...There had been no argument. There was no time, after all. The flurry of activity from all sides had been fast, and near crazed, but everypony had taken up a job and went to it with renewed vigor. Now Dusk sat with Applejack outside the tent they had set up for Fluttershy, and from inside, the muffled voices of Rarity and the wonderbolt cadet Surprise had called Heartsong continued to try and soothe the panicked mare.

In the end, it was Rainbow Dash who needed to be distracted. Bronze Feather and Surprise were airborne with her and the Wonderbolt cadets’ wing, running drills to keep her too busy to worry about her friend.

The sudden arrival of Pinkie's weight against Dusk’s side came as a shock. Until now, she had been the best at keeping herself occupied, focused on making everypony finish their dinner whenever one of them got too quiet and then doing the dishes. Now by torchlight, she had returned to the tent and leaned her head against his shoulder. Looking up at him, she spoke in a quiet whimper. “Dusk, is it my fault for bugging the others to talk about dragons so much?”

Shocked at how soft spoken, and frankly, how worried she sounded, Dusk put an arm around the quiet mare’s shoulders, drawing her back into his chest. “Pinkie, you did nothing wrong. You just wanted to know more about what to expect. Nopony blames you for trying to scare Fluttershy.”

Applejack was there now, wrapping arms around them both, while her fingers began to stroke through the fluffy pink hair of their normally joyous friend, now not so poofy. “Sugarcube, are you okay? You can’t get so down on yourself. Wanta go buck some trees with me? We could prepare a little extra firewood in case we have to stay here an extra day.”

With watery eyes, Pinkie looked up to Applejack, at last nodding and standing up. Her voice was tired and quiet, not her usual, bubbly self. “Yeah, sure. I’m fine. At least then I can be helpful...”

"Dusk, more hot water please." Rarity's voice pulled Dusk’s attention back into the tent at his back. Opening the flap and stepping inside, he took in the room. Various bags of different food and clothing had been piled in by the flap, many had been opened and now lay half-strewn across the floor. Fluttershy lay curled up on the portable cot Rarity had brought along, and was currently curled onto a ball, hugging her knees to her chest under several layers of blankets. The field medic held one of her hands and was quietly whispering to the mare, while Rarity now approached the flap carrying the teapot. "Thank you, darling. I think if you feel up to it, you can come sit with us now. She doesn't want to talk, but she has finally started eating a little."

Raising his hands to take the pot from Rarity, a quake of pain shot up his right arm, reminding Dusk of the two hours he had spent chopping wood, and his competition with Lyra in the spa only days before that. Pushing aside the distracting pain, Dusk took the teapot and gave her a quiet smile. “Alright. I’ll go top off the tea. Maybe you can get a little rest in the meantime?”

Looking away and biting her lip, Rarity went silent for a moment, but at last gave him a small nod. “I’ll stay in the tent just in case, but curling up in your sleeping bag for an hour or two might help, thank you, Dusk.”

Leaning in, Dusk let his lips briefly touch her cheek, a quiet reminder she wasn’t alone, before stepping back out of the tent, and returning to their small campfire. Surprise was just settling in beside the campfire, tending to the dancing flames, while an exhausted Rainbow Dash had stretched out on top of her sleeping bag, giving Dusk a lazy wave before rolling over. And soon enough, she was snoring enthusiastically. With a nod to the mare, Dusk removed the lid of the heavy ceramic teapot before thrusting the teapot deep into the boiling cauldron of hot water. Speaking quietly as he let the excess water run off the sides of the now-drenched, but full, teapot, Dusk tried not to wake up Dash. “She’ll catch a cold sleeping out here like that, even if you keep the fire banked up all night, even more so if she is half as soaked as she looks.”

The mare laughed, watching as he elevated the wet pot with his magic, using a stick to stir the coals. “I’ve got a few of my lazier cadets setting up the rest of your tents. When they’re done, I’ll pour some hot water onto a towel and throw it in her face. It’ll wake her up and she can use it to clean up. Then it’s off to bed. Nopony with that much talent’s gonna get sick on my watch, I can promise you that much, Mr. Ambassador.”

Dusk couldn't help himself, he laughed a little, and held out a hand to the mare. “Thank you, Surprise. You’ve been a lot of help, I’m glad Dash was able to find your wing so quickly. What is Misty Fly’s wing doing? Don’t they need you to relieve them soon?”

Surprise gave a sigh, and slumped her shoulders at his question. “Oh, well we had orders, see? If anything happened, whoever wasn’t keeping an eye on you was to go have words with the Diamond Dog mining pack. They had a treaty, but keep getting sighted well outside of the area they were given access to. So Misty and her wing are probably ‘giving words’ with them right now.”

About to turn away, Dusk stopped, looking back to the mare more carefully. “That’s dangerous though. Diamond Dogs will often attack anypony who gets too close to their territory. Why-” But the answer was staring him in the face, Dusk shook his head. “Because we are too close. Why not just tell us to take the southern route from the start? This dragon hasn’t started defending this area yet, it will be weeks before it’s likely to be a real threat.”

Surprise shook her head and sat back, letting her stick trail smoke as she rolled it between her fingers. “It’s an unacceptable risk to both the citizens and yourself. The longer the dragon has to get settled, the harder it will be to get it to move, and the more likely it is to simply attack you for getting near its cave. So Misty Fly’s wing gets to deal with the dogs. Don’t worry, it’s a small pack, only six or seven miners. She outnumbers them, two to one.”

Dusk shook his head, but returned the lid to the ceramic teapot, still using his magic to avoid the hot surface. Turning to head back to Fluttershy’s tent, he gave the Senior Cadet his thanks. “The truth matters, Surprise, so thank you for giving me it. I’d tell you to go help your friend, but I have a feeling your orders say you can’t.” He paused, not looking back at her, before speaking up again. “Of course, I’ll be busy in the tent looking after Fluttershy. And your second-in-command is probably helping the others set up our tents. Nopony would notice if you took a few of your most trusted cadets and went for ‘a patrol’... just to make sure everything’s okay.”

