Chapters “I suppose you’re right, Craig. A little vacation would do us well” Lauren spoke to her husband as they rode on the car to a campsite for a little break. They had just been sent on a break by Lauren’s boss. She had been seemingly tired lately and was lacking inspiration for a new story. He decided to allow them a week off so long as she comes back with inspiration.
“Glad you said that. I mean, Autumn seems pretty excited” he pointed to their daughter.
Their daughter was swinging her feet as she couldn’t contain herself for the thought of being outdoors. “Mom, dad, will there be bunnies and butterflies?”
Lauren smiled to her. “Yes, honey. There will be bunnies and butterflies”
“Yay!”
Both parents smiled from that; their daughter was just too cute. Right then, Lauren noticed something move from the corner of her eye. She could’ve sworn she saw something.
“Are you alright, Lauren?” Craig asked with worry.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I think I just keep seeing things”
“No wonder your boss let us off on a break”
“Well, it’s not really easy with directing a new movie. And the viewers are just getting too excited and on edge”
“They did seem too reactive when they heard about our daughter Autumn”
Lauren smiled at that. They soon made it to the campsite. It was like a lodge area, really. It was camp, but most necessities were already provided for. The host was very welcoming, although something was a bit off about the assistant. Tents looked pretty well done. Autumn immediately looked around, filled with glee as she was excited to go find flowers to make wreaths for her parents.
Lauren and Craig were placing their things in the tent. Lauren was already arranging the objects in the bags for when they needed it. At one point, she found something that caught her eye in the bag. It was a small, flat box. How did that got there? She opened it and found a familiar object: the necklace she was given after her trip to Wonderland.
Wonderland , she thought.
Wonderland. She wondered how that place was doing. She hadn’t been there for quite a while. How were her Children doing? Her fans? The OCs? Have they been doing well? How are Twilight and the others? Is Sunny Shores getting enough rest? Have Hazel and Hester been alright? Has Queen Faust returned?
“Lauren!” Craig called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Come on! Autumn’s getting anxious!”
“Coming, Craig!” she called back. She stole a glance at the necklace again. It was a gift from one of the Pegasisters, probably Hazel’s real-world counterpart. She smiled at it before putting it on. Wearing it, she went out to meet with her husband and daughter.
“Come on, Autumn. Let Daddy see!” Craig practically begged his daughter.
She shook her head mischievously. “Not until Mommy’s here”
Lauren went over to them. She noticed her daughter’s hands were cupped into an orb. Something was inside her folded hands. “What have you got there, sweetie?”
She opened her hands to reveal a small butterfly. It had brown wings and a pink tinge on the sides. It opened the wings a few times. “Pretty” she cooed.
The butterfly fluttered its wings and took to the air. It then fluttered infront of Lauren. She was confused as to why. Yet, somehow, there was something familiar about this butterfly. It then flew away. Lauren swore she saw a pink mist trail from behind it.
Things were getting really boring now. The ones in charge of the camp had called everyone, including Lauren and her family, to the Main Room. There was a huge seminar since they were new to the campsite. Just the usual things. Same old mumbo-jumbo. It was getting really boring. At one point, the children present had fallen asleep on their parents, among them was Autumn. Lauren could feel herself getting drowsy but also felt like she needed to use the restroom. She excused herself and went out.
This wasn’t going the way she hoped it would. It was supposed to help her find inspiration for the movie she was working on. Now, it was just making her bored. As soon as she got out of the stall, she remembered about making her movie and also the seventh and final season of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Taking a seat down on a bench at the campsite, she thought over.
It worried her deeply about it. She knew about the time, but she was scared about it. She made several cartoons and movies over the years for every age to enjoy. But when she stopped on a certain cartoon, that cartoon seemed to move on and go to another person. They even recreate them into something off and even change their language and sometimes, personality.
She remembered what happened to Powerpuff Girls. They were remade, and then turned into something else. The villains barely made any sense anymore. Matter of fact, who made a pillow the villain? But then, if they don’t live on, they go extinct and forgotten. Foster’s Home of Imaginary Friends was never really heard or spoken about in a long time since the last episode. Barely anyone could even remember Coco.
But My Little Pony, oh they were a prize to be held. When she first designed them from her old toys, she thought that only little children would love them. She was surprised when even adults would love them. It was disturbing at first, but she soon got used to it and grew to be fond of them all. The fans just adored her for it. They made their own versions and several websites dedicated to it, and several Fanfictions and crossovers. Before her episode was even finished, one would tell the other, and the another, and then another, until all knew. Haters were no match to for the love of her Fans. And because they had children to tell about it, she was well-assured that this one will live on in her name. And one day soon, her daughter, Autumn’s.
It saddened her deeply when she was running out of ideas for even her next movie. She was worried about her fans the most. She wondered how they would feel once the last episode was over. She met her fans once in Wonderland, but she knew she couldn’t live forever. Wonderland, her friends, the OCs, her own Creations, who would look after the kingdom once she was gone? She could only hope for Autumn to follow in her footsteps, meet Twilight, and watch over them.
“Wonderland is my Kingdom. I am its Queen. But will Autumn accept becoming its Princess and Queen too when she’s grown?” Lauren sighed, putting her hands over her face to sulk. “What if she doesn’t? Without Wonderland, who will I be?”
Wonderland and she were one the moment she was crowned its Queen. But every kingdom needs an heir. Without one, it would fall apart. Her name was well-known because of her My Little Pony show. Without it, who will she be called?
“You’re Lauren Faust, and you always will be” a familiar soft voice replied.
Lauren flinched from that voice. Could it be? She looked up from her hands slightly to see a small butterfly on the flower infront of her. It was the same butterfly that Autumn caught and set free earlier. She recognized it.
“Hazel?”
________________________________________
Lauren walked with Hazel and Hester through the Gardens of Sites. Each tree that joined another to resemble a portal would take them to a Site of the Fandom world. Right now, they were looking for the Fimfiction one.
“Hey, Lauren, want to see a trick?” Hester asked.
“I don’t suppose why not” Lauren smiled that the Familiar. It was good to see them happy.
“Okay, Hazel, show her”
The young Pegasister smiled. “Now I’m human…” she then turned into a small butterfly. “Now I’m insect”
Lauren stifled a giggle from that. Hazel then flew infront of her to let Lauren see her form closer. She was brown with pink at the edges. She also noticed a pink mist flowing from her wherever she went. Finally, the Pegasister turned back to normal.
“Guess that left me a…flutter” Lauren joked, making her two companions laugh.
________________________________________
At that, the butterfly flew infront of Lauren, slightly ticking her nose with its wings. She smiled at it. When it backed up a bit, she could make out a pair of tired, hazel-nut colored eyes. The butterfly then flew a bit of a distance off, as though to lead Lauren.
“Hazel” she called to her as she followed her. An old friend would always be of help.
She had to follow her through the clearing of the camp and out into the forest around itself. She jumped around to follow her and tried to keep up. It was like Hazel really wanted to show her something important. She finally managed to see that she lead her to some old cave. She was aware Hazel loved animals, but she was scared of caves if heights were involved. Why she led her here she had yet to find out.
She went inside and looked around to find her friend. The cave was dark and musty. It was very hard to see. She could only rely on Hazel’s pink mist to help her find the way. She stepped soft and fast, in case any bats were present. Soon enough, she found another source of light that Hazel was directing her to.
There was a huge part in the cavern that was wide. It had several different stalagmites and stalactites that took the forms of several things. Some of them resembled animals but others looked like plants or structures. Finally, she was being guided to a certain form that resembled a door. Hazel’s butterfly form showed her to a part of it that resembled a doorknob. The knob’s key hole looked rather peculiar. It looked like…
Lauren looked at the necklace on her. It looked the same. Taking it gently, she put the locket to the hole, fiddled with it, and it soon unlocked.
“You’ve been gone too long, Lauren” Hazel spoke softly, she sounded like she was about to cry.
Lauren looked at the butterfly child. “Why? What’s wrong, Hazel?”
“Friends can’t be neglected. For now, you must hurry” she pointed a small insect leg to the door.
Lauren grasped at the handle, and was close to opening it.
“And mind your step”
Lauren tilted her head at that. She opened the door and took a step…not looking where. She only realized what the child meant when she began to fall.
Lauren screamed as she fell down. She fell before during the first time, but going down from the sky was way worse. She hoped help would come and save her before she reached the bottom.
“Sometimes sadness weighs out fear” Hazel sobbed out. Wait, when was she crying?
The adult dove forwards to try and grab hold of the crying Pegasister. She was a friend, and she couldn’t let her get hurt. She was scared of dying herself, but she didn’t want to risk a friend dying, let alone one who was still a child. It took a lot of effort, but she was finally able to grab a hold of her. She remembered how much the girl was afraid of heights so it may have been the cause. She held her closely to try and calm her down, but also to try and calm herself down.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the fall, and landed in a bed of flowers. Lauren was dizzy and felt like she were about to pass out. The last thing she heard was Hazel’s sobbing and some familiar voices calling her name.
How do you think she’s doing?
I told you we needed more flowers!
Shh, I think she’s waking up!
Lauren heard familiar voices before she finally woke up. She found herself looking up at a bright light. It was hard at first, but her eyes soon adjusted and she was able to see clearly. Lightbulb hung above her. She found herself lying on a soft bed. Looking around, she was in a room. She soon found that she was back in her Equestria Girl form, only now she also wore the pendant from earlier and her crown was on her head. Infront of her were some of her old friends, Twilight, Anastasia, Luna, and Nyx. They all looked really worried, but also excited at the same time.
“Grandmother Lauren, you’re back!” Anastasia smiled happily, hugging her arm. Lauren managed to sit herself up to return it and smiled.
“Finally, she’s returned!” Nyx bounced joyfully.
“Welcome back, Mother” Luna greeted.
“Right on time, too” Twilight looked at her pocketwatch.
Lauren smiled at all of them as Anastasia let go and went to the front with them. “It’s good to see you all too, and well”
“As to you too. You’ve barely changed a bit”
“You know very well, we won’t for long if we don’t do something” Twilight spoke up.
“Hang on, where’s Hazel?” Lauren asked when she realized the Bipolar child is nowhere in sight.
The others immediately changed their mood. They turned from excited and happy, to worried and uneasy. What was going on?
“Mother, there have been a few things going on since your last visit here” Twilight spoke up. “Some things have gone bad, and they need to be fixed. We tried to do them ourselves, but nothing seemed to be working”
“Why? What’s happened?”
They all went silent, each looking down scared and afraid.
Lauren sighed before getting up from the bed and walking to the door. “Fine, if you won’t tell me, then I’m sure a certain Partner-Familiar duo may be able to speak”
“Hazel’s gone mad” they all said at once.
Lauren stopped in her tracks. Hazel’s gone mad? What did that mean? She first met the child in an asylum, broken and depressed so it wouldn’t be that much of a difference. And even then, her Bipolar Disorder was even mild and not so serious. But still, did that mean they didn’t see it before? Or did something bad happen?
Twilight sighed. “We need to pay a visit to the asylum”
________________________________________
The orderly rang the buzzer on the door wall before opening the door. He then held the door and allowed Twilight and Lauren to go inside. “This way” he spoke, leading them to one of the cells. Lauren remembered these cells. These were the ones in the Asylum for those who were truly unstable. Why would Hazel go here?
