filly and colt mane six meet according to a little outside help
Luna's plan to thank the Elements of Harmony involves playing match maker. Who better for the six but colt versions of themselves. Her plan sends them to a parrel dimension to do just that. hopefully her oversight doesn't destroy her own dimension
played out in 3rd pony(person) mostly with the main six follows Luna as her plan is in the basics (other words the beginning and a little at the end)
What should have been an average day for Ponyville was disturbed by an unusual storm head forming over town square. “It’s such a shame that such a beautiful day has to be ruined by a storm.” Rarity commented to herself as the clouds shadows swarmed her on her way home from the spa.
“Rarity!” Twilight called “What are doing?! Get in here!” Beckoning her friend over with a hoof Twilight held the door to her library home open. Thunder crashed overhead and rain started to fall. Rarity didn’t need another reason nor did she want one and quickly took her friends offer.
“Thanks Twilight.” Rarity said, her hooves clacking on the wood floor as she trotted over to the fire.
“Hey there Rarity.” Spike said surprised to see her. Rarity turned to greet him only to see a pile of wood for the fire.
“Hello Spike. Dreadful weather we’re having don’t you agree?” Rarity greeted thankful for the additional fuel. Strangely enough she had spent almost no time in the storm yet it chilled her to the bone. Before Spike could answer Twilight interrupted form behind the multitude of books she was reading.
“Oh there you are Spike any luck with my letter to Princess Celestia.”
“No nothing.”
“Ugh. Spike go fetch us some tea, chamomile would be perfect.” Twilight groaned returning to her studies. Rarity practically read the emotions in her friend’s voice annoyance and . . . . was that worry? The last time she heard that in Twilight’s voice was when her friend had been frantic about her letter to Princess Celestia being late. Rarity shuddered that was something she didn’t want a repeat performance of.
“Um Twilight dear is there something wrong?” Rarity asked glancing at some of the titles her friend was reading. A Pegasus’s Guide to Weather Control, Weather patterns and their effects on magic, Natural spells: wind and rain volume IV, Natural disasters and You: A Unicorns guide to survival. Rarity was pretty sure that last one was just a bunch of hog wash thrown together by some lunatic who just wanted to make some quick money, but if Twilight had that book in her library then there must be something in it worthwhile.
“Yes there is Rarity, haven’t you noticed the storm out there?” Twilight had obviously forgotten that was the very reason they were having this discussion in the first place. “Well the pegusi didn’t schedule a storm for today and there just as confused as I am on where it came from. Even worse is that the storm seems to be interfering with my letters to the princess.” Spike came in at that time carrying the tea. “Thanks Spike.” Twilight said levitating a cup over to her. Rarity took a cup as well cupping it in her hooves as the steam drifted into her muzzle. Grateful for the warmth that seeped into her forelegs she wasn’t aware that Twilight was talking to her again. “Rarity are you alright your shivering.” Until that moment she hadn’t been aware that she was.
“I’m fine Twilight just a little cold that’s all.” Rarity shook off her friend’s worried hoof. Twilight draped a spare blanket over her as Rarity took a sip of tea. “Ooh, Spike this is simply heavenly.” Rarity cooed as the warmth spread through her body causing her to shiver even more. Spike blushed and kicked his foot in embarrassment.
“Th-thanks Rarity.” Spike stuttered still staring at the floor.
“Focus Casanova I need you to try again the princess would like to know of the storms unusual characteristics.” Twilight scolded, levitating a scroll over to Spike. Lightning flashed as green flames enveloped the scroll, only to form once again not two feet away. “Ugh. Not again what’s going on I just don’t know.” Twilight collapsed on the floor holding her head like she would when she had one major headache.
“Um Twilight I don’t think this is the letter I just tried to send.” Spike mumbled reading over the scroll.
“What do you mean Spike I just saw you send it what else could it be?!!” Twilight screamed as she ripped the scroll out of his claws.
Dear Prince Solaris
I write to you concerning a thunderstorm that has formed over our town of Ponyville. As you already know my friend Rainbow Blitz is one of our town’s weather pegusi and has assured me in his own way that they are not responsible for this storm. One has been scheduled for tomorrow. I am inclined to believe him as Barbara has had trouble sending any previous letters. It can be safely assumed that said storm is causing this interference. Perhaps there is something about this unusual phenomenon in the Canterlot archives.
Awaiting Your Quick Response Your Faithful Student Dusk Shine
P.S. If you are reading this then the storm has probably passed there for there shouldn’t be any more interference. P.S.S. Say Hi to Prince Artemis for me will you I haven’t heard from him since last Nightmare Night.
Twilight stood there staring in shock. This couldn’t be right it was her letter but wasn’t at the same time. Everything was the same except for the names and obviously the gender. ‘Who is this Prince Solaris was he Princess Celestia’s brother? Did she even have a brother? Rainbow Blitz may be a cousin of Rainbow’s but why haven’t I seen him before if he supposedly lives in here in Ponyville? Not to mention I have no idea who Dusk Shine or Barbara is I really should have heard of another pony living with, a baby dragon would be my guess, by now.’ With all the questions running through her head Rarity’s words didn’t reach her.
“Twilight dear you shouldn’t stand there with your mouth open it is most unlady like.” Rarity commented closing Twilight’s mouth with her magic.
“Thanks Rarity I just don’t understand this isn’t my letter but what else could it be?” Twilight massaged her head as her mind spun trying with all its might to comprehend what was happening. Something was wrong with this scroll there was a faint magical trace to it. Twilights jaw dropped again this time it nearly hit the floor. Now that she focused on it she was confused as to why she didn’t sense it before it was her magic mixed in with a different for lack of a better term wave length one that she had not sensed ever. She didn’t need Rarity to close it for her this time words were forming before Rarity even noticed. “Spike get me Magical Properties: Thermodynamics and Unicorns wave lengths. Volume III!” Twilight raced over to her desk using her magic to brush everything off except some scrolls ink and a quill.
“Uh which one did you want again?” Spike called from upstairs having figured it was in Twilights personal collection.
“That really big book that rants on and on about the differences found in magic.” Twilight grunted pulling out some scrolls containing notes she already took.
“I can see that you’re going to be very busy and I hate to impose.” Rarity said as she got to her hooves.
“What? Have you forgotten about the storm I can’t let you go out there! No you’re staying here until it passes.” Twilight nearly screamed stomping her hoof at the end to make her point. The glare Twilight gave her nearly swayed Rarity into doing just that, the thunder that just boomed clinched it.
“I guess I could stay.” Rarity mumbled as Spike came down carrying a large tome that was obviously too big for him to carry at that time.
“Here Twilight.” Spike collapsed as Twilight took the book in her telekinesis. Rarity couldn’t help but wonder how heavy that book was, it was larger than Spike, in both width and length. Her answer came when Twilight let the book fall with a thud. ‘Well that answers that question.’ Rarity thought as she felt the shockwave travel through her bones. Once again her friend power astounded her. Twilight didn’t even seem to be concentrating on anything much less the book.
“Thanks Spike.” Twilight said flipping through the book for what she was looking for. “Ah here it is.” Any more conversation with the lavender unicorn was impossible as she started taking notes and cross referencing the ones she already had. More thunder flashed not even fazing Twilight during her studies. Spike jumped at the sudden boom vanishing before the light faded. Rarity started to get concerned about her little dragon friend until she felt him shaking from underneath the blanket she was using. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Is my little Spikey – Whikey afraid of a little lightning?” Rarity teased. It wasn’t very lady like but she just couldn’t help herself.
“No, of course not.” Spike said trying to act brave. That act was soon shattered as more thunder boomed. “Well this isn’t exactly normal though.” Spike was cowering behind Rarity as he corrected himself.
“Your right about that it sends shivers down my spine. I don’t like rain to begin with it ruins my perfectly styled mane, but this, this just steals the warmth from your very soul.” Rarity shivered as if her body was expressing agreement with her words. “I hope Twilight doesn’t strain herself too hard.”
“Eh there’s no stopping her now if it wasn’t for Princess Celestia’s intervention she wouldn’t have put down the books before she came to Ponyville.” Spike remarked. A casual shrug made his point.
“Gah this isn’t fair there’s nothing in anything any of these books’ concerning the possibility of dual signatures in magical auras. I can’t figure this out it shouldn’t be possible. Even Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie sense made more sense than this.” Twilight screamed throwing her notes everywhere.
“Do you think this was a good idea Luna” Asked a midnight blue alicorn. Luna at first was quite disturbed about seeing what appeared to be a stallion version of her-self and it was no easier on him. Over hearing somepony talking to her sister in a bathroom was weird enough but to hear a stallion call her sweet thing was just strait out disturbing. That ignited her curiosity what finalized it was hearing Celestia respond by calling him hot stuff. When her sister left Luna entered seeing nothing but a mirror confused her. No way out so the stallion couldn’t have left without being seen. She could sense the magical signature of her sister on the mirror. A simple feat of retracing the spell last used and Luna soon found her-self staring into the eyes of a stallion that looked disturbingly like her. His coat was the same as hers he was a little taller but the legs were still long thin and spindle like obviously not that much older than her if even at all. What bothered her the most, was the cutie mark. They shared the exact same cutie mark a crescent moon on a splotch that looked like black ink on the flank. Luna shook her head that was a memory for another time.
“I can’t think of a better way to thank them Artemis.” Luna responded.
“Maybe but what if big brother finds out about this he won’t be happy.” Artemis spoke just barely above a whisper.
“I know what you mean big sister wouldn’t be happy either.” Luna returned equally soft.
“There is no going back, the best way to thank the bearers of the Elements of Harmony is to introduce them to their perfect match.” Artemis finalized.
“I hope this doesn’t go wrong like with what happened with the nightmare.” Luna shivered as she spoke the last word. Artemis shared her concern about that event.
“And I as well all we wanted to do was show them the beauty of our night and we tried to bring night time eternal.”
“The Bearers stopped us and set us free we must show them our appreciation.” Hoof steps brought the two back to the present. “Until next time Artemis.” Luna ended the spell as she ripped her necklace off releasing the spell used to give her mane the royal appearance. She grabbed a brush with her magic.
“Lulu what are you doing in here.” Celestia was shocked to see her little sister.
“Celly can’t I brush my mane without you interrupting just once.” Luna complained
“Sorry Lulu I didn’t expect to find you here.” Celestia said through a fit of giggles.
“That was the whole point Celly.” Luna started pouting as Celestia stole the brush from her. Luna stopped pouting and a smile found its way onto her muzzle as Celestia wrapped her wings around Luna’s body and started to brush the younger’s mane without magic. A small feat that hasn’t happened since Luna was a foal, before the founding of Equestria when neither was a princess.
“You know Lulu there’s nothing you can’t tell me.” Celestia whispered setting down the brush.
“I know Celly I know.” Luna cuddled close to her sister in an embrace that they haven’t shared in over four thousand years.
“Yet you found it worthwhile to hide the storm you created over Ponyville and the reason why.”
“You know about that huh.” Luna’s blush could almost be seen through her coat. Though it was obvious to Celestia, who had known her for millennia, that Luna was embarrassed.
“Next time try that during the night not during the day when everypony can see it.” Celestia could barely restrain her laughter.
“That would beat the entire purpose.” Luna mumbled “If nopony saw it.”
“Enlighten me.”
“When the storm does its job.” Luna couldn’t help but wonder if Artemis was having a similar conversation at the same time.
“I’ll hold you to that Lulu.” Celestia cooed.
Authors note:
Any comments critiques and anything else would be wonderful this is after all my first attempt so yeah I know that it’s basically for lack of a better word crap. Anyway thanks for actually giving the story some of your time.
“Thank you Twilight but I must be going Opal can be quiet troublesome when left alone too long.” Rarity called as she walked out of the library. The storm had dissipated and she didn’t think it too ladylike to impose upon her friend any more.
“No problem at all. We really should get together more often don’t you think?” Twilight responded with a wave good bye. She had already sent a letter containing more relevant information to Princess Celestia via Spike.
“Yes, well you probably want to do some more research on that letter you got from; Dusk Shine was it, sounds like he’s an intelligent colt.” All ready Rarity was a bit hesitant about actually doing just that.
“Yes your right.” With that Twilight vanished. Rarity could barely hear what was happening but she could hear Spike grumble something about having more of a mess to clean up once she was over before he slammed the door to the library closed.
Twilight at first thought that maybe it was just a mishap that somehow the storm had changed the letters at random but the magical signature disturbed her. Taking that into account she finally determined that somehow the letter had come from an alternate storm where though, was the question. ‘Ok at first it seemed that it was my magic but from closer inspection there was just a slight difference. Obviously from a colt but that’s it.’ After not two seconds of thought Twilight’s voice could be heard throughout Ponyville if not the entire land of Equestria. “Spike get me my notes from earlier I think I know what happened.” From the view of somepony else the strangest thing about that day wasn’t the storm it was the fact that the library was closed. For the Cutie Mark Crusaders this meant a delay in their most recent crusade.
“Well Ah reckon that we aren’t gonna get our treasure hunter cutie-marks without any maps.” Applebloom said
“A waste of time, but what I don’t understand is why the library is closed Twilight never closes it.” Sweetybell chipped in.
“I for one think that now would be a good time to try for map making cutie marks.” Scootaloo said with an intensity that would do the royal guard proud.
“Ah reckon so well let’s get goin’ afore we burn more daylight.” Applebloom responded. The familiar sound of Scootaloo’s wings buzzing filled the area disturbing everypony but Twilight. What did disturb her was what came next.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER'S MAP MAKERS IS A GO." The three fillies cried in unison. That brought Twilight out of her daze only to get another idea into her head. Before the CMC could go any farther than two feet Twilight burst through the library door and wrapped the three fillies in her magic.
“Girls I need your help.” Twilight didn’t give them the chance to respond floating them in before slamming the door closed.
“What is it this time Twilight?” Sweetiebell asked
“Actually I’m trying to figure out how the storm earlier was able to interfere with Spike’s ability to send my letters to Princess Celestia.”
“Ok and how are we supposed to help out with that?”
“I need Sweetybell’s magical signature.” Twilight levitated her notes and a scroll over while she spoke. Oblivious to the looks the three fillies exchanged Twilight continued to explain. “I was able to recreate the storm, on a miniature scale of course.”
“But it just ended. How did you find the time?” Scootaloo blurted unable to hold back.
“What better time to study magic then when it’s being used.” Twilight exclaimed happily clapping her fore hooves together.
“Umm Twilight I don’t know how to use magic.” Sweetiebell mumbled
“Don’t worry about it too much just focus on what you want done and the power held within your sub-conscious.” Twilight explained paying more attention to a book then the three fillies.
“Oh um what should I try to do.” Sweetiebell more whispered than said. Unlike her friends who were ecstatic about the prospect of Sweetybell using magic, she was nervous bordering strait fear.
“Just lift a scroll nothing too strenuous.” Twilight still wasn’t looking at the three fillies. Sweetybell didn’t really know how to start. Focus on lifting the scroll or the ‘power’ Twilight had mentioned. Concentrating on the scroll she willed it to levitate but nothing happened. ‘Big surprise.’ Sweetiebell thought ‘Ok let’s try to locate this power or whatever it is.’ Closing her eyes she tried to find something in her mind that she didn’t know was entirely there. All this succeeded in was giving her a headache. Sweetiebell hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she let it out in a disgruntled sigh. Her head still throbbing Sweetybell just about gave up when something came to her. Not a thought but more of a feeling one she got when either incredibly tiered or when she just woke up she never really paid much attention to it before. Twilight instantly recognized the look on Sweetiebell’s face.
“Now what worked for me was sort of like ‘poking’ at it. Incredibly hard to explain it just comes to show how little unicorns themselves are studied.” Twilight guided. Sweetiebell pondered how to do just that. She couldn’t physically poke it whatever it was. So all she could do was imagine poking it with her mind. In a rush energy poured into Sweetiebell. The feeling was amazing she couldn’t get enough and started to pull together as much energy as she could. Too much too quickly now she understood what caused fatigue it strained her mind and more importantly it hurt. That was why unicorns seemed sore after using so much magic. Sweetiebell let go of some of her magic lowering the level to relative comfort. She figured if she needed more she could always draw on more. Still holding onto the feeling she concentrated on lifting the scroll nearest to her.
