Arachnis the Captor (Rating PG)

I'm glad you liked it.

I was actually wracking my brains on how I would punch the keyboard to make a gibberish spell. Then I thought "I'm making the witches gag characters. I should have fun with this."

I have a five chapters done already. I can post them every few days and then once a week. I'm shooting for ten to thirteen parts.

Here's part 2. I have the first 5 parts typed up for the most part. Enjoy.

Part 2

Fizzy and Wind Whistler stared at Paradise slack-jawed and dumbstruck. Though, this should not have been that much of a surprise. Considering everything that had happened to the Little Ponies over the years with the list adding the witches trying to drive them away with lava just a few hours earlier, it should have been more of a surprise it took this long for something to try to shrink them. Still, seeing their friend smaller than a hummingbird was a shock.

Wind Whistler snapped out of her shock-induced stupor. “What exactly happened to you?”

“Not here.” Wind Whistler immediately recognized it as Galaxy, but her voice was also faint. She and Fizzy looked down. The pink Unicorn was standing between them, no bigger than Paradise. “We should find some place out of sight of Dream Castle where we can explain.”

“What about the others?” Fizzy asked.

Galaxy looked away as they could tell a tea was welling in her eye. “They’ve been captured.” Her voice cracked as she tried to keep from crying.

Paradise was also on the verge of crying. “We’re the only ones who escaped.”

Fizzy and Wind Whistler looked at each other, barely able to hold back their emotions as well. The thought that their friends, who had been playing and frolicking in the sunshine when they left, had been captured was a heavy blow. Although it was not the first time some force had come to Dream Valley and taken them prisoner, it hurt just as much. It was especially painful since it happened during their absence.

Wind Whistler tried to maintain her calm demeanor as best she could. It was her shield that she tried to protect the others with. She was the rock in the storm and wanted the others to find comfort in her emotional strength. However, she was finding it hard to restrain her emotions. She had an easier time remaining stalwart in the face of the magma then here.

She was most comfortable in a crisis when she was between her friends and the danger and the only way harm would come to them was if it got through her first. She was the one in control. Now nothing was in her control. Their friends were in the clutches of the danger and she had to go through it to save them.

“Truly, Whizzer, Buttons, all of them?” Fizzy blubbered.

“We’ll find a way to save them.” Wind Whistler’s voice wobbled as she fought back the lump forming in her throat. She nuzzled Fizzy to try to comfort her. “I know a safe place where we can figure this out.”

“Lead the way,” Galaxy said. Her horn glowed and she vanished as she winked out. A moment later she winked back into the normal plane on Wind Whistler’s head and settled into her mane along with Paradise who flew to her.

Wind Whistler led them to a thicket on the other side of the valley. It was surrounded by ancient oak trees and a bed of leaves covered the ground. This was her thinking thicket where she would go when she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. It was far away from Dream Castle and the mysterious force that had shrunk and captured their friends.

“Now, explain what happened,” Wind Whistler said.

She and Fizzy laid down on the bed of leaves. Galaxy winked off Wind Whistler and Paradise flew to a place where she was confident she could stand on the leaves.

Galaxy reappeared next to her. “You should tell them, Paradise. You’re the better storyteller and you noticed it first.”

“Alright,” Paradise said. “Shortly after you left, Surprise arrived with Megan.”



Everyone gathered as they saw a speck appear in the sky. It grew larger and clearer the closer it came. Eventually, they could see it was a White Pegasus with light green hair and a girl with long, blond hair in a ponytail. Surprise landed among them and Megan dismounted.

“Hi, Megan,” Sundance said and was followed by the salutations from the others.

“Hi, everyone,” Megan replied. “It’s good to see you all.” She looked at the group and asked, “Where are Fizzy and Wind Whistler?”

“They’re beating up the Witches from the Volcano of Gloom for the Bushwoolies,” Gusty said.

“They’re facing the witches alone?” Megan gasped.

“Wind Whistler said a large group would be more trouble than it’s worth in those narrow tunnels,” Magic Star said.

“I’ll know if they get into trouble, so there’s no need to worry.” Ribbon let her horn glow to show her telepathic powers were ready in case she got a message from them.

“Besides, the witches aren’t that tough without Aahg,” Gusty boasted. “One of the foals could probably beat them.”

“Does that mean we get to beat up the witches next time?” Baby Shady asked.

“No!” Shady stated. “We shouldn’t be so confident. Sending just the two of them was a mistake. What if the witches kill them before they can get a danger signal to Ribbon? What if they then come for us?”

“What if Fizzy and Wind Whistler kick the witches’ sorry butts back to the Volcano of Gloom for the umpteenth time?” Gust asked rhetorically. “Seriously, Shady, how do you manage to think of the worst possible outcome?”

“Someone has to,” Shady said.

“Please, don’t fight.” Megan got between them. “If Wind Whistler believes more Ponies would not be of help, there’s nothing we can do about it and we shouldn’t worry. As long as Ribbon hasn’t heard anything from them, we should assume they’re fine.”

After taking a couple seconds to think about it, everyone nodded in agreement. Megan was right that they could do not anything about it. They just had to hope for the best and remember it was just the witches. This was not the first time they had faced them and it certainly would not be the last.

With that in mind, everyone dispersed to their own activities. The mood was more subdued as they wondered how Wind Whistler and Fizzy were doing. Even the foals’ usually playful mood had been dampened a bit. However, there was a sense of assurance their friends would return triumphant with a story to tell.

Paradise went to the library to read and look at possible stories for telling in the evening. She liked to read through a story beforehand to get the feel of the story so she could tell it effectively. She also wanted to get her mind off Fizzy and Wind Whistler. Her imagination often ran away with her and not knowing what was happening left the door wide open.

She scanned the shelves for books of lighthearted stories that would be good for winding everyone down. Fizzy and Wind Whistler would hopefully be back soon with a thrilling story to tell even without the embellishment more boastful Ponies would add. The foals in particular would need something settle them down for the night.

As she looked at a set of books, the shelf itself grabbed her attention. Something seemed different as it appeared slightly but noticeably higher. She compared herself to a shelf that she knew was at her eye level but it was about an inch higher. The same was true with the desk. Everything in the library had gotten taller.

“Paradise!” Cupcake yelled as she galloped into the library. “Paradise, you’re not going to believe this, but I was preparing dinner and I couldn’t reach ingredients I could when I was making breakfast this morning.”

“I believe you. The book shelves are taller,” Paradise replied.

“Either that or we’re shorter,” Cupcake said.

It took a split second for Paradise to realize what that could mean. She screamed “MEGAN!!!” simultaneously with Cupcake.

They galloped out of the library and Dream Castle to the field. Megan was watching the foals trying to knock a ball in a basketball hoop, but none of them seemed to be able to reach it. Comparing them to the surrounding landscape, Paradise could tell they were getting smaller too.

Baby Shady hit the ball and it barely touched the bottom of the net before it fell back to the ground. “Why can’t I get the ball in today?”

“The net looks like it’s higher,” Baby Sundance said.

“No one has adjusted it,” Megan said.

“It’s not that it’s higher, we’re the ones who are lower,” Paradise said. She and Cupcake galloped to them. “I think we’re shrinking.”

“Shrinking!” Megan exclaimed.

Paradise nodded. “The bookshelves are taller and Cupcake can’t reach things she could earlier this morning. Just look around, doesn’t everything seem larger than when you got here?”

Megan looked around. “Now that you mention it…”

She was interrupted by the others gathering around them. Many were wide-eyed in panic. Everyone started talking at once but only drowned each other out to make intelligible chatter. Gusty whistled loudly to get the others’ attention and quiet them down.

“I told you this would happen,” Shady said. “The witches got Fizzy and Wind Whistler and now they’re coming for us.”

“We don’t know this is being done by the witches,” Magic Star replied. She turned to Galaxy. “Do you have any idea of what’s happening to us?”

Galaxy shook her head. “No, but my intuition seems clouded. It’s like something is trying to hide its presence.”

“I’m also not sensing anything here except us,” Ribbon said.

“We should probably talk to the Moochick,” Megan said. “He might have an idea of what’s happening to us.”

North Star trotted up beside her. “I’ll take you.”

Megan mounted North Star and the two took flight. North Star climbed higher but suddenly hit something unseen in midair that threw her back. Megan fell from her back and North Star had to spiral down to catch her. She landed and the others gathered around her.

“What happened?” Cupcake asked.

North Star shook out her head. “I don’t know. It’s like we hit a net or something.”

“I don’t see anything,” Paradise said. “I wonder if it’s magic and if it’s related to us shrinking.”

“If it’s magic, maybe Unicorns can wink around it,” Gusty said. Her horn glowed and the white Unicorn vanished. A moment later she reappeared, being thrown back. “No good. It’s like hitting a real net.”

“It’s also blocking my telepathy,” Ribbon said. “I can’t get a message past it.”

Sundance gulped dryly. “That means we’re trapped with no way to call for help.”

“And getting smaller all the time,” Paradise said. “Even while we’ve been standing here I could tell we were getting smaller.”

“We should gather everyone in the castle and pull up the draw bridge,” Megan said. “Perhaps whatever or whoever is doing this will leave us alone if they can’t reach us.”

“We’ll get something to carry the Sea Ponies in,” Posey said.

Posey, Paradise, Sundance, and Whizzer got a bin on wheels and filled it with water. The Sea Ponies quickly jumped in. They too were shrinking as all of them could fit in the bin.

“What going on?” Sand Dollar asked.

“We’re not sure,” Sundance said.

Paradise looked at the foals. They were getting smaller like everyone and so were their floats. “That’s interesting.”

“What?” Posey asked.

“I just noticed items we’re wearing are also affected,” Paradise said. “Megan’s clothes, the ribbons in our tails, and the baby Sea Ponies’ floats are all shrinking along with us.”

“That’s very interesting but we should get the Sea Ponies in the castle while we can still push the bin,” Whizzer said even more hastily than usual.

The four pushed the bin into Dream Castle. They could tell it was getting heavier compared to them as they crossed the drawbridge. They were also the last in as the bridge was raised and the gate dropped. They could only hope the wall of the old castle could protect them.

Everyone gathered in the security room. They could monitor the outside world from there and remain together. Normally, they would never hope to fit everyone in the small room, but, at less than half their normal height, everyone fit and the room seemed to become more spacious by the minute.

They continued to shrink smaller and smaller. The foals nuzzled up to their mothers who wrapped their tails around them to try and find comfort. However, an occasional sob could be heard from them as well as the more disheartened adults. Others grumbled and paced impatiently as this happened them and they could do nothing about it.

By the time Megan reached an inch tall, Gusty could not stand it. “That’s it! Let me out! I’m gonna find what is doing this to us and make it wish it had never been born.”

“I suggest you look at yourself,” Buttons said. “You’re in no position to do anything to anyone.”

“Then we should just sit here until we shrink out of existence?” Gusty asked.

“Actually, I think we’ve stopped shrinking,” Paradise said. “We haven’t gotten any smaller in several minutes.”

“We’re still helpless like this,” Sundance said.

“And we have company,” Masquerade said. She, the other Pegasi, and Spike were watching the monitors. “There’s someone coming and he doesn’t look too friendly.”

“Let me see,” Megan said.

Lofty flew down so Megan could climb on and carried her up to the monitors. There was a figure coming towards them. It was a gaunt man with gray skin wearing a tattered, gray duster coat and a hat. His black and gold eyes were unsettling as they stared forward. Megan gulped dryly as he seemed headed straight for them.

“Maybe he’s just a traveler.” Heartthrob’s voice trembled suggesting she did not believe it any more than the others.

The man raised his bony hands. Purple bolts of lightning shot from his fingers towards the castle. Paradise and Masquerade flew to the window looking out on the courtyard to see where they were headed. The lightning arced over the wall and hit the mechanisms controlling the drawbridge and gate. The mechanisms activated, dropping the bridge and raising the gate so the man could enter the castle without breaking his stride.

Paradise’s blood ran cold as she watched him stroll into the courtyard. At normal size he would have been a frightening sight to behold. However, his staggering size compared to her made his appearance absolutely terrifying. She wanted to crawl into a hole and hide when his eyes fell on the window of the security room.

He walked to a door and pulled on it. It did not budge as it was locked. “You think your feeble locks will stop me?” he asked no one in particular.

The other Pegasi joined Paradise and Masquerade on the sill along with Spike and Megan. They watched as the man walked into the center of the courtyard and slapped his hands together. Lightning exploded between them. He threw his hands out, and the lightning spread through the castle.

A bolt hit the door to the security room. Like with the bridge and gate mechanisms, the many locks on the door were unlocked by the lightning and the door pushed open. Everyone froze as they could only stare at the single thing between them and the man opening.

Paradise turned back to the man. She expected him to start entering doors, but he stood there. She realized why when spiders came pouring out of his pant legs and coat. She felt her skin crawl as they surrounded him.

She immediately took to the air barely giving the action a second thought. She did not want to be on the ground at all. She still watched the man and the spiders in the center of the courtyard.

“Scour the castle,” the man said. “Find the Ponies and their allies and bring them all to me alive.”

“Well, most.” One of the spiders chuckled greedily.

The man reacted by bending his mouth into a frown. He raised his finger and shot a bolt of lightning at the spider. The spider convulsed as the electricity tore through his body.

“I said all!” the man said. “No exceptions! Now GO!”

The spiders spread through the courtyard and began entering doors. They poured into the security room where the Ponies had unknowing trapped themselves together. They tried to run, but there was nowhere to run to. The spiders shot webs across the room, ensnaring the Earth Ponies. The Pegasus Ponies tried to fly away, but a net of webs quickly formed in front of the door. Paradise escaped but the others were caught in the sticky webs.

Paradise’s heart was pounding in her chest. She saw that the man was looking the other way and the spiders seemed oblivious to her being outside. She took the chance to fly up to the walkway on the top of the wall. Spiders were walking in a line along it and she landed as quietly as she could behind them and hid behind one of the stone decorations along the side.

Galaxy winked in next to her. “Did anyone else make it?”

Paradise shook her head. “The other Pegasi were trapped by webs.”

“I’m afraid I was the only Unicorn to wink somewhere safe,” Galaxy said. “Gusty winked right into a mob of them and was tied up immediately. The others were so frightened they didn’t even bother trying to wink out before the spiders could grab them.”

“So…” Paradise started to say. She felt a lump form in her throat as the next words she was about to speak were almost too painful to even think of. “So…we’re the only ones who escaped?”

Galaxy only replied with a solemn nod.

They peered out from behind the stone. The spiders exited from the security room. It was hard to tell from so far away, but they assumed they had their friends. They looked at each other felt a tinge of guilt they managed to escape while others had not.

However, a more devastating blow came when more spiders came out of another part of the castle with a small red object. They knew it was the locket that contained the Rainbow of Light. The man grabbed the heart-shaped locket and cackled. The powerful magic that had served the Little Ponies through thick and through thin was in the clutches of these creatures. There was truly no hope now.

“It is done,” the man said. “After a millennium of imprisonment, our victory over the Little Ponies is complete.”

The spiders cheered at this declaration.

“We have their ultimate weapon.” The man held up the locket to more cheers. “We have their stronghold.” He swept his hand in front of them with more cheers coming from the spiders. “And we have the Ponies themselves. My only regret is Majesty isn’t alive to see our triumph.”

The spiders gathered around the man. They had apparently completed their search and were satisfied they found everyone.

“At least they don’t know about us or Fizzy and Wind Whistler,” Galaxy said.



“That’s when we remembered you two were still out there and came to warn you.” Paradise sighed.

“Do you know who this man was?” Wind Whistler asked. “It sounds like he had a grudge against our ancestors and Queen Majesty in particular. Perhaps there is some legend surrounding him.”

“I don’t know of one off the top of my head,” Paradise said. “And it’s not like we can duck into the library to look it up.”

“Then we should see the Moochick,” Wind Whistler said.



The Mushromp was on the other side of Dream Castle from them. They steered well away from their home and tried to remain hidden as much as possible on their journey to the lowlands of the valley. It felt strange and a little painful to treat their home with such caution. However, it was a precaution they had to take.

