> Saving The Crusaders
>  by The Blue Bandit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1, A Circus Capture
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was your average day in Ponyville and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were once again looking for new ways to achieve their cutie marks. They had tried so many ways to find out what they are supposed to do in life and their purpose. Once they had their cutie marks they would know what they are meant to do and they would be able to live their lives. They were in the cutie mark crusader clubhouse where they were discussing what they would do next but they couldn’t agree on what to do.
“Why don’t we try hang gliding over Ponyville we’ll certainly get our cutie marks in hand gliding, I’m sure we’ll be naturals!” Scootaloo suggested.
“No, why don’t we do some hat making, I’m sure Rarity will be happy to show us how to.” Sweetie Belle said in disagreement.
“Rarity is off with Applejack and the others for some reason, why don’t we get Granny Smith to show us how to bake apple pies! We’ll get our cutie marks in pie baking!” Apple Bloom said.
It seemed that the Cutie Mark Crusaders couldn’t decide what they wanted to do and they started bickering about it. When they started to raise their voices a blue pony with a purple mane named Cotton Candy who had a cutie mark in the shape of a cotton candy, heard and rushed up to the clubhouse to see what all the commotion was about. She knocked but she was ignored as the crusaders were so focused in the conversation and then she walked inside.
“What is going on in here” Cotton Candy asked.
“We’re trying to get our cutie marks and they won’t listen to my idea! Probably because they know that it’s the best.” Scootaloo said being mean to her friends.
“Hey, calm down. I’m sure that all of your ideas are great” Cotton Candy said. “But maybe you should do something different, like go to the circus that’s in town.”
“Well we would but we really need to get our cutie marks.” Apple Bloom said.
“Why don’t you come and help me at my cotton candy stand! Surely you'll get your cutie marks there!” Cotton Candy suggested.  
The cutie mark crusaders gathered in a group hug and they whispered amongst the group, trying to decide whether they should take the pony up on her offer. Cotton Candy was a kind, friendly, and sweet pony who looked very trusting and that was why the cutie mark crusaders even considered the offer. She tried her best to be nice to the three young fillies and she thought that having three helpers would help her as well as helping them.
“We should, we could get our cutie marks in cotton candy making!” Sweetie Belle happily said.
“Yeah, we should and it’ll be fun!” Apple bloom said.
“So should we?” Scootaloo said and the other ponies nodded.
They turned around and formed a line facing opposite of Cotton Candy and one by one they smiled at her. Cotton knew that they probably wouldn’t achieve their cutie marks in cotton candy making as there was already a pony that did that but she would get the three fillies to smile. The smile of a filly was just enough to fill your heart with joy and even just one smile would make anypony happy. 
“Well I’m Applebloom, this is Scootaloo and this is Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom said.
“And together we are the cutie mark crusaders!” They all said in unison.
“Well I’m Cotton Candy and why don’t we go to the circus” Cotton Candy said. “Maybe you could get your cutie marks in setting up”.
Together they trotted to the circus where lots of ponies were setting up stalls and there was a massive big top. The crusaders gawped in amaze as the lights of the circus flashed and they saw the stalls that surrounded the big top that sold all sorts of items and all of the ponies were helping each other. It was a nice and friendly environment where all of the ponies who took part in the circus were all nice to each other and helped each other. 
“This is so much like the rodeos that Applejack takes me to all the time” Apple Bloom said in delight.
“Well a lot of stuff happens at the circus now my stall is over here” Cotton Candy said leading the fillies to her half set up stall.
“How did you get your stuff here?” Scootaloo asked.
“Well when the circus ends in Ponyville and we travel to a new place we put all of the stalls into the caravans and then we tie ourselves to them and we walk to the next place and set up the circus and we basically do the same thing time after time” Cotton Candy explained.
The crusaders and Cotton worked together as they set up the cotton candy stand and they did their best to make it look amazing. The fillies were amazed when Cotton taught them how to use the cotton candy machine however they were a bit upset when they looked at their flanks and saw that there was no cutie marks. Although they had no cutie marks Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle all decided to stay to help out.
When the circus started, loads of ponies came to visit and watch the show but before the show everypony wanted to buy stuff. Lots of ponies came by the candy floss and exchanged their gold bits for candy floss that everypony ate in delight. They had set up a line of work, Apple Bloom would give Sweetie Belle sticks and she would put the candy floss on the sticks and Scootaloo would operate the machine while Cotton Candy traded the delicious treat for other ponies bits. 
“This is so much fun!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “It’s better than baking pies with Granny Smith.”
“Or making hats with Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Even hang gliding isn’t as good as this!” Scootaloo said. “And hand gliding is amazing.”
They earned lots of bits from selling candy floss and when the crowd passed and went inside the big top to watch the show Cotton started counting it. The crusaders sat with the pony as she counted the money and watched interestingly when Cotton divided the total bits into four. Cotton then pushed a pile of bits to each of the fillies who were all surprised as they were not expecting payment.
“What’s that for?” Scootaloo asked.
“Well I got more done than normal and I even got a bit extra from tips because we served so fast.” Cotton said. “It’s only fair that we all get equal amounts.”
“Oh you’re such a kind pony Cotton!” Apple Bloom declared. “I will give my bits to Applejack to help her build the new barn!”
“Well I shall buy a fancy dress from Rarity!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I will buy a scooter to replace the old one that I broke last week.” Scootaloo said. 
The fillies sat and waited, they expected Cotton to say what she would use her bits for, however she didn't she just sat there with the others. Cotton didn't say anything because she had no idea what she was going to buy with her share, as she rarely bought anything for herself. Working for the circus was easy and she spent her money on food for herself and supplies for her stand, her life was literally the same most days but she did have a lot of money saved up.
“What will you spend your bits on Cotton?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I'll save my money for something big when the time is right” Cotton said.
“Why don't we go and visit the show and see what the circus acts are like” Scootaloo said.
“I'll stay behind, I see them practicing sometimes and it gets boring watching the same more than once” Cotton said.
“Ok we'll see you later” Apple Bloom said.
The crusaders left Cotton alone at the back of the stall and they went to watch the show that was going on inside the big top. Cotton was now realising that the life that the life that she had been living for years wasn't a happy one and she was now regretting ever joining the circus.
Inside the big top Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were watching a magic act which had lots of tricks which all three fillies loved. They continued watching the acts and some of them were amazing there was one with five pegasi there was another with a group of dancers. The acts were not only loved by the crusaders but by the rest of the large crowd as well who clapped their hooves at the end of ever terrific performance.
“I wish I could fly like those pegasi" Scootaloo said.
“I'm sure you will one day. You'll probably be able to join the Wonderbolts” Apple Bloom said to her friend.
“Maybe my cutie mark will be a flying one" Scootaloo said.
“Maybe my cutie mark will be in performance magic" Sweetie Belle said.
“And maybe I will be a circus stall runner" Apple Bloom said.
“We could have our own circus one day" Sweetie Belle said.
They all knew that they will probably never have their own circus but they wouldn't stop guessing what their cutie marks will be until they eventually get them. They would always have hope that their cutie marks would just be around the corner and knew that they would eventually get them. The crusaders had just come up with a new idea to get their cutie mark and they would try their best to get their cutie marks.
“This circus is great.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, I love it" Sweetie Belle said.
“It's simply amazing!” Scootaloo said.
The three watched the show until the last act was over and the ringmaster announced that the show was over. They were even the last ponies in the big top and the left through the door and they went to find Cotton. The looked everywhere but Cotton couldn't be be found anywhere and they looked around all the stands but she wasn't there. They found the caravan that Cotton had mentioned and they knocked on the door, Cotton answered the door but she was crying.
“What's wrong?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Nothing." Cotton replied. “Is there a reason why you're here?” 
“We just wanted to tell you how great the circus was." Scootaloo said.
“I'm glad you enjoyed the show, sorry but I'm a bit busy at the moment, could you come back later?" Cotton lied.
The fillies left Cotton at her caravan as she was obviously upset and didn't want them around. They walked away from the caravan but Cotton didn't go back inside she watched the ponies leave, and then she followed them because she wanted to say sorry for being mean. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo split up and went three different ways but they didn't get far because each one of them were met by a different pony.
Each of the ponies said hello to the mysterious ponies who crossed their paths. Cotton felt very curious about these ponies. The ponies kept quiet but wouldn't let the fillies pass them, and then each of the ponies revealed their true identities as changelings. One second they were normal ponies and then they were changelings Cotton watched in horror when a swarm of changelings surrounded the fillies. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were snatched by the changelings and they all screamed a high pitched squeal. Three of them stayed behind and transformed into the crusaders.