Twilight accompanied Lauren down the hall nervously. Lauren noticed a look of fear and uncertainty in there. Finally, they reached the cell. They peered through the viewing glass and what she saw made her blood run cold.
Hazel was inside the cell, curled up in a ball. She was no longer in her black dress but rather, a white asylum gown. She looked sick and pale. The dark rings on her eyes were back. She looked thinner than usual, almost as though she were about to fall over.
That wasn’t like the Hazel she met. How could she have gone this mad? It’s been only week of absence for Lauren from Wonderland and yet bad things have already begun to occur. Just a while ago, Hazel was sane and even led Lauren to Wonderland, now she’s in a private cell wearing an asylum dress, and acting like someone with catatonia.
“How long has she been like this?” Lauren asked, concerned for her friend.
“A few days ago, somepony got in our Wonderland and then began to take several Bronies, Pegasisters, Familiars, OCs, and Canon Characters hostage. Among them was Hazel’s Familiar, Hester. She began to not feel like herself after that. She’s only sane for short periods of time now and then we have to put her in the cell to calm her down” Twilight explained.
“Right, I remember. When I first met them, Hazel was depressed because her mother took Hester. When I freed her and they reunited, she became well again and to her normal sane side”
“Still, the one holding her and the others is very powerful. Who knows what they want with them all. And we’re already having a hard time with just Hazel”
Lauren sighed. “Let me in”
“WHAT?!”
“I reached out to Hazel when she was in this state when we first met, and I could reach out to her again”
Twilight hesitated before sighing. “Fine, but be careful”
“Hazel Nut Vine” the orderly called to the child. “Visitor’s here. Don’t bite”
Lauren entered the room, her footsteps soft to try and not startle young Hazel. It all failed when the child heard her close and turned to her direction. Her hair fell from her face, almost covering her eyes completely.
Lauren gave her a warm smile. “Hey Hazel”
Instead of her usual hello or even her trademark grin, the girl just let out a banshee shriek before pouncing on Lauren. The older one tried to fight the child off, but she was pinned. Despite how Hazel was much younger and smaller than Lauren, she was able to keep her on the ground. The child gritted her teeth. The innocence in her eyes was just covered now by utter insanity.
“WHERE IS SHE?!” she yelled. “GIVE HER BACK!”
“Hazel, calm down! It’s me, Lauren!” she pleaded, trying to breathe as the child applied pressure onto her neck.
“GIVE HER BACK!”
Twilight then entered the room and pulled Hazel off Lauren with her magic. The child just flailed around in the air. She was shrieking and wouldn’t stop trying to get out of her magic bonds.
“Mother, try calming her down!” Twilight tried to hold the child in place.
“Hazel, please” Lauren approached the child, trying to put a hand to her face.
“PUT ME DOWN! GIVE HER BACK! GIVE HER BACK! GIVE HER BACK!” in her utter fear, Hazel accidentally hit Lauren in the face with her hand, leaving a huge, red mark. As soon as the child saw what she had done, she began to calm down. Her breathing smoothened. She looked to Lauren as though in fear. Her brown eyes returned to their normal form.
“Lauren?” her voice sounded sacred.
Despite the utter pain in her face from the slap, she nodded and gave a warm smile. “There she is”
Twilight slowly put the Pegasister down. She walked slowly to Lauren. When she was within range, she felt at her face, as though for reassurance. Lauren just allowed it.
“Lauren?”
Without anymore waiting, she pulled herself into a hug with the older one. It was returned. The girl just broke down in tears when she realized what she did.
“Lauren…I’m sorry…” she choked out.
“It’s okay, Hazel” she assured, caressing her hair.
“I’m…sorry…”
“It’s okay”
________________________________________
Hazel held a small teacup in her shaky hands. She was still in her asylum gown. Her black dress was beside her, but she didn’t feel like putting it on right now. Since she snapped back to her sane self, she was brought out of her cell for the moment. She now sat at a table with Lauren, Twilight, and Anastasia. The Pegasus joined in a while back and brought tea to calm everyone’s nerves down. They couldn’t bring Nyx because a trip to the asylum would be very traumatic for her.
Still, Hazel was still shaken from how she just hit her friend. She was never that into violence; she was a Hider, not a Biter, for Celestia’s sake! She couldn’t believe she had just hit a friend. She wasn’t even looking like her well self, she looked sick. Her skin was pale and her eyes seemed tired. Taking a shaky breath, she took a sip from the cup.
“Look, Hazel, it’s alright. I know you weren’t yourself and you didn’t mean it” Lauren assured the Pegasister.
“But, Lauren, I hit you” Hazel spoke, still afraid.
Lauren put a hand on the scared girl’s cheek. “Hazel, its fine. I know that wasn’t you. You’d never hurt me on purpose. All you’d do is just vanish and reappear to scare me a bit”
Hazel seemed to calm down.
“Now, come on. Where’s your grin?” Lauren teased, putting two hands on the girl’s face, making her look like she was smiling. She then let go, and the girl herself was grinning on her own. “There’s our Hazel”
The Pegasister giggled a bit. “Thanks, Lauren”
“Don’t mention it. Now tell me, what’s happened? And where’s Hester?”
Hazel’s grin vanished from her face again as she looked down, sadly. She looked at the reflection in the tea. A huge part of her was missing.
Lauren lifted her face up. “Come on, you can tell us”
Twilight and Anastasia nodded.
Hazel sighed. “We were out for a walk. It was just a nice walk and talk thing. But then, something just went and caught us. There were three of them. They also attacked on the other Bronies and Pegasisters around us. The next thing we all knew, they began to take some hostage. Among them was my Hester. I tried to get them away, but they put me away. And now…” she stopped herself right there. Her eyes grew a bit red and watery.
Lauren, Twilight, and Anastasia just watched as the girl tried to hide her tears. Lauren just went over and pulled the girl in for a hug. Hazel just burst out crying in there. The pain was too much for her to handle. She vented it out and cried in Lauren’s embrace. The woman herself just held her, and stroked her hair gently to soothe her.
“Where my Hester?” Hazel spoke between the sobs. “Have you…seen her?”
“Shh, there, there, it will be okay” Lauren cooed.
“I…need…Hester…”
“Don’t you worry. We’ll find Hester”
Twilight and Anastasia gave Lauren a glance as Hazel just sobbed into Lauren’s chest. That was easier said than done. Still, Hazel was just broken. And they knew she had short times to be sane before going nutty again. She didn’t even want to put on her favorite black dress anymore. She was even too sick to go out. And there were several other Bronies, Pegasisters, Familiars, and OCs that were also suffering the same fate.
________________________________________
I…need…Hester…
Hazel’s voice rang in Hester’s head. She groaned slightly as she woke up. Even if they were apart, they could still feel each other through the connection of Partner and Familiar. Despite being weak, she could still feel her.
Hester’s eyes swam into focus as she looked around. She felt her paws unable to move. She looked to her sides to see that she was chained up. Upon further looking, she saw several others who were in the same situation. They were all chained to the wall. There were Bronies, Pegasisters, Familiars, OCs, and even Canon Characters. They all looked weakened.
Her ears twitched when they heard something. Turning her head to the source, she was able to see who it was.
“Digi Reset” she muttered under her breath.
“Oh, hello dearies, I see you’re all awake” the mare spoke.
“Why?” Starlight Glimmer spoke weakly.
“Why, because, my dear Starlight. I have noticed that almost all of you have been underappreciated in your debuts. Time for you all to have a spot in the in the basking light”
“I’d rather go to the asylum!” Hester had no fear.
Digi Reset then turned over to the Familiar. “Oh hush now, Hide. Besides, I have a very important role for you, little Hidebrit”
Hester paused from that. How did she know? Nonetheless, she lunged and tried to bite the mare.
“Oh feisty. I like that” Digi smirked as she dodged the bite.
Hester growled as she sent a mental message to her Partner.
Be careful, Hazy.
“Okay, how is she?” Luna asked.
Lauren looked down at Hazel. The Bipolar child had hung limp in her arms now. She wore herself out from her crying. She stroked her hair softly.
“She’s fine, just fell asleep from her crying”
“As expected, really” Twilight spoke up as she read her book. “I remember how she was emotional. And Hester was a part of her as a Familiar. Taking away her Familiar is like taking away a part of herself. Some feel like they’re gonna die if not reunited”
That made Lauren look up.
“Though, I don’t think it would kill her” she assured.
“Nonetheless” Anastasia spoke up after taking a sip of tea. “We have to find her, and the others!”
“I agree!” Gari spoke up. “We don’t want to risk so much as of the moment”
“Right, so what’s the plan?” Lauren asked.
“Well, Hazel is currently too unstable to be your guide, and Hester is currently held captive” Twilight spoke. “Still, we need help if we are to face the enemy”
“Who is this enemy?” Lauren was confused. “I thought the Barrier was ever permanent and strong and no Anti could ever get in”
“Of course the Antis can’t get in. We’re referring to the Corruption” Gari bit into a scone to calm her nerves.
“Corruption?”
“Hasn’t Hazel or Hester told you about it while they were guiding you?” Anastasia asked.
Lauren then remembered about something that Hester referred to as Corruption, a type of force that would take control of something or someone in Wonderland and make them want to kill or destroy the area. It would make them insane, demented, or a killer. The Corruption itself could come from someone who was caught by it in the realm or something that happened in the real world. Wonderland and the real world were connected. Wonderland was a reflection of what happen in reality. But the main thing the realm was connected to was Lauren, and one day, Autumn. Since the Barrier was put to avoid any Antis from entering the Fandom side of Wonderland, the Corruption was now the only danger around.
“Yes, Hester told me about it. She described it to be very dangerous. I remember when Hazel shuddered from the thought of it”
“Exactly” Twilight pointed out.
“But, how did the Corruption get in?”
“Everyone in Wonderland has been well” Twilight spoke.
“There hasn’t been any tragedy in the real-world either” Snowdrop caught a snowflake that went to her.
“What about you, Lauren?” Hazel asked as she peeked up. Lauren was a bit surprised to see she was already awake. “Have you been well lately?”
“How long have you been listening?” Anastasia asked, surprised and confused.
“Has something begun to trouble you?” Hazel asked again, her eyes showing concern. Her voice sounded a little weak.
Lauren looked at Hazel. She looked scared and concerned. It was almost as if the Bipolar girl had read her mind. She had been having some stress going on about the seventh season of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the movie. She was pretty upset about the show’s future, and the future of Wonderland. She never really thought something as small as her worry and confusion as well as guilt would be enough to cause a Corruption in Wonderland.
“Lauren” Hazel’s weak voice made her give back her attention. “Please be honest. I just opened for you. Now open up for us”
The Wonderland Queen sighed. “I was worried about making the seventh season and the movie”
That made everyone pay attention.
“I got even more worried about all of you once I’m dead and gone. Yes, I have a daughter, her name is Autumn. But I worry if she would ever want to be the next Queen and thereby continue watching over you. I was scared that if she didn’t, then, what would become of all of you? But I never really thought my fears would just summon Corruption here. I’m sorry for that. Please, I’m sorry”
Everyone looked at one another, even Hazel. They all knew what it all meant. They mostly feared what would happen once the series ends and what would become of Wonderland once Lauren was dead. She was the main source that allowed Wonderland to survive, even before she came. If she dies, they would need an heir to take the throne and thereby keep Wonderland from dying.
