“I hate this place,” Rainbow Dash said.
Applejack laughed, “Me too, Sugarcube. Me too.”
They sat in what they assumed was a cafeteria. Tables filled the room and could easily seat a hundred ponies. Counters lined the walls, and locked doors led to what could have been kitchens. Here they sat as they tried to collect themselves.
“I think we’re almost at the end of it,” Applejack said, “Ready to get moving?”
Rainbow nodded, “Yeah, let’s go.”
They walked through the only open door. It had been a while since they stopped trying any closed doors, as they were all locked anyway.
As they walked, they kept an eye out for any windows. Thankfully, they didn’t see any.
Soon, they arrived at a pair of closed doors.
“Think this is the end of the road,” Applejack asked.
Rainbow didn’t respond. Instead, she tried to push the door open, and when it didn’t budge, she kicked it as hard as she could.
The doors swung open, and they stepped inside the dark room.
“I’m sick of this,” Rainbow growled.
Applejack nudged her, “Keep your head now. I think we’re getting close to figuring this all out.”
“Like it matters,” Rainbow said, “It’s not going to change anything.”
“Maybe not,” Applejack said, “But Yew brought us here for a reason. I’m still not keen on her, but if ponies were treated like this, I’d be plenty sore, too.”
She motioned for Rainbow dash to walk forward, and the lights turned on when she did.
This room wasn’t lined with obsidian. Instead, it was lined with a silvery metal, and several square hatches were set in three walls. At the far side of the room was a table made from the same silvery metal. Something was on top of it but covered with a sheet.
“There must be dozens of them,” Applejack said, “Think we’re supposed to open them all up?”
Rainbow sighed, “Let’s check out the table first. Maybe there’s something here.”
Applejack smiled, “Good thinking. Let’s get going.”
They walked to the table, their hooves echoing off the metal walls, and soon arrived at their destination.
“I know I’m not gonna like this,” Rainbow said.
“Me neither, Sugarcube,” Applejack said, “But we gotta remember that all this is in the past. We can’t fix it. All we can do is figure out what Yew wants us to know.”
Rainbow glared at the sheet covering the figure, “We already know. Ponies found out Alder’s blood could be used for medicine, so they started killing them for it.”
“And I’m thinking you’re right,” Applejack said, “But there has to be more. Otherwise, we should be out of here.”
Rainbow didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled the sheet off the figure. She didn’t even flinch at the sight.
A figure similar to Alder lay on the table, with their torso cut open, but the cavity was void of any organs.
“So this must be a morgue,” Applejack asked, “I guess that makes sense.”
“How,” Rainbow shouted, “How does this make sense? Ponies like Alder were used and tossed like garbage, and all you can say is that it makes sense?”
“Now, listen here,” Applejack shouted, “I ain’t defending any of what happened. I’m just saying what I’m seeing. The ponies that did this were awful, and we both know that. Getting upset ain’t bringing them back or changing anything. I bet Yew wants us to be upset. Let’s just find what we need and get out of here.”
She didn’t wait for Rainbow Dash. Instead, she walked to one of the walls and studied the hatches.
As Applejack searched, Rainbow Dash didn’t take her eyes off the long-dead dryad.
“Who were you,” she quietly asked, “Did you run around the forests like Alder? Did you have friends that you had good times with?”
Rainbow sighed and wiped her eyes with a hoof. She gently placed her head against the dryad’s and whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
She carefully covered the dryad with the sheet and returned to Applejack.
“Look,” She began.
“You’re right,” Applejack said, “I owe you an apology. You’re right to be upset at all of this.”
“No,” Rainbow said, “You’re right. We’re here for a reason and can’t get distracted.”
Applejack turned to Rainbow and smiled, “You got a good heart there, Sugarcube. That’s why I never doubted we’d be okay.”
Rainbow managed a small smile, “And why’s that?”
Applejack laughed, “Cause you’d never leave a pony hanging, right?”
“Yeah,” Rainbow said, “And I’m not about to start now.”
They spent almost an hour studying the hatches for clues as to which to open, and neither wanted to discover another victim.
“So, which will it be,” Applejack asked.
