Sparkyll and Hyde

Act I: Chapter Three:

What's Behind the Façade

TS8 Experiment: Entry 515.

Date: September 13th

Time: 4:30 PM

It has been five days since my fateful meeting with the Governors of Canterlot Hospital. Although Sir Fancy Pants was generous with his support, as always, the other Governors were unwilling to place my work above their reputations, and denied my claim for a sentient test subject. They did, however, have an actual, valid reason for doing so; Octavia Melody had noted that I had tested the TS8 Formula on non-sentient creatures, yet neglected to think through its potency for those sentient.

Although I am no further to my goal of proving the Formula, I am not backing down just because of this setback. I will find a way around this.

In a somewhat related matter, I have teleported all of my equipment and notes to my study in Canterlot--with Princess Celestia's consent, of course. I have chosen this course of action in knowing that once my work is complete, I will use the Formula on my Mother, and until then, I want to stay as close to her as possible. I have not told this to the girls as of yet, since I don't want to force any more unnecessary concern on them at the moment, being that I have already told them about my meeting.

This entry would have been written sooner, but I had to deal with a Unicorn who goes by the name of Trixie. She had returned to Ponyvillle the day after my meeting, challenging me to a magic duel in search of revenge. I was unprepared for what she had in store, which resulted in my being banished from the town for the four days I've been absent.

Afterward, I sought help from the Zebra, Zecora, who gave me magic training and tips to better focus my magic, until Fluttershy found me. She had come with vital information; mainly, the reason Trixie bested me in her duel: The Alicorn Amulet.

This artifact is an item of powerful dark magic--something Princess Celestia warned me never to use--that grants the user whatever he or she desires, but corrupts him or her.

I can see now that Trixie's choice to seek revenge was influenced by her anger towards me; no doubt her nature of evil took hold of her, if only temporary. After I later rematched and tricked her into removing the Amulet, her corruption seemed to wash away; I know, however, that the full cleansing will take some time. Dark magic is not so easily removed from a pony's heart, especially since evil is a part of us.

As much as I want to be rid of this accursed item, Princess Celestia has asked me to deliver it to her for safe-keeping. She finds Zecora trustworthy of keeping it with her, but her reasoning is understandable. On one hand, Trixie just wanted revenge for my humiliating her. Suppose if a tyrant finds it at Zecora's and uses it to kill the Princesses? What Trixie did with the Amulet was just the tip of the iceberg. I don't think even the Princess knows its limits.

But I can't help but wonder what exactly she plans to do with it. Sure, she'll hide it somewhere inaccessible, where it'll just gather dust, but does she want to use it for good causes? She's the type of pony that will use anything to the advantage of Equestria, even by using a source of evil for good.

So can dark magic be used for a good purpose? As far as I know, nopony in history has ever tried it. I know I shouldn't even be thinking about this, but if it could be done, Equestria can better defend itself from invasion, like how the changelings nearly overthrew Canterlot, or extend the life of sentient creatures.

Maybe it's something better left unsaid, maybe I'm right. Until I complete my work, I'll leave it at that.

     Doctor Twilight Sparkle closed her TS8 Experiment Journal and slipped it into the saddlebag that Spike was holding for her. She and her assistant sat at a stone table along with their closest friends; Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, who all waited patiently for her to finish her entry.

     "So you done there?" asked Rainbow, who was tossing a hacky sack to Pinkie, and in return caught it from her.

     The Doctor nodded. "I'll be on my way to get the Amulet from Zecora shortly. My plan from there will be that I'll go to Canterlot and deliver it to Princess Celestia, then return to finish my work."

     "Wha--ow!" Rainbow was caught off guard by her statement when the hacky sack collided with her eye.

     "Sorry, Dashie!" called Pinkie.

Picking up the hacky sack, while simultaneously rubbing her new bruise Rainbow replied, "Don't mention it. It's not swelling or anything." Then turning to Twilight, "You've been working your flank off since you came back from that stupid meeting! There's no way you can keep working at this pace!"

     "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. But I need to figure out a way around the Governors' ruling against using a sentient test subject. And until I do, I need to examine every existing option."

