//------------------------------//
// Follow the Caves 
// Story: The Prince Returns 
// by Shadowslash101 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 17

Follow the Caves

Soarin’ took his spyglass in the north tower and looked around the entire land surrounding Canterlot. It had become the Sixth Day and the Wonderbolt was anticipating anything this day; he had a very bad feeling nagging at the back of his head. When this ever happened, he knew there was something wrong. Jacko Lantern walked upstairs to find Soarin’ spying around the land through the spyglass. “What’re ya doin’, Soarin’?” Jacko asked his friend curious. 
“I’m on Look Out.” Soarin’ answered not leaving his attention from the spyglass. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Uh, actually I am.” Jacko answered him with an awkward smile. Soarin’ then spotted a swarm of black creatures coming their way from miles away. Any sight of something unidentifiable would be a sign of attack. Soarin’ quickly ran over to the horn and blew on it as hard as possible. The blast of sound was loud enough for Fancypants to hear, and he gave orders to the unicorns to combine their magic to create a force field around Canterlot. Within moments, the force field was completed, and the Minions of Envious were there as well. Jacko Lantern and Soarin’ dashed down from the North Tower and grouped with Fancypants, Flight, and the rest of the army. “Soarin’ and Jacko Lantern.” Fancypants greeted them. “I have a few jobs for you to carry out. Make ready the troops for battle. It seems that Envious has changed his mind on something.” 
“Yes, Sir!” Soarin’ and Jacko saluted to him, and the ordered the troops to their correct formations for the battle ahead. Stallions equipped themselves with spears, swords, and shields, and they were anticipated for anything as they made formation. Inside the Castle, Celestia could see Envious’ Minions outside of the Force Field and she could see Envious lurking about through the group. To her relief Turnip Top and Big Macintosh entered her room. “Celestia!” AC shouted to grab her attention. “Fancypants has gave the order for us to bring you to the shelter! You have to follow us!”
“Of coarse.” Celestia agreed with the Earth Pony as she followed them through the castle into the throne room, and they lead her into a secret passage under her throne. 
“Hurry, Celestia.” Big Macintosh urged as she entered into the passage.  Big Macintosh and AC followed her as they closed the throne above them to seal off any entry.

“Land ho!” Lantern Light shouted from the Crow’s Nest. “Mount Joysong is ahead by few miles!” The crew, Slipknot, Helpful the Selfless, Luckyshoes, and the rest ran over to the railing to see an island not too far from them. The island had just a large jungle, but at the center of it had an incredibly tall mountain that stretched in height into the clouds above. It was just so amazing, and the best part was that this was the only place they needed to be. This crisis is almost over with, and the world was going to be saved finally! But they only had five Elements of Harmony: Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Loyalty, and Honesty; Magic had to be found somewhere obviously in that mountain. Twilight Sparkle could feel it in her bones she was so close. “We have saved two extra lifeboats from Fang Scar’s ship, would you like to use those?” Luckyshoes asked the Unicorn; bringing her out of her thoughts. 
“Yes, indeed.” Twilight replied with a smile. As the crew then started to ready the lifeboats, Twilight then remembered Luckyshoes asking her about her being a Student of Celestia, and she became very curious about how he would know such things before. “Excuse me, Captain.” Twilight grabbed the Unicorn Stallion’s attention.
“Yes, Lass?” He replied curious.
“How do you even know about Celestia?” The stallion just laughed a jolly good laugh as she asked that question.
“You see, Lass.” Luckyshoes finally replied. “I’m not from here.”
“You’re not?”
“No, I am not. You see, I was once a rich stallion in the city of Canterlot, until one day I felt very…obsolete.”
“Obsolete?”
“Indeed. I felt nothing around the other ponies around me, or even being important at all. It was the fact that we weren’t actually friends. They only wanted to be around me so they wouldn’t mistakes in public, thus embarrassing themselves, and making them unpopular.” Fancypants explained thoughtfully. “I then tried to have more spice in life by doing things differently around me, my appearance, my attitude, and my pleasures in life, but as I did this, my reputation slowly chipped away and before I knew it, everypony forgot me, and so I left Canterlot; not worrying about my education in Celestia’s Academy for Gifted Unicorns. Soon, I left Equestria to a new home.”
“Shores-a-lot.” 
