Masks Lie and Nightmares Never Die

/

After the whole fiasco with Panic the group made their way to ponyville hospital, but the overall feeling was terrible. Applejack though, felt completely horrible, she swore to her younger sister that she will protect her, but after witnessing what happened Big Mac had to stop her from trying to trample the nightmare. She cooled off since then and she’s glad that murderer is getting what coming to him, but she knew that will never bring her sister back. She then remembered what her sister’s goal

“I’m going to earn my cutie mark one day just you wait!”

Applejack then started to cry at the memory

“Dang Nabbit! Why her! Why did she have to die!” she yelled waking up her friends in the process.

They slept at the hospital, so they can be at Fluttershy’s and Rainbow Dash’s side as they recovered from their severe injuries. Of course they are also there to lend a comforting shoulder for her to cry on.

“Why… her…?”

She continued to cry and her friends looked at her with worry. However, they didn’t know the words to comfort her so they were forced to continue watching her outburst in silence. Twilight was the only one who looked away feeling partially responsible for Applebloom’s demise. However, there were more questions than answers and right now she needed answers. The purple mare got up from her seat and headed towards the exit.

“Twilight? Where are you going?” Asked Pinkie.

“To get some answers.”

/

Applebloom felt strange as she slowly woke up from her sleep. What she saw when she opened her eyes surprised her, for she was no longer in her own bedroom. She was in a bedroom meant for royalty, and the bed she was lying in is very soft and comfortable. It was tempting her to fall back asleep again.

“Where am I?” she thought.

“This is where you’ll be staying for the remainder of the challenge young one,” spoke a voice, surprising her.

Applebloom looked around hoping to find the owner of the voice, “Where are you?” she asked.

“Closer than you think,” the voice responded.

Applebloom was first confused at what the voice meant until the window to her room swung open surprising her, and letting in roughly one hundred crows into her room. The crows then started flying around in a funnel shape all the while cawing like crazy. Before Applebloom thought she would go crazy from the noise, the birds then started leaving the room; exiting the same way they came in. The window then shut itself closed with the curtain falling in place covering them up. When Applebloom looked back where the crows used to be in her room she was taken to the appearance of a being she never seen before. In front of her is what she perceives to be a strange tall crow man looking at her with bright red eyes

“W-Who are y-you?” she asked nervously.

“Milady, you may call me…Paranoia.”

/

When Twilight arrived at the prison she was met with confused gazes. The guards wondered why a Princess is doing here until she told them her reason for coming; she is here to talk to Panic. The guards nodded their heads in understanding, and told her to follow them. She continued to follow the guards until they stopped at a specific cell. There she saw him the man who caused a great tragedy to happen in front of her very eyes.

“Hey inmate! You got a visitor,” one of the guards shouted.

Panic turned around, and smiled when he saw Twilight was the visitor.

“Hello milady, what can I do for you?” he said semi-mockingly.

“I’m here for some answers,” Twilight said, she was holding back her anger for the sake of not playing into the nightmare’s hands.

“To the point again I see. Very well ask away.”

Twilight was surprised by his willingness to cooperate, but leapt at the chance to get some answers, “Where did you come from?”

“From the Realm of Nightmares my dear. Not your world’s but another world entirely.”

Hearing this caused Twilight to raise an eyebrow but she continued her line of questions, “You said you are a part of the Nightmare Brothers. Who are the other members?”

“There are two other members who are in fact my brothers; your friends have already met them already.”

“What is it do you do exactly?”

“Well since you asked so nicely. I run a carnival in the nightmare realm; if you want I can get you ticks…” Twilight narrowed her eyes as her patience was thining.

“I meant the Nightmare Brothers as a whole!”

“Oh, in that case we serve the big cheese himself; Lord Nightmare. Whatever he say’s we do. It’s simple as that.”

“If that’s true then why did you kill Applebloom? Wasn’t your orders just to foalnap her?”

“Yeah… and we succeeded!”

Twilight looked at him surprise, “Succeeded? But you killed her!”

