With her mind working overtime, the cogs turning with no sign of stopping, Rainbow Dash remained idle, hanging over the bed Fluttershy remained trapped in dormancy. As the Pegasus held herself together, frustrated by the situation she was placed in, she couldn't help but silently curse herself for the way she treated Twilight.
At this point, Rainbow Dash looked tuckered out. The constant worrying over her friends only damaged her mind with fear. Throwing her hooves over her head, she let out a growl in agitation through gritted teeth.
"Why did I say that?!"
She remembered how her friends looked at her, with disgust, shock and heartache. Even she was disappointed in herself.
Turning her attention to Fluttershy, still inactive, something in her mind clicked. She knew it was a bad idea, but she couldn't stand seeing one of her friends linger in possible danger.
"I know what I have to do..." She whispered to herself, erasing all doubt from her face and replacing it with valiance.
Quite some time had passed since Twilight fled from her friends. At this moment, the poor alicorn was stressed, blocked from tranquillity and overrun with anxiety.
Her heart felt compressed, a storm of worriment clouding over the alicorn, lost in a blizzard of anxiety, sinking deeper and deeper into trepidation. Twilight didn't know what to do, she was sad and afraid, depressed that she, along with the whole of Equestria has become tangled in a web of horror and distress. Enveloped in many thoughts, the alicorn couldn't retreat from the frightening ones.
Alone, isolated on a balcony attached to the many spires of the Royal Palace, Twilight looked out to the beautiful, niveous city, secured within a bubble of protection; a magic barrier to keep threats away from this elegant haven. Even when she was inside this magic barrier, why did she still feel so... Threatened.
'You weren't good to him alive either!'
Those words rang through her mind, rattling her ears. Sadly, her heart remained shattered into fragments, no matter how hard she tried, it failed to put itself back together. Devoid of any strength to even show a single emotion, the alicorn continued to look out into Canterlot.
Deep down, she knew Rainbow Dash was worried about Fluttershy, they all were, but she didn't want to lose any more friends. However, there was a lot of things that the pegasus said was right. If they did have some sort of spell or potion in Canterlot that was capable of bringing anypony out of unconsciousness, Fluttershy would be awake by now, and Zecora remained in the Everfree, unaware of Ponyville's evacuation.
She couldn't recall a time where things were this bad. She despised the fact that Chrysalis and Fright succeded with their plan on breaking out Tartarus' prisoners, she cursed herself for not alerting Zecora. Doubt crammed the alicorn, not knowing what to do. She didn't want anyone else to get hurt, to suffer.
Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Twilight became disconnected from the world she was in, she didn't take any notice to Pinkie Pie and Rarity who approached her.
"Darling, are you alright?" Her voice softly called to her.
Lost in a pool of thoughts, Twilight remained silent. This only caused Rarity and Pinkie Pie to exchange looks of concern with one another.
Choosing to accompany her friend, the unicorn stood next to her, looking at the city of Canterlot. It wasn't long before Pinkie Pie repeated Rarity's movement.
"I can't imagine your trepidation, Twilight," Rarity spoke. "But we're all scared."
"You don't have to be alone, you know?" Pinkie Pie joined with a warm smile.
"I am appalled with what Rainbow Dash said, but you know what she said isn't true, right?" The unicorn confessed. "Despite how aggressive she appeared, I think-"
"She was just scared for Fluttershy," Pinkie Pie interjected.
"Fear is getting to everypony, but that still doesn't excuse her for how she spoke to you," Rarity resumed.
"I don't blame her for being scared, angry or sad," Twilight finally spoke. "I know she's worried about Fluttershy, we all are. But I just don't know what to do." She said, sinking deeper into an ocean of disorientation. "I don't want anypony to get hurt, but maybe Rainbow Dash was right. Zecora might just be our only chance of waking up Fluttershy."
As if her words came to a halt, Rarity didn't know how to respond, she remained silent, seeing the stress and anxiety consume the alicorn.
Regaining her voice, Rarity spoke back up, "Well, there has to be something here in Canterlot that will help Fluttershy wake up, there has to be."
