Catcher of Dreams

by TheBeastoftheEnd

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, Original Character, Dark, Thriller, Equestria Girls, Spike (EqG), Science Fiction, Sunset Shimmer, Main 7 (EqG), Adventure, Crossover, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 7583

When the Humane 7 lose a friend to an alien invasion, and Canterlot city is being held by the government, the friends discover a conspiracy and they may the earth's only hope...whether they like it or not.

The 7 still remember Camp Everfree. It was where they defeated Gloriosa Daisy (as Gaea Everfree) from trapping everyone within the camp.

And since then, they've felt closer than ever to each other, because what they did there as ordinary teen girls was a good thing, perhaps even greater, because they saved someone extraordinary, and it made them extraordinary, too.

Since then, the bond remains, and a year after their trip to that camp, they return during the winter months to spend time together and to have fun with two of Applejack's cousins.

But something is wrong. Canterlot City is on quarantine from a mysterious disease called the Ripley. A malevolent entity called Mr. Gray hijacks Sunset Shimmer for purposes unknown. And an unhinged commander of government forces called "The Shop" seem both interested in the Ripley...and the portal to Equestria. Worst of all, the power of the Elements of Harmony are useless against this threat.

Whether they like it or not, the girls find that they - along with a certain friend of theirs - might the be our last hope. Not just of this world, but all worlds beyond.

Stephan Kings Dreamcatcher x MLP Equestria Girls

Published 2017-03-15 17:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-06-28 20:08:15 UTC

Prolouge - Winter Rider

I have never known a more vulgar expression of betrayal and deceit.
-Lucien Bouchard

The Everfree Forest, in the beginnings of what will be a long and dreary snowfall ahead. The forest lay silent and dormant and white, punctuated only by wind whistling, along with the smell of new snow and the green of spruce pines (not yet covered with snow) that dominated the tree population like kings of old.

The trees weren't the only thing that stood out. A long strip of squiggly, white-matted road - a trail oftentimes reserved for cross country skiers, and the occasional snow mobile - snaked across the land like the tracks of a giant worm. But all in all, nothing the least bit out of the ordinary could be seen or heard, for the trail was closed for the upcoming snowstorm ahead, and there was peace all around for miles.

That is, save for one thing.

Cutting across the trail at a quick (but legal) pace and speed was a Polaris Titan, it's color the blue-black of choking, it's nose streaked white with crusts of snow, it's skis skidding the snow as a stone skipping on a lake would. The tires cut the through the snow like a buzz saw, giving the vehicle it's push.

But the strange thing was not that the snowmobile was driving on a restricted area, or that the sound of the forest seemed to shy away at snowmobile. No, the wood was afraid of person on the vehicle, for it was as if they could sense what was yet to happen, and who was driving that ship of horrors.

The driver was a girl, of about 15 or 16 years of age, and just about the same height as the average teen. She wore a pair of black snow pants, winter boots, thick winter gloves, and a fur-lined parka, with the hood obscuring everything but her pretty yellow-skinned face, ice blue eyes, and a few stray tufts of red and gold streaked hair.

She seemed to pilot the vehicle with the skill of a professional, mostly due to her experience of motor cross, but she vehemently insist that it wasn't her driving. Rather it was the thing that was inside her, using her, guiding her hands and fingers like a puppet on strings. She was only the backseat driver.

"What was that Ms. Shimmer? What did we just pass on the road there?"

The voice was cheerful, almost friendly in nature, but she knew better. Beneath it, Sunset Shimmer could detect the sadism hiding behind it. It gave of a bad vibe of "I-want-to-be-your-friend-but-I-also-want-to-kill-people" kind of sadism. To top it all off, it spoke with an accent so familiar that for a moment she thought she had made contact with Rarity. It was three seconds after that she realized that it was the other guy, using her voice.

Are you speaking to me? She was hesitant in her think-speech. She did not trust herself to speak in sound, for she was afraid the use her mouth would be a wasted effort.

"Why, yes, Ms. Shimmer! Or is it...Sunset?" That same near-sinister show of good cheer. "That's what your friends call you, isn't it?" The creature smiled with her mouth. "Let's be friends."

Apple Dumpling never hurt a soul. You killed her, and you expect me to be friends with you? She felt her anger rising within her now, waiting to blow.

"You're friend had nothing in her head. I must say I found something useful in yours"

She shouted, "Fuck you!" Well, whoop-de-do, I can speak.

This did not faze the other, who said excitedly, "I know what that expression means! I studied the foul language section of your memory warehouse. Very distasteful, I must say."

Alright then, it was time to give him a run for his money. "How about this Mr. Gray? Eat shit and die."

Silence from the other side, so she must've hit a nerve. It was only when he spoke that she realized it was the wrong kind of nerve.

