Chapter 10: Rest and reflection

Twilight Sparkle was resting on a bed. Her sleep was deep, her breath barely noticeable and she wasn't moving an inch. But without warning, she got-up in panic, threw her bed cover violently with her magic and was shaking with hysteria.

‘’Gyaaa! Top hat, books nopony love, she is coming for us. Oh gosh, oh gosh, SHE IS COMING FOR US!’’

It was at that moment that the door opened and Rarity came in, very worried.

‘’Darling, it's alright, everything is alright, you are EEEK!!!’’

She had to duck down to avoid the magical blast Twilight had thrown in her panic. From where she was, she looked behind her and saw the burn mark on the wooden wall. It was still fuming. She could not help but to gulp.

‘’Well I concord, me too I find that the decoration is garish but still, that excessive.’’

‘’Rarity! It's you!’’

At the sight of the unicorn she recognized as her friend, Twilight calmed a little.

‘’I'm, I'm, sorry. What's happened, how are the others, where I am?’’

Rarity jumped on the bed and embraced the whole of Twilight in a tight hug.

‘’You are safe Twi. You are safe. You don't need to know anything else for now.’’

It took some time for those reassuring words to sink in. But once they did, the all-spread wings of Twilight slowly lowering down and she allowed her body to go limp. Once her breathing became calm, she repays Rarity hug with her own.

‘’Thanks Rarity.’’

‘’Anything for you darling.’’

‘’Sorry about... nearly blasting you.’’

‘’It's understandable. And don't worry about the damage. This place is already a mess anyway.’’

This makes Twilight alert once more and made her remember she had so many questions that needed answers. She separated herself from the embrace.

‘’Oh right, that's right! Where are we? From the last thing I remember, we were in the ruins before I lost consciousness.’’

‘’We are at the guesthouse. You don't recognize it?’’

Another look, with clarity this time, made her realize that yes, she was right. She did not recognize it at first because it was as if a storm had been here. Or a party gone bad. Since there were multicolored confetti on every corner.

‘’We all felt unconscious darling. You were the last one to awake. I was on my way to see how you were doing when I heard you.’’

‘’The last one! Then how are the others? Are they alright?’’

The unicorn made a snicker smile and turned her head towards the open door.

‘’Why don't you see yourself.’’

She followed her gaze and... gosh she could not be more happier.

At the doorway, her friends were there, their faces filled with various emotions. But mostly relief. Applejack put her hoof on her heart and did a sigh, freeing her if all her tension. Rainbow Dash made her beaming smile while Fluttershy gently patted her back since there was some trace of tears on the eyes of the blue flyer. But nothing compares to Pinkie whose eyes were so full of water that they were as big as saucer.

She wanted to talk to them but she did not have the time because they all rushed towards her and tackled her and Rarity in a thigh embrace. The pack of friends bounced on the bed while laughing like they never laugh. For that moment, for that little moment, there was no pain, no fear, no anguish. There was only bliss and love. Everything was perfect.

‘’Hahahaha, oh girls, you are all alright. I'm so happy. I was fearing the worst.’’

‘’Ya don't have to worry sugarcube, we won't go down that easily.’’

‘’Yeah she is super duper right. After all we went through it will take more than, well I'm not quite sure what hit us, a sci-fi magic spell who put us into esoteric thingy, I must say the genres have been all over the place on this adventure.’’

Twilight then realized that there was one pony missing. Her anxiety came back because she was the one who was the most hurt.

‘’Wait, what about Starlight? Where is she?’’

‘’I am right here.’’

Twilight felt another wave of relief in her heart. Starlight Glimmer trotted towards her at a leisure pace. Twilight noticed that the reason was because she walking on three hooves instead of four. The fourth one, the one that... had been stabbed, was put into a cast that was hanging at the height of Starlight chest. It was the same magenta color as her fur.

Seeing her student like that broke her heart.

‘’Starlight! Your hoof.’’

‘’Hum? Oh! That little thing.’’

‘’I am sorry.’’

‘’Huh!’’

‘’I am your teacher. I am supposed to protect you and I had failed.’’

‘’Hey. None of that Twi. I know you like to take responsibility for everything but there was just no way we could have prepared for that. How could we have guessed this madness? We couldn't, simply as that. Besides, my hoof is better and nothing too vital has been touched. Okay, it still hurt like hell but I am already getting use to it. I have those two to thank for. They have been very nice to me.’’

Creaking noise came to the alicorn hears. Two other visitors came into the room. The brothers Dirt and Dust. Contrary to the others, those two were hesitated to come closer. The big one, Dust, had eyes fixed on his feet and he was holding his hand in shame. Dirt, him, was holding his cap against his heart like if it was a protection against something and he was clenching his teeth, obliviously because of guilt.

‘’You two? You are... Dirt and Dust, right!’’

‘’Yes, that's them. They did a good job treating my hoof. But more importantly, it is because of them that we are here. They were the first to awake along with Applejack. With their strength they carried the rest of us to safety.’’

This made Twilight perplexes.

‘’But how did you get out of the ruins? The path from my cell thought the throne was straightforward and with no exit.’’

Applejack jumped from the bed and entered the conversation.

‘’Ah can answer that. For once, we been blessed with incredible luck. Turn out that in that chaos, that monitor room had slides to come beside us. Also great that those two know how to use that weirdy machine and bring us all to the outside.’’

Twilight could not help but to be intrigued. Something in what AJ say stimulated her intuition.

‘’(Really! That monitor room appeared just beside us just like that! That is awfully convenient. And also... ... It can wait. I have something more important to do.) So, we own our lives because of you two.’’

Twilight said it to the two dogs. But they did not take it well, they seemed even afraid and were close to run away.

‘’No princess, please you mustn't, please no, we, we deserve no thanks. Not after we, I mean, not after what I did.’’

‘’Big bro! Why do you//

‘’Shut up and let me talk. Ponies, I just ask you one thing. I beg you to put all the blame on me. Dust was never on board with that plan and he will never have been in it if I had not forced him to do it. That why if you want to take revenge on somedog, take it on me and me alone. I will not resist since I know I deserve it and much more WRAAF!!!’’

He was surprised because without noticing it, his body was bathed in purple magic and was being dragged by force toward the ponies. He closed his eyes, being afraid of the punishment that he was sure would come but was well resolute to face it. But instead...

Instead, he was greeted by the tight hug of a crying Twilight.

‘’Thank you. Thank you but thank you so much. It, I, it was a nightmare. For me and all of us. I had seen what he, what she did to all my friends and each time it was as if I was feeling their torture. It was hell. It was true hell. But you have free my friends and put an end to it.’’

That gratefulness was the very thing Dirt was not expecting. It was in a way worse than any punishment. He started to cry too, out of guilt.

