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The Dawn of a New Day

by The Silver Shroud

Chapter 9: Read all about it!

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Read all about it!

The area that surrounded Barnyard Bargains, once a place of Daring Do memorabilia, the smell of foals spending their parents money, and significant others spending the others cash, was now a place of horror. Overturned stands were scattered as far as the eye could see along with burnt corncobs and broken helmets. The once proud banners were now covered with words that were poorly written and scraps of bad fanfics littered the green ground.

“My Celestia,” said Rarity as she and the others trotted through the carnage.

“Oh my,” said Fluttershy in agreement.

“Indeed,” said Filthy Rich trotting from behind a Daring Do stuffed doll stand.

“Mr. Rich,” said Twilight. “I was looking everywhere for you, have the guards found anything?”

“I’m afraid not,” said Filthy with a shake of the head. “My princess and her friend are back at home safely, she did however,  receive some nasty scrapes from Miss Apple...Bloom,” he said noticing Applejack.

“What?!” said Applejack. “Are you telling me my little sis got into a fight!?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“I am so sorry about-” said Applejack before Filthy interrupted.

“It’s quite alright Miss Applejack, my daughter cracked when I asked her why she didn’t yell for help,” said Filthy with a sign. “She fought as well, fillies these days.”

“Well I can tell you that Apple Bloom will still get a stern talking to.”

“As will my Diamond,” said Filthy. “But back to the other matters, Princess Twilight?”

“Yes Filthy?”

“Have you’ve seen Miss Yearling? She disappeared after the explosions happened.”

“She’s-” just when Twilight was going to explain that Daring was with Pinkie the author in question came galloping up. “-Here?”

“Miss Yearling,” said Filthy as the mare caught her breath. “I was worried-”

“Mr. Rich! I need you to help me,” said Daring just as Pinkie came down a hill with a limping Octavia who was no longer wearing her robe or blades.

“Oh dear,” said Filthy seeing the injured mare. “What happened?”

“We found Octavia on the ground near a bush!” said Pinkie as she and Octavia reached the others. “Tell them what you told us about unkie Humble!”

“Unkie Humble?” said Filthy confused.

“Pinkie’s uncle,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Awww.”

“I saw Humble foalnapped,” said Octavia as Fluttershy and Pinkie helped her sit down. “And-

“Octy!” said Vinyl Scratch running up to the group as she was chased by guards. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

“I’m sorry my majesty,” said one of the guard with a bow as the other one chased Vinyl around a dizzying Fluttershy. “She ran right past us when we told her that the area was off limits.”

“That quite alright sergeant Rock Fuzz,’ said Twilight. “She’s with us.”

“Of course your majesty,” said Rock as he nodded for the other guard to stop chasing Vinyl and they walked away.

“Yeah!” shouted Vinyl. “Dont mess with me you-”

“Vinyl!” said Octavia with a glare. “Please stop annoying the guards.”

“Annoying them!?” said Vinyl gasping. “I was worried sick about you! I couldn’t find you when the mosh pit when from mosh to smash!”

“Please Miss Vinyl,” said Daring. “Your friend was just telling us something important!”

“Hey your A.K.-”

“Miss Octavia please continue!” said Daring not in the mood for another fan.

“Well as I was saying, I had gone to use the bathroom when I heard the sounds,” said Octavia as everypony nodded. “And when I was trying to get back to you Vinyl, I saw Humble unconscious in a bunch of sheets with two stallions on a boat by the river.”

“Two stallions?” said Filthy. “What did they look like?”

“Well one of the stallions was a yellow coated, target shaped cutie mark unicorn with an eyepatch and the other was chestnut colored earth pony with a scar on his muzzle and spoke with a Trottingham accent along with a bat shaped cutie mark.”

“Humble’s been foalnapped!?” said Rarity throwing herself onto a bench. “Ow! This is not fainting material!”

“Hmmm, I see,” said Filthy nodding. “Well don’t worry Miss Pinkie, I will do everything in my power to get your uncle back.”

“T-thank you,” sniffed Pinkie before hugging Filthy. “Thank you Filthy!”

