//------------------------------// // V. Opening Old Wounds // Story: Twilight's Dollhouse II: Lyra's Quest // by Kaidan //------------------------------// “I’m glad you could join us for dinner,” Luna said. Lyra led Soarin over to their seats at the banquet table. They appeared to be the last couple of ponies arriving to the nearly-full table. Eight chairs were set around a large ebony table. The dark-black hardwood provided a nice contrast with the redwood floor. The flooring ran up against the red-brick walls. Candle holders were spaced evenly along the sides of the room, with large tapestries depicting famous events in Equestrian history placed between them. At the front of the room was a display case housing the Elements of Harmony. Three of them were still stuck glowing dimly, while the other three shone strong. At the foot of the room were large stained glass windows of darker red hues portraying a rich sunset. It was breathtaking each time Lyra entered it. Celestia had this room built during the past year, as it offered her a warm and inviting room in which to eat or lounge about. The massive hearth even had a fire going in it right now, adding to the ambience. “We’re honored to be here,” Lyra said. She glanced over at Soarin, squeezing his hoof briefly. “Keep him away from my pie,” Scootaloo said to him. “Sensei hasn’t let me near junk food since I started training under the nut.” “I’m a nut now, am I?” Scootaloo jumped out of her chair in fear, eyes wide as her wings began to flap. She hovered in mid air over the table, slowly turning to see Sensei behind her. “What?! No! I just—when did you get here? I just meant your training is, well—unorthodox. I still have nightmares about that deep tissue massage that was supposed to fix my dislocated shoulder!” “Luna invited me, as did Celestia,” he explained. The wizened grey pegasus sat down at the table. He carried himself as if her were light as a feather, sitting down without making a noise. “As for your training, if you let me sneak up on you that easily I fear you’re in for more dislocated joints.” Celestia stifled a giggle and sipped from her tea. The gathered ponies watched her intently, not used to getting much of a reaction from the pensive ruler. “Pardon me, it’s just refreshing. Seeing you all here—it makes me feel like I have family. It’s hard to believe only a year has passed since Twilight vanished, and yet I feel the wounds have faded.” “The Great and Powerful Trixie proposes a toast!” She levitated up her glass, expecting the other ponies to do the same. Instead, those assembled at the banquet table just rolled their eyes and moaned. “What? I thought it was funny.” “Here, here,” Lyra said. She levitated her cup up into the air. “What wise words does the pupil of Luna have for us?” Trixie gulped, having not given much thought to exactly what she would say. “Well I uh. . . I’m grateful we’re all here today. I believe we are all given a second chance, even when we don’t deserve it, and I am surrounded by some of the most honorable ponies in Equestria.” “Speak for yourself,” Soarin said with a grin. “I’m only dating Lyra because she’s the Element of Magic.” The table broke out in laughter, and Lyra punched Soarin in the wing, causing him to flinch. “Watch it, buddy,” she scolded. Everypony tapped their glasses together in toast. The unicorns made sure not to leave the Pegasi out, floating their glasses over so they could reach them too. Servants had begun to bring out bowls of soup for each pony and made sure everyone’s wine glass remained full. As they began to eat they were all thinking about Celestia, yet none wanted to ask what was really on their mind. She had seemingly reversed roles with Luna since the incident with Twilight. Now, Luna proudly ruled as the public figurehead, allowing Celestia to perform all her own duties and responsibilities in the peace and quiet of her study. Rumors circulated that she still wasn’t over the loss of her pupil. “So, I managed my first long-distance teleportation yesterday without any side effects,” Lyra said to Trixie. “Really? How far?” “A hundred yards.” Trixie smiled. “Impressive. You've come a long way since flinging yourself to Ponyville.” Scootaloo had already eaten her soup and was now gulping down the broth. She wiped her mouth with a foreleg and burped. “A hundred yards? That’s not that far, I could fly that in two seconds.” Lyra sighed. “Really, Scootaloo, you run your mouth faster than you fly. I might have to show you how far a hundred yards really is.” She stuck her tongue out, drawing some laughter out of Soarin. “Hah, I’d like to see you try,” Scootaloo said. “Sensei here taught me this cool—” She turned to look at her teacher and saw the