Chapter 36: Missing Mares Part 1
Authors Notes: Well, had to take last week off unexpectedly for those of you who don't follow my blogs on fimfiction. Just felt a needed a break from writing fanfiction at the last minute and so decided to take that time off.
Fire flew up high through the air, but a blur of movement zoomed past him. He looked in that direction but didn't see whatever it was…until he glanced more to the left.
He smirked. "Ha ha! I got you now!"
Fire lit up his horn, his red magic spread across his wings and he flapped them, moving at a much higher speed. He was advancing fast on his quarry who was unaware of him coming until his hooves were wrapped around her and he started tickling her.
"Wah! Ha ha ha ha!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed and laughed. "Stop Fire! Ha ha ha ha! Stop!"
"Not until you admit I'm the coolest!" Fire challenged.
"Never!" Rainbow Dash told him. "Ha ha ha ha! Let go!"
She managed to wiggle out of his hooves and get airborne.
"I caught you already! You lose!"
"That was just my medium speed!" Rainbow Dash boasted. "You used magic to go faster, didn't you?"
"Guilty!" Fire admitted.
"Well, guess that's one of those things unique to you," Rainbow Dash said. "But let's see if you can keep up with me at full speed! Oh, and no using your magic other than to boost your speed!"
"Deal," Fire agreed. "But how do you know I can't get as fast as you?"
"We'll just have to see!" Rainbow Dash said she flapped her wings and took off again, this time at full speed.
She was like a missile. Fire took off after her, moving just as if not slightly faster as his horn remained lit. He felt a sound barrier building up like Rainbow Dash had against her sonic rainboom. Was he capable of releasing something like a fire streak across the sky as well with this enhanced speed? It would be cool to find out. But he didn't get the chance as he was almost to Rainbow Dash who was also struggling as well, but then she broke through and let off a sonic rainboom which hit Fire head on! He could feel the energy coursing him, it was just like… when he'd gotten his cutie mark! Fire clenched his teeth as he felt part of the light energy get absorbed by him while the rest continued forward. Then his vision went dark.
He looked around, seeing only darkness despite the light had he'd been in an instant ago. Then he saw a pair of red eyes.
"I see you!" the silhouetted pony said. "I see the real you! The one who thirsts for battle! The one who wants to destroy his enemies!"
"Go away!" Fire shouted at the manifestation of his own darkness. "You will not control me again like you did that day!"
"I will… sooner or later I will!" the darkness said. "Come now, isn't there somepony you want to get rid of? Like… Blueblood?"
Fire didn't respond.
"Admit it, you've wanted to hit him several times. Well, he deserves it! He is vain and rude, unworthy of being royalty!"
Fire had no argument for that.
"And if you were to get rid of him, you wouldn't have any competition for Rarity's heart," the dark pony said. "We both know you don't like Moondancer in that way. Then you… or we could have the diamond mare all to ourselves."
Fire felt tempted but…"I may hate Blueblood but I don't want to kill him! Maybe kick him! Both literally and out onto the streets of Canterlot! But killing is never the resort that should be used first! I have my dignity!"
The dark pony laughed. "There is no dignity in avoiding away from a fight, only shame and cowardice! You are a warrior! You were born to fight!"
"I will not start the fight though!" Fire refused.
"Maybe not today, but someday, you will. You've become tame thanks to mother's influence, but it's better to be wild"
The darkness faded and light shined as Fire returned to the real world. He tried to take a breath of relief but felt air seeming to be pushed directly into his mouth. He opened his mouth and saw… Rainbow Dash super close?! Her eyes were closed and her lips were pressed against his!
Fire mumbled as he pushed himself away, noticing he was suddenly on the ground of the woods near Ponyville just before the Everfree Forest. He looked at Rainbow Dash who blushed.
"Rainbow Dash? What?" he exclaimed.
The Pegasus panted in relief. "Phew, you woke up! You fell out of the sky after my sonic rainboom and I had to catch you! But you wouldn't wake up and I eventually had to try mouth to mouth!"
"Oh uh… thanks." Fire stammered.
"I get that must be pretty embarrassing," Rainbow Dash said, her blush still evident.
