Heavy rain beats down on the group of foalings as they crouch behind a bush, watching both directions of the muddy road for any signs of the cloaked assassins. After seeing that the coast is clear, the group darts across the road, towards a wooden wall with a wooden and metal door. Apple Bloom knocks furiously on it while the others continue vigilantly scanning for danger.

A latch way above their heads opens up with a rusty squeak, but it closes a few seconds later and another one at their level opens up to reveal an old, scraggly stallion glaring at them.

"What do you want?" asks the guard bitterly, his wrinkles and fierce eyes becoming more intense by the shadows cast from the lantern he is holding.

"We're headin' for Klumsy K's," replies Apple Bloom, rubbing her arms and willing herself not to let her teeth chatter in his presence.

The guard glances at Apple Bloom's party, and they all shiver when a particularly strong wind blows a near solid wall of rain over them, drenching them down to their bones and hiding their faces with soaked manes. The guard, however, is not moved by the heartbreaking sight of foalings shivering out in the harsh weather.

"What business do you have in Breeze?" asks the guard, his tone becoming harsher by the second and his stare more terrifying.

“Our business ain't any of your business," says Apple Bloom sharply, her teeth now chattering and her patience officially gone.

“Considering that I operate this here gate, I think the business that you have but don't want to tell me is my business, as well. So, tell me your business or else I will deny you entrance.”

Apple Bloom growls and readies herself to chew out the guard for costing them precious time, but Pipsqueak pats her on the shoulder and gently moves her aside so he can speak. With him being the smallest of the group, he has to stand on the balls of his feet and crane his neck to look at the guard, who has to adjust himself so he can look down.

“Please, sir, we are merely travelers and just want a place to rest and restock. We heard Kulmsy K's is the best tavern in the region and wanted to stay there for the night,” says Pipsqueak diplomatically.

“Traveling foalings?” says the guard skeptically.

“Yes.” He waves towards the group. “We are all considered outcasts by our community for our desire to explore the world, so our feet carry us wherever they want. Your city just happened to be the place they took us.”

The guard scrutinizes Pipsqueak, then his winkled eyes move between the others, and right as Apple Bloom starts thinking that her companion's sweet talk didn't work, the guard opens up the gate. Pipsqueak steps back, accidentally bumping into Apple Bloom, and she quickly moves him next to Twist and glares at the guard, who just happens to be a mule with flabby ears.

The guard holds up his lantern at a greater height to see all of them more clearly and steps aside. "All right, you may enter, but do not start any trouble."

The group nods and slips inside quickly, and the guard glances down both ends of the road before retreating back behind the gate and sealing it shut.

The group quickly finds their way to Klumsy K's, mostly because it is only a few hundred feet from the gate and it brightly lit by lanterns, and after weaving through the miserable crowd of taller ponies, they step inside the establishment. Its warm, dry air is a blessing to the foalings, and before proceeding any further, they awkwardly rub their feet on rough mats, leaving their bare feet mostly mud free, but itchy. The laughing and clinging dishes that is inside is usually a pleasant sound for a foaling, but Apple Bloom is too nervous to take in the joy of the partying. She swallows and timidly approaches a desk that is easily a head taller than her, and she grabs the edge of it to pull herself up so she is peeking over its top. She can see a chubby earth pony with a dark green coat and a rough brown mane scribbling in a small book, completely oblivious to her presence.

Apple Bloom swallows again before nervously calling out with a croak. “Excuse me.”

The chubby earth pony glances up, then looks down at Apple Bloom and smiles thinly. “Why, hello there, little one. What can I do for you?”

“I'm looking for somepony that was s'posed ta meet us here. Her name is Twilight the Purple. Can ya tell her that a foaling named Honeycrisp and her company has arrived?”

The clerk thinks for a moment, then snorts a laugh. “Twilight the Purple? She wouldn't happen to be a unicorn mare that's got a little glint in her eyes, bright smile, blessed body and voice? She's got that civil dragon with her, too, right?”

Apple Bloom beams and nods her head quickly. “Yes, sir, that's her.”

His smile disappears instantly. “I haven't seen her in quite a while. Last I heard she was off to some birthday party, and she still hasn't written to me even though I gave her my place of residence.”