unamused look on his face. Her smile vanished in an instance, and her demeanor changed to a somber one. Scootaloo turned back to Lyra. “I’m sorry, please excuse me.” Soarin leaned in until he was shoulder to shoulder with Lyra and whispered. “Wow, Sensei taught her a cool trick. You should ask him to teach it to you.” “It’s fine, Scootaloo.” Lyra smiled, and shot a glance at Sensei. “Everypony needs to cut loose and relax once and a while. Perhaps you three would be up for a friendly race after dinner?” “A wise man does not flaunt his speed for the amusement of others,” Sensei answered. He glanced at Scootaloo, who seemed to deflate a little at hearing they wouldn’t get to race. He smirked, before glancing back at Soarin. “Besides, I’d hate to shame a Wonderbolt in front of his marefriend.” Scootaloo looked up and watched Soarin’s mouth fall open in shock, soup dribbling down his chin. “What?! No disrespect, sir, but you’ve got to be at least sixty. There’s no way you could keep up with a Wonderbolt.” “Yeah right!” Scootaloo said, flaring her wings. “It’s on now, I’ll beat you both with two hooves tied behind my back.” “Well, I suppose after dinner I’ll try this cutting loose you mentioned and teach these fillies and colts to respect their elders.” Sensei smiled, then turned to face the door. A second later, a pony threw the door open with his magic. The royal guard rushed inside, dressed in his ornate golden armor. “Princess Celestia!” “Flash Sentry, what is so important that you’d interrupt our meal?” Celestia asked. “It’s uh. . . well, you’re not gonna believe this. . .” “Spit it out, or I’m putting you on the moon until the feast is over,” Luna said. Several ponies stifled their laughter as the guard’s eyes darted around nervously. “I uh. . . it’s Apple Bloom. She came back.” Celestia leveled a stare at the guard, causing him to take a step back. “Everypony out.” She did not yell, but her tone carried more weight than the Royal Canterlot Voice. Nopony moved at first, each considering what this meant. Finally, Luna slid her chair back, causing a harsh screeching against the floor in the quiet room. “What’s your name, guard?” “F-Flash,” he replied. “Bring Apple Bloom here and notify my advisor that any appointments I had today are canceled.” Luna glanced at her sister, who continued to stare at the guard as though he were Twilight herself. The uncomfortable guard snapped a quick salute and left to retrieve the filly. “The rest of you may leave,” Celestia said with more control over her voice. She smiled gently, showing a hint of her pearlescent teeth. “I’ll question Apple Bloom alone.” “More like interrogate Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said with a hint of venom. “No offense, Princess, but I’m staying to make sure my friend is okay.” Celestia rubbed her hooves against her temples, trying to prevent an oncoming headache. She closed her eyes and answered calmly. “I will not be interrogating anypony, but I will be throwing somepony in the dungeons if they try to interfere with me following the necessary leads to bring Twilight to justice.” Sensei and Soarin were heading quietly for the door, with the Wonderbolt gesturing to Lyra and trying to get her to join them in their hasty retreat. “We have a vested interest in this,” Lyra gestured around. “We should all be here to greet a fellow survivor warmly.” “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Twilight’s little pet and spy—” “Tia!” Luna barked. “I will not have you lapse into this quest for revenge again. What happened to Twilight is not your fault, and you will not treat our guests poorly on account of it.” Celestia turned to stare at her sister, who seemed all the more imposing now that she was confident in her abilities and not afraid to take charge of the nation. “You’re right, Lulu. I’m sorry, my little ponies. You may stay.” Scootaloo picked up her chair and sat back down. She glanced over at Lyra who had a pensive expression and stared down at her plate. “You know, Celestia, I blame myself about Twilight too.” Lyra wiped her cheek and continued talking. “Maybe I could have done something different to prove to her that her friends, that all of us, cared about her. However, I can’t go back and change any of that.” She looked up at Celestia to make sure she had her attention. “If I spent every day thinking about the pained look in Bon Bon’s eyes as I chose Twilight over her, thinking about how she died thinking her best friend hated her. . . I’d. . .” Lyra couldn’t finish and had to return her gaze to the silverware in front of her. Luna shot Celestia a sharp frown, nodding at Lyra. “Lyra, please forgive me for what I said. I know you had no more control over the situation