There was a small giggle behind him as Dusk lifted the tent flap, a quiet voice just loud enough for him to hear. “Yes, Mr Ambassador. I think ‘a patrol’ might be a good idea. I even have a few cadets in mind who could use the exercise. Thank you for the advice.”

Smiling to himself, Dusk returned to the tent, gently lifting the flap with his magic. Inside, Rarity had set herself up in Dusk’s sleeping bag beside the cot, where Fluttershy still lay, her knees curled up to her chest.

Sensing his arrival, the medic, Heartsong, lifted a finger to her lips and warned him to keep quiet. When he set down the teapot on a box, she fished out two small tin cups and carefully poured them both half full, adding herbs from her bag and stirring the blend together. Adjusting her pink and blue wings to give him space to sit by the sleeping Fluttershy’s side, she spoke quietly. "I believe she will feel better by morning, Ambassador. But she still won't tell us what has her so scared. If I had to guess, I'd imagine it's some kind of trauma. But I've only taken a few months of medical training, I'd feel far better if you'd call in an expert or let me take her home."

Dusk had expected the comment. He looked deep into the pool of brown tea in the cup resting upon a box, seeing the reflection of his own conflicted face staring back at him. Tipping back the cup and letting the hot tea wash away his indecision, Dusk looked back to the medic. "If she is better in the morning, we have to push on. Fluttershy is essential; without her, we lose our easiest solution, and our last resort if the dragon is unmanageable. I'd be grateful if you’d stay with us and keep an eye on her. I've planned out several different solutions, but I refuse to risk her health."

While the hot tea rushed through his veins, the medic chewed her lip, watching the mare upon the cot as much as Dusk, himself. Just as he settled his cup down, she finally broke the tense silence. "Alright. Surprise will be more than willing to let me stay. I'll go report to her and then get a few hours sleep. You should too; no amount of dawn blossom can make up for a bad night’s rest."

As the medic rose, Dusk winced at how apt her comment really was, before he gave her a nod. “I’ll sit with her a while, but I’ll get some sleep. Thank you, Heartsong. And sleep well.”

Giving him a nod, the mare left him alone with the two sleeping mares. Still quietly sipping at his tea, Dusk adjusted to lean his weight back against the covenant box, watching the rise and fall of Fluttershy's blanket. “I could just send her home. She is so fragile, so gentle. She isn’t like Dash or Applejack; she doesn’t thrive on a challenge, on competition. She isn’t like Pinkie; she can’t shrug off the danger and laugh at fear. She isn’t like me; she has no duty, nor the experience to try and find solutions. She isn’t even like Rarity, who has pushed herself to adapt to my world, to make herself an independent but ever-growing aid. She is only here because she can help me with one plan… and one act of violence. And yet for that fragile reason, I am marching her into the wild to face a monster that haunts her.”

As Dusk lifted the cup to take another sip, he realized the tea had grown cold over the hours as he got lost in his own thoughts. Just as he turned his head to look out the gap in the tent flap, a grip cupped his wrist, and its matching voice called his attention back. “I... um… I want to thank you, Dusk. You didn’t need to watch over me all night, but-” Fluttershy blushed darkly, swallowing back her own nervous hesitation. “But I’m glad you did.”

That quiet smile, those sad but grateful eyes. Dusk couldn’t help it, he leaned in and gave a soft kiss to the mare’s forehead, ignoring the pangs of pain that shot up his spine as he leaned in. “It is okay, Fluttershy. I am just glad you got in a good rest. I’d better go start waking the others so we can get going again.”

How had he made it through breakfast? Dusk only half-remembered the hussle and bussle. Surprise had never returned, but Misty Fly and her wing had showed up, a few in need of Heartsong’s assistance. The Diamond Dogs had turned out to be very violent when confronted, and had attempted to ambush Misty Fly’s wing upon their arrival. Now one mare lay curled up in the cart beside Dusk, broken ribs and a black eye marked her face. Two more stallions sat on the tailgate of the cart, one with a broken wing, the other with a broken leg.

Exhaustion had forced him to the cart again, once more laying down between the boxes, once more wrapping a blanket over his head for some measure of darkness and warmth against the growing winds. They had stopped for lunch, and Dusk still didn’t think he had really slept for more than an hour, maybe two, in the rocking, swaying cart.

Sitting up, the quiet conversation between Misty Fly and Rarity drew Dusk’s attention. “But the Diamond Dogs buy gems all the time! Why, I used to sell the extra gems I found to a traveling pegasus merchant who often dealt with them.”

Misty Fly shifted her neck, adjusting the sling that held her splinted right arm. “You’re right, I don’t know why they suddenly decided to jump us, but we are damn lucky that Surprise showed up when she did; I doubt we’d have gotten away with only four hurt.”

Rarity was about to press on the conversation, when she saw Dusk had sat up and was watching her. “Thank you for your time, Senior Cadet. Please let me know if you need help with anything, dear.”

Leaving the bowl of leftover soup she had been feeding to the wounded mare, Rarity returned to Pinkie and collected another before wandering over to Dusk’s side. Leaning in and giving his cheek a soft kiss, she held out the bowl and a spoon. “Now, should I feed you so you don’t fall asleep while you eat, or can you even stay awake that long?”

A spike of pain shot up his spine as Dusk reached out to accept the bowl, reminding him of how poorly he had really slept. Restraining himself to only a grimace of discomfort, Dusk lifted the spoon and sipped at the reheated mushroom soup, letting its warmth soothe his hunger. “I’m feeling a little better. It’s just-” He looked around, watching the milling cadets all in the middle of a meal. “I’ve never had so many lives on my shoulders. Entertaining an ambassador’s entourage while The Princess is in a private meeting? That was frightening, but I’d seen mother do it, so I could use that to guide my actions. But this? If I get something wrong in my plans here, forty people are relying on me. Worse, the population of Ponyville, let alone Canterlot, are all at risk if I fail. It’s… it’s hard to just put that off.”

