ON A CLIFF NEAR BUCKINGHAM

Day 1

A lone pony sat quietly up at the edge of a cliff in Buckingham. His name was Esquire but for the duration of the show he would simply be referred to as Mr.E, he was to be the host for the challenges, quizzes, and executions to come within the next few weeks. He was standing proudly as he awaited for his guests to arrive, the guests that will partake in the quest for a potential prize of one million bits. Twelve contestants will take part in this grand adventure but one of them is not who they seem... one of them is a saboteur, the mole purposely placed into this game to cause chaos and disarray for the other contestants as the attempt prevent victory and keep as many bits as possible from getting into the final pot. Any and all bits they can keep out of the pot, they them self will receive when this game is all said and done. So with that it leaves us with one question, Who is the mole?

As if on queue a bright yellow carriage came into view, traveling just up the trail carrying the first two contestants ready to start their adventure. Slowly the carriage came to a stop just a few feet away from Mr.E, prompting him to trot over instantly ready to introduce himself to the first of many to arrive. As he approached the carriage a small ruckus could heard within as the door suddenly flew open and out stepped a large brown and white Griffon. The first contestant was Gilda.

Name: Gilda:

Alias/Nickname: G

Birthday April 11th

Favorite Color: Brown

Hometown: Mt.Griffsburg

Occupation: Flight School Secretary

GILDA: I don't know why I even came here, this wont even be a challenge. Nothing but a bunch of dweebs ready to be picked off one by one.

"Greetings and welcome contestant number one, Ms. Gilda I am Mr.E, your host for the duration of the competition." The black host pony gave one of his signature grins as he held out a hoof.

"Yeah, yeah... lets get this show started so I can get my bits and get out of here." Gilda completely ignored the outstretched hoof and just waited outside the carriage in her position as a second figure started to emerge from within the carriage. It was contestant number two, he was a light blue pegasus pony, his mane a darker shade of blue gently swaying with the wind as he stepped out in his Wonderbolt uniform. Contestant number two was Soarin'.

Name: Soarin'

Alias/Nickname: Bottomless Pit

Birthday: December 12th

Favorite Color:  Sky Blue

Hometown: Cloudsdale

Occupation: Stunt flyer/performer

SOARIN': I'm so excited for this! I've honestly never been this excited since I first joined the Wonderbolts! Oh and when I found that mare that had made that amazing pie at the Grand Galloping Gala last year! That was some good pie, and an even greater mare!

Completely ignoring the rudeness from the griffon Mr.E quickly set himself to introducing himself to the newest contestant, "Greeting Soarin', I am your host for the entirety of the game." Once again he held out a hoof, one that wasn't ignored as the two shook hooves and continued to chat, "and you may already know a little bit of your travel companion Gilda correct?"

Soarin' shook his head frowning slightly as he removed the hoof of his costume, "actually she hardly talked to me at all, I tried talking to her but she mostly ignored me. The ride was rather awkward to be honest." The blue pegasus rubbed a hoof through his mane but before he could continue a deep growl erupted from his stomach causing him to blush slightly, "is there any food around? I'm so hungry!" The host laughed as Gilda just glared and rolled her eyes.

GILDA: I hope he goes first, he did nothing but eat in that carriage! It was border lining disgusting and infuriating!

SOARIN': She seems kind of harsh, but I cant tell yet really. May have to keep an eye on her.

Before the conversation could go further, or a fight could break out, a new carriage was pulling in and parking next to the first. This one was a deep violet and the first contestant to trot out wasted no time pulling all attention to himself as he seemed to be talking down to whoever was unlucky enough to share the carriage with him, "I'm going first, it's my royal right! So just wait for your turn, you commoner. Not that you deserve one." The third contestant was none other than Prince Blueblood

Name: Prince Blueblood

Alias/Nickname: Blueblood

Birthday: March 13th

Favorite Color: Gold

Hometown: Canterlot

Occupation: Unspecified

BLUEBLOOD: The whole idea of making this a contest in the first place is simply ridiculous! No commoner could ever do better than me! They may as well just call me the winner and go home.

Mr.E just shook his head as he gave the same greeting he gave the others, and not so surprisingly it went ignored much like the first one as the prince took his place standing proudly in front of the violet carriage. "Hello, Is it my turn?" Carefully stepping down from the carriage with a very surprisingly cheerful attitude was contestant number four, a dark pink earth pony whose mane and tail were two shades of a lighter pink. Happier than ever, contestant four was Cheerilee.

Name: Cheerilee

Alias/Nickname: Lee/Ms.Cheer

Birthday: February 14th

Favorite Color: Burgundy

Hometown: Ponyville

Occupation: School Teacher

CHEERILEE: I'm so happy to be here, my students are at home cheering for me and I want to do the best I can for them!

The host wasted no time shaking hooves with the merry mare, "Pleased to meet you Cheerilee, I am Mr.E your host for everything to come!" He flashed her one of his signature smiles as he got closer to her, almost whispering, "so how was the trip with the prince? I hear he can be... well to put it frankly, the biggest jerk around."

Cheerilee just smiled, something she seemed to do nonstop as she shook her head, "he seems nice enough to me."

CHEERILEE: He didn't really seem that bad in my opinion, at least he didn't say anything to really get upset over.

As the dark pink pony was taking her place next to Blueblood, a dark red carriage began to arrive traveling up the trail just as the previous two had done and soon parked itself right next to the second carriage. Before the doors could open everyone present could already hear singing and music coming from within. The voice was certainly a definitive one, and sure enough the pop diva herself stepped out of the carriage. Contestant five was Sapphire Shores.

Name: Sapphire Shores

Alias/Nickname: Sapphire

Birthday: November 18th

Favorite Color: Sapphire

Hometown: Canterlot

Occupation: Pop Artist

SAPPHIRE: MMMMMMMmmmMMMM, I am so excited to be here! That mole wont know what hit him!

"Hello Ms. Shores, it's  a pleasure to have you here. Are you ready for the challenges to come?" Mr.E had on a big grin as he shook hooves with the pony of pop.

"I was born ready honey, and please call me... Sapphire!" Sapphire was already reaching into her singing voice as she took her spot, allowing her fellow traveling pony to exit the carriage. The unicorn to walk out was a light mint green with a few streaks of white showing throughout her mane and tail. This unicorn was quickly identified by the lyres she had for cutie marks. Contestant six was Lyra.

Name: Lyra

Alias/Nickname: N/A

Birthday: June 28th

Favorite Color: Teal

Hometown: Ponyville

Occupation: Musician

LYRA: I kind of feel bad for leaving Bon-Bon for this, but it's the chance of the lifetime to get my name known so I can provide a better life for us both. She has already given so much for us, it's my turn to return the favor. This is for you Bon-Bon!

"Good morning Lyra. I am your lovely host! Are you excited to be here?" The black stallion turned his attention to the mint green unicorn as he once again put on one of his signature smiles.

Lyra merely nodded as she took her spot next to Sapphire, "I am, I left a lot to be here so I'm not leaving without those bits and my name known around Equestria."

"Good, you'll need that determination to win!" The host flashed the unicorn a wink before turning his attention to the sky blue carriage making its way just like the few before it, and soon enough it was parked next to the rest. Mr.E waited with a grin as the doors slowly opened revealing the pegasus inside. The mare stepped out, confidence easily seen on her face as she shook around her rainbow mane. Contestant seven was Rainbow Dash

Name: Rainbow Dash

Alias/Nickname: Dashie

Birthday: August 7th

Favorite Color: Rainbow

Hometown; Ponyville

Occupation: Weather pony

RAINBOW DASH: Ha, Pinkie is going to be so jealous I get to be here! This is going to be so awesome!

"Judging by that smile on your face, I'd assume you're quite excited to be here." Mr.E was chuckling as he watched the rainbow maned pegasus look around already sizing up her fellow contestants.

"You bet I am, I'll wipe the floor with them all in ten seconds flat. The only competition I see here is Gilda, I've known her for a long time so I know what she's capable of and that I'm still better." The cyan pegasus puffed out with pride as she looked over the colt in front of her, "who the hay are you anyways?"