than I did. At least you tried to reach her, and I thank you for it.” Celestia sighed, having calmed down from her outburst. “It is a wound unlike any since I banished Luna. For a time, I even thought Twilight might have to replace my sister, if the Elements banished her again. To have all my hopes and aspirations, my star pupil, torn from me. . . I fear that wound will never heal.” There was a knock at the door as Flash led a frightened yellow filly into the room. Apple Bloom looked around, not yet sure why she had been brought here. Her eyes spotted Scootaloo quickly. “Scootaloo!” All pretense of playing it cool flew out the window as Apple Bloom ran towards her. Scootaloo jumped out of her chair and met her halfway, hugging her tightly as Apple Bloom began to sob. “I’m so glad you’re all right.” “What happened?” She sniffled and tried to choke back her tears long enough to talk. “Ponyville was empty, and ah looked everywhere! Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny were all gone!” Scootaloo rubbed her back with a hoof, calming her down. “You’re safe now, she won’t turn us back into dolls.” “Dolls? What do ya mean?” She shivered, pulling herself closer to Scootaloo. “Last thing ah remember was talkin’ to Silver and goin’ for some cookies at Twilight’s house.” “You don’t remember Twilight capturing the town, turning everypony into dolls?” Celestia asked. “N-no, but ah did get a little nap on the way here and. . .” Apple Bloom began trembling so much that Scootaloo wrapped both wings protectively around her. “Ah had these horrible nightmares. Ah was trapped in a box and couldn’t see or move and. . . and. . .” “Shhh, it’s okay now.” Scootaloo kept her wrapped up as she looked over at Celestia, using her wing like a barrier to protect Apple Bloom from the temperamental ruler. “Amnesia. Why would Twilight send her here if not to deliver a message? To taunt me? To flaunt her power?” Celestia asked. She got up and started to walk towards Apple Bloom. “Some trap to injure me when I explore her mind for answers?” “Sister, she escaped. Is that not enough? We now know why we never found a body: Twilight and the other trapped ponies are still out there, we need only find them,” Luna stated. “And this filly holds the answers. Twilight’s location, the number of victims, the status of the Element bearers,” Celestia loomed over Scootaloo, staring at the filly sobbing beneath her. Scootaloo grimaced and stared at Celestia. Beneath her wings, her legs we coiled and ready to leap into the air and take flight, with Apple Bloom in tow, at any moment. She had at least learned enough from Sensei that Celestia actually seemed to not notice her defensive posture. “Celestia, I know better than anypony what obsession can do to an alicorn. It can give rise to great evil and cast the land to darkness. I fear you are too close to this to question Apple Bloom.” Luna got up and walked over, finally putting herself between her sister and her prize. “I will watch her dreams closely and find what truth I can. Even the most powerful alicorn hasn’t succeeded in eliminating memories entirely. It is her subconscious we will need to question, not the frightened filly beneath your hooves.” “You’re right.” Celestia seemed to relax, turning to head towards her room. “I think it best that I retire for the remainder of the day. I need. . . time.” “Take care, Tia, and do not do anything rash. If you run off into the Everfree searching for Twilight again, I will make sure you don’t see another slice of cake for a year,” Luna threatened. Celestia chuckled softly as she walked through the far door, closing it behind her. Everypony in the room visibly relaxed after she was gone, and came over to check on Apple Bloom. Lyra and Luna sat down as Scootaloo folded up her wings. “D-did ah do somethin’ wrong?” Apple Bloom asked. “No,child, you did not,” Luna observed. “L-Lyra?” Apple Bloom looked up at her in disbelief. “How come you and Scootaloo didn’t disappear, what does she mean about dolls?” “Twilight is very sick, and Celestia is filled with so much grief she can’t think clearly all the time,” Lyra explained. “Everypony and your brother are still trapped with Twilight.” “And my sis?” The three looked at each other uncomfortably, not wanting to tell her Applejack was dead. “We’re still searching for all the ponies,” Luna stated, dodging the question. Apple Bloom finally lifter her face from Scootaloo’s shoulder and got a good look at her. “How come you’re so much bigger than me now? Ah couldn’t of been gone more than a week.” Scootaloo smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s been a year since you disappeared.” “How? What about my family? Why won’t you tell me about my