Turning the Glass Chapter 23: The Attack, a my little pony fanfic

I do not own MLP or game characters added in. Have fun spotting them though!

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Attack

Inkwell was wandering through Ponyville taking in the beautiful sight. It was a peaceful day, the spirits were gone in Canterlot recharging. The tan unicorn had just returned from Sugar Cube Corner and was just about to take a bite out of a cupcake when he got tackled. The stallion looked up at what him when he saw a timber wolf with red eyes staring down at him. The wolf raised its claws only to be thrown back as an Earth Pony slammed into its side.

"Are you alright?" the pony asked holding out her hoof which Inkwell took and was helped up.

"Yeah I'm fine." Inkwell replied looking around at the screaming ponies. Few were trying to fend off the timber wolves. Especially the pegasi and unicorns. Most though were running unsure of what they were supposed to do.

"Fight!" a voice called out causing Inkwell to turn around and seeing a familiar ice blue unicorn with a red mane. That was when the writer noticed that the earth pony had moved from his side to stand next to the unicorn. A pegasus landed next to the earth pony a crossbow attached to her leg. 'Wait is that my editor?' the green and pink stallion thought. He took in the sight for a moment. Spirit had dropped all facades about being a normal editor and the illusion that hid one of her secrets. Two metal limbs were attached on her left foreleg and her right hind leg having replaced the limbs that were there before. Her cutie mark had changed as well, before it was a page with red markings on it now she sported a ghostly sword. The Earth pony was an amethyst color with a sapphire gradient to it, she sported deep red eyes and a brown mane. Her cutie mark was that of a sword in front of a crossbow.

The pegasus was a deep red with black gradient on the wings and hooves. Her mane was blonde and shaved so it was only on one side. Her eyes were purple and her cutie mark was that of crosshairs.

"What do you think these things are?" asked the amethyst colored pony as the unicorn summoned a giant hammer.

"Things that need to be destroyed." Spirit replied as a ghostly sword appeared next to her.

"It would be like killing rabbits with fangs. Simple." the pegasus told with a thick accent before flying up towards the clouds. "You don't want to die. Don't get in way."

"It has been a long time since we've been together." laughed the Earth Pony. "You take the right Spir?"

"Of course." the ice blue pony said before looking at the red eyed mare. "You watch your back Soldier and make sure Bo doesn't kill anyone."

"No promises!" responded Soldier before sliding the hammer onto her back and taking off. "Anyone who doesn't want to fight get inside."

That was when all of Tartarus broke loose as the three soldiers, with help from some of the residents, started fighting back against the wolves. Inkwell even joined in though he wasn't really that strong. He had just used his pens to stab at the wolves made from sticks.

"Defend the town!" ordered Mayor Mare as the ponies charged forward trying to take down as many as the creatures. "We have to hold this position as best we can."

The tan unicorn heard a scream and saw Silver Spoon getting herded into a corner by three of them. He raced forward and stood in front of the small Earth Pony. Trixie was to his left using some of her spells to distract the wolves.

"He would do well in the mines." scoffed one of the wolves only to be snapped out by the leader of the pack. Inkwell stood his ground trying to produce a simple shield like Twilight did. It worked but was quickly shattered by the wolves who laughed at him.

"You should just give up." growled the wolf and the writer told him. "You will never make me give up. I will not yield!"

Inkwell blinked and found himself in an unfamiliar place. It was misty but there was a wall with a strange symbol upon it.

Silver Spoon opened her eyes, she knew she wasn't meant to fight but she had to find Diamond Tiara. Instead of seeing the wood wolves she was in a vast space where a giant wall stood before her.

"Where's the fight?" asked Soldier looking around obviously confused on the giant wall in front of her. "Wait does time stop or is it just slowed in this place?"

"If I miss shot I will kill whoever brought me here." mumbled Bo as she looked walked up to the wall.

"This is highly inconvenient." Spirit spoke looking around before walking up to the wall and placing her hoof against it.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie demands to know what is going on!" Trixie yelled towards the wall with a slight glare.

"No! The town needs to be defended." Mayor Mare shouted looking around in a panic. "How can I defend my town if I am not there."

"Where am I?"

"Where are our flowers?"

"The horror! The horror!"

"Lyra?"

