Rainbow Connection

by ahilty


Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen



Twilight Sparkle, the one from Equestria, flapped her wings in shock. “MOM?” She and Shining both shouted at almost the exact same time. Twilight Unicorn (of Ponyland) turned her head and blinked at the two unfamiliar ponies before her.
“Whhaaa, Mom?” She stammered.
“I really doubt she’s your mom.” Draggle chuckled. “Unless you’ve been secretly wishing yourself to other dimensions.” She looked at Twilight Unicorn, who was gaping at Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor.
“…anypony else think that it’s kinda weird how some ponies living in two different worlds are identical?” Applejack said wryly.
“Oh yeah.” Spike of Equestria said as he eyed his double, who folded his arms and gave the Equestrian dragon a slightly amused look. “Really weird…” He looked at Twilight Unicorn. “But you do kinda look like Twilight’s mom.”
“…I’m Twilight.” The unicorn from Dream Valley said.
“Er, so am I.” Twilight Sparkle walked over and offered Twilight Unicorn a hoof to shake. “Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria.”
Twilight Unicorn blinked. She shook her head. “We don’t have time for this! A mist took Applejack and Ember! They’re near the old castle and-” The Equestrian Applejack blinked a bit, then remembered the other Applejack out there somewhere. “I…Queen!” Twilight Unicorn finally noticed Majesty, and jerked again. “I…think I…what?” She wobbled, and finally fainted.
Majesty sighed. “This is going to take a while to straighten out…”



The mist spread across Dream Valley.
As Knight Shade landed back at the bridge that led to his homeland he turned to thank the two Sea Ponies that had brought him this far. He had spotted some odd dark mist flowing into Bright Valley, but didn’t think much of it at first. He was thinking about the odd happenings around Dream Valley, but didn’t connect any of what was going on with the mist before him. Instead he smiled at Seawinkle.
“Thanks a bunch you guys, I-“
“Knnnniiiggght Shaaaade…”
Knight Shade jerked a bit and turned his head. His mind flashed back to the time he had worked for Arabus, and he shivered at the memory of his kin hissing angrily at him in that same tone of voice. But…he thought he and the other ponies fixed that. That he didn’t have to worry about his people hating him anymore. He turned as a crowd of Bright Valley ponies stumbled close to him, staring at him with strange yellow eyes. Dark mist began to flow from the valley, sliding around their hooves and curling around. Knight Shade took a step back.
“Everyone? What’s wrong?” He asked.
“You were always such a bad little pony, Knight Shade.” Knight shad’s mother stepped forwards, smiling cruelly. “Such a bad, bad little pony. Don’t you think you should give up the act and join us? You failed Arabus, but you don’t have to fail again.”
“M-mother, what are you talking about?”
“Lord Tirac has risen, my boy. It’d be better for all of us if you just gave up.”
“What?” He stared at the ponies, realization dawning. “…something bewitched you…again.”
The Bright Valley ponies begin to walk closer, and Knight Shade turned to flee. He grunted as five ponies landed on his back and drove him to the ground. He struggled, kicking, but there were so many Bright Valley ponies, and most were bigger and stronger then him. He whinnied at the shocked Sea Ponies.
“Run! Go! Warn the others!”
“What! No!” Seawinkle swam closer, the mist waving at her in a threatening manner. It almost got to her, but for some reason stopped short. Seawinkle blinked in horror.
“You have to warn them! Warn the Flutter Ponies! Warn the Estate ponies, just go!” Knight Shade kicked again, pulling his hooves as they neared his own mother’s face. Seawinkle nodded and bit through the rope connecting her and her fellow Sea Ponies to the clam. She ducked into the water and began to swim.
“Where do we go?” One of her friends asked, matching her fin flick for fin flick.
“You guys head to Flutter Valley. I’ll go to the Estate…and start gathering up the other babies. I want them in the safest place we can get them.”
The other Sea Pony nodded and swam away.
On the shore, Knight Shade screamed as the mist flowed into his ear. He kicked, squirmed and struggled, even after the mist stopped, he continued to struggle, though much weaker. His mother frowned.
“Why do you still struggle, son? Just give in.” She blinked as her son’s eyes flashed yellow, but he shook his head.
“No, not again, never again! No!” He growled. “I’ll never join you! Never again!”
