[Chapter 8] Luna's Ruse
[Chapter 8] Luna’s Ruse
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It had taken over an hour, but Applejack and Twilight had finally gotten Rarity to tell them what had been bothering her. She told them about how the guards had followed her to her sister’s cottage, and that she was the one who led them there; that part she couldn’t stress enough. Other than that, she was unwilling to reveal more, like for example, how Fluttershy had come to her current condition. Twilight couldn’t blame her though. She couldn’t even imagine how guilty she must have been feeling from the events that led to her sister’s arrest.
Still, that wasn’t enough to make Twilight completely sympathetic. She was frustrated with Rarity’s negligence with Fluttershy, but most of all, she was furious that Rarity had given up on helping to make up for anything. Rarity just sat in the bed, moping to herself.
“Rarity,” Twilight pleaded. “You need to get up and do something. It might not be too late to help your sister. I’m sure if we go see the Princess and explain everything, I could get her a royal pardon.”
Uninterested, Rarity slumped down into the bed, tossing the sheets over her head.
“Ugh!” Twilight sighed in exasperation. “You know what? Fine. You can just lay there for all I care.” She stormed off towards the doorway, but right before she passed the threshold, she turned back to put one last word in for the distraught unicorn. “Your mother would be so disappointed,” she grumbled before leaving to go see Fluttershy.
Rarity winced underneath the covers. Twilight was right. Her mother would be disappointed in the failure that she raised. A single tear rolled down Rarity’s cheek as her self pity reached a new low.
“You know, she’s got a point, sugarcube.” Applejack added. “As bad as you feel right now, your lil’ sister is probably feelin’ a whole lot worse.”
“Sweetie Belle is probably better off without me. I’ve messed her life up enough as it is,” Rarity argued from beneath the sheets.
Applejack put her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder as she pulled the sheets off of her head. “Hey, you may have messed up, but I know for a fact that Sweetie Belle ain’t better off without you. You may not think it now, but she needs you more than ever.”
Rarity turned to look into Applejack’s proud eyes. “But what am I supposed to do? What if I make things worse?”
“Well then at least you can say you tried.” Applejack stated. “Look, sugarcube. I wanna tell you a story about a time that I too almost lost my dear sister, Applebloom. A couple of years back, our Granny Smith passed away. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time either, cause only a few days later, we had ourselves a big zap apple harvest. Applebloom was so upset, but ya know, life goes on. When I tried to get her to help out, we got into a fight and well, I said a few things I wish I hadn’t. Applebloom got angry and ran off. I looked for her for hours until I finally found her skippin’ rocks at the lake. By that time, we lost the whole harvest and me an’ her went at it again. That’s when she said that she wished that Granny was alive instead of me. Let me tell ya, boy did that set me off, but do you know what I did?” Applejack looked expectantly at Rarity, the fierceness in her eyes telling her that she wouldn’t let her go until she got an answer for this otherwise rhetorical question.
“You apologized?” Rarity guessed.
“Shoot, I wish.” Applejack scoffed, turning her head upwards in reminiscence. “To this day, I could never forgive myself for what I’d done. I got so angry that I just turned and reared up. I bucked my poor little Applebloom.” Applejack paused to look at Rarity with a distraught look in her eyes. “I bucked her Rarity! So hard that she fell back into the lake. I was feeling mighty proud of myself at the time, but that feeling went away quick when she didn’t come up for air.”
“I felt so guilty, like Applebloom was right and she would’ve been better off if I wasn’t around, but be that as it may, she needed me. I jumped in after her and found her struggling in an ol’ fishing net at the bottom of the lake. I tried to get her free, but I just couldn’t tear her loose. With my last breath, I gave it everything I had before I blacked out. I don’t remember anything after that, but when I came to, Applebloom was standing over me beating on my chest like I was one of Zecora’s drums.” Applejack looked back at Rarity, surprised to see that instead of moping, she was intently listening to her story. “The first thing I did was I pulled her in and hugged her like I never hugged her before. I was so happy that she was alright. We laid there for a while. All we could do was be happy to be alive.”
“But what did you do about the harvest?” Rarity asked.