“Please,” said Filthy with a crack in his mask starting to show. “Call me Rich, now then Princess Twilight the press corps want to know about what happened. Miss Yearling they want your statement too-”

“Tell them I’m fine and to let me think!” growled Daring.

“Yearling, Humble’s going to be fine,” said Twilight patting Yearling and Pinkie on the shoulder before she trotted away with Filthy to a crowd of press ponies.

“Then why do I have this nagging feeling in my gut?” muttered Daring. “Miss Octavia?”

“Please, call me Octavia,” said Octavia as Vinyl helped her up. “Makes things easier.”

“Octavia you said Humble was kidnapped on a boat right?”

“Yeah.”

“Miss Yearling what are ya’ll doing?” said Applejack. “You heard Filthy, he and Twilight are gonna find Humble.”

“I just wanna see if there’s anything the dockmaster knows about those stallions, anypony else wanna come?”

“I’ll come!” said Pinkie raising her hood.

“Me as well,” said Octavia.

“Well, umm, maybe I should stay to warn-tell Twilight,” said Fluttershy meekly.

“I gotta get back to my family,” said Applejack. “But tell me about what ya’ll find,” she said galloping towards Apple Acres.

“And what about you guys?” said Daring to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

“Well I for one am not gonna let my book be left unsigned!” said Rarity trotting over to Daring.

“I’d be crazy not to go on an adventure with you Yearling!” said Rainbow Dash flying over to them.

“You can come, but no messing around. That means no fanfillying!” said Daring to a disappointed Rainbow Dash.

“Fine,” said Rainbow Dash with a sigh.

“And I’m coming too!” said Vinyl. “Even though I have no idea what you’re all talking about.”

“Then it’s settled!” said Daring as the sun hovered over them. “Lets head out!”

The group screamed yay before galloping towards the docks leaving Fluttershy alone.

“Umm, good luck?” she said flying over to Twilight.

The group galloped into town, passing ponies before remembering one small detail they forgot.

“Look!” shouted a filly. “It’s A.K. Yearling!”

“Sign my books!” said a stallion.

“Sign our books, sign our books, sign our books,” chanted the surrounding crowd as they made the group go into a corner.

Darling's eyes grew as the horde of fans closed in. “They’re everywhere!” said Daring.

“Huh,” said Pinkie. “Forgot about that, run!”

The girls galloped and galloped from the chasing crowd, when it looked like there was no hope Octavia remembered something important.

“There’s a alleyway just up the street!” she said throwing a trashcan into the street that only momentarily halted the oncoming horde. They quickly ducked into the alleyway when they went around the corner as the crowd rushed past them.

“I think we lost them,” said Rainbow Dash looking to see anypony had saw them.

“Eeee!” screamed Rarity causing the rest to jump.

“What’s wrong!?” said Daring.

“I got trash water on me!” said Rarity showing a drenched hoof.

“Is she serious?” said Daring to Pinkie.

“Yep,” said Pinkie with a smile. “She got trash water on her hoof.”

“No I mean-you know what? Forget it, it doesn’t even matter as long as that mob is trying to find me,” said Daring looking around to see if anypony had heard them.

“If only there was a way to get past them,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Maybe I could distract them with my awesome skills!” said Vinyl.

“You don’t have any of your equipment Vinyl,” said Octavia.

“Oh yeah.”

“Hmm, I got it!” said Pinkie. “Rarity can make you a disguise at her store!”

“That’s not a bad idea actually,” said Octavia. “But even getting there is gonna take a miracle.”

“Don’t worry your silly little head,” said Pinkie patting Octavia. “I got an idea, Yearling can I have your glasses?”

“My glasses? Why would you need my-huh?” said Yearling as Pinkie took them and ran into the confused crowd.

“Attention everypony!” said Pinkie putting a mustache on.

“Who’s she?” said a mare.

“The better question is, what has she got!?” said Pinkie holding the glasses up high as Daring realized what Pinkie was doing. “I have the original, the first, the real deal, A.K. Yearling’s glasses!”

