TRUE LOVE DEFIES ALL
CHAPTER 3
The group was awoken by bird calls even before the sun rose. Yawning and stretching they looked around them confusedly. Twilight rubbed her eyes, the lavender alicorn blinking sleep out of her eyes, Flash beside her rising, his shadow being cast on the dark, twisting trees by the small amount of light. The two party ponies suddenly bounced awake, the blanket fluttering off them and laying crumpled on the grass. "Good morning!" Cheese sandwich smiled, his white smile stretching from ear to ear. "I don't know about you ponies but I slept like a foal!" Pinkie pie bounced around him, her own wide smile across her face. They started giggling, muttering jokes to themselves while the others woke. Soarin suddenly burst from his sleep. "Did I win?!" He looked around him realising most of the ponies where still waking up, and the cyan stallion grinned sheepishly. "Go back to sleep you goofball" Rainbowdash's spoke sleepily beside him giving him a nudge with her hoof. The blue Pegasus rolled back over and left her coltfriend looking even more sheepish. Applejack slowly woke and looked like she was about to stand before realising the dragon laying on her side, smiling she lay back down. Fluttershy wriggled out of Discord's tail and gently shook some dirt off her side that had got caught in her soft feathers. "Umm Discord, it's time to get up..." The gentle Pegasus nudged the draconequus from his slumber. "No..." The lord of chaos groaned and rolled over, leaving Fluttershy to giggle. "Seriously it's time to get up" the butter coloured mare gently shook him from his slumber. Discord slowly sat up, annoyed, then looked at the sky. "But, the sun isn't even up yet!" The spirit of chaos looked annoyed, pointing his forelegs to the sky as if he was proving a point. Fluttershy giggled again and gave him a soft understanding smile. Rarity yawned and took off her sleeping mask. "Morning already?" The White unicorn yawned again and stuffed her sleeping mask back into her bag with her magic. "It seems so my dear" Fancypants answered, getting off the ground and shaking some bark from the tree off his white coat. "Alright, times up am'ha wakin' you spike!" Applejack tried to slide out from under him but instead the dragon sat up confused. "What where am I?" The purple and green scaled dragon looked around him. "After you fell asleep we rested ourselves sugar" the Orange mare placed her beloved hat on her head as she explained where they where. "Oh right." Spike blinked again then watched as the farm mare returned their blanket to Twilight. "So should we be on the move then?" Flash Sentry shook his wings out, the ruffled feathers slightly bent from sleeping at a weird angle. "Yes, but we need some kind of meal-" Twilight Sparkle started but was cut off as Discord summoned some food, more then enough actually. "Salad?" The draconequus took a lid off a silver platter, showing a mixture of lettuce, carrots, spinach and cucumbers. "Don't mind if I do!" The bubbly pink earth pony giggled, taking the platter off his extended lion paw. "Hey, share!" The other party pony chuckled, digging in. "And what for you my dear?" Discord swirled to face Fluttershy, who hid under her pale pink mane. "I don't mind..." She smiled still hidden underneath her soft mane. Without another word he snapped his talons, and a plate of berries appeared before her. "Thank you" the bashful pegasus nodded gratefully, smiling up at Discord. "Could I have some gems?" Spike asked the draconequus hopefully, licking his lips anticipating the delicious delicacy. "Of course sir Spike!" Discord snapped his talons and he was dressed as a butler, handing the young dragon a bowl of gems. The rest of the Ponies dug into the food splayed out for them.
