A Simple Mistake

Chapter 2: The Everfree Forest

Twilight approached the Everfree forest, pausing to look back at the ruins of Ponyville, tears in her eyes.

“I’ll fix this” she said mournfully, turning back around. “I promise” she whispered as she took her first steps into the darkness. As she walked alone through the woods, a bush in the distance began moving. Fearing more changelings, she ducked behind a group of trees and waited. Eventually, a group of rabbits came hopping out of the bush. Twilight jumped out of her hiding spot and began walking again, blushing with embarrassment.

“Great, now I’m afraid of rabbits” she said, rolling her eyes. “I guess without Fluttershy here, all the animals ran into the forest”

She stopped for a moment, thinking of what she just said. “Fluttershy…I wonder how she’s handling all of this. She’s usually so emotional…I can only imagine what’s happened to her.”

She shook her head violently, trying to dispel the thought. “I’m sure she’s fine. I mean, yeah, she can be emotional at times, but she’s fast and she has a good head on her shoulders.” She began walking again, nodding in agreement with herself. “And besides, she had all of her friends to help her.”

She paused for a moment, painful realization on her face as tears again welled in her eyes.

“Well, almost all of them” she said after a long pause, staring at the ground as she continued walking.

“What about the rest of the girls?” she asked herself, looking up in thought. “Rainbow Dash and Applejack wouldn’t just run away, they would be the ones running toward the army of changelings” she said, visualizing a battle in her mind. “They’re both strong and fast, but there are so many changelings…what if they were captured?” She began to panic, visualizing her friends’ defeat. “Or worse…” she said, her eyes widening in horror.

She again shook her head, trying to think positively. “That wouldn’t happen. They’re brave, but not stupid. If they realized there were too many to fight they would run.” She began to calm down, visualizing an organized retreat instead of her friends’ capture. “But what if they didn’t realize how many changelings were there? What if it was an ambush?” she said, holding her hooves on her head as panic once again settled in her mind.

“ARGH! I have to know what happened!” she screamed, birds flying away at her sudden outburst. As the sound of her yelling faded into the night, the howls of timberwolves echoed through the forest in reply.

“Oops” she said weakly, shrinking in fear. All at once, the sounds of branches breaking and trees moving seemed to surround her. Twilight was frozen in fear. She looked around frantically, trying to find the source of the noise. The howls grew louder as she felt her heart beating hard in her chest. She stood still in the middle of the darkness, the sounds growing even louder, seemingly coming from only inches away.

Suddenly, all at once, complete silence filled the air. The forest was so quiet the only thing she could hear was her own breathing. She looked around slowly, taking in every detail, her eyes scanning every inch of the surrounding foliage, desperately looking for the predators she knew had surrounded her.

Suddenly, she stopped, finding a pair of green eyes glowing in the darkness. She stared deeply into them, her fears confirmed. The silence was broken by the sound of a loud growl that rang in her ears and rumbled in her chest. The one growl was suddenly joined by several others, quickly growing louder. Looking around, she found the same green eyes peeking behind countless trees and bushes. Terrified, she braced for the attack she knew was coming.

The growls suddenly stopped, but the sound of the timberwolves' breathing lingered in the air. Twilight's eyes narrowed in sharp focus. She had a plan, and it was going to work...she hoped.

Finally, one of the timberwolves lunged at her from in front. She quickly slid under the sailing predator, running through the gap it left as it attacked. She sprinted as fast as she could, unconcerned about where she was going. Piercing howls filled the air behind her and the sound of heavy steps pounded throughout the forest. Panting, she looked around desperately as she ran, trying to think of a plan. Her fatigue became apparent as the growls of the timberwolves behind her grew louder, the predators coming ever closer to her. Their putrid breath invaded her nostrils as she put all of her energy into running, just barely dodging trees as she bounded through the woodland.

