As the seven mares ran for their lives through the Everfree Forest, their wooden companions in hot pursuit, things in Ponyville were finally starting to calm down and get back under control, for the most part. Even though Nightmare Moon was no longer there to attack the citizens, there was still some panic and mayhem going on back in the Town Square. Smoke could be seen still rising out from inside the destroyed building at rather high quantities, even though the fire inside the building was long put out. Rubble and debris either clung feebly or fell from some parts of the building every few minutes, looking ready to fall down on ponies that were unlucky enough to be standing under them, and the large hole that was blasted through the front center of the roof was still displayed for all to see.

Things were certainly looking bad on the outside, due to the level of demolishing that the Town Square had suffered, but on the inside, things were looking to be much, much worse.

The sounds of panicked ponies could be heard all over interior of the Town Square as they tried take in all that had happened, along with helping those that were still in dire need of assistance. Some ponies were still doing their best to help the injured get out from under the weight of the destroyed roof, some of which looking to be a lot worse for wear. Doctors and Nurses could be seen running left and right, trying to tend to the ones who needed the most help. At the same time, trying to aid the ponies that needed urgent care as quickly as possible, even though it was apparent they wouldn’t be able to get to all of them. Foals were huddled closely to their parents and elder siblings, their wide eyes watching the events unfold in front of them as their young minds tried to desperately to understand it. It was a truly dark and terrifying time for all in that building, but none were more scared than a certain beetle black mare.

Midnight panted heavily as she reached down and lifted a large piece of wood from up off of the pile that she was currently standing on. She lifted it just over her head and held it there for a few seconds, before she threw it across the air. Midnight then whirled around and bucked some lighter pieces of wood off of the pile with all the strength she could muster. This made it shake and causing some of the ponies who were also standing on it and assisting her to start to lose their balance.

“Jeez Midnight, what the hay’s gotten into you?” A mint green Unicorn asked in bewilderment as she raised an eyebrow at the large Pegasus mare. “I get that you’re worried about the foals trapped under there, but could you take it easy? At the rate you’re going, you’re gonna cover this whole floor in giant splinters!”

Midnight abruptly paused in her digging and spun her head around to face the Unicorn her fangs gleaming. Her navy-blue eyes glowed as she gave her a sharp glare, causing the other mare to take a step back. “Take it easy? Take it easy?! How in the bucking Tartarus am I supposed to take it easy when there are foals trapped under here?! Did you not see it fall down on them when the roof got caved in?! Because I sure did! Who knows how many of them are injured?! They could have cuts and bruises, or broken limbs, or worse! With all of that, you’re seriously telling me to take it easy?!”

“She does make a great point Lyra.” A light beige Earth Pony mare said as she shoved a piece of the roof away from her. “There are foals trapped under here with no way out, possibly on the verge of suffocating in there. If somepony doesn’t get them out soon, they could pass out, or worse-die! I think Midnight has every reason to be scared, and I also think it’s high time you did the same, instead of taking apart on piece at a time!”

“I didn’t say that Midnight shouldn’t be worried Bon-Bon!” Lyra shouted indignantly. “I’m just saying that she shouldn’t let herself get so worked up to the point where she won’t know what to do! Ponies don’t think rationally when their under stress you know!”

“True, but Midnight isn’t under that much stress, nor is she letting that stress get the better of her.” Bon-Bon inquired. “She’s focused on getting those foals out of them as quickly as possible, and not listening to you telling her to calm down. Which, I might add, is not helping in the least.”

“What?!” Lyra cried, her jaw dropping in shock as she gave Bon-Bon a pout. “How am I not helping?!”

“Well for one, you’re distracting her from doing her job, and two, you’re preventing me from helping her.” The beige Earth mare deadpanned, before turning her back to the mint green mare. “Now, less talking, more digging!”

“But Bonny-”

“Now, Lyra, or you’re not getting any of me after this is all over.”

With a groan, Lyra rolled her eyes and trotted back up to the pile of wood and began levitating some pieces off of it, before tossing it behind her.Nothing more was said between the three mares as they continued their frantic digging through the pile, the sound of wood tumbling and crunching resonating on their ears. Clouds of dust began to rise from their activity, making them cough up some and their eyes start to water, but they ignored it and continued on. The only thing that mattered to them was saving the young live trapped beneath their feet as quickly as possible, before they paid the ultimate price for being the unlucky victims of the events that occurred.

At some time during their digging, Midnight caught site of a small hole just a foot or so away to from her. As she leaned closer to it, her keen ears picked up the sound of what seemed to be voices inside. Her heart skipped a beat as her whole body began to fill with renewed hope. Had she and the others finally found the foals?

“Girls wait, hold it!” The beetle black mare shouted, holding a hoof out to stop Lyra and Bon-Bon from digging any farther. Both mares looked up at her, confusion etched on their faces as they stopped what they were doing.

“What is it Midnight?” Bon-Bon asked, noticing the mare’s posture. “Do you hear something?”

“I think so…” Midnight replied as she leaned in closer to the hole, listening in as best she could. After another moment of silence, she stuck her muzzle in and called out. “Hello?! Is anypony down there?! We’re here to get you out of this hole!”

The beetle black mare pulled her head away and waited a few moments for somepony to reply back, only for nothing to come out. Frowning, Midnight leaned her head in to call out again when a voice, sounding much younger than her, shouted from inside the hole.

“Y-yes, we’re in here! All of us are!” The voice of a filly replied, her voice echoing from inside of the hole. “Are you here to rescue us?!”

“Yes sweetheart, we are!” Midnight replied, happy that the foals were still alive and well. “Just stay wherever you are okay?! We’re going to get you out of there as quickly as we can!”

