Past Story: With Nightmare Night coming to a close, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo settle in for a sleep over at the Sweet Apple Acres farm with their fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders. The three decide that one thing is missing however. A little extra "something" to bring an end to their night of treats and frights.
A/N: This is made for the EQD writer's training grounds. After participating in the last one, I feel it wiser to not make ten to fourteen plus individual stories, which can clog up my story count level.
Stories will be marked in parenthesis with the appropriate style of (Slice, Dark,) and the like. I will also update the characters selection for the newest/most relative story.
The stallion sat on the stool close to the bar. His un-bandaged hoof rose. Cautious eyes followed its trail. Braeburn glided his hoof through the still air of the saloon. His hoof froze. He fell forward and slammed his hoof into the wood floorboards. The ponies inside the saloon winced. With the crowd getting closer, a sly smirk greeted them. Braeburn tipped his hat to the ponies in front of him.
"That's how ah banged up this here hoof," Braeburn said. He took his hat off, bowed, and placed his hat back on top of his head. His hoof pointed toward the horizon, "Ta think what happened out there coulda happen to this here town, it's a miracle we're breathin' right now."
Two mares approached him, waving fans against the sides of their faces while Braeburn sat back on his stool. Several stallions tipped their hats to Braeburn before placing them back on their heads and going about their business. Braeburn's right ear perked up. He nodded to the pony behind the bar then grabbed his mug of cider, slugging it down in one gulp.
"Geez, Mr. Braeburn. How'd ya get outta that alive?" A filly said.
"Wasn't easy, I can say that much. Things went off a cliff faster than a pack of ravenous lemmings." Braeburn said. His coat hairs stood on end. "He-Hey cousin... I thought ya left on the train with the kin folk?"
"Braeburn..." Applejack said in a slow tone before turning to her cousin, "truth be told, I'd like to hear more about this little 'accident' you had before the rodeo here. Not to mention I'd like to know why Apple Bloom and her friends managed to sneak passed your so-called 'faster than a rattlesnake on edge' eyesight that can spot a fly from twenty paces."
The stallion leaned back, and then motioned to Bar Top. Two mugs of cider slid down towards the ponies.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. She tapped her mug with a single push. It slid back towards Bar Top who eyed the mare. "I. Ain't. Thirsty."
Inside the saloon, the air remained still. As the sheriff entered, Braeburn threw his bits on the bar and darted for the door. Applejack bolted down the dirt road behind her cousin. Their hooves pounded against ground. The farm came into view. Braeburn lunged at the door. He opened it. His hoof slammed against the door. Several clicks resonated inside the farmhouse before the stallion breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Ahem," A voice said.
Braeburn's hooves froze in place. He turned his head slightly, and then glanced behind him.
"Ya'll should remember to close those windows before leavin the house." Applejack said, sitting in a chair while reading a newspaper. She folded the paper. On her hooves, the cowgirl approached her cousin. Her eyes focused on his broken hoof. "Ya want to continue this little game? We both know how it'll end."
"Fine!" Braeburn said. He undid the dressing on his hoof. It wafted to the ground while he removed his hat. "Happy?!"
Applejack squinted. As she leered at her cousin, Applejack followed Braeburn toward the kitchen. The stallion hung his hat on the rack behind the door then propped his head on the table.
"What 'story' did you tell those folks back there?" Applejack said with her stern gaze maintained, "I want the whole truth. None of your shenanigans, Braeburn."
"I uhh... I told em that Tirek was loose, and I defeated him in the desert just passed here. " Braeburn said. He winced as Applejack's hoof rose sharply. He opened his eyes to Applejack adjusting her Stetson. "There was a loud boom from some kinda cave-in a ways from here. Look --"
"Of all the foalish, ridiculous, inconsiderate...." Applejack said. She paced back and forth several times. Her eyes locked onto Braeburn's. She pushed her hoof into his chest, "Shoulda named you Apple Core with how rotten that lie is you told those folks." Applejack removed her hoof then shook her head, "Shameful. Just downright shameful what ya did. How could they even believe somethin' like that story? What did ya tell em?"
Braeburn sighed. He moved toward a hatch in the back of the kitchen. The two traveled down a small set of steps toward the cellar. Lantern in hoof, the stallion guided his cousin toward the back wall. He motioned toward the tall cupboard and stepped back.
"What in tarnation is it?" Applejack said after she pushed the cupboard aside. She backed away with her eyes fixated on the object in the secret storage space. The stone radiated a small bit of light; dark blue in color, the object was no bigger than a large apple.
"Remember that cave-in I mentioned? Well, this thing created it." Braeburn said.
"First off, this thing is a meteorite. At least, I think it's a meteorite accordin' to what Twi's books have said. Second, if it is a meteorite, it fell from the sky. Up there," Applejack pointed her hoof up then lowered it. Her eyes focused on the almost spherical stone. "This thing ain't natural, and that's just the obvious. What in the hay is goin' on?"
Light from the lantern hit the meteorite. It glowed in a slight luminescent hue.
Braeburn looked at Applejack and shrugged. "Your guess is better than mine, Applejack. I injured my hoof gettin it outta of that hole. If I told the others about it, they would have tried to nab it from me."
"Braeburn! How dare you believe these townsfolk would rob you. This is rightfully yours by name since you found it first." Applejack said.
"This ain't 'finders keepers' of the biggest apple when we were little, Applejack. Claim laws ain't easy." Braeburn said. The stallion sighed at the object then looked at his cousin. A small tear ran down the side of his face, "Dontcha remember how my Ma had to fight tooth and nail to get this plot of land?"
"Ya... Aunt Goldrenette told Granny Smith about the troubles. Said it took near three years ta finally get things settled. Shoulda gone to Princess Celestia." Applejack said.
"Couldn't make the trip on my account, remember? It takes a good four days by train, and she didn't have the money." Braeburn said.
Applejack looked at the strange rock once more. In a stoic voice she said, "Braeburn. What ya'll found, I ain't likin' it one bit. It's givin' me the creeps somethin' fierce. I have to get this to Twilight for safe keepin'."
The stallion nodded to his cousin. He picked the crystal up and placed it in the box near him.
"This'll keep it safe. Before ya give me that look, I know what I did was wrong. It doesn't take Princess Celestia's wisdom to know that bit of knowledge. In all honesty, there's a part of me that feels this thing is meant to go with ya back to Ponyville." Braeburn said.
"Your hoof?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yesh, ya don't let up, do ya cousin? Fine, ah tripped over a rock gettin down to this thing, and I just got a cactus splinter in it." Braeburn said.
"Ya had me break my back and almost injure my whither cause ya got a cactus splinter in your hoof?!" Applejack said.
"Whoa, easy there. Ya won that trophy, remember." Braeburn said. He backed up, tumbling over a pile of junk. After removing himself from the junk, he escorted Applejack back up the steps and closed the hatch. The two proceeded into the kitchen where Applejack eyed the sturdy box. She placed it into her saddlebag and closed the flap. Braeburn rubbed a nervous hoof against his neck, "So, does this make us even?"
Applejack sighed. She nodded to her cousin. "Did ya tell any of them townsfolk any other tales?"
Braeburn shook his head violently. He placed his hat on top of his head, "I'm missin' part of my flank here after havin' ya chew me out down there."
"Yes or No." Applejack said.
Braeburn shook his head once more. Applejack chuckled to herself. With the window locked and the front door closed, Braeburn escorted his cousin from the farmhouse to the train station. He waved at his cousin as she boarded the train, "At least she didn't hear about the stampede."
"Uhh, Braeburn. The train hasn't left yet, and we're gonna have a little 'talk' about your stories when I get back after droppin' this off at Twi's place." Applejack said from her window seat. Her eyes followed the stallion as he galloped away. "That foal will never learn. Still. I wonder what this little scavenger picked up."
"So, Tree Hugger. How do you like the atmosphere?" Discord said.
An infinite sky greeted two ponies and their misshapen host, and his gelatinous partner. Below them was a bottomless abyss. At the front of the establishment, or what could be classified as the front, existed a simple brown door with four windows embedded in it. Above the door was a sign that glowed in several translucent colors, confined to the strange shapes, "W <-> W."
"Discord, no messing with the other patrons," A voice said, coming from the silhouette of an individual from behind the bar.
"Right," Discord chuckled before he turned toward his group, "I kinda, sorta, may have caused a bit of a ruckus --" Discord said.
"Fracas!" a voice shouted, it's owner protruding from Discord's ear. He pushed the pink party pony back inside is ear.
"-- yes, a 'fracas' amongst the club here. We interdimensional beings need a place to relax, kick up our appendages, and let our powers cool down a bit, but it's so boring. All I did was try to liven the place up a bit." Discord said.
"This place is so unusual... it's aura is like, beautiful yet it's throwing me off." Tree Hugger said.
Fluttershy stared at each patron of the club before she slid down in her chair. The Smooze licked its non-existent lips while gawking at the silver trays the servers used to carry bubbling drinks to their awaiting recipients. Discord snapped his talon and helped Fluttershy adjust in her seat.
"Won't you get in trouble for that?" Fluttershy said. She looked at the bartender behind Discord, the silhouette seemingly staring at her. "...eep."
"Don't worry, Fluttershy. Since my little, 'incident' shall we call it, all of us have to check our powers at the door. We can only use a small portion of them to help our guests or ourselves to acclimate to the environment. Still, I hate these things." Discord said. The two bracelets around his wrists glowed in a yellow light. "They don't match a single thing I have."
"It suits your aura." Tree Hugger said.
"Yes, quite...." Discord said, his speech degrading into a guttural grumble. A slurping sound came from Discord's left side. "Smooze, take that out of your mouth. No snacking."
The silhouette raised its head. Two white dots formed, focusing on the green gelatinous blob. "Discord, I'm warning you. Keep that thing on a leash. I'm only letting things slide since you're a 'good guy' now."
Several audible laughs came as the bartender said "good guy."
"Good... good! Listen here drink slinger," Discord said as he raised his talon with his eyes aflame. The laughter ceased.
"Discord, it's alright. You're who you choose to be. It would be 'boring,'" Fluttershy imitated her friend's voice to the best of her abilities, "if you were one hundred percent reformed."
Discord lowered his paw and talon, the bartender shrugging at him. Fluttershy and Discord returned to their table with Tree Hugger and the Smooze seemingly conversing with one another.
Fluttershy poked her drink several times; the ethereal bubbles formed in the middle of the purple colored drink before disappearing and reappearing at the bottom.
"Fluttershy. Are you sure you don't want some soda water or something? That might be a little... unusual for you?" Discord said.
Fluttershy sipped on her drink. A horn soon protruded from the center of her head with her wings growing out. Her body grew to the size of Princess Celestia before she shrunk down to her original size with the horn shrinking back into her forehead.
"Tastes like grape and honey." Fluttershy said in a cheery tone, soon sipping on the rest of her drink till it was gone.
"Ye-he-he-es, grape and honey." Discord said. He squinted, and then glared at the bartender. The silhouetted individual waved at the misshapen creature while giving him a sinister grin, soon mouthing "good guy" in a slow manner. Discord snarled at the wrist band around his talon.
"Hey Discord, who's the pony?" A creature said. The bipedal entity in a red shirt smiled. "Don't tell me you have a friend?"
Discord remained quiet as he sipped on his drink. The creature patted Discord on the shoulder then walked toward his table with a bald headed individual sitting at it.
"You two are totally in-sync with one another. Your auras match." Tree Hugger said.
"Quite." Discord said. He looked at Fluttershy, "I've been meaning to ask. What was that 'strange' little object your friend brought back with her?"
"You mean Applejack?" Fluttershy said.
"Yes. Applejack. I couldn't help noticing that weird little rock inside Twilight's home. It seems rather, interesting." Discord said.
"Discord! Were you spying." Fluttershy said.
Discord took the security camera off his head and put it back into his eye socket, the camera turning back into his eye. He shrugged at his friend.
"You know I don't approve of spying on friends." Fluttershy said.
"Trouble in paradise." The bartender said, ducking as a drink whizzed past his head. "Hey you stupid imp. What did I tell you about throwing drinks!"
"What did you call me? What did you call me! Only one to take me on is Sups, and you don't have the guts to do it. McGurk, help me out here -- o drat." The small individual in a purple suit said before disappearing. Strange writing appeared on the mirror behind the bar.
"Darn imp always annoys me." The bartender said while he cleaned a glass. "Hey Tap, get out here. I'm going on break."
A door materialized with an earth pony mare coming through it. The pony floated into the sky, nodded to the bartender, and proceeded to pass out drinks.
"Ahh, Tap, how are the little ones?" Discord said.
"You try raising two of your own and ask me." Tap said. She eyed Fluttershy, "Well now, I didn't know you got hitched. Planning to settle down with the missus here?"
Discord melted into a puddle in his chair. Fluttershy chuckled at her friend.
"Hey! Didn't E.H. tell ya not to bring that thing back in here?" Tap said, pointing a hoof at the Smooze. "Keep it on a leash, or I put it in the smallest bottle I have."
"Can't you be a little nicer? The Smooze isn't just some puddle of goo." Fluttershy said.
The bar went silent. One patron shook his head toward the yellow pegasus. Tap and Fluttershy's eyes locked onto each other. Discord reformed then hid underneath the table.
"Fluttershy, is it? I like you. Your little spark reminds me why I love this place. Sure, this thing on my flank says I was meant to bar-tend, but it didn't exactly point me towards what bar. Ol' Event Horizon, E.H. as some call him, is the one who gave me this job." Tap said with a smile. She winked at Fluttershy, and a drink appeared near the pegasus pony. "On the house... besides, we don't exactly accept bits here anyways. As a friendly tip, you'll want to slug it down vs. sippin' on it. That drink shivers my wither, if ya know what I'm sayin'."
"She's sweet." Fluttershy said, gritting her teeth after slugging down her drink. "How did she make my drink appear like that?"
Discord raised an eyebrow, bringing it back down with his paw. He shook his head then chuckled at Fluttershy.
"How about we talk about that little 'rock' Applejack brought back." Discord said. He stopped himself with the food coming. Bits of hay came for Fluttershy, a few bits of grass for Tree Hugger, teacups for Discord, and some ruby jewels for The Smooze. "Don't -- you did."
The three watched their gooey friend polish off his plate, including the plate itself, in under three seconds. An audible sound emanated from the Smooze. He gurgled then regurgitated the plate.
"Ha! Got ya this time. Can't digest that thing, can ya." Tap said from behind the bar. She laughed then went back to serving a patron at the other end of the bar. The patron tapped his digits on the bar, his double horned helmet sitting near his motionless hand. "Hold yer horses pal. Make sure ya keep that scepter in check too."
"I'm glad we came to this place. Life is always like, good when you mix things up." Tree Hugger said.
"Yes. I'm glad we took Discord up on his offer. This place is 'out of this world.'" Fluttershy giggled.
A slight smile came to Discord as he watched Fluttershy chatting with her friend and the Smooze. The group finished their meals, and Discord materialized his coin purse, soon stopped by Tap. He slouched over and sighed at the earth pony mare. With a snap of his talon, the coin purse disappeared. His lion's paw reached into his leg with a small wallet appearing.
