Chapter 19: The Story

Twilight was seated comfortably at a large mushroom shaped table. The sun above was shining brightly. She mumbled as she looked over a large menu.

“Hmm…should I get the-? No. Oh! Maybe the-? No, not that either.”

“Why not just go for what you usually get?” asked Spike. He pulled his own menu down so that he could look at Twilight. Of course, her menu blocked his view, but it was the gesture that counted.

A fancy looking server walked over to the table and asked what the two wanted.

“Why not?” Twilight sighed. “I’ll take the usual.” She told the waiter.

The waiter turned to Spike. “And you, Sir?”

“I’m guessing you still don’t have any gems?”

The server shrugged apologetically.

“Yep, thought so. Ok, I’ll take hay fries the usual way: extra crispy.”

“But of course.” The waiter took their menus and walked off to place their orders.

For a while, the two were content to sit. It was afternoon and it was looking to be a good day. The Clover Café was busier than usual with many groups of ponies and even a few griffins eating and chitchatting with each other. Some were sitting outside, like Twilight and Spike, while others had been seated inside. A Royal Guard walked by the Café, his armor shimmered in the noonday sun. It would seem that there were still a lot of visitors in Ponyville.

“I wonder what’s taking Applejack so long,” Twilight spoke at last. “She said that she and the others would meet us here at noon.”

“Yeah,” agreed Spike. “It’s not like Applejack to show up late.”

“Hi!” said a soft voice from right behind Twilight.

The purple mare leaped out of her seat. “Ah!” She turned around to find Fluttershy.

The yellow pegasus blushed. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Spike began to chuckle and then it was Twilight’s turn to blush.

“No. No,” Twilight reassured Fluttershy. “You’re fine. I just didn’t hear anypony behind me.”

“I suppose that would startle me too then,” Fluttershy said. She smiled warmly.

Soon, Twilight couldn’t help but to smile as well.

“Well,” Twilight spoke. “It looks like you’re the first one here, Fluttershy. Why don’t you take a seat and make yourself comfortable?”

“Sure.” Fluttershy took a seat around the table next to Twilight. “So? How’s the library holding up?”

“The library’s doing fine,” Twilight replied. “It seems that the Mayor asked Quill Tip to stand in for me while Spike and I have been away. Quill told me last night that everypony seems to have suddenly gotten an urge to read. I would have to agree with her. It seemed like half of the library was checked out and there were still a few ponies looking for books when I went to bed.”

“Ah…bed,” sighed Spike contentedly. “I had forgotten how nice it felt to sleep in my own bed.”

“So, how was your first night back in Ponyville, Fluttershy?” asked Twilight.

“Actually, it was quite relieving,” expressed Fluttershy.

“Why do say that?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“We took off for Canterlot so suddenly that I didn’t have time to find anypony to look after my animal friends. So, I was nervous when I got to my cottage. But everything was fine! It turns out that Angel Bunny kept everything running while I was gone.”

Spike’s eyes went wide and his mind flashed to a scene of the white fluff ball wearing a Drill Sergeant’s uniform and glaring at neatly formed rows of woodland creatures.

“To tell the truth,” Fluttershy continued, “I didn’t think that Angel had it in him. He’s not usually one to do something like that, but it looks like he took a step out of his comfort zone to help me out.”

“That’s great!” Twilight smiled, sharing her friend’s happiness.

“Ah, Mam, your food.” The server had returned and was holding a flower sandwich and a plate of extra crispy hay fries.

“Oh!” Twilight turned her attention to the waiter. “Thank you.”

The waiter placed the food on the table and walked away.

“Great! I’m starving!” Spike declared and grabbed up a handful of the crunchy fries, stuffing them quickly into his mouth.

Twilight levitated her own sandwich to her mouth and took a quick nibble.

“Twilight!” Applejack called and ran up to the table. “Sorry, I’m late. I got held up at the farm a might bit longer than I expected.”

Twilight placed her sandwich back on her plate and greeted Applejack. “Hi Applejack! What held you up?”

“I tell ya’ the farm hasn’t seen this much business since the Zap Apple harvest. Apparently a lot of the visitors who came lookin’ for Sun Cloak’s treasure haven’t left yet! And guess where they started comin’ to get food?”

“Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight asked.

