"What if she banishes him to the moon! Or worse…" Twilight exclaims as she paced around the room. Ever since Rage was taken back to Canterlot she was in a panic over the possible outcomes.
"Twilight I don't think Celestia would go that far." Spike says with a tired look. She had been at it for hours and he was exhausted.
"She did it to her sister!" Twilight paused as she shouts at Spike before going back to pacing rambling on about what could happen.
"Yeah but she was a threat, remember?" Spike grumps. "The worst she'll probably do is banish him back to his world."
"That's not any better!" Twilight cried.
"Twilight…" Spike looked at the purple Alicorn. He felt helpless when Twilight got herself worked up like this. He felt as if it was impossible to calm her down.
"She banishes him and next thing we know he can't help us when we need him! This is all…this is all that one gray guy's fault!" Twilight exclaims.
"Twilight!" Spike finally shouts loudly getting her to stop. "You're a princess too! If you feel this strongly then convince them! Rage is your friend, our friend! We can't give up on him!"
Twilight paused her rant and thought about what Spike had said. She felt an idea come to her. "You're right!" She says "We can't give up on him! Come on Spike! I have an idea!" She says using magic to place him up on her back.
Twilight ran to Sweet Apple Acres where she found Applejack working on squeezing apples for the large batches of cider needed for Nightmare Night. The sound of her hooves hitting the dirt path was just loud enough to get the farmpony's attention. Applejack looked at her as she approached "Woah there Twi, what's with the rush?" She asks.
"Applejack we have to go to Canterlot!" She exclaims "All of us...to tell Celestia she can't banish Rage!"
"What in tarnation are you on about Twi?" Applejack asks "Why in Equestria would she do that?"
"Because of what happened after he protected us from that weirdo!" Twilight exclaims "She took Rage back to Canterlot because she doesn't know what to do with him now! If we don't do anything she's going to exile him for sure!"
"You're positive?" Applejack asks, cocking an eye at her. "Like positive, positive?" Twilight nodded furiously. Applejack let out a sigh out "If you're sure, I'll come." She says with a smile "We can't leave our friend hanging!"
"Thanks AJ." Twilight sighs "I have to tell the others, can I count on you to help?"
"Say no more. I'll get Pinkie and Rarity." Applejack nods. "See you at the station?"
"You know it!" Twilight smiled and nodded. The two friends went their separate ways. Second on her list was Rainbow Dash. Who Twilight figured would be easy to convince.
She flew up to the cloud house that Rainbow Dash called home and knocked on the door. A loud rummaging was heard before Rainbow Dash opens it and looked a bit surprised to see Twilight "Twilight? What are you doing here?"
"It's about Rage." Twilight says. Rainbow Dash looked at her with a curious gaze. "I think Celestia plans to exile him."
"What?!" Rainbow Dash exclaims. "Why do you think that?"
"Because he's an alicorn now. You know only royalty are alicorns…I am afraid she'll banish him just to keep it simple…would it make sense if he was related to them?" Twilight explains.
Rainbow Dash tapped her chin in thought. Twilight made a valid point. "Even so, what do you think we can do about it?"
"I think we can convince her to reconsider if she sees how much he means to us." Twilight says "Besides he's our friend…and he'd do the same."
Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's do it." She says with a nod.
Meanwhile, Applejack was standing at the door to Rarity's Boutique. Fluttershy was by her side. It didn't take much convincing to get her on board. Then again, it was Rarity that Applejack was worried about. "Well, here goes nothin' I suppose." The orange mare let a heavy sigh out and knocked.
Some bangs could be heard before Rarity comes tumbling out of the front door, before she could fall. Applejack holds her up. "Careful there sug'." she says making sure the white unicorn was alright.
"Oh why thank you AJ." she sighed. "I've been trying to get things organized ever since my last order got messed up." the white unicorn explained as she brushed some dust off and picked up a few small boxes that had come tumbling out of the door with her. "Now what can I do for you today?"
"Twi's roundin' us up to go to Canterlot." Applejack says.
