Tome of the Everfree Arsonist
By: Everfree Jester
The sky was cloudless, and the wind held no breeze on this cool summer’s night. It was just past midnight and everypony in Ponyville had already tucked themselves into bed after a hard day’s work, especially for the Apple family. Sweet Apple Acres was remarkably peaceful at night, strongly contrasting the busy and noisy hand labor that occurred during the day. You could almost taste the aroma wafting off the more magical fruits in the orchard. That was what a typical night was like in the country. However, this was no ordinary night. The night was still, and the chirping crickets were gone. Within that instance of tasting perfection, there came a harsh odor of burning evergreens from the untamed forest.
Applejack awoke, blurry eyed, to find her older brother frantically rocking her from her sleep.
“Big Mac? What in the- fire? Fire!” she said, as a burning odor curled her nostrils.
“Eeyup!”
Applejack jumped from her bed, fighting off the smoke seeping in. She rushed to her window and traced the smoke trail to the nearby Everfree Forest. The treetops were highlighted by a pulsing orange glow and the flying embers it spat forth flickered like stars. Applejack perked her ears to hear a sudden howling of a timber wolf. Within seconds, a panicked collection of animals fled from their burning domain. Trailing them was the vocal timber wolf. Its hindquarters were on fire and the manic beast thrashed about trying to shake the gnawing flames. Its ominous howls turned to helpless yelps as it threw itself into a mud wallow for relief. It kicked the air and splashed the mud, until it had exhausted it energy and forever laid still. Applejack stood at her window horrified. She was already in a cold sweat, and she hadn't even begun fighting the fire.
“Big Mac, quick, fetch some water from the well.”
“Eeyup!”
“Applebloom? Applebloom! Get yer flank downstairs! We need your 'elp!” Applejack shouted as she pounded on her sister's door.
The small filly opened her door. “Applejack! What in the name of Celestia is goin' on?”
“Applebloom! Go get Granny Smith; we got a wildfire on our hooves!”
“A fire?! Wait; you're gonna need ma help!”
“Nothin' doin', lil' sis. You stay in the house.”
“Applejack! That's not fair!” pouted the filly.
“Applebloom!” shouted Applejack, stamping her hoof. “Do as you are told! Me and Big Macintosh will handle it! I need you and Granny Smith to stay outta danger.” Without a second thought, Applejack grabbed her hat and flew downstairs. “If the fire reaches Sweet Apple Acres we're done for!”
Applejack rushed outside and surveyed the encroaching inferno. The flames were pressing down the grasses and consumed them. There was no time to waste. If the fire reached the apple orchard, the entire countryside could be engulfed. Applejack rushed to the well and picked up one of the water buckets. Big Macintosh went ahead and began digging a moat around the forest entrance in attempts to contain the spread. Applejack quickly followed behind him and began soaking their firebreak. Granny Smith ran outside with Applebloom in tow. Granny Smith rushed to the garden hose; Applebloom stood by to hand off buckets to her sister. Applejack returned to see her sister outside, but there was no time for arguing. She quickly ripped the filled bucket from Applebloom's grasp and returned to her tiring brother.
Big Macintosh's red coat was trenched in sweat, the stinging ash brought tears to his eyes. The smoke had thickened since his sister's absence and had turned blacker than pitch. He couldn't even see his own muzzle in front of his face. He couldn't continue this much longer. When he felt his sister returned to his side, he kept his worries to himself. Applejack was thinking same, but she feared more about him suffocating.
“Big brother! It's getting' too hot for you! Get on back now!”
“Nnope!” he choked back.
Then out of the forest roared a thunderous wail, unlike anything the Apple family knew. “Time to get, Macintosh!” Applejack pushed.
With that, Applejack and Big Mac retreated from their smoke-filled trenches to meet the others. The orange pony wafted her hat to dissipate the ashy air clouding her brother's vision. Big Mac ran for the house but fell short, gasping for air. The youngest ran to her brother's side. Granny Smith turned on the hose and began wetting down the dirt behind them. The monstrous roar sounded again, and Applejack turned to watch the forest illuminate in flames. The fire was far quicker than they imagined as it charged through the underbrush and breached the Everfree.