"Good. Didn't think ya learned your lesson last time." Tap said before she eyed the flickering coin. She sighed, "You're seriously going to make me break this down? Do you know how hard it is to do that."
Discord waved at her, grinning before he turned back toward his friends.
"Thank you for the nice time, Discord. It was enjoyable." Fluttershy smiled. She floated to the invisible ground with Tree Hugger brought down by The Smooze. "He really likes you."
"Yea, he's totally calm right now. This place, it like, makes his aura all mellow." Tree Hugger said.
Discord chuckled to himself. He stopped then stood straight up. "Hey, what ya do that for? I gave you a tip with it."
Tap snarled at Discord, "E.H. wasn't too happy about having to break that thing down. When E.H. ain't happy, I ain't happy."
The small coin, missing its center, rolled onto the floor before jumping back into Discord's leg. He shrugged at the earth pony before moving with his friends towards the door.
"Come Fluttershy. We're going." Discord said.
"What did you give her anyways?" Fluttershy said.
"She'll find out later." Discord said in a snarky tone.
Fluttershy's eyes widened before she covered her ears. She closed her eyes.
"Goodness Fluttershy. I may be a chaotic god with a touch of madness, but I'm not insane. Those entities would rip me limb-from-limb without a second thought." Discord said, pulling off his two legs and lion paw with his talon. The appendages resumed their normal position on his body. Soon, an explosion blew out the door. Discord shielded his group with an umbrella.
A taller, more muscular Tap appeared. She clenched down on a small object and chucked it out the door. The earth pony returned to her normal stature before slamming the door behind her.
"Told ya I would be back. We're outta here McGurk. This place stinks." The little creature in the purple suit said before disappearing.
"Well, that was certainly, interesting. Thank you for the entertainment, Discord." Fluttershy said.
"Yea, that was, awesome." Tree Hugger said.
Discord snapped his talon, causing the group to appear in Fluttershy's house. The two ponies, Discord, and The Smooze conversed with one another before leaving. Fluttershy sat on her couch. A small book about to fall of the bookcase caught her eye. It floated towards her.
The small book opened, levitating in place. It displayed a picture of the group at the bar. Discord winked at the camera with Fluttershy smiling. Tree Hugger appeared to chant some sound with The Smooze jiggling in place. The picture vanished, and a flash of light appeared in her scrap book on the shelf. Fluttershy's eyes followed a small piece of folded paper that drifted towards her after the blue book that floated in front of her vanished.
"Fluttershy. Thank you for the 'nice' little outing. Just a little note here, a little 'FYI' of sorts, you should tell Princess Bookworm to let those three 'adorable' little fillies near that rock. It'll save her some trouble. -Discord"
"I must say, that was quite the ordeal. It's good to be back in one's abode." The Doctor said. His scarf removed and tossed into the nearby closet, he shut the front door, and then the closet door. Curious eyes focused on the container that once held the flameless fireworks, "Love, such an unusual element. I guess I'm the same as every pony, getting caught up in the frivolity of it all. This is what I get for not having my notepad on hoof," the stallion's hoof grazed the container before brushing against his chin, "and it leaves me wondering why an 'emotion' would act as the catalyzing agent. I wonder if the presence of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza had an unintended consequence of augmenting the catalyst, perhaps catalyzing the catalyst. I wonder... no, no, that won't work."
The stallion paced back and forth around the container. Several lights blinked on and off on the various contraptions around the room. In the corner, the plasma ball emitted a soft light while the contained bolts of lightning glided across the inside surface.
"What was I doing now? Ahh yes, the hypothesis of -- now then, what's this?" The Doctor said. He stepped closer towards a saddlebag. "Must belong to one of the Apple Family that owns the agricultural area near Ponyville. What was her name again? Apple jam? No no no... ahh yes, Applejack. That's it. I better place this near the door and return it to her."
Light pierced the bag's darkness. The stallion's hoof reached closer, undoing the saddlebag's clasp. Three crystals, embedded into the solid rock, glistened and reflected off The Doctor's eyes.
"Doctor?" A voice called while the door to the laboratory opened, "Doctor, are you there? I could use some help?"
"..." The stallion's eyes remained firmly fixated on the crystals. He shook his head as a gentle hoof pressed against his withers, "Hmm, o sorry. I was in a bit of daze. This is such a fascinating object. I've never seen this type of formation in a rock."
"Ooo, pretty." The mare said in a bubbly tone. Her hoof neared the strange rock. Her happy smile degraded into a frown with the rock being pulled away.
"Upon first examination, it appears to be a meteorite. I must get to the bottom of this peculiarity." The Doctor squinted at the object then placed it in a device. He looked at the mare who rubbed her hoof against the cold stone floor. His soft hoof pressed against the mare's side, the stallion giving the pony a kind smile. "I will need some assistance in my research. Please, press that button when I give you the word."
Derpy stood at attention, saluted, and stood near a lever. The Doctor lowered his hoof. The mare pulled the lever on command.
Four concentric rings descended from the ceiling. Eight spheres on each ring hummed with energy. Small bolts of lightning protruded from the spheres. The white bolts arced from their source towards the rock. Precious seconds ticked by. The stallion stared at the rock, and then faced the contraption in front of him.
Several alphanumerical characters rolled across the screen. A loud "click" resonated in the room. The Doctor's hoof reached for a dial and turned it. Behind a sliver of glass, a black arrow slid from green to yellow to orange to red.
"What happened to the lights?" Derpy said, the lights going out after a sudden, noisy pop.
"Setbacks. Always setbacks. I must requisition some stronger inverters and fuses, and, to top it all off, I must re-wire this infernal building. I can never get the voltage I need out of this rudimentary device." The Doctor said.
"The machine was rude to you?" Derpy said.
The stallion raised his hoof, opened his mouth, and then closed his mouth and lowered his hoof. "You needn't worry my dear. The machine is just finicky. Temperamental? Umm... well, let's just say it doesn't work right at times. Anyways. Remain at your position. I will need your assistance when the power is back."
"Sure, Doctor." Derpy said with a grin. Her eyes followed the stallion as he disappeared behind a strange colored door. She scratched her ear. Her eyes glanced towards the rock, now emitting a soft glow. "Pretty, heh heh. I wonder if you stole the power."
Small amounts of light peaked into the laboratory from the front door's threshold. The mare's curious eyes drifted around the dark room. She shook her head. Her eyes focused.
"Pretty button; it looks like a red cherry." She said, a light calling to her with each step she took towards it.
The lights flickered and came back on. The Doctor dusted off his mane. His eyes glanced at the rock then around the room.
"No! Don't Press that!" The Doctor said, a few minutes too late. Several sirens blared. Spheres popped out of the walls, red lights soon flashing alongside the blaring sirens. In a quivered voice, overshadowed by the boisterous noise, the Doctor said, "No..."
"Particle field disrupted. Magnetic resonance chamber failing. Energy Output exceeding designed parameters...."
"That's one creepy voice," Derpy said.
"Great whickering stallions! The energy field for the generator has gone down." The Doctor said.
The room shook. Vials and Flasks jostled around in a cupboard near the electric sphere; the sphere's once peaceful, soft glow became a brilliant beacon of light that brightened the laboratory. Sirens continued the blare. Red Lights flashed.
With a quick pull of a nearby leaver, the Doctor soon pushed another button. His hooves shook. A slit formed in the middle of the floor. Two semi-circular panels rotated on their hinges. The stallion's lower lip quivered as the device ascended then stopped.
Two calm eyes greeted the stallion. He looked at Derpy, shook his head, and lowered his brow, "We've got to contain the energy. The great stellated dodecahedron containment device is cracking. There may only be mere seconds before it collapses and envelops this building -- no, that's the best case scenario. We'll be lucky if it doesn't vaporize Ponyville and a third of Equestria in a fireball."
"Doctor?" Derpy said.
"..." The stallion remained silent.
"Can't you fix it?" She said.
"No. There isn't time." He said.
Derpy pointed a calm hoof at the rock with the three crystals, "Hey. It stole the power. Can't it steal the power from your device, Doctor?"
"Brilliant! No wonder I had to replace the fuses." The Doctor said. The building's violent shaking increased. Three wires were thrown over the cylindrical device, soon tied to the three points on the crystal.
"Stupid crystal. You stole the building's energy. Steal this one and save us." Derpy said. She poked the crystal several times, to no avail. "O... wait. Silly me. There's one wire --"
Derpy placed the end wire on the ground onto the cylindrical device. The building went dark. A slow hum came from the device in the center of the room before it went silent. Several hard knocks came from the front door.
"What in the hay is going on? Ya'll in here are louder than a cricket symphony durin the dead, silent heat of summer." A voice said. The mare adjusted her hat and entered the dark structure. "There's my bag. I knew I left it here. Why is that stone in one of your contraptions?"
"Ahh, yes. Well. I sort of... temporarily 'procured' the meteorite for scientific research." The stallion said.
"Ya stole it, didn't ya." Applejack said.
"The Doctor doesn't steal things. He borrows them." Derpy said.
Lights flickered. Now illuminated, the room revealed several items strewn about the area. Papers lay in the corner with scorch marks across the ceiling. The strange device rescinded into its hole. An audible, mechanical-esk voice came over a speaker that sounded an "all clear" boisterous alert to the residents in Ponyville.
"Please don't tell the princesses about this incident. They'll revoke my license." The Doctor said.
"Uh huh?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow, soon lowering it. She sighed, looked at the two ponies, and tapped a hoof against the cold stone floor. "Well, to be perfectly honest, I would have asked ya to take a look at it if Twilight was busy. I hope ya learned your lesson about tampering with things and 'borrowing' before askin' about it."
"Indeed so, miss Applejack. I learned, well more like being reminded for the tenth time, that science is quite the harsh mistress. She's beautiful and kind, but she's also unforgiving if pushed too far too fast." The Doctor said. He looked at Applejack and apologized. "How can I make it up to you?"
"You can take me on a date." Derpy said with a raised hoof and a smile.
"Huh?" The stallion said.
"Heh, Rainbow's been itchin to get these two together on a date." Applejack said to herself. She smirked at the stallion and tipped her hat. "Eyup. You can take this here young mare on a nice date. No fancy speak. Just a nice date between the two of you."
"Please, be reasonable. There's --" the stallion stepped back with both mares leering at him, "-- very well. A date it is then. Perhaps at the Chateau Fork in Canterlot? There's a colleague of mine who owes me a favor there."
"NO! Science!" Derpy said with a frustrated expression.
"No science, I promise. I swear on my doctorate from Canterlot College. Also, I give you my most sincere promise as a gentle colt to be on my best behavior." The Doctor said. His eyes glanced towards the closet, "Now I really will need that suit tailored."
Derpy gave the stallion a swift, gentle peck on the cheek, and then flew off. The Doctor chuckled and moved towards the door, but found himself stopped by Applejack.
"I agreed to your proposal to take her out on a date." The stallion said. He raised an eyebrow at Applejack who pointed at the rock still in the device. "Ahh yes... heh, the 'stone.' Here you go, miss Applejack."
"Just curious here. Did you find anything 'interesting' about it?" Applejack said.
"Well, it's managed to absorb over 1.21 billion watts of power, and it has an affinity for energy. Also, there seem to be three symbols embedded into the crystal. It's quite unfortunate to call myself a researcher and say those are my results, but that's all I've been able to learn." The stallion said. He looked over a piece of paper near the machine's output. "Here. Take this to Princess Twilight Sparkle. Maybe she can make use of this information. Magical Sciences are not my forte, and I will not repeat the same mistake again."
The stallion waved goodbye to Applejack as she departed. He glanced at the laboratory, sighed, and pulled a broom out of the closet. The door to the laboratory opened once more with Derpy coming back inside.
"Want to grab a bite of lunch instead of going to a fancy place?" Derpy said.
"That would be most agreeable." The Doctor said with a smile. He opened the door to his closet, grabbed his scarf, wrapped it around his neck, and closed the closet door. He exited the laboratory with Derpy at his side. "Allon-sy, my dear."
"You gave us quite a fright, my dear boy. I was worried our effort to put the statue back together would have been for not." Fancy Pants said, adjusting his bowtie. He levitated his monocle off, wiped it, and placed it back near his left eye. A coaxed, watery-eyed, sheepish grin was given to the delegates in the room before the little dragon darted passed them and out the door, leaving the bouquet behind. Fancy Pants shrugged at Princess Cadence and Twilight. "A rather interesting fellow... how about we convene in the banquet hall then? I believe we could all use a bit of refreshment."
Spike bolted down the hallway of Canterlot Castle. He flew by several ponies while covering his nose. Both doors to the castle flung open.
"I gotta get away from these stupid --" Spike darted out into the streets of Canterlot then slipped on a bit of water left from the leaking pipe, "-- flowers!!" he said with a shout, soon tripping on a piece of roadwork. He tumbled down the street. His quick journey came to an abrupt stop. "Great. Now I'm in a hole. What does Equestria have against me anyways? I said I was sorry. I learned my lesson."
Spike rubbed his forehead and stood up. The little dragon scanned the area after he dusted himself off. He flexed his claws, and then latched onto the wall of the hole. The dirt underneath the sharp purple claws gave way.
After rubbing his back, Spike latched onto the pipe with his claws. Step-by-step, Spike made his way along the pipe, and then leapt onto the stone ground.
"Yesh, they need to put a sign up for something. And there it is over there. What a pain in my backside." Spike said. Two green eyes locked onto the crystal formation at the end of the water pipe. Spike's nostrils flared. He wiped the drool from his mouth. "Mmmm. Gems..."
"Spike, are you alright? You took a pretty big tumble." Princess Cadence said. She waved a gentle hoof in front of Spike's face. A raised eyebrow and concerned eye reflected off the little dragon's green eyes. The princess looked Spike over, pressing on several spots. No response came from the red sore near the dragon's backside. "Twilight, I think something is wrong with Spike."
Twilight trotted up behind Princess Cadence. She gave her faithful, number one assistant a once over. The pony got to eye level with Spike and put a hoof near his eyes then traced it across the air towards the crystals containing the water pipe.
"I see," Twilight said with a slight chuckle before she levitated Spike onto her back, "he's just salivating over those gems. Wait, how did those gems get there anyways?"
Princess Cadence smiled at Twilight, "You're not the only one who's been studying her spells. Thanks to Shining Armor, I managed to hone my crystal spell. There were quite a few sleepless nights between the two of us."
"So that's why Shiny's letter was so unintelligible. He was half-asleep. O dear, I better write my BBBFF an apology." Twilight said.
"Why?" Princess Cadence said.
"Umm, well, it's kind of a long story." Twilight said then shied away. She levitated Spike off her back and onto Princess Cadence's, "Please watch over Spike. I'll take care of the delegates and get things settled for the end event."
"Wait, he's still in a daze. Twilight, what am I going to do with you." Princess Cadence said, ending with a firm hoof pressed against her forehead as Twilight ran back towards Canterlot Castle. The princess eyed her passenger once more. She trotted along the stone path. Several groans came from her back, "Spike, you feeling better?"
"Huh, wha?" Spike said in quiet voice. He eyes watered. He froze, "O no."