Rainbow looked around the room, looking at each of the hatches. They were all the same, and they couldn’t read the labels. She knew that there had to be a sign.
“Hold on,” she said, “I have an idea.”
She looked at the sides of the nearest hatch and smiled, “Okay, I think I got it.”
“What you got,” Applejack asked.
“Look,” Rainbow said, pointing to the gap between the hatch and the wall.”
Applejack got closer and saw it. A layer of ice had formed.
“So,” Applejack asked, “We find the hatch that doesn’t have this ice or one where the ice isn’t as thick?”
Rainbow Dash nodded, “That’s what I think.”
“Okay then,” Applejack said, “You get that wall, and I’ll get this one.”
“Got it,” Rainbow said and ran to the other side.
Within a few minutes, Rainbow Dash shouted, “I found it.”
Applejack hobbled toward her and smiled at the discovery.
“Not a lick of ice on this one,” she said.
Rainbow nodded, “Just say when.”
Applejack laughed, “No time like the present.”
“Okay,” Rainbow said and pulled the latch.
A loud hiss escaped from the hatch, along with a burst of cold air. The hatch opened easily, and a metal slab slid out.
Another covered figure lay on this slab, but the ponies knew this was different.
The figure underneath was breathing.
Applejack pulled the sheet away and found what they were looking for.
Sapphire Flower lay shivering. She struggled to get to a sitting position, but Rainbow Dash helped her.
“Okay,” Rainbow said, “We got you. I guess we’re done.”
“Done,” Sapphire asked, “This is only the start. Did you learn the awful secret of this place?”
“Near enough,” Applejack said, “Ponies were using blood as medicine and took it too far.”
Sapphire nodded, “I thought it was an awful dream, but it happened. She’s in so much pain.”
“Enough of that,” Rainbow said, “We got you. We know what happened. Now let’s get out of here.”
All three ponies felt a sudden pull of energy and soon found themselves in a dimly lit room.
Sapphire got to her hooves and walked toward a wall.
“This is a door,” she said, “I don’t know how I know. I just do.”
She pressed a tile on the side of the wall, and the door slid open.
The group now found themselves back in the ancient ruins.
---
The tower staircase ended with a hatch. Twilight tried to open it, but the hatch didn’t budge.
“Allow me to help you,” Rarity said.
They both pushed as hard as they could, and the hatch slowly opened.
A refreshing breeze greeted the unicorns as they found themselves on the tower roof.
“This is certainly pleasant,” Rarity said, “Again if I weren’t so annoyed, I’d be enjoying the view.
The first thing they noticed was the lack of the green glow they saw earlier.
Unlike the previous floors, there was only one object, an obsidian pillar opposite them.
In the center, where the lower floors had tables, there was a metal circle on the floor.
“This looks alien to me,” Rarity said.
Twilight nodded, “This must have been at the height of their civilization. I’ve never seen machines like these.”
She examined a pillar and noticed a sunken section.
“I wonder,” she said and pressed the obsidian.
The sunken section began to glow brightly, and an image appeared.
“This is interesting,” Twilight said.
A voice emerged from the pillar.
“I’m afraid we don’t understand,” Rarity said, “Can you understand us?”
The voice repeated itself.
Twilight sighed, “I think it’s programmed to repeat a specific message.”
She growled and stomped her hoof, “Why do all of this? If we’re supposed to learn the history of what happened between the dryads and ponies, why put barriers that we can’t pass?”
“Please state your name,” the pillar said.
Twilight and Rarity shared a glance.
“I’m not going crazy,” Twilight asked, “You heard it too?”
Rarity nodded, “I certainly did.”
She walked to the pillar and asked, “How are we able to understand you?”
The pillar was silent for a few moments, then said, “I am studying your speech. I have observed your progress and am ready to see you fulfill your objective.”
“So you were the one unlocking the doors,” Twilight asked.
“That is correct,” the pillar said, “Once you understood the events on each floor, I allowed you to proceed.”
Rarity smiled, “How accurate were we?”
“The total accuracy is irrelevant,” the pillar said, “What matters is that you attained a cursory understanding. Now, before you can proceed, you must submit your queries. Please keep in mind that the scope and number of inquiries are limited.”
“We understand,” Twilight said, “We’ll think about it and be right back.”
