Elements of Awesome: Volume I

Chapters

Volume I: Part 2 (Lazuli)
Volume I: Part 3 (Apple Tart)
Volume I: Part 4 (Faith)
Volume I: Part 5
Volume I: Part 6 (Party)
Volume I - Chapter 7
Volume I - Epilogue
Volume I: Part 1 (Dawn)

Volume I: Part 2 (Lazuli)

“I swear! This is madness,” Lazuli protested. Again. Dawn refused to listen to the dark blue unicorn. Usually, she wouldn’t bother talking sense into Twilight’s daughter, but what Dawn was planning was dangerous.

“Madness?” Dawn smirked. Her horn glowed a dull red. She turned to her right and resumed trotting down the road. “No, -”

“Don’t,” Lazle warned. She stepped in front of the other unicorn, walking backwards as Dawn continued. “Don’t make me get my mother.”

Dawn snorted. “You’ve made that threat five times already, Lazle. Either go and get Rarity, or just shut up.”

The blue unicorn opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn’t. The truth was, she didn’t want to let Dawn out of her sight. Twilight’s daughter was clearly suffering from some sort of depression, and it was best that she - Dawn - was with company. Surely after a couple hours, Dawn would give up. Lazuli stepped to the side to let the purple unicorn pass and then followed. Rarity would understand.

Scarcely five minutes had passed since Lazle’s last protest before they were joined by a rather large, pink pony. He was impossibly quiet on those massive hooves and manage to sneak up on the pair while Dawn was doing the glowy-horn-thing again.

“Hey guys,” Party greeted cheerily. Both Dawn and Lazle jumped in surprise and turned toward the earth pony. Party had taken after his mother in that he could seemingly be anywhere at anytime. And he always chose very inconvenient times to be everywhere. Dawn nodded a greeting and took off in another direction.

“Hi Party,” Lazle sighed, resuming her escort position.

Party just started rambling, mostly at Dawn. The pony didn’t talk constantly, unlike his baker mother, but when he did, it was generally just a stream of nonsense. At least in Lazuli’s sophisticated opinion. “.. and I’m really sorry to hear about Twilight. I’m sure Luna will get her back safe and sound. Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be inside, sipping on tea or something? And where’s your mom?” This last question was directed at Lazuli. “Isn’t she supposed to be watching Dawn?”

“I can take care of myself,” Dawn muttered, more or less unheard.

“This fool decided it would be a good idea to go chasing after Twilight. I’m merely... I don’t really know.”

“You were busy complaining about how dumb of an idea it is.”

“Right. Which, by the way, it is. Terrible idea, don’t you agree Party?”

“I don’t know,” the large pony mused, “It can’t be worse than staying home and moping?”

“‘Can’t be worse?’” Lazle’s eye twitched. “Moping is nice and safe and good. Chasing somepony into the unknown? Not nice. Not safe. And ver, ver bad.”

“And yet, you’re still following me.”

“Well, I...” Lazle sighed and shut her mouth. Stupid Dawn and her stupid points.

“No, Lazuli is completely right. This is just silly. Besides, Luna said they sent a search party.”

“An’ do ya’ll seriously wanna go into the Everfree forest?” It’s full of-”

“Bah! Where’s your sense of adventure?” Thunder did a small flip. “I think it’d be fun.”

Lazle didn’t bother contributing to the conversation. She’d tried all of these on Dawn earlier. But Dawn refused to listen. Even here, near the edge of the forest, she was planning to continue. Apple Tart, Faith, and Thunder joined them as they passed Sweet Apple Acres. Apparently the three ponies were “helping” with the harvest, though they stopped as soon as Lazle, Dawn, and Party passed the farm. Friends were far important than food and hard work.

“It’s not about fun,” Dawn lectured. “It’s about finding my mom.”

Lazle rolled her eyes. At first, the obsession had been annoying, but at least kinda cute. Now it was just getting on her nerves. But Dawn wouldn’t listen to reason. That unicorn latched onto an idea and stuck with it. She gave stubborn a whole new name.

“Right. Where’s your sense of mom-findage?” Thunder amended his sentence.

The other two started to reply, but Dawn cut them off. “Look, guys, I appreciate the concern and support, but -” Lazle held her breath. Did Dawn finally understand the idiocracy? “- you should really just let me go. You won’t convince me to turn around.” Lazuli gave an annoyed huff. “And I don’t want to put you in danger either. So.. Just go and,” Dawn began to lose her conviction, “and let me do this.”

There was a small silence. The six ponies just glared at each other, challenging one or the other to speak. Finally, Thunder spoke up.

“Danger? Ha! I laugh in the face of danger.”

“Laughter? I laugh in the face of.. Wait.” Party took a second to think. “Whatever, I’m tagging along.”

Dawn smiled softly.

“Ah don’t think Ah should. Ma may need my help on the farm,” Apple Tart kicked at the ground thinking.

‘Good mare,’ Lazle thought. At least somepony had sense.

“Dawn, please,” Faith chimed in, “Don’t do this. First of all, have you seen the things that live in there? Second of all, how do you even know if you’re heading the right way? Third, you aren’t leaving without me. Don’t even think of it.” The pegasus flipped her pink-and-black mane smiling.

“Look,” Dawn was exasperated, “I’m really happy that you all want to come with me, but Tart’s right. You should-”

“Go with ya and find your ma,” Tart interjected.

Lazuli glared at the bay. So much for having a brain. For a moment, she thought about leaving them there. She could easily run back to her mom and tell her what the five were planning. Heck, Sweet Apple Acres wasn’t too far away. She could probably go warn Applejack and Big Macintosh before the rest of her friends got too far. But she couldn’t betray them like that. Lazle sighed, giving each of the expectant ponies an annoyed look.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll come too.”

“There. That should do it,” Lazle tightened a rope - well, really a piece of cloth - and sat back, admiring her and Dawn’s hoofiwork. It was, honestly, pretty terrible. But considering all they had were two small blankets and the forest, the tent wasn’t too shabby.

“Yup. Six ponies huddled under a blanket fort. That’ll definitely do.” Lazuli didn’t miss the sarcasm seeping from Dawn.

“Well, sorry you didn’t pack supplies,” Lazle retorted. She was very careful to leave off certain other words regarding her opinion of the unicorn. But her tone definitely filled it in for her. Dawn did not get to drag her friends into the forest and then complain about being unprepared. “Please tell me that you at least packed food.”

“Oh,” Dawn’s face reddened. She chuckled sheepishly. “Food... Right.”

Lazle cocked her head and stared with half lidded eyes, but she didn’t bother saying anything. She just turned away from the firey-maned pony, hiding the majority of her frustration (unfortunately her shaking head let some slip). She couldn’t fully blame Dawn. The unicorn was distressed. Well known fact: stress increases stupidity.

After a few moments of silence, Thunder and Party returned with firewood.

“We are Colt!” Thunder declared, lowering his voice a few octaves. “We bring wood from forest. We make big fire.” The two ponies dropped their bundles in front of Dawn and Lazle.

“By giving wood to unicorn fillies and resting on our haunches,” Party finished, doing just that. Dawn set to work immediately, setting the wood in a pyramid shape. Just as soon she did so, Apple Tart and Faith returned with even more wood, though mostly smaller kindling. The ponies gathered around Dawn as she set to work lighting the flames. Well, trying to at least. The unicorn’s horn was glowing, and, occasionally, a spark would fly out. But the wood didn’t catch. After a few minutes (and several hushed discussions), the group dispersed out of boredom. Apple Tart and Party decided to actually be useful and hunt for food. Thunder and Faith similarly dispersed. Lazle thought about joining them for a moment, but decided against it. She decided that somepony should keep an eye on Dawn.

“Want some help?” Lazle offered as the spark from Dawn’s horn died again.

“No,” the other unicorn replied curtly. She channeled more energy into her horn, which succeeded in doing nothing but creating more light.

“You know, you could-”

“Lazle, go away. I’m busy.”

Lazuli made a mocking face, but backed off. She didn’t want to leave Dawn alone, but given the purple mare’s attitude toward Lazle, the blue unicorn was doing no favors by staying. She slowly retreated from the little clearing, making her way to the nearby river. So far, the trip had been uneventful. Dawn still hadn’t come to her senses. It seemed that her stubbornness had seeped into the minds of the others. Everfree only served to entice them into continuing.

Of course, they’d only been within the forest for a few hours. The sun was just beginning to set. No doubt, the rest of the crew would wise up before morning. Then they would all head home, apologize, and be gone with the whole idea. But, ugh, first they’d have to spend the whole night trapped under their so-called “tent.” The thought of it alone made Lazle shiver.

Then again, on the plus side, she could spend the entire night curled up next to Thunder. Lazle had to admit, that thought alone made Dawn’s lunacy seem like a terrific idea. The grey upon gray pegasus had been the object of her affections for some time, though he could be a little thick-headed. Lazle had made her desires quite clear, yet Thunder miraculously remained oblivious. Of course, we didn’t seem to notice Dawn’s less... graceful advances either. Perhaps he was being a true gentlecolt and trying to protect the purple unicorn from a crushing blow. But that couldn’t last forever. As soon as they (Dawn, Lazle, and everyone) were back home, the blue unicorn planned to set things straight. She and Thunder had to set things straight. Then, the two ponies would be free to-

Lazuli suddenly became aware of the blue eyes staring at her. She blinked and backed up a bit, freeing her personal bubble from the intruder. Party just cocked an eyebrow, smiling slyly. Lazle blushed.

“So, whatcha thinkin’ about?” Party asked sweetly.

Lazle ignored the earth pony. “Do you know where Thunder is?”

“Why does everypony always assume I know where Thunder is? What am I? His keeper?”

Lazle gave him an amused smile.

“Alright, yes. Yes I am.” Party sighed, “He went down to the river for a drink.”

“And I just-” Lazle stopped at the sound of Faith’s voice. Unable to overcome her snooping nature, Lazle dropped into a crouch, cautiously approaching the forest’s edge. Thunder was lying on the bank, lazily dragging a hoof through the water. Faith sat off the side, blushing deeply.

“I just wanted to say... uh, wanted to say....” She squeaked and fell quiet.

Thunder chuckled a little. “Go on.”

“I think that I love you and I was wondering if you wanna go out sometime ohmigosh-eep!” Faith spat out quickly, hiding her face underneath a foreleg.

