Malicious Gift

Rarity stood there feeling shocked and lucky. She took a look at the device Fluttershy had given her. It was metal for starters but seemed to contain two cubes connected together with a thick band. The bands were almost as thick as the cubes and both seemed to be filled with lead. But the cubes had a rough finish look to them. They had beveled edges, a uniform smooth gray color. She could also see little holes that seemed to hold screws to keep the apparatus together. She could also see the little rods and rings that helped transfer the piece to her hoof. The pieces that Fluttershy had ripped off in her haste.

Did that hurt? Did somepony feel the pain of their metal parts being ripped apart? Glyph had said that she barely felt her metal leg, even if it were damaged. Cadence said the Fluttershy gave no reaction when she ripped it off to fight Sombra.

She let her hoof fall to the ground and looked at the hole in the wall as a sudden Rainbow caught her eye. Rainbowdash seemed to give chase, only for a brilliant flash to illuminate the sky.

Rarity squinted her eyes, at the sight of momentary day. But watched as Rainbow remained in the sky for a few moments before heading back.

She felt Timber walk beside her. She could feel his confusion and burning questions as if they were her own. She could also feel his worry for Enya. Something that was echoed in her heart as well.

“Rarity?” Twilight’s voice suddenly said, “Are you okay?”

She turned to Twilight, who had made it up the broken set of stairs and stood at the shattered doorway. She simply nodded.

Twilight gave her a smile of understanding, “I came as soon as I heard. The other Princesses were preoccupied with the crowd nearly trampling each other to death. There already had been a few injuries.”

Rarity nodded again, “Is everypony alright?”

Twilight nodded, “Yes. No terrible injuries were found. Just some bruises and broken attire.”

Rarity felt air rush out of her nose with a slight snort, “Oh no…”

Twilight nodded with a small smile, “What happened?”

Rarity frowned but recounted what had happened. How Fluttershy was seemingly wearing Enya’s skin. Even her dress. How she had gotten caught in a proposal, and then started the chaos.

Rarity sighed, “She got the gem it seems. Or, whatever she wanted up here. I got up too late to try and stop her.” She added as she remembered that Timber was still there.

Twilight nodded with a glum expression, “Well, at least everypony is okay.”

Timber shook his head, “Not everypony,” He turned to Rarity, “What about Enya?”

Rarity frowned, feeling Twilight’s questioning gaze, “I’m not sure Timber.”

Twilight spoke up quickly, “Enya? That’s your friend, right? You sure that you came in with her?”

Timber nodded quickly, “As sure as the day is day. I’m still trying to understand how she suddenly turned to Fluttershy…”

Twilight nodded with sympathy, “Me too. I honestly can’t fathom it. I suppose I can understand the blending in part as that’s not hard with magic. But, knowing her memories? Acting so well that her significant other doesn’t know? That’s baffling…”

Rarity nodded, “It was quite the shock.”

“I can only imagine.”

Rarity used her hooves to reset the wings on her horn, freeing her magic, “Well, I think the switch happened when we got here. Enya had been working on her dress all night. And as much as Fluttershy knows about dresses, I doubt she could act like somepony else that well.”

“Act?” Timber asked.

Rarity frowned, “Against her will Timber. Remember, she’s not herself. Some, fiend is controlling her.”

Twilight turned to Timber, “Yes. Its something that has recently happened. Something that is quite baffling to all of us. But we do know that she is being controlled.”

Rarity nodded, “But she does seem to have some control. She gave me this,” She lifted the bracelet, “It seemed to take quite the effort though. The poor dear could hardly speak or stand!”

Timber nodded, “Yeah. Looked like she was about to have a seizure at any moment.”

Twilight looked at the device with interest, “She gave it to you?”

Rarity nodded, “Yes, but dear, if you wish to study it, please hold it. It's quite heavy…”

Twilight’s magic hovered around it, but the weight didn’t disappear. The magic then attached to her leg and held it up, providing sweet relief.

“Tell me what happened,” Twilight asked, her eyes on the device.

So Rarity quickly recounted the event. How Fluttershy had those little lightning bolts dancing around her and her difficulty speaking.

“It was hard to understand her. Her voice seemed to be coming out of a terrible radio and was terribly mix-matched. But she told me: First Floor janitorial closet. Nothing more before she lost control.”

Twilight nodded and placed Rarity’s leg on the floor, “Well, it’s got a tight fit. I don’t think you can just pull that off. We’ll have to talk to Glyph about it. Nor do I sense anything inside it but that’s probably the anti-magic nature of her electromagic nature. But, I think we’ll just have to check out the Janitorial closet on the first floor.”

Rarity nodded, “Lead the way Princess, I’m sure with you leading, others will let us through.”

Twilight nodded, her crown appearing on her head. Then the trio exited the room and found themselves at the broken stairs. Twilight’s magic quickly made a path and they found themselves at the bottom.

“I saw the broken stairs and figured that’s where she went,” Twilight said, “Though I’m impressed that you were able to make some holographic stairs for you to get up! Seems your training is paying off!”

Rarity allowed herself to smile, “Thanks darling.”

Twilight nodded and led the way out of the room. Her crown quickly parted the ponies in their way and quickly got an answer to the location of the janitorial closet. But they soon ran into the other princesses, Glyph, Rainbow, and Alaina.

Alaina greeted them first, “Oh there you two are! I was worried sick when I didn’t see either of you!” She paused, her voice quickly becoming worried, “But where’s Enya? I assumed she’d be with you?”

Timber’s expression fell, “We don’t know.”

Alaina frowned and nodded, “I’ll go and try and organize a search.” She quietly turned away to speak to a guard. Who hurriedly went off down the hallway.

Timber nodded, his thanks lost in his throat.

Rarity sat down and gave him a hug, “Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”

Timber merely nodded.

“Rarity, where did you get that Energy cell?” Glyph said stepping forward.

Rarity turned to her, “This?” She asked, raising the bracelet.

Glyph nodded quickly.

“Well, Fluttershy gave it to me,” She replied, quickly recounting the event.

Glyph pondered for a moment, “Well, those energy cells were built into bracelets for helping those with Cutie Mark Cancer. It was a container to hold the entirety of one's magic so their body could recover. But it can also be adjusted to hold a very significant amount of energy. If she gave one to you, I’m curious what’s inside.”

Rarity stared at the bracelet. Her curiosity was barely winning over her concern.

Celestia nodded, “Then let's head to this closet and hopefully find another piece to this puzzle.”

Twilight nodded and heeded the instructions she’d been given. The group quickly found the door but Rarity could feel her worry being mirrored in those around her.

The door was closed. But at the bottom of the door was a thin notebook. It was open, exposing a single page to the world outside the door. A single word was written on the page. It covered the whole page and was made of many, many lines of a very thin pen to imitate a larger font. And even with the door frame covering a chunk of the top, it was still very easy to identify the word.

HELP

The group quickly got to the door and tried the handle, a rattle noting its locked nature.

“One moment,” Alaina said, “I can unlock it.” She fiddled with her keys she produced from her front pocket and slotted one into the door. Her haste caused her to turn it the wrong way at first, but she quickly righted it and swung open the door.

Enya appeared sitting in the doorway and fell over, her support gone.

“Enya!” Timber said rushing forward.

“Timber?” She said in a very weak voice, trying to get her hooves beneath her but her forelegs merely shook with the effort, “Is that actually you?”

“Yes, it's me.” Timber said, easily pulling her to her hind legs to engulf her in a bear hug.