“There was nothin’ we could do. We just had to pick up and start over. Honestly though, I’d trade a million zap apple harvests for my sister any day.” She was pleased that her story had had the desired effect on Rarity, who had completely stopped crying at this point and was instead waiting for Applejack to go on.
“You see, the moral of the story is even if you think she’d be better off without you, if you see your sister drownin’, you gotta jump in after her.”
Rarity pondered over the moral for a second. It certainly had struck the right chord. Rarity made a motion as if to get up, now determined to help her sister any way possible, but Applejack quickly stopped her. “Now I know you gotta go do what you gotta do, but I know there’s a few ponies that you probably owe a visit to.” Applejack jestured towards the room next to hers. “Twilight’s plan is probably the best you’re ever gonna get, but you gotta get yourself back into her good graces first.”
Rarity gave her a quick nod before getting up. “Thank you, Applejack.” She said with a smile. “I really needed that.”
-----
Twilight was still fuming as she listened to Fluttershy tell her about her injuries. Every time she would mention Rarity, Twilight could feel her temperature begin to rise. The last time that she had been this angry at any of her friends was when Discord had returned.
“Um, Twilight? Is everything alright?” Fluttershy timidly hid her muzzle under the covers as she began to notice that Twilight wasn’t really paying attention.
“What? Oh...” Twilight mumbled as she snapped back to reality. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I guess I’m just upset with Rarity. I didn’t mean to ignore you.” Twilight sighed in exasperation.
Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door, followed by a familiar voice. “Fluttershy, darling. I was wondering if it would be alright if I had a word with you.”
Twilight looked back at Fluttershy with anticipation. “It’s alright, Twilight,” Fluttershy whispered. “C-come in,” she wearily called out to Rarity.
The door opened up slowly as the white unicorn slowly made her way towards the bed. She glanced up at Twilight peering through the cold stare that the purple unicorn shot at her. “I’m sorry, Twilight. If I could just have a moment with Fluttershy,” she begged.
Twilight sighed releasing the tension she held. “Fine. I’ll wait for you outside.” She turned before Rarity could get another word out, bumping her with her shoulder on her way out. She couldn’t help but be angry. At the moment, she didn’t really care what she said or did.
As she made her way out the door she finally breathed out. The air in the hallway was cooler, which helped to calm her down just a bit. “Well, she is making an attempt at least,” Twilight thought. Slowly, she started to feel a bit of regret for some of the things she said. Frustrated with herself, she leaned against the wall, bumping her head against it a few times. She started to let her mind wander, focusing back to the clue she found on the plaque, doubting that it was even the right clue at all. All her friends had changed in the time since they had left. Each had their own real-world problems to deal with. Pinkie had gone insane. Fluttershy was injured and now had to deal with the prospect of a flightless life. Rainbow Dash was busy with whatever responsibilities came with being the captain of the Wonderbolts. Rarity, for whatever reason, had to save her sister. The only pony that had seemed normal was Applejack, but she was probably busier than ever. Managing a farm was difficult enough and now she had to do so with only the moon to provide light. They all certainly didn’t have time to go chasing clues left by ghosts like a gang of mystery-solving fillies.
“Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Celestia chose the wrong pony for the job...”
-----
Rarity made her way over to the battered pegasus. A wave of guilt flooded her senses, leaving her teary eyed in the seat next to the bed. This was the first time she had seen the extent of Fluttershy’s injuries. “I’m so sorry, Fluttershy! It’s all my fault!” Rarity bawled, falling into Fluttershy’s lap as she continued to mumble incoherently.
“Rarity, I’m fine. Really,” Fluttershy assured. “I don’t really fly all that often. I’m sure I can adjust to the change easy enough.”
“Oh but look at you dear, you look simply awful. Uh... No offense,” Rarity said, looking Fluttershy up and down. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been so careless. So stubborn... I can never forgive myself for what I’ve done to you!”
“It’s not so bad. It really only hurts when I try to move it.” Fluttershy said, making a foolish attempt to give Rarity an example. She quickly moved her hoof back to her side as she winced in pain.
“See, Fluttershy. I owe you everything, not only for you saving my life, but for all the pain I've put you through,” Rarity admitted as she tried her best to sooth the pegasus. “I know it’s probably too much to expect, but I will do everything I can to earn your forgiveness.”