Twilight finished her meal, and watched as Celestia's sun rise at an alarming rate over the trees, making the clearing they where in much brighter then before. The alicorn could now see her friends, covered in dirt and grime as they finished eating, manes tangled with twigs and grass, well except Rarity's who had given her curly purple mane a somewhat brush. Flash moved beside her and Twilight stiffened as she felt his warm breath near her ear. "We should get going." He whispered and Twilight nodded, grateful. "Okay everypony lets get packed up and get on the road!" The princess raised her voice over the clatter of plates and cups, as the hungry group ate greedily. "Fancy, would you get my saddlebags?" Rarity fluttered her eyelids at the stallion. "Of course my dear lady!" He used his magic and plopped the bags across her back. "Thank you dearest!" The unicorn giggled at him and stood up, preparing for the journey ahead. Soarin and Rainbowdash stood up themselves, saddlebags already in place. "Alright, let's get this show on the road!" The blue Pegasus nudged the cyan stallion beside her's shoulder, who nudged her back. "Woo-hoo!" Applejack reared, and started moving, as she had no saddlebags to weigh her down. "AJ wait up!" Spike finished another handful of gems and waddled up beside her, crawling onto the farm mare's back. The Orange earth pony stopped for a second to nuzzle him, then continued moving as the group got back into line, with Twilight and Flash in lead and the party ponies at the back, atop the party cannon. They started travelling once more, the sun slowly rising through the twisting branches, casting shadows over the ground and over the shrubbery.
The fog had returned and the path ahead had become harder to see, and the group just missed tripping over tendrils and tree roots that snaked across the grassy dirt ground like stripes would over a tigers coat. The main feeling was uneasiness as they struggled not to show their fear and their uncomfort. After what seemed like an eternity of silence the Orange party planner decided to break it. "You know what this needs?" He stood up slightly, keeping his balance perfectly upon the moving cannon. Pinkie pie caught on and stood up too. "Yep!" She giggled and the two chorused "a song!" They both sucked in deep breathes. "May Celestia have mercy upon my Soul!" Rainbowdash cried out, rolling her magenta eyes.
"Here we are," Pinkie started closing her eyes in song.
"Here we are," Cheese Joined in, also closing his eyes.
"About to face this great beast," the earth ponies chorused
"Who was released,"
"From the shadows whence he came"
"No he isn't searching for fame!" They went back to back, singing in unison.
Fluttershy picked up the next verse.
"Here we are," she smiled and nodded to Discord, who caught on.
"Here we are," the draconequus joined in.
"About to defeat this foe," they synchronised their singing.
"All through,"
"He doesn't stand a chance!"
"We'll soon have our victory dance!" They burst into giggles which where quickly finished as Applejack picked up the reins of the song.
"Here we are," the Orange mare trotted along.
"Here we are," Spike butted into the song and they sang together.
"On the journey to the enemy,"
"Hopefully he doesn't have an army!" They glanced at each other for a movement before continuing.
"Sombra won't succeed," the odd couple sang in harmony.
"Especially with us in lead!" They glanced around the group of mixed strengths.
Twilight took over
"Here we are," she lead the group confidently as she sang.
"Here we are," Flash joined in the lyrics.
"Traveling to the bad guy" they chorused
"He better kiss his flank goodbye!" They laughed out.
"Well banish him for his deeds!" Twilight growled
"Before he has time to feed!" Flash snarled along with her.
And Rarity quickly took hold of the song.
"Here we are," the White unicorn embraced the usual lyric.
"Here we are," Fancypants joined in without hesitation.
"To Sombra before he can flee!"
"I know you'll protect me!" Rarity fluttered her eyelids at the White stallion beside her.
"His chances are slim," Fancypants sang
"Very grim!" Rarity nodded agree fully.
Soarin started the song this time.
"Here we are!" The cyan stallion started and nudged Rainbowdash.
"Here we are..." She sang much less enthusiastically.
"To destroy the evil!" Soarin declared triumphantly.
"More like kill!" Rainbowdash received glares from everypony else.
"So let's go get him!" They sang together
"Before the light gets dim!" They glanced up at the sky.
Everypony sang together, the whole group.
"Here we are,"
"Here we are!"
"Defeating evil and fighting the enemy!"
"Just lime old times!" The Mares of the group shared knowing glances.
"So let's go, together, always!" They all cheered and suddenly they where racing along the path, the song had picked up their spirits tenfold, and Andrenaline rushed through their veins. "We knew a song would do good!" Cheese grinned as Pinkie changed the pace of the cannon's speed. "Yeah we did!" She giggled and they hoof bumped.
