Part 31 - Destruction

"Ouch!"

"Sorry!"

Dazzleglow tried to keep still as Sparkler dabbed at the cuts on her back. They were deep, stinging, sending waves of pain up into her neck. She clenched her jaw and shut her eyes tight.

Brightglow reached out and took Dazzleglow's hoof between her own. Dazzleglow blew out a breath, then inhaled sharply.

Happyglow retrieved bandages and healing salves they had either collected from places or some they'd made themselves. None of the glowing ponies ever thought there would be a need for them, let alone on one of their own. It shook Dazzleglow to her core, not only that these creatures could bypass her wards, but that they could hurt them so badly.

Princess Pearl hoved around the edges of the room, unsure of what to do. Ultimately, she opted to make tea and food for the rest of the ponies in the room, hoping that this would help. Starglow spotted her going and followed.

When Starglow and Princess Pearl returned, Dazzleglow's back was bandaged. Together they handed out what food had been prepared and the tea made, Dazzleglow gladly accepting it. She held the cup between her hooves, settling into her comfortable chair. She winced then leaned forward.

"What do we do with that thing…" Sparkler began, "the Harpy, you called it?"

Princess Pearl nodded. "Yes, that is what Princess Ruby claimed it was. The most I can do is hold it here. I'm afraid we may need the rest of the Princess Ponies to banish it."

"How is Princess Aquamarine?" Dazzleglow asked, swirling the tea in her cup.

"She went to Dream Castle to investigate the darkness. We too had a Harpy attack, Princess Ruby recognised it immediately," Princess Pearl replied. She paused, glancing around the others.

Sparkler noticed, and frowned. "What else?"

Princess Pearl sighed. "Your pony, Applejack, sought us out, specifically Aquamarine."

Dazzleglow's eyes widened. "She's back?"

Sparkler moved her chair nearer to Dazzleglow, then held her hoof between her own.

"She is still healed from her ordeal, the pale ponies haven't managed to use their magic against her again." Princess Pearl pressed her lips together to form a line. "I don't know how much comfort that'll bring."

Dazzleglow stayed silent.

Happyglow cleared her throat. "Princess, we too have had attacks from creatures from the darkness." She glanced to Dazzleglow. "They got past the protective magic we have set up here."

Princess Pearl shook her head. "It seems to be so far reaching."

"Do the Princess Ponies have any idea what could be causing it? Or where they've come from?"

Princess Pearl stood up from her chair, taking her tea with her. "The other Princess Ponies, they don't live with us in Royal Paradise, had mentioned there were some disturbances." She took a sip. "With the appearance of the Harpy however, this implies there is powerful magic, very powerful. And it also implies there are others to follow."

Dazzleglow frowned. "Others? Like the Harpy?"

Princess Pearl nodded. "Indeed. The Harpy, and others of its ilk, are all linked to their own elements. The Harpy is of the wind. We encountered Lava Demons at one point, when Ponyland's magic was thrown out of control."

Dazzleglow tilted her head. "I think I remember that happening. The wards outside the house went a bit funny,"

Sparkler nodded. "It seemed to hit Dream Valley quite badly. Fizzy's magic, as well as Galaxy's were affected too."

Princess Pearl opened her mouth to continue speaking, when a knock at the door interrupted her. The group of ponies looked to the door, then to one another. Starglow stood up, then left the room, Sparkler at her back, while Dazzleglow poked her head around the doorframe.

Starglow moved Princess Pearl back, and opened the door. She sighed in relief. "Am I ever so glad to see you," she said. She stepped out of the way and Peach Blossom walked in.

Dazzleglow rushed from the room and gathered Peach Blossom up in a tight hug, the Flutter Pony letting out a surprised laugh. Princess Pearl stepped out of the way.

"I thought the pale ponies still had you," Dazzleglow said once she'd let go of Peach Blossom.

The Flutter Pony shook her head. "I managed to escape their surveillance." She looked around and saw Princess Pearl. Peach Blossom bowed "My apologies for this unexpected visitation, your Highness."