“WOW SWEETYBELL YOU’RE DOING IT YOUR USING MAGIC!!” Scootaloo’s cry nearly broke Sweetiebell’s concentration. Opening her eyes Sweetiebell observed a scroll shroud in what looked like a light teal aura it was hard for her to tell it looked more white that teal but it wasn’t white not like her sister’s coat anyways. A small grin became a full toothy smile in less than a heartbeat. Applebloom was dumbfounded, Scootaloo seemed to be formulating even more harebrained schemes, and Twilight, well Twilight also had her horn aglow but with her eyes narrowed and staring at Sweetiebell, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had made the lavender unicorn angry somehow. Her smile faltered and her magic dissipated. The scroll lay forgotten on the floor until Spike picked it up grumbling all the while about them distracting him from his slumber.
Twilight’s unwavering gaze seemed to pierce Sweetiebell directly to her soul. Applebloom and Scootaloo also stared at Sweetiebell though their eyes were questioning and not drilling into her mind. Sweetybell wanted to look anywhere but into Twilight’s eyes. ‘This must be what it’s like to have the FlutterShy use her Stare on you.’ The thought was brushed aside as quickly as it came which wasn’t very fast. ‘Or at least a less intense Stare.’ Sweetiebell could barely make out her friends concerned looks in her peripheral vision. Their question ‘What’s got you so scared?’ was answered when they looked to Twilight hoping she could explain. Shivers went down their spines not even the cockatrice was as bad as this.
“Sweetiebell DON’T use magic unless Rarity or I am around EVER. UNDERSTAND!?” Twilights command was riddled with anger the kind that Rarity always had when she found out that Sweetiebell was doing something potentially dangerous, and if she wasn’t mistaken a hint of concern of what though Sweetiebell had no idea. Twilight levitated over a blank scroll and wrote something down before tying it off and throwing it into Spike. “Spike run over to Carousal Boutique and give this to Rarity and come straight back.” Spike may have been confused but saluted and ran out the door needing no more encouragement any reason to see his beloved Rarity was good enough for him. Sweetiebell was still nodding her head vigorously when Twilight turned back to her.
“What the hay was tha’ about Twilight?” Applebloom asked as Sweetybell was still too frightened to speak.
“Yeah I want to know as well.” Scootaloo pitched in.
“Some other time, for now what did you come to the library for in the first place?” Twilight asked
“Maps.”
Twilight floated over some rolled up parchments and three compasses. “Some maps of Ponyville and the surrounding areas excluding the Everfree Forrest.” Twilight said handing them over to Scootaloo. “The point of a compass always points north, keep that in mind so you don’t get lost.” She gave each of the three fillies a compass and shooed them out the door as Spike got back.
“What did you write Twilight? Rarity read and reread your letter about ten times before she fainted.”
“Spike don’t tell anypony what I’m about to tell you.” Twilight nearly begged her eyes had an urgency in them that unnerved Spike.
“I won’t I promise.” Spike quickly said hoping to calm Twilight down.
“Pinkie Promise Spike.”
“Fine. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Spike used the motions along with the words. He found it completely ridiculous but Twilight was like a big sister to him and it was incredibly unnerving when she was so antsy. Anything to calm her down and he would do it well almost anything.
“Thanks Spike. Sweetiebell’s magic is different than anypony else’s….” Twilight began.
“Isn’t that true for all unicorns Twilight.” Spike questioned failing to understand
“Well yes but hers is even more unique Sweetiebell has a very rare condition.” Twilight was visibly frustrated with having to explain what was happening.
“Just how rare is this condition?”
“Only the Royal Library in Canterlot has any record of previous cases and there’s only been two other cases.”
“So Sweetiebell has some sort of magical condition I don’t see why it’s so important.”
“Spiiiike you don’t understand the condition killed the other two unicorns.” Twilight whined as she said this.
“Wh-what? Why? How?” Spike could barely find any words.
“Their magic was like a parasite it fed of their life force. The more they used their magic the more of their life force dwindled away until….” Twilight couldn’t finish between sniffles and flat out sobs. Breaking down when Spike finished.
“It killed them.” It dawned on Spike that it would be devastating to every pony in Ponyville especially on Rarity. Once the wheels in his head overloaded something clicked something he didn’t want to believe. “You know so much because your also affected aren’t you?” Spikes voice was barely a whisper a nod from Twilight and everything went black. Spike woke up to find himself back in his bed. “It must have been a dream” he mumbled to himself. When he heard the sniffling from downstairs reality hit him hard. “Why Twilight Why?” Spike worked his way down the stairs slowly at first; quickening his pace to do something he never thought he would do. Study.
Twilight was sitting down before her blackboard what was on there made sense only to her. Magic’s Myths floating in front of her the only book she had left in her library, that she had yet to check for an explanation. She had found something that might explain the conundrum true but with no real proof that the myth was actually fact she had a hard time believing it. Unfortunately by believing the myth to be true everything made sense well almost everything the one question that still went unanswered resounded in her head. Well two questions more specifically. Who? And why? So absorbed in her research that she didn’t notice Spike until he spoke up.
"Twilight were is our copy of Magical Ailments and remidies?" Spike was searching the stack of books she had laid out with a fury when Twilight turned to look at him.
“Nurse Redheart checked it out a few days ago.” Twilight had known him all his life and could tell why he was interested in finding the book. “Spike if you’re looking to for a cure then don’t bother there isn’t one.”
“I won’t believe that until I’ve tried everything I can.” Spike held steadfast in that belief, for Twilight’s sake if not for Sweetybell’s.
“Spike the amount of magic I have means that unless I try to wield the Elements of Harmony by myself or something that would tear another unicorn’s horn off I won’t be using any of my life force it feeds off of itself in order to activate.” Twilight sighed “Sweetiebell though is another story she may have the least amount of magical reserves out of all cases.” Spike still didn’t quite understand but knew one thing clearly.
“She is more likely to die when using her magic than any of the others.” Spikes frustration was getting out of hand. He had to do something no pony deserved that fate. Rarity certainly wouldn’t be too happy with either of them if she thought they didn’t try. “Princess Celestia should know about this.”
“The letters sitting over on my desk Spike.”
“Thanks Twilight.”
“Spike now that we’re finished discussing that topic let’s focus on a less depressing thought.” Twilight said once Spike had sent the message. She floated over another scroll. “I need you to send this once I create or at least attempt to create a storm like the one earlier.” Spike took the scroll in his claws. It wouldn’t be the first time she had him do something that didn’t make any sense in one of her experiments. Once the spell was cast the storm could sustain itself for a while. The scroll went off with a puff of smoke. Nothing happened, Twilight was starting to get worried when a scroll materialized right in front of Spike. Snatching it in her magic Twilight quickly devoured what it said.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
I am indeed curious how this works as well. I was just about to attempt to send you a letter saying the same thing. In answer to your question I live in Ponyville Equestria in the local library 313 West Wood Rd. I would be exited to meet you as you sound like an interesting mare as well. It sounds like you are comfortable with dragons so I’m just going to let Barbara answer the door.
Sincerely Dusk Shine
Twilights head was in shambles. That was her address how could he live in her home. Now she was honestly inclined to believe the myth. “Spike take a note and send it as soon as it’s done.” Pike nodded pulling out a scroll and quill. “Dear Dusk Shine until further research is done and evidence is found to contradict my hypothesis I am inclined to believe that we are having a cross dimensional conversation. As hard as it is to believe I do not believe that we exist in the same dimension. What makes me believe that is that first off we have nearly exactly matching magical signatures gender being the only difference found so far and two 313 West Wood Rd. Ponyville Equestria is my address. So until a spell that can transport ponies to different dimensions is created or discovered we cannot meet. Sincerely Twilight Sparkle.” Spike sent the letter off the moment he was done. It didn’t take as long for the reply to come.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
We seem to share a hypothesis as I do believe the same thing. Perhaps if my theory that we are indeed the same pony only existing in gender swapped dimensions is correct then two Elements of magic could figure a way to travel across dimensions. It would be beneficial to keep in touch.
Sincerely Dusk shine
Twilight was just about to say something when another scroll materialized. She couldn’t figure why he would send another besides forgetting something important so Twilight read the letter in the span of a heart beat.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
I do hope that you can come to visit. You and Dusk would be a match made by Prince Solaris himself.
See You Soon Elusive.
“I must say I do agree with this Elusive character though I don’t know who this Prince Solaris is, Elusive must be referring to Princess Celestia or at least if the other letter is to be believed then her equivalent.” Rarity said looking over Twilights shoulder.
“GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Twilight screamed in surprise jumping clear to the roof. “Rarity don’t do that you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry Twilight dear but I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I read your letter.”
“Hold that thought Rarity.” Twilight cut in as yet another scroll materialized. This time only five words were written Mirror 37.4 Kilohertz Viewing Spell Now. Twilight rushed to her bedroom mirror and did just that. What she got as a result was an image of who she presumed to be Dusk Shine. He looked exactly like her except the obvious difference between mare and colt. He was taller and more muscular the muzzle was shaped different and his hair was cropped short with spiked bangs. At that moment Twilight got an idea and raced off leaving a confused Dusk Shine wondering what he saw before it ran off without waiting for the image to clear.
“Well Lulu care to explain?” Celestia asked her younger sister. They both had read Twilights letter concerning the storm.
“Not really, not yet at least a little more time.” Was Luna’s reply. The sun was lowered to make way for the moon. It’s gentle illumination guiding a white unicorn back home.
The sun rose as it always did the storm of three days past forgotten by all except a lavender unicorn. Twilight Sparkle Ponyville’s residential librarian hadn’t been seen since the storm. She had to no surprise of anyone locked herself away studying, what though nopony could really guess. Spike was concerned for his older sister, skipping meals to read, ignoring everypony who came by in preference of a book, and staying up until exhaustion finally dropped her in whatever book she had her muzzle buried in at the time. It was Canterlot all over again. “Twilight you really need to stop studying and get out. Everypony’s worried about you, I’m worried about you.”
“Not yet Spike not just yet.” Twilight explained “I appreciate the concern but I am just so close it shouldn’t take too much longer. Now where did I put ….. ah there it is.” Twilight didn’t even notice the bubbling pick head shoot out of the bookshelf where the book had just been.
“Ooh she is good.” Pinkie Pie crooned popping out of her hiding place. Spike merely grumbled. Twilight’s cry could be heard half way to Canterlot causing both Pinkie Pie and Spike to take cover.
“What was that?” Spike asked from under Twilights desk.
“I think it was Twilight.” Pinkie Pie said once again poking her head out of a bookshelf. As if Celestia herself had designed it Twilight came running down the stairs.
“Spike, oh where did you get to now? Spike there you are. Spike I need you to gather everypony and …. Pinkie Pie when did you get here?” Twilight looked even more confused than she sounded, scanning her memory to answer her own question, snapped back to whatever her train of thought was earlier. “Oh well it doesn’t matter. Meet me at the hill where we watched the meteor shower. I’ve got a couple of things to get before then.” Her saddlebags already on and out the door before Spike could respond.
“Ooh ooh ooh. Is she having a party? I gotta invite everypony in Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie had pulled her party cannon out of somewhere in her mish mash of words. Spike instantly brought her back to reality or as close to reality as Pinkie could get.
“Pinkie Pie she meant you, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity.” Spike corrected her before she burst through the door and him.
“Aaawwwww so it’s not a party?” Pinkie Pie seemed to deflate at the thought. Spike had two thoughts going through his head. What was Twilight planning and weirdly enough where did the party cannon go?
“I don’t know we’ll just have to wait and find out.” Spike shrugged to emphasize his point.
It didn’t take long to find the four ponies. Rarity and Fluttershy were at the spa. Applejack was at Sweet Apple Acres. And to find Rainbow Dash all they had to do was follow the sound of an occasional boom and more often than not a crash. “Sorry Aj I’m trying to perfect a new move. It hasn’t been going to well.” Rainbow Dash had a hard time speaking through a couple of giggle fits. Helping the cowpony up and replacing her Stetson back to its rightful place on her head Rainbow Dash regained her composure. “So you here to cheer me on or what?”
“Twilight’s got a surprise for us.” Pinkie Pie was bouncing around “I can’t wait to find out. It’s so exciting.” Her continuous stream of chatter was ignored.
“That would explain why she asked for a feather.” Rainbow Dash said pondering what her egghead friend could possible do with it. A few seconds later and she decided that maybe it wasn’t the best thing to think about.
“Wait, hold up a minute RD. Twi’ asked for wha’ now?” Applejack didn’t seem to understand or maybe she did just didn’t seem to think it appropriate.
“One of my feathers, didn’t she ask you for something.” Rainbow Dash seemed a little taken aback at her friend’s question.
“She did ask me specifically for a canary diamond. I almost fainted upon hearing her request. Do you have any idea how rare they are? This is my last one.” Rarity showed them a gem barely half the size of Applebloom’s eyes. True to its name the soft yellow shade made it look like a translucent canary, if a canary was round and had some edges meant more for jewelry than flight.
“She didn’ ask me for nuthin’.” Applejack stated. “Ah havn’ seen her for ah few days now.”
“No surprise. She hasn’t left her room in a few days.” Spike grumbled. “Let’s just get going so she can get her nose out of the books sooner.”
“Right.” Everypony else agreed. The walk there was filled with talk of possibilities to what Twilight could possibly have in store for them. Rarity had an idea but didn’t voice it to avoid having to explain. To nopony’s surprise Twilight was waiting for them when they got there. What did surprise them was the web of runes drawn in the ground.
“What in tarnation is all this fancy whatchamacalzit’s for?” Applejack demanded. Twilight instead of answering facehoofed.
“I forgot to inform Spike to tell you that we would be leaving for a few days two maybe but no more than three.” Twilight seemed angry at herself. “I understand if you want to pack a few things.” Her eyes turned to Rarity who was just turning around. “Pack light I’m limiting it to one set of saddlebags for each of us. Oh and Pinkie Pie I need some nectar of the moonlily do you have any?” The pink party pony stopped bouncing as everypony else left to pack.
“Yeah. How much do you need it isn’t exactly something we let go of too often.” Confusion was written all over her pink face. None of the cakes, and she did think of herself as part of the family, ever mention using moonlily nectar or even knowing how to harvest it before. Twilight seemed oblivious to the accusing stares of her friend and handed Pinkie Pie a small vial.
“Just fill this and it will be enough.” Spike hadn’t moved seeing that Twilight had apparently already gone back and packed. “Spike you can’t come with I need you to watch over the library while I’m gone.” Twilight knew him long enough to know that he had been about to ask once Pinkie Pie left. “Think of something special for when I get back.” Spike grumbled to himself and stomped off leaving Twilight by herself. Her friends came back one by one the last being Rarity. Her curiosity got the better of her when she saw Fluttershy carrying a vase made of stone. Not that that was strange in itself after all Fluttershy was practically trying to force them on other ponies and wasn’t doing too good of a job at that. What Twilight wanted one for Rarity had no idea but she doubted it was for something other than the suprise she had in store for them.
“Twilight dear, this wouldn’t happen to do with seeing Dusk Shine would it?” Rarity did her best to keep her excitement out of her voice succeeding with only Twilight. The rest of their friends were developing a headache trying to understand what those two were talking about.
“SURPRISE!! Isn’t it just exciting? I can’t wait.” Twilight was acting like Pinkie Pie normally did, bouncing up and down at an alarming rate.
“I certainly am intrigued but really darling cross dimensional transportation of not one but six ponies doesn’t that seem like a bit too much for you.” Rarity seemed a bit distressed. Dumbfounded expressions could be found on the faces of the other four friends even Pinkie Pie seemed to lose some of her endless energy. Fluttershy nearly dropped the vase.
“Oh don’t worry about that the long range teleportation spell used for the base can transport up to seven ponies at once using no more energy than a short ranged personal teleport.”
“Now ah may not understand all that fancy magic business but it sounds to me like tha’ there spell isn’ supposed ta be used for whatever magicy thing Rarity said earlier.” Applejack spoke up rubbing her temple trying to alleviate some of her developing migraine.
“Don’t worry about that I have it all figured out all I have to do is modify the frequency and tweak an energy line causing our atoms to break apart travel along the flow and reform at our destination. Presto instant cross dimensional transportation simple really.” Applejack’s migraine multiplied tenfold at Twilights explanation as did everypony else’s.