“Okay, we’ll stay!” The filly replied, with just a tinge of worry in her voice. “Could you hurry up, though?! It’s getting kind of hard for us to breathe…and my leg is stuck under the wood, so I can’t stand up!”

‘Oh dear…’ Midnight thought, a sense of dread filling her stomach as she bit her lip in worry. Eyes narrowing, the beetle black mare whipped her head around to Lyra and Bon-Bon. “Lyra, do you think you can use your magic to help me widen this hole?”

“I’m, yeah I think so…” Lyra replied slowly as she stared at the Pegasus mare. “Why? Did you find the foals?”

“Yes,” Midnight nodded calmly. “I just heard a foal from inside there. I don’t know how many there are, but I’m guessing that there are a lot. From the way that one of them spoke to me, it sounds like things aren’t looking good in there either.”

“Well, I don’t know if I’ll be able to remove all of it but.., I’ll give it my best shot.” Lyra replied as she climbing over to the hole. “Hey Bonny, are you pitching in too?”

“Are you kidding?” Bon-Bon replied incredulously, looking at her Unicorn companion as if she was crazy. “You know well that I’m not backing out from a situation like this, especially if it involves the lives of foals! I may not have wings or magic, but I certainly have the strength do my part!”

“Of course, you do. You are an Earth Pony after all.” Lyra replied with a smirk as Bob-Bon got on either side of her and Midnight.

Alright everypony, on the count of three, we’re gonna widen this hole as best we can!” Midnight replied, earning nods from the other two mares. “One…”

“...Two…” Lyra murmured.

“...Three!” Bon-Bon shouted as she grabbed the edge of the hole and pulled with all her might. At the same time, Midnight did the same while Lyra used her magic to help them out.

The sound of the wood creaking and crunching once again filled the air as all three mares pulled with all their might. While Lyra and Bon-Bon did their very hardest, a majority of the progress was made by Midnight, due to her greater size and strength, and her Thestral heritage. Each of the mares could feel the sharp edges of the wood pierce and even start to dig into their hooves, along with sweat starting to form on their heads, but they kept going. The need and desire to save the foals overriding their own safety and putting their well-being in the back of their minds.

Eventually, all three mares stopped in their task and took a moment to catch their breaths, letting their bodies recover from the effort. After a few more moments, Midnight rose from her sitting position and slowly walked over to the now much bigger hole. kneeling down, she once again stuck her head inside and began searching for the foals.

“Can any of you hear me down there?!” The beetle black mare asked. “If you do, can any of you come into the light? Where I can see you?!”

Midnight then fell silent, listening out for any kind of response from any of the foals inside. Her ears picked up the sound of what looked to be whispering from inside, some seeming to be frantic and on edge, said they were hesitant to come forward.

Figuring that they needed some reassurance, Midnight went to try to call down to them, when she noticed something moving in the shadows,. She didn’t have to wait for very long, for just a few moments later, a young colt stepped out into the light. It was a Pegasus colt with a brown coat that was just a shade lighter than chocolate, and a long two toned orangish scarlet red mane and tail with streaks of whitish tangelo in both of them. His eyes were a bright shade of amber red with what looked to be a hint of yellow, with his wings and tail feathers having a combination of his fur, mane, and tail color. A beanie with little helicopter bars could be seen resting on his head, and his flank bore no Cutie Mark.

“I-I’m here...I came here like you told me to.” The colt said in a slightly raspy voice as he looked up at Midnight nervously. “Are...are you the one here to rescue us?”

“Yes sweetheart, I am.” Midnight replied, keeping her tone as gentle as possible as she smiled down at that colt. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you or any of your friends...me and everypony here are only here to save you.”

“You promise?” The colt said, lightly pawing at the ground lightly.

“I promise.” Midnight replied soothingly as she gave the colt a sweet smile. “Now, can you do me a favor and step away some so I can get inside. I don’t want to fall on you when I do.”

“O...okay.” The colt replied as he raised an eyebrow at the beetle black mare. “Why? Are you a big mare?”

“You’ll find out soon enough honey.” Midnight replied as she shifted her body in preparation. Before she went inside, she looked over her shoulder back at Lyra and Bon-Bon. “Girls, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I’m gonna go inside and get all the foals rounded up, and when I do, I want you two to stand right here and be ready to lift them out. Okay?”

“Got it.” Bon-Bon said with a curt not of her head.

“You can count on us Middy!” Lyra said with a grin. “Good luck down there!”

Smiling warmly at the mind green Unicorn and tan Pegasus, Midnight gave a small nod before turning her attention back to the foals inside the wood pile. Shifting her body, she slowly stuck her hind legs inside and started to lower her body inside the widened hole, taking care not to let herself be stabbed or struck by the sharp edges.

When she was hanging from her forehooves, she looked down to see how far the ground was from her hooves, and to her relief, it was only a foot or so away from her hind hooves. Sucking in a sharp breath, she let herself fall from the edge, while spinning her body around in midair and landing on all four hooves with a loud clang.

“Huh...that was...easier than I thought it would be.” Midnight murmured as she gave a little shake of her body. Once she composed herself, her gaze focused on the light brown colt, who was staring back up at her wide eyed.

“Wow… you’re so big!” He breathed as he took in Midnight’s features. “And…you’re a Thestral too!”

“Hmhmhm...yeah, I do like big for a Thestral don’t I?” Midnight giggled as she ran a hoof through her navy-blue mane. “I was born bigger than most foals, so I get comments about my size and physic a lot. It doesn’t help the fact that I’m a Thestral as well, despite the fact that my wings are feathered.”

“Huh...that must suck pretty bad huh?” The colt said with yet sympathetic frown.

“Sometimes...but it doesn’t bother me that much...I’m used to it.” Midnight replied softly, a bit taken aback by how calmly Button was taking her appearance. “Now, why don’t we go find your friends hm? I’m sure they must be very scared right now.”

