Chapter 12: True wisdom is within

The tear on the face of Mount Heaven was visible to all to see. That beautiful mountain, which had been an iconic landmark, was now forever scared. Yet it was not over. Sound of rumble could be heard and if they could take attention, they will notice that the mountain was trembling. For any bystander, it would be quite foreboding.

But for Twilight Sparkle, it was more than forebodings. It was downright a reason to panic.

‘’Wait! Does she... but that's mean... oh no! No no no no no no no no.’’

Twilight was becoming agitated. It even seemed that she had forgotten that her friends were with her. She keeps walking in circles in a frantic pace, muttering to herself.

‘’It's no good, it's no good. What do I mean it's no good! It's terrible, a catastrophe! If it gets free... the size of it, and, and, it's arsenal... the scale of the damage it could do, oh Celestia, I fear to even calculate it. The princess might not even be enough to stop... This is bad. Like really bad.’’

AJ, not wanting to leave her that state, AJ grabbed her by the shoulder and shook her with force.

‘’Twilight, get it back together. This is not the moment to panic.’’

‘’Excuse me! Beg to differ. This the moment to panic. Have you any idea of what is happening?’’

‘’Humm, no. Not really sugarcube.’’

‘’Okay fine, then I will enlight you. Just... let me... find something that will help.’’

She looked at all directions with the energy of despair until her eyes stopped at the display glass of a dessert shop.

‘’This should be good. I will be back.’’

She disappeared then reappeared the second later.

‘’And I'm back. Now let me explain.’’

There was something besides her. Something she had brought with her in her short trip. It was a fruit jelly of pink color with small fruits in it. Like grapefruits or slices of orange. That jelly was still inside its glass bell and was also resting on its glass pedestal.

‘’Alright, you see that everypony? That, is the ancients ruins.’’

Theyyy all blinked at Twilight strange... very strange statement. They even wonder if their friend had lost her mind. Rainbow flew towards the Alicorn and gently patted her head.

‘’Hum, are you alright Twilight? Maybe it would be best if you lay down. This night seems to have taken a toll on you.’’

‘’I still have my marbles! And it's not the actual ruins, it's a metaphorical model of it.’’

And they all exclaimed a ''aaaah''.

‘’*sigh* Right, so as I was saying, this jelly is the perfect representation of the ruins that we were trapped. From what I had gathered it used to be a polymorphic building, it means it change forms Rainbow, that had sunken into a volcano and, yes that's what happens Pinkie and sorry, no time for a history lesson, and as I was about to say is now trapped inside the mountain and please, stop raising your hooves every second.’’

Twilight, with her magic, lifted just slightly the glass bell. Levitation magic cannot grasp something that is already into something or going across any solid obstacle that is in its way. Now that the bell was just a little lifted, the jelly too was caught on her raspberry aura. Twilight used her magic to change its shape.

‘’That building is composed of blocks assemble and disassemble each other and that can move at will and that allows the whole shape of that structure, external and internal, to change at will. The notable exception is a few key rooms that are fixed points just like the fruits in that dessert are supposed to represent. However...’’

The jelly was being contracted even more, forming even tendrils. But its expansion was stopped when it hit the glass.

‘’However its transformative quality is limited because the ruins are trapped in the crust of Mount Heaven and also I suspect, its own melted outer layer. But if it managed to get free into the outside air.’’

Twilight, now, took away completely the bell. The jelly levitated into the air and its form stretched to its limits and did no longer looked like a dessert at all but like a mass of tendrils, or more like a maw made of tendrils, expending its appendages towards the spectators. They could not help but to take a step back, afraid for a moment that it will eat them.

Twilight, seeing her point properly understood by them, put back the jelly into its normal appearance, put it back in its glass bell and teleported everything away, back where she found it.

‘’Now do you get how in grave danger we all are? If that... that thing gets out, then Equestria will face the assault of a massive flying fortress that could cause untold damage only with its physical presence alone but I'm also sure, must be equipped with destructive weapons that could exterminate us all. I am not even sure that the princess would be enough to stop it taking into account it already caused an apocalypse so yes, I think we have every reason to panic.’’

Twilight had to catch her breath after her rant. She could at least find solace that she had succeeded in her job. All her friends were trembling in fear. And then it dawn on her that maybe it was not that of a solace.

Fluttershy in particular took it bad and was shaking because of her anxiety. She asked:

‘’How... how long do we have before it gets free?’’

Dirt took a closer look at the mountain, his paw above his eyes, using it like a visor.

‘’Hum, from the look of it, not long. The rocky surface is rather dense but since the ruins are the very heart of the mountain, I am afraid its resistance would not be a lot.’’

Pinkie jumped on the shoulder of Dirt and like him, used her hoof as a visor to look at the mountain.

‘’Yeah, it's like he'd said. And from the composition of the surface, I would say we should have one-and-half hour at best. Just one hour at worst.’’

Every creature looked at Pinkie, not being able to believe their ears.

‘’Whaaat. I grew-up on a rock farm, remember. Why everypony always forget that bit?’’

‘’That's... THAT'S ALL! IT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE!’’

Had screamed Twilight. The shock had made fall on her butt. She was frantically brushing her hair, making it a frazzled mess. She was having of a panic attack and her breath had become laborious.

‘’But what can we do now? We can go searching for the elements but it will have already gone in a rampage the time we got them and untold numbers of lives could be lost. Ohh what should we do? What should we do?’’

Fluttershy terror was at its worst. A shiver was spreading on all her flesh. So much that she had to hug herself to fight the cold, even if she knew it won't dissipate it. However, the answer that came out of her mouth surprised her very much.

