Chapter 13: Road to Bridlewood Forest

Charlie stopped Tempest Shadow.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Tempest, wait! I have something that belongs to you.

Charlie took out Tempest Shadow's broken horn out of his pocket and showed it to her. Tempest Shadow looked surprised.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Is that... my horn?

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Yes. I've found it in the Storm Queen's room back at her castle.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

So, she found it before she found me, while she was the Storm King?! So, that's why she's been using me.

GRUBBER:

Well, look on the bright side, Tempest. If Charlie attaches your horn back on your head, you won't be a broken unicorn anymore.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

I still have my magic, Grubber.

GRUBBER:

Yeah, but powerful.

Charlie turned to Starlight Glimmer.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Starlight, will your magic fix Tempest's horn?

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

I guess so.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Well, let's see if it works.

While Charlie was about to put the broken horn on Tempest Shadow's head, she stopped his hand with her hoof.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Not yet. Wait until we get to Zephyr Heights.

Charlie looked confused.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Why?

Tempest Shadow looked a little bit nervous.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Well.... It's just I don't want the Storm Queen to know I have my horn back. Yet.

Charlie realised what Tempest Shadow was talking about.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Oh, I get it. You wanted to surprise her at the right moment. All right, I'll look after it for now.

Charlie put Tempest Shadow's broken horn back in his pocket and turned to his friends, his cousin and his dad.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Well, everyone and everypony. Since Capper, Captain Celaeno and her crew are enhancing their airship, we're walking to Bridlewood Forest to secure the Sun and Moon amulet.

Charlie grabbed his Equestrian sword and turned to Princess Celestia.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

You're coming, Celestia?

PRINCESS CELESTIA:

I'm afraid not, Charlie. I need to be in Maretime Bay and help everypony who needs me.

PRINCESS LUNA:

I'll go with you, Charlie. Bridlewood needs my protection.

Charlie smiled at Princess Luna and turned to his friends and family.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

All right. Let's go.

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

Hey, Charlie. Why don't we take a shortcut.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

A shortcut? What kind of a shortcut?

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

Watch.

A light purple rainbow came out of Starlight Glimmer's horn, then it surrounded her and her friends except Princess Celestia. After they disappeared, Princess Celestia smiled.

PRINCESS CELESTIA:

Good luck, Charlie.

Location: Maretime Road

Charlie and his friends and family magically appeared outside of the pink bubble shield where Maretime Bay is. Everyone turned around and looked at the shield.

HITCH TRAILBLAZER:

We're outside the shield.

Princess Skystar turned to Starlight Glimmer.

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Starlight, why didn't your magic take us to Bridlewood?

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

Sorry, Skystar. I think it can only take us out of the shield for now.

GRUBBER:

So, we're gonna have to walk the rest of the way? (Moaning): Oh, you're not making this easy for me, Starlight!

Charlie walked to the shield, went through and out the other side. Charlie walked up to his friends and family.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

It turns out that shield is safe for us to get in and out. Celestia was right.

PRINCESS LUNA:

I knew she was.

Charlie turned to Sunny Starscout.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Sunny, where are we? And how do we get to Bridlewood?

Sunny Starscout took out a map from her satchel and studied it.

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

According to the map, were at Maretime Road. So, we need to follow that path over there and when we get to the sign saying Bridlewood Road, it will lead us to the forest.

Hitch Trailblazer took a good look at the map that Sunny Starscout was holding.

HITCH TRAILBLAZER:

You better look after that map, Sunny. That's the only one we have.

PRINCESS LUNA:

Don't worry, Hitch. We already have a back-up.

Hitch Trailblazer looked confused.

HITCH TRAILBLAZER:

What back-up?

Princess Luna turned to Charlie.

PRINCESS LUNA:

Charlie, check your phone.

Charlie took his smartphone out of his pocket and he spotted a new app on it.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Equestria Map?

Charlie pressed the app and a map appeared on it with six Cutie Marks, one human mark, one humacorn mark, hedgehog mark and one hippogriff mark. Charlie looked surprised.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

It's the map of Equestria! And all these Cutie Marks and other marks are us!