“Sure! Follow me, I know just where they are!” The colt replied as he turned tail and started trotting back into the darkness. “My name is Button Mash Kyuketsuki...and I’m her with my mom and my older brother!”

‘Kyuketsuki...now that’s a clan name I haven’t heard of before…’ Midnight thought, raising an eyebrow at the colt’s last name as she replied back. “Nice to meet you Button Mash...my name is Midnight Thunderstorm Nightstalker Shenron, and I live here with my siblings!”

“Midnight...I can totally see why you’re called that!” Button Mash said, looking back at the beetle black mare as he took in her fur color. “You totally have the color to match!”

“And I can see why you were named Button!” Midnight chirped, smiling as Button gained a blush of his own. Right as she said that, she felt something soft make contact with her left forehoof, and a split second later a loud cry of pain emitted through the darkness.

“Oh! Watch where you’re stepping Button!” The voice of a filly shouted as the appendage was yanked out from under Midnight’s hoof. “Not all of us have that super special night vision like you do!”

“Uh, that wasn’t me Dinky…” Button Mash replied slowly, his amber eyes gleaming in the darkness. “That was Midnight, the mare who came to rescue us.”

“Midnight?” Dinky asked, her voice tinged with confusion. “Who’s Midnight?”

“Um…that would be me dear.” Midnight replied softly, reach out and touching what felt to be the filly’s shoulder, her keen eyes helping her see the image of numerous foals grouped up somewhere in the darkness. “Are you alright? Are you or any of your friends hurt?”

“No, we’re fine. Well, most of us are fine, one of us is hurt pretty badly.” Dinky replied, looking back up at the mare as best she could. “Um, could you come a little closer, we can’t really see you.”

I’m standing right in front of you sweetheart.” Midnight giggled, gently running her hoof along the filly’s mane. She lifted her head and looked at the other foals nestled together. “Um, excuse me everypony, if any of you are Unicorns, could you light up your horns please? So, I can see you better?”

Not even three seconds after she said that, a golden yellow aura of magic appeared just in front of Midnight, causing her to snap her eyes shut for a few seconds, before slowly reopening them again. After taking a few moments to adjust to the light, she looked down to see a grayish violet Unicorn filly, the one she had been touching, looking back up at her with her big innocent amber golden eyes.

“Is that better?” Dinky squeaked, giving her leonine tail a few swishes.

“Yes, much better. Thank you for that dear.” Midnight replied kindly, giving Dinky a pat on her head. “Now, you said that one of your friends was injured...can you show my where they are?”

Oh, that’s right! I can’t believe I forgot!” Dinky exclaimed, shooting to her hooves. “Come on, I’ll show you where she is!”

With that, the filly turned tail and galloped off through the large group of foals nestled next to her. They each parted away from Midnight to give her room to walk through the, and a couple of them couldn’t help but gaps in awe at her appearance, much to her amusement. When she caught up to Dinky, she saw a sight that made her freeze in place and a loud gasp escape her throat.

“Midnight?” Melon Cake asked, her multi-colored staring up at her un surprise. “Is…that you?”

“Oh my goodness, Melon Cake!” The beetle black mare gasped, her hooves flying to her mouth as she stared at the filly in horror. “What happened to your leg?!”

“The wood…it fell onto it.” The filly replied, her face scrunching up a bit. “I saw it falling towards Dinky and pushed her out of the way, but I couldn’t get away.” She looked back at her leg, flicking her tail off to the side so Midnight could get a clear view of it. “Dinky Lily, and the others tried pulling me out, but the wood is just too heavy. I really think that my leg is broken.”

“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound too good.” Midnight said grimly, walking over to the filly to get a closer look at her leg. Upon closer inspection, she could see that the wood had most definitely pierced into the filly’s skin, and judging by the small amount of blood leaking out from under the leg, it was in there for quite some time. While Midnight didn’t know the exact extent of the damage, she knew that she needed to get that leg out, or else the damage would only grow.

Knowing what she needed to do, she stepped away from the filly and addressed the other foals surrounding her. “Um, okay…can I have everypony’s attention please? I have something I need for you all to do?”

“What is it Midnight?” Button Mash asked curiously.

“I want you all to step away and get into a group on the left side of me.” Midnight said gently, her tone like that of a teacher giving instructions on an assignment to their class. “I’m gonna stay here and lift this wood up so I can get…” she paused, realization dawning on her that she didn’t know the filly’s name yet. With flushed cheeks, the beetle black mare turned to look at the filly. “I’m sorry dear, but could you tell me your name? I didn’t quite catch it…”

“Melon,” The filly replied sweetly, giving the mare a small smile. “Melon Cake Smoothie!”

“Right thank you sweetheart.” Midnight replied, turning back to the foals around her. “Anyway, I’m gonna lift this pile of wood off of Melon’s leg and get her out from under it before there’s any more damage done to it. While I’m doing that, I want you all to stay as far away as possible, because I don’t want this wood falling on any of you, okay?”

“Wait, you’re gonna life the wood up?” Dinky asked in confusion, but nonetheless did as the mare asked. “How are you gonna do that? No offense Ms. Midnight but…your um…a Thestral, not an Earth Pony.”

“Hmhm, I know I am sweetie... I may not be an Earth Pony, but I’m a lot stronger than most ponies. As you can plainly see…” The beetle black mare said motioning to her frame with a hoof. “...I think we I’ll be able to lift this off of Melon just fine.”

Without waiting for any of the foals replies, Midnight turned her attention to said soft green filly, who was looking back up at her with those wide heterochronic eyes. She set herself on her haunches and lit her hooves under the wood on either side of Melon Cake, hunching her body in preparation for the task at hoof. “Alright, I’m gonna try to lift this off of you Melon...it’s probably gonna hurt, but I want you to try and bear it as much as possible, okay honey?”