     Applejack took a seat beside her and said worriedly, "I appreciate your diligence with your work, but even a hard-workin' farm pony like myself needs a break every so often. As Granny Smith says, too much of a good thing is bad."

     "I simply must agree with Applejack," said Rarity, who was occupying herself with cleaning the table with a sanitary cloth. "Ever since you came back from dealing with those nasty, pompous fools, you've been tiring yourself out with that silly journal of yours."

     "Uh-huh!" grunted Pinkie, smacking the hacky sack to Rainbow with her foreleg. "Granma Pie always told me, 'Never eat so much cake and ice cream in one sitting, or else big, grey cows will fall out of the tree.' Or wait . . . was it, 'Or else the Pumpkin King'll steal your candy?' I'm pretty sure it didn't rhyme--"

     Twilight groaned, face-planting her head on the table.

     "Girls!" Her shout startled everyone, including Spike. Twilight smoothed her forehead, struggling not to have another outburst like last time. "I'm sorry. I know you're just looking out for me, and I'd be more than happy to take time off. But I know I'm close to a solution. Once I prove my Formula will work, I'll take all the time off I need. But right now, I'm only asking for you to respect my wishes to continue this schedule. Even taking one day off right now is sentencing my Mother to another day in her coma."

     Fluttershy hovered over and hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Twilight. If that's what you have to do to save your mother, then I'll be here cheering quietly for you. Just don't overdo it, if that's alright with you."

     "Y'know I support you, sugarcube. We all do. An' I'm sure your mother would be mighty proud of you for workin' so hard for her."

     Everyone had spoken assent to Applejack's sentiment.

     "I'm with you, Twi," said Rainbow. "Really, I am. I just think you need to relax a bit."

     The Doctor chuckled softly. "I'll have plenty of time for that later." She glanced at the sun slowly edging to the west and slid off her seat. "I'd better get going. I still have an artifact to collect."

     "Just be careful out there," said Applejack. "Alicorns know what's in that cursed place."

     "Don't be. . . scared . . . Applejack!"  said Pinkie Pie, as she started bobbing her head up and down to bounce the hacky sack. "What could . . . possibly . . . go wrong?"

     "Well, I could think of a few things," said Fluttershy, retreating into her mane. "But Twilight can hold her own pretty well, I'm sure."

     Spike spoke up for the first time. "So you're sure you want to go alone? I can come with you if you want."

     "I appreciate that, Spike," said Twilight, turning to her assistant, "But I just don't feel comfortable bringing the Formula into the Everfree Forest. You all know how much work I've put into creating this, and I don't want it getting lost or destroyed just because I brought it into a dark forest. Not to offend, Spike, but I just need you and the girls watching it while I'm gone."

     Rainbow had just barely caught a strong throw of the hacky sack from Pinkie when she turned to Twilight. "Okay, I get that, not wanting something bad happen to your potion and stuff, but you have its complete recipe written down. If you lose one potion, you can just make another, no sweat! So what's the problem?"

    "As much as I want to agree with you, Rainbow Dash, I can't even risk making a second potion just because I lost the first. I also don't know what effect it would have on plants--assuming I dropped the vial and the ground absorbed it. And I've told you that water from the Mirror Pool is a key ingredient for the Formula; my point for that is that I'll only go back there for producing more of the Formula when I prove its success. Otherwise, that place cannot be discovered by any pony; its misuse could lead to disaster! Uh, no offence to you either, Pinkie."

     The party pony only shrugged before a tendril of her mane rose out and whipped the hacky sack back to Rainbow.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

     When arriving at Zecora's house, Twilight knocked quietly on the door and patiently waited for her. She's probably meditating, she thought to herself. I don't want to knock too loudly or burst in here like last time.

     The door slid open without a creak as Zecora stepped into the frame. "Ah, I welcome you, Doctor Twilight. Of your visit, what is your highlight?"

      She gestured for her to enter. The Doctor glanced about the room, examining the intricate masks and long shelves of various potions. In the center of the room, there was a cauldron with a simmering pink liquid, and steam from it wafted upward to a gaping hole in the ceiling that Twilight presumed was a chimney.

     "Sorry to disturb you at this time, Zecora," stated Twilight, withdrawing her letter. "But I didn't come here for pleasantries, I'm afraid. Princess Celestia has requested that I bring the Alicorn Amulet to her for safe keeping."