‘’We will stop it. We are going to see Floral and stop what she plan on doing just like we said we would.’’

They were surprised. Again. They did not expect to hear that from Fluttershy of all ponies. It was quite something to see that yellow pegasus trembling yet standing firm, eyes wet with tears yet shining with anger and determination.

‘’This awful night had lasted for far too long. Too many got hurt because of it and I damn refuse to see a single more victims. If that thing will be too much deal with it once it gets free, then all we will have to do is stop it before it gets free.’’

‘’But... Fluttershy. We can't//

‘’We have to do this. Right now, we the only who can do something. And we can. We have all faced countless perils and each time we had always had stepbacks but each every single time we had managed to rise above it and save Equestria. That means we can very well save it once again.’’

Once she was done, Fluttershy looked tired. It seems to make that speech had in a way taking a toll on her. But it had worked. Receiving that pep talk, from Fluttershy, was enough to give them back confidence and to make up their minds. Applejack was smiling while readjusting her hat. Rarity, as she looked at the mountain, made a defiant harrumph at it and swiftly stroked her mane. And Pinkie and Rainbow, the two who had already made-up their mind, made a hoof-bump at each other.

The only pony who was still unsure was Twilight. The alicorn was looking at her friends, wondering if they had gone crazy.

‘’But! Girls! Are you listening to yourself!? We can't...’’

Starlight came towards her and put her hoof on her shoulder.

‘’Ah forget it. She's right. In the end that was we always do. Would you leave Equestria and Happy Town to fend for themselves?’’

‘’Well... ... No. I won't be able to forgive myself if somepony dies while I was able to do something.’’

‘’See Twi. That what we are. Always eager to help and save the day because we are just that nice and dump. We are the protector of Equestria.’’

‘’Yes. That's right. We 'are' the protector of Equestria. And the Mane Six supposedly.’’

‘’And don't forget the seventh member of the six.’’

Had said Starlight while winking her eye.

Applejack also came closer of Twilight, wearing a reassuring smile.

‘’Ah know y'a are worry about us sugarcube. But we are together now. And when we are, we're unstoppable. Flo got us before because she had separated us. That won't happen again. We will make sure to stay tied together. And with our strength combine, we will buck the butt of everything standing in our way.’’

Although AJ was not trying to be funny, Twilight could not help but to chuckle. Which quickly changed into a healthy laughter. Applejack was glad she could get Twilight smile back. She then looked towards Dirt and Dust. Those two were looking out of place compared to the others because it was obvious they were not as confident as their pony companions.

‘’What about ya two? Ah am not trying to sugarcoating the danger. Because it will be dangerous. If ya don't want to join us, y'a can go somewhere safe. Ah am confident that what ah speak for all of us that nopony would blame ya.’’

Both dogs were casting their eyes on the ground. Dirt paw was shaking. Who could blame him for being afraid after that deadly assault? But his trembling hand was soon firmly closed into a tight fist.

‘’No. We will go with you. I had said we will atone for what we'd done and that what we will do.’’

‘’Me and my brother doesn't care if it's dangerous. Besides, we can't just abandon our... new friends. Can't we.’’

The ponies were happy to hear that the dogs were on their side. Despite all that had happened, they were now trusting them. The face of Dust, blushing and feeling embarrassed was also pretty cute. That is until it was replaced by one of surprise.

‘’Wait, but where did Twilight go?’’

He had said while pointing with his finger at an empty space where a certain alicorn was supposed to be.

Nopony noticed when she was gone. They panicked and looked everywhere. It was a short moment though as the crack noise of teleportation came and Twilight reappeared in a flash. Rainbow Dash did not lose time and angrily stick her muzzle against her.

‘’Where were you, did you know how worried we were?’’

‘’Sorry, I had to make a quick detour. All of you are right. We have to stop Flo. And now, I think we do have a chance to succeed.’’

‘’Sweet. Does that mean you got your guts back?’’

‘’Oh more than my guts. I have a plan. One that might beat her.’’

‘’Oh yeah, awesome. If we have a Twilight plan on our hooves, then we are sure to win.’’

‘’Yes. But I warn you. It is a risky one.

‘’After everything that had happened, you think we will back done? Besides, we all already at risk.’’

‘’*sigh* Of course you will say that. Alright. First, we will need to grab some stuffs and to do it fast. Pinkie. Where was that general store you mentioned?’’

*knock**knock**knock**knock*

‘’What! Are you serious! Again! But what's with ponies knocking at my door so late at night?’’

Had told Dusty Counter while walking towards the door of his shop. For the second time tonight. He just had the time to go back on his bed but the moment he dozed off, the knocking came to rob him of the sweet, oh so sweet pleasure of sleep. He turned the door handle with his magic.

‘’Don't they know is bad for the health of an elderly to rob him of his eight hours of sleep? It's better be worth it, otherwise... huh?!’’

When he opened it, he saw a bunch of ponies and diamond dogs at his door. And at the heart of that group was the princess of friendship smiling sheepishly at him.

‘’Good evening, hehe. Hum, sorry for the late hour. What I will say may sound crazy but we kind in a 'saving Equestria' emergency, sooo do you mind if we use your shop?’’

‘’That is very nice of you mister. We will make sure to compensate you once everything will be over.’’

‘’Are you kidding! Me, helping the Mane Six, no less, saving Equestria, with my shop! This is the greatest day of my life so don't be shy, take everything you want. Wait I tell everypony.’’

