Inevitable Fate

What felt like mere seconds past when a knock was heard from the door. "Excuse me, it's almost time for your next treatment," A pony called from outside the door. The three mares groaned in disagreement, there was no way an hour had already passed. Begrudgingly they got out, and began to dry themselves.

Vinyl was proclaiming her anger loudly, while she dried off. She was still complaining under her breath as she unlocked the door. They trotted outside with their towels wrapped around their barrels. The spa pony gave a slight nod before trotting a few feet before stopping. In this room you'll receive your face mask and hooficure, they stated before trotting off.

Three spa mares stood next to three chairs, in the seats were three light blue fluffy spa coats. Discarding their towels in the hamper, they trotted over and donned the coats. They took a seat, while the employees gathered the materials to apply the face masks. As the mask was being applied to her face, Sonorous felt her face tingle ever so slightly, it was a unique sensation.

Her face felt like it was being pulled in a dozen different directions. After the masks were applied, the masseuses open some drawers and extracted the files out for their hooficure. Vinyl jerked her forehoof out of the masseuse's grip. The file grating against her hoof was very unusual. Pulling her hoof away, the mare patiently waiting until she was allowed to continue.

Vinyl, her face heating up in embarrassment, slowly extended her hoof. As the grating began again, she took a deep breath to calm down. Octavia was simply enjoying the gentle strokes of the file across her hooves. Opening an eye, she glance at the clock on the wall. It was seven in the afternoon now, with a slight hum she laid her head back against the chair.

The masseuses chatted amongst themselves as they worked. The three companions just relaxed in their seats, listening to their conversation. Just like the jacuzzi, time seemed to fly by, soon the spa ponies were washing their masks off. After drying the water from their faces, they were ushered back into the hall. The same pony that guided them to their previous designations, waited for them.

"If you'll follow me to the next room please," the pony spoke. The four ponies trotted back toward the rear of the building, stopping a couple of doors short from the jacuzzi room. Just like the last couple of times, the guiding pony directed them inside. Nodding as they passed, inside the room were several flat tables. The tables lined both walls and had a sheet over top their cushions.

Masseuses stood by, waiting for the mares to lay down. Removing their robes, they climbed upon the tables and laid on their stomachs. Octavia and Vinyl chose tables on the right side of the room. Sonorous, chose a table directly across from them. When asked why, Sonorous replied that a conversation could be held without having to turn their heads.

Each spa pony stood beside an occupied table, gingerly placing their hooves on their back and gently began to pommel them. Quickly adopting a fast rhythmic pace, a united sigh of comfort filled the room. Octavia, Vinyl, and Sonorous, despite not being tired, fought to keep their eyes open. "This is quite relaxing," Sonorous softly spoke, relishing the message.

"We definitely needed this, I feel awesome!" Vinyl calling out. "Really Vinyl, you should try a more subtle voice, you'll appear less rambunctious," Octavia deadpanned. Vinyl gave a muffled laugh before replying blissfully, "What can I say, I live loud!"

Both Octavia and Vinyl laughed, while Sonorous opted to just enjoying the message. They continued to converse with each other, with the occasional inclusion of Sonorous. Meanwhile Canterlot was treated to the gentle night air wafted through the streets. A crescent moon and stars bathed the city in a silver glow.

Celestia was in her quarters, resting under her covers. Her soft bed cradled her slumbering form, when a knock from her door snapped her awake. Throwing the covers off with her magic, she drowsily bid them entrance. The doors slowly opened and a deep yet gentle voice rung out, "Our apologies sister, we know it's late but a problem forces us to seek your aid," Luna stated.

Luna was the younger alicorn princess of Equestria, sister to Celestia. She casually strolled into Celestia's room, closing the door behind her. Her royal attire was constructed smaller as to not hinder the younger princess. Luna's coat was a dark blue, her mane and tail was an astral sapphire blue with a transparent blue-violet aura surrounding it. Rumor was that her mane and tail, depicted every star within the night sky.

Wearing a crown similar to Celestia, the center spire slightly rose above the outer two. However Luna's crown was an inky black as well as her breast collar which depicted a white crescent moon. Upon her flank depicted a black splotch along with a white crescent moon. Her horn was dark blue, she wore light purple hoof cuffs. Her hoof cuffs had the upper portion of a Fleur-De-Lis design extending up her legs.