The group kept racing until they hit a clearing and where stopped by Applejack. "Does this look familiar?" She looked around the dusty clearing and her eyes caught sight of a pile of rocks. "Yeah..." Spike leapt of her back and looked around more. "What's that smell?" They heard Rarity whine. And that's when fear clutched at the hearts of the Orange mare and green and purple dragon. As if one pony they turned to stare at each other. "Timberwolves!" They cried and the group started backing away as some shadowy figures appeared in the trees in front of them. "Why is it always Timberwolves!" Rainbowdash growled as they backed away. Applejack and Spike shared a fear stricken look. "Ya'll know what to do?" She whispered in his ear and the young dragon nodded. "3...2...1...go!" On go Spike raced towards the pile of rocks, scrambling up the rocky surface, a few pebbles tumbling under his claws. Applejack raced in the opposite direction. "Come get me ya big buffoons!" She cried at the top of her lungs and the Timberwolves stopped advancing towards the group, slowly slinking towards her. Once they where close enough that Applejack could feel their stinky breath reach her, she sprinted across the clearing towards the rock pile, nearly missing being swiped by a twig filled paw. Right under the pile of boulders she whistled. "Is that the best you can do?" She taunted and outraged the canines made of sticks raced towards them. They sauntered closer, roars leaving their throats. "Now?" Spike asked panicked as they still drew closer, almost close enough so they could touch one. "Nope..." Applejack tried to sound confident but Spike could still hear her nervousness. "Now?!" He cried as their breath overwhelmed the once clean air. "Nope..." The Orange mare's voice was now a squeak as she backed against the rocks... "Now!" Spike jumped as she yelled and he instantly began flinging rocks and pebbles at the Timberwolves. They recoiled in anger, shaking their heads and twigs came flying off as they roared again. "Quickly!" Applejack yelled up at the dragon. Spike took quick action and hurtled the rocks at their mouths as they roared. It was working, most of them started choking, clutching their throats with their paws. They dropped to the ground like flies, exploding in a shower of sticks and branches and the group watched on in awe. "Yee-haw, that is how it's done!" Applejack threw her hat up in the air, and she reared up, her beloved head piece landing back on her head. Spike scrambled down from the rock pile and they gave each other a hoof bump as the group swarmed around them. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked concernedly as she looked over her two friends, one of whom was like a little brother to her. "Mhmm" they both nodded. "Well, that was easier than expected!" Rarity blinked her deep blue eyes. "Yeah, almost too easy..." Pinkie looked around her suspiciously, her eyes half lidded. "All that matters is you two are safe, and you saved us!" Fluttershy have each of her friends a nuzzle on the cheek. "It was nothing" Spike dismissed the pegasus with a claw. "I hate to be a party pooper, but we should move before more of them come!" Flash started trotting again and with a nod of agreement they fell back into formation, walking towards the rest of the forest.
They trudged through the forest, hoovesteps resonating through the many hollow, dead, trees. It was starting into the afternoon when the trees finally gave away again. The group of odd creatures sighed in relief, but the relief was short lived when they realised they where on the edge of a cliff. "Oh come on!" Rainbowdash growled towards the sky. "Wait-" Twilight trailed off and she put a hoof above her eyes, as though it could enhance her vision. The fog slowly cleared to reveal a bridge. "Well then, everything just seems to keep getting better!" Soarin trotted out onto the bridge and it teetered dangerously under his weight. "I don't think that's exactly safe-" the blue mare was cut off by a snapping sound. "Soarin, get off the bridge now!" Rainbowdash looked panicked as she yelled at him. Soarin looked over at her and almost seemed to smirk. "Soarin-" the pegasus growled warningly but was cut off by more snapping, then all of a sudden the bridge collapsed, falling from their sights. "Soarin!" She cried, peering over the edge, but it was too foggy for her to see anything. Despair clutched at her heart but she heard the others snickering, as if suppressing giggles. "What is wrong with you guys! Now is not the time to-" she turned but trailed off as she saw the cyan stallion standing in the centre of them. "Whaaaaa?" Rainbowdash asked confusedly, blinking to make sure she wasn't seeing things. "Wings, remember?" At the mention of them, Soarin flexed