When a camping trip turns sour, Twilight is sent on a journey that will push her friendship to it's limits. Now in order to save her friends, she must take on the toughest challenge of her life, Castle Oblivion.
What started as a simple a camping trip to a far away land take a turn for the worse when Twilight becomes distracted by her own research and gets separated from the others. Now questioning if she actually treats them as real friends or not, a voice leads her to a mysterious castle with a promise of truth. Little does she know, she is walking into a trap that will test her very being. After all, one cannot hope to escape Castle Oblivion...
“I must say Twilight, a camping trip is just what I needed.” Said a white unicorn.
“Don’t forget to thank Pinkie for these amazing marshmallows.” Said a cyan pegasus, chomping down 3 black blobs.
“No problem Dashie!” Replied the pink pony.
“Lucky for me it’s slow season, so Big Mac can handle the farm on his own for now.” Said the orange pony. “I’ve been needing this.”
“Umm, I’d like to thank Dash for finding this quite little field…” Said a butter yellow pegasus.
“Don’t mention it Fluttershy, I’ve flown over this a thousand times and thought this would be a nice spot, just a long open field with nothing but grass and a few trees. You know what? I should practice here! There nothing that could possibly get in my way. That way I don’t keep crashing into Twi’s house.”
“This place also gives me a nice view of the stars!” Said the lavender unicorn looking into her telescope. They continued to talk for a while, going on random conversations.
“Ya know girls, we should probably hit the hay. It’s getting quite dark.” Said Applejack.
“I agree Applejack, I really need my beauty sleep.” Replied Rarity heading into her tend. Everyone was getting into they’re tent then Rainbow noticed Twilight was still at her telescope.
“Yo Twi, you coming?”
“I’ll be in later. I have a few more things I want to look at.” Replied Twilight, still looking in her telescope.
“Ok… Goodnight I guess…” Rainbow slumped into the tent with everyone else.
Twilight continued to look at the stat for several minutes before finally coming off to look at her notebook. “That’s another constellation down, just one left…” She looked though her telescope again. She looked for a second then turned it a bit. She retracted her eye from the peep hole. “Agh! It’s no good, I can’t see it from here…” She looked around and noticed a large hill in the distance. “Maybe I can see it from there?” She started packing up until the stopped to look back at her friend’s tent. “Meh, it will only be a few minutes…” So she finished packing and set off for the hill.
She had to admit, it was a pretty nice camp site, nothing but grass and trees for miles. There was also a tiny dirt path that seemed to never end. It’s funny though, she doesn’t recall seeing this place on any map. Regardless, she still had some research to do. She finally reached the top of the big hill and set up her portable telescope. She stood looking through for a good 10 minutes then went back to her notebook. “Aaaaand, done! That’s all for tonight. I should probably head back to camp.” She packed up and set off to camp. On the way back, she began to think a little about them. “You know, if Celestia never told me to go to Ponyville, I would have never have met those amazing ponies and I would probably still be at Canterlot looking at the stars from my room.” She let out a small sigh. “Sometimes, it feels like I haven’t fully thanked them for all they gave me. They have all done so much but I still feel like I haven’t done enough for them…”
Finally, Twilight reached the camp site... At least she thought she did. She was standing in the very spot camp was a few minutes ago. "Applejack!" There was no response. "Rarity!" Again, there was no response. "RAINBOW! PINKIE!" There was still nothing. Twilight slouched over on the ground. "I can't believe it! I was so focused on my research, I forgot where the campsite was! AGH!" She slammed her hooves on the ground. "I really am a terrible friend..." Eventually, Twilight stood up and continued looking for camp. She searched for 20 minutes before coming across a small crossroad.
“Along the road ahead, lies something you need.?”
Twilight jumped at the mysterious voice. She quickly turned to see the source of the voice but there was nothing there. Swiveling her head back and forth, she searched but all she saw was the path she has previously walked upon. Suddenly, she turned back and saw a mysterious figure in front of her. It stood several feet above her and adorned a black robe with a hood.
“However – in order to claim it-”
Twilight stood silently, unmoving…
“You must lose something that is dear to you.”
The figure turned around and as he started moving, he vanished. Twilight tried to chase it down by follow the path it started on. She continued to run… and run… and run… She ran as long as she could. What did this guy know about her? She couldn’t let him get away. Her hooves began to ache and she felt like she could collapse at any moment then something happened. The world around her began to darken. The brown road and green grass was started to disappear into a state of nothingness. Twilight slowed her pace as she entered the darkness.
She couldn’t see any more at this point. She was surrounded by nothing but darkness. She looked around, hoping to find and exit. Instead, she found something much more intriguing. As if out of thin air, a new place was visible. She walked along the red and blue dirt path to find one of the most interesting sights she had ever seen. Standing before her was large castle. It bore a tannish-brown color and a green trim along the roofs. The first thing Twilight noticed was how unorganized the castle looked. The design was a total mess and calling it a maze would be an understatement. The structure was all over the place, buildings were on their site, some pieces could be seen hanging upside down barely hanging on a small sideways tower. There was even a small structure over to the right on a completely separate island. The most menacing part had to be the sky. It had an eerie mix of blue, green and white swirling into an endless vortex.
Twilight was about to turn back into a flash appeared in front her face. It could only be described as a spark she felt once before. She didn’t want to have to go into the mysterious castle. She would get lost for sure, but she felt she had to. Twilight decided to suck it up and approached the castle. With all her might, she pushed the door open. The door itself was quite massive and took a lot of energy to open. Eventually she got it open just enough to slide in.
When she got in, she was surprised to see the inside was the cleanest and most pristine palace she had ever seen. The hallway was pure white with a row a pillars on both sides. There was a noticeable theme to interior. The wall, pillars and statues were all adorned with white roses. It was incredibly beautiful but eerie all at the same time.
“What is this place?” Twilight said to herself. “And why do I feel like… Like I should be here?” She walked further down the hall closing in on another door, and then she stopped. “Perhaps I should close the door behind me?” As she turned around, she was greeted by the same character that had stopped her at the crossroad. He stood there in his black cloak with the door slowly closing behind him. Twilight took a battle stance. “That’s it, who are you!?” The figure slowly walked toward her. “Alright, you asked for it!” Twilight threw her head forward point her horn at the figure. “Take this!” The figure stood there unmoving. “Huh?” Twilight looked up at her horn then threw it forward again, still nothing. “What going on?” Twilight consecrate harder, her cheeks turning red. Eventually, she stopped to get some air. “Why isn’t my magic working?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Spoke the hooded man. “When you entered this castle, you lost every spell and ability you ever knew…” Twilight stepped back. “In this place, to find is to lose, and to lose, is to find… That is the way of Castle Oblivion…”
“Castle… O-O-Oblivion?” Stuttered Twilight. With crackle, the figure flashed out of view and reappeared behind Twilight, in front of the next door.
“Here, you will meet people you have known in the past... And you will meet people you miss...”
“’People I... Miss?’” Twilight gasped. “My friends! You mean my friends are here?”
“If your friends are what you seek…” Suddenly, the figure dashed towards Twilight phasing right through her. She dashed towards him, using her horn like a lance but the figure vanished and reappeared in front of the door again.
“What was that all about?”
“I took a little peek at your memories… And with them, I made this…” The figure held up a large blue card with 3 jaded corners. “To reunite with those you hold dear-” The hooded man flicked the card, tossing it at Twilight. To her surprise, her horn lit up and she caught with her magic. She held it up.
“What is this, a card?” She held up the card. It has a picture of her Library back in Ponyville.
“It’s a promise to your friends… Hold it up to open this door beyond me, and then, you will enter a mysterious new world.” The man stepped out of the way of the door. “Proceed young element bearer, find your friends… And yourself…” FLASH, he was gone, leaving only a quite laugh.
Twilight slowly stepped up to the large white door. She stopped for a second to think. “Is what he said true? Are my friends really here in this castle?” She stared at the card. "That would mean..." She sighed. "My friends..." She hesitated for a moment but quickly held the card up high. With a flash, the card was gone and the door slowly opened. Twilight took in a deep breath and walked into the light.
“This… This can’t be right!?” Twilight stopped. She looked around her. “I’m… Back in Ponyville?” Indeed she had arrived in ponyville. Yellow and pink buildings with hay covered roofs, the brown and white town hall, everything. However, the streets were a bit empty.
“What you see isn’t real.” Came a voice. Twilight spun around to see a quick flash. Whoever was there was gone. “This town is an illusion created by your memories ingrained in that card.” Twilight turned back to see the creature she had seen before.
“My memories? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“When I looked into your memories, it took a location from your past and imprinted within that card.”
“So… I’m back in Ponyville then…”
“Traverse forward Twilight. Castle Oblivion a waits…” And like that, he was gone.
Twilight stood there, trying to gather her thoughts. “So this supposed to be Ponyville… But it’s not Ponyville?” She thought. “I need to get back to the library.” Twilight began to run in the direction in the library. The streets were barren, not a soul in sight. Twilight felt quite uneasy. She knew it was only a duplicate but there was clearly something wrong.
She neared the Golden Oaks library. She came to a halt in front of the door and opened to door… Or at least she tried. She pushed and kicked but the door wouldn’t budge. “SPIKE! SPIKE, OPEN THE DOOR!” She yelled. There was no response. “Either Spike is missing as well or the duplicate Spike is never around when you need him either…” She pushed the door a bit more before falling on her back. She laid there with her eyes closed. “It’s no use…” Then she noticed something. There was a small blue crown floating above the door. “Huh?” She stood up and looked at it for a second. “I wonder if I…” Twilight’s horn lit up as she attempted to grab the crown.
As the spell was casted, the door began to shine. The glow then took on the form of a card. The card had a red heart-shaped symbol with an X. Twilight wasn’t sure what to make of it. She looked down and noticed she was now holding a card herself. “Where did this come from?” The card was gold with a white key it imprinted in it. “Maybe I need this?” Twilight held card up high… Nothing happened… “Hmm, maybe I need to find a door with the same symbol?” Twilight turned back and began to search around Ponyville.
“This whole thing is just so confusing! I end up in a copy of Ponyville, everyone is gone, I can’t get into the library and now I somehow ended up with this weird card. As soon as I find the others, we are getting out of- OOF!” Twilight fell back again onto the ground and looked up. She has walked right into a door siting in the middle of the road. Behind the door rested Sweet Apple Acres. “Who put this door here?” She said as she got up. However, her confusion was quickly gone as a picture of a white key appeared on the door. “It the symbol!” She quickly pulled out the card and held it high. The card disappeared in a flash and the door opened to a bright light.
/---Key to Beginnings---\
As Twilight slowly trotted up to the home of her good friend Applejack, she saw a pink figure walking up to her. “Is that? It is!” Twilight jumped for joy seeing her friend Pinkie Pie. “Hey Pinkie Pie!” The pink pony suddenly bounced into the air giving off a huge gasp before bolting off. “Huh, Déjà Vu...” She just shrugged it off. Pinkie is Pinkie after all.
Twilight looked toward the orchard of apple trees and saw Applejack. She was quickly galloping towards a large apple tree then she spun around and bucked it. As the apples fell from the tree directly into the buckets below, Applejack stuck a pose, crossing her front legs. Twilight ran up to her friend with glee. “Oh Applejack! I’m so glad you’re safe!”
The earth pony turned to the unicorn. “Beg your parden?”
“Huh, hellooooo… It’s me?”
Applejack gave Twilight an odd look. “Sorry lady but ah ain’t ever seen you around these parts…”
Twilight was shocked. “What? But I thought…”
“Sorry Twilight, I ain’t ever seen you before…”
Twilight jumped. “There! You just said my name! You DO remember me!”
Applejack put her hoof against her head. “What? How is that possible? I’ve never known any Twilight Sparkle in all mah life…”
“But- Wha- Wait- Huh?” Twilight shuddered. “You’re not lying again are you? Did Discord get to you?”
“Discord? Is that one of your friends?” Twilight leaned in close. She stared directly into Applejacks eyes. Applejack looked straight back. “Would you mind?”