Lazle’s jaw dropped. Faith asked Thunder out. Faith! The two pegasi spent a large amount of time together admittedly, but no-one ever assumed that there was any real connection between the two. Everypony assumed that Faith was.. that Faith flew the other direction.

Lazle darted away from the river’s clearing. Annoyed didn’t even begin to describe her mood. The blue unicorn had been so focused on Dawn that she failed to see Faith’s own attraction. And the yellow pegasus managed to undermine them all by stealing Thunder away when the unicorns were distracted. What a -

Lazuli managed to compose herself before her annoyance forced her mind to unlady-like thoughts. Petty was one thing Lazle wasn’t. Faith worked up the courage to present herself before the unicorn, and though Lazle couldn’t see what Thunder could possibly see in the yellow pegasus, she would make no fuss.

Dawn was still trying to ignite the woodpile. Not a single spark had lit. Dawn muttered a curse. Her mother had taught her the simple candle starting spell, and it usually, almost always, mostly worked. But apparently lighting a wick was far easier than wet kindling. Dawn closed her eyes in concentration. One more pulse leapt from the tip of her horn to absolutely nothing. Dawn looked up to see Lazle had shifted the pile over. Currently, blue unicorn was drilling a small stick into one of the larger logs. Dawn glared.

“Lazle, I said I didn’t need any help.”

Lazle didn’t respond. She just drilled faster.

“That is such a slow way of -”

Suddenly, a large flame burst from the log. Lazle jump, flinging the the wood into the rest of the fire. After making sure that she hadn’t caught fire, she smile coldly at Dawn. The purple unicorn stared through half-lidded eyes.

“You were saying?” Lazle said as smugly as she could.

“Oh, hey. Y’all got a fire goin,” Tart observed, shrugging off Dawn’s saddle bags. “Perfect timing too. Now, any y’all see my cousin?”

“He’s right here,” Party answered, plopping down in front of the fire.

“No, Ah mean the one Ah like,” Tart teased. She grabbed a peach from the bag and awkwardly placed it on a stick to roast.

“Oh, that one.” Party snorted. “She’s-”

“Down by the river with Thunder,” Lazle finished bitterly. The unicorn pulled a couple peaches from the bag and ate them raw.

The other three ponies exchanged a glance but didn’t say anything. Not too shortly later, the missing pegasi returned to the group, acting as if nothing happened. Party and Thunder quickly dominated the conversation, each trying to outdo one another with their (mostly fictionalized) tales of bravery. Lazle paid little attention to the conversation. Her thoughts slowly drifted from Thunder and Faith to her parents. Rarity must be worried sick. First, one of her best friends disappears to Celestia knows where, and then her own daughter leaves without even a note. Inwardly she was cursing herself for not turning back. But at the time, she’d only been concerned for her friends... alright, and for Thunder.

“Uh Lazle?” Dawn nudged the blue unicorn. Lazuli blinked in surprise. The other four ponies were still talking animatedly, though the darkening twilight had, well, darkened. Dawn was staring at the blue unicorn with concern. She spoke barely above a whisper, trying to keep the conversation private. “Are you alright?”

Lazle opened her mouth to snap, but thought better of it. Dawn was only concerned for her well-being. She smiled softly. “I’m just tired,” she lied.

Dawn nodded, accepting this. “Yeah,” she spoke louder, turning her attention to the rest of the group, “I think it’s best that we get some sleep.”

The other four ponies snorted. The snorts were almost immediately followed by yawns and consent.

“Maybe Party and I should sleep outside,” Thunder offered as the four fillies climbed into the tent. Even with only the four smallish mares - Tart being an exception - they managed to take up the entire available space.

“What? Ya afraid we got cooties?” Tart joked.

“Oh yes,” he rolled his eyes, “mares are icky. But seriously, we can’t all fit under there. And it’s not that cold.”

If only to prove him wrong, the gently breeze gusted into a chilling wind. The six ponies shivered simultaneously.

“Okay, make room. We’re bundling in the tent,” Thunder decided, teeth chattering.

It took a few minutes of finagling, but everypony managed to get settled, if uncomfortably, under the tent. Lazle, who was squished between Dawn and Tart, sighed sleepily. She watched the last of the embers fade as she drifted into dreamland.

Volume I: Part 3 (Apple Tart)

Tart did not appreciate being shook awake. Sleep was good. Sleep let the body rejuvenate itself. It allowed the muscles to relax, the mind to calm, and the something to whatever. Being woken up, however, was bad. Awake meant not asleep.

“G’way,” Tart muttered. She pushed at the prodding hoof.

“Come on, sleepy head,” Lazle said cheerfully. “Rise and shine.”

“Five more minutes.”

“Sorry, AT-AT,” a different voice - Party’s? Tart was too concerned with sleeping to notice - a different voice responded. “No can do.”

“G’way,” Tart repeated. The voices stopped. The prodding ceased. Tart smiled, shifting herself to a more comfortable position. For once, she won more sleep.

“Fire! Fire in the orchard!”

Suddenly, the world exploded into sound. Tart jumped to her feet in surprise, spinning around to find the source of the noise. She tripped on her own hooves and crashed Lazle, bringing the tent down on the pair.

“Up yet?” Party leaned in to ask.

She glared at him in response.

Apple Tart took a long drink of water. They’d been walking for almost five hours with no break. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Lazle did make a fuss when she realized that Dawn was leading the rest of the ponies further away from Ponyville. Though she decided to stay quiet and trot along, rather than make her way back alone. Grudgingly, that is. In any case, forcing their way through the forest’s lush undergrowth was not an easy task. Even Tart, toughened by hours of labor on the farm, was starting to feel the burn.

Fortunately, the forest was starting to thin out. Alfalfa Ridge, the miniature mountain range that ran through the back of Everfree, was starting to creep up on the group. The peaks were covered in a thick coat of snow. Tart hoped that they could find a way around. Or through. Either would be preferable to heading up.

The bay pushed herself away from the river. Her stomach gurgled in a gurgly fashion. She sighed, stalking over to Dawn’s saddle bags to search for food. Unfortunately, they were barren of anything of the sort.

“Anypony got anythin’ t’eat?” Tart glanced between the four ponies present. They all shook their heads. “Well, shoot. Ah’m starved.”

“We all are,” Lazle said dryly, glaring at Dawn. The latter unicorn shrugged sheepishly. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but was cut off immediately.

“Never fear! Faith is here.” The pink-and-black maned pegasus fluttered down, forelegs burdened with some kind of fruit. It was vaguely red, and similar to grapes in shape, but much larger.

Tart eyed them suspiciously, her mouth watering a little. She didn’t trust anything grown in the Everfree forest. Then again, food was food. “Y’all sure that’s okay to eat?”

“Of course. Mom and Dad are Ponyville’s experts on all things wild and lifey. They’ve taught me everything they know. Sure, I don’t have as good of an eye, but I’ve learned.” To prove her point, the pegasus bit into one of the kinda-grapes and chewed happily. Suddenly, her eyes grew wide. Faith spat out the fruit. She coughed several times before collapsing to the ground, wheezing.

“Faith!” Everypony yelled, rushing to the collapsed pegasus. Dawn’s horn surged with magic. She ran it over the pegasus, doing whatever magicky thing she was doing. After a moment, Faith sat up giggling.

“You’re too easy.” She grinned. Party and Thunder chuckled, embarrassed. The other ponies did not. Tart slapped the back of Faith’s head.

“Not funny,” she glared.

Faith rubbed her skull, still grinning. “Sure.”

After lunch, which mostly consisted of Faith convincing the others that they kinda-grapes weren’t really poisonous, and that she “is so very sorry” for tricking them like that. The forest soon gave out, revealing a field of brilliant blue flowers. They were probably the most beautiful flowers Tart had ever seen. They seemed to glow, intensifying their color. The six ponies couldn’t help but admire the field, awestruck by the beauty. As soon as they set forth to wade through the field, a voice called out, forcing them them to halt.

“No! Do not touch the plants of blue; they shall surely do not but hurt you.”

The turned to see a frantic black and white pony racing toward them. Tart’s heart stopped in her chest. Forget flowers, he was gorgeous. He short mane stood perfectly straight, following down his neck. It matched the pattern of his body. His cloak billowed out from behind him as he charged the six ponies. But nothing stood out like his eyes. They shone with the same intensity as the flowers, drawing all attention to his dark blue irises. He had a single gold loop above his left eye, and a faint scar below the right. Apple Tart, for the first time ever, was completely in love.

“Who are you? Dawn growled, lowering her head into a defensive stance. She channeled some magic into her horn, adding to the effect.

The zebra stared at her, bemused. “In my homeland, I was but a prince -” Tart’s heart fluttered. A prince - “though I doubt that gives you any hints. I am Zachariah, ruling son of -”

“What are you doing out here, Zachariah?” Dawn demanded.

“I am here on a mission to save my land, before it becomes burdened to beasts of sand.”

“Does he really have to end each line with a rhyme?” Party whispered.

“No, not quite,” Zachariah said, slightly confused, “but I thought it best to be polite.”

“Polite?” Dawn snorted. “Polite ponies don’t sneak up on others.”

The others stared at Dawn. “I’m sorry for causing such a fright,” the zebra said, assessing the unicorn’s stance. Dawn had ceased channelling magic, but she remained guarded. “I had not wished to start a fight.”

“Don’t mind her,” Tart replied, pushing the unicorn away. “Dawn’s jus’ crabby right now. Ah’m Apple Tart, but y’all can just call me Tart. If ya don’t mind me askin’, what are ya doin’ all the way out here?”

“Oh, I have wandered far and long, in search for one that has done my country wrong. I was... told that she would be in Ponyville, though I fear that I have far to go still. No matter, seeing you has rekindled my fire, and now, if I may inquire, I seek an answer to the same question that you asked me latter.”

The six ponies stared at him with blank expressions.

Zachariah sighed. “I wish to know why you are also so far out.”

“Oh!” Tart chuckled. “We actually just left Pon-”

“We’re camping,” Dawn cut in. “And if you don’t mind, we would best be off.”

“Very well, though if you wish to go around these hills of Joke, I would be happy to show you a cave through to the Dying Oak. But in exchange, if you will, I wish for directions to Ponyville.”

The six ponies exchanged a glance. They silently argued, conveying their thoughts mostly through strange looks. In the end, Tart won out.

