1 00:00:00,380 --> 00:00:06,508 dragan really big gigantic enormous 2 00:00:03,990 --> 00:00:09,240 purple dragon with green spines and with 3 00:00:06,509 --> 00:00:11,490 claws and spikes and very very sharp 4 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:16,769 teeth and a huge mouth that just 5 00:00:11,490 --> 00:00:19,829 promised not to eat us well that was a 6 00:00:16,769 --> 00:00:21,600 start I could hear the voices of my 7 00:00:19,829 --> 00:00:24,118 companions around me but I couldn't turn 8 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:27,060 my head my gaze remained locked on the 9 00:00:24,118 --> 00:00:30,809 dragon staring at us I couldn't move I 10 00:00:27,059 --> 00:00:33,719 could barely breathe calamity fell 11 00:00:30,809 --> 00:00:37,619 remedy whispered urgently don't shoot it 12 00:00:33,719 --> 00:00:40,219 I I want planning to Clementi hiss back 13 00:00:37,619 --> 00:00:42,899 girl you gotta let that go 14 00:00:40,219 --> 00:00:44,399 Pilate cried out and flew away wings 15 00:00:42,899 --> 00:00:48,660 flapping with the sound of a crackling 16 00:00:44,399 --> 00:00:51,179 fireplace interesting Muse the deep 17 00:00:48,659 --> 00:00:53,089 rumble from steel love's armor I'd say 18 00:00:51,179 --> 00:00:56,308 he's a damn sight more and interesting 19 00:00:53,090 --> 00:01:01,109 he said he was spiked she lo said 20 00:00:56,308 --> 00:01:03,570 curiously he didn't say he was water the 21 00:01:01,109 --> 00:01:05,189 dragon's gaze locked on me he raised a 22 00:01:03,570 --> 00:01:08,340 very sharp claw the length of my whole 23 00:01:05,188 --> 00:01:10,978 body addressing me spiked the fully 24 00:01:08,340 --> 00:01:16,290 grown dragon asked they do realize I can 25 00:01:10,978 --> 00:01:18,560 hear them right little pip velvet remedy 26 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:21,270 in calamity please don't be afraid 27 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:23,939 spike smiled showing way too many sharp 28 00:01:21,269 --> 00:01:25,699 teeth dragons shouldn't smile when 29 00:01:23,938 --> 00:01:28,649 they're trying not to be intimidating 30 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:30,170 you're welcome in my house on one 31 00:01:28,650 --> 00:01:33,240 condition 32 00:01:30,170 --> 00:01:34,680 watcher with setting conditions that 33 00:01:33,239 --> 00:01:38,728 would have irked me but this was his 34 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:40,140 home and watcher was a dragon dragons 35 00:01:38,728 --> 00:01:42,989 got to set whatever conditions they 36 00:01:40,140 --> 00:01:44,879 wanted I was fully expecting something 37 00:01:42,989 --> 00:01:47,578 along the lines of don't steal of 38 00:01:44,879 --> 00:01:48,868 through or touch my treasure I was not 39 00:01:47,578 --> 00:01:50,719 prepared for the dragon the pointed 40 00:01:48,868 --> 00:01:54,739 steel hose with one lethal claw and say 41 00:01:50,719 --> 00:01:54,739 that stay outside 42 00:01:54,989 --> 00:02:01,048 wotcher had a problem with ghouls that 43 00:01:57,469 --> 00:02:02,399 did irk me perhaps not quite so much as 44 00:02:01,049 --> 00:02:03,899 it would have after meeting ditzy Doo 45 00:02:02,399 --> 00:02:07,799 and before learning about rotting tail 46 00:02:03,899 --> 00:02:11,430 but it still bothered me he's with us I 47 00:02:07,799 --> 00:02:12,030 insisted putting my hoof down I breathe 48 00:02:11,430 --> 00:02:15,319 fire 49 00:02:12,030 --> 00:02:19,848 spike countered winning the argument I 50 00:02:15,318 --> 00:02:22,439 turned to steelo's you okay with this 51 00:02:19,848 --> 00:02:24,030 after everything part of me was ready to 52 00:02:22,439 --> 00:02:27,719 turn my back and watch her and just walk 53 00:02:24,030 --> 00:02:29,219 away if steel have said no I'll be fine 54 00:02:27,719 --> 00:02:33,419 steel has answered 55 00:02:29,219 --> 00:02:36,539 I felt unexpectedly relieved besides I 56 00:02:33,419 --> 00:02:38,129 won't be alone a seal hooves armored 57 00:02:36,539 --> 00:02:40,379 sheath tail jabbed towards the sky 58 00:02:38,129 --> 00:02:41,939 bandit pilot had taken shelter inside 59 00:02:40,379 --> 00:02:43,250 and was furtively speaking her head 60 00:02:41,939 --> 00:02:45,568 through one of the windows 61 00:02:43,250 --> 00:02:47,219 apparently flying to the homeless trees 62 00:02:45,568 --> 00:02:50,219 largest predator was a bit much to ask 63 00:02:47,219 --> 00:02:50,969 of our new feathered companion I nodded 64 00:02:50,219 --> 00:02:55,739 the steel hooves 65 00:02:50,969 --> 00:02:57,180 then turned back to the dragon ok velvet 66 00:02:55,739 --> 00:03:00,509 remedy was more gracious in diplomatic 67 00:02:57,180 --> 00:03:01,980 giving spike a courteous bow Thank You 68 00:03:00,509 --> 00:03:04,798 mighty spike for allowing us into your 69 00:03:01,979 --> 00:03:08,030 house she barely paused before choosing 70 00:03:04,799 --> 00:03:11,519 the words she had used do Dragons blush 71 00:03:08,030 --> 00:03:14,430 spike seemed to he glanced back into the 72 00:03:11,519 --> 00:03:16,140 darkness behind him well it's really 73 00:03:14,430 --> 00:03:18,629 more of a cave but I fixed it up enough 74 00:03:16,139 --> 00:03:20,369 that it feels like a house I'm sure you 75 00:03:18,629 --> 00:03:24,090 did splendidly without but remedy 76 00:03:20,370 --> 00:03:26,189 flattered spike turned we all ducked as 77 00:03:24,090 --> 00:03:29,489 his massive tail swung around and led us 78 00:03:26,189 --> 00:03:32,159 into the cave we followed all except for 79 00:03:29,489 --> 00:03:34,019 pyar light and steel hopes a pony my 80 00:03:32,159 --> 00:03:35,549 head stomped insistently wanting to know 81 00:03:34,019 --> 00:03:38,060 why had just been required to leave a 82 00:03:35,549 --> 00:03:38,060 friend outside 83 00:03:38,849 --> 00:03:47,669 a dragon watcher was a dragon the awe 84 00:03:45,150 --> 00:03:50,159 and I'm about to get eaten dread was 85 00:03:47,669 --> 00:03:51,780 washing away and I was surprised to find 86 00:03:50,159 --> 00:03:55,199 that what tip hoofed in to replace it 87 00:03:51,780 --> 00:03:57,599 was anger it's delightful proclaimed 88 00:03:55,199 --> 00:04:01,139 well remedy I didn't know what Dragon's 89 00:03:57,599 --> 00:04:02,819 cave could be so homey she turned around 90 00:04:01,139 --> 00:04:04,199 taking in the scattered piles of 91 00:04:02,819 --> 00:04:06,169 gemstones surrounding an immense 92 00:04:04,199 --> 00:04:09,089 circular bed sunken into the floor and 93 00:04:06,169 --> 00:04:11,879 there are so many books you must be a 94 00:04:09,090 --> 00:04:14,729 collector the walls were lined with 95 00:04:11,879 --> 00:04:16,110 bookshelves many of which were full the 96 00:04:14,729 --> 00:04:17,459 cave continued on to the darkness 97 00:04:16,110 --> 00:04:20,699 through a massive fissure in the back 98 00:04:17,459 --> 00:04:23,339 wall there are Twilight's spikes it 99 00:04:20,699 --> 00:04:26,579 almost reflexively then with a touch of 100 00:04:23,339 --> 00:04:30,539 sadness he corrected himself were 101 00:04:26,579 --> 00:04:32,519 Twilight's Twilight Sparkle I asked 102 00:04:30,540 --> 00:04:35,220 seeking to confirm my suspicions 103 00:04:32,519 --> 00:04:38,069 I was already sure of the answer even 104 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:39,660 for the dragon nodded I was thinking of 105 00:04:38,069 --> 00:04:41,610 the audio message how much it played for 106 00:04:39,660 --> 00:04:44,550 me the one rarity had left while I'd 107 00:04:41,610 --> 00:04:46,020 Sparkle Twilight Sparkle had not gone to 108 00:04:44,550 --> 00:04:48,420 Pinkie Pie when she ran out of room for 109 00:04:46,019 --> 00:04:51,689 her books she had started storing them 110 00:04:48,420 --> 00:04:54,629 here a single terminal sat on a pedestal 111 00:04:51,689 --> 00:04:56,370 near the bed and only slightly fancier 112 00:04:54,629 --> 00:04:59,009 model than that found everywhere else in 113 00:04:56,370 --> 00:05:01,709 the wasteland a cable snaked deeper into 114 00:04:59,009 --> 00:05:03,089 the cave from machines back I had been 115 00:05:01,709 --> 00:05:06,569 expecting something much more like 116 00:05:03,089 --> 00:05:07,889 homages set up at the MAS EBS The Little 117 00:05:06,569 --> 00:05:10,740 Pony my head was stomping more 118 00:05:07,889 --> 00:05:13,769 insistently finally feeling just a touch 119 00:05:10,740 --> 00:05:17,340 cross I bluntly asked why did that tell 120 00:05:13,769 --> 00:05:20,969 steal hopes to stay outside um you 121 00:05:17,339 --> 00:05:23,579 didn't I did spike said as if I needed 122 00:05:20,970 --> 00:05:25,680 to be reminded of the flow of events 123 00:05:23,579 --> 00:05:28,709 the day Steel Ranger stepped off in my 124 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,209 house is the day I eat canned food the 125 00:05:28,709 --> 00:05:34,289 ominous ground his voice made it very 126 00:05:30,209 --> 00:05:36,019 clear what can he was talking about okay 127 00:05:34,290 --> 00:05:39,180 spike didn't have a problem with ghouls 128 00:05:36,019 --> 00:05:41,099 he had a problem with steel rangers or 129 00:05:39,180 --> 00:05:43,590 was it with the Ministry of Technology 130 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:45,330 in general for someone who spent his 131 00:05:43,589 --> 00:05:48,269 days jumping around sprite BOTS that 132 00:05:45,329 --> 00:05:49,199 will be a surprising attitude velvet 133 00:05:48,269 --> 00:05:51,299 remedy was still looking around 134 00:05:49,199 --> 00:05:54,689 expressing admiration that the dragon 135 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:56,430 was just soaking up I suspect it had 136 00:05:54,689 --> 00:05:57,870 been a very long time since somepony had 137 00:05:56,430 --> 00:05:59,970 complimented him on anything even 138 00:05:57,870 --> 00:06:02,579 something as simple as how well kept his 139 00:05:59,970 --> 00:06:04,580 books were leave it to vellum need to 140 00:06:02,579 --> 00:06:06,479 know just what to say 141 00:06:04,579 --> 00:06:09,839 particularly since I was feeling much 142 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:11,550 less diplomatic I bit my lip I was 143 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:14,369 seething just under the surface and I 144 00:06:11,550 --> 00:06:15,780 couldn't put my hoof on why I wondered 145 00:06:14,370 --> 00:06:18,930 if my emotional state with some sort of 146 00:06:15,779 --> 00:06:22,229 delayed PTM withdrawal or if I was just 147 00:06:18,930 --> 00:06:23,910 more tired than I realized I'd spent 148 00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:25,560 most of the last four weeks ever since 149 00:06:23,910 --> 00:06:28,439 leaving stable two in a state of 150 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:29,879 physical or mental exhaustion but on 151 00:06:28,439 --> 00:06:31,949 which had pulled me through a miraculous 152 00:06:29,879 --> 00:06:34,469 and multi-orgasmic recovery 153 00:06:31,949 --> 00:06:36,839 I should be in far more control than I 154 00:06:34,470 --> 00:06:39,720 was suddenly feeling I looked away from 155 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:42,209 spike staring at his huge bed it did 156 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:44,160 look comfortable plush with pillows and 157 00:06:42,209 --> 00:06:46,439 blankets I'd even say it looked heavenly 158 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:47,970 I blushed hotly and shivered for 159 00:06:46,439 --> 00:06:49,740 something that was not related to cold 160 00:06:47,970 --> 00:06:52,020 as my brain conjured up mental images of 161 00:06:49,740 --> 00:06:55,319 what I could do with homage to homage on 162 00:06:52,019 --> 00:06:56,299 a bed like that I looked away clearing 163 00:06:55,319 --> 00:06:58,469 my throat 164 00:06:56,300 --> 00:07:00,840 spike took the sound as a call for 165 00:06:58,470 --> 00:07:03,780 attention oh right 166 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,549 the black opal he stretched out a purple 167 00:07:03,779 --> 00:07:09,479 pall its expanse bigger than my whole 168 00:07:05,550 --> 00:07:11,699 body if he would please 169 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:13,140 carry your pony at your service I 170 00:07:11,699 --> 00:07:16,589 thought bitterly as I floated out the 171 00:07:13,139 --> 00:07:19,829 black opal and set into his palm why did 172 00:07:16,589 --> 00:07:22,439 you want it so badly I asked he was a 173 00:07:19,829 --> 00:07:25,319 dragon he was no more able to view the 174 00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:26,790 memory than an earth pony could and I 175 00:07:25,319 --> 00:07:29,029 doubted that any pony had ever made a 176 00:07:26,790 --> 00:07:32,490 wreck elector in his current size 177 00:07:29,029 --> 00:07:34,379 because he answered simply it was the 178 00:07:32,490 --> 00:07:37,350 last time Equestria's greatest mares and 179 00:07:34,379 --> 00:07:40,259 my closest friends were happy with the 180 00:07:37,350 --> 00:07:43,460 sadly nostalgic note he added all of us 181 00:07:40,259 --> 00:07:50,310 in the same place at the same time and 182 00:07:43,459 --> 00:07:56,399 happy Twilight Sparkle rarity Pinkie Pie 183 00:07:50,310 --> 00:07:58,860 Applejack Rainbow Dash Fluttershy they 184 00:07:56,399 --> 00:08:01,529 were in spikes own words the greatest 185 00:07:58,860 --> 00:08:03,480 heroines of Equestria the mayor's who 186 00:08:01,529 --> 00:08:06,179 epitomize the six most important virtues 187 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:09,270 of pony kind the mayor's his friendship 188 00:08:06,180 --> 00:08:12,569 had the power to change the world how 189 00:08:09,269 --> 00:08:14,909 would it go wrong it was a Velvet remedy 190 00:08:12,569 --> 00:08:18,779 who asked but I think we all needed to 191 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:21,320 know spike was slow to answer and much 192 00:08:18,779 --> 00:08:24,209 of what he told us I'd already expected 193 00:08:21,319 --> 00:08:26,219 these ponies my dearest friends were not 194 00:08:24,209 --> 00:08:27,979 without their own problems they had 195 00:08:26,220 --> 00:08:30,240 their failings even when they were young 196 00:08:27,980 --> 00:08:32,100 but their virtues let them stand up to 197 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,269 any hardship and their friendship gave 198 00:08:32,100 --> 00:08:35,850 them a strength that they could never 199 00:08:33,269 --> 00:08:36,259 have as individuals spike said nostalgic 200 00:08:35,850 --> 00:08:40,529 ly 201 00:08:36,259 --> 00:08:42,409 but then the smile faded even the 202 00:08:40,529 --> 00:08:44,730 greatest people have their flaws and 203 00:08:42,409 --> 00:08:47,009 when put under pressure or in the right 204 00:08:44,730 --> 00:08:51,779 circumstances those flaws can become 205 00:08:47,009 --> 00:08:53,340 cracks they can break you and with the 206 00:08:51,779 --> 00:08:55,559 ministries they weren't together anymore 207 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:59,280 and they were under pressure all the 208 00:08:55,559 --> 00:09:01,559 time spike stopped and then fiercely 209 00:08:59,279 --> 00:09:03,329 asserted not that everything that went 210 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:06,389 wrong to be late at their hooves not 211 00:09:03,330 --> 00:09:07,700 even most of it we all nodded listening 212 00:09:06,389 --> 00:09:11,009 intently 213 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:12,270 first there was the war Equestria had 214 00:09:11,009 --> 00:09:15,059 been at war for over a decade before 215 00:09:12,269 --> 00:09:15,980 Luna created the ministries or changes 216 00:09:15,059 --> 00:09:19,379 everything 217 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:20,879 spike informed us passionately before 218 00:09:19,379 --> 00:09:24,120 that Equestria had known peace for over 219 00:09:20,879 --> 00:09:26,399 a thousand years we didn't know war we 220 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,810 didn't understand it maybe if we'd had a 221 00:09:26,399 --> 00:09:30,750 few in the past we wouldn't have made 222 00:09:27,809 --> 00:09:32,849 all the mistakes all at once the Dragons 223 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:35,700 tail thumped making gems and books and 224 00:09:32,850 --> 00:09:37,800 ponies jump and then there are the 225 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:39,750 ministries themselves the very epitome 226 00:09:37,799 --> 00:09:42,240 of good ideas and noble intentions gone 227 00:09:39,750 --> 00:09:45,360 wrong and not by the fault of the mares 228 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:47,659 who ran them Velva remedy caught an 229 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:49,259 inflection spikes words that I did not 230 00:09:47,659 --> 00:09:51,000 what do you mean 231 00:09:49,259 --> 00:09:54,929 the mayors of the ministries didn't 232 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:58,710 actually run the ministries well yes and 233 00:09:54,929 --> 00:10:02,339 no spike pinched the bridge of his nose 234 00:09:58,710 --> 00:10:05,580 between two claws wincing a bit how can 235 00:10:02,340 --> 00:10:08,879 I put this we waited as the dragon 236 00:10:05,580 --> 00:10:10,500 gathered his thoughts of the six of them 237 00:10:08,879 --> 00:10:12,720 only two even tried to run their 238 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:15,240 ministries those were Twilight Sparkle 239 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:16,620 and rarity the others pretty much just 240 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:18,500 threw suggestions at their ministries 241 00:10:16,620 --> 00:10:20,970 and hope for the best 242 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:23,580 spike flaunt for words before finding an 243 00:10:20,970 --> 00:10:27,000 analogy he felt was suitable I found it 244 00:10:23,580 --> 00:10:30,570 a rather odd choice myself think of the 245 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:32,039 ministries as dress makers they have 246 00:10:30,570 --> 00:10:33,720 their own ideas of how to make a good 247 00:10:32,039 --> 00:10:35,219 dress but they're beholden to the 248 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:38,129 sporadic demands of their clients in 249 00:10:35,220 --> 00:10:40,170 this case my friends the mayors who've 250 00:10:38,129 --> 00:10:41,519 been put in charge of them even when 251 00:10:40,169 --> 00:10:43,829 those clients don't have the first clue 252 00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:45,870 about the art of dress making no matter 253 00:10:43,830 --> 00:10:47,220 how good the suggestions may seem no 254 00:10:45,870 --> 00:10:49,470 matter how brilliantly skilled the 255 00:10:47,220 --> 00:10:52,320 dressmaker's may be they can still end 256 00:10:49,470 --> 00:10:55,290 up with a nightmare design calamity 257 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:56,490 broke in yep especially for what you're 258 00:10:55,289 --> 00:10:57,870 talking about is more like a committee a 259 00:10:56,490 --> 00:11:02,070 dress makers all competing for their 260 00:10:57,870 --> 00:11:03,330 vision spike agreed democracies tend to 261 00:11:02,070 --> 00:11:06,000 make a mess out of everything 262 00:11:03,330 --> 00:11:07,050 calamity said with clear bitterness only 263 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,940 time they can act is when they're 264 00:11:07,049 --> 00:11:10,829 feeling threatened 265 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:14,580 I looked at my rust coated companion 266 00:11:10,830 --> 00:11:16,790 wondering where that had come from oh of 267 00:11:14,580 --> 00:11:19,500 course 268 00:11:16,789 --> 00:11:23,669 suddenly I was very happy I didn't know 269 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:26,820 more about pegasi politics I don't get 270 00:11:23,669 --> 00:11:29,219 it Clemmy commented why are you hiding 271 00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:31,530 in here ain't like as much a dragon 272 00:11:29,220 --> 00:11:34,710 needs to hide from he cocked his head 273 00:11:31,529 --> 00:11:37,799 thoughtfully I mean a really ticked off 274 00:11:34,710 --> 00:11:40,590 or as a major maybe and that's when I 275 00:11:37,799 --> 00:11:42,629 knew why I was mad his words were like 276 00:11:40,590 --> 00:11:44,399 an earthquake opening a figure of reason 277 00:11:42,629 --> 00:11:48,649 the anger simmering just beneath the 278 00:11:44,399 --> 00:11:52,649 surface my response was natural I 279 00:11:48,649 --> 00:11:58,399 erupted all this time you've been a 280 00:11:52,649 --> 00:12:03,169 dragon a dragon all this time 281 00:11:58,399 --> 00:12:06,149 spike looked at me startled a little pip 282 00:12:03,169 --> 00:12:10,490 Clemmy cautioned please don't upset the 283 00:12:06,149 --> 00:12:12,929 really big dragon I stomped fuming now 284 00:12:10,490 --> 00:12:15,090 do you have any idea how much good you 285 00:12:12,929 --> 00:12:15,779 could have done how many lives you could 286 00:12:15,090 --> 00:12:18,540 have saved 287 00:12:15,779 --> 00:12:21,149 I found myself advancing on the dragon 288 00:12:18,539 --> 00:12:22,919 in my fury I would have faced up to the 289 00:12:21,149 --> 00:12:24,620 preposterous Nisour my own actions had I 290 00:12:22,919 --> 00:12:26,699 not been blinded by righteous anger 291 00:12:24,620 --> 00:12:29,370 spikes backing away from me only 292 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:32,430 heightened the absurdity of it don't 293 00:12:29,370 --> 00:12:35,879 tell me you don't care I spat I know you 294 00:12:32,429 --> 00:12:37,139 care you've been watching why aren't you 295 00:12:35,879 --> 00:12:39,240 out there doing something 296 00:12:37,139 --> 00:12:43,049 the aquestion wasteland needs someone 297 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:47,430 like you spike looked a bash but 298 00:12:43,049 --> 00:12:50,009 insisted I have my reasons reasons I 299 00:12:47,429 --> 00:12:52,799 attacked afraid of getting your own 300 00:12:50,009 --> 00:12:54,139 claws bloody hell the Ponyville Raiders 301 00:12:52,799 --> 00:12:57,179 couldn't have even scratched your scales 302 00:12:54,139 --> 00:12:58,620 but no you'd rather send a little mayor 303 00:12:57,179 --> 00:13:00,000 fresh out of the stable with virtually 304 00:12:58,620 --> 00:13:01,500 no combat experience into a pit of 305 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:04,370 Raiders where she's more likely to get 306 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:07,830 killed Lin to save anypony I was huffing 307 00:13:04,370 --> 00:13:09,830 my mane and tail were in disarray part 308 00:13:07,830 --> 00:13:12,300 of me seriously wanted to charge water 309 00:13:09,830 --> 00:13:14,129 maybe with all my telekinesis behind it 310 00:13:12,299 --> 00:13:15,719 my horn could give him a jab you might 311 00:13:14,129 --> 00:13:19,259 actually feel 312 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:22,350 littlepip what reasons what could 313 00:13:19,259 --> 00:13:24,899 possibly be more important I was 314 00:13:22,350 --> 00:13:26,310 screaming at the dragon all the times I 315 00:13:24,899 --> 00:13:28,350 had put my own life at risk to help 316 00:13:26,309 --> 00:13:31,049 others and the person who had set me on 317 00:13:28,350 --> 00:13:33,060 that path was an i invulnerable dragon 318 00:13:31,049 --> 00:13:36,419 yet he couldn't be bothered to leave the 319 00:13:33,059 --> 00:13:40,799 house what you need to polish your gems 320 00:13:36,419 --> 00:13:43,860 count them maybe take a nap spike 321 00:13:40,799 --> 00:13:46,289 flinched seeing that was like dumping 322 00:13:43,860 --> 00:13:48,149 fuel on the fire I opened my mouth and 323 00:13:46,289 --> 00:13:52,799 let out a barrage I didn't know I had in 324 00:13:48,149 --> 00:13:55,529 me enough boom spike finally sounding 325 00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:56,819 like a dragon I cringed suddenly 326 00:13:55,529 --> 00:13:59,309 remembering that I was small and 327 00:13:56,820 --> 00:14:02,280 probably tasty the single war had 328 00:13:59,309 --> 00:14:03,629 slammed to me in silence the dragon 329 00:14:02,279 --> 00:14:09,269 turned away from me looking to my 330 00:14:03,629 --> 00:14:12,059 friends do you trust little pip yep said 331 00:14:09,269 --> 00:14:15,240 calamity without hesitation yes I do 332 00:14:12,059 --> 00:14:17,039 chimed in velvel remedy I felt a pang 333 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:19,950 knowing