"Bonbon?"

"Tavia?"

"Vinyl!"

"Amazing!"

"Muffins?"

"The time has come for you to find your cores." a voice spoke softly. "Your willingness to defend your town has shattered your unwillingness to find your core. Step forward and find it to access the one thing that can help defend your village."

Inkwell stepped forward pressing his hoof against the cracked wall watching it crumble before him. He had to look away as a bright light shown but when it faded he saw the hall had changed to stone with torches lighting the way. The writer moved forward looking around cautiously as the entrance sealed behind him. The stallion moved on as he came into a room with a large tree which seemed to have grown around the stone. The tree seemed to have grown through the roof. Inkwell moved to investigate the stone as three walls glowed a drawings seemed appear etched in the stone.

"One brings chaos but never lies...
One brings harmony but hides the truth...
One protects but never chooses...
Pick the one you will follow."

Inkwell hummed to himself as he thought about it before looking at the pictures trying to discern which was which. Discord was obvious the one who brought chaos. He did have to wonder if the a tree could lie. However he walked over to the wall with the picture of the Tree of Harmony and pressed his hoof against it. The wall slid into the ground and the tan unicorn continued onward. The next room he came across was a room similar to his study at his old house. Though there was a stone with writing on it as well in the middle of the room seemingly growing from the ground. He walked over and read the stone images appearing on the walls.

"Which do you value you more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"

Inkwell hummed to himself before looking around asking. "Which one is courage?"

One of the doors glowed causing him to blink and walked over to it taking note of the sword on the wall. He pressed his hoof against it as it slid down and he headed out towards the next room. It was same as the previous room which had sketches against the wall and a ghostly archway and pillars. They were facing another inscribed stone that read.

"What do you utilize more often?
Heart?
Mind?
Soul?"

"My heart." the author mumbled before heading to the wall with the heart on it. Touching it gently the wall slid down and he turned his head seeing the other walls turn blank. Moving forward he headed down the hall towards the sunlight. Soon he found himself on a tall hill looking out across a large field with a path in front of him and a white obelisk to his left. Walking over it he read the inscription on it.

"Oh weary traveller, choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last peace and serenity."

Inkwell looked across to the land below him and took note where the three paths led him. A castle, a mountain, and a lake. Humming to himself once again the stallion headed towards the castle. Once inside he walked around before spotting a room which looked like a trophy room with cases in the wall. Each of the cases contained three objects: Swords, tomes, and shields. In the middle of the room was a table sitting on a wood table.

"Choose on of the nine to carry on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."

Inkwell looked at the shields before heading over to the small wooden and pressed his hoof against the glass. The shield vanished before appearing on his back as the case vanished and he continued. Torches caught fire as he walked down the new hall before he came into a dungeon like room with three wooden doors with carvings on them. There was an inscription above the door.

"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?

The author headed towards the door with the midday sun and touched the handle with the hoof watching it open for him. He continued forward coming to another room with three doors with a tablet on the table.

"Choose wisely friend for you will find
This question is about time.
Will you go to the past to discover secrets lost?
Continue your journey in the present?
Or find out what your life is like in years to come?"

Inkwell went through the door that said present before coming down a hall in white stone. Stain glass windows lined the walls depicting the sun moon and stars. A tablet rested on the wall.

"What do you find taking a liking to more?
The sun and its all encompassing warmth?
The moon and the light it brings at night?
The stars and their cold beauty that guides the weary travelers?
Be careful for each light has it's own choice."

The author touched the window with the blue star watching it melt away revealing a hallway that he went down. He soon came to a vast white room with a black obelisk in the center where a faded inscription read.

"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"

Three images appeared, one was of Inkwell with a mysterious companion was with him. The second was of him standing before a large amy yet didn't look corrupted. The third was of him just resting in a field with his book and quill.

Inkwell went straight towards the image of him with the mare which faded revealing another hallway. He travelled down it entering a room with large statues of his friends and the pedestal sitting in the middle of the room the statues facing towards it.

"Which trait do you value in a friend above all else?
A loyal friend who will never leave your side above all else?
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth?
A brave friend who will always have the courage to tell you when are mean?
A strong friend who will protect you no matter what?
A friend who will always make you laugh?
A kind friend who is always there for you?
A generous friend who will always gibe you what you need?
A friend who is a friendly pony?
A patient friend who will put up with you even when you hurt them accidently?"

