Chapter 5: Game of deconstruction

This might have been the most unnerving ten minutes in all the history of Equestria. So many ponies were reunited around the monitor to finally see what will happen once the countdown will reach zero. You could even say they were afraid to just blink from fear that they will miss something. But this phenomenon was not just specific to Happy Town. Oh no. It was the same for all the major cities of this kingdom with the notable exception of Canterlot. Cloudales, Mannehatan, Appaloosa, Rainbow Falls... and of course... Ponnyville. Many ponies had decided to sacrifice their sleeping hours to be there, making that the sizes of these gatherings were becoming huge. And why should they not? Everything pointed that an extraordinary event will soon happen, their curiosity was just too high to be ignored. And the time it will be answered was soon to be. The screens were showing that only... one minute was left. No ponies, no matter where they were, were saying anything. It was a complete silence. A silence so great that you could almost hear the accelerated heartbeat of the crowds.

From where he was, Mel was also observing the countdown. And though he was not showing it, deep down, he was making the most maniacal rictus he could muster.

‘’Yes, YES. It's happening! The moment I have waited for so long is here. The hype has been built for long enough. After all the wait and foreboding, they will be incapable to avert their eyes from the show. They literally will become trapped by their own anticipation. But let not making wait our viewers any more longer, it is time for my performance. In just a few seconds. A few seconds.’’

A few seconds was all that was left. Ten seconds. And during those ten seconds the tension was so great that they forgot how to breathe as they watched the last digits going down.

10

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3

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1

…

…

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0

A loud and screeching noise came from the monitors, screaming like a cry of agony. All ponies had to cover their hears as it became louder and unbearable. It then disappear as fast as it appeared, leaving space to the now fully lit screens showing a gray pony comfortably sitting on a white throne. A moment of discomfort was thrown at them without warning and so, when it had stopped, the feeling of relief was forcing the viewers to listen, with nearly gratitude, at every word coming from the pony. A devious psychological trick.

‘’Greeting to all of you, citizens of Equestria. It is a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to present myself. I am just a simple pony with the name of Melancholia. But please, call me Mel.’’

All ponies that were watching this were aghast and could not say a word. But it did not stay like that for long and soon they all were whispering with energy to their neighbors. They didn't know what would have happened but certainly not that. It was like watching a projected movie except there was no projector, that it was in color and that the quality of the sound was so top-notch. In the end, comparing them was nearly an insult since those diffusions were so realistic. So realistic that many ponies genuinely believed that this Melancholia guy was actually inside the cube. But they were clever enough to understand that this was not the case and that what they were seeing was a marvel of technology. They were now hooked. So much that they have forgotten the important question: why did it happen in the first place?

But for other ponies, their reaction was at all higher level. Because all recognized the pony on the screen far too well. He was known by all Happy Town after all. After they saw him, the surprise made them all took a step back and nearly all of them shouted: ‘’WHAAAAT!!!’’ Then they also went to discuss frantically to their neighbors. But the difference compared to the others was that the shock was making them desperate for answers. Even though no one could give them.

‘’It's Mel, there is no doubt about that!’’ ‘’What he is doing here and why this thing show images of him?’’ ‘’Does that mean he is the one that had placed that big cube here?’’ ‘’Is it another of his art crafts?’’ ‘’What is going on, I don't understand?’’ ‘’What are these talks about a game?’’ ‘’He is the one that had invented that cube?’’ ‘’Don't tell me he will still try to depress us all.’’

But Mel was deaf to their questions and continued to make his speech.

‘’Before we begin, I must tell you that you are not the only ones to see this diffusion. I had sent many identical cubes like this one to several towns across all the country. And they all show the same images as you see right now. That means that nearly all Equestria is seeing the same show that you are watching right now.’’

The whispering had begun anew. All Equestria was seeing that? In a moment, things had sure gained importance. From his chair, Mel did a little bow to all the viewers.

‘’The reason I did that is that I wanted to make sure that everypony, or at least close enough, could see this wonderful show. But I am sure that you have many questions like: what we will see or why he shows us that? As I had promised, you will all see a very particularly game and I, Mel, will be the host. As for my reasons... I consider myself as a teacher. And so there is a lesson that I would like to give you. To all of you. So it is important that you don't miss any second of this game and that you never forget what you will see. Since I know none of you will like what I will soon show you.’’

And all chatter fell to a complete silence. ... ... What did he mean by they will not like what they will see? Their enthusiasm was now toned down. It might be more just to say that they were now fearing a little what will soon come. But it's another argument for staying.

It was the same for Happy Town but their fearful feelings were not vague. They knew Mel pretty well and so they thought they had a pretty good idea about what he had in mind for them. They were wrong. So, so wrong.

‘’Now... I would like to talk about six ponies. Six very special mares who possess hearts filled with virtue and love. Many of you know them as the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. The very same who have saved Equestria countless times with the power of friendship. But I consider that the true reason they are so extraordinary is they are true life-models and also inspiration for becoming better ponies.’’

The screen then changed and was showing in succession as he was speaking, an image of each of the Mane 6.

‘’Applejack, representing the element of honesty. Pinkie Pie, representing laughter. Fluttershy, kindness. Rainbow Dash, loyalty. Rarity, generosity. And of course, let us not forget Twilight Sparkle who represent the element of magic, who became the princess of friendship and who had even opened a school of friendship to teach to the whole wide world this virtue.’’

Now, the reaction was very mixed. Some were surprised to hear those names and if those heroes were involved then maybe it could not be that bad, whatever it was. Other had heard of them but they did not know much so they didn't know what to think.

‘’I am sure that many have at least heard about them. Six mares who by simply being themselves are capable of teaching us valuable lessons of life. Life lessons that help us to grow and become wiser. ... Or... are they really?’’

It was the first time that Mel was showing a hint of emotion. Bitterness. But it didn't stay long and he quickly came back to his usual safe.

‘’But let’s not get carried away. I had said that I will show you a game. But who will be the contestants? Why but those six ponies themselves. But you have to understand something before you misunderstand things. They... did not choose to participate. The truth... was that those innocents were kidnapped. By my hooves. And it will be by force and not willingly that they will play my game. All that just so I can send a message to you, viewers. You probably think that it makes me a villain... and you will be right. Because that's how far I am ready to go to truly educate you.’’

He then stopped talking for that he can calmly take a depth breath. It seems this little speech was more taxing that he had let it appear. But he re-raised his face to look at the viewers and resumed his talking like if nothing had happened.

‘’Unfortunately, the Mane 6 are presently in more bad shape that I had hoped. I am very sorry about this setback it is entirely my fault. So I ask you please to just wait a little longer the time that I get those six ponies back on their hooves. It won't be long, I promise you. But when the game will officially begin... I would like if you burn the images of what you will see in your eyes. Meheheh. Enjoy the show.’’

The screens had shut-down and silence came again. Their brains had a hard time to process what their ears had heard. Although Equestria was far to be a candyland, ponies, compared to us, were still relatively innocent creatures. And so, they did not have a lot of imagination for going into... grim territory. ... It took time... but eventually... even though it was just a glimpse... they finally grasped that something bad had happened... and that more will come.

And that... how Mel had managed to cause mass panic across all the kingdom with just a few words.

**Appleloosa**

The only alley of the town was full of a mixing of earth ponies and buffalos. Today was a day where the appleloosians were giving free apple pies to the tribe since the deal. And it just happens that they had decided to stay a little to have some good time with their friends. Normally, both groups would be fast asleep because of all the hard work of the day but there was no way they could have ignored that monitor. And now... there surely was no way they could ever sleep tonight. They were standing there like statues until somepony was cutting in the crowd and pushing other to be at the front. It was yellow pony with a western jacket and hat. He was such in a panic that in his frenzy he had dropped his hat but he didn't take it back. He didn't notice it or maybe, did not care.

‘’Applejack! ... He got Applejack! It's mah cousin. He got mah cousin! What... what he gonna do with her? What he gonna do with her!! It can’t be real!! Please, somepony, anypony… tell me it is not real!!’’

He was looking frantically at the crowd, searching desperately for someone that could give him answers. But alas, none could give him any.

**Cloudsdale**

‘’Rainbow Dash had been kidnapped! They all been kidnapped! But... but this is a crime.’’

‘’What kind of game it is! This is no game, this is... this is sick.’’