that I might have hesitated had 334 00:14:17,039 --> 00:14:21,719 our places been reversed while I forgave 335 00:14:19,950 --> 00:14:23,430 her I still felt the pain of her 336 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:28,200 betrayal no matter how well-intentioned 337 00:14:23,429 --> 00:14:29,809 and beneficial it had been alright then 338 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:33,240 I will tell little PIP my reasons but 339 00:14:29,809 --> 00:14:35,849 only little PIP and only on the promise 340 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,830 that she never tell anyone else not even 341 00:14:35,850 --> 00:14:41,310 you 342 00:14:36,830 --> 00:14:44,759 why velvet Remini asked politely I would 343 00:14:41,309 --> 00:14:48,569 have demanded an answer spike scowl 344 00:14:44,759 --> 00:14:49,710 deeply you've seen memory orbs you know 345 00:14:48,570 --> 00:14:50,910 that there are ponies who can rip a 346 00:14:49,710 --> 00:14:52,950 thought from you with their magics and 347 00:14:50,909 --> 00:14:55,409 the so called goddesses who command the 348 00:14:52,950 --> 00:14:58,890 alicorns is telepathic and through her 349 00:14:55,409 --> 00:15:00,419 so are they I was struck with a new 350 00:14:58,889 --> 00:15:02,580 image of the alicorns as terminals 351 00:15:00,419 --> 00:15:03,929 linked to a mainframe sending and 352 00:15:02,580 --> 00:15:06,750 receiving their messages from it and 353 00:15:03,929 --> 00:15:09,239 through it this is how they knew when 354 00:15:06,750 --> 00:15:10,289 and how their own it died their goddess 355 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,759 had observed their death through the 356 00:15:10,289 --> 00:15:13,639 alicorns mind and then sent the 357 00:15:11,759 --> 00:15:16,470 knowledge on to all of the rest 358 00:15:13,639 --> 00:15:17,850 the fewer who know small of the risk 359 00:15:16,470 --> 00:15:20,519 that someone might rip that knowledge 360 00:15:17,850 --> 00:15:25,259 from you and use it against he pause 361 00:15:20,519 --> 00:15:27,870 before concluding with me I frowned 362 00:15:25,259 --> 00:15:30,090 if Watchers reason for being watcher was 363 00:15:27,870 --> 00:15:33,179 that dire then spike was taking a 364 00:15:30,090 --> 00:15:34,710 massive risk just telling me my outburst 365 00:15:33,179 --> 00:15:38,519 alone couldn't be the cause to break two 366 00:15:34,710 --> 00:15:41,580 hundred years of silence or was it an 367 00:15:38,519 --> 00:15:43,169 opportunity again I got the impression 368 00:15:41,580 --> 00:15:46,830 that the dragon was desperately lonely 369 00:15:43,169 --> 00:15:48,959 in his self-imposed exile on the other 370 00:15:46,830 --> 00:15:50,600 hoof spike could just be full of horse 371 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:54,570 apples 372 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:56,970 alright I stated firmly I'll agree to 373 00:15:54,570 --> 00:16:00,570 that condition but only if your reason 374 00:15:56,970 --> 00:16:03,540 is good spike contemplated that for a 375 00:16:00,570 --> 00:16:06,990 moment seeming to accept it he stared to 376 00:16:03,539 --> 00:16:08,309 calamity in velvet REM be and will 377 00:16:06,990 --> 00:16:10,139 little pips poured that my reason is 378 00:16:08,309 --> 00:16:14,159 good be enough for you to without ever 379 00:16:10,139 --> 00:16:14,939 hearing what it is uh 'yeah clam lee 380 00:16:14,159 --> 00:16:17,759 said frowning 381 00:16:14,940 --> 00:16:19,380 I trust little bit of judgment if she 382 00:16:17,759 --> 00:16:20,730 says she got good enough cause leave the 383 00:16:19,379 --> 00:16:22,610 rest of the folk out on their own and 384 00:16:20,730 --> 00:16:27,180 that's good enough for me 385 00:16:22,610 --> 00:16:29,580 velvet remedy nodded of course then 386 00:16:27,179 --> 00:16:30,379 follow me little pip I have something to 387 00:16:29,580 --> 00:16:32,610 show you 388 00:16:30,379 --> 00:16:34,409 the huge purple dragon turned and 389 00:16:32,610 --> 00:16:36,930 lumbered further into the cave passage 390 00:16:34,409 --> 00:16:38,699 with the fissure in the wall I gave 391 00:16:36,929 --> 00:16:41,250 calamity in velvet remedy one last look 392 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:44,030 then trotted after him nearly needed the 393 00:16:41,250 --> 00:16:44,029 gallop to keep up 394 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:50,370 what am I looking at I asked for the 395 00:16:47,490 --> 00:16:51,899 second time in my life we had traveled 396 00:16:50,370 --> 00:16:53,789 into the center of the mountain peak 397 00:16:51,899 --> 00:16:56,639 I had soon realized we were following 398 00:16:53,789 --> 00:16:59,129 the cable from spikes terminal and now I 399 00:16:56,639 --> 00:17:02,279 stood in a vast chamber large enough for 400 00:16:59,129 --> 00:17:04,200 the dragon to move around easily along 401 00:17:02,279 --> 00:17:06,000 the walls were mainframes half a dozen 402 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:08,670 of them with gemstones that pulsed with 403 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:10,859 magical energy they all seemed to be 404 00:17:08,670 --> 00:17:13,560 nearly dormant save for the closest one 405 00:17:10,859 --> 00:17:15,719 which beat busily in the center of the 406 00:17:13,559 --> 00:17:17,549 room like a gigantic stalagmite of magic 407 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,259 and steel Rose the tapering column of a 408 00:17:17,549 --> 00:17:22,440 super mainframe that made DJ ponies 409 00:17:19,259 --> 00:17:24,000 systems look downright quaint massive 410 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:26,220 insulated wires ran up the walls from 411 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,660 the tops of the mainframes then swooped 412 00:17:26,220 --> 00:17:29,009 across the chamber to attach around the 413 00:17:27,660 --> 00:17:32,820 column at a point well above Spike's 414 00:17:29,009 --> 00:17:34,589 head the chamber was a chimney staring 415 00:17:32,819 --> 00:17:36,599 upwards I could see far above us a rough 416 00:17:34,589 --> 00:17:39,869 circle of the night sky twinkling with 417 00:17:36,599 --> 00:17:41,429 stars the super mainframe was pointed 418 00:17:39,869 --> 00:17:45,779 towards that hole like a colossal 419 00:17:41,430 --> 00:17:48,509 magical wand a crusader mainframe spike 420 00:17:45,779 --> 00:17:51,660 answered the ultimate arc a no 421 00:17:48,509 --> 00:17:55,529 technological mainframe so powerful it 422 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:57,470 could think for itself learn it could 423 00:17:55,529 --> 00:17:59,579 even hold the imprint of a pony's mind 424 00:17:57,470 --> 00:18:02,279 only three had ever been built I 425 00:17:59,579 --> 00:18:04,829 remembered one was installed in stable 426 00:18:02,279 --> 00:18:10,319 29 one went in the Ministry of Awesome 427 00:18:04,829 --> 00:18:12,869 and one this one came here 428 00:18:10,319 --> 00:18:14,278 a platform radiated out of the base from 429 00:18:12,869 --> 00:18:17,819 the Crusader like a six-pointed star 430 00:18:14,278 --> 00:18:20,009 each ending in a Dyess upon each daya 431 00:18:17,819 --> 00:18:22,619 stood a fine pillow upon which sad a 432 00:18:20,009 --> 00:18:25,288 single piece of jewelry the one closest 433 00:18:22,619 --> 00:18:26,898 to me was a beautiful tiara the other 434 00:18:25,288 --> 00:18:31,259 that I could see was clearly a necklace 435 00:18:26,898 --> 00:18:34,048 are you I looked at spike suddenly 436 00:18:31,259 --> 00:18:39,528 questioning my assumptions is this 437 00:18:34,048 --> 00:18:43,079 watcher spike chuckled no I'm watcher 438 00:18:39,528 --> 00:18:47,730 this is a crusader mainframe a very 439 00:18:43,079 --> 00:18:50,759 special one what does it do I asked my 440 00:18:47,730 --> 00:18:52,230 curiosity beating down my anger except 441 00:18:50,759 --> 00:18:55,019 let you hack sprite BOTS and spy on 442 00:18:52,230 --> 00:18:56,929 ponies something this incredible 443 00:18:55,019 --> 00:18:59,419 couldn't be here for a purpose so 444 00:18:56,929 --> 00:19:04,169 pedestrian 445 00:18:59,419 --> 00:19:05,639 right now nothing spike told me I felt 446 00:19:04,169 --> 00:19:10,259 the little pony in my head cry out in 447 00:19:05,638 --> 00:19:15,119 disappointment it's waiting waiting for 448 00:19:10,259 --> 00:19:17,970 what waiting for who I looked at spike 449 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:20,308 blankly spike seemed to ball Marc 450 00:19:17,970 --> 00:19:23,548 himself I sense the plunge II was about 451 00:19:20,308 --> 00:19:25,288 to take frightened him this is Twilight 452 00:19:23,548 --> 00:19:27,599 Sparkle's greatest and most important 453 00:19:25,288 --> 00:19:30,480 project she poured her heart into this 454 00:19:27,599 --> 00:19:32,418 in the end he was more important to her 455 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:34,769 than anything else 456 00:19:32,419 --> 00:19:35,970 spike trailed off looking to me as if 457 00:19:34,769 --> 00:19:38,638 pleading that I could grasp how 458 00:19:35,970 --> 00:19:41,429 meaningful his words were and nodded 459 00:19:38,638 --> 00:19:43,528 waiting for him to continue I was 460 00:19:41,429 --> 00:19:45,570 reserving judgment but already I felt 461 00:19:43,528 --> 00:19:47,878 that Spike's reasons were if not good 462 00:19:45,569 --> 00:19:50,849 enough for myself or other ponies truly 463 00:19:47,878 --> 00:19:52,798 of vital importance to him she 464 00:19:50,849 --> 00:19:54,449 commissioned this crusader and worked on 465 00:19:52,798 --> 00:19:56,460 herself in every private moment she had 466 00:19:54,450 --> 00:19:58,569 creating a mainframe which had cast a 467 00:19:56,460 --> 00:20:03,970 very special spell 468 00:19:58,569 --> 00:20:08,638 I blinked jaw-dropping what all this 469 00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:12,850 I waved a hoof just to cast a spell 470 00:20:08,638 --> 00:20:16,449 spike glared at me and I shut up not 471 00:20:12,849 --> 00:20:18,250 just a spell a mega spell one more 472 00:20:16,450 --> 00:20:20,220 powerful and more complicated than any 473 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:22,028 other mega spell ever conceived 474 00:20:20,220 --> 00:20:24,940 Twilight Sparkle wouldn't have enabled 475 00:20:22,028 --> 00:20:27,898 casted most powerful magical Pony born 476 00:20:24,940 --> 00:20:30,190 in a thousand years and she created it 477 00:20:27,898 --> 00:20:32,908 Gardens of Equestria was beyond what 478 00:20:30,190 --> 00:20:37,600 even Celestia or Luna could hope to cast 479 00:20:32,909 --> 00:20:41,889 Gardens of Equestria yes spike answered 480 00:20:37,599 --> 00:20:43,990 a single spell a single spell powered by 481 00:20:41,888 --> 00:20:45,939 The Elements of Harmony calculated and 482 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:48,638 cast by a magically augmented Crusader 483 00:20:45,940 --> 00:20:50,798 mainframe a single spell that effect the 484 00:20:48,638 --> 00:20:52,418 entirety of Equestria cleansing it of 485 00:20:50,798 --> 00:20:54,220 radiation and taint restoring to the 486 00:20:52,419 --> 00:20:55,509 beautiful paradise it was once before 487 00:20:54,220 --> 00:21:02,710 the other mega spells twisted and 488 00:20:55,509 --> 00:21:05,409 poisoned it oh my god Isis I stared eyes 489 00:21:02,710 --> 00:21:09,850 wide unbelieving even though I could 490 00:21:05,409 --> 00:21:14,009 tell it was true one spell one single 491 00:21:09,849 --> 00:21:16,089 spell that could fix well not everything 492 00:21:14,009 --> 00:21:20,740 but it would mend the soul of our 493 00:21:16,089 --> 00:21:22,628 mortally wounded land then why I asked 494 00:21:20,740 --> 00:21:28,058 slowly an ache building up inside of me 495 00:21:22,628 --> 00:21:30,839 a beautiful restored Equestria why 496 00:21:28,058 --> 00:21:30,839 hasn't it been cast 497 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:36,580 Spyke spoke with almost infinite sadness 498 00:21:34,410 --> 00:21:41,290 because the ponies who can use the 499 00:21:36,579 --> 00:21:43,329 elements of harmony are dead I moved 500 00:21:41,289 --> 00:21:46,359 around the crusader looking at each 501 00:21:43,329 --> 00:21:47,799 element of harmony in return I stopped 502 