Twilight jumped back. “Sorry… It doesn’t appear you are lying. You’re eyes are proof enough…”
Applejack thought for a second. “Maybe someone else knows you?” She turned around and walked a few feel back. “Hey Rainbow Dash!”
The rainbow maned pegasus poked her head out of a cloud above Applejack. “What is it? I’m trying to take a nap here.” The pegasus jumped down and slowly floated to the ground. “What do you want?”
“Do you know this pony, Rainbow?”
Rainbow Dash inspected Twilight bottom to top. “Sorry, never seen her before…”
“But Rainbow, remember? Daring Do? Your favorite book? I got you into it remember?” Twilight replied.
“Book? Bahahaha!” Rainbow fell to the floor laughing. “Why in Equestria would I read books? Especially one picked out by a nerd like you Twilight?”
“Ha! You do remember me!”
“Huh?” The pegasus shook her head. “That’s weird… Why would I know a dweeb like you?”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Gilda…”
“Oh, you know Gilda?”
“Uh… Nevermind that… Why is it you remember my name but not ME?” Twilight thought for a second. “Come to think of it, Pinkie Pie was acting weird too…”
“Pinkie Pie is always weird Sugarcube…” Applejack added. “Since your new here, expect to see her again soon.”
“Yeah… I know…”
“Listen girl, I got stuff to do. I need to prepare food. We can talk more later tonight.” The earth pony turned around and headed into the barn.
“Same here Twilight. I need to get back to my nap…” Rainbow quickly flew back up and on to her cloud and fell asleep.
Twilight stood there unmoving. It appears Applejack and Rainbow had completely forgotten her. However they somehow knew her name. It was like something out of the Twilight Zone. Nothing was making sense. As Twilight turned back to head out, her hoof started glowing. Another card had appeared. This time it was a white hollow heart. “Close, but it still doesn’t match the one at the library. Where does this one go then?” She thought for a minute. “I could check Rarity’s place. It likely Fluttershy will be there too. They are great friends after all…”
/---Key to Guidance---\
The bell tinged as Twilight stepped into Rarity’s boutique. There in corner stood the white unicorn. She was measuring an outfit out for Fluttershy. “Ah, hello?” Twilight called.
Rarity turned around. “Oh, hello there. Is there something you need.”
Twilight thought about what to say. “Uh yeah, I’m just wanted to ask something. Uh, this may seem weird but… Do you know me?”
The white unicorn gave her a strange look. “Uhhh, not as far as I remember.”
“Oh ok, it’s just that I’m from Canterlot and I know you-“
“Canterlot! Oh my! I had no idea you were from Canterlot, Twilight...”
“Um, Rarity?” Fluttershy squeaked. “You just said Twilight… Maybe you do know her…”
“Really, I do?” Rarity pondered for a minute. “Maybe I saw you in some magazine. What do you do?”
“I am… I am Celestia’s protégé…”
Rarity’s eyes beamed. “OH MY! ROYALTY!” She quickly got down and bowed her head. “Sorry if I offended you in anyway milady."
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Just stop Rarity. Listen, I have had a weird day. I’m just going to go…”
“No you don’t!” Rarity protested. “I insist you stay and try out my dresses!”
“No really, I need to go.” Twilight quickly opened the front door and turned back the 2 ponies. “Sorry Rarity! Sorry Fluttershy!” The unicorn then bolted out the door and slammed it shut.
“That was weird…” Rarity said. “Wait…” She turned back to Fluttershy. “Did she know your name?” Fluttershy simply shrugged.
As Twilight was leaving, a third card appeared before her. A gold card with a red heart. Twilight jumped for joy. “Yes! I can finally get into the library.” She quickly made it back to the library and held up her card. The door lit up and finally opened.
/---Key to Truth---\
“SURPRISE!” The lights shot on and the pink pony herself jumped in front of Twilight. The library was littered with ponies and party supplies including balloons, food and games. “Well, were you surprised?”
“Uhhh, sure…” Twilight wasn’t really sure what to say. She knew this would probably happen if Pinkie forgot her too.
“Speaking of surprises, I was surprised you knew my name back there. How did you know my name? Am I famous or something?” *Blink* *Blink*
Twilight thought for a second. ‘What am I going to say?’ Then it hit her. “Actually, we were on a camping trip when you and 4 other friends were ponynapped. I followed a dark man to a place called Castle Oblivion. We currently stand within Castle Oblivion inside a fake copy of Ponyville created by my own memories and now I am trying to rescue you, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy…”
… “Okie Doki Loki! =)” The party pony just walked off humming to herself.
“What’s that about Castle… Oblivious or whatever you’re talking about?” It was Applejack and rest of the crew.
“Hey girls. You heard that didn’t you?” The girls all looked at each other. “Listen, I know you only just met me… Well as far you know anyway…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” AJ asked.
Twilight sighed. “Guess there is no point in hiding it any longer. Truth is, I’ve known you for nearly 2 years now…”
“Uh, you sure?” Rainbow asked. “You just came to Ponyville today.”
“Yes, we are all friends. Best friends. We have stopped several dark beings in the past together. Nightmare Moon, Discord, and many others were all stopped because of us… However recently we got separated and ended up in a place called Castle Oblivion. You had been ponynapped and I came to save you. Right now, we stand in a fake Ponyville created by Castle Oblivion from my memories and it seems all of you have lost your memories…”
The 4 ponies stood there looking at each other. “Um…” Fluttershy squeaked. “It sounds like you went through a lot… I’m sorry we caused so much trouble…”
“Please, don’t be… It’s my fault for leaving you all alone during the trip. We have been friends since that one Summer Sun Celebration. Yet I still don’t feel like a true friends yet.”
“Wait, did you say the Summer Sun Celebration?” AJ asked.
“Yes… Why?”
“The Summer Sun Celebration is in a few minutes.”
Suddenly, it clicked… Twilight turned around and bolted out the door. As soon as she got out, she looked up as the mare shape on the moon vanished. “I finally understand!” The other 5 ponies came rushing out with her.
“Oh, what’s that?” Pinkie asked.
The sky crackled with lightning as a black vortex spiraled down impacting the ground. The wind blew fiercely at the ponies threatening to blow them away. “Hahahahahaha!” Came a voice. “After a thousand years, I have finally returned!” The vortex calmed revealing a black figure Twilight knew all too well. “Now that I am back from my imprisonment, the night… Will last… Forever!”
“Not if I have anything to say about it Nightmare Moon!” Twilight yelled.
“Huh, so… It appears someone knows who I am.”
“Yeah, and don’t think you can just up and take Equestria like it’s yours. Not when we have each other!”
Applejack quickly rushed up next to Twilight. “What are you doing girl? You can’t fight that thing!”
“I can’t but ‘we’ can. Remember everything I talked about? The reason you can’t remember anything is because it hasn’t happened yet for you. This place isn’t a memory of Ponyville. It’s a memory of the day we became friends and defeated Nightmare Moon.”
“You know how crazy you sound right?”
“I know, I know but listen to me. You remember how you kept saying my name right?”
“Of course, it was really freaky…”
“Well, don’t you think that’s some kind of sign? Our friendship was destined to occur. Only we can defeat Nightmare Moon. With the power of friendship!”
“I don’t know…” Applejack turned to the others. “What do you think girls?”
“Sounds fishy to me…” Said Rainbow. “This whole thing about a fake Ponyville and Castle Oblivion sounds lame to me. What if she is working with that… Thing?”
“I honestly think Twilight is a total darling.” Rarity replied. “Sure this whole thing may sound strange but us unicorns must stick together…” Rarity stepped up and rubbed Twilight’s face. “And if she needs our help, I’m willing to put myself out there for her.”
“She’s… Nice…” Said Fluttershy.
“I say we do it!” Said Pinkie. “My Pinkie Sense is telling me friendship is the way to go!”
AJ turned back to Twilight. “Please girls?” Twilight asked. “I’ve known you for almost 2 years. Please, I know it’s difficult to understand but I’m telling the truth. Look deep down…” Twilight held her hoof out.
The earth pony looked at the unicorn’s hoof. “Honest?”
Twilight grabbed AJ’s chin and tilted her head to they were eye to eye. “Honest…”
AJ simply stared into her eyes… “Alright, I believe you…” She put out her hoof on top on Twilight’s. Then came Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie. “You coming Rainbow?”
“I don’t know…”
“But Rainbow Dash. We need you…” Twilight pleaded.
Finally, Rainbow Dash sighed and put her hoof down completing the circle. “I still find this strange but if Applejack trusts you, I guess I do too…”
“Whatever you’re doing, it won’t work!” Nightmare Moon yelled. She began to start an attack when a bright light appeared. “What?” 6 small lights were forming around the 6 ponies. The light slowly began to morph into the recognizable shape of cards. The 6 ponies broke the circle and held their hooves in the air. The card began to spin around the ponies wildly, creating a rainbow barrier.
“Twi, what’s going on?” AJ yelled.
“The Elements of Harmony…” Suddenly, the barrier exploded, created a beam flying towards Nightmare Moon.
“Noooooooooooooooooooooo!” The rainbow circled Nightmare Moon, sending her screaming. The 6 ponies floated into the air and Twilight opened her eyes sending Nightmare Moon into the light…
The light cleared as the ponies returned to the ground. The storm from above was finally gone and Nightmare Moon was defeated.
“Wow Twilight!” Applejack exclaimed. “That was amazing.”
“Are you kidding?” Rainbow replied. “That was totally awesome!”
“So, whatever happened to that brute Nightmare Moon?” Rarity asked.
Twilight slowly trotted over to the weakened Princess. “Luna?” The Princess woke up and looked at Twilight.
“How did you know?” The Princess asked.
“There are a lot of things I know. I know you’re sorry for everything you’ve done.”
“It’s not like it makes any difference. Celestia isn’t going to accept me back after all the suffering I caused…”
“Don’t think of your sister that way Princess. She understands everything you went through and honestly…” Luna stared at Twilight. “She wants to see you again…”
“She does?”
“She misses you Princess, she really does. After 1000 years of loneliness, it has an effect on your personality. If anything, I think she felt more alone then you…”
“Thank you… I needed to hear that…”
“Now go Princess. Find your sister…” Luna nodded and spread her large wings. As she flew off, Twilight noticed a small chuck of Nightmare’s remaining armor slowly began to float into the air and swirl. The swirl then ‘popped’, leaving behind a single black card. A Nightmare Moon card…Twilight and the others slowly approached it.
“What is it?” Asked AJ.
“It’s a card. It’s kind of like the others but I’ve never seen a black card before.” With her magic, she grabbed the card and inspected it. “Seems safe…”
“Why don’t you hold onto it Sugarcube?”
“You think I should?”
“Well… Yeah… You said we are great friends so why not hold on to it as a memory of everything we have done.”
Twilight shut her eyes as Rarity trotted up to her. “It will also remind you of us. You did say we are copies didn’t you?”
“Yeah!” Bounced Pinkie. “You will have TWO sets of friends!”
“We won’t forget you Twilight…” Fluttershy added.
“Thank you everypony…” Twilight replied.
“Just be sure to save the ‘real us.’” Said Rainbow. “Wouldn’t want my awesomeness to go away now would you?”
“Of course not. I’ll make sure to bring us together like you did you did all those years ago.” Rainbow turned to look at the girls with a confused look on her. They just shrugged. As the pegasus turn back to look at Twilight, she was gone…
/---Castle Oblivion (F1 Exit Hall)---\
The white door slowly opened to Twilight. As she stepped out of the light, she came to a quick halt. “You…”
There in the middle of the hall stood the cloaked figure once again. Twilight approached him with caution. “Well Twilight, did you enjoy reliving you memories?”
“Yeah, it was great meeting everyone again but what do you really want from me?”
"What do you have to give?"
The hooded man began stepping toward Twilight as she readied a battle stance. Suddenly, a black swirling vortex appeared behind the figure. There a loud bang and a new character appeared. “Hello!” The new figure was clearly a pony. Although she had a coat like the other one, she had her hood down. She wore a dark grey mask with black eye covers preventing Twilight from seeing her real eyes. All there was was black and a red dot. She also had a horn and a long waving dark blue mane that spread out like a fan.