They finally reached the boundaries of the Mushromp shortly after nightfall. It was a forest of mushrooms, some as large as trees. The Moochick’s simple home sat on a hill overlooking the stream as it snaked its way through the area.

Fizzy trotted up to the front door and knocked on it with her front hoof. “Mr. Moochick.” She waited a few seconds for a response and knocked on the door again when she got none. “Mr. Moochick, are you there?” She knocked again but instead got someone shouting “Ow, ow, ow” in response.

She looked down to see the Moochick rubbing his forehead. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Moochick.”

“It’s fine,” the white-bearded gnome said.

“We are sorry to disturb you, but we are in serious trouble and could use your help,” Wind Whistler said.

“I should have expected as much.” The Moochick walked back into his house and Fizzy and Wind Whistler followed. “You ponies only come to see me when something’s wrong. You never come by and say ‘Hi, Mr. Moochick. We just dropped by to say hello and visit.’ It’s always, ‘Help us Mr. Moochick. We’re in trouble again.’ Such is life I guess.”

He hopped into a chair and his friend, Habbit the Rabbit, pushed an ottoman in front of it in time for his feet to land on it. “Tell me what peril you ponies have gotten yourselves into this time.”

“It might be better if we show you,” Wind Whistler said.

Paradise and Galaxy emerged from Wind Whistler’s light pink mane. The Moochick’s jaw dropped when he saw them. “HOLY SPORES! What happened to you?”

“We believe it was done by a man with gray skin and surrounds himself with talking spiders,” Fizzy said. “He took over Dream Castle and is holding the rest of our friends captive.”

“Gray skin and talking spiders.” The Moochick pondered for a second. His eyes suddenly widened but seemed to be fixed on some nonexistent object. “That sounds like Arachnis the Captor.”

Fizzy and Wind Whistler looked to each other. “Who?”

“This is not good, no, it’s not good at all,” the Moochick mumbled to himself. “There’s only one thing to do.”

He shouted, “HABBIT!”

The brown rabbit ran up and saluted. “Get my trunk,” the Moochick said.

Habbit darted into a room and pulled out a large trunk. He opened it and he and the Moochick started throwing stuff in. Fizzy and Wind Whistler watched as the two threw anything and everything in the trunk. Even after there should be more objects than the trunk could hold, nothing appeared over its walls.

Fizzy finally thought to ask, “What are you doing?”

“Packing,” the Moochick said. He and Habbit continued to throw things in the apparently bottomless trunk. “I’m getting as far from Dream Valley as possible and if you have any sense you would do the same.”

“What about our friends?” Fizzy asked.

“Forget about them,” the Moochick said with flatness to his voice neither had ever heard from him. “If Arachnis has them, they’re as good as dead and any rescue attempt would be suicide.”

He turned to Habbit. “How does Tahiti sound? I heard the weather is lovely this time of year.” He looked back to Fizzy and Wind Whistler. “You can come too.”

“We are not going to Tahiti,” Wind Whistler stated. “We are going to save our friends.”

“That’s right,” Fizzy added.

The Moochick stopped throwing items in the trunk. “If you insist on this, then you should know what you’re facing.”

He picked up his staff and made it belch out smoke. The smoke formed into an image of a bleak desert strewn with bleached skeletons. The ground was yellow and cracked and dust blew in the wind. “A thousand years ago there was a horde known as the Arachnid Marauders. They were a pox on life itself: settling into an area, eating everything that lived there, and then leaving a depleted wasteland in their wake.”

Fizzy felt a chill come over her. She had never heard the Moochick be like this. Even in the face of the most terrible perils, he was able to maintain his aloof and cheerful personality which provided some comfort. However, his grave tone told her just how serious this situation was.

In the image, arachnids, so numerous they looked like a wave washing ashore, crawled through a gulley. A few of the spiders and scorpions were as big as ponies. A man perfectly matching Paradise’s description of the one who had taken Dream Castle and captured their friends marched among them. Fizzy gulped dryly having now having seen the ghastly sight of a man.

“What made them truly devastating was their leader, a powerful sorcerer known as Arachnis the Captor,” the Moochick said.

Arachnis held up a golden flute. “He carried a golden, magic flute that infused him with supernatural powers far beyond even my own,” the Moochick said. “However, its most powerful and most useful magic was its music. When played, the flute casts a spell on every creature in the area not from the horde and causes them to shrink. That made just about everything their prey despite its original size.”

Paradise flew to the Moochick so she could be heard. “That must be what happened to us, but we didn’t hear any flute music.”

“That’s because the spell also traps its victims and prevents them from noticing the player,” the Moochick said. “Even supernatural senses are blinded by the spell.”

“That explains why you and Ribbon didn’t sense anything, Galaxy,” Wind Whistler said.

Fizzy shuddered. “What a terrible spell. It doesn’t give its victims a chance.”

“That explains what happened to the others,” Wind Whistler said, “but these marauders seem to have a personal grudge against the Little Ponies. Why would they?”

“That’s because one day they set their sights on Ponyland,” the Moochick said. The image in the smoke changed to show the arachnids on the march again. “However, they were being watched this time.” What they were watching was actually an image in a large, oval-shaped mirror being watched by a white Unicorn with blue and white hair and wearing a gold crown. “Majesty, the queen of the Little Ponies, saw their approach in her magic mirror.”

“That’s why they mentioned Queen Majesty,” Wind Whistler said.

The Moochick nodded. “To put a stop to them, she called upon the Rainbow of Light.” The image changed to show Majesty approach a white, heart-shaped locket. The locket opened and a brilliant rainbow streamed from it even larger than the one the Ponies had now. “She had it transform into its most powerful state, the Master Wand.” As the Moochick said this, the rainbow collapsed in on itself to form a wand with a star-shaped jewel formed by a red core and points the other colors as the head.

The wand slowly descended to Majesty and she took it in her mouth. “The Master Wand was so powerful it even transformed the Pony who wielded it.” A white flash obscured the image and when it faded Majesty had feathered wings like a Pegasus as well as her magical horn as a Unicorn.

“Incredible,” Wind Whistler said. “Think of how powerful the magic would have to be to transform a Pony like that.”

“Indeed,” the Moochick said, “and with this power she confronted Arachnis and his horde before they could enter Dream Valley.”

The image changed to Majesty standing in front of the horde of arachnids. Everything went red as silhouettes of the arachnids jumped at a silhouette of Majesty. She blasted them back and then a silhouette of Arachnis charged at her. Everything went white as the two met.

“The battle was fierce, but Queen Majesty finally vanquished Arachnis.” The image returned to show Arachnis sprawled out on the ground in front of Majesty. Majesty’s chest heaved as she breathed heavily and her coat and mane were disheveled and discolored by dust and a little blood. Her crown sat in the dirt. She picked it up and placed it on her head as a sign of victory. She looked back at her opponent scornfully, her chest still heaving. “Unfortunately, she was too weak to deliver the finishing blow and instead sealed them away in a far off land.”

The smoke dispersed and the Moochick returned to packing. Habbit had been throwing whole pieces of furniture into the trunk and it still was not filled to capacity. The Moochick picked up a table and threw it in.

“What happened next?” Wind Whistler asked.

“Queen Majesty transformed the Master Wand back into the rainbow of light.” The Moochick picked up his largest easy chair and threw it in and then the ottoman. “She then divided it into six pieces. She gave one to my ancestor and spread the other five across Ponyland outside Dream Valley. The only way the Master Wand could be created again would be if all the pieces were reassembled.”

“I fail to see the logic in that,” Wind Whistler said. “If she knew Arachnis was only sealed away and could eventually escape, why would Queen Majesty break up the only power that could challenge him?”

“I don’t know,” the Moochick said. “It made sense to her at the time.”

“Then to save our friends we just have to get the other pieces,” Fizzy said.

“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” the Moochick said. “You’ll have to travel all across Ponyland and even if you do reassemble the Rainbow of Light and call upon the Master Wand, I can’t say victory is necessarily assured. Arachnis is incredibly powerful.”

“We would also have to take back the piece he took from us,” Wind Whistler said. “However, to save our friends, it is something we must do.”

“I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?” the Moochick asked.

Fizzy and Wind Whistler both shook their heads in response.

The Moochick sighed. “Very well. I might have something that could help you.”

He took a small box off a shelf. He opened it to reveal two jewel pendants. “These pendants protect the wearer against magic while letting them use their own. They should protect you against the flute’s shrinking spell and Arachnis’ other powers. However, it will do you no good against the horde.”

“They will have to do,” Wind Whistler said. She and Fizzy bowed their heads so the Moochick could place the pendants around their necks. “Thank you, Mr. Moochick.”

“Thank me when you’ve saved your friends,” the Moochick said.

As they had discussed this, Habbit had practically cleaned out the house. The floor and shelves were bare as not even furniture or rugs remained.

“Do we have everything?” the Moochick asked.

Habbit thought for a couple seconds, tapping his long foot as he did. He then clicked his fingers and darted into the bedroom. He came back with a drawer full of boxer shorts with mushrooms printed on them.

“Ah. You should always have clean underwear, especially right now,” the Moochick said.

Habbit threw the drawer into the trunk and closed it. He and the Moochick hopped onto the trunk’s lid, straddling it like a mount. The Moochick held up his hands and wiggled his fingers to make the trunk float off the ground.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to come to Tahiti?” he asked.

Fizzy and Wind Whistler shook their heads again in response.

“What about your shrunken friends?” the Moochick asked. “This will be a dangerous journey even at normal size.”

Paradise flew up to him. “They’re our friends too,” she said. “We might be small, but we’re determined to help any way we can.”

“Alright then,” the Moochick said. “Good bye and good luck. Trust me, you’ll need it.”

The trunk flew out the door. Fizzy and the others watched as the Moochick and Habbit disappeared into the night sky. Fizzy wondered how the people of Tahiti would react to a gnome and a rabbit flying in on a trunk. However that was something to the Moochick to worry about. They had a far more daunting challenge ahead of them.

“What should we do next?” Fizzy asked.

Wind Whistler yawned. “I suggest we get some sleep and start our search tomorrow.”

“I don’t know if I can sleep knowing our friends are in danger,” Fizzy said.

“Nevertheless, we are no good to them if we are fighting the arachnids while we are fighting our own fatigue,” Wind Whistler said as she laid down on the grass.

Fizzy laid down next to her. She still felt restless with the thought of their friends being held captive in their own castle tugging at her mind. She tried to think of other things like the sounds of crickets chirping and loons singing around them as well as the babble of the stream nearby. However, her mind refused to settle.

Eventually, fatigue overtook her and she fell asleep. She dreamed of happier times when they frolicked and played in the sun. She eventually got lost in her dreams and believed everything was alright.



Wind Whistler did not want to wake Fizzy. Judging from the sweet smile the Unicorn had, she was in a much happier world than the one she would awake to. However, they could live let alone not save their friends in the world of Fizzy’s dreams.

She nudged Fizzy with her nose. Fizzy slowly blinked her ruby eyes open. She yawned and stood up on her hooves. She looked around and frowned at the fact they were in the Mushromp. “I was hoping it was all a bad dream.”

“I know,” Wind Whistler said quietly. “Just remember today is a new day and the start of our quest to save our friends. Every step we take forward is a step closer to saving them.”

The day had actually not started quite yet. While there was a glow to the east, the western sky was still dark. The ground was dark and the massive mushrooms around them were black silhouettes against the lightening sky.

Fizzy yawned. “Isn’t it a little early?”

“There is something I want you to see.” Wind Whistler leaped into the air and flew to the top of one of the higher mushrooms. Fizzy followed by winking out and then winking back in up there.

The two sat down on the spongy cap and watched the eastern sky. A bank of gray fog hugged the ground and surrounded the peaks in the distance. The flat clouds in the sky were purple in color with shining, pink bottoms as light from the sun was already reaching them.

Finally, the sun made its presence known. The deep orange disk peeked out from behind the mountains and slowly rose into view. Its light slowly crept over the landscape, making it look ablaze in brilliant red and orange hues.

“It’s gorgeous,” Fizzy gasped.

“I always start the day by watching the sunrise,” Wind Whistler said.

“I can see why.” Fizzy’s jewel-like eyes twinkled, both from the light and as a sign of her raised spirits. “So, what’s our first move?”

“I think we should leave that to Galaxy,” Wind Whistler said. Galaxy and Paradise poked their heads out of their hiding place in Wind Whistler’s mane upon hearing Galaxy’s name. “Perhaps your intuition can point is the direction of a piece of the Rainbow of Light.”

“I don’t know about Rainbow Pieces,” Galaxy said, “but I have a sneaking suspicion we should go to Flutter Valley right now.”

Fizzy jumped your feet. “Perhaps the Flutter Ponies can help us.”

Galaxy shook her head. “No. I fear it’s them who need help.”

“Of course.” Wind Whistler spread her wings and leaped off the mushroom to take flight. She flew in circles as every muscle in her body tensed. Her mind was racing as she put it all together. “The location of Flutter Valley is in our records. They are probably headed there right now.”

“The Moochick said they move into an area, eat everything, and then move on,” Paradise said. “Why would they go into Flutter Valley right now?”

“Because the Flutter Ponies are a threat,” Wind Whistler said. “Arachnis and his horde just got out of a thousand years of imprisonment. Do you think he would let someone as powerful as the Flutter Ponies remain free? I know would not.”

“But it’s the Flutter Ponies,” Fizzy said. “Surely they can handle these Arachnid Marauders.”

“If what the Moochick told us about their shrinking spell is correct, they won’t have a chance to use their power against them,” Wind Whistler said. “Come on, we have to get to Flutter Valley now. If we can make it in time, we can stop Arachnis and perhaps take back our piece of the Rainbow of Light.”

“Then let’s get going.” Fizzy winked out and then winked back in on the ground.

Wind Whistler flew to the path through the forest leading out of the Mushromp and Fizzy galloped behind her. Wind Whistler did not know what they could do for the Flutter Ponies if they could do anything at all. However, she knew with the protection from the pendants around their necks they stood a better chance against this new and yet very old enemy than the Flutter Ponies did. She could only hope they would not be too late.

To be continued…

A little early Christmas present to you all. Here is part 3. It's out heroines' first encounter with the villain. Will Wind Whistler and Fizzy save the Flutter Ponies?

Part 3

Flutter Valley and Dream Valley were adjacent to one another with a ridge of mountains dividing them. Despite their proximity, the two were worlds apart. The Flutter Ponies were reclusive and did everything in their power to keep their existence secret. They did not want to be caught up in the affairs of outsiders and would never leave their home without being asked or taken. The ponies living in Dream Valley in fact only made contact with them recently with help from the Moochick. Before then, they had only been a myth in fables and stories.

The reason for this lack of interaction was geography. Flutter Valley was surrounded by formidable peaks even Pegasi found almost insurmountable. Dream Valley at least had passes that provided access to the rest of Ponyland, but Flutter Valley was a walled city. The only connection was a few tunnels that were well hidden and off the beaten paths. If the Moochick had not told them of the Flutter Ponies and how to reach them, the Dream Valley ponies probably would have never met them.

This was running through Wind Whistler’s mind as she and Fizzy galloped towards that wall of mountains on the northern border. If they had never met the Flutter Ponies, the arachnids might have not learned of their existence and left them alone. Though, being a thousand years old, they might have known about them already. Still, she could not shake the feeling they could be responsible for what would happen to the Flutter Ponies if Arachnis captured them too.

They reached the area surrounding the most commonly used tunnel. It was hidden by current vines growing up the sheer cliff of the mountains looming over them. However, the small lake nearby served as a landmark. They slowed to a trot and then a walk and finally stopped at the edge of the lake.

“We made it.” Fizzy exhaled a sigh as they caught their breath.

Wind Whistler dipped her snout in the lake and started lapping up the cold, fresh water to quench her thirst. They had kept up an almost full gallop from the Mushromp to here. She paused from her drink to speak. “We have made it to the entrance at least. Hopefully, we are ahead of Arachnis.”