“Oohhh,” said the crowd getting their wallets.

“The bidding starts at one bit!”

“Genius,” said Daring with a smirk. “Come on Miss Rarity, take us to your shop while Pinkie handles the crowd.”

“Alright,” sniffed Rarity as she lead them past the mob and into the store.

Meanwhile upstairs in the boutique’s guest room,

“He loves me, I love him more,” said Sweetie Belle dreamily picking the petals off a flower with the signed book Button gave her on the nightstand. “He loves me, I love him more. He lov-”

“Sweetie Belle!” said Rarity from downstairs.

“That sounds like a disguise emergency scream!” squealed Sweetie Belle. “Bye Button,” she said giving a small picture of Button having brain freeze a kiss. “What do you need Rar-oh my Celestia,” she said seeing A.K. Yearling at the foot of the stairs.

“Oh not again!” said Yearling as Sweetie Belle jumped off the stairs and pounced on Yearling bringing her into a hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” said Sweetie Belle joyfully.

“Umm, you're welcome?” said Daring confused.

“Sweetie Belle! Why are you hugging Miss Yearling?!” said Rarity with a scowl.

“Because this,” said Sweetie Belle dancing over to Rarity and handing her the book Daring signed.

Opening the book Rarity read aloud.

“To fan, your awesome-A.K. Yearling,” said Rarity. “Where did you get this?”

“Mashy gave it to me,” said Sweetie Belle doing a twirl around Vinyl.

“Mashy?” said Rarity before realizing what had happened to her sister. “Button gave you this!?”

“Button? Isn’t that the colt whose book I signed?” said Daring. “He got you this?”

“Hmmm,” said Sweetie Belle. “He has such a way with words.”

“My little sister is in love!” squealed Rarity.

“Am not,” giggled Sweetie Belle.

“Are so.”

“Am not.”

“Are so.”

“Am not.”

“Are-”

“Enough!” said Daring realizing where this was heading. “I’m sorry to interrupt this, but I really need a freaking disguise so we can find Humble!” she said breathing hard as everypony looked at her.

“What happened to Humble?” said Sweetie Belle. “Is he alright?”

“He’s fine,” said Rarity chuckling nervously. “Umm, how about you go upstairs and, uhh, read my diary!?” she said taking out from a drawer a book titled diary in cursive.

“Oh, the new one’s out!” said Sweetie Belle taking the book. “Thanks Rarity!” she said rushing upstairs.

“Nice sister,” said Daring. “I got a older-omph!” she said as Rarity threw a bunch of dresses at her.

“Makeover!” screamed Rarity as Daring’s eye grew wide.

“But-” before Daring could finish she was thrown into onto a platform surrounded by mirrors.

“Now then I need complete and utter silence when I work,” said Rarity shoving everypony into another room. “Please do not destroy anything,” she said closing the door behind her with the last image being Daring with please help me look on her face.

“I wonder how their kiss was,” said Vinyle.

“Who’s?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Button’s and Sweetie Belle’s.”

“How do you know they kissed?”

“Pfffft, I know a kissy face when I see one,” said Vinyl proudly.

“And I unfortunately know how she does,” groaned Octavia taking a seat on a couch.

Meanwhile inside the other room, Rarity was asking Daring a million questions.

“So which color do you prefer?” said Rarity holding up two rolls of silk, one black and the other lime green.

“Huh?” said Daring confused. “What do you mean?”

“I myself would go with a silver to match your mane,” said Rarity measuring Daring’s head. “And we must get rid of this...attire,” she said ripping off Daring’s clothes.

“What are you doing!?” said Daring. “Those were my only pair of clothes!”

“Now, now darling. When I’m done with you, you’re gonna look magnificent!” said Rarity with a gleam in her eye while Daring stood in fear.


Two and a half hours ago

The boat the two bounty hunters and Humble were on was storming down the great Equine river.

“Are they gone!?” said Stale over the roaring water.

“They were gone three minutes ago!” said Lemon clinging to one of the boats seats. “Turn it down!”