The forest belched forth a fireball and it screamed at Applejack once again. Her heartbeat was so loud now, it echoed in her ears. This was most definitely not a normal bushfire: it had eyes and intent. The fiery beast shot forth a burning pillar and it snaked around tree trunks like a sentient tentacle searching for an innocent to ensnare. Applejack stood her ground and stared down the charging fires, but she was terrified. Every fiber of her being was screaming for her to run, but she had nothing else to do, and nowhere else to go; this was her home. The fire coiled like a rattlesnake and she winced as it lashed out at her. Suddenly, the fiery appendage collapsed to the ground with a thud, extinguishing itself. As the cowpony looked back up towards its mass, it shook and quivered, falling back on itself. It swelled like a mushroom cloud until it reversed and reassimilated into its true form. Beneath the fiery exterior stood a female unicorn with burning coals for eyes. The monster stared at the fearful Applejack, but its demeanor quickly changed to despair. It grasped its forehead and wailed from the sudden crushing pain it felt. Granny Smith doused the fiery equine with water and it hissed back a pitiful “Help me.” The unicorn cried out and fled back into the Everfree Forest.
****** ****** ******
“...and that's when I saw a unicorn, Twilight.”
“A unicorn? Applejack, are you sure?” said the lavender pony doubtfully.
“Why 'course I'm sure!”
Nopony slept well that night at Sweet Apple Acres. The supernatural fire they witnessed left as quickly as it appeared. Applejack couldn't sleep at all; the burning mare she saw left her feeling vulnerable. She felt haunted, stressed and plum tuckered out. She just worked throughout the night and waited till morning to call her other friends for guidance.
“I tell ya, Twi, that weren't no natural fire, even for the Everfree Forest.”.
Twilight raised a hoof to her chin. “A unicorn that specializes in fire magic.” she pondered. “That is strange. Ponies with classical elements are quite rare.”
“I'm not so sure, Twilight.” replied Spike, startling Applejack who until this moment had gone unnoticed. “Maybe there are still clues around here.” he said as he began sifting through the sooty soil.
“But she was in pain, Twilight” continued Applejack, “like she couldn't 'andle her own magic. Like a hex or somethin'.”
“Applejack, there are no such- wait! Oh, no!” realized Twilight, “We need to check if Zecora's okay!”
“Calm down, sugarcube; I sent Dash to go check on her.”
“We're right here!” cried a familiar voice. The three turn to see the blue pegesus and zebra approach them.
“Zecora!” cried Twilight. “Are you alright? Did the fire reach you?”
“Nay, but the fires tried. They surrounded my home and forced me inside.”
Twilight gasped “Oh no! Are you alright? Is your house alright?”
“With a homemade brew I repelled the flames, and waited while the fires were tame.”
“Well, I'm glad everypony's okay.” sighed a relived Twilight.
“Well I sure am grateful ya’ll came out ta help me,” smiled Applejack, “When Rarity gets ‘ere I’ll ask her ta help me with the fencin' that got scorched.”
“Rarity's in Trottingham this weekend.” Twilight replied. “She said something about debuting some of her new fashions for the Gala.”
“Well what 'bout Fluttershy?”
“With Rarity. Rarity asked if she'd model for her again.”
Applejack sighed. “Okay, what 'bout Pinkie Pie? After the night I been havin', I sure could use a party to cheer me up.”
The lavender pony chuckled nervously, “Well, uh, she's a little busy.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Like how?”
“She, um, said she's looking for a fourth wall...somewhere.”
“Never mind.”
“She said it would help!” Twilight reassured the cowpony.
“-Just as I thought” Spike said aloud to himself.
Everypony turned to see Spike off to the side, overturning debris. “What is it, Spike?” asked Twilight.
The dragon turned around holding a blacken tree branch. “Dragonfire.”
“What?” questioned the ponies simultaneously?
“This wasn't unicorn magic, it was dragon's breath.”
The orange pony looked over his shoulder. “Spike, partner, are ya sure?”
Spike tasted the charcoal colored bark with his forked tongue. “Yeah, I'm sure.”
Rainbow raised a hoof. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on. So was it a dragon or a pony?”
“A dragon would make more sense”, stated Twilight.
Zecora, stepped forward, “One moment, dear Sparkle, what Applejack says is fact; I too witnessed a fire pony attack.”
“Yeah! I saw fire pony, too.” said a tiny voice. Applejack turned to see her sister standing beside her.
“You, lil' missy!” snapped Applejack. “I thought I told you ta' stay inside, last night.”
“But Applejack-”
“No 'but's, sugarcube! You're still too young fer this sorta thing. If something were to 'appen to ya, I wouldn't forgive myself.”
“Applejack! I was tryin' ta-”
“Ya could have got hurt! Next time do as yer told!”
