Cardinal Spitfire stood there in her dress uniform and wearing the new Blue Beret. It was dashing with the Wonderbolts’ new unit patch on it. The Aerial Combat School was graduating. They also were getting Blue Berets along with their silver wings. What was left of Unit Zero had graduated, even Sergeant Major Willow.

They new wings were amazing. The Medical Silver Wings had a cross at the center, signifying they were medical. The others had a sword in the center of them, signifying they were combat wings. They still had the old plain wings with nothing in the center, but that was for veterans before the change. It was surprise when the sword wings were unveiled at the start of the ceremony.

Cardinal Spitfire was itching to go. She hated standing there as the ceremony dragged on. It wasn’t long, but it felt it. She had four days off. And she was going to get to that cave. She would track it down and she would check it out.

General Shielded Vengeance personally pinned Olive Pit’s Silver Cross Wings on. General Shielded Vengeance moved right into promoting Olive Pit. They were expect Olive Pit to be promoted, but not during the ceremony. Olive Pit was promoted past First Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander, straight to Commander. Before the expansion, Captain would have been Olive Pit’s appointment. Captain couldn’t be too far behind.

General Shielded Vengeance made his finishing remarks. Cardinal Spitfire tensed up, resisting the urge to run. She wasn’t on break until he dismissed everypony. Standing there was agonizing. Poised to bolt as soon as he said ‘dismissed.’

With one final salute, General Shielded Vengeance said ‘Dismissed’ and Cardinal let loose all of her pent up energy. She was gone like a spring finally let loose. She flew into the now complete Wonderbolt Unit and into her room.

It all was ready for her. She tossed aside the dress uniform and strapped on her bags. Within a minute she was back out and off north, towards Shadow’s home. She was not going to his home. She was going to farm hop to the closest she could to Rainbow Dash’s cave and get in to see if Shadow had left her anything.

The only thing that had any ties to the Enclave was her flight jacket. The ponies there would not appreciate an Enclave officer heading to the cave. But it was still cold in the north, especially at a good cruising altitude.

Arrow found Marble Falls. “Captain!”

“Yes?” Marble Falls replied.

“Was that Cardinal Spitfire dashing away?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“She was out of the ceremony at lightning speed and then I swear I saw her heading out of here on her wings. And she was booking it with saddle bags.”

The Wonderbolt Colonel came up to them, looking for Marble Falls. “Captain, I am informing you that Cardinal Spitfire is taking these four days for leave of some kind. I wasn’t sure if she let you know.”

“Leave!” Arrow exclaimed. “What about my wedding!”

Arrow was hurt deeply. After all this waiting and finally the wedding was happening. But Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t going to be there.”

“I am sure there is an explanation,” Marble Falls said, looking at the Colonel.

“She wouldn’t divulge it,” The Wonderbolt Colonel shrugged. “There was no prying it out of her. But she isn’t heading home, or to meet Shadow Flare’s parents.”

Marble Falls was visibly confused. “I have no idea what would be more important to her than Arrow’s wedding. Unless it had something to do with Filly Fooler. But I have no idea what that would be. This is a great mystery.”

“She has four days,” The Wonderbolt Colonel stated. “And she knows it. I could tell she was chomping at the bit to get out of here during the ceremony.”

“I didn’t notice,” Marble Falls said. “I was pinning wings on.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” Arrow whined.

“Go on without her,” Marble Falls said, not even trying to cushion the blow. “And trust her that its important. Very important.”

Arrow was understandably distraught. After all this time, Cardinal Spitfire disappeared the day before the wedding. And she hadn’t given Arrow even a hint that she might not be there.

Cardinal Spitfire was distracted with both her trip and getting Unit 0 to pass. She knew the wedding was coming up, but she never connected them conflicting. She let it slip from balancing her life, despite it’s importance being so high. But she wasn’t even aware she was missing it as she flew at her top sustainable speed.

Cardinal Spitfire just kept going, her mind focused on one thing as she flew. Making it to the cave in two days. That was a very difficult time frame to uphold. Especially since she had to find it first.

Cardinal Spitfire could feel the cold temperatures holding on through the north. She could see that the planting was done, and things were looking well despite it’s hold. Cardinal Spitfire was forced to land and put her coat on. It was a good moment for her to hydrate before she took off again.

