//------------------------------// // Return of Nightmare-unedited // Story: MLP-Twilight's Journey // by Tigerarrow //------------------------------// “Twilight?” Spike asked softly, hesitatingly reaching out a clawed hand from the cocoon of her body. Twilight didn’t answer, her glowing half lidded eyes staring out at nothing as her body trembled in the cool night air. “Are you ok?” Twilight shivered releasing a shuddering breath, her body occasionally jerking from the torrent of magic within. “Not now Spike.” She said softly curling tighter within their little hiding spot. “ just not now.” It had been hours since there escape from the unwelcome intruders into their home and Twilight still hadn’t calmed down. Her magic, uncontrollable at the best of times, beat furiously within her viciously seeking an outlet for her frenzied emotion and turning on her when it didn’t. It was a familiar state. For a filly who regarded the world as her greatest enemy she would often need to seclude herself away when the world kicked back simply by existing. Curling tighter the small filly pulled in a deep breath the glowing white of her eyes finally fading as she got herself under control and her magic settled down to a light simmer beneath her skin. “Are you ok now?” Spike asked quietly running his claws through her fur. Twilight sighed shaking her head giving him a small nuzzle. “I’ll live.” She said shortly pulling herself to her hooves. She doubted there had ever been a day in her life where she was “ok”. Giving herself a brisk shake she looked around quickly. It was still dark, but she could sense that the sun would be raising soon and sure enough she could see ponies heading toward the center of town from her hiding place. She bit her lip waring within herself. She didn’t want to go to the celebration as she was quite done with ponies for today and just wanted to curl up in her tower with a good book. Plus, with all the time that had pasted Celestia was sure to have arrived already and nine time out of ten Trixie had found her and twisted everything she had done into her own work while playing up Twilight little meltdown. Her ear fell back, lips trembling slightly. She had been so close… purple fur vibrated as she suddenly gave herself a hard shake forcing her ears to stand straight and throwing those thoughts to the back of her mind. It was too late now. Celestia would believe Trixie over Twilight any day so she wasn’t even going to waste her breath trying to come up with a defense. Thinking quickly the purple filly figured if she played her cards right she could find the chariot and curl up there till everything was over. Celestia would be disappointed she missed the ceremony but that was nothing new and at least she would be toning out the lecture while on the way home. Nodding firmly she tossed Spike onto her back before dodging her way toward the center of town, keeping her head low. Neither the guards nor the chariot had come into sight yet but she knew they would have landed close to the town hall. Hoping to go unnoticed she slipped toward the back- “Twilight!” She flinched and groaned looking up in time to see Trixie trotting toward her looking annoyed. ” Trixie has been looking for you everywhere! The princess is about to raise Sun and as her student and pest we are expected to be at her side!” The blue mare hissed grabbing the filly’s tail in her magic before dragging her inside town hall. “Let’s go!” Twilight scowled fiercely but didn't try to escape, already knowing it would be pointless. Trixie’s pride in her position bordered on obsession and she never missed a chance to show off. The only reason she even bothered to look for Twilight was because the arrogant mare wasn’t going to miss out on being heaped with praise for taking care of her “troubled” junior student. The moment the doors opened Twilight flatten her ears as a deafening wall of noise blasted outward. The town hall was packed wall to wall, the place alive with joy and excitement as everypony waited eagerly for the Princess of the Sun to appear. Twilight hunched within herself trying to ignore them all and calm her churning stomach as Trixie sat them up front and center. The blue mare looked extremely smug as she soaked up the envious glances and whispered words of the full crowd while Twilight merely looked irritated. Pointedly ignoring the pink party pony trying to get her attention Twilight flinched as trumpets sounded and a grey maned pony stood in front of the crowd. She cleared her throat. “Fillies and Gentlecolts as Mayor of Ponyville it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” The room erupted into cheers but Twilight felt like it came from a great distance. Her skin was tingling, a strange pressure building behind her horn. She shook her head, ears flatting as her eyes moved from side to side nervously. “Spike.” She muttered slowly tongue thick in her mouth. Her head swam feeling like she was trapped under water, the pressure growing. “Do you feel something-“ The crowds horrified gasp drowned