The ponies were wandering around the shop to find something, anything that could be useful. For example, Applejack eyes fell on a long rope hanging from a hook and it sure was captivating for the cowgirl pony.

‘’Hellooo partner. Ye're coming with me, ah will sure feeling less naked with yer.’’

As she was putting that nice rope in her saddleback, Rarity passed beyond her. She had a roll of dark cloth levitating beside her. She was going toward the two brothers who were busy scavenging the shelves for anything useful. Once she was behind them, she caught their attention with politest, fitting for a lady.

‘’Ah-hum. Excuse me messire Dirt and messire Dust. Could I have a little bit of your attention?’’

‘’Huh! Oh, miss Rarity. What is it? Do you need help for something?’’

‘’We will be glad to help in anyway we can.’’

‘’My, you two are such darling. You see, since we will soon march into battle, I want to profit of the little time we have to make an elegant cloak that will just be dashing.’’

‘’Wha... wharf!! Seriously! At a time like this!’’

‘’Well excuse me. But it is because of a time like this. This might be the most dangerous adventure we will ever have to confront. This may be very well our final hour. So reason more to go with style. With panache.’’

Dust was scratching his head.

‘’Alright but I still don't get it. In which way can we help you?’’

‘’To make that cloak perfect, I would like to embroidery it with pretty gems. So...’’

Rarity held her white hoof towards them.

‘’Would you mind lending me some gems?’’

And to that... Dirt made a face clearly showing it was annoyed.

‘’Oooooh. So, because we are Diamond Dogs, you assume that we still continue to collect them. Even if we had been banished by our pack, even if we had lived with not a lot of money, you still think that we had lost our time collecting pretty shining stones that have little monetary value. Just because that what Diamond Dogs do. They surely always collect gems. Wow. And me who thought we were over that racism thing.’’

But Rarity, undisturbed, just continue to hold her hoof to them.

‘’So... can I have them?’’

Dirt gave a grunt. And then put his paw into the pocket of his vest and from it, took a handful of gems and give them to Rarity.

‘’Lucky for you that your prejudices were right this time. And please, don't say it is stupid because... we knew it was. We never could manage to get rid of that bad habit.’’

‘’My brother and mine were sometimes borrowing, no, I mean... stealing those gems from ponies on our trip across Equestria. It was always just one stone at a time even if I know it is no excuse. We reasoned that it wouldn't do hurt since, as Dirt say, they have little value in your society.’’

‘’We managed to get enough of those to fill a small bag. It's not much. We knew stealing is bad. I guess... we wanted the feeling to have something. And a little of our old days.’’

This made Rarity remember the life of misery the two brothers had told them. Her ears fell flat on her skull.

‘’No, that's... that's understandable. I... look I'm sorry for... you know. My prejudices.’’

‘’That's fine, I took it too far//

‘’No I mean... back at the jewelry. It was so unfair of me. You already been through so much and here I was saying you were scary.’’

‘’Technically, you were right. We had planned to abduct you, remember.’’

‘’That's beside the point. I had been awful. Truly... awful. Why yes, ahaha. Such a bad habit of mine. I try my best to be a good pony yet it recently came dawn on me that there were many moments of my life where I had been awful without wanting it.’’

‘’Miss Rarity!’’

‘’I know. I should not linger on that, I had a discussion with Twilight on that recently. But... it's still hard to swallow that the image that you had of yourself might in the end be... an embellished image that you made. Ah! Just like my day work! So much for being generous.’’

‘’Look Miss Rarity. Take it from a true awful guy coming from an awful bunch. Your generosity is the real deal.’’

‘’I'm starting to doubt it.’’

‘’Hey. I had heard a lot about you and I had seen how you really are. So believe me when I say I had never seen somepony as caring as you. You quickly saw the error of what you had done and apologize to me. And it was sincere regret. I was just too bitter at the time to acknowledge it. But now I do, and it had shown that you always treat others with respect. Nopopy as ever done that to us. I say that's proof of your true character.’’

Feeling touched by that attempt at consoling her, she washed away the tears that were starting to fill her eyes.

‘’Thanks you so much. It... it means a lot.’’

‘’You know what I think? I think we will need more of those. Hey Dust. Go fetch for the rest at our secret hiding place. From where we are, it should not take long.

‘’You mean... all of them?’’

‘’All of them.’’

‘’I'll go right now bro.’’

Dust ran towards the door and went outside, out of view. Rarity was a little ashamed since it was way more than she asked.

‘’Wait wait! All of your gems! I only need a few. Aren't they precious to you?’’

‘’Bah, who care. They are stolen and tainted anyway. But they will serve a better purpose for your cloak. We may as well go all-out. You are right you know. Never miss an occasion to go with panache.’’

She had made a genuine giggle. Talking about fashion had always had the gift of cheer her up.

‘’Oh my mister. I must say I was not expecting somedog like you to care about esthetic.’’

‘’What, me! Madam, I must tell you...’’

Dirt smugly readjusts the tip of his cap.

‘’Nodog understand more the importance of style than me.’’

Once everypony was packed and ready to go, they all gather at the door. All except one, Twilight noticed.

‘’Where is Rarity? We have no time to lose.’’

‘’Oh, just getting ready to dazzle.’’

A door to a side room opened and from it came a unicorn, waving with grace the cloak she was wearing. It was made of black cloth of a stylish ebony with silver embroidery sew on it with a mastery that only Rarity have the secret. Say embroidery was spread as if they were branches of light on a night sky. They were complimented by small gems sewn at the feet of the cloak. Those gems were all of different colors. And the silvery embroidery was starting from them as if those gems were the source of these. Feeling pride from what she considered a masterpiece, Rarity made a dashing pose as a projector from nowhere, lighted her from above and while all the while, rose petals were dancing around her.