“Hmmm, those touched by darkness are sometimes resistant to it. Though Arabus stole all your shadows, none of you were as…close to him as Knight Shade here was.” Tirac emerged from the mist, the dark shadows flowing back to him, like a tired dog returning to its master. He smirked. “It doesn’t matter…lock him up. It should take a few days, then he will be ours.”
Knight Shade snarled. “Never.”
Tirac continued to smirk. “We will see, Knight Shade.” Tirac watched as the Bright Valley ponies dragged Knight Shade away. “We’ll see.”



Far away at Scorpan’s castle, Catrina stalked the hallways, teeth gritted. “He should have been back by now. What happened?” She looked out a window, checking the sky for signs of a green bird, or anything green. Rep was one of the few people in this world that had cared for her though both good and bad portions of her life, and she was worried. She frowned and kept prowling around the castle halls, peering out windows. Eventually she exited to the walls surrounded the keep, still growling in agitation. She hissed as she nearly bumped into Scorpan, who was standing at the wall, facing Bright Valley and growling.
Catrina blinked. She had only known the prince for a bit. She knew that they both had once been…evil, though Scorpan was far more resistant to darkness then she. In fact she had met Scorpan through the ponies, after they had vouched for her to him. She didn’t have a great reputation after enslaving the Bushwoolies, but after talking the ponies Scorpan had been willing the give her and Rep a chance. She had appreciated it.
“Scorpan? What’s wrong?” She blinked and looked down at Scorpan’s hands. His nails were digging into the top of the wall, and she noticed his teeth were gritted, as if he was in pain. “Scorpan?”
“He’s back.”
“What, who?”
“Tirac.” He growled the name like a curse.
Catrina inhaled and looked in the direction of Bright Valley. She squinted. “Are you sure?”
“I can feel him, and look.” Scorpan raised his arm and lowered his sleeve. Catrina inhaled again when she saw that his arm was covered in thick tan hair. “The curse he laid on me is coming back. Started to crave rare meat again as well.” He took a deep breath and lowered his sleeve. “I can feel it in my mind as well, but…it’s easier to resist this time.”
“You fought back against the corruption, and even when your body had changed, your mind didn’t.”
“Well…it did at first. For a while I was evil, but eventually it weakened. I think it was Spike. He helped somehow.” Scorpan shrugged.
“For me, it was Rep…I was willing to kill a baby pony. I almost did…but the way he looked at me. And then he turned on me, and I realized that I was going to lose him if I didn’t stop. I think I couldn’t bare looking at him when I was like that anymore. It just…was wrong.”
“Trust me, I understand, but at the same time…can’t you feel it?” Scorpan looked at her.
“Not at all, but I was never personally corrupted by him…and it’s a good thing you were. Even if his corruption does alter your body again, I doubt he will get to your mind again. You already have shown strong resistance to evil, and now you will be able to resist even more. You know what they say?”
“A mind touched by darkness will be resistant to it.”
Catrina nodded. “Evil, especially Nightmare level evil, is like a virus, and it’s like a drug. The more you take the more resistant you become, and at the same time it will give you a…good feeling. Makes you want to take more and more. But, if you have something precious to you, like a good friend.” Catrina sighed as she thought of Rep. “It…cancels out the evil somehow. Magic has a basis in emotional feelings, and for most creatures the bond between them, friendship or love or whatever, keeps the evil parts at bay. I know it sounds impossibly corny, but it seems to work. It’s why I think Wind Whistler got to the witch girl. She has something now that she wants to keep, other then her own family, when before she got both the connection with her family, and the evil.”
“And what if there is a creature who doesn’t have that with another?” Scorpan asked.
“Then you get Tirac.” Catrina said.
“Well, I’m not going to wait around until he finds a friend.” Scorpan growled.
“Wasn’t going to ask you to.”
“Good. Even if I have to do it as a beast, I will kill him.” Scorpan stared in the distance, nails starting to dig into the stone.



“Alright, everypony needs to calm down…and somepony should really get her awake.” Twilight Sparkle, attempting to use her natural ability to micromanage freaking everything, light up her horn so the other ponies could hear her. The Ponylanders stared at her.
“Every…pony?” Ribbon blinked. “…I still don’t get why they say that.” She muttered to Heart Throb, who nodded in agreement.”
“Never mind local sayings for the moment, we have an emergency…several it seems.” Twilight looked down at her mother’s double, and looked up. “Wind Whistler?”
Catching on, Wind Whistler looked to her kin. “Lofty, North Star, Whizzer…and if I can ask you as well, Princess Luna?” Luna looked up from where she had been standing near Celestia. She nodded.