“Exactly, Lass, and I met the most charming couple in the entire blue ocean: Locker Key and Chest Key. They were the first to greet me—which I have no doubt they met you the same way—and they allowed me to stay in their hotel, but I still needed to pay.” Twilight listened to Luckyshoes as he continued his lifestory. “On  the day I ran out of money I saved from my fortune, I began to start looking for a job to help pay for the rent and whatnot; that’s when I put my attention on sailing. It was a good pay to move cargo. At the time I was only a Cabin Boy, but it all suited me well in the end, unlike at first. I had developed character and a sense of improved responsibility.” 
“So that’s why Mr. and Mrs. Key allow you to come there for free when you visit now, but wait. Didn’t they say we were their First Costumers?”
“Indeed.” The Captain chuckled assumed. “But at the time, the hotel wasn’t in business, it was their home, and they allowed me to stay, and I paid rent on my own.”
“Oh…”
“Come with me.” Luckyshoes led Twilight Sparkle to his Cabin and he opened a secret locker behind his self-portrait. Inside it was a music box with a very cute decoration on the outside. “This was my first wife’s before she died. Go ahead; open it.” Twilight lifted the lid of the music box and inside was a pile of letters. Each was scribbled with the most interesting writing she’s ever seen, but it was very legible. “These are my letters to Celestia and my worries, fears, sadness, and anger I’ve written to make forget it all.”
“But why are you showing me this?” Twilight asked Luckyshoes confused, but curious. 
“I need to ask you of something.”
“Okay.”
“Could do this old stallion a favor and burn these old letters to spare my sorrow?” Luckyshoes explained as he pulled out the box with his magic. “They’ve been a pain in my side ever since I collected them in the first place. Please?” At first, Twilight did know what to say, but she accepted the box with a comforting smile. 
“With pleasure, Captain.” 

Outside of Canterlot Castle, Flight Lock flew up the Fancypants to receive his orders. “Reporting for Duty, General.” Flight Lock saluted as he landed before him. Soarin’ and Jacko Lantern dashed up beside the Pegasus both saluting to the General. 
“Jacko Lantern.” Jacko announced.
“And Soarin’.” Soarin’ added.
“Reporting for Duty, Sir.” Jacko and Soarin’ both announced concurrently.
“Yes, well, at Ease.” Fancypants ordered; making the others lower their salutes. The Wonderbolts were also there as well. “Ladies and Gentle Colts. We all are quite aware that this is Fifth Day, and Envious has changed his mind as you can see, but we will not let him catch us with our trousers down. Yes. We have trained our army, they are anticipating his every move, and will fight to death!”
“Hear! Hear!” Jacko agreed with grabbing attention around him.
“Yes, quite.” Fancy raises an eyebrow. “As I continue, Spitfire and Curly, you two will move your troops to the north wing as you were stationed before; Blitz Dive and Fleet Foot, you will move your group to the South Wing like you were stationed; Fall Breeze and Hail Storm, you two will cover the East Wing with your group; and Jacko Lantern and Soarin’, you two will have the West Wing to patrol with you troops.” 
“Yes, Sir.” Everypony agreed with him.
“Good. Flight Lock and I will evacuate the ponies in Canterlot to a safer location than inside the castle, because that’s where Envious is wanting. Any questions?” Nopony answered him at this moment. “Good. Now go!” Everypony carried out their orders as Fancypants and Flight Lock left the Castle to help in Canterlot with some troops. Soarin’ caught Fleet Foot before she flew off with Blitz Dive. 
“What is it, Soarin’?” She asked her stallion curious.
“I just wanna make sure you’ll be okay.” Soarin’ explained to her concerned. 
“Of coarse, I’ll be okay.” The Wonderbolt chuckled amused. “Why do you have to worry so much?”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Oh, that’s sweet, Honey.” 
“C’mon, Fleet Foot!” Blitz Dive urged for her to follow. “We need to the troops to the South Wing now!”
“Coming!” Fleet Foot then kissed Soarin’s forehead sweetly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.” 
“Alright.” Soarin’ replied as she flew off with Blitz. The Wonderbolt sighed in disappointment, but then Jacko brought him out of his thoughts.
“You comin’, bro?” Jacko grabbed his attention.
“Oh, sure.” Soarin’ assured as he followed Jacko Lantern to the West Wing.


As the rowboats hit land, Helpful and his friends jumped out of the boats onto the sand with their saddlebags equipped on them. Snowy looked back to the Tide Churner, and remembered what it felt like to be stranded on an island with nopony to help him survive or take care of him. He sighed sadly as he sat on the sand. Twilight noticed this and grew very curious. “Hey, Snowy.” Twilight grabbed the Ice Dragon’s attention. “Something bothering you?”