“FIne,” groaned Stale pulling the lever upwards to a sudden stop causing the waves to crash into the boat making it lurch forward.

“Woah!” said Lemon hitting his head against the chair. “Ughh.”

“There, you happy?” said Stale to a sprawled across the floor Lemon.

“I hate you,” said Lemon getting up quickly after realizing their package might have gone overboard. “Is that Humble fella still on board!?”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s right there,” said Stale pointing at Humble who was starting to wake up.

“Huh?” said Humble rubbing his head. “Where am I?”

“A cruise ship,” chuckled Stale. “Come on typy,” he said pulling Humble up.

“Who are you two? Where’s Scootaloo?!” Humble said as Lemon and Stale dragged Humble across the boat.”

“Name’s shut your trap,” said Lemon opening a door. “And I don’t know what a Scootaloo is.”

The boat that Stale had rented was a large electrical river boat with a small cabin that held two beds and a hull under the floorboards perfect for their captive.

“In you go!” said Stale pushing Humble roughly into the dark dank hull.

“For Celestia’s sake Stale!” said Lemon grabbing some rope. “Don’t you know you don’t leave a bounty with their hooves free?”

“Course I do,” snorted Stale as Lemon tied Humbles hooves behind his back. “And I also know you gotta blind’em,” he said tying a rag around Humble’s eyes. “There!” he said trotting backward to admire his work. “The guy’s all ready for some good old S&M.”

“Umm, excuse me?” said Humble. “But why are you two foalnapping me?”

“Lets just say you must’ve rubbed somepony the wrong way,” said Lemon finishing his knots. “And there we go, don’t want ya screaming,” he said putting a final rope around Humble’s mouth.  

“Come on Lems,” said Stale heading towards the doorway. “Let’s get some fresh air while the writer starts thinking about his new book,” he said with a chuckle as he and Lemon trotted out of the room and shut the door tightly.

“Awww,” said Stale breathing in the forest air. “Smell that? Enjoy it while it lasts, the forest ends down a few knots and after that it’s all grassland till we reach Manehattan.”

“If we can, come here,” said Lemon motion for Stale to meet him at the controls for the boat. “See that?” he said pointing at the magic tank’s meter which was in the red zone. “We’re low on magic thanks to your “brilliant” plan of pushing the freaking lever to super fast, were gonna have to make a stop.”

“Buck that, just use some of that magic of yours,” said Stale pointing at Lemon’s horn.

“I can only use basic levitations skills or did you forget that?” said Lemon facehooving. “Listen we’re gonna have to stop at a dock to refuel, let me see the map.”

“Fine,” said Stale taking it out and laying it across a crate.

“Hmmm, there!” said Lemon pointing at a small refueling station. “We can stop there and refuel.”

“And why we’re at it get something to eat,” said Stale rubbing his stomach. “Haven’t eaten all day!”

A muffled sound from under the hooves caused them to pause.

“Let him struggle he ain’t getting free,” chuckled Stale.

"Amph!” said Humble into the damp muzzle on his muzzle. Remembering a technique Coil used when he accidentally tied himself up, Humble relaxed his jaw and was able to use his tongue to roll the muzzle out.

“Oh, I hope Scootaloo’s okay. What have I gotten into?” he said to himself struggling against the ropes binding him. “Just wanted to visit my niece-aghh-these ropes sure are tight. They must be professionals at this sorta thing, if only I could get this blindfold off then maybe I could see if there’s anything useful around.” But Humble couldn’t budge the the blindfold.

“Hmm, if I can lean against the wall I might be able to slip this off,” he said scooting the chair around the room till he came to a wall. Leaning against it he was able to push the poorly tied blindfold off himself. “Pffft!” he said blowing a strand of the rag off his mouth and blinked his eyes open to a dark humid room with a bunch of empty barrels with the words, “Molasses” on them along with a bunch of rusty tools in the corner.

“Jackpot!” Humble said seeing the tools. “If I can scoot over there I can cut these ropes off like Daring...did,” he said remembering the reunion with Dazzle. “Dang it!” he cried delivering a violent jolt that caused the chair to tip. “Uh oh,” Humble said falling down. “Ahh-omph!” he said hitting the ground with a thud. Looking up to see if anypony had heard him he signed with relief when a few moments passed with nopony entering before returning to his anger.