“Well, Prince Zach, I’d be happy to oblige ya.”

“After,” Dawn added, “you take us to this tunnel.”

The prince nodded, and motioned for them to follow. Apple Tart happily followed, but she was pulled back by Lazle’s telekinesis. The blue unicorn waited for Thunder and Party to fall in line before letting go. She gave Tart a concerned glanced and joined the party.

Party instantly engaged the zebra in conversation, though not about anything of relevance. Tart quickly lost interest in the conversation, preferring to focus on a more interesting bit of the zebra. He was incredibly well-toned, though the cloak did a good job of hiding most of his body. He looked like he would certainly be a good... worker. On the farm! Tart blushed, and diverted her attention to the yellow pegasus nudging her.

“What?” The earth pony asked, annoyed.

“You have a crush on him,” Faith sang quietly. “You have. A crush. On him.”

“Ah do not! Though, he’s a might bit attractive.”

“Oh?” Faith raised her eyebrows. “I think you love him.” She made sure to stretch out the word love.

“Do not!” Tart said childishly. “Ah don’t spend all day thinkin’ about boys, unlike some ponies.” Tart stuck her nose in the air, trying to be dignified. It didn’t work.

“She likes him,” Faith told Dawn. The unicorn smiled at pair and shook her head.

“You’re really mature,” she said sarcastically.

Faith, either missing the sarcasm, or ignoring it, puffed her chest out with pride.

The zebra stopped outside the entrance of a dark cave. He picked up a small stick and struck it quickly against the wall. The tip instantly burst into flame, providing a little light. He nodded toward Thunder. The pegasus accepted the torch without comment.

“This, my friends, is where we part ways,” he grinned at the group. “I must warn you that the journey to the next town is little over two days. But if what... Party has told me is correct, mine won’t be as long I suspect.” He unslung the bag that had been mostly hidden by his cloak and emptied three small rolls from it. “My parting gift.”

Dawn levitated the rolls into her bag, not checking to see what they contained. She thanked the zebra and turned toward the cave. The others didn’t follow right away. Tart was, again, transfixed by the zebra’s gaze. His blue eyes were shining much brighter than they had when she first run into Zachariah. In fact, they were almost glowing. The zebra caught her gaze and smiled. His voice dropped an octave.

“And I’ll consider this yours.”

Her world faded to black.

Suddenly, Tart was in the middle of a desert. Other ponies - no, other zebras raced by her. Tart held her place, staring off at the approaching figure. It was massive, easily twice her size. The creature was vaguely cat-shaped, though it had a large, red ruff in a ring around its neck. Tart suddenly realized what the creature was; a sense of dread went through her. The giant cat was a lion. And it was charging right for her.

Her first instinct was to run. But her body didn’t move. Her heart-rate shot up. She could hear it pounding in her ears. Except... She couldn’t. She was panicked to be sure, but her body gave no sign of fear. Her ears flicked back with annoyance as the beast charged her. Every other pony - zebra - around her was fleeing, but her body still refused to move. The lion drew to a halt less than half a stride away from her. It roared, spittle flying from between its teeth. Tart just blinked and sighed, as if the creature bored her. It pulled its massive paw back to strike. Then, in a flash of green smoke, Tart was gone. She couldn’t follow her own actions fast enough. One moment she was standing, waiting to be struck down. The next, she stamped her hoof down and was suddenly on top of the lion. The creature was just as confused as she was. Tart didn’t give the creature time to react. She pulled back her other hoof, for the first time noticing the small spikes that protruded through the bottom. She slammed the spiked hoof into the creature’s skull.

Before Tart could process her actions, the world faded away again. She stood staring into the shining blue eyes of Zachariah. The zebra gave her a sad look, as if knowing what she just saw. He nodded to her and disappeared in a flash of green smoke.

Nopony said anything. They just stared after the fading fog, trying to understand what they just saw. A collective sense of dread filled them. A single thought raced through Tart’s mind, and, presumably, the minds’ of her friends.

Did we just send a monster to Ponyville?

Volume I: Part 4 (Faith)

Faith shuddered. She glanced around quickly, relieved to see proper Equestrian rocks and trees. The lion was gone. The sand was gone. And the spooky zebra was gone, a fading puff of green smoke in his place.

The yellow pegasus stared at her friends. Each looked just as confused and relieved as she felt. She caught Dawn’s eye. The unicorn smiled softly, but her eyes betrayed her. She was frightened. The unicorn glanced away, returning to a prideful stance.

“Alright everyone,” Dawn drew their attention away from the smoke, “We should go. I want to be on the other side of this mountain before dusk.”

Faith shook her head, clearing thoughts of him. She turned her attention to the cave. It wasn’t too dark, thanks to the two unicorns, but Faith loathed to think what lay beyond their bubble of light. Small, reddish spiders scuttled away the sextet, hiding in the shadows.

The cave was unnaturally smooth, as if it had been carved into the mountain. The reddish stone sparkled from the unicorns’ light. As they walked, the shiny-stone cave began to widen and look more natural. The smooth hall gave way to bumpy corridor. Eventually, the corridor split into three separate paths.

Dawn stopped, halting the rest of the group. To the left lay nothing but rubble. The other paths appeared to be clear.. The unicorn closed her eyes in concentration. A second layer of magic, a slighter darker red, enveloped her horn. After a moment, the glow died. Dawn trotted down the middle path.

“Uh, Dawn?” Faith stopped the unicorn.

“Yeah?”

“How do you know that’s the right path?” Lazle cut in.

“A spell.”

“A pathfinding spell?”

“Uh, kinda.”

Faith gave her friend a stern look that simply said, “Explain.”

Dawn sighed. She lit the light from her horn dim. “Alright. When I was little, after my dad died, my mother went through a small depression. He’d fallen ill and she felt responsible for his death. No matter what spell she tried, he couldn’t be cured. She did get better. Celestia helped her through it.

“Since then, my mother poured through other kinds of magic. She spent her life studying Friendship. But that was almost a fault. She neglected other forms of magic and felt the need to catch up. She never told me what spell she was searching for, but one day, she found it.

“I was asleep. Mom burst into my room and shook me awake. Her mane was a mess, but she was smiling warmly. A purple aura enveloped me. I... I can’t exactly describe what she did. But I could feel everything. I could feel my mother’s store of energy. I could feel her love. I - Stop staring at me like that!” Dawn blushed, looking away from the amused faces of her friends.

“Sorry, Dawnie,” Faith giggled. “It’s just so cheesy.”

Dawn glared.

“Sorry,” Faith lowered her head, “Go on.”

“Well, there’s not much more to say. I’ve always felt connected to my mom, but since then, our bond’s been strengthened. I can feel her whenever I want. I can always feel her magic and, with a little effort, I can find her.”

“Wait, so it tells you where she is? Couldn’t you just teleport to her?”

“No. It works like a compass, except it points due Mom.”

There was a small silence.

“That’s awesome,” Party said softly.

“At least we know you aren’t just wondering aimlessly,” Lazle muttered.

“But what does that spell have to do with your father?” Tart asked.

“Right. Well,” Dawn shrugged sheepishly, “I don’t really know. The next day, she left me with Spike. Mom said she was going to Canterlot to take care of some business with Celestia. But she didn’t. She went too far east. I don’t know where she went, but I think it had something to do with my father.” Dawn brightened her horn. The tiny horde of spiders that had been collecting at her feet vanished. She shivered and started progressing down the cave. “We should probably go before those things start to nest.”

Faith and the other ponies nodded. The yellow pegasus took her place behind their leader, lost in thought. She stared at Dawn’s sunrise mane, realizing for the first time how odd her - Dawn’s - life was. The unicorn was the daughter of Princess Celestia’s protege, the Element of Magic, and dorkish bookworm. She was the niece of Princess Cadance, and the only grandfoal of her family. Dawn was expected to be a legend. But to Faith, she’d never been anything more than just Dawn. Dawn the silly unicorn. Dawn the history whiz. Dawn the beautiful mare.

In comparison, Faith was nothing special. Yes, she was also the daughter of an Element. All of her close friends were. But there was no legend to her name. Nopony expected anything special of her. In that respect, she was all alone.

Her cousin, Tart, was expected to run Sweet Apple Acres along with her sister. Lazuli had a beautiful voice, and would probably follow in her Aunt’s hoofsteps. Thunder didn’t quite have his mother’s speed, but he inherited her love for tricks. Everypony knew that he would also become a Wonderbolt eventually. Even Party was special. He’d fallen sick as a yearling, but he struggled through. His brother, Faith had been told, did not. Since then, Party seemed immune to almost any disease, including sleep. When he wanted to, the pink pony could go for hours.

But Faith was nothing. Faith was just faith. The pegasus daughter of Fluttershy and Big McIntosh. That was all she held to her name.

Faith glanced over her shoulder. Lazle was glaring daggers at the pegasus. Faith raised an eyebrow at the unicorn, but Lazle just blushed slightly and admired the cave’s sparkly walls. The pegasus snorted and returned to her depressed mood.

“Finally!” Lazuli sang. “We’re free of that dirty old cave.” The unicorn stepped out of the dark, glancing around. They stood in a small clearing. Around them stood dead and dying trees. She sighed. “Ugh, and back into the forest. Fun.”

“Hear, hear,” Party said absentmindedly. He immediately sank down into a stretch. The last few yards of the cave had been slightly cramped for a pony of his size. He glanced up and, suddenly, his body went stiff. The others caught it too, eyes growing wide.

Lazuli stared at the five ponies. “What’s wrong? Why are you all star - Get your horn off of me!” She barked as Dawn poked at the bi-color maned unicorn. The spider that had been resting calmly between the mare’s ears fell. Lazle stared at the orange, three inch arachnid blankly. Suddenly, she reared and dashed away from the clearing. The others could hear her squealing nonsense.

Faith dashed after the unicorn, slightly amused. Leave it to Lazle to panic over something so small. When she wanted to, the unicorn could really run. Faith chased her into a dark section of the forest, tackling her to the ground. They rolled into a small ditch

“Hey. Hey!” Faith shook the mare. “Lazle, are you okay?”

“Yes. No. That thing was on me. On me!” The unicorn shuddered.

“Yeah, well, it’s dead now.”

“Oh Celestia, what if it bit me?”