Luna's wings were dark blue, with eyes of shaded green teal. Celestia rose from her bed and stepped into her hoof cuffs, that were kicked off hours before. Using her magic, she retrieved her breast collar off its stand. A loud snap was heard, as the collar clamped together around her neck. Yawning, she reached for her crown on the night stand.

"Sister, what has happened," Celestia inquired, strolling up to stand next to her. Luna looked at Celestia before making her unusual report. Beginning at the point when she entered the dream world, where her ears was immediately assaulted by horrific wailing. Running down the Lunar pathway, she soon stopped in front of a door labeled Brier Patch.

Upon entering, Lunar gasped as a horrid sight greeted her eyes. A dozen ponies appeared to be overwhelming a single earth stallion. Upon materializing within his subconscious, Luna quickly dispelled the disturbing scene. All the assailing ponies vanished, leaving a floor splattered with blood along with broken dishes and discarded silverware, also caked in blood.

In the center of all the destruction laid a terrified stallion, curled into a ball. Luna trotted cautiously toward the stallion, stopping when he began to stumble to his hooves. "Is it over, are you here to save me?" he shuddered in fright. Luna nodded, he briefly smiled before fear reappeared on his face. "NO, NO, this can't be right, you're not real, just an illusion!" the stallion frantically yelled.

Luna stood stunned while the stallion stumbled away, blood spurting out of him. "Calm down, we are here to help you," conveyed Luna in a caring voice. To no avail, the stallion continued to push himself against the wall, desperate to escape. Losing her patience, she utilized her Canterlonian Voice, "Cease your panic, your princess demands it!"

This seemed to snap the hysteric stallion into a shaky semblance of sanity. He gazed at the night princess, "It truly is you, isn't it?" "I can't..tell...., HELP..ME!" He called out as his pupils dilated to pin points. "NO! DON'T HURT ME ANYMORE, GO AWAY!" the stallion shouted as insanity consumed him again.

Dropped her head in despair, she faded from his mind. She finished her report in a sad tone. By now Celestia was fully awake, listening intently to her younger sister's report. "I thought that maybe you would be more effective since he thought I was an illusion," Luna stated. "Besides out here maybe we could succeed where I could not,"she added.

Celestia draped her wing over her sister's barrel and assured her that she tried her best. Telling her that within the dream realm, her magic alone functioned. Luna leaned against Celestia, welcoming her comforting warmth. After a couple of minutes, Celestia removed her wing and gave her sister a determined look. Nodded in agreement, they made their way to the holding cells.

Their quick pace brought them to a pair of guards. Behind them was a couple of tall doors, leading to the holding cells. The guards bowed as they approached, "we're here to see Brier Patch," Celestia declared. The two guards opened the doors before stepping aside, bidding the alicorns entrance.

"Down the hall, forth cell on the right,"a guard spoke as they passed by. The sisters trotted down the deserted block, their hoof clops echoed loudly with each step. Finally, they reached Brier Patch's cell, they stopped to stare inside. In the corner of the cell laid a motionless stallion on the stone floor. Celestia cleared her throat, trying to get the stallion's attention.

At first he didn't stir, unsure that he had noticed, she cleared her throat again slightly louder then before. Slowly the stallion began to rise to his hooves, his legs shook uncontrollable as he did so. "Wh...what do you ne...need," the stallion's terrified voice squeaked out. In a gentle voice Celestia called out, "I would like to speak with you."

The stallion's ears flicked up then quickly back down before whispering, "forg....forgive me for n.no...not facing your ma..jest..ty." "That's fine, from what I hear you've had quite the ordeal," Celestia replied. The stallion was silent, his body constantly swayed, as he tried to remain standing. She chose her words carefully, not wanting to upset him.

"Could you please tell us what has happened to you?" Upon hearing this, he collapsed to the floor, hooves firmly on his head. His body shook like leaves in a storm, whimpering at the memory of his personal hell. Again, in a softer voice, Celestia repeated her request. Informing him that they had to know what happened in order to start helping him.

Sobs could now be heard from within the cell, Celestia was unsure of how to proceed. Luna, more experienced with sobbing fillies, uncomfortable traced a circle on the floor. " I know that yo..." she was interrupted as the stallion leaped back to his hooves, he turned violently to face the royal sisters.

