Chapter 21.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle made there way slowly across the open fields and meadows leading from the Everfree forest back to Ponyville. As the two of them got back into the ruined town Rarity shuddered at bit when she saw the broken bodies of all those didn’t survive the dragons attack. Looking at her sister who looked as if she was about to cry. Rarity walked over to Sweetie Belle and wrapped her hooves around her sister pulling her into a tight embrace saying to her.

“I know my darling sister I know it hurts but, we have to keep moving we can’t stay out in the open like this. If we are spotted then our mission will fail. Dry your tears my darling sister we need to move.”

Sweetie Belle ran a hoof over her eyes drying her tears saying as she looked at her sister as Rarity ended her embrace with Sweetie Belle.

“I want that monster to pay for this. All those lives gone! Why Rarity why would that monster do this to us?” Sweetie Belle said a she dried her tears.

“I don’t know Sweetie Belle I really don’t know why we were attacked all I know is that we need to move and quickly.”

Rarity looked around at their surroundings seeing very little worth using as they traveled from Ponyville to the friendship express train station. Rarity said to her sister who was also looking around for anything of value.

“There really isn’t much left is there?” Rarity said as she knocked over some burned barrels and broken pieces of wood.

Sweetie Belle pushed over some broken crates and boxes seeing some rope and a few nails she picked up the rope and nails with her magic then placed them into her school saddle bag. Sighing heavily she returned to her sister's side saying to Rarity as she stood next to her.

“All I found was some un-burnt rope and some nails. I am not sure what to make of those items but, at least it is something….. Right?” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at her sister and Rarity looked back at her.

Rarity smiled warmly at Sweetie Belle then started to walk away towards the train station. Both Sweetie Belle and Rarity were unaware that a predator was slowly coming out of the Everfree forest its hunger for fresh meat driving it ever closer toward Rarity and Sweetie Belle. There scent slowly enticing it to leave the safety of the forest. As Rarity and Sweetie Belle both made their way to the train station Rarity's left ear perked up ever slightly as she thought she heard somepony or something following them. Looking back Rarity saw nothing but the hollow emptiness of the open field and dirt road leading to the forest. Sweetie Belle looked at her then said to her with a confused look on her face as she too looked behind her.

“What is it Rarity? Is there something out there?” Sweetie Belle asked her sister as she scanned the darkness for any signs of movement.

Rarity seeing that there was nothing moving or following them turned back around and headed again towards the train station. Saying to her sister as she walked slowly away from her.

“No it is was nothing let's go we need to hurry.”

The predictor slowly rose up from the ground after it had ducked behind a large bushel of tall grass. Sniffing the air it fully caught the scent of both Rarity and Sweetie Belle as it made its way ever closer to its prey. Letting out a soft growl Rarity again stopped in her tracks and again turned around as fear began to slowly creep into her mind and soul. Again she looked around and again she saw nothing. Looking down at her sister who looked just as frightened as she was Rarity said to her gently.

“Hey let's keep walking I am sure that sound we heard was nothing more than, than the wind yeah the wind so come on let's uh get out of this dreadful place.” Rarity said to Sweetie Belle.

“You don’t have to tell me twice this place now that it is gone gives me the creeps.”

Rarity smiled and started to head towards the station again. As Sweetie Belle turned to join her sister she too like Rarity heard a soft growl and like her sister had done before her she turned around and again like Rarity saw nothing. Fear was beginning to fully take a hold of both Rarity and Sweetie Belle as the two of them slowly made their way through the broken town of Ponyville. Once again the predator stopped its advance and again hid out of sight as it savored the thrill of the hunt and the scent of both Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s fear. Sensing it was about to lose it’s prey the predator let out a loud screech as it jumped out from its hiding place. Rarity stopped on the last three steps leading up a flight of stairs heading towards the train station and turned around when she heard the screeching from the predator. Seeing the predator was leaping right at them she yelled out.

“OH, HORSE APPLES RUN, SWEETIE BELLE RUN!” Rarity yelled out as she started to run.

Sweetie Belle turned around just in time to see the predator leaping right at her. Sweetie Belle managed to get out of the way as she jumped over a guard railing causing the predator to miss its target as it slammed into the guard railing. The predator let out a loud screech of pain and anger as it turned to swipe at Sweetie Belle with its powerful clawed feet. Sweetie Belle just barely able to duck in time felt the wind blow up and past her main as she ducked out of the creatures reach. Sweetie Belle turned and started to run as fast as her little legs could carry her as she yelled to her sister who was running beside her.

“Rarity what is that thing?” Sweetie Belle yelled to her sister as the creature gave chase to both her and Rarity.

Rarity looked back then yelled to her sister as she saw the creature getting ever closer to her and Sweetie Belle.

“IT’S A DEMONIC MANTICORE, RUN!” Rarity yelled as she and her sister ran out of the trainstation and down a flight of stars with the demonic manticor right behind them.

Looking around for a safe place to hide Sweetie Belle saw an open doorway off to her left and yelled as she heard the manticore screech out.

“THERE!” Sweetie Belle yelled as she headed for the open doorway.

Rarity saw her little sister running towards the open doorway and followed as the two of them got inside the doorway Rarity slammed the door on the manticore saying to her sister.

“That door won’t hold for long we need to find some place else to hide.” Rarity said as she breathed in and out heavily trying to catch her breath.

