The Hidden Story 2.0

by Cryogenii

The Ruin of the Two Sisters

The night was still and clear as Luna ventured deeper into the Everfree Forest. Its once-manageable wildness had transformed into a chaotic, monstrous expanse. The towering trees were now thoroughly overgrown with creeping vines, creating an intricate web of vegetation. Below, the ground was a carpet of tangled plants engaged in a relentless struggle for dominance. Luna felt even more alienation from the verdant wilderness she'd once called home. This place was now wild and dangerous.

Amidst this overgrowth only a few discernible paths remained, remnants of the trade routes that had once led to and from the castle Luna and Celestia had called home. The forest, like Luna herself, bore the scars of time and change, with these pathways serving as echoes of a bygone era. Why were they so overgrown? Luna could not understand how her sister could let their home become so neglected.

As Luna traversed the weed choked paths of the Everfree Forest, she encountered a small hut along the way. The dwelling was adorned with peculiar masks, crafted in a style unfamiliar to Luna. The presence of habitation in this remote and untamed place intrigued her. Who could possibly be living in such isolation amidst the wilderness? However, that question would have to wait for another day, for the challenges that lay ahead demanded her attention first. The uncertainty of what the future held lingered in her thoughts as she pressed on.

Luna needed to ensure that each embodiment of the Elements of Harmony had their experiences subtly shaped and directed, to guarantee they would play their allocated roles as required. Celestia had orchestrated their participation, ensuring that they would respond to the challenges ahead in ways that aligned with their destined roles. It was a meticulous manipulation of circumstances, and Luna couldn't shake the sense that she was merely a player in her sister's elaborate orchestration.

As Luna journeyed through the dense and overgrown paths of the Everfree Forest, the question of her own helplessness under Celestia's schemes pressed upon her. Was she, too, being guided? Her actions and choices were maybe influenced by the grand design of her sister. The forest's twisted paths mirrored the intricacies of their relationship, a labyrinth of manipulation that left Luna questioning the agency she truly possessed.

The present issue was that Luna needed to craft tests for the ponies to face, using nothing but her magic and the natural resources of the forest. The carefully crafted experiences would guide them on a path of self-discovery, forging not only the strength within themselves but also the bonds of friendship that were crucial for the impending quest. Each challenge needed to be a delicate balance though, simulating genuine danger without exposing the ponies to true peril. It was a carefully crafted script to highlight the individual strengths that each pony brought and to start to strengthen the bond of friendship that would bring them together as a unified force.

The end goal was to bring them to the Castle of the Two Sisters, where every piece of the puzzle would be laid out perfectly for our band of heroes to put together. The stage was set for the grand act of Equestria's destiny to unfold.

---

Luna spotted the group of ponies, as they were nearing a precarious path that ran along the edge of a canyon. Most of them appeared very uncomfortable, their expressions reflecting unease about being so deep into the twisted and overgrown landscape of the Everfree Forest. The blue pegasus that Luna recognized from the town hall gathering was the exception. The pegasus looked like she was teasing the others with a mischievous glint in her eye, causing startled gasps and cross expressions from her companions.

Just when they were at their most startled, the blue pegasus stamped down hard on the fragile path. Luna manipulated the ground beneath causing it to crumble away from the cliff edge. The two pegasi instinctively took to the wing as they started sliding. The yellow one then dove to scoop up a pink earth pony, and the athletic blue pegasus effortlessly banking around saving the beautiful white unicorn.

The orange earth pony managed to save herself, by catching a root in her strong jaws. However the purple unicorn, who was Celestia's student, slid helplessly towards the grassy edge over the precipice. Luna gently applied a little levitation to the unicorn’s flank, slowing her just enough so that she could climb onto the tufts of grass dangling over the drop.

With her haunches dangling, the purple unicorn clung desperately to the crumbling path, teetering on the brink. Luna observed, hidden in the shadows, as the dynamics among the ponies shifted in response to the challenge, setting the stage for the trials that would lead them to the Castle of the Two Sisters.

The orange earth pony reacted with remarkable bravery, sliding down to reach the purple unicorn, just in time to take hold of her and prevent a lethal fall. In a tense exchange that looked like a precarious negotiation, the earnest earth pony seemed to convince the unicorn to let go. It led to a dizzying drop, and the unicorn's terrified screams echoing around the canyon.

