chapter 2 : worlds collide
Sweetie bot sped through ponyville as fast as her little legs would carry her; her destination was set. She flew passed Twilight sparkle's house without giving it a second glance. The selfish, child-like unicorns would only screw things up and at this point there wasn't a single second to spare. No the pony she was looking for was the only pony in town who knew how to bake portals. The filly needed the help of the orphaned town outcast, the witchcraft using gyspy; The pony she needed was Pinkie pie.
Sweetie bot stopped in front of Sugarcube corners; the gypsy's place of residence. The tiny unicorn pounded on the door furiously; luckily Mr. and Mrs. Cake were at a convention so the only one home would be the gypsy.
"[Help! Your assistance is required!!]" The filly yelled as she knocked.
The lights on the second floor flashed on.
"The cakes aren't in right now..." A voice called out from the window. "...and if this is Mr. or Mrs. Pippington....your son is a....um...he's...um...a liar....yes he's a liar and you shouldn't believe a word he say."
"[Miss Pie I am in need of your assistance!] Sweetie belle called up to the window.
"Oh wait is that you Sweetie belle." The voice said after a short pause. "I'll be right down."
A few minutes later the door flew open and the light pink earth pony with a puffed up cotton candy colored mane and tail appeared in the doorway.
"Sorry about that." The pink mare said with a chuckle. "I Don't get too many visitors when the cakes are away."
"[Apologies are not necessary]."The unicorn stated (very mechanically.).
" Ok then..." Pinkie said with a smile. "What brings you here so late?" she turned to her hoof as though there was something there.
"[The length of what i must say is extensive and must not be heard by any other sentient life form, may we go inside .]" The robotic filly said as her smile fell from her face.
"Um ok..." Pinkie said with a tilt of a her head.
The pink mare turned slowly trotting back inside while the filly followed closely behind.
"Does your sister know your out so late?"Pinkie asked upon entering the kitchen.
"[It is unlikely she detected me when i left the house.]" Sweetie bot said twisting her head to think about what had been asked.
" So....what did you want to tell me?"Pinkie asked.
With a low sigh the robotic filly moved in front of Pinkie pie.
"[As the quantity of time is short i will try to condense what i have to say so that we may act as quickly as possible.] The filly said with a stern face.
The pink mare stared at Sweetie belle for a second. The young unicorn looked so serious; it was actually starting to scare her. Pinkie pie could barly resist the urge to pick the filly up into a big hug. It went against her entire being not to cheer the filly up; but somewhere at the back of her mind knew it wasn't the time or place for such a thing.
"[You know the yellow pony and that interdimensional demon she has been trying to release.] The filly stated.
Pinkie pie twisted her head in confusion "You mean Fluttershy and that Smooze thing she's always going on about."
"[yes]" Sweetie said with a nod.
"What about them?" The Earth pony asked with a grimace.
"[She revived the demon!] The filly said with metallic squeaked.
" How'd she do that!" The mare said quickly. " I mean she's been trying to release that thing for years and nothings ever come of it."
"[I'm afraid she used the same method as you did in your attempt to revive your parents.]" Sweetie bot said as she turned her head.
"She...she baked a portal...but how'd she do that...." Pinkie pie said in dismay.
"[I'm afraid it's my sister's fault...she told the yellow life-form about your portal.]" Sweetie bot continued
"Oh {BUY SOME APPLES}...what happened to Fluttershy?" Pinkie said as she jumped forward nearly tackling the filly to the ground.
"[I'm afraid....] The filly paused as she searched her data banks for the right words. [...She has been taken over by the demon.]."
Pinkie pie's eyes lit up; her voice disappeared.
"[That is why the quantity of time is running out.]The unicorn explained. [Something terrible is about to happen and thats why I desperately need your help.]"
Pinkie pie blinked then shook her head "But... why'd you come to me firs-....."
"[Although Twilight has magic...] The unicorn said with a sigh. [Her memory drive is buried in those fanfics of hers...and as such it was unlikely she would be of any help .]"
"And your sister...." Pinkie pie said gently.
Sweetie bot lowered her head and closed her eyes.
"[I didn't have the hearts drive to inform her....] The filly lifted her head slowly. [she is...after all a member of the yellow pony's cult.]
The filly's head dropped back to the ground.
[There is a fifty-two percent chance Rarity would side with the cult leader.]"