"My name is Mr.E, and I will be the host for The Equestrian Mole. I will see you all through this little adventure of ours." The jet black stallion was puffed out in pride as he introduced himself.

RAINBOW DASH: Mole shmole they wont be able to stop me!

GILDA: I can't believe that dweeb is here, I cant wait to see the look on her face when I win!

"YEEHAW!" The sheer exclamation of joy drew the hosts attention back to the sky blue carriage as a yellow farm pony was stepping out. The colts mane and tail were yellow and orange and he wore a brown vest and cowboy hat, his smile only growing bigger as he shook hooves with the host. Contestant eight was the farm pony Braeburn

Name: Braeburn

Alias/Nickname: Brae

Birthday: September 30th

Favorite Color: Orange

Hometown: Appleoosa

Occupation: Farmer

"Welcome Braeburn," The rest of his introduction went the same way as the rest had that morning and the yellow farm pony eagerly talked with the host.

BRAEBURN: Yeehaw, this is going to be fun! We sure can really use them bits back in Appleoosa!

Braeburn barely had time to get into place as the next carriage was already pulling up, the orange carriage was the second to last and was pulling in right next to where the black host pony was standing.  The door opened and a grey earth pony with black hair carefully trotted out, she was being extra careful as to protect the instrument she carried in the case on her back. The next contestant, and number nine, was Octavia.

Name: Octavia

Alias/Nickname: Tavi

Birthday: July 22nd

Favorite Color: White

Hometown: Canterlot

Occupation: Musician

OCTAVIA: These challenges shouldn't be too hard for me, it'll pay to be able to keep a level head like I can.

Once again and with as much enthusiasm as he has had all morning, the host immediately went to introducing himself as a small squeak was heard from the carriage. The nervous yellow pegasus peaked out from the side and instantly hid again as she saw how many ponies were actually there. After a few deep breaths and some coaxing from the host, the pegasus finally made her way to join the others outside the carriage. The tenth contestant was Fluttershy.

Name: Fluttershy

Alias/Nickname: Shy/Miss Rose Papillonne

Birthday: May 2nd

Favorite Color: Yellow

Hometown: Ponyville

Occupation: Animal Caretaker/Veterinarian

FLUTTERSHY: Oh.... umm.... I'm happy to be here.....

"Nice of you to join us Miss Rose Papillonne" the host flashed another smile as the yellow pegasus squeaked in surprise as he called her by her supposed to be secret pen name.

"Wait, Papillonne? As in THE Rose Papillonne?" Sapphire was already trotting over eager to meet the timid pegasus, "You are quite the author Miss Rose, I'm definitely a fan!" The pony of pop laughed as she shook hooves with Fluttershy, who seemed to only shrink more and more from the attention.

"Oh...," Fluttershy's face was pink as she avoided eye contact with the other pony, "if it's okay... please don't call me that. No....nopony was supposed to know about that."

Sapphire Shores only laughed more as she started to get into her singing voice, "OOOooooohhhhhHHH! I want to be in a coalation with you! You and me can get far in this game!"

SAPPHIRE: Anypony that can write like that is going to be a good friend of mine!

FLUTTERSHY: I... I don't know.... how they...found out...... it's so embarrassing.....

Mr.E had to break up the conversation quickly as the last carriage started to arrive, "alright ladies, can we keep the game talk for until after the game starts?" He flashed them both a smile as he turned to Fluttershy, "I am Mr.E, the host of Equestrian Mole. And if you'll excuse me I must introduce myself to our last guests."

Just as he finished the last carriage pulled in, it was a dark navy and everyone present looked to it with anticipation to know who the last contestants would be. The air would have been quite, but the azure unicorn exiting the carriage was loudly proclaiming how Great and Powerful she was, her cape waving in the wind . The eleventh contestant was The Great and Powerful Trixie.

Name: The Great and Powerful Trixie

Alias/Nickname: Trixie/Tri

Birthday: October 27th

Favorite Color: Violet

Hometown: Canterlot/Ponyville

Occupation: Show Mare/Entertainer

TRIXIE: Ha, like any of these ponies stand a chance against Trixie! What foals!

"Hello Trixie, I am-"

"Trixie is The Great and Powerful Trixie! Not just Trixie!" Trixie huffed as she turned her head, now completely ignoring the host.

RAINBOW DASH: Are you kidding? I thought this was supposed to be a challenge! Of course Trixie is the mole!

"......right so that just leaves us with one more contestant." All eyes went back to the navy carriage as a purple hoof accented by a shining silver shoe tentivly stepped out. The hoof belonged to one of the most well known ponies in all of Equestria, just short of only her sister. Contestant twelve, and the final contestant, was none other than Princess Luna.

Name: Princess Luna

Alias/Nickname: Lulu

Birthday: January 1st

Favorite Color: Midnight Blue

Hometown: Canterlot

Occupation: Royal Ambassador

LUNA: Well, I don't really need the bits, but Celly thought this was a good way to get other ponies to know me.... and for me to know them.

The princess let out a sigh as she took her spot next to Trixie, allowing the host to trot himself over and give a quick introduction before heading back to address the group as a whole. "Now that everypony is here, we can get to explaining the game! As you all now know, I am Mr. E. Mr. E Colt to be exact. You all know why you are here, some for the experience but most for the bits. And, you also know that there is a mole among you, a saboteur only here to hinder your progress and keep you from winning anything. They them self will win whatever is kept from the group total. So keep you eyes and ears open, you will need to know as much as you can about the mole if you want to stay in this game. The pony-" Gilda snorted as the host seemed to ignore her presence entirely.

GILDA: I am not a pony, and I never will be something so lame!

"Pardon, the contestant that scores lowest on the quizzes, or is the slowest in case of tie, will be executed and immediately put on a carriage home." Mr. E took a moment to pause for dramatic effect as he let his words sink in. Everyone present already knew everything he was saying but now that it was happening and set to start in just a few moments, everything was just becoming real. "Now, the competition begins!" A cheer came out from a few of the contestants, but most shifted slightly uncomfortably as Mr.E trotted over to the edge of the cliff. "First I will need the two of you who are good with numbers or have a good memory."

RAINBOW DASH: Finally we're starting, but numbers and memory? Seriously? Who is good with that?

"I'll do it," Octavia stepped forward nodding to everypony as she took a place next to the host.

Trixie stepped forward next ready to challenge anypony who would challenge her, "The Great and Powerful Trixie will nominate Princess Luna to be the second. Trixie knows that without a doubt she is the best with numbers."

TRIXIE: Trixie saw her with her abacus when she was teaching The Great and Powerful Trixie. Nopony will be better!

Princess Luna looked around nervously as everyone was now looking at her, "I suppose I get the job then." Slowly she trotted to Octavia and Mr.E, who was smiling bigger than ever.

"Excellent, now you two will be carried back down the cliff in one of the carriages and all you will have to do is memorize the combination given to you one number at a time as everypony else here jumps down this cliff to meet you at the bottom." A loud gasp came from the group as the reality of the challenge sank in. "If you two can manage to relay back the correct numbers in order you will get 10000 bits for the pot. Good luck ladies."  

Both mares were taken to the first carriage and were quickly driven off back down the trail as Mr.E turned his attention back to the others. "So now your job will be to jump down into the lake below and deliver to the two you just sent down there your respective numbers that will range from one to twenty. Any question?"

Not surprisingly enough to most ponies Blueblood was the first to vocalize some objection, "I refuse to put myself in any kind of danger like that! I am a Prince, I am too important to risk myself so recklessly like some commoner!"

BLUEBLOOD: What kind of crazy pony would even expect someone like me to even try that!

Mr.E simply smiled as he looked over the group, "each of you that makes the jump will add 1000 bits to the group pot, so if you refuse to jump then you are costing the group the bits. I might also add that if three of you refuse, the whole possible 10000 is then lost."

BLUEBLOOD: I refuse to do this, those bits are not worth it!

GILDA: Oh he is jumping, I will make sure of it.

TRIXIE: He's going, Trixie will not allow some foal to keep her from any bits!