"Why did you call me Mr. Gray?" Confusion in his voice.

Oh, rats, she thought to herself. Mental note: never tell any personal information to strangers - ever.

"Someone told you, didn't they?" he asked, voice firm. It would've been easier to believe that it was a he if it wasn't using her vocal chords. But she didn't answer his question.

It's best if we keep our eye on the -

"Who told you about me?" His voice was impatient and was now bordering on insistent. But she was still not going to give it any form of satisfaction. If she did, who knew what kind of shit the world could fall into? Her friends, even if they weren't here, were counting on her to hold firm. And she was going to do just that. Stay and stand up, as Rainbow would put it.

"If you're so interested, why don't you just read my mind?"

The same cheeriness crept back into the voice of Mr. Evil Twin. "Well, you seem to keep a few things from me. I don't understand it, but I'm sure I'll figure it out soon."

They rode on, a twosome in one form, both apparently good drivers. Ivory flakes whizzed past Sunset's head, some landing in whatever strands of hair managed to get free of the confines of her furry parka hood. Some specks managed to get in her face, the face he was using, but he managed to wipe away the intrusive flakes from her eyes with her hands. They kept moving, the rev of the engine the only loud noise dominating the land. Great puffs of snow churned underneath the movements of the vehicle, its loose movements similar to sand in a desert.

"Just out of curiosity: why are you letting me live?"

"I'm borrowing you," Mr. Gray stated. "We're going to take a little journey, you and me."

Sunset thought to herself glumly, That's what I was afraid of. She knew she was getting farther and farther away from her friends, far away from their cabin, far away from civilization...because that was Mr. Gray's plan. To get far away as possible from anyone. And she was just a hitchhiker along for a ride.

And it had all been going so well, you little nitpicker. It had all been going so well....

Author's Note

This story is based after Stephan King's Dreamcatcher, combining elements of both book and movie.

Rated teen for curse words and occasional gore.

Chapter 1 - Hole in the Wall

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Camp Everfree didn't just sport tents and summer activities, it was also home to "Winter Homers," people who came to camp to enjoy the winter months in the great outdoors. There was snowshoeing, hunting, hiking, skiing, snow mobile; you name it, it was there. The cabins were just located two miles from the summer camp, when all the tent were taken down and the canoes were stored away, and when the mountains were still beautiful with the white sheet that covered it.

When you camped in Everfree for the holidays, you often stayed in Winter Haven, a circular valley with single-story log cabins that ringed the tree edge. Each cabin held the usual necessaries: running water, bathrooms, beds, food, and other things that would - quote - make this the best week of camp ever, from guns for hunting to skis and snowshoes. In the center of the the valley, a large ring of stones lay in the center filled with old charcoal - the remnants of a fire.

Detached from the valley by a 25 minute drive (longer if you hiked), was a single cabin many of the "Homers" called Hole in the Wall. It was much larger than the other cabins, and sported three bedrooms each with a single bed (king -sized), a bathroom with shower, a shed/garage for repair tools and a single Polaris Titan, a TV and WiFi. And it was this moment, on 6:00 pm on December 23, 2017, a Jeep Wagoneer drove up to the cabin and parked, it's yellow light bathing the house in sunny sheen.

From the confines of the cramped car, seven teens, all girls, stepped out and observed their abode and the surroundings, the woods silent save for the occasional owl hoot.

One of them, a girl with a swath of flame-colored hair, limped toward the house first, she turned back to the others, taking a moment to do a head count of her friends. Twilight Sparkle, a girl with violet skin, her purple hair with pink streak in a pony tail, wearing glasses, and thick winter coat. Rainbow Dash, with skin of cyan blue, and a mane of rainbow hair, who looked she need to run a race to get her legs un-stiffened. Applejack, country farm girl with her signature hat, and blond hair singed with a red band. Rarity, fashionista extraordinaire, who was attempting to pull out her many bags from the trunk without breaking anything. Pinkie Pie, party animal with her signature poofy pink hair, who was attempting to wrestle her suitcase filled with balloons and confetti out of the car. Fluttershy, who stepped out timidly from her side of the car to examine the area, only to jump back into the car with a squeak at Rarity finally closing the door.

Yup, that was everyone.

"Welcome to our home away from home, chitlins!" Rainbow cried, running to get inside the house first. "I call dibs on rooms first!"

Sunset stopped her before she could reach the first step. "Hold it, Rainbow. Why don't you help the girls with their luggage, I'll go unlock the door."

Rainbow sighed, and grumbled, "Fine." But as she turned away, she turned to Sunset and declared firmly, "But I still call dibs." With that, she turned to help Rarity pull out a cosmetics kit from the trunk which had apparently gotten stuck.