"I see." The mare said with a frown
Sweetie bot simply shook her head side to side with her eyes still closed
"[There's more....] Sweetie bot paused [...The demon...it's...it's after something.]
"What...would it...be after...?" Pinkie asked slowly.
[A medallion...of some sort...that an alternate version of myself has.] "
"An alternate version of yourself..." Pinkie said as she pulled herself back. "what does tha-..."
"[The demon stated that this wasn't the "original" dimension.] Sweetie interrupted. "[Although I am uncertain of what this statement means...]
"Original...dimension..." Pinkie said as she tapped her fore-head with a hoof. "I wonder...."
Sweetie bot watched as the pink mare rushed forward.
"Yes...I see...but why...would...how could...hmmm." Pinkie Muttered to herself as she moved up to one of the walls.
"I'm not sure how the demon knows about Ponyville alpha..."The pink mare said as she pawed at the wall."...I guess because he's from another dimension..."
[Ponyville...alpha?]" The filly asked in confusion.
"Ponyville alpha..." Pinkie said as she pressed in one of the bricks. " ...Equestria alpha either way it's the same..."
The young unicorn grimaced; still unsure what the pink pony was saying.
[I..still don't unde-]
"That's alright..." Pinkie said as the wall began to move. "...It's complicated...and we don't have too much time so ... Lets just say there's more then one Equestria..."
Sweetie opened her mouth to reply but was quickly interrupted.
"...Ahh here we go." Pinkie said with a grin as pulled out a small leather bound book from a secret bookshelf.
"I understand...wanting to go to Ponyville alpha..."Pinkie said as she flipped the book from her nose into the air.
"..That makes sense... but what would it want with a medallion."
Sweetie bot watched in amazement as the book landed gently onto the table beside her. The starstruck unicorn shook her head quickly.
"[well...] The filly started. [...according to vocal records from the demon...it was in pain simply because the medaillon still exists.]"
"I...see..."Pinkie said with a grimace as she trotted over to the table and opened the book with her nose.
"[...and it was because of this medaillon that the demon possessed the yellow pony...but...that's not all...]" The filly said darkly.
Pinkie pie lifted her head from the book and stared at the filly.
"[ It said that it needed to destroy the medallion...]" The filly said with a low sigh. " [...and to do that...it would have to kill this other me which for some reason would destroy the medallion in the process.]"
Pinkie pie's eyes lit up.
"Oh...thi-this is bad....really...really bad." Pinkie said as she buried her face into the book.
Pinkie pie flew through the pages rapidly; what she was looking for the filly didn't know.
A lump formed in Sweetie bot's robotic throat. She had no idea why the mare looked so upset; but somewhere at the back of her mind; knew she wouldn't like the answer. After a few more seconds and a few more pages the pink mare stopped and stared at the page's content with a horrified expression across her face.
"Do you have any idea what would happen if an original is killed..." Pinkie said as she stared at the book.
The young unicorn simply shook her head.
"If the demon did go to this other dimension and... killed the alternate you...you would cease to exist."
A hoof flew upward to Sweetie bot's face as she stared in horror at the pink mare.
"[But...how..would...]The filly muttered.
Pinkie pie simply closed her eyes.
"The same would happen if anypony was killed in Ponyville alpha...every version of the said pony would simply disappear." Pinkie sighed as her head dropped downward. "In other words they would cease to exist."
"[Then we must act fast.]"The filly said quickly "[I need you to bake a portal to this other dimension...this ponyville alpha....]"
"But...your just a filly...there's no way..." Pinkie said slowly.
"[What!!!]" the filly shrieked.
"I'm sorry....but I can't...let you....it's too dangerous..." Pinkie sighed to herself. "...I mean there a demon...and probably other monsters and if i did and something happened to you...your sister would kill me."
The filly bit her lip; her anger began to rise up, and suddenly her eyes began to glow red.
"[You have to let me!!!]" The filly shouted; her voice more robotic and frightening then anything the pink mare had ever heard. "[It's...not fare!!!]" the room began to rumble from the unicorn's mighty voice."[...It's my life at stake here...and theres nopony else that can do this...]"
The filly glare at the older pony; her eyes glowing brighter.
"[You have to let me do this....you have to....]" Her voice getting deeper with each passing second."[Please...]" She said forcefully."[PLEASE!!!]"