"Yeah," Fire agreed bashfully.
As of now he'd kissed, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash due to certain circumstances. Then an idea clicked in Fire's mind. He'd been waiting to pay Rainbow Dash and Pinkie back for tricking him into kissing Fluttershy.
"You okay?" Rainbow Dash asked in concern.
"Yeah," Fire said sincerely before forcing a grin. "Better then okay in fact. I think I've realized something. You're the one for me, Rainbow Dash!"
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash's eyes widened.
"You're the coolest Pegasus in Ponyville. A little arrogant but we all have flaws. I think you're a much more worthy partner to take to the Grand Galloping then Moondancer!" Fire said as he got up and walked toward her. "I mean, come on she's an egghead like Twilight! You and I could be real partners in crime! Or crime fighting. You've saved my life twice now, just now and back when we had the best young flyer's competition! And just think of how the Wonderbolts will want you when they hear you're royally approved!"
"Uh-uh…" Rainbow Dash stammered now as she backed up. "Where's this coming from?"
"Oh, just the damsel syndrome I guess. Though in my case I guess it's a male damsel!" Fire grinned wildly at her.
"Uh, I think you are sick right now!" Rainbow Dash said as she was backed up against a tree. "My sonic rainboom must have messed with your mind somehow! Snap out of it this isn't funny!"
"Oh, come on Rainbow! Its just perfect!" Fire pressed. "The prince and the dashing mare! We're both fighters! We're perfect together!"
He leaned forward and Rainbow was frozen in place as he was about to kiss her. Then Fire pulled back and burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha ha! Gotcha!" Fire exclaimed. "You should have seen the look on your face!"
Rainbow Dash looked at him for a moment then laughed. "You really had me going there! I thought you'd done a one eighty and fallen for me instead and maybe my sonic rainboom had brainwashing powers I wasn't aware of!"
They chuckled. Fire took a moment to regain his composure.
"Also don't tell Moondancer or anypony else about that. I was just pulling your hoof about that. Though I admit you are pretty awesome. We could make a good power couple," Fire said. "But I don't have those kinds of feelings for you."
"That's okay, me neither," Rainbow Dash said.
"See you later," Fire said as he flew off.
"I wonder how Rarity and Fluttershy are doing?" he wondered aloud.
He flew over Ponyville and soon spotted the two mares sitting in a meadow where flowers were thriving. With them were a number of Fluttershy's animals
"Good morning, Rarity, Fluttershy," Fire greeted as he landed beside them.
"Ah good morning, Prince Fire," Rarity said. "Fluttershy and I were just enjoying this lovely scenery.
"Yes, and enjoying the company of our furry friends," Fluttershy said as she pulled Angel Bunny into a small hug as he frowned.
"It is lovely around here, and so are you two," Fire said.
Both the mares blushed.
"Oh, you are such a charmer!" Rarity said.
"Very sweet of you," Fluttershy said.
"So have you heard from Photo Finish lately?" Fire asked.
"Well, not from her, but the magazine released yesterday said that she found a new Earth Pony model who is all about flowers," Fluttershy said. "Lavender Root, think."
Rarity nodded and pulled up a magazine showing a light-yellow Earth Pony with a purple mane and lavender plant cutie mark.
"She seems to have found her star," Fire acknowledged.
"I'm glad for her," Fluttershy said. "And glad it wasn't me."
"I wish it had been me. But no worries. I will soon have my prince," Rarity said. "And be royal fashion designer, I hope!"
"You know, if you get married into royalty, you may have to take up royal duties," Fire told her.
Though Blueblood doesn't really do that and just drinks and lounges about enjoying mares fawn over him, Fire thought. I actually put in an effort to help my mother rule.
"Hmm, well I'm sure I can contribute somehow. Your mother has hobbies, right?" Rarity asked.
"She does teach at the School for Gifted Unicorns," Fire admitted. "Of course, that's not every day and she has substitutes to teach in her stead."
"Then she obviously does have a life besides ruling," Rarity stated. "I will still have time for my fashion business when I'm the prince's wife!"
Fire nodded, curling his lip. "I'm sure you will."