"I'm going to have to say I value an honest friend above all else." muttered the tan unicorn before heading over to the statue of Applejack which moved to the side at his touch. He walked down the hall before coming to another vast white room with the black obelisk.

"When your time has come and you could chose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against enemies?
Protecting the ones you love?"

Three images appeared again, one was an elderly Inkwell sitting at his desk writing his stories weakly. The second Inkwell held a sword with his magic wound all over his body as he charged towards his enemies. The last Inkwell was standing in front of Fluttershy, Comet, and the filly from before taking a blow from a familiar shadow. The author heads towards the image of him protecting his friends watching it fade into another hallway. He came to a room with three doors again. It was dark being illuminated by two gems on two doors. One looked like a full moon and the other a half moon. It was lit just enough to read the inscription on the wall.

"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"

Inkwell just headed to the door with the full moon on it and watched as it opened to the hallway leading to a dead end. Or so he thought when he noticed a symbol on the wall. Pressing his hoof against it the wall slid down to reveal a crystal orb floating over a stone pedestal. The shield lifted off his back and vanished into the crystal which shot a light into the air forming into flames encircled by runes before turning into a staff with vines wrapped around it.

Silver Spoon watched as the large wall shattered under her touch before she moved forward. The halls were made of gold as she travelled down them before coming across a large garden like area with a tall white tree stood with a stone resting within the wood. The stone read:

"One brings chaos but never lies...
One bring harmony but hides the truth...
One protects but never chooses...
Pick the one you will follow."

The grey earth pony looked around as a green light made images appear. One was of Discord, the other a tree, and the last a crystal heart. Silver Spoon bit her lip for a moment as she thought before heading towards the picture of Discord. No matter what she tried to tell herself she always seemed to cause chaos. Though the one person who was always with her was gone. The wall vanished into green flames revealing a hallway with windows lining the halls. The violet eyed pony peered out the windows to see large towers golden as well reach up high towards the sky. Continuing on the earth pony found herself in another room this tine it looked like a library but with all the bookshelves empty. There was an inscribed stony in the middle of the room.

"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"

The grey pony hummed to herself as symbols appeared on the blank gold walls in flashes of green lights. The first was of a sword, the second a hammer, and the third a book. 'I'm going with wisdom.' she thought, power just wasn't for her. It was more for someone like Diamond Tiara, not that it was a bad thing. It just more suited for her. The wall vanished into the same green flames from before allowing the filly to continue on. Silver took note that she didn't even have to place her hoof on the wall anymore to continue on.

"Interesting." she mused before walking down the hall. The third room she came to had large white stone pillars connected by arches all facing a stone. The schoolfilly walked over to it reading the words carefully.

"What do you utilize more often?
Heart?
Mind?
Strength?"

Silver Spoon glanced at the archways which glowed and shot beams towards the blank walls. The first image was a heart, the second a brain, the third a hoof hold a sword. Silver Spoon tapped a hoof to her chin before pointing towards the wall with the brain on it. The wall vanished and she grinned rushing forward. This place was very interesting to say the least. Soon she found herself outside which caused her to pause. It seemed she was on a hill over looking a lake and a large golden castle, there was a mountain in the distance and an obelisk to her left. She studied it carefully.

"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another to vast knowledge.
The last of peace and serenity."

"Castle has beds." she muttered before heading towards the castle as fast as she could. Once inside she realized how large it was. Sighing she decided to search for a bedroom and instead came across what seemed to be an artifact room. There were three cases lining the walls each with objects in them. The first case held three swords. The second tomes. The last shields. There was a tablet on a table in the middle of the room which she read quickly.

"Choose on of the nine to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."

Silver Spoon studied each of the items carefully. There was a short sword with a simple handle and unadorned. Upon further inspection she noticed that a pair of daggers accompanied it. The second blade was a long sword, steel with a ruby encrusted gold handle. There was a simple silver chain bound to the end with a mouse head silhouette hanging off of it. The third blade was a claymore long and with a silver like color. Runes adorned the flat sighed of the blade and the hilt had a strange symbol at the end.

