//------------------------------// // Another Equestria // Story: Ponysona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth // by Tythen //------------------------------// The SOES stepped out of the elevator and placed their hoof onto a familiar atmosphere. They saw numerous amounts of ponies milling about, running their stalls and advertising numerous products, food, clothes, numerous allsorts that come from different countries as well as the giggling and conversation between ponies. Believe it or not, they found themselves in the middle of Ponyville's cultural festival. "What the... Ponyville?" BonBon analysed "We're back home?" Scootaloo asked "Not exactly..." Rarity replied "I feel like there's something wrong here." And turned to the two ponies of the Velvet Room "Did you take us here on purpose?" "We hath done no such thing," Luna answered "to be honest, we hath no idea how we got here. However..." "You forgot to tell us something?" Applejack replied, demanding answers. "When Soarin entered the room, the original master of the Velvet Room was absent at this time. His absence is what had made the velvet room unstable. Only ponies from the outside world can only enter the Velvet Room whenever they make a contract. Bringing our guest's friends, which is you, to the Velvet Room was not of our doing, but the Velvet Room itself." "Really? And you expect us to believe that?" Rainbow rasped. "The Velvet Room is a place where nothing meaningless happens." Luna calmly answered "In fact, I feel that this place is deeper through time and space, than the Velvet Room." "So... We're not in Ponyville?" Fluttershy asked. "And by all means, we're not in Equestria either?" Big Mac added. "I fear it may be so..." Donut Joe answered, "although I can see the city of Canterlot far in the distance, one can assume that it is just an illusion." "In that case..." Soarin concluded "we've got quite a lot of mysteries to grapple here. I don't like the looks of this and neither does all of you. But we can't turn back either way." "Then I suggest that we go scouting," Sweetie nodded, "we'll need to explore around Ponyville." "However," Luna started "I believe something has changed in the Velvet Room as well. Soarin? Will you mind coming with me?" And Soarin nodded. "Then I shall also scout around Ponyville." Joe decided. "Ahh..." Luna sighed "Do we dream of taking part in Ponyville's culture festival! Where all ponies gather together and celebrate!" "Well..." Luna stammered as the two walked back into their Velvet Room. "This is quite strange. The Velvet Room no longer looks like an elevator... Instead, it's just a platform levitating in space. With clock gears and floating doors. There is even this mysterious door..." Luna pointed to a door that was surrounded by chains "it is chained up with 4 locks." "What's that supposed to mean?" Soarin asked, "It seems that the Velvet Room has followed wherever fate takes it, along with us." "I see..." "However, We shall investigate this problem along with Joe. So we shall exit for now." "Right..." The SOES and the Velvet Room members rendezvous once again outside the stall to discuss and share their findings. "There you are Princess and our guest. I believe it is time to uncover what we currently know." Joe started "I believe that this place... Is not the Ponyville we have always known." Rarity introduced "When we started talking to the residents" Scootaloo asked "they seem to act in the most mysterious ways. I asked them 'where is this place?', they reply 'Ponyville'. But when I tried to ask, 'do you know where Princess Celestia is?' They completely ignore the question and started talking to others. This happens to all of the ponies here." "Are you trying to imply that..." Luna gasped "Our sister doesn't exist in this world!?" "And neither do you." BonBon finished "it looks like this place isn't run by princesses. We are definitely in a completely different world." "With hopes of no return." Applejack galloped towards the group with Big Mac behind "sorry we're late." "What do you mean?" Rainbow asked "We tried goin through the exits of Ponyville. The path to the Everfree Forest is there, but as we started treading through it... We found ourselves back in Ponyville. We tried walking to the long path towards Canterlot... Still ended up back in Ponyville. We even tried taking the Friendship Express! It did move away from Ponyville but after a few minutes, the trained just stopped at--" "Ponyville." Sweetie finished. "Meaning that the view of Canterlot, Everfree Forest and any other place seen faraway in Ponyville is just for show." "Conclusion? We're trapped." Big Mac finished. "It appears that something or somepony is locking us in this world. At least, that's what I think..." Rarity theorized. "What of the Velvet Room?" Fluttershy asked "It is no longer the elevator that Joe, our guest and we know. It has taken quite a change and has become a floating platform connected by 3 staircases. 