Princess Pearl nodded her head. "Oh, no, please. No apologies needed. Aquamarine told us how instrumental you were in helping Applejack."

Peach Blossom looked to Dazzleglow then noticed the bandages. "Oh! What's happened to your poor back?"

"Did you see the creature outside?" Dazzleglow answered.

"May I see?"

Dazzleglow nodded and let Peach Blossom unwrap the bandage. "It's not so bad…"

"I can accelerate the healing process, however I cannot heal it entirely." She flew into the air, beat her wings and let the sparkles fall onto Dazzleglow. "That should make it feel somewhat better at least."

Dazzleglow smiled.

"The reason I rushed here, the Flutter Ponies are making their way here to bring an end to the cult. We must make haste and meet them there."

Dazzleglow didn't need to be told twice. She strode to Happyglow's room, grabbed her bag and made her way to the door, slinging the bag across her body. "All right Peach Blossom, lead the way."

"You're not going alone!" Sparkler exclaimed, immediately going to her friend's side.

Dazzleglow frowned. "No, Sparkler. You should stay here."

"But you're hurt!"

Dazzleglow nuzzled her friend's neck. "I'll be all right, I promise."

"I shall come too," Princess Pearl added. "The combined magic should be more than enough against these ponies."

Peach Blossom nodded. "Indeed."

They left the house with the stars thatched into the roof, heading toward the outskirts of the town.

Peach Blossom flew ahead with both Princess Pearl and Dazzleglow following on the ground. Eventually she landed then moved toward a clumped part of foliage. She moved the bushes out of the way, then gestured to the hole it revealed.

"The baby ponies are through here," she told them. "However, there may be guards with them."

"What about Pearly?" Dazzleglow asked.

"I haven't seen her, though Baby Bouncy may know otherwise."

Dazzleglow said nothing more and followed Peach Blossom through the hole, Princess Pearl at her heels. They crept through the darkness, heading toward the light at the end. The walls around her made Dazzleglow claustrophobic, while it seemed Princess Pearl also did not enjoy their environment. She stayed close to Dazzleglow and Peach Blossom, not daring to move from their side for a moment.

The glow at the tunnel's end was a room. In the corners were torches, lit by fire, a table with chairs and a jug on the table. Peach Blossom approached the table then gasped.

"Oh no, not the baby ponies too," she said quietly, pointing to one of the corners of the room.

Dazzleglow went to the room, following where Peach Blossom pointed to. In the corner, were baby ponies, all of them pale and dark hair. Just like Applejack. "Here, let me try and help them," she said, lighting up her horn. She moved toward the baby ponies, resting her horn on their heads, one at a time. Their natural colours returned, their hair turning different colours, rainbow, red, yellow, blue.

"We should lead them to safety," Princess Pearl said, pointing to the tunnel they had just come from.

Dazzleglow nodded and started back out, the baby ponies following her.

Once outside, the Flutter Ponies had arrived. In front of her, stood a young unicorn, two Flutter Ponies by her side. Dazzleglow recognised her immediately.

"Genie? What are you doing here?" she said, going to her and checking her over.

Genie leaned back and held up her hooves. "I'm fine." She blew out a breath. "I didn't expect to finally meet you after what Patch told us."

"How did you find this place?"

"Baby Bouncy has been escaping and showed us where to go."

"Us?" Dazzleglow stopped herself. "There'll be enough time to tell me once we're out of here."

Genie nodded.

Peach Blossom spoke briefly to the rest of the Flutter Ponies then turned back to Dazzleglow and Princess Pearl. "We have ascertained the most effective way forward is to deal with these ponies as they come to us," she said.

Dazzleglow nodded. "Lead the way." She looked to Genie once more. "Any ponies come out, keep them together then guide them back to Paradise Estate."

Genie nodded. "Be careful. Baby Bouncy said there are...things wandering around."

"All right. I'll keep an eye out and help if I can."

Genie smiled then sat down to wait as Dazzleglow went inside once more.