As for the pegasus, their reactions was more hysterical. Something bad was happening, it was now confirmed. They had the feeling that there was something they must do but... they just didn't know what. And this made them panic. So they flew in all directions while screaming like if it could help them to find the answer. It was not until one of them managed to cool off enough his head to tell the other to stop and to go warn the Wonderbolts. One their star member was after all kidnapped, this was unprecedented. But after that... what next. What could they do... except staying here and watch more?

**Manehattan**

The ponies of the big city had taken it more well. That is if you consider being dumbfounded and at a loss for word a better way to take news of that kind. Nopony knew how to react. Until somepony screamed at the top of her lungs. This awakened the others and they all looked at who did it. It was a young mare with cream color and an aquamarine mane with a flower hair clip on it. She had a grocery bag with her but in her fright, she dropped it, spilling all its contents on the asphalt. Especially the eggs who had broken and all their inner fluids were now disgustingly spread. As for the young mare, she was in choc and she had instinctively put her hoof on her mouth to stop herself from screaming more.

‘’Miss Rarity is in danger! ... ... Oh no, oh no, it is horrible. ... ... We cannot stand there, we are to do something, anything, we have to help them. The police, please somepony call the police! Police. Police. Police.’’

She could no longer think straight and so went galloping on the street, under the look of all passersby, searching for the police. Even though she had no idea where they were. And as she was running, she was repeating the word police again and again because this word that implies security and order was helping her not to slip into hysteria and to go screaming again.

‘’Police police police police police poliiiiiice.’’

**Ponyville**

Of course, the reaction of Ponyville was much more personal. What they felt... was a genuine terror. All the town was knowing them well. More than that, their presence was so important that you could literally consider those six the heart of Ponyville. They were doing so much good but were also causing a lot of problems. And they were loved by all. And yes, they knew they had a tendency to going into a lot of adventures but Ponyville usually learns of them after the facts. And now... the villain who had them in his clutch was announcing, directly to them, that they were at his mercy. That was just a lot to take. Too much to take. And they were not prepared. Ironically... they just did not know how to react. There was so much feeling of dread inside them that did not know how to express it. What a shame. If they had panic, at least a little of these awful feelings in them could have been set free, but instead, they were trapped, eating them from the inside.

Some wanted to scream, but they couldn't manage to form any sound in their throats. Some were just feeling really cold and their legs were shaking. They only one who could manage to express their fear were the children. Those simple souls. One young filly, who was with her mother, even went to cry before everypony. Her mother tried to reassure her child the best she could.

‘’Please, please don't cry. It's not as bad has it sound. I am sure they will make everything alright. They always do. (At least I hope.)’’

But the truth was that she, no, that not many was believing what she had said. Not completely at least. Ponyville had seen its share of disasters but this… felt different without being able to explain why. But one pony had managed to keep her composure and knew that action was required. It was Mayor Mare. She felted that it was her duties as a civil servant to bring guidance to those ponies. So she did not lose time and jumped on the top of the monitor to speak to all the crowd.

‘’Listen me well everypony, now is not the time to just stay there dumbfounds. Our friends are in grave dangers, they need our help.’’

‘’Yes but… what exactly can we do?’’

She was taken a little aback. That pony was right. What can they do? It was not like they could go straight where they were and rescue them. They didn't even know where they were restrained. But she took back hold of herself and she remembered what her job as a bureaucrat had taught her. If you can't do the big stuffs, then concentrate yourself on the small stuffs.

‘’What we must do is contact the authorities. And the fastest possible. Somepony go find Spike. He can send letters instantly to the princess, she must be made aware that the bearer of the elements have been kidnapped.’’

Bon-Bon and Lyra had stand-up in the crowd and made a military salute.

‘’We two are volunteers. Lyra will go searching for Spike and me, just in case, will send letters directly to the castle. I know many private ways to do that.’’

‘’How do you know how to do that?’’

‘’Please don't ask.’’

‘’Hum... very well. We are counting on you.’’

The two mares went galloping in two directions. Another pony went to the mayor to ask her something.

‘’Mayor mare, do you think we should also warn the families of those six?’’

She found herself pondering. That was a very tough question. True, it might be considered a moral obligation to quickly tell parents that their children are in danger but when you think about it, what good it will truly do. Okay first, the majority of them did not leave in Ponyville. And anyway, that Mel guy had said it will be broadcasting across all Equestria. That mean they will know very fast without their help. That was leaving the Apple family.

She knew them and she knew that after a hard day of farm work they were fast asleep at this hour. So there was no way they could know, at least until tomorrow morning. If she warned them, there might be a risk that they try something desperate. What she was talking about, of course they will do something desperate. Then maybe it was best to leave them in the dark and to wait at least how the situation will progress. Even if they might hate her for that.

Now then, there was another problem. Would it be best to tell the ponies of Ponyville to stop watching? Regardless if it was good or bad, she did not think she could convince them to stop. Not because they wouldn't want but because they couldn't. She was not even sure that she herself could. When all she had done all she thought she could to help those six mares, the feeling that she was making a difference was now gone and all that was left now was that she felt powerless and useless. It was such an awful feeling. Maybe that was what all those ponies were feelings, the mayor was wondering. Maybe that why they felt that the only thing they could do was watch.

**Happy Town**

Of course, let's not forget about Happy Town. Because their reaction was the most intense. For as long they can remember, the citizens of this town have always tried their best to master the art of being happy. And so they have always tried their best to take away any negative thoughts and fill their head with positive ones. So, to hear right here right now that their idols have been kidnapped to play an absurd game and that the responsible was one of them, the black sheep, but still one of them, was unthinkable. So when the unthinkable happened, they were not capable of thinking.

And when they did understand what was happening, they still could not believe it. But they also could not not believe it. This contradiction was making those ponies unable to stay still on their feet. Some of them were even believing that reality itself had broken.

‘’This... this can't be happening, it's a joke, a bad joke.’’

‘’Do you seriously think this is a joke!’’

‘’Why is it happening? Why is it happening? How can Mel can do that to them? To us? He... he... he betrays us all!’’

‘’I knew that one day this rotten apple will do something as depraved as that.’’

‘’What going on in his head! He is a psycho. How come we never notice it before?’’

‘’We never should have accepted him as one of us. He had never wanted to adapt to our way of life anyway.’’

The mayor was a little uncomfortable to hear his own townsfolk spurting such hateful words. He had never realized but the truth was that nearly all Happy Town had a serious disdain for Melancholia. You see, it was not they were considering open expressions of pessimism and of depressing thoughts a crime. But... it was also not something that was welcome. They consider that the goal of life is to have the most enriching one possible and so, pain and sorrow was considered like things that go in the way. So that why that when you have sad thoughts, then you must do you best to push them away and comeback to have happy thoughts filling your head.

And that was also why a pony like Mel was not only consider weird but also a counter-productive member of society. And that was especially true if the pony in question was stubbornly working very hard to show the grim sides of life despite the numerous, but many numerous attempts from Happy Town to show him the errors of his ways. They just could not understand what was the point to this way of life.

Flo was right. They never had accepted Mel. They were just tolerating him... like we tolerate tumors. A tumor to society. Of course, the citizens of Happy Town would never outright admit that they despise him. To only have positive thoughts is considered their pride after all. They will be very ashamed to realize they were capable of such hateful feelings and so, they were subconsciously buried those feelings deep inside their minds.

But now that Mel had dared to do an atrocity without names... all those buried and ugly feelings came out without any restriction. Which prompted the mayor to intervene. Because there was more important things to do... or because it was unbecoming of the motto of the town?

‘’My citizens... my citizens, please calm down. This is not the time for that. Right now we need to... we need to... (Oh damn. What are we supposed to do? I don't know. I really don't know. Wait! *gasssp* Oh no. ... Flo.)’’

It was then he understood something he should have way earlier. He turned around to look at little Flo to see how she was dealing with this.

Even though the screen was now showing noting more than a: PLEASE BE PATIENT, the eyes of Flo were transfixed on it and her iris had shrunk so much they were now the size of tiny green marbles. Her mouth was left wide open and you could see that her body was trembling. To say she was in shock... wouldn't be enough to describe what she was feeling.

‘’... ... it's a lie. ... ... it can't be true.’’

It was just as Paternal has fear. If not worse. And why should she react other way? It was her big brother. Her beloved big brother. Her brother who had just said from his own mouth that he had now become a criminal and that, without a trace of remorse.