Fizzy paused from her drink. “What can we do though? We’re just two ponies.”

Paradise forced a cough.

“I mean four,” Fizzy corrected herself.

“The same thing we did in the tunnel when the magma was coming,” Wind Whistler said. “We will use every advantage we have. That is all we really can do and hope it is enough.”

“I guess.” Fizzy did not seem all that convinced by the answer. Unfortunately, Wind Whistler did not have a better one. There had never been this many Ponies captured at once and they had never faced an enemy as numerous as the Arachnid Marauders. However, there always has to be a first time.

Their thirsts quenched, they walked around the lake to the current vines. The broad-leaved vines were dense and thoroughly obscured what was behind it. If one did not know what to look for, they might never know there was a tunnel hidden behind them.

However, there was one telltale sign and morning was actually the best time to find it. The cave breathed. It inhaled air during the cooling of the night and exhaled it as the air outside warmed during the day. Actually it was just air moving to fill space in an attempt to equalize pressure, but so is respiration when one thinks about it.

Wind Whistler examined the vines carefully. She finally found was she was looking for in leaves trembling. As she drew near, she could feel the cold ‘exhale’ leaving the tunnel. “It is over here,” she shouted to get Fizzy’s attention.

She then turned her attention to the ground near it for clues of recent visitors. Aside from where they had been, the grass did not look like it had been recently trampled and there were no imprints in the bare dirt. She did not see any leaves that had been knocked loose from the currents as well.

“Has Arachnis been through here?” Fizzy joined Wind Whistler at the mouth of the tunnel.

“It does not look like it,” Wind Whistler answered. “However, it is possible he has already gained access to Flutter Valley from another tunnel.”

“Then we should hurry up and get moving,” Paradise said.

Fizzy and Wind Whistler pushed their way through the currents and into the tunnel. It became pitch black almost immediately as they walked away from the entrance. Fortunately, the tunnel was more or less straight with no branches. As long as they pressed ahead, they would arrive at the other side.

A yelp from Fizzy suddenly echoed off the cave walls. “Are you alright?” Wind Whistler asked.

“Yeah,” Fizzy said. “I almost tripped over a rock. I can’t even see my hooves in here.”

“Perhaps I can generate enough light for us to see,” Galaxy made her horn glow but it did nothing to cut through the darkness.

“At least you tried,” Paradise said.

“No. I won’t let this beat me.” Galaxy made it glow brighter. She strained to increase the illumination. However, just as it looked like she could create appreciable light she had to stop. She heaved several labored breaths from the overexertion.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” Paradise said. “If you can’t do it, you can’t do it.”

Galaxy was about to stamp her hoof but stopped when she remembered they were standing on Wind Whistler’s head. “I can’t stand it. This blasted spell has left us helpless.”

“I know,” Paradise said. “It’s how an arachnid hunts. They make their prey helpless first. However, fuming about it won’t help matters.”

“Paradise is right,” Wind Whistler said. “We are the only hope Ponykind has against the marauders. We should concentrate on what we can do, not on what we cannot do.”

“Correction: you and Fizzy are,” Galaxy said. “It’s easy for you to talk about abilities when you’re full-sized.”

“But you’re the one who felt the Flutter Ponies could be in danger,” Paradise said. “Your intuition might also be the only lead we have on finding the pieces of the Rainbow of Light. That’s something you can do at any size.”

“I guess,” Galaxy said halfheartedly.

“Besides, we’re already there,” Fizzy said.

Ahead of them they saw light pouring in from the Flutter Valley side of the tunnel. As they stepped out they were surrounded by sweet smell of various blooms. Bushes covered in brightly colored flowers grew along the path and hanged over ledges.

Fizzy trotted up to a row of bushes and sniffed the blooms. “I never get tired of smelling all these flowers.”

“However, something is wrong.” Wind Whistler looked around and immediately noticed it. “All these flowers in the morning and yet there is not a bee or a butterfly to be seen.”

“You’re right.” Paradise gulped dryly. “You don’t think they’ve been made a snack do you?”

“Either that or they have been scared away,” Wind Whistler said.

“Oh, please don’t let us be too late,” Fizzy said.

As they walked through the fragrant paradise, the faintest melody of a flute reached their ears. Fizzy and Wind Whistler stopped and strained to hear. The melody was haunting, sending a chill through them. If it had been visible, it would have crawled along the surface like fog and wrapped itself around them. It was also coming from the valley proper where the Flutter Ponies lived.

“We’re too late!” Fizzy said. “Arachnis is already casting his spell!”

“At least we know these pendants work.” Wind Whistler looked down at the pendent hanging around her neck. It seemed to be doing nothing, but it was clearly protecting her and Fizzy’s was protecting her. “If it was affecting us, we would not be able to hear it.”

“I wonder why we’re able to hear it and not getting any smaller,” Paradise said.

“Probably because the spell has had its full effect on us,” Galaxy said. “It can’t make us any smaller.”

“Whatever the case, you two should probably find cover once we reach the Flutter Ponies. This could get ugly.” Wind Whistler waited from them to leave her mane and hide in the bushes. She broke into a gallop towards the heart of Flutter Valley with Fizzy following her.



Arachnis played the Diminishing Melody on his flute. Even though he and Lash stood atop a ridge overlooking the Flutter Ponies’ home and would normally be easily seen, they were concealed from the Flutter Ponies’ senses. He watched as the gossamer-winged Ponies flew around in confusion as to why they were shrinking and trapped. They were like flies struggling in a web and only succeeding in further entangling themselves. They were so small they were barely more than colorful specks darting around the meadow.

Flutter Valley was picturesque and teeming with life. Unfortunately, almost all that life was of the plant kingdom. Grasses, shrubs, trees, flowers, vines; it was a botanist’s dream. Even the waterfall-fed ponds where colored in the green of lily pads and other water plants. However, it was a depressing sight for a band of carnivores who had no use for plants.

The Flutter Ponies were the only thing substantial in the valley and even they were not much. They were smaller and looked weaker than the ponies they found in Dream Valley. They were also so few in number at a half dozen. For all the fantastic claims about the Flutter Ponies in Dream Castle’s records, it was hard to believe these were them. However, Arachnis knew looks were often deceiving and underestimating your enemy was just as often fatal.

“So these are the legendary Flutter Ponies,” Lash said with obvious disinterest. “I’m not impressed. They fall prey to your spell as easily as everything else.”

Arachnis pulled his flute away from his lips. “You would think differently if we had let them attack us first.”

“Tell me, why aren’t we eating the ponies now?” Lash asked.

“Because they locked us away for a thousand years,” Arachnis said. “It’s not enough to simply eat them like normal pray. I want them to watch us ravage their land until there is nothing left while they can do nothing. Then, once their spirits are broken, we will eat them.”

“So they’ll be the dessert to our Dream Valley main course,” Lash rubbed his whips together greedily. “I like the way you think, Boss.”

“My spell is complete,” Arachnis said. The spiders crawled out his clothes and climbed down the ridge. “We can now begin capturing.”

A turquoise, full-sized Unicorn suddenly ran out of the pass into the meadow where the Flutter Ponies had gathered. Lash’s red eyes widened at the sight. “What the…how did a Unicorn get here?”

“More importantly: why was she not affected by my spell.” Arachnis bared his tightly gritted teeth. “Nothing except the horde was supposed to be immune to it. Go find out.”

Lash followed the spiders down the ridge and towards the meadow.



Arachnis watched as the Unicorn ran towards the specks that were the Flutter Ponies. She could not be from Dream Valley. They were all under lock and key and shrunk by his spell. More importantly, she seemed to be immune to his magic somehow.

Something suddenly struck him in the back. He fell forward and his flute flew from his hand. “No!” he shouted as it rolled towards the edge. He grabbed just as it was about to fall off.

He looked back to see a pale blue Pegasus with a pale pink mane and tail glaring at him. “Just how many of you are there?” he said.

“Enough,” the Pegasus said. “Now return the Rainbow of Light.”

“I’m afraid it’s not here.” Arachnis stood up. He threw his head from side to side to make his neck crack. “I thought I got all of you yesterday, but apparently you and your Unicorn friend slipped through the cracks. No matter. I’ll just correct the oversight right now.”



“Queen Rose Dust.” Fizzy practically slid to a stop when she saw the shrunken Flutter Ponies.

“Fizzy.” Rose Dust flew up to her followed by the other Flutter Ponies. “Why are you here? Actually, forget that. Do you know what is happening to us?”

“And why haven’t you been shrunk like us?” Honeysuckle said. The pink Pony darted around, clearly fuming.

“It’s hard to explain,” Fizzy said. “You have to get out of here now. Arachnis the Captor’s coming for you.”

“Who?” Rose Dust asked.

“Leader of the Arachnid Marauders,” someone said from behind them. Fizzy turned around and gasped. It belonged to a black, pony-sized arachnid with long whips coming out of his sides. He crawled towards them with a large group of spiders. “Capture the Flutter Ponies,” the large Arachnid said. “The Unicorn is mine.”

Fizzy hunched her back and backed up a couple steps as the creature drew near. She had never been very brave when it came to arachnids, and this large, strange one was particularly frightening. “Y-you can’t use your magic against me,” she stammered.

“What a shame.” The arachnid threw out one of his whips and quickly wrapped it tightly around Fizzy’s neck. It was not choking her, but she could not get out of his grip. “I don’t use magic,” he said.

“Fizzy!” Rose Dust and the other Flutter Ponies flew towards her.

“No. Get away.” Fizzy strained against the whip around her neck.

“Get the Flutter Ponies!” a spider shouted. They started throwing strings of web in the general direction of the Flutter Ponies.

Rose Dust barely dodged being ensnared. “I’m sorry.” She flew away with the others as more strings were chucked their way.

The arachnid used his free whip to caress Fizzy’s cheek and sweep her mane out of her face. “What pretty eyes you have, my dear.”

“Uh…thank you?” Fizzy was not sure if she should take it as a compliment.

“Yes. They look just like rubies. They’ll make a fine pair of trophies.” The arachnid held up one of his pincers with several sharp spines on the inside perfectly suited to plucking out eyes.

Fizzy panicked as the arachnid started pulled her towards him and his pincers. She tried to back up, but he was too strong. He pulled her closer and closer, dragging her hooves through the dirt. She tried to think of possibilities like Wind Whistler had said. However, she could not wink out of his grip and she did not know if she could make a bubble big enough to hold him.

They only thing left was screaming. She shouted “HELP!” as the arachnid dragged her closer.



Despite his frail appearance, Arachnis possessed incredible physical strength. It was all Wind Whistler could do to maintain a draw. He tried to jump on her back, but she bucked him squarely in the abdomen. Arachnis grunted and instinctively wrapped his arms around his middle. He staggered back several steps before falling onto his back.

Wind Whistler had bought this reprieve just in time to hear Fizzy’s frantic cry. She took to the air before Arachnis could recover and flew down to the meadow. She saw that the giant whip scorpion was pulling Fizzy towards him and swiping at the air with his pincers.

“Jeepers, creepers, where’d ya get those peepers,” the scorpion sang in a sinister tone. He dragged the Fizzy in, barely impeded by her struggling. “Jeepers, creepers, where’d ya get those eyes.” He chuckled.

Wind Whistler dove down and bit as hard as she could into the whip holding Fizzy. The scorpion screamed in pain and released his grip. He coiled the whip into his body and examined the reddening bite marks she had left on it.

“Are you all right?” Wind Whistler landed next to Fizzy.

Fizzy coughed. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Go help the Flutter Ponies,” Wind Whistler said. “I will deal with this ruffian.”

The scorpion glared at her. Seething rage burned in his red eyes. “These whips are sensitive.”

“I know that,” Wind Whistler said. The arachnid was a giant version of a tailless whip scorpion which used its whip-like front legs to feel the surrounding area. Apparently, at his size, this individual also used them to grab prey.

“Why you…” The scorpion threw his whips at her. Wind Whistler flew up to an altitude where he could not reach. He swiped at her with both whips, but only grabbed air. “Get down here, you miserable pony.”



Fizzy gasped as she saw the Flutter Ponies had already been trapped by the spiders. They had been caught in webs and now the spiders were wrapping them up in silk. Fizzy gulped dryly. The Flutter Ponies had proven themselves to be powerful the few times she had seen them in action, but now they were helpless before this enemy. What could she do against them?

She did not want to get too close. The spiders could bite her or worse harm the Flutter Ponies. She was wondering what she could do from a distance when the incident with Surf Rider popped in her head. She could trap them in bubbles like she did to her.

She pointed her horn at the stream nearby and concentrated. A surge of bubbles erupted from the water and floated towards the spiders. The bubbles encased the spiders and floated away from the webs.

“I’ll get you out of that,” Fizzy said. Now that she could get to them without contending with the spiders she could start tearing down the webs.

“Fizzy, watch out,” Rose Dust shouted.

A bolt of lightning shot straight at Fizzy’s side. However, it suddenly stopped just before hitting her. The pendant must have blocked the magical attack like the Moochick had said it would.

She looked to where the lightning bolt had come. Arachnis leapt off the ridge and landed on the ground below in a squat. “You and your friend seem to have some kind of protection against magic, those pendants around your necks most likely.”

Fizzy backed away until she came against the cliff rising behind her. She huddled there, making herself as small as possible. Seeing those eyes staring straight at her filled her with terror. Her mind was consumed by fear and her body refused to move except to tremble uncontrollably.

Arachnis glanced up. “Fortunately, there is more than one way to skin an equine.” He threw a bolt of lightning at a tree overhanging the ledge above Fizzy. Bark and a large piece of the trunk exploded on contact, flying off in splinters. The tree collapsed on its weakened trunk and fell from the ledge.

Fizzy looked up to see the massive tree falling towards her. Her mind suddenly focused on one thing: wink out. She was suddenly a few dozen feet away as the tree struck the ground with a thunderous crash where she had been.

Arachnis fired pins at the bubbles holding the spiders. The bubbles burst and the spiders landed on the webs. They gathered up the captured Flutter Ponies and carried them to Arachnis. He picked them up and cracked an indulgent grin. “We’re leaving, Lash.”

Lash stopped thrashing at Wind Whistler. “What about these two?”

“Leave them. We have what we came for,” Arachnis said. “We can deal with them later.”

“Feel lucky you got away this time,” Lash grumbled at Wind Whistler.

Arachnis summoned a large blast of wind that kicked up dust. Fizzy and Wind Whistler closed their eyes to keep the out the sand blowing against them. The wind subsided and they opened their eyes to find themselves alone.

Fizzy heaved a sigh. “Some help we were. They captured all the Flutter Ponies.”

“Not all,” a small voice said. Morning Glory and Honeysuckle emerged from a flowering bush. “We managed to hide during the commotion,” Morning Glory said.

“Unfortunately it didn’t save us from being shrunk,” Honeysuckle grumbled. “Look at us. We’re no bigger than bugs.”

“You’re not the only ones.” Paradise flew in from where she and Galaxy had hid during the battle. “Except for Fizzy and Wind Whistler, all the Ponies in Dream Valley have been shrunk too.”

Galaxy winked into the crowd. “The four of us are the only ones still free.”

“Why would they be doing this?” Morning Glory asked.

“From what we can ascertain, these arachnids and that humanoid creature traveling with them are a band of marauders who ravage the land. When they came to Ponyland one thousand years ago, Queen Majesty defeated them and sealed them away. However, the seal has been broken and now they are seeking revenge on us for what Queen Majesty did to them,” Wind Whistler said.

Honeysuckle shook her head. “That’s all we need: a powerful sorcerer with a grudge. What are we going to do about him?”

“The Moochick told us we need to collect the six pieces of the Rainbow of Light to form the Master Wand which Queen Majesty used to defeat them,” Fizzy said.

“Speaking of which,” Paradise said. “There wouldn’t happen to be a heart-shaped locket somewhere in Flutter Valley, would there?”

Morning Glory pondered. “I remember Queen Rose Dust telling me about a treasure in the Flutter Sanctum at the center of the valley. Could that be it?”