Princess Cadence stopped. Several ponies turned away from her.
"Sorry," Spike said with a sheepish grin as he eyed Princess Cadence's half-singed tail, "it'll grow back."
The princess looked at her tail, sighed, faced the road, and resumed her trek towards the tower. On her back, Spike watched the crystals disappear the further they traveled. The little dragon scratched his head.
Two puppy-dog eyes greeted Princess Cadence when she looked at the little dragon. She raised an eyebrow, "What are you up to?"
"Can you make a mountain of crystals with that spell of yours?" Spike said.
"That would take every ounce of magic I have. I'm not my aunt Celestia in terms of magical prowess." Princess Cadence said.
"Ok, maybe I can have half a mountain of gems. Please?" Spike said.
"I can't just make them appear out of thin air. I need a nexus for them to originate from." Princess Cadence said. The two reached the top of the stairs to Twilight's room. She pointed towards the tip of her hoof, "The crystals need a 'point' to grow from." She lowered her hoof, "I don't magically produce emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems, at least I don't believe that I can make those types of gems."
Spike's tilted his head. He gazed at Canterlot. Drool began to pool at the base of his feat and Princess Cadence's hooves. The princess gave a half-hearted, forced grin to the salivating dragon that turned towards her. She levitated a towel out of the room and placed it on the floor below spike, a bucket placed on his nose to catch the remaining drool.
A sharp, sudden sensation hit Spike. The spark inside him faded. His happy smile gone, Spike faced Princess Cadence, "You can't make some gems for me?"
Spike removed the bucket from his nose and dumped it off the side. The front door pushed in, a small rock down kicked the steps, the little dragon entered Twilight's room. He slammed the door behind him. His mind filled with ideas and possibilities of his stomach never being empty. The daydream shattered when he remembered Princess Cadence's words.
"Spike?" Princess Cadence said in a soft, quiet tone. She opened the door to Spike packing his things, along with Twilight's. "I thought you two were staying in Canterlot for two more days for a bit of rest and relaxation."
"Naw, Twilight said she wanted to get back to Ponyville. There's something Applejack had been meaning to bring her. That stupid bugbear attacked, and she didn't get to look at it." Spike said in a huff.
"I'm sorry I can't make crystals magically appear for you out of thin air." Princess Cadence said, ending with a smirk. She pulled Spike closer, "But I never said I wouldn't make you a gem. I'm still learning the finer mechanics of the spell, but I can make you something rather precious if you like. Perhaps a snack or two?"
Spike smiled at Princess Cadence then hugged her. The princess pushed the little dragon back, winked at him, and then illuminated her horn. Her eyes fixated on the picture frame of Spike and Twilight. Several crystals, pale blue and dark pink, protruded from the frame. The little dragon smiled at the frame.
Princess Cadence tapped a soft hoof against her chin. She smiled at a small bowl full of candy. With her horn aglow, she turned the candy into several beautiful crystal gems.
"Thanks!" Spike said. His eyes glazed over. The smell of the gems entered his flared nostrils. "Gems..."
"Are you going to try them?" Princess Cadence said. Spike shook his head, and then apologized to the princess. Her eyes followed the gem that flew into the air. The pink colored gem disappeared behind a set of pearlescent, strong white teeth. Princess Cadence's lower jaw dropped. "What?!"
"It tastes awful." Spike said, and then darted into the bathroom. He grabbed a tooth brush and furiously scrubbed his tongue. A loud gargling sound resonated inside the small room then ceased. The now empty mouthwash bottle was thrown into the garbage. "That has to be the worst tasting gem ever."
"Hmph," Princess Cadence disappeared in a flash of light.
Spike sighed. He slammed his claw against his forehead.
"What happened between you and Princess Cadence?" Twilight said.
"Her gem tasted terrible." Spike said.
Twilight's face turned red before looked at the bowl of gem candy. She faced Spike, "You're in a world of trouble now, Spike. I'm not getting involved in this one."
"Great, another mess. I wonder how long she'll stay mad at me." Spike said.
"I'd give her a week. That spell was something she made with Shining Armor's help, so it's rather dear to her. I remember how Shiny wrote to me about Princess Cadence and a spell, but the writing was all over the place. It didn't make sense till now." Twilight said. She glanced at Spike and smirked, "I guess those gems are more fragrant than tasty."
"Gems like that shouldn't exist. They're an affront to dragon kind," Spike said, placing two claws over his mouth.
Twilight glared at Spike. Her faithful, number one assistant pointed towards the drawer behind him and said "packing" before darting off. Twilight walked toward the bowl of crystal candy.
"Eww," Twilight said in a hushed voice after her tongue touched a piece of candy she levitated towards her. She shivered before tossing the piece out the window. "Spike's right. These do taste terrible. Even Discord wouldn't eat these things."
"I'll be the judge of that, Princess Bookworm." A voice said with the gems disappearing, leaving an empty bowl behind.
After a loud groan, Twilight walked towards the bed. She levitated the cover up as Spike continued to dart around the room.
"I think I'll take a little nap before we hit up the train." Twilight said. She leapt into bed and released her magical grasp from around the covers, allowing them to gently fall onto her. Her hooves latched onto the pillow, and she snuggled against it. "Better get some rest yourself, 'Princess' Spike."
"This is incredible," Moondancer said, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"I know, right. Haycartes method was hard to learn, but it's so useful. Not to mention, as Rainbow Dash would put it, 'totally awesome.'" Twilight said.
"What book should I 'hop' into next," Moondancer said, ending with a slight giggle.
Twilight smiled, and then wiped a tear away after Moondancer turned away
Sunlight entered through the window and illuminated the freshly cleaned tower. Twilight and Moondancer stood in front of the bookcase, gazing on in awe at the plethora of books. Several books reflected off Moondancer's glasses and Twilight's eyes while grains of sand in the hourglass descended at a steady pace.
"To think, this is where it all began..." Twilight said, her voice trailing off. She pressed a light hoof against the pedestal. Her eyes moved in a fluid motion around the room. A slight twinge came to her withers. The happy smile she gave the pony in front of her degraded into a frown. "I should have been a better friend."
Moondancer pressed her hoof against Twilight's side, "Remember, 'Princess of Friendship.' I forgave you."
"Right, " Twilight nodded, "but we have a pressing issue right now."
"And that is what, exactly?" Moondancer said.
"What book to 'hop' into next, so we can have another literal literary adventure." Twilight said then snickered to herself.
"You're such a filly." Moondancer said, chuckling to herself.
The two ponies resumed their search. Their eyes gazed from binder to binder.
"Oooo, how about this one." Moondancer said. She illuminated her horn and levitated a book down from the top shelf. "Horrors of Tartarus."
Twilight's eyes widened. Her wings shivered, and she shook her head at Moondancer. "No way in Equestria can you get me to go into that book. You couldn't pay me enough bits."
"Don't be such a silly foal." Moondancer said.
"I'm serious. My brother read that book to me before Nightmare Night. Mom and Dad totally had a fit about it. He got off easy with Cadence coming over to stay with me." Twilight said.
Moondancer's groan echoed in the spacious tower. She placed the book back into its spot on the shelf and picked another one out.
"Fine, how about you pick one." Moondancer said as she levitated the second book back into its place.
"I don't remember this book." Twilight said. She placed the book on the pedestal and glided a soft hoof across its cover. Five rock shaped symbols, embedded in the cover, reflected several different hues of light. Twilight lifted the book's front cover, "Mythical Stones and Gems? Wait, I asked for this to be delivered from the Star Swirl the Bearded wing of Canterlot Library before I left for Ponyville the first time. How did it get in here? Beyond myself, Princess Celestia was the only one with the key."
"How about we 'take a peek inside.'" Moondancer said.
"Trust me, that isn't a good idea. I've never read this book. Though Haycartes method is great for studying, it can dangerous." Twilight said. "Scared?" Moondancer said, ending with a smirk. She illuminated her horn and disappeared in a flash of light.
"NO! Moondancer!" Twilight said in a boisterous tone. She levitated the book off the pedestal and shook it several times, "Get out of there! Get out of there right now! Don't make me come after you."
"Come and get me, Twilight." Moondancer said.
Twilight groaned, illuminated her horn, and disappeared in a flash of light.
*** *** ***
An ethereal sound resonated within Twilight's ears. Her eyes crept open. She rubbed her eyes, backed up, and hid behind a rock just as a crystalline dragon soared overhead. The dark, desolate world came into view from her hiding spot. In the void of the expansive world, various crystal formations floated about, emanating the strange ethereal hum.
Two sharp crystals protruded from the stone Twilight hid behind. In the center of one crystal, a rainbow colored liquid swirled about. At the core of the other, twinkling lights were refracted by the crystal to other crystals in the surrounding area.
"Pony fossils?" Twilight said in a hushed voice. From behind her cover, she watched glittering rock skeletons march by her with crystal swords wielded in their mouths. "I've got to find Moondancer."
Twilight flapped her wings, and then fell to the ground. She illuminated her horn. Several sparks erupted from its tip and fell to the ground. Light from the sparks reflected off her eyes before they vanished. Twilight placed two hooves over her mouth before she could scream. She lowered her hooves and glanced at each rocky formation. On nervous hooves, she crept after the skeletons.
The pony stopped. After a nervous gulp, she leapt from rock formation to rock formation that floated in the void. From the shadows of a nearby boulder, Twilight watched a crystal, gem encrusted, fossilized ancient Equestrian inhabitant move by. The creature leered at the heavy boulder. It picked up the rock, examined the spot, placed the boulder back down, and resumed its journey.
"A tower?" Twilight said, coming from behind her cover. Twilight traced the tower's outline towards its top and stuffed the raised hoof into her mouth. An equine's silhouette passed by the window in the tower's top. She sighed at the sparks that came from her horn, "Good thing Haycartes spell will wear off in a bit."
Two skeleton guards walked up the path. Twilight's eyes widened. The guards looked at the pony. One scratched its nose with a small chunk coming off.
"GAH!" Twilight said, bucking the two skeletons off the floating landscape. She darted from shadow to shadow. Near the tower, her eyes gravitated upward, taking in the sight of the magnificent spire. After two firm knocks, Twilight twisted the door's knob and moved inside. She flapped her wings, sighed, and looked at the stairs, "Guess I'm climbing."
Step-by-step she ascended the tower's steps. At its end, the stairs led to a solid rock door with a large gem embedded into its center. The door scraped against the floor, Twilight cringing at the sound.
Behind the door was a well furnished library with alchemical equipment on a table at its center.
"Hello?" Twilight said.
"Twilight!" Moondancer said. She hugged her friend then backed away, "I thought you would never come. It feels like eternity."
"That's the power of Haycartes's spell. It allows a pony to study to their heart's content. Time flows at a different -- never mind. How could you run off like that." Twilight glared at her friend.
"It's alright. I've managed to study a lot about this world, and it's incredible. There are ideas which I never thought possible. I had no idea a unicorn could infuse quartz gemstones with magic, causing them to vibrate at a rate which allows them to be used in watch mechanisms? They can be used as better time pieces than springs. A pony wouldn't need to maintain the time piece for hundreds of years." Moondancer said.
"I'm sorry. This book is way too dangerous. We find a place to hid out for the spell to wear off." Twilight said.
"I've just scratched the surface of this place." Moondancer said. A soft hoof pointed at a chalk board, "I'm just now deciphering this formula. I'm staying here."
"Sorry," Twilight said with a melancholic expression, "but it looks like your time is up."
An aura enveloped Moondancer, and a loud "no" escaped her lips. The pony vanished in a brilliant flash of light.
"Is this alchemy?" Twilight said. Her eyes widened. Several heavy noises came from the thick rock door to the laboratory. Twilight backed away and barricaded the door. The stone window behind her disintegrated under the powerful, magical breath of the crystalline dragon. Sparks fell to the floor from Twilight's horn. Skeletal ponies broke the door down and pushed the barricade aside. "No!"
Twilight propelled herself forward. She opened her wings, but to no avail. The pony continued to fall. A final scream escaped the pony's lips as a bright light enveloped her body.
*** *** ***
"Twilight! Twilight are you ok?" Moondancer said.
Twilight's right ear twitched. Her groggy eyes crept open to a half-concerned, half-annoyed pony standing in front of her.
"Moondancer, that was completely insane." Twilight said.
"You ruined my chance of looking at that book. I could have learned so much." Moondancer said.
"Do you know how dangerous that was back there? My magic was totally useless. Not to mention the fact that if Haycartes's spell is used incorrectly, not giving the caster time to rest, a pony could be trapped inside the book forever." Twilight said. Her hooves wobbled and dropped from beneath her. Helped to her hooves by Moondancer, Twilight placed a gentle wing over her friend, "Trust me. Obsession is never a good thing. It almost cost me my friends. Please, don't let your obsession for knowledge cost you something near and dear to your heart."
Moondancer sighed. She glanced at Twilight, "Sorry. I did get a little carried away. It was just so incredible to be inside that book."
"You're grounded by order of a princess." Twilight said.
"WHAT?!" Moondancer said.
"Gotcha," Twilight said, placing a hoof on Moondancer's nose. A loud yawn escaped her open mouth. "Anyways, our magic will need to recharge for a bit. Even Princess Celestia had to rest after she took me on a rather 'long' excursion into one of my favorite books as a filly."
Twilight flipped the book's cover over. She sighed and walked down the steps towards the door.
"Twilight?" Moondancer said.
"Sorry, I'm just a little beat. Each book you go into is a different experience. I was hoping to find some information about something Applejack brought to me. It'll take forever to --" Twilight said.
"Before you 'interrupted' my studying, I found some awesome things about crystals, gems, and even something weird about stones that fall from the sky. I can give you the information." Moondancer said.
Twilight scratched her head.
"I have a photographic memory, remember? Not to mention the fact you're not the only one of us who's studied herself to death. You know about Azeroth's memory transference spell?" Moondancer said.
"You learned mental conveyances and showcasing?" Twilight said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm still in the middle of figuring out how to make it work."
"Looks like I have a hoof up on a princess." Moondancer said, giggling to herself. "Ok, ok Twilight. No need to be grumpy. Just come over here."
Moondancer pressed her hoof against Twilight's forehead and illuminated her horn. A tear crawled down Twilight's cheek after Moondancer pulled her hoof away.
"Sorry, I still need to practice a bit." Moondancer said.
Twilight walked down the steps. She sat on the couch in the sitting area, forcing her eyes to stay open. "You were so lonely. I'm so, so sorry for not being there for you, like a good friend should be."
"We can't undo the mistakes of the past, however, what we can do is forge the bonds of the future." Moondancer said, ending with a grin. Moondancer rolled her eyes at Twilight. "And she's asleep. Great..."
Moondancer took two hoof steps forward and fell down. Her glasses slid along the floor. She struggled to her hooves, retrieved her glasses, and flopped onto the adjacent couch. The unicorn's tired eyes fought to stay open, but succumbed to exhaustion.
"I guess. I'll just. Remind myself to say that quote. When I wake up..." Moondancer said.
"Nightmare Night. What a fright. Give us something sweet to bite..."