“I was thinking.” Snowy replied after a moment of silence.
“Uh-oh. That’s dangerous.” Sunny teased, but this time Helpful nudged her to be quiet.
“I just hope we don’t get stranded here.” Snowy explain mostly looking over to the ship. 
“By whatever do you mean, Snowy?” Rarity asked him confused. 
“It all started when I was an egg.” Snowy sighed as he went back into his past. “My parents were migrating to a colder environment, and they were taking me with them, but then one of the other dragons bumped into us, and I fell into the trees in the island you all found me. The egg shattered into a million pieces, but I was already ready to hatch at the time.”
“But how did you grow up all alone?” Pinkie Pie asked him curious.
“I had used my instincts to grow up and survive. Ever since then I became a survivalist in the jungles of a cannibalistic island. Fighting every day to survive and see another day.” Snowy finished his explanation with a tear falling onto the sand. “I never knew my parents, and I never knew friendship or anything until I met you guys.” He hugged Twilight; who was sitting beside him. He cried as she patted his back assuring him that she understands. Once Snowy stopped his bawling, the group had begun journeying through the island. Fluttershy beside Helpful as she carried Snowy, Helpful carried Sunny, Twilight was leading with Spike on her back, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack followed close behind everypony until they reached the foot of the mountain. “This is it.” Twilight remarked as she folded her map. “Mount Joysong.”
“Just how do we climb such a steep mountain?” Rarity asked curious for the mountain was very steep, and it made her wonder why it was even named Joysong in the first place. 
“Over here!” Pinkie Pie shouted at the edge of a path that led to the top. “This is an easier way up there! Follow me!”
“Wait!” Applejack stopped Pinkie Pie from going up the path. “Didn’t Luckyshoes say this mountain was cursed?”
“Now that’s nonsense, Applejack.” Rarity protested as she walked over to the path. “He also said that it was only rumors.”
“Actually, Rarity, Applejack’s right.” Twilight explained to her friend. “Luckyshoes explained to me that Mount Joysong’s curse was that when you climbed it you would be force to sing forever nonstop!”
“Really? That sounds fun!” Pinkie Pie shouted excited.
“Until you die.”
“Fun gone.” Pinkie gulped as she looked up the mountain path. 
“Well, we shouldn’t be risking our lives to climbing this if that’ll happen.” Rarity believed Twilight. “We should find another way.”
“Like over here!” Pinkie Pie’s voice echoed from a cave not too far from them. The group followed the echoes and found the Pink Mare standing at the entrance of a cavern. “Looky what I’ve found guys!” Pinkie Pie shouted as her echoes filled the cavern. “Echo!” 
“Pinkie Pie. This is not the time for clowning around…”As Rarity continued to explain to Pinkie what was going on, Applejack remembered what that Alicorn told her a few days ago. 
“Follow the caves.” Applejack said to herself.
“What was that, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked her curious. 
“Follow the caves!” Applejack shouted with joy. 
“Of coarse!” Twilight realized what she meant. “The caves! They aren’t cursed. They’ll lead us to the top with getting us cursed by the outside. It makes total sense why they’re there.”
“And just how do you know that ‘they’re’ going to lead us to the top?” Rarity asked them in disbelief.
“Let’s just say, a certain somepony told me a few days ago that if you ever go to Mount Joysong, you should follow the caves.” Applejack explained as she entered the cavern and as she expected, no curse ever came upon her and she smiled. “See? Now come on!” The rest of her friends followed her into the cavern, but Rarity was a little irritated. 
“Just why does everypony never listen to me?” Rarity whimpered next to Helpful.
“Just be patient, Rarity.” Helpful explained to her. “I still listen to you anyway.” 
“Oh, you.” Rarity giggled delightedly as she felt a little better from Helpful’s encouragement. 

Envious’ anger kindled greatly in him as he concentrated his Element of Anger onto the force field. Soon cracks began to appear into the magical force and they grew even larger as Envious continued his focus. Finally, Envious broke through the force field and it shattered into millions of fragments onto the entire city. His Minions began to attack Canterlot, but Envious held them back. “No! Attack the Castle!” Envious ordered his Minions. “You will take city soon enough!” The Minions obeyed and soon they attacked the Canterlot Castle. Fancypants and Flight Lock had already evacuated everypony from the city just in time as Envious attacked the castle. “We have to help the others!” Flight Lock shouted as he spotted the battle commenced. 