"Especially with Blueblood as your husband," he muttered under his breath so no one would hear.
They sat in the meadow for a while.
"Well, our Canterlot friends should be coming tomorrow," Rarity said to Fire. "Moondancer will be coming. And I'm looking forward to seeing Twinkleshine again. She's bringing some new mane products over. We're thinking of merging our businesses together one day! Diamond Twinkle Fashion and Mane Products!"
"Careful you don't get too many big dreams now, Rarity. You never know just how much might be too much," Fire said.
"Pfft!" Rarity scoffed and waved a hoof. "I prefer to dream big. Sure, I may not achieve them all but I can still dream and try to achieve."
"Yes," Fluttershy said. "I hope to one day open a sanctuary here in Ponyville or someplace else!"
"Hey if you need an investor, I'm willing," Fire said.
"Oh, that's sweet of you. But I'm sure there are things that are much more important out there for you to spend your bits on," Fluttershy said. "And I'd much rather earn the money myself."
"I respect that," Fire nodded.
Before any of them could say anything else, a voice called from nearby.
"Rarity!"
They looked and saw Sweetie Belle frolicking toward them.
"Oh, hello little sister," Rarity said with a smile.
Sweetie Belle stopped in front of her sister and then noticed her two companions. "Hi Fire! Hi Fluttershy!"
"Hello Sweetie Belle," Fire greeted.
"Always a pleasure to see you," Fluttershy said. "You sweet little angel."
She gave a small stare that added mischievous silently. Sweetie Belle grinned nervously as she recalled Fluttershy's stare.
"Oh, it's getting close to sunset!" Rarity said looking up. "We should probably head home before it gets dark."
"Good idea," Fluttershy agreed.
"You want me to walk you both home?" Fire asked.
"Um, there's three of us!" Sweetie Belle pointed out.
"Oh, right! Sorry Sweetie!" Fire said, having forgotten her briefly.
"My cottage isn't too far from here, and I have plenty of animals to walk with me," Fluttershy said gesturing to Angel and the others.
"I wouldn't mind your company though Prince Fire," Rarity said.
Fire smiled and began walking her and Sweetie Belle toward Rarity's shop and home. Though he looked around, having an uneasy feeling.
"Something wrong, Fire?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"No," Fire said. "Just had a feeling we were being watched somehow."
He looked toward the nearby trees and saw nothing. They continued forward.
…
From those trees, Stalpride Soar and his accomplices looked out.
"That's Prince Fire Sword," Charm Sin said.
"He's the one that found our contract in Manehattan with those blasted Diamond Dogs and ruined us!" Rough Handle gritting his teeth.
"Well, we'll owe him a little payback," Stalpride said. "Maybe we should ransom those ponies to him."
Charm Sin shook his head. "Three other ponies tried that and got jailed. Then they got double crossed and killed by a unicorn that freed them."
"Good point. Well, that white unicorn will fetch a nice prize. Wouldn't surprise me if I could sell her for five million bits!" Stalpride said with an evil grin. "Especially if she's a virgin."
"Or maybe I'll keep her for myself," Charm Sin suggested. "We sell a lot of mares but never get to keep them."
"Hmm. There's an idea," Rough Handle said. "That Fluttershy should be easy to bend. Been watching her for a couple days now and she's just so fragile and timid! A truly weak mare. A few hits will have her begging no problem."
"Good," Stalpride said. "But we need money right now. There are plenty of mares out there, and eventually we will get some to ourselves for good. But only once we have a hideout secured. We'll grab them and maybe one more as well. Might as well get a mare of every pony kind, I think. But before we go, I think we should also say goodbye to Prince Fire Sword."
…
Fire led Rarity and Sweetie Belle to the formers home. She smiled at him.
"Thank you kindly for leading us home, Fire," Rarity said. "You're such a gentlecolt, but I wouldn't expect anything less from the son of Celestia."
"Well, I have my moments," Fire admitted before thinking. But I try not to be arrogant like Blueblood and a lot of the other elite.
"And you're still fun!" Sweetie Belle said. "I've really enjoyed those times when we've trained or played together! Can we do it again soon?"