The pillar didn’t respond, and the unicorns walked back to the hatch.
“I almost asked how many inquiries we’re allowed,” Twilight said, “But that might be considered an inquiry.”
Rarity smiled, “True, though, we must hurry. We have to find our answers and return.”
“Yeah, let’s go,” Twilight said.
They returned to the pillar.
“Before we proceed,” Twilight said, “You will tell us the number of inquiries we can use.”
“Very well,” the pillar said, “You have five inquires, and you will be informed of your remaining total after each inquiry, so there will be no need to ask for them.”
Rarity chuckled, “Well, that’s certainly a relief. You can understand how we would get that impression, of course?”
“I understand how one may have that impression. You now have four inquiries.”
“Rarity,” Twilight shouted.
“That was not an inquiry,” Rarity said, “I didn’t ask anything relevant to our situation.”
“Okay,” Twilight said, “Let’s calm down. We must assume that any question the pillar answers will count as an inquiry. Let’s be careful.”
Rarity nodded, “I shall leave it to you then.”
Twilight nodded and turned her attention to the pillar, “Why did the dryad, Yew, bring us here?”
“That inquiry is beyond the scope of available inquiries. You still have four inquiries available.”
“So only inquiries it can answer are counted,” Rarity asked Twilight.
Before Twilight could respond, the pillar said, “Yes, only inquiries that fall within the scope of my programming will deduct from your total. You now have three inquiries available.”
“But,” Rarity said, “I did ask you.”
She stomped on the floor, “I’ll wait by the hatch.”
“Rarity,” Twilight said, “It was an accident. It’s okay.”
Rarity shook her head, “I already cost us two inquiries. No, it’s best if I stay out of the way. If you wish to confer with me, I’ll be by the hatch.”
“Okay,” Twilight said, “I’ll try to get as much information as I can.”
Rarity walked to the hatch, sat down, and decided to take in the view of the surrounding forest.
The trees were beautiful, and she noticed an almost mystical quality to them.
They were in an illusion, this much was obvious early on, but the trees were created with extra care. The trees were important.
“Twilight,” Rarity said, “Come here, please.”
Twilight walked to Rarity, “What’s up?”
“I have a possible inquiry,” Rarity said, “A genuine one, that is.”
Twilight laughed, “Stop beating yourself up about that. It was like the scene from ‘Daring Do and the Cave of Mysteries.’ It’s kind of funny.”
“In any case,” Rarity said, “I noticed the trees in this illusion are different. They were created carefully.”
“Well, the dryads were from the forests. Perhaps trees held an important part in their culture,” Twilight said.
She began to turn around, but Rarity stopped her.
“Be careful when you ask,” Rarity said, “I could be wrong, but the ponies may have created this pillar.”
“But Yew created this illusion,” Twilight said, “It might be possible that this tower was created by ponies and placed in the care of the dryads.”
“Possibly,” Rarity said, “But please be careful.”
Twilight nodded and returned to the pillar.
“Please state your inquiry,” the pillar said.
“What is the relationship between the forest and the dryads,” Twilight asked.
The pillar remained silent momentarily and said, “The forest is vital to the dryad population. It is a uniquely symbiotic relationship. One where neither has an advantage. The trees are cared for by the dryads, and the dryads gain their power from the trees. You now have two inquiries remaining.”
“What was the purpose of using dryads in the creation of medicine,” Twilight asked.
“The pony scientific community discovered, by accident, that the blood of the dryad population had remarkable healing properties. Efforts were made to harvest this precious liquid. The first efforts were in the guise of blood drives where dryads were encouraged to donate blood. This proved to have almost no success as the dryad population knew the value of their blood. After this and other incentive-themed programs were tested, the decision came to use force. Dryads were arrested under false pretenses whenever they entered the city and sent to hospitals for testing. There was a ninety-seven percent fatality rate of the dryads. This brought on a discovery the dryad population needed the forests to survive. The decision came from the unicorns that all dryads would be captured. While the dryad population was being gathered, a dedicated team of scientists began working on keeping a dryad alive to keep a steady stream of blood available. This culminated with the creation of the chamber. It took too long to complete, and only one dryad was used. It was successful in that the captured dryad survived and provided the blood needed for further experiments. You now have one inquiry remaining.”
