Twilight and her friends stood, forming a fence of ponies that separated Spike from Princess Terranea. The alicorn was looking larger and more imposing than Before. All of her tendrils were fluttering, having the appearance of a vertical rippling plane of water. Perhaps it was just their imagination, but the flowers displayed through her mane had a duller color than before.
The six ponies stood their ground.
“What are we being judged on, Princess Terranea?” Twilight asked.
“That is for the judges to decide. They will be present anon,” the princess spoke.
The six ponies looked around. It took a lot of effort to turn their head through all the tension in the air. The fragrances drifting off the flowers felt less sweet. A shroud of gloom seemed to have been pulled over the beautiful grove. The five guardians had backed away even more. They had taken up positions at five points around the front edge of the meadow. Ferry Merry, hiding behind her big sister’s leg, was looking hopeful. Also standing there was the river guide, Higgs Boatswain and the reaper, Fog Lace. They were all as still as statues.
Breaking through the silence was the sound of running water. It started with just a trickle. The Equestrian ponies almost thought that the River of Hate had flowed through the great doors, but that wasn’t the case. Even when the water turned into a roar, they still couldn’t see any signs of it.
From a spot devoid of flowers in the meadow, a geyser of water burst forth. It’s power rumbled through the area. Twilight and her friends let out a gasp of surprise as they moved away. The resting mantis ducked deeper into the leaves to avoid any stray droplets of water. The clear, crisp water stream formed a sphere above the the field of flowers. A ripple shook the water as it settled back onto the ground. It took on a weird shape, having a head and two arms. The lower half of its body was a column.
“Judge Aqueous,” Princess Terranea said, “must you break through my floors every time?”
“Oops,” Aqueous said. “Directions can be hard underground.” The water form was a female, or at least it had a female voice, soft and soothing, like a gentle brook running behind a cozy wooden home.
The water elemental turned, facing the ponies with her featureless face. Even without eyes, it felt as if she was looking at them. “Pleased to meet you.”
All of them were still in too much shock to answer with anything more than a nod.
They didn’t have much time to take everything in as the sound of thundering footsteps and a booming drum filled the area. Walking out from behind a building was a towering creature. Standing on its hind legs only, its muscular arms beat a drum strapped in front of his pudgy stomach. The creature only one great eye that remained focused on the ground in front. A cyclops.
The ponies did all they could not to run away from the cyclops that could easily crush them under his feet if he so desired. Each loud step made them lean back further and clench their teeth tighter. The cyclops stopped right before stepping onto the flowering grove.
“Mine Osmium is here!” a deep, powerful voice said. “And Mine Osmium is ready to render judgement!”
The voice hadn’t come from the cyclops. Leaping off the creatures back was a minotaur. He landed on the ground in what looked to be a pose meant to show off his body, crouched with one arm on the ground. He looked strong with a muscular chest and bulging arms. Smaller legs easily kept his top heavy body balanced. Two horns, with ends so sharp they seemed to glint, protruded out from the side of his head. A long, grey beard and wrinkles on his face revealed that the minotaur was quite old, despite his impressive physique.
“Welcome, Judge Mine Osmium,” the princess said. “I see all three judges have gathered. Are you ready to begin?”
Three? Twilight and the others were pretty sure there were only two. They shot confused glances to each other.
“Yes,” Aqueous said.
“Mine Osmium is always ready!” the minotaur boasted.
“Yeah, sure, I’m ready,” a throaty voice said. It sounded as if there was phlegm stuck in the speakers respiratory tract.
The ponies looked around, confused. It was Fluttershy who first pointed out the speaker, the mantis that had been resting underneath the flower this entire time. He looked like nothing more than an ordinary mantis, green, large eyes with a long neck, arms that looked like folded up blades. Normal. He was now standing on top of an orchid.