out her words just as the pressure popped sending the filly reeling. “SHE’S GONE!” Somepony cried as all around her chaos erupted. Ponies panicked, screeching and crying for the missing Princess as Trixie bellowed to make herself heard while Mayor Mare tried to calm the crowd and organize a search party at the same time. Twilight barely heard any of it. The small filly was hunched over, face pressed into the floor as she scraped at her ears trying to block out the echoing voice suddenly ringing in her head. “LETMEOUTLETMEOUTLETMEOUT! “Twilight!” Spike cried yanking at her mane. “Twilight snap out of it! Something happening!” She rose wobbly, eyes focusing slowly on the swirling mass of starlight gathering at the center of the room. “That’s not good.” she thought distantly. Stardust dipped and compressed together before exploding outward revealing a massive black coated alicorn. Twilight gasped quickly backing away from the stage. “Its Nightmare Moon.” she whispered Spike sinking into her mane with a whimper. The black alicorn stared down at the frozen crowd with serpent-like eyes, lips pulling back into a wicked smirk. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” She hissed, flaring her wings. “What have you done with the Princess!” Trixie yelled shoving her way to the front, horn lit and sparking. “Trixie demands you release her imposer!” Nightmare Moon drew back, eyes alight with amusement. “Imposer.” she chuckled “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” she purred dissolving into mist. The black shadow like nebula flowed through the room like a viper ponies rearing in terror as it oozed through their legs. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? She hissed delighting in the terror rising from the crowd. The mist twisted around Trixie a low chuckled sounding as the blue mare yelped. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” Mist condensed back on stage the dark mare stepping through and holding them all with her gaze. “You.r..” Nightmare head snapped toward the trembling voice, Spike shrinking back as the full force of her gaze fell upon him. “Your N..nightmare moon.” He squeaked out. The dark alicorn raised a brow, lips pulling back into a fanged smirk. “Well well well, someone who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.” She chuckled flaring her wings as she looked upon her subjects. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Lighting flashed, thunder rumbled in the distant as Nightmare laughed before her terrified subjects head held high in victory. Hearing the mad crackle snapped Trixie out of her sober and she snarled, charging forward with her horn blazing. “Stand back! The Great and Powerful Trixie will defeat this imposer and bring back the real princess!” she cried leaping forward. Nightmare narrowed her eyes and with a twist of her head the whirling star studded mane snapped out, slamming the blue mare into the wall with a sickening crack. Trixie cried out falling to the ground as Twilight cowered away. She clutched Spike close to her as ponies began screaming and panicking once the blue mare fell. “Seize her!” The mayor voice ordered. “Only she knows where the Princess is!” The guards shot into the air, wing blades gleaming but Nightmare only snarled. “Stand back you fools!” she reared lightning flashing as the Pegasus where shot out of the sky, slamming into the ground with bone shattering force. She tsked wings drooping slightly. “Still not at full power..” she muttered angrily. The fact that the guards still lived was proof enough of that. At her peak they would have been nothing more then ash. Leaping into the air she dissolved into mist streaking toward the Everfree like a comet. Celestia was gone and the ponies were nothing but to ensure her rule there was still one more threat to be dealt with… Hours had pasted since Nightmare releases and Twilight wondered how long it would take for them all to die. She raised her head slightly looking around the shattered hall. Trixie and the guards had been treated and taken away and though the mayor had made a halfhearted attempt no pony had left the false safely of town hall. Lost and frighten the herd had huddled together drawing what comfort they could from friends and family as they waited fearfully for their new Queen to return. Twilight wondered distantly if they noticed how much they were shaking, how unnatural it was. A tiny whimper drew her attention and she looked down to the tiny ball of scales huddled into her side. He was shivering badly. She had been casting a heat spell for over an hour now and he was still shivering. She tightens her hold looking up at a moon which was never meant to rule the sky alone, a moon that couldn’t do it alone. “One by day, one by night.” She muttered. Eternal day would bath them all in fire, but eternal night would have the world freeze. Nightmare moon had sentenced them to death and Twilight doubted their new overlord would care till she was ruler over a lifeless husk. Your tried rest now Twilight