“Oh, Rarity,” Fluttershy smiled. “I already forgive you. You came to apologize and that’s already enough for me. Just promise me one thing.”
Rarity’s eyes lit up with a glimmer of happiness. “Oh thank you, Fluttershy!” She cried. “Anything! I’ll do anything for you.”
“Please save Sweetie Belle,” she pleaded.
With a firm nod, Rarity agreed. “Of course. I plan to!”
“Now go, Rarity. I’ll be fine, I promise. You should go talk to Twilight. Shes probably waiting for you.”
-----
Twilight had only just let herself sit on one of the chairs in the hallway when the door to Fluttershy’s room opened up. Quickly, Twilight bounded up to see Rarity standing there, waiting to speak to her. “Oh... You’re done. How did it go?” She asked nervously.
“Well she said that she would be alright,” Rarity replied. “She was happy to see that I was okay. I really owe her my life.”
Both Twilight and Rarity awkwardly pat a hoof at the ground and looked around the hallway as they waited for the other to steer the conversation in the right direction. Their silence was only interrupted by the squeaking of wheelchair being pushed by a nurse.
“Hey, I wanted to,-” both ponies began in unison. Rarity, however didn’t let it phase her. “I wanted to apologize for how I acted,” she continued. “I guess I just lost sight of what really mattered. Can you ever forgi-”
Rarity was interrupted by Twilight putting her hoof up. “You don’t need to apologize to me,” Twilight said with a serious expression painted on her face. “You’re up now and that’s all that really matters to me.” Twilight quickly shifted her tone to a more somber one as she nervously rubbed her hooves. “I’m sorry I had to be so hard on you.”
“Not at all, Twilight. I needed to hear it. But I must ask, do you really believe that the Princess will give Sweetie Belle a pardon?” Rarity asked doubtfully.
“Sure. I’m sure if we explain everything that’s happened, she’ll have no problem helping us out.” Twilight impatiently began to gesture towards the exit. “So... are you coming or not?” She asked playfully.
“Lets just tell the others first.”
-----
Twilight had dragged Rarity along at a fairly quick pace. In no time at all, they had made it to the toll gate of the monorail station. Rarity stood in awe at the strangeness of the facility. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. With a few bits borrowed from Applejack, they paid their toll and went over to wait for the next train at the platform.
Twilight continued to watch Rarity as she observed her surroundings but the longer she stared, the more Twilight began to feel restless. Rarity was acting so calm and reserved in her emotions, unlike Twilight, who acted like a filly the first time she saw the station. In truth, she was jealous of Rarity’s now apparent maturity.
The more she let her mind rest on it, the more frustrated she became. There she was, no more than half an hour ago, berating Rarity for her immature behavior and now she was envying her for her maturity. Just before she could feel herself become visibly angry, she tried to change her focus to something else. Unfortunately the only other thought on her mind was her fears that they would never get home.
Just as quickly as it had started, her anger turned to panic. What was she doing anyways helping Rarity out like this? There was no benefit for her in saving Sweetie Belle. Every minute she wasted waiting for the train was another minute she could have spent researching Celestia’s final actions for any clues.
Twilight began to shake violently as her breath became labored. It became apparent to her that all of her actions were only useful if they were planning on staying stuck in this time. Maybe Rarity knew. Maybe that’s why she was so focused on saving Sweetie Belle. Had she maybe missed the notice that said that they were never going back? The questions raced through her mind as she could feel her hyperventilation causing her vision to fade. However, just before everything went black, she felt a hoof move on top of hers, gripping lightly. Rarity had begun to hum a very soothing melody as Twilight felt herself begin to regain composure. It was unexplainable, the feeling that washed over her; it wasn’t much different from the time that Princess Luna had used her magic to calm her down, but there was something else in the way that Rarity did it that just felt... warmer.
Twilight looked over to Rarity as she continued to hum the sweet melody before quickly noticing that Rarity’s horn glowed with a pale white light. Not once did Rarity look back at Twilight; she didn’t have to-, but she appeared to be drawing the power from a source deep in her own mind, possibly from a strong memory or emotion.
It didn’t take long before she had completely regained her composure and even felt a sensation of euphoria sweep through her body. She felt so relaxed, that she was now having trouble keeping herself from drifting off to sleep. “What... what was that, Rarity?” She cooed.