“It’s as good a place as any to start,” Galaxy said.



Considering the beauty of Flutter Valley, the entrance to Flutter Sanctum was rather mundane. It was large, gray stone in the middle of a field with a hole in the front. There was not even something to close off the entrance. Though, being in Flutter Valley was probably protection enough.

They descended the spiraling tunnel leading from the entrance underground. Luminescent gems jutted out of the walls providing at least paltry light for them to see. The tunnel wound and descended until it opened into a large chamber. It was unremarkable except for a pedestal in the center with a violet, heart-shaped locket sitting on it.

“Could that be it?” Fizzy asked.

“There is only one way to find out.” Wind Whistler walked up to the locket and touched it with her hoof. The locket popped open and a brilliant rainbow streamed out of it. The ribbon of color twisted and circled around the cave, casting colorful light on the walls.

“Alright.” Fizzy jumped for joy. “We found one.”

“I never realized the treasure was a Rainbow of Light,” Morning Glory said.

“Who cares about that now?” Honeysuckle started throwing her front hooves forward as if she was punching. “We now have a weapon and we can kick some spider butt with it.”

“I am afraid this is just the start.” Wind Whistler placed the locket around her neck. “There are still four more pieces out there, scattered across Ponyland. There is also the Rainbow of Light Arachnis took from us.”

“It seems your premonition took us to a piece of the Rainbow after all,” Fizzy said to Galaxy who was riding in her mane. “Perhaps you can divine where we can find another.”

Galaxy pondered for several seconds. “Well, thinking about it, I get the sense we should head southeast. My thoughts about it point to somewhere in the sea.”

“The sea?” Honeysuckle asked. “Why would there be a piece of the Rainbow of Light be in the sea?”

“Perhaps that’s where it landed,” Paradise said. “It’s also possible the pieces have been found and moved over these past thousand years. It could have been taken on a ship that sank.”

“Whatever the case, the sea is our best lead,” Wind Whistler said. “If we start now and keep up a good pace, we can reach the coast sometime mid-afternoon.”

“We’re coming to.” Honeysuckle landed in Fizzy’s mane with Morning Glory. “Flutter Ponies and water might not mix all that well, but I’m not about to stay here and wait for those spiders to come back and make sure they finished the job.”

“Suit yourself,” Wind Whistler said.

“I wonder how the others are doing,” Fizzy said.



Hydia grinned at the sight of Dream Castle before her. Granted, it was a disgustingly beautiful day with puffy white clouds and air was so sweet she made her want to gag, but she was not thinking of that. She was thinking the pleasant thought of the wasteland that would replace it after they rid the world of the ponies.

“I don’t know why didn’t think of this in the first place,” she said. “Instead of beating around the bush all these years, we should have attacked those insufferable ponies directly.”

“But where are they?” Reeka asked. “This time of day you’d think they’d be all over the place. The drawbridge isn’t even down.”

“They’re probably in their cozy little castle,” Hydia said. “However, its walls won’t save them now. Ready the scaling pole.”

Reeka and Dragged picked up the tall, thick piece of lumber with pegs sticking out the sides for hand and footholds. The two staggered a bit as they balanced the heavy log on their shoulders. “Why didn’t we bring Aahg?” Draggle asked.

“Because he’d draw too much attention,” Hydia said. “I want to take them by surprise.”

“Actually, it’s because we couldn’t find him,” Reeka whispered. “We went to his cave and wasn’t home.”

“Whatever the case, we don’t him,” Hydia said. “Now CHARGE!”

They broke into a run towards Dream Castle. As they reached the stream, they planted one end of the scaling pole in the ground and rested the other end against the wall. Reeka started climbing, but Draggle climbed over her, stepping on her face as she ascended.

“Hey, watch it,” Reeka grumbled.

“Try climbing faster, Wide Load,” Draggle said.

“What did you call me?” Reeka grabbed Draggle’s leg and pulled her down. The lanky witch fell off the pole and landed on Hyida.

Hydia threw Draggle off. “You two idiots could screw up a one car funeral.”

* * *

The sight before them brought out a mix of emotions from the residents of Dream Castle. Seeing the courtyard of their castle crowded with arachnids brought out fear in many and anger in others. Whatever their reaction, they were where they had been since they had been captured, trapped in a large cage on a windowsill overlooking the courtyard.

Baby Sundance sobbed. “I’m scared, Megan. What are the spiders going to do to us?”

“I don’t know, but I can tell you we’re all scared.” Megan gently hugged the white filly and petted her mane.

“I’m not.” Gusty stamped her hoof. “I’m pissed off.”

“Watch you language,” Buttons scolded. “There are foals present, including your own daughter.”

“She’s heard me say worse,” Gusty replied.

“You know, maybe these arachnids aren’t so bad,” Surprise said. “There’s one even holding a book that says ‘To Serve Pony’ out there. Maybe he wants to help us out.”

“I’m afraid you’ve confused the meaning of the word ‘serve’ the title is referring to,” North Star said. “I believe what he is holding is in fact a cookbook.”

“Oh,” Surprise said solemnly.

“That’s one cookbook I’d never want to read,” Cupcake said.

“Don’t give up hope.” Megan stood up to get everyone’s attention. “Paradise and Galaxy managed to escape. Fizzy and Wind Whistler are also out there. I bet they’re working on a way to save us right now. However, we need to be strong for them.”

“Okay, Megan,” Baby Sundance said. “I’ll be strong.”

The others nodded.

“I suggest we also work on an escape plan,” Buttons said. “I could use my telekinesis to get the key or maybe pick the lock when they’re not paying attention.”

“For once I have to agree with Buttons,” Gusty said. “Our ‘guests’ seem to be getting restless.”



Just about everyone who stayed behind had gathered at the door leading to the room where the ponies were being held. Strike stood guard in front of the door. He glared at the crowd that was yelling and complaining to point it was just an intelligible din.

“When can we eat the ponies?” A shout managed to be discernable over the others.

“When Arachnis says we can.” Strike held up his powerful pincer menacingly. “Not before.”

“How long does he expect us to wait? We’re getting tired of woodland creatures.” Another shouter made his presence known.

“Yeah,” another said. “If I have to eat another woodchuck, I’ll upchuck. We came here to eat ponies.”

“Yeah. We want ponies.”

A repetitive chant of “We want ponies” erupted from the crowd.

The chant was cut short by three thuds behind the crowd followed by cackling. Everyone turned around to see three very strange-looking humans at the bottom of the wall. The shortest one was the one cackling. “Quake in fear, Littles Ponies,” she said. “For the Witches from the Volcano of Gloom have…breached…your…de-fen-ses?” She began stumbling over her words when she got a look at the crowd.



“Well this is just great,” Magic Star groaned. “Now the witches are here too.”

“This might actually be a good thing,” Gusty said.

“How?” Shady asked.

“Maybe the spiders will eat them and then get sick and die,” Gusty said.

“That’s absolutely disgusting.” Buttons got in Gusty’s face. “How could you suggest something so morbid, especially in front of your own daughter?”

“Are you kidding?” Baby Gusty said. “That would be awesome.”

“I’ve raised you well.” Gusty nuzzled her daughter.

Buttons could only sigh and roll her eyes at this.

* * *

The witches stared at these strange arachnids as they stared back at them. They came over the wall expecting to see brightly colored ponies. Not only was their not a pony in sight, but the courtyard was crawling with spiders and scorpions.

“I thought this was Dream Castle,” Draggle said.

“This is Dream Castle,” Hydia grumbled.

“But what all these arachnids doing here and where are the ponies?” Reeka asked.

“Shut up!” Hydia said. “I’ll figure this out.”

Draggle looked at the crowd and noticed towering over them was Aahg. The house-sized tarantula was looking away from them as if he was trying to ignore them. “Aahg, what you doing here?”

“You know them, Pledge Aahg?” a spider asked.

Aahg grumbled as he was unable to speak English.

“Of course he knows us,” Hydia said. “Think of all we’ve been through.”

“Actually, I don’t think that’s a good suggestion,” Draggle whispered to Hydia. “What we’ve been through is us using him and him getting the brunt of the trouble when we fail.”

Aahg bellowed a mighty roar.

“It’s better than more woodland creatures.” The scorpion holding the ‘To Serve Pony’ book darted away and came back with a piece masking tape over ‘Pony’ with ‘Witch’ written in black marker on it.

The others erupted into a ruckus cheer and moved in mass towards the witches. They were almost on top of them when someone on the front wall shouted, “Arachnis and Lash are approaching. Lower the bridge.”

Several arachnids pulled the levers on the mechanisms. The bridge lowered and the gate rose. Arachinis and Lash walked into the courtyard as the others formed a path for them.

The witches watched this unfold. The man was absolutely ghastly looking with his discolored skin and black eyes. A witch might consider him attractive. However, they were more in awe of how the mob of arachnids acted as he walked past. They created a path in front of him. Without a single word they did what he apparently wanted them to do.

The man walked up to the pony-sized scorpion guarding the door. “I want to see them.”

“Of course, Arachnis.” The scorpion opened the door.

* * *

Megan felt a chill go down her spine as Arachnis entered. He grabbed the key to the cage off the peg. Was he ready to feed them to the others? They backed up to the back of the cage as he walked up to them. They did not even bother to hide their fear as they huddled and trembled together.

Arachnis reached in his jacket and produced four Flutter Ponies wrapped in silk. He opened the cage and threw the Flutter Ponies in with them. He then slammed the cage shut.

Megan and Spike immediately started tearing the silk off them. Spike used his flame to weaken it while Megan pulled it off in chunks. One by one they freed the four from their silk straightjackets.

“Only four?” Arachnis said. “I thought for sure there were six.” He scowled. “Blast those meddling ponies.”

“They got you too I see,” Megan said.

“We didn’t even know they were there,” Forget-Me-Not said.

“I have something to ask you,” Arachnis said. “How many Ponies were not here when I cast my spell?”

Megan looked up at the man looming over them. His asking that question suggested he might have met Fizzy and Wind Whistler, but he did not have them nor did he have Paradise and Galaxy. If they did meet him, they must have escaped the encounter. However, the four were still their ace in and hole and they needed to keep him as much in the dark about them as possible. Despite her fear, she decided to play ignorant. “I don’t know you’re talking about.”

“I saw a Pegasus and a Unicorn in Flutter Valley,” Arachnis said.

“Are you sure they weren’t a figment of your imagination?” Sundance asked.

Arachnis grabbed Lash’s whip and pulled it up to the cage to show them the red welts. “Do these look imaginary?”

Lash yelped. “Not the whip!”

Arachnis slammed his fist on the sill, causing it quake enough to throw the shrunken captives clear off their feet. “A pale blue Pegasus and a turquoise Unicorn: WHO ARE THEY!?”

“Those sound like Wind Whistler and Fizzy respectively,” a voice said.

Everyone turned to see Hydia and her daughters standing at the door. Megan gulped upon seeing them. Were Magic Star’s worries well founded? The arachnids were bad enough, but if Hydia joined them it would make an already dire situation even worse. Not to mention their hopes of keeping Fizzy and Wind Whistler secret were now dashed.

“Who are you?” Arachnis allowed his anger to ebb.

“I am Hydia, head witch from the Volcano of Gloom, and these are my daughters, Reeka and Draggle,” Hydia answered.

“Why are you here?” Arachnis asked.

“We were going to attack the Little Ponies.” Hydia glanced at the cage. “However, I can see you’ve already done our job for us. I just want to say any enemy of the Little Ponies is a friend of ours.”

“And please don’t let those arachnids out their eat us,” Draggle pleaded.

Hydia kicked Draggle in the shin. “Shut up.”

Arachnis coughed a laugh. “I suppose I can spare you. If you join my horde, I will let you live.”

“Excellent,” Hydia said. “With our partnership, those Little Ponies won’t stand a chance.”

“Partnership?” Arachnis laughed loudly. “Hardly. You belong to me now.”

“We belong to no one!” Hydia stated.

“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear,” Arachnis said. “Either you’re mine or you’re dinner. Take your pick.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Reeka said. “How can we serve you?”

Arachnis smiled. “Better.”

All the ponies gulped. It was Magic Star’s worst fear. It was now the arachnids and the witches. The creepy exchange only added to their dread of what kind of force stood against their friends.

He turned to the scorpion standing in the doorway. “Strike, meet our latest inductees and give them their rite of passage.”

“Sure thing.” Strike grabbed Draggle’s arm and plunged his stinger into it.

Draggle yelped and pulled her arm away. “What was that for?”

“The venom now coursing through your veins will make you immune to my flute’s Diminishing Melody,” Arachnis said. Strike did the same to Hydia and Reeka. “Welcome to the Arachnid Marauders.”

“What about those two Ponies?” Lash asked. “We can’t let them remain free. There are also the Ponies in the rest of Ponyland to deal with too.”

Arachnis slouched and rubbed his temple. “Our trip to Flutter Valley was a lot of work for just four Ponies. I will not be hunting them down personally. Summon the Tarantula Hunters.”

“The Tarantula Hunters?” Lash asked.

“Yes,” Arachnis said. “I have announcement for them.”

“Okay.” Lash walked out of the room.

“Grab the cage and bring it outside with us,” Arachnis said to the witches. “I want the ponies to see this.”

Draggle picked up the cage and they followed Arachnis outside. The crowd parted to make a large, circular area in the center. Megan could not hold back a gasp when a dozen giant spiders covered in brown fur gathered in the circle. They had to be at least as large as ponies with long, sharp fangs at the ends of their mandibles.

Lash returned to Arachnis’ side and coughed to get everyone’s attention.

“My hunters,” Arachnis said, “you’ve often complained about how we’ve conducted business has taken the fun out of your lives. If we shrink everything, nothing poses a challenge for you. Well, it’s time to have your fun.”

A few eager whispers rose from the crowd.

Megan felt something brush against her leg. She looked down to see Baby Sundance leaning against her. The filly looked up at her with tears welling in her eyes. Megan bent down and hugged her.

“It’ll be okay. They won’t succeed.” Megan was saying that to reassure herself as much as Baby Sundance.

“We’ve captured the ponies in Dream Valley and Flutter Valley, but there are still more out there. The stallions are for the most part solitary and nomadic, spread across Ponyland and never in the same place for too long. There are also rogue mares out there just as solitary and nomadic as the stallions. Using the Diminishing Melody on them individually is impractical and trying to gather them and hold them at normal size is risky. Therefore, I’m leaving the rest of them to you. You are to kill the remaining ponies all on sight. Before the moon has cycled, the Little Ponies will pay the price for imprisoning us with their extinction.”

The crowd cheered loudly at this announcement. Aranchis quickly waved his hands to return them to silence. “However, there are two mares who’re a top priority, a pale blue Pegasus and a turquoise Unicorn. I want you hunting for them specifically. Bring me locks of their manes when you’ve taken care of them as proof.”

“As well as the Unicorn’s eyes,” Lash added.

Arachnis shot him a curious glance. “What? I really want them.”

“Then you can get them yourself as you’re going with them,” Arachnis said.

“Might I suggest we go as well?” Hydia asked. “We have experience dealing with those two.”

“They stopped our latest plan to destroy Dream Valley just yesterday,” Draggle said.

Hydia glared at her. “Can you ever open your mouth without sticking your foot in it?”

“Very well,” Arachnis said. “You and Pledge Aahg will join the hunt.”

“By your command.” Hydia bowed.

The witches and Aahg followed Lash to the group of spiders. Lash took point as the group crossed the drawbridge out of Dream Castle.

Arachnis looked down at them. Megan returned his gaze with a defiant glare along with some of the others. He grinned in response. “Abandon whatever hope you have invested in your friends. They and all the other ponies will fall to the hunters. We will wipe your kind off the face of the Earth. I assure you of that.”

To be continued…

Thanks.

I know they really didn't do much with Baby Gusty in the series. I think she got two lines total which really gave no insight into her character. For some reason, I've always imagined her being a Tomboy (or would she be a Tomcolt) probably because of her mother's character. I even had the idea that she's a Transformers fan.