‘’No princess, you must not thank me. You mustn't. It was me that put you in that nightmare.’’

‘’But you came back and decided to save us all. If you did not intervene... I... nearly could... I would have killed. I would have taken a life and that would have been an act I never could have taken back. But you saved me from it. I can't speak for the others but from me, know at least that I am so grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.’’

Not being able to take it anymore, the emotions bubbling inside him burst out and he bawled like a baby. His brother came to him and put his paw on his shoulder while Twilight added her wings to the embrace.

It had taken some time before he managed to calm down. After that, the important was to answer the question that was on the mind of everycreature: What's next?

Twilight was the one that opened up the conversation.

‘’Before all else, there is a question that is bothering me.’’

She turned to face Pinkie Pie.

‘’Pinkie. I could not help to notice that you mentioned that when were hit by, whatever that was, you had an esoteric experience. Can you be more specific?’’

‘’Oh yeah, it was sooo weird. When I was knocked out and went to la-la-land, I had the strangest of dreams. The entire backstory of the main villain. Well now I feel bad to call her a villain because it was the saddest story I ever heard and//

She never could finish because all jumped in surprise, saying things like: Wait, you too! I thought I was the only one! So it really did happen! This confirmed Twilight suspicion.

‘’That's what I thought. We all saw the same thing. We saw the past of Floral. Somehow, when that light had touched us, we must have been connected to her memories.’’

‘’Yeah, IIII kinda figures out that's what happened. I mean when I dream, it's usually not as orderly as that. Like when once I had dreams of my cousin that was wearing a big cauldron as a hat and was singing awful smells//

‘’Not now Pinkie.’’

‘’Whoops, sorry Twi. Still, that trick with that light was pretty neat. How did it happen?’’

‘’I don't know. I understand nothing about that technology. Sometimes I feel that it has no rule. AND IT'S FRUSTRATING. I HATE NOT UNDERSTANDING THE RULES.’’

She understood she needed to calm down so she used the breathing technique she has for habit to do when she is frazzled.

‘’*sigh* Okay, I am better now. I can tell that we are all lost and confuse. So I suggest it would be best if we all share what we know. What do you say?’’

That all agreed. Right now they were all feeling in the dark and needed some clarity. The outside was still in penumbra. And the night sky was still covered by the same blanket of cloud. Only this time it was moving at a more aggressive pace. As if the weather could know of what was about to come.

In the absolute dark, there was a silence of death. That is until the sound of life, the groans of machines rebooting came, quickly followed by holographic screens appearing one after the other, with their artificial cyan lights piercing but not dispelling the dark. And at the very crux of all, those lights were bathing the form of a young filly, slouching on a floating chair. Her red mane was no longer braided, now flowing freely as a mess.

She awoke. She rose and jerked her head, looking at nothing in particular.

‘’It... is... not... over... not... over. Truth... must be...’’

She shakily raised her hoof high the sky.

‘’Truth must be UNDERSTOOD.’’

And she slammed it with strength on the arm of her throne. More screens appeared around at the dozens. From a slit of her red cascade, her right eye brightened with the same cold determination of the machines surrounding her.

Time had passed. For how, they could not tell. Once they shared all the information they had, they did not know what to say. No one was saying anything and the only sound was the wind flowing across the broken window.

They had talked about their escape and clarified more on it. How they used the secret exit to go outside and put all the unconscious ponies on the same chariot they used to kidnap them. On their way, Rainbow Dash has been the first one to awake and proposed to help. They all decided to go to the guesthouse because it was the closest and they thought they all needed to rest. Then, the rest regained consciousness quickly. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie awakens at the same time, followed by Rarity and after, Starlight to which the two brothers quickly took care of her hoof. All had been so fast that they didn't have the time to ask for help at the town. Twilight had been the last one to awake. She had been really surprised to learn that since the time they had been hit by the cyan light to her awaking, barely more than one hour had been spent. For her, it had seemed like an eternity.

They had talked about their trials and the torture it had been. Twilight and Starlight had already seen them all and to the surprise of everypony, the Diamond Dogs too. But the rest did not know about the other trials except their own. So... they each told their experiences. It was hard. Very hard. They did not want to talk about and even lest think about it. But they understood that keeping them for themselves will not bring any good. They had to force the words to come out of their throats at first but quickly, the opposite happened and they could no longer stop. It had not been easy to talk. But it had been also not easier to hear about the tribulations of their friends. To each new story, they could feel their hearts being squeezed tight. Although in the end, they felt miserable... they somehow also felt a little bit of relief to express their pain. Especially towards others that could understand and lived the same pain as them.

They had talked about the past of Dirt and Dust and why they did what they did. Their story was one the ponies did not expect. They could not imagine that such poverty was possible in Equestria. This made them realize how blessed their lives had been and although there still was bad blood, this made them see the two brothers in a new light.

Fluttershy even went to shade a few tears.

‘’*sniff* I am sorry that you had that tough. So you kidnapped us so you could support each other?’’

‘’The boss, I mean, the ex-boss had promised to give us all his, her money if we captured you. With it, me and Dust could had lived comfortably for many years. But I don't want anymore. I wouldn't be capable anyway. I know that no matter how much we were desperate, we never should have hurt you. We are sorry.’’

He says that sentence with so much regret. This somehow made Twilight also felt regret on her own.

‘’I cannot believe ponies were so afraid of you. Actually, scratch that, I have no problem believing it. Ponies have still a way to go before solving their fearfulness of other species. I tried to work on that with my school but... maybe I should have done more.’’

At that remorse, Dust shook his head in negation.

‘’You should not blame yourself like that Miss Sparkle, it's not your fault if the world work that way. Besides, you and your friends are not like them. I had once say to my big brother how things would have been different if we had met you sooner.’’

‘’A shame you never came to Ponyville. If I had known about your plight, I will have helped you.’’

‘’I know you will have.’’

‘’... ... *sigh* Anyway, so you had worked for her for a long time and you really did not know that Mel was actually Flo in disguise.’’

‘’We swear we had no idea that the boss was actually a little girl. If we had known, we will not have taken his, I mean her plan seriously.’’

‘’That probably the reason why she was always wearing Mel face when dealing with you. It is still hard to believe that she... WAIT! Seriously, what wrong with me! How can I forget the most important? What happened to her?’’

Dirt scratched his head in embarrassment.

‘’Well, the thing is, we did try to get to her but the doors were shut tight. I had tried using the monitor but nothing was working. I only know how to using it a little, I am not an expert.’’

The wings of Rainbow Dash flared up and she flew up in panic.

‘’Wo wo wo wo wo! What does that mean? Twi, what does that mean?’’

‘’It means that Flo is still in the ruins. And that we not safe from danger.’’