     Taking the parchment from her, Zecora carefully read over its black lettering. When finished, she sighed, "I know not what she plans with this jewel, but I do not take her for a fool. Safe in her care, it will be, and of its grasp, I will be free."

     As she walked to a green and blue mask that depicted a Windigo, Twilight couldn't help but asking, "What do you mean, 'of its grasp, I will be free'? Are you in some kind of trouble?"

     "No, Twilight Sparkle. I've had no trouble. Only with it here, my stress has doubled. Now that the Amulet I can release, I may return to my potions in peace."

     The zebra pressed on a hidden button on the mask, causing it to swivel around, revealing a section of the tree's outer wall. She nosed the wood upward, opening the section. Inside, seated on a podium was the cursed item. It still gleamed with a crimson maliciousness that frightened Twilight.

     Zecora gripped it with both hooves, dropping it into Twilight's saddlebag. "Take great care delivering this, else your duty will be remiss."

     "Don't worry, Zecora. I'll guard this with my life." Twilight turned towards the door, but then stopped. "If I can ask you something, do you think Princess Celestia is planning something with the Amulet? I mean, just to benefit Equestria's defense or whatnot."

     The zebra lowered her head. "I pray that such interest will never come to be. Through her and this jewel, a dark fate will guarantee."

     Twilight turned back to her. "But . . . is it possible for dark magic to be used for good intentions? Certainly, if the Princess wants the Amulet for more than just safe-keeping, she could do good with it. If ever the Elements of Harmony were rendered useless, we could use dark magic for the sake of good."

After all, she didn't say aloud, None of my history books say anything about ponies using dark magic for selfless reasons. All that's said is that heroes in the past used dark magic for their own selfish needs, and therefore fell to that magic.

     Zecora furrowed her eyebrows; in frustration, or in suspicion of her curiosity, Twilight wasn't sure. "Evil is evil, no matter how one says it, and seeking this black art will only death emit."

     "Evil is . . ." Twilight bit her lip in exasperation. Why is it I'm the only one who doesn't know about this subject? Does she even know anypony who's tried it? She risked asking one more question, "It's not me who's interested in this, Zecora, but I just want to know, are there any stories--books or tales you've heard at any time--about those using dark magic for good?"

     The other paused, pondering her answer. "To my knowledge, there are none which speak of this," she finally said. "For dark magic is a subject to dismiss."

Well, it's obvious now that Zecora is avoiding the subject of dark magic. Is it because she fears the unknown possibilities? If so, that's the second time this week I've been deterred from forwarding my understanding of our two natures!

     Twilight fought not to show any visible anger toward Zecora's cowardice. Of course, it was understandable that she couldn't take a chance like that. But she was deliberately trying to persuade anyone willing to take that risk not to!

     "I must ask you, Twilight Sparkle, for the name," resumed Zecora, breaking Twilight's train of thought, "Of the one curious like a moth to flame. Somepony sought for you to question me, so who seeks to use dark magic, I plea?"

     Twilight felt sweat bead by the back of her neck. She couldn't afford to let Zecora think that she was interested in using dark magic. I'm not, but I at least want to know if there's a way to use it for good. After a pause, she thought, I suppose there's a reason why I'm not the Element of Honesty.

     "Trixie asked me about it. She came back to me today, wanting to change for the better by trying dark magic for good intentions. I was going to explain to her that it couldn't be done, but I guess I didn't have the answers I needed." She shrugged her shoulders at the last statement. "But now that this matter's settled, I can lead Trixie away from dark magic."

     To her relief, Zecora bought the lie. "I am pleased that you are guiding her to the path of light. Using dark magic will only create a life contrite. It would be ill to find that she hid beneath a dark façade, believing that her redemption was--like her shows--just a fraud."

Say what you will, Zecora. If heroes can fall to evil, then evil can rise to goodness. I've seen it in plenty of story books. Twilight wanted to say this, but held her tongue, and instead replied quickly, "Well, I'm glad that's cleared up, Zecora. I'd stay for tea, but I have to bring the Amulet to the Princess right away."

     Waving a good-bye to the zebra, Twilight left the tree, and trotted along the forest path.