I've been wondering for when the story shifts into the Human World if it should be 1986 or 2011. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

The next chapter takes our heroines into uncharted territory. I've been thinking of doing a trailer or two for the story going forward to get you ready.

This is the last "special" posting. After 5 I'm posting as I write. I'll post part 5 Thursday night and then post once a week at that time.

Anyway, meet the most aptly named parrot ever.

Part 4

Fizzy had never been to the ocean before. In fact, like most earthbound ponies, she had rarely left Dream Valley and that was only her few visits to Flutter Valley. She had read about it and heard about it and knew the Sea Ponies came from it, but she had never seen it for herself.

She and Wind Whistler galloped across the countryside beyond Dream Valley. They managed to return to Dream Valley and take a pass out without being noticed. At least, they hoped they were not noticed. They just had to travel southeast like Galaxy said and they would reach the coast.

It seemed like they had been on the move since first hearing of the witches in the Bushwoolies’ tunnels. Fizzy’s hooves were starting to feel heavy from all the galloping. However, it was not like they could go home at the moment. They also had the task before them of collecting all the pieces of the Rainbow of Light and collecting them as quickly as possible. Being on the move was just going to be the new normal whether her hooves liked it or not.

The landscape around them was strange. Fizzy was use to the forests and groves of Dream Valley. However, this place was devoid of trees. It was nothing but rolling hills covered in thick green grass. There were not even flowers to standout against the green surrounding them. It felt a little disconcerting to have no landmarks to work from.

“Don’t the Sea Ponies swim up a river to get to Dream Valley?” Fizzy asked. “Why aren’t we following that?”

“The mouth of the river is too far north,” Wind Whistler said. “I believe I have an idea of where this next rainbow piece is.”

They came over the crest of a hill and the grass abruptly ended for a sandy beach to begin. Their hooves sank into the pale sand as they trotted towards the blue expanse that was the ocean. Waves rolled onto the shore, throwing salty mist into the air. Aside from them the beach was empty with only sea gulls flying overhead to join their calls with the crashing of the waves.

A wall of gray sat over the water several miles offshore. It obscured almost everything, but Fizzy could just make out the ghostly image of an island in the distance. “What’s that island?”

“It’s the closest of the Mangrove Islands,” Wind Whistler answered. “The stallion Pegasi live out there, roaming from island to island.”

Paradise poked her head out of Wind Whistler’s mane. “That’s why you wanted to come here. This beach is the jump off point between the Mangroves and the mainland.”

Galaxy joined Paradise. “Now that you mention it, the Mangroves do instill a strong feeling. I’m pretty sure the rainbow piece is there. However, I also sense something’s wrong.”

“Are the stallions in trouble too?” Wind Whistler asked.

Galaxy shook her head. “No. I’m sense something is wrong with the rainbow piece itself.”

“What could be wrong with it?” Paradise asked.

“I’m not sure,” Galaxy said.

Fizzy walked down to the water’s edge. “A more pressing question is how I’m supposed to get there. It’s way too far for me to wink to and I can’t swim very well.”

She thought about it and Surf Rider in the bubble came to her mind again. “Wait, I think I have idea.”

She looked around for any calm water. There was a nearby tidal pool well removed from the ocean at the moment. She pointed her horn at it and concentrated as hard as she could. She had never made a bubble big enough to hold her, but there was a first time for everything.

The bubble formed in the pool, practically taking up the entire depression in the sand. She lifted it up and brought it down over her. The membrane slipped around her and she was enveloped. She relaxed and opened her eyes when her hooves left the ground and saw she was floating above the beach. “Alright, I did it. I can float over.”

“That was excellent thinking, Fizzy.” Wind Whistler leapt into the air.

“It’s hard controlling a bubble this big, though.” Fizzy tried to keep the bubble steady, but it tumbled in the wind.

“Simply concentrate on maintaining the bubble’s cohesion. I will push you to the island.” Wind Whistler carefully placed her front hooves on the membrane of the bubble and gently pushed it forward.

“Thanks, Wind Whistler.” Fizzy watched as they flew over the ocean. It was nice to be able to get somewhere without running for once.

She looked back to Wind Whistler. “Have you ever been to the Mangrove Islands before?”

“No,” Wind Whistler said. “This is actually only the second time I’ve been to that beach. My mother took me there to see my father off when he returned to the islands with my brother.”

“I’ve been to the islands once,” Paradise said. “They’re a tropical haven and the stallion Pegasi are just the nicest group of guys you’ll ever meet. It’s peaceful and laidback.”

“Though, none of them have come to Dream Valley in more than a year,” Wind Whistler said. “I wonder why.”

They flew closer to the island and the veil of cloud pulled away from it. They could see that it was a tropical paradise. It was covered in palm trees and other tropical plants and a sandy beach made up its shore. Fizzy could not tell from inside her bubble, but she knew the air must been very warm.

She then noticed one clump of low, gray clouds was not backing away. If anything, it seemed to be coming towards them. It spread around them until everything was completely obscured. Wind Whistler brought them to an immediate stop.

“Fog?” Fizzy asked.

“It is the wrong time of day for fog like this,” Wind Whistler replied.

A shape emerged from the obscurity. It was a massive galleon headed straight at them. Wind Whistler shoved Fizzy out of the way in time to avoid them being struck by the long bowsprit. They hovered to the side as the galleon slowed to a stop.

On the deck of the ship were several seals. They flopped to the side Fizzy and Wind Whistler were hovering next to. Many wore striped shirts and bandanas tied around their heads.

A walrus with long tusks that curved in so they crossed each other flopped to the side with the seals. On the front of his black hat was a picture of a walrus skull over crossed tusks. He eyed the two and then grinned. “We be havin’ a two fer one deal today, maties.”

Wind Whistler planted her hoof on her face and shook her head. “You cannot be serious. Pirates?”

“That we be, lassie,” the Walrus replied. “I be Captain Snaggletusk, leader of the dreaded Pinniped Pirates; and ye be our prisoners.”

“Prisoners?” Wind Whistler frowned. “I think not.”

Snaggletusk frowned in response. “Ye think differently after ye witness the power of the Drab Arch.” He reached into his heavy coat and produced a gray, heart-shaped locket.

“Is that what I think it is?” Honeysuckle asked.

Galaxy gulped. “If you think it’s a rainbow locket, I think you’re right.”

“Have at ye, equines.” Snaggletusk opened the locket and a steam of gray light slithered from it. It flew at Wind Whistler but bounced off the barrier created by her pendant.

“Arr.” Snaggletusk grimaced. “Yer protected from magic too? Fine. We’ll do this the old fashioned way.” He turned back to his crew. “Snag ‘em with a capture shell.”

Seals pushed a cannon forward and trained the muzzle on the two. Wind Whistler started pushing Fizzy away from the galleon. The cannon fired with a thunderous boom and belched a cloud of smoke. The shell shot for them but exploded into a net. The heavy net burst Fizzy’s bubble and dragged them down into the warm, salty water. A hook came down and grabbed the net.

Snaggletusk cracked an indulgent grin at the sight of them. “Ye will fetch a fine price in some port, or we’ll use ye as a bargainin’ chip against yer kin on the islands. Either way, yer the catch of the day.”

Fizzy struggled against the net, but it was too strong and she could not wink through it. She could not even reach the Rainbow Locket around Wind Whistler’s neck and neither could Wind Whistler. “What do we do now?”

“I suggest we voice our need of assistance at maximum volume in the hope someone is within audible range,” Wind Whistler said.

“Huh?”

“I said we should scream for HELP!”

Frizzy screamed “HELP!” with Wind Whistler as they were fished out of the water.



Hurricane circled down to the where the three Sea Ponies had breached. Pearl Diver along with Undertow and Manta Ray watched as he beat his wings to hover just above the water. “Anything?” he asked.

Pearl Diver shook her head. “There’s no sign of Sand Dollar and the others.”

“I’ve been all over the islands,” Hurricane said. “No one has seen them either. I guess they’re still in Dream Valley.”

“But it’s been two days,” Manta Ray said. “We should have at heard something from them, especially with all the foals they took with them.”

Sand Dollar and the others often traveled to Dream Valley on trips to visit the mares living at Dream Castle. However, they were usually day trips, especially now that they took some of the foals. If they were staying longer, they usually let the others know beforehand.

Hurricane’s mind wandered into what Contrail and Jet Streak had told him of the many threats Dream Valley faced. He thought they were pulling his wing. Dream Valley was supposed to be a peaceful paradise. How could it be so overrun with monsters and evildoers?

However, with those Sea Ponies missing, it was logical to assume foul play was involved. Everyone in Dream Valley could be in danger and might need their help. “Well, if they’re not back by tomorrow morning, I’ll fly out with Blitz and Jet Streak to see what’s going on in Dream Valley. How does that sound?”

“That’ll work,” Undertow said.

“What about the pirates?” Manta Ray asked.

“We’ll just have to risk it,” Hurricane said. “Besides, I’m getting tired living my life around them.”

Something faint reached Hurricane’s ear. He strained to hear what it was. It was a cry for help, perhaps two. “Did you hear that?”

The Sea Ponies strained to hear as well. “I did,” Pearl Diver said. “Someone’s in trouble.”

“Make that big trouble.” Undertow pointed at a cloud sitting on the water. “There’s only one cloud like that in the islands.”

“Speak of the devil, it’s the Dreadtusk,” Hurricane said. “The pirates must have gotten someone.”

“Then we need to get them back. Come on, boys.” Pearl Diver dove underwater. Manta Ray and Undertow followed her and swam towards the cloud. Hurricane also flew towards it.



The crane pulled Fizzy and Whistler level with the deck. The pirates had drawn sabers and machetes in preparation for them. The net stopped as it came to the pulley on the arm.

Snaggletusk gave a cruel chuckle. “Prepare the brig fer our ‘guests’.”

The crane slowly turned towards the ship. Wind Whistler tried to think of some way to fight them. Unfortunately, their only weapon was their piece of the Rainbow of Light which the pirates could nullify with their own, and the pirates had more weapons at their disposal along with vastly superior numbers. There were also her four friends cowering in her mane they had to worry about in a scuffle as well. They would not be fighting their way out of this.

She could not help but think of their friends being held captive in Dream Castle. They had to be hoping she and Fizzy would come to their rescue. She could not fight the tears welling in her eyes thinking they could be hoping and waiting for help that would never come. Now they were the ones hoping someone heard their cries for help, but the window was quickly closing.

A white Pegasus stallion with scarlet hair suddenly flew out of obscurity. He rammed the crane operator out of his chair and pushed the switch to the opposite position. The crane swung back out to dangle the net over the ocean again.

Wind Whistler watched the pandemonium that quickly consumed the deck. A seal raised his machete over the stallion from behind. “Watch out!”

The stallion looked back in time to buck the machete from the seal’s flipper. He jumped up and caught the blade in his mouth from midair and flew off the deck. He swooped around to the net.

“I’ll get you down from there.” He slashed the rope suspending them from the crane. They plummeted into the ocean. However, a platform lifted them out of the water.

Three Sea Ponies breached around them. “Shoo-be-doo, shoo, shoo-be-doo,” the purple mare and blue and green stallions sang as was Sea Pony custom when announcing their arrival.

“We’ll get you out of here,” the mare said. They grabbed ropes and began towing them away from the ship.

“I’ll slow up the pirates.” The Pegasus swooped back towards the ship. He flew up to the sails and slashed the ropes holding them to the masts. The huge pieces of cloth fell onto the deck, covering everyone below. He darted back to the Sea Ponies towing Fizzy and Wind Whistler out of the fog bank.



The Sea Ponies towed the netted ponies to a tiny lump of sand that could barely be called an island. The fronds of the single palm tree growing on it stretched out farther than the sand did. However, it was as good a place as any to get the two mares out of the net.

Hurricane landed on the shell which the Sea Ponies beached on the sand. “Are you two alright?” he asked

“We will be once you have freed us from this net,” the Pegasus said.

Hurricane turned to the Sand Dollar and the others. “Okay. Pull the top of the net out so I can slash it open.”

“Just be careful not to hit them,” Pearl Diver said.

Manta Ray and Undertow pulled the top of the net away from the two captives. Hurricane brought the machete down and slashed the top of the net off. The two mares worked their way out of the net.

“Thank you so much for coming to our aid.” The Pegasus kicked the net off her back to hoof.

“It was nothing, really.” Hurricane got his first good look at the Pegasus and just stopped. She was stunningly beautiful along with well spoken. It felt like his heart leapt into his throat as she walked up to him.

“I should probably introduce us,” the Pegasus said. “I am Wind Whistler and this is my friend, Fizzy.”

“Hello,” her Unicorn companion said.

“Who are you?”

“Me…I’m Hurricane.”

“I’m Pearl Diver. These are Manta Ray and Undertow.”

“Hi. How’re doing?” Undertow said. “You two wouldn’t happen to be from Dream Valley, would you?”

Fizzy and Wind Whistler opened their mouths to answer. However, they closed them and looked at each other. They looked away and held their heads low.

“Yes,” Wind Whistler said solemnly. “You are likely asking because your friends have not returned or sent a message to you. I am afraid that is because we were attacked and they are being held captive along with most of our friends.”

Pearl Diver gasped. “No.”

A tiny white Pegasus flew out of Wind Whistler’s mane. She was joined by pink and pale blue ponies that appeared to have wings made of gossamer and a pink Unicorn winked in at their feet. “I’m afraid so,” the Pegasus said. “A sorcerer shrank us and took over our castle.”

“You’re telling me this happened to Sand Dollar?” Pearl Diver practically sobbed.

The Pegasus gave a solemn nod.

Pearl Diver buried her head in Manta Ray’s blue chest and burst into tears. He wrapped his fins around her and patted her back. “At least we know.”

“Sand Dollar is Pearl Diver’s little sister.” Hurricane wanted to bite his tongue for the unfortunate choice of words.

Pearl Diver shot a glare at Wind Whistler and Fizzy. “Why weren’t you shrunk?”

Wind Whistler was visibly shaken by this question. “We…we were not there at the time. There was nothing we could do.”

“We also shouldn’t go down the road of what could have been.” Hurricane put himself between Pearl Diver and Wind Whistler. He did not know why he did, but he felt the need to protect Wind Whistler from Pearl Diver. “What’s done is done. We can’t change that. We can only try to save them.”

“We are trying to rescue them,” Wind Whistler said. “In fact, that is why we have to come to the islands. We are searching for a piece of the Rainbow of Light. We believe those pirates have it in their possession.”

“You mean the Drab Arch?” Hurricane asked.

Wind Whistler nodded. “I believe that is what the pirates called it.”

“You should explain this to Monsoon. I’ll take you to his place on Spell Halt Island.” Hurricane took to the air and flew towards the east. Wind Whistler followed and the Sea Ponies pulled the shell with Fizzy and the tiny Ponies off the beach and pulled it after them.

He looked down at Pearl Diver. She wore a pained expression. He could only imagine how painful it must be for her right now. He had to have at least one sister among the mares living in Dream Valley, but he had not met them since they were foals. While the mares’ plight was saddening, it was not a personal blow to him. However, Pearl Diver always fretted when her little sister and her friends left, and now her worst fears had been realized.



Wind Whistler flew down to the shell. She saw Pearl Diver look back at her, scowling resentfully. The expression pierced her deeply. She knew what the she had to be going through. Seeing her and Fizzy unharmed while her sister was being held captive must have aggravated her grief.

“Galaxy,” Wind Whistler whispered. “Can we talk in private?”

“Sure.” Galaxy winked out and winked back in on Wind Whistler’s head. Wind Whistler fell back to where she believed they could talk without being overheard by the others.

“Galaxy, do think things could have gone differently if Fizzy and I had been at Dream Castle. We were not there because we stayed to visit with the Bushwoolies.”

“I doubt it. Ribbon’s telepathy and my intuition failed to pick up Arachnis’ presence and we could not escape. The only difference is you and Fizzy would likely be prisoners with the others.”

“I just feel bad for having escaped this. I have often been the one to think a way out of crises. I cannot help but wonder if I could have stopped this.”

