Earlier, atop Rainbow Falls.
“And that’s all?” Flim asked Spitfire.
“Yes. Just stick with that story, and Princess Celestia shouldn’t have any more reason to stick around here. If she tries to question anything, just lie. You two should be good at that already, right?” Spitfire replied.
“I suppose so, but just to be clear…” Flim responded, before being cut off by his brother.
“She’s here!” Flam called back to his brother and Spitfire.
“Here, hide outside this time.” Flim told Spitfire, lifting up the side of the tent with his magic.
Spitfire ducked underneath the side of the tent just in time, before Princess Celestia walked in through the entrance.
“Welcome back Princess Celestia!” Flim greeted the Princess.
“How were things in Cloudsdale?” Flam asked.
“I’m afraid there was a misunderstanding between some ponies, and as a result, a blimp was brought down.” Princess Celestia replied.
“Oh my, that doesn’t sound good.” Flam responded.
“Not very good indeed. Was everypony alright?” Flim asked.
“I can’t say for certain, but I feel that nopony was truly harmed.” Princess Celestia replied.
“Well that’s good to know.” Flim responded.
“I suppose Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts helped to cease the arguments?” Flam asked.
“Neither Captain Spitfire, nor any of the Wonderbolts were anywhere to be found.” Princess Celestia answered.
“Oh my, that’s highly unusual.” Flam replied.
“Much unlike the Captain to not take care of her fellow Pegasi up in Cloudsdale.” Flim added, receiving a kick from Spitfire from behind the tent.
“I agree. We may have to form a search party for them, but for now, we have more pressing matters to get back to.” Princess Celestia replied.
“Oh yes, about that shadow thing you were speaking about, Princess?” Flim responded.
“Yes. Since it was reported to have come from this direction, I need to know if you two saw anypony suspicious, or know of anything.” Princess Celestia asked the brothers.
“Why, as a matter of fact, we do remember seeing somepony suspicious.” Flim replied.
“Or rather, a few suspicious ponies.” Flam added.
“What did you see?” Princess Celestia asked.
“Earlier today, a strange purple Unicorn, and her pet dragon, appeared in Rainbow Falls.” Flim started.
“We had a feeling that they were up to no good, as we heard them talking about a poison for the Queen.” Flam continued.
“We were about to send a message to Canterlot, when Rainbow Dash of the Wonderbolts showed up, and looked to be taking the two of them away.” Flim continued.
“We figured she must have come to turn them in, and we haven’t seen any of them since.” Flam finished.
“A purple Unicorn you say?” Princess Celestia replied, thinking to herself about the Unicorn in question.
“Yes my dear Princess, unlike any Unicorn we’ve ever seen.” Flim responded.
“We can only hope that their nefarious plan didn’t see fruition.” Flam added.
“I see.” Princess Celestia replied, thinking to herself once more about what the brothers told her. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“You’re quite welcome!” Flim replied.
“Anything else we can help you with, Princess?” Flam asked.
“No, thank you. However, I feel that an emergency meeting may be called tomorrow, so please be prepared for that.” Princess Celestia responded.
“Will do Princess!” The brothers spoke in unison.
“Oh, and good job tidying up your tent.” Princess Celestia spoke one last time, before leaving the tent and flying off.
“Is she gone?” Spitfire asked from behind the tent.
“Yes, she’s left.” Flim responded, lifting up the side of the tent once more.
“Now that that’s out of the way, we need to continue keeping the plan in motion.” Spitfire replied, as she walked back inside the tent.
“Agreed. Although, what should we do about that meeting the Princess talked about?” Flam replied.
“Quite so. We don’t know if it might interfere with our plans further.” Flim added.
“No doubt she wants to gather as many ponies as she can from the area, to see what they know about Chrysalis’ ponynapping, as well as looking for the Wonderbolts.” Spitfire responded.
“Not planning on making an appearance tomorrow?” Flim asked.
“No. While it would be a good way to try and clear my own name, there’s too much of a risk showing up right now, especially since we’re so close to our goal.” Spitfire replied.
