//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - Reminiscent // Story: Fear Within // by VirtualCipher //------------------------------// With Equestria's enemies now hiding, they were still considered a threat, Ponyville was being guarded with a few of Canterlot's guards who were patrolling around the perimeter of the small town. They were on guard, keeping an eye out for any danger which leads to the residents of Ponyville feeling safe. Celestia's blazing and glorious sun shined brightly as the exterior of Twilight castle glistened on each shard of crystal that was a part of her home. The interior of the castle was brightened by the sun as well, shining through the castle with every hall and room enlightened, leaving darkness to burn away as they hide in the shadows. Within the throne room rested Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash sitting in their rightful thrones, gathering around the three-dimensional interactive map of Equestria in the centre of the room, planning their approach to the Diamond Dogs. Twilight began. "Girls, Celestia has asked us to infiltrate the Diamond Dog's camp. It's not going to be easy but they are guaranteed to know the location of Fright and if we know where he is then we'll know where Spike is." "This all sounds too easy," Rainbow Dash commented without a single care in the world. "Not entirely, Rainbow. From what my brother said, the camp is not only being roamed with Diamond Dogs but three teenage dragons as well." "Dragons?" Fluttershy whimpered, her voice diminished into a whisper halfway through pronouncing the word. "Dragons?" Rarity said in vexation. "But we made a truce with Ember. Now that she's the Dragon Lord, I thought she would avoid any type of conflict with us?" "That's what I thought too, Rarity, but Ember doesn't have any part in this. I've contacted her and she replied with confusion, she was unaware of her own kind helping the Diamond Dogs, she's kept her word on preventing any type of conflict with us. These three dragons have gone against Ember's rule to help the Diamond Dogs with Fright's plan." "Hold up!" Rainbow Dash interfered. "Diamond Dogs and dragons helping each other?" Pinkie Pie backed up. "But the Diamond Dogs and dragons hate each other though. They could never get along due to their thirst for gems, rubies, diamonds and emeralds. They would just constantly fight over them because they were selfish and greedy meanies. They should know that sharing is caring." "What could have possibly got the Diamond Dogs and dragons to work with each other?" Fluttershy asked. "The same thing Fright may have offered the Diamond Dogs and changelings to work together," Twilight informed. "But we're trailing off topic here, we need to find a way to approach the Diamond Dogs." "How?" Applejack asked while producing a stern look. "Diamond Dogs and dragons are known to be in the 'Not very kind' category of Equestria's species." "Applejack's right, darling. Plus, it will take more than a fabulous costume to deceive the Diamond Dogs. They're not easy to deceive in appearance compared to dragons." "Will need to think of something..." Twilight began to ponder. "Why don't we have Rarity whine until their eardrums burst," Rainbow Dash suggested with a stupid grin on her face. "I was complaining, not whining!" Rarity growled, her eyes narrowing down at Rainbow Dash. Overcome with excitement, Pinkie Pie raised her hoof into the air in hopes that Twilight would answer her. "Yes, Pinkie?" "Do you remember when the Breezies came to Ponyville during their migration and we helped guide them back to their homes because you used a spell to turn us into Breezies?" She said, rather fast. "Yes." "Well, why don't we use that same spell, but instead of turning us into Breezies, turn us into Diamond Dogs!" She said with a slight squee in her her voice. "That way we can sneak into the camp without any suspicion." Twilight and the others looked at her, astonished and surprised to how a mare that revolved around parties, sweets and pranks came up with an obvious, but brilliant idea. Twilight's jaw almost dropped off as a response to Pinkie Pie's suggestion. The looks Pinkie Pie was given were beginning to scare her, feeling a little anxious if it was a good idea or not. However, Twilight snapped out of her state in awe and finally spoke, breaking the awkward silence. "That's not a bad idea, Pinkie. Good thinking." In response, Pinkie Pie smiled with all her might, seemingly stretching her skin. "But of course, I need the spell book on transformation and morphing abilities, I may be a while trying to find-" "Here it is!" Pinkie Pie placed the book down on