Pinkie jumped backwards as red beams of light shot out of the filly's eyes; she turned her head quickly; barely dodging the lights as they collided with the wall behind her. The beams cut through the gingerbread colored wall with little effort; and had it not been for the filly closing her eyes the beams may have gone all the way through to the other side of the building. The two stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity.
"Wow Sweetie..." Pinkie said after a long pause. "...I didn't know you had eye lazers."
The dumbfounded filly stared blankly at the wall.
"[neither...did...I..]"
The two stood silently staring at one another for some amount of time; neither knew what to say, but they both knew that each second they wasted the demon would only growing stronger.
"Ok... i'll do it." Pinkie said with a heavy sigh.
Sweetie bot blinked.
"[Really!] She said with glee.
""Yup." Pinkie said with a smile.
"I mean lazer eyes...I didn't even know unicorns could do that..." The pink mare giggled.
" But...." She said slowly.
Sweetie bot tilted her head in confusion.
"[but...?]"
"Well..." The mare said with a frown. "...You are just a filly...even with lazer eyes it'll be totally dangerous.'
The filly opened her mouth to protest but Pinkie quickly silenced her with her hoof.
"I said i'd do it and i am...it's just...you'll need help and i have just the place to send you." Pinkie said before turning back to the book.
"Come with me." Pinkie said as she tossed the book onto her back.
"[we must hurry.]" The filly said as she followed after the mare.
"[According to my sensors the demons powers are growing with each passing second.]"
The two moved into a small room Sweetie had never seen before. The pink mare took another step then stopped abruptly.
"Shoot!" Pinkie muttered to herself.
"{Whats wrong!?]" Sweetie bot asked quickly.
"It's nothing really...um..." Pinkie said with a sigh. "...It's just...i'm kinda...missing an ingredient....wait right here for a second... i'll be right back." .
Pinkie pie walked out the door cautiously; whether this was because of the demon or something else Sweetie wasn't sure. She crossed the street to a small house and disappeared inside of it. For a few minutes there was nothing but silence then a sudden loud 'pop' came from inside the house; then a small colt came running out of the house .
"why does this keep happening." the colt screamed as he ran down the block.
"Ok got the eye of newt so we can start." Pinkie said with a grin.
"[Yes lets.]"Sweetie bot said squeak as she following Pinkie to the kitchen.
----------------
"Ok...so baking a portal is a bit strange i guess you you could say..."Pinkie said with a half smile.
"[Um...what do you mean?] The filly asked with a grimace.
"Well...I kinda...well I have to sing for it to work..."Pinkie said as she put her hoof to the back of her head.
"[why....would that...?]" The filly asked in confusion.
"It helps the process." The earth pony stated.
"[That...doesn't...make sense...why would...you hav-]"
"It just does!" Pinkie growled.
Sweetie bot sigh slowly.
"[Do I have to sing...]"
"Well...no..."Pinkie said as she put a hoof to her chin."But if you want yo-"
"[no.]" The filly said simply.
Pinkie narrowed her eyes at the filly.
"[You may proceed.]"
Pinkie pie rolled her eyes then got into position. She coughed into her hoof, cleared her throat then began to sing.
♪ I'LL COOK UP A SOLUTION WITH THE KNOWLEDGE I'VE ACCRUED! ♪
♪ I'VE GATHERED THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE SOME TIME SORBET THERE'S HARDLY ROOM FOR SECONDS WHEN THE SECONDS MELT AWAY! ♪
♪ WATCH AS I WORK MY GYPSY MAGIC, EYE OF A NEWT AND CINNAMON. WATCH AS THIS MATTER TURNS TO BATTER, OPEN THE PORTAL JUMP IN.♪
Suddenly the room flashed and a vortex appeared at it's center. The portal's pull was very strong nearly pulling both Sweetie bot and Pinkie pie into it. The unearthly noises the portal emitted drowned out any other sound.
"OK...THIS PORTAL'LL LEAD YOU .... TO ANOTHER DIMENSION...YOU'LL FIND HELP THERE..."Pinkie screamed trying to talk over the loud sounds the portal was creating.
"[PONYVILLE ALPHA!]" The metallic pony said as loud as she could.
"NO!" Pinkie responded.
"[BUT I NEED TO GO PONYVILLE ALPHA !] Sweetie bot screeched
"DON'T WORRY....THE YOU IN THIS DIMENSION IS A PONY.....YOUR GOING TO NEED."Pinkie pie screamed.