“My mother used to always do this for Sweetie Belle and I when we were scared or worried,” Rarity replied.
“How did she learn to do that? I’ve never even heard of a spell like that.”
“To be honest, I never really knew how she or I learned it. It just... happens would probably be the best word to describe it. My mother used to tell me that it was a strong connection between two ponies. Something you couldn’t teach or practice.” Rarity turned to look at Twilight for the first time since her attack started. Twilight looked back and noticed tears glistening in her azure eyes. “I believe that it is love.”
-----
Rainbow Dash leaned against the door as she listened to Scootaloo unleash her rage and sadness on her belongings. She waited for an opening to try and explain everything to the distraught mare, but her screams and sobs were unrelenting. Growing impatient and desperate, she burst through the door focusing on the orange pegasus. “Scootaloo, please understand!” Dash pleaded. “I did everything I could!”
“No! No you didn’t!” Scootaloo snapped. “When have you ever?! For my entire life, I looked up to you, but I never even mattered.” She started walking threateningly over to Rainbow Dash, backing her against the wall. “All that mattered to you was this stupid club.”
“Hey, that’s not true! I got you into the Wonderbolts. I helped you to live your dreams,” Rainbow Dash retorted, snorting angrily at the outburst from the disgraced pegasus.
“You think I wanted to be a Wonderbolt?” Scootaloo scoffed. “This was your dream, Dash!” She quickly shifted her tone from anger to sorrow as she tried to get Rainbow Dash to look at her. “All I ever wanted was you to notice me, so I tried to be just like you. I did everything I could so that maybe, just maybe, you’d start to care about me. I always wanted you to be like a sister to me. Somepony who would stand up for me. Somepony who would care for me. Somepony to call family.” She quickly turned away from Dash as she returned to her quarters to start packing her belongings. “But right when I needed you most, you left me hanging. All that mattered to you was your precious position.”
“But... but I did stand up for you. I tried to convince them but nothing I said would change their minds. I tried, Scoots-”
“When was it that you started trying? Hmm?” Scootaloo interrupted. “Was it back when I first learned to fly? Was it back when I broke my wing trying to impress you?” She stormed back over to Dash, stopping an inch from her face. “Or was it when it was already too late?” Before Dash had a chance to respond, Scootaloo fluttered back over to her quarters and finished packing up her bags before turning back to Dash once more. “It took me all these years to realize, but you never really cared for me. I don’t care that I lost my position with the Wonderbolts. I don’t even care that I wasted my whole life training for countless hours and breaking nearly every bone in my body. I don’t care. My biggest regret is that I wasted my life looking up to you.” With that, she swung her bags over her shoulders and stormed out the door.
Dash didn’t even try to follow. She couldn’t even bring herself to move a muscle. She could only stand in the empty room with her mouth hanging open in shock.
-----
The train finally docked at Canterlot Central Station. Rarity and Twilight both rose up squeezing into the crowded aisle of ponies waiting to get out. With a loud chime, the door slid open and they began to pour out. Rarity gawked at the grandeur of the building as Twilight led her by her hoof to the Mane Street exit. At the rate she was pacing herself, Twilight seemed anxious to be going somewhere. Rarity could hardly keep up as they rushed out from the platforms into a grand lobby. She took notice of the beautiful decor of the grand room, something that, if on another day, she would have to stop and look at to appreciate. Before long, they had maneuvered their way through the crowds of ponies and out the large revolving doors.
The open air must have given Twilight a second wind, because now she had appeared to have picked up the pace to a near gallop. “Twilight, dear. Could we please slow down?” Rarity asked, her voice falling on deaf ears. She couldn’t really complain, though. Sure she was having trouble keeping pace, but she knew that the quicker they made it to see the Princess, the quicker they could find out if she could really help them. Though, Rarity couldn’t help but feel that Twilight had her own motivations for seeing the Princess.
They continued to press onwards through the busy streets of Canterlot. Rarity was taken by shock over how much it had grown since her last visit. As they came to the end of Mane Street, the took the turn up to Royal Boulevard. Suddenly, with a click and a bright flash, Rarity stopped right in her tracks. Twilight looked back to see Rarity staring at a photographer snapping a picture of a couple standing on the bridge.