Apple Bloom's smile fades and she turns to look at her group of friends worryingly as the clerk continues mumbling on and on about mares being cruel and soulless. All of them have varying emotions, all on the negative side, with Twist terrified the most and Scootaloo looking like she wants to slug someone.

As for Apple Bloom, she feels like her soul has been crushed by all the emotions going through her. She is terrified because Twilight and Spike isn't waiting for them at the tavern, and even though they told her to wait for three weeks if they aren't there, she is still lost. She has never been out of Foalington before and has no idea how the outside world works. She does not know anybody, has little money to spare, and from the gloomy appearance of the patrons, she's worried that something terrible might happen to them if they aren't careful. And that is when she starts worrying that maybe something had happened to her tall-folk friends.

“What are we supposed to do now?” asks Twist worryingly, snapping Apple Bloom out of her thoughts.

“I don't know,” replies Apple Bloom quietly.

Klumsy K's, to its credit, is a well kept building. The building is brightly lit and kept warm with multiple fireplaces, iron chandeliers with dozens of candles each, and torches placed evenly around the wall. The tables are covered with large, brown cloths and the chairs have cushions on them, as well. The customers, however, is a sad mixture of drunk stallions and mares that lack any table manners or ideas of personal space. Not wanting to get involved with whatever shenanigans the patrons are getting into, Apple Bloom and her party take a table at the far end of the tavern, trying to remain quiet and inconspicuous as possible. To kill the time, they each ordered a meal, complete with appetizers and cider, using Pipsqueak's money from his last trade.

But even with the hot soup and warm bread in front of them, the foalings still find their appetite to be next to nonexistent. Especially Twist, who is putting her focus on scribbling a note on a piece of paper and mumbling incoherently to herself. This annoys Scootaloo greatly, as seen with the roll of her eyes, but no one says anything to anyone. The tension is just too high.

In an attempt to give her friends some hope, Apple Bloom offers a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Twilight will be here. She'll come.”

“Sure she will,” grumbles Scootaloo.

“Well, let's try the optimism thing for a bit. Maybe we will get lucky and Twilight will come in through that door before the night is over,” says Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo snorts and Sweetie Belle frowns at her, but the pegasus ignores the stare and folds her arms on the table, where she proceeds to rest her head and closes her eyes.

“Wake me when Twilight gets here,” she says.

“Is she... Is she seriously sleeping?” asks Button Mash.

“Not yet,” mumbles Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom sighs and looks a Pipsqueak when she hears him muttering and his coins clanking against each other. His worried expression says it all, and that darkens the mood of the table to another shade.

“Room for six, meal for six, and appetizers and cider for six. There is no doubt about it, we are going to have to find some work to do around town. These coins won't last us two days,” says Pipsqueak glumly as he digs through his coin bag.

“I am not working for any of those freaks,” says Scootaloo without lifting her head off her arms.

Pipsqueak frowns at Scootaloo. “Okay, then how do you plan on making money until Twilight arrives?”

Scootaloo smiles wearily. “I have my ways.”

“Does it involve keeping us out of the dungeons?”

“Of course it does. Unless you're stupid and get caught.”

The two start bickering, dragging Sweetie Belle and Button Mash in it as well while Twist continues scribbling on the paper and Apple Bloom remains silent. She stares at her friends, watching with vacant eyes as they argue, and her ears hear them, but she barely registers what they are saying. However, she soon starts getting a crawling feeling up her spine and the back of her neck, like a pair of eyes are searching her for something.

Apple Bloom barely looks over her shoulder and sees a stranger sipping from his massive mug, watching her with his face hidden by his hood and the dim light of his corner. Apple Bloom looks back and nervously drums on the table as the paranoid part of her is saying that he may very well be one of the many spies for Sombra that Twilight warned about.

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder again and tries to figure out what she can, but all she can tell from the distance is that the stallion is well built and travels a lot. Either that, or he is a hobo since his cloak is caked in mud, faded and torn, he wears fingerless gloves and the dark leather armor he is wearing appears close to ripping open in some parts.

Apple Bloom looks down at the table mat, wincing slightly when she feels the pain in her side return and the Amulet whisper in her ear.

