“Come on Fluttershy! Rarity said we needed to see her now and you’re taking forever!” Rainbow shouted from the doorstep. She’d been waiting out here for a few minutes now and was starting to get rather impatient.

“Just one second Dash.” Fluttershy called out from her window. The rainbow mare let out another frustrated groan before facehoofing.

“How long does it take for one pony to get ready?”

Suddenly she could hear from inside the sound of hooves touching steps. It’s about time. Soon the door swung open to reveal the yellow Pegasus inside. She hid behind her mane ever so slightly but couldn't help but let her smile creep up onto her face.

“Come on Flutter’s, we have to-” Rainbow cut herself off when she looked at Fluttershy, her pink mane falling softly by her side and her face seemed to emit radiant glow.

Fluttershy turned her head in confusion. “Yes Dash?”

“What? Oh right, we have to go now.”

“Okay, hopefully we’re not too late.”

“Meh, Rarity won’t mind if we’re a bit late I’m sure.”

The two Pegasi took to the sky, Rainbow at first gathering quite a bit of speed but managed to slow down a bit as to not leave the yellow mare behind. Fluttershy seemed be a little uncomfortable, but having her friend next to her kept her confidence up.

It didn't take as long as first expected to reach the Carousal Boutique, the two Pegasi landing just outside the doorstep. It was an odd meeting place but they weren't one to question their friends. Fluttershy raised a hoof to knock on the door but was swiftly cut off when Rainbow simply entered without taking head. The door was unlocked and it seemed everypony else was waiting for them inside.

“Hey guys, sorry we’re a bit late.” Dash took a seat next to Pinkie Pie, the ecstatic mare giving her a tight hug before being shrugged off. Fluttershy joined her friend, trying not to interrupt whatever was being said.

“That’s quite alright darling.” Rarity seemed to be in an off mood, almost as if she was simply faking a pleasant appearance.

“Is everything okay?”

Rarity waved off the comment. “Sure, everything’s fine.”

“Ah’m not buyin' it.” Applejack cut in. “What’s on your mind Rares?”

“Nothing gets past you girls does it?  Fine, I shall reveal all to you. This morning I received a letter from our dear friend Twilight-”

“Ohhh, that’s so cool! How’s she doing? I mean we only saw her the other day but it feels like it’s been so long since I last said hi. I’m going to have to throw a welcome back party when she comes back!”

“Now may not be the right time for parties Pinkie.” Rarity levitated a small scroll in front of her into view, earning an odd look from the ponies around her. “Recently a threat has been made against the city, and I fear Twilight may be caught in the middle of it.”

Dash seemed to look confused by this statement, almost rushing forward and grabbing the letter herself. “Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?!”

Fluttershy sunk further into her mane, ever so slightly leaning against the Pegasus next to her. “D-does that mean Queen Cr-chrysalis is back?”

“I wish I could say so, at least we would have some idea of how to defeat her. According to Twilight’s letter those that made the threat are in fact other ponies. The traveled from the Far East maybe in hopes of claiming new land. I wish I could be more helpful but the letter appears to be written in haste. The details are very sketchy.”

“What kinda’ ponies would just get up and attack their own kind? They aren't right in the head.” Applejack grumbled to herself loud enough for the other to hear.

Pinkie on the other hoof seemed a bit okay with the situation. “Well then it’s simple; we just wield the Element of Harmony against them and ‘boom’, we save the day, have a party and everypony wins.”

“I don’t believe it’s that simple darling. She made it rather clear what she wanted us to do in her letter. She did ask us to bring our Elements but she asks for a favor.”

“Ah’m not sure Ah follow.”

“Just read it for yourself.”

‘I hate to ask anything from you girls, especially when it puts you at risk, but it seems I have no other options. Cadence is currently visiting the Crystal Empire in preparation for the Equestrian Games. We have no way of leaving the city or getting word out to her. If any of you could travel north and let her know of what is happening then I would be most grateful. Bring the Elements of Harmony as well. I don’t know if they’ll be any help but it’s worth a shot.’