Rarity felt a frown pull at her entire face as she saw Enya’s ruined hair. Her face had tears running through her makeup, fresh ones running through old trails. Though these seemed to be of joy, not some other negative emotion.

But her expression and her stance seemed to exhibit exhaustion. She was mostly limp, with most of her weight on Timber and the floor. Her coat didn’t have a sheen to it and her color seemed plain and unnatural.

But her eyes. Her eyes were colorless and magicless.

Glyph stepped forward quietly, “Enya? I’m versed pretty well in the medical field. Can you answer some questions for me?”

Enya nodded and Timber broke the hug. But he held her to his side and allowed her to lean on him for balance. Something that was very obvious.

But because she was no longer wearing her dress, Rarity noted with shock that Enya’s cutie mark was gone.

“Does anything hurt?” Glyph asked with a small smile.

Enya shook her head, “No. Nothing is painful. I just feel, numb. Not, physically I guess. I can still feel everything. But I just feel, tired? Everything feels off…”

Glyph nodded and stepped forward. She lifted her metal leg and pointed it at Enya’s forehead.

“Alright, there’s going to be a bright light for a few seconds. Just look at the top of my right ear.” With that, a little light turned on from Glyph’s hoof. She moved it around a bit, staring into Enya’s eye.

“Alright, now my left ear,” Glyph said, moving her light to Enya’s right eye. After a few moments of studying, the light turned off and she put her hoof to her chin.

Enya said nothing but she gave the pegasus an expecting look.

Glyph smiled, “Well, to put it simply, your magic has been removed from your body. Completely. I suspect that’s why you feel so tired. Are you able to walk?”

Enya shook her head, her face slowly filling with despair.

Glyph nodded sadly, “Then yeah, I’m pretty certain your magic has been forcibly removed. You’re showing all the symptoms. Colorless eyes, sluggishness, lack of energy, lost of color in the coat, and missing cuite mark.”

Enya's expression shifted to shock as she quickly looked at her flank to see that her cuite mark was in fact missing. Rarity walked forward and joined Timber in the hug as she saw the pony’s face fill with tears.

“My magic? Is gone?” Enya said with a tiny voice.

Twilight’s horn glowed for a moment then she nodded solemnly.

“All gone?”

Another nod.

“But my magic can’t regenerate from nothing!!” The statement came out as desperation, making Timber and Rarity tighten the hug

Another slow nod.

Enya went limp, supported by the two ponies on either side of her; tears beginning to stream down her face.

The alicorn sisters looked at each other, then looked at either end of the long hallway they were in. Two colors appeared on either side of the group. One a bright golden light, one a patch of starlight cut from the night sky itself.

“Fear not,” Luna said gently, “Our conversation is private.”

Enya let out a quiet sob and nodded but cried quietly.

Glyph however stepped close with a gentle smile, “Hey. Magic is not easily destroyed. Its attuned energy. So it can’t be destroyed, only converted. So, its highly likely whoever has your magic still has it. We just need to get that back and return it to you. And you’ll be back to yourself in a jiffy!”

Enya looked up, “What happens if I never get my magic back?”

Glyph smiled, “Nothing really. You’ll still live. It’ll take a few years for your body to get accustomed to it, but you’ll be able to live on. And judging by things, I’m thinking you’ll have an excellent teacher on the ways of an earth pony.”

Rarity smiled as Timber and Enya chuckled.

“But let's not jump to that conclusion yet. Will you tell us what happened? Maybe we can find whoever took your magic?” Glyph said with a smile.

Alaina nodded, “Everypony who attended the event is in the secondary ballroom till the mess here gets cleaned up. All guests except you, Timber, and Rarity had been accounted for.”

Enya’s face lit up with hope. Then she wiped her eyes and frowned, “Well, I went to help an earth pony get something from a shelf,” She pointed upwards at a shelf in the back of the closet, “She had apparently spilled something and she wanted to help clean it up.”

She paused, “But when I got it down for her, her hair flew from her head and restrained me! She pushed me deeper into the closet and took off my dress. I struggled but it was like struggling in magic. But I couldn’t do the magic hold break! I couldn’t even light my horn!”

She paused as she looked at her hooves, face curling with discomfort, “Then it felt like tiredness itself was being injected into my veins. I literally could feel the energy being pulled out of me! Though, I think that’s the moment that my magic was pulled out huh?”

Glyph nodded, “Probably.”

Enya nodded sadly, “After that,” She paused her face filling with horror, “She changed. She, gained my appearance. It was like looking at a mirror! Only, she didn’t change as a changeling does. I watched her face and eyes change color. It wasn’t slow but it was slow enough for me to watch it happen. Her hair just, appeared though. Just like mine. Her hair helped put on my dress and the image was complete! She looked exactly like me! She even grew a horn!! How does that happen?”

Glyph frowned, “Then she left you in the closet?”

Enya nodded, “Yes. I tried to get to the door, to shout but I was far too weak. Any banging I could do was pathetic. I doubt you’d hear me even if you were walking by…”

Rarity nodded, “She took your form, then revealed herself at the dance party.”

Enya looked at her concerned, “What?”

Rarity nodded, “It was quite the shock…”

Enya nodded enthusiastically, “Yes. I can imagine! But, that means you know who took my magic!”

“It wasn’t her fault.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Enya’s demeanor fell.

Rarity frowned and looked at the others before responding.

Celestia nodded, “Please do not speak of the things you are told. They are things that we do not truly understand yet. And we don’t need rumors turning into lies. This is already going to be hard to explain.”

Enya blinked but said nothing. She then turned to Rarity with a horrified and shocked expression. Like a foal who’s just been told the price of their favorite toy.

“It was Fluttershy.” Rarity said quietly.

Enya’s expression turned to confusion, “Fluttershy? Your friend right? But, she’s a pegasus? The pony who did this to me didn’t have wings…”

Rarity nodded with a sigh, “She can apparently pull in her wings when she’s told to. She can do the same with her horn.”

“She’s an alicorn?!” Enya said in a shocked whisper.

Rarity frowned, dearly wishing that was the case. It was far better than the truth, “No. Something else.”

Eyna’s expression turned from shock to shock and concern, “Pony?” She asked.

Rarity frowned, “Yes? But no. Whoever did this to her is also controlling her. Forcing her to do things against her will.”

Glyph tapped her metal leg and wing with her hoof, “It's kinda like my prosthetics. We think. Only, all over.”

Enya’s expression turned to exasperation and she shook her head slightly, “So, Fluttershy took my magic. A pegasus who’s body’s been transformed by some evil, fiend. And they told her to take my magic? Why?”

“I suspect that is was to allow her to blend into the dance party,” Luna said, “Then steal one of the gems on display.”

“But something made her break her cover,” Rarity said, “And then forced her to cause a lot of chaos….”

Enya looked at her concerned, “What event?”

Rarity frowned, “I’d rather no dwell on it, darling. It was supposed to be a fun event…” She gave Timber a side glance which he responded with a smile.

Enya frowned and looked at Timber suspiciously, “Oh? She in on it too?” While her voice was tired, it was still playful.

Timber chuckled mirthlessly.

Rarity nodded, “Yes. Its both fascinating and concerning that you’ve already asked him that.”

Enya looked at Rarity with a more shocked expression, “You mean she was acting like me?!”

Timber nodded, “Fooled everyone. Acting to a T.”

Enya just stared, “Really?”