As twilight peaked, Cardinal Spitfire picked her target and glided down towards a home. She was on a high and could easily continue going, but she knew she needed to get rest in order to successfully get there and back in time.

Cardinal Spitfire approached and knocked on the door. She was ready, with cold, hard bits to cover the cost of farm hopping. But she hadn’t done this before, and she was relying on old information Shadow had taught her on how they would get around.

The door was opened by a older stallion. He gave her a stern looking over.

“Can I help you?”

“I am traveling through the area,” Cardinal Spitfire nervously said. “I understand that often the pegasi out in the farms out here travel by farm hoping. They pay with bits to spend the night. I am hoping you can set me up for the night. I have bits, real bits.”

“What are you doing out this far?” He asked. “You are obviously military, but not with the group out east that is helping fix our clouds. No military personnel live out in this area.”

“You’re right,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “I do not live out this way. I was born in Apple District, outside of New Cloudsdale. I was an apple farmer before I joined. And I am not with the military who are working with the cloud stuff. I am on leave. Personal business.”

He stepped aside. “Come in. It is past dinner, but we have plenty of food if you are hungry.

Cardinal Spitfire smiled at him as she entered. “A meal would be appreciated. Very much. I have been flying all day with only one break. To put my jacket on. Its still cold out this way.”

The stallion called out to his wife, who was still in the kitchen.

“The kitchen is this way. I am Painted Sunrise, and Velvet Cloud is my wife. The kids are around, but lets get you food.”

“How did the planting go?” Cardinal Spitfire asked as they sat her down at the small table in the kitchen.

“Fine,” Painted Sunrise said sitting across from her. “I am concerned what it will mean when they make it over to us to work on the clouds below us. But we chose to plant, even if it means loosing the whole crop.”

“Its the wisest move,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “I only heard a little about the troubles in the clouds. I know its not good and its going to take a lot to fix the whole area.”

“Ice right under the surface,” Painted Sunrise said. “Poison ice. So they are trying to break it up without killing our crops and causing the ground to buckle or bubble.”

“That is problematic,” Cardinal Spitfire said shaking her head. “Last year we lost a row of apple trees. We had to fix irrigation problem. But before we could, a whole row just tumbled. Its not easy to loose your crops. It is even worse to set up your harvest, knowing its got a good chance of failing. What do you grow?”

“Carrots,” Painted Sunrise said. “We grow carrots. We planted them as soon as the ice on top broke, hoping to get an early harvest in. But that may not be an option. It would be a small crop if it is.”

“It still is a positive crop,” Cardinal Spitfire pointed out. “I know its tough, but any positive crop is a good crop.

“That is true,” Painted Sunrise said. “You certainly did grow up farming.”

They continued talking late into the night. Cardinal Spitfire was given a good bed to sleep in and slept well. She was up early, with them, and got a solid breakfast before she paid them and took off. She had her basic heading and had marked where she was before she left. Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t going to get lost.

As the day hit it’s zenith, Cardinal Spitfire dropped down and found a house with a mare working in the herb garden behind the house. She announced herself as she came around.

“Hello!” The Mare said, wiping her mane out of her face. “What can I help you with?”

“I am looking for a, place,” Cardinal Spitfire said. Now came the fun of finding the cave, without alarming anypony. “I know there is a cave in the north, that is visited by the fillies and colts. Inside might be something for me. Should be.”

The mare looked her over, noting the stripes on her shoulder. A clear mark for her being military.

“Its only for me,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “I am on leave. Its cold. I don’t have anything better to wear. I just have to check on something for myself. Nothing to do with anypony else.”

The mare relaxed when Cardinal Spitfire naturally used ‘anypony.’ She was given new directions. She was east of her mark, more north than she meant to be. Cardinal Spitfire put in a lot of effort to get herself on track. She had wasted a lot of time going further north.

She had to stop two more times. They gave her directions to a specific farm, staying out of the situation. Cardinal Spitfire circled over top and dove to where they were. She was running out of time. They were not happy having her come in so aggressively.

“Sorry,” Cardinal Spitfire immediately said. “I’m running out of daylight here and I can’t stop now. I know there is a cave out this way that the fillies and colts go to for a coming of age trip. I never got to go.”

“We don’t know what you are talking about,” The oldest stallion said firmly.