“Where there is no place else for us to go this room doesn’t have a back door!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as she frantically searched for a way out of the room she and her sister were trapped in.  

Hearing the manticore slam into the door and seeing that the door was beginning to crack from the stress of the beast slamming into it. Rarity just as frantically as her sister had done looked around the room she and her sister were both trapped in for a way out. Seeing that her sister was right that there was no way out Rarity turned to face the door as she and Sweetie Belle both watched in horror as the door gave way. The manticore broke the door down and entered the room causing Rarity to let out a loud scream. Hearing the scream Applebloom and Scootaloo both jumped up from where they had been sleeping and raced to edge of the forest. Fluttershy was about to say something to both of them but, was unable to find the breath to speak. Rainbow was to dizzy and hurt to actually stop either of them as both Scootaloo and Applebloom ran out of the forest and towards the ruined town. Calling out to her friend Applebloom said to Scootaloo as they both ran towards Ponyville.

“What do you suppose is going on that would cause Rarity to scream like that?” Applebloom called out to Scootaloo.

“I don’t know maybe Rarity saw a spider or a mouse.” Scootaloo replied as she and Applebloom ran even faster when they heard Rarity scream again.

Rarity standing in front of her frightened sister lowered her head placing her horn right in front of the manticore as she used her magic to pick up several boxes and toss them at the creature. The wooden crates and boxes only served to tick the creature off as each one slammed into it’s face seven total broke on impact with the manticores face. Rarity yelled out to it as she tossed the last one at it with her magic.

“GET BACK, YOU BEAST!” Rarity yelled as the last create smashed on the manticore’s face.  

The demonic manticore swiped at Rarity's head only to miss when Rarity ducked causing her to lose her concentration. As a create she was trying to pick up with her magic fell back to the ground and broke into several small pieces. Sweetie Belle screamed in fear as the manticore then turned its attention to her leaving Rarity to try to save her sister. Seeing that the manticore was about to attack her sister Rarity charged the beast as she jumped at it slamming her full body into the face of the manticore. The demonic manticore slowly began to back away from both Rarity and Sweetie Belle. As Rarity hit the manticore with her body she and the monster both fell to the ground as Rarity yelled out to her sister.

“SWEETIE BELLE RUN!” Rarity yelled out to her sister as she climbed back to her hooves.

The manticore was temporarily dazed from Rarity's attack on it. As the manticore let out a ear piercing screech it again tried to swipe at Rarity with its paws this time hitting her in the chest. Rarity tried to get out of the but, was too slow the right front paw of the manticore contented with Rarity's chest leaving a deep slash in her chest. Rarity stumbled to the ground as blood slowly began to leak out of her wound she looked over and saw her sister was still frozen in place from fear of the manticore. The demonic Manticore saw that it had wounded Rarity and was moving in for the kill when a hard thump to its head caused it to turn around. Scootaloo and Applebloom had both tossed two large rocks at it causing the manticore to forget about Rarity and Sweetie Belle as it heard them both yell to it.

“LEAVE THEM ALONE YOU MONSTER!” Scootaloo yelled.

“YEAH PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR SIZE YOU BEAST!” Applebloom also yelled at it.

The mantitcore snarled at both of them then began to charge them Rarity tried to stand up to help the two fillies. But, the pain in her chest from the wound she had sustained caused her to fall back to her knees as she screamed out her scream snapped Sweetie Belle out of her trance like state. Seeing her sister was badly hurt and her two best friends were being charged by the manticore Sweetie Belle also charged it yelling as she leapt into the air landing on the manticores back.

“TAKE THIS YOU MONSTER FROM TARTARUS!” Sweetie Belle yelled out as she slammed her horn into the back of the manticore causing it screech out in pain.

Digging her horn deeply into the back of the manticore Sweetie Belle used her magic to slowly inflate the monster. Sweetie Belle heard her friend Scootaloo call out to her as she and Applebloom both watched the manticore getting bigger and bigger.

“Sweetie Belle stop you're going to….” Scootaloo was cut off in her sentence when she heard Sweetie Belle yell.

“DIE YOU TARTARUS BORN HARPY!” Sweetie Belle yelled out as Rarity and her friends both watched in horror as the manticore’s body inflated.

Sweetie Belle used her magic to burst the manticore open like an overfilled balloon. Sending blood, intestines and broken bones sailing throughout the room that she, Rarity and her two friends were all in.  As the manticore burst open its blood splattered all over both Applebloom and Scootaloo. Pieces of its guts covered Rarity and Sweetie belle was covered in both blood and guts. Looking from Sweetie Belle then to her two friends Rarity exclaimed.

“Sweetie Belle what have you done?”

Sweetie Belle just grinned as she turned around to face her sister saying to her while she shrugged her shoulders.

“Meh, it was going to kill my friends so I in turn killed it. It’s no big deal really sis, I am fine and your well alive hurt but still alive. So are Scootaloo and Applebloom although they are rather covered in blood and guts at least they are alive.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at her sister then turned around and looked at her two friends who both stood in the doorway with their mouths open.

Sweetie Belle walked up to them both then looked from one to the other saying to them both. As she cocked her head from the right to the left with a confused look and slight grin on her face.

“What?” Sweetie Belle said as she grinned at her two friends who both stared back her with shock on their faces.  