the table before Twilight. Nopony noticed her get up from her throne, she must have zoomed past everypony without making a sound. Pinkie Pie not making a sound seems impossible, right? But somehow she did. Continuing, the book placed before Twilight was levitated with her magic and she skimmed through the pages, carefully analysing each page at an accelerated speed. "Ah ain't gonna even ask how you did that," Applejack said, the confusion within her voice turning into defeat. "It's Pinkie Pie! Nothing she does can be explained!" Rainbow Dash said. "Here!" Twilight announced as she stopped on the page she was looking for, she began to read out loud. "Transformation spell number eighty-seven: Diamond Dogs. Diamond Dogs are greedy creatures, they hunt for; rubies, gems, diamonds and emeralds, their appearance is that of a dog, hence the name Diamond Dogs. These creatures are an interesting species, they lack knowledge, however, they pack good senses as well as unique abilities that back up their strength. Their strength can be used to-" "Get on with the spell, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash moaned. Twilight gave the cyan pegasus a glare, resuming to read the tutorial book. "Ahem." She cleared her throat. "This spell is simple and it follows the same instructions as any other transformation spell, however, there is a limit. When the spell is in use, the transformation will only last an hour." "Why an hour?" Applejack asked. Twilight answered. "This spell is outdated with the current spells we have today, but this is the only transformation spell book I have so we have to take our chances." "Isn't this going to be a little suspicious?" Rarity asked. "I mean, we've never come across any female Diamond Dogs before and there's never been any in their security." "It's risky, I know, but we need to take our chances. This may be the only lead to finding Spike and I need to take that risk. Are you girls with me?" Twilight looked to see three of her friends smiling with confidence. They were: Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Twilight turned to see Fluttershy trembling a little while Rarity was showing an uneasy look. "Are you two okay?" Twilight questioned with concern, showing care as well. Fluttershy spoke first, her voice sounding shaken. "Do I really have to go? I know Diamond Dogs can be mean, but dragons..." Rainbow Dash sulked and let out a sigh in annoyance. "After all, we've been through, you're still scared of dragons?!" Fluttershy whimpered at her friend's tone. "Yes." "Oh come on, Flutters!" "It's okay, Fluttershy," Twilight assured her. "If you don't want to come, that's fine. I know you fear dragons and if it makes you feel safe, you can stay here in Ponyville." Fluttershy smiled. "Thank you, Twilight." "And what about you, Rarity?" Applejack spoke. Rarity let out a nervous giggle. "Well, I think I prefer being a pony." Everypony looked at her with confusion. "But you are a pony, silly," Pinkie Pie said. "No, I mean, I don't think I'd like being a Diamond Dog for an hour." She confessed. "Why? It's only an hour," Applejack said. "An hour as a dog! Could you imagine it! Being covered in fleas and-" "Okay, Rarity, I get it. You and Fluttershy can stay here in Ponyville," Twilight said. "Thank you darling," Rarity spoke, feeling relieved. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie's eyes darted on Twilight. "Then it's settled. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, you're with me. Let's get going." The four ponies left, leaving Rarity and Fluttershy in the castle to roam around Ponyville. Canterlot Meanwhile, back in Canterlot castle, Celestia had concealed herself within her bedroom, looking out of her balcony. From her point of view it was rich, she could see the whole of Canterlot, but the beautiful and sophisticated city wasn't what it use to be. Once the streets were filled with ponies walking around, going on about their day, socialising and having fun, but now it seemed that more guards would now patrol all of Canterlot. It was like this with Baltimare, Fillydelphia and other big cities and empires, such as the Crystal Empire. Manehatten, however, was still abandoned due to the wreckage the changelings and the Diamond Dogs left behind. Small towns like Ponyville and Appleloosa have very little security, a few guards and that was it, but Celestia was finding a way to improve defences, mainly with magic. As Celestia gazed at what Canterlot had become, she let out a sigh that was empty of happiness. Startingly, her name was called out by her beloved sister, approaching her with concern. "Tia? Art thou alright?" "I'm fine, Luna." She