“What do you want?” The still hooded figure asked.
“You’ve had you fun for today. I want a turn…”
The figure reached into his coat and pulled out a small stack of cards. With a flick of his gloved hand, he threw then to the new pony. The robed pony caught the cards and gave a creepy smile. “Then perhaps you want to test her?”
“It would be my pleasure…” Said the pony as the cloaked figure vanished. “It’s my show now bearer of Harmony… In case you’re wondering, I am called Xalun. You got that?”
Twilight stepped back. “Yeah, sure…”
“Goooood, now that we have become better acquainted…” The unicorn pointed her horn into the air and a black vine-like aura engulfed it. “Don’t go off and die on me now…” She then quickly pointed her head forward and blasted a large black energy beam at Twilight. She quickly countered with her own energy beam. The beam impacted in the middle of the room. Twilight struggled to keep the spell going. Xalun simply smiled. “Not bad, the student of the great Celestia doesn’t disappoint but how long can you handle it?”
“Enough!” Using as much magic as possible, Twilight super charged the beam and quickly pushed Xalun’s beam back.
“Oh give me a break…” Xalun muttered before being engulfed in Twilight searing blast. The beam covered the entire hall in a bright purple explosion, destroying several of the statues within the hall.
As the smoke from the blast cleared, the small stack of cards Xalun was holding were floating directly where she once stood. Twilight trotted up and grabbed the cards with her magic. “More cards? They look kind of like the one that sent me to Ponyville. Perhaps they are used to progress in the castle…”
“That’s correct…”
Twilight’s eye shot over to staircase in front of her. “Xalun!” The pony was leaning against the wall in front of the staircase. “You thought after that introduction, I would go down like a common mare?”
“You… You were testing me?”
“And you passed. As to be expected of the great Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight bore her teeth and gave grave off a small growl. “You’re ready now, ready to take on Castle Oblivion... Follow your heart Twilight. Each of those cards contain a memory where your friends are currently trapped.”
Twilight lightened up for a second. “You mean, I just use one of these cards and I’ll find one of my friends?”
“You will just have to give some more thought to who it is that’s- Most important to you… A bond between ponies goes further than simple friendship. Something you have yet to understand, Twilight.”
“Beyond simple friendship?”
Xalun slowly began to raise her gloved hoof, offering her arm. “Would you like me to give you… A hint?” The 2 stood there, unmoving…
“No, I can figure it out myself. Celestia entrusted me to research the magic of friendship and if there is something I have yet to discover-”
Xalun quickly retracted her hoof. “Good answer. Just what I would expect from you, Twilight Sparkle...” Twilight readied herself again. “But be careful when stepping beyond the bounds of friendship. Sometimes the barriers that block us… Are there for a reason…”
Twilight slowly trotted up the stairs. The 2nd floor came into view with a very familiar look. The floor appeared very similar to first. 2 small box like statues on the sides and a large closed door. She held up the 5 cards Xalun had given to her. They were all places she had visited in the past.
“My friends…” Twilight said to herself. “What are these people after? Why would they kidnap my friends and just give me the key to saving them? It doesn’t make sense…” She spread out the cards in front of her so she could clearly see them all. “So if these are meant to be places from my past, it’s likely that they are connected to previous events. It would probably be a good idea to choose the easiest one first.” She held up a card with picture of a castle. “This one is clearly Canterlot. I know Canterlot pretty well but it could be any event, the Gala, the Wedding, even Discord being released. Probably not the safest…” Then a card caught her eye. “Hang on a second…” She inspected the card. It had a small train station with a bunch of cherry trees behind it. “That… That looks like Dodge Junction. We’ve only been there once in our life and Applejack has clear history with it. That looks like my best first choice.”
Twilight stepped up the door and took a deep breath. “Alright…” The cards she was once holding floated into the air and spread out into a circle. They began to slowly rotate and descend, circling around Twilight. She eyed the cards one by one as they passed her. Finally, Dodge Junction came into view. She swiped out the air and held it high into the air. The door opened and closed her eyes and stepped inside.
/---Floor 2---\
When Twilight reopened her eyes, she found that she was riding inside the Friendship Express. She turned to the right and found 4 of her friends riding along side. Applejack appeared to be missing though.
“I just hope this lead doesn’t turn out to be a dead end.” Rainbow Dash claimed. “I don’t want to go home empty hooved after promising we find her…”
“I don’t know how we’ll break it to the Apple family…” Fluttershy added.
‘So, it’s just like with Ponyville.’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘These ponies truly believe this is the first time we have been to Dodge Junction. Probably be a good idea just to play along this time and see what happens...’ “I don’t know how we’ll break it to Ponyville!” Twilight added.
“I don’t know how I’ll make it to the next STOP!” Pinkie screamed behind her teeth. She had her legs crossed like she needed to use the bathroom.
Twilight turned back to look out the window. “I just hope Applejack may shed some light on this…” The train came to a stop and doors open. They all stepped out along with the other passengers. “Let’s fan out and try to find her.”
Just then, Pinkie flew right by them like a blur. “Oh, Pickles!” She bolted up to an outhouse and began to knock extremely fast. “Hurry, hurry, HURRY!” Pinkie knocked a few more times. “Hurry it up in there!” The door opened and slammed Pinkie in the face.
“Huh, what?” Applejack trotted out of the outhouse looking left and right and Pinkie ran into the small shack for a second before opening the door again.
“Applejack!” Pinkie bounced back over to the others hopping around them in a circle. “I found her! I found her! I found her! I found her! I found her!” She lured the others around the building and pointed to Applejack just trotting down the path.
“Oh Applejack, thank heavens.” Rarity said.
“We are so glad you’re safe…” Fluttershy added.
“I found her! I found her! I found her! I found her!” Pinkie continued as she bounced in the air. Then she stopped… “Be right back…” She zoomed off to the restroom again.
“Hey everypony, how did you find me?”
“We got a tip that you were here.” Rarity replied.
“Why didn’t you come back to Ponyville!?”
“Yes, why are you here?”
“Are you ok?”
“Do you have any snacks?” Pinkie interrupted.
“Tell us what happened Applejack?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t you remember?” Applejack replied.
“Applejack? Are these some of your Ponyville friends?” The ponies looked up to see a red maned Mare. Cherry Jubilee, she took in Applejack after she lost the rodeo.
“Yes Ma’am.” Twilight replied.
“And you are?” Rarity asked.
“Why I’m Cherry Jubilee, boss of Cherry Hill Ranch. Applejack probably hasn’t told you. I saw her at the Equestria Rodeo, never saw anypony win so many ribbons in all my life.”
“But Miss Jubilee, I thought I told you-“
“Oh shes so modest she can’t even admit she even entered the rodeo. She came up with some ridiculous story about camping and some ponies in black coats…” Twilight gasped silently. “She is probably just dreaming or something because she was so willing yesterday. When I first heard she was looking for a change of scenery and I snapped her up as quick as I could and brought her to Dodge Junction.” Everypony looked at Applejack with confusion. All except for Twilight. “Well, I’ll let you catch up with your friends. See you back at the ranch.”
The ponies the stared at each other, unmoving… “CHANGE OF SENERY!?” Rainbow asked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I have no idea what she is talking about. Last thing I remember was that camping trip.”
“A camping trip!?” Pinkie asked. “You went on a camping trip without me!?”
“What are you talking about Pinkie, you were there too remember. All of you were there.”
“What in Equestria are you talking about?” Rarity asked. “We’ve never been a camping trip.”
“Don’t any of you remember?” The ponies all looked at each other in confusion. Twilight continued to just look at Applejack, thoughts going through her head. Could this be the real Applejack? “Fine, be that way. I’m going to get to the bottom of this eventually with or without your help.” The 5 ponies watched as Applejack stormed off.
Twilight finally spoke up. “Do you think we should have listened to her?”
“Perhaps…” Rarity replied. “But she is clearly hiding something from us. I mean, camping trip? And if she is looking for some ponies in black coats, why didn’t she bring us with her or at least tell us?”
“I agree with Rarity.” Rainbow added. “Let’s find out what she is hiding…”
/---Key to Beginnings---\
“You ready to put your back into it Applejack?”
“Sure am Miss Jubilee.” Applejack jumped into a wooden wheel connected to a large pulley system.
“Terrific, come on in girls.” Applejacks eyes shot open when she saw her 5 friends walking into the building.
“What are all you doing here?”
“We are your cherry sorters.” Twilight replied. “Shall we get started?” The 5 ponies all lined up along a conveyor belt coming from an unknown room.
“Fine…”
“Red cherries go in one bin and yellow cherries go in the other.” Jubilee pointed at 2 separate bins appropriately labeled. “Simple as cherry pie. Just one teensy thing to remember, have fun!”
Applejack glared at her friends “So, what do you five want?”
“Well uh…” Rarity nerviously looked around trying to come up with a reply. “You made working on a cherry orchard sound so delightful.”
“Uh huh… Well, unless you’re going to start listening to me, you better keep your mouths shut.” Applejack turned her head away the ponies.
“Fine, so you why don’t you quit talking and get walking?” Rainbow Dash banged her hooves on the conveyor belt. Applejack began to walk forward on the wheel. The mechanism connected the conveyor belt and it began to turn out a smooth line of cherries from the other room. For a short while, nopony talked. Applejack just continued to move the wheel and the others would push the appropriate cherries in the bins.
Finally, Twilight broke the silence. “So AJ, tell us a little about this camping trip you say we went on?”
“We were in a large green field. It had a long dirt path.” Applejack was clearly still frustrated from before.
“Did you have fun?”
“Of course, we were cooking marshmallows. Well most of us were. You were doing some research or something.”
“Did it feel like I was ignoring you?”
“Not really, I know like to pay attention to your studies.”
“What about the ponies in black coats?” Rainbow interrupted. “What’s the story about them?”
“I don’t remember much. Twilight went off to check out something then some pony showed up out of nowhere wearing this freaky black coat. She said something about the learning the truth and then she opened up a dark portal and kicked me in. Next thing I remember, I was here going through some major Deja-Vu.”
“You really expect us to believe that!?”
“You asked me about the camping trip and that’s what happened.” Applejack began to pick up speed. Fluttershy and Pinkie were the only ones still on the belt and they were starting to become a bit overwhelmed.
“Um, excuse me?”
“What about Ponyville? Why did you just leave?”
“Ponyville has nothing to do with this. I was attacked by a pony in a coat and ended up here where Jubilee is acting like I never met her before!”
“Well duh, she said she found you at the rodeo.”
“The rodeo was months ago Rainbow!” Applejack was now running full speed. Fluttershy and Pinkie were heavily struggling to keep up.
“Can you please slow down?”
“Unless you are a time traveler or something, no it didn’t. You went to the rodeo just recently to win the grand prize for to help Ponyville!”
“I thought we talked about this a long time ago. I already learned my lesson about running away from my problems now why won’t you listen to me!?”
“Stooooop!” Fluttershy yelled. Applejack came to a screeching halt on a wheel flinging a massive pile of cherries right into Applejack. It left a large splatter on the wall with a pony shaped chunk missing. Applejack glared at the other ponies and stormed out of the room.
Twilight levitated up a mop and started cleaning the huge mess of cherry mush all over the room. “She seems quite curtain about these events with the camping and the ponies…”
“Bah, we are just playing too nice. She will crack soon enough.” Rainbow replied.
“Yes, desperate times call for desperate measures…” Rarity added.
“Actually…” Twilight interrupted. “Let me talk to her alone. I think I have an idea of what’s going on…”
/---Key to Guidance---\
Applejack was swiftly bucking trees dropping piles of cherries. Suddenly, there was a flash as Twilight appeared directly in front of Applejack. “Woh! Don’t scare me like that Twi!”
“Sorry Applejack. I was hoping we could talk in piece…”
“You know, I was half expecting-“
“For Pinkie Pie to show up and annoy you to death?”
