Chapter 16: The Ransom

Twilight Sparkle was lying comfortably on the shiny metallic surface of her team’s loaned chariot. Her head was propped on her saddlebag for support and her legs were curled up in a tight ball, it was actually kind of cute. But her ears began to twitch as a voice cut into her peaceful rest. Although her eyes remained closed and her breathing stayed normal, the sound of Pinkie Pie had most assuredly woken the purple scholar.

“You got this! Come on Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie’s enthusiastic voice cheered in a hushed whisper. Well, as hushed as Pinkie Pie could get anyway.

Twilight lifted a droopy eyelid and let light come flooding in. When her vision had cleared up, she could see Dash, precariously perched just above a snoring Spike. Pinkie Pie was standing behind Rainbow and cheering as the cyan pegasus attempted to grab the ruby clutched lovingly in Spike’s claws. Twilight watched for a few more moments, but aside from perspiring a bit, Dash didn’t really seem to be making any progress.

Twilight grudgingly lifted her head and looked around. Applejack was somehow still asleep and snoring…loudly. Her hat bobbled comically on her head with each breath. Rarity was also still asleep. She had crashed next to Spike, or had Spike crashed next to Rarity? Whatever the case, her tail was whipping back and forth rhythmically in front of the little dragon. This only made Rainbow Dash’s attempts all the more difficult.

Dash had now begun to bite her lip as she pressed her hoof closer to the ruby. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she bridged the last few centimeters to get at the crystal. Her hoof connected with a soft clinking noise.

“That’s it!” cheered Pinkie.

Rainbow smiled with relief. She started to pull the ruby from Spike’s hold, but at that moment Spike rolled onto his side. Dash lost her footing as well as her grip on the gem. She tumbled headfirst into Spike’s face.

Spike awoke with a start. His eyes flew open and were filled with Rainbow’s large, violet irises. He screamed and leaped to his feet. He flung the ruby into the air, not realizing that he was even holding it, and ran smack dab into Rarity. Thinking quickly, Twilight caught the gem by levitating it but was forced to watch as things quickly escalated into chaos.

Rarity’s tail whipped around to flick off the nuisance which had bumped into her side but only managed to flick Spike’s nose. Spike inhaled sporadically. He tried desperately to hold back a sneeze, but couldn’t.

“Ahh…Ahhh…Ahh-choo!”

A small emerald flame launched from the dragon’s nostrils and lit Rarity’s tail on fire. It was only the smallest of flames but it was more than enough to wake up the sleeping unicorn. Rarity sniffed the air even before her eyes opened.

“Does anypony smell something burning?” she asked groggily.

She let her nose lead her to the source and let forth an ear piercing screech when she found it.

“Fire! My tail is on fire!”

The pristine unicorn leaped from the chariot and tried desperately to put it out. In all actuality, her attempts to put the flame out really came down to her scooting on her rump in tight circles. This commotion managed to awaken Applejack.

The farm pony awoke with a loud snort. She glanced around to figure out just what was going on. When she saw a small trail of smoke coming from Rarity, who was still scooting on her rump, Applejack had a pretty good idea of what was going on. She also made a plan to help.

“I’m a comin’!” Applejack slurred.

She stumbled around the chariot, still half-asleep. Instead of leaping to the rescue, Applejack jumped forward and only managed to slam her entire body into Rainbow Dash. The two mares came crashing into the chariot with a dull thud. All the while Rarity was still screaming and trying to put the flame out.

Spike saw his chance to aid his lady in distress. He snatched Applejack’s hat from her head and crawled out of the chariot.

“I’ll save you Rarity!”

The dragon came up to her blazing tail and began to wave the hat on it like a fan. However, instead of making the fire smaller he made it grow larger. Rarity screamed even louder and outright began to sprint in absolute horror. Spike ran after her and continued to wave the hat, only faster this time.