“You… you killed…. It” Scootaloo said in shock at what her friend just did.

“How….how could….you do….something like that?” Applebloom said as the shock of what her friend did slowly began to set in.

“It was easy you just use some magic to inflate it then bam it pops like a balloon nothing more nothing less. I don’t see why you guys are so upset about this. Beside if I had not did what I did you both including my sister would have been dinner for that thing.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked around the room to find something to wipe the blood off of her and her friends bodies.

Finding a small box of cloth Sweetie Belle picked up a half dirty yellow cloth in her teeth then proceeded to wipe the blood off her body. Once she was done she walked over to Applebloom and started to wipe the blood from manticore off her as Sweetie Belle did this Scootaloo still covered in blood said to her.

“You're insane! How could you just kill a living creature like that Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo said as Sweetie Belle finished wiping blood off of Appleblooms body and face.

Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo then back at Applebloom before replying to Scootaloo’s question.

“No I am not.” Sweetie Belle said grimly to her friend as she started to wipe the blood off of Scootaloo.

“Yes you are what you did just now was not the act of a crusader it was the act of a coward!” Applebloom said as she stamped a hoof into the ground and stared coldly at Sweetie Belle.  

Looking down then back up at Applebloom Sweetie Belle smirked as she said to Applebloom with a very slight smile on her face.

“No I am not insane Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle snapped back to Applebloom.

“Yes you are!” Applebloom shot back as she again stomped her hoof onto the ground.

“No I’m not! What I am is one very upset pony!” Sweetie Belle said as she tossed the cloth down onto the ground then turned around to face her sister as she heard Scootaloo say to her.

“So you think that being upset gives you the right to kill a living creature?” Scootaloo asked as Sweetie Belle spun back around facing Scootaloo with anger showing her eyes.

“I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO!” Sweetie Belle yelled back at Scootaloo.

Looking to Applebloom Sweetie Belle said to her angrily as she pushed past her two friends.

“You can clean Scootaloo up yourself Applebloom then both of you can take care of my sister I have a mission that needs to be taken care of.” Sweetie Belle said as she stormed out of the room she, Rarity and her two friends were in.

Getting outside Sweetie Belle breathed in deeply then slowly let out her breath as she sat down on the ground in front of the building. Which she and Rarity had both used to try to take refuge from the attacking manticore. Looking at Scootaloo, Applebloom picked up the rag that Sweetie Belle had used to clean her up with and started to wipe off the blood and guts that covered Scootaloo’s body. Saying to her as she cleaned her friend up.

“I think our fellow crusader might have snapped a bit.” Applebloom said to Scootaloo as she cleaned her up from the blood and guts covering her body.

“Gee you think, What Sweetie Belle did to that manticore demonic or no was not right we need to have a talk with her about this.” Scootaloo said as the last of the blood was wiped off her body and they both turned their attention to Rarity who was trying to attend to her own cleaning and wound.

Sweetie Belle came back inside and again pushed past her two friends as she walked back inside the small building that they had found little refuge in. When she walked up to her wounded sister Sweetie Belle looked down at her sister's wound. Then raised her head and looked up into her sister's crystal blue eyes saying to Rarity as anger clearly showed in Sweetie Belle's eyes.

“Your hurt there for you are staying here. I will go and finish this Scootaloo and Applebloom can help you back to camp once you are healed enough to make it that is.” Sweetie Belle said as she started to turn around to head back outside.

Applebloom and Scootaloo were both about to stop her when a look from Rarity stopped them both in their tracks. Rarity said to her sister as she watched her leave the room again.

“Take care of yourself sister I am sorry that you lost so much and that you feel the need to take a life for your pain.” Rarity said as she watched her sister leave the room she and the two remaining crusaders were in.

Both Scootaloo and Applebloom looked at her then turned the attention to Sweetie Belle as they watched her disappear from their sight. Applebloom asked Rarity as she turned back around looking right at Rarity's wound.

“Why didn’t you stop her from leaving?” Applebloom asked as she looked at Rarity's wound.  

“I didn’t stop her because my sister is hurting right now and soon what she did will set in that alone will be more punishment than anything I could have given her. Now I need your help to get up and clean myself up. I also might need a sewing needle and thread to sew up my wound.” Rarity said as she looked at Applebloom then over at Scootaloo who was crying.

Applebloom started to help Rarity up and like she did with Scootaloo, Applebloom began to slowly wipe the blood off of Rarity as Scootaloo remained where she was crying for what her friend had done to the manticore. Rarity winced as she felt the rag drag across the wound on her chest. Applebloom looked up at her saying to her.

“Sorry about that Rarity I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know Applebloom.” Rarity replied as she closed both eyes tightly from the pain she was in.

Finishing her work Applebloom walked over the box of cloth that Sweetie Belle had found and picked up a fresh cloth then bringing it over to Rarity. Applebloom had her sit down and started to tie it around Rarity's chest tightly not having a needle or thread present Applebloom said to Rarity as she pulled on the cloth to make it tighter.

“You're going to have make due with this until we can get you to a hospital or to Canterlot and have one of the royal medics take a look at you.” Applebloom said as she tightened the cloth around Rarity's chest.

Once the cloth was secured in place both Applebloom and Rarity walked over to Scootaloo who was still crying for what Sweetie Belle did to the manticore. Rarity said as gently as she could to the young Pegasus.