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:51,369 when I reached the necklace the balloon 503 00:21:47,799 --> 00:21:53,230 shaped gemstone I went to a get-together 504 00:21:51,369 --> 00:21:55,509 at Spike's place and brought it just 505 00:21:53,230 --> 00:21:59,049 like you asked all my friends were there 506 00:21:55,509 --> 00:22:02,319 but you Twilight Sparkle entrusted you 507 00:21:59,049 --> 00:22:05,200 with the element of magic didn't she she 508 00:22:02,319 --> 00:22:08,889 entrusted me with all of this spike 509 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:10,059 answered I can't leave if a band of 510 00:22:08,890 --> 00:22:12,490 raiders should make their way into this 511 00:22:10,059 --> 00:22:15,490 place while I'm gone or worse a troupe 512 00:22:12,490 --> 00:22:18,789 of Steel Rangers he didn't need to say 513 00:22:15,490 --> 00:22:20,319 anything more I can't take the risk that 514 00:22:18,789 --> 00:22:21,849 someone might damage or destroy this 515 00:22:20,319 --> 00:22:25,990 spikes it anyway 516 00:22:21,849 --> 00:22:29,559 I have to stay here keep guard until I 517 00:22:25,990 --> 00:22:31,980 can find the right ponies i sat down 518 00:22:29,559 --> 00:22:34,389 next to the laughter Dyess my eyes wet 519 00:22:31,980 --> 00:22:38,069 the raw emotions stirred by what I was 520 00:22:34,390 --> 00:22:39,910 seeing and hearing were too much for 521 00:22:38,069 --> 00:22:42,789 nearly 200 years 522 00:22:39,910 --> 00:22:44,080 spike admitted morosely I've been 523 00:22:42,789 --> 00:22:47,200 searching out ponies who seem like they 524 00:22:44,079 --> 00:22:49,049 were virtuous helping them setting them 525 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:51,850 on a path to find more like themselves 526 00:22:49,049 --> 00:22:55,829 all in the hopes of one day finding the 527 00:22:51,849 --> 00:23:01,480 right six ponies magic kindness laughter 528 00:22:55,829 --> 00:23:05,809 generosity honesty and loyalty my heart 529 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:09,890 broke for the dragon all that time 530 00:23:05,809 --> 00:23:11,179 he gave a bark of hurting laughter you 531 00:23:09,890 --> 00:23:12,650 wouldn't believe how hard it is just for 532 00:23:11,180 --> 00:23:15,380 opponent to find five friends in this 533 00:23:12,650 --> 00:23:19,759 blasted whore of the wasteland he looked 534 00:23:15,380 --> 00:23:24,950 down his eyes taking me in well actually 535 00:23:19,759 --> 00:23:26,569 you do does it have to be six I asked in 536 00:23:24,950 --> 00:23:28,069 all of Equestria is history there's only 537 00:23:26,569 --> 00:23:30,230 been one Pony who has ever been able to 538 00:23:28,069 --> 00:23:32,210 wield more than one trust me have a lot 539 00:23:30,230 --> 00:23:34,490 of books on the subject and that was 540 00:23:32,210 --> 00:23:35,690 Celestia she used the power of the 541 00:23:34,490 --> 00:23:37,359 elements of harmony to banish the 542 00:23:35,690 --> 00:23:39,769 monster whose sister had turned into 543 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:42,469 only with the elements can magic that 544 00:23:39,769 --> 00:23:45,769 powerful be cast and only Celestia had 545 00:23:42,470 --> 00:23:49,579 the ability to use them all then why 546 00:23:45,769 --> 00:23:51,619 didn't she a thought struck me for that 547 00:23:49,579 --> 00:23:56,000 matter why didn't she just send all the 548 00:23:51,619 --> 00:23:58,279 damn zebras to the moon because she's 549 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,890 dead - spike informed me bluntly 550 00:23:58,279 --> 00:24:02,839 and even when she wasn't she couldn't 551 00:24:00,890 --> 00:24:06,320 use them anymore they were no longer 552 00:24:02,839 --> 00:24:09,139 hers to use I stared up the nearest 553 00:24:06,319 --> 00:24:10,730 Dyess the tiara spikin warned me earlier 554 00:24:09,140 --> 00:24:13,040 was the element of magic 555 00:24:10,730 --> 00:24:16,370 I found myself reminded just how 556 00:24:13,039 --> 00:24:18,470 pathetically unmagical I was for all the 557 00:24:16,369 --> 00:24:21,469 raw power I had learned to tap I was 558 00:24:18,470 --> 00:24:26,390 truly a one-trick pony a dark 559 00:24:21,470 --> 00:24:28,339 realization washed over me it it's not 560 00:24:26,390 --> 00:24:30,528 just us is it 561 00:24:28,339 --> 00:24:33,829 I looked around the diocese and then 562 00:24:30,528 --> 00:24:36,109 back to spike we're not the right group 563 00:24:33,829 --> 00:24:39,970 of friends either we can't bring the 564 00:24:36,109 --> 00:24:44,028 quest RIA back I felt my heart tearing 565 00:24:39,970 --> 00:24:48,769 you're still looking Spike nodded 566 00:24:44,028 --> 00:24:51,380 sorrowfully no you're not he snored and 567 00:24:48,769 --> 00:24:53,269 laughter again don't feel bad about 568 00:24:51,380 --> 00:24:55,429 though you're an amazing Pony and you 569 00:24:53,269 --> 00:24:56,658 have amazing friends I have no doubt 570 00:24:55,429 --> 00:24:59,269 that the group of you will do a lot more 571 00:24:56,659 --> 00:25:03,169 good for quest reah it's just not your 572 00:24:59,269 --> 00:25:07,158 destiny to heal it a beautiful green 573 00:25:03,169 --> 00:25:12,770 healthy Equestria full of life just a 574 00:25:07,159 --> 00:25:16,669 spell away and I was insufficient I'd 575 00:25:12,769 --> 00:25:19,759 never felt more worthless hey spike 576 00:25:16,669 --> 00:25:22,038 scolded reading my expression it's not 577 00:25:19,759 --> 00:25:23,538 your fault he'll imagine how hard it is 578 00:25:22,038 --> 00:25:25,009 to find a pony with the virtue of laugh 579 00:25:23,538 --> 00:25:31,700 during the equestrian wasteland 580 00:25:25,009 --> 00:25:36,460 I thought of ditzy Doo and felt a spark 581 00:25:31,700 --> 00:25:38,659 of hope we might be the wrong ponies but 582 00:25:36,460 --> 00:25:43,308 maybe I could start spike on the right 583 00:25:38,659 --> 00:25:47,600 path to finding the ones who are I think 584 00:25:43,308 --> 00:25:49,069 I know who you're looking for I swore 585 00:25:47,599 --> 00:25:51,619 that I would never speak a word of what 586 00:25:49,069 --> 00:25:54,259 spike had shown me I almost wished he 587 00:25:51,619 --> 00:25:55,788 hadn't the consequences of an enemy 588 00:25:54,259 --> 00:25:57,349 learning of what spike was protecting in 589 00:25:55,788 --> 00:25:59,960 this place was no less than the doom of 590 00:25:57,349 --> 00:26:03,769 Equestria's greatest hope it was a heavy 591 00:25:59,960 --> 00:26:06,250 secret even for a dragon and I was a 592 00:26:03,769 --> 00:26:08,980 very small pony 593 00:26:06,250 --> 00:26:09,759 on our way back to the others I noticed 594 00:26:08,980 --> 00:26:11,140 something that spike could 595 00:26:09,759 --> 00:26:14,109 unintentionally blocked my view up 596 00:26:11,140 --> 00:26:16,870 before set high into the wall it was a 597 00:26:14,109 --> 00:26:20,679 case of glass in the case where six 598 00:26:16,869 --> 00:26:23,919 statuettes I knew them well I already 599 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:25,660 had four of my own I couldn't see them 600 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:27,160 properly nor could I read their 601 00:26:25,660 --> 00:26:29,440 inscriptions without floating myself up 602 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:32,259 to them I felt that that would be 603 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:35,740 inappropriate what happened 604 00:26:32,259 --> 00:26:38,170 I asked suddenly spike stopped looking 605 00:26:35,740 --> 00:26:40,900 back at me then trailing my gaze up to 606 00:26:38,170 --> 00:26:42,400 the display case I mean I know what 607 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:45,850 happened to pinkie pie but what happened 608 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:50,680 to the rest of them Spike's jaw clenched 609 00:26:45,849 --> 00:26:54,509 frightening Lee I don't know do you 610 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:56,910 don't know I mean you were there right I 611 00:26:54,509 --> 00:27:01,029 don't know 612 00:26:56,910 --> 00:27:02,950 he repeated sounding threatening I took 613 00:27:01,029 --> 00:27:05,559 a step back swallowing hard suspecting 614 00:27:02,950 --> 00:27:07,330 that I crossed the line and probably 615 00:27:05,559 --> 00:27:10,000 destroyed any bonding that had begun in 616 00:27:07,329 --> 00:27:10,299 the chamber behind us I stared at the 617 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:17,710 floor 618 00:27:10,299 --> 00:27:18,909 oh of course you were here the dragon's 619 00:27:17,710 --> 00:27:22,299 voice boomed with anger and 620 00:27:18,910 --> 00:27:24,000 self-incrimination and regret I was 621 00:27:22,299 --> 00:27:27,220 asleep 622 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:30,490 yet again I found myself staring at the 623 00:27:27,220 --> 00:27:31,660 dragon the huge purple powerful dragon 624 00:27:30,490 --> 00:27:34,870 who had somehow slept through the 625 00:27:31,660 --> 00:27:36,700 apocalypse I just needed to take a nap I 626 00:27:34,869 --> 00:27:40,029 figured that if anything important 627 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:41,529 happened someone wake me up spike cried 628 00:27:40,029 --> 00:27:43,539 his voice brimming with self-loathing 629 00:27:41,529 --> 00:27:45,819 that made my own self hatred seem petty 630 00:27:43,539 --> 00:27:48,159 and small eyes should have been there I 631 00:27:45,819 --> 00:27:48,990 should have been with her she was my 632 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:52,420 closest friend 633 00:27:48,990 --> 00:27:55,089 she shouldn't have died alone but 634 00:27:52,420 --> 00:27:58,360 instead I was asleep 635 00:27:55,089 --> 00:28:02,470 I I'm so sorry 636 00:27:58,359 --> 00:28:03,879 I said my voice trembling I put a hoof 637 00:28:02,470 --> 00:28:08,710 on his scales and a feeble attempt to 638 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:11,830 comfort him he was too big to hug spike 639 00:28:08,710 --> 00:28:15,930 just stood there unmoving lost in an 640 00:28:11,829 --> 00:28:18,009 ocean of his own regrets he didn't cry I 641 00:28:15,930 --> 00:28:19,690 suspect that the tears this pain would 642 00:28:18,009 --> 00:28:24,420 wring from it had all been vanished over 643 00:28:19,690 --> 00:28:27,640 a century ago so I cried for him I 644 00:28:24,420 --> 00:28:29,740 understood it this mountain was in the 645 00:28:27,640 --> 00:28:32,350 middle of nowhere days traveled from any 646 00:28:29,740 --> 00:28:34,089 hint of civilization it would have been 647 00:28:32,349 --> 00:28:36,219 nearly impossible for even the sounds of 648 00:28:34,089 --> 00:28:39,069 the mayor spell to reach this far easily 649 00:28:36,220 --> 00:28:41,650 mistakable asunder the flashes of light 650 00:28:39,069 --> 00:28:43,389 might have pierced the cave but after 651 00:28:41,650 --> 00:28:46,420 the very first hit the Pegasus ponies 652 00:28:43,390 --> 00:28:48,720 had closed up the sky when spike had 653 00:28:46,420 --> 00:28:50,830 gone asleep all his friends were alive 654 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:52,930 the question was struggling through the 655 00:28:50,829 --> 00:28:53,949 darkest part of its history but there 656 00:28:52,930 --> 00:28:57,430 was hope that it could still pull 657 00:28:53,950 --> 00:29:00,970 through when he woke up Equestria was 658 00:28:57,430 --> 00:29:01,750 gone his friends were dead the sky was 659 00:29:00,970 --> 00:29:03,610 cloudless 660 00:29:01,750 --> 00:29:04,660 the land below was nothing but blighted 661 00:29:03,609 --> 00:29:08,019 poisonous wastes 662 00:29:04,660 --> 00:29:12,310 I wondered how he had ever been able to 663 00:29:08,019 --> 00:29:14,200 sleep again I just want you to remember 664 00:29:12,309 --> 00:29:16,960 spike told me as we approached the main 665 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:18,220 room of his house that the gardens of 666 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:21,400 Equestria was the real gift that 667 00:29:18,220 --> 00:29:23,460 Twilight Sparkle gave to all of us his 668 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:26,050 voice took on a slightly hard edge I 669 00:29:23,460 --> 00:29:27,789 know that as he travel as you poke your 670 00:29:26,049 --> 00:29:29,139 nose into