“Ah’ll just take your word on it.”
“Right now did everypony bring what I asked?” Fluttershy nodded and set down the vase. Rarity levitated her gem out. Pinkie Pie had the vial filled with a liquid that looked like the moon’s reflection in a still lake in her mouth. Rainbow Dash shifted embarrassed but never the less extended a wing reached back and plucked one of her own feathers. Twilight gripped them all in her magic bringing the vase to the center of the runes. “Thank you. Now the spell does require a ritual so if all of you would stand in a circle around the center we can begin.” Nopony argued and in no time at all they were all standing in a circle.
“A feather of the sky
The gem of the sun’s light
Brought together in a jar of earth
With the essence of the night.”
Twilight added each item as her chant referred to each one. Upon adding the moonlily’s nectar the vase started to give off a light that flowed along the runes looking more like water than light. As the reaction continued the light got brighter. All the runes soon glowed with the light. The crackling air made it hard to hear each other. Rainbow Dash had to scream in order to hear her own voice.
“What’s going on Twilight? I thought it was safe. It feels like I’m being torn apart.”
“That’s supposed to happen it will end soon trust me.” Twilight’s cry could barely be heard. Twilight could barely see the lines that shown in front of her eyes. They were of many different colors and sizes. A tweak of frequency and the lines faded and new threads, she couldn’t think of anything else to call them now, seemed to sprout and fly off one glowed stronger than the rest figuring that was the one she wanted reached out and tweaked it with her magic. At that moment the light emanating from the vase and runes shifted from white to the dull red of the tread. Frightening everypony except Twilight, who couldn’t see the change. Light erupted from the center widening to the edge of the runes before collapsing on itself leaving only a scalded vase, some boiling nectar, a smoldering feather and a cracked diamond.
The pillar of light could be seen from Luna’s room all the way in Canterlot. It seemed to stretch up into the heavens before shrinking. Luna knew that her elder sister would have seen the spectacle as well. Assuming that it would be a few seconds before Celestia barged in as she always did, got out of bed and opened her door only to see Celestia standing there with a hoof raised. “Celly since when do you knock?” Luna asked
“Well I figured your old enough to want some privacy.” Celestia giggled using her already raised hoof to cover her muzzle.
“You should have thought about that about fifteen hundred years ago.” Luna seemed more annoyed than she really was. Striking out towards her sister’s private bathroom Celestia addressed the reason why she had even bothered her sister at this time.
“I assume that today’s spectacle was what you were waiting for?”
“Yes Celly it was.” Luna never stopped until they reached their destination. “I wasn’t working alone on this.” Celestia grinned like a little school filly about to learn a bit of juicy gossip.
“When do I get to meet your partner in crime Lulu?” Celestia never seemed more excited about something in such a long time. Luna’s horn lit and the mirror rippled revealing two other alicorns. The two younger ones responded at the same time.
“Right now.” Instead of some scolding confusion or some other expected reaction. The two midnight blue alicorns were shocked from Celestia’s uncontrollable giggles and Solaris’ booming laughter.
“I told you did I not Celestia that these two would formulate something when they first see each other.” Solaris had recovered first.
“So you did but I don’t think either of us could have predicted it involved our students and their friends. Care to explain you two.” The last part wasn’t a suggestion.
“Um well you see um…” Artemis started. Luna interrupted him.
“First off did they arrive?” Artemis nodded.
“Just arrived.”
“Good. We wanted to thank the Elements of Harmony for releasing us from our nightmare.” Luna began
“And the best way we could think of was to introduce them to their perfect match so to speak, who better than each other.” Artemis concluded. Something clicked in Luna’s head.
“I hope this wasn’t the biggest mistake I have ever made.” The tremor in Luna’s voice and body disturbed every alicorn present.
Author’s note
I would be surprised if anyone made it this far so I feel like it should be said that I wanted to start the next chapter with the mane 6 arriving at their destination and their reaction so yeah cliff hanger on purpose the whole point was to get readers to continue and look forward to the next chapter. I hope this doesn’t fall flat on its face. I’ll try to have a new chapter every week don’t hold me to that though.
A pillar of light rained down from a cloudless sky with a deafening boom before dissolving into nothing. Six mares lay unconscious where the pillar struck. One of the six, a cyan pegasus stirred. Her rosy eyes fluttered before finally opening. With a groan she stood up eying her surroundings. The pegasus’ friends were still out. “Well that could have gone smoother. It feels like somepony did a sonic rainboom right next to my head.” Shaking her head the pegasus staggered over to a lavender unicorn. “Twilight wake up.” Her only reaction was some mumbling from her friend.
“The energy needed for transportation is equal to the cubed root of the total mass divided by the distance to destination multiplied by the square of objects being transported.” The lavender unicorn rolled over becoming silent. All that her friend said went straight over the pegasus’ head. That egg headed rambling was what she needed now so she continued to pester the sleeping unicorn.
“Come on Twilight now isn’t the time for you to be sleeping.” Prodding Twilights back didn’t do anything but grant another mumble.
“Five more minutes princess. I don’t want any pickles.” An idea clicked into the cyan head.
“Princess Celestia. What a pleasant surprise to see you here.” Purple eyes snapped open. Their owner jumped to her hooves in the blink of an eye.
“Princess Celestia! Oh I’m a complete mess. I’m sorry for my sloppy appearance.” Twilight bowed low. The snickering pegasus brought her back to reality. “Rainbow Dash that wasn’t funny you almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Well it worked didn’t it your back to the world of the living.” Rainbow Dash was barely able to say anything through fits of laughter. “You’re going to have to explain the whole pickle thing some time.”
“I was talking in my sleep wasn’t I?” Twilight was rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. Rainbow Dash simply nodded in the lapse of laughter. Twilight’s blush pushed the rainbow mane pegasus flat on her back with a new laughing fit. The commotion seemed to have woken Pinkie Pie as the pink pony was laughing next to her cyan friend.
“What are we laughing at?” Pinkie Pie was back on her hooves just in time to be knocked flat onto Rainbow Dash. The shockwave brought everypony back to consciousness instantly. “Wow Dashie how’d you do it huh?” The pink party pony was bouncing around her friend
“Do what Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash was even more confused now than when Twilight spouted out the magical mumbo jumbo earlier.
“The sonic rainboom, duh.” Pinkie said pointing off towards a prismatic streak coming at them.
“Uh Pinkie Pie if I’m right here how could I have done that over there?”
“Um excuse me.”
“Does this mean that theirs two of you?” Pinkie Pie stopped for nearly a second. “This calls for a party! A Rainbow Dash Has a Twin Party!”
“Um Twilight.”
“Pinkie Pie Rainbow Dash doesn’t have a twin. It’s probably Rainbow Blitz.” Twilight corrected.
“Twilight!” The butter yellow pegasus shrunk back behind her mane when the other five turned to look at her. “Um maybe we should leave. I mean if that’s ok with you.”
“Fluttershy darling whatever for? Aren’t you curious to see this Rainbow Blitz? I know I am.” Rarity cooed trying to lull her friend out of her shell.
“Um no never mind.” Fluttershy’s voice was nearly a whisper
“Tell me.” The tone and look that Rarity used was almost identical to the ones she used when making the gala dresses last year. Fluttershy gave up before it could progress any farther.
“Fine. Um a direct confrontation of our dimensional counterparts may upset the balance in the space time continuum resulting in a fissure along the universal threads.” A blush formed on her cheeks as her friends just stared at her with dumbfounded looks.
“I never considered that Fluttershy. Uh girls, run.” Twilight took off down the hill away from Rainbow Blitz and Ponyville. The others followed suit none of them wanting a repeat paranoia outburst. The six mares were able to dive into some bushes just before ‘Rainbow Blitz’ touched down. Though it was more of a crash than anything. It was possible to see the stallion clearly without being seen themselves. He had picked himself up brushed off and was currently acting like nothing had happened. Applejack’s heart skipped a beat when she got a good look at him. His size reminded her of Big Macintosh. The tail was a bit shorter than Dash’s and even more unkept than hers if it was even possible. Blitz’s mane was short and spiked, each spike having its own color.
“Hello Equestria to Applejack you there?” Rainbow Dash waved a hoof in front of the cowpony’s face.
“Ah’m fine RD now quit movin’ around.” Applejack hissed.
“What’s got you so flustered Aj? If I didn’t know any better I’d say you fell for me, him, oh you know what I mean.”
“Ah have done no such thing.” Applejack spit through clenched teeth. Rainbow Dash ignored the threatening vibes from her friend and simply smirked.
“Quiet you two before were heard.” Twilight interrupted. Rainbow Blitz glanced over to where they were hiding. ‘Oh no were caught.’ Twilight thought as Blitz’s gaze tried to tear the shrubs apart. His attention was soon diverted when a voice called his name.
“Rainbow Blitz what are you doing here?” A lavender unicorn trotted up, a baby dragon riding on his back. Twilight nearly had to tackle Fluttershy to keep her from rushing over. Luckily Rarity pounced first. Twilight at first thought that Spike had somehow managed to get here before they did. Until she noticed some slight differences. This dragon was smaller than Spike but not by much. The spines were the same way. The last difference besides being female was the scales on the sides of her head were rounded and angled down.
“Dusk Shine, Barbara.” Rainbow Blitz gave a small nod in greeting. “I’m here because of that pillar thingy.”
“Blitz I wouldn’t have guessed that you had any interest in scientific studies in the field of magic.” Dusk seemed impressed and shocked at the same time. Barbara simply rolled her eyes.
“Huh? No I just thought that Ponyville might need its local hero. And this seemed like the only place to get some action around here.” Rainbow Blitz puffed out his chest when mentioning his ‘hero’ status. Dusk rolled his eyes not understanding why he even asked. “So whatcha think happened?” Dusk Shine’s horn lit up as his friend spoke.
“When Dusk first felt the power he was frantic thinking that Prince Solaris had come to visit without sending prior notice. But the light was red; the Prince’s magic is gold. So we came to investigate.” Barbara concluded with a satisfied nod. Dusk Shine meanwhile had lowered his head to get a whiff of some scent left on the grass. Rainbow Blitz eyed his friend closely as he straightened up. A grin formed on his muzzle when Dusk looked away and coughed into his hoof blushing all the while.
“What’s got you so embarrassed huh?” The teasing tone sounded way too similar to Rainbow Dash for Applejack not to notice.
“Imagine Elusive as a mare and that’s basically it.” Dusk muttered through his hoof. Blitz was at his friend’s side in an instant.
“Dude get your head out of the gutter and let’s go find the mare.” Rainbow Blitz gave his friend an elbow to the ribs and a wink.
“Mares, Blitz. There’s more than one.” Dusk corrected getting over his embarrassment.
“Even better. You’re not gonna keep them all to yourself now are you?” Blitz crouched ready to take off. “Well let’s get going.”
“Hold it Blitz it would be more effective to have some help besides they probably went into town.” Dusk Shine completely ignored his friend’s latest question and started walking towards Ponyville. He looked over his shoulder without stopping. “That and Bubble Berry knows everypony in Ponyville. Chances are he’s already found them. If not then he is the master of hide and seek. He, if anypony should be able to find them.” Rainbow Blitz lost some of his previous enthusiasm.
“Let me guess. Once we’re done at Sugar Cube Corner then you’re going to want to get the rest of the gang in on the search.” Blitz sighed planting a hoof to his face. Dusk Shine stopped in his tracks. Tapping a hoof to his muzzle Dusk Shine’s next comment made Rainbow Blitz face hoof with plenty of force.
“Huh you know I never thought of that. Thanks Blitz. The more eyes we have the better our chances.”
“Fine then, I’ll see ya there.” With those words Rainbow Blitz was gone leaving Dusk to ponder what might have happened.
“Hmm. I wonder why she didn’t just rush to the library in the first place.” Dusk mumbled to himself.
“Oh you say something Dusk?” Barbara asked. She had been more interested in some rustling bush than in the conversation that had taken place.
“Nothing really. Just thinking to myself.” Dusk was glad that his companion paid little attention to what he said when there was something to study. Barbara shrugged as they continued on their way.
“That was too close for comfort.” Twilight sighed leaving their hiding place.
“I do suggest finding some place to hide so my mane doesn’t get ruined every time one of them comes near.” Rarity complained pulling leaves and twigs out of her mane.
“One problem with that sugar cube, any place we can think of ta hide in, so can they.” Applejack was the last to step out of the bush. “And besides how in tarnation are we supposed ta get somepony to hide six full grown mares and not utter a peep ta nopony about it?”
“Pinkie Pie where would be the last place you would look if you were in their hooves?” Twilight asked figuring if anypony could hide it was her.
“Hmm the last would be first and first would be first so.” Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing to ponder the question. “The royal palace.” She nodded to finalize her answer.
“Pinkie Pie the royal palace is crawling with guards. Did you also forget that Dusk Shine is Twilights counterpart? If we go there then Princess Celestia’s counterpart….” Rainbow Dash started.
“Prince Solaris.” Twilight interrupted.
“Whatever. Prince Solaris would realize this and that definitely would be worse case scenario.”
“Well duh silly I know that. There is more than one palace though.” Pinkie Pie said resuming her endless bouncing. Fluttershy was the first to catch on.
“But it’s so dark and scary.” The rest of the six caught up right then.
“Ugh. All that dust and dirt I don’t know if it’s worth it.” Rarity whined prancing in place.
“The Everfree Forrest! Pinkie Pie what in tarnation are ya thinkin’!” Applejack nearly screamed at the party pony.
“It’s perfect! Pinkie Pie you’re a genius!” Twilight squealed tackling her friend with a hug.
“Yeah, a real genius.” The sarcasm dripped from Rainbow Dash’s words. Everypony ignored the comment.
“Twilight sugar cube not that Ah don’t trust ya and all. But how in Equestria is this a good idea?”
“Oh Applejack don’t you see. If you’re all hesitant about going in then so would they.” Twilight explained.
“Ah can’t argue with that logic.” Applejack said defeated.
“Nopony in their right mind would set hoof in there if they can avoid it though.” Rarity said trying to succeed where the cowpony failed.
“Exactly, nopony in their right mind would set hoof in there making it the perfect place to hide.” Twilight said using Rarity’s own argument against her.
“I agree it would be for the best.” For the second time all eyes turned to Fluttershy. “Well I mean um it’s scary but it’s even more frightening to think of what would happen if we get caught.”
“If Fluttershy is willing, then the rest of us have nothing left. We better get going before they come back.” Rarity hated to admit defeat but Rainbow Dash’s words struck home. If their timid friend was going into the place she feared most; they had nothing to complain about.
The path was clear for only the first few steps, Having only been there once they had forgotten most of the way to their destination. Resulting in the group of friends getting lost almost instantly. Blind wandering finally led them to a landmark. Twilight remembered the cliff and recognized it right away. Fluttershy proved invaluable after that. Asking her animal friends to help guide them they soon came across a river. “Oh I do hope there’s away over without getting wet.” Rarity said backing away from the still water.
“Well girls the only way that I can see is to just go head first.” Twilight exclaimed looking around.
“Twilight dear that is an absolutely dreadful idea, I refuse to set hoof into that deplorable river.” Rarity stomped a hoof and stuck up her nose in defiance.
“And just what makes my home so deplorable?” The question was more of a demand. Everypony looked frantic as a deep purple sea serpent rose out of the water.
“Thanks Rarity now we know we’re on the right track but now you all don’t have a way across.” Rainbow Dash threw her hooves up to show just how annoyed she was. The serpent had, her was their best guess, arms folded looking even more annoyed than Rainbow Dash.
“Well I’m waiting.”
“I can easily fix that dilemma Rainbow darling but please refrain from making any ruffian decisions.” Rarity said walking up to the water’s edge. “Um hello. Would you mind telling us your name?”
“Hmm well if you insist my name is Selene.” Selene flipped her orange hair as she said this.
“Selene what a lovely name, perfect for such a lovely serpent like yourself.” Rarity cooed beating her eye lashes.
“I am quite lovely aren’t I?” Selene ran a clawed hand through her hair.
“Quite so darling. Why your scales simply shimmer in the light. Quite a bit more enticing than your home. Not to mention your lovely hair. You must spend hours on it.” Rarity’s compliments seemed to make Selene forget why she was there in the first place.