"Sure, but remember you're still very little so it's probably best to run away," Fire told her then aftera brief hesitation. "Don't fight unless you have no other choice."
Even if it was true, he didn't entirely like that saying that. Made him feel like he was preaching cowardice. The line between being smart and cowardly could be a thin one he thought, but the same went for brave and stupid.
"Good day, ladies." Fire bowed his head and they watched as he left, his held high.
Rarity watched him with a smile as she thought he looked very refined, he didn't normally do that but he must have been in a good mood right now. She liked that look on him and felt he should do it more often.
"Uh hello!" a voice nearby snapped her out of her thoughts.
Rarity looked and saw Sweetie Belle beside.
"I'm sorry did you say something, Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked slightly annoyed.
"You were standing there watching Fire for like twenty seconds while I held the door for you!" Sweetie Belle told her.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Rarity said sincerely. "Thank you, my dear!"
Sweetie Belle just smiled innocently, glad to be able to do something nice without it backfiring for once. They headed inside and had dinner. The sun went down and eventually it was time for Rarity to put Sweetie Belle to bed.
"Good night, Sweetie," Rarity said sweetly as she gave her sister a light nuzzle.
"Night sis," the young filly said as she got under the covers of the bed in the guest room.
Rarity smiled and was about to head back downstairs to lock upher home for the night when she thought she heard a soft click downstairs. She froze and listened, and heard a groan downstairs. A shiver ran down her spine as she wasn't expecting guests. Rarity ran downstairs to see who was in her home and shop. The unicorn stallion downstairs was wobbling. He looked at her with a pair of glossy eyes that she recognized as a sign he was drunk.
"What are you doing here?" she asked with a frown.
The stallion looked at her. "Oh, I'm sorry! I must have gotten drunk a little too much and wandered into the wrong home!"
Her expression softened. "Oh, well if you need to sober up, I can get some oats to help."
"Thank you!" the stallion said. "You must be quite a generous mare to forgive a trespass like this! Not to mention beautiful."
Rarity chuckled despite herself as she turned towards her kitchen. But as soon as she made to walk past the stallion, he grinned evilly and pulled out a ring from his saddle bag. He levitated it over and onto Rarity's horn, the unicorn mare felt the ring on her horn and looked up. She tried to pull it off, but the ring tightened around it and let off a painful burst of energy that canceled out her magic. The next thing she knew the stallion grabbed her from behind and she screamed.
...
Sweetie Belle heard her sister scream and woke up from the edge of falling asleep.
"Rarity?!" She called in concern before jumping out of bed and running downstairs.
As she ran, she heard a faint "Unhoof me, you ruffian! What do you want from me? Oh!"
Sweetie Belle arrived and saw her sister struggling with another unicorn, a grayish brown male with and a black heart charm cutie mark on his flank. He and his sister were exchanging hoof blows, Rarity managed to land a hoof punch on him and he grunted but took her in his yellow magic as she tried to do a spinning hind leg kick. He threw her against the nearby wall and she let out a groan this time.
"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle yelled.
The elder sister opened her eyes and looked at the younger. The stallion likewise glanced behind him and saw her. He smirked and lit up his horn again, wrapping his magic around the filly who flailed her hooves in fright. While under normal circumstances, Sweetie wouldn't mind being picked up by somepony she knew, this was not one of those ponies and he clearly intended to harm her and and her sister.
"No! Put me down!" she screamed in fright.
Rarity's eyes widened and without thinking, she leapt on the stallions back, biting his neck hard and pulling out a chunk of his mane. He screamed and lost his concentration, dropping Sweetie Belle.
"Bitch!"he cursed.
"Nopony hurts my little sister but me! And I never hurt her physically!" Rarity roared before turning to her sister. "Run Sweetie Belle! Get help!"
Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth, but remembered Fire's words from earlier. She was too little to fight, this unicorn was much bigger and he knew how to use magic as well. He quickly managed to throw Rarity off and lunged toward Sweetie Belle who screamed and dove out of the way.