“Huh…” Applejack was a little spooked. “Yeah… How did you?”
“We were going to use her to annoy you until you told us what made you leave Ponyville. You would Pinkie promise to answer us in the morning but you were going to leave and we would just chase you down until we caught you and you confessed to us about losing the Rodeo.”
“Twi, your kinda scaring me…”
“Don’t be scared, everything here is not real.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Everything here is an illusion created by Castle Oblivion.”
“Castle what?”
“Castle Oblivion. After I left you all at the campsite, you went missing and a creature in a black coat led me to this castle. It takes your memories and creates the illusion that you’re living that event again. Dodge Junction, Cherry Jubilee, our friends, they are all illusions created by our memories.” Twilight pulled her stack of cards. “These cards contain some kind of data that allows for these memories to exist. I used to have five but I used one to create the world you see now.” Applejack took ahold of the cards and looked at them.
“Man… This is a lot to take in…” Applejack thoroughly examined the cards for a bit. “Wait, then what about the others?”
“Those four cards are the key. If they are anything like this world, each of our friends are trapped in one of those cards and each one contains a memory with them. I used your card first since we only have one major memory of this place. I didn’t want to get into something I couldn’t handle by myself.”
“So you say if we use these cards we can find our friends, our real friends?”
“Yes, we are currently on the 2nd floor of the castle. I had to pass through the 1st floor to get here. It made me relive the first time we met.” Twilight pulled out the black card. “We pulled together and defeated Nightmare Moon just like we did all that time ago.”
“Something still bugs me though…”
“What is that?”
“Why are we here in the first place?”
“The answer to that, I don’t know. There was the large figure that lured me here. He mostly spoke gibberish and riddles and another pony named Xalun I met just before entering this floor.”
“Well, whatever is going on, we need to get out of here now.”
“And just WHERE do you think you’re going!?” Applejack and Twilight looked up to see Rainbow hovering above them.
“This is none of your business, you’re not even real!”
“What I… Ah! I don’t know what you two are up to but I intend to get to the bottom of this.”
“Aw crud… Twi, we need to bolt!”
“Couldn’t agree more…” The two ponies quickly ran off into town as fast as they could.
“GIRLS!” Rainbow yelled. Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie came by to see the commotion. “Twilight is conspiring with Applejack! We need to catch them before they get away!”
“What?” Rarity replied. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I overheard them saying how they needed to get out of here. Now let’s get them!”
/---Key to Truth---\
Twilight and Applejack ran along the edge of town when they spotted a carriage pulled by a number of stallions. The two ponies jumped in. “Giddy up fellas, we need to get out of Dodge!” Applejack whipped the reins and the carriage quickly ran off.
“They’re going to get away!” Pinkie yelled.
“Oh no they won’t.” Rainbow pointed at an idol cart. Rainbow and Fluttershy attached themselves to the front while Pinkie and Rarity rode in the back.
Twilight and Applejack were still a short bit ahead of them “Why are they acting this way?” Twilight asked. “On the last floor they were so understanding but here they are so stubborn and refuse to listen to reason.”
“I just remember you and the others would never quit with all the questions. Maybe they are acting like this because this is how my memory of them was.”
“Very likely.” There was a bang as the other pony’s cart had caught up.
“Pull over!” Rainbow yelled ramming the carriage again.
“I’ll pay you boys double to outrun them!” The stallions sped up leaving the others slightly behind.
“Get them… GET THEM!” Pinkie screamed.
“Just keep going!” Twilight yelled. “I’ll hold them back.” Twilight charged a bit of magic into her horn and fired it at the ground in front of her friends. They swerved out of the way.
“What are you doing Twilight!?” Rarity yelled. “Have you gone insane!?”
“Sorry girls but this is something we need to handle ourselves.” Twilight fired another shot causing them to swerve again. It didn’t take long for them to them to catch up again. Pinkie jumped from their cart to the Twilight’s.
“You apologize for attacking us like that!”
“Sorry Pinkie.” Twilight replied. “But this is something you four are not a part of. I don’t expect you to understand but at least understand this. We are doing this for you.”
“Wait what?”
“Trust me Pinkie. This goes deeper then you four realize. I promise that I will save you and when I do, I’ll make it up to you ok?”
“Well… I don’t quite understand…”
“You don’t need to. Just remember that we will always be your friends, no matter what… And that’s a Pinkie Promise…”
“A Pinkie Promise… Twilight… Applejack…”
“Pinkie?” Rarity called from the cart.
“Ok…” Pinkie replied. “Just promise to explain when all this is over…”
“I’ll make sure to add that…” Twilight leaned forward and hugged Pinkie. Pinkie stood in shock. Tears were dripping from Twilight’s eyes. “I’m sorry I let you down. You all mean more to me than anything…”
“Aw Twilight…” Twilight let go and waved to Pinkie. Pinkie waved back before jumping back into the cart with the others.
Twilight and Applejack continued forward barely missing a train. The others were about to jump the train when there was a bright light from the other side. They had stopped to let the train pass, but when it fully passed, they were gone. Twi and AJ had vanished into thin air.
“Aw man, they got away!” Rainbow yelled.
“Don’t worry Rainbow.” Pinkie replied. “They know what they are doing. Twilight wouldn't make a Pinkie Promise on her own unless there was a reason for it.”
“What did she mean when she said she would save us?” Fluttershy asked.
“I don’t know but it must be something serious.” Rarity answered. “Camping trip, ponies in black coats and now some kind of conspiracy and saving us? My hurts my head just thinking about it…”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure we all will come out just safe…”
/---Castle Oblivion (F2 Exit Hall)---\
The door opened as Twilight and Applejack stepped out from the room into the main hallway. Applejack looked around taking in everything. “Wow, so this is Castle Oblivion?”
“Yes, this is the real Castle Oblivion without any of that memory illusion magic.”
“It’s hard to believe I’ve been here this whole time. The others must be scared half to death, especially Fluttershy.”
“They won’t be for long. I don’t plan to leave them alone anymore…” Twilight started to move forward but she stopped when noticed Applejack wasn’t following. “AJ, is something wrong?”
“It’s you I’m worried about sugarcube.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Ever since I found you, you’ve been acting… Off…” Twilight recoiled back a bit. “You don’t seem as peppy as usual, even when we are in a dangerous situation.”
“Applejack… It’s nothing…”
“It’s not nothing. Dealing with Apple Bloom has taught me to see the signs. Something is on your mind.”
Twilight looked down at her hooves for a minute letting out a large sigh. “I just… I just feel like I failed you…”
“Why would you ever feel like that? You saved me didn’t ya?”
“But I let you and the others get captured in the first place. I left you alone with those ponies in the black coats.”
“Just because you’re a powerful unicorn does not mean you have to protect us from danger. We can handle ourselves.”
“It’s not just that, I realize now I haven’t really been much of a friend. Our friendship is stronger than anything but I feel as though I haven’t quite been showing it. We set up this amazing trip and I don’t even spend my time with you. I feel like I’ve let you down…”
Applejack stepped up to Twilight and gave her a pat on the back. “You’re not a bad friend sugarcube. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better friend and there is nothing you can do that will make me think otherwise.”
Twilight and Applejack ascended the staircase reaching the 3rd floor of the castle. AJ approached the door but stopped noticing Twilight not following. “What’s holding ya sugarcube?”
“Oh, well I was just thinking about what you said back there... It’s probably something I should put in my next Friendship Report.”
“Sounds like a mighty good plan.”
Twilight pulled out a large stack of papers from her bag. “I still have all my research from back before we came here. I should have some blank papers I can use…” Twilight look through her papers then a look of terror appeared on her face. “No…”
“What is it?”
“No! NONONONO!!! ALL MY HARD WORK!” Twilight was in complete panic.
“What is going on!? You’re making no sense!”
“All my research is GONE! G. O. N. E. GONE!” Twilight quickly begins flipping through all the pages but to no avail. Every single piece of paper was untouched. “Ohhhhhh… I think I’m going to be sick…”
Applejack slowly eyes each corner of the hallway. “What in tarnation is up with this place?”
“Ohhhhh… If only Spike came along then I might have been able to send them before entering this castle but he is off on business to the Crystal Empire.”
“Let’s just find our friends and get the heck out of this place.”
“Right…” Twilight pulls out the four remaining cards. “So what do we do next?”
“This one.” Applejack grabs the card with floating cloud house. “This one clearly belongs to Rainbow Dash.” Applejack turns back and ascends the tiny staircase. “Rainbow should be easy for me to handle. We’ll have her out of there in no time.” Applejack held the card up high and the door opened.
/---Floor 3---\
The two ponies appeared in what appeared to be the main square of Ponyville. No really clear indication of what event the memory was of. “Alright, stay on the lookout for Rainbow or any of the others.” Twilight said. They explored the streets of ponyville but nothing really seemed out of the ordinary. After a good few minutes of search they came up to Sugar Cube Corner which seemed to have quite a large number of ponies inside. The two ponies went inside to find a bunch of fillies and colts all watching Rainbow Dash on a stage.
“And then, I zoomed into the well. I knew it would be dark and dangerous, but I didn't let that stop me. Danger's my middle name. Rainbow 'Danger' Dash. Thinking back on it, I acted pretty awesomely heroic that day.”
“Oh pony feathers…” Applejack sighed. “It’s THIS memory…”
“That… Day…” Spike whispered to himself as he wrote on a piece of paper.
“Awesomely arrogant…”
Rainbow quickly grabbed Applejack and pulled her in. “Hey Applejack. How’d you like to be immortalized as my friend?”
“Rainbow, you feeling ok?”
“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Oh, nothing…” A bunch of ponies with camera suddenly came up and started taking pictures but Applejack quickly broke away. While Rainbow was distracted, she leaned in close to Twilight. “So what’s the deal? You know more about this Castle then I do. Why is Rainbow acting like this?”
“No idea…” Twilight looked at all the others and everyone seemed to have the same face of annoyance. “It can’t be anyone else. Maybe something is wrong with Dash?”
“Who knows, I say we just play along and start our little ‘Mare-Do-Well’ thing we had going on last time. Maybe something will come up eventually.”
“I agree.”
/---Key to Beginnings---\
Couple hours later, Rainbow Dash was out in the middle of town signing autographs. Unknown to her, Twi and AJ were watching her from a rooftop. Applejack was already dressed in the Mare-Do-Well costume prepared for the first appearance of the super hero. “Ok AJ, any second now that balloon will fall, Rainbow will take a short bit signing and you save the pony making Mare-Do-Well famous.”
“Right…”
They watched as Rainbow finished signing a little white filly’s poster. “Someday, I wanna be just like you!”
Then Applejack noticed something. Rainbow’s ear twitched for a second before she bolted into the air without saying a word. “What the hay is she doing!?” Suddenly there was a scream in the air as the expected hot-air balloon fell. Applejack scrambled to get into position. “She started much earlier than she did normally!” Rainbow had seen it coming and jumped the gun. Not only did she get a head start on the Mare-Do-Well, but he was using her full speed. No fancy flying or showboating. She flew up and grabbed the pink pony from the balloon bringing her safely down. Applejack and Twilight were speechless. Rainbow managed to save the pony before the Mare-Do-Well even showed up.
The crowd roared and cheered. “RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!”
The little white filly from before showed up. “You are the coolest Rainbow Dash!”
“Maybe someday you will even be as cool as me!” The crowd continued to cheer for Rainbow Dash. Of course, Twilight and Applejack were dumb struck at what just happened.
“WHAT WAS THAT!?” Twilight yelled. “That is NOTHING like it happened originally!”
“Something tells me that is the real Rainbow Dash…” Applejack replied.
“Of course, Mare-Do-Well stole her spotlight last time. Now that she has a second chance, she is making absolute sure to never let the Mare-Do-Well take her place. I’m kind of impressed honestly…”
“So what do we do then? We can’t beat her unless we stop the accidents even earlier then her.”
“Somehow I think the Mare-Do-Well plan blew up in our face…”
“What do you propose then?”
Twilight thought for a moment. “I doubt she is going to listen to us when she has the advantage now.”
