You Won't Understand This

by BrookwoodBronco

Rating: teen
Tags: Other, Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 11351

Dive into Twilight Sparkle's mind as she traverses a dark cave, searching for a way home.

You Won’t Understand This… thus the challenge of understanding is presented to you: the reader. Underneath the abstract style is a very concrete plot that the keen eye will be able to detect. But the story is only a piece of this work. In order to fully enjoy this composition, you have to toss out everything you know about conventional fanfiction and read it with an open mind. Only then will you be able to experience the story to its fullest extent.

AN: You get only three hints before starting. 1. You will be diving into the consciousness of Twilight Sparkle. 2. This is my tribute to William Faulkner’s style. 3. Think of this as a puzzle.

But most importantly, have fun! :)

Published 2012-04-27 06:34:03 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-27 06:34:03 UTC

The Pilgrimage

The Pilgrimage

Requiem for a Past

By: Brookwood Bronco

Edited by: Happy Jackal

Disclaimer: This is a fan-based piece of fiction. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is all owned by Hasbro and featured on The Hub.

…

Am I falling or floating?

It’s hard to tell…

Which way is up? Which way is down?

If I squint really hard…

No… nothing…

This darkness is nothing I’ve ever felt; blinding, binding.

I’m submersed in a dark, gaseous liquid,

neither feeling nor being felt.

I’m drowning,

drowning in an illusion.

How long have I been here?

How long has it been since I’ve seen something?

Are my eyes even open?

This is horrible.

Things were different before…

I remember… open fields and happy ponies

Where are they now?

…Equestria…

…Ponyville…

Fate brought me here, and I’m relying on Fate to pull me out;

grab me by the mane and yank my limp body out of this mess.

It’s okay, Fate, I can take the pain.

…I’m going insane.

How long have I been like this?

Sanity is my only friend; I have to keep him close.

Or her…

Madness…

Madness is my enemy.

As long as I keep thinking straight,

thinking rationally,

I’ll find my way home.

You can bet on that!

…

Movement…

Not of my own doing, but of the world around me.

Churning and tumbling,

like being caught in a tornado with an umbrella hat on.

…Pinkie…

What have I done to deserve this?

I wish Rarity had never bothered me…

Something in my head was telling me that it was a bad idea.

Peer pressure does wonders though.

Now look at me!

I’m caught in a disorientating whirlpool!

I can’t fight it!

My body won’t listen to what my mind wants.

…I want some Zap Apple Jam.

…

What’s this?

There is ground beneath my hooves now.

Hard rubble and dirt, tangible objects.

Have I been here the whole time?

No! That doesn’t matter!

What matters is I get on my hooves and move forward!

…Forward… progressing to another destination, leading me closer to…

Home is where the heart is.

Just follow my heart.

My eyes have finally adjusted to the darkness.

This cave…

I must be underground.

I hope I don’t see any Diamond Dogs.

And if I do?

I should be fine.

I mean, Rarity took care of them, so I shouldn’t have a problem.

…Rarity! It’s because of you I’m in this mess!

When I get out of here, I’ll give her the lecture of the century!

Though the ground is dry, the walls seem moist.

These jagged stalagmites look like huge dragon teeth.

No bats… nothing really living down here…

Which is strange… there are usually bears and such in these places.

Like that Ursa Minor I took care of…

…This wasn’t my idea…

I’m thankful my limbs still function.

I’d have a tough time getting home with broken legs,

or injuries at all really.

Although my body feels fine,

great even,

there is a tightening anxiety…

…a restless murmur…

“Go.”

To where?

These places don’t come with maps!

Forward is the only direction I know…

…’good as any, I suppose…

…

…I hope my mane looks alright…

…

…What was that?!

Sounded like…a scream?

...Where’s the exit?!

…

I read once that some caves can span for hundreds of miles!

…Please don’t let this be one of them.

…

Well this is new.

There appears to be a fork in the road.

I haven’t seen a sign since I’ve been here…

But there… a flame,

the flame that had lit the path.

Gave light to a dark void…

A torch gives off a faint glow, and under it-

Who…

…A…

A Dragon?

Reminds me of when Spike horded everything in town.

When he first changed, he had grown a little taller than me.

This red scaled beast must be on the same path.

Crouching in the middle of the fork… like a gargoyle…

Head lowered…

It’d be best to pick a direction before he noti-

“Hello.”

Whoa! He can talk.

Whoa! Hey…. Stay back…

“My name is Damian,” he says, bowing.

More polite than expected; quite charming.

…Yellow, cat-like eyes…

I shouldn’t trust him;

yet.

I return the gesture and ask who he is and what he is doing here.

He says he is a traveler who had gotten lost in this cave.

Likely story.

Dragons aren’t prone to keeping their bearings once they start their hording phase,

nor their linguistics.

...but his voice is warm.

He isn’t threatening at all.

He continues, saying that he was choosing a path to take when I had arrived.

Really? It looked to me like you were waiting.

Crouching in the middle of two paths

like a guide,

or a predator.

“I was wondering if you would like travel together. Strength in numbers, as they say,” he says.

Too convenient.

“And if I say no?” I retort.

He smiles and responds, “I will leave you be.

Though, I will tell you, my knowledge of these caves has grown these past days,

And I am sure my skills will be helpful to you.”

He completes his discourse by pointing at the torch above him.

Ahh, so he is the source of the light.

On one hoof: a grim trek alone in a spooky cave.

On the other hoof: braving its depths with a companion who can shed light on an otherwise dire situation.

…What choice do I have?

Still, trust is gained, not given.

We will see if he is a friend or fiend.

In the mean time, I’ll stay on guard.

I agree to team up with him.

Now, to choose a path.

Each closed off by a strong, broad gate…

They look similar and each path appears identical to the other:

dark…ominous…

But nevertheless inviting.

There is something attracting me toward these gates…

Warmth stronger than any fire.

Yet… I share equal appeal for both directions…

“You feel it too, huh?” the crimson dragon says, breaking my train of thought.

“It was what I was debating when you got here, and it’s plagued my mind ever since.”

Which…way?

Claws stretch out of the void,

gripping my heart.

Pulling me in each direction.

As if two little fillies were fighting over me,

tugging in opposite directions.

My mind can’t take this pressure.

Left…?

Right…?

Left?

Right?

Left?!

Right?!

There!

Straight ahead!

Something… is written…

Red paste stains the wall dividing the two paths.

I hadn’t seen it since the dragon was crouched in front of it.

I trot up to the message and try to decipher it.

La… Las…Lasciate? Is that it? What lang-

“Oh that? That was there when I arrived here.

It is written in an ancient dragon tongue.

It means ‘Welcome all travelers.’”

Ha! Yeah right.

Why would any dragon invite visitors into its den?

They hate everything but themselves and their greed.

Ancient or not, dragons are dragons;

blinded by a need to fill an emptiness in their hearts.

With Spike, it was simple.

I filled his heart with a craving for love and companionship.

This retained his greed for worldly things and kept him docile and innocent.

…My loyal assistant…

I don’t have time to daydream,

I have a choice.

But now… I’m skeptical.

These paths seem all the more menacing now that I know a dragon has been here.

Two entrances… leading to the same place?

That message is so ominous…

“Uhh… the gates are that way. What are you doing?”

Shut up.

No way forward, and there’s no way I’m going back.

Hmm… I haven’t seen any plant life so far,

These creepers are the first.

This ivy… is it going up or is it going down?

Stretching itself to procure some sort of existence.

Reaching… growing… to gain growth.

Is it feeding off the light from the torch…?