sister?” Luna’s horn glowed as her aura encircled Apple Bloom. “Sleep now, my little pony. I will watch over you and you will feel much better in the morning.” She yawned, finding her eyelids to feel as heavy as concrete. A wool curtain seemed to fall over her body, dragging it down into Scootaloo’s lap. Apple Bloom felt warm and cozy and began snoring lightly, snuggling against her friend. “I have to tell her about her sister, she has a right to know,” Scootaloo stated. “If that is your wish, yet you will tell her tomorrow before you leave,” Luna said. “Leave? Just where do you think I’m going?” “To look for Twilight, of course,” Lyra replied. “That is why you’ve trained with Sensei, is it not? To find your friends, just as I have learned magic in the hopes of doing the same.” Scootaloo nodded. “Well, yeah, I just thought I’d have finished the training by now. I can’t just run off into the Everfree alone.” “Which is exactly why you and Lyra are traveling together,” Luna explained. “Surely you two did not find it mere coincidence that you spent this last year pursuing the same goal. It has always been my intention to aid you in your quest when you were ready.” “Shouldn’t we wait until you get a location from Apple Bloom?” Lyra asked. “I would not count on that. Twilight would have known to cover her tracks. Just the fact she erased all her memories for the past year, and not just those of how or why she was released, shows how serious Twilight is. It is up to you to continue examining her journal for clues.” “We only just convinced Celestia to let me have it back, I'll get started during our journey.” “I’ll have to tell Sensei I’m going,” Scootaloo stated. “Hopefully he’s got some old gear he can loan me; also he said I probably had six months left of training minimum.” Luna nodded, and levitated Apple Bloom away from Scootaloo and onto her back. “Do not worry on your journey. No harm will come to your friend.” “Thanks. Celestia sure seems more. . . intense, ever since Ponyville,” Scootaloo said. “Mortality is one of many challenges alicorns must face. It is our first rule that all that lives must die. Yet sometimes it is the simpler problems that corrupt us: jealousy, regret, or fear.” Scootaloo stretched, popping several joints loudly, as she stood up. Luna and Lyra gave her puzzled looks. “What?” “That’s bad for you, Scootaloo,” Lyra replied. “Popping your joints gives you arthritis.” “Bah, that’s an old mare's tale.” Scootaloo started to walk towards the door while tilting her head sideways to pop the joints in her neck. “Besides, Dash always used to do it—” She paused as she stared at the Elements of Harmony, where one was glowing brightly in the display case. The red stone which embodied Loyalty had begun to shine as if it was a piece of the sun fallen to Equestria. Scootaloo couldn’t help but feel drawn to it, walking towards it slowly. Something inside her clicked as she stared at it, coming to an epiphany as her purpose in life was made clear. Since the first time she had met Dash and started emulating her, to the year she started training, to this very moment. Her purpose was to be loyal to her friends, to ponies she didn’t even know, and free them from a tyrant. The Element of Loyalty stopped glowing, and the feeling of loyalty settled in her mind. She had proven her self worthy by standing up to Celestia, and felt her connection to the Element strengthen. Lyra was the first to make it over to Scootaloo, pulling her in for a hug. “Congratulations. You just got promoted.” Luna came second, more slowly, because as she approached the case the orange stone of Honesty was beginning to glow more brightly. “It couldn’t be. . .” Lyra and Scootaloo glanced at her, following her gaze to the display case. “Could it be that simple? The Elements passing to family members?” She turned to the side so that Apple Bloom was as close as she could get to them while asleep. The Element of Honesty, inert and black since Applejack’s death, was now pulsing a rich orange hue. “I wasn’t Dash’s family,” Scootaloo pointed out. “You two were very close, and Loyalty just chose you,” Lyra countered. They stood there for a moment, wondering if there would be a sign that the Element of Honesty accepted Apple Bloom as its new host. Instead, it just continued to steadily pulse. “Perhaps she isn’t ready,” Lyra observed. “For all that we have studied the Elements it would seem they have a mind of their own.” “Indeed, this is very promising. If it passes to Apple Bloom, and we can rescue Sweetie Belle. . . perhaps we are well on our way to replacing the Element bearers, and turning them on Twilight to free her of her curse.” “Sounds like wishful thinking,” Scootaloo said. “I’d rather