Cotton hid behind a caravan as the fake fillies walked to the real fillies’ homes and wondered where they were. Cotton wondered why the changelings would abduct three nice and sweet fillies who wouldn't harm a fly. Wherever the crusaders were they needed saving and Cotton wouldn't give up until they were safe and sound.
“I will find you crusaders!” Cotton declared. “I will.”

> Chapter 2, Help From A New Friend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2, Help From A New Friend
Cotton was still behind the caravan and was waiting for the fake fillies to walk out of sight, before she could even begin to think what she would do next. She had only just met them and they had been captured by changelings and no pony would know because there were fake ones who had disguised themselves as the crusaders. If anypony could help it would be the Mane six, Cotton decided to go find Princess Twilight Sparkle and tell her what happened to the crusaders.
Cotton walked to the town and she looked around for the princess, but she couldn't find her anywhere. She asked around Ponyville but each and every pony said that all of the Mane six were out of town due to a problem in Canterlot that Princess Celestia had asked them to solve. As the mane six couldn't help, Cotton decided that she would have to find the crusaders herself. Cotton was deep in thought when she bumped into a stallion and she was knocked over and then the stallion offered his hoof.
“I'm so sorry.” he said as he helped her up. 
“It's alright I bumped into you.” Cotton said.
Cotton looked at the dashing stallion he had purple fur, a streaked green, blue and red mane, his perfect pink eyes and his cutie mark which was a firecracker and a piece of candy. She looked at his shining eyes and longed to tell him about the crusaders but then turned around before what she wanted to say came out. Then he put his hoof on her neck and slowly turned her body back towards him and then looked in her eyes.
“Hey, I’m Pop Rock” He said.
“Nice name, I’m Cotton Candy” Cotton said. Then Cotton realised that she was about to tell Pop Rock what was going on but could she trust him? How did she know that he wasn’t a changeling in disguise so she ran away from him.
 As Cotton Candy walked away she thought that she was making a mistake and that he looked like the stallion of her dreams. She really wanted to turn around and run into his arms but she couldn’t be sure if he was a stallion or a changeling. She was walking towards Sweet Apple Acres to visit the fake Apple Bloom to see if she would let anything go about where the real Apple Bloom and the others were when she realised that somepony was following her. She turned around to see that Pop Rock had followed her and she was about to blast him with magic when she remembered  a spell that some ponies had learned during the Canterlot siege which could tell between a real pony and a changeling.
During the siege Cotton had been with the circus trying to drum up business in Canterlot and all of the unicorns among the circus had learned the spell. Pop Rock watched as her facial expression didn’t change however her horn lighted up as if she was casting a spell but nothing happened. Cotton was so glad that he wasn’t a changeling and she threw her hooves around his neck and then she used her magic to transport them to her caravan where she was certain that no changelings would be listening in.
“You’re acting really weirdly.” Pop Rock said.
“Sorry, long story short, my friends were abducted by changelings and then three of them turned into my friends and now I don’t know who to trust.” Cotton said.
“So now you’re feeling a bit paranoid.” Pop Rock said. “And you’re going to look for them and I’m guessing you want me to help you.”
“You took the words out my mouth. Will you?” Cotton asked.
“Saving some ponies and possible endangering my life.” Pop Rock said and then he sighed.                                        
 	“Of course I’ll help you save your friends.”
“How should we start?” Cotton said.
“Maybe we should write everything that we know down so we don’t forget.” Pop Rock suggested.
Cotton looked around and found a quill and scroll and then she used her magic to begin to write down everything that she already knew. As she wrote she heard the sound of ponies moving around outside and then realised that the circus was about to move on and that the caravan was owned by the circus and it would be taken with them. Not only did she have to save the crusaders but she was about to give up her life in the circus and she didn’t really care, after years in the circus she had only know realised that she didn’t belong there.
“The circus is moving on. Ponyville was a one show stop” Cotton told Pop Rock. “They’re going to take my caravan away and I have nowhere to live.”
“Come stay with me. I own a hovel on the other side of town, I have a spare room and we can move your stuff over there” Pop Rock offered.
“Yeah if you mean it, why not” Cotton agreed.
Cotton had very few possessions and all of her stuff could fit in one little moving box that Cotton rarely bothered to unpack after travelling from place to place with the circus. Cotton and Pop Rock began to walk together towards Pop Rock’s house and as he carried the box for Cotton, Pop Rock was thinking about what happened to Cotton’s friends. He then remembered that when the changelings attack on Canterlot didn’t work they were forced away and some of them got separated from their Queen, Chrysalis.
“Who do you think these changelings are working for?” Pop Rock asked.
“Is that a joke? It’s pretty obvious, Queen Chrysalis” Cotton said. “There’s a reason she took these ponies.”
“Which ponies? You haven’t even told me there names” Pop Rock said.
Cotton felt ashamed and embarrassed because Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were her only friends over than Pop Rock. She didn’t usually make friends as she travelled around and didn’t stay in the same place for more than at least a day. Also if your only friends are fillies it is really embarrassing, even though they were really cool fillies and were great friends.
“They call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders and two of them are sisters of Rarity and Applejack of the mane six and the other one is close friends with Rainbow Dash and they’re…” Cotton said. “They’re fillies.”
“Sisters of the mane six, that would definitely them a target, but foal napping is certainly disgusting and who would do that?” Pop Rock said
“Obviously Queen Chrysalis would, she has a sick mind” Cotton said.
“We’re here my hovel” Pop Rock said.
The outside Pop Rock’s hovel looked pretty small but however quaint the hovel was it looked more homey than any house that Cotton had ever set her eyes on. It had flowers growing up the wall and a nice thatched roof and then there was a small garden in-between the fence and the wall. The inside was nice too and Pop Rock showed Cotton to her room and she put her box on her bed and then went to the nice living room with the quill and scroll.
“The changelings wouldn’t have taken them far right?” Cotton asked.
“It would be impossible to guess where they are, but if we went on a stakeout outside the crusaders clubhouse we might be able to catch them meeting up.” Pop Rock suggested.
“Why would changelings go there?” Cotton said.
“That’s the entire point, changelings wouldn’t go there but the crusaders always do so they would be able to converse them without anypony suspecting that they aren’t actually the crusaders.” Pop Rock said.
“Yeah but tomorrow they won’t go out in the middle of the night.” Cotton said.
“I guess if they want to keep their cover they won’t” Pop Rock said. “I’m going to hit the hay, night.”
“Night” Cotton replied and then went to bed herself.
Cotton closed her eyes and tried her hardest to get some rest but the more she tried the more she failed until eventually she gave up and fell to sleep instantly. Then Cotton began to dream that she was walking through the Everfree forest and then she heard shouting coming from nearby. Cotton felt like she was actually in the Everfree forest which was officially one of the scariest places in all of Equestria.
The shouting was coming from a cave and Cotton hesitated in fear as she went inside the dark cave and then used a spell to lighten up the cave. It was cold, dark and Cotton began to feel like the walls were closing in and she was practically crawling because the cave was so small. Then Cotton found some space when the cave opened a bit but by then the shouts became louder and then Cotton saw them. Dozens of changelings and in the centre the crusaders were being guarded by the changelings and then Cotton awoke.
She then went into the kitchen and looked in the fridge, however the only food that was in the house was a bowl of apples. Cotton took one and ate one and then Pop Rock walked into the room and his mane was such a mess. Pop Rock watched in confusion as Cotton laughed because of the mess of his mane and then he put his mane back the way it usually was.
“Sorry, I just got out of bed” Pop Rock laughed.
“It was just really funny” Cotton said.
After seeing Pop Rock’s mane in a mess she’d been able to stick the dream into the back of her mind at least for now. The two of them set out for Sweet Apple Acres and the made themselves comfortable in a bush right opposite the entrance of the crusaders’ club house. They waited for what seemed like hours and nobody passed until the fake Scootaloo showed up alongside the fake Sweetie Belle.
“Where’s the fake Apple Bloom?” Cotton whispered.
“I don’t know but they won’t start talking about anything until she gets here then we’ll quietly walk up to the door and listen in” Pop Rock whispered back.
 	“Sounds like a plan” Cotton said. “And if we become endangered I’ll magic us back your place.”