What a foalish, nonsensical thing to say. These ponies scream with laughter and delight in regards to the legends that is recanted through tonight. None of them know the true horror Nightmare Moon would have unleashed upon Equestria if sister had not stopped me. Perhaps it is for the best. Modern Equestria should never learn of the evil, the atrocities I would have committed.
To think, this beautiful land of Equestria would have been destroyed by her... my hooves. It scares me to think such thoughts. Tonight is a night of revelry and merriment for fillies, colts, and foals. Even mares and stallions hold their own celebratory events for tonight. Equestria is beautifully decorated for Nightmare Night. Canterlot Castle itself is particularly festive. I shouldn't let my thoughts interfere with their time.
"Hello, Luna. I see you're enjoying yourself," she says to me.
I know my sister has always been rather pleasant and open, yet I can't understand how she can be this way with me. She forgave me so easily. Does she not know there is a monster inside of me, and the fact it can overwhelm me at any moment.
"Luna, are you alright? Didn't you enjoy yourself last year?"
"Yes, sister. It was indeed an enjoyable experience."
Yes, "enjoyable" would be the most perfect word to describe the experience. That one pony in the poultry costume acted as the ring leader to those frightened fillies and colts, causing them to fear me.
These so-called treats are rather strange though. Why would any pony in their right mind conceive of such a thing to sedate a monster like Nightmare Moon? She was an unstoppable force. Her power was barely quelled by the elements of harmony, or so sister says that is the case. What suffering --
"Luna, it's close to eight o'clock. Don't you think it is time to oversee the festivities here in Canterlot?"
I think it wise to heed my sisters words and get this over with as soon as possible.
"Y-yes, you're right. I mustn't keep our subjects waiting in the hall."
"Is something wrong, Luna?"
"If you don't mind me asking. What are you wearing?"
The normal regalia is perfectly acceptable. Why is she dressed like something out of a children's fantasy novel? Her attire could be something more refined.
"Don't you like it? I had one of Twilight's friends make it for the occasion." my sister said. The spider web design towards the flank is rather awkward, to say the least. Her mane is so beautiful when it flows so freely. Now it looks like something out of Tartarus the way each portion squirms about. She could turn a pony to stone in a dark alleyway with that appearance. "Luna. If you're feeling uncomfortable, I won't force you to attend the party. I can manage the event."
It seems that Nightmare Moon has marred not just myself.
"No no, I am fine. I cannot dwell in the past."
But dwelling in the past is all I can do right now. I'll never forget. Not to mention I'll never forget the terror in the eyes of those ponies I scared during my first Nightmare Night. Why was that one colt so delighted? What was his name? Pip? He seemed so enamored with Nightmare Night, even going so far as to call me his favorite princess for making the night even better for him.
"A joke? Sister, I know this night is meant for fright and delight, but your jokes can go a little far at times."
"Luna, don't be such a grump. Listen, how about I morph into Nightmare Moon. You barge in and tackle me. Or maybe we could do dual Nightmare Moons. It would be a riot."
"Sister!" I have to use a hushed tone, "We're looking to give our subjects something to laugh at, not something that will scare them into submission."
"..."
"Sorry, I did not mean to sound harsh."
"Luna, I know all too well about wounds and scars. If you don't allow them to heal, they will only lead to agony. Please, let go of the past."
Why is my hoof trembling. I'm ready to enter the banquet hall. I'm ready to push the door open, and yet my right hoof is shaking.
"Sister --"
Why is she embracing me?
"Don't let yourself travel down that dark path again. I am here for you. My dear little sister, you need to forgive yourself."
My sister's smile is always warm, like the sun she governs. I'm thankful that my hoof has stopped trembling.
"So, your plan was two Nightmare Moons? Isn't that a little preposterous. Wouldn't it be wiser to have one gigantic Nightmare Moon that towers above the ponies? Perhaps fill the room with some dark smoke?"
"Genius!" she says in a hushed tone. O no, she's got that devious look in her eye. Now I'm the one scared on Nightmare Night. "Ok, I'll teleport in. You enter through the balcony at the top, float above the crowd, and then use the amniomorphic spell to turn into a giant Nightmare Moon. Just be careful of the decorations. I don't want you getting tangled up in them."
"Sister, if I might ask. Have you done this before?"
"Only once. It's kind of hard to pull off. With you here, this will be a riot. Woo hoo."
Celestia, when do you become so jovial? At least I'm alone with my thoughts now that she has gone inside.
"You to forgive yourself."
I'm sorry, my dear sister. I cannot and will not forgive myself for what "I" allowed to happen. If it weren't for that ridiculous jealousy within my heart, I would never have become that creature of darkness and evil.
Upon this moon tonight, on this Nightmare Night, the first of many unhappy dreams awaits me. The Tantabus will make sure that I never, ever forget the fact I was Nightmare Moon.
"I'll take an espresso with ground chestnut and whipped cream. If you can, please make it a rush order," The mare said, ending with a slight sigh. The stallion waiter nodded to her then trotted inside the cafe. Sassy Saddles let out a quiet sight. Her eyes glanced over each line of the paper she levitated in front of her. As she looked over her resume, mares and stallions trotted by the small area outside the cafe. Their light, well manicured hooves tapped against Canterlot's cobblestone streets. With her resume placed on the table, the unicorn mare gazed at the world around her before she glanced at the reference page. "Haute Couture, Le Pin et Canette, Le Somptueux Col, The Golden Bridle...."
The determined voice of the unicorn mare faded away, degrading into a slight murmur. Around her, the voices and noises of Canterlot became non-existent. Sassy Saddles closed her eyes as the vibrant images flooded her mind.
Bright, beautiful sunlight entered through the front window. Haute Couture, billed as the crème de la crème of fine clothing shops had just opened in Canterlot. Dresses, suits, and other magnificent garments sparkled in the light of the sun. To the unicorn mare, the bedazzled eyes and awe-filled gasps from the clients elicited a joy filled grin. It was a dream come true, yet the bubble burst.
All-too-soon, those awe-filled gasps gave way to silence, and the eyes filled with wonder and amazement went dark. In what seemed like less than a week, the business struggled to stay afloat as day-by-day mares and stallions came less and less to Haute Couture.
"Thank you for all that you have done, Sassy. I can never thank you enough for being there for me and my husband. I'm... I'm sorry, but we can't afford to keep the shop."
A slight tear crawled down Sassy Saddles's right cheek before it dropped, hitting the stone floor beneath. The owner's gold colored eyes froze in the unicorn mare's mind. Sassy Saddles placed a hoof over her chest. In her heart, she knew the owners fought back their own tears when they told her they could no longer keep the shop or afford to pay her.
"Ma'am? Ma'am, are you alright? Your espresso with ground chestnut and whipped cream is here." The waiter said, levitating the saucer onto the table.
"Y-Yes. Yes, I'm alright. Thank you for the drink." She said, and then levitated a bit out of her saddlebag. After the waiter departed with his tip, the unicorn mare sipped on her drink. She placed the cup back onto the saucer. Two watery eyes glanced at the next shop on the list. Sassy Saddles's brow furrowed when she gazed at the name, Le Pin et Canette. "To think, my own mother said those things to me. She ruined her own business. I'm not the one to blame for her mistake."
"I can't believe you're my daughter. How dare you disrespect the creation of a seamstress. We pour our hearts, our souls into what we make. What a pony creates -- it is their choice. "
"Yes... 'mother,' and it was such a choice that caused 'your' business to absolutely crumble to the ground." Sassy said under a hushed, heated breath. The tea cup clanged against the saucer as she put it down in a huff. Her top teeth ground against the bottom before the unicorn mare held a hoof to her mouth. She cleared her throat then lowered her hoof. She adjusted her outfit, and then brushed a light hoof against her mane. "I won't let the past dictate who or what I am in Equestria or Canterlot. I am 'Sassy Saddles,' and I will not be dragged down into the gutter by such incidents."
Her hoof began to tremble when she placed it on the ground beneath her. A slight twinge crawled down her back, causing her withers to twitch. The small cup in the unicorn mare's magical grasp began to jitter before it was placed onto the table.
"Maybe, maybe it is me. What did I do wrong though? I was taught to be confident." Sassy said before she pulled a monogrammed cloth out of her saddlebag and wiped away her tears. "Now it comes full circle."
With Le Somptueux Col glanced over, the final name caught her eye. It would be "the" final place. That establishment would be her most magnificent venture to date. A magnum opus of work.
A cheery grin came to Sassy Saddles before she took a final sip from her drink. The memory of the luxurious grand opening of The Golden Bridle came to her. With a few strings pulled here and there, the lights grew dim inside the shop. Right on cue, several lights floated from the ground. The tiny fragments coalesced into the shape of brilliant white stars. From a shroud of darkness, Princess Luna made a grand entrance. Every mare, stallion, filly, and colt inside The Golden Bridle cheered with enthusiasm.
Six months passed. Cobwebs, spiders, and dust covered the shops once opulent walls and floors. Just like the other shops, the crowds dwindled to nothingness.
"That's enough of that, Sassy. You can do this." The unicorn mare said to herself. Her magical grasp remained firm as she tapped her resume against the table, skimming over it a final time. She placed the papers into her saddlebag. Three bits were laid on the table with a last minute sip of what remained of the drink taken.
The mare trotted down the streets. Each mare and stallion of high fashion walked by.
"I've got to understand how to make this work." She said. With her head held high, the mare gazed towards the morning sky. She stopped. Her eyes glanced at the sign that stood in place of what used to be The Golden Bridle, the shop now renovated for its new owner. "Please, Princess Luna, hear my wish. Please, help me to be successful with this shop --" Sassy opened her eyes and shook her head "-- I'm not a filly anymore. Still, that shooting star I saw falling towards Appleloosa... I guess a bit of wishing isn't too bad. Ok Carousel Boutique, show me what you got, and I'll make you Rarity a star of Canterlot's fashion world."
The guttural tone echoed down the hallway after the two sturdy doors closed. A minute passed, and the same sound resounded throughout the crystal castle's hallways.
"Yesh, Twilight. If you ask me, it's kinda nice there's nothing going on. No monsters. No big Fights. No imminent 'world on the verge of destruction' problem coming our way. Relax. Wanna watch the hoof ball game with me? The Manehatten Stallions are playing the Las Pegasus Colts." Spike said.
"Bored..." Twilight said before she let out another groan. Her eyes glanced around the castle before she entered the library. "I've read all these books. All. Of. Them. When is that map going to call for me. I'm the blasted friendship princess here."
"Uhh..." Spike said.
"Sorry. It's just so infuriating to sit here doing nothing. I wonder how Princess Celestia didn't lose her mind doing these things. Hey, maybe I could --" Twilight said.
Spike shook he head, "Can't, remember. She's off on a diplomatic mission to Saddle Arabia. Princess Luna is in the Griffon Kingdom, and Princess Cadence is in Yak Yakistan."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "BORED!"
Spike scratched his head. The little dragon moved further into the library, and then tapped a gentle claw against the glass case.
"Do not get me started on that... 'thing.'" Twilight said before she buried her head into her hooves. She moved her head to one side, a lone eye glaring at the strange rock with the three crystals protruding from it. "I've tried to analyze the rock from top to bottom. Every test I've run comes back inconclusive. Not to mention the fact I've exhausted every piece of literature here and half the Canterlot Library. Moon Dancer tried too. She gave me some info with Azeroth's memory transference spell, but I got nothing."
"We could --" Spike said.
"No. I'm not watching hoofball. Go call up my brother and Big Macintosh if you want to watch that ridiculous sport." Twilight said.
"Hey, it's not ridiculous. Besides, I was gonna say we could nab a snack and hit up the bookstore." Spike said.
Twilight sighed once more. Her head flopped onto the table where she then buried her face back into her hooves. Spike shrugged at his friend. The door to the library opened and closed, soon followed by the castle's front door.
Nine books floated by, and then twenty more. Twilight's head rose up and looked at the books floating above. Their covers reflected off her eyes. Several books continued to float by until they stopped. On the thirtieth book, the pony's magical grasp loosened. The book fell.
Twilight darted towards the glass case, catching the stone before it fell to the ground.
"..." Twilight's right eye crept open. She squinted at the rock. "O for Celestia's sake --" Twilight ended with a slight sigh before levitating the rock back onto the pedestal, "--well, that's what I get for thinking like a filly. Dumb rock."
With the rock placed back on the pedestal, the glass case back over it, Twilight's ears perked up. She darted down the hallway and towards the front door
"Yes?!" Twilight said, ending with a large smile as the large crystalline doors were flung open.
"Sorry, Princess Twilight." Derpy said with a sheepish grin. She pulled a small parcel out of her bag. "I meant to deliver this to you. It's from the Doctor."
"Please, please, come in." Twilight said, tugging on Derpy's front hooves.
"I can't. I really have to get going. The boss didn't receive my note to requisition some time off. I'm way behind on my deliveries." Derpy said.
"It's alright. I'm sure he'll be happy to let you stay for a bit." Twilight said, smiling with her eyes closed. The weight in her hooves vanished. Her right eye twitched when she opened it, her ears lowering. She slammed the castle door shut then looked at the small parcel. "At least I got something to read."
Twilight smiled as she trotted towards library with the small parcel levitated in front of her. The thin twine knot undid itself. The brown wrapping paper came off. Unwrapped, the thirty-two page paper reflected off of the pony's eyes.
"This is rather interesting. Applejack did say The Doctor analyzed the rock during the bugbear attack. His dissertation at the Canterlot University of Magical Study on conversion theories through resonance fields pertaining to ethereal wave patterns was rather interesting. Yay... science." Twilight said in a quiet giddy tone, a smile to match. She floated to her couch.
The thick stack of papers floated in front of Twilight, her eyes carefully looking at each word that followed.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle. I am terribly sorry at the negligent manner in which I conducted my experiment on specimen A00253, which has been rightfully turned over to you. It was through the course of the experiment that an unforeseen consequence caused a cascade of catastrophic calamities. If you would find it in your heart to... well, not have me disbarred from the scientific community, it would be greatly appreciated. My experiments were of the utmost importance on the 'rock' in question from your acquaintance, Ms. Applejack. I found her saddle bag...."
In the library's corner, a clock's pendulum swung back and forth. Each tick from the time piece became less and less audible to Twilight's ears. The words reflected off her stalwart eyes. The pony let out a deep yawn. She continued to read then dropped the paper on the table in front of her, the second to last page causing a nervous twitch to come to her right eye.
"A thirty-page apology?!" Twilight said. Her manicured hooves slid down her face. She groaned. "Well, that's thirty pages down and -- for Celestia's sake! A one and a half page summary of materials destroyed in the process."
The stack of papers sailed through the air before landing on a nearby desk. Twilight's heavy hoof steps echoed inside the library as she marched towards the stone on the pedestal. Her bloodshot eyes glared at the object.
"Dumb. Rock." She said under a heavy, heated breath.
Twilight's ears perked up. She smiled. She darted towards the door after the heavy knock and flung open the doors. Her smile faded. "Sorry," Derpy said while she held out a clip board, "you forgot to sign for your package."
"Uggg..." Twilight said, taking the pen in her magical grasp.
"Umm, Princess Twilight Sparkle?" Derpy said.
