The Fall of Twilight

by Ephraim Blue

Chapters

Prologue - Release
Chapter 1 - After the Wedding
Chapter 3 - An Open Mind
Chapter 4 - Trial
Chapter 5 - Dealing With Banishment
Chapter 6 - Discord's Return
Chapter 7 - Chrysalis's Confession
Chapter 8 - New Home
Chapter 9 - Missing Harmony
Chapter 10 - Hidden Messages
Chapter 11 - Unsolved Mysteries
Chapter 12 - One's True Nature
Chapter 13 - Hallway of Doors
Chapter 14 - Technology
Chapter 15 - Journey to the Past
Chapter 16 - A Changeling Queen's Past
Chapter 17 - The Past that was Lost
Chapter 18 - The Truth of Blue
Chapter 20 - When The Day Comes
Chapter 21 - The Fight of Friends
Chapter 22 - A Cutie Mark's Meaning
Chapter 23 - Don't Say It...
Chapter 24 - Memories Resurfaced
Chapter 25 - Answers
Chapter 26 - Return of Pinkamena Diane Pie
Chapter 27 - Another Journey Into The Mind
Chapter 28 - Don't Die... Please
Chapter 29 - A Terrible Situation
Chapter 30 - It Returns
Chapter 31 - Close Call
Chapter 32 - Realization
Chapter 33 - Mind Tricks
Chapter 34 - Barely Surviving
Chapter 35 - Goodbye
Epilogue - Return To Equestria
Chapter 2 - Spells and Consequences
Chapter 19 - Start of a New Journey

Prologue - Release

By: Ephraim Blue

Prologue - Release

Canterlot Gardens July 9th 1001

Twilight was having a great time. She had friends, a wonderful teacher, and a great place to call home.

But there was one day that all of that changed. She lost her friends, family, teacher, and even her own home. She had nowhere to go, except towards the edge of Equestria and beyond. So that's where her journey begins, on the edge of Equestria.

But before I can tell you that story, I have to tell you this one.

On July 10th 1001, Shining Armor was having his wedding ceremony. Twilight had uncovered the truth about the changeling attacking the castle, helped stop the threat, and lived happily ever after.

Or so she thought.

Chrysalis, the changeling queen, had found a statue of Discord in the garden the other day. Just sitting there. She proceeded to leave, but there was a quiet voice inside her head.

Wait, the voice called out.

"Who's there?" Chrysalis asked.

You were just looking at me.

Chrysalis turned to see the statue of Discord, still in its normal position, but a bit more sinister.

Yes, Chrysalis, I am Discord.

"What do you want, and how do you know I'm the changeling queen? I'm in the form of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!"

I know a lot of things.

"What else do you know?"

I can see that your plan is going to fail.

"What do you mean?"

Your plan will fail, there is a purple unicorn coming to the wedding. She used to be foalsitted by the real Princess Cadence.

"That is nice to know, but how do I stop her?"

You don't.

"Excuse me?"

You can't. She is always on guard, you can't beat the Elements of Harmony.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Because I know of a way you can get revenge on her.

"And what is that?"

Free me.

"What? Your kidding, right? You were defeated by the Elements of Harmony before. How is freeing you going to make a difference?"

No, I'm not kidding. I can brainwash ponies. I'm not able to completely brainwash the Element of Magic, not even for a couple of hours.

"What are you getting at?"

I'm saying that you introduce a spell she has never heard about before. This spell will allow her mind to be unguarded, making it so that I can brainwash her for a longer period of time.

"What does this accomplish?"

Twilight banished from Equestria.

Now this seemed to interest Chrysalis. "What's the name of the spell?"

The statue of Discord let out a small laugh. Are you sure that you want this to happen?

"If it means that I get revenge later, then yes."

That's good to hear, but there is the fact that I can't do my part until I'm out of this stone prison.

"Oh, let me help you with that," Chrysalis said before proceeding to release Discord.

"Oh it's so nice to be out of that prison!" Discord exclaimed. "It is so nice that I get to stretch my legs every once in a while!"

"I have freed you," Chrysalis said. "Now what is the spell?"

"What spell? Oh, THAT spell. Okay, the name of the spell is..."

Chapter 1 - After the Wedding

Canterlot Castle July 10th 1001

Twilight was glad that her brother finally got married to the right mare. She and Princess Cadence were going to be great sisters in laws.

"Twilight!" Cadence called.

Twilight turned to see Cadence running toward her. "Oh, hi Cadence. What's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you. If you didn't come and try to reveal Queen Chrysalis for trapping me, I would still be down in the tunnels and Canterlot would be ruined."

"It was no trouble at all sis. I'm glad that we could become related in a way even better than you being my foalsitter."

"Anytime."

"Well, have a great time at your honeymoon!"

"Thanks, you enjoy the rest of the wedding!"

With that, Cadence and Shining Armor left in their carriage.

"Now this, was a great wedding," Twilight said.

"Oh, yeah?" Spike asked. He was sitting on top of Pinkie Pie. "Just wait until you see what I've got prepared for the bachelor party."

Everypony laughed at Spike. He didn't know that the bachelor party was to be done before the wedding.

Ponyville Library July 15th 1001

Twilight had one of the best dreams she could think of having. She was in Canterlot with all of her friends celebrating Hearts Warming Eve with all of her family, and even the princesses.

She probably would have continued dreaming, but Spike got up early and accidentally made a ruckus downstairs.

She shot up out of bed, looking around, curious to what made the noise. She went down the stairs to see spike in a big ocean of books.

"Spike, what are you doing?" she asked.

"I was cleaning up some of the books you left around the other day when the ladder fell and knocked over some books," he replied.

"Spike, I don't leave books lying around. So, what were you doing?"

"Umm, you see, oh, alright." Spike sighed before continuing. "I was practicing my speeches to confess my love to Rarity. I closed my eyes and bumped into the bookshelf. That's why the books are on the floor."

"Spike, I told you not to walk around with your eyes closed. You could have hurt yourself."

"Yeah, I know."

"Good. Since this is your mess, you can be the one to pick it up."

"Fine, but just because its my mess I created."

Spike then proceeded to clean up the books that had fallen onto the floor. Meanwhile, Twilight had decided to explore around Ponyville and meet some of her friends.

Sugar Cube Corner July 15th 1001

Twilight made her first stop at sugar cube corner.

"Hey Pinkie," Twilight called. "What's cooking?"

"Oh hi Twilight," Pinkie called back. "What brings you to sugar cube corner?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing after the wedding."

"Everything is going great here Twilight. Oh, you just reminded me! I have to get a new welcome party ready."

"Really? For who?"

"A new pony named Crystal. She showed up here looking for you Twilight. I thought she was an old friend of yours, so I told her you live in the library down the street."

"Hmm, I've never met somepony by the name of Crystal. But if she knew me, she wanted to see me for a reason."

"Yeah. Well anyway, I have to get the party ready. See you later Twilight!"

"Bye Pinkie."

"And by the way Twilight, I don't know what's cooking. I'll have to ask Mr. or Mrs. Cake about that."

Ponyville Library July 15th 1001

Twilight walked in to see a mare, about her age, talking with Spike.

"No, I don't know when she'll be back. She just left for a walk around town a few minutes ago. I wish I could help you, but she isn't here at the moment," Spike said to the mare.

"Oh, that's okay, I'll come back another time." She proceeded to leave, but noticed Twilight standing in the doorway. "Oh, are you Twilight Sparkle by any chance?"

"Yes," Twilight replied. "I went by sugar cube corner and found out a mare by the name of Crystal was looking for me. Are you her?"

"Yes that's me. Its a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Its nice to meet you too, Crystal. But tell me, why did you want to see me?"

"Oh, I was looking through my grandfather's old magic books when I stumbled upon a rare piece of magic."

"That's interesting. What was the name of the spell?"

"I was just getting to that part. This book, you see, was very old. Probably even older than my grandfather. So I stumble upon the spell, and curious on what it did, I casted it."

"So, what happened?"

"From what I could gather, nothing. I attempted to cast it multiple times, but with no avail each time. I looked over the spell in the book and from what I read, only the most powerful of unicorns could cast it."

"So why did you come to me?"

"From what I could gather, you, Twilight Sparkle, are the only unicorn powerful enough to cast this spell. I went to a lot of unicorns in Canterlot and everywhere else to find a unicorn powerful enough to cast it."

"Well, its nice to know that someone knows me for something. Now, did you bring this spell book with you? I would love to look at this spell."

"Oh, sure," she said as she pulled a book from her sack. "Its on the 57th page."

Twilight picked up the book with her magic and flipped through the book looking for the correct page. As she was flipping through the book, she recognized all of the spells she saw. When she came to the 57th page however, she saw a spell of some complexity, and high magic skills.

"I've never seen a spell like this!" Twilight exclaimed. "Where did your grandfather find this?"

"He never said," Crystal replied. "He left when I was young. I haven't seen him for a long time."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know your grandfather left."

"Its okay. He would have wanted me to find out what this spell did."

"Well then," Twilight continued. "Lets cast this," she looked at the spell in the book another time, "'Complete Ease of Mind' spell. I've heard of spells like that, but never one for complete ease of mind."

Chapter 3 - An Open Mind

Everfree Forest July 14th 1001

Chrysalis couldn't believe that her plan to take over Equestria failed that easily. It was all going so well too. She had complete control of Shining Armor, Princess Celestia in her grasp, and the real Princess Cadence unable to help her husband.

She nearly had Twilight Sparkle too, but she ran out the door before she could prevent her from doing anything. It seemed lucky for her when her changelings captured her and her friends, but that only brought her demise sooner then she thought.

Now, she was alone. No changeling army, no Discord, and no way of taking over Equestria.

Then she remembered. She had met Discord right before she met Twilight Sparkle. He had told her about an open mind spell that Twilight would use to leave her mind open to all who drank the potion. It would only last a couple of hours, but Discord had promised that was all the time he needed.

With that, she began her work.

She needed a cover story to make Twilight believe that the spell was rare and she was the only one who could cast it. She also needed a undercover identity for talking to her.

And that is when it hit her.

She would make a big journal full of spells, with one spell being the open mind spell. She would claim that the book was her grandfather's and she always wanted to know what the spell did. As for her cover identity, well, she was a changeling. She quickly changed into a mare unicorn with a crystal for a cutie mark. After looking into a pond of the Everfree Forest to see what she looked like, Chrysalis decided to go by the name of Crystal. That way, Twilight wouldn't have any evidence to bale anypony else once she was in court.

Ponyville Library July 18th 1001

Chrysalis, in the form of Crystal, watched in amazement as Twilight drank from the potion. I can't believe she went with it the entire way, she thought to herself. Once Twilight loses her mind, I have to bring Discord here to cast his mind control spell.

"No need," said a voice that appeared behind her.

Chrysalis turned to see Discord standing there, watching as Twilight began to lose her mind.

"The potion will almost have complete effect over her mind soon," Discord said. "I suggest you stand back, since this is a dangerous process."

"What do you mean by that?" Chrysalis asked.

"Just stand back and watch."

Chrysalis turned to see Twilight floating in the air, completely helpless to what was beginning to happen. She then suddenly started flying around the library at monstrous speeds.

Unable to tell where Twilight was going, Chrysalis ran toward a bookshelf and hid right beside it. She continued to watch the floating unicorn fly around the room for the next 5 minutes or so. That is when Twilight stopped floating through the air and gently fell back onto the ground.

"Well now," Discord said. "Lets get started shall we?"

???

Twilight awoke with a start. The floor was surprisingly cold to the touch. Her vision was completely blurred and she couldn't seem to cast magic where she was.

"Where- where am I?" she asked aloud.

She waited for an answer, but sadly, none came. Her vision was starting to come back, but she still couldn't tell where she was. She could tell that she was on a stone floor, but other than that, she had no clue about where she was.

She then heard the opening of a door. The pony then proceeded to come closer to the place where she was being held. She could tell it was a stallion coming down some stairs, probably wearing some sort of armor for battle.

"Excuse me sir, but where am I and what day is it?" she called out to the stallion.

The stallion didn't answer at first, but as Twilight vision came to, she could see that this stallion was a part of Celestia's royal guard.

"It is July the 24th, and you Twilight Sparkle, are in a prison cell of Canterlot Castle.

Discord's Layer July 24th 1001

The draconequus was very pleased with his work. He finally began his own revenge on princess Celestia and those other dim-witted ponies. Part one of his evil scheme was complete. Now it was time for part two.

Everfree Forest July 24th 1001

The changeling queen couldn't believe what had happened 6 days ago. She had the perfect plot for revenge all planned and carried out, but she never would have thought that Discord would turn on her like that.

But it was her own fault. She knew releasing Discord was a bad idea, but she couldn't help herself. She wanted revenge for what Twilight was going to do to her, but didn't think about the consequences of her own actions.

Now, she had to live with them.

Canterlot Prison July 24th 1001

Twilight couldn't believer her ears to what the guard had said. "Why? Why am I in prison? I didn't do anything?" she complained.

The guard didn't answer. She could probably understand why, since he was a part of the royal guard. The princess probably ordered him not to speak to me while he was on duty.

Since Twilight couldn't get out, she started to collect her thoughts.

She started thinking about what happened in the library, since it was the last thing she could remember.

She remembered making a potion with a mare named Crystal, then taking a sip from a ladle, but after that, nothing. Not a bit of anything to remember after that.

Right at that exact moment, the door to the cell opened up to reveal 2 guards with the princess walking in.

"Twilight Sparkle," the princess started. "You will be put on trial for your crimes against all of Equestria."

"But, I don't know what I did," Twilight replied. "What in the world did I do to deserve this?"

"You stole the Elements of Harmony, betrayed your own friends by attacking all of them, and worst of all," Princess Celestia paused for a moment. "You tried to have me and Princess Luna killed!"

Chapter 4 - Trial

Canterlot Courthouse July 24th 1001

Twilight followed in silence as the princess guided her through the castle. She knew where they were headed, the courthouse.

She had been there several times when Celestia was passing judgment on robbers and lawbreakers, but she had never been here for her own trial. This fact dawned on her, making it seem like it was her against the entire world.

As they entered the courthouse, Twilight could see her friends lined up in the audience. All except Applejack that is. She then approached the accused stand as the princess went to the judge's stand.

"Do you have anything to say before we start?" Celestia asked her.

"Do I get an attorney?" she asked.

"Hmm," Celestia said. "Yes. You will get an attorney, because then this trial wouldn't be fair. Bring in her attorney!"

Twilight turned towards the doors at the back of the room to see her attorney. When she saw who it was, she couldn't believe her eyes.

"Applejack? What are you doing over there?"

"Ah am your defense attorney. Nopony else wanted to defend you, so Ah took the job."

"But your my friend. The book of court law I read said that only ponies I didn't know could be my attorney."

"As Ah said, nopony else wanted to do this, so I got to do this as long as Celestia was high judge."

Twilight looked at her, and then back at princess Celestia in the judge's chair. That makes sense, I guess, Twilight thought to herself.

"Are there any more questions?" Celestia asked.

"No, your highness."

"Then we shall start." She nodded at Shining Armor, who was called back from his honeymoon to take part in this trial.

Shining Armor then began the trial. "The accused is hereby charged with attempted murder, betrayal to the country of Equestria, and robbing the Elements of Harmony."

"Objection, your honor," Applejack called out. "I know for a fact that Twilight would never do this."

"This calls for a witness. CALL IN THE FIRST WITNESS!"

Everypony in the court room looked toward the back of the room to see a member of the royal guard coming to the front of the room.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Celestia?"

"I do," the guard replied.

"Have a seat."

The guard sat down in the chair. Applejack then began questioning the witness.

"Where were you at 9:00 on July 20, 1001?"

"I was guarding the doors to the throne room, where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were having a private conversation."

"Do you know what they were talking about?"

"No. Listening in on royal conversations uninvited is punishable by 20 years in prison."

"Was this a normal day on the shift?"

"It was, until that mare right there," he pointed his hoof at Twilight, "came to the throne room."

"Are you sure it was Twilight?"

"I'm positive," he said. "She wore no cloak, no nothing, and came toward the doors asking to let her in. We also cast a a spell that got rid of any magical disguise, so we could tell it wasn't a changeling."

"And you let her enter the room?"

"Of coarse I did. She was the proud student of Princess Celestia. Both me and the other guard assumed that she had priorities with the princess."

"How long was it until anything else happened?"

"Well, not 5 minutes after we let her in, we both heard a scream come from Princess Celestia. We knew she wouldn't scream without a reason, so as rule 37 of the royal guard handbook said," he cleared his throat. "If the princesses signal any kind of trouble, you are to ignore all warnings to stay away and rush to help them."

"And that is what you did?"

"Yes. When we opened the doors we saw Twilight attacking the princesses. We rushed in behind her. She noticed us coming and quickly threw up a magical barrier, preventing any guards from interfering."

"What happened next?"

"Well, Twilight fought pretty good, but was no match for both of the princesses at once. Luna eventually cast a deep sleep spell on her, making her fall asleep. Once she fell to the floor, the magical barrier fell and we put her in the cell."

"Is that all that happened?"

"Yes."

"Then you may go," Celestia told the guard.

The trial went on for hours. They brought in many witnesses to testify for the trial, including princess Luna. Eventually, there were no more witnesses.

"There are no more witnesses," Shining Armor declared. "The Jury will now declare its verdict."

The jury talked between themselves for a minute before writing something down on a piece of paper and handing it to the princess. She picked it up with her magic.

"Twilight Sparkle," she began, "the jury finds you guilty of your crimes against Equestria. For stealing the Elements of Harmony, attempting to kill me and Princess Luna, and Betraying everything you were supposed to protect, you are hereby banished from Equestria, never to return!"

Discord's Domain July 24th 1001

Discord loved his new magic mirror toy. He could use it to spy on ponies anywhere on the planet. At the time, he was spying on Celestia's court.

"Oh what a happy day this is," he said gleefully. "Twilight Sparkle is banished, and once she is gone, nopony can stop me from wreaking chaos across the land of Equestria!"

The only thing that could be heard in the cave after that, was Discord's maniacal laughing echoing down the corridors.

Chapter 5 - Dealing With Banishment

Ponyville Library July 25th 1001

Twilight didn't like this at all. She's accused of crimes she didn't commit, and banished in what seemed like no time at all.

To her, it was no time at all.

The only thing she could remember before waking up in the cell was taking a sip of the potion that Crystal introduced to her, 6 days earlier. Twilight sighed as she did her best to remember what happened clearly. Sadly, she failed to remember what happened in the time of those 6 days.

Then, she remembered something important. The spell that Crystal told her about. She was to eager to help her to what she claimed, she didn't think about how suspicious the entire thing was.

Twilight Sparkle had been framed.

Twilight looked around the library frantically. She needed to get a message out to her friends somehow. A hidden message for her friends to find, read, and help prove her innocence.

Unfortunately, the only thing she could find around the library were books. Books of all sizes. Big, small, series, novels, journals...

Wait. The series section. That's it! Twilight thought. The series section is the way I will get my message to my friends!

Sugar Cube Corner July 25th 1001

Pinkie Pie hated losing friends. Losing friends is like preventing somepony from eating their favorite treat. Sure some ponies had left on vacations, but always came back eventually. This was no different, right?

Wrong.

This was nothing like somepony going on a vacation. This was banishment. This was the worst possible thing that could have ever happened to her. Banishment made friends never come back. So ask yourself what reason does Pinkie Pie have to be happy anymore?

She has no reason. She has never lost anypony to anything, much less an old friend.

Pinkie Pie stared at the floor, unable to find any joy or happiness in her life anymore. She didn't feel like bouncing around anywhere. The only thing she could do was walk in complete silence.

She would go and see Twilight to bid her farewells, but the princess had forbidden it. Twilight's only business left in Ponyville was to gather her things she needed to bring with her.

This made Pinkie Pie even sadder. Unnoticed by herself, all of her mane flattened out and fell toward the ground.

Discord's Lair July 25th 1001

"Oh, for Celestia's sake, where are they?"

Discord was highly disappointed in what he could find: nothing.

While Twilight was under his spell, he had forced her to take them and hide them in a place where nopony could ever find them. Unfortunately, he forgot to see where she hid them.

Looking through his mirror, he could see anypony whenever he wanted. He could see what they were doing, hidden secrets in their mind, all that mumbo jumbo. What the mirror couldn't do, however, was look into the past or the future.

This made his search for them even more difficult. He knew he told her to hide them where nopony could find them, but he didn't expect her to hide them from him so well.

He would look into his mirror to find the location on Twilight's mind, but she had no idea that she hid them in the first place.

"Confound it all!" he screamed. "Where did Twilight Sparkle hide the Elements of Harmony?"

Edge of Ponyville July 25th 1001

Twilight wanted to say her goodbyes. At that very moment, if she could ask for anything more, she would ask to say goodbye.

The fact that she couldn't dawned on her. This wasn't like trying to go into the Everfree Forest on her own, or fighting Discord, the god of eternal chaos. This wasn't even like the time she fought off half of a changeling army with her friends.

This was a permanent loss for both her and her friends. The entire continent of Equestria would fall into danger because of what she had done.

Or to her, what she was framed for.

She couldn't speak to her friends about anything. She couldn't tell them about her message, or where it was hidden. She couldn't tell them about her beliefs on being framed. All she could do was walk away silently.

Please, Rainbow Dash, she thought, find my message.

Without another thought in her mind, she walked away from Ponyville.

Celestia's Tower July 25th 1001

Celestia watched in silence as her prized pupil walked out of the town. She couldn't see it clearly, but she could tell that it was Twilight who left the small town of Ponyville just now.

I'm so sorry Twilight. I didn't believe that you did all of those things, but the jury had found the evidence pretty clear that she had committed those crimes. I wish that this could have gone another way, but there is nothing I can do for you now. From here on out, you are on your own.

Celestia couldn't think strait when all she could think about was Twilight's banishment. She decided to take a small walk through the garden to clear her head.

As she strolled through the garden, she looked at all of the statues. Looking at them all made her feel calm, knowing that none of them could ever cause harm.

All except one that is. The statue that held the draconequus encased in stone looked as horrible as ever. Part bear, pony, snake, and a whole lot of other things. It was hideous to look at. Celestia didn't really want to look at it, but she knew looking at it gave her happiness that his evil wouldn't spread while he was in his stone prison.

Celestia turned to leave, but something about the air was off. It seemed too pure. If you were that close to the statue, you could feel evil coming from it. At the time, Celestia felt nothing.

It was at that point that she knew something was up. She quickly turned to face the statue and fired a blast of magic at it. This magic was a breaking magic. It could break anything as long as it wasn't sealed by the Elements of Harmony. When the blast made contact, it shattered the statue of Discord into a million pieces.

The guards heard this clamoring in the garden and came rushing to her aid. "Is something the matter princess?" one of the guards had asked.

"Yes there is as a matter of fact," she replied in a harsh voice. "Discord has escaped. Alert all the guard, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence. We need to find him before it is too late."

Chapter 6 - Discord's Return

Canterlot Castle July 25th 1001

Celestia worried harder than she ever had in her entire life. Discord had returned and without the Elements of Harmony, there was no way to stop him.

Luna came in not a moment too soon. "What ever is the matter, dear sister?" she asked Celesta with worry in her voice.

"Oh, Luna," Celestia began, "I fear that your timing could not be more perfect. Discord has returned."

Luna gasped when she heard this. "But that is impossible. The Elements of Harmony locked him in his prison. There is nopony with any capabilities to release him this soon."

"That is a complete mystery to me to. But whatever the cause of his return is, we must find a way to stop him before he destroies the life in Equestria."

"What about the elements?" Luna asked. "Can't they seal him up again?"

"I'm afraid they cannot, my sister of the night, for they were stolen."

"WHAT? By whom sister?"

"My student, Twilight Sparkle."

Everfree Forest July 25th 1001

Chrysalis watched as Twilight left her home. The plan that banished her had completely succeeded, but at a terrible price. She had released Discord from his stone prison in Canterlot. That was a huge mistake. If she wanted to get revenge on her, she should have done it herself, not ask the god of chaos to completely control her.

Chrysalis could have done something else to try and prevent this, but nothing came to mind. The only way they could change the world's fate now, was to prevent her from releasing Discord. The only way to do that was to travel in time. The only pony that could do that was Twilight, and that wasn't even for a full minute.

She felt sorry for what she did to Twilight. If she could change the past, she would. Sadly, for now, she couldn't do anything.

Canterlot Castle July 25th 1001

"Why?" Luna asked her sister. "Why would Twilight steal the Elements of Harmony?"

"I don't think she did anymore, Luna. Discord has been free for a while, meaning that he could have stolen them while they were at Twilight's place, and then wiped her memory of the event."

"That would mean that Discord has them!" Luna exclaimed. "Come, we must find Discord!"

"I don't think it will be that easy Luna," Celestia told her. "If Discord has the elements, he wouldn't allow them to be taken from him easily. We must keep this a secret."

"Why should this be a secret?"

"Because if we give out clues to Discord being free, all of Equestria will be in a state of panic."

"Thy words make sense, dear sister."

"Yes. We still must find Discord, but we must do it without anypony knowing."

"Too late, Celestia."

Ponyville Park July 25th 1001

"Ah don't know what we should do now that Twilight's gone," Applejack said. She and the others always met up on Tuesdays to have fun with their pets. "This place doesn't feel the same if all your friends ain't here."

"I know what you mean," Rarity replied. "It feels like there was something just ripped out of you, and it is impossible to replace."

"I wish Twilight were here," Fluttershy said. "She was the one who started this weekly get-together. Without her, this time would have never happened."

"I just wish that we could do something about Twilight's banishment," said Rainbow Dash. "If she isn't here, I'll never know if the next Daring Do book comes out!"

"Rainbow, that ain't what we are talking about," Applejack said.

"I thought we were talking about reasons we thought Twilight being gone was bad. Well to me, not knowing when the next book comes out is a bad thing."

"That is beside the point dears," Rarity reminded them. "We need to find a way to try and get Twilight back from banishment."

"Thank you, Rarity. That was mighty fine of you to agree with what we should be doing."

"Umm, if you don't mind, not all of us are present," Fluttershy said. "Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?"

Ponyville July 25th 1001

The once pink party pony wandered through town. Unable to find any way of being happy for all the things that had happened, Pinkie Pie wandered.

That's all she did since Twilight left town. She watched in secret as Twilight had left. She felt like she could have stopped her from leaving at all. She would have hidden her somewhere that nopony would find her. Somewhere secret, safe, and unknown to all ponies around.