“Very well,” Princess Terranea said. “Elements of Harmony, I introduce to you the three judges that will decide if you are worthy of having a life returned. Judge Aqueous,” she raised a hoof towards the water elemental. “Judge Mine Osmium,” she pointed to the minotaur. “And Judge Rad Mantis.”
“Sup?” the mantis asked with a wave of his arm.
Rainbow Dash gave an awkward wave of her own.
The three judges lined up in front of the princess, facing the ones they were to be evaluating. Aqueous had an imperceptible look. An obvious look of derision was on Mine Osmium’s face, even with the bottom half blocked out by his beard. The most unenthusiastic one of the three was Rad Mantis. He just kind of looked like he was only here because it was his job.
Aqueous rippled when she spoke. “Elements of Harmony, we have been watching you since you first entered Lot D.”
“We have been judging you!” Mine Osmium said with a finger pointed at Twilight.
“Yeah, so, get ready for our judgement and stuff,” Rad Mantis said.
Aqueous spoke again. “Your reasons for coming here, your interactions with the staff of Lot D, everything is up for judgment. Before we begin, do you have anything to say?”
The six ponies looked around uncertainly. Their gazes were no match for the ones of the judges. Before any one of them could do anything, Spike passed through their bodies and faced the judges.
Spike held up an arm. His other claw was clenched tight. “Um, may I say something?”
Mine Osmium leaned down with eyes wide. “What do you have to say, Little Dragon?”
“Well, just that these ponies are my best friends, and I really want to go back with them. I know that is selfish of us, and goes entirely against the way things work. If you do decide not to let me leave, don’t blame them for trying. I would do the same for any one of them.
“Don’t even think about trying to keep them here as prisoners for invading Lot D. I won’t let you guys hurt my friends,” Spike said harshly.
“Spike,” Twilight said in soft awe. “Everything will work out, I’ll make sure of it.” She wanted so badly to hold his claw, to physically support him.
Looking back at the judges, she said, “We will do whatever we need to in order to get him back. He means the world to us.”
Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity all nodded.
“Very well,” the princess said. A light, made with magic emanating from a bend in her horn tendril, shone on Aqueous. The light sparkled and danced as it passed through the judge’s watery body. “Judge Aqueous, how do you find?”
“Watching them, I saw only the desire to save their friend. They had no ill intentions for coming here at all,” Aqueous said. “They understood what that meant and still persevered through all five guardian rivers. Each one of them showed great fortitude, both physically and mentally. Though many obstacles stood in their way, they never once wavered from their goal. I find their characters very admirable.
“I, Judge Aqueous, find them worthy.”
The six ponies and Spike opened their eyes wider. Their hearts fluttered with hope at one vote in their favor. There were still two judges remaining. They swallowed down a nervous lump in their throat with eyes on the next judge.
Princess Terranea nodded. “Very well.” She turned her light to the minotaur. “Judge Mine Osmium, how do you find?”
“Mine Osmium finds these ponies a bunch of wussies,” the minotaur growled. He struck a pose with arms flexed downward, making his already impressive muscles even larger. His long beard trailed onto the ground. “There were six of you, against five guardians, and you barely made it. And to be honest, half of the guardians let you pass.”
He whipped into another position that showed off his well defined back. “The last pony that came here did it on her own. Now that was a good, hardy effort. For being being wusses that needed so much help to get through, Mine Osmium finds you wanting.”
“One for, one against,” Princess Terranea said.
Everyponies’ heart sank upon that verdict. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were giving their best glare to Mine Osmium. He either didn’t notice or didn’t find them threatening at all as he didn’t give any response. Fluttershy had her head low to the ground and was chewing on the ends of her hooves. Unlike normal, Pinkie Pie was still, waiting for the verdict next to a cautiously hopeful Applejack. Twilight was at the front, with eyes on the mantis.
“Oh great.” Rad Mantis placed a foreleg against his forehead. “It’s up to me.”