‘’It can't be. It just cannot be.’’

‘’Flo, please, get a hold of yourself.’’

Mayor Paternal had tried to put his hoof on her back as a comforting gesture but Flo reject it like if his hoof was made of burning iron and turned around to look at him. He was at a loss for breath, he never could have imagined that she could be capable of making a face of such distress.

‘’Those are lies, everything is a lie! There is no way it's real, I know my brother, he will never even hurt a fly! You know that.’’

‘’Flo!!’’

But Flo could not hear him and she went running to the crowd and was speaking with them, half-mad with hysteria.

‘’You know it can't be true. Don't tell me you believe it's true! You know that no matter how weird and unsocial he can be, he is deep down a good pony! You know that! Please somepony, anypony, tell me I am right! Mel would never do that, MY BROTHER WOULD NEVER DO THAT!’’

It came more as a supplication that as a confirmation. And was clear for all those ponies that Flo was not even believing what she was saying. They did not know what to say to this child in distress until one of them decided to go forward and talk to her.

‘’But Flo... it... was your brother on this... thing. We all recognized him and he spoke just like him... there is no way it could be somepony else.’’

‘’No! This... this is some kind of mistake.’’

‘’And the Mane 6 are gone just at the same time as Mel. It was yourself that was saying to all of us that they were in danger’’

‘’No... no... it can't... Mel couldn't...’’

But another pony had also decided to come forward and to speak. With a much aggressive tone.

‘’For Celestia sake will you stop denying what is in front of you! You just trust your brother blindly just because he is your brother.’’

‘’Huh!!!’’

‘’You are always there to defend him and we were always listening to you. But I see that by doing that we were encouraging his unhealthy behaviors when it should have been reprimanded. It's... it's not like we blame you for sticking to family but you have to take away your pink glasses and see the obvious. Mel is a bad pony.’’

‘’Please... stop.’’

But more and more ponies came to express their feelings. And more and more Flo could not help but to step back against their verbal assaults, even though she was not the target. And as much she did not want to hear them, their words full of disdain were freely flowing from her hears to her head where they were making a maddening cacophony.

‘’No... no... noooo, I refuse to believe I refuse... refusenononoNOOOOOOOOOOO!!! ’’

Having reach her limit, she screamed at the top of her lungs and went galloping across the crowd for then going far, far away from them. She did not seem to have any destination in mind, she just wanted to no longer be with them. The ponies just stayed there. That had realized what they had just done. That they have gone too far and that was making them ashamed. Even mayor Paternal did not go after her because of the same reason as earlier. He could not find any comforting words to say to her. Feeling despair over his uselessness and over the situation they were now, the only thing he could do was looking once again at the monitor still showing the words: PLEASE BE PATIENT.

He could not help but to think that was Mel mocking them.

‘’(... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Where... ... ... where... I am?)’’

Twilight had just barely got out of unconsciousness and her memory was a hazy fog. But slowly, her thoughts were starting to become more coherent.

‘’(I don't know where I am... but... it's nice... in there. It's comfy... I feel like I'm floating... and I never felt so good)’’

Soon, the sensation of her own body was coming back to her. So she tried to move her hooves but it was hard since they were still feeling very groggy.

‘’(It's hard to move. What happed? Did I... just wake up?... Was I... sleeping? I remember... I was having one of the most awful dreams ever. Where... where... ... ... *gasp* IT WAS NOT DREAM!)’’

Remembering all at once Mel, the beating she had to endure and that her friends were in danger, she opened wide-open her eyes and could finally see where she was.

‘’(Wha, wha, wha, wha... what the hay!? My friends!! What is happening to you?)’’

It was hard for her to understand what she was seeing. Before her was five of her friends. But they were all into strange capsules thingy. Theses capsules were filled with water that was glowing with a cyan hue. And all her friends were floating in this liquid, well awake. As they saw that Twilight had opened her eyes, they all went to knock at the glass with their hooves. Twilight wanted to talk to them but when she opened her mouth, instead of sound, bubble came out of it. That was when she had realized why she felted she was floating and that she was in the same boat as her friends. She panicked, being sure that she will drown and tried to hold the most of her breath... until she had realized that she could breathe just fine.

‘’(... ... This is so strange. How it can that I am just fine? It makes me think a lot to the time that the changeling took me and put me into one of those green cocoons. Eyuuuu, a memory that I prefer not remember. But when I was in there, my head was all woozy-wooby. But here, I feel just fine. No! More than fine, I feel in tip-top form! And... and all my wounds are gone! How?)’’

A quick look at herself was enough for her to notice that all the bruises that she was supposed to have were no longer here like if they were never there in the first place. Also, she was feeling warm inside and bursting with energy.

‘’(Now I remember. Mel had said that he had the best medical equipment. So is it what those machines do, healing? And what more, it seems to do work of my metabolism and fill me with energy and oxygen. Well, no wonder I was feeling so good, it like I had come back inside my mother woOOOHH I better not go to the end of this thought. But those machines are beyond fascinating. But wait, where is Starlight?!)’’

Twilight looked around her and noticed that there was missing one of her friends, Starlight. She was nowhere to be seen but she spotted something interesting. One of the capsules was empty and open but the inside walls were wet, implying that it had recently been used. But Twilight did not have the time to ponder because the capsule where Pinkie was had made a sound and a hatch at the bottom opened. And the water, along with the scared Pinkie Pie, was just washed away down the drain. And once she was gone, it was the turn of Rainbow Dash. Then it was the turn of Applejack. Then Fluttershy. And finally, Rarity. Once they were all gone, Twilight panicked and hit the glass with the energy of despair. That is, until she had heard her own capsule do the same sound and guessed, what she should have done sooner, that her turn had come.

‘’(Oh please, I had just woken up. You got to be kiddinggggggggg!!!) WUAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!’’

She was falling into a tunnel shaped like a twisted water slide. With the fun in less. What Twilight was doing was not laughing but screaming as she was going in all directions until the ride stopped and she was propelled into the inside of a big and empty square chamber where all her friends were.

‘’Twilight!’’

Pinkie, overjoyed, jumped with open hooves to catch her in her fall. It had failed. Their two faces collided with each other, flattening them in a cartoonish way and strangely making a metallic sound. Shockwaves coursed through their bodies which were staying fix in mid-air until gravity had remembered that it had a job to do. Once they fell on the floor, stars were turning in circles above the head of Pinkie.

‘’Woooooo, woooooo, since wheeen did we get outside? Twinkles, pretty twinkles, the sky is so full of twinkles.’’

‘’Ughhhh... ... worst... wake up... ever. ... ... Girls! Girls, you alright.’’

Having realized that nearly all the gang was here, safe and alive, all her friends did not lose time and throws themselves at Twilight and went to hug her like dear life. The relief they felt was so great that they all went to cry tears of joy and they laughed to their hearts’ content. For them, the simple fact to be together was enough to melt all the bad things that had happened this day.

‘’Oh girls, you can't know how happy I am to see you. But how did you get here? Did Mel also hurt you?’’

All her friends jumped with surprise at the mention of this name.

‘’Mel ya say! So ya mean that this fellow is the responsible for the mess we are!’’

‘’I'm afraid that yes. What it did to you?’’

‘’Well darling, we will tell you but it is not a pretty story.’’

‘’I'm... sure of it. I will also tell you all that I know.’’

That was when everypony briefed each other on the adventures, rather misadventures, they had to endure. The attacks throw at them and how they had no choice but to defend themselves. The fear, the anger, the hurting. And for finish, Twilight explained to them the ruins they were trapped, the technology Mel could use and that they were all there to play some sort of game, even if that part was still not clear.

Once everything was said, the face of Twilight crisped and she was biting her lips.

‘’I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I had not so much enthusiasm about those ruins then I never would have followed blindly Mel and I wouldn't leave you all alone with this nightmare. I could have protected you. But I have only thought about myself. It's all my fault.’’

The ponies were feeling sad to see their friend beating herself like that. She always had the bad habits to take everything on her shoulders.

‘’Please sugarcube, don't talk like that. You can't believe what you say.’’

‘’But it is my fault. I have abandoned you. And we are trapped in who knows where in the clutch of a madman who can use a technology that I don't understand how it works and I have no idea what his plans are for us and Starlight is still missing and I can't imagine a single plan to get us out of here.’’