Dash eyes went wide with panic and she darts around everypony, nearly touching muzzle to muzzle, while rambling.

‘’Wait what! But why? She would not dare. She is alone now. Besides, it's over. That game is over. She no more reason to come after us, right? Right?’’

‘’I'm afraid she does not see it that way. You all saw the same vision. You all saw how it ended. I could feel her raw emotions. It was more than wanting us, she desperately needs us. I know you don't want to hear that but... I doubt it is over. Far from it.’’

All keep quiet. Twilight could guess the reason. Fear. A fear that was gripping their heart so much that it was making them feel cold. The reason she could know was that she was feeling the same fear.

But then, the sound of growling stomachs came, ruining the tense atmosphere. Rarity held her belly in embarrassment.

‘’Oh dear, that is very unbecoming of a lady.’’

But there was a hint in her voice that suggests that she was glad for that distraction.

‘’It's no wonder, we been on so much, of course we all be famished. Iffin we goin'ta to face her again, ah suggest we all go filling our belly before all else Twi. Soldiers can't fight on empty stomachs.’’

‘’Yes AJ... yes I suppose you are right. We should go eat.’’

Rainbow Dash, seeing that as an occasion to be useful, flew towards the door.

‘’Alright then I going to search for something to make us snacks. We will just have to find another place to eat that the kitchen to eat because it's a battlefield. No I'm not joking, it's literally a battlefield. But I'm pretty sure the fridge was spared. You're coming Fluttershy?’’

‘’Huh! Yes, I, I'm coming.’’

Both pegasi went away and the rest of the group soon followed then. Until only the two brothers and Twilight remain. The two canines eventually followed suit but then...

‘’Dirt. Dust.’’

‘’Yes princess?’’

‘’I have a request. Once everything will be over... please come to Ponyville.’’

‘’Whaaat!’’

‘’You have no place to live so I figure I should help you. I know you were not accepted in Equestria but trust me, Ponyville is a special place. There, it's a wonderful town where all are accepted and the inhabitants are the friendliest there is. Sure, they may be a little eccentric, weird and sometimes crazy but... if you give them a chance, I am sure you will fall in love with that place just like I did.’’

‘’But princess, we... we don't deserve//

‘’Please I insist. It has nothing to do with deserving or gratitude. I just want to help because... because I just want. That's all.’’

She passed them and exit the room while the two brothers were following her with their eyes, not quite sure to know what they were seeing. The words of Twilight were making their feelings all confuse and yet... yet... they could not help... but to smile. Those smiles were little... but they were genuine.

Applejack was descending the stairs, well more what was left of it, but then noticed Fluttershy, sitting against the bench for apparently no reason, not moving, just fixing a point on the wall in front of her. But AJ could guess that the true thing Shy she was not able to advert her gaze was more in the inside of herself.

‘’Fluttershy?’’

‘’Eeeek!!!’’

‘’Oh sorry sugarcube, ah did not want to scare ya.’’

‘’Applejack! ... No... no I'm sorry, I should not have been that distracted, I... there was just a lot on my mind.’’

Applejack went down and sat at her side. From where they were they could hear Rainbow in the kitchen, rummaging the fridge, shouting things like: ‘’What! Where are the crackers? What kind of house does not have crackers? ’’ They both went to giggle.

‘’Heheh. Ah shuck. Ah sure needed that. Now, would ya not mind telling what is wrong?’’

‘’Well, she was right, that kitchen is a mess. I did not feel good seeing all that violence so I went away in silence. But the moment I was alone I... all came back to me. I think... I think Dashie knew. And that is why she insisted that I accompany her. So that I won't be alone.’’

‘’Ah can believe it. That gal is more perceptive than we think. She surprised me sometimes.’’

‘’What happened to the kelpies became the only thing I can think of and the fear... the fear came back. I was so afraid that I was no longer able to move.’’

‘’Oh. ... Fluttershy, ya... told us what your trial was. What that filly did to ya was without words. But... it was not your fault.’’

‘’I know it was not my fault. But I think I prefer if it was. Because if it was, at least I could search and find out what I did wrong to make sure it won't happen again. But I did wrong... because I did right. Because I had shown care, they wanted to showed care in return. And they died because of what I had taught them.’’

‘’Fluttershy//

‘’I always do my best to teach my animals to be good. And I guess my kindness to them encourage them to be kind. I used to see that as a good thing but now... now I realize that because they care about others... can also mean they can care more about other that they care about themselves. When I care more about them that I care about me. So what I am supposed to do? What is the true way to care? Teach them instead to be selfish so that they will only care about themselves? That's no better. I am feeling trap. I fear for when the next one I love will die because of my very love. What I'm supposed to do? What's the solution? Aah! Aaaaah *pant**pant**pantpantpantpant*.’’

The poor pegasus was now hyperventilating due to a panic attack. Applejack put her hooves on Fluttershy shoulder to calm her down. At first it did not seem to work but then, a second touch was added. A paw gently land on Fluttershy head and caressed her pink mane. These two touchs were enough to calm her down. She raised her head and saw that this paw was belonging to Dust.

‘’I am sorry, I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I heard everything.’’

The big dog went down the stairs and joined the discussion.

‘’About those kelpies. I am sorry that you had to see that//

‘’It's alright. If you want to apologize, I know it was not your fault. And I know, *sniff*, I know I must eventually get over their deaths but... but it's so hard. Those adorable kelpies were so nice, so affectionate. They sacrificed their lives for me without a second thought. It's so unfair. They didn't deserve to die. When I think about them I... I...’’

Tears streamed from her eyes and she sobbed uncontrollably. Dust closed his eyes in a pensive mood.

‘’Ummm. Umm no they did not die.’’

He walked towards the door leading to the cellar and opened it.

‘’Not really.’’

Intriguing by his words, Fluttershy walk into the doorway he was pointing. Inside it was dark and she could see nothing. So Dust switched-on the light switch and...

She could not believe it! It has to be a dream, she was thinking. But a miracle did happen.

There, resting on the floor, was none other than the two kelpies. It was them, Fluttershy have the eye to recognize the individuality in each animal with just one look. Because of the light, they opened their tired eyes but once they saw the yellow pegasus, they were no longer tired and hooted in joy.

Fluttershy, in choc, covered her mouth with her hoof and cried tears of relief.

‘’Kelpies! You... YOU'RE ALRIGHT!’’

She flew to them and caressed them with her cheeks like no tomorrow.

‘’You're alright, oh you're all alright. I was sure you were dead. Oh thank Celestia, I could not have bear it if you had died because of me. Promise me you will never do that again.’’

The kelpies were also happy to see their friend. One of them gobbled the upper-half of the pony. Obviously. Not that she minded. You could tell from the way she was giggling from inside his mouth. Applejack and Dust was finding that scene very heartwarming. They needed to see that.