“Yes, please.” The ruling pony shot a stern stare to the final judge. “Judge Rad Mantis, please let us know your thoughts.”
The mantis cleared his throat. He looked around the ponies. “Uh, well, looks like it’s all down to me then isn’t it?” he said again.
Twilight and the others all looked back at him with wide, pleading eyes. He was there last hope for a resolution to their problems. Rad Mantis knew that too as he looked away from their heartfelt gazes.
“You all tried very hard and all. Uh, A plus for effort and all that. I would have to say that, well, perhaps, maybe,” his voice trailed away.
With every word, the ponies leaned in nervously.
“Both of my fellow judged made some very good points. The previous pony did it solo, while all of you did show a lot of strength during the trip. It’s a tough call really. On one leg,” he extended his right foreleg, “it would be a shame for you to fail after making it all the way here. On the other leg,” his left foreleg was stuck out, “this is really a big thing to ask for.
“Now, what should I pick?” Despite his uncertainty, Rad Mantis was clearly enjoying pulling the ponies in two directions with his words. He sat on the ground, leaving his legs extended, quiet in deliberation.
After nearly a minute of silence, the judge said, “I think I want some silkworms for dinner.”
The Equestrian ponies all let out an exasperated sigh. They were about to say something when the judge added, “Oh, and I find you girls worthy.”
The ponies faces lit up like the sun peering over the horizon. They could hardly breathe as they waited for confirmation from the princess, though their eyes twinkled with hope.
For the first time, Princess Terranea stepped off her throne. The tendrils stuck into the wall did not lengthen. As she stepped forward, they ever so slightly lost some of their slack. The princess stopped right behind the three judges. “So the judges have spoken. Two find you worthy, one finds you wanting. Under their guidance, I allow Sir Spike to be released from Lot D to go where he may please.”
A cheer went up through the six ponies and the dragon.
“Yes!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed loudly. She put up a hoof for a hoof bump from Spike. When he did so however, they passed right through each other. Her hoof accidentally struck Pinkie Pie in the side.
“Hey!” the pink pony squealed.
“Uh, oops?” both Rainbow Dash and Spike said.
Twilight gasped at the sight, and her elation immediately faded. Her worried face whipped back towards the princess. “Spike is still nothing more than a spirit.”
“That he is,” Princess Terranea said.
“Can’t you turn him alive again?”
“That is beyond my abilities. To bring Sir Spike back to life again, you would need to find life energy to replace what he has lost. If you were to have some, I could transfer it.”
“Where would we, get, something,” Twilight’s voice trailed off as her expression darkened. Her mouth pressed together tightly, unwilling to say any more. She realized that life force was everywhere, even within all of them. Transferring it would mean that one of them would die though.
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” Twilight answered with a nervous wobble in her tone.
Rarity walked over with a swish of her mane, somehow styled back to the way it always was. “Really, darling, tell us what’s wrong. We can tell it’s not nothing.”
“It’s just that, the only way to get life force for Spike is for one of us to give it to him,” Twilight mumbled.
“No way,” Applejack said while fervently shaking her head. “No way one of us has to give up our life. There must be some other way.”
“That’s right,” Spike said. His eyes were angled down sadly. “I can’t take one of your lives.”
“But what can we do?” Twilight desperately looked around for answers. All of the staff of Lot D looked oddly still.
“Well,” Rarity said, trying to sound calm and nonchalant. Her eyes looked around at each one of her friends. “I could stay here. I mean, it’s not so bad. I could probably convince them to let me wander around as a soul, maybe open up a boutique down here.” She leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I mean, have you seen their fashion style? I’ll have everypony here looking great in no time. And you all can come visit me-”
Applejack plugged up the unicorn’s mouth with a hoof. “Hold it right there, Rarity. We’re not letting you stay here.” The others, Spike included, mumbled their agreement. “We’re going to figure something out, so let’s not jump to any rash decisions now.”