Sunset turned, limped up the stairs, pausing only to clutch her hip and wince at the pain. Since the accident, her hip had tendency to act up whenever she had to walk up steps or run fast, but she still managed, even for the last few months.

She felt in her pocket for the keys, fishing for the cold feel of metal. She unlocked the door and opened it, switched on the light, and drank in the sights she saw: a single room, conjoined from a dining and living room. Hanging on the mantelpiece over the couch was something she recognized. It was a dream catcher, a single hoop joined by seven smaller ones, each a different color - red, white, purple, orange, yellow, pink, and rainbow, while the center hoop was a dark, night-blue color.

She smiled, breathing in the scent of old times. There was truly no other paradise than this.

"So when are your cousins coming in, Applejack?" Fluttershy asked. She pulled out a can of tomato sauce for the cowgirl to make their pasta and meat sauce for the group.

"Should be arrivin' tomorrow. Dumplin' gave me the call and said they just landed in Canterlot Airport and said she and her brother Apple Pie booked a hotel for the night and they should first thing in the mornin' quicker than a fresh delivery of cider."

"How old is your cousin Apple Pie?" Rainbow asked, a little absently, because trying to talk while watching a rerun of Dukes of Hazard was a task in itself.

Applejack screwed up her face in thought as she laid down the wooden spoon. "Oh, about 16 or 17? Why do you ask?"

Rainbow turned back to TV. "Nothing."

"Does this have anything to do with that..." She hesitated, trying to pick her words carefully. "Incident a few months ago?"

Rainbow turned red and turned round, giving Applejack a glare, the TV entirely forgotten. But before she could get a word in edgewise, Rarity squealed from the other room, apparently enthused by what she knew from reading Rainbow's thoughts. She came dashing into the room, sweaty from the combined heat of the wood stove and carrying every suitcase she brought.

"OOHH! Rainbow Dash finally has a boyfriend!" Rarity came with with a tape measure in hand, taking Rainbow's measurements with a tape measure and nearly pulling her off the couch. "Oh, can't wait till you two have your first date. And I might make a perfect dress for you!"

Pinkie came following suit, carrying a miniature party cannon, that happy, overly cheerful smile. She prepared to lit a match and set off the cannon and make the cabin seem like the Fourth of July. "Are we going to celebrate Rainbow Dash's first date with a-"

No. We won't.

The thought came clear and loud enough that the reactions of the others in the room was like a landscape in the wake of a nuclear blast. All of them turned to look at Rainbow, Pinkie's match stopped just a few seconds away from the fuse on her cannon, Rarity let go of her foot, measuring forgotten, and Fluttershy stood staring at her, mouths slightly open. Only Applejack remained unfazed.

Rarity was the first to break the silence. "Excuse for saying this, darling, but what do you mean, "we won't?"

"I mean," Rainbow said as she turned off the TV, "that it's not happening. Ever."

Fluttershy chose her words carefully as she spoke. "What happened? Did you break up, or didn't like each other, or-"

"No, I tried to use the Line to help him find his car keys."

The three out of the four remaining girls looked at her in confusion. Rainbow sighed in disgust and spoke, her voice rising a little, a little louder than she wanted, and in a way that was too aggressive for her. But even so, it helped to get it off her chest, even if it did come out a little rudely.

"Well, how was supposed to help him? Play detective while my dad fixes cars? All he wanted was another set of car keys, because he lost his and I used the Line to find them quickly, and I found them! So I asked if he wanted to go out to the best seafood restaurant in Canterlot, Maine at 6:00 pm that night, and all he did was said yes, but never came! He probably thought I was batshit crazy, an off-the-wall loony!"

She finished, breathing heavily, waiting for any comment. There was none, so she filled it in by saying, "Another fuckarow."

The others nodded, and didn't bother to question her further.

Outside, unaware of the conversation inside the cabin, Twilight helped Sunset get the firewood, even though Twilight insisted on doing it herself, due to Sunset's hip. Right now, Sunset was attempting to carry a bundle to the wood basket outside the door.

"Here, let me help you with that," Twilight said. She grabbed the bundle from the arms of her friend and deposited it into the log basket, covering it with it's bag-like tarp and placed a couple old, battered bricks on top to hold it down during strong winds.

"Thanks."

Twilight nodded, acknowledging the comment. Sunset suddenly noticed that a certain furry friend of Twilight's wasn't around at her feet.

"Spike's not here with you?" she asked.

Twilight shook her head. "Nope. He wouldn't survive the cold if I took him a hike, and he refuses to wear anything that would keep him warm. Said it would smudge his dignity. So I left him with a old family friend back at my parent's house."

Sunset laughed at that, but it sounded forced. She tried to hide it the best she could. But even Twilight didn't have to be a mind reader (literally) to know that something was troubling Sunset.