“Oh yes it takes hours out of my day but it’s worth it.” Selene crossed her arms before continuing. “But back to the reason I’m here. What makes my home so deplorable?”
“Why nothing dear your home is absolutely lovely. However from one fashionista to another it would be dreadful to ruin something lovely. Water would completely devastate my mane. I’m sure you can understand how deplorable that would be.” Rarity was laying it on incredibly thick.
“You do have a fine mane. Yes it would be deplorable to ruin it.” Selene thought out loud. “I can forgive your previous statement.”
“Oh thank you I really didn’t mean any offence.” Rarity sighed. “I might be asking a bit too much here, but would it be too much trouble to help us across.”
“Hmm. No just tell me why.” Selene seemed to enjoy gossip just as much as Rarity did. A weak smile and an apologetic look to Applejack and Rarity quickly told a partial lie.
“Well you see there are some stallions that are stalking us. We were hoping to lose them in here. Normally I wouldn’t mind but their just so creepy. One of them tried to peek at me while I was in the shower.” Selene gasped with an exaggerated no way. She instantaneously formed stepping stones with her body. Leaving her head above the water she had one question on her mind.
“Do I know the ruffians?”
“I’m not sure but I assume so. One of them did say they met a lovely sea serpent in here. I can’t imagine that he meant anyone but you.” Rarity’s latest compliment seemed to fill in any doubt Selene might have had. With a satisfactory nod Selene dipped her head completing the pathway. The six mares moved across. Pinkie Pie being last thanked Selene, waved good bye and asked if she would please not tell anypony that they had come. With a nod and a respondent wave Selene slipped back beneath the waves. Applejack made sure that they were out of earshot before rounding on Rarity.
“What in the hay did ya lie for?” Applejack’s voice sounded closer to an angry cats hiss than anything.
“My dear Applejack though I know you hate any lies but you must agree that the truth does sound much more farfetched and wouldn’t help us out in any way.” Rarity exasperated shocked that her friend could be so close sighted. Applejack merely grumbled. She couldn’t deny the truth in those words.
“That doesn’t mean Ah have ta like it.”
“Nopony’s saying that you have to Applejack.” Twilight chimed in. The path was strait forward after the river. At last the ruined castle came into view. “You know now that we don’t have to rush anywhere or have the fate of Equestria at stake, this place doesn’t seem so …. Um.” Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin.
“Depressin’.” Applejack supplemented.
“Frightening.” Fluttershy added as well. The six paused in front of the rope bridge. With the gentle breeze floating through a slight sway made the bridge seem even less stable.
“No that’s not it. Uninviting would be a better fit.” Twilight concluded. “well girls were not getting there by just standing around.” She had determination more towards actually examining the ruins than using them as a hiding place. One hoofstep towards her goal rewarded a long splintering groan. The second had Twilight on a one way greeting with the well of the chasm.
Rainbow Dash thanked Celestia for having such a short reaction time. Twilights bone chilling cry barely left her muzzle before the two ponies were back on solid ground. One thing Rainbow Dash had to admit was that for being an egg head her friend had a fine figure. That and she was heavier than she looked. “Geez Twilight can’t you find another way to get my attention.” Twilight had recovered enough to glare at her friend.
“I’m grateful that you saved me but this isn’t something to joke about Rainbow Dash.” Twilight scolded accompanied by a look that could shatter rocks. “We have a bigger problem now. How are we supposed to get across?” A wave of her hoof made her point.
“Really? Twilight I can just fly you across.” True to her word Rainbow Dash hooked her forelegs around Twilight. With a few burst from her powerful wings Rainbow Dash had Twilight off the ground. A few more flaps and they were over. “If the most awesomest pony in all of Equestria can’t carry a few ponies over a small gap like this then how is she supposed to make the cut for the Wonder Bolts.” With no more arguments coming from anypony their method was decided. Fluttershy flew herself across, while Rainbow Dash carried the others over, at great delight to her ego, in one pass.
“Rainbow Dash really, did you have to carry us over at the same time?” Rarity started to complain much to everypony’s annoyance. “It was absolutely dreadful. I had Pinkie’s tail shoved in my face the entire time.”
“Aw come off it Rarity it wasn’ that bad.” Applejack was straitening her Stetson while she spoke.
“That’s easy for you to say Applejack. You didn’t have it so bad hanging from her hooves.” Rarity’s comeback made short work of the cowpony’s already short fuse.
“Ah dang near lost mah hat durin’ tha’ there flying lesson.” Applejack got right up in Rarity’s face. A shoving match soon followed broken only when Twilight intervened.
“Will you two knock it off? We don’t need to be fighting amongst ourselves. Now let’s get inside before nightfall.” Twilight pushed the two apart. “The throne room would probably be best seeing as that’s the only room with a roof that’s still in one piece.”
“Uh Twilight dear it looks like there was somepony else here before us.” Rarity said indicating the open doors. “Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Well there’s no going back now.” Twilight swallowed to alleviate some anxiety and strode forward. First sense that was kicked off was sound, a gentle squeak and sway and nothing more. The sight made them gasp. On the floor was writing in white ash. That wasn’t what bothered them. What was above the writing disturbed them. A rope hung above it tied in a noose. The noose was not empty. Rainbow Dash’s stutter addressed what was on all their minds.
“I-is that a p-p-pony.”
A/N
Yeah yeah I know not my best chapter but with all that I've been through it shouldn't be suprising. Anywho not sure now if I should change some things namely the rating. I'll explain the last part in the next chapter if anyone is still reading this. call it a cliff hanger that doesn't work. Anyone kind enough to explain how to change fonts please do. Thanks.
Everypony was horror struck at the sight. Pinkie couldn’t find a way to laugh it away and deflated before she started crying. Even Rainbow Dash was heartbroken and couldn’t stop the tears if she even wanted to. Twilight tore her eyes away from the rope to examine the runes. Perhaps they could explain why. She smiled and pointed before reading them aloud. “Harden your heart and clear your emotions. Only then will the truth reveal itself." With everypony looking at her Twilight felt it necessary to explain. “It means that not everything is what it seems. That’s not a pony, it just looks like it.” A magenta aura surrounded the ‘pony’ bringing it into the dying light revealing what it truly was. “See it’s nothing more than an expertly constructed puppet.” Charcoal eyes looked back at the six during its examination. The stitching could be seen on its leather hide. A tag protruding from the back of its neck caught Rarity’s eye.
“Hmm what’s this?” Rarity too like Twilight read aloud. "Congratulations on uncovering the truth hidden in a lie. Feel free to take what lay inside."Pinkie Pie instantly pooffed back up, without the characteristic smile.
“Well that wasn’t a funny joke. Who would do such a thing?” Her answer came from Twilight as the unicorn ripped off the puppets head.
“I don’t think this was a joke Pinkie more of a test.” Twilight said dumping the contents out on the floor. Most of it was white fluffy stuff which Pinkie Pie was enjoying immensely with one of the biggest grins she ever had plastered on her muzzle. “A pass or fail test like the ones we had the first time we came here. Though admittedly this one is a bit darker than those.”
“A bit. Twilight you need to change your definition of a bit.” Rainbow Dash grumbled folding her fore hooves across her chest.
“Ah agree with RD on this one Twi’ that thar is a right more than just a bit.” Applejack cut in. “But on the other hoof it’s also lighter than that cause there wasn’ any life threatenin’ whozamawhatzits.” Twilight wasn’t paying too much attention to either pony instead focusing on the balls of fluff that Pinkie Pie was throwing around.
“GGAAAAAHHH! There’s nothing here but cotton. What are we supposed to do with cotton?” Twilight screamed in her frustration.
“Twilight dear did you ever think you’re looking in the wrong section?” Rarity asked flipping the discarded head over. A brown bag fell out landing with an unmistakable clink. “Whoever did this obviously didn’t believe that anypony would figure this out, or has plenty of bits to spare. After all ten thousand bits is quite a lot.” Everypony just stared at her then the bag. Twilight being logical tried to reason with Rarity while Pinkie being illogical started rambling about what they could do with so much money.
“Rarity ten thousand bits is more than what Filthy Rich makes annually. There’s no way that ten thousand could fit in a pony’s body much less their head. What made you think that it was that much to begin with?”
“Why it says right on the bag.” Rarity exclaimed. Twilight examined it from every angle and sure enough right there on the bag was ten thousand. The two unicorns broke out into an argument on how that many bits could, or from Twilights side could not, fit inside a bag that small. Their raised voices startled Fluttershy who ended up cowering behind Applejack. Applejack tried to calm and reassure the timid pegasus. Pinkie Pie was still going on about possible investments reaching a bouncy castle the size of Ponyville. At which she broke off into a tangent about how much fun a party would be inside such a thing before comparing the downsides as well. Rainbow Dash was getting fed up with all of this. She picked up the bag loosened the string and dumped out its contents. The torrential clatter got everypony’s attention. Pinkie Pie gasped and shot over, poking the pile that was now a good deal larger than her body exclaiming how shiny it was.
“There ya go Twi’. Ah reckon that it was a unicorn tha’ used some sorta expansion spell to make the inside larger than the outside.” Applejack said staring at the bits like everypony else. Nopony needed to do more than look at the pile to know just how much it contained. “Well Ah guess we should put them away and get some shut eye.” The sun had fallen and the moon was just above the horizon when she said this.
“I agree but first something needs to be settled.” Twilight spoke looking at her friends. “Did anypony pack some food I didn’t believe it was necessary before we left.” They each shook their heads. None of them had believed that it would be a problem. “With the bridge out that leaves Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash to get some. Unless Rainbow Dash doesn’t mind taking one of us across and waiting for us to get back.”
“I’ll go I need to stretch my wings anyways.” Rainbow Dash volunteered.
“That’s another thing Rainbow Dash; you can’t show off like you normally do it would draw too much attention.” Twilight warned her friend adding a stern look she had learned while in Canterlot for additional affect. “While we’re on the subject of drawing attention, your mane and cutie-mark will definitely do just that so were going to have to do something about that before you leave. Rarity I trust that you did bring something to do that.”
“Why of course I do. Some dyes for both her coat and mane. And some body paint to alter her cutie-mark.” Rarity answered ruffling through her saddlebags.
“Twilight you can’t hide this much awesomeness.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed running a hoof over her mane.
“We’re not trying to hide awesomeness; we’re trying to hide Rainbow Dash.” Twilight corrected.
“It’s the same thing.” Rainbow Dash argued. Twilight rolled her eyes before heading deeper into the ruined palace. Their destination looked exactly like what it had when they first saw it. Though it was just as if not darker than then as well. A magenta fire flared into existence bathing the stone in light and relative warmth.
“It’s the best I can do girls. It should keep us warm til morning.” The six friends hunkered down close to the fire cuddling together to stave off the rapidly advancing chill. None believed they would get a refreshing nights rest though they still hoped. Hope that was wasted, nopony got more than three maybe four hours if they were lucky. One thought had kept them all awake. ‘What if we’re discovered?’ Pinkie Pie wanted to believe that Selene would help hide them yet something told her that it wasn’t so. “Nopony would be awake yet to run any stands in the market so there’s no point in going yet.” Twilight reasoned to Rainbow Dash who was eager to get going. “Better wait until after sunrise.”
“If you’re in that much of a rush then we could get started now?” Rarity spoke walking over accompanied by her accessories. “The more time we have the better your disguise.”
“Ugh fine. Just don’t make me too frilly.” Rainbow Dash huffed, dropping onto her flanks with a thump. Rarity smiled before getting to work.
“We should start with the mane as it takes the longest to set. Such a monstrosity to ruin such wonderful and unique coloring but it must be done. Twilight dear could you perhaps set out the coat dye? I’ll need it once I’m done with her mane and tail.” Rarity said picking out one color from the many she held in her magic. Levitating the, in Rainbow Dash’s opinion, offending bottle over Rarity dumped half the contents on her head. Wearing what could be called an evil grin the white unicorn nearly tackled her friend to the ground massaging in her chosen color with heavy hooves. The tail received the same treatment. It was hard to tell what the final color would be, at the present time it looked yellow but Rarity assured them that it wasn’t. “Hmm now which one?” Rarity contemplated each color before snatching one. “You’re going to want to close your eyes for this.” She levitated over a brush as she said this. Rainbow Dash looked apprehensive to say the least. “The bristles need to be nice and firm for this to work.” Pouring her chosen liquid on the brush Rarity attacked Rainbow Dash with vigor. Covering every inch of the cyan body down to the last hair or bristle of a feather, including the eye lids. This one took instant affect changing Rainbow Dash from cyan to a deep gray. Now resembling what looks like a storm cloud with freaky hair, wings and eyes, Rainbow Dash looked herself over.
“Not bad, not bad at all I still look awesome. Hey wait Rarity you covered my cutie-mark.” Rainbow Dash stared at her now blank flank.
“Yes well I’ll be fixing that here shortly.” Rarity consoled her levitating over a fine brush and paints. “Hmm now what should it look like?” Rarity seemed at a loss. Ideas struck her with the rising sun, one stood out against them all. “Idea!” She instantly began her procedure by dipping the brush into the white. “Yes, yes, no wait, ah, hmm this should do that. Rainbow Dash quite squirming this is difficult enough as is.”
“Gees Rarity, I can’t help it, it tickles.” Rainbow Dash said fidgeting some more as the brush raced along her flank.
“I don’t care you simply must hold still.” Rarity walked around to the other side of the once cyan now gray pegasus. Work on the other flank began quickly. Pigments flowed together with precision to replicate her earlier work. “Oh dear I may have made a slight oversight.” Rarity confessed taking a few steps back. “We are going to need some water to rinse out the residue left from your dye.” Rarity looked away from her friend to hide some embarrassment when she heard a splash and a splutter followed by Rainbow Dash chastising somepony.
“What’d you do that for Pinkie Pie?” She wasn’t really angry with her pink friend just annoyed.
“Rarity said you needed a bath so I gave you a bath.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a vase in her mouth. Rainbow Dash hadn’t noticed but the water had washed away all the yellow revealing a deep, rich blue behind.
“May I introduce Morning Storm. Her special talent is weather manipulation, accomplishing what many pegusi can in less than half the time.” Rarity spoke with pride indicating her cutie-mark replication. Had any of them not known it was a fake they would have believed that what Rarity said was true. The morning sun halfway risen above two overlapping clouds was convincing enough for anypony. “Remember Rainbow Dash that you absolutely cannot showboat when in town. Only get what we need, it shouldn’t take more than a few days to get back. Right Twilight?”
“Huh oh yeah it should be about that long for me to recover and gather the ingredients, not exactly as easy as I thought." Twilight said looking back at the sun.
“Get goin already Rainbow, Ah’m starving.” Applejack said shoving Rainbow Dash towards a window.
“Alright I’m going sheesh.” Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took off letting her cowpony friend fall flat on her face. Snatching up the bits and her saddlebags she turned to leave only to be stopped by Rarity.
“Hold it. I need to change the clasps on your bags. They stand out too much. It will only take a second.” Rarity lit up her horn, its soft blue glow enveloped the lightning claps. A flash and in place of the lightning bolts were small orange suns. “There, just don’t forget your Morning Storm now.” Rainbow Dash took off out of the nearest window.
Beating her wings to gain altitude Morning Storm flew above the clouds towards the distant town of Ponyville, leaving Rainbow Dash back at the castle with her friends.
Weather pegusi were starting to arrange today’s weather when Morning Storm arrived. One of them called out to her, figuring it would blow her cover to know what to do and where to go when she was a complete stranger flew up to the stallion.
“Mornin’ miss. I haven’t seen you before new here?” He asked kicking out the cloud beneath him.
“Yeah. Could you point me in the direction of a market I need to make some purchases.” Morning Storm said staying out of his way.
“Sure can. Head down this street here and make a left at Carousel Boutique, white building hard to miss the thing actually looks like a carousel that you’d find at a carnival. Anyway about four minutes farther at walking pace on the right will be a bunch of tents and carts that stuff, that’s Ponyville’s market.” The street he was indicating was directly in front of them. Morning Storm called out a thank you as she flew off.
“Who was that?” Another stallion asked
“No idea, never seen her before. We don’t see to many mares around and she isn’t what you would call an eye sore.” The first one responded with a shrug before flying off with his buddy.
“More like eye candy. Did you at least get her name?” The second one asked eagerly.
“Dang I knew I forgot something.”