“Okay…” Melon Cake replied, bringing a hoof to her muzzle, not breaking eye contact with Midnight. “I’m ready...do it.”

Midnight gave a short nod, giving the filly a small kiss on her forehead before clenching on the wood with her hooves. After taking a few deep breaths, she hunched her forelegs, and began to slowly lift the wood.

Melon Cake winced and bit down on her right foreleg, suppressing the urge to cry out in pain as she felt the wood being lifted off of her leg. She could feel the sharp jagged points in her legs slowly being pulled out, causing pain to radiate throughout her whole left leg. The other foals behind them watched with wide eyes and slack jaws, amazed that level of strength the beetle black mare was displaying, even though she wasn’t an Earth Pony. Melon Cake could feel her leg slowly being lifted into the air the more Midnight lifted the wood, but didn’t try to pull it back down, fearing she’d injure her leg more. Thankfully, she didn’t have to do anything, for just a few seconds later, her leg broke free and fell back down on the hard marble floor. As soon as it did, the Earth filly wasted no time in crawling away from her confinement, allowing Midnight to lower the wood pile back down.

“Wow...that was so awesome!” Button Mash exclaimed, his yellow and red eyes shimmering in amazement. “I didn’t know that you were so strong!”

“Thank you know Button...it wasn’t really anything special really,” Midnight said with a small smile. Brushing some of her mane out of her face, the Pegasus looked back down at Melon Cake. “How are you feeling sweetie?”

“I feel a lot better, thanks a bunch Midnight!” The soft green filly chirped, glancing down at her leg. “My leg does hurt a little though...ouch.”

“Here.., let me take a look at it.” Midnight said softly, setting on her haunches and inspecting the filly’s leg. There was a jagged large cut that went down the left leg, just a few inches away from her hoof, with blood coating the green fur. The cut wasn’t all that deep, and it certainly didn’t look like it had reached the bone, or even tore through the much of the muscle. By the way that Melon moved it, Midnight figured that it wasn’t that serious, and could easily be treated by a nurse or a doctor.

“Hmm...it doesn’t look like it looks too serious to me.” The beetle black mare replied, pulling away from the filly. “Though, I’m gonna take you to go see a nurse or a doctor so they can take a look as your leg.., just in case.”

“Okay, I understand.” Melon Cake replied, brushing some of her mane out of her face as she smiled at the beetle black Thestral mare. “Are you gonna carry me out?”

“Yes, but not yet.” Midnight replied with a shake of her head. I’m gonna get the rest of your friends out before I get to you. I don’t wanna damage you’re leg any further than it already is, so just wait here for a few moments okay?”

“Okay!” Melon Cake squeaked, a sweet smile forming on her face. “Thank you for saving me!”

“Hmhm, you’re welcome sweetie.” Midnight replied as she gave the filly a pat on the head. She then got on her feet and walked over to the hole from where she had come inside and spread her wings, setting her right one on the ground stretching the left on from outside of the hole, and setting the end on the edge. Midnight then looked back at the foals, who were all looking back at her curiously. “Okay everypony, I want you all to climb on to my back and climb out of the hole from here. There are a few ponies out there who are waiting to pull out when you do, and they’ll take care of you from here, okay?”

“Okay!” Button Mash, Dinky, Lily and all the other foals replied, giving eager nods.

“Lyra! Bob-Bon!” Midnight shouted from inside the hole. “I found the foals! I’m gonna have them climb out of here, and I want you pull them out and help them find their families okay?!”
,
“Got it!” Both mares replied in unison.

With those words, Midnight turned her attention back to the foals and beckoned them closer to her, and one by one, they all began to climb up her wing, into her back, and climb up her other wing, out of the whole and into the waiting forelegs of Lyra and Bon-Bon. Midnight couldn’t help but smile when she heard the joyful cries and cheers of the foals and parents when they found each other, happy to finally be reunited after what seemed like forever apart. She was sure that she was gonna be getting a lot of thanks from the elder siblings and parents of the foals she just rescued, but she was sure she could handle it.

Taking a deep breath, Midnight turned her attention back to Melon Cake, who was waiting patiently at her side. Folding her wings at her sides, the beetle black mare trotted over to the soft green filly, before asking sweetly, “Alright Melon, are you ready to go?”

“Uh-huh!” Melon Cake replied as she sat up on her haunches.

“Alright then.” Midnight nodded, turning around and sitting down on her rump. “Go ahead and climb on!”

“You got it!” Melon Cake chirped as she slowly got up from the floor. She balanced herself on three of her legs, taking care not to put any weight on the one that was injured. Slowly and gingerly, she climbed up into Midnight’s strong back, taking a moment to marvel in the softness of her fur, before nestling herself quite comfortably on the mare. “Okay, ready when you are Ms. Midnight!”

“Alright honey, and please, no need to add the formalities...you can just call me Midnight.” The beetle black mare cooed as she walked back over to the hole. She reached up with both of her forehooves and prepared to jump, but not before she turned back to look at the filly resting on her back. “Melon, sweetie, do you think you could hold onto me tighter for just a bit? We’re gonna go on a bit of a ride.”

“Okie dokie lokie!” Melon Cake chirped as she grabbed on tightly to Midnight’s mane. Giggling at the filly’s imitation of Pinkie, Midnight hunched her legs down and jumped out of the hole at lightning speed. Melon Cake squealed in surprise as they both shot out of the hole and air, much many ponies that were close by completely by surprise. When they were out, Midnight spread her wings and flapped them to keep her and Melon airborne, before slowly hovering down to the ground away from the pile of wood.