Celestia slightly reeled back, not use to seeing such definitive hatred aimed at her. Seeing his tormented face, Luna drooped her head and wings in despair. Anger and malice radiated from him, unable to comprehend why anypony would want him to relive that horror again. Through manic fits, the stallion shouted and ranted the incident that drove him mad.

Hours passed, his tale extended by his stuttering and numerous sobs. Celestia, despite herself, felt her hoof tap impatiently on the stone floor. With a deep breath and a sideways glance from Luna, she doubled her efforts to remain calm. After what seemed an eternity, he stopped, his story not even half told. In a fit that caused him to stumble wildly, he began to run around in circles.

Both Celestia and Luna looked dumbstruck, the frantic stallion ran and shouted. Unable to revive his sanity, the princesses regretfully turned to leave. Luna gave the crazed pony a last empathetic look, before trotting after her. The cell block now echoed with shouts and hoof falls, its sole occupant lost to insanity. Once the doors were closed, Celestia turned to Luna.

Having an idea on what Celestia wanted, she stated that she'd continue the investigation. "Very well Luna, I wish you luck in your endeavor," Celestia spoke as magic weaved up her horn. The guards gave a salute, knowing that the princesses were about to teleport. In a flash, they vanished from the dungeon, to reappear in Celestia's quarters.

Once in the privacy of her room, Celestia give Luna an encouraging nuzzle before trotting to her bed. "Good night sister, we wish you pleasant dreams," Luna called after Celestia. The older sister stopped yet didn't turn around, "be careful, his mental state is very fragile," she spoke lightly.

"We will dear sister," Luna assured her before exiting. As soon as the doors closed, Celestia felt a tear streak down her cheek. Who would impose such a twisted fate upon another, she thought. The sky was bright and clear, the clock in the center of Canterlot revealed that it was nine in the morning. Back in Ponyville, there was a great hustle, several groups of ponies swarmed the station.

Twilight and her friends were among the group, everypony wanted to attend Canterlot's concert. As the train pulled into the station, the crowd moaned upon seeing that a couple of passenger cars were already packed to capacity. The crowd slowly filed into the empty cars, ponies were sitting in the aisles when the benches were gone.

Glancing at the packed platform, the conductor stepped out of the train engine. Making his way to a small building just left of the platform. He trotted into the building and up to the counter where a single pony stood. To the left of the pony sat a small machine known as a telegraph. The conductor cleared his throat to get the telegrapher's attention.

Only when the pony raised his head, did he continue. I need to send some telegrams, several minutes later, he returned to his engine. As soon as the last pony boarded, the passenger car closed its doors as the train continued its trek. The head stewardess, after a quick chat with the conductor, strolled through the cars. Taking a quick glance of the remaining capacity of the passenger cars.

The train chugged along its way as several uneventful hours passed. The clanking of the train wheels against the rails was pounding out a steady rhythm. The door to the conductor's cabin opened, revealing the stewardess. She quickly entered the car, closing the door behind her. "I would guess that a second train will be needed," she spoke in a sweet voice.

With a nod from the conductor, the stewardess left to attend to the passengers. An amused chuckle escaped his lips, a second train hasn't been called for in a very long time. Back in Canterlot, It was business as usual, the incident from yesterday completely forgotten. However unlike yesterday, the streets seem to be over saturated with ponies.

The air felt electric, the influx of ponies as well as natives were excited for the night's concert. Even Celestia felt a slight giddiness as she sipped her tea. Day court was suspended for the day, quite tired of hearing squawking nobles. The sun's position in the sky, told her that it was half past one in the afternoon. Celestia thought about Luna's determination, despite her burning the midnight oil.

As if on cue, a very distraught Luna entered her private studies. Every resource available to her was spent, yet a solution continued to evade her. She trudged slowly across the room, toward Celestia. Her head dropped low, mane covering her eyes. Still staring at the floor, Luna weakly stated that her mental probing of Brier's mind was unsuccessful.

Celestia replaced her cup back upon its saucer and approached. Luna's ears twitched at the sound of hoof falls, they echoed through the room of eerie silence. Her inability to progress the investigation, demolished her confidence. She desperately wished that Celestia would say something, anything to break the uneasy tension.