“You always forget something.” The two argued the entire time they worked, determined to finish quickly.
Morning Storm could hear the two bickering from where she was. She snickered and rolled her eyes. She was used to stallions stumbling about and stuttering when trying to ask her out. She had denied most of them those that she didn’t only got one date being too lame to continue. These foals were no exception. Carousel Boutique came into view quickly not that Morning Storm needed it but the act had to be convincing. She turned left then right at the appropriate times. Touching down she made a mental list on what she should get. A blanket for a picnic, something to eat off of, and of course food. For starters Applejack would want apples or cherries, Rarity would probably want something to watch her figure with so maybe some crackers or lettuce with some sort of vinaigrette. Twilight would want daisies and bread, Fluttershy, well who knows, she would be fine with just about anything. Pinkie Pie would flip if she didn’t get cupcakes and other sweets. The only place to get that would be Sugar Cube Corner. That meant Pinkies double, in other words trouble. Distracted by that thought Morning storm didn’t notice the bouncing pink pony until it was too late. A gasp interrupted her and the torrent of words made her wary.
“I’ve never seen you before. You must be new. If you’re new then you must not know anypony. That means you don’t have any friends. That’s sad, ooh, ooh I know we can be friends. I throw a party for every pony especially for my friends. Wait I haven’t thrown you a party yet. Oh wait but I haven’t welcomed you to Ponyville. My name’s Bubble Berry what’s yours?” The pink stallion said all in one breath, holding out a hoof. Another gasp and he shot off coming back in a few seconds with a wagon. Pushing a big red button on the side Bubble Berry began to sing. "Welcome Welcome Welcome." Getting no farther before confetti burst out of the oven propelling him forward onto his face. Cake batter shot out of four cones on the sides covering Bubble Berry, Morning Storm having expected this moved at the last second escaping the batter. “Whoops guess I put confetti in the oven and cake batter in the confetti cannon once again. Next time I’ll use confetti cake. And fix the timer it went off too early.” Taking the opportunity Morning star tried to leave without being noticed. Only succeeding in moving a few feet before being called out. “Wait I didn’t get your name.”
“Morning Storm.” She called out leaving in a rush.
“Come by Sugar Cube Corner later on. I have a surprise for you.” He called out before bouncing away.
“Whew that was close; I hope that I’ll have no more close encounters.” Morning Storm muttered under her breath. Returning her focus back to her task she turned towards the nearest stand. Some uneventful purchases later and she had nearly everything needed. “Of course I can’t delay it any longer.” With a tired sigh Morning Storm looked up at the familiar gingerbread house like building of Sugar Cube Corner. “Let’s just get this over with. I’ve wasted enough time as is.” Striding forward Morning Storm was greeted with a burst of confetti and one of the noise makers you blow in and get that annoying sound.
"SUPRISE!"Bubble Berry cried popping out of nowhere. “Do you like it? It’s your welcome-to-Ponyville-and-meet-new-friends-party. And you’re the guest of honor Stormy.” Streamers and balloons covered every square inch of wall, floor and ceiling with a banner hanging across reading Welcome Morning Storm.
“I hate to burst your bubble but I only came here to purchase about five baker’s dozen batches of cupcakes.” Morning Storm said coming out of shock. Even though she had expected it the surprise had givin her quite the startle.
“Okie-Dokie-Lokie.” Bubble Berry said maintaining the characteristic smile. “Here you go.” A canvas sack was thrown right in front of Morning Storm. “Twelve bits per, so it comes out to umm.”
“Seven hundred and eighty bits total.” A voice chipped in.
“Exactly.” Bubble Berry confirmed. Morning Storm recognized the voice turning her head confirmed her fears. Dusk Shine wandered over with a quizzical look on his face. Morning Storm already having known the cost had measured out the amount and put it in a separate bag, tossed the bits to Bubble Berry.
“Here gotta fly. See ya.” Morning Storm rambled at Pinkie Pie’s pace grabbing the sack and flying away before either Bubble Berry or Dusk Shine could stop her.
“What does she need so many cupcakes for?” Dusk Shine asked standing next to his friend.
“I don’t know maybe she just likes cupcakes. I know I do.” Bubble Berry responded completely oblivious to Dusk Shines implication.
“Yes well the only pony I know who could eat that many cupcakes is you Berry. Besides I don’t think she really just moved here like I had heard. Didn’t you notice the rolls?” Dusk Shine grumbled.
“She had rolls really I didn’t smell anything. Do you think there jelly filled, or maybe they have raisins? Oh Oh I know, they’re sweet rolls.” Bubble Berry spoke bouncing up and down per usual.
“No not those kind of rolls. Mats you know the ones used for camping.” Dusk Shine corrected. “Hey Blitz. I think I found one of the mares from earlier.” Rainbow Blitz looked up from the hoof wrestling match he was in. the laps in concentration meant the thud was his.
“This one doesn’t count Aj I was distracted.” Blitz said flying over before the cowpony friend could say anything. “Really who? Morning Storm.” Rainbow Blitz was being sarcastic as he said this.
“Yes and I don’t think that Morning Storm is here real name. Follow her and she’ll lead us to the rest.” Dusk Shine said with a nod.
“On it.” Rainbow Blitz gave a salute and took off.
Flying over Ponyville Morning Storm shed her alias becoming Rainbow Dash once more. Angling towards the Ever Free Forrest and her friends Rainbow Dash beat her wings letting the strain and rhythm ease the built up tension. Her gut told her to look behind her as she reached the edge of the forrest. Being one to always trust her gut Rainbow Dash snuck a peek over her shoulder only to bolt down into the canopy for cover. The prismatic streak she had seen along with the distant form of a pegasus meant only one thing. Rainbow Blitz. The one she absolutely could not have seeing her. Though she had to fly slower to navigate the limbs it was safer down here.
“Where’d she get to? I don’t see her anywhere.” Rainbow Blitz said right above the canopy where Rainbow Dash was. He let out a disgruntled huff and flew off tearing off some of the weaker branches in the slipstream.
“Whew that was way too close.” Rainbow Dash muttered flying below the canopy. Well this was something to tell her friends. And probably get an earful on how she had nearly messed up. It wasn’t something she was looking forward to but the longer she was gone the more likely Blitz would come back. Taking off she knew that things could very well go from bad to worse in a matter of seconds. “Better warn the rest of the gang quickly.”
“What’s taking Rainbow Dash so long it’s been hours since she left?” Nopony really wanted to argue with Rarity. All their stomachs were rumbling.
“It’s only been two hours Rarity it’s not as long as it seems.” Twilight said. True enough for everypony it had seemed like four or five since Rainbow Dash left. Pinkie Pie was being Pinkie Pie without actually being herself. Crawling on the floor using her fore hooves to propel her, it didn’t seem like she had any energy.
“TWILIGHT! We’ve got a problem I’ve been had. I’m not too sure if that copy colt is following me but he came close to finding me.” Rainbow Dash burst through a window flailing her hooves about.
“Thar ya are. What in tarnation took ya tha’ long?” Applejack chirped getting a whiff of the apples. Pinkie Pie nearly drove Rainbow Dash into a wall as she dived into the iced pieces of heaven called cupcakes.
“Pinkie Pie we don’t have time to eat, we gotta get out of here!” Rainbow Dash screamed prancing about unable to hide her anxiety. The quizzical look on her friend’s faces started to get under her skin. “Come on didn’t you hear me? We need to get out of here.”
“Consarnat RD. What tha hey are ya spoutin?” Applejack spat not really caring about why they had to leave but why they couldn’t eat first.
“I’m being followed that’s why! Look if you want to get caught fine by me but I’m leaving taking all of this with me.” Rainbow Dash waved a hoof indicating all the food and other items she had bought earlier that day. Applejack started to grumble but otherwise stayed silent. Next to her was a saddened Pinkie Pie on the verge of crying. “We can eat later Pinkie Pie, right now we need to leave.”
“Well Ah’m stayin an ya’ll can jus leave them apples here.” Applejack stomped a hoof from reflex. There would be no convincing her now. Everypony knew that though Rainbow Dash tried anyways.
“Aj really? Why do you want to stay? Does it have anything to do with that copy colt, Rainbow Blitz?” Rainbow Dash figured if anything that would be why.
“Now hold up a second. When did Ah say anythin’ about ‘im huh?” Applejack’s reddening face and the defensive stance and tone she used only served to convince them otherwise.
“I agree with Applejack. Perhaps it would be best to stay here.” Twilight surprised everyone by speaking up. “Rarity we would need you to change our appearance as quickly as possible." Twilight levitated over Rarity’s dyes. Selecting one that seemed to catch her fancy Twilight used the same brush that had assaulted Rainbow Dash earlier, to scrub her coat. Only after applying the dye did she realize that once again they had no water. “Pinkie Pie where did you get that water? Pinkie Pie? Uh where is she?” Twilight cocked her head wondering where the pink disaster waiting to happen was. “Oh well. Rarity do you have a light grey perhaps?”
“Why yes dear I do. Why do you ask?” Rarity’s voice spoke volumes about her current confusion.
“Both Applejack and I are going to need disguises if they truly are coming and as for me I think I can work things out. As long as Dusk Shine or Applejacks dimensional counterpart doesn’t show up then I don’t see the problem.” Twilight’s magic enveloped the bottle currently held by Rarity. “Besides I already have an identity figure planed out.” A quick scrub down of both her mane and tail and she was ready. “For Applejack I really don’t know perhaps we should just adjust her cutie-mark and possibly adjust her name so not much needs to be done.”
Applejack started grumbling as everypony started discussing what they could do to her, not bothering to get her input. She had to admit that Twilight’s idea was rather appealing. Wandering over she picked out the bottle labeled orange. She began scrubbing her own flanks pondering the possibilities of what her new cutie-mark would be, as well as her name. Maybe her name could remain the same after all it could happen right? Well no never mind that then it won’t happen any time this century. Perhaps a maiden’s blush would suffice that certainly would allow her to remain connected with her apples. Now what would a name for a pony who had a maiden’s blush for a cutie-mark be like? Maiden Apple would probably work. Though she doubted that Rarity had even heard of maiden’s blush much less seen one, it was the best she could think off. Sweet Apple Acres didn’t grow them nor did any place else close by, that was the main reason she had picked them. The only place that grew them was out in the middle of nowhere up north. The only settlement as far as the eye could see was the farm in which they grew. Being part of the Apple family had benefits even out there. “Rarity, ya’ll can draw an apple fair enough righ’?
“Why yes of course. What pray tell do you have in mind?” Rarity seemed a bit flabbergasted when Applejack spoke up. It took all of a millisecond before she had regained her composure.
“Three apples arranged as ‘afore.” Applejack stated not really paying attention to any pony.
“But what was the point of even trying to change your appearance then?” Rarity asked levitating red paints over.
“Differen’ kind of apple.”
“What kind pray tell? I don’t want to ruin anything.” Rarity was tending to Applejack before Pinkie Pie showed up splashing the three mares with water. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had moved away seeing her coming.
“Maiden’s blush. Ya seen it ‘afore?” Applejack wrung out her hat while Rarity stood there fuming.
“No. I’m afraid I haven’t.” Rarity managed through gritted teeth. Applejack didn’t respond instead looking towards Twilight, who now looked like she had stepped out of a book literally. The light grey mane blended almost perfectly with the off white coat. Looking more like pages than anything Twilight spoke up.
“Can you draw an open book for me Rarity? And place it on a crescent moon.”
“I can easily sure. Do you mind Applejack if I take care of Twilight first?” Rarity asked grasping the paints in her magic. Applejack shrugged placing her hat back on.
“The rest of ya’ll might wanna get goin’. But leave everythin’ ‘ere. Take some grub ifn ya want, but nothin’ else.” Applejack started rummaging through the mound of everything finding the bag of apples.
“But why if you’re staying why should we have to leave huh?” Rainbow Dash challenged flaring her wings. Applejack looked up, an apple in her mouth. Tossing it up she at the apple in one bite before responding.
“Blitz’ll be ‘ere for one. Pinkie Pie’s double is almost certainly is as well. That and thar’ll be no time ta camouflage any of ya. We’ll jus’ say tha ya’ll ‘re out an’ have no idea when yer gonna get back.” Applejack stated a matter of factly. Honesty had it’s good points and also some bad ones as well. “We’re takin a chance ‘ere. Rollin the roulette as ya might say. Who knows who’ll come, best not have too many of us ‘ere.” With that kind of logic no more arguments were made. The four began sorting through picking out what they wanted at the present time. “Head around back an ya’ll should be fine.” Rarity had just finished up with Twilight and was following the other three out when Applejack hailed her. “Aint cha forgettin’ somethin Rarity?” She asked indicating her still blank flank.
“Oh yes I had forgotten.” Rarity trotted up preparing her weapon of choice. “Now what does this Maiden’s blush look like?”
“Bit rounder than the apples we grow at the farm, green mostly with a patch o’ red like a maiden blushin’, hence the name.” Rarity worked as Applejack described the apple. The quickest work she had ever done but it was also the easiest. With her work complete Rarity packed her belongings and left in a rush, doing her best to remain lady like and appear unflustered and failing miserably. “Let’s get things strait 'afore they show up. Who are you and what does yer mark mean?”
“I am Moonletters. I specialize in astronomy. My cutie-mark represents my talent in documentation especially of the night sky.” Twilight stated in her usual lecturing tone. “And you?”
“Maiden Apple, though mah friends call me Maiden. I grow Maiden’s blush and that’s about all ya need ta know.” Applejack started with an introduction that would work under any circumstance. Hoof steps soon resounded through the halls along with some voices.
“I don’t know why we brought Butterscotch. He’s afraid of everything including his own shadow.” One voice said, pretty obvious to both mares that it was Rainbow Blitz.
“Oh come on Blitzy, we needed both Butterscotch and Elusive to find this place.” A second voice piped in. though they couldn’t hear it both mares could picture Rainbow Blitz grumbling right about now.
“You dragged Butterscotch and I from our weekly visit to the spa and you bothered neither Dusk Shine nor Applejack, not to mention you overlooked telling us why.” Third voice out of what was now confirmed to be four scowled. Elusive probably though the second voice was still a mystery they knew it was Pinkie Pie’s double.
“Dusk Shine would have taken forever to get ready and Applejack would be bucking apples right about now. Dusk Shine thought that the new mare, Morning Storm I think her name was I don’t remember, the guest of honor at Bubble Berry’s latest party, was in disguise. He did tell you about the six mares that pillar left behind yesterday right?”
“Yes he did, now go on.”
“Anyways Dusk shine thinks she’s one of them using an alias for some reason or another.” Rainbow Blitz concluded.
“Uh-huh so you brought us from the spa before we even really got the chance to relax. The party did end about an hour ago when the guest of honor left in such a rush. All for some suspicion that Dusk Shine had and you didn’t see the point in bringing this to his attention. Well I’ve always said you were rash but now you just prove that….” Elusive cut off with his jaw still open, something that was incredibly unlike him.
“Proved what?” Rainbow Blitz snapped. “Huh?” Seeing Bubble Berry or rather not seeing him gave Rainbow Blitz reason to turn around. What greeted his eyes was definitely not what he had expected. Two mare were sitting around a fire eating what should now be called lunch. Both had stopped to stare at them, both had a slight blush on their cheeks. One seemed to regain their thoughts the moment he looked.
“Can I help you with something?” One had asked. She looked like a page without any words. Elusive almost fainted when he saw this fashion disaster. “Oh, wait where are my manners, please come join us have a seat. We weren’t expecting company out here.” Being ever the gentle colt Elusive spoke up.
“We would love to join you my dear and you could perhaps tell us why two lovely mares would be out here when our quaint little home of Ponyville is so close?” He asked taking a seat opposite the orange mare. “But first introductions are in order I am Elusive and these are my friends. Rainbow Blitz, Bubble Berry, and Butterscotch. Butterscotch why don’t you sit here.” Elusive waved a hoof to each stallion as he spoke their names before indicating the space on his right, the space closer to Twilight. Try as she might Twilight couldn’t help but get flustered as the stallion came closer. There was something about him that just made her nervous. Something about Fluttershy’s counterpart made it easy to imagine a candle lit night snuggled up on his side reading a good book. Probably the gentle nature she knew he had or was it something else? Whatever it was she had no idea. Elusive seemed to understand and had an uncharacteristic smile on his face.