A shame a certain alicorn was not that impress.

‘’Hum... was all... all that necessary? And why are you wearing that?’’

‘’Why, the nerve Twi, you just ruined all the scene. Humph. Sorry boys, you can pack things up.’’

Dirt and Dust, who were both at her sides, went away. One, holding a bag full of petals. The other, a lighted desk lamp.

‘’Sorry darling. But put yourself at my place. This one of my best works. I had to try it.’’

But instead to be annoyed, Twilight gave a small chuckle.

‘’No, that's good. At least one of us is enjoying themselves. And I'm glad that you were able to make a dress once again.’’

‘’I... ... wait you're right! I did! I had completely forgotten that I couldn't until now. It was supposed to be a simple cloak but before I realized it... I... I...’’

‘’I think we should take that as a sign that we have hope. Hope that we can pull it off. That the effects it does on me at least.’’

But then, the merry went out of Twilight face and her voice was charged with gravity.

‘’The time has come. Are you all ready?’’

Everypony and everydog nodded in affirmation.

‘’You all know the plan I told you?’’

They all silently nodded again.

‘’Good. Alright, let's go. To the forest.’’

All of them went to the outside, Twilight being the last to go. She looked at Sturdy Counter.

‘’Thanks you a lot for what you did for us. Things might soon get dangerous so I suggest you leave the town and if you find other ponies, warn them to do the same. The whole place might be soon be destroyed by Floral crazy rampage so please, go somewhere safe fast while we stop her.’’

And Twilight went away, closing the door. Sturdy Counter, waved at them like a happy colt.

‘’Goodbye Bearers of Harmony. And good luck on your quest to save us heywaitaminute! Flo... is doing WHAT! What's happening? Did I miss a lot?’’

At the distance, far from the town, mount Heaven was not calming down. The shaking and loud noise was still continuing. And before long, a second crack scared the face of the mountain. A sign that time was running out.

The trees of the forest were big and sturdy. And the foliage of their branches were so thick that you could call it a roof of vegetation, blocking the little luminosity there was. It was quite spooky. Like the background of a grim fairytale. But a purple light was coursing between the trunks. That light was emanating from the horn of a running alicorn and she was being followed by a colorful entourage. Whose bright colors sure didn't match the gloomy dark.

The very last of that line was Fluttershy, flying just being the two Diamond Dogs. It's no surprise, she was never really the most fit of ponies and she already had difficulty following their pace. Also, she was feeling pretty anxious and that anxiety was growing more and more intense. She felt ashamed about that, especially after her proclamation. She was genuinely thinking each word at that time and was ready to charge and fight. But the problem with feelings is like that they have a life on their own. And they go and went whenever they want. Especially if you are an anxious person like Fluttershy. The bravado and righteous anger that were giving her strength were progressively diminishing and her fear and bad thoughts, that never truly went away, were surfacing back up. And there was that creepy dark forest that was not helping. She was finding it oppressing and also the very image of the bad feelings compressing her chest. It was too much for her and she had to stop to catch her breath. She looked at her friends still running forward. Leaving her behind.

‘’(No. It's me who is the one that is leaving them behind. I thought I had toughened up, but here I am, with this paralyzing fear. Again. Why must you always be like that? No matters how many time I got over my fears, they always come back. I feel like am learning nothing. And I feel like I am letting them down. I never hated that part of me as much as today.)’’

She could feel her energy draining. Still she was trying her best to fly and to caught-up with the rest that was not that yet far. When suddenly, her ear twitched. She had heard a sound. More like a cry. A cry for help. Her first instinct was to go towards it. Caught in the moment, she even forget all about her companions.

Meanwhile, the rest at stopped at a random spot. Twilight felt that they were at a good distance from the mountain. She looked at the two dogs.

‘’It should be good. I know to repeat it at this point is becoming annoying but I need to hear it. Are you sure that you are ready?’’

‘’We are.’’

‘’Both of us are.’’

Twilight gave a sigh. Was it of resignation? Or reliefs? Even her did not know.

‘’Alright. Then let's begin.’’

That was all the signal they needed and both dogs used their powerful paws to dig into the ground. The earth offered no resistance. For them it was even easier than to dig into sand. They didn't go straight down but more diagonally, making a small tunnel enough for one or two ponies to go with them. Twilight looked at it satisfied and turned her gaze towards the white unicorn. The white unicorn with gorgeous mane was still wearing her beautiful cloak, covering all her body except for her head. She also had, hanging from her neck, a lantern that was already lighted on. Twilight looked at her with a dead-serious expression.

‘’Alright, this is it. I don't think it's safe but as you all said, as long we don't stop her, we just are not safe. If we just charge blindly, we will have no chance. That's why once you infiltrated the ruins, you must do your best to find a way for us to get access. We are counting on you.’’

Rarity just nodded silently and jumped into the tunnel. The dogs went back to their job to dig with Rarity following them. Very soon, they went so far that the ponies at the surface could no longer see them. Twilight filled her horn with magic and levitated dead branches and leaves to cover the hole.

‘’Here. Better safe than sorry.’’

Rainbow, hovering above the rest, was fidgeting her hooves. She was not feeling bold about the whole thing and coming from her, that mean a lot.

‘’I am not feeling bold about the whole thing and coming from me, that mean a lot. Twi, are you sure she will be fine?’’