That's what she wished she could have done. What she did do then was stay hidden in the shadows behind her. She remembered the sight horribly, unable to forget what happened the past couple of days.

She couldn't stand being without one of her friends for the rest of her life. That is when she decided to do what nopony else would do.

She would solve the mystery behind what happened to Twilight, and bring her home.

Canterlot Castle July 25th 1001

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Princess Celestia called out to the voice she had heard.

"Sister, who are you shouting at?" Luna asked curiously. She had not heard any voice.

"There was a voice," Celestia said. "The voice said that it was too late."

"What did the voice sound like sister?"

"It sounded like..." she paused for a minute. When she realized who it was, she gasped and told Luna: "Discord."

"Ha, right you are princess."

Celestia and Luna both turned to see Discord standing in the doorway of the throne room.

"You know," he began, "it would be a lot nicer if you greeted an old friend the way they used to greet each other."

"Enough talk Discord. What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?"

"Me?" he said. "I didn't do a thing with them."

"Thou lies," Luna accused. "Thy art the only one who could have stolen the elements. Now tell us the truth. Where are they?"

"Now, my dear Luna. You know for a fact that I am not the only one who could have stolen the elements. Another fact is that I came to ask you two if you knew where that were."

"Why would we have them?" Celestia asked. "They are no longer in our possession. We have no need to hold the elements."

"Hmm," Discord thought to himself. It appears that you really don't know what happened to them. Since my business here is concluded, I bid you farewell princesses."

With that, Discord left the castle.

"Sister?" Luna asked. "What if he really doesn't know where they are?"

Celestia looked down upon her younger sister and said, "I- I don't know."

Chapter 7 - Chrysalis's Confession

Everfree Forest July 26th 1001

Chrysalis sat in her cave deep in the forest. She found this the first day she fled from Discord. She made it into a great hem for a changeling queen. It had a sleeping area, table for food she found in the forest, and even a custom welcome mat made out of twigs from the forest.

She still couldn't help but feel guilty that she caused all of this. She made it so that Discord was free. Her choice to try and take revenge on Twilight was a horrible thing to do. Some made it so nothing could stop him from anything. He gave her the spell, but she chose to use it for no true purpose.

All she did now was sit in the cave day after day. Waiting for a new opportunity to come up. She needed something to happen fast, or at least she had to head to a town that had people who loved each other.

She could not survive for long without love.

Sugar Cube Corner July 26th 1001

The once pink party pony was on the case. She was now slightly shaded grey from all of the despair she had gone through.

That didn't matter to her. She had to find out what happened to Twilight. That was the only way she would feel better about herself. This was her top priority. Nothing would stop her from finding Twilight.

She knew that Twilight wouldn't do anything like that. Somepony must have convinced her to do something that made her lose control of herself.

She decided to talk to some certain pony about all of this. She knew that SHE had something to do with Twilight being banished. The only problem was that she left town after seeing Twilight about a week ago.

But that didn't matter to Pinkie Diane Pie. What did matter is that she finds a way to rescue Twilight as quick as possible. And talking to this mysterious mare would give her the answers.

That mare left through the south side of town, heading directly toward the Everfree Forest. That is where Pinkie would start her journey.

She didn't care how long it would take. She would spend the rest of her life finding a way to save Twilight if she had to. But first things were first.

She had to find the mare known as Crystal.

Everfree Forest July 26th 1001

Chrysalis knew that she couldn't go out into public as a changeling. She thought about becoming Crystal once again, but then thought it over. If she changed into Crystal, somepony might recognize her, and ask her questions with their pet alligator while holding a bright light to her face to get the answers they wanted.

Oh, don't be so silly, Chrysalis, she thought to herself. Nopony would recognize you. It's been an entire week since that day, and you didn't talk to that many ponies.

Without thinking any further, she changed into the form of Crystal and walked out of the forest toward Ponyville. There was one problem with her theory here.

She didn't think about pet alligators.

Outskirts of Ponyville July 26th 1001

Pinkie ran toward the end of town. Her first place she had to search was the Everfree Forest.

She nearly entered the forest when she saw somepony coming out. She quickly hid behind a bush to avoid anypony seeing her the way she was. Looking through a couple of leaves in the bush, she looked at the mare that came out of the forest.

It was Crystal.

??? July 26th 1001

Chrysalis awoke with a start. She had no clue where she was, or how she got there. She just wanted to get out.

She tried to get up, but found herself tied to a chair in the middle of a big room filled with what seemed like nothing.

A bright light came on right about then. This was the only light in the room, so Chrysalis was able to get a good look at herself. She noticed that she was once again a changeling. This upset her because now whoever brought her here knew who she was.

"Well, its nice to see your finally awake," said a voice from the shadows.

Chrysalis turned toward in the direction the voice was coming from. She could hear hoofsteps coming closer. When the mare came into view, she didn't recognize her at first, but then realized that she was Pinkie Pie. She just had flat hair, and looked a bit more sinister.

"So tell me 'Crystal,'" she began. "What did you do to Twilight?"

Canterlot Castle July 26th 1001

Celestia and Luna sat at the conference table with princess cadence and Shining Armor.

"So, you're telling us that Discord had escaped?" asked Shining Armor. "How?"

"I don't know," Celestia stated. "All we know is that he is free and we cannot defeat him without the Elements of Harmony."

"Can't we get them back before Discord gets his hands on them?" Cadence asked.

"We have no need to worry about the elements being taken by Discord," Celestia replied. "I put a spell on them, making it so that only the element's bearers and the princesses of Equestria are able to handle them."

"Then why was he looking for them, dear sister?" asked Luna.

"If he finds the elements, he can put a barrier over them and make them impossible to get. It doesn't really matter if we get them back or not anyway."

"Why's that?" Shining Armor asked the princess.

"We have no way of wielding them. Without the bearer of the Element of Magic, the other elements have no power and Equestria is left without any way of protecting itself."

"Can't we bring Twilight back?" Cadence asked. "If Discord is free, we can all assume that he had something to do with Twilight's behavior."

"I'm afraid we cannot do that either."

"What? Why not?"

"The jury already made their decision," Celestia replied. "A pony cannot be put on trial for the same crime twice. Even if we did have another trial, we'd have to find Twilight and bring her home. We cannot do that, because as a princess, we are all to stay on the boundaries of Equestria."

"What if I went?" Shining Armor asked.

"You are the captain of the royal guard. You must stay here, it is your job and I can't allow my best soldier to run off into uncharted territories alone when your sister could be anywhere by now."

"Than what can we do?"

"For the time, nothing. We just have to wait until somepony finds a clue to what is going on."

Pinkie's Secret Warehouse July 26th 1001

Pinkie stared at the changeling queen, waiting for her to answer her question. The place they were in was her own secret warehouse. The cake family gave it to her when they couldn't handle all of Pinkie's party supplies. She emptied out this part of the warehouse when she found Chrysalis out by the forest.

"I'll ask you again," Pinkie said in a much firmer voice. "What did you do to Twilight?!"

Chrysalis stared back at her in question. "I- I didn't d- do anything," she replied in a frightened tone. "All I did was have her cast a spell that opened her mind."

"What do you mean by 'opened her mind?'"

"It made her mind unprotected to all outsider attempts to take it over. I gave her the spell, she cast it, and Discord did the rest."

"Are you telling me that Discord is free?"

"Yes," was her swift reply. "I was the one to foolishly release him."

"Why did you do it?"

"I wanted revenge on Twilight Sparkle. Discord predicted that she would ruin the wedding ceremony, and there was nothing I could do to stop her. Discord offered a way to get revenge on her. He gave me a spell, and in return, I gave him his freedom."

"What did Discord do to her?"

"He took control of her mind," Chrysalis answered. "He used her to hide the Elements of Harmony in a place where nopony could find them. He also used her to attack Celestia and Luna, which he was sure would banish her from Equestria."

She was right to. That last one did banish her from Equestria. "What did he do next?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't know," she replied. "He turned on me and forced me into hiding."

"If you are in hiding, why did you come to Ponyville?"

"I need love. Changeling's can only survive so long without it, and ever since the wedding, I haven't had a single amount of love."

"Stealing Emotions is wrong, Chrysalis."

"We don't steal love, we take the energy it produces and we use it as food."

Pinkie stared at the changeling. "I will give you an offer, Chrysalis."

Chrysalis turned to look at Pinkie the moment she heard this. "What kind of offer?" she asked.

Chapter 8 - New Home

Unknown Location July 26th 1001

Twilight had been traveling for days. Well, it wasn't really days, since the sun only rose and set once, but it felt like days to her.

Her original home was gone, she had nopony to comfort her, and worst of all, she had no idea where she was going.

She knew coordination was important in a traveler's life, but she never expected to become one herself. She could tell she was heading south by the sun setting in the west. She couldn't head north, because there was nothing there except ice and snow. down south it was dry and hot, but at least she knew there was civilization there. She couldn't head east or west, because of there being nothing but oceans on both sides. She easily deduced that when she left Ponyville. It was the only logical way to go.

She may have known where she was going, but she never traveled this way other than the train, so she was completely clueless about where exactly she was headed.

I could always go back, she thought to herself. She quickly shook her head. No. I can't go back. Not until somepony finds me convicted of my crimes.

With that, she continued in the direction she was always heading in.

South.

Discord's Lair July 26th 1001

"That's right, my little pony," Discord said with a smile. He was looking at Twilight through his magic mirror that showed him anypony at anytime. "Continue on your way to permanently being out of Equestria. For once you leave..."

Suddenly, the mirror turned pitch black. "What is gong on?" Discord asked in a frantic. He continuously snapped his fingers at the mirror to try and get its image back, but nothing seemed to work. "This isn't supposed to happen."

He stopped snapping his fingers after realizing that he had no control over it anymore. I wonder if it has a range limit? he thought to himself. He snapped his fingers to make a satellite appear just outside his cave with a long connector cable attached to the mirror. The image of Twilight walking down a dirt road flickered for a bit, but then completely vanished in a small flash of light.

This isn't natural. Somepony knows I'm watching others with this mirror and are jamming my signal. He looked around, but neither saw nor felt another pony's presence around. This isn't possible. Nopony in the world can sneak up on Discord.

Ponyville Library July 26th 1001

Rainbow Dash missed her friend. She sat in the middle of the library, waiting. Waiting for something to happen, or even for somepony to comfort her in her time of need.

Sadly, nothing came.

She sat alone in the darkness. Spike was having a great time with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rarity and Fluttershy were looking for Pinkie Pie, which nopony has seen or even heard of her ever since a few days ago. Applejack was too busy down at the farm to come and comfort her.

Before they came back to Ponyville, Twilight had asked if somepony would take care of the library for her. Everypony but Rainbow had said they were too busy with other things to take care of the library.

Rainbow already knew most of her way around the library too. She had come here very often when asking Twilight when the next Daring Do book came out. Eventually, Twilight offered for her to read a new series of books while waiting for the next book to come out. She cautiously accepted her offer. The books she was reading weren't nearly as interesting as the Daring Do books, but they kept her really occupied.

After awhile, she finished that book series completely. Desperate for more books, she began to search around the library for new books by herself, not wanting to disturb Twilight any further. She eventually knew her way around the entire library. She even called herself the assistant librarian at one point. A couple of ponies laughed at her, but she was proud to admit it.

Since Twilight was gone, she always finished with her weather pony job early to head down to the library so she could check up on her friend's home.

Earlier that day, a package arrived from Derpy Hooves, the local mail-mare. Derpy wasn't always the brightest in Ponyville, and sometimes it took her awhile to find out something happened throughout the town. The package was addressed to Twilight, which seemed fairly obvious since this was her old home. Derpy must have dropped it off earlier, Rainbow thought to herself. Even if it is the biggest news in Equestria, It will take her a week before she realizes it.

The package was the same size as packages that multiple books came in all at once. Realizing that it must have been new books for the Library, she opened the package.

Inside was what she expected; books. There was the newest Heroes of Equestria book, Long Lived the King; a biography book about this king who ruled over this long lost city, and something she never expected to see.

Daring Do and the Ends of The World.

Rainbow Dash flew into the air with great joy. She had waited so long for this book to come out! "Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!" She shouted. "I can't believe it! Its finally here!" She quickly flew into the library with the book to in her hooves.

She flew inside with all thoughts on the book. "Hey, Twilight! Guess what came... in... your... mail."

Reality quickly caught up with her when she realized her friend was no longer there. Sadly, she sat down in the middle of the library, and began to cry.

Edge of Equestria July 26th 1001

"Well, this is it," Twilight said to herself. "The edge of Equestria."

Twilight then wondered if this was a good idea. She could try hiding out in remote locations throughout the land. Finding temporary homes, paying rent, and looking after herself in a different name.

No.

She couldn't do that. It wouldn't be right. She might be able to hide out from the world for awhile, but she couldn't hide from the princesses forever. They would find her eventually, and she would face even more extreme punishment.

She began thinking about her friends, family, and everypony else that brought her joy in her life, right from the day she was born. Her thoughts then came up with her five friends. The adventures they had, the parties with Pinkie, dress making with Rarity, reading with Rainbow Dash, apple cider times with Applejack, and play dates with their animals. Fluttershy really likes those times.

"Everypony," she said to herself as she crossed the imaginary line out of Equestria. "Goodbye."

Chapter 9 - Missing Harmony

Discord's Lair July 27th 1001

The mirror was broken. It wasn't picking anything up now. Yesterday it getting an interference. Now, it didn't work at all.

"This is why I don't steal from a hardware store," he said to himself. "Their stuff always breaks when you least expect it to."

He continued pacing around his little home of his. It was a nice place for a draconequus. It had a bathroom, game systems, internet access (whatever that is), and a comfy bed. Life for him in here was a dream. All he had to do was snap his fingers and whatever he wanted happened.

Well, almost anything anyway. The mirror failed to respond to whatever magic he tried to cast on it. That dratted mirror had some sort of magic spell on it, preventing it from working. he thought as he yawned and lay down in his bed. You can tell by the small, nearly invisible bits of purple magic flowing around it.

Wait, what?

Discord instantly sat upright. Looking closer at the mirror, he could tell that there were indeed small amounts of magical energy flowing around it. He snapped his fingers, not to try and make the mirror work again, but instead to reveal a casing of purple magic flowing around it now.

Now I see what is going on, he thought. Twilight Sparkle is interfering with my mirror.

Wait. Twilight Sparkle was banished and went out of Equestria yesterday. How is her magic affecting my equipment?

The world may never know...

Town of Grazil July 27th 1001

Its been an entire day since Twilight left Equestria. Her first thoughts that came to her when she left were: Great, just great. Right as I leave my country, I run out of food.

It made since too. She traveled a really long distance from Ponyville. It only wouldn't made since if she didn't eat within that time.

She continued along the dirt road down the mountain she was on toward a town named Grazil. It seemed like a nice place. Lots of ponies, griffins, and... yeah, this can't end well.

Continuing down the path, she reluctantly entered the town. Everypony stared at her the entire way. She walked through cautiously, watching everypony that gave her a so much as a slight glance.

At that point, she decided to keep her head down to avoid any conversations with strange ponies.

The entire thing reminded her of the time she entered Ponyville. She didn't want to talk to anypony unless the princess told her to do so.

The town's name was Grazil. It seemed like a strange name for the unicorn. But then again, all names in Equestria had pony puns. Except for Canterlot.

Proceeding through the old town, she came across a building with a sign that said: Town Hall.

Not wanting to be a stranger in the town any longer, she went inside to talk to the pony in charge. When she walked in, she saw that nopony was there except for a stallion that sat in the seat behind an official looking desk.

He looked up to see Twilight approaching the desk. "Hi there, miss," he said. "Its not everyday this town gets new visitors. I'm the mare of this town. Everypony calls me Looker. What can I help you with?"

"Umm," Twilight stumbled. "I've been traveling a long way. I don't have any bits on me and no way to get some. Is it all right if I can get a job here? At least until I have to move on out?"

"Sure thing missy. I just need to know your name, what job you want and where you came from."

"Okay. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am from the town of Ponyville in the Land of Equestria, and I do not know what jobs there are, so can you inform me of what is available?"

"Sure. There is a job opening at the local bar for waitresses, bank pony, new librarian, and a new deputy. Those are the jobs available to a pony such as yourself, Twilight Sparkle."

"Well, I do have a nice talent for books, organizing and stuff like that. I think I'll take the job for librarian."

"Much abliged miss. By the way, did you say you were from the Land of Equestria?"

"Yes."

"Why did you leave such a nice place? I've been there many times to visit my family in Appleloosa."

"I didn't want to leave. I was banished for crimes I didn't commit."

"You were banished?!" he asked surprised. He sat there for a moment thinking about something before replying. "I have two things to say. One, I am sorry that you were banished. Two, I am also sorry that you will never be able to go home ever again."

"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked him.

"What I mean to say, is that you will never be able to head back to Equestria ever again."

Ponyville July 27th 1001

The deal that Pinkie offered Chrysalis was a peculiar one. She offered to allow her to stay here and live in peace if she helped Twilight return to Equestria. This hardly seemed fair to her because Twilight had already left. Once a pony leaves Equestria, it very difficult to return.

She should know, too. It took her three days to get back.

But that is beside the point. What does matter is that she is able to survive. As long as she finds a way for the purple unicorn mare to get home, she would be able to survive from this century to the next.

That wasn't her biggest worry though. Her biggest fear was what Pinkie said she'd do if she didn't help.

It hurt to think about it.

This wasn't fair. She had no clue where to find anything that could help them find Twilight. She was bound to be past the boarder by now, so it would be pointless to try and find her before then.

Just then, she saw a flash of purple light out of the corner of her eye. This was strange. She slowly transformed into Crystal and went to investigate the light. As she approached the light, she saw something she would not believe from this century, or the next.

"Twilight Sparkle?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"

Town of Grazil July 27th 1001

"What do you mean? How can I never head back to Equestria?" Twilight asked with a huge face full of concern.

Looker simply replied: "Magic."

"What kind of Magic?"

"Barrier Magic. This magic is hard to cast and even harder to keep going. It was cast by Princess Celestia about 300 years ago."

"How has she been keeping it going for this long?"

"I don't know. Using all that magic would be enough to drain her unless she had another source. Back to the barrier, it is a special kind of one-way/two-way spell. It allows anypony from entering and exiting as long as they were wanted inside, but anything that leaves and isn't wanted, or banished in your case, is never allowed to pass as long as the spell is continuous."

Twilight stared at the floor in horror. She had never been permanently away from home before. She always visited, and met up with her folks, but this was unthinkable. What do I do now? she asked herself.

Somewhere, in her head, a voice replied: You make the best of it.

Discord's Lair July 27th 1001

Searching around his home, Discord could find no trace of anypony casting any magic spell. It was as if the unicorn casting it had appeared, cast a long-lasting spell, and vanished into thin air.

As long as the spell was active, he had to find his own way of spying on others. He could always hover above them and cause a little chaos, but rethinking about it, he realized that some might have noticed him and they would get away from him screaming.

As long as this keeps up, he thought to himself, I might as well search for the missing Elements of Harmony.

Ponyville Library July 27th 1001

Rainbow Dash was depressed about the tragic memories of Twilight having fun with all of her friends the other day. She felt like leaving the library and heading home, but Spike wasn't back yet and it wasn't near closing time. There was also the fact that she was Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all of Equestria! She wasn't going to let a memory get her down.

That is what she told herself for the rest of the day, knowing full well that it did bother her. She didn't let it show, but it did.

She returned the next day to see that the place was exactly like she remembered it. Dusty. Spike must have slept over with the crusaders the other day. Dash didn't mind. She sorta liked being alone in the library. It would give her time to read the new book of Daring Do.

Memories flooded her mind one again, but this time, she shook it off. She wasn't going to have another breakdown like she did yesterday. She sat down in the closet chair to where she was sitting and looked at the cover of the book. Daring Do and the Ends of the World, seemed like a very interesting book. She looked at the Spine and it said that this was the 13th book in the collection.

This disappointed Dash. She hadn't read the 12th book yet. Sighing, she got up and slowly moved herself to the 'series' shelf.

Picking up the 12th book, she went back to the seat. Upon opening the book, a letter fell out onto the floor. Curiously picking it up, she looked at it with suspicion. One side of the envelope had the opening and the other had nothing but three words.

To Rainbow Dash.

Author's Note

I know I haven't updated for a few days, but I can assure you that I will try to do even better than before. I hope you like the new installment of this story and if you like this story, and you haven't already, leave a like and I will try to update again tomorrow.

Chapter 10 - Hidden Messages

Ponyville July 27th 1001

Crystal stared at the unicorn. Unable to comprehend what was going on, she just stared.

Twilight slowly stood on her four hooves . "Ugh," she said. "I haven't done that for a while. Even if it was a test run, I never thought using that much magic was so exhausting."

Looking around, the mare finally caught sight of Crystal. "Oh, its you again. Hello, Chrysalis." The mare seemed happy to see her. Why? Why is she not angry at me for what I did to her? Chrysalis thought to herself.

"Chrysalis, I don't have much time," Twilight said. "How did you get back to Equestria from outside the barrier?"

"I-" Chrysalis stumbled. "What are you doing here? How are you here? How do you know I'm Chrysalis? How-"

Twilight cut her off. "I am here to ask how you got past Celestia's barrier; you told me you were Chrysalis; and I don't have enough time to answer how I'm here. Tell me how you got back to Equestria?"

Chrysalis fell back. "I- I don't remember," she said. "I got back over an entire week ago. I don't remember how I came back."

"Great," Twilight thought aloud. "I used up all that magic for nothing."

Chrysalis remained confused. "What did you use magic for?"

"I still don't have time to explain," she said. "All I can say is: look for hidden messages. Clues are left all around all you have to do is find them." She began to glow a dim light. "I'm almost back! Remember, Chrysalis! Trust my fr-"

She never finished her sentence. Her horn glowed with a purple light and she vanished in a flash of light.

Chrysalis stared in wonder at the spot she disappeared. What was that all about?

Ponyville Library July 27th 1001

Rainbow Dash sat in the seat and looked at the letter in front of her. It's addressed to me, she thought. How is it addressed to me?

Staring down at the note, she slowly turned it over to the open side. She took out the letter and read it to herself.

Dear, Rainbow Dash, it read.

If you are reading this, it means that I have left Ponyville in my banishment. It probably also means that you finally decided to read the next Daring Do book. That's good for you. You are still able to enjoy the small things in life. Me... I'm just alone. I have nothing left. I can't read any new books unless I find another library or a bookstore. I envy your freedom. I only wish that I would be able to do all the things that you and our friends can do.

I'm getting off topic here. I need your help Rainbow. I have been wrongly accused of my crimes. I need you to find out the true culprit behind this. I need you to find a unicorn mare. Her name is Crystal. She gave me a spell to cast and knocked me out for a time. I had the Elements of Harmony with me before I cast the spell, but when I woke they were missing.

I suspect a dangerous kind of magic at work. I need you to clear my name. To prove to others that I am innocent and I need to come back. You must find the Elements of Harmony and question the mare named Crystal. She knows what she did to me. These are the three things I ask of you. One, find Crystal. Two, Find out who is truly behind this. Three, find the Elements of Harmony. They are the only thing that can help prove my innocence.

Please help me Rainbow Dash.

Sincerely,

Twilight Sparkle.

After rereading the message multiple times, Rainbow Dash decided to put off the Daring Do book for later, and instead, look for Crystal.

??? July 27th 1001

Discord was lost. The middle of the desert was not the place for him. Still, he had to find the Elements of Harmony before everypony else did.

But where could they be? he asked himself. Only Twilight Sparkle knows where they were hidden, and its not as if she remembers it. I could go into the locked parts of her memory, but that requires leaving Equestria. Exiting the barrier prevents me from returning through it. If only I could travel through time. Then I could fix a mistake of me not watching Twilight hide the elements.

Sad for him, he could not. Time travel is very difficult, even for him. He would have to know exactly when to travel, and use up most of his magic in the process.

He also didn't know the spell. So that puts an even bigger hole in his plan.

Oh, well, he thought, It's not here, so I might as well search someplace else.

Ponyville July 27th 1001

Crystal wandered around Ponyville. The strange encounter with Twilight certainly was a strange event. It made no since to her. Why was Twilight there? Why did she ask how I got through the barrier? How did she know that I'm Chrysalis? These questions continued to dance around in her head, making her completely unaware of a certain cyan pegasus walking her way.

"Excuse me," she asked, making Crystal jump.

"Oh, you scared me there," she said before looking upon who was talking to her. When she saw who it was, she nearly dropped to the ground. "H- H- Hello, R- Rainbow Dash," she stuttered.

"Hi. I was wondering if I could ask you something," Rainbow said.

Regaining her breath, she replied: "Sure. What is it?"

"Have you know a mare named Crystal? I need to talk to her about something."

"Yes, I know Crystal."

"Cool! Can you take me to her?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because your looking at her."

The cyan pegasus fell back. She had a look of surprise, which quickly changed to a look of anger. "All right, Crystal," she said. "What did you do to Twilight?"

Chapter 11 - Unsolved Mysteries

Grazil Library July 27th 1001

This library has everything! Twilight thought to herself. Books, basement, kitchen, and even a bedroom! If only my friends could see this place.

Realizing what she just said, she sat down on the floor of the library. If only I could see them one last time...

She sat there and sobbed for about the next 20 minutes before getting up and walking around her new home. Well, at least this is a place I'm comfortable with, she thought. It really is a nice place. Maybe there are some books that I have never read here!"

Twilight jumped for joy when she thought that and ran off to the nearest bookshelf.

Ponyville July 27th 1001

"I'll ask you one last time, Crystal," Rainbow Dash said angrily at the mare. "What did you do to Twilight Sparkle?"

"I- I don't know what your talking about," she replied. "I've never met a 'Twilight Sparkle'."

"Don't lie to me, Crystal. You gave her a potion that day she disappeared. She wrote a letter saying that!"

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, but I have no idea what you're talk- wait, did you just say she wrote a letter to you?"

"Yes. And another thing. I never told you my name, nor have I met you before! So tell me, how do you know my name?"

Crystal sighed and said: "I'll tell you later, but for now, can I see the letter?"

"Sure, but I don't see why you want it."

Rainbow handed her the letter, which she read over thoroughly and thoughtfully. She then replied: "All right. She told me to trust you and her other friends, so I guess that I can trust you."

"Trust me with what? Who told you that you could trust me?"

"Twilight Sparkle did."

Rainbow's ears shot strait up in the air. "What can I be trusted with?"

Crystal laughed as she went up in green flames, revealing none other than the changeling queen herself.