Pop Rock nodded and then the fake Apple Bloom came into sight and all three of the crusaders went up into the clubhouse. Pop Rock and Cotton Candy quietly followed as the door closed and they leaned softly against the door listening in the conversation. They didn’t talk about anything about the capture until they transformed into their natural form as changelings. Then the changelings began to speak about the fillies that had been captured by their leader and about what happened to them.
“Do you know where those foals have been taken” One of them said in a scaly voice.
“No it’s all quite quiet” Another one said.
“As long as our boss is fine then so am I” The other one said.
Cotton left door remembering her dream and thought that it was a sign that they were in the Everfree forest. Pop Rock followed her and together they walked towards Ponyville quietly as Cotton wasn’t about to explain her plan so close to anypony except for Pop Rock. When they arrived at the house of Pop Rock Cotton explained deeply about the dream that she’d had last night, but it was more of a nightmare.
“So you think that they’re in a cave in the Everfree forest” Pop Rock said. “It was a dream you were asleep, it wasn’t real.”
“I have to try, they’re fillies and they need saving” Cotton said.
Pop Rock and Cotton glared at each other, Cotton was obsessed with saving her friends and Pop Rock understood that Cotton would never give up trying to look for them until she found them. Cotton hoped that Pop Rock would understand what she had to do and would continue to help her find the crusaders. Pop Rock knew that Cotton needed someone to watch out for her when she was being stupid and endangering her life. Pop Rock and Cotton Candy had locked eyes and the Pop Rock frowned which Cotton thought meant that he wouldn’t help her.
“I’ll help you, under one condition” Pop Rock said. “If I come with you to the cave you have to promise that in the sign of danger we run back and we get out of the cave.”
“I promise.” Cotton said.
“I’m glad you’ll stay safe.” Pop Rock said. “Let’s go to the cave.”
> Chapter 3, The Cave in Everfree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3, The Cave In Everfree

Cotton Candy and Pop Rock were at the entrance of the massive forest that was located beside the town of Ponyville. Cotton shivered as they were on the verge of entering the ghastly place which many unknown species called home and constantly made spooky noises. Pop Rock and Cotton stood close and then we stepped into the scariest forest in Equestria where we both believed that the crusaders were and ready to be rescued.
“Cotton I’m scared” Pop Rock said with a trembling shudder in his voice.
“It’s fine, so am I. Let’s just say that I never wanted to go the Everfree forest” Cotton said. “I’ve travelled all around Equestria but the Everfree forest was always a no go to me.”
“Well at least we’re together.” Pop Rock said.
“Let’s make a pact, if one of us goes missing you have to fly back home and I’ll transport myself there” Cotton said.
“I’ll agree to that” Pop Rock complied.
They walked along the path and checked every second that they hadn’t accidentally stepped off the path and were walking in the wrong direction. The further they walked through the forest the more it became darker and it got so dark that Cotton had to cast a spell to lighten the surroundings. They could hear all the creatures and could see the vines that tangled trees and could distantly hear shouting from a distance but it didn’t sound like the crusaders.
“Do you hear that?” Cotton said.
Cotton waited but then didn’t hear an answer and then she turned around and realised that Pop Rock wasn’t there! She was about to transport herself to Pop Rock’s house but then the shouting became louder and Cotton decided that even if they weren’t from the crusaders they needed saving. Cotton then went against the pact that she had made with Pop Rock and continued to go along the path and she decided to go along the path.
It was true that Cotton felt safer when Pop Rock was with her she had never been a pony that needed a stallion to be saved by. Every time she heard a twig snap or an owl hoot, she was startled and jumped. The screaming grew louder and louder, until it was so clear it was as if it was right in front of her.
“Apple bloom!” cotton yelled, “Sweetie bell! Scootaloo! Where are you?!” 
“Right here!” A voice hissed. A changeling was right in front of her! Changelings began to surround her. She screamed and ran away a fast as her hooves could carry her. 
She bumped into Pop Rock on her way. “Pop Rock, a group of changelings is after me! We have to run” Cotton said quickly. Pop Rock turned into a changeling and hissed at her. By that time the swarm had already caught up to her. She was surrounded. They were just about to grab her when the real Pop Rock flew up and hit one of the changelings sending him flying. 
Cotton blasted several changelings with her magic but missed one. The changeling came up to her and whispered, “I'm Thorax, please don't hurt me.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Cotton candy said squinting at the changeling. I guess there's no way for me to prove who I am but I must go, my swarm will be wondering where I am. Thorax left and fluttered his insect wings and headed towards his swarm. “Do you think we could've trusted him?” Pop Rock asked. “
“I'm not sure but better safe than sorry.” Cotton replied. Pop Rock shook his head and they kept on walking on the path through the Everfree Forest.
“Hey so where did you disappear to just then?” Cotton asked Pop Rock.
“Um, I heard the changelings coming so I rushed to the side just in case you needed help, which you did.” Pop Rock said quickly.
Cotton and Pop Rock began to walk in silence and it made Cotton begin to suspect that Pop Rock wasn’t actually Pop Rock. The Pop Rock that she knew wouldn’t bare to walk in silence and would try to make a conversation after a few minutes in silence and this was what made Cotton cast the spell that could tell if somepony was a changeling or not. She knew it, the spell had worked the fake Pop Rock had returned to his natural form as a changeling and she stunned the changeling with a spell.
“You are a clever pony aren’t you?” The changeling said.
“Oh, yes I am and you’re going to tell me where Pop Rock and the fillies are.” Cotton demanded.
“Well the young fillies aren’t here and as for the stallion, you will probably never see him again.” The changeling declared.
Cotton felt like she should carry on asking him question but she let him go as she thought that Pop Rock would be in the cave that she’d dreamed of. She continued to walk down the path and looked at the freaky trees that she could see by the light of her spell which she’d had to recast. Eventually she reached the cave, she sighed and then entered the place where she hoped that Pop Rock would be and she was a bit hesitant to go inside alone.
The cave was so small and Cotton crawl to get through and keep her spell going so that she could see through the darkness. It was so clammy and she walked on but felt better when there was more space at a certain part of the cave. As Cotton walked on and saw light she knew that she was on the verge of finding Pop Rock and saving him from those horrible creatures.
Cotton stopped for a minute and leaned against the clammy cave walls and knew that when she went in there she would be attacked. She knew that if she was to go deeper into the cave she would have to use her magic to rescue the pony that was stuck inside there and she wasn’t about to hold back.
Cotton walked and then found a big open space there was a pathway to a massive ledge that had a massive drop below and Cotton was surprised to see who was forcefully on the edge. Pop Rock was on the edge of the ledge and in front of him there was a swarm of changelings stepping forward so he’d step back and they’d tied his wings down so he couldn’t fly. I then transported myself to him and then transported us back to the spot that I’d been before, then I let his wings free so that he could fly again.
“Are you ready to a fight?” Cotton asked.
“Of course I am” Pop Rock answered.
As the swarm of changelings came at us I began casting magic and throwing them at walls using it while Pop Rock used his wings and flew them high up and dropped them. But then more changelings came out of nowhere and there was to many so Cotton and Pop Rock flew together so that they could fight better. They were surrounded and they were just about to give up when one of the changelings turned on his fellow changelings.
“Need a little help?” He asked.
“Of, course we do” Cotton said.
All three of us began to fight the changelings and then Pop Rock grabbed me and told the changeling to follow as they ran. They hastily made their way out of the cave and ran off into the Everfree forest and off the path which was certainly a nightmare luckily they all trusted each other. Then Cotton realised that the changeling who’d tried to help them was Thorax the changeling from before.
“Well you were right Thorax I could trust you” Cotton said.
“I’m glad, all I want to do is help” Thorax said.
“Thanks for your help Thorax it was much needed” Pop Rock said.
“Now we have a bigger problem, we have to get out of the Everfree forest” Cotton said.
They were off the path and they had to find a way out but at least they didn’t have to fight the changelings now. They wanted to get out and they wanted to do it before a creature ate them or were wrapped by vines and suddenly stuck to a tree. Cotton, Pop Rock and Thorax began what would feel like an endless journey out of the thick, dark and scary forest.
“I wonder where the crusaders are now” Cotton said.
“Sorry I would tell you but none of us knew where they were only a few knew” Thorax said.
“It’s fine” Pop Rock said.
They began walking in a straight line in silence and were afraid of any creatures that would pop out. Their surroundings were so freaky and Cotton understood why everypony told her to stay out of the Everfree forest. Then Pop Rock noticed something in the distance which was magnificent and wanted to check it out.