“Armor,” it says.

Apple Bloom flinches and seethes with tears building in her eyes and teeth ground tight. Her hands start shaking and her eyes drift shut as the noise in the room fades to the power of the Amulet's voice and the war drum beats of her heart.

“Take me to him,” orders the Amulet.

Suddenly a hand grips Apple Bloom's shoulder, making her shriek and jump in her seat, which makes the rest of the group flinch.

“I don't think we should touch her when her eyes are closed,” comments Pipsqueak.

“Are you okay?” asks Twist, her hand still on Apple Bloom's shoulder.

Apple Bloom nods quietly, then she politely stops the desk clerk as he walks by their table with the log book by grabbing his shirt tail. He looks mildly annoyed, but when he sees her worried expression, his face softens.

"Excuse me, who is that stallion in the corner?" asks Apple Bloom, not so subtly gesturing towards the hooded figure.

The clerk looks at the subject, then back at Apple Bloom. “That would be Sprinkles. He is one of them exiled folks. Very temperamental and is quick to lose himself in whatever alcohol he can get his hands on. I suggest you stay away from him and come get me if he gives you any trouble.”

Apple Bloom nods and the clerk continues on down with his book, and her hand drifts back towards the Amulet's spot and tenderly strokes its spot. Everything fades to the humming and the Amulet's whispered calls of her name. She can feel its energy vibrating her and the frost bleeding past its cloth covering and seeping on her fingers, but when the sharp pain in her side returns, she jumps with a pained gasp, making her the focus of attention again.

Before a word can be said, Apple Bloom grabs Twist and hoists her up, keeping the hand that touched the Amulet balled into a fist. “Twist, come with me.”

“Uh-”

That is all Twist says before Apple Bloom yanks her awkward friend off of her seat and drags her to the other side of the tavern. She can feel Sprinkles' eyes on her, and that only makes her legs move faster, and when they are around a corner, in a dimly lit area, she grabs her friend's shoulder and looks her in the eyes.

“Twist, I need ya to be my lookout while I check somethin',” says the orange foaling, her voice quivering with her hand and her fist tightening.

“Apple Bloom, is it...” Twist looks around, then leans in closer. “Is it the Amulet?”

“Just... Just stay there and make sure nopony comes over here, got it?”

Twist nods and turns to watch the patrons while Apple Bloom faces the wall. She looks at her fist with wide eyes and ragged breaths, and when she uncurls her fingers to see frost melting from her tips to expose her orange fur to the world. Her face pales and her throat becomes dry as she watches the frost melt away and drip to the floor, then she swallows and slides her hand to her side, wincing when she feels a sting from the wound.

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder and sees that Twist is still keeping guard. With that sight, she takes a breath, unbuttons her vest to reveal a red spot on her cotton shirt, and her eyes become wet with tears and her breath and heartbeat ragged when she peels it back to see a damp scab in the shape of an eye.

“Surrender me,” says the Amulet, its raspy, low voice bouncing in her skull.

Apple Bloom whimpers and closes her eyes as she hastily tugs on her shirt and buttons up her vest, and when she is done, she turns to Twist so they can go back to the table. What she sees instead is Twist slumping against the wall and the hooded stallion from the corner lunging at her.

Apple Bloom takes a step back and tries to scream, but one of his hands clamps over her mouth and the other grips her collar, making her wince from the crushing pain on her bones and the fingers digging in her skin.

"We need to talk, Honeycrisp,” snarls the hooded stallion.

He releases Apple Bloom's muzzle and drags her by her shirt and cloak collar away from her hideout, and he grabs her muzzle again when she tries calling for help. She is taken up the stairs, barely able to keep her feet up as he roughly pulls her along, then he tosses her on the floor in a room that is bare, save for an overused bed, an old chair, and a fireplace care-set.

Apple Bloom scampers to her feet and backs up into the wall as the stallion slams and locks the door shut.

“What'd ya want?” says Apple Bloom uneasily.

The stallion marches past her and closes the curtains, then he stands in front of Apple Bloom at a safe distance, staring down at her with his hand on the hilt of his blade. “You are carrying something that you should not have, Honeycrisp, and I want to see it.”

