Collision Courseby journcyChaptersI - ApplejackII - Rainbow DashIII - Pinkie PieIV - RarityV - FluttershyVI - Twilight SparkleEpilogue - AlluvionI - Applejack + + This story takes place instead of Season 1 Episode 4, “Applebuck Season.” + + It was Applebuck season. Applejack and Big Mac stood side by side, looking out at Sweet Apple Acres. The latter had bandages all around his middle. They were caught in the middle of an argument. “...Y’ can’t hope to do it all alone.” “Are you sayin’ I’m makin’ promises mah legs can’t keep?” “Eeyup.” “That’s it! I’ll buck the whole Acres, by mahself!” Deciding that the perfect time to start was the present, Applejack began to keep her promise immediately. + + A week of work later... + + “...And so I am pleased to present the winner of the Prize Pony award, Applejack!” The mayor finished her speech with a flourish. The crowd cheered and stomped their hooves in applause. After a few seconds, however, it was apparent that something was amiss—namely, a lack of the award’s winner. “Anypony seen Applejack?” said Twilight Sparkle. “I think I saw her on her way when I flew here,” said Rainbow Dash. “Hmm. I’m surprised she’s late! That’s not like her.” Their conversation was arrested by the arrival of the discussed pony...though she wasn’t acting quite normal. “Hey, y’all,” Applejack slurred, wobbling up to the crowd. “Sorry if’n Ah’m late, Ah got caught up in mah work, y’know how it is...” She continued her unsteady journey up to the stage, where her trophy waited. “Thanks for this...thing.” She took the prize in her mouth, and slowly dragged it offstage. Golden cup in tow, she lumbered messily off back to Sweet Apple Acres. Her friends all had very odd looks on their faces. “Well...” Twilight floated. “The poor dear’s obviously overworked herself!” Rarity exclaimed. “Applejack? Overworked? Not a chance!” Rainbow Dash laughed. “I may be the best athlete in Ponyville, but she comes a close second! No way could she get that tired from something as easy as bucking apples. She was probably just messin’ with us!” “I don’t know, Rainbow...” Fluttershy said, soft as always. “Oh, come on, you guys! You don’t seriously think Applejack has gotten herself overworked?” Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy nodded their heads in sync, Pinkie whipping hers up and down manically. “I’m tellin’ ya. she’s fine! I should know! I am the best athlete in Ponyville, after all.” “If you say so, Rainbow,” Twilight replied. + + Applejack stared at the bottle of painkillers. She had hurt her back left hoof with a poorly-executed buck, and she faced a choice—take something to stop the pain and keep working, or do the smart thing and take care of herself. Do the smart thing and lose the bet... She took twice the normal dosage, dry, and got back to work. + + Three days later... + + Applejack staggered into town, barely focusing on the ground before her. She knew she had to help Rainbow do...something. “Applejack! There you are! Ready to help me with my newest trick?” “Huh- Oh! You bet, RD!” “Okay! See that big ‘ol wooden thing over there?” Dash said, gesturing with her hoof. “Uhmm...” Applejack stared as hard as she could, making out a brown shape. “Yes?” “Well, I’ll stand there, you stand there, and jump down to there...” Dash rambled on, making wild shapes with her hooves and in general expressing her excitement. Applejack lost track of what she was saying, and just stood in place. “Ayyy-Jayyy,” Rainbow said, waving a hoof in front of the pony in question’s eyes. “You there?” “Wh- Yeah! Sure... thing...” “Ooookay,” Dash responded. “Then let’s go!” The next fifteen minutes probably would’ve been rather painful for Applejack had she not been half-unconscious with painkillers. The platform Rainbow Dash had her on was rather high up, though not so high she could hurt herself seriously. She hit her bad hoof several times throughout the process of attempting to stick a landing on the wooden seesaw Dash had rigged up. Unfortunately, when she finally managed it, Dash had gotten off her end, and was standing in front of the large piece of wood. Applejack fell down, the wood swung up, and the next thing Dash knew she was waking up at Nurse Redheart’s with a hairline crack on her jaw and a bad concussion. + + Applejack, after accidentally giving Dash a good one with the seesaw, carried her friend to Redheart. She set her down on the nurse’s doorstep and knocked loudly. After a few seconds, the door opened, and Redheart looked at her and her friend. “What happened?” “Seesaws are hard,” Applejack replied, before abruptly stumbling off. Redheart’s face contained nothing but confusion and concern as she carried the hurt Rainbow Dash inside. + + Five hours later... + + “Aaaaapplejaaaaack!” Pinkie Pie called. “Where is that pony? We were supposed to bake cupcakes today!” She looked at her leg, just above the hoof. “I mean, it’s almost half-past three!” She continued to wander Sweet Apple Acres, looking for her friend. She finally found Applejack snoozing under an apple tree, apples lying on the ground around her. “Applejack! There you are! I know sleeping is fun, but we have baking to do!” She got no response. “Come on, sleepyhead! Wakey-wakey!” The pink pony cried. She shook Applejack vigorously. The farmer refused to budge. “Don’t make me break out the big guns, Applejack!” After waiting a few seconds for a reply, and hearing none forthcoming, she zipped off, and returned with a large water gun. “Water levels: check! Cold levels: check! Power levels-“ She pumped the gun up. “Check! Get ready for this!” She began firing at the sleeping pony. After exhausting the whole water supply to no avail, she began to suspect something was wrong. “Applejack? Wake up! Even Rainbow can’t sleep through my Super Silly Super Chilly Soaker Assault 5000!” Her pleas did nothing to awaken the orange mare. Pinkie fell into full-blown panic, and raced off to find her other friends. + + A cluster of four mares crowded around the bed in which Applejack lay. Rainbow Dash lay in another bed next to the unconscious orange pony. “Nurse Redheart? What’s wrong with her?” Twilight asked worriedly. “She... She seems to have put herself in a coma.” “WHAT?!” The five mares exclaimed in unison. “-How can that have happened?” Twilight cried. “She seems to have been taking excessive amounts of painkillers for a few days at least. Probably because of her hoof,” Redheart replied, gesturing to the hoof she spoke of. “She probably hurt it applebucking, and took the painkillers instead of stopping.” Rainbow groaned, and slammed her head into her pillow. She winced. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice something was up! Applejack was being really weird when she helped me out earlier today. I was too caught up in my trick to pay attention...” “Oh, don’t worry, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said. “It wasn’t your fault.” “I simply knew the dear was overworked!” Rarity said. “We should’ve done something about it sooner, helped her, something! We might have stopped her before she made such bad decisions...” Twilight put on her tough face. “Girls, I know things don’t look good, but I am sure that Applejack will wake up soon. What do you think, Nurse Redheart?” The nurse looked worried. “Honestly? I’m not so sure, Twilight. Many ponies would’ve died from the size dosages she consumed. It was only her exceptional stamina that kept her as she is.” The faces of the five friends fell. “B-but she’ll wake up soon, right? Right?” Sputtered Twilight in response. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.” II - Rainbow Dash + + Three months after Applejack’s incident... + + Rainbow Dash was feeling miserable. She, like the rest of her friends, had slogged on after Applejack fell into her coma. Rainbow was having a harder time than the rest of them, though, namely because she blamed herself viciously for the entire problem. Her friends knew this, and tried to help her with the depression, but to little avail. Dash was dead-set on the idea that she had failed the pony that was one of her best friends in the world, and nothing the other Elements said to her mattered in the slightest. She was presently sitting on her bed, in her house, having finished weather duty for the day. She was content to sit and think about her situation, alone, but her social withdrawal was interrupted by a very loud, very Pinkie shout: “DAAAASHIEEEE!” Dash sighed. She didn’t want her friends to even acknowledge her, but being who they were, they of course refused to do so. During the time she thought just that, Pinkie managed to yell her name twice more. Rainbow figured she should probably see what the pink pony wanted. She walked out her front door, and looked down at the ground. As expected, Pinkie was standing there. Unexpected, however, was the presence of her three other non-comatose friends. “What d’you want, Pinks?” Dash murmured. Pinkie, not hearing her, continued shouting. “HEY DASHIE! COME DOWN HERE AND TALK TO US! WE HAVE A PRESENT!” Of all things, a present was near the end of the list of possible topics of discussion. Moody curiosity invoked, Rainbow flew down to the ground. “Whaddya mean, Pinks? What kind of present? And why?” Rarity answered for her. “Well you see, darling, Fluttershy told us that the Best Young Fliers Competition in Cloudsdale was coming up in a few days. She also told us that she knew you hadn’t signed up. So, we took the liberty of doing so for you!” Pinkie picked back up. “Yeah! Because we all know that you’re a super-completely-totally-amazingly AWESOME flyer! And that even if you’re being sad right now, you’d be even MORE sad if you didn’t get a chance to fly in the competition! So you better start training, Dashie!” The pegasus stood stock-still, emotions rushing through and over her. Her friends had put her into Best Young Fliers. They believed she could do it. They wanted her to do it. A weak grin cracked her face. “Wow... You guys. Thank you. I... You’re right, Pinkie. I would’ve been even more depressed if I didn’t get a shot at the Best Young Fliers Competition. Thanks for getting me to do this. All of you!” “Oh... It’s... Really, nothing...” Fluttershy said. “Pleasepleaseplease don’t be mad at me!” “Mad? Fluttershy, I’m grateful! Thanks for telling the others.” “We’re just glad to see you happy again, Rainbow,” Twilight finally spoke up. Dash’s grin grew a little wider. “All of you, get out of here! I have training to do!” + + The day of the event... + + Dash was confident. She had spent ten days training relentlessly, and even if she had been cramming, she knew her routine like the back of her hoof. She also knew it was bound to impress. Regaining a more normal schedule in the training had performed the double effect of giving her back some of her characteristic bravado. Rainbow and Fluttershy had gone to Cloudsdale, and Dash’s friends had surprised her in the balloon. She had a scary moment when Pinkie jumped out, but upon learning about the cloudwalking spell Twilight had found in the library, she was overjoyed--her friends would get to watch her performance! She was now showing them around Cloudsdale, and they were all in awe of the floating city. All except for Rarity, that is. She was more obsessed with the butterfly-esque wings that Twilight had conjured for her before the purple unicorn found the cloudwalking spell. Rarity had been showing off the wings the whole trip, but Dash was trying not to mind. She knew all about showing off. Her confidence took a bit of a nose dive, however, when Rarity decided she would enter the competition as well. “Rarity, are you sure about this?” Twilight questioned. The five of them were standing in the signup lobby for the event. “Why, of course! How could I not enter, with these beautiful things on my back? It would be a crime, I say! A crime!” “I don’t know, Rarity...” Fluttershy said. “I mean, don’t you want to cheer on Dash with us?” “Nonsense! Dash doesn’t need me to cheer her on! Do you, Rainbow Dash?” She swung dramatically towards the pony in question. “No! Of course not. I will enter the competition!” Rainbow groaned internally, but she didn’t say anything. Let Rarity compete. It wasn’t as if she would win... Right? Sure, her wings were amazing, but Dash had trained to the point of perfection! Some pretty magic couldn’t beat her raw talent... Or so the blue pegasus tried to convince herself. But doubt had wormed its way into her skull. Doubt that was there to stay. + + Forty minutes into the competition... + + Dash had started as the third competitor, but through a combination of stealth and stealing other ponies’ numbers, she had managed to work herself into last place. Rarity had similar results, but with a different tack. She had to apply makeup or something, so she had simply delayed herself. There were only a few more pegasi in front of the duo, and Dash was officially freaking out. After a few minutes, the ponies in front of her had gone, and it was now Rainbow Dash’s turn. In the same moment, however, Rarity emerged from her dressing room, covered in makeup and a voluminous dress. She looked akin to some exotic insect, which Dash, had she cared to think of it, probably would’ve decided complemented her wings quite well. “Rarity is here!” The fashionista exclaimed. “Well that’s great, filly, but there’s only one slot left in the competition! Last time I checked, there were two of you!” The mare in charge of the scheduling retorted. Undaunted, however, Rarity looked to her friend. “Dash, darling, do you want to perform together?” The rainbow-maned pegasus felt her stomach drop, but not in the good flying-really-fast-just-did-a-dive way. In the oh-Celestia-something-horrible-is-happening way. The stress of the day catching up to her, she looked at Rarity, panic in her eyes, as thought after negative thought flashed through her conscious. What if she didn’t pull it off? What if she failed her friends? She had already failed Applejack, and look what became of that failure! She was in a coma! What if she ran into Rarity, or what if she screwed up during her routine and all the work she and her friends had put in went to waste, or what if, or what if, or what if... All this paining forethought flew through her head in a depressingly small number of seconds. She was left staring at the pony that was more or less the source of her problem, and she came to a decision. “You go, Rarity.” The white unicorn looked as though she was going to object, but she wasn’t given the time. “Okay! Jeez, I need somepony out there! If you’re going, lady, then get out there!” Dash watched as Rarity flew out into the Cloudiseum, remorse plastered all over her face. The Rainbow curled up into a ball and forced her thoughts to stop. She stayed like that for a minute or two, listening to the comforting sound of classical music, not thinking, until she heard the roar of the crowd--and then a scream. It’s probably some rabid fan, she thought. But then she heard the voice of Spitfire yell, “Wonderbolts! Let’s go!” She was curious at this point, and a little scared. She walked slowly to the view of the Cloudiseum, and found her fears justified. She watched as the Wonderbolts dived after a wingless Rarity, who fell screaming. She watched as said Wonderbolts were knocked apparently unconscious by the flailing hooves of the very unicorn they were trying to save. And she watched the small wisps of mane she could see out of the corners of her eyes rush out of her vision as she dived with everything she had after her plummeting friend. As she flew towards the four falling ponies, she noticed what seemed to be a Mach cone building up around her. If the situation had been less life-or-death, she probably would’ve squealed with delight. The only disappointment during her training was that she had been unable to replicate the Sonic Rainboom, a legendary move she had managed to accomplish during a fillyhood race. And now she was on the threshold of pulling it off. After a few seconds, she did just that, rocketing forward like somepony had shot her from a mid-air cannon. A massive explosion of rainbow cascaded from where she had broken the sound barrier. She prepared herself for a sudden turn as she neared her target. Reaching the population of plummeting ponies, she actually succeeded at grabbing all four of them and making a ridiculously-angled turn, shooting them back up towards the sky. That was when she noticed a problem. Several. Rarity was apparently screaming her thanks into her ear, but she could hear nothing, not even the wind that should’ve been whistling past them. Her wings felt like they were on fire--not like after a good and strenuous workout, but as if they had actually been held to a candle for a few minutes. Or hours, she wasn’t sure of the flammability of pegasus wings. Her heart was thundering, which she would’ve discounted as simply adrenaline and exertion, except the pattern was all wrong. And then she started coughing up blood. Mid-flight. Dash had, by