During this train wreck, Applejack had managed to find her footing and soon leaped out of the chariot, successfully this time. She snatched her hat back and quickly tackled Rarity to the ground. She used her own hat to smother the fire and it died out. The crisis was finally averted. When this fact registered in Twilight’s mind, she pulled the ruby back to herself and tucked it gingerly in her saddlebag. She then turned her attention to Rainbow Dash.

“What were you thinking?” pressed Twilight, quite upset.

Dash had to ply her face from the floor before she could reply.

“Well, Pinkie and I wanted to hear the next puzzle. But you were all asleep and we didn’t want to wake you.”

“That’s right!” agreed Pinkie. “Oh! But look! Now we’re all awake so we can listen to the puzzle and not even have to worry about waking you up.”

Pinkie smiled brightly. Twilight glanced over the pink pony’s shoulder. Rarity’s tail was blackened and still smoking a little. Spike was apologizing profusely while Rarity held her tail and bemoaned the slight loss. Applejack was beating out her Stetson, which was also looking a bit blackened. Pinkie was right; they were all most definitely awake. But Twilight also did a quick head count and came up one short.

“Hey, where’s Fluttershy?”

And that’s when the shy pegasus walked into the crazy scene. She had on an apron and wore a smile from ear to ear.

“I just finished making breakfast!” she announced.

When she looked around, she found the others staring at her blankly. Her smile quickly melted into concern.

“Oh no! I didn’t wake you with the noise I was making, did I?”

There was silence for only another moment or so before Spike started to lose it. He couldn’t keep himself from chuckling. Soon the others couldn’t hold back from laughing, despite the bizarre morning.

“Fluttershy, breakfast sounds amazing,” Twilight said.

They all ate and complimented Fluttershy on the great spread. With bellies full, the Royal Treasure Seekers were finally ready to hear Sun Cloak’s latest riddle. Twilight grabbed the ruby from her pack and placed it in the middle of the group.

“Sun Cloak, what is the next riddle?” she asked.

In a flash of light and with a slight humming noise, Sun Cloak appeared before the ponies.

“ ‘Circled by trees, covered in leaves,

A castle in forest lay.

Where Harmony gleams, among Princess’ dreams,

This your road today.’ ”

When his message was complete, Sun Cloak retreated back into the crystal.

“Girls,” Twilight was beaming, “there’s no need to discuss where we’re headed because I already figured it out.”

“Where?” asked Pinkie.

“We need to go to the abandoned castle in the Everfree Forest, where we first found the Elements of Harmony. Team, we’re going to Ponyville. We’re going home!”

Dash sprung into the air and placed the chariot harness on her shoulders.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Somepony strap me in!”

* * * * * * * * *

Splotches of sunshine trickled through the leaves of a lush tree. The light danced playfully over the face of a griffin. She grunted and squirmed as the beams tried to penetrate her closed eyelids. Moodily, she relented and awoke. Her beautiful blue eyes opened groggily and she pushed herself onto her feet. The griffin took in her surroundings with nothing more than a quick glance, but it was enough.

She was on the lower branch of a large elm tree. To her left, on a different branch, slept a scrawny black griffin. His feathers twitched sporadically as he slept. His breathing was short and shallow, but that was usual for Slick. Sly was already awake. The large griffin, who resembled a bald eagle in color, was standing on the ground and peering off into the distance. Seated by the muscular Sly was the newest member of the group, Grallix. The black dragon had his tail wrapped around his frame and he seemed to be lying in a comfortable position, like one would sleep on a pile of gold. The dragon’s head was up and he appeared to be looking in the same direction as Sly. However, since both of these brutes had their backs to Jay, the only thing she could see for certain was the scar on Sly’s back leg and Grallix’s green spines. Jay leaped to the ground and the other two turned around to face her.

“What time is it?” snapped Jay, trying to keep weariness out of her words.

A good leader never showed weakness. At least, her father never had.

“It is well into the morning,” answered Sly.

Jay scowled at the news, but Sly turned back around. Jay decided to find out what he was looking at and glanced up. Off in the distance sat a green hill. Sunlight spilt onto it and revealed a luxurious city nestled on and around the hill, Hooverdale.