“I-I don't have anything,” stammers Apple Bloom, her fingers twiddling around each other nervously.

“Do not take me as an idiot. I know you have something dark and powerful because I got a very bad headache from it that is reserved only for morning hangovers, so let me see it.”

Apple Bloom shakes her head, taking a step back when the tall stallion steps forward, his blue eyes glowing with rage and his hand tightening on his blade. His horn also lights up to bath his face is in a soft, rosy light that illuminates the bags under his eyes and his dirty white coat, which has good sized tufts on his cheeks and chin.

“I don't have anything,” repeats Apple Bloom, eyes flicking towards the door and making a quick calculation to see if she can escape or not. That turns out to be a bad move.

As soon as her eyes go back to the stallion, he has his hand around her throat and before she can even comprehend what is happening, she is spun off her feet and is slammed back-first against the wall. Apple Bloom winces from the pain rippling through her spine and the back of the head, and she starts gagging and trying to pry the massive stallion's hand off when her lungs quickly burn from lack of air. She kicks her legs and tries screaming as she claws in vain at the stallion's grip. His free hand darts towards her pocket and he releases Apple Bloom as soon as he pulls out the Amulet.

Apple Bloom collapses to the floor gulping for air and rubbing her throat as she blinks tears out of her bloodshot eyes. She jumps in her spot when the hooded stallion throws the Amulet to the ground, stumbling back and clutching his head, seething in pain. He collapses on a chair by the fireplace and continues rubbing his head, his free hand clutching the arm of the chair tightly and his body shaking enough to vibrate it.

“Where did you get that,” demands the stallion in a low growl, his shaking finger pointed at the Amulet.

“Twilight the Purple gave it to me,” says Apple Bloom hesitantly, then her eyes narrow and she adds venomously: “And if somethin' were ta happen ta me, she'd turn ya into a one legged frog and throw ya in the river.”

The hooded stallion chuckles grimly and pulls back his hood to reveal the multi-hued blue mane, his scraggly face and bloodshot eyes. “That sounds more like Trixie. Twilight is more of the paralyze and lock in the dungeon type of mare.”

Apple Bloom blinks, then cocks her head quizzically, remembering how Twilight described her brother and how he will be at Breeze. “Ya wouldn't happen ta be Shining Armor, would ya?”

The stallion stares at her for a moment, then he sighs, reaches for a canteen hidden under his jacket and pops it open to indulge himself on what Apple Bloom is guessing is an alcoholic beverage.

After he gulps down a large portion of his drink, he puts his attention back on the foaling. “I was Shining Armor at one point, but I left that name and my kingdom behind me. Just call me Sprinkles. Everypony else does.” He waves towards the bruise forming around Apple Bloom's neck. “Sorry about the neck grab, by the way. I just don't too kindly to ponies using potentially world destroying amulets like that.”

Apple Bloom swallows and tenderly rubs her neck as she cautiously makes her way to the Amulet. She keeps her eyes on the stallion the whole time, and even when she kneels down to pick it up, using a cloth as a barrier, she does not look away.

“Why Sprinkles?” asks Apple Bloom, now reaching for a fire poker.

Shining Armor glances at her, but makes no attempt to grab his weapon. “Long story short, some pink mare threw a party, something strange happened, and now I hate cake and I got the name of Sprinkles.”

Apple Bloom looks over his sorry state, frowning and clutching the fire poker tightly. “Ya know, Twilight said ya'd be a drunk, but she also said I could trust ya.”

“Well, do you?”

“You kidnapped me and choked me in a weird room.”

Shining Armor blinks. “But I apologized.”

“That don't matter!”

Shining Armor chuckles grimly. “Oh, right, I forgot, mistakes are meant to be unforgivable.” He stakes another swig of his drink, gasping obnoxiously. “Silly me.”

“I didn't say that. I'm just saying that I have a hard time believing that I can trust you when you choked me.”

“Honeycrisp, answer me truthfully. What would you do if you knew somepony had something that was dangerous and refused to give it up even though it caused you physical pain from its mere presence?”