"[BUT!]" The filly began.
"Trust me." Pinkie said with a gentle smile.
Sweetie bot stared at Pinkie pie; her entire life she had been told not to trust the gyspy. She had heard stories; horrible stories of the gypsy putting curses on ponies and other despicable things. Even the unicorn's own sister; Rarity had forbidden her from talking to the pink earth pony. Sweetie closed her eyes tightly; gypsy or not the filly had no choice but to trust her.
"[Thank you.] The unicorn said with a nod.
With that she turned to the vortex.; swallowed the lump in her throat then sprinted forward and through the portal.
Pinkie pie wiped her eyes of tears "Your welcome."
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Sweetie bot laid on the floor for a few seconds before opening her eyes. She sat up only to find herself in the middle of Ponyville.
"[Nothing seems different.] Sweetie bot thought as she looked around.
Suddenly her sensors picked up a familiar signal.
"[This signature is the same as my own.]" She thought. "[Does that mean another version of myself is nearby.]"
The young unicorn moved forward following the signal. She passed her sister's home and place of business the carousel boutique. For some strange reason the signal was coming from behind the house.The filly moved around the building only to find another Sweetie belle under a tree seemingly floating a few feet above the ground; she seemed to be meditating.The filly felt strange about getting closer to her double, although they both had the same energy signature,there was something unsettling about this other Sweetie belle.
[Ummm....]The filly said as she moved in closer. [...Excuse me.]
The other Sweetie belle quickly opened her eyes and stared at Sweetie bot; then slowly began to float back to the ground.
"Hmm I do not remember summoning you. " The other Sweetie belle said but with a deep strangly demonic voice.
"[I'm sorry i do not understand.]" Sweetie bot said; still bewildered by the strange unearthly voice her double was using.
" Tell me strange speaking pony is the ability to transform into another pony something a normal pony would know; if so you must teach me this power. " The second Sweetie belle said with a grin
"[No..... this is not a special ability.] the robotic filly said in a slightly annoyed voice [I have come from another dimension.... a world parallel to this one.]"
" I see. Strange speaking pony What is it that you want of Trackerzod? " The Sweetie belle asked.
"[Trackerzod?]" Sweetie bot asked in confusion.
" Yes.. The deep voiced Sweetie belle said." What? Is Trackerzod not a normal pony name."
"[What?...I don't....shouldn't it be...Sweet-]" Sweetie bot shook her head. [It doesn't matter.]"
"Doesn't matter?!" The deep voiced fillly with a snarl. "Is a ponys name not important? "
"[Well....it is... but...]" Sweetie bot said with a frown.
"Oh good.... The filly said with a slight sigh." I was afraid that i was doing something wrong....
.
The robotic filly placed a hoof to fore-head.
"[listen...we don't have time be discussing names...]"
"I Go by many names,...." Trackerzod said with a grin.
"[That is very nice but,,,,]"The robotic unicorn said as she continued rubbing her head.
"...But I prefer ponies to call me... Trackerzod... The filly said with great pride. "...After all I am a typical everyday pony....and most normal ponies have more then one name. She said with a nod. "like that punky pie fellow"
"[Pinkie pie.]"
"Yes her." The demonic filly said with a chuckle. "She so delightfully twisted"
"[Twis-]" Sweetie bot quickly shook the thought away. "[No....that doesn't matter right now.]"
"[Focus...I have to focus....]" The mecha filly told herself."[I can't get sidetracked now....not when there's so much at stake...]"
"[Listen there isn't much time.]"Sweetie bot said sharply.
Trackerzod tilted her head slightly; rolled her eyes then sighed.
"Fine continue.She said bitterly."I wouldn't want your voice to get any more pitchy then it already is.
"[Alright.] Sweetie bot said as she let out sigh of anguish."[A demon from my dimension has been released an-.]"
"A demon you say.... "Trackerzod said with a grin .
"[Yes!]" The robotic filly said squeak."[it is a frightening creature that seems to be made out of darkness itself...]
"This demon sounds interesting."Trackerzod chuckled."Very interesting indeed."
Sweetie bot glared at the other Sweetie belle; sickened by how happy her double was.
"[LIsten!]" Sweetie bot snarled."[I didn't come here to talk about the demon!]"