Jay didn’t take very long admiring the scene, although it would have made a lovely painting. She noticed Sly brush his talons through the air, as if on some sort of imaginary canvas. She shook her head and scrambled up to Slick’s branch. The twitchy griffin was still out cold.

“Come on Slick! Get up!” Jay nudged him with her claws.

He snorted and rolled onto his side.

“Now,” Commanded Jay coolly.

Slick’s grey eyes opened instantly. He hopped to up and yawned.

“G’moring J!” he croaked.

“No time for good mornings,” spat Jay. “We’ve got to get a move on. Hooverdale’s right over there.” She pointed in the direction of the hill through the elm leaves. “And we’re behind schedule.” She turned and hopped back to the ground. “Should have been up hours ago,” she mumbled angrily to herself.

She heard Sly land next to her. She then smiled a bit as he saw the city for the first time. But, as she had said made clear, there was no time for sightseeing. She quickly snapped her wings open and instantly regretted it.

“Ah!” she winced and closed them.

Of course, that made the others turn around to see what was wrong. She instantly put on a brave face and gritted her beak.

“Something wrong, J?” asked Slick genuinely.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “I must have just pushed myself a bit too hard on the flight yesterday.” Wanting to change the subject and thinking quickly, she pointed a talon at Grallix. “You!”

This made the dragon’s eyebrows rise, but he didn’t speak.

“Time to make yourself useful for once. I can’t fly right now, so you’re going to carry me into Hooverdale. Got it?”

Grallix glared at Jay and snorted smoke, but she remained steadfast. Her resolve was that of solid steel.

“Very well,” he growled.

Jay dashed up to the dragon and clawed her way up his back. She found a comfy enough spot between two of his large spines and held fast to one so she wouldn’t fall off.

“Anyone else looking for a ride?” Grallix half asked, half threatened.

Sly snorted and promptly took to the sky. Slick took a step back before opening his own sore wings. Though it looked painful, he forced himself into the air. Then Grallix pressed out his own leathery wings and took heavenward. The four took off, toward Hooverdale.

* * * * * * * * *

A well-to-do mare shrieked and pointed into the sky. She then promptly fainted. Others looked up and began to scream for themselves. Most ran for cover, but a few of the smarter ones ran to get the guards. The guardsponies rushed out to assist, but even some of the more squeamish ones turned a bit pale at the sight above them. A real live dragon was flying just above the town! A gruff guard ran off and grabbed a bullhorn. He turned it on with a loud squeak and started yelling to the dragon above.

“Uh…attention dragon! This is a restricted area! If…If you don’t leave we’ll be forced to use…um…force!”

Jay swung herself around Grallix’s neck and waved a dismissive talon at the terrified ponies below.

“Aw, save your breath!” she shouted down.

The gruff guard was flabbergasted, to say the least, seeing a griffin riding a dragon and also having that same griffin telling him to shut it. He dropped the bullhorn and watched as dragon flew right over his head.

“I sense strong magics coming from down there.”

Grallix pointed a grizzled claw to the forest on the other side of Hooverdale.

“Then bring us down,” commanded Jay.

The group sailed over the community and dropped into the open, circular field inside the forest. They could still hear the muffled shouts of the ponies as they ran around in circles. Jay chuckled a bit at the thought of those posh up-shots running around like scared children.

“Welcome to the Small University sports field!” Sun Cloak’s voice rang out.

The sound came from both the griffin’s and dragon’s crystals simultaneously.

“Jackpot!” Jay shouted triumphantly.

She skillfully jumped down from Grallix’s back and onto the soft turf.

Sun Cloak went on to explain that they were to play a game of Merring in order to receive his next riddle.

“Oh, and one last thing, have fun!” Sun Cloak’s message came to an end and the crystals became dull.

“That means that only one team can go at a time. Swell,” remarked Jay sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes. Grallix, however, had been to sniff the air. His eyes grew as he caught a familiar scent.

“Another team has been here,” announced the dragon.

“Another team?” squeaked Slick. “You mean those unic-?”

