Chapter 1: The Beginning

Rarity and Applejack were in Rarity's study in Canterlot. There was a warm fire aglow in the room and the air smelled of perfume. Books were lain on some of the tables in the room and some parchment was scattered around the main desk in the room. A record player was playing a light melody, and the two girls sat across from each other in lush chairs made of high quality fabric. Rarity had become successful in her fashion business after the many years of practice in Ponyville; And Applejack had been heading her farm since Granny Smith had died of old age. Rarity and Applejack were somber in their chairs as they were discussing the situation with Twilight. Rarity had on a nice purple and white nightgown and was sipping tea; Applejack sat there with her hat in her hoof, hardly saying a word.

"So what has become of our dear Twilight, Applejack?" Rarity asked curtly as she took another sip from her tea cup.

"If you must know, Rarity, they won't let her out. They say she thinks she's involved in some war or something. Heaven knows what's really going on in that pony's head." Applejack was a bit nervous about talking about Twilight for some reason and was shifting around in her seat.

"Come now, Applejack, there are no secrets between friends. Tell me what's on your mind." Rarity said curtly, nudging her toward discussion about her friend.

"Well, alright, I'll tell you. I went to Canterlot Mental Institute about two weeks ago," Applejack began. She seemed to finally stop shifting in her seat, "It was half past noon. I asked the receptionist about Twilight and she pointed me in the right direction. When I got to her cell, she was in the corner mumbling about that war and how she was some secret agent for Princess Celestia."

"Go on," said Rarity, "What did she tell you that's making you so nervous?"

"Well when I told her my name was Applejack, she jumped on me. Told me I had to deliver the package to the capitol and that it was utter importance or somethin'. I don't remember her exact words. She was creepin' me out, Rarity." Applejack was shaking now.

"Sweetie, you're going to have to tell me everything if you want my help." Rarity said, reaching over to her friend and patting her friend on the shoulder.

"Al-alright, she wrote some numbers on a paper that the orderly had on him and told me to deliver it. Then she just went back into her corner and continued mumbling. I was escorted out of after that. I'm sorry, that's everything I know."
Applejack said sighing.

She was obviously still very scared of what had transpired there, but Rarity was unsure this was the complete story. So she tried to push a little harder. She asked Applejack about the numbers, and Applejack just gave her a slip with a few numbers on it. The numbers didn't seem to make any sense of any sort, but Rarity thought they might be decipherable. She gave Applejack a hug for being so brave and coming to term. Rarity escorted Applejack out, but just before she opened the front door for her friend, she had one last question for her.

"Applejack, I know that wasn't the whole story. I hope we can meet in a week and we can talk about this more," said Rarity with a smile on her face.

"I'm sorry Rarity, maybe next week I'll be mare enough to talk about it." Applejack said sheepishly.

After Applejack had left, Rarity took the slip of papers upstairs and started working on the numbers.

* * *

A week later, Applejack was back at Rarity's to discuss matters about Twilight. Applejack seemed a bit more calm this time and the two were happily chatting about other things like how Fluttershy ended up opening a zoo and how Rainbow Dash finally made it into the Wonderbolts. They got a chance to catch up with each other on the goings-on around town as well but Applejack and Rarity knew why they were there. They were worried about Twilight, and they had to figure out how to bring her back. Rarity, at first suggested they used the elements, hoping the magic of the crown would bring her back to her senses. They had attempted this the first time they heard about this matter, but it was to no avail as the crown did not shine nor do anything when placed on her head. The doctors were just as puzzled and couldn't figure out what caused this nor how to cure her. So Rarity and Applejack did not speak to each other about this for some time. It wasn't until Applejack went to Canterlot Mental Institute recently did they start talking about this again.

"Rarity, I appreciate your support in all this as I can't count on Rainbow or Fluttershy's help." Applejack said.

"Oh pish-posh, it's nothing. I know those other 2 have their own plates full what with the zoo and Rainbows Wonderbolt training. It's a shame we can't tell them about this. However, I'm sure we'll be able to resolve this and Twilight will be able to see the others in due time." Rarity said with a smile.

"Why can't we tell them about this again, Rarity?" Applejack asked, somewhat perplexed.

"Well you know how Rainbow would go about doing this. She'd go after whoever did this to Twilight and since we don't know the source of this problem, she'd only exacerbate the issue. And Fluttershy is busy enough with a zoo, she won't have time to help Twilight; And even if she did, there's very little she could do about this."

"I suppose you're right, Rarity. So, did you ever figure out those numbers I gave you?"

"Hmm, I did go over them, and they may very well be coordinates, but we really shouldn't look at them till I see Twilight again. I feel bad for abandoning her and not talking to you for months on end. We need to go see her together. What do you say?"

"All right, Rarity. Let's go."

Author's Note

This is my first story and I came up with this idea in the shower while I was mulling over a great number of other things. I hope you guys take it easy on me.

A lot of this is inspired by A Beautiful Mind, a story about a schizophrenic who was a college math teacher. I'm hoping I can bring a great deal of emotions and such to this story like that story did with theater audiences.