> Infinity Train: Bookworm
>  by luckyboys121
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> All Aboard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight sat aboard the bus to Camp Everfree looking out at her friends she couldn't help but have her thoughts wander. She thought to herself, "Come on Twi, focus! The whole reason you signed up for this is to be with your friends and take your mind off all this. The Friendship Games was months ago now." 

As Twilight sent her focus back to the world she looked at everyone around her. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash stuffing their faces with marshmallows, Rarity and Applejack arguing over the true definition of camping, Fluttershy happily petting a sleeping Spike, and finally and most importantly Sunset Shimmer sitting next to her and giving her a brief smile before returning to the video game she was addicted to this week. Twilight smiled back as she thought, "For Sunset's sake I hope the cabins have outlets, because I wouldn't be surprised if she kills the Switch battery before we get there."

Twilight grinned at this thought before taking a glance to the window, at which point any and all thoughts left her head. Rather then her own reflection staring back was the grinning face she has been dreading nearly every minute since the first time she saw it. At seeing her fear, Midnight Sparkle began to let out a giggle of pure sadistic glee. Twilight immediately turned to Sunset for comfort, only to be instilled with further terror as Sunset slowly raised her head and turned towards her with the same blue flames around her eyes and jagged horn as Midnight as she two joined in on the laughter.

"No..." Twilight meekly let out in fear as one by one each of her friends stood up looking and laughing just like Midnight. "No... no... NOOO!" 

As Twilight screamed the world fell away and Midnight suddenly stood before her saying, "You don't think I'll just stop at taking your body back do you? I'm not gonna stop until I've twisted all your friends to my will and corrupted all their magic!" 

Twilight's screams only increased before eventually.... she woke up in her bed in a cold sweat. As she panted and looked around she soon found Spike sleeping in his dog bed next to her own bed and raced towards him as she began petting him for comfort. Upon receiving the pets Spike groggily yawned before saying, "Another nightmare?"

Twilight simply nodded as she continued to pet.

"And you still don't want to tell Sunset and the others about them?" asked Spike already knowing the answer as Twilight shook her head no while still petting. 

"Uhhh, whatever," said Spike as he was sick of having this argument with her at this point. "So how long until the camp bus gets here?"

Twilight reached out and grabbed her phone, only for her eyes to go wide as she said, "IT LEFT AN HOUR AGO!" 

"WAIT WHAT!?" asked Spike in concern.

"Just what I said, it left an hour ago," said Twilight as she ran into her closet and quickly started changing. "I must have forgotten to set the alarm."

"Well didn't our friends text you or something?" asked Spike.

"They did, but I still had it on vibrate after going to see that space movie with Shining and his friends last night," she said as she scrolled through all the texts. While she had her phone out she checked the weather and saw that it was cold and elected to wear a sweater, hoodie, and legging in addition to her purple skirt before finally slipping on an old pair of boots that it would be easy to run in. 

She then stepped out of the closet and slipped on her backpack as she said, "It's a good thing I packed my camp uniform and everything yesterday." She then pulled out a phone and wrote a group text as she said, "I'm telling everyone that I overslept and will meet them soon."

"How are we going to get there though, your parents and Shining are all out for the day?" said Spike.

Twilight scrolled through her phone before putting it away as she said, "The next public bus leaves the station in about ten minutes. If we hurry we can catch it and ride to the gas station just outside of town... it will still be about a twenty minute jog from there but we still should be make it before the day is out."

At hearing this and seeing Twi's determination Spike hopped off his bed saying, "Well then what are we waiting for, let's go!"

Twilight nodded at this before they both made there way out of the house and began there journey.

As the two quickly ran through the streets, Spike briefly rolled his eyes as despite knowing the result he couldn't help but say, "You know Twi, maybe you wouldn't have overslept if you would just tell your friends about these nightmares already."

"And I already told you Spike, I don't WANT to tell them. Magic is a key part of who they are, how are they gonna react when I tell them, 'I'm scared there might be a magic demon inside me that wants to possess your bodies and use your magic to destroy the world'," said Twilight in exasperation as they've had this conversation to many times for her taste.

"Well... you could at least tell Sunset, I mean not only is she from a world of magic, but she's been through this same kind of thing before," said Spike trying to help.

"NO!" yelled Twilight as she slightly blushed at this, but thankfully it wasn't noticeable as she had been covering her face from the wind. She didn't know why but for some reason the idea of telling Sunset alone made her freak out more then telling all of them. Regardless she didn't have the time to think about this as she and Spike powered on the bus station now in site. 

The two of them soon burst through the door only to discover... no one in there.

As Spike briefly huffed for breath he said, "What the...there's no one here... did we miss it?"

"Maybe," said Twilight as she too struggled for breath. "But... even if we did there should at least be an attendant, but there's nobody," she said gesturing to the empty information booth.

"Hmm, weeeiiirrrd," said Spike as he sat and started sniffing around to see if he could pick something up.

Twilight pulled out her phone again as she said, "I could swear I just saw a bus schedule, and it's not a holiday or anything so they should be running today." 

As Twilight was talking though Spike's highly trained doggy ears began picking up a loudly approaching noise as he smiled saying, "Good news Twi, I think i hear the bus coming!"

"Really," said Twilight excitedly as she put her phone away and looked at the street. 

What they saw though was unexpected for a number of reasons though as instead of a bus pulling into the stop, something else entirely did.

"What the?" said Spike confused.

"A...train?" asked Twilight equally confused. 

"Where did it come from?" asked Spike as he looked towards the rear car... only to not see one as it seemed to stretch on forever.

Twilight on the other hand turned her attention to the front as she smiled saying, "I don't know, but look where it's going!"

Sure enough the destination screen on the front displayed the words Camp Everfree as the sliding doors began to open.

As Twilight immediately went to board, Spike grabbed her leg saying, "I don't know about this Twi... something about it doesn't feel right."

"Pffftt, come on Spike it's just a train. I mean... what's the worst that could happen?" said Twilight as she continued towards the door and Spike reluctantly followed as suddenly everything went white and they heard the doors close behind them.
> Forest Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A warm wet sensation. That's the first thing that occurred to Twilight as she regained consciousness. She soon struggled to open her eyes and found that the next thing she experienced was a large bright light. She groaned from it before her eyes finally adjusted as she was greeted to a bright sun with a few tree branches and Spike licking her face. 

"Thank goodness, you're awake," said Spike as he backed away relieved. 

Twilight groaned as she sat up and asked, "What happened?"

"I'm not sure," said Spike as looked at their surroundings. "The last thing I remember was us getting on that weird train... then I woke up next to you in this forest."

Twilight also looked and.... it was indeed a forest. She stood up confusedly saying, "What the?" as her brain went into overdrive trying to come up with a logically explanation for this. Eventually she found one as she said, "Hmm, we must have been so tired from having to run to the station that we passed out once we got off the train."

Spike looked a little concerned as he said, "I mean... I guess that makes sense."

"Do you have a better explanation?" asked Twilight as she began brushing the dead leaves and dirt off her clothes. 

"Well... no," admitted Spike in defeat.

"Alright then, that's what we'll go with," said Twilight satisfied for now, at least that's what she told herself as deep down she knew there was another explanation. One that until recently she would have never had cross her mind but now the very notion now terrified her... magic. She shuttered at the thought before retreating to the more logical one as she said, "In which case the camp should just be up ahead. I'll text Sunset that we're almost there." She then pulled out her phone and began typing as she and Spike walked forward.

After a brief moment of walking Spike asked, "Are you sure it's this way?"

Twilight wrapped her text before opening her GPS app saying, "Hmm, that's weird. I have a signal but it can't get location data... well regardless the camp is in the middle of several gas and weigh stations so either way we'll hit something and know where to go from there."

As soon as she finished saying that though Twilight caught sight of something shiny in a nearby tree as she said, "What the?" and began approaching it.

Spike soon followed after her saying, "What is it?"

"It's... a ball?" said Twilight in confusion as she came close to the object.

"A ball!" said Spike as he excitedly approached wagging his tail. 

Sure enough there was what appeared to be a large shiny white ball with a black band on it caught in a low hanging branch.

"Hmm, I guess someone from the Camp must have left it here," said Twilight as she reached out for the ball.

Before she could grip it though, two white dots moved to the front of the black band as it began to emit a screaming noise.

Twilight and Spike screamed back at the sudden shock of this before the ball suddenly stopped screaming and actually spoke saying, "Are you my mum?"

Twilight's scream died down as she asked, "What?" 

"Are you my mum? I've been trying to find her for a long time we probably won't ever find her," said the ball as the two dots that seemed to be eyes locked onto Twilight.

"Um no... I'm sorry," said Twilight in confusion.

"Oh that's quite alright then I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up," said the ball as it hopped out of the tree and began walking on four tiny appendages. 

"Woah are you a robot?" asked Twilight somewhat excitedly.

"Maybe... I don't rightly know can anyone really know what they are?" said the ball as it approached Spike. "What about you little furry fellow, are you my mum?"

"Um... no," said Spike.

Twilight then picked up the robot as it said, "Oh my, are we going for a ride? Are you going to toss us into our unavoidable end?"

Twilight didn't seem to hear the questions though as she glanced at the robot saying, "Fascinating, an entirely self contained and seemingly autonomous neural network entirely housed in and powered within such a small shell."

Spike rolled his eyes at this as he said, "Easy Twilight, you don't want to accidentally go full mad science mode and dissect the little guy."

"Oh dissection! I don't know what that means but it sounds fun and painful but mostly fun," said the ball not particularly concerned about what was happening.

Twilight blushed as she came back to herself and smiled, placing the robot down as she said, "Sorry, ahem. I'm Twilight and this is Spike. What's your name?"

"I'm One One," said the ball looking up at Twilight.

"Well it's good to meet you One One, and I'm sorry to bother you like this but do you know where Camp Everfree is?" 

"Camp Everfee? I'm sorry Ms. Twilight but I don't think I've heard of that place," said One One in confusion.

"It should be near by here, we aren't sure exactly which way," said Spike.

"Maybe your mother is at the camp," offered Twilight as she thought perhaps this robot was simply calling the woman who built it it's mother and perhaps it was part of some sort of robotics activity at the camp.

"Oh you think so, well if that's the case then maybe it's in the next car," said One One as he began walking and gestured for them to follow.

They both looked at each other confused before following him as Spike said, "What do you mean the next car?"

"Why, the next car of the train of course. There could be anything in there even this camp you're talking about or instant death," said One One it seemed to cheerily lead the way.

Spike looked over at Twilight concerned this as Twilight looked confused and said, "One One I think you're confused. We aren't on the train we're in a forest."

"Yes we are in a forest. The forest car of the train as I call it I wanted to call it the never ending woods car but they said it sounded too ominous." said One One as he continued walking.

Twilight became slightly frustrated at this as she said, "Look One One, I don't know who made you but I think they might have done something wrong because there's no way this big forest could fit... inside a... train.... car," Twilight trailed off as she soon came to a large metal door simply sitting in the middle of the clearing.

Spike and Twilight looked on in aw at this as One One simply approached it saying, "Alright Ms. Twilight. All you have to do is open this up and we can head on to the next car  and maybe our deaths."

Spike once again became unnerved by such a casual morbid statement and said, "I don't know about this Twi."

Twilight on the hand simply approached the door and began studying it as while yes, it did look kind of like the sliding metal door you would see on a train, it also wasn't attached to anything. No wall around it and seemingly nothing behind it, it just stood there appearing to serve no purpose.

She then moved to the front of the door as she said, "Relax Spike it's just an old peace of a house or something that fell down awhile ago. It doesn't GO anywhere, see." She then opened the door to prove her point... only to be instantly proven wrong as she saw the back of a train car in front of her, "How the," said Twilight as she looked through the door and saw that she did appear to be on a moving train that was going through a never ending desert. 

"Off we go then," said One One as it went out the door to the next car. 

Spike approached Twiight worried saying, "What.. what is this Twilight?"