“Rarity, we don’t have time for a picture,” Twilight shouted from the crest of the bridge. She walked back over to Rarity who stood transfixed on the group. She waved her hoof frantically in front of Rarity’s face, startling her back to reality. “Rarity? What’s wrong?”
Rarity shook her head quickly as she remembered where she was. “My apologies, Twilight. It’s nothing,” she said as she walked past her. “Shall we continue?”
-----
As they approached the familiar gates of Canterlot Castle, Twilight noticed that the guards that stood at attention were not the same ones from before. “This could pose a little problem,” Twilight thought. She knew it was far fetched, but she had really hoped that the same guards were there so that they would let them in right away.
“Halt. What is your name and business here?” They both demanded in unison, flaring their wings out to block the gate.
“I need to see the Princess!” Twilight pleaded, trying to look as confident as she could. “It’s really important.”
Unamused, the older looking pegasus took an intimidating step forward. “If you are here on official business, then you must present proof of permission from the Princess.”
“Look I don’t have time for this. Just tell Princess Luna that I am here and she’ll-”
The guard, looking irritated at being commanded like that, immediately pointed the spear he held in his right hoof directly at the lavender pony. “Leave now or I will use force to remove you from the premises.”
Twilight reeled back, bumping into the Rarity before falling to her hindquarters. What she wouldn’t do for miracle right now. The princess saved her last time. “Maybe if I scream loud enough, she will come out and save us again,” she desperately schemed. Twilight dropped her jaw and took a deep breath in preparation for the most blood curdling scream she could muster, but just before she let it out, the younger guard spoke up.
“Uh... Commander, sir. I don’t mean to insubordinate you, but I know who she is! That’s-”
With all his rage, he turned to the young guard and butted heads with him, pushing him back against the gate. “Private! What in Discords blazes do you think you are doing interrupting me like this! I don’t care who she is and I’ll have your hide for this insubordination.”
Mustering up the courage, the young pegasus spoke up once more. “Sir, please! That’s Twilight Sparkle! The late Princess Celestia’s protégée. The savior of Equestria.” He winced as he anticipated more than a verbal beat down for his outburst, but looked up to see his superior officer’s jaw hanging down in surprise.
He turned back to the Element of Magic, immediately recognizing her from the statue that stood in the Royal Statue Garden. He quickly tried to draw back his spear, fumbling it as he snapped back to attention. “My apologies Miss Sparkle. If I had known... well that doesn’t matter now. By Celestia’s decree, you are always allowed into the castle. You can find Princess Luna in the Royal Statue Garden,” he stated, matter-of-factly. “Would you like for me to fetch an escort for you and your guest?” The young pegasus guard reached down and helped Twilight up off the ground right before snapping back to attention as well.
“No, that’s alright,” Twilight assured. “I can find her myself. C’mon, Rarity. Let’s go,” she called back to her as she moved through the gates. Rarity quickly followed, finally catching back up with her as they reached the grand lobby. She was astonished at how much had been changed in the time of their absence. The obsidian that accented almost everything in the room, while beautiful, caused Rarity to cringe. The darkness of the once bright palace created a gloomy atmosphere. It was certainly not within Rarity’s tastes. What certainly did catch her attention was the large, crescent moon insignia on the floor. It was tiled with the purest white marble that sparkled in the light from its crystalline appearance. Around the moon was more obsidian, but this stone had crystals embedded just along the surface that made the ground sparkle like the night sky. It could almost be described like the same silk that had started this whole mess in the first place.
They continued through the room towards the grand ballroom, which would lead right to the royal gardens. The room hadn’t changed much since their last visits, other than the fact that the whole room was empty. During every previous visit, the room had been decorated to an almost ‘Pinkie Pie’ extent, but now it was clear of any decorative flair, walls to floor. There probably hadn’t been a party here in months.
Outside the ballroom was a gorgeous sight to behold. All the flora, even the most delicate of flowers, was coated in a fine layer of snow; a result of an incredibly soft snowfall. The garden itself must have had its own climate, separate from the rest of the world. It was unrealistically peaceful compared to the windy and cold weather throughout the rest of Canterlot. Twilight could feel a strange vibe all around the area, but she couldn’t quite explain it.