"Chrysalis!" Rainbow screamed. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help get Twilight back," she replied in that raspy changeling voice. "Discord betrayed me and left me to rot in the Everfree Forest once I gave the potion to Twilight."

"Discord's free?" Rainbow asked. "How did he get out?"

"He promised me revenge if I let him out. I got revenge, but I was to stupid to realize what I had done. I only gave Twilight the potion. He used his mind powers to take control of her once the potion took effect."

"What about the Elements of Harmony? What happened to them?"

"Discord commanded Twilight to hide them in a place where nopony would ever find them. He also made Twilight forget about the entire thing once the potion wore off."

"Okay, I'm making sense of those things, but how did Twilight tell you that you could trust us? She wrote the letter after the trial and wanted me to question you about these things. She never told me that she talked to you once again."

"That's because I only talked to her recently. She appeared, asked me about how I got through the magical barrier around Equestria, told me she could trust you, and then vanished. Poof. No trace of her being there."

"There's a magical barrier around Equestria? What does it do?"

"It allows ponies to come and go between Equestria and the land outside of Equestria freely, but any unwanted guests, like me and Discord, are prevented from coming through the barrier once again. Same thing works for banishment."

"Does that mean..."

"Yes, Rainbow Dash. Twilight Sparkle can never return to Equestria again."

??? July 27th 1001

This was getting tiring. Discord had searched the land far and wide and never found a single trace of the Elements of Harmony.

Twilight sure is good at hiding stuff, he thought to himself. I wonder what she is doing right now. Its not like I can go and ask. I'd never be able to return.

His ears suddenly perked up. "That's strange," he said. "There was the sudden appearance of high magic levels not to long ago, but they suddenly disappeared. There's only one mare I know who has that high magic level."

"Twilight Sparkle."

Ponyville July 27th 1001

Rainbow Dash was having trouble understanding what Chrysalis was saying. All of it seemed like one big mystery wrapped in an enigma. (Not an Igneous.)

"How did you get back from the other side of the barrier?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Twilight asked you the question, but you didn't give her a clear answer."

"I told her that I didn't remember." Chrysalis replied. "I broke through it a week ago. You can't expect me to remember everything that happens in that time."

"A likely story, Chrysalis."

Rainbow and Chrysalis both jumped at the new voice that came from beyond them. Turning slowly, they both saw Discord standing behind them.

"Discord!" they shouted in unison.

"Yes I am. The one and only draconequus in the world. Pleased to be acquainted to you. Now, where is Twilight Sparkle?"

"Why do you need to know?" Rainbow asked him.

"Oh, nothing really. Just that she broke something of mine and I want it fixed."

"What did she break?"

"That is none of your business, pegasus," he snapped back at her, making her fall to the ground. "Tell me where she is, or I will ground you forever!"

"We don't know where she is," Chrysalis answered him. "She was here for a minute and then disappeared."

"Hmm. All right then. That wasn't so hard was it?" he said as he sank back into the shadows. "If she ever appears again, tell me, alright?"

"No!" Rainbow shouted. "We won't tell you anything!"

"Well, if your that persistent," he said before snapping his fingers. Chrysalis fell to the ground as she felt a new kind of magic affecting her.

"What did you do to me?" she asked.

"Me? I'm not doing anything at the moment. Unless your talking about that special spell I cast on you that allows me to see whatever your seeing. Other than that," he began as he pulled up a box with a screen on it showing Chrysalis's view of Discord, "I'm not doing anything. Till we meet again!"

With his spell successfully cast, he vanished into thin air.

Chapter 12 - One's True Nature

Discord's Lair July 27th 1001

Oh, what a great spell, Discord thought to himself. Now, I will be able to see if Twilight appears in front of those two again! Such a brilliant spell.

He was too busy gloating to himself to notice a small flash of purple light in in the corner of the room. He did notice, however, from this flash there was a purple unicorn beginning to cast a spell on the box that held Chrysalis vision.

"Hey!" he called to the mare. "Stop that!" He turned to look at the mare, only to see that it was none other than Twilight Sparkle herself. "Well," he said. "It looks like I wont need to look for you after all."

"Don't count your chickens just yet, Discord!" she yelled back as she finished her spell. The box fizzed out and had nothing but a black screen.

"Oh, that's the second thing of mine you've ruined this week! You're going to pay for that Twilight Sparkle!"

"Second?" she asked. "I've only ruined one of your things. What else do y-"

She never finished. Her horn had glowed in a bright purple and white light which engulfed her, leaving nothing but a small black scar on the floor.

Dang it! he thought to himself. She was in my grasp and I let her get away! Wait, what did she mean by: 'only ruined one of your things'?

Lost on thought, Discord roamed his lair, not sure about what he was doing or for what reason.

Grazil Library July 27th 1001

Twilight had nothing to do at the time. Most of the books in her new library were old and used. They all had some kind of damage on their spine, pages, cover. Yeah, they were not in top position.

New books were supposed to arrive later that week. Until then, Twilight was stuck with these old and dusty books.

Then, out of nowhere, she felt a small nudge in her magic. She didn't think about it at the time, but not 2 minutes later, she felt another twitch in her magic.

Thinking about what could have been, she quickly came to a conclusion.

The letter.

She had cast a spell on the envelope to notify her of its opening. The feeling was dull, which probably meant that it took a while to tell her. The second notification meant that it had been opened a second time.

She now knew that Rainbow Dash had opened it. Now, she had to find a way to talk to her.

The solution came sooner than expected. The mail. They had deliveries from post offices in town to deliver local mail, but long distance mail had to be magically delivered. She could mail a letter to her friend via magical airline!

She made her way over the local post office with a small letter she wrote in no more than 2 minutes and 43 seconds. The letter was special. No matter when or how she magically sent this letter, it would always go to who would be able to receive it.

And that pony- or, dragon for that matter- was Spike.

Cutie Mark Crusader's Clubhouse July 27th 1001

Spike liked to hang out with some other ponies his age. It made him feel like an actual kid instead of being a complete worker in the library.

"Come on, Spike!" Scootaloo called to him. "We are about to get our Cutie Marks in mechanical engineering!"

"Yeah, just a second," he called back. His stomach felt weird. It hadn't felt like this since Twilight had received two letters about the wedding in Canterlot about two weeks ago.

Suddenly, he burped a spewing flare of magical green flames. The flames came together and formed a letter on the ground in front of him. He opened the letter and read,

Spike, find Rainbow Dash and give her this letter. It's important.

He didn't read anything else except who had sent it. After he did, he heard the three fillies coming toward him.

"Spike, are you coming?" Sweetie Belle asked him.

"Sorry," he apologized, "but I have to find Rainbow Dash!"

"Let us help you," Scootaloo replied. "I can find Rainbow Dash almost anywhere she goes."

"Really?" Spike asked. They all nodded in response. "All right then, lets find Rainbow Dash!"

Ponyville July 27th 1001

Rainbow walked through town with Chrysalis at her side. She kept her disguise up, making her look like s complete stranger to the citizens of Ponyville.

She had told Rainbow Dash, that Pinkie Pie was the first one to convince her to help Twilight. She found her entering Ponyville in search of love. She also explained that changelings didn't steal love, they simply use the energy it produces to feed them.

They continued to walk around Ponyville, until Scootaloo, Spike and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders came up to Rainbow.

"Hey Scoots," she said. "What brings you here?"

"Spike has a letter for you," she replied as Spike got off the cart and handed a letter to her.

It read, Spike, find Rainbow Dash and give her this letter. It's important.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

Its nice to know you finally found my letter. If you have found any clue to the unsolved mysteries that surround us today, write a letter, and tell Spike to send it to me. It would be the only way we would be able to communicate.

Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle.

Town of Grazil July 27th 1001

Twilight just sent the letter. Now, all she had to do was wait for a letter to arrive at her doorstep the next day.

She was walking home, well to her new home anyway, before she was stopped by someone off the street.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?" he asked.

She turned to see a stallion with a grey coat, with an orange and green mane. It was spiky, which probably said that he liked adventurous stuff.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" Twilight asked the stranger.

"Oh, umm. No. No you don't," he said. "But I know you. You are the Element of Magic and you were banished here by someone who forced you to do things you didn't do. Your true nature, describes you as a pony who wants to help others, not destroy them."

Twilight stared at the stallion in bewilderment. "H- How do you know all that? I've never met you in all my life!"

"Maybe not here, but you have met me."

"Where have I met you? I'm pretty sure i'd remember someone like you."

"In a way, you have met me, but in another way, you haven't. You'll understand me one day, but not today."

"Well, what's your name?"

"My real name is not all that important, but please," he said. "Call me Blue."

Chapter 13 - Hallway of Doors

Town of Grazil July 27th 1001

Twilight had met some crazy ponies when she was with her friends, but this one was downright strange.

"What kind of a name is Blue?" she asked the stallion.

"Its my name. If you don't like it you can call me something else," replied Blue.

"Sorry. I meant no offence."

"None taken. That hasn't been the first time I've had that question asked. Probably wont be the last either. Anyway, back to my original question, why are you here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why aren't you in Ponyville with your friends?"

"How do you know about my old life?"

"Umm. Lucky guess?"

"Not a valid answer. Try again, 'Blue.'"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. But why are you here?"

"I-" Twilight stuttered. "I was banished."

"Well, that's nice to hear, now- wait. Did you say you were banished?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You seem to know a lot about me, so you find the answer."

"You never told me that,' he muttered to himself.

"What was that?"

"Nothing! Why were you banished?"

"I was framed."

"Oh," Blue said with a sigh of relief. "That explains it. You would never do anything to get banished."

"Now for one of my questions. Who are you really, and how do you know that much stuff about me?"

"I already told you, my name is Blue, and you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Fine then, 'Blue.' If your so sure I won't believe you, then prove it!"

"What?" Blue asked with a stunned face.

"I said prove it!"

"I heard you, but I didn't expect you to ask that."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"Twilight, are you ready?"

"Of course I'm ready. What do you take me for, a fool? I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't ready."

"All right then. If your so sure."

His horn lit up. It glowed a bluish color mixed in with a slight hint of grey. He brought his horn down onto Twilight's forehead, and they both entered a new area.

???

Twilight looked around her, but saw nothing but doors as far as the eye could see.

"Where are we?" Twilight asked the mysterious stallion.

"We are in my memories," he replied. "This is where I'm going to tell you how I know so much about you."

"When I asked you to prove it to me, I didn't expect you to literally show me. I expected you to tell me the truth right where we were standing."

"And I am. When we come out of my mind, it will be like we haven't moved at all."

"Where did you learn to do that?"

"That, I wont tell you."

Twilight continued to ask questions as they walked the starry path around some doors. She asked about the doors the most.

"They are the doors to my memories. If you open one, you can see my life unfold in front of you."

"Why are they labeled?"

"Organization. I come here often and I don't want to get lost when looking through random memories."

"Why are there so many?"

"I have lots of memories, Twilight."

"Who are you really?"

"I've answered that question before. My name is Blue."

"No it isn't."

"And how do you know that?"

"That door over there," she pointed her hoof at a door labeled 'Ephraim Blue,' "It has Blue on it. Its a name, but it isn't a name I've ever encountered before."

"As smart as ever, Twilight. Yes, 'Blue' isn't my real name, but my real name has brought nothing but pain and agony to my life. I started going by 'Ephraim Blue' to hide that name. Of coarse, nobody would believe a name of 'Ephraim Blue,' so I just went by Blue."

"You talk as if you have known me for awhile, but I still have never met you."

"Oh, Twilight," Blue said with a small laugh. "Our time together is only beginning."

They continued walking down the path of Blue's memories. Some of the doors were a different color than the others. Some were green while others were red. Most were blue, but Twilight still felt curious.

"Blue?" she asked.

"Hmm?"

"Why are the doors different colors?"

They stand for different types of memories. Green doors have good memories while red doors have bad memories."

"What about blue doors?"

"They are memories that were neither happy to me, nor sad. They are indifferent. Most memories for some people can be good while others have mostly bad memories. What we are looking for is a gold door."

"What are gold doors for?"

"These doors are extremely special. They can either be good or bad. You can't find a gold door unless you deliberately search for something that wants to be found."

"What are you searching for?"

"What you want to see. Proof of what I know about you and the things you've done."

They continued walking through the hallway of doors, never stopping, never resting, and surprisingly, not getting tired. They only stopped when they found a single door that was different from the other doors.

The gold door.

"Well," said Blue. "Here we are."

Twilight stared at the door. She couldn't believe all that the stallion knew about this place. He talked about it like he was a complete expert of the place, or as if somepony with great magical talent taught him.

"Well, go on and open it," he said. "It won't open by itself."

Twilight slowly made her way toward the door. She reached for the handle, not wanting to use her magic in a place like this. Opening the door, she saw the town of Grazil before her. The image moved around, as if it was seen through the eyes of a pony.

"Blue!"

The image quickly turned in the direction of the voice. Twilight recognized that voice. It was her own voice, but she never said that.

The image turned to see a purple unicorn mare running toward them. Twilight couldn't believe what she saw. It was her! She called out Blue's name and ran toward him.

"Twilight?" said a voice that came from nopony in view. It was obviously Blue's voice. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to thank you for all that you have done for me. It was really kind of you to do that."

"Umm, your welcome, but I'm afraid I don't know what your talking about."

"Of course you know. You..." she stopped after looking up. "Oh, it hasn't happened to you yet. Its still in your future."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Blue, listen very closely, the image of Twilight said. "Sometime in your future, you are going to find me again, when that time comes, tell me that I am the Element of Magic, I was banished here because of things I didn't do, and my true nature describes me as a pony who wishes to help others, not hurt them.

"Why would I do that?"

"Don't worry. You already have.

The door shut after that. Twilight noticed that the door had changed from gold to blue.

"Now do you believe me?" Blue asked once the door had closed.

Twilight sat in bewilderment of what this place had to offer. She could find anything. Anything could be possible here.

"Hey, Twilight!"

Blue saying her name snapped her out of the trance. Looking at Blue, she said: "Yes. I believe you now."

"Good, because my spell is about to wear out."

As soon as he said those words, the world began to fall apart around Twilight, as she fell into darkness.

Chapter 14 - Technology

Ponyville Library July 28th 1001

Rainbow Dash spent no time waiting to write a letter. She started right away once Twilight sent her that letter through Spike's magical letter sending spell that was cast on him ever since he was able to do so.

The letter was simple. It was about Rainbow finding Crystal, her discovering that she was really Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, Discord's appearance, the spell he cast on the changeling, stuff like that.

Other than that, she hadn't really found much. The Elements of Harmony were completely lost, and they couldn't defeat Discord without them. He was the one who helped frame Twilight after all. The only thing she could do with this case now, was exchange information with Twilight through the magical letters.

She couldn't send it yesterday because Spike was tired and went to sleep in the early afternoon. Once he was awake, Rainbow would have him send her letter to Twilight.

Grazil Library July 28th 1001

Twilight had awoken yesterday right at the point and time Blue had said they would return at: the exact point at which they left. It didn't feel that long, though. It felt like hours, walking through that single pathway filled with doors.

Blue seemed to vanish after the day before, but not before answering one question.

"How do you cast that spell?" Twilight asked him.

"Its pretty simple, Twilight," Blue had responded. "All you have to do is focus your magic on your mind."

"What do you mean by that? Magic comes from the mind."

"I know."

A carriage passed in front of Blue at that point. He had taken a few steps away from Twilight after he showed her that memory. When the carriage passed, Blue had vanished into thin air. He didn't get onto the carriage, because Twilight had searched it for 30 minutes before realizing that he wasn't there.

It had been exactly 10 hours, 38 minutes, and 48 seconds since she saw him last. The mysterious stallion seemed full of surprises wherever he went. Still, she was going to see him again. She knew that for certain. He had shown her a memory they both shared, but only happened to one of them. Twilight still had to live out the memory that was shown to her.

It was strange though. He had lived through that memory, but Twilight had never met him before that. Its impossible to travel through time.

Isn't it?

She didn't think about that, though. She kept her mind occupied by reading through books she had never heard of before. One of the books seemed like a long lost book about Star Swirl the Bearded and the spells he was most famous for casting. The book wasn't really that interesting. When Princess Celestia let her into the Star Swirl the Bearded wing at the Canterlot Archives, she read through all these spells.

Putting the book away, a small cloud of dust came to Twilight and materialized into a letter. She picked it up and read it to herself. It told her about Crystal really being Chrysalis, Discord had something to do with Twilight's banishment, the spell on the queen, all that stuff I said it said earlier.

Hehe. 'I said it said.' Funny.

Sorry. I'm off topic again. Where was I. Oh, yes. The part where I come in again.

Another quick flash of light entered the room. Twilight turned to see Blue standing in the middle of the library.

"Oh, I'm never going to get used to that," he said. "Where am I this time? Library. Nothing new. Library I've never been in before. New. Purple unicorn that looks a lot like Twilight. Not new. Broken watch. Definitely not new, " he paused before continuing. "Wait, Twilight!"

He ran over and gave her a quick hug. "I haven't seen you for awhile. How's life?"

"Umm, great," she responded. "But, why did you say you haven't seen me in a while? I saw you yesterday."

"Right. My way of travel is funny like that. What were we talking about when you last saw me?"

"Magic came from the mind."

"Hold on, wait a moment," he said. Twilight got a closer look of him at that time. He looked older. His mane was the same, but he was slightly taller and had an older look in his eyes. "Ah," he said, making Twilight jump. "The Twilight that was banished. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine, but where did you go yesterday? You vanished without a trace."

"Sorry, but when I met you the other day, I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I had somewhere else to be as soon as I could get there."

"So, where did you go?"

"Another time, Twilight. How's the memory spell coming along?"

"You only showed it to me yesterday. I haven't had much time to practice."

"But your Princess Twilight Sparkle! The Element of Magic! Savior of countless worlds!"

"Wait," she interrupted. "'Princess' Twilight Sparkle?"

"Oh, um, did I say that?" he asked. "I didn't mean that. Slip of the tongue. Ignore it. As I was saying. You can cast that spell."

"How do you know that?"

"You taught it to me!"

Twilight was bitten back by that. "What do you mean I taught it to you?"

"I mean what I say," Blue responded. "I mean that you taught it to me."

"Is that something else that is in your past but my future?"

"Yes."

"How is that possible? A spell that takes you back on time only lasts a few seconds. You have been here much longer than that. How can you be from my future, AND still be here?"

"Have you ever considered that I wasn't using a spell?"

"That's impossible. Nopony can time travel without strong knowledge of magic, the correct spell, and complete focus on when they want to go. Even then it still only lasts a few seconds. Tell me. Just how are you doing that?"

"Technology," was his reply.

"Technology? You mean like light bulbs and ovens?"

"Yes, but this technology isn't invented yet. Not here anyway."

"Then how do you have it?"

"A good friend let me have it."

"Who is this 'friend' of yours?"

"Don't worry Twilight. You'll meet him one day."

"When will that be?"

"It will be the time you truly understand my concept of time travel," he replied. "Until then, can I stay here for awhile? I need to have my watch fixed."

"Why do you want to stay here to get your watch fixed if you can travel anywhere at anytime you want?"

"Twilight, this watch is very special to me. It is also a very special watch unlike any other. If it is broken, I don't feel like traveling anywhere until it can be fixed."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"However long it takes my friend to get here."

"And how will he know where to find you?"

"He has his ways, Twilight," he replied. "He has his ways."

"Why can only your friend repair it? There are plenty of watchmakers around town, I'm sure."

"He was the one who built his watch. Well, not built, I should say. It was more combined then made. Anyway, he's the only one I know who knows their way around this piece of technology."

"What's his name?" Twilight asked.

"He has gone by many names. John Smith, Time Turner, Doctor..."

"Doctor?" Twilight asked once again. "Doctor Who?"

"But the one name I prefer to call him by when he works on my watch," Blue said as he ignored Twilight's question, "is Clockwork."

Author's Note

Cheap dialog chapter. That's all this chapter was. A cheap dialog chapter. More chapters should be better.

Don't understand everything? Well, one day I will make a story that will explain my O.C. That should explain more about this storyline.

Chapter 15 - Journey to the Past

Grazil Library July 28th 1001

"Remember Twilight, focus the energy of your magic to your mind."

Blue was surprisingly a great teacher. He knew what seemed like everything about magic. Then again, she had apparently taught him all of that.

"I'm trying!" she replied. Although he was a great teacher, this was still an extremely hard spell to cast. "You made this look easy yesterday!"

"Well, yes. That's only because I had a great teacher to teach me this," he complimented.

"Thanks."

"Less talking, more mind accessing magic!"

"One last question?"

"Yes?"

"If this is supposed to allow me and me alone to travel into my own mind and see things that I've done before or can't remember," she began, "how did you bring me into your mind?"

"That was simple. I'll tell you after you master this spell," he said.

"Deal."

The two of them worked. Twilight was here because she was banished and Blue didn't want to leave until he got his watch fixed by this 'Clockwork' pony. Though, Twilight couldn't help but think that he was staying for another reason.

The light around Twilight's horn grew when she allowed more of her magic to flow freely. Blue's magic wasn't this big when he cast the spell, but as you cast the same magic spells multiple times, it gets easier and you don't use as much magic.

Suddenly, a boom erupted the skies, making Twilight cringe. Her eyes suddenly glowed white, and the light around Twilight's horn blasted out a quick wave of magic, engulfing the two ponies in its light.

Ponyville Skies July 28th 1001

Rainbow was tired of searching for a reference to where the Elements of Harmony might be hidden in the library. She needed to get out in the open air and practice her Sonic Rainboom.

Ever since she did it at the young fliers competition, she has been able to do it whenever she wanted it to be done. She tried to do it once a week, since that was a pretty basic and regular time to do it. Ever since Twilight disappeared that one day, she hasn't done it since.

She changed her mind today. Today, she did the Sonic Rainboom once again.

The boom came quickly. It made that one rainbow appear behind her as she flew, and a gigantic boom erupt around Equestria.

She flew around for a bit, gradually reducing her speed so she could land on a soft cloud. When she did, a sudden bright light engulfed her.

"What's going on?" she asked. Those were the last words she spoke before the light let out a burst and engulfed her.

Ponyville July 28th 1001

Chrysalis in the form of a mare supposedly named Crystal, wandered around Ponyville. Ever since Discord cast that spell on her, she had stayed away from most ponies. She didn't want to be caught in a situation where she would almost willingly give an enemy information.

At that moment, a huge boom raced across the sky. Chrysalis looked up to see the wave of a rainbow pass over Ponyville.

I know what that is, she thought to herself. That's Rainbow Dash and her Sonic Rainboom! I haven't seen that since the wedding!

Almost immediately afterwards, a white light formed around her. It engulfed her and left nothing but a small black scar on the ground.

Memories of Twilight Sparkle *Time Doesn't Matter Here*

Twilight awoke in the hallway of doors she traveled to when she was with Blue the other day. Looking at the doors, she noticed that none of them were labeled. She quickly came to the conclusion that she was not in Blue's mind, but her own.

"Blue! she called out. "Blue I did it!" She turned, expecting to see the stallion standing there and congratulating her, but saw nothing but doors. That's right, she thought to herself. The spell only takes me into my own mind. Nopony else, unless I use a spell that takes others to my mind.

Sitting down in the middle of the hallway, she looked at the doors. She thought about what Blue had told her yesterday.

Gold doors are special, he had said. They are either good or bad. They cannot be found unless you search for something that deliberately wants to be found.

But that doesn't make sense, she thought. How can something of mine want to be found? Wait. Maybe, if I want to find it, I will eventually find it! Brilliant, Twilight! Simply brilliant!

After gathering her thoughts, Twilight thought about her missing memories. The memories of her attacking the princesses, losing the Elements of Harmony, and most importantly, what happened on those days.

She felt a small click in her head, telling her to head down the hallway in search of the door. Reluctantly, she listened to the voice, and made her way into the hallway.

Memories of Blue *Time Doesn't Matter Here*

Blue was surprised where he ended up. The light that had engulfed him sent him back into his own memories.

Twilight is definitely one of a kind, he thought. She sent another into their memories without meaning to. You are truly marvelous, Twilight.

But now that he was here, what was he supposed to do? When he went into his own memories, he always had a reason. The first time he was here, that was practice when Twilight taught him how to do it. The second time, he decided to organize his memories. They were already separated between good and bad, so it made that time easier for him. The other times, he went in here to search for something from his past to help him in the present.

Other than that, he had never been sent here without warning.

The next thing he knew, he felt drawn to a certain memory of his past. That's strange. I don't want to be here, but something in my mind wants me to look for it.

He sprinted down the hall, searching for the memory that wanted to be found.

Memories of Rainbow Dash *Time Doesn't Matter Here*

"Where am I? What am I doing here?"

Rainbow Dash was certainly confused. She woke up in a strange area for no reason, and now there seems to be no way she can get back. Flying was impossible. Strangely, her wings wouldn't unfold from her back. This upset her even more, because flying was her life.

Not being able to fly, Rainbow sat down on the floor behind her. All she could see, no matter where she went, were doors. Doors, doors, doors. Nothing but doors. There were nothing but red and blue doors no matter where she went. It infuriated her! How was she supposed to do anything if the one thing she loves doing can't be done?

A small whisper of a voice called to her. It was quieter than Fluttershy's smallest whisper, but she could tell what it said.

It was telling her to go in search of something. In search of what? Rainbow asked herself. No reply came. Without another moment's thought, she ran down through the hallway of doors.

Memories of Chrysalis *Time Doesn't Matter Here*

"Hello?" Chrysalis called. "Is anypony there? Please answer me."

This place was nothing like Chrysalis had ever seen. Nothing but doors. Amazing, but lonely. There was nothing else here. Nothing. Zip. Nota. That is basically what it was. A hallway of doors. Nothing else.

A voice called to her. Not a loud voice, but a voice nonetheless. It seemed to whisper:

"Come here, Chrysalis... Come here.

She didn't think about listening to it at first. But then again, she didn't have anything better to do as long as she was here.

She followed the area where the voice seemed to come from.

All Four Ponies Views At Once *Time Doesn't Matter Here*

All four of the ponies eventually found themselves in front of a single golden door.

"All right," Twilight said. "Here it is."

"What's this door for?" wondered a curious Rainbow Dash. "It's different from the other doors."

"Finally found it," Blue said. "What's behind it?"

"Strange," Chrysalis said. "It's the only gold door I've ever seen here."

All of them, at that moment, opened the golden doors at the same time. However, instead of seeing what lied in their past memories, a white light emitted from their doors.

"What is this?" they all asked. "What is going on?"

The light once again engulfed them. Once it had disappeared, the doors closed.

???