Twilight looked on in fear as she said, "I don't know Spike... but I do know we won't find out if we just stand here." She then went through the door with Spike reluctantly following her as they both prepared to enter the next car.
> Grid Car and Fart Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight hesitantly followed One One her mind was racing trying to figure out what was going, She began thinking, "This... this doesn't make sense! And if that's the case.... it could be magic," she briefly shuddered at the idea as for a second she swore she could hear Midnight Sparkle's laugh. "NO! No.... if it were magic then why would there be a robot here, clearly this is some kind of science I just have to figure out what."

Once they reached the door, One One happily gestured for Twilight to open it as she gulped and glanced over to Spike, who reluctantly urged her to open it as well. Without much of a choice she did so and was thankfully greeted to something that made some sense. 

As they all stepped into the car they found themselves in a large white room with a perfect grid along the walls, floor, and ceiling.

Twilight took a moment to admire the perfect symmetry as it would take her hours to create such a pristine room in a simulation, let alone real life. As she looked around in aw One One spoke up saying, "So is this camp you all were talking about?"

"No... it doesn't seem to be," said Twilight as she straightened her glasses and continued to look around.

"I knew we wouldn't find it well then I suppose it's off to the next car," said One One.

"Yeah about that... wheres the door?" asked Spike as he gestured to the far wall which had nothing on it but the grid pattern.

"Good question," said One One nonchalantly as he simply walked around.

Twilight snapped back to reality at this as she and Spike began looking around panicking, thankfully they didn't have to wait long as she became relieved saying, "There it is!"

As Spike looked to where she pointed he indeed saw the door, and it was on the fall war where they all thought it should be.... just about twenty feet higher then it should be as Spike remained concerned saying, "OK, but how are we supposed to get to it?"

Twilight then turned her head down in thought as she said, "Hmmm, maybe this has something to do with the grid pattern around us, like it's some kind of puzzle and-"

She was interrupted though as she heard a slight noise followed by One One saying, "Whoopsy Daisy ." They both looked over and saw the funny little robot now sitting a top a red cube that had seemed to come out of nowhere. 

"What the... One One, where did you get that cube from?" asked Twilight as her mind already began thinking how it might relate to the door.

One One hopped off the cube as he said, "I'm not sure Ms. Twilight... all I did was touch the floor like this," he then tapped one of his appendages on a square of the floor resulting in a blue cube popping out and lifting him up again. "I wonder if a fall from this height is enough to kill me."

While this statement worried and confused Spike, Twilight seemed to either not hear him or had already accepted One One's casual morbidity as she bent down and reached out to touch one of the squares, only to briefly pause as she noticed a soft green glow coming from the back of her hand. "What the," she said as she moved her right hand to her face and saw that on the back of it was a glowing green number 85. She got a little worried as she gestured her hand asking, "One One, do you know what this is?" 

Spike looked at the number, before looking over to the robot concerned as he moved closer to Twilight's hand saying, "Hmmm, it's a number."

Twilight briefly moved her hand away from One One as she smacked herself in the face and Spike said, "Well duh, but what does it mean?"

"Ah yes of course the meaning hmm.... well I can't seem to recall everything about it my memory hasn't been very good since... the change. But from what I do remember, when that baby hits zero you'll be gone forever." said One One excitedly.

"GONE FOREVER!" said Spike terrified at the prospect as he ran up to the robot and began shaking him. "ARE YOU SURE?!"

"Well... pretty sure. At least.... I haven't seen anyone again after their number hits zero," said One One who seemed unfazed by the shaking.

Twilight was staring at this number in concern thinking about One One's words as she came to a realization about them and said, "Wait... One One. When you say gone forever do you just mean that they got off the train?"

"Why yes of course, once someone leaves the train they can't get back on. Makes me wonder why I even bother to try and make friends.  What else would I have meant?" said One One in confusion.

Spike breathed a sigh of relief as he said, "Next time, you might want to phrase that better."

Twilight became excited at this as she began touching the squares to form a set of stairs up to the door and smiled saying, "Then all this makes sense then. Whatever this train is... it's some kind of scientific testing center and all I have to do is solve various puzzles and complete challenges and we'll be home free."

"I guess... but who the heck would be running this test?" asked Spike trying to catch Twilight's train of logic, while also kicking himself for thinking that pun. 

"I'm not sure, though whoever it is must be a scientific GENIUS to have created all this," she said gesturing at the car and her now completed staircase.

"That sounds like an absolutely smashing person Ms. Twilight," said One One excitedly.

"It's more then that One One. If this is all some big test then that means you are part of it," said Twilight as she excitedly picked up the robot.

"I am? I always thought I should be tested," said One One.

"That's right little buddy, after all you're the one who showed us how to make these cubes. You're probably meant to keep us company and give us hints about any of the puzzles. Which ALSO means, that the person who created this train, and by extension you, is your mom and all we have to do is keep going through these puzzles and we'll find her," said Twilight.

"ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT DEDUCTION MS. TWILIGHT! I do hope you're right I hope for a lot of things I don't get. I can't wait to introduce you to my mum! If she's the genius you say she is she'll certainly like you," said One One excitedly.

"Gee, thanks," said Twilight as she blushed slightly and twirled her hair at the complement, before bringing One One into a hug.

Spike looked at the two of them and began thinking, "I mean... I guess all that makes sense. But this is still weird, I feel like Twilight is purposefully avoiding the big questions here. And of course I know why, she's scared that if she digs too deep she might find that this is magical and intern possible related to Midnight Sparkle... maybe I should just say all that and make her think about it." He then looked at the two again and noticed how happy they looked as Twilight sat One One back down and he thought, "Then again.... I suppose we got a lot going on here, and we don't need to add Twilight's emotional issues on top of it so for now I'll just see where this goes." 

Twilight then opened the door as the three of them began walking to next car and Spike asked, "So what do you think is going to be in the next car?"

"I bet it's a fart car," said One One.

Twilight chuckled at this as she said, "I doubt that, I'm sure whatever it is will be another intellectual stimulating puzzle or challenging quest that demonstrates the brilliance of whoever created all this."

She then opened the door excitedly only to be greeted by a simple white room with the door in sight and the only other thing in the room being several continuous fart sounds. One One then raised his front appendages in the air saying, "Yay! I was right it's a good thing I don't have a nose."

Spike simply looked at Twilight as he said, "OK, I know everyone likes to say that dogs like stinky things and yeah sure, we might like some of them but THIS! Are we sure there isn't another away around?"

Twilight looked into the room as she tried to make sense of this saying, "I.. I'm sure this is just like an aversion test. To see if we'll turn around because of some stupid noise. That's all it OH SWEET LORD!" Twilight immediately changed her tone and grabbed her nose as she entered the car and was assaulted by the pungent odder. She then stepped back out, and in a flash breathed in deeply and held it, scooped up Spike and One One in her arms, and ran as fast as she could to the door. 

Unfortunately athletics weren't her strong suit and about half way through the car she had to breath and once again took in this odor as her eyes began to water. 

She kept running as she began to gag and Spike did the same as One One simply said, "WEEE!" as he enjoyed being carried like this.

Soon they reached the door, and a after a brief struggle, Twilight managed to push it open with one hand before immediately closing it behind her as she and Spike began taking in large breathes of the fresh air. 

One One on the other hand just excitedly said, "AGAIN! AGAIN!"

"No! Never THAT again!" said Twilight giving him the death stare.

"So, what was that about the creator of all this being a genius?" asked Spike sarcastically.

"I'm sure there was some kind of scientific value to that," said Twilight before her face twisted into an angry smile as she moved forward saying, "And I am VERY eager to meet this person and find out what it is!"
> Kendo Car and Spicy Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight and the others walked into the car they where surprised to see for the first time in their journey... a reasonable sized train car.

As they stepped in they looked around to see what exactly the car was. The room appeared to be relatively plain, barring a Yin and Yang symbol on the floor and a Torii with what appeared to be two swords hung up on it.

"So what do you think this is Twi?" asked Spike as he took it all in.

"It looks like some kind of dojo," said Twilight as she walked towards the center.

"Look Ms. Twilight, cool swords maybe they can end this show we call life," said One One as he attempted to grab one of the sheathed blades.

Twilight ran over to her new friend concerned as she said, "ONE ONE BE CAREFUL WITH THAT!"

She grabbed onto the handle to pull it away from him resulting in two things happening, one the blade came out of the sheath revealing that it was merely a bamboo practice sword and two, the other sword began to levitate towards the center of the car.

"Um, Twilight!" said Spike concerned. 

The sword then exited it's sheath as it floated into the position one would hold it before what appeared to be a silhouette of Twilight appeared and held it.

"Oh my, there's two Ms. Twilights, but there can only be one," said One One as he looked at the silhouette with fascination.

"OK Twi, what do you think?" asked Spike.

"Hmm," said Twilight as she looked at the sword in her hand before walking to the silhouette. "Well this seems pretty self explanatory, it looks like all I have to do is beat this shadow me in a sparring match here and the door should reveal itself."

"Well OK but... are you sure you can win?" said Spike concerned.

"Pffthh, I'm sure this won't be too hard," said Twilight as she now stood on the opposite side of the Yin Yang symbol as her shadow counterpart and mimicked her stance, "Like I said, this train is some kind of test and I'm sure the creator took into account that many wouldn't know about kendo techniques, beyond what I've seen in anime."

As if to immediately disprove that assertion the shadow quickly struck Twilight in the stomach and knocked her back.

"Gah, Twilight! Are you OK?" said Spike as he rushed to her side.

"Ahh, I'm fine," said Twilight as she slowly got to her feet, "just got caught off guard that's all."

She then looked to see that the shadow Twilight had reset to it's original position waiting for her to return as she slowly walked to it.

"Well OK... good luck," said Spike as he wearily moved back.

"You can do it Ms. Twilight! Probably," said One One. 

As Twilight returned to her position she felt it best to attack first this time, resulting in the shadow Twilight blocking and attempting to push Twilight back. As Twilight stared into the void that was the shadows face though, she felt something stir with in. Fear, as she could swear that in dark pit of nothingness she could see the blue of Midnight Sparkle's eyes forming and began to faintly hear her laugh.

As Twilight was pushed away Spike attempted to comfort her again as for a moment he saw terror on her face, but stopped as he saw something else in her. There was a fire taking root in her eyes he hadn't ever seen before as she stared at her shadow self and got back into fighting position without saying a word.

Twilight struck at the shadow once again, this much harder and faster as she had her fear pushed down and was fueled by her frustration. Every last little bit of anger she'd been feeling at her constant nightmares and fears had boiled over at being struck by this shadow she thought was Midnight and went into that strike, and yet the shadow Twilight still blocked it. This time was different though as Twilight was the one slowly pushing the shadow back as she leaned into it and angrily whispered, "I have been holding you back for weeks now! And I'm NEVER going to stop fighting to keep you away from me and my friends!" 

If there was any actual person behind this shadow, it didn't know what Twilight was talking about as it offered no response before being shoved to the floor and dissapearing. 

As the three looked to the sword now clattering on the ground, they suddenly heard a noise as they looked at the Torii which now had a door in it.

"Huzzah! Good show Ms. Twilight," said One One excitedly as he walked up to her.

"Ye-yeah, awesome job Twi," said Spike as he stepped up to her, still concerned about the look she had before. "How do you feel?"

Twilight stood silent for a moment before she said, "I feel... really good." And she actually meant it as even though she didn't even realize she had that anger in her, it still felt really good to get it out, like a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders. Her thoughts about that where quickly stopped though as the light on her hand grew brighter and she looked to see her number tick down to 72. 

Her joy was instantly doubled at seeing this as she showed her hand to Spike and One One saying, "And it looks like I'm not the only one that thinks that was good," with a smile.

"Wonderful, before you know it you'll be gone forever!" said One One excitedly as they all moved to the door.

"Seriously dude, you gotta find a way to phrase that better," said Spike as they reached the door.

As Twilight opened it and absent mindedly began walking to the next car she thought, "But why did my number go down when I solved this puzzle and not any of the others... maybe it's because I faced Midnight, or at least I projected Midnight on my opponent. But... how would the creator of this know about that and-"

Those thought quickly stopped though as they walked into the next car and where greeted by a voice saying, "Ahh, table for one right this way."