“It’s going to be alright darling there is no need to cry I am sure my sister will be alright.” Rarity said as she knelt down and nuzzled Scootaloo on her right cheek with her nose.

“How is Sweetie Belle going to be alright Rarity she killed that manticore then acted like it wasn’t a big deal?” Scootaloo said while sobbing.

“I don’t know Scootaloo I have never in all my life thought my sister was even remotely capable of something like this. I had no idea she even had that type of magic. Let alone was going to do something like this.” Rarity said as she looked at Scootaloo then over at Applebloom who was sitting down next to a broken crate.

Sweetie Belle sighed to herself then slowly got up and headed off towards the train station again alone in her thoughts she began to think about what her two friends had said to her. As the reality of what she had done slowly began to seep in she thought to herself as she neared the train.

“I am not insane. I had to do what I did. I had no choice. It was a monster. It deserved to die.” Sweetie Belle thought to herself.

Sweetie Belle got onto the train and headed out towards Canterlot castle. As she got to the castle Princess Luna was in the throne room looking out at the skyline wishing her sister was by her side. As Luna sighed to herself a soft knock came from the throne room doors turning to the door Princess Luna said.

“Come in please.”

Entering the throne room a guard lowered his head as he bowed to her saying to her.

“The royal blacksmith has arrived and is at the train station your majesty.”  The guard said as he bowed to the princess.

“Thank you please show him in right away and oh, one more thing before you go solder.” Luna said as she continued to look out the window at the night sky line.

“Yes your majesty?” The guard asked as he remained where he was.

“Tell me is Rainbow Dash with the royal blacksmith?”Princess Luna asked while still looking out the window at the night skyline.  

“No your majesty I do not know where she is your majesty.” The guard replied.

“You may go now please have the blacksmith meat me in my bedchambers.” Luna Replied as she slowly turned to face the guard.

“As you command your majesty.” The guard said as he got up then headed out of the throne room and towards the train station.

Sweetie Belle was greeted by a pony with muscular and broad shoulders who had with him a large long metal box. He looked at her then set down his package as he trotted up to her smiling warmly to her. Sweetie Belle said to him as she looked from the box back to the pony trotting up to her.

“Can I help you?” Sweetie Belle said with a slightly confused look on her face.

“Actually it is I that can help you little one.” The blacksmith said to Sweetie Belle.

“I don’t understand how can you help me?” Sweetie Belle asked with a even more confused look on her face.

Looking at Sweetie Belle the blacksmith smiled gently to her as he looked into her eyes he saw a small tear slip past her green eyes and trickle down her cheek. Placing a gentle hoof over her left shoulder the blacksmith said to her.

“Little one I am the royal blacksmith I have seen much in my time. I can tell by the look in your beautiful eyes that you have done something that you are not sure if it was the right thing to do. I can help you with this if you will but, let me I know what you are going through and what you are about to go through. I like you have lost many good friends over the years and like you I lost control of my anger and did the same thing that you have done. I know what it is like to kill and to question it latter after the deed is done and past.”

“How did you know that I have taken a life? When I haven’t even told Princess Luna about this yet.” Sweetie Belle asked as more tears slipped past her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

Seeing that Sweetie Belle was about to fully start crying the blacksmith pulled the young unicorn into his powerful shoulders and hugged her tightly as Sweetie Belle began to sob. While sobbing into his shoulders Sweetie Belle heard him say to her while he hugged her tightly in his powerful hooves.

“Little one I know because as I said I saw the look in your eyes. It was a look of uncertainty a look of absolute pain and remorse for doing what you did. Like you I killed a innocent creature that had attacked my friends and just like you are doing now. I too was left to wonder if what I did was right or wrong. The attack on Ponyville has left you hurt and angry so you lost control and took your anger out on the demonic manticore ending its life.”

“How do you know about the attack on my home town? No pony knows about that yet I have not even told the Princess about it yet.” Sweetie Belle said as she continued to cry into the blacksmith’s shoulders.

“There, there little one. I know about the attack on your hometown because while making the item that I have brought with me for Princess Luna I heard the explosion. I know there is only one creature throughout all of this land that can cause such a loud explosion and that is Airghith the destroyer. I have seen his work before little one. I know far too well what he is capable of.” The blacksmith said as he slowly set Sweetie Belle down on the ground.

Looking up into the blacksmiths soft warming eyes Sweetie Belle dried her tears and said to the blacksmith.

“Who are you? How is it possible for you to know so much about the dragon?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked into the blacksmiths soft warm eyes.

“I am just a simple wanderer my little filly one that has taken up blacksmithing to make a living.  Like you I have a role to play in the history of our great nation.” Replied the blacksmith warmly to Sweetie Belle as she finished drying her tears.

Looking over at a nearby poster of Starswirl the bearded Sweetie Belle began to slowly understand who the blacksmith really was and just how old he truly was. Turning her attention back to the kindly blacksmith. Sweetie Belle said to him as he smiled warmly to her while he picked up his package then nodded to her.

“Wait you can’t be…...him, can you?” Sweetie Belle said as the blacksmith started to head towards the main gate of the castle.

“Like I said I am just a simple wanderer who has a role to play in our nation's history.” The blacksmith replied to Sweetie Belle as he walked away from her placing his package onto his back.