“It’s mighty suspicious to be camping in a palace, especially in the Ever Free Forrest.” Rainbow Blitz launched himself into Applejacks face. “Who are you and why are you here? Who are you spying on?”
“We are not spying on anypony! Look if it helps ya get yer suspicion over wit’ mah name’s Maiden Apple. Mah friends call me Maiden. This ‘ere is well Ah think Ah’ll let ‘er tell ya.” Applejack responded. Even though she had been expecting this, it still hurt for Blitz to call her a spy though she didn’t really understand why. All eyes turned to Twilight.
“Well um. M-my name i-is M-Moonletters. A-a-and I – I mean w – we…” Twilight’s nervousness confused Applejack; normally she was such a confident mare. Rainbow Blitz narrowed his gaze while Butterscotch shuffled closer, making her stutter even more. He lowered his gaze while still maintaining eye contact.
“There’s no reason to be nervous we won’t hurt you or your friend.” Butterscotches gentle voice was barely more than a whisper but it did its job. Twilight felt her tension ease yet her heart still pounded in her ears, adrenaline still flooded her veins.
“Right thanks. Anyways as I said I’m Moonletters and we didn’t know this place was occupied otherwise we wouldn’t be out here. But to answer your question, we are out here for me. I am documenting the night sky mainly the constellations and current age of the stars. Any light disrupts the view of the stars. So any civilization is out. I go up on the roof every night to do my documentations.” Twilight got into character at that time. Blitz couldn’t let the extra bedding slide.
“So if it’s just the two of you why are there six beds? Explain that.” Rainbow Blitz wouldn’t let up.
“Now hold up thar a minute. Who said we were alone?” Applejack scolded, now finally accepting her alias as well.
“Maiden please calm down, I can understand where he’s coming from. No we are not alone our friends went for a walk we don’t know when they’ll get back sorry.” Moonletters answered. The faint sound of hoofsteps could be heard if one listened closely as Maiden was. One thought went through her head.
Clack, clack, clack. With each hoof step both Moonletters’ and Maiden’s worries grew. Butterscotch also showed signs of increasing terror. While Butterscotch was being soothed by Elusive with a little help from Blitz now and again, Moonletters’ paranoia was sky rocketing. It was possible to hear the conversation between two ponies as they drew ever nearer.
“Are you sure that Blitz came this way?” This one drove Moonletters beyond her little tardy incident.
“Ah’m sure Dusk. How many times must Ah tell ya?” Maiden was right up there with her. Twilight forgetting now that she was using an alias did the only thing she could think of. With a flash of light both mares were gone.
“Elusive, Butterscotch, Bubble Berry what are you all doing here?” Dusk asked now entering the room.
“Hmm? Oh they're gone it’s too bad. I think one of them was falling for you Blitz.” Elusive paid no attention towards Dusk Shine or Applejack who was paying more attention towards Bubble Berry than anypony else.
“Heh. The mares can’t get enough of me.” Blitz puffed out his chest as he said this. “Hey Dusk, Aj.”
“And Butterscotch I must say that Moonletters was rather cute don’t you agree?” The sly grin Elusive wore went unnoticed.
“Uh right cute sure.” Butterscotch mumbled.
“Oh you don’t agree?”
“Oh no, it’s not that, it’s that … um … cute seems a bit degrading.” Butterscotch looked down towards his hooves. His face was turning a bright red. While Dusk shine was striking up a conversation around the fire with the other four, Applejack went over to Bubble Berry.
“Care ta explain what yer starin at?”
“Oh yeah my Berry sense went off when we got here. I think it has something to do with those six mares down there.” Bubble Berry was pointing off at some random direction, at least that’s what Applejack thought, until he spotted colors that definitely weren’t natural for this part of the Ever Free Forrest. Pink, white, purple, yellow and orange, all of them belonging in some way to a pony, six different mares.
“Dusk Ah think Berry ‘ere found yer missin mares.”
“Twilight dear what are you doing here?” Rarity asked once she recovered from the flash.
“The other two came so we had to leave!” Twilight nearly screamed.
“And that thar is why ya’ll should shut it and move outa sight.” Applejack chided. Not bothering to listen for an answer or to see if any would follow her, Applejack did just that. While the others followed her Pinkie Pie lagged behind, risking a glance up towards their former hiding place. Seeing both Applejacks and herself as stallions, she waved a hoof before bouncing off to catch her friends.
“Pinkie Pie what did you do?!” Rainbow Dash had seen Pinkie Pie hesitate and wave out of the corner of her eye.
“I waved hi to our new friends duh.” Pinkie responded rolling her eyes.
“Why did you do that? They could have spotted you.” Rainbow Dash asked before groaning.
“Of course they saw me silly. It kinda beats the whole point of waving if I’m not seen.”
“PINKIE PIE YOU GAVE US AWAY!!” Twilight couldn’t stop herself from screaming this time.
“Nope they were already watching us.” Just as she finished speaking Pinkie Pie landed face first into the dirt. “My Pinkie Sense is acting up. My knees are locked so a chase is about to happen. OH, Oh, oh stick me up in that tree here.”
“Just how are you supposed to get away from up there?” Rarity asked.
“I’ll hide.” Twilight levitated Pinkie as she spoke placing her well inside the canopy.
“Now’s not the time to worry about her. Focus on staying away from your dimensional counterpart.” Twilight scolded. “Best we split up.” Every pony gave a quick nod before heading off in some direction except for Fluttershy who dove into a nearby bush. From where she was hiding it took all of thirty seconds before the six stallions came into view, not more than four feet away. Their conversation also was clear though she wasn’t paying much attention to that.
‘Oh no, they’re so close, I’m caught.’ Fluttershy almost went into a coma when the closest one too her, who just happened to be Butterscotch, turned towards the brush she was in. ‘Wait shouldn’t some horridly frightening catastrophe be happening with him so close? Maybe we both have to know about each other, or touch one another.’ She didn’t dare voice out her thoughts.
“Looks like they spilt up two probably took to the sky while it seems fitting that the others ran off.”
“What make’s ya say that Dusk? Ah see only three sets o tracks ta me that means three took off.” Applejack grunted.
“Normally I would agree but only two show signs of being disturbed by takeoff. Thus it can be deduced that the third set that ends here was not ended by flight but something else, magic probably.” Dusk Shine concluded.
“You all go on ahead and try to find the rest. I’m gonna keep this one company.” Bubble Berry said bouncing in place.
“Um I’d like to stay here as well. If you don’t mind anyways.” Butterscotch mumbled looking anywhere but towards his friends.
“Not at all but please do try to find one it isn’t going to be easy.” Elusive spoke up finishing with a gentle smile. The other four chose a set of hoof prints and set off.
“You can come down now. It can’t be much fun up there, OOH maybe you found a candy flower or, or um something else hmmm. We can play my favoritest favorite game in the whole world, PIN THE TAIL ON THE PONY!” With the last part Bubble Berry leapt up racking up nearly ten seconds of air time, cut short by an excited gasp and some snapping twigs before coming back down with an audible oof and another pink pony on top of him.
“I love pin the tail on the pony! When can we start?” Pinkie Pie realized too late just what she had done. She was up on her hooves before anypony could blink. Scrambling around something struck her as odd. “Wait isn’t there supposed to be some catastrophic tear in the very fabric of the universe right about now? Guess not.” Pinkie Pie let out a ‘whew’ wiping her brow at the same time. “Now when are we gonna start?” Butterscotch decided to ignore the two pink lumps of energy in the shape of ponies. Having seen a brush rustle decided to try to persuade a new animal friend to coming out. When he stuck his head in, he bumped muzzles with Fluttershy. Two sets of blue eyes stared into each other both filled with fear. After the initial shock of bumping into her settled Butterscotch did his best to coax her out.
“Come on out nopony’s going to hurt you.” Fluttershy was still in shock but managed to nod. Had she not seen Pinkie Pie land strait on Bubble Berry with no consequence, Fluttershy would have fled right then and there. Stumbling out of her hiding place Fluttershy stood facing Bubble Berry and Pinkie Pie. “Why were you hiding?”
“Well I figured that if we met face to face it would cause an imbalance in the space time continuum causing a fissure in the very fabric of the universe.” Fluttershy managed to say everything without stuttering, which to her was some sort of miracle.
“Dimensional counterparts then? What’s your dimension like?” Butterscotch put everything together before asking.
“The same as yours only everyone’s gender is switched.”
“Everypony will figure out that there’s nothing to worry about. Then we can have a party, a super mega humongous party extravaganza.” Both Pinkie Pie and Bubble Berry exclaimed at once. In the next second both were planning what could possibly be not only the largest party ever but a very real disaster waiting to happen.
Rarity was looking around while walking at a leisurely pace. “Oh dear I’m afraid I’m lost I haven’t any idea where I am or how to get back.” She had thought that talking to herself would help ease her nerves, to no avail. “I shall just have to wait here for them to find me.” Rarity sat in that one spot for what seemed to her for hours, probably because she was absolutely appalled by the fact she had to sit on soil, no grass, roots or anything else. Snapping her out of her little drama episode was her stomach. Lifting her gaze Rarity’s mood soured. “It’s already noon and I’ve had naught a thing to eat all day.” Bringing her gaze back down she found herself staring at a bright red apple and a single cupcake floating in midair.
“Such a sound is unfitting for a lady. Especially one of such beauty as yourself.” A voice called out, undeniably it was a stallion, Rarity almost instantly knew who but at the time she didn’t care.
“Why thank you I do try to look my best.” She said before taking a rather unlady like sized bite out of the apple. The stallion took a seat next to her.
“Perhaps you could explain why you and your friends were running away from us.” He said trying to catch her gaze which remained fixed on the food.
“My dear Elusive, if you ended up in a parallel universe and had no idea what would happen is it so absurd to believe something when it gives a warning though it has just been proven false?” Rarity asked working her charm in hopes to possibly receive some of her, or in this case his, legendary generosity, in the form of a new dress or even better the canary diamond she knew he had.
“I guess not, but I must ask how do you know my name?” Elusive asked both interested and a bit concerned.
“I read your letter to my friend Twilight.” Rarity answered after finishing the cupcake.
“Ah yes I remember that. So where do you come from I presume that it really is from another dimension if your earlier question is to be taken seriously.”
“That would be correct and before you ask my friend Fluttershy brought it up, we had thought that if we met our cross dimensional counterparts then something about the fabric of the universe tearing or something or other I don’t quite remember.” Rarity coincided turning to look at him beating her eye lashes all the while.
“Hmm yes that does make sense. I suggest that we return to the castle for now. I followed your tracks out here I’m pretty sure I can follow ours back.” Elusive said standing up.
“I agree I’ll follow you.” Rarity concluded standing as well.
Twilight was doing her best to hide and not get lost. Her endeavors weren’t going well. Every time she had tried to hide she had lost her trail. Now she was hearing something else. Twigs were snapping and all she could do now was hide and hope whatever it was would pass her up. Paranoia was getting the best of her every sound was some monstrous beast or worse Dusk Shine. Something was out there close by that she was sure off. A twig snapped almost right next to her, way to close for comfort. Twilight took off or tried too not getting two steps before running into something soft and most definitely alive. “Ow that hurt are you alright. You must be Moonletters or should I call you Twilight Sparkle.” The, as it was now clear to her that it was a pony since she was cowering into his chest, pony said. Twilight opened her eyes to look at just who she was lying on top of. To her horror she found herself staring into the eyes of none other than Dusk Shine. “Would you please get off? I can’t breathe too well with you lying on top of me like this.” Twilight Scrambled to get away backing herself into a tree.
“Th-this can’t be happening. Now reality will be shattered, The fabric of the universe will be torn to pieces, IT’S THE END OF EQUESTRIA AS WE KNOW IT!!!” Twilight screamed before curling up into as tight of a ball as she could. Dusk Shine started laughing, serving to get Twilight out of her ball to scream some more. “WHAT’S SO FUNNY THIS IS SERIOUS?!”
“Really Twilight Sparkle may I just call you Twilight you can call me Dusk, anyways really I thought us being the same pony so to speak you would know the difference between reality and some made up nonsense like that. If you got it from your Element of Kindness you should realize that those science fiction comics are just that fiction. Reality doesn’t work the way that they make it out to.” Dusk Shine said after calming down. He extended a hoof towards Twilight, who accepted the offered help to get on her hooves. “We should get back I believe it would be easier to explain the situation if we’re both there.”
“We already know the situation if everypony is back then I won’t have to say anything you have to explain it to your friends. Maybe I’ll have to explain how we got here.” Twilight corrected brushing herself off. “Now how do we get back?”
“Easy just follow the hoof prints.” Dusk Shine said pointing to the hoof prints. Twilight was more than just flustered a slight blush showed on her cheeks from not realizing something so simple. Striking off Twilight wondered just how he knew who she was.
“So what gave it away?”
“Huh oh you mean who you were? The teleport spell you used in the throne room. I read the magical signature the point where you reappeared also proved who you were.” Dusk Shine answered. They walked in silence the rest of the way. Ten ponies were already gathered where they split up.
“Bout time ya got back Dusk.” Aj hailed tipping his hat towards Twilight.
“Rainbow Dash who found you and how?” Twilight asked as she sat down.
“Well I was flying along and…” Rainbow Dash started.
“She got lost an’ ran inta RB ‘ere head first. Ah watched the two collide, an’ with nothin’ ‘appenin Ah turned around an headed ‘ere, ran inta Applejack on mah way back.” Applejack interrupted showing almost no surprise that Dusk Shine and Twilight arrived so late. “It’s almost dark unless ya’ll wanna stay out ‘ere Ah suggest we head back in.”
“I agree and while we’re there we can discuss your housing arrangements during your stay here.” Dusk shine said heading off towards the castle. “For now we’ll just have to stay in the throne room.”
A/N
Well what do you think so far? Leave a comment and let me know. I will tell you here and now that the end is near two chapters or at the most three left. Oh and I appologize for chapter six being late I was predisposed of and couldn't work on it. Warning what I am about to say next is a major spoiler do not pay attention if you don’t want to know.
The elements of harmony are needed to maintain Discord’s prison. Now that they’re gone he may just be released with no way of returning to stone. Luna realized this back in chapter three.
The twelve ponies sat around two fires, each half again the size of a pony, one had not been large enough to maintain comfortable warmth with the all too soon night, for all of them. The tongues of each danced in the silence, with the telling of their side done, the six mares waited for the recipient’s reaction.
“Hmm well that is understandable. Come to think of it if I was in your horseshoes I would have done the same thing.” Dusk Shine commented tapping a hoof to his chin.
“Well now that’s cleared Ya’ll need some place ta stay. Ah got a couple o’ rooms at tha farm.” Aj said flicking his hat. Dusk Shine was flabbergasted, obviously thinking that all wasn’t clear.
“I have a room at the boutique.” Elusive offered.
“We can always use some help down at Sugar Cube Corner. We do have an extra room.” Bubble Berry pitched in.
“My cottage does get a little lonely sometimes even with all my animal friends.” Butterscotch was looking away and kicking a hoof while he spoke.
“I guess I can offer the spare bed back at the library.” Dusk Shine sighed and shook his head. All eyes had turned to Rainbow Blitz.
“No. No way. I still don’t trust them. Besides I’m gonna stay at Aj’s to keep an eye on them.” Blitz crossed his forehooves with a grunt.
“So all that’s left is to decide who stays with whom.” Twilight said. “I kinda want to stay with Butterscotch.” Everypony could see her blush except Butterscotch who was still staring at his hooves.
“Ah don’t know abou’ ya’ll but Ah miss the farm so that’s where Ah’m stayin.” Applejack stated.
“Ooh me too me too.” Pinkie Pie burst into one of her happy spasms.
“I’ve helped around Sugar Cube Corner before so I wouldn’t mind that. If that’s alright with you.” Fluttershy mumbled.
“Of course it’s fine, we’re gonna have so much fun. Oh I know this calls for a party a Welcome-to-Sugar-Cube-Corner-Fluttershy-party.” Bubble Berry began trembling excitement.
“I do believe that Barbara would get along quite well with you Rarity. If you don’t mind would you consider staying with us at the library?” Dusk asked with a slight nod or bow Rarity couldn’t really tell which one.
“I would love to.” Rarity answered.
