:Last time on “Two Down, Three To Go” Quest:
>Discussed the situation with Luna and 5 of the Mane 6.
>The guards informed you all that the two mindless ponies were found together in Foggy Bottom Bog, same as Celestia.
>Agreed that is probably the best place to start looking for clues, possibly even Rarity.
>Conferred with the others and discussed what supplies you will all need for the journey ahead.
>You were all able to get everything wanted, except you couldn’t get any decent clothes and the guards couldn’t spare any weapons.
>Mostly satisfied with your new supplies, you talk with the others on what to do next.
>Dash wanted to charge on ahead and get things going, but Applejack wanted everyone to rest for a while.
>It was brought to a vote and Applejack's caution won over Dash's hot head.
>Angry, Dash flew out the window with her supplies. No one was able to stop here.
You are Rusty Shackleford, a human who has found himself lost in Equestria with no memory of himself or his past.
Currently, you are sitting against a wall in a guest room in the Canterlot palace. With you are Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash just flew out the window in a huff and the bunch of you feel that something bad is going to happen to her.
Your supplies for the journey to Foggy Bottom Bog are strewn about on the floor in a rough organization. Its sweltering hot outside, with only a little merciful breeze coming in the window.
You pick yourself up and go to your backpack, going over it and quickly stuffing everything you need inside.
"What are you doing Rusty?" Twilight asks, concerned.
"I'm going after her. Can't just let her go off on her own."
The others all exchange looks with each other. Applejack sighs heavily and goes over to her pack, following your lead.
"Dang it," She gripes, strapping on some of the gold armor she was given. "We'll just have to be careful out there."
You and the rest of the ponies finish packing and suiting up. By the time you all finish, all the ponies are fully geared up in heavy armor, making you feel like commander leading a troop into a very strange war.
You roll up the heavy cloak you were given. Its too hot to wear it. Its about mid day.
"Is everyone all set?" Twilight asks, fiddling with her helmet and getting her horn to fit.
"I'm all set. Do you where Foggy Bottom Bog is?"
"Yes," Twilight nods. "We've been there before. We should probably be able to get there before dark, I think."
"Let's roll out!" Pinkie shouts and the five of you filed out of the room, fully packed.
You all drudge down the hall, the armor of the ponies clinking together loudly. Twilight's seems to be a bit big on her. Fluttershy looks like she's struggling with the weight a little, but is keeping pace with everyone. Pinkie is still hopping around despite the armor. Only she and Applejack seem to have not trouble. As you go you pass by some guards. Seeing your party all gussied up they give a salute, probably out of respect or good luck and it makes you smirk.
There isn’t any fanfare or princess waiting for you at the entrance hall. In fact, the place is mostly desolate with the heavy large doors open to bring in cool air. So you all leave the palace in silence. You all walk out into the courtyard and leave for Canterlot proper when you notice Twilight has lagged behind, looking back at the castle.
"Twilight?" You go over to her.
"Huh?" She turns around, looking a little confused. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something."
"Everything is going to be fine, Twilight." You try to be as reassuring as possible. She smiles up at you.
"I know. Thanks. Come on, lets catch up to the others."
You and Twilight reach the others, who have stopped by the front gate and are talking. Applejack looks at the two of you.
"Everything OK?"
"Yeah, everything's OK," You reassure her. "What's up here?"
"We were just talking about if there's anyplace in Canterlot we might want to swing by before you go. Any ideas?"
"I can't think of anything else," Twilight says
"Well," You say, thinking about Celestia and the others. "I still think maybe we should find some....non ponies. Whatever happened to Celestia and those guards can probably happen to all of you and I think we should cover all out bases."
"I guess that makes sense," Applejack says. "Do you know any non ponies in Canterlot that would help us, Twilight?"
"Uhhh," Twilight grimaces. "I can't think of anyone. Anyway besides, whats to say that whatever is causing this wouldn't do the same to a griffon? Or to you Rusty, for that matter?"
"Huh," That didn't really occur to you. "I guess you have a point."
No one else had any more suggestions, so you all made your way to the south side of town. You get more then a few gawkers, watching you parading down the street with four heavily armored mares. But no one hassles you and make it to the edge of the city shield without incident.
A lot of the buildings here are mostly demolished. Most of the ponies that were watching your group have kept a fearful distance.
"So how do we get out?" You ask, looking up at the glowing shield. Its just like the one you saw underground.
"Just walk through." Twilight explains. The other three ponies strut through the glimmering magic and come out the other side. "This kind of magic is designed so that things can get out easy, but hard for things to get in."
"OK then," You say, thinking about before and how easy you were able to get in from underground. You follow Twilight out and pass through with no problem. You and the others are on a large road. Down it the terrain slopes downward and from up here you can see things level out and some sparse trees beyond.
"If we follow this road, we should be in the Bog in a matter of hours," Twilight explains as you all walk along. "With any luck, Dash is going along the same way as us and we'll see her."
""Fluttershy, I have an idea." You say to the yellow pony. "Maybe you could fly above us and see if you can spot Dash as we go?"
"I... I guess I can try," Fluttershy mumbles. She unfurls her wings and tries to get off the ground. She struggles for a bit, her weight shifting awkwardly as she gets up a few feet. But eventually she's high up above you and follows along by air.
As you all walk down the steep road, trees start to crop up along the terrain, getting steadily taller and fuller as you come down in elevation. Pinkie Pie tries to pass the time with some games but Twilight and Applejack both seem distant.
"Pinkie, know any good games at keeping people awake?" You say, noticing how quite Applejack and Twilight are. The two of them had been journeying like this for who knows how long getting to Canterlot.
"Yup!" Pinkie says, hopping along as her her armor clangs loudly. "Eye spy with my little eye... something blue!"
"Is it Dash?" Twilight says, snapping her head around.
"Nope!"
"Is it the water over there?" Applejack says, nodding to a stream off in the distance.
"Nope!"
The ponies indulge in the guessing game for a while and you make good time. Eventually things start to get more swampy. The road is no longer paved this far down and Canterlot is quickly becoming smaller on the horizon.
"OK Pinkie, I give it up, what is it?" Applejack asks.
"The sky!" Pinkie giggles.
Both Twilight and Applejack groan loudly, but everyone seems in good spirits. Applejack reaches into her saddle bag for a moment and rummages around.
"Aww shoot! Does anyone have any water?"