The three of them looked out at what appeared to be your average high class restaurant, but with one significant difference. Both the customers they could see in the dining area and the maitre d' trying to lead Twilight to a table appeared to be humanoids made entirely of fire.

Twilight's head flushed with both ideas and concerns about how these creatures were scientifically possible, but was once again interrupted as a reluctant Spike stepped forward saying, "Excuse me, what do you mean table for one?"

"Quite right, surely you meant table for One One and guests," said One One.

The fire creature looked down at them, before looking at Twilight as it said, "I'm sorry Miss, but I'm afraid your pets will have to wait here."

Twilight thought about this for a moment as she looked at the creature saying, "Um, I'm afraid we aren't here to eat. We just want to find the exit."

The fire then looked surprised, well as surprised as fire could look, as it said, "I'm terrible sorry miss but the only way to leave is to have a meal first."

"Well... OK then," said Twilight as she accepted that whatever this weirdness was the next test before turning back to Spike and One One as she said, "I'll be back in a bit."

"OK, but be careful... and bring me a doggy bag if it's good," said Spike as he put on a nervous smile.

As Twilight was quickly taken to her table and seated, the maitre d' placed the utensils in front of her as a waiter stepped forward and placed a plate in front of her before leaving as quickly as he came. 

The maitre d' gestured to the food saying, "We offer a traditional four course meal at this establishment with each new one being delivered as soon as the other is finished. Your first course is Jalapeno Scones."

Twilight became nervous as she heard the name as while she wan't necessarily apposed to spicy foods, she started to see where this was going. She spoke up saying, "Umm, can I have a glass of water with this?"

This resulted in several of the customers around her gasping and one appearing to feint before the maitre d' leaned to her with a somewhat coy happiness, again despite being fire, saying, "My my, looks like we have quite an adventures eater among us. Sorry to say that no, we don't carry such dangerous foods here."

"I see," said Twilight as her suspicions where confirmed and looked at the scones hesitantly. She thought, "OK so fire creatures who only eat spicy food. Maybe some kind of heat resistance test? Regardless nothing I can do except power through it."

She then reluctantly grabbed a scone as she placed it in her mouth and began chewing. Already it was taking affect as her cheeks began to turn red and her eyes started to water. She lifted her glasses and wiped them as she swallowed and then took in more scones eventually clearing the plate. 

She was about to take a sigh of relief when suddenly the waiter reappeared and sat a new plate before her as the maitre d', whom she realized had never left, said, "Next we have Tabasco Chicken Wings."

Twilight gulped, taking in what little moisture her mouth still had left knowing it would be gone soon, before chomping down on the wings as her cheeks grew redder and eyes grew more watery to the point where she could no longer see no matter how much she wiped. Soon she began sweating as she blindly grabbed and ate the wings.

She only became aware the plate was empty when the waiter took it away and placed a new one down as the maitre d' said, "Next is Habanero Meat Balls."

Twilight looked at the plate that appeared to have at least thirty of these meat balls on it as she could already feel the rest of her face begin to turn red. She looked down and sighed a breath of air hot enough to leave to a slight scorch mark on her hoodie before grabbing her fork and looking up saying, "Bring it on."

Twilight began to chomp them down with a newfound confidence... that quickly melted away, possible literally as the red now covered all of Twilight's head and was going down her neck as she felt like she was on fire and her sweating and eyes watering began to stop as it didn't seem as though any liquids could survive on her right now.

As Twilight popped the last meat ball in her mouth she tried to think of things like, "It's almost over," or "It can't get any worse," but she couldn't. Whether this was because of the intense heat distracting her or her brain lacking moisture, she found herself literally incapable of thinking as she watched the new plate be sat before her.

The maitre d' said, "And lastly we have a single Bhut Jolokia Cupcake." Twilight was unable to process these words though as she popped the whole thing in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed expecting the frosting to provide some relief. Sadly that did not happen as if she could think she would have remembered that Bhut Jolokia was the scientific name for Ghost Peppers as the redness spread over the rest of her body and intensified to the point where it now looked like she was glowing red. She bolted upright feeling like she needed to run somewhere, anywhere to try and put out this flame that seemed to grip her very soul, but just stood there as her body began to feel numb.

The maitre d' didn't seem to notice this though as he simply said, "I hope you enjoyed your meal at La Cheminée." He then gestured a piece of paper in front of Twilight as he said, "And how will you be paying your bill?"

Twilight's only response was coughing up literal fire that destroyed the bill as the maitre d' seemed to be pleased at this saying, "Very good miss," he then gestured to Spike and One One behind him saying, "here are your pets, the exit is in back and we hope to see you again soon."

"Oh my, Ms Twilight's changed color, I liked the old one better," said One One.

"Are you OK Twilight?" said Spike in concern.

Once again Twilight responded the only way she presently could, by coughing up fire. This resulted in greater concern from Spike and joy from One One as he said, "OH! AGAIN AGAIN!"

She then picked up Spike and One One and with an eerie calm she slowly made her way to the door, as if the heat had actually burned out every last bit of her leaving her body operating on auto pilot.

Spike wanted to comment on this but found himself unable as just touching Twilight's arm began to burn him and he had to squirm atop One One to find relief. 

Twilight eventually reached the door and walked through it, equally calm and wordless as she opened it, walked to the next door and opened it entering the next car. 

As soon as they entered the car they where greeted to a nice calm beach as Spike said, "Wow, it's OW, beautiful," as his paw slipped and he once again felt the heat radiating from Twilight's skin.

One One prepared to comment before finding himself and Spike being thrown to the ground as Twilight instantly ran into the water, mouth hung open, as she soaked herself resulting in a hissing noise and steam coming up and she drank is as much of it as she could. Thankfully this water was fresh and clean but she still wasn't able to process anything like that.

As Spike watched her concerned and One One marveled at her slowly starting to turn purple again, just a little ways down the beach a creature made of water looked at the group saying, "What's up with them?"

This only resulted in the one he was talking to jumping form her perch to get his attention. "Excusez moi, but I think you should be more focused on your own problems, and what I'm offering to fix them," said a cat with a blue vest and red tie as it held up a pipe. "It couldn't be more simple after all, all you have to do is grab something like this hat here and," she said before slamming the pipe down onto the hat and saying, "Presto, doughnut."
> Ocean Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight sat on the beach finally regaining her senses, she let out a sigh saying, "Alright... I'm not sure what that last car was testing, and frankly I don't care. I'm just glad they had the decency to make this water somehow help despite it not logically being able to dissipate spicy foods."

Spike chuckled as he said, "Well I'm glad it worked... though you did drink A LOT of water, and I don't see a bathroom nearby."

"Actually I don't need to go which is... odd," said Twilight before she stood up as she rubbed her hand on her chin in thought saying, "Come to think of it I haven't had to go to bathroom at all since we got here, and more than that I haven't felt hungry or tired or... anything really."

Spike blinked as he said, "Huh, come to think of it I haven't either."

"Well of course you wouldn't feel any of those things Ms. Twilight we all feel empty inside here," said One One.

"Wait, what do you mean?" said Twilight.

"Oh it's simple really, you haven't had time to feel any of those things since hardly any time has passed since you got on the train," said One One. 

Twilight's eyes widened as she checked her phone while Spike chuckled at that as he said, "Seriously dude, it's been at least a few hours... maybe even a whole day."

"Um, Spike," said Twilight as she held up the phone towards the dog as he looked with a smirk, only to have his jaw drop.

"Is... is that?" said Spike.

Twilight nodded as she said, "It's only been a few seconds since we last checked the time, not only that but my battery percentage is at the same level, and the message to Sunset still says 'sending'."

"How... how is that possible?!" said Spike.

Twilight simple sighed as she said, "Well I suppose if this train can bend space it would only be logical it can bend time... well not quite logical but AHH! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" 

"I don't know what you mean?" 

"AH!" cried Twilight and Spike as they turned in surprise to see a blob of water with a face suddenly standing next to them with a smile.

Before they could process this they heard another voice say, "Excusez moi, but I don't appreciate you distracting my customer when I'm about to close a sale."

They all turned to the voice as they where greeted to the sight of a cat in a blue vest and red tie walking up towards them from behind the water man.

The three looked at the cat as it simply sighed saying, "Go ahead freak out, 'ah talking cat' très typique," as she rolled her eyes.

"Actually it's not that big a deal," said Spike with a shrug.

The cat stared wide eyed as she began circling around Spike saying, "So it would seem," as she quickly moved around as she soon was right up against Spike sniffing him.

"HEY!" said the dog as he jumped back

The cat simply grinned though as she said, "And you're not a denizen like me either... intéressant." She soon turned to Twilight as she said, "I'm assuming he's your pet then."

Twilight slightly jolted as she said, "He's my friend," as pet never felt like a good word after they started being able to talk to each other.

The cat rolled her eyes as she said, "Ah you're one of those owners then... little piece of advice, never forget he's an animal. If things get too rocky survival instincts kick in and he'll be gone in a flash."

Spike growled at her as he said, "That's not true! I'd never abandon Twilight!"

The cat simply chuckled as she said, "Of course you would," before looking off as she mumbled, "After all... I did," while looking off in the distance for a moment.

Twilight looked down at the cat in irritation as she said, "Is their anything else you need, besides insulting my friends."

The cat turned towards them, ready to make a snide quip, but paused as she caught sight of the third member of this little group, "Oh, who's this now?"

The robot approached her happily as he said, "Hello, I am One One. And, are you my mum?"

"Mother... très intéressant," said the cat as she approached him.

Before she could get too close though Twilight picked him up saying, "Hold on there One One, I don't think she's your mom."

"Indeed, she's much too furry, or maybe not furry enough," said One One.

As Twilight began to walk away the cat jumped in front of her as she said, "Hold on there kitten, I think I can help you."

Twilight stared down skeptically as she said, "How?"

"Well you see, I'm not just any denizen of this train I happen to be a confidant of the conductor himself," said the cat with a small smirk.

Twilight slightly raised her eye brows at that as she said, "Oh really?"

"Indeed, and in our recent talks he happened to mention a robot he lost that bears quite the resemblance to that little fellow there... if you help me bring him to the conductor, I might be able to convince him to just go ahead and let you off the train now," said the cat.

"What about my number?" asked Twilight.

"Aucun problème, you're a smart girl... I'm sure whatever lesson you're supposed to learn isn't that important," said the cat before looking at Twilight as she said, "So what do you say kitten, ready to take the easy way?"

"Well... no," said Twilight simple.

"Quelle?" asked the cat in shook. "But... why?"

Twilight walked forward with One One in her arms as she said, "Well firstly One One is my friend and while I'm still relatively new to friendship I do know you don't just give your friends to rude strangers."

"Well said Ms. Twilight I was kind of curious at where she'd take me though," said One One.

Twilight smiled down at him before she continued on saying, "Secondly I've never taken the easy way, especially in a puzzle. Thirdly... I can literally see the door to the next car embedded in that hill there," as she pointed to the door. "And finally you said the conductor was a he, when clearly the're a she."

The cat lurched back as she said, "How... how did you know that?" as she thought "It took me forever to find that out with that freaky robot suit she wears."

"Simple, One One's looking for a mom, not a dad," said Twilight.

Spike followed behind her as he pumped a paw in the air and smiled saying, "That's my girl, figuring this all out in a snap."

"Wow you really are a good person," said the water creature as it suddenly appeared in front of Twilight before it continued saying, "Would you like to be my first licensed Doughnut Holer salesman," as it moved a pipe towards Twilight. "Just press this into anything and it magically becomes a doughnut."

Twilight stared for a moment before shrugging as she said, "Sure... why not, it could come in handy later," as she took the pipe and put it in her backpack before saying, "Thank you."

"No, thank you," said the water before it moved out of the way, and let Twilight open the door.

"WAIT!" cried out the cat. "You're going to regret not taking my offer!" 

"I doubt that," said Spike with a smug smile.