“Wow, that was so awesome!” Melon Cake exclaimed, her multicolored eyes sparkling. “You’re a really strong mare, Midnight!”

“Oh, it was nothing really…” Midnight protested softly with a small blush on her face. “I just had a little boost of strength that’s all…I’m just glad that I was able to get you and your friends out of there.” She giggled and looked back at Melon Cake with a small smile on her face. “Now, why don’t we go find somepony to look at that leg of yours, hm?”

“Yep!” The soft green filly replied, still clinging tightly to the beetle black mare’s mane.

As the mare and filly made their way through the crowd of ponies, they looked around to see if there was anypony, be it doctor or nurse, who looked to be free to take a look at Melon’s leg. So far, none of them looked like they had any spare time for her, and even looked like they would lose it if they were given another patient. As much as Midnight wanted Melon to be taken care of, the last thing she wanted was to make things worse for the doctors and nurses to the point where nopony would look at her, so she kept a respectable distance, although with great reluctance.

“Gosh, there are a lot of ponies who need help…” The beetle black mare said, her ears flattening against her head. “At this rate, I don’t think we’ll be able to find anypony willing to see you.”

“I’m not really surprised, there are a looooooot of ponies that hurt after that big scary mare came in here.” Melon Cake replied, a shiver going down her spine. “I mean, did you see how much of the roof came down when it exploded?! I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen! I felt it right on the tip of my tail, but I didn’t think it’d be that big of an explosion! Still, it’s a good thing I sensed it was about to happen, even if it was a bit late, or else Dinky would’ve been the one under that wood instead of me, good thing for my Melon Sense huh?”

“Yes, it’s a good thing that you-” Midnight began to say, before she stopped short, the filly’s last words catching up to her. “Wait, what did you just say?”

“Hey Midnight, look!” Melon Cake suddenly exclaimed, pointing a soft green hoof forward. “I see a nurse inside the crowd!”

“You do? Where?” The beetle black mare asked as she followed the line of the filly’s hoof. Her eyes to widen when she saw Nurse Redheart amongst the crowd.

“Oh my...I can’t believe I didn’t notice her…” Midnight said dumbly, her eyes blinking in confusion. “There are so many ponies that I couldn’t see her in the crowd.”

“Well I certainly did!” Melon Cake giggles. “I know that white coat anywhere!”

“Do you know what nurse?” Midnight asked, looking over at the filly.

“You bet!” Melon replied with a rapid nod. “That’s Nurse Redheart, one of the medical ponies back at Ponyville General Hospital! She’s the best nurse ever, and she’s always ready to help anypony, be it mare, stallion, or foal, and I know that she’ll be happy to look at me!”

“This isn’t the first time you went to see her, is it?” Midnight asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Uh-uh, but I can tell you that it’s always awesome to see her when I do Midnight!” Melon Cake squeaked. “She’s just so kind and sweet and caring, and always gives me such delicious candy when she’s done with me! Trust me when I say that there is no other nurse or doctor like her, or her sisters!”

“I see…” Midnight said slowly, looking back from the filly to the nurse. “I’m assuming that she’s the one I should go to?”

“Yep!” Melon Cake nodded eagerly. “And if you ever have an owchie, then she Nurse Redheart, Sweetheart, Tenderheart, and Snowheart are the ones you should go to kiss the pain away!”

“Alright then,” Midnight sighed as she made her way over to the nurse. She gently weaved her way through the crowd of ponies, making sure she didn’t make them trip and lose their footing, or step on those that were lying on the floor. When she got within reach, she reached over and gently tapped the mare on the shoulder. “Um, excuse me miss?”

“Yes, how can I help yo-sweet Celestia!” Nurse Redheart began in a low soft and polite tone as she turned to face Midnight, only to let out a cry of surprise when she saw her, jumping so hard that she lost her footing and fell on her rump. Midnight took a few steps back, her ears flattening against her head as she gave the nurse her space to recover. The snow-white mare put a hoof to her pink and white fluffy chest, taking deep breaths to calm herself as her rapidly beating heart slowed. After a few moments, she slowly got back on her hooves, taking her clipboard back in her right foreleg, and straightening her mane.

“I...I’m sorry I did that. You just took me completely by surprise.” Redheart said, giving the beetle black mare a sheepish smile. “I was not expecting you to be…to be a…”

“Thestral?” Midnight finished for her, her fangs gleaming from her small smile. “That’s okay, I didn’t mean to scare you. I should’ve been more vocal instead of seeming like I was stalking you.”

“No, it’s okay, really. I was just caught off guard as all.” Redheart said reassuringly. “Anyway, what can I help you with?”

“I, um, found a filly that was trapped under a pile of wood with some other foals. When I got her and her friends out, I noticed that her leg looked to be broken.” Midnight explained. “Her leg had been under the wood of the same pile that I had found the foals in, and I think it may be broken.”

Right as she said that, Melon Cake peeked her head from the side of Midnight, a bright smile on her face as she looked a Redheart. “Hiya Nurse!”

“Oh! Hello Melon Cake, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Redheart replied, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the soft green filly. Eventually, her expression softened and looked at the filly with a kind smile. “I’m assuming you’re the one that needs to be looked at?”

“Yes ma’am! Though it’s not one of our regular checkups this time…” Melon Cake replied, her tone shifting from bright and cheerful to sad and solemn. To emphasize her point, she lifted her injured foreleg into view for Redheart to see, which prompted a loud gasp from the nurse.

“Oh my goodness, that looks pretty bad.” Redheart said worriedly, trotting over and inspecting the soft green filly’s leg. She took it ever so gently in her hoof, making sure not to cause her any pain. “Does it hurt?”

“A little bit.” Melon replied softly, flicking her tail some. “I can still stand, but I don’t think I can walk all that good.”