“I would be happy to help.” She said.
Wind Whistler nodded and looked at North Star. “There is a very good chance that the Royal Paradise is under attack, and something has corrupted at least one of the Princess Ponies. I need you to take them and see what is going on. Retreat if it becomes to much for you, but we need information.” North Star gasped at the mention of the Royal Paradise, but nodded.
“Of course.” She looked at Luna and, with a duck of her head, motioned for the door. “Let’s go.” She turned and opened the door, quickly followed by Lofty, Whizzer and Luna, who said a quick farewell to Celestia. She then galloped after the three Ponylanders and launched into the sky.
Wind Whistler turned her head to the Ponylander version of Twilight and walked over to her. “She said they were near Dream Castle. Surprise, Masquerade, can you take the Princess.” She nodded at Twilight Sparkle. “And Rainbow Dash.” Dash grinned in a cocky manner. “Over there and check it out? See if you can find our Applejack and Ember.”
“Of course…nice to have you back, Wind Whistler.” Masquerade smiled at Twilight Sparkle, who looked a bit surprised that another pony had just taken her job, and apparently did a very good job of it as well, over. Sure she expected Wind Whistler to explain about the Royal Paradise thing, but hadn’t expected to end up having orders barked at her. Still, this was Wind Whistler’s home, so Twilight Sparkle assumed that it was all right to take instructions from a pony who lived here.
Galaxy shifted. “Wind Whistler…I think something is very wrong…”
Wind Whistler nodded. “No doubt, but it’s better that we know what exactly is wrong, and if Applejack and Ember are in danger, we need to help.”
Galaxy nodded, but looked at Twilight and the other three. “Just be very careful.”
Surprise grinned. “Aww! It’ll be fine!” She laughed and tapped Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow. “Come on! Let me show you a bit of our home!” She laughed again and charged out.
“Hot headed loon…wait!” Masquerade turned and followed, and Twilight Sparkle nodded at Celestia and Shining. Celestia nodded, feeling a jolt of pride in her student as Twilight Sparkle turned to follow Surprise and Masquerade.
Galaxy smiled slightly. “Thanks Wind Whistler.”
“Much as I love to hear the smart ponies congratulate each other…can anyone tell me what’s going on on this side?” Gusty growled grumpily.
“Indeed, what is this about Royal Paradise, Wind Whistler?” Galaxy asked.
Wind Whistler took a deep breath…




While Wind Whistler caught the rest of them up at the Estate, Luna was giving a brief explanation to her new companions.
“…so…you’re the once evil Princess of the Night from a thousand years ago.” North Star said.
Luna frowned. “Yes.”
“And, you’re not evil anymore.”
“Correct.”
“…Blimey…” North Star shook her head. “This is a lot to take in.”
Whizzer shrugged. “Aww-I-stopped-trying-to-connect-all-the-dots. Let’s-just-focus-on-checking-Royal-Paradise.”
Luna looked down at the ground. She smiled. “I missed this place.” She looked up. “The land has changed though.”
Lofty looked behind her. “It must be strange.”
“It is.” Luna said. “I am pretty sure that was a pony city down there at some point, I think I can even see some ruins of a tower.”
“You-mean-that-granite-rock?” Whizzer chuckled.
“Indeed…it was a very nice granite rock once upon a time.” Luna smiled as they approached Midnight Castle. She studied the place. “That place is new though.
“Midnight Castle, Tirac’s old castle…you don’t recognize it?” Lofty asked.
“Just because I remember events from a thousand years ago doesn’t mean I instantly recognize everything Tirac did. Especially since I left before his apparent reign started up the first time.”
“You should talk with Paradise if there’s time.” North Star said. “I’m sure she’d love to hear what life was like back then.”
Luna smiled, glad that these ponies seemed willing to look beyond her past. Maybe it was because she had arrived with their friends. “How much farther?”
“Not that far. You okay, Whizzer? Are you still injured?” North Star looked behind her, concerned.
Whizzer smiled. “I-can-make-it.”
North Star nodded and focused back on the horizon as they began to soar over the ocean. “We are close.” She said.
Luna shivered. “…It’s close. I can feel it.”
“You can?”
“I was once possessed by it. It’s…there. I know it.” Luna shivered. North Star frowned at her.
“Are you sure you will be well?”
“I will be fine, I-” Luna blinked. “Look at that.”