Charlie looked at Princess Luna.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Luna, how did this app appear on my phone?

PRINCESS LUNA:

While you were settling down in our mansion back in your world, Celestia and I created an app that has the map of our world with our magic. Then we've put it on your phone and your dad's.

MALCOLM EQUESTRIAN:

You made an app and put it on our phones?

PRINCESS LUNA:

Yes, Malcolm. I hope you're not mad?

MALCOLM EQUESTRIAN:

Why should I be mad? This is brilliant! If we have a map of Equestria on our phones, we'll be able to get to Bridlewood in no time.

Charlie agreed with his dad.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

He's right.

Charlie turned to Sunny Starscout.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Sunny, keep your map in your satchel. We'll use it for emergencies.

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

Right.

Sunny Starscout put her map back in her satchel, while Charlie looked at the map on his smartphone.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Okay. It said we need to go straight for an hour until we find a road sign that said Bridlewood Road and Zephyr Road. Then when we get to Bridlewood Road, it will take us thirty minutes to get to the forest.

Grubber looked shocked.

GRUBBER:

We have to walk for an hour and thirty minutes?! But I just ate some unicorn cupcakes!

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

You always just ate.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Hey! You don't tell Grubber that. That's my job.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Sorry.

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

Well, let's head to Bridlewood and find that amulet. Follow me.

Everyone followed Sunny Starscout while they were walking on the Maretime Road.

Location: The Storm Queen's Realm

Area: Study Area

Darklight Storm was looking at Charlie and his friends and family from the crystal ball.

DARKLIGHT STORM:

So, they're going to Bridlewood to find the Sun and Moon amulet. And Starlight Glimmer's spirit is inside Charlie.

Darklight Storm made an evil smile.

DARKLIGHT STORM:

This could be interesting.

Darklight Storm called out to the storm creatures.

DARKLIGHT STORM:

Prepare the airship! We're going to Bridlewood Forest.

Location: Maretime Road

During a long walk, Charlie saw Princess Luna flying in the sky.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

I don't see why you can fly, but I can't.

PRINCESS LUNA:

Walking is good for you.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Yeah, I know that. But why you have to fly?

PRINCESS LUNA:

I'm just looking out for the Storm Queen's airships. We must get to Bridlewood before they do.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Well, let me know when you see them, okay?

Sunny Starscout comforted Charlie.

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

Don't feel bad, Charlie. At least Skystar's happy.

Charlie saw Princess Skystar flying in the sky, happily.

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Oh, it feels so good to stretch my wings! Come with me, Charlie! Ask Starlight to use her magic and we can fly together!

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

I'd like to, Skystar, but I want to earn the Flight Harmony first.

Starlight Glimmer used her self-levitation spell on Charlie to make him fly. Charlie looked surprised when saw his feet off the ground.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Hey! What's going on? Why am I floating? Starlight!

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

Sorry, Charlie. But I think you should fly with her.

Charlie rolled his eyes and flew with Princess Skystar.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

I guess she knew I couldn't wait.

Charlie looked at Princess Skystar's wings.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Your wings look beautiful, Skystar.

Princess Skystar was blushing.

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Thank you. When I'm a seapony, I use them to swim faster.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Well, if we can find a lake, we'll swim together.

Princess Skystar looked worried.

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

I can't.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Why not?

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Because my mum took my necklace away. It was the only thing that turns me into a seapony.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Why would she do that?

Princess Skystar held on to Charlie's hands.

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Charlie, when we get to Bridlewood and find that amulet, I promise you I'll tell you. I just don't want to right now.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Is that the reason why you didn't want to go back to Mount Aris?

PRINCESS SKYSTAR:

Yes, but there's more than one reason.

Charlie understood Princess Skystar.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Okay. You can tell me when you're ready.

Princess Skystar smiled, until Malcolm called out to Charlie from the ground.

MALCOLM EQUESTRIAN:

Charlie boy! We found a road sign!

Charlie and Princess Skystar flew down to the ground, then landed on their feet and hooves and walked up to Malcolm and the others.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Where?