help Twilight out by knocking her unconscious, rescuing everypony, and letting Celestia sort her out.” “I hope there won’t be a need for violence. What must have gone through her mind to make her free Apple Bloom?” Lyra pondered. One Day Ago. . . The Dollhouse was bustling with life, almost like it had been before Twilight’s capture of the citizens of Ponyville. All over town, ponies were carrying on their normal lives to the best of their abilities to avoid Twilight’s wrath. They had quickly learned a happy jailor meant a happy life. When their jailor got unhappy, mouths would vanish, wings would cease to function, and household comforts like electricity or running water would be revoked. Twilight had been improving the doll spell substantially in her free time. Ponies could now eat and taste, though the food served no real purpose in their plastic bodies. Behaved unicorns could levitate objects, Dash could manipulate small weather clouds that Twilight created to keep her from being too bored, and Earth ponies could grow plants. They had a full sense of sight, smell, and touch to go with their hearing. Were it not for the fact she could freeze them instantly, you might mistake them for a miniature living pony. Yet all was not as it appeared. Though Dash, Vinyl, and Octavia would play nice, there were still leading a resistance movement. Pleasantries such as tea time with Twilight covered up their activities as they slowly, methodically, and secretly worked on new plans to escape over the past year. Several times Twilight had tried to force them to admit their plans. When Town Hall caught fire, she had frozen them all for two weeks under a heat lamp, threatening to increase the temperature another few degrees to pass their melting point. Yet, nopony caved in and snitched. It was a problem she hadn’t been able to solve, until an old piece of advice from Big Mac came to mind. Most of the ponies here had family, friends, or lovers in the dollhouse. Twilight might be able to buy compliance, or convince ponies to turn on each other, by freeing their loved ones. Having fewer ponies in the Dollhouse wasn’t ideal, but it was better than constantly freezing the town and threatening them to force them to act the way Twilight wanted them to act. Forced friendship isn’t really friendship, as gratifying as it might have been to her. Besides, she had been able to carefully acquire a few new ponies over the year. “Twilight?” Big Mac asked. “Hmm?” She looked up from her journal and set down her quill. “Today’s the day.” “Yes, I was just reflecting on the past year and our deal. Despite our rough start, you truly have been my closest friend since I let Lyra go free. The ponies may not be happy with you, but we should go get this over with.” Twilight got up from her desk, taking a moment to stretch her wings out. Since she lived in a cave they didn’t see much usage. Visiting town would prove a nice oppurtunity for a daisy sandwich, since she mainly ate nutrient-rich survival rations or dry grains now. Big Mac walked to the edge of the table where a set of bookshelves and books acted as his impromptu staircase. Twilight could change him to any size she wanted, and lately was comfortable leaving him almost the same size as her. Mac was a little smaller, so that he was more comfortable to cuddle with, but she rarely had reason to shrink him to the hoof-tall height of the other ponies. Mac followed over as Twilight walked towards town, taking note of how much Twilight had improved the cave. Hoof-carved crystals simulated the sun, moon, and stars in the ceiling of the cave. Right now it was early morning, and Apple Bloom would no doubt be hanging out with Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon at the farm. “Attention everypony!” Twilight’s voice echoed through the Dollhouse, getting everypony’s attention. At Carousel Boutique, Dash and Rarity were having a low-key discussion about smuggling Sweetie Belle out of the cave when Twilight went for supplies. They believed they could find a way to sneak her past the anti-magic field to the alcove that had Twilight’s bed and supplies. “Great, what do you think she wants this time?” Dash asked. She walked over and looked out the window, seeing her towering over the edge of town. “We better go see, darling, or we could wind up without mouths for another month,” Rarity answered. “Yeah, let’s all pander the crazy mare so she doesn’t snap. I’m getting tired of this.” Rarity opened the door, gesturing for her to come outside. “I understand why you three are looking for a way out, but is it worth the constant punishments? Why not relax and bide your time for a little while?” Dash walked by her, shaking her head. “You don’t get