"Whatever for?" Rarity asks. "Celestia call for her?"
"Not exactly." Applejack shook her head. "It's about Rage."
"Oh? He didn't get hurt again did he?" The unicorn asks. "He's really reckless..." she then turned to walk back inside signaling with a hoof for the other two to follow.
"Uh...no..." Applejack says as she walked inside and looked at the stacks of clothing materials, from yarn, to string and even rolls of various cloth all laid out in a disorganized mess that still seemed somewhat organized. "Rarity what in tarnation did you-"
"I told you it was a mistake!" Rarity sighs "Somehow my order got tripled! Now I have to find out what I am going to do with all of this!"
"You could return it." Fluttershy spoke softly.
"Return it?!" Rarity exclaims "But it's so inspiring! I haven't had this many ideas for new styles in ages!" The white unicorn walked over to a small sketchbook and flipped through various pages of dresses and even a few suits.
"That's great sugar but can we focus?" Applejack asks. Rarity puts the sketchbook down and walks to her stack of materials.
"So what is it they want then?" Rarity asks.
"Twi seems to think that Celestia plans to exile Rage." Applejack states.
"Well...does she?" Rarity asks turning as she used some magic to place two red colored spools of thread into a drawer with other spools all neatly arranged by color. She then turns to Applejack and Fluttershy. "I mean Twi's imagination can get the better of her at times. Especially when we're involved."
"That's true but you saw how Celestia looked when she picked Rage up from in front of Ponyville Hospital. She wasn't happy." Applejack states.
"You do make a good point." Rarity nods. "If you think it will help. He has done a lot for us. It's only right if we return the favor." Rarity walked over to a closet and pulled a bag out with some magic. After placing it on her back she looked to Applejack "Lead the way." She states.
"I knew we could count on ya." Applejack smiled. The orange earth pony led her outside. Once Rarity locked up they made their way to meet with Twilight at the station.
As the three crested the hill they saw Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Spike and Pinkie Pie all waiting for them. Twilight was talking to the train conductor as they approached. They were only able to make out the last bits of what was said; "…You're doing us a huge favor here." Twilight sighed.
"Of course Princess Twilight. I am glad to help in any way I can. That friend of yours is a good pony and it sounds like he needs it." The conductor says. The two then look to Applejack and Twilight smiled.
"Thank you for coming everypony." Twilight sighed with a hint of relief. "Hopefully with all of us here Celestia will see reason."
"You're sure about this Twi?" Applejack asks as they file onto the train.
"I am not sure what other option we have." Twilight replied.
"What's the plan?" Rarity asks Twilight.
"We try to talk Celestia into why he should be allowed to stay." Twilight says "And hope…"
"If it doesn't work?" Fluttershy worried aloud.
"It'll work." Rainbow Dash says with a firm tone "Celestia can't just ignore everything he has done for a little change."
"I think you underestimate what she's capable of…" Twilight warns. "Remember that she once used all of The Elements of Harmony herself. She faced Discord and Nightmare Moon…"
"Rage went toe to toe with Discord too didn't he?" Applejack asks..
"He did and I bet if he wasn't holding back he could have taken Discord down himself." Rainbow Dash answers. "You saw him against that Christain guy."
"I just hope this isn't all for nothing." Twilight worried looking to the castle on the horizon. "At the very least I hope we can convince her sister and Cadence. If we can convince them…if she doesn't listen to us then Princess Celestia will listen to them."
"We've got your back Twilight." Pinkie Pie says "Besides, how could she say no to Princess Twilight and the Elements of Harmony?" She smiled with her cheerful tone and Twilight replied with a soft smile but said nothing.
There was silence for the rest of the ride. The air was uneasy with the shared concern of the six though. The ride felt like it took an eternity even if it was no longer than normal. The train arrived as the sun hung high in the late morning skies.
Meanwhile Rage was inside the guest room of Canterlot Castle writing down the details of a recent vision he had. Floating next to him was Blade. "You think your vision is important?" The small dragon asks.