Twilight stood in stunned silence as she tried to process what she had just heard.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, returning to Rarity.
“From the look on your face,” Rarity said, “I don’t think you have good news.”
Twilight shook her head, “It’s as we feared. The ponies used the dryads for medicine.”
“So, the ponies in the beds,” Rarity said, “They were victims being drained of blood?”
“Yeah,” Twilight said, “For medicine. They eventually resorted to killing almost all the dryads. Only one remained who was trapped in a chamber.”
“Or a prison,” Rarity asked.
“Yew,” Twilight said, “That makes sense, but she said she belonged there.”
Rarity got to her hooves, “And we can ask her when we see her again. Now, if my math is correct, we have one final inquiry. May I?”
Twilight smiled, “Just don’t ask what time it is.”
“Oh hush,” Rarity said, smiling, “I believe I have an inquiry.”
She stood before the pillar and asked, “I have some statements to make before I make my inquiry. Assuming that everything you said is correct and that our understanding of the historical events is accurate, it would stand to reason that the ponies engaged in a war against the dryads. This war resulted in the near extinction of the dryads and the capture of the last remaining dryad for the purpose of creating a medicine. If the healing properties of dryad blood were as powerful as it seemed, then some ponies might think it a possible fountain of youth.”
Rarity took a breath and asked, “My inquiry is, how much of what I said is accurate?”
“Nice,” Twilight whispered.
“You were fairly accurate in your statements, but there are some errors. Firstly, there was no formal declaration of war. The laborer earth ponies would have revolted should word of aggression against the dryad population spread. The abductions were carried out by the military, primarily the elite pegasus corp. The extinction of the dryad population was never a goal, just an unfortunate side effect of the lack of cooperation. The ultimate goal of the dryad blood program was never revealed, but it can be assumed that ponies wished to eradicate all diseases from the world. The dryad that was used in the chamber was not captured nor abducted. She surrendered herself to the program with the request that all aggression against the dryads be stopped. This request was never honored, though it is unknown if she ever learned of this fact. She was placed in the chamber where nutrient-enhanced water was forced through her veins, and her blood drained from her body. This effort eliminated the risk of fatality from being separated from the forest. You have used your final inquiry. You may now receive your objective.”
The metallic circle in the center began to rise. It was a cylindrical chamber, and a pony floated inside of it.
The liquid began to drain from the chamber, and once empty, it opened.
Emerald Lilly fell out of the chamber.
“So cold,” she whispered, “She was promised, and they lied. She’s right to be angry.”
“Relax,” Twilight said, “You’re safe now. Hopefully, this will end the illusion.”
“We’ll never be safe,” Emerald Lilly said.
The world suddenly went dark, and they found themselves in a dimly lit room.
“I guess we’re back in the ruins,” Rarity said, “Perhaps there is a means of leaving this room.”
Twilight walked around the room and noticed one of the walls.
“I think this is it,” she said.
She studied the border along the wall and spotted a tile. Twilight pushed the tile, and the wall slid open.
They stepped out and smiled at the sight of their friends.
“Hey girls,” Twilight said, “I guess you figured it out too?”
Rainbow nodded, “I guess so.”
“I wasn’t fun,” Applejack said, “But we got through it.”
Rarity gasped, “Applejack, what happened to your leg?”
“A series of bad tumbles,” Applejack said, “But a dryad named Alder helped me out.”
“Has anypony seen Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie,” Twilight asked.
Everypony shook their head.
“I guess they’re still in their illusions,” Rarity said, “Might not be much longer.”
The group agreed and waited for their friends to arrive.
---
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie walked down the staircase. This staircase was considerably longer than the previous stairs, but torches lit their way.
“I can’t wait to see what’s down there,” Pinkie Pie shouted.
Fluttershy smiled, “I wonder what it could be. Hopefully, it’s nothing too scary.”
Pinkie giggled, “Flutters, we’re gonna finish this together, right?”
Fluttershy nuzzled Pinkie, “Of course we are. We’re a team.”
They soon reached the foot of the stairs and stepped into a large rectangular room. A rug ran from the stairs to a stone altar at the rear of the room, and rows of benches were lined along the rug.