They made their way towards the entrance of the Royal Sculpture Gardens, the crunching of their hooves against the powder snow disturbing the serenity of the setting. As they passed the impressive statue of Princess Celestia, they could see Princess Luna standing off in the distance, right in front of Custos Scientia. Twilight paused momentarily in her steps. The feeling that she couldn’t explain earlier was now clearer. It was an all too familiar feeling; the distinct feeling of somepony casting an enchantment.
Twilight was elated to find out that she could feel magic again. However, just before she was about to call out to the princess, something else caught her attention. The feeling seemed to be emanating from Princess Luna, and the area in front of her glowed with a pale blue light. As quietly as she could, she began to ease her way towards the Princess, to which Rarity followed suit. Unfortunately for them, before they got close enough to be able to observe what she was doing, the crunching of their hooves caused Luna to jump up and turn towards them in shock.
“Oh my!” she gasped. “We were not expecting you back so soon.”
“We?” Questioned Twilight.
“Forgive me. Old habits die hard I guess,” she said in a more casual, but slightly embarrassed voice. “How goes your search for Tia’s clues?”
“Actually, not so well at all,” Twilight admitted. “But we are here for something else entirely.”
“Something else?” Luna blinked.
“We must ask you for a favor,” Rarity chimed in.
-----
After recounting the whole tale to Princess Luna, Rarity threw herself at her hooves. “Please, Princess Luna. Could you please give my dear sister a royal pardon?” She pleaded.
Luna thought for a second before raising Rarity back up to her hooves. “Of course, Rarity. It’s the least I could do for you after all you’ve done for Equestria.”
Rarity was taken by surprise, blinking rapidly to see if she could snap herself awake if this was indeed a dream. “Just like that? No catch?” She questioned.
“Well, there may be just one problem,” Luna admitted.
“Oh please no...”
“I don’t have any idea where they are keeping your sister imprisoned,” Luna continued.
“Now hold on a second,” Twilight snapped. “Shouldn’t a royal pardon allow them to release her right away? What does her location have anything to do with this?”
“Twilight, please understand. The justice system has changed to accommodate my sister’s absence. I gave up my power over the justice system a long time ago. I was never one for imprisonment.” Luna could tell that Twilight still needed more to explain the situation. “I gave up a lot of powers when Celestia died. Mostly things that changed since my time, but that I had not been able to adjust well to. Those powers, I gave to my little ponies to handle as they saw fit. It didn’t take long before they set up an impressive court system, but they eventually encountered another problem. Equestria was much too large for one court to oversee, so they devised a system of districts that they called precincts. Each would be responsible to handle the crimes committed within their limits.” Luna shamefully looked back to the two unicorns. “I can grant pardons, but for my word to have any weight, the decree would have to be delivered directly to the precinct she is being held at.”
“Well then doesn’t that mean she should be here in Canterlot?” The lavender unicorn became hopeful as she came to the conclusion. “I mean, the bank heist is what they arrested her for right?”
“From what you explained, she has been on the run for many years and has committed crimes all over Equestria. For all I know, she could be anywhere,” the Princess explained.
“Can’t you just ask-” Twilight began.
Foreseeing what Twilight was about to ask, she politely interrupted. “Twilight, the systems put into place are still very new, and as such, they have many problems.” Luna sighed with disappointment before she began to explain the rest. “Unfortunately, communication is one of their biggest faults. They decided that matters such as crime were very sensitive, so they made that information private. You could ask, but you could end up waiting days or weeks for any information to be permitted to be shared.”
Rarity had heard enough. For every step in the right direction, they’d take two steps back. Rarity’s frustration began to manifest itself into heat, melting the snow beneath her hooves. The air started to swirl around her lightly, causing miniature eddies of snow. “I’m tired of this!” She shouted, trying desperately to keep her composure. At the peak of her anger, her mane and tail had appeared to take on a low glow as steam rose from it. She turned to storm off to a place to quietly vent her rage alone, but just before she took the first step, she felt a hoof lightly tap at her shoulder.