Sweetie Belle again looked at the poster then headed towards the castle’s main gate. Getting to the castle's main gate they were both greeted by the royal guards who looked at Sweetie Belle with quirked eyebrows. Seeing this the blacksmith said to the two standing in front of the gate.

“She’s with me I need her to help me open the package that I have here for Princess Luna she and she alone is to lay eyes on it. Please let us pass.” The blacksmith said to the two guards stationed out front of the main castle gate.

Just as they were about say something to the blacksmith another guard called out to them as he made his way down a flight of steps towards the four standing outside the gate.

“Let both of them pass that is the royal blacksmith you both will be disciplined harshly if you don’t do as I command.” The guard said he got up to the gate.

Using his magic he unlocked the gate then moved to the right to allow Sweetie Belle and the blacksmith through the gateway. Bowing to both of them as they both crossed his path. The blacksmith looked at the young guard saying to him as he passed by him.

“Thank you, you are most kind.” The blacksmith said as he passed the guard.

Rising back up the guard said to both Sweetie Belle and the blacksmith.

“If you both will follow me I will take you to Princess Luna.” The guard said as he began to lead the the two of them up a flight of stairs and into along crystal hallway.

As the two of them passed by several large stained glass windows one window caught the attention of Sweetie Belle who walked over to it then said as she looked at it.

“Who is this?” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at the window then back at the guard who in turn looked up at the window then at Sweetie Belle.

The guard smiled and said to Sweetie Belle as he looked fondly at the window that Sweetie Belle was looking at.

“That young one is the first captain to the royal guards she was lost in battle many, many moons ago.” The guard said as he looked at the stained glass window then down at Sweetie Belle.

Looking at the stained glass window Sweetie Belle saw a pony with long blond hair carrying a bow and quiver on her back. Her armor was completely made out of silver plating. Looking more closely Sweetie saw that the pony in question had forest green eyes and amber colored fur. As Sweetie Belle was about turn to continue down the hallway leading towards the throne room. She spotted something on the chestplate of the armor worn by the pony in the stained glass window. Looking back at the guard then back at the stained glass window Sweetie Belle said to him as she stared at the glass window before her.

“Are those….....apples on her breastplate?”

The guard approached the stained glass window looked at it then looked down at Sweetie Belle saying to her warmly.

“Yes they are. Three to be precise.” The guard said as he looked into Sweetie Belle's green eyes.

“Who….....who is she? She is beautiful.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked back at the window then back at the guard.

“You look at the stained glass window portrait of Silver Apple. Her story although I do not have time to tell you right now is one told only to the royal guards to help us become better than what we are. Now if you will please follow me there is little time for us to waste and you I asume want to talk to Princess Luna am I correct?” The guard replied warmly to Sweetie Belle as she took one last look at the stained glass window then headed down the hallway.

“What, oh; yes you are correct I need to speak to her as soon as possible.” Sweetie Belle said as she took one last look at Silver Apples portrait then headed down the hallway.  

The blacksmith looked at the armor that Silver Apple wore and said to himself as he headed down the hallway as well.

“Yes Silver Apple’s story is one of both courage and sadness.” The blacksmith said to himself as he made his way down the long hallway leading to the throne room.

As he got to the throne room door the guard stopped him saying to him calmly.

“Princess Luna commanded that you will meet her in her royal bedchambers.” The guard said as he looked from the blacksmith then to Sweetie belle.

“I understand.” The blacksmith said to the guard

As the guard opened the throne room door he turned to Sweetie Belle saying to her.

“Wait here I will come get you when the Princess wants to see you.”

Sweetie Belle sat down in front of the door leading into the throne room and nodded to the guard as he opened the door. Then watched him close it again as he walked up to Princess Luna who was sitting on her throne sighing deeply to herself. When Princess Luna saw the guard come into the throne room and bow deeply to her she asked him.

“Have you shown the blacksmith my bedroom chambers yet?” Princess Luna asked the royal guard.

“Not yet your majesty there is somepony else that wants to see you.” The royal guard replied as she bowed to Princess Luna.

“Really? Who would want to see me at this hour other than the blacksmith?” Replied Princess Luna sternly to the guard as she laid a hoof onto her chin and tapped her chin lightly.

“I do not know her name your majesty but, she is young and is waiting out in the hallway. The blacksmith is out there too shall I show them both in? Or would you rather I show only the little filly in?”

Princess Luna descended her throne and walked over to a nearby window peered out then said to the guard.

“Show them both in I will speak to both of them.”

“As you command your majesty.” The guard replied as he rose to his hooves then walked over to the door leading from the throne room into the hallway.

The guard let the two into the throne room and was about to leave when Princess Luna called out to him.

“Please remain here I will have need of your advice when I am done with my two visitors.” Princess Luna called out to the guard who turned around and bowed deeply to her.

Sweetie Belle took in a deep breath then slowly let it out before she said to Princess Luna.

“Your majesty I am Sweetie Belle I am the younger sister to Rarity the element holder of generosity who has been hurt by a demonic manticore. Rainbow Dash would have brought the information to you herself if she was not hurt herself. She is now in the Everfree forest along with Applejack who might not live to see another sun rise for she like my sister and Rainbow has been badly injured. My home of ponyville has been completely wiped out. I beg you to hear me out on this matter.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at Princess Luna then down at the floor while a few crystal tears fell from her nose and onto the floor.