With a sigh, Twilight turned herself around, "Yeah... There has to be. I'm going to consult the princesses about Zecora, then we'll put our attention on Fluttershy." She said, shifting past the unicorn.
"Wait, Twilight." The pink pony instructed, raising her hoof to the alicorn.
Turning her head back, staring at her friend with an expression of concern, Twilight obeyed the instruction without a single word. Even Rarity bestowed her eyes on Pinkie.
Placing her hoof back to the ground, her pupils hovered around a bit, evading Twilight's gaze as she tried to locate her words. "I know it's no excuse for the mean things Rainbow Dash said, but you know she didn't mean it, right?"
Lowering her head, Twilight simply nodded, heading back into the castle as she weakly uttered, "I... I just can't talk to her right now." It was true that her feelings remained shattered from what her friend said, but they had long been crumpled and broken since the announcement last night.
They could only watch as the depressed alicorn drag herself through the lustrous halls of the Royal Palace. When the alicorn left their sight, Pinkie Pie was going to follow her, but Rarity raised her hoof over the earth pony's chest, stopping her from pursuing the alicorn.
"I think it'd be best to give her some time alone, Pinkie." She advised.
"But she's been alone throughout most of the day," Pinkie Pie questioned. "I just want to try and cheer her up."
"And there's nothing wrong with that, darling." The unicorn eased. "Your heart is in the right place, but just give her some space at the moment. In the meantime, I believe we should put our focus on Fluttershy."
As Rarity made the suggestion, they both left the balcony to regroup with Applejack.
Wandering through the many halls of the Royal Palace, Applejack, much like Twilight, felt detached from reality as she tried to look for her. She searched and searched, but no sign of her. She had asked many of the ponies, taking residence in the castle, if they had seen Twilight.
Sadly, Applejack had no luck when it came to finding the alicorn, she had no idea just how many ponies there were in the palace. Still wandering through the burnished halls, delicate and heavenly, the cowgirl's ears picked up to the sound of steps, locating the noise as she turned around to see Rarity and Pinkie Pie approach her.
"Hey girls," Applejack greeted. "Did ya find Twilight?" She asked, curiosity sparkling in her emerald eyes as she tilted her head a little.
The two ponies halted herself in front of her, Pinkie Pie replied with a simple nod while Rarity spoke, "We did, but I'm afraid all of this stress and anxiety is getting to her."
"Well, where is she now?"
"She's telling the princesses of Zecora," Pinkie Pie informed. "We thought that she'd need some time alone... Again..." The pink pony looked disheartened with her head lowering a little.
"But is she alright?" Applejack questioned.
"Honestly, Applejack." The unicorn replied. "I don't think I've ever seen her so... So distressed."
"The nerve of Rainbow." The cowgirl growled. "Ah know she's worried and she has every right to be, but there was no reason goin' about and hurtin' her heart like that."
"I'm... I'm sure she didn't mean it," Pinkie Pie comforted.
"I am just as dismayed as you are, Applejack," Rarity commented. "But Pinkie Pie is right, although, it doesn't excuse the awful things Rainbow Dash said, I do believe that frustration got the better of her."
"Well, what do we do now?" Pinkie asked.
"Applejack! Applejack!" Called a familiar and tender voice.
With the three ponies turning their head down the hall, they watched as Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came running towards them.
"Applebloom, what is it?" The cowgirl confronted her younger sister.
"Sweetie Belle, is everything alright?" Rarity questioned, for a moment, worriment glazing over her eyes.
"Everything's fine, Rarity." The young unicorn told with a smile. "But-"
Just before Sweetie Belle could speak, she was interrupted by Applebloom, hopping into the air as she spoke with concern, "We thought you said no pony was allowed leave Canterlot..."
"What are ya talkin' about?" Applejack probed. "We did say that."
"Then where's Rainbow Dash going?" Scootaloo asked, presenting a perplexed look.
"What do you mean?" Rarity dreaded to ask, leaning back a little. "She should be with Fluttershy."