“What is she doing here?! That-b-b-b-b,” But try as he might Humble just couldn't say the word. “-Mare, I bet she has something to do with this!” he said scooting towards the tools while his face was dragged along the sticky floor till he finally reached a old saw. Flinging his body up  he carefully lined his hooves up with the saw. “Aghhh!” shouted Humble as he felt the pain of the the blade cutting into him. “Ok,” he said breathing heavily. “Again.” This time he was able to line the blade correctly with the saw and after a few minutes was able to break free.

“Ah ha!” said Humble joyfully as he flipped the chair upwards so that he was laying on his back. “Now let’s see the damage,” he said taking a look at his cut. “Not as bad as I thought, now just gotta get these off,” Humble said sawing of the ropes holding his legs. “And there! All free,” he said getting up. “Now I just gotta open the door.” But when Humble tried to open the iron gate he found that it was locked. “Of course,” he signed kicking a barrel. “Ouch! Ugh, dang it, dang it! I can’t believe I got foalnapped in the middle of the day just when I learned my ex is alive!” he said kicking a punch of tools before a shine of light from one of the porthole windows made somthing glitter near his hooves.

“Huh?” said Humble seeing the sight of a grey silver feather. “That’s it!” said Humble coming up with a plan before hearing a coo. Looking up Humble saw a pigeon flying away from the partly open porthole. “Thanks little buddy,” said a smiling Humble taking the feather to the lock. “Lets hope this works.”

  Meanwhile back at the boutique,

“I still prefer classic,” said Octavia as Rainbow Dash kept asking her how two musicians can live in the same house and not start to like each other’s genres.

“Trust me, I’ve tried everything,” said Vinyl while drinking some soda. “But she even won’t listen to a little Corpserodent4.”

“Isn’t he a different genre than dubstep?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Meh, still a fellow disc jockey,” said Vinyl crushing the the can against her forehead but aiming too high that it caught onto her horn. “Octy it happened again!” she said trying desperately to reach the can.

“Vinyl just levitate it off,” said Octavia shaking her head.

“Oh yeah,” said Vinyl taking the can off. “Forgot about that.”

After a few more minutes of boredom Rainbow Dash was descending into a deeper sense of boredom, one so deep that the only thing that could keep her from leaving was the fact that her idol was behind that door and a fashion magazine about the wonderbolts uniforms.

“Ugh,” said Rainbow Dash throwing the magazine down when it just came to Fleetfoot talking about how her hooves felt in their new shoes. “Are they done yet?”

Just then the room door opened into a puff of smoke and out came Rarity brushing her mane.

“It took a long time,” said Rarity with a bow. “But I present to you: Mistress Dazzle!” she said as Daring came out.

“Wow,” said Vinyl her jaw wide open.

“Awsome!” said Rainbow Dash with twinkles in her eye.

“Awesome indeed,” said Octavia equally impressed.

Daring had come out in a poma silver colored straped dress that when it hit the light would bring out the silver highlights in Daring’s mane which had been styled into a bun with ear rings of grey stones hanging on them.

“I feel itchy,” said Daring scratching her mane but before she could Rarity swiped at her paw.

“No!” Rarity shouted. “It must stay perfect. Perfect.”

“Umm, okay?” said Daring slightly disturbed. “So are you sure this is enough to get past the crowd?”

“Why of course darling,” said Rarity before noticing a small box on the dining table. “Oh no!” she said rushing to it.

“What’s wrong?!” said Octavia jumping up.

“I forgot to deliver the package!” said Rarity while holding the box that had the longcoat from yesterday inside.

“What’s in it?” said Vinyl taking a quick peek before Rarity glared at her. “Just wanna check, geez.”

“So what is it?” said Octavia curious about the box’s content as well.

“It’s my latest client’s product,” Rarity said opening the box and taking the long robe out as Octavia’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the familiar attire.