"Then what did you come here for?" Trackerzod asked with narrowed eyes.
"[I came here to ask for your help.]" Sweetie bot said with a sigh
The other Sweetie belle tilted her head slightly.
"Help doing what?" She asked. ...Fighting this demon.
"[Yes!]" Sweetie bot squeaked.
" Then no. Trackerzod replied.
The Robotic filly's face dropped; her eyes lite up as she stared at her double.
"[What do you mean...no!!]"
"I have no intention of fighting some demon...." Trackerzod said with a smile. " ...Especially if I have no reason to do so.
"[There's a very good reason...!!]" The robotic filly said quickly "[The demon...it's after a medallion whic-...]"
"A medaillon." Trackerzod said dryly.
"[Yes a medaillon...]" Sweetie bot said sourly. "[But it's not just any medallion...]"
"Uh huh." Trackerzod sighed and shook her head slowly.
"[...The demon...]" Sweetie bot said through gritted teeth "[...is trying to get rid of this medallion...because it simply existing causes the demon pain...]"
"I fail to see what this has to me... " Trackerzod said with a roll of her eyes. "...or you for that matter.
"[It has everything to do with us!]" The robotic filly said with a raised her voice. (Not too loud as she didn't want to wake anyone up.) "[ The medaillon...you see is somehow connected to the alpha version of ourselves...our... original .]"
"What?" The demonic unicorn said as she turned her head slightly.
"[It's goal...]" The metallic unicorn continued."[...is to destroy this certain medallion...by killing her.]"
"So...this demon...is trying to kill some other version of...us...to destroy...a medaillon " Trackerzod said slowly as though she were going it over with herself.
"[Yes...and if we don't hurr-]"
"Then no."The demonic filly said smugly.
"[Listen...]" Sweetie bot said; nearly snarling as she spoke. "[...There is a very good reason...if her life functions cease...if she were to die then so woul-]"
Trackerzod turned quickly cutting Sweetie bot off. "I don't care about some other me...the demon on the other han- I mean hoof does sound intriguing... if anything I'd like to meet it instead." The filly's grin grew wider. "After all...the two of us may have things in common... we could even become allies."
The flabbergasted robot could only stare at her insane double.
"[What the {BUY SOME APPLES} are you talking about have you even been liste-]."
" Take me to this demon; so that the deed may be done ." Trackerzod said; once more cutting off the robot unicorn.
"[No!!!]" Sweetie bot said jumping forward."The demon can not be reasoned with .]"
The demonic filly simply rolled her eyes.
"Why should I save some stupid of version of myself."
"[Liste-]"
"Give Trackerzod one reason h- I mean she should help you." Thrackerzord said with a demonic pout.(Once again interrupting Sweetie bot.)
"[If she dies then so do we.]" The robot said bluntly.
Trackerzod blinked a few time.
"Would you repeat that....I believe thes- I mean...my pony ears are broken"
"[If the Alpha Sweetie belle dies then we will cease to exist...]" THe robot said; once again bluntly.
Trackerzod looked upward into the air with a hoof at her chin
" Hmm yes that would be a problem.... I do not wish to cease to exist. " She said as she lowered her face back to Sweetie bot.
"It is settled. As a normal pony i will help you. " Trackerzod said with a grin.
"[Thank you.]" Sweetie bot squeaked with delight. "[I just know with your help our chances of success will rise by 38.5 percent!]" .
"Just one thing...and it's important...."Trackerzod Said with a grin.
"[What?]" The unicorn asked slowly.
"It's a small favor" Trackerzod pleaded
"[What is it?]" Sweetie bot asked with narrowed eyes.
"Well."The demonic filly said with a dark chuckle. "...It's nothing big of course...just once this is finished... you and I will join forces and.... kill Twilight sparkle..."Trackerzod said with a sinister grin as the two started back to ponyville.
"Agreed. "
"[Lets.... take things one step at a time.]" Sweetie bot answered with a raised eye brow.
" What should I call you? "Trackerzod asked.After all you are me and if started calling you Trackerzod then we might get confused as to which one of us is the real Trackerzod"
"[I don't think...that doesn't....really!...]"Sweetie bot Said as she rubbed her forehead.
"You see! The confusion has already begun!" Trackerzod shouted.
Sweetie bot's eye began to twitch.
"[Ok...Fine.]She said through gritted teeth."[input name: Sweetie belle.]"