Rarity yelled and charged at the stallion again and held him back. Sweetie Belle seized on the opportunity to run, knowing her sister couldn't hold him off for long. She dashed to the door and frantically opened it with her mouth, running out onto the streets of Ponyville, hearing one last grunt from her sister as she did so.
...
Fluttershy lay in the covers of her bed, ready for sleep as well. Angel Bunny was with her, resting soundly, but his ears perked up as he heard a loud crash downstairs. He opened his eyes and hopped off the bed.
"Angel?" Fluttershy asked, feeling his absence.
Angel made his way to the staircase where someone came sneaking up, moving remarkably quick yet quiet at the same time. It was a chestnut coated Earth Pony with a cracked doorknob for a cutie mark. A fitting mark perhaps for somepony who broke doors. Angel's eyes widened and he tried to lunge at the intruder, but was quickly thrown back.
"Angel?" Fluttershy sat up and saw the Earth Pony, gasping. "Who are you?"
He didn't respond, instead charging at her. She let out a small scream as he got on top of her, pinning her to the bed. For a moment she was afraid he would-
"You're coming with me, my pretty little Pegasus!" he told her. "Nowdon't move, or I'll get rough, and trust me I know how! Being rough is my special talent!"
She shivered. "Okay," she replied meekly, not wanting to fight or risk getting hurt. Angel growled as he saw the stallion begin tying up Fluttershy with rope from his saddle bag and putting tape over her mouth. He wanted to help her but knew he couldn't because of his small size. He needed help, as much as he disliked that fact.
Good thing he knew some others nearby that could help. Harry the Bear would have been his ideal choice, but that bear wasn't always around. He often left for days to hunt and forage for food through the forest, and Angel didn't know where he was right now. The bunny didn't know of any other animals that might have a fighting chance against a big pony, Fluttershy's main companions were squirrels, birds and bunnies. But combined they might have a good chance.
He looked up the nearby trees where he knew they lived and hopped over, frantically calling in squeaks. The squirrels and birds woke up at his words which they understood as
'Help! Fluttershy is being ponynapped!'
The bird and squirrel flew or ran out of their treetop homes as the unknown stallion carried Fluttershy out (bound and gagged) on his back. The small animals charged at him, and managed to get some good bites and pecks on him.
"OW! Ooh! Hey!"
Hoof punches and swat sounds filled the air and Fluttershy mumbled through her gag.
But the end result was, the little animals laying on the ground while the stallion ran off with Fluttershy. He was in pain from the attack but not seriously injured. However, his injuries left off a few drops of blood as he went.
...
Sweetie Belle ran for the Golden Oaks Library, knowing Twilight was the nearest and probably the most reliable. Applejack and Fire lived a bit further away, Rainbow Dash lived in her home in the clouds, Fluttershy was out near the edge of the forest. There was Pinkie as well, but
Sweetie wasn't sure how serious or dependable the pink party pony would be.
Reaching the door, Sweetie Belle knocked frantically, casting a fearful glance over her shoulder, fearing that the pony who had been attacking Rarity would be along to hurt her as well. Had he killed her? Taken her? What did he want? These things ran through Sweetie Belle's head, and she
worried. She looked back at the door and received no response, she knocked again, this time shouting as well.
"Help!" she screamed. "Twilight! Spike! Help!" She heard running inside and soon the lavender young mare and her dragon assistant opened the door, turning on the lights on as they did so.
"Sweetie Belle?" Twilight sleepily questioned. "What's wrong?"
"It's Rarity! She's in trouble!" Sweetie Belle screamed.
"What?" Twilight and Spike said at the same time.
Sweetie Belle quickly explained that a stallion had apparently broken in after Rarity tucked her into bed. They ran to the boutique, but when they got there, there was no sign of Rarity or the stallion. The place was a mess though with many of the dress displays and other things knocked over.
"Oh, this is terrible!" Twilight said.
"Rarity was kidnapped just a little while ago! Now this!" Spike said.
"Come on, we need to go get Fire and tell him about this!" Twilight said.
They made their way to Warm Heart Tower, as they did so, Spike noticed Sweetie Belle sniffling, tears of fear and sadness running down her cheeks as she worried about her sister. Where could she be? Was she alright? Would Sweetie ever see her again?