“Who asked  for this?” said Octavia her eye twitching.

“How many times must I say this,” moaned Rarity with frustration. “Sometimes I just make the outfit instead of knowing what’s it for. But this outfit still is missing the symbol that the client requested I stitch on the hood.”

“And just out of curiosity what does this symbol look like?” said OCtavia scratching her mane nervously.

“Oh like a triangle with a curved bottom, why?” said Rarity seeing Octavia’s nervousness. “Is something wrong?”

“What do you mean what's wrong? Why would you think something's wrong? I’m not acting suspicious! Your acting suspicious! What’s a longcoat!?” said Octavia finding herself in a corner by being stuck between a vanity desk and stand.

“Umm, well Octavia dear it’s a coat you see that has a tail to it,” said Rarity. “And that’s why it’s called a longcoat.”

“Oh,” said Octavia coming out of the corner. “Um, that’s interesting.” A few moments of silence passed.

“Well,” said Rainbow Dash breaking the silence. “I think we should get going.”

“Let me just finish this stitch and done!” said Rarity having quickly stitched the symbol on during the silence. “Alright, Sweetie Belle! I’ll be back in a bit!”

“Ok!” said Sweetie Belle from upstairs before returning to her sister’s diary. “Today Miss Cheerilee was wearing the most scandalous hat.”

“Okay, you three ready to head out?” said Daring as the others nodded. “Let’s do this, I just hope Pinkie has the crowd under control.

“I got a five hundred bits, a set of teeth, and a scooter,” said Pinkie still auctioning off the glasses.

“Five hundred and two bits, a slice of peach pie, and a nice smelling hat!” said a mare.

“And I got a five hundred and two bits, a slice of pie, and a nice smelling hat.”

“Pinkie whatever are you doing?” whispered Rarity to Pinkie.

“Auctioning!” she whispered back. “Going once, going twice-”

“Twenty thousand!” said voice from behind the crowd. Turning around after a gasp everypony saw Filthy Rich standing with a scowling Twilight.

Everypony decided that twenty thousand was out of their price range and trotted away grumbling.

“Going once, going twice, sold to Filthy!” said Pinkie as Filthy groaned inwardly.

“Thank you Miss Pie but I believe those belong to Miss Yearling, speaking of which where is she?”

“Cough,” said Daring with a blush.

“Miss Yearling? Well I can barely recognize you!” Filthy said giving the glasses back.

“Well that’s the plan Mr. Rich,” said Rarity with a hint of pride in her voice. “I present to you Mistress Dazzle!”

“Dazzle?” said Twilight confused.

“It was my mother’s maiden name,” said Daring. “But what are you doing here Princess Twilight? I thought you and Mr. Rich were taking care of the press.”

“Well we were doing that, but when it was over we couldn't find you,” replied Twilight as Rainbow Dash and Pinkie whistled. “Luckily Fluttershy was able to tell us what you were doing,” she said pointing at Fluttershy who was hiding behind a tree.  “That’s when we saw Pinkie auctioning Yearling glasses. So could you please explain why you girls left?”

“We’re trying to find unkie Humble,” said Pinkie jumping off the crate she was standing on and taking her mustache off. “But you were to busy talking to the camera ponies.”

“Aww Pinkie,” said Twilight nuzzling Pinkie. “You have to understand I’m a princess now and I have responsibilities.”

“I Know but, my unkie Humble,” said Pinkie nuzzling back.

“I know and since I’m done with the press I think I can spare a few moments to help find your unkie Humble. I already have some guards looking for him-omph!” said Twilight as Pinkie brought in into a hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” said Pinkie jumping up and down with Twilight.

“Mo throme,” muffled Twilight.

“Huh?” said Rainbow Dash.

“No problem,” said Twilight gently pushing Pinkie away. “Now how about we head over to the docks, Mr. Rich are you coming?”

“I’m afraid I must return home, I have to let my investors know that there is no issues,” said Filthy with a nod and started trotting toward his house but not before noticing the hood of Rarity’s longcoat slipping out of it’s box his eyes widening at the sight of it.