“Then let us go and assist our allies!” Fancypants held out his sword and charged toward the castle. “Charge!” Amongst the battle, Jacko Lantern was having a rough time with the Minions around him as he continued to defend the West Wing with his troops. He threw he spear and it missed one of the Minions; who then dived straight toward him with his bone-like weapon threatening to impale him. The Unicorn used his magic to throw the Minion off course into another one. “Ha!” He exclaim in triumph, but more jumped him out of nowhere, but Soarin’ used his speed to kick them away from Jacko just in time. “Thanks, Soarin’.” Jacko thanked his friend. 
“Don’t mention it.” Soarin’ assured him. “This entire battle’s going down! We’re losing over here and the other wing can’t take so much pressure! We need to fall back!” Jacko Lantern looked around and they were indeed being overtaken by so much pressure that they would start losing too much stallions if they held their ground. 
“Fine then. Everypony! Fall Back!” Jacko ordered his group as he ran toward the castle. His group followed and so did the rest of the Wings. Before they knew it, they had accidently let Envious slip inside. They all entered the throne room to find Celestia inside a cage of darkness unconscious and AC Turnip Top and Big Macintosh with her. Everypony gasped at the sight of Envious in Celestia’s throne as he laughed darkly. “Foolish. Foolish. Foolish.” Envious grimaced under his armor. “You all could never keep me from the castle all by yourselves. Did you think so?” He laughed even darker than before. “Then you must been underestimating everything. See here. I have your princess, and if you don’t surrender now, and become my slaves, I will kill her.” The Minions had already surrounded the entire castle, making any escape impossible. They were all cornered now, and Envious had taken control of the castle. Jacko Lantern and Soarin’ both dropped their weapons onto the ground first, and soon, the rest of the troops did the same. “Very good.” Envious told them. “Now watch as your new king; you rightful king, takes back what’s rightfully his!” As Envious laughed maniacally darkly the troops could feel something under them move, like a small tremor, but then it grew larger, and before they knew it, the castle flew up into the sky. Luckily for Fancypants and Flight Lock , they had gotten into the castle ground before it happened, and they watched as the entire castle was ripped out of the mountain and flew into the sky; leaving Canterlot behind. Dark clouds swirled above them as the castle floated into the air. “Wow.” Flight Lock remarked as he looked down below to see Ponyville. “Now, that’s what I call power.”
“No time for gawking now.” Fancypants told his friend. “We need to save the princess from that Envious.”
“But how? We have no way to get inside without being noticed.” Fancypants then noticed a door closed and unguarded by Envious’ Minions. 
“There.” He dashed with Flight Lock close behind and the General opened the door with his magic, and the two entered inside and closed the door. 

Helpful used his wings to illuminate the entire cavern as he and his friends continued into it. Spike rode on Twilight as she followed Helpful; who had Sunny riding him, Snowy rode on Fluttershy as she walked beside Helpful, Rainbow Dash and Applejack followed Twilight as Rarity and Pinkie Pie followed them. “So how high up do you think this mountain is?” Sunny asked Twilight curious.
“I don’t know, Sunny.” Twilight answered her thoughtfully. “I wish I knew though.” The caves inside Mount Joysong were mostly like an upward spiral that seemed to go up to the top. They all continued walking until Helpful and Sunny spotted a bright light around the corner. 
“What’s that?” Helpful wondered as he ran around the corner to find that it was coming from a bright white orb floating off the ground. “Whoa.” Helpful gaped as he walked to it slowly. Sunny hopped off of Helpful’s back and took a closer look at the orb. It looked neatly polished and seemed fragile to her. “It’s a pretty orb.” Sunny remarked as her ears flopped down from its beauty. 
“What do you think, Fluttershy?” Helpful asked his friend, but there was no answer. “Fluttershy?” Helpful looked around himself, but there was no Fluttershy and there were none of his friends, just him and Sunny. “Oh-no. Where’s Fluttershy, Sunny?”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Helpful.” Sunny replied still staring at the orb. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Exactly, Helpful.” Another voice echoed through the halls. “Don’t worry about it.” Envious appeared before them; scaring Sunny from the orb. “In fact, allow me to help you not worry about it, or anything for that matter.”