The four of them wound up in an entirely new place. They all noticed each other. Strangely enough, none of them seemed to notice Blue.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked them.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Rainbow replied.

"I'm just as confused as you two are," Chrysalis said.

Blue remained silent, and slipped away before anypony could actually notice him.

"I think what is important is where we are," Rainbow concluded.

Twilight was the first to get a look at he her new surroundings. She was back in Ponyville. The air was clean, fresh, and much more tolerable than Grazil's air. "We're back in Ponyville," Twilight stated. "How are we back in Ponyville? I was outside of Equestria not to long ago."

"And by the way Twilight, I don't know what's cooking. I'll have to ask Mr. or Mrs. Cake about that."

Twilight instantly recognized the voice. That was Pinkie Pie after she was done talking to her on the 15th.

"Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow said suddenly. "Where have you been?"

"Dash, stop," Twilight commanded. "She isn't really here. We are in the past."

"The past?!" Chrysalis exclaimed. "How is that possible? We can't all be in the past!"

"Actually," Twilight reassured her, "These are my memories."

Chapter 16 - A Changeling Queen's Past

Past Ponyville July 15th 1001

"In your memories!?" asked a highly confused Rainbow Dash. "How is that possible?"

"Calm down, Rainbow," Twilight told her friend. "We wont get anywhere by panicking. I was practicing a spell when a large boom erupted and my magic went haywire."

"I heard that boom," Chrysalis stated. "That was Rainbow Dash doing her Sonic Rainboom. After it happened, I found myself in a huge hallway filled with nothing but doors."

"Same here," Rainbow Dash said. "What was that place and how did we get there?"

"The place where you were at were your memories," Twilight explained. "Red doors symbolized bad pastimes while blue doors symbolize good times."

"Two questions, Twilight," interrupted Rainbow. "One, what are gold doors for?"

"Those doors are doors that you are searching for. If you want to search for a certain memory of yours, you will be able to tell where it is and it will be marked as a gold door."

"Okay, but how do you know so much about that hallway? Have you been there before?" Chrysalis asked her.

"Hey! That was my second question!" Rainbow angrily said.

"That is what the spell I was casting was supposed to do," Twilight explained. "It takes one back into their own memories to search through them."

"Where did you learn this spell?" Chrysalis asked her. "This certainly wasn't a part of any spell book I read before."

"Me neither," Twilight confessed. "A new friend told it to me."

"Who is your new friend?" Rainbow asked.

"He should be here," Twilight said. She looked around, but saw nopony but the three of them. "I'm pretty sure he was effected by the spell too."

"Well, what's his name?" Chrysalis anxiously asked.

"His name is Blue."

Another Part of Past Ponyville Same Date

Blue was smart to slip away. He had just seen the one pony on all of Equestria that never wanted to see him again.

And she wasn't even a pony.

But, why go into details explaining it here, when I can torture you readers by making you wait for the story about my O.C. to come out? I know you don't have a good reason why I shouldn't, which is why I'm just going to continue with this story right now.

Blue knew Ponyville like the back of his hoof. This was where he first came when he was mysteriously transp-

...I'm doing it again aren't I? I almost gave out more info than needed about my O.C. I'm supposed to keep you readers on the edge of your little chairs about him guessing who he is.

Another thing. There you guys are, reading this story, while I'm breaking this freaking 4th wall of the story. I feel like that is just amazing. Do you guys like it? Or should I just get back to the story?

Yeah, your probably right. I should get back to the story.

Blue needed to find a clue about something. This place might have been the past, but it was also a memory. Meaning, that what happened here already happened, but might leave a clue for future reference.

He would have to face her sooner or later. However long that it would take, however, probably wouldn't be much time at all. If it was a memory that Twilight was looking for, than she would obviously go to a time where something would happen that she couldn't remember, or was looking for.

Almost as if on cue, the scenery changed. Instead of being in Ponyville, he was inside the Ponyville Library. Taking a quick look at the calendar, he saw that three full days had passed in the memory.

He was then greeted by a harsh voice behind him saying: "You."

Back To Twilight And The Others

"Did you say: "Blue?'" Chrysalis asked.

"Yeah," replied Twilight. "Why? Do you know him?"

"I'm confused," Rainbow Dash said. "Who's 'Blue?' And what kind of name is that anyway?"

"Yes I know him," Chrysalis replied. "He helped ruined my life."

"What? How did he do that?" Twilight asked.

"It was another time," she said. "The reason why changelings never seemed to exist before your brother's wedding is because they didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that my race never existed in the past. We are creatures from the future."

"What are you talking about?"

"Aren't you listening? I said we are from the future! Next time, listen before bursting out to conclusions!"

Twilight and Rainbow nodded on understanding. They stayed quiet for the rest of the story.

"Good," Chrysalis said before continuing. "Changelings were peaceful in our time. We lived alongside ponies in harmony. All was peaceful, until a strange blue box appeared one day. The box was nothing like we had ever seen before. It was small, and seemed to appear out of thin air. The words on the top of the box read: Police Public Call Box."

"Without warning, the box suddenly opened up to reveal a brown stallion with a bushy brown mane, and a grey unicorn with a flat, orange mane, and a blue watch on his front left hoof. This was extremely strange, because that box was too small to fit both of them inside. My changelings and I greeted them as we did all travelers. When they saw who greeted them, they both immediately ran back into the box and shut the doors."

"We were highly offended, but we let them be. They stayed in the box for what seemed like days. Probably because it was. When they finally did come out, they weren't the same as the first time they exited. They came out running for their lives. They ran directly past us, stole a priceless and irreplaceable object, and ran back inside their box. As you probably could tell, we were angry with them and attacked the box they were in. Without warning, the light at the top of the box glowed brighter and brighter. It grew so bright, me and my changeling hive shielded our eyes to the light."

"When we adjusted, we weren't in the same area as before. We were in a small forest just a few miles away from the mountain that Canterlot Castle rested upon. The box was next to us, with the doors open and both of them standing in the doorway."

"The brown one said: 'Chrysalis! You have committed crimes against Equestria. By the rule of Princess Celestia, I hereby sentence you to exile for those crimes.'"

"I quickly replied: 'Halt! We wish to know who dares to commit a crime to us! Who are you two!'"

"He replied back: 'We are the guardians of this world. Past, Present, or Future, we will protect the world. Tremble in fear before me, The Doctor, and his companion: Blue!'"

"Without another word, they retreated onto the box, which soon after doing so, disappeared. We vowed that day, that we would get our revenge on all ponies that stood in the way of our goal."

Having finished her story, Twilight and Rainbow got up. "That was certainly an interesting story," Twilight said.

"What do we do now?" asked Rainbow.

"Well." Twilight began, "I wanted to come here to find out where I hid the Elements of Harmony, and to find out what happened those days."

"How do you suppose we look?"

"Actually, what I want to see doesn't happen for another three days."

"WHAT?!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash," Twilight reassured her. "These are my memories. I should be able to adjust them to what I want them to be."

She closed her eyes and concentrated on three days after the day they were on. When she opened her eyes, she saw the library around her.

Chrysalis was the first to speak up. "You," she said.

Twilight turned in the direction she was facing to see Blue standing in front of a calendar. He turned slowly, and said: "Hi there, Chrysalis. Lone time no see."

Author's Note

And yet another mostly dialogue chapter. Oh well. Its already been done and I don't want to do it again.

Hope you enjoyed, and I might see you people in the next chapter.

Chapter 17 - The Past that was Lost

Past Ponyville Library July 18th 1001

Twilight stared at the two, very strangely acquainted ponies with a lot of concern. One of them wasn't even a pony, and she was claiming to know Blue for ruining her race's future.

"A long time?" Chrysalis seemed to scream. "Its been nearly two weeks since I last saw you, and you say its been a long time?"

"Yes," Blue replied swiftly. "Yes I do."

"And why is that?"

"I might tell you later."

"No Blue," Twilight said. "She has a right to know, and so do we. Why did you ruin her race's lifestyle? You and a certain 'Doctor' did theta to her not long ago. We had to fight her because of that."

"I know, but if we don't hurry, we wont know why Twilight brought us to this certain memory."

Everypony there stared at him blankly. "How did you know I brought us here?" Twilight asked.

"I'd tell you all now, but then we would miss out what was here wouldn't we?"

"Fair enough, but I still expect an explication later."

"Deal."

"Umm, I'm still here you know," Rainbow said from the opposite side of the memory.

"Ah, I did forget you were here, Rainbow Dash," Blue said. "Nice to meet you. My name is Blue."

"How did you know my name?" she asked. "I've never met you before today, and I'd certainly remember a name like yours."

"True, but I still wont tell you now. This is a story for later."

"Fine."

"Now, Twilight. Why did you take us to this memory?"

"This is the point where I lose my memories," she said.

"Pardon?"

"My mind is a blank from right around here to about 6 days from now. I came to find out what happened."

"So what is the last thing you remember?"

"Chrysalis, or Crystal as I knew her then, gave me a potion to drink and I passed out."

As she was speaking, the world around her changed. They were now in the basement if the library, watching Past Twilight drink the potion.

For a minute, nothing happened. Then, Past Twilight began heaving heavily, falling to her knees. She continued to breath heavily while another being entered the room.

"Bravo, Chrysalis Bravo!" Past Discord said to Past Chrysalis.

"Thank yourself," the changeling queen responded. "You were the one who gave me the potion. So what do we do now?"

"We?" Discord asked. "There was never any we."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I used you. Right from the beginning moment I spoke to you, I was lying to get me out of my stone prison and wreak havoc against those who put me here."

Past Twilight was still struggling to stay awake. "Oh, I almost forgot about you, Twilight." He snapped his fingers, making Twilight jolt into the air. Snapping his fingers nice again, Twilight stood poon the floor, not wobbling the slightest.

"Now, Twilight," Past Discord began. "Be a dear, and hide the Elements of Harmony someplace where nopony can find them while I deal with Chrysalis here."

Past Discord disappeared, leaving Twilight all by her lonesome. Listening to the draconequus's words, she stumbled over toward the box that held the elements. While doing this, she also began to take steps away from the box, as if resisting Discord's spell.

Out of nowhere, a brown stallion appeared, seizing the box onto his back and running up the stairs. Past Twilight, who wouldn't dare allow the elements fall onto the wrong hands, seemed completely unaffected by the spell and ran up the stairs, only to see that the front door was opened.

Running out the door and into the street, she followed the stallion to a dark alleyway. Inside, she could see the stallion fiddling with a blue box. He opened it and new voices filled the air.

"Hey! Your back!" one of the voices said.

"Did you get the box?" another asked.

"I did," the brown stallion said. "I also brought this world's Twilight with me."

"Doctor, you know that that isn't safe!"

"Yes, but she followed me."

"Oh fiddlesticks," said a fourth voice.

"What do we do now?" asked a fifth.

"I'm not going anywhere near her," a sixth voice said. "Its weird enough having one egghead on this ship.

"I'm right here," said the second voice.

"Sorry."

"We're going to talk to her," a vaguely familiar voice said.

"He's right!" said what was heard to be a younger voice of the previous one. "I mean, I'm right."

"We're going to talk to her, because I remember it happening," the older voice continued.

"All right. If you say so Blue."

Twilight and the others who were watching the scene unfold before their eyes turned directly to Blue.

"What?" he asked them. "That can't be me! This has never happened."

They all shrugged it off, continuing on with the memory. Now, standing not to far from Past Twilight, were 10 ponies. Six of them were Twilight and her friends. One was a grey pegasus mare standing next to the brown stallion who she had been chasing. The final two stood side by side. Both were a dark grey coloring, and they looked nearly identical. The difference between the two, was that one of them seemed older, taller, and had a different hairstyle. Both were unicorns, and the younger had flat orange hair, while the older had spiky orange and green hair.

This raised tension between the four ponies that were watching this even more, because they immediately recognized the older one as Blue.

We're sorry, Twilight, the Blue from the memory said. We have to take the Elements of Harmony. Don't worry though. I promise to have them safely returned to you.

The Twilight watching this was most disturbed by the fact that the Blue here didn't seem to be talking to Past Twilight. Instead, he was looking in the exact location Twilight was watching the scene unfold.

Nine of the ten ponies there went into the blue box. The older Blue, however, tapped his watch and disappeared from sight entirely.

The scene fell into darkness. Twilight couldn't bear to see anymore.

Author's Note

Okay. There is the chapter. I certainly hope you have enjoyed it up to this point.

For those of you who are confused, I know you are eagerly awaiting to see what happens. But before that, I wish to know what you think is going on.

Twilight made an appearance in front of Chrysalis and Discord not to long ago. How do you think this is possible if Twilight was somewhere else at this time?

Blue is certainly a mysterious character. He disappeared from on front of Twilight completely a few chapters ago. How do you think he did that?

Tell me everything you think is going on. Who knows. It might be true...

Chapter 18 - The Truth of Blue

Blank Space Unknown Time

"All right, Blue," Chrysalis said angrily. "We want answers. NOW!"

"And as I promised, I will tell you," he said. "But before you all hear it, are you sure that you wish to learn about it?"

"Definitely," Rainbow said. "You are quite the mysterious stallion, mister. I would like to know who you really are."

"Yes," Chrysalis said. "I wish to know why you and The Doctor ruined my future."

"Blue," Twilight said. "Please tell us. You were in my lost memories. We deserve to know more about you."

The grey unicorn stood there for another minute. "All right," he spoke. "You do deserve to know, but it may not be clear to all of you."

The three others sat in front of him as he began to explain everything. "I guess that it started when I met The Doctor. There was a monster called a Dalek rampaging the streets. Before that, it was in the Everfree Forest. At the same time, I was taking a walk through those woods. It spooked me, causing me to teleport outside of the forest. I ran strait for the park, where I ran into The Doctor, Derpy, Twilight, and all her friends. However, they were not you. They were from another reality.

"I told them all of the creature, feeling it fair to warn you of the danger it would have brought. The Doctor, however, ran strait for it. He caused a spectacular light show and defeated the Dalek. Afterwards, we all traveled with The Doctor in his TARDIS. Eventually, Derpy, Twilight, and her five friends decided to leave. The Doctor and I continued traveling.

"After awhile, we came across Chrysalis and her changeling hive. We panicked and ran back inside the TARDIS. We stayed inside for a few days wondering what to do. When we told you that Celestia banished you and your kind, we lied. We sent you back in. Time for you to fulfill what you were supposed to do. It was a fixed point in time and space when the changeling attacked Canterlot. Changeling weren't around then so we went to the future to get some.

"That is why we sent your kind back in time, Chrysalis. Anyway, after that, I wanted to see the universe by myself. I couldn't do it at the time, but I had my hopes set on it. So, after awhile, we came across a device that allowed me to do just that.

"A vortex manipulator. This device allows anyone who wears it to travel through time and space without a TARDIS. The Doctor knew I wanted to continue traveling, but he was pretty set on taking a break for awhile. He also knew that If I ran into trouble that knew I had a vortex manipulator, they would take it and I'd be stuck wherever I was. He decided to hide it in the form of a small watch, which as you can see, I have right here.

"That is how I already know all of you, and how I got around. However, the watch is currently broken, and I need to wait for The Doctor to come and fix it. Until then, we should wait. That is all we can do."

The three other ponies had listened to his story quietly. Rainbow was completely confused on what he was saying. Twilight and Chrysalis, however, seemed to understand all that he said.

The world changed, filling up with nothing but a black darkness. Heh. Black darkness. Funny.

Grazil Library July 28th 1001

Twilight's spell wore off, cancelling the passageway to her memories. She collapsed on the floor, leaving Blue standing halfway across the room.

"Twilight?" he called. "Are you all right?"

"I- I'm fine," she said weakly. "J- Just used up all my magic. That's all."

"Don't talk. You need to rest."

"Is what you said true? Are you really from another time and place?"

"Yes Twilight. I am."

Ponyville Skies July 28th 1001

Rainbow found herself on the same cloud she had been on when Twilight found a way into her memories. What intrigued her even more, was the fact that she could still see the rainbow from her Sonic Rainboom.

Huh, she thought. It doesn't seem like any time has passed. That's a really strange spell Twilight cast.\

Without much of anything else to do on the cloud, she flew down towards Ponyville, searching for the changeling queen.

Ponyville July 28th 1001

Chrysalis quickly hid in a dark alley once she came to her senses. She was afraid that her cover had been blown while she was inside of Twilight Sparkle's memories. Thankfully, it hadn't changed from the time she had left. In fact, no time had seemed to pass at all.

The alleyway was just like any other alleyway you would find passing though the streets of Manehattan. Trash cans, dirt, another pony, old pieces of paper on the ground.

Wait, could you repeat that third one?

Chrysalis immediately looked strait at the other pony in the alleyway. The pony took a step closer, then another Sep, and another step. Chrysalis took a step back for every step the pony took forward. However, when the pony came into the light, she could see that there was no need to back away.

"Twilight?" she asked. "Is that really you?"

"Yes, Chrysalis," Twilight replied. "Now you must tell me. Do you know where Discord is?"

Chrysalis didn't reply for a moment. "Why do you need to know where he is?"

"I need to know, Chrysalis. Please tell me."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know where he is."

"Than can you promise me something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"I need you to find out where he is. I will be back in three days at the Ponyville Library. By then, I hope you have found out where he is."

Her horn started to glow slightly. "Wait," Chrysalis said.

"I'm sorry Chrysalis, but I'm being forced to leave. Don't forget to find Disc-"

Her horn flashed, leaving Chrysalis alone in the alley. Rainbow came a few minutes later.

"There you are, Chrysalis!" Rainbow said. "I was looking all over for you. Why are you in an alleyway?"

"I came here to hide from ponies who might have seen me outside of my disguise," she replied. "Also, how would you like to go on an adventure to find where Discord is?"

Author's Note

Oh boy. Another Twilight appearance when she is banished and obviously elsewhere at the same time. How is this possible you might ask? Well, you'll just have to wait until that is explained.

Chapter 20 - When The Day Comes

No Specific Location July 29th 1001

Rainbow Dash, Chrysalis, and Spike all sat in a lovely field for to rest.

"Its strange," Rainbow said.

"What's strange, Dash?" asked Spike.

"The fact that Chrysalis here actually wants to help us. She was the one who invaded Canterlot a few weeks ago, but now she is traveling with us to help the pony that foiled her plan that same day."

"You do know I'm right here and I can hear every word your saying?" Chrysalis informed them.

"Sorry," Rainbow said. "I just thought it was strange."

"I don't disagree with you. It feels strange to me too. All other ponies have done when they see one of my kind is scream: 'Changeling!' and run off. Being around you seems off."

"Don't worry about it," Spike said to her. "We all have some days where we do stuff that makes us feel strange. Being the only dragon in all of Canterlot helped me realize that."

"Really Spike?" Rainbow asked. "That happened to you?"

"You bet it did. I eventually got used to all of the staring and completely ignored it. That's also how I got used to being the only dragon in Ponyville too."

"I never realized that..."

"Well," Chrysalis started, "I think we have had a long enough rest. Lets say we start heading out."

"Right," Rainbow and Spike agreed at the same time.

They started walking down the path. All of the sudden, a dark shadow appeared in front of them, making them all jump back.

"Beware..." it said in a raspy voice. "Beware of the day when all that you know and love will disappear. He is coming. He is coming for all of you!"

"What is this?!" Rainbow asked, frightened of the being.

"I don't know!" Chrysalis replied, also completely frightened from the beast's presence.

"What do you mean by 'he is coming?'" Spike asked the shadowy creature.

"Beware! When the day comes, you will all tremble in fear! Beware of the lost king!"

The shadow vanished, leaving a dragon, a pegasus, and a changeling queen hanging on to each other in fear.

Discord's Lair July 29th 1001

A singe of dark power made the back of Discord's head twitch. It was entirely strange because the only dark power the world has known had been lost for 1000 years. There were many other things that began to turn in his head.

What could that have been? he thought. That was dark magic, no doubt. That kind of magic hasn't been seen since before Celestia and Luna turned me into stone. I wonder...

His thoughts were interrupted when the air around him began to waver. He turned to see it all focusing on a single spot. What in the world is going on?!

The air ripped open, revealing another dimension entirely. A pony's hoof stepped out of the rip. It was a dark blue unicorn stallion that had a grey and black mane. His cutie mark was what appeared to be a fish with a cloud on the inside of it. Once he finished stepping through, the vortex closed behind him. He took a look at his surroundings.

"Not the best place I've landed in," he said. He turned to see Discord staring at him. He quickly fell to his knees in a bowing position. "I did not realize that you would be watching this mission, my master."

Discord could only stare at him before saying: "Who are you, and what are you doing in my lair?"

The unicorn could only stand and look at the draconequus in confusion. "Don't you recognize me Discord? Its me, Graymayne."

Grazil Library July 29th 1001

Blue felt a small tug come from his watch. He look down at it, expecting it to tell him what it meant. Sadly, there was nothing. He continued to think about it for another minute before going back to reshelf the books.

Twilight was upstairs recovering her magic properties after her outburst yesterday. She was reading a book about Star Swirl the Bearded's lost and forgotten spells. It supposedly contained all the spells that scholars never found out about or forgot on accident. Blue had already read it. All the spells that were there could be found in the Canterlot Archives.

Another tug from the watch interrupted his concentration, making a flying book fall to the ground. The watch had suddenly twisted and pulled on his leg. He couldn't bear the pain anymore, so he threw the watch onto the floor in front of him.

Once he did, the dials started to glow a bright blue color. He picked up the watch, but didn't put it on. He studied the flashing lights, trying to determine what they meant.

What could they mean? he thought to himself. Realization hit him. That's it! I know what this means!

His thoughts were then interrupted by a new noise filling the air.

Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Klunk.

He turned to see a big blue box now occupying the space behind him. Twilight heard the noise and came down the stairs. "Blue, what was that noi-" She stopped when she saw the blue box. "What's that thing?" she asked.

The doors on the side quickly opened to reveal a brown earth pony stallion standing in the doorway. "That 'thing,' as you call it, is none other than the last TARDIS in existence," he stated, stepping outside of the box. "That stands for: Time And Reletive Dimension In Space. Its my time machine."

"So, you're The Doctor?" Twilight asked him.

"That's correct," he answered, turning toward Twilight. "Ah, Twilight. Happy to see you again."

"I'm sorry, but have we met?"

"Not in this reality, but yes."

"Alright, since everypony knows each other now," Blue started before getting a small chuckle from The Doctor. "Doctor."

"Yes?" The Doctor asked, still trying to hold back his laughter.

"I need you to fix my watch. As quickly as possible, if you don't mind."

"Why so soon?"

"It just reacted to a flux in space."

The Doctor suddenly had a face without expression. One that could only be rivaled by The Royal Guard. "I'm on it," he said, snatching the watch off the floor to examine it. He pointed a small metal rod that glowed blue on its tip. "Hmm. It certainly did react to a flux in space. How long before I came here did it react?"

"Not to long, actually. In fact, it reacted twice. The first time, nothing happened. The second time, all of the dials flashed and then you came."

"I'm sorry, but what are you two talking about?" Twilight asked.

"Stuff about time and space," Blue replied.

"Wibboly Wobboly, Timey Wimey," The Doctor said at exactly the same time.

"Okay then," Twilight said, backing off from the two who were clearly at work. "If anypony needs me, I'll be upstairs reading a book."

She went up the stairs. Once Blue was certain that she was out of earshot, he whispered to the stallion beside him. "I think I know what caused the flux."

"Really?" The Doctor whispered back. "What?"

"Another old friend of ours."

"You don't mean...?"

"I'm almost certain of it," Blue confirmed. "That is another reason why I need it to be fixed by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Do you really think he'll be coming for you like he said?"

"Yes," Blue stated. "There is no doubt that if he sees you, he will hunt you down as well."

"But what if I can't get the watch fixed in time? You know that I have to have time for this amount of damage."

"Yes, I know. However, if you can't get it done by the time he gets here, continue working while I stall him. He doesn't know you're here because he's after me."

"Stay out of sight, continue fixing the watch. Got it. What about if I finish it while your still fighting?"

"Toss it to me when I have the chance to grab it. Once that happens, you get in the TARDIS and fly out of here. You'll be safe then."

"But what about you?" The Doctor asked, concerned.

"Don't worry about me," Blue said. "I already know how its going to turn out for me."

Discord's Lair July 29th 1001

"So your telling me," Discord started, "that I sent you to this specific time to find and kill a stallion that is supposedly in this time?"

"That's correct," Graymayne replied.

"No, its not correct. I never told you to do such a thing."

"Well if you didn't, who did?"

"I have to guess that you're from an entirely different reality. Another version of me told you to do this. I would never tell anypony to kill another."

"Then you won't help me with my quest?"

"I never said that," Discord responded with a smile. He snapped his fingers to teleport the two of them to the edge of Equestria. "This is the edge of Equestria. If what you say about this stallion is true, then he should be helping Twilight Sparkle get back to her home in Ponyville."

"Why didn't you just teleport me to where he is?" Graymayne asked.

"The border has a magical barrier around it. Anything not wanted in Equestria is prevented from entering. However, anything is allowed to leave."

"Why don't you just destroy the barrier? Surely you have the power."

"Actually, I don't. This barrier was created by Celestia, Princess of the Sun. Only she truly knew how to get rid of the barrier."

"Knew?"

"Correct. I'm pretty sure she has forgotten how to turn it off. The point is, I can't get back through once I leave Equestria. Once you're through there, I cannot help you return."

"No worries about that," Graymayne reassured him. "Once my task is finished, my Discord will get me out of there."

"If you're so sure, then be on your way," Discord said before disappearing into thin air.

Graymayne turned toward the border between Equestria, and the land beyond.

"You better watch yourself," he said to nopony in particular as he stepped over the border. "Watch yourself because I'm coming for you Blue!"

Author's Note

Nobody call copyright infringement on me. Please. I was given permission to use Graymayne in my story. Ask Graymayne yourself. He'll tell you that he gave me permission.

Also, If you wish to know more about Graymayne, check out the story: A Shrouded Stallion. It can tell you more than I could here.

Anyway, I hope you all are still enjoying this story. Just for a heads up, I might be posting a sequel of this story in the future. I was wondering what you people thought, and if I should write a sequel once this is finished. So tell me what you think. Do you wish to read a sequel of this in the future?

Chapter 21 - The Fight of Friends

Just Outside of Grazil July 30th 1001

Graymayne had walked nearly the entire day yesterday. He only stopped when he realized he wouldn't be able to get to the town before the night fell upon the land. After the light returned, he immediately set out to continue the search for Blue.