Twilight, being submerged by a mixing of anxiety and guilt, was hit by a panic attack while at the same time she was crying torrent of tears. Fluttershy quickly went to the her and gently rubbed her hoof on her purple back.

‘’Shhhh. It's alright Twilight, it's alright. Nopony think this is your fault. Because it's not. You cannot know and control everything. And I understand that you are scared but don't forget that we are all here with you. You don't have to this alone.’’

She had succeeded at calming Twilight. Already she could breathe more easily and she was wiping her tears with the tips of her wings.

‘’Thank Fluttershy. Thank you all. I will be nothing without you.’’

‘’Oh, and another thing. You better not thinking about hating and restraining your passions. Because a Twilight that love to learn is the Twilight we love the best.’’

‘’What bu bu but I was not thinking that. ... ... Okay, maybe a little.’’

She was saying, looking down, ashamed to have been read so easily. But she really did feel a huge relief. Seeing that her friend was now okay, Rainbow Dash made a huge grin.

‘’Glad to see our Twi is back. But you should not worry. We fought so many times against the forces of evil and each time we have won. So who cares what this Mal, Meli-Melo or whatever his name is, has in store for us. Once we will put our force together, we will beat the crap of it. Hou, haa.’’

She did a few karate moves to emphasize the castagne she will soon give him which had made everypony burst in laughter. Even Twilight.

‘’Hahahaha, oh I'm sure Rainbow, I'm sure. ... ... However... something tells me that this one will different compared to all the other villains we have faced. He is clever and sneaky. I mean... he made this column of light a literal beacon to attract us all. Plus, I am pretty sure that he is not alright in the head. We will have to put our guard up because I have no idea what his next move will be.’’

At this warning, all the ponies got really worry. Except Rainbow of course. And Pinkie who had still a glimmer of hope.

‘’Oh oh, but he must surely be the one that had put us in these machines that have healed us since all those fancy gadjety are all belonging him and so that mean that he at least care a little about us and so he might be not that bad.’’

‘’I am afraid not Pinkie. I think that it is more that he, need, us in walking form to fulfill his design. Believe me, I have seen... more like feel directly what it he is capable of.’’

Remembering that was enough for making her legs shaking. Rainbow, her, was more intrigued by something else.

‘’Huh, was that about healing? It that what those tanks full of water were doing? Then that mean...’’

Rainbow went to flap her wings a little, and then faster and faster. She was so happy that stars were shinning in her eyes.

‘’Oh my gosh, my wings! My wings are back to normal. Rainbow Dash has officially resurrected from the dead.’’

Naturally, she went to fly at a supersonic speed all around the room, shouting cries of joy. All the ponies were founding her happiness intoxicating and it gave to Twilight a burst of confidence.

‘’I guess I should take example on her. Hahaha. That true, there is no reason to worry. After all, when we team up, we're unstoppable.’’

‘’Glad to hear that Miss Twilight. I would have expected nothing else.’’

They were all freaked out because they have all heard an unknown voice that was definitely masculine. And what more, that voice seemed to come from everywhere in the room. The light of this closed room went off and the surface of one the four walls lighted on with a cyan light which formed itself to become a holographic screen with the size of a house. And it was showing Mel, sitting on his throne.

‘’Mel!’’

‘’You know, patching you up had sure took more time than I thought. We are already fifteen minutes behind schedule. But now I am glad to announce that we can finally begi//

‘’Hey you, let me give you some tasty salad of fisthooves.’’

Rainbow Dash went charging with her front hoof brandished right to the giant face of Mel. But she passed through the virtual projection and the only things she could hit was the hard and cold wall. With her own body. Which was now flattened to its surface.

‘’Owwww... oh give me a break. Why the universe should think that all physical comic gags should fall on me?’’

Her contact with the hologram had at least disturbed the projection until it shutdown. Rainbow was sliding down the walls while making a teeth-grinding noise that was not reassuring. But all that has been useless because another screen appeared behind the ponies.

‘’... ... Did you have your fun Miss Dash? I rather that you don't do that, I would not like to be interrupted at each minute.’’

Twilight was feeling her anger burning up like an inferno. He had coldly hurt her and her friends and he was still talking cordially like if nothing had happened. How arrogant and insensible he could be? But then a cold ran through her back and was giving her goosebump. Because she realized that Mel was not his usual self. Not quite. His voice was still polite and pleasant sounding... but his eyes... seemed more out of here that usual. Twilight founded that he was looking like a pony who was having a dissociative episode. A very upsetting thought. But she decided to put her anger and fear aside and to be rational. There was no way for them to escape, they were at his mercy. Also, she did not tell anypony but she could feel that there was some unknown force that was restraining her magic. So bursting out by smashing all was also out of the window. So right now, if she wanted to have a chance, there was one thing she needed to collect. Information.

‘’Mel, you have made the promise that you will eventually explain to me everything. Now I think it is the right time to do it.’’

‘’Ah, right to the point. Excellent. Then without further ado...’’

And then Mel went to spread his hooves in a theatrical gesture.

‘’Welcome Mane 6 to the wonderful game I have made. And I have personally chosen you as contestants.’’

‘’It's that yer idea of a joke! Because it's a very bad one. Ya mean to tell us that you did all those awful things to us just so we can play a stupid game?’’

‘’Yes I did bring you here by forces. But I had no choices. If you knew my designs, you will have never accepted to go with them. Now the question is does my acts were evil and reprehensible? The answer is yes, without a doubt.’’

Before this uncaring pony, the courage of Fluttershy disappears for a moment and the terrible memories of what had happened that night came back in force. She became like a frightful child.

‘’Please, let us go!’’

‘’After all I did, you think I would let you go just because somepony beg me? Oh, be reasonable please.’’

‘’Why are you doing that to us?! What have we ever do to you?!’’

‘’Do to me? ... Nothing. Absolutely nothing. There is in me not a single trace of bad blood against you. You were just the perfect candidates and I needed you. That is all.’’

Twilight was becoming exasperated that the question was constantly dodging.

‘’Alright, alright, we get it, it's nothing personal but will you finally explain to us, what, is, that, game?’’

‘’It is simple, really. They are... trials. Or rather six trials, one for each of you.’’

On the screen, a display appeared at the right of Mel showing a rotating 3D model that Twilight recognized as the palace buried in the mountain. The very place they were. The model was constantly shifting form, modifying its structure.

‘’As I have already told you Miss Twilight, the reason if took interest in these ruins is because of their polymorphic nature. With that I can build without problems a stage for each of your trials. You will all took them one at a time. Alone. Without help. But what those trials will consist that you will know only when it is your turn. Because I insist that you took them unprepared. The more raw your anguish will be, the more powerful the effect on the viewers will be.’’

‘’What?! Wait a minute, what is that story about... viewers?’’

‘’Did you think that I be the only one to see your struggle? You are watched right now, by so many ponies across the kingdom.’’

‘’What! Impossible!’’

‘’It is true. But why don't you show yourself them, dear viewers.’’

Other screens appears all around them. And they were showing ponies of all kinds, looking at them with a fascination that was scary. From the backgrounds, they could deduce they were from many regions, some that they even recognized. But they just could not understand what was happening. They were so taken aback that they instinctively flinched until the six were stuck back to back.

‘’Before I kidnap you, I have sent monitors to most important towns of Equestria so they can see the game and you playing it. Those ponies were watching since the moment you entered this room. And they will be watching you as you will struggle during your trials. As for you, viewers, don't ever dare to think that is all fake. See, those are true ponies that can watch you watching them. Why don't you say hello to the Bearers of Harmony.’’

Nopony on both sides of the screens... just knew how to react. They were staying there, dumbfounded, their eyes wide as saucers, unable to understand this absurd situation. It was the same for Pinkie. Since Mel had said the word welcome, a part of her brain thought she should do that and so she mechanically waved her hoof in front of the ponies. Some of them even answered her and did the same and waved at her. Until they realized how ridiculous it was and dropped down their hooves.

When the holographic screens disappeared, Mel was showing to the six mares, at last a little bit of enthusiasm.

‘’You may have thought that this game will be just for you and me. But no. This game is destined to ALL EQUESTRIA.’’

Rarity was the first to awake when she realized something.

‘’Wait! All... all Equestria is watching me! Oh... oh my. But but but, but I am not in condition to be seen, I have no outfit, no mascara and... this is not the time for such frivolity is it not?’’

The others just nodded. Twilight, her, could not process what he was trying to do. But then... she thought she finally saw a fault in his plan and she grabbed with hope that silver lining.