Looking down into the soup, Dusk felt the weight of the mare lean in closer, resting her head to his own, brushing her cheek and against his. Her words were whispers for his ear only, while her fingers stroked through his hair. “Then talk to us, Dusk. We’re your friends, your family, your lovers. We’re all here to help you in any way we can. Please, let us help you.”

Dusk spooned another mouthful of the soup, and then cupped her chin, lifting her head and softly kissing her. “Alright, alright. After lunch, I’ll start walking with you and AJ. Maybe you two will think of something that can help.”

“My greatest fear is how to handle Fluttershy. Not just her help in soothing the dragon to make it easier to drive away, but her fear as well. If she can’t handle herself, we won't be able to summon the elements if all other solutions fail us.” It was an hour later, and Pinkie was taking her turn at pulling the cart, and Dusk was walking well ahead of the cart with his two lovers. “So, what do you think? Is there anything we can do for her? I don’t want to stress Fluttershy any more than I already have.”

Applejack shook her head, arms crossed over her chest as she gave a sigh. “You two were right to ask. I was talking with some of the cadets. There’s a second path to the area the dragon was last seen. If I took Fluttershy that way, we could have more time to talk. Maybe getting her away from others might help her calm down for a little while and relax. Ya think?”

Taken aback, Rarity looked over to the Applejack. “Split up? Are you sure? Even with the cadets on patrol, you two might end up quite isolated, darling.” Clutching at AJ’s hand and resting her head possessively on her shoulder, Rarity looked to Dusk for support. When she saw him floundering, she reached for any desperate answer. “But… well. What about asking Dash and Pinkie?? Surely one of them could come up with a way to help reassure poor Fluttershy, right?””

Dusk took a moment, and thought about the suggestion, and thus walked along with the mares in silence for some time. In the distance, he could see Dash and Misty Fly’s wing, or at least, those who were still healthy, flying another patrol. At last, he started to break down his judgement out loud. “First, we have little time, I’m guessing this patrol will find we are within an hour of the junction at most.” Looking to the mares, he got nods of agreement, and thus he continued. “Secondly, Pinkie Pie is a great friend, but you’ve seen her, right? She doesn’t have a middle pace. She charges at everything headlong and without restraint. We tell her about Fluttershy, and she’d be halfway through baking a ‘Sorry you’re scared of dragons’ cake before we could tell her to be subtle about it.” Again he was met with nods, AJ’s instantaneous, whereas Rarity took a moment to consider before relenting. “Thirdly, Dash might be younger than Fluttershy, but from everything I’ve seen, she’d either escort Fluttershy back to Ponyville, or simply shrug it off, stating she can protect Fluttershy from the dragon, no problem. Both are not amiable solutions.”

Rarity at last spoke up here. “But she could go with Applejack and Fluttershy. After all, she is her oldest friend. That must be worth something??”

Applejack shook her head, refolding her arms over her chest. “She might, but it’s Dash. She hates delays, anything we told her short of the truth might backfire. And the full truth would only end as Dusk said. Just my two bits, sugarcube.”

Rarity deflated, and gave a nod. “Alright, I admit it. You’re both probably right. So, Dusk? Any other thoughts?”

Dusk waited for the mares to finish, then gave a nod. “Our fourth concern is how to sell this to the others. I’ve studied the maps from the cadets. If we tell them it’s simply the best choice of path to get the wounded up the mountain safely, AJ’s plan could work with the excuse that Fluttershy should go along as a medic, while Pinkie stays with us so we can get set up while you take the slower path. As for Dash? Have her continue to fly patrols with the cadets. No reason to pull her away from having fun.”

There was silence for a while, as both mares considered the value of his words. Rarity cut the silence as she observed the returning wing. “I yield, Dusk. Applejack’s plan sounds to be the best, and it gives poor Fluttershy some time to relax. I’d like to go with them too, but I think the quiet walk without worrying if she is disappointing me might do her better, anyway.”

Dusk nodded, and looked up to wave as Dash approached at top speed, flying for the pure joy of it, already adapting to the heavy mail shirt with grace. As soon as she landed before them, Dusk called out. ”So Dash? How far? Another mile? Maybe only half?”

“Damn, that was a good guess. Yeah, the scouts were showing me how they estimate travel time and distance, and we all came up with the same rough figure. Around about half a mile. Then we gotta ditch the cart and the wounded. It’s a shame, the other path is a lot smoother, but it’d take at least another five or six hours if we go that way.”

Suddenly, inspiration struck, and Rarity stepped forward, her eyes aglow. “Why, Dash! That’s a marvelous idea! If we split up, why, we could send AJ and the wounded the slow way, while the rest went the short path! Furthermore, it would allow us to scout out the dragon’s den and set up while we awaited the wagon’s arrival!”

Sensing her line of thought, Dusk and AJ joined in, each acting as if the idea had only just dawned on them. “You’re right!” Dusk cried. “And that way, we could bring all the supplies, no need to leave anything behind in the cart.”

AJ gave a stern nod, and lightly clipped Dash’s shoulder with a friendly punch. “Plus, it means it’ll be easier for the cadets to guard their wounded. Nice going, Dash.”

Taking the bait, Dash shrugged, grinning like a fiend. “Not to mention, it gives me an excuse to fly some more with the cadets! This is so awesome! Can I tell Senior Cadet Misty Fly? Please!!?”

Silken Flight smiled to herself, crossing her arms over her chest and giving a nod. The organized chaos of organized movement around her was impressive; truly the ‘Bolts were proving their worth today. “Still can’t get used to the feeling of standing on a moving cloud, but otherwise? I dropped the bomb, and they all moved into action without a moment of doubt.” A mare rushed to her side, tugging sharply at her thickly cloaked sleeve, and making her shift her attention to the young mare. “Yes?”