“Sweet Apple Acres.” Applejack nodded. “Granny Smith, Big Mac, and even Apple Bloom have been workin’ like crazy. I hardly even had time to chat with ‘em last night, they were all jus’ plum tuckered out.”

“Sorry that you haven’t had much time with your family Applejack,” Fluttershy said.

“It’ll be alright,” Applejack replied. “Big Mac managed to tell me that the crowds are startin’ to thin out a little so I’ll probably get some time with ‘em before we solve the next puzzle.”

“Oh! That’s good.” Fluttershy grinned.

“Care to take a seat while we wait for the others?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Applejack plopped down by Fluttershy.

The mares kept up conversation, but were distracted from time to time as Spike continued to devour his hay fries loudly.

“Yoo Hoo!” Rarity called from the street.

The group turned to her and Twilight waved her over. Rarity walked over and sat down by her friends.

“Howdy Rarity!” greeted Applejack. “Say, what’s with your getup?”

Rarity was wrapped, head to hoof, in clothes. She still somehow managed to look elegant and refined under the bundles of clothing, but she also looked very warm in the noonday sun.

“We are going into the Everfree Forest are we not?” she replied with a question of her own. “Therefore I have decided to go in prepared for anything. And I’m certainly not letting that nasty Poison Joke play any tricks on me this time.”

Spike, by this point, had frozen in place and couldn’t take his eyes off of Rarity. Even bundled under a ridiculous amount of clothing she looked gorgeous. One could practically see the hearts in Spikes eyes.

“How has the Carousel Boutique been holding out?” Fluttershy asked.

“I seem to have somehow lost a dress or two while I’ve been away, but-” Rarity was suddenly cut off by a rainbow blur.

Rainbow Dash landed next to Spike and set herself down at the table. She winced and rubbed her wings soothingly.

“Are your wings sore too?” Fluttershy asked with concern.

“Yep,” replied Dash. “Even that short flight was a struggle. After carrying you all in that chariot, I think I may need a few days before I’ll be at top performance again.”

“Welcome RD!” Applejack greeted as Rainbow Dash continued to massage her wings. “I’m sorry to hear ‘bout your wings.”

Dash looked up and noticed Rarity. She stopped rubbing out her wings and tilted her head. “I knew that you were excited about getting back to your dresses and everything, but did you really need to wear your entire wardrobe?” Dash giggled.

Rarity gave a mock chuckle. “Make fun if you must, but you won’t be laughing when you touch Poison Joke and I don’t.”

“Yikes! Take it easy, it was just a joke,” Dash huffed.

“Hiya!” Pinkie Pie greeted as she waltzed up to the group.

“Pinkie!” Twilight smiled. “Welcome! How are the Cakes doing?”

“They’re doing alright, but they seem really tired. They’ve had a lot more business than usual at Sugarcube Corner and they’ve had some trouble getting a babysitter while I’ve been gone.”

“Sounds a lot like Sweet Apple Acres,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, so I stayed up until Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake fell asleep and then stayed up all night baking stuff for them!”

“You pulled an all-nighter right before we go into the Everfree Forest?!” gasped Rarity.

“It’s fine. I don’t feel tired at all.” Pinkie smiled. “Besides, the Cakes made me a special muffin this morning.” She pulled out a muffin with brown sugar crumbles on the top. “They said it had loads of coffee in it. Whatever coffee is.”

Twilight’s eyes sudden got much bigger. “Um…you haven’t eaten any of those muffins yet, have you?”

“Nope!” Pinkie balanced the muffin precariously on her nose. “But it looks like you’re having lunch, so now seems like a good time.”

Twilight gulped. “How about we trade?” she asked.

Pinkie plopped the muffin on the table. “Sure. If you really want breakfast for lunch go ahead! I do it all the time!”

Pinkie gave the coffee muffin to Twilight and Twilight gave the rest of her sandwich to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie flipped the plate the sandwich was on and the sandwich flew into the air. It came down in her mouth and she ate it in one large gulp.

“Yummy!” Pinkie rubbed her belly.

Twilight levitated the muffin and plopped it into her saddlebag. She was fairly confident that she had just saved her group from a coffee induced disaster.

“Well, it looks like everypony’s here!” Rainbow Dash said. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

“Right,” Twilight agreed. She shouldered her bag and left a tip for the waiter. Then, Twilight levitated Spike onto her back.

The others also placed any bags they were carrying onto their own backs and headed out for the Everfree Forest.