And that was the moment Rainbow Dash decided to come back.

‘’Okay guys. There is enough to make something at least decent for all. Sure, there are no crackers, and yes I know, it's a big down, but at least OHMYGOSH, FLUTTERSHY IS BEING EATEN ALIVE!!!’’

After having held back by force the pegasus that wanted to 'save her' and explained the situation, Rainbow Dash calmed down and was brushing the back of her head in embarrassment. They all let Fluttershy be alone with the kelpies for a few minutes but it was clear that they were still very weak and needed time to rest. So Fluttershy, with a lot of regret, leaves them alone in the dark so they could rest. She quietly closed the door and faced the three of them.

‘’Thank you for having shown me this. I needed this and I am so grateful. But... how? How they are here? How did they survive? I was so sure I had seen them being electrocuted.’’

Applejack was the first to speak.

‘’Well, for how they go here, we did not tell ya but we did not just carry everypony, we also took the kelpies with us. The dogs knew they were fine, hummm well that they were alive at least, so we took the time to grab them. They were as unconscious as our fellow friends.’’

Rainbow Dash then also entered the discussion.

‘’Once we arrived at the guesthouse, we put the kelpies in the cellar. The brothers told us that kelpies usually lived at the dark bottom of lakes so it would be the best place for them to rest and feel secure. We sorry we did not tell you sooner. Not of us were sure if they will be truly fine and we did not want to give you false hope before we were certain. That is until a certain mutt decided to spill the beans.’’

She elbowed Dust in a playful manner.

‘’Put yourself in my shoes, seeing that yellow pegasus crying was the worst torture there could be.’’

‘’Oh! Yeah, okay, sure, good point good point, . Oh well, it ended well so no harm done I guess.’’

‘’But how did you know they were alive? That question is still not answered.’’

At that, Dust went back into guilty mode.

‘’I... don't want to scare you but their survival could have well never happened. You know they had been electrocuted by a device called dynamo. The boss had asked us many tasks before your capture. One of them was to install the dynamos at their corresponding location before turning them on. Then at the last one, the boss asked me through monitor to augment the voltage of it. He never told me why or what was their purpose and I admit I did not really want to know. But I had a bad feeling. It was nothing clear, just... I was afraid for some reason. So once I did as he had said, he went away satisfied and once I was alone, I put the voltage back to its initial setting. He must never have taken the time to check thoroughly.’’

‘’Oh! Then it must have been like the one in the deadly pool. The one she had said was not lethal. She must have thought as much as me that they really die. Oh dear! If it was not of that whim then...’’

‘’Wait Miss Shy. It would be best if you do not thank me. Like you say, it had been just a whim. And besides, there is something you must know. We were the one who had captured those kelpies and keep them in captivity in the first place. Once again he did not tell us what he wanted to do with them but it should have clicked sooner. I'm, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I nearly caused the irreparable and HUHHH!!!’’

The guilty and crying dog had been interrupted by Fluttershy who flew and tackled him at the chest in a hug.

No one say a word. There was no need to.

Both pegasi went to the living room, which was intact and could serve as a good place to eat, leaving Dust alone with the farm-pony.

‘’She seems to be doing better.’’

‘’Ah reckon, yep. It was the right call Dusty. You did good.’’

‘’Dusty!’’

‘’Although, she's right. It was close. Too close for comfort. Still, let's not complain if a miracle happens. I just hope that... that hos...’’

Dust knew well what she was about to say.

‘’Maybe you should hope. When I put that... that bomb, I hid it in a wing of the hospital that was not used that often. Maybe by luck, nopony dies or... at least less than we think.’’

‘’Ah know what ya are trying to say and yes, maybe ah should hope a miracle had happened. But even iffi't did, it doesn't change that ah pushed the button. Ah... ah think it's the same for Fluttershy. She had said she was afraid and ah can tell she still is. Flo wanted to make a point and she succeeded. Shy... I... none of us will be able to have our simpler and brighter days back. Our lives had forever changed for something more... ah don't know. More scary. And anguishing.’’

Applejack, realizing she was in a bleak mood, shook her head and got back her smiling face.

‘’Oups. Didn't mean to put a wet bucket on your bonfire. Alright partner. What do ya say we rejoin our two friends and help them set our midnight-past-midnight snack.’’

She trotted away. But Dust stenches his big arm toward her.

‘’Wait.’’

AJ stopped and turned her head towards him.

‘’Yes Dusty?’’

‘’I don't understand. How can you forgive me and be all friendly with me. 'I' was the one who brought you to this nightmare and I had been especially violent towards you.’’

‘’Bah. For each hit ya gave me, ah hit harder.’’

‘’Don't joke about that. I... I genuinely don't understand.’’

‘’Ohhh. Well... it's hard to explain. I guess it's because ah know now that you're not a bad guy. Plus, if ya done all that, it was to take care of your family. And ah always had a soft spot for family. Beside... ah have no right to judge you.’’

She lowered her Stetson to cover her eyes. And her shame.

‘’When ah am no better than ya.’’

She went away in silence. A silence that Dust was not sure to know how to deal with it.

The outside air had become chilly. For ponies, this was not too much of a problem, they had a natural advantage against the cold. But it was still enough to feel goose bumps on the skin. One mare in particular seemed not to care. Or maybe it would be more right to say she did not see the point to care.

The tapestry of Luna was all covered by clouds. No moon or stars to give some light. From the small upward balcony, the white unicorn was sitting on a chair, busy knitting something, the needles floating with blue telekinesis. A candle stick with a flame on it was at her side on a stool.

A door opened up behind her and Twilight came out of it, her horn glowing with a purple light.

‘’Ah, Rarity, that's where you were. When I was seeing you nowhere, I was starting to worry.’’

‘’Sorry Twilight, I did not want to scare you. I should have warned somepony. I just needed so time alone to... get my head back in order I suppose.’’

‘’It's cold out there.’’

‘’Yes. But I like it. And I think I need it. Feeling it sipping into me help to calm down the many, too many emotions in me. Or at least help me pretend it does.’’

This was worrying greatly Twilight. Rarity was by nature a very emotive pony and she had long understood that her dramatic and over-the-top outbursts were in the way helping her to deal with it. But the Rarity before her was, well, not well, but calm. Could it be that what she was feeling was so big that she was not capable to properly express it?

‘’I... see. Well, if you prefer to be alone.’’

Rarity, without turning back, just waved her hoof in dismissing manner.

‘’Pffft, nonsense darling. Come, sit down. I will gladly enjoy the company.’’

She accepted her invitation and sat on the second chair. She snuffed out the light of her horn. It was no longer necessary because of the candlestick between her and Rarity, casting its small but contrasting orange light on the faces of the two ponies.

‘’So... what are you doing?’’