2 are broken and the last one is the one we enter and exit. The only thing that hasn't changed is the desk and table." "One more thing, Twilight's castle..." Rainbow pointed and diverted the attention to a large clock tower "is replaced by this large clock tower." "My Castle!!!" Twilight cried, "I-It's gone! What's this old lump of a clock tower doing in it's place!?" "Peace milady." Flash calmed "like I said, this may not be the Ponyville we all know." "Not only that" Applebloom added "it wasn't this crowded either!" "If it were me, I would have just prayed to Celestia that we would be back home!" Pinkie chirped "but from the looks of the clock towers and with the behavior of everypony but us here, I'd say we are trapped!" "Wait... We're TRAPPED!?" Vinyl blurted with Octavia gasping. "Yes siree! While you were busy gazing at the clock tower, I was busy doing some investigation myself! I went to go have a chat with numerous of the ponies here! I started introducing myself and all to them. But... They never introduced themselves to me... Nor did they even listen to me!!! They just flat out ignored me!" "That's really odd." Lyra replied, "I even tried hitting them." "Pinkie!!!" Twilight yelled "I'm just joking! Calm down!" Pinkie laughed "your reaction is so priceless! Anyway, there were only a few questions that they do respond to, and that's only with topics and details about the culture festival. But that's just the ponies..." "You mean there are more weird things going on?" Spike asked, "Yep! I tried exiting Ponyville in any means possible! But no matter what I did, I always seem to end back up in Ponyville. That's how I came up with the theory on that we're trapped!" "How did you do it?" Twilight asked "Elementary!" Pinkie answered "it was just like what we did back at the MMMMystery on the Friendship express!" "No, I mean: How did you find all of this out when we were looking at the tower? We only glanced at it for a few minutes!" "The spotlight doesn't always shine on you," Pinkie noted "it has to shine on others too! That's when I took my chance for investigation!" "But if what you said is true, then who would be so different from than these silent crowd of ponies that they could take the spotlight?" "Beats me," Pinkie shrugged "maybe it's somepony that was also taken and trapped here like us! Or maybe... They even the same powers as us!" "That's impossible." Twilight sighed "aren't we the only group of ponies in all of Equestria that can actually wield and summon Personas?" "Anyway" Pinkie changed "I've found something interesting." And showed them a brochure that says "Cosplay Cafe", "Ooh! A cosplay cafe! That sounds very exiting!" Vinyl exclaimed "why don't we go there together!!!" "I wanna go!" Spike yelled, "I have a good cosplay suit after all!" And he put on the Teddie suit. "I don't think that would work..." Octavia assessed "we barely know the identity this character so I'm sure the other ponies wouldn't know this character either." "Aww..." Spike sighed as he hopped out the suit. "Why are these coordinates of great importance?" Flash asked "Because these 'coordinates' are left unchecked!" Pinkie answered "I haven't taken a glimpse at the place either." "Sounds very suspicious, it seems worth investigating. All in favour? No objections?" Flash asked and returned with silence "then we shall march." "I will stay behind in the Velvet Room to investigate on what's going on in here." Celestia noted "stay safe and take these items" handing the RID some bottles of Medicine. "Many thanks Your Highness." Flash bowed and the RID set off. Meanwhile, the clock tower were being watched by 2 ponies from afar. These 2 ponies were isolated from the crowd, as if they were from another world as well. One pony tugged onto the others leg, and with a nod of agreement from both, the two set off. The SOES approached a one of the buildings used as another stall for the culture festival. Around it were designs of bushes that contain patterns of red and white roses. In fact, every decoration was based off a familiar children's book, which was given by the sign on top of the door 'You in Wonderland'. "So this is the place you decided not to investigate?" Soarin asked "It was rather ominous..." Applejack explained. "Something is different about this place." "You