His master, Discord, had told him little about this stallion. He only gave him a name, color of coat, race, color of mane and tail, and the cutie mark. Basically, a complete physical description of him. However, he failed to tell him what he was like. All the things he did, what he didn't do, or even why he wanted him dead.

Those things were important in an assassin's job. They needed to know as much as they could about their target. When he was given the information, he asked if there was anything else. The only other thing he was told, was that he was associated with The Doctor, whom he had failed to kill when he was a filly.

His orders were simple. Find Blue, question him on The Doctor's location, and then dispose of him. Simple to some normal assassins. To him, every thought, movement, observation, and even the terrain would count against him. He had to study and subdue his opponent quickly. Otherwise, he would experience the worst possible fate. A fate that rarely occurred to him.

Failure.

His eyes soon came across a town with a sigh that said: 'Welcome to Grazil.' He wasn't much for a tourist, but he would have to ask the residents of they had seen or heard of the stallion called Blue.

What this world's Discord had said to him came rushing back. "If what you say about this stallion is true, then he should be helping Twilight Sparkle return to her home in Ponyville." He then realized that if he would fail at finding Blue, then he would have to search for Twilight Sparkle and convince her to tell him where Blue was.

He had to make sure that he didn't kill her. It is against his own rules to kill a mare. He would simply ask her where he was, and then leave. Simple as that. As long as she didn't resist and stayed out of his way, no harm would come to her.

He went strait for the town hall, feeling that it would be a good place to start looking for them. Opening the door, he was greeted by a warm hello.

"Hey there," a stallion said. "What brings you to this here town?"

"I'm looking for an old friend of mine," Graymayne told the stallion. "I heard he was staying in this town. His name is Blue. Perhaps you've heard of him?"

"Sorry," he said. "Never heard of a name that strange."

"That's okay. I also heard he might be staying with a mare by the name of Twilight Sparkle. Do you know her?"

"Sure do. She checked in about a week ago. I offered her a few jobs, and she took the one for the new librarian. You can find her at the local library."

"Really?" That's good to hear. Thanks for the information."

He walked out of the office, satisfied that he got the information he needed. Everything was going as planned.

Grazil Library July 30th 1001

The day was going perfectly fine for Twilight. The Doctor had moved his 'TARDIS' to the basement so that it wouldn't distract any of the ponies that usually checked out books.

Blue was out in the town getting groceries. He felt like he needed to help out around if he was going to wait for the watch to be fixed. Before he had left, he had told Twilight: "If anypony comes looking for me today, don't tell them where I am. Draw them inside for some tea, suggest a book for them to read. Just don't tell them where I am.

Twilight had asked why, but he left before giving her an answer. The door opened to allow a blue stallion with a grey and black mane enter through. He asked a simple question.

"Are you Twilight Sparkle?"

"Yes," she responded. "Can I help you with anything?"

"As a matter of fact, you can. You see, an old friend of mine is staying in this town by the name of 'Blue.' I heard that you knew where he is staying. Is that correct?"

Remember what Blue told you, Twilight, she thought to herself before answering: "No. I'm afraid that the information you received is incorrect."

"I'm afraid it isn't," he insisted. "I need to speak with him immediately, and I know from a reliable source that he is in this town. If you don't tell me where he is, I'm afraid that this conversation won't go on much further."

"Well, if you insist," Twilight said. "I'm afraid that I don't know where he is at the moment, but if you give me your name, I can tell him you came and he can find you later."

"All right," he said. "My name is-"

"Graymayne!"

Both of them turned to see Blue standing in the doorway, an angry look implanted on his face.

"How do you know my name?" Graymayne asked.

"You told it to me," Blue responded. "Twilight, get away from him now. He is an assassin working under Discord sent here to kill me."

"He's a WHAT?" Twilight screamed.

"Now I know you have some sort of mind powers," Graymayne said. "I've never met you before today. Oh, and thank you for revealing yourself to me. Now I don't have to find you."

"And your mission is going to fail."

"Sure it is. Before we start, is there anything else you would like to confirm about me?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Your cutie mark means you are good at conjuring things out of thin air."

"That's it!" Graymayne said before lunging himself at Blue. Blue simply lit up his horn and teleported outside onto the street. Enraged, the assassin followed him outside, leaving Twilight alone in the library.

That's when she realized she wasn't alone! The Doctor was inside his machine fixing Blue's watch! She quickly ran downstairs to see The Doctor waiting for her.

"Doctor!" she cried. "Blue's in trouble! You need to go out there and help him!"

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Twilight," he responded.

"Why not?"

"Because I'd only get in his way. I fought against Graymayne a while back, and I nearly got killed. Blue is fighting this stallion not because of revenge, but because this is a fight he has to do alone."

"Why's that?"

"Because he was friends with Graymayne."

"What?"

"You heard me. He met Graymayne not to long ago and became friends with him. The Graymayne he is fighting now is a past version of him, before the two became friends."

"But why is he fighting him then?"

"He isn't really fighting. He is avoiding and keeping him away from us. He is also not fighting because if he fights him now, there might not be a Graymayne for him to become friends with."

"So he's doing this not only for our sake, but Graymayne's as well?"

"That's correct. Both of them live because Graymayne still has to become friends with Blue, and Blue can't die because he still has a reason for living."

"And what might that be?"

"His friends. Oh, and I finished fixing his watch not to long ago. Tell Blue I said Bye."

Twilight, who had been struck with awe, simply said: "Okay."

The Doctor went into his TARDIS and brought out two items. One was the watch and the other was a large chest. "Toss Blue the watch when you get the chance to do so," The Doctor said. "The box here holds something very dear to you. However, it will only open once you find a true reason to be fighting."

Twilight picked both the box and the watch from The Doctor's grip. He then went into the big blue box once again and shut the doors. The box made the same sound that it did when it had arrived in the library yesterday as it vanished from sight.

Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr.

Twilight then realized that Blue needed her help, and she ran upstairs to help her friend.

Outside Grazil's Library July 30th 1001

The blue stallion charged out the door in fury at Blue, who was simply standing calm in the middle of the street. Once Graymayne was close enough, he cast a spell at the Library. A force field appeared above it, preventing anything from entering. He quickly dodged to the side as Graymayne came down upon the spot he once stood.

He then saw the horn of his foe light up, causing two knives to appear out of thin air around him. Blue dodged as they swung violently around him. Blue lit up his own horn to conjure two shields which he then used to block the knives coming down at him.

"How did you do that!?" Graymayne asked in fury once he saw what Blue had done. "That's black magic you just used. Normal ponies like you shouldn't be able to even know about this at all!"

"No they aren't," Blue responded. His horn lit up once more to make all of the conjured objects disappear. "However, I am Not a normal pony."

Graymayne took a second to register what Blue had done. He quickly jumped back to cast another conjuring spell. This time, he summoned two hands and sent them flying at Blue. Blue remained stationary and conjured two hands of his own. Instead of sending them at Graymayne, he sent them directly at the two other hands that were coming strait at him. His hands collided with the others, forcing them into the ground and making them vanish. Graymayne stood in shock at what Blue had done.

"Impressive," he finally said after a full minute. "I think its time I stopped going easy on you. But first, you must tell me something."

"You wish to know where The Doctor is, don't you?"

"Yes! Tell me where he is!"

"Sorry, but I already prevented you from getting to him."

"What do you mean? All you've done is counter my spells and put up a barrier around the library!"

"Exactly."

Realization hit Graymayne after Blue had said that. His face showed no more signs of mercy as he lunged at Blue, who simply teleported away once again.

"Coward! Stand still and fight me like a true stallion!"

"Why? So that I hurt one of my friends?"

"We. Are. Not. FRIENDS!" Graymayne screamed once more as he sent a special spell. It exploded the area around them. "Now you won't be able to teleport!"

He conjured another two knives, which Blue once again, countered with two shields to block every attack that was swung at him.

"Give it up, Graymayne," Blue said. "No matter what you do, I can counter it. You've lost this fight!"

"I don't think so," he responded as he suddenly teleported away from view, making Blue jump in surprise. He quickly turned in all directions to see where the stallion had gone. "Over here, " Graymayne said before he conjured another blade and sliced at Blue.

Blue gave out a small whimper of pain before running back in the direction of the library.

"Where do you think your going?" Graymayne mocked as he teleported in front of him to deliver another blow. Blue ignored the pain and continued running toward the library. "Where are you going? Come back and fight!"

Blue ignored this as he reached the barrier around the Library. He saw Twilight on the other side holding his fixed watch. She tossed it at him. It nearly hit the barrier when Blue used his magic and provided a small hole for it to fly through. He used his magic to pick up the watch and slip it onto his wrist.

"That watch isn't going to save you, Blue!" Graymayne shouted as he charged for Blue once again.

"Oh, I beg to differ," Blue smirked as he pushed inward the button on the side, making him disappear into thin air.

"What?!" Graymayne screamed in surprise. "You can't teleport! I put up a special spell that only lets me teleport here!"

"But I didn't teleport," Blue's voice said from behind Graymayne. The assassin turned to see a completely healed Blue standing right behind him.

"How did you do that?"

"If I told you, you wouldn't understand."

Graymayne growled as he teleported behind Blue once again to attack. Right before the attack came, Blue stepped forward, making the knife that was swung hit the ground hard. He teleported again, this time he was falling directly onto Blue's back.

Blue, however, lit his horn and completely stopped his decent, freezing him in midair. Blue slowly sent him onto the ground in front of him, using his magic to hold him in place. He cast another spell, one that made Graymayne feel drowsy and fall asleep.

Blue stood in the in front of the library, and then lowered the shield to have Twilight jump on him.

"That was amazing!" she complimented. "How did you know where he was going to attack without knowing where he teleported to?"

"I'll tell you once he wakes up," he replied, pointing a hoof at Graymayne. "Come on. We need to get him bound before then."

Chapter 22 - A Cutie Mark's Meaning

Grazil Library July 30th 1001

Graymayne was set down upon the bed where he was bound. Twilight and Blue made sure that it was tight. Otherwise, he could get out and head after Blue once again.

There was the matter of his horn that still needed tending to. Blue had simply tapped his watch and disappeared. He returned seconds later with a special ring.

"This thing is called a limiter," he said. "Supposedly, you put it on a unicorn's horn, and they can no longer do magic. It also has magical properties that prevent the unicorn himself from taking it off. Only the one who activates it can turn it off."

"Where did you get this?" Twilight asked. "There have been several projects in Canterlot about preventing a unicorn from using their magic, but how is this here right now? They are still in the testing phase!"

"Simple," Blue responded. "I went into the future and got one."

"With your watch?"

"Yes. I told you about this when we were in your memories. Remember?"

"Yeah, but I thought you were making that up."

"Nope. That entire story was true. Whether you chose to believe it or not was your choice."

Graymayne in front of them started to stir. "Better put this thing on then," Blue said as he did just that.

He quickly backed away, allowing the stallion to wake up peacefully. "Oh, what hit me?" he asked.

"My sleeping spell," Blue replied. "Perfectly harmless and just enough of a dosage to knock you out for an hour."

Graymayne took a moment to register what he had said. When he did, he was fully awake. "What am I doing bound to a bed?!" he furiously asked.

"Your going to tell us where Discord is hiding," said Twilight.

"Yeah right!" he screamed. He grunted his head, trying to cast a spell. "What is going on?! Why can't I cast magic?"

"I put a limiter on you," Blue said. "Future technology. Won't fully be around for another decade I suppose."

"Then why is it on my horn?!"

"Because I put it there."

"And how do you have one if its not going to be around for another decade?"

"I went to the future and picked one up."

"That's not possible," Graymayne stated. "Nopony can travel into the future."

"Then I'm pretty sure that if I changed my name to 'Nopony,' everything would be all right then."

Twilight stifled a laugh. Graymayne ignored her and said: "How did you conjure?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How did you conjure? Conjuring is black magic. Nopony besides myself and my master can use it. Still, you did just that."

"Technically, any kind of magic you use, no matter what its intended purpose is, is just magic. You can use a levitation spell and use it to drink tea. Some might consider that white magic. However, you can also use the levitation spell for evil purposes. Others might call that black magic. All in all, I never cast black magic. I just did the spell you did to defend myself."

"I guess that's true. But that still doesn't explain why you are able to do that spell. I doubt somepony actually taught you how to do something like that."

"Actually, Somepony did. He lives at the top of the mountain that Canterlot rests upon." Both the other ponies stared at him like he was an idiot. "I'm joking. However, I was taught how to conjure objects out of thin air."

"Really? By who?" Graymayne asked.

"You taught me. During that battle, remember?" Blue replied.

"I merely used it against you! I never taught you anything!"

"Do you know what my cutie mark means?"

"What?" Both Twilight and Graymayne asked at the same time.

"Do you know what my cutie mark means? Simple question. Yes or No."

"No," they both replied.

"Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it?" he mocked. "Anyway, most ponies don't bother asking me about it. They just assume I'm some sort of out-of-place stallion. That is entirely untrue."

"Then what does it mean?" Twilight asked.

"Well, when I first arrived in Ponyville a while back, I was asked that question many times. I didn't want other ponies to be afraid of me, so I told them it was because I was different. Because I stood out. How many ponies do you see with orange bubbles on their flank? Anyway, what I told them was partly true. When I got this, to was when I did a spell that a superior at the school for gifted unicorns did in front of me. It was a highly dangerous and difficult spell, but I had no problem doing it. I just thought about what I had seen him do and what the spell was supposed to accomplish, and I did it."

He took a small break to catch his breath. "My cutie mark is not about the spell I did, but how I did it. I accomplished a highly classified spell that I shouldn't have even been able to perform for another five years at most. The spell was teleportation. Simple to the advanced unicorns, like us three here, but not to a filly at the age of 7. My cutie mark means copying other spells that I have seen done in front of me. If somepony did conjuring in front of me, I could do it. If I saw somepony explode an apple, I could do it exactly like they did it."

Both of the other ponies in the room stared at him in wonder. Graymayne broke the silence. "Well that explains how you conjured those shields and hands. How did you know where I was going to strike before I did so? And how did you teleport when there was a barrier around the place where we fought? And how did you heal so quickly after teleporting?"

"That was simple," he said. He then showed the watch to Graymayne. "This is no ordinary watch. It is really a vortex manipulator."

"And that is...?"

"A device that allows you to travel through time and space. During the battle, I warped to about 30 minutes before the battle started, giving me enough time to heal. After I saw myself disappear from in front of you, I saw my future self do all the things that I would be doing in the future. After I made you sleep, I went back in time to the point where I appeared behind you."

Graymayne sat his head back onto the bed. "What are you going to do with me?" he asked.

"Nothing much," Blue said. "We're just going to interrogate you about where Discord's lair is. Then, we'll let you go."

"No."

"What was that?"

"No. I'm not telling you where Discord's lair is."

"Hmm. I was afraid of that," Blue said.

No Specific Location July 30th 1001

After the shadow appeared in front of them the other day, Rainbow, Spike, and Chrysalis had decided that they should find a place to rest for the night.

After they all woke up, they decided that they needed to discuss what to do.

"How are we supposed to find Discord's lair if we don't know where to look?" Rainbow asked. "Twilight asked us to find it and return to the library tomorrow."

"I know," Chrysalis said. "I was there when she asked us to do it. But speaking of Twilight, how did she speak to us?"

"I wouldn't know," Spike said. "You two were there when she appeared out of thin air."

"That's just it, Spike. She's been banished. The barrier on the edge of Equestria prevents anypony from crossing it if they've been banished. She couldn't have been here talking to us."

"And yet she was," Rainbow stated.

"She could have an evil clone," Spike suggested.

"Why would an evil cone want us to help her get back?"

"She's evil?"

"That doesn't make any sense."

"I guess that we won't know for sure unless we ask her ourselves next time we see her," Chrysalis said. "In the meantime, we should continue searching for Discord."

Spike and Rainbow agreed, following the changeling queen further away from civilization.

Chapter 23 - Don't Say It...

Grazil Library July 30th 1001

"What?" Graymayne asked. "Why were you afraid I'd say that?"

Blue only stared down at him. Twilight did the same, except she had a look of horror. They stayed like that until Graymayne said: "What are you doing? ANSWER ME!"

"With all that screaming, you just reminded me of the first time I met you," Blue said. "You seemed to keen on seeing me again that day."

"What day? I've never heard of you before yesterday!"

"And how did you hear about me, huh?" Blue snapped at him, making him flinch back. "You were told to kill me. Answer me this: Do you enjoy killing?"

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it."

"And who taught you to enjoy it?"

"My master."

"Do you even know why your master wants me dead?"

"Don't need to."

"And why's that?"

"Because if he wants somepony dead, then he has a good reason."

"How much did he tell you about me?"

"What?"

"HOW MUCH DID HE TELL YOU ABOUT ME?!" Blue shouted.

"He only told me what you look like," Graymayne replied, obviously frightened.

"And of all the times he could have sent you, he chose now. What am I doing at this moment?"

"Your helping her return to her home in Ponyville," Graymayne said as he pointed his muzzle at Twilight.

"And if I was out of the way, who would help her?"

"Nopo-"

"Exactly," Blue interrupted. "He doesn't want her to return home. Why do you think that is?"

At this point, Graymayne had no true answer. He just lay there, thinking about what he said.

"He knows something, Graymayne," Blue continued. "He knows something and has probably lied to you about its truth."

"And what might that be?" he snapped. "What has Discord not told me?"

"Graymayne, your family is not dead."

...

"What?" Graymayne asked, a tear started forming in his left eye.

"He lied to you about your family. Not all of them are dead. They are still out there, and you have to find them."

"No. No you lie! Your trying to get me to turn on Discord for supposedly lying to me! My family died long ago!"

"And Discord, a draconequus of immeasurable power, just so happened to find you out in the streets and take you in. He obviously lied to you about their death. DO you know what he has turned you into?"

Graymayne's eyes went wide, realizing what he was going to say. "NO! Don't say it!"

"What?" Twilight asked. "Don't say what?"

"Don't worry, Graymayne," Blue calmly stated. "I promised that I would not help bring him out."

"How do you know about him? He's only come out once before, and that was an accident!"

"You told me about him. That's how I know. I also know all about Gunner too."

Graymayne eyes went wide after hearing that name. "How do you know about Gunner?"

"Haven't you been listening to me? Since the fight, I've said that we were friends, and that you told me these things."

"And I've been saying that I've never met you before yesterday."

"Yes. I know."

"Then explain how I could have told you these things?"

"My watch."

"What does you watch have to do with this?"

"Everything. This watch is how I met you. This watch is how I know about Gunner and him."

"Am I the only one who is confused here?" Twilight asked. "Who is Gunner? What are you talking about? Who is him?"

"You don't want to know, Twilight," Blue said to her. Back to the original subject, where is Discord's lair?"

"What reason do I have to tell you?" Graymayne asked.

"Because if you don't, then we cannot help you."

"You? Help me? Hah! I'm way beyond saving."

"And who told you that?"

"Discord."

"Figures. Well, if you're not going to help us, then we will have to find out for ourselves."

"And how do you expect to do that?"

"First, we need to get him out of the way."

Graymayne's eyes once again went wide. "Don't you dare."

"Graymayne..." Blue began

"No!"

"...you're..."

"DON'T SAY IT!"

"...a monster."

At this point, Graymayne's coat began to give off a small smoke, as if he was radiating a kind of energy that was built up. His eyes grew dark and spilled the same darkness out of its corners. A wicked smile erupted on his muzzle.

He turned to the two standing next to the bed and said: "Thank you, Blue. I never thought I was going to get out of there. And by somepony who bound me for a pointless reason, too." He tensed up, snapping the ropes that tied him to the bed. He squinted as a dark magic began to flow into his horn and snap the limiter. Twilight stepped back in even more horror as he rose from the bed. "How should I repay you... Oh! The perfect idea! I think I'll kill you. You were so kind as to allow me the right to live."

"B- Blue?" Twilight asked. "What did you do?"

"I brought out the monster in him!" he said, still standing in the same position as earlier. "If I am to help, I need him out of the way!"

"Aww, that's sweet. You brought me out to hold me back. A foolish decision. Now, once I'm done with you, I can terrorize this town!"

"Not if I can help it!" Blue said as he grabbed Twilight and Graymayne before he slammed the button in on his watch. Instantly, they all warped to a new location.

Dimension Between Space And Time

The three of them appeared in what seemed like a blank space. There was nothing here at all. As soon as Blue realized that they landed, he teleported himself and Twilight about 30 feet away from Graymayne.

"Where are we?!" Graymayne asked furiously.

"We are in a dimension between space and time," Blue said. "The only way in and out of here is by my watch."

"Then I'll just have to take it from you!"

"NO!" Blue shouted. He used his magic to pull the watch off and teleported it someplace else. "You will not leave! This fight will go as needed! Even if I lose, I can prevent you from ever terrorizing anyplace ever again!"

"You rotten little... All right then. You want a fight? You got one! Lets dance!"

The two of them charged toward each other, both horns glowing furiously as the battle once again took place.

Chapter 24 - Memories Resurfaced

Dimension Between Space And Time

Blue's Point of View

As Graymayne drew closer to Blue, he conjured up two knives. Blue countered by conjuring two shields to defend. At first, he defended well. But not to long after summoning them, Graymayne focused all his force on one of the shields, causing it to shatter.

Blue was certainly shocked at what he saw him do, but quickly recovered. He teleported behind Graymayne and sent a magic blast strait at him. It hit, but the stallion seemed hardly effected at all by his attack.

"Is that the best you can do?" Graymayne mocked him. "Please, I've seen flies do more damage than you!"

"I'm just getting warmed up!" Blue confidently said as he sent an entire barrage of magic spells at the monster. None of which, did a single thing.

Graymayne continued to laugh as the attacks continued. Secretly, he flew one of his blades behind Blue, and had it fly at him from his blind spot. Blue heard the whistling of the blade coming toward him, but didn't have enough time to evade its attack. It sliced at his back, leaving a huge cut.

"Augh!" Blue screamed. He collapsed to his knees, small trinkets of blood stained his grey coat. He tried to stand, but he felt even weaker than before.

"How do you like my poison blades?" Graymayne asked. Blue's eyes widened in shock. Those blades were poisoned! "I'd say that you have about half an hour to live, granted I don't kill you first."

Grunting, Blue stood to his hooves. He was still wobbling, but he would have to deal with it. He conjured a strap around his wound, preventing any more blood loss. 30 minutes, he thought. I can do this!

He charged once again, only to be slammed back onto the floor by a conjured hand to his left. It came again, but Blue conjured his own hand to counter it. It didn't dispel like last time, but it knocked it out of its path toward him. Blue teleported even further away from Graymayne and sent a barrage of spells at him once again.

Graymayne charged strait at the spells, taking each hit like it was nothing. When the spells stopped, he didn't see Blue anywhere. Blue had teleported to Graymayne's side, charging into him as fast as he could. The stallion was sent about ten feet before slowing and stopping.

"Hmm. Seems that you might have done something worthy of my attention," Graymayne taunted. "Now that that's over, how about I finish this now?"

"N- No..." Blue tried to say, but only managed a small mutter. The poison had caused him to become weaker and weaker. If he went on like this, he wouldn't live to see the next day.

Right when Graymayne was about to deliver the final blow, a sudden flash erupted between them. Blue saw no more for he passed out.

Twilight's Point of View

Twilight stood in horror as Graymayne drew closer to the weakened Blue.

"No..." she said to herself. Graymayne drew his blade over his head.

"NO!"

Without thinking, she teleported between Blue and Graymayne, causing the assassin to flinch. She fired a quick magic bolt at him, sending him back about 30 feet.

"Well," Graymayne said, clearly shocked by what had happened. "You seem to be willing to fight. I'll give you one chance to leave before you get yourself hurt."

"No," she stated. "I will not let you kill him. He and you shouldn't be fighting."

"That's sweet. However, if you won't back off, then you will have to go as well!"

He charged strait at her. Twilight lost all sense of what she was doing and relied on instinct. She sent up a magical barrier right where Graymayne was charging, forcing him to run into it. He fell back at the unexpected barrier. Grunting, he rose once again, conjuring several blades which he flung at Twilight at speeds that Rainbow Dash might not be able to match.

Twilight, still relying on instinct, dodged each of them as they flew past her. Her magic boiled inside of her, firing a complete barrage of spells at the stallion. He charged at them once again, expecting the same result as when Blue did the same thing.

That was where he went wrong.

The first spell that hit him slowed him down. The second made him stop completely. The rest made him fall to the ground. After the barrage stopped, he stood once again, without a single scratch on him.

"Well, you certainly are one feisty unicorn. I might actually enjoy killing you."

Twilight only growled at him, firing another spell. However, Graymayne learned from the barrage that he actually needed to dodge, and that is what he did. He teleported behind Twilight and rammed into her. She screamed and fell to the ground about ten feet away. She was still conscious, but barely. Graymayne walked over to her, conjuring a single knife to his side.

Was this the end? Was Graymayne really going to kill her?

Blue's Point of View

Blue regained consciousness when he heard Twilight scream. Opening hie eyes, he saw Graymayne walking over toward Twilight, a single knife was at his side.

No! This can't end like this!

He charged up his magic and began reciting a spell. His blurry vision made it hard to aim, but he could still see Graymayne. He screamed the words: "Memor esto!" and fired his spell at Graymayne. He fell to the floor once again, the poison's effect slowly taking over.

Twilight's Point of View

Twilight and Graymayne both heard Blue screaming the words: "Memor esto!" before firing a spell at Graymayne. The spell hit the side of his face as he turned to see what was going on. When the spell hit, he flew to the ground at its unexpected approach and strength.

Twilight recovered from the blow that Graymayne caused and stood. She looked over to see him rolling on the ground holding his head with his front hooves.

"What is this?!" he asked furiously. "What is happening?"

There was no reply. Blue was unconscious, and Twilight had no idea what he had done. She saw that the dark energy was fading from Graymayne's eyes and fur. His eyes also turned back from black to their light blue.

He turned to Twilight and said: "S- S- Sister..."

He collapsed on the ground, leaving Twilight alone and lost in this dimension.

Suddenly, another pony appeared not to far from where Blue was resting. Twilight got a closer look at the pony, and saw another completely unbelievable thing.

It was Blue. He looked back at Twilight and said: "Need a lift?"

Twilight nodded. Blue used his magic to pick up his unconscious self and Graymayne, and set them down in reach of his hoof. He grabbed them all, Twilight included, and pushed in on the button of his watch to take them back.

Author's Note

Confused? I'm sure you're not alone. There might be plenty of people who don't understand what is going on. Who they are, I'm not sure. You'll just have to wait until the next chapter to understand it properly.