“I see…” Nurse Redheart murmured, looking back up into the filly’s multicolored eyes. “Well, if that’s the case, then I think I can easily treat this. If your leg isn’t all that broken, then I’m pretty sure that I can fix your leg.”

“Really?!” Melon Cake asked, her eyes widening in excitement as the mare nodded.

“Mhm, and if you behave like all those other times, I’ll give you a lollipop as a little reward.” Redheart replied sweetly as we winked at the filly. “Does that sound like a good deal?”

“You bet!” The soft green filly chirped, giggling as Redheart bopped her on the nose.

“Hmhmhm, well alright then.” The snow-white mare smiled, before looking up at Midnight. “Thank you for bringing Melon to me, ma’am. I’ll be sure that she gets well as soon as possible.”

“Alright then, I’ll leave her to you.” Midnight nodded, shifting to the side as she let Melon climb off of her back and settle herself onto Redheart’s. “It was wonderful seeing you again Melon, get well soon okay?”

“‘Kay!” Melon giggled as she rode off with Redheart and into the crowd. “It was great seeing you again Midnight! See ya later!”

“By sweetie!” The beetle black mare called back as she bid the filly farewell. She watched as Redheart and Melon Cake melted into the crowd until they were both out of sight. A moment later, she let out a sigh and headed for the double doors of the Town Square.

“What a sweet little filly...she really does remind me of Pinkie Pie She murmured as she trotted past the other ponies in the building. “I guess I should go check up on Snowflake and the foals…and make sure they’re alright.”

Just as the beetle black mare was about to reach the doors, she noticed a pale grayish magenta aura enveloping both of them. At first, she thought that it was Twilight, but as she detected the magical presence from outside, she realized that it wasn’t Twilight. Midnight also felt that there was more than one magical presence there, a lot more than one.

Fortunately for Midnight, she didn’t have to wonder who it was for the giant door slowly opened, their creaking causing everypony else to turn to them. When they were fully opened, they were given the full view of the ponies outside and who it was. Many looks of shock, happiness, joy, and utter relief were found in all of the ponies’ eyes, including Midnight, whose hoof flew to her mouth when she saw who it was.

“It, it’s you.” She whispered, locking eyes with the alabaster stallion standing in the doorway. “You’re actually made it!”

Shining Armor grinned, his golden armor gleaming as he gave a flick of his leonine tail, the tip of his horn glinting slightly along with it. With a slight chuckle, he walked inside, his fellow soldiers following behind him as he stopped just in front of the beetle black Thestral. Using his magic to take off his helmet, he put it to the side before addressing the larger mare.

“Hey there Midnight, sorry to keep you waiting.” He said, his deep voice warm and friendly as he gave his tail another flick. “Now that we’ve got the pleasantries out of the way, you mind telling me just which ponies here need our help?”

Things in the Golden Oaks Library had been quiet for the ponies nestled inside, a far cry from how things were like in the Town Square. The sound of the clock’s soft ticking could be heard all around the main room of the castle as Sheton, Spike, Crescent Shield and their four friends sat in a circle in the middle of the wooden floor of the main room. A majority of them had their muzzles stuck into various books and magazines of the sort, while a couple kept to themselves, lost in their own thoughts. Snowflake kept watch over them, while at the same time looking out the windows and keeping a lookout for any danger that may come their way. A few more minutes passed by before she slowly hovered down to the ground and in front of the group of foals.

“How is everything down here?” Snowflake asked as she approached the colts and fillies. “How are you all holding up?”

“We’re holding out okay, more or less.” Fire Flash replied as she laid sprawled out on the floor. “I’m just so bored right now! There is practically nothing for any of us to do here!”

“Oh, don’t say that Fire Flash…” Scootaloo said softly, looking up from a what seemed to be an animal book she was reading. “I know it may not seem like much, but there are plenty of things that we can do here in Twilight’s library. We can look at different types of books, we can play chess, we can look at the maps, and even use her telescope to look out at the stars! Those seem like fun things to do, right?”

“Yeah, for youand the othersmaybe, but definitely not for me!” Fire Flash replied, sitting up and glaring at the alabaster filly. “I’m not one for all of that egghead stuff that Twilight likes, I’m one for none stop action and adventure! That is exactly what our sisters are experiencing right now and that’s the exact kind of thing that I want to do right now! But no, we’re stuck in here while they go off on some awesome adventure to defeat some super evil mare!

Fire Flash snorted as she stomped her hooves on the floor in frustration. “I get they’re just trying to keep us safe and we’re only foals, but still! I just wish that they’ take us more seriously sometimes and stop babying us! We’re not normal foals and we can fight just like them, so we should be able to join them on whatever cool adventure they’re going on!”

“Ah know what ya mean Flash.” Apple Bloom sighed as she gave long sigh. “Mash sis is the same way with me...treatin’ me like a little baby even though Ah ain’t one no more. Why, just earlier this mornin’ while Ah was helpin’ her buck the apples, she but a helmet on top of the one Ah was already wearin! Sayin’ somethin’ like, “It’s just a precaution to make sure that th’ other helmet on mah head wouldn’t break in any way.” Hello?! The apples even don’t weigh that much to break a helmet of that magnitude! So how in the hay could a helmet, let alone two, break from an apple fallin’ on ‘em?!”

“I know how you girls feel.” Spike frowned as he folded his forelegs. “Twilight is always having me do extra chores around the library, on top of the chores that I already have! By the time I’m done, she then makes me participate in one of her projects as a test subject, not even caring if I’m exhausted or not! She’s my big sister and I love her, but with the way she treats me, I sometimes wonder if she really sees me as that...other than her Number One Assistant.”

“Same here Spike.” Crescent Shield said sympathetically, rubbing the emerald green Kirin’s back with a hoof.