this point, reached the Cloudiseum, and she landed, releasing the four ponies on and around her onto the cloud floor. Twilight reacted with a quick cloudwalking spell for Rarity, and the white unicorn immediately ran over to the others. Rarity had noticed something wrong with Rainbow Dash, the blood being a rather obvious clue. As she screamed this at the others, they all ran over the woozy blue pegasus. She collapsed, and the entire Cloudiseum went into an uproar. Medic-ponies managed to get to them, and Rainbow Dash was placed on a stretcher and taken expediently to Cloudsdale General. + + A few hours later... + + Four ponies sat in a room, around a hospital bed. Again. And much, much too soon for any of their likings. Dash was the pony in the bed, and the four around her were the other Elements of Harmony. But there was nothing hooked up to the blue pegasus, no life-stabilizing machines, no heart rate monitor, no IV. Because Rainbow Dash was already dead. Twilight recalled the doctor’s explanation: performing the Sonic Rainboom had simply done too much damage to Rainbow’s system. She shouldn’t have been able to work as hard as she did. While Dash had been practicing for around ten days, she had been stressed, and before that she had been basically sedentary for almost three months. Even in her top physical condition she might not have been able to pull off a Rainboom. When Twilight told the doctor about how Dash claimed to have done it in her fillyhood, he simply said that sometimes younger ponies can do things older ones can’t. Dash did more than any pegasus, any pony at all, should’ve been able to do--and taken the toll for it. Rarity and the Wonderbolts were saved, but their savior wasn’t so lucky. And so the four remaining Elements sat. And they cried. And they prepared to face a world with one less friend. III - Pinkie Pie + + One month after the death of Rainbow Dash... + + Pinkie Pie stared up at her ceiling, brushing a bit of her perfectly straight mane out of her eyes. She was stuck in a loop, and she didn’t like it at all. She just didn’t see how to get out of the loop. Her trouble was, she had lost a friend, and that was all she could think about. She knew Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy were in similar positions. She hadn’t thrown a party in a whole month! She just didn’t see anything to party about. It had been bad when Applejack fell into her coma, but Dashie was gone. Forever. It was the one thing she didn’t want to think about, and it was all she could think about. Dash was gone. Dash was gone. That was the loop Pinkie was stuck in, the loop she has been stuck in for a month. She had talked to her friends, but it hadn’t helped. She had baked all sorts of delicious things, but it hadn’t helped. She had done her best to sing, but it hadn’t helped. The two things she hadn’t done were throw a party... Or smile. That wasn’t to say she was glum all the time. She didn’t just mope around Sugarcube Corner, baking cupcakes and singing half-heartedly to herself. She didn’t not go outside, except when one of her remaining friends came and got her first. She didn’t cry herself to sleep. Oh, wait. Yes she did. + + Later that day... + + Pinkie had made her way downstairs for the day, which generally took at least an hour. She’d wake up, sit on her bed, and be sad, until she finally worked up the courage to let the Cakes know she still existed. She had made good time today; she was downstairs after only fifty minutes of listless staring. As she walked over to the counter with none of her old chipper bounce, she let out a sigh. Another day of trying to convince herself to be happy. Another day of trying not to cry in the dough. Pinkie sighed for all she was worth. Today, though she didn’t know it, was actually destined to be far different from the past thirty-odd ones she had spent in her current demeanor. She began to catch on to the oddities in store for her when, from the other room, she caught a glimpse of Twilight Sparkle at the counter. She was talking with Mrs. Cake, who was working the register, but Pinkie couldn’t hear a word over the sound of the blender as she put together an icing for a special-order cake. However, as she was done with her blending, the lack of machinery directly in her face allowed her to hear the close of the conversation going on between Twilight and Mrs. Cake. “...Remember, don’t tell Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie froze, bowl in hoof. What wasn’t she allowed to know about? She moved closer to the main room of the store, looking out, only to see Twilight leaving the store with what looked like a white box on her back. She considered racing after her, but it would probably only scare her off—after all, the meaning of the package was forbidden knowledge. In order to continue her surveillance, Pinkie instead shot back up into her room. She peeked out the window, and watched as Twilight walked off, looking rather suspicious, with what was definitely a white box on her back. Why would Twilight want a cake? Pinkie wondered. + + Pinkie stalked Twilight through Ponyville, keeping mostly to the rooftops. The perambulating purple pony moved through town towards Carousel Boutique. Upon reaching the door, she knocked. Rarity stuck her head out of the upper half of the door, and, seeing Twilight and the box, levitated the white cube into her dwelling. The door then slammed, and Twilight walked off, occasionally glancing from side to side, as she had been doing the whole time. None of this odd activity cleared up anything for Pinkie Pie. She decided that sticking around the Boutique wouldn’t get her anywhere, so she continued her trailing of Twilight. + + Hmm... Pinkie pondered suspiciously. It had been around an hour since she had started following Twilight, and so far things had just gotten foggier for her. Twilight had gone back to her library for about fifteen minutes, before exiting the massive tree with a burlap sack slung over her side. She had then walked to the edge of Ponyville, where she had given the sack to Fluttershy. Pinkie had decided to follow the yellow pegasus, as she was clearly the next step of whatever the plan it seemed all of her friends were in on. Fluttershy had gone to Sweet Apple Acres, where she had put the sack in the barn and flown off again. Pinkie remained at the barn, trying to get in—unsuccessfully. It seemed Fluttershy had locked the door somehow. She was just about to leave when Rarity showed up with the white box Twilight had gotten from Sugarcube Corner earlier, which she stored quietly in the barn, as Fluttershy had not ten minutes earlier. Rarity left, and Pinkie followed, with nothing better to do. Rarity merely returned to Carousel Boutique, going inside without a backwards glance. Pinkie then decided to return to her home, and so she sat in the back room, baking once more. Well, they were certainly putting something together, Pinkie said to herself. But what? Pinkie Pie came to a conclusion. Depressed though she was, Pinkie knew the makings of a party. She had sat thinking for a good long time, and she knew what a pony did with a cake a bag full of things and some sneaking around. They set up a surprise party. And she decided she was willing to bet that if she was still following her friends around out there, she would see Twilight levitating a carefully disguised bowl of punch, and Fluttershy carrying baskets that, if the viewer knew the contents, could be seen as picnic baskets full of food. That Rarity would be carrying yet another burlap sack, to complete the party decorations. The decorations... “Inside Applejack's barn,” Pinkie hissed to herself. She suddenly saw what her friends were doing. They were going to throw a party celebrating the tragedies that had occurred, Applejack's coma, Dash's— “No!” She cried. “My friends are just as sad as I am. Right?” ...Right? But the thought had wormed its way into her brain, and she spent the next three hours of monotonous baking contemplating every single way it fit her situation permanently. The secrecy—they knew she wouldn't approve. Throwing the party in the barn—what better way to show off Applejack's absence? Many reasons far more bizarre occurred to Pinkie, driving her towards an inevitable end she didn't want to meet. However, things are inevitable for a reason. At precisely five forty-two in the afternoon, Pinkie Pie finally snapped. She leaped up, and, with a look of cold fury, ran off to the barn of Sweet Apple Acres. Eighteen minutes later, Rarity showed up at Sugarcube Corner looking for the pink mare. However, when she was nowhere to be found, Rarity began to think something was amiss. She met Twilight and Fluttershy outside the barn, and they went inside, little knowing that the pony they were searching for had already forced her way in... + + The door creaked open. Twilight lit the lamps, and the three friends gazed around at the party they had so painstakingly put together. Even through all their effort, it still fell short of one of Pinkie's usual shindigs—however, they knew that Pinkie was in no state to organize a party. Suddenly, shocking the three mares standing in the middle of the barn, Pinkie leaped down from the rafters of the barn. “Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy said. “Hello, girls,” Pinkie snarled. “My, Pinkie! Whatever are you doing here? I just went to get you from Sugarcube Corner, but-” “But I wasn't there,” Pinkie said, interrupting Rarity, her tone not dropping its anger. Twilight glanced at Rarity and Fluttershy. Pinkie was acting very strange, and she didn't think it meant anything good. “Are you all right, Pinkie?” Twilight asked. “Oh, yeah, I'm just fine. It's not like my three so-called best friends aren't throwing a party celebrating how my other friends are hurt and gone!” “W-what?!” Twilight sputtered, deeply confused. “No! Pinkie! Don't you remember? This is your b-” “No!” Pinkie screamed at them. “No! You aren’t going to do this! I won’t let you!” She galloped over to the nearest table and bucked it over. Her friends simply gaped at her as she set about violently dismantling their party spread, screaming bloody murder at them the whole time. As Pinkie forcefully collapsed a stray box with a hoof, Twilight snapped out of her daze. “Pinkie! Stop!” “No! You aren’t having this party, Twilight! I won’t let you!” Pinkie screamed back, her voice now hoarse. “But why, darling?” Rarity asked. “Because you can’t do this to them!” Pinkie roared. She had all but finished her hooves-on demolition job. All that remained was a single wooden table. Deep in her fury, she raised her hind legs up over the table, and with one smooth motion and all the force of her rage behind her, brought her hooves down on the poor thing. It really wasn’t the most sturdy table; it was rather shoddy construction, and it was an old thing. Its weaknesses combined with Pinkie’s anger-driven muscle high resulted in the table shattering into splinters and other bits of wood. The shrapnel flew everywhere, some embedding themselves in their creator’s body. The speechless Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy were left unharmed. Pinkie cried out in pain, and, finished her self-bestowed destruction duties, ran from the library. Ran from Ponyville. Ran from her three friends. Her three remaining, shocked, scared, tired friends. “But... Pinkie Pie... It's your birthday...” Twilight whispered. And so the third bearer was lost. IV - Rarity + + Two days after Pinkie’s party-gone-wrong… + + Rarity lay on her couch, thinking of better times. Times when a party for Pinkie would’ve been set up by five ponies, not three. Times when that party wouldn’t have ended as soon as it had begun, the guest of honor destroying the setting and running out of Ponyville. Times when the ponies chasing her would have found her. Rarity sighed. She, Twilight and Fluttershy had done their best to intercept the speeding Pinkie Pie, but to no avail. That pony always was good at hide and seek. She could pop out of anywhere… And so her friends had stood no chance of catching her. Pinkie Pie was, for all intents and purposes, gone forever, unless she decided to come back, which seemed very unlikely to Rarity. Pinkie had been furious, and she clearly hadn’t been in her right mind when she had destroyed the party. Without her friends, what would be there to bring her back…? Suddenly, she heard a hoof knocking against the front door of her boutique. “Rarity! It’s Twilight and Fluttershy! I’ve received a message from Princess Celestia!” A message from the Princess? Rarity climbed to her hooves and walked to the door, opening it with her magic. “What about, dear?” She murmured. “She- She wants us to come to Canterlot. To stay in the palace. She thinks it might help us with…with what’s happened,” Twilight answered. Rarity’s ears perked just a bit at that. “Stay in the palace? Why… Why that does sound nice… Though, who will run my boutique? I can’t just let it be closed for however long we’re away. And what about the library, or Fluttershy’s animals?” She said, gesturing to the yellow pegasus that had so far remained silent. “She says she’ll be sending down some ponies to take care of all that. She doesn’t intend to keep us for too long, only a week or two. Just…long enough to talk to us.” “Well, that sounds workable enough—Fluttershy! What do you think?” “Oh…well, I’ll miss my cottage, but Princess Celestia said it was okay to bring Angel Bunny with me…though I’ll miss my other animals friends too…but I think it sounds like a good idea, especially since the Princess suggested it…” “And I assume you wish to go as well, Twilight?” “Of course, I’d hate to turn down an invitation from the Princess! I also might be able to visit my brother, Shining Ar-“ “You have a brother?” “Yes, he’s Captain of the Royal Guard. Have I really not mentioned him to you girls? We’ve been best friends ever since we were young…In fact, Shining Armor was my only friend before I met you f-“ Twilight’s voice caught in her throat. She suddenly looked down. Fluttershy had a mildly pained expression, and Rarity felt the way her friend looked, though she didn’t show it. Rarity coughed. “Well, he sounds like quite a nice stallion, I hope you get to see him. When do we leave for Canterlot?” Twilight looked back up again, clearing her throat. “Oh, well, Princess Celestia’s letter said she would send a chariot to pick us up if I asked… Does that mean you want to come along?” “Of course, darling.” “Then I’ll have Spike send the letter immediately.” + + A few hours later, the trio plus Spike, who had plopped himself in the chariot and resolutely refused to say a word, even after countless offerings of gems and other things, arrived in the royal capital of Equestria. Due to the smaller size of the chariot, Rarity had been forced to leave the majority of her packing behind, but the ride, she felt, had been worth it. It reminded her of her time with wings, and she had been content to dwell in the mild happiness until her head made the connection between the wings and Rainbow Dash, after which she returned to the misery that was a more common state of mind these days. Upon landing, the four were escorted to one of the towers of Canterlot Castle. They each had their own room, except Spike, who wasn’t expected and slept with Twilight as-per-usual. Rarity admired the little dragon for his unwillingness to be left behind, though when she thought about it she wondered why that was. It wasn’t like Spike wasn’t feeling the pain they all were… Rarity suddenly found herself pondering the question of why Princess Celestia hadn’t invited him in the first place. However, she wasn’t given long to think, as the Princess herself showed up soon enough to welcome them and tell them that she would be dining in an hour, and that they were all invited. A small part of Rarity, at the thought of dining with the Princess, was bouncing like Pinkie Pie—and then reality came rushing back once more, and she was left feeling almost worse than ever. She put on one of the three outfits she had managed to cram into her bags, and soon enough the four of them had to depart for the main dining hall. Twilight led them through the vast halls of the castle, describing various events, both personal and historical, that had occurred within. They arrived just on time, taking seats at the end of the long table, near Princess Celestia. Twilight began talking to the Princess, playing catch-up, discussing her studies, and generally doing her best to stop the room from becoming silent. Spike swiftly devoured everything put in front of him. Fluttershy murmured to Angel, though it looked more like he was comforting her. Rarity sat, alone without actually being alone, picking at her food. After a time, Princess Celestia brought the discussion to the entire table. “My little ponies. How have you been?” Fluttershy jumped a bit, surprised at being addressed. “Um… Well… I’ve… Um… I’ve been taking care of my animals, and… They’ve been… Very