places and memories you're 671 00:29:27,789 --> 00:29:32,680 going to hear things or learn things 672 00:29:29,140 --> 00:29:35,050 about might why but this what you saw 673 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:38,380 back there that is the true heart of 674 00:29:35,049 --> 00:29:41,710 Twilight Sparkle I won't forget I 675 00:29:38,380 --> 00:29:44,530 promised and remember this is your 676 00:29:41,710 --> 00:29:47,450 secret now and my little breakdown back 677 00:29:44,529 --> 00:29:49,788 there that's a secret too 678 00:29:47,450 --> 00:29:53,538 you breathe one word of that and I'll 679 00:29:49,788 --> 00:29:56,720 eat you spike said dourly then cracked a 680 00:29:53,538 --> 00:29:58,129 smirk or for that matter if you make any 681 00:29:56,720 --> 00:30:01,519 jokes about a grown guy playing with 682 00:29:58,130 --> 00:30:04,370 dolls clammy and velvet Remi looked up 683 00:30:01,519 --> 00:30:05,870 at us as we returned from Velvets 684 00:30:04,369 --> 00:30:10,658 expression she could tell I've been 685 00:30:05,869 --> 00:30:13,250 crying it's a good reason I said simply 686 00:30:10,659 --> 00:30:16,460 they both nodded clearly willing to 687 00:30:13,250 --> 00:30:19,519 accept it an awkward silence fell over 688 00:30:16,460 --> 00:30:22,340 the room calamity glanced nervously 689 00:30:19,519 --> 00:30:24,558 towards the entrance somewhere out there 690 00:30:22,339 --> 00:30:26,709 where the other pegasi a whole 691 00:30:24,558 --> 00:30:29,990 civilization that had once been his home 692 00:30:26,710 --> 00:30:34,298 to his family and friends he was now a - 693 00:30:29,990 --> 00:30:37,609 I'd a traitor was he thinking about them 694 00:30:34,298 --> 00:30:39,798 missing them or was he worried what his 695 00:30:37,609 --> 00:30:42,069 own kind would do not to himself but to 696 00:30:39,798 --> 00:30:44,388 his friends should they catch us up here 697 00:30:42,069 --> 00:30:47,119 velvet remedy fidgeted in your saddle 698 00:30:44,388 --> 00:30:48,798 boxes medical kits that seemed far too 699 00:30:47,119 --> 00:30:52,518 much use patching up wounds inflicted by 700 00:30:48,798 --> 00:30:54,798 violence the singer and aspiring medical 701 00:30:52,519 --> 00:30:55,940 Pony a pacifist by Nature to whom the 702 00:30:54,798 --> 00:30:58,700 thought of harming another Pony was 703 00:30:55,940 --> 00:31:01,580 abhorrent now war three weapons one of 704 00:30:58,700 --> 00:31:03,139 them a combat shotgun she'd stopped 705 00:31:01,579 --> 00:31:04,970 speaking to us like we were capable of 706 00:31:03,138 --> 00:31:07,729 horrible things because now she knew she 707 00:31:04,970 --> 00:31:10,009 could do what we were capable of instead 708 00:31:07,730 --> 00:31:11,360 she retreated into a fantasy world that 709 00:31:10,009 --> 00:31:16,369 was more of a minefield than she could 710 00:31:11,359 --> 00:31:19,048 ever know spike I could almost feel the 711 00:31:16,369 --> 00:31:21,778 pain everyone was hiding 712 00:31:19,048 --> 00:31:25,128 tell us about them I said breaking the 713 00:31:21,778 --> 00:31:27,569 silence everyone turned to me 714 00:31:25,128 --> 00:31:31,168 Twilight Sparkle Rainbow Dash Fluttershy 715 00:31:27,569 --> 00:31:32,128 and the others you knew them spike tell 716 00:31:31,169 --> 00:31:36,149 us about what they were like when they 717 00:31:32,128 --> 00:31:37,138 were younger when they were happy tell 718 00:31:36,148 --> 00:31:40,668 us of the good times 719 00:31:37,138 --> 00:31:46,048 spike everyone here needs to hear that 720 00:31:40,669 --> 00:31:49,200 including if not especially you wait 721 00:31:46,048 --> 00:31:52,259 wait wait I gasped she got them to let 722 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:56,159 her go by whining calamity was laughing 723 00:31:52,259 --> 00:31:58,669 and give Bal am jules to boot spike nah 724 00:31:56,159 --> 00:32:02,159 dude a big smile on the dragon's face 725 00:31:58,669 --> 00:32:05,220 I'll have to remember that velvet remedy 726 00:32:02,159 --> 00:32:07,649 said with dangerous silkiness great 727 00:32:05,220 --> 00:32:08,129 Spock Clemmy muttered he had doomed us 728 00:32:07,648 --> 00:32:11,008 all 729 00:32:08,128 --> 00:32:15,599 I clumped my hooves on the cave floor 730 00:32:11,009 --> 00:32:18,298 and applause tell us another one this 731 00:32:15,599 --> 00:32:19,829 was good calamity had cheered up 732 00:32:18,298 --> 00:32:21,298 immeasurably at the tale of how Rainbow 733 00:32:19,829 --> 00:32:23,699 Dash had stood up against her own for 734 00:32:21,298 --> 00:32:25,888 the Buffalo pelvic remedy had virtually 735 00:32:23,700 --> 00:32:28,109 fangasm dover fluttershy's caring for a 736 00:32:25,888 --> 00:32:29,459 sick Phoenix and I could tell the 737 00:32:28,108 --> 00:32:31,408 talking about all of them especially 738 00:32:29,460 --> 00:32:32,038 Twilight Sparkle was doing spike a world 739 00:32:31,409 --> 00:32:34,799 of good 740 00:32:32,038 --> 00:32:37,679 I opened up my saddlebags pulling out 741 00:32:34,798 --> 00:32:38,908 Sparkle coals for each of us one of the 742 00:32:37,679 --> 00:32:40,230 bottles had wedged itself against the 743 00:32:38,909 --> 00:32:42,289 audio recorder I had found on the 744 00:32:40,230 --> 00:32:44,399 cliffside forcing me to shake it loose 745 00:32:42,288 --> 00:32:45,599 part of me felt bad that steel hose 746 00:32:44,398 --> 00:32:48,268 couldn't be in here with us sharing 747 00:32:45,599 --> 00:32:49,709 these memories but I understood all too 748 00:32:48,269 --> 00:32:51,179 much why spike didn't want a night of 749 00:32:49,710 --> 00:32:55,019 the Ministry of Technology poking around 750 00:32:51,179 --> 00:32:56,190 his lair instead I tried to memorize the 751 00:32:55,019 --> 00:32:59,730 story so that we could share them with 752 00:32:56,190 --> 00:33:01,230 him okay here's another one this is a 753 00:32:59,730 --> 00:33:02,450 story about Twilight Sparkle's first 754 00:33:01,230 --> 00:33:05,308 went to wrap up 755 00:33:02,450 --> 00:33:07,019 what's a winter wrap-up calamity asked 756 00:33:05,308 --> 00:33:09,628 opening the sparkle coal I had passed to 757 00:33:07,019 --> 00:33:13,829 him carrot flavored liquid erupted in 758 00:33:09,628 --> 00:33:16,288 his face he shot me a look how come on I 759 00:33:13,829 --> 00:33:17,638 totaled I owed you that for the Ministry 760 00:33:16,288 --> 00:33:20,729 of Awesome 761 00:33:17,638 --> 00:33:22,258 he glowered then chuckled Belleville 762 00:33:20,729 --> 00:33:25,288 remedy floated him a cloth to wipe his 763 00:33:22,259 --> 00:33:27,149 face Spike watched us with amusement 764 00:33:25,288 --> 00:33:30,598 waiting for calamity to dry himself 765 00:33:27,148 --> 00:33:31,888 before answering well that's when the 766 00:33:30,598 --> 00:33:33,058 ponies of Ponyville will clean up the 767 00:33:31,888 --> 00:33:35,519 winter so the spring could start 768 00:33:33,058 --> 00:33:37,048 properly as he looked at us 769 00:33:35,519 --> 00:33:38,219 I could see it dawning on him that none 770 00:33:37,048 --> 00:33:40,918 of us had even the slightest clue what 771 00:33:38,219 --> 00:33:42,328 he was talking about two of us were from 772 00:33:40,919 --> 00:33:44,849 stables and had never experienced a 773 00:33:42,328 --> 00:33:46,229 winter clan we had been outcasts long 774 00:33:44,848 --> 00:33:47,578 enough to have been through a few but 775 00:33:46,229 --> 00:33:50,159 only wild winters that wrapped 776 00:33:47,578 --> 00:33:51,749 themselves up on their own the pegasi 777 00:33:50,159 --> 00:33:55,769 had long stopped aiding the passing of 778 00:33:51,749 --> 00:33:57,450 the seasons well normally in Equestria 779 00:33:55,769 --> 00:33:59,669 one season would be aged to finish neat 780 00:33:57,450 --> 00:34:00,869 and tidy by magic but Ponyville was 781 00:33:59,669 --> 00:34:02,309 founded by earth ponies and it was 782 00:34:00,868 --> 00:34:05,759 tradition to help wear a pup winter the 783 00:34:02,308 --> 00:34:07,200 earth throw anyway without magic but 784 00:34:05,759 --> 00:34:10,500 they had unicorns and pegasi living 785 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:13,878 there to love a remedy questioned so why 786 00:34:10,500 --> 00:34:16,039 didn't they use magic spike nodded I 787 00:34:13,878 --> 00:34:19,348 thought it was silly the first time to 788 00:34:16,039 --> 00:34:20,789 first half dozen times actually was 789 00:34:19,349 --> 00:34:25,669 until I visited Philadelphia that I 790 00:34:20,789 --> 00:34:28,379 understood understood what I asked well 791 00:34:25,668 --> 00:34:31,288 it's more difficult for earth ponies spy 792 00:34:28,378 --> 00:34:33,509 explained they don't have magic they 793 00:34:31,289 --> 00:34:34,829 don't have wings a lot of the time they 794 00:34:33,509 --> 00:34:37,440 have to work three times as hard to get 795 00:34:34,829 --> 00:34:39,990 half as much done but they will without 796 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:42,168 a complaint you won't find ponies as 797 00:34:39,989 --> 00:34:44,939 proud or a stubborn as earth ponies I 798 00:34:42,168 --> 00:34:46,980 took spikes word as the generality they 799 00:34:44,940 --> 00:34:49,369 were although I wondered how they might 800 00:34:46,980 --> 00:34:51,599 apply to our friend clad in steel of 801 00:34:49,369 --> 00:34:53,669 course earth ponies were exceptionally 802 00:34:51,599 --> 00:34:55,048 innovative wait until I tell you the 803 00:34:53,668 --> 00:34:56,548 story of when Pinkie Pie chased down 804 00:34:55,048 --> 00:34:58,949 Rainbow Dash and Griffin and a crazy 805 00:34:56,548 --> 00:35:01,108 flying machine they're always looking 806 00:34:58,949 --> 00:35:02,368 for a way to do more work easily that's 807 00:35:01,108 --> 00:35:05,278 why earth ponies have been the ones to 808 00:35:02,369 --> 00:35:06,450 push technological progress question 809 00:35:05,278 --> 00:35:08,420 probably would never have come with the 810 00:35:06,449 --> 00:35:11,818 wheel if it wasn't for earth ponies I 811 00:35:08,420 --> 00:35:13,740 believe it clem the agreed way on the 812 00:35:11,818 --> 00:35:15,058 part about the wheel I don't much 813 00:35:13,739 --> 00:35:19,338 believe no earth pony could have kept 814 00:35:15,059 --> 00:35:22,180 pace with Rainbow Dash I smiled at that 815 00:35:19,338 --> 00:35:24,130 spike returned to a story 816 00:35:22,179 --> 00:35:26,889 it all started when Twyla waking me up 817 00:35:24,130 --> 00:35:27,940 way too early and I told you you are not 818 00:35:26,889 --> 00:35:31,088 welcome in here 819 00:35:27,940 --> 00:35:33,760 I turned knowing that steelo's must have 820 00:35:31,088 --> 00:35:35,259 walked into the cave maybe he overheard 821 00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:37,300 our voices and wanted to say something 822 00:35:35,260 --> 00:35:39,720 about earth ponies that would certainly 823 00:35:37,300 --> 00:35:42,940 fit the proud and stubborn label 824 00:35:39,719 --> 00:35:46,539 steelo's was backing into the cave not 825 00:35:42,940 --> 00:35:48,338 good sorry to intrude the Steel Ranger 826 00:35:46,539 --> 00:35:50,380 said but you had more company 827 00:35:48,338 --> 00:35:52,318 fry me if you must but you might want to 828 00:35:50,380 --> 00:35:54,760 deal with them first 829 00:35:52,318 --> 00:35:58,900 clam Lee's voice was nearly a growl as 830 00:35:54,760 --> 00:36:00,760 he said them for Pegasus ponies 831 00:35:58,900 --> 00:36:02,710 completely entombed in nightmarish black 832 00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:05,190 Pegasus Enclave armor flew into the room 833 00:36:02,710 --> 00:36:08,588 landing directly in front of us 834 00:36:05,190 --> 00:36:10,358 spike reacted immediately the green 835 00:36:08,588 --> 00:36:10,900 spine purple dragon drew himself up to 836 00:36:10,358 --> 00:36:12,460 his full height 837 00:36:10,900 --> 00:36:17,170 snorting flame and spreading his wings 838 00:36:12,460 --> 00:36:19,150 wide you were not welcome here they 839 00:36:17,170 --> 00:36:22,869 stood their ground although two of them 840 00:36:19,150 --> 00:36:25,088 backed up a pony's length seems you have 841 00:36:22,869 --> 00:36:28,059 some other guests the lead on clay 842 00:36:25,088 --> 00:36:34,058 Pegasus said casually they are here at 843 00:36:28,059 --> 00:36:35,440 my invitation you are not the lead 844 00:36:34,059 --> 00:36:38,048 Pegasus