“It didn’t. You would have felt it. And you’d be fine anyways. Bright colors means it isn’t poisonous.” Faith hoped she was right. She couldn’t quite remember what her mother said, but there was no point in worrying the unicorn further.

“Oh.” She gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

The two ponies sat in an awkward silence for a moment.

“Faith?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t mean to pry, but are you and -”

“Lazle.” Faith interrupted.

“Sorry, you’re right. Eavesdropping is wrong. And it’s your business -”

“Lazle!” Faith repeated. She motioned behind the blue pony. The unicorn turned and froze in panic.

Before them stood a giant, furry spider, easily twice the size of the pegasus. Faith gulped. Fluttershy had told her daughter that all animals deserve respect. The pink and black maned pony was pretty sure that her mother never met overgrown arachnids. The tree-branch legs bunched up and the spider launched itself at the pair. Faith grabbed Lazuli, rolling underneath the creature’s belly.

Faith popped up into a guarded stance, turning to face the furry creature. She could hear Lazle rising to her feet. The overgrown spider hissed at the pair. Faith hissed back. The spider slowly stepped toward them. The pair retreated, keeping distance between them and the monster, but they were quickly running out of space. Faith flared her wings, preparing to do something very stupid.

Lazle noticed. “Faith, don’t you dare even think about it.”

The pegasus launched herself at the spider. The creature paused and cocked its head, as if amused by the sudden bravery. Faith charged for the spider’s eyes, flaring her wings at the last second. She collided with spider, miraculously not impaling herself on its fangs. The two rolled over each other. The spider’s legs flailed. Faith felt one of the tree-branch legs hit her. She spiraled away from the monster, slamming into a tree. The world faded to black.

Faith jerked awake feeling something pierce her back. She was wrapped tightly in something, restricting her movement, but she trashed as best as she could. Suddenly, the pain stopped. She continued to trash, tearing the cocoon apart.

“Faith,” a warm voice called, “calm down.”

The pegasus stopped. She glanced around, noticing the five familiar faces. She was in a different clearing, in a much a brighter section the forest. The trees looked like real trees, not dying husks. She placed a hoof to her head gently.

“What happened?”

“You got knocked out while being stupid.” Lazuli glared for a moment, but her expression softened. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“Y’all wanna tell us what happened?” Tart interrupted. “Ah don’t like draggin’ unconcious cousin outta dark holes.”

“Later,” Faith consented. “But I need to talk to Lazle a moment.”

The blue unicorn stepped forward. The others continued to surround the pegasus. She stared at them blankly.

“Alone.”

The others trotted away, clumping in the far end of the clearing.

“Yes?” The blue and white maned unicorn asked.

“So,” Faith grinned wickedly. “You were spyin’ on me.”

“What? I never!” She tossed her head in a haughty manner. Faith raised an eyebrow. The unicorn sighed. “I didn’t mean to. It just - I...” She blushed. “I’m happy for you and Thunder.”

The two sat in silence for a moment.

“What?”

“I said that -”

“No,” Faith cut Lazuli off again, “I heard. I’m just confused. Lazle, Thunder and I aren’t anything. I don’t know why you think we are.”

The unicorn’s ears perked up. “You aren’t?”

Faith giggled, her face reddening. “Lazle, I don’t like colts.”

The two stared at each other for a moment. The unicorn didn’t look as surprised as Faith expected. Faith rolled her eyes.

“You know, some reaction would be nice. You’re only the second pony I told.”

“Oh, sorry.” Lazle blushed a little. “It’s just - Well, you see...” The unicorn put a hoof to her chin, trying to come up with a delicate way to break the news. Failing that, she went for a more direct approach. “Uh, Faith, dear, most ponies already assume you are, um, more inclined toward mares.”

“Oh,” the pegasus said softly, frowning slightly. Lazle watched her awkwardly. Part of her just wanted to reach out and wrap the pony in a tight hug. But she resisted, unsure of how Faith would react. After a moment, the pegasus glanced up, beaming.

“So, Lazle, what do you think of Dawn?”

Volume I: Part 5

“Faith, stop squirming,” Dawn said flatly. The spell required careful attention, and the yellow pegasus’s constant movement wasn’t helping.

“Stop stabbing me with lightning laced flowers.”

The three ponies stared at her in silence for a moment. Then Parteilich and Apple Tart burst out laughing. Dawn just smiled and nodded. She couldn’t risk making a mistake on this. Lazle said the pegasus had been knocked out after being bashed against a tree trunk. The minor abrasions were easy to mend, but the unicorn wanted to be sure her friend hadn’t suffered any permanent damage. Fortunately, Faith was only (“only”) concussed. She’d be fine.

“That sure ain’t somethin’ ya hear every day,” Tart giggled. The brown pony peered over Dawn’s shoulder, trying to see the invisible strands of magic that sewed Faith’s wounds.

“Dawn,” Party said amused, “Are you sure there aren’t any side effects from this spell of yours?”

Dawn sat back and admired her work. The pegasus was as good as new, minus some discoloration. “Well, brain damage,” Dawn grinned, “but with Faith, it’s hard to tell.”

“Hey!” Faith glared. The yellow pony attempted to come up with some witty retort. Failing that, she just shrugged her shoulders. The group burst into a fresh gigglefest.

The forest on the far side of Alfalfa pass was a mixed blessing. The six were free from whatever danger lay in the Everfree, though they’d been lucky to avoid most of the wildlife. Then again, if Faith’s experience told them anything, they were far from safe. And they had no real destination from this point. Dawn only knew to keep heading to the northeast.

The unicorn wrapped the second blanket around her friend. Faith gave her an annoyed glare, but snuggled against it. The pegasus fell asleep almost immediately, her cousins flanking her side protectively. Dawn smiled softly at the sight. Faith liked to act tough, but she relied on her family. Tart and Party were always there for her. As she grew older, the pegasus became more protective of her family. And her friends. Of them all, Faith probably held the deepest connection with each pony.

Dawn turned away from the group, gathering the supplies for a fire. She had learned her lesson. As much as it pained her to admit it, Lazle’s “slow” method of fire building was much better. The spark lacked the heat to inflame even the driest kindling.

She walked to the edge of the clearing where Lazuli and Thunder were pretending to gather firewood. Ha! They’d been sitting in the same place for the past few minutes, talking. Lazle was finally doing what Dawn had failed to even attempt. Their rivalry for Thunder’s affection was no small secret. Yet Dawn felt only the lightest touch of jealousy, which she quickly dismissed.

The truth was, Dawn could feel herself slipping away from the idea of romance. In the past couple days - had it really only been two days? - had shown her something that Ponyville could not. Her life was simple. Her life was easy. And she wanted something more. By the time her mother was Dawn’s age, Twilight had already shown a true mastery of magic. The older mare had discovered her role as an Element of Harmony. Dawn’s greatest achievement was passing Honors Calculus. The firey-maned unicorn realized that she was starting to obsess over superficial things. Being jealous because Lazle finally bucked up was beneath her. Once Dawn saved her mother, she planned to seriously study magic. She hadn’t earned her cutie mark for nothing. If magic was truly her gift, then she should learn some real magic.

The unicorn quickly gathered the wood for a fire from one of the dead trees and gathered what she could for food. The forest was slowly dying on this side of the mountains. The only living plants she could see were small bushes and the occasional tree. With any luck, the forest would either stop before much longer, or revive. Even if it didn’t, Dawn would continue to chase after her mom. She’d come to far already to think about retreating.

Within minutes, the fire flared to life. All six of the ponies crowded around the fire, though in slightly divided groups. Faith, half asleep, was squished between Tart and Party. Lazuli and Thunder sat across from them, making no attempts to hide their sudden infatuation. Dawn seated herself halfway between the two groups.

While they ate the small berries, Lazle, with muttered comments from Faith, told the others of her fight with the “Terrifying Arachnid Monsters.” Of course, the tale was highly dramatized, but that only added to the fun. After Faith was defeated by the gargantuan spider, the unicorn found a surge of bravery. She devised a cunning plan to lure the spider away. Well, she poked it with a sharp stick and ran away as fast as she could. But the plan worked. She bumped into Tart, and the two dragged the pegasus to safety.

“Not sure I can sleep knowing those things are still out there,” Lazle said quietly. The fire lit the clearing brilliantly, but the rest of the forest was shrouded in darkness. Celestia knows what could have been watching them. The six ponies subconsciously shifted closer to the fire.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Thunder grinned. Party gagged, earning him a glare from the grey pegasus. “And we can always toss them Party to snack on,” he continued.

“I’m far too pretty to eat,” the pink pony replied, holding his head in a dignified manner.

Dawn listened to the, er, ‘witty’ banter half-heartedly. Her eyelids were slowly becoming lead. Within moments, the world faded to darkness.

“Mom!” Dawn shouted, her voice echoing in the cave. The purple lump didn’t respond. Dawn lunged forward, trying to rush to her mother, but the unicorn couldn’t move. Some invisible force was holding her back.

Somepony laughed darkly. “Not so fast, my little pony.”

Dawn stopped running. She glanced around the dark cave, unable to locate the voice. “Who’s there?”

The darkness sighed. “No-one, I expect, you remember. Your mother got to know me quite well, before, you know, she trapped me in stone again. You ponies are extraordinarily uncreative.”

Dawn glared at the darkness. She knew her mother’s stories well. “Discord.”

“The one and only. I like your generation much more than your mother’s. You ponies actually paid attention in history.”

Dawn’s horn glew with energy. She started toward her mother again. This time, the invisible leash let her go. Just before Dawn got to Twilight’s limp form, however, the older mare was enveloped in a cloud of darkness. The cloud took shape, forming a large pony, easily the size of Celestia. Her mane, infused with the colors of night, flowed mystically behind her.

“L-Luna?” Dawn asked, shocked to see the princess.

The dark pony laughed heartily. “No, my little pony, I am much stronger than her.”

“Nightmare Moon,” Dawn whispered. The unicorn channeled more energy into her horn, unsure of what she planned to do with it. She’d learned little beyond basic telekinesis, save for a basic firestarter. Dawn took an offensive stance, glaring at Nightmare Moon. Discord, wherever he was, would have to wait. “Step away from my mother.”

She unleashed a blast of fire, catching the alicorn by surprise. Nightmare Moon was consumed in flames for a moment. But the fires were quickly suppressed. The dark pony smirked. “Cute.”

Smokey tendrils shot from the pony’s mane, arcing their way to Dawn. She closed her eyes, attempting to hide behind her hooves.