“I wonder what this place is for,” Pinkie said, nudging Fluttershy.
Fluttershy swallowed, “I guess we should go to the altar?”
They walked toward the altar, and though they couldn’t see anypony, they could hear the sounds of whispering.
When they arrived at the altar, two shadowy figures appeared.
Pinkie smiled as Fluttershy stepped forward.
“Hello,” she said, “We still don’t know what we’re here. Can you help us?”
“That’s quite bold of you,” one of the figures said.
“Very bold,” the other said, “I was expecting the other one to speak first.”
“Well,” Pinkie said, “We learned our lessons. So, what’s next?”
“Next,” the first figure said, “You two will go through the ceremony.”
Fluttershy put her legs on the altar, “But who are you two? You sound familiar.”
The first figure laughed, “You should. We met not that long ago.”
They nodded to the other figure, and the shadows dissipated.
“It’s Di,” Pinkie shouted, “And you must be the other Flutters.”
“Di,” Fluttershy and the other Fluttershy asked in unison.
“I said to keep that to yourself,” Di scolded Pinkie, “Remember when I said that?”
Pinkie giggled, “Oopsie. Still, it’s good to see you, so I know this test will be as easy as a cupcake.”
“Well,” the other Fluttershy said, “You’re not wrong. We all know each other, so let’s begin.”
Fluttershy smiled, “Yes, what do we need to do?”
“First,” the other Fluttershy said, “We will need your items.”
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie placed the basket and box on the altar.
Di grabbed Pinkie’s box, and the other Fluttershy also grabbed Fluttershy’s basket.
“This test will be simple,” she said, “But you two have to be honest. Are you ready?”
Both ponies nodded.
The other Fluttershy giggled, “We need you to say you’re ready. It’s a rule.”
“Oh,” Fluttershy said, blushing, “I’m ready.”
“Me too,” Pinkie said, hopping up and down.
Di opened the box and took out a wooden bracelet.
“Ooh, pretty,” Pinkie said.
Di nodded and placed the bracelet in front of Pinkie.
“Not yet,” Di said, “You’ll know when it’ll be time.”
“That is a pretty bracelet,” Fluttershy said, “I haven’t seen a bracelet made out of wood.”
The other Fluttershy smiled, “This is a very special wood from the branch of a special tree. We’ll get to that in a moment.”
She opened the basket and took out a bracelet as well. This bracelet was made out of stone.
“That one’s not as nice,” Pinkie said.
“Pinkie,” Fluttershy scolded, “Don’t be rude.”
Di laughed, “There’s a reason this bracelet isn’t as pretty.”
The other Fluttershy placed the stone bracelet in front of Fluttershy.
“We are ready to proceed,” Di said, “Remember, be honest.”
Both ponies began to nod but stopped themselves.
“We understand,” they said.
“The first question,” Di said, “If one of you were ill, to what extent would you go for the other?”
“This is silly,” Pinkie said, “We all know that the answer is that we’ll do whatever it takes.”
She shrugged and added, “Besides, this is a hypothetical question. We don’t know how we’ll act until it actually happens.”
Di and the other Fluttershy shared a glance.
“That’s quite true,” Di said, “We have no proper way of knowing how you would behave should it truly happen.”
“Unless,” the other Fluttershy said, “We were to make the hypothetical real.”
Di shook her head, “But we don’t have that kind of time. Cypress is waiting for them, so let’s get this moving.”
“Agreed,” the other Fluttershy said, “We will forgo those questions and ask a simple question for each of you.”
“Pinkie,” the other Fluttershy began, “Why would you never prank Fluttershy?”
“That’s easy,” Pinkie said, “She’s so sensitive that even a simple prank would hurt her feelings.”
Di nodded, “Then why are you with somepony that pathetic?”
Fluttershy flinched slightly, and Pinkie slammed a hoof on the altar.
“Now you watch it,” Pinkie shouted, “Is this more of that ‘Flutters isn’t tough’ talk? Because I told you that she’s plenty tough.”
“But not tough enough for you to do one of the things you do with all of your friends,” the other Fluttershy asked, “You prank all of your friends, and everypony has a great laugh. Why are you excluding her from that?”