What is currently going on, at least...

Chapter 25 - Answers

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

Blue had warped them all back to the library. He told Twilight to carry the two of them to the hospital and tell the nurses that these two had gotten into a fight not to long ago. After that, he pushed the button on his watch and disappeared.

She did what he told her to. She especially told them about how Blue had accidentally gotten poisoned, and asked for their emergency treatment on him.

It had been about 12 hours since then. They had reappeared late at night, so it was morning again now. She was waiting for news on how one of them was doing. She figured that Blue was okay, since he knew when he was supposed to come back and help his past self. Truthfully, it was Graymayne she was worried about.

He had seemed calmer than she had ever seen him right before he passed out. And what he had said right before then was even more mysterious.

What was that spell that Blue cast? she thought. What did it do? Why did it calm Graymayne down? Why had Graymayne called me his sister?

These questions continued to form in her head until a nurse came along and began to talk to her.

"Miss Sparkle?" she called.

Twilight looked up. "Yes?"

"We are happy to tell you that yurt friend, Blue, is now going to be fine."

"What about Graymayne?"

"He is still resting. He is completely exhausted from what he went through. He should be up by noon."

"That's good to hear," Twilight sighed. "Is Blue able to take visitors?"

"I'm sorry, but he is asleep as well. We put him and Graymayne in the same room, so you can see them both when they wake up."

"Okay. I'll wait."

The nurse walked away, leaving Twilight in the waiting room.

Path Back To Ponyville July 31st 1001

"Well, this trip was a waste," Rainbow quietly said.

"You got that right," Spike agreed.

The three of them had found nothing about where Discord's lair is. Not even a small sign saying: 'Hey! Discord's this way!' That idea would be silly, but if they seriously found one, they would take it.

"Why did we even bother going on this trip?" Spike asked.

"Because 'Twilight' told Chrysalis to look for it," Rainbow answered. "This is ridiculous! We just so happen to see a Twilight, who is clearly banished, running around telling us to do stuff that would supposedly help her return home. Why would she need to know where Discord is if she can't get to him?"

"I don't know," Chrysalis said. "But I do know that this 'Twilight' said she'd be back at the library after three days. That's where we're headed."

"Well I hope we can get some answers out of her," Spike said.

"Me too..." Rainbow replied.

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

*Around Noon*

Twilight sat in the waiting room all morning. She didn't want to eat until she had at least gotten some answers to what had happened the other day.

The nurse came down the hall once again. "Miss twilight? You are allowed to see your friends now."

"Thank you," she replied as she followed the nurse down the hallway to their room.

When the door was opened, all was quiet. As soon as Twilight came in view of both the stallions, both of them shouted her name.

"Twilight!" they said at the same time.

Graymayne stopped talking and went back to his meal in front of him. Blue, however, continued speaking.

"Its nice to see that you waited all morning to see us," he said. "What you did back there was very brave."

"Thanks," she said.

"Oh yeah?" Graymayne challenged after swallowing the food in his mouth. "She wouldn't have stood a chance if you didn't cast that spell on me."

"Yeah..." Twilight agreed. "What was that spell, Blue?"

"That spell was a memory spell," he said. "Its a spell that brings old, forgotten memories back to the surface of your mind. Basically, it helps you remember what you had forgotten long ago, or something along the lines."

"What memory did you remind him of?"

"My family," Graymayne said, his head looking down at his hooves. "He reminded me about my family, who as he said, were truly not dead."

"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.

"Because... Because you're my sister, Twilight."

Twilight just stood there in shock. "T- That's not possible," she said. "The only brother I have is Shining Armor."

"I never said that you were actually my sister," Graymayne reassured her. "I'm not from this reality. You're my sister from my reality."

"So, you're like Blue?"

"That's correct!" Blue said.

"Then why are you here?"

"My master, Discord, told me to find Blue and get information about The Doctor's whereabouts," Graymayne replied. "Once that was done, I was supposed to get rid of any evidence that pointed to me finding The Doctor."

"Why were you to find The Doctor?"

"Discord ordered it. I fought him once when I was a filly, but he beat me. After that, we tried to find any opportunity we could to attack him again. That chance popped up when I found out about Blue."

"Except," Blue interrupted. "Discord didn't know about who I was. If he did, he might have set me as an individual target for Graymayne. Good thing he didn't too. If he knew, then Graymayne would have gone after you, Twilight, just to get to me. Even without knowing you were his sister."

"So, if I'm his sister," Twilight began, "and if he isn't from this reality... Does that mean that there are other versions of me out there?"

"That's correct," Blue answered. "However, i expected you to already know that when you saw your memories."

"Oh," Twilight realized. "Right..."

"But that's not the point right now. Graymayne?"

"Yes?"

"Will you tell us where Discord is now?"

"I thought that you already knew where he was by now," Graymayne answered. "You already seem to know a lot about me."

"I don't mean your Discord," Blue said. "I want to know where our Discord is."

"Oh, I'm truly sorry, but I don't know that."

...

"You don't know?" Blue asked.

"That's right," he replied.

"Why might that be?"

"Look, I appeared in his lair, but he teleported us to the edge of Equestria. Where he was is a complete mystery to me too."

"So you don't know where he is?" Blue asked.

"I just confirmed that, Blue."

"But you did see his lair, correct?"

"Yes," he said with a slightly sarcastic tone.

"Do you mind if we take a look at it?"

The two other unicorns in the room stared at him for a minute, before Twilight said: "What?"

"I asked him, not you, Twilight."

"How do you expect you do that?" Graymayne asked.

"Simple," he said. "I would like to take a look at the memory you have of the place."

Chapter 26 - Return of Pinkamena Diane Pie

Ponyville Library July 31st 1001

Rainbow and her two companions opened the door to the library. They had been traveling almost non-stop for the past three days. It was good that they were finally back to rest.

But resting would have to wait. When they got a look inside, they saw 'Twilight' in the middle of the room waiting for them. Instantly, Rainbow flew strait at her, knocking her to the ground.

"All right, 'Twilight,'" she said angrily to the pony she had just pinned down. "Who are you really, and why are you sending us on pointless quests?"

"Rainbow, that's no way to treat a friend," a voice to her left said. She turned her head to see 'Twilight' standing not to far from where she was standing. She looked back at what she knocked over, and saw that it was nothing more than a dummy made to look like Twilight. "You could have seriously hurt me."

"How did you-" she began.

"You told me you were going to do that." she answered.

"No, I didn't! I only just came in here!"

"I never said you did it now. I just said you told me."

"Fine, lets say that I did tell you, it still doesn't answer my first question!"

"But you already know who I am, Rainbow."

"No, the Twilight we know is banished, and she can't get through the magical barrier that surrounds Equestria!"

"Yes, she is."

"Then who are you?"

"I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"No, I just said how you can't be, and you agreed to that!"

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm Twilight Sparkle!"

"No, you're no-"

"Rainbow, stop it!" Chrysalis screamed. Both the other mares turned to look at her. "We don't know if she is telling the truth or not. All we know, it that she is here, and we came back to get answers. Tell us 'Twilight,' how are you here?"

"I can't tell you guys that," she responded.

"And why's that?"

"Because its not the right time."

"And when is the right time?" Rainbow asked.

"It won't be for a while."

"Then what can you tell us?" Spike asked.

"That is not the question I would ask."

"Then what question would you ask?" Chrysalis asked.

"I would ask: 'Why would you send us on pointless quests?'"

"But I did ask that!" Rainbow protested.

"Well, I said that I wanted you to find Discord," she continued, ignoring Rainbow's protest. "But that is not the real reason I sent you out there."

"Then why did you send us there?"

"Did you see a shadow?"

"Huh?" they all asked.

"A s- shadow?" Spike asked.

"Yes!" Twilight exclaimed, looking at the baby dragon. "Did you see it?"

"We did," Chrysalis answered. "It told us to beware of something. A future of some sort I think..."

"I need to know what it said!"

"It said to beware of a day where all we know and love will disappear," Rainbow answered. "It also said that he was coming for us all." She stopped and looked around her. All eyes were on her in shock. "What? Am I not allowed to remember what a creepy shadow said?"

"No, its just that your usually the one who listens to other smart people talk." Twilight's horn began to glow a fierce white light. "My time is up." She turned to the three other figures in the room. "Don't worry. I will tell you when the time is right."

With that, she vanished without a trace. The three stood in silence, trying to figure out what happened.

Pinkie's Secret Warehouse July 31st 1001

The time was perfect. Pinkamena Diane Pie was certainly going to find out where Twilight was. She had Chrysalis going around town doing one thing.

And that was scout out information. About a week ago, she found her in the form of Crystal trying to get love to live. She apprehended her and offered her a choice. She gave her the choice of either scouting for information about Twilight, or she would be turned directly over to the princesses, which Pinkie knew she didn't want.

After she accepted the choice of scouting for her, she kept in close contact when they had a free moment to talk. What she recently learned, was that there was a mysterious Twilight roaming around the town, asking her and Rainbow do various stuff to supposedly 'help' her get home.

Not really one of the best things to do, letting somepony else do your dirty work. But that had little consequence. She needed to help get Twilight home, using whatever method she had to in order to achieve that goal. Now that she had the information of what this mysterious Twilight was doing, she would gladly head back and find out who she is herself.

"Now's the time," she said to herself. "Whether I am going to smile today or not, I will find Twilight. Even of it the last thing I do!"

Author's Note

You people probably forgot about Pinkie, didn't you? Well, she's back, and the suspense shall rise.
Also, don't forget to tell me what you think in the comments how the story is going so far. Thanks, and I hope to see you people later.

Chapter 27 - Another Journey Into The Mind

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

Graymayne just stared at Blue. "You want to look at my memory?" he asked.

"Yes, that's right," Blue responded. "You have seen the place, and I want to see for myself what it looks like."

"And how do you expect to look at my memories? They're in my mind, so unless you have a way to get there, you might want to rethink your plan."

"Actually, I do have a plan to do that. Its a simple spell, but I would like your permission to use it on you."

"Why would you want my permission? If you can do it, why don't you?"

"Because if I go into your mind, I will be able to access every memory you have ever had. To me, if I went into your mind, there is nothing safe from me viewing it."

Graymayne sat as still as a porcupine on a cold inter afternoon. If it wasn't the middle of summer, he might have actually frozen. I'm just kidding, but that is slightly funny. However, the 'sat as still as a porcupine on a cold winter afternoon' is true.

"Has he done this before?" he asked Twilight.

"Yes," she said. "He used it to show me a memory when I didn't believe him about something. I didn't know what was going on at the moment, so I didn't think about messing around in his head."

Graymayne scratched his chin. "All right," he finally said. "I'll let you see my mind on one condition."

"And what might that be?" Blue asked.

"Whatever you see in there, don't whisper a word of it to another pony. Not even if it is one of the kindest things I might have done, please don't say anything to anypony else."

"You have my word. Whenever you're ready, we can start."

"Should I come with you?" Twilight asked.

"No," he answered. "This is something that you don't want to see, Twilight. However brave you think you are, you are not ready to see what is in his mind. Not even Graymayne will come with me."

"Why's that?"

"Because I used up most of my magic yesterday. That's the other reason I'm not letting you come with me. I don't have enough magic for more than one."

"Okay, but can you promise me something as well?" she asked.

"Sure."

"Promise me you'll stay safe."

He chuckled. "Twilight, of you knew who I truly was, or what I do, you wouldn't be saying that."

"What do you mean?"

"Now isn't the time to answer that." Blue turned to Graymayne. "Are you ready?"

"Definitely," he said. "What should I do?"

"Just stand still and let me cast my spell."

He obliged as Blue became in horn's reach of him. He lit his horn and touched it to Graymayne's head.

The world slightly faded around him as he entered the mind of his friend.

Graymayne's Memory No Definite Time

Blue arrived in a vast field of black. He looked around, trying to make sense of where he ended up.

This is new, he thought. I've been in plenty of minds, but this one is unlike any other.

He looked in a single direction to see a single door. The door was blood red and had the words 'STAY OUT' scratched onto it. He opened the door to see it lead to another room full of doors. Each one of them were blood red and labeled. One said: 'Torture' while another read 'Solitude.' A third read: 'Assassinations: Failures and Successes' on it. he turned around and saw a fourth door that was recently chained up and boarded. On it, were the two letters: 'M' and 'T.' Blue had an Idea what was behind that one, but he knew he would regret it.

Upon seeing that fourth door, he remembered the battle he had with that creature that Graymayne kept hidden from the rest of the world. He fought him for a reason, which was to hold him back when he entered his friend's mind. If he didn't find a way to stop it, or at least hold it back, he might not make it out of the mind in one piece.

He knew that the monster was only let out once before. That was the fight Graymayne had with Gunner. It was so long ago, that the prison he was kept in began to weaken. He had to fight it in order to enter Graymayne's mind without becoming corrupted. He knew that Twilight was his sister, and that he could control the monster as long as he knew that, but he was too stubborn to just tell him that in the first place.

What was I thinking? I knew that only he could control the monster, and only if he knew about Twilight being his sister. I should have just told him from the start, and that second fight would not have happened.

He turned his head away from the door. He didn't want to look at it anymore. He turned to see many other doors that led to other spots of his mind. Maybe I should send my memories into different sections like this. Much more organized than them just being labeled.

His eyes turned to a single door. Unlike the rest, it wasn't as blood-stained as the others, and had the name: 'Discord' on it. Reluctantly, he opened the door. He saw that the doors inside of this one were also labeled, and had specific events in his life.

He saw a single door to his right and opened it. He saw him training with Discord as a young filly to become the assassin he was 'supposed' to be. He closed the door and moved on. That memory was when he was a filly, so the door he was looking for must be further along.

After moving through what must have been 100 doors, he saw a single door on his left. The label read: 'Other dimension Discord' on it. He slowly walked toward the door, opening it with slow movements. On the other side, he saw Graymayne stepping out of a portal to what must have been Discord's lair.

Instantly, he ran into the memory. He needed to find out where it was, or at least get a clue on the answer. He saw what seemed like a cave, only that it wasn't exactly a cave. It had the makings of a small home, but it was also shaped like the inside of a cave. The walls were certainly decorated, but they were rounded and it grew into the ceiling, which, for some reason, was also decorated.

Around the place, he saw a bed, a small TV, a large mirror(Which, for some reason, was completely black) and other things you might actually see in an everyday home. Wow. Just wow. After all this is over, I might want to live here.

He quickly remembered why he came there in the first place. He walked as quickly as he could to the entrance of the cave. When he reached it, he saw a clear sky above him. The grass was certainly unexpected. Then again, who would expect Discord, God of Chaos, to be living in a field like this?

He got a look around. To his left, he saw the Everfree Forest. To the right, was Ponyville.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" he cried. "He was right next to Ponyville all along?"

The scene suddenly changed. Instead of the peaceful view of Ponyville, he saw the barren wastelands near the edge of Equestria. This must be when Graymayne heads out to Grazil.

"This is the edge of Equestria," Blue heard Discord say. "If what you say about this stallion is true, then he should be helping Twilight Sparkle get back to her home in Ponyville."

"Why didn't you just teleport me to where he is?" Graymayne asked.

"The border has a magical barrier around it. Anything not wanted in Equestria is prevented from entering. However, anything is allowed to leave."

"Why don't you just destroy the barrier? Surely you have the power."

"Actually, I don't. This barrier was created by Celestia, Princess of the Sun. Only she truly knew how to get rid of the barrier."

"Knew?"

"Correct. I'm pretty sure she has forgotten how to turn it off. The point is, I can't get back through once I leave Equestria. Once you're through there, I cannot help you return."

"No worries about that," Graymayne reassured him. "Once my task is finished, my Discord will come and get me out if there."

"If you're so sure, then be on your way," Discord said before disappearing into thin air.

Graymayne turned toward the border between Equestria, and the land beyond.

"You better watch yourself," he said to nopony in particular as he stepped over the border. "Watch yourself, because I'm coming for you Blue!"

The scene suddenly changed once again. "What's going on?" Blue asked. The entire scene was black around him.

"Did you honestly think that you could go through his memories unnoticed?" a voice called.

"Who's there?"

"Why, who do you think it is, Blue?"

That voice. It can't be! "No! I had you held back!"

"Nothing is permanent. You of all ponies should know that."

"What do you want!"

"Well, if I told you that, it would ruin the fun, wouldn't it?" Blue growled at him. "Oh, don't be like that. You already know what I want."

"No, actually, I don't."

"Why, its the only thing that is now trapped with me forever, of course."

Blue's eyes widened and he ran. He ran anywhere he could. Left, right, sometimes up and down. But all of it was pointless. No matter where he went, he always found himself in the room he started in.

"Having fun? Now just stay here," the voice called. "Sleep here... forever..." Blue collapsed on the ground and was encased inside a bubble. He passed out.

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

Twilight watched as Blue rested his horn on Graymayne's head. His horn glowed and then stopped.

"How long is this spell supposed to last?" Graymayne asked.

"Not to long," she answered. "When he did it to me, he said it would only take about a second in the real world."

"It seems to be taking more than a second."

"He's probably just tired. He should be out any second now."

Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes turned to hours. It was actually only one hour, but who's counting?

"Something's wrong," Twilight said. "Something happened to him."

"What could happen to him?" Graymayne asked. "There is nothing that... could... harm... Oh, dear."

"What? What is it?"

"There is something that could have happened to him. You remember yesterday, when he said we have to get him out of the way?"

"Yes..."

"Well, that is why he brought him out. If he entered my mind yesterday, he would have had to fight him without any help. By getting me to control him better, it allowed him to enter my mind without having to worry about him."

"Then what was the problem? If you got rid of him, then why would he be able to hurt Blue now?"

"That's the problem. I didn't get rid of him. I only held him back. If he found Blue..."

Twilight's eyes widened when she understood what happened. "Blue!" she called, pulling him off of Graymayne. His face had a slightly pained expression and looked troubled in a way. "Blue! Wake up! Wake up!"

Graymayne slowly climbed out of the bed. "I'm sorry sis, but it doesn't look like he made it."

"Do you men he's..." Graymayne nodded. Twilight's eyes watered. "Blue!"

Chapter 28 - Don't Die... Please

Ponyville July 31st 1001

Walking through town. Certainly it was something that most ponies were used to. Everypony, every day, does just that.

Well, this pony hasn't done it for some time.

She walked through town like she used to. It seemed so long ago that her friends had been right by her side. It seemed like all that had almost never happened. But she knew in her heart, that it did most certainly happen. Whether one of her best friends were gone or not, she would find a way to get her home. For there is nothing this pony couldn't do.

Well, almost nothing. This is Pinkie Pie we're talking about here.

All of the ponies that saw her walking simply ignored her. Why would they have any reason to help? They didn't recognize her. She was all gray and her hair was flat. Nopony sate her like that except for her friends. She didn't mind them. She wasn't going to be near them soon anyway.

See, she was leaving. She was going to leave Ponyville and fond out who did done doed it. It didn't matter if it would take forever. If she didn't do it, she would never feel happy again.

And that was certainly something she didn't want.

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

The nurse came into the room as soon as she heard the crying. When Twilight and Graymayne told her what happened, she immediately called the doctors.

They didn't tell her the truth about what happened. She would have flipped if they told her. Instead, they told her that Blue had hit his head and seemed to have fallen into a coma.

When the doctors came to examine him, they quickly concluded that they should not worry, and he was indeed in a coma. This relieved the two of them, for they thought he was dead.

Twilight asked the doctor: "Do you know when he will wake up?"

"Hard to say," he replied. "He was fine this morning, and then he was in a coma. He could be out for weeks, depending on what happened." He turned to Twilight. "Do you have any idea how this could have happened?"

"No," Twilight lied. "He was fine right before slipping and hitting his head."

"Well, remember. He is in a coma, so he might react to some things, but unless he actually talks to one of you, he is still in a coma. If he reacts to anything, be sure to tell us right away, okay?"

"Okay..." Twilight quietly replied as the doctor left. "How is he supposed to help me now? He was the only pony in the entire world who could have helped me in this situation, and now he's in a coma. Who's supposed to help me now?"

"Twilight..." Graymayne started, "he wasn't the only pony who could have helped you. Just the first to help."

She turned to him. "What are you saying? Of course he was the only one who could have helped! There isn't another pony in the entire world who could have known spells as powerful or even more so than mine!"

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is always me."

"YOU'RE THE CAUSE OF THIS!" she yelled. "If you didn't have that- that- THING inside of you, none of this would have happened!"

"You think I wanted that thing inside of me!" he snapped. Twilight took a step back in shock. "For as long as I could remember, I've had that monster inside! I've had to control myself every time I lost it, or he would come out! You know what he wants?" Twilight shook her head. "Blood. Nothing but blood for as far as he could see. And with blood came death. If Blue ran into him in my head, you should be thankful that he is only in a coma! He could have died, and we wouldn't have been able to do a thing about it! You think I don't regret what happened to him? Well I do! He was the only one who seemed to know the truth about me, and I was told to get rid of him! Once he made me realize who you were to me, do you know what I felt?"

Twilight shook her head once again. "I felt hope. Hope that I could be free of him. Hope that I could be free of my fate."

Twilight stepped forward. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. I want to help you be rid of him."

Graymayne looked directly into her eyes. "Do you really mean that?"

"Of course I do. Whether you're my brother from another reality, you're still my brother. And what do siblings do for each other?"

"They help each other out," he finished.

They hugged each other for a second. Blue groaned and tried to mumble something, which immediately drew their attention.

"B- b- b-" they heard him say. His breathing was shallow, so they could barely make it out. "B- b- be- ware..."

"Beware? Blue, beware of what?" Twilight asked.

"V- V- Va-Korum..."

"Va-Korum?" Twilight asked. "Who is he?"

She got no reply. Blue's breathing had come to a halt and his muzzle closed. The pained expression on his face remained.

She turned to Graymayne. "Do you know what he meant?" she asked him.

He shrugged. "Not a clue."

"Well, whatever it was, he seemed scared of it." Her thoughts turned to something else as she quickly remembered something. She looked all around Blue's side of the room, but found nothing.

"What are you looking for?"

"The watch. Where is it?"

"Isn't it on his hoof? He is the only one who knows how to use it, and it was the only way we could get out of that dimension he brought us to yesterday."

"No, it isn't," she said. "He wasn't the one to get us put of there."

"Then who was?" Graymayne curiously asked.

"A future version of him. He had the watch, and looked a bit taller than he is currently. This Blue never got the watch back, as far as I could remember."

"What are you trying to make of this?"

"There's still hope for him! He has to live in order to rescue us from that place in his future! Don't you see?"

"Actually, no. I don't see."

Twilight sighed in slight frustration. "Never mind. I thought that if we found the watch, he might give another clue. Then I realized that only he knows where it truly is. Without him, we shouldn't be able to find it." She looked down at the floor.

"Don't worry about it," Graymayne comforted. "We'll get it back to him eventually."

"I know that," she replied, "but it's depressing to think that we were so close to something, just to have to have it lost."

"I've had that my whole life, and I haven't realized that until yesterday."

Twilight smiled at him. "That's kind of sad, when you think about it."

"Yeah, but it's nice to think that I won't have to worry about that once this is over."

"That's true."

The two of them sat for the rest of the evening. That night was about the time the doctor came in.

"Good news Graymayne," he began. "You've just been cleared to leave the hospital."

Chapter 29 - A Terrible Situation

Grazil Hospital July 31st 1001

"Ready to leave?" Graymayne asked. "I thought I would have to stay in the hospital for at least another week!"

"So did we," the doctor said. "However, your internal systems seem to be recovering at a much faster pace than we've ever seen. So, after a quick discussion, we decided you didn't have to stay any longer."

"What about Blue?" Twilight asked. "Can he come back to the library with us?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Sparkle, but since he is still not fit for any kind of travel, and he is in a coma, we have to keep him here."

"Will we still be allowed to visit him?"

"Of course. However, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Visiting hours are over."

"Oh, okay. Lets go, Graymayne."

"Right behind you, Twilight," he replied.

Twilight turned to Blue, who still looked in as much pain as before. "Don't worry. We will come visit you, and we will find out who did this."

With that, she and Graymayne walked back to the library. Once they were there, they debated on what they should do.

"What can we do?" Graymayne asked. "We have no clue on where to look for Discord, only Blue does. We don't have the watch, which only Blue knows how to use, and we don't have a way to find out anything for certain. Lets face it, without Blue, we're lost."

"But there are things that we can do without him," Twilight said.

"Like what?"

"We can research. Look at all of these books. Some of them have history about Equestria that I've never heard of before reading about it. Blue said a name." She scratched her chin. "What was it again?"

"Va-Korum," Graymayne replied.

"Yeah, that's it. Va-Korum. I'm certain that if we looked through some of these books, we will find something about that name."

"Not the best idea I've heard, but its worth a shot."

"Then come on! We have some reading to do!"

Graymayne's Mind *No Time Here*

Blue awoke in the bubble he saw before he passed out. His head throbbed in pain. He stood to the best of his ability in the rounded bubble.

"Oh, are you waking up?" a voice asked. "Pity. I expected you to be asleep for longer. Oh, well. Now I can have some fun with you!"

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

"You don't remember me? Aww. That makes me feel forgotten." Several sounds of fake crying came from the darkness. "After all we've been through, you still treat me horribly. Boo hoo."

Blue's eyes widened in shock as he remembered what was going on. "Let me out!"

"So that you can get rid of me? I don't think so. Besides, its much more fun to keep you trapped where nopony can find you."

"What do you want with me?!"

"Oh, I'm afraid I already have why I want from you. I have you in a situation I know you can't escape. No matter how hard you try, it will be impossible for you to get out." Blue chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, its just that you feel in so much power right now. You have no power at all! Graymayne and I defeated you before, and we can do it again!"

The voice was silent for a minute. "Even now, you are a complete mystery. You speak as if I could lose to you pathetic mortals. Even more, you speak as if I did. Tell me. How could I have been defeated by you?"

"Spoilers."

The voice growled. "I've always hated that saying. First Star Swirl the Bearded, and now you."

"Well, get used to it. You aren't about to forget it anytime soon. But I still wish to know. Why are you keeping me here!"

"If what you say is true about you and Graymayne defeating me, the keeping you here should prevent that, now wouldn't it?"

At that, Blue laughed and fell over inside his bubble. "Now what is it?"

"Oh," Blue tried, but could barely speak because of laughing. "Y- You think that keeping me here will prevent your downfall? Aha ha! Sorry, but that is just priceless!"

"How is it so?"