"Well, we just saw her leave," Sweetie Belle stated.
Altogether, trading looks of bewilderment, the three ponies eyes widened.
"Oh no..."
Confusion and anxiety swirled around the miserable alicorn as she wandered through the lonesome halls of the royal palace. Now and then, some ponies would approach the Princess of Friendship, expecting her for answers on the situation Chrysalis and Fright had caused. In response, Twilight would barely lift her head and no matter how hard she tried, she failed to wear a reassuring smile.
All she could respond with was, "We're doing everything we can." And that was it. It was true, Twilight was trying her best to keep Equestria safe, but looking at all that she had done, from saving Manehatten, trying to prevent the breakout and evacuating Ponyville, it felt like chunks of her was missing.
Happiness, tranquillity, bliss... They were all missing since last night. She was emptied of anything joyous and filled back up with fear, anxiety, paranoia and constant doubts. Where did it all go so wrong, she thought to herself. How far would the changelings along with this sick alchemist go just to get to her?
One by one, a crowd of ponies, nobles and even soldiers left the throne room, stained with dismay and concern, wanting and pleading for their safety from the princesses. After many questions, they were left unsure and scared, despite having their safety guaranteed. But after last night, no one could blame the fear everyone was feeling. Some were mumbling, grunting and bickering while others had gripped a tiny piece of hope
Luckily, they didn't spot Twilight, otherwise, they would have been galloping towards her and bombarding her with the same questions they asked Celestia and Luna.
Struggling, the alicorn didn't feel right. She wasn't comfortable with the fact that Spike still remained with Fright and Chrysalis, that and the breakout of Tartarus' prisoners, but she continued to question her faith and methods as a princess and a friend.
What Rainbow Dash had said really struck her and she knew she feared for the state Fluttershy was in, they all did, but Twilight couldn't find the key to unlock the answers.
Continuing to drag herself down the corridor, Twilight rested against the throne room doors for a moment, desperately regaining her thoughts, picking and twisting them, trying to find a solution to what she could do to help Fluttershy and stop this madness from going any further. It did bring her a sliver of hope and joy knowing that Dinky had complete faith in her and so did her friends... But why didn't she feel the same about herself?
Taking a deep breath, closing her eyes and standing tall, calming her nerves a little, Twilight reopened her eyes and entered the throne room.
Once again, the throne room had returned to normal. The many colourful and stained windows of accomplishments had been restored, no longer did they display the horrific and gruesome face of Fright. However, Twilight remained fearful of them changing, whether it would be another announcement or just more torment towards her and the rest of Equestria.
From afar, Princess Celestia along with Luna watched as Twilight entered the throne room. Departing from their thrones, they chose to approach the young alicorn, meeting up in the centre of the room. It was hard for the royal sisters to say anything, they both traded looks of concern and then back to the young princess.
"I'm sorry for all that has happened," Luna was the first to speak. "I hope you're alright."
"How are you feeling?" Celestia asked, lowering herself down a little towards the young alicorn.
Lacking any emotion, Twilight responded, "Scared..."
"And there's nothing wrong with that," Princess Celestia answered. "I'm sorry for what you and your friends endured last night. It wasn't fair... It wasn't right."
"These vandals have gone too far," Luna stomped her hoof against the floor.
"Luna, please," Celestia cooed, turning back to Twilight. "Equestria has been put on high alert. The Crystal Empire, Baltimare, Los Pegasus... They are all secured. Everypony is safe."
"Not everypony," Twilight stated. "During the evacuation of Ponyville... We left Zecora behind. She lives in the Everfree Forest."
"Oh," Celestia uttered. "Oh no. I'm... I'm sure we can-"
"Twilight!"
Upon hearing the calls of distress, Twilight turned herself around while Celestia and Luna raised their heads to see Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity quickly advancing towards them. Immediately, the look of panic and alarm on their faces put the Princess of Friendship in a deeper pit of anxiety.