Such a peculiar-

OH!

Whatever that dragon is mumbling, he can’t reject this!

Another path!

A deviation!

This… this is forward!

Hidden,

behind an existence that shouldn’t be.

A narrow gate.

A narrow path.

…the right path.

This claw doesn’t latch onto my heart,

But gently pushes me onward.

“Let’s go this way!” I exclaim.

“Are you certain? That path seems treacherous.

It would be much safer to go down one of these paths.”

He grabs the torch in his claws and nods to follow him down one of the forks.

No, I’m certain.

“No, I’m certain this path is the correct one,” I respond.

He shrugs.

“Suit yourself.

Lead the way.”

…

I’m not so sure…

No! I’m sure!

…But… I am a calculating mare.

Wha-

Stupid things.

Caves are hollows in the earth, usually following an opening in hills and mountains.

Wha-

I am a calculating mare.

There are many creatures in such places: bats, bears, insects, arachnids.

I am a calc-

Where was I before this?

Focus!

Straight, true, think, stop,

…Madness…

Can I trust my eyes?

The rusty, narrow portal I passed through brought me to…

No elevation increase…

Yet the walls quickly turned to oak, maple, and hickory.

The ceiling, now a canopy of green.

Yet… cavernous.

No light, save for the one behind me.

By texture, not by sight, do I know.

A dull grey surrounds me.

It hangs in the air,

like a foul odor; choking me with its ashen atmosphere.

Maybe I should have-

Stop right there missy!

Now’s not the time to second-guess yourself!

Did you second-guess yourself when you defeated darkness?

Crushed chaos?

This darkness and chaos is no different than the ones you’ve confronted before…

…Isn’t it…?

I need to read more about caves.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Fine…

Fine: Of superior or best quality…

Is that the right adjective to describe myself?

What are you, a dictionary?!

…

I don’t like it.

This Damian character isn’t to be trusted,

But, somehow, I got talked into leading…

He has the torch!

He should lead!

He might do something to me while I’m focused on my trailblazing…

I can feel them.

Those piercing, yellow, cat-eyes.

Like needles, permeating my skin.

Never blinking.

Ever watching.

He can see my true nature.

He’s analyzing me.

Studying me.

Judging me.

What he believes to be my true nature,

what he assumes are my true feelings.

We just met!

What does he know?

Nothing!

How dare he hold prejudice against me!

How dare he assume I am some sorry wanderer!

He’s the sorry wanderer!

He needs me to know where to go!

He’s indecisive, he was indecisive when we met!

I am a calculating mare, known for my vast knowledge from the meticulous studying I put myself through.

Who is he?

A nobody,

a zero,

a-

“Are you sure you are alright? It’s perfectly fine if you do not want to lead anymore.”

“You lead! Stop looking at me!”

He chuckles.

“What else am I suppose to look at? You are the only color in this drab forest.”

That warm smile… like when I met him…

Warm… like the fire in his claws…

“I… I’m sorry I snapped at you…”

He passes me to lead.

“I take no offense. This forest is intimidating, to say the least.”

We continue on.

I know nothing about this dragon.

But… maybe that’s for the better.

The reason I keep things orderly is because I can’t keep things orderly in my head.

To be the calculating mare I am,

I need to do away with feelings.

Deal with facts.

And right now… I don’t know anything about this dragon,

and it would be best for my feelings if it stayed that way.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

If I lay no connections,

I can cross that sorrow part out.

Parting is such sweet…

…

Hypnotism: the act of inducing a trance like state by artificial means.

That tail…

How long have we been in this forest?!

Who laid the path we are taking anyway!

There is no end to these trees…

…how can he walk so confidently?

It’s that flame of his.

Its tongue licks the darkness away,

but it isn’t the longest tongue in the world.

Like a dome, it encases us in a warm aura.

And as we bask, this forest doesn’t seem as-

“I am going to scout ahead.

Something is not quite right.”

He sprints away before I can say a word.

The light…

It left me.

…

I spy with my little eye something… woody

Tree!

I spy a leaf!

I spy a branch!

I spy ferns!

I spy…

The Everfree Forest…

Could this be it?

No.

Sure, the Everfree Forest was spooky.

But this place isn’t spooky.

It’s terrifying!

It’s like I’m in a building.

The roof is the tall canopy.

It’s amazing how no light gets through it.

I bet Zecora knows why.

That zebra knows everything!

The only thing I can hear is my thoughts.

The only thing I can see is trees.

I’m guessing that Damian is still ahead of me because I can still see.

His light reflects off of the objects around me and into my retinas.

Maybe I should catch up to him…

The more I walk, the less I can see.

Is he really still running?

Uh oh.

I am running now.

No.

Don’t.

Where?

It disappeared!

Did he-

The path-

…A deviation…

Darkness.

Why would he?

How could he?

Despicable.

Whoa!

Thicker.

Bigger.

Which way?

Faster.

Catch.

Hope.

Parting is such sweet…

The path has vanished.

But my sanity hasn’t.

I’m a calculating mare.

The light was coming from there.

That is the path.

Turn for trees,

but never around.

Backwards isn’t advancing.

It’s the opposite.

The trees are making faces at me.

I’ve seen it before.

Giggle at the-

Eep!

…Pinkie Pie…

I can see!

Eerie glow…

from the pupa that seem to have appeared on the trees.

Did the trees make them?

No, trees make sap.

These are wriggly cocoons.

I wonder why I hadn’t seen-

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

“Ngh… tsk…”

Get… out…

“Ugh………”

Walk.

No…

I walk.

I can feel it.

It’s squirming.

It’s squirming in my treasure.

It’s squirming in the work I’ve spent my entire life refining,

perfecting.

It can’t penetrate my physical defenses though.

It can only squirm with its butt in the air; like a dog digging a hole.

Yet it has so much power.

Walk.

No…

I walk.

Really?

It was so easy.

I didn’t think it’d be this easy…

No!

It’s not going to be like this!

Stop!

I shudder.

Walk.

No…

I walk.

Where is he taking me?

Or she.

Or it.

“It” is probably the best pronoun.

No being with kindness in its heart would do such a thing.

I see.

I hear.

I feel.

My mouth tastes like saliva.

Muscles…

They are controlled by the brain.

Or a thing in your brain.

Or a thing that fell on your head,

Bore a hole in your head.

…I feel violated.

...

The glow from my parasite is lighting the way.

Well would you look at that!

Back on the path!

Maybe now I can find Damian.

Have a positive attitude, Twilight.

This really isn’t that bad.

It doesn’t really hurt that much.

Sure, I don’t have any control of my body,

But that just relieves me of responsibility.

Yeah!

The bug’s controlling me, and without me it would probably die.

Which means it has to lead me somewhere…

Oh no.

Does it even know where we are going?

It doesn’t have eyes!

It could lead me off a cliff,

into a beast’s lair,

into a death trap,

into…

No…

Am I going to be eaten?

Ants have chemical connections; hormones that force them to work for the good of the colony and the queen.

Could this glowing driller be a mind control worker for a bigger purpose?

Something bigger… more important than itself.

This parasite could be willing to sacrifice itself for the good of its community.

…And only beings with kindness work for a good greater than itself.

Compassion… is not singular to one type of species.

It was ignorant and selfish of me to think that it just wanted me dead;

Because, really, no creature in Equestria could be that evil.

Killing for the sake of dea-

NO!

I shudder.

Walk.

STOP!!!

Right hoof goes forward.

Walk.

STOP THIS! PLEASE!

Left hoof follows.

Walk.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!

Another step.