‘’Heheheh. HAHAHAHAHA. Oh poor Mel, you just dig your own grave. I admit, your plan until then was clever and well troughs but, ohohoh, announcing to all Equestria your dastardly deed. That, was dumb from dumb. Now that they all know that we are in danger, people will come to rescue us.’’

‘’Really? And who? The police? The Wonderbolts? The royal guards? I just need you for a few hours and after that, I will let you go. It will take too much time to go where I am and once the game is finished, I will not care about what they will do to me. And even if they manage to interfere, I possess the most powerful technology in the world. Let them dare trying to stop me.’’

‘’But you forget something. I am Princess Celestia faithful student. And when she hears of my predicament, she will come along Princess Luna to save me.’’

‘’I know. That why I purposely send no monitor to Canterlot. A shame really but it was necessary.’’

‘’Hum, okay, that was well thought but it only retards the inevitable. Somepony will eventually warn the princess. And once it is done, they will come here in one instant and they possess enough power to blow this whole mountain. Well... after making sure we are safe first. Anyway, my point is that when the princess will know, you will have a lot to worry.’’

‘’That is why to be extra sure, I have sent them on a wild goose chase far away.’’

‘’... ... ... Heh!’’

Somewhere in the sky above South Luna Ocean

‘’We are getting closer Luna, I can feel it. It’s still far but we are gaining ground.’’

‘’But at such a slow pace. We could be here all night at this rate.’’

‘’Don’t complain. I am supposed to sleep at this hour. But there is no way will could ignore this. This power. That magical signature. It’s just unprecedented. Luna, just to make sure, you are certain?’’

‘’Yes, there is no doubt. It the same thing that I have felt one month ago. But instead of just disappear, it comes back and go away and come back. I do not understand, it is like that… whatever that thing that does this, expels magic like they were waves on the ocean. I never felt anything like this, I just cannot understand.’’

You will have guessed but both the princess of day and night were hovering above the sea that the ponies call South Luna Ocean. Earlier, the princesses have felted those waves of magic for lack of better description, and this had made them very worry. First, because like they had mentioned, it was the same signature from the column of light once coming from Mount Heaven. Second, because it was a very powerful magic. And third, it was coming from such an odd place, above the sea. And what more, the thing that was doing this was moving and going further away. At first, the princesses could feel that the source of those waves was close to the shores but more time passed and more it was going farther and farther from the continent.

So they decided that they had to act fast and went flying to find what it was. Contrary to Happy Town, the weather here was fantastic. The sky was so clear, except for a few light trails of cloud. There was no trace of wind and everything was bathed by the soft lights of the stars and the moon. So much that you have no problem seeing the two shadows of the flying alicorns sliding on the calm and obsidian water.

‘’Tia, more that I think about it, more I find it strange. Why it appeared now and why in the middle of nowhere? Tia are you sure it is even wise to go to the source. I mean yes it is strange but it seems inoffensive and it also it is going away from Equestria.’’

‘’I understand what you mean but such a powerful and unusual magic could be dangerous. There is no way we could ignore this. We must investigate what it is, then we will decide what to do after.’’

‘’ Should we not have taken a few guards with us?’’

‘’ They never would be able to fly this distance. Beside… I rather not involved them if things get dangerous. Who knows what the source of this signature can do. That why Luna… I ask you to be on your guard and be prepared to anything.’’

‘’Do not worry sis, I am prepared.’’

She answered with a look of determination worthy of a monarch ready to put her life on the line for her people. The tension had become so tense you could cut it with a knife. But since she knew they won’t arrive to source before a bit of time, she decided it was best to light the mood a little and to change the subject with something that had bother her for quite a while.

‘’You know Tia, it is the first time I noticed it but… I have a whole ocean named after me! Actually, made that two if I count both north and south.’’

‘’Yes, I have too an ocean named after me. What your point?’’

‘’Don’t you think it is a little… hum... conceited? I mean, that just my opinion. Still...’’

‘’Don’t look at me like that, I am thinking the same. But it was alas not my decision. It is my subjects that had come with those names. It was during the time where their adoration was borderline fanatical. Also annoying if I may add. When they named that sea after me, it was already too late. Since the harm was done, I did insist that there was at least one or two seas named after you since I… ...’’

‘’Tia! You mean...’’

‘’Anyway. After all this time I just stopped noticing them, it becomes an everyday thing.’’

‘’Look, I understand you but don’t you think we should, I don't know, named them anew? It is really embarrassing.’’

Celastia looked at her sister with a sarcastic look.

‘’What a good idea. Let us change and rewrite all our maps and geography books just because my sister feel embarrassed. It should be not that much of a work.’’

‘’You don’t have to use that tone! All I am saying is think of the message we are giving to the other nations. 'Hey, look at us, we are so full of ourselves that we princesses are naming those waters, that technically should be considered international waters, after us as if they belong to us and that without listening the opinions of others because we don't need to listen to other.’ How do you think the foreign nations will see us?’’

‘’Oh you should not be worry after that. Othercreatures does not care about our naming covention. They call every places as they want anyway. That is, when they even care about giving a name to places.’’

‘’Sooo, that' mean if we become more united, the rework our geography will be murder?’’

‘’Indeed it will. I can already feel the headache.’’

This sister banter was for them a good way to relive their stress and they smiled at each other, knowing that they had both to support each other. If only they knew that what they were searching was so... anticlimactic.

At miles and miles of where the princess where, many meters above the water, was floating a peculiar object. This machine, not that large but not that small, was shaped like a flying saucer and was made from a familiar gray material. At its bottom there were three protuberances gleaming with a cyan light, which were actually anti-gravity devices that were allowing the disk shaped machine to hover in the sky. But more importantly, there was at his heart a shining mechanism that, although it could not be seen by naked eyes, was constantly expulsing wave after wave that were caring in them a magical signature. That… was the very thing the royal sisters were unknowingly chasing.

A rotating 3D model of the very same machine was being shown through a screen, presented by Mel himself to the Mane 6.

‘’A simulator of magical signature device. This machine has the ability to create false but convincing signals to make believe that powerful magic is being used. It was once used by the ancient civilization to confuse their enemies and trick them about the whereabouts of their most dangerous weapons. Or for me, to use them as a literal flying red herring. When I had taken possession of these ruins, I have also found an arsenal of futuristic weapons of all kinds. Really convenient to have a warehouse full of deus ex machina. I had put in advance this machine on a beach and set in on just a few hours. So right now, I am sure the princesses have already notice its presence and went chasing after that disk flying far, far away from Equestria. So if I were you Miss Twilight, I wouldn’t count on them.’’

The mouth of Twilight was wide open and she was unable to get any sound out of it except for a few grunts. This might seem comical but in reality, her heart has sunk deep into her. It was her biggest hope and she was counting on it. But now, it dawn on her that she was trapped in here. With him. But their friends came to surround her and put their hooves on her back. It’s crazy… to see that the simplest of things have the power to give you back your confidence. Twilight raised her head and faced Mel with determination.

‘’It’s no use Mel, you will never break our spirit. Not with our strength combine’’

‘’Yeah, like she says. There is no way we will fear a coward that taunts us from far away.’’

‘’Well said Rainbow. You may hide behind a mask of civility but a ruffian always stay a ruffian.’’

‘’You think maybe you scare me… okay a lot, but I know that big meanie bullies are in reality dump and stupid like all baddies are.

The words of Fluttershy had managed to make Mel react to something. Which was an exploit. His eyes were still devoid of emotions but his smiling face was now contortioned by nervous tics.

‘’Dump! Stupid! You don’t realize that although what I am doing is evil it is still all for a noble goal.’’

‘’Noble goal, mah flank. Ah bet it’s simply that hurting ponies is yer way of getting yer kick.’’

‘’If that true Mister Mel then I am really sad for you and a game that is not fun cannot be called a game. Seriously, the only one that think causing pain for others is fun are loony-doowy just good for the asylum. And when we are here, I also retire any nice words that I had once said to you. One of the biggest Pinkie grudges ever DONE.’’

‘’SILENCE! ALL OF YOU! YOU OF ALL PONIES SHOULD HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE… YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT… ABOUT… … …’’

They were all in shock before this uncharacteristic outburst. But realizing he had lost control, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then reopened them and it was like nothing had happened.