The trio saw the massive castle ruins, saw how amazing it looked and also saw that it was intact. They went to the front door and the path back to Ponyville but they couldn’t resist but to have a look at the spectacular sight that was before them. Although they wanted to find the crusaders they thought that it couldn’t hurt to look at a historical location.
“Will there be any changelings in here Thorax?” Cotton Candy asked 
“No, this is the castle of the two sisters and people visit here all the time and it would be bad for their cover if they’d come here” Thorax explained.
They went inside the castle which looked amazing even though it was in ruins and they looked around it. Even though Thorax had made it clear that the changelings hadn’t come inside the castle Cotton made sure that there was definitely none whenever they went around the corner. They looked around the castle and then sat in a library and began to ask questions about each other.
“So Thorax why did you turn against your fellow changelings?” Cotton asked.
“I don’t like being bad, it was simply horrible” Thorax explained.
“So what about you Cotton, what did you do before you joined the circus?” Pop Rock asked.
“Well it was so long ago but I lived in Manehattan and one day I left everything behind for an easier life with the circus” Cotton said. “Pop Rock how about you.”
“I live in Ponyville and well my life was boring until you came along” Pop Rock answered.
They didn’t talk much after they had all answered their questions and then the trio began the long trip back to Ponyville. The trip back to Ponyville was an entirely different way than the path that led to the cave and it wasn’t as spooky. They walked back to Ponyville and they had no problems and they barely even had to worry for two minutes about being lost in Everfree.
“So this is what Ponyville looks like” Thorax said.
“You might want to disguise yourself Thorax, people don’t really like changelings in these parts”, Cotton said politely and Thorax transformed into a pony that nopony in Ponyville knew.
“Well I don’t think anypony will know you here” Pop Rock said.
“Good, now where’s your house it’s getting dark out and I’m a bit tired.”, Thorax asked.
They made their way to Pop Rock’s house and they sat down and had some food then they each went to get a nice night's sleep before discussing what to do next and how to save the fillies. Cotton awoke the next day and she hadn’t had a nightmare this time but she knew that there was no way of telling where the crusaders were. Pop Rock was also awake and he made sure his mane wasn’t a mess this time and he was happy. Thorax was also awake and then they gathered around the kitchen table discussing their next move
“Where are they?” Cotton said.
“I’m guessing that they’re further away than the Everfree forest and Ponyville”, Thorax said.
“So what should we do next to save these fillies?” Pop Rock asked.
“Maybe we should head somewhere new and search for them” Cotton suggested. Then they began mapping out their plans and decided to go to Manehattan. 
“How do you propose we get there?” Thorax asked. 
“Why the Friendship Express of course!” Cotton said as they walked away from Pop Rock’s house and headed towards the train station. “I’m going home.”

> Chapter 4, Manehattan Mayhem
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cotton Candy, Pop Rock, and Thorax were getting off the friendship express and onto the platform at Manehattan. Cotton had forgotten how amazing Manehattan was and was so glad to be in the city that she had called home before the circus. Pop Rock and Thorax who had never been to Manehattan saw the how special the city really was and were felt jealous that Cotton had had the chance to live there.
 “Wow this place is amazing” Pop Rock said.
 “I know, but remember we’re here to save the crusaders not gawp at the huge buildings and meet the ponies” Cotton said.
 “I understand, and frankly I hate this disguise” Thorax said. “Let’s find them and fast.”
 The trio walked along the streets of Manehattan with hundreds of other ponies in a crowd but they made sure that they stayed close to each other. They hastily mad their way to hotel where they each booked an individual room so that they had somewhere to stay and sleep. As Cotton sat in her room with a bag full of her stuff and bits and then remembered memories that were good and also bad.
 It was Cotton’s idea to travel to Manehattan because she knew that it was easy to hide anything in the big city. Her life in Manehattan had been good but her parents disagreed and Cotton hadn’t gone to visit them since leaving she hadn’t even said goodbye when she left. Then, Pop Rock knocked on her door and he came in Cotton put her thoughts to the back of her minds as she remembered that the trip wasn’t personal and the they were there to save the crusaders.
 “I was wondering if you had any ideas on where they may be?”, Pop Rock asked.
 “Manehattan is massive it’s easy to hide stuff here but hard to find stuff that’s been hidden”, Cotton explained. “Shouldn’t Thorax join in with this conversation?”
 “He’s excited to have a room of his own”, Pop Rock laughed. “I think changelings share rooms for their entire lives. So are you going to visit your family while you’re here?”
 “No, the crusaders are my top priority at the moment. I have to save them and since the mane six is busy it’s down to us”, Cotton said.
 “Let’s go get Thorax and start searching Manehattan for the fillies”, Pop Rock said.
 They headed down to the lobby and then to the street to start pounding the pavement and start looking for the crusaders. They went to the park where the crusaders probably wouldn’t be but they had to start looking somewhere. They searched the park from one end to the other but the crusaders weren’t in the park and the trio sat down on the grass.
 “Where to next Cotton?”, Thorax asked.
 “I don’t think they’re here, it was a longshot to even think that they’d bring them here”, Cotton said beginning to give up hope.
 “Thorax is there any changelings in Manehattan?”, Pop Rock suddenly asked.
 “Yeah, there is at bridge street”, Thorax answered.
 “If you knock on his door then transform into your changeling form he might invite you in and you can leave the door slightly ajar so we can sneak in to see if anything's there”, Cotton said beginning to have hope again.
 “Good plan”, Pop Rock said.
 They got up from the grass and made their way to Bridge Street as Cotton knew where it was and were ready to break in. They arrived at the apartment building where the changeling lived and Thorax buzzed in and was invited inside to visit the changeling. We followed Thorax inside the building as we took the steps to the third floor and then waited by the steps while Thorax went to the apartment and knocked on the door.
 “Hey, are you really one of us?”, The changeling asked Thorax.
 “Of course I am”, Thorax said as he transformed into his natural appearance.
 The plan was going well and went ahead as the changeling invited Thorax into the apartment and he left the door slightly open. Pop Rock and Cotton silently trotted to the apartment door and they went inside to a nice hallway. Cotton looked around and realised that for a changeling he had a really nice taste in interior décor.
 They quietly made their way into the bedroom of the changeling where they hoped that information would come to them. They rummaged around through the drawers but there was definitely no information in them and then they searched the rest of the room. There was nothing in the room that would help them and they couldn’t go anywhere else but then the changeling found them snooping around.
  “Who are you?” He asked. “And what are you doing in my apartment.”
 “Well we were…” Cotton began.
 “Breaking into my home” He said.
 “We know you’re a changeling so let us go” Pop Rock declared.
 “But the cops won’t know that” He said, then he transformed into a stallion and then he phoned the police.
 Thorax transformed back into the other form and Cotton transported them to the first place she thought of. Her parents apartment where she grew and nothing had changed since she left which was years ago. Cotton’s parents were inside and they discovered their daughter who they hadn’t seen in years with two stallions.
 “Cotton?” Her mother said.
 “Surprise, I’m back” Cotton said.
 	Cotton’s parents threw their hooves around her neck and were certainly happy that their daughter had returned to them. However Cotton thought that she’d made a mistake by coming to her parents place but it was the only place nearby that she could think of. She knew that her parents could help them though since they were probably walking targets now.
 “Mom, dad we’re in a bit of trouble” Cotton revealed.
 “How bad is it?”, Her mother asked.
 “We’re on the run from the cops” Cotton said.
 “What did you do?” Her dad asked.
 Cotton sat down and told her parents everything that had happened over the last few days and that she was looking for the fillies. Pop Rock and Thorax awkwardly stood there as Cotton’s parents kept glaring at them as if they were the reason that Cotton was in trouble. Then when Cotton finished she sat and was surprised that so much had happened in just a few days.
 “So these friends of yours need help” Her mother said.
 “Yeah, and it’s down to us to save them” Cotton said.
 “We can’t aid you three in your escape but we can send you to somepony that might” Her father said.
  The trio were given the location of where the pony that might be able to help them leave Manehattan without being caught by the cops. They hastily made their way down the street avoiding contact with anypony so that they could get out of the city as they were sure the crusaders weren’t there. They reached the location which was a shop on Gait Road, it was a plain old antiquities shop which was strange.
 “I can sense that you three are looking for help”The antiquities shop owner said as they walked through the door of the store.