The unicorn’s trust had not been misplaced though. With their other two friends safely delivered to the ground, the two pegasi had rocketed back upward ready to catch the falling pony between them. The yellow one appeared to struggle momentarily, nearly dropping the purple unicorn, but quickly regained composure. Together, they safely lowered the shaken unicorn to the ground. Meanwhile, the orange earth pony rapidly descended the cliffs, expertly jumping from rock to rock, showcasing a level of skill and bravery that left an impression on the watching unicorn. Celestia's student seemed to be gazing at the earth pony with a new sense of admiration, and this first trial appeared to have succeeded in the goal of growing a sense of unity between the mares.

---

Luna observed a manticore in a narrow ravine ahead. These proud and reclusive creatures, while appearing fierce, were semi-sentient and quite peaceful unless provoked. The princess had known them to be capable of affectionate behaviour if befriended. Even in Luna's time, they had been rare, but with the contraction of the Everfree Forest, it seemed likely that none of the ponies would be familiar with such an encounter. The manticore could provide another opportunity for Luna to guide the ponies through a trial that would reveal more about their true nature and strengthen the bonds forming among them.

As Luna continued her observation, she recalled that one of the ponies, a seemingly timid Pegasus, had conducted a literal dawn chorus of birds at the Summer Sun celebration. She surmised that this particular pony had an affinity for animals and could potentially make a powerful impression on her friends, especially if provided with the right opportunity. This knowledge would be invaluable for tailoring the trials to the shy pony's unique qualities and strengths.

With a touch of magic and a silent apology Luna subtly provoked the manticore, stirring its aggression and territorial instincts. She anticipated that the large creature would exercise stubbornness when confronted by the braver ponies in the group, providing an opportunity for the timid Pegasus to showcase her affinity for animals and potentially strengthen the bonds within the group.

The group let out a collective gasp upon first sight of the ferocious looking creature, and Luna was impressed to hear the purple unicorn correctly identify it on first sight. This student of her sister's was obviously a highly learned scholar, in addition to being a gifted magician. The manticore reared up in a defensive territorial display, obviously trying to scare the ponies away. It took a swipe at the white unicorn who swiftly retaliated with a kick. Luna would never have guessed that such a refined looking pony would have the instincts of a common brawler. At that moment the manticore roared and soaked the pony's mane in drool, causing her to shriek and flee out of distress over her appearance rather than any fear for her safety.

In the midst of the chaos, the tiny voice saying “wait” was easily missed. The orange earth pony had used the distraction caused by the white unicorn to jump up on the manticore’s back. She clung on as the huge beast bucked and spun, trying to dislodge her. The pony's taunts floated through the air to Luna, and she felt ashamed of imposing such humiliation on the magnificent animal simply to achieve her own goals.

Soon enough the earth pony was cast off, seeing to hand the baton to the cyan pegasus as she passed. Luna used another small token of her dwindling power to adjust the pony's fall away from some bare rocks towards the bushes that lined the path. No matter what else occured, all the companions had to make it to the castle.

Once more the softly spoken voice said “wait”, but no pony heeded it.

The pegasus was flying in tight circles around the manticore. As was the fashion of some rare, gifted fliers this one had a magical trail in her wake. The manticore was hidden behind a kaleidoscopic wall of colour, obscuring whatever was happening. Suddenly the cyan pegasus was tumbling away from the beast, seemingly swatted from the air. The two earth ponies and two unicorns had now regrouped to face the manticore as a group.

The manticore pawed the ground and snorted, in another territorial display aimed at scaring the ponies away. Luna was dismayed to see the purple unicorn imitating the actions and preparing to charge. Was the confrontation going to end badly? It seemed more and more likely until the yellow pegasus got between the warring groups and finally found her voice, yelling “WAIT!”

In the silence that followed, both parties seemed to be so shocked that they just froze in place. The yellow pegasus turned towards the manticore with a warm smile and gently nuzzled its paw. The surprised animal sat back, a look of confusion on its face at the softly spoken pony who was suddenly so close and utterly calm. It showed the pony it's injured paw, and after some soothing words the thorn that Luna had conjured was plucked out.

The other ponies gasped in horror as the manticore let out a bellow and seemed to pounce on the lone pegasus before it. Just when her fate seemed sealed, she was scooped up into a warm embrace by the now calm creature. The heavy rumble of its purrs filled the canyon, as the pony beamed in the manticore's strong forelegs. Her companions all passed by the now passive manticore affectionately groomed the pony's mane. As she passed, Celestia's pupil stopped to speak with the yellow pegasus, and obvious look of admiration on her face.