Grallix raised his claw and the griffin was silenced immediately. He kept sniffing and moving his head to and fro, attempting to get a better trail. Finally, he stopped and turned his gaze upon the three griffins.

“I can still track them, but the trail will grow cold quickly. I must be the first to complete the challenge. I will then track our adversaries and send you word of their location.”

“And how do we know that you won’t just leave us behind?” queried Jay.

“Because I give you my word. Never doubt the word of a dragon,” snarled Grallix.

His eyes bore accusingly into Jay. She threw her talons into the air to show that she meant no offense, but really she was just trying to play it off coolly.

“Alright. Alright. No need to get all uppity about it.”

Grallix’s eyes narrowed to slits, but finally he relented and nodded his head. If one had been close enough they may have noticed that Jay had started to perspire. Messing with an angry dragon was not exactly high up on her wish list.

Grallix trundled over to the center of the playing field and plucked his amethyst from between his scales. He inserted it into the niche and did the same with the golden rings he had so carefully tucked into his scaly hide. A shimmering yellow ring appeared along with five towers and a transparent track. The griffins couldn’t believe their eyes. Slick’s mouth hung open in awe. In fact, even Grallix seemed impressed at the intricate and magical playing field.

“Leave your crystal where it lays,” ordered Sun Cloak from the amethyst. “Now, all contestants please move to the path and then place your hooves on the center ring.”

Grallix did as requested and placed his large claw inside the ring. After a few more instructions from Sun Cloak, an image shimmered to life at the opposite end of the playing field. It was an image of Sun Cloak himself, but this one was somehow managing to release a kind of black tinged light. It was reminiscent of a bizarre, cartoony outline.

“So this is to be my competition?” mused Grallix.

He walked over to investigate this new work of magic. He poked at the image, but his hand went right through it and only blurred the image for a moment or two. He sniffed it, but couldn’t seem to smell anything. Finally satisfied with his observations, the dragon breathed out a soft purple fire. The flame enveloped the image and began to eat away at it. Soon the figure had dissolved into nothingness and Grallix smiled.

He found a point tower and moved over to it. The game began shortly thereafter but with no one to compete against, Grallix’s red magic easily grabbed up the entire ring and all five point towers. Sun Cloak congratulated him on his victory and Grallix laughed. Grallix grabbed up his crystal and flapped open his powerful wings. He turned his head toward the griffins.

“I will send you my message soon enough.”

And then, Grallix took off. Behind him, the playing field was disappearing. But his keen eyes were set on a different sight. They gleamed with the thrill of the hunt as he took off, hot in pursuit of the rival team.

* * * * * * * * *

Far away from Hooverdale, in the small town of Saddleback, Trixie was regaining consciousness. She groaned as her eyes grudgingly opened, first the right and then the left. Her head was throbbing and the light burned her pupils. She winced and pulled a hoof up to rub her head.

“Glad to see that you’re awake,” a gruff, but feminine voice said.

It sounded far away and faded, but Trixie knew that couldn’t be right because a mare soon walked over to her. The mare had a deep green coat and dark grey hair. Her hair was a little frizzy and she wore a white garment, like a hospital worker. Her magenta eyes were kind, but firm.

“Wh-What happened?” Trixie heard herself groan.

She coughed. She hadn’t realized how dry her throat was.

“We found you outside and brought you in. You were dehydrated and unconscious. In fact, you’ve been out for a full day.”

Trixie leaned her head back. It fell into a soft white pillow. Her eyes wandered down to her hooves and she saw that a fuzzy green blanket had been caringly draped over her body. She felt beneath her and found that she was lying on a hard mattress. Then, Trixie groggily looked at her environment.

She was in a small, square room with plain, white walls. A picture of flowers had been hung opposite her. Trixie figured it was to make the room seem less boring. There was a door to her left which appeared to lead out to a hallway.

“Trixie…” she whispered hoarsely, “Trixie is…is in a hospital?”

“I’m afraid so, Sweetie,” replied the green mare.

Trixie figured she was a nurse.