"Everyone will choose weather or not to jump in just a few moments, but first as I am sure of it some of you may want to take off some of what you wore here as to not get it wet correct?" There was some agreement from those with clothes, while those without just shook their head and shrugged, "so everypony will have two minutes to take off what they want and join me over here, then the jumping will begin! So your time starts now!"

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Cheerilee, Lyra, and Gilda all immediately went  over to join Mr.E right off the bat. Soarin' and Braeburn followed soon after deciding not to take anything off, leaving just Trixie, Sapphire, and Blueblood. Trixie and Sapphire managed to take everything off and joined the others but Blueblood refused, fully aware his mind was made up and that he wasn't going to jump.

"And three.... two.... one.... TIME!" As Mr.E looked over the group he nodded in approval, "seems you are all ready to go, but if any of you remove anything or add anything to how you are now your jump will not count. Is that clear?" Clopping his hooves together he smiled bigger than before, "so, who's first?"

Immediately Blueblood stepped forward," I refuse to go, just give me my number and send me down the trail!"

Gilda was next to step forward, already getting in the prince's face, "you ARE going, in fact I'll make sure you go first!" Quickly she picked up the prince and started walking to the edge.

"Unhand me you filthy bird! You have no right to do this!" Blueblood was struggling with all his might, but the griffons hold kept him still.

Mr.E cringed as Gilda turned looking to his direction giving him some sort of death glare, "what's his number?"

"Eight" Mr.E was shaking but smiling as she watched her hold him just over the side of the cliff.

"Eight! You got that? Forget it and I will hurt you!" Blueblood was never given the chance to respond as he was suddenly sent screaming and flailing down the side of the cliff, the lake of water quickly approaching.

SPLASH

TRIXIE: Trixie likes that griffon, if she hadn't done it Trixie would have!

Prince Blueblood was in a panic as he slowly realized what happened to him and where he was, slowly he floated and paddled his way to shore to a slightly chucking Octavia and a grinning Luna. "Eight, the number is eight!" He glared at them both as he trotted to the mat holding towels for them after their jump and started to quickly drying himself off.

BLUEBLOOD: That bird will pay for the damages to this suit! I will personally make her pay!

Octavia quickly regained her composure as she looked to the princess next to her, "how about I get the first half and you take the second? Remembering five numbers should be much easier than ten."

The moon princess simply smiled and nodded in reply, “sure.”

LUNA: I probably could have memorized them all myself, but Celly says to try and not argue with anypony....

Back up on the cliff, Gilda turned back to the group fully satisfied with her work, "anyone else?" Her smile grew from the silence as she looked back to the host, "then I'm next!"

Mr.E simply nodded but stepped in her way before she could go, "very well, but first..." The host pulled out some rope from what seemed like nowhere as he smiled back to the griffon. "I will need to tie your wings since you are able to fly, only to make things fair of course."

Gilda rolled her eyes as she stood still, "fine whatever just do it so I can go!"

Mr.E made sure to tie the rope nice and tight before stepping back to admire his work, "alright, now your number is Fifteen"

"Yeah yeah, I got it," in a flash Gilda jumped and started her dive into the water below, much unlike the jumper before her she managed to enter the water barely making a ripple and quickly made her way to the awaiting Octavia and Luna. "Fifteen, and you better remember it."

OCTAVIA: I really don't like that griffon but I'm going to hold my tongue.... Unlike her I actually have class and manners.

The next three ponies to go all went off without any problems. Rainbow Dash, The Great and Powerful Trixie, and Soarin' each reaching the bottom and filling up the last three numbers for Octavia to remember: Nineteen, Three, and Seven.

Five ponies remained up top, one of which was shaking in fear refusing to even look at the cliff. "I.... cant do it...." Fluttershy could feel her eyes watering as everypony's attention went to her.

Braeburn stepped forward ready to comfort the trembling pegasus, as he looked to the others that remained "ya'll may have ta go first, it'll take a while to get her ta go, if she does at all...." The cowpony sighed as he went to trying to convince the cowering pegasus.

BRAEBURN: She aint gunna make this easy, ah'll tell you that! Ah don’t mean ta be rude or anything, considerin she’s mah cousin’s friend n’ all…. but why come if ya aint gunna compete?

Sapphire was next to step forward as Cheerilee and Lyra didn't seem so eager, "Alright, Mr.E looks like I'm next!" She had on a simple smile as she trotted to the edge.

"Alright Sapphire, your number is fourteen," Mr.E had a big smile as he pointed a hoof to the cliff, "after you."

With deep breath and a little tune to calm her nerves, the pony of pop was soon off heading straight down for the lake. Leaving two to go while Braeburn was busy trying to calm down the frightened yellow pegasus.

The pink earth pony turned to Lyra with a comforting smile, "I'll go next if you want to wait a little longer, I don't mind."

Lyra shook her head as she stepped forward, "No, I'll go, I'm here for Bon-Bon I need to do this." The unicorn slowly approached the edge of the cliff as she peaked over looking down, only the thoughts of Bon-Bon keeping her there as she looked back to the host, "my number?"

"Twelve," With a quick nod from Mr. E the mint green unicorn leapt off the cliff leaving Cheerilee up next, as Braeburn was now getting frantic with Fluttershy.

The teacher slowly made her way to the pegasus as she gave her a small pat on the shoulder and a warm smile, "It's alright Fluttershy, nopony will force you if you don't want to go." Cheerilee turned back to the host smiling as big as ever, "I'm ready."

"Then your number is six," Stepping aside Mr.E was smiling as Cheerilee took her place and jumped making a decent sized splash as she hit the water. Slowly as she made her way to the shore Octavia appeared in deep concentration as Luna was there waiting with a smile, "my number is six." And with her job done the earth pony made her way to start drying off.

CHEERILEE: Oh my, that was definitely something! My students will have hay day when they hear about this!

With that there was only two ponies left up as Mr.E slowly made his way to them, "so who's next?"

Fluttershy immediately squeaked and balled up more, "I cant..... I just cant!"

Braeburn was nudging her softly trying to help her relax, "hey it's alright, ya’ll will be fine alright? Ah can personally guarantee it." The yellow pony was smiling proudly as the pegasus looked up to him.

"How....can you guarantee that?" Fluttershy was slowly unballing herself, there was just something about the farm pony’s voice she felt she could just trust.

Braeburn was completely caught off guard by the question, putting him in a frantic search for an answer, "by..... ummmmm...." He could see that she was intent for an answer so he needed to act fast or risk her actually not jumping, "here, with this." Braeburn slowly took off his hat and placed it on the Fluttershy's head, "that there is mah lucky hat, nothin' bad will happen to ya with it on. Ah promise!"

The timid pegasus looked up from under the hat, "Pinkie promise?"

The earth pony tilted his head now completely confused, "Pinkie what now?"

Fluttershy actually giggled slightly as she stood up leading Braeburn through the motions of a Pinkie promise until he finally managed it right even if he still didn't completely understand. Slowly the pair made their way to the cliff, Fluttershy still very scared and shaking but she was still standing there next to Braeburn as he looked to the host, "can we go together? It's tha only way she’ll go."

Mr.E just shrugged and nodded, “that’s fine by me, Fluttershy your number is thirteen and Braeburn you are seventeen." Taking out his last piece of rope he went about tying Fluttershy's wings.

Braeburn gave Fluttershy one last comforting pat on the back before they both finally jumped off together causing the biggest splash as they hit the water. There was cheering all around as they made their way to shore, Rainbow Dash immediately coming to bring Fluttershy a towel, "You did it Shy!"

Fluttershy turned a deep red as everyponies attention went to her, “I did.... I did it!" For the first time since arriving the shy pegasus was actually smiling.

Everyone was so caught up in the moment that Princess Luna had to clear her throat to attract everyone's attention back to her, "not to be rude, but I still need the numbers."

"Oh.... umm.... thirteen" Fluttershy offered a small smile as Luna looked over to Braeburn.

"Mah number is seventeen." The yellow earth pony stood proud as the host finally came down the trail to meet them.

"Good job everyone, that would be a total of 10000 bits," everyone was cheering as their first success boosted their morale, "however.... 2000 was lost due to a penalty."