Satisfied that her scheme had the desired effect, Luna reclaimed her essence from the discarded thorn and continued onwards towards the castle. She'd now managed to inspire two of the six ponies, but time was running short to fully execute the plan.

---

As the ponies ventured into a deeper and darker part of the forest, Luna decided to challenge them with a trial that would evoke a primal dread. The previous trials had involved physical danger, but this time she wanted to see how they would confront their deepest fears. Luna anticipated that the courageous cyan Pegasus would take the lead, showcasing her mettle and guiding the group through the shadows of their own fears.

Luna, manipulating the ambient light filtering through the dense canopy, gradually dimmed it until the ponies could barely discern their surroundings. The ponies stumbled on, unaware that Luna was subtly guiding them toward a copse of twisted trees. With her magic, she manipulated the environment, steering them into a natural enclosure. The once well-defined path became obscured, and the ground underhoof turned wet and cloying, dragging at their legs with each uncertain step. The ominous atmosphere heightened their sense of vulnerability, setting the stage for their deepest fears of what might be lurking in the shadowy depths of the Everfree Forest.

Luna then worked her magic to intensify the eerie atmosphere. Before the ponies knew it, the ominous copse had closed in around them, trapping them in a claustrophobic maze. The twisted trunks of the trees seemed to come alive with staring eyes and jagged maws, creating a nightmarish spectacle. Shadows danced menacingly, and the thorns on the trees resembled sharp, carnivorous teeth. The farmer, caught off guard, stumbled into one of these grotesque figures, the rough bark scratching against her hide. The orchestrated terror had begun.

The ponies realised the predicament they were in and panic spread through the group like wildfire. The boggy ground impeded their movements, and the oppressive darkness of the haunted woods amplified their fear. Terrified screams pierced the air, echoing the dread that had been woven into the very fabric of the environment.

Then the most unexpected of things happened. The sound of laughter, rich and genuine, burst out of the darkness, cutting through the cacophony of panic. The unmistakable mirth brought the frantic ponies to a sudden halt. Luna, concealed in the shadows, observed with both surprise and curiosity as the pink pony, seemingly unaffected by the eerie atmosphere, started pulling faces and giggling at the grotesque figures surrounding her.

As an incongruous song echoed through the dark copse, Luna couldn't help but marvel at the unforeseen resilience and spirit of this pony. It seemed that the trial, intended to evoke primal dread and reveal the courage of the most pugnacious of them, had instead become a testament to the power of laughter and camaraderie in dispelling fear.

In an instant, the spell that had gripped the group was shattered. The pink pony's infectious laughter seemed to dispel the illusions, revealing the truth behind the nightmarish scene. The twisted trees were nothing more than old, decaying trunks rising from the boggy ground. The other ponies, catching on to the pink one's carefree spirit, began to see through the illusion, realising the innocuous nature of their surroundings.

---

The unexpected recovery of the ponies left Luna in danger of being discovered. As Luna watched, they calmly pressed on through the now harmless copse of trees. Realising the risk of being caught too soon, Luna hurriedly tore away from the group. The terrain shifted to a broad river valley that Luna speeded them towards. She needed to maintain her lead, ensuring that her role in the intricate dance of events orchestrated by her sisters remained concealed. Luna pressed on, rushing blindly ahead in an attempt to reach the covering foliage of the other bank before the ponies reached the bank.

As Luna streaked over the water, she came upon a large water dragon blocking their way. Luna halted for a moment, shocked at the sight of the huge serpent, its razor sharp scales glistening a deep purple in the sunlight along the river. However, she quickly recovered from the surprise and boldly barged past, straining to press on when she briefly became caught in its whiskers. The enraged howls of the monster echoed behind her as she tore herself free.

The welcome embrace of the dense foliage on the far side of the river embraced her, giving her the chance to stop and recover her wits. The river churned as the monster thrashed and rolled, and Luna watched terrified as the group of ponies came trotting into view. There was no way they could avoid this terrifying leviathan, and it's ferocious temper.

Luna could barely watch as Celestia's pupil stepped forwards and addressed the huge monster. As it related up, the princess prepared to summon warding spells and protective shields, but just as she was going to burst forth and do battle she realised something. The creature wasn't howling in rage, but in tears. The purple unicorn was calmly addressing it, the compassion and care radiating from her as brightly as sunshine piercing the clouds.

