Ruin

by RB_

Elemental

“I don’t understand,” Twilight said. “I thought you and the other girls were the Elements of Harmony?”

“In this world, yes,” Sunset said. “But in Equestria, they’re a set of magical artifacts. Some of the most powerful magic known to ponykind. Princess Twilight and her friends wielded them against all sorts of evil.”

“The Elements of Harmony,” Starlight breathed.

“Well, if they’re magical artifacts, what if they’re also affected by the ‘anti magic’?” Twilight asked.

“They’re ancient magic,” Sunset replied. “Bound to the very soul of Equestria. They don’t operate under the same rules as normal magic.”

“So you think they might be safe,” Starlight said.

“There’s a chance,” Sunset said. “I’m not going to pretend that this isn’t a gamble. But I think it’s our only option, now. If we can use the Elements of Harmony, I’m sure we can undo what’s happened to Equestria!”

Sunset couldn’t keep the desperation from slipping into her words. But there was hope there, too.

“You sure seem to know a lot about the Elements,” Starlight noted.

“I learned about them while I was Celestia’s student,” Sunset said, omitting the part about stealing the Element of Magic and transforming into a demon.

“Where are the Elements of Harmony now?”

“Deep within the Everfree forest,” Sunset said. “Below the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters, within the Tree of Harmony. At least, according to what Twilight told me in the journal.”

“The Everfree!?” Starlight exclaimed. “Are you sure?”

Twilight looked confused. “What’s the Everfree?” 

“It’s a forest in Equestria,” Sunset said.

“It’s more than just a forest,” Starlight added. “It’s a wild forest, outside of the control of ponies. It’s an extremely dangerous place.”

“That never stopped Princess Twilight and her friends,” Sunset said. “And we can’t let it stop us now. This may be our only chance to fix things.”

“But making it through the Everfree isn’t something  you can do in just a couple of hours,” Starlight said. “We’d have to charge the can-opener for, like, a week just to keep the portal open long enough!”

Sunset nodded. “Yes. You’re right. That’s why we won’t keep the portal open.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“I mean we’ll have to stay in Equestria while the portal is closed.”

Twilight furrowed her brow. “Sunset, that’s incredibly reckless. What if something happens? We won’t be able to keep communications open with you, either.”

“I know the risks,” Sunset said. “But it’s the only chance we’ve got. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

“But you can’t just go waltzing into the Everfree Forest by yourself,” Starlight said. “That’s borderline suicidal!”

Sunset nodded. “Which is why we’ll need to prepare,” she said. “And we’ll need help.”

Taking a deep breath, Starlight pushed open the door to the gym. A dozen dull faces turned to look at the new arrival, then went back to whatever they had been doing.

Starlight bit her lip. For a moment, she thought about going back to the tent. But no; there was no avoiding it. She entered the gym and waded carefully through the mess of sleeping bags, blankets, and pony-siders. The once-pleasant chatter in the room was now quiet, subdued, and ended whenever she drew close.

She made her way to the far side of the gym. Pinkie was in her sleeping bag, her head turned away from the group. The rest of her friends were sitting in a loose circle. As Starlight approached, Applejack looked up at her.

“Howdy, Starlight,” she said. “How are you holding up?”

“Oh, fine,” Starlight said, putting on a smile she hoped looked genuine. If Applejack saw through her facade, she didn’t say anything. Starlight reached the group and sat down.

“First things first,” she said, turning to one girl in particular. “How are you feeling, Rarity?”

“Oh, just fine,” Rarity said, waving a hand. “You don’t have to worry about m—”

She coughed a couple of times. Deep, hacking coughs.

“Ahaha,” she laughed sheepishly, once the coughing spell had ended. “Well, I… suppose I’ve been better. But still, there’s no need to worry yourself over me; I’m feeling much better now than I did even just yesterday.”

“Well that’s good to hear,” Starlight said. “How about the rest of you?”

“We’re doing okay,” Applejack said; the others nodded. 

“And Pinkie?” Starlight asked.

“Pinkie’s taking Twilight’s death pretty hard.” Applejack pulled her hat down off her head and held it in her hands. “We all are.”

Fluttershy spoke up. “How is Sunset doing?”

Rainbow muttered something that Starlight couldn’t quite hear. Fluttershy must have, sitting next to Rainbow, because she frowned and said, “She was Twilight’s friend too, Rainbow.”

“Sunset’s…” Starlight hesitated. “She’s throwing herself into her work.”

Rainbow muttered something again.

“Rainbow, if you have something to say then say it,” Applejack said.

Rainbow folded her arms. “I said, ‘she’d better be’.”

“Rainbow, she’s doing her best,” Rarity said.

“Yeah, well, her best almost got you killed,” Rainbow said. “And it didn’t save Twilight, either.”

Fluttershy pursed her lips. “Rainbow, you can’t blame Twilight’s… you can’t blame Sunset for that. That’s not fair to her.”

Rainbow said nothing and turned away.

“Anyway,” Applejack said. “Did you need something?”

“Ah, yes,” Starlight replied. She’d almost forgotten why she’d come. “We need your help. Again.”