"I don't know…" Rage sighed. "I can barely understand half of my visions…but anything that hints to or leads to helping find the Lost Guardians I have to keep close…even if it's a long shot."
"Well…I have your back like always, Ragis." The dragon says as Rage puts the quill down.
"Besides, if Celestia decides to be rid of me…I will have something to pursue…maybe if I can find them and learn from them…I'll be able to control my powers better…" Rage sighed. "Regardless, something is stirring across the dimensional plane…you feel it, I feel it and no doubt Chaotix and Dex have sensed it too."
"Yeah…" the dragon sighed as the two walked to the balcony and looked across the garden. Rage looked across to the tower where Princess Luna's chambers were and he could see her looking over the garden as well. Their eyes briefly met before something pulled her away from the balcony.
"Luna…" Rage said softly.
"Something wrong, Rage?" Blade asks.
"Princess Luna…her eyes had this…pain in them. As if something was wrong…or she was deeply worried about something." Rage says feeling his heart sink.
Blade chuckled "You have quite the knack for connecting to others' there Rage." He comments resting his chin on a hand. "You should take pride in that. Not many have that ability."
"I know…I just can't seem to help it." Rage sighed, putting a hoof to his own.
"Why don't you take a break. Get something to eat if you can." Blade advises. "Last thing you want to do is exhaust yourself right now."
"Right." Rage sighed with a chuckle. "What would I do without you?" He jokes walking back into the room from the balcony.
"You'd probably end up a broken mess on the shores of the Mystic Ruins." Blade jokes with a chuckle. Rage looked at the dragon and smiled before he looked out the window facing the front of the castle and caught a glimpse of Twilight and the others walking up the stairs into the castle. "Twi?" He asks aloud. What was she doing here? He wondered. Did Celestia call for her? His heart sank with worry. As he turned a knock was heard at the door.
Rage looked to the door as it opened and oddly enough a black stallion with bat like wings stood there. One of Luna's own Guardponies. The Night Watch. "Master Rage if you'll come with me please." He requests. The crimson alicorn nodded his head and left the room.
As for his friends they walked inside and right past a set of guards. They saluted to Twilight as she rushed by. They gave each other a look and shrugged after the seven went by. Twilight and her friends reached a hall that led to the throne room.
Shining Armor was walking the other way and saw them. "Sis, what are you doing here?" He asks.
"We're here to talk to Celestia about Rage." Twilight states.
Shining Armor lifted an eye curiously. "What about?" He asks.
"We have to convince her she should let him stay!" Pinkie Pie exclaims. "He's done so much for us and he's our friend. It wouldn't be right to not stand up for him."
Shining Armor nods his head. "I understand where you're coming from but-" he started to object but he was cut off
"But nothing!" Twilight barks. "We can't stand by when we could lose our friend!" She says. "I am the Princess of Friendship, what would it say about me if I left my friend alone?"
Shining Armor had to look at the seven. There was an air of determination about them and he knew, once his sister set her mind to something there was no stopping her. He lets out a breath "I won't stop you, sis. Just don't do anything impulsive." He says.
"Me? Impulsive?" Twilight smirks, "Don't worry so much." She chuckled as she and her friends walked past him.
The seven make it to the throne room and open the door. Inside was Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, a few guards, a few random other ponies and Rage. "Celestia!" Twilight exclaims.
"Twilight Sparkle?!" The white alicorn exclaims. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"You can't banish Rage!" Twilight shouts. "It's not fair!"
"Banish?" Rage tilts his head as he looks to a pony who was helping him with his mane and silently thanked them before the mare hurried away. "Twilight what are you going on about?"
"Princess Celestia, just because he changed doesn't mean you can just banish him! He's our friend and he means a lot to us." Twilight stated. Her friends nodding in agreement.
"I told you this would happen." Cadence chuckles. "You should have told her Celestia."
Twilight tilts her head confused. Then looks to her other friends. All equally as confused. "You mean…you don't plan on banishing him?"