“Blimey.” North Star’s eyes widened. “That mist wasn’t there before. And it’s covering Royal Paradise.”
“It…it’s the Nightmare. I think.” Luna said. “You wait here, I’ll go closer. I’m more familiar with this then you are.”
“Very well, but careful.” North Star hovered in place.
Luna nodded and soared closer. She circled the area, attempting to look down. It took a bit of squinting, but eventually she thought she could see the palace where the Princess Ponies lived. Bracing herself she soared closer, trying to avoid the tendrils of mist. Buzzing her wings let her dispel it, as even here in Dream Valley an Equestrian pony could still manipulate the weather.
Suddenly an aggressive gust of wind blew across her wings, almost sending her into a tumble. She righted herself and snorted. She looked down to see a pink earth pony, a wand clutched in her mouth. The pony waved the wand again and more wind blew towards Luna. Luna ducked down to avoid the gust. She dove, landing a few feet from the earth pony Princess.
“Halt! What is the meaning of this!?”
Primrose didn’t answer. Instead she grinned as several sharp vines slithered close to Luna’s front hooves. She reared and flapped back into the air, blasting them with her horn. Luna looked to the side to see a lavender unicorn using another wand to manipulate the vines. She glared at the two Princesses.
“Where is the Heart of this realm? What have you done to it?”
“It belongs to Lord Tirac now. Soon, so shall all of you.” Primrose smiled and sent another cutting gust to wind at Luna. The alicorn spread her wings and lifted further into the air. She was about to blast the corrupted princesses with her powers when she heard shouting from above her. She lifted her head to see her three companions dodging Changelings, who for some reason didn’t seem to be changing into other forms. Luna didn’t have time to wonder at this; instead she lifted her wings and flapped back towards Whizzer, Lofty and North Star, dodging gusts of wind as she flew. Equestrians didn’t have the sheer wing power of a Dream Valley native, but even an alicorn was far more maneuverable.
Flapping upwards Luna blasted a changing out of the air, hitting it on its bug wings and causing it to spiral downwards. Luna twisted in the air and bucked another in the face. She turned to see Lofty knock a pair away from her back. Luna nodded in gratitude, but then her ear shot up when they both heard a gasp from below.
Princess Sparkle (not to be confused with Twilight Sparkle), had extended the vines upwards, and had caught Whizzer by the hoof. She was tugging Whizzer downwards, and Whizzer bit and kicked at the vine, but it didn’t seem to be working.
Luna aimed and blasted at Princess Sparkle, hitting the Princess Pony on the head, and sending her smack into a nearby palm tree. At the same time Lofty and North Star grabbed her by the legs and yanked Whizzer away. Luna covered them as they flew upwards, lifting Whizzer with them. Luna turned to North Star.
“I don’t think we can get to the Heart like this. I can see more Changeling’s mobilizing.”
North Star nodded. “Let’s go. We have to few.” She turned to Whizzer. “Are you okay?”
“Yeahyeahfinefine” Whizzer pawed at her ear lightly and flicked her wings. “I’llbeokaylet’sgo!”
The four of them turned to flee as the vines started to rise up again. However, within moments they were clear, and the vines ceased, and even the gusts of wind settled down.
“We will have to bring more ponies to free the Heart.” Lofty said, looking behind her in concern.”
“Yes…yes…” North Star said, shaking her head.
Whizzer just nodded, pawing at her ear again.



Twilight Sparkle of Equestria was eyeing Masquerade’s wings, and it was starting to bug the yellow pegasus Ponylander.
“Why do you keep doing that?” She finally turned to look at Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight shook her head. “Oh, sorry. It’s just…I’m very fascinated by you ponies. You’re so different from us, yet so alike. It’s interesting.”
“How are my wings interesting?” Masquerade asked.
“Well, from what I’ve observed your pegasi wings are built for stamina and power. How long can your people fly without getting tired?”
“Well…ponies like Paradise, who’s kinda lazy…she can last an hour.” Masquerade rolled her eyes. “But ponies like Lofty and North Star can go a day or so. Most of the time they only really have to land to get water and food.”
“Wow, that’s…pretty impressive.” Rainbow admitted. “Not even a Wonderbolt can last a day!”
“Yes, I guessed so.” Twilight said. “Our people are smaller, and our pegasus are built to for speed and maneuverability, probably because we have to manipulate the weather. Equestrian pegasi need to be able to dodge lightning or other rogue weather patterns.” Twilight thought aloud, leaving Rainbow and Masquerade to just stare at her. “While you Ponylanders live in a much harsher world, so it makes sense that your people would trade speed for power and endurance.”