“I suggest you don’t think about it. Like Hurricane said, what’s done is done. We need to concentrate on rescuing them.”

“We’re approaching Spell Halt Island!” Hurricane shouted.

Wind Whistler looked ahead. They were headed towards a volcanic island. The cone of the volcano that brought it above the ocean was surrounded by sandy beaches and lush jungle. Hurricane descended and landed on the beach, and the Sea Ponies pushed the shell ashore.

As Wind Whistler landed, Galaxy groaned weakly. “Is something wrong?” Wind Whistler asked.

“I just feel a little Dizzy,” Galaxy answered weakly.

“I suddenly feel sick,” Honeysuckle grumbled.

“What’s happening to you?” Fizzy asked.

“It’s okay,” Hurricane said. “Their magic is just being blocked. The dizziness and nausea will pass in a few minutes.”

“Why would their magic be blocked?” Wind Whistler asked.

Hurricane walked up to one of many bushes covered in pale blue flowers identical to the ones making up the lei around his neck. He held one up. “It’s because of these. These flowers are magic and block all other magic. That’s why this island is called Spell Halt as no other magic works here.”

“But I don’t feel dizzy.” Fizzy formed a bubble from the air. “And my magic still works.”

“I believe it is because of your pendant,” Wind Whistler said. “It protects you against harmful magic while letting you use your own. Since these flowers use their magic to dampen all foreign magic, it recognizes it as harmful and is preventing them from dampening yours.”

“Huh?” Fizzy asked.

“She said your necklace is protecting your magic,” Hurricane said.

“Why…yes.” Wind Whistler was surprised Hurricane understood her immediately. Even some of her friends were still confused by her choices in vocabulary at times. It was not that she wanted to confuse them, but when she was excited or not thinking, she would use more complicated words than needed. “You understood that?”

Hurricane put down the flower. “Of course. I actually like your liberal use of vocabulary.”

Wind Whistler felt her heart quicken at hearing this. This was the first time she had been complimented on it. There was also something about Hurricane that made her feel strange.

Hurricane walked towards a path through the jungle. “Monsoon’s place is at the foot of the volcano. Come on.”

Paradise, Honeysuckle, and Morning Glory flew into Fizzy’s mane and they all followed Hurricane down the path. It led to a cabana at the foot of the cone like he said. It was basically a roof of palm fronds held up by a structure of bamboo over a raised platform. Solar panels sat on the roof which likely powered the multi-colored lights wrapped around the poles and draped from the rafters.

There were quite a few Pegasus stallions inside. Wind Whistler recognized Contrail and Jet Streak as they were Heartthrob and Lofty’s mates respectively and visited Dream Valley frequently until a year ago. There were also their sons who were smaller, carbon copies of them. The others were strangers, or at least she did not recognize them as adults since they were foals when they were last in Dream Valley.

“I see the gang’s all here.” Hurricane walked up the gangplank to the hard wood platform.

“It’s not like you to be the last one, Hurricane,” Jet Streak said.

“I’m sorry, but I picked up a couple guests along the way,” Hurricane replied.

Fizzy and Wind Whistler walked up the gangplank and were immediately confronted by a mint green stallion with teal hair. “This is an interesting twist. Usually we go see the mares, not the other way around.” His gravelly voice was unmistakable.

“Of course, Monsoon,” Wind Whistler said.

“You know him?” Fizzy asked.

“I was just a little filly when he last came to Dream Valley, so I did not remember the name at first. But I would recognize that voice anywhere.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Monsoon said.

“Compliment,” something squawked.

Monsoon glared up at a red McCaw parrot perch on a rafter. “Compliment, compliment, I’ll take that as a compliment,” the bird squawked.

“Shut Up, shut up!” Monsoon snapped.

“Why did you tell the parrot to ‘shut up’ twice?” Wind Whistler asked.

“Shut up is his name,” Monsoon said.

“Actually, we’ve told him to shut up so often he thinks that’s his name,” Contrail said.

“Shut up,” Shut Up said.

Monsoon grimaced at the bird before turning his attention to Wind Whistler again. “Anyway, what brings you out to the Mangroves?”

“I am afraid it is terrible news,” Wind Whistler said. “A sorcerer called Arachnis the Captor and his horde of Arachnid Marauders have captured almost all the ponies living in Dream Valley and Flutter Valley. He uses a magical flute to shrink things which he has done to everyone except Fizzy and myself.”

“This is a joke right?” A bright orange Pony forced a laugh but stopped when he collected the glares of everyone else.

“See for yourself.” Wind Whistler put her nose in front of a table so Galaxy could jump off her head and onto the tabletop. Paradise, Honeysuckle, and Morning Glory flew down to join her. There was a collective gasp as everyone stared wide-eyed at the tiny mares.

Wind Whistler continued her explanation. “We have come here looking for a piece of the Rainbow of Light which can defeat Arachnis and restore everyone. However, we believe it is in the hands of some pirates who call it the Drab Arch.”

“The Pinniped Pirates,” Monsoon said. “Those blasted seals and their orthodontic nightmare of a captain are the reason we no one has been to Dream Valley in a year.”

“They tried to capture us on the way here,” Fizzy said. “If it wasn’t for Hurricane, we’d be in their brig. Why are they here?”

“We’re not sure where they came from, but they were a minor nuisance to start with. However, they obtained the Drab Arch and suddenly became a threat.” Monsoon held up the lei he wore around his neck like the others. “We made these leis from the magic flowers on this island to protect us from it. However, while they protect us from it directly, it doesn’t protect us from non-magical hazards it causes. They’ve effectively cut us off from the mainland.”

“I wonder how it lost its color,” Paradise said.

“It is possible the pirates’ evil intentions have corrupted it,” Wind Whistler said.

“That’s terrible,” Fizzy said. “But what do they want with you?”

“From what we can tell, they’re slavers,” Monsoon said. “They want to capture interesting creatures and sell them to highest bidder for whatever purpose they have in mind.”

“Perhaps we can help you.” Wind Whistler held up the rainbow locket around her neck. “We have already found one piece of the Rainbow of Light. We might be able to use it to take the other from the pirates.”

“It’s worth a shot,” Hurricane said. “I sabotaged their sails, so they won’t be going anywhere until morning.”

Monsoon bobbed his head as he thought about it. “I agree. Those in favor of taking the fight to the pirates yell ‘yea’.”

A unanimous chorus of “Yea!” resounded through the cabana.

“Then we attack at dawn and end this once and for all. In the meantime, let’s prepare with a good meal and good night’s sleep.”



Dinner was a smorgasbord of tropical fruits. To Paradise’s delight, this included honeydew melon. The sweet, green fruit was her favorite. She ate her fill which was probably less than she would have eaten in a single bite at normal size.

“One advantage to being small, you don’t eat as much.” A relatively loud belch suddenly escape from her throat. She blushed. “Your belches are also less noticeable. Excuse me.”

“I guess you’re right,” Galaxy said distantly.

“Is something wrong?”

“I just feel vulnerable without my intuition or winking ability. I guess you don’t realize how much you depend on your magical powers until they’re gone.”

“I’m afraid I can’t say I know how you feel, but at least we’re with friends.”

Paradise happened to let her eyes wander to Wind Whistler. She walked to the table where Hurricane was sitting and eating his dinner quietly. “Can I sit with you?” she asked.

“Sure.” Hurricane scooted over to give her room.

Wind Whistler sat down next to him. “Thank you.”

“Tonight I’ll talk with Monsoon about helping you find the remaining the rainbow pieces and any ponies who have avoided capture,” Hurricane said. “We tend to keep to ourselves, but it’s the least we could do if you succeed in taking the Drab Arch and driving those pirates away.”

“We would appreciate that very much,” Wind Whistler said.

Hurricane looked around the cabana. “It’s been a while since spirits have been this high around here. We had just about given up hope of getting those pirates out of our islands. Some of us were planning to leave and find a new home on the mainland.”

“We are always glad to help those in need whenever we can,” Wind Whistler said. “We were just fortunate you heard us. If it was not for you, we would be in the pirates’ brig headed to who knows where.”

“I just do what needs to be done.” Hurricane cracked a grin but it was accompanied by reddening cheeks suggesting it was out of embarrassment.

“I have to admit I found it very dashing,” Wind Whistler said.

The two looked at each other. Paradise was shocked at what she saw as a sparkle seemed to come to Wind Whistler’s eyes. Wind Whistler of all ponies had fallen in love at practically first sight? Paradise felt anticipation swell within her as they drew closer.

Wind Whistler blinked and the sparkle was replaced with shock. “What am I doing?” She practically jumped to her hooves and galloped out of the cabana.

Hurricane looked around with a confused expression. “What, do I have bad breath?”

Paradise felt like the proverbial chair had been pulled out from under her. She planted her hoof on her face and sighed. She should have seen this coming.

“Wind Whistler, come back.” She flew after her.



Wind Whistler ran until she came to the end of an outcropping of volcanic rock jutting from the sand. The red sun was just starting to touch the ocean as it would soon disappear over the horizon. It seemed as good a place as any to be alone with her thoughts. She sat down and sighed.

“Ah, l’amour.” Paradise sighed as she landed on Wind Whistler’s forehead and slid down her nose.

“Stop it.” Wind Whistler shook her head to make Paradise to fly off.

“Just feel lucky Heartthrob isn’t here. She would be gushing like a dam break seeing you like this.”

“But it is illogical.” Wind Whistler stared out at the sinking sun. “My friends are being held captive and are counting on me to find a way to save them. A gang of pirates has a corrupted piece of the Rainbow of Light we must obtain. All this is happening, and I am thinking of something as frivolous as love and with someone I’ve only just met?”

Paradise perched on Wind Whistler’s nose. “Whether you like it or not, you are not a being of pure logic. You also have emotional needs and at a time like this, it’s natural to look for companionship. Besides, he’s quite a catch.”

Wind Whistler managed a grin. “I guess you are right. I always put everyone before me. I guess I can have this little thing to myself.”

“That’s the spirit.” Paradise flew up and sat in Wind Whistler’s mane. “Now, go back in there and tell him your feelings.”

“I do not think I will be so blunt.” Wind Whistler stood up and walked back to the path. “I think he likes my reserved personality. I will take it slow.”

“Oh, Wind Whistler.”



Buttons watched as night fell. The glow in the sky faded and was replaced by blackness studded with stars. “Is it safe yet?” she asked.

Ribbon’s horn glowed as she sensed the state of the minds in the castle. “Yes. Those who didn’t leave are asleep.”

“Alright, here we go.” Buttons concentrated on her magic. Her telekinetic powers surrounded the key hanging on a peg next to the door.

Once it was in her control, she willed it to rise and it slowly began to lift off the peg. It was heavy at its full weight came on her power. She had to strain to keep it from dropping. “It’s so heavy.”

“Just get it to the sill,” Megan said. “Then you can just drag it along.”

Buttons pulled the key towards them. When it was well above the sill, she released them. They hit the sill with a louder clang than Buttons was hoping for.

“Are you okay?” Ribbon asked.

“I just need a second to recover.” Buttons panted as she tried to catch her breath and gather her strength. “Did we wake anyone?”

“No.”

That’s all Buttons wanted to know. She again grabbed the key with her power. It was easier to drag it up to the cage. She released it when Spike grabbed its ring and picked up the key itself. “I got it.”

He and Megan slid it into the padlock on the cage door. Sundance and Truly slid a pin they had found through the hole in the key so they could help turn it. All four twisted the key until the lock popped open. Whizzer and Lofty slid the loop of the lock out of the door and pushed the door open.

Ribbon was the first to take a few cautious steps outside. Her horn glowed as she was sensing for anyone taking notice. “It’s safe.”

“Alright, we’ll get the Sea Ponies.” Megan mounted North Star and Spike mounted Lofty.

The Pegasi and Flutter Ponies flew down to the tub the Sea Ponies were in. Because they could not move on land, the arachnids had left them there. The fliers hovered over the water so the adults could hop onto the backs of the adult Pegasi and the babies could hop onto the backs of the foals and Flutter Ponies.

The Unicorns winked out and winked back in on the floor. “What about the Earth Ponies?” Gusty asked.

“Actually, we are so small and light, they could possibly jump and land unharmed due to the decrease in our terminal velocity,” Peach Blossom replied. “However, we can further cushion their fall using your wind magic and our Utter Flutter.”

“Uh…right,” Gusty said.

“Hold tight, little ones,” Rose Dust said to the baby Sea Ponies on the Flutter Ponies backs. She then instructed the other Flutter Ponies, “Shift to Utter Flutter.”

“But only enough to cushion their fall,” Peach Blossom added.

The four Ponies began beating their wings faster and faster. They reached a speed where they were producing wind that hit the ground and was deflected upwards. Gusty added her magic and twisted it into a vortex.



Magic star looked down at the vortex. Utter Flutter gave a shimmering affect to the air so she could see it. “Nice thinking.”

She turned back to the others. “Gusty and the Flutter Ponies have made a vortex to cushion our fall. We’ll go down one by one.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Shady whimpered.

“It’s safer than waiting around for one of those eight-legged freaks to come by for a midnight snack,” Lickety-Split replied.

“I’ll check it out.” Gingerbread leapt off the sill and into the vortex. The vortex slowed her descent and she gently planted her hooves on the floor when she reached it.

Magic Star heaved a sigh of relief. “Okay, babies next.”

The three foals lined up at the edge. Baby Sundance was first. She cheered as she slowly descended to the floor. Baby Shady followed her and Baby Lickety-Split then made her jump.

“Who’s next?” Magic Star asked.

“I’ll go,” Lickety-Split said.

“Alright, Sweet Stuff will go after you. Then Sundance, then Posey, then Cherries Jubilee, then Truly, then Shady, and I’ll go last.”

In the order Magic Star gave, the adults made their jumps. All of them landed safely. It was Shady’s turn, but she took one look over the edge and backed away trembling.

“I can’t do it,” she said. “It’s too high.”

Magic Star sighed. She knew Shady would be frightened. That was why she chose to go last. “How about we make our jump together?”

Shady gulped. “Okay…I guess.”

The two walked to the edge. “On the count of three,” Magic Star said. “One, two, three.”

The two jumped off the sill and into the vortex. The wind caught them and slowed their descent like the others. Magic Star felt like she was going in slow motion as the floor got nearer and nearer. They finally reached the floor and planted their hooves. Gusty and the Flutter Ponies ceased their magic and the vortex disappeared.

“That wasn’t so bad now, was it?” Magic Star said.

“We’re out of the cage and off the sill,” Gusty said. “Now how do we get out of this room?”

“Leave that to us, darlings.” Heartthrob flew up to the door handle with Whizzer, Masquerade, and Surprise following. They undid the deadbolt and jumped on the handle to pop it open. The door opened slightly and Magic Star wedged her body into the narrow crack. Others helped her push it just wide enough they could get through comfortably.

They quietly snuck out into the darkened courtyard. The night was quite warm and sticky. The humidity hit them like a wall as they left the air-conditioned interior.

In the almost non-existent light, they made out the faintest image of Strike asleep next to the door. Peach Blossom stopped and looked at the giant scorpion’s stinger.

“What is it, Peach Blossom?” Rose Dust asked in a whisper.

“Arachnis said the venom Strike injected into the witches protects them from his shrinking magic,” Peach Blossom said. “I wonder if it could hold the key to restoring us to normal size as well.”

“I am afraid we are in no position to investigate,” Rose Dust said. “Come on, the others are waiting.”

Everyone slipped past him and jumped down the stairs onto the courtyard. The hardest parts of their escape were now hopefully behind them.

“Aside from Strike, the courtyard is abandoned,” Ribbon said.

“Then we just have to make it to the far wall,” Megan said.

The far wall was only discernable by where the stars ended. The arachnids had left no lights on and the moon had not yet risen. Fortunately, the courtyard was completely open and with no one around, they simply had to walk forward.

“At least we can’t be seen,” Sundance said.

“Actually, arachnids have a very effective night vision,” Peach Blossom said.

Shady gulped. “Now you tell us.”