* * * * * * * * *

A waiter was busy clearing off a mushroom shaped table at the Clover Café. He had just brushed up a few fallen hay fries and flower petals when a group of four unicorns walked up.

“Give me one moment and you may have this table,” the waiter told them. “Or, you could take a seat inside if you’d prefer.”

“This table will be fine, thank you,” said Sun Chaser. “It’s such a nice day out after all.”

“Of course,” the waiter said. The server wiped off the last of the crumbs and smiled. “There you are. I’ll be back with menus shortly.”

The waiter walked off and the Society of Sun sat down. They had come to eat and to celebrate Rose Shine’s return.

“Welcome to Ponyville,” Sun Chaser said to his group. “After this meal, we’ll have to find a place to stay for the night and then we can start for the Everfree Forest bright and early tomorrow. That is, if you’re up to it Rose.”

All heads turned to Rose Shine. She smiled warmly and nodded her head. “Yes. I would be fine with that.”

“Excellent!” Chaser returned her smile.

“So Rose,” Cumulus put his hooves on the table and leaned in closer to the mare, “What happened exactly? What did that dragon do to you?”

“Cumulus! Hooves on the table are bad manners you know.” Chaser chuckled in mock concern. Still, Cumulus pulled his hooves off the table. “And besides,” continued Chaser, “one should never tell a story on an empty stomach.” Chaser motioned with his eyes to the server, who had just come back with menus.

The group each took a menu and the waiter walked off to attend to other customers. The Society each found what they wanted, Sight Seer taking the longest to decide, and placed their menus down. The server came back, took their orders and their menus, and went to tell the chef.

“Now then,” Chaser spoke, “Rose, I do believe that we’re all curious as to what happened.”

“It’s a bit of a long story.” Rose looked each of her friends in the eye. “You sure that you’re up for it?” she teased.

“Try us,” Seer chuckled.

“Alright then.” Rose leaned in over the table and started her tale. “It all started with that green fire. I was taken completely off guard when it hit. At first, I was scared stiff. Then, I braced for the heat that I knew was sure to overwhelm me, but it never came! Instead I felt a warm kind of tingling feeling. It wasn’t completely pleasant, but it wasn’t painful either. In confusion, I opened my eyes. But what I saw was something far scarier than mere fire. My legs had started to dissolve! And what’s worse was that I could still feel them somehow. It was like they were being stretched and pulled away from me. I screamed in horror as more and more of my body began to melt until even my mouth had vanished.

I thought I was done for. I heard you all screaming and then I was gone. And yet, I wasn’t gone. I suppose the closest feeling I can use to describe what happened next is that feeling you get when Sight Seer teleports us. It was as if my body was being moved from one place to the next, but it felt so different too. I felt my entire body stretched out, into a sort of thin line. I was still intact but I was spread thin, like butter spread over too much toast. In this state, I also felt like I was flying through the air on some invisible current that shouldn’t have existed. I was conscious of all these events, but it was blurred. It was almost like looking through a piece of warped glass.

I really have no idea how long I was in this state, but it eventually came to an end. I felt myself being put back together. Suddenly, I was whole again and I gasped for air. Needless to say, I was shocked to find that I hadn’t been harmed in any way whatsoever. I spun around and checked from the tip of my horn to my hooves, but nothing in me had changed. What had changed, however, was where I was standing.”

“Terribly sorry to interrupt,” the server’s voice cut through Rose’s story, “But here’s your food.” The waiter plopped down a large salad in front of Rose Shine and gave the others’ their orders as well.

Rose took a nibble on a large lettuce leaf and then ravenously began to devour the rest of her food. Seer blinked in shock at her antics.

“I know that you’ve never met a salad that you don’t like,” Seer mentioned, “but what’s gotten into you Rose?”

“I haven’t eaten for an entire day!” Rose explained and then dove in for another bite.

“Haven’t eaten-?!” gasped Cumulus with obvious concern. “Why?”

“Now, now,” Chaser chastised. “In situations like this we need to keep our priorities straight: food first, story second.”

Cumulus’ cheeks brightened and he smiled in embarrassment. “Oops. Sorry Rose. Um…What I meant to say was that if you want some of my sandwich, you’re more than welcome to it.”

Rose slowed down to giggle a little when she heard the offer. “Thank you, Cumulus.”