laid her head down pulling the shivering Spike closer. Half lidded eyes trailed around the room noticing the increased trembling in the smallest ponies. “The youngest will go first.” She thought distantly. Sun should have been raised hours ago and without its light and magic the planet was rapidly cooling. Foals would be the first to go, their small bodies too weak to survive long in the cold, the elderly would go next with the rest of the planet not far behind. Purple ears flicked and she curled a little tighter. It wouldn’t be long for her either. She had always been small for her age and she could already feel the chill seeping into her bones. It’s over, just sleep She closed her eyes feeling..relieved. It was all over now. She could just- “Twi..light” She blinked turning toward the trembling voice. Spike was shivering, his scales worriedly pale as his inner fire struggled to keep him warm. “I’m c..old.” he whispered huddling closer “I’ve never been so c..cold before.” “Because I never let you.” She thought ears falling back as shame filled her heart. The tiny embers of her soul ignited flickering weakly as her mind went back, back to a time with a small purple filly had hatched a dragons egg. Emerald green eyes had looked to her first. Had sought her out and rejected all other. He had been hers the moment a bright eyed bade had laid his little claws upon her face. Eyes shining with innocence and absolute trust. “I’ll protect you.” Wasn’t that what she’d promised when he’d been placed in her care? So small and helpless and needing her so much. And when he needed her the most here she was just giving up. I just want to rest. Spike needed her. She was all he had. She was supposed to keep him safe. She was the only one who could. Nightmare moon was trying to hurt him and was she just going to sit back and let her just like- I’m so tried. She had to keep him safe she promised, and she knew just where to start. “Hold on Spike I’ll fix this.” She said weakly pulling herself stiffly to her hooves. She picked him up by the tail, tossing him onto her back. Giving one last look around she galloped out into the night. “What are we looking for?” Spike’s muffled voice asked from the mountain of blankets and throws. Twilight hummed as she searched through the library shelves, eyes darting from one cover to the next. “The element of harmony.” She said finally flicking her tail. “I read that they were used by Celestia to seal Nightmare away the first time. If we can find them I’m sure we can do it again.” “And just what are the Elements of Harmony!? “ A brash voice suddenly yelled, rainbow blur flying into her face. “And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy?” Twilight yelped and scrambled back, knocking into the bookcase just as Applejack gripped the other filly’s rainbow tail pulling her back. “ Whoa there sally, Twi ain’t no spy.” She said releasing the restless flyer. She then gave Twilight a gentle smile stepping a little closer. “But you do know what’s going on around here, don’t ya sugercube.” Twilight’s eyes flicked rapidly from filly to filly as Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy joined them in a circle. Chewing on her lip she bite back the rolling panic at the thought that they had her cornered, letting lose a careless shrug as she brushed past them. She debated silently on telling them anything then decided it really wouldn’t matter one way or another. “I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon while I was in Canterlot. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!” she snorted in frustration stalking over to the bookcase. “The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” “What!” Twilight whirled around snatching the book from the perky earth pony. “How did you find this!” “It was under E!” Pinkie sing-songed hopping away. Twilight rolled her eyes flipping through the pages. “Alright let’s see. There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now called the Everfree forest.” She read, tapping her chin in thought. “The Everfree forest!” the other five yelped crowding close to hug each other. “That place ain’t natural.” Applejack paled. “plus its full of m..m..monsters!” Fluttershy squeaked hiding behind her mane. “Yeah well its also the place where the Elements are located so nothing to it.” Twilight deadpanned tossing the book aside as she went to collect Spike. Wrapping a blanket around the baby dragon she settled him onto her back before heading out the door. “Now just wait a minute! Hold up there Twilight!” Applejack yelled running to step in her path. “You can’t expect to go galloping off to fight that black alicorn by yourself you’ll die out there!” she said voice heavy with concern for the smaller pony. “I agree darling. Why don’t we simply past this information to the guards and lets them collect these Element or what not.” Rarity added coming up on her other side. “yeah isn’t it like their job to fight crazy ponies from the moon anyway.” Rainbow chimed in flying above her. “Let them earn their