//------------------------------// // The Labyrinth Part 3: The Center // Story: Jason's Grand Tour of Equestria // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// Jason "Why?" Jason asked again, still in unbelief. Rose couldn't answer. "Too bad, and I had high hopes for you." Principatum snarled as he shot a bolt of lightning at Rose. The Tower went silent as the bolt never struck. Jason stood in front of Rose, the Lightning curling around his hand. Principatum quickly recovered, "You never cease to amaze me. Rose never taught you lightning, "Principatum explained while walking around, "yet you caught a very powerful bolt. You are getting more powerful by the minute!" Jason looked at his hand, he watched in amazement as tiny bolts arced between his fingers, then smiled. "I'll have to learn somehow, might as well start now!" He yelled as he chucked the bolt at Principatum, shattering the connection. Rose and Jason were back in the Labyrinth. Twilight The vision was long over, yet Twilight could still see every detail. Every single problem with the place she once called home. She had to get that book, she had to get to Ponyville, and she had to find her friends. Rainbow Dash "What?" Rainbow asked Razor, "What do you mean 'forced'?" "Because I refused to marry Gilda, my father forced me to come with you guys to restore my honor." Razor explained while shaking his head, "All I want is to have a mate who'll love me as much as I do her. One that's kind and funny. One who'll help me rule with compassion." Razor paused as he looked down, "That is why I came with you guys, I wanted friends. Not suck ups." Rainbow smiled, "Then let's hurry and get out of here, friend." The CMC "We've been walking for hours." Scootaloo complained, "Where is everypony?" "I don't know, but standing around won't help us find them." Sweetie explained as she kept walking. "Ah'm glad ta' hear that mah Granny and Mac are safe. I hope Cheerilee and our classmates are okay." Applebloom rattled on. "Yeah, I'd like to see Butt-" Sweetie Belle squeaked, covering her mouth with her hooves, "Forget I said anything." She said quickly. But Scootaloo wouldn't let it go. "Sweetie's got a crush!" Scootaloo, cheered, "Who's the lucky colt Sweetie? Who is it?" Sweetie's face turned red as she said, "It's Button Mash." After that, Sweetie found the floor interesting. Scootaloo started laughing, but Applebloom was not amused. "Stop laughin' Scoots, I bet you have a crush too." "Do not." Scootaloo immediately answered, finding her hooves interesting. But Sweetie lifted her head as a thought struck. "So who do you keep looking at in class?" She asked, a sly smile on her face. "Nunyabusiness." "Scoots." "Nunya." "Fine," Sweetie sighed, "I guess I'll have to ask Rumble myself." Scootaloo looked at Sweetie in shock, "How did you know?" Sweetie smiled, "I didn't until now, you just told me." A hoof to the face was then heard. Suddenly Sweetie and Scootaloo bumped into Applebloom. "What gives?" Scootaloo asked, looking around Applebloom. "Celestia, that's what." Jason "Why?" Jason asked, "Why didn't you say anything?" Rose could only look down in shame. "I'm leaving, but before I go, food for thought: I saved you, even though I had every reason not to." Jason snapped as he began to walk away, but stopped when he heard two words. "I'm sorry, I didn't know he would try to kill me. I won't pretend to know why you saved me. But thank you." Rose blubbered, not daring to look at Jason. "Do you have any guesses?" Jason asked, intrigued by Rose's apology. Rose thought a moment before answering. "Perhaps you saved me in hope that I might change?" Jason nodded, "The test of Hope. To save a traitor takes a lot of hope and faith. And I hope we can move forward, and put this behind us." He explained as he held his hand out. To Jason's surprise, A human hand grasped his. "Thank you." Rose whispered, still holding Jason's hand. Together, Jason and Rose walked forward, only to find themselves facing Celestia, the CMC, the second armor piece, and Sarai. "Well," Said Sarai, "You are a lot kinder than I thought." Razor Razor had been far more hopeful than ever before. Friend The word echoed around his head. And the whole time, his gaze was fixed on Rainbow. Well, this can't be it, there must be more. Razor thought to himself. After all, shouldn't we have found someone by now? Even as the though crossed his mind, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack landed on top of the group. "Oh, my." Fluttershy exclaimed, quickly getting off of Rarity. Then lending a hoof to her. "Whoo Nelly, this maze has sure been random. How you guys holdin?" Applejack asked as she helped Razor up. "Fine. Where's Pinkie?" Razor asked. "I do believe she said something about making early preparations for 'The Author's' birthday party." Rarity explained. "Pinkie," said Dash as the group entered the center. "You are so random." Somewhere else. . . "We need more streamers!" Yelled Pinkie Pie as she ran around a house. "Pinkie, please stop. It's still like two weeks away!" The Author pleaded. "No, if I don't do this. Then I break the Pinkie Promise! And thenIwouldnolongerbethepartyponyandyouwouldhatemeandiwouldbeunhappyand-" Pinkie was cut off as The Author shoved his hand in her mouth. "Could you at least wait until after the Manehattan chapter?" The Author asked, removing his hand. "Yeah." Pinkie agreed, "I can wait." Now back to our regularly scheduled ponies