Rarity lain down on the ground with head hung. “Told off by Applejack of all ponies. It must have been a horrible idea.”
“It’s not that. Well, it’s kind of that. But are the others going to be satisfied if any one of us is left behind?” Applejack asked. “I know for a fact that even the ponies moving on with their lives will have a lot to deal with.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry for suggesting such a thing, Applejack. We’ll just have to think of something else,” Rarity said with a sigh.
“Oh, oh.” Pinkie Pie waved her foreleg in the air. “I know. We’ll create a medley. Like how sometimes in Sugar Cube corner, we’ll sell a cake assortment where several slices from different cakes are sold as one whole cake, for the ponies that just can’t decide.”
The other’s looked at her with confused glances.
“What I’m saying is that we each give one-sixth of a slice of life,” Pinkie Pie said.
“Oooh,” Twilight said, now understanding what the party-loving pony was talking about. She scratched her chin thoughtfully. Turning back to the ruler of Lot D, she asked, “Would that work? If we all provide one-sixth of our life, would everyone still be alive?”
Princess Terranea tilted her head curiously. “The theory is sound, though the practice is missing. It has never been done before.”
“We want to attempted it,” Twilight said.
The other’s all nodded.
“If it works, you will all lose one sixth of your lifespan,” the princess said.
“We’ll just have to make the most of the time we have,” Twilight responded firmly.
The grand alicorn looked at each of the determined faced of the six Elements of Harmony. Truly, they were wonderful ponies, worthy of the trust placed in them by Princess Celestia. When she spoke again, her words were soft, though still official sounding. “There is another way. With all that has happened, it is no small wonder that you forgot.”
“What?” Twilight said immediately upon hearing it.
“Cool Cestus provided you the answer. She told you to bring me the Royal Gem, did she not? If it was the thing that first drained Sir Spike’s life force, than his life should still be in there.”
“Ah, that’s right!” The green gem was taken out from the saddlebags around the unicorn’s back. Twilight held it up. “How do we get Spike’s life force out?”
“Again, this is just theory as it has never been done before, but break the Royal Gem.”
All the nearby Lot D staff, judges included, let out a gasp.
“Preposterous,” Mine Osmium said. “No way such wimpy ponies can even put a scratch on a Royal Gem made by the princess herself.”
“Just you wait,” Applejack said.
She snatched the gem away only to slam it into the ground. Her legs flexed as she reared back. The forelegs cycled through the air. “Take this!” Applejack exclaimed. Her legs slammed downward, almost blurring from the speed they were travelling at. The blow kicked up a cloud of dirt.
When everything cleared away, the Royal Gem was stuck in the ground but otherwise unharmed. Applejack was rolling back and forth on the ground, nursing her wounded hoofs. She bit her lip, trying to keep from crying out.
“I don’t know if it can be destroyed, Applejack,” Spike said. “I can usually chew through gems no problem, but I couldn’t put so much as a dent on this one. I had to swallow it whole to eat it.”
“I’m not giving up just yet,” Applejack said through gritted teeth. “Cool Cestus, let me borrow those lion heads.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Cool Cestus said. The lion heads were currently resting under her body. She put both forelegs in front of them as shields. “You will most likely destroy a large part of the princess’s meadow before the Royal Gem.”
“Come on,” Rainbow Dash grunted. “There has got to be a way to destroy this thing. If there was enough room in this place for a sonic rainboom, I would try that.”
Twilight had the gem in her hoof again, after digging it out from the ground. Suspiciously, she turned to the burgundy alicorn. If the alicorn knew how to make them, she must be able to destroy them. “Princess Terranea, may you please break this for us?”
Princess Terranea nodded. She tapped a spot on the marble platform where her throne was set. Twilight placed the Royal Gem there and then backed away. There was no magic, no grand spectacle. The princess simply placed her hoof on top of the Royal Gem. Twisting, sliding forward, moving back, her slow and precise movements were forced upon the gem. Then, as she slid her hoof forwards and downwards, the Royal Gem shattered as easy as breaking an egg.