 “Yeah my mother said that you could help us we’ve got into some trouble and we need to get out of Manehattan” Cotton said.
 “Well I’m Golden Antique and I think that I can help you if you do me a favour” Golden Antique said.
 “Fine we’ll do you a favour” Pop Rock said.
 “No, you and her you can’t transform but him he can do this favour for me” Golden Antique explained.
 “We didn’t tell you that I was a changeling” Thorax said.
“You didn’t have to it was easy to tell” Golden Antique said.
 “Regardless I’ll do the favour for you” Thorax replied.
 “I basically just need you to go uptown to the mayor’s office and get a file on a pony named Jammy Jogs” Golden Antique said.
 	 “So you want me to steal?” Thorax asked.
 	“I would call it borrowing” Golden Antique said.
 Thorax sighed and then transformed into a random stallion and got Cotton to tell him the way to town hall. Thorax left the shop and made his way down the street alone and in a massive city, however the town hall was apparently close by. He walked and thought about his fellow changelings who he’d been a traitor to and felt sorry that they’d been turned evil by their fierce queen.
 Thorax then thought about what was going to be next for him as he had no true ambition and never dreamed of having a free life. He had once dreamed about having a free life but he never thought that it would ever happen and now it was about to become true. He would love to have a normal life and would be able to live along everypony else in harmony have more friends like Cotton and Pop Rock.
 Thorax arrived to town hall and then it was time for the hardest thing in his life so far, getting the file. He walked in through the front door but there was nopony in the hall so Thorax just went to find the door which said Mayor’s Office. He found the door knocked on it but there was no answer so he went inside the room to find the file.  He searched the filing cabinet but the file was on the desk so Thorax grabbed it and then he ran.
 	Meanwhile at the antique store Pop Rock and Cotton were sitting in the back while Golden Antique managed the store. They began to talk as they were alone and were waiting for Thorax to come back with the file so that they could get out of the city. They hadn’t been alone and hanging around since Cotton had the chance to laugh at him when he had crazy hair.
 	“Your parents were nice” Pop Rock said.
 “You can say the truth, they are stuck up and really annoying and I understand why I left for the circus” Cotton said truthfully.
 “Well they were a bit” Pop Rock replied.
 “We’re in so much trouble at the moment and it makes me think, why you ever believed me and why you agree to come with me?” Cotton asked.
 	“I wanted to save the fillies and I was about to let you run into danger”, Pop Rock said. “What are you going to do after we find them?”’
 	“I don…”, Cotton began but Thorax burst in.
 	“I’m back and we need to go” Thorax said.
 “First I’ll transport back to the hotel to get our stuff”, Cotton said.
 	Cotton transported herself to the hotel grabbed her stuff and then went to the Pop Rock’s room and picked his stuff up but Thorax had no belongings. Cotton transported herself back into the antique shop but Pop Rock and Thorax weren’t there but Golden Antique was.
 	“They were taken away by the cops” Golden Antique said.
 	Cotton then transported herself to the police station right outside where the cells were and found her friends. She was really glad to find her friends safe and sound and that they had only just been incarcerated. Then she heard the cops coming and she desperately wanted to get out of the police station before she stuck in the cell.
 	“How did you know where we’d exactly be?”, Thorax asked.
 	“I used to get in trouble when I was a bit younger”, Cotton laughed. “I was late getting my cutie mark. Now use your wings to break down the door my magic needs a rest.”
 	Pop Rock used his wings to break down the door and they ran out the back door and fast. The trio hastily made their way to the antique store with a fleet of cops chasing them and then Pop Rock grabbed hold of Cotton and flew off with Thorax tailing them. They landed right next to the antique shop where Golden Antique was waiting for them and then he pushed aside a massive bookshelf and there was a tunnel.
 	“You go through that tunnel and you find yourself in Canterlot”, Golden Antique said.
 	“And I think there we’re going to find the mane six and tell them about everything that has happened.”, Cotton replied
 “Agreed”, Pop Rock said.


> Chapter 5, Safety in Canterlot?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As Cotton Candy, Pop Rock and Thorax walked through the tunnel that they’d entered at Golden Antique’s store in Manehattan. They had all agreed to tell the mane six what had happened since they couldn’t continue on the quest since they had been in so much danger already. The tunnel had been constructed over time and it was perfectly built whoever or whatever built the tunnel had obviously had years to build it.
“Are you sure you want to tell the mane six?” Pop Rock asked.
“Yeah, even though I really want to save the crusaders it’s the right thing to do” Cotton replied.
“What if we get there and we get arrested?” Thorax asked.
“Princess Celestia will find out and we’ll request an audience with her so that we can tell her what’s going on” Cotton said. “Then the mane six will find Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and will stop whatever the changelings have planned before they can do it.”
“You know you’ll still have found them just not the way that you wanted to find them” Pop Rock said.
The trio continued to walk through the tunnel to Canterlot which would take hours to get to. Cotton had to constantly use her magic to keep light going through the tunnel otherwise they wouldn’t be able to see through the darkness. The light was dying down and Cotton fell to the floor feeling weak because she had used so much magic during the past few days and unicorns shouldn’t use magic too much.
“What’s wrong Cotton?” Pop Rock said concerned.
“My magic it needs a rest, I’ve used too much” Cotton explained.
“We can barely see never mind walk on” Thorax said.
“We could all use a rest we’ve been walking nonstop for hours we’re half way from Manehattan to Cantelot” Pop Rock said.
They all leaned against the walls and one by one they fell asleep and woke up in the land of dreams. Cotton was in a dark room and then it lighted up in a few seconds and on the other side of the room there was something else. Changelings came out of each corner of the room and Cotton stood scared in the middle as the changelings came closer and closer until they were right next to her. A flash of purple light and the changelings came out of the corner and a pony with a purple mane and skin appeared in the room, it was Princess Luna.
“Cotton Candy you must come to Canterlot Palace right away you are greatly needed” Princess Luna said.
“Why what happened?” Cotton said but the princess then disappeared.
Cotton suddenly awoke from her slumber and gasped as she knew that the Princesses needed her. She woke the others up and explained that the princess needed her and that they had to get there as fast as they can. Thorax transformed back into a pony form and ran with the others as fast as they could until they reached the castle.
“What did the princess say when you saw her?” Thorax asked.
“Nothing just that we need to get there and Thorax Canterlot is full of love so keep that in mind” Cotton explained.
“I sure will and if I get tempted I’ll come back down here” Thorax said.
“Good, and whatever happens we’re a team” Pop Rock said.
“Yeah” Cotton said.
The trio continued to run down the tunnel with no light and every time there was a corner Pop Rock always bumped into a wall. They had been running for about an hour when they saw light and very tall steps that led right up to Canterlot. They let their breath catch up to them before they went up the steps and found themselves in the Canterlot Castle throne room. The Princesses Celestia and Luna along with Discord the Lord of Chaos were right in front of them as the trio walked out of the steps.
“So you’re Cotton Candy” Princess Celestia said as the three of them bowed down before the royalty in front of them.
“We received news from Manehattan that you were trouble and that you were coming through the tunnel” Princess Luna said.
“Not that trouble’s bad of course” Discord laughed.
“We were trying to track down my friends, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo” Cotton said. “But when things got hard we decided that the mane six would be able to find them easily.”
“We are sorry to inform you but the mane six aren’t here, not the real ones anyway” Princess Celestia said. “We recently realised that the mane six were swapped by changelings and Luna has been looking over the dreams of everypony in Equestria but the other day she saw your dream that involved changelings so she contacted you in the dream world.”
Cotton was sure that the mane six would be able to help but they weren’t there and know she was afraid what the princesses were going to ask of her. If the mane six couldn’t help Cotton was sure that the princesses were going to ask if she could not only help the crusaders but also some of the main heroes of Equestria. Pop Rock noticed the face that Cotton was wearing and knew that she wasn’t ok and that she was feeling weird.
“Princess all due respect but what are you asking of us?” Pop Rock asked.
“Only that you continue your quest to find the crusaders but that you be more careful we have no idea where there could be changeling spies” Princess Luna said.
“Fluttershy has been captured and you have to find her” Discord said. “I have to go have tea with the fake one.”
“We don’t know where they could be we’ve looked around Manehattan, Ponyville and the Everfree forest but they aren’t anywhere” Thorax said as Discord disappeared.
“As princesses we can’t look around Canterlot but we think that there might be some changelings here” Princess Celestia said,
“And you want us to look around” Pop Rock said.