Twilight nodded as she quickly checked her number, seeing that it was the same as she thought, "Makes sense, I didn't exactly learn anything new here."

As the trio left the car the cat stared in disbelief as she said, "She's so cunning, so loyal, so... much like him." The cat sighed as she laid down on the ground saying, "I wonder what ever happened to you Simon."
> Corgi Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the three entered the next car they didn't know what to expect, and even they didn't see this coming as Spike suddenly wagged his tale excitedly. Stretched out before them was what appeared to be either Greece or Rome judging by the scenery and architecture, except unlike either it seemed to be solely populated by dogs playing with each other. 

"Woah, is this like a dog park car or something?" asked Twilight.

"Who cares, this looks awesome!" said Spike as he got ready to join in on the fun. 

That fun was interrupted though as they suddenly heard a horn and turned to see a dog blowing into it, before they could process that they watched as all the dogs turned towards a particular direction and bowed, as from that direction came a throne being carried by four dogs and atop it a dog with a crown who began saying, "Salutations, two legged stranger, loud ball stranger, and fellow canine, and welcome to Corginia." The dog then looked towards the group as he said, "I am Atticus, king and uniter of the Cardigans and the Pembrokes."

Twilight spoke up relatively quickly as the sight of a talking dog wasn't particularly shocking to her as she said, "Um, greetings sir Atticus, I'm Twilight Sparkle of Canterlot High."

"And I'm Spike um... friend of Twilight," said Spike.

"And I'm One One the super cool and depressed," said One One.

"Greetings Twilight the scholar, Spike the faithful companion, and One One the... confusing," said Atticus as he blinked for a moment. He soon regained his composer though as he said, "Now then allow me to give you a tourginia of Corginia." 

It was then that they heard the horn blow again as Atticus simply chuckled and said, "Forgive my little brother, he really likes blowing that thing." They then heard it blow once again before the dog hopped down from his perch next to the horn to join the others. Soon the trio found themselves following behind Atticus's procession as he pointed a paw to various attractions saying, "Over here we have our automatic feeding machines, and there we have our sun beams for napping in, and OH here is one is one of the most popular attractions in all of Corginia BEHOLD!" He then gestured with his paws as he said, "The back scratching fields!"

The trio looked out to see a large grassy field with several dogs laying on the ground as robotic arms scratched their backs. Spike jumped and wagged his tail excitedly as he said, "OH HECK YEAH! I'm definitely trying this!" 

Atticus simply chuckled as he said, "I'm sorry little friend, but I'm afraid that these devices are only calibrated for Corgis."

Spike smiled as he said, "Oh that's not gonna be a problem, I'm part Corgi on my moms side."

This resulted in several gasps from the assembled crowd, as the trio backed up a bit of shock.

"What's going on?" asked Twilight in concern.

Atticus stared at Spike as his jovial smile was replaced by a cold stare as he said, "According to Corginia law, any time an outside Corgi enters our land, they must compete against the king in the Trial of Leadership."

"Oh that sounds fun and painful." said One One.

Atticus sighed as he said, "It is, I've competed in it and won countless times, and yet each time it feels like more and more of a strain."

"Woah dude, you don't have to do this you know, I don't want to take your job," said Spike.

Atticus briefly grit his teeth before sighing as he said, "No, it's the way of Corginia, only the best among us may lead." He then turned and began walking as he said, "Come, we must hurry to the Corgiseum."

Spike stood for a second in thought as Twilight stepped froward saying, "Wait you can't-"

Atticus stepped in front of her saying, "Sorry madam, but this a matter among of Corgi's, I'm afraid you and the small round one must remain here."

Twilight began to scowl at the small dog as she said, "The heck I well! There is no way I'm letting Spike do your-"

Spike raised a paw interrupting her as he said, "No... I'll do it."

"WHAT! But Spike!" said Twilight as she bent down to be on the same eye level as her friend. 

Spike simply smiled at her as he said, "It's OK, I'm sure it's not that bad... besides you've been doing all kinds of challenges to try and get us home, now it's my turn."

Twilight stared in shock before sighing as she said, "Well if that's how you feel then I can't stop you."

Spike nodded as he turned to follow the Corgis saying, "You and One One see if you can find the door, and I'll be back as soon as this is done," he then chuckled slightly as he said, "Who knows, maybe next time you see me I'll be the king of this place."

Twilight let out her own chuckle at that as she said, "Yeah... maybe." She then watched as Spike and the others disappeared
into the distance.

Twilight and One One simply sat for a moment before One One cheerfully said, "Well then, off we go then."

Twilight continued to look away as she simple said, "Yeah," before shaking her head as she said, "Yeah... let's start by crossing that lake, it looks pretty shallow and that island it definitely looks suspicious."


As Spike tentatively followed through the entrance Atticus gestured with his paw as he said, "Behold, the Corgiseum!"

Spike looked around at the large stone ring around them and the stands filled with Corgis watching them. "Pretty nice, reminds me of the Roman Coliseum."

Atticus briefly cocked his head to the side as he asked, "And what pray tell is a Roman?"

Spike thought for a moment before shrugging as he said, "Eh don't worry about it, just something from one of Twilight's textbooks."

Atticus looked forward as he said, "Ah, well the time for chit chat is over anyway. Now is the time to begin the trial." He then nodded towards to a group of Corgis to his left who all went through a nearby door and quickly came out carrying a large machine on their backs. They soon sat the machine down as Atticus said, "Behold the Machine of Temptation." Then as if on que the machine whirred to life as a squeaky toy dropped out of a slot in front of it. "As king of Corginia you would have access to our entire supply of treats, toys, scratching machines, everything... and it would be very tempting to want to take the best for yourself," he said as he looked down and panted slightly before gritting his teeth as he said, "That's why we perform this trial. We must sit here and not do anything while that machine pours out countless treats and toys, each one finer then the last leading up to the rarest item Corginia has to offer... or so the legends say."

"Wait... you don't know?" asked Spike as he cocked his head in confusion.

"Of course not, most crumble as soon as the first bone comes out... sometimes I even feel myself beginning to falter," Atticus then chuckled as he said, "I suppose that's the real reason I feel this test is still necessary, deep down I'm still unsure if I'm fit to rule."

Spike's ears lowered at that as he said, "If you think that way, then clearly you are a good king... a bad one wouldn't doubt himself like that."

Atticus smiled as he said, "Your words are very kind, but they only prove that perhaps you are fit to be a greater king then I."

Spike lowered his head at that before a thought crossed him as he moved a paw forward only for Atticus to growl as he said, "Do not think to throw this competition for my shake though young Spike, to do so would devalue all we hold dear in Corginia!" 

Spike moved back as he simply nodded before turning his attention back to the machine as it spit out a bone.


As Twilight began to walk through the water she saw it just reached the tops of her boots as she said, "Just as I thought, shallow."

One One then stepped forward saying, "Yeah! Swimming time! Yeah! A chance to drown!"

Twilight raised her hand back as she said, "Hold on One One, you should probably stay here so you can tell Spike where I went when he's done."

"Oh, capital idea Ms. Twilight! I'm used to being left out of stuff anyway." said One One as he sat down on the ground.

Twilight nodded at him as she began to cross the water.


As Spike and Atticus sat watching the machine dole out more and more they where finally greeted to one last thing as it seemed to shut down. As Atticus gasped and did his best to steel himself in place, Spike simply cocked his head in confusion as he said, "Isn't that just one of the back scratchers you showed me earlier?"

Atticus slowly shook his head as he said, "No dear pup, it is the fabled sweet spot scratcher, able to get just get behind the ears, that spot on your belly that makes you kick, and every other sweet spot both known and unknown to Corgi kind."

As the pair watched Atticus tentatively began reaching a paw out, but before he could place it on the ground they where all startled by a sudden and loud scream.

"THAT SOUNDED LIKE TWILIGHT!" cried out Spike as he instantly ran towards the door. 

Atticus turned towards him saying, "WAIT! BUT THE CHALLENGE ISN'T OVER!" but Spike was already gone. He briefly turned back towards the scratcher, before following him out the door as the Corgis soon followed. 


Twilight stared in shock as between her and the door stood one of the freakiest things she had seen on this train thus far. A series of infinite metal tendrils walked along as it removed a glowing blue orb from a slot on the ground and lifted it towards what appeared to be a pure white face of a mannequin. On instinct Twilight screamed causing the thing to be alerted to her presence as it dropped the orb and was on her in an instant as it stood mere inches away and yelled, "RETURN YOUR SEAT PASSENGER!" 

Twilight backed away as fear sweat began to obstruct her vision and she stammered, "I'd gladly do soon but I um... can't seem to find my seat do you think you could kindly direct me towards it?"

As a response the thing had what appeared to be two small mini guns come out of the holes where its eyes should be as it simply repeated, "RETURN TO YOUR SEAT!" 

Not knowing what else to do, Twilight let out another scream as she ran for cover.


Spike soon reached the beach as the previously shallow water now had a tide crashing against it. "ONE ONE! What happened, where's Twilight!?" cried out Spike.

One One turned to him as he said, "She went to explore that island."

"And why didn't you go with her!?" asked Spike as he panted, both from running there and the stress of the situation.

"She told me to wait for you and left me behind," said One One.

Spike panicked at that as he turned towards the water steadily rising water, but was quickly interrupted by a yell of, "WAIT!" 

He turned to see Atticus as he said, "You can't go in their the beast has returned and started a flood."

"What beast!?" asked Spike.

Atticus stared off at the island as he said, "We know not what it looks like or what it wants. But every time it comes the water rises and my people need to take shelter... and I suggest you do the same."

Before they could talk further another scream resonated through the air as Spike gritted his teeth saying, "I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS! TWILIGHT NEEDS MY HELP!" Before Atticus could say anymore Spike leapt into the water and as the crowd suddenly gasped in horror he soon floated up to the surface where he began to paddle himself forward.

One One cried out, "YEAH! NOW WE CAN SWIM! and drown!" and in a way he did both as his definition of swimming was to role into the water and sink to the bottom where he continued to role along the ocean's floor.

The crowd watched and began to murmur saying, "What is he doing?" "He's pushing himself forward with his paws." "In a paddling motion." "Some kind of... doggy paddle!?"

"By the rulers of old," said Atticus as he stared at Spike doing the seemingly impossible and crossing the rising water. He gulped before jumping in the water after him.


Once they reached the island Spike didn't even bother to shake the water off him as he ran forward and was soon greeted to the sight of Twilight cowering behind a bit of rubble as the thing shoot towards her. "HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE!" cried out Spike as he ran toward it.

The thing towards him as the guns went back into eyes and it said, "Non-passenger detected, live capture required." It then lifted one of its tendrils as three claws came out of the end of it before it began reaching towards Spike.

"Spike no!" cried out Twilight as she reached a pleading hand out towards them. Spike braced himself for an attack... that didn't come as suddenly the tendril glowed purple and stopped dead it its tracks. Spike turned to see Twilight's hand was also glowing purple as she suddenly had a strained looked on her face.

"What the-" began Spike but was interrupted as Atticus and One One soon arrived.

"Young Spike, wait for me," cried out Atticus as he ran towards them.

One One however stopped rolling and looked at creature as he said, "Oh you're a creepy one you should probably be in a creepy car," as One One let a beeping noise they never heard before. 

The thing let out some kind of beeping noise of its own as it soon moved its tendril away from Spike as the purple glow left it. Then without warning it made its way over to the door, and simply left.

The group watched in utter shock as this thing seemed to leave for no reason, Spike turned to Twilight for an explanation but soon found himself running towards her as she leaned against the rubble panting from the exertion. "Twilight are you OK!?" he asked. Twilight offered no response as she simply stared off into the distance panting. "Twilight?" asked Spike as he placed a paw on her in concern.

This seemed to snap Spike to reality as she said, "Let's just keep moving," as she went over and picked up One One off the ground.

"Wait but Twilight?" asked Spike. 

"No Spike," said Twilight as she tried to quietly make her way to the door.

"We need to talk about this," said Spike.