‘’If I had played my cards right, then yes, she might pull it off.’’

‘’Might! Are you for real! Just 'might'!’’

‘’Yes. Just 'might'. I hate this Dashie. Believe me, I hate this as much as you. I had tried my best to come up with a fail-safe plan but no matter on much I try to work my brain, it's just impossible to obtain a one-hundred percent chance of success. It is a concept you cannot escape. And I had tried to fight against that concept all my life because, let's be real, I have a lot of disorders in my head that make me anxious when I am not in control. But it is because I had fought that all my life... that's the reason why that I know now that... I can't. I just can't. There is always a risk no matter what we do and we must accept it. Even if it is hard, we must. But if there one thing we can do, is having faith. So let having faith that she can succeed. It's her we are talking about. You know what she is capable.’’

Rainbow Dash lowered herself to the ground and her ears went down.

‘’Yeah, sorry Twilight. I know you are right and that I am not helping. It's just that... that... oh buck.’’

She angrily shoved away the dirt at her feet.

‘’I thought I had gotten rid of that funk but there it came back to haunt me again. That makes me feel like a failure and I hate that. I feel... hey! But where is Fluttershy?’’

And that was then that they noticed that Fluttershy was not among them. This made them all agitated and they feared the worst. Twilight exclaimed:

‘’What! But where did she go? I don't like this, I don't like this at all. We must find her, fast. Let us separate, we will cover more ground.’’

Applejack was galloping in no particular direction. Screaming ''Fluttershy. Fluttershy.'' again and again to no avail. It did not help either that she could see nearly nothing. She realized that probably, they should have packed more than one lantern since they wanted to pack light and they planned to rely on Twilight horn radiance. Not such a great idea AJ was thinking and like to confirm that, she just hit her face against a tree. As she was rubbing her painful muzzle, she thought she had seen a light flickering at the distance. Or more like sparkles twinkling. Sometime of pink color. Other times, of blue. Naturally, Applejack instinct told her to be fearful. After all, until then, everything that had been strange or unusual was either to get her or hurt her. So she approached those twinkles with caution, deliberating each step and taking low profile until she was close enough to saw what was causing them.

And for once, her instincts were wrong. It was so breathtaking that she had to take away her hat in awn.

There was a clearing before her. And in it was flying butterflies. So, so many butterflies as if it was raining. It was them that were sparkling. Their wings were as shiny as metal. So much that they were reflecting the light. Sure, it was dark and the sky was still covered but in a way, the weak luminosity was emphasizing their beauty more so as if there were in plain daylight. Some had pink wings, others had blue ones. And amidst them and at the relief of AJ, was Fluttershy, sitting on a bed flowers, whispering comforting words to them.

‘’Shhh. It alright. I know you are afraid. But it will be over soon. My friends and I will make sure of that.’’

Applejack knew she should be angry at her but all that beauty and cuteness made forget that. She approached her friend.

‘’So there ya were sugarcube. We were all worried about ya.’’

Fluttershy was surprised. But the butterflies even more. Seeing a stranger was making them fearful and they will have flown far away if Fluttershy I had not tried to dissipate their fears.

‘’No please, there is no reason to be afraid. She is one of my friends that I told you about. You can trust her, she won't harm a fly.’’

This was enough to calm them down. A sign of how much they trust her. Applejack tried to come closer of the now calm down flying bugs, albeit at a slow pace to not scare them. She stretched her hoof and a one hover near it and up-close, it dawned on her that they had both colors. Their wings were actually altering between pink and blue. She thought the butterfly would land on her hoof but it ignores it and instead, it decided to land on Applejack muzzle. And it just stayed there, opening and closing its wings several times. AJ felt like a goof but Fluttershy giggle, finding that her friend was so cute that it was criminal. The butterfly went away only when Applejack had to sneeze.

‘’Gosh. Ah can't say if those critters are over friendly or over cautious.’’

‘’They been through a lot. They are perturbed. The poor ones.’’

‘’Say. Are those the... kaleido... stuff you had mentioned just after we got out of the train?’’

‘’Rosea hyacinthum kaleido. A very rare species. I was very surprised when I had found one because they are not of that region. That what I thought at first. But they told me their story. Turned out that long ago, a bunch of them migrated and could not come back because of climatic reasons. So this forest became their new natural habitat. Can you imagine? A whole swarm of those rare butterflies living so close to civilization and nopony knew.’’

‘’That still no reason to disappear without warning.’’

Because of the shame, Fluttershy ears lowered.

‘’Oh. Right. I am sorry Applejack. I was behind everyponies when I heard them crying for help. They were so afraid. Without thinking, I rushed towards them and I even forgot about you. It's no excuse, I know.’’

‘’Well, ah figured out it was something like that. So, those critters are afraid. Let me guess. The mountain.’’

‘’It's not just them. All the animals of the forest are afraid. Yes, they all sense that there is something deeply wrong with the mountain. Animals and bugs have a gift for sensing danger. And what's more, they told me strange creatures are roaming their homes. Creatures that move yet are not alive.’’

‘’Ah see. Those walking machines.’’

‘’For them it is a very alien concept. They don't know how to deal with this. That is why I am trying to comfort them. Giving them hope that we will fix everything. They are calmer now.’’

She was right. The kaleidos were indeed calmer but also thankfull for the affection of that pegasus. A lot of them landed on her pink mane and also on the rim of her spread out yellow wings. From Applejack perspective, she was looking like a forest nymph of those old wives tales. But that image was ruined the next instant. For some reason, Fluttershy iris shrunk and she looked like as if she was in the brink of fear.

