~Star's office, 2pm, three days till departure~
It was early afternoon and during that time, he had informed his marefriends as well as Twilight's parents by letter. Usually he would have done it personally but he had to stay and plan the next move. He also didn't want to confront the parents considering what he did to Shining armor.
He currently had a map of equestria laid out across his desk with pins placed on locations that the guards had searched and cleared. Nearly a quarter of the search area had already been cleared but there was still no sign of Crimson or Twilight. If nothing turned up then two possibilities cane to his mind. One was Crimson had escaped to one of the nearby lands and the other was he had gone somewhere secluded in equestria, a place where he knew he wouldn't be disturbed...one place immediately sunk into his mind as he saw the dense wooded area southeast of Canterlot, the place he was soon to be leaving Canterlot for his training, the Everfree forest.
Known for its odd plants and fearsome inhabitants, the forest had a dangerous reputation to which ponies would stay away from. In other words, the perfect place to hide. However, Star Shield had to figure out what to do...he couldn't just send any normal team of guards to search thlocation . He needed to go himself and bring along two or three more with him that he could trust would be able to handle themselves.
He had an idea for who could do it...but first he'd need to make a special potion. Otherwise, two of his choices won't even be able to walk let alone fight. So,with that thought, Star quickly flew off to get some ingredients.
Meanwhile...
~Unknown location, 2:45pm~
Twilight POV
I woke up with a groan as I felt pain in the back of my head. I looked around and was relieved to see Spike with me in what looked like an ancient dungeon with rusty weapons hanging on the walls and moss covered walls yet the cell we were in seemed repaired with a new secure door. Evidently, Spike and I were chained to the walls giving us limited mobility. The pony also seemed to have put an anit-magic brace on my neck thus prohibiting me from using magic as Spike had a muzzle on him as he remained unconscious.
The events of what had recently transpired began to flow through my mind...the library...Spike not answering...and the pony who hit me. I had never seen the pony in my life and I wondered why it is he took me here. There are a few possible reasons for it...but it didn't really seem to matter much. I try to think of something so I do not start to panic and get too scared...I just hope somepony finds us soon...I don't want to know what he'll do to us if we're not found.
~Canterlot castle, Star's bedroom, 8pm~
Star, with some help from Cadence in gathering the ingredients, was finishing up the potion he had made while still updating himself on the search. He had just poured the mixture into three beaker containers. However, he still needed to wait for it to change into the right color which by his calculation would be about tomorrow. Right now, they were a dark purple liquid and he needed it be a light green so he placed the containers on his desk and sat on his bed just as Celestia came to check up on him.
She slowly opened the door and peeked inside to make sure he was there. "Star, may I come in?" She asked.
Star turned and smiled as he nodded. Celestia smiled back and sat on his bed as Star sat beside her.
"Is there something wrong, Tia?" Star asked as he figured she'd be getting ready to go to sleep.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about Star. With how this week has gone, I feel like it's putting a strain on you and that it's going to effect on you in some way." She spoke with a gentle and concerned tone.
Star placed his wing around her and kissed her cheek, "Celestia I know this week hasn't exactly been the most relaxing but I'm fine. I will find my young friends and one way or another, making sure to bring them back safe as I have done my best to keep you safe all these years."
She smiled slightly before she looked into his bright blue eyes, feeling her own eyes watering as her voice went soft and quiet. "That's also what worries me Star...when you have kept watch over me, you'd do anything to keep me safe. You would even tear the world apart if you needed to or push your body beyond its limits because you'd do anything for me,Cadence, or anyone you protect. I don't want you to do something reckless and die Star..."
He smiled and holds her close to him. "It's true that I might do something like that but only because I care. I may get injured but I'll make sure to keep fighting. As for dying, well I don't hope for it...however, if and when I do, my last thoughts will be of my friends and loved ones, feeling grateful I've been able to have such great ponies in my life."
She wasn't sure whether it was his caring nature, his smile, or the warmth of his body that she felt a little better. She still was worried about what will happen to Star when he goes to find Twilight but she also felt he would be able to ok.
Star raised his head and smiled more as he saw Cadence standing at the doorway, unsure of whether it would be ok to come in. He waved her over and she closed the door, making sure to lock it before joining them on the bed. She sat on the other side of Star and he held her close to him. The three alicorns didn't speak a word. Instead, they simply enjoyed the comfort and warmth.
~Two hours later~
As the three royal ponies lay in Star's bed cuddled closely to one another. Star was remembering the last times he saw Twilight and Spike, pondering about the possible ways he could make sure Twilight and Spike returned to their home safe. Including that if the time came, he'd get his team to get the duo out and face off against Crimson Shadow. He knew as an alicorn, he had the advantage of magic and strength against any normal pony but against Crimson...he wasn't normal. He was fast, strong, unpredictable, and skilled enough with that special blade he carried around that he could take Star down.