‘’I am knitting. When my nerves are a wreck, making clothes is what helps me most to calm down.’’

‘’Does it work?’’

‘’You know what... *sigh* no. It does not work.’’

The needles stopped doing their magic when the literal magic stayed still.

‘’It does not work. I can't manage to work. I was trying my best but no idea came though me. I even went to try to make a very basic outfit, Celestia forbade me, but I don't even know what I am doing right now. What I am seeing is... just a simple piece of fabric and not the beginning of something wonderful as usual.’’

The unicorn, exasperated, rest her head on her hoof and just tossed her work to her side.

‘’What's even the point to continue. It just makes me more depressed anyway.’’

‘’Rarity! What is going on?’’

‘’... ... You... saw it. Is it not? I had told all but you, you saw it. Didn't you?’’

The alicorn could do nothing but lowered her head.

‘’Yes, I... saw all.’’

‘’What I did to Spike was unforgivable.’’

‘’Rarity, you had//

‘’I am not talking about that and you know it. If I had not played with his heart for so long there would have been no trial in the first place. Do you know how I feel? Stupid. Arrogant. And blind. How did it take so much time to realize I was so mean to my dear Spike? I was playing with his devoted heart like a game and I could not even see it. Make me wonder what he was even seeing in me in the first place. I feel awful Twilight. So, so awful. And I hope Spike hates me right now. I hope he does.’’

Twilight, at this declaration of self-loathing, lowered her wings in shame.

‘’If you are guilty then I am as guilty as you. I too knew about Spike love for you but I never took it seriously. I had always considered it a simple crush. With some insight, it seems obvious it was the real deal. If I had been more attentive, I could, I don't know, give some advice, been a supportive shoulder. Now I feel I had left him to deal with that alone and that make me feel like a failure. Maybe it's a fault that me and all the girls share. So, I guess, don't feel alone in that.’’

‘’Thank you Twi but this does not make me feel better. That trial had put into perspective all my past.’’

‘’What do you mean?’’

‘’Spike was not the only one I had been awful. Did you know I had met Dirt and Dust during my stroll through Happy Town? Do you know how was my first reaction? I got scared and treated them harshly even before knowing them.’’

‘’Welllll, it not like it was a nice thing to do but you did have a bad experience with Diamond Dogs.’’

‘’Sorry but I think it doesn't justify such prejudice. Beside...’’

She looked up. At the gloomy sky.

‘’And that just an example. You know Twi, all my life I had tried to pursue after true beauty, to be beautiful as possible. But I think I had failed. Looking back at my life, I think I instead was a pretty selfish pony. And do you know what is the worst part? Even after all the efforts I had made to have a beautiful heart, I had still become awful and hurt those I love without even wanting it. What does it mean? That it is in the end an impossible job? I even went to think that...’’

She went into a fit of shudders and took hold of herself.

‘’That true beauty doesn't really exist. And that, Twilight, is why I can no longer work. I used to see beauty in everything but now, I am not sure I can and it is not easy for me to admit it. What... if I had lost my touch? What if I never find it again? Maybe there never was any true beauty in that world. Just thinking about it... it's terrifying.’’

Twilight was so sad to hear her friend talking like that. She knew she had to say something.

‘’You know what Rarity. You're right. You are selfish.’’

And to that, the white mare acted over-dramatically obfuscated.

‘’*gasssp* That was supposed to be the part where you deny that part!’’

‘’Sorry but I cannot say false things. That's not the way to help friends. But do you want me to tell you something that I am sure you will like?’’

‘’Go on, try me.’’

‘’You do are the most generous pony I had ever met. You are selfish and generous at the same time. As absurd as it sound, it is not contradictory. We are too complex to be that binary. And you know what. That is the reason why you are a pony I admire so much.’’

‘’Twilight!’’

‘’You are always searching for ways to help others and to make them happy. But still you do not try to be a generous prince and you always take time to take care of your own happiness. That's not a fault. It's wonderful. If you were purely selfless, you will be an unattainable figure and even sometimes, annoying. But because you have a selfish side, it makes us easier for us to believe we can follow your example. So you see, your selfishness enhance your qualities. No, in a way, it is a quality that makes you, as you would say, an even brighter gem. Besides, you are our friend and we want you to be happy. So it reassures us that you can do that job well by yourself.’’

Rarity... was bewildered. All that Twilight had said was just so sincere and it struck her right at the core. She was wondering what she had done to deserve such a friend.

‘’So Rare, do you feel better?’’

‘’You know... I think... I think yes! A little bit at least. But... it still did not erase what I did. I//

‘’I know, I know, it's not that simple, you still feel the need to fix every mistake you made. Believe me, I know that feeling, I deal with it nearly every day. I could write a book about it. Wait, I did! Anyway, if you want to fix your mistake, like apologizing to Spike, I will gladly help you. Fellow messing-up mares must stick together.’’

Rarity did a soft giggle.

‘’Thank you so much Twi. You had really helped me. I am still not sure if I can still see beauty again but now I feel it is possible if I try.’’

‘’That's my girl. Alright, enough talking, the snack Dash had promised must be ready, I suggest we go right now.’’

With a flash of her horn, the door to the inside came wide open. The light burst and pushed out the dark of the outside. Its light was more bright and more inviting than the one of the candlelight. Twilight walked at the doorway and held out her hoof toward Rarity as a gesture to follow her into the welcoming interior.

‘’You're coming?’’

‘’Right at you.’’

Rarity snuffed out the flame of the candle.

Saying they were no longer feeling down would be a lie. Far from it even. Their hearts were still in so much pain that it was still tempting for them to cry or scream in anger. But the thing about the heart is that it can simultaneously have many contradictory feelings. And right now, as they were preparing that snack, a genuine moment of levity was felt and they decided to concentrate on that.

The living room was used as a new makeshift dinner room, mostly because it was one the only room that had been spared by the assault. Fluttershy and Rainbow were pushing the sofas and chair towards the wall to make space. Applejack was carried by herself a round wood table which she put at the middle. Starlight was bringing the dishes and utensils. Even with her hoof in a cast, it was not a problem with her levitation. Dust and Dirt followed her with the chairs and finally, Pinkie Pie came last with a cart full of food. Nothing too fancy, just sandwiches, salads and even some chips and orange juice.

Finally, Twilight followed by Rarity came last. Seeing as all was ready, the alicorn threw a spell at the logs resting in the heart of the chimney and gentle fire rises from them. Feeling it was missing a final touch, Rarity with her levitation spell, pushed the switch for the electrical chandelier.

All the room was lighted further. The chandelier was antique and so its yellow light had the same old feeling. But it was not sickening or bothersome, quite the contrary, it felt warm and cozy. It gave to all the impression that they were at vacation in a chalet in the woods or that they were at a Heart Warming feast.

