Solar Beginnings

Chapter 23

I exited the mess hall to see people sprinting towards the base's entrance. One pony stopped and yelled "Twilight's back!" before continuing his sprint. Twilight had left a few days before to meet with the other princesses, and naturally all of her friends went along. Applejack even came from Ponyville, where she'd since moved back to, to attend that council.

I ran after everyone, taking to the skies to get close once I was within range to do so without burning too much energy staying in the air.  The past few days had been utterly exhausting for me, because Twilight had decided to leave me in charge of base in her absence. The look she gave me when I was in her line of sight made my blood run cold, though, and before I knew it every pony that had returned had their eyes on me, fixing me with the same cold glare Twilight was fixing me with. Twilight nodded her head, signaling me to go over to her. I flew over and landed behind her, and she turned towards the rallying ponies around her.

"We will return soon, so you will have to hold on without me for a little while longer!" She yelled before turning and walking out of base. The other princesses and her friends followed her, and I turned and followed suite. Suddenly Fluttershy and Applejack stopped and turned around, their gazes fierce with worry.

"Summer, listen to us. Those are NOT the ponies they look like. The changelings took Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. They're going to tell you that Rainbow Dash in innocent, and to release her immediately, but do not listen!" Applejack told me.

"You're one of Equestria's final lines of defense. If you fall, and Bluebell and Kate fall in Canterlot, then all hope is lost. You've got to stay strong, for everyone's sake!" Fluttershy said, seeming more fierce and more determined than ever. I couldn't really blame her. Her friends had just gotten taken by Equestria's greatest enemy, and who knows what Chrysalis would do to them.

"I don't plan to drop anytime soon. But I've got a bad feeling about Canterlot, though. I've gotta get back there!" I said.

"How do you plan to get there? You're in charge of a base now, Summer! You can't just leave it to protect Canterlot." Applejack told me.

"I don't know, but I have to get my friends out of there! My friends, my father, I have to keep them safe." I said. I knew I had to get to Canterlot, because I didn't know how much longer it would hold.

"Then we can help you." Came a familiar voice. I looked toward the direction the voice came from to see a few familiar ponies step into view. Navy Blitz, Spitfire, and Silver Sunset all stepped out. 

"Backup on this is nice, especially now that the base has another temporary person running it. Now get out of sight and head back to base. They'll magic scan you to be sure it's really you, but otherwise you should be good. Tell them I'll return soon. Hurry, the changelings are coming back!"

I watched them disappear right as the changelings charged me, Fluttershy, an Applejack.