It was Luna who spoke, “It was likely with your magic. Cutie mark magic contains an imprint on our personalities. Our thoughts and emotions. If you were to pull it out and read it, you could get responses from it as if it were the pony themselves. There is powerful dream magic which uses that concept. Very, very powerful dream magic.”

“But Fluttershy can do that? With, whatever happened to her?” Enya asked.

The group nodded.

“So, I take we can’t just ask her to give me back my magic?” Enya asked sadly.

The group nodded.

The unicorn deflated. Rarity tightened the hug, barely able to understand. The whole of Equestria has lost their magic for a short while. But permanently? Rarity could hardly fathom that.

Glyph paused, “Wait. Maybe she’s already given it back. Rarity, you said that Fluttershy gave you that Energy cell?”

Rarity nodded.

“Well, that thing it capable of holding one’s magic. Enya’s magic may be in there!”

“In, what?” Enya asked.

Rarity lifted up the bracelet she’d been given, “This?”

Enya looked at it with a cocked head, “That? That thing can hold all of my magic?”

Glyph nodded, and twisted a portion of her leg off, “Yes. It's via highly condensed crystal lattice. It’s not unlike DNA.” She pulled out a rack that held several little trinkets. She spun them around for a second then pulled on off.

It looked like a C. With two cubes at each end. Attached to the back of the C was a small circle. It was a dark navy blue. All polished and smooth, with rounded edges and corners.

She placed it on the ground to reattach her leg, then placed the circle of the trinket in the center of her artificial horseshoe. It clicked into place and Glyph pulled on the little cubes to extend the limbs they were attached to.

“Alright Rarity, lend me your hoof real quick,” Glyph said with a smile.

Rarity nodded and held up her hoof. Glyph gave her a hoof bump, which made the cubes on her little trinket touch the ones on the bracelet. Rarity felt them pull together like magnets, and hold fast.

Glyph used her free hoof to tap and slide a panel off her leg to reveal a glowing panel. She tapped a few times on the panel till she heard a click emanate from the bracelet. It whirred and expanded slightly. Then Glyph pulled it off her foreleg. But not all of it came off.

“Uh, that’s not part of the energy cell…” Glyph said giving the remaining metal rods and rings a look.

Rarity too looked at them. The bracelet was on a bed of tightly woven rings. It looked sort of like chainmail only, finer. The rods connected to them were arranged like a scissor lift, only, circular.

“I think that’s part of the deployment system,” Glyph said with a frown, “In other words, that’s part of Fluttershy…”

Rarity looked at the pieces with concern, “Ew.”

Glyph chuckled, “Well, keep it around if you will. It may be useful to study. It wasn’t on you to start with right?”

Rarity shook her head.

Glyph nodded, “Noted.” She turned to Enya, “Alright, let me see your hoof.”

Enya’s face was full of hope as she shakily lifted her hoof. Glyph gently put on the bracelet, whirring as it tightened. She then tapped on her little panel a few more times then looked at Enya.

“Yep. Your magic is in fact in this energy cell!” Glyph said happily.

Enya’s face lit up, “How do we get it out?”

Glyph smiled and pressed on the panel once more.

Enya flinched slightly then smiled. She twitched a bit but the color gradually returned to her eyes as she took several quick breaths. Her stature strengthened, while her coat’s sheen returned. Rarity moved a bit to allow Enya to see her cutie mark return, a multicolored flame that was made entirely from cloth. A fine eye could even see the stitching.

It marked her special talent perfectly. Enya was really good at making dresses. But her craft and talent revolved around making cloth look like realistic items. Rarity saw a few photos here and there but was very intrigued when Enya came to her for advice on how to incorporate something into a dress. She was looking forward to her dress for the dance. It was a shame that it wasn’t done in time.

But that too ran in the family. Either making a realistic-looking cake, or not being on time.

But Enya glowed again as she took in a breath and released it.

“Thank you,” She said looking at Glyph.

Glyph smiled and removed the bracelet, “Of course. I’m happy to help.” She tapped a bit on her little screen, removing the bracelet and placing it on her own foreleg.

Celetia’s smile glowed for a moment before it straightened, “Now, can you please tell us what happened? We got preoccupied with everypony nearly trampling each other.”

Rarity frowned, “If I were to explain everything, I’d spoil something that had been planned for a long time. Is it possible that we talked after?” She looked at Alaina while she could feel Timber’s mind asking the same question.

Alaina gave her a look then understanding washed over her face, “Ah. I too do not want to spoil the surprise. But that is up to the Princesses.” She turned to the alicorns.

Celestia looked confused but looked at Rarity’s, Timber’s, and Alaina’s face in turn. But it was Luna who spoke.

“I think we can postpone. For the sake of the event.” Luna had a knowing smile on her face.

Celestia nodded, still confused, “Then it's settled.”

Enya looked between the three ponies before settling her gaze on Timber, “You got an alicorn in on this as well?! What have you planned?!”

Timber smiled nervously.

“I am not in on the event,” Luna said with a wink, “But is merely a bystander who knows what the event is. I can tell you that it is something that you don’t want to miss…”

Enya looked confused but amused.

“Which is why we must get you back to your formal glory!” Rarity said triumphantly, pulling her friend to her hooves, “Twilight?”

“Huh? Yes?” Twilight said surprised.

“Is there any way you can teleport me and Enya to my shop in Ponyville? I unfortunately lack the necessary makeup to repair Enya’s look here in Canterlot.”

Twilight smiled, “Sure. I think we can get the ballroom back into shape by the time you get back.”

Rarity nodded, “Perfect.” Then waited as reality twisted by a familiar purple hue, changing their location in a moment.

It was dark in her boutique but memory told her exactly where the lights were at.

She grinned as she thought about her lighting system. These were electrical. Very simple lights that Glyph had described. Powered by Ponyville’s electrical grid, which was powered by the nearby dam. The thought was quickly replaced as she levitated her friend to a stool. Her memory quickly pulled the makeup from their designated positions and had them hovering around her in seconds.

However, she quickly realized that she had a missing item. But after checking the usual spots where Sweetie Bell left things she quickly found them.

“Alright,” Rarity said, visualizing the project in her head, “Let's get you fixed up shall we?”

Enya smiled and looked at all the floating materials, “I know Timber said you could hold quite a few things in your magic but it's different to actually see it. How do you do that?”

Rarity shrugged, “I’m not entirely sure darling. I’ve asked Twilight and she speculated that it was when I used my magic to arrange sequences on my earlier projects. I grew accustomed to holding many things at once at a young age. A skill that has only improved.”

Enya chuckled and nodded, “That does make sense.” A mischievous smile crept over her lips, “Before we start, could I get a hint to what Timber has planned?”

A cloth soaked itself in makeup remover before coming close, “Nope!” Rarity said with a smile before starting to remove the ruined eye liner.

“How about a single word?”

“Not even a syllable darling,” Rarity said, dabbing at the purple hues that connected the dress to her neck and hair. The makeup remover made quick work and soon her face was her standard lavender hue. It was similar to Twilight’s coat but a tad lighter. She looked at her hair, which was far from its original state. But she was worried about the hair dye.

“Did you use permanent hair dye? Or something else?” Rarity said with thought, “I recall you saying that you couldn’t use your normal stuff?”

Enya gave her a confused look, “Yes. The normal stuff I used mixed with my hair gel and messed with the gradient. But, I don’t recall talking about it… Did I mention that in one of my letters?”

Rarity frowned, “Oh. No… Fluttershy had mentioned that when she was disguised at you…”

Enya looked at her with shock, “She could see into my memories?”