The huge serpent seemed to be lamenting over the loss of its whiskers. Luna could scarcely believe her eyes; the beast was not only sentient, but also vain. She chided herself for being specist, for before her millennium on the moon she had known many creatures that possessed civilization and intelligence.

Now the white unicorn stepped forwards, seemingly flattering the huge serpent. In a sudden motion she severed her tail hairs and wove them into the stubble of the creature's plucked whiskers. Despite the obvious colour mismatch, the creature seemed delighted to receive them.

With the previously inconsolable crying and thrashing soothed, the river was once more calm. Luna turned to continue her journey towards the castle, satisfied that the ponies were in no danger from the river monster. She was running out of time to shape their experiences together, but glad that this inadvertent encounter had served her needs.

---

Luna silently observed as the group approached the final challenge, a mist-covered canyon with a precarious rope bridge. With calculated risk, she had untied one end of the rope securing the bridge, setting the stage for a critical moment. Luna's hope rested on the bold cyan pegasus, trusting that her daring nature might lead her to volunteer for the perilous task of repairing the bridge.

As the ponies approached the now-unstable bridge, Luna waited anxiously, her invisible presence influencing the unfolding events. The mist added an extra layer of challenge, making the chasm below even more foreboding. Luna anticipated that the group's journey would culminate in a test of their friendship and individual strengths. The question lingered—would the daring pegasus take the lead and attempt to restore the bridge, or would a collective effort emerge from the group to overcome this final obstacle?

Luna watched anxiously as Celestia's pupil charged forward, eager to reach the ruins of the castle on the other side of the canyon. The reckless gallop almost ended in disaster as the unicorn skidded to a halt, realizing the bridge was missing. In a swift and daring move, the cyan pegasus grabbed her by the tail, yanking her back to safety. Luna observed the pink earth pony's dismay, realizing the seemingly impossible gap that now separated them from their destination. The moment hung in the air, tension rising as the ponies grappled with the challenge before them.

With a bold leap, the cyan pegasus surged forward, diving into the mist-filled canyon. Tension hung thick in the air as she vanished from sight, obscured by the chilling fog. Then, in a thrilling moment, she reappeared, soaring back into the clear air with the bridge's ropes firmly clasped in her teeth. Her friends watched with a mix of relief and admiration as the courageous act unfolded before her.

Luna, utilizing her power of dreamwalking and intimate knowledge of the subconscious, reached into the pegasus's mind. Delving into her deepest dreams, she discovered the pegasus harbored ambitions of joining an elite squadron called the "Wonderbolts." This insight became the foundation for Luna's intricate manipulation.

With a masterful touch, Luna conjured shadowy figures – three ponies donned in matching uniforms, each mirroring the distinct appearance of the Wonderbolts. Among them was a mare whose features and allure were tailored to appeal specifically to the pegasus's sexuality. This spectral trio approached the lone pegasus, circling her while whispering flattery and making promises to fulfil all her dreams. The illusion was carefully crafted to exploit the vulnerabilities hidden within the recesses of the pegasus's aspirations, weaving a seductive narrative that aligned with her deepest desires.

Celestia's pupil tried to call out to her friend, but Luna quickly drew a veil of mist across the canyon. The unicorn's cries were muffled by the dank fog, leaving the pegasus cut off. Hesitating for a heartbeat, the pegasus found herself in a precarious position as the sinister figures in uniform pressed her to choose between them and her friends. The misty shroud, manipulated by Luna's magic, added a layer of confusion and uncertainty to the already tense moment.

Even Luna couldn't tell which way it was going to fall. Had she gone too far with this challenge? There seemed a real danger that the cyan pegasus would abandon her friends. Time seemed frozen until the pony thanked the three Shadowbolts and turned them down. Quickly, the rope bridge was secured, and the other ponies rejoined their friend. The relief was palpable, but Luna couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that she had toyed with something more delicate than she had anticipated.

Nevertheless, the pegasus' loyalty seemed genuine. The cyan pegasus rejoined her friends and escorted them back over the newly restored bridge. The investment she'd made to the group felt like it was bringing them all closer together, with no sign of resentment from what appeared to be a sacrifice on her part. The Shadowbolts dissolved into smoke and their essence rejoined Luna. The princess of the night forged onwards to the castle, her preparations complete.