Pinkie shook her head, “Fluttershy is off limits. Permanently.”
“But,” Fluttershy began.
“I’m sorry,” the other Fluttershy said, “You have to stay quiet right now. This is her test.”
“But,” Fluttershy began again.
“It’s okay, Flutters,” Pinkie said, “I think I know what they’re saying, but I was lying.”
“You don’t think she’s tough at all, do you,” Di asked.
Pinkie sighed and shook her head, “She tries. I mean, she really, really tries, and she comes through in the end, but I know she’s too sensitive.”
“Now,” Di said, “Fluttershy, this is the part where you speak. Is she being honest?”
Fluttershy glared at Di and the other Fluttershy. She then turned her attention to Pinkie and nuzzled her gently.
“I know I’m weak,” she said, “That’s why you are always telling me that I’m tough, because I know you don’t really mean it. You want me to be more confident, and I think I’m getting a little better, thanks to you. I’m sorry that you think you have to keep telling me something you don’t believe.”
“I’m sorry,” Pinkie said, “I keep thinking about the last prank Dashie, and I did.”
“But that worked out okay,” Fluttershy said, “And it was an accident.”
Pinkie smiled and nuzzled Fluttershy, “That’s my Flutters.”
Di and the other Fluttershy nodded in approval.
“Very well,” Di said, “Now it’s time for Fluttershy.”
“I’m ready,” Fluttershy said, “And I promise to be honest.”
Di smiled, “Okay, why are you in love with Pinkie Pie?”
Fluttershy smiled warmly and said, “Because I know that I will never be good enough for her. She’s a shining star showering everypony in her life with joy and energy. Never content to leave a pony feeling just okay, she’ll work extra hard to break through the sadness to help them feel real joy. I want to have that kind of strength, but I know that I never will.”
She looked down at the floor, and her smile broadened, “I want to be the star in her life so she doesn’t have to do it all alone.”
“Flutters,” Pinkie said, “You’re plenty good enough for me. You know that.”
“She didn’t lie,” Di said, “And you two were both honest. The question now is, knowing what you know now, does this change anything?”
Fluttershy smiled and shook her head.
Pinkie wrapped Fluttershy in an embrace and nuzzled her gently.
“That’s all the answer we need,” the other Fluttershy said, “Now for the bracelets.”
“Fluttershy, you will give the stone bracelet to Pinkie, and Pinkie will give the wooden bracelet to Fluttershy.”
Both ponies nodded and placed their respective bracelet on the other’s hoof.
“Now,” Di said, “Return to Cypress. She will have one more task for you.”
“Okay,” Fluttershy said, “And thank you.”
“Yeah,” Pinkie said, “Thanks.”
They began to walk up the stairs.
“Pinkie,” Fluttershy began.
“I’m not mad at you,” Pinkie said.
“How...”
“Because I know you,” Pinkie said, “You’re my special somepony, and I’m gonna figure out how to show you that you’re good enough for me.”
“And I’ll try to be tougher,” Fluttershy said, “Um, race you to the top.”
She began to run up the stairs.
Pinkie smiled, “Let’s go!”
They reached the top of the stairs quickly. Fluttershy knew that Pinkie was letting her stay ahead, but that was fine with her. They were having fun.
She reached the top of the stairs, and Pinkie soon joined her.
“Wow, you’ve gotten fast,” Pinkie said.
“Oh, hush,” Fluttershy scolded, “You let me win. I know how fast you really are.”
Pinkie shrugged, “It was fun, though.”
Fluttershy nodded, “It sure was. Let’s see Cypress.”
They smiled at the dryad who was waiting for them.
“Oh,” she said, “It seems you completed your task sooner than I expected.”
Pinkie giggled, “Well, we did skip the hypothetical stuff because of silliness.”
“I see,” Cypress said, “Well, that silliness was quite important, but if they felt you were deserving, please present your bracelets.”
Both ponies placed the leg wearing a bracelet on the altar.
“Excellent,” Cypress said, “This is not a formal ceremony, but understand the questions you were asked, and would have been asked, were part of an important ceremony.”