"What made you think that?" Celestia asks.
"I mean…alicorns are royalty right? But Rage here is well…obviously not…so you thought that he can't just stick around right?" Twilight asks her heart beating hard inside her chest. Worry clouded her mind, had she made a mistake?
"Twi…" Rage said softly. He had no idea she or her friends would go to these lengths for him. It made him feel…almost inspired.
Celestia sighed and smiled with a brief laugh. "I suppose you're right Cadence." She says before looking at Twilight. "I don't plan to banish Rage here." She says.
"What?!" Twilight exclaims. "But you were so furious when you-"
"I was angry." Celestia cuts her off before looking to Rage. "I was angry because I thought he was hiding the fact he was an Alicorn." She admits. "Though my sister and Cadence have helped make sure I don't act rashly."
Rage looked to Celestia and then to Twilight "After I explained everything and we talked she calmed down." Rage sighs.
"So…what…what are we going to do about it?" Twilight asks.
"Ooo! Ooo! I know! I know!" Pinkie Pie exclaims. "Call Rage a prince!"
"No." Rage denied. "I am no Prince by any means."
"I for one would cherish the chance." Rarity swoons "To be a member of royalty?" She sighs fantasizing about it.
"I am a warrior at heart not a diplomat." Rage shook his head. "That's not even getting into the fact I am not native to Equestria."
"Who says you can't be both?" Twilight asks. "There are a lot of cases where words are much more powerful than violence."
"That might be the case but that doesn't mean I am one for it." Rage retorts looking away. "It's all I know…"
"You just need to learn. Perhaps being an ambassador or something would help." Twilight says.
"Are you referring to the upcoming meeting with Saddle Arabia?" Cadence asks and Twilight nods.
"We can't have a non-royal at that. They may see it as disrespectful or that we see them as lesser than us." Cadence answers. "Besides, we're hosting it here in Canterlot and I plan to attend."
"Besides, we already have four Princesses." Rage shrugs as he looks at them all "and I am not one for the attention that would come with it…"
"Ponies will talk." Applejack says "They may start calling you one anyway."
"I doubt that." Rage chuckled.
"No, Applejack does have a point." Rainbow Dash says "A lot of ponies out of habit see an Alicorn and assume they're royalty."
"So I make an effort to show I am not." Rage shrugs "Besides it's no secret anymore I am not from Equestria. What would ponies think if someone from far away is named a member of the royal family of Equestria? Many would probably feel insulted."
Celestia looks at Rage, then to the other Princesses and then to Twilight and her friends. There were clearly many good points between all of them. She had a weighty choice to make. "You all make very valid points. This is not an easy situation by any account." Celestia speaks. "Forces move against us either way."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asks. Celestia looks at her and her friends, then to Rage and the other Princesses.
"It is a matter I cannot discuss with everyone." Celestia says. "It's a sensitive matter."
"We understand." Applejack nods "We'll take our leave."
Rage walked over and started to walk out with Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "Rage." Celestia states.
Rage turns and looks a bit confused. "Yes Princess?" He asks and she motions him to stay. He nods and walks up next to Twilight. The others leave and the door shuts.
Celestia stands up and uses some magic to lock the door to the room. "What is said here cannot leave this room. Understand?" She asks. Twilight and Rage both nod.
"I have gotten some disturbing reports." Celestia states. "Ever since Discord was defeated, strange beasts stalk the Everfree, and the Whitetail Woods...not ones that call it home normally. Strange shadow creatures."
"Nopony goes to the Everfree...but there's a few prominent roads that cross through the Whitetail Woods." Twilight comments.
"Indeed." Celestia nods. "I have ordered that nopony is to travel at night. That seems to be when these creatures are most active. So far they've attacked but never stolen anything. I've heard them described as shadowy monsters and never the same description."
"They sound like Dark Spawn." Rage piped up.
"Dark Spawn?" Luna asks with a curious look. "You've mentioned them before...in your one dream."
