...Without realizing it, a whole week had passed.
Princess Twilight Sparkle breathed a deep sigh with her mane in a frazzled mess as she laid with her muzzle against the table next to her many bookshelves, stacks of books towering over her as her eye twitched with dark heavy bags underneath.
…She had yet to hear from Princess Celestia on her findings from the hurricane’s site…
…And according to what resources she had available, there was nothing else that assisted in finding Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy.
How long was she just going to keep sitting there sulking like she was? She tried whatever methods she had, and research wasn’t getting her anywhere.
…She was out of options.
…But how? How could she be out of options? She always had some sort of answer…!
The lavender alicorn frowned, her purple eyes narrowed as she slowly lifted herself from the table, forcing herself to the direction of the library doors, a large distance to cover since the castle was so big. Why’d the elements give her such a large place to live in, anyway? It was actually pretty uncomfortable without her friends to help fill in the space…
…Ever since their disappearance though, nopony was the same.
Pinkie Pie, being so close to Rainbow Dash, was absolutely devastated with the news of her disappearance, and was lacking in cheer despite always willing to make other ponies happy. It didn’t interrupt with her work overall, she still made ponies happy…but she just wasn’t fully herself when away from other ponies.
Applejack also took the news pretty hard. At the beginning she was all focused on finding clues, but when she ran out of ideas that could help, she dedicated her time to working even harder with the farm-work in the meantime. She’d always be willing to lend an ear if any more information was found about the incident, though…
…but Twilight just had nothing to give for her.
Rarity was impacted as well with Fluttershy’s absence, seeing as the two always enjoyed going to the spa every Tuesday, but this week she had to go alone. It wasn’t easy keeping her composure then, the lavender mare imagined.
And Discord…Twilight couldn’t imagine how hard Fluttershy’s disappearance had taken a toll on the Lord of Chaos. For some strange reason, he was hardly around, spending most of his time in Princess Celestia’s company. The lavender mare wondered if it was a sense of comfort or not…
…unless he was needed for something important regarding the search!
Without a second thought, a rush of adrenaline filled the alicorn as she pressed into a gallop down the halls away from the library and down towards the throne room where the Cutie Map sat in the center, currently inactive since there was no mission to tend to lately. With a shove, Twilight bursted the doors wide open, a booming sound echoing through the large empty space the castle provided her.
“Spike! Spike~!” Twilight called out, her voice bouncing through the halls.
A figure ran towards her from the tiny throne he was relaxing on, a small comic book flying to the side as Spike swiftly came to the need of his mentor.
“Yeah, Twiligh---Gah!” The young dragon yelled in surprise.
Twilight blinked as she cocked her head to one side in a confused manner. “…What’s the matter, Spike?”
“…Well…” Spike started.
To put it simply, Twilight looked absolutely terrible. The heavy bags under her eyes and her slumped posture showed that she had been relying a little too much on coffee to keep her awake. Her mane looked like a nightmare Rarity wouldn’t dare dream of having, with all the split ends going everywhere like they always did when the lavender mare got especially stressed. Like for the entirety of the week, in this case.
…Best to try and sugarcoat it. “…Don’t you think you should get some sleep?” The dragon finished with a sweatdrop as he scratched the back of his scales.
Twilight frowned. “What, sleep?! No! I wanted to know if you heard anything from Princess Celestia yet!” She hissed.
Spike cringed. “No, I haven’t gotten anything since you asked almost two hours ag---Mmmm! MmmmFFF!!!” His throat began to bulge suddenly as the dragon felt a sensation he couldn’t control without releasing, his back being forced back by the impact as he released a huge firey belch of green dancing flames, his mentor jumping back in surprise as a wrapped piece of parchment flew out, along with a large snake like figure that swam through the flames as if it was a dance partner.
In fact, this snake like figure was a hybrid of many creatures.
“D-Discord?!” Twilight sputtered as she stepped backwards onto her hind legs for a second, a sense of surprise overtaking her.