Panic then started laughing manically while pulling out an orange from his hat

“Heh heh ha ha ha, that’s where you are wrong Twily.”

“Wrong? I saw it with my two eyes!”

“Tch…The answer is in this orange Twily. Here take it,” he said as he pushed an orange through the bars.

Twilight grasped the orange with her magic and looked at it questioningly before putting it in a bag, “Why would an orange answer my question?”

“Heh…you’re a smart girl you’ll figure it out. So…anymore questions?”

“Who’s the next marked one?”

“…Hold on let me consult with ‘myself’ for that one.”

Panic then brought out his palm and started pressing on it as if it was a phone. Once he was done he closed three of his fingers leaving only his thumb and pinky finger. He then brought it to his head and waited as an odd beeping noise starting to come from his hand. The beeping then stopped as Panic started to talk.

“Yeah me? She wants to know who we are taking next…I know hilarious right? So it’s okay? Alrighty then, see you soon,” Panic then pressed the tip of his pinky finger causing it to make a beep sound, “Okay chica listen closely because once I say this I’m gone.”

Twilight was confused at what just transpired in front of her. Even the guards were looking at each other trying to make sense of it. However, if this will help stop the next foalnapping then she has no qualms with it, “Okay I’m all ears.”

“Spike, your assistant, is the next marked one.”

“What!?!” Twilight said shocked.

“Heh heh heh…and the worst part is, they sending Fear for this one.”

“Fear?”

“My younger brother, but oh boy when it comes to brute strength he’s unmatched.”

“What does he look like?”

“You’ll know it’s him the moment you see him. Besides he’s got quite a presence. Oh yeah, before I forget, just because El Gassy Murete has a thick skull doesn’t mean he’s an idiot.”

“El Gassy Murete?”

“Heh heh heh…sorry said too much already, bye now…”

“Wait! Hold on!” Twilight yelled, but it was already too late, Panic burst into smoke cloud leaving his cell empty.

The Guards became alarmed by this and attempted to sound the alarm, but Twilight stopped them, “Wait! Don’t pull the alarm!”

“But the prisoner escaped!” said one guard.

“He’s right we can’t just let him get away!” said the other.

“I’m afraid that’s not the case,” Twilight responded.

Both of the guards looked at her as if she grew another head, “What do you mean?” they said in unison.

“What I mean is that the Panic we had is nothing more than an illusion created by the real one.”

“Wait then that means…”

“Exactly, we never had the real Panic in the first place.”

Twilight then thought back to the orange the fake Panic gave to her, “However, I still like to know how an illusion can give me an orange, and able to interact with the physical world. I should keep this in mind the next time we meet Panic. Now on to a different problem, this orange he gave me. The fake told me that the foalnapping was a success, but what I saw is a different story. I even checked inside the bag…that was something that will permanently scar my mind for years to come; however, considering that Panic has proven his mastery over illusions it would be possible that what I saw was an illusion. But, if that’s true how did he fake the blood?Was it through illusions as well?” Twilight then took the orange out of her bag and examined it, “It looks like any normal orange on the outside…but what about the inside?”

After less than a second an idea popped into Twilight’s head, “Hey can one of you get me a knife?” she asked.

The Guards looked at her confused, “What for?” the first one asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? She wants to cut that orange in half so she can drink its juices, duh,” the other said.

“Oh…Okay then. Wait right there Princess Twilight I’ll get one from the kitchen,” said the first guard who then quickly left Twilight and the other guard to get the knife.

The second guard looked at Twilight with a confused face, “But Princess why do you want to drink the juice of that orange anyway? I mean if you’re thirsty we can give you a drink from the fridge”

“You’ll find out soon.”

No sooner then she said that the first guard came back at lighting speeds, “Here you are princess one knife and a cup, you know for the juice.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said while taking the knife, and cup in her magic. She then proceeded to cut the orange, and as she was cutting it started to ooze red liquid similar to blood, “I knew it!”

“Did that orange just bleed!” said the first guard in surprise.

“It’s a blood orange the juice from this fruit has a color similar to blood. That’s how he did it which means Applebloom is still alive.”