Cardinal Spitfire sighed in frustration. “I know that isn’t true. I had pretty good instructions on how to get here from a friend. Just point me in the right direction so I can get this over with.”

All three shook there heads, lips sealed.

“I’m here to get there. I have to check on something. I’m not here to mess anything up for anypony. I know you see the rank on my collar. But its just my jacket to stay warm out here. The north doesn’t want to let go this year and I am cruising even higher up. A lot higher.”

“I don’t care who you are,” The one her age said. “Nopony goes to that cave.”

Cardinal Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Now I know that isn’t true. Unless something drastic caused that to change in the last five years or so. Point me in the right direction so I can get there, poke my head in and get back. I’m here on my own. Nopony knows where I am, or what I am doing.”

“Nopony goes there,” He said again.

Cardinal Spitfire’s ears perked up. A lot of laughter from young ponies came over the near frozen clouds. It was crystal clear. They heard it as well.

Cardinal Spitfire walked over to see around the house. A group of ten were cruising into a landing on the road. For not going to flight school, they were excellent at handling themselves in a group. Naturals at it.

“Are you going to turn them away because I am here?” Cardinal Spitfire pressed. “I am here for the same reason they are. Just to look. I’m not here to mess anything up. Nopony will ever know where this place is from me.”

The one her age one hung his head as the fillies and colts came around the corner. He brought his eyes to Cardinal Spitfire’s and gave her a stern warning with them. They cut deeper than any words could. “We leave in the morning.”

“I can’t wait,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “Just tell me how to get there. I don’t have the time to wait.”

“Hey guys!” He said greeting the fillies and colts. “I’m Daytime Shower. What has you all the way out here? You know we are on the edge of the Enclave, right? Its not a place for little fillies and colts to be. Especially without their parents around.”

“Um,” A colt stuttered as he stepped forward to the front of the group. “We aren’t little anymore. We can take care of ourselves. Enough to come here. We left yesterday morning!”

“Well what has you all the way out to our farm?” Daytime Shower asked.

“Um,” The colt said. “We came… to see Rainbow Dash’s cave.”

“Oh?” Daytime Shower asked. “What makes you think that even exists, let alone we know where it is?”

“Because this is where my sister came last year,” A filly piped up.

“I see,” Daytime Shower said, thinking. “Well, I do know where it is. And I think you are old enough to visit. But its dangerous.”

“Can we stay here tonight?” Another asked. “Please!”

They all were asking “please,” dragging it out really long in an attempt to get what they want.

“Yes, you can. But we can’t go until the morning. It is too cold and its gotten too late.”

They began to jump around and cheer. Their hard work sneaking away had paid off.

“Now now now,” Daytime Shower said, calming them down. “Do any of you have cloaks or blankets?”

All of them pulled out winter jackets to show him. They were all very similar to the military ones issued to the soldiers, but foal sizes. There was no change in the color or material, not even the big buttons were changed.

“Come on kids,” A mare said coming out of the house. “Lets get you inside and all. It’s getting late, almost time for dinner. We need to find places for you to sleep.”

Their attention was turned to the matter at hoof.

“You enjoyed that,” Cardinal Spitfire chuckled. “You enjoyed making them work for it.”

“Its part of the experience,” The older one said. “Its part of them becoming young adults. We get to make sure they are able to take care of themselves and navigate outside of their communities. As well as making sure they can inform others what they want and need.”

“And no, there really is no safe way to take you tonight. If we could, we would so you didn’t clash with them.”

Cardinal Spitfire shook her head. “I believe you. I was hoping I made better time. But it is as it is.”

“I’m Cinnamon Tulip. Daytime Shower is my oldest. Divine Sun is my youngest. My wife is Star Symphony. Berry Song, who got the foals inside, is Daytime Shower’s wife.”

“A pleasure to meet you all,” Cardinal Spitfire smiled. “Last night I was just called Traveler, by the family that put me up. But with a group of fillies and colts, that wont work. Knowing my name isn’t bad or dangerous, but it is probably left better left undisclosed.”

Cardinal Spitfire sat there thinking for a moment. Captain Fusion Pen was the Wonderbolt who wrote their history book. Or one of the most significant updates to the to history book. Fusion was a good name for her with her colors.

“Fusion will work perfectly,” Cardinal Spitfire said.