Apple Bloom swallows, unsure how to answer that question, and Shining Armor clicks his tongue and drums his fingers on the arm of his chair. An odd, tense silence fills the room, only broken when the stallion takes another swig of his drink and wipes his muzzle, gasping loudly again, much to Apple Bloom's annoyance.

“I don't know why Twilight gave you the Amulet, but I can tell you this, you are not safe here. Twilight is never late, so her not being here is not a good sign and chances are Sombra got to her. There is no telling what he knows or how far behind he is, so unless you want to test your luck and die, I suggest you come with me,” says Shining Armor.

“Why would I go with you! You choked me!” yells Apple Bloom, her hands balled into tight fists and held at her sides.

Shining Armor groans and rubs his face. “How many times will I have to apologize for that?” He throws his hand down and jumps up, making Apple Bloom step back. “Something has obviously happened to Twilight, therefore we must leave for Armonia immediately. There, you and the Amulet will be safe, and you will have a better chance getting there unharmed if I take you.”

Apple Bloom rubs her neck, glowering at the unicorn. In her gut, she knows that something had to have happened to Twilight, and she knows that she told her that she can trust the stallion, but all she can see is a lost drunk who choked her. How Twilight can think she can trust a stallion like him is beyond her, and she knows he can see her skepticism from the way his expression softens, too.

“I truly understand your skepticism, but, I swear to you, if by my life or death I can protect you, I will,” he says. Shining Armor gradually draws his sword, which, much to Apple Bloom's surprise, is broken, with the top half being just jagged teeth instead of a sleek blade. The stallion then kneels in front of her and looks directly into her eyes with his weapon stabbing the floor and hands gripping its hilt tightly. “You have my sword.”

Apple Bloom stares into his jaded blue eyes, and while they are bloodshot and the stench of alcohol lingers, she hears the sincerity in his voice and sees it in his eyes. She starts believing that maybe this drunk really is sorry for his violent reaction and her muscles slacken and her glare softens. However, right as she is about to give him her answer to his oath and request, the door is forced open by a gamboge pony and the unicorn springs to his feet and pushes Apple Bloom to the ground as her friends rush in.

What happens next is almost too fast for Apple Bloom to comprehend. First off, Scootaloo bolts straight forward with fire in her eyes and she slugs Shining Armor in the groin. The unicorn's eyes bulge and he doubles over, coughing in pain and keeping one hand on the floor while the other holds his sore pride. Secondly, Twist and Pipsqueak rush to Apple Bloom's side and yank her to her feet and half carry her out. Thirdly, Sweetie Belle and Button Mash slam a chair and stool on Shining Armor's spine and the back of his head, sending him crashing face first into the ground. After that, Scooaloo gives him one swift kick in the ribs before running out with the others, leaving the tall unicorn on the ground, groaning in pain.

“RUN!” yells Scootaloo.

The foalings run down the stairs and into the crowded pub. The patrons give them questionable stares, and Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder to see if Shining Armor is pursuing them. She doesn't see him and Twist grabs her arm and drags her through the pub.

“Out of the way!” barks Scootaloo, using her entire weight to shove a drunk aside.

The drunk falls over on a table and crushes a pound cake and splashes a mare in his cider. The mare shrieks and jumps back and the stallion courting her jumps to his feet, grabs the drunk and punches him in the face, sending him crashing into a minotaur. A fight ensues, covering the foalings' escape in a storm of flying dishes, furniture, food and punches.

The foalings run into the muddy road and in seconds time they are soaked by the downpour, and all of them jump when a stallion is thrown through the window of the pub and lands not too far from them with a big, muddy splash. The mingling crowd outside stops their miserable activities and stares at the knocked out stallion, then they glance at the gaping hole that was once a window and see the massive brawl, all while the foalings remain petrified.

“Oh, at long last! A fight to stave my boredom!” cheers a random stallion.

He rips off his shirt to display his solid muscles and runs inside, roaring like a madpony. Apple Bloom winces when she sees the said stallion slug the clerk in the eye before tackling another pony to the ground.

“Can we please get out of here, now?” says Twist anxiously as she backs up, twiddling her fingers.

“Yeah... Let's go,” says Sweetie Belle.

And with that, the foalings run down the muddy road, letting the crowd and pouring rain cover their escape.