“That leaves…” Elusive started
“Uh-uh, no, no way, I am not staying with Elusive; I don’t think I can stand so much boredom.” Rainbow Dash argued shaking both her head and fore legs.
“I knew it, you act cool but your nothing more than a eager filly who can’t come to grips with just how lame she is.” Blitz crooned. His smirk was definitely louder than his words.
“You wouldn’t know cool if it bit you in the flanks copy colt, no matter how much you beg I won’t do it.” Rainbow Dash countered.
“How about we make a bet if you can stand the company of Elusive for longer than I can I’ll admit that’d be pretty cool.”
“IF he’s anything like Rarity then you don’t mean that. To you it would be exactly like a filly to be able to withstand exactly what they do. No it would be like proving I’m just a lame little filly. Well bub news flash I’m twice as cool as you will ever be.” Rainbow Dash had her pride shaken and she knew which buttons to press to get Blitz in the same foul mood.
“You will never be as cool as me filly faker, now be a good little filly and go play dress up.” Blitz snapped. With both of them ready to, well nopony present really could figure out just what they were not going to do. Twilight felt the urge to step in, as did Dusk Shine apparently.
“You two are acting like foals. You are the same pony whether you like it or not it’s true. Neither of you is cooler than the other.” Both of them snapped, bringing everyponies attention to them. Embarrassment for both of them became obvious as they did everything but look towards another pony.
“Ah think that tonight we all need some rest.” Aj stated looking out a nearby window.
“Ah agree it’s midnight or later.” Applejack consented before letting out a yawn. Trotting over to the pile of everything, Applejack pulled out one of the mats. Laying it out near the fires she curled up taking less than half of the space for herself. “We’ve only got six o’ these, so buddy up.” Applejack muttered before dozing off without another word. No pony made any arguments and in no time at all, all six mats had been laid out, right next to each other forming a rather haphazard looking square ish thing.
Sometime during the night they must have bunched together for some reason at least that’s what Rainbow Dash thought from the number of bodies that were piled on her. After she somehow squeezed out of the mound she found indeed that they had formed a small mound of pony. She couldn’t help but snicker at the sight of Blitz trying to snack on Applejack’ tail. ‘I’m soooo not gonna let him live that down.’ She mused glancing over towards the east window the sun had yet to rise apparently this ‘Prince Solaris’ was still asleep. Though everything in her screamed go back to sleep Rainbow Dash found that she couldn’t.
Rarity had said something about the dyes and paints needing a special remover, something she didn’t have. “It’s early but with so little ponies up I could practice my moves without getting screamed at if I get too close to Ponyville.” Rainbow paused giving such thoughts consideration before flying out a near window. “Maybe I should get up this early every day.” The night air did some to straighten her bed mane not by much though, also it was cool enough that she was awakened somewhat. “A dip in the river will do me good.” By the time she had reached the river it was dawn, nearly sunrise. Rainbow didn’t feel like landing and walking in, so instead she just dove strait into the current, creating a relatively small splash. Wrapping her fore hooves around a stone reaching about a hoofs length under the surface, Rainbow remained streamline like she would if flying. If she had to choose between being bothered and having to stay at Elusive’s, she much rather would have stayed at the boutique. Unfortunately for her the universe had no such plans. Of all the ways somepony could have disturbed her, a net was definitely not the one she would have guessed.
“Hey we actually caught something!” A foal’s voice called easily distinguishable as a colt.
“Did we get our fishing cutie-marks?” Another colt asked
“Sadly no.” A third one sighed. “Anyway let’s see what we got.”
“A pony, I think I’ve seen her before too. Um Morning Storm I think.” The first one voiced up.
“HEY! LET ME GO ALREADY!” Rainbow Dash half screamed, half growled.
“Righ’ sorry bout tha’.” The second one said, this one had a goofy grin on his face. His yellow coat and red mane and tail, topped off with a hat on backwards, was telling her just who she was dealing with except his name.
“Just who are you three exactly?”
“Names Applebuck, this ere is Scootoroll an’ Sweepybell.” Applebuck dipped his head a tad when he introduced himself a gesture the others followed, when he indicated them with his hoof.
“Alright now again get me out of here.” Rainbow greeted.
“Oops sorry about that not exactly our intention to catch or keep a pony.” Sweepybell said throwing off the net.
“Hey Sweepybell you’ve got an older brother right?” Rainbow Dash realized that she needed to get into character.
“Yep. His name’s Elusive.” Sweepybell had one of the goofiest grins plastered on his face.
“What’s he like?” Morning Storm asked raising one eyebrow.
“See ya Sweepybell I’m not gonna stay for something so boring.” Scootoroll said with a roll of his eyes.
“Asides Ah gotta get back afore Aj does else Ah’m in big trouble. Red Gala is gonna have me working in his place if Ah don’t.” Applebuck muttered hoping into their red wagon. “We’ll meet up at the club house.”
“I’ll tell you if you answer one question first.”
“Deal.” Morning didn’t really care at the moment.
“Why do you want to know?” It was an innocent question and the fact that he was a bit concerned for his brother made it all that much more difficult to lie or avoid answering.
“Well he kinda offered to let me stay with you two.” Morning Storm’s half smile spoke volumes as did rubbing her hoof along the back of her neck.
“Ok. Well he’s the best big brother ever. Sure he can be a bit annoying when trying to create a new line of designs but that’s part of his job. I’ll be the first one to say that he is probably the smoothest gentlecolt ever. If you do come and stay you’ll be treated like a lady at the very least if not a princess.” Sweepybell’s explanation pretty much described what she thought. Admittedly the prospect of being treated as an actual mare instead of a stallion that looked like one was enticing to say the least. One of her hidden desires, one of her explicitly hidden desires was to be able to act like the mare she was. It didn’t fit her ‘cool’ image but right now she wasn’t Rainbow Dash she was Morning Storm.
“Thanks squirt, see ya later.” Morning Storm took flight towards a field farther away from Ponyville with that little escapade taking more time than she would have liked. With her thoughts distracted as they were she ended up just lying on her stomach letting the sun warm her instead of practicing for the wonder bolts.
Two hours after sunrise and the pile of pony was dismantled with a lot of embarrassed mummers and apologies. “Well I suppose that we better take our stuff and get out of here.” Twilight said with a shrug.
“I think you’re forgetting something dear.” Rarity cooed. The confused look Twilight gave her was shared by everypony else there. “Not all of us here are disguised though it may not be much of a problem with them but for everypony else it would cause panic. So before we leave the rest of us need to change, so to speak.” Understanding expressions replaced confusion.
“Makes sense.” Dusk Shine said. “Any idea where Rainbow Dash went?”
“No I hadn’t realized she left.” Rarity said beginning work on the rest of the mares, herself included.
“Ah think perhaps Morning Storm is trying to live up to her special talent.” AJ stated picking up one of the two hats. A quick look and he tossed it over to Applejack. “This’n ere is yours.” Applejack gave an appreciative nod and set her Stetson on her head.
“Well once ya’ll over thar are done we should get a movin.” Applejack called picking through everything. “Grab yer part, an get ready ta leave the less time we spen’ ere the better.”
“Yes quite, I’ll grab Rainbow Dash’s things and head off now.” Elusive spoke levitating everything that he knew to be hers. “I’ll be off there are things that I need to do today.” Elusive waved and left.
“There all done now all that’s left is to wash off the residue.” Rarity said. “Well except designing the cutie-marks but that’s something I’ll have to do later.”
“That’s three missing I can’t find Pinkie or Bubble Berry.” Dusk Shine said looking around.
“Nothing to worry about they probably just left to get some water. We do need it after all.” Rarity confided. Sure enough not two seconds after she was done speaking both party ponies were laughing at their latest antic, drenching everypony present. Rarity had done her job well none of the mares looked like they had before, just that they were missing their cutie-marks made the disguise flawed. “Now what should each cutie-mark be hmmm.” Drawing a blank she stared at the others. “Any ideas?”
“How about a muffin for Fluttershy?” Bubble Berry chipped in. “You do know how to make them right?” A nod from Fluttershy and it was decided. With only a name left her disguise was done. Everypony after that began shooting ideas around about the other two. It took a few hours before everything was finished. Everypony was loaded with equipment and food. There wasn’t a reason to let all of it go to waste.
“Now that everything’s settled let’s go.” Dusk Shine said lifting both Rarity’s and his share.
Elusive was on his way back to the boutique with all of the equipment that was Rainbow Dash’s. The sun was bright with not a cloud in the sky yet, there was a storm planned for this afternoon. From the position of the sun in the sky Elusive guessed that it was about eight o’clock. The weather team was already gathering and collecting some clouds. Every word they said he could hear.
“Hey that new mare isn’t helping and she’s even got storm in her name, seriously!” One of them called out.
“Hey, she also has morning in her name, the storms set for the afternoon she probably already knew that. Besides she was up before any of us. Dived into the river with the light of dawn. Sun came up after she did.” A second one chided.
“Excuse me but do either of you know where she is at this time.” Elusive called up to them.
“Yeah I do, she’s relaxing in a meadow just north of Ponyville. Why?” The first one answered.
“Ah well she’s staying with me currently and I just wanted to know if she had breakfast yet.” Elusive answered before trotting off. The second pegasus hailed him with something he didn’t exactly expect.
“Lucky colt, I wish she was my marefriend instead of yours ah well take her someplace nice will ya. A looker like that deserves it.” Elusive gave that statement a thought before a small smile appeared on him.
“Yes I’ll do just that.” Elusive spoke more to himself than anypony else. The first thing he decided was to set everything down at the boutique. After that was done he cantered off in the direction that was given to him. Leaning up against the sole tree in the meadow Elusive felt his stomach flip and his heart flutter at the sight of Morning Storm curled up napping in a patch of daises under the sun’s rays. As much as he hated to disturb her his mind was set. Walking over to her he nudged her cheek with his muzzle. “Wake up Rainbow Dash or Morning Storm which ever you prefer.” He whispered in her ear.
“Huh oh it’s you. What time is it?” Morning Storm asked with a yawn.
“Almost eight thirty. Time you get some breakfast if you ask me.” Elusive smirked as he continued to whisper. Morning Storm stood up yawning all the while. She looked away in embarrassment when her stomach grumbled. Elusive couldn’t help but chuckle at this. “Come on let’s go.”
“It’s Morning Storm.” Morning Storm mumbled as they made their way back towards Ponyville.
“Hmm oh yes thank you.” Elusive muttered back. Instead of heading to Carousel Boutique like she expected, Elusive had led her to one of the more fancy restaurants in Ponyville. The waiter greeted them and in no time at all they were looking over the menu. Another waiter came over just as they put them down.
“And what will you have this fine morning?” He asked using his horn to levitate a quill and pad.
“I’ll have the cinnamon hay sticks.” Morning Storm said with a slight smile.
“I’ll take some sliced apples, and to drink, strawberry lemonade for her and for me a glass of orange juice please.” Elusive said with a quick nod to the waiter.
“Right away.” The waiter took the menus and left.
“How did you know about my drink?” Morning Storm asked with a curious look on her face.
“I just assumed that since you and Rainbow Blitz are so much alike that you would also enjoy the same kind of drink. He loves strawberry lemonade especially in the morning.” Elusive answered with a patient tone. Morning Storm nodded. The waiter came soon after with their orders leaving without saying a word. The two ate their meal in silence.
“Oh shoot I don’t have any bits on me.” Morning Strom hissed.
“Not to worry I’m paying this time.” Elusive waved a hoof dismissing the idea that she pay anything. The waiters and the waitresses at the restaurant were incredibly efficient and professional, bringing the check to them just when their little conversation ended. Without any hesitation Elusive hoofed over the bits as well as a generous tip.
“Thanks, I’m gonna head to the boutique and get settled in.” Morning Storm fluttered over to Elusive. What came next gave him a shock, leaving him standing there like a fool. She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “See ya.” Elusive touched his cheek with a hoof a distant gaze on his face.
Fluttershy was walking along next too Bubble Berry as they cleared the edge of the Ever Free Forrest. They had nothing to say, well, she didn’t anyways and quietly listened to the ranting of the pony bouncing beside her. All the others had been faster than them in leaving being the last to leave didn’t so much bother her. They passed Butterscotch and Twilight who was now masquerading as Moonletters at the moment as they tended to his many animals. “Hey we need to think of a name for you before we get to Sugar Cube Corner.” Bubble Berry burst through his previous rant about something that Fluttershy believed was flora.
“Um actually I’ve already thought of something.” Fluttershy said paying little attention to Bubble Berry instead waving a hoof at Twilight who had waved at her just prior.
“Really? Great! Don’t tell me I want it to be a surprise.” Bubble Berry said before launching back into whatever topic he was on before. The two continued on their way with no further distractions. It wasn’t long before Sugar Cube Corner loomed over them. “Well let’s introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Cake.” Bubble Berry burst through the door with Fluttershy cowering behind him. Both the Cakes were behind the counter working diligently to satisfy all the customers present.
“Oh Bubble Berry your back and who is this with you?” Mr. Cake asked, at least Fluttershy assumed it was him. He looked the same except with Mrs. Cake’s coloring. Bubble Berry stepped aside to grant them a clearer view of Fluttershy. Everypony’s attention turned to the russet brown mare with a mane and tail of bright yellow that Bubble Berry had brought with him.
“Um I’m Floranectar.” Her soft voice had won the stallions in the place over but the mares weren’t taking things so easily.
“She’s gonna be staying in the spare room.” Bubble Berry informed the Cakes as he bounced into the kitchen.
“I’ll work here if that’s an issue.” Floranectar muttered. All the stallions were definitely eccentric about the idea but Mr. Cake had the same idea as Mrs. Cake if the glances they shared were to mean anything.
“Oh no dear we couldn’t live with ourselves if Bubble Berry’s new marefriend had to work. He may not be our son but we like to think he is.” Mrs. Cake said with a small smile. This small statement had Floranectar blushing strong enough that it could be seen through her coat clearly. The grumbling of many of the pony’s present was cut short when a crash came from the kitchen. The Cakes and Floranectar rushed to see what had happened. What greeted their eyes was Bubble Berry upside down with his back to a cabinet, pots and pans everywhere, and flour covering nearly every surface there was. He wore a goofy smile as they stared at him.
“Oopsy?” While Mr. and Mrs. Cake just sighed and shook their heads, Floranectar was next to him Bubble Berry before his mouth even closed.
“You’re not hurt are you?” Seeing as she was close to tears Bubble Berry did the only thing he could think off. Which to be specific was to give her a comforting hug. She had other ideas and took things farther, leaning in and giving him a kiss. The strained coughs and occasional clearing of a throat interrupted the two. Floranectar broke away even more embarrassed now then earlier, Bubble Berry turned a bright red.
“What I tell you, I won’t even consider having her work. Now Flora dear why don’t you come with me and I’ll show you to your room.” Mrs. Cake said with a gentle smile. She was the only pony that was unfazed by the show of affection.
“Thanks but I do want to help.” Floranectar murmured soft enough that the only one who had herd was Mrs. Cake. In response Mrs. Cake only nodded.
The sun was past its zenith when Maidens Apple stopped to wipe her brow. Pinkie Pie was inside with Grandpa Smith making todays lunch, for when half of today’s sector was bucked. She had been welcomed easily enough but Pinkie Pie not so much. It was killing her to lie and with Aj also lying for her both of them were going through the same thing. At the very least Rainbow Blitz wasn’t trying to blow their cover so that was a bonus, he just didn’t help with the apple bucking. She was starting to wonder if she could goad him into actually working instead of lounging around on that cloud all day watching her.
“Blitz if ya’ll are just gonna lie thar an do nothin then do it somewhere else it’s startin ta creep me out.” Maiden called up to him.
“I don’t have to do anything you say.” Blitz countered.
“More like ya couldn’t.” Maiden sneered up at him. Blitz was instantly on his hooves and shot down to her level.
“What was that? I can do anything you can and do it better.” Blitz spat in Maidens face. This earned a smirk from her.
“Prove it.” Those words were all it took in a flash Rainbow Blitz rocketed towards the barn coming back in a mere four seconds with a cart harnessed to himself.
“Let’s make this a contest, whoever gathered the most apples by lunch wins. Winner decides what the loser must do and for how long.” Rainbow Blitz spit into one of his hooves. Maidens smirk became a full blown grin. Spitting into her own hoof smashed it into Blitz’s.