nice… I’ve been… Okay…” “And you, Rarity?” “I have lived on, Princess. Allow me to leave it at that.” The Princess sighed. “I suppose not much more can be expected from ponies who have lost three of their best friends. I hope the time you spend here will help you.” Everypony spoke of their positive expectations. + + The next day, Fluttershy and Rarity were wandering Canterlot. Twilight and Spike had stayed behind to do some R&R&R (Rest & Relaxation Research). Rarity had had to prod Fluttershy incessantly to get her to come along, and she was proud she had managed it. The two ponies had gotten some food at one of the many fancy cafés that dotted the city, and they were now looking around the shopping district, which composed about a third of Canterlot. Neither had purchased anything, but Rarity had several times been very tempted. They were presently standing outside of the third scarf store of the day, and Rarity was staring at an absolutely beautiful scarf in the window display. Fluttershy was standing very quietly by her side, not quite sure what was taking so long. After a while, Rarity finally shook off her stupor and went inside the shop, Fluttershy tailing her. She bought the scarf, but upon walking out found Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. She turned to go back into the store, but in her confusion accidentally ran into another pony walking by. When she got up and looked at the pony, her mouth dropped. “F-F-F-Fancypants?!” “Oh! Hello! Ever so sorry for bumping into you, my dear!” “N-not at all! I apologize, it was my bad.” “Nonsense, nonsense. Now, dear, what’s your name?” “Rarity,” Rarity said, peering around Fancypants into the scarf shop she had just left. “I seem to have lost a friend in Miss Droopington’s Scarf Emporium.” “Ah, lovely shop, Droopington’s. I believe I own a few stocks there myself—whom are you looking for?” “Oh, my friend Fluttershy. We’re staying up in Canterlot Castle-“ “The Castle, indeed?” “Oh, yes, Princess Celestia invited us-“ “And on the Princess’s invitation, no less? Well, well, well…” Fancypants said. “I’m dreadfully sorry I’ve held you up, Mr. Fancypants, but I must find my friend, she’s awfully shy, and-“ “I’m not sorry to be held up! What say, young lady, I happen to be having a party tonight—a costume party—would you and your friend like to attend?” “Oh! My! Well, ah, yes!, yes of course! We’ll be there! Thank you ever so much! Now I really must go, dear Fluttershy is probably lost in the Emporium—“ “Of course, of course. Go on and find your friend. I’ll see you tonight, Rarity!” + + “Well, Fluttershy? Would you be willing to attend with me? It would mean the world…” “Of- of course, Rarity. I’d…love to…” “Oh, excellent! Thank you so much, Fluttershy! Now, we’d better start getting ready—I want our costumes must be exquisite!” The pair had returned to the Castle, Rarity having rescued Fluttershy from the depths of Miss Droopington’s. She had also bought a good supply of fabrics, which she was just now beginning to use in the frantic creation of costumes. None of the outfits she had brought would be any good, and Fluttershy hadn’t brought any clothing at all. Actually, Rarity was the only pony who packed anything beyond saddlebags. She dived into the costumes, knowing that this would be an excellent chance to impress important ponies. + + One successful costume party later… + + “Oh, Fluttershy, that was wonderful! They loved us! Thank you so much!” “Of course… Anything, Rarity…” They had just gotten back from the party. Everypony had adored Rarity’s work, a dragon costume for herself and a cat costume for Fluttershy. They had both been invited to countless more social events, but Rarity had noticed the cringing Fluttershy and done her best to narrow the invitations down to just herself. A voice at the back of her head was telling Rarity that she should be spending her time in Canterlot with her friends, not random high-society ponies, but she ignored it. + + Five days of high-society events later… + + Rarity lay on her bed, much the way she had been doing the fateful day Twilight and Fluttershy had come to tell her she was invited to Canterlot. She pondered how far she had come in just a few simple days. Just a few simple days, and she was the pony everypony in Canterlot wanted to know. She sat up, floating her planner into view. A new shop opening in… She checked the time. Half an hour. She had best get going. She donned an outfit she had managed to throw together amidst the chaos that had been her week. Rarity was just walking out the door of her room when Twilight intercepted her. “Rarity! Going out again?” “Oh, yes! I am simply the talk of the town—I’ve been invited to the opening of a horseshoe store in half—oh, my, only twenty minutes now—I had best get going! Goodbye, Twilight!~” Rarity tried to walk past her friend. However, Twilight stopped her with an outstretched forearm. “I’m worried about you, Rarity,” Twilight said. “What?” “You’ve changed so fast—and you’ve barely been talking to Fluttershy and me…” “Changed? Whatever do you mean, darling? I haven’t changed at all!” Rarity cried. “Yes, you have. Quite frankly, before you came to Canterlot, you were depressed. Now, you’re chipper as ever… Maybe more so. It doesn’t seem…healthy,” Twilight responded. “Well! I’m sorry if my enjoyment of getting into the higher circles has offended you, but I certainly don’t see a reason why I ought to stop going to these events! I’m living my dream!” Rarity retorted. “It’s not that I’m offended, Rarity… I just want you to be okay. You seem like you’re…burying your troubles.” “Burying my-well, I never! Twilight, darling, surely you know me better than that!” “Rarity, I know that we’re all sad about what happened to AJ, and Dash, and Pinkie…” “Just because these terrible things have happened, does not mean we have to sit around feeling mopey! If I was doing so before, it was because I couldn’t see what I was missing—!” “Rarity…” “Twilight, dear, I promise you, I am completely fine. I’m not just ignoring what has happened to our friends…” “I don’t know Rarity. I don’t know if that’s true,” Twilight said, frowning. “What must I do to make you believe me?” Rarity said, exasperated. “I would really like it if you’d stay here, with us. We can do something, together, all three of us.” “B-“ “Please, Rarity?” “I’m not sure, Twilight. I… I really must attend this opening… Arctic Waters would be devastated…” “Arctic Waters? Really, Rarity? What about us? Your friends?” “Are—are you suggesting that the high-society ponies I know aren’t my friends?” “Wh—Yes! Yes, I am, Rarity! They aren’t! That’s us! Fluttershy! Me! And Pinkie Pie, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash! Y’know, the pony you ought to be grieving?” Twilight knew the moment the words left her mouth they should never have even been thought up, let alone vocalized, but it was already too late. “H-how dare you, Twilight! You’re wrong! They are friends! And obviously better ones than you—they’ve never said anything as horrible as that to me! I see how it is! Yes, that really does put things in perspective! Goodbye, Twilight! Say goodbye to Fluttershy and Spike, and give my regards to the Princess—because I certainly won’t be returning here!” With that, Rarity stormed out the door, leaving Twilight standing stock-still, uncomprehending. What had she just done? She turned around to call out to Rarity, to stop her, to apologize, to make her see that she was wrong, that Twilight was her friend—but the other unicorn was already gone. Twilight ran to the stairs, and saw nothing. She raced down them, to the foyer and the main door—nothing. She slammed the door open and raced outside, frantically looking up and down the street. Nothing. “No! No, no, no! What have I done?! Not again! It’s just like Pinkie Pie…” Twilight fell to the ground, crying, sobbing. “Rarity! I’m so sorry! Please, come back… “Come back…” But the fourth Element of Harmony was already gone. V - Fluttershy + + Immediately. + + “Twilight, what’s wrong?” Fluttershy said, rushing out into the street after her friend. “R-Rarity… I… I made her leave,” Twilight sobbed. “What?” “I… I said… I said horrible things to her, Fluttershy! And she’s gone, and she isn’t going to come back, and it’s all my fault!” “Now, now, I’m sure that’s not true…” Fluttershy consoled. “It is! I… I said she didn’t care about Applejack! Or Pinkie Pie! Or Dash!” Twilight cried. “Wh-“ Fluttershy began, but Twilight cut her off. “I said she wasn’t mourning and that she was pushing away her feelings and that she needed to spend more time with us and that she cared more about those high society ponies and events and she left and it’s my fault!” By now, a crowd had begun to form around the two ponies, drawn by Twilight’s wailing. “Lady, are you alright?” A random stallion asked. Twilight turned towards the sound of his voice, suddenly mortified to be sobbing in the middle of the street in Canterlot, of all places. She instinctually teleported herself and Fluttershy back into their rooms. She then summarily broke back down into hysterics. “Fluttershy, Fluttershy, what do we do? It’s just you and me now… And… And…” She seemed unsure as to where she had been taking the sentence. “And?” Fluttershy nudged her. “And I don’t know how this could have happened!” Twilight let loose one final cry of sorrow, and collapsed on her bed, covering her head with her hooves. Fluttershy was torn. Part of her wanted to run off after Rarity and find her, and bring her back. Part of her wanted to join Twilight in crying. Part of her wanted to just catch the next train home to her animal friends. And part of her… Part of her… Part of her was mad. Mad! Mad at Rarity for running off. Mad at Twilight for apparently causing the situation. And even beyond that… Mad at Applejack for being so stubborn. Mad at Dash for not being smarter. Mad at Pinkie Pie for reacting so awfully to what was meant to be something so lovely… Fluttershy was shocked. She had never been mad at anypony like this before. Hay, she had never been mad at anything like this before! Hay, she had never been mad like this before! She didn’t know what to do. Should she say—of course not. Why would she say anything? She- They were her friends… But they had done so much… Yes, but they were her friends! They deserved her kindness, and nothing less! Everypony did! Everything did! Every living thing deserved kindness! But they had done so much… “F-Fluttershy?” Twilight said, looking up at her. Fluttershy had been standing stock still, a terrified look in her eyes. “Are you okay?” Fluttershy suddenly collapsed onto the ground. Twilight jumped up to help her, but when she reached out a hoof Fluttershy sprang up just as suddenly as she had fallen and hissed at Twilight. The purple pony recoiled. “Wha… What? Fluttershy, what are you doing?” Twilight asked, utterly dumbfounded. “I’ve been nice enough, Twilight!” Fluttershy spat at her. She fixed Twilight with a glare. “And I’ve been nice for far too long! I’ve let you ponies push me around, and I’ve let you all hurt me! Well, enough is enough! Maybe Rarity was onto something when she stormed out of here, because you clearly aren’t worth staying for!” Twilight was, at this point, cowering back on her bed under the full power of Fluttershy’s Stare. “M-Me?” Twilight managed to sputter. “Yes, you! But let me tell you something, Twilight—Rarity might’ve been onto something, but I’m not following in her hoofsteps! No, I’m going to stay right here and tell you what’s what, so you had better get comfortable!” Fluttershy was screaming at this point. Twilight had the same look of terror in her eyes that Fluttershy had had in hers not moments ago. Fluttershy opened her mouth to start yelling again, blinking, and Twilight, freed from the Stare for just a moment, teleported away. + + “Princess! Princess Celestia!” Twilight cried, charging into the main hall of Canterlot Castle. She had teleported to her old castle suite out of instinct, and it had taken her just a few minutes to gallop to the hall. She came in to find the Princess looking up from some noble she had been speaking with. “Twilight Sparkle! Whatever is the matter?” Princess Celestia replied, just a hint of worry on the edge of her otherwise calm and collected tone. “It’s… It’s Fluttershy and Rarity! Rarity’s gone and Fluttershy… Something’s really, really wrong, Princess! She… She started shouting at me… And… And…” “Fluttershy was shouting at you?” Princess Celestia said, unable to process the idea. “Y-Yes!” Twilight said, tears beginning to form at the edges of her eyes. “It was awful!” Celestia looked down to the noble—Twilight didn’t recognize him—and asked him to please leave, she would finish discussing the matter later. He swiftly retreated, not wanting to be caught up in the drama. “Now, Twilight,” the Princess said, “Please, tell me what happened. Twilight, beginning to sob at the retelling, informed Princess Celestia of what had happened with Rarity, and what had happened with Fluttershy—or rather, what was happening with Fluttershy. The face of the Princess became more and more contorted with worry as the story went on. “…And—and now I’m here!” Twilight finished, now crying full-on once again. “Yes… Yes, you are, my little pony…” Princess Celestia said, walking to Twilight and putting a wing over her. “You’re here, Twilight. You’re with me. It will all be all right.” + + Twilight wept on the Princess Celestia’s shoulder. The Princess knew that they had to get to Fluttershy as soon as possible… …And it wasn’t possible right now. This, the Princess knew as well, was something that had to change. “Twilight. I’m sorry. But we have to talk to Fluttershy. We can’t let her get any worse. Come,” Princess Celestia said, her voice strong once more. Twilight Sparkle looked up at her Princess. “Of—Of course, Princess,” she said meekly, doing her best to dry her tears. The two of them walked, side by side, out of the Great Hall of Canterlot Castle. + + The two of them approached the tower. As they came closer, Princess Celestia noticed something odd—the door appeared crooked. Upon reaching the tower, she realized it was much more than crooked, it was completely off its hinges! This was her first warning. “Twilight, are you prepared to face Fluttershy again?” “I… I think I can—with you, Princess.” That will have to be enough, Princess Celestia thought to herself. The two of them walked, side by side, into the foyer of the tower. Then up the stairs. Then into Twilight’s room. Then into Fluttershy’s room. Then into all the other rooms in the tower. And found no one. Not Fluttershy. Not anyone. The fifth Element, like the others, was gone. VI - Twilight Sparkle + + … + + A very small filly. A very tall Princess. A very dark night. A very bright flash. A very short friendship. But one so, so worth it… + + Immediately. + + “No, no, no, no, no!” Twilight screamed, racing around the tower one more time, looking in every closet, under every bed, searching for any sign of the yellow pegasus they were pursuing. “She can’t be gone! Not her, too! It can’t be just me! I can’t be the last pony left!” “Twilight…” Celestia murmured. “Where could she have gone?! Why did she go?! She said she was going to stay! She said she was going to stay!” “Twilight,” Celestia said, more forcefully. “Fluttershy! Fluttershy!” “Twilight!” Celestia said, raising her voice just a bit. Twilight froze, and then snapped around to look at Celestia. “Y-Yes, Princess?” “Stop, Twilight. Fluttershy is gone.” “I… I know, Princess. I know.” + + One week later. + + Twilight awoke to a knock on her door and a letter under it. She climbed blearily out of her bed and stumbled across the room, picking the letter up in her mouth upon reaching the door. Sometimes it was just too early for magic. She broke the seal on the scroll and put it on the desk in the room. It was a small, rectangular room; it was the room she had been staying in for the past week. Celestia hadn’t wanted her to go back to Ponyville all by herself, and Twilight hadn’t wanted to leave. This suite was far from the old one, but even though she had left the place itself, she hadn’t left her misery behind. Twilight read the letter. It was short, but she would hardly call it sweet. Dear Twilight, I’m afraid I must leave Canterlot. A situation has arisen with the zebras, and my presence is needed. Princess Luna received notice last night, and I learned of the problem when I raised the sun this morning. I regret my inability to say goodbye, but I hope you will be okay even during my absence. If you feel you need someone to talk to, perhaps you would consult my sister? I am sure she could be helpful. Princess Celestia. Twilight was at a loss. The Princess had… left? Left her? Of course not, a voice in her head echoed sternly. She has to deal with whatever is going on with the zebras. She can’t stay here in Canterlot just to comfort you, not when there’s a problem somewhere else. You aren’t more important than all