“Very well.” Flim responded, before Flam nudged him on the shoulder, and whispered into his ear. “Oh yes, um, by the way.”
“What?” Spitfire responded, annoyed.
“Are you still planning on staying here for the rest of the night?” Flim asked.
“Just out of curiosity.” Flam added.
“What, you two shy about having a mare sleep in your…tent?” Spitfire replied, a grin on her face.
“Well it’s just…” Flim started to say.
“There’s the matter of…” Flam added on.
“Oh, I get it.” Spitfire replied.
“You do!?” The brothers replied in unison.
“Yes, and I’m more than willing to take the bed, while you two share the couch.” Spitfire responded.
“But, but we…” The brothers stuttered.
“Such gentlecolts. Well, goodnight boys. See you in the morning.” Spitfire told the brothers, before hopping in their bed, and pulling a curtain around it.
“Brother.” Flim spoke.
“Yes brother?” Flam responded.
“We’re not in charge of our tent anymore, are we?” Flim asked.
“No, I don’t think we are brother.” Flam responded.
The brothers then sulkily made their way to the couch, as they blew out the candles with their magic.
/)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\
Presently, inside Fluttershy’s cottage.
Everypony was fast asleep on Fluttershy’s various couches and guest beds. Twilight quietly snoozed on one of the couches, while Spike slept in one of Fluttershy’s critter beds next to her. Braeburn slept in one of the chairs, his hat over his face. Pinkie Pie had rolled herself up in a ball on another couch, while Owlowiscious sat on a bird perch nearby, looking out the window.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, couldn’t sleep in Fluttershy’s guest bed upstairs. She kept looking out the window towards Canterlot, thinking about how scared Fluttershy must have been in the dungeons at Canterlot. Her nerves finally got to her, as she hopped out of bed and opened up the window.
“Sorry guys, but I can’t just sit here while Fluttershy’s in trouble. I’m sure you’ll understand.” Rainbow Dash spoke aloud behind her, before dashing out the window, and into the night’s sky.
As she could be seen flying into the distance, Owlowiscious gave a “Hoo” to nopony in particular.
/)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\
Meanwhile, back at Town Hall.
“Yay! You’re all back!” Derpy greeted Rarity, Mayor Mare, Sweetie Belle, and another filly, as they walked inside.
“I know it’s late, but can you make another bed Derpy? We have a filly here who needs some rest.” Mayor Mare asked Derpy.
“Sure thing Mayor.” Derpy replied, trotting off to find a bed.
“You can stay here tonight Apple Bloom. I hope that’s alright.” Rarity told the filly.
“Thank you…” Apple Bloom replied, a depressed look on her face.
“Sweetie Belle.” Rarity called to her sister.
“Yes sis?” Sweetie Belle replied.
“Would you be a dear and stay with Apple Bloom tonight? I feel she could really use some company, and you’re both fillies after all.” Rarity asked her sister.
“Sure thing Rarity.” Sweetie Belle replied. “Come on Apple Bloom” She spoke to the other filly, as she led her to the bedroom.
Rarity walked over and sat on her fainting couch, letting out a sigh.
“Not fainting on your fainting couch? That’s unusual for you Rarity.” Mayor Mare spoke, as she walked over to Rarity.
“It’s just…there’s so much that has happened today, and I’m not sure what to make of it all.” Rarity replied.
Mayor Mare sat down next to Rarity, before she spoke again.
“It’s alright Rarity. If we knew that all of this was going to happen, then we wouldn’t be left wondering what to do.” Mayor Mare replied.
“And Zecora! Why, I’ve never really known her, but I shudder to think what might have happened to…” Rarity started to speak, before Mayor Mare cut her off.
“Please Rarity! Do you want Apple Bloom to hear you?” Mayor Mare asked.
“Oh, no. Forgive me Mayor.” Rarity replied.
“If anypony should have questions right now, it’s her. Not only did she have to deal with Zecora speaking as if this whole world wasn’t real, but she just had to listen to her tell her to leave, when she was obviously in danger. Think about how she must feel, before you start to wonder about things yourself.” Mayor Mare told Rarity.