That seemed to get Rainbow’s attention. “What?”

“We’re kind of planning an expedition to the Everfree Forest, and—”

“The Everfree Forest!?” Rarity exclaimed. “Whatever could you need from there?”

Applejack’s eyebrows rose. “You’re going after the Elements, aren’t ya?”

Starlight nodded.

“Of course!” Rainbow said, looking visibly excited and smashing her fist into the palm of her other hand. “The Elements can fix anything!”

“But without Twilight…” Fluttershy said.

“Oh,” Rainbow said, deflating slightly. “Right.”

“Perhaps her counterpart from this side of the mirror could fill the role,” Rarity suggested.

“We can cross that bridge when we get there,” Applejack said. She put her hat back on her head. “How can we help?”

“Well, none of us are familiar with the Everfree,” Starlight said. “We wouldn’t know how to get to the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters. But you guys…”

“We know the place like the back of our hooves,” Rainbow said.

“Right,” Starlight replied. “So, could you draw us a map? Or even just give us vague directions?”

“Of course, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “We’ll just need some paper and stuff to write with. Oh, and we can get Zecora to help; she lived in the Everfree.”

“We can get supplies from the Art Club’s room,” Starlight said.

“Lead the way.”

Rainbow Dash

Everfree? Like the camp?

I used to go there every summer when I was a kid

Applejack

You want us to come with you?

Pinkie Pie

Ooh, come to the diner, my shift’s almost over!

Sunset took a sip of her milkshake.

The diner Pinkie worked at was retro-themed; real 80’s vibes. Or at least, that was what Sunset assumed. Equestria hadn’t had an ‘80’s’, so she wasn’t totally familiar with the concept except through what she’d seen in movies. She’d been here a few times, even before Pinkie had gotten her job. The milkshakes always seemed to taste better when Pinkie was making them.

She was alone in the booth farthest from the door, but not for long. Pinkie Pie walked up and sat down across from Sunset, having already changed out of her apron and roller skates. She placed a milkshake of her own on the table, this one with a crazy straw that loop-de-looped its way out of the glass.

“Heya Sunset!” she said, cheerily. “No one else made it yet?”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” Sunset replied. “I’m sure they’re on their way, though.”

Pinkie took a sip of her milkshake. “Ooh, this is good!” She pushed the glass towards Sunset. “It’s a new flavour we’re testing out. You want to try it?”

“No, I’m good,” Sunset said. She tapped on the side of her own glass.

“Suit yourself!” Pinkie pulled the glass back to her side of the table.

“You seem to be in pretty high spirits,” Sunset remarked.

Pinkie laughed, but nervously.

“Ah… If I’m being honest…”

Pinkie’s smile turned somber.

“I’m not, really,” she said. “Princess Twilight was my friend. She’s gone now, and I’m never going to get to see her again. That’s hard to deal with.”

Sunset tried to hide her surprise. She’d never heard Pinkie talk like this before.

“But there’s no point in being sad,” Pinkie continued. “That’s not going to bring her back. So I’m doing my best to keep smiling anyway. That way, I can help the rest of my friends smile, too.”

“Wow,” Sunset said. “That’s—”

“Incredibly mature of me?” Pinkie said. “Just because I act wacky all the time doesn’t mean I’m a kid, you know.”

Sunset smiled. “I know.”

She took a sip of her milkshake in silence.

“Hey,” Pinkie said. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How is pony Pinkie Pie doing?”

“She’s…” Sunset paused. “She’s having a rough time.”

“I bet she is,” Pinkie said. “Maybe I should go talk to her. No one understands what you’re going through better than yourself, right?”

Sunset smiled. “I think that’s a great idea.”

Pinkie took a sip of her milkshake. She still looked troubled.

“What about you, Sunset?” she asked, once she was done.

Sunset blinked. “What do you mean, ‘about me’?”

“I mean, how are you doing?” Pinkie asked. “You were closer to Twilight than any of us were.”

“I’m…” Sunset began. “I’m dealing with it.”

“Are you sure?” Pinkie asked. She didn’t look like she believed it.

“I—”

“Yo!” said a familiar voice. “Sorry we’re late!” 

Sunset turned to look; it was Rainbow Dash, followed closely by Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity. They made their way over and crammed themselves into the booth.

“Alright,” Rainbow said, once they’d all gotten settled. “What’s the deal?”

“Okay,” Sunset said. “You remember the crown I took from Princess Twilight at the Fall Formal?”

“The one that turned you into a raging she-demon?”

Sunset grimaced. “Yes. That one.”

“That was the Element of Magic, right?” Fluttershy said.

Sunset nodded. “Yes. Well, it’s not the only element. There are six in total.”

“I remember Princess Twilight telling us about that,” Rarity said. “That each of us represented one of the elements.”

“That’s right,” Sunset said. She pointed to each person in turn. “Loyalty. Honesty. Generosity. Laughter. Kindness.”

“So you’re saying there’s a crown for each of us?” Rainbow said.

“Right. Well, not a crown, but a gemstone. When combined, they contain some of the most powerful magic known to ponykind. You experienced some of that yourselves when you took me down, and at the Battle of the Bands.”