“Um, excuse me Miss Rarity,” said Filthy calmy. “But might I ask what who that outfit is for?”

“Outfit?” said Rarity before seeing the hood slipping out. “Oh my! Thank you Mr. Rich, my client would be horrified if they found mud on it.”

“And whose they?” said Filthy curious.

“For the last time I don’t know the owners,” said Rarity with slightly annoyed. “Oh, Before I forget again Mr. Rich, I’m terribly sorry about how Sweetie Belle, umm, encouraged assaulting your daughter.”

“Don’t worry, it’s all in the past,” Filthy said trotting away.

“Well,” said Twilight. “Now that that’s over lets head out. Come on Fluttershy!”

“Coming,” said Fluttershy as she flew to her friends who were on the road down to the docks. “I’m sorry about telling on you girls.”

“Aww, don’t worry about it Fluttershy!” said Pinkie happily. “We forgive you, right Rainbow Dash?”

“Huh?” said Rainbow Dash. “Oh right, we forgive you.”

“Oh thank you,” said Fluttershy with a smile as they descended the hill towards the port.

The Ponyville docks was a medium sized port built solely for the increasing trade that had been flowing in ever since news of castles popping out of the grounds reached tourists and citizens alike. But this day instead of the transference of Hayburger toys from Ponet and water from lakes was instead a closed off area where there was a royal investigation going on.

“Ugh,” said Rarity as the smell of sweating damp ponies hit her nostrils. “What is that smell?”

“I think it’s that crate of air fresheners,” said Twilight pointing at a crate marked air fresheners.

“Sweat damp ponies,” read Pinkie reading the contents. “Neat!”

“Who would in their right mind buy that?” said Rarity gagging.  

“Oh!” said Fluttershy noticing another open crate, this time full of carrots. “I’m sure nopony would mind if I took one for Angel,” she said reaching for the carrots.

“Step back!” said a blonde maned stallion guard who had a white coat and a spear with a sunrise behind it for a cutie mark.

“Eeep!” said Fluttershy as the guard galloped toward her before stopping right in front of her.

“So what do we have here?” growled the stallion. “A thief? Or perhaps a accomplice towards todays crime?!”

“Eepp!” said Fluttershy as tears started welling up in her eyes as her friend heard her cry came galloping towards her.

“First Lieutenant Bright!” shouted Twilight as the stallion jumped in front of her.

“Stay back my majesty! We have found a possible accomplice to the crime!” growled Bright as he bared his teeth at Fluttershy who merely whimpered with quivering lips.

“Fluttershy?” said Pinkie rushing past Bright and holding Fluttershy. “Fluttershy it’s ok, I know you didn’t want too! Did they threaten you if you didn’t help foalnap unkie Humble!? I’m so sorry!” she sobbed into Fluttershy's mane.

That was the breaking point for Fluttershy.

“I admit it!” cried Fluttershy as the others stood shocked. “Rainbow Dash told me that you wouldn’t mind if we stole money from your purse mommy!” she said before breaking down into sobs as Twilight sighed with relief before glaring at a whistling Rainbow Dash.

“What?” said Rainbow Dash. “I was seven and the cost for seeing the wonderbolts was five bits.”

After calming Fluttershy down, Bright apologizing and Fluttershy accepting, the guard explained who he was.

“First Lieutenant Bright Sky, leader of her majesty Princess Celestia’s royal solar guard at your service,” Bright said shaking Fluttershy’s hoof. “I’m sorry again about scaring you miss, it’s just been a stressful day what with the foalnappings, riots, and-”

“Me,” said a mare’s voice.

Turning around the group saw a bat pony mare behind them with a messy violet mane and guard armor which partly covered her cutie mark of a sword with a crescent moon behind it pointing upwards.

“Hello Bright,” said the mare smirking.

“Comet,” said Bright with piercing eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that how you greet a lady?” chuckled Comet . “Where are my manners? Greetings Princess Twilight,” she said bowing. “I am her majesty Princess Luna’s head bodyguard and leader of the lunar guard,  first lieutenant Comet Tail.”