"Hey, is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

Sunset shook her head quickly. "No, I'm fine. Just the cold getting to me."

Twilight frowned. Come on, Sunset. We're best friend's, and those kinds of friends know things about the other. I'm not the Element of Honesty like Applejack, and I may be a telepath, but I can see on the outside that something is making you a little edgy. Now would please tell me, as a friend?

Sunset sighed. Always Twilight with the mental chew-out.

"Alright, I'll tell you. But don't bring it up with the others yet, because I would like to have a good few weeks of vacation before I tell anyone anything."

Twilight nodded, indicating she understood.

"Okay," Sunset said. "I know this gonna sound insane, but on the night of my accident, after we planned to see Duddits, I was looking across the street, the one where I got hit, and...I saw him."

There was a pause from both sides. Twilight ended the silence by saying, "What?"

"I'm saying he was there," the other stated. "Except he appeared as he was the day we first met him, all battered up and mostly naked."

Twilight pondered this. "You're not saying he might've caused the accident, do you?"

Sunset shook her head, causing her red and gold hair to shift about that it almost looked like flames. "Duddits would never do anything like that, Twilight. He loved us. He would've put his life first before ours on the line, and having us injured is the last thing he would want."

She sighed, running her hand through her hair before continuing.

"What I just don't get is why he would send me in the middle of the street, only to get hit by an oncoming station wagon?"

Twilight shrugged. "I guess there's more to the story than there already is now. Come on, let's get inside; I think my butt's beginning to freeze off."

The two climbed (or in Sunset's case, hobbled) the stairs toward supper and warmth.

Three Months Ago

The day started out like any would in fall, and it was the orchard in afternoon sunlight that made Sweet Apple Acres particularly beautiful during harvest time. The leaves on the apple trees turned a beautiful spectrum of red, orange, and gold; so beautiful that Granny Smith would say that it would make even the most miserly throw away their gold just to see the beautiful sight and take up the farm life.

Not that Sunset would've enjoyed a good harvest. But the real harvest day was only a few days off from Friday, and she was for now doing homework, for she had a test due for her math teacher Cheerilee, and she didn't want to waste any time. In that case, the Apple family had allowed her some privacy.

It seemed like they allowed her many things, no offense them. They allowed her to stay in Sweet Apple Acres as part of the family after the incident at the Fall Formal, as long as she pulled some of her weight around. They allowed her to sleep in a furnished room in the attic area. They allowed her to have clothes on her back, food in her belly, a roof over her head, and what did they get in return? Nothing, and despite Granny's assurances that it was nothing to worry about, Sunset kept kicking herself that she needed to repay the favor soon.

But for now, all she could think of was to get this paper done, and scoot down to Dunkin Donuts for a coffee and a sweet roll. She was in the process of answering the last question when her cell phone rang. She picked it up and asked with a almost distracted, "Hello?"

"Hey, Sunset? You okay?" It was Twilight, though it was fairly obvious it was her. The two were regular chat buddies.

"Hi, Twilight. I'm fine. You?"

"Never better." Twilight had paused, letting in the awkward silence. "So, I thought if you weren't doing anything this weekend, we could grab the other girls, and go see Duddits."

Sunset pondered this before answering. "Sure, I'll make sure I wear something momentous for the occasion."

Twilight laughed. "You might need to ask Rarity in that case. Hey, see you Saturday, alright?"

"Okay, see you then. Bye."

The line went dead on the other side. Sunset mostly sat there thinking of Duddits, the phone growing to her ear.

She placed it on the desk and decided to do the test later. She decided a good latte would be good for the stress of semester tests. She got up, buttoned on her leather jacket and prepared to head out the door when she remembered her phone. She pulled it off the table, when it buzzed in her hand just as she was about to pocket it.

She held it to her ear and said, "Hello?"

"Howdy, Sunset, how're things on yer side of the city?"

Ah, Applejack of the wide-brimmed hat and Apple-isms. She cheered a little at Applejack's voice; ever since moving in with Applejack, the two had a relationship that only came second when Twilight was involved. "Just the usual, Applejack."

"S.S.D.D?"

"Yep, same shit, different day."

Applejack chuckled."Hey, ah need yer opinion on somethin': How many confetti cannons would make a good party?"

She was a little taken aback by this. "Why do you ask?"

"Ah'm at Party Central, so ah just needed an opinion."

"That's great Applejack, but why are you at a party store? You don't do parties."

"No, but Pinkie does." Sunset smiled and laughed, a little wildly, though. At least that told her Applejack wasn't losing her mind. "Hey, real quick: Just be careful."

Sunset squinted in confusion. "Why? From what?"

