Princess Celestia was pacing around her hallways with a worried look on her face. She couldn't stop thinking about what her student had told her over the phone earlier. She stopped pacing when she heard the door open and the Power Ponies galloped through.
"We came as soon as we could." the Masked Matterhorn said. "Any luck?"
"I'm afraid not." Princess Celestia responded. "I've had guards patrol the streets ever since you called and told me the situation. So far, they've had no luck on finding my sister nor Moondancer."
"This is all my fault." the Masked Matterhorn said. "The Dark Alicorn must have figured out who I was and has kidnapped Moondancer to get to me."
"That makes no sense." Filli-Second said. "If she did know who you are, then why didn't she just come after you? Also, how could she have known how much this would impact you?"
Everyone stopped and looked at the pink heroine.
"Whoa." Zapp said. "You know something's off when Filli-Second makes sense."
"I... I don't know." the Masked Matterhorn said. "Look, I just need some time to myself." She didn't give her team a chance before she galloped up the stairs.
"What's up with her?" Mistress Marevelous asked.
"I wish I knew." Hum Drum said scratching the top of his head.
"Hurry it up!" the Dark Alicorn shouted. Her screams echoed in the dark room with just her, Moondancer, and a machine between two glass domes.
"I'm going as fast as I can." Moondancer said. "You know, if you let me take a break every once in a while, I can have the time to look over any mistakes I might have..."
"NO!" the Dark Alicorn roared scaring the daylights out of Moondancer. Her mane rose higher like a fire with more wood added. "I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO REST UNTIL I GET THIS DONE! IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, I WON'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU! Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." Moondancer replied in a frightened tone.
"Good." the Dark Alicorn said. "Continue on your work."
Moondancer turned back to the machine she was building and started to continue. During her construction, she couldn't help but think to herself.
"Come on, Twilight. Where are you? I could sure use your help right now."
Where was Twilight? She was on a balcony near the top of the castle staring off to the sunset. She thought back on every moment she shared with Moondancer. Then she thought about moments with Spike. She then thought about her new friends before shaking her head back into reality.
"What is wrong with me? I can't believe this happened. Everyone wrong, it's what I was trying to avoid.
"There once was a time I was by myself
And now, I am starting to miss those days
Yet, why do they insist on trying to help
This isn't some game that anyone wants to play
I have never been
Outside of my walls
What is wrong with me
I was always on my own
How can someone like me
Get hurt so easily
Was it a lot better when I was all...
Aloooooooooooooone"
She turned her head and saw the rest of her team standing there waiting to speak.
"You want to tell us something?" Radiance asked. "This is about more than just what might happen with Moondancer, is it?"
The Masked Matterhorn sighed and was ready to admit something. "You may not have noticed, but I'm not the most social pony in Equestria."
Filli-Second let out a loud, expressive gasp as she jumped into the air. No one else gave any reaction.
"...Anyway..." the Matterhorn continued. "You see, my brother's part of the royal guard, so he's not home so much. My parents are also very busy with their jobs. It's like everyone I count on keeps leaving me. The only logical idea I could come up with is keep myself as secluded as I can. That way, no one can let me down again."
"That's your answer to your troubles?" Saddle Rager asked. "To push everyone else away?"
"It's not like I want to. There were a couple of times I decided to let my guard down, like when I first met Spike or the day I met Moondancer. I really opened up to her, telling her almost all my secrets. But then, the debate over the Super Purification Act started. Ever since then, criminals started to be more confident and I've been really busy on my superhero work. And now, some demonic Alicorn just kidnapped someone who I admitted I could relate to. If anything would happen to her, I'd feel worse than ever before."
"Sugar-cube, it's all right to feel worried over someone." Mistress Marevelous said. "It's a part of life. Look, I have a sister myself and she worries for my safety every day. But I get even more nervous about letting her down. If that's how it is between us, what do you think Moondancer might think about letting you down?"
"Yeah." Filli-Second said. "You see, friendship doesn't work one-way. Moondancer might just be as worried for you as you are for her."
"You... you think so?" the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Twilight, I've known you for a long time," Hum Drum said, "So of course I'm worried for you. But I still support you and help you out as much as I can. Doing things on your own does guarantee no one letting you down, but it also guarantees no one helping you either. I think you've known that all along."
The Masked Matterhorn looked at everyone and smiled. She stood high and proud with a confident look on her face.
"You're right! I can't believe I've been blind for so long. From now on...
"I'LL LIVE ANOTHER LIFE
OUTSIDE OF MY WALLS
I'LL IGNORE WHO I WAS
ALWAYS ON MY OWN
NO MORE WASTING TIME
FROM HERE ON OUT, I'M
CHANGING WHO I AM! NOW, IIIIII AM NOOOOOOOT...
ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE"
The Power Ponies cheered loudly. Suddenly, they were interrupted when a rock fell in front of them. The Power Ponies looked at it suspiciously.
"Maud?" Filli-Second asked.
Just then, another rock landed before the ponies, and they looked back over the balcony. Down below, they saw the Mysterious Mare Do-Well awaiting them to show.
"Again?" Zapp asked. "Look, Mare Do-Well, you've been taking us on a zig-zag path all week. You're not telling us anything about what's going on and what we're supposed to be doing."
Just then, the Mysterious Mare Do-Well raised her hoof into the air and motioned it around her to the other direction.
"I think she wants us to follow her." Saddle Rager said.
"But to where?" Radiance asked.
"I don't care." the Masked Matterhorn answered. "Anything's better than just pacing around worrying for Moondancer all day."