“Why didn’t you say so, Mother?” Luna asked.
That made her look up.
“It’s not your fault that the Corruption got in. You were just scared and stressed about what would happen to us. It’s normal. There’s nothing to apologize for” the Night Princess continued.
“And as for your daughter Autumn and how she will think of Wonderland, whether or not she takes the throne, well” Hazel spoke weakly, but they knew what she was saying. “Let’s all just see”
That calmed Lauren down. “Thank you, everyone”
They all nodded.
“But what about the Corruption?”
“We may have a theory about one who could be our culprit” Twilight rummaged through her bag before she came out with a single book with a symbol on it. She then kept on flipping the pages until she finally came to the one she was after. “We call her Digi Reset”
The picture showed a mare that was a white Pegasus with a red mane with a white highlight in it. She wore a black chocker and violet collar. Her eyes were also red.
“But, what would she want with several Bronies, Pegasisters, Familiars, OCs, and Canon Characters?” Lauren asked.
“We don’t really know what may have caused her to be vulnerable to the Corruption, but one thing’s certain, she was never that normal”
“And she wasn’t” Gari spoke up. “That freak took along some of my Brothers and Sisters too”
“So, what do you suggest we do?” Lauren asked.
“You’re going to need a few to aid us as guides” Snowdrop spoke. “But we can’t go without Hazel”
“Why?”
“Despite the separation, the bond between a Partner and Familiar is very strong. Hazel and Hester could still sense each other from miles away. We need to bring her along to help show us the way”
“Am I like a compass now?” Hazel looked up after taking a sip of tea.
“In a way, yes. But you’re still not well enough for travel, and we need some help to get our side stronger”
“What do you mean?”
Luna held Gari close. “While you were away, some things had turned out rather bad. Apart from the Corruption, something else had been a bother. We need to have it resolved first. Luckily, Digi Reset hasn’t done anything yet so we still have some time”
“What exactly must I do?”
“We’re all getting to that” Anastasia spoke up. “Have you heard of the Elements of Insanity?”
“Let me out!” Rainbine yelled as she banged against the window of her room. Behind her, several other Pony Freaks were just watching. Some were just watching her, others decided to tinker with whatever was around, some tried to find other ways out, and some just lied down on the floor or beds obviously given up and bored.
“Rainbine, we already tried!” Pinkis groaned in annoyance as she lied down on the floor.
“Not even Brutalight’s magic could scratch it” Rarifruit spoke from her book.
“And can you please keep it down?” the Fluttershout yelled at the cyborg as she covered a sleeping Brutalight’s ears. “Brutalight is trying is trying to sleep!”
From the viewing pane, Lauren and the others just watched on. It pained her to see her Creations like this. The Pony Freaks were Inverted Shadow’s by default, but she still felt the connection to her and them. It hurt her to see them in such a state.
Hazel was brought out, though she was in a wheelchair and in her black dress. She was barely paying attention and now just dozed off and on. There were restraints on her arms and legs just in case things weren’t gonna go well. Though, she already took her meds before leaving the asylum, so her drowsiness was probably induced by that.
The tired, half-insane girl was being wheeled by a Brony in Equestria Girl form. He had pink skin, deeper pink hair, and blue eyes. He looked like the Equestria Girl form of Pinkamena as a boy. He wore a red shirt with a pair of white pants.
Beside him were two other boys, the ones who were Lauren’s guides in the facility. One was older than the other. One who was younger had white skin, light purple hair, and blue eyes. Grey jeans, purple shirt with a snowflake on it, white jacket, purple scarf, blue sneakers.
“How long have they been like this?” Lauren asked the half-awake Pegasister.
She opened one eye half-lidded. “Since your last season…they were really destructive and depressed… had to bring them all here…to protect the others…and themselves…” she girl spoke softly as she tried to sleep. “…thought…you…abandoned…them…”
Lauren nodded. “Is there any way I could, you know, talk to them?”
“Be careful…” the girl let out a yawn.
The one wheeling her spoke up. “Some of them are rather easy to talk to, but others aren’t so much. It would probably help if you start with either the weakest or strongest one”
Lauren nodded. “Thank you for the advice, Shadow Kirby”
“Please, Queen Lauren” he nodded in respect. “You may call me Shadow”
“Well, you could just call me Lauren. I’m not that used to formalities”
He nodded as he looked down at Hazel, who already dozed off again. “We have to find her Familiar, soon”
Lauren nodded.
“I think you better start with Applepills” the older one, called Shadow Thunder spoke up. “Brother?”
The younger one, called Arctic Ace nodded. He handed over a familiar-looking Stetson. “She lost it when she turned into a Freak. The transformation must’ve blown it off her head to avoid her from remembering herself. I didn’t know who owned it at first until I found her old cutie mark inside”
Lauren nodded before taking the hat and heading over to the door. Shadow went over and opened the door for. Wishing her luck, she closed the door behind her. He then looked over to Hazel. He bent over to eye-level with his adopted child. She was so weak and tired. He fixed a lock of stray hair behind her ear, making her nuzzle into his wrist.
“We’ll find her, Hazel. We’ll bring her back”
________________________________________
Lauren entered the room silently. She didn’t want to alarm any of them by sudden entrances so she tried to be quiet. Of course, some of them just heard her and darted eyes to her. Even Fluttershout, who was asleep before, just woke up.
“Hey girls” Lauren gave a warm smile.
The only response she got were all of them hiding under the beds.
That was kinda expected. Lauren thought that they may react either frightened or violently towards her. Still, she didn’t back down. She looked under some of the beds and smiled at one.
“Is that you, Fluttershy?” she called when she saw Fluttershout.
“It’s Fluttershout!” the beige mare growled.
Lauren flinched from that. She knew they changed their names when they turned into Freaks, but she didn’t expect the change in attitude, most especially around Flutters. Still, she went over to them. Each time she passed by one under a bed, they would either throw a glare, growl, do both, or even threaten that they would kill her. Finally, she came over to see Applepills.
“Hey, I got something of yours, something that you lost” she spoke softly to her. She then took out the Stetson and held it infront of her. “When you were a Normal, you wore this all the time. It meant a lot to you, remember?”
Applepills eyed the item suspiciously. The others around were already hissing.
“I’ll just put this here” she put the Stetson down infront of Applepills’ bed, but near enough for her to reach it. She backed up slightly so as to not scare her or anything.
The earth pony looked at her suspiciously before she reached for the hat. Once she was within range, she grabbed it and pulled back fast. She then eyed the object with a glare. She felt around for it. Soon enough, she felt something about this hat. Though she forgot about it, she felt some connection and value to it. Curious, she soon put it on her head.
She felt memories come back to her when the object perched on her head once again. She felt its value began to run back to her. She remembered all those memories she lost when she became a pill-addicted Pony Freak. They all flooded in all at once. That was when she remembered who she was before, and who her first Maker was.
The other Pony Freaks looked at her suspiciously. Lauren just gave a warm smile. She knew that smile anywhere.
“Mother Lauren?”
The others just perked up and looked confused at their comrade and then at Lauren, who nodded with a warm smile. “Hello Applejack”
The orange Freak went out from under the bed and over to Lauren, keeping her hat on. She felt at her Maker’s face as though for assurance. She felt the connection. It was still there. Weak, but still there.
“Mother?” she then hugged her former Maker tightly as tears swam into her eyes.
Lauren held her tightly as well in maternal embrace. “It’s okay, AJ”
“Mother…”
“It’s okay”
From the viewing pane, the four with Lauren were watching on, happy to see that they got one back on their side. Hazel was able to keep one eye up to watch it. She smiled faintly with satisfaction.
The other Freaks began to go confused. Yet one was just glaring angrily. All she saw was a threat to her group.
________________________________________
Later on, the orderlies of the facility managed to bring the group out of the room and into a talking room. They had to put a spell on them to avoid the Freaks from using their powers and attacking them. The only one who seemed rather pacified at the moment was Applepills, who still held her hat closely. The others just looked annoyed and angry at her.
“Okay, Freaks…” Doctor spoke to them.
“Elements of Insanity!” Brutalight angrily corrected. Beside her, Fluttershout and Rarifruit nodded in agreement.
“Fine” he spoke in monotone. “Anyway, through some events that you are needed, and upon Queen Lauren Faust’s requests, I will allow you six out of your dorm rooms and move into her house for the completion of your therapy”
“Yes!” Applepills exclaimed happily, even standing up from her chair and offering a hoof. “We’d love to!”
“Oh shut it, pill addict!” Pinkis yelled, kicking her cousin in the hind leg, and forcing her to sit down again.
“Thank you, Pinkis” Brutalight thanked the cannibal. “There is now way am I, or any of my friends for that matter, are going with that that freak of a Maker!”
“Too late” Arctic Ace called up as he peeked in through the door. “The van for transportation is already here!”
That set of a different reaction in each Freak. Applepills practically squealed in delight. Rainbine dropped her jaw. Rarifruit’s eye twitched. Pinkis was pulling at her mane. Fluttershout was screaming inside. But Brutalight? Oh man, she flat out let a scream of rage out.
________________________________________
“I can’t believe we’re here in this house with our former Maker!” Brutalight yelled.
She and the others just kept rambling on and on in their new room. Although, they already lost Rarifruit when she lied down on the bed and remembered what it felt like to live freely. That mare seemed to have retained one thing even as a Freak: She’s still got a taste for sophistication.
The others were not so easily pacified. Pinkis kept trying to break the walls in an attempt to escape. Fluttershout kept on letting her Ear Rape out on a pillow on ‘her’ bed, though it was a miracle it hadn’t been blown into smithereens from all her screaming. Rainbine just kept trying to break the windows with her gun, but found that her weapons were taken from her. And Brutalight had just gone tired form her own attempts of escape and lied down on ‘her’ bed.
But the ones with horns couldn’t use them as a Restriction ring was put on them, and it was even stuck. Those with wings couldn’t even use them anymore as some spell was put to paralyze them.
Finally, the struggling four just got tired and lied down on where they were. “Are the walls made of metal or what?” Pinkis flopped to her side.
“I lost my guns!” Rainbine whined before falling to the floor.
“They couldn’t…even…get us out…of that confinement room…what’s the difference?” Fluttershout panted on her bed. Strangely enough, she didn’t lose her voice despite all that screaming.
“I hate her!” Brutalight referred to Lauren.
Fluttershout growled at the thought. “I hate them!”
“Great! We’re trapped in a house with someone who was able to get my mother and my cousin to remember who they were back then, and now she’s trying to do the same thing to us!” Pinkis whined. “Mom, seriously, get a hold of yourself!”
“But Pinkis dear, you must admit: It’s been a long time since we last felt anything so soft like this!” she giggled as she rolled on her bed.
“Just for a bed and you act like a filly again! Wow! This is weird even for the Queen of Greed!” Rainbine crossed her hooves.
“Has everyone calmed down?” Lauren’s voice rang from the other side of the door.
The four just groaned as the other two jumped up happily. “Yep! They’re pooped!” Applepills cheered.
Right then, Lauren entered the room. She was able to see how they were all doing. The four were so tired that they could only growl and glare at her now.
“Okay, come on, everyone! Time for dinner!”
“Coming!” Applepills and Rarifruit spoke together as they went off their beds and went out of the room. The other four were too tired to even get up.