Applejack didn't answer for a bit. "Wish ah knew," she said simply, and with that she hung up.

Sunset sipped on her latte as she stood in front of the crossing on Maple Street, the street with all the shops in it, including Rarity's Carousel Boutique, though she doubted Rarity would be open for today. She was hardly open on Fridays, and she was often doing one of two things on that day: designing dresses or stocking on supplies. Most likely both.

Now was the task of getting home, which would involve crossing the street, when it was at it's busiest. Then all she had to focus on was the test paper, and then maybe a hot shower, and some Dick Van Dyke with Apple Bloom, Big Mac and -

Ach ow...

She looked up from her coffee, confused. She turned to the person on her left, a man in 40s, and asked, "Did you say something?"He shook his head.

She was about to take another sip, but as she was lifting her cup to her lips when she saw something - someone - across the street. It was a boy, of about 14 or even 10, half naked and only wearing underwear, and was none other than -

Duddits!?!

It was the same Duddits, with the same orange-red hair, innocent blue eyes, and cream-white skin. Except this time, the hair was mussed up as if from a fight, the skin bruised and battered, and the eyes were half closed with black spots. The face was contorted in pain, but he seemed to be living through it just for Sunset's benefit. He lifted his hand to her direction, gesturing for her to come, to come and see him, see him one last time before the end...

Then his knees seemed to buckle under him, his face grimaced in agony, and all rational thought left Sunset in that moment. She forgot her latte, which fell out of her hand and spattered onto the pavement. She didn't hear the cries of the onlookers, or that there were cars whizzing by her dangerously. All she could think of was one thought, and one thought only.

Hold on, buddy! Hold on, I'm comi -

That was all she could think of before there was a violent pain in her side, she thrown onto the asphalt, and the last thing she saw were different pairs of shoes surrounding her.

Her vision was filled with pain. That much she knew.

Above her, in a place that she could barely make out were three individuals: two of them stood over her, speaking in voices she couldn't hear, with faces that were blurred.

The third was a boy, looking over her. A boy with short red hair and a goofy smile she loved. And before she passed out, she heard him utter something.

Ach ow for Ishta Gay...

Author's Note

No, I don't think Apple Pie is related to Pinkie.

Sorry, I temporarily took it away to edit it. Hope you don't mind.

Chapter 2 - Memory Warehouse (Meeting Duddits)

Author's Note

Like I said, rated Teen for language and occasional gore. Expect some part where the messages of the book are written in color according to the character.

Chapter 2 - Memory Warehouse (Meeting Duddits)

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.
- Richard Bach

The night was merry at Hole in the Wall, as the 7 enjoyed their first night. They had already filled their bellies with pasta, and were now starting on Applejack's homemade cider. Rainbow Dash had just quaffed down three mugs of the stuff, and she was now moving on to her fourth, cider lover as she was. The others had already moved on to their second helping.

Already the mood had moved from depressing (from news of Rainbow's failed date night escapade) to cheery and happy. Their talk turned from grim forebodings to happy laughter. Even Rarity was failing to keep her face straight, belting out great peals of beautiful laughter that she would later deny, and Fluttershy, who would rather eat her food in silence than socialize, giggled with her face turning red.

"So, wait what is the memory warehouse?" Rainbow asked Sunset as she returned to the table.

Applejack looked at her with a mix of amusement and a look that said Your kidding, right? "Ya seriously don't remember what the memory warehouse is?"

Rainbow put on her slyest look. "Perhaps it slipped my mind, AJ." She looked at Sunset again. "Come on, Sunset. Spill the beans."

Sunset decided to go informant mode. "Everyone has a memory warehouse, Rainbow. You fill it with the new stuff you learn, and it stays there for future reference. I keep mine organized and properly labeled." She couldn't help but let a little pride swell in her voice.

Twilight sniggered. "I bet you have a whole section dedicated to all the curse words you learned."

Sunset blushed guiltily. During her time here as a citizen of Canterlot City, she had tried to fit in socially with people by learning their traits and mannerisms, and often tried to fit them into her own life. One of those was the use of cursing, which tended to come out when she was angry or exasperated. Some of them were the typical "Damn" and "Crap", but the one that were the most colorful (thanks to Applejack and her family) included "kiss my bender," "bitch in a buzz saw," and the classic Apple Family "Jesus Christ Bananas."

"Yesss..." Sunset said with a sheepish smile.

Pinkie decided to pipe up. "Ohh! Ohh! Mine is filled with all the best party places in the city, and the best balloons, and party cannons, and -"

"Yes, Yes, Pinkie," Rainbow cut in. "I think we get the point."

"What do you do when you get filled up, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well, I take the stuff I don't really need anymore, and I burn it. For example," she stated in a matter-of-fact voice. "When I got a new laptop to store all my readings on my magical studies, I had to discard a whole box of files for favorite lullaby's."