‘’Shy, what's up?’’

‘’The kaleidos. They... are grateful. They are saying that they felt so touched by my kindness that they want to repay me every way they can. They want... to help us.’’

‘’Really! Well, that mighty nice of them though ah don't really see how... ooh! Oooooh.’’

‘’It's happening again. Why? Oh why?’’

For AJ, it was like something was taking a grip on Fluttershy and making her more... little. For a lack of better words. She used her own yellow wings to surround herself like a blanket. She was looking like a child that was believing that death itself would devour her if she was moving just a single inch.

Applejack heart broke. She put a hoof on Fluttershy shoulder.

‘’Hey, it's alright, they can just stay there. It will be no trouble.’’

‘’It's not just that. It's a reminder that once again, this is reality far too real.’’

‘’Nopony or creatures will get hurt tonight. We will make sure of that.’’

‘’Can you really promise it won't happen? Can you 'honestly' say it's impossible to happen?’’

Applejack was about to say something but the word didn't want to come out

‘’!!! Arrh dang ya. Using that card. Such a dirty trick.’’

‘’But it is the truth. Is it not? I really did was sincere when I had said I want to stop Flo. I still do. But it is only now that it dawn on me...’’

‘’What? Dawn on ya what?’’

‘’That I had brought you all with me.’’

AJ had tried her best to be patient but now, she had to admit she was starting to be... irritated by her.

‘’Fluttershy. Should I remember ya that it was ya who motivated us all to follow ya.’’

‘’I KNOW. YOU DON'T THINK I ALREADY KNOW HOW HYPOCRITICAL THAT MAKES ME?’’

The butterflies flew away at her outburst. And even Applejack had jumped back, surprised by her reaction. But as all that anger dissipates, Fluttershy slumped all of herself on the grass.

‘’I know. Yet, I want to protect you from all harm. In the past, it used to be me the one who was always protected. Now, I like to think that because of my friends, I have become braver and stronger. Now I want to be the one who protect. That is why I want to stop her. Even though I am so scared. So I tried to convince myself to take action but in the process I had also convinced you. I think at first it was alright but then, bad thoughts came to me. They always do. And thinking of you dying because I inspire you... or teach you to do the same as me as Floral had said... it's unbearable.’’

‘’So are ya saying ya want to stop her on yer own? Ha don't want to be rude but what exactly can ya do?’’

‘’I am not delusional. Nothing. Knowing me, I probably faint of sheer fear before even going out of that forest. But I don't want any harm to happen to you or anypony. Even if it means making sure that all the harm comes at me, even if I know it is selfish. But... I now know that the more I want to protect, the more I inspire others to pursuit the same desire to protect as me. And more they want to protect, the more it makes my job to protect... harder.’’

‘’... ... Fluttershy.’’

‘’I know what you think. That I am over thinking but I can't see anything else but except that crushing paradox. I feel trapped AJ. Trapped and the walls are closing up and closing up and closing up even more. Can you even understand when you feel that love itself, the most precious thing in the world, becomes its own worst enemy?’’

And the second the words escaped her lips, she immediately regretted it and covered her mouth with her hooves, shocked by what she just did to her friend. Of course. Applejack was 'the' pony could understand it the most. She had just learned it far too well. Ashamed, Fluttershy didn't even have the courage to look Applejack in the eyes and instead went to cry in silence.

‘’I'm sorry. I didn't want to. I am sorry for being such a whimpering pony.’’

Her silent sob was no longer that silent. She could hear Applejack taking steps further but the pegasus did dare to look at her. She was sure Applejack would force her to stand up or at least, receive a sermon and oh Celestia, she believed she was deserving it.

But Applejack did nothing of that. So imagine Fluttershy surprise, when she felt a hat, Applejack hat, being put on her head. She raised her gaze and looked at her friend with perplexity.

Applejack lowers herself to the ground, her eyes levels now the same as Fluttershy.

‘’Ya really are too hard on yerselve. Ya know, ha do understand what ya feel. I really do. Do ya mind if ah tell ya something?’’

Confused, the pegasus could only answer with a affirmative nod. So Applejack continued.

‘’It was a few years from now own. At that time we had a big Apple family reunion at the farm of one of my cousins. The weather ponies had messed up their job. The winds they made had grown out of control and a big storm came raging in. Our farm was been hit pretty bad by it. Not only were the trees in danger because of the ferocious winds but also by drought from the heavy rain. So to save them, we all went to protect them. All the whole Apple family. Ah will tell ya, we were all pretty worried about each other. Ah sure did. But we all had the desire to protect the farm. We held tight with ropes the trees that were in danger to be uprooted and we made makeshift barrages. It had been a dangerous night. Yet we did all together as one. Do you know why?’’

‘’Because you couldn't have done it without everypony help.’’

‘’Yeah, ah admit there is some of that but ah think there is something deeper than that. We could have well decided to leave some of us in the safety of the house. But like ha'd said, we were all sharing the same desire. To protect what was precious to us. Our home. And when you have the same wish, sometimes, you have to go into danger as one. Because if not, not only your betrayal your personal feelings, but you also betrayed their.’’

‘’... How did it end?’’

‘’We managed to protect most of the farm but some of us had been hurt. Nothing that serious. But yeah. Ah won't deny it. Some were hurt.’’

‘’That does not really convince me it was the right thing to do. Was it really worth it if those you love must get hurt?’’