     The trip back to Ponyville was an uneventful experience. In sections where the path cut into manticore and timberwolf territory, none of the said creatures could be found. No doubt that they were preparing for the winter season, Twilight had decided. As she walked across the Forest's border and entered Ponyville, she replayed her conversation with Zecora in her mind. And just before leaving, she remembered the zebra's last rhyme:

It would be ill to find that she hid beneath a dark façade, believing that her redemption was--like her shows--just a fraud.

     "Façade . . . That's another aspect of the natures of goodness and evil," she thought aloud, lifting a hoof to her jawline. "Whether we are evil or good, we hide a different side of us underneath what everypony else sees. No matter who we are, at the end of the day, we unveil our true selves in which we fear will bring judgment from others. I wonder, if having a façade is part of the nature of evil, will my TS8 Formula remove the ability to do so? It's not designed to completely reform a sentient creature, but would it also eradicate their façade?"

     Passing by Sugar-Cube Corner, she smiled at the Cakes, who paused carrying the month's load of frosting to wave at her.

If everypony bears a mask, what side of the Cakes do I not see? Were being bakers their hearts' desire, or did they want to pursue another career, like I did, but circumstances got in the way? And what about anypony else here, or any creature with sentience, for that matter? Does Applejack truly hate formal wear, or is that a façade in order to portray the humble farm-pony? While it's possible I know everything about my friends, it's also true that when you wear a mask for a living, you're a completely different soul when night falls.

Link

"There's a face that we wear in Celestia's day

It's society's mask, it's society's way

And the truth is; it is all a façade!

"There's a face that we hide 'till Luna's stars come shine,

And what's hiding inside, what we choose to confine,

Is our true self, locked inside the Façade!"

     Twilight glanced left and right at the ponies she passed by, wondering what dark secrets were hidden away in each of them. As the Doctor trotted by Town Hall, her neighbors and friends alike took notice of her song, began following her, and joined the chorus:

"Everyday,

Ponies, in their own sweet way,

Like to add a coat of paint--"

     Applejack herself chimed in--

"An' be what they ain't!"

"That's how our little game is played;

Living out a masquerade

Acting a bizarre charade!"

"While playing the saint!

"But there's one thing I know, and I know it for sure:

This disease that we've got is not meant for a cure,

But I'm certain, life is terribly hard--"

"When your life's a façade!"

     Rarity darted out from one side and began singing a verse while pointing a hoof back to the other ponies.

"Look around you, I have found you cannot tell by looking at the surface what is lurking there beneath it!"

     Then pointing at one of the mail-ponies:

"See that face? Well, I'm prepared to gamble, what you see is not what you get,

For we're all masters of deceit!"

"So what is this sinister secret?

The lie we will tell you is true--"

"It's that each soul you meet on the street isn't one soul, but two!"

"Nearly everypony seen,

Like him, and her, and you and me

Pretends to be a pillar of society

A model for propriety, sobriety and piety

Who shudders at the thought of notoriety!

"The fillies and colts here before you,

Which none of them ever admit,

May have saintly looks, but they could be heartless crooks;"

"Hypocrites--"

"Hypocrites!"

     Unicorns and Earth ponies formed a line from left to right in front, while Pegasi hovered above them.

     "There are preachers who kill, there are killers who preach,

There are teachers who lie, there are liars who teach."

"Take your pick, dear, for it's all a façade!"

     Twilight took the lead once more, this time putting a beat in her steps.

"If we're not one, but two, are we evil or good?

Do we walk the fine line that we'd cross if we could?

Are we waiting to break through the Façade?"

"One or two might look somewhat well-to-do.

     "Ha!

"They're as bad as me and you, right down to their hooves!"

"I'm inclined to think--"

"Half equine thinks the other half is blind!

Wouldn't be surprised to find--"

"They're all in cahoots!

     The throng stopped walking, raising one fore leg to the sky, then drawing it back in.

"At the end of the day, we don't mean what we say,

We don't say what we mean, we don't ever come clean!"

"And our answer, is it's all a façade!"

"Is it's all a façade!"

"We are not one, but two,

We are evil and good

And we walk the fine line we'd all cross if we could!"