spread his four hoofs in 845 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:39,250 disarming gesture we're just here to 846 00:36:38,048 --> 00:36:41,199 make sure they find their way safely 847 00:36:39,250 --> 00:36:44,818 back beneath the clouds he said amiably 848 00:36:41,199 --> 00:36:46,719 I think we can find our way ourselves 849 00:36:44,818 --> 00:36:49,989 calamity had lowered into a fighting 850 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:52,088 stance he kicked a handle below the bit 851 00:36:49,989 --> 00:36:54,399 piece of a saddle a lever they had not 852 00:36:52,088 --> 00:36:55,808 been there before tenpony tower I heard 853 00:36:54,400 --> 00:36:58,389 a clicking inside the battle saddle as 854 00:36:55,809 --> 00:37:00,329 the mo type changed I was certain he had 855 00:36:58,389 --> 00:37:03,670 just swapped in armor-piercing rounds 856 00:37:00,329 --> 00:37:06,130 don't shoot them velvet remedy histah 857 00:37:03,670 --> 00:37:10,480 calamity let us at least try to blown 858 00:37:06,130 --> 00:37:12,309 was he first well lookee who it is one 859 00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:14,940 of the female enclave pegasi called out 860 00:37:12,309 --> 00:37:17,890 with a whistle we got ourselves a - I'd 861 00:37:14,940 --> 00:37:20,170 not just any - I'd one of the other 862 00:37:17,889 --> 00:37:22,868 metal clad males spoke up as a dead 863 00:37:20,170 --> 00:37:25,730 shock calamity horse apples 864 00:37:22,869 --> 00:37:27,410 I heard calamity mutter under his breath 865 00:37:25,730 --> 00:37:28,880 the lead pegasus looked between my 866 00:37:27,409 --> 00:37:33,289 friend and the pegasus who identified 867 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:34,670 him you sure oh yeah when are the best 868 00:37:33,289 --> 00:37:35,358 young sharpshooter competition four 869 00:37:34,670 --> 00:37:37,659 years running 870 00:37:35,358 --> 00:37:42,338 you don't forget the pony beat you 871 00:37:37,659 --> 00:37:44,808 getcha clammy whispered eyes going wide 872 00:37:42,338 --> 00:37:46,789 the leaders compound visor turned 873 00:37:44,809 --> 00:37:50,019 towards calamity locking him in its 874 00:37:46,789 --> 00:37:52,308 glowing fire colored glare will Alby 875 00:37:50,019 --> 00:37:55,309 decorated military officer to murderous 876 00:37:52,309 --> 00:37:56,750 traitor the gems on his battle saddles 877 00:37:55,309 --> 00:37:58,280 antennae like weapons began to glow a 878 00:37:56,750 --> 00:38:01,068 fierce yellow orange that matched his 879 00:37:58,280 --> 00:38:05,690 visor sorry dragon but this changes 880 00:38:01,068 --> 00:38:08,929 things spike didn't seem to think so go 881 00:38:05,690 --> 00:38:12,650 while I still let you the dragon was 882 00:38:08,929 --> 00:38:14,690 growing impatient you seem to forget 883 00:38:12,650 --> 00:38:17,450 who's in charge up here dragon leader 884 00:38:14,690 --> 00:38:20,000 said still speaking gently now we'll be 885 00:38:17,449 --> 00:38:21,588 going as a gesture of goodwill but we'll 886 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:24,469 be taking that criminal here into 887 00:38:21,588 --> 00:38:27,710 custody he pointed a hoof at calamity 888 00:38:24,469 --> 00:38:29,500 you seem to forget who's tasty and good 889 00:38:27,710 --> 00:38:32,059 with ketchup 890 00:38:29,500 --> 00:38:34,039 hey now the mayor and sinister black 891 00:38:32,059 --> 00:38:37,040 magically powered armor spoke up again 892 00:38:34,039 --> 00:38:38,599 look dragon sir the reward for this one 893 00:38:37,039 --> 00:38:41,239 said is worth a pretty nice pile of gems 894 00:38:38,599 --> 00:38:43,930 the far tastier than anypony tell you 895 00:38:41,239 --> 00:38:50,079 what let's take him the reward is yours 896 00:38:43,929 --> 00:38:54,250 spike paused blinked gems 897 00:38:50,079 --> 00:38:55,829 oh no he wouldn't not after everything 898 00:38:54,250 --> 00:38:58,380 he just told us about his friends 899 00:38:55,829 --> 00:39:03,340 especially his friends 900 00:38:58,380 --> 00:39:08,110 the Pegasus nodded a lot of gems a lot 901 00:39:03,340 --> 00:39:10,559 of gems yep spike cocked his head as if 902 00:39:08,110 --> 00:39:12,940 listened to a voice we couldn't hear 903 00:39:10,559 --> 00:39:16,029 you've tried to barge into my house and 904 00:39:12,940 --> 00:39:17,409 tried to bribe me with gems asking me to 905 00:39:16,030 --> 00:39:19,870 betray one of my guests to you 906 00:39:17,409 --> 00:39:21,339 I guess to you've named after a pony who 907 00:39:19,869 --> 00:39:25,109 was not only a good friend of mine but 908 00:39:21,340 --> 00:39:25,110 the bearer of the element of loyalty ah 909 00:39:25,349 --> 00:39:30,460 yes The Enclave mare didn't seem to like 910 00:39:29,710 --> 00:39:32,740 where this was going 911 00:39:30,460 --> 00:39:35,230 I on the other hoof felt a sense of 912 00:39:32,739 --> 00:39:36,539 relief i permitted myself to crack a 913 00:39:35,230 --> 00:39:38,740 smile 914 00:39:36,539 --> 00:39:40,630 spike reached forward with one claw 915 00:39:38,739 --> 00:39:43,539 dropped it onto her back pinning her 916 00:39:40,630 --> 00:39:45,340 against the floor he leaned very very 917 00:39:43,539 --> 00:39:47,019 close to the mayor then use another 918 00:39:45,340 --> 00:39:49,530 clawed lift up her visor so they were 919 00:39:47,019 --> 00:39:51,849 staring at each other eye to eye 920 00:39:49,530 --> 00:39:53,200 spike snorted a gout of flame to the 921 00:39:51,849 --> 00:39:55,269 magical armor through the open visor 922 00:39:53,199 --> 00:39:58,059 setting the Enclave mare on fire inside 923 00:39:55,269 --> 00:39:59,769 of her enclosed suit she screamed and 924 00:39:58,059 --> 00:40:03,039 thrashed for an unbearably long second 925 00:39:59,769 --> 00:40:04,659 or two before perishing smoke curled out 926 00:40:03,039 --> 00:40:05,259 of the seams in the insectoid metal 927 00:40:04,659 --> 00:40:07,989 carapace 928 00:40:05,260 --> 00:40:10,080 I heard calamity bite back a strangled 929 00:40:07,989 --> 00:40:12,129 sound as I gagged from the smell I 930 00:40:10,079 --> 00:40:15,730 didn't think I'd be eating cooked meat 931 00:40:12,130 --> 00:40:18,640 for a long time how goddesses moaned 932 00:40:15,730 --> 00:40:21,340 Velvet remedy spike raised his claw 933 00:40:18,639 --> 00:40:23,859 again the other Enclave pegasi fled into 934 00:40:21,340 --> 00:40:26,100 the night well this is going to be 935 00:40:23,860 --> 00:40:26,099 trouble 936 00:40:26,329 --> 00:40:31,699 we should stay we should help I ain't 937 00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:33,710 exactly gung-ho to start shooting at 938 00:40:31,699 --> 00:40:35,439 folk who could have been my kin but I'll 939 00:40:33,710 --> 00:40:39,320 do what it takes to make this right 940 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:40,550 spike shook his head no it'll be better 941 00:40:39,320 --> 00:40:42,920 for none of you are here when they 942 00:40:40,550 --> 00:40:44,300 return once they see that their prize is 943 00:40:42,920 --> 00:40:47,530 gone they'll have less reason to press 944 00:40:44,300 --> 00:40:52,789 the matter I looked at spike worriedly 945 00:40:47,530 --> 00:40:56,240 what if they look deeper I won't give 946 00:40:52,789 --> 00:40:58,070 them that option Steele loves now 947 00:40:56,239 --> 00:41:00,319 standing the mouth of the cave suggested 948 00:40:58,070 --> 00:41:02,150 if there's something here you don't want 949 00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:05,390 them looking at then we'd best make sure 950 00:41:02,150 --> 00:41:07,880 the pegasi know we are somewhere else he 951 00:41:05,389 --> 00:41:12,618 turned to calamity we should save off 952 00:41:07,880 --> 00:41:14,119 the clouds for a bit calamity nodded get 953 00:41:12,619 --> 00:41:17,780 ourselves seen somewhere that ain't here 954 00:41:14,119 --> 00:41:19,519 he looked up to me what'd you say head 955 00:41:17,780 --> 00:41:20,990 back to all his new Appaloosa drop down 956 00:41:19,519 --> 00:41:23,809 and make a turn towards Junction r7 957 00:41:20,989 --> 00:41:25,909 after we've been spotted it would give 958 00:41:23,809 --> 00:41:28,159 us a chance to lighten our load velvet 959 00:41:25,909 --> 00:41:32,269 remedy idler approvingly get two lamb 960 00:41:28,159 --> 00:41:34,608 knees workbench set up I nodded it was 961 00:41:32,269 --> 00:41:37,608 agreed we would draw the pegasi 962 00:41:34,608 --> 00:41:39,579 attention away from spikes cave I just 963 00:41:37,608 --> 00:41:42,348 hope they didn't start shooting at us 964 00:41:39,579 --> 00:41:44,480 although if we did go up in an explosive 965 00:41:42,349 --> 00:41:45,650 blaze of glory it might very well be 966 00:41:44,480 --> 00:41:48,440 worth it to keep the gardens of 967 00:41:45,650 --> 00:41:51,200 Equestria safe before we go 968 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:53,200 velvet remedy said to spike I did have 969 00:41:51,199 --> 00:41:55,179 one question you might be able to answer 970 00:41:53,199 --> 00:41:58,759 my heart skipped a beat 971 00:41:55,179 --> 00:42:00,690 please I begged silently don't let it be 972 00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:04,589 about Fluttershy 973 00:42:00,690 --> 00:42:07,429 sure spike said amiably what are those 974 00:42:04,588 --> 00:42:11,219 towers velvet asked much to my relief 975 00:42:07,429 --> 00:42:12,598 the tall slender white ones as we were 976 00:42:11,219 --> 00:42:14,338 flying here I saw several of them 977 00:42:12,599 --> 00:42:15,510 they're the only things I've seen as 978 00:42:14,338 --> 00:42:18,449 tall as this mountain and they're 979 00:42:15,510 --> 00:42:20,760 definitely Pony made they were for the 980 00:42:18,449 --> 00:42:23,149 single Pony project spike answered 981 00:42:20,760 --> 00:42:25,859 speaking simultaneously with calamity 982 00:42:23,150 --> 00:42:29,010 names the sustainable pegasi project 983 00:42:25,858 --> 00:42:34,170 calamity had stated spike and calamity 984 00:42:29,010 --> 00:42:37,619 looked at each other okie dokie Loki the 985 00:42:34,170 --> 00:42:38,730 single Pony project I asked clan would 986 00:42:37,619 --> 00:42:41,099 have looked a touch hurt that I didn't 987 00:42:38,730 --> 00:42:41,880 turn to his expertise first you 988 00:42:41,099 --> 00:42:45,990 mentioned that before 989 00:42:41,880 --> 00:42:49,079 what was the project for spike opened 990 00:42:45,989 --> 00:42:53,068 his mouth then paused the dragon raised 991 00:42:49,079 --> 00:42:57,809 a claw then stopped finally he admitted 992 00:42:53,068 --> 00:43:01,048 I actually have no idea I spent all of 993 00:42:57,809 --> 00:43:02,250 my time with Twilight I really don't 994 00:43:01,048 --> 00:43:04,469 know what the other ministries were up 995 00:43:02,250 --> 00:43:06,298 to all I know is that was called the 996 00:43:04,469 --> 00:43:08,038 single Pony project that it was Rainbow 997 00:43:06,298 --> 00:43:09,389 Dash's idea and that it was pretty much 998 00:43:08,039 --> 00:43:13,380 the only thing the Ministry of Awesome 999 00:43:09,389 --> 00:43:16,699 did only official thing steelo's 1000 00:43:13,380 --> 00:43:21,059 interjected I turned to calamity now 1001 00:43:16,699 --> 00:43:22,318 sustainable pegasi project well I can't 1002 00:43:21,059 --> 00:43:25,048 say for sure if one of the single Pony 1003 00:43:22,318 --> 00:43:27,659 project at some point calamity chewed on 1004 00:43:25,048 --> 00:43:29,699 what the dragon had just said I was told 1005 00:43:27,659 --> 00:43:31,019 otherwise but it ain't like I got no 1006 00:43:29,699 --> 00:43:32,909 reason to doubt anything just because 1007 00:43:31,019 --> 00:43:35,519 the gray Pegasus Enclave declares it be 1008 00:43:32,909 --> 00:43:36,929 true that what remedy looked 1009 00:43:35,519 --> 00:43:40,980 particularly pain at the spectacular 1010 00:43:36,929 --> 00:43:42,298 mangling of proper grammar and if and it 1011 00:43:40,980 --> 00:43:43,798 will Rainbow Dash she came up with it 1012 00:43:42,298 --> 00:43:44,849 then I really doubt she would have meant 1013 00:43:43,798 --> 00:43:46,739 for those two hours to be used to what 1014 00:43:44,849 --> 00:43:48,000 they used for calling them now because 1015 00:43:46,739 --> 00:43:49,588 right now they're being used to help 1016 00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:53,210 keep the