the other ponies in Equestria. But it was a quiet voice, and Twilight was so lost that she didn’t listen. All she took from the paper in front of her was that her last support was leaving her. Was that she had driven Princess Celestia away… Twilight looked over to Spike, sleeping in a basket at the foot of the bed. Of course there was Spike. But he was still young, and he was taking the loss of her friends—their friends—just as hard as she was. He had his own burden to bear, and she couldn’t go to him for solace. No, that was Princess Celestia, and now she was gone. + + A pony lay in a bed, sleeping. A pony lay in a grave, cold. A pony lay in a forest, weeping. A pony lay in a room, controlled. A pony lay in an alley, enraged. And a pony walked through a palace, forlorn. + + The next day… + + Twilight sat in the palace library, reading. It was all she had done since she had gotten the letter notifying her of Celestia’s absence. She wasn’t sure what Spike was up to. Sometimes he brought her a book. Sometimes she didn’t see him for hours. + + In a garden, a statue cracked As the straw that broke the camel’s back Tumbled down from out of the blue And even though it was seen by few In a garden, cracks broken anew. + + The next day… + + Twilight had learned some things from her reading. Nothing of real importance. The history of Griffon politics in relation to Equestria, abridged. How to make a good rose sandwich. A story about an old god… Nothing of real importance. Some of it she wasn’t learning at all, some of it she already knew. + + Something from long, long ago Something only a story Something only a ghost Something broke free One fateful night Something evil Something… …of a fright. + + The next day…or was it? + + Twilight woke up to the sun shining through one window, and the moon shining through another. Needless to say, she was confused. “Wha… What’s…” she sputtered, glancing at the astral bodies that never, ever shared the sky. “But that’s impossible! Spike! What is going on?” However, when she looked down to the bed her number one assistant had been sleeping so soundly in, she found no one. That was when Twilight finally ousted from her bed, and began running to the throne room. She arrived not long after, only to find the place deserted. The same had been true for all the halls of the palace—as far as she could tell, she was the only pony in the palace. She shivered at the thought. Where did everypony go? The palace staff numbered in the thousands! It wasn’t like they could all… Just… Disappear… Twilight’s thought processes slowed as she began to perceive a cackling echoing throughout the halls of the massive room she was presently standing in. “Who’s there? Where is everypony?” She cried. She got no response; the cackling grew louder. Twilight continued to yell into the empty air, hoping desperately for a response. Soon enough, she got one. “Oh hel-lo,” a voice said, interrupting the cackling that had grown disturbingly loud, and sounding quite like it in fact. “Who do we have here?” “My- My name is Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “Oh, well, I already knew that. It was really more of a rhetorical question. To set the mood, you see? Ah, but never mind. I know who you are, but I doubt you know who I am,” the voice said. “No… I don’t think I do. For that matter, where are you? Are you invisible?” Twilight wondered. “Something like that, it’s none of your concern. Now, as to my identity—I am Discord! Lord-“ “-Of chaos!” Twilight interrupted. “So you have heard of me…” Discord drawled. “I wouldn’t have, if you had asked me just a few days ago. I read about you during a study session I was having the other day to-“ Twilight cut herself off. “Yes?” Discord said. “N-nothing,” Twilight said, drawing back. “Oh, but not nothing. No, I think something indeed. Yes… A little pony, missing her friends, perhaps?” Discord said, malice suddenly evident in his voice. “How do you know about my friends?” Twilight said, suddenly angry. “Just because I was locked in a statue for the past few thousand years doesn’t mean I was blind… And one doesn’t tend to forget the ponies who let him out of prison, especially if those ponies are also the Elements of Harmony.” Suddenly, a form began to fade in in front of Twilight. It was a strange-looking being, a mismatched cobbled-together sort of thing. All its body parts seemed to come from different animals. Twilight remembered the description of Discord she had read—not to mention the name for what he was. “A draconequus,” she murmured. “The draconequus,” Discord replied snarkily. “I made this form myself; don’t demean me by attempting to attach it to a species.” “Err- sorry? I think…” Twilight said. “You should be. Now. Since all the strife between you and your little friends broke me free of my prison, I suppose I should be thanking you!” Discord suddenly popped in front of her, shaking her hoof vigorously. Twilight shook free and took a few more steps back. “No? Ah, well. Would you like to see what I’ve done with my newfound freedom?” Discord snapped his tail. The next thing Twilight new, the two of them were floating above Canterlot. Twilight screamed, surprised. Discord just chuckled. Twilight regained her composure, breathing deeply. She figured Discord must be supporting them somehow—he seemed to have some sort of magical powers, and the story she had read called him the God of Chaos, which had to count for something. She looked around. And screamed again. The mountain Canterlot rested on and against seemed to now be made out of…candy? In fact, the entire palace was also apparently made of candy. Not to mention the sun and the moon both being in the sky at the same time. And the pink clouds in the sky. And… She peered down. She saw ponies in Canterlot, but they looked rather odd. She couldn’t recognize any normal colors—instead, they all seemed to be sort of grey. “What did you do to them, Discord?” Twilight said. “Oh, just… Mixed things up a bit. Took away that harmony you ponies find so precious. I don’t see why, chaos is so much better!” “Uh-huh. Could you put us down, please?” Discord did as she asked. However, he did so by stopping his support of either of them, and allowing them to plummet towards the cold stone far below. Twilight was screaming again. Around fifty feet off the ground, they were both suddenly wearing parachutes that opened and slowed them with what could only be magical speed. Twilight sighed in relief. “Oh come on, Twilight!” Discord said. “Do you really think I would be so cruel?” Twilight just gave him a look. She had definitively decided that she should do her best to get rid of Discord as soon as possible, though she had no idea how she would do so. She figured her best bet would be to contact the Princesses, since the Elements would be… Suddenly, she was crying again. “What did you do with the Princesses? And what about Spike?” Twilight said, her voice harsh. “Me? Nothing! All I did was put up a little bubble around Equestria… What Celestia doesn’t know can’t hurt her…” Discord replied, his voice sing-song. “As to your dragon friend… I believe he is doing his best knight impression down in the armory.” “What about Luna?” “Luna… I may have stuck her in a box,” Discord said, giggling. “I’m sure she’ll be fine, if she ever finds her way out.” Twilight didn’t have time to contemplate this apparent failure of logic, (and of course doing so would’ve been futile; Discord wasn’t the God of Chaos for nothing) as the ground was rushing up to meet her. She landed soft enough. Discord, on the other hand, simply popped out of his parachute and reappeared next to her. “Now, Twilight, that our little tour is over, I’m afraid I have Chaos to attend to!” Discord vanished again, not reappearing. + + Twilight had made her way back to the castle library, determined to find a way to lock Discord back up. She thought she remembered reading something about a counter-spell in the story about him; she resolved to find the book. However, that task proved easier said than done by a wide margin. Upon arriving in the library, she found the floor had become an ocean, and the books were now sitting on sand castles instead of bookcases. She conjured a boat, and began to row out amongst the shelves. Despite the delays caused by the floor/ocean, she had managed to find the book without all too much ado. She located the entry on Discord. She located the spell, and even what seemed to be general casting instructions. What she did not locate, however, was what the spell did. It was titled “The Failsafe Spell,” and all that was said about effects was that it could be used against Discord’s Chaos magic. Twilight decided it would have to do. She turned her boat around and began the journey back to the door. + + Twilight Sparkle was exhausted. She had been searching Canterlot for Discord all day…night, whatever, and to no avail. After about the third hour she had begun to think he was hiding from her deliberately. He was, in fact. She had considered doing a test-cast of the Failsafe Spell, to make sure it would actually be of use, but at she hadn’t wanted to cast it in fear of it using too much magic. Now, ready to drop to the ground and pass out from running around all day, she wasn’t sure she had enough energy to lift a pebble, let alone cast advanced magic. She had seen many ponies throughout her trek, but like Discord had foreshadowed, they were acting quite strange, and she had felt it wise to not interfere. She had almost thought she’d seen a flash of yellow and pink, or a streak of white and purple, but she knew it was probably her imagination—not to mention that any…others…would’ve probably been greyed out like all the other ponies. Twilight finally decided to give up. Even if she found Discord, which seemed unlikely, she doubted she would’ve been able to put up much of a fight. + + She woke up on the hard ground, aching. She had passed out on the ground after all, figuring there wasn’t much to worry about from Discord, or anypony. She felt a bit better, though sleeping on the stone hadn’t done her many favors. At least she ought to be able to cast the Failsafe Spell. + + Finders keepers Losers weepers Hiding creature Lone seeker Break cover For another? They don’t call me Chaos for nothing… + + “You know what, Twilight?” Discord said. Twilight started. She had continued the search for Discord, having woken up. “Discord?” “Who else?” Said the draconequus, appearing behind her. She spun around at the popping noise. “I’ve had a change of heart. I’m going to stop hiding from you—though it was so entertaining watching you tire yourself out like that looking for me. And on top of that, I’ll even give you a friend!” “What do you-“ Twilight began, but was cut off the sudden appearance of… Fluttershy. Twilight instinctively reared back from the yellow pegasus, who had appeared behind Discord. She was her normal colors; apparently Discord had decided not to curse her. “Fluttershy?” Twilight whispered. “Oh! Twilight!” Fluttershy said, in a normal voice. “What a coincidence. What are you doing in Canterlot?” “Wh-what?” Twilight sputtered. “Oh, so sorry,” Discord crooned. “I forgot to mention—this Fluttershy is an illusion. I doubt you’d want the real one anyway; after all, she didn’t exactly leave on…good terms.” He grinned. “But maybe you’d like to see what she’s up to?” “N-“ Twilight tried to exclaim, but Discord had already snapped his fingers. A vision of Fluttershy appeared before her. She was in the palace gardens, stalking through a row of…cages? Twilight stared in shock. Fluttershy had apparently decided to lock up all the animals in the garden! And worst of all… Aside from some scrapes and patches of mud, her mane and coat were as vibrant as ever. “Oh, Fluttershy,” Twilight murmured, feeling her eyes prick with tears for her lost friend. “What an adorable scene!” Discord exclaimed. “Maybe you’d like to see some of your other friends?” “No!” Twilight cut in before Discord worked his magic this time. “No more distractions. I’ve found you, now I have something I need to do.” “Ah, yes, the Failsafe Spell,” Discord said, smirking. “I must admit, it has been quite effective against me in the past.” “Quiet! Can’t you see I’m trying to concentrate?” “Oh! Yes, of course. I’m not going to be the one to interfere with my own downfall.” However, as Twilight readied herself, she began to hear whispers in her ears. They sounded like Discord… But they also sounded like her friends. Pinkie Pie, weeping with rage. Applejack, asking her why she hadn’t paid more attention. Rarity, wondering how she could be such an utterly poor friend. Rainbow Dash, telling her that she should’ve grabbed Rarity with her telekinesis. Fluttershy, screaming at her, demanding Twilight tell her how she could’ve let Rarity go so easily, and how she could’ve been so uncaring. Twilight began to sweat. She was still channeling magic. In the sky above them, a storm began to form, the clouds almost black. Her horn began to glow brightly, like when she had vanquished the Ursa Minor. Discord pulled out sunglasses and stuck them on his face, just watching her. The voices continued, growing harsher. “Stop it! Stop it!” Twilight cried, her own voice thick with the strain of the spell and the mental attack she was being bombarded with. Discord merely shrugged, pantomiming that he was saying nothing. A faint light began to shine from Twilight’s eyes. The voices of her friends were all around her now. She was hearing them with her ears at this point—the vicious comments, the shouts of how none of them should have ever become somepony as worthless as Twilight Sparkle’s friend, the agony. Twilight was weeping. All of a sudden, something snapped. “I WILL FIX THIS!” Twilight screamed. Her eyes poured white light and she was hovering a few inches above the ground. Discord was laughing madly. The sky cracked open, and rain began to come down in torrents, lightning flashing violently, and thunder cracking as if the mountain was splitting— + + Twilight Sparkle woke up. She glanced blearily around her bedroom, shuttering. It had all been a dream. She thought of her five best friends. Applejack hadn’t hurt herself Applebucking, she just became overworked. Rainbow Dash won the Best Young Flier’s Competition, completing her Sonic Rainboom and saving both Rarity and the Wonderbolts. Pinkie Pie had snapped right back into being her cheerful self once she realized her friends were just trying to give her a surprise. Rarity, despite getting sucked into Canterlot culture, had come back to her friends when she had been forced to make the choice. Fluttershy had been rather unpleasant during her stint with Iron Will’s teaching, but she had toned herself down and come out of the experience a stronger mare. And yet… + + Far above the town of Ponyville, and indeed, all of Equestria, a storm still raged. Quite close, and yet in some ways the farthest away anything can ever be from anything else. Little did Twilight know, the rain had not stopped. And the flood was just beginning. + + The End. Epilogue - Alluvion + + It was the day after the dream that the rain started. An unrelenting, unforgiving rain. Just like... Some tragedies cannot be averted. That does not mean they cannot be remedied. But first we must return to our reality. First we must wake up. + +
