“I won’t ask about the blue box.” Babs said, “Although I would like to know how you three are mares, you’re a year younger than me!” It had been a few minutes since the, tense, welcome, but the Crusaders and I decided to have a talk with the fourth Crusader, who seemed to have a considerable amount of influence over the other ponies.

“Long story, pretty much two gods went and accelerated us to the age twelve.” Scootaloo said. A couple of months ago, I would have thought she was insane, but things had changed so drastically the ridiculous was the ordinary.

“Huh, well I have been in charge of defending Manehattan since around the time you guys left.” Babs replied. “It’s actually my special talent, leading defensive things.”

“What?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“The day after you guys left, we were trying to get things put back together when the colts attacked again. My birthday had been a few weeks beforehand, so I was a mare, but still without a Cutie Mark.” Babs recalled, “But when they started attacking, I started saying where people should go, and when I realized I was really good at coordinating things and defending against them, I got my Cutie Mark.”

We replied with our own story that led up to our second arrival in Manehattan and Babs seemed to be, not glad, that Rabil now knew of our existence. “That’s great, that means he’ll probably be expecting you to come here.” Babs said, and she made a gesture with her hoof for a stallion to come.

“What is it Ma’am?” The stallion asked, giving a salute which Babs seemed a little irritated by.

“Relay that the changelings and dragons are on our side, and an assault may be coming soon.” Babs ordered, and the stallion dashed off. Babs took a look at Phalanx and looked at me. “Not to be teasing or anything, but I can tell that guard really does care about you, Apple Bloom.”

“And I will take that as my cue to leave.” Scootaloo said, and Sweetie Belle followed, and Babs gave a near silent sigh.

“How would ya know?” I asked, doubtful of Babs.

“Here, I can show you around here while we talk.” Babs said, gesturing for me to follow. I did, and she responded to my question. “Over the past few weeks I’ve seen plenty of examples, Apple Bloom. Believe it or not, that kind of care has saved a lot of lives, during that time. Not to mention what he did not too long ago, putting himself in danger for you, and not letting anyone else help.”

“Yeah, well Ah was a filly not too long ago remember?” I replied, irritated that she seemed to be on Phalanx’s side of this whole thing.

“True, but what is going on isn’t some Fillywood story either, Apple Bloom, by which I mean it isn’t like some star-crossed lover junk.” She rolled her eyes as she said it, “Apple Bloom, I know he has said this, along with others, but I believe that guard would give his life for you.” We walked past a fallen tower, which some ponies seemed to be using as an lookout.

“Ya said you’ve been attacked, Rabil had just said for the Tartarus army tuh attack ya.” I asked.

“Oh he sent several of his colts here, but we’ve been able to cling on to this city.” Babs said, turning to look at me. “But I think with your help we - Apple Bloom you alright?” She asked, and I started to feel the familiar shift.

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        Once again I was at the castle, and I noticed Rabil was holding some sort of amulet, which looked familiar. “My lord, the prince shall be in momentarily.” A servant informed him, and Rabil gave a smile. In the distance I could hear someone begging, and scuffling.

Finally, the door opened once again, and being held by two guards, was a unicorn I recognized as Prince Blueblood. “Here he is, sir. We found him hiding in the attic of the downtown donut shop.” A guard informed Rabil, and Rabil chuckled.

“You may leave us.” Rabil told the guard, and they released grip of the Prince, only for him to be held down by some shadowy thing. “Prince Blueblood, let me be direct. I am wishing to not kill you because you may be of some use to someone for once.” The unicorn looked terrified but nodded his head. “It involves benefit for the both of us, you see. On my side, I get another powerful ally, and you get to survive, something you seem to be relatively skilled at, along with abandoning your family.”

“A-A-And what m-m-might that b-be?” The Prince stammered.

“You see this?” Rabil said, gesturing to the amulet, and the Prince nodded. “This is the Alicorn Amulet, it gives the bearer great power, and I wish for you to use it.” Rabil moved in closer, and the Prince seemed relieved that he had such a simple task. “Do you accept this, Blueblood?” Rabil asked.