“Wait if the victim isn’t dead does that mean he’s free of all murder charges?” asked the second guard.

However instead of getting an answer Twilight already left to share what she learned to her friends, “I’ll take that as a yes? Maybe?”

/

Applebloom was still confused at the situation she was in, but Paranoia explained everything to her, “So my sister failed to protect me…”

“Unfortunately that would be the case,” Paranoia said with a near monotone voice.

“And I can’t escape from here can I?”

“I advise that you don’t attempt to escape from our estate. If you do you will quickly realize how safer it is in here than out there.”

“So what are you going to do to me?” Applebloom asked with fear.

“Isn’t it obvious milady?”

Applebloom gulped before answering, “Maybe…”

“You can rest easy milady we will not hurt you. As long you do what we say.”

Applebloom was about to ask another question until she heard the sound of dragging chains, “U-Uh what w-was that?” she asked.

“Hmm… it would seem that Fear is getting ready to go to your world.”

“W-Who’s F-Fear?”

“He’s my younger brother, a nightmare with incredible strength able to rival that of a titan.”

“Hold it! He’s that strong!” she said replacing her fear with surprise.

“Unfortunately for your sister he is. However he’s not without a weakness…”

“What would that be?”

“He seems to be always hungry, eating every edible object in the areas we sent him to.”

“Hey that explains why some the apple trees back on the farm were missing apples!”

“Yes that would be his doing.”

Applebloom begun to think about her situation so far, “Okay so I was foalnapped by the crow man’s brother, and crow man told me that I can’t escape either. How I wish I could prove him wrong, but so far I don’t see any possible way I could escape. I guess I’ll just have to wait then.”

“It would be wise that you don’t look for a way out milady,” Paranoia said shocking Applebloom.

“H-How did yah read my…”

“Mind? That’s a question for another night, but right now Lord Nightmare wishes to see you. If you have any further questions I’m sure he’ll answer them.”

“Okay I guess…” Applebloom continued to follow Paranoia, uncertain of what awaits her in this strange place.

/

“WHAT?!?! What do you mean mah sister is still alive?” yelled Applejack.

Twilight recoiled a bit from her friend’s outburst, but quickly regained her composure. Twilight had already explained her findings concerning Applebloom to her friends earning looks of disbelief and uncertainly; however, she didn’t expect Applejack to react the way she did.

“It’s true Applejack, Applebloom is still alive, but that means she is a prisoner of the Nightmare Brothers,” Twilight said.

“That conniving snake played us for suckers! …and now I need to tell Big Macintosh and Granny Smith to cancel the funeral,” Applejack finished her sentence with a face mixed of embarrassment and anger.

An awkward silence lingered around the group for a while. This prompted Pinkie to speak up, “So Twilight, did you get any other information out of that guy?”

“Yes I did, and it’s about the next marked one…but it’s someone close to us again,” Twilight responded as her tone grew depressed.

Her friends immediately became concerned now aware that the next pony to be foalnapped is again somepony they know, “Don’t tell me it’s Sweetie Bell! She still recovering from what happened to Applebloom,” Rarity exclaimed with panic.

“No it isn’t her…” Twilight responded.

“Then just TELL US!” Pinkie Pie yelled earning odd glances from her friends, “What? I can’t handle suspense any longer.”

Twilight looked at each of her friends’ eyes before responding causing them to worry even more, “It’s… Spike.”

As Twilight expected, multiple gasps are made in the room. Her friends became horrified at this revelation knowing how close Spike and her are.

“No way!”

“Those monsters!”

“ Not Spikey-Wikey!”

Twilight couldn’t agree more, but she can’t help but feel terrible that the little dragon she considers family is now in danger. However, the feeling didn’t last long as it was soon replaced with determination, for she will not let the Nightmare Brothers take another; especially not her family.

“We need to tell the Princesses as soon as possible!” Twilight shouted with determination.

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” said a familiar voice.

Everypony in the room put on a look of surprise already knowing the owner of the voice is.

“Princess Celestia!?!”