‘’… … Let me ask you a question, bearers of the element. An important one. I know that all of you have taken a lot of time to see my town and its peoples. That your stay has been quite eventful and that you have been quite intimate with the way of life of my home. So here is my question and please answer me truthfully. How did you find Happy Town?’’

They were not sure what to answer, it was a question they did not expect. Not only them but also the ponies of Happy Town, that were looking from the plaza through the screens at the mares whom the question had been asked. After a moment of silence, Twilight decided that it was best to answer.

‘’I… found that it was a pleasant place to live. And the ponies there are so kind and welcoming. Sure they might seem a little strange at first but when you get used to it they can be pretty entertaining. And I think that their pursuit of happiness is inspiring and contagious since just a little time was enough for that it rubs off on me. So think, yes, Happy Town is a wonderful place. That is... my answer.’’

‘’... ... ... ... Really... ... that all. I am upset. You, no, all six of you are clever ponies. I am sure that you couldn't have not noticed all the subtle flaws hidden in this way of life.’’

‘’Flaws! What do you mean? If you are talking about the fact that you are not recognized then//

But Mel had shut-up her by raising his right hoof in a gesture of silence.

‘’Do not dare to say that this story is nothing more than a pitiful revenge born of resentment. I am sure that you are more aware of the underline problems hiding in their way of life. To only see the best things in life. Sure, it may sound great on paper. You always see your glass half-full, you get the motivation to strive for a better tomorrow. And all the happiness you collect help you to polish the purest part of your heart since all knows that the happiest are the most nicest. But if you take the time, just a little time to think, then you start to see all the big inconveniences that start to sprout from this idyllic lifestyle.’’

‘’Like what?’’

‘’Did you not notice that the ponies of this town have a tendency to be… in their own head. I do not say that they lack sympathy, they have plenty of that. I say that they lack empathy, the ability to understand, or rather see the pain of others. They make so much effort to build the most perfect worldview that they don’t want to look outside of it because they fear to see bad stuffs. A lot of problems had fallen to you at this day. And those ponies were unaware of it not because they didn’t want to see your troubles but because they had genuine difficulty to step out of their perfect little pink bubbles.’’

The wings of Rainbow went flapping open, remembering how the ponies she had met acted and seeing them now in a completely new way. It was the same for Rarity who just remember a… nauseous episode. Mel didn't stop there.

‘’The reality is that to understand pain, you need to experience it. If not, you become ignorant on that domain. And it also makes their brains rot. And why it should be otherwise, they are so content in their life so why should they work their brains? Some even sincerely think that a brainless and ignorant life is a better life.’’

At these words, the mouth of Fluttershy went wide open because she could not find any word to counter him.

‘’ Yes, all this naivety can indeed make you more carefree. But too much carefree can be a bad thing. I have seen many ponies having a disregard for their safety because they no longer are able to see danger. For a happy life, fear is not welcome. They just don’t want to understand that you NEED to see bad stuffs if you don’t want that bad stuff happens to you.’’

Pinkie, thinking about her day, went to a realization and realize that her bad day that in the end became good… could have been more, more bad than she had thought. In fact, she could have been seriously hurt if she had not been lucky.

‘’And another thing. To making their happiness the most perfect, they work extra hard to shoo away every bad stuffs. The bad stuffs around them and in their head. Actually, they do the first because of the second. Displeasure, scary things, depressing thoughts. All those things are seen as diseases, estranged bodies that have no place to be. So talking about those stuffs is taboo. It’s not a rule. More like an unwritten rule. Did you really think that, I, am the only one who have been asked to correct his behavior? I am just the only one who have never flinched while the other had converted. So, the community has pushed me out of town without really pushing me out of town.’’

Applejack wanted to object, saying that that there is no way it could go that far but… something came back to her and she embarrassedly rubbed the back of her head while saying a big ‘’Ooooooooh’’.

‘’I see that you are starting to realize what truly is Happy Town. How… toxic… life in this city is. And it is not a today problem. Their ancestors had taught them that from generation to generation. And surely the actual generation will teach the same things to their kids. Although the founders had the best of intentions, they unknowingly sow the seed of a religion. The religion of happiness. A dangerous religion. Saying that you should always smile is like saying you are not allowed to cry. People could see Happy Town as a paradise but for me… … it is a grotesque rainbow colored chunk of meat.’’

It was easy, to detect the genuine disgust in his voice. He was thinking all he was saying, there was no doubt for our six mares. As for citizens of Happy Town, they were aghast and could not believe theirs hears.

‘’*gasp* Is… is that really what he thinks of us!’’

‘’All we want to do is to always went to the pursuit of happiness. What is wrong with that?’’

‘’How dare he is saying all… all those lies about us! Even if he was so weird we were seeing him as one of us and that how he treats us!’’

‘’But… it is true that we kinda have isolated him//

‘’Shut up! We have done nothing wrong. We have done… … nothing wrong.’’

But doubt was starting to sprout in their minds, no matter how hard they were trying to push them away.

As for the Mane Six, still trapped in the ruins. Because for them, they had no choice but accept the obvious: Mel, was, right! After all the arguments he had given, they were seeing the ponies of Happy Town with another eye. They could see now that the way they were acting was harmful and that he could be a serious problem if it persists that way. And the worst part… was that in a way… they already knew. They had noticed some hints in their behaviors that were showing a serious problem. But they did not want to be judgmental or pessimism so they had pushed those concerns in the back of their minds. But now those subtle hints were no longer subtle but had now become blatant and they knew that they could no longer see them otherwise. It was then that Twilight had a flash and remembered what Starlight had once said.

[I don’t know. It’s… it’s this town. As I say, it is a great place and ponies are so nice, I really think that. … But… I don’t know. Something in this town makes me feel uncomfortable.]

Now she understands what she meant. Starlight had always been more perceptive than others. She must have saw more clearly that something was wrong. Another proof to the list. But still…

‘’But still, you are going too far Mel. You are right on Happy Town, it had a serious problem.’’

The ponies of the central plaza were feeling sad, even betrayed to see on screen their favorite idol talking and thinking of them like that.

‘’But Mel, you seriously think you are going to solve anything by showing to all Equestria innocent ponies being hurt? Where is the logic in that?’’

‘’Or maybe, it is really necessary. Let me ask you a second question. Do you really think that the problem of Happy Town is a problem, JUST, limited to this town?’’

Applejack felt obfuscated and pointed her hoof in a accuse way to the mad artist.

‘’Heh wo wo wo, what in tarnation are ya saying! In what are we like them?’’

‘’Oh I won’t deny, the ponies of Happy Town are the champions when it comes to being obsessed with happiness. Or maybe I should say poster model. But don't you think that ponies in general follow the same principles in some way. Ponies are... very pure creatures. No no, don't object. Sure many are able to stray from the righteous path. We do have criminals that can do things that are deplorable but never that can be truly considered unthinkable. That is because it is clear to me that ponies do not have a good imagination to go into dark and depressing territory.’’

Twilight just did not understand him. It was bad in what way? Was is not something to rejoice!

‘’I don't get you! Where are you going?’’

‘’Where I am going is that we ponies are fragile. And not that clever on the emotional level. We are good to be optimistic but when it is time to deal with the tragic things of life, we are left with not a lot of cards in hooves to face them.’’

The wings of Twilight had spread wide open and she was looking at Mel with the utmost serious face.

‘’Now you are looking down on us. We do know pain and we do know what it is to be hurt.’’

‘’But is it well enough? Does Equestria had not been the victim of invasions many times? Like the one with the Storm King. Yes, you have saved the situation each time but that the point. You did, not the rest of Equestria because what had happened were things they could not imagine and so they did not know how to react. If you had not intervened, do you think us ponies would have learned how to revolt against tyranny or we will have let ourselves be spineless slave? Does the fact that Equestria always need saviors is it not the proof that Equestria cannot protect itself?’’

‘’Well, hum, I I I, I mean, hum, it's more like, they were...’’

‘’And you must not forget that for a long time ponykind had avoided most contact with other species. Not because they hate them or even that they fear them, but it is more that they worry that their different lifestyles may clash with them and cause disharmony. So ponies prefer to stick between them. Oh wait, you don't find that it sounds like a certain place I had mentioned earlier?’’

And so, the wings of the princess went wimp and her eyes were not so confident than before.

‘’But... ... but we are trying very hard to change things. That why I have built a school for friendship.’’