“Yes and then you report everything back to us before you leave” Princess Celestia said.
Cotton had just enough magic to use the spell and Celestia and Luna and it showed Cotton that they weren’t lying. The trio marched out of the throne room and left the castle before the princess could question what Cotton had just done. They now had to find the crusaders before something else happened and it seemed like the changelings were trying to take over Equestria.
“Where in Canterlot would the crusaders be?” Cotton asked.
“They seem to like caves and there’s the crystal mines under Canterlot” Pop Rock said. “I suggest we look there first.”
“Well they have used it before there is a good chance that they’ll be there” Thorax said.
“Fine let’s check there” Cotton said.
The trio went down to the dark dungeon where there was a stairway to the crystal mines that were once used to earn lots of bits. The mine was unsafe and that’s why ponies stayed away from it these days but many moons ago it was full of miners. Although the mines were empty it had housed Princess Cadance not so long ago when she’d been captured by the changeling queen Chrysalis.
They looked all around the mines and nearly got hit by massive boulders plenty of times but there weren’t any changelings. Pop Rock and Cotton were together when there was a massive collapse which blocked them from the exit way and Thorax. They were now stuck and they couldn’t get out and find the ponies that need saving and they needed to be saved now.
“Thorax help” Cotton cried.
“I can’t do anything why don’t you use magic” Thorax replied.
“Her magic still needs some rest can you look around maybe you can find something that can help us” Pop Rock shouted.
Cotton and Pop Rock wanted to get out of the enclosed space badly and Cotton suddenly found herself right next to Pop Rock. They hugged onto each other for comfort and then their muzzles touched as they were so close. Thorax looked around the space where the other two had been trapped and found a gap where he knew that Pop Rock could use his wing to smash into it.
“Hey guys I’ve found a gap” Thorax said as the mouths of the other two unlocks. “Just follow my voice and Pop Rock smash one of your wings into it.
“Ok” Pop Rock replied quickly.
Pop Rock walked over to the gap and smashed it with his wings a couple of times before Cotton crawled out after him. Time had been wasted and the three walked their way back up to the dark dungeon of the castle and then to the streets of Canterlot. They then saw the fake mane six and that Applejack went the other way from the others and then the trio split up Thorax and Pop Rock went after the fake mane six and Cotton went after the fake Applejack.
Cotton followed Applejack into the royal gardens where she stopped and Cotton then hid behind the tree. Then out of nowhere the fake Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared and went towards Applejack. They gathered together and then they all began to talk about changeling things that Cotton desperately needed to hear and they talked about the real versions of themselves.
“I heard that a swarm was sent to Appleoosa there was a problem with the captive” The fake Applejack said.
“What was going on?” The fake Sweetie Belle asked.
“I don’t know” The fake Applejack replied.
They hadn’t said much but that was all that Cotton she raced back to the centre and that’s where she found the others and she cast her spell on them and nothing happened to them. They then went to restaurant row where they grabbed a bite to eat at one of Canterlot’s finest restaurant. As they sat down they started to discuss what their next move would be and how they would find everypony.
“They said Appleoosa well they have mines there” Pop Rock said.
“No I doubt they would keep them in mines they’d have them somewhere” Thorax said.
“They said captive not captives do you think that maybe they’ve captured somepony else and hidden them there” Cotton said.
“It wouldn’t exactly be a surprise changelings are twisted” Pop Rock replied.
“Not me though” Thorax said and his voice wavered. “I feel a lot of love nearby, it’s so tempting.”
Both Cotton and Pop Rock blushed as Thorax said that knowing how they felt about each other and what happened in the cave. The trio walked towards the castle where they were met by the fake mane six who then wanted to talk to them. Feeling very bad they wanted to walk away but if they did that then they could be in danger and they wanted to find the others without having too much danger in their path.
“Oh, hello darlings how are you today?” The fake Rarity asked.
“Why are you all going to the palace?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“We have a friend that’s a guard and we’re going to visit him” Cotton said.
The fake mane six let them go into the palace accepting their fake story and went to walk around the streets. The trio made their way towards the throne room when Discord came out of nowhere and grabbed the three. He then teleported them to a different room it was the private study of Princess Celestia and inside were the Princesses.
“We have news that there’s something going on in Appleoosa” Pop Rock said.
“Good, we’re beginning to think that the fake ponies are growing suspicious of what’s going on” Princess Celestia said.
“Discord can transport you to Appleoosa but I shall look out for your dreams when you’re done there and Discord will take you to the next place that you need to go” Princess Luna explained.
“Now we’re off to Appleoosa” Discord said transporting them to Appleoosa and then he disappeared leaving the trio on their own.

> Chapter 6, Appleloosa Orchard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	They were right in front of the town of Appleloosa, which seemed desolate as there was nopony else in sight. They walked towards the bar where there was a jukebox playing loudly, that they could here from the edge of the town. However once they arrived at the bar there was no pony there ever it seemed like the entire town had either ran away or had been caught by changelings.
Thorax and Pop Rock went knocking on other doors but Cotton didn’t even try she knew that everypony was gone from the town. Cotton stayed in the middle of town while she watched the others not giving up hope until they’d knocked on every last door in the town. As they finally finished knocking they joined Cotton in the middle each of them wondering what was next.
“They aren’t here” Pop Rock said.
“Where are they?” Thorax asked.
“The changelings in Canterlot said captive but I’m pretty sure that that was code for all of the Appleloosans” Cotton said.
“They won’t be far it would be really hard to take an entire town captive and ship them far away” Thorax replied.
“Let’s look around the outskirts and see if there are any traces of where they could be, and if we find them there could be another clue to where the crusaders might be “Cotton said.
“Let’s go” Pop Rock said.
All three of them walked away from the empty town and walked past the train station and walked by the side of the train track. They didn’t stop walking and walked in the same direction for what seemed like hours but then stopped when they saw a fire glowing in the distance. It was late and the trio were hoping that wherever the fire was that there’d be a place to rest.
They walked for miles until they approached the camp of the buffalos but it seemed to be empty until something came out of a tent. It was Little Strongheart who wasn’t captured by the changelings who had captured everypony else. The trio sat down with her by the fire and began to question her about the disappearance of the Appleloosans and the other buffalos.
“What happened?” Cotton asked.
“Yesterday loads of funny looking creatures came out of nowhere and took my friends and family I went to the nearby town but nopony was there, ever since I’ve been here awaiting their return but no they haven’t” Little Strongheart said.
“We can help we’re looking for some ponies who were also taken away by the creatures known as changelings” Pop Rock explained. “We think that there could be clues wherever your friends have been taken.”
“You’ll help me?” Little Strongheart asked.
“Yeah we will, even though we don’t know how to” Thorax said.
The group got up and even though it was the night they were content that they were going find the ones that had been taken. It was obvious that Strongheart was missing her friends and family and Cotton walked next to her. Although Cotton had only known the crusaders for a few hours she still missed them as if she’d known them her entire life and she wanted to comfort Strongheart.
“We will find them you know” Cotton said.
“I don’t doubt that we will but it’s what the creatures have done to them is what I worry about” Strongheart said.
“I worry about crusaders and wonder how I’ll find them especially since the changelings managed to capture the mane six” Cotton said.
“To be honest with you I don’t trust you and the other two there’s something off about you” Strongheart said.
Cotton knew that she meant Thorax but revealing his true identity to anypony would be hard for them to understand. Cotton and the others continued to walk until they came across a mine where Strongheart wanted to go inside. Both Pop Rock and Cotton blocked the entrance not wanting to waste time with yet another cave.
“No way we aren’t going in, they wouldn’t go into the mine we’ve checked so many others and normally it’s just such a waste of time” Pop Rock said looking at Cotton.
“True it none of us want to waste time with yet another cave especially since Pop Rock and I were trapped in an avalanche in the crystal mines in Canterlot” Cotton said.
“Fine let’s head east towards the mountain we can see everything in the area from there it might give us a sign as where they are” Strongheart said.
“It’s best if we listen to her, she knows the area well and we want to help” Thorax said.
They all followed as Strongheart led them through the dusty area and towards a massive mountain. As they walked east and eventually reached the mountain Strongheart stopped and readied herself to hike. The mountain was steep and even Strongheart found it hard to climb up the mountain even though she had experience as she’d obviously climbed it at least once before.