She pointed back to the entryway, “Up there will be your goal. The reason you were brought here. Collect it, and you will leave this illusion.
Pinkie nodded and left.
Fluttershy paused for a moment.
“I know it doesn’t mean much,” she said, “But thank you. I learned a lot about myself here, and I will work to improve.”
“Just don’t lose yourself in your quest for improvement,” Cypress said, “For part of her love is for your flaws.”
Fluttershy blushed slightly, “I’m learning that as well. Thank you, but I must be going.”
Cypress nodded, and Fluttershy ran to catch up with Pinkie.
“Have a nice chat,” Pinkie asked.
“I wanted to thank her for helping see what I need to fix,” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t fix what isn’t broken,” Pinkie said, “That’s what my dad used to say.”
“I know,” Fluttershy said, “I just don’t want to be a burden.”
At the entrance, they found what Cypress was referring to, or rather who.
Cobalt lay on the floor, and his coat was matted with the brackish swamp water.
They began to check on him, and when they placed a hoof on his body, the illusion ended.
“Where are we,” Fluttershy asked, “This looks familiar.”
“Because it is,” Pinkie said, “We’re back in the obsidian place.”
Cobalt began to cough and slowly got to his hooves.
“Are you okay,” Fluttershy asked.
Cobalt didn’t speak but nodded.
“Good,” Pinkie said, “Let’s get out of here.”
The wall slid open, and they stood face to face with Aqua Rain.
“What,” she began, “What are you doing here?”
She didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she ran and embraced Cobalt.
“We escaped the illusion,” Fluttershy said, “And it seems that we were supposed to rescue your husband.”
“Are you okay,” Aqua Rain asked, “Are you hurt?”
Cobalt shook his head, “I’m okay. I don’t remember what happened, but I’m glad I’m out of it now.”
Aqua Rain helped Cobalt to his hooves, and the four ponies left the room.
“There you guys are,” Rainbow Dash shouted, “Been waiting for you.”
“Oh my,” Fluttershy said, “I hope it hasn’t been that long.”
“Nah,” Applejack said, “Only been a few minutes. Ol’ Rainbow here’s just being impatient like always.”
Fluttershy gasped at the sight of Applejack’s sling and ran to her friend.
“You’re hurt,” she said, “What happened?”
“Bad fall,” Twilight said, “The sling was well made.”
“It sure was,” Rainbow said, “Good medicine, too.”
“Rainbow, dear,” Rarity said, “I’m hoping it’s nothing, but why did you say medicine like that?”
“Yes,” Yew said, “Let’s compare notes and see what we all learned.”
She turned to Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, “Except you two. You’ll do your parts soon enough.”
“So, who wants to go first,” Yew asked, “Will it be the storage and disposal or the tower?”
“We’ll go first,” Twilight said, “We were given quite a bit of history to go through.”
The group nodded, and Twilight said, “First, you are or were a dryad. We don’t know what that means exactly, but you share an appearance with ponies, but you share a stronger connection with nature. We met a dryad named Tulip in a tower within a forest. She guided us toward the top of the tower.”
“Your kind was also treated horribly by ponies,” Rarity said.
“Not all ponies,” Yew said, “Weren’t you paying attention?”
“No,” Twilight said, “We were paying attention. It appeared the cause of the troubles began with unicorns. Later, pegasi began working with unicorns against the dryads.”
“Good,” Yew said, “And don’t forget that the earth ponies did nothing.”
“From what we learned,” Twilight said, “The earth ponies were intentionally kept ignorant of the dryad abductions.”
“You think they didn’t know,” Yew asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if those in charge were causing problems for earth ponies, so they would have a chance to see what was happening.”
Yew shrugged, “Maybe, it doesn’t matter.”
She turned to Rainbow and Applejack, “Now, you two. What did you learn?”
Rainbow sighed, “We know what the ponies did with the dryads when they were done with them.”
Applejack nudged her gently, “It’s okay, RD. We got through it.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow said, “I know. We were falling, and Applejack landed hard and hurt herself. We met a dryad named Alder. She helped Applejack, but she was hurt real bad.”
“Oh,” Yew said, “I’m sure she was able to use some of the berries and plants nearby to make some medicine.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow said, “But she also used some of her blood.”