I - Applejack + + This story takes place instead of Season 1 Episode 4, “Applebuck Season.” + + It was Applebuck season. Applejack and Big Mac stood side by side, looking out at Sweet Apple Acres. The latter had bandages all around his middle. They were caught in the middle of an argument. “...Y’ can’t hope to do it all alone.” “Are you sayin’ I’m makin’ promises mah legs can’t keep?” “Eeyup.” “That’s it! I’ll buck the whole Acres, by mahself!” Deciding that the perfect time to start was the present, Applejack began to keep her promise immediately. + + A week of work later... + + “...And so I am pleased to present the winner of the Prize Pony award, Applejack!” The mayor finished her speech with a flourish. The crowd cheered and stomped their hooves in applause. After a few seconds, however, it was apparent that something was amiss—namely, a lack of the award’s winner. “Anypony seen Applejack?” said Twilight Sparkle. “I think I saw her on her way when I flew here,” said Rainbow Dash. “Hmm. I’m surprised she’s late! That’s not like her.” Their conversation was arrested by the arrival of the discussed pony...though she wasn’t acting quite normal. “Hey, y’all,” Applejack slurred, wobbling up to the crowd. “Sorry if’n Ah’m late, Ah got caught up in mah work, y’know how it is...” She continued her unsteady journey up to the stage, where her trophy waited. “Thanks for this...thing.” She took the prize in her mouth, and slowly dragged it offstage. Golden cup in tow, she lumbered messily off back to Sweet Apple Acres. Her friends all had very odd looks on their faces. “Well...” Twilight floated. “The poor dear’s obviously overworked herself!” Rarity exclaimed. “Applejack? Overworked? Not a chance!” Rainbow Dash laughed. “I may be the best athlete in Ponyville, but she comes a close second! No way could she get that tired from something as easy as bucking apples. She was probably just messin’ with us!” “I don’t know, Rainbow...” Fluttershy said, soft as always. “Oh, come on, you guys! You don’t seriously think Applejack has gotten herself overworked?” Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy nodded their heads in sync, Pinkie whipping hers up and down manically. “I’m tellin’ ya. she’s fine! I should know! I am the best athlete in Ponyville, after all.” “If you say so, Rainbow,” Twilight replied. + + Applejack stared at the bottle of painkillers. She had hurt her back left hoof with a poorly-executed buck, and she faced a choice—take something to stop the pain and keep working, or do the smart thing and take care of herself. Do the smart thing and lose the bet... She took twice the normal dosage, dry, and got back to work. + + Three days later... + + Applejack staggered into town, barely focusing on the ground before her. She knew she had to help Rainbow do...something. “Applejack! There you are! Ready to help me with my newest trick?” “Huh- Oh! You bet, RD!” “Okay! See that big ‘ol wooden thing over there?” Dash said, gesturing with her hoof. “Uhmm...” Applejack stared as hard as she could, making out a brown shape. “Yes?” “Well, I’ll stand there, you stand there, and jump down to there...” Dash rambled on, making wild shapes with her hooves and in general expressing her excitement. Applejack lost track of what she was saying, and just stood in place. “Ayyy-Jayyy,” Rainbow said, waving a hoof in front of the pony in question’s eyes. “You there?” “Wh- Yeah! Sure... thing...” “Ooookay,” Dash responded. “Then let’s go!” The next fifteen minutes probably would’ve been rather painful for Applejack had she not been half-unconscious with painkillers. The platform Rainbow Dash had her on was rather high up, though not so high she could hurt herself seriously. She hit her bad hoof several times throughout the process of attempting to stick a landing on the wooden seesaw Dash had rigged up. Unfortunately, when she finally managed it, Dash had gotten off her end, and was standing in front of the large piece of wood. Applejack fell down, the wood swung up, and the next thing Dash knew she was waking up at Nurse Redheart’s with a hairline crack on her jaw and a bad concussion. + + Applejack, after accidentally giving Dash a good one with the seesaw, carried her friend to Redheart. She set her down on the nurse’s doorstep and knocked loudly. After a few seconds, the door opened, and Redheart looked at her and her friend. “What happened?” “Seesaws are hard,” Applejack replied, before abruptly stumbling off. Redheart’s face contained nothing but confusion and concern as she carried the hurt Rainbow Dash inside. + + Five hours later... + + “Aaaaapplejaaaaack!” Pinkie Pie called. “Where is that pony? We were supposed to bake cupcakes today!” She looked at her leg, just above the hoof. “I mean, it’s almost half-past three!” She continued to wander Sweet Apple Acres, looking for her friend. She finally found Applejack snoozing under an apple tree, apples lying on the ground around her. “Applejack! There you are! I know sleeping is fun, but we have baking to do!” She got no response. “Come on, sleepyhead! Wakey-wakey!” The pink pony cried. She shook Applejack vigorously. The farmer refused to budge. “Don’t make me break out the big guns, Applejack!” After waiting a few seconds for a reply, and hearing none forthcoming, she zipped off, and returned with a large water gun. “Water levels: check! Cold levels: check! Power levels-“ She pumped the gun up. “Check! Get ready for this!” She began firing at the sleeping pony. After exhausting the whole water supply to no avail, she began to suspect something was wrong. “Applejack? Wake up! Even Rainbow can’t sleep through my Super Silly Super Chilly Soaker Assault 5000!” Her pleas did nothing to awaken the orange mare. Pinkie fell into full-blown panic, and raced off to find her other friends. + + A cluster of four mares crowded around the bed in which Applejack lay. Rainbow Dash lay in another bed next to the unconscious orange pony. “Nurse Redheart? What’s wrong with her?” Twilight asked worriedly. “She... She seems to have put herself in a coma.” “WHAT?!” The five mares exclaimed in unison. “-How can that have happened?” Twilight cried. “She seems to have been taking excessive amounts of painkillers for a few days at least. Probably because of her hoof,” Redheart replied, gesturing to the hoof she spoke of. “She probably hurt it applebucking, and took the painkillers instead of stopping.” Rainbow groaned, and slammed her head into her pillow. She winced. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice something was up! Applejack was being really weird when she helped me out earlier today. I was too caught up in my trick to pay attention...” “Oh, don’t worry, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said. “It wasn’t your fault.” “I simply knew the dear was overworked!” Rarity said. “We should’ve done something about it sooner, helped her, something! We might have stopped her before she made such bad decisions...” Twilight put on her tough face. “Girls, I know things don’t look good, but I am sure that Applejack will wake up soon. What do you think, Nurse Redheart?” The nurse looked worried. “Honestly? I’m not so sure, Twilight. Many ponies would’ve died from the size dosages she consumed. It was only her exceptional stamina that kept her as she is.” The faces of the five friends fell. “B-but she’ll wake up soon, right? Right?” Sputtered Twilight in response. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
II - Rainbow Dash + + Three months after Applejack’s incident... + + Rainbow Dash was feeling miserable. She, like the rest of her friends, had slogged on after Applejack fell into her coma. Rainbow was having a harder time than the rest of them, though, namely because she blamed herself viciously for the entire problem. Her friends knew this, and tried to help her with the depression, but to little avail. Dash was dead-set on the idea that she had failed the pony that was one of her best friends in the world, and nothing the other Elements said to her mattered in the slightest. She was presently sitting on her bed, in her house, having finished weather duty for the day. She was content to sit and think about her situation, alone, but her social withdrawal was interrupted by a very loud, very Pinkie shout: “DAAAASHIEEEE!” Dash sighed. She didn’t want her friends to even acknowledge her, but being who they were, they of course refused to do so. During the time she thought just that, Pinkie managed to yell her name twice more. Rainbow figured she should probably see what the pink pony wanted. She walked out her front door, and looked down at the ground. As expected, Pinkie was standing there. Unexpected, however, was the presence of her three other non-comatose friends. “What d’you want, Pinks?” Dash murmured. Pinkie, not hearing her, continued shouting. “HEY DASHIE! COME DOWN HERE AND TALK TO US! WE HAVE A PRESENT!” Of all things, a present was near the end of the list of possible topics of discussion. Moody curiosity invoked, Rainbow flew down to the ground. “Whaddya mean, Pinks? What kind of present? And why?” Rarity answered for her. “Well you see, darling, Fluttershy told us that the Best Young Fliers Competition in Cloudsdale was coming up in a few days. She also told us that she knew you hadn’t signed up. So, we took the liberty of doing so for you!” Pinkie picked back up. “Yeah! Because we all know that you’re a super-completely-totally-amazingly AWESOME flyer! And that even if you’re being sad right now, you’d be even MORE sad if you didn’t get a chance to fly in the competition! So you better start training, Dashie!” The pegasus stood stock-still, emotions rushing through and over her. Her friends had put her into Best Young Fliers. They believed she could do it. They wanted her to do it. A weak grin cracked her face. “Wow... You guys. Thank you. I... You’re right, Pinkie. I would’ve been even more depressed if I didn’t get a shot at the Best Young Fliers Competition. Thanks for getting me to do this. All of you!” “Oh... It’s... Really, nothing...” Fluttershy said. “Pleasepleaseplease don’t be mad at me!” “Mad? Fluttershy, I’m grateful! Thanks for telling the others.” “We’re just glad to see you happy again, Rainbow,” Twilight finally spoke up. Dash’s grin grew a little wider. “All of you, get out of here! I have training to do!” + + The day of the event... + + Dash was confident. She had spent ten days training relentlessly, and even if she had been cramming, she knew her routine like the back of her hoof. She also knew it was bound to impress. Regaining a more normal schedule in the training had performed the double effect of giving her back some of her characteristic bravado. Rainbow and Fluttershy had gone to Cloudsdale, and Dash’s friends had surprised her in the balloon. She had a scary moment when Pinkie jumped out, but upon learning about the cloudwalking spell Twilight had found in the library, she was overjoyed--her friends would get to watch her performance! She was now showing them around Cloudsdale, and they were all in awe of the floating city. All except for Rarity, that is. She was more obsessed with the butterfly-esque wings that Twilight had conjured for her before the purple unicorn found the cloudwalking spell. Rarity had been showing off the wings the whole trip, but Dash was trying not to mind. She knew all about showing off. Her confidence took a bit of a nose dive, however, when Rarity decided she would enter the competition as well. “Rarity, are you sure about this?” Twilight questioned. The five of them were standing in the signup lobby for the event. “Why, of course! How could I not enter, with these beautiful things on my back? It would be a crime, I say! A crime!” “I don’t know, Rarity...” Fluttershy said. “I mean, don’t you want to cheer on Dash with us?” “Nonsense! Dash doesn’t need me to cheer her on! Do you, Rainbow Dash?” She swung dramatically towards the pony in question. “No! Of course not. I will enter the competition!” Rainbow groaned internally, but she didn’t say anything. Let Rarity compete. It wasn’t as if she would win... Right? Sure, her wings were amazing, but Dash had trained to the point of perfection! Some pretty magic couldn’t beat her raw talent... Or so the blue pegasus tried to convince herself. But doubt had wormed its way into her skull. Doubt that was there to stay. + + Forty minutes into the competition... + + Dash had started as the third competitor, but through a combination of stealth and stealing other ponies’ numbers, she had managed to work herself into last place. Rarity had similar results, but with a different tack. She had to apply makeup or something, so she had simply delayed herself. There were only a few more pegasi in front of the duo, and Dash was officially freaking out. After a few minutes, the ponies in front of her had gone, and it was now Rainbow Dash’s turn. In the same moment, however, Rarity emerged from her dressing room, covered in makeup and a voluminous dress. She looked akin to some exotic insect, which Dash, had she cared to think of it, probably would’ve decided complemented her wings quite well. “Rarity is here!” The fashionista exclaimed. “Well that’s great, filly, but there’s only one slot left in the competition! Last time I checked, there were two of you!” The mare in charge of the scheduling retorted. Undaunted, however, Rarity looked to her friend. “Dash, darling, do you want to perform together?” The rainbow-maned pegasus felt her stomach drop, but not in the good flying-really-fast-just-did-a-dive way. In the oh-Celestia-something-horrible-is-happening way. The stress of the day catching up to her, she looked at Rarity, panic in her eyes, as thought after negative thought flashed through her conscious. What if she didn’t pull it off? What if she failed her friends? She had already failed Applejack, and look what became of that failure! She was in a coma! What if she ran into Rarity, or what if she screwed up during her routine and all the work she and her friends had put in went to waste, or what if, or what if, or what if... All this paining forethought flew through her head in a depressingly small number of seconds. She was left staring at the pony that was more or less the source of her problem, and she came to a decision. “You go, Rarity.” The white unicorn looked as though she was going to object, but she wasn’t given the time. “Okay! Jeez, I need somepony out there! If you’re going, lady, then get out there!” Dash watched as Rarity flew out into the Cloudiseum, remorse plastered all over her face. The Rainbow curled up into a ball and forced her thoughts to stop. She stayed like that for a minute or two, listening to the comforting sound of classical music, not thinking, until she heard the roar of the crowd--and then a scream. It’s probably some rabid fan, she thought. But then she heard the voice of Spitfire yell, “Wonderbolts! Let’s go!” She was curious at this point, and a little scared. She walked slowly to the view of the Cloudiseum, and found her fears justified. She watched as the Wonderbolts dived after a wingless Rarity, who fell screaming. She watched as said Wonderbolts were knocked apparently unconscious by the flailing hooves of the very unicorn they were trying to save. And she watched the small wisps of mane she could see out of the corners of her eyes rush out of her vision as she dived with everything she had after her plummeting friend. As she flew towards the four falling ponies, she noticed what seemed to be a Mach cone building up around her. If the situation had been less life-or-death, she probably would’ve squealed with delight. The only disappointment during her training was that she had been unable to replicate the Sonic Rainboom, a legendary move she had managed to accomplish during a fillyhood race. And now she was on the threshold of pulling it off. After a few seconds, she did just that, rocketing forward like somepony had shot her from a mid-air cannon. A massive explosion of rainbow cascaded from where she had broken the sound barrier. She prepared herself for a sudden turn as she neared her target. Reaching the population of plummeting ponies, she actually succeeded at grabbing all four of them and making a ridiculously-angled turn, shooting them back up towards the sky. That was when she noticed a problem. Several. Rarity was apparently screaming her thanks into her ear, but she could hear nothing, not even the wind that should’ve been whistling past them. Her wings felt like they were on fire--not like after a good and strenuous workout, but as if they had actually been held to a candle for a few minutes. Or hours, she wasn’t sure of the flammability of pegasus wings. Her heart was thundering, which she would’ve discounted as simply adrenaline and exertion, except the pattern was all wrong. And then she started coughing up blood. Mid-flight. Dash had, by this point, reached the Cloudiseum, and she landed, releasing the four ponies on and around her onto the cloud floor. Twilight reacted with a quick cloudwalking spell for Rarity, and the white unicorn immediately ran over to the others. Rarity had noticed something wrong with Rainbow Dash, the blood being a rather obvious clue. As she screamed this at the others, they all ran over the woozy blue pegasus. She collapsed, and the entire Cloudiseum went into an uproar. Medic-ponies managed to get to them, and Rainbow Dash was placed on a stretcher and taken expediently to Cloudsdale General. + + A few hours later... + + Four ponies sat in a room, around a hospital bed. Again. And much, much too soon for any of their likings. Dash was the pony in the bed, and the four around her were the other Elements of Harmony. But there was nothing hooked up to the blue pegasus, no life-stabilizing machines, no heart rate monitor, no IV. Because Rainbow Dash was already dead. Twilight recalled the doctor’s explanation: performing the Sonic Rainboom had simply done too much damage to Rainbow’s system. She shouldn’t have been able to work as hard as she did. While Dash had been practicing for around ten days, she had been stressed, and before that she had been basically sedentary for almost three months. Even in her top physical condition she might not have been able to pull off a Rainboom. When Twilight told the doctor about how Dash claimed to have done it in her fillyhood, he simply said that sometimes younger ponies can do things older ones can’t. Dash did more than any pegasus, any pony at all, should’ve been able to do--and taken the toll for it. Rarity and the Wonderbolts were saved, but their savior wasn’t so lucky. And so the four remaining Elements sat. And they cried. And they prepared to face a world with one less friend.