“Yer on.”
Two hours, with Rainbow Blitz actually doing work, the hundred acre area they were meant to clear that’s all it took. Red Gala stood next to Grandpa Smith both had their mouths hanging open. Aj just shook his head at the spectacle. Maiden and Blitz were arguing over who had gathered the most, their respective harvests next to each other. Applebuck was counting out each one. His job continued for the next half hour.
“Looks like Maiden won by two apples. Too bad Blitz, better luck next time.” Applebuck announced joining his brother. Blitz had a look of shock while Maiden’s face showed nothing but contempt.
“Well I am a pony of my word. Do your….” That was as far as he was able to get before Maiden tackled him to the ground and pressed her muzzle to his in a forceful kiss, passionate, but forceful.
“Eww.” Applebuck gagged reeling back. Red Gala smiled as did Grandpa Smith. Aj cleared his throat loudly. The two broke apart, Blitz was in a daze while Maiden showed no signs embarrassment. The fact that she wasn’t as red as Red Gala was a miracle in her opinion with her stomach doing pirouettes and her heart racing faster than the stallion she just kissed could fly. Seeing Red Gala the first time had nearly made her heart stop. No matter how hard she had tried she just couldn’t picture Big Macintosh as anything but a stallion, after seeing Red Gala she nearly forgot just what her brother looked like. The red mare was pretty, well actually pretty would be insulting she was downright stunning, beauty that she knew Rarity would be jealous of.
“IT’S READY!!”
“GYAAAHH!” Applebuck nearly jumped onto the barn roof. A pale yellow pony with a dull teal mane and tail had come from behind and shouted in his ear. “Aj who’s this?” He asked curiosity replacing fright. Having been with the other crusaders at the time when they had arrived missed out on the introductions, getting to know Maiden when running smack dab into her out in the orchard.
“Hi I’m Sugar Crumble nice to meet you.” Applebuck got swept up into a bear hug as Sugar finished speaking. The crumble that she had just made landed on the picnic table set out earlier that day, having been thrown off her head when she started squeezing Applebuck. Steam was visibly coming off the treat.
“Ya out done yer-self this time Sugar, it looks mighty tasty.” Maiden chirped licking her chops.
“Dive right in.” Sugar Crumble responded cheerily. Dive in they did, Maiden could of swore she heard Aj say something under his breath, she wasn’t the only one Blitz apparently heard as well, giving him a wink and a hoof gesture. Everypony almost collapsed after the first bite. The crumble made their knees weak, one of them manage to croak how good it was with grunts of agreement from the rest. With every last crumb gone in under a minute, Sugar was ecstatic about how well it went.
“I can’t believe it was so good I was experimenting with that one. I’m gonna have to remember the recipe.” Sugar chided bouncing all the while.
“Aj can Ah talk to ya alone?” Maiden asked looking back over her shoulder.
“Yeah be thar shortly.” Aj called. When the two got out of earshot of the others she turned to look him strait in the eyes.
“Correct me if Ah’m wrong but did ya’ll say that ya wished that she had made that just for ya?” Maiden interrogated him with a glare that could split stone. Aj merely nodded. “Ah thank Celestia Ah heard that right.” She visibly relaxed quite a bit.
“Uh weren’t ya just angry at me?” Aj asked taking a step back.
“Ah would have been had ya said no. She likes ya a lot Ah can tell, if ya had broken her heart Ah would have been mad.” Maiden answered with a slight smile and a hardened glare.
“Oh um yeah.” Aj was rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof clearly out of his comfort zone.
“Now that Ah know ya do like her, ya’ll ‘ve got ta make the first move with ‘er.” Maiden told him with all seriousness in her tone. The confused look he gave her made her roll her eyes. “Go ta her and show some affection ya dolt. Hug her, nuzzle her, kiss her on the cheek or where ever, it doesn’t matter. Ya got ta be strait forward with that un.”
“Ya mean do what ya did ta Blitz.” It wasn’t a question.
“Now ya don’ ‘ave ta go that far, Ah mean she’d like it, just be gentle with ‘er she aint as strong as we are.” Maiden muttered now the one rubbing the back of her neck. Their conversation came to a close with neither comfortable in saying anything anymore.
“Ah guess we should head back.” Aj suggested.
“Yeah.” With Aj leading the way back it came to no surprise that everypony was waiting for them.
“Ya sure about this?” He whispered when they got closer.
“More than Ah’ve ever been.” Maiden whispered back. With a sigh and a determined grunt Aj walked over to where Sugar was standing without the characteristic smile. Looping one fore hoof around her, he pulled her into a kiss. Sugar Crumbles shock faded almost instantly, wrapping both fore hooves around his neck she leaned into the greatest moment of her life.
The sun shone through the window causing a glare to land right in Rarity’s eyes. The clock said four in the afternoon, but to her it felt later, much later. She shielded her eyes as she continued to climb the stairs. A gentle smile graced her lips as she levitated Barbara into her basket, it felt natural like she was tucking in Sweetie Belle back home. The smile was replaced by a grimace. She had to go back, Sweetie Belle might have managed to convince somepony to let her stay with them, probably Big Macintosh or the Cakes. Now Rarity wished she had a chance to talk to her sister before she left. They had left of on a rather strained moment. The last thing she had said made Sweetie Belle cry, that was the last time she had seen her before their departure. It had broken her heart to see that, made even worse now that she truly regretted her words. With no way to say just how much she loved and cared for her sister, it was starting to take hold of her entire being.
Barbara reminded her a lot of Sweetie Belle. Except that when Dusk Shine had brought her here she had seemed shocked before shrugging it off. It took a little bit for her to get used to the caramel coated pony, even longer to stop staring at the dull yellow mane and tail both having white and orange highlights. Rarity backed out of the bedroom shutting the door as quietly as she could. A sniffle escaped as she descended to the library’s main room, trying with all her might to choke back sobs. Pain and regret shown clearly on her face, something that Dusk Shine didn’t miss. “Silk Seams?” He asked worry ladled throughout his tone. When she didn’t respond he tried again. “Rarity?” This time she looked up with another sniff. “Come here.” There was no annoyance in his voice no sigh, only sincere concern. Though she didn’t know why Rarity did just that, falling flat on her haunches the moment she reached him. Dusk reach a hoof out lifting her head to look her in the eye. “It’s about your sister isn’t it?” Worry shone through his eyes shattering her resolve. Throwing herself into him Rarity wrapped her forehooves around his neck, burying her muzzle into his shoulder as she started to cry harder than ever before. Dusk Shine pulled her closer with one hoof while stroking her mane with the other. They stayed like that until the sun was lowered and night set in.
“I shouldn’t have left without letting her know just how sorry I am.” She managed through sniffs, puffy red eyes looked deep into Dusk Shine’s. Streams of moonlight shone on both faces, without any thought or hesitation they both leaned in and shared a soft heart felt kiss.
Shadows danced and flickered in time with the candles flame the two locked in a silent dance. Moonletters was lying down with her hooves tucked in, leaning into Butterscotch’s side. Her quill raced fervently across the paper lining out the names of stars and constellations. After helping him take care of all his animal friends Moonletters started to sketch the night sky, Butterscotch had sat next to her pointing out what constellations were which and the lore behind them. They had come inside when she had started to shiver from the nightly breeze. Butterscotch helping correct any mistakes she made had eventually evolved into the state they were at now.
It was getting late and her fore hooves were starting to cramp. Stretching them out Moonletters let out a yawn. Crossing her hooves Moonletters got back to work. Apparently Butterscotch also thought it was late and couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. His head came down on her fore hooves, his muzzle came to rest against her chest. Moonletters couldn’t help but smile with his breath rustling her coat. Setting down her quill she rolled up the paper. Snuffing out the candle with her magic, Twilight laid her head down on his neck. She was still smiling as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, only after she had placed a kiss on the end of his nose.
Rays of soft sunlight flitted through a window in Butterscotch’s cabin, landing on closed eyes, waking their owner with a gentle yawn. “Hmm morning already?” Twilight, however much the sun tried to keep her awake laid her head back down. The morning light soon got some much needed assistance in the form of rasping on the door. The unexpected intrusion scared Twilight enough that she tripped over something causing her to crash into the couch behind her. Butterscotch, who she had tripped over earlier, woke with a start at the sudden noise sending the timed stallion strait into a wall out of panic. The night’s events came back in a rush to Twilight causing her to blush violently. A voice snapped her back to reality.
“Is everything alright in there?” she called from the other side of the door. ‘She’ determinable from the tone of voice, must be Barbara, at least that was what Twilight thought. Standing up and brushing herself off, she trotted over to the door before it swung open with a resounding thud. “Oh good I thought something bad happened after all that noise.”
“Barbara right? Do you need to see Butterscotch, I’m ….” Twilight began.
“Twilight Sparkle currently using the alias of Moonletters yeah I know Dusk Shine told me everything. He wants both you and Butterscotch to head to the library immediately.” She said turning away. “I’ve got to get everypony else, he seemed pretty stressed better not keep him waiting.” Barbara turned and left, not particularly caring if they actually were in a rush. Twilight shut the door before wandering over to where Butterscotch was laying.
“Come on, Dusk Shine wants us for some reason.” Twilight murmured with a comforting nuzzle. Butterscotch took the offered hoof accepting the help getting to his hooves.
“Thanks.” He mumbled.
“We should get going.” Twilight suggested with a slight smile. “I have a feeling that whatever it is, it definitely cannot wait.” With Twilight leading the two left Butterscotch’s home making their way towards Dusk Shine, and what was bothering the stallion. The trip from the cottage to the library took about half an hour so it was unsurprising that they were the last ones there.
“Finally now I don’t have to constantly repeat myself.” Dusk Shine sighed breaking from his pacing. “I’m sure you understand the whole Eris thing.” When all he got was blank stares from the mares, Dusk Shine started to rub his temples. “The weird looking statue that came to life and caused chaos not too long ago.”
“Ahhh you mean that big meanie Discord.” Pinkie Pie chipped in.
“Right. Well his, her whatever it is, prison is held together by the Elements of Harmony.” Dusk Shine started his explanation. Twilights eyes bulged almost instantly.
“And with us gone Discord might break free again. Oh this is bad we really need to go back.” Twilight nearly went into panic mode beating the ground with her hooves at a furious pace, twitching one way then another.
“Ah understand that sugar cube but we don’ exactly ‘ave what we need.” Applejack said placing a hoof on her friends shoulder. “Ya’ll need ta calm down an’ think.”
“Ok let’s see here, a vase, the diamond, the feather, and the nectar. I believe that’s all.” Twilight listed off. “Hmm the diamond would probably be the hardest thing to find. If Elusive hasn’t used it yet.”
“Use what pray tell?” Elusive asked cocking his head at the mention of his name.
“A canary diamond.” Rarity filled in. “I sacrificed my last one for us to come here.”
“Ah yes I can give you mine.” Elusive offered.
“I’ve been trying to give away some of my vases.” Butterscotch muttered.
“That leaves the nectar and a feather. With Rainbow Dash being died we’ll need one from you Blitz.” Twilight informed looking directly at Blitz.
“Wait, what uh-uh no way. Nopony is touching my feathers.” Blitz nearly screamed defensively. Rainbow Dash leaned over and plucked one while Blitz was shaking his head.
“Here Twilight.” She said spitting out the feather. Rainbow Blitz mad a dive for it and started grumbling seeing it floating in front of his muzzle, encased in Twilights magic.
“Thank you now all we need to sort out is the nectar.” Pinkie Pie during the commotion was whispering into Bubble Berry’s ear finishing just as Twilight did. “If you all would be so kind as to gather everything and meet me at the hill at which we arrived. I need to place the runes.” Twilight turned and left followed by everypony in the library. Dusk Shine accompanied Twilight to the hill.
“I’m curious on how you found a way here so quickly.” Dusk Shine said as Twilight began scratching lines into the ground with her hooves.
“I had spent plenty of time researching methods of travel and came across a spell of mass transportation with reduced strain. When you sent the scroll I tried the frequency. Upon seeing you I figured that all I had to do was alter the frequency. Of course it was just a theory so it could have failed.” Twilight answered never once moving her eyes from her work.
“Ah yes I think I remember now. That spell was researched for emergencies allowing a quick transport to Canterlot had it been necessary.” Dusk Shine mumbled. Neither said anything more for some time, the runes were finished and nopony had come yet. “You know whenever I’m talking to you it feels like I’m…” Dusk Shine broke the silence.
“Talking to your sister. I feel the same way, like you’re my brother. Do you think that the others feel the same way?” Twilight interrupted. Dusk merely nodded in agreement. The two shared one fear obvious from the look in each other’s eyes. What if they were too late? Hoof steps snapped the two out of their trance as their friends arrived. Each one carrying something that was going with them. Twilight placed the vase in the exact center of the circle before her magic enveloped the other ingredients. “This is definitely going to give me a headache.” She muttered taking inventory of everything. “Well you know the drill let’s go.”
“What no time to say good-bye? Really Twilight I thought you would want to as well.” Rainbow Dash asked lobbing a confused look in her direction.
“No it will just make things harder on us.” Twilight muttered. Her posture was strong but the tears fell freely. Nopony said anything more as the six mares gathered in position. Depression filled the air; it wasn’t that they wanted to leave but that they had to. “Chances are we won’t be coming back.” Just as before liquid light poured out from the vase upon the chants completion. Growing steadily until blinding, shifting from white to red everything was the same. The same red light sprung out and devoured everything in the runic circle, collapsing on itself causing a deafening explosion. The six stallions were thrown off their hooves from the respondent shockwave. One by one each stood shaking from the effort.
“Dusk dude I am never gonna be part of that spell. Ever.” Rainbow Blitz told his friend shaking his head to clear his thoughts. All six stared at the carnage left by the after effects.
“Nor do I want to even think about casting it.” Dusk informed them. Blitz couldn’t help but take advantage of this set up.
“So you’re saying that, that Twilight Sparkle mare has more guts than you do? That’s just sad.” Blitz mocked him throwing in a snicker.
“I’ll let that comment slide this time, but remember that Rainbow Dash had the guts to do that twice.” Dusk countered.
“So that’s that.” Solaris said more to himself than anything else.
“For us yes. Yet I can’t shake the feeling that Luna was right.” Artemis said chancing a look towards his brother.
“Nor can I, nor can I. Discord freed twice in nigh upon a year, harsh to say the least. Their world has seen his mischief thrice now. All we can do is believe that those mares can handle the monster once more.” Solaris directed, focusing his gaze towards the area that a pillar of red light had just been.
“I know.” Artemis answered. The royal brothers turned towards the statue in the palace garden. “I just can’t imagine Eris being released again and so soon too. Just how powerful are they. Not three days and they can break free.”
“I understand your concern, it is something we share. Trust that while their time here weakened the hold on Discord, Eris’ prison only strengthened.” Solaris spoke in an attempt to comfort his brother.
To the wandering stranger the location of such a bright light and resounding noise was peaceful. Six mares lay among scattered assortment of goods blissfully unaware of their surroundings. Blue grass and a green sky were more interesting than the sleeping mares. It was only when one stirred that the rest seemed to show signs of life. Muted groans and occasional grumbles could be heard.
“Well that didn’t get any easier.” Rainbow muttered rubbing her temples. “You awake Twilight?” A groan was her response. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“There’s no doubt about it Discord’s free.” Rarity’s usually calm and lady like voice was dripping with malice.
“Whatever did I do to earn such a burning hatred?” Discord’s voice rang out. He seemed to appear out of nowhere. With a snap of his claws the pony’s coats returned to their original colors. “Did you honestly think that some coloring would confuse me? Surely you jest.”
“Discord!” Twilight’s scream was filled with venom even greater than Rarity’s.
“Such malice, did I really give you reason for such?”
“YA’LL NEVER WIN YA HEAR ME!!” Applejack’s rage rang loud and clear for anything to hear.
“I implore you to try.” Discord challenged before twisting into nothing.
“Great now where did he go?” Pinkie inquired.
“The one place where chaos reigns the most.” Twilight answered directing everypony’s gaze. “The capital of his evil, Ponyville.”
A/N
Yes I know it’s short but I really didn’t want to break the battle between the Elements of Harmony and Discord it just wouldn’t be right. Until next time.