“Go on little filly please tell me how did your home get wiped out.” Luna replied gently to Sweetie Belle.

“Our town was attacked by some sort of dragon according to Rainbow Equestria is facing an army that numbers in the tens of billions. I do not know how many soldiers attacked our small town of ponyville only that of the four thousand that lived there only thirty six of us remain.”

Princess Luna hearing this as she looked out the window to the darkening sky coming from the direction of the crystal empire said to Sweetie Belle.  

“I see child thank you for your information I will send you back to the forest with the royal doctors they can help you save your friends lives. Go now with haste and may Celestia’s spirit watch over you little one.” Princess Luna said to Sweetie Belle who bowed deeply to her.

Princess Luna nodded then turned her attention to the blacksmith saying to him.

“Did you bring the item that I asked for you to make?” Princess Luna said as she looked at him with cold eyes.  

“I did your majesty and let me warn you again. This sword is ancient and very powerful do not trifle with magic that you do not understand nor know how to wield.” The blacksmith replied sternly to Princess Luna as he lowered the box he had been carrying on his back to the floor of the throne room.

“I understand besides the sword is not for me it is…...for somepony else.” Princess Luna replied to the blacksmith as she looked at him then walked over to him and looked down at the box sitting on the throne room floor.

The blacksmith opened the box and allowed Princess Luna to look inside of it seeing the sword before her she smiled greatly at him. The sword had a large metal curved inward spike for the pommel. The hilt was bent up and down with a large black jewel in the center of it. The grip of the sword was wrapped in black leather the sword itself was from blade to hilt four and half feet long. The blades width was a total of three feet. On the blade itself were red glowing symbols that seemed to shine and glow with demonic energy. As the blacksmith closed the box he looked at Princess Luna who in turn said to him as she returned to her throne and sat back down.

“I have offered you payment for this sword and yet you turned it down is there any type of payment you will take for this?” Princess Luna asked of the blacksmith who looked over to Sweetie belle before replying with.

“Yes there is one payment that I will take for making this most evil of weapons.” The blacksmith replied to Princess Luna as his eyes never left sight of Sweetie Belle who was sitting next to him.

“Name it and it shall be your’s provided it is within reason that is of course.” Princess Luna said to him as her eyes fell to Sweetie Belle who was still sitting next to the blacksmith.

“Place this young unicorn under my charge and we will call that my payment. She has need of one that has gone through what she has done and gone through. Thus I am the one to help her in her time of need.” The blacksmith replied to Princess Luna softly as he laid a gentle hoof over Sweetie Belle's left shoulder.

“Sweetie Belle what is it that you have done that would cause the blacksmith to want to take you as his student.” Princess Luna said to Sweetie Belle as she looked at her with a confused look on her face.

“I….I killed the manticore I didn’t see any other way to save my friends or my sister. So I took its life. I will take my punishment for this act but, I beg you please allow me to return to my sister and my friends in the Everfree forest. Without my help it will be too late for Applejack for I know where they are.” Sweetie Belle replied to Princess Luna as a few tears slid down her nose and hit the floor.

Looking at Sweetie Belle Princess Luna said to her sternly.

“Sweetie Belle wait in the hallway I will make my decision about your punishment for this act after I have spoken to the blacksmith.”  

Sweetie Belle gulped hard when she saw the anger in Luna’s eyes but, did as she was told. Sweetie Belle slowly headed to the door of the throne room then headed out into the hallway to await her punishment. Looking back at the blacksmith Princess Luna said to him as she sighed deeply to herself.

“You have felt their presence here in this world have you not blacksmith?” Princess Luna asked as she looked at him then down at the floor.

“Yes I have felt their presence in our world your majesty.” The blacksmith replied to Princess Luna as he sighed deeply.

“Then you know as well as I that the decedent of Silver Apple is going to fight in this war don’t you?” Princess Luna said as she looked solemnly at the blacksmith.

“I do.” Replied the blacksmith calmly to Princess Luna.

“So tell me whatever did happen to Silver Apple?” Princess Luna asked as she looked into the amber colored eyes of the blacksmith.

“You and I both know that I sent her to the mirror world to retrieve the book of magic but, what I didn’t know was she was going to fall in love in that world.” The blacksmith said to princess Luna as he lowered his head when he heard Luna say to him.  

“She didn’t just fall in love there did she blacksmith?” Princess Luna said as she looked at him with sad eyes.

“No she didn’t just fall in love in the mirror world. She actually got married so when I learned she was not about to come home I offered her a choice. Stay in the mirror world and be completely cut off from her friends and family or return home and leave her husband behind forever. She chose to remain with her husband and died a great mother whose children in turn had children of their own.” The blacksmith said as she watched Princess Luna raise her head back up so her eyes met his amber colored eyes.

“What happened to the decedent’s family?” Princess Luna asked as she stared into the blacksmiths eyes.  

“The decedent's father and mother both taught their daughter how to use a bow and before her training could be complete they both died leaving her to be raised by her brother and grandmother. A fierce but, very honest young girl she was had to watch as both her mother and father died in front of her saving her friends life.” The blacksmith said calmly as he walked over to the same window that Princess Luna had been previously looking out of.