/

Applebloom grew more uneasy as she continued to follow Paranoia down the hallways of the Mansion. She often heard unnerving sounds of wailing and groaning through the walls, but she continued to put on a brave face despite the situation. After walking for what seemed to be hours Paranoia stopped in front a strange intricate door. Applebloom saw that the door has no doorknob or any visible way of getting in; furthermore, the door seemed to be made of odd clockwork, the same seen in pocket watches. Before she could ask Paranoia about the door he pressed a button on the door making a ringing sound, and before she knew it an eerily calm voice made itself known.

“Yes, what is it?” asked the voice.

“I brought the child milord like you asked,” replied Paranoia, eerily mirroring the calm voice’s tone.

“Good, you may enter Paranoia.”

As the voice finished the door’s clockwork started to come to life. The mechanism continued to turn it gears until finally locking together causing the door to open. What Applebloom saw inside blew her mind. The room inside is immense she saw row upon row of bookcases filled with books she never seen before.

“Just how many books you guys have here?” she asked.

However, Paranoia ignored her and beckoned her to follow him further into the room. Applebloom didn’t say anything else and complied. She continued to follow him through what seemed to be an endless library until stopping at a spiral staircase. Paranoia then turned to her and spoke.

“He awaits you up these steps…” Paranoia said while pointing at the staircase.

Applebloom didn’t respond, but she did look at him for a moment with unseen uneasiness in her eyes before taking a single step on the stairs. However, this didn’t go unnoticed by Paranoia

“I assure you milady there is nothing to fear. I’ll be right behind you if necessary,” he said attempting to ease her fears.

Applebloom nodded her head and continued up the steps with Paranoia following her from behind.

When she finally reached the top of the staircase she was met with an incredible sight. She saw that the new room is just as big as the library below, but only with three giant bookcases lining up against the wall to her left. However, the most striking feature she saw in the room is the skylight which gave a clear view of the starry night sky while illuminating the room with pure moonlight at the same time. She took a few more steps into the room while taking in her surroundings. She saw a bed similar to the one she woke up in the northeast corner of the room; however, it seems to be made for two. Adding to that she also saw many strange things in the room such as a large flat box hanged up in front of couches at the lower southeast corner of the room, and a large gallery of masks on display.

Applebloom continued to look around the room until she spotted a glass door that led to balcony. She saw through the glass a figure looking through a telescope to see the starry sky. Applebloom didn’t know if it was a good idea to bother the figure considering that it seems to be extremely focused on the star lit sky. That is, until Paranoia spoke once again.

“Milord shall I take my leave?” he asked.

The figured stopped in its tracks and stood straight with its back facing them. For a short moment the figure didn’t much else until it took its gloved hand out, and snapped its fingers leaving its hand in the thumbs up position.

Paranoia bowed in response, but before he left he spoke to Applebloom one last time, “This is where I take my leave milady, for I have… ‘business’ to deal with,” he said.

“Wait! You’re just gonna leave me here! How am I gonna get back to my room?” she yelled.

“You’re in his care now milady there isn’t much else I can do unless he asks for it,” he replied still keeping his tone. As he finished he started to sink through floor, surprising Applebloom.

“H-How are you doing t-that?”

“Beings such as I thrive in darkness milady, but I will explain the details later, for now this is goodbye” With this said he fully submerged himself into the darkness of the floor and disappeared from sight.

Applebloom could only stare at the spot where Paranoia once stood surprised that the bird looking man is capable of melting into shadows. However, she brought out of her surprise when she heard another voice next to her.

“Hello Applebloom, please take a seat on the couch and relax, for you are a guest in my abode and I have much to explain to you.”

/

Twilight and her friends were surprised that Celestia herself is right in front of them; however, at the same time they knew it’s something important,“Sorry to drop in unexpectedly, but I need to talk to all of you; its important,” she asked with a small hint of urgency.

Twilight and her friends looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Except for Fluttershy who is still lying on the Hospital bed due to her injured wings.