“She did as she t'was told-what I told her!” Everypony turned their heads to see who had entered the conversation. “Now, ya'll don't holler at Pipsqueak, none.” continued the approaching Granny Smith. “Honesty, AJ, you're as bullhead as yer pappy.” she said crossly, “I told her ta help ya'll with'n the water buckets. She couldn't sit there and do nothin'; she did what any good Apple would 'ave.” Granny Smith's words hit Applejack hard, but she was right. Sometimes Applejack would let her pride get the best of her and would become so focused, she would often lose track of what was really important to her: her friends and family. Applejack removed her hat, and bent down to her sister.
“Applebloom, I'm mighty sorry. You were just lookin' out for the farm. I shouldn't have yelled at ya like I did. Can ya find it in your heart to forgive me?”
The young filly rubbed her eyes. “That's okay, Applejack. You were just lookin' out fer me. I still love ya, big sis.”
“Thanks, AB.” grinned back a teary eyed Applejack.
“How is Big Macintosh doing, Granny?” asked Twilight, changing the subject.
“Boy's as strong as an ox!” she beamed. “He'll be up and rarin' to go later this afternoon.”
Applejack sighed. “Well, that's a relief. Anyways, Twilight, I'm sorry fer acting all stressed like this; I just been so worried about losing the farm.”
“It's alright, AJ; it's no problem, really. Spike and I will start looking into this wildfire issue, but you really need to get some sleep.”
The weary cowpony shook her head. “Thank ya kindly, but I gotta get started tending the orchards.”
“Nah, Applejack, Twilight's right.” stated the pegusus. “You really need to get some sleep. I'll take care of the apple trees for you.”
“Well that's mighty nice, Rainbow. Thanks.” agreed Applejack. “Well, Twilight, I guess I'll talk to ya'll later then, okay?”
“Okay, Applejack. Just take it easy.”
“I will begin as well”, added Zecora, “and research a means for this travesty, farewell.”
With that, the group dispersed and begun preparation for their next move. Nopony knew if the fires would return, but the answer would come sooner than they thought.
****** ****** ******
“Uh, Twilight? Did you order some new books?”
“Spike, you know we don't order books on the weekend.”
“Then what are those?” Spike said, pointing towards the library. Outside the library door was a rack filled with books. Curious, Twilight went to investigate.
“I didn't order any books. Hmm. I wonder where these came from. Well in any case, let's get them inside.”
“Great! More organizing.” groaned Spike.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh, Spike. It's not so bad.”
“It is when I'm the one doing it.”
The pony whipped her tail, “Alright Spike, since you are so confident it was a dragon that caused the wildfire, I'll leave you to start looking into it.”
Ignoring his complaint, Twilight wheeled the cart inside. “Well, let's find out what we got here, shall we?” Once situated, Twilight sat down with a notepad and quill and cheerfully took inventory on her new books: one on economics, a couple of filly books, a farmer's almanac, a university level anatomy book, even a biography on Star-Swirled the Bearded. Every book was old and wore; many were falling apart at the spine. Despite their appearance, Twilight was always happy to accept a new book. Nearly complete, she began staking the books, alphabetically and ready for shelving, when she noticed one on the bottom she had overlooked. Twilight's horn flickered a faint purple and she levitated the tome in front of her. It was a thick, heavy hardback warped in a raggedy cloth and fastened with a rope. “That's strange.” she said.
Spike walked over. “That's an old timer. What kinda book is it?”
She shrugged “I’m not sure, Spike.”
“Wait Twilight, what's this?” On the backside of the book there was a folded piece of paper attached. The dragon peeled off and handed to the unicorn. Twilight unfolded the letter and began reading. “Wow”, she blinked, “this letters addressed to me, Spike.” Twilight continued aloud:
“'Dear Ms. Sparkle, I have heard about the recent troubles in the Everfree Forest, and would like to donate to the cause. Please accept this guide on unicorn fire magicks. P.S. Hope to see you soon, sincerely...'” Twilight's cheeks turned a brilliant red.
“Well, what's it say, Twilight? Who sent it?” the dragon inquired.
She gulped, “It's-its nothing- nopony! It was sent anonymously by nopony. So don't worry about it, heh.”
Spike made a move for the letter, but Twilight levitated above her head, just outside the dragon's reach. “Aw, c'mon!”
“I said forget it!” Issue closed, Twilight carefully peeled off the warping and untied the restraints. The cover was blank, and the title was illegible.
“Come in!” she called as she hid the letter behind her back. “Hey, Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie, did you find that fourth wall thing?”
“No, but I found the ceiling!” replied the party pony. “It's too bad though; it really would've helped us with this strange fire-pony.”