Saluting sharply, the mare leaned in, yelling at the top of her lungs into Silk’s ear in hopes of being heard over the growing wind, not to mention the thick padding of the extreme elevation gear. “The scouts have accessed our current pace, we should arrive over the target in five or six hours! Should we send part of the scout force ahead!? They’ll beat us by a good three hours if we send them out right now!” “

Silk shook her head, leaning in to yell into the mare’s ear in return. “No, just have them take turns assisting those hauling our camp to make it easier on everypony while avoiding exhaustion!” The mare saluted, and rushed off to the gathering scouts, barking out orders that were mostly ripped away by the harsh wind.

Silk ignored her, and went instead to the back of the cloud, a definition that now suddenly carried some serious weight, as their movement was reaching its top speed, and the breeze only worsened as she approached the edge. Like a shot, Blaze was suddenly at her side, a spare safety strap gripped in one fist and latched to the harness built into her suit. Leaning in close and pointing over the edge, Blaze’s voice could hardly be made out over the roar of the wind… or the army of wings that lay only a short distance away. “Sorry, can’t risk you going over! Not at this height, let alone the speed! Most pegasi would be risking breaking a wing, you’d never be able to handle it!”

Silk gave a nod, ignoring the unintentionally insulting comment, then took up Blaze’s offered arm, before leaning over the edge of the cloud to look down at the collected muscle that was pushing their cloud. The roaring wind did not hide that this was not a display of speed or grace, but rather an act of teamwork and strength. Shockingly, of the fifty pairs of wings below, twelve were clearly griffon, providing the greatest portion of the muscle on display. Their uniforms were still that of the Wonderbolts, but she’d guess they were not often put on display at the stunt shows for the public. “Or then again, maybe they are. After all, back at the line, I’ve seen a griffon lift a cart and carry it a mile without support. Let’s see any pegasus repeat that act without breaking their back.” The thought made her grin, but she squeezed Blaze’s hand, and the lieutenant pulled her back over the edge, showing surprising strength against the blasting winds.

Only once they had backed away from the edge until they were at the limit of her strap did Blaze unlatch it, passing it to one of her seconds, and taking Silk’s hand in a firm grip before guiding her to the center of the cloud, where the command tent had been. All the tents had been collapsed and secured; no reason to add extra friction, nor risk a tent collapsing and blowing over the edge. Here, a secret hatch was opened, and a hidden ladder was revealed. Just before entering, Silk looked to the front of the cloud, where a team of the medium and high speed flyers were taking off, all with tow straps attached to their flight suits. They might not add much to their speed, but they could reduce the load on their stronger companions, and even that would help in the long run.

Stepping into the hole, Silk got the uncomfortable feeling of claustrophobia, the hatch sealing over her head as Blaze slid it shut. The breeze died, and she could finally hear her own breathing at last. Below her feet, she could just feel a second wheel, the hatch lid. As cramped as the small chamber she waited in, she considered staying there, knowing the questions that waited below. “But Blaze will want in next, and I’d better give them their answers. They’ve run an efficient operation with no explanation.”

With her knees pressed up to her chest in the tiny airlock, it was awkward to twist open the hatch and open the airlock to the hidden command center inside the cloud. This time, the conversation died the moment she stepped into their presence, all three Wonderbolts tensing up in their own ways. The loud clank of metal on metal told her Blaze was about to join them, so she moved in the tiny metal room, shifting against the wall and sliding around the room to a free pillow. No extra space had been wasted, and even as she sat, the cold metal of the wall against her exposed wings sent a chill up her spine.

Spitfire pushed a thick cup of hot chocolate to Silk, her voice tense. “I hope we have managed to live up to the princesses’ expectations? Can we finally receive more detailed orders?”

Eyeing the cup for a moment, Silk slipped a hand under her flightsuit, pulling free a folder and tossing it to the counter. The creek of the airlock opening drew no attention, save Silk’s own, as she gave Blaze a small nod. Only when the hatch was sealed did she speak up while the others were pulling apart the parchment, reading it quickly. “Princess Luna has entrusted me with the full details of this operation from the start. I know you’re all still sore from spending the last few days at such high altitude for what feels like no reason at this point. Well, tough. We are moving in to act as emergency assistance to the Elements of Harmony. You four are to assign your best stealth flyers to go into position atop clouds surrounding the mountain, and the moment it appears they have lost control of the situation, we are to move in and protect them at all costs.”

Fleetfoot threw the scroll she had been reading to the pile, shaking her head. “So why the deception? We can keep a secret, and follow orders. If you’d followed Blaze’s request yesterday, we’d already be in position, by the Light!”

Halfway through a mouthful of her steaming hot chocolate, Silk needed a moment. A moment that Blaze filled, sitting down and eying the papers. “Because of who they are, Captain. Think on the reports we were given on Rainbow Dash and the ambassador alone. Dash rated first in her class in flight school for potential as a scout, from perception to memory. That's why they had us set up base so high up. After all, even our scouts struggle to find their way back without a guide. And the ambassador-”

Fleetfoot cut her off, and groaned a little. “And if Rainbow Dash said ‘Oh, that’s weird, that one cloud is moving against the wind’, Dusk never would have let go of that nagging feeling. Alright, I get it. The orders are supposed to cover any mistakes by the cadets, and the dragons give us a reason to be so close and in such large numbers.” Turning to her side, she punched Fire Streak in the shoulder. “When this is over, remind me to cancel the punishment drills for the scouts. They shouldn’t be punished for not finding two dragons that didn’t exist.”