‘’But it is mainly you that is causing change. Would the others would have started to change without your help? Open your eyes, ponykind does not have strong hearts. We have managed to cover life with a warm blanket of optimism and the illusion of harmony but the truth is life is absurd... but so absurd. Regardless if you want to see it or not. Everything can become a source of pain and especially from where you didn't expect to see it. To live, is to feel pain. That a fact. And every semblance of logic and reason are destined to eventually crumble. And we are not prepared for that.’’

‘’OBJECTION! Pinkie objection.’’

Shouted Pinkie Pie while pointing defiantly her hoof toward Mel.

‘’I know that you are a tragedy writer but that no excuse to have such a warped view of life. Now I take it personal. It is true that life is full of sad stuffs but it is filled with far most of fun things if you know how to look. Life does make senses and tragedies just don't happen like that, only pessimists think the opposite. Saying that life is absurd is just... well absurd.’’

‘’Yes in the end you must surely be right. What I must say must be as ridiculous as you all being attacked out of nowhere in the safety of your bedroom on your leisure day and all that because of an insane pony that you know nothing had scheme a diabolical plan old of many months and all that for the baffling goal of forcing you to play a ridiculous game and do the unthinkable of diffusing your torment to the whole wide world and cherry on cake, the mad one win absolutely nothing in this and just want to make the point to show to all that life is absurd. Yes. You're right. There is noooo way that something soooo absurd can happen. Even I cannot believe what I am saying. ... ... Oh but wait... what I had just said did happen to you. ... ... Ah, I guess what supposed not to happen can happen.’’

‘’Haaaaaaaa...’’

‘’And why do I have the feeling that even if I let you go without playing my game, you will from now on feel the need to lock tight all the doors of your homes and to look under your beds each time you will go to sleep. Seem I at least did a good job at showing you that life is least safe that you thought.’’

‘’Wait wait, just give me a few minutes or hours to find smarty arguments against yours.’’

‘’Sorry Miss Pie. Objection denied. But that is only the beginning. My show will brutally change forever how Equestria will see the world. So much that they will be no longer able to avert their eyes from the painful and ugly truth. Then, ponies will finally start working on how truly face pain. You see, that the whole reason. That why I have brought you here. With your assistance you will help me to cause to Equestria a REVOLUTION OF THOUGHTS. So Mane 6, help me bring evolution to Equestria by breaking all that they believe.’’

After a moment of silence, our six mares went forward and put themselves in a horizontal line before Mel. Then they looked at him through the eyes, stomped their hooves on the ground and shouted at the unison: ‘’NO WE WON'T.’’

‘’Why in Tartarus we should play your stupid game? If you think we will do it just because you are asking us then you are even more nuts than I thought. You have kidnapped us, you have hurt me and my friends. We will never do as you say.’’

‘’Twilight is right, we must never encourage the barbaric behavior of degenerate criminals or they will stay degenerate all their life. ’’

Wanting to top Rarity comeback, Rainbow Dash lift herself off the ground and cockily pointed her hoof to the giant muzzle of Mel.

‘’Yeah you hear that you stupid head. Go and gives us all you got and we will be sure to kick your ass. No matter what you will do to us we will never, but never, obey you.’’

Although they could not know, all the ponies that were watching them went to yell and cheer in honor of their defiance. Because this was giving them hope. Hope that those six mares will not let this bad guy have the better of themselves and that they will beat him like they have beat the other villains. But Mel was not upset by their words. No instead… he just smiled. And all enthusiasm disappeared in an instant. Because they all knew that if he could smile, then it was not a good sign.

‘’Tsk tsk tsk. Seriously, did you really think that after all the complex planning I had made that I would really neglect the part where I give you the adequate motivation? Then I guess it is time to show you that I mean business.’’

Mel took from somewhere a little object with which he amused himself by making it bounce on the palm of his hoof. That little object was like a hexagonal faceted gemstone of gray color but instead to be made of stone, it seemed more to be made of cheap plastic.

‘’As I had told you, I have found an arsenal full of nice little toys. Like those little devices.’’

A little white block then went flying at his side.

‘’First, you can stick those things to nearly any surface just like this.’’

He was saying while he was putting the gray object on one of the faces of the cube. This activated a gravity device hiding on the surface of the device that was making it stick to the white surface so well that it was like it was sculpted on it.
‘’And here come the fun part. Look what happens when I turn them on with just a little push.’’

A virtual display appeared before him. He honored his word and did a light tap on it. Then the jeweled shaped devices went flashing in red while making a bip bip sound. The cube went flying behind Mel with the device still on it, farther and farther. The red flashes and the bips went faster and faster until it sound became annoying and//

BANNNNG

The fiery explosion was so powerful that the shockwave, even though the distance, was enough to make the hair of Mel flying. His face, on the other hand, was still unflappable. Our six heroines were so in shock that they could not help but to step-back.

‘’What… what, in, tarnation was that?’’

‘’I think… I think that… was a bomb. *gasp* No way! It it it… it can't be! It’s that what you mean by motivation?! If we don’t do as you say you will blow us up?’’

The smile of Mel went larger of just a few millimeters. But it was enough for Twilight to think that if the devil exists, his face would be just like Mel.

‘’Who have said… that those will be used… against you?’’

They did not quite understand what he meant. Just… that the answer will terrify them.

‘’You see, it happens that I have secretly installed a lot of these bombs into places you hold dear. For each of you. I can make them detonate with nothing more than a simple tap. And there are very big chances that those places are not empty. There might be a chance… to some of your love ones can be turned into ash.’’

This… was something they could not see coming. Not even in their worst nightmares. Their eyes had now lost all gleam. They felt the need to puke and it was like the temperature of the room had gone to freeze.

‘’No… no… how could you?’’

‘’All the country might now know that I have put bombs but it is of no consequence to me. The bombs are very well hidden. And anyway, I have given them the instruction to explode if anypony tear them away from where they are glued. So here how we will proceed. You play my game or… or I just let you go like that. I promise. Well, I let you go but at the possible cost of the lives of some of your love ones. That too is a promise.’’

Rarity was now so in rage that she had thrown away all sense of decorum.

‘’You damn monster! Tell me where you put those bombs before I eviscerate you!’’

‘’Sorry I am not telling you. Not now at least. After all, is it is vague, then you will imagine that could be anywhere. And that will put a much greater pressure on you. So, are we now in agreement?’’

Twilight looked at all her friends, terrified and shaking. She felt disgust at what she will soon say but she had no other option.

‘’Girls, it pains me to say that but we have no choice to give him what he wants. We have to play his game. I have seen what Mel is capable of. It won’t hesitate, I am sure of it. I hate myself to tell you to cooperate with him but… but…’’

Twilight did not need to finish. They knew well that it was now bigger than them. Now they had a responsibility to protect their loves ones and they would take it gladly. And so, they all answer Twilight with a simple nod and eyes filled with all the determination in the world. It was enough to make Twilight shed a few tears.

‘’Everypony… thank you.’’

‘’But you know, now that I think about it, I am not so sure that you take my threat seriously enough. Hummm, maybe in the end it will be necessary to give you an... example.’’

‘’What!!! No no that won’t be necessary, we are convinced that you are serious so you don’t need to do that!’’

‘’But the more that I think about it, more I realize that you must be hoping on a subconscious level that I am bluffing. That there is no bomb. Who could blame you? Nopony would be able to truly believe something so outrageous.’’

Twilight panicked and opened her wing to fly before the huge screen while Mel had made appear another display ready to be pressed.

‘’Stop Mel, we believe we believe, did you not hear us, we had just said we will play your game so it's useless to do that!’’

‘’And I think it is really important that you see how huge the scales are for you. So open well your eyes.’’

‘’ I TOLD YOU WE ARE CONVINCED, PLEASE STOOOOOOOP!!!’’

But without mercy, he pushed it.

The ponies of Happy Town were so tense that they didn't even dare to blink. They were anxious but because they were anxious they could not help but to stretch their faces closer to the screens to see more clearly what tragedy will happe//

BANNNNNG

Their hearts all stopped beating for one moment and they all turned their gazes to the source of the noise and their eyes went wide with horror. The clock tower, their precious and beautiful clock tower, had now become a blazing column of inferno rising to the dark sky. One of the bells fell on the roof of the house of the mayor, smashing it. In its falling, it had made a sound that could very well be a wailing death cry. A giant gear, now engulfed in flame, was propelled by the explosion and fell to the ground where it went rolling in the plaza. The ponies, afraid to be crushed to death, were running away from it while screaming in terror. When the gear had lost all momentum, it fell flat to the dirt at the feet of mayor Paternal. But he did even react because he was fixated on the burning remains of the tower that will now never, ever more play its beautiful music.