"Hey, everything's gonna be okay!" Spike said putting a hand on the filly's back. "We'll save Rarity and she'll back safe and sound."
She managed a smile at him but it faded when she heard him mutter,
"Maybe if I save her this time, she'll finally love me!"
Sweetie Belle frowned and turned away. She had found Spike to be a cute little dragon, but it hurt knowing he liked her older sister. They arrived at Warm Heart Tower. Fire came out when the guards alerted him. He yawned.
"What's going on?"
"Rarity's been taken!" Twilight told him.
Fire's eyes widened. He was clearly tired, now was a bad time to have a crime go on in Ponyville, of course there was never a good time was there?
"I need to get some ponies to handle a night patrol," he grumbled. "Can't work Twenty-Four Seven!"
He flew to the Boutique and found the place a mess as well.
"Everypony look around carefully there might be a clue!" he said.
They did so, looking carefully at the floor and other parts of the house/shop. Spike happened to come upon Rarity's private gem stash and his mouth fell open.
"Oh! Don't mind if I do!" Spike said drooling.
"Hey! Here's something!" Twilight said.
She levitated a piece of gold mane.
"That was from the mane of the stallion that was here!" Sweetie Belle said.
"You saw him?" Fire asked. "Tell me everything you can remember about him. His coat, cutie mark, name!"
Sweetie Belle said everything she could remember.
Fire sighed when she was done. "This doesn't sound good. I think that might be Charm Sin."
"Charm Sin?" Spike asked.
"He's a... very bad pony that targets mares specifically and does bad things to them," Fire said. "The Manehattan police department told me about him. He works with Stalpride Soar, a big crime boss. They and another stallion managed to escape when their operation was busted."
"So, what's gonna happen to Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Fire looked at her, unable to tell her that due to her young age.
"I don't know," he lied. "But I'm gonna do my best to save her before something happens."
He yawned. "It's late, Twilight can you and Spike take care of Sweetie Belle and send a message to the royal guards? They should have a night shift of Pegasi available to come and investigate. We're not gonna be able to keep this up all night."
Twilight nodded, feeling tired as well.
...
The hours rolled by, dawn shined on Ponyville, but word quickly traveled of the abduction of at least one pony.
"Did you hear?" one of the townsponies said to another.
"It's terrible! Rarity is missing!"
"Everypony please calm down!" Mayor Mare said. "We have reinforcements from Canterlot's Royal to help in this investigation."
The leaderof the Royal Guard reinforcements, Night Watcher, a gray pony with a blue mane in his mid-thirties who had a white eye cutie mark on his flank, came forward. "If anypony else is missing please alert us!"
They all looked around and saw most of the ponies were accounted for.
But-
"Hey, where's Fluttershy?!" Applejack asked noticing the yellow Pegasus was missing as well.
"Somepony head to her house and check on her!" Fire ordered.
Rainbow Dash flew to Fluttershy's and came back with three animals, as well as bad news. "Her door was wide open! And I found these animals lying around looking hurt!"
She presented the animals, all of whom had bruises and a black eye in Angel Bunnies case.
"Hey!" Fire gently patted the little bunny. "What happened."
Angel squeaked in a tongue Fire could understand… mostly.
"Another stallion took her too!" he announced, earning a gasp from the crowd.
"What's going on?" Minuette asked as she and the other Canterlot Unicorns had just arrived to find a large gathering in front of town hall.
"Emergency," Lyra whispered. "There are two mares missing! Rarity and Fluttershy!"
"Oh no!" Twinkleshine exclaimed with a saddlebag full of mane products on her back.
"Everypony please calm down!" Vine Archer called. "We will get these mares back safely, no matter what it takes."
Fire nodded. He turned to Night Watcher. "Thank you for coming here on such short notice Commander Night Watcher."
Night Watcher nodded. "It was my duty, your highness. Should I speak to the Princess about sending some night guards over?"
"That would be best, can't have this place unpatrolled at night," Fire agreed.
The Pegasus commander nodded and flapped his wings, taking off with his two fellows.
Fire looked out across Ponyville. "We'll save you Rarity, Fluttershy. Wherever you are."