Ignoring the blow as best he could, the stallion rubbed a finger over his page. “So, we are to state we managed to peacefully resettle the two invading dragons? I’d suggest we take any spare time we have to debrief both wings before this operation begins. In fact, I’d include the whole support wing in that debriefing, griffons included. The cadets spend a lot of time with them at the training yards, we don’t need too many ponies talking too much.” For a moment, he fell silent, but he couldn't help but grin. “I’m impressed. Create a false panic about a series of dragon invasions to test out the Elements in the field. Dangerous, right? What has the princesses so worried, I wonder?”

Silk turned to the stallion, and shook her head. “Stop those questions. Trust me, they have plans in motion, and making sure the Elements are ready is a big part of it. Now I’m going to bed. I’d suggest you prepare to implement your new orders. In six or seven hours, this will hopefully all be over.”

Turning away from the others and opening the only other door besides the airlock, Silk stepped into the tiny bedchamber inside the stealth outpost. The door was quickly resealed, and she waited for her eyes to grow accustomed to the low green glow of the magic that only just illuminated the chamber. Hardly six feet wide, there was only a bed and a small dresser. “Spyholes. Why did it have to be a spyhole? Next you’ll have me living in the palace, or serving at one of the ‘salons’ in Canterlot. Princess Luna, by the Night, when this is over, I swear I’m requesting a few months back at the griffon border. At least there the only metal boxes you’ll get thrown into is a griffon stewpot.” Curling up alone in the cramped metal bed, Silk let her mind drift away from the hidden base inside the cloud, and back to better memories. “Then again, the border doesn’t have as good of company as you do, princess. I’ll sleep now, maybe you’d care to join?” The thought was wicked, but pleasant, and as she drifted away to sleep, she let her mind return to that warm night in Luna’s private baths.

Lowering the blanket back over the poor mare, and covering her broken ribs again, Fluttershy shook her head. “I’m sorry. I know it hurts, but after what Heartsong has given you, I- I just don’t think it’d be safe to give you anything for the pain. Maybe I can offer you something to help sleep? Some dream weed, maybe?”

The busted mare gave a nod, and when Fluttershy put the dried herb to her lips, she chewed at it in silence, wincing in pain that she was unable to ignore. The whole time, Fluttershy stroked at the mare’s hand, attempting to whisper soft soothing words of support. When she at last fell asleep, Fluttershy would look over to the two stallions sitting at the edge of the cart. “Is there anything I can help you two with? Heartsong said you two didn’t take any pain medication yet.”

Both stallion’s gave her a polite wave, the taller one speaking up first. “We are fine, but thanks for your concern. We can keep an eye on her while she sleeps if you want.”

Fluttershy gave him a nod and climbed from the cart, happy that she had been able to help the cadets a little. Walking to catch up with Applejack at the front of the cart, she gave a small sigh. “The cadets should be fine, for now. But I’d really rather take her back to Ponyville. I think she needs serious medical care.”

Applejack reached out, and gave Fluttershy’s hand a squeeze. “I understand, but you shouldn’t focus on that, sugarcube. They all’d probably end up following us on foot if we tried leaving them behind, so instead we bring them along and keep them safe.”

Leaning momentarily against Applejack for support, Fluttershy felt weight coming free of her shoulders. “Oh, yes. I know what you mean. It’s like if you all were to try and leave me behind. I’d feel so bad, I’d have to chase you down. You’re my friends, after all.”

AJ had to watch her shy friend for a while, not fully sure where that insight had come from. Overhead, the faint roar of a passing group of cadets on a patrol flight reminded her of the real reason she was here. “Thank you, Fluttershy. It’s good to know we haven't forced you to come with us against your will, but if you need time to yourself or some peace and quiet, just tell me, it’s not like you’ve got the same kind of blockheaded stubbornness like me and Dash, or Dusk’s training.”

“Oh, no. I’ll be fine, I promise. It’s scary, but I just don’t want to think what’d happen if I left you all alone!” And that was that. Fluttershy beamed at AJ, together they continued their walk, trading casual conversation, until-

AJ should have seen it coming. She should have been paying more attention to the rough dirt path. It wasn’t even that bad of a gap, just a small crevice between two rocks, but it was just tight enough to catch her ankle and pin her foot. Trapped between the cart strapped to her back and her ankle caught in the hole, AJ braced her hands on the ground, panting for breath through the pain. Kneeling at her side, Fluttershy whimpered, fingers stroking at AJ’s hair. “I could try pushing the cart back. The stallions say they can get out and help me give it a push, wouldn’t that help?”

“Dear Celestia, no! Don’t touch it! Strapped in like this, it would only tug me back. Give me a minute to try and think this through, all right?” Applejack stared at her hands, at the ground, and shifted her weight back to her knees, trying to think her way out of this situation. Bracing her weight on her good knee, she tried to hook one foot under the other, pushing her shoulders back to try to reduce the cart’s weight upon her legs. Gravel bit into her knee, and for a moment, she had everything lined up, her good ankle pressing up against the trapped one, and finally removed the pressure of the cart.

For just a moment, she paused, closing her eyes and catching her breath, and then pushed again, using her heel to force her ankle free of the hole, until the gravel under her knee shifted again and broke her balance, all in one motion freeing her foot. But it caused her to fall forward, the cart violently tugging forward again, its front edge rolling over her now-freed foot, and jamming it violently flat against the ground. For a moment, her heart raced; had that been the telltale crunch of bone? Visceral pain shot up her right leg, and all she knew was a world of red and black shades.

Fluttershy’s voice kept screaming at her from some immeasurable distance, but she couldn’t make any sense of it, the stabbing pain in her ankle making it nearly impossible to focus on what Fluttershy was saying, or what she wanted. Something was forced between her teeth, and she realized Fluttershy was force feeding her some herbs. Fighting back the overwhelming pain, she chewed at the herbs and swallowed, before allowing the darkness to overwhelm her.