"Fine then....Sweaty belt as you stated we don't much time.." Trackerzod said as she rushed forward.
"[Wait!!,,,what did you....]" Her eye twitched even worse then before. "[Error:name input incorrect!]" Sweetie bot shouted.
"Come sweaty belt we must stop this demon for all us normal ponies. " Trackerzod said ignoring Sweetie bot.
Sweetie bot narrowered her eyes and sighed
"[Fine.]"
"[But we need to bake a portal.]" The robotic filly stated. "[I wonder if the Pinkie pie of this world can bake a portal. She would have to...otherwise Pinkie wouldn't have sent me here....but then again she is a gypsy...so....]" Sweetie bot thought to herself.The Filly was so lost in thought that she didn't realize her double had stopped in place. (The filly nearly ran into her demonic double but was alerted at the last second by her detection sensors.)
[Why did you sto-] Sweetie bot began.
"A portal...you say..." Trackerzod said slowly.
"[Well yes...we need one to get to Ponyville alpha...]"Sweetie bot said with a grimace. "[We need a pony to bak-]"
"If I said I was capable of making such a portal would that be considered...not normal..."
Sweetie bot simply tilted her head.
"[...Well...I can't do it...but I don't...well Pinkie can do so...I guess anypony...ca-]"
"Good" Trackerzod said proudly. "Then your prayers have been answered...For I...who of course is a normal pony...am able to open such portals."
Sweetie bot's face lit up.
"[You are!]" She said a metallic chirp. "[That's...wonderful news!]"
" Yes...I am great aren't I...although it will drain a bit of my strength to do so..." Trackerzod said with a weak smile."...It will be done."
"[Can...can you do it now then...]" Sweetie bot said urgently. "[Every second we waste the demo-]"
"Yes...yes I get it already." Trackerzod said as she pressed her hoof to her head."You are starting to sound like a broke record"
Sweetie bot blushed slightly.
"[Yes...well...]"
"Now... I will preform the ritual so stand back. " Trackerzod said as she to motioned Sweetie bot.
Sweetie bot Nodded slowly as she took a few steps backward.
"Ok the time has come. " Trackerzod said as her body began to glow orange and red.
Sweetie bot looked on in amazement as a portal slowly began to form.She closed her eyes and smiled.
"[Maybe things won't be so ba-.]"
"Ok Sweaty belt get ready the...portal is nearly ready...."
"{It's going to be a long day...]" Sweetie bot said with a heavy sigh.
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Sweetie belle,Apple bloom,and Scootaloo had stayed up a good portion of the night trying for their cutie marks but to no avail.The three had slept in and by the time they had woken up it was already noon; luckly it was Sunday.
"Well shoot i can't believe nothing we tried worked." Apple bloom sighed
"Yeah it's kinda depressing."Scootaloo replied sadly.
"We'll...just have to try again tonight!" Sweetie belle said with a smile.
The three fillies moved down the wooden plank staircase to the grassy floor.
"Ok guys we'll all meet again tonight." Apple bloom said as she reach the bottom step. "Right now i gotta help my sis with some chores. I'ma little surprised she didn't wake us up a while ago." Apple bloom said as the three started to move away from there club house.
"She probably forgot or something anyway I've got some things to do so Sweetie belle..."Scootaloo said as she turned to her unicorn friend.
"you pick up some snacks and stuff from town ok." Scootaloo said with a grin
Sweetie belle turned head in confusion " Why do i have ta..."
"Because you got here late."The orange pegasus said with a stern look
Apple bloom frowned but Scootaloo was right; Sweetie belle had been late.
"Fine." Sweetie belle sulked
"Ok girls we'll meet up in a few hours." Scootaloo said with a smile as she jumped up and hoovered for a few seconds.
Sweetie belle lowered her head as she moved down the path.
"Stupid Rarity." She said under her breath.
Apple bloom watched as Sweetie belle plodded forward,and couldn't help but feel bad for her friend.
"If ya want i'll come with ya."The yellow filly said with a comforting smile.
"Nah..."The unicorn said with a half smile."...that's ok I'll be fine...and besides you have to help your sister."
"Ok then...."The earth pony said slowly." I'll...see ya later then."