“Fortunately they can’t read minds,” Ribbon said.

“At least we hope they can’t,” Gusty said.

They came to the far wall. Megan felt the bottom until her hand past through it. “Here it is.”

“Here’s what?” Lofty asked.

“It’s a drainpipe,” Magic Star said. “Rainwater empties out of the courtyard through it into the stream.”

“It’s also how we’ll escape.” Megan disappeared down it.

The others followed. The pipe sloped down and emptied into the stream Dream Castle was right up against. The Pegasi and Flutter Ponies flew up to avoid sliding into the water. However, the others fell into the cold water in a series of splashes. They quickly swam to shore and pulled themselves out. Magic Star shook off the water and shivered from the chill.

“Being small isn’t all that bad,” Baby Shady said. “We can ride in whirlwinds and slide down drainage pipes. It’s actually quite fun.”

“It won’t be fun if we get caught,” Lickety-Split said.

“I also have a feeling there are going to be storms before morning,” Gusty said. “I for one don’t want to know what a thunderstorm would be like at this size. We need somewhere to hide.”

Megan pondered for a couple seconds. “How about my home?”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Shady asked.

“It’s safer than here, and it’s the one place Fizzy and Wind Whistler would think to look for us and Arachnis wouldn’t,” Megan replied.

“But the only way to get there is by flight,” North Star said.

“I might have a solution for that.” Rose Dust disappeared into the darkness with the other Flutter Ponies. A few seconds later they returned carrying a huge catalpa leaf. “We can carry everyone on this.”

“Good thinking.” Megan climbed onto the leaf with the others.

“Are you sure you can carry all of us?” Gusty asked.

Peach Blossom nodded. “In our miniaturized state, we can actually carry relatively more as our volume and apparent weight have decreased by an additional factor than the surface area of our wings.”

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” Gusty said.

The Flutter Ponies and Pegasi grabbed the edges of the leaf and lifted it off the ground. They then flew towards the rainbow that served as a bridge between Ponyland and the Human World. As they departed, everyone took one last look at their home which they had to abandon. Hopefully, they would return to retake it soon.

To be continued…

Here's Part 5. You're officially caught up to what I have done so far. From now on I'll be posting weekly on Thursdays around 8 in the evening Eastern Time. I'll try to hold the schedule as well as I can.

Not much in the reply category. Well, I can take it that the lack of replies is a good thing as no one has found it bad enough to comment about it. I just hope you're all enjoying the story.

Part 5

“Red sky in morning: Pegasi take warning.” This rule of thumb immediately came to Wind Whistler’s mind when she awoke to everything tinted a crimson hue. The sun was already starting to peek over the horizon. She had intended to be up before the sun as usual, but they were further east making sunrise and sunset earlier than they were in Dream Valley.

The red dawn meant storms were in the near future. However, the ponies on Spell Halt Island had more important things to worry about. They were preparing for battle.

Wind Whistler could feel the tension in the air as she walked into the cabana. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something. Even Baby Contrail and Baby Jet Streak were pawing at the floor impatiently.

After the feast last night, breakfast was very light. This was a classic tactic for Pegasi when getting ready for fights. The dinner provided energy reserves while the light breakfast kept them from being weighed down by digestion.

Wind Whistler sat down next to Hurricane. “Are you waiting for something?”

“Blitz is scouting the status of the pirates,” Hurricane said. “When he returns, we’ll get ready to head out.”

“I will be glad when this is over. It is disconcerting to think a piece of the Rainbow of Light could be turned to evil.”

“I’ve heard of the Rainbow of Light from those who have been to Dream Valley. They say it’s a powerful weapon.”

Wind Whistler nodded. “It is used to defend ourselves. Unfortunately, ours is now in the hands of Arachnis and his horde.”

“Monsoon said we’ll help you anyway we can. We’ll also recruit other ponies still out there,” Hurricane said. “You and Fizzy don’t have face this alone.”

“Thank you.” Wind Whistler felt relieved to know more would be joining their cause. The challenge ahead of them seemed staggering for just two ponies, but now they had a virtual army. She did not want to get ahead of herself, though. They needed to clear this hurdle first.

Hurricane let his eyes dart around as if he was trying to collect his thoughts. “I know this sounds sudden, but can we talk about last night?”

Wind Whistler felt her heartbeat quicken. It was a discussion she had hoped to avoid. As illogical as it might be, she was attracted to him. She actually felt a little embarrassed this was happening to her. It also seemed inappropriate to discuss such a matter at a time like this.

Her thoughts immediately went to deflecting the issue. “What about it?”

“I know we just met each other, but do you think something is developing between us?”

“I…I suppose. We are of the age when ponies look for mates. If not for the pirates, you might have come to Dream Valley by now.” Wind Whistler heaved a sigh. She might as well not try to hide from it. “To be direct: yes. Even though I just met you, there is something about you that makes me want to be with you.”

“Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I want to be with you too.”

Without thinking, Wind Whistler leaned against Hurricane and rested her head in his soft mane. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted off her back and took comfort in being near him. That comfort was immediately shattered by the collective “aw” from the audience Wind Whistler forget they had. She sat up straight and both looked away from each other. This only got laughs from the others. Wind Whistler’s cheeks got hot out of embarrassment.

“Alright. Leave the love birds alone,” Monsoon said.

“Love birds,” Shut Up repeated.

Monsoon scowled at the parrot. He turned his attention to the others. “We have more important matters to attend to.”

Fizzy walked into the cabana. “Hi, everyone.”

“Hi,” a couple ponies said.

“You just missed Wind Whistler and Hurricane confess their love for each other,” Contrail said.

“Oh.” Paradise flew out of Fizzy’s mane. “I wanted to be here.”

“It was nothing as dramatic as that,” Wind Whistler said.

She took a quick survey of the cabana now that Fizzy had arrived. Aside from Blitz, everyone was now there. They just needed their scout to return.

Blitz suddenly swooped into the cabana. Blitz had to have one of the loudest color schemes Wind Whistler had ever seen on a pony. He had jeweled eyes like Fizzy that looked like diamonds as well as a mane and tail that were four colors. However, his were bright red, yellow, green, and blue against his pale gray coat. Even his haunch mark was eye-catching as a brilliant, yellow lightning bolt curved into an arch.

Everyone fell silent as he walked up to Monsoon. They all gave him his full attention. The time they had been waiting for had come.

“I found the pirates exactly where Hurricane said they’d be. They’ve turned off their fog machine and were repairing their sails.” Blitz’s speech as was very hurried, giving Whizzer a run for her money in terms of the fastest talker Wind Whistler had ever met. “However, when the dawn came with a red sky they dropped anchor and began securing their ship for storms.”

“Then we have them,” Monsoon said.

“Yeah, but their hunkering down for storms,” Jet Streak said. “We should do the same.”

“We can’t let this opportunity pass us by,” Monsoon said. “Don’t forget, this isn’t just about the pirates anymore as well. Those arachnids have captured Dream Castle and the ponies living there. They may also be spreading into other regions of Ponyland in search of others. We cannot afford to wait any longer.”

Everyone glanced around the cabana. One by one they gave their nod.

“Then we head out within the hour,” Monsoon said.



Arachnis walked out into the courtyard of Dream Castle. While he had gone to sleep to clear skies, a driving rain was now pelting Dream Valley from a blanket of gray clouds. The courtyard was understandably empty aside from Strike sleeping in front of the door where the Ponies were being held. As Arachnis walked towards him he noticed the door was cracked.

He broke into a run and burst into the room. The cage was empty and the lock was sitting next to the door with the key in its hole. He picked it up and thought. Did the ponies escape or did someone get greedy?

He then noticed the Sea Ponies had also vanished. Besides him and Strike, no one could have reached them. They must have escaped during the night.

Arachnis felt his face grow hot as his entire body tensed with rage. He threw the lock on the floor and stormed out of the room. In almost one motion his walked out of the room and kicked Strike off the stoop. “Get up!”

“Ow. What?”

“They’re gone!”

“Who are?”

Arachnis grabbed Strike and brought him up to his face. “The ponies, you idiot! The ponies have escaped!” He threw Strike to the ground. “You were supposed to be guarding them!”

“They were in a cage on a sill in a locked room,” Strike said. “I thought they were secure.”

Arachnis felt the urge to kick Strike again. However, that would not solve the problem. “Everyone get out here!”

Spiders and scorpions poured out of the doors and windows. The courtyard quickly went from abandoned to crowded. “The ponies have escaped.”

A chorus of hushed conversation rose from the crowd. “I told you we should have eaten them when we had the chance,” a spider said loudly enough to be heard.

Arachnis replied by throwing a bolt of lightning into him. “If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it.”

He ceased his lightning and grimaced at the crowd. “Find them. They couldn’t have gotten far. I don’t care if you have to tear this valley apart, I want them back here and alive.”

The spiders and scorpions crawled towards the drawbridge. The bridge was lowered and they crossed it to spread into the valley. Arachnis gnashed his teeth as he watched them leave. They would find them. The Ponies could not have possibly gotten out of the valley over the course of one night.



The Pegasi and Flutter Ponies panted and wheezed as they carried the others on the catalpa leaf. A trip that took a few minutes at normal size took all night. Even Whizzer and Surprise, who seemed to never run out of energy, were gassed from flying for so long and helping to carry the leaf.

Fortunately, the “rainbow” was actually a magical bridge linking Ponyland to the Human World and not a real rainbow. It was there all the time and in any weather. That meant they could cross over during the night and not wait in the wilderness for morning. They also beat out the storms Gusty predicted and were in fact looming over the horizon when they reached the rainbow.

They had just come over the crest when the fliers set the leaf down. The rainbow was also a solid arch giving them a chance to rest.

“I’m afraid that’s about all we can give you.” North Star panted and the others were just as exhausted.

“That’s okay.” Megan petted North Star on her head. “We can slide down from here.”

“Suits me just fine. I’ve always wanted to do this. Kowabunga!” Gusty leapt forward and slid down the rainbow on her belly.

“Me too. Kowabunga!” Baby Gusty followed her mother.

“I’m not going to say that word, but here I go.” Buttons took a couple of cautious steps before slipping down after them.

The others followed. They all slid down the rainbow to its bottom in the middle of the ranch Megan’s family owned. They rolled off and landed in a thick patch of grass that cushioned their fall.

Everyone looked around the area. The Pegasi had been to the ranch multiple times to pick up and drop off Megan. However, it was the first time the others had been here. It was nothing too special: a white farmhouse and a stable surrounded by green pastures. A few horses were wandering around the sprawling property. They occasionally bit at clumps of grass or let out a whinny. Some were even running just for the sake of running.

“So, this is your place,” Gingerbread said.

“Yup.” Megan inhaled a deep breath through her nostrils. The early morning air was cool and moist. There was also that familiar smell of her family’s horses. That, more than anything else, told her she was home. “We can get into the house and find some place for the Sea Ponies. Then we’ll wait until Fizzy and Wind Whistler come for us.”

A dewdrop suddenly fell on Sweet Stuff, instantly drenching her. She shook the water off. “I’m all for getting inside. Being outside like this makes me nervous.”

“Don’t worry.” Surprise took to the air. “There’s nothing dangerous around here.”

She was not looking ahead and got caught in a web stretched between two fence posts. She struggled against the net of silk but only managed to get more tangled. She also attracted the attention of the garden spider that had spun it as she crawled out of her hiding place.

“Help! The arachnids are already here!”

“It’s not one of the marauders,” Megan said. “It’s just a normal garden spider.”

“Oh…okay,” Surprise said.

“It’s not okay. She’s still going to eat you.” Gusty blasted at the web with her magic. The Flutter Ponies joined in and blew Surprise out of the web before the spider could reach her.

Surprise steadied herself once she was free. The spider quickly crawled back into her hiding place. “I guess there are a bunch of dangerous things around here when you’re tiny,” Surprise said. “I’m with Sweet Stuff. Let’s get inside and fast.”



Snaggletusk watched his shipmates secure fixtures on the ship. With his ship immobile and storms likely on approach, the best they could do was hunker down and ride out whatever the weather threw at them. He cursed that blasted pony. Not only did he cost him those two he had caught, but he left them stuck out in the middle of the ocean.

A seal flopped up to the helm where Snaggletusk sat. “We’ve battened down everything that can be battened down, Capn’.”

“Excellent,” Snaggletusk said. “We’ll ride out the dirty weather and complete repairs. Then, we’ll teach those blasted ponies fer making fools of us.”

“Ponies are approaching from the east!” the lookout in the crow’s nest shouted.

Snaggletusk grabbed his spyglass and pointed it east. A flying “V” of Pegasi was headed for them. He chuckled. “We might get the chance sooner than I thought.”



Wind Whistler and the others stopped off the Dreadtusk’s port side. “Snaggletusk, I want to speak to you,” Wind Whistler said.

Snaggletusk flopped to the side of the ship along with several seals. “What do ye want?”

“The item you call the Drab Arch is in fact ours. I demand you return it and leave these islands forever.”

Snaggletusk slapped the railing and laughed loudly. “That’s a good one, lass. I don’t think ye understand. We be pirates. We take loot. We don’t give it back.”

“Then I will take it from you by force.” Wind Whistler touched the Rainbow Locket around her neck. It burst open and the Rainbow of Light streamed out of it. She felt it connect to her as it behaved based on the locket bearer’s feelings.

“Arr. So ye have a rainbow of yer own? Then let’s see whose is better.” Snaggletusk opened his and the Drab Arch burst from it.

The two struck each other with a thunderous explosion. Having only ever seen one Rainbow of Light, Wind Whistler never knew what it would be like if two fought against each other. Yet it was something she was about to witness first hand.

There was also the wall of dark clouds taking up the entire western part of the sky. Red sky indeed warned of bad weather. A squall line was heading straight for them. It was another factor that could play into the battle as Wind Whistler and the others had often used the Rainbow of Light to affect the weather. The magic could increase the storms’ severity.

The two rainbows swooped and spiraled around each other. They looked like snakes as they struck at each other. Each hit threw out white sparks and made a thunderous crash that rattled her ribcage as the air literally exploded from the collision.

The wall of clouds loomed over them. A blast of cold, wet wind preceded them, whipping the seas into frothy waves. The ponies had to fight against the sudden gust to keep from being blown away. The pirates also found themselves grabbing anything as they were tossed about by the waves.

Wind Whistler was caught between concentrating on the battle and keeping herself steady. The Rainbow of Light suffered from this as the Drab Arch struck at it several times while it could barely turn.

Hurricane slid off his lei and put it on Jet Streak.

“What are you doing?” Jet Streak asked. “You’ll be completely unprotected.”

“It might disrupt the Rainbow of Light.”

Hurricane flew to Wind Whistler and braced himself against her. “I’ll keep you steady. Just concentrate on the Rainbow of Light.”

“Thank you, Hurricane.” Wind Whistler focused her faculties on the Rainbow of Light. The Drab Arch came in for another strike, but the Rainbow dodged it and delivered a blow as it passed by.

The clouds quickly spread over them. Torrents of rain plummeted onto them. Lightning arced through the clouds and thunder roared. It was terrible weather for pirates and ponies alike to out in the open, but they had become transfixed by the fight between the two serpents of light. Even the lightning went straight for them instead of hitting the water.

“How are you holding up?” Hurricane asked.

“Pretty well considering,” Wind Whistler replied. “What about you?”

“Are you kidding? I’m watching two rainbows fight in a thunderstorm. How many can say that?”

The two rainbows headed straight for each other. They crashed head on into each other. They struggled to push each other back. The Drab Arch gained color at its front while the Rainbow of Light lost color.

Wind Whistler noticed the violet color of her Rainbow Locket was fading in and out. The two rainbows were trying to exert their locket bearer’s will on the other. It had now become a fight between her and Snaggletusk.

That was when inspiration struck. She willed the Rainbow of Light to disengage. It then wrapped itself around the Drab Arch. It enveloped the corrupted rainbow and burst into brilliant ball of light.