“Not to mention she knows we are Mare-Do-Well. She’ll think we are making up lies to get her to stop bragging and being a super hero. She probably thinks we are the same ponies from that day anyway. Remember how the others had no idea what I was talking about when I explained to them about the black coats?”
“We need to find some way to get Mare-Do-Well popular again so we can get Rainbow Dash out of this place.” Twilight continued to think before sighing. “Oh Celestia, I promised I would never do this again but I have no choice…”
“What is it Twi?”
“There was one accident I am 100% sure Dash can’t stop but I can, the dam.”
“But wasn’t Rainbow the cause of that one?” Applejack looked Twilight in the eye. She could see how nervous Twilight was. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh…” She thought for second. “So wait, you are going to ‘break’ the dam and then fix it?”
“I’m afraid so. I know that there is no way Rainbow can stop this one but I can.”
“Alright Twi, let’s go break that dam…”
/---Key to Guidance---\
Twilight stood perched on a log down the river completely dressed in her Mare-Do-Well costume. She held up her hoof giving the signal to Applejack who was stationed up at the dam. She was hidden from view holding a small rock. She closed one eye and aimed just perfect. She threw the rock as hard as she could and nailed the crack in dam. The crack slowly spread until the dam burst letting out an obscene amount of water.
Twilight was still and ready as the water approached, she looked up and saw Rainbow Dash hovering overhead. That was her queue; she lifted off her hat and began the reconstruction magic. The rocks soared through the air and swirled around the giant hole slowly clogging up the water. Within a few seconds the dam was completely restored.
The ponyvillians all cheered for the new hero. “Wow! Just who was that pony?”
“She fixed that dam like it was nothing!”
“She is amazing!”
The major approached the group of ponies with a confused look. “Just what is going on here?”
“The dam broke and then some pony came out of nowhere and fixed it!”
“She saved the town!”
The Mayor looked at the Mare-Do-Well hopped up onto a tree branch. “Oh my!” The ‘hero’ waved to the crowd and flew off. “Well now, this is quite an interesting change. It looks like Ponyville has a new hero! A mysterious mare that has done well by our fair city today. I dub this new masked hero 'The Mysterious Mare Do Well'!
As the crowd cheered, Applejack simply fist pumped. “Yes! It worked!” She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash glaring down at the crowd. She was too far away to for Applejack to see much more but somehow, she could feel her eye peering right into her.
/---Key to Truth---\
All of Ponyville had gathered together in the town square for an organized parade for their new ‘hero’. Most of the ponies were waiting in anticipation, all but one. Rainbow was sitting in the center of the crowd with a look of pure rage at she watched the stage.
“Welcome to Ponyville's first, but surely not last, thank you parade, in honor of our city's greatest hero, the mysterious Mare Do Well!” As the Mayor finished, Applejack jumped through the large poster of the Mare-Do-Well in her own costume. The crowd became eccentric seeing their new hero.
Applejack just waved to the crowd. Their plan was a success yet again. She waited for the moment when Rainbow would come up on stage and try to unmask her. She waited and waited but Rainbow didn’t come. Applejack scanned the crowd. Finally she saw Rainbow far in the back. Her eyes were beat red, almost like she was crying but Rainbow doesn’t cry, right? Applejack gave a small motion to Rainbow. Suddenly a fire burned in Rainbow’s eyes as she charged forward and pulling back right hoof. Within a second she was in front of Applejack where swung her hoof socking Applejack right in the jaw, HARD.
The crowd gasped at Rainbow’s sudden burst of anger. “RAINBOW DASH! WHAT IN EQUESTRIA ARE YOU DOING!?” The Mayor screamed.
“Mare-Do-Well is no hero…” Rainbow tore off her mask to reveal Applejack who simply spit out a tooth.
“Applejack!?”
“Not just her, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and even Fluttershy all had a hand in this. Just to make me feel like a worthless pile of NOTHING!”
“If you knew it was me why did you punch me!?”
“Because…” As Rainbow cracked one of her hooves, a black aura surrounded her. “I thought you were my friend but your nothing but a backstabbing jerk. I WON’T STAND FOR THIS!”
“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” The crowd cheered.
Twilight stood watching from the roof of a house, struck with horror at the current situation. “This is awful, why is Rainbow acting like this?” Another thought crossed her mind. “Why is ponyville encouraging this behavior!? This is downright horrible!” Then she thought back to the last floor.
‘I just remember you and the others would never quit with all the questions.’
“Is… Is this really how Rainbow Dash thinks of Ponyville…? And us?”
The large crowd had formed a circle around Rainbow and Applejack. Rainbow had taken on a fighting stance. Before Applejack could even move, Rainbow completely vanished. Then in a flash, she was right next her and punched AJ in the side. She quickly began to vanish and reappear over and over again punching and kicking, juggling AJ in the air like a rag doll. Applejack was beaten and bruised just floating in the air when Rainbow shot up as high as she could go before dive bombing right into AJ chest slamming her hard into the dirt.
“APPLEJACK!” Twilight screamed from the roof. She jumped down into the center of the crowd where Applejack was laying. “Oh AJ, please be ok…”
“That’s not Rainbow…”
“What?”
“Look at her eyes…”
Twilight looked up Rainbow who had started panting she had a creepy smile on her face, like she was enjoying this. Like Applejack before her, Twilight saw absolutely nothing. Her eyes were soulless and the dark energy was burning hot. She turned back to Applejack. “Get out of here. I’ll find a way to break through to her.” Applejack slowly stood up and limped out of the circle. “Rainbow, you need to stop this!”
“Why should I? All I see in front of me is a backstabber.”
“None of this is real! You’re just reliving a bad memory! Your mind is playing tricks on you!”
“So what?” Twilight recoiled. “Every night it’s the same thing, the nightmares about the Mare-Do-Well. Every time I try, I get beaten. You five are all just ‘You should be more humble.’ ‘Oh you shouldn’t brag.’ I’M SICK OF IT! That hurt Twilight, what you five did to me has scarred me for the rest of my life. Knowing how easy it is for you to just take away everything I have worked for!”
“But… We only wanted to teach you to not brag…”
“Well, WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST SAY SOMETHING!?” Twilight flinched at Rainbow’s words. “If you wanted me to stop, why didn’t you talk to me? Heck you didn’t even TRY! The first thing… THE FIRST THING you try is to ruin my reputation? Some friend you are.”
“I’m sorry Rainbow, I truly am...”
Rainbow huffed. “So let me get this straight… You said I am just reliving a memory right?”
“Yes, this place is nothing but an illusion created from your memories. I’m trying to save you and the others!”
“If that’s the case, then why did you feel the need to break the dam ‘just’ to make the Mare-Do-Well famous?”
“You knew?”
“Yeah, I overheard your little conversation with Applejack after I saved the pony from the hot-air balloon. Being put into this situation again gave me an idea…” Twilight was confused. “I thought that perhaps when Ponyville was not in danger I would spy on you a bit to figure out what the hay you were thinking during this whole thing. So, instead of trying to talk to me, like before you decide to just completely ignore any possible talking what-so-ever and just go straight into humiliating me again!?”
“But Rainbow…”
“But nothing. First time was one thing but AGAIN!? You knew this ponyville was fake and you even knew I was taking advantage of the situation.” Rainbow Dash held her head low. She started to cry. “With how many times I have had this nightmare, for once I just wanted to win… I just wanted to feel like I am actually loved…”
“But we do love you Rainbow Dash…”
“You have a sick way of showing it…”
“Listen Rainbow, I’m sorry… Yeah, I understand I have not been the best friend lately but please understand that I care for you more than anything…”
“Like I am going to believe you after the stunt you pulled…” Rainbow readied her fight pose again.
“I’ve already hurt one friend; I don’t intend to hurt another…”
“Prepare yourself!” Rainbow erupted in dark energy and vanished again. She appeared right above Twilight as she put up barrier to block her attack. “Your magic won’t stop me!” Rainbow relentlessly slammed the barrier over and over again with same speed that took out Applejack. The barrier began to slowly crack when Rainbow flew up higher than ever before. She charged down with all her might building up more speed until a cone appeared her. The cone narrowed as Rainbow shattered the sound barrier. The loud bang was followed by a gigantic black and purple explosion surrounded by black lightning.
Rainbow continued to gain speed as she dive straight into Twilight’s barrier shattering it like glass. The impact erupted into a colorless rainbow mushroom cloud. Every form of black, white and grey imaginable. Took a few minutes for the smoke to clear. When it was gone, the ponies of ponyville were shocked to see both Rainbow and Twilight had vanished. Applejack was nowhere to be found either…
/---Castle Oblivion (F3 Exit Hall)---\
Applejack struggled to open the door. She was carrying the unconscious Twilight and Rainbow on her back. Both were beaten up pretty bad. She slowly limped over the left wall and let them off propping them up on the wall.
“Can’t believe this happened… Dash… Twi…” She sat down between them held her head low. “Were we wrong? Is our friendship really that strong?” She could see a small tear falling from Rainbow’s eye. “How could we have hurt you so bad? How could we have missed it so easily?” She leaned in close and gave her the biggest hug she possibly could. If Rainbow had been conscious, she would have only pushed her away. AJ would not miss this possibly one time opportunity, no matter what. Finally she let go and looked at Twilight. “Twi… Maybe you were right… Not just you. Maybe we have all failed each other…” She gave Twilight a hug just like she did Dash. “We will get through this, I promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.…”
She sat there for a few minutes, just trying to think. Think of anything that might make the situation better. “Dear Princess Celestia…” She covered her eyes and began to cry herself. She just wanted this to end. “Just give me a sign… Please, tell me what I should do? I don’t want to lose anypony…” Then she noticed something, Twilight’s bag. There was a blue card sticking out. She stood up and approached the bag taking the card out. She quickly realized who the card belonged to. “Is this what I should do Celestia?” She examined the walls, trying to find an answer. “I guess if there is anypony who can help me out here it’s her…”
Applejack approached the other ponies in the room. “I’ll be back, I just need to clear my head…” Without hesitation she removed her hat and placed it gently on Rainbow’s head. “If I don’t return…” She turned and started her way up the castle… Alone…
/---Castle Oblivion (Unknown Room)---\
Xalun remained still as she stared into a crystal ball in the middle of the room. She watched Applejack leave her friends behind and continue herself. As the image vanish, a portal opened up in the room as another hooded pony walked in. “Think you overdid it a bit?” She asked the new figure.
“Rainbow Dash has kept all that anger bottled up ever since the Mare-Do-Well incident. She cares about her friends too much to ever actually do anything so I just gave her a little nudge in the right direction.” A small black flame sparked from her slightly revealed horn.
“Don’t forget, we need Twilight alive. She is useless to us dead.”
“She won’t die. As long as she is still breathing when the boss’s plan comes to fruition, all will be just fine.”
“I’m also a little concerned you may have jumped the gun. You think perhaps it would have been better to break them after all 6 have gathered together?”
The mysterious pony approached Xalun. “You don’t believe in my powers?”
“No, I just feel it would have been easier to just break them all at once.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, and that’s why are inferior to me. Even with all the experience you have with fighting your inner demons, you will never understand the concept of the pony mind. You’re thought process is to simply break them all at once and quickly, but me… I want to break them slow and painful… Make them feel like the worthless dirt they are…”
“My apologies… Now how are the preparations going?”
“Milady second-in-command is currently taking care of what will be the final nail in their coffins. When she is one with her little project, Twilight will be finished…”
Applejack slowly trotted up the stairs. She remained completely silent. There was nopony there; she had left both Twilight and Rainbow behind. Both her head and her eyes hurt. She just needed to move on and clear her head a bit.
She approached the door and held up the card she took out of Twilight’s bag. She just needed somepony to talk to. As the door opened, Applejack shut her eyes and walked in…
/---Floor 4---\
Applejack opened her eyes to find herself on the Friendship Express. Everypony but Rarity was there with her. Well, fake ponies anyway.
“Isn’t this just exciting!” Pinkie asked. “How often do we get to hold our very own party in Celestia’s castle?”