“And what does those bars on your shoulder mean?” Cinnamon Tulip asked.

“Lieutenant Commander,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “Its my current jacket. The old one was slightly different. I had to retire it sadly. It was getting worn out from a lot of use.”

“What does ‘pony patrol’ mean?” Daytime Shower asked.

“Oh,” Cardinal Spitfire chuckled. “So, my current assignment is Squad 12, who’s nickname is Pony Patrol. Its a bit of an inside joke. I can’t really explain it further than that.”

“Can’t or wont?” Daytime Shower pushed.

“Can’t,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “Its moving on two years for two of us, and then the others came in several months ago. Its a joke that just keeps compounding on itself, but it has a good, strong meaning. We are here to protect everypony. Every pony. We actually get to say pony, not only Pegasus or Pegasi. Which has become a weird, honor within the military, just for us. All from a joke.”

“I didn’t follow any of that,” Divine Sun admitted.

“Yeah,” Cardinal Spitfire chuckled. “Its really hard to follow. Even for us. The point is, we have the odd distinction to be able to say pony, where everypony else.”

Cardinal Spitfire shook her head as she chuckled. “Everypegasus. It go wrapped up in out vocabulary to use pony instead. Every Pegasus else still needs to use the proper Pegasus forms. We get away with it because of our unique roll in the military.”

Cardinal Spitfire leaned in and dropped her voice. “But, I know out here, you use pony instead of Pegasus. And I really don’t care. I know how loyal you are how little it matters. I’ve gotten to meet some truly amazing ponies from out this way. Some of the best pegasi I have ever met come from these northern farming reaches.”

“So that’s how you know about the cave,” Daytime Shower said quietly back.

“Yes. Although it was spoken about in private. I am here for a trip of my own, nothing to do with the military. I have to check on something. I am not going to disturb anything. You have my guarantee.”

“And just what kind of weight is that guarantee?” Cinnamon Tulip asked. “Out here your reputation means a lot.”

Cardinal Spitfire took a deep breath. “It… its the word of a Wonderbolt. The insignia may not be on the jacket, but only Wonderbolts get and can wear flight jackets.”

Cardinal Spitfire surveyed the area quickly, forcing the topic to switch. “Have you planted anything this year?”

“No,” Cinnamon Tulip sighed. “We… Well just look for yourself.”

Cinnamon Tulip took a nearby shovel and drove it into the clouds. It slammed to a audible halt half halfway into the clouds, stuck.

“We can’t get any of our fields to let the shovel go in past the metal in this condition. The storm worsened the problem for us. We sent word that we were not able to do any planting and had ice right beneath the surface, but I doubt they will get here any sooner.”

“I saw the ice,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “That storm was beautiful, but scary. I hear deaths stayed at a minimal.”

Cinnamon Tulip nodded. “I think there were five deaths across our district that can be related to the storm. No cold related deaths. I believe they were all accidents dealing with the storm or the ice after.”

“I was really hoping the kids wouldn’t come. We want the cave kept quiet. If they seize it…”

“First off, if anypony seizes it, it would be done by Wonderbolts. Second, if it isn’t, get to the closest place to send a message to me. It can be relayed to me through Fort Wind. If it is what it is, nopony should be touching it unless they are Wonderbolts. And if it is only what I understand that it is, not even the Wonderbolts care. There just isn’t enough too justify caring.”

“I will hold you to that,” Daytime Shadow said firmly. “That is not just your word, but the word of Wonderbolts that you will be able to get back out here to help settle it.”

“You have my word that I will get out here,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “Or, if there is a reason I can not, you will get a clear message from me and talk with somepony I trust inside the Wonderbolts. But it will be a clear answer from me to aid however I can.”

“Thank you,” Cinnamon Tulip said. “It is a treasure that we want to keep for generations to come and enjoy.”

“That is what I want for it too,” Cardinal Spitfire said.

“Lets get inside,” Cinnamon Tulip said. “We have a spare bedroom you can use. The foals will be camping out in the living room.”

Dinner was simple. There was no way to cook for all of them with the foals joining them. After was when the real fun began. The foals were on the floor in the living room, and the older ponies on the furniture, drinking tea. Daytime Shower began to tell stories.

“You guys know about Two Toned?” Daytime Shower asked them.

Cardinal Spitfire smiled. Their enthusiasm was infectious. They wanted a Two Toned story badly.