Rarity sighed and thought about it for a moment, “I’m not the one to ask that darling. I’d ask Twilight or Luna for that answer.”

Enya shuddered, “That’s just creepy. Too creepy…”

Rarity nodded, “Yes. Seeing her transform was a whole other ordeal.”

Enya merely nodded, “I’ve seen a changeling take my form before but that was in good fun! Seeing it that way made my blood run cold…”

Rarity nodded, “Well, let's not dwell on that too much! We need to get you fixed up for your event!”

Enya rolled her eyes and gave her a smile, “And you still won’t give me a hint?”

Rarity shook her head, “Like I said, darling. Not a syllable. Now, what hair product did you use? Any of these?” About 20 bottles were pulled from their spots and levitated in front of her. Enya frowned and scanned them till she pointed to one.

“That’s the one!”

“Splendid,” Rarity said, “Now the hair dye, is it washable?”

Enya nodded, “Yes but it does loose its color a bit.”

Rarity nodded, “Alright, let's get the gel out and recolor. Then restyle.”

A little purple orb suddenly appeared in the room. It was right next to the mannequins but gently moved till it was in an open space. Once there it expanded and turned into the dress Enya had been wearing. It hovered there, trapped in a purple glow.

Enya gasped and ran over to it, “It survived! Oh thank goodness!”

Rarity smiled and held it in her magic. Once she did, she felt Twilight’s magic fade. She summoned a hanger and gently hung the dress up on one of her many clothes racks. She also pulled off the little note stuck to the side.

Found this on the table Timber had reserved. Seems in pristine condition! Thought you might need it. Also, tap twice on this note to teleport back. Just hold hooves before the spell takes effect.

Rarity smiled and placed the note on her desk. Then she led Enya to her bathroom to wash out her hair. New color was applied and Rarity enjoyed the conversation she had with Enya while she worked.

But part of her mind was elsewhere. Fluttershy was in a very, very different situation now. And she dearly wanted to pull the pegasus into a hug. Cause she couldn’t fathom the embarrassment the timid pony would feel after being caught in such a culturally significant event! Especially if it wasn’t meant for her! Now she was sure if Discord had been the other pony she’d react very differently.

But Fluttershy was always a bit reserved when it came to new ponies. She was always kind but having the spotlight suddenly shined on her was a guarantee lock up. The poor dear could hardly speak when that happened.

Rarity had finished with the hair and guided the unicorn back to the main room. There she helped Enya back into the dress and began to restyle her hair.

Not to mention Fluttershy had been worried sick the past week for her event with the school. She had worries upon worries about the foals being too rough on the little bunnies. Or the bunnies misbehaving and causing unwanted chaos!

She was glad she could convince her to not bring Angel to the gathering on one of their spa days. Or such a situation may have gotten worse. But she did know that she had been worried restless about it. To only then discover that she didn’t have a normal body? Then to discover some fiend had control over you? Then discover that you had enough power to overpower three alicorns!?

Rarity knew that pony always had a lot more strength than she displayed. She’d seen it several times. Many more times when she helped out at the sanctuary from time to time. But to find out the reason? To find that she may be the creation of somepony else?

It was disturbing. Worrying.

“Rarity? You okay?” Enya asked quietly.

Rarity blinked realizing that she had paused in her work on the hair do, “Oh, I’m alright darling. It's just been a lot in the past few days.”

Enya’s head bobbled in a very slow, very subtle nod, “I can imagine. This stuff had just started huh?”

Rarity snorted, looking at the dress trying to match the implied smoke lines the best she could, “This all started only a few days ago. And already it's shaping to be quite a…” She paused.

She was about to say adventure. But this wasn’t an adventure. Something much more sinister.

“Ordeal?” Enya offered.

Rarity nodded her thanks, “Yes. An ordeal that I’m not excited to partake in. I’m just worried about Fluttershy. The poor dear’s heart must be so hurt right now!”

“Why?”

Rarity frowned, she didn’t want to spoil the event, “Well, I’m sure it will make more sense after but imagine that your legs and wings could be pulled into your body. Then replaced with something else. Imagine you were turned against your friends and allies. Almost forced into killing them!”

“Killing?”

Rarity nodded. She took a step back looking at her friend’s hair.

Perfect.

She held the hair in position while the gel dried with her magic and simultaneously pulled the makeup tools she’d need.

“Yes. Kill. She’s been gifted with powerful abilities that can both save you from the brink of death, but can also put you at the brink of death. It’s, both awe-inspiring and dreadful…”

Enya frowned, trying to hold still and talk at the same time while Rarity redid her makeup, “And the fact its Fluttershy… Makes the impact hit more huh?”

Rarity chuckled, “I suppose. Though I’m certain I’d be all the worried if one of my other friends were changed and controlled…”

“I understand. It's just different with her. She’s…” Enya said with understanding, “The mellow one? She’s kind to all, seeing her suffer like this hits different.”

Rarity smiled, “I suppose.” She took a step back, then added a bit more eye liner then admired her work.

“All done!” Rarity said leading Enya to the little mirrors at her desk, “How did I do?”

Enya turned all around with a growing smile, “Wonderful! It looks even better than when I did it!”

Rarity laughed, “Darling! While I thank you, it's much easier when you are dressing another up than yourself!”

Enya smiled but sombered quickly, “I know I was, well, for lack of better words, abducted by your friend. But if there is something I can do to help, let me know. I can see that you are really worried.”

Rarity frowned, “Is it that obvious?”

Enya nodded. Her magic pulled a tissue and a stick of eyeliner from Rarity’s magic before touching up Rarity’s makeup, “Yes. It's plain to see on your face. But Fluttershy’s lucky to have such a friend. I’m sure your group of friends will get her back. After all, you’ve saved Equestria what, five times?”

Rarity chuckled, “Yeah…”

“Then I’m sure you will pull together,” Enya said with a smile.

Rarity gave her a gentle hug, careful to not ruin her attire, “Thanks Enya. If anything pops up that you can help with, I’ll let you know.”

Enya tightened the hug, “And I’ll be ready. On time? We’ll see.”

Rarity chuckled and broke the hug, “Well, you’re going to be on time for this event!” She grabbed the sticky note, grabbed her friend’s hoof, then tapped twice on the note. It glowed with Twilight’s magic before she once more lost sight of reality for the space between them.

Then she appeared with Enya again in the ballroom. Though it was like how she entered the first time. Everything was done up, neat, and organized. Even the broken stairs were fully repaired.

The only thing missing from the first time was the ponies.

Though Twilight, Luna, Celestia, Timber, and Alaina were there.

They were in a gentle conversation, but Twilight gently guided them to the table that Timber had originally reserved.

“They are working on getting things straightened out,” She said, “They are going to sit with you though, to try and sooth tensions. I hope that’s okay?”

“That’s alight with me,” Timber said, offering both Rarity and Enya a seat at the table before taking a seat himself.

Enya frowned, “Uh, sooth what?”

Twilight smiled, “A good portion of ponies saw you transform into another pony and cause chaos. We are hoping that if the others see the Princess nearby, and know what happened, then things will still go smoothly.”

Enya nodded slowly. She looked around at the ballroom a now curious but hesitant expression on her face, “What did she do? I mean it looks fine.”

Twilight chuckled but Timber spoke, “She broke the lamps above, causing a flash of light and a sprinkling of glass. Then caused those stairs to collapse, kicked out a door, then the large window upstairs.”

Enya gave him a surprised look, “You mean the reinforced window? The only with that super strong glass?”