Twilight turned around, faced the grey mare and raised an eyebrow. "You can call me Twilight."
"Sorry, Twilight. The Doctor wanted to know if you found his notes helpful." Derpy said.
"Helpful? How in Equestria can I find that stack of papers helpful? It's nothing but a long winded apology. Where did that stallion even receive his degree?" Twilight said.
Derpy's ears lowered, "I'm sorry. The Doctor hoped you would find his notes interesting and asked me to deliver that parcel to you."
"No, I should be the one apologizing. I'm just so bored -- wait, what notes are you talking about?" Twilight said.
"The notes he gave to Applejack. Didn't she give them to you." Derpy said.
Twilight froze. Small embers emerged from her tail. Derpy's eyes widened before she reared back, galloping away. In a thunderous, bellowing voice, Twillight cried out, "APPLEJACK!"
A lone stallion sat underneath an apple tree on a hill, gazing at the farmhouse in the distance. As the sun began to set, he watched three silhouettes pass by farmhouse's window. A small, filly sized image latched onto the visage a pony with a Stetson hat. The silhouette of an elderly mare placed a hoof near her mouth while laughing. Beyond the farmhouse, the moon began its ascent with the last bits of brilliant light fading from the setting sun.
"Too bad ya big goof..."
From underneath the apple tree on the hill, a gentle sigh overshadowed the chirping crickets. Big Macintosh said in a calm, quiet voice, "Bloom."
"Big Macintosh. This here is your little, little sister, Apple Bloom. Ah need ya to help watch over her." the voice of a younger Granny Smith echoed inside the stallion's mind.
The little foal, with a tiny pink ribbon around her mane, laid in her bassinette. She smiled at the little colt that peered at her, and the little colt smiled back. Soon, the little foal began to grow with the once small colt turning into a stalwart young stallion. The little pony's eyes remained glued to her big brother, yet, day-by-day, the little foal became a filly who turned her gaze towards another.
"Applejack, that was awesome. I can't believe you're the element of honesty. You saved us all." Apple Bloom's voice resonated inside Big Macintosh's mind.
The stallion's ears lowered. His withers twitched, and he felt his heart sink as he remembered those words, along with the eyes of his little sister focusing on Applejack.
Big Macintosh gazed into the sky to see a plethora of twinkling stars above him.
"Ain't ya proud of your sis. Ta think an apple would be part of an honest ta goodness legend." Granny Smith said to the group that day.
"You're just a darned fool." Big Mac said to himself. His heavy hooves guided him towards the farm house, and then stopped. A cautious hoof rose up and crept towards the doorknob. The stallion's two green eyes peered inside to see Apple Bloom asleep on the couch next to Applejack. Granny Smith slept in her rocking chair. The hoof now placed on the ground, Big Macintosh said to himself, "Better sleep outside tonight."
Big Macintosh turned away from the farmhouse. He meandered passed rows of apple trees, their red skins reflecting the moon's brilliant light then arrived at the barn. The stallion stopped near the wagon and retrieved a blanket from the small storage chest. He draped the white sheet over his body. One final sigh overshadowed the chirping cricked before Big Macintosh laid his head on his hooves.
In the wagon, the stars reflected off of two weary eyes before those eyes finally closed.
"..."
Big Macintosh yawned.
"..."
Big Macintosh tumbled onto the ground. His ears perked up. His eyes darted around. After a quick shrug he picked the blanket off the ground, draped it around his body, and climbed back into the cart. As the crickets continued their nightly symphony, the cart rose a little bit off the ground then dumped the stallion out once more.
"Nope." Big Macintosh said. He rose to his hooves. The wooden cart in front of him hovered above the ground the floated down. After raising an eyebrow, an annoyed set of eyes scanned the area. He let out a guttural grunt. "Nope."
"Why do you refuse help?" the voice said.
The stallion retrieved the white sheet from the ground.
"Is that any way to treat one who has come to aid you?" Princess Luna said, coming down from the moon. She glided towards the ground and landed on soft hooves. "Big Macintosh, I am the guardian of the night. I am willing to help you."
"Nope..." Big Macintosh said, dragging the sheet further over himself. The cart reared up, but Big Macintosh stayed in place. He smirked. His snide smile vanished as the cart turn upside down. The stallion snorted.
"Forgive me. I shouldn't laugh at the misfortune of others." Princess Luna said.
The stallion looked at the princess, squinted, and moved towards an apple tree. He sat down, causing the small landscape to shake. Big Macintosh moved over for Princess Luna to sit beside him but turned away from the kind hoof the princess was prepared to place on his shoulder.
"Such a wistful look on a stallion as young as yourself." Princess Luna said.
Big Macintosh remained motionless while he continued to stare at the farmhouse. The twinkling lights in the sky began to fade.
"You were elated when Apple Bloom was born, were you not?" Princess Luna said. Her eyes followed the stalwart colt in front of her, "That's rather sweet of you to give up your dessert for your sister. Mine can be quite... selective in what treats she gives me."
Two sets of eyes watched the scene shift from instance-to-instance, and moment-to-moment. Princess Luna placed a hoof near her mouth. She covered her gentle smile.
A colt produced a small toy, spinning it between his hooves to entertain two young fillies. The young Big Macintosh smiled at the filly and foal in front of him. The stallion turned away, but he glanced to his side and watched his younger self continue to spin the toy. The three ponies cheered as the toy flew into the air then landed on the ground. Again and again the young colt spun the toy into the air. The paint on the toy discolored, changing from its one brilliant hue.
Almost like a stage show, the scene revealed a now mature stallion that carried a filly on his back. The filly smiled and cheered at the stallion, receiving a warm smile in return from her big brother. At the side of the stallion stood a young mare of a pony with a well fitted Stetson on her head. The group moved forward with a wagon load of shiny ripe apples in several buckets.
"That day marked the change of everything." Princess Luna said.
The group watched an opulent, flying chariot race into town, pulled by two strong pegasi stallions.
"...eyup." Big Macintosh said in a quiet voice.
"Ya'll might not believe this, but..." the dream Applejack said.
"Really?! My big sis is an element of harmony. That is so awesome." the dream Apple Bloom said. Princess Luna illuminated her horn. The world vanished. In a calm tone she said, "Living in the shadow of another -- I know that all too well, and I know how strenuous it can be to live up to expectation."
The dark landscape brightened. Majestic banners hung from the ceiling near two thrones. A tall, beautiful, royal mare walked towards an equally opulent mare.
"Your duties are equivalent to mine, regardless of what you may believe, Luna. It is you, not I who must raise the moon. My dear sister," a dream Princess Celestia placed a kind wing over a dream Princess Luna's shoulder, "I will always be here for you, always care for you."
"..." Big Macintosh remained silent. His withers shivered. He bit down on his lower lip before it began to quiver. "..."
The princess looked at the stallion near her side, "Though my sister's words were true, they couldn't penetrate the darkness that took root in my heart."
A regal wing graced Big Macintosh's cheek and forced him to look into the eyes of Princess Luna. He pulled away. "Nope."
"Big Macintosh," Princess Luna flew in front of the stallion then sat down, "I say this out of concern because I too have traveled down this path. In your heart is a small piece that wants to be the hero that little filly looked up to so long ago. I implore you to not let that piece be tainted."
Big Macintosh shook his head, "Nope."
"There is no 'Eeyup' or 'Nope' to this, my young stallion. It pains me to be a harbinger of grim tidings." Princess Luna said with the dream world beginning to fade. "A grave threat is coming, and it cannot be stopped by me, my sister, or the elements of harmony. The Cutie Mark Crusaders will need the support of their family and friends."
Big Macintosh lowered his head. A tear crawled down his cheek then dripped from his chin. The single tear glinted in what lights remained in the world before it fell into a darkened abyss. "I'm... I'm just a farm pony, nothin' special. I'm nobody's hero."
Princess Luna raised the stallion's head with her right hoof, "Please, believe me when I say that I know what it means to stand in the shadow of another. It feels as though nothing you do will ever amount to what they have accomplished, but that isn't true."
"Big Mac. Big Mac. Can ya help me?" A voice said.
Big Macintosh glanced to his left to see a stallion helping a little filly off of a wagon. The little filly, sporting a pink ribbon in her mane, latched onto the stallion's neck.
"Thanks Big Mac." Apple Bloom said.
Big Macintosh stood up. Princess Luna shook her head.
"No deed, big or small, goes unnoticed. I cannot force you to change, but I beseech thee to heed my words. A danger is coming. It is one that cannot be stopped by the elements of harmony. Your sister Apple Bloom and her friends will be at the center of this peril. For Apple Bloom's sake, I hope you are there to be her big brother, perhaps her hero." Princess Luna said. She extended her wings. The princess floated into the sky. "Like all my subjects, I am here if you would like to talk, Big Macintosh."
Big Macintosh maintained his wistful look as he gazed at the frozen image in front of him. He laid down, and then closed his eyes. "I'm no pony's hero."
*** *** ***
A rooster crowed. The stallion stretched and yawned. Big Macintosh blinked several times, finding himself on the ground. He looked at the distant horizon to see the sun beginning its ascent. After getting to his hooves, Big Macintosh headed towards the farmhouse. He watched the front door open. The stallion found himself gazing at a blue sky with a lone cloud floating by.
"Land sakes youngin, where ya been?" Granny Smith said, creeping up behind the small group.
"What happened to ya, Big Mac?" Applejack said.
"Yea. You weren't in your bed." Apple Bloom said.
Big Macintosh got up. A loud snarl echoed in the ponies' ears and in the surrounding farmland. The stallion wandered into the kitchen. He sat down at the table with two sets of eyes staring at him.
"Didn't ya get yer fill last night, Big Mac?" Granny Smith said. She rolled her eyes at her grandson who gazed at the boards beneath his hooves. "I know ya eat as much as four bulls, but we can feed ya. We ain't in debt here."
"Hey, Applejack. Get Big Macintosh to tell ya about cousin 'Orchard Blossom.'" Apple Bloom said, trying to stifle her snickering.
"Ain't got a cousin Orchard from what I -- o sweet Celestia, Big Mac. You didn't." Applejack said.
"Well how rude," Orchard Blossom said.
"Heh, heh. Big Mac here was a hoot." Granny Smith said, giving a sly wink. "Swear he coulda passed for a proper mare with a little more makeup. Still," Granny Smith's jovial demeanor soured, "ya got a might carried away there, 'Orchard Blossom,' and, on top of yer chores today, ya gotta fix the hen house, the buckets, the course, and clean up what mess is left."
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh sighed after clearing his throat.
"Ah'll help ya," Apple Bloom came closer and hugged Big Macintosh's forehoof, "big brother."
"Thanks for the offer little sis. It's best if I do this on my own." Big Macintosh said. He winced. He shot up, "Whatcha do that for?!"
"Enough ya big goof." Apple Bloom said, having bucked Big Macintosh in the back. "Ah am helpin' ya, whether ya like it or not."
"Stubborn as her big brother," Applejack said, ending with a slight chuckle. "O, that reminds me. I got ya'll some gifts from Manehatten. Let me see here. They're in my saddlebag -- what in the hay?"
Applejack pulled out a thick stack of notes, one hundred pages in total. Her eyes widened.
"Twi is gonna --" Applejack said. She froze, letting out a single gulp.
"APPLEJACK!" A loud voice shouted outside the farmhouse.
"Better run, sis." Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh said in unison.
"Sorry there, Twi. I guess I eh... erm.. plum forgot about... the. Notes." Applejack said, ending with a sheepish grin as Twilight entered the farmhouse.
"Thanks. I needed to cool off." Twilight said, groaning after Apple Bloom dumped a pitcher of water onto her head. "I can't investigate that rock you brought back from Appleoosa if the notes are missing, now can I."
"Right," Applejack said as she pulled her new Stetson down over her face.
"Apple Bloom, would you mind being my assistant?" Twilight said.
Big Macintosh smiled at her, "She's happy to help."
"But Big Macintosh," Apple Bloom said.
The rooster crowed. Granny Smith hollered "Breakfast's ready" to the ponies.
"Nope." Big Macintosh said to Apple Bloom's request. He shook his head a second time, and then said, "I'll be fine. You go help Twilight."
After breakfast was consumed, a few tense minutes of banter between Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom, Twilight and Apple Bloom headed off towards the castle.
"Had the weirdest dream. Was watchin you and Princess Luna talk about me bein' an element of harmony and all. She seemed kinda concerned about ya, Big Macintosh. Anythin' ya wanna tell me about?" Applejack said, looking at her big brother.
"Nope." Big Macintosh said. He stood up and said before he left, "Got chores ta do."
"Alright. Ya can talk to me and Bloom, right?" Applejack said.
The door to the kitchen closed. Big Macintosh walked towards the Sister Hooves Social grounds.
"Ain't nothin special about me. I'm nobody's hero." Big Macintosh said to himself. His ears perked up. The sound of laughter echoed throughout the orchard. He squinted at a tree near the destroyed hen house. "Nope."
"You, and you alone have set these events into motion." Princess Luna said. She illuminated her horn. The broken buckets, the hen house, and the race track were fixed in a flash of light. "Just a little bit of information for you, my young stallion. There's a certain 'thing' Apple Bloom has had her eye on in Ponyville. You'll know it when you see it."
Big Macintosh rolled his eyes. "I guess I have to be honest with myself and know when I'm beat."
Princess Luna nodded to the stallion who headed off to Ponyville before she vanished into the apple tree's shadow. "I beg thee to heed my words. Never do I want to another soul to be consumed by darkness."
Wind brushed against the trees as it swept through the Sweet Apple Acres farm. Brilliant sunlight, the sun high overhead, reflected off the ripe red skins on the apples that dangled from the trees. In the farmhouse kitchen, boisterous laughter reverberated throughout the quaint dwelling. Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy cheered at the Cutie Mark Crusaders with Big Macintosh and Granny Smith fixing lunch.
The three fillies slammed their hooves together, for what seemed like the fourth time. Though a day had passed, the trio giggled and smiled at their accomplishment.
"Listen, Sugar Cubes. I'm happy, ecstatic beyond belief ya'll finally earned your cutie marks. It's been a long time coming, but ya need to give it a rest. Those marks will fall off your flanks if you keep starin' at em'." Applejack said. She leaned back, shielding her eyes with her hat. After a slight grin, she glanced at Apple Bloom to see her sister still staring at the hard earned cutie mark. "It's been a long time coming you three, and we're all mighty proud of ya."
Rarity gave a polite, slow nod to Applejack. She nibbled on a piece of toast then dabbed a few crumbs from the corner of her mouth. The piece of toast, in her magical grasp, drifted to the plate. She swallowed and said, "O my. Darling. It looks like you've been summoned. That's rather odd. I've never seen our cutie marks glow like that before."
"I am?" Twilight said. Her cutie mark continued to glow in a bright light. She said with an ecstatic smile, "Yes!"
"It's gotta be important to glow like that. Feels like I'm looking at the sun." Rainbow Dash said. She huffed and turned away, " Geez. Why can't I go? Feels like forever since me and Pinkie went on our adventure."
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle looked at each other. The Cutie Mark Crusaders moved towards Twilight where they looked at the glowing cutie mark, back at themselves, and then towards every pony in the room. The fillies placed their hooves together. In a unison voice they said, "Can we come? Please..."