Lauren chuckled at their behavior. “Hold on” she then turned into her Alicorn form and used her magic to lift the tired four in the air. They all just sighed and let it be, praying she wouldn’t try as much as to spoon feed them due to their exhaustion.
After a good dinner, Lauren lead them all back to their room. “I’m sorry you all had to stay in the same room, and or the restraints. They told me it was for safety”
“Meh, it’s fine!” Applepills brushed it off.
“Besides, it’s been a long time since we’ve slept together!” Rarifruit was later on hit by a Direct Ear Rape Scream from Fluttershout.
“I loved the freedom of sleeping alone!” the beige mare glared at the Unicorn.
“I second the motion!”
“Me too!”
“Same here!”
“Oh, but surely, you remember when I let you guys sleep together, right?” Lauren leaned at Brutalight, close enough as though to give her a kiss on the forehead.
The mare just pushed her away. “You give me a kiss on the forehead, and I will break you!”
“But, Twilight, don’t you remember when I gave you that? You always loved it”
“My name is Brutalight! That sweet little Twilight you know is gone! And I will never call you Mother!”
“Neither will I!”
“Me too!”
“I hate you!”
Lauren sighed before she tucked all of them in with her magic. This embarrassed some of them, and left some even growling.
“Goodnight, girls. Hope you have pleasant dreams!” she spoke as she closed the door behind her.
“I hope you don’t” Brutalight growled under her breath. She then looked to her side to see Fluttershout muttering curse words under her breath.
“Yeah?”
“Mind if you sing for me tonight? I really need to listen to something Freak-like right now or I’ll go nuts”
The beige mare nodded with a smile for her Leader. “What will it be, Brutalight?”
“Who wants to hear ‘Cannibal’?” Brutalight asked the rest of the group.
Rainbine and Pinkis raised their hooves while Applepills and Rarifruit covered their ears. Fluttershout took a breath and began to sing ‘Cannibal’.
“Rise and shine, girls!” Lauren’s voice rang out, waking up the six mares.
Applepills and Rarifruit woke up with a yawn, happy to have gotten a good night’s of sleep in a long time. Brutalight, Fluttershout, Rainbine, and Pinkis groaned as they woke up. The four didn’t want to spend another day of time with a former Maker trying to get them to feel. If anything, it just annoyed them a lot.
“Come on, girls, we have a big day today!” Lauren called to all of them. Applepills and Rarifruit got up easily, though still trying to get their eyes to adjust to the bright light.
“5 more minutes please” Rainbine groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
“Oh, Rainbow, you always hated mornings”
“My name is Rainbine!”
“Don’t wake me up or I’ll eat you for breakfast” Pinkis groaned under her pillow.
Laurens sighed, but decided to let it be. “Okay, fine. You can get up later, though you’ll miss out on the breakfast I’ll prepare for you”
The four paid no attention. They knew it was just something that was supposed to make them eat like a Normal again. Probably just boring salad or oatmeal. Though, Lauren was right that Rainbine still managed to retain her hate for mornings. Then again, they were creatures that lived under the night. It had been a long time since they even saw the sun again. Since the day they turned, they were slaves to the moon, never wanting to awake at morning.
“Any plans, today, Brutalight?” Pinkis asked her Leader.
“We have to find a way out of here before she gets us like she did with pill addict and kleptomaniac” Rainbine growled.
“Where did she even find that hat in the first place?”
“We have to get out here, one way or another” Brutalight then felt at her horn. “I mean, they even put a Restriction Ring on me so I can’t use magic, and my wings are paralyzed”
Rainbine tried to debug with the code in the ring, but it was just static to her. “I can’t even find a way to remove its coding”
“Wait a minute, Fluttershout” the Alicorn then turned over to her friend.
“Hmm?” the mare rubbed her eyes before facing the Alicorn.
“Can you use your Ear Rape to bust us out of here?”
The beige mare sighed. “Cover your ears”
They all did. Granted, they did it with pillows to dull the scream hopefully. Fluttershout took a deep breath, inhaling as much air as possible. She then let it out in one big scream. It didn’t do anything as all it did was make a few books fall off the shelves. She kept on screaming, until she was out of breath.
To no luck, the walls or windows didn’t even break.
“Oh boy, it’s not working” Rainbine whined when she knocked on the glass.
“Sorry…” the beige mare panted.
“You tried your best, Shouty. It’s fine” Brutalight assured her. “We’ll just have to find some other way out”
Right then, a loud rumbling in the stomachs just interrupted them.
“Oh please no”
“Hey girls!” Lauren called out as she entered the room in her Alicorn form. They were about to complain and hide under a pillow when they all smelled food. That was when they noticed it: Lauren had brought in plates of their breakfast.
“I thought you guys would get hungry, but since you didn’t want to leave your room, I decided to bring breakfast in bed! Applepills and Rarifruit are downstairs, helping themselves to a few things I kept down for them to play with”
She then levitated their plates of food to their beds. They were surprised to see what it was. They were all pancakes, but they each had a different topping just for their liking. Pinkis’ had some slivers of meat. Rainbine’s had a few electronic chips. Fluttershout’s had a few bits of watermelon. And Brutalight’s had a few drops of cider.
“Hazel told me about it. Though, I had some help with Arctic and Thunder for the toppings” she explained.
All four Freaks just looked at one another. Pinkis and Fluttershout were restraining themselves as much as possible from the temptation of the treat before them. Finally, Brutalight sighed, nodding her head in defeat. She knew she had to escape, but they needed to eat. Each then began to eat from their plates. But Pinkis just ate hers all in one gulp, being well Pinkis. Fluttershout was savoring the flavors, but made it not so obvious. Brutalight just acted normal. Rainbine just looked at hers blankly.
Lauren got worried. Why wasn’t she eating? She approached the young cyborg with concern. “Rainbine, why aren’t you eating?”
“I’m a cyborg. I don’t think I can eat” she looked down.
“But, you’re still half-pony”
“Yeah so?”
Lauren sighed. “Does your heart still beat?”
Rainbine looked at her in confusion before feeling at her chest. Yes, she could feel her heart still beating. “Yes”
“Does your blood still flow?”
She took her own pulse. “Yes”
“Then who’s to say you don’t have any organs for the blood to flow to?”
Rainbine looked at her in surprise. That made a lot of sense. If her heart still beats, she would still have blood, and also organs for the blood to flow through. That meant she still had a stomach. Taking the fork on her plate, she cut off a piece big enough for a mouthful and ate it. She felt it as it went through her throat, and into her stomach.
She smiled at her former Maker. “Thanks. It’s been a long time I had felt like I was just Normal. I always thought that since I was a little robotic I wouldn’t need food anymore. Atleast now I know why I felt a little weak at times and my stomach sometimes ached”
“I’m glad to help”
Rainbine smiled before hugging her former Maker. “Thank you, for making me feel I’m normal again”
Lauren smiled as she hugged her old Creation. “It’s no problem, Rainbine”
Pinkis, Fluttershout, and Brutalight just glared at the cyborg. To them, she was now another traitor. Three down, three to go.
Pinkis grumbled all the way as she walked with Lauren and the others around the park. She was currently in her Equestria Girl form. She decided to take them out for a walk so they could get some fresh air. She learned that Pony Freaks were night-crawlers so she decided to let them walk with her while it was dusk. She didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable. Taking baby steps, it was best to walk with them at night rather than day to avoid overwhelming them.
Each wore a Tracking collar given by the doctors so as to avoid any of them from going too far away from her. Lauren didn’t want to put them on them, but she had no choice. Applepills, Rarifruit, and Rainbine were pretty much okay, so long as they get to stretch their legs, and wings, for a bit. Brutalight, Fluttershout, and Pinkis were on different terms. They just wanted to get it off so they could roam on their own and cause chaos again.
At one point, Lauren though they all looked rather worn down so she decided to let them have a little fun at the biking area. It took some convincing back with the bikers, but they finally agreed to do it. Each bike could only hold two to three passengers at a time, plus the driver. Lauren had decided to pair up the ones who are fine now with those she still needs to make amends with. Pinkis was paired with Rarifruit and Arctic. Applepills and Fluttershout were in the same bike with Thunder. Then, she put herself with Brutalight and Rainbine.
Pinkis just waited out the entire bike thing with Rarifruit. The mare had been trying to get her to enjoy the feeling of bike riding, but she wasn’t budging. She was a full-grown mare, not a foal! Finally, she saw an opportunity. Being a cannibal, she had to have the perfect senses for a predator. And one of those senses includes a sharp eye. She noticed that at one point, sometimes the bikes would be far apart from each other. She took notice at the different angles, and timings. She had to make this right. Once the time is ripe, she would leap out with Rarifruit and run as fast as she can, biting the collar off to stop. The others could wait, and so could getting her mom back.
Finally, she saw the opportunity and leapt out of the bike with Rarifruit. This alarmed both the biker and the others. Using all the energy in her legs, she used her Speedy Crawl to move both herself and Rarifruit away from the site. She heard her friends and Lauren calling her name, but she didn’t care. She wanted to get away.
She finally did. And she managed to get away by running to a nearby dumpster. It wasn’t an ideal place, but it was still better than being fondled and cooed over by Lauren. She was already exhausted from running, especially since she was dragging Rarifruit with her. She ran in one of the old cars and closed the door behind her. She took deep breaths to recover herself.
“Pinkis, what is wrong with you?” Rarifruit yelled at her daughter.
“I…just…don’t want…to be…with her…” she panted, but she still had anger in her tone.
“But Pinkis, she’s so kind to us. She feeds us, houses us, gave us good bedding, even letting us go out for a bit to roam. She’s just trying to make up for all the time she missed out on us and show she still loves us”
“If she loved us, then why did she ignore us when we looked for her the day we turned into Freaks?!” the pink mare yelled, making the white one cringe. “If she actually cared, then she would’ve seen us when we turned into Monsters!”
Rarifruit was taken aback by that. “Is that why you’re so angry at her? Pinkis, you must know she had to care for the others as well. She can’t always be with you. Please, Pinkis, you need to give her a second chance”
“Over my dead body!” the cannibal yelled.
“Darling, you are already technically dead”
Right then, a claw suddenly picked up the car they were in. Both mares screamed as they saw that the claw was bringing them over to the Crusher. This was not good, not good at all. They looked over to see Lauren had just busted in, the other four Freaks right behind her. She was in Equestria Girl form and had started to climb on the Crusher’s ladder, hopefully to get to the commands and set the trapped mares back on the ground safely. However, she was hit by a piece of flying debris form the Crusher’s magnets and fell off the ladder.
“MOTHER! NO!” Pinkis and Rarifruit cried out in unison.
“She’s gone” Pinkis began to tear up. “She’s gone, Rarifruit, and I was laughing at her. Why didn’t I tell her that in spite of everything I was proud? I was proud! If she was still here I would tell her! I would tell…” she stopped crying when she noticed that Lauren was right behind them. “Oh! You’re here, great” Pinkis said with no emotion. “So what’s your plan to get us down?”
Right on the spot, the cable wire broke and sent then crashing to the ground. Lauren landed safely on the mattress, and managed to catch Rarifruit.
“You alright?” Lauren asked with concern.
“Yes” Rarifruit said as she was put down.
“Hang on! Where’s Pinkis?!”
“HELP MEEEEEEE!”
Pinkis was in the car, trying to get down as the Crusher looked like it was gonna get her any second. She stepped on the ladder and tried to sprint. But due to the fear in her heart, she wasn’t able to do so.