“I suppose you’re right Mayor.” Rarity replied, before a thought started to come to mind. “Um, Mayor. May I ask you something?”
“Of course. What is it?” Mayor Mare responded.
“How is it that no matter what occurs, or what anypony says, that you always keep a level head?” Rarity asked.
Mayor Mare looked at Rarity for a second, before giggling to herself and turning away.
“I’m serious Mayor!” Rarity spoke.
“I’m sorry Rarity.” Mayor Mare responded, ceasing her giggling and turning back to her. “I suppose it’s just experience.”
“Experience?” Rarity asked.
“Please Rarity, I’ve been in Ponyville for a long time, and have had to deal with many different ponies and their problems.” Mayor Mare replied.
“But, we’ve been working together in Town Hall for as long as I can remember.” Rarity replied.
“Ah, I guess you weren’t paying much attention to Zecora’s story then.” Mayor Mare told Rarity.
“Come again?” Rarity asked.
“I’ve been well aware of what’s been going on for quite some time now.” Mayor Mare replied.
“But how is that possible? You never once spoke a word about anything that’s happened.” Rarity responded.
“That’s because I received help, from a very unlikely source.” Mayor Mare replied.
“From whom?” Rarity asked.
“Remember that pony I was telling you about, that was settling a debt with the Town Hall in the past?” Mayor Mare asked.
“I…I think so.” Rarity replied.
/)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\
“Two years” earlier.
Mayor Mare sat in her office signing some papers, when a knock came at her door.
“Come in please.”
A blue pony opened the door and walked into the office. Mayor Mare stopped her signing and greeted her.
“Hello. How may I help you miss?” Mayor Mare asked the pony, placing her hooves together.
A little annoyed at the greeting that she just received, the pony decided to let it go, and started speaking.
“The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie, will allow the informal greeting she was given just this one time, as she has much more important matters to attend to.” Trixie spoke.
“The great and powerful huh? That’s a bit of an odd name, but I won’t judge. So, how may I help you Miss Trixie?” Mayor Mare spoke.
“I suppose Trixie shouldn’t be surprised that you don’t remember her.” Trixie replied.
“I’m sorry. Have we met before?” Mayor Mare asked.
“Granted it ‘has’ been quite some time, The Great and Powerful Trixie knows it’s because of much more ‘recent’ events that you don’t really remember.” Trixie replied, ignoring the Mayor and instead admiring her own hoof.
“I’m sorry. What are you talking about?” Mayor Mare asked.
Trixie let out a sigh, before addressing the Mayor once more.
“Trixie supposes this would go much smoother, if you really remembered.” Trixie replied, before her horn began to glow.
“What are you…?” Mayor Mare started to say, before the spell that Trixie had cast took hold of her mind, and caused her to remember many different things.
Mayor Mare rubbed her head, as she waited for her vision to focus again.
“There. Don’t say that The Great and Powerful Trixie, never did anything nice for anypony. You should remember everything now, but be warned, just because you now know the truth, doesn’t mean others are ready yet.” Trixie replied, before getting out of her seat, and leaving the room.
/)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\ /)(\
Presently, in Town Hall.
“So you see, it was thanks to Trixie that I was able to remember everything, and avoid Chrysalis’ grasp.” Mayor Mare finished telling Rarity.
“I don’t believe it! You knew!? You’ve always known!?” Rarity exclaimed.
“Please, calm yourself Rarity. I only never said anything, because I didn’t want you or any other pony to worry.” Mayor Mare explained.
“But what about returning our memories as well!? We might have been able to prevent everything that had occurred today sooner! We…!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Enough Rarity! What’s done is done. The truth is out now, and we should try to learn as much from it as we can. Now, let’s get some sleep. We can try and work on settling things in the morning. We still need to figure out what to do about Apple Bloom.” Mayor Mare told Rarity, walking to her office.
“Yes…of course.” Rarity replied, as she blew out the candles around her with her magic, and laid down on her fainting couch.