“Seems that most of us are physically stronger then you.” Surprise chuckled. “No offense. Except Big Mac. He’d fit in well with the Big Brothers.”
“None taken. And you’ve mentioned big brothers before. Why aren’t their any males back at the Estate?”
“Our stallions have a bad tendency to wander.” Masquerade said. “It used to be herds of males would circle the territory, patrolling and questing and making sure our land is safe. Most still do it, even though a lot of danger comes from inside what’s technically our territory.” Masquerade shrugged. “They mean well, they’re just very traditional. Heck some mares get the urge to wander around as well. It happens.”
“Ah, most of our stallions stay with their families if they have them.” Twilight looked down. “I would love to stay here at more peaceful time. It’s just so fascinating.”
“Hehe.” Masquerade chuckled. “So, you’re one of them allycorn thing?”
“Yes.” Twilight said.
“So you’re related to Celestia?”
“Ah, no. She’s my teacher.” Twilight outlined her ascension to alicorn hood, until Surprise flapped.
“Look!”
Twilight looked down to see a pony very similar to Applejack, along with a younger earth pony. The other Applejack wasn’t wearing a hat, and was shaped like a Ponylander, but for all other intents and purposes she looked exactly like Applejack. Twilight frowned.
“Is that them?” She asked.
“That’s Applejack.” Masquerade nodded. “Let’s go.”
“Be careful, we don’t know what this mist did to them.” Twilight said.
“If it’s anything like what that shadow did to Magic Star, I can guess.” Masquerade said grimly as she folded her wings and landed in front of the Ponylander Applejack. “Applejack.”
Applejack smiled at her. “Hello, Masquerade. Did you miss us?”
Masquerade stepped a bit closer. “What happened to you last night, Twilight said something had happened to you.”
“Twilight is wrong.” Applejack looked at Twilight Sparkle. “Who is that?”
“Twilight Sparkle, from Equestria.” Twilight said.
“Another Twilight…interesting…” Applejack grinned. “It’s funny, isn’t it. Two ponies named Applejack and Twilight helped defeat both Tirac and Nightmare Moon. Funny little coincidence.”
“Hey, how would you know?” Rainbow asked.
Applejack smiled. “How do you think?” She turned and attempted to buck Masquerade in the face. Masquerade ducked and charged, rushing under Applejack’s flailing hooves and ramming her in the gut with her forehead. Applejack grunted and fell back a bit. Twilight dodged to the right as Ember charged for her, attempting to bit Twilight on the throat. Twilight tried to recall the rope spell the guards had preformed before, and concentrated. A glowing magical rope appeared in front of her eyes, and Twilight grabbed it and tossed it to Rainbow, who was still hovering.
“Tie em, Rainbow!” Twilight shouted, and Rainbow nodded. With a buzz of her wings Rainbow swiftly circled around Ember, who attempted to leap on Rainbow. Rainbow hovered near Applejack’s back, and dodged at the last minute, causing Ember to land on Applejack’s back. Rainbow pounced and twirled the rope, tangling them both. Rainbow landed, looking proud.
“Ha! Let’s see Applejack do better!” She looked down at Dream Valley Applejack and blinked. “Er, I mean our Applejack…” She shook her head. “You know what I mean, right?”
Twilight chuckled. “We do.”
“At least we can get them back now.” Surprise tried to grab Applejack, who turned and bite her. Surprise jerked back. “This is gonna be nasty…”
Twilight sighed and lifted the two of them up in her magic. “Gather around, everypony.”
“Oh man, I hate this.” Rainbow sighed and stood next to Twilight.”
“Er…oh yeah!” Surprise laughed and landed. “Teleporting, right?”
“Exactly!” Twilight smiled at Surprise as Masquerade landed as well. “Ready? One, two, three!”
There was a poof, and the group was suddenly gone.




Wind Whistler stared at the door leading to Magic Star’s room. Ever since Galaxy had explained what happened, and knowing that there was little else she could do with the time, Wind Whistler wanted to see Magic Star for herself. Not just to compare what happened to her friend with had happened to Princess Royal Blue but…Magic Star was her friend.
Wind Whistler pawed the door open and walked in. Magic Star had her back to the door. Wind Whistler looked around the room, noticing the destroyed artifacts and torn books, she almost winched, but kept the emotion in check. She walked closer to Magic Star, who she could see through the sunlight pouring through the window was looking rather dull. She stopped a few inches from the cage.