Rainbow walked over to the fire a stoked the coals. "Hope you haven't dumped the lyrics for "Hush Now, Quiet Now."

Fluttershy blushed a little, but smiled a little at the nostalgia of it.

Sunset smiled before continuing, "Well, if there's something I just can't seem to let go, I take it to a little private place of mine. There, no one can touch it."

Rainbow Dash returned to the table. "What about the stuff on Duddits?"

At this, Pinkie stopped guzzling her cider, Fluttershy looked up from her meal, and turned their heads to Sunset. She smiled at how they still remembered Duddits after all these years, even after the incidents with Gaea Everfree, with school problems, new superpowers with strange jewels, and those that didn't come with a accessory, they still remembered him, particularly Fluttershy, and Sunset has a sneaking feeling that Duddits remembered her the most.

"Oh, he's got a whole row dedicated to him on the third level."

They all smiled at that. Applejack went to their only way in or out, took out a Swiss army knife, and etched a small nick in the doorway. She smiled and said, "Ah gotta say y'all, even though he never comes here, it feels like Duddits was always with us here."

Everyone smiled a little at that. Applejack continued where she left off. "It's our second year in Camp Everfree since we met Duddits," she raised her mug. "And fuck me Freddy, here's to many more."

There were various sayings of "yes" and "mm-hm" (there was a "Yupperee" in Pinkie's case.) and the friends stood up, pushing away chairs and holding their mugs of mulled cider. They looked up at the dream catcher, and Twilight spoke first, raising her mug to the hanging talisman.

"To Duddits, our dreamcatcher," she said.

"To Duddits," Applejack added.

"To Duddits!" Pinkie chirped with a smile.

"To Douglas Cavell," Fluttershy said quietly.

"To you, darling," Rarity agreed.

"Love you, man." Rainbow said with a smile.

They all turned to Sunset, waiting for her to express an compliment or toast, but she said nothing. She just raised her glass up to the dreamcatcher, and gave a smile, acknowledging their absent friend. But what toast she didn't express remained, and as she looked at the object that was their symbol, their promise, their amulet, their guardian angel, and told everyone, in words that felt like a silent prayer:

Yes. Love you Duds, and that's from the heart.

They smiled at the mental note and drank their cider. They were well satisfied.

One year earlier, a day before the Gaea Everfree incident

"Attention, campers! Anyone who's interested in making floating paper lanterns, please meet us by the picnic tables. "

The P.A. ended. The girls still stood in the mess cabin (the name of the Recreational cabin where and when they had their three meals a day) which was still littered with cookie batter, the result of Pinkie's pyrotechnic sprinkle regime, or as Applejack would put it later, "the madcap result of a war with fireworks." Gloriosa was going to have much time cleaning the mess, despite her usual moniker of "I got this!"

Applejack broke the silence, short though it was. "I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I've been lookin' forward to comin' here for a month. Maybe we forget about this "new magic" for a bit and just try to focus on enjoyin' our time at camp? "

"I was so excited about designs I've come up with for the camp fashion show," Rarity said with an excited little hop.

"And I haven't been able to whoop anybody in tether ball," Rainbow added.

Sunset, however, remained adamant in her opinion. If there was something that was causing their new powers, then they had to deal with it, hard and loud. "I think we should try to figure it out," she said. She saw the discomfort in her friends faces, and realized their answer was obvious. "But if letting it go for now is what the rest of you want... "

They nodded and voiced their agreement. Only Twilight said nothing, and Sunset could see the sadness and distress on her face.

It was only a short walk and some time after their little talk, they found the shirt. Although the walk wasn't much of a walk, and they found the shirt almost instantly - at least, Rainbow did - they would forever say that that insignificant piece of clothing was put there by fate and God himself.

Rainbow's sharp eye spotted it instantly, a medium sized reddish blob on lying on the ground that seemed to belong to no one. Beside it was a square yellow object. Rainbow picked up the cloth blob and examined it.

"Hey, some kid's shirt!" she said.

It was a shirt, with a red and white checker pattern and was open in the middle, indicating that it had been taken taken off, though for what they couldn't say, for they turned their attention to the square object.

"A lunchbox," Twilight said, holding it up. On the front were figures that Twilight knew well from childhood, when Candace had been no more than her babysitter. "With Scooby-Doo written all over it."

"And look!" Fluttershy said, pointing to some writing scrawled in black marker.

" 'I belong to Douglas Cavell,' " Twilight read. "Who's he?"

Silence from all of them. They didn't know.

It was at that moment, as they were thinking of abandoning the box and the shirt, and go make their paper lanterns, when they heard the scream.