“Well! Quite a trip, going by dragon fire! What fun!” The Lord of Chaos beamed as he flashed a wide grin at the dragon and alicorn present in the room.
Spike groaned as he cradled his tummy. “Gross…don’t…bleh…! Don’t do that again!”
The lavender alicorn shook herself out of her stupor. “Anyways, Discord, what are you doing here? Weren’t you with Princess Celestia?”
He shrugged. “Well, it took quite a while to put paw and claw together in order to find it, but those samples you sent the ol’ Sun Butt were actually something pretty special!” He clasped the parchment in his claws and held it in front of Twilight. “You’re all summoned to see Celestia in the Canterlot Castle immediately, because we’ve found where Rainbow Dash and dear Fluttershy have ended up!”
Spike frowned. “And you came along just to deliver that message…? Yuck…”
The Lord of Chaos frowned. “No, I’m here to personally pick you up. There’s no time to dilly dally when Fluttershy’s stranded in another dimension away from here!”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “…Stranded…in another dimension?! Where are they, Discord?!”
Spike winced as he felt the chaotic presence wrapped around both him and his mentor, a snapping sound ringing through both of their ears as Twilight suddenly found herself in the middle of the Canterlot throne room, guards and alicorn Princesses all present and ready for something.
In fact, looking closer, the lavender alicorn could see that all alicorn Princesses were there, even Cadence who was normally looking after the Crystal Empire.
“C-Cadence…?!” Twilight blinked.
“…What ‘n tarnation is goin’ on here?!” Turning around, Twilight could see that she and Spike weren’t the only ones transported to the throne room through Discord’s power.
…The rest of her friends were there as well.
Rarity faced her lavender friend with a puzzled expression. “…Whatever is going on, Twilight? Did they find something regarding Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, darling?”
“Dashie and Fluttershy?! Omigosh, where?!” Twilight smiled at the sight of her excited pink and poofy friend. Pinkie Pie could always find a way to be excited, and this was certainly something to be excited about!
Twilight turned towards her own mentor and long companion, her multicolored mane flowing with elegance as she stood with a soft but bold expression back at her.
“…Princess Celestia…” Her voice waved with uncertainty. “Discord said himself…that you found out where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are…”
Applejack held the pink earth pony’s muzzle shut.
“…Is this true…?” Twilight finished, her eyes shaking as she faced what could be the truth. Did they really find out where they went? …A different dimension?
Celestia gave a frown. “…Yes, this is true…but this world they have ended up in is not a cheerful one, my little ponies, and it was not easy tracing back the remains of the portal coordinates you referred to me. I needed the help of Discord just to get started, and we had limited time before such remnants would eventually fade away.”
The others faced the Lord of Chaos as he sat with a firm expression beside the other alicorns, more behaved than they had ever seen him. Fluttershy’s disappearance had certainly hit him hard.
“…But we have tracked it down, finally, to a world that thrives on disharmony and anarchy.”
Twilight pursed her muzzle tightly together without a sound as the rest remained silent, hoping for a chance to see their dear friends again.
The older alicorn closed her eyes. “…Even we do not know what one would find within.”
All eyes were on Luna as she stepped forward beside her sister. “With all our strengths, we hath managed to open such a portal to this dimension, but it requires much concentration and dedication. We cannot manage Equestria if we are to maintain this portal, and Twilight…”
The lavender mare met her deep blue-green eyes.
“…You must keep Equestria safe while we remain with the portal.”
Applejack frowned as she approached the array of princesses. “Wait, if Twilight’s gonna take care of Equestria…then who’s going through this portal ya’ll maintainin’? Somepony’s gotta go.”
Twilight nodded, once more facing Celestia.
Princess Celestia opened her eyes, what was usually so wise were filled with complete uncertainty as she faced the rest of the group. “…Applejack, you will go on through this portal.”
The orange freckled earth pony blinked in surprise.