‘’Well sure, ah would like if ah could protect the ponies precious to me from being hurt forever and ever. Ah am like everypony else. So ah will say something really awful. We can't. No matter what we may try it is impossible to fully protect those we love from harm or death. And ah know that. Too well even. My parents die one day in a stupid accident. Ah was upset, yes, but ah was mainly angry. At myself.’’

‘’But why?’’

‘’For the same reasons as ya. What did ah've done wrong? What could ah've done differently? But it's useless. There was nothing ah could do. Nothing anypony could do. Not even anything my parents could have done. We all want for our loves ones to forever be safe from what could take them away from us but in the end, it is a dream that would never be fully in our grasp. Sometimes nearly. But never fully. So... and ah know that what ah will say may go against the notion of family that ah am loyal to but... it is not always a good idea to wish that much they would be safe. Ya might miss out being with them. Also, what's the point to keep them alive if you don't let them live. I know you want to protect us but please, do not use that as an excuse to deny that we want to protect you too.’’

For a moment, Flutteshy said nothing. Her friend understood that she needed time to let it sink in. Eventually, she looked up at AJ, her eyes less teary.

‘’Thank you Applejack. I... I think I feel a little better.’’

‘’Attagirl.’’

Applejack helped her to get her on her feet.

‘’And one other thing sugarcube. Don't be too hard on yerself. It took me time to learn that lesson. And ah still need to relearn it again and again. Sometimes ah even failed at it. Applebloom would attest to that. But that ya felt that way it's just proof of your kind soul. You always care for everyone. Yep... ... ev... eryone.’’

The farm pony turned her back on her friend and no longer knowing what to do with her body, she sat on her haunches.

‘’Ah guess it will be best if we all take example on ya. Ya so kind to all equally, treating everypony equally. And me...’’

‘’Applejack! Please tell me what weighting on you.’’

Applejack gave a sigh. One of the butterflies came flying near her. She held her front hooves and the butterfly came resting its wings on her grasp.

‘’Ya know family is the most important thing for me. Maybe y'a could even say ha veneer that concept. Because ya are surrounded by ponies that are special, life seems to become even more great. They don't even need to always be there with you. Those bonds are a treasure just because they existed. But recently, ah am beginning to think that having ponies that are special is... wrong.’’

‘’How?! How can having somepony you love wrong?’’

‘’Ah know. Sounds so stupid said out loud. But it is now that it dawn on me that love is a sort of favoritism. Hehe. Even if ya want to be a good pony for everypony else, it is always towards your family and friends that ya want to give the most good and ya never question that. Until ah had to choose between those ah love... and others.’’

The butterfly flew away and Applejack slumped her hooves dejectedly.

‘’Applejack. What happened was horrible. It was a choice that nopony should make.’’

AJ turned her head towards her, visibly irritated.

‘’But it did happen. Ah had sacrificed strangers to save my family. And if it happens again, ah probably do it the same way. But it does not change that let that hospital blew-up. Who knows what had happened? There must some that are death. And they surely are the family of someponies. Let us hypothesis that my position is reverse. Let us make as if my family was in that hospital and that somepony else had to make the same choice as me and choose the same answer as me. It would be then my family who would will be gone because that pony would want to protect his. Familial love, would be killed. By familial love. Tell me. What's the point to have ponies that are special if they can be taken away by the very same thing that makes them special? And when we at it, that whole debacle happened because Floral lost her most precious pony and take it to the rest of the world who is not special to her. *sigh* Maybe... maybe it will be best if we love everypony with the same degree.’’

Her head went down and her mood even more. Yet as always, she tried her best to be the bravest and smiled. That smile was not a very convincing one though.

‘’Sorry. This is no time to mopping. We must go see the other and//

But she was interrupted when her vision was obscured when her stetson hat went back on her head. She raised it a little and in front of her eyes was Fluttershy, being as serious as the time she had rallied all of them.

‘’Applejack. You have helped me so now it is my turn to help you. You say that I treat everypony and every animal equally but that cannot be further from the truth. Yes, I love all animals and each time I see one that it is hurt, I want to take it with me and to take care of it until he got better so it can go back into nature. But regardless... or maybe because precisely of that, I see the animals in my care as special.’’

Fluttershy spread her yellow wings before her and contracted them as if they were cradling a precious thing while she was making a tender expression.

‘’There is something unique in taking care of a life. You are receiving so much of it and you are giving so much to it. It's practically impossible not to form a bond. When you think about it, the simple fact to be a caretaker mean you spending your time more on a select bunch than, hum... than the rest of the world.’’

‘’But Fluttershy. The animals that you take care are in need. So, is it not more practical that you spend more time with them than the rest.’’

‘’Yes sure, there is some of that. But I can't deny that the true reason is because seeing an animal in need makes my heart bleed. Say it like that, it sounds more like a personal desire. For a time, I struggled with that notion until I had made peace with it. Yeah. It is indeed a personal selfish desire. Because in the end, helping those in need is also a form of favoritism as you call it.’’

‘’Wait wha now! Fluttershy, ya can't be serious. This is mess-up what ya say.’’

‘’I know it sound twisted. We don't think that much about what motivates caring. But if you do, you realize that prioritize those in need over those who don't is to favor those in need over those who don't because you take the decision that they need it the most. Also, think about it. Let us make as if you had chosen to protect the many instead of your precious few. Then, won't that be also favoring them instead of your family? Won't you be in the exact same dilemma as you are right now.’’

Applejack had lost her voice. She was flabbergasted. What she had said was bold if not a tad insensitive. And what was even more surprising was that it coming for Fluttershy of all ponies. AJ was overwhelmed by conflicting feelings but she had to admit that this new perspective that her friend was offering was kinda making sense.