“Oh, d-don’t be like that e-everypony.” Scootaloo said softly. “I don’t t-think we should g-give our sisters s-such a hard t-time...I-I-I know that t-they, um...smother us from t-time to time, and it m-may seem like a l-lot but...t-that’s just to show how m-much they c-care. T-t-they don’t want a-anything to h-happen to us a-and they just w-want to m-make sure that w-we’re safe. T-they know that we’re g-going to have t-to go off on our own s-someday...a-and they just want to make every m-moment with us last.”

“Pfft, that’s easy for you to say Scoots!” Fire Flash snorted as she gave a sideways glance at the bright orange filly. “Your sister practically smothers you all the time, and out of all of us, you’re the only one who doesn’t seem to be bothered by it! I’ve seen how she treats you at your home whenever we go to your house to have a sleepover or something, and it’s almost as if you’re still a baby in her eyes! I’m amazed that you didn’t confront her about it at this point!”

“W-well, of course i-I don’t,” Scootaloo meekly as she started twiddling with her forehooves, hiding behind her long indigo mane. “B-because, I-I’m g-genuinely not b-bothered by it. S-she’s always been there for me when I really needed her, a-and she’s always given me advice so...the least I could do for her is, well...is this.”

“Hmph, well whatever, I’m certainly not okay with it.” Fire Flash huffed as she crossed her forehooves. “Just you guys wait, one of these days I’m gonna show my big sis that I can look after myself, and that I can be just as awesome as she is! Once she sees that, she’ll have to let me and the rest of you come with her and help her on any of her awesome adventures that she like to go on with the rest of her friends! Nothing else would be more exciting as to be able to do something like that! Am I right Sheton? Sheton?”

The crimson filly turned to look at her new friend when he failed to answer her, only to give a little jump of surprise at what she saw. The stormy grey colt was facing away from them, his long tail wrapped around himself and his large wings folded at his sides. His head was lowered and facing the ground, his mane spilled over his face and his fedora shadowing it.

“Sheton?” Snowflake asked softly, putting a hoof on the young colt’s shoulder. “Are you alright, dear?”

Sheton, upon feeling the gentle touch on his shoulder, snapped out of his stupor with a shake of his head, before turning to look up at the mountain blue Pegasus. Seeing the worried look in her face, his ears flattened against his head as a frown appeared on his face.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry Snowflake…I’m just…” He began as he slowly got up from the floor and faced the mare. “I’m just worried about the others.”

“You’re worried about Goku aren’t you?” Snowflake asked gently, despite knowing the answer.

“Yeah...I am.” The stormy grey colt admitted, a small frown forming on his lips as he started to shake slightly. “I’m afraid...that something might happen to her and the others...and that they may not be able to come back. I-I know Goku promises me that she’d come back to me alive, a-and I believe her especially with her friends there…but…” He started to sniffle, his emerald blue eyes welling up with tears. “I’m afraid that she may not be able to keep it. T-that she’ll get killed somehow...and if that happens than I...I…”

The stormy grey colt trailed off, unable to finish his sentence as the dark thoughts of his sister began to overwhelm him and cloud his mind. Letting out a whimper, buried his face into his forearms, the tears in his eyes beginning to roll down his cheeks and stain the fur. Spike, Crescent, and the other fillies all looked at him with saddened, yet sympathetic expressions on their faces. Most of them unable to come up with anything to say to comfort the colt and sooth his fears, other than Scootaloo, who went over and hugged the colt. Despite this, that didn’t stop Snowflake from getting up and walking over to her little brother, lifting his head up and wrapping both her forearms around his neck, resting her chin on his head. Sheton stiffened at the sudden contact, but nonetheless he relaxed into it. wrapping his own forelegs around her waist, he rested his head into her fluffy chest as she rocked him back and forth.

“There, there, Sheton, it’s okay...there’s no need for you to cry.” The mountain blue Pegasus cooed as she stroked the stormy grey colt’s mane. “I’ll admit, you’re not the only one who’s worried about Goku and her-well, our friends. As a matter of a fact...I’m worried about her too.”

“You...you are?” Sheton asked, looking up at her with his teary eyes.

“Mhm...I’m afraid that something can and will happen to either her, or her friends in that forest. Whether it be getting caught in the severe weather, attacked by the animals, or just getting lost with no way to get out. Each minute that passes by while they’re that forest, these thoughts plague my head, and I find myself wanting to go into the forest and find her.” The mountain blue Thestral explained, letting out a sigh as she ran a hoof through her cumulus mane. “However, as much as I want to, I’m not going to. You know why dear?”

“W-why?” Sheton stuttered as he wiped away his tears.

“Because I have faith in her.” Snowflake replied in a soft yet firm tone, making Sheton pause. “I believe that she’ll not only succeed in her mission and win in the fight between Nightmare Moon, but that she’ll be able to do all of that and make it back alive. If there’s one thing that I know that Goku is known for, it’s that she never breaks a promise to anything or anypony that she meets. Each and every time she’s made a promise, she’s always went through with it, unless it was completely unnecessary, and I have no doubt that she’ll keep this one.” Her expression softened into a gentle smile as she brushed Sheton's mane away from his face. “So I’ll ask you Sheton...can you do that for me? Can you do your sister a favor and have just a little bit more faith in Goku? For both me and her?”

“Y-y-yeah...I-I-I can...sorry about that Snowflake.” Sheton nodded, letting out a light sniffle as he smiled up at Snowflake. “S-sorry about that...”

“Hmhmhm, that’s okay dear. Everypony let’s their fear cloud their judgment from time to time.” Snowflake chuckled, giving the stormy grey colt a kiss on the forehead. “You were just worried for your sister that’s all, just like me...though, I wouldn’t be too worried. Goku’s a lot tougher than she looks...as with the rest of the girls.”