Dawn was shaken awake. The sun was just beginning to rise; many of the night’s stars were still visible. The pink pony placed a hoof to his mouth, telling her to remain quiet. He motioned away from the dying campfire. Dawn followed him to the edge of the forest.

“You were talking in your sleep again,” Party stated. He tried to not sound concerned, but his eyes betrayed him. The earth pony was extremely worried.

Dawn blinked in surprise. “I - I’ve done it before?”

Party nodded.

Dawn sighed, glancing away from the colt. “Nightmares. You know the stories our parents tell us?”

Party grinned. “Oh, yes,” he said excitedly.

“Well, I’m afraid that,” Dawn blushed, feeling foolish to admit this out loud, “some of Mom’s villains have returned. Nightmare Moon, Discord, and that stupid griffon. I’m afraid of what they’d do if they got to her.”

“Dawn, stop worrying.”

“But -”

“No,” Party held out an hoof, “stop. Nightmare Moon was defeated. Luna is perfectly okay. Discord was trapped in stone and placed Celestia knows where.”

Dawn nodded. “But the griffon?”

Party laughed. “Twilight is the most talented unicorn in Equestria. I don’t think a crabby griffon is any threat. Besides, I don’t think your mom even spoke to Gilda.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Dawn sighed. “I’m just so worried about her.”

Party wrapped the unicorn in a hug. “Yeah, I know.”

Faith ignored the pain in her stomach. They hadn’t had anything to eat all day. The forest was dead. The few live trees near the base of the mountain were the last with any green. The dying forest eventually tapered off into dying plains. The grass rose above the pegasus’ shoulders, blocking her vision. No matter how much she begged, her friends kept her grounded. Fortunately, the weeds eventually became green. And they shrunk. Faith could actually see more than just her snout.

The six ponies stopped just before dusk. A city, easily the size of Canterlot, rested not too far away, no more than a couple hour walk. But the sunset captured their attention. They sat on a small hill, awed by the streaked sky. 50 shades of orange outlined the clouds, creating beautiful, silhouetted shapes.

Faith leaned on Dawn, her tail wrapped around the unicorn. Dawn twitched occasionally, but said nothing.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Faith whispered.

Dawn nodded.

“Hey Dawn,” Faith started. A Sudden surge of panic overtook her. Millions of butterflies suddenly took flight in her stomach. Faith was never good at rejection. Fear of losing her friends - for whatever reason - surged through her. The pegasus glanced away, moving off of her friend. “Are you hungry? I’m starving.”

The unicorn nodded. “Yeah, we should probably get going. We should get some food before Party eats us all.”

The pink pony’s ears perked up. “Hey! I don’t eat unicorn. Too much bone.”

The six laughed and started toward the town. Faith dropped back, annoyed at her own cowardice. Perhaps she was better off alone.

She awoke staring into the eyes of an extremely dark pony. His silver mane and tail seemed to glow in the dim room. His eyes were almost as dark as is onyx coat, giving him the illusion of lacking irises.

“Hello, Twilight,” he greeted, turning his head slightly. A small pink scar ran down his cheek. Twilight smirked. She’d given him that scar, and she was proud she had. The unicorn stood shakily, glancing over him. The unicorn had changed since she last saw him. His coat was once grey, almost as pale as Shining’s or Rarity’s. His mane used to be cropped close to his neck. Now it billowed out behind him, waving in the air, despite the lack of any breeze. Unlike his coat, it had brightened slightly.

Twilight stared at the pony, glaring directly into his eyes. “Hello, Midnight.”

Volume I: Part 6 (Party)

Parteilich Spassig Pie was generally a laid back pony. Ironic, considering his mother’s hyperactive nature. His father couldn’t exactly be described as calm, either. But Party was relaxed. Not that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, get excited. He had all the energy of his mother. He just usually bottled it up and stored it for times that required great bursts of energy. Like now.

Party stood over Dawn protectively. The unicorn was nursing her injured leg. Some fat pony had fallen on it. Thankfully, she looked to be only bruised.

Party glared at the trio of earth ponies before him. They were laughing cruelly. The smell of liquor was heavy on their breath, wafting through the air. They shambled closer to the pair, menacing looks in their eyes. Party stood his ground, refusing to let them near his friend. Alleys, fillies, and drunken colts never added up to something good. Not even something kinda nice.

Party never took pride in his size. He was built a lot like his uncle; sturdy, strong, and big. Oh, so very big. Unlike his uncle, the pink earth pony wasn’t muscular. He spent his days lounging rather than apple-bucking. But when it came to fights, his mass and energy were all that mattered. Party stepped forward to meet the leader of the drunken gang.

The lead colt snorted. He leaned into Party’s face, squashing his nose on the pink pony’s. He slurred something Party could only interpret as “make your move.”

Party did.

“Finally!” Lazuli exclaimed a couple hours earlier. “A city. A real, proper city with lights and beds and ponies -”

“And food,” Thunder cut her off. The other ponies murmured approval. After a couple days of nonstop walking, well, occasionally stopped walking, they were ready for a break. “Celestia, I’m hungry. And, for the last time, I don’t eat other ponies!”

Faith stopped shuffling toward Dawn. “What? Now, whoever said anything about that?” She resumed sliding away. The others chuckled half heartedly.

The six walked through the first open door they saw. Immediately, they stepped back out. Apparently, the city was far more open than Ponyville.

They trekked through town, hunting for something to eat. The more upperclass places were closed for the night, but food was food. They were willing to eat anywhere.

Party was impressed by the size of the city. He spent his entire life in Ponyville, and though it wasn’t exactly rural, it wasn’t large. The hustle of the ponies and various city noises that Ponyville lacked just bred excitement. This city was full of color, neon signs hanging above almost every door. It’d be impossible to sleep in this. Not that sleep seemed to enter the city’s hypothetical mind. It seemed that everypony was just waking up.

The group settled down at a small diner. It was a tight fit, but they managed to squeeze into a single booth. A tan earth pony smiled at them warmly. The bags under her eyes betrayed her cheeriness.

“Hi, can I get you anything?” She sounded tired, but kept her first-rate grin.

“Food, please.” Thunder winked.

The waitress let her smile slip for half a second. In its place stood a wicked glare. She looked as if she could unleash all of Tartarus on the pegasus without second thought. In a blink, her smile returned. She gave a half-hearted chuckle.

“Anything else?” She asked sweetly.

The group ordered, Thunder with a slight tremble. The waitress skated away. A few minutes, she returned with their food. It wasn’t good by normal standards, but considering it had been a full day since they ate anything at all, they didn’t much care about taste. Food was food. While they ate, the six attempted to plan out their next move.

“Dawn,” Lazuli said sharply, “I understand you’re worried about your mom, but we can’t keep going like this. What if this city hadn’t been here? Who knows what would’ve happened?”

“We would have kept going.”

“Until we starved? What if we weren’t able to find anything to eat?”

Dawn stared down at her hay fries. “I don’t know.”

“Exactly my point. This hasn’t exactly been campy funtime. We left Ponyville completely unprepared.”

“I never asked for you to come along,” Dawn said defensively.

Lazle gave her an annoyed stare. “I know. But we’re here anyways, and good thing too. You’d probably be dead if it weren’t for us.”

Dawn opened her mouth to protest, but she shook her head. Nothing came to her.

The other four watched in silence, not opting to take sides. Truth be told, Party was thankful for this little escapade. It was like a vacation, only more stressful and dangerous.

“At the very least,” Lazle continued, “We should buy some camping supplies. As much as I love our, er, tent, I don’t think I can stand being squished between these two lardbutts another night.” She motion to Party and Thunder, the group’s resident lardbutts.

“Hey,” Party responded, failing any other retort.

“But, seriously, we need to plan this out. We should figure out where we’re going. Maybe plan a route.”

“Uh, Lazle,” Dawn smiled sheepishly, “I don’t know where we’re going. Compas -” she poked her horn - “not a map.”

“Right,” Lazle consented, “but we could, at least, know where we’re going ahead of time. What if we have to sail across some ocean? We should know that ahead of time.”

Dawn thought for a moment. “That actually sounds like a good idea. How long do you think it will take?”

“No clue. Hopefully, it won’t take us more than a day.”

Dawn grumbled, but accepted. The six ponies ate the rest of their meal in silence. The waitress skated by, dropping off the check.

“Whenever you’re ready,” she said. Her tone indicated that ‘ready’ should be ‘soon.’

None of the ponies made an attempt to grab the bill. They ignored it in an attempt to delay the inevitable.

After a few minutes, Dawn stood to leave. The other stared at her questioningly.

“I just need some air.”

Party waited a moment before following her out.

“Hey.” He rubbed his hooves together. “Cold, huh?”

Dawn smirked and shook her head. “Party, it’s like 70 out. I’m not cold.”

“Good point.”

The two ponies sat in silence outside the diner, just staring at the city. The sun had set hours ago, but no pony would notice any difference. The flashing lights were just as bright. Possibly brighter.

“Dawn,” Party started, his tone more serious than usual. “Are you okay?”

“Party,” she gave a soft laugh, “I’m fine. We talked this morning.”

The colt shook his head, his blond mane flopping about. “I don’t mean about that. I mean physically.”

She blinked.

“During dinner, you kept rubbing your head.”

“I was frustrated.”

Party snorted. “Lazle does have a point though. And that’s not all there is too it.”

Dawn sighed. “My, uh, my horn feels funny.”

Party bit his lip.

“It’s not funny,” Dawn said flatly. “It’s... It’s hard to explain. It feels like my magic is being stifled.”

Party raised his eyebrows. “Stifled?”

“Okay, I’m not sure how to explain this. Unicorns can feel magic constantly. When we cast spells, even basic telekinesis, we draw upon the magic around us. Some, like my mother, can harness more magic than others.”

“Okay.” Party nodded, pretending to understand.

“Well, I can normally feel a lot of magic in the air. But I think I’m losing it. I just feel a lot of pressure.”

Party sat there awkwardly. He knew nothing about unicorns and magic. Suddenly, Dawn grabbed him.

“P-Party,” she gasped. Her voice was strained. The unicorn’s horn began to glow white. She opened her eyes, and everything exploded into light.

Party fell a few feet, landing on something soft. He heard a yelp.

“Ow. You’re - ow - heavy,” Dawn grunted.