She was charged to shed light upon this mystery and dig up any clues. Instead all she had accomplished was the acquisition of dark bags under her eyes. Luna began to shake in frustration and self pity, upon seeing this, Celestia leaped to her sister's side. Engulfing her in a blanket of white feathers, she pulled Luna into a hug. A gasp issued from the night princess, the warm loving embrace befuddled her.

"My dearest sister, your best is all I could ask for," cooed Celestia as she tightened her embrace. A tear had escaped during the trepid silence however after hearing those words she broke down. Burying her face into Celestia shoulder, her muffled sobs filled the chamber. The two alicorns stood motionless, wrapped within sisterly love.

After several long minutes, Luna finally lifted her head and found herself staring into Celestia's loving eyes, coherent thoughts beginning to reemerge. How could her sister be so forgiving, she had failed, she thought. She was a Princess of Equestria, the right hoof of Princess Celestia, above all her sister.

Luna's thoughts were interrupted by Celestia's soothing voice, "I know that you stride for perfection, while any short comings you consider a failure." "We muddle through our days, pitfalls littering our path." "Failure isn't when you fall short, it's when you give up on success." Celestia conveyed to Luna.

Her tears began to slow, as she lifted a hoof to wipe her eyes. Luna's once regretful expression morphed into a warm smile. The two sisters retired to the pillows that circled the small table in Celestia's study. Luna felt her spirit brighten after a pleasant chat and a cup of tea. With a yawn she tried to rise however her tired muscles refused.

Tension and internal unrest had nullified any weariness from her mind but now they relentlessly assulted her. Catching sight of this, Celestia trotted over to assist. A dark blue wing quickly enveloped Celestia's barrel for support. With a quick teleport, both princesses were in Luna's sleeping quarters. Moments later, Luna was asleep, snuggled under her covers.

"Sleep well sister," Celestia whispered before exiting the room. She strolled toward the royal library, the case of Brier Patch, still nagging at her. Stopping momentarily to inform a guard that she would like some refreshments. Her cheery mood slightly waned, despite all efforts to the contrary. It seemed that relaxation would evade her once again, as she strolled into the library.

Summoning her magic, she selected several books from the towering shelves. The books slid from their respective place and glided through the air to lay upon a table. A hoofmaiden unicorn entered the library with a platter of tea, cookies, and several slices of cake within her magical grip.

Celestia gave her thanks and motioned toward the table she'd be at. After placing the platter upon the table, the hoofmaiden gave a slight bow, then took her leave. Taking a sip of tea, Celestia opened the closest book, finding any type of solution was gonna be a long trial. At the Canterlot train station, the train pulled into the station.

It's doors opened to allow its numerous passengers to step onto the platform. The post mounted clocks revealed that it was ten past two in the afternoon. The huge crowd almost rivaled the participance of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor's wedding.

Among the crowd was Twilight and her friends, slowly making their way towards the Gentle Hoof Inn. "I'm so glad that we were able to reserve some rooms for us," Twilight mused. "After hearing a portion of that concert three days ago, I wouldn't be surprised if all of Ponyville isn't here," Rainbow dash chimed.

"Indeed, their music...was....SUBLIME,"Rarity swooned. The six companions shook their heads at Rarity's overreaction. The six ponies and baby dragon, strolled through the streets of Canterlot. Marveling at the dramatically increase of Canterlot's populace. After an hour of trotting, the group finally reached their destination.

After visiting the front desk, they headed off to their rooms. Lingering only long enough to drop off their bags. With the concert starting later that night, Rarity's suggestion of sightseeing was a welcomed distraction. Flagging down a couple of carriages, Twilight and her friends made their way to the shopping district of Canterlot.

After a quick stop at a restaurant, they entered the first shop, kicking off their browsing spree. After several hours of visiting shops, they were surprised to spot a trio of familiar mares within an antique shop. The cashier welcoming the group as they entered the shop. Looking through a case of 35MM records was Vinyl.

Octavia was spotted looking at some antique instruments. Off in the back of the store, Sonorous could be seen trotting aimlessly. Octavia was the first to spot the group, she trotted over to greet them. Vinyl soon spotted Octavia and the group of seven. After paying for the records, she trotted over to greet them.