the night."
Thomas raised a finger, but she cut him off before Mira could say anything, "A rested body is just as good, considering we must still prepare tomorrow, as a sturdy defense. I have already had some of the best rooms made up for you all."
Thomas raised his hand again.
"Yes, even for you Thomas."
Thomas kept his hand up, until at last Celestia let Mira speak.
"Thomas says he doesn't really need a bed. Considering he's made of stone, anything is pretty much soft enough, and he doesn't want to ruin a perfectly good bed."
Celestia raised an eyebrow, "Is he saying Equestrian beds are of inferior design?"
Thomas and Mira shook their heads in unison (though only Tom's was visible), as Mira quickly restated, "No! Absolutely not, Thomas wasn't implying anything about the quality of ... "
Mira stopped as she saw the grin spread across Celestia's face.
"Good. Then he should have no problems sleeping in it," said Celestia, a mock severe expression forming on her muzzle, "Unless he is disagreeing with me."
Luna stepped in adding a little more to the joke, "Indeed I would not suggest that; the moon is exceptionally cold this time of year."
Thomas crossed his arms and tried to give Celestia an equally sarcastic expression to show he understood it was all in fun.
Celestia just grinned at his blank-faced expression and, turning to leave the room, called out in a sing-song voice, "Good night, My Little Ponies. Sleep well."
Mira circled around the inside of the bottle fuming.
Michael never did anything back home, he just sat around and played video games. Don't know about Thomas or Lucas, but they don't sound like they did much either... She paused for a second, Alright maybe Thomas.
She resumed circling her bottle, Who was it that single handedly fixed our plumbing issue? Who is always helping Mrs. Swinson down the street? I could do more with one hand tied behind my back then my brother could do with two good hands, a driving permit, a full tank of petrol and ten buddies.
Mira started circling faster.
Why I bet I could get to the island and back before they even knew I was gone, probably by tomorrow morning. In fact, I don't really need that much sleep, and I can see just fine, morning, noon or night.
Mira stopped circling as the bottle began to wobble.
Woah, she thought to herself, as she tried to stabilize it, Don't want to fall.
They had placed her bottle on a small table outside of the rooms where Thomas, and the rest were sleeping. As much as Thomas had objected to sleeping in a good bed, the minute his head had touched the pillow, he had been out like a light.
As the bottle stopped moving, Mira got an idea.
I can't push the cork off the bottle, but I wonder if I could break the bottle by knocking it off the table.
Mira began moving back and forth inside the tall container, until at last it started to wobble back and forth.
Mira pushed forward with all the might she could summon and the bottle toppled off the table and landed, without shattering on the marble floor.
"Dang it!" said Mira, before getting another idea.
The rooms that had been reserved for the new guests of Canterlot Castle were situated in a tall tower on the east end of the castle practically next to the mountain itself. Very near to the table had been a long spiral staircase, right out of Harry Potter, which led to their rooms.
If I rolled the bottle to the edge and managed to slip through the railings I bet that fall would break the bottle.
Mira began rolling the bottle in the direction she remembered the stairs being. Bumping into something she figured was a railing, she pivoted the bottle and began trying to slide it lengthwise through the gap. At last she felt the bottle tip up and fall...
Mira would have described the landing as having a bomb go off in your face, if you were Superman. The impact didn't hurt her of course, however, having the bottle shatter around her and suddenly being free was a lot like being inside a small bomb.
As she floated up, leaving the pieces of broken bottle behind her she could hear the approach of hooves on tile. A guard came trotting into the hallway along with AJ and RD from the opposite direction.
The guard illuminated his horn and scanned the room quickly, not noticing the glass shards on the floor.
"Hey would ya turn that thing down?" asked Rainbow, holding up a wing to shield her eyes.
"Forgive me, Ms. Dash," said the guard, the illumination dying from his horn.
"Why don' y'all head upstairs," said AJ, smiling pleasantly in the gloom, "Dash an' me'll look aroun' down here."
The guard nodded and headed up the stairs.
"What 'ya thing caused all that ruckus Rainbow?" asked AJ, looking around.
Mira snorted at the alliteration.
"You hear that?" said Rainbow, taking a step forward.
She drew a hoof back from the glass on the floor and, examining it, looked up.
"I know you're here," she said, flapping her wings a little, "We heard you, I can feel you, and that's your bottle."
"Sorry," said Mira, floating down closer to the ground.
"Good gravy girl," said Applejack, yawning, "What 'cha doin' up this late?"
Mira paused for a second before saying, "I'd rather you keep it a secret... at least until next morning but... I'm going to the island."
"Why?" asked Rainbow, "I thought we already decided that place was bad news."
"Thomas, Lucas and Michael did," said Mira, "They don't think I can handle myself. But I've just got this gut feeling that there's something I need to see on this island."
"Reckon' I can believe ya on that second part," said Applejack, "Feller's often don't always trust that gut feelin'. But I can't say I agree with ya first point."
"Yeah," said Rainbow, "That Thomas guy sure doesn't seem like the disloyal type to me, and even your brother is kinda cool."
"But I reckon' if this is somethin' ya gotta do, ya gotta do it," said Applejack, "Not like I could stop ya anyways."
"Bet I could though," said RD, grinning.
"Go fer it Mira," said AJ, pointing with a hoof, "Head down the hallway. Then make a right right turn, a left, an' there should be a door on yer right. I'll let yer friends know about this in the mornin'."
"You think they'll understand?" asked Mira, almost reconsidering.
"If they're yer friends, I reckon so."
Mira found the door, exited out through the keyhole and the next thing she knew she was soaring up into the sky.
Now on to Dead Island! She thought to herself, with a brief shiver of excitement, anticipation and mostly... fear.