“But Trixie can…cannot stay here. She has to leave right…right now!”

“I’m sorry, Sweetie,” the nurse shook her head sadly, “but I really can’t let you go until you’ve recovered a bit more.”

Trixie flopped her head back into her pillow and closed her eyes. She gathered up her strength and waited until she could bring her breathing back to normal. Finally, she opened her eyes and lifted her head until she could see eye to eye with the nurse.

“Trixie cannot waste any more time and she will certainly not stay here, with your permission or without it.”

The nurse and Trixie locked eyes for a few seconds. Trixie was visibly shaking as she held herself up and her breathing was uneven. At last, the nurse released a deep sigh, shook her head, and left the room. Trixie’s eyes went wide and anger burned in her eyes.

“Trixie will not stay down! She will not stay here!”

Trixie screamed at the nurse, who had her back turned to the showmare. Despite her threat, as soon as the nurse was gone, Trixie fell back into her pillow. She really wasn’t strong enough to leave, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit it.

It felt like a blur of a few minutes and only a couple of moments to Trixie when she heard the familiar sound of hooves on tile. She opened her eyes and sat up. The nurse was back, but this time she had a clipboard clenched in her mouth. The nurse dropped the clipboard onto Trixie’s bed. Trixie gave the mare a questioning look.

“If you want to leave that badly, then you’ll have to sign this waiver.”

The nurse then pulled a pen from her pocket and plopped it on top of the clipboard. Trixie was a bit shocked. They were really letting her go that easily? Still, she wasn’t going to complain.

Trixie lit her horn and levitated the pen, an action she regretted almost instantly. The pen fell from its magical embrace and Trixie’s horn stopped glowing. She grimaced and grit her teeth as a new wave of pain surged into her head. The nurse sighed and reached down to pick up the pen.

“Look,” said the nurse, “if you’re gonna go gallivanting off to who-knows-where in your condition, at the very least I wouldn’t use magic for a few days. Got it?”

Even through the pain, Trixie understood and shook her head in agreement. The showmare snatched the pen in her hoof and grabbed the clipboard in the other. She scrawled off her signature and then handed it to the nurse. Trixie began to inch herself off her bed when she was stopped by the nurse.

“Whoa-ho there, Sugarcube!”

The nurse was looking over the waiver.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie? I don’t think so. We need your real name, not your stage name.”

The nurse handed the clipboard and pen back to Trixie. Trixie glared at the clipboard, but accepted them. She sloppily crossed out her signature and wrote her actual name to the side. Trixie then gave the pen and board to the nurse.

“Trixie Lulamoon,” stated the nurse pleasantly as she looked over the waiver. “Well Miss Lulamoon, you’re free to go.”

Trixie continued to scoot ever closer to the edge of her bed. The nurse walked over and tried to help her, but Trixie only shooed the help away. The nurse backed off as Trixie finally managed to roll herself off. She stood on quite shaky hooves and leaned on the bed for support, but she was standing of her own accord. The nurse was looking worried, so Trixie thought that she would try to get her to stop looking at her like some helpless filly.

“So, how much do I owe for your fine services?”

It worked. The nurse turned her attention from Trixie and looked at a paper, clipped to Trixie’s bed.

“Uh…250 bits.”

Trixie pushed herself away from the bed and managed to stand without its support. Already she was feeling a little stronger. She shuffled over to her bags, which had been placed in a corner, and searched through them. She found a stack of shiny gold coins and pulled them out.

“50…100…150…200…250,” Trixie counted off the stacks and then handed them to the nurse. “Here, 250 bits. Trixie would not pay a cent less for your services,” she boasted.

The nurse accepted the money and looked it over. Everything appeared to be in order, a full 250.

“Well, looks like you’ve got everything in order then,” said the nurse.

Trixie slung her packs onto her back and grunted beneath their weight even thought they hadn’t been very full to begin with. She started to hobble out of the room.

“Now listen, make sure to drink plenty of water and rest often. And absolutely no magic for a few days. I don’t know where you’re going in such a hurry but good luck, Sugarcube.”