“It’s all in the technique,” Princess Terranea said in response to everypony’s wide eyed stare.
From the fragments of the gem flowed out a red ribbon. Using magic, Princess Terranea directed it through the air towards Spike. The long fabric wrapped swirled around his body, starting from his feet and then rising upwards to his head. The ribbon tightened and was absorbed into his body as the fabric rubbed against his scales. Spike’s transparent body shimmered, otherwise he looked the same.
“Was that supposed to happen?” Applejack asked.
“Yes. What was just returned was simply the thing that ties a body to a soul. Bring Spike outside of Lot D, and he will be drawn back to his body, assuming it still exists,” Princess Terranea explained.
“Don’t worry, princess, we have definitely saved the body.” Twilight was looking at Spike though, and a smile was on her face.
“So we can go home now, Twilight?” Spike asked.
“Yeah. We can go home now.”
Rainbow Dash let out a chuckle. She grabbed Fluttershy by the hoof. Letting out an emphatic, “Yeeees!” she pulled the other pegasus into a spiral, adding a thick trail of pink to her rainbow. They burst into the air, performing one full loop before landing back on the ground.
Fluttershy staggered back a few steps before sitting down. She was giggling non stop, however.
“I do have one more condition, for the release of Spike” Princess Terranea said.
“What?” Twilight narrowed her eyes in frustration. Her feelings leaked through to the tone of her words. “We’ve already done everything.”
The alicorn tilted her head toward, shooting out a green beam from the base of her horn. Spike was encased in a green bubble, and he looked have fallen unconscious. His head was hanging, and his tail swayed with every movement.
“What did you do that for?” Rarity asked.
“Please trust me.” Princess Terranea stepped back, onto her throne again. “I will use my magic to make Spike follow you automatically. When you leave, you must not look back until Spike is back in Equestria.”
“What’s the purpose of that?” Pinkie tilted her head towards the cavern ceiling. “Wait, don’t tell me. I can guess.”
“That won’t be necessary, Harmony of Laughter Pinkie Pie. As I have said, this is trust. All of you shall walk in front. Spike shall follow soundlessly. You can not look back at him. Face forward, little ponies,” the princess repeated.
“Okay, we trust you,” Twilight said.
She turned away from the bubble encased Spike. Her friends did the same. Their bodies were stiff as they pointed away from him. After all coming this way and passing through all the challenges, the final request had been an odd one. The group decided it was best not to question it and just place trust in the princess to keep her word.
“You will have to leave through the five rivers. May your return journey be pleasant.” Princess Terranea turned to the under ponies working under her. “Guardians, please make sure they safely return to the surface.”
“Yes, Princess Terranea!” four guardians said at once.
“Yes, princess,” Sticks mumbled, clearly still unhappy. “Well come on then,” she snarled at the ponies. “Let’s go.”
The five guardians, and Ferry Merry, led the way back down the large chamber, towards the large set of double doors. Higgs Boatswain and Fog Lace remained behind. The three judges were starting to leave as well. Rad Mantis, being so small, had already disappeared. Or he could have been hiding somewhere, and nopony would know. Aqueous had sunk back into the hole she first made upon arrival. The cyclops that carried Mine Osmium over knelt down with one arm on the floor. The minotaur stepped onto the arm to be lifted into the air. Princess Terranea remained still, her expression as blank as ever.
There were a lot of murmurings among the workers of Lot D. Even though it had just happened, stories of the princess allowing some ponies to retrieve one of the dead from Lot D were spreading among the offices. For now, productivity was at an all time low as the workers were all spying on the proceedings. Or rather, they were watching, as spying implied some sort of stealth. The under ponies were watching from the rooftops or from the outdoor rest plazas.
The group travelled down the main path leading towards the River of Hate. On both sides, they were flanked by a row of guards.