As he looked out the window he saw the sky was getting darker and darker as flashes of light could be seen off in the far distance. As the light was seen disappearing and reappearing each one a different color the blacksmith turned to Princess Luna as she asked him.

“Tell me blacksmith who was the friend that the descendants family had to die for while saving her friends life?”

The blacksmith looked down then said as he looked back up to Princess Luna.

“You know her as the element of generosity.” The blacksmith said as he stared grimly into Luna’s eyes.  

“You don’t mean?” Luna said as she looked back into the blacksmiths amber colored eyes.

“Yes I do mean her. You see Princess Luna Silver Apple knew as I did that some day her armor and her bow would have to be brought back to Equestria. And yes Rarity was the one that the decedent's mother and father gave their lives for. The decedent had gotten into an argument that day with young Rarity and rather than deal with it as she should have done so. The stupid child ran away with the decedent chasing her. As they both ran out onto the broken bridge overlooking griffin gorge the bridge gave way from their body weight. The decedent tried on her own to help Rarity but, was unable to do so. It was the descendants screaming for help that brought her mother and father to that gorge. And it was her father’s and mother's choice to step out onto the bridge and save Rarity's life at the coast of their own lives. For the past fourteen years that little girl has had to live without a mother and father all because her friend Rarity had to be foolish and run out onto a bridge that was too weak to hold her weight.” The blacksmith said as a small amount of anger showed in his amber eyes.

“I am sensing you are angry with Rarity for causing this to happen to the descendants mother and father.” Princess Luna said as she looked at the blacksmith then back down at the floor again.

“No I am not angry with Rarity or with the decedent neither of them asked for this and thus I can not hold fault to either of them.  I am angry because that young girl is about to come here and fight in a war that she shouldn’t have to fight in yet without her we will not win. Even if Celestial Sparkle does managed to save your friend Snowdrop that still leaves the dragon to deal with and death herself must also be dealt with as well. You may not know this but, the armor that Silver Apple wore the day before I sent her to the mirror word was enchanted. The arrows that rest inside the quiver are the only thing that can harm death.Thus death will stop at nothing to destroy those arrows. The armor will protect the bearer of it from deaths attacks provided she is not shot with an arrow dipped in dragon's blood. It was the fires and blood of many good dragons that helped to forge that armor and thus that is the only thing that can penetrate the armor.”

“I see you are aware that Amora has the dragon's heart and the alicorn amulet correct.” Asked Princess Luna as she half smiled to the blacksmith.

“Yes but, you know that even with demon venom placed onto the blade that you saw there is still no real guarantee that Amora will be able to kill that monster. That is why there is a jewel on the hilt of the sword. I enchanted it so It will trap the beast inside of it forever. Thus regaining her full power she will be able to go to Tarartus and lay waste to the one that stole her throne. Balance will be brought back to Tarartus and thus death will either join her two sisters or she will fall. And a new one will be chosen to take her place one that is far more powerful and more discerning than this version of death ever will be.” The blacksmith said as he turned around and saw the lights off in the distance flashing more and more frequently.  

“Very well I will allow you to take the young unicorn as your charge seeing as how you are so fond of her. But, you will in turn for me doing this will fully teach her when to use her magic and when not to use it. I don’t ever want to hear of her killing another creature like that again.”

“Thank you your majesty but, there is one thing you need to know before I leave to take her and royal doctors back to Sweetie Belle's camp.” The blacksmith said as he bowed deeply to Princess Luna who looked at him in turn with a quirked eyebrow.

"And what would that be blacksmith?" Luna asked as she looked at him and he at her with great sadness in his eyes.

“That was no demonic manticore that Sweetie Belle killed I didn’t want to say this in front of her because she was already upset enough as it was. But, I have a picture with me of what the creature looks that she killed please bring her back in here and I will show her the picture to confirm my suspicion.” The blacksmith said to Princess Luna as he reached into his front pocket with his magic taking out a picture then holding it in the air for Luna to see it.

Once Luna got a good look at the creature she said to the guard that remained in the throne room.

“Bring that child back in here at once!” Princess Luna all but barked out her command to the solder in the throne room.

“As you command your majesty.” The guard said as he bowed then opened the throne room door and let Sweetie Belle back into the throne room.

Looking that the young unicorn then at the blacksmith Princess Luna said to Sweetie Belle who seemed rather afraid of the princess.

“Is this the monster that you killed Sweetie Belle?” Princess Luna asked as she showed the picture that the blacksmith had to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle looked at the picture then at Princess Luna and finally at the blacksmith before saying to both of them.

“Yes that is the monster that I killed. The monster that attacked my sister and two friends as my sister and I tried to make our way here to warn you about the army that you're about to face.”

“That young filly was no demonic manticore it is actually something far older and more fouler than a demonic manticore. It is actually a demonic scouting hound which means Lady Galanthus and her army have fully risen from their eternal prison.” The blacksmith said to Sweetie Belle as she looked at the photo being held up by the blacksmiths magic.

“We need to leave and leave now I will help you get back to your friends safely and Princess Luna has agreed to place you under my charge.” The blacksmith said as he looked at her with his amber colored eyes.

Sweetie Belle looked up at Princess Luna who in turn looked back at her and said to Sweetie Belle as she sat on her throne.