Her heart sank as a river came into view, the consequence of her unfocused running. She stopped for a moment, looking around frantically. “Too tired to swim across” she said between heavy breaths. She took off again as she ran down the length of the river, desperately looking for a bridge, a log, or anything that she could use to cross. With no escape in sight, she stopped as the last of her energy was drained. The timberwolves slowed to a walk as they neared the river, baring their fangs as they approached the exhausted princess. Desperate, Twilight tried to teleport to the other side of the river, but her magic fizzled out before she could even begin the spell.

Exhausted, but determined, she weakly assumed an attack position. As one of the timberwolves moved in closer, she began to stumble, losing consciousness. The predator lunged at her, mouth agape. She winced, bracing for the inevitable. As the large jaws came within inches of her, a rock hit the sailing timberwolf in the side, knocking it into another timberwolf and breaking them both into pieces.

Twilight looked toward the direction the rock came from and spotted four cloaked ponies running toward her assailants as she sank to the ground. When the last timberwolf was defeated, she finally succumbed to the darkness, collapsing on her side near the water's edge. After ensuring the timberwolves were gone, the four ponies circled around the unconscious princess, confusion on their faces. They looked at each other and nodded, picking up Twilight and disappearing into the forest.

Twilight weakly opened her eyes as she slowly regained consciousness. She looked around, stopping as she heard the faint sound of a conversation going on in front of her. Focusing in, she noticed that they were the same cloaked ponies who saved her earlier. She fought to hold onto consciousness as she listened in.

“Do you think she’s a changeling?” asked one of the ponies, an orange mare.

“Not a chance” replied another, this time a white stallion. “It’s almost impossible to remain transformed when you’re unconscious, there’s no way a changeling could do something like that.”

“What if it’s not just a changeling?” added a red stallion, throwing a hoof up for emphasis. “What if it’s Queen Chrysalis herself?”

“There’s no way” answered the fourth of the group, a blue mare. “Queen Chrysalis would never be this deep in the Everfree Forest without any changelings to guard her, and the only unusual thing we found out there was a pony being chased by timberwolves.”

“I say we take her to Watchful, he can tell us if she’s a changeling or not” said the orange mare, gesturing toward Twilight.

Twilight began to lose consciousness yet again, desperately trying to hear what the ponies were saying.

“No” replied the white stallion. “If this really is Twilight Sparkle, it’s going to change everything...

...We’re taking her to Luna.”

As the stallion finished his sentence, Twilight again gave in to her fatigue and slipped into the darkness. The darkness faded into light as Twilight appeared back in Ponyville, enjoying a picnic with her friends. The sunlight shone warmly on her face as she took a bite of the cake in her hoof.

“This cake is amazing, Pinkie Pie” she said as she took another bite. Pinkie seemed to ignore her comment, having a conversation with Applejack.

“I really like the cake, Pinkie” said Fluttershy, almost whispering.

“Thanks Fluttershy!” replied Pinkie, eating an entire slice in one bite. “It’s a new recipe!”

“Oh really?” asked Fluttershy, her ears perked with curiosity. “What’s different in this one?”

“Wait, you heard Fluttershy, but not me?” asked Twilight, confused. Pinkie and Fluttershy continued with their conversation about the cake, both unaware of Twilight's presence. “I guess Pinkie is just being Pinkie, right Rarity?” she said, looking over at the white mare.

“It certainly is a beautiful day to be outside” said Rarity, waving her hoof for emphasis, completely oblivious to Twilight’s comment.

“You said it!” agreed Rainbow, flying around in the cool breeze. “I love this weather!”

“It’s too bad Twilight ain't here to enjoy it” said Applejack, a sad look on her face.

“Okay girls, I think the joke has gone on long enough” said Twilight, laughing nervously.

“She would love to be here!” said Pinkie. “I even packed a ‘Welcome Back’ party just in case!”

“What do you mean ‘Welcome Back’? I’m right here!” she yelled, angrily stomping her hooves.

“I’m just worried about Spike” said Rarity, holding a hoof to her mouth. “He certainly has taken all of this very hard.”