Moving on Silver Spoon inspected the tomes. The first a white tome with strange symbols embellished into the cover. Gold lines formed pictures that moved across the surface. The second tome was a black one with gems decorating the cover. They were rubies and seemed to flicker whenever the light caught them right. The third was a simple brown tome with leaves decorating the cover. Flower shapes were made from soft charcoal lines that seemed to stem from the leaves.

"One more to go." she muttered before going to inspect the shields. The first was of a small wooden shield with a simple emblem in the middle. It was red and the wood itself seemed to be oak or another wood. The next was a medium size iron shield seemed to fit more of a fully grown mare or stallion. It seemed like a bird had stepped on the hot metal causing its footprints to remain. The last shield was a large steel shield, it was a kite shield with strange designs on it. The earth pony managed to depict a red bird and the cutie mark of Glitch. Three golden triangles. After thinking for a bit Silver Spoon looked between the tomes and the short sword before heading towards the short sword. If she was attacked on the road side she wouldn't have the time to open the book and cast a spell. 'Although, would I be alone on the road?' she thought looking back towards the tomes. Frowning for a bit the pony thought a little bit harder before heading towards the short sword. No matter how curious she was about what was inside the tomes magic wasn't really her thing. The glass melted as the short sword and daggers lifted into the air. They landed on her back as a belt attached to her and a hallway was revealed. Continuing down it she soon came across a room with three doors. On each of the doors was a symbol. A rising sun, a midday sun, and a crescent moon. There was an inscription over the doors that read.

"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"

Silver thought about this for a bit before heading towards the moon. She liked sitting on the roof of her house at night stargazing with Diamond Tiara. The door opened and on she went to another room with doors. On each of the doors was a word. Past, present, future. Looking closer at the doors there was a faint image on them almost like faces but she couldn't tell. Like in the room from before there was a tablet on a table. Instead of wood the table was made from stone. She walked over and read the tablet.

"Present." spoke Silver Spoon her violet eyes narrowing. "I want to find out where Diamond is right now."

The middle door flung open and she bolted forwards. She soon found herself standing in another hallway though it was large. Three walls were decorated with three sets of stain glass windows. The wall to the left contained stain glass windows depicting suns. The wall to the right, moons. The wall in front contained stars. A tablet stood on a pedestal in the middle of the room. Walking over to it she read.

"What do you find taking a liking to more?
The sun and its all encompassing warmth?
The moon and the light it brings at night?
The stars and their cold beauty that guides weary travelers?
Be careful for the light has its own choice."

Humming to herself once again Silver studied the windows starting on the left. The first window showed a sun hovering over a plane. At first nothing happened then buffalo ran under the sun with ponies running next to them. Moving onto the next window the pony with glasses observed an eclipsed sun over Canterlot. There she saw the two princess fighting each other. The last window was the sun hidden behind clouds over a mountain. That's when she saw a mysterious mare running towards a cave levitating bottles with familiar cutie marks in them. Ponies were chasing after her and one was dropped from the sky onto the snow causing an avalanche.

"If this was the present then why was Celestia and Luna fighting themselves?" she muttered out loud before moving to the right side of the room to observe the moons. The first was of a full moon over the Everfree forest. Her violet eyes narrowed as she saw a red fox walk towards it yawning as it did so before turning its gaze towards Ponyville. She did wonder why it seemed to be either late in the day or night when ponies went near it. Walking over to the next one she saw a red moon over a vast sea. A ship disturbed the waters as a strange pony with dreadlocks and a beard looked out across it proudly seemingly humming to himself. The last window of the moons was of a gold over a large field filled with white flowers. Though it was next to a cliff over looking a what seemed to be sacred grounds.

"Moving on." she muttered her eyes gazing at the picture a little longer before looking away towards the stars. At first it seemed like they didn't have their own setting sitting alone in the vastness of space. They were just different colors a red, blue, and a white one. Sighing she started to look away before noticing that these were stars she used to looks at with Diamond Tiara when they were younger.

"No matter what happens to us. If we get separated we will still know that we are looking at the same stars." Diamond said with a grin.

'I will find you Dia.' thought Silver sadly touching a hoof against the red star stain glass watching it fade away. An image flashed through her mind.