‘’Our... our clock tower... the symbol of our town... gone, forever!’’

Dust had dropped the mini monitor after what he had just seen. His paws were shaking uncontrollably and he was fearfully moving backward for the little cube like if it was the most fearful monster he had ever seen.

‘’Bro! They… they… they were bombs. They were bombs! We have planted bombs in all those places! Ponies will die all because... all because aaaaaah! WHAAAAAAAA!’’

Dirt could no longer breathe and his yellow eyes were filling with panic tears. His big brother grabbed him to bring him a little comfort.

‘’Calm down Dust, calm down. We must calm down. We must… we must… oh dear mother.’’

But he soon did the same as him and the only thing they could now do was fixating the screen, crying while hugging each other with the strength of despair.

This time it was the reverse. This time this scene of destruction was shown to our six mares who had seen it all from the giant screen. Their eyes had become glass, reflecting only the orange light of the fire. To receive so many shocks in such a short lapse of time couldn’t certainly not be good for their mental health. Nopony could react, that is, until Fluttershy went into a hysterical crying.

But she was not the only one who reacted badly. Mel had shown the clock tower becoming a torch to all the country causing all kinds of reactions like cries of fear and panic attacks. Many were still hoping this could still be a joke, however how small this hope could be. But now, they knew this was serious. And all Equestria was now covered by a blanket of dread.

Going back to our heroines, seeing Fluttershy so demolish was enough to reawaken the rage of Twilight, in a far stronger form.

‘’You monster, why did you that?! We have said we will cooperate.’’

‘’And I had said that it was necessary.’’

‘’You did not care what we will have answers, you will have blow-up that tower anyway. You hypocrite, I knew you do have vengeful feeling for your town.’’

‘’Think what you want, it is not important. But I think we have lost enough time with talking. Now, are you ready to play?’’

‘’Alright alright, we will do it! You terrible to listen to other you know that.’’

‘’Happy to hear it. So without further ado.’’

On the floor, six squares lighted on with cyan light.

‘’Each of you, go walk on those squares. They will bring you to isolate rooms where each of you will stay until your turn come.’’

‘’Wait. Before, I have one question.’’

‘’I'm listening.’’

‘’You think that I didn't notice that Starlight was not here. Where is she?’’

‘’Completely healed, I can promise you. I have only made six trials for you six, I didn't have one prepared for her. But I am still keeping her. See her like, hum, an additional hostage. Do as I say and I will release her too.’’

‘’… … You officially become the being I hate the most. (But I guess that another reason to play that game since Starlight count on me.) Alright but please at least give me a little time with my friends.’’

He did a nod to give her permission. Twilight looked at her friends and found that like her they did not know what to say. So they did what came naturally to them, they went to a group hug. The most tight they ever went. She had tried her best to look brave. She really did. But thin layers of tear came streaming from her eyes. But her friends just smiled at her and gently caress her face.

‘’Thank you so much. Remember girls, even if we are separate, our bond is still there and it will give us the strength to come across anything.

They all nodded at her, showing silently that they were thinking the same thing.

‘’Then let’s go show to him what we are capable of.’’

So with confident steps, each of our six mares went to the squares looking at Mel defiantly.

‘’Twilight, Mane 6, I repeat once again. Are you sure you want to do it? It is not too late to change your mind. Once it starts, there will be no going back. And it will be by your owns decisions. Soooo?’’

‘’… You already know our answer.’’

‘’Then so be it’’

The cyan squares sank into the ground bringing the ponies with them. Once they were out of sight, the holes went to close themselves like if there was never anything there. And Mel smiled. A true and authentic smile for once.

‘’Let the game begin.’’

Twilight castle

Spike was walking in the hall of the castle while humming a happy tune. In his claws he was carrying a cardboard box with what seems to be a letter on top of it. When he arrived at the door of his bedroom, he opened it with a light tap of his foot. Once in his sanctuary he dropped the box on a table and smiled like a kid who will soon open his Hearts Warming Eve presents.

‘’Gosh, my day could not be better. I can believe that Rarity has sent by mail a souvenir from where she is. Just for me. And it is only a half a day since she went away. This must mean she must really think about me. Nothing could make me more happy. Haaaa, a gift from my sweet Rarity who has the most beautiful heart in the whole wide world and who can look at you in a way that makes you feel so special and… … *cough**cough* anyway, what I mean… hey, why I am acting embarrassed, it is not like people can know what I am saying right here right now by some interdimensional way. Wow… that was such a random thing to say. I sounded like young Twilight in one of her paranoid moments. When she thought that Celestia could gaze at her at distance no matter where she was. Brrrrr, luckily this dark period didn't last long.’’

He quickly came back to think at Rarity and even went to reread the telegraph of her with shinning eyes.

My wonderful Spike

I am sorry if this is a little sudden but during my séjour in Happy Town I had found this superb art piece that had captivated my eyes and I was certain that you will like it. I just could not resist and decided to send it to you immediately. Take good care of it.

Lots of kiss, Rarity

Once he had done with the reading, he hugged the telegraph close to his heart.

‘’Awwww, I must be the most lucky dragon in the world. Now, what I must do with that. A part of me can’t wait to see what she had sent me but another part wants to savor the moment. … … Oh Spike, you know well how it will end.’’

He threw himself at the box and used his claw to tear down the cardboard.

‘’Rip rip rip, shred shred shred, show me what Rarity had sent for… what! What is that?’’

The object inside the box was taking all the place. It was a simple plain sculpture of white material shaped as a geometrical figure that Spike knew was called dodecahedron. You could thank Twilight for teaching him that. But it was sure a peculiar thing to send as a gift.

‘’This… is art? Is it what they call avant-garde? I know that I know nothing on art but even I am not sure it could be considered that. What I am supposed to do with that? Use as a paperweight? It's far too big for even that. That does not like something that Rarity would even like. … … Wait a minute.’’

He turned his back and looked intensely at the telegraph and found…

‘’Something does not add up. Rarity does not use the word superb. She uses the words sublime or gorgeous but not superb. And she does not end her letters with lots of kiss, that too much, even for her. She writes instead love, Rarity. And above all else, she does not call me wonderful Spike, our relationship is not that close, as much I find it a shame. At what I am looking? It’s like if somepony were trying to lousy imitate the style of Rarity.’’

He was so perplexed that he didn’t notice that the white dodecahedron behind him… was moving. Four of the five lower faces opened with the help of retractable mechanical limbs. Each of the four faces separated themselves into two, making that the machine was now walking on eight legs like a spider. Two of the higher faces also opened, revealing an interior of machinery and a red lens that could very well be an eye. But more importantly, that thing had two metallic mandibles where electrical arcs were coursing between them. The sound of cracking electricity didn’t go unnoticed by Spike. But it was too late.

The spider-bot jumped with the merciless fitting of a cold machine.

Lyra Heartstring, with quite some force, opened with her magic the door to Spike room and burst inside with her hair wet from sweat.

‘’Spike, this is an emergency. Twilight and the others are in grave danger and we need your fire breath to annnnnd you not here. Oh shoot, but where he could be? Don’t tell me that after running a marathon I now have to run in all the room of this castle! This place is huge. Ohhhh fine, let's go since we must.’’

So went galloping again in the hall while screaming Spike name at the top of her lungs. In her rush, she didn’t notice that at the end of the hall on the wall behind her, there were two shadows moving. The shades of a small thing dragging with difficulty another small thing, until they disappear out of sight.

Author's Note

Alright, alright, I confess, this was not the official star of the game but I promise you, next chapter we will go straight to the trials of the Mane 6. I admit I am a little uncertain about the quality of this chapter since it had basically served as a info dump and I had once heard that it was never a good idea in literature to use info dump moments. But it really was necessary to put in there to rise the stake and at least, I think I had made a pretty good job at making entertaining and to give some tension.

Anyway, from now on, the disposition of the next chapter will be... a little special. The chapter six will actually continue and be divisive in several parts, each one concentrating on each of the trials of our mares. 6.1, 6.2 and etcetera.

So stay tuned for our first mares on the list, Rainbow Dash.