When reaching the three alicorns, Rarity let out a nervous giggle and bowed her head to the alicorns, "Many apologies for the intrusion, princesses, but..."
"Rainbow Dash is missing!" Pinkie Pie screamed, flailing her hooves into the air.
"What?!" Twilight cried out, wincing back. "Missing?" She repeated in disbelief. "What do you mean missing?"
"Listen, sugarcube," Applejack approached. "Applebloom and her friends said they saw Rainbow take off."
"Take off?" The alicorn tilted her head. "No... You don't mean..."
"They said they saw her leave the city," Rarity informed, bringing a hoof to her head. "Whatever was she thinking?!"
"She was thinking about Fluttershy..." Twilight whispered. "She's going to the Everfree Forest. She's going back to Ponyville."
"What?" Celestia spoke, almost alarmed. "Alone?"
"The Pegasus may only find trouble," Luna commented. "It is prudent that we change her course of action before she's faced with danger."
"But you're keeping up the bubble!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Canterlot will be completely open to baddies and creeps if you leave!"
"She's right," Rarity agreed. "And I'm certain the rest of Canterlot will disapprove the idea of any of the princesses leaving."
"Let's not forget that this is Rainbow Dash we're talkin' about," Applejack commented. "With those wings of hers, she's probably already in Ponyville by now."
"We'll never reach her in time!" Pinkie Pie cried in distress.
"I'll go."
Everypony in the room whirled their heads to Twilight, receiving a mix response of disapproval and worriment.
"Twilight, you can't be serious," Rarity argued.
"I know you're capable of taking care of yourself, but I don't want you going back out there," Celestia lightly ordered. "Not after what happened last night."
"We can't just leave Rainbow Dash out there. I don't want anypony going out there either, but I don't want anypony getting hurt. Spike's still with that psycho, Discord's been blackmailed and Fluttershy's trapped in some sort of slumber!" Twilight stressed, however, she slowly managed took a deep breath in and let it out. "I don't want anypony else to get hurt. Rainbow said some stupid things, but I don't hate her. She's still my friend and I'm going to help her... Alone."
"But... Why don't you want us to go with you?" Pinkie Pie dolefully asked. "We haven't done anything wrong, have we?"
"What?!" The alicorn exclaimed. "No, far from it, Pinkie. I just don't want anypony to get hurt, there's too much of that going on right now. If we all go, then there's no telling what will happen. I can still catch up to her if I use my wings, hopefully, she hasn't reached Ponyville just yet."
"Twilight," Celestia began, approaching the Princess of Friendship. "It doesn't have to be you, there must be somepony else who will go in your place."
"She's my friend." The alicorn responded. "I'll bring her back."
"Twilight, ah really don't like this," Applejack opposed, coming forth and shifting her hat a little. "Fair enough you may have a chance of findin' her faster with those wings of yours, but what if somethin' happens to you?"
"I'll be fine, Applejack," Twilight responded. "You have my word, I promise you."
"But..." At this point, the cowgirl sighed and admitted that there was no convincing her. "Okay. Just... You and Rainbow get back here safely, you hear?"
With a small smile, Twilight nodded to her three friends, who all responded with a smile of their own, however, it didn't do well hiding the worriment that hid in their eyes.
Turning to the two alicorn sisters, Princess Luna responded with a nod and a look of faith crossing her face, "Be careful, Twilight Sparkle."
"I don't like the thought of you going out there with whatever monsters are roaming, but... Rainbow Dash is your friend. I understand why you must go after her. Please, be careful," Celestia spoke, lowering herself to Twilight a little as her voice softly eased the anxiety a little.
Quick to act, Twilight nodded to the princesses, her friends and reeled herself around, swiftly leaving the throne room. Despite the alicorn's valiance, her three friends all produced a mixed expression of worriment and fear.
"We can't just let her go alone," Rarity spoke.
"Oh, she won't be alone, Rarity," Applejack responded.
As Twilight sped down the elegant and glamorous halls of the royal palace, she was quick to exit the castle, immediately taking flight and leaving Canterlot, in search for her friend.