“Rarity, I may not be able to help you the way you’d like, but I know what it’s like to lose a sister,” Luna confided. “But all is not lost, at least for you. Your sister is still alive, so there’s still a chance.” The midnight blue Princess turned Rarity around with one hoof until she was face to face with her. She looked down and pulled her hoof up before levitating a small fire ruby to it. “Take this gem, Rarity. I’m sure it’ll serve you better than it could I. Think of it as a good luck charm of sorts.” The gem glowed from a light that resembled an explosion frozen in place emanating from the center of the stone; the obvious sign of an enchantment.
“How could this-”
Luna held a hoof up to Rarity’s lips. “See for yourself,” she stated simply before giving her a wink and turning towards the entrance. “I must take my leave now. I’ve got so much work to catch up on. I will send you a written version of my decree, pardoning Sweetie Bell of all crimes when I complete it. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.” With that, she trotted off back to the castle.
Rarity examined the stone carefully, turning it every angle. No matter what angle she held it at, however, the frozen explosion inside appeared to follow her vision. It was captivating to look at, so much so that she started to get lost in it. As she stared, the world started to become silent. The star at the center started to burn brighter as the explosion seemed to flow away from it at a snail’s pace.
Without warning, her horn burst with a white light, engulfing the entire area with Rarity’s signature gem-finding spell. Only one location started to glow however; the scroll rolled up in the statue right in front of them glowed brightly before revealing a strange sight. It had appeared that there was an engraving within the stone scroll, written mirrored as if it was meant to be read from the outside. The engraving itself was lined with some kind of precious stone, possibly ground up to a dust to fill the space between the thin cuts, allowing them to read it clearly with Rarity’s spell.
‘Twilight Sparkle,’ it read.
She didn’t waste any time at all. Carefully, she reached over the delicate scrolls to the one that was held in the stone mare’s arms. To her surprise, when she touched it, it was evident that the entire scroll was detached from the rest of the statue. She carefully pulled on it, easing it out ever so slowly, cautious not to damage any parts of it or the statue itself. With one final tug, it slipped out, Twilight allowing herself to fall back into the soft snow as she did so. She clutched the scroll in her hooves, savoring the moment. Her entire childhood- no, her entire life, she had dreamed about this moment.
Sitting back up, she carefully lifted the flap on the case, revealing a rolled up and tattered piece of parchment. “This is it!” She repeated over and over in her head.
“Careful, Twilight you wouldn’t want to tear it,” Rarity stated obviously.
Twilight shut her eyes tight as she slowly unraveled the piece of parchment, only to hear a short gasp from next to her. As she opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was that it was a map.
The second, were the words that read “Everfree City.”
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My goodness. Two months but I finally got this out. Sorry for the wait guys. I could explain everything that's been going on to you all, but that could take some time and would probably only end up sounding like excuses. All in all, I like how this chapter came out and I plan on SERIOUSLY picking up the pace from now on. Enjoy.
YAY! Update! Damn near forgot about this fic >.< Everfree City eh? Sounds interesting...
Really great update. I wasn't really expecting this to be posted so this is a great surprise!
Is this a new city within the Everfree, or is it the ruins of an old one before the Everfree was there.
My own personal head-canon has been that the castle within the Everfree was once surrounded by a capitol city. I wonder if this is similar?
Wow, been so long since this story updated. Glad to see it continue.
This. Is. Going. To. Be. Awesome. Bring on more chapters!
But yeah, thanks man.
Wait.....hold up a second.....No.....no you the answer couldn't be......it can't be THAT obvious....could it? Still great story! I hope Rarity saves Sweetie Belle before it's too late!
348875 Probably lol.
349012 Oh gosh I hope not. I've been trying my best to keep it a secret til the end.
349021 Well to me it seems a little obvious, but still I'm not sure anyone else has figured it out. But still I hope things turn out for the best. And no I'm not going to tell anyone what the answer is. But I'll give everyone a hint.....Start over at chapter one and read the thing again!
349030 Well, hopefully I can still surprise you in the end.
It was worth the wait.
I feel the same i thought this update was from one of the other stories that are more active and when i saw this i was like "oh yeah i remember this" lol xD
Woah
Yay, update. Glad to see this is still alive. Good chapter overall, I'll just wait to see if my theories are right.
Looking forward to the next update.
349156 Well as long as it doesn't involve Doctor Whooves and his Tardis I'll be fine. Mixing too much time travel types hurts my brain.