Trixie listen to the nurse’s words but didn’t stop. She cracked the door open and headed out. She made her way down the hallway and came to a large reception room. There was a fidgety desk worker there. When she saw Trixie, the desk worker was quite alarmed.

“Um…mam? Do ya’ need some help?”

Trixie ignored her and kept plodding on.

“A wheelchair maybe?” pressed the desk worker.

“Trixie is fine. Thank you,” Trixie grunted out.

“Ya’ sure ‘bout that?”

A forceful “Good day!” was all the desk worker got in reply.

A little while later, and Trixie had made her way out of the front doors and out onto the dusty streets of Saddleback. She stood still as the afternoon sunlight warmed her face. She was trembling and she was sweating from exerting herself so much.

Knowing that she couldn’t go much further in her condition, Trixie sought a place to rest. Her eyes came to rest on a faded sign which read, “The Sun and Stars Café”. She pressed herself and found the strength to make it the distance to the small diner. Trixie plopped herself down in an empty booth and let out a contented sigh. She ordered some food and drank a full jug of water before feeling her strength return.

As she sat and rested, Trixie searched her bag for something very important to her. Out came a small diamond and she put it on the table.

“Oh, Sun Cloak,” cooed Trixie to the crystal, “we’re going to Canterlot next. I can get more supplies there, but more specifically I can get enough information to solve anything you could throw at Trixie. However, it’s a good few days march from here to there and Trixie needs somepony to talk to. I hope you’re ready because we’re going to get to know each other very well.”

* * * * * * * * *

The noonday sun flowed warmly onto the backs of the Society of Sun. The four unicorns were walking toward their next destination after having already listened to Sun Cloak’s riddle the night before. They had already made good progress. A small dot on a hill was all that could be seen of Hooverdale from this distance. As they walked along, they struck up conversation. Their most recent one was about their victory in the Merring match.

“Bah ha ha! Did you see the looks on their faces?” laughed Cumulus heartily.

“The Royal Treasure Seekers you mean?” queried Sun Chaser.

“I don’t care if they’re called the ‘Pompous Ambassador’s Club’, the way their mouths hung open after we won was unforgettable!”

Cumulus flicked a tear from his eye.

“You do realize that Sun Cloak made his Merring game easy to win, right?” asked Sight Seer.

This had the effect of immediately silencing Cumulus’ unusually cheerful mood. He frowned and shot a glare at Seer.

“Well of course I know that! If it had been hard then we might have actually had to try.”

“You know,” Rose Shine entered the conversation, “for their first game of Merring, I think that other team did well.”

“I agree,” said Chaser. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if we run into them again.”

“Oh! Enough of this Merring business,” Cumulus grumped. “So Chaser, where exactly did you say we were headed again?”

A smile spread across Sun Chaser’s face as he recounted his research from memory.

“Our next destination is the Everfree Forest. This Forest is truly astounding if my sources are to be believed. It is full of strange and wondrous magic. There are apparently plants that want to laugh and creatures of great beauty which live in the Forest’s shade. But, the Everfree is a place of great peril as well. I suspect that there are many challenges that we have yet to face.”

The other’s eyes went wide, whether it was the thought of danger, of untapped beauty, or perhaps even the idea of bizarre magic. Whatever the reason, Chaser could see the gears in their minds turning as their imaginations began to get the best of them.

“Do you think that-?” Cumulus began, only to have Sight Seer silence him.

Seer threw a hoof out in front of Cumulus. The stubby stallion halted instantly, as did the rest of the Society.

“Chaser! There’s-”

“What was that for, Seer?!” fumed Cumulus. “Can’t you tell that I was asking a question?”

“We don’t have time for that, Cumulus!” Seer replied.

His eyes were wide and showed fear in them.

“Chaser it’s-!”

Sight Seer was interrupted yet again, but this time by a loud thud. Something large had hit the ground hard enough to make it shake beneath the unicorns’ hooves. They all turned around. A large, toothy grin greeted them; it came from a black dragon.