They each took a seat and munched at the food before them. Although it was rudimentary, they all found it delicious and went to make small talks between them.

As mentioned before, the table they were sitting was big and round. For the ponies, it looked a lot like the map at Twilight castle where they often see each other. And for a moment, they felt as if they were back at that cherished place.

‘’Ahhh, that hit the spot. You were right, it was important. Now I feel I can think straight once again.’’

The feeling of having a stomach full can do wonders. Twilight, feeling much better, was slumping on her chair, tapping her belly.

But her back went straight again. And her gaze was one of utmost seriousness.

‘’Now then. It was nice but we must not forget that we are not out of trouble.’’

It was like a spell had been cast. Or maybe the right word was 'dispel'. The tension came back on the face of everycreature and the anxiety came back in their chest.

‘’I am sorry to ruin that good moment but it is a the truth. We may be still in danger. I don't know how she will get to us, hell, I don't even know if she can do something in the first place. But I don't want to just wait and see what will happen. No way I will.’’

She emphasized that last sentence by hitting the table with her hoof. She realized too late that might have been too much because they all got scared of her outburst. And it triggered their fears. They escaped from the game from just a few hours, the memory was still fresh. Especially for Pinkie Pie. She was shaking and was holding her head in her hooves. The glint of happiness from her blue eyes was gone and instead was filled with a fear close to delirium.

‘’Oh no, oh no, there is no way I am going back here. I never before I have, no, I don't want to I don't want to, never again.’’

Dash went to Pinkie, grabbed her and patted her hair in a comforting way.

‘’Shhh, shhh. It's alright Pinkie, you will never go back there. To capture us she needed goons and now she no longer have goons. Hum, no offense to you two.’’

‘’*sigh* None taken.’’

Pinkie did a small giggle. And the comforting of Rainbow seems to have worked because she had calmed down. Rarity on the other hand, made a small cough to grab the attention.

‘’I hate to be the one that brings bad news but must I remember you that this child have a lot of... dangerous toys at her disposal. Would we able to do anything against that?’’

Twilight spreads her wings in front of herself and made the tips touching themselves in a triangular formation, hiding her lower face. It gave the appearance of somepony thinking.

‘’I don't know Rare. There is just too much I don't know. And it is frustrating.’’

Fluttershy had still not said a word. But she wanted to say something. Her face was nearly completely covered by her pink mane and she was nearly hidden under the table when she decided to speak in a soft tone.

‘’Hum, but, what... what are we doing about... Floral? Even if she does nothing... shouldn't we go and help her?’’

This question took all by surprise. No one was opening their mouth because they did not know what to say. No one was commenting because they did not know what to think. Fluttershy had in a way threw a bomb. It was not that they were repulsed by what she had said. It was more complicated than that.

Mel had mutilated them, tearing them apart in a metaphoric way. And they hated him, hated him so much, at a point they could not believe it was possible to hate somepony that much. But turned out that the one wearing the face and name of the one they hated was in reality a filly they could only see before as a nice girl, that this name and face were in fact belonging to a nice guy that had nothing to do with them and that the true responsible herself was a victim of circumstances and had complex reasons to do what she did. In short words, it was a true mess. They did not even know what to feel.

After a bit of uncomfortable silence, Twilight was the one that broke the silence with a sigh.

‘’*sigh* I wish I had the answer. It's... I still have difficulty to warp into my head that it was her all along. But come to think of it, it's no wonder Mel knew how well to hurt us on such a personal level. We were in reality being tormented by our number one fan! She knew everything about us.’’

Twilight needed a moment to process all that.

‘’This... this is so crazy. And I had seen a lot of crazy things but that, it's... it's just...’’

‘’It's tragic. That's what I think at least.’’

Fluttershy comment did not have a once of doubt. At first they were all at shock but... but they all had to admit, and it was all to swallow, that they were thinking the same thing. The emotions that were at first stuck were starting to spill.

They could still no forgive her but... but feelings were hardly that simple.

They had seen her past. At first at simple witness but now it dawn on them that it had truly happened. It was choking. Especially for Twilight, since she knows what it is like to have a big brother that you love so much.

‘’Yes. Yes you are right. It is tragic. To lose a brother like that. It is obvious she feels she is to blame. What would have happened if it was me at her place? If I had seen Shining Armor die that way I... I//

She never could have finished because she had been interrupted by AJ who had angrily smashed her hoof on the table.

‘’Oh for Celestia sake, this doesn't excuse anything. Ah too have a brother if he dies, ah would be devastated yes but it wouldn't have turned me into a psycho killer. Ya are telling me that if ya had been at her place, ya would have gone mad like her? Ya would have made that game?’’

Twilight deeply ponders AJ question. The answer was obvious. She would not have done it. The notion was ridiculous. But...

But Twilight had her friends! She would have her friends to confide and she knew they would be there to support her. And Floral... Floral had none of that.

She was alone. No friends and not even family. She had been so isolated. In grand part because of that overwhelming sense of responsibility she had bestowed upon herself.

Just like the old Twilight.

She too, once a time, had no friends and was not socializing because she was concentrating all her waking moments into the misguided responsibility of being a perfect pony. What would have happened if that old Twilight had lost her brother? Would she have become insane like her or not? Would she? She reflect deeply on that.

And a chilly conclusion came to her.

She could not answer.

And it was scary.

‘’She was alone.’’

She had say to Applejack.

‘’Huh?’’

‘’She was all alone. She had lost the only one that was seeing her has a normal pony while all the others were seeing her more as a symbol than a true person. Result, she could share her guilt with no one. Guilt, because she feels that she is responsible for Melancholia death. I would have felt the same if it was me. I think... I think she did all that out of a twisted way of atonement. You know. I feel stupid. I should have saw sooner was wrong with her. I thought she was really nothing more than a simple happy filly but in retrospect, it seems so obvious that it was nothing more than pretend.’’

‘’Then why nopony notice it dang'it?’’

Nearly screamed Applejack while hitting the table again, scaring all around her.

‘’They knew her better than ya and had known her longer than ya. If one, just one of this damn town had figured out things were not normal, nopony would have died, we wouldn't be in that hell. Ah don't care how good of an actress she was, ah know how it is to live in tights communion. If one member was gone or if one was deeply hurt then no matter how it is hidden, it will be bound to be found out because each one always matter so much. But you are telling me they were that blind to realize that something strange was happening to not anyone but 'the one' that is supposed to be the most loved! What kind of community is THAT?!’’

In her fit, she threw her hat at the table. This outburst of anger had been so violent that she was now panting. They all noticed that her anger had changed target from Flo to Happy Town. That farmpony knew well every member of her big family and she was very involved into the community of Ponyville. For her, it was probably unthinkable that such a tight town would be able to neglect that much their fellow and that, without even wanting to. Rarity touched AJ shoulder to calm her down. Applejack immediately felt ashamed to have lost control.

