The seven wondered the countryside trying to find a town still saddened by the loss of the princess but couldn’t find a town as they traveled. Their hooves were beginning to hurt and in the case of Rainbow Dash, her wings. They were feeling tired as well. Twilight Sparkle started to get irritated by this.
“I’m starting to think that we are lost.” Twilight stated.
“This is my first time outside Pottok.” Basil replied.
“Well, you should have got a map before we left.”
“Look, at the bright side at least it’s not raining.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash stated. “The pegasi didn’t have rain scheduled today.”
"Uh, Rainbow Dash, you do realize the weather moves by itself now, don't you?"
"Yeah right, prove it." Then, it started to rain and the ponies got wet from the rain. "Can we find shelter?" They wandered around getting soaked along the way until they came across a cave. The ponies had to take shelter in a nearby cave. The cave itself was dark, damp, and cold. "When I asked for shelter, this wasn't what I meant."
"Can we go to a different shelter?" Rarity asked upset about the conditions. "It's all damp, cold and might be groady."
"Hey, you want to get drenched Rarity?" Applejack asked Rarity. "This is the only shelter we were able to find. Hell, we're damn lucky to find this place."
"Can we at least make this place more comfortable?" The ponies looked around until Fluttershy of all of the ponies found the remains of a campfire and she noticed some dried branches on the ground in a pile.
"Someone was here earlier." Fluttershy stated pointing to the remains. "They left before we came here." The ponies gathered up the wood and put it on the remains.
"I'll start it." Basil stated as he walked up. He held two rocks, one in each hoof. He, then, struck the rocks together for several seconds. A spark came lighting some of the dry leaves he put on there. It spread to the wood giving some light and warmth to the cavern. As it was lit, the ponies gathered around the fire to dry their coats, manes, tails, and to stay warm. Basil looked around for something to dry themselves off with but couldn't find anything that was of any value. All he was able to find was some old rags and string. He grabbed the various rags on the ground.
"Does anyone know how to sew these rags into a blanket to dry ourselves off?" Basil asked.
"That would be my department." Rarity replied. "Where is the stuff?"
"Here." Basil laid them in front of Rarity. "I know they are old and a little dirty."
"They will do." Rarity used her magic to turn the rags into a few blankets. "These blankets will at least keep us warm until the rain stops." Basil sat down, it was next to Twilight Sparkle. He gave his blanket to Twilight.
"Here, Twilight." Basil handed the blanket to Twilight knowing she was more wet than he was. "You need it more than I do." Twilight sneezed. "Bless you."
"Thanks." Twilight replied. "Basil, I was wrong about you."
"About what?"
"At first glance, I thought you were a big jerk. But now, I know you are a sweet stallion."
"Thanks." Basil began to blush. "I think."
[Cue "Yuna's Theme" from FFX]
It was a few days since this whole thing started. The main six were beginning to wander if going back home was even possible. They were missing their family and friends back in their own time, saddened. Applejack thought about her family, Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, Breaburn, and all of her relatives. Fluttershy was thinking about all the animals that she had to take care of and her boyfriend, Bic Mac. Twilight Sparkle thought about her parents, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence. Pinkie Pie thought about all the friends in Ponyville and the Cakes. Rainbow Dash thought about hers and Scootaloo. Rarity thought about Sweetie Belle. They thought about these things and wanted to head home but they had to accept that they are here now. Rarity sighed but as she opened her eyes, she noticed something shiny deep in the cave.
“What’s that thing over there?” Rarity asked.
“What thing?” Rainbow Dash replied.
“That thing, over there.” Rarity pointed to the shiny thing. Basil went farther into the cave and saw the sparkling was coming from bio-luminescent flowers.
“Okay, they are flowers.” He asked.
“Flowers?” Rarity asked.
“Yeah.” The main six went over.
“Look there is more over there.” Twilight stated. She pointed to another group.
“And over there.” Pinkie Pie stated. Fluttershy went to them.
“What are these pretty flowers?” she asked.
“The better question is what are they doing here in the first place?” Twilight replied. She then noticed a light coming from the inner part of the cave. “What’s that?”
“I’ll go check it out.” Rainbow explained. She flew into the cave. “What the…” The other six came up; they all saw a beautiful and sunny garden. “Either we have fallen asleep or those flowers made us high." Basil took his sword and cut himself.
"Ow." Basil stated.
"You okay?" Twilight asked.
"I'm fine. At least, we know that we aren't dreaming."
The ponies journeyed into the garden. Not knowing what to expect. But as they entered, it felt that all the negative aspects of life seemed to vanish. They were greatly weakened by the surrounding area. It was extremely peaceful in the garden. There were flowers of all varieties, including flowers that only appeared in folklore and fairy tales. All of the trees were in full bloom. The creatures were very peaceful as well.
