"I think it's getting darker," Magic Star replied. "But I don't think there really is anything to worry about."
"Easy for you to say, darling!" Heart Throb said. "It's getting so dark you can't see your hooves in front of your face!"
"And the batteries in me flashlight ah going dead," Davy replied, smacking the flashlight, hoping that would help.
"That does it!" Gusty said. "I can't walk another step!"
"And it's still a long way to Midnight Castle," Bow Tie replied.
"But we can't stop," Davy said. "We promised the othahs that we'd defeat Tirac and Enchantra."
"Davy, we're tired!" Micky said. "It's dark, it's scary, the batteries in your dumb flashlight are dead, my feet hurt, and I'm ready to collapse! I say we take a break!"
Most of the others looked at each other. Micky, Gusty, and Heart Throb sat down. Fizzy followed a minute later, and so did Sparkler and Apple Jack. Medley and Lofty sat down as well and so did all the Bushwoolies. Pretty soon, Davy was the only one standing up.
"Come on, you guys," he said. "We can't quit now! What'll 'appen to Ponyland if we do?"
"Davy, we aren't abdicating," Wind Whistler said. "We're merely regenerating until we unearth our strength. We're debilitated."
"I don't care if you're tired, much less debilitated!" Davy shouted. "We can't stop and that's that! We 'ave to keep going!"
The others stared at him as if he had broccoli sprouting out of his hair. They didn't budge.
"Look," Davy continued. "Ponyland will be doomed if we don't stop Enchantra or Tirac. And if Ponyland is doomed, probably the whole world's gonna be doomed, as well as the people in it. And what about Mike? Ah we just gonna sit 'ere and let that spell take ovah 'is body? 'E's counting on us! And so ah the othahs. You may not care about what 'appens, but I do! And I'll go alone if I 'ave to!"
Davy spun around and started walking. The others looked at each other and hung their heads.
"He's got a way of giving a guilt trip," Micky said.
"Davy wait!" Peter called, jumping up and running to his friend. "I'll go with you, David."
"Thanks, Petah," Davy said, with a smile. "I knew I could count on you."
"Us too, Davy!" Baby Moon Dancer called.
"We no give up!" Baby Lofty said, speaking for the Baby Ponies.
"Thanks a lot, luvs," Davy replied. "I knew I could count on you, too!"
"Me too," Fire Fly said.
"Me three," Fizzy said.
The others got up and ran to Davy, ready to join the fight. Sparkler lit up her horn.
"Fire Fly," she said. "Lead the way to Midnight Castle."
Fire Fly smiled and led the group. They regained their spirit and were ready for a fight. Back in Dream Valley, however, the ponies' spirits were beginning to fall.
"How long have they been gone?" Lickety Split asked.
"About a couple of hours," Cupcake replied, looking at Mike's watch. "We can't expect them to reach Midnight Castle on the first day."
"They did the first time," Bubbles said.
"Bubbles, shut up!" Lickety Split shouted.
"But they have to make it," Cupcake said. "They have only until midnight to defeat Enchantra and Tirac. And they have only until midnight to save Mike."
The ponies were becoming irritable being cooped up in the cave. Mr. Moochick kept reading his books. Molly and the Baby Ponies had fallen asleep. Danny was making a cat's cradle out of his shoelaces. Whizzer kept dodging in and out of the cave. Lickety Split kept pacing around, and Shady was worrying.
"I wish they had the Rainbow of Light," Cupcake said.
"I hope they reach Midnight Castle," Shady replied. "Or else we're going to be doomed!"
"It's not us I'm worried about, Shady," Cupcake said. She walked over to Mike, laying on the ground, black star glowing on his neck. Cupcake sighed and put her head on his chest.
Enchantra found this delightful. Others misery made her happy.
"They're spirits are falling," she said, laughing. "And those other little ponies are nowhere near our castle!"
"What's the next plan, Enchantra?" Tirac asked.
"We keep the ponies away from Midnight Castle. I know just what to do! I'll take them off the trail! They'll never find us that way!"
Enchantra laughed as she made her magic spell and poured it over the crystal ball. Soon the atmosphere changed and the ponies, the Monkees, or Megan had no clue what had happened. Fire Fly just flew on, Sparkler close behind to light the way.