Pop Rock’s wings came out and he grabbed Cotton and quickly flew her up to a flat point near the top of the mountain. Pop Rock flew down and grabbed Thorax and then placed him right next to where Cotton was standing. Again he flew down and this time grabbed hold of Strongheart however the wind was strong and he had to use a lot of wing power. As he set Strongheart down and stood next to his friends and looked out at the view that he could barely see because it was pitch black.
“Maybe if we go to sleep and wake up later on we might be able to see more clearly” Thorax suggested.
“Sleep my kind could be in trouble right now” Strongheart said.
“I know, it must be hard but we can’t see maybe if we get some rest we might be able to see where the buffalos and the Appleloosans are in the morning” Pop Rock said.
“Fine” Strongheart grunted angrily.
As the others fell to sleep Cotton crept away from them and sat on the other side of the ledge that they were on. Not only did Cotton not want to sleep but she couldn’t as she knew that Princess Luna would be expecting for here to go to sleep when they wanted to go to the next place. It appeared that it wasn’t only Cotton that couldn’t sleep Pop Rock was also awake and he went over to her.
“You ok?” He asked quietly.
“Of course I am why aren’t you asleep?” She replied.
“I can’t sleep I just want to find the crusaders and go back home to a nice and comfy bed” Pop Rock said.
“Yeah I understand and I’m really sorry that I let you come along and I thank you so much because you’ve stayed with me even after the danger I thought that after the cave in Everfree you’d go home” Cotton said.
“I promised that I wouldn’t let you walk into danger, not on your own anyway” Pop Rock said.
“I want to find the crusaders but you know I’ll let you out of that promise if you really want to if anything happened to you or Thorax I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself because it would be my fault” Cotton said.
“It wouldn’t, anyway are you going to go home after we’ve found them?” Pop Rock asked.
“No you saw how annoying my parents are I’ll probably end up joining another circus if I  went back there, I don’t have a plan but my life will play out how it’s meant to be” Cotton said.
They sat there for hours until dawn and then they woke Thorax and Strongheart up to see where the missing could be found. They looked around and saw both Appleloosa and the campsite of the buffalos and then they saw something moving in the orchard where there was hundreds of apple trees. All of them looked hard and then realised that everypony was tied to the trees in the orchard and that there was changelings guarding the captives.
“Do you see that?” Thorax asked.
“Yeah they’re all there” Pop Rock replied.
“Let’s prepare for a battle to save all of them” Strongheart said.
“Before we fight we’ve got to trust each other and I trust you Strongheart and you have to trust us” Cotton said. “Thorax show her who you really are.”
“Really?” Thorax asked then Cotton nodded and then he transformed into his natural form as a changeling.
“I knew there was something wrong about you, but you seem pretty good even for one of them creatures” Strongheart said.
“Now I’m going to transform back into a pony form because everypony else might not understand” Thorax said transforming back into a stallion.
Pop Rock flew each of them down one by one until all three of the others were down and then they started running. Now they knew exactly where they were going and we're going to try to save the others before anything happened. They were right next to the orchard when they saw the first changeling clearly and he was guarding the captives.
“You ready for a fight?” Pop Rock asked them all.
“My magic is charged, your wings are intact and these two have perfectly fine hooves to fight with” Cotton said. “I’m pretty sure we are.”
They gathered in a straight line and then ran towards the changelings Cotton began the fight by sending a huge light beam up into the sky and then aimed it at the changeling in the front of the orchard. The fight had truly began and Pop Rock flew up into the sky while Cotton levitated up on top of an apple and Thorax and Strongheart went into the forest of trees.
The captives were all tied up to the trees in the middle and there was lots of changelings in the way. Cotton jumped from tree to tree blasting every changeling back with her magic and Pop Rock was defeating the ones that had flew up. Both Thorax and Strongheart were charging through hordes of changelings hoping to get into the centre so they could save the captives. They were all close to the centre when out of nowhere more came rushing out to help the ones that were being easily defeated.
Thorax changed into his natural form allowing him to sneak past the bad changelings and was able to advance to the centre. Thorax turned back into his stallion form behind a tree and started to untie some of the captives. Cotton was knocked out of a tree but luckily Pop Rock caught her and placed her safely on the floor and flew back into the skies.
Now alongside Cotton, Strongheart charged into a swarm who were pushed to the sides but closely followed them. Pop Rock was flying into the changelings and quickly opened one of his wings while the other one continued to flap which hit them. As the others fought the changelings, Thorax continued to free the changelings when he noticed something weird right next to the trees in an open clearing.
“We’re being attacked my king, what should we do?” A changeling asked.
“Stay there until the last possible moment then join me in the main base” A face of a pony said.
Thorax stood and stared as he realised that Queen Chrysalis wasn’t behind this and recognised who the true leader of this attack was. King Sombra the previous leader of the Crystal Empire and a very villainous king who everypony thought had been destroyed by Princess Cadance and Spike. Thorax snapped back into action freeing the captives in sight and telling them to run back to Appleloosa.
The others kept coming closer to the middle of the orchard blasting all the changelings that stepped into their paths. They reached the middle and most of the captives had been freed by Thorax and the last captive was freed. They were all backed into the middle of the orchard and were surrounded but then Cotton’s horn lighted up and it wasn’t her usual pink colour it was dark purple. All of the changelings saw it as a massive beam of purple let out and they all swarmed together and then retreated.
All four of them headed back to Appleloosa and every pony and buffalo who had previously been captives were really happy. Even though the apple orchard had been a little wrecked during the battle against the changelings they weren’t a bit upset. They were so glad to welcome the team that had saved them from the changelings to their town and wanted to throw a party for them.
“We’d love to stay and all but the three of us have to get going” Cotton said.
“Oh that’s a shame” Braeburn said.
“Yeah, it is but she got it a bit wrong she means the four of us have to get going” Strongheart said.
“Really you want to help us?” Pop Rock asked.
“You helped me find my people and friends, there’s no better way to thank you than to help you save your friends” Strongheart said. “Where are we going?”
“I heard a changeling commander talking to his leader and it turns out they’re working for King Sombra” Thorax said.
“Not Chrysalis, if it’s Sombra and changelings he’ll think that nopony suspects him and he’ll probably be near the Crystal Empire” Pop Rock said.
“Get me a bed I’m going to sleep” Cotton said.
“What it’s the middle of the day?” Strongheart said and Cotton glared at her.
Cotton was led to a room where she lay down on a bed and was instantly asleep and a dream had started. She was in the room but this time she was seeing herself in a mirror and she was destroying Equestria but then it disappeared. As the mirror of Cotton destroying Equestria disappeared Princess Luna appears in its place and she seemed distressed for some reason.
“We need Discord right away” Cotton said.
“We’ll send him but you have to know that all of the known fake ponies are missing” Princess Luna said.
“Well we believe that the Crusaders and the mane six are in the Crystal Empire hopefully we’re on the verge of finding them” Cotton said.
“Ok Discord will be there soon” Princess Luna said.
Cotton then awoke from her short slumber and saw that Pop Rock, Thorax and Strongheart were ready to leave. Cotton was very glad that they were coming close to finding the rest of the ponies that had been taken away by the changelings. Also saving Appleloosa was good too but was scared of the mirror that was in the room and it was weird since that her magic was purple then too. Discord then showed up and with a click of his fingers they were in the Crystal Empire staring at the massive palace in the distant and there was lots of glowing crystal ponies walking around.
> Chapter 7, Searching An Empire of Crystals
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7, The Crystal Empire
Cotton Candy, Pop Rock, Thorax and Little Strongheart stared out at the sight in front of them and their jaws dropped. None of them had ever seen the amazing city that was the Crystal Empire not even Cotton who’d travelled all around Equestria. Although each of them would love to sightsee their sights were however set on somepony else King Sombra the evil villain who had fillyknapped the crusaders.
“Where would they be?” Cotton said.
“Sombra was thought to be destroyed by the Princess Cadence and the dragon named Spike who walks among the six valiant mares” Pop Rock said.
“Of course he wouldn’t just announce his return and we don’t know what he’s up to but he’s got some of the most courageous ponies in Equestria” Thorax said.
“We can’t trust anypony except the Princess she may be able to help us, the other two might have told her about the current situation” Strongheart said.
Thorax had disguised himself and they walked the rest of the way to the Crystal Empire in a line not knowing what was next for them. They entered the city of crystals a short while later and were greeted by the Crystal Ponies who thought it was a bit strange that they’d appeared out of nowhere. Cotton Candy lead the group to an alleyway and they stood where they were out of sight and where nopony else would see or hear them talking.