Soon Rose had eaten her food, leaving little left, while the others had barely started. She sighed in contentment and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Now then,” she said. “Let me continue because I was just getting to the good part.

So, as I was saying, I was in a completely different place than where I had started. Somehow the green fire had teleported me far, far away. I was first clued in to this fact when I began to calm down and look at my surroundings.

I was standing in a dark room; from the rough appearance of its surface I guessed that it was some kind of large cavern. I looked up, but could barely make out the outline of a ceiling. It was that tall. Then, I noticed that, lining the walls, were these gigantic ice statues! They were carved in the shapes of griffins and dragons and sea serpents. In the dim light, they glimmered both beautifully and maliciously. I gasped when I first saw one of the dragon statues glaring at me and backed up into another statue. To be completely honest, I was scared spitless until I realized that they were only statues.

I marveled at the intricate detail of these monstrous sculptures and wondered who could have made them. It wasn’t until I touched one that I found out that they were made of ice. I also hadn’t realized how cold the cavern was until that point.

I began to shiver and looked around for the source of the light in the room. To my surprise, no light came in through the ceiling. It instead was coming from two large braziers sitting near, what I assumed, was the entrance to the room. What was even more surprising was the color of the fire that was lit in the braziers. It was purple!

The purple flames licked the air and cast a soft violet glow along the walls of the cave. I had never seen any kind of fire like this before and went over to investigate. To my shock, the fire was not burning off of wood but instead was using snow as its fuel source! All around the edges of the brazier, ice had hardened, like the snow had melted and then frozen as it spilt over the edge. The bottom of the brazier was covered more thickly in ice than the top, making a sort of stalagmite formation around the brazier’s outer edge.

Needless to say, I was intrigued. I cautiously moved a hoof up to the flame, but I felt no heat emanating from it. I slowly moved closer and closer until my hoof was inside the purple fire. It was cool to the touch, but not freezing. It was kind of the same feeling as grabbing a hoof full of snow and holding it. I withdrew my hoof and wondered as to what bizarre place I was in when something else caught my attention.

It was, to the best of my knowledge, a curtain of sorts. I know that you’ve seen those beaded curtains that some ponies use in their homes. Well, it was kind of like that, but instead of beads it had been made from scales! Even in the dim light I could tell that it was immensely colorful. It was also beautiful and I thought that, perhaps, it held some sort of insignia on it but I couldn’t make it out. The curtain itself was absolutely gigantic! It covered the entrance to the room I was standing in so that no light came in through the outside. I had walked up to investigate when I was suddenly stopped by a rumbling noise from behind me.

I turned around and I stopped breathing. I shook in fear as I came face to face with a live dragon! Luckily, he was sound asleep, but his snoring sounded like an avalanche. He was resting on a bed of gold and jewels the likes of which I had never seen before. What’s even more terrifying is that he was easily three times the size of Grallix!

I took a step away from this terror and was just about to walk out through the scaly curtain when I heard a pounding noise from the other side of the curtain. It took all of my courage to sneak a peek out the curtain and what I saw filled me with more dread than I knew was possible.

Outside the curtain, a bright orange fire lit a long hallway. Down this hallway, another dragon was walking. Just the rumble of the dragon walking felt like a miniature earthquake! This dragon, too, was three times the size of Grallix. My stomach began to churn and I found it hard to breath. I finally knew where I was. I had been teleported to the Dragonlands!”

Those sitting with Rose gasped. Half a bite of Cumulus’ sandwich fell from his mouth and onto his plate.

“The Dragonlands?” said Sun Chaser in shock.

“You’re absolutely certain?” Sight Seer asked.

“I am,” Rose replied with a curt nod. “But my story isn’t over yet.”

“Then go on,” pleaded Cumulus. He had suddenly lost his appetite.

“So,” continued Rose. She smiled at her captive audience. Story telling had always been one of her favorite things to do with the kids that visited her store and she certainly had a knack for it. “The dragon came closer and closer. Not knowing what else to do, I ducked back into the dim cavern. I snuck along the side walls, trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible. My heart beat faster and faster as the pounding feet came ever nearer. I closed my eyes and silently hoped that the dragon would pass by.

The footsteps stopped and I could feel myself trembling. Then, I heard the curtain open. The scales clinked and clacked as the dragon stepped into the room. I gulped and looked to my right and to my left, searching for some way of escape. There was none. So, in desperation, I dove behind one of the ice sculptures. I tried my best to remain still and keep my breathing to a minimum.