"WHAT?" Trixie was infuriated as she stepped forward, "how did we lose bits?"

Mr.E was smiling as she signaled over to Braeburn and Fluttershy, the realization dawning on their faces. "A certain somepony took off a hat while somepony else put it on."

Braeburn’s ears fell back immediately as he looked to everypony, "ahm sorry guys, ah wasn't thinking up there.... ah just wanted to help...."

TRIXIE: Trixie would think that farmer did it on purpose, but he probably isn't smart enough to be the mole. Trixie will have to watch Fluttershy more carefully....

Fluttershy moved over closer to Braeburn before everypony could get upset with him, "please don't be upset... he just wanted to help...."

SOARIN': Could it have really been sabotage? From what I know they're both nice ponies.....

Mr.E quickly brought the attention back to himself as he looked to Octavia and Luna, "We still have one more challenge to finish. Do you two have all the numbers in the correct order?"

Octavia stepped forward as she simply nodded, "Eight, Fifteen, Nineteen, Three, Seven."

Luna was quick to finish the rest as she stepped forward, "Fourteen, Twelve, Six, Thirteen, and Seventeen."

The host stood silent for a moment as if he was thinking it over, "Is that your final answer?" The two mares nodded in unison as he looked from one to the other, "then the pot now sits at 18000, good work!" As everyone cheered the carriages all made their way back down the trail, parking back in front of the group. "That wraps things up for tonight, so lets get to the hotel you will all be staying at for the next few nights so you can all unpack your things and relax.

THE GALLOPHRY PALACE

As the carriages parked, all the contestants were finally able to get their first looks at their new home for their time during these challenges. The hotel stood tall above them all as they were lead inside into the main lobby where Mr.E was already waiting for them with a big smile, twelve black duffle bags were lined up behind him, each labeled with everyone’s cutie mark , and a table sat nearby lined neatly with several journals numbered one through twelve. “Hello and welcome to The Gallophry Palace everyone. This is where we will be staying while we are on our little adventures of ours. Now it’s time for us to choose journal numbers, and your roommates.”

BLUEBLOOD: They’re expecting me to share a room with some commoner? I don’t think so!

“So let’s get this started shall we?” Taking a small bag he had behind him, Mr.E reached in and pulled out a small chip, “the first contestant in room 201 is…” The host was smiling as he paused for drama before reading the name on the chip, “Prince Blueblood! Come on over here Blueblood, grab the bag with your cutie mark and select the journal you want. Remember that these journals are for you and you alone to take notes in to help you figure out who the mole is, so use it as much as you see fit.”

Blueblood stepped forward and lifted his bag from the ground as he trotted to the table looking over all the journals there, “I’ll take number one, since I am the most important pony here.”

BRAEBURN: That prince toots more horns than a marchin’ band, it’s kinda crazy.

Mr.E looked back to the group as he reached back into the bag and pulled out a second chip, “and your roommate is….. Gilda!”

The griffon stepped forward almost smiling at the clearly disgusted prince, “Perfect!” As she looked over the bags she grabbed the only one without a cutie mark and just grabbed any journal off the table, her’s was number five.”

GILDA: Ha, I kind of like sharing a room with that dweeb of a prince, he probably hates me after today and you know what? He probably should!

As the griffon and the prince left arguing for their room, Mr.E turned back to the rest of the group as he reached into the bag and pulled out another chip, “next up and first for room 202 is….. Trixie.”

“It’s The Great and Powerful Trixie! How many times will Trixie have to say that?” The azure show mare huffed as she stepped up taking her bag and proceeding to the table, “Trixie is taking number nine.”

As she stood next to the host, he was already reaching into the bag, “alright and your roommate is….. Cheerilee!”

“Me?” The pink earth pony stepped forward smiling as she took her bag and trotted to the table, “I think I’ll just take six.” And with that the school teacher was off heading to her room with her Great and Powerful roommate.

“Next is room 203, and the first spot goes to….” Mr.E made sure to take his time as he reached into the bag swirling around the remaining chips before finally pulling one out, “Rainbow Dash!”

“Yes! My turn!” The rainbow maned pegasus flew over quickly picking up her rainbow lightning bolt marked bag and gliding to the table, “I’ll take seven.” Finally collecting her stuff she landed herself next to the host looking over who all was left. “So who is my roomie?”

Mr.E flashed a smile as he reached into the bag, “lets find out!” Slowly he pulled out the next chip before reading it out loud, “next for room 203 is….. Soarin’”

RAINBOW DASH: YES! This is so sweet!

The Wonderbolt just smiled as he collected his bag and started looking over the remaining journals, “I think I’ll take ten, it was my audition number for the Wonderbolts so I’d say it’s my lucky number!”

“Well let’s see if that number works for you then,” The host nodded to the two as they took their leave, allowing him to turn back to the rest that remained, “Alright, first for room 204 is…..” Reaching into the bag he instantly pulled out a chip, “Octavia!”

OCTAVIA: To be honest I’m hoping for Lyra, that way she wont mind me playing music just as I wouldn’t mind her.

The grey musician stepped forward and grabbed her bag as she trotted with grace to the table and selected her journal, “Mine will be number Twelve.”

As she took her place next to him, the host reached back into the bag and pulled out the next chip “Now, your roommate is….. Braeburn!”

OCTAVIA: Well it’s not who I wanted but he is on my watch list so this may work out.

The yellow cowpony stepped forward smiling, “yeehaw, it’s mah turn!” Braeburn quickly grabbed his red apple marked bag and went over to the table looking at the journals that remained, “Ah suppose ah’ll take four!”

And with his selection made the two earth ponies made their way to their room, leaving only four ponies left. “Alright, lets see who is the first for room 205.” Mr.E shoved his hoof back into the bag and pulled out one of the remaining chips, “First up is…. Sapphire Shores!”

“MMMMMMMMmmmmmMMMM yeah yeah!” The pony of pop was singing away as she grabbed her bag and went to take a journal, “I’ll take number eight!”

Fluttershy was avoiding eye contact with the pony of pop as Mr.E was busy pulling out the next name, “please no….. please no….”

“Next up is….. Fluttershy!” Mr.E couldn’t contain his laughter as the earth pony celebrated and the timid pegasus recoiled before slowly stepping forward, her head hanging low.

FLUTTERSHY: Ummm…… I don’t want to be mean…. but Sapphire scares me….

Slowly Fluttershy grabbed her bag with the three pink butterflies before looking over the last three journals, “I guess…. I’ll take number eleven?”

Mr.E was still chucking as the two turned to leave and he was left with the final two ponies, “Alright Princess Luna and Lyra it appears you two get the last room number 206! Please just grab your bags and take whichever journal you want.”

Princess Luna stepped aside smiling as she let Lyra go first. The mint green unicorn took number three so she was left with two, “Shall we head to our room then?”

“Lets go,” Lyra wasn’t entirely sure how to react so she just trotted silently next to the Princess as they headed for their room.

Everyone was left to their own business for a few hours before they were once again summoned to the main lobby. Mr.E was waiting for them all as they slowly got there in different intervals until the last of the group finally arrived. “So how is everyone liking their room and roommates?“ The host didn’t even bother to wait for a reply as he just continued, “So is everyone ready for the next challenge? For this one you all must divide yourselves into two teams of six. One group is those who will fight when a challenge arises, and the other group is those who choose to avoid the altercation altogether and flee.” Immediately Trixie, Rainbow Dash, Soarin’, Braeburn, Gilda, and Sapphire took to the fight team, leaving Luna, Octavia, Blueblood, Fluttershy, Lyra, and Cheerilee on the flight team. “Good, now flight team I need you to follow me, the fight team you all get the day off. Your challenge isn’t until tomorrow morning so kick back and relax.” With that Mr.E turned and started to leave the hotel, the six members of the flight team following close behind. Three carriages were awaiting outside to take them to their unknown destination.

A CORN FIELD JUST OUTSIDE BUCKINGHAM

As they arrived at the cornfield the sun had already set and Luna just watched as somewhere in Canterlot her sister raised her moon while she was here competing.

LUNA: I can still raise the moon here, but Celly was insistent that I focus fully on this game….