Think about this! There’s no point!

Walk.

And another.

WE ARE BOTH GOING TO DIE!!!

I shudder.

Walk.

I’m not going to let you do this!

And another step.

Focus! My mind is stronger than this.

I shudder.

Focus on going back. Back. Back. Back. Back. Back.

Walk.

I’m stopped.

Backbackbackbackbackbackback.

Walk.

Walk backwards!

One step back.

Yes! Ok, I’ve got this.

Walk.

Heh, you wish.

Another step back.

It’s only a matter of time before I take control of the rest of my body.

Another step back.

One of the legs pierces the ground in front of me.

Oh Celestia, that was close.

I’ve never seen one that big before!

I shudder.

And its legs made the earth beneath me tremble.

No…

It has no interest in me as food.

Territory? Doubtful.

I retract my previous statement.

I have met that creature.

Killing for the sake of death.

Walk.

Oh no!

Two steps forward.

I lost my concentration!

Another step forward.

I’m in striking range.

This is it;

I can see it getting ready to skewer me.

If only I had control of my eyes…

They would be closed.

Suddenly, the giant spider burst into flame,

like a spark hit a bit of dry straw.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

And with that, it dissolved in the light of the flame from the monster.

Damian jumps down from the trees and lands beside me.

I shake my head to get rid of any of the dissolved pupa.

I could have sworn I heard something.

I moan from the inferno in front of me.

“Wwwhy?”

“Looks like I arrived in the nick of time.

How are you feeling?”

I smile weakly and say, “Better, now that you’re here.”

He saved me.

I thought he had left me.

“I apologize for leaving you. I had a hunch something treacherous was ahead.”

Maybe I can trust him.

“Perhaps we should have gone down one of those broad paths, like I had suggested,” he says with a wink.

Maybe I should trust him.

He certainly has experience with these types of things.

And with that torch in his hand, he’s a useful friend to have.

Who knows what might be around the next corner.

“As I was searching, I found a door that probably leads out of this forest.”

I nod at him and he leads the way.

I misjudged him.

I was skeptical of finding a true friend in the depths of a cave,

but it seems even down here, there are those who would look out for you.

He shows loyalty like Rainbow Dash.

Kindness like Fluttershy.

Honestly like Applejack.

Generosity like Rarity.

Generous …like Rarity?

“Hmph.”

“Did you say something?”

“Oh… no, I was just clearing my throat.”

No sense in bringing up bad memories.

“Well, here it is.”

Oaken door frame with peculiar designs.

Pretty strange to see such a thing in a drab forest.

Where does it lead?

Nothing behind it but air…

Carvings of all sorts of creatures line the border of the passage.

Hold on.

The words in the middle of the door are morphing into…

Whoa… I think my heart skipped a beat.

Damian grabs the doorknob and opens it.

“After you.”

…

I am a marine biologist.

A master harpoonist, my faithful assistant, and I are on a mission.

A mission to rid the high seas of a terrible monster.

We search.

Days turn into weeks.

Weeks turn into months.

We’ve almost given up hope, when suddenly, we spot it!

We engage the monster!

Something is wrong with the steering!

My two companions and I are thrown overboard.

And land on the back of the monster!

But wait, it’s not the monster we were looking for.

It’s an underwater ship, a submarine!

Their captain captures us, but quickly discovers that we are not a threat.

He enjoys our company;

especially mine since I can have intelligent discussions with him about the sea.

I ask if we could ever go back to land, to our families.

He firmly declines, saying that there is too much risk.

He explains that he hates land and the society it inhabits,

and the reason he built this vessel is to get away from it.

If we were to go back, he would risk having himself discovered by the masses.

It seems we are trapped here for the time being.

Nevertheless, we go on many voyages under the sea.

We explore shipwrecks,

discover an ancient underwater city,

fight a giant squid that attacks the vessel.

Finally we come across a ship that has been tracking us.

It attacks!

The captain… he is strange.

I plead with him to forgive the fools, but he will not cease.

He hunts them down and destroys them.

I watch as ship and crew sink past the submarine, to the depths of the ocean.

After that encounter, the captain was never the same.

He bows before pictures of his wife and children as his vessel wanders aimlessly under the sea.

Suddenly, the ship begins to shake.

It seems we are stuck in a whirlpool!

As the vessel spins, my companions and I use the chaos to escape.

We reach the surface and safely make it back to land.

I will never forget the adventure I had those many leagues under the ocean.

…

“I was born on the outskirts of Fillydelphia,

and raised by dragon ambassadors to strengthen relations between our race and pony kind.

You see, ponies have this misconception that all dragons are ne’er-do-wells;

that they only care about themselves.

There are those who would even seek to destroy us.

Although it may be true that dragons can grow rapidly through greed,

that is not usually the case.

The intelligent dragons take care that their young go a separate path.

The path of friendship.”

He hands me another.

…

“They told me, ‘Son, you’re special. You were born to do great things.’

You know what?

They were right.”

I wake up drowning.

As I frantically swim for the surface, I see the wreckage from the plane sink past me.

I take big gulps of air while the oil on top of the water ignites into flame.

I swim to the only land I can find.

A tower is on a tiny island, seems promising.

I enter, and the door behind me shuts ominously.

Lights flicker on as I make my way down the staircase.

Down to the pod.

Down… back into the depths of the sea.

An underwater city…

A picture of the creator appears in front of me.

“I chose something different.

I chose the impossible.

I chose… Rapture!”

…

Books are amazing.

For a brief period of time, you can detach your soul,

and place it into someone else’s body.

In someone else’s eyes.

See life as they would see it.

No other medium has the power that literature has.

It’s the power to get a glimpse into the realities experienced by others,

or to explore the realms of imagination and adventure.

To find a library down here…

It’s almost too good to be true.

So many books…

Books I’ve never even seen before.

And so big!

Vast would be putting it lightly.

…I could stay here forever.

…

“Damian, the last five books you’ve given me have been about water.”

“Have they?

I’m sorry, but I cannot read.”

Can’t read?

Didn’t he just say something about being an ambassador?

“My parents taught me proper speech, but we were forbidden from reading pony books.

All I had to read were ancient dragon texts;

passed down from generation to generation.”

Awww…

Now I feel bad.

I have no idea what I would be like if I didn’t know how to read.

Wait! I have an idea!

“Well, we have time.

How about I teach you!”

Wait!

“You would do that… for me?”

Is this a good idea?

“That’s what friends are for!” I exclaim.

…No going back now…

…

Books for the young.

Books for the old.

Books for the meek.

Books for the bold.

There are books here that keep my head churning

and books that I just can’t let go of.

Books of green, blue, and orange…

I need to put the rhyming poetry down.

Damian has grown so much since I’ve been with him.

His tastes really reflect mine.

I hope I hadn’t forced my ideals on him…

He’s a fast learner.

He can’t read the books that I enjoy yet,

but he’s getting there.

I’ve only been here for a few days.

I feel tired…

Before I came here… what was I doing?

I’ve read so many stories…

I’ve forgotten mine.

I’m wandering.

And is that even bad?

What’s wrong with staying here?

With an endless supply of books.

With a close friend.

…friends…

I’m so tired.

I feel as if I’m withering…

How long has it been since I’ve seen the sun?

The light from the candles at the end of each shelf just isn’t enough.

I need something more.

Damian’s flame.

It’s comforting glow has been with me for so long.

But it’s nothing like…

Like…

What’s this?

I haven’t seen this circular section before.

In the center…

A lone book.

On a pedestal it sits.

It’s calling out to me.

It’s reading me.