“Y-Yes.” The Prince replied.

“Good.” Rabil said, and put the amulet on him. “Oh yes, and one other thing, it puts you under my total control, just thought you might want to know.” He said with a grin, and Blueblood realized what he had done, and tried for once to do the right thing and get it off, but Rabil cackled. “As long as I will you to have it, it will remain.” Rabil laughed. The unicorn started screaming in pain as the amulet started to transform him. I realized it was the same amulet Trixie had a while ago, but it didn’t do that to her. Maybe it was because Rabil was so evil he could control it?

The former Prince morphed into something that looked like a deprived pony mixed with a changeling, and Rabil smiled as it spoke. “What do you wish for me to do, my master?” The thing spoke in a voice entirely different from Blueblood’s, this one much higher pitched, yet scratchy.

“I wish for you to find the three fillies that have been such a nuisance to me, and kill them.” Rabil told it, “And make sure to deceive their friends as much as possible.”

“Yes, master. Although I must say, one is watching this currently, specifically the leader.” If my eyes could open really wide, they would have right then. “Specifically they are experiencing it from your point of view.”

“What?” Rabil said, astonished he hadn’t realized it earlier. “Go now and find them.” Rabil hissed, and the thing flew off, and Rabil turned his thoughts directly to me. “If you believe your cause will prevail, I am afraid you are quite wrong. Enjoy your short life.”

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        “Are you alright, Apple Bloom?” A worried Babs asked as I awoke to Manehattan.

I looked up at her, and said, “Ah’m just dandy. Now that Rabil’s gone and transformed Prince Blueblood into someone who’s gonna hunt me down along with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.”

“What else?” Phalanx asked with monotone, him not being within my sight.

“He knows about me bein’ able to see what’s goin’ on.” I answered, and Babs sighed.

“Well, there goes one of the few advantages.” She muttered, and lent me a hoof to get up. I took the hoof and as I got up I saw Phalanx over by the Doctor. My father was talking with somepony and Babs shouted something about watching out for anything that looked the slightest like Prince Blueblood.

I decided to look up at the sky, which had seemed to be ignorant of the darkness below, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a small spot that was too blue in comparison to the rest of the sky. I tried looking closer, and then a rainbow emanated in a circular direction, a few seconds later, a large boom roared past. “What was that?” My father asked.

“It’s Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo shouted, pointing towards the closing blue shape, rainbow trailing behind. After a few more seconds, the shape finally arrived, with Scootaloo’s prediction being proven correct.

“I...” Rainbow Dash panted, and then held a hoof up for a moment, “I came here to tell you, the others are on their way, but according to the changelings, there’s some massive army about a couple days away.” Rainbow Dash then slammed into the ground, passing out.

Babs stood still for a moment, and then shouted, “We need somepony to help this pegasus!” A pony rushed over and got Rainbow Dash on their back, proceeding to carry her away. “Get everypony in defensive positions now, I don’t care if they’re a couple of days away, or a few weeks!” Babs shouted and the ponies with the exception of my group started running around. “Big Mac, if you could help with building some barricades, that would be very much appreciated!” Babs shouted over, and he nodded moving somewhere. “Shining Armor, is it? Could your guards help us out with getting prepared?”

“I believe they can.” He chuckled, and the guards scattered.

“Doctor, I guess help with whatever you can, same goes for you,” She nodded towards Ditzy, “and Apple Bloom’s Father.”

My father replied, “It’s Golden Apple.” He walked off.

“Princess Cadence, could you help out with tending to the wounded?” Babs asked, and I just was amazed as she organized this all, it seemed it was her talent. “As for you two fillies, I’ll have Hammer take you somewhere.” A stallion went and gestured for them to follow, and Diamond Tiara looked back, with a seemingly blank expression.

“What ‘bout us?”  I asked, and Babs mulled it over for a minute.

“Whatever you think we should do, Apple Bloom, I’m all ears.” Babs said, looking at me.