He sighed and took slow breaths to try to relax but, that didn't last long as a voice spoke out to him from beside him.
'So what's the plan Mr. Hero? Are you going to do what we said and kill that dreaded pony?' Said Night telepathically in a smug tone.
'I'm not sure if I want to resort to it immediately. However, if killing him becomes the only way to get my friends out safe then I will do it.' Replied Star.
He could tell that Night Blade just smiled even without opening his eyes. 'About time you started listening you goody two hooves, you know you're going to have to kill him one way or another so unless you rather I do it for you...'
'No.' Star answered in a low,serious tone. 'There's no way I'm letting you control my body, I can take care of this myself.'
Night chuckled,'That's pretty big talk from the pony who needs the dragon's help to keep me 'controlled' and lost his friends in the first place.'
'Be quiet, I'm going to get them back and once I'm through with Crimson Shadow then you'll be next.'
'We'll see about that Star but just remember that I am a part of you and there can't exist light without darkness. You cannot defeat me Star, I will make sure of it.' Said Night before it was silent. His mind went dark and he fell into a deep sleep.
~The next day at Canterlot hospital, 8am, two days till departure~
The alicorns had awoken and gotten ready before going about their business. Star was now walking down the halls in his cloak with his bracelets on as he carried a small purple bag in his magic. He stopped and knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in." Said a voice from inside and Star opened the door then walked inside.
"Good morning brother, how are you?" Star said as he walked to the bed his brother, Cloud zapper rested upon.
Cloud smiled and sat up slowly, "I'm fine Star, just a few bruises and broken bones. Doctor said I should be able to fully recover in a few months."
"Well, what if you could recover faster? Almost instantly?" Asked Star.
Cloud tilted his head in confusion. "I suppose that would be great but I don't see how that's really possible. Besides, it's just a few months then I'll be back..."
"Cloud, I need you right now...I need you to come with me and rescue Twilight and Spike." Star spoke in a soft but somber tone, "I need ponies I can trust and can handle themselves...I don't want to lose them.."
His brother nodded in understanding, "Don't worry Star, I know you care about those two and if you really can get me fully healed then I'll come along with you,bro."
Star smiled and bumped his hoof gently against his brother's as he smiled. "Thanks bro, I'm glad I can count on you. I hope you don't mind if I bring Shining Armor along. After all, it is his sister and he's a good guard...usually."
"It's alright, If he doesn't cause anything then neither will I."
Star reached inside his bag and handed his brother one of the potions he had made earlier. Cloud drank the potion and in a few moments, he carefully moved his limbs around. Once he felt they were good, Cloud zapper, with the help of his brother, unwrapped the bandages and got out of bed. They walked slowly to the other side of the hospital where Shining armor was resting.
"So should I come with you...?"
"No Cloud, I think its better I go in alone." Star then handed Cloud another dose of the potion. "But if you wanna help me then please make your way to the castle and find Swift Wind, tell her to take this potion, and get suited up and ready to go. I want you both to be outside the hospital because once I come out with Shining, we leave immediately."
"Got it bro, we'll be ready." Cloud said then ran off as Star opened the door to Shining's room and headed inside.
"What are you doing here Star?" Asked angrily the voice of Shining Armor.
"I've come to help you get better and ask you to join me to the Everfree forest." Star replied as he walked slowly to the unicorn's bed and took out the last dose of the potion he had.
Shining scoffed and looked at Star angry. "Oh yeah? Why should I come along with you after you were the one who sent me here!"
"It's your fault for using such powerful magic on my brother Shining. Besides, I only knocked you unconscious so you wouldn't attempt anything stupid."
"I will get you back for that Star."
Star shrugged and looked at him directly with a stern stare, "Do as you wish Shining but if you mess with anypony I care about then I'll make sure you never wake up."
"Fine...so what in Equestria do you need me for anyways?" Shining huffed as he was slightly curious why he'd ask for his help.
"I need your assistance in rescuing Twilight and Spike from Crimson Shadow in the Everfree forest."
Shining's eyes widened and shouted in anger,"You let Crimson Shadow kidnap my little sister?!"
"Yes I did alright, I didn't figure he'd go after them and was stupid for not thinking of it, is that what you want me to say? Because you can blame me all you want but, right now what matters is that we go and get them before it's too late."
"Sure, but only because we need to rescue Twilight and Spike." Shining took the dose of potion and in seconds, felt back to full health. He got out of bed and with Star, walked out the hospital where Cloud and Swift were pulling a chariot. Swift handed Shining his armor and a sword then with a nod, the horned ponies climbed in the chariot and they took off towards the Everfree forest.
Star Shield as he held a determined look and clutched his bracelets tightly and thought, 'Don't worry guys, I'm coming! And Crimson Shadow, if you hurt them...I'll make sure you pay for it!'