Sweetie belle continued down the dirt trail towards Ponyville. Apple bloom's home; Sweet apple acres was quite big so it took a little bit of time to go through it. Scootaloo turned her head back to Sweetie belle who was still walking with her head down. Scootaloo lowered her eyes then kicked a tree.
"Hey!" Scootaloo yelped
.
Sweetie belle lifted her shameful head up slowly.
"Here catch!" The pegasus said as she tossed an apple towards her friend.
Sweetie belle caught the apple in midair with her mouth.
" Sorry about earlier..." Scootaloo said with a frown. "...No hard feeling right."
Sweetie belle smiled and nodded as she ate the apple.
"Just...don't be late tonight alright." Scootaloo said as she hurried forward.
"Ah huh."Sweetie managed to get out as she munched on her apple.
---------
The young unicorn walked around ponyville for a couple of minutes picking up several different treats. She'd been given a few bits from her parents and was happy to spend them on her friends. The filly tucked the treats away in her saddle bag to eat later at the club house.
"Oh...hello Sweetie belle." a voice called from one of the buildings.
The filly turned her head sharply towards the voice only to see Fluttershy standing by a doorway.
"Hi Fluttershy."Sweetie belle said with a squeak.
" I've heard you and your friends are having a little camp out at your club house this weekend." The yellow mare said with a light smile.
"How'd you..."Sweetie belle started but another voice cut in.
"It was me of course."
The filly turned only to see her sister; Rarity stepping out of another building.The off white unicorn smiled; turned her head and posed as if she were showing off her sparkling mulberry mane and tail. Judging from how shiny her sister's coat was; the filly could only guess the two mares had recently been to the spa.
"Rarity!"Sweetie belle squeaked. "what are you..."
"I could ask you the same." Rarity said as she lowered her eyes." I thought you'd be prancing around with your friends in that horrid forest."
The filly narrowed her eyes then walked past her sister, "I'm picking up some supplies for tonight."
"Fine." The older unicorn said as she closed her eyes."...Just remember our little arrangement alright."
"yeah yeah."The filly replied.
"Alright then." Rarity said as she started to pull Fluttershy away. "Come along Fluttershy We still need to make that dress...for that bear that your trying to help out with it's mating season... "
"Goodbye Sweetie belle."Fluttershy said with a smile as she was slowly being dragged away.
Sweetie belle turned and smiled "See ya Fluttershy" then she lowered her eyes.
"...goodbye Rarity" The filly said with an unamused voice.
The little unicorn continued her shopping and finished without too much effort. She skipped down the street nearly breaking into song but stage fright always got the better of her .Sweetie belle turned the corner and suddenly everything went dark.She shook her head violently and a piece of paper fell to the ground.The filly bent down and found the paper was a note addressed to her.
-Sweetie belle please meet us at the center of the Everfree forest.-
Sweetie belle stared at the note for a few second,The writing was perfect almost as if it had been printed out.
"Who could've..."Sweetie belle thought to herself then smiled.
"Apple bloom and Scootaloo...those guys...what're they up to."
Sweetie belle turned then began skipping back the way she'd come. On her way to the forest she passed by Twilight sparkle's library tree house; even if the filly had time to visit The purple unicorn; it was likely the mare would busy with her studies.
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Sweetie belle stopped in front of the Everfree forest; a sudden chill ran down the filly's spine. It wasn't that she was scared of the forest (well maybe a little.). The filly took in a few deep breath then started into the forest.
"Guys!!"The unicorn called out as she walked deeper and deeper into the forest.
"I got your note....." She continued but there was no reply.
A loud snapping sound caught the filly's attention. She began looking side to side as sweat dripped down her face.
"....you guys can come out now...."Sweetie belles voice was lower now.
Sweetie belle took a few steps backwards as the breaking tree branches were getting closer.
"Ok....then...I'll meet you guys...at the tree house..." fear was slowly entering her voice.
Still there was no reply; Sweetie belle started backing up then twisted herself around as she readied herself to take off full speed out of the forest.
A loud snap caught drew her attention away.
"Ok...guys...you got me...."Sweetie belle said with a frightened tone.
Sweetie belle slowly began to turn her head back as the bushes began to shake.
"Apple bloom.....Scootaloo..."Sweetie belle said her voice nothing more then a whisper.
Sweetie belle's lip began to tremble as two figures stepped out of the forest. The filly's eyes widened and her stomach compressed as she looked on in horror as two exact copies of herself stepped forward.