in Wonderland..." BonBon read "isn't this stall based off the book of Alice in Wonderland?" "We'll never know unless we try. Shall we go in?" Soarin gestured "I'd advise you to be careful if you are though." A unfamiliar voice advised. The group turned to see two ponies standing before them. One was in chestnut colour and a stallion, the other was a grey mare with an eye problem, hiding behind the chestnut pony. "Please don't go inside... There's monsters in there..." The pegasus whimpered "Monsters?" Scootaloo asked "Who are you two?" Rarity changed "wait a minute... I know you guys..." "I'm sorry... Have we met?" The chestnut pony spoke "I thought you'd already know us by now! Don't we normally see each other in Ponyville?" Rainbow replied "Unfortunately, I can't remember seeing your faces for more than the first time. So I must ask this... Who are you? And where did you come from?" The stallion replied "No way!!! You're actually talking to us properly!?!?" Applejack bawled "Well..." Sweetie started "we came from an area between Canterlot and Ponyville..." "Canterlot?" The stallion asked "I've never heard of the place." "Canter... lot?" The mare repeated "Do you know where we are though?" Rarity asked "It is what it is." The stallion simply answered "I did remember some ponies saying that this was Ponyville." BonBon recalled "Pony...ville... Yes, that's right." The mare repeated "So... Mind telling us your names?" Soarin spoke "I am just known as the Doctor, and she is Derpy. We've always called each other that." The stallion replied "Um..." Fluttershy started "by any chance are these monsters you call shadows?" "Wait what!? There are shadows here?" BonBon yelped "Shadows? What are shadows?" Derpy asked "When we first entered, I could sense their presence with Lucia." Fluttershy explained "but the shadows never got as far as Ponyville." "Because the sighting of shadows here are highly likely." Joe appeared from behind the group. "Wha...!?" "After some through investigation, it seems that time and space here is not fixed. In other words, this place isn't reality at all, it holds no meaning. A theory that this place would be deeper than the Velvet Room. Like the tower you always explore." "No way..." Scootaloo breathed "Anyway..." BonBon started talking again "do you know how to leave Ponyville?" "Leave...?" Derpy tilted "Yep, we want to go back" "you can... Go back from here?" "We must return immediately. It's very important" Rarity explained. "Then I want to go back too." Derpy spoke up "Derpy?" The Doctor shifted "I want to go back too!" Derpy repeated with enhanced volume. "But... Where can we go back?" The Doctor replied "Where?... Hmm... I don't really know..." Derpy sighed "You mean you don't know where to go back to?" Fluttershy asked "I... Can't remember anything..." Derpy explained. "When we last regained consciousness, we found ourselves here. But we don't know anything before that." The Doctor continued "What?" "Our memories were taken..." Derpy finished, "taken?" Rarity repeated "your memories were stolen? Who?" Big Mac spoke "no idea." Derpy sighed "even if you knew somepony stole them?" "even if we knew somepony stole them." "Perhaps you stumbled on to this world like us and forgot all about us." Rainbow theorized, "that's something we can't rule out." Rarity noted, "perhaps this 'somepony' that was responsible for taking their memories be present in this world? Maybe it's the same one that has trapped them here!" Fluttershy continued "And again, we can't rule it out." Rarity repeated, "Nah, ah'm sure they're located 'ere!" Applejack concluded "Can you feel it Applejack?" Fluttershy asked "do you sense something?" "Naw..." Applejack chuckled "it's more fun when you think about it that way. Just take em down and get outta here. Simply done." "Applejack!!!" Rarity lashed sharply "we don't want unnecessary combat!" "Hey Doctor?" Derpy spoke "I wanna go back with them. Can we go together?" "If that is what you wish... Besides, when we heard that bell, It felt important for us to enter this labyrinth." The Doctor sighed then spoke to Rarity "in any case, I'd like you to take us in when we enter the labyrinth." "Hmm... It is rather risky. Especially with you and that connection to the bell..." Rarity decided "I myself, am able to fight in this labyrinth with these." And the Doctor presented two black bowguns "I'll protect Derpy, and she can also provide support for the team." "Are you trying to say that you are a persona-user?" "Persona? I don't know what that is..." "In that case Soarin, what shall we do?" Rarity asked. Soarin pondered for a moment and made a decision "I would feel bad turning them down... But both of you are not going into the field with us." "What? But..." The Doctor protested "No buts. When we know that things are safe, we'll send somepony over to escort you. For now, you're staying put." "I... I understand." The Doctor sighed "Derpy was scared a little anyway." "T-Thanks for your concern." Derpy sighed "but now that that's out of the way, I'm feeling hungry!" And with a big smile, pulled out a muffin and started chomping away. "Huh? Where did you get that!?" BonBon recoiled "You mean, where do muffins come from?" Derpy asked "they were born from love! Love meets dough and--" "Wait... They don't come from flour?" Sweetie asked "I'd better update my records." "Don't do that..." BonBon sighed "but by the way Doctor, did you say something about a 'labyrinth'?" "Inside this building is a complex structure built as a maze and filled with monsters. Might be the monsters that you call 'shadows'." "So what did you do about it?" BonBon continued "you're trapped here, lost your memories, and there are shadows in this place!" "Well... All I did was eat muffins, ice cream and even this special foreign dish called mochi!" "Is that it? Okay then..." BonBon gave up in despair "I guess we have to look inside the labyrinth to know what's happening." Fluttershy sighed "I'll support you guys from here." "Good luck!" Derpy called as the SOES trotted in. "by the way Soarin..." Sweetie whispered as they started walking in "what is it?" Soarin asked "I sense something strange from Derpy, and wanted to learn more about her. The question though, is why?" "What do you think we should do now?" The Doctor asked Fluttershy as the SOES disappeared into the building. "Follow us back to the Velvet Room." Luna answered behind Joe. "As we shall investigate further, Fluttershy may support us in here, while you may take refuge too." "Very well." The Doctor nodded, and they trotted to the Velvet Room. A few minutes later, the RID had arrived at the location of the supposed 'cosplay cafe'. Instead, they found the building with the sign 'You in Wonderland'. "What? This hardly looks like a cosplay cafe here." Pinkie assessed, "because it's not." Twilight explained "from the looks of it, it looks extremely based on a children's picture book that I've got in my library-- I mean library section of the castle. I think it was called 'Alice in Wonderland'." "Ey! Ah remember this picture book when ah was a little filly!" Applebloom lightened up with memory "You're still a little filly..." Octavia chuckled "and I did see you reading that book this morning in our stall." "Oh, heh heh..." Applebloom blushed "So? Shall we investigate?" Flash asked "Actually..." Spike protested "I'm... A bit hungry." "Don't worry." Octavia cheered "we can quickly get a snack to go before moving in." At that moment, Spike's stomach grumbled loudly. "A bit hungry?" Lyra repeated "more like really hungry." "You can be backup for Vinyl." Flash sighed "though it would be nice for the RID to be together." "I second the motion of going together, but..." Pinkie protested and in response, her stomach rumbled even louder than Spike. "You too Pinkie?" Twilight gasped. "I only ate during the start of the culture festival today. Haven't eaten after going into yet another cultural festival that's very identical to ours." "Then does Pinkie stay with Vinyl as well?" Applebloom asked. Then all in succession, Vinyl, Applebloom, Lyra and Octavia's stomach rumbled and grumbled in that order, each one louder than the one before. "Oh my... Everypony really is hungry!" Twilight cringed "...I guess we can chow down on a small snack before we set off..." Flash shrugged, until the initiation of the loudest grumbling and rumbling of a stomach shook the ground. "Don't tell me that was your stomach Flash..." Spike stated, trying not to giggle. "Everypony gets 1 hour for lunch. Fall out!" Flash commanded, and the RID dispersed to the numerous food stalls while giggling. Only Twilight stayed behind. "I thought you're hungry." Twilight asked "you're not going to eat?" "I never stated that milady." Flash replied and pulled out a mini gas stove from his bags. He proceeded to boil and heat up a food pouch of vegetable curry in his kidney cup while drinking water from his royal guard-sized water bottle. "Are you serious?" Twilight sternly spoke, "I'm not sharing my rations princess." Flash answered "besides, I'm sure the food they sell here contains more variety than every 24 hour ration packs." "ughhhh..." Twilight growled in frustration and stormed off to where the others are. Flash chuckled as he helped himself to the curry.