Rage looked at Luna a bit concerned. The only dream he could think of that he remembered seeing them was the one Discord put him in. Had she been eavesdropping on that dream without him knowing? It didn't matter. Not anymore at least. He nodded before giving his response. "Yes. They're...strange creatures. Born from the lingering Dark Energy on Dark Mobius they're feral creatures with various forms...well...most are. They can also be created, Christain is one such individual with that power. Created ones can be significantly more powerful, or even intelligent...I wouldn't be surprised if Christain brought them here to cause more havoc even if he is not here..." He explains.
"I'll have to inquire more about them later." Celestia sighs at this new information. Then she looked at Rage directly. "The second thing...Rage, in regards to the issue you mentioned before, about Christain?"
Twilight looked at the crimson Alicorn who sighs "My concerns were validated." He announces. "A close friend of mine who lives in the very place Christain comes from has confirmed it."
"And this…friend can be trusted?" Cadence asks.
"He can. I have known him most of my life. He's always been my ears on Dark Mobius. He confirmed that Christain wasn't destroyed rather he is back on Dark Mobius. Since then he has been preparing for something though we don't know what." Rage explains. "We can only assume he plans to invade Mobius…or worse, Equestria."
"If he invades Mobius, nothing would stop him from coming to Equestria." Celestia states. "I cannot keep the worlds disconnected any more. I want you to keep me informed with anything else you learn."
"Don't worry. As soon as I hear anything more I will tell you." Rage bows his head.
"Finally…regarding your status, Rage." Celestia says looking at him "I am in agreement that you should learn how to take more of a diplomatic approach when you can. To that end, I would like you to attend the meeting with myself and Princess Luna between us and Saddle Arabia."
"But, you said-" Rage objects.
"I know. We said they'd take offense if we did not send royalty. Which is why you'll be with us." Celestia interrupts him. "I also want you to understand Rainbow Dash did make a valid point, many ponies will default to treating you as if you are a Prince. They don't know any better. The only alicorns they know are royalty."
"If that happens in Saddle Arabia…?" Rage asks with a nervous tone.
Celestia stood silent for a minute. "Luna and I will make every effort to ensure that point is made but…if they're under that impression then…we'll have to go from there." She answers. "This is a unique situation…"
"Well I am sure everything will turn out fine." Twilight smiles. She was relieved she wasn't being sent on the trip. She was worried she'd find a way to offend the King of Saddle Arabia. That was a weight off of her. "There's nothing we can't handle."
Celestia smiled and nodded, "You two are dismissed for now." Celestia says "Twilight make sure you talk to your brother on the way out.."
"I will." Twilight nods. She and Rage both take a bow as Celestia unlocks the door and they left the room.
Almost immediately Twilight turns to Rage and looks at him "Are you sure about this?" She asks him. "You know that you're not being forced to get involved. Equestria's politics can be…difficult."
"I know I am not being forced to but you guys made a point that I can't shake…I tend to jump right to fighting to solve issues…perhaps because I know that I have the ability to take or get what I need by force…that I am so used to conflicts where I can't use words…if I am going to fit in here I need to learn how to approach things diplomatically." Rage explains with a sigh. "Besides, I relish the opportunity to learn more about the cultures around here."
Twilight smiled. She couldn't help but feel as if this change in him was spurred on by her and her friends. "You'll do great, I am sure. Besides, you have all of us backing you up!" She cheered as the two walked down the hall.
Rage smiled at the purple alicorn "Which means more than you can ever imagine. In the meantime though I have a bit to learn don't I?" He asks, looking at his wings and using a hoof to fold them up again.
Twilight giggled and nodded. "Don't worry I am sure you'll figure it out. Besides with Nightmare Night tomorrow we can pass it off as a…very convincing costume."
"I almost forgot." Rage chuckled "We should get back to Ponyville. I am sure there is still work to be done."
"I'll meet you guys at the station. I have to talk to my brother before we go." Twilight stays as the two reach a junction in the hall.
"We'll be waiting." Rage smiled. The two went their separate ways for the time being.