Ultimate Defence of the Realm - Part 4
by John Routledge

Based on Friendship is Magic, created by Lauren Faust
And My Little Pony, created by Bonnie Zacherle
Render Unto Hasbro That Which Is Hasbro’s...

There was an intense flash of white light, and six ponies stumbled and swayed as they appeared in the castle ruins.

“Ohh! That was fun!” A flash of pink exclaimed as she bounced around. “Let’s do that again!”

“Figures you would enjoy that Pinkie,” an orange pile grumbled on the floor.

“Oww! Sorry everypony. I thought that would go better.”

“Twilight darling? Are you okay?”

“I’m okay Rarity. My horn just feels a little warm.”

“Here, let me see. You might have pulled something.”

“Remind me why we couldn’t fly here again? I’m fine by the way. No need to worry about me. I’ll just sway here until I can see only five ponies again.”

“Um, I’m okay. Can you, can you really see more than five ponies Rainbowdash? That could be serious?”

“No, no. I’m fine. Just a bad teleport. Not I’ve never gone thought that before.” She glared at the centre of the group. “Multiple times.”

“Quit it Rainbow Dash! Don’t you go pickin on poor Twilight like that. It weren’t her fault. We’ve all tried things before that didn’t quite work out. The important thing is she got us here.”

“Okay! Fine! I’m sorry!” Rainbow dash shook herself as she looked around. “Where are we anyway?”

“Don’t you remember Rainbow Dash? This is a happy place! One of the happiest places we’ve ever been to! One of the first happy places we ever went to as well. And a bit of a scary place too now that I think about it. But it all ended with a big happy memory so it’s a happy place!”

“Uh huh. If you say so. One big dank smelly old ruin is pretty much the same as another to me.”

“This used to be an important location. This was the castle Celestia and Luna ruled from for centuries before Canterlot was even built.”

“Whatever.”

“And before Luna went craaaaazy!”

“Um, yeah. That too.”

“Well we’re here Twi. Now what? You said the letter included directions?”

“Right. First thing we need to do is orientation. The Tiraseum is outside the castle walls. Rainbow Dash? Can you fly up and look for a big circle in the ground? You might not see actual buildings, but it should be visible as a change in colour or tree height.”

“No problem.” Dash had jumped and was half way to the ceiling before pausing and glancing down. “How big a circle are we talkin about here?”

“About half a mile. Oh, and try and find us a path there. The battle with Nightmare moon and a thousand years of Everfree growth probably tore a lot of things up.”

“Got it! I’ll be back before you know it!”

Dash scrunched up in midair before exploding sideways towards windows barely wider than her body and certainly narrower than her wingspan. The ponies below her braced against the sudden gust of wind and by the time they recovered she was gone.

“Did that letter from tha Princess give any more precise directions Twi? Somewhere near the castle ain’t much to go on.”

“Well, not really. Something reenergised a load of old spells in this area. After a thousand years spells tend to blurr over a wide area, so even where the spell was originally doesn’t help much. Even if that wasn’t an issue at this range it was kind of hard to pin down to a precise location. But let me check anyway.

Twilight’s horn started glowing, flicking at first before growing strong. One of her saddlebags opened and a scroll floated out. The other ponies gathered round as she started to read.

My most faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

A matter of some urgency has arisen within the Everfree Forest, however both myself and my Sister are dealing with important State business, and will be unavoidable occupied for several days. I ask that you and your friends travel to the Old City and investigate the cause. Even after all this time there are things within the Old City, and the Tiraseum that could pose a threat to unwary explorers. It would sadden us greatly if some poor pony was trapped and helpless and had to wait several days before...

“Aren’t you laying it on a bit thick?” Tara asked Celestia.

“Not really. This is how I always write to Twilight.”

“Uh huh. And she won’t be at all suspicious that, with all the resources at your disposal, you pick her?”

“Oh no. I’ve asked her and her friends for assistance on many occasions and they have always been happy to do so.”

Tara looked at Celestia oddly.

“Okay. I’m going to pretend that sounds better than it really is. You do understand this won’t be a valid test if she picks up any hints that something unusual is going on?”

“Why Captain, are you implying that I would help my star pupil cheat on a test?”

“Oh I’ve no objection to cheating. Just specific foreknowledge.”

Celestia smiled.

“So you don’t want me to imply that you’re human?”

“Would she recognise the term?”

“Not really. The last public records of contact with Earth were about 2700 years ago, and neither the Mycenaeans nor the
Glockenbecherk referred to themselves in that manner.”

“The who?”

“My point exactly...”

Your loving teacher, Princess Celestia

“Well there’s not much to go on Twilight,” Rairity said. “Are you sure there’s nothing else?

“Nope,” Twilight answered. “Just ‘somewhere near the Old City and the Tiraseum’. As I said, we’re a long way from Canterlot, and both places look like exactly the same direction when viewed from that distance, even though they’re a couple of miles apart.”

“Well what are we all waitin for? Daylight’s burnin!”

“Applejack’s right. As soon as Rainbow Dash...”

“Found it!” Dash suddenly yelled as she stuck her head though the window. “Easy path too. Just go out that door and I’ll guide you from there.”

“Great job! Common girls! Let’s do this!”

# # #

Mane six ponies, which I'm sure is what you've all been looking forwards to. And I realise I haven't always said 'she said'. If I've done my job right, it shouldnt matter. :)