Lauren immediately went up to the other side to call to her for encouragement. “C’mon, Pinkis! You can do it!”
Pinkis tried to take a step, but it began to collapse. “I...I…I can’t…”
“Pinkis, you have to get up” Lauren said.
Pinkis shivered as she looked down. “I…I can’t…I’m too afraid”
“C’mon, daughter! You can do it!” Pinkis remembered those words.
Those were the very words Lauren said to her when she was learning to walk in animation. She remembered that day. She and the others were still in creation process. Lauren took time out to teach them how to walk, one by one. She was near the last. She stumbled but Lauren gave her those very words.
Pinkis realized everything. In spite of being somepony else’s, Lauren still loved her. Sure, she missed time out with her, but that part of growing up. But now, with newfound courage from her memory, she stood up with determination.
“I’m coming, Lauren!” she yelled as she ran to the other side. “Don’t let me fall!”
“I made you, I would never do that!”
Pinkis ran as the ladder fell into the Crusher. She leapt with the strength left in her to the safety of Lauren’s arms. Lauren had her arms reached out at full length to catch her creation. Pinkis used up her last bit of strength to leapt as far as she can. Rarifruit covered her eyes in fear. Pinkis managed to land into Lauren’s arms, and the author held her tight. Both broke down in tears.
“Please stop crying, Mother. No matter what happen, you’d always still be my original Maker. I’m sorry I hated you. I just felt…abandoned” Pinkis sobbed as Lauren flew them to safe ground.
“You shouldn’t be. I spent so much time away that I didn’t even realize the pain being inflicted on my creations. I only realized it too late”
“I can’t believe I tried to eat you alive!”
“I forgot to make me visits to check on you all in the first place, don’t worry about it!”
Pinkis sobbed tears anew. “I missed you” she snuggled her face into Lauren’s chest.
“I missed you too” Lauren cried as she stroked the pink mare’s mane.
From the rest of the group, each was just breaking down in a touchy, Maker-Creation reunion. Two of which weren’t, only glaring as more anger fueled up them. If looks could kill, they’d all be dead by now. Four down, two to go.
“If I have to watch one more minute of this, I’ll lose my sanity!” Fluttershout yelled as she covered her head. She and the others were watching some old movie involving pies being bombs and plankton being evil. It was too childish for her, and it was making her blood boil. Some had just fallen asleep watching the movie, while others carried on with the other activities around them.
“Shout, you are already insane” Rarifruit pointed out.
“Oh right” she sighed.
“Okay, I may have picked a movie too childish for you. Let’s just go get you in bed, Fluttershout” Lauren spoke as she levitated the beige mare in the air.
Fluttershout immediately got frightened from that. She believed it was Lauren’s technique to get them to follow her whenever alone.
“No! You’ll never take me alive! Let me go! Brutalight, help me!” the beige mare yelled as she flailed around in Lauren’s magic grasp. Unluckily for her that the Alicorn she was calling to was already asleep. And they knew Brutalight could be a heavy sleeper when she wants to be. All she could do was flail around as she was taken back up to ‘her’ room.
The beige mare groaned as she was tucked in by the Equestria Girl. How did that woman learn to freely shift from one form to another now, she’ll never know. It was a good thing she hadn’t done anything demeaning to them like baby them.
“How are you holding up, Fluttershout?”
“Never better” the young mare growled.
“Is this because I let you watch a cartoon movie?” Lauren titled her head to the side. “I thought you liked them”
“I did once, but I grew up!”
“Sorry” she then noticed the red birthmark on the beige mare’s eye. “What happened there?”
That made her hide her eye. “It’s natural”
“Okay, okay, no need to get so angry”
Fluttershout shot her a glare before plopping down to her side. She didn’t want to sleep yet, but she didn’t want to spend another second consciously with Lauren.
“Why are you so angry at me, Fluttershout?”
That only made her use The Stare with her red eye. That scared Lauren a bit so she kept her mouth shut. She then closed her eye with a growl and tried to escape via sleep. She must have had a lot of thoughts in her head as she was not able to fall asleep so easily. Lauren just sat there on her bedside, almost as though she was guarding her.
Probably thinks I’m still having nightmares , she thought.
The woman then sighed as she pulled out a small object from her pocket. She opened it to reveal it was an old photograph. It was the very first Group Photo she used in the series, back when it was Season 1 Episode 1, back when Twilight was just a Unicorn, back before the first Fanfiction was born. It was old, and a little torn on the edges, but she still kept it.
Lauren looked down at Fluttershout, who still pretended to be asleep. She tucked a lock of stray hair to the mare’s ear to help her see her better. This was so much different than the Fluttershy she made. Still, she could still feel the connection, Very faint, but it was still there.
I remember when you were still sketches My little toons I was the artist, who fixedyou up, when you broke down And life was just one funny riddle My little toons You laughed everyday as Equestria went around I was the voicer Who taught you how to talk I was the animator Who taught you how to walk And now you're no longer just sketches My little toons You'll Be loved so much more than any other cartoon that's been And though I'm just Lauren, not a hero My little toons Being just Lauren's good enough for me
Fluttershout was listening to every lyric. As much as she didn’t want to cry, she couldn’t fight against it. The song was too much for her. It made her understand. Lauren never forgot her. She still remembers the days she was still developing her and the others. Those were very fond memories. She thought that since Lauren created ‘Wonder Over Yonder’, she wouldn’t need them anymore. That song just proved she was wrong.
Lauren seemed to have noticed her reaction as she stopped her singing and went over to the mare. “Fluttershout, is there something wrong?”
Rather than an answer, the beige mare just downright sobbed as she buried her face into Lauren’s chest. Normally, Shouty didn't like being hugged or fussed over, let alone be the one to start it. Heck, almost no one had ever even seen her crying before. She normally acted like a solid rock on the outside, but on the inside, she was a squishy sponge. She had held a lot of emotions in her about her past.
“Why are you so kind to me?” she spoke through her sobbing.
“Shh” Lauren cooed gently. “Fluttershout, I know about how you and the others have some resentment to me about the past, but I still got upset when I learned the news about what happened. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my family. I’d never meant to hurt you, My Little Symphony”
My Little Symphony. That was the old nickname she was given by Lauren when she was still Fluttershy. She called her that because of her ability to sing so well and sweetly. Even as a Pony Freak, she still managed to retain that trait. But she never got to here that nickname again, until now.
The young mare just sobbed again as she buried her face into Lauren’s chest. The woman just did her best to soothe her. She rocked her gently, caressing her mane and humming the same melody.
“I…missed…you…”
“I missed you too”
“So, this is it, then? I’m the last one standing” Brutalight mused to herself when she found that Fluttershout had just been calmed down. She and the others were already asleep in their beds. Yet she refused to shut her eyes and get some sleep. Too many things just ran on and on in her mind. And that wasn’t the sound of her two Hosts fighting over which gets more control than the other.
Right then, she looked to her side to see that Lauren had appeared, sitting beside her.
“What are you doing here? Came to mock me about how you managed to get to my friends?” Brutalight groaned.
Lauren looked at her with confusion. Brutalight herself then got confused. She was expecting something like a motherly tone or trying to tuck her in, or asking if she had a nightmare. What she didn’t expect next was for Lauren to hug her outright.
“What the?”
The next thing she knew, Lauren carried her bridal style and started to run out of the room. All the while, Brutalight was so confused. What was with the sudden change of running and carrying her like a baby? This was surprising, and yet also a bit demeaning. Brutalight kept on yelling about trying to get Lauren to put her down and stop whatever she was doing, but it was no use. She better not be taking her somewhere to kill her. Finally, she was dragged up in the attic as Lauren took her up to the roof.
“Fine! Do whatever you want! Whatever you’re planning is just gonna be lame! It’s not gonna change my mind!”
She then shielded her eyes as she neared the opening of the attic with Lauren. Why were things so bright? When she opened her eyes, she gaped at what she saw. It was near sunrise, and the sun had begun to make its ascent to the sky. It peeked over the trees where the house was. The bright lights began to greet her.
It had been so long since she ever saw daylight again. She was a Pony Freak, a creature of the night. She couldn’t even remember what it looked it anymore. The first few rays began to shine on her skin, warming it. She realized that she was very cold from the long nights of Hunting with her friends or going alone. She remembered about the time she last spoke anything about the sun.
“Come on in, hurry! We’ll be safe here!” Brutalight cried to her friends as they all fled from the Monster Hunters. They all jumped down into the portal Brutalight created, escaping from their enemies.
“Is everyone okay?” she called to them.
Everypony nodded, each double-checking for each other to make sure no one was left behind. Luckily, they all were present. Their bruises could be taken care of later now that they were in the safe base.
“Are you okay, Brutalight?” Fluttershout asked, concerned for her Leader.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a scratch, you?”
Fluttershout looked down at the wound on her hind leg. “A small cut, but I’ll be alright”
“Get that treated nonetheless”
“I can’t believe they would try to Hunt us all down!” Rarifruit whined. “Ad just because of how I wanted to go under the sun for a little tanning!”
“None of us are going be in the sunlight ever again” Pinkis growled. “We’re slaves to the night. We were born under the moon; we will now stay linked to the moon. There’s nothing we can do but accept it”
“Or atleast wait until that generation of Hunters dies. We’re immortal, but they aren’t. One day, they’ll die and we can be free to roam day again. Until then, we settle for scraps”
Brutalight sighed as she looked up at the sky in their Base. It was windy and cold and it looked like they lived in the eye of a hurricane. Still, a Normal could not tolerate it, making it an ideal place for them to flee to.
“Brutalight?”
“Yes, Fluttershout?”
The mare looked down a bit for a while. “Do you think one day, we’ll retake our place under the sun again?”
Brutalight chucked at her friends’ question. She placed a hoof on her shoulder. “One day, we will. I promise”
Brutalight cried from that memory. Tears streamed at her face the first time in so many years. She remembered her old promise. She wanted to keep that. Lauren had just beaten her to it, and given her friends something else they lost: a Mother.
Lauren seemed to notice how Brutalight suddenly began to tear up as she pat her gently on the back to soothe her. The mare just suddenly snapped out of her tears and snapped at her.
“You freak! Why did you bring me here?!” she then looked down. “I don’t understand….Why are you being so nice to me? I just…I don’t understand…”
Lauren pat her on the back. “Brutalight, I know of you and the others’ resentments toward me, but you must know that I didn’t mean for this to happen. Had I known it would, that someone would tear you out of the place you deserve in the sun, I would’ve done anything I can and stopped them. And, I know I can’t really undo what has been done, but I want to make up for lost time. Just please, give me a chance?”
The Alicorn thought it over. She couldn’t be mad at her forever. She was even the one who made her in the first place. She sighed.
“Okay fine, but on certain conditions”
“Anything, you name it”
“Visit us when you get the chance?”
“Of course”
“Can we keep the house?”
“Yes, it’s officially yours now”
“And lastly, give us an hour of going out in the sun each day?”
Lauren chuckled before hugging her. “Who am I to stop you?”
Brutalight smiled as she accepted Lauren as her original parent again. The others would be pleased to hear that they were free to love Lauren again as a parent.