It was hard to tell, but Wind Whistler saw Snaggletusk’s locket turn blue. The ball of light faded to two brilliant rainbows. They curled around each other in a double helix across the sky. The winds died and the clouds brightened slightly while still producing a drenching rain.

Wind Whistler heaved a sigh of relief. She was victorious.

“NO!” Snaggletusk pounded the railing. “Ye can’t do this to me! I’m yer master! OBEY ME!”

One of the rainbows swooped down and hit him the gut. He dropped the blue locket and the rainbow grabbed it. It flew back to Wind Whistler and placed the locket around her neck.

“Thank you, Rainbow of Light,” Wind Whistler said.



“ARR! YE CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!” Snaggletusk roared.

“Shall we prepare capture shells, Capn’?” a seal asked.

Snaggletusk grabbed the seal. “Capture shells nothing! Break out the harpoons! We’re skewering those blasted ponies!”

“The rainbows are coming back!” a seal shouted.

The rainbows dived into the water. Snaggletusk then heard wood splintering and water rushing. He looked over the railing and saw bubbles streaming to the surface. The rainbows had punctured the hull and they were taking on water. The Dreadtusk began to quickly sink.

“Abandon ship!” Snaggletusk dove over the side. The others followed into the turbulent water. They watched as their ship and all its gear sank below the surface.

Snaggletusk looked up to Monsoon looming over him. “Leave our islands and never return,” Monsoon said.

Snaggletusk wanted to wrap his flippers around Monsoon’s neck and slowly strangle the life out of him. He wanted to do anything to inflict harm on him and the other ponies. They had robbed him of everything, even anything he had to enact his revenge upon them.

“I’d be all too happy to leave yer wretched islands,” he said.



Everyone watched the pinnipeds turn away and swim into the turbulent sea. They continued to watch until they disappeared into the curtains of rain. They continued to watch, unable to believe they were really gone. However, their scowls slowly lifted into grins.

“There were times I thought this day would never come,” Monsoon said. “At last we’re free of those blasted pirates. At last the day is ours.”

The others erupted into cheers and flew in loops. Wind Whistler could only imagine the elation they were experiencing. However, she hoped she would experience the same thing when she and Fizzy saved her friends from Arachnis.

She looked up at the two rainbows. They were again twisting around each other in a double helix.

“It looks like they’re dancing together,” Hurricane said.

“It does,” Wind Whistler said. “It is like watching two friends meet for the first time after having been long separated.”

“I wonder what they really are. They’re obviously not real rainbows, and you have to wonder.”

“All I know is they are our best hope.”



Fizzy along with the two colts and her shrunken friends had taken shelter in the cabana. The dark clouds, wind and rain raked across Spell Halt Island. Fortunately the volcano and jungle sheltered the cabana from the worst of it. After a couple minutes, it calmed to a steady rain with little wind.

Paradise decided to pass the time and get their minds off what the others were doing by telling them a story. They laid on the cabana’s wood floor and listened intently as Paradise wove her words into a dramatic telling. Even Shut Up was quiet. The colts were enraptured as she told them the story of the Pegasus who wanted golden wings. He finally got his wish when he saved a Flutter Pony only they were so heavy he could not fly.

“Sunspot returned to the Flutter Pony and said ‘Take back these wings of gold for I cannot fly with them.’

‘I thought you wanted brilliant wings of gold more than anything else,’ the Flutter Pony replied.

‘I thought so, but I did not realize how much I loved soaring through the sky and playing with my friends in the clouds,’ Sunspot said. ‘Please, return my plain wings to me.’

‘Alright then.’ The Flutter Pony kissed Sunspots’ wings. They glowed brightly and when the light faded his old, feathery wings were in their place. He flapped them and they felt as light as those of a butterfly’s. He lifted off the ground and did a loop right there.

‘Thank you,’ he said. He then returned to the sky where he could play with his friends once more. The End.”

“That was a great story, Paradise,” Fizzy said. “I’ve never heard that one.”

“I just found it in the library before I noticed we were shrinking,” Paradise said. “I guess that’s why it was at the top of my memory.”

“It was a pretty good story,” Baby Contrail said. “I wish we could see your library.”

“Hopefully once the pirates and the marauders are gone, you’ll be able to come to Dream Valley whenever you want,” Paradise said.

“Speaking of which, I hope everyone is alright.” Fizzy looked out at the pouring rain.

A chorus of yips and hollers rose over the pattering of raining pelting the roof. “Something tells me their all just fine,” Paradise said.

The Pegasi flew into the cabana. They were soaked and immediately shook out their coats once they were under cover. They practically pranced as they walked, they were so giddy.

“We did it, Fizzy.” Even Wind Whistler could not restrain her elation. She showed Fizzy the two lockets around her neck. “We now have two Rainbows of Light and those pirates are gone for good.”

“That’s great!” Fizzy jumped to her hooves. She wanted to do somersaults upon hearing this great news but thought better of considering they were inside. “We’re a third of the way there.”

“We also have Hurricane to thank for it.” Wind Whistler snuggled up to him. “He helped me in the battle.”

“Well, I was just doing what had to be done,” Hurricane replied.

“I can’t thank you enough.” Monsoon walked up to them. “We’re now free to roam the islands in peace.” He then said loudly, “that means I can get all these freeloaders out of my cabana!”

The others burst into a fit of laughter.

Monsoon held up his lei. “I was hoping to throw this thing away when the pirates left. However, no sooner have I rid myself of one magical menace than one takes its place.”

“We will defeat the Arachnid Marauders as well,” Wind Whistler said.

Monsoon nodded. “As promised, we’re at your disposal. We will scour Ponyland in search of rainbow pieces. We will also recruit any ponies we meet to our cause.”

“I thank you for your assistance,” Wind Whistler said. “Once the storm clears, we’ll be continuing our search as well.”

“And, if you’ll have me, I wish come along with you,” Hurricane said.

“I would be delighted if you came with us,” Wind Whistler replied.



Like making it over the rainbow, navigating the ranch grounds took much longer at their tiny size. Everyone finally made it to the porch and jumped, winked, and flew up the steps. They were then confronted by the screen door into the house.

“How do we get in?” Sweet Stuff asked.

“We open it,” Gusty said. “The Pegasi and Flutter Ponies should be able to pull it open.”

The Pegasi and Flutter Ponies flew up to the handle. They wrapped their legs around the curved piece of metal and began to pull. However, the door did not budge.

“It’s no use,” Lickety-Split grumbled. “They’re not strong enough.”

“It’s too big for me to move as well,” Buttons said. “I guess we’ll just have to wait for someone to open the door and then sneak in.”

“Come on, T.J.” someone grumbled.

In the main corral a boy with red hair was trying to pull a horse by his reins. However, the horse was going to have nothing to do with it. He had dug in his hooves and as hard as the boy pulled, he did not move.

“I know I’m not Megan, and you’re as worried about her everyone else…” The boy yanked at the reins. “…but Mom said you need to be groomed. So be a nice horse and come over here.”

“Who’s that?” Buttons asked.

“That’s my younger brother Danny and my horse T.J.” Megan smiled. “This is one of those rare instances of an unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object.”

Danny tugged on the reins. He slipped and fell backwards to T.J.’s whinnying.

“Fine. I hope you get ticks.” Danny stormed towards the house.

“Now’s our chance.” Megan hid behind a potted plant next to the door. The others joined her as Danny walked up the steps to the door. As soon as he pulled open the door they darted inside and behind the umbrella stand next to it.

The paneled walls were covered in pictures of horses and other equestrian paraphernalia. Megan’s parents were horse breeders and groomers. They took care of horses both of theirs and boarded by other people and Megan was just as passionate about them as her parents. No wonder she quickly befriended the Little Ponies after the shock of meeting talking equines wore off.

“T.J.’s being impossible, Mom.” Danny stood in the doorway. “He won’t let anyone groom him. He only trusts Megan.”

A slim, middle-aged woman with long, blond hair was sitting on the couch in front of the television. She turned around to Danny. “I know, but we can’t stop our lives because Megan is missing. Your father and the others are looking everywhere for her, but in the meantime the horses still need to be cared for.”

Danny sighed. “I wonder where she could be.”

“I do too.”

“You’re mother?” Ribbon asked.

Megan gave a solemn nod. “I wish I could tell them we’re right here.”

“Why don’t you?” Gingerbread asked.

“The Human World doesn’t have magical creatures like our world does,” Magic Star said. “They’d freak if they saw Megan like this and us in any state.”

“You remember how frightened I was when I first met you, right?” Megan said. “Try compounding that with us being shrunk.”

“Then what should we do?” Gusty asked.

“We need to go to my room,” Megan said. “The interior doors are high enough off the floor we can crawl under them.”

“Where’s your room?” Buttons asked.

“My bedroom is down that hall.” Megan pointed to a hall with a few doors.

“I’ll see if I can deal with T.J.” Megan’s mother walked out the door with Danny following.

“My room is the first on the right. Let’s go.” Megan ran out from behind the umbrella stand. The others followed her.

They stopped at the door. There was a fairly generous gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. Heartthrob worked her way under it and squeezed through. The others squeezed under the door and passed the Sea Ponies under it.

Megan’s room was simple in its décor. There was a bed in one corner and a desk and chair in another. Shelves filled with books and toys and a dresser under a mirror was pushed up against a wall. There was also a picture of Megan and T.J. standing in front of the stable hanging on the wall next to the window. Megan felt relieved to be back, though it seemed much different at her current size.

“You have a cute room,” White Cap said, “but where can we go? I’m starting to dry out.”

“There’s a rain barrel next to my window.” Megan got on North Star’s back. “We can get water and fill that ceramic bowl on my shelf.”

“With what?” Lofty asked.

“We can use that paper cup.” Whizzer pointed a cup sitting on the desk.

“We’ll have to open the window first,” Lickety-Split said. “How can we do that when we couldn’t open the door?”

“The window opens outward so we just have to push it,” Megan said.

The fliers flew up to the window. The Unicorns winked in on the sill. The Earth Ponies jumped from a platform under the nightstand to the top of a chest under the window to the sill. Megan unlatched the locks.

“Okay, everybody push.” Gusty stood up on her hind quarters and pushed against the window. The others joined her. Slowly the window opened. They managed to open it enough for the fliers to slip through.

Whizzer and North Star flew back and grabbed the light cup. They carried it through the cracked window and out to the rain barrel. It was filled with water they dipped the cup in to fill it.

The cup went from weighing almost nothing even at their size to being quite heavy and cumbersome. They carefully flew back towards the bowl on the bottom shelf. The Sea Ponies were already sitting in the center and watched them come in.

The two Pegasi poured the water on the Sea Ponies. “Shoo-be-doo, shoo, shoo-be-doo,” they sang as the water reinvigorated them.

“Thanks,” White Cap said. “I feel better already.”

However, the bowl was the size of a small pond compared to them. Filling it was going to take several trips. They two flew back to the rain barrel for another load. Despite the job ahead of them, everyone seemed relieved to be safe. At least, Megan hoped they were safe here. As long as they were tiny, were they really safe?



The rains dissipated to nothing and the clouds thinned until patches of blue sky appeared and replaced the clouds completely. The air was noticeably cooler and smelled fresh after being washed by the rain. No sooner had the weather broken, than everyone started making preparations to leave on the hunt for rainbow pieces.

“We’ll split into teams,” Monsoon instructed as he paced in front of the line the others made on the beach. “The teams are Contrail, Baby Contrail, Compass, Kerchief, and Storm Rider who will take the north and Jet Streak, Baby Jet Streak, Comet, and Brochure who will take the south. Blitz, you’ll be running messages between teams, and Scud and I will do surveillance on Dream Castle.”

He turned to Hurricane. “Hurricane, you said you will be headed out with Wind Whistler and Fizzy?”

“Yes,” Hurricane said.

“We could use the extra set of hooves,” Wind Whistler added.

“I’m sure that’s the reason,” Paradise teased.

Wind Whistler felt her cheeks get hot.

“If there’s nothing else, let’s head out.” Monsoon spread his wings. “Good luck to us all.”

Fizzy formed a bubble that surrounded her. Wind Whistler and Hurricane got on the sides and lifted off the ground. They flew away from Spell Halt Island as the others divided into their teams and headed towards the mainland.

“It’s so good to have my intuition back,” Galaxy said once they were a couple miles from the island.

“Then do you have a lead on the next Rainbow Piece?” Wind Whistler asked.

Galaxy took a second to concentrate. “I have the feeling it is in a forest of massive trees. In fact, I believe it is the Colossus Forest in the northern regions of Ponyland.”

“That’s quite a flight,” Hurricane said. “What should we expect there?”

“It’s home to some of the more powerful Unicorns,” Wind Whistler said. “Many have magic harnessing the elements of nature.”

“Can’t Gusty do that with her wind magic?” Fizzy asked.

“Gusty originally lived in the Colossus Forest,” Galaxy said. “She came to Dream Valley to raise Baby Gusty.”

Fizzy gulped dryly. “Hope they’re not all like Gusty.”

Wind Whistler had to agree. Gusty was very brash and at times quite rude. She was always the first to suggest the more violent solution and her wind power was by far the most aggressively oriented magic of all the Dream Valley Unicorns.

Her mate, Tornado, was no better. Wind Whistler met him once which was more than enough for her. He was so impatient he would finish off your sentence and move to the next. He particularly butted heads with her and he found her manner of speaking especially annoying.

However, she had also met Ribbon’s mate, Thundercloud. He was from the Colossus Forest as well, but was a wise and gentle soul much like Ribbon. Hopefully, there were more like him than Gusty and Tornado.

“I guess we’ll just have to see when we get there,” she said.

The shore came into view and Wind Whistler and Hurricane turned them to the north. Regardless of the attitude of the locals, they needed to retrieve the rainbow piece there.



Lash pushed his way through the thicket of ferns with the others following them. The tarantulas demanded they head to the northern regions when they heard that was where the stronger Unicorns lived. Not about to argue with his fellow arachnids, Lash agreed. They headed North into what was known as the Colossus Forest.

He quickly understood the meaning behind the name. The conifers that made up the forest were immense. They reached several hundred if not a thousand feet into sky and had to be at least a hundred feet in girth. Direct sunlight on the forest floor was rare and the underbrush was particularly thick wherever it fell.

However, he saw no ponies. In fact, they had not seen a single pony in two days of searching. “You would think in a place called “Ponyland” you couldn’t turn up a rock without finding a pony.”

“I’m not sure how many ponies there are,” Hydia said, “but I know there are not that many.”

“That will make our job easier assuming we can find them,” a tarantula said.

“You said any enemy of the Little Ponies is a friend of yours,” Lash said. “Why are you fighting against them?”

“It’s been my dream to make Dream Valley dark, dank, and dreary,” Hydia said fondly. “However, I can’t do that as long as those sickeningly sweet equines are around and interfere with all my plans.”

Lash scoffed. “Terrific, we’ve added a bunch of monsters to our ranks.”

“Excuse me?” Hydia said. “Who are the giant bugs who shrink things and eat them?”

“We’re predators,” Lash said. “We do what we do to live. It might seem monstrous from the standpoint of prey, but it is our way of life.”

“What about eliminating the Little Ponies?” Draggle asked.

“They imprisoned us for a thousand years,” Lash said. “Not only is this revenge, but we’re removing a threat. As I said, we do what we do to live.”

He stopped when he heard the faint sound of footfalls. He motioned for the others to stop and shushed them. He slowly crawled to where he heard the noise. As he crept closer he also heard the distinct sound of slowly running water. A stream must be nearby. Streams were frequented by possible prey for a drink. However, were they ponies?

He slid into a large clump of ferns. He peered out between the leaves and saw two forms on the bank that appeared to be equine. He parted the fern just enough to be able to see them better.

They were a pair of Unicorns. The stallion was pale green with white and green streaked hair, and he mare was purple with white and red streaked hair. The two were lapping up water from the stream, apparently unaware of his presence.

They were not the priority ones Arachnis spoke of, but they were ponies nonetheless. “Bingo,” Lash said.

He snuck back to the where the others were hiding. “We have our first catch of the day.”

To be continued…