Books don’t read ponies.

“So you have found it.”

Ah!

My heart.

For a dragon twice my size, he sure is quiet.

“That book is special.”

Now how would he know that?

“How so?” I ask.

“While you were reading, I did a little searching.

No other book has a presence like that one.”

That’s true.

It doesn’t even feel like a book at all…

There’s a sign on the pedestal.

“It reads ‘The one who reads this will die,’” I say.

Cryptic.

Well, that settles that.

I just won’t read it.

“We should read it.”

Wha-

Why?!

The sign clearly says not to!

“I’ve heard tales of this book.”

Ohh, I’m sure you have.

I’m a direction follower.

I never break the rules.

“It’s the Necronomicon.”

Is that even a word?

“It is said that the one who reads it will be able to learn the best spells.

Said person will even obtain the knowledge needed to gain eternal life.”

Eternal life?

Do I want that?

It’s calling out to me.

It’s like it has a soul of its own.

That book isn’t normal.

Damian says it can do the impossible;

Stop death.

No, that’s impossible.

…Unless it’s magic.

…magic…

Could magic be real?

“So, what do you say?” Damian asks.

Damian really has grown since I met him.

His voice is lower, but it stays warm and kind.

Even so…

“The sign says we shouldn’t read it,” I respond.

“Does the sign really say, ‘You must not read of this book’?”

He’s slithering around me like a snake.

“No, but it does say that if I read it, I will die,” I reply.

His hot breath on the back of my neck is unsettling.

“You will not certainly die.

For the sign-maker knows that when you read of the book your eyes will be opened!

You will be able to wield magic more powerful than any other.”

The cover of the book is smooth and clean.

It has metal clasps that seem easily undone.

Darkness emanates from this book.

Smog so thick; it clouds my mind’s eye.

My conscience says no.

My friend and my mind say yes.

I’ll be able to wield magic…

He needs to take a step back.

Damian’s close to my ear now.

“Don’t you want to be great and powerful?”

I want to read this book!

I need to read this book!

I unlatch the metal clasps.

If I read this book,

I start to turn the cover.

I’ll become The Great and Powerful Trixie!

I stop.

I mean... The Great and Powerful Twilight.

Why did I think that?

“What’s wrong?” Damian asks.

Trixie… that name rings a bell.

Trixie is… a traveling magician…

Who visited my home!

Ponyville!

I turn from the book.

My friends!

My journey back home!

That’s what I am doing!

This library can never fill that gap.

No amount of books can replace friendship,

love and companionship.

Damian’s nice,

but I never want to leave my friends!

Wha-

The walls!

The shelves!

The books!!

Their melting!!

Like burning wax,

everything is melting.

Well, no regrets.

A path will probably appear.

Then I’ll be able to advance.

Closer to the end.

Closer to home.

Home is where the heart is.

Although I’ve stumbled,

I haven’t stopped following my heart.

Damian is mumbling something.

“What was that Damian?

I’ve just freed us!”

He smiles.

“Well done!

I am just surprised is all.”

Don’t worry Damian.

This journey’s almost over,

I can feel it.

We’ll get out of this mess.

Together.

…

I was wrong.

Wrong.

Wrong and wrong and wrong.

I was also wrong.

I’m going insane.

Sanity is relative.

Sanity is a word ponies use to describe something they’ve never experienced.

Words are tools used to describe something that ponies have never experienced.

And books are little, unorganized tool boxes.

It’s up to the reader to organize them.

Reality is a word ponies use to blah, blah, blah.

Blah.

I’m walking on nothing.

Not even air.

Not even ground.

Not even Damian.

Damian’s fire is weak here.

He knows this but he won’t admit it.

Words are tools used to blah, blah, blah.

Blah.

The absence of words speaks louder than... stuff.

He needs to quiet down.

How can something twice my size be so powerless?

That doesn’t make any sense.

Sense is a word blah, blah, blah.

Blahahahahahahahahahaha.

Yep.

Left, darkness.

Right, darkness.

Up, darkness.

Down, darkness.

All around?

You guessed it:

the opposite of light.

If only I could fit my entire hoof down my mouth.

I’d puke some green, lumpy mess.

Shed some color on this place.

I’d puke happiness,

sweat joy,

cry my self-esteem out

until nothing was left but nothing was left but nothing was left…

Left, right, up, down.

All the same.

Here, forward is backward.

Now that doesn’t make much sense, does it?

You purple mare, you.

Memories.

Twilight Sparkle.

Friend of everypony.

Friend of everything.

Friend of her rainbow colored friends.

She actually had a friend that had a rainbow on her.

Amazing.

Spectacular.

Adventure!

Wooooooo!!!

You would think friends would fill the silence with their voice.

Nope.

Not that kind of friend.

He’s just as scared as I am.

I’m not scared.

Scared is a word blah, blah, blah.

Blah is a word.

No it’s not.

Ok, blah isn’t a word.

Blah is a sound that comes out of your mouth to fill the silence.

But words are sounds from your mouth.

Blah is a word then?

Blah isn’t a word,

you stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid thing.

What even are you?

Stupidity in the flesh.

If people were reading MY story, what would I say to them?

Hey!

You!

You with the face!

Sitting there.

Reading.

What are you planning on gaining from this experience?

Do you enjoy reading about ponies going insane?

You should stop.

You should save me the trouble of entertaining your sick mind.

I’m sorry…

I didn’t mean that.

You can read if you want to.

Because every good story has a happy ending.

Here’s to this being the goodest story ever.

…

I’m going to die here.

Death is the finale to everything in your life.

The prestige.

Life is the fate that seals you to mortality.

Life is like a book.

You really only remember the beginning and the end.

The beginning:

the hook that keeps you reading.

The end:

the climax that completes everything.

At the end, all conflicts are resolved.

Everything is wrapped in a neat bow.

The middle is just fluff.

Fluff to keep you interested.

Only the good books are the ones that show how everything is connected.

Only the good lives.

The great stories are those that show the middle as content.

The middle serves a purpose.

Not only does it drive the story,

but it is also a part of a whole.

A ride one can smoothly enjoy.

These are far from the best.

The masterpieces.

These stories are the stories you look back on afterward.

After the last page is turned.

The last sentence read.

The last word scanned.

You’ve gained something from reading such a work.

Sometimes you even go back.

Return to the feelings you may have felt while reading.

Life is like books.

And you want your life to be a masterpiece.

I’m not going to die here.

Not now.

Not ever.

Because I’m the author,

and I’m the one who says when the climax occurs.

And I haven’t even begun the rising action!

“Dementors!”

What’s Damian screaming about now?

…Something is coming.

Something behind us.

Cloaked figures.

We run.

Yes!

This is what it feels like!

Life!

I was worried that I had given up on life.

But now, I feel great!

Because now… now I’m running for something.

I’m running for my life.

“I can hold them off, but you have to trust me,” Damian shouts.

The screeching of the cloaked figures is deafening.

They’re gaining on us.

Okay-

“Okay, I put all my trust in you, my friend!”

My eyes are playing tricks again.

Damian is a full sized dragon now.

He’s laughing as he stops.

A deep tenor.

“Go! I’ll hold them off so you can escape!”

His flames hug the floating cloaks.

Got it.

I like running anyway.

…

I must not forget where I’m going.

I have to find my way home.

How did I get in this mess again?

Rarity…

It’s best if I don’t think about it.

It’s best if I keep on keeping on.

It’s best if I regret nothing.

My ears!

Those screeches.

They are close behind me.

Did Damian fall?

I’m surrounded.

Things are looking pretty grim.