Lauren and the mares were now watching Foal’s Play, the horror story of a doll named Charlie possessed by a serial killer. All were huddled against to Lauren to feel comfortable, not that they were at all afraid. It just popped on the screen and they all wanted to go see it. Lauren thought it would be violent for them, but seeing how they had seen much scarier things, she allowed it. They managed to find a way in which they would all be snuggling up next to Lauren.
Rainbine was on the top of the couch, sitting beside Lauren’s head, also becoming a pillow. Pinkis was on the floor, her stomach on her Maker’s feet. Rarifruit was clinging onto Lauren’s right arm, while Applepills was on her left. Brutalight and Fluttershout had pillowed their heads on her lap.
A little while later, everyone had fallen asleep in the middle of the movie, even Lauren. That was when she felt a bit of shaking on her shoulder, prompting her to wake up. She looked to the side without a sleeping Rainbine and saw Arctic Ace.
“We’d like a word with you” he whispered, soft enough so as not to wake the Freaks.
Lauren nodded and started to pry them off her gently. She had some work down, but atleast she got them all off her. She left a small note for them so that they would not be alarmed if they wake up and she was not there yet. She then quietly tiptoed out of the room with Arctic and talked out in the far hallway, where she also met with Shadow Thunder.
“You wanted to see me?” she spoke.
“Right, I wanted to tell you that Hazel is well enough for travel and she’ll be guiding us to find our friends tomorrow”
“Oh, that’s good” she sighed in relief.
“How’s your progress with the Freaks?”
“They seem to be alright” Arctic answered for her. “When I went in, they were sleeping together on the couch while the credits of a movie were rolling. It was so cute!”
“Good to hear”
“Um, Shadow Thunder, Arctic Ace?” Lauren spoke out.
“Yes?” they both answered at once.
“Not that I’m offending or anything, just out of curiosity, but what got you guys to come and help me?”
Thunder sighed. “Well, you’re Lauren Faust, The Lauren Faust. To help you would be an honor. Plus, we have another reason, and it involves the kidnappings”
Arctic nodded, while looking down. “They have our girlfriends, Sonata Dusk and Starlight Glimmer. I’m scared as to what they are doing to my girl”
Lauren nodded, understanding what they meant. Her Canon Characters had attracted the hearts of many fans, and some even ship themselves with them. Hester once told her that because of this, there are so many clones of her Canon ones that would be there for them. But, all of them are tied to the original. So, it would make sense that if one got kidnapped, the clones would disappear too.
“I’m really sorry” she sympathized with them.
“It’s alright. The sooner we get them back, the better. I miss her to death” Thunder crossed his arms as he hugged them as though he were cold.
Lauren nodded. “Hey, if you don’t mind, can you tell me how did you guys meet and fall inlove?”
Arctic sighed, remembering the day. “I was walking around the School for New Writers, making sure everyone around was happy and no one was sad. And then, on one particular Taco Tuesday, I bumped into her, literally. I’ll admit, it made the taco land on my face. She laughed because it was funny, but soon got upset that she lost her lunch. I made it up to her by buying her another taco. We started to chat ever since. It took some strain form her sisters to let me see her, but they reluctantly did so. Then, I started to fall inlove with her. She’s cute, adorable, loving, and playful. One day, I confessed my love to her, and she flat out kissed me. We’ve dated ever since” he blushed intensely from the memory.
Thunder then told his story. “I was out in the Browse Library, just another day of work and what-not. And then, I was putting a few books back on their shelves, and took a look at a new one. That was when I saw her. She was on the other side of the bookshelf. She was so beautiful, so strong, and so intelligent. She seemed to be having trouble with her books because she had so many of them. I went over and helped her carry them to her table. We were reading the same topic so we decided to go together. It then went on and on, and I started to notice she was getting a little shy around me. Then one day, she kissed me” he blushed intensely from that. “The feeling was mutual. So, we began to date. Though, it took some restraining for her to not let Trixie go jealous of us” he then sighed. “I miss her”
Arctic sighed deeply. “Sonny…”
“Don’t worry” she assured them. “I promise you, we’ll find them. When tomorrow’s sun rises, we’ll let Hazel lead us to find them. If they are hurt by the time we do, then…” she then changed to her Alicorn form and aimed a burst of red magic at a nearby tree, reducing it to ashes. The two brothers cringed from that. Her magic then returned its normal aura before she regained herself and turned into her Equestria Girl form again. “…you get the point”
Both nodded, eyes agape and gulped.
“But you guys have my blessing should you wish to get married to them” Lauren chirped up as she walked down the hallway to prepare dinner.
Her statement left both men in a blushing mess.
“Are you sure you’re well enough for travel?” Shadow Kirby asked Hazel as they took a seat in the chariot. The child was still dozy but she already was able to eat solid foods. She was even stable enough for the next few days. There were several other chariots around them, waiting. With Hazel’s faint connection, they would have to be in the center region to lead the way.
The dress-wearing girl nodded. “I’m fine, dad, really. I just need to get back to Hester”
“If you say so” he spoke.
Luna then called from the chariot she was on with Twilight. “If you feel like you’re about to regurgitate, tell us so we’ll stop”
Right then, Twilight took a look at her book about Partners and Familiars. “Okay, try to focus on the connection you have to Hester. It would be very faint at first, but as we go on, it’ll get stronger. It’s at its strongest when we’re close to where she is”
“And we must hurry” Lauren spoke from her chariot with Gari. “Who knows how all captives are doing for the long period they were caught”
“They have three of my Brothers and Sisters too” Gari added.
Hazel nodded before closing her eyes. She focused on the faint bond she had with her Familiar. It was easily recognizable to her. It was warm, fluffy, comforting, and made her strong and well. It seemed to be coming from the North infront of them.
“North” she spoke, pointing ahead.
All nodded as their chariots were pulled to the North, guided by the sick Pegasister with a connection of Partner-Familiar to one of the captives.
“Ma’am!” a brainwashed Candy Burn called out as she entered the room. She now had red eyes rather than her normal blue ones. She was wearing a collar that had Digi Reset’s cutie mark on it.
“Candy, what is it?” Digi asked in annoyance as several other brainwashed captives were trying to get another collar on one of Gari’s Sisters.
“There’s a group heading this way! They’re being guided by an asylum child!”
Digi froze from that. How could they find where she was? And with an asylum child, nonetheless! They’re even unstable! How could they find a way to find her if they can’t even help themselves?
“Hazy…”
Digi turned her attention over to the source. Hester was still chained and hanging. Of course! She took a Hidebrit Familiar with a Partner! The Partner had been left behind and now they were using the connection she had with her to find her, and the others!
“Candy, you and the others go distract them while I take care of our secret weapon!” Digi ordered as she went and grabbed Hester, restraining her so she couldn’t attack.
“Yes, Ma’am!” the brainwashed filly nodded, heading off away from the scene and being followed by several other controlled captives.
Hester flailed around in her restraints weakly as Digi dragged her away. “Oh, give it a rest already! You’re just wasting your energy! You’ll need it for the grand finale!”
Hazel was barely hanging on to staying awake. The bond was getting stronger but she was still a little sick. She fought against her drowsiness to keep on going. It was painful, but she had to stay up. It didn’t help that she was soon feeling nausea.
“Hazel, are you okay?” Shadow asked when he noticed her condition.
“I think I’m gonna be sick” she held her head.
“We gotta stop! She needs a break!” he called to the others, causing all chariots to stop in place before the girl jumped off her chariot and went to a nearby bush. She then just let it all out. Shadow tried comforting her to help ease the pain. She was done soon, and Shadow gave her the liquid diet in a bottle she needed.
Gari then flinched slightly. Luna checked over to her. “Is something wrong, my child?”
“I sense danger nearby!” she yelped.
“How can you tell?” Lauren asked while Hazel pulled herself together.
“I used a spell on Gari that allowed her to sense danger ahead of time” Twilight spoke up.
“Does anyone have an anti-hallucinogen? I think I’m starting to see things like someone flying above us” Hazel spoke.
“Actually, I see it too” Arctic Ace gulped, making everyone else present suddenly turn around to see what was above them.
They all were shocked at what they saw flying right above them. They were a bit off from being seen at first, but as they neared them, they suddenly recognized them. It was Candy Burn, and she had red eyes and wore a collar with a cutie mark on it.
“No!” Twilight squeaked as they dodged her landing.
Candy Burn looked at them coldly. Her cute eyes all angry and piercing to the soul. Behind her, Fioralba and Hebiihime followed her, each also wearing the same collar and red eyes. The cuteness from them was now gone, replaced with madness.
“Candy Burn!” Twilight called.
“Hebiihime!” Luna cried to her Daughter.
The three children hissed. “F, H, Catapult!” Candy commanded.
The other two nodded. Fioralba removed her ribbon and tied it to the tails of Hebiihime before falling backwards onto the candy corn filly’s back as both that were capable of flight took to the air. Candy had several candy-like pellets in her hooves that Fioralba now held. Only when they were high in the air did the flower filly put them into the ribbon, and started to pull back.
Everypony else stared in shock at that. Shadow Thunder gulped, “Do your Daughters read a lot on medieval times, Twilight?”
The only response they got was the flower filly letting go of the makeshift catapult, and firing several pellets down on all of them. They were small, but it was just like hail. All had to duck and cover under the safety of Twilight and Luna’s magic shields, but even then, the pellets were extremely strong.
“They’re made of magic, remember?” Shadow reminded.
“Lauren, can you call the EOI for help?” Hazel asked, fully awake from fear now.
The Queen nodded before grabbing her transmitter given by Brutalight so she can call her in case of emergencies. “Brutalight! Brutalight, come in!”
From the other side of the line, a familiar voice responded. “Is that you, Mother Lauren ?”
“Yes, and I need your help! We’re being attacked by firstborns from the Object-Verse Children under brainwashing! Gather the group!”
“On it, Mother! ” right after those words, she hung up.
“Hang on tight, everypony!” Lauren called to them.
“I don’t think…some of us…can…” Hazel fainted.
Shadow gasped after feeling her temperature. “Not good! She’s burning up! We have to get her back to Hester soon!”
“What?! I thought you said she was well for today!” Twilight cried in disbelief, accidentally letting go of the barrier.
Luckily, she was shielded by another shield, stronger than her own before Candy’s candy got to her. “Can’t you multitask, Original me?” Brutalight smirked.
It was right on time did the rest of the EOI enter in and began to help. Rainbine was about to shoot when Luna warned her not to hurt them. They are brainwashed by the collars, so they just have to avoid the attacks until they remove the collars or stall until they destroy the main source. Rainbine reluctantly switched to sedatives, courtesy of Fluttershout.
“Don’t want you shooting a friend again!” she teased in a sing-sang tone.
The cyborg sighed. “Ha, ha, ha. Very funny. Ha, ha, ha” she spoke sarcastically. She was about to be shot by a rain of candy bullets when Fluttershout sent them flying in the other direction with her Direction Scream.
The cyborg’s jaw dropped at that while the beige mare smirked.
Brutalight smirked as called the mare over “And that is why, my dear Fluttershout, you are Queen of Ear Rape” she then turned to the others. “Rainbine, Applepills, Rarifruit, stay here and hold off Candy Bullets and her team. Fluttershout, Pinkis, come with me”
“Make sure they don’t hurt them!” Luna and Twilight worried for their kids.
“Don’t worry. If they do, they could be Fluttershout’s target practices for a week, right guys?” she called to them.