"First of all, you didn't know about me and Graymayne defeating you until I told you, which means that you have me here for another reason. Second, I said we already defeated you, which means that its already happened. Third..."

A minute passed. "What? What is the third?" Blue didn't respond. "TELL ME!"

"I only helped in defeating you. There was a third pony who helped us all out!"

"And who was that?"

"Gee, I'd tell you, but my mind isn't exactly one with my body."

"Smart-alek."

"Mr. Grumpy-Grump."

This bickering went on for quite a while, so lets skip to the point where one of them changes the subject, shall we?

"Why have you really kept me here?" Blue asked.

"Oh, are you done with insults?" the voice asked.

"Actually yes, and I've already concluded that you don't have me here just because I help defeat you. I want to know why I'm being kept here."

"What reason do I have to tell you?"

"None."

"Then lets keep it that way!" it snapped. Blue could hear hoofsteps getting further and further away from his containment.

Well, while I'm here I should start hoping, he thought. "Hurry up and help me, Twilight, Graymayne."

Chapter 30 - It Returns

Canterlot Castle July 31st 1001

Celestia had troubles. Not the kind of troubles a princess usually went through, just emotional troubles.

Ever since she found out Discord had been released, she had looked for any way possible to get Twilight back from outside Equestria. She found nothing. The magical barrier prevented anypony from returning if they were banished.

She sat on her throne, doing nearly nothing except think. That was when a member of the royal guard burst in and announced something she never expected to hear at this time.

"Your Highness! I know this is unexpected, but...

...It has returned."

Celestia thought for a second before realizing what he was talking about. "Get Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence immediately!" she commanded. The guard left as quickly as he came and Celestia got paper and a quill.

"Spike, she said while writing on the paper. "Get the bearers of the Element of Harmony and bring them all to Canterlot. There is something I must discuss with you all."

She sent the letter using her magic and sat back on her throne. Why now? she thought. Of all the times it could happen, why now?

Ponyville July 31st 1001

Spike was through with trying to find a draconequus. First of all, there was only one in existence: Discord, master of chaos. Second, he could be anywhere in Equestria, and he would have to search it all just to try and find a single clue to where he might be.

So instead, he walked the streets of Ponyville, heading over to Rarity's workshop. He was right at the door when he felt a sensation in his stomach.

And guess what? That was also the same time Rarity decided to open the door to let him in.

She looked down and saw Spike holding his stomach. "Oh hello Spike. If you were going to regret eating something, you at least head someplace else then my boutique."

*BELCH*

The letter came out of Spike's mouth and sacked Rarity in the face, making her scream.

"Spike! Why did you do that?"

"It's not my fault!" he complained. "I don't have much of a warning for when a letter comes!" He bent down and picked up and read the letter. Once he was finished reading it, he turned to Rarity. "We need to get Rainbow Dash and the others!"

"Why's that?" He showed her the letter. Her eyes widened when she finished. "Lets split up. I'll get Fluttershy and Applejack. You try and find Rainbow and Pinkie!"

"Got it!" he replied before the two of them ran off in different directions.

Later, On The Train Bound for Canterlot

"Is everypony here?" Rarity asked her friends.

"I'm here!" Rainbow called.

"So am Ah," Applejack said.

"Umm, I'm here..." Fluttershy said, her voice barely heard.

"Great. Pinkie Pie?" Rarity called.

Everypony there turned their heads toward an empty seat. "Where's Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"You were supposed to get her, Spike!" Rarity said.

"Don't blame me!" he complained... again. "When I went to Sugar Cube Corner, Mr. and Mrs. Cake told me she hasn't been there for over two weeks!"

"Where do you suppose she could be?" Rainbow asked.

"Anywhere in Equestria would be my guess. She is Pinkie Pie."

"We can't worry about that right now," Rarity said. "Princess Celestia called us all to Canterlot to discuss something important. Whatever it is, she wouldn't call for us with such short notice if it was unimportant. Besides, she'll probably show up when we least expect it."

Outside Ponyville

Well, what did you expect? Pinkie isn't on the train, and she is determined to find out more about what is going on. So why wouldn't you expect her to be off the train and searching for clues.

She had a good helper too. Chrysalis was still in dept to Pinkie for keeping her identity a secret.

"You ready Chryssi?" Pinkie asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied.

"Then lets go get Twilight back home."

Canterlot Castle

Rarity and the others arrived not a moment too soon. Princess Celestia was in the throne room waiting for them.

"Princess!" Rarity called. "We came as soon as we got the letter!"

"Thank you, My Little Ponies," she replied. "I'm glad that you're all here."

"What was it you wanted us for?" Rainbow asked.

"You see... the-" She paused, "Where's Pinkie Pie?"

"We couldn't find her," Rarity explained. "But what is it you needed us for?"

"Ah, yes. You see, one thing that I never expected to happen has happened...

...The Crystal Empire has returned!"

Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash all gasped! And then they all had a confused look on their face.

"Um, beggen your pardon, Princess," Applejack began, "but what is The Crystal Empire?"

"Hmm. I didn't expect you to know," she replied. "The Crystal Empire disappeared over 1000 years ago. And was once home to the Crystal Ponies."

"Did you say Crystal Ponies?" Rarity beamed.

"I did. They were a great empire before King Sombra came."

"K- King S- Sombra?" Fluttershy asked with her shaky voice.

"Yes. He ruled over the empire until me and my sister overthrew him using the Elements of Harmony. However, instead of just him vanishing, he cast a spell and made the entire empire vanish. And now, it has returned. And I fear that it isn't the only thing that has returned."

"You don't mean...?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes. That is why I've already sent Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor to The Crystal Empire. They need protection, and those two were the first immediate possible ways of protection. The second were you five."

"But without our elements," Rarity began, "we're powerless against any threat."

"No. You are all friends, and because of that, the power of friendship shall not fail you. Now go, find a way to defeat Sombra, and save The Crystal Empire from doom and destruction that he brings."

Grazil Library

Twilight and Graymayne weren't having much success with finding out who Va-Korum was. No history books ever mentioned him in any way, shape or form.

"Argh!" Twilight screamed. "This doesn't make any sense! How can there be no record possible of anypony by the name of Va-Korum? Whoever in the hoof that is!"

"I don't know," Graymayne said. "Perhaps Blue was just coming up with names in his sleep."

"No. Blue is one of the smartest ponies I've met ever since I've been banished. Besides, he's in a coma. Sleep is one thing, but a coma is another."

"Well what do you think we should do if we can't find out who Va-Korum is?"

Twilight sat for a minute, then grinned. "We find a way to help Blue."

Author's Note

Hello, everyone who has read all the way up to this point. You already know who I am, so I won't bother you with introductions.

I have to tell all of you that I'm sorry for not updating for a long time. I've been busy with other projects, school, and real life. The last one is the worst. I have to say that coming up with ideas has been really hard, and it has infected my writing skills.

I also have to thank all of you for your support on this story. I had a whopping 85 likes and only 18 dislikes, as well as 93 Favorites when I finished this chapter! Seriously, thanks!

Also, I just reached 1000 views on this story! (not total) Thank you all again!

Hopefully, you will see me updating a lot faster in the future and I hopefully will have it finished before the contest is over. Wish me the best of luck, and I will see you later.

Chapter 31 - Close Call

Train Bound For The Crystal Empire August 1st 1001

The train was on it's abnormal route to an empire that hasn't existed for over 1000 years.

The worst part: There's only 5 passengers.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash sat across from each other, hoof wrestling. Rarity was trying to calm Fluttershy down with the help of Spike.

"Don't worry Darling," Rarity said, "we'll just go in, find a way to defeat this naughty king, and then we'll head right back home once everything is fine."

"A- Are you sure he'll be really easy to beat?" she asked back. "H- He is a k- king after all."

"Fluttershy," Rainbow began, "No matter who this King Sombra is, he will not defeat us as long as we are friends."

"But w- we're not anything s- special against him. Without Twilight, Pinkie Pie and The Elements of Harm-"

"Stop yer fussin' and yer worryin' Fluttershy!" Applejack said. "We will defeat 'im, no matter what it takes to do so."

"But-"

"No buts." (Stop Laughing) "No negative thoughts, doubts or anythin' of the sort. We will defeat 'im."

"W- We will d- defeat him," Fluttershy repeated.

"Good. Now do ya want to come over here and cheer me on in this wrestle?"

Grazil Library August 1st 1001

Books are the ultimate resource for all knowledge. Cures of sickness, mathematics, science, ect.

But Twilight wasn't looking for any of that. She was looking for anything to help with a coma. She, with the help of Graymayne, looked all night for any clue for what seemed like a mythical name.

Va-Korum. Must be one of the strangest names ever given to a strange pony- or, whatever he was.

Twilight was still determined to find out who he is, but she can't do that without the help of a friend, who just so happens to be in a coma.

So that is why she was searching in those old books for something on a coma. Blue was the only one with any information on this, Va-Korum, and she was determined to find out who he was.

"Have you found anything Graymayne?" she asked the black stallion who was at the other side of the library, also searching for anything to help.

"Not yet," he replied, "but I'll keep looking."

"Well, I hope we find something soon. We're running out of books to look through."

"I'm sure everything will be fine. How about we take a break and visit Blue in the hospital? Visiting hours are from now until 5 tomorrow."

"Yeah... Lets do that."

Grazil Hospital

Graymayne and Twilight arrived with loads of time to spare. On the way there, Graymayne was feeling regret for what he was doing to Twilight.

He knew all about who Va-Korum was. When Blue had said that dreadful name yesterday, that proved even more that he knew a lot about his past. He kept it hidden from Twilight, for he believed that she didn't need to know.

Telling her would explain a lot, he thought, but she doesn't need to experience that other-dimensional stuff again. Its better if I just keep it a secret.

Blue lay in the same bed from yesterday. He facial expression was still pained.

"Blue," Twilight began, "We need you. Please be okay." She held his hoof with one of her own before continuing. "If you can, please give us a sign, like what you told us yesterday."

Blue stayed motionless on the bed, his breathing was shallow.

Graymayne sat next to Twilight. "Blue... We need you." He wrapped one hoof around Twilight.

And then, he was whacked in the face.

"OW!" he screamed. Then, he looked around the room. "What was that for!"

Twilight looked around in shock. "What?" she asked.

"Some wise guy just hit me! Where'd he go? I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!"

"Umm, Graymayne?"

"Wherever he went, he's going to get it good! He has no idea who he's messing with!"

"Graymayne..."

"Did you see him Twilight? Where did he go? What did he lo-"

"GRAYMAYNE!"

He stared back at her in shock. "What?"

"Look." She pointed a hoof at the bed.

He obliged and saw Blue's hoof from the opposite side of the bed hanging in the air.

"Wha... how...?" Was all he could manage. Twilight walked toward his hoof and poked at it. It stayed in the air where Graymayne's head used to be.

"What did you do?" Twilight asked Graymayne. "When I spoke to him, nothing happened. then you spoke and he whacked your face. You did something, and he reacted."

"I... don't know," he said. "I just said: 'We need you', and wrapped my hoof around your shoulder. Then I was whacked."

"Wait... do you remember when he reacted yesterday?" He nodded. "We had hugged then, and he spoke. Do you see a connection?"

"No."

"Well I do. Whenever you do something positive, he reacts. Do you know what that means?"

He thought for a moment, and then shrugged.

Twilight sighed. "It means that you are the key to helping him."

Train Bound For The Crystal Empire

The train arrived at its destination about ten minutes after Applejack won the hoof wrestle. They exited the train to a cold wasteland.

Rainbow, who's hoof was very hurt after that long wrestle, decided to fly and stay off the injured hoof. The air was very cold, but a pegasus can still fly very well in a cold wasteland like this. They were always flying high in the air, so they were used to the cold.

Rarity was having troubles, given the fact that she wasn't given time to pack anything for the trip. Rainbow guessed that she probably would have packed a hundred scarfs if given the time.

Applejack and Fluttershy were staying very close to each other. Applejack was very resistant to the cold, but Fluttershy was't like other pegasus. The orange earth pony blocked most of the wind coming from all around them, helping Fluttershy with getting around.

Spike was having trouble staying up too. He was small enough to easily be blown away by the strong wind. He kept rolling backwards, and was covered in snow. Rainbow swooped down and picked him up.

"Whew, thanks Rainbow!" he said. "I thought I would never get around here!"

"Whatever you need, Spike," she replied.

"Beggin' yer pardon," Applejack began, "but where is this Crystal Empire?"

All of them turned their heads in all directions possible, only to find little clue about where they were.

"Over here!" a voice called.

They all turned their heads toward the sound of the voice and saw Shining Armor walking toward them. He had a big black scarf over his face, muffling his voice, and a pair of goggles to protect against the snow.

"Quickly! We must get to the empire!"

"What's the rush, besides getting out of this snow?" Rarity asked.

"The Crystal Empire isn't the only thing that returned."

Nopony spoke after hearing those words. Instead, they all followed the former captain as fast as they could through the snow.

They marched on for about 5 minutes before seeing the sight of a magical barrier.

"We're almost there! Just hang on!" Shining said.

Rainbow turned around and saw a dark cloud coming toward them. "What's that?" she asked.

All of them turned around and saw the black mist. "Get to the empire, Now!" Shining screamed.

None had a second thought about looking back. Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack and Fluttershy all went as fast as they could toward the barrier. Spike was still on Rainbow's back.

Shining Armor stayed behind and turned to face the dark cloud. His horn ignited as he was engulfed.

The barrier was simple to pass. It allowed all of them to just run right through without any trouble. Once inside, they all stopped and hoped that nothing bad had happened to Shining Armor.

Chapter 32 - Realization

Edge of Equestria August 1st 1001

Pinkie and Chrysalis had eventually reached their first destination.

"Well, here we are," Chrysalis said. "The edge of Equestria."

"This doesn't really seem like the appropriate way to barricade a border between lands," Pinkie said. "Just an invisible barrier that keeps the ones that are unwanted out? Couldn't Celestia just put up a guard?"

"You forget. She put up the barrier in old war times. They were low on troops, and probably had no other way to defend against any other threats."

"Well, either way, we still have a reason to be out here."

"Are you ready then?"

"More then I'll ever be."

"Then lets go get Twilight back in Equestria."

And together, by the power of friendship, they both made a rainbow bridge that guided them to their destination!

...

Just kidding. They just crossed the border.

Grazil Hospital August 1st 1001

"What do you mean, I'm the key to helping him?" Graymayne asked.

"Do you really not see it, or are you just playing with me?" Twilight asked back.

"The first one."

Twilight sighed once again. "Whenever you do something positive, you help Blue in some way."

"So what should I do? Sing?"

"No, just do something positive again."

Graymayne thought for a minute. "I like pie?"

Both turned toward the sleeping stallion to find that he was still in the same position as earlier.

"Flowers make me happy?"

Still nothing.

"Rainbows are pretty?"

Nothing.

"This isn't getting anywhere," he said. "Do you think it's about something specific?"

"I don't know," Twilight said. "Maybe it had something to do with his spell."

"You mean him going into my mind? Kinda creepy if you ask me. But what's in my head that would be a dan-"

"What?" Twilight asked when he stopped.

"Do you remember when I was screaming at you yesterday? How I said he could have run into the monster inside of me?"

"Y- Yeah. You don't think...?"

"I do think. How else would I have come up with the idea?" He slightly chuckled. "But I do think he ran into him. Do you also remember the fight Blue had with him?" She nodded. "Well, I was about to kill Blue then. The only thing that stopped me was when he cast that spell that made me remember you as my sister."

"Where are you going with that?"

"It's not just positive emotions that made him react, it was positive emotions toward you, Twilight."

Twilight looked back and remembered that is was when Graymayne hugged her yesterday, and when he put his hood around her shoulder not 5 minutes ago that Blue did react.

"So the more positive you are toward's me, the faster we can save Blue?"

"I don't think it's that simple, Twilight. He went into my mind, and then he was in a coma. You don't get into a coma easily, unless you suffer severe head damage. Blue never suffered and damage in the head. Something must have happened to his mind when he was in my head."

"What to you think happened?"

"I think he met the monster in my head. I also think that he has been trapped and can't get out."

Twilight sat for a minute. "What should we do? We can't just leave him in there!"

"I do have one idea. Did Blue ever teach you the spell he used?"

"Yeah," she replied. "He taught me to look back into my memories and re-look at stuff I've forgotten. Do you think that could help us save Blue?"

He nodded. "I need you to use that spell to travel into my mind and free Blue."

Twilight sat down on the floor behind her and thought about that. She gave a grin at one point, but almost immediately turned into a frown.

"I would love to," she said, "but Blue never taught me how to do that."

...

"But didn't he teach you to enter a mind?" Graymayne asked after the pause.

"He taught me to enter my mind. Not another pony's mind."

"Don't you think you could do it?"

"Perhaps. Did Blue tell you to do anything before entering your mind?"

"Nope. He just did the spell. As far as I was concerned, I was just going to let him do it and hope for the best."

"Then do you trust me?" Twilight asked him.

He paused and looked at his sister. "Of course I trust you, Twilight. I trust you more than anypony now."

"Then I will try to enter your mind."

There was a pause for about 5 minutes. "You sure about that Twilight? I mean, Blue did say that my mind wasn't the safest place for you to go."

"I know, but he needs our help. That's more important than worrying about him to be safe."

"So you aren't going to rethink that?"

"Nope."

"Then I'll let you do just that," he said smiling.

"Okay. Place your horn on Blue's," she commanded.

"Why?"

"Because we want to return his mind to his own body, don't we?"

"True." He placed his horn on Blue's. "Now what?"

"Now, I attempt the spell. Stay still."

Her horn lit up and she lowered it to the already two connected horns. Upon contact, she felt a huge burst of energy flow through her. She nearly stepped back, but held herself in her solitary position. Her magenta colored horn ignited even more, and she pictured her mind going into another's.

Then everything wen't black.

Graymayne's Mind No Time Here

Twilight's vision cleared and she found herself in a dark wasteland. She stood on her four hooves and looked around.

She found Graymayne on the ground not 20 feet from her current position. She ran over and shook him awake.

"Graymayne, get up!" she said.

"Mmm, five more minutes..."

"No, NOW!" she screamed into his ear.

"Ow!" he said, now up and rubbing his ear. "What was that for?"

"Umm, we need to find Blue?" she asked in a tone that said 'this is obvious'.

"Who's Bl- Oh right!" he said, remembering. "Sorry."

"Never mind that. Where are we?" She took another look around her surroundings. Graymayne did the same.

"I don't know," he said. "But if I were to have one guess, I'd say it's my mind."

Twilight looked at him. "Any why do you say that?"

"That door right over there," he said, pointing a hoof behind her.

She turned and saw a door. It was blood red and had the words 'STAY OUT' on it. "What makes you think that this door is in your mind?"

"Who else do you know would want someone outside of their mind?"

"Point taken."

Graymayne walked up to the door. He reached for the handle, but found that it was already opened. He turned back to Twilight, who gulped. He opened the door and stepped through. Twilight hesitantly followed him.

On the other side of the door... were more doors.

"Well, this is a bit weird," she said.

"Hey!" Graymayne shouted. "My mind!"

"Sorry."

There were loads of doors in this never ending hallway. Twilight noticed that one of them was certainly different. It was boarded up and chained closed. Just outside of one of the boards were the two letters 'M' and 'T' on it.

She turned to Graymayne. "What's behind this door?" she asked.

Graymayne, who was currently staring at another door not far away, turned to her. He frowned at the door. "If my theory from yesterday is correct, then Blue's behind the door."

"Then we should head in, right?"

"I... don't know," he said. "I fear that there is one other thing behind the door."

"What?"

He just looked at her and shook his head. "I think you already know." Twilight gasped. Graymayne kept his face of disapproval on before talking to Twilight again. "Before I open the door, can you promise me something Twilight?"

"Yes..."

"Don't let me succumb to the monster inside of me."

She was struck with slight relief and then smiled. "I promise. As long as you are my brother, I will never let him control you."

He smiled back. Then he went up to the door and began to tear away the boards and chains.

Chapter 33 - Mind Tricks

Graymayne's Mind No Time Here

It took nearly an hour to them, but Graymayne finally threw the last board onto the ground. The door was a darker shade of red then on the other doors. And the two letters that were originally on the door now showed the entire word.

'MONSTER', was the word.

Twilight was sitting on the ground about ten feet away, out of range of any boards that might have flown her way. But now that the job was done, she walked next to her brother.

"'Monster...'" she read aloud. "Is that all you call it?"

"No," Graymayne responded. "He has another name."

"What is it?"

He stayed silent. "Come on. We need to get Blue out of here."

Twilight gave an annoyed face, but he didn't see it. He was walking up to the door. What are you hiding? she wondered.

The door opened without any trouble, just like the first door they opened. It was pitch black on the other side, so neither could see their way.

They looked at each other, and stepped through together. Almost immediately, the door closed behind them, making them both jump into the air.

The door disappeared behind them into the blackness. That certainly didn't help the mood. They both looked ahead and few other doors that obviously led to memories Graymayne had with this monster.

But they weren't looking for memories if the monster. They were looking for their friend in this dark place.

The cackling laughter in the distance didn't help.

"Poor Graymayne and Twilight," a voice said. "All alone in this dark world without any way of leaving. Looks like you're going to be stuck here, just like Blue before you."

"Enough of this! What have you done with Blue?" Graymayne shouted to the voice.

"Me? I haven't done anything to him. Unless you're implying that trapping him inside your mind, completely unable to do anything on his own is something."

"Where is he!"

"If you want him, he's right over there." That's when several torches lit up around a bubble hanging in the air. And inside the bubble...

...was Blue.

"Blue!" Twilight shouted. The stallion in the bubble's ears perked up at the mention of his name. "Blue! I'm so glad you're safe!"

The gray stallion in the bubble said nothing. Instead he chuckled and the bubble vanished from sight. "You think i'd give him back that easily?" he asked with he voice from earlier. His image blinked several times and was replaced by Graymayne.

But this Graymayne was more menacing, and had the same evil look in his eyes from when Blue released him.

Twilight stepped back. "H- How did you...?"

"You like it? Spending almost all my time in Graymayne's pathetic mind has taught me many things. Like this!"

His horn lit up and fired directly at Twilight. It hit her and she screamed. But there was no pain. there was only a hole where the beam impacted.

"What did you do to me?" she asked.

"That's nothing," the monster said. "I can be much worse!"

His form changed again. This time, the background changed too.

Twilight was back in Canterlot Castle's throne room. "W- What?"

"I'm disappointed in you, Twilight."

She turned to see her teacher staring at her. "How dare you fall to a simple trick like a changeling's disguise! The fate of Equestria is at steak because of your weakness!"

Twilight stepped back in horror. "I- I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to..."

"Of course you did! You allowed yourself to be tricked without even considering the possibility that there was a changeling tricking you! if you were to fall to something as simple as that, you don't deserve to be my student!"

A tear formed in Twilight's left eye. "You don't really mean that..."

"I mean everything I say! You should have left my studies long ago!"

Twilight now lay on the floor beneath her and cried. That was until somepony put their hoof on her shoulder. She looked and saw Blue standing over her.

"This isn't real," he said. "None of this is!" He stomped a hoof on the ground and the walls around them faded.

"H- how did you get out?" the Celestia in front of him asked. "I had you trapped in that bubble!"

"The same way you're causing these illusions, Va-Korum!"

Twilight heard that last word and looked between Blue and Celestia. "But, she's Princ-"

"No he isn't!" Blue shouted and stomped his hoof on the ground again. This time, the alicorn in front of them shimmered and returned to the form of the Monster. "His name is Va-Korum, and he's the entire reason that Graymayne has been an assassin for Discord!"

"Humph. You really do know a lot about me, Blue. Sadly, this illusion just got more real!"

He leaped at the two ponies. Twilight freaked out, but Blue kept calm and stomped his hoof on the ground once again. This time, the monster vanished completely.

Twilight looked back up. "H- How...?"

"He was never here," Blue said. "He was an illusion that he used to separate you and Graymayne."

Twilight's eyes widened and looked around for the black stallion. "Where is he?"

"He was never here. It was all an illusion created by Va-Korum to try and trap you here with me. That would leave him completely vulnerable."

"But, how were you trapped?"

"He got the upper hand and surprised me."

"How did you get free?"

"The same way I just did all those things by just stomping my hoof. That reminds me, I nearly forgot about that hole in you." he stomped his hoof again and the hole in Twilight's was fixed. "Is that better?"

She sniffed. "Yes, but how?"

"Twilight, we're in the mind. Anything is possible in here with a little imagination."

"So if you wanted to have some ice cream, it could appear?"

"Well, yes, but I think we should focus on getting out of here."

"Right. So how do we do that?"

"Not 'we'. You."

"Me?"

"No, you. Weren't you listening?" He chuckled. "I still have to get back to my own mind. There's also one last thing I have to do. But I'll wait until I get it back before doing so."

"It?" Twilight asked.

"You won't stop me that easily, Blue!" the monster shouted.

"No time to explain. Go!"

he stomped his hoof again and a vortex appeared underneath Twilight. With no time to react, she fell through.

Grazil Hospital September 1st 1001

Twilight gasped and opened her eyes. She was back inside the hospital where she cast the spell.

"What happened?" Graymayne asked. "I didn't get inside. What did you see? Did you free Blue?"

"Did you ever learn to shut your yap?" a new, friendly voice spoke.

Both of them jumped at the new voice and turned in it's direction. They both saw Blue sitting up in his bed.

"Blue!" they both shouted as they ran towards him.

"Geez, did you both really miss me that much? I never knew you cared that much Graymayne."

They all laughed and hugged each other. Blue's eyes opened and fell upon the door to the room.

"Um, Twilight?" he said. "I think you have company."

She lifted her head and followed his gaze toward the door. There is where she saw two ponies she'd probably never see again.

Pinkie Pie and Chrysalis.

Chapter 34 - Barely Surviving

The Crystal Empire September 1st 1001

Shining Armor came through the magical barrier not a minute after Rainbow Dash and her friends. He had held the dark cloud back so that the rest of them could come through.

But at a terrible price...

"Shining Armor!" Rainbow called to him. "What happened?"

"I- I held h- him back," he managed between breaths. "Don't worry about me. Are you all safe?"

"I am," Rainbow called.

"Me too," said Spike, who was no longer on Rainbow's back.

"I'm okay," Rarity said.

"M- M- Me too..." Fluttershy said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ah'm okay," Applejack said. "But what in tarnation was that?"

"That was the evil King Sombra," Shining said, making all of his guests gasp. "After Celestia and Luna banished him using the Elements of Harmony, he struggled to maintain form in the 1000 years he was gone. He failed, and that was what was left of him."