“What do you mean?” Helpful asked Envious curious as Sunny ran over to him nervous. 
“Well, have you ever wondered about your past, Helpful the Selfless?” Envious asked him.
“Uh…yeah.”
“Well, the orb before you is actually contains your past; memories and all. You won’t need to worry again, and you can have it right now.” Envious used his magic to levitate the orb to Helpful; who was much temped to accept it, but he wasn’t entirely sure he should. “Go on, Helpful. You want to remember everything, correct? Well, here’s your chance just take it.”
“I-I…I don’t know.” Helpful answered finally. 
“Then I will let you think about it.” Envious disappeared before Helpful could say anything. Twilight was shocked over what just happened as much as Spike was. Everypony seemed to have disappeared and only Spike and her was left with just a light Twilight had to use with her magic. “Where do you think everypony went?” Spike asked Twilight curiously. 
“I don’t know, Spike.” Twilight answered just as flummoxed as he. “But I think this is all Envious’ doing.”
“You don’t think he’s…” 
“I don’t know, Spike.” Twilight answered after a moment of silence. “But we have to keep our hopes up.”
“I hope everypony’s okay.”
“So do I, Spike, so do I.” Twilight then walked into a bright light that blinded them both, and when they opened their eyes, they couldn’t believe it. They were inside the hugest library in imagination. Shelves were as high as the eye could see and they halls were as long as life. It was amazing to find so many books in one place! “Oh, my gosh!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in amazement. “Look, Spike.”
“I’m looking, but it’s just too incredible.” Spike replied just as amazed and excited. Twilight dashed over a shelf and pulled out a book. She flipped through the pages and found all sorts of spells inside. “Great Celestia! All these books must be based on spells!” Twilight exclaimed in excitement. 
“Looks like we have our work cut out for us.” Spike remarked feeling a bit like Sunny for a sec. 
“Just look at all these books, Spike!” Twilight pointed out before them. “It’ll take a lifetime to read everything here.”
“Actually, it’ll take a million lifetimes to finish every book here.” Another voice different from Spike’s replied. Shadows came from under the shelves and they formed the body of Envious before Spike’s and Twilight’s eyes. 
“Envious!” Twilight growled at him ready for anything.
“Calm yourself, Twilight.” Envious assured her calmly. “I mean you no harm.”
“What do you want then?” Twilight asked him now confused. 
“To offer you a deal.” Spike and Twilight exchanged looks of confusion, but they both listened. “This library holds every single spell from around the globe, even spells forgotten in the past, and spells from the future. All this is yours once you’ve vowed to me that you’ll cease this useless quest to stop me.” Twilight didn’t know what to say, abandon her friends and live here forever learning magic beyond her wildest dreams, or decline such a huge offer.
“Forget it, Envious!” Spike answered for her instead.
“Spike.” Twilight tried to stop him, but he didn’t listen. 
“You can just go back to your li--!” Envious used his magic to make Spike’s mouth disappear. Spike was shocked to find his mouth gone, and he tried to speak, but he couldn’t.
“That should keep you little pest from talking out of place.” Envious growled at Spike. “Now what is your answer, Twilight?” The Unicorn looked at Spike; who shook his head then looked at Envious; who only stood there patiently for an answer. Learning spells forgotten from the past would be fun, but she had to help her friends, but learning spells from the future would also be a blast. She couldn’t decide and as such she rubbed her head in pain. “Very well, Twilight.” Envious spoke after some silence. “I will leave you to contemplate on the matter.” Before he continued any further he disappeared into a shadow and flew off in a second. Rarity had walking in the dark for quite some time, and the only light she had was the spell she was concentrating on so she could see. “Oh, where did everypony go?” Rarity asked herself. “Don’t lose hope yet, Rarity, they’re probably around here somewhere. Just be patient.” But then she felt no footing under her next step, and she exclaimed in terror as she fell onto the ground below, luckily for her, it wasn’t too far down to cause anything serious to break. She was fine as she dusted herself off, but as she turned back on her spell, she was astonished to find millions of gemstones all around her. The light from her horn reflected off the other gems and they brightened the room even more. There was piles upon piles of precious gems everywhere around her; making Rarity excited to the extreme. She ran over to the gems pile and dived right in; picking through every single gemstone as she swam through it all. As she jumped out, she found Envious before her, and she gasped of shock. “Envious!” Rarity exclaimed surprised.
“Fear not, for I am here to offer you a deal, Milady.” Envious explained comfortingly.