"Sorry, sugar cubes. This is just between us elements." Applejack said.
"Actually, I don't mind." Twilight closed her eyes and smiled. The five ponies looked at their friend. She rubbed her neck with her right hoof and opened her eyes. "I mean, it would be great for them to see what happens on one of our missions."
Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash faced each other. After a sigh, a trio puppy-dog eyed expressions melting away the ponies' resolves, the three ponies nodded at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
A bellowing "yes" resounded throughout farmhouse.
"Cutie Mark. Crusader..." The fillies' unison voice faded.
"Right, we earned our cutie marks. Anyways, what's the mission." Apple Bloom said.
"We'll have to find out. Meet me at the castle." Twilight said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders galloped towards Apple Bloom's room and collected their supplies from last night's sleep over party. They bolted downstairs and shielded their eyes with their hooves as Twilight vanished in a flash of light.
"Well. Ya heard her squirt. Get your flank to the castle." Rainbow Dash said, ruffling Scootaloo's mane before shooing her off.
"Though this is rather odd, I do trust there is a reason for all of this. Sweetie Belle," Rarity rubbed a hoof against her chin before placing it on the ground and smiling at her sister, "do be cautious. While Applejack and I encountered a few annoyances in the form of uncouth taxis ponies, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash's little... 'excursion' sounded quite dangerous." She said. A kind, gentle hoof pulled Sweetie Belle closer to her big sister. "Ok. Don't keep Twilight waiting."
"Nothin' ta say here, sugar cube. I'm mighty proud of ya, and I know Ma and Pa would be too if they were here." Applejack said.
With their saddlebags on, the trio galloped across Sweet Apple Acres. Trees whizzed by them, and then buildings and ponies. The castle came into view, its doors crystal doors soon flung open.
The fillies raced down the hallway. They bolted by several banners that hung along the walls. Strong hooves pushed open the doors to meeting hall. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo shrugged at each other as they entered the near silent room. The gems dangled from the tree stump, jingling against each other.
"Girls?" Twilight said. Soft hooves guided her behind the fillies where she gave a quiet, melancholic sigh to the group before looking away. From her saddlebag, a gentle magical grasp levitated out three pieces of folded clothing. "You'll need these for the mission. It won't be an easy one."
"Aren't these a bit drab?" Sweetie Belle said.
"It's awesome if you ask me." Scootaloo said, placing the hooded cloak on. "Need ta get them altered and put our cutie marks on em."
Apple Bloom rubbed a hoof against her chin then raised an eyebrow at the dull colored cloaks. Her hoof brushed the against the fabric. She turned her raised eyebrow toward Twilight. "Where are we goin?"
Twilight illuminated her horn, and an aura enveloped the group. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo closed their eyes.
"We could have walked here." Scootaloo said, opening her eyes.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood on the platform beside Twilight as she pulled a stack of tickets from her saddlebag, soon giving one to each Cutie Mark Crusader.
Twilight emitted another sigh before she reached up and tightened the strings to the hooded cloak over her. She tugged on the strings of each hooded cloak around the fillies. "It should be here in a second. Stay close."
Sweetie Belle raised her hoof, and then lowered it. She backed away from the platform's edge along with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Smoke billowed from the horizon. Heavy iron wheels skidded against the rails, a deafening sound coming from them. A black train with a red number 5 on its front plate rolled up. Fire and ash spewed forth from the smoke stack. The train stopped. A stallion engineer leaned out the window and glared at the four ponies. In a snarling tone he said, "Get On."
Shaky hooves guided the Cutie Mark Crusaders behind the nervous hooves of the pony in front of them.
Inside the train car, the four equines produced their tickets. The gryphon ticket master punched each ticket then returned them, tipping her hat.
A quick, violent jerk came to the passengers inside. Fire and Ash spewed forth from the smoke stack once more with the breaks released. Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders crept down the train car's decayed carpet. An elderly stallion raised his cane at Apple Bloom. He stared at the filly then lowered his cane.
"Twilight," Scootaloo looked at the train car before taking her seat, "where are we going? I've never seen a train like this one."
"..." Twilight mumbled to herself before she looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "We're going to the land of eternal night."
"WHAT!" Sweetie Belle said before she was silence by Twilight's well placed hoof. "..."
"Please, we have to be quiet." Twilight said, uncovering Sweetie Belle's mouth.
"If you told me we were going there, I would have said count me out." Sweetie Belle said in a hushed tone.
"Why?" Scootaloo said. She looked towards the window, "Apple Bloom, you ok?"
"Ah've... been there. It happened a long time ago when we visited Uncle Sour Apple. That place ain't right." Apple Bloom said. Her quivering right hoof steadied her left. "It's the one place in all of Equestria Big Macintosh nearly refuses to set hoof in. Granny Smith says it's where a lot of 'old legends' come from."
Twilight nodded at Apple Bloom. She whispered to the group, "We'll learn more when we arrive."
*** *** ***
Trees whizzed by the window. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle slept on their saddlebags as Apple Bloom sat near Twilight. Day turned to night with a heavy forest coming into view. Soon, the train's heavy iron wheels skidded against the metal track; the sparks that shot forth from the metal grinding against metal illuminated the area for a brief second. Four red lanterns hung from the beams above the station's platform.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo opened their eyes. The passengers around the four ponies gathered their things and departed in a hurry. Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders retrieved their bags then stepped onto the platform.
"Worse than Ah remember it." Apple Bloom said in a hushed tone, her withers twitching.
Rows of black streetlamps gave a small bit of light to the dirt path away from the train station, a dense mass of clouds overhead.
"..."
"What?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Nothing. Let's get going." Twilight said. She pointed at the lights in the distance. "The Raven Inn is just up ahead, and we need to get there before it gets any darker."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders crept along the muddy pathway. Their hooves plunged into the mud as they struggled to move. Hisses and Howls resonated around the group. A slight mist emerged from the ground. The trio's eyes darted about.
"What was that!" Scootaloo said, backing up against Twilight. The bushes continued to rustle near them before they ceased. "H-H-Hello?"
In an instant, a purple shield surrounded the group. Two gold eyes peered down at the group.
Apple Bloom tugged on Twilight's cloak, "Come on. We gotta move! "
The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded at each other. Each filly pushed and tugged Twilight along the road to the inn.
The Raven inn came into view. The equines darted inside, slammed the door behind them, and took a deep breath.
"What was I thinking. It was a mistake bring you three here." Twilight said, biting down on her lip. She walked towards the counter. "Here," Twilight slid a small slip of paper towards the inn keeper, "the moon and stars are always brilliant in the sky."
From behind the counter, a mare smiled. Her white fangs glinted in the light of the nearby candle. She flew to the top box. Key in hoof, the bat pony floated toward the ground and moved up the stairs, accompanied by the group of four.
Passed several old doors, down a semi-furnished hallway, the mare opened the door in front of her. In a calm tone she said, "Our mutual 'acquaintance' is here."
A spacious room greeted the group with an intricate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. White candles, in the chandelier, illuminated the bedroom. A large mirror resided in the back while a beautiful bathroom lay adjacent to the room's entrance.
The bat pony mare bowed to the group, and then closed the door.
A figure emerged from behind a curtain and said, "You've arrived."
"Princess Luna?" Scootaloo said.
"Yes, Scootaloo." Princess Luna said. Her gaze turned towards the pony behind the fillies, "Did the others suspect anything, Twilight Sparkle?"
"I shouldn't lie to my friends." Twilight said. Her ears lowered while she stood behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "That spell wasn't easy to pull off either."
"What's going on." Apple Bloom said.
Princess Luna scanned the room. Her horn glowed in a dark blue aura. The curtains closed, and a veil of darkness enveloped the group. She removed the hood to her cloak, "Your talents are needed, Cutie Mark Crusaders. After I learned of how you obtained your cutie marks, I believe you, and you alone are the ones to aid me in this endeavor."
"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle said.
"There is a strange presence here that eludes my abilities to see into the dreams of others within this land." Princess Luna said. She stepped closer, "Twilight Sparkle, did you tell them about Shining Armor?"
"No." Twilight said. Her voice remained melancholic, "It happened about two weeks ago. Princess Cadence found my brother unconscious on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. Though he's alright with no ill effect from the attack, what perplexes me is why the attacker rendered him unconscious just to shave his mane."
"Sounds like a practical joke." Scootaloo said.
Twilight shook her head. "It 'sounds' like a joke, but it isn't. We found traces of a potion that's quite dangerous if misused. Whoever did this knew what they were doing."
"Ok, I get the reason why Twilight is here. Why us? We're supposed to help ponies find out the true meaning of their cutie marks." Sweetie Belle said.
"That you are, Sweetie Belle, and I believe the Cutie Mark Crusaders have their part to play in this matter." Princess Luna said. In a brilliant flash of light, the world changed to that of a darkened cave. "Though I oversee Canterlot and Equestria with my sister, the land of eternal night is a place I call home. It is here that I ventured into a dream, where I discovered a bat pony in great pain. I'm sorry to say that what exists before you is all I could see that night. Something purged me from its dream, and now I fear the dreams of those who live within this land are unguarded."
Apple Bloom squinted at the silhouette, "Looks like a bat pony, but I've near seen a pony look like that before. Can ya like... 'stop' it there?"
Princess Luna illuminated her horn, freezing the dream in place. The group moved to the side. Apple Bloom ran her hoof across her chin.
"Darn, Ah can't see the cutie mark." Apple Bloom said. She and her friends faced Princess Luna. "Ah just have one question. Why not come to us and ask? What's with the secrets?"
"Princess Luna believes we need those who possess the special talent to assist others in discovering their true potential. I disagreed and knew the others wouldn't like you traveling to this place. We compromised on it being you three and me." Twilight said.
Apple Bloom snickered. "You're kinda miffed ya didn't get called on this one."
Twilight grimaced before she turned away. The Cutie Mark Crusaders chuckled at one another before Princess Luna cleared her throat.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders. I, Princess Luna, hereby issue you this mission of grave importance. Find and help this bat pony see its truth path. Be warned, " Princess Luna said as she placed her hood back on, "you are treading into dark, unknown territories. All I know for certain is that whatever is obscuring my abilities isn't magical in nature."
"Yes, Princess Luna." The Cutie Mark Crusaders said in unison. They bowed to the mare in front of them, "We will do our best."
"Go Cutie Mark Crusaders, and may you be safe on this journey." Princess Luna vanished into a veil of mist. The darkness around the room dissipated.
"Though the 'Land of Eternal Night' is a bit of a misnomer, this place is still quite dangerous. You three take the bed, and I'll take the couch." Twilight said. She relaxed and retrieved a thick stack of papers from her saddlebag, soon pulling out a rock with three crystals protruding from it. "You three should get some shuteye. I'm going to catch up on a bit of reading."
"What is that thing anyways, Twilight? You mentioned somethin' about mah big sis and Appleoosa, but I didn't really get to see ya experiment on it since Big Macintosh took me out that day." Apple Bloom said.
"Braeburn found this meteorite out in Appleoosa, and Applejack brought it back to Ponyville. This unusual object has been on quite the long journey." Twilight said. She poked the rock several times. " I hate to admit it, but I have no idea what this thing is right now. The Doctor said it absorbed every bit of power in his laboratory."
"...violation of secondary thermodynamic law by removal of available energy within..." Apple Bloom rubbed her forehead, "You understand this gibberish?"
"Hey. It's not gibberish. I--" Twilight skimmed over the notes then shook her head,"-- ok, it's gibberish." She said. Her hooves ran down her face. A loud thud resonated in the room as the pony banged her head against the desk. She lifted her head up and rolled her eyes. "I understand concepts of magic and ideas of science, but this goes way beyond anything I've encountered. 'Quantum mechanics' and 'molecular physics' are just -- what is he talking about?"
Scootaloo stared at the notes, "Weird. He keeps sayin' something about 'absorption?'"
"That's about the only thing I could discern from this myself. He does mention that word throughout several pages." Twilight said. Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on Twilight's side, "Why not give it a rest and get back to it in the morning. I bet even a princess needs her sleep."
Twilight smiled at the filly, "Perhaps you're right. It's bitter-sweet, but I am in luck. There's a name mentioned in the paper, and that pony lives here. Mr. Sine is a renowned mathematical genius."
"..."
"Scootaloo?" Twilight said in a hushed voice. She looked behind her to see the three fillies sound asleep. In a quiet voice the pony said, "I better get them to bed and get myself some shuteye. This won't be an easy mission."
*** *** ***
Apple Bloom let out a deep yawn before she rubbed her eyes. The filly's hooves touched the floor then guided her to the bathroom. Once finished, another yawn echoed in the small space.
Outside the Raven Inn, darkness faded away to dim light.
"Twilight?!" Apple Bloom said, bolting back from the window.
"What? What happened?!" Twilight said, floating into the air then coming down. Her eyes traced Apple Bloom's raised hoof that pointed at the window. "I don't see anything."
"Two eyes. They were like... shiny, bright green apples." Apple Bloom said.
"Hey, can ya keep it down. I want to get some shuteye." Scootaloo said. She glanced at the adjacent window, bolted into the air, and then quivered behind Apple Bloom, "Over there!"
Two green eyes gazed at the fillies in the room. A bat pony mare waved at room's occupants flying off.
"Uhh, girls. That's Ms. Broomstick. She runs the Raven Inn. You met her last night." Twilight said.
"Ah swear, Sweetie Belle could sleep through a darn storm of raining anvils on an iron mountain top in a cave." Apple Bloom said. She walked towards the bed and poked her friend's side, "Wake up, Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie Belle groaned. The unicorn filly rubbed her head, proceeded to the bathroom, finished her business, and came out with her mane fixed and combed.
"Ok. I'm up." Sweetie Belle said with a smile.
Twilight giggled to herself. "They're definitely sisters."
Apple Bloom combed her mane while Scootaloo then Twilight visited the bathroom. With her pink ribbon tied to her mane, the filly stretched her hooves and gave a final yawn. She took her cloak from Twilight's magical grasp.
"Well, Princess Luna --" Apple Bloom said, a magical field placed over her mouth. "..."
"We need to keep the identity of our mutual 'acquaintance' a secret. If the ponies in this place knew we were visited by Princess Luna, they would demand answers. Until we solve this problem, all of us need to be incognito." Twilight said. Three sets of confused eyes stared at her, "Keep a low profile."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded. After consuming a small bit of breakfast from their saddlebags, the equines left the room and headed outside. The trio of fillies stuck close to Twilight while they made their way through the town.
Twilight whispered, "I think our best bet is to see where Mr. Sine lives and see if he can help us."
Sweetie Belle darted towards the center of the small village. On the water fountain, she said, "Any pony know where Mr. Sine lives."
The crowd of ponies stopped. Furious eyes glared at the filly. Twilight placed a firm hoof on her forehead before retrieving Sweetie Belle.
"Sorry. We're just looking for Mr. Sine. I have some questions to ask him." Twilight said.
Several doors slammed shut. Cautious, unnerved eyes followed the group.
Scootaloo waved at a small bat pony colt, but saw the pony taken away by a pegasus stallion.