paycheck for once.” Twilight sneered shoving past the protesting fillies with a huff. “I didn’t ask any of you what you thought, and I frankly don’t even care. The guards are freakin useless anyway so if you scarcity cats don’t mind I got stuff to do.” She grumbled walking away with a dismissive lash of her tail “Hey I ain’t scared!” Rainbow yelled streaking after her with the others hot on her heels. “Well uh I’m kinda scared.” Fluttershy muttered inching back before she was gripped by a solid pink hoof. “C’mon flutters lets go!” Pinkie cheered, the poor Pegasus only having a second to meep before she was dragged along. “So this is the Everfree forest huh.” Twilight hummed as the group stood at the edge of the path leading to the looming trees. “Whee lets go!” Pinkie cheered bouncing forward. Twilight gave her a scathing glare. “You know you idiots don’t have to come with me I’ll be fine on my own.” She growled wanting no part of the tag along group. “No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.” Applejack huffed marching forward with the others right behind her. Twilight just groaned following them in. “so where exactly are these Element at anyway.” Rainbow asked, eyes darting around. “Are we just going to stumble upon them or what?” “ The Elements of Harmony are located within the castle of the two sister which shouldn’t be to far.” Twilight said absently face buried in the map. She lifted her head turning to give them all a raised eyebrow. “You telling me you’ve lived here your whole life and none of you have ever been in here?” “Well can you blame us darling really!” Rarity shivered looking around fearfully. “Its positively dreadful!” Applejack nodded her head in agreement keeping a wary eye on their surroundings. “It don’t work the same as Equestria. My family has a bit of a pact with the place but even we don’t tread lightly into here.” She shook her head ears flicking slightly. “my folks say the forest doesn’t take kindly to little fillies who get a little too full of themselves and act disrespectful.” Twilight’s eyebrow lifted higher interested despite herself. “what’s that supposed to mean?” Applejack cut her eyes to the side seeing she had everyone attention. Shrugging her shoulders, she opened her mouth. “Well—” whatever she was gonna say was cut off with a scream as the ground suddenly crumpled beneath their hooves plunging the ponies to the darkness below. “Fluttershy quick!” Rainbow yelled as the two pegasus dove for their friends. “Oh my goodness oh my goodness.” The yellow mare muttered breathlessly struggling to chase after her falling friends. With her speed the blue filly reached Rarity first, Rainbow getting a mouth grip on her tail with Fluttership wheezing as she griped Pinkie around the waist. Applejack was lucky enough to snag a protruding root, but Twilight was falling to fast. Her small weight and slimmer figure sending her streaking down like a comet. Coming closer to the rock face the small unicorn slammed into the side of the cliff, hooves straining to get purchase, knocking Spike lose in the process as she tried to slow her fall. “Spike!” she yelled as the baby dragon went screaming into the abyss. Uncaring about her own safely she threw herself forward pulling her legs close and making herself as small as possible in order to stream through the air. Coming up fast on the baby dragon she reached out and grabbed his tail. Gritting her teeth she twisted driving her body into the cliff wall ,digging her hooves into rock and stone as they slid toward the edge. “Hang on Twi I’m a-comin! “Applejack cried, letting go of her root to slid gingerly toward them. Reaching out she gripped the smaller fillies’ hooves and tried to pull her up but the awkward angle and crumbling slope made it impossible. “Applejack!” Twilight ground out struggling to lift her head as her back hooves scrapped helplessly against the rock. “Take him.” She leaned up dragging the trembling Spike up toward the yellow filly. Applejack quickly snagged him up, tossing the baby dragon onto the safety of her own back before gripping the scrambling unicorn once more. “Hold on Twi I’m gonna-“she stopped as she spied something below. “Twilight its gonna be ok I need you to let go!” “Have you lost your mind!” Twilight snarled digging her hooves deeper into the crumbling gravel. “No! I just need you to trust me. I’m tellin-“ “Hello kinda falling to my death here. I really don’t have time for vague promises.” Twilight hissed somehow able to still look annoyed even when hanging off a cliff. “Just listen, Fluttershy and Rainbow are flyin below you. They’ll catch you as soon as you let go.” Applejack explained loosening her grip. Twilight stared at her in disbelief, but her ears swerved back hearing the sound of wings. Taking a deep breath, she let go and dropped squeezing her eyes shut. Seconds later she was caught in the embrace of two pairs of hooves, the blue and yellow flyers gently easing her to the ground. She trembled faintly when her hooves touched the ground, letting out a