Diamond Tiara walking slowly through a cavern pulling a cart of stone along. A steel collar attached to a thick chain was around her neck. Her mane was a mess and her eyes down trodden. Behind her were the red eyes and green sclera of Sombra.

"Diamond!" yelled Silver Spoon before realizing what she had just seen. The violet eyed pony wiped away her tears before moving on down the hall. She soon came across a vast room that was just white. A black obelisk stood in the center with gold writing on it.

"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"

Biting her lip once again as three images appeared. One with her standing next to Shady Daze, both of them were smiling at each other causing her to blush. They were both fully grown and Shady was gorgeous. Her older self didn't look to bad either having gotten rid of the glasses and braids. The second image was of her talking to diplomats and senators in a war room. For some reason she was an alicorn in this picture, it intrigued her but she wasn't interested in gaining power. The last picture was of her laying in a field her head on her hooves sleeping. Next to her was Diamond Tiara and the rest of the CMC. Comet and his friends were there too.

The grey pony scooted towards the cuddle pile before it vanished revealing yet another hallway. This made her wonder how long this was going to take. The next room she entered had statues of her parents, Diamond Tiara, the CMC, Comet and his friends. They were all facing the middle of the room with words etched at the base. A pedestal with an engraving stood in the center of the room. Walking over to it she read.

"Which trait do you value in a friend above all else?
A loyal friend who will never leave your side above all else?
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth?
A brave friend who will always have the courage to tell you when you are mean?
A strong friend who will protect you no matter what?
A friend who will always make you laugh?
A kind friend who is always there for you?
A generous friend who will always give you what you need?
A friend who is a friendly pony?
A patient friend who will put up with you even when you hurt them accidently?"

"I guess I will have to go with a friend who is always there for me." she mumbled walking towards the statue of Diamond Tiara. "I'm sorry I was harsh but I had to. I hope you can forgive me."

The statue moved aside to reveal another hall. Rushing down it the schoolfilly found herself inside another vast white room with a black obelisk in the center. Silver approached the obelisk and read as images appeared around her.

"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against the enemy?
Protecting the ones you love?"

Turning to study the images around her the first one that caught her eyes was that of her in a medic tent dying of her wounds and apologizing to Sweetie Belle. The second was of her battling against the timber wolves and losing. The last... the last hit her the hardest. It was of her defending a frightened Diamond Tiara from an attack from King Sombra. That was the one she chose. She would always be there to protect Diamond. No matter what. The image faded into a hallway she turned to see the other images turning to look at her with a smile She smiled back before moving on. The next room she came to was dimmed to the point where she could three doors. One with a circular black stone, a half cut white stone, and a circular white stone. White glowing writing on the wall said.

"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"

Silver moved forward and touched the new moon. She meant no disrespect for Luna she just felt more connect to the moon covered in darkness than she did in light. Plus it just meant the princess was sleeping for the night. The door opened and she headed down the hallway before coming up to a wall with a strange oval symbol on it. It vanished into green flames to reveal an oval shaped sapphire floating over a pedestal. Her short sword lifted up as the daggers merged with them before shooting towards the sapphire which shot up the light. It quickly took the form of fast moving vines. They then took the form of a dagger in front of a cloak.

Soldier was standing in front of the sapphire the claymore lifting off of her back and shooting into it. A beam shot from the Seed of Beginning before taking the shape of fast moving vines which seemed to grab a coin purse out of nowhere.

"My type of... specialization? Though I am still awesome with these weapons." she said with a grin on her face.

Bo walked towards the diamond the long sword drawn from its sheath and it shot towards the rhombus diamond. When it entered a light shot up revealing a pegasus with a raven both with their wings spread. They launched a gust of wind which took the form of a spearhead pointed down.

Spirit stood in front of the orb as the long sword lifted off her back and was drawn towards it. A light shot into the air after the weapon entered the orb. It took the form of a twisting shadow before it turned into bats and flew away.

Trixie huffed as she watched the black tome lift from the pouch and flew towards the orb. It glowed for a bit before shooting a light up into the air revealing a circle with a dot in the middle. Soon it took the form of a flame encircled by runes. Trixie was curious at first to what it was before a manual appeared before her. It was titled Cores for Beginners.