‘’Ah'm sorry ya'll. Ah didn't mean to.’’

‘’It's alright darling. You know, I understand what you mean. This town of Happy Town no longer looks great though my eyes and frankly, although it is vulgar to say it like that, make me want to puke. The way they treat that poor Melancholia is just awful. And because what they did does not appear at first sight as harmful makes it even more disturbing. I am an artist, I know you cannot help but to be criticized and be rejected sometime. But this go beyond than that. I could tell, they were treating his art as evil. That's beyond brutal. How could he have managed to continue his work? I know I would not be able to.’’

The fashionista grabbed herself as if she was cold.’’

‘’That place scares me. I know it sound exaggerate after all we've been through but that how I genuinely feel. Do you know what scares me the most. It's that this town is full of dangerous way of life but none of them look dangerous. Not until you had been rotten by then for a long time. Does this mean that Happy Town can be borne at anyplace? Sorry. I... I know I must not make a lot of sense, I... I just feel dreadful and I cannot well explain it.’’

But the truth was they were all able to understand what she meant. Pinkie was the next to speak up.

‘’But does that mean that we should really forgive her?’’

The tone of Pinkie was cold. Coming from her, it was very uncanny.

‘’Sure, she had her reasons and the ponies around her were more lame than a lameo. But it's not an excuse to be a bad pony. Nothing is an excuse to be a bad pony. Because of her, Righto will never fly again. And Sugary... . Flo is a monster and a bully. And she had hurt all my friends when we had done nothing to her. Tell me. Do you think we should really forgive somepony like that?’’

No one was answering since it was a difficult topic to ponder. Even Fluttershy was not sure she could. She was hiding behind her pink cascade, her eyes downcast.

‘’I... I don't know.’’

The whole room was cast into an uncomfortable silence weighing heavily on all.

‘’I think we should.’’

And just like that, all head snapped towards the one who had said that. Towards...

Rainbow Dash!

‘’Huhhh, why, why are you looking at me that way?’’

‘’Hum ... ... . Sorry sugarcube, we don't want to sound rude but... we didn't expect you to be the... forgiving one.’’

‘’Well thanks for the vote of confidence. But I still maintain what I'd say. That little filly needs help and I say we should go help her.’’

From that audience, Pinkie Pie was the most shocked. She was looking at Rainbow like if she was a creature she was not recognizing.

‘’Dashie, how can you say something like that? She had blown into smoke many of the Wonderbots.’’

‘’Look, I did not really see them being blown into smoke. Maybe they did, maybe they don't. But regardless, it's beside the point. You all have constantly called her sicko and crazy. I did too. But have you not think that she may be actually insane. I mean in a clinical way. We're going against bad guys a lot so it's natural to think her that way. But does the terms good and bad pony can still be applied to her?’’

And just like that, all the heads snapped towards her.

‘’Seriously! Again! Now I am feeling insulted. Do I have the reputation to be the insensible one of the group?’’

Twilight raised her hoof to make a comment.

‘’I understand what you are trying to say. Still//

‘’Twilight. She, was, going to let herself killed just to prove a point. Do you think any sane mind would do that? Look, I am not trying to convince you. I am just saying my opinion. And my opinion is: the only thing I see is a child that needs medical help.’’

Twilight was impressed, no less. She could not believe Rainbow Dash could be so strong, even after all she did to her. But maybe all her friends were more strong than she was giving them credit. She looked at Starlight. She was saying nothing but her eyes were pleading Twilight to consider what Rainbow Dash was proposing. After all, if Twilight had not given her a second chance, she will not be what she is today. Also, she remembers that she did help a lot of ponies that had lost control of themselves. Princess Luna who was possessed by Nightmare Moon. Trixie who was corrupted by the Alicorn amulet. Sunset Shimmer who had become mad because of the element of Magic. Stygian who had become the thrall of a dark power.

The princess was now feeling as if she had been free of a heavy weight.

‘’Thank you Dashie. Because of you, now I know at last what to do.’’

Dust was pretty intrigued by what she had in mind.

‘’Sooo, what are we doing? You're not proposing we just charge right in? After just barely escaped it!’’

‘’No. We are going home.’’

That... was not the answer that group was expecting.

‘’Don't misunderstand, we are not abandoning her. Rainbow Dash is right, Floral need help. But let us be logical. We don't know what she can do. Going head first would be too risky. So, I propose we get out of Happy Town to find help, possibly even seek the princess since that game had been shown to all Equestria, then that must make it a government matter of sort. Then, once we had that help, we come back for her. We should probably also take the Elements of Harmony.’’

‘’Oh right, we had heard of those legendary artifacts that had helped save the world many times. You think they will work against her and her machines?’’

‘’I don't know. Usually we had only used them against the forces of evil and I not sure the Elements will see her as such. But it is better to be careful. Alright, now that we have a schedule, I suggest we prepare to go away fast. Floral still want us and she may act fast so there is no time to lose.’’

They all left the room except for two ponies who had stayed behind. Rainbow was looking at Pinkie Pie. Her eyes were downcast and she was noticing that her pink hair were less puffy than usual. She had been particularly affected by that ordeal, that much was obvious to guess. Rainbow was worried that by voting to help Floral, she may inadvertently hurt her friend. Her ears lowered on her head because of the guilt. That would be the last thing Dash would ever want.

‘’Pinkie. Are you mad at me?’’

‘’... ... Does I am mad at you?’’

The pink pony raised her head.

‘’Ummmmmh, nope.’’

‘’Huh, nope!’’

‘’Nope.’’

Without warning, the earthpony jumped-up from her chair and bounced toward Dash, accompanied by her usual squeaky sound that only her knew how to make.

‘’Well it's, more than not mad, I am super duper grateful to you.’’

‘’Oh! Great then. ... Humm, I don't get it, why are you grateful?’’

For some reason understood only to her, Pinkie went to do some warm-up exercises on the spot. Like stretching and jumping jack.

‘’Yea you see, I was genuinely thinking all I was saying when I'd say I was hating her butttt, how could I say it right? The Pinkie pie who had said that. I was not liking that Pinkie Pie. Or maybe more like I was no longer myself if it makes more sense. The true Pinkie Pie does not give in to hate. She tries to see the good side in everypony when she can.’’

After a bunch of physical exercises, the next thing she did was shaking like a noodle, both body and mane, while making weird sounds with her mouth.

‘’Ahbrrrrr, brrrrrr, brrrrrr, belalalah, belalalah, prrffff taking out the nasty. So, as I was saying, I am so, so grateful to you. You had stood your ground even if your opinion was, hum controval, or is it controversiatille? Well anyway, you had stayed loyal to what you had believe and this super-duper encourage it me to do the same despise all that anger that is still within me.’’