“So, you’re back.” Magic Star turned her head and snorted. “I’d have thought you’d ran off. Better if you had. You little coward.”
Wind Whistler blinked at her. “I would never leave me friends.”
“And why not?” Magic Star sneered. “I wasn’t there, but Megan did tell me what you said. Romantic idiots eh? Sentimental fools?” Magic Star chuckled. “To bad you were right. Tell me, were you telling the truth then? Or were you lying?” She turned and leaned forwards. “You told the truth to that Rock dog. You know as well as I do. They’re all romantic sentimental fools. Just like her. That’s why you hate them.”
“I don’t hate them.”
“Then why do you shut us out? Face it; you only stay with us because you think it’s your duty. You never cared for us.”
Wind Whistler’s eyes narrowed. “If I hated you I wouldn’t stay. I would leave. You don’t need me. There is no duty keeping me here.”
“Oh yes there is!” Magic Star suddenly lashed her hooves out of the bars and hooked them around Wind Whistler’s neck, slamming her against the bars of the cage and laughing. “Oh yes there is! You just don’t want to be called a traitor like her! You hate us, but the only reason you stay is because of her! Fool. She hated you, you know?”
“Stop, the Nightmare infected her, just like it infects you.”
“I’m only telling the truth now, instead of lying to make you feel better about yourself! But I was there, Wind Whistler. I remember her shoving you away, I remember her shoving you off onto Firefly or Medley to babysit while she danced around and made googly eyes at your father! That was even before the Rainbow took hold of her mind!”
“My parents.” Wind Whistler said calmly. “Cared for each other. That isn’t wrong.”
“Oh? So it’s not wrong for a mother to abandon her foal to others? Because that’s why you hate sentimental romantic fools like Heart Throb and all the rest! Because your mother was a sentimental fool. Because like all of them once the Rainbow of Darkness took hold she was free to do what she wanted. Because that’s what the darkness does to you, I’ve found. It frees you. It freed her from the sense of duty she had towards you, so she could do what she wanted. And what she wanted to do was abandon you and you little sibling…and we never found out which baby it was…but it doesn’t matter. She left all of us. She left you, because she had no more duty to you. Why stay around, when she could follow your father into the wild?”
“Magic Star, let me go.”
“No! Not until I’ve gotten something from you, you heartless chuck of stone!” Magic Star sneered. “You were just like them before you left to find them! Then you come back and you’re a heartless golem! What happened? Am I not right? Did she reject you? Did she? DID SHE?!”
“…yes.”
“I knew it. I always knew. You hateful little wretch! Not even your own parents could stand you. That’s why you turned cold!”
“No…I didn’t. I use logic, because I’ve seen what excessive emotion can do. I saw what it did to her, and I will never be like that.” Wind Whistler looked at Magic Star. “This is not Magic Star talking to me. I know that. Perhaps it is true. Perhaps my mother didn’t love me. But the rest of my family does. You do, the real you does. I will not forget that. No matter what you say.”
“You think so? Who really cares about you? Galaxy and I find you useful! The others reject you time and again, because they know what you are.”
“What I am?” Wind Whistler asked calmly. Outwardly calm at least. Inside she felt like she wanted to scream. She didn’t want to be reminded of her. Didn’t want to hear about how much the creature that brought her to this world hated her. She knew it already. She didn’t think it was important, except that bringing it up hurt so much. But the creature that was using Magic Star wanted her to break, wanted her to cry or scream or show weakness. She wouldn’t do it. She wouldn’t give it that satisfaction.
“You.” Magic Star leaned even closer, their muzzles almost touching. “Are a freak. You’re a pony nobody could ever care for. You never deserved their love. You never deserved their friendship. What kind of foal is so monstrous that even its own mother can’t stand it?”
“My mother’s issues were not my fault.”
“Then whose were they?”
“Her own.”
Magic Star laughed. “Are you sure?”
Wind Whistler blinked.



She was a young foal. No, perhaps not a foal anymore. An adolescent. A young pony, but still reaching the age where she would soon be an adult. She wanted to leave the newly established Dream Castle….
“I want to find her, Majesty. I just…I need to.” She had said, and Majesty had nodded.
“Be careful, you will always have a home here…”


“You don’t belong here.”
“Mom, please…”
“Don’t call me that.”