Twilight stopped in her tracks as she said, "Talk about what... how I was right and Midnight is still in me... watching waiting for the right moment."

"What?" asked Spike as he did expect such a reply.

Twilight turned around with a look anger on her face as he said, "YOU SAW THAT! I used magic there... which means I'm still dealing with consequences of my mistakes... I probably will have to deal with them for the rest of my life." As she talked Spike noticed that her number started moving again, only this time it appeared to be going up.

Spike attempted to reassure her as he said, "But you... used magic to save me."

Twilight simply turned back towards the door as she said, "Nothing good can come from a mistake... not one that big," as she gripped One One with her left hand while her right hand hung limply next to her body. Spike watched at the number finally stopped ticking at 103 and she began walking.

Spike sighed as he prepared to follow only to here a call of, "WAIT!" He turned around to see Atticus had placed his crown on the ground and was now bowing before him.

"Wait.. but I ran away from the challenge," said Spike in slight confusion.

Atticus raised his head saying, "Yes but you would have won it anyway, I felt my resolve crumble before me the second I laid my eyes on that scratcher... but even if it didn't you have shown that you are far braver and more dependable then I could ever hope to be." 

Spike looked at the crown as he said, "But... I can't stay here."

Atticus smiled as he said, "I know..." he then turned towards Twilight who was now simply standing in front of the door staring and waiting. "You clearly have a higher calling, but please take the crown and know that I rule Corginia in your place, and that if you need help in your calling we shall be here for you."

Spike nodded as he put on the crown saying, "You know... admitting your faults like that makes you a much better leader then you think."

Atticus chuckled as he said, "Please, the more words of wisdom you provide like that the more you prove that you are more fit to be a leader."

Spike let out his own chuckle that quickly died down as he looked at the blank Twilight and said, "Well.. I hope to see you again soon."

"As do I, especially with our land in such disarray," said Atticus as he gestured towards the still roaring ocean behind them.

"OH! That reminds me," said One One as he hopped down from Twilight's grasp. He soon started pushing the orb the thing had been carrying into the slot it used to be in. Once it fell into the place the water began to settle back to the shallowness it once was as One One simply said, "There we are," and hopped back into Twilight's arm

The two dogs stared for a moment in disbelief before simply nodding at each other as Spike moved over next to Twilight and without a word the three went through the door.
> Broken Home Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three soon entered the car as Spike said, "Um.. Twilight you-"

She just raised her hand to silence him as she said, "Let's just get through this car."

He sighed before looking around as they saw that this appeared both straight forward and not. The door was clearly visible just a little bit away but it was what was between there and where they were that seemed odd as it was a small section of a suburban neighborhood, but all wrong. Parts of the street where missing revealing metal panels with more blue orbs in them underneath. This oddness finally snapped Twilight out of her stupor as she walked forward saying, "What the?" As everything seemed to get weirder. As they approached the center of the car they saw what appeared to be a typical suburban home complete with white picket fence... except for a few details. As they began approaching they saw that the standard tacky plastic flamingos that where synonymous with such a place where in fact real flamingos that squawked in Twilight's face. "GAH!" she cried out as she ran towards the entrance of the house where they saw that there simply was none. Where a door should be there was simple a flat wall with windows on it.

Spike nervously looked around as he said, "Um... maybe we should just head for the door, this place is kinda freaking me out."

Before Twilight could respond though One One slipped out of her arm once again as he mumbled, "No no, this isn't right at all.... this shouldn't be like this."

"What do you mean?" asked Spike.

"It's all a mistake my mistake and I need to fix it," said One One as he began to move over to a nearby orb and removed it, resulting in the flamingos dissapearing.

"WOAH! Did you just... get rid of those guys?" asked Spike.

"Of course I did the're not supposed to be here," said One One as he got to work opening a panel pushing buttons on it with his small appendages.

Spike looked over at Twilight concerned about this, but she seemed to jump to One One as she asked, "What can we do to help?"

One One looked up as very briefly, his two white eyes turned red and blue respectively before reverting to normal as he said, "You need to see what's wrong in that house, climb through that window until I can find a door orb."

Twilight nodded as she made her way towards the house as Spike ran up to her saying, "Twilight.. are you sure about this?"

"One One says all this is a mistake... and mistakes are meant to be fixed," said Twilight as she began pushing on the window still trying to force it open.

"Well yeah but," he then looked down saying, "I don't think those flamingos thought it was a mistake."

Twilight huffed as she got the window open saying, "Well it's not like they where real flamingos."

"I guess," said Spike as he reached up and touched the crown on his head thinking, "Atticus isn't a real Corgi either... but that doesn't mean he doesn't have any value."

Twilight began to crawl through the window and once she reached the other side she turned back around and reached out her hands for Spike to hop into, which he did so with some reluctance. "Yup, there's definitely some stuff wrong here," said Twilight as she looked across the room.

Mistakes was being light though as they stared out at the scene before them, the living room seemed normal enough with a TV, a coffee table that somewhat oddly floated without any legs holding it to the ground, a game system hooked up to it, and a couch, but that's where normalcy ended as there where a large amount of lizards walking all across the room, but that paled in comparison to another sight as there was two blue silhouettes attempting to do... something in the room. As they approached they saw that a more masculine looking one kept repeatedly sitting on the couch and propping his feet up on the coffee table for a few moments, before a glitch effect seemed to come over him and he started his animation again. Meanwhile the other silhouette, who looked more feminine, seemed to walk from seemingly no where, place a bowl of carrots and a glass of milk on the table as both she and it remained for a few moments before starting over once again. 

Twilight quickly sat Spike down as she said, "I'll go tell One One about this, you stay here so you can keep an out and tell us when these are fixed."

"But Twilight I..." said Spike, but it was too late as Twilight was already out of the window. Spike sighed as he looked at the scene before him thinking, "This isn't really anything wrong.... maybe a little unnerving but not wrong." He soon sat down with another sigh. As he turned his eyes to the ground he saw one of the many lizards approach as he chuckled and said, "You don't think any of this is a mistake do you buddy?"

The lizard cocked its head to the side before saying, "Why would I think this is a mistake?"


Twilight sat watching One One work as he said, "No no this isn't right at all." He then turned to Twilight as he said, "I can't seem to find the right orbs to fix this I'm gonna have to start from scratch."

One One then began to walk off as Twilight nodded and made her way back to the window. "Spike," she called out.

"TWILIGHT!" called out Spike as he quickly made his way over to her, at which point she noticed he had one of the lizards sitting on his head. "Listen you need to stop this."

"Indeed," said the lizard.

"What? Who's this?" asked Twilight.

Spike looked up at his head as she said, "This is Rhonda and she says everything is fine."

This did little to clear up Twilight's confusion as she entered the house and was led forward as Rhonda said, "I can't seem to think of why you'd think our land needs fixing. We have everything we could ever need, like the moving bridge that allows us to get the renewed food and drink."

Twilight stepped forward as she noticed that every time the masculine figures raised its legs to the table lizards used them to crawl onto the table where they began eating some of the carrots and drinking the milk. Twilight watched this strange symbiosis as she said, "But.. all of this is here because of a mistake."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean it has no value," said Spike. "Maybe One One was in the Forest Car because of a mistake, that hasn't stopped him from helping us."

"I guess but," said Twilight as she raised her hand to her face in thought. 

"What about Atticus, for all we know he was some kind of mistake but that doesn't change the fact that he tried to help me save you when you where in trouble," said Spike as his voice began to raise.

"I-" stammered Twilight before she heard several gasps. She turned to see the masculine figure had suddenly disappeared as the lizards began to murmur among themselves.

"Oh no, how are we going to get food without the bridge!?" asked Rhonda in as she began to tremble atop Spike's head.

Twilight began to say something, but it caught in her throat as she saw the looks of all the panicking lizards around the room. It was then her mind suddenly flashed back to the panicking looks to the several panicked faces of the Crystal Prep and Canterlot High students during the Friendship Games as she murmured, "What am I doing?" She then looked towards Spike as she was filled with determination saying, "Come on, we gotta stop One One."

Spike finally smiled and nodded as he said, "Yeah," before looking up at his head saying, "Come on Rhonda." 

The lizard nodded back at him saying, "R-right," as they all made their way out the window. They ran out in the street as Rhonda's eyes suddenly widened as she said, "By the bringer of food... what is all this?"

"Stopping this now, realizing the outside world later!" said Twilight as she looked around in panic.

"Where's One One!?" asked Spike.

"I don't know I-" started Twilight but then they heard a crash as they turned to see the road tearing itself apart leading up to a platform containing several orbs and One One working.

"There he is!" said Spike. "But how are we gonna-" before he could finish Twilight had began running up and jumping across the pieces of street. "YOU CAN'T JUST-" once he again he was interrupted as Rhonda hopped off his head and followed after her. Spike gulped at that as he also began making his way up.

It didn't take Twilight long to reach the platform as she said, "One One you need to stop!" 

"But I'm just fixing my mistakes Ms. Twilight after all nothing good can come from a mistake," said One One as he looked towards her.

"SO MY WORLD IS NOTHING GOOD!?" cried out Rhonda as she jumped towards the platform, only to not quite make it as she began to fall down.

Her fall was interrupted though as Twilight reached out her hand and wrapped the lizard in the familiar purple glow, moving her to the platform. Twilight then nodded as she said, "One One I was wrong! Everybody makes mistakes and they can't always be fixed." She then looked down in thought before she looked back up at One One saying, "But that's OK, because we can still get something out of them," she then gestured to Rhonda as she said, "Like these lizards living in this car or me with this magic."

One One paused at this in thought before he went back over to the orbs and just as Twilight began to worry that he wasn't listening, he placed an orb he had removed back in place causing the platform and street pieces to begin moving back to the ground where they belong. As Twilight and the others felt the solid ground beneath their feet again she let out a relieved sigh. 

One One lowered himself in shame as he said, "I'm... I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

Twilight smiled as she picked up the little ball saying, "Hey, you made a mistake and that's OK."

"And something good came out of it," said Rhonda as she suddenly jumped in front of them. "Thanks to you I have seen there is so much beyond my peoples land and together who knows what we shall find out here!" She looked around at the street excitedly.

Twilight chuckled as she said, "OK Ms. adventurer, first we should probably get you home and make sure the bridge is working again."

She nodded at that as the group began to walk back, Spike smiling the whole way at seeing Twilight act like herself again. Soon they where at the house as they looked through the window seeing several lizards rejoice as they climbed the restored bridge. Rhonda smiled as she hopped into the window shill saying, "Thank you all for what you've done.... I mean for saving our world and showing me all this, not for almost destroying my world."

"Anytime," said Twilight with a smile before she paused smiling, "The saving and... you know what I mean."

The three chuckled as One One suddenly hopped back down saying, "Just one more thing."

He placed the orb back in place causing the flamingos to reappear and continue squawking as Twilight raised her hands in slight fear saying, "I wish they wouldn't do that though."

Suddenly all was silent as one of the flamingos said, "Well all you had to do was ask."

The group stared before all began chuckling at that before Twilight caught a glimpse of light moving on her hand. She looked down and saw her number ticking down until it finally stopped at 45. She smiled at that before saying, "Well, I guess this is goodbye."

"Indeed," said Rhonda. "Goodbye and good luck to you all on your journey."

"And good luck on yours," said Spike as he nodded to the lizard before the group made there way towards the door and walked through it.

As Twilight smiled she suddenly heard a slight noise as she looked down to see One One's eyes blink off an on before he said, "Hello I am One One."

"Um... I know," said Twilight in mild concern as his strange behavior was finally beginning to dawn on her.

"I know or do I," said One One.

Twilight thought for a moment before shrugging it off as his usual antics as they continued on.
> Cat Car, Chrome Car, Creepy Car
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cat sat in her chair, sipping some tea as she flipped too the next page in her book. That tea suddenly went crashing too the floor as in an instant the Cat felt it, her car with all of her important items was being moved from its proper place on the train towards the engine. She gasped as she thought, "Wha... what could she want with me right now!? I did everything I could to try and get that little annoying ball to her, isn't that enough!? As she got up from her chair she did her best to straighten up before catching sight of something as she tucked it away thinking, "Can't let her see that, who knows what she'd do to me... wait!? What if she's summoning me because she already knows about it!? Before she could think on this further everything in her car jumped up as it came to a grinding halt. It was then that the door opened as she saw the large imposing figure standing in the door, entering with a robotic whir. 