"All that?!?" Rainbow asked. "That cloud was enormous!"

"That was all the evil that was contained in him for 1000 years. He is regaining his form, but very slowly. I'd say that by no later than three hours from now, he will have regained his form."

"But he's just a cloud right? Can't we just blow him away using a pegasi's wings to create a breeze?"

"No. He may be a cloud, but he has full control over his form. Not even those winds outside could stop him."

"Pardon me for interrupting," Rarity began, "but what's with those black crystals in your horn?"

His eyes widened in shock and he reached up to his horn. Sure enough, there were many black crystals in bedded into his horn. He tried to cast magic, but he found it useless within a few attempts.

"I'm afraid that he's prevented me from using magic," he said. "But that doesn't matter anymore. What does matter is that you're all here and can defeat Sombra, right?"

Rainbow looked around at her companions. Applejack had lost determination in her eyes to complete the mission, along with the others. Fluttershy was recovering the trama, and Rarity, along with Spike, were downright scared of Sombra.

"We'll do our best!" Rarity said with an obviously fake smile.

"Well, I'm heading back to the castle. I need to comfort my wife. She's weak from keeping the barrier spell going."

And so he left, leaving four ponies and a dragon on the grass of the protected empire.

"What are we going to do?" Spike asked. "How are we going to stop King Sombra?"

"Ah don't rightfully know," Applejack said to him. "Even if we did have the Elements of Harmony, we couldn't use 'em without Twilight and Pinkie."

"We'll do what we can," Rainbow Dash said, making all her friends turn to her. "We'll find a way to defeat him. We've always found our way through tough situations like this, right?"

Her friends just kept those depressed faces on them. They were all unsure about how this would end.

Pinkie could make them smile, Rainbow thought. She could always find a way to brighten up our moods.

"Can't you all just show a little support for the situation?" she asked her friends.

...Probably shouldn't have said that...

Her friends' faces, excluding Fluttershy, immediately became slightly ticked off and they made their way to the Crystal Castle in the town.

She stopped flying and landed on the ground beneath her. She tilted her head towards the ground and sighed. "Was it something I said?"

One Hour Later At The Crystal Castle

Spike, Rainbow Dash and all their friends were gathered inside the castle, wondering what should be done about the situation.

"What can we do?" Spike asked.

They all sighed. "Twilight would know," Fluttershy said in her already quiet voice. "She always knows what to do."

That's true, Spike said to himself. Twilight would find some way to stop all of this.

An idea flared through his little head. (Laugh all you want) "What would Twilight do..." he quietly asked to himself.

"What was that Spike?" Rarity asked.

He turned to her. "I was just wondering what Twilight would do in a situation like this."

"Well," she started, "I would look for some research on the situation and find a solution based off that."

"Research..." Spike repeated. "Research... Study... History... History?" He turned to Rainbow. "What do we know about the Crystal Empire?"

"How should I know anything?" she asked back. "Celestia said that it disappeared over 1000 years ago! I doubt any records in our time today have records about that."

"But what about what disappeared with it?" he suggested. That made all their heads turn toward him. "What about records that The Crystal Empire held when it vanished?"

"That's that weirdest idea Ah ever heard," Applejack commented. "But it's the only thing we've got. Lets try it!"

Crystal Empire Library

The five of them arrived after finally finding it. That took about 30 minutes, I guess.

"Excuse me," Spike asked the librarian, "but where would the history books be kept?"

"History..." she said. "History... Ah, yes."

All of the ponies (And dragon) smiled at her comment. But when she didn't respond...

"Um, they would be where exactly?" Rarity asked?

She looked around wildly. "I- I can't seem to remember... I don't even know if I actually work here..."

"Argh!" Rainbow Dash said. "We'll never get anywhere like this!"

"Yes we will," Spike said, completely confident. "We just have to find it ourselves!"

One Hour And Twenty-Nine Minutes Later...

"Found it!" Rainbow Dash finally said. "It was on the top shelf of the comic section. Man, it's like this library hasn't been used in 1000 years!"

"That's 'cause it ain't been used in that long," Applejack said. "Now hurry up 'n bring the book down here Rainbow!"

"Alright now, hold your horses." (Stop laughing. This is serious business) "It says that annually, they held a crystal fair, and they got all the citizens positive to power some crystal heart thing."

"What in the hay does that mean?"

"I don't know!" Rainbow complained.

Suddenly, the ground shook. Immediately, they all ran outside and saw the flickering of Princess Cadence's barrier. In nearly an instant, it faded from existence.

"We're too late," Spike said. "He's already broken through."

There was still a dark cloud in the distance, but at the front, there was a dark unicorn at the front of it.

"King Sombra..." Applejack said.

"He won't get away with this as long as I'm here!" Rainbow said before flying strait off at him.

But before she could even get close, another dark cloud engulfed her, and she fell strait to the ground.

"You think that will stop me?!" she shouted. She attempted to turn around, but found it impossible as she fell even further. "What?" She looked at her wings. Embedded in them were the same black crystals that were in Shining Armor's horn.

"My wings!" she shouted. She looked back between them and the ground she fell toward. "We... Lost..."

Author's Note

This chapter was too quick, I know. I'm sorry, but I'm starting to feel rushed with the story. The contest for this story ends in like, two weeks or something. I know that there isn't much to talk about since I'm cutting this story off for the sequel, but it was hard to come up with ideas for what to do for this chapter. Remember, it was Twilight who did most of the stuff in the actual episode.

In other thoughts, I'd like to thank Graymayne for giving me the one idea that allowed me to come up with the rest of the chapter. If it weren't for him, you might have had to wait longer for the chapter, or something else...

All that's left now, I believe, is the final chapter and the epilogue. See you then!

Chapter 35 - Goodbye

Grazil Hospital September 1st 1001

"W- What are you two doing here?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie didn't waste any time talking. She immediately launched into the air and landed on top of Twilight.

"Oh, I'm so happy to see you again!" she said. There were several tears that trickled down her cheek and onto Twilight's back. "I- I thought I'd n- never see you again!"

"P- Pinkie! Y- Your... squeezing... too... hard!"

*Sniff* "Sorry, Twi. I'm just so happy to see you!"

"I'm happy to see you too Pinkie! But... why are you here?"

"We came to get you," Chrysalis said. "Pinkie insisted that she come out here to get you to return home."

"Really?" Twilight asked. "Why didn't you send me a letter?"

"If we did, then Spike would have known. Then he would have told the rest of us to come. Not everypony in Ponyville knows that Chrysalis is staying there."

Twilight nodded. "Oh! I forgot to introduce you. Pinkie, Chrysalis, these are two new friends I made ever since coming here, Blue and Graymayne." She pointed a hoof at the gray stallion, and then the black one. "Blue, Graymayne, this is Pinkie, the Element of Laughter..."

"Hey," Graymayne said.

"Hi Pinkie!" Blue cheered.

"And Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings."

"Blue..." Chrysalis growled.

"Chrysalis..." Blue growled back.

"Wait," Graymayne said, "do you two already know each other?"

"You could say that," Blue replied. "The Doctor and I have some history with her."

"Harsh history," Chrysalis agreed.

"Stop it you two," Twilight commanded. "This isn't the time to dwell on that subject."

"That's right!" Pinkie said. "Come on Twilight! We need to get you home!"

Twilight turned to Graymayne and Blue. "Are you two coming?"

"Definitely!" Graymayne said.

"Actually..." Blue began, "Graymayne, do you mind if I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure."

Blue turned to the three girls. "Go on. I'll catch up."

"All right," Twilight said. "We'll be at the library if you need us."

"They have a library here?!" Pinkie asked as the walked out. "Were you living there while all of us stayed in Ponyville wording about you?"

Twilight chuckled. "Yes, actually."

And that was all that they could hear before the door closed, leaving the two stallions to talk.

"So, what is it you want to talk about?" Graymayne asked.

Blue sighed. "Do you remember the first thing I said to you?" he asked.

"What does that have to do with anything? Of course I do. I was at the library looking for you when you came in the door and shouted my name."

"Hmm. Yes, that was the first thing I said to you..."

Graymayne shifted at the floor of Blue's bed. "Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing much, actually," Blue confessed. "It's just that you never remembered it."

"What do you mean?”

"Do you remember how I said I met you before? About how I already knew all about you and stuff?"

He tilted his head in thought. "Now that you mention it, yes... I do remember you saying something about that."

"I see..."

"Blue, what does this have to do with anything?"

The gray stallion didn't answer. Instead, he got up from the bed he was lying on and stared out the window. "I said his name, didn't I?"

"What are you talking about Blue? Who's name?"

"Va-Korum."

That caused Graymayne to remain silent. "...Yes... you did."

"Hmm..." He stared at his hooves, which were mounted on the windowsill. "It's a funny thing, Time."

"Time?"

"That's right. To me, it's funny. You never meet everyone you're supposed to in chronological order."

"Huh?" Graymayne asked.

"Time order," he continued. "Correct order. Past to future. To me, that nearly never happens."

"What do you mean?"

"I almost never meet everyone in the correct order. Like you, for example."

"Me?" Blue nodded. "You mean... You really did meet me before we fought?"

"...Yes... That's right. I met you before."

"But what is all this talk about me not remembering?"

Blue stayed silent for a minute. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For what I'm about to do. I'm so sorry, but this has to happen."

He turned from the window, left hoof held out. In a sudden flash of light, his hoof glowed for a second, and then stopped. On his wrist was now his watch.

"Hey! Your watch is back! Where was it?"

"Nowhere, and yet, everywhere," he replied, turning the dials on it. "More specifically, someplace I'm going to in the future."

"But I thought you teleported it away."

"No. I sent it into the future, where I'm going to go and send it back to this very moment. So that I can do what I'm about to do."

"And that is...?"

Blue tilted his head toward the ground and shook it to the left and right. "I'm so sorry for doing this, but it has to happen."

"What?"

There were no more words spoken. Blue's horn glowed brightly and landed on top of Graymayne's head. In nearly an instant, he moved away and Graymayne fell to the floor.

"You never did remember all this..." Blue said. "All you remembered about me is a failed assassination attempt. And I guess I truly know why now. It was because of me. I did it to you, and now I live with the consequences."

He brought his hoof down and placed it on Graymayne's limb back. Using his magic, he pushed the dial in, and they both vanished from the hospital.

Grazil Library September 1st 1001

Twilight, Pinkie, and Chrysalis were sitting at the library, conversing about what to do next.

"How are we supposed to get back?" Twilight asked. "There's a magical barrier that keeps out anypony that was banished, or isn't wanted in Equestria."

"We could try to sneak in!" Pinkie suggested.

"How do you sneak past a barrier?" Chrysalis asked.

"By being really sneaky!"

"That doesn't work Pinkie," Twilight told her. "They are meant to keep anypony out. That reminds me..." She turned to Chrysalis. "At the wedding, didn't my brother send you and your changeling hoard out of Equestria?"

"Yes, but please don't call them a hoard. They are a specific race, and we do not wish to be called that."

"Sorry."

"But back to the original question, yes, I was sent out of Equestria."

"Well, do you remember how you got back?"

"No, not anymore. I had thrown out the painful memories of The Outlands when I got back into Equestria."

"The Outlands?"

"Yes. This town here rests just on the edge of The Outlands. If you had gone any further, Twilight Sparkle, you would have had to find your own way to survive.

She gulped. "That bad, huh?"

"Yes, they were. Anyway, after I got back to Equestria, I did my best to forget anything outside of Equestria, including the barrier." Her eyes suddenly flashed for a second, and she tilted her head up. "You know, I believe you asked me that question before?"

"Huh? No I didn't."

"No, I remember clearly that it was you who asked me how to get back into Equestria."

"When was this?"

"About a week prior to today, I think. You appeared in front of me, asked me about how to get back into Equestria, and vanished without a trace."

"But, I've been here in Grazil the past week. That's not possible!"

"Don't talk to me if that's impossible or not, but that's what happened."

"Are you sure we can't sneak past the barrier?" Pinkie suddenly asked.

"What?" both Chrysalis and Twilight asked at the same time.

"Pinkie, we already told you, that's not possible," Twilight said.

"Have you tried it?"

"Well... no..."

"Then how do you know that it doesn't work?"

Twilight sighed. "We don't."

"Then lets go try it!" Pinkie said while bouncing out he door.

Twilight shook her had and looked at Chrysalis. "We don't have anything else to do. I say we at least try it. You go with Pinkie. I'll go see what Blue and Graymayne up to."

The two of them exited the library and went their separate ways. Twilight walked down to the hospital. On the way, she came across the town hall building.

I should probably tell Looker that I won't be working at the library anymore. She averted off her original course and entered the building.

"Looker!" she called. "Are you here?"

"In the back!" came a voice. "Come on in!" Twilight followed the direction of the voice and found Looker in his office. "Ah, Miss Sparkle. What can I help you with?"

"I wanted to tell you that I was going to be headed back home now," she said. "My friends came for me, and we might have found a way I could return."

"Really?" he asked, obviously intrigued. "Well the Miss Sparkle, I wish you good luck. And don't worry about the library. I'll head over there later and take care of it personally if nopony else will."

"Thanks Looker."

"Anytime."

She proceeded to exit the building and found herself on the same road she walked not five minutes before. She took a look at her surroundings.

You know, she thought, I might actually miss this place. It provided me with a home when I had none.

She eventually reached the hospital and told one of the recipients what she was doing.

"That's fine," they said. "Just make sure its quick. Visiting hours are almost over."

"Alright!" She then walked down the familiar hallway to the room Blue was supposed to be.

"Blue?" she called while knocking on the door with her hoof. "It's Twilight! I'm coming in."

She opened the door and looked at the empty room before her.

"Blue?"

Epilogue - Return To Equestria

Edge of Grazil September 1st 1001

Pinkie and Chrysalis stood at the end of town waiting for Twilight.

"Here she comes!" Pinkie said as she noticed Twilight walking toward them.

"So, where's Blue and Graymayne?" Chrysalis asked her when she was close enough.

"I... don't know..." she said. "I went to the hospital, but they weren't in the room. I asked the staff, but they said that besides us, nopony left the room."

"Where do you think they went?"

"I don't know. Knowing Blue, he could be anywhere."

"Well, let's not waste any more time standing here!" Pinkie said. "Blue said he'd catch up later, and he will! Right now, we should get you back home!"

Twilight smiled. "I'd like that..."

Edge of Equestria September 1st 1001

"Well, here's the border," Twilight said. "What was your idea again Pinkie?"

"To sneak past it!" she cheerfully replied.

"Right... And how do you purpose we do that?"

"Like this!" she said, falling flat onto the ground and moving like some kind of spy.

"Pinkie, you look ridiculous," Chrysalis commented.

Pinkie ignored her and just continued her weird movements. Eventually, she passed the border and was back in Equestria. "See, it works!"

"That's because you're not the one they want to keep out," Twilight said. "Me and Chrysalis here are the ones who would have trouble."

"Then stop talking and try it for yourselves!"

Twilight and Chrysalis both shook their heads. Twilight slightly stepped back, but Chrysalis fell completely to the ground and started moving like Pinkie did.

"What the heck," Twilight said as she fell to the ground herself and started crawling.

The border seemed to just creep closer and closer as Twilight and Chrysalis laid on the ground. Right before it reached her, Twilight closed her eyes and expected to collide with the invisible barrier.

But it never came.

She opened her eyes and looked around her. She was across the border. She was home.

"See? I told you it would work!" Pinkie said.

"That's strange," Twilight said to herself. "There was no magic at all. Wonder what it could mean..."

"Come on Twilight!" Pinkie called from a slight distance. Twilight looked up and saw her friend walking the path back to Equestria. "Let's go home!"

"Home..." Twilight repeated, smiling. "I'm coming home."

She ran after Pinkie and Chrysalis. She had no idea what awaited her there.

To Be Continued In: The Rise of Twilight

Author's Note

And it's finally finished! After about three months of hard work, school, thinking, and brainstorming, it's finally finished!

I'm sure you all want to read the sequel now, or at least something that would relate to this. Well, I'm sorry to say this, but I won't be continuing this story for some time. I wish to take a break from this and work on some of my other stories.

But there is something I could point you to if you want something that relates to this. You should go check out Graymayne's story: The Shrouded Stallion. This will give you more of an insight on his O.C.

Welp. (Did that on purpose) Until next story!

Chapter 2 - Spells and Consequences

Ponyville Library July 15th 1001

The spell was extremely complicated. It required a lot of things just to be cast. In order for it to actually take effect, Twilight was going to have to use the Elements of Harmony.

"I've never seen a spell that requires the Elements of Harmony," Twilight said. "This is going to be extremely difficult to cast too. Are you sure you wish to continue to attempt to cast it?"

"Yes," Crystal replied. "I always wanted to know if this spell was truly able to be cast by anypony who isn't an alicorn."

"Well, since this spell is extremely difficult, it will take awhile to get all of the necessary procedures ready for this spell. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes, but how long do you think it would take to get the ingredients?"

"About 3 days."

"Three days..." she said. "I can wait three days."

"The first thing we need to do is inform the princess of this so we can get the Elements of Harmony for the spell. Spike!"

"Yes Twilight?" Spike called back.

"Take a letter."

Spike pulled out a letter and began to write down what Twilight was saying.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I am writing to you, not because I learned another lesson yet, but because a new spell has been introduced to me. The spell requires a lot of preparations, and will take about three days to prepare. But there is another thing that is required to make the spell work. The Elements of Harmony. I do not know why the elements are needed, but a mare by the name of Crystal has asked me to make this spell work, and fulfill her wishes of knowing if this spell is able to be cast by anyone who isn't an alicorn. All I ask is that you send the elements down to Ponyville as soon as possible, and wish me the best of luck on completing this spell. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Ponyville July 16th 1001

Twilight began work for the spell right after she sent the letter. The princess didn't reply right away, but Twilight could understand why. The changeling attack on the castle had caused a lot of damage, and she was probably very busy with trying to repair all of the destruction they caused.

The first item on the list was a core of an apple. Twilight went down to Sweet Apple Acres to get an apple.

She stopped by Applejack, who was working hard in the field.

"Hey, Applejack," she called out.

The farmare turned toward Twilight with a whole lot of sweat on her forehead. "Howdy, Twilight," she called back. "What brings you to Sweet Apple Acres this fine morning?"

"I need a favor, Applejack."

"Well, go on then, shoot."

"I need the core of an apple for a spell I got from a mare yesterday."

"Hmm, that's strange. I never heard of a spell that needed the core of an apple. What kind of spell is it?"

"Its a peace of mind spell. Supposedly, this spell is supposed to give you complete peace of mind."

"Seems complicated. Ah'd be happy to help a friend with a new spell."

"Thank you Applejack. I'll tell you how it went."

"See ya later, Sugarcube."

Ponyville Library July 18th 1001

The rest of the items that Twilight had to gather had been really easy over the past few days. She got cold milk from the Cakes, a feather of a Pegasus from Rainbow Dash, even though she wasn't to happy about it, and the scale of a sea serpent in the Everfree Forest.

All that was left was for the elements from the princess to get here.

At what couldn't seem like a better time, Twilight revived a package from Princess Celestia.

Twilight opened the package to find a letter, and a chest.

Twilight unfolded the letter that read: My faithful student, I am sorry for these not to get to you sooner, but I did not think spike could handle such a big package. Inside the chest are the Elements of Harmony. I hope that your spell goes well and I wish to know the results of this spell, for I have never heard of a spell that requires the elements. Your humble teacher, Princess Celestia.

"So," Crystal began. "Are we ready to cast the spell?"

"Yes, I do believe so, Crystal," Twilight responded. "We have everything we need."

"Then lets get started."

Over the course of 3 hours, Twilight and Crystal prepared the spell for peace of mind.

"All right, here goes nothing," Twilight said as the glow of her horn increased in magnitude.

Twilight concentrated as hard as she could. In fact, she couldn't believe how hard she was trying. It took 3 days to get all of the necessary ingredients for the potion, the Elements of Harmony, and high magical skill. There was no way that she could get this spell wrong.

At that moment, a giant purple cloud erupted from the cauldron in front of her, knocking her back into the bookshelf.

Twilight shook off the pain that flared in the back of her head. She looked over at the potion halfway across the room. It was still smoking in the center, but by the color of the liquid, she could tell that the spell had worked.

Discord's layer July 18th 1001

-Quick little note right here. Discord had escaped from his stone prison in the Prolouge of the story. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest that you read it before continuing.

It had been a little over a week since Discord had been released by Chrysalis, the changeling queen. And how reward for waiting so long to attack Equestria would end in total success!

Chrysalis is too gullible, Discord thought to himself. The only reason she is doing this is because she wants revenge for what Twilight did to her at the wedding. She doesn't even begin to think what I plan to do with Equestria once Twilight has been banished forever.

Ponyville Library July 18th 1001

"Is the potion ready?" Crystal asked with a worried look on her face.

"Yes," Twilight responded. "The book says that the potion will turn a reddish- orange color when it was completed. All that's left is for someone to drink the potion."

"Twilight?"

"Yes Crystal?"

"I want you to drink it."

Twilight couldn't believe her ears. "But its your grandfather's spell, and you always wanted to know what it did."

"Yes, but after all we went through to make the potion, I want you to try it out first."

"Alright, if your so sure about this," Twilight said as she picked up a small ladle from the table next to her. She dipped the end of the ladle into the potion, and pulled out a small amount from the cauldron. "Well," she said as she sniffed the contents of the ladle, "Bon Voyage."

With that, Twilight took the ladle to her mouth and drank the potion.

Chapter 19 - Start of a New Journey

Ponyville July 29th 1001

Preparations for the trip were surprisingly easy to obtain. Applejack was completely willing to lend them food, while Rarity helped provide them with proper attire. Rainbow wasn't exactly willing to wear it at first, but eventually gave in when she found no way out of her fate.

The attire wasn't girly, but it certainly adventurous looking once Rainbow got a look at it. It seemed to make her look a little like Daring Do once she put it on.

Chrysalis was certainly ready to go as well. She could shape shift into anything, making it so that they would fight off any unwanted attention.

The two of them rested on the edge of the town. They both took a look back before stopping by a voice calling to them.

"HEY! RAINBOW DASH! I'M COMING WITH YOU!"

Both of them turned once again to see Spike running as fast as his little legs could carry him. He stopped on front of the two adventurers to catch his breath.

"I'm... coming... with... you..." he wheezed.

"Are you sure Spike?" Rainbow asked him. "You don't look so good."

"Just... tired..."

"Why do you want to come?" Chrysalis asked.

This time, Spike waited until he had his breath back. "I'll be able to send letters to Twilight!" he proudly stated.

"That's true," Rainbow confirmed. "If we ever need to talk to Twilight, we can always send a letter."

"I agree," Chrysalis said. "Come on Spike. Lets go find Discord!"

"Okay! Wait. We're searching for Discord?"

Grazil Library July 29th 1001

Twilight awoke on her bed. She was to exhausted from yesterday's magic attack to do anything else for that day. She got up to see Blue in the other room fixing breakfast.

"Good morning, Twilight," he said. "I hope you slept well."

"Yes," Twilight replied. "It was one of my better times sleeping since I got banished."

Blue silently looked at her and then back at the breakfast he was making. "Sorry, but every time you say that, I just can't believe it."

"Believe what?"

"That you got banished. No matter where I traveled, there was always one Twilight or another in Ponyville with her friends. They were always the Elements of Harmony, and they never did anything that would get them in any sort of trouble. You were the first I've met to have such a fate happen to you."

"But you've met me multiple times."

Blue chuckled at that. "True. But your lost memory is bothering me."

"Why's that?"

"When I stepped out into the open, there were two of me, correct?"

"Yes."

"Well, the one with flat orange hair is how I looked in the past. The one with the spiky green and orange hair was not to different from the way I look now."

"What are you getting at with this?"

"I don't remember anything like that happening at all."

"I don't understand what you mean by that."

"If I was there when I was young, then I would still remember it if I am here now. But hate problem is: I don't."

"Do you have any idea why?"

"Not a clue. After you fell asleep last night, I went into my own memories to find it. I found nothing."

"But if its your memories, shouldn't you know if you did that?"

"I'm afraid not. These memories weren't forgotten or lost. They were taken."

"Taken!?" Twilight gasped. "Who could have done that?"

"Very good question Twilight," Blue commented. "However, the real question is who AND what took them."

"If you know that the question is who and what took them, I suppose that you already know the answer to the question."

Blue nodded. "I think that its time an old friend visited me." He lifted his watch to his chest. Turning the dial on the watch, several blue lights began to flicker on and off. Finally, he pushed the button in. At first, nothing seemed to happen.

"What did you do?" Twilight asked him.

"I sent a message to the friend of mine," Blue told her. "He should be here within three days if we're lucky."

"So who is your friend?"

"The same stallion who took the Elements of Harmony. I've already told you about The Doctor, haven't I?"

TARDIS Control Room No Definite Time

The Doctor hadn't been in the TARDIS recently. He always enjoyed traveling with his old friends a while back. But, as fate would have it, they all left.

This group had certainly been special to him. Not only did they help him save the universe several times, but they also ignited the desire to travel once more. If he didn't meet them, he would still be on that cloud back in his universe.

He had decided to visit the TARDIS every once in a while to make sure she didn't get lonely. He would certainly get back to traveling one day, but until then, he stayed with Derpy.

When he entered the TARDIS, it was the same as ever: gigantic. No matter how many people- or ponies where he lived now, he showed the inside of his beautiful machine, they were always surprised at how big it was. The controls were the same as always. The only thing that he could tell was different, was that the screen said he had a mail.

He trotted over to the controls to see what his mail was about. It read:

Hello, Doctor.

I'm sure that you have finally come back into the TARDIS to see how she was doing. That's nice. How's the family? Don't answer that, because I already know the answer.

Anyway, I need your help. The Vortex Manipulator is broken, and I need you to come and fix it. The only thing I am currently able to do with it is check the time, my coordinates, and send you this mail. When you get the chance, come to fix the device. I need it to help out a new/old friend of ours.

Sincerely, Blue.

P.S. I know you have them. Bring them with you. We need those as well.

The Doctor smiled at the note. Ah, its nice to know that my old friend needs my help, he thought. Hmm. The coordinates mark that place we once went to a while back. Well, I guess it is nice to visit old places once again.

He smiled as he started fidgeting with the controls. "Well old girl," he said to the TARDIS, "here we go again!"

He flipped a final switch, making that one sound that he certainly missed.

Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr. Wiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr.

The TARDIS flew into the time vortex, just as eager as The Doctor to see their old friend.