“Alright, what do you want to tell us?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight, I know your assistant Spike is the next mark one, but I heard from Luna what happened yesterday night. That Applebloom’s foalnapper managed to escape with her while fooling you with his illusions”

Twilight momentarily felt depressed, but shook the feeling away, “I know we underestimated him, but the illusion he left behind gave us a warning on who’s coming to foalnap Spike; Panic’s brother Fear.”

“I know, the prison guards you were with reported it to me”

“Then you should know how he described him, that he has unrivaled physical strength meaning that he doesn’t rely on illusions like his brother.”

“I know, but it also means that he won’t let anything get in his way, and considering what happened to your friend Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Not to mention the Royal Guards I lend you. I need you and your friends to take Spike somewhere out of Ponyville until the night passes, for I am sure that Fear will check your home first.”

“But where do we go?”

Before she could answer however somepony burst into the room.

“Pardon for barging in, but I’m here for a Ms. Fluttershy,” asked the new voice.

They looked at the source of the voice, and found a gray colored stallion wearing a black surgeon outfit, mask, and red tinted goggles. The strangely colored surgeon looked at all of them with a confused look

“Uhh…am I interrupting anything?”

Nopony answered leaving the room in utter silence. Until an out of breath voice broke the silence.

“You… can’t just…barge in…the…patient is resting!” the new voice said.

The surgeon looked behind him and chuckled, “Ah what took you so long Nurse Redheart? I was about to take the patient without you,” the gray stallion said with a humorous tone.

However, Redheart herself didn’t share same enthusiasm as the surgeon when she got into the room, but before she could speak her mind she had to take a moment to catch her breath, “Seriously you can’t just barge in! You don’t even have the authorization to work on the patient!” she yelled.

“And you were just going to tell the patient her wings are officially clipped,” the surgeon said back earning simultaneous gasps in the room.

“Now now before anybody starts bawling and crying. I’ll have you know that I can help your friend fly again; however, this neighsayer says I don’t have the green light to work on her,” he added before slightly chuckling.

“But you don’t!” Redheart said clearly growing angrier as the conversation continued.

“Then what’s this?”

The surgeon pulled a form showing that he has the authorization to operate on Fluttershy earning a look of surprise from Redheart, “H-How did you…”

“I asked and I received since I helped out around here many times, and those times were critically injured patients,” he finished with an unseen smirk.

“Now if you excuse me I have to meet with the patient.”

Nurse Redheart became silent while maintaining a look of disbelief. Twilight and her friends were confused at what transpired between the oddly colored surgeon and Nurse Redheart. Of course during the time they spent here they haven’t seen the gray stallion around here before. However, before Twilight could ask who the stallion is, he was already at Fluttershy’s bed.

“C-Can you really f-fix my wings?” Fluttershy asked slightly nervous from the stallion’s presence.

The surgeon looked at them while moving his goggles upwards revealing his marine blue eyes that glowed like fire, “You don’t have to worry, for I swear on my degree as a surgeon and a doctor that she will fly again!” he replied while pointing his hoof in the air dramatically earning a few sweat drops from the others in the room.

…

“Okay now with that out of my system let’s get you to the operating room Ms. Fluttershy.”

As he finished his sentence he moved his goggles back over his eyes and in one swift motion took Fluttershy from her bed and started carrying her bridal style. Fluttershy immediately yelped in surprise from the Gray stallion’s actions.

“Oh my!”

With another unseen smirk the odd surgeon took off running into the hallway leaving the rest of the ponies in the room dumbfounded at what just transpired. However, Twilight broke the awkward silence by asking a question that everypony except Redheart is thinking about.

“Who was that?”

/

Back in Lord Nightmare’s room, Applebloom recently made herself comfortable on his couch just like Nightmare asked her to do. It wasn’t long until the lord himself joined her while holding two cups; one filled with apple juice and the other filled with a strange purple to black liquid. Applebloom got a glimpse of the Lord himself. He wore a strange black top hat that seems to be decorated to look like a jack-o-lantern’s face. As for his clothes of choice he appears to be wearing a Victorian styled Tailcoat with a few modifications. However, the most striking thing he wore is his mask which appears to be made out of wood and carved into a grotesque face that appeared to be screaming with carvings of chains and two letters N and E etched into it, and some parts of the mask seems to be covered in tape including his left eye leaving only the right eye visible. Overall, despite the mask, his appearance would be best described as a dark gentleman.