"It's a Nightmare we can never discard!

So we stay on our guard!"

"Though we love the Façade!"

"What's behind the Façade?"

"Look behind . . . the Façade."

     Everyone suddenly scattered away to return to their routines, leaving only a confused Twilight and her friends.

     "Where'd everypony come from?" she rhetorically asked.

     Hopping next to her, Pinkie put a hoof on her shoulder. "Silly-filly! Everypony knows that one shouldn't sing a song meant for the ensemble as an aria! That would be rule forty-eight of the Official Musical-Story Rulebook."

     This left Twilight more confused than ever, until shrugged it off as Pinkie being herself.

     "Ya got the Amulet, right?" said Applejack. "The sooner it's outta here, the better."

     "Yes, it's here." Twilight double-checked her saddlebag right after answering, realizing she answered too quickly. "I'm just surprised nopony tried taking it before."

     "Perhaps because nopony in our town is foolish enough to have a reenactment of Trixie's experience with it," said Rarity. "However, the same cannot be said about Canterlot. There are more than enough thugs--rich or poor--that would be willing to steal that accursed item, especially Blueblood." She said this while grinding her jaw in hatred of having to remember her 'best night ever' with the so-called prince.

     "I'll be careful, Rarity. As long as it's with me, nopony's going to abuse its power. Or use it at all, for that matter." Twilight then noticed a mail-pony--the same one Rarity pointed at before--approaching them with a letter in hoof.

     "Good afternoon. Letter delivery for Rainbow Dash. Sign here, please?"

     After doing as asked, Rainbow took the letter and paid a small tip, which was gratefully accepted as the mail-pony excused herself to continue her shift.

     Reading the letter's address, Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Canterlot? Far as I know, I don't have any friends there."

     "A secret admirer, perhaps?" teased Rarity, batting her eyes in an over-the-top fashion. "In all seriousness, it could be important if it's from Canterlot."

     Rainbow tore into the letter. Minutes passed by as she carefully read it word by word, until a smile painted her face.

     "Well? Who's you new lover?" asked Pinkie, poking Twilight with her elbow.

      "For one thing, it's from an old friend of mine and Fluttershy's." Rainbow waved the mentioned pony over to let her read. She too smiled, more so than Rainbow. When taking the letter back, she continued. "And she's invited all of us to a special event in Canterlot that solves my 'Twilight Needs a Vacation' problem."

     Twilight scoffed under her breath. "I made it clear that I don't want any 'vacation'. You know what my work means to me!"

     "More than friendship?" the Pegasus deadpanned. "Besides, I got the feeling that anything we'd invite you to later on, you'd reject. So, I sent a letter to the Princess about that." She hovered close to her, smiling maliciously. "And you know what she replied back?"

     She handed Twilight a scroll with the Princess's royal insignia ribbon stamped at the bottom, which the Doctor read aloud.

     " 'Dear Rainbow Dash, your concerns for my student are greatly appreciated, and will be addressed. Twilight, if you are reading this, please consider how hard you've worked to get this far over the last few years. I understand you want to aid you Mother as soon as possible, but take it upon yourself to take a few days off your work. As for the matter with the Amulet, I trust you with the task I've asked of you, but do not worry yourself over returning it tonight. I will come for it one week from now, enough time to for a vacation from your work.

     " 'Yours truly, Celestia.' "

     Twilight's eye twitched slightly. "You . . . sent a letter to Princess Celestia, asking her to order me to take time off!"

     "Twi, you need this as much as anypony else," Rainbow sighed, then resumed her mischievous grin. "And you wouldn't want to directly disobey your mentor, would you?"

     "Uh . . .But I .  . ." Twilight held back a curse, and instead repeatedly banged her head against a nearby bench. When through she groaned. "Fine. But when whatever this special event your friend's throwing is over, I'm going back work, because the Princess didn't say how long to ignore my work!"

     "Wouldn't expect anything less from you," chuckled Applejack.

     Rainbow took flight and said, "Since we're all going to Canterlot, head back home and grab whatever you need. Tonight's scheduled for a cold night. Let's meet back here in fifteen."

     As everyone darted off to their homes, Rainbow laughed to herself. "And I'm sure Silver Mist'll give us a warm welcome."