It came from behind the mess cabin, a scream that was full of despair and added with a cry for help. The friends didn't hesitate, because when you heard a scream, something couldn't be right. They went out back, only to find a really distressing scene taking place.

There were three figures, two of them girls, one of them sitting against a tree nearby and watching, while the other was holding the third figure, a boy by the looks of it, in a grip that he couldn't escape. What appalled them the most was that the boy was naked, and the girl that was holding him was was waving a fistful of dried dog turd in one rubber-gloved hand.

Rainbow was the first to act, being the Element of loyalty. "Hey! You two!"

The two girls looked up, the one lying against the tree picked up a wood board and held it like weapon, getting up from her resting place. In the light of the afternoon sun, Twilight noticed that they both had violet skin, wore baseball caps with the Everfree icon on it, matching white t-shirts with the same symbol and denim shorts. The only difference was their hair color, (the lone guard had short purple hair, the turd holder a back length blond).

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Sunset asked, shocked.

"Nothing. We're doing some private business here," the blond one said. "Now if you will excuse us, we -"

"What do think you're doing?" Fluttershy asked, dismayed. She would try to worm her way out of most situations, so this was a little surprising, even for her, to speak up.

The blond sighed, now a little irate. "I said 'nothing' if you heard correctly, just going to make him eat this bit of dog shit and then let him go, alright?" Her voice carried the tone of someone who was finding this perfectly normal.

The purple-haired one spoke for the first time. "Now beat it, all of you, or I'll -"

"I know who you are!"

The purple haired girl looked at Applejack, who had said the words. She blinked, then sneered. "I'm trembling with fear."

Twilight spoke this time, and was really glad she did. Looking at this boy, all naked, vulnerable and scared, made her forget Midnight Sparkle for now and woke up something braver in her. She pointed to the girl with the board. "You're Fuchsia Blush, one Trixie's band members." She pointed to the other. "And your Lavender Lace!"

Fuchsia's gloating sneer froze and Lavender was now a little apprehensive. Twilight decided to give these girls what they deserved.

Without turning around, she said to Rainbow, "Get ready to run, Dash."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "On it."

Fuchsia managed to regain her composure and dropped the board, indicating that wherever Dash was going, she was going to follow. She summed it up with another jibe, "Oh, yeah? Well, I can outrun her anytime, anyplace."

Applejack crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Yer kiddin' right? Ya seriously don't know who this is? She's Rainbow Dash, fastest track runner in the history of Canterlot High. She'd run fer all the world if need be. So what do ya think yer reputations will be if she tells what's been what you fuckeroos have been playin' here."

The two bullies didn't seemed all that fazed with this display, but Twilight sensed a weakness. They were band musicians and Trixie's best friends, so if Principal Celestia was informed of this, they'd be in the dump. She decided to give Rainbow Dash some cover, so she picked up a few small rocks in each hand. "C'mon, dick-weeds!"

She heard a clacking sound and found Rarity, Applejack and Sunset were flanking her, holding rocks of their own. Pinkie was flanking her left too, but she had her fists balled and was doing a strange hopping dance. Rainbow still waited for Twilight's call, psyching herself for the sprint that could change this kid's life.

Lavender got up on her feet, but she still wasn't going to let them spoil their day. "Why do even want to help this kid anyhow?" Lavender asked.

"Because it's wrong." Fluttershy said. She wasn't preparing to run or pick up earth clods, but she was willing to make a stand for this boy. And by gods, what these bullies were doing to this kid made her angry. "And I want to tell everyone. I want to tell the world!"

Pinkie balled her fists tighter. "So come and have at us, you meanie mean pants!"

"Because we aren't going to move till let him go," Rarity added, speaking for the first time.

Lavender looked at the seven girls, trying to make a decision. Fuchsia looked at Lavender, waiting for her leader to indicate an opinion. The seven girls, who fought three sirens, a rival school who thought friendship was hobby and winning a religion, and two demons who were their best friends, stood firm for the battle that may or may not come at all.

Finally, Lavender said, "Let's go."

With those words, she threw the dried turd in front of the kid's feet, causing him to let out a weeping yelp, then turned to the others and said, "I'll get you all later," before she and Fuchsia left.

With the danger past, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity (wiping her hands after), and Sunset dropped their rocks, Pinkie her fists, Rainbow her psych for speed, and Fluttershy her bravery and examined the boy closely. He appeared to be about 13 or 14, with alabaster skin (like Rarity), short red hair and green eyes, which were looking at the six with fear in them. It was clear he was going to have difficultly trusting them, as was seen when Rainbow tried to hand him the shirt, but he turned away, his face hidden behind his bony knees, tears pouring down his eyes.

Rainbow sighed. "Okay, so what do we do if he's going to be as stiff as a board?"