‘’So you see AJ. It is truly impossible not to use favoritism. So there's no need to feel guilty about that at least. I do favoritism too. And not just towards my animals but towards my friends too. And you too. I was barely socializing with other ponies before you came to help me get out of my shell. And life had become so wonderful with you all. In my eyes, you are shining so much that I feel, I don't know, that... the true sin would be not to give that shine the praise it deserves. Sorry. I don't know why I say that.’’

‘’Nay, ah get it. Ah do. But still... it doesn't erase what ah did.’’

‘’I am not trying to tone down that painful tragedy. If you to amend it or repair it at least a little then it is all at your honor. But please, do it because you want it and not out of guilt. Your choice... was not wrong. That what I think at least.’’

‘’It doesn't feel like it to me. But on another hoof, all of them felt wrong.’’

‘’... Then... let's do something. If none choices could be right, then won't it mean they were all right?’’

At that, Applejack made a weak chuckle.

‘’Oh. Really. They are all right. That is pretty bold Fluttershy. So. Choosing to spare my family was the right choice.’’

‘’It was the right choice because it was what you believed.’’

‘’And if I had chosen to spare the hospital?’’

‘’If you had believed it, then yes. It would have been the right choice.’’

‘’Then let’s say that had decided to choose nothing and let both bombs explode?’’

‘’It would have been the right choice. If you considered that weighting a life against another one is a message that is more horrible than the loss of life itself and proactively decide to do nothing.’’

‘’!!! ... By Celestia. You're really full of surprises today.’’

She turned her back towards her and took a few aimless steps, then, not knowing what to do with her body, she decided to scratch the back of her head.

‘’All that is a lot. Ah think ah will need time to process all this.’’

‘’Oh. I... understand.’’

‘’Still. Ah think ah feel better. A little at least. Ah have ya to thank for.’’

‘’Then... I'm glad.’’

‘’Alrighty, we have feeling down for too long. The others must be worried as hell right now. Ah propose it's time we go on the road. Me. You. And that sneaky one.’’

Applejack kicked the nearby tree without warning as if it was one of her apple trees.

It shook and from its foliage, fell indeed something. But it was not an apple. That something was blue and was screaming ''gyaah' as she fell. She landed on a bush. She was fine but she was so ditzy that her magenta eyes were turning in circles. It was only when both of them meet the upside down face of Applejack that she got her sense back.

‘’Oh. ... Yo.’’

‘’Yo Rainbow.’’

‘’That's awkward.’’

‘’Awkward it is. Ah didn't take ya for a pony that likes to spy on private matters.’’

‘’I was not spying, I swear. I was searching for Fluttershy then I found you two. But I could, you know, understand that conversation was important and that it will be best that I don't butt in sooo I hide. I was trying to be discreet. How did you find out?’’

‘’Ah had a hunch. Ah noticed the butterflies were not flying near that specific tree and ah put two and two together.’’

‘’Yeah, sorry about that. Also I did not mean to but I... I ended up hearing everything. Are you mad?’’

‘’Nah. It's okay. Ah am glad in a way. Best to share what weight on my heart that to keep it to myself.’’

‘’Fiouf, I'm glad. Oh and also.’’

She flew off the bush she was lying on and grabbed Fluttershy in a tight grip.

‘’Way to go Shy. You were so badass. I always knew you were awesome but wowww, you go girl.’’

She even slapped Fluttershy back to congratulate her and the yellow pegasus fell belly flat on the ground.

‘’Wo you're alright Shy? I did not hit that strongly!’’

‘’No I'm, I'm fine, it's just, that discussion took a lot out of me. Oh dear, I think I am going to puke.’’

‘’Heh not on my feet, not on my feet!’’

In their distraction, they did not notice that the butterflies above them were agitating.

The flapping of their wings was becoming frantic. They were sensing something. Something approaching.

Sturdy Counter was ready to go. He had put his fedora and his bowler hat. From the window, he could notice that the street was becoming more lively. He had not noticed how much his street was deserted before ponies were coming back. After having run away from the spider-bots attack, some noticed that the town was quiet again and see how things were.

Of course, Sturdy Counter was, something many ponies would be jealous of, in blissful unawareness of the madness that had happened tonight. Still, he was resolved to listen the warning the princess gave to him. Even if he did not fully understand what it means. He had just shut his briefcase when somepony knocked on his door. Knocked with violence.

‘’Seriously, again! Are they trying to make a running gag of out it?’’

So for the third time tonight, Sturdy Counter went to open the door for this nightly visitor. Once he opened it, that visitor grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him frantically. To his great discomfort.

‘’Heh heh heh stop, stop shaking me like this! What's the big idea... huuuh! You!’’

‘’Please, tell me where they went. Ponies had seen them going out of your shop so please, I need to know. I beg you. Where did they go?’’

Author's Note

This chapter had been particularly hard to write. Especially the part of Applejack and Fluttershy. I had a general idea on what it would be but oh boy it was tricky. You know, I see myself as someone who love to think and when I see a philosophical conundrum or a moral paradox, I tend to be haunted by them until I find an answer. (That expression is to be taken with a grain of salt.) And when you have to make those answers sound, not that obvious and also fitting for the psychology of the character, then the work become murder. For me.

As for why I wanted to pair Applejack with Fluttershy, well, it at dawned on me that both of their trials had basically the same theme. They just went into directions. These two seemed so fitting for each other. I know I had sad it was sometime hard to write but other time, I feel as if the story is writing on its own. What a paradox.