Pegasus ponies isolated from 1017 00:43:49,588 --> 00:43:56,088 the rest of y'all how so 1018 00:43:53,210 --> 00:43:58,050 Calamity turned to velvet remedy 1019 00:43:56,088 --> 00:43:59,670 remember when he asked me about what we 1020 00:43:58,050 --> 00:44:03,990 ate up there and I talked about cloud 1021 00:43:59,670 --> 00:44:05,490 seeding velvet remedy nodded I recall 1022 00:44:03,989 --> 00:44:09,059 that I was going to demand a proper 1023 00:44:05,489 --> 00:44:09,629 answer later yeah well now you're gonna 1024 00:44:09,059 --> 00:44:12,989 get it 1025 00:44:09,630 --> 00:44:14,970 calamity said I don't know what them two 1026 00:44:12,989 --> 00:44:16,529 houses and visually meant to do but I 1027 00:44:14,969 --> 00:44:18,449 know what the Enclave is repurposed him 1028 00:44:16,530 --> 00:44:19,740 to do and that's to enchant the clouds 1029 00:44:18,449 --> 00:44:23,039 for miles around and so we can grow 1030 00:44:19,739 --> 00:44:25,618 crops right up to the sky I let out a 1031 00:44:23,039 --> 00:44:30,179 whistle at bat from somewhere outside 1032 00:44:25,619 --> 00:44:31,680 higher light whistled back made sense no 1033 00:44:30,179 --> 00:44:33,779 matter what the single Pony project had 1034 00:44:31,679 --> 00:44:35,159 been meant to be towers were now being 1035 00:44:33,780 --> 00:44:37,890 used to suit the purposes of the 1036 00:44:35,159 --> 00:44:39,769 surviving ponies the Pegasus ponies were 1037 00:44:37,889 --> 00:44:41,818 using them above for agriculture above 1038 00:44:39,769 --> 00:44:43,858 homage was using them below should 1039 00:44:41,818 --> 00:44:46,199 broadcast DJ ponies music and messages 1040 00:44:43,858 --> 00:44:49,799 across the wasteland bringing you the 1041 00:44:46,199 --> 00:44:53,809 truth no matter how bad it hurts and red 1042 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:57,869 I was using one for goddesses knew what 1043 00:44:53,809 --> 00:45:00,358 my thoughts drifted homage I hadn't told 1044 00:44:57,869 --> 00:45:02,430 homage about she loves deception he'd 1045 00:45:00,358 --> 00:45:05,250 used DJ ponies radio broadcast to spread 1046 00:45:02,429 --> 00:45:06,629 his lie about chief grim star I had to 1047 00:45:05,250 --> 00:45:08,130 wonder how some pony like steel hose 1048 00:45:06,630 --> 00:45:09,539 managed to find himself in a romantic 1049 00:45:08,130 --> 00:45:10,530 hell relationship with the mayor of the 1050 00:45:09,539 --> 00:45:12,719 element of honesty 1051 00:45:10,530 --> 00:45:15,210 I expected that homage would be 1052 00:45:12,719 --> 00:45:16,409 personally offended I didn't want to be 1053 00:45:15,210 --> 00:45:19,409 the bearer of the message that caused 1054 00:45:16,409 --> 00:45:20,639 her pain but I didn't keep my mouth shut 1055 00:45:19,409 --> 00:45:23,789 just because I didn't want to see her 1056 00:45:20,639 --> 00:45:25,348 upset she might feel provoked to air 1057 00:45:23,789 --> 00:45:27,989 what I told her even though I could 1058 00:45:25,349 --> 00:45:30,599 offer no evidence to back it up yet what 1059 00:45:27,989 --> 00:45:32,189 good would that serve more likely I 1060 00:45:30,599 --> 00:45:34,740 suspected she would choose not to air it 1061 00:45:32,190 --> 00:45:37,588 like my struggles with addiction or her 1062 00:45:34,739 --> 00:45:40,199 real identity sometimes secrets had 1063 00:45:37,588 --> 00:45:43,078 their place how much understood that 1064 00:45:40,199 --> 00:45:44,939 that wonderful unicorn had more personal 1065 00:45:43,079 --> 00:45:46,800 integrity than anypony I'd ever met and 1066 00:45:44,940 --> 00:45:49,349 I couldn't bear to put her in a morally 1067 00:45:46,800 --> 00:45:51,490 uncomfortable position especially not 1068 00:45:49,349 --> 00:45:53,680 after Monterey Jack 1069 00:45:51,489 --> 00:45:56,109 I was brought out of my reverie by a jab 1070 00:45:53,679 --> 00:45:59,980 from velvet remedies hoof still with 1071 00:45:56,110 --> 00:46:01,680 this little bit I nodded the others were 1072 00:45:59,980 --> 00:46:05,289 already gathering back at the sky bandit 1073 00:46:01,679 --> 00:46:07,859 it was time to go we wanted to be moving 1074 00:46:05,289 --> 00:46:10,239 before the Pegasus Enclave returned I 1075 00:46:07,860 --> 00:46:14,769 trotted to the mouth of the cave then 1076 00:46:10,239 --> 00:46:16,289 looked back toward spike I guess this is 1077 00:46:14,769 --> 00:46:19,719 it then 1078 00:46:16,289 --> 00:46:20,710 watcher helped me without him I might 1079 00:46:19,719 --> 00:46:24,359 never have survived 1080 00:46:20,710 --> 00:46:28,599 he helped give me purpose a goal and 1081 00:46:24,360 --> 00:46:30,010 ultimately friendship but now it was 1082 00:46:28,599 --> 00:46:32,289 clear that we were not the ponies he was 1083 00:46:30,010 --> 00:46:33,750 looking for and he needed to focus his 1084 00:46:32,289 --> 00:46:37,000 attention elsewhere 1085 00:46:33,750 --> 00:46:40,829 spike nodded I'll keep an eye open for 1086 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:45,090 you we may talk again but yes this is it 1087 00:46:40,829 --> 00:46:49,029 Thank You spike Thank You little pip I 1088 00:46:45,090 --> 00:46:50,769 turned and walked out of the cave I was 1089 00:46:49,030 --> 00:46:53,290 about to step into the sky bandit when I 1090 00:46:50,769 --> 00:46:57,519 was hit by an epiphany turning I 1091 00:46:53,289 --> 00:46:58,869 galloped back to the cave honestly it 1092 00:46:57,519 --> 00:46:59,219 was about more than just telling the 1093 00:46:58,869 --> 00:47:03,789 truth 1094 00:46:59,219 --> 00:47:05,709 it was about integrity spike I cried out 1095 00:47:03,789 --> 00:47:08,159 I know one of the other ponies are 1096 00:47:05,710 --> 00:47:08,159 looking for 1097 00:47:09,010 --> 00:47:12,850 two black care fists pegasi were still 1098 00:47:11,260 --> 00:47:16,030 hot on our trails as we broke beneath 1099 00:47:12,849 --> 00:47:17,860 the cloud curtain ah shouted calamity 1100 00:47:16,030 --> 00:47:19,680 wings flapping hard as he hauled the sky 1101 00:47:17,860 --> 00:47:21,610 band through the air at breakneck speed 1102 00:47:19,679 --> 00:47:23,699 told you they wouldn't follow us below 1103 00:47:21,610 --> 00:47:25,960 the clouds cowards 1104 00:47:23,699 --> 00:47:27,429 The Velvet remedy was looking at the to 1105 00:47:25,960 --> 00:47:28,780 demonic silhouettes behind us 1106 00:47:27,429 --> 00:47:33,699 her hair whipping across her face 1107 00:47:28,780 --> 00:47:35,860 they're still following us what calamity 1108 00:47:33,699 --> 00:47:36,989 glanced over his shoulder Oh horse 1109 00:47:35,860 --> 00:47:39,490 apples 1110 00:47:36,989 --> 00:47:41,979 somehow he managed to pour on even more 1111 00:47:39,489 --> 00:47:44,409 speed we were pulling ahead 1112 00:47:41,980 --> 00:47:46,449 I saw the gemstones of The Enclave 1113 00:47:44,409 --> 00:47:49,119 battle saddles flare and bolts of 1114 00:47:46,449 --> 00:47:50,980 coloured light shot past us thankfully 1115 00:47:49,119 --> 00:47:54,730 neither of these pegasi had calamities 1116 00:47:50,980 --> 00:47:57,250 aim calamity could you kindly lose these 1117 00:47:54,730 --> 00:47:59,650 ponies velvet asked with an almost 1118 00:47:57,250 --> 00:48:02,949 seductive smoothness I'd really hate to 1119 00:47:59,650 --> 00:48:05,440 get blown up today to mourn blasts of 1120 00:48:02,949 --> 00:48:06,549 magical energy shot past us one actually 1121 00:48:05,440 --> 00:48:08,170 passing through one of the shattered 1122 00:48:06,550 --> 00:48:10,990 windows of the passenger wagon and out 1123 00:48:08,170 --> 00:48:12,460 the other barely missing tire light the 1124 00:48:10,989 --> 00:48:15,929 magical bird squawk tanned hid behind 1125 00:48:12,460 --> 00:48:19,119 velvet who COO deter comfortingly Wow 1126 00:48:15,929 --> 00:48:22,419 steel hopes commented dryly they really 1127 00:48:19,119 --> 00:48:26,309 like you don't they y'all can shut it 1128 00:48:22,420 --> 00:48:28,450 now calamity barked at us and hold on I 1129 00:48:26,309 --> 00:48:30,090 wrapped my forelegs around one of the 1130 00:48:28,449 --> 00:48:32,349 poles between the wagons bench seats 1131 00:48:30,090 --> 00:48:34,570 velvet remedy clamped down on one of the 1132 00:48:32,349 --> 00:48:36,309 bits that dangled from the ceiling for 1133 00:48:34,570 --> 00:48:39,730 expression she immediately regretted it 1134 00:48:36,309 --> 00:48:43,389 I could only imagine the taste Steele's 1135 00:48:39,730 --> 00:48:45,340 braced himself between benches a moment 1136 00:48:43,389 --> 00:48:48,460 later clammy took the sky bandit into a 1137 00:48:45,340 --> 00:48:50,890 steep dive pile a bounce off the wagons 1138 00:48:48,460 --> 00:48:52,539 ceiling she scrambled to bite down on 1139 00:48:50,889 --> 00:48:53,710 velvet Rama's wind thrashed Mane before 1140 00:48:52,539 --> 00:48:56,079 the wind threw her out the back window 1141 00:48:53,710 --> 00:48:59,490 of the wagon bolts of coloured light 1142 00:48:56,079 --> 00:49:01,840 shot all around us I think I screamed 1143 00:48:59,489 --> 00:49:04,909 The Enclave pegasi broke off their 1144 00:49:01,840 --> 00:49:07,610 pursuit about halfway to the ground 1145 00:49:04,909 --> 00:49:10,149 my legs were still shaking my hooves 1146 00:49:07,610 --> 00:49:12,380 thankfully planted on firm ground I 1147 00:49:10,150 --> 00:49:13,910 watched his velvet remedy barred with 1148 00:49:12,380 --> 00:49:15,980 ditzy Doo outside the front gate of new 1149 00:49:13,909 --> 00:49:17,539 Appaloosa trading for spark batteries to 1150 00:49:15,980 --> 00:49:20,000 replace the nearly drained ones than the 1151 00:49:17,539 --> 00:49:21,590 sky bandit we weren't allowed further 1152 00:49:20,000 --> 00:49:23,869 but the ghoul Pegasus was more than 1153 00:49:21,590 --> 00:49:25,970 happy to come out and greet us for a 1154 00:49:23,869 --> 00:49:28,549 moment I didn't recognize the lavender 1155 00:49:25,969 --> 00:49:30,259 filly who shyly followed behind her my 1156 00:49:28,550 --> 00:49:34,640 eyes widened as I realized it was silver 1157 00:49:30,260 --> 00:49:38,570 Belle no longer painted in pink she 1158 00:49:34,639 --> 00:49:41,420 seemed better being with a ditzy Doo was 1159 00:49:38,570 --> 00:49:44,090 good for silver Belle looked up 1160 00:49:41,420 --> 00:49:45,610 recognizing velvet remedy she froze in 1161 00:49:44,090 --> 00:49:48,410 her tracks 1162 00:49:45,610 --> 00:49:50,510 hello silver Belle velvet remedy said 1163 00:49:48,409 --> 00:49:53,869 gently you are looking beautiful this 1164 00:49:50,510 --> 00:49:57,470 morning silver Belle looked at 1165 00:49:53,869 --> 00:50:00,980 everything but well but at velvet remedy 1166 00:49:57,469 --> 00:50:03,589 I have someone you might like to meet 1167 00:50:00,980 --> 00:50:06,530 velvet continued her voice warm and 1168 00:50:03,590 --> 00:50:09,829 accepting highlight come out and meet 1169 00:50:06,530 --> 00:50:11,450 silver Belle the little fillies eyes 1170 00:50:09,829 --> 00:50:13,849 went wide at the sight of the majestic 1171 00:50:11,449 --> 00:50:15,500 balefire Phoenix the emerald and gold 1172 00:50:13,849 --> 00:50:18,199 creature landed next to her in CUDA 1173 00:50:15,500 --> 00:50:20,659 friendly hello the effect on silver 1174 00:50:18,199 --> 00:50:22,309 Belle was dramatic It was as if pie 1175 00:50:20,659 --> 00:50:25,279 early was true the first beautiful thing 1176 00:50:22,309 --> 00:50:28,670 the girl had ever seen calamity walked 1177 00:50:25,280 --> 00:50:30,380 up next to me Calma crazy but after we 1178 00:50:28,670 --> 00:50:31,550 go I have expected that filly to spend 1179 00:50:30,380 --> 00:50:34,539 the next few days trying to make a 1180 00:50:31,550 --> 00:50:38,300 Volusia about as pretty as that bird I 1181 00:50:34,539 --> 00:50:40,940 could so picture that I looked up at 1182 00:50:38,300 --> 00:50:42,530 calamity the rust-coloured Pegasus with 1183 00:50:40,940 --> 00:50:44,349 the orange mane and black desperado hat 1184 00:50:42,530 --> 00:50:47,269 was probably the closest friend I had 1185 00:50:44,349 --> 00:50:49,719 not counting on which who was all manner 1186 00:50:47,269 --> 00:50:51,800 of closer but much more than a friend I 1187 00:50:49,719 --> 00:50:54,289 know what you're thinking 1188 00:50:51,800 --> 00:50:56,690 calamity stated don't you believe him 1189 00:50:54,289 --> 00:50:58,340 The Enclave is vested interest in making 1190 00:50:56,690 --> 00:51:01,849 