cooed. "Do you remember when Equestria was in harmony?" "It still is." "No, I mean, when we built up peace, tranquillity and jubilation. Do you remember it? When we were fillies and we'd live without a single care in the world, then we took our part as princesses, raising the sun and moon." "I remember it." "Why can't it go back to when ponies would play, socialise and have fun? Why must there be cruel monsters like Fright and Chrysalis to ruin everything?! Why can't there be peace in every being?" She said, walking back into her room with Luna following her. "Peace is not something that can last, you of all ponies should know that, sister. We have all done something bad, especially you and me both." "Me?" Celestia said, staggered. "Forgive me if I sound rude, Luna, but I don't recall doing anything bad." "Let us not forget, it was your doing that turned Fright into the 'cruel monster' he is now!" Luna snapped. "My doing?!" Celestia said, taken back a little to what she had just heard. "When you took Fright in as your student along with the rest of the other unicorns, it was you who got him obsessed with dark magic, it was you who got him enthralled in creating fears. All he ever wanted to do was study how fears worked so he could help you and your guards protect the land, he wanted to create fears in the enemies so no one would ever hurt anypony, but did you listen to him? No. Instead, what you did was cruel, you destroyed his research, everything he had worked for and you showed nothing but ignorance." Celestia just stared at her sister. "How dare you! He was messing with a power that he could not comprehend. It's not my fault Fright became a monster, it's not like I purposely put Equestria in danger." "Don't you? What about Discord? It was your fault he escaped from his stone prison, you could have locked him up while he was in suspended animation, but you thought of a better idea, you placed him in your garden so everypony would gaze upon your victory. It's because of you, he broke free and turned Equestria into his playground of chaos again and you didn't do anything about it, you made Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends suffer just to keep you safe." Celestia arrogantly narrowed her eyes as she snarled her sister. "How could say that?!" "Because it's the truth." She spoke. "All you do is ask Twilight, her friends, your guards to fix the problems you make and you don't learn anything from them. IT'S YOUR FAULT I BECAME A MONSTER THAT WAS KNOWN AS NIGHTMARE MOON! YOU BANISHED ME FOR A THOUSAND YEARS! WHY A THOUSAND?! I SUFFERED BECAUSE OF YOU! Celestia was feeling uneasy, sad to see what her sister actually thought of her. She was stunned. "You left me no choice!" "ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS TALK TO ME, SHOW ME RESPECT AND ACKNOWLEDGE MY PRESENCE. BUT EVERYTHING I DID DISPLEASED YOU, YOU WENT AGAINST EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR. ALL I ASKED FOR WAS A BIT OF RECOGNITION FROM YOU AND THE PONIES OF EQUESTRIA!" Celestia was stuttering. "I-I-" "EVERY MONSTER, EVERY VILLAIN, EVERY CREATURE WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF YOU! "THAT'S ENOUGH LUNA!" "NAY! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU, FRIGHT'S WENT INSANE, CAPTURED SPIKE AND ALMOST DESTROYED MANEHATTEN! WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT MANEHATTEN? NOTHING! TWILIGHT SPARKLE RISKED HER LIFE ONCE AGAIN TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF THAT CITY AND SHE ALMOST DIED! FROM THE VERY MOMENT SHE COMES OUT OF THE INFIRMARY, YOU ORDER HER TO INTERROGATE THE DIAMOND DOGS AND DRAGONS TO FIND FRIGHT! YOU'RE USING HER! ART THOU AWARE OF TWILIGHT SPARKLE HAVING NIGHTMARES? ART THOU AWARE OF HOW SHE'S SICK AND TROUBLED BECAUSE HER BEST FRIEND HAS BEEN TAKEN HOSTAGE? ART THOU AWARE OF HOW SHE FEELS PRESSURED EVERY SECOND BECAUSE YOU PUT THE WHOLE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON HER SHOULDERS?!" Silence fell among the two sisters as there was a rift created between them. Celestia was astonished while Luna calmed a little. Finally, Luna spoke. "I'm taking my guards so I can actually do something instead of sulk around and remember the past of how Equestria was." She said, walking towards the door of Celestia's bedroom. She turned her head back once more. "Your ignorance and cowardliness are a sin to Equestria and yourself. It is beyond me on how you managed to rule Equestria for this long." She said, exiting the bedroom. As the room turned lifeless and quiet, Celestia frowned and spoke to herself as she thought about the many times Equestria was in peril. "It wasn't... my fault..."