Timber nodded, “Three kicks. Knocked it clean out of its frame.”

Twilight took a seat while Celestia, Luna, and Alaina started to walk towards the exit of the ballroom.

Alaina gave them a smile before they disappeared, “We are going to go and explain things and hopefully get things moving smoothly! Be right back!”

The group nodded and watched them go.

Enya sighed, “Looks like I’ll be missing the beginning of the show then huh?”

Twilight shook her head, “Nope! The show will be restarting since it just started. All the actors and models are willing to do it again so you won’t miss a thing.”

Enya’s face brightened.

The group then waited. Engaging in idle chitchat as the minutes passed. But it didn’t take long for ponies to pass through the door and again start filling the ballroom. Unlike Rarity expected, several ponies came to their table and offered condolences to Enya about her experiences.

Rarity smiled gently, glad that whatever the Princess had said had gotten the others to understand. She’d hate for Timber’s proposal to be ruined again because of pony’s all too wobbly feelings.

But after another ten minutes, the tables were filled. Celestia and Luna both joined Twilight at Timber’s table. Rarity frowned though.

They were almost the same height as them?

Twilight caught Rarity’s eye and smiled, “It’s a sort of shrinking spell. So they aren’t so prominent.”

“Its also so we can use the chairs better,” Luna said with a smile, “Being alicorns gifts a lot of power and responsibilities. But also, a lot longer legs!”

Rarity chuckled with the table but it soon quieted as the lights once again dimmed. A flurry of white sparkles marked Aliana’s entrance and she once again went through her speech. A very practiced one that was exactly the same as the first. Though only Rarity, Enya, and Timber pulled pieces of paper off the bottom of their chairs when they were prompted, the others already having done so.

“Don’t vote for me now,” Enya said, an eerie echo from the past, “If I am going to win this, I want to win fair and square. Regardless of what just happened!”

Timber chuckled, “Alright alright. No need to tell me twice!” His voice was low and playful but it got a confused face from Enya.

“Twice?”

Rarity smiled sadly, “Yeah. Fluttershy had you say the same thing the first time.”

Enya, surprisingly, chuckled, “Oh? Okay. Then you know what I’m going to say when I’m going to say it?”

Timber nodded slightly, bouncing his head a bit with a half smile.

Enya nodded, “Alright. Then complete my next sentence.”

Timber frowned, “Well, how about I answer your next question before you ask it?”

“I’ll take that,” Enya said with a playful smile.

The table chuckled. And turned back to the stage. Once again models took their turns going down the stage in their various outfits, showcasing what the event was to offer. Though, when the magician came back on stage and performed her magic trick. Rarity couldn’t help but feel a little giddy.

The magician quickly made the bowtie, stuck it to her tongue then to her vest with her signature wink.

Enya frowned and got to open her mouth before Timber spoke.

“It's an old magician's trick. The pony keeps a special pad on their tongue that is covered in edible glue. It's activated by saliva but isn’t very strong and lasts for about ten minutes. Though it's suitable for earth pony magic.”

Enya smiled and took another breath but Rarity smiled and proffered her extra journal.

“Need something to write down the name?”

Enya’s face was desperately trying to not smile as she pulled out her own journal from her collar. She simply opened the book and held the quill. She looked at Timber with an expecting look.

“Swamp patch,” Timber said with a smile.

Enya’s face was tinted with confusion but she got one syllable out before Timber spoke once more.

“Cause of all the sickness it first caused. The main reason why the disinfectant was added to the formula,” Timber’s face was nearly cut in half by the grin it was supporting.

Enya raised an eyebrow, challenging them to answer her question behind her eyes.

“Cause those sorts of things aren’t always thought about,” Rarity said shrugging.

Enya had to close her eyes as she silently suppressed a laugh then opened them with a nod, “Fair enough!” Came the very mirthful whisper.

Rarity nodded with a smile and returned her attention to the stage where the magician was just about the exit. She did note that the Prinesscess supported smiles of their own but seemed a little lost.

Rarity’s smile continued on her face as she watched the different teasers cross the stage. She didn’t write down nearly as many thoughts but she did add a few notes seeing the different outfits a second time.

When the armor showcase came again, she saw Timber giving her a glance. Rarity once more felt giddy in her chest as she waited for the seapony to come on stage. Soon she came, floating in her little bubble of magic water. But when it burst into the myriad of magical sparkles only Enya cried out in alarm.

She noticed that, shrinking a little as a blush came across her face, “Please tell me that everypony freaked out the first time.”

Rarity was about to speak but the seapony got close to the edge of the stage and nodded.

“Oh you weren’t the only one,” She said in a dramatic whisper that wasn’t so quiet, “Lots of other ponies were freaking out. You should have seen their faces!”

Bouts of quiet laughter echoed through the ballroom.

“Oh thank Celestia,” Enya said with a sigh. Then paused and looked at Celestia with embarrassment again crossing her face.

Celestia chuckled, “You’re welcome?”

The table shared a chuckle with the seapony before she continued across the stage.

Timber though turned to Enya with a grin, “Oh? Scared of a little water?”

Enya gave the earth pony an angry but bemused glare and opened her mouth to speak, then stopped and closed it with a smile. She raised her eyebrow, another challenge.

Timber chuckled, then spoke with a higher voice, “You think I want this dress ruined? My aunt would kill me then throw my spirit in Tartarus!”

Enya again had to close her eyes, suppressing her laughter, “Alright alright, you got me.”

The group once again turned back to the stage to watch the armored group walk off stage. Once they disappeared backstage, the lights dimmed and Rarity felt curiosity as she looked towards Timber.

Enya was writing a few more thoughts in her journal before she clapped it shut with a smile, “Well I’m probably going to sound like an echo but that was great!”

Rarity chuckled, “Oh darling! That was just a teaser!”

Enya chuckled, brandishing her notebook, “And what a teaser it was!”

Timber echoed the chuckle with a small nod to Rarity, “You yourself have given me quite the teaser yourself!”

Enya turned to him with more confusion on her face.

Timber chuckled, “You’ve taught me a lot and have been willing to let me teach you a lot. And I hope to be able to continue the camaraderie we’ve built for years to come."

Enya's face behaved properly this time. Hesitant joy was rising up beneath the curious confusion that was on her face. And Rarity couldn’t help but feel a smile tug at her lips.

Timber took out the ring, bowed then presented it for the second time.

“Will you be willing to continue our journey? From now and forever?” Timber asked with a smile. Enya’s face lit up but it stopped as a playful grin spread across her face. She got close to his face and grinned wider.

“You’re the mind reader,” She said playfully, “You tell me my answer.”

Timber laughed, “Oh? You are just placing your wellbeing in my hooves? Are you sure that’s safe?”

Enya rolled her eyes, levitated the ring out of its container, placed it on her horn, and then gave the earth pony a large kiss that lasted a few seconds. Clapping and a few cheers erupted around them as they pulled away.

“Does that answer your question?” Enya said with a grin.

Timber chuckled, “Yes. I do think that it does.”

A stream of white sparkles danced along the stage and stopped next to them, then flashed to reveal Alaina on the runway. She hopped gracefully down and stepped close.

“You lovebirds ready then for your little tour of the gems upstairs?” Alaina said with a smile.

Enya gasped and gave Timber a look, “How did you set this up?”

Timber gave Enya an eyebrow, “Oh? Is it not special enough for you?”

Enya gave him another bemused glare, “Oh shut up you,” She said playfully and pulled him close with her magic. She then turned to Alaina with an excited face.