Party rolled off her. “Sorry. I, uh, what happened?”

“I might have, er,” Dawn chewed her lip. “There’s a chance I accidentally teleported us somewhere.”

Party blinked. He opened his mouth to respond, but he was interrupted.

“H-hey, there,” a pony hiccuped, “What’s you doin’ back there?”

Party turned, spotting three earth ponies a little ways down the alley. He stepped over Dawn protectively. They didn’t look friendly. Or, perhaps, they were a little too friendly looking. Either way, Party didn’t like them. “Go away. We’re busy.”

“Maybe we can help,” the shortest of the three ponies offered. His tone, and slurring, indicated he wasn’t really offering to help. He looked like he would just make their situation worse.

The trio stepped forward. Party stepped forward to meet them. The pink pony bristled, doing his best to appear intimidating. The trio laughed.

The leader grinned. “Make your move.”

Party, like most ponies, had a powerful kick. It was natural. Ponies were designed to kick. Sure, some had much stronger hindquarters, like Tart, but even the daintiest of pegasuses could really hurt.

A lot of ponies, however, lacked the same strength in their forelegs. Party considered himself an exception. The pink earth pony brought his legs down on the brown colt, putting as much of his weight into the strike as he could. The pony tumbled backwards, rolling into a wall.

The other two dashed toward Party. With surprising speed for a pony his size, Party dodged out of the way of the short pony. It went flying by, crashing into the floor. The third pony, a lime green colt, managed to turn and kick Party. But he wasn’t quite as stable. The green pony poked Party with his hooves and toppled over. Party started to retaliate, but the colt’s snore stopped him.

One down.

The short pony charged from behind. The leader also regained his footing and darted toward the large pink pony. Party delivered a kick to the short pony’s midsection. It grunted and stumbled into a wall. The leader, in turn, did the same to the blond maned pony. Party winced, but he brushed off the attack. He grappled the brown pony, collapsing the colt underneath his weight. The earth pony struggled, but Party quickly butted his head against the other’s. Sure that the pony was knocked out, Party turned toward the last pony.

The yellow earth pony leapt toward Party. The large pink pony braced himself, but the attack never finished. The colt hovered in air for a moment, and then was immediately slammed against the wall. The reddish glow around him faded.

“I’ve got your back,” Dawn said, winking. Her horn was glowing a dull red color. Party just grinned at her.

He bent down to help her up, but noticed the pained expression on her face. “Headache?”

“No,” Dawn snorted, “My leg. You landed on it.”

“Oh, sorry. Can you walk?”

Dawn put some weight on the leg. The leg buckled under her. “Uh, no. I think it’s sprained.”

“Okay then.” Party sighed. He knelt down next to the unicorn. “Climb up.”

“Are you-”

“Yes,” he said seriously. “I want you to ride me.”

Dawn giggled softly. She pulled herself onto the earth pony’s back, and the two set off to find their friends.

A few minutes later, Dawn tugged on Party’s mane frantically.

“Wha- ow - what?” He answered grumpily. It seemed like she had some vendetta against him for hurting her leg.

“I can’t feel her anymore.”

Party stopped and looked over his shoulder. Dawn’s eyes were blank. The reddish glow from her horn contrasted with the dark night.

“Dawn,” he said calmly, bracing for another Serious Discussion, “you can’t feel who anymore?”

Dawn was silent for a moment. Party felt her tears drip onto his back.

“My mom,” she whispered. Her voice was strained, threatening to silent itself. “I think she’s dead.”

Volume I - Chapter 7

“Interesting that you chose this place, my dear.” The dark pony smiled, peering out through the cracks of the boarded window. Beams of light slipped through the crack, catching any speck of dust that dare cross their path. “Did you do so on purpose? Or was it reaction?”

“Why are you here?” Twilight asked through gritted teeth. Everything ached. She cut off her ties to her magic, a painful experience for any unicorn. But she had to do it. She had to protect her daughter. Any connection between the pair could be traced.

Midnight completely ignored her. “I imagine it was the latter. Perhaps you thought of where we first met? Though I doubt that too.”

“Why are you here?”

“I imagine you thought of the last place you saw me. You were so angry when you caught me with her. Rightly so, I agree. But we both know she wasn’t the problem. I was.”

“Why are you here!?” Twilight demanded. The purple unicorn stamped her hoof.

“Because you brought me here.” He laughed, revealing unnaturally sharp teeth. He had changed some more since Twilight last saw him. “Because I’ve changed. I’ve been redeemed. I want to be with you again.”

“Bullshit,” Twilight spat. “Tell me the truth.”

“Twilight Sparkle! When did you get such a tongue?” Midnight asked, legitimately surprised. Twilight glared in response. “Oh, alright. You really are no fun. I’ve never been much of a storyteller, but what the hay! I’ll give it a shot. I warn you, my tale is long.”

The color in Midnight’s eyes drained until his irises were near black. His voice lowered several octaves, reaching unnatural levels.

“In the beginning, there were eight guardians: the elements of harmony, as you know; Solaris, the power of the light; and myself, the power of darkness. For centuries, we enjoyed peace. And then your kind came...”

“Party! Dawn!” Thunder called for the hundredth time. No reply came. The grey pegasus fluttered back down, coming to rest by Lazuli and Tart. “I can’t find them anywhere.”

“Neither can I,” Faith said, landing behind him.

“I can’t believe they’d run off like that!” Thunder complained. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy Party’s finally hitting it off with Dawn. It’s about time he got some. But they’ve been gone for hours.”

Lazle shook her head disappointedly. “Thunder, sweetie, Party has no chance with Dawn. She’s way out of his league.”

“What?” No way! Party’s an awesome guy. Dawn would be lucky to have him. If anything, he’s way out of her league.”

Lazle laughed. “Are- are you serious? Party’s a great pony, but he’s a bit of a mess. Not that Dawn can’t be, well, messy, but she certainly demands a higher standard.”

“So Party’s not good enough for her?” Thunder asked as if insulted.

“I think he would be a better fit for someone less intelligent.”

“Oh? So Party’s an idiot.”

“I didn’t say that!” Lazle exclaimed.

“Hey y’all, while Ah find the romantic life of one of my cousins and one of my best friends absolutely fascinatin’,” Tart sarcastically interrupted, “we’ve got more important things t’do. Like findin’ them.”

“Right, right,” Lazle said dismissively. After a moment, her eyes grew wide. “We’re all idiots. Instead of searching this giant city, why don’t we just go to the police?”

After a series of facehooves, the four ponies changed course.

Party’s legs ached. He followed Dawn through the city - one that was most certainly not the same as the one they teleported from - for the whole night. The purple unicorn tekked on, though, determined not to stop until she found her mother’s body. Hopefully, her living mother’s body. But Party could see that she was exhausted. Not unexpectedly either. The amount of magical energy she must have spent to teleport Party and herself was tremendous. Though, according to Dawn, she didn’t have to tap into any of her own magic.

“After my tie to my mother was severed,” Dawn had explained, her voice trembling, “the world around me exploded with magic. I suddenly had access to more power than I ever felt. A smarter pony would have stored it. But I didn’t. I was - and not to say I’m not still - distressed. So I did the first thing that came to mind. I teleported.”

The pair arrived at a beach just as morning broke. Dawn, pained by her leg, suggested that they take break to watch the sun rise over the waves. The two ponies sat, enjoying the calm of the ocean. Whatever trouble lay on Dawn’s mind disappeared.

“Dawn,” Party said softly. The purple filly glanced up at him. Her orange eyes sparkled. Party leaned down when, suddenly, there was a bright flash. The pair split apart. Between them, a small, blue filly collapsed to the sand. Her dark, silvery mane obscured most of her face. For a moment, her horn and eyes glowed white. She turned to Dawn.

“You.” It smiled warmly. “You’re real.”

The glow faded and the blue unicorn collapsed.

“Solaris and I have always been at odds,” Midnight continued. He stalked around the dusty room, always keeping one eye on Twilight. “We’re opposites. Light and dark. He loves your kind. I despise it,” he spat. “Your kind destroyed what little peace I had. So, when you came here, I planned to - now, how do I put this delicately - destroy you. Kill off every pony. But it was a feat I could not accomplish alone. You see, Solaris, the Elements, and I have a small problem. We can’t do much more than speak when we’re alone. We need a vessel of sorts. It took hundreds of years, but I found one.

“She was perfect. She was in charge of the night, much like myself. But your kind hates darkness. She was rejected and feared by many. And she soon became bitter and resentful. The perfect host.

“I could have tried to force my way into her mind. I could have locked her from her own body. But that’s a dangerous plan for me, should I fail. This host was willing, though. She wanted others to appreciate her beautiful night. I told her I could do that. I could make ponies love the night. Using her powers, as well as my far superior ones, I sent the world into eternal darkness. The eclipse lasted months. But Solaris got in the way. It appealed to my host’s sister. Instead of taking control, it gave her access to its powers and its knowledge. Solaris led her to the Elements of Harmony. Together, they banished me. Us. Fortunately, that was all she could do. She hadn’t yet discovered the real power of the Elements.

“So I disappeared for a thousand years. A thousand years I spent wrestling with my host’s brain. And in the end, neither of us won. I had control, but I failed to destroy her mind. She resisted me at every step. I returned, prepared to make the night eternal once again. Solaris had been weakening, and I felt nothing could stop me. However, I had not been prepared for you.” Midnight stopped and glared at Twilight. His skin rippled under his coat, as if something was crawling inside his body. “You and your friends discovered the Element’s true potential. You split me from my host. And again, I spent years on my own, biding my time until I could seek revenge. And one day, I found it.

“A young colt, weak of will, found me. He was wrapped in guilt. I offered him a way out, and he took it. He already knew you, and it took me very little effort to dominate his mind. Of course, this new body is weaker than the old one. He’ll barely survive another five years. Ten, if I’m lucky. But neither will Solaris.”

“What does that mean?” Twilight asked halfway between fury and sincere curiosity.

“Its host is reaching her end. She’s held him for over a thousand years. I’m afraid Solaris will absorb her essence, just as I shall absorb this one’s. Just as the Elements slowly absorb yours. But now, my dear Twilight, I have dragged this story on too long.” Midnight’s ears perked up. He turned towards the single door of the room. A bar had been placed over it to prevent entry. However, that quickly proved to be ineffective. The door burst from its frame in a shower of splinters, flying halfway across the room.