Please don’t open your mouth.

Please!

No being with kindness in its blah, blah, blah.

Pure evil.

…

Ugh, something is in my throat.

I cough.

Dusty stone slabs with the dusty pillars and the dusty rocks.

I’m in the sanctuary where-

A figure chuckles.

Nightmare Moon!

Lightning strikes ominously.

I remember this.

I defeated her!

Why was I transported here?

No matter, I can stop her again.

I stamp the ground with my right fore-hoof.

I’m not about to lose to her this time.

“You’re kidding.

You’re kidding right?”

She’s taunting me?

After what I’ve done to her.

She should be cowering in fear.

I charge.

She has forgotten who I am.

I’m Twilight Sparkle,

She charges as well.

and my friends and I will put a stop to your-

It feels like slow motion.

Right under the cervical vertebrae,

into the fleshy underbelly of an equine.

That’s the best spot.

Don’t worry, I’ve studied pony anatomy.

I’ve also studied self-defense books in my spare time.

It’s all true.

It’s getting tough to breath.

Once the wound is opened,

I’ll have approximately ten seconds before I bleed out.

Her horn is long enough to have punctured my heart though.

That means I have less time.

She flings my limp body into the wall like a ragdoll.

Like Smarty Pants.

I love that doll.

I just want to curl up with my favorite doll.

In my favorite library.

With my favorite book.

“Did you really think you could beat me?”

I don’t think I’ve experienced this type of pain.

The type of pain that tells you,

“You’re alive; but not for much longer.”

“You were fighting a losing battle from the start.”

How did I beat her before?

She’s so big and mean and evil and other bad adjectives.

“Pathetic.”

I’m going to have to agree with you there.

Wasn’t much of a fight.

I wonder what my friends would say if they could see me now…

…

Breathe Twilight, breathe.

The first flies away.

Another takes its place.

AHHHHHH!

…

Memories?

“I’ve turned your friends against you.”

That raspy voice could only belong to one being.

Chaos.

“You have no one now.”

He is an abomination.

Just like the pink clouds over my head.

The crazy long legged bunnies.

Bulls in tutus.

That isn’t normal.

It’s abnormal.

Abnormal stuff coming out of an abnormal creature.

“You won’t get away with this,” I say.

“Oh, but I already have.”

Freak.

He lives to make others miserable.

But I can stop him.

I’ve done it before.

…Memories?

Ugh, don’t get so close to me.

“I’ve already gained control of your mind.”

Ow.

Where’d this migraine come from?

Ehhh…

I groan.

It’s like my head is pulsating.

A rhythm faster than my heart.

The ground…

This loopy world is so crazy.

The ground is opening up.

It’s splitting open.

Where’s the rumble?

Where’s the earthquake?

Reality, this is?

Is this dyslexic?

Crazy?

The ground is splitting open.

Between my legs.

I’m falling.

I’m screaming.

Crumbling into dust.

I think Discord made the ground into candy.

Stomach, check.

Heart, check.

Liver, check.

Small intestines, check.

Large intestines, check.

All accounted for!

Don’t worry, I’ve studied pony anatomy.

Wait… they’re not supposed to be there.

Who opened my belly?

Please come back.

I’m drooling.

I’m shoveling my organs back into my body.

Sorry, I tripped.

I tripped and dropped my valuables.

I’m swiping at the air beneath me.

“You are nothing,” he sneers.

How did I beat you, god of chaos?

I forget.

These aren’t memories,

because the story had a happy ending last time.

Where are my friends?

“You are nothing without your magic,” he whispers.

Magic?

My magic?

Who took it away?

Can you even take away magic?

It’s not like magic is some sort of jewel.

It’s not something a thief can come in and steal.

I never had magic.

My head hurts.

…

I gasp.

Stop!

“Why are you doing this to me?!”

The third floats over me.

My soul is trying to keep its grip on my body.

My mind can’t handle this sort of pressure.

It’s heaving

Its body lurches like it’s going to throw up.

Please, not on me.

I’m hurt enough.

Something is coming out of its mouth.

Something brightly colored.

Something covered in mucus.

Something disgusting.

Discord?

No.

Worse.

It falls in a heap in front of me.

I don’t want to look at it.

But I can’t look away.

I don’t want to touch it.

But I know I have to.

I want to run.

Why am I still here?

“He-hello?” I stammer.

Please, stay prone.

Two pairs of wings.

Please, don’t get up.

A bright orange coat.

I beg you, don’t open your eyes.

Poofy pink mane.

Stop looking around.

White horn.

Don’t look at me!

“Paain...” it moans.

The highs of Pinkie Pie.

The lows of Applejack.

The hoarse voice of Rainbow Dash.

All thrown into a bowl and blended together.

This isn’t pleasant.

“Twilight?”

Don’t come any closer.

“Why Twilight?”

I don’t know!

I don’t know why, alright?!

“Why Twilight?”

I’m backing up.

I’m not as smart as you think I am!

I’m still learning!

I don’t have all the answers!

“Why Twilight?”

My behind bumps into an invisible wall.

Stay back!

“I’m sorry!” I scream.

Guys, please forgive me.

I’m sorry I couldn’t-

Its hoof touches my shoulder.

A light appears from my shoulder and envelops me.

…

“Twilight?”

Go away.

“Twi?”

But it’s so warm and cozy.

“Come on, Twilight, get up.”

I push myself up and out of bed.

What was I dreaming about?

It was such a good dream.

“Rarity’s at the door, Twilight.”

“Thanks Spike, I’ll get it.”

What does Rarity want?

It’s a bit early to be making dresses.

I open the door.

“Hii Twilight, I’ve got a tiny little favor to ask.”

Here we go.

I wonder what it is this time.

“I heard through the grapevine that somepony discovered a giant ruby.

The prize is in a cave somewhere in the Everfree forest.”

Jewel hunting.

I should have known.

“If somepony has already found the stone,

then what’s the point in searching for it now?” I ask.

“Well, they didn’t have the proper tools at the time, obviously.”

‘Obviously,’ she says.

Like I was supposed to guess that.

Wait, this isn’t stealing, is it?

“You’re a smart pony.

If we work with our friends, I’m sure we will find it,” she says.

Wow, dragging everypony along with you.

I’m not sure how willing the girls will be to drop what they’re doing to help you.

“Are you certain that the jewel is still there?”

“Would I EVER lie to you, dear?”

Well, not that I know of.

Of course, that just means that if you have, I haven’t caught you yet.

Honesty isn’t her trait, after all.

“Sooo, what do you say?”

Well, I don’t have any plans.

And I haven’t written anything to Princess Celestia yet.

“Alright Rarity, I’ll help you.”

“I’ll come too!” shouts Spike.

I don’t know if-

“Splendid! We will need someone to dig up the ruby,” Rarity says.

Oooor not.

“Anyway, I’ll get Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

You retrieve Applejack and Fluttershy,

And we will meet up back here,” she says.

I guess they don’t have much of a choice.

Do we really need everypony for this job?

“Oh, and do hurry dear.”

…

Back in the library.

“So what’s this ‘bout a… ruby?” Applejack asks.

“It’s ONLY the biggest ruby ever sighted in Equestria,” Rarity says.

Really, I don’t see the point in this.

Unless-

“So, WHY do you want it?

It’s not like you can put it on a dress,” Rainbow Dash asks.

“A ruby that size will sell for quite an amount on its own,” I respond.

I might as well defend her.

That’s what friends are for.

“Exactly.

Think of the improvements I could make in Ponyville with all those bits!” Rarity says.