And fast as lightning, she boobed the nose of the cyan pegasus.

‘’And I have you to thank for.’’

‘’Oh! Well... I'm glad. I am really glad then. You know, you are pretty amazing.’’

‘’No silly. You are the true amazing mare. I could do it with your help but you, you had stayed altruistic by your own.’’

‘’To tell you the truth, I am the first who was surprised. I was sure I could never forgive her but when you asked the question, the answer just came naturally. I just... no longer saw the point of holding a grudge. That it will be better for me if I just let it go.’’

Pinkie lost her bouncy attitude and although she was still smiling, a hint of worry was on her face.

‘’It's beautiful what you say. You know, I could not help but noticed that you had been awfully nice since we wake-up.’’

‘’Oh you mean I'm usually a jerk! Nah, just kidding. I noticed the same thing you know. I think... I think it is because I understood that... that there is a lot I cannot do. I thought that I was invincible, that I could do anything if I put my mind into it. Oh sure, I had a lot of setbacks but I somehow had managed to still believe that I could do anything. But now I... feel weak. Gosh I don't like saying that. But because of that feeling I guess that I understand more those who feel weak and powerless. Like Fluttershy. Or Floral. I still hate her so much but it is easy to guess she feels powerless. How else would she know how well to make me feel the same. Sorry. Said out loud, it doesn't seem a little lame, haha.’’

Rainbow embarrassedly scratched the back of her head. She did a lot of that lately. Pinkie, her, had lost her smile and was looking down cast.

‘’I don't like that answer. You are saying as if you had lost your fighting spirit.’’

‘’Bah. You must be right. I must becoming soft. Good thing I had at least gained that after losing so much of myself.’’

She gently flew away towards the window while Pinkie was followed her with her sad eyes.

‘’Dashie.’’

Dash opened the curtains blocking the view and once she did, she saw what was outside and...

And her magenta iris shrunk with fear.

‘’GYAAAAAH!!!’’

Twilight, followed by Dirt and Dust, were about to climb the stair. Starlight ran towards them with the best she could on three hooves.

‘’Wait. Just wait.

The three of them interrupted their walk and turned toward the unicorn.

‘’Yes, what is it?’’

‘’I need to ask something to Dirt and Dust. There is something I had been wondering for quite some time and I need to know. Tell me, even if Flo had been under Mel disguise, you two had interacted with her for quite some time. Can you tell me how she was?’’

The two dogs looked at each other, at first confused at that question but understood that she needed a serious answer.

‘’I don't know what we can tell. She, hum, he, had always been secretive with us. He gave us jobs to do but was never telling us why we had to do them though we could get a good idea.’’

‘’He was a pretty strange dude but yet was acting like if he knew how we thought. Although...’’

As Dust paused, Starlight got intrigued.

‘’Yes, what is it?’’

‘’It might be just me, but... as days passed, I noticed he gradually became more... aloft. I mean he had always been weird. But it went up to a creepy level. But I can't quite explain why. It had come that during the last days, I was having bone chill each time I was in his presence.’’

‘’I understand what my bro say. I too noticed that. Sometimes, when he was briefing with us, I got the impression he was forgetting that we were even there. It was like, I don't know, like if he was on another planet.’’

Twilight was wondering where her student was going to.

‘’Starlight, what this is about?’’

‘’Something in what Rainbow Dash said make me question myself. When you were playing the game, I had discussed with her and I founded that something was off. Would she really be able to go to such lengths just to make a point?’’

‘’You saw her past just as we all did. Isn't explain all.’’

‘’That's just it. I'm not sure. I know about trauma and did terrible things for reasons even less compelling than her. Sure, I understand how she hates how the world is and wants to change it for the better, or at least what she believes is better. Ah great, now it sound awfully familiar. But what I mean is, even if she enraged, lost or even broken, does a little girl would consider to outright murder? Even now I have difficulty believing it.’’

‘’Starlight, what are you trying to say?’’

‘’I don't know. I feel we still don't see the full picture. I feel as if we still missing something. An important piece.’’

‘’GYAAAAAH!!!’’

They all heard the scream of Rainbow Dash.

‘’What was that?!’’

‘’It was Dash! She is in trouble!’’

Acting by reflexes, Twilight teleported towards the living room. Once she appeared there, she saw Rainbow, her butt on the floor, with a look of terror.

‘’Rainbow, what is it? Is Floral attacking us?’’

‘’Worse.’’

She pointed her hoof towards the window. And Twilight felt the same fear as her because she saw...

The people of Happy Town, the greatest fans of our mares, their faces pressing against the glass, in a way more ridiculous than comical. And all those ponies were feeling reliefs and joy to see that the mares they were admiring so much were fine.

‘’Thank goodness, you're alright.’’

‘’We were fearing the worst. It was a torture.’’

‘’We could not have bear it if something had happened to you.’’

‘’You don't know how good it is to see you again.’’

Time seemed to be frozen. The ponies outside were giving their dumb smiles while the three mares inside were still as statues. The horn of Twilight lighted up. With her levitation spell, she grabbed the curtain and slowly tugs it, covering the window, hiding then those happy-fools.

‘’You know girls, I think I really would have preferred an attack from Flo.’’

In the deep of the forest, a small wind was rustling the trees. Birds and squirrels were peacefully sleeping on their nest, dreaming about fun days to come. It was still late at night after all. Nothing seems to imply that something would perturb their peaceful rest.

*Click**click**click**click**click*

But then a strange clicking sound came, waking them up. Animals ears are always on alert. And this was a sound they have never heard before.

*Click**click**click**click**click*

At this, they panicked. It did not sound quite alive but also no not quite alive. And no matter what entity was making that sound, they were a lot of them.

The animals tried to see down what they were but it was too dark. They could only see blue lights, always in pairs like eyes crawling on the ground, only going straightforward.

*Click**click**click**click**click*

They understood those strange things they were to fear and the critters did not want to be on their path. Those on the trees climbed higher while the few on the ground went back to their terrier or hide in bushes, leaving free passages for those monsters.

All animals were shaking in fear. They were unnatural, they didn't understand them, they had nothing to do in their forest, they could not comprehend how they could exist. There was just one thing they knew on those things.

They were predators without a shred of mercy.

Author's Note

And there it go. You konw, the chapter 10 and 11 were originally supposed to be only one chapter. But I realized that it was becoming too big and since the two half would have different tones anyway, I decided it would be best to separate it two different chapters.

Stay tuned for the next chapter. I promise that this one, and the ones who will came after, will have much more actions. Does it mean it will have less speeches and introspection? Welllll... ... oh come, at that point, it had become my trademark.