“What do ya got there, Twilight?” asked Rainbow, pointing out the letter.
Twilight blushed again. “W-What? This? Oh, this is nothing! Just, uh, nothing, heh.” Without her looking, Spike swiped the note from her hoof and tossed it to the hovering pegasus.
“Spike!” shirked the lavender pony.
Rainbow uncrumpled the note and snickered as she read. “Pfft! You have a secret admirer!? Ha! What's her name, get it?” Spike joined in, snorting into his claws.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Okay-ha ha ha- are you guys done yet?”
“No-no-no seriously, Twi, that's cute! It's cute!” chortled Rainbow.
Twilight cleared her throat. “I'm sure it's just a typo or-”
“Pinkie Pie,” the pegasus shared, “Aw, man check this out!”
“Ooh! Should I throw a party?”
“NO!” shouted Twilight. “Ahem, now. I understand you all find this every amusing, but whoever this pony is, he”, she glared at Rainbow; “...he seems to know something about the Everfree wildfire, and its written somewhere in this book.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, me and Pinkie Pie just wanted check on you and see if you needed help.”
“No thanks; you've done enough.” said Twilight flatly. “I sure that in this book is an explanation for the pony Applejack saw, and, if nothing else, on the off chance it does return, we'll know what we're up against.”
“Well, okay, just we'll just leave to write to your crush- I mean, research.” smirked the pegusus.
“Then we can throw a party!” added Pinkie.
With that, the duo left and Twilight Sparkle worked through the night trying to translate her admirer's spell book. As she flipped the stale papers, she noticed the text was written in a pre-Equstria language, predominantly vague symbols from the unicorn iron age. Twilight broke out her own translating dictionary and slowly began deciphering the incarnations to what she concluded were “fire-capturing” spells.
“Well, let's give this a shot.” she said to herself. Twilight braced her front hooves upon the table a focused her energies into her horn. It sparked at its tip and ran down its' grooves. All at once, her horn turned a deep red and released a sharp popping sound. “Ah!” Twilight jumped. She immediately reached to check if her horn was still intact. “Ah!” she jumped again. Her horn felt hot and nearly burnt her. She rushed to the mirror, but everything appeared fine. Twilight returned and looked down at her open book. The ink written symbols were now in a slight reddish hue. “M-Maybe it's time for bed.” she concluded and took the tome up with her to bed.
Twilight twisted and turned in her sleep. Unable to relax, she went downstairs for a glass of water. On her trip back to her bed, heard a faint voice: “Twilight” it beckoned, “Twilight”, curious followed it to the window, where gasped in horror at the Ponyville outside. She saw ponies-all her friends and neighbors-burning alive with her eye sockets hollowed out and replaced by an empty void. Then came the voice again, and it grew more distorted as it echoed louder and louder in her eardrums.
All she could do was scream for relief, that's when she realized she was lying in her bed, and there was Spike dabbing her forehead with a wet towel, trying to break her fever. Twilight looked down at her blanket-its edges were singed black and left a dark, sooty residue on her hooves.
“What happened?” she asked, trying to contain her emotions.
“You were screaming all night, Twilight, and you talking about 'they burned'.”
The answers did not calm her. “Oh. Okay.”
“Maybe we should ask the princess for help.” suggested the dragon.
“Maybe you’re right Spike.” sighed Twilight. She had been wrong about things she couldn't explain before and after what she just experienced, she was in no mood for a second round. “Take a letter.”Spike presented a scroll and quill, ready to record Twilight's dictation.
“Dear Princess Celestia, I have found a very strange book relating to fire magics, and I feel it may have a connection with the recent Everfree forest fire. I would like to ask for your advice. Your faithful student, Twilight Spar-Ow!” Twilight quickly felt a sudden burning sensation in her horn and it brought her to her knees.
Noticing this odd sensation, Spike quickly rolled up the scroll and took a deep breath. The scroll burst into red flames before Spike exhaled and left him equally startled and confused.
“Did you send it?” panted the unicorn.
“I guess?” shrugged the other.
“Uh, good. Well, uh let's just wait for the princess to respond then. Now what am I sitting on?” Twilight found a scroll under her flank, and quickly threw it across the room when she realized which scroll it was. “I thought you said you sent letter!”
“I-I did! Just now-you saw me!”
“Oh, whatever,” shuddered the disturbed pony. “Just re-send it. Please!” Once again, her horn radiated with energy, but stronger than before. Twilight bite her lip trying to stay focused.
“Nooo” echoed a third voice.
“Who's there?” said Twilight scanning the room.