harsh snort. “Thanks.” She muttered walking it off. Everypony looked up as Applejack hoped down the mountain side Spike clinging to her neck with all four claws as he trembled violently. Twilight rushed to meet her. “Are you ok?” she asked anxiously. The farm filly gave herself a full body shake before tipping her hat. “I’m fine nothing but a few bruises thank ya kindly.” “Not you.” She deadpanned shoving her aside to get to Spike. The little dragon wobbled gripping the fur of her muzzle when she lowered her head to nuzzle him. “Twilight.” He whined before bursting into harsh sobs burying his face in her fur. “I was so scared!” She pulled him close, muffling his cries in her chest as she soothed him. “Hush Spike don’t cry. Never let ponies see your tears.” She whispered nuzzling him tenderly. The baby dragon hiccupped trying his best to quiet his sobs. He knew he wasn’t supposed to cry. A noise had them both looking up. The others had moved closer looking at him in open concern and he hurriedly bit back his cries, scrubbing at his face so they wouldn’t see his tears. “Goodness the poor dears practically traumatized.” Rarity said moving closer with a small frown. “Yeah falling like that without wings must be really scary.” Fluttershy muttered peering at the infant with one blue green eye. “I thought it was fun!” Pinkie giggled hopping around them. “We were all like whsoo, boom, wheeeee” Rainbow rolled her eyes at the party pony’s antics coming to a land in the center of the group. “Ignoring Pinkie I just thought of this but should that kid even be here?” she asked pointing at Spike who was climbing up onto Twilight’s back. “This is the Everfree forest, you know full of monsters, quicksand and whatever. It’s bad enough that we’re here but isn’t he like two.” She frowned. The thought finally hitting her that they had willingly brought a baby to the Everfree forest. “We should have left him back in ponyville.” The rest of the girls muttered and nodded their agreement none of them having really given it any thought when Twilight had bought the little dragon along. Twilight’s eyes narrowed into slits and she snorted harshly stamping a hoof. Silencing the others. “He’s not going back to Ponyville. I’m not leaving him! I don’t trust you ponies to breath on your own let alone keep him safe. So he stays.” The lavender filly said firmly, daring anypony to challenge her. When no one met her eyes she snorted tossing her head, tail lashing through the air as she turned away. “Now come on that fall knocked us off the path so were going to have to go the long way. Let’s go.” Without waiting for answer she set off into the forest, the others exchanging looks before following her. “-So Twilight’s screaming her head off thinking she’s falling to her death before BOOM!” Rainbow shot up in the air flying above the groaning group of ponies. “I whipped around with my super speed, barreling through the air and—” “Oh for Celestia’s sake shut up Rainbow.” Twilight hissed, fed up with hearing the peguase toot her own horn. The rainbow maned filly had been recounting her daring rescue since they’d started walking. Each retelling warping the story till the line between reality and ego filled delusion got increasingly vague. Rainbow scowled dropping to land beside the smaller unicorn. “Hey that’s no way to talk to somepony who saved your life you know.” Twilight rolled her eyes with a scoff. “It wasn’t just you. Fluttershy was there as well idiot.” She sneered the yellow Pegues meeping at her name. “Oh no its fine Twilight really. Rainbow did most of the work anyway. I’m not used to carrying anything heavier than a bunny.” She said softly shrinking in on herself. Twilight rolled her eyes seconds away from slamming her head into the smug pegease face with a quiet cough interrupted her murderous thoughts. “Oh so sorry to interrupt darling but I do believe we may have strayed off the path a bit. “Rarity said looking a little nervous. That brought everypony to a halt as the group finally started paying attention to their surroundings. “Uh Twilight shouldn’t we have been back on the path by now?” Applejack asked moving a little closer to the others. The small unicorn shook her head grabbing the map Spike handed her with her magic. “I don’t understand even with that fall it shouldn’t have taken us long to get back on the path to the castle.” She muttered eyes darting across the map. As the group of fillies continued to look around nervously none of them noticed the forest begin to release a wispy blue fog, which began to slowly swirl around there hooves. Pinkie’s tail twisted and she shook her head ears flapping. “oh I wonder what that was?!” she giggled bouncing forward, her feet scattering strands of mist as she hit the ground. She blinked curious about the new additions. “What are these?” she wondered leading down. The moment she got close strands of mist swarm forth, quickly darting up her nose and into her lungs. She yelped rearing back and pawing at her face but it was too late. The mist worked