“You are to go with the blacksmith and do as he tells you to do you are now his student he will teach you when to use your magic and when not to use your magic. I hope that you will be a good student for him. Please pay him the respect that one of his age is owed and I will see you on your next visit here little Sweetie Belle. You need not worry about being punished for this now know what you killed I see you had little choice in the matter. Go now and good luck little one.”  

Sweetie Belle bowed deeply to Luna and then headed out of the throne room with the blacksmith following her. As the two of the headed down to the castle main gate they saw several chariots awaiting them out front of the castle. Each one had one of Princess Luna's personal guards at the front of it. There were six in total two of which were empty and the other four each had a pony dressed in a white coat with a red cross on his hat. As Sweetie Belle and the blacksmith each took their own chariots Sweetie Belle said the royal guard in front of her chariot.

“Head the train station just outside of ponyville from there head to the edge of the Everfree forest. I will show you the way once we get to the forest.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at the dark royal guard who didn’t reply to her command.

The dark royal guards all whinnied loudly then reared up on their hind legs unfurled their wings and took off almost knocking the young unicorn out of her chariot as they flew through the air. The guards flew for all but ten minutes before they landed in front of the train station and Sweetie Belle got off of her chariot then yelled out for her sister.

“Rarity where are you?” Sweetie Belle yelled out.

A few seconds went by before Sweetie Belle heard a reply from Scootaloo.

“Over here Sweetie Belle we are over here.” Scootaloo said as she waved a hoof at Sweetie Belle.

Looking to her right Sweetie Belle saw her friend standing near a large blue building with two windows in the front and green door that was opened. Running over to as two of the four doctors followed her she found her sister sitting on a bed inside the building that Scootaloo was standing in front of. Applebloom was sitting next to Rarity when the doctors came in and began to examine Rarity’s wound. Seeing that Rarity was going to need stitches they gave her a shot of anesthesia then began to stitch her up her wound. Rarity slowly passed out from the pain she was as the doctors used their magic to move her to the chariot that Sweetie Belle was once in. Sweetie Belle stepped back into her chariot along side her unconscious sister.Then directed her two friends to each get onto a chariot with one of the doctors in it. Both Applebloom and Scootaloo did so without question as Sweetie Belle then directed the royal guards to fly them to the Everfree forest. Getting to the forest Sweetie Belle led the other two doctors into the forest and the camp that Fluttershy and the others were at. Tending to Applejack one of the doctors said as he looked up at Applebloom who was watching his every movement intently.

“OK your sister had eight broken ribs a badly infected cut on her flank and a broken leg we need to get her out of her and back to the castle. There we can provide a better line of treatment for your sister Ms. Apple.” The doctor said.

“I am not about to let you take her without me being by her side.” Applebloom said as she watched the doctors levitate Applejack up and out of the woods.

Turning to her the other Doctor said to her while she treated Rainbow for her head injury and other injures that the blue Pegasus had stained while the dragon destroyed ponyville.  

“That is fine with us we can leave your friends here and come back for them in a few hours. Right now we need to get these two to safety and get your sister to a hospital room where she can get proper medical treatment.” The second doctor said to Sweetie Belle as he waved a flashlight in Rainbows eyes.  

After looking at Rainbows eyes for any sign of pupil constriction and seeing that Rainbow’s eyes did constrict as they were suppose to do so. The doctors used their magic to help Rainbow up and moved her to a awaiting chariot as Fluttershy rose up to go with her friend one of the doctors said to her.

“I am sorry but, we do not have enough room for you and all the little ones besides if you leave who will remain and take care of them until we come back with help.” The doctor said to Fluttershy who looked back at the fillies and colts all of whom looked at her with scared looks on their faces.

Fluttershy seeing the looks on the fillies and colts faces nodded to the doctor as she returned to the warmth and safety of the campfire. Then Fluttershy nuzzled down next to several of the little ones she was looking after. As the doctors were about to leave Sweetie Belle got off her chariot and without any word to her two friends directed the royal guards to take her sister and Applejack as well as Rainbow Dash to the castle for proper medical treatment. Walking up to Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle lowered her head and said to her as she sat down on the cold hard ground in front of the custard colored pegasus.

“Fluttershy I….I have something that I need to tell you. But you're not going to like it.” Sweetie Belle said as she sat in front of Fluttershy on the cold hard ground.

Fluttershy raised her head then looked at Sweetie Belle and nodded to her as she waited for Sweetie Belle to say what she needed to say to her. The moon rose in the sky the forest was still and quiet Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applebloom and scootaloo where all on their way to the castle. Fluttershy remained in the forest with Sweetie Belle who was left all most heartsick by her actions in ponyville earlier that night. As Fluttershy looked at Sweetie Belle she saw that the young unicorn was crying. Crystal tears dripped one by one down the little unicorns face and off her nose splashing silently on the ground beneath her hooves. As Sweetie Belle looked up and saw only love and light in Fluttershy’s sky blue eyes. This only served to cause the little unicorn to cry even harder and more. For Sweetie Belle felt like she didn’t deserve Fluttershy’s kindness or love. Fluttershy pulled the little unicorn into her shoulders and Sweetie Belle started to fully sob. Saying to her as she stroked the little unicorns back with her hooves.

“Whatever it is that you have to tell me it will be alright Sweetie Belle I want you to know that.” Fluttershy said to Sweetie Belle as she held the little unicorn tightly in her hooves. Next Chapter: Chapter 22. Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 4 Minutes