She turned back to the boy and said, a little harshly, "Listen kid would you mind unloosening a little and put your shirt on?"

"Rainbow!" Rarity gasped and grabbed Rainbow Dash up from the boy. "That's no way to speak to a boy who's clearly going through a lot!"

"I know, I know!" Rainbow Dash said irritably. "But how do we tell him to calm down and listen to us for a few minutes?"

"I'll do it."

It was Fluttershy who spoke. Now, this was surprising for all of them, because Fluttershy would be the person you'd least expect to do anything due to her fear. But they didn't dissuade her as she knelt down next to the boy.

She looked at the others seriously. "If you tell anyone of what I'm about to do," she said to them in an equally serious tone. "I'll never hang out with you guys again."

They nodded and Fluttershy began to sing, in a sweet, beautiful, gentle voice, a song she knew well from her childhood, when her mother and father would tuck her into bed on moonlit nights:

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed.

Hush now, quiet now,
close your sleepy eyes.
Hush now, quiet now,
my how time sure flies.

The others exchanged glances of surprise that could be categorized as priceless. They knew Fluttershy was a good singer, having sung as backup vocal in their band "The Rainbooms", but this solution was a bit out of place.

"Uh, Fluttershy, it's beautiful, but...?" Sunset was about to say, but Fluttershy shut her up with a look.

"I'm telling you, don't tell anyone," she said, then wrapping her arm around the boy comfortingly, she sang a little more:

Drifting, drifting off to sleep
the days excitement behind you.
Drifting drifting off to sleep
let the joy of dreamland find you.

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed.

His face screwed up with weeping, the boy did something they did not expect: he reached his arms around Fluttershy, and hugged her. It seemed Fluttershy's plan, pointless though it seemed, worked like a charm. The other girls took the opportunity to slip on his pants.

"Well done, Fluttershy." Sunset said with an approving smile.

"That more beautiful singin' than a showgirl caught in a bar fight." Applejack congratulated her.

Fluttershy just blushed, a small smile lighting her face.

"Utter-eye."

Fluttershy looked at Twilight. "What did you say?"

Twilight shrugged, equally surprised. "I didn't say anything."

She looked at Pinkie, who always made weird names. Pinkie only shrugged. "Don't look at me, silly."

"Utter-eye," said the voice again.

They looked down to realize that the voice was coming from the boy, though seemingly not very well. Down's Syndrome, Twilight would tell them later. People can't speak well when they have Down's Syndrome.

Sunset suddenly caught on to the words. "He's saying your name," she said to Fluttershy.

Rainbow smiled as she helped Fluttershy give the kid a lift. "You've got a fan."

They had helped the boy into his shirt (Rarity held in her comment about how unfashionable it was to her eyes) when Twilight realized that she was still holding the lunch box and handed it to the boy. He kissed it like it was a holy relic. "Ooby Ooby Doo, air ar oo? Ee got som urk oo oo ow."

"Yer Douglas Cavell, aren't ya?" Applejack said, pointing to the markered words on the box.

The boy looked at them and nodded. He pointed to himself and said, "I Duddits."

They looked at him, unsure whether they heard him right. Pinkie voiced their unanimous opinion with a "Huh?"

Duddits raised his arms in the air like Superman about to make his one way trip through the air. "I Duddits!"

"Duddits, huh?" Rainbow said, trying to look tough - gangsta tough. Then she smiled a friendly smile and held out her hand. "Say, Duds, wanna make paper lanterns with us?"

Duddits smiled a big, goofy smile that made Twilight's heart melt in a second. It seemed like Duddits was made for giving you a lift when you were down, and seeing his small, fragile form made her want to hug him.

She didn't know it yet, but they had made a new friend that would change their lives in ways they wouldn't expect.

Tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She was still thinking about Duddits, the accident, and what might've been the meaning behind it all. And that warning...

(Ach ow or Ishta Gay..)

What did it mean?

But she knew if she kept pondering it, it was going to leave her in state tomorrow that was the opposite of "bright eyed and busy tailed." In those cases, she turned to the one thing that could help her: The Book. If there was anything in the world that could bring a good night's sleep, it was a conversation with a good friend, and that was just what she needed.

Turning ever so quietly in her bed, she made sure Twilight was sound asleep in the bed next to her, then revolved to face the other side. She leaned over the edge and reach for her pack, which she had put under the bed for safe keeping. She pulled it out and fished around till she felt the hard leather cover. She reached again and also pulled out a pencil.

She placed them on her blanket-covered lap, and then fished once more until she felt the cool metal cylinder of flashlight. Opening the book to a blank page she flicked on the flash and wrote the three words that she hadn't wrote for an age.

Dear Princess Twilight....

Chapter 3 - Winter Woes

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