All three nodded nervously while the Ear Rape Queen grinned from ear to ear before making an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture. It sent a shiver down their spine.
“Alright, Fluttershout, take the Unicorn. Pinkis, take care of compass girl and her daddy. Mother Lauren, get on me”
Fluttershout nodded as Gari had no choice but to get on her back. Pinkis then allowed for Hazel and Shadow to mount on her. Arctic and Thunder had to get on Luna and Twilight.
“Okay, now, which way?” Brutalight asked as Lauren got on her.
Shadow fretted over to Hazel, who soon began to regain consciousness. “Are you still with us, Haze?”
She nodded weakly before opening her half-lidded eyes. She looked up from Pinkis’ head to feel the connection flowing right at the East. “East” she spoke.
“East!” Pinkis called out.
“East it is” Brutalight nodded, gesturing for her to move.
Twilight followed awkwardly. “I’m outsmarted by a duplicate”
Hester flinched when she felt a surge of the bond connecting her to Hazel come in. In small amounts, it would hurt less. But since it was all at once, it hurt a little. She let out a cry of pain as she started to flail around in Digi’s restraints. The young artist-writer struggled to keep her under control.
“I can tell from you that your Partner is not far, isn’t it?” she groaned.
Gari flinched when she sensed danger again. This time, she was quick to warn them. “Everypony, stop! I sense danger up ahead!”
Lauren nodded. “Stop!”
“Freaks, stop!” Brutalight commanded the members of her party.
Everypony stopped in place as soon as orders were given out. Gari got off Fluttershout, who stood in place like a soldier at war. Boy, Brutalight trained her friends to obey simple commands well. The Unicorn searched around for anything that could be a hazard to their mission. Her search ended when she saw two shadows up ahead.
“Sonata!” Arctic called.
“Starlight!” Thunder cried.
Their happiness was cut short when the two mares looked up. They had cold glares and had the same red collars and eyes as Candy and the Object-Verse Children did a while back. Starlight nodded to Sonata as the Siren girl jumped up in the air. The Unicorn fired her horn up and used a spell on her. It turned the Siren into her siren form, allowing her to use her songs again.
Twilight’s jaw dropped. “I taught her too well, didn’t I?”
Without warning, the brainwashed Sonata unleashed a scream of ear-piercing melody. Everypony covered their ears so as to avoid it, but it hurt so much. They ran to take cover while Brutalight used her shield to protect them. The Siren floated in the air above them, unleashing her death screams so much. The only one who seemed unaffected was Fluttershout, made sense due to her status as Ear Rape Queen.
“Hey! That’s my thing!” she yelled at the brainwashed Siren.
Thunder rolled his eyes a bit before noticing someone was missing. “Wait! Where’s Arctic?”
“Sonata!” the younger sibling called to the siren. “It’s me, your boyfriend!”
She hissed at him before unleashing another death scream. Thunder jumped out and jumped on his brother, thereby saving him from his girlfriend’s attack. He held him closely.
“What were you trying to prove, man?!” he yelled.
“I was trying to reach her! She’s in there, I know it!”
“Don’t do that! That’s not Sonata now! She’s brainwashed!”
The Siren came up front of them before getting ready to let out another attack, only to have it countered with a more powerful Death Scream. This one was strong enough to send her flying. The brothers were kept safe when Pinkis swooped in and got them out of range.
“Now this is an Ear Rape attack!” Fluttershout yelled, panting slightly, shooting daggers in her heterochromic eyes.
“That’s my Screamer!” Brutalight complimented as she went to her friend’s side, same followed with Pinkis. “Go ahead! We’ll cover for you!”
“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?” Lauren asked as she and the others fled from the scene.
“We’re Pony Freaks, new and improved versions of our Originals! This is nothing!” the Freak Queen yelled as she and her friends attacked.
“Don’t hurt them!” Thunder called out.
“Hurt them?! I’M TEACHING HER A LESSON!” the beige mare screamed again at the Siren, making her dizzy.
Brutalight stifled her laughter when she saw that, while Pinkis lunged at Starlight, who trying to catch her like a cat with a laser. “I’ll stop my Screamer from obliterating your girlfriends, don’t worry”
Lauren nodded while she and the others got away from the scene. Only when they were far enough, and with a confirmation from Gari that everything was alright, did they stop for a breather. Without the chariots, they only had those with wings to rely on for transportation.
The entire time, Hazel was deeply breathing while Shadow carried her. She was already too sick to walk and kept falling asleep. He checked her temperature again.
“She’s burning up! I thought you said as we got near, she would start to feel better!”
Twilight checked her book again. “According to this, as we near the Familiar, the bonds connecting them will start to react again. It will hurt slightly at first. As we get nearer, she will start to feel more pain before she gets better. Same applies for Familiar”
Lauren went over to the Bipolar child to check her. “Come on, Hazel. Just a little more, okay? Just a little more pain and you’ll start to feel better, okay?”
She didn’t respond
“Hazel, please, come on, stay with us”
Still no response
“Hazel, please. Don’t quit on us”
A muffled sound was heard from her.
Lauren tilted her head as she put her ear to her mouth. “What was that?”
“I’M NOT A QUITTER!” she yelled at the top of her lungs as she sprung in a sitting position, causing Lauren to fly in surprise. “I’M A FIGHTER!”
Shadow sighed in relief as he hugged. “That’s my little girl”
Lauren nodded. “She’s definitely Hazel, alright”
Everypony laughed from that. After rapid apologies from the Bipolar child, she finally calmed down and they resumed their mission. Lauren turned into her Alicorn form and allowed the daughter-father team to get on her back. Thunder and Arctic got on Luna. Gari had to hop on Twilight.
“Alright, Haze, which way?” Lauren asked.
The child closed her eyes again as she focused on the source. It hurt a bit, but there was a hint of comfort now. She opened her eyes to speak. “East, and hurry, she’s close”
Lauren didn’t wait anymore as she flew on the lead as everypony else went into a line to follow.
Hester flinched when she felt it surge in her again. Atleast it hurt less this time.
“Dang it with you, Vine” Digi grumbled. “I better hurry”
Lauren, Twilight, and Luna flew as fast as they could, guided by the Pegasister’s directions. They had to hurry as the longer time is spent, the more risk they have of the other captives being brainwashed and the other fights miles back were getting more intense. Arctic nearly fell off at one point so Luna had to help him back up.
The directions soon lead them to the Deviant Art area. It soon led them to a familiar User’s world, Digi Reset Nightling. Her home was mostly made up of several parts from the different AUs she created. But this time, it looked darker, like it was a dark haunted house. Made sense, when a User is Corrupted, their world and house get Corrupted as well.
As they neared the entrance room, Hazel suddenly felt a sudden surge of warmth flow into her. It was weak, but enough to rouse her. It was warm and comforting. She knew it anywhere.
“Hester’s in there!” she pointed weakly to the building. “I just know it!”
Lauren nodded as she and the others went to land down. Several other brainwashed Bronies and Pegasisters left their posts and went to ambush them. Arctic and Thunder got up and started to attack.
“Go! We’ll cover for you!” they cried before going to attack.
The other nodded as they went inside the house. Two OCs tried to stop them, but Gari used a spell to make them headbutt each other into going unconscious.
“Mother, can’t you use the Sleep spell on them like you did when you came to get me and my Brothers and Sisters?” Gari asked as she held off two Children of the Night.
Luna closed her eyes and tired, but she flinched when she got a spark on her. “I can’t, there’s something in here preventing massive spells”
Hazel struggled to keep herself up. She focused on Hester, and felt where she was. “Top floor” she spoke louder. “Hest is on the top floor!”
“Intruders! Get them!” several minions yelled as they ran to come and get them.
Lauren charged up her magic along with Luna and Twilight, and they made enough to teleport out of there, and all the way up to the top floor. Now, it was just a matter of finding which door. Hazel immediately scrambled to the right one. They followed her and what was inside had horrified them.
A giant machine, like the Ink Machine from the Bendy, was standing in the center of the room. It was red and white colored. Black wires stuck into the floor beneath it. A giant sphere that had Digi Reset’s cutie mark on it was on the center of the machine. Up on the top, in a giant sphere of her own, on a comfy chair was the mare behind all this. She wore a red crown with the gems that resembled the Elements of Harmony.
“Well, well, well” Digi grinned as she looked down on the group below. “Look who we have here: Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Gari, Hazel Vine, Shadow Kirby, and Lauren Faust” she mocked a bow. “What an honor”
“Stop this now, Digi!’ Lauren commanded.
“Now why in Equestria would I do that? It’s a fun party and I’d hate for it to go down so quickly” she cackled.
“Digi…” Hazel spoke weakly, but loud enough for her to hear. “…why…”
“Isn’t it obvious? There are those who are underappreciated and just need some time in spotlight, but they never got it. I should now, I’ve been there before. And look at what happened? That dumb hacker kept getting into my account and messed it up. And then, I saw those other characters around who need some appreciation. And guess what? Lauren Faust, THE maker of a series I love so much came to the realm and yet she chose an asylum child for a guide?! I’ve had enough of it! So why not, I decided to plan my own revolution and finally get myself noticed! With enough power, I could become the next Queen of the Fandom in Wonderland!”
Gari coughed slightly. “#Yandere”
Digi growled at her. “Whatever! Doesn’t matter! Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s ShowTime!”
Saying so, she pushed a button on her chair. The sphere below her opened, revealing a certain Familiar restrained and unable to break free from her bounds.
“Hester!”
“Hazel!”
Before she could react, a surge of electricity hit the Familiar, drained a bit of her magic. It hit Hazel too, as she cried in pain and fell on her knees.
“Sorry! Did that hurt?” Digi jeered. “It’s gotta! Draining magic from a Hidebrit is essential to this!”
Shadow sat his daughter down and tried to help ease her pain. She looked weakly at Lauren. “Lauren…hurry…it hurts…both…”
The Queen nodded as she stroked the child’s hair. “You’re my friend, Hazel. I’ll get you and Hester out of this and save everypony. I promise”
She smiled weakly. “I believe in you”
She returned the smile. “Keep your grin on. I’ll have us out of here before you know it”
Twilight Sparkle, Luna, Gari, and Lauren Faust glared down at the machine with Digi on it. She seemed to be smirking right at them. Lauren was put in the position of Leader. She assigned Gari and Luna for healing in case that they end up getting hurt. Twilight was assigned for aerial attack.
Lauren knew she had to deal with Digi quick, but not enough to hurt her. This may be madness, but this Pegasister was only under the influence of the Corruption. She doesn’t know what she is doing. Lauren had to find a way to reach out to her, without literally hurting her.
“Remember, everypony” she called to her team. “No serious damage. Just only enough to subdue her”
Everyone else nodded.
Digi then laughed. “Think you can stop me?” she then pressed a button on the remote control.
A loud rumbling was heard before the doors and windows busted open. All the captives, each wearing a red collar with her cutie mark and had red eyes, went to her side. They all threw a feral hiss and growl. Luckily, the EOI and Arctic and Thunder came along as well to Lauren’s side.
“You want me? Come and get me!” Digi laughed as she set her army to attack.
Gari used shield to defend herself. “Go, Grandmother Lauren, we’ll cover for you!”
Lauren nodded, turning into her Alicorn form. She used her teleportation spells to move from one place to another. She had to dodge an attack every now and then to avoid getting hit or in a crossfire. It was already a hard battle from what she was observing.