The cat did her best to put on a happy face as she said, "Oh... it's been a while... would you like some tea?" as she pointed to the thankfully still upright pot with her tail.

The figure didn't say anything as she simply made her way towards the cat as she looked around saying in a loud distorted voice, "My my, you've really made quite the life for yourself... pilfering all these odds and ends from the cars across MY train."

The cat lurched for a moment before saying, "Well you know, just doing what I can to get by, same as you after all."

"Yes, but unlike you the ones I am trying to remember aren't a simple apology away," said the form as she looked down at the cat.

The cat looked away as she said, "I don't think it's that simple."

The form let out an ominous chuckle as she said, "Well you'll never know unless you try, isn't that right Samantha."

In an instant the cat went from fearful to angry as she hissed and called out, "ONLY SIMON CAN CALL ME THAT! How would like it if I used your real name S-"

Before she could continue though the form gripped her in its large robotic arm saying, "What was it you where going to call me?!"

And just as quickly as the anger came, it left as the cat stammered out, "T- THE CONDUCTOR! You're the conductor and I live only to serve you!"

The conductor chuckled once again before saying, "Indeed, though as of late you haven't been doing the best job serving me," she then leveled a canon in her other hand with the cat's face as she said, "Perhaps you'd serve me better as something else."

"NO WAIT! I can do so much more for you," said the cat as she looked around the room nervously. She saw the area where she had hidden several items and gulped nervously before saying, "I... I have her tape, we can trap her in her memories and grab the robot while she's sitting there."

"And when exactly did you acquire her tape?" said the conductor, still holding the canon to her face.

The cat glanced around nervously trying to think of the right words before saying, "Just... just after I met her in the ocean car, I wanted to try and find a way to help you of course," as she put on a less then convincing smile.

"Well... regardless there's no need," said the conductor as she dropped the cat on the ground saying, "Besides, her number is so low that I doubt it would work like that. No I have my own plan for how to acquire them."

"But.. then why did you bring me here?" said the cat as she shook fearfully.

"To simply remind you of your place, as you said you live to serve me, and you will continue to serve me for as long as you are useful which I fear might be dwindling," said the conductor as she moved toward the door before raising her head saying, "In fact I have an idea, I shall move the car where I plan to ambush her just behind your cars, that way you will get to see her stumble in broken and scared and you shall know how it is done."

"And... if she comes in still having the robot?" asked the cat.

The conductor let out one last chuckle saying, "In the infinitesimally small chance that happens you may do with her whatever you wish, heck you can even show her my tape if you want."

The cat lurched as she stammered, "Your tape... but I don't I-"

"Oh please, I knew you had it all along, but as I said you are useful... for now," said the conductor.

And as quickly as she had come, she was gone as the cat sat in utter silence as she felt her car move to it's new spot, and the cat came to a startling realization as she said, "I... I never had any leverage over her after all, I really am just going to be her puppet until she doesn't need me anymore." She then lowered her head as tears began to flow down her face.


As the three entered the car they where greeted to a strange sight as Spike simply said, "Wow."

Twilight gazed out at the world before her as she said, "Every things chrome." 

One One gasped in excitement as he said, "Maybe it's a future car, after all everything is chrome in the future everything."

Twilight chuckled as she watched Spike hop down and move over to a chrome pyramid as he looked at his distorted reflection with a smirk saying, "Twilight you gotta try this."

"OH ME FIRST!" said One One as he hopped down and looked at himself in a chrome sphere, which really just made his reflection look bigger rather then distorted as he said, "I'M A GIANT! now I can crush the world."

Twilight chuckled as she moved over towards a large chrome rectangle to join in on the fun, the second she looked into that rectangle though the fun quickly died, as instead of her own reflection staring back at her, she saw Midnight Sparkle. She screamed as Midnight's face twisted to one of absolute horror before she took off running.

"Twiligth!? Hey wait up," said Spike as he ran after her in concern.

She couldn't let up though, as when she looked at the floor she saw Midnight was keeping up with her perfectly as her face looked more and more ragged. Twilight just kept running and running, hoping she'd get to the door and away from this monster. Sadly as Twilight saw a wall fast approaching she came to a soul crushing realization, she had run in the wrong direction and the door was no where to be seen on this wall. She spared a glance behind her as she saw that while Spike and One One where following her, they where too far behind to help her in time. She quickly came to the wall as she backed up against it, looking down at the form of Midnight looking back at her like a mad woman. With no options and fear ebbing away at her she slumped to the ground and placed her hands over her head. And there she sat waiting for an attack... and waiting, and waiting. 

But the only thing that came was a panting noise as Spike approached, tired from the run, saying, "There you are.. wha what happened?"

"Indeed Ms. Twilight, you ran like mad and I think it made your reflection mad," said One One as he looked down at the curious sight.

Spike spared a glance down as he lurched saying, "Midnight Sparkle! What is she doing here!?" 

Twilight raised her head from above her hands as she looked down at the form before her, she wanted to crouch back in fear but resisted as she noticed something, Midnight was also slumped on the ground. Twilight raised her hand as she watched Midnight's hand raise in turn.

Spike stared confused as he said, "She's... copying you?"

Twilight fully uncurled as she sat upright looking down at Midnight, and that's when it finally hit her. What she thought was crazed looks, and maddened stares, was just her own fearful face reflected back at her as she let out a gasp saying, "She's not copying me... she is me."

"What?" asked Spike.

"I... spent all this time thinking of Midnight Sparkle as some other creature... some mad goddess that I had accidentally let out.. but that's not who she is at all," said Twilight as she stared down into the blue pools of Midnight's eyes saying, "She's me... the me that wanted to know everything, to impress others... and to just be alone at the end of it all."

Spike placed a paw on her saying, "But you where never alone though."

Twilight smiled as she said, "I know," before glancing down at the reflection as she saw Midnight smiling in turn saying, "And I never will be again... because I'm not that person anymore, and even if I still have magic, I'll never be her again."

Twilight watched as for just a second, it looked like Midnight nodded at her before her reflection suddenly turned to that of her normal self. Before anyone could comment on that they all where surprised as Twilight's number grew brighter and began to tick down, eventually stopping at the number 7. Twilight smiled at that as said, "Hmm," before standing up as she said, "Well then, we should probably get to the next door." 

The others nodded as they made their way over, finding and getting through the door without any trouble. 


Once they entered the new car though, that cheery optimism quickly went out the window as they where greeted to the sight of a dark and foggy woods. 

As they walked Spike shuddered slightly as he said, "Um, Twilight... no offense but do you think you could find the door quickly? I don't really want to be here."

"I know what you mean, this place looks straight out of a horror game," said Twilight as she felt her pace slightly quicken at a noise in the distance.

"This is indeed a rather creepy car, don't you think?" said One One.

"Yeah..." started Twilight as she suddenly remembered something saying, "Wait... did you say creepy car!?"

As if to answer her the tentacled creature from before came from around a tree as it stared at them.

"Oh it's you again, hello," said One One with a wave.

Without a word, Twilight suddenly picked him up as she and Spike ran as fast as they could away from the creature now dogging their steps. As they ran and ran, Twilight began to fear that once again she had picked the wrong direction as there didn't seem to be a door in sight. That fear began to shift though as she saw something else in sight, something large that Twilight thought she and the others could hide behind. As they all made their way towards it Twilight got a better look at the thing as she saw it seemed metallic in nature. Before she could analyze it though, they turned to see the tentacled creature coming towards them and as they prepared to move, they suddenly heard a beeping noise that caused it to stop in its tracks. They turned to see the metallic thing now had a glowing red line across its front as it began to stand up as a humanoid shape. It was then that Twilight reached another frightening conclusion, the thing wasn't chasing them... it was leading them to this.

The new thing stared down at them as it spoke in a modulated voice saying, "Well well, it looks like my steward did well getting you all here."

"Your... your steward?" asked Twilight as she shakily approached.

"Indeed," said the figure before it bowed slightly saying, "Greetings, I am the conductor of this humble train."

"You?" asked Spike.

"Does that mean you're my mum?" asked One One.

"Wait... so why are you here now, are you going to help me get to zero?" asked Twilight trying to process why the one person she'd been looking for this whole time would show up now, and why she still felt uneasy.

The conductor simply chuckled as she said, "My my so many question.... questions that will never get answered." Without warning the conductor's robotic hand suddenly gripped Spike as she said, "Now then... let's get down to it." 

"Hey what are?!" said Twilight before she found herself being held in place as the steward wrapped its tentacles around her legs.

"Tisk tisk, so impatient... perhaps that's why you haven't reached zero yet... it's too bad really, if you had done so just one car ago this all could have been avoided," said the Conductor as she looked at Spike struggling in her hand before turning back to Twilight as she said, "Now then, I propose a simple trade, I give you your little dog back, and you give me the robot."

"One One?" asked Twilight.

"Whatever you call it, I just want it," said the conductor as she looked down at her.

Twilight stared down at One One as this sudden situation played in her mind, "But... I can't just-"

Her speech was suddenly interrupted by Spike yelping in pain as the conductor's grip tightened and she said, "Tick tock little girl, I don't think I'll be able to keep this offer for much longer."

As Twilight stared up in panic, she suddenly felt a squirming in her hand as One One quickly jumped out of her grip and began walking towards the conductor, "ONE ONE! What are you doing!?"

"No it's alright Ms. Twilight... I'll go with her, if it means saving Spike," said One One as he continued walking.

"No One One," said Spike with a slight groan before saying, "She'll destroy you!" 

Yeah probably but that's alright then... if it means you two can continue on to get off this train," said One One as he was suddenly gripped in the conductor's other hand.

"A noble decision," said the conductor before turning back to Spike as she said, "Sadly not a wise one," before she resumed squeezing Spike, resulting in another yelp of pain.

"NO!" cried out Twilight as she reached out pleading.

The conductor simply began to laugh as she said, "Here's a lesson for you too learn kid, though I doubt it will make your number go down, never trust anyone."

As Twilight stared in shock she struggled with what to do, and it was then that she noticed a loose hanging branch directly above the conductor's head. Without thinking she found her hand glowing purple again as the branch did the same before crashing down on her.

She let out a quick grumble as she suddenly dropped Spike and One One too the ground, and at the same time, the steward released Twilight as it moved over to help its master. The group soon joined back together in a hug before running off. Thankfully they had picked the right direction this time as they soon saw the door in front of them.

"GET BACK HERE!" a voice suddenly yelled out at Twilight, and while everything told her it was the conductor... it sounded like another voice that made Twilight instinctively slow down. This was her undoing though as the conductor and the steward had managed to slink around the forest quickly and now stood between them and the door.

Twilight let out a gasp, and Spike raised his eyes in shock though at what they saw, for the branch had damaged what they now could see was a suit, and inside was a very familiar red and yellow haired girl.

"Sunset?" said Twilight in shock in confusion.

Sunset's face twisted from simple rage to absolute rage at hearing that as she said, "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT NAME!?"

"I..." began Twilight but couldn't finish as she struggled to understand what was going on in front of her.

Sunset jumped forward as she said, "If you won't tell me," before Spike yelped at once again being in her grip as she said, "Then maybe he will."

"NO! STOP!" began Twilight, but it was too late as Sunset and the steward quickly exited with Spike as Twilight could do nothing but watch as they jumped atop the next car and began crawling over it rather then entering, before finally the door closed.

Twilight suddenly dropped to her knees struggling to comprehend what just happened. She stared down at the ground as tears began to well up. 

One One placed his legs on Twilight's lap as he said, "It's OK to cry." This broke the flood gate as Twilight found herself wailing and letting the tears flow.


"LET ME GO SUNSET!" said Spike as he struggled against the grip.