“Can we hear the full story of their first meeting?” A colt piped up. “All of the details?”

“Maybe,” Daytime Shower hesitated. “But I had another story in mind. Its one I just found out about. Locked away in the vault of stories, it was forgotten. This is the story of Rainbow Dash’s final tale, The Legend of Kifopiga.”

Cardinal Spitfire chocked on her tea, spilling the rest of the floor. She was in a coughing fit for a good minute, fighting for breath. Star Symphony helped Cardinal Spitfire by patting her on the back to break it up, along with coaching her through the fit until she regained her breath. By the time Cardinal Spitfire was able to focus on the spilled tea, Berry Song already had it cleaned up and her cup refilled. Cardinal Spitfire was only able to smile in thanks to Berry Song because Daytime Shower had already launched into the story.

Cardinal Spitfire had read the report, but she hadn’t heard the tale. Guns that shot dragon fire, a whole battle for the skies, and brand new weapons were exciting. Golden Dawn would probably know of the weapons. Cardinal Spitfire listened intently. Not just to ask Golden Dawn, but because this was Shadow. Somehow.

It was almost a positive guarantee that Shadow had gone to the cave. But it also was extremely odd that he had risked talking to any pony. Somehow he must have been found out. But why he shared the story was something else.

Daytime Shower didn’t spare details of the fight. The foals were disturbed, but enthralled. It was how the full stories got passed down. Somepony had to know all the details, even the dark ones. Daytime Shower then told them the full story of Rainbow Dash and Two Toned’s first meeting, in all the bloody details. And it was bloody.

Other, calmer stories were swapped until it was time for bed. There was no way they were going to sleep well. Divine Sun was going to stay with them, sleeping on the couch.

Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t going to sleep well. Her mind was filled with Shadow. Shadow had faced a lot and learned a lot in Kifopiga. And then he had made a mistake by naming it. Or did he?

The stress did knock Cardinal Spitfire out for a few solid hours before she had to be up. She got more sleep than the foals. They all had a quick breakfast and then it was out the door. Without any fieldwork to do, Cinnamon Tulip tagged along. He used to lead the foals in his younger days.

They were making a great pace for having little ones. Daytime Shower was leading, with Cinnamon Tulip taking up the rear. Although, they were not so little anymore. Their flying was fantastic. They were flipping and playing around while they kept pace. Cardinal Spitfire was flying above them.

It was mid morning when they approached the cave. It certainly was tucked away, and there was no way she could have gotten herself there, or even found it at night.

The fillies and colts pulled out flashlights at the entrance. Cardinal Spitfire didn’t think about the darkness a cave automatically meant.

“Here,” Cinnamon Tulip said, passing a flashlight to Cardinal Spitfire. “Always bring a spare.”

“Thanks,” Cardinal Spitfire said, blushing a bit. “I didn’t think this part through.”

“You are not from here, so you wouldn’t know,” Cinnamon Tulip replied kindly.

They were the last in. The fillies and colts were already “ooing” and “awing”. It all changed when the ceiling began to glow with a soft light.

“Again?” Daytime Shower said, annoyed.

He looked at Cardinal Spitfire, narrowing his eyes. The lights came on fully in clicking pops.

“What did you do?” Daytime Shower asked, accusing Cardinal Spitfire. “These lights only came on once before, for Rainbow Dash.”

Cardinal Spitfire was trying to take the accusation in. Her mind switch gears. “Wait! Are you saying a Pegasus came up from below? And you took her here?”

“Ugh,” Daytime Shower stumbled. “Yes. So what!”

“That,” Cardinal Spitfire stuttered. “That changes like everything!”

Cardinal Spitfire’s heart stopped beating as she realized the greater depth of this. “Fillies and Colts, you can not! I mean it, not, tell anypony that somepegasus came up from the clouds. Do you understand? Its very bad and will mean a lot of trouble for you, your families, and others in the area. The Enclave soldiers are here to protect us, but that becomes very complicated fast, and they may overprotect.”

They were shocked, but agreed to it. They knew, even at their age, the severity of things. It came with being farmers, and having to dig in the clouds.

Cardinal Spitfire turned to Cinnamon Tulip. She took her jacket off and passed it to him.

“Please, take this back out and count to two minutes once outside. I think I know what is happening.”