“Why are we here?” Strongheart asked.
“Because we’re going have to split up in twos and search” Cotton replied. “There’s no telling what’s going to happen next.”
“Ok then we’ll come back here when we’re done searching” Pop Rock said.
“Agreed I’ll go with Thorax and you two can go together” Cotton said.
“Great” Thorax said.
Cotton and Thorax headed towards the castle while the other two hit the town going separate ways from each other. Cotton lead ahead as Thorax slowly crept behind sensing the love of the citizens of the Crystal Empire wanting to feed on it and take it for himself however he manage to restrain from doing anything. Cotton however was scared about what would happen after they finally save the crusaders and what her place would be without having the circus to tie her down.
The two arrived at the entrance to the castle and quickly slipped inside after they noticed that there were no guards preventing strangers from walking inside. The castle of the empire wasn’t unlike the other buildings as it was made of crystal however it wasn’t like the other buildings as it was elegant and unique. There was no doubt that the castle was one if the main beauties of all of Equestria and nopony who’d ever visited it had ever disagreed with the decision. 
“Ok we can’t get caught snooping around the castle it may draw attention to us, and if the Princess knows that we’re coming then she will come to look for us” Cotton said.
“Ok I suggest we look around Sombra must’ve had places in the castle where he could go to do his evil activity when he was king” Thorax said.
Cotton and Thorax crept silently through the hallways of the castle and came across a locked door and the both of them were intrigued by it. They couldn’t open it by force however Cotton used a bit of her magic and after a minute of trying to open it, it finally opened up and the two went inside the room. The door closed behind them creepily as they excited the hallway and entered the used to be locked room where secrets may be uncovered there.
“It’s really dark in here” Thorax said.
“Yeah there’s no windows and using my magic now would be dangerous for both you and me, it needs to cool down” Cotton explained.
“Wait there’s a light over there” Thorax pointed out.
Cotton walked over to the area that the light came from and found a gemstone that was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. She touched the gemstone gently and her horn lighted up purple even though she wasn’t using magic and then when she turned around Thorax noticed that her eyes we purple too. Thorax stared as Cotton reverted back to her own appearance but was scared and curious about what had just happened with the gemstone.
“Are you ok?” Thorax asked taking a step back.
“Yeah I’m fine what just happened to me?” Cotton asked.
“Your eyes and magic turned purple like the same colours as the light colour from the stone it was weird” Thorax replied.
“Can we not mention this to anypony it must’ve been a reaction to magic in the stone” Cotton said recalling her image in the dream she had but still kept it a secret from Thorax.
Thorax grabbed the gemstone however he didn’t have a reaction to the magic that was in the stone which made him both curious and worried for his friend. He held the light up with his hooves while Cotton searched around the mysterious room hoping to find any clue where the Crusaders and the Mane six were being held captive. After going through endless drawers of emptiness and cobwebs the two finally found a small box in a cupboard. Cotton pulled out the box and Thorax opened it to reveal a necklace that had a massive black stone in the middle of it however Cotton sensed something odd about it.
“Ok let’s get back to the alleyway as quick as possible no detours this has something magical about so I suggest we find out what it is with the others” Cotton said.
“Yeah sure” Thorax said.
Meanwhile Strongheart and Pop Rock were in the public library of the Crystal Empire after having a thought that there may be a book that could help them find out where King Sombra was based. Pop Rock and Strongheart had looked through many books reading about certain artefacts of the Crystal Empire. There was an artefact on the same page as the magical earrings that belonged to the ruler before King Sombra. It just happened to be a necklace that could lead you to Sombra and it’d been made by Princess Celestia years ago but had gone missing during an unsuccessful capture mission.
“Strongheart look at this” Pop Rock quietly said.
“This could be the holy grail that we’re looking for to save the captives” Strongheart replied.
“Just what I was thinking” Pop Rock said.
They were about to leave the room and head back to the alleyway when three guards entered the room and began to talk to the librarian. They hid behind a bookshelf quietly as they found that it was strange that there were three guards coming to the library especially since they may not be trusted. However as the two listened they knew that their fears had become reality as the guards explained why they were in the library.
“We’re sorry to intrude we’ve received some worrying news that there is four unexpected guests in the empire” One Guard said.
“Apparently they looked like trouble and we aren’t looking for trouble in our friendly empire” Another Guard said.
“Well we had a few unexpected visitors earlier but I think they left” The Librarian replied.
“Ok well we’ll be checking the entire library sorry” The third guard said.
Pop Rock and Strongheart backed away and looked quietly for hiding places across the library however they both ended up at the storage cupboard at the back. They both opened the door quickly and walked inside hoping that nopony would’ve spotted them and that they were safe inside. They both crouched under a table and were both feeling a bit paranoid that they would get caught by the guards who were searching for them and it would be horrible.
“Ok what happens if we get caught?” Strongheart asked.
“Then we run” Pop Rock replied. “Unfortunately Cotton isn’t here save us this time.”
“Well I have noticed that you do rely on her magic quite a bit” Strongheart pointed out. “You barely ever use your wings but Cotton uses her magic every two seconds.”
“I guess you’re right” Pop Rock said.
They silenced and listened to the sounds that were going on outside as the guards grew closer and now they were close. The guards had been searching around every bookshelf and every nook and cranny except for the cupboard in the back of the room where they’d all reached. Pop Rock was shaking while Strongheart’s eyes closed and then the door opened wide and the guards stared into what they thought as an empty storage closet.
“They aren’t in the building, they must be somewhere else” A Guard said.
“Come on let’s get going before our leader grows restless” Another said.
After the guards left the library Strongheart and Pop Rock got up quickly with the book and crept out of the building. The two headed towards the alleyway without getting caught luckily Cotton and Thorax were both there and waiting for them with a box in Cotton’s hooves. They gathered in the shadows and began to explain what they’d found while they were apart and were hoping that they’d found what they needed to rescue the captives from the enemies.
“We found this necklace that’s really mysterious and there’s a vibe of magic that I can feel coming from it” Cotton said.
“Wait let us see” Pop Rock said.
Thorax took the box from Cotton and opened it up showing the others the necklace that they’d found in the room in the palace. Pop Rock opened the book to the page that they’d bookmark and compared the real necklace to the picture of a necklace in the book that was illustrated. They were exactly the same necklace which meant that they now knew what the necklace was and how it could be used.
“Wow that’s the necklace that if used can track down Sombra and where he is the crusaders and the others will be near” Strongheart said.
“How do we activate it though?” Cotton asked.
“That’s the problem the necklace requires dark magic and well I doubt any of us has the capabilities” Pop Rock replied.
“I believe that I may know where we can find some dark magic, it’s not powerful but I’m sure it’ll be fine” Cotton said as Thorax stared deeply into her eyes.
“Really where?” Thorax asked.
“It’s not far it’s in the basement of the spa” Cotton said.
They all quickly and quietly left the alleyway and headed towards the back entrance of the spa where Cotton knew there was a basement since every spa was built in a similar way. She opened the door and the others followed her inside and crept down the stairs that were right next to the front door. They were then met by a door but Cotton told them all that they should wait while she unleashed the dark magic and activated the necklace so that they’d know where Sombra is.
“Are you sure about this” Thorax said.
“Yeah I am sure” Cotton said. “Give me the stone”
Thorax gave Cotton the stone wrapped in fabric and she walked inside the room with both the stone and the necklace. She laid the stone on the table and hung the necklace on a hook against the wall and prepared herself for what was about to happen to her and then worried about it. She wasn’t sure about touching the stone at first but then remembered that her reason wasn’t debatable as there were young fillies in danger.
Cotton touched the glowing gemstone and felt her eyes change colour and that her magic had also felt different. She aimed her magic at the necklace and it the black stone in the middle and blasted it and then an image projected onto the wall and she let go of the stone and stared at it. The image was of a mountain and then it zoomed into the top and then at the other side there were buildings and then Cotton saw Sombra standing in front of a massive amount of changelings. Then the image disappeared but the necklace fell onto the floor and smashed into millions of pieces making a very loud noise.
“Cotton what’s going on?” Pop Rock said coming into the room.
“I think I know where Sombra is” Cotton replied.
“Really where?” Strongheart asked.
“I believe that King Sombra and the changelings are on the other side of the Crystal Mountains and that may be where the captives are” Cotton answered.
“Ok well let’s get there as fast as we can” Strongheart said.