Spike looked around. “What's where, Twilight?”
“That voice! Can't you hear!?”
“Twilight, you're freaking me out. I think you've been reading that book too much.”
Twilight gasped. “That book! It's-It's that book! I can't believe I'm saying this, but that book is...hexed or something.”
“What a silly thought, Twilight.” responded the disembodied voice.
“Ah! That's it! Gimme that book!” Twilight.
Book in hoof, Twilight dashed out the library and ran to the river. Spike couldn't hear voices, Celestia couldn't help her, and the visions were getting more and more vivid. She had to get rid of the spell book. She quickly sent the tome flying into the swift waters and watched as it was carried beneath the waves.
“You can't escape me, Twilight Sparkle!” the voice screeched in her ears. Twilight's vision faded and she lost her balance beside river's edge. Twilight opened her eyes to find herself in Canterlot Castle. She turned down the hallway to see Celestia turn around the next corridor. Excited, she broke into a gallop to catch the princess. Twilight turned the corner to find a dead end. Twilight looked behind her and saw the princess walking the opposite direction. “Princess!” called Twilight. “Wait up!” This time, Celestia stopped. “Oh Princess, thank goodness I found I-” Twilight's eyes widened as she stared at what remained of Princess Celestia's face. The alicorn's facial muscles were sagging and the skin around her eyes began peeling away as a boiling liquid poured from her tear ducts.
“How can I help, Twilight?” the apparition inquired. Twilight screamed as she began fighting off the flaming ropes wrapping themselves around her legs.
“Twilight? Twilight!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “Wake up, silly billy!”
Just like before, Twilight awoke in her room in a cold sweat, her heart pounded desperately like it was trying to escape. There she sat with her two friends staring back at her.
“Pinkie! Spike!”
“Hi, Twilight! You look sick; are you okay?”
“Pinkie Pie? Um, do you every get the feeling like, there is a voice in your head that wasn't own?”
Pinkie shrugged. “Um....no. Not really.” What do you mean?”
The unicorn sighed. “I don't know, Pinkie. I'm just glad to see you.”
The pink pony smiled. “Anything for a friend. Oh, by the way, I found this downstairs.” Pinkie dropped the heavy tome unto the bed.
“You won't escape; your thoughts are my thoughts.” Twilight started hyperventilating.
Pinkie Pie seemed completely oblivious to her friend's panic attack and began rambling for what seemed like a mile a minute. “Anyways, there I was, sitting at home when I thought 'hey! I should go see Twilight' and then I thought 'ooh maybe I should bring her a present' but I didn't have one, and there was no time to shop, so I....”
“That noise. It's so loud.” Twilight quickly came up with an idea; a brief idea, but one the voice neglected to take notice.
“Make her stop.”
“Spike! Quickly: I need a quill and notepad. Pinkie: For the love of Celestia keep talking!”
“Okie Dokie Loki.” winked the party pony. She then took in an excessively deep breath. “So there I was, deciding what to get at the candy machine. I mean, I like chocolate- and what pony doesn't like chocolate, ya know what I mean?- but there's was so many kinds of chocolate I couldn't just....”
Meanwhile, Twilight was furiously scribbling on her notepad, trying to avoid thinking about the words she was writing.
“Stop her, Twilight.” hissed the voice. “Or else, Twilight.”
“...there was chocolate, nougat, chocolate nougat, nougat with peanuts, chocolate with peanuts in nougat....”
“Enough is enough!” the voice howled again.
Twilight quickly flung the notepad to Spike. “Here! Take it! Now get out!” Her horn burned a deep red and her manes burst into flames. Black soot puffed out her nose and sparks popped in her mouth. Spike and Pinkie rushed out room slamming the door shut as a pillar of flames splashed against it.
“Phew. That was close.” panted Spike.
“Super-duper double close.”
Spike then flipped through the notepad at what message Twilight had scribbled in a frenzy. Pinkie read through it as well. Though, she herself didn't understand why Twilight had asked such strange questions, she felt they were critical notes to rely to the enchantress.
“We better go find Zecora.”
****** ****** ******
She was on fire, literally. Twilight's violet and fuchsia mane had been consumed by the magical forces she could not control. The pony could no longer contain her suffering and wailed uncontrollably. The tears she shed immediately evaporated and damaged her corneas. The heat was so intense it glazed her horseshoes. The pain was unimaginable. There may have been nopony else in the room, but she not alone.
“What were you doing, Twilight?” the voice questioned. “You think you saved them from me?You will find them, and finish them.”
“Stop it. Just stop it.” sobbed the pony. “It hurts.”