Alaina nodded, “Follow me,” She said then in a louder voice she said, “Can we get a round for the new love birds?”

The ballroom erupted with applause. Though it wasn’t all out applause like one would find in a sports stadium. This was dignified but quite prominent applause that filled the ballroom. Rarity smiled as she watched the three ponies head up to the gem exhibit and wondered how things looked up there after the earlier experience.

The thought made her frown and she turned to Twilight, “Everything got repaired up there right?”

Twilight nodded still gently applauding, “Yep. All fixed up like nothing ever happened.”

Rarity nodded and applauded till the three were out of sight. Several ponies in suits and other formal wear came in with food carts, floating trays, or little notepads. When one came to her table, she found she could order an Apple Cider from Applejack’s farm. While she was probably going to get some while she helped the earth pony family tomorrow, she couldn’t help order one.

Nonalcoholic of course.

She sighed thinking about it, feeling a sense of tiredness enter her body. The dress was still weighing down on her but she still wanted to be prepared in case Fluttershy did show up again. Which wasn’t likely but with all the things going on with her? Rarity was still unsure she wasn’t somewhere in the crowd, wearing a face that wasn’t her own.

“Rarity,” Twilight said quietly next to her. Rarity turned and saw the alicorn leaning towards her with a face of concern.

“Are you alright?”

Rarity frowned with a small snort, “Is it really that obvious?”

Twilight gave her a small smile, “Yes. I’m afraid it is…”

Rarity nodded looking towards the stage, “Yes I suppose I am. I can’t help but think of Fluttershy. The ordeal she just went through, her heart and mind must be so strained!”

Luna frowned, “What exactly happened? We may discuss more after the event but why do you think she’ll be so stressed?”

Rarity chuckled, “She was wearing Enya’s face when Timber proposed.”

Luna’s eyes widened a bit, filling with understanding.

Celestia nodded, “I see. So after her cover was blown she started the chaos?”

Rarity nodded, “Yes. But she told Timber after he proposed that she wasn’t the one he should be asking. I’m not certain her cover was blown? It sounded like she was talking, not Flutterbyte. Her voice was so full of shock…”

Twilight had a sudden scroll appear next to her, “Glyph is back at her place running a few simulations on the Alterrys we’ve been working on. But I’ll ask her about it after the event.”

Rarity nodded with a sigh.

“But try to enjoy yourself!” Twilight said, her scroll disappearing into her pocket dimension, “It does seem that you need to unwind a bit.”

Rarity silently cursed the fact that she was so transparent to her friend. But it also wasn’t a bad thing. Twilight could see the annoyance and frustration at the pony who had changed Fluttershy and forced her to do the things she was doing. It seemed to be written on her face.

But Rarity could also see it on Twilight’s face. A strong desire for any information that could help decipher the mystery that had swallowed their friend. A burning desire.

Rarity took a breath to steady her mind before smiling at Twilight, “Alright Twilight I shall. But, if you need any questions answered before we get together later tonight, you ask me. Okay?”

Twilight nodded, “Oh course. You’ll still be at this table right?”

Rarity frowned and looked around, “This room perhaps but I don’t think I’ll be sticking to the table much.”

Twilight nodded, “No worries. If a question pops up, then I’ll warp to this table and find you.”

Rarity returned the nod and watched the alicorn turn to Celestia.

“I’ll be right back,” Twilight said. Celestia nodded then the purple alicorn vanished in a puff of purple sparkles.

Twilight appeared in Glyph place. Her living room to be precise. She quickly trotted to the basement door and walked down the stairs. There she found Glyph staring at a screen with a molecular pattern that contained likely hundreds of lines and circles.

“Twilight? I’m unsure if we can go much bigger. The stable patterns to hold your alicorn energy can only stack together to a certain point before collapsing in on their own weight,” Glyph turned to the alicorn, “We may only get an hour, likely less under load.”

Twilight frowned and looked at the chart, “Could we layer my magic to help support it? Like store the energy in a spell that slowly releases?”

Glyph nodded slowly, “It makes sense. But we’ll have to test. I’ve never really done much in storing spells in a crystal lattice.”

Twilight nodded and walked past her to the stack of scrolls she had been writing to catalog the events that had happened so far.

“How did the proposal go?”

Twilight smiled, “Great! Enya accepted and they are enjoying a private tour of the gems on display!”

Glyph smiled, “Wonderful. You heading back?”

Twilight nodded lifting up a scroll, “Yes. I just need something to keep my brain occupied. I can understand clothes but not when my mind is so distracted…”

Glyph nodded, “Sure thing. I’ll run a few more tests. But I may fall asleep, will you wake me up after the event so I can join in the conversation?”

Twilight nodded, “Of course. It will be a few hours at least so feel free to get some shut-eye.”

Glyph nodded, her stance portraying her tiredness.

Twilight smiled and warped the chosen scrolls to her pocket dimension before heading back up the stairs. She took a few moments to straighten her mind before teleporting.

Rarity seemed to be really frazzled about Fluttershy’s situation and she could understand why. It seems their timid friend could hide in plain sight by wearing another face. Then seemingly acting just like them! Was that another perk of the Containment Protocol? Or was that another hidden ability?

She glanced back at the door to the basement. And how much of Fluttershy’s body was made up of the inventor’s inventions? If they corned the mechanical beast could they cut the strings off of her? Return her to her normal self?

Twilight snorted. Fluttershy was turning out to be anything but normal. Something that was going to be difficult to adjust to. But she’d made many friends with many different creatures. And Fluttershy was already her friend, so nothing was going to change that.

Unless Noah killed her.

Twilight frowned. Fluttershy was one of Noah’s strongest tools. It would be a detriment to kill her. But she was worried that Noah didn’t care about the pony within the mechanical shell he created.

She sat down for a moment calming her thoughts. They had faced quite the challenges and there were many more coming. Though she was used to that. She was an alicorn who lived in Ponyville. The day that nothing odd or adventurous happened in that poor town would be the sun the sun imploded in on itself.

She activated her teleportation spell, reappearing back on the seat she had left.

“Welcome back,” Celestia said with a warm smile.

Twilight nodded and noted the dimmed lights. The models on stage were showing off the different types of horseshoes they had. She caught Rarity’s eye as she was writing in her little journal. She smiled in greeting and returned to her notes.

Twilight quietly pulled one of the scrolls out of her pocket. Re-reading the events that had happened thus far.

She needed a lead. The Quantum scanner would help with that but she doubted the little device got enough readings to narrow their search. Glyph had told her that an hour of readings would likely suffice. Maybe less if they could improve their energy storage.

But that’s what Glyph was working on. She needed to look elsewhere.

The question burning into her mind was: how did this start? Why did it start?

Sure. Fluttershy was likely made of a lot of metal and prosthetics. But, pushing the unsavory thoughts aside, she was likely that way for a long time. A really long time, perhaps before she even met the timid pony.

But, for Noah to suddenly take control? Now? Why now?

She reviewed many events in her mind. Star formations for magical use, political events happening in Canterlot, or even any rumors she had heard of.

But, nothing aligned. Nothing at all. It didn’t make sense to take control of Fluttershy at this time! Twilight paused.

What if Noah couldn’t take control? Until now? It would have made more sense to use Fluttershy’s baked-in abilities a lot sooner, when herself was a unicorn for example. She wouldn’t have stood a chance!

She drew a circle on her paper. Writing in the little circle, No control till now.