“From where I understand, sir, is that you lie.” Rarity protested strongly.
“That may be true,” Envious disappeared into a shadow in a second, but then he appears on the reflection of the gemstones. “But let it not be said that I’m not a Prince of My Word.”
“Uh…”
“Here’s the deal,” Envious appeared in the reflection on a huge diamond. “All these precious gems and whatnot can be all yours if you will surrender to me, and forget that quest for world peace.”
“But what would happen to me?”
“You’ll be perfectly fine, my dear Rarity.” Envious explained as he walked into another gemstone’s reflection. “Just say ‘yes.’”
“U-Uh…” Rarity stuttered uncomfortably as she looked around thoughtfully. Each gemstone is just as beautiful as the one next to it, how could she oppose to such a generous offer, but her friends needed her to help rid of Envious, but there was just so many crystals in one place. “I need some time to think about it.” Rarity answered finally.
“Very well.” Envious disappeared from the gems’ reflections; leaving Rarity in peace. Fluttershy and Snowy have been walking through the dark hallway for some time. “W-W-Where is everypony, S-Snowy?”
“I don’t know, Fluttershy.” Snowy answered, but he kept trying to comfort Fluttershy. 
“I wish Helpful was here.” Fluttershy wished sadly.
“And he is.” Envious appeared with a dim light from his horn before scaring Fluttershy as she pulled out Snowy for protection, but then she noticed that Helpful was beside Envious, and she ran up to him to squeeze him tightly.
“Helpful, you’re okay!” Fluttershy exclaimed in excitement. “I thought you were gone with the others.” But then Helpful pushed her off harshly. 
“Why are you here?” Helpful growled at her with very hateful eyes. 
“B-But, Helpful…” Fluttershy stuttered shocked.
“Why don’t you go back to that cottage with the rest of your putrid animals?” Helpful spat at Fluttershy. Tears started to develop in her eyes. 
“I thought you l-loved me!” Fluttershy began to cry heartbroken from Helpful’s insults. 
“I never loved you! When have I ever loved you, you twit?” Helpful shouted angry at Fluttershy. Snowy ran over to comfort Fluttershy quickly, but she was so heartbroken, that tears were making puddles under them. “You’re just an ugly, horrid, gross puddle of mud, and that’s all you’ll ever be!” Fluttershy cried even louder; making it harder for Snowy to comfort her.
“You stop it, Helpful!” Snowy warned him gravely. “Can’t you see that you’re breaking Fluttershy’s heart?”
“Exactly, Snow cone!”
“Snow cone? Now see here!” Snowy protested against Helpful, and as they argued amongst themselves, Envious walked over Fluttershy with a terrible grimace under his steel helmet. 
“What’s the matter, Fluttershy?” Envious asked her with a caring tone in his voice. “Can’t take the truth from the one you love? I can lift the burden off of you right now, if you’ll just surrender to me now, and forget everything.” Fluttershy looked up to Envious and sniffed as she looked over the Helpful and Snowy arguing and then she looked back to Envious. Everything was happening so fast she couldn’t comprehend it at all! She bursts into tears again. “I will leave you to contemplate on this matter then. I will return shortly to hear you answer, Fluttershy.” Envious disappeared leaving Fluttershy in the dark listening to the argument of Helpful and Snowy continue, and she cried even more.
Rainbow Dash hated not being able to see, even alone in the dark, but she continued with an irritated attitude. Finally, she found an exit out into the sky filled with millions of clouds, and all around them were the Wonderbolts flying around practicing stunts, and then one of them noticed Rainbow Dash and beckoned for her to come. “Oh, my gosh!” Rainbow Dash squealed excitedly as she flew down toward them in the clouds. “Hi, guys!” 
“Hi, Rainbow Dash!” Spitfire greeted her warmly. “What brings you to our practice area?”
“Wait. This space of sky is the Wonderbolts’ Practice Area?” 
“Sure is!” Curly answered her delightedly.
“Oh, my gosh!” Rainbow exclaimed in excitement, but then cleared her throat. “Well, you know, I was cruisin’ through here, minding my own business.”
“Well, since you’re ‘just cruisin’, would you like to practice a few stunts with us?” Spitfire asked her curious.
“Would I ever?” Dashie exclaimed in intense excitement.