“…mommy…”
“NO!” Wind Whistler barely avoided her mother’s hoof. “Leave us alone!”
“He’s dead mother! You won’t wake him!” Wind Whistler rushed to her mother and shook her. “He’s gone, please, you have to-“
“Don’t you know anything about love, you heartless beast!?” The insane mare rolled her eyes at Wind Whistler and snorted. “He’ll wake up, because I love him. Or I’ll die, and join him. Either way…”
“You haven’t even met my sister-“
“Do you even know who she is?”
“No, but.”
“And I’m not telling you! I don’t care about that little poop machine. Majesty can keep her, and keep you to! Why did you come! I left you for a REASON!”
Wind Whistler couldn’t help the tears forming in her eyes. “But…I love you…”
“You know nothing about real love. The love for a stallion is far more important then any other love. Just go away.”
“You’re being irrational!”
“Oh, using big words now, missy? I won’t tell you again!”
Wind Whistler ducked her head and sobbed, but just managed to sense a hoof coming for her face. She dodged back, wings flapping. “Mother!”
“GO!” Whining in mad rage, the mare darted for Wind Whistler again, but the young pegasus was already up in the air. She blinked, then shook her head.
“You…romantic fool…” She shook her head again. “If this is love…I want no part in it!” She turned and fled, unable to look at the creature below her anymore.
I want no part in this love. It only hurts the people you care for. I will not be like her. I will not let foolish sentiments rule me. I will be…logical. I will learn how to control my heart, so it doesn’t control me, and I hurt my friends. I will protect what I have. What is really important to me.



“I have returned. Where is Majesty?”
“Wind Whistler…are you alright?” Truly had asked.
“I am quite well, Truly. It is marvelous to see you again.” Wind Whistler said, but her face was cold and emotionless as stone, and her voice was even and clipped.
“But…why aren’t you…why are you lookin’ at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“You don’t look excited. Or happy. What happened to your mama?”
“I have no mother anymore.” Wind Whistler said. “Where is Majesty?”
“You don’t…what happened?” Heart Throb asked, looking as confused as the rest.
“…her foolish sentiments resulted in madness. She is not important.” Wind Whistler said. “Please, tell me where Majesty is?”
“She’s gone…Tirac…” Heart Throb shook her head. “Wind Whistler what happened to you!?”
“Nothing. I merely had…an epiphany.” Wind Whistler had said. “I have come to the conclusion that excessive emotional outbursts lead to pain, sadness and ultimately provide no great service to the community as a whole, so I have endeavored to disregard unwarranted-“
“You got rid of your feelings! Why would you do that?!” Heart Throb wailed.
“No, you don’t comprehend, you see-“
But they never understood. Not really. At first they treated her like a mental patient, unable to comprehend how a pony would ever want, or choose, to use logic instead of feelings, as the rest of them were ruled by it. But Twilight Unicorn had, on some level, understood. Medley had understood. It took years, but eventually she thought the other ponies began to understand, if only a little. Dear little Fizzy never seemed to care that Wind Whistler wasn’t the same. All she saw was her elder ‘sister’ returning, and while she was different…Fizzy still accepted her. Wind Whistler had grown apart from many in the Estate, but only for a while. She had to go to outright stating her affection towards the others, because they couldn’t tell that she did care for a long time. Her actions also helped as well. She was different now, but…it was alright.



Wind Whistler blinked at Magic Star again. “I know.” She placed her hooves on the bars and yanked. At the same time she sharply flapped her wings and thumped Magic Star on the head. The earth pony jerked back, as the wings were pretty damn strong, and more then enough to push her back.
Wind Whistler backed out of grabbing range. “You remind me of her now, you know? But it will be different this time. I do care deeply for you, even if I don’t show it as the others do. You will be free.”
“I am free!” Magic Star bellowed. “Except for the part where you fools caged me! I’m freer then I’ve ever been! I’ve tasted what real freedom is, and no amount of rainbows or love or friendship will ever change that! I don’t want to go back to what I was!” She pressed up against the bars, teeth bared. “I wonder. When you are freed, what will you be like? Will all that anger and hate and pain that you bottle up inside explode out? Will you finally be unchained? I’ve seen how much you repress your anger and hate. You hide it from the others well, but I can see it. I think you’ll be the worst of us, once you are Tiracs…or will it make your repression worse…I can see that to. I can see you closing off from everyone, going further and further into your safe little turtle shell until you really can’t feel anymore. How will that be like? How will the cold be, Wind Whistler? How will it be?”