his feathered appendages. Rainbowdash blushed embarrassedly, glancing down at her hooves sheepishly, as if they where the most important things in equestria, earning a few giggles from the group. Twilight stopped smiling and walked over to the edge, some dirt flinging itself off the edge as she stepped on it. She spread her large wings for balance, and looked around for anyway to cross the large gap. "Careful, we don't want you to fall down anything again." Flash's worried words made her realise how close to the edge she was. Taking a step back the lavender alicorn declared "I can't see anyway across..." Twilight looked at the ground, frustrated and the group groaned. "Well this is great!" Discord snarled, crossing his forelegs. "I know a way!" Pinkie pie giggled and shared a knowing look with Cheese. Suddenly without warning the pink earth pony grabbed Spike by his arm and bounced with him a few steps back, going back into the fog . "pinkie, what are ya'll doing-" Applejack stepped forward but was cut off by a loud boom! Which was swiftly followed by a yell from Spike as he was flung forward and over the canyon, landing, unsteadily on the other side. Everypony blinked and turned back to see the party mare emerging from the fog, rolling her canon forwards. "Alright, everypony without wings, hop on in!" She giggled and got ready to pull the trigger. Everypony swivelled their heads in unison to stare at Applejack. "Fine ah'll go first!" The Orange mare grumpily jumped up and slid into the cannon. "Technically second!" They heard Spike yell from the other side. "Ready?" Without waiting for an answer the earth pony struck the rope, and a boom sounded followed by Aj being flung from the cannon, her mane and tail whipping behind her, clutching her hat so it wouldn't fly off her head. "Yikes!" She yelled as she lashed through the air, and landed ungracefully on the grass next to the dragon. Skidding to a stop. "Who is next?" Pinkie grinned manically. "Might as well get this over with!" Fancypants used his magic to straighten his shirt. And slowly climbed into the cannon, he barely fitting inside. Without a word Pinkie lit the cannon and bang! Fancypants was flying through the sky, mouth hung open in a silent cry. "Might want to shut that before bugs get in!" Discord cupped his paw and claws over his mouth as he called out to the gliding unicorn with a smirk on his face. Rainbowdash rolled her eyes, she still wasn't exactly 100% okay with Fluttershy's choice, but hey, he made her happy, what could she do? "Okay Rare's turn!" Grinning the pink mare shoved her friend into the cannon. "Pinkie, watch the mane!" Rarity cried as her friend ignored her protests and pleas and shoved her in far enough for the cannon to work. Without another word she made the cannon go boom. "Pinkieeeeeeeeeee!-" the White unicorn's shrieks faded as she was flung to the other side. "My turn!" Cheese hopped in willingly and as the cannon made it's loud noise it was like he had practically flung himself over in a giant leap. Then pinkie leapt over her cannon, the earth pony settling in comfortably. Discord gleefully went over to the cannon and struck it, sending the party pony flying. Everypony glared at him. "What?" The draconequus smirked.
"Okay, you guys fly on over there, me and Soarin can handle this cannon, right Soar?" The rainbow maned mare spun around to see the stallion. "Yes Dashie!" He chuckled and got ready to lift the cannon. Twilight, Flash, Discord and Fluttershy flew gracefully over to the other side and waited with the non winged ponies for the two expert flyers. After about a minute Pinkie pie was bursting with energy. "What's taking so long!" She wriggled about, worry lingering on her light pink face and lighting up in her light blue eyes. "Yeah, what is taking so long!" Flash yelled at the two flyers. "It's too heavy!" They heard Soarin's voice answer and shortly after they heard a loud angry whisper "you weren't supposed to tell them that, goofball!" They heard a thwack and a whiny "ow!" Geez those two where just like children sometimes. Twilight bit her lip and glanced back at Pinkie who seemed, for once, panic stricken. "Just leave it then, we will get it on the way back!" The princess of friendship made the tough decision, and the element of laughter's mane deflated slightly, only to poof back up again as Cheese gave her a comforting hug. The two pegasi flew into sight and landed beside the rest of the group, panting slightly. "So, where too now?" Fluttershy spoke, and they remembered what they where doing in the first place. They all turned and looked up realising they where at the bottom of a mountain, a steep, dangerous, long way up, death defyingly journey taking mountain. And on top of it sat King Sombra's tower.