“No, Twilight!”, barked the voice with distortion.
Twilight heard a whistle and turned toward the sound only to be greeted by a cloud of green powder. She struggled, and snorted it away, but it was no use. Her eyelids were getting heavy. Once she inhale enough, she collapsed on the floor and fell asleep, at the mercy to whatever would happen to her both inside and outside her body.
“Hello? Is anypony there?”
“I'm here, Twilight” answered back a distorted voice. Out of the darkness burst a flame, and it scattered upward. The embers seemed to follow a pathway Twilight could not see, like a quill in fresh ink. It was like a cartoon, drawing itself into existence. Her heart pounded as she saw an ember-eyed chimera stand before her.
“Discord!” Twilight growled. “I knew all this had to be your doing! What do you want now?”
The creature raised an eyebrow. “Oh, Twilight Sparkle, is your mind playing tricks on you? Hmm, wait a moment; how does this suit you?” The creature snapped his talons and burst into flames. The embers then reassembled themselves into the shape of unicorn, wearing a cape of smoky vapor. “There!”, it posed, “Does this make me look 'great and powerful'?”
Twilight stood puzzled. “Okay. So you're not Discord.”
“But I can be.” sneered the doppelganger, “Or anypony else you wish...” Here again, it demonstrated its power. “Mommy...Daddy...meek little Fluttershy...Celestia...or how about...you.” settled the creature. It mimicked Twilight almost exactly, expect her fuchsia accents became a burning, smoking orange and, like the rest, her iris' were replaced by flickering blood-red flames.“Ah, much better, and might I add, such a shapely flank you've got. Ask your questions, my dear- I know you have them.”
“Why did you bring me here? And where am I?”
Her imitator hissed through it's teeth “You're a smart pony; you tell me.”
Twilight cautiously surveyed her surroundings. After a moment in silence, she took a steady breath, “We're inside my head.”
Her double grinned.“Go on; what else?”
“You were the voice in my dreams.”
“You're getting warmer!”
“You were trapped inside that book!”
The phantom squealed. “Oh, Princess Celestia taught you well, Twilight Sparkle. I’m very impressed with you, Ms. Sparkle; not many ponies could fight off dragon magics for very long, but I guess what I would expect from her star pupil.”
“You heard my very thought, and that's why I couldn't destroy that book!”
“Right on the nose!” confessed the mimic, “Every thought you have and memory you hold is mine to own. My influence on you was strongest while you were asleep. What did you do, Twilight, did ya finally give up and drug yourself?” chuckled the shape shifter. “But now, because your mind had had such promise, I've able to communicate with you at any time I wish.”
“Why are you after Applejack?” the pony demanded.
“I'm not after anypony, silly. My previous...landlord just thought the Everfree was a nice place to hide secrets from me.” It paused. “Ironic. And Tragic. You can't hide things from something inside your head. As far your friend was concerned, she seemed so confident....and defiant. I hate that.”
Twilight gulped,“So who had your book before me?”
It shrugged. “I don't know. Who cares? I can't remember names; I've had so many.” the mimic started counting on its hooves, “I was a street beggar, a slave, a politician, a lawyer, a Wonderbolt. Heck, I was even a side-show freak.” It paused again, reviewing its' sudden thought, “Oh, but that reminds me: she knew you, Twilight Sparkle. Yes, you two had a lot in common-not as brash, mind you, but she had such spirit, and an eagerness to learn. Yes, she often mentioned your name. She would have never guessed you were destined to become the Element of Magic”, it added with a malicious grin.
That's when Twilight really became afraid of her subconscious guest. Nopony else but her friends and the Princess knew about the elements. “Who? Tell me who knows about me?” pressed Twilight.
“It's not important anymore.” it dissuaded. “As the old saying goes, 'centaurs don't dwell in Canterlot'. You'd probably wouldn't believe me if I could remember.”
“Well now,” the mimic began, cracking its neck, “Our time is up. You see, I needed a host to survive all these years, but, now I have a body with enough magical potential to sustain me in the real world. However, in order to do that, I have to kill the original conscious.” The monster's eyes narrowed and it grew fangs like burning nails. “That's you, Twilight Sparkle.” Without warning, the mimic flashed across the room and pressed its searing hooves into Twilight's throat. The pony kicked wildly as she was lifted off the ground. “Good bye, Twilight Sparkle. I'll give Celestia your regards.”
At that moment, came a chilling, child-like laugh. The mimic jumped back, dropping its gasping victim to the floor.
“Who's there?” hissed the phantom.