I watched the dragon from my hiding place. She was a dragoness I soon came understand, a female dragon. Although I really couldn’t tell the difference until she spoke. Her scales were a light blue in color and the spines running down her back were thin and sharp. The spines themselves were a deep blue and I saw only the briefest glimpse of her eyes. They were a grey so light that they almost looked white.

She waltzed up to the sleeping dragon and gave him a smack with her tail. He roared and his eyes flew open. He glared at the dragoness for only a moment, and then seemed to recognize her. He snorted a tuft of smoke out his nose and then lifted himself into a sitting position on his bed of gold. He smiled a big toothy grin and beckoned the dragoness to come nearer. It wasn’t until she was standing next to him that I saw their resemblance.

They were almost the inverse of each other. While her scales were light blue, his were a blue as deep as the ocean and where her spines were dark and thin, his were thick and lightly colored.

Then, the dragoness bowed before the one on the hoard.

‘Master,’ she said reverently.

‘Glacier,’ replied the dark dragon from atop his bed. He smiled and gestured for the dragoness to rise.

The dragoness, Glacier, lifted her head and met his gaze. Then, the one on the hoard sniffed the air and furrowed his brows.

‘Is that a new perfume?’ he asked.

‘Is what a new perfume?” replied Glacier.

The dark one’s head twisted from side to side and his eyes scanned around the cave.

‘Lilac perhaps?’ he teased. ‘Or maybe…rose?’

I stifled a gasp and remained motionless. I thought that I would surely be found out. But, luckily, the dragoness interrupted his search.

‘We have more important matters to discuss than perfume scents,’ she chided.

The dark one stopped his searching and rested his gaze back on Glacier.

‘Very well, then tell me why I have been woken.’

‘It is Shadow, Master,” whispered Glacier.

The dark one’s eyes shrunk into little slits at the mention of ‘Shadow’.

‘Has he been found?’ he asked.

‘No,’ replied Glacier, ‘we sent him another message and he still has not replied. Most believe that he is dead.’

‘I assume that you are also part of this ‘most’?’ said the dark one flippantly.

‘Yes, I am.’ She glared at him until she got his attention. ‘I do not understand why you care so much about bringing him back.’ Glacier accused and pointed a sharp claw at her Master. ‘He ran off like some coward! Let him go I say! And good riddance to him too! He’s been nothing but a thorn in both my side and yours.’

‘Oh Glacier, Glacier, Glacier…’ clucked the dark one as if chiding a small child. He chuckled to himself and moved her pointed claw down gently with his tail. ‘Shadow is unruly, this much is true. But I have seen him, I have fought him. Though he may not look it, he has great strength. It is that strength that I desire. If only he would let me teach him. If only he would submit to me. With his help I could expand my kingdom thrice over! But in order to do this, I need him here. And he is not here. Do you understand?’

Glacier turned from him and snarled. ‘Perhaps he would be easier to control if you had not killed his father,’ she whispered with venom in her voice.

‘And what does that have to do with it?!’ growled the dark one. He wrapped his tail around Glacier and spun her to face him. He pulled her in close to his face and spoke. ‘That was necessary and you know it.’ He then uncoiled his tail from her body and she backed down. ‘Besides…’ he continued, ‘what do dragons care for their parents? What do I care for my father?’ He paused and looked Glacier in the eyes threateningly. ‘What do you care for me? I am confident that, should I die this very night, you would take over my affairs without batting an eye.’

‘It is true father!’ roared Glacier in anger. This outburst silenced the dark one and she continued. ‘But Shadow has always been…different.’

The two glared at each other for a long while. Finally, the dark one smiled evilly and sat back on his golden bed. ‘Yes,’ he admitted, ‘I know this. But I know something else too. If he is alive and I let him go free, he will return some day with an army and come knocking at my door. Then he will claim his revenge for that scar I gave him and for taking his father’s life. That is why he must be found!’ He pounded a clenched claw on his treasure. ‘He will either become my greatest ally, or my most hated enemy. And so, my daughter, that is why I need you to find him. Out of my entire kingdom, you are one of the few I can trust who will not fail me. So go! Take whoever and whatever you need and find him.’

Glacier snarled, but bowed and turned to leave.