A gasp escaped from the ponies.
“Don’t think I missed that,” Yew said, “I saw the sparkle in your eyes. You ponies never changed.”
“It’s a shock,” Twilight said, “But it confirmed what we learned in the tower.”
“That ponies were killing dryads for their blood and storing it,” Rainbow said, “We found the blood and a dryad.”
“You sound upset,” Yew said.
Rainbow glared at Yew and shouted, “Of course I’m upset. What we saw was too horrible to explain. To see somepony that young, just gone was too much. It was wrong. All of it, but now we know a bit more.”
“Good,” Yew said, “You sound sincere. That certainly means something, but was there something in the tower that you learned?”
Twilight nodded, “Yes, you surrendered yourself to the ponies knowing what they were planning to do to you. Were you hoping to end the conflict?”
Yew laughed, “I was so stupid back then. Yes, I hoped that my noble sacrifice would warm the ponies’ evil hearts into stopping, but they used me and slaughtered my kind.”
“You’re still here,” Twilight asked, “You’re a reflection, but you still live?”
“Is that what you meant,” Aqua Rain asked, “When you said that we would help you get free?”
Yew smiled, “Yes when each of you opened your rooms, it unlocked part of my prison. There remains only one, but I am much stronger now.”
She turned to Fluttershy and Pinkie and scowled, “You and your lying eyes. Keep your promise.”
Yew’s eyes began to glow again, and the room began to darken. The obsidian walls began to groan as immense magical energy was being siphoned from them.
“What are you doing,” Twilight shouted.
“What I have to,” Yew said.
She finished casting her spell, and a blinding flash filled the room.
It took a few minutes for the ponies’ vision to clear, and when they did, they noticed all were present except for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
“Where are they,” Rainbow asked.
Yew smiled, “Not where. When.”
---
Pinkie and Fluttershy fell and landed in a pond. They quickly got to the surface and swam to the shore.
“At least the water’s clean,” Pinkie said, shaking the water from her coat.
Fluttershy looked around to see where they were.
The area looked like a park, and when she turned her gaze upward, all she saw was a beautiful blue sky.
“I don’t think this is an illusion,” Fluttershy said.
“Well,” Pinkie said, “We’re supposed to keep some promise, so let’s see if we can find somepony who can help us out.”
Fluttershy nodded, and they soon found a path that led out of the park.
They soon found themselves in awe of the city they found themselves in.
“These buildings are huge,” Pinkie shouted, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Me neither,” Fluttershy said, “We should find something that can show us where we are.”
Pinkie ran ahead and saw a sign.
“Flutters,” she shouted, “Look at this.”
“Oh,” Fluttershy said, “I can’t read this. Does looking at it make your eyes hurt?”
Pinkie nodded, “Sure does. It’s like a weird tingly feeling in the back of my eyes.”
Fluttershy looked toward the buildings. They were so tall that she couldn’t see the top. They appeared to go above the clouds.
“Aww, that’s no fun,” Pinkie said.
“What’s wrong,” Fluttershy asked.
Pinkie pointed to the sign, “I can read it now.”
“What,” Fluttershy asked and gasped.
“I can read it too,” she said.
Come to the weekly fair at the town square this weekend. Earth ponies get in free with an approved escort and will receive a 50% discount on all beverages.
“This could be fun,” Pinkie said.
She nudged Fluttershy, “And you can be my escort. Whatever that means.”
“Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, “I don’t think we’ll be here long enough for that.”
“You never know,” Pinkie said, “For all we know, it might be the weekend already.”
Fluttershy smiled, “You’re right. Let’s go into town and see if we can get some answers.”
The ponies walked toward town, and two figures watched them go.
“That’s certainly strange behavior for a pegasus,” one said.
“It certainly is,” the other replied, “Unless the earth pony is a trusted servant. I’ve never seen a pegasus be so lenient with an earth pony before.”
The first shook his head, “We should report this.”
“And we will,” the second replied, “In time. First, we should follow them. We have to be certain that they don’t undermine our efforts against the dryads.”
The first nodded, “Agreed. Let’s go.”
They waited for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to get further away and began following the ponies, neither group knowing the purpose of their being there. For now.