“A pleasure,” said Twilight nodding.

“Don’t trust her Princess Twilight,” hissed Bright. “She’s a viper.”

“Aww, well aren’t you a mares stallion Bright,” chuckled Comet as Bright snorted. “Don’t worry your silly little head, the only thing I will do is showing the best of what the lunar guard has to offer.”

“The solar guard is the best of the best!” retorted Bright.

“Umm, excuse me?” said Daring grabbing both guards attentions. “But why are two different types of guards in the kingdom of friendship?”

“Well Celestia and Luna decided that until I’ve assembled my own, that both of their respective guard leaders will help me make up one,” explained Twilight. “But have you two found anything yet?”

“Please tell me you found the boaty my unkie is on,” sniffled Pinkie.

“My men found the boat’s owner,” said Bright as he walked them past a couple of regular guards. “A elderly stallion by the name of-”

“Get your shiteface out of my liquor!” said a gruff elderly voice.

“Wait I know that voice,” thought Octavia sniffing the air. “Hard liquor, sea spray, old timey swear words? it can’t be,” said Octavia running behind beyond the group. “Wave Crasher!?” she said looking at a elderly stallion with a wrinkly blue coat, a rough looking beard and mane of white, and finally a cutie mark in the shape of a ship’s wheel.

“Well squeeze lemon on me and call me the griffon emperors dinner, if it isn’t little  Octavia Melody!” said Wave getting up and hugging Octavia tightly as the smell of his onion sandwich hit Octavia. “It’s great to see you again!”

“It’s good to see you too Wave,” gagged Octavia. “You could really use a mint.”

“Octavia, you know this stallion?” said Twilight.

“Yes, I-”

“Aye!” said Wave. “Her father and I were shipmates on the Wolfbane.”

“Octavia I didn’t know your dad was a sailor,” snickered Vinyl while Octavia just groaned.

“Mister Crusher,” said Bright. “If we could please get back to where we were.”

“Aye, I will once those two landsuckers,” Wave said pointing at two solar guards drinking from a jug. “Stop drinking me liquor!”

“Best of the best huh?” said Comet with a smirk while Bright groaned.

“Hmm,” said Fluttershy worried.

“What’s wrong Fluttershy?” said Twilight.

“Well me remembering stealing from my mom made think of how Derpy is doing.”


“And the little muffin realized that he was home, the end,” said Derpy finishing her story to Dinky who just laid happily by her mothers side on her bed at their house. Dinky was let go into the care of her mother and afterwards was brought home safely while they waited for any news on Time Turner to appear.

“That was a nice ending,” said Dinky hugging her mother. “I love you mommy.”

“I love you too muffin,” said Derpy kissing Dinky’s forehead. “Now you just get some rest.”

“Mommy?” said Diny tugging on her mother’s fur. “Will Scootaloo and the doctor be fine?”

“Scootaloo’s safe at home and the doctor will be right here when you wake up,” said Derpy smiling. “Now go to sleep.”

“Ok momm-zzzz,” said Dinky as Derpy giggled before turning on the night light and closing the door behind her.

Downstairs sat Carrot Top who was watching television with Zecora.

“I still don't know how the egghead can afford this,” said Carrot Top. “But I like it!”

“Why does he fight?” said Zecora confused at show they were watching. “Does he not know might does not make right?”

“Come on Zecora,” said Carrot. “It’s just a show and-oh Derpy,” she said seeing Derpy coming from downstairs. “How’s Dinky?”

“Yes how does the little one fair? She seemed so scared,” said Zecora.

“I got her to go to sleep but I’m still worried about the doctor,” signed Derpy. “I mean he’s never had surgery before.”

“Aww, I’m sure he’s alright,” said Carrot Top patting the seat next to her. "Come on and watch some television with us."

         "Well I suppose watching a bit wouldn't hurt," Derpy said sitting down next to her friends.

      As the mares watched the intro to a show play the blue shed outside stood motionless awaiting the return of it's master.

Next Chapter: Rivals in the dark and in the light Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 7 Minutes

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