III - Pinkie Pie + + One month after the death of Rainbow Dash... + + Pinkie Pie stared up at her ceiling, brushing a bit of her perfectly straight mane out of her eyes. She was stuck in a loop, and she didn’t like it at all. She just didn’t see how to get out of the loop. Her trouble was, she had lost a friend, and that was all she could think about. She knew Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy were in similar positions. She hadn’t thrown a party in a whole month! She just didn’t see anything to party about. It had been bad when Applejack fell into her coma, but Dashie was gone. Forever. It was the one thing she didn’t want to think about, and it was all she could think about. Dash was gone. Dash was gone. That was the loop Pinkie was stuck in, the loop she has been stuck in for a month. She had talked to her friends, but it hadn’t helped. She had baked all sorts of delicious things, but it hadn’t helped. She had done her best to sing, but it hadn’t helped. The two things she hadn’t done were throw a party... Or smile. That wasn’t to say she was glum all the time. She didn’t just mope around Sugarcube Corner, baking cupcakes and singing half-heartedly to herself. She didn’t not go outside, except when one of her remaining friends came and got her first. She didn’t cry herself to sleep. Oh, wait. Yes she did. + + Later that day... + + Pinkie had made her way downstairs for the day, which generally took at least an hour. She’d wake up, sit on her bed, and be sad, until she finally worked up the courage to let the Cakes know she still existed. She had made good time today; she was downstairs after only fifty minutes of listless staring. As she walked over to the counter with none of her old chipper bounce, she let out a sigh. Another day of trying to convince herself to be happy. Another day of trying not to cry in the dough. Pinkie sighed for all she was worth. Today, though she didn’t know it, was actually destined to be far different from the past thirty-odd ones she had spent in her current demeanor. She began to catch on to the oddities in store for her when, from the other room, she caught a glimpse of Twilight Sparkle at the counter. She was talking with Mrs. Cake, who was working the register, but Pinkie couldn’t hear a word over the sound of the blender as she put together an icing for a special-order cake. However, as she was done with her blending, the lack of machinery directly in her face allowed her to hear the close of the conversation going on between Twilight and Mrs. Cake. “...Remember, don’t tell Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie froze, bowl in hoof. What wasn’t she allowed to know about? She moved closer to the main room of the store, looking out, only to see Twilight leaving the store with what looked like a white box on her back. She considered racing after her, but it would probably only scare her off—after all, the meaning of the package was forbidden knowledge. In order to continue her surveillance, Pinkie instead shot back up into her room. She peeked out the window, and watched as Twilight walked off, looking rather suspicious, with what was definitely a white box on her back. Why would Twilight want a cake? Pinkie wondered. + + Pinkie stalked Twilight through Ponyville, keeping mostly to the rooftops. The perambulating purple pony moved through town towards Carousel Boutique. Upon reaching the door, she knocked. Rarity stuck her head out of the upper half of the door, and, seeing Twilight and the box, levitated the white cube into her dwelling. The door then slammed, and Twilight walked off, occasionally glancing from side to side, as she had been doing the whole time. None of this odd activity cleared up anything for Pinkie Pie. She decided that sticking around the Boutique wouldn’t get her anywhere, so she continued her trailing of Twilight. + + Hmm... Pinkie pondered suspiciously. It had been around an hour since she had started following Twilight, and so far things had just gotten foggier for her. Twilight had gone back to her library for about fifteen minutes, before exiting the massive tree with a burlap sack slung over her side. She had then walked to the edge of Ponyville, where she had given the sack to Fluttershy. Pinkie had decided to follow the yellow pegasus, as she was clearly the next step of whatever the plan it seemed all of her friends were in on. Fluttershy had gone to Sweet Apple Acres, where she had put the sack in the barn and flown off again. Pinkie remained at the barn, trying to get in—unsuccessfully. It seemed Fluttershy had locked the door somehow. She was just about to leave when Rarity showed up with the white box Twilight had gotten from Sugarcube Corner earlier, which she stored quietly in the barn, as Fluttershy had not ten minutes earlier. Rarity left, and Pinkie followed, with nothing better to do. Rarity merely returned to Carousel Boutique, going inside without a backwards glance. Pinkie then decided to return to her home, and so she sat in the back room, baking once more. Well, they were certainly putting something together, Pinkie said to herself. But what? Pinkie Pie came to a conclusion. Depressed though she was, Pinkie knew the makings of a party. She had sat thinking for a good long time, and she knew what a pony did with a cake a bag full of things and some sneaking around. They set up a surprise party. And she decided she was willing to bet that if she was still following her friends around out there, she would see Twilight levitating a carefully disguised bowl of punch, and Fluttershy carrying baskets that, if the viewer knew the contents, could be seen as picnic baskets full of food. That Rarity would be carrying yet another burlap sack, to complete the party decorations. The decorations... “Inside Applejack's barn,” Pinkie hissed to herself. She suddenly saw what her friends were doing. They were going to throw a party celebrating the tragedies that had occurred, Applejack's coma, Dash's— “No!” She cried. “My friends are just as sad as I am. Right?” ...Right? But the thought had wormed its way into her brain, and she spent the next three hours of monotonous baking contemplating every single way it fit her situation permanently. The secrecy—they knew she wouldn't approve. Throwing the party in the barn—what better way to show off Applejack's absence? Many reasons far more bizarre occurred to Pinkie, driving her towards an inevitable end she didn't want to meet. However, things are inevitable for a reason. At precisely five forty-two in the afternoon, Pinkie Pie finally snapped. She leaped up, and, with a look of cold fury, ran off to the barn of Sweet Apple Acres. Eighteen minutes later, Rarity showed up at Sugarcube Corner looking for the pink mare. However, when she was nowhere to be found, Rarity began to think something was amiss. She met Twilight and Fluttershy outside the barn, and they went inside, little knowing that the pony they were searching for had already forced her way in... + + The door creaked open. Twilight lit the lamps, and the three friends gazed around at the party they had so painstakingly put together. Even through all their effort, it still fell short of one of Pinkie's usual shindigs—however, they knew that Pinkie was in no state to organize a party. Suddenly, shocking the three mares standing in the middle of the barn, Pinkie leaped down from the rafters of the barn. “Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy said. “Hello, girls,” Pinkie snarled. “My, Pinkie! Whatever are you doing here? I just went to get you from Sugarcube Corner, but-” “But I wasn't there,” Pinkie said, interrupting Rarity, her tone not dropping its anger. Twilight glanced at Rarity and Fluttershy. Pinkie was acting very strange, and she didn't think it meant anything good. “Are you all right, Pinkie?” Twilight asked. “Oh, yeah, I'm just fine. It's not like my three so-called best friends aren't throwing a party celebrating how my other friends are hurt and gone!” “W-what?!” Twilight sputtered, deeply confused. “No! Pinkie! Don't you remember? This is your b-” “No!” Pinkie screamed at them. “No! You aren’t going to do this! I won’t let you!” She galloped over to the nearest table and bucked it over. Her friends simply gaped at her as she set about violently dismantling their party spread, screaming bloody murder at them the whole time. As Pinkie forcefully collapsed a stray box with a hoof, Twilight snapped out of her daze. “Pinkie! Stop!” “No! You aren’t having this party, Twilight! I won’t let you!” Pinkie screamed back, her voice now hoarse. “But why, darling?” Rarity asked. “Because you can’t do this to them!” Pinkie roared. She had all but finished her hooves-on demolition job. All that remained was a single wooden table. Deep in her fury, she raised her hind legs up over the table, and with one smooth motion and all the force of her rage behind her, brought her hooves down on the poor thing. It really wasn’t the most sturdy table; it was rather shoddy construction, and it was an old thing. Its weaknesses combined with Pinkie’s anger-driven muscle high resulted in the table shattering into splinters and other bits of wood. The shrapnel flew everywhere, some embedding themselves in their creator’s body. The speechless Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy were left unharmed. Pinkie cried out in pain, and, finished her self-bestowed destruction duties, ran from the library. Ran from Ponyville. Ran from her three friends. Her three remaining, shocked, scared, tired friends. “But... Pinkie Pie... It's your birthday...” Twilight whispered. And so the third bearer was lost.
IV - Rarity + + Two days after Pinkie’s party-gone-wrong… + + Rarity lay on her couch, thinking of better times. Times when a party for Pinkie would’ve been set up by five ponies, not three. Times when that party wouldn’t have ended as soon as it had begun, the guest of honor destroying the setting and running out of Ponyville. Times when the ponies chasing her would have found her. Rarity sighed. She, Twilight and Fluttershy had done their best to intercept the speeding Pinkie Pie, but to no avail. That pony always was good at hide and seek. She could pop out of anywhere… And so her friends had stood no chance of catching her. Pinkie Pie was, for all intents and purposes, gone forever, unless she decided to come back, which seemed very unlikely to Rarity. Pinkie had been furious, and she clearly hadn’t been in her right mind when she had destroyed the party. Without her friends, what would be there to bring her back…? Suddenly, she heard a hoof knocking against the front door of her boutique. “Rarity! It’s Twilight and Fluttershy! I’ve received a message from Princess Celestia!” A message from the Princess? Rarity climbed to her hooves and walked to the door, opening it with her magic. “What about, dear?” She murmured. “She- She wants us to come to Canterlot. To stay in the palace. She thinks it might help us with…with what’s happened,” Twilight answered. Rarity’s ears perked just a bit at that. “Stay in the palace? Why… Why that does sound nice… Though, who will run my boutique? I can’t just let it be closed for however long we’re away. And what about the library, or Fluttershy’s animals?” She said, gesturing to the yellow pegasus that had so far remained silent. “She says she’ll be sending down some ponies to take care of all that. She doesn’t intend to keep us for too long, only a week or two. Just…long enough to talk to us.” “Well, that sounds workable enough—Fluttershy! What do you think?” “Oh…well, I’ll miss my cottage, but Princess Celestia said it was okay to bring Angel Bunny with me…though I’ll miss my other animals friends too…but I think it sounds like a good idea, especially since the Princess suggested it…” “And I assume you wish to go as well, Twilight?” “Of course, I’d hate to turn down an invitation from the Princess! I also might be able to visit my brother, Shining Ar-“ “You have a brother?” “Yes, he’s Captain of the Royal Guard. Have I really not mentioned him to you girls? We’ve been best friends ever since we were young…In fact, Shining Armor was my only friend before I met you f-“ Twilight’s voice caught in her throat. She suddenly looked down. Fluttershy had a mildly pained expression, and Rarity felt the way her friend looked, though she didn’t show it. Rarity coughed. “Well, he sounds like quite a nice stallion, I hope you get to see him. When do we leave for Canterlot?” Twilight looked back up again, clearing her throat. “Oh, well, Princess Celestia’s letter said she would send a chariot to pick us up if I asked… Does that mean you want to come along?” “Of course, darling.” “Then I’ll have Spike send the letter immediately.” + + A few hours later, the trio plus Spike, who had plopped himself in the chariot and resolutely refused to say a word, even after countless offerings of gems and other things, arrived in the royal capital of Equestria. Due to the smaller size of the chariot, Rarity had been forced to leave the majority of her packing behind, but the ride, she felt, had been worth it. It reminded her of her time with wings, and she had been content to dwell in the mild happiness until her head made the connection between the wings and Rainbow Dash, after which she returned to the misery that was a more common state of mind these days. Upon landing, the four were escorted to one of the towers of Canterlot Castle. They each had their own room, except Spike, who wasn’t expected and slept with Twilight as-per-usual. Rarity admired the little dragon for his unwillingness to be left behind, though when she thought about it she wondered why that was. It wasn’t like Spike wasn’t feeling the pain they all were… Rarity suddenly found herself pondering the question of why Princess Celestia hadn’t invited him in the first place. However, she wasn’t given long to think, as the Princess herself showed up soon enough to welcome them and tell them that she would be dining in an hour, and that they were all invited. A small part of Rarity, at the thought of dining with the Princess, was bouncing like Pinkie Pie—and then reality came rushing back once more, and she was left feeling almost worse than ever. She put on one of the three outfits she had managed to cram into her bags, and soon enough the four of them had to depart for the main dining hall. Twilight led them through the vast halls of the castle, describing various events, both personal and historical, that had occurred within. They arrived just on time, taking seats at the end of the long table, near Princess Celestia. Twilight began talking to the Princess, playing catch-up, discussing her studies, and generally doing her best to stop the room from becoming silent. Spike swiftly devoured everything put in front of him. Fluttershy murmured to Angel, though it looked more like he was comforting her. Rarity sat, alone without actually being alone, picking at her food. After