Rarity gave a sigh, quietly reorganizing the wood in the bonfire with a stick, attempting to find a way to even out the height of the flames that danced in their bonfire. “I wonder, do you think the dragon will be grateful? After all, we are here in peace, and just want to try to keep things safe for everypony. That must be worth a reward, right?” As her suggestion was met with silence and stares, she gave a little pout. “What! It’s not like the dragon will be able to carry its whole horde at once, right? Surely we can help it with the lesser gems to make its life easier!”

A soft song drew at Applejack's sleeping mind, a lure to pull her free from her deep slumber. Her eyes felt heavy, and as much as she struggled to fight back their weight, it wasn't until the tea touched her lips that she was at last able to push it back and open her eyes.

Fluttershy knelt over her, clutching the cup to AJ's lips, still helping her to drink, and all the while humming a quiet song for her friend. As she noticed her eyes opened, she grinned, her voice soft. "It's only been ten minutes or so. I think Dash’s next patrol lap should pass us soon. Then we'll get you up and Pinkie can pull the cart the rest of the way."

"The cart! It had rolled over my legs when I managed to slip my foot free!" As the memory sparked, AJ forced herself to sit up, ignoring the sparks in her head and Fluttershy’s feeble protests. Looking around, she realized that the cart sat only ten feet away, the two injured stallions standing watch at each bend of the road, naked spears at the ready regardless of their respective wounds. "Fluttershy, how'd you ever...?"

The mare blushed dark red at Applejack’s moment of clarity, looking away and finishing off the cold tea herself. When she looked back and saw Applejack hadn’t dropped the question that remained unanswered. She answered, her voice quaking. "When you screamed and your ankle twisted so violently, I- I panicked. I'm sorry, AJ, but I cut you out of the harness and threw the cart out of the way. I- I don’t think I broke anything except your towing harness. I'm sorry."

Applejack looked down at her ankle, and the splint that had been inserted inside her boot and bandaged tightly against the splint over the outside of the brown leather boot, all without ever removing the boot itself. Her ankle was tender, yet she was already sure it would handle her weight without having to stand up to test her weight on it yet. "Don't be sorry, Fluttershy! You kept your calm and took care of my rolled ankle. As for your little 'panic attack' and my towing harness? I'd say you chose well. Besides, rigging together a busted harness? That ain't a problem for an Apple."

Rather than risk her ankle, Applejack had Fluttershy bring her the remains of the harness and her supply bag from the wagon, all while carefully watching her timid friend with an eye for the little details she had never thought to enquire about before. "Is this Dusk’s fault? Little details like this never nagged me before, but now? Now I can't help but see how Fluttershy lifts my heavy bag free of the cart with only one hand, when Rainbow Dash herself would struggle to do it one-handed, and she’s far more fit than Fluttershy! Dare I even think it?"

Accepting her bag, Applejack removed the carrying straps near the joint they had been sewn to, and set to work with her leather worker’s needle, stitching the harness back together while trying to approach the nagging thought with a more casual approach. “So, Fluttershy, why’d ya ever get so interested in work as an herbalist anyways?”

The pegasus shook her head, fingers busy idly stroking her own pink mane. “It was my father, mostly. He was sick a lot as a colt, and even as he grew older, his condition only worsened. I… I don’t like talking about it.”

This had stolen AJ’s full attention, but she knew not to push the mare; her friend was so fragile at times. “Ah, I figured it was ‘cause of how anxious you get at times. What about your mother? She still taking care of dad up in Cloudsdale?”

Fluttershy’s nervous fingers started pulling through her hair more aggressively now, and she refused to look back at AJ as she talked, instead watching the sky, and talked as if from far away. “No. My momma was an earth pony. She ran a little farm outside of Manehatten for years. She and dad couldn’t stay together, not after he got tram-” The mare cut herself off, chewing at her lower lip and giving a sniffle.

Realizing just how close she had gotten to a sensitive subject, AJ let it drop, but already she had the answers she needed. “No wonder Fluttershy’s so strong, yet such a weak flyer. Half-breeds might be rare, but it happens.” And then there was that last part. Her father had been trampled, but what could trample a pegasus?

The sudden cry from above pulled her attention from her work. “Geez, guys, what happened? Should I go rush off and get Heartsong? Are you okay, AJ?”

As talkative as Rainbow Dash was, the sudden harsh glare from Bronze Feather silenced her, leaving the younger mare to look sheepish and land at their side. Shockingly, Bronze had already started to strip off her armor as they came down, and was issuing orders to the cadet patrol she had been accompanying. “Rainbow Dash, take two of the fastest cadets and report back to the ambassador, and then return with Heartsong unless he issues you new orders. I’ll start pulling the cart. The rest of this patrol, lash the cart with your tow cables after helping Applejack settle in the back with the others.” As everypony froze up, she sighed, and clapped her metal gauntlets together, the harsh sound of the violent clash of metal one few would forget quickly. “I may not be your commanding officer, but I do rank above you, even if I am younger than anypony here besides the wandering fool. Now go!”

And that was that. Stripped down to only her breast band and the thick protective leather breeches she wore under her armor, Bronze accepted the jury rigged harness from Applejack, and piled her armor in a spare corner of the cart. No earth mare, she struggled to get the wagon moving, shoulders bulging from the strain of effort needed to get the cart rolling, until the collected cadets began attaching their tow straps to the cart, and then together they picked up the pace. Sitting in the back of the cart with the wounded cadets, AJ couldn’t help but ask. “Why’d she call Dash a wandering fool? Did we miss something?”

In the end, it was the mare with the broken ribs who answered her, the stallions were too embarrassed to meet her eye. “I only heard this secondhand, but, well… when Surprise’s patrol first arrived, Dash was really hyped up about flying with them. And when that got boring, she started trying to dare everypony to a race instead of just the casual patrols. When nopony would, she started trying to fly laps around two or three patrols at once, and ended up getting a little lost, so we had to cut our patrols thin to find her. After that, Bronze gave her a real dressing down, and I guess the nickname kinda stuck around.”

