//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Twilight's Equestria - The After Years // by BPM //------------------------------// Twilight didn’t know what to do. It was like she was isolated from the rest of the world, alone. There was no one to call to inside the desolate castle, and try as she might, she couldn’t find any way out. Besides, there was something that she had to do about the missing ponies. Or perhaps, she was the one missing, and not everyone else? Gathering her thoughts, Twilight quickly made her way to the library. She poured over the arcane texts, wondering if there was a spell resembling her current predicament. But for all her searching, book after book was written in a language she didn’t understand. They looked to be foreign runes, unintelligible to the pony races – at least, she had never seen them used anywhere in Equestria. Slightly dejected that she wouldn’t have the comfort of her books to help her out, there was yet many other ways she hadn’t tried, so all hope was not lost, yet. --- “Hey, what’s your name?” “Storm Falcon.” “Ooh, that sounds so cool! I’m Pinkie Pie!” said Pinkie as she undulated lightly in the back of the chariot. “…Yes, we know.” “This is Gummy!” Pinkie gestured the rather large toothless alligator hanging off the back. “Why did you have to bring him? I still can’t think of any re-“ “Because! We’re a pair! You don’t get the Pie without the Gum!” said an elated Pinkie, as she sped up her rhythmic bouncing. “So…where are we going?” “I believed I explained that you were asked to meet Princess Celestia and Luna in the castle.” “Oh, but how about Twilight? Is she safe?” Pinkie gasped. “The Princesss never had called me up to the castle before, is Twilight in trouble? Is it something that only I can help solve? Does it have to do with Applejack and Rainbow Dash and Rarity and Fluttershy? Oh, I can’t wait to see them again! It’ll be so fun! Well, except the part about Twilight being in trouble, but I’ll get to see everyone again! When are we going?” Storm stood still, gap-mouthed at the river of deduction the poured from Pinkie’s mouth. After taking a moment to gather himself, he slowly looked again at a smiling Pinkie Pie. “We’re going to see them now. You’re on the chariot.” “Oh, haha, silly me.” Pinkie went off in her own world, playing with the dangling Gummy below. This mare will be the end of me, thought Storm Falcon. --- Fluttershy raced back to the castle but on the way, she came across a familiar silhouette in the distance. As the figure came into distance, it was accompanied by a familiar voice. “-ttershy! It’s been forever! How’s everything? I hear you’re part of the nature group or something? I don’t know, I don’t really keep up with that stuff. But hey! Do you need some more catering? I felt that your last party wasn’t my best work but I mean, come ON, how do I beat that first party I threw for Twilight all those years ago?” Pinkie laughed, and smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. “Oh, hi Pinkie. Things have been going well, Twilight’s really come around with the northern forests… but there’s still a lot of work to be done, and she doesn’t have time to see me all the time…” “Oh, it’ll work out. You’re Fluttershy! Don’t you remember when you convinced everyone to take care of the Breezys when there was the Pegasus epidemic that year? They stayed in Ponyville under your protection for the full year! You can do anything!”, cheered Pinkie Pie. “Sir, the others have contacted me. We’ve established contact with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They’re on their way.” “Good. What of Rarity?” “Sir, we’ve been unable to locate her, but we have had contact earlier in the evening from Twilight’s request.” “Continue looking for her. Take the front guard; I’ll see to Pinkie and Fluttershy.” “Yes, sir.” Responded the guard. With that, the two chariots broke rank, rearranged themselves, and sped along to the pathway to Canterlot. --- “There there, Rarity will be back soon” Cocoa played with the little Ruby as she slowly crawled around the floor playing with the excess cloth Cocoa had lying around, wet from Ruby’s tantrum. Cocoa sighed. This usually doesn't happen – Ruby seemed to know that her mother would be going farther away than usual, and that Cocoa was nearby didn't calm her down at all. Ruby wanted her mother. “Look Ruby, it’s your favorite toy!” Cocoa held up a small plush of Princess Twilight. Ruby looked at the small purple unicorn, and proceeded to hug it tightly, as if substituting her mother for it. Tears came to her eyes. Cocoa carried the young filly down to the bathroom and started the warm water for a hot bath. Whenever she got sad, some warm water always calmed her down. “Oh hold on Ruby, I forgot your change of clothes. Stay put right here while I get them.” Cocoa sat Ruby down in the sink, far too smooth and deep for Ruby to crawl out of, but shallow enough for Ruby to peek her little eyes over the top. Something was glistening in the water. It seemed…magical. Ruby’s attention started to become fixated to it, as if her gaze was drawn towards the small shiny object. Ruby felt something warm fill her body as her horn started to glow, ever so slightly. Ruby made a noise, to signal Cocoa to come back. She didn’t seem to hear. Ruby made a louder noise. A louder one. Finally, Cocoa ran in the bathroom in frenzy, hoping that nothing had gone wrong. She found Ruby sitting there in the sink, with her very light pink mane slightly damp from the moisture in the air. “Oh, thank goodness you’re okay.” Cocoa breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought something had happened to you! Don’t scare me like that, Ruby!” Ruby looked back at the bathtub. The glisten was gone, replaced by the flowing surface of waves and bubbles forming near the edge. “Goo laa doo ya gaagaa!” Ruby motioned toward the water. “Feeling cold, are you Ruby? Don’t worry, you’ll be warm in a minute. Just let me test the water…” --- Rarity strolled slowly back around the block, taking the longer way around to her shop. She’d lived there since moving to Manehattan 8 years ago, and she’s never looked back. She did miss Ponyville sometimes, with its inhabitants and small town pleasures. But mostly, she just missed her friends. Walking down the big city always seemed to calm her, especially at night. The moon was large tonight, courtesy of the princess, and the streets well lit. Rarity lived in the finer portion of Manehattan, most would say, but even the luxurious Central Mill properties wouldn’t satisfy her. If she had to leave her friends in Ponyville in order to live in Manehattan, she would settle for no less than the Tower Suites – the epitome of high society life. “Captain! I’ve found her!” A voice echoed in the distance. Rarity abruptly awoke from her reverie. How rude of them, to disrupt such a rare, beautiful silence in the big city, she thought. “Miss Rarity!” “Yes, what is it now?” Rarity replied, slightly annoyed at the persistence of the guard. “The Princess requires your presence at the castle.” “Yes, I know, Twilight sent for me in the morning. I-“ “This order is from Princess Celestia. She requires that you come immediately.” “Oh dear, what’s wrong?” Rarity was taken aback – she was used to getting a summons from Twilight, but Celestia rarely called for her by name – except when… “Everything will be explained when you arrive. Please, get into the carriage.” The guard opened the door to the rather extravagant cart. “Oh, it’s you.” Rarity saw the profile of the stallion and looked at him with disgust. “It’s been some time, Rarity.”