Through the watery streets, the group followed a stony pathway to a set of large iron gates.
"Do you want to meet my daddy?" A grey colored filly said as she stepped out from behind the corner. She looked at the trio of ponies behind Twilight and smiled, "Hi. I'm Pipette."
"Hi. I'm Apple Bloom. This here is Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and we're," Apple Bloom stopped herself and looked at Twilight, "checkin' things out to see where Mr. Sine lives." "Daddy lives in the castle." Pipette said. She opened the gate and pointed towards a cobblestone pathway, "Here, follow me."
The filly darted up the pathway. The Cutie Mark Crusaders galloped behind her with Twilight a few paces behind.
"That was fun!" Pipette said, skidding to a stop at a large door.
Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders panted.
"Wanna race again?" The unicorn filly said to the trio. She frowned, "I'll let you win."
"Thank you for the offer, Pipette, but I need to speak with your daddy. Do you mind leading us to him?" Twilight said.
"Daddy doesn't get along with princesses, but I'll see if he'll talk to you." Pipette said. She tilted her head at Twilight's dazed look, "I can see your wings sticking out from behind your cloak. Not to mention those cloaks are kind of outdated."
Twilight grumbled under her breath. She and the Cutie Mark Crusaders proceeded behind the unicorn filly into the castle. As the door opened, the castle's lavish interior came into view. Twilight stepped onto a marble floor with intricate, exquisite work etched into it. Light from the candles overhead brightened the entry way where an elegant set of marble steps came down.
"Pipette, you're supposed to play outside when I'm busy." A voice said in a calm demeanor. Heavy hoof steps echoed in the entry way. An earth pony stallion in a black suit entered from the top of the stairway and proceeded down the stairs. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, to do I owe the pleasure of this visit by the Princess of 'Friendship and Magic.'"
"Jerk." Apple Bloom said under a hushed breath, squinting at the pony. Suits of armor and paintings reflected off her eyes, "Wait. Ain't this the place of Dr. Stein?"
"Quite astute of you, my little filly. Legends would tell you my ancestor, who existed 200 yrs after Nightmare Moons defeat, lived in an extravagant castle. In actuality, the stallion resided in a shoddy hovel in the wilds of Equestria." Mr. Sine stopped at the bottom of the steps. His brown eyes scanned the fillies before focusing on Twilight, "Enough about me. How may I assist you?"
Twilight gave a sheepish grin. She cleared her throat and produced a stack of papers from her saddlebag. "There's an unusual object I'm researching, and I need some assistance. The Doctor in Ponyville mentioned you in his notes. Your reputation as a mathematical genius is quite well known."
"I'm immune to flattery, and I am rather annoyed by uninvited guests. Still, I am intrigued that such a stallion, "Mr. Sine grumbled, "more renowned than myself would mention me in his notes."
Mr. Sine stepped closer towards the group and held out his hoof.
"Some may think that 'math' is stupid or pointless, yet it's the key to understanding a great many things." Mr. Sine said. He adjusted his glasses. "Now this is intriguing. From the formulas, equations, and notations, it appears your so-called 'discovery' has the ability to literally nullify any form of energy, magical or mechanical. Fascinating. Pipette. Go fetch us some refreshments and prepare the guest bedroom. This will take some time, and I would like our guests to stay the night."
The filly smiled at the stallion before she bolted off.
Mr. Sine maintained his expressionless demeanor when he glanced behind Twilight. "Perhaps your 'filly friends' could 'crusade' along with my daughter while we attend to more mature matters of science."
"Hey. You have a problem with us, just spit it out." Apple Bloom said.
"Apple Bloom, there's no reason to be rude." Twilight said.
"No, she's right. This stallion has a serious chip on his shoulder." Scootaloo said.
"It's quite alright, 'Princess' Twilight Sparkle." Mr. Sine said. He turned towards the steps, "I do apologize if my words are harsh, however, I prefer solitude over the abhorrent noise of companionship and camaraderie. Pipette on the other hoof is rather lonely. I believe you three could entertain her."
The group proceeded up the steps and down a hallway. Several ornate doors passed by. Mr. Sine continued to skim over the mathematical notations in the notes. The stallion looked up from the stack of papers. He shook his head, passed by the group, and proceeded down another hallway. A crackling noise resonated from behind a doorway. The sound intensified as the door opened.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Twilight covered their ears to the deafening sound. They looked up to see two metallic orbs close together emitting several bolts of lightning. The group unplugged their ears after Mr. Sine pulled on a nearby leaver, the sound ceasing.
"The laboratory of Mr. Sine..." Twilight said with an ecstatic smile. Several, tiny lights blinked on and off near a metal panel. The pony flew towards the metallic orbs, a machine in the back, and then a nearby chalkboard.
"No. Bad pony. Bad." Mr. Sine said, grabbing a broom stick. He shook his head, "Pardon me. Enthusiasm and excitement detract from one's work."
Twilight raised an eyebrow before coming down. The Cutie Mark Crusaders glared at Mr. Sine.
"Refreshments are ready." Pipette said in a cheery tone.
"Good." Mr. Sine said. He retrieved a small snack from the plate, and, with the tray placed onto a table, he faced Pipette, "Why don't you and the Cutie Mark Crusaders go play."
"How do you know us?" Apple Bloom said.
"Mr. Sour brings me fresh apples, Apple Bloom. Much like this place, his name is quite the misnomer." Mr. Sine said.
"You're Siney?" Apple Bloom said.
"Yes..." Mr. Sine said, ending with a small groan. "Now, if you will excuse me. I have some work to attend to these formulas."
Pipette waved a slight hoof at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the trio of fillies followed their guide to a small area behind a machine. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle followed Pipette down a dim passage way. They stopped.
"This is my room," the filly said in a quiet voice. A small "click" was succeeded by bright lights that reflected off the Cutie Mark Crusaders eyes. Pipette smiled at the fillies who gazed at the toys spilling forth from a toy chest, a dresser overflowing with clothes. "I have lots of games and toys."
"What's up with your dad?" Apple Bloom said. She winced and turned to Sweetie Belle, "What? I'm just curious."
Pipette pointed at her toys, and then moved behind the group.
Apple Bloom gazed at the vase on the table near the window containing a red rose. Outside, small lights flickered in the distance. Scootaloo buzzed around on a scooter while Sweetie Belle examined the dresses. Clouds rolled across the sky.
"Is there something you want to play with in particular? I've got plenty of toys." Pipette said.
"Thanks." Apple Bloom said. She rubbed a hoof against her neck, "Sorry bout what I said earlier. Your dad just seems so uptight."
"It's alright. He's a 'recluse,' whatever that means." Pipette said.
"Where's your mom?" Apple Bloom said.
"Daddy doesn't talk about her." Pipette said.
"It's alright. I don't know my mom either." Apple Bloom said. She turned around, "Sorry! I didn't mean to knock the vase over."
Pipette latched onto the vase. Water spilled out of the top, slid down the filly's back, and her flank.
"Why would you hide your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle said. She levitated a towel towards the cowering Pipette, "Wait, isn't that cutie mark --"
"Shining Armor's?" Scootaloo said.
"..." Pipette shivered. Her left hoof rubbed against her forehead, knocking her horn off. Bat wings shot forth from Pipette's sides. Her mane color changed to semi-dark blue with a single light-blue strip down it. "No. Why can't I make any friends?!"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at the tall bat pony mare in front of them. Apple Bloom crept towards her, and then smiled.
"That's awesome. How did you do that?" Scootaloo said.
"You're... not afraid of me?" the pony said.
"That was awesome." Scootaloo said. She tilted her head, "I'm just curious, is Pipette your real name?"
"Daddy -- Mr. Sine calls me Pipette, and I pretend to be his daughter." The bat pony said. She sat down and raised her hoof, but retracted it. "You're lying. Every pony is afraid of me."
"My sister is the element of honesty, and I can honestly say, as her sister, I'm not afraid of ya. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle aren't afraid either. Why should we be." Apple Bloom said. She received a gentle smile in return from the bat pony. "Wait. What about Twilight?"
The pony shook her head at the trio, "The stallion has probably captured her. He's not fond of princesses and thinks of them as 'anomaly' in Equestria."
"Please. We have to get to Twilight." Sweetie Belle said.
The pony placed a quivering hoof over her neck. After a sigh, she resumed her smaller form, and then removed the block from the wall in her room. "Daddy will be mad, but you three are so kind."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders thanked the filly before moving down the tunnel.
*** *** ***
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle crept out from behind the machine and scanned the room.
"No." Sweetie Belle said in a hushed voice. She galloped into the room. "Twilight. Twilight. You ok?"
"..."
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo picked her up. They walked towards the door. Sweetie Belle tugged on the knob with her magic.
"Sweetie Belle?!" Apple Bloom said, pushing on her friend, "You ok?"
"Yea, it's weird. I latched onto the knob with my magic, and my body went numb." Sweetie Belle said.
Mr. Sine stepped out from behind a sliding chalkboard. He flashed a sinister smile before raising a hoof that pointed at the tarnished handle of the door, "Unihalcon: no magic can touch the metal without it being drained away. My ancestor realized the properties of a unique metal, much like the ponies of long ago. You're precious 'princess' found out the hard way."
Scootaloo crept along the stone floor with Twilight on her back, and then collapsed. "Apple Bloom was right. You're a jerk."
"Sticks and stones, my little pegasus filly. Sticks and stone." Mr. Sine flashed a wicked smile.
"Who is this guy?" Sweetie Belle said. Her legs wobbled as she stood up. "Apple Bloom?"
Apple Bloom marched forward with a stern eye. "Where's Hide?"
The stallion's devious grin disappeared. "Legends are legends, nothing more."
"I read a book about your 'ancestor' and his cruelty--" Apple Bloom said.
"Enough! I will not be examined by a filly. Nor will I allow that, that 'thing' to leave. Princesses are abominations, regardless of what you idiots believe. Pegasi, Unicorn, and Earth combined into one form. Disgusting." The stallion said. He pulled a lever. The two metallic spheres opened. Two platforms moved towards him. "How fortuitous. My experiment is finished, and now I have a group of 'test subjects' in front of me."
"No. You won't harm these fillies!" Twilight said, struggling to her hooves. A strong, purple, luminescent shield enveloped her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "... how?"
"Did you know that impregnating Unihalcon with charged particles allows for it to emit a focused beam. Coupled with its ability to nullify magic -- well, you get the picture." Mr. Sine said. The stallion smirked as Pipette came from behind him, the filly casting off her illusionary form. The bat pony hung her head, and then bolt, with her right hoof out, into Twilight's shield. "Your brother's mane provided the perfect sample. Even better, I managed to impregnate the coat hairs near my creation's hooves with Unihalcon. She's the ultimate weapon, a perfection of science to combat magical users."
Twilight stood up, her horn aglow. A blast of coalesced magic rocketed towards Mr. Sine. Her eyes widened as the strong magical blast dissipated. In front of her, the bat pony held out a single hoof. All that remained of the magical blast were several small spheres of light that faded away to nothingness.
"My turn." Mr. Sine said.
A blast of white energy hurtled towards the ponies. Apple Bloom grabbed Twilight's satchel, retrieved the stone, and held it up.
Mr. Sine gritted his teeth and unleashed another blast of energy, and then another. Apple Bloom held onto the stone while it absorb the continuous beams of energy.
"Impossible. Inconceivable!" Mr. Sine said, blasting several more times. His once perfectly combed mane ruffled. "Get down there and remove that worthless rock from them."
"Dad..." The pony said.
"Move!" The stallion said.
The bat pony floated towards the ground, facing Apple Bloom. "Please, give me the stone. As he said, I'm just his creation."
"You're wrong. Look at your cutie mark. It's a shield, and shields protect those they care about." Sweetie Belle said.
"Shining Armor saved all of Canterlot by protecting the ones he cared about." Scootaloo said.
"Please, save us." Apple Bloom said.
"Be our Aegis!" The fillies shouted.
The bat pony froze in place. Her cutie mark flashed in a brilliant light. She closed her eyes just as a tear streamed down her cheek. When she opened them, the pony's gold colored eyes changed to a light purple color. "Aegis?"
"If you won't obey me, you'll be destroyed along with them!" Mr. Sine bellowed. A large blast of coalesced energy rocketed forth from the stallion's gauntlets. His jaw dropped. "An anti-magic, magic shield?! You can't cast magic. You're not a unicorn."
"I am Aegis, and I will protect my friends." The bat pony said.
The stallion closed his eyes. The bolt of energy zipped towards him. Windows shattered, its glass flying towards the earth pony. The powerful beam of light struck the machine and melted it into a pool of liquid metal. The grey liquid solidified.
"Thanks Aegis!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said, latching onto their friend.
The bat pony wiped away her tear. She reached down and helped Sweetie Belle to her hooves before helping Twilight. The image of the Cutie Mark Crusaders reflected off her eyes while she smiled. Soon, a gentle hoof touched her withers.
"Princess Luna?" Aegis said.
"Yes, my pony. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry I could not aid you in your time of need. This stallion's contraption used the properties of the Unihalcon to create a shield over this place. With it destroyed, the ponies can now rest easier." Princess Luna said.
"Don't come near me, you disgusting anomaly!" Mr. Sine said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders glared at the stallion while he struggled to free himself from his ethereal chains.
"What are you gonna do with him?" Apple Bloom said.
"He has committed a heinous act. Ultimately, Princess Celestia and myself will be the ones to render judgment." Princess Luna said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other, and then turned to Aegis. They watched Princess Luna nod to their friend.
"A father is meant to protect their child, to be kind and caring. You're none of those things. A monster like you deserves to live in Tartarus." Aegis said. Her wings relaxed and turned away. The bat pony smiled at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "I cannot forgive him, yet I cannot bring myself to hate him."
Princess Luna nodded to Aegis then placed a small stone around the stallion's neck. Mr. Sine vanished.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders," Princess Luna said in a regal tone while placing a hoof over her chest, "I thank you for the deeds you have done this day. Not only have you helped a pony discover their potential, but you have rescued them from a cruel hoof."
"What about Aegis?" Twilight said.
"That is up to her. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind having a 'friend' in the castle since it gets lonely at night. As you all know, Canterlot isn't too far away from Ponyville." Princess Luna said, cracking a slight smile.
Aegis returned to her filly form and grinned at Princess Luna. After a final hug, the Cutie Mark Crusaders watched their friend vanish.
*** *** ***
Out of the castle, a final goodbye given to Ms. Broomstick, the group headed down the dirt path towards the train station.
"So, I don't supposed you three can keep this to yourselves?" Twilight said.
"Yea, I don't think --" Apple Bloom said.
A white glow emanated from Twilight's saddlebag. The flap opened, and the meteorite floated into the air. Light from the three crystals intensified until they transformed into a sphere of light, which split into three orbs. The orbs crept towards Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, and then floated into their chests.
"Twilight?" Apple Bloom said.
The group watched the meteorite turn to sand, the particles drifting into the wind.
Twilight froze in place, "O no... no, no, no. This isn't good. Are you all ok?"
"We're ok here." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said.
