Chapter IX: Foal's Crusade

Sweetie Belle

"Wait!" I told Apple Bloom as we slowed down, "we need to come up with a plan before we go racing into this." She asks me what I had in mind. I told her I want her to go back to the clubhouse and get something we can fight with. "I am going to Twilight's to get some books about magic," we agree to meet back here when we're done.

I arrive at the library but the door is locked. I look around for another way in when I see a window open. I climb up the tree and sneak into the house quietly as possible. I hear something cry out 'who who who' but it is only Owlowiscious. I tell the owl that I am not a thief and just want to borrow a book. He hoots at me again almost if saying this is a bad idea. "I know but Scootaloo is in trouble and the Cutie Mark Crusader Oath says we never leave a fellow crusader behind." The owl hooted again and flew over to the shelf.

He knocked a book down, "who who," he called out as I looked at the title- Defensive Magic for Beginners. I thanked him picking up the book. I asked him if he knew if Twilight had weapons in here. He sighs before pointing a closet.

I open the door and find and old sword on a plaque. It was engraved 'Shining Armor's first sword." I take the sword and climb out the window. Operation Chicken Rescue was a go.

Danny

"You're not going to leave are you?" Dr. Hooves said as I shook my head. He rolls his eyes as he picks up a book from the floor. "This is one of the most accurate maps of the castle. Whatever is going on there this should help you sneak in," he says as Twilight takes the book.

"It seems our paths were meant to cross," Twilight said as we walked out the door. She asked me what kind of powers Vlad has. I explain about both of us having ghost powers only Vlad's was more advanced. "Then it's good to have you on our side." Fluttershy and Dani land in front of us. She asks if Fluttershy was able to talk some sense in my cousin.

"Yes, it was just a misunderstanding," she says as Dani smiles. "Were you able to convince the doctor to help us?"

"Kind of, he still won't come with us but he gave us this book," she takes out the book and opens it. "According to this there is secret entrance at the base of mountain," she points to a spot marked on the map.

"No doubt Chrysalis has the way to the mountain guarded," Rarity chimes as Twilight nods. "We need to find out what we're up against."

"Rainbow Dash, do you think you and Fluttershy can do some recon. Find out how many guards they have and how we can avoid running into them." Sam asks as the blue pegasus grumbles something before stamping her hoof and taking off.

Queen Chrysalis

"We meet again at last," I say to a lone mass of ectoplasm hanging from the ceiling. "Last time we met how you vexed me so." I place a hoof on the slime. I could feel the love inside and it was wonderful. I begin drain it when one of my guards come in.

"My queen," I turn to face the terrified creature. "We have reports that the six have left Time Turner's and are heading this way." I stare at him. "We also captured a pony trying to stop us." I perk up and order the minion to take me to our prisoner.

He teleported us to the dungeon where a small orange pegasus was kept in a cell. She was trying to break the chains by attempting to fly. "I wouldn't waste your strength. Not even unicorn magic can break those chains," I said playfully as she glared at me.

"You won't get away with this bug brain. Rainbow Dash is coming and she will….," so you idolize Rainbow Dash. This gives me an idea. I transform into the filly her love of Rainbow Dash will be their downfall.

"Prepare to welcome our guests," I order the guard before I teleport to take care of our unwelcome visitors.

Sam

"Chrysalis seems to have most of her guards surrounding the castle. The pathway is clear," Rainbow says as we meet her and the foot of the mountain. While the changelings won't be a problem that still leaves Plasmius. No doubt the fruit loop has something nasty in store for us.

Danny stares up at the mountain. I could tell the gears in his head were turning. "There has to be a way we can fool Vlad so we can enter with being detected," he explains trying to come up with something.

"What if you combined your ghost powers with magic," Spike chimes in as we all turn to him. "It would confuse them," the little dragon is on to something.

"Twilight, can you use your teleport spell in midair," Danny asks her as she nods. "Good we can alternate between using my powers and your magic," he explains as he conjures some ectoropes. "Dani, Sam, and I will carry three ponies.

"Will it hurt," Fluttershy asks nervously looking at the glowing rope. Danny shakes his head saying she might a feel a cold tingle. Danny goes up to her fasten it to her when Dash gets between them.

"HOLD ON! We are pegasi and no one ties us up," Rainbow protests as Danny rolls her eyes. "Fluttershy you're with me?" she turns to the yellow pony.

"Well, I mean this does seem pretty important and Danny knows what he's…," Dash rolls her eyes and begrudgingly agrees to the plan.

Rainbow takes the glowing rope and ties it around her waist. "Let's get this over with," she grumbles to herself.

Apple Bloom

"Did you find anything at the library?" I ask as Sweetie Belle walks into the clubhouse. She shows me a book on defensive magic and old sword. She explains that it belonged to Shining Armor and Twilight wouldn't mind us using it.

"I've found some bats and darts," I show her what I found here. "There is just one problem how are we get to the castle without being found out," I ask her as Sweetie flips through the book.

"Here we go teleportation," she points a spell in the book. I am not sure about this I've heard Twilight say that teleportation isn't easy. "How hard can be it. It says all I have to close my eyes and think of where we want to go." She shuts her eye and mutters 'castle.'

We arrived in a room decorated with all kind of green and gold tacky objects. "Uh Sweetie?" I tap her on the shoulder as she opens her eyes and looks around. "I don't think we're at Canterlot Castle." She laughs and says at least they are at a castle or at least it looks like one.

"Applejack told me when you get lost you stay put," Sweetie says that I don't think this one of those times and we better find our own way. "I don't like this," I tell her as she heads out a door. "I don't like this one bit."

Tucker

"Mr. Foley are you there?" Clockwork's voice came through the phone as I look at a broken window. I tell him I am and ask why I am doing this again? "Simple, Vlad has a pair of statues that need to be returned." I was going on this mission to rescue a statue. "These are no ordinary statues." You say that now.

I climb up a nearby dumpster and squeeze my way through the opening. "What are these statues called anyway?" Clockwork calls them Die ac Nocte. "What is that German?" He says it's Latin and speaking of that asks if I have made the potion he ordered me to make. "Yeah, but Vlad might be on to us. He sent his vultures after me." The time master said he knew that and for the moment Vlad would not pose a threat. "I wish I had your confidence."

I notice there is an information terminal near me. It must have sensed that I was near as a hologram of Danny's mom appeared. "Welcome to the Amity Park Museum of Art. Please state your destination." Okay this is weird Vlad needs to get a life. I mention the sculpture. "New exhibition, third floor please wait for the lift to come to a stop." An elevator door opened up. I walk into it and feel the cart take off.