“Well, then follow my lead.” The Wonderbolts all immediately flew up into the sky, and Rainbow Dash quickly followed to catch up with them. Soarin’ turned his gaze to meet Dashie’s, and she smiled at him. They all then turned left and Dash followed, it wasn’t before long until she had gotten used to following one’s lead, and they were doing fabulous stunts together. They stopped at another cloud to rest and start again. “You do…a pretty…good job, Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire remarked kindly. “You catch on pretty quick…”
“Hay, yeah! I’m the fastest out there!” Rainbow Dash gloated proudly.
“Well, keep this up, and we might consider you being a Wonderbolt.” Dash’s only reaction was jaw drop and widened eyes. This is all happening so fast and unexpected; she was becoming a Wonderbolt faster than she can comprehend it. 
“O-Okay, sure!” Rainbow Dash replied finally after her face returned to normal. As Spitfire left her to converse with the others, Envious appeared beside Rainbow Dash. 
“A very good day, is it not, Rainbow Dash?” Envious asked her; making Dashie jump around ready to fight him.
“Envious! Come on! You big old mule! You don’t scare me!” Dash shouted as she held up her hooves to fight the armored Alicorn.
“Calm yourself, Rainbow Dash.” Envious assured her. “I come with a deal.”
“A deal?”
“Yes, you see, the Wonderbolts now want to practice their tricks with you, and you’ve waited all your life for this moment, correct?” 
“Y-Yeah?” Rainbow answered thoughtfully. 
“I am giving you this moment to actually become one of them only if you’d swear to stop fighting to save your world.” Dashie then backed up from Envious a little withdrawn. 
“No way, Envious! I would never let you take over the world!” 
“Oh, but you want so desperately to become a Wonderbolt your whole life, and now’s your chance  shine like you’ve always dreamed; performing tricks beyond your wildest dreams to thousands with your heroes, and the crowd would love you, Rainbow Dash. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, what do you say?” Rainbow stared at Envious speechless, looked at the Wonderbolts and Spitfire waving at her, then back to Envious. 
“I’m not sure.” Rainbow answered him finally. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Suit yourself, Rainbow Dash.” Envious disappeared from plain view. 
“So, Rainbow Dash, you comin’ along, or what?” Spitfire asked her curious.
“S-Sure thing!” Rainbow answered as she followed them again for another stunt. Pinkie Pie had been walking through the darkness, not minding everything around here, and then she finally entered the Grand Galloping Gala, and to her surprise, all her friends were there along with all the rich ponies from the last time she went to the Gala. It was all so confusing, but it also very exciting to find everypony here and have a party! Pinkie Pie ran right up to her friends. “Hi, guys!” She greeted them excited.
“Hi, Pinkie Pie!” They all greeted her concurrently, which was a bit weird, but she pushed the thought aside. 
“We gonna have some fun, right?” She shouted excitedly as she went to the DJ booth and started the records up, and played the music. As it played every danced with Pinkie Pie as the party went on. Finally, Envious appeared beside her. “Exciting. Is it not?” Envious greeted her.
“Envious?” Pinkie Pie raises an eyebrow confused. “What’re you doing here?”
“I just come here to see how you were enjoying the party I made for you.”
“You made this?” The Pink Mare asked even more confused.
“Indeed, my dear. You see, I have come to make you a deal.”
“A deal?”
“You can party here at Grand Galloping Gala each and every day of your life nonstop by just swearing to me that you would cease your futile attempt to stop me.” Envious chuckled as they watch everypony dance to the music. “What do you say?”
“I-I…” Pinkie Pie was very tempted to party in the Grand Galloping Gala for the rest for her natural life nonstop, but she had to help her friends keep the world safe, but it would be too fun to accept this offer. “I don’t know.”