The EOI were fighting against the Object-Verse Children, Starlight, and Sonata. That being said, Pinkis was after Starlight, and Fluttershout was having a Scream-off with Sonata. The latter was losing. Gari and Luna were forced to fight against the brainwashed Children of the Night. Twilight was fighting off several Bronies and Pegasisters while keeping watch over Shadow Kirby and Hazel. Arctic Ace and Shadow Thunder were fighting against the captive OCs.
Lauren noticed something as they all fought. With all of them fighting, Digi was distracted. The crown on her head had connected her to those captives. She could control them to the point that they would even fight their loved ones or even family, but she was having a hard time to notice what else went on. That was when she realized why she needed the Hidebrit. For her to be able to keep all this going on, she would need a source of massive power.
Hester did mention to her about the Corruption before, but she never explained how to cure it. This was not worth trying now as the messenger was being drained of her power while her Partner was hurting as well and currently sick.
Lauren had to time her landing right. She turned into her Equestria Girl form behind Digi’s area at the top. She had to lunge at her just right and make sure she was held still enough for her to try and reason with her. It was risky, but she had to do it.
When Digi was distracted long enough, Lauren lunged forward and held her down. She kept yelling her protests and flailed around violently. It was a good thing that Lauren was older and, therefore, taller. She held Digi in her arms while standing up as the girl yelled and struggled to break free.
“Digi, please. Come back, I know you’re in there” Lauren begged.
“What are you talking about? This is who I really am. Now let go! I will rule Wonderland!” she vehemently yelled.
“This isn’t you. It’s the Corruption spreading to your brain and aura. If you let me, I could help you get rid of it”
Digi didn’t listen. Instead, she switched to her Pegasus form. She was able to fly out of Lauren’s grasp. She then brought out a kitchen knife after switching to her Deviant Art form. Lauren tried her best to dodge as Digi slashed at her with her knife. She was having a hard time in doing so.
From down below, Shadow and Twilight watched. They could tell Lauren was losing from where they were standing.
“Oh, Twilight, what are we gonna do?” Shadow fretted.
Twilight thought about what to do. They had to think quickly. If Lauren loses, Digi will win and Wonderland will crumble. They need something to help Lauren hold Digi down. Something strong, something unhesitant, something that will not fear what they are doing so long as they are not aware of it.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a faint whimper coming from Hazel. Shadow took a small vial of liquid out and was about to uncork it to give it to her when Twilight stopped him.
“Hold on, what is that?”
“It’s her meds in a concentrated, liquid form. The doctors gave it to me when she was stable enough to leave the asylum when Lauren arrived. They said that if she falls asleep and suddenly whimpers, I have to let her drink this or she may go nuts. This same rule applies when she misses a dose if awake”
Twilight’s eyes widened from that. “When was her last dose?” she stopped him from uncorking it.
He took out a small watch. “A few hours ago, before we went to find the captives”
Twilight stopped him from making Hazel drink the vial. “Don’t”
“Why not?”
“Trust me”
“But if I don’t let her take the dose, she may revert into…” he paused when he realized what she meant.
Twilight nodded as he went along with her plan. It would pain him to see his daughter in such a bad state, but they had no other choice now.
They watched and waited as Hazel whimpered in her sleep. She began to toss and turn in her sleep. She was starting to sound more frightened. She sounded like she was in pain now. Her crying soon became louder. Shadow fought against the parental instincts to not dive in and use the vial on her.
He simply put a lock of stray hair to her ear before giving her a faint whisper. “It’ll be okay, Hazel. Don’t be afraid of it. Let it out”
Almost as though following what he said, her crying quieted down. She then opened her eyes to reveal they had gone to the insane version from the asylum as her dress went from her standard black to white asylum dress.
Digi had Lauren cornered. She laughed manically. “See, Lauren? Not even you are a match for me. You can’t even save yourself, or the show, how can you save Wonderland? I wonder, will your daughter be the same? Oh well”
Digi then was about to stab Lauren, but she was tackled to the side by a blur of white. Lauren recovered just in time to see what it was, or rather who.
Digi growled at the bad timing this had to happen. She was surprised to see who it was this time. “Hazel?! What happened to you, freak?!”
It was definitely Hazel, alright. She had reverted back into the insane version from the asylum. Her eyes were demented and angry. Her dress had become the asylum type. She was not holding back as she held Digi down, her insane smile ever-stretching.
From inside the machine, despite her pain, Hester was laughing insanely as well. “This is why we’re never late for tea!”
Lauren had to restrain her laughter when Shadow Kirby explained from below. “Twilight made me miss her dose!” he even showed the unopened vial of liquid meds.
“Get off me, you Bipolar freak!” Digi struggled to get Hazel off her.
“Give me her back!” the child yelled, nearly punching Digi in the face. No doubt she was in that state again. “Give her back! Give her back! GIVE HER BACK!”
Lauren sighed. “Hazel, go to sleep!”
Immediately, the child stopped what she was doing and collapsed on the younger Pegasister. Soon after, faint snoring was heard, though her eyes were wide open.
“Seriously?! When she’s mad, she’s sleeps with her eyes open?!” Digi yelled as she tried to get her off, but to no avail. “She’s even sick and thin, how is she this heavy?!”
Shadow giggled from down below. “She thinks she’s an anvil right now” he pointed to the insane Hester.
“I’m an anvil! Thud! Thud!” the Familiar giggled.
Twilight tried not to laugh. “Does this always happen?”
He shook his head. “I think this is because of the Separation”
Lauren then walked over to Digi. “Digi, please. I know this isn’t you. The Corruption is making it hard for you to see that as much as Hazel is making it hard for you to get up now”
Digi smirked. “What do you know about…”
“You like drawing” she stated, making the young Pegasister freeze. “…and creating AUs. And you loved making new Ships and Shipping Children to fit them”
Digi froze, she knew all that? How? She was just like any other Pegasister out there and yet, Lauren Faust herself knew about her works.
“I may not be able to live forever, but my memory will in all your hearts. To me, memory is very important. It defines who we are. I know about each of you. To me, every single Brony, Pegasister, OC, or Canon Character matters, no matter how insignificant they may seem or think to be. And I may not be able to know whether or not my daughter will take on the throne when she grows up, but I can show her how much this place means to me”
Digi froze. She meant something to her? They all did?
Lauren nodded, before gently removing Hazel from the trapped Pegasister. She then helped her up. “Digi Reset, I care about each and every one of you. I may not be here all the time due to how I return to the real world more often, but that doesn’t mean I forgot about you. You all matter to me. If I have upset you so much, please forgive me”
That did it. Digi broke free from the Corruption’s grasp on her as the crown on her head broke. As it did, so did the red collars on the captives. They all snapped back to normal, dizzy but normal indeed. The machine broke down, and Hester was let out of her restraints.
“That’s all I wanted to hear” Digi spoke softly as her eyes returned to normal color.
Lauren smiled.
“Really, it was”
Lauren nodded before pulling the young Pegasister in for a hug, which she gladly accepted.
Meanwhile, shadow rushed over to the mad Hazel and made her drink the vial down. She immediately snapped back to normal as her eyes went to normal and her dress turned black again.
She yelped a little. “What happened? Did we win?”
He nodded. “Yep, we won”
“We won!” she cheered before cringing a little. “Where’s Hester?”
He helped her up to her feet and walked her over to the Familiar. “Hest!” she smiled as she held her in a much-needed embrace.
“Hazy! I missed you!” she smiled as she hugged back.
“I missed you too”
Right then, the duo pulled away from the hug and held each other’s hands, and paws. Right then, Hazel recited something, “My Familiar and I, together forever, it’s something I’d want”
Hester then recited her part, “My Partner and I, together forever, it’s something I’d want”
The familiar light enveloped them as they returned to their healthier forms. The Familiar then nuzzled her Partner.
“Gar-Gar! You saved us!” Zodiac cheered as he hugged his Sister after sapping to normal. Andromeda also joined in.
Starlight groaned as she regained control. “Oh, what happened?” she then saw Thunder a few feet away, still trying to get back up on his feet. She bounded over and started to fret over him. “Thunder! Are you okay? Did you get shot? Oh, I’m so sorry!”
The boy just hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you, Star”
She sighed in relief. “I missed you too”
“Sonny!” Arctic pushed them aside as he looked for his girlfriend.
She changed back to her Equestria Girl form as she woke up and looked to him. When he saw her, he bounded over and held her in a tight embrace.
She smiled as she returned it. “I missed you too, Artcy!”
The rest of the day went by smoothly. After apologies, everything went fine and Digi was forgiven. Afterall, when one if under Corruption, they really did not intend to be doing what they did. The captives all returned to their respective Verses. Hazel and Hester were sane and well again, now free to come in out of the asylum anytime again. The EOI had a grand celebration in their new home since they were given it form their rehabilitation. Arctic and Thunder were back with their girlfriends again, and each went with a much-awaited date. Lauren herself was happy to see everything was fine.
“Here you go, Lauren. This mirror should take you back to the real world” Hazel pointed to the mirror brought up. With her were Hazel, Lauren, Luna, and Twilight.
“You were such a ‘flutter’ when you led me here, you know?” Lauren joked at her.
She giggled with Hester. “Stop it!”
She then smiled gently. “I hope Autumn gets to meet you both and everyone else”
“We shall save her spot as heir until she arrives” Twilight winked.
“Take good care, okay?” she then neared the mirror.
“You too”
Lauren smiled, showing the necklace still on her. “As I carry this with me, I shall make sure she does too”
They all nodded.
She gave one last assuring smile before leaving though the mirror.
Hazel heard Hester let out a faint whimper. “What is it?”
She smiled at her. “The OC just kicked”
“Lauren? Lauren, wake up!”
Lauren awoke to a familiar voice. “Craig?”
He sighed. “You fell asleep again”
She looked around to see that everyone else in the room was already leaving. “How long was I out?”
“A while. But I wish I were you, to be honest. That whole seminar was so boring”
Lauren peered down to see that autumn had fallen asleep on her lap. She smiled before caressing her hair, to which the child smiled in her sleep. She remembered the whole trip to Wonderland, and suddenly felt a rush of inspiration flow into her mind.
“Craig, I gotta find my notebook!” Lauren then got up from her seat, passing the sleeping Autumn to her husband.
He was confused immediately at her sudden outburst, but nonetheless went along with it as he carried their daughter to follow her. “That’s my Lauren. She never rests”
A certain butterfly then flew infront of him. “But when she does, she thinks up new ideas for work!”
That made Craig faint. Luckily, Autumn was a heavy sleeper. Lauren looked back before calling for help and the staff helped her get him back to their tent. She spent the rest of the day writing about her new idea. Some events were based off what happened in her whole adventure to Wonderland, while others were inspired by them. When she finished the whole script, she took a deep breath and calmed down.
She felt something on her shoulder. She looked to see a familiar-looking butterfly on her. She smiled at it tenderly. “Hello Hazel”
The butterfly seemed to have smiled at her before flying to the air. As she went, a pink trial of mist trailed behind her.
Lauren looked back at her sleeping daughter. She knew she would inherit her throne in Wonderland one day. She jst had to worry about the her future, Autumn will be strong enough to watch them.
“One day, one day”
Author's Note
We’re planning on Sequels soon, and adding Autumn into the mix. Until then, hope you enjoyed! And have a good day!