“I shan’t care to find out.” Wind Whistler said as she turned to leave. She ignored Magic Star as she pushed herself out the door and closed it.
Once she was outside she leaned against the door, closing her eyes and fighting back tears. She didn’t want Magic Star to see her cry, but she knew she was close to it. She hated it. She didn’t want to cry. To cry would be to admit what Magic Star was saying. Being rejected by her mother had hurt, and she hated to think of it.
“Wind Whistler?”
She looked up and straightened. She hadn’t noticed Majesty there. “Majesty, hello, my Queen.” Wind Whistler bowed. Majesty blinked.
“I heard…most of that.” She said. Wind Whistler raised her head. “Do you want to talk?”
Wind Whistler hesitated for only a moment. “I think a talk is long overdue.”
Majesty nodded and waved her head for Wind Whistler to follow. The two of them descended the stairs, leaving out the back way. Neither noticed that Luna’s group had returned. And no one else noticed that, as Luna began to tell the story, Whizzer crept up to Magic Stars door.
She stared, frowning, and pawing at her ear.
“Feelsostrange. Sostrange…so…”




“You knew her when she was sane, my Queen.” Wind Whistler said. “Did she…”
“You can call me Majesty, you know.” Majesty smiled at Wind Whistler, sitting next to her on the lawn, facing Posey’s garden. She put her leg around Wind Whistler’s shoulders.
“Very well.”
“…you’ve changed.”
“I didn’t want to be like her. I still don’t. The others assumed I was injured in some fashion. But I wasn’t.”
I think they were right in more ways you know, but…”Are you happy, Wind Whistler?”
“Now that they are beginning to understand me, yes. I just…couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be like her. The others…I don’t mind if they are silly. Well, I mind, but they wouldn’t be happy if they were like me. And to ask them to take my path when they are unwilling would be harsh. I just…want to make sure they are safe.” Wind Whistler sighed. “I must apologize. I left my home to pursue a foolish wish for a parent, when I had all the family I needed here, and we lost you.”
“I watched you. I was always watching. You…all of you are precious to me. I had hoped you would find her, and bring her home.” Majesty sighed. “But the fact that learned from her, and became a better mare for it, I can’t say I’m unhappy about that.”
“I learned the kind of mare I didn’t want to be.”
“And that’s fine.” Majesty said. “You don’t have to be like the others, but you know that already.”
“…why didn’t she care for me?”
Majesty took a deep breath. “I wish I had a clear answer for you. The fact is…it might have been the Rainbow of Darkness, using her love for your father to drive her away from her children. Or…sometimes mares aren’t happy after they have a foal. No one is sure why, but it happens. Sometimes, these mares do refuse to care for their young. I am not sure if it was the Rainbow, or if she was merely ill. Or perhaps it was none of that, and she simply wasn’t a good mare like I thought she was.” Majesty looked at her. “Your father loved you. I know that.”
“I barely remember him.”
“He died trying to save us all. Remember that. I don’t think he knew how to take care of a baby his mate could or would not take charge of. He tried, but he died before he could fully take care of you…that was his plan, you know. He was sick of his mate ignoring you, and wanted to stay with the herd instead of wandering with the other stallions. He was going to stay for you, but that chance was taken from him.”
“…I have a mother.” Wind Whistler looked at Majesty. “…if you do not mind that I call you that?”
Majesty leaned down and nuzzled her. “I’d be proud to be called that. Magic Star is wrong. Or the evil controlling her is wrong. I always wanted you. I want you all.” Majesty chuckled. “Maybe I’m selfish.”
“To take in the foals that by all rights should be your subjects as your children?” Wind Whistler snorted. “Hardly.”
“I’m glad I left such a good example. That’s why you adopted those humans?”
“Megan and her siblings?”
“Yes…and the young witch.”
“There are…similarities in our situations.” Wind Whistler said.
“I know. I didn’t see either of her children, but I could hear it when Hydia shouted at them…and I wished I could help them. Neither Reeka or Draggle deserve what she dishes out.”
“I know. I wished I could help all of them.” Wind Whistler said.
“…just remember. Magic or illness or just plan terrible parent.” Majesty looked down at Wind Whistler. “It was never your fault. And you should never think it was.”
“...I know…Majesty?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Majesty opened her mouth to say something else, but all of a sudden there was a bang, and someone inside the Estate screamed.
The two mares sprang to their feet and galloped back.