it. That’s not the kind of crazy you can fix. Pinkie, Spike, Fluttershy, and Big Mac are all sympathizers and look where it has got them: nowhere.” “I wouldn’t say nowhere.” Rarity closed the door and followed Dash out into the street. Ponies from all over town, and some travelers who were unfortunate enough to try to take a shortcut through the Everfree, poured out of their houses. Rarity estimated there must be seventy or so ponies in the town by now. “She hasn’t tested out any spell modifications on those four sympathizers. When Town Hall ‘mysteriously’ caught fire, they weren’t held under a heat lamp.” “How’s that make us any different than prisoners? We do what she says, we get to live life in a gilded cage. We misbehave, she threatens and tortures us. That isn’t the Twilight I remember,” Dash stated. “Citizens of Ponyville!” Twilight shouted out, her voice filling the entire cavern without increasing in volume due to her magic. “Today is a special day. As you all know, Big Mac has been a kind, gentle, and caring soul to me this past year. Some of you have behaved, some of you have rebelled, yet he has always been a true friend.” She glanced down at Dash, adding some venom to her voice. “Unlike some of you.” “Pfft,” Dash mumbled. “If I was her size I’d knock that smirk off her face.” “Don’t antagonize her, darling.” Rarity put a foreleg over her shoulders to keep her from flying off and doing anything rash. “While it pains me to say goodbye to any member of my community, nearly a year ago today I made a promise to Big Mac. Depressed and hurting from my. . . misunderstanding with Celestia, I promised to set his sister free if he held to the tenets of true friendship: honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness, and generosity.” Twilight surveyed the crowd and her horn began to glow. There was a squeal from Sweet Apple Acres, and soon Dash could see Apple Bloom levitating over towards Twilight. Like most of the fillies that had been captured, she was scared of Twilight and her constant mood swings. Apple Bloom hadn’t always been that afraid of her, yet one of the newer fillies captured while on the road with their parents had some interesting campfire stories to tell. Across Equestria, Twilight had become the new ‘boogie mare’. Ponies had created many colorful campfire stories about how ‘The Dollmaker’ could steal a pony’s soul through their nose, or cause them to freeze to death so slowly they never truly died. They told their children if they misbehaved, they’d be lucky if all she did was turn them into a doll. After the initial shock of being levitated out of the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse, Apple Bloom had calmed down somewhat. Despite never forgiving what Twilight and Silver had done to her sister, she wasn’t about to pick a fight. “Yeah, Ms. Sparkle?” Apple Bloom asked, hiding her fear and anger behind a paper-thin smile. “Oh, please call me Twilight.” She returned the smile, then froze Apple Bloom so she couldn’t move or speak. The doll rotated around in the air to face the crowd. “Apple Bloom is being set free, as a show of good faith. If you accept your place here, if you are true friends,” she shot a glance at Dash and Rarity, “then I may let you bargain for your loved ones.” “Sweetie,” Rarity whispered. She had always known that her little sister deserved to be free, even if it meant Rarity had to suffer the punishment for the escape. Now, Twilight was offering to set Sweetie free for good behavior. “Don’t buy it,” Dash muttered. “This is the same murderer who killed Applejack, Diamond Tiara, and Filthy Rich.” “I’ll be back by tomorrow morning. While I am gone, do not cause trouble. If you need anything, see Big Mac.” Twilight walked over to the smaller room cut into the side of the cave, where her bed was. She walked through the magic barrier that prevented ponies from getting nosy and invading her privacy, and put Apple Bloom into her saddlebag. Twilight put on a thick travel cloak, the saddlebags, and an amulet she had crafted to help ward her from detection outside the Everfree. She couldn’t be certain that it worked, yet she had not been caught so far. Dash watched in amazement as Twilight walked out of the cave. “She can’t be serious? If she just starts letting ponies go, then everypony will want to go. No, this is all some sort of lie. I have to warn everypony before they sell out the resistance!” Rarity tightened her grip around Dash as the pegasus tried to take off and call Twilight’s bluff. “Please, Dash, think! You can’t contradict her in front of everypony. I don’t want to spend another month wondering if you’re dead or alive, having dreams each night of what horrible things she might be doing