“Spike!” Twilight called, wavering on her feet slightly; teleporting such distances always disoriented her. “Spike where are you?!”
“Here!” Spike ran downstairs. “Did you win?”
Twilight Sparkle shook her head, the distress on her face reflecting in her voice. “She was ready for us, Spike. All the castle guards are under Night Mare Moon's control, and they threw us in the dungeon!” Her voice rose in pitch as she spoke. “We need to get more help, she's too strong!”
“Calm down, Twilight.” Spike flailed his arms at her.
“The books! The books! Have you found anything to help us?” Twilight was far from calm right now, her whole body was trembling as she frantically tore the remaining books from their shelves.
There came a knock at the door, although Twilight was too busy searching her books for answer to notice. Spike clambered over the growing pile of reference books to open the door, he peered into the darkness and leapt back as Zecora emerged from the gloom.
“Who is it, Spike?” Twilight asked, pausing a moment to glance up at the door. “Oh! Zecora!” She dashed over the books. “We need your help!”
“What is the matter, Twilight? You look like you've had a horrible fright.” The zebra said as she stepped into the library, eyeing the mess strewn about on the floor.
Twilight explained what happened quickly, half her attention going to searching for something to help them.
Zecora's brow furrowed and her eyes closed a little in thought. “I do not think I can help you young filly, but we cannot go back in there all willy-nilly.”
“I just wish the Princess was here to help us.” Spike sighed, dragging his hand over his face.
“I know, Spike.” Twilight bowed her head a moment. “We don't even know where she is, I'm afraid she was... banished. I hope the girls are okay...”
“A teleportation spell may help your friends, some help with this task I can extend.” The zebra offered.
“Thanks, Zecora.” Twilight offered a stressed-out smile, trotting on the spot. “Why aren't any of these books HELPFUL?!” She stomped her hooves on the ground.
“Twilight.” Zecora started. “Perhaps the solution for this, is not in the books. Outside of the box, we may need to look.”
“You're right.” Spike exclaimed, pounding his fist into his left hand. “So... Any ideas -how-?”
Both the unicorn and zebra exchanged glances, then shook their heads. “Well, first things first. We need to rescue the girls!” Twilight started to replace the books on the shelves.
Zecora nodded. “I must go home, and make a special brew to enhance your power. But beware, it will only last for a quarter of an hour.”
“That's more than enough time, thank you Zecora.” The mare smiled and nodded as the zebra left the library.
Spike closed the door after she'd left, and turned to face Twilight. “So, Twi. Are you just going to... teleport in there and POOF! Teleport all of you out together?”
“That's the plan, Spike.” Twilight nodded her head. “It's going to take a lot of power to do this, but if Zecora's potion works. It shouldn't take long.”
“So, while your gone; do you want me to...?”
“Gather everypony at the town hall. Every single one you can find. We need the whole town on this, before it's too late.”
The baby dragon nodded, and helped Twilight put away the books while they waited for Zecora to return.
~
“What's taking Twilight so long?” Rarity asked, pacing back and forth in the little cell. “I so hope she's alright.”
“Twi'll be fine, darlin'.” Applejack said from a cell over. “I'm sure she's jus' makin' a plan to bust us out.”
“I sure hope so.” Fluttershy said quietly, still cowering in the corner. “This dungeon is cold, and scary.”
“And cramped!” Rainbow Dash kicked at the bars, pouting at them.
“It's not so bad!” Pinkie bounced. “It's like... a sleepover! In a creepy, cold, small... dungeon.”
“That's what it -exactly- is. Without the sleepover part.” Fluttershy replied.
~
“Alright Spike.” Twilight closed her saddlebags, floating them into her back. “I've got the potion. You go gather everypony, and we'll meet you there. Fill them in if we're late!”
Spike nodded and followed Twilight out the door. “Good luck Twilight Sparkle!” He saluted her, chest puffed out with pride before the two went off to do their given tasks.
She only had 15 minutes to get in there, free her friends and get them all out. It shouldn't be too hard, as long as she didn't get too disoriented teleporting back and forth between the castle and Ponyville.
A flash of light illuminated the dungeon, twilight stood at the centre as the brightness dissipated. Why was it so quiet?
"Girls?" She called, twisting about to look for her friends. The cells were empty.
"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Night Mare Moon loomed out from the darkest shadow, her head held high as she looked down upon the young mare.
Twilight spun around with a gasp, her ears flattening against her head. "Where are my friends?" she snorted angrily, pawing the ground. “What have you done with them?”
The dark mare wasn't bothered by her actions and merely laughed. "Why? Would you like to see them?"
Stay calm, Twilight. This is just a ploy to make you angry. It's a trap.
"Where are they?" Her right eye twitched. Oh, how angry she was inside right now.
The alicorn looked her over, malicious amusement twinkling in her eyes. "Why, waiting in the garden of course." With a dark flash, she was gone.
Twilight wasn't sure if she was lying, or telling the truth. She paced back and forth quickly, knowing she had precious little time left before Zecora's potion would run out. To go, or not to go? The cells were empty and the dungeon was quiet, but something wasn't right. Not one bit. Quickly, she made a decision and rushed up the stairs into the hallway. One she found her bearings, Twilight galloped down the empty halls and burst out through the doors into the garden.
"She wasn't lying." The unicorn said to no one in particular, her mouth open in surprise.
Indeed, Night Mare Moon had been telling the truth. The five mares were in the garden. Although they were frozen, posed; like living statues. There was no way Twilight could teleport them like this, it was far too dangerous! She raced up to Rainbow Dash who was posed rearing, her wings outstretched.
"Rainbow? Rainbow!?" She shook the pegasus but got no response.
A horridly familiar laugh floated on the breeze as Night Mare Moon flew down from where she'd been watching and landed in the shady garden. "And now, nothing, nopony can ruin my eternal night!" She lowered her head and magic began to shine from her horn. Twilights eyes widened and she started to move, but was too slow. The magic slammed into her, freezing her in a dramatic pose; one hoof raised high, her chest puffed out like a showpony.
Night Mare Moon looked at her collection of meddling ponies, satisfied. Truly, no one could stop her now. She had won. The ponies that once shunned her beloved night time; would live in it.
Forever.