AJ groaned. “Of course, it all makes sense. That’s just who Dash is. I hope Bronze wasn’t too brutal on her, but maybe it’ll help remind that not everything’s fun in the Wonderbolts, yet alone in the military life.”

Dusk’s axe bit into the wood with every stroke. Each powerful swing, one after another, threw the iron blade into one log after another, while his shoulders were finally relaxing into the straining effort of every blow. Pinkie had demanded to go help bring the cart back, and he could already hear the now familiar sound of Bronze flying into position behind him, attempting to avoid distracting him, while setting herself up to stand guard. He wondered if she knew that she had an oddly distinct sound that marked out her flight, just like Dash and Fluttershy... or was it that all pegasi had a different sound in flight? He had never spent enough time around any of them to notice that. His next swing split the woodblock in half, and as he took a step back, without turning, he addressed the mare. “Did you have to send both of them away? Surprise says her second works too hard. He could have had an easier shift watching me, instead of putting her wing through another series of practise laps.”

Unable to hide the shock in her voice as he questioned her, Bronze sat on a rock and pulled out a sharpening stone, beginning her work on the spearhead of the secondhand spear she now held. “She might be right, but I don’t want anypony who thinks your safety is an easy job around. Not if I’ve got any say in it, amb- that is, Dusk Shine.”

Dusk almost laughed at her words, but didn’t mind. She was already growing to be a familiar presence, one he found comfortable to have around. “And the others? How far out are they?” Even as he asked, the growing breeze pushed a fresh scent to him, and he spoke up before she could answer. “You could have bathed first, at the very least, Bronze. You’ve earned that much comfort.”

Interrupted, and then embarrassed, Bronze looked away, and fought off a blush. “I don’t smell that bad, besides, some stallions like a mare with the fresh scent of a hard days’ work. As for the cart? Pinkie looked in good enough shape to get here in another hour, maybe closer to forty minutes.”

Dusk gave a sigh and nodded. “We need tea and food. If the mares think they are ready, we need to go in three hours, right before sunset. Warn everypony, as soon as my friends are done eating and getting refreshed, I’m holding a war counsel. You and the cadets need to be prepared for your part of this mission.”

Bronze froze, watching him, she simply couldn’t tell if her attempted hint had been ignored, or put aside for another time. “He is impossible... but maybe that’s why they all love him. I wish they’d share...” Snapping a sharp salute despite the lack of her proper armor, she replied. “Of course. But only once you’re safely back in camp. Until then, I’ll do my duty, and that means keeping you safe.”

Dusk turned at last, facing her. Not an eyebrow twitched at the sight of the sweat-soaked mare, still only wearing her breast band and breeches. If he noticed her flushed cheeks, and the mixed scent of her excitement, he never commented. He only gave another nod. “Five more logs, and then we head back. Applejack would never let me get away with any less. I won’t have her worrying about my workout when she’s hurt.” And like that, he returned to his work, with the same diligence as ever.

Dusk unrolled the map, pinning down the corners with spare pegs. While it was a crude drawing he had put together from a larger map of the region as a whole, it got the job done. With the new detailed drawing of their mountainside, Dusk let his finger draw across the page. While he had been bent over and setting it up, the others had gathered, and now stood in a semi-circle around his map. Surprise and Misty Fly, both of their seconds, and Heartsong, with a small pip on her collar reminding Dusk that he had better file the paperwork requesting that decision be made official when they got home. “No reason to leave that as just a field promotion, she’s earned it. Surprise and Misty will sign off without any argument.”

The others came together a little slower, with Bronze Feather supporting Applejack’s right shoulder, and Pinkie her left, despite her protests. She did still limp a little, and Dusk couldn’t ignore it. When all twelve had gathered, Dusk pulled a green-tipped pin from his work bag and impaled it on the cave that lay but a mile away from where they were. Speaking up for the first time since he had checked in on AJ after her return, he kept this organized business first. “This is the cave the cadets have identified as the dragon’s new lair. With no clue when it last fed, we are forced to move in immediately, regardless of injuries we have sustained; we can not risk it awakening and going out to feed.” When there was a moment of shock and confusion, Dusk turned to Surprise and Misty Fly, his voice cutting off the conversation. “You both have the most experience of anypony here. Could your wings take on a dragon in midair? Could they even keep pace?”

In the end, Misty Fly answered after a long shared look with Surprise. “Maybe, but it depends on what species of dragon, and if its a lazy one or not. If it’s as big as reported, we probably couldn’t, I’m sorry, Ambassador.”

That killed the argument, and he moved on. “I’ve selected this ridge as our approach. It is open, clear, and level.” Using chalk, Dusk drew a white line from their current camp to the dragon’s cave, before taking out a handful of pins. “I will take you all with me to the cave mouth. The cadets are to move the wounded, minus Applejack, to this cave. It’s too small for the dragon to follow them into. Afterwords, they are to disperse into a rescue formation circling around the cave mouth. The moment things get out of hand, Heartsong, you are to give the signal and they will swoop in, pulling out everypony who cannot fly on their own. This is to only happen if we fail to summon the Elements of Harmony, or if I signal for a retreat.”

Again, the gathered ponies looked to one another, and for a moment, they questioned him, but this time, they dropped off when he looked up at them. Dusk opened his sack wider, and removed the thick, silk-lined pouch that protected his crown, stroking the massive pink gemstone before lowering it to his own head. The others were already wearing their chokers, but he felt… somehow wrong to be wearing a crown. “Our approach takes on several plans and backups. I’ve already discussed them all with the other elements, but I will inform you all of the overall plan. Alpha:” And here, Dusk looked up to Fluttershy, smiling to her. “Me and Fluttershy will walk into the dragon’s cave, announce ourselves and the long list of my titles, and attempt to politely talk the dragon down. Princess Celestia provided me with a list of items we are willing to gift to the dragon in hopes of bribing it to leave peacefully.” Fluttershy whimpered, and started to squirm at the suggestion, and Dusk could feel it now, with the crown resting on his brow.