“Very well.” Envious sighed tired. “I will return to hear your answer soon, my dear.” Envious then disappeared as a stallion walked in-between him and Pinkie Pie; making the Pink Mare confused. Applejack had been walking for who knows how long alone in the dark. Her friends have mysteriously disappeared and she has no light to help her see. “Hello?” Applejack hollered to see if anypony was around, but then she was surprised to hear laughter echo from a distance. “What is this?” Applejack asked herself as she continued toward the sound of common ponies. She soon walked into a light and found herself inside the Grand Galloping Gala. Everywhere around her was not only high class ponies, but her family members and all other ponies she’s met in Ponyville were also there; even her friends! Applejack walked around to her friends, but on her way she noticed that the same Alicorn stallion that came from her crystal ball was also there among the other rich ponies. She stopped to meet his gaze with a curious expression, but then he disappeared as a pony walked between them. “Huh?” Applejack wondered as ran over to the spot where the Dark Blue Alicorn was before. She looked around confused, and she spotted him again walking out of the room; she chased after him, through the hallway into another room that was the ball room that reminded her of that night they wrecked the Gala before. She looked around, but sighed sadly as she had lost the Alicorn. The Earth Pony mare walked over a balcony that allowed her to see the entire span of Equestria. Her home in Ponyville could be seen as she remembered all the fun she had with her family and friends. Applejack stood there with dream-filled eyes as the Alicorn stallion walked up to her not making a sound, but then he cleared his throat gently to grab her attention. “Huh?” Applejack exclaimed in curiosity as she turned around to see the Alicorn dressed in quite the charming suit; making him seem very handsome and gentle-like. “Oh, it you!” 
“Hello.” The Alicorn greeted with a kind smile. “My name is Prince Merciful.”
“I’m Applejack.” She replied with a big smile. “You must be Prince Joyful’s Brother.”
“Indeed, I am.” Merciful chuckled. “And might I say, your dress makes you look lovely tonight.”
“Uh, what?” Applejack asked confused. “I’m not wearing a dr--.” Applejack spotted her reflection on some glass cup a servant was bringing around, and she saw herself in a very beautiful dress and her mane was made an eloquent fashion. She looked down and gasped to see herself the same dress she saw in the reflection of the glass cups. “How…?”
“Now is not the time for asking questions.” Merciful took Applejack’s hoof with an assuring expression; making Applejack blush a bit. “Come with me.” Merciful led Applejack into the Garden Area of the Castle. “Please, tell me; every tree here, which has the spoiled apples?” Applejack looked at Merciful questioningly. Why would he bring her here and ask her to explain to him such things, but she decided that it had to be some way to understand Merciful. Maybe he was trying to understand her. Applejack then stared at all the apple trees and carefully. Her old apple picking skills then took over and she spotted the tree with the spoiled apples. “There!” She pointed out to the tree beside them. Merciful laughed.
“Very interesting.” He complimented thoughtfully.
“Okay, now that you’ve asked me question, I wanna ask you one.”
“Go on.” Applejack led Merciful into the ballroom. 
“What do you think of this party?” Merciful took a moment to think; knowing that this was all a sham, but he was given this chance from Envious to spend time with the mare he loved. 
“It isn’t the best I’ve seen, and I’ve been to many more sophisticated balls before, but none can be compared to your eloquence.” Merciful answered with a comforting smile; making Applejack blush even more than before.
“Ah shucks! You’re making me blush, Merciful.” Applejack looked away with a smile of embarrassment. Merciful only chuckled happily. 
“The Gala is very beautiful, but it cannot compare to a beauty as wondrous as you, Milady.” Merciful stood next to her, but then he spotted a shadow fly through the room across the walls. “I must go, but don’t worry. I will return soon.” Applejack watched a little surprised that her time with Merciful was short-lived, but then Envious approached her. 
“Did you enjoy the chat with your friend?” Envious asked her with a comforting tone. 
“Envious?” Applejack exclaimed in surprise. “What’re you doing here?”
“Just to offer you a deal.” Envious floated around her to the other side. “You see I’ve noticed how you’ve looked at that Prince Merciful, and I was thinking that maybe you two should get to know one another.”
“You mean, you made all this happen?”
“Indeed, and I’ll let you and Merciful live together if you will just forget your friends.” Applejack was now flummoxed. Leaving her friends would be dishonest and bring shame upon Sweet Apple Acres, but Merciful was a sweet guy and she felt pretty strong toward him, but she could never let Envious take over, but she couldn’t decide on this offer. It was just to mind-blowing to make up her decision. “I-I don’t know, Envious.” Applejack answered him looking down onto the floor. “I’ll have’ta think about this.”
“Then I will return soon to hear your answer, but please enjoy what I’ve given you for the time being.” Envious then disappeared into the shadows. Now he had them all where he wanted them to be, no way he would lose this time. Envious had offered Helpful his past, offered Twilight Sparkle a library of endless books, offered Rarity infinite Gemstones, crushed Fluttershy’s heart, offered Rainbow Dash to become a Wonderbolt, gave Pinkie Pie the chance to party in the Grand Galloping Gala forever, and had allowed Applejack and Merciful to get to spend time with one another. It was all coming together and he could almost taste victory.