“Hello, Dawn.”

“So, what you’re saying is,” Rarity started as the younger ponies finished their tale. The story wasn’t very clear, since they had all jumped in to describe their own version of events. “You chased after Twilight. After Luna and, more importantly, your parents explicitly told you not to. Which is, though I’m sure it’s needless to say, extremely stupid of you. You didn’t even leave a note! What if something happened to you?” Rarity paused. The children hung their heads in shame. “What if ‘Prince Zachariah’ was crazy or a changeling? What if there had been more of those spiders? So much could have gone wrong. I just - hnng.” Rarity grabbed her daughter, wrapping her into a tight embrace. “What if I lost you?” she sobbed.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I just-”

“Don’t. Don’t even start. And, just so we’re clear, you are grounded until the end of time.”

The two ponies collapsed into a pile of apologies and sobbing. The other children took the opportunity to reunite with their own family. Thunder slinked over to his rainbow maned mother.

“I’ve gotta admit, that was pretty brave of you, kid.”

“Thanks. Dawn was just so upset, I had to help.”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “Like a true hero. You go off an adventure, fight giant monsters, meet mysterious strangers, get the girl...” Rainbow winked.

“Exactly! Just like Daring Do.”

“That’s just what I was thinking.” The cyan pony beamed at her son for a moment. He grinned stupidly back. “Of course, you’re totally grounded. I hope you’ll enjoy spending the rest of your days as our maid ‘cause you’re not leaving the house until it sparkles.”

Thunder protested, but his voice was drowned under a very commanding one.

“Children! Elements!” Luna boomed. “I bear good news. Twilight Sparkle, Dawn Sparkle, and Party Pie have all been found. As we speak, my night guard is moving in on the location. They shall return to us safely within a few hours.”

“They aren’t safe now? What’s wrong?” Rarity asked.

“I’m afraid that Twilight Sparkle, her daughter, Party Pie, and another are currently held hostage by an old enemy. You all know it as Nightmare Moon. But its true name is Noctis.”

The dark, silvery maned unicorn was called Trix. She barely spoke, and when she did, they were short, timid sentences. Trix claimed she knew Dawn, but refused to say how. Instead, the little blue filly’s expression became solemn and she stared at the ground.

The three ponies sat on the beach for several minutes, waiting for Trix to regain her strength. As soon as she was fit, Dawn led them back down the coast, searching for any clues for her mother.

“Uh, Dawn?” Trix prompted after several minutes. “I have an idea.”

“Yes?”

“I... Can you just close your eyes for a minute?”

Dawn stared at Trix blankly for a moment. She was hesitant to trust anypony at the moment. Anyone could have been involved in her mother’s capture and possible death. At the same time, she felt some connection to this pony. Trix claimed she knew Dawn and, on some level, Trix seemed familiar to Dawn. Dawn nodded and closed her eyes.

A wave of warmth washed over Dawn. Memories of her mother flooded through her mind. Threads of magic wound their way down her horn. Then in a burst of realization, Dawn opened her eyes. She turned from Trix and Party, galloping back up the street.

Party glanced down at the blue unicorn, eyes wide. “What did you do?”

Trix shrugged. “Nothing. I tried to use a tracking spell, but I kinda failed.”

“Oh.” Party paused. “We should chase after her.”

“Hello, Dawn.”

Twilight jumped as the door flew off its hinges. A blast of red energy arced through doorway, aiming for Noctis. In a flash of silver, the dark pony disappeared. The energy hit the boarded window, burning the planks off. Dawn stepped into the room. Her mane billowed behind her, lit by the aura around her horn.

“Mom!” Dawn let the energy in her horn died down. “You’re alive!”

Dawn tackled her mother, wrapping the older unicorn in a tight embrace. Twilight returned it.

“What are you doing here?” The older one asked.

“I’m looking for you.”

“Why? Didn’t Rarity or somepony look after you? You shouldn’t have come here.”

“Mom, I thought you had died. Everyone said that you were foalnapped or something and I had to know. I couldn’t just sit at home and hope you’d return. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said softly.

“What happened, Mom?”

“He came to our house. I didn’t think about anything, I just reacted. So I teleported the both of us to the first place I thought of. I’m sorry I didn’t think things through. I didn’t have time. I just wanted to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?”

“From me,” the Noctis-possessed Midnight said, injecting himself into the conversation.

Dawn turned toward the other pony. Her horn still glowed with energy.

“I suppose you don’t remember me, but-”

Dawn fired a beam of energy. Midnight yelped and quickly conjured a shield. The beam reflected toward one of the boarded windows, burning a large hole.

“Such temper. Midnight smiled at Twilight. “She must get that from you.”

Dawn fired another beam, but Midnight was prepared this time. He reflected the beam back toward Dawn, who dodged out of the way.

“It was nice to catch up with you, my dear Twilight.” He turned toward Dawn, smirking. “And you. I look forward to seeing you again.”

In a flash of silver light, Midnight vanished. Once they had made sure he was gone, Twilight and Dawn quickly embraced each other.

“Who was that, Mom?” Dawn asked, helping the older mare out of the decaying lighthouse.

Twilight sighed.

“That was your father.”

Volume I - Epilogue

Sister, there’s something we must talk about.

Dawn could feel beads of sweat dripping off her brow. The small package sat on the counter, taunting her. She knew she would have to open it eventually. But she was far too afraid. The package was much too small. A flood of fear enveloped her. She didn’t make the cut. She was a failure. She would never go to college. She would never join the Equestrian Guard. She would never bring her father down.

Dawn couldn’t handle the anticipation. She had to know. The unicorn grabbed the package and ripped it open. Ignoring the rest of the contents, she grabbed the letter which rested on the top.

“Dear Dawn Sparkle,” she read, “Congratulations! You have been accepted into Canterlot University…”

Its return has brought many troubles.

“I think that’s ‘nough for t’day,” Apple Tart called out to the zebra. There was no doubt he was the same they had encountered in the forest. But he seemed to have no memory of the encounter. The Apples had tried to learn more about him, but he seemed to remember very little of his past. He knew his name - Zachariah - but that was it. The rest was a mystery.

Tart, however, believed he was just being secretive. She decided that she would take a different approach.

“Hey, Zach,” she called. The zebra trotted up to her, his blue eyes shining. “What’re your plans for t’night?”

Zachariah shrugged.

“Well, why don’t ya and I go out t’eat? Get t’know each other better?”

The zebra smiled, locking her gaze with his. His eyes seemed to glow. For a moment, Tart felt as if she was someplace else. In a flash, however, she was back on the farm, staring at Zachariah.

“I would like that,” the zebra replied.

Old enemies are rising against us.

Faith couldn’t decide if she was happy or sad. This was her last year of flight camp. After this, she’d have to spend her summers doing adult pony things like taxes and reading the newspaper.

The orange filly that sat across from Faith beamed at her. They were about the same age, but they didn’t look it. Faith had adopted her mother’s graceful appearance, but the other was still trapped in an awkward phase. Hopefully, that would make the race easier.

“Ladies, take your marks!” Their referee roared. Faith glanced over to the other pony and smiled. She blushed, cheeks warm.

“I’m Faith,” she mouthed.

“Soda Pop,” the other mouthed back.

“Get set!”

Faith flared her wings and then let them relax a little. She was determined to win. This would be her last race for quite some time, and the prize was hefty: one dozen cupcakes. Most of which she had already eaten, actually. They were just lying out on the counter, unattended and delicious.

“Go!”

The two pumped their wings, racing off into the distance.

With each day, I become weaker.

Party sighed. He didn’t even need to check the clock. He knew he had overslept. Again.

The Cakes had been very generous so far. They knew he was Pinkie’s son and they wanted to do the best for him they could. But his last strike was up. They were losing more money on him than they had on his mother.

He had bounced around aimlessly, looking for a job that would stick. Thunder and Faith made enough to ward off bills, but not for long. Party knew he had to make it up to them somehow.

The phone rang. He ignored it.

Party rolled out of bed and got ready. He stepped outside, planning to head to the farm. Applejack hadn’t needed any help the last time Party checked, but that was a full season ago.

A flyer fluttered to the ground as he stepped outside. Three ponies - a unicorn, a pegasus, and an earth pony - stood on a hill, Equestria’s war banner waved behind them. In large, blocky letters, the text read: EQUESTRIA NEEDS YOU! Party picked up the flyer. For a minute, he thought about finding the address listed.

But not even he was that desperate.

I can’t keep them at bay for much longer. I can barely hold myself together.

“You didn’t think?” Lazle screamed at Thunder. Tears streamed down the blue unicorn’s face. “You didn’t think about how this would affect me? You didn’t think about Faith?”

“I’m sorry, I just lost control of myself.”

“I didn’t realize staying faithful required so much effort.”

Thunder flared his nostrils. He opened his mouth to yell, but decided better.

“You need to leave, Thunder.”

“Does this mean…”

“Leave.”

Lazle slammed the door shut and locked it. The blue mare collapsed to the floor in tears. She sat there for a few minutes, crying until she couldn’t any more. Faith appeared from upstairs. Her eyes were bloodshot and her fur was streaked from tears.

“Lazuli?” She called out in a soft voice. The blue mare looked up. “I’m really sorry, Laz.”

Lazle sucked on her upper lip for a moment, nodding rhythmically.

“He was drunk, and I was drunk, and I was thinking about somepony, and then he said he,” Faith paused. She took several deep breaths. “Then he said he loved me. And then he kissed me. And I’m really sorry, Lazle. I’m really sorry.”

The unicorn stumbled toward the yellow pegasus, wrapping her in a hug. Faith wrapped her wings around Lazle in return.

We’re on the eve of war, my sister.

Thunder landed outside the small, abandoned building. A few hooded ponies gathered around the front, speaking in hushed whispers. The grey pegasus glanced around, checking to make sure he wasn’t tailed. He nodded to one of the cloaked figures and entered the old theatre. A little under a hundred ponies crowded around the stage, staring up at the blue pony. Her mane was mostly covered by a purple wizard hat, and a cape covered her flank.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts!” She exclaimed. The room went silent when she spoke. “The old Equestria is in ruins. Celestia has disappeared from public eye. Luna says we can trust her, but I fear the terrible Nightmare Moon has returned. It is time we took Equestria into our own hooves. We must save the rightful ruler. We must bring Equestria into the light. We must welcome the Sun.”