Charlie saw the road sign that said Bridlewood Forest and Zephyr Heights.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

So, Zephyr Heights is straight ahead and Bridlewood Forest is on the left.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

So, we go left?

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

That's right, Tempest. Let's go!

While everyone resumed their journey, Tempest Shadow turned around and saw Grubber who looked exhausted.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Are you okay, Grubber?

GRUBBER (Breathless):

I'm out of breath! I think I've lost a pound!

Tempest Shadow sighed happily.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Hop on my back.

Grubber looked happy and hopped on Tempest Shadow's back.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

You know, Grubber. You feel less heavy than last time. You should try to eat more fruits and vegetables than less cakes and pies.

GRUBBER:

Uh, yeah. I'll think about it.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Well, I say you better. Come on, we better catch up with the others.

Tempest Shadow and Grubber caught up with their friends.

Location: Bridlewood Road

Charlie and his friends and family were still walking, while Princess Luna was looking out for the Storm Queen's airships in the sky.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Any signs of airships, Luna?

PRINCESS LUNA:

Not yet, Charlie!

Everyone made it to the newly built bridge.

IZZY MOONBOW:

See that, Charlie. That's the bridge we built after everypony was united.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Oh, yeah, I remember. It happened on the T.V specials or series.

IZZY MOONBOW:

You're talking about My Little Pony, right?

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Yes.

IZZY MOONBOW (Excited):

Ohhh! I've gotta watch that show!

Starlight Glimmer looked at the bridge and looked surprised.

STARLIGHT GLIMMER:

Wait a minute. I recognize that bridge. It was made of bricks while I was running from the storm creatures to hide the amulet in the forest. The Storm Queen must've destroyed it before you guys built a new one.

IZZY MOONBOW:

Don't worry, Starlight. This bridge is completely safe.

When Izzy Moonbow leaned on the bridge, she accidently broke off one of the handles and it fell down to the bottomless pit. Izzy Moonbow smiled nervously at her friends.

IZZY MOONBOW:

Well, almost.

HITCH TRAILBLAZER:

Be careful, everypony. This bridge isn't built to last.

Grubber looked scared.

GRUBBER:

Tempest, this bridge looks dangerous.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Well, it's the only way to the forest. Just don't look down or close your eyes.

When everyone was walking on the bridge, Grubber closed his eyes, while he was muttering to himself.

GRUBBER (Muttering):

Okay, Grubber. Keep your eyes shut and don't look down.

Grubber slowly opened his eyes and looked scared when he saw the bottomless pit.

GRUBBER:

Tempest, I'm looking down! (Screaming): AAARRGGGHHH!!

Grubber frightfully wrapped his arms around Tempest Shadow's neck and closed his eyes again.

GRUBBER:

I can't take this! Let's go back!

TEMPEST SHADOW (Choking):

Grubber, you let me go now!

GRUBBER:

Not until we cross the bridge!

TEMPEST SHADOW (Choking):

But we already crossed the bridge! Look!

Grubber opened his eyes and looked happy when he realized he and his friends crossed the bridge.

GRUBBER:

Oh.

Tempest Shadow gasped for air after Grubber let her go.

GRUBBER:

I guess it was a short bridge.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

You need to stop doing that everytime you're scared.

GRUBBER:

You know I can't help it!

Tempest Shadow sighed deeply.

TEMPEST SHADOW:

Someday, you gonna have to.

Princess Luna flew to the ground and landed in front of Charlie.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

Do you see them, Luna?

PRINCESS LUNA:

No. But I can sense their presence and they're on their way to Bridlewood.

HITCH TRAILBLAZER:

Do you think they know about the amulet?

PRINCESS LUNA:

I don't know. Maybe.

Sunny Starscout was thinking and had an idea.

SUNNY STARSCOUT:

Okay, when we get to Bridewood, we need to warn Alphabittle about the Storm Queen before we can find the Sun and Moon amulet.

Charlie agreed with his cousin.

CHARLIE CARVETTE EQUESTRIAN:

She's right. Everypony in Bridlewood must know about this and about my grandfather. Let's hurry!

Charlie, his friends and family ran to Bridlewood Forest.

(End of Part Thirteen)