The sphere created by the Element of Magic shone in the sky, almost like a second Sun...that was slowly falling.

"Hey, Sweetie, we're starting to fall" Babs started, eyes widening a bit before she hunkered into a ball defensively. Scootaloo let out a raucous laugh and prepared to tell Babs how wrong she was. Gravity took effect before she could.

"WE'RE FALLING!" Sweetie screeched, her horn shutting off as fear took hold.

"No kidding!" Babs snapped back just as their sphere smashed against the ground with a loud thud, leaving a crater and smashing what was left of the dog's body to powder. The bubble turned off and Sweetie Belle rolled forward, grabbing her head and moaning in pain. She blanched when she realized her head was underneath Scootaloo.

"S-sorry" Sweetie mumbled, red coloring her cheeks as she backed off. Before she could move much further, Babs suddenly gasped and tackled her to the ground, covering her like a lion protecting its cubs.

"Looks like the dog had friends" she snarled, looking up at another stone dog, smirking at them hungrily. It managed to take one paw step forward before a spear buried itself in the stone that was its heart. The spear had been carried by gray furred pony with bubbles for a cutie mark, her crossed eyes squinting as she attempted to pull the spear out. The dog let out a pitiful whine before falling over, letting a blue maned unicorn climb on top of it. "Shining Armor!" Babs laughed, heading up to join their rescuer.

"New friends, huh?" Scootaloo chuckled, looking around at an assortment of ponies and gryphons that had followed Shining Armor, all holding weapons of some sort. They were obviously the ponies who had been fighting the monsters in the attack that preceded the stone dog's attack.

"Yup, these are the guys who saved me from Chrysalis's bug cave" Babs affirmed as Shining Armor stepped forward. The former captain of the royal guard had one eye scarred over, but still managed to have an air of regality about him

"So, this is the Cutie Mark Crusaders that Babs told me about. I got to say, that was a nice job taking down a rock dog" Shining Armor complimented, giving Scootaloo a slap on the shoulder. Scootaloo slapped back, grinning widely. This was awesome, talking to the captain of the royal guard!

"Babs, you got your Cutie Mark?" Sweetie murmured, looking at Babs's flank. On it was a hoof with shiny metal on it, like the pony who had it was made of metal or something.

"Yeah, turns out, I'm pretty good at smithing. Made these myself" Babs replied, showing off some spiked horse shoes. Sweetie nodded in amazement at the dangerous weapons. No wonder Babs had been able to shatter the rock dog's leg with a kick. Those things were powerful!

"Everybody, tuck in for the night! We're moving to Apaloosa next and I want everyone to be at their best!" Shining Armor ordered, his voice clipped and military. The resistance began shifting about, setting up camp. Small fires were set up and tents got pitched, sleeping bags being put inside them

"You can stay with me" Babs offered to the two other crusaders, setting up her own tent. In no time, Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Babs were in sleeping bags next to each other.

"Thanks for saving my ass, Sweetie" Scootaloo murmured to her friend. The unicorn blushed and curled up, believing herself unworthy of praise. "Yes indeed, leaving Ponyville was the right call" Scootaloo sighed, snuggling in. Their peace was interrupted by a husky, female voice.

"Most likely, there is much more to see" a zebra spoke, looking upon Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle bondly.

"Zecora!" they said in unison, somehow not waking Babs. The Earth Pony slept like the dead. The zebra nodded before looking at the Element of Magic still on Sweetie's head.

"I am here to see how this crown works. From what I can see, it is your perk" Zecora appraised before turning around and winking at the newly instated resistance members. "I remember you, so I bid you adeiu" she said with a bow as she left the tent.

"I almost forgot about her. I wonder if she still makes potions and stuff" Sweetie mused, suddenly seeing a light outside. It looked like a horn's glow. Scootaloo leaped out first, ready to attack the intruder. Her sword was drawn and she slashed at the shadowy figure, expecting its head to fall off.

"Nice job soldier" Shining Armor chuckled, a shield deflecting Scootaloo's attempt.

"Oops" Scootaloo muttered apologetically while Sweetie Belle followed, looking at Shining Armor's scarred eye. He noticed her staring and touched the damaged tissue.

"It's ugly, I know. When Cadence and Luna were killed by the Power Above and Celestia lost her mind, I tried to fight Celestia...I lost badly. She let me live for some reason though and so now I use this scar to remember what we are fighting for" Shining Armor explained, putting his hoof down. "Those monsters you saw us fighting in Ponyville are Celestia's little magic pets, created out of magic. They round up anyone who doesn't stick to her regime"

"I can't wait to kick their butt" Scootaloo boasted, puffing out her chest but looking rather silly as she yawned at the same time. Shining Armor chuckled and opened up the tent flap once more.

"Alright, back to bed" he ordered, shoving them in telekinetically. Before the two were even in their sleeping bags, they were sleeping. Shining Armor rolled his eyes, closing the tent flap. "No wonder they're exhausted, it's a day of firsts for them Next Chapter: A New Element Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 9 Minutes