The brown tome lifted off of Mayor Mare's back and entered the sapphire which glowed. A light shot from it taking the form of a seed before it morphed into a stone. Mayor smirked knowing she was going into this battle ready.

Lily panted as the claymore lifted off her back and was pulled towards the sapphire floating over the pedestal. Vines shot up from the sapphire as flower bloomed from them. The flowers produced a sweet scent as laughter filled the air.

Rose stood in front of the sapphire the small wooden shield entering it. She actually enjoyed the trip through the fields of flower though a few things confused her. Vines quickly shot up into the air before forming into a bow and arrow.

Daisy tilted her head to the side as she observed her surroundings as the brown tome lifted off her back. The sapphire in front of her glowed as soon as it entered before a vine with flowers crawled its way up. The petals fell off before dropping into a flask.

Bob Bon approached the sapphire the long sword lifting off her back floating towards it. As soon as it entered the focus point. Vines shot up quickly snatching a coin purse from out of now where and dragged it to where it was floating above the sapphire.

Lyra walked towards the Crystal of the Arcane a look of concern on her face. The hall with the windows had given her some concern. She didn't notice when the white tome lifted out of her saddle bag and move towards the crystal orb. As soon as it entered a light shot into the air taking the form of flames surrounding by runes. The flames turned into a staff with vines wrapping around it.

Vinyl approached the focus point hovered over the pedestal. Humming to herself, she watched as the pedestal turned into something a little more her style. The techno claymore lifted out of her sheath and shot towards the crystal orb. As soon as it entered a light shot from the orb which morphed into a shadow which then turned into a chattering skull causing her to laugh.

Octavia sighed in relief as she made it to the end of the maze. The strange symbol that she had seen on a few of the walls was now floating in front of her. The large steel shield lifted off her back and moved towards the sapphire. The golden grey earth pony followed after it as the shield entered the oval gem which confused her to say the least on how it fit. Vines quickly shot into the air before forming a bow and arrow though there was a roar of an animal in the background.

Doc moved towards the sapphire as the black tome lifted out of his saddle bag and entered the oval shaped sapphire. Vines shot into the air forming into a bow and arrow. He frowned when a voice spoke. "Another ranger huh? Well it doesn't hurt this fight."

Derpy walked into the center of the maze looking around with amazement towards the Sky Diamond. The claymore lifted off of her back, out of the sheath, and shot towards the rhombus shaped gem. Once it entered a light shot into the air forming a humming bird as a pegasus flew up next to it before both merged into a scope.

"Oh yeah... wake up!"

Derpy eyes snapped open as she saw a fox standing in front of her before rushing off just as she felt something different. Looking at her body she noticed that her wings were slightly shorter and she felt lighter.

"Are you fighting or hiding like a scared little rabbit?" asked a voice above her. Derpy looked up to see the pegasus before on a cloud above her. The grey pegasus frowned before flapping her wings and launching up into the air. She scanned the area and saw a group of timber wolves headed towards the Cakes. The blue grey pegasus flew as fast as she could towards them finding herself faster. She slammed into the wolves as rocks launched a few others into the air.

"Mr. Cake! Mrs. Cake!" called Apple Bloom running to the two with a stallion behind her. "Are y'all alright?"

"Yes, thank you Apple Bloom." Mrs. Cake said as she looked over at her husband. "How are the twins?"

"Fine sugar plum." sighed Mr Cake looking at the foals who were in their seat on his back. "Who's your friend?"

"I'll tell you later." replied the gamboge eyed pony as she looked around. "Where's mah sister?"

"She is out of town with the Princess." explained Mr. Cake before seeing Soldier smash several of the timber wolves. "Does anypony know who these ponies are?"

Derpy shook her head before spotting the Doc and flew towards him watching him use his agility to quickly take down the monsters. Frowning to herself the mailmare took off once again to find other places to help out.

"Fall back!" called the Alpha Timber Wolf after an hour of fighting, the Beta turned to look at us. "The King's orders."

"We'll be back!" snapped the beta before the wolves fled. [b]"And perhaps we can take away more than just the two we caught."

"Silence." the alpha grumbled. Apple Bloom frowned wondering who they managed to capture. The crowd of ponies cheered as they watched the enemy retreat. Mayor Mare walked up to her podium and said. "Alright everypony let's get the town cleaned up and fixed before the Princess gets back. Miss Hooves. Miss Star. Please go around and find out who is missing."