The rain has long ago passed, leaving the ground wet like a marsh, and each step Starswirl and his companions take makes a wet squelch. They barely register the suction of the mud trying to hold them down when they approach the wooden wall of Breeze, and when they are in front of its gate, Starswirl looks up and down its pathetic design, but still politely knocks on its wooden surface.

Instantly after his knock, the top latch opens to reveal the face of the mule guard.

“What do you want?” he says harshly.

“We are looking for a group of six foalings. Have any traveled through here?” asks Starswirl, keeping his annoyance from the lack of manners at bay.

“I cannot say. Guard-Traveler Confidentiality.”

Starswirl's arched brow is hidden by his dark hood, but the other cloaked assassins exchange looks. One of the hooded travelers shrugs to another and Medallion sighs in aggravation as he tilts his head and pinches the bridge between his eyes.

“This is ridiculous,” grumbles Medallion.

“Fine, if you will not speak to us, allow us entrance so we may ask around,” says Starswirl patiently.

“No,” says the guard bluntly.

“No?”

“No face. No entrance. Remove your hoods and I just might let you in.”

Starswirl sighs, aims his hand at the guard, and with a blue flash a sharp ice blade shoots from his hand and stabs the guard in the face with the blood soaked tip poking out the back. He then frees his hand from the icy weapon and kicks the gate off of its hinges, crushing the guard underneath, and strolls inside while casually adjusting his gauntlet.

“That was a waste of time,” grumbles Medallion. “And why do you always knock first? We are Sombra's most trusted soldiers and you go around knocking when we can cut down anypony and break any door we please!”

“It is because I still have some manners,” says Starswirl as he casually steps in the bloody mud. He stops when he is on top of the slain guard's hand and does a quick scan before he sees a hanging sign that says Klumsy K's not too far from them. He smiles thinly and starts walking again. “Follow me.”

When Starswirl enters the establishment, the very fist thing he notices is that it is trashed. Tables are broken, food and beverages are all over the floors and walls, and shattered dishes litter the area with the numerous amount of battered patrons. In the middle of the mess is a lone, chubby clerk with a black eye sweeping up a pile of debris into a pan, grumbling angrily to himself.

Starswirl strolls forward, crushing glass and wood beneath his metal boots, and with the crunches echoing in the torn up tavern, the clerk stops, turns, and pales. Starswirl ignores the clerk for the most part and grabs the log book on a counter to inspect it. He skims through it until he sees 'Honeycrisp- Party of 6- Foaling Room- CANCELED' written down on the last slot.

Starswirl silently returns the book to its original position and approaches the clerk. “When the foalings arrived, was one of them orange and red with a red bow?”

The clerk gulps. “Pardon me?”

The cloaked travelers spread out and the clerk yelps when Medallion grabs his shoulder and forces him on his knees while pressing his iceblade against his throat. The other cloaked figures move around the dining area, keeping an eye on the doorways and stairs, and Starswirl steps forward, adjusting his gauntlet again.

“A red and orange foaling has something precious to me. Did you see one in the party of six that arrived?” says Starswirl patiently.

“I-I-” Medallion presses the blade against the clerk's throat and he cries in pain and starts weeping when it breaches his skin. “Yes! Yes! The foaling you want was with them! She said her name was Honeycrisp and she only stayed for a couple of hours before leaving in a hurry!”

“Which way did she go?”

The clerk stammer and his soaked eyes shake as his skin tightens and his face turns blue from Medallion's frosty mist covering him. After a few seconds of this, Starswirl kneels down in front of him and looks directly into his shaking eyes.

“Which way did she go?” repeats Starswirl.

“I-I don't know! They went out the front door! Please don't kill me!” sobs the clerk, his tears freezing on his cheeks.

Starswirl thinks for a moment, then he pats him on the cheek and orders Medallion to release him. His companion does so with great reluctance, and he kicks the clerk to the ground while Starswirl stands up.

“I don't feeling like killing anypony else today. Have a nice night,” says Starswirl. He then heads towards the backdoor while motioning his team to follow him. “Come. We have work to do.”

The rest of the cloaked figures follow him, and a tiny smile stretches across his muzzle when he hears the stallion crying on the ground.