Luna.

Dawn closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of the sun. She had finally made it. Years of training, but she was almost done. A brand new life was laid out ahead of her. She was going to change the world.

I’m dying.

End of Volume I

Volume I: Part 1 (Dawn)

Dawn sighed. The unicorn gently brushed the feather duster across the tops of some books. She’d been helping her mother clean the library for the past two hours. And it was boring. This was Spike’s job, not hers. But now that the little - okay, rather large - twerp was finally growing up properly, he was spending more time at Canterlot doing Celestia knows what. Well, technically Luna and Twilight. Dawn never listened when her “brother” started talking about his trips. She had more important things to think about. Things like how much more fun it would be to do anything but clean the stupid library. Fortunately for the firey maned unicorn, her salvation was right outside the second story window.

“Psst! Dawn!” Faith peered through the window, “You gonna stay inside all day? C’mon out.” The black and pink maned pegasus beckoned.

“Love to,” Dawn said trotting over to her friend, “But Mom’s holding me hostage. Apparently, she decided to invite the princess over for dinner or something.”

“Your mom can just invite the princesses over for dinner?” Faith raised an unbelieving eyebrow, her green eyes sparkling.

Dawn smiled. “Yeah. She used to be Celestia’s star student.” Dawn paused. “But this is supposed to be a special event or something. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Faith shook her head and tsk’d. “You really should listen to your mother more.”

“Easy for you to say,” Dawn muttered. “You don’t have to live with her insanity.”

There was a loud crash from below. Dawn winced and started toward the stairs. Just as she turned toward the flight, she heard Apple Tart’s voice echoing up through the hall.

“Miss Twiligh’!” The earth pony shouted, “Y’all here Miss Twi?”

Dawn heard her mother up from the basement. It was her annoyed trot. Dawn had that rhythm memorized.

“And that’s our cue,” Faith said smiling.

Dawn cocked an eyebrow. “Cue?”

“We’re bustin’ you out.”

Dawn snorted a laugh. Faith, however, didn’t join in. She floated there with an unamused expression on her face. It took Dawn a second to realize that her friend wasn’t joking. “You’re serious?”

“Eyyup,” Faith imitated her father.

“Not that I’m not grateful, but you forgot one thing. I need to go downstairs to get out.”

Faith just shook her head and held out her forelegs.

“No way,” Dawn backed away from the window.

“Alright,” Faith said, rolling her eyes, “If you wanna spend the day with some dusty books instead of your wonderful, and, might I add, beautiful, friends, I understand. I know how much you love - oof!” Faith was suddenly weighed down by a unicorn in her ‘arms.’ The pegasus blushed slightly and gently floated to the ground.

“Ah know ya closed, Miss Twiligh’, but,” Tart noticed a yellow pegasus dance across the library window, “but Ah fully respect that an’ Ah best be goin’ now.” The bay pony dashed out of the library before Twilight could respond. The purple mare just shook her head and returned to work.

“Thanks a million,” Dawn said, embracing Tart. “If I had to spend another minute in there, I’d probably go insane. So, what’s up?”

The three ponies swaggered - for the three young mares knew no other way to walk - toward the center of town.

“We’re meeting Party, Lazle, and Thunder at Sugarcube Corner.”

“Thunder?” Dawn said with, perhaps, too much enthusiasm.

“Yes,” Faith rolled her eyes, “Sir Hunksalot himself. C’mon, you’ve known him your whole life. You can spend an afternoon with him.”

“Yeah, jus’ act natural an’ like ya always do,” Tart joined in, “Jus’ cause ya got a crush on him now don’t -”

“It’s not a crush,” Dawn said defensively. She tossed he nose up and sniffed. “I love him.”

The other two ponies shared an amused glance.

“Sure ya do, sweetheart,” Tart said giggling.

Twilight paced around the library, annoyed. Of course it was a set-up. How could she have been so stupid? Apple Tart was worse at lying than her mother, and somehow, Twilight had fallen for it. The unicorn dashed upstairs to double check for the fourth time, and her suspicions were, yet again, confirmed.

‘Celestia,’ Twilight thought bitterly, ‘As soon as I find that filly, I’m gonna wring her neck.’

Dawn knew how important this day was, right? She had to. Twilight spent all week reminding her daughter about the college in Canterlot. The interview had to go perfectly. Luna and Twilight weren’t extremely close, and Dawn wasn’t the most exemplary student. The only reason Luna was reconsidering her decision was due to Twilight’s connection. But that connection meant nothing if Dawn wasn’t around to be interviewed.

Twilight glanced around the lobby quickly. The library wasn’t perfect. But it was certainly passable. Hopefully the unicorn could keep the princess distracted. By the time Twilight found her daughter and dragged her home, Luna would be at their doorstep. Of course, pacing around the library wouldn’t be of much help. The unicorn dashed for the door, using telekinesis to swing it open. It took her a full minute to register what she saw on the other side. Twilight stopped and stared slackjawed. Whatever she was feeling slipped away. The unicorn’s confusion, and stunned hatred, welled up inside her.

“You!” She snarled, horn glowing with energy.

Dawn was dreading going home. She was pretty sure that her mom had noticed she was gone by now, considering it had been a few hours. A few very pleasant hours, despite Lazuli encroaching on her territory. Though she’d never specifically talked about it with the other unicorn, Dawn was quite certain Lazle understood the situation.

Returning the the present, and the foreboding, Dawn stopped just outside the library door. She expected to see her mother on the other side, tapping a hoof impatiently, reciting a lecture on responsibility and all that nonsense. And while she would lecture on and on, Dawn would just nod occasionally and pretend to listen. She loved her mother to death, but Twilight had a master’s in getting on everypony’s nerves. Still, waiting would only delay the inevitable. The dark purple unicorn might as well just get on with it.

To Dawn’s surprise, her lighter coated mother was not waiting at the door. In fact, she didn’t seem to be waiting anywhere in the library’s lobby. In her place were several of Twilight’s friends. And Princess Luna. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were arguing, but stopped upon seeing Dawn. Rarity ran forward and threw her neck around the younger unicorn.

“Oh, you poor dear!” Lazle’s mom said, “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling.”

“A little confused,” Dawn said, shying away from Rarity. “What’s going on?”

The older ponies shuffled around nervously. Luna looked at the group and sighed. As ‘Harbinger of Bad News’ was her official role of late, she took it upon herself to explain the situation.

“Twilight is gone, Ms. Sparkle. We don’t know where,” Luna said, her voice soft but commanding. She was still getting used to the modern world. “And it seems that all of her belongings are still here. We... I just sent a message off to-”

“I still think we should go after her,” Rainbow interrupted the princess. Luna glared menacingly, but made no move to stop the pegasus. “She could be trapped under a rock somewhere.”

“Sure Dash, an’ ya can jus’ leave your son here alone?”

“Thunder can handle himself."

“Sure he can, sugarcube,” Applejack said, stomping to the pegasus. “Ah’m sure he’ll be real glad t’know that his mother abandoned him ta go chasing after some ol’ -”

“Alright!” Rainbow blushed a little, but shut up. Dawn hadn’t said anything. She just watched the other ponies talk, or really yell, at each other. She couldn’t really come to grips with what they were saying. Her mom disappeared randomly. That just wasn’t like Twilight.

Dawn wasn’t sure when she fell asleep. But she awoke covered with a warm blanket and a light blue unicorn standing over her.

“Oh! Thank goodness you’re awake,” Lazle said, backing away from the purple unicorn. “I was afraid you were going to sleep the entire day away. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, given what you must be going through, but mother always said that the best way to handle grief is to work through it and I’m rambling aren’t I?” Lazuli smiled weakly. This was probably the most she’d said to Dawn in years, since they’d fallen out a bit. Normally, they were restricted to ‘Hi’ and ‘Go away.’ Dawn returned the forced smile and pushed herself up from the makeshift floor-bed. At least the older ponies had been nice enough to give her a blanket.

“My mother told me to give you this when you got up. She’s just gone down the road to get some lunch.” Lazle thought for a moment and added hastily, “I didn’t read it.”

Dawn snatched the folded piece of paper from the blue unicorn and read it very carefully. It was short and left her completely unrelieved. Several bits were scratched out and rewritten.

Dear Ms. Sparkle,

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a proper goodbye, but Royal business requires my foremost attention. I would like to offer this one relief to you: We are almost completely certain that your mother didn’t leave on her own free will.

I would like to let you know that your mother didn’t choose to-

You’ll be happy to know that your mo-

We’re pretty sure your mom didn’t run away.

I have contacted Princess Celestia, and she is organizing a search party. In the meantime, you should stay right where you are. Your mother’s friends have agreed to look after you. Whatever you do, do not attempt to chase her on your own. That’s a very foolish idea.

Also, we can reschedule the interview for your admission to Canterlot University for a time when you are under less stress.

Sincerely,

Princess Luna

Dawn had to admit, somehow Luna could make even letters awkward. The unicorn tossed the note on a table and went upstairs to pack her bags. She came back downstairs to find the Lazle reading through the note. Dawn sighed, but otherwise ignored the other unicorn. She aimed straight for the door. However, her path was soon blocked.

“What are you doing?” Lazle asked.

“Leaving.”

“Yes,” Lazle rolled her eyes, “Why?”

“To enjoy the sunshine.”

Lazuli gave Dawn a blank look.

“If my mom was ponynapped, I want to get her back.”

“And you’re going by yourself? That’s just idiotic.” Lazle waved the letter in Dawn’s face, “See? Look right here: ‘Whatever you do, do not attempt to chase her on your own. That’s a foolish idea.’ Foolish as in dumb. El Stupido.”

Dawn listened to the other unicorn rant, browsing the shelves for a first aid book. She found one of simple spells and backed in her bag. “Where do you think I got the idea?” She replied.

“I simply cannot let you do this.” Lazle’s chest swelled. The unicorn was attempting to look intimidating, but being a good hoof shorter than Dawn, it didn’t work. The darker unicorn rolled her eyes and willed some magic forth. With a red flash, she popped behind the unicorn. She hadn’t really mastered teleportation, and the spell took her breath away. But it was also showy. And showy is exactly what Dawn was going for.

“Try and stop me,” the purple unicorn bared her teeth. She opened the door and trotted out into the fresh air. Lazuli sighed and followed her.