I wonder if that’s her real reason.

She could be looking to upgrade her shop.

“Well, ah think we should all git a share,

since this is cutting intah my farm-workin’ hours,” Applejack states.

“I was practicing a routine for the upcoming Ponyville Pegasi Performance,” Rainbow Dash says.

“I had plans to help a goose family settle down in their new home,” squeaks Fluttershy.

“I had cakes that needed to be eaten!” shouts Pinkie Pie.

Oh Pinkie Pie.

You always know how to lighten a mood.

“Oh… yes of course!

You are my friends after all.”

Rarity…

Is there something you aren’t telling us?

Judging by the looks on everypony’s face,

they’re thinking the same thing I am.

Spike is licking his lips.

Well, I do want to go too.

It’s been a while since we’ve done anything together.

Everypony is always so busy.

“Let’s help Rarity out;

it should only take us until lunch.

Besides, it’s been a while since we’ve spent time together,” I say.

That took care of their indecisive looks.

We’ve all been busy recently,

so you could think of this as a blessing.

Rarity’s problem equals time plus friendship.

“So what are we waiting for?

Let’s go!”

…

Fluttershy is shivering.

I feel like shivering too.

“Rarity, are you sure this is the way?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“Would I EVER lead you guys the wrong way?” says Rarity.

There’s that question again.

Answering questions with questions.

I’ve never been this deep into the Everfree forest before.

I usually just go to Zecora’s house.

The trees are definitely ominous.

They block a lot of the sunlight out.

It’s like our first time together.

Good thing Pinkie’s here.

Bouncy as always.

“Don’t worry ladies,

my fire will light the path,” Spike says.

He picks up a dead branch and lights it.

Well isn’t that convenient.

Saves me the trouble of making my own light.

It seems to comfort everyone too.

As we tread deeper into the wood,

I can feel an uneasy aura coming from my friends.

Not much is known about these woods,

but what is known, I’ve read.

“How much farther Rarity?” Applejack asks.

“We’re almost there dear,” Rarity says happily.

“I can’t wait to see that ruby!

Maybe it will be a super-ultra-mega ruby with frosting!

I call dibs on the frosting!” yells Pinkie Pie.

Haha.

Spike looks kind of sad.

“It’s okay Spike,

Chances are, it will be covered in dirt,” I say.

“Wha- What if there’s horrible, d-deadly creatures in the cave?” Fluttershy stutters.

I hadn’t thought of that.

I hope Rarity knows what she’s doing,

and doesn’t go leading us into a lion’s den.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy,

I’ll protect you with my giant pegasus muscles!” Rainbow Dash says confidently.

“We won’t let ahnything harm ya, sugar cube,” Applejack reassures.

And neither will I.

I know a plethora of sp-

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

Fluttershy!

“Git off ‘er!”

Wha?

I only looked away for a second.

Why was she in the back of the line anyway?!

“What happened?” I ask.

“A spider landed on my back,

It just startled me,” Fluttershy says.

“Uhh Fluttershy,

is that welt suppose to be on your back?” Pinkie Pie asks.

Oh no.

It must have bit her.

“Oh, I’m fine, really…”

Terror.

Terror is written on her face.

Shocked, as she falls to her side.

Stiff as a board.

Immobilized.

“Fluttershy!”

Come on Twilight,

snap out of it.

You know what to do.

First,

“Applejack, what did the spider look like before you brushed it off?”

“Uh, it was yellow with red stripes…

or the other way around.”

“Judging by the reaction,

she must have gotten bit by a Spawn of Arachne.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s a spider that causes paralysis.

Don’t worry, if you take her to Zecora,

she should have a remedy for it.”

“Alright!

Pinkie Pie will carry Fluttershy while I scout above for Zecora’s hut,” Rainbow Dash says.

“Rarity, can we still get the ruby with three ponies?” I ask.

“-And a dragon!” Spike pipes up.

“Yes… with Applejack’s strong l-legs, we will have no p-problem.”

That is one bad poker face.

Seems like everypony else is convinced though.

“Good luck!

Oh! And if the ruby IS covered in frosting,

I still have dibs!”

…

Wow.

I half expected there not to be a cave.

I guess Rarity wasn’t lying after all.

Spike better keep that flame high.

We enter the cave.

Ever since Fluttershy was carried away,

there has been an awkward silence hanging in the air.

Rarity: probably afraid she’ll let the truth slip out.

I know you’re up to something.

…But should a friend really care?

I should trust what Rarity says to me.

Still, her mouth remains shut.

Spike: what does he need to say?

He’s probably just trying to soak in everything that he’s seeing.

New experiences have that effect on baby dragons.

I’m glad he has that torch though.

It gives us all confidence…

Applejack: she’s probably wondering how we’re going to get the ruby out.

She brought her lasso, so she’ll probably just pull it out.

Depending on the size, Rarity and I could help her too.

I hope the digging doesn’t take all day…

And then there’s me.

Why am I so quiet?

It’s because I’m walking and thinking about my friends.

Is this judging them?

I shouldn’t judge my friends.

I’m trying to read my friend’s thoughts.

That’s not judgment, is it?

What’s this?

There appears to be a fork in the path.

“Applejack!

You and Spike go down the left corridor,

while Twilight and I go down the other,” proposes Rarity.

Huh?

What are you up to?

“Y’all got the ‘sense the gems’ ability,

shouldn’t you unicorns split up?”

Makes sense.

“You have Spike,

you’ll be fine,” Rarity says hurriedly.

Whoa!

Hey, slow down!

Rarity pushes me quickly down the right path.

…

Nothing but rocks and a white pelt and a purple mane,

and a sour mood.

“Really, why is everypony so selfish?

It’s almost like none of them want to help me- I mean…

none of them want to find it too!”

I can’t believe my ears.

Are you are seriously complaining about your friends helping you?

They took off from their busy schedule to go on your jewel hunt!

“They are just tired is all,” I say.

Tired of you.

“Tired? Why, morning has just begun!”

And if they’re tired of you,

then I’m officially exhausted.

So this is why you dragged me along at the fork:

So you can gossip about our friends?

She’s really starting to tick me off.

We have lives you know,

and they aren’t there for you to use whenever you see fit.

…But whatever Rarity says, she means well.

I hope.

Ooo.

This is scenic.

We have arrived at a wonderful cavern.

The stalactites reach down toward a deep basin.

I would say we’re about 30 feet above the lake.

The water is a sapphire shade so blue;

it’s almost like a jewel itself.

Rarity trots ahead, spins around, and confronts me.

Here is comes.

“Twilight, I feel I need to apologize,” she says.

The truth.

“For I haven’t been… clear about the reasons for this trip.”

She can’t look me in the eyes.

The look of a liar.

“You see, I found myself working in my boutique,

and I was struck by this sudden… melancholy feeling.”

Melancholy: a prolonged sadness.

You can’t be struck by it, silly.

“It felt as if the fire that was once our friendship…

That fire was dwindling,

and the six of us were growing farther and farther apart.”

Dwindling?

Has it?

No, we are the same close friends that we once were.

“So I made this journey into the Everfree forest,” she says.

We still do things together!

Like…

We meet up every week!

Well, it’s been backed up to every other week.

“…like when we first met….”

We all have our priorities.

Rarity should be the first to understand that!

“…To, maybe, rekindle that dying fire.”

It was never dying!

Sure, Applejack has to run the farm now that Granny Smith is gone.

Sure, Pinkie Pie is trying to open her own shop.

Our friendship stays strong!

“So, I made up a story about a giant ruby...”