‘Oh, and Glacier,’ cooed her father. She did not turn back around. ‘If he will not come back with you peacefully, then kill him where he stands.’

‘Yes, Master,’ said Glacier. She walked out of the room and through the clinking curtain.

The dark one lay back down and closed his eyes. Soon he was snoring, but for a long time I didn’t dare to move. It was the hunger that first made me come out of hiding. My stomach began to growl and I decided to search the room for food. I couldn’t find anything to eat, but I could melt the ice for water. I was too scared to leave the cavern and every time I looked out the curtain I saw more dragons walking about. I decided to take my chances with a sleeping dragon over ones who were awake.

And so, I sat there, behind the statues, trying to think of a way to escape. But my stomach continued to growl. The sound of it echoed in the cavern and I heard the dark dragon begin to stir at its sound. I couldn’t leave and I most certainly couldn’t afford to wake him so I did the only thing that came to my mind. I de-animated myself.”

“You did what?” Cumulus practically leaped across the table.

“Calm down Cumulus,” commanded Sun Chaser coolly. “As you can see, she’s right here and is unharmed. Let’s let her finish her story, shall we?”

Cumulus grumbled something under his breath, but backed away and allowed Rose to continue.

“I didn’t de-animate myself for too long, but I did cast the spell so that it would last for a good few hours. When I woke up, the room hadn’t changed. The dragon was still sound asleep and the room was just as dreary as before. The only way I could tell that time had passed at all was that, when I looked out from the curtain, the orange fire had been put out.

I didn’t notice any dragons moving around, and so I took my chance and left. The corridor I found myself in was absolutely massive, to accommodate the size of the dragons. Still, there was no natural light coming from anywhere. I had to risk lighting my horn. Down the dark passage I walked, jumping at the sight of every shadow, but I was completely alone.

I walked and walked for what seemed like hours. There were more gigantic caverns I saw; these ones didn’t have curtains however. Some were filled with piles of gold while others held sleeping dragons. I tried to keep my distance from these rooms and always put out my light until I had passed by.

I was beginning to grow weary and my legs were starting to give way when I finally saw sunlight. It poured through a large exit at the end of the corridor. The sight gave me new strength and I pushed on. I was now standing at the exit, but to my utter horror I couldn’t leave.

The entrance had been carved into the side of a tall mountain. The dragons, with their wings, could enter or leave as they saw fit but I could not. A biting wind also blew into the corridor from the outside. Much of the mountain was covered in snow and ice.

I backed away slowly and fell to the ground in hopelessness. I was trapped. Then, to make matters even worse, I heard a noise which chilled me to the bone. Some dragons had awoken and were walking toward me. I could hear their pounding footsteps echoing through the corridor even though I couldn’t see them.

My mind was reeling, my stomach was growling, and my legs were trembling. I stood to my hooves and looked for hiding spot, but there was none. The dragons were coming closer, I could hear it, and I was in no shape to even try and fight them. So I did the only thing I could do, I hoped for a miracle and jumped out of the exit.

I went into a freefall. Not seeing any way out, I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst. But I never hit the ground. Instead I felt myself being pulled up. I opened my eyes and found that a pillar of green fire had surrounded me! My legs were dissolving, as before, and I felt them being stretched out and flowing away on an invisible wind. The rest of my body was soon to follow and I was quickly whisked away.

The next thing I remember, I was standing on the ground. I heard Cumulus shout and practically bowl me over. I was too shocked to say anything more than, ‘I’m fine.’ And, well, I guess now we’re here.”

“Then it looks like we got you back just in the nick of time,” Sight Seer whispered.

“Rose…” Cumulus gasped. “I’m so sorry. Is…Is there anything else we can do for you?”

Rose Shine smiled and then spoke. “Actually, yes! There is one thing.”

“What is it?” asked Cumulus. “Anything. Just name it!”

“Cumulus,” Rose said. The stubby unicorn leaned in closer, with concern written all over his face. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer.” Rose levitated Cumulus’ sandwich over to her plate and took a bite of it. “Mmm…This is delicious!”

Cumulus had leaned too far in and fell over, which made Sun Chaser laugh.

“There really is no keeping you down for long, is there Rose?” asked Chaser with a smile.

Sight Seer shook his head in wonder at Rose Shine.

Next Chapter: Chapter 20: The Everfree (Part 1) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 36 Minutes