Pinkie Pie came up to a pool of water in a fountain made of pure diamond. Curious she looked into the pool at first she saw her own reflection. But then, it changed from her reflection into an image of a white pegasus with a blonde mane that looked similar in appearance to her. She thought that was cool but she decided to keep her mouth shut. Eventually, they approached a very special tree. The tree was so beautiful words are unable to describe it.
“Is this what I think this tree is?” Basil wondered. “Could this be Lignum Bonorum, the tree of blessings?”
“Who go there?” stated an unknown female voice. No one knew where the voice was coming from.
“Just a group of lost ponies.”
“What are your names?”
“My name is Basil Rodelero XIV.” Twilight Sparkle walked forward.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” she stated.
“Twilight Sparkle?” the female voice asked. “Is that really you?”
“Yes, how do you know me?” Twilight was confused. Then, a set of ghost orbs appeared from the surrounding area. Then, Princess Celestia appeared before them. “Princess… Celestia?”
“Twilight,” the princess stated. “It’s been so long.”
“Princess Celestia.” Twilight was shedding tears of joy and went to hug her. But alas, she went right through her. “Uh, what happened?”
“Twilight, you must understand. I am no longer amongst the living.”
“But… how can you be like this?”
“After defeating Discord, I was dying and struggling to move.” she explained. “Then, along came an earth stallion, he aided me to this very peaceful place this was where I spent my final hours.” She turned to the tree. “I made a wish on this tree asking the divine that there will always be heroes to defend this world. I used the last of my strength to make that wish." She turned back to the others. "This tree and this place, I have become the guardian of this garden after my death.” Twilight and the others felt slightly better.
“But what is this place?”
“This is the garden of eternal spring.”
“But what about this tree?”
“This tree is Lignum Bonorum." Basil's eyes lit up. "It is able to grant the wishes of the ones of good will.”
"My father had told me about the tree." Basil replied. "But I never expected to actually get to see that very tree with my very own eyes."
“It sure is beautiful here.” Applejack stated.
“I know Applejack.” Celestia said. But she paused. "But there is now in this time, a dark plan brewing.”
“What is this?”
“It was only until after my death when I learned of what Discord was doing in the background.”
“What would that be?” Twilight asked.
“Using his power, he created the elements of chaos. Alas, I am unable to do anything.”
“Have you tried communicating with any of the ponies?” Basil asked.
“This is the only place I can completely manifest and have all ponies can see me. In other areas, only ponies with abilities to see and talk to spirits are able to see and hear me. So, I ask you guys, will you remove the elements of chaos from existence? Those elements will cause nothing more than anguish and sorrow.”
“We will Princess.” Twilight responded. Everyone in the area agreed to do the task.
“Thank you, you might be the only ones who will be able to do this task.”
“One question,” Basil asked. “Do you know where any towns are?”
“Here is a map to aid you.” A map appeared and was given to them. “I must leave now.” She began to split apart.
“Wait.” Twilight stated. Celestia had paused the process. “Thank you for what you have done for us.” Princess Celestia smiled and completed the process.
“I wish you luck, all of you.” Celestia exclaimed. That was the last time, they saw her again. The ponies left the garden. They looked outside and saw that the rain had stopped falling. When they checked, the map again, they noticed a red dot on the map.
“What’s the dot?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“I don’t know.” Basil stated and looked around.
“I remember this type of map.” Twilight stated. “This map explains where you are.”
“Hmm, It appears that we are close to Baia Mare at the edge of Tramplevania.”
“Well, what are we waiting for? Off to Baia Mare.” So, the ponies headed off to Baia Mare not knowing what lays ahead of them.
[Music Fades]
Meanwhile in a dark castle in Tramplevania, someone was in the shadows. A pony came in. The pony was orange and had one eye was large than the other.
“Master,” he stated. “It appears that some more ponies are entering Tramplevania.”
“Well,” the shadowed pony explained. “That means some fresh blood.” he turned to the pony. “What are the ponies like?” The pony handed him a picture of the seven. The pony told them of their names. “They are heading to Baia Mare.”
“The yellow one looks elegant. Hmm.” he paused. “The white one is the best for me.” Then, a beautiful necklace appeared in his hoofs. The necklace was made of gold and there were diamonds on the front part of the necklace. “Give this to the white unicorn.” He tossed it to the pony.
“I will my master.” The pony went away.
“Soon, Rarity you will be mine.”
"Just one thing, master." the pony said. "Why not go with Twilight Sparkle? She is more powerful." He had a flat face in a reaction.
"I do not want a sparkling vampire in my presence."