The host brought attention to himself as everypony was busy looking around at their surroundings, “Alright flight team, I need you now to decide amongst yourselves which three of you are followers and which three are leaders. The followers come to my left and the leaders to my right.” Mr.E took his spot just in front of the cornfield as he waited for them to make their decisions.

Blueblood was again the first to step forward, “I refuse to be a follower, I am a leader!” Before anypony could argue he already went to standing to Mr.E’s right.

Since nopony felt like arguing with him they let him stay and went to deciding the other two who will be leaders, eventually it was settled with Luna and Octavia so they took their spots next to Blueblood as the other three went to Mr.E’s left. “Great, now you will all be paired up and the simplicity of this game is this. The followers will be blindfolded and sent into this corn maze behind me with only a flashlight and a radio ear piece. It will be the leaders job to lead them through the maze without getting them caught by any of the three the guard ponies patrolling around in there. The leaders will be watching from a hot air balloon up above, so be sure to keep track of your follower and escort them to safety, every follower that make it out safely will earn the team 10000 bits. Does everyone understand? Or any question?” After a few moments of silence Mr.E just smiled, “good, then lets get started!”

After a quick shuffle up Fluttershy was teamed with Prince Blueblood, Princess Luna teamed with Cheerilee, and Octavia with Lyra. The three followers were blinded and placed in three different starting points within the maze with only their flashlights and radios as the leaders were sent skyward into the air in the hot air balloon. From above the three leaders quickly went to planning their routes just as the bell was rung signaling the start of the game.

Luna was quick to get started as she levitated her radio in front of her, “Cheerilee, can you hear me? Go forward quickly you have a good distance to go before your first turn comes alright?”

Cheerilee happily trotted along as she followed as directed, “got it!”

Octavia was also managing her leader role quite well as Lyra already turned the forth corner, only bumping into the wall twice now. “Lyra, you have a guard pony heading your way from behind. Turn right now and keep going!”

LYRA: This was pretty intense, I couldn’t see anything with that blindfold on and with only Octavia’s voice to lead me…. My heart was pounding!

Fluttershy was still barely out of her starting position as she kept bumping into wall after wall, the fact that Blueblood was only just yelling at her through her earpiece not helping her in the slightest, “MOVE! Come on, Hurry up!” Fluttershy was trying her hardest as she continued to stumble around hitting every wall she came across. “What are you useless or something? The guard pony is coming! MOVE!” Blueblood was about ready to quit as the sound of crying was now very evident to all in the balloon.

Fluttershy was soon grabbed by the first guard pony and escorted out of the maze leaving just two left in the field and a lost 10000 bits for the group. Luna and Octavia just shook their heads in disgust as Blueblood just stood there not caring about how bad he just hurt the poor pegasus pony who was still crying down below.

OCTAVIA: How could anypony be that heartless? First his refusal to jump and now this? If he’s the mole he isn’t doing a very good job of being subtle….

LUNA: I’m going to have to talk to Celly about this…. She isn’t going to like how he is acting….

Luna did her best to clear her head of what she just witnessed as she focused back to her partner, “Cheerilee, take a right now there is a guard pony heading your way from the left.”

“Alrighty!” Cheerilee was still happily trotting along completely calm as she did her best to listen to Luna. “Where next?”

“Go forward then hang a left when I tell you, your almost there but the guard pony is closing in so you need to hurry.” Focusing ahead of the maze Luna was now able to plan out the last of the escape route. “Go left now quickly!”

Octavia remained calm and collected as she continued with Lyra, but with two guard ponies nearby her escape paths were almost all blocked. “Lyra, go right and get ready to gallop. The guards are nearby but I’m leading you to a decent straight run so you can get away alright?”

“Alright, just tell me when to go,” Lyra bumped into a wall as she turned right but continued on slightly dizzy.

“A left here and run!” Octavia was now planning ahead from the end of the straight path as the guards seem to know they were on her trail.

Lyra took off as fast as her hooves could go as soon as she cleared the turn, “how far do I go?”

“The turn is coming up so slow down and turn right…….. Now!” Octavia let out her held breath as there was now a comfortable distance between Lyra and the guards, now she could focus on getting the unicorn out of the maze.

Cheerilee continued as she had been and happily trotted out the maze with Luna’s directions to the awaiting Mr.E. “Congratulation, you have earned 10000 bits for the group!”  The host took off her blindfold as he led her to the still sniffling Fluttershy, “that just leaves just one team still out in there.”

Octavia was watching as the third guard pony turned and was now patrolling dangerously close to Lyra, “quick, turn right…. The guard is blocking your exit we need to get around him.”

“He’s blocking the exit?’ Some aggravation was apparent in Lyra’s voice as it came through the radio. “So which way do I go now?”

“Just turn the corner, it will turn to the left almost immediately, just stay there and hide…. We’ll have to wait for him to pass by and hope he doesn’t turn…”

“What are you crazy?” Lyra was about to panic as she pressed herself against the wall of corn, “and what happens if he turns?”

“Quiet, it’s a calculated risk I know but from what I’ve seen odds are he wont turn.” Octavia was really taking a risk with this, but she trusted her observations he wouldn’t turn. “Just stay absolutely quiet.”

Lyra put a hoof to her mouth as she could hear the guard approaching, his hoof steps louder than ever with her heightened sense of hearing since being blindfolded. Slowly he got closer and her heart began to beat faster, soon enough the big moment came but he continued forward. Lyra let out a sigh of relief as she heard him pass by, “can I move now?”

Octavia watched in shock that her plan actually worked as the guard continued on his way, “y…yeah just turn left then immediately go right…. You’re almost at the exit.”

Lyra slowly moved away from the wall as she turned left, the sound of the hoof steps slowly getting quieter but she didn’t turn fast enough as she walked straight into the wall of corn making them rustle a lot louder than she would have liked, “oh no….”

The guard was all the way down the hall of corn but as soon as he heard the sound he immediately turned around and saw Lyra, Octavia just watched in horror as he charged at full gallop in Lyra’s direction. “RUN LYRA RUN!” Octavia now had to act fast, the guard was catching up quick so there was no room for errors if Lyra was going to make it in time without getting caught, “Right now! LEFT! Come on Lyra you’re almost there! Left!”

Lyra was running at her full gallop, but no matter how hard she pushed herself the hoof steps behind her just kept getting louder and louder. The guard pony was catching up quickly and if she didn’t hurry she was going to get caught. “How far left?”

“Last right, turn now!” Octavia fell back on her haunches with a loud sigh as Lyra completed the last turn and got out of the maze just seconds before the guard grabbed her.

Mr.E immediately went to removing the unicorns blindfold, “Congratulations Lyra, you made it… but just barely. That puts the group total earnings at 20000 for this challenge and puts the group total to 38000 bits.” Octavia, Luna, and Blueblood finally rejoined the group as Mr.E continued, “there is actually one other little detail I need to share with you all.” Everyone’s eyes were immediately set on to the host as he smiled, “there was an exemption at stake here tonight, the way to get it was simple. Either have the pony placed at the specific starting point and escape for the leader of that team to get it, or get caught for the follower to get it… so can I have Fluttershy, Luna, and Octavia step forward?” Immediately the three stepped forward as they were now the only ones eligible for the exemption, “and for this challenge, the exemption goes to………… Fluttershy!”

BLUEBLOOD: Are you kidding? She gets the exemption? She was useless!

LUNA: Although with what she went through the pegasus deserves it, but still….. She now lost us 12000 bits….. Maybe she knew about the exemption if she got caught…..

With the last of what was needed finally wrapped up everypony got back into the carriages and headed back for the hotel.

THE GALLOPHRY PALACE

The flight team finally made it back to the hotel just in time for dinner as they quickly took their seats with the rest of the group. “So how’d it go?” Braeburn was smiling as the group as he asked the question everyone was obviously thinking.

Luna was the first to respond as she got settled and started to grab some food, “we earned 20000 bits out of 30000.”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as the next obvious question came up, “So what happened to the other 10000?”