Sunset growled as she said, "BE SILENT!" before pushing a button that caused an electric current to flow through the hand holding Spike, he let out a pained yip before losing consciousness as Sunset began staring forward. "I don't actually need you to talk, I have other ways of getting my answers... as for that girl, I suppose she can keep the robot for just a little longer." As she walked along though she remembered the cat and what she had promised if the girl came through with the robot. She thought on this before she shrugged saying, "Oh well... if this girl thinks she knows me, then let her get to know me," as a smirk overtook her face.


Twilight wheezed as the tears finally stopped. "Why... why would Sunset do this?"

"I'm sure she has her reasons," said One One.

"But... why? And why is she even on the train?" said Twilight, before suddenly she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out to see that finally, enough time had passed that her text had gone through to Sunset and she had responded with a simple, "Cool, see you there : )"

Twilight stared as she said, "She's not on the train... but then how," and suddenly it hit her. "The other me."

"Another you Ms. Twilight? Like that sword fighting shadow?" asked One One.

Twilight wiped her tears as she said, "No not like that... the other me from the pony world where Sunset is from... so this must be the Sunset from this world."

"Oh if that's the case then we can go after her," said One One.

"I guess," said Twilight as she curled up unsure of herself.

"Well like you said, she's not the Sunset you know," said One One.

"Yes but... I just can't picture doing anything wrong to that face, or even saying anything wrong because," began Twilight as she blushed and suddenly her head shot up as it finally clicked. The reason she had been avoided talking to Sunset about Midnight Sparkle and let her problems build up as much as it had, the reason that even the notion of talking about her problems made her so nervous, the one thing she had yet to admit to herself. "I'm in love with Sunset," said Twilight as suddenly saw her number begin to glow brighter then it ever had before. As Twilight stared down at it One One began doing a little dance as it finally ticked down to zero.

All of a sudden a bright light shown in front of them as it formed a door that quickly opened and beyond it Twilight could see the entrance sign to Camp Everfree. "HOORAY! You're about to be gone forever!" yelled out One One before adding, "To be clear that's a good thing."

Twilight stared at the door before simple saying, "No," as she moved towards the door the conductor had gone through saying, "I'm not leaving without Spike."

"What about your door?" asked One One.

Twilight looked back for a moment at her ticket out of all this, before sighing as she said, "I'll just have to come back for it later," as One One quickly followed after her and the two opened the door, ready to face whatever came next.
> End of the Line
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight and One One silently entered the next car, they where surprised to hear sobbing, tentatively Twilight began following it until she came to the prone form of the cat laying on the floor. The cat looked up at Twilight with tear stains on her fur saying, "So, finally come to join the pity party?"

"That doesn't sound like a very fun party speak for yourself," said One One as he approached from behind Twilight.

The cat stared in disbelief as she said, "You... you still have the robot!?"

Twilight nodded before looking off in the distance. The cat briefly raised an eye brow at that before she noticed that one member of the group was absent as she simply said, "Oh... mes excuses," as she looked away in thought.

"Sunset took Spike.... if you where really telling the truth when you said you know her, can you please help us get him back?" said Twilight as she bent down to the cats level.

"Hold the phone kitten, you know her real name?" said the cat as she cocked her head in confusion.

Twilight sighed as she said, "Yes but that's about all I know about her... it's kind of a long story."

The cat then scratched her chin as she said, "Hmm, well as you can most likely guess by how I was crying when you came in, me and her aren't exactly on the best terms right now... she basically just admitted she plans on getting rid of me eventually no matter what I do."

Before the cat could say anymore she suddenly felt a warmth on her as Twilight had placed a comforting hand on her back saying, "I'm sorry."

The cat jumped back in confusion saying, "Répète! Why are you apologizing to me?! If I recall the last time we met I was trying to trick you into turning over that little robot to Sunset, if anyone should be apologizing it should be."

Twilight simply shrugged as she said, "Well yeah, but we all make mistakes... besides you where just doing that to try and stay safe from her."

The cat thought on this for a moment before sighing as she got up and walked over to her hiding spot saying, "Well for what's it's worth I am sorry... and while I'm not sure how much it can help," she then went digging through the hidden pile before pulling out a particular object and gesturing it to Twilight as she said, "This can at least tell you some more about Sunset."

Twilight walked over as she said, "Wait is that a... VHS tape?" asked Twilight as she took the object in her hand.

"Look a little closer kitten," said the cat.

Twilight turned the tape over in her hand and her eyes widened as she saw written on the side of the tape in glowing green letters was "SUNSET SHIMMER".

"Wha- what is this?" asked Twilight.

"That would be Sunset's memory tape, every passenger has one and Sunset is no different," said the cat as she soon walked over to a comfy chair sitting in front of a television with a built in VCR.

Twilight moved over as she said, "Wait... passenger?"

"Oui, once upon a train there was a different conductor, but Sunset ousted them when she got aboard... that memory I'm afraid isn't on the tape though. All you'll find there is the reason she got on this train in the first place," said the cat as she curled up on the arm rest of the chair.

"And... do you think knowing that will help me?" asked Twilight as she sat down in the chair.

"Who's to say... but information is power and you need all the power you can get if you want to challenge her," said the cat.

Twilight simply stared at the tape in thought thinking, "Watching this will at the least help me separate this Sunset from my Sunset which if I'm going to fight her, is something I'll need to do."

Twilight gulped before reaching out and putting the tape in as suddenly the world seemed to dissapear in a void of white. As Twilight looked around she suddenly heard a voice say, "Come along kitten," as she jumped back in slight fear before seeing it was the cat.

The cat barely paid any mind to it as she began walking saying, "We aren't going to find any answers just standing around here."

"Standing around is pretty boring," said One One as Twilight once again jumped at the sudden noise.

"Oh, so you're coming with us then?" asked the cat.

"Might as well I'm uncomfortable being alone," said One One as he soon followed after.

The cat spared a glance at Twilight saying, "You coming kitten?"

Twilight nodded as she followed after and the further they walked the more Twilight began to see patches of static appearing in the void before suddenly the static gave way and the entire world shifted. Suddenly the three where standing in a front yard watching as what appeared to be a ten year old Sunset got off a school bus with a smile as she walked up to the door.

As Twilight and the others followed after her, Twilight couldn't help but think something about this seemed familiar. She didn't have much time to dwell on that though, as Sunset ran through the door beaming from ear to ear as she jumped on top of a couch next to a man holding a game controller as he looked towards her with a smile saying, "Hey my little sunshine, how was school today?" 

"It was OK, but more importantly how'd you do?" asked Sunset.

The man simply sighed as he handed the controller to her with a smile and put his feet up on the table as he said, "Well I think you're gonna have to show me the ropes again, because no matter how many boxes I break I just can not find those hidden gems."

Sunset chuckled as she said, "Daddy, that's not how you find them, here I'll show you." 

She then got to work with a smile as a voice from the kitchen said, "Not so fast young lady," before a woman entered the room carrying a bowl of carrots and a glass of milk as she said, "No playing on an empty stomach."

Sunset slightly pouted as she paused the game, only for her dad to pat her on the head saying, "Come on you heard your mom, eat up... hey maybe you can pretend the're wumpa fruit."

Sunset smiled at that as she quickly munched on the carrot saying, "I just can't wait for Wrath of Cortex to come out next week so we can find the hidden gems for the first time together!"

"I'm sure it well be great, but don't expect me to find many," said Sunset's mom as she sat down next to her.

"Eh with all my training I think I might just end up finding them all while you're eating your snacks," said her dad as he tussled Sunset's hair. 

Sunset giggled at that as Twilight smiled at just how cute the little Sunset looked and how wholesome the scene was, before suddenly the world shifted once again. 

They now found themselves in a bedroom as Sunset laid under the covers, red faced and a thermometer in her mouth. Her dad sat next to the bed as her mom soon entered with a glass of water. She sat it on the table before pulling the thermometer from Sunset's mouth as she said, "I'm sorry Sunset, but it looks like you have a fever, you're gonna have to stay in bed all day."

"NOOO!" said Sunset in protest as she weakly raised up her tiny arms before saying, "But we where gonna have a day at the mall and get the game."

"Sorry sweetie, but hey tell you what," said Sunset's dad as he stroked her hair with a smile. "Me and your mom need to go out to get a few things anyway, how about we get the game for you then, I'll move the console and stuff in here so we can play all day."

Sunset briefly perked up before she pouted saying, "But I don't want you having fun at the mall without me."

"Well we don't have to get it from the mall," said her mom as she leaned down towards her daughter.

"Yeah... you remember that rinky dink little shopping center on the way to your cousin Sunburst's house?" said her dad. Sunset nodded as he continued saying, "We can go and get it there."

"Promise?" asked Sunset.

"Promise," said her mom with a nod.

"I'll even pick you up one of those awful off brand slurpees from the Gas-N-Gulp to prove it," said her dad with a smile.

Sunset giggled at that before once again the world shifted... this time it was very different though. They where still in Sunset's bedroom but it was the middle of the night, Sunset was curled into the fetal position beneath the blanket wailing loudly and the only light present was the flashing red and blue of a cop car outside. "What's going on?" asked Twilight as she reached out a hand to the crying Sunset in vain. She looked around before a chill went down her spine as she asked, "Where are her parents?"

The cat simply lowered her head as Twilight began to hear voices talking just outside. She strained to try and listen but couldn't quite hear, whatever it was though caused Sunset's crying to stop suddenly as she began trembling, her hands holding her head as the tears flowed even harder. "What did they just say?" asked Twilight.

"Oh I can find out," said One One as suddenly the world shifted again, and they found themselves outside as Twilight watched two officers standing near Sunset's room. 

"Wait, One One, how'd you do that?" asked Twilight.

"I don't know," replied One One before they where suddenly interrupted by the cops speaking.

"Man poor kid," said a younger looking one.

The older one took off his hat saying, "A lot of things about this job get easier the more times you do them... but telling a little girl her parents aren't coming home is not one of them."

The two then turned away as the younger one said, "The thing I can't figure out though, is why they where pulling into a Gas-N-Gulp in the first place, their gas tank was about full."

And that's when Twilight heard Sunset's wails stop, and realized what that meant saying, "She blamed herself for what happened."

The cat nodded as she said, "Whenever a tragedy happens we all are haunted by the simple question 'what if'."

Before Twilight could reply the memory shifted one last time as they saw what looked like a blank and emotionless Sunset walking towards another house as a woman held her hand saying, "I know this is hard, it's hard for me too, but we're here for you Sunset and I know Sunburst will be happy to see you everyday."

Sunset didn't say anything as they slowly reached the walk way in front of the house, the woman looked forward as she said, "In time I hope you can think of us this as your new home."

Suddenly Sunset broke out of the woman's grip as with teary eyes she yelled, "I DON'T WANT A NEW HOME OR A NEW FAMILY! I JUST WANT MINE BACK!" She then took off running as the woman tried to follow after her, Twilight and the others doing the same. The woman soon tripped and fell down as Twilight kept going, soon though both she and Sunset stopped as a large train pulled in front of her, and it's door opened.


In an instant Twilight found herself setting back in the chair as she lifted up her glasses to wipe away a few stray tears. 

The cat soon sat up with a sigh as she said, "Well kitten, now you know the truth about her."

Twilight lowered her glasses back down as she said, "Yeah, but I'm not sure if knowing this is going to make this easier or harder." 

"I figured you'd say that, but still felt it would be better to know, after all she spent enough time hiding from this pain, we shouldn't do the same," said the cat. She then stretched as she said, "Now then, if you're still feeling like confronting her I can bring you to the engine in my shuttle craft."

"Shuttle craft?" asked Twilight as the cat quickly led them out the door to her car where they where greeted to a device that looked like a ball shaped cage with a control console inside. 

The cat opened a door on it as she started it up saying, "It will be a bit of a tight squeeze but this old gal can get us to any car we want."

"Wait... any car?" asked Twilight as a thought occurred to her.

"Any car indeed... why?" asked the cat.

"We're going to need to make a stop first, I think I know someone who will want to help us," said Twilight.