Before the Society had any time to react, Grallix heaved out a furious blaze of green fire. The flame barreled toward sweet Rose Shine and engulfed her body in a swirling vortex. All this happened and yet still, Sun Cloak’s shield did not protect her.

Her hooves were the first to go. They dissolved into magical embers. She screamed in horror and tried desperately to get away, but she was helpless to do anything. Then her horn and her hair followed suit until her entire body had been dissolved and blow away by a magical wind. When the screaming stopped, so did the green vortex. Grallix only laughed.

“Ha! Ha ha! Ha ha ha ha!”

“ROSE!!!” bellowed Cumulus.

The stubby pony leaped to where she had been only seconds before. There was nothing there to indicate that there had even been a struggle. The only thing that told of the horror he had witnessed was that the grass was slightly burnt.

Cumulus turned back around to face Grallix. There was a ferocity in his eyes that blazed like dragon fire.

“You MONSTER!!!”

With a roar born of passion and rage, Cumulus ignited his horn. It blazed a deep blue. The magical essence blasting from the small unicorn was palpable. The moisture in the air was sucked away in an instant and three furious storm clouds formed around Cumulus, each sparking with untamed lighting. With one last vengeful scream, Cumulus released the full force of his miniature storm upon Grallix.

Lightning flashed and storm winds bellowed, but Grallix stood his ground. A yellow bubble formed around the dragon and Sun Cloak’s angry voice boomed even above the powerful squall.

“My magic will protect the seven teams until the end of the hunt! Let this be a warning to you!”

The grey clouds dispersed, the wind died, and the lighting came to a halt. All that remained was Cumulus, sweating and shaking. His horn no longer glowed and a bitter tear rolled down his face. But never did the fire in his eyes fade. Even Grallix looked impressed.

“You are small, but you have fire,” praised the dragon. “I respect that.”

Cumulus lowered his head in defeat. That was not the end, however, it was now Sun Chaser’s turn and he did not look happy. The angry leader stepped forward, toward the dragon. There was no fear in his eyes, but there was a calm determination.

“What have you done with Rose Shine?” he demanded. “You obviously didn’t kill her or else Sun Cloak’s shield would have stopped you.”

“I have sent her away,” stated Grallix with a snort. “And only I know where.”

“Then bring her back before things get messy.”

Sparks began to shoot off of Chaser’s horn. Grallix leaned down and pinched his horn between his claws. It stopped sparking. Then, Grallix leaned down with his mouth right by Chaser’s ear.

“Here’s the deal,” he hissed. “If you want to see her again then all you have to do is lead me to the next destination. Do that and I will return her.”

Keeping his face forward, not looking Grallix in the eyes, Chaser replied.

“And if we refuse?”

“Then good luck finding her. Equestria is such a large place for such a small pony.”

Chaser’s face snapped to face Grallix in an instant. They glared at each other for what seemed like ages. A pin drop could have cut the tense silence. Finally, Sun Chaser spoke.

“What if we told you the name of our destination? Would you agree to bring her back then?”

“No,” Grallix snorted instantly. “To ensure that you are brining me to the right place, you must personally lead me there. Then, and only then, will I give Rose Shine back to you.”

Chaser turned from Grallix and looked at the faces of his friends. They were obviously in great pain, but they held back their emotions well. Chaser nodded slowly toward them and then turned back to the dragon.

“We will bring you to our destination,” he said reluctantly.

A grin crept up Grallix’s face.

“But,” Chaser breathed with a hidden fury, “if you even think about going back on your word…”

He pointed an accusing hoof at the dragon and let the threat trail off. Grallix snarled.

“Do not doubt a dragon’s word.”

Chaser snorted and promptly turned away. He marched off without a word and his two friends followed. There was no cheerful laughter or song or talk as they set out determinedly toward the Everfree Forest. Grallix took to the air and followed closely behind the three unicorns. As he did so, a small grin formed on his grizzled face.

Next Chapter: Chapter 17: The Losers Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 37 Minutes