Fluttershy squeaked instantly and sank into her chair as Octavia started rubbing her back offering a comforting smile, “Fluttershy and Blueblood failed the challenge due to…. communication difficulties… he basically yelled at her until she cried and got caught.”

Blueblood turned his head up as she snuffed at the rest of the table, “It’s not my fault she was-”

The pompous prince was quickly cut off as Rainbow Dash quickly flew into his face, “You made Fluttershy cry? I should hurt you for that!”

Braeburn was quick to get up and try to pull Dash away from the prince, “Careful Rainbow, ya’ll aint wanna go home on account ah him do ya?”

Fluttershy decided to add in before anything bad could happen, “it’s okay Rainbow….. I got an exemption from it….”

“MMMMMMMMMhhhhhmmmmmmmm,” Sapphire was clopping her hooves in joy, “Miss Rose is here to stay!”

Fluttershy squeaked again as she sunk back into her chair, now a very deep red, “please….don’t call me that….”

TRIXIE: Trixie has known Fluttershy for some time now, and has never heard of this name…. Trixie will have to ask Twilight when she gets back home but for now she’ll definitely keep an eye on that pegasus.

Mr.E finally walked in with a big smile, “Good evening everyone, I’ll take it the events of the challenge have been shared fully by now?” His smile grew bigger as the group nodded, “good, so tomorrow morning will be the fight team’s turn and then you all will be taking your first quiz. So I hope all of you are making good use of your journals.”

OCTAVIA: I’ve been taking very detailed notes, and from what I’ve gathered the only possibilities for the mole right now are Fluttershy first, then Braeburn and Prince Blueblood next.

Rainbow Dash was looking at Mr.E with a smile, “so what will we be doing tomorrow anyways?”

“In due time Rainbow Dash, you and everyone else on your team will find out first thing tomorrow morning.” The host bowed to them all as he turned to leave, “be sure to sleep well, you will need it! Good night everyone.”

Dinner ended soon after Mr.E left and everyone excused themselves to their rooms since at least one from each room, excluding Luna and Lyra’s, needed to be rested for the challenge the next day. The two that stayed up the latest was the light blue pair of pegasi, both were too excited for the challenge to come.

Soarin’ still had some snacks with him that he was happily chowing down as he talked with his fellow flyer, “so what do you think the challenge will be?”

Rainbow Dash was pumped as she glided around the room, “I’m not sure, but I hope it’s something action packed! I’m ready to kick flank and fly!” The rainbow pegasus landed on the floor and crouch low in an attack ready stance.

Soarin’ chuckled slightly as he stretched out his wings, “I know what you mean, if it has anything to do with flying then I’ll have this in the bag! Flying is the name of my game!”

Rainbow watched her roommate and friend with a big smile, “hey Soarin’ you and I are close considering your relationship with Applejack and all, and we are both good friends with Fluttershy who now has Sapphire! So if you and I work together we can get pretty far in this game.”

Soarin’ actually stopped eating for once as he listened to Rainbow’s speech, it actually made a lot of sense. “So you and I work together since we’re rooming together makes sense, but the only thing I am concerned about is Fluttershy, she has already costed us quite a few bits….. do you think she can be the mole?”

RAINBOW DASH: Fluttershy the mole? Well I suppose it makes sense… but I still think it’s Trixie!

“Honestly I don’t know, so far everything she has done is something she would normally do…. We both know that.” The rainbow pegasus waved her mane around as she thought about it, “I still say it’s Trixie!”

Now the stunt flyer nearly choked in what he was eating, “Trixie? Why? She hasn’t done anything yet!”

Rainbow Dash just scoffed, “Are you kidding? It’s Trixie! What more reason do you need? You should at least know her a little bit!”

“I don’t know she seems fine when around Twi and Luna, and they do have Midnight,” Soarin’ just shrugged as he kept eating, “what about Brae and Blueblood?”

Rainbow rubbed a hoof under her chin as she thought about it for a second, “That prince is probably just some jerk but Braeburn? You really think he can be the mole?”

Soarin’ reclines back into his bed as he looked up to the ceiling, “I wouldn’t say no, but I cant say yes either….I’m just going to keep an eye on him. But for right now, consider us partners in this game!”

“Deal, but you better not end up being the mole!” Rainbow Dash laughed as she jumped onto her own bed. “Good night Soarin’!”

“Night Dash!” And with that both flyers finally went to bed.

MAIN LOBBY

Day 2

The next morning the fight team was quickly assembled into the main lobby where Mr.E was waiting for them to arrive with a big smile as they lined up in front of him, “alright, are all of you ready to head out for your challenge?”

BRAEBURN: Ah am so ready, ah need to redeem mahself for the mess up in tha first challenge!

TRIXIE: Trixie has been ready for this, Trixie is too Great and Powerful to lose!

Mr.E quickly led the group outside as they all got into their carriages and were quickly carried off to their destination.

BUCKINGHAM COLISEUM

Mr.E led the group of six to the center of the arena as they entered the coliseum, six other ponies were already waiting for them there. Of the six two were earth ponies, two were unicorns, and the last two were pegasi. “Alright fight team, the basis for your challenge is simple. This will be like an olden time gladiator battle of five on five.” The six there looked at each other slightly confused as the counted to make sure they had their numbers right, “the other remaining member of your team will be Caesar, or the king/queen for your team. The sole objective for this game will be to take out the enemy Caesar. So I will need you to pick out exactly who you want to take that role, but bear in mind that their role will be big in success for the challenge they themselves will not be of major use to the rest of the team as the rest fight to defend them. Those who will be fighting please stand to my right while the designated Caesar please head over there to the table for further instruction.” With one hoof, the host pony pointed to the table a few feet away.

Gilda and Trixie wasted no time lacing themselves to the right of Mr.E leaving just Braeburn, Soarin’, Rainbow Dash, and Sapphire. “Alright guys how are we going to figure this out?” Soarin’ immediately took charge as he looked to his fellow ponies.

Rainbow Dash looked over to Mr.E before turning back to Braeburn, “listen Brae, I don’t mean to be rude, but out of us all here you are the only one who has costed us some bits….”

The yellow farm pony quickly cut her off as he nodded, “ah understand, ah’ll take the job to prove ah really didn’t mean to lose us them bits.” With a nod from the other three they all took their place next to Mr.E as Braeburn looked over to the table, “ya’ll just make sure to protect me okay?”

Mr.E joined Braeburn in his walk to the table as five separate helmets and a laurel could now be seen on the table, only one of which was silver while the rest were gold. “Alright Braeburn, since you are Caesar the laurel is yours, but now you must name who on your team is more likely to be a traitor. They will receive the silver helmet, but choose carefully and present them all with their helmets as I tell the opposing team that they too will have an earth pony Caesar.”

The farmer had to remove his cowboy hat to put on the laurel as he carefully looked the silver helmet over, “more likely ta be a traitor?”

BRAEBURN: Well how am ah supposed to know? All ah had to go on was what ah knew about everyone…. And that wasn’t much.

After finally making his decision he called everyone over and started handing out the helmets, the silver one going to Trixie as she looked at him quizzically as to why hers was a different color, “and why does Trixie not get a gold one?”

As if on queue Mr.E trotted back to the group, “I see the silver helmet has been given out, then Trixie this is for you.” The black host pony held out a small piece of paper in which the stage mare quickly grabbed from him and began to open it up, “I’d recommend reading it away from everyone before we start.”

Trixie just rolled her eyes as she left a few feet away from the group and opened the note reading it to herself in a hushed voice, “You have been selected as the most likely to be a traitor by Caesar, now is your chance to prove them wrong or right. If and only if your team is victorious in this challenge then you will have an important decision to make. You can do the good thing and let your Caesar live allowing your team to keep the bits earned or you can sacrifice those bits and slay Caesar yourself to earn yourself an exemption for tonight‘s execution. The choice is yours.” The magician had to read the note over twice more to make sure she fully understood it and made up her mind on what she was going to do before she rejoined the rest of the group ready to compete.