“…You will take Pinkie Pie and Rarity with you on your quest. You three must go through this portal, and retrieve Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy from the depths of this dark dimension.”
Spike faced the three mares, all tense and unsure of the tasks before them as they faced each of the royal members of Equestria.
Wow, what a way to pressure a pony.
“…Before Twilight does anything involving work, we should make sure she gets some sleep.” The dragon suggested as he approached the white alicorn. “She’s kinda been beating herself up day and night since the beginning of the week.”
Twilight scowled at the thought. “Spike, I’m just fine! Don’t you see I have plenty of work to do?”
Celestia gave a small smile. “…Listen to him, Twilight. You have exhausted yourself. Rest up for now, and you can start your duties when you have rejuvenated yourself.”
“B-But, Princess…! What about my friends…? Are they starting after, too?” The lavender mare frowned, her eyes filled with a sense of desperation.
Cadence shook her head, her mane swaying with her movement. “…No, Twilight. If they are to help Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy…they have to start now, and stop wasting any more time. Already a whole week has passed, after all…”
…There was nothing she could do. That sense of helplessness again…
…But she could do something. She needed to take care of Equestria.
Twilight faced her mentor with a tired expression. “…I understand, Princess. I’ll rest for tonight, but…can I say goodbye to my friends before they go?”
Celestia smiled. “…Of course you can.”
Turning away from the other alicorns, purple eyes met blues and green, wavering and tearful.
“…I know you girls will be alright. Be safe…” She breathed, her throat parched with exhaustion and worry. “…Bring the other two back.” She smiled.
Applejack nodded. “…Alright, Twilight. We won’t be gone long, just…good luck to you as well, sugarcube. Ah know you’ll be needin’ it.”
Pinkie gave a soft smile. “Don’t cry, Twilight. It’ll be okay…We’ll come back with Dashie and Fluttershy, and then we’ll all have a party together, just like old times!”
Rarity wrapped her hooves around the lavender alicorn. “…Do take care, darling, and don’t ever let your mane get like this ever again, please!”
Twilight chuckled lightly. “Alright, I won’t, just…Pinkie Promise you’ll come back to me safely?”
The three mares smiled.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” They said in unison, each movement more ridiculous than the other in a way to try and outdo each other, Pinkie being the most of course.
…Nopony ever breaks a Pinkie Promise!
Spike stood by Twilight as he looked up at his mentor. Her purple eyes grew misty as she watched a swirling light appear in front of the three from all alicorns’ magic, their movements growing shaky as they each tried to make contact with the portal.
Applejack was supposed to go first. With a gulp, the orange pony felt a bead of sweat as she lifted a hoof towards the swirling magic in front of her, its greens and blues and pinks and blacks mixing into one big…hogmush, and she was supposed to step in that mess…Closing her green eyes, the mare allowed her body to fall forward into the pool of light, the magic surrounding her from her hooves all the way up to her ears as she felt her form beginning to reshape anew…
Rarity flinched as soon as the swanky farm-pony was out of sight. Next was…her turn, perhaps…unless…
“…Pinkie Pie, darling, did you want to…go in before I do?” It was probably rather rude to ask such a thing, but she couldn’t really help being nervous about going in something that would most likely swallow her whole.
Pinkie Pie gave a wide grin as she felt excitement fill through her. Through there was Dashie and Fluttershy, she’d be able to see them again!
“Don’t mind if I do~!” The pink earth pony jumped in a perfect dive through the portal, her body surrounded by ripples until there was nothing left for the fashionista to see except the remaining ripples that shifted from the momentum of her body shooting through.
Now it was her turn, whether she liked it or not.
Taking a deep breath, Rarity took a moment to look back at her studious friend and lovely friend Spike as she felt her body move forward, the force of the portal enveloping her as the last thing she saw before she was surrounded in a white light was the tears slowly falling down her Spikey-Wikey’s cheek.
…From now on, it was their responsibility to bring Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy back where they belonged.
Should be easy, right?