“And we all saw what our combined magic did to you at the Friendship Games,” Rarity added.

“Right,” Sunset said.

“But we don’t have that kind of magic anymore, right?” Applejack said. “We can’t pony up.”

“Yes,” Sunset said. “Which is why we need to find the original elements. With their power, I think we might be able to reverse what’s happened to Equestria.”

“So what’s the catch?” Rainbow asked.

“The catch,” Sunset said, “is that the Elements are currently deep in the Everfree Forest in Equestria.”

“Yes, you mentioned that in your texts,” Rarity said. “You said it was dangerous?”

Sunset nodded. “Very. It’s full of monsters and dangerous flora and who-knows-what-else.”

“Monsters? I guess it can’t be all rainbows and sunshine in Equestria,” Rainbow said.

“Not even close.”

“And you’re planning to go into this crazy forest, even though you know it’s dangerous?”

Sunset nodded.

“Well, count me in,” Rainbow said, grinning. “Can’t let you go all alone, can I?”

“I’m in too,” Applejack said. “The rest of you can—”

“Nuh-uh,” Pinkie cut in. “I’m coming, too.”

“If it’s to help the ponies, I’d be happy to come as well,” Fluttershy said.

They all turned to look at Rarity.

“Oh, fine,” Rarity said. “I’ll come too. As long as it’s not too dirty.”

Sunset smiled. “Thanks, guys.”

“Don’t mention it,” Applejack said. “It’s the least we could do, for you and for Princess Twilight.”

“So, when are we headed off?” Rainbow asked.

“Give us a few days to prepare,” Sunset said. “Is everyone available over the weekend?”

Nods all around.

“Okay,” she said. “Then we’ll aim for Saturday and Sunday. Tell your parents you’re going to a sleepover at my place, so they don’t wonder where you are.”

Applejack nodded. “Will do.”

“Well, now that that’s settled,” Rarity said, “I think I could use a milkshake.”

The others nodded their agreement.

“Remember to tip well!” Pinkie said.

A vast expanse of stars and nebulae. That was what Twilight Sparkle found herself floating in the center of.

She looked about in amazement. A galaxy drifted past her; she reached out to touch it. It was like running her hand through water, her touch sending ripples through the mass of lights.

She started as she felt someone drape their arms over her shoulders from behind.

“Hello, Twilight.” 

She was intimately familiar with that voice. 

It was her own.

She looked to her left and saw the face of Midnight Sparkle, so close she could feel her doppelganger’s breath on her cheek. Twilight quickly pulled away from her, spun about and saw Midnight in her full, terrifying glory. Magical flames billowed from her eyes. Her raven wings were outstretched. She was smiling.

“W-what do you want?” Twilight asked.

“Just to talk,” Midnight answered.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Oh, but I have plenty to say to you.” Midnight flapped her wings and drew closer to Twilight. Stars scattered in all directions as she moved through them. “How are your little friends doing?”

“Sunset’s doing just fine,” Twilight said.

“Oh, is she now?” Midnight said. “And the rest of them?”

“They’re…” Twilight swallowed. “Well, I’ve been so busy with the portal—”

“Some friend you are. You don’t even know what they’re going through. They just lost one of their own and you can’t even be bothered to be there for them.”

“I would… I would just make things worse,” Twilight said.

“Typical selfish Twilight Sparkle,” Midnight said. “We never were very good at the whole ‘social’ thing, were we? Things were better when we didn’t have to pretend.”

“That’s not true!” Twilight said. “My friends are important to me! My life is much better now than it ever was before I met Sunset and the others!”

“Ooh, she’s got some conviction now,” Midnight shot back. “She’s even starting to grow a backbone. How cute.”

“Why are you here, Midnight?” Twilight asked, balling her hands into fists. “I know it’s not just to guilt-trip me about my friendships.”

“You’re right,” Midnight said. “That’s not why I’m here.”

Midnight put her hands on her hips.

“I’m here,” she said, “to remind you that my door is always open.”

“What do you mean?”

Midnight smiled. It was a mean, twisted thing. “Don’t you want to know what’s really going on in Equestria?”

Twilight narrowed her eyes. “What do you know?”

“More than you do,” Midnight said.

“Tell me!”

“Nope,” Midnight said. “That’s not how this works.”

“What do you want, then?”

Midnight laughed. “We’re the same person, Twilight, you know exactly what I want.”

“I will never let you escape,” Twilight said, half a statement and half a promise.

“Oh, you will,” Midnight said. “You’re going to need me. Sooner than you think.”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight said. “Why would I ever need you?”

“You’ll see,” was Midnight’s answer. “But in the meantime…”

She flew up close to Twilight, their faces just inches away from each other.

“Give my regards to Sunset Shimmer.”

Twilight’s eyes snapped open. The darkness of her bedroom and the dull light of the aquarium were the only things that met her gaze.

She sat upright. Her eyes fell on her desk drawer.

Just a nightmare.

Just a nightmare.

Maybe if she repeated it enough times, it would start to feel like the truth.