As Sunset placed Spike in a large clear orb she tapped some controls on a nearby console before a screen began displaying several images as she said, "Now let's see what your memories hold little pup."

As the images flickered by Sunset immediately hit pause as she was greeted to something utterly impossible, yet here she was seemingly staring at a picture of herself. She stared in disbelief for a moment before a smile crawled across her face as she said, "Well well, now this requires a VERY close look," as she unplugged the orb from the screen and plugged it directly into her suit as her eyes began to glow white as the images played out in her head.

Several moments later

As Sunset unplugged from the orb Spike began to wake up as he said, "H-HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Sunset's only response was letting out a laugh as she said, "What am I doing, I'm finally finding the answer that's what! After all this time I finally have what I need to bring them back within my grasp!"

As Spike stared at the insane girls laughter he notices a soft green glow come from the neck line of her jacket as the top of a number poked out of it, before he could comment on that though, they both suddenly turned as they heard the sound of the door to the engine room opening as they looked to see Twilight holding One One as she stood in the door way.

"Well well, so you've come to save your mutt Twilight," said Sunset as she looked at the girl with a smile. "To bad you didn't bring an army." Sunset's suit then let out a beeping noise as the steward began running towards Twilight.

"No I didn't... but I did bring a king," said Twilight as suddenly a familiar Corgi ran past her and jumped right into the steward knocking it back.

"What!?" said Sunset in a mix of surprise and rage.

Atticus growled as he ripped one of the tendrils away from the steward with his teeth saying, "I'll handle the beast, you all go save Spike."

The cat briefly poked her head in saying, "And I'll be here if you all need a quick get away."

Twilight nodded at the two before she and One One charged towards the front of the engine.

Sunset growled as she charged at her, but this was part of the plan as Twilight looked at One One saying, "I'll handle her, you try and free Spike," before throwing him like a bowling ball as he rolled past Sunset.

She didn't seem to react to it though, as she reached to grab Twilight with her robotic hand, only to have it knocked away as Sunset growled saying, "WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A METAL PIPE IN YOUR BAG!?" 

"It's called a DOUGHNUT HOLER!" she called back as she used it to knock Sunset's arm even further back and put some distance between them. 

Sunset looked at her saying, "You fool, you have no idea what you're doing!"

"Yes I do, I'm sorry for what happened to your family Sunset, but you can't just bring them back," said Twilight as she implored the girl before her.

Sunset smirked as she said, "Oh but I can, you see the only thing stopping me before was that it was too dangerous to interface my own mind to make orbs... but with this pony Sunset I'll be able to make as many orbs as I want!" 

Twilight glared at this as she said, "You're not touching her!"

Sunset let out a slight laugh as she said, "Please, like a little girl like you can stop me."

"Don't treat me like a child, we're the same age!" said Twilight.

"Maybe physically," said Sunset as she swung out at Twilight only for her to dodge.

Twilight tried to figure out what that meant, but didn't have much time to do so as she had to dodge another throw.


Spike watched as One One began approaching him as he said, "Oh thank goodness One One! Quick get me out of here so we can help Twilight."

"Oh of course... I don't know how to do that though," said One One as he came to a stop in front of the orb holding Spike. 

Spike looked around as he said, "Well um... maybe that console has something to do with it," said Spike as he pointed to the nearby wall.

One One turned to it and then suddenly found himself transfixed by a semi sphere indent on the wall as he said, "Mum."


Atticus managed to sever another of the steward's tentacles, however this proved to be a mistake as from it oil began to spray on his face blinding him. As he backed away he suddenly heard a voice yell, "HEY DOG! DUCK!"

Without thinking Atticus did as he was told, as the cat suddenly fired the anchor from her shuttle craft right into the stewards face, cracking it up. This was quickly followed up by the shuttle craft itself being pulled towards the anchor as Atticus's vision cleared and he watched both it and the steward's face clatter to pieces. 

The cat soon came forward as she said, "Waoh, that was close," she then looked towards Atticus with a smile as she said, "Thank me later."

"But wait... how are you going to get back to your car now?" asked Atticus as he looked at the cat.

She simply shrugged saying, "Maybe I won't... but I think I'm finally starting to figure out there are things I care about more then myself," she then looked forward as she continued saying, "Speaking of which I think we better lend a few paws."

"Indeed," said Atticus as he and the cat charged forward.


Sunset stumbled as her suit began to run low on power as she feigned confidence saying, "Ready to give up yet!"

"Not even close," said Twilight as she raised the pipe up to hit at her again. Before she could though she watched as Atticus and the cat leaped simultaneously towards Sunset. Sunset tried to raise her arms to defend herself, but found them stuck still as a purple glow covered them.

"NOOOO!" she cried out as the two animals ripped wires from her suit causing it finally give out and collapse to the ground as Sunset fell out of the hole in the head and tumbled in front of Twilight. 

Twilight looked down at her as she said, "It's over Sunset!"

"YOU... YOU IDIOT!" said Sunset as she leapt to her feet. "This was never about you, I just needed to stop One from ruining everything!"

"Wait... One," said Twilight. 

Before she could ask about this further they suddenly heard One One say say, "Whoopsie Daisy," as he rolled forward and plopped into the semi circle. "NOOOOO!!!" called out Sunset in rage as she began to run towards him, the others following quickly after.

But it was too late as by the time they got close to him all the lights in the car had suddenly gone out leaving them in total darkness. That darkness was soon broken as the white lights of One One's eyes came back before the entire engine was once again bathed in light. The group stared out as One One let out a beep that caused the orb containing Spike to open up as he ran over to Twilight calling out her name.

"SPIKE!" called back Twilight as she scooped the dog up in her arms saying, "I'm so glad you're OK."

"I'm glad you're OK," said Spike as he licked her face.

Twilight giggled at that, before they where interrupted as One One spoke saying, "Excuse me, but I'd like you all to meet my mother isn't she pretty, she's got a real heft to her."

"You're mother..." said Twilight before everything clicked together as she said, "Wait One One, you're the real conductor!?"

"Yup," said One One happily.

Twilight smiled at that before she heard a grumble as she looked back seeing Sunset sitting on the floor glaring as she said, "Why... why did you rip One One out of the console!?"

"He has the power of a god, and yet he refused to undo my mistake... so I had to do it myself," said Sunset in a mix of rage and sadness.

Twilight stepped forward as she said, "Sunset... your parents death wasn't your fault."

"What do you know!!" said Sunset as she curled into herself saying, "Just leave me alone... I've been alone for a long time anyway."

Twilight approached saying, "I... I know what it's like to feel alone."

Sunset suddenly began to laugh as she said, "No.. no you don't. No one knows what it's like to be alone... not for as long as I have."

"What do you mean?" asked Twilight.

Sunset's laughter suddenly died down as she said, "You've already figured out that several days on this train only equals a few seconds in the real world and I've been on this train for about seven real world years... how much time do think that was on the train?"

Twilight backed away as she said, "My god... I.. I can't even.."

Sunset once again laughed as she said, "Go ahead, stammer In disbelief for a bit... I spent a good few hundred years doing that."

Twilight soon shook her head clear as she said, "Well... how long it's been doesn't matter. It's never to late to forgive yourself and move on."

Sunset smirked at that as she stood up and began unzipping her jacket as she said, "It doesn't matter even if I could forgive myself, it wouldn't even put a dent in my number." Twilight stared in disbelief as she saw Sunset's number was so high it was covering both her arms, her torso and finally stopped at her neck.

Twilight briefly gasped before saying, "I... know it's hard to cope with a sudden change but no matter how hard it is you have to keep trying and let others help you."

Sunset stared down in thought as she began to slightly glow as her number ticked down slightly, before she said, "But I... don't even know where to start."

"Well for starters you could fix up all the cars you broke," said the cat as she sat next to her saying, "And I might as well join... might find some things to add to my collection while I'm at it."

"That sounds like something I can get behind, after all every good king needs to go on a crusade to help others," said Atticus as he walked to her as well.

Spike smirked as he walked towards them saying, "Oh, did I just hear you call yourself a good king?"

Atticus blushed as he said, "Sorry... force of habit."

Spike shook his head as he removed the crown and put it atop Atticus's head as he said, "No... I think you're right."

Atticus smirked slightly before saying, "But-"

Spike interrupted by placing a paw over his mouth saying, "No buts."

"Come on dog boy take the crown, it looks pretty cute on you," said the cat with a smirk.

Atticus blushed as he said, "Oh my well... if you insist."

Spike chuckled at that as Sunset stared before letting out a little laugh of her own as her number once again began to lower, this time making its way down to her collar bone. 

Twilight soon walked up saying, "I guess we're getting in on this adventure too, at least until I can get back to my door."

"Actually that won't be necessary," said One One as suddenly Twilight's number began to glow again as a whole new door opened in front of her.

"Wait... but how?" asked Twilight.

"A door can be opened in any car at any time, you just need to unlock it and zero is the key," said One One.

"Hum," said Twilight as she looked down in thought before looking around as she said, "Well then I guess this is goodbye." She then walked over to the cat as she said, "Thank's for getting me here you... you know this whole time I don't we've actually properly introduced each other, I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"And I'm.... Samantha," she said as she let out a sigh she didn't even realize she was holding in as she thought, "If I had a number it definitely be ticking down right now."

That thought was interrupted by Atticus saying, "Samantha... that's a rather pretty name, fit for a queen."

This caused Samantha to blush as she said, "Wha- I don't know about that," before looking away awkwardly.

Spike chuckled as he looked at Atticus saying, "Good luck buddy, both on this adventure and with what you got going on here."

Atticus blushed as he simply chuckled saying, "Indeed, and good luck to you as well my friend."

Twilight smiled at that before turning to Sunset as she said, "Remember it's not your fault."

Sunset looked at her as she said, "I think one day... I'll be able to believe that." 

Twilight nodded as she said, "As long as you never give up and stick with these guys, you'll be fine."

She then got up and began walking but stopped as she heard, "HEY TWILIGHT!... I know I'm pretty different then the other me, but based on what I saw in Spike's memories... I think the other Sunset loves you back."

Twilight blushed as she cleared her throat saying, "I'll find that out soon enough... for now though." She and Spike then walked over to the console holding One One as she said, "One One I... you helped me from the beginning and I just don't know what..." she trailed off as she began to cry, she looked down to Spike for help only to see him shedding a few tears too.

One One simply said, "Me too," and as Twilight went to walk away he jumped back out of the console saying, "Wait hug, hug first!" The three then joined into a group hug that they wished would last forever, but eventually they had to part as they all simply waved a goodbye to each other before Twilight and Spike went through the door. 


Twilight watched as she and Spike suddenly stood next to the entrance to Camp Everfree. They turned around to see the exit close before Spike said, "Twilight, we did it."

Twilight simply nodded as the two of them walked through the entrance and began to look around asking, "I wonder where everyone else is?"

Spike suddenly raised his ear in the air as he said, "Um, I think the're coming."

Twilight turned back towards the entrance and saw the bus just pulling in as everyone began to get off. 

Twilight and Spike ran over pushing past several others as she found herself face to face with Sunset, her Sunset, as she said, "Oh hey Twi... I saw your text and didn't expect you to be here so soon."

Without saying a word Twilight suddenly grabbed onto Sunset and planted a kiss on her lips, Sunset's eyes widened for a moment in shook before they closed in passion as she began to kiss Twilight back.

"My word, that's a bit forward don't you think?" asked Rarity.

"I know, I'm surprised she had it in her," said Applejack.

"Well I'm not," said Rainbow Dash as she reached out a hand towards Applejack who simply sighed as she pulled out five dollars and put it in Rainbow's hand. "And the rest of the bet," added Rainbow before Applejack sighed and took a bite of her stetson, literally eating her hat.

Pinkie Pie suddenly popped off the bus with confetti as she said, "YEAH! FRIENDS HAVE BECOME A COUPLE PARTY!" 

Soon though the two broke out of the kiss as Sunset stood flustered for a moment before saying, "Not that I'm complaining, but what brought this on?"

Twilight looked at her for moment before she giggled saying, "It's... kind of a long story."