But she ran into another problem. Computers weren’t able to connect wirelessly unless they had a very specific set of devices and circumstances. And if Noah could interact with the computer in Fluttershy’s head from a distance, then why didn’t he?

She drew a line from her first circle and made another circle. She labeled it, Noah’s harness. Canterlot battle.

She stared at the line between the two circles. Something happened between these two events that caused Fluttershy to become aware of her true form. Or, maybe this is the point where she as changed?

She shook her head. No. She was changed before, right? She gave her first circle a questioning look. Then added to it.

Loss of control?

Maybe Noah loss his control with Fluttershy? That would explain why he didn’t start his hunt for the gems earlier…

Likely.

But that still didn’t answer her first question. Why now? What event caused Fluttershy to become aware of her metal form? Cause that caused them to seek out the inventor of the parts, running into Noah in the process. When Fluttershy stepped into that harness, Noah gained full control.

But he didn’t have control at that point!

She tapped the quill on the line a few times, reviewing the past few days in her mind.

The only event that really stood out was when the Reception ‘Ception attacked the Ponyville school. Fluttershy was there with her bunnies, hosting a teaching event for the little foals. Something that she had been stressing over but seemed to go with little issues.

Fluttershy had said that she got hit in the eye which caused her eye to be cracked, revealing her mechanical eyes. But she also was able to subdue the two ponies. Ponies who were quite skilled in fighting and capturing ponies and many other creatures!

Skill that would be hard to counter. Was hard! They had been able to evade authorities of many different types of creatures for years! YEARS! Fluttershy easily beating them was, shocking. Though that solidified the event as the time Fluttershy became aware of the computer in her head.

So was it her eye getting damaged that caused it? Cause Fluttershy didn’t know about her eye until Cheerilee showed her. She frowned and made a little note to talk to Cheerilee later. She had meant to talk to her at Canterlot but she was far too tired at the time.

She pushed the other thoughts and refocused. Her concerns about her power form could wait.

She drew a line between the two circles and labeled it Eye damaged?

It made sense. Her eye getting damaged is what caused it all to start. But it nagged her that she was able to battle off the Reception ‘Ception with little difficulty. Twice.

She and her friends had been in a multitude of battles. While Fluttershy wasn’t the battling type, she could definitely use her words for sure. But never really fought in the battles unless she absolutely was forced to.

But in the second battle with the Reception ‘Ception, she fought well. That sudden personality shift bothered her. It did make sense for her to step up to the plate and put up a shield around her own. Since her magical shield was being drained and redirected.

But she was able to take the lead in the battle and ended up winning! It wasn’t a bad thing but Fluttershy wasn’t a fighter! Sure, her hidden strengths would do well in battle but her spirit wasn’t for it. For her to suddenly be good at it confused her.

Fluttershy did say she was listening to a voice or, reading its voice, in her head. And it was telling her about the tactics that she was using. But the way she spoke of it on the train and during the battle itself, it felt like this was the first time it was happening.

Did her eye breaking cause it to start happening? Was it the initial battle at the school? Or was it something else?

She made two more lines branching from the middle one, Reception ‘Ception, and Unknown.

“Celestia?” Twilight asked quietly.

Her mentor turned to her.

“Did the Reception ‘Ception say who hired them?”

Celestia frowned and took a moment to respond, “No I do not think so. Nor do I think they’ve been questioned much at all. You’ll have to talk to the head guards at Canterlot. They’ll be able to tell you who talked to them.”

“May I talk to them?”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

The lights brightened, signaling a break between the shows.

“Well, I think that’s where is all started. I think there is a tie to whoever hired the Reception to head to Ponyville.”

“If they were hired,” Luna added quietly, “They are generally a lone group. They don’t really take contracts or allow themselves to be hired.”

Twilight frowned, “Right…”

“I do think you can ask though,” Luna continued, “They may be willing to talk. Their interaction with Fluttershy really frightened them.”

“Really?”

Celestia nodded, “Yes. They even asked for the strongest cells we had.”

Twilight gave her mentor a look, “So they saw something in her that frightened them?”

Rarity chuckled, “Well, I know that seeing her transform in front of me was terribly frightening.”

Twilight gave her friend a reassuring smile.

Luna nodded, “Though I feel it wasn’t just the event. They seemed mentally scarred. I do not think that Fluttershy was the thing that pushed them over the edge. Especially the unicorn.”

“What do you mean?”

Luna frowned, “I did not see them much. Just after the battle we had at Canterlot. But the unicorn was frightened and I could see it on her psyche. Whatever happened in the battle reminded her of a past trama.”

Celestia nodded slowly, “Tomorrow I can arrange a meeting with them if you’d like Twilight. I feel such a conversation may be enlightening.”

Twilight nodded, “That would be great.”

“Then head to Canterlot when you wake tomorrow. You can speak to them then.” Celestia said.

Twilight nodded but paused as a sudden thought poked her brain, “Is their wagon in storage?”

Celestia nodded, “Did you want to take a look at it?”

Twilight nodded, “I feel there is something missing. Like, why did Fluttershy start hearing the computer in her head when they attacked? She’s been in battle before. Why was this the battle that all this started?”

Celestia nodded.

“I want to check all avenues, this all started with them,” Twilight said with a determined face, “And I do not want to miss anything.”

Fluttershy was feeling numb. Her mind was empty as she barely had the energy to summon any thoughts. Her silent stomach grumbling was getting more and more consistent but that was the only thing that noted the passing of time.

Barely at that.

She was resting her head on one of the seats in the room she was in. It was like a stool of sorts. But she didn’t dare sit on one of the more comfortable seats in the room. Nor did she want to be anywhere near the harness.

She had come back from the dance party and docked. There she stayed for several minutes before Noah came into the room. He seemed chipper until he saw the screens next to the harness. Fluttershy couldn’t see them but the flashing yellow light was intruding the edge of her peripheral vision for some time now. Noah had fiddled with the screens a bit and seemed very grumpy and confused.

She couldn’t care though. Her body was exhausted, she was starving, and she was still trying to understand the last few days’ events. Her new body and its seemingly metal parts. Her new abilities both frightened her and awed her. She was curious and what she could do but she’d much rather not know if it could hurt somepony.

The harness had then suddenly released her, nearly causing her to fall over. Noah didn’t say a word and left the room, leaving her standing in the circle the harness resided.

She didn’t dare move for quite a time. Until her hooves started to complain, moving her to her position now. Draped over a simple stool like a discarded towel. Her wings were limp and laid where they pleased. They were far too tired to try and hold to her sides. Or even to hold them up at all.

But as her mind thought about the past few days, the dance party quickly came to her mind. Taking Enya’s magic and abandoning her in the closet. She’d never forget the look of fear that was plastered in her eyes. A look a child would give a monster costume before running away to their mother in hysterics.

She hated it.

She then would take the pony’s form and wear her dress to join the party. Only to be then run into Rarity and—

She could feel her face heat up as she once again watched the stallion propose to her while in Enya’s skin. She shuddered and buried her face into the stool, surrounding her head with her forelegs the best she could. She could feel her wings shift slightly, trying to hide her in a cocoon, trying to shield her from the embarrassment. But they had no energy to do so.

Once she was able to, she’d go try and resolve the rift she no doubt caused. She had obviously ruined both his and her very special night. No doubt it was planned out with her interactions with Rarity. It was something special and she just had to ruin it.