quickly, spreading throughout her system like a virus even as her actions caught the attention of the others. “Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked slowly approaching the earth pony who seemed frozen in place. “Are you ok?” She reached out a tentative hoof, trying to touch her shoulder only to jump back when the pink filly’s eyes suddenly snapped open and she let out a blood curling scream, tripping and falling over her hoofs as she tried to get away. “Pinkie!” the others cried rushing toward the screaming mare. There pounding hoofs stirred up more of the blue fog which quickly invaded each of them. Within seconds seven screaming voices were feeding the night. Adrenalin flooded their system. Panic turned to fear which bleed into terror as the fillies jumped and ran from shadows real and imagined. There was no method to their madness, no reason for the terror filling their heart and invading their minds but fear needed no logic. With every passing second and beat of their heart the mindless terror began to grow till every shadow became a viper and every friend a foe, over pounding hearts willingly speeding toward the false safety of the final darkness. Scream bubbling like blood in her throat Applejack burst through the underbrush adrenalin-soaked nerves barely noticing as she slammed through trees and forest. Get away, get away, get away. The mantra flooded her mind drowning out all reason till nothing remained but the mindless desire to flee from some great terror. She barrowed forward with no heed for her own safety nor life letting out another sobbing scream as she tripped over a tree root falling down a small hole to land with a splash in the small pond inside. Like a nightmare dispelling under the light of day the unholy fear was washed away from her mind as the water flowed over her. She blinked shaken and confused as her overtaxed mind tried to piece together what had happened to her, the sudden absent of fear almost as jarring as its onset. Blinking slowly she lifted her hoof watching in distant fascination as the mists of blue smoke fled from the drops that flowed over her fur. The sight tickled the back of her mind and she shook her head trying to bring her scrambled thoughts to some type of order. Screamed sounded behind her, cutting the process short as her head whipped around searching for her friends and spotting them instantly. Twilight and the others were still trapped within the forest and now without the influence of the fear clouding her mind she could easily see the blue fog that filled the clearing and clung like leeches to their coats. “Girls hold on I’m em comin!” she leapt to her hoofs staring down at the pool of water she stood in. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together and figure out that the water had freed her from the vaper and would most likely do the same for the others. Distantly she also wondered where the hole and little pond had come from as she didn’t remember them being there earlier before dismissing it as unimportant. Knowing the mist would recapture her if she tried to return to the clearing, she raked her brain for a way to pull them down to her level. “I got it!” she exclaimed stamping her hooves. Reaching under her hat she pulled out her lassos quickly making a knot. Gripping the rope in her teeth she narrowed her eyes trying to zero in on her screaming friends. Luckily, they all seemed to be trapped in the clearing which made it easier. Seeing a blur of rainbow shot by she tighten her grip and let the lasso fly, just barely snagging the fraying tail. Rainbow cried out as the rope closed on her redoubling her efforts to escape. While Rainbow was definably strong Applejack was an earth pony and with a heave of her head she pulled the screaming pegasus from the sky. Rainbow yowled as she landed in the pool of water, gasping and sputtering as she tried to right herself. Standing back slightly Applejack watched a haze of blue surged away from the water, pulling away from the pegasus fur and returning to the clearing and its other victims. “Wha..what happened?” Rainbow croaked her throat on fire as she blinked blurry eyes. “No time to explain Rainbow! I know your hurtin but I need your help to free the others!” Applejack said nosing the filly to her hooves. Rainbow shook her head ears going back as she was blasted with the sounds of her friends terror. “What you want me to do!” she said getting into the air. “help me rope em. That weird mist is what’s causing this but the water clears it up. We need to get them over here! “Applejack instructed getting her rope ready again. Before the two could do make their move they were suddenly knocked off their hooves as an explosion of purple energy filled the clearing. Crying out the two fell back as the energy hit them sending them crashing into the ground with painful force. Struggling to her hooves Applejack grunted as another body slammed into hers. Opening her eyes she pulled herself out from underneath her blue friend just in time to see Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy come tumbling down the hill. They all landed in the water freeing them of the mist, but Applejack barely gave them a second thought, as wide horrified green eyes stared at the milestone of magic tearing through the forest. “Twilight.” She muttered quietly somehow knowing the little unicorn was at the center of the storm. “Twilight!” she yelled tearing up the hill recklessly force. She ignored her friends shouts from below heading straight for whipping dome of magic. Reaching the clearing she was immediacy blasted by whirling threads of dark purple energy, which slammed into her with bruising force. Gritting her teeth against the urge to scream she called froth her own magic and dug it into the ground anchoring herself to the land as she pushed forward. Peering through the howeling wind she was just barely able to make out Twilight, horn aglow and eyes faded to white, mouth locked in a silent scream as the magic flowed around her like lava. “Twilight!” she cried fighting to get closer. “Twilight your magic, you gotta stop your magic! Its not real!” Twilight’s eyes grew brighter at her words, but the little unicorn was beyond listening. The mist had burned through her mind like a plague leaving terror in its wake that distorted the earth pony’s words into a lie, a trick to lead her to her end and the loosed magic grew fiercer in respond to her desperation. “Stay Away!” Twilight yelled sending out a blast of power that slammed into the approaching filly like a spear. Magic sliced into flesh and fur causing Applejack to cry out but Twilight was too far gone to hear the others pain. Hunkering down and she pulled the trembling Spike tight, the only thing real in an ocean of fear. She knew the danger of listening to honeyed words… “Applejack its not working she gonna kill you!” Rainbow cried as the weaken form of her friend pulled herself to her hooves. “Get out of there we’ll figure something else out!” The earth pony shook her head, chin set with determination. “No, that thing, that parasite its like big lie. It burrows into your brains twists your thinking, makes you afraid, so afraid you can’t tell the truth from the lies, can’t see a light in the darkness.” She dug her heels in, set her jaw, and pushed back against whirling magic. “that thing is a lie.” She declared to the world eyes suddenly glowing with all the colors of the rainbow. “the truth will set you free.” Miles away in the decayed ruins of an ancient castle a muted stone suddenly began rock and glow with an orange light. Applejack felt a surge of strength and pushed forward determined to reach her friend. “Twilight listen I need you to hear me ok. Don’t listen to the fear listen to my voice.” She said firmly trying to reach the filly trapped within the darkness. “I promise what I’m telling you is the honest truth come with me and you’ll be safe.” She dropped her voice let it dip into a comforting caress that wrapped around the little unicorn like a blanket. Twilight shivered ears pressed flat against her head. Fear ate at her mind distorting the comforting words into a mocking sneer. It urged her to strike back, to hurt the one who would hurt her first but deep inside a tiny ember lite reaching out to the one reaching for her. The tiny light ,so small and fragile, allowed Twilight the strength to hold on standing there lost and shivering. “I’m right here sugarcube. I’ll never lie to ya I promise. I know we only just met. I know you got no reason to trust me but I promise everything I’m telling you is nothing but the honest truth.” She reached out her hooves glowing rainbow eyes pouring their warmth into burning white. Letting her see the honestly and for one moment believe it was true. ” Come with me and you’ll be safe.” Twilight’s lip trembled and she hugged Spike closer but slowly oh so slowly a trembling foreleg reached out. “Applejack..” she whimpered her eyes losing some of their glow. Not wasting a second Applejack closed the distance between them hugging the unicorn close. The water in her fur seemed to all but jump to the smaller body, driving out the fog that had burrowed within her mind and dispelling the terror. Twilight collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut going limp in Applejack hold. The farm filly just pulled her tighter neither moving even as the pegasus joined them. Gently lifting and taking them to the pond with the others. “are you ok?” Fluttershy asked lowly. Twilight took a deep breath moving back slightly to look down at Spike. The baby dragon looked back at her with wide clear green eyes and she nuzzled him. “Yeah.” She answered words barely above a whisper. She looked toward Applejack, the one who’s voice had lead her out of the darkness and something warm glowed in her chest. “Thank you” Applejack grinned weakly giving her a small nuzzle on top her head, energy spend. Twilight smiled back before sighing tiredly and closing her eyes as the others pressed in close, giving and seeking comfort. For once she didn’t begrudge them the contact.