“Spike is fine!” yelled Twilight. “I just saw him yesterday…He was skipping home from the boutique with a goofy look on his face! How do you not remember?”

“Yeah” said Rainbow, landing next to the others. “He almost never leaves the library.”

"That's because he's always sleeping!” she yelled.

“One thing’s for sure, It’ll never be the same without ya, Twi” said Applejack, looking up at the sky somberly. The other four all looked up with her, as if they expected the princess to fall from the sky.

“Twilight…” sighed the group in unison, looking down mournfully.

“I’m right here!” she screamed, stomping her hooves in anger, her face turning red with anger. “This isn’t funny!”

She winced, shielding her eyes as a blinding light appeared in front of her. The light began to fade, revealing Canterlot in flames all around her. The sky was darkened with changelings, and ponies were running in terror all around her. The guards, caught off guard by the sheer number of changelings swarming the city, tried to reorganize as the blackness fell over the city.

Suddenly, she saw the interior of the castle, the royal guards preparing defenses as her friends readied for battle. The large golden doors suddenly burst open as changelings flooded into the room, letting out blood curdling cries as they washed over the hapless defenders in a sea of black. The fight was over before it even started, her friends far too outnumbered to even slow them down. As the last of her friends were washed away in the darkness, she saw Celestia and Luna, completely surrounded by the darkness as they tried to hold back the swarm. “Twilight, where are you?” they cried as they too were overwhelmed by the horde.

As the smoke settled over the ruins of Canterlot, Twilight suddenly appeared in the middle of a dark room, a single light shining down on her. As she looked around, all she could see were evil eyes staring back at her. Suddenly, the room brightened, revealing changelings all around her. They slowly opened their mouths, exposing their fangs as they hissed and cried, filling her with terror. As she stood there, frozen in fear, the darkness again enveloped her as the changelings swarmed over the princess.

Twilight snapped awake, panting as sweat fell from her face. She began to calm down as she realized it was all a dream. Looking around, she spotted the same four cloaked ponies standing in front of her.

“Are you alright princess?” asked the orange mare, extending a hoof to help her up.

Twilight grabbed the hoof as she righted herself, readjusting to her surroundings. “I’m fine” she answered, rubbing the back of her head. “Uhh...Thank you for saving me from those timberwolves earlier.” The ponies all bowed, acknowledging her thanks.

“It was our pleasure” answered the white stallion.

“Where are we?” she asked, looking around.

“Home” he answered, walking into a nearby cave, the other ponies followed him as Twilight stood still, confused.

“Are you coming?” asked the blue mare, gesturing with her hoof to follow. Twilight followed the others as they continued walking into the cold underground below.

“Before we go any further, a warning” said the red stallion, turning to face her. “We believe you are Princess Twilight Sparkle, but the resistance isn’t as welcoming to newcomers…regardless of appearance.”

“Even if you look, think, and act like Princess Twilight Sparkle” began the orange mare, adding to the warning. “They still won’t trust you…not at first…not after Cloudsdale.”

“Rainbow…” whispered Twilight weakly.

“Be careful where you go, and who you talk to” said the white stallion. “At least until everyone knows who you are.”

“Got it, thanks” she said, nodding her head.

“Alright then” said the blue mare. “Onward we go.”

They continued through the depths of the cavern, navigating countless tunnels until they finally arrived at wall with a small jewel shaped opening in the center. Twilight watched as the white stallion pulled a necklace out of his cloak, an oddly colored jewel on the end. The more she stared at it, the more it seemed to change color, as if it knew she was looking at it.

The stallion placed the jewel in the cavity, and the sound of rock grinding against rock echoed through the cave as the wall split and began to open. The white stallion returned the necklace to its place within his cloak as the wall receded into the rock around them. Light slowly poured into the dark cavern as the large door continued to open. A warm air blew into the tunnel as a small settlement came into view.