a time, Princess Celestia brought the discussion to the entire table. “My little ponies. How have you been?” Fluttershy jumped a bit, surprised at being addressed. “Um… Well… I’ve… Um… I’ve been taking care of my animals, and… They’ve been… Very nice… I’ve been… Okay…” “And you, Rarity?” “I have lived on, Princess. Allow me to leave it at that.” The Princess sighed. “I suppose not much more can be expected from ponies who have lost three of their best friends. I hope the time you spend here will help you.” Everypony spoke of their positive expectations. + + The next day, Fluttershy and Rarity were wandering Canterlot. Twilight and Spike had stayed behind to do some R&R&R (Rest & Relaxation Research). Rarity had had to prod Fluttershy incessantly to get her to come along, and she was proud she had managed it. The two ponies had gotten some food at one of the many fancy cafés that dotted the city, and they were now looking around the shopping district, which composed about a third of Canterlot. Neither had purchased anything, but Rarity had several times been very tempted. They were presently standing outside of the third scarf store of the day, and Rarity was staring at an absolutely beautiful scarf in the window display. Fluttershy was standing very quietly by her side, not quite sure what was taking so long. After a while, Rarity finally shook off her stupor and went inside the shop, Fluttershy tailing her. She bought the scarf, but upon walking out found Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. She turned to go back into the store, but in her confusion accidentally ran into another pony walking by. When she got up and looked at the pony, her mouth dropped. “F-F-F-Fancypants?!” “Oh! Hello! Ever so sorry for bumping into you, my dear!” “N-not at all! I apologize, it was my bad.” “Nonsense, nonsense. Now, dear, what’s your name?” “Rarity,” Rarity said, peering around Fancypants into the scarf shop she had just left. “I seem to have lost a friend in Miss Droopington’s Scarf Emporium.” “Ah, lovely shop, Droopington’s. I believe I own a few stocks there myself—whom are you looking for?” “Oh, my friend Fluttershy. We’re staying up in Canterlot Castle-“ “The Castle, indeed?” “Oh, yes, Princess Celestia invited us-“ “And on the Princess’s invitation, no less? Well, well, well…” Fancypants said. “I’m dreadfully sorry I’ve held you up, Mr. Fancypants, but I must find my friend, she’s awfully shy, and-“ “I’m not sorry to be held up! What say, young lady, I happen to be having a party tonight—a costume party—would you and your friend like to attend?” “Oh! My! Well, ah, yes!, yes of course! We’ll be there! Thank you ever so much! Now I really must go, dear Fluttershy is probably lost in the Emporium—“ “Of course, of course. Go on and find your friend. I’ll see you tonight, Rarity!” + + “Well, Fluttershy? Would you be willing to attend with me? It would mean the world…” “Of- of course, Rarity. I’d…love to…” “Oh, excellent! Thank you so much, Fluttershy! Now, we’d better start getting ready—I want our costumes must be exquisite!” The pair had returned to the Castle, Rarity having rescued Fluttershy from the depths of Miss Droopington’s. She had also bought a good supply of fabrics, which she was just now beginning to use in the frantic creation of costumes. None of the outfits she had brought would be any good, and Fluttershy hadn’t brought any clothing at all. Actually, Rarity was the only pony who packed anything beyond saddlebags. She dived into the costumes, knowing that this would be an excellent chance to impress important ponies. + + One successful costume party later… + + “Oh, Fluttershy, that was wonderful! They loved us! Thank you so much!” “Of course… Anything, Rarity…” They had just gotten back from the party. Everypony had adored Rarity’s work, a dragon costume for herself and a cat costume for Fluttershy. They had both been invited to countless more social events, but Rarity had noticed the cringing Fluttershy and done her best to narrow the invitations down to just herself. A voice at the back of her head was telling Rarity that she should be spending her time in Canterlot with her friends, not random high-society ponies, but she ignored it. + + Five days of high-society events later… + + Rarity lay on her bed, much the way she had been doing the fateful day Twilight and Fluttershy had come to tell her she was invited to Canterlot. She pondered how far she had come in just a few simple days. Just a few simple days, and she was the pony everypony in Canterlot wanted to know. She sat up, floating her planner into view. A new shop opening in… She checked the time. Half an hour. She had best get going. She donned an outfit she had managed to throw together amidst the chaos that had been her week. Rarity was just walking out the door of her room when Twilight intercepted her. “Rarity! Going out again?” “Oh, yes! I am simply the talk of the town—I’ve been invited to the opening of a horseshoe store in half—oh, my, only twenty minutes now—I had best get going! Goodbye, Twilight!~” Rarity tried to walk past her friend. However, Twilight stopped her with an outstretched forearm. “I’m worried about you, Rarity,” Twilight said. “What?” “You’ve changed so fast—and you’ve barely been talking to Fluttershy and me…” “Changed? Whatever do you mean, darling? I haven’t changed at all!” Rarity cried. “Yes, you have. Quite frankly, before you came to Canterlot, you were depressed. Now, you’re chipper as ever… Maybe more so. It doesn’t seem…healthy,” Twilight responded. “Well! I’m sorry if my enjoyment of getting into the higher circles has offended you, but I certainly don’t see a reason why I ought to stop going to these events! I’m living my dream!” Rarity retorted. “It’s not that I’m offended, Rarity… I just want you to be okay. You seem like you’re…burying your troubles.” “Burying my-well, I never! Twilight, darling, surely you know me better than that!” “Rarity, I know that we’re all sad about what happened to AJ, and Dash, and Pinkie…” “Just because these terrible things have happened, does not mean we have to sit around feeling mopey! If I was doing so before, it was because I couldn’t see what I was missing—!” “Rarity…” “Twilight, dear, I promise you, I am completely fine. I’m not just ignoring what has happened to our friends…” “I don’t know Rarity. I don’t know if that’s true,” Twilight said, frowning. “What must I do to make you believe me?” Rarity said, exasperated. “I would really like it if you’d stay here, with us. We can do something, together, all three of us.” “B-“ “Please, Rarity?” “I’m not sure, Twilight. I… I really must attend this opening… Arctic Waters would be devastated…” “Arctic Waters? Really, Rarity? What about us? Your friends?” “Are—are you suggesting that the high-society ponies I know aren’t my friends?” “Wh—Yes! Yes, I am, Rarity! They aren’t! That’s us! Fluttershy! Me! And Pinkie Pie, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash! Y’know, the pony you ought to be grieving?” Twilight knew the moment the words left her mouth they should never have even been thought up, let alone vocalized, but it was already too late. “H-how dare you, Twilight! You’re wrong! They are friends! And obviously better ones than you—they’ve never said anything as horrible as that to me! I see how it is! Yes, that really does put things in perspective! Goodbye, Twilight! Say goodbye to Fluttershy and Spike, and give my regards to the Princess—because I certainly won’t be returning here!” With that, Rarity stormed out the door, leaving Twilight standing stock-still, uncomprehending. What had she just done? She turned around to call out to Rarity, to stop her, to apologize, to make her see that she was wrong, that Twilight was her friend—but the other unicorn was already gone. Twilight ran to the stairs, and saw nothing. She raced down them, to the foyer and the main door—nothing. She slammed the door open and raced outside, frantically looking up and down the street. Nothing. “No! No, no, no! What have I done?! Not again! It’s just like Pinkie Pie…” Twilight fell to the ground, crying, sobbing. “Rarity! I’m so sorry! Please, come back… “Come back…” But the fourth Element of Harmony was already gone.
V - Fluttershy + + Immediately. + + “Twilight, what’s wrong?” Fluttershy said, rushing out into the street after her friend. “R-Rarity… I… I made her leave,” Twilight sobbed. “What?” “I… I said… I said horrible things to her, Fluttershy! And she’s gone, and she isn’t going to come back, and it’s all my fault!” “Now, now, I’m sure that’s not true…” Fluttershy consoled. “It is! I… I said she didn’t care about Applejack! Or Pinkie Pie! Or Dash!” Twilight cried. “Wh-“ Fluttershy began, but Twilight cut her off. “I said she wasn’t mourning and that she was pushing away her feelings and that she needed to spend more time with us and that she cared more about those high society ponies and events and she left and it’s my fault!” By now, a crowd had begun to form around the two ponies, drawn by Twilight’s wailing. “Lady, are you alright?” A random stallion asked. Twilight turned towards the sound of his voice, suddenly mortified to be sobbing in the middle of the street in Canterlot, of all places. She instinctually teleported herself and Fluttershy back into their rooms. She then summarily broke back down into hysterics. “Fluttershy, Fluttershy, what do we do? It’s just you and me now… And… And…” She seemed unsure as to where she had been taking the sentence. “And?” Fluttershy nudged her. “And I don’t know how this could have happened!” Twilight let loose one final cry of sorrow, and collapsed on her bed, covering her head with her hooves. Fluttershy was torn. Part of her wanted to run off after Rarity and find her, and bring her back. Part of her wanted to join Twilight in crying. Part of her wanted to just catch the next train home to her animal friends. And part of her… Part of her… Part of her was mad. Mad! Mad at Rarity for running off. Mad at Twilight for apparently causing the situation. And even beyond that… Mad at Applejack for being so stubborn. Mad at Dash for not being smarter. Mad at Pinkie Pie for reacting so awfully to what was meant to be something so lovely… Fluttershy was shocked. She had never been mad at anypony like this before. Hay, she had never been mad at anything like this before! Hay, she had never been mad like this before! She didn’t know what to do. Should she say—of course not. Why would she say anything? She- They were her friends… But they had done so much… Yes, but they were her friends! They deserved her kindness, and nothing less! Everypony did! Everything did! Every living thing deserved kindness! But they had done so much… “F-Fluttershy?” Twilight said, looking up at her. Fluttershy had been standing stock still, a terrified look in her eyes. “Are you okay?” Fluttershy suddenly collapsed onto the ground. Twilight jumped up to help her, but when she reached out a hoof Fluttershy sprang up just as suddenly as she had fallen and hissed at Twilight. The purple pony recoiled. “Wha… What? Fluttershy, what are you doing?” Twilight asked, utterly dumbfounded. “I’ve been nice enough, Twilight!” Fluttershy spat at her. She fixed Twilight with a glare. “And I’ve been nice for far too long! I’ve let you ponies push me around, and I’ve let you all hurt me! Well, enough is enough! Maybe Rarity was onto something when she stormed out of here, because you clearly aren’t worth staying for!” Twilight was, at this point, cowering back on her bed under the full power of Fluttershy’s Stare. “M-Me?” Twilight managed to sputter. “Yes, you! But let me tell you something, Twilight—Rarity might’ve been onto something, but I’m not following in her hoofsteps! No, I’m going to stay right here and tell you what’s what, so you had better get comfortable!” Fluttershy was screaming at this point. Twilight had the same look of terror in her eyes that Fluttershy had had in hers not moments ago. Fluttershy opened her mouth to start yelling again, blinking, and Twilight, freed from the Stare for just a moment, teleported away. + + “Princess! Princess Celestia!” Twilight cried, charging into the main hall of Canterlot Castle. She had teleported to her old castle suite out of instinct, and it had taken her just a few minutes to gallop to the hall. She came in to find the Princess looking up from some noble she had been speaking with. “Twilight Sparkle! Whatever is the matter?” Princess Celestia replied, just a hint of worry on the edge of her otherwise calm and collected tone. “It’s… It’s Fluttershy and Rarity! Rarity’s gone and Fluttershy… Something’s really, really wrong, Princess! She… She started shouting at me… And… And…” “Fluttershy was shouting at you?” Princess Celestia said, unable to process the idea. “Y-Yes!” Twilight said, tears beginning to form at the edges of her eyes. “It was awful!” Celestia looked down to the noble—Twilight didn’t recognize him—and asked him to please leave, she would finish discussing the matter later. He swiftly retreated, not wanting to be caught up in the drama. “Now, Twilight,” the Princess said, “Please, tell me what happened. Twilight, beginning to sob at the retelling, informed Princess Celestia of what had happened with Rarity, and what had happened with Fluttershy—or rather, what was happening with Fluttershy. The face of the Princess became more and more contorted with worry as the story went on. “…And—and now I’m here!” Twilight finished, now crying full-on once again. “Yes… Yes, you are, my little pony…” Princess Celestia said, walking to Twilight and putting a wing over her. “You’re here, Twilight. You’re with me. It will all be all right.” + + Twilight wept on the Princess Celestia’s shoulder. The Princess knew that they had to get to Fluttershy as soon as possible… …And it wasn’t possible right now. This, the Princess knew as well, was something that had to change. “Twilight. I’m sorry. But we have to talk to Fluttershy. We can’t let her get any worse. Come,” Princess Celestia said, her voice strong once more. Twilight Sparkle looked up at her Princess. “Of—Of course, Princess,” she said meekly, doing her best to dry her tears. The two of them walked, side by side, out of the Great Hall of Canterlot Castle. + + The two of them approached the tower. As they came closer, Princess Celestia noticed something odd—the door appeared crooked. Upon reaching the tower, she realized it was much more than crooked, it was completely off its hinges! This was her first warning. “Twilight, are you prepared to face Fluttershy again?” “I… I think I can—with you, Princess.” That will have to be enough, Princess Celestia thought to herself. The two of them walked, side by side, into the foyer of the tower. Then up the stairs. Then into Twilight’s room. Then into Fluttershy’s room. Then into all the other rooms in the tower. And found no one. Not Fluttershy. Not anyone. The fifth Element, like the others, was gone.