“But, it’s a dragon! I- I can’t! Not after what dad-”

Dusk forced the thoughts from his mind, he knew it was going to return, but he felt intrusive, unwilling to pry into the mare’s mind unbidden. He continued, trying to ignore the guilt of invading Fluttershy’s mind. “Should that fail, we will retreat, and move to Beta. At that point, once we are safely out of the cave, Dash, Surprise and your choice of a replacement, Misty Fly, will fly in and deploy as many drakesbane pouches you can carry. We are going with standard Wonderbolt operating procedure and using unlit pouches for safety’s sake. Once you three are clear of the cave, as long as the dragon isn’t chasing you out, Bronze Feather, along with your seconds, will attempt to light the drakesbane with flaming arrows. In the event that the dragon is following our retreating members, Rarity and myself will attempt to blockade the cave mouth only until the drakesbane ignites. The moment it does ignite, regardless of the dragon’s position, we will call for a full retreat, and drop the shielding spell. Dragons will not return to a cave seeded with drakesbane save to retrieve their horde, but the smoke is poisonous to ponies, so nopony is to remain behind, regardless of the situation.”

As he let the plan sink in, Dusk realized that the other element bearers were fingering their chokers, and looked apprehensive. “If that fails, and we are unable to retreat or fend off the dragon, we will move to Omega. Only in the event of a failure to retreat, are you authorized to instead help us all to gather, so we might depend on the Elements of Harmony to try and put down the dragon. It’s never been attempted, so we have no clue how that will go, or even if the elements will affect a dragon. I apologize I have no better solutions, but with the size, strength and speed of a dragon, let alone their magic, we have no better answers.

“Misty Fly, pick your representative for the Beta plan and send them to join us, then take command of both cadet wings and get the wounded and the wagon to that cave. When you’re sure they are safe, you may return to us, but unless your arm magically heals, I want you at a distance, organizing the cadets and watching for Heartsong’s signal. You are under orders not to approach under any circumstances outside of the Omega Plan being activated, and even then, I wish I could impress upon you how much I hope you’ll keep your distance and follow my orders.”

The glare the mare gave him in return told Dusk she was ready to break them right now, but for the moment, she respected his authority and gave in to him. Saluting with her good arm, she kept her answer brief. “Of course, ambassador. I will head out now.”

Dusk looked over those who remained, hunting in the eyes of nine of the ten who were still with him. Fluttershy’s eyes spoke volumes to him, and he had to ignore them, ignore her fear. “Any final questions before we head out? Because I want this done before sunset. I don’t look forward to the idea of dealing with a dragon at night.” When all he received was a few nods and some quiet mumbling, Dusk relaxed, and sat back. “Then get ready. We need to leave immediately.”

When Applejack put an arm around Fluttershy’s shoulder, Dusk thought he should have felt surprised, but the voices he was trying to ignore whispering through the crown had already told him. Fluttershy was hunting for comfort, and somehow, she felt Applejack understood her best. He let them be, and retrieved the heavy satchel of paperwork, both documentation of his new titles and rank, as well as lists of things Princess Celestia was willing to offer for peace with the dragon. A sudden cold, metallic touch on his shoulder pulled his attention back to the there and then. Bronze’s armor gleamed, and her voice was back to business again. “Ambassador, you’re not carrying that yourself, are you? It’s not proper.”

The shock of the question floored Dusk’s train of thought, leaving him staring slack jawed up at the mare. “I- I was. Barb’s busy back home, and I’d never impose on Applejack or Rarity.”

Shaking her head, Bronze pulled his pouch away, and shifted it onto her own shoulder, clipping it in place with the same bolt she had used to bring it to him only a few days before. Dusk was half-tempted to make her give it back, yet as the mare shifted its weight as a counterbalance to her lance, he gave in. “Thank you, Bronze Feather. You’ve been a massive assistance these last few crazy days.”

The mare saluted him stiffly, before answering. “If you ever need a captain of your guard, ambassador, simply ask. If I pass my trials, I’d be honored to receive such a post.”

Pinkie’s voice suddenly cut through the air, the cheery mare having picked the worst of times to speak up. “And that cloud looks like a dragon attacking Ponyville! Isn’t that weird!??”

Dusk felt Applejack’s boiling rage through the crown, and Fluttershy’s panic drowning out all of her existing thoughts. Applejack’s voice came next, a mirror to the anger he felt her dishing out. “Pinkie, please! This ain’t no time for clouds! Can’t you ever take anything seriously!?”

Pinkie wilted like a flower, and shook her head, looking up to AJ. “I… I’m sorry. You and Fluttershy were just having such a quiet little conversation and then the cloud that was totally so- um-” As she realized all she was getting in response was a frustrated glare, Pinkie gave up and shut up, shifting her share of AJ’s weight and guiding her to catch up with Fluttershy who was busy digging through her bag and looked horrified.

Dusk gave in, and pushed away his feelings of guilt, reaching into Fluttershy’s mind through the gateway the crown gave him. The mantra he heard inside her mind almost scared him more then the dragon.

“I mustn’t run away, I mustn’t hide! They are my friends; no dragon, no DRAGON will keep me from helping them. Dear Celestia, give me the strength not to abandon my friends!”

Author's Notes:

Here we are, finally Dusk will face the dragon. But with Fluttershy on the edge of a panic attack, will the mane six be able to hold together and take care of the dragon? Find out next week on Dragon Ba- OK that's a dumb joke. See you guys in a week or so when I can at last finish this chapter!

On the personal side: Between screwing up my knees a few days ago and a bit of a bought of insomnia, I've been sleeping for an hour at a time at the most, and it's lead me to going kinda batty. Hopefully the new painkillers will let me try to sleep better.

On the progress side: I made some use of my insomnia and got about 20-30% of Part 5 done already, so that's worth something.