She peeked out from the safety of her forelegs, half expecting to be still in the dance party. She could still feel the hundred gazes of ponies as she transformed back to herself. The gazes would only multiply as she shot some of her feathers into the lamps above.

Yeah. She can apparently do that too…

She’d remember the eyes of those she ran past. The eyes of shock and terror as they hastily stumbled to a stop next to her. Their fear was so thick that it collected in her lungs till it made it hard to breathe.

Would things be able to return to normal? When her friends rescued her? Or would everypony now fear her? Would that fear extend to every creature?

She let her forelegs gently fall off the stool to lie next to her. She didn’t have the strength to keep them up. But the thought of being shunned by society wasn’t a terrible one. She already kept to herself quite often. While she may miss several social events that she enjoyed, she could live without being in society. She’d still have her friends, both ponies and critters.

Would she still be able to teach at the school? Would the parents of her students be okay with that? Would her students be okay with that?

She frowned. She knew the school was off for a break. But that was only to last a week! What would Twilight do when the students returned?

A small smile tugged at her lips as she realized Twilight was fully capable of coming up with a solution. She always did. Besides, there was Starlight there to help with that. If they couldn’t come up with a solution, well, no. Fluttershy couldn’t see them not coming up with a solution. She herself could think of quite a few.

But she was confident she’d still be able to see her students at least. Twilight wouldn’t mind. Even if she was some mechanical beast that society didn’t want. She’d be allowed to not worry about ponies being annoyed by her shy nature. She wouldn’t have to worry about keeping up with a social norm! The thought was a peaceful one.

She sighed after being jolted awake for the thousandth time. Anger tried to rise in her mind but it fell back to the surface as hot confused ash.

Why couldn’t she go to sleep? Why was it so important for her to remain awake?

She closed her eyes and felt like crying. She so dearly missed her bed. And she was tempted to curl up on the more comfortable furniture. Even if she was only half on it!

But she felt like a dog. A dog who wasn’t allowed on them. As a pony, she knew why. Their nails could gouge the fabrics and ruin the rather expensive pieces. She was blessed with the ability to explain that to dogs and recommend the brand she used to their pony owners.

The door to her little room opened but Fluttershy was too tired to try and turn to the door. It was no doubt Noah. Probably to send her on another mission. Capture some other pony’s magic or put another thing into her creepy chest compartment. She already had the alicorn amulet, what other dark and powerful artifacts were out there?

Something landed next to her drawing her attention slightly.

A protein bar. A very potent one.

Her mouth instantly watered but she felt hesitant and wary as she looked up at the unicorn above her.

Noah gave her an annoyed look, “I guess you’re not hungry?” His magic started to lift the bar away but Fluttershy quickly snatched it and brought it close, pushing the stool out of the way.

She quickly stuffed the bar into her mouth, choking a bit as she entirely forgot to chew or unwrap the wrapper. She felt her face contort into an unconscious expression as she felt the bar get lodged in her throat. She coughed a few times unable to dislodge it. She shuddered and instinctually thought about what she’d do if she were to start choking alone. But her mind fought with her.

To stop choking, she’d have to remove the bar from her mouth. Something that her body didn’t want to do, and frankly she agreed. So she gathered what moisture was in her mouth, and swallowed the far too large pill she’d taken.

It budged but took a few more tries to get down. She gasped the moment her lungs fully connected with her throat, taking deep breaths as she felt the bar go down.

Noah snorted and shook his head but said nothing. He then levitated a simple plastic cup down to the floor and turned to leave. Fluttershy watched him go, resolving to never do that again. But she turned her attention to the little cup.

It was a cup of water, lidded with a straw poked through the lid.

It took her a few minutes of fighting with herself, but she eventually gave in and picked up the cup. She put the straw to her lips and found the cold water refreshing. She drained the cup, feeling sad as the refreshing feeling faded.

She then looked at the cup with mild concern. She looked around, seeing nothing to put the cup in. There wasn’t a trash bin in sight and she was far too tired to walk around to try and find one. Annoyance built up in her mind but it faded to mild curiosity.

Could she eat the cup?

She felt her stomach grumble in response to the thought so she pushed the straw into the cup and crushed it between her hooves. The thin plastic provided very little resistance. She then took the flattened plastic lump and put it into her mouth. It took some doing as the little puck attempted to jump back up when she released it, but she managed.

She could feel every sharp edge and crinkle in the material as she chewed, filling her head with the sound of breaking plastic. But after a few minutes, she managed to get it to something she could swallow.

Materials marked for recycling.

She snorted lightly and laid back on the stool. She felt better now that she had something in her stomach. However weird it was to eat a wrapper and a plastic cup. But she was still starving. She frowned thinking about the large metal meal she had earlier. Was it normal to be so hungry?

But even as she thought about it, the feeling faded into a gentle pull. She sighed, feeling a release from the hammering pain she’d felt for a while. But felt the shock again as she closed her eyes.

She frowned but settled into a half-awake state where time once again became irrelevant.

The door opened again, marking the return of the unicorn. She glanced at him and noted a dream catcher within his magical grip. A simple wooden frame made of dark oak. Dark blue threads threaded to and fro to create a magical net for the dreams it was supposed to catch. Though, it looked rougher than the strings Rarity would use. It looked more natural, like the string itself was made with plant material. She could see other plant remains hanging on the sides of the catcher.

Plants that created powerful sleep aids when made into potions. They were wrapped around with strings of lavender, creating little braids of color that fell from the sides. Above them on the same string were a few beads, each with a magic rune etched onto them. The beads were also present in the hanging adornments. Three blue strings of varying lengths that all ended with a dark blue feather tied at the bottom.

Very, very familiar feathers. Were they Luna’s feathers? She frowned at them, feeling the piece radiating power. Though, it didn’t truly remind her of Luna’s power…

Her feathers didn’t fall out too much. She did know other pegasi did though and it didn’t seem too odd for that to apply to alicorns. She never heard Twilight complain about it but she never asked either. It was just something that happened.

But it seemed that Noah was carrying a powerful dream catcher. For what?

Noah looked at her, “Dock.”

Fluttershy sighed and hauled her body up. She then walked over to the harness and placed her hooves into the little circles. They tightened and she felt the little crescent thing attach to her back. Then she lifted her wings to allow the harness to hold them out and felt her head get restrained soon after. She saw the little eye come up and obscured her right eye but it retreated after Noah pressed a button near the screens.

Fluttershy gave the unicorn a curious look but didn’t try to ask as she was sure she wouldn’t be able to. She watched as the unicorn carefully balanced the dream catcher on her forehead and nose, completely covering her face. She could still see through the lines but she could now feel the energy stronger than ever radiating through the piece. She noted that it did remind her of Luna but it felt more like the dream magic she used. Even then, it felt ever so slightly different.

The unicorn then grabbed the little lavender braids and pulled them revealing that they were on a much larger string. He then guided them to the back of her head and tied the string to secure it to her head. The action caused a little bit of pressure to be applied where the catcher sat but it wasn’t too uncomfortable. She could feel the little braids on the back of her neck when she was moved but they were barely noticeable.

“Perfect,” Noah said after a few moments, “Let’s see if this works.”

He then again fiddled with the screens for a few moments then promptly left the room, closing the door behind him. Though this time, he shut off the light, draping her in darkness. The screens this time didn’t bathe her in comfortable light, making the entirety of the room pitch black.

Fluttershy swallowed as she nervously thought about the unknown environment she was in. She could still feel sleep nipping at her tired hooves and her neck was starting to complain from holding up her head. She mentally sighed feeling the annoyance building