"Ok, you have to really, really, really, 'REALLY' promise me you'll tell no pony about this. I mean Pinkie Pie promise." Twilight said, placing her hooves together.
"We Pinkie Pie promise." The trio said.
A quick sigh came from Twilight before the group resumed their short journey towards the train station. In a hushed voice she said to herself, "What in the name of Celestia is going on? Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash are gonna raise Tartarus over this if they ever find out."
"Ok, Pinkie Pie. You can do this. You. Can. Do this," she glanced at her reflection in the window while washing her hooves, "I know you can do this. The reward. A surprise you've saved for yourself to surprise yourself with." The pony said. She stopped. The tip of her hoof scratched against her mane before rubbing it against her chin. She tapped the hoof against her mouth. "Wait, if it's a surprise I made myself then how is it a surprise. Was I sleep trotting at night, made myself something, and forgot about it so it would be a surprise? Creeeeepppppyyyyyy..."
The pink pony shrugged and turned off the water, soon drying her hooves. She giggled to herself then pulled out a list. A set of careful blue eyes skimmed over the sheet on the counter. With the paper place near the mixer, Pinkie Pie nodded to her reflection in the mirror one final time. The reflection nodded back in return.
Two eggs were laid out on the preparation counter with a sack of flour pulled from the cupboard. A set of metal teaspoons and measuring cups clanged against one another as they were removed from the drawer. Three cups of flour were placed into a container with a teaspoon of salt added to it. With the one and a half teaspoons of baking soda added in, the pony shook for a second before resuming her task.
"Coming..." Pinkie Pie said, turning her attention away from the mixer. She moved towards the swinging doors and peered around the corner. Near the doorway, the pink pony whispered to herself, "Twilight? She back early."
"Girls, please understand. We need to keep this a secret." Twilight said in a hushed tone.
"Why? We're fine." Apple Bloom said.
"..." Pinkie Pie remained silent while she continued to peer around the corner.
"You promised me, remember. I didn't get a chance to fully study the stone before Mr. Sine knocked me out." Twilight said.
"You were knocked out by a doorknob." Scootaloo said.
"No. He knocked me out with a doorknob made of that weird Unihalcon metal," Twilight groaned then turned towards the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "however, that being beside the point, I need you three to remember your promise to me, please. Those crystals from that meteorite are somehow inside you, a part of you now. I've got to figure out how to retrieve them. There's no telling what they'll do to you. Maybe I can learn why you were able to absorb them when you aren't in danger."
Pinkie Pie backed up. She placed a hoof over her mouth. Through a muffled voice she said, "Ok. Ok," she began to hyperventilate, "I can... not do this right now. I can't keep a super secret like that one. It's too soon. I'm not even into part 1 of section A of the start of my Pinkie Pie Private Secrets Provision Keeping Strategy for my first secret."
"Hello?" Twilight said.
A deep breath escaped the pink pony.
"Hi!" Pinkie Pie said.
Nervous hooves guided the pink pony out from the kitchen. She trotted towards the counter and smiled at her friends. Her eyes darted about. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead then dripped down her cheek. Tense, silent moments followed.
"Ya alright there, Pinkie Pie?" Apple Bloom said.
"Yea! I'm fine. Fine a fine, fine, fine... Heh, heh. So, you need two chocolate cakes, some cookies, and a... 'baker's dozen of lime scones?'" Pinkie Pie said.
"Yes. They're for Shining Armor." Twilight said, shaking her head afterwards.
"Ok, that'll be fifteen bits." Pinkie said. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and said to herself, "Good thing that's all."
"Where's my -- horse feathers, my bit purse is gone. It's probably in my bag. I'll go back and --" Twilight said.
Pinkie Pie wrapped up the parcels. She darted to Twilight and strapped the three boxes to her friend's flank. "No worries. I'll cover you."
"Thank you. I'll be sure to pay you back." Twilight said. She walked towards the exit. "Actually, mind if I have a --"
"Here's a super supreme, Pinkie Pie chocolate chip cookie." Pinkie Pie said, placing the cookie in Twilight's mouth.
Twilight levitated the cookie out of her mouth. She raised an eyebrow at her pink pony friend. After a shrug, and a smirk, the pony trotted outside while munching on the cookie.
Pinkie Pie wiped the final beads of sweat from her forehead, and then stood in a stalwart position. "I will keep what I heard a secret, on top of the one I'm already keeping. I, 'Pinkie Pie,' will master my new technique. It has to happen. Still, I wonder if Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack should know about this. It kinda sounds dangerous."
The clock on the back wall continued to tick on. Pinkie Pie trotted back into the kitchen, washed her hooves again, and resumed her work at the counter.
With its switch flipped, the mixer sprang to life. As it hummed away, the two eggs, cracked into the mixing bowl, creamed together with a cup of white sugar and a cup of brown sugar. The pink pony stopped herself. She chuckled then added the teaspoon of vanilla almost left out of the mix. Her eyes followed the beaters while they spun the cup of butter with the other ingredients.
One minute passed. A nervous twitch came to Pinkie Pie's right eye. She shook her head and focused on the powder ingredients.
"So far, so good. Just gotta focus on these ingredients." Pinkie Pie said. She turned towards the cupboard and retrieved a bag of chocolate chips. The pony waved to the container of salt in the corner, "It'll be ready in a second, Discord."
Two eyes formed on the container of salt before it floated into the air. Misshapen arms and legs stretched out as the container turned into the form of the chaotic god.
"Phooey. I'm not playing hide and seek again." Discord said. He slinked around the floor. The chaotic god soon shrunk down and sat on the pony's back. He smiled, "Do tell, Pinkie Pie. What is this I heard about a 'secret?'"
"None of my business. I'm making chocolate chip cookies. The ones 'you' asked me to make." Pinkie Pie said.
"O come now, Pinkie. I am good at keeping secrets." Discord said.
"And the loudspeaker outside?" Pinkie Pie said, raising an eyebrow at the microphone around her neck.
The two gazed at each other before the chaotic god shrugged.
"Now, I just need to add the -- hey. Don't eat the spoon. I still need that to stir in the chips after I add in the flour." Pinkie Pie said. She pointed towards the oven. "If you want to help, make sure to set the oven to Three hundred Seventy Five."
"O my, you have quite the knack for this little 'secret' keeping -- oops, I mean baking." Discord said, grumbling under his breath. He snapped his talon, setting the oven's temperature. "O come on, just between us friends. What was that little secret?"
Pinkie Pie's ears twitched at the hum of the mixer while she portioned the flour into the contents of the mixer's bowl.
"Well, if you're not going to tell me then I'll just be off." Discord said before he vanished in a flash of light.
Pinkie Pie chuckled to herself. Her hoof switched the mixer off. She dumped the chocolate chips into a bowl, "Found ya. We'll play hide and seek again some time. Right now, I need to finish these cookies."
"Spoil sport. O well, I wonder if Celestia will play." Discord said.
"Now, stir in the chips. And we're done. Set the timer to twelve minutes. Done. Yes. I did it. I did it! Pinkie ol' Girl, you managed to complete your secret keeping test." The pony said before she sighed. She looked at the clock in the corner, "This'll never work. I can't lock myself away in the kitchen while never ever, ever, ever, ever, coming out until the end of the day. What do I do?"
"You should tell your secret," A shrill voice said.
Pinkie Pie gazed up to see a brilliant flash of light illuminating the kitchen. She snickered. Her hooves gave out as she rolled onto her back, laughing at the Princess Celestia imitation that floated above her.
"I need a new writer for my shtick. This one stinks." Discord said, ripping off the crown.
"Thanks," Pinkie Pie wiped away a tear, "I needed a good laugh. I'm trying to keep 'your' secret safe too, remember? Not to mention this dozy of one to keep."
Discord sighed. He laid on his back, gazing at the ceiling next to the pony. "This 'friendship' thing still feels weird to me, but... thanks, for, you know, keeping that little secret between us. Princess Luna wasn't too thrilled about what I did. As for 'your' secret, just tell Twilight you overheard her talk."
"You knew the whole time?!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Eeyup," Discord's right talon in the visage of Big Macintosh said. His talon returned to normal before he snapped it. The timer turned off on the oven. The tray floated out with the cookies placed onto the table. Discord nibbled on the tray for a second, and then consumed it in a single bite. "Here's some bits for the treat. Always enjoy chocolate chip crumbs on the serving tray. Now, I'll be sure these get to Fluttershy, pronto."
The chaotic god smirked at the pink pony before vanishing in a flash of light.
"Perhaps he's right. I managed to keep his secret a secret, but this secret, it isn't something I can keep a secret. I better talk to Twilight about it before I become a nasty bean spilling spiller." Pinkie Pie said. She turned to her left, "Gummy. There's my gator. At least I know my baking technique to keep my mind off the little secrets works."
Gummy stuck out his tongue.
"O. My. Gosh! That's it! Thanks Gummy. You're the best pet a pony could have." Pinkie Pie said. The pony smiled at the almost infinite reflection of her eyes reflecting off of her pet gator's eyes. "I just need to visualize myself baking things. It'll keep my mind off of things, but, I'll wait and test it out on an easier secret to keep. I've got to do better about knowing which secrets are good to keep, and knowing which ones need to be told. Time to talk to Twilight."
"Come on, Granny. We need a Nightmare Night story." Apple Bloom said as she sat down near her friends. The filly removed her costume, combed her mane, and then faced Granny Smith. "Please."
"Yea, we won't get scared." Sweetie Belle said.
The moon sat still in the sky over Sweet Apple Acres. Screams and Howls of delighted laughter had come and gone with the fillies, colts, stallions, and mares leaving the farm's maze.
On the carpet in the farmhouse, the Cutie Mark Crusaders placed their hooves together. Three sets of puppy dog eyes reflected off Granny Smith's eyes.
"Ah ain't some jukebox ya put a bit in to hear stories. Not ta mention ah like some peace and quiet time to mah self." Granny Smith said. She sighed at Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "Still, Nightmare Night just ain't right without a story or two."
"Right," Scootaloo smiled, "what's Nightmare Night without a scary story."
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took off their costumes then retrieved their sleeping bags while Granny Smith hobbled towards her rocking chair.
The elderly mare glanced at the three fillies. She scratched her gray mane. "Let's see here... we need a good Nightmare Night story. I can't tell that story. Bout as scary as a baby poodle holdin' a lollipop. Hrmm, there are some good tales from the forest out yonder where that Zecora lives. There's the tale of the timber wolf of Everfree."
Several pots clanged in the kitchen with the light going out. Big Macintosh walked out from the kitchen, holding a mug of cider in his hoof. The stallion gave a stern, "Nope."
"Suppose yer right, Big Mac. That story is a little on the tame side too...." Granny Smith said.
The stallion smiled at the trio of fillies in front of him. He placed the mug on a nearby table and lit a candle. His yawn echoed down the dark hallways as he sat down on the couch behind his little sister and her friends. Big Macintosh grabbed the small mug of cider and put it to his lips.
"Ah know, the story of the Headless Horse --," Granny Smith wiped her face, "-- thanks for the heads up on the weather forecast there, Big Mac."
"We already heard that one." The Cutie Mark Crusaders said.
"O, ya have..." Granny Smith's voice went silent before she erupted into a diabolical cackle. Her eyes glanced over towards Big Macintosh. She watched her grandson use a strong right hoof to steady his quivering left hoof as he placed the mug of cider on the table. Her pearl white teeth gleamed in the light of the nearby candle. Granny Smith toward her eyes towards the three fillies, "As sure as mah mane is gray, ah know ya haven't heard this version. It's the 'real' story of the Headless Horse. Big Mac, ya might wanna get the rubber sheets ready."
The stallion placed a quick hoof over his mouth. He swallowed, and then stifled a chuckle.
"Ah ain't a baby." Apple Bloom said.
Granny Smith cleared her throat and adjusted her shawl. The rocking chair creaked several times before the pony came to a stop.
Over one-hundred years ago, well before ya'll's parents were born and thought about takin' their first hoof steps, Nightmare Nights drew hundreds of ponies to Canterlot. Each year became more festive than the last with treats, sights, and frights that brought stallions and mares to their knees. There are tales that say Princess Celestia herself partook in the events, reveling in the joyful screams of her ponies. Some say she took too it too well at times.
"And..." Apple Bloom said.
"Ya'll want a story or not. Gotta set the mood here." Granny Smith said.
Though many loved the holiday, there was one who loathed it with all her heart.
From the moment she was born, somethin wasn't right. No pony could place their hoof on it. The little one cherished what she had, until a Nightmare Night, more beautiful than any pony had ever seen, came to Canterlot with the fullest of full moons hangin' above the castle. It was on the equine's first Nightmare Night that she learned of her purpose, earning her cutie mark after a terrible tragedy. You see, before she became the Headless Horse, doomed to roam Equestria, the equine went by another name: the Scythe of Canterlot.
It was after that Nightmare Night the equine soon went door-to-door, day-by-day, across Equestria. Many a neigh-sayer laughed at her when she pointed a stern hoof at them, saying the end was nigh. Those at the end of the equine's hoof felt a cold chill crawl down their manes to the tips of their tails, and then met their fate by the day's end.
Days turned to months, and the neigh-sayers grew fewer and fewer. One full year after word began to spread the equine found herself on the steps of Canterlot Castle, guided by the nature of her cutie mark. On the day of her second Nightmare Night, the equine found herself face to face with Princess Celestia herself.
Granny Smith's hoof rose into the air. In a fluid motion she pointed at each of the three fillies in front of her.
That fateful night, Scythe bore her namesake. The equine raised her rose red hoof. She pointed it towards the pony at Princess Celestia's side. Guards and guest alike joked, laughing at Scythe, yet one didn't take it so lightheartedly. The mare at Princess Celestia's side pointed her hoof in return at the equine and decreed what happened to one would happen to the other. In that moment, two were claimed that day instead of one.
They say the magic of Equestria brought Scythe back to the world of the living to carry on her task. Those who dare laugh at her are doomed to have the reaper's hoof pointed at them.
The fillies' ears perked up. They turned. They screamed. Hooves pounded against the wooden steps as the Cutie Mark Crusaders darted towards Apple Bloom's room and slammed the door shut.
"heh, heh, heh... ah still got it." Granny Smith said, releasing a string from her hoof. The cardboard cutout fell behind the couch.
"Dang it, Granny. I can't believe ya went and told 'that' story." Applejack said, coming through the front door. She shook her head at the elderly mare, "Ain't none of us gonna get any sleep lest I calm those three down. Big Mac?"
"Eeyup?" Big Macintosh poked his head out from behind the couch.
Applejack took off her lion costume and placed her hat on. "We'll clean up the maze tomorrow. Do I have to worry about ya?"
Big Macintosh nodded, and then shook his head. "Nope."
Granny Smith sighed. She crept along the floor towards her room.
Inside her room, the elderly mare gazed out the window towards the corn field. The moon remained high overhead and reflected off the pony's eyes. In a quiet voice she said to herself, "Just a 'story' to tell those youngins? Ah wish it were just a tall tale to tell, to scare them little ones. In this here heart, ah wish ah never saw that comet in the sky that night, wishin' to bring ya back. What it did to ya Scythe, it ain't fair nor right."