while she interrogates you.” The tones of worry in her voice were enough to make Dash stand down and exhale. After a moment she nuzzled Rarity’s neck. “I. . . I know. She already hates us enough without me adding to it, but I can’t just sit here and do nothing.” Rarity squeezed her shoulders then let go. “Visit Vinyl and Octavia then, make plans and resist, but do it safely. . . for me.” Dash chuckled and smirked. “Hey, you’re not gonna get rid of me that easily. I’ll kick Twilight’s flank if that’s the only plan we can come up with.” “Fair enough, but do try to warn me this time before burning any buildings down.” She flew up into the air and turned around. “And ruin the surprise? Where’s the fun in that?” Dash flew off towards the resistance safe house, leaving Rarity alone in the street. With nothing else to do, she headed off to check on Sweetie and Silver. Rarity was not pleased they became friends, still holding Silver responsible as an accomplice. Yet there were so few fillies Sweetie’s age that Rarity tolerated it. The fact Silver was terrified of Rarity helped her make sure there was no trouble. Halfway to the farm she heard Derpy and Sprocket talking. “Do you think I can get Dinky out? I know where one of the safehouses is,” Derpy explained. “Please, be quiet,” Sprocket warned. “You know I’ve helped them in the past, and if anypony suspects either of us of snitching to Twilight. . .” He frowned and shook his head. “I wouldn’t put it past Vinyl to make us both disappear.” “If Dinky got to leave her and live her life, it’d be worth any punishment,” Derpy stated. Rarity stopped walking, turning to approach them, “Derpy, I couldn’t help but overhear.” She watched the grey pegasus step back, unsure if Rarity would report her to the resistance for planning to snitch. “Twilight is unstable. Any promise she makes to free Dinky, no matter how tempting, is likely a pipe dream. The best thing you can do is spend as much time with your daughter as possible, and enjoy the time we all have left.” Without waiting for a response, she shook her head and left. It truly was tempting for her to try and buy Sweetie’s freedom, but Rarity just couldn’t tell who to trust anymore. Lyra followed Nurse Redheart down the hallway of the Royal Hospital in Canterlot Castle. It was reserved for the Princesses, royalty, emissaries, and the like. Only ponies of important standing, or related to the Princesses were treated here. Redheart had been offered a job here, choosing to work in Canterlot where she felt safe. She realized how easily she could have been captured and quickly agreed to join a team focused solely on treating survivors of Twilight’s rampage. There was one pony that Lyra wanted to check on before spending one last night with Soarin. After several minutes had gone by they reached a custom suite at the end of the hospital’s mental ward. This would be her fifth visit to the first pony she had truly saved from the Dollhouse. “I can give you half an hour tops, but we’ll have to medicate her for bed after that,” Redheart explained. “May I know what you’re medicating her for?” Lyra asked. “Luna’s been appointed her legal guardian so I can’t disclose her medical information without consent.” Redheart sighed, looking down at the floor for a minute. “I can tell you her recovery hasn’t been easy. Remember, Lyra, do not corner her as she has severe claustrophobia and do not use magic due to her severe rhabdophobia. Try to avoid topics related to the incident.” “Thanks.” Lyra opened the door and walked inside, letting is close behind her. Crest sat in front of a massive window that overlooked Canterlot. The plexiglass wall stood in place of the much more common magical windows, which offered a much clearer view. Lyra also noticed that the ceiling, which could have had a simple enchantment to show the night sky, instead had small sparkling gems embedded in it to create the illusion of stars. Despite the obvious efforts to help Crest feel like she was outdoors, the deep green floor and light blue walls were covered in thick foam padding. The bed and cubby’s for her belongings were made of lightweight plastic, which wouldn’t be able to be used as a weapon. “Crest, how are you?” Lyra asked. She smiled, but continued to look outside. “It’s beautiful.” Looking out the window Lyra saw that the sun had already set. “What’s beautiful?” “The Hotel Fillyfornia. In the distance, you’ll see a shimmering light.” Lyra came over and sat near her, but still out of hoof’s reach. Moments later, a hotel below the balcony and outside the castle walls lit up, as timers in each room turned the lights on. “It seems so much more welcoming when the lights are on and the windows are open. I want to