“Heh, you got that right Snowflake!” Fire Flash smirked as she flew over to them. “I mean, no offense to your sister, but Rainbow Dash is one of the toughest ponies I know! I swear, she can handle anything that’s thrown at her no matter what or who it is! I have not seen one time where my sis hasn’t been able to handle anything, be it on her own or with anypony else, so I have no doubt that she’ll be able to handle this!”

“Don’t forget about ours Fire Flash.” Apple Bloom said sternly. “Yer sister ain’t th’ only one whose tough an’ all. Need Ah remind ya that my sister, Sheton’s sister, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Crescent Shield’s sister are also there in that scary lookin’ forest with yours?”

“Ahem.” Spike said, crossing his forehooves.

“Sorry.” Apple Bloom winced. “Crescent and Spike’s big sister.”

“Yeah, I know that.” Fire Flash pouted. “All I’m saying is that Rainbow Dash is tough in her own right. Not that your sisters aren’t tough but…well, you know what I mean.”

“Yes, we know Flash, your sister’s a special case when it comes to toughness.” Sweetie Belle sighed. “You’ve told us that over a million times now. You don’t need to keep reminding us every time we see here.”

“I know, but I’m just making sure that none of you forget it.” Fire Flash said cheekily, roughly ruffling Sweetie Belle’s mane. “And when we’re all full grown like they are, I’ll make sure you don’t forget about my toughness too!”

“Oh jeez, I can already picture that morphing in my head.” Crescent moaned, anime tears streaming from her eyes. “I am so not looking forward to that.”

Spike ears flattened. “Me neither…”

“D-don’t worry everypony.” Scootaloo suddenly piped. “I-I’m sure t-that Ms. Goku, Rainbow Dash, a-and everypony else w-will be fine i-in the E-Everfree Forest. T-they have e-each other, a-along with M-Mr. Zephyr w-with them. P-plus, Q-queen Celestia said t-that she’d send her a-army out into t-the forest to h-help them, s-so they have e-every change of s-surviving.”

“Scootaloo’s right.” Sheton nodded, looking more positive than he did a few minutes ago. “All of our sisters are powerful in their own right. And with all of them working together as a team, they can conquer anything, right Snowflake?”

“Of course, darling.” Snowflake said, happy to see her brother not so scared anymore. “And if you all do the same thing, I have no doubt you’ll win against anything or anyone threatening you.”

“Heehee, thanks Snowflake!” Spike chirped, his draconic tail wagging like a puppy’s. “Hey, do you think maybe we’ll get our chance to fight some bad guys someday.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it Spike.” Snowflake chuckled, patting the amethyst Kirin on his head. “While I don’t think that’ll be for at least another several years or so, I’m sure that you’ll be facing your own enemies someday. When you do though, be sure to give them everything you have, and show then why nopony messes with the secret protectors of Equestria.”

“You bet we will!” Crescent Shield squeaked. “I don’t care who it is, whether it’s Nightmare Moon or anypony else, they’re not gonna mess with us or our town! If they do, we’ll make certain that they face the repercussions!”

“Uh-huh!” Sheton nodded, his fangs flashing as he grinned. “If Nightmare Moon wants a challenge, then we’ll give her one! We make be a lot weaker than her, but we’ll take on whatever she has up her arsenal! And whatever that is, whether its ghosts, vampires, zombies, or even manifestations of Nightmare Moon, we’ll send it right back to her twice as hard! Am I right guys?!”

“Yeah!” The other foals exclaimed as they high hooved each other.

Snowflake said nothing, watching with a small smile as Sheton and all the other foals laughed and conversed with one another. Despite the amusement and joy she felt, she couldn’t help but get a weird feeling in her gut. One that made her smile falter slightly and her expression become slightly confused, something that Spike took notice of.

“Snowflake?” He said tentatively. “Is there something wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing sweetie.” Snowflake replied, looking back over at the amethyst Kirin. “It’s just, I have a really weird feeling in my gut. Like something big is about to happen soon, and it’s going to happen here.”

Spike’s reptilian eyes widened slightly. “You mean like some big attack shot at us by Nightmare Moon?”

The mountain blue Thestral paused for a moment in her attempted response, Spike’s words striking something deep within her. As her ears pinned back, she looked back out the window of Twilight’s library, and at the Moon shining down from above, along with the twinkling night sky.

“Something like that dear…something like that.”

Author's Notes:

Alright, for this chapter, a majority of it wasn't really needing any changes for the most part, other than the fact that Midnight didn't recognize Melon Cake and was just meeting her. Since I had her and her siblings meet her along with Pinkie Pie in Sugarcube Corner back in chapter four, I remembered to change that otherwise people would get pretty confused, and that would really mess this chapter up. Another thing that I added in there was Shining Armor and his half of the Solar Guards making it to Ponyville to access the situation, something that I believe I should've done after writing that one chapter of the conversation between him and Spearhead when I was first writing this. Well, now I've done it, and I feel that this is going more smoothy, though I know I have a lot more to go, and things are only just getting started form here.

The biggest change for this chapter was with Snowflake and the foals, and just what was happening while they were in Twilight's Library. In the last chapter, I had added a part where Derpy came to the library all blooded and beaten, explained that there were Timberwolves in the town, and Snowflake battled one that managed to get in. It was going well when I wrote that first part, but after writing the ponyville and Timberwolf battle six times, I realized that I was dragging it out for way too long, especially after getting some feedback from one of my followers. So I took that out and saved the battle for later, and while it won't be with the Timberwolves or any of the other animals in the Everfree, it'll be something ten times more terrifying.

Well, that's all for this chapter, next time we're getting another look back on Nightmare Moon, any how Zephyr and the Main Seven are handling their feathery adversary.