Amazing update; this is the sort of fiction that would make an amazing film
Looking forward to the next chapter
350419 I don't know Dr. Who well enough to attempt that, either way, I never planned on putting him in.
The wait was totally worth it. This story is excellent. I've loved this story from the beginning. Looking forward to more.
Did anyone else think of the song Luna's Ruse by Zahqo? Was the chapter name inspired by it? Have a link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjO2pXcqJI
350989 The name was inspired by that song.
I'm glad someone noticed.
Oh, hi again !
350707
when I read this part.. It's possible that this detail slipped out of my mind, though.
I have a question... You have the right to consider lazy and to not answer my question which is : Did you tell that Applebloom died in a previous chapter ? Because I was like
Poor Rainbow Dash... She's just not the sentimental type, Scootaloo. Give her a chance !
Still sad about Celestia's death and all.. Unless
...
Nice to see this story's still alive
351315 I don't think I ever said she died. Could you let me know where you saw that?
She isn't, just to let you know.
Thanks for putting up an update for this, I've been waiting a long time, but it was well worth the wait. Can't wait for the next chapter!
350419>>350707 Ok you guys I just dont see it and its driving me crazy
. And since everybody seems to get it but me, you will just have to update more often so i can see how this story ends.
I really dont understand why they even care about Sweetie or anyone for that matter because when they go back everything will change and that whole timeline will just kinda die (or be rewritten whatever)
And cant Rarity and Twi just chill (see what i did there) until Twi gets better and then Twi can just use the spell again? Or is it too dangerous to use again because of her horn overheating and it would be much hotter in their normal timeline?
And Im really hoping to see Pinkiaminias character get expanded on
351861 It's not when they go back. It's IF they go back. Like you said, the spell is dangerous for twilight if she wants to go back that far, and she doesn't know if she can even do it at full health or not. If they cant go back, then they have to make the best of the world they are in now.
And more Pinkamena to come. Don't worry.
352165 well i cant wait to see more updates more often.
And I dont know why i love the Pinkamena scenes so much, probably because there is that sense of danger and randomness but she is also sad and misses her friends. IDK maybe im going crazy too
Grrr I have so many ideas as to how the story can end and I cant wait to see what you have some up with!!!
QUE SURPRISE MIDNIGHT UPDATE!!
352202 Thanks. Pinkamena is really fun to write. I'm glad you enjoy it.
And uh. No update tonight. Sorry.
351371
Oh.. right, "almost lost".. I won't read at 3am next time, thus I won't miss words !
Celestia, man, you are a genius! That bit with Rarity's mom dying in the previous chapter just broke me. I cried manly tears. This is by far one of the saddest, and one of the best fanfics I've ever read. I cannot wait until it updates. Every section seems to tug on my heart harder. It'll already been broken several times. Every time I see a Pinkamena scene.............yeah. Pinkie is my favorite character, seeing her really and truly depressed like that just breaks my heart over and over again.
Hush Now, Quiet Now now has a totally new meaning to it. And one that's going to make me break down every time I listen to it. Don't take it as me forcing it, but, above all else I'm looking for Pinkie Pie to go back to normal, and be happy again. I can't stand seeing her like that.
355863 Thank you so much! I absolutely love seeing comments like this.
It makes me happy that my ideas and writing can have such a profound effect on someone else.
awful lot of raridrama
Dat Scootaloo rage. Nough said.
this is a really good fanfic!
i have to say, though, the fact that Pinkie went insane is a little depressing...
I have to wonder, if it was in this story's favor or agaisnt it that the scroll was found with the help of Rarity. On the one hand, it was obivious to us the reader because of how much you described ti and put effort into pointing it out. However, one must go into the mind of a distraught Twilight and wonder if she was just not really paying attention to the clue at the time. After all, for as s smart as Twilight is, sometimes she will take a puzzle and a rhyme at face value. (Granted, nothing was Stopping discord from messing with them by the time they got to the tree anyway.)
However, I loved Twilight trying her best to help Rarity out. Even thought Luna's reason for not ending this subplot in five seconds felt a little forced. As if the writer decided that the only way to stop it was come up with a poorly thought out explination in five seconds. Couldn't it be easier for Luna to just not be there or to Luna say she will take a few minutes to find Sweetie Belle? This just feels like Luna was racing for an explination to keep the two there.