“I know Pinkie, I can’t wait!” Twilight replied. “Good thing Celestia was so generous to let us use the Castle Ball Room. This will be the best birthday EVER!”
“I even brought my party cannon!” Pinkie pulls out a large blue cannon.
“Not in here Pinkie, I don’t think the conductor would appreciate it…”
“Ok then…” Pinkie put the cannon back away… Somewhere…
“I just hope Opal is ok, it’s too bad she is so sick…” Fluttershy gave a small frown when Rainbow came over and poked her with her elbow.
“What do you see in that cat? She is nothing but trouble!”
“She is still just a helpless creature Rainbow Dash. I can’t just leave some animal like that and not be worried.”
“Whatever…” They sat there on the train for what felt like forever. Applejack just sat there, waiting. Her and Rarity never really got along but somehow she felt like Rarity would be the only one who she could really talk to at the moment. Applejack felt something poke her. Fake Rainbow was sitting next to her. “Hey Applejack, you haven’t said a word whole trip. What’s up?”
“Oh, I’m just thinking…”
“About what?”
“Just some personal things. I don’t think you would understand…” Rainbow shrugged and turned away but continued to sit next to her. She may have been only a memory but seeing Rainbow not in a fit of rage brought a little happiness back to AJ. The thought that such an energetic and generally happy mare could have something so painful bottled up like that made it feel like her heart would split in two. She had to speak up. “Hey Rainbow…”
“Yeah?”
“I want to apologize…”
Rainbow Dash was confused. “For what? You haven’t done anything.”
“But what if have? What if I have and I just haven’t realized yet?”
“Now you’re just acting stupid.”
“I’m serious Rainbow. I understand we are all great friends but sometimes I wonder if we truly act like it. I can’t count how many times I’ve treated you like a simple child.”
Rainbow leaned in and put her hoof over Applejack’s shoulder. “Listen AJ, I don’t know what’s gotten into you but don’t worry. You don’t need to apologize for stuff like that. I get it, I can be a bit irritating at times like with the whole bragging thing not too long ago.” Applejack wished she hadn’t brought it up. “I was being a braggart. I should have just helped everypony without asking for praise in return.”
“Is that really you talking, or is that just what you want me to hear?” Rainbow recoiled back. “You don’t have to change just because your friends don’t exactly approve of your methods. It’s who you are sugarcube, and I never want you to change.”
Rainbow stared at Applejack for a moment. This was rather unexpected from AJ. Rainbow thought for a second. “Applejack, if you feel this way why did you create the Mare-Do-Well to out-stage me?”
“I… I guess I wasn’t thinking. You were becoming so annoying I just wanted you to stop no matter what the cost but…” Applejack turned to look out the window. “Afterwards I thought about what would happen if I was in your horseshoes… What if you or the others got annoyed with me bragging about my family’s Apple Cider and decided to run me out of business by making your own. It hurt Rainbow… It hurt so much…” Applejack began to cry. “I can’t just make you change just because you annoy me. It’s who you are. You are Rainbow Dash, nopony else… And… And I’ll glad to have you as a friend…”
“Applejack…” Rainbow felt a tear coming from her eye now. She quickly wiped it away. “I never thought a pony like you would ever make me all teary eyed like this. No fair!” Rainbow gave Applejack a slight punch in the arm.
“Hehe… I’m just happy that you’re happy…” Applejack turned away from Rainbow. She wishes she could always see the world like this. Twilight’s Birthday party was just what she needed to let out her feelings. Rarity was so scared of her friends originally but they were so understanding. She has her own life too and she can’t always be around but they know she will never stop thinking about them. She knows they will always listen and understand that things happen and not always in there control. If someone you care for is successful, let them be move on…
“I never thought I would say this, but I wish I was Rarity…”
/---Key to Beginnings---\
The five of them stood outside of Rarity’s room on the tower. The door and opened from the other side. “SURPRISE!” The five ponies shouted.
Rarity didn’t seem fazed at all. “I had a feeling you five would show up soon.”
“Really? You did?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah, I know how persistent you are and I had a feeling you would bring the party here.”
“Wow, that’s actually a good guess.”
“So if you were expecting us, what’s with the getup?” Rainbow asked. Rarity was wearing a super fancy yellow dress with an oversized hat covered in flowers.
“Oh… Well… While I was out getting stuff for Opal a possible business deal came up and I was going to visit a bit.” Rarity turned her head back. “Speaking of which, the dear is doing fine now. It was a short bit ago.”
“Oh, well that’s good…” Fluttershy replied.
The group all stepped into the room. Twilight quickly noticed the simple unfinished dress Rarity had promised for her. “Is that my dress?”
“Yes, I was hoping to get more done but to be honest I got distracted. Hope you don’t mind…”
“Of course not, I love it. I wonder it would have looked like finished?”
“Meh, it was too fancy anyway. This looks so much better for you.”
“Thanks Rarity.”
Applejack had mostly just been watching from the back but she finally spoke up. “So hey Rarity, Celestia told us we could have our party in the Royal Ballroom. Why don’t the rest of you all go down there and get prepared? I want to have a quick chat with Rarity.”
“Sure Applejack. We see you there.”
Applejack turned back to Rarity who put on a nervous smile. “Ah can see your making good use of your second chance now are ya?”
Rarity recoiled back a bit. “Applejack, is that you?” Rarity stepped up and took a closer look of Applejack. “OH APPLEJACK! IT IS YOU!” Rarity gave AJ a big hug and quickly backed out. “Time Travel or Mind Trick?”
“Illusion…”
“Ah…”
“Ah’m so happy to see you are safe. Ah’m also happy you are handling the situation so well.”
“Well, when I realized where I was I thought I was sent back in time. After what happened last time I thought perhaps I could attempt to handle the situation a little more… Honest… I tried to lie my way through Twilight’s birthday last time because I didn’t want to you to hate me but at the same time I am finally making some progress in the world.”
“I get you Rarity. Don’t feel obligated to do things for us if it’s going to harm your dreams. Don’t let us hold you back.”
“Thanks, it makes me happy to hear you say that. So, have you seen the others? The ‘real’ others I mean?”
Applejack paused for a moment and looked downward at her hooves. How was she going to tell? It was going to break her heart if she told her. She wanted to lie so badly but after Rarity was so honest with the birthday situation, she just couldn’t. “We… Had a falling out…”
“Oh my…”
“Twilight and Rainbow are resting down below us. They are pretty banged at the moment.”
“What… What happened?”
“Rainbow was doing the same thing as you, trying to take advantage of her second chance but she went about it differently. She was sent to the time when we dressed up as the Mare-Do-Well to out shadow her and teach her to be humble but she eluded us. She used her knowledge to beat us to the punch so we came up with a plan to get Mare-Do-Well famous by ‘making a problem’ and then fixing it.
“Oh Twilight, how could you…”
“After that, things got ugly fast. She charged us in a rage and attacked us both. She overheard our plan beforehand and learned that we were her real friends, not the fakes… Well… She didn’t think of us as friends anymore. She scolded us about how we handled the incident and that we not once but TWICE kicked her of her high chair.”
“Just as arrogant as always-“ *SMACK* A hoof hit Rarity in the side of the head. “Applejack… Why-“
“Shut up and let me finish… When we first did that, we just trying to teach her to not be so arrogant and be a bit more humble but after what happened earlier, I’m not so sure. She may not have shown it but what we did hit her, and it hit her hard.” She looked up into Rarity’s eyes. “Rarity, what we did that day was not only hurtful but emotionally scarring. All this time she has kept it bottled up and kept it away from us and I guess after it happened a second time, she couldn’t take it anymore. We broke her Rarity…”
“I… I… I guess I’ve always known this would happen someday…”
“What do you mean?”
“Applejack, listen… I’ve been Fluttershy’s friends for years and over the years she has told me a bit about Rainbow Dash. On the outside she is so confident and arrogant but Fluttershy told me the complete opposite. She hides her inner feelings and emotions because she given them up. They have done nothing but harm her and so she bottles it all up. Truth be told, Rainbow is even more frail then Fluttershy, mentally at least. She fears us and Fluttershy knows it.”
“She… Fears us?”
“She is frightened we will leave her. She knows Fluttershy will never leave her side and that’s why Rainbow is so much harsher on her. She has this internal fear that if we were to ever leave her, ponies would place the blame on her much like I did earlier. Her success relies on us staying with her. If we leave her, ponies will start pointing hooves, eventually the Wonderbolts will find out she is untrustworthy and all her hard work is gone. Her entire life would just collapse upon her.”
“But that would never happen, not for just a breakup.”
“Your forgetting what we represent, remember? If we break up Equestria is defenseless. If Equestria’s heroes break up it’s not going to stay quiet for long.”
Applejack was a bit stunned. “Wow, I never really thought of that.”
“That’s not all. Rainbow’s fear goes a lot deeper than that. She isn’t just scared we will leave her, she is afraid it will be her fault.”
“Why would she think that?”
“Discord… We were all hit pretty hard by Discord’s tricks to turn us against each other but I feel like she got it the worst. We all managed to resist Discord to some degree but not her. Discord managed to break her with no effort at all. Since then she has questioned her loyalty and when you all dressed up as the Mare-Do-Well, it must have opened some old scars.”
“Ah geez, I need to sit down…” Applejack slowly let her head down on the bed and sighed. “Rarity?”
“Yeah, darling?”
“We should probably go. Don’t want to keep our friends waiting.”
“Yes, even if they are… Fake… I still can’t just disappoint them.”
“You’re a true friend Rarity…”
/--- Key to Guidance---\
As Rarity and Applejack approached the ball room, they heard super loud music blaring from the room. When they opened they were blasted with sound as though it was physically hitting them. “Woh nelly!” Applejack yelled. “Was the music seriously that loud!?”
“Hey girls, so you finally showed up?” Twilight asked. “We were getting worried about you.”
“It’s ok, we were just talking about some private matters.”
“Well now that you’re done, we can PARTY!” Pinkie pulled a nice looking chocolate cake. Twilight cut a couple slices and passed it out to all of them. After they had all taken a bite, Rainbow threw a couple slices at Fluttershy and AJ splattering it over their faces. She just hovered and laughed at them. The other suddenly all grouped around her and gave her a smirk before all throwing the cake at her. All except for AJ. This caused her to cringe a little.
‘She fears us.’ Those lines repeated in her head over and over again. She knows it’s just innocent fun but Rarity’s words had completely turned her outlook of her friends upside down. It was then Pinkie brought out a bowl a chocolate dip. Rainbow and Twilight dipped in some sweets and Pinkie just shoved her whole face in. She looked so happy. Applejack just watched at how happy she looks.
‘She fears us and Fluttershy knows it …’
‘I just… I just feel like I failed you…’
‘Some friend you are…’
Applejack grabbed ahold of her head. Everything was just coming apart. Everything seemed so perfect before and now all that remained was an internal pain. “Just who are we? If we truly friends, wouldn’t we have seen it? AHHH! This is just so hard!” Then she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to see Pinkie smiling at her.
“What’s wrong? Are you not having fun?”
“No, I am having a blast. There are just a lot of things on my mind right now.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I guess… Maybe…” Applejack looked around the room. The others were still partying like no tomorrow. “Pinkie, if you know one of your friends is hurting, what do you do?”
“I would get them a Band-Aid and kiss it!”
“No Pinkie, I mean hurting deep down. What do you do if you know someone who seems completely happy and content is crying on the inside. What do you do?”
Pinkie’s smile slowly dropped. “I… I don’t know…”
“Pinkie, aren’t you supposed to know how to make ponies happy?”
“Internal conflict is a serious matter not to be taken likely. It can forever damage a pony’s life forever if not fixed. It will slowly consume them until there is nothing left and they are but a lifeless shell of their former self…”
Applejack was a bit shocked. Since when was Pinkie THIS serious about something? “Pinkie, why are you-“
“Sometimes it heals overtime... Sometimes they just need a good shoulder to cry on… Sometimes… Sometimes it’s already too late. The damage has been done and they will never be the same pony again. They may ‘appear’ normal but deep down their entire being has been shattered beyond repair.” Pinkie turned around and slowly trotted over to the chocolate bowl. She shoved her face in and pulled out with the all too well known smile.