“Here you go child,” Nightmare said pushing the apple juice in her direction.

“Uh… thanks?” Applebloom replied taking the cup reluctantly.

“No problem...so what do you want to know?” he asked.

“H-Huh what?” Applebloom said in surprise.

“Heh, I know you desire answers for your predicament, and fortunately I’m the right person to talk to.”

“O-Oh okay…” she said attempting to avoid eye contact with Nightmare as she caught a glimpse of his unsettling shifting eye color.

However, he easily took notice of this and chuckled slightly, “Heh heh heh, relax child I won’t hurt you. Paranoia told you this already.”

Nothing was said for while: therefore, leaving the two in silence and the occasional sound of sipping juice. After a few minutes Applebloom finally spoke, “Just what are you exactly?”

Nightmare smiled underneath his mask, “I never thought you ask. Now where do I start?” he said as he pondered for moment.

“…Ah yes my name. As you already know most beings in this realm refer to me as Lord Nightmare, but that is simply a title passed down from previous leaders of the Nightmare realm. My real name is Fredrick Nightmarewalker or you can simply call me Nightmare it really doesn’t matter to me.”

Applebloom then finally looked at Nightmare in the eyes with a confused look, “Your name’s Fredrick?”

“Or simply Fred by a few,” Fredrick added.

This earned a small bit of laughter from Applebloom, “Fred seriously?” she asked with a small smile on her face.

“Seriously, but then again what kind of name is Applebloom?” he retorted with humor in his voice. The comment quickly caused Applebloom’s smile to turn into a frown.

“Hey, Mah mom and dad gave me that name!” she replied with a bit of anger.

Nightmare couldn’t help but laugh at the young filly’s expense, “Hahahahah…and it’s an fitting name for a young filly such as yourself, but enough about names please ask another question.”

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot ‘bout that. So… why did you have me foalnapped?”

Nightmare didn’t say anything for a moment causing Applebloom to nervously sip her drink in the silence, “…I’ll be honest with you child I have no benefit in keeping you in my home”

“Then why foalnap me?”

“Call it…a cry for help,” Nightmare replied with an unnoticeably depressed tone that went away quickly as it came.

“Who’s help?”

“Tch, you should already know by now who she is, but here’s a hint, she’s friends with your sister.”

“Friends with mah sister? But which one? She has small group of friends!”

“Then I suppose you have to figure that out by yourself.”

Applebloom couldn’t do anything, but complain at Nightmare’s response, “Hey! No fair you said you’ll answer my questions!”

“Sorry but I forgot to mention that I prefer to keep a few secrets to myself”

“…Fine but why are you going this far to get help? Shouldn’t you just ask?”

Nightmare didn’t respond immediately to the question, but instead started to laugh much to Applebloom’s confusion, “Hahahaha…look at me child do I look like the type that should be trusted especially with a mask like this?” he said as he pointed to the mask in question. This caused Applebloom look away for moment while sipping the apple juice.

“That’s… a good point actually even though you don’t seem to be a bad person.”

Nightmare again laughed lightly, “It may not seem like it sure, but it doesn’t mean I’m not a bad person.”

“Wait, are you saying you are a bad guy?!” Applebloom said with surprise.

“I did not say that child, you did. Just like all the beings that live in the dream realm…” Nightmare retorted calmly. However, the mention of the dream realm took hold of Applebloom’s curiosity.

“Dream Realm?”

“Oh don’t act like you don’t know. If there’s a realm of nightmares then there’s a realm of dreams. It’s a simple concept really.”

“Right…but you mention about ‘beings’ living there?”

“Yes...I did. They are called Dream Fairies even though they’re not all fairies by nature.”

“What do yah mean?”

“It’s…complicated to say and I do not want to bore you with the details so let’s move on to a different question shall we?”