“Alright now that we are all ready I just need to explain a few things. First everyone of you will be wearing one of these specially made harnesses,” Mr.E held up one of the black harnesses for an example, “they all have two sensor plates that will stay in place on both sides of the body, the challenge is to simply take out both plates. The first team to take out the opposing teams leader wins. Also it will be good to note that they have sensors in them to instantly break if you go out of bounds, so watch the boundaries. Another thing to note is that you all will be provided with a spear as your only weapon, excluding for Caesar who will be provided a shield. They are specially made so that they only affect the plates and will not pierce skin or harm anyone in any way but they do not have to be used to smash the plates. Oh and one last note goes to Trixie specifically, you can use magic but only to form a small shield or to shoot bolts at an enemy target. So now is everyone ready?” With a quick nod they all began to suit up.

Rainbow Dash: This is going to be sweet, the other team wont know what hit them!

“Oh before you begin I might add that your opponents are specially trained fighter ponies, so they will not make this easy. Good luck!” Mr.E trotted to the sidelines as the two teams each lined up at their starting positions, the challenge was about to begin, “READY….. SET…….GO!” The host blew hard on his whistle and everyone quickly took off.

Soarin’ instantly took to the sky flying straight up to the edge of the arena boundaries, if there was anything he knew it was to get a good view of the battlefield, “time to shine and prove why the Wonderbolts are the best!”

Rainbow Dash took off along the ground bobbing and weaving as the enemy ponies charged in her direction, but after a quick glance it quickly became apparent that none of the opposing pegasus ponies were after her. Looking up the rainbow pegasus finally realized who the first one was targeting, “Soarin’ look out!” As quick as she could Rainbow took off up into the sky, but she wasn’t fast enough as she had to watch the pegasus instantly smash into the Wonderbolt, sending him several feet out of bounds instantly smashing both of his plates. Soarin’ was out.

SOARIN’: How could I screw up so badly…. Spitfire will have my hide when she hears about this!

Rainbow Dash quickly shot up to the pegasus who was now flying directly at her. The two were locked in a game of chicken as both refused to give the other an inch. The two were in full speed as they got closer and closer, their collision just about guaranteed when suddenly out of nowhere a brown and white blur swooped in and instantly smashed both of the enemy ponies plated with her talons, “sorry Dashie, but you’ll have to be faster than that if you want to win!” Gilda let out a loud laugh as she took off after the remaining enemy pegasus.

Trixie had her hooves full as she was left dealing with both unicorns. Braeburn was behind her with his shield but he wasn’t much use to her as she returned the shots heading in her direction from the enemy unicorns, “come on is that all you got? Trixie can do this all day!” The two on one battle continued fiercely as both sides continued shooting and dodging, Trixie only managing one good shot to take out a plate on one of the other unicorns.

The only one on the fight team having a problem now was Sapphire Shores, no matter what the pony of pop tried the other earth pony always had her on the ropes barely able to dodge his strikes. Sapphire was quickly getting desperate as she looked up to the sky for anyone to help and quickly spotted the rainbow maned pegasus, “Rainbow, help me!”

The next few moments were a blur as the cyan pegasus instantly swooped down at the earth pony causing him to roll out of the way just in time while simultaneously taking out one of the pegasus’s plates, but the move provided the golden opportunity as Sapphire swung her spear like crazy and managed a lucky hit to one of his plates smashing it on contact. The unicorns from both sides were quick to act and soon both Rainbow Dash and the enemy earth pony found themselves out and on the sidelines, leaving a very shocked Sapphire in the middle of the battlefield alone. The only thing she could think to do was run, so she did straight to Trixie and Braeburn.

“What are you doing over here go! Trixie has this covered!” The stage mare was not amused as the singer looked around franticly for what to do next, “look, Trixie will have you covered with her shield so all you need to do is charge over there and take out there leader and we win.”

In an instant Sapphire could feel the unicorn pushing her forward as a shield appeared in front of her, “alright, then….” Sapphire Shores took off as fast as she could straight at the two unicorns as the shield deflected their attempts at stopping her and soon she found herself barreling through their defenses straight for the last enemy earth pony and her target.

SMASH

Trixie quickly shot off two shots taking out one plate on each of the unicorns as her distraction idea worked, but what amazed her the most was that Sapphire actually managed to take out a plate on the earth pony before going down herself. So now the teams were left with both teams having one unicorn, a flyer, and their leader, and out of all that were left she and Braeburn were the only ones still with two plates. They were  winning.

Braeburn was busy dodging whatever stray shots were fired his way as he mimicked the other earth pony’s method of staying behind their unicorn, but eventually that wouldn’t be enough. He will have to be able to defend himself if Trixie lost so it was either defend himself now or possibly become a sitting duck later, the choice wasn’t hard. Slowly and inch by inch the cowpony stepped away from the unicorn fully aware that he was attracting the enemy unicorn’s attention as he turned and leaned onto his front hooves just as she shot at him. Giving the kick all he can Braeburn bucked the bolt straight into the sky and luckily managed a direct hit on the enemy pegasus, but he quickly found himself on the floor as his body went limp from the magic behind the bolt. He was definitely now a sitting duck and sure enough one of his plates went quickly.

Trixie acted quickly as she got in front of Braeburn, but with him not moving her job instantly became harder and she quickly lost her first plate. The performer tried her hardest to keep up as she shot bolt after bolt but she was quickly losing ground. Deep down she knew they were going to need a miracle to win this, and now that just didn’t seem likely.

SMASH

All jaws dropped as Gilda now stood over the enemy Caesar, both of his plates now fully destroyed, “and that’s how it’s done!” The griffon stood proud as the rest of the team cheered from the sideline.

Trixie finally let out a sigh of relief as the end game whistle was blown and she was able to turn to Braeburn as he slowly started to get up, “Trixie wanted to thank you for giving her this helmet.” The azure unicorn smirked and with a quick flash of light a bolt from her horn quickly smashed the cowpony’s last plate.

Mr.E stepped forward almost instantly as he blew the whistle again, “looks like you made your choice Trixie, you have now earned an exemption for tonight and no bits are earned.”

“WHAT?’ Gilda was quick to get into the unicorns face, “how dare you cost me the bits that I earned!”

Trixie just huffed and turned her back, “The Great and Powerful Trixie will do whatever it takes to ensure she makes it to the end of this game, so if some bits are lost along the way then so be it!” With that the magician quickly headed back to her carriage.

The rest of their group just shook their head in disbelief, how could anyone be that selfish? They all knew they would have something to think about when they got back, slowly they all climbed into their carriages and were on their way back to the hotel.

THE GALLOPHRY PALACE

The rest of the six sat patiently in the lobby as they watched the returning six walk into the door. The looks on most of their faces made it apparent that whatever happened wasn’t very good. Luna was the first to speak up as they sat with them, instantly opening her journal to take notes, “what happened?”

Rainbow Dash just shook her head as she looked to Trixie, “ask her! She costed us 20000 bits!”

Once again Trixie huffed as she looked back to group, “and Trixie got an exemption from it! The Great and Powerful Trixie will dare any of you to say you wouldn’t accept the offer!”

Rainbow was already in her face, “I can guarantee I wouldn’t! It’s called loyalty, ever heard of it? I would have thought Twi would have at least taught you that!”

The unicorn was now pushing back as she glared at the pegasus, “Trixie doesn’t need to be taught anything! If you would refuse that kind of offer than you are a foal!”

Quickly Mr.E stepped in pushing the two apart, “alright ladies, now isn’t the time for that. If everyone will take their seats I will be happy to show you all the events for both challenges.” Mr.E held up two disks as he smiled, “that way you all know exactly what happened if you were not there. Make sure to take good notes or you may miss something crucial. The first quiz is tonight!”

As the movies ended everyone went their separate ways to think and study for the first quiz. None of them wanted to be the first to go.

GILDA: I’ll admit I hate Trixie, but I would have done it too…. So the mole has to be either Soarin’ for losing so quickly, Blueblood for not even trying to be helpful, and Fluttershy for losing twice.

OCTAVIA: After watching everything today, I may have to change up my ideas on who the mole is.

LUNA: I personally know Trixie, so I wouldn’t put it passed her to do what she did…. She isn’t a suspect for me.

Cheerilee was trotting to her room smiling but as she was walking by the rooms a mint green unicorn pulled the earth pony into her room looking at her intently, “Cheerilee, I need to talk to you.”

