//------------------------------// // xxxiv - Orpheus' Strings // Story: The Path of Absolution - Punishment // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------// Inside Silver Spoon’s hospital room, she was still talking to Lyra and Bon-Bon. “...So the windigo queen was your friend?” Lyra said. Silver Spoon nodded. “It must be awful to see one of your friends transformed into something like that.” Bon-Bon said. Just then a doctor entered the room. He said, “I’m looking for a 'Lyra Heartstrings?'” “That’s me,” Lyra said. “Princess Luna is looking for you,” the doctor said. “She’s at the lobby now.” The ponies were a little surprised. They galloped to the lobby. At the lobby, Luna was waiting for Lyra. She saw a light green unicorn galloping by. She said, “You wanted to see me?” Luna said, “A friend of mine said you got your hooves on some Orpheus Strings?” Lyra said, “That’s right.” Bon-Bon said, “I bought them for Lyra.” Luna said, “I assume you know that these strings were used for a certain ritual?” Bon-Bon said, “Yeah, you helped somepony rescue their lover, right?” Luna nodded then turned to Lyra. “But we need somepony with a lyre if this ritual is to succeed again.” Lyra said, “You need me?” Luna nodded. Silver Spoon’s curiosity had peaked. “What is this ritual for?” “The ritual is to help find and rescue ponies lost deep in their subconscious,” Luna said. Silver Spoon wondered, ‘Could this help me find out what happened to Diamond Tiara?’ Luna said, “Follow me.” the group went to the castle. In Canterlot’s castle, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, and their friends were looking over the unconscious Crusaders. They were inside a dark room with various stars on the walls and ceiling. By then, the Sword of War, Scales of Life, and Scythe of Death were reformed in front of the beds of their unconscious wielders. Applejack and Rarity were worried about their sisters. Rarity paced around the spacious room. “Oh, where is Luna?” Rarity asked. “Still looking for the only pony we know who has them Orpheus Strings?” Applejack said. Rarity wasn’t the only one getting anxious. Rainbow Dash flew around the room out of boredom. After a few minutes, Princess Luna entered the chamber with Lyra, Bon-Bon, and Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon noticed three certain fillies on the beds at the end of the chamber. She noticed they either had icy legguards, wings or a horn made of ice. She wondered if this was Diamond Dust’s doing. “So,” Lyra said. ‘These are who you’re trying to rescue?” Luna said, “Yes, their memories had been--” “--suppressed into their subconscious and the talismans by the windigos, we know!” Rainbow Dash said. “Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said sternly. Silver Spoon wanted to know what happened to the Crusaders. She wanted to make amends for all she’d done up to a certain point. But most importantly, she wanted to help stop Diamond Dust, and save Diamond Tiara. “Are we ready?” Luna said. “Wait!” Silver Spoon said. “I want to help.” Everypony was surprised. “It’s too dangerous,” Luna said. “Why do you want to go?” Twilight said. “I have a friend I want to save too,” Silver Spoon said. “I know another filly had been taken by the windigos and became their queen.” Twilight and the others remembered that the figure that kidnapped the Crusaders was similar in size to them. Luna said, “But the ritual is too dangerous. If anything were to happen, I cannot guarantee your safe return.” “It would be better than having to wonder why your best friend would go to them. I have to know why she listened to them.” “Is it even possible for this to happen, Princess?” Twilight said. “It is,” Luna said. “The talismans are linked together and to their bearers. In theory, we can use them to find their bearers within the subconscious.” Luna looked at Silver Spoon. She saw the pain of losing a friend, the fear that she may return and kill her, and regret for not doing anything that could have stopped this. ‘Was this what Celestia felt after she banished Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago?’ she thought. “Very well,” Luna said. “You may help.” She turned to the mares. “You you must know the risk you are getting into. Your bodies will vanish from the physical plane until you escape their subconscious. The trials you will face will test your courage, your bonds, the virtue the elements chose your for, and...” She rose up into the air and said in a loud booming voice. “...your integrity! The challenges you will face will try and keep you trapped in their subconscious!” She descended. “Do you understand?!” The seven participants agreed to those terms. “Very well,” Luna said. She placed the talismans in the center of the chamber, then flew Lyra and Bon-Bon to a ledge. “Are you ready?” Lyra nodded and played her instrument. The crimson strings created wonderful melodies as Luna began her incantation. She shouted, “Grant these ponies access to save their friends and sisters from thy terrible fate. Thou shalt granteth me thy power to allow these ponies access.” her horn began to glow as she flew up , storm clouds began to gather above her. “Bring me thy dreams and memories, and thou will saveth them!” Her horn glowed brighter and brighter until a flash encompassed the room. Lyra kept playing until the flash subsided. After the flash dispersed, Lyra and Bon-Bon saw that Luna, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and Silver Spoon were gone. They saw wisps with similar colors to the ponies enter the talismans.