Something about it just disturbed her. What happened to Pinkie there? Is the memory glitched? No, there was something else. She trotted over to Rarity who was currently dancing. “Hey Rarity, I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead dear.”
“I was just talking to Pinkie and she got all serious all of a sudden when I asked her what to do if someone is hurting inside. Why did she do that? This world is based on your memories and how you see it.”
Rarity let out a sigh. “Dearie, there is something you should know. You see, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are two of the happiest and non-suspecting ponies ever. You would never think there is something wrong but after learning about Dash I got a bit curious about Pinkie. I’m not 100% but I feel like there is something up with her too. You remember her birthday right?”
“Yeah, of course. Rainbow had to drag her in because she thought we were kicking her out of the group.”
“Indeed, not only that but she seemed like a completely different pony. Her happiness, it was not there. It was not Pinkie. Not the Pinkie we know.”
“Rarity, do you think we are all broken on the inside?”
Rarity recoiled a bit from the question. “What?”
“Are we the same, all six of us. If Rainbow and Pinkie are both keeping things from us, do you think all of us are? We may not know it yet but all of us may be suffering the same way.”
“Maybe… Maybe not… We may never know.”
“Rarity, do you think that maybe… Maybe our internal suffering is what brought us together? The elements chose us not because we represented our elements, but because our elements can help repair the damage to the others.”
“Applejack, I never knew you could think so poetically.”
“Heh… Say Rarity, you want to keep this honesty thing going with the fakes?”
“What?”
“You wanted to try again but this time being honest. You want to tell them you need to go to that fancy party and do everything right?”
Rarity paused for a few moments. “Yeah, it would put my mind to ease knowing I did things right this time.”
“And I’ll come with you in case the door is opened.”
Rarity approached her friends who were about to break open the piñata. “Hey girls, I’m sorry but I need to leave for a short bit.”
The others took off the blindfolds. “Aw, why do you have to go?” Pinkie asked.
“Sorry, it’s important business. I didn’t exactly expect you to have the party at the same time as my important meeting so I need to do a few things and I’ll be right back.”
“Yeah, don’t worry.” Applejack added. “It’s just outside with that fancy party.”
“You going too Applejack?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah… Uh… Rarity says I will be a big help to her.”
“Ok then. I understand. Your both business ponies and I don’t want to hold you back. Just be back soon!”
“Thanks Twi!” Both yelled.
/--- Key to Truth---\
As they left the building, Rarity and Applejack approached the group of rich ponies. There were 2 in particular, Fancy Pants and Upper Crust. “Greetings.”
“Well how are you today Rarity?” Fancy asked.
“I’m doing well thank you. I was actually attending a friend’s birthday party today but I told her I was invited to this fancy party and told me to go.”
“My, that’s a wonderful friend you have. Letting go of a pony so they can continue their life is not an easy thing to do.”
“I’m just glad some ponies know that.” Applejack replied.
“Hmm? Now who is this?”
“Name’s Applejack…” She shook his hoof.
“Ugh, just what is this hillbilly doing here?” Came a voice. They turned back to see Jet Set approaching. “This place is not for the likes of you.”
“Now you listen here Jet Set.” Rarity commanded. “She is a close friend to me and you will not talk down to her.”
“Oh… So your friends with this-“
“I suggest not finishing that sentence Jet.” Fancy said before turning to Applejack. “My girl, you wouldn’t happen to be related to the illustrious Apple Family would you?”
“If course I am. I run the Ponyville division.”
“Amazing! Always great to meet a pony from such origins. I love your family’s apples but sadly there are no shops here that sell them.” Fancy rubbed his forehead. “Sometimes I tire of this high up society. Ponies here seem to only care about something if it’s expensive. They don’t realize that sometimes the lesser things are better.”
“I totally agree sir…” All of a sudden, a blast of green energy shot threw the yard and struck Applejack. She yelled as she was thrown back and slammed into the brick wall.
“What in blazes is going on!?” Fancy yelled when he was struck by a bolt too.
Rarity barely turned around when she snared by some energy tendril. She was slowly lifted in the air where she saw a pony in a black coat. “YOU!” She struggled to get free but to no avail. The pony lowered her close to her. Her face was covered by the black coat. It was impossible to see the pony’s face.
“What’s wrong Rarity? I thought you were supposed to be the generous one?” Rarity simply spit at her captor. “Ugh, so unladylike… If you don’t want to be generous then let me help you…” Rarity’s body became completely enveloped in a powerful aura. “Yes… Yes…”
“What are you doing!? STOP!”
“Why? I need you Rarity. You’re the key to our final plan…” She continued to cover Rarity in the unknown magic. The guests in the party were all frightened. They were clueless about what was happening. “Yes… Just about done…”
“Hey you!”
“Huh?” The cloaked pony turned around only to get a powerful kick to the face but a cyan hoof. She went tumbling backwards flopping across the dirt. She slowly stood and looked back to see the rainbow maned pegasus helping the unicorn up. “You? Where did you come from?”
“Hey, over here!”
She turned again to see the lavender unicorn standing directly in front of her with a large light over her horn. “What-“
“YAH!” Twilight released a giant beam from her horn at point blank engulfing the cloaked pony.
Rainbow had finished helping up Rarity. “You ok Rare?”
“Rainbow? You’re ok?”
“Never better!”
With the cloaked pony on the ground, Twilight ran over to help Applejack who was covered a small pile of bricks. “Applejack, you ok?” Twilight moved all the bricks in one sweep of her magic. Applejack was a little beat up but not that bad.
She slowly stood up. “I’m fine, just got a headache…”
With the four of them up, they all approached the attacker as she stood up. “You lost…” Twilight called.
“Hehehe… Not quite…”
“What?”
She chuckled a bit. “I got everything I need from the white unicorn. I shall be off now.” She was engulfed in a black and disappeared along with the portal.
Twilight was slightly panting from the rather oversized spell she used. She brushed it off in a few seconds. “Wow, that took quite a bit out of me…”
Applejack approached Twilight and Rainbow. “I thought we were done for. Thanks…”
“Don’t mention it.”
Applejack closed her eye and thought for a moment before looking at Rainbow. “So what happened? I thought you hated us…”
“No, I could never hate you I just…” Rainbow shook her head. “I don’t know what came over me. I’ll admit when I saw you break the dam I felt a bit betrayed but I could never hurt you. When Mare-Do-Well appeared on the stage, something inside me just took over and I couldn’t control myself anymore. I wasn’t myself…”
Applejack let out a sigh. “Well that’s a relief. Don’t know what I would do without you…”
“But every word I said was the truth. I meant every single one.”
“Yes sugercube, I am aware.” She put her front hoof over Rainbow’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you say were hurting so bad?”
“Because…” A small tear came from her eye. “Because I didn’t want you to hate me…”
“Rainbow Dash.” Twilight spoke up. “Why would we hate you for that?”
“I thought you would say I was just being stubborn about you making me stop. I just can’t bear to lose you. You all mean everything to me… I’m just… I’m scared…”
Applejack closed in and gave Rainbow a bit hug. “Don’t be. Now that we know we can help you. Just please don’t hide stuff like this from us again. You don’t have to face it alone anymore. You have us…”
“Thanks girls…”
“Group hug!” Rarity called. The four ponies all came together in a big hug and squeezed as hard as they could. They all released at the same time. “Now, let’s go save Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy!”
/---Castle Oblivion (F4 Exit Hall)---\
The four exited the 4th floor into the main hallway. Twilight held a look of accomplishment on her face. “Our friendship may have been strained a bit more then I would have liked but in the end we prevailed and now we are stronger than ever!”
“Yeah…” Applejack added. “I know it’s been hard on all of us but I think maybe now we will all be a bit more considerate of each other. I’m not one to talk all deep about emotions and stuff but if we all are brave enough to confess our problems like Rainbow did, he will never break apart.”
“Again, thanks girls…” Said Rainbow.
“It’s alright dear…” As they marched forward, Rarity looked over and eyed Applejack. She was in deep thought or something. She turned back to Rainbow who had her head lowered to the ground. ‘All we have left is Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.’ She thought to herself. ‘No matter which we choose it’s going to cause terrible strain on Dash the poor darling. The real challenge is only just beginning…’
The four ponies trotted up the staircase leading into the 5th floor. As they stood in front of the door, Twilight took out the two remaining cards. “So, what next? We have a Sugar Cube Corner card and Fluttershy’s Cottage. Pretty obvious which is which.”
“Give me Fluttershy’s Cottage…”
The others all turned to Rainbow Dash. “Give you?” Twilight asked.
“This whole experience has been a bit hard on me and I need to speak to Fluttershy alone for a bit. Hope you don’t mind…”
“I understand Rainbow.” Twilight reached out and handed her the card. “Just hold it up at the door…”
Rainbow nodded and took the card. She stepped up the small stairs and held the card up the high. The door slowly opened with a bright light. Rainbow turned back to look at her friends. All three of them had simple smile, like they didn’t have a care in the world. ‘After everything they still forgive me?’ She sighed to herself and walking into the light. ‘Let’s hope Fluttershy is the same…’
/---Floor 5---\
Rainbow stepped forward into a small cottage clearing. Up ahead stood Fluttershy, calm as ever. Rainbow took flight up to the door and knocked a few times. “Hello? Fluttershy?” She called. She knocked a few more times. Her hopes rose as the door slowly opened only to fall when a groggy rabbit with a night cap appeared behind it. “Oh, sorry Angel…” The rabbit tapped its foot on the ground with a look of annoyance. “Say, you haven’t seen Flutters around have you?” Angel pointed at the ground behind Rainbow’s hooves. There was what appeared to be a small flier somewhat crumpled on the ground. Rainbow picked it up and inspected it.
‘The incredible Iron Will turns doormats into Dynamos. Assertiveness seminar today, hedge maze center.’
“Iron Will?” She thought. “Why does that name sound so familiar?” She continued to think for a moment. “Oh, I remember now! He is that Minotaur that goes around Equestria and teaches ponies to be tough. Gilda said she went to one of his Seminars in the past to see how tough he really was. She was quite impressed. His seminars may be expensive but they are effective… Oh no…” Rainbow shot off the ground like a rocket. “If he is as successful as Gilda says he is, I can’t let Fluttershy go to that. I want her to stand up for herself but turning into another Gilda is not worth it!”
/---Key to Beginnings---\
As she neared the hedge maze, she heard loud music blaring from the grassy structure. “Good, looks like the opening ceremony is still going.”
A large bull humanoid creature appeared from the smoke being created by the machines on-stage. He gave a few greetings to the audience. “Welcome, friends! My name is Iron Will, and today is the first of your new life! I wanna hear you stomp if you’re tired of being a pushover!”
The crowd started stomping the ground with their hooves as Rainbow flew in above. “Ok, now to find Fluttershy…”
“Stomp if you’re tired of being of being a doormat!” The crowd stomped again. Stomp if you wanna pay nothing for this seminar!” The crowd stomped again only to quite fade. The ponies all started to look at each other before laughing. Iron Will came to a stop and puffed his nose at the audience. “That’s no joke, friends. Iron Will is so confident that you will be one hundred percent satisfied with Iron Will’s assertiveness techniques, that if you are not one hundred percent satisfied you… Pay… NOTHING!” He lowered his head into the audience. “But I pity the fool who doubts Iron Will’s methods… You don’t doubt me do you?”
“No…”
“Course not…”
“Never…”
“I DO!”
Rainbow’s ears shot up. “That voice…”
The crowd separated to reveal a butter yellow pegasus with a rather unhappy look on her face. She slowly walked towards the minotaur. “I’ve seen what your seminar does to ponies, it’s terrible!”
Rainbow continued to fly above watching the event unfold. “What is Fluttershy doing?”
“You claim to make ponies no longer doormats and make them assertive, well you’re wrong.” Iron Will puffed his nose with anger. “Your seminar turns nice innocent ponies into cruel heartless bullies. I nearly lost my friends because of you!”