“Oh? What about?” Cheerilee tilted her head slightly but was still smiling as big as ever.

“About the game, what else? The quiz is coming up and I want to make sure we don’t go home!” Lyra sighed as she sat on her bed pulling out her journal, “after what we saw today I think we can say Trixie isn’t the mole.”

“But didn’t she cost us 20000 bits?” Cheerilee was genuinely  confused, she had been thinking about Trixie being the mole since she saw the videos.

Lyra quickly flipped through her journal to prepare for more notes, “I know that, but think of why… she did it for the exemption. I mean, I know I probably would have done it…”

“You’d give up bits for an exemption?” Cheerilee was taken aback, she wouldn’t expect Lyra as such a game player.

“Well yeah, it’s not like I have a choice. I’m doing this for Bon-Bon, so if I need to give up bits to guarantee my spot then I’d do it.” Lyra nodded her head as she dug through her bag and pulled out a picture she had brought of Bon-Bon.

“I suppose I could see that, and it does make sense.” The pink earth pony sat as she thought about it, “then who do you think is the mole?”

Lyra put the picture back in her bag as she flipped through her journal, “right now my guesses are still on Braeburn and Fluttershy, but mostly Fluttershy.”

“Fluttershy? Well she did lose us bits so I suppose that makes sense, but Braeburn? Wasn’t he just trying to help at the cliff? What else did he do?” Cheerilee was now writing in her journal as she really started thinking about it.

“Braeburn did lose us the 2000 bits, but he also wasn’t that helpful at the gladiator challenge. Which also brings me to Soarin’, he’s a Wonderbolt right?” Lyra was busy scribbling away as her thought process started to go, “Aren’t they suppose to be the best flyers in Equestria? He lost that challenge in under a minute easily putting our team at a disadvantage.”

“But Braeburn was put in that position wasn’t he, by the others? Though Soarin’ is a Wonderbolt, so he should be the best flyer here… maybe he just wasn’t paying attention?” The school teacher was now getting more and more confused. “Well it’s something to think about, but right now I just want to take a nap. See you later Lyra.”

CHEERILEE: Was Lyra trying to confuse me? She didn’t seem too helpful after all that… could she be the mole?

The rest of the day went by quickly and soon everyone found themselves at dinner once again, but this time the conversations were kept down as everyone was anticipating the upcoming quiz. After tonight, one of them was going home and none of them wanted that to be them. Causally Mr.E trotted in either oblivious to the anxiety in the air or ignoring it completely as he smiled to the group. “I hope you all studied up because it is time for the first quiz, who would like to go first? Once you’re done you may head back to your room until you are called back down for the execution ceremony.”

One by one the contestant walked to the booth set up for them to take their quiz.

Question 1: What color carriage did the mole arrive in?

A. Violet

B. Red

C. Sky blue

D. Orange

E. Yellow

F. Dark blue

RAINBOW DASH: How in the hay am I supposed to remember that? I think Trixie came in the sky blue one…..

Question 2: What is the mole?

A. Pegasus Pony

B. Griffon

C. Earth Pony

D. Unicorn Pony

E. Alicorn

LUNA: Well I know it’s not me so I can scratch that answer

Question 3: Was the mole selected as good with numbers or having a good memory?

A. Yes

B. No

CHEERILEE: Both Luna and Octavia have been so great so far, I don’t think they can be the mole.

Question 4: What number was the mole to jump?

A.1st

B.2nd

C.3rd

D.4th

E. 5th

F. 6th

G. 7th

H: 8th

I: 9th and 10th

J: Did not jump

SOARIN’: You have got to be joking…. I need to take better notes…..

Question 5: Which team was the mole on for the second challenge?

A. Flight

B. Fight

LYRA: I’m going with fight, they just have more potentials for the mole than our team did….

Question 6: In the corn field maze challenge was the mole a Leader or Follower?

A. Follower

B. Leader

C. Did not compete

GILDA: I’m pretty sure I know who the mole is so this quiz is too easy.

Question 7: What role did the mole play in the gladiator battle?

A. Caesar

B. Fighter

C. Traitor

D. Did not compete

FLUTTERSHY: Oh…ummm… I don’t really know….

Question 8: Was the mole selected for Caesar or the traitor?

A. Yes

B. No

RAINBOW DASH: YES, Trixie was the traitor!

Question 9: Is the mole exempt tonight?

A. Yes

B. No

SAPPHIRE: Well odds are with no so I’m going with that!

Question 10: Who is the mole?

A. Sapphire Shores

B. Prince Blueblood

C. Fluttershy

D. Braeburn

E. Lyra

F. Cheerilee

G. Octavia

H: Princess Luna

I: Rainbow Dash

J: Gilda

K: Soarin’

L: The Great and Powerful Trixie

BLUEBLOOD:  I doubt anyone actually knows that, but I’ll figure out soon enough!

Soon after the last quiz was done all the contestants were once again brought into the main lobby, only now a giant screen sat in the middle of the room on a makeshift stage with twelve chairs neatly lined up in front of it. Mr.E stood next to the screen with a small laptop sitting on the podium next to him,  his smile as big as ever as they all walked in, “greeting in welcome all of you to your first execution, here is where we find out which of you knows the least about the mole and is therefore going home.” Slowly they all took their seats as he turned on the giant screen to show a giant green hoof print in the middle screen with all of their pictures around it, three in each corner. “One by one I will pick your picture and hoof print will blink from green to red. If it turns green then you are safe, if it turns red then you have been executed from the game and are therefore the mole‘s first victim.” Mr.E then turned his attention to Fluttershy and Trixie, “you two have exemptions for this quiz so you are automatically safe.” After a few quick taps at the laptop the pictures of Fluttershy and Trixie turned green. “Now then, who wants to go first?”

Cheerilee took a deep breath as she raised a hoof, “I’ll go first!”

“Very well,” once again the host went to tapping at the laptop and soon the hoof print began to blink from green to red. “Cheerilee you are….”

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GREEN

“Safe,” Mr. E smiled to the earth pony as her picture also turned green, “alright then who’s next?

“Ah’ll do it,” Braeburn was the next to raise his hoof and soon the screen’s hoof print resumed it’s blinking.

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GREEN

“Yeehaw!” The earth pony celebrated as his picture was now the fourth to turn green.

Next up was Princess Luna, she watched the screen intently as it flashed from red to green.

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GREEN

The princess nodded and smiled slightly in approval as her picture turned green.

LUNA: I was actually kind of nervous…. Celly would have teased me to no end if I lost first!

Octavia was the next to volunteer, she held her instrument close as she watched the hoof print. Outside she was as calm as can be, but inside she was as nervous as everyone else

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GREEN

Blueblood was now the next to go as she sat there proud and fully certain he wasn’t going anywhere.

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GREEN

BLUEBLOOD: I knew I was safe, there is no way I’d lose to some commoners and Luna was already safe!”

“Alright now it’s my turn,” Gilda stood up as she watched the host tap on the laptop once more. The hoof print doing as it has done and blinking from green to red.

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RED

“WHAT?” Gilda’s jaw dropped as the red hoof print was staring her in the face, “no way, this cant be right! How can I lose to a bunch of dweebs?” The griffon quickly stormed off as she grabbed her bag, “you know what I didn’t even want to be here anyways! Laters lameos!” Gilda quickly stomped outside the awaiting carriage, unlike the ones that brought them here this one was simply all black with a picture of the world and a pony in the middle of it.

“And with that, Gilda is the first to be executed by the mole. Good job making it through the first execution everypony.” Mr.E quickly went to turning the rest of the pictures green as he also deleted Gilda’s from the screen entirely, “Eleven of you are left, but come next execution there will be only ten.”

BLUEBLOOD: Good riddance! Now I get my own room like I deserve.

RAINBOW DASH: I wasn’t expecting Gilda to go so early…. but it just means that my competition got a little easier!

Everypony slowly made their ways back to their rooms to get a good nights sleep, tomorrow was just going to bring another challenge and they needed to be ready. Next Chapter: Who can you trust? Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 15 Minutes