As he finished his sentence he reached for his glass filled with a strange black and purple liquid, and to Applebloom’s shock the liquid rose from the glass and spilt into thin streams that poured into the brims of his mask. Once the liquid was gone Nightmare made a satisfied sigh and placed the glass back onto the table.

“Okay…how about telling me what you just drank!?!” Applebloom shouted.

“Oh that? It was blended nightmares, quite refreshing actually.”

“You drink…nightmares?”

“Actually, I think consume would be a better word.”

“Never mind that! I just want to know why you eat your own kind!”

“Why? Let’s just say the letters carved in my mask is not simply for show…”

/

Nurse RedHeart took a deep breath before answering Twilight’s question, “His name is Grey Suture he’s a doctor who happens to pop in here every once in a while sometimes out of nowhere.”

Twilight became puzzled when Redheart mentioned that the surgeon they just met simply pops in the hospital whenever he’s feels like it, “Wait… so he doesn’t work here?”

“No he doesn’t. Matter of fact he doesn’t work in any hospital in equestrian.”

“Then how is he a doctor?”

“I don’t know, but his skill as a doctor is close to perfect. He always knows what wrong with a patient just by looking at them, and when it comes to operating on ponies he’s considered a prodigy for his flawless work.”

Twilight looked at her with eyes of amazement, “That’s incredible! With a reputation like that why he isn’t officially hired?”

Nurse Redheart sighed, “That’s…the problem when we asked him to join us he turned us down and when we asked why he simply said there are others that need my gifts.”

This caught Celestia’s interest, “That pretty noble. I wonder if he would consider working for me and my sister. Should he accept we will allow him to have easy access to the rest of equestrian.”

Nurse Redheart looked at the Princess with surprise, “Your highness you actually want to hire him?”

‘I don’t see anything wrong with it. Unless you know of reasons why I shouldn’t?” Celestia said with a raised brow.

Nurse Redheart nearly froze at the statement, “Err… I should be going I think a doctor needs me. Goodbye!” Redheart said, before leaving the room in a hurry.

“Uh…Princess Celestia? Is there something we should be concerned about?” Twilight asked.

“No the nurse said the doctor is a prodigy when it comes to surgery, so there is nothing to be concerned about,” she replied with a warm smile.

“If you say so,” Twilight said though still confused about topic involving the doctor.

“However let’s get back on topic Twilight before we were interrupted. I believed you were asking me on where to go am I right?”

“Oh right! I almost forgot! So… do you have any ideas where we should go?”

“Actually I do. Remember me and my sister’s old castle?”

“You mean the place where we first got the element’s of harmony?”

“Yes, go and hide there while my sister, the royal guards, and I stall the next foalnapper.”

“Right, because if the next foalnapper doesn’t take Spike before morning comes. Then we win the challenge!”

“Exactly Twilight, now go get ready to leave before nightfall the remaining royal guards will take you and your friends to the old castle and watch over you just in case the foalnapper has a trick like his brother.”

“Okay, you hear that girls get ready to leave!” Twilight shouted.

However Pinkie still had a concern

“Wait a minute! What about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash? She asked.

“Unfortunately due to their condition they must stay here in the hospital to recover from their injuries. But since the foalnapper is going after Spike we shouldn’t have to worry about their safety,” Celestia answered.

“Oh okay then.”

...

It took most of the day for Twilight and her friends to get ready to leave, and small part of it is due to Spike informing Twilight that Owlicous was found passed out in the closet and Twilight informing Spike that he is marked to be foalnapped. This was proven when the same mark was found on his back. They eventually meet up with some of the royal guards Celestia mentioned before taken to the old castle. Although, it’s mostly in ruins now the castle will be their unofficial hideout for the night.

/

While Twilight and her friends put their plan into motion a lone figure was waiting for nightfall to come. The figure was simply sitting legs crossed in dark room staring at the wall. The blank wall which seems to be made out of concrete is being used as a screen for a hidden projector. What was being shown is a countdown before nightfall and the eventual image Spike labeled to the figure as ‘Your Target’.

“Dra…gon…dra…gon…is…Fear’s…prey…”