Iron Will stepped back a bit. “I… Uh…”
“You need to learn that simply being tough is not the only thing that matters. You just need to know when to say no…” Fluttershy stood there, unmoving. It was like she was a completely different pony.
Iron Will’s face showed just how frustrated he was becoming having his seminar interrupted. He charged towards Fluttershy screaming a battle cry. Rainbow reared up preparing to stop him. Then something happened. Iron Will stopped, he just stopped. He was eye to eye with Fluttershy. The crowd was talking was talking among themselves. Then Iron Will stood back up. “Well now… I’m impressed…” Rainbow was surprised. “That whole time and you haven’t even flinched… So you say you have seen my seminar before?”
“In a way, yes… I was impressed at first but I soon things started happening. I become a monster. I pushed everyone out of my way no matter who they were. I even yelled at my closest friends. It’s the only time I have ever made someone cry…”
“Oh…” Iron Will started to think. “Well… This puts a damper on things… Give me a moment…” Iron Will went over to his crew of goats and whisper with them for a few moments. “Pony… What is your name?”
“Flu… Fluttershy…” The crowd talking among themselves again. ‘Fluttershy?’ ‘That can’t be Fluttershy.’ ‘Fluttershy is too scared to talk like that.’
“Hmm… Well, let me tell you something. I’m sorry if my speech hurt you in anyway. This seminar is only meant to teach you how to not be a doormat. I never intended for this to happen to you.”
“It’s ok…” Fluttershy gave a nice smile.
“What?” Iron Will was confused.
“You were never a monster like my friends said. It wasn’t really your fault I became like that. It was mine. I took your advice too literal and it made me into something horrible.”
“If it’s not my fault, why did you say so earlier?”
“I just wanted to see how you reacted. If you really were a monster, you would have attacked me like any other heartless monster but you didn’t. That shows that you truly are a nice guy on the inside. I know it was never your intention. I just took it too far.” Fluttershy flew up to Iron Will’s face and grabbed the microphone near his mouth. “You hear that Ponyville. Just because somepony stands in your way, doesn’t mean you have to use force. Try to be assertive without force. You can do it. Don’t make the same mistake I did. I also suggest not being such jerks to ponies just asking to get by you. That’s what causes situations like this to happen… Thank you…” She let go and flew off. The crowd started cheering louder than before.
As Fluttershy started flying away, Rainbow flew in front of her cutting her off. “Wow Fluttershy, that was amazing!”
“Well, I just didn’t want anypony losing their friends like I almost did.”
“Heh, I thought you would be scared being forced to relive an old memory again but I can see I was wrong…”
“What? What did you just say?”
“Come on Fluttershy, I know that is the real you. Remember the camping trip?”
Fluttershy’s eye widened. She quickly ran in and hugged Rainbow. “Oh Rainbow, it really is you!”
“It’s ok Fluttershy, I’m here to get you out of here…”
“When I first appeared here, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know if I was sent back in time or if I was dreaming. When I saw the flier for Iron Will’s seminar, something in me just told me I had to go.”
“It was your kind heart. It’s like you said. You didn’t want anyone to suffer like you had to. I understand…”
“Rainbow Dash, you sound different.”
“Let’s talk about it back at the cottage.”
“Ok…”
/---Key to Guidance---\
Rainbow was seated down on the couch in Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy come out from the kitchen with 2 cups of tea and placed them down on the table in front of Rainbow. “Thanks Flutters…”
Fluttershy sat down on a chair beside Dash. “So what is it you wanted to talk about?”
Rainbow stared down at her tea. “I did something awful…”
“What happened?”
“I… I attacked our friends… I attacked them in pure anger…” Fluttershy gasped. Rainbow closed her eyes as a couple tears leaked into her tea. “They just make me so angry. They don’t realize how painful it all is. Not just their actions like the Mare-do-Well incident, but their words. Whenever I crash and they make a small joke, it may all be for fun and laughs but it hurts. I don’t show it but every word, every pointing hoof, they hurt…”
“I’m sorry that you feel that way…”
“Don’t be, you’re the only one who understands. You never laugh. You never joke. That’s why you’re the only one I trust fully… That, and I know I you’ll never leave me… They all make me so angry but I am afraid to do anything about them. I run the risk of losing them forever.”
“Dash, I’ve known you longer then anypony in Ponyville. I know you’re not as brave as you put on but I know that deep down you really are that brave, you just need to find it.”
“But how can I do it? The others know just how pathetic I am. They will never think of me the same again…”
“No, they think you need help. Being scared doesn’t make you weak, it just means you can improve and that’s what friends are for, to help you.”
“But how do I know it will even help me? After what I did, how can they even trust me? I nearly killed both Applejack and Twilight. Even if they forgive me, how can I forgive myself? I’m a monster! I don’t deserve the Element of Loyalty!”
Out of nowhere, a hoof slapped Rainbow across the face. “NEVER SAY THAT!” Fluttershy was standing in front of her with a hoof to the side. “You are not a monster. I’ve been down that path before. It you keep beating yourself up you will only make it worse.”
“Fluttershy…”
“Listen, I understand what you’re going through but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. It’s not good for your health and if anything ever happened to you, I could never forgive myself either.” Fluttershy stood up as tall as she could, towering over Rainbow Dash looking down at her. “Listen, you have saved me more times than I can count now let me do this for you. Trust me, I want to help you.”
“’We’, want to help you.” The two of them turned to the door to see Twilight, AJ and Rarity all standing in the doorway.
“I thought I told you I wanted to be alone…”
“Sorry Rainbow, but if what we just saw is any indication, that’s just not going to happen.” Twilight replied.
“Don’t be like me Rainbow.” Applejack added. “Don’t be stubborn and refuse help. We are here for you.”
“Exactly…” Rarity continued. “You don’t have to be alone anymore. We are all here for you.”
“We would never want you to hate yourself.” Said Twilight. “That was one of the first lessons Celestia taught me. No matter how bad you messed up, attacking yourself does nothing but make it hurt more. I didn’t understand what it meant at the time but after Luna was freed, it finally made sense.”
Finally, Fluttershy spoke up. “You’re a nice pony Dash. You could never make us hate you and never think otherwise. You’re not a monster, you do deserve the Element of Loyalty, and most of all you DO deserve friends. Pony should ever feel that way, no matter how bad.”
Rainbow chuckled to herself. “Heh, you can make anypony feel better about themselves. Are you sure you’re not Pinkie in disguise?”
Fluttershy gasped. “Oh my goodness, where is Pinkie Pie?”
“Calm down…” Twilight said as she pulled out a card. “She is right here.”
“A… Card?”
“We will explain on the way. I started with five initially and this is the only one remaining. Since Pinkie is the only one left, it’s safe to say she is there.”
“That’s a relief…”
“Well!?” Everypony turned to Rainbow Dash. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go and save her then we will be a full team again!”
“Yes… Let’s save Pinkie…”
Rainbow Dash reached her hoof in between the five of them. “Let’s make a promise, a Pinkie Promise… I promise I will never again undermine your trust and to never call myself a monster again…”
“And I promise to make sure to always be there for you…” Fluttershy added her hoof on top of it.
“And I promise to stop making unnecessary insults and consider your feelings more…” Applejack’s hoof came down.
“And I promise to think before I react.” Twilight’s hoof came down.
“And I promise to never think less of you…” Lastly, Rarity’s hoof came.
Rainbow looked around at her four friends. Pinkie may be absent but she most definitely will know. After all, nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise. “All for one…”
All at once, the five ponies rose their hooves up “AND ONE FOR ALL!” As if they been practicing for their entire life, the five ponies became perfectly synched up in their following hoof motions. Making a gesture they will never forget.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Not a single one poked their eye.
“Alright… Let’s go save Pinkie!”
/---Castle Oblivion (F5 Exit Hall)---\
The five ponies all stepped out of the door, your friendship appearing stronger than ever. They all marched forward before Twilight stopped moving. The rest all turned back to her. She appeared to be thinking. “Is something the matter?” Rarity asked.
“Kind of… It feels like something is missing…”
“Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow replied. “It’s pretty quiet without her.”
“No, not that… It feels like we are missing something…”
“Like what Twi?” Applejack asked.
“Well, it’s clear there is something bigger going on than we are seeing. Since entering this castle, we have had 3 run-ins with this strange group of ponies. First there was the time I entered the castle, again after the 1st floor and again on the 4th floor. Not only that but it’s been a different pony every time. At the entrance was a tall creature, not even sure it was a pony. Second was Xalun, she is the only one I have seen behind her hood. Something about her seemed odd but I couldn’t put my hoof on it. Finally, there was that mystery pony that attacked Rarity. For some reason, she scares me the most.”
“What did she do to you anyway?” Rainbow asked.
“Can’t say for sure… It felt like she was draining my energy but I don’t feel weak.”
“Changlings?”
“No, not a possibility…” Twilight replied. “Changlings feed on love energy. No changling would have been dumb enough to attack us at a time like that, not when our bond was so close to breaking. We would be much nicer targets as we are now.”
“That’s not giving me a nice feeling.”
“That’s not all, when a Changling drains the energy from another creature, they feel it. Whether it’s just robbing their energy or absorbing it through love manipulation, you would feel it.”
“Well…” Applejack spoke up. “Do you think maybe they did something to Rarity we are not seeing?”
“Hmm… It’s possible… Perhaps the whole energy drain was just a mask for putting something else inside of her, like an energy transfer.”
“An energy transfer?” Rarity asked.
“Yes, much like how changlings can steal energy, some unicorns can also give it. It’s very possible when that thing drained you it put something else in its place.”
“Ew… EWWW! That thing put something inside me?”
“Can’t say for sure… I can run a scan of your body’s natural magic deposit. If you have been infused with Dark Magic, I will know.” Twilight kneeled down and pointed her horn at Rarity’s hooves. Her horn started to glow as she slowly worked her way up Rarity’s body. Rarity was starting to sweat, just the thought of having something unnatural in her body made her sick. When Twilight reached her head, she touched her horn to Rarity’s and left it there for a moment. Finally, she pulled back. “Not sensing any abnormalities. No signs of dark magic and your levels of magic are about what they should be for an average unicorn if not slightly higher.”
“So… Nothing?”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
Rarity started to rub for forehead slowly. “Girls… I think I need lie down for a moment. All this talk about something being inside of me is honestly giving me a migraine.”
“Sure thing Rarity.” Twilight removed her saddlebags and set them down next to Rarity. “If you need anything, we will be waiting for you upstairs.” Twilight and the rest left the hall area going up the steps to the 6th floor. They will resume their quest after a short rest.
/---Castle Oblivion (Unknown Room)---\
“GrrrrrrrRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!” The cloaked pony screamed.
Xalun just watch in amusement. “Well? When are they going to break? I thought you said you could handle it?”
“SHUT UP!” The pony fired a blast of searing hot plasma from her horn. It missed Xalun but impacted on the back wall leaving a melted hole. “These foals are tougher to break then I anticipated…” She slow began to pace around the room. “It seems that ever since my interference with my dark magic, Rainbow Dash has brought them closer than I ever thought possible. I fear it may be impossible to break them at this point.”
“Ooh, that’s a shame. I was really looking forward to having a few new pets.”
“Don’t give up all hope just yet…” The two of them turned to the new voice. A portal opened up and a small pony walked out. She was smaller than the others, about the size of a regular mare.
“Well, well, well milady, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”
“I came to lend you foals a hoof since it’s clear you cannot handle it yourself.” She stepped towards the pony other than Xalun. “Here, I have a feeling these will help…” She held up her hoof and with a plum of green fire, a number of scrolls appeared in front of her.
The larger pony grabbed the scrolls and opened them. Then, a devilish grin appeared on her face. “Oh yes… These will do just nicely…” She continued to inspect them and then a thought came to her. “How did you get a hold of these? They look so real…”
“Well let’s just say…” The pony pulled her hood off. Under the hood was a beautiful white unicorn with a long curly purple mane. “I got it from the source, darling…”