anypony who bucks their ideals into a 1191 00:50:58,340 --> 00:51:04,789 monster I believe you I told him 1192 00:51:01,849 --> 00:51:06,710 sincerely I regularly put my life in the 1193 00:51:04,789 --> 00:51:09,110 lives of those I loved in calamity scare 1194 00:51:06,710 --> 00:51:12,050 I absolutely trusted him with this one 1195 00:51:09,110 --> 00:51:12,650 too but calamity if you're running from 1196 00:51:12,050 --> 00:51:14,579 something 1197 00:51:12,650 --> 00:51:18,490 perhaps we can help 1198 00:51:14,579 --> 00:51:19,900 Calamity laughed luther pip you should 1199 00:51:18,489 --> 00:51:23,049 know me well enough by now to know that 1200 00:51:19,900 --> 00:51:24,309 running away from things ain't my way my 1201 00:51:23,050 --> 00:51:27,099 friend turned his head towards the 1202 00:51:24,309 --> 00:51:29,139 ever-present cloud cover I flew to 1203 00:51:27,099 --> 00:51:33,460 Ward's something they just didn't wanna 1204 00:51:29,139 --> 00:51:34,900 let me go nice place you got here 1205 00:51:33,460 --> 00:51:37,838 steel have said as he looked around 1206 00:51:34,900 --> 00:51:40,500 Junction r7 I couldn't be sure if he was 1207 00:51:37,838 --> 00:51:45,519 being sarcastic or speaking truthfully 1208 00:51:40,500 --> 00:51:47,380 home sweet trainwreck steel those eye 1209 00:51:45,519 --> 00:51:49,000 the turret defenses then looked up at 1210 00:51:47,380 --> 00:51:50,380 the Tri barreled magical energy cannon 1211 00:51:49,000 --> 00:51:53,800 mounted on the roof of the Train Team 1212 00:51:50,380 --> 00:51:56,260 congruous engine oh now that is a beauty 1213 00:51:53,800 --> 00:51:58,810 I could hear calamity setting up his 1214 00:51:56,260 --> 00:52:00,220 workshop I looked around but could not 1215 00:51:58,809 --> 00:52:02,710 see where velvet remedy had wandered off 1216 00:52:00,219 --> 00:52:06,578 to hopefully she was getting some sleep 1217 00:52:02,710 --> 00:52:09,099 I knew I needed some our next stop was 1218 00:52:06,579 --> 00:52:10,539 going to be Philadelphia I didn't know 1219 00:52:09,099 --> 00:52:12,309 if we would actually find redeye there 1220 00:52:10,539 --> 00:52:13,599 but everything I had learned said that 1221 00:52:12,309 --> 00:52:16,809 all of his slave operations were 1222 00:52:13,599 --> 00:52:18,750 centered in that foul place it was time 1223 00:52:16,809 --> 00:52:22,809 to start putting some things right 1224 00:52:18,750 --> 00:52:24,579 spikes words rang in my head I know that 1225 00:52:22,809 --> 00:52:25,960 as you travel as you poke your nose into 1226 00:52:24,579 --> 00:52:29,170 places and memories you're going to hear 1227 00:52:25,960 --> 00:52:31,179 and learn things about might why I had 1228 00:52:29,170 --> 00:52:33,490 sworn I would remember as he called it 1229 00:52:31,179 --> 00:52:36,519 the real heart of Twilight Sparkle 1230 00:52:33,489 --> 00:52:39,068 I couldn't imagine forgetting now that I 1231 00:52:36,519 --> 00:52:40,869 had seen it for myself the sight of that 1232 00:52:39,068 --> 00:52:41,858 Crusader mainframe surrounded by The 1233 00:52:40,869 --> 00:52:44,818 Elements of Harmony 1234 00:52:41,858 --> 00:52:47,289 sitting and waiting year after year 1235 00:52:44,818 --> 00:52:49,179 decade after decade for the chosen 1236 00:52:47,289 --> 00:52:52,869 ponies to put right things that were far 1237 00:52:49,179 --> 00:52:55,029 beyond my ability to affect I would say 1238 00:52:52,869 --> 00:52:57,940 collecting dust but they hadn't been 1239 00:52:55,030 --> 00:52:59,260 dusty spike I realized had been 1240 00:52:57,940 --> 00:53:02,710 dutifully tending to the elements of 1241 00:52:59,260 --> 00:53:04,210 harmony and the mainframe how hard would 1242 00:53:02,710 --> 00:53:06,519 it be to remember if I had nothing like 1243 00:53:04,210 --> 00:53:08,920 that site to cling to 1244 00:53:06,519 --> 00:53:11,259 right now I had another private moment 1245 00:53:08,920 --> 00:53:13,809 with steel hooks I should make the best 1246 00:53:11,260 --> 00:53:17,410 of it I wanted to ask him about 1247 00:53:13,809 --> 00:53:19,059 Applejack but I didn't think we were 1248 00:53:17,409 --> 00:53:21,129 ready for that conversation quite yet 1249 00:53:19,059 --> 00:53:24,608 I felt I would be prying into someplace 1250 00:53:21,130 --> 00:53:26,829 I hadn't earned the right to go but I 1251 00:53:24,608 --> 00:53:28,210 had other friends including one I was 1252 00:53:26,829 --> 00:53:31,029 worried was heading towards a shattering 1253 00:53:28,210 --> 00:53:32,920 reality crash I had no idea what to do 1254 00:53:31,030 --> 00:53:34,480 for her but I felt that knowing as much 1255 00:53:32,920 --> 00:53:35,800 as I could before hoof would give me the 1256 00:53:34,480 --> 00:53:37,150 best chance to at least help her recover 1257 00:53:35,800 --> 00:53:41,470 if I couldn't protect her from the 1258 00:53:37,150 --> 00:53:45,070 tragic discovery steel hooves what 1259 00:53:41,469 --> 00:53:46,689 happened to Fluttershy the steel rangers 1260 00:53:45,070 --> 00:53:50,170 stomped in mid trot and turned his visor 1261 00:53:46,690 --> 00:53:54,030 towards me depends on who you ask 1262 00:53:50,170 --> 00:53:56,680 he answered cryptically no pony knows I 1263 00:53:54,030 --> 00:53:59,260 asked having really hoped for a more 1264 00:53:56,679 --> 00:54:01,679 definitive answer than that preferably 1265 00:53:59,260 --> 00:54:05,260 one that I could mine for a little hope 1266 00:54:01,679 --> 00:54:06,759 steel though shook his head keep in mind 1267 00:54:05,260 --> 00:54:08,880 it's really hard to pin down what 1268 00:54:06,760 --> 00:54:11,580 exactly happened to any particular pony 1269 00:54:08,880 --> 00:54:13,690 skeletons don't come with name tags and 1270 00:54:11,579 --> 00:54:15,779 there were millions of ponies for whom 1271 00:54:13,690 --> 00:54:18,400 the mega spells didn't even leave that 1272 00:54:15,780 --> 00:54:19,990 Sun blazes like splendid Valley and the 1273 00:54:18,400 --> 00:54:23,170 Canterlot ruins are still far too 1274 00:54:19,989 --> 00:54:24,519 dangerous for proper expeditions it's a 1275 00:54:23,170 --> 00:54:28,930 rare that you can say for certain what 1276 00:54:24,519 --> 00:54:31,989 happened even to a loved one oh dear 1277 00:54:28,929 --> 00:54:36,309 I nodded slowly 1278 00:54:31,989 --> 00:54:37,689 that said most ponies well those who 1279 00:54:36,309 --> 00:54:39,309 ever think of or even know about 1280 00:54:37,690 --> 00:54:41,679 fluttershy beyond the ministry apiece 1281 00:54:39,309 --> 00:54:42,969 posters believe that she was so 1282 00:54:41,679 --> 00:54:44,769 devastated by what had happened to 1283 00:54:42,969 --> 00:54:46,329 Equestria into the world because of her 1284 00:54:44,769 --> 00:54:47,889 efforts to force piece that she plotted 1285 00:54:46,329 --> 00:54:51,159 into one of the really bad places and 1286 00:54:47,889 --> 00:54:53,879 let nature tear her apart let Equestria 1287 00:54:51,159 --> 00:54:57,629 do to her what she had done to it I 1288 00:54:53,880 --> 00:55:00,789 cringed this wasn't what I had hoped for 1289 00:54:57,630 --> 00:55:02,079 there are other tales some claims she 1290 00:55:00,789 --> 00:55:04,679 left to her death from the top of the 1291 00:55:02,079 --> 00:55:08,460 ministry apiece in the Canterlot ruins 1292 00:55:04,679 --> 00:55:11,859 wasn't she a Pegasus steel Iznik 'red 1293 00:55:08,460 --> 00:55:12,820 yes but then just being outside in 1294 00:55:11,860 --> 00:55:15,960 Canterlot would have been a death 1295 00:55:12,820 --> 00:55:19,840 sentence enough I looked at the ground 1296 00:55:15,960 --> 00:55:21,699 it just kept getting worse and then 1297 00:55:19,840 --> 00:55:24,059 there are ponies who say she wandered 1298 00:55:21,699 --> 00:55:28,989 the everfree forest and became a tree 1299 00:55:24,059 --> 00:55:30,929 wait what I demanded Jon the ground how 1300 00:55:28,989 --> 00:55:33,009 could that even happen 1301 00:55:30,929 --> 00:55:35,829 steel loaves gave a shrug 1302 00:55:33,010 --> 00:55:38,040 don't ask me I've always been in the 1303 00:55:35,829 --> 00:55:42,039 Fluttershy committed suicide camp myself 1304 00:55:38,039 --> 00:55:44,619 he snorted still everfree is a bizarre 1305 00:55:42,039 --> 00:55:46,329 and twisted place it became vastly more 1306 00:55:44,619 --> 00:55:49,300 warping deadly after the apocalypse 1307 00:55:46,329 --> 00:55:54,039 although luna knows why it wasn't even 1308 00:55:49,300 --> 00:55:56,560 hit the Steel Ranger turned away only 1309 00:55:54,039 --> 00:55:58,659 thing everypony can agree upon what ash 1310 00:55:56,559 --> 00:56:00,099 I lived through the apocalypse long 1311 00:55:58,659 --> 00:56:02,559 enough at least for the full horror of 1312 00:56:00,099 --> 00:56:04,269 it all the death of innumerable ponies 1313 00:56:02,559 --> 00:56:06,250 and animals the poisoning and 1314 00:56:04,269 --> 00:56:09,639 disfiguring of the land itself to be 1315 00:56:06,250 --> 00:56:12,429 ground into her soul I collapsed on my 1316 00:56:09,639 --> 00:56:15,769 haunches feeling heartsick 1317 00:56:12,429 --> 00:56:21,409 this is the equestrian wasteland it's 1318 00:56:15,769 --> 00:56:22,300 nothing if not cruel well this was a 1319 00:56:21,409 --> 00:56:25,369 bust 1320 00:56:22,300 --> 00:56:27,620 Spike's asleep I could wake him but why 1321 00:56:25,369 --> 00:56:30,019 would I do that to the poor guy to wake 1322 00:56:27,619 --> 00:56:32,269 up to all of this better to let him 1323 00:56:30,019 --> 00:56:33,280 sleep have good dreams for just a little 1324 00:56:32,269 --> 00:56:35,960 while longer 1325 00:56:33,280 --> 00:56:38,180 hey dragons can sleep for up to hundreds 1326 00:56:35,960 --> 00:56:39,769 of years right maybe spike will get 1327 00:56:38,179 --> 00:56:42,019 lucky and not wake up till the questions 1328 00:56:39,769 --> 00:56:43,869 had time to heal although I don't know 1329 00:56:42,019 --> 00:56:46,789 if hundred years is gonna be enough 1330 00:56:43,869 --> 00:56:49,279 seeing the Sun like this I can almost 1331 00:56:46,789 --> 00:56:51,019 believe it never happened clouds hide 1332 00:56:49,280 --> 00:56:52,210 the view below I'm beginning to think 1333 00:56:51,019 --> 00:56:56,000 that's the idea 1334 00:56:52,210 --> 00:56:58,280 they call me a traitor now me after all 1335 00:56:56,000 --> 00:57:00,019 I did for them they turned their backs 1336 00:56:58,280 --> 00:57:01,480 on Equestria and they have dinner if to 1337 00:57:00,019 --> 00:57:03,739 call me a traitor 1338 00:57:01,480 --> 00:57:06,340 they've even hired a mercenary now to 1339 00:57:03,739 --> 00:57:09,099 hunt me down bring them back my head 1340 00:57:06,340 --> 00:57:13,880 neck need not be attached of course 1341 00:57:09,099 --> 00:57:14,420 she's good the best I'm better and she 1342 00:57:13,880 --> 00:57:17,329 knows it 1343 00:57:14,420 --> 00:57:17,900 a second voice sounded on the audio 1344 00:57:17,329 --> 00:57:20,690 recording 1345 00:57:17,900 --> 00:57:22,190 Gruffudd in the mayor's sure which 1346 00:57:20,690 --> 00:57:23,920 leaves a gal to wonder why are you just 1347 00:57:22,190 --> 00:57:27,200 sitting up here and letting me find you 1348 00:57:23,920 --> 00:57:31,130 hello Gilda the mayor's voice replied 1349 00:57:27,199 --> 00:57:36,739 sounding tired sorry to end this way - 1350 00:57:31,130 --> 00:57:42,380 no no you're not not really 1351 00:57:36,739 --> 00:57:43,299 nah not really Gilda can I make one 1352 00:57:42,380 --> 00:57:49,940 request 1353 00:57:43,300 --> 00:57:56,920 what can we sing it one more time huh 1354 00:57:49,940 --> 00:57:58,749 sing oh you can't be serious just once 1355 00:57:56,920 --> 00:58:05,650 the second voice let a long-suffering 1356 00:57:58,748 --> 00:58:07,480 sigh uh why because just for a moment I 1357 00:58:05,650 --> 00:58:14,739 want to remember an earlier happier time 1358 00:58:07,480 --> 00:58:19,659 the time when the world didn't suck fine 1359 00:58:14,739 --> 00:58:22,690 only for you - The Voice paused one 1360 00:58:19,659 --> 00:58:27,338 final time but after that you know I'm 1361 00:58:22,690 --> 00:58:30,909 gonna kill you you can try the two 1362 00:58:27,338 --> 00:58:33,219 voices blended in odd harmony junior 1363 00:58:30,909 --> 00:58:36,879 speedsters are our lives sky bound soars 1364 00:58:33,219 --> 00:58:41,368 and dare the audio recording abruptly 1365 00:58:36,880 --> 00:58:41,369 cut off machine had reached his limit