VI - Twilight Sparkle + + … + + A very small filly. A very tall Princess. A very dark night. A very bright flash. A very short friendship. But one so, so worth it… + + Immediately. + + “No, no, no, no, no!” Twilight screamed, racing around the tower one more time, looking in every closet, under every bed, searching for any sign of the yellow pegasus they were pursuing. “She can’t be gone! Not her, too! It can’t be just me! I can’t be the last pony left!” “Twilight…” Celestia murmured. “Where could she have gone?! Why did she go?! She said she was going to stay! She said she was going to stay!” “Twilight,” Celestia said, more forcefully. “Fluttershy! Fluttershy!” “Twilight!” Celestia said, raising her voice just a bit. Twilight froze, and then snapped around to look at Celestia. “Y-Yes, Princess?” “Stop, Twilight. Fluttershy is gone.” “I… I know, Princess. I know.” + + One week later. + + Twilight awoke to a knock on her door and a letter under it. She climbed blearily out of her bed and stumbled across the room, picking the letter up in her mouth upon reaching the door. Sometimes it was just too early for magic. She broke the seal on the scroll and put it on the desk in the room. It was a small, rectangular room; it was the room she had been staying in for the past week. Celestia hadn’t wanted her to go back to Ponyville all by herself, and Twilight hadn’t wanted to leave. This suite was far from the old one, but even though she had left the place itself, she hadn’t left her misery behind. Twilight read the letter. It was short, but she would hardly call it sweet. Dear Twilight, I’m afraid I must leave Canterlot. A situation has arisen with the zebras, and my presence is needed. Princess Luna received notice last night, and I learned of the problem when I raised the sun this morning. I regret my inability to say goodbye, but I hope you will be okay even during my absence. If you feel you need someone to talk to, perhaps you would consult my sister? I am sure she could be helpful. Princess Celestia. Twilight was at a loss. The Princess had… left? Left her? Of course not, a voice in her head echoed sternly. She has to deal with whatever is going on with the zebras. She can’t stay here in Canterlot just to comfort you, not when there’s a problem somewhere else. You aren’t more important than all the other ponies in Equestria. But it was a quiet voice, and Twilight was so lost that she didn’t listen. All she took from the paper in front of her was that her last support was leaving her. Was that she had driven Princess Celestia away… Twilight looked over to Spike, sleeping in a basket at the foot of the bed. Of course there was Spike. But he was still young, and he was taking the loss of her friends—their friends—just as hard as she was. He had his own burden to bear, and she couldn’t go to him for solace. No, that was Princess Celestia, and now she was gone. + + A pony lay in a bed, sleeping. A pony lay in a grave, cold. A pony lay in a forest, weeping. A pony lay in a room, controlled. A pony lay in an alley, enraged. And a pony walked through a palace, forlorn. + + The next day… + + Twilight sat in the palace library, reading. It was all she had done since she had gotten the letter notifying her of Celestia’s absence. She wasn’t sure what Spike was up to. Sometimes he brought her a book. Sometimes she didn’t see him for hours. + + In a garden, a statue cracked As the straw that broke the camel’s back Tumbled down from out of the blue And even though it was seen by few In a garden, cracks broken anew. + + The next day… + + Twilight had learned some things from her reading. Nothing of real importance. The history of Griffon politics in relation to Equestria, abridged. How to make a good rose sandwich. A story about an old god… Nothing of real importance. Some of it she wasn’t learning at all, some of it she already knew. + + Something from long, long ago Something only a story Something only a ghost Something broke free One fateful night Something evil Something… …of a fright. + + The next day…or was it? + + Twilight woke up to the sun shining through one window, and the moon shining through another. Needless to say, she was confused. “Wha… What’s…” she sputtered, glancing at the astral bodies that never, ever shared the sky. “But that’s impossible! Spike! What is going on?” However, when she looked down to the bed her number one assistant had been sleeping so soundly in, she found no one. That was when Twilight finally ousted from her bed, and began running to the throne room. She arrived not long after, only to find the place deserted. The same had been true for all the halls of the palace—as far as she could tell, she was the only pony in the palace. She shivered at the thought. Where did everypony go? The palace staff numbered in the thousands! It wasn’t like they could all… Just… Disappear… Twilight’s thought processes slowed as she began to perceive a cackling echoing throughout the halls of the massive room she was presently standing in. “Who’s there? Where is everypony?” She cried. She got no response; the cackling grew louder. Twilight continued to yell into the empty air, hoping desperately for a response. Soon enough, she got one. “Oh hel-lo,” a voice said, interrupting the cackling that had grown disturbingly loud, and sounding quite like it in fact. “Who do we have here?” “My- My name is Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “Oh, well, I already knew that. It was really more of a rhetorical question. To set the mood, you see? Ah, but never mind. I know who you are, but I doubt you know who I am,” the voice said. “No… I don’t think I do. For that matter, where are you? Are you invisible?” Twilight wondered. “Something like that, it’s none of your concern. Now, as to my identity—I am Discord! Lord-“ “-Of chaos!” Twilight interrupted. “So you have heard of me…” Discord drawled. “I wouldn’t have, if you had asked me just a few days ago. I read about you during a study session I was having the other day to-“ Twilight cut herself off. “Yes?” Discord said. “N-nothing,” Twilight said, drawing back. “Oh, but not nothing. No, I think something indeed. Yes… A little pony, missing her friends, perhaps?” Discord said, malice suddenly evident in his voice. “How do you know about my friends?” Twilight said, suddenly angry. “Just because I was locked in a statue for the past few thousand years doesn’t mean I was blind… And one doesn’t tend to forget the ponies who let him out of prison, especially if those ponies are also the Elements of Harmony.” Suddenly, a form began to fade in in front of Twilight. It was a strange-looking being, a mismatched cobbled-together sort of thing. All its body parts seemed to come from different animals. Twilight remembered the description of Discord she had read—not to mention the name for what he was. “A draconequus,” she murmured. “The draconequus,” Discord replied snarkily. “I made this form myself; don’t demean me by attempting to attach it to a species.” “Err- sorry? I think…” Twilight said. “You should be. Now. Since all the strife between you and your little friends broke me free of my prison, I suppose I should be thanking you!” Discord suddenly popped in front of her, shaking her hoof vigorously. Twilight shook free and took a few more steps back. “No? Ah, well. Would you like to see what I’ve done with my newfound freedom?” Discord snapped his tail. The next thing Twilight new, the two of them were floating above Canterlot. Twilight screamed, surprised. Discord just chuckled. Twilight regained her composure, breathing deeply. She figured Discord must be supporting them somehow—he seemed to have some sort of magical powers, and the story she had read called him the God of Chaos, which had to count for something. She looked around. And screamed again. The mountain Canterlot rested on and against seemed to now be made out of…candy? In fact, the entire palace was also apparently made of candy. Not to mention the sun and the moon both being in the sky at the same time. And the pink clouds in the sky. And… She peered down. She saw ponies in Canterlot, but they looked rather odd. She couldn’t recognize any normal colors—instead, they all seemed to be sort of grey. “What did you do to them, Discord?” Twilight said. “Oh, just… Mixed things up a bit. Took away that harmony you ponies find so precious. I don’t see why, chaos is so much better!” “Uh-huh. Could you put us down, please?” Discord did as she asked. However, he did so by stopping his support of either of them, and allowing them to plummet towards the cold stone far below. Twilight was screaming again. Around fifty feet off the ground, they were both suddenly wearing parachutes that opened and slowed them with what could only be magical speed. Twilight sighed in relief. “Oh come on, Twilight!” Discord said. “Do you really think I would be so cruel?” Twilight just gave him a look. She had definitively decided that she should do her best to get rid of Discord as soon as possible, though she had no idea how she would do so. She figured her best bet would be to contact the Princesses, since the Elements would be… Suddenly, she was crying again. “What did you do with the Princesses? And what about Spike?” Twilight said, her voice harsh. “Me? Nothing! All I did was put up a little bubble around Equestria… What Celestia doesn’t know can’t hurt her…” Discord replied, his voice sing-song. “As to your dragon friend… I believe he is doing his best knight impression down in the armory.” “What about Luna?” “Luna… I may have stuck her in a box,” Discord said, giggling. “I’m sure she’ll be fine, if she ever finds her way out.” Twilight didn’t have time to contemplate this apparent failure of logic, (and of course doing so would’ve been futile; Discord wasn’t the God of Chaos for nothing) as the ground was rushing up to meet her. She landed soft enough. Discord, on the other hand, simply popped out of his parachute and reappeared next to her. “Now, Twilight, that our little tour is over, I’m afraid I have Chaos to attend to!” Discord vanished again, not reappearing. + + Twilight had made her way back to the castle library, determined to find a way to lock Discord back up. She thought she remembered reading something about a counter-spell in the story about him; she resolved to find the book. However, that task proved easier said than done by a wide margin. Upon arriving in the library, she found the floor had become an ocean, and the books were now sitting on sand castles instead of bookcases. She conjured a boat, and began to row out amongst the shelves. Despite the delays caused by the floor/ocean, she had managed to find the book without all too much ado. She located the entry on Discord. She located the spell, and even what seemed to be general casting instructions. What she did not locate, however, was what the spell did. It was titled “The Failsafe Spell,” and all that was said about effects was that it could be used against Discord’s Chaos magic. Twilight decided it would have to do. She turned her boat around and began the journey back to the door. + + Twilight Sparkle was exhausted. She had been searching Canterlot for Discord all day…night, whatever, and to no avail. After about the third hour she had begun to think he was hiding from her deliberately. He was, in fact. She had considered doing a test-cast of the Failsafe Spell, to make sure it would actually be of use, but at she hadn’t wanted to cast it in fear of it using too much magic. Now, ready to drop to the ground and pass out from running around all day, she wasn’t sure she had enough energy to lift a pebble, let alone cast advanced magic. She had seen many ponies throughout her trek, but like Discord had foreshadowed, they were acting quite strange, and she had felt it wise to not interfere. She had almost thought she’d seen a flash of yellow and pink, or a streak of white and purple, but she knew it was probably her imagination—not to mention that any…others…would’ve probably been greyed out like all the other ponies. Twilight finally decided to give up. Even if she found Discord, which seemed unlikely, she doubted she would’ve been able to put up much of a fight. + + She woke up on the hard ground, aching. She had passed out on the ground after all, figuring there wasn’t much to worry about from Discord, or anypony. She felt a bit better, though sleeping on the stone hadn’t done her many favors. At least she ought to be able to cast the Failsafe Spell. + + Finders keepers Losers weepers Hiding creature Lone seeker Break cover For another? They don’t call me Chaos for nothing… + + “You know what, Twilight?” Discord said. Twilight started. She had continued the search for Discord, having woken up. “Discord?” “Who else?” Said the draconequus, appearing behind her. She spun around at the popping noise. “I’ve had a change of heart. I’m going to stop hiding from you—though it was so entertaining watching you tire yourself out like that looking for me. And on top of that, I’ll even give you a friend!” “What do you-“ Twilight began, but was cut off the sudden appearance of… Fluttershy. Twilight instinctively reared back from the yellow pegasus, who had appeared behind Discord. She was her normal colors; apparently Discord had decided not to curse her. “Fluttershy?” Twilight whispered. “Oh! Twilight!” Fluttershy said, in a normal voice. “What a coincidence. What are you doing in Canterlot?” “Wh-what?” Twilight sputtered. “Oh, so sorry,” Discord crooned. “I forgot to mention—this Fluttershy is an illusion. I doubt you’d want the real one anyway; after all, she didn’t exactly leave on…good terms.” He grinned. “But maybe you’d like to see what she’s up to?” “N-“ Twilight tried to exclaim, but Discord had already snapped his fingers. A vision of Fluttershy appeared before her. She was in the palace gardens, stalking through a row of…cages? Twilight stared in shock. Fluttershy had apparently decided to lock up all the animals in the garden! And worst of all… Aside from some scrapes and patches of mud, her mane and coat were as vibrant as ever. “Oh, Fluttershy,” Twilight murmured, feeling her eyes prick with tears for her lost friend. “What an adorable scene!” Discord exclaimed. “Maybe you’d like to see some of your other friends?” “No!” Twilight cut in before Discord worked his magic this time. “No more distractions. I’ve found you, now I have something I need to do.” “Ah, yes, the Failsafe Spell,” Discord said, smirking. “I must admit, it has been quite effective against me in the past.” “Quiet! Can’t you see I’m trying to concentrate?” “Oh! Yes, of course. I’m not going to be the one to interfere with my own downfall.” However, as Twilight readied herself, she began to hear whispers in her ears. They sounded like Discord… But they also sounded like her friends. Pinkie Pie, weeping with rage. Applejack, asking her why she hadn’t paid more attention. Rarity, wondering how she could be such an utterly poor friend. Rainbow Dash, telling her that she should’ve grabbed Rarity with her telekinesis. Fluttershy, screaming at her, demanding Twilight tell her how she could’ve let Rarity go so easily, and how she could’ve been so uncaring. Twilight began to sweat. She was still channeling magic. In the sky above them, a storm began to form, the clouds almost black. Her horn began to glow brightly, like when she had vanquished the Ursa Minor. Discord pulled out sunglasses and stuck them on his face, just watching her. The voices continued, growing harsher. “Stop it! Stop it!” Twilight cried, her own voice thick with the strain of the spell and the mental attack she was being bombarded with. Discord merely shrugged, pantomiming that he was saying nothing. A faint light began to shine from Twilight’s eyes. The voices of her friends were all around her now. She was hearing them with her ears at this point—the vicious comments, the shouts of how none of them should have ever become somepony as worthless as Twilight Sparkle’s friend, the agony. Twilight was weeping. All of a sudden, something snapped. “I WILL FIX THIS!” Twilight screamed. Her eyes poured white light and she was hovering a few inches above the ground. Discord was laughing madly. The sky cracked open, and rain began to come down in torrents, lightning flashing violently, and thunder cracking as if the mountain was splitting— + + Twilight Sparkle woke up. She glanced blearily around her bedroom, shuttering. It had all been a dream. She thought of her five best friends. Applejack hadn’t hurt herself Applebucking, she just became overworked. Rainbow Dash won the Best Young Flier’s Competition, completing her Sonic Rainboom and saving both Rarity and the Wonderbolts. Pinkie Pie had snapped right back into being her cheerful self once she realized her friends were just trying to give her a surprise. Rarity, despite getting sucked into Canterlot culture, had come back to her friends when she had been forced to make the choice. Fluttershy had been rather unpleasant during her stint with Iron Will’s teaching, but she had toned herself down and come out of the experience a stronger mare. And yet… + + Far above the town of Ponyville, and indeed, all of Equestria, a storm still raged. Quite close, and yet in some ways the farthest away anything can ever be from anything else. Little did Twilight know, the rain had not stopped. And the flood was just beginning. + + The End.
Epilogue - Alluvion + + It was the day after the dream that the rain started. An unrelenting, unforgiving rain. Just like... Some tragedies cannot be averted. That does not mean they cannot be remedied. But first we must return to our reality. First we must wake up. + +