‘Rainbow, I know you’re an excellent flier, please be as quick as you can. I don’t know how long we have till they arrive and I don’t want to risk it. Although I try to deny it I’m scared, no, I'm terrified. I don’t know what else to do. Just look out for each other, okay?.’

“Ah think Ah’ve seen enough.” Applejack sat back down on her haunches,  looking a bit gloomier that a few minutes ago.

Pinkie was visibly less cheerful, her mane losing some of its bounce. Fluttershy was now entirely pressed up against her protector, Dash didn't seem to mind too much. Rarity rolled up the scroll with her magic and set it back down before addressing everypony again.

“I think we know what we have to do.”

“No.” Dash spoke up, giving Fluttershy a surprise. “We have to help Twilight as fast as we can. You read how scared she is, we can’t just leave her to face this herself.”

“And what do ya propose?”

“I say we split up. I’ll fly to the Crystal Empire while you girls head to Canterlot. You’ll just slow me down any other way.”

Rarity shook her head at Dash’s words. “We can’t even get into the city. Twilight said that they couldn’t get anypony in or out thanks to the enemy. We’re going with you Dash.”

“We can’t all go together Rarity. The best chance of getting help in time is to fly, something which most of you can’t do.”

“We won’t be simply left behind to let you face this yourself.”

“Um, can I say something?” Everypony turned to face Pinkie as she spoke in an uncharacteristic tone.

“Of course darling, no pony’s stopping you.”

“We could get inside Canterlot.”

All the girls looked at each other with confused expressions. “What could you possibly mean?”

“I have an idea. We have the balloon, don’t we? If Dash goes off to get help from the Empire then we can just fly over to Canterlot. It sounds like Twilight could really use a friend right now to support her.”

Rarity seemed to think hard at the idea, but something still didn’t sit right. “I- I didn’t think of that, I still don’t like the risks.”

Dash hovered in mid-air as she addressed all her friends. “We have to take the risk if we are to help Twilight and all of Canterlot. If we don’t act fast then there won’t be a city to save.

“Pinkie, it was your idea to use the balloon, you’re in charge of getting everything ready for the journey and flying everypony there.”

The pink party pony perked up a bit at Rainbows words, giving a rather goofy salute. “Okie Dokie Lokie!”

“Applejack, you go with Pinkie and keep them safe. You’re tough enough to keep anypony off your backs no sweat.”

“Mighty kind of ya. Fine, Ah’ll go.”

“Rarity, Twilight’s going to need you with her, and you’re the only other unicorn we have here so we’ll need you as well.”

“I still don’t like the thought of rushing into the deep end, but if Twilight needs me then I’ll do anything it takes.”

“Good, and I’ll start flying north to get help from Cadence in the Crystal Empire. Sound like a plan?”

“Sure does.”

“Aye aye!”

“As good as we’ve got.”

“What about me?” A small timid voice came from behind Dash, causing the rainbow mare to quickly turn in surprise.

“Oh, yeah…  Fluttershy. Um, you can…” Rainbow looked to her other friends for help, but they offered nothing in response. “Okay, fine. You can come with me. Just don’t slow us down.”

“A-are you sure Rainbow. I mean, I’m certainly nowhere fast enough to keep up with you, and if the entire city is depending on our help I think I’ll just be in the way.”

“Don’t say that!” Dash covered her mouth when she realized that may have come out a bit loud. “Look, I need you to trust me with this. Canterlot needs you to do this, Twilight needs you. I…  need…”

She was silenced when Fluttershy placed a yellow hoof over her mouth. She let out a warm smile as she let her go. “If you think I can do it then that’s all I need.”

“Great!” Dash turned on the spot. “So we’re all in agreement?!”

“Ah’d say so Sugercube.”

“Okay team, let’s get moving!”

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