//------------------------------// // xxxv - The Gateway of Morpheus // Story: The Path of Absolution - Punishment // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Silver Spoon woke up in a white void. They saw Princess Luna and a large set of doors. The doors had thirteen spheres, each with a symbol of the zodiac. Everypony felt a little disoriented from the trip. Rarity noticed that her wound was gone. “Hello, everypony,” Luna said. “Princess,” Twilight said. “What are these doors?” “These doors are your way into the fillies’ subconscious. Their dreams and memories lie beyond them.” “So what are we waiting for?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Once you go through these doors, you cannot return to the physical plane without completing thirteen trials,” Luna said. All the ponies wondered about these trials. “Anything else we should know about, princess?” Applejack said. “The memories of the foals trapped inside are trapped in a three-day loop,” Luna said. “The first trial is to find and return to the gate within seven cycles.” “Got it,” Pinkie Pie said. ”Be warned,” Luna said. “If you fail any of the trials you will be stuck with them in this loop forever.” The doors opened. An ethereal light shone through them. “I wish you luck, my friends,” Luna said. “You’re not going to help us?” Rarity asked. “I’m afraid I cannot,” Luna said. “This is not entirely my domain. This world is one of dreams, but it also houses the subconscious. It would not allow me to enter the same way it would allow you.” “Gosh,” Fluttershy said. “Don’t worry Princess,” Applejack said. “We’ll bring them back.” Silver Spoon wondered if the same could be said for Diamond Tiara. The group entered the gates while Princess Luna returned to the physical plane. Shining Armor and Cadence looked over several of the patients. Some of them were begging her help, but the doctors here didn’t know how. Shining Armor said as he saw his royal guard suffer great pain, “This is strange.” Cadence said, “Do you think it could be the windigos?” “There’s a lot about them we don’t know about,” Shining Armor said. “But this seems different from how they usually act.” He recalled what little he knew of their invasion the previous day. Shining Armor and Cadence were worried about the patients. Shining wondered where his sister was. Spike was in the castle. He was worried about his friends. He thought he had to do something to help. He wandered the castle looking for a way to help. A few hours later, he bumped into the captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor. “Oh,” Shining Armor said. “Hey there, Spike.” “Hey,” Spike said. Both of them knew that Shining's wedding was postponed due to recent events. Shining noticed the bored, look Spike had. He knew something was up. “Have you seen Twili?” he asked. Spike wondered if Celestia had told him what happened. “Princess Luna took her to help the Crusaders.” “The who?” Shining Armor asked. “Those three fillies we helped move from the hospital last night,” Spike said. Shining Armor recalled the previous night’s event. He and the few members of the guard that were not incapacitated had helped moved them to a secure chamber at Celestia’s request. “Well, I have to go train the royal guard,” Shining Armor said. Spike had an idea. “Can I join?” “What? The royal guard?” Shining Armor was perplexed. “Spike, being a royal guard takes practice and dedication.” “I mean, can I help you train them?” Spike rephrased. “I can help with the organizing and I’m sure I can set up an awesome obstacle course.” “Uhh,” Shining Armor said. Spike pleaded with him for awhile until he let him help. Spike went to start with the obstacle course. Shining Armor hoped he wouldn't regret the decision. Celestia was looking at the distance. She saw that the storm clouds still hadn’t left yet. She knew that the windigos would try again to capture her. She saw Princess Luna enter the room. “You’re back.” Luna nodded. “Sister, why would the windigos use three innocent fillies like that?” “The windigos’ talismans chose them,” Celestia said. “They are now necessary for them to break the second, third, and fourth seals. Just as much as they need me to break the fifth.” “But sister,” Luna said. ‘If they succeed in breaking the seven seals and allow Ithaqua to return--” “I will do to the best of my ability to prevent that.” Celestia was worried. She knew that the windigos were relentless. Not even the Elements of Harmony had repelled them. “But Luna, in the event that I am captured, I want you to take control of the sun in my place.” Luna was stunned. “But sister--” “You know as well as I do that the sixth seal depends on the movement of the sun and moon,” Celestia said. “If either were to stop, the consequences would be catastrophic.” Luna stayed silent for a moment. She then said, “Very well, but rest assured that I won’t let it come to that.” Luna left the room. Celestia was still worried that her next encounter with the windigo might be her last. Lyra and Bon-Bon trotted in town. They decided to stay in Canterlot until Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s second wedding. The mares noticed a team of pegasi training nearby. They decided to pass time by watching them train. Cloudchaser, Flitter, Star Song, and Thunderlane flew over the area preparing while Gale Force recovered in the hospital. “So, why are we training again?” Thunderlane said. “Because we still need to prepare for if the windigos attack again,” Cloudchaser said. “I know,” Thunderlane said. “But shouldn't we wait until Gale recovers?” Cloudchaser was annoyed at Thunderlane’s question. She wondered if Gale is even going to be their leader anymore. Flitter and Star Song were worried. They were worried about Cloudchaser. The group of pegasi noticed Lyra and Bon-Bon watching. They wondered if they could help get Cloudchaser to cool down. Flitter, Star Song, and Thunderlane landed in front of the mares, much to Cloudchaser's chagrin. “Hello, lad--” Thunderlane said until Cloudchaser landed and kicked him in the hoof. “Hello,” Cloudchaser said. She introduced the team to Lyra and Bon-Bon who then introduced themselves. After a few minutes, the pegasi decided to hang out with Lyra and Bon-Bon, much to Clouchaser’s dismay.