Cinnamon Tulip took it with a nod and headed out. Cardinal Spitfire counted his steps, gauging where he was. As expected, the lights clicked off to the ambient lights. A minute later, the last lights were off. Cardinal Spitfire almost vocally said when the lights would come on. They were right on her schedule.

Cinnamon Tulip trotted over and gave the jacket back to Cardinal Spitfire. It was cold, so she immediately wrapped it around her body, securing it tightly and enjoying it’s warmth. Then she focused on the question everypony was wanting to know.

Cardinal Spitfire took a deep breath in for an extra second of thought. “My jacket has a transmitter in it. A secure communication unit for Wonderbolts only. That’s what the lights are picking up. Probably.”

Cardinal Spitfire slipped the ear bud out and popped it in. She pressed the hidden button and spoke into her jacket’s mic. “Delta Gamma Beta, this is Wonderbolt Squad 12 Lieutenant Commander… Fusion. This is a secure channel, if anypony is on it please respond.”

Nothing came back, not even static. Cardinal Spitfire checked the radio. It was on. She chose to run a check. If it was connected, it would echo back.

“Echo Echo Echo Squad 12 Wonderbolt LC Fusion radio check.”

She got the message back on schedule.

“The radio is connected,” Cardinal Spitfire announced. “Let me explain. This Wonderbolt com system is old. Its wartime old. Back when the Wonderbolts were not around, and the Shadowbolts ruled the sky.”

Cardinal Spitfire pointed to the wall with the painted Zebras on then with her wing. “That is Shadowbolt. The Shadowbolts are what they say Rainbow Dash led during the war. The Enclave Wonderbolts got some carry over from the Shadowbolts. This is a unique place. Special.”

Cardinal Spitfire smiled at the foals. “You fillies and colts are lucky to have this. You get to do a really cool thing to show you are grown up. I didn’t get to do something like this.”

They were beaming. A Wonderbolt was before them, telling them they had something really special, and while they were in that special place. This was beyond a good day.

“You need to stay on this nice path though,” Cardinal Spitfire warned them. “Its not safe. That’s a lot of metal and other stuff that will cut you easily.”

“Come on kids,” Cinnamon Tulip said, skipping to the front. “I think Daytime Shower has something he needs to ask the Wonderbolt.”

Daytime Shower daintily maneuvered through the debris to Cardinal Spitfire’s side. “That wall is probably what you are looking for.”

Cardinal Spitfire looked where he was pointing. She was further ahead of it, so she couldn't see the face of the wall. It was odd how it jutted out. It definitely have been carved or built up. Cardinal Spitfire looked around her hooves. She picked up a folded newspaper that was a bit off of the path. It was in good condition. It had a marked date on it. The date alone would help solidify this place. For now, she pocketed it and moved off to where Daytime Shower was directing her.

The wall was unbelievable. She had asked Shadow for a message that he was alive, and here it was. A giant heart with the break line was undeniably Shadow. The CSF in the center was done with a steady hoof. There was his rank symbol and date were clearly beside it as well. ‘Vengeful Inquisition’ was a nice touch.

Cardinal Spitfire pulled out a camera and began taking pictures. She captured the whole wall and much closer, detailed pictures of each area. Cardinal Spitfire took several other shots of the whole area, trying to capture the context that the message was placed in.

Daytime Shower was nervous. “Rainbow Dash said it would begin a set of cascading events, that it would be answered.”

“And when was that?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“Same as that date,” Daytime Shower replied.

“That’s during that ice storm we had. I was stationed in the northern area of the Enclave. I know how bad it was.”

“She showed up at our house, trying to borrow a blanket. She wasn’t ready for the cold. That was clear. We were out for a bit and came back to find her mid act.”

“What was she wearing?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“You know what this means?” Daytime Shower asked.

“Absolutely,” Cardinal Spitfire replied confidently. “I’ll be carving a response in the wall in a moment.”

“What does it mean?” Daytime Shower asked.

“I’m here for a reason,” Cardinal Spitfire reminded him. “Alone. Its all personal stuff, between me, and... her. I can’t say anything more, outside of its all legal. That and I wish this was some training drill or something to test our skills. But stuff happens, and that is all I can say. Communication is key, and when you lose it, things can be very dangerous. Sometimes you have to move slowly and carefully.”