Sure Rainbow Dash is almost in the Wonderbol-

Wait, what?

“To maybe make some adventure,

Like the good ol’ days,” she says with a smile.

I’m sorry,

I could have sworn you said ‘made up.’

Like a lie.

I’m chuckling now.

That’s amazing.

Incredible.

There’s no ruby after all?

Brilliant!

“Heh, you’re saying…

You’re saying that this was a wild goose chase after all?” I ask.

“Well… technically…”

Great.

You pulled everyone from their planned day of constructive work

so you could make sure you still have friends?

Newsflash!

You had friends before you led us into an unexplored cave!

“…What were you thinking?”

Why am I asking this?

I already know you weren’t thinking

“I thought… if I could make something happen-”

“Like what?

Get Fluttershy paralyzed?”

“No… that wasn’t in the plan…”

Ha!

You have no plan!

“Twilight, if anyone can understand me,

it’s you.”

I have been longing to be near my friends too.

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong,” I say.

The letters I’ve written to Princess Celestia have been a bit dull recently.

“…You, of all ponies, should understand moving on,” I say.

…And really, I feel the same way as her.

“But our friendship was dying!” she screams.

Ok, now I’m mad.

“The only thing dying is your sanity,” I mutter.

She could have easily gotten us all killed!

“Wha-”

“-Or did you forget what happened to Fluttershy?”

She really can’t die from a bite like that.

“Twilight, I-”

“I don’t want to hear any more excuses Rarity!” I yell.

Why am I acting this way?

Rarity didn’t mean to hurt anypony.

As I walk toward her, she backs up toward the edge.

“You led us through dangerous territory,

into an unexplored cave

to retrieve a stone that doesn’t exist!”

I should probably stop.

“Twi-”

“You lied to everyone, Rarity!

Now, not only do we have to find our way out,

we have to find Applejack and Spike and hope to Celestia that they’re alright!”

“I-”

“-And I’m going to have to tell the girls about this.

They deserve to know the horrible truth of your deception.”

She looks like she’s about to cry.

I shouldn’t have gone that fa-

Oh no.

Slow motion.

The ground seemed so stable.

But that’s how the cookie crumbles.

We’re falling.

“Twilight!!”

Quick.

I lean down and bite her mane.

I swing my whole body so I can launch Rarity upward.

I let go.

I’m falling.

10 seconds to impact.

Rarity’s plot is safely above me now.

For some reason she seems to be getting smaller.

9 seconds to impact.

“Twilght, I know how much you love reading and school work,

so I made a doll for you that loves them too!”

“Meet Smarty Pants.”

“Awww, thanks so much!”

8 seconds to impact.

“Twilight Sparkle, I would like to make you my own personal protégé here at the school.”

“Wha?”

I can’t believe it!

“Well?” she asks.

I look at my parents, and they nod with excitement.

“YES!!!!!”

7 seconds to impact.

“Hahaha, Twilight.”

“Why does the Princess like you so much?”

“You’re terrible at ma-!”

Stop making fun of me!

I didn’t ask for this!

6 seconds to impact.

“‘Aand I have a more essential task for you to complete.

Make some friends!’”

Ughhh

I’d rather not get to know anyone in…

whatever town this is.

5 seconds to impact.

“Twilight, we’ll always be your friends.”

“Yeah! Even if you go wonky sometimes!”

“Rainbow Dash!”

4 seconds to impact.

Elements of Harmony!

The most powerful force in all of Equestria.

Wielded by me and my friends.

3 seconds to impact.

It’s been a while since we’ve used them.

Rarity keeps shrinking.

I think she’s yelling something.

2 seconds to impact.

I’m stupid.

I let my emotions get the better of me again.

I guess I’m not the calculating mare I thought I was.

1 second to impact.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry I couldn’t save myself.

You’ll probably be mad at me when all this is over.

SPLOOSH!!

…

Am I falling or floating?

It’s hard to tell…

Which way is up? Which way is down?

If I squint really hard…

No… nothing…

I’ve been here before.

Memories?

No, there’s still something wrong.

It’s almost right.

I’m drowning,

drowning in an illusion.

NO!!

This is no illusion!

Illusions don’t exist!

Because I have a power.

The power to make illusions real!

In my world, your illusions have the potential to become reality.

There’s a word for it.

A word I thought could never be true.

MAGIC!

The reason why Princess Celestia took me under her wing.

The reason why I can actually use the Elements.

Magic!

I am the foundation to the Elements of Harmony,

and I am the foundation to our friendship!

This is my element!

And I’m not about to roll over without a fight!

…

White light.

I’m floating as my magic surrounds me.

I can barely make out the dementors.

They’re trying to get past the light barrier I’ve created.

Heh.

White light.

I’ll destroy this darkness.

I’ll destroy it with my old friend.

White light.

I’m almost blinded by the amount of power I’m distributing.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty for everyone.

Echo, echo, echo white light.

This is it!

This will free me.

I’m not powerless anymore.

The dementors finally fly away.

“Wow…”

Looks like Damian’s behind me.

Still pretty big.

“That’s uhh…

Good job!”

“Don’t worry, I can handle myself now,” I say with a smirk.

Damian’s kind.

But now I can lead the way.

With my own light.

…

Finally out of that darkness!

Damian is trailing behind me, muttering something.

He’s been kind of edgy since I started using magic.

Maybe he didn’t know I could use magic.

Whatever, it doesn’t matter.

Nothing can kill my mood now.

Now that I’ve remembered my magic, this cave isn’t scary anymore.

I’m sure I’ll find the exit somewhere and then I’ll get back to Ponyville.

The first thing I’m going to do is apologize to Rarity.

She didn’t deserve the verbal beating I gave her.

Then, I am going to make it my mission to spend more time with my friends.

Even if it is just me,

I’ll be the mediator for the five others.

I’ll keep their hooves going and their heads high,

so this never has to happen again.

This was a mistake,

and it’s a friends job to forgive and forget.

Whoa, this cavern…

No, this isn’t the same cavern.

This cavern holds a river and a dense fog.

Darn.

I can’t see through that fog to the other side of the river.

It seems to have an incredible current;

a current so strong, it would sweep me away if I tried to swim.

Not that I want to be underwater anyway.

I’ve had enough of that.

“Over here!”

Damian’s big body is now a full size dragon.

I wonder how he grew so much.

“I do not think we will be able to cross the river.

There is a passage this way, follow me.”

Sounds good.

Damian is usually right when it comes to this cave.

There must be some enchantment on this cave to make it do loopy things.

It would be best to trust the creature that knows his way around.

Wait, what’s that coming across the water.

Effortlessly, like there isn’t a current at all.

A rickety raft moves through the fog…

Is that…

A pony?

It is!

It is a pony!

That pony is pushing his boat over with his long paddle.

He must have some sort of spell on his boat,

because the current has no effect on it.

He must have a strong jaw and neck to ferry himself all the way over here.

“Where are you going?” Damian asks.

“Don’t you want to know who this pony is?”

“Oh… Him,” he says with disgust.

What?

Is he going to hurt me?

Silly, ponies don’t hurt others.

The pony arrives at our side and stops.

He’s definitely not menacing.

He seems tired and worn.

Like a stallion who has seen too much.

His beard is ragged and scraggly.

The only life, it seems, is in his eyes;

like hollow furnaces on fire.

“Stop!

It’s a trap!”

A trap?

“He will push you into the river if he gets the chance,” says Damian.

I back away from the newcomer.

But, why would anypony do that?

Damian…

He’s been right before.

I should follow the dragon…

…Why do I want to cross this river?