"Understood!" replied the two mares before heading off after a unicorn pulled up a clipboard.

"Snips, are you alright?" asked an amber unicorn with a turquoise mane, he was standing near a small pudgy unicorn with a gray opal coat and orange mane. The unicorn groaned for a bit as he woke up.

"Where are we, Snails?" Snips inquired looking around and the black crystaline walls. Both let out a yell when the sound of crying rang out through the air. It was more of sniffling but it didn't stop the colts from being scared. Snails was the first one to shake it off and look around trying to spot the source of the crying.

"Diamond Tiara?" he questioned catching a glimpse of a familiar coat in the shadows. "Is that you?"

The soft crying stopped and a familiar voice spoke. "Of course its me you idiots. Keep quiet before it hears you."

"Before what hears us?" asked the colt earning a groan from the pink filly.

"Oh look new workers." a female voice spoke as a gold light appeared in the darkness."And not even in the proper workers uniform."

The colts were confused until a metal collar was clamped around their necks. The two unicorn colts reached up to try and pull them off.

"Wait!" called out Diamond Tiara but slapped her forehead as the two tried to pull them off only to get shocked. "You get punished if you try to escape in any form."

"Why are you hiding?" Snips questioned causing her to shift back into the shadows before Snails summoned a small light.

"Don't!" she cried before the small cell lit up revealing the once pristine and prestigious pony now tired and messy. "Please, don't look at me!"

Snips and Snails looked at each other. Diamond Tiara had changed, all airs around her had dropped. She wasn't snobby or rude anymore. Instead she seemed scared and hurt.

"Don't worry, we'll protect you." the orange unicorn told the earth pony causing her to look up. "Even if we can't get out of here we can still keep you safe."

"After all you are our classmate." explained the gray opal colt walking up to her. "We don't want to see you hurt."

"Thanks." mumbled the filly before stiffening her eyes right behind the two. Her ears went flat as she scooted as far away from the bars as she could.

"This is all they could get?" asked King Sombra as he walked out of the shadows. "I guess that this will do. For now. Now time to teach you who you serve. Just as the Princesses will."

Twilight stared at the cave where Starlight Glimmer disappeared into feeling disappointed in the fact that her message didn't reach one pony. That's when she saw Midnight Sun step out with a filly next to him.

"Where have you been?" sneered Rainbow Dash glaring at the pony only for the gold-bronze filly to look up at Midnight. The red eyed stallion rolled his eyes as he explained. "I was exploring the ruins in the cave. Thanks to this little filly I have found out more about the unicorns who built it. Also there is a library in there that is still intact and I have a few books with me. However it will take years of study in order to understand the language without a base context."

"I can read it." mumbled the smaller unicorn looking to the side before raising an eyebrow towards Rainbow. "Why is she glaring at you?"

"Obviously she thinks I am working with Starlight Glimmer." the dark grey unicorn mused looking at the glare. "I see your adventure wasn't monster filled or as dangerous as you expected."

The sky blue pegasus growled at him before turning back towards the town. Twilight seemed more curious about their discovery.

"Why don't you go ahead, I would like to investigate these ruins." she told her friends and Pinkie looked a little worried. "You can plan a party without me. Would you and..."

"Gears." the filly introduced herself before allowing Twilight to continue. "Midnight Sun, would you and Gears take me to these ruins."

"But Twilight." started the rainbow maned pony but the Princess of Friendship shook her head saying. "We could discover more about ponies far more ancient than the ones who built Equestria. The ones that Aqua Star and Star Swirl studied! If most of those books are still intact we can restore the history from before the time of the founders of Equestria."

"So egghead stuff." Rainbow scoffed before heading back to town clearly not in a good mood. Twilight sighed before following Midnight Sun back into the cave. It took a while since he was following Gears but they soon came across walls with runes and paintings on it. The language wasn't even similar to any of the three ancient languages that were developed from the split of the three races. Each of the languages Twilight had learned during her studies at the academy. The purple princess was going to ask if she could move most of the artifacts back to her castle for study. The forge would be included and from what she heard Gears was an expert at it already.

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