Daytime Shower gulped. “Below?”

Cardinal Spitfire gave a single chuckle with a smile to reassure him. “The Enclave military has always been paying attention below. And its done stuff from time to time below. Its part of our survival. We can’t be blind to what is below us. And sometimes, we can’t just poke our heads through the clouds. It means active actions have to be taken.”

“Wonderbolts?” Daytime Shower asked.

“No,” Cardinal Spitfire said shaking her head. “But we will stop this line of questioning. Safety. And I don’t want to ruin anything here.”

“Would you get in trouble for being here?” Daytime Shower pressed.

“Nope,” Cardinal Spitfire smiled. “Nothing is illegal, past, present and it won’t be in the future.”

Daytime Shower was still unsure. Cardinal Spitfire ended it by drawing her hold out knife to work on the wall next to it, in plain sight. She begun to cut a smaller heart with the CSF in it. It was shoddy work, especially compared to Shadow's, but it was a response. She continued to work on the message. She added “Recalled safely - Squad 12.”

There was so much more she wanted to write, but couldn't. It wasn’t safe to add more. That and her knife was wrecked. The stone had destroyed it’s already short, thin blade. For good measure, she did finish by taking a picture of it and then a wider picture with both messages.

The fillies and colts were exiting with Cinnamon Tulip.

“One last thing,” Daytime Shower whispered. “We didn’t just do this. She stumbled upon something.”

Daytime Shower led her around the corner. “This wall opens. She just walked up and pushed on it.”

“How did she see it?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “I see nothing.”

“Memory? Or maybe her helmet? I don’t know. She just walked over and pushed on it.”

Cardinal Spitfire backed away. “Push on it.”

Daytime Shower pushed all along the wall. Nothing budged. Cardinal Spitfire moved forward to where he said the edge of the door was. She saw nothing, but pushed anyway. After a second the wall budged a bit and they heard it unlock.

The door swung in, revealing a squarish room with file cabinets. Cardinal Spitfire immediately saw the posters hanging on the wall and then the terminal. But the terminal was busted.

“What happened in here?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “What was found?”

“Uh, the terminal was on, but the keyboard was deteriorated, like it is. She opened it up to pull the something storage things out. And then the drawers have orbs. I guess they store memories.”

Cardinal Spitfire opened a drawer and saw the orbs. She recognized them as the same as the one Shadow had been given by Nova. This was an answer to that mystery. Partially.

“So, how did you find that out?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“She found a necklace in that drawer. And it fit around her neck, even with the armor. And it had this divot in one side that cradled the orb. I guess it worked by some magic otherwise, or with her armor? Like your radio?”

“What exactly was she wearing?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “We never established that.”

“Umm,” Daytime Shower said, trying to describe it. “A dark blue. All metal shell. We never saw her face. She kept her helmet on. The only time she took it off was for two minutes to eat food, but that was out of sight, in the bedroom you stayed in. It was cold, and she needed to eat.”

“Can you confirm that she ate it?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “Like actually ate it.”

“It was the emergency rations the military brought us, so we got the empty container back. Why?”

“Just following up on everything,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “There is always a chance that, what I see on that wall is not what I believe it is. Its why I took pictures. I grabbed the newspaper to establish a bit more context of everything around here.”

“This all could be something else. I really hope it isn’t, but like my radio is turning these lights on, we have to reuse things at times. That can mean IDs and codes. We can’t always alter our technology at this point, so we have to work around it. So knowing more about the individual is a key element. Anything else about the individual? Their armor? Insignia?”

“The chest and wings had silver circles with a cross in the center. And the shoulder had that, but with stripes around it. Like she put on the wall.”

“What did she use to cut into the stone like that?”

“Something that put out a red light that cut it.”

“Okay,” Cardinal Spitfire nodded.

Cardinal Spitfire took some pictures of the inside room and took two orbs with memories stored in them, and two clean ones. She marked what was stored on them and then headed to the collapsed back. It was blasted down well for being in a cave. There was no easy way to move it. Nothing behind even looked worth it.

As they got outside, Cardinal Spitfire began to panic. The sun was nearing noon. She was going to have to really push it to make it back in time. She dashed off without a word, giving it everything she had.

Next Chapter: Chapter 84 - Operation Recovery Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 35 Minutes