Is it another trick?

A spell making me long to get to the other side?

No…

It’s deeper than that.

“You will die if you try and cross that river.”

Is Damian snarling?

It’s hard to tell.

He’s just passionate about protecting me.

He’s looking after me.

...Right?

Well Twilight, you are in a bind.

But there is a simple way to handle this.

Home is where the heart is.

Just follow my heart.

I close my eyes and empty my thoughts.

It’s tugging.

It’s tugging my heart toward the ferrypony.

Not like the fork before.

No, it’s a longing of the soul.

This is the final trial:

I must cross this river!

“I’m sorry Damian,

but I’ve decided to cross the river.”

“But…

How…

Do you not trust me?

I thought we were friends,” he says.

“We are friends Damian,

but there is something across that river that making me go over there.”

“You will die!” he bellows.

“I’m sorry Damian, but this is where we part ways.”

He’s not taking this well.

I’ve never seen him so angry.

Is he angry that I’m not doing what he says?

…Or is it something more?

Parting is such angry sorrow.

Now I don’t feel so safe around him.

He’s too big.

He’s too strong.

He’s too angry.

Fire is spilling from his mouth due to his fierce heaving.

He didn’t seem like the type to take this the wrong way.

“Look Damian, I’ll be fine.”

“If you won’t come with me,

then I’ll just have to force you!”

I shut my eyes as he takes a swipe at me with his giant claw.

I’m dead.

I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead I died I’m dead.

“You are overstretching your bounds.”

I open my eyes slowly to see Damian holding his hurt claw.

The ferrypony is standing in front of me with his long oar in his teeth.

“That’s not fair!

She’s not supposed to know about magic down here,” Damian growls.

“It is not your place to decide for the lost,” the ferrypony repies.

Damian is looking at me.

His expression reminds me of a manticore being robbed of its meal:

disheartened and frustrated.

Now I know your true colors.

“You useless, stupid, idiotic mare,” Damian shouts furiously.

He’s shrinking now.

“I had you in the palm of my hand.”

Shriveling like a daisy in the summer sun.

“I should have never saved you from that spider.”

…And like my trust for him,

he vanishes into the darkness.

All those times,

he was setting me up to fall.

“He underestimated his prey,

gambled, and lost.”

The ferrypony is now back in his boat.

…his prey?

That was me, I guess.

I join the pony on the boat.

He sets off toward the fog and the opposite shore.

I suppose it makes sense.

I mean, he didn’t even ask for my name when we met.

I should have caught on sooner.

Maybe I am an idiot.

“No sense in feeling sorry for him.

What he does is the fate he chose,” the ferryman says.

He chose to deceive ponies into walking freely to death?

No being with kindness in its heart would do such a thing.

Now I’ve learned there are beings that reject my world.

They work tirelessly for a world of pain because they themselves enjoy it.

It all boils down to what you love,

and some are in love with death.

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t properly introduced myself.

My name is Twilight Sparkle,” I say with a bow.

No need in starting off on the wrong hoof.

The pony doesn’t look at me and focuses on rowing.

“Er…

Thank you for saving me.”

Silence.

What, you’re not going to talk to me anymore?

We’re entering the fog now.

It’s so thick…

How does he know where he’s going?

I guess all I can do is trust him.

Trust…

Do I give it too freely?

I wonder what made me want to cross this river.

It’s definitely not inviting.

“Umm…

Could I ask you a question?” I ask.

Silence.

Oh well.

“It felt like I was being drawn to this river…

Do you know why?”

“Only the pure of heart find my shores,

and it’s my job to ferry them across the river.”

Pure of heart…

It seems I was right when I decided to follow my heart.

No calculations could have gotten me here.

Calculations were a part of Damian’s tricks.

Intelligence and insanity are the two things he relies on.

It’s easy to lead those ponies astray.

It feels like I’ve been eaten by a cloud.

Rainbow Dash…

I hope I can see them again.

…

So this is the other side.

I jump off the boat onto the shore.

So many ponies.

Looks like I’m not the only one down here.

To the east,

there are many caverns.

Symbols are etched over each mouth.

A dog.

A bird.

A bunny.

Creatures I’ve never even seen before.

There’s one cave that seems the most promising.

Groups of ponies walk down the path of the bipedal creature as the symbol.

...But…

There’s a feeling I get,

when I look to the west.

And my spirit is crying for leaving.

Those golden steps.

They lead to an opening out of the cave.

At the top, a bright light shines down

as the long line of ponies on the stairs slowly shuffles forward.

That line is long.

But that’s my exit!

Once I get up there, I’m sure I’ll be back in Ponyville.

Back with my friends.

Who…?

Whoa!

It can’t be him.

A chariot of fire flies down from the opening and a pony jumps out.

I’m about to faint.

This is too good to be true.

“Hello, I’m St-”

“You’re Star Swirl the Bearded!” I scream.

Ohmygosh! This is the greatest day of my life.

“Haha, there was a time I went by that name,” he says.

“I’ve read all of your spell books.

Your study of magical theory was absolutely brilliant!

Most of what you theorized ended up being true too!”

“I am your BIGGEST fan Star Swirl, sir.”

“So it seems,” he says with a wink.

Oh no.

Did I say too much?

He probably thinks I’m crazy.

But I have so many questions!

Wait…

“Star Swirl, sir, how are you here?

You died centuries ago!

…no offense.”

He chuckles.

“Twilight Sparkle…

You still haven’t figured it out?

Although it makes sense, since you did not pass peacefully like most ponies.”

Huh?

“What?”

“My little pony…

You’ve passed away from the real world.”

What the…

Really?

I’m...

I’m dead?

“I’ve been watching you for quite some time,” he says.

Does this mean that he came down from the afterlife?

No… this is the afterlife.

“You have fought valiantly to get here;

Bested many trials.

The final destination for those pure of heart lies at the top of that staircase.”

This was an exam.

It seems I have passed.

Though, I didn’t study for it.

No books in the world can tell you what happens when you die.

But…

My life doesn’t-

No, my life ISN’T complete.

“Sir, I don’t want to go.

I still have so much to learn back in Ponyville.

…I...I..miss my friends…”

“That is why I have come here,” he says with a smile.

“I have spoken to the other ponies above us and we have come to a consensus:

That you have passed far too quickly.

You still have much to learn, Twilight Sparkle,

and much to discover.”

“But…

If I’m dead…

How am I supposed to get back?”

“With magic of course!”

“Magic?”

“The fact that you have remembered your magic is but a sign that you are not meant for this world yet.”

“Does that mean…

You’ve forgotten your magic?”

“Sadly yes,

but I am still happy up there.

I frequently look down on the ponies of Equestria.”

That’s so cool.

I wonder if he’s ever looked down on me.

“Now I must leave you,

There is a competition that I am entering to see who can spot the most sheep in Equestria.”

Haha, that’s funny.

I hope he win-

“Wait!” I shout.

“You still haven’t told me how to get back to Ponyville.”

He chuckles.

“If what you want most is to return,

then return you shall!”

Wha-

That doesn’t help!

But there he goes.

Back up to that hole at the top of the cave.

So what?

I just wish myself home?

I don’t think I can teleport myself out of here.

I really do want to go back to my friends.

I have to apologize to Rarity!

This isn’t my home.

Not yet, at least.

No, my home is Ponyville.

There’s no place like Ponyville

I shut my eyes tight.

“There’s no place like home.”

I can feel my horn begin to glow.

“There’s no place like home.”

Please bring me back home.

All I can think about are my friends' smiling faces.

“There’s no place like home!”