visit someday,” Crest said. “I’ll take you there when you’re better, if you like,” Lyra offered. “I would. Maybe we’ll meet Colgate there.” A moment passed in silence, as Lyra could not remind her that Colgate was still a prisoner without agitating her. “She still visits me, when I’m sleeping. I don’t think Redheart likes it when I dream about them. She gets this look in her eye, like when I first got here, like I’m an animal. Am I an animal, Lyra?” “Of course not, Crest. May I hug you?” Lyra asked. “Yes.” She got up and as she walked over, Crest reached out to let Lyra get under the blanket with her. “Thanks.” Lyra wrapped the blanket over her shoulder and felt Crest lean against her. The mare seemed emotionally distant, perhaps still trying to rationalize the actions of an irrational mare, or face her own demons. “You’re going to find them, aren’t you?” she asked. “Who?” Lyra knew she was asking about the Dollhouse, but still was unsure it was a safe topic for conversation. “Colgate, Rarity, Big Mac. . . her.” “I am about to leave, and won’t be able to visit again for a while. Did an orderly tell you?” “It’s all I can dream about, that’s why they don’t like when I dream, but they can’t make me not dream all the time. They try, but I can still hear them screaming.  Frozen in horror, trapped in a shell, their mouths gone and their wings and horns as heavy as lead.” “Crest, they’ll be fine, don’t think so negatively.” “They’re not fine!” Crest screamed, causing Lyra to flinch. “They’re not, I want them to be, but they’ve been trapped over a year. I barely lasted months. Gone. . . my friends, my neighbors, all gone. . .” Lyra felt Crest collapse into her side, sobbing. This was more emotion than Lyra had seen from her in previous visits, and did the only thing she could in a situation like this: comfort her friend. Redheart had entered the room when she heard the scream along with two orderlies. When Lyra turned to address her, the nurse simply smiled and whispered “take as long as you need.” She motioned to the orderlies and left. Crest continued to cry into Lyra’s shoulder, trapping her here for now. Soarin would have to wait. If there was one lesson Lyra had learned more than any other, it was to never abandon a friend in need. Scootaloo returned to her room atop the mountain at nearly midnight. Despite the fact Sensei had not forbidden her to fly to the top, Scootaloo still took the stairs every time she went up or down the mountain. It served to remind her of the discipline she had lacked when beginning her training. Once she got to her room, Scootaloo was not surprised to find Sensei waiting for her. “Come to tell me I’m not ready?” “You don’t intend to listen, so why tell you what you already know?” Sensei asked. She took off her saddlebags, which she had filled with some provisions from town. Scootaloo went to the nightstand and sat on her bed, lifting up the headband she had stitched. It was cyan blue with a rainbow sphere in the middle. “I don’t have a choice. Ponies are counting on me, I thought I could just train and wait and it’d be easier. However, Apple Bloom showing up reminded me what it was like, what every day must be like, that Twilight would wipe her entire memory of it.” “Every day your friends will suffer, yet what of your rescue attempt? Go too soon and you will fail, to join them for eternity. It is a mark of wisdom to wait until you attain the rank of master to embark on the journey,” he explained. “Well, it’s my duty to try.” Scootaloo really hoped she could make him understand that this was something she had to do. Even if she wasn’t ready, even with some self-doubt, she had to try. “Impressive, but words do not make you ready.” She turned to face him, “but what’s in here,” she tapped her chest, “does.” Sensei smiled and stood up off the floor. “And I suppose you’ll want me to find some old armor and weapons for you to use?” “Yes, Sensei.” “I did not have as much time as I wished to train you, yet I can see the difference in you like night and day. You have a strong sense of loyalty, replacing the thoughts of revenge you had when I first met you. Thoughts of revenge will continue to tempt you, so remember this, Scootaloo: the best revenge is to be unlike the pony who injured you.” Sensei turned and bowed to Scootaloo, catching her off-guard. He had never paid her that sign of respect as it was a courtesy a master would only give to an equal. She quickly hopped off the bed and bowed back to him, at a loss for words. “Now, I believe I had something set aside for this occasion. I will have it ready for you in the morning.” Sensei ended his bow and smiled. “Get a good night’s sleep, Scootaloo. Your true test of character starts tomorrow.”