“Twilight, what kind of unicorn let's another control their magics?” scolded the laughing voice. Twilight rolled over on her side to pinpoint the voice; it sounded familiar, but Twilight wasn't sure of anything anymore. That's when she witnessed a second being walk into view. The figure was a drab pink color, and her hair was kept in neatly straight banes that eclipsed half her face. She resembled a certain acquaintance of Twilight's. Except this pony wasn't smiling. Not at all.
Twilight wheezed, “Pinkie Pie, he's too powerful! Run!”
“Shut the buck up, Twilight.” spat the earth pony.
“So you're not Pinkie?” coughed Twilight.
“This is curious...” muttered the shape shifter.
The pink intruder huffed. “Maybe I am, maybe I'm not.”
“Would you like to tell me who you are?” said Twilight, rubbing her raw throat.
The non-Pinkie took a moment and looked skyward to the single ray of light. “Hmm. Nah.” she finally said. “You're not gonna remember any of this anyway.”
The mimic then drifted over to the faux-Pinkie “You seem oddly familiar.” it pondered. “Have we met before?”
'Pinkie' blinked blandly. “I doubt it. I don't know many ponies, and, honesty, I don't get out much anymore.”
Again 'Pinkie' looked toward the ray of light. After a moment, she gave an aggravated sigh. “Great. Looks like my time is up.”
The phantom wiped its head around. “Time? What time!?”
“Oh, and Twilight, Zecora gave the book to Applejack for safekeeping.”
“Wait a minute,” realized the mimic. “Twilight didn't share that with her, which means that you....”
The 'Pinkie' smirked. “Bingo.” Enraged, the shape shifter lashed out with burning hooves only to swipe at the fleeting pink vapor. 'Pinkie' was gone and her ominous laughter trailed off into the darkness.
“NO!!” screamed the doppelganger, its voice ringing with distortion. Furious, it then turned its attention on Twilight and pinned her throat to ground. “YOU DARE TRY TO TRICK ME!?!”
Twilight struggled for breath, “You...won't...win. The book...will...be destroyed.”
“YOU WILL RETURN MY BOOK!”
“....will never...help you.”
The creature then pulled her close. “Then, my dear, I will go get it!” Twilight's mouth was pried open and the phantom poured its fiery being into her body. Twilight laid there; smoke fizzing out of her nostrils. Any hope she had left now rested with her friends.
****** ****** ******
“What in tarnation do ya mean this book caused the wildfire?” asked Applejack.
“Beats me.” shrugged Rainbow Dash.
“Dash I told ya'll it t'was a pony o' fire, not a darn book.”
Rainbow groaned, “Like, dunno. Zecora just said we need to keep this away from Twilight.”
Applejack blinked “What's up Twi?”
“Pinkie Pie said Twilight had a ghost in her head, but you know Pinkie, she's so random.”
Applejack stared at the pegusus. “Dash you better not be foolin' me.”
“Okay, okay. Zecora thinks if we destroy this book, then everything will be fine.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that?” Without another word, she threw the heavy tome in the dirt. Rainbow licked her lips and popped her neck-she wanted to enjoy this. She then proceeded to stomp the book into submission. She bucked and kicked, even bit the pages out. The end result was a torn and trampled mess that no library would want. “There!” she said in triumph. “Piece of cake!” As the pegsus was patting herself on the back, the torn shreds of paper burst into flames. Their smoking remains flew to their pages and began reassembling itself. Rainbow’s jaw dropped.
The cowpony scratched her head “Riiight, so how do we dispose of this proper like, RD?” Just then Pinkie Pie rushed from the Everfree Forest in a panic. “Pinkie, what's going on?”
“No time! Game over! Run!” she said blurt as she darted past the others, leaving a pink dust trail behind her.
“Pinkie Pie what the-” started Dash as she turned to see fireball speeding towards her. It blazed through the forest like a comet. It then smashed to a halt several yards away from her. Standing before them was Twilight, but not as they recognized her. Her skin lost all pigmentation and her mane grew into intense yellow flames. And her gentle purple eyes were dyed a violent red that pierced the soul.
The two ponies yelped. “GIVE ME MY BOOK!” shouted Twilight with a second voice.
“Screw this!” shouted Rainbow.
Applejack quickly put the tome in her saddle back and ran. “Quick, Dash! Get a move on!”
“Applejack! Hey! Wait up! What are you doing?”
“Hurry Dash!” she called, “I got myself a plan!”
Rainbow took flight after her comrade, and behind her stormed the enraged fire pony. Twilight's glowing hooves discharged tiny explosions every time she touched the earth. At this rate, she'd catch both of them and burn the skin of their flanks. Just ahead of them in the clearing, Applejack came to a stop; Rainbow had to veer upward to avoid hitting her.
“RD! Catch!” announced the earth pony. With all her might, Applejack threw the tome as high as she could into the waiting hooves of the blue pegasus. “DASH! IT'S RAINBOOM TIME!” shouted Applejack.
Rainbow raised a hoof to forehead. “Aw, yeah! Aye Aye sir!” With book in tow, Rainbow Dash soared higher into clouds.
“NO!” screeched Twilight.
Reaching optimal elevation, Rainbow folded her wings back and fell to earth. Twilight roared savagely her. With a flick of her crimson tail, she launch several dozen fireballs towards the descending target. They whistled through the air like bullets and were converging on Rainbow. Realizing this, the pegasus pulled herself tighter. Tears were being striped from eyes as she built up speed and her lips were drawn past her ears. Faster and faster she fell, pulling the nearby clouds down with her. Her multicolored, began to trail away and it traced her flightpath she fell. Finally, with a sudden and deafening explosion, she achieved the rainboom and its sevens colors scattered for miles around.
The wind scream past her as she dodged in the incoming barrage. As she reached 20 ft, she readied the book for impact. At 12 ft, she readied for the throw. At 8 ft, she slammed the text into the earth. All of her speed and force was transferred into the book and it shattered the earth. When the dust cleared, the crater was empty. no hardcover,no paper fragments. Nothing could be recovered. The book was now destroyed on a molecular level.
“YOU ALL WILL PAY THIS!” shirked the flames. The fires twisted and turned around her. It ripped itself from its host's body and evaporated into the air. Twilight swaggered on her feet. Applejack rushed to catch her. Her eyes rolled to the back her head and she fell. The voices were gone; the fires were extinguished. She was free; It was finally over.
****** ****** ******
The sky was cloudless, and wind carried the sweet fragrances from Sweet Apple Acres. Everypony in Ponyville could catch a whiff of the fresh harvest. Some say it's because of this natural aromatherapy that Ponyville is considered the happiest town in Equstria. Friends aiding friends, neighbors helping neighbors, all for the better of their community and always with a smile. That was what a normal in Ponyville was like. It was a great time to be alive. Twilight had been hospitalized for several days; she was lucky to be alive.
Despite everything, Twilight was on her way to a full recovery; she had faithful supporters. Fluttershy and Rarity only just returned home to learn of the horrible chain of events that transpired without them. Fluttershy brought fresh cut River Lilies to her bedside. The seamstress knitted an extra blanket to keep her hospital bed warm. Pinkie Pie naturally brought her balloons and Rainbow Dash get well card featuring Daring Do. Nopony told Princess Celestia why, but she too was on her way to visit.
Applejack was the last to visit. She knocked at door, “Ya'll alright, sugarcube?” She expected her to still be bedridden, but she found Twilight sitting up and starring at window. Her purple pigmentation returned, so did her hair color, but there was little mane left to speak of. She had gauze over her left eye and her horn was visibility chipped. When proper magics and medical care that could all be mended, but it didn't make her look any better.
“I guess so.” replied the unicorn.
“We thought we almost lost ya, sugarcube.”
Twilight nodded wearily. She didn't look at her friend.
“I just wanted to tell ya how proud we all were o' ya.” The other didn't respond. “Applebloom and Big Mac and Granny Smith wanted me to treat ya out ta supper sometime....when yer up to it.” Twilight scooted over for friend to sit down. Applejack put a hoof on her friend's shoulder. “Wanna talk 'bout it?”
“Pinkie distracted whatever it was. I couldn't destroy the book. Not personally anyway.”
“And ya both did good, Twi. Pinkie already told me.”
“-Somepony knows about us, AJ, knows about the Elements.” Applejack frowned. “I don't what, or who, or why, but somepony out is targeting us to get to the princess. Like Discord.”
Twilight looked down at her blistered hooves. Her feet were till tender from the fire. And her tail-it had partially burnt away. She was still no shape for any physical activity. And she didn't think she could handle another close call.
“Or maybe worse.”
Applejack put a hoof around her friend's shoulder “Well, buck up, girl. You ain't alone. Ya'll came to me ta help save my farm many-a time. I'm very lucky to have you as my friend.” Twilight smiled back, holding a tear. “Whatever happens, we'll face it together. All six o' us.”
Twilight gulped. “I hope you're right, AJ. I hope you're right.”