What she saw gave her mixed feelings. She was glad that she had finally found civilization, but she was overwhelmed with guilt as she looked around. Makeshift buildings and ponies in tattered clothes were all that was left of the Equestria she loved so much. Countless lives ruined, all because of a simple mistake. She noticed the angry and untrusting looks the frightened ponies gave her as she walked through the cavern.

“I see what you guys were talking about” she said quietly to her escort.

“Don’t worry about it too much” said the blue mare reassuringly. “Everything will change now that you’re here.”

The ponies approached a large building in the center of the settlement. The guards outside the building stopped the group, first looking at Twilight, and then at each other, confused. Looking back to Twilight, they opened the door and bowed.The room grew quiet as they entered, and every eye was locked on Twilight. Slowly, the murmur of voices filled the room as they began talking again, having found a new subject to discuss. Twilight found familiar angry looks surrounding her as she walked across the room.

“Come on” said the white stallion, gesturing to the group with a hoof as the guards opened the large doors at the end of the room. “Princess Luna is this way.” Twilight followed the ponies as they walked through the large doors, the guards bowing as she passed by. Even though it wasn’t built with the same materials as anything in the castle, the chamber still felt as though it belonged in one.

“Princess Luna” he began, bowing. “We’ve found Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Luna looked over at the group, disbelief on her face as she stared at Twilight. She walked over to the princess, placing a hoof on her as she closed her eyes, magic flowing through her horn. She opened her eyes again, filled with tears. “Twilight Sparkle, it’s you!” she cried, embracing her. “I can’t believe it’s you!” she said.

“It’s been a long day, Princess Luna” said Twilight.

“I know all about it” she said, raising a hoof.

“You do?” Twilight lightly shook her head, brow furrowed. “How could you-“

“The spell I just cast was a mind reading spell” answered Luna. “It allows me to know anything about anyone. All I need to do is place a hoof on them. It's become somewhat of a necessity now that the changelings have taken over Equestria, and don’t worry, I only looked at what I needed to, your secrets are still yours.”

“That’s incredible, I didn’t even know there was a mind reading spell” said Twilight, still amazed by what she just heard.

“There are many kinds of magic you have yet to learn, Twilight” said Luna, smiling at her comment. “But I’m afraid there’s no time for any of that right now. Now that you’re here, the Elements of Harmony can be used again. The only problem is that your friends aren’t here.”

“Not here?” asked Twilight, taking a step back from the princess. “What do you mean they’re not here? Where are they? Are they okay? What happened?”

“After Canterlot fell and Celestia was captured, your friends united one last time to defend Ponyville. Despite their efforts, Ponyville was destroyed, and they each went their separate ways, blaming the other for their failures. Rarity left for the Crystal Empire, Rainbow Dash flew to Cloudsdale, and Applejack ran to Appleloosa. Unfortunately, I don’t know where Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy or Spike went, and Appleloosa and Cloudsdale have been destroyed since Applejack and Rainbow Dash left, so I can't guarantee they will still be there.

“What about the Crystal Empire?” asked Twilight, hoping for anything to work with.

“The Crystal Heart has managed to defend it from the changelings so far, but they have surrounded the city, and none of our refugees can get in.” answered Luna.

“If no one can get into the city, how am I supposed to get in and leave with Rarity?” asked Twilight.

“I believe these scouts can help you with that” said Luna, looking to the four ponies standing beside her.

“Of course” said the white stallion. “We’ll give you all the information you need.”

“The Crystal Empire is too far away to walk or fly, how am I supposed to get there?” asked Twilight, her face warped with confusion. “Are the trains still working?”

“Although the shield around the Crystal Empire prevents me from using my magic to teleport you inside, I can still bring you near it. From there, you’ll have to get in using the information the scouts will give you. As for getting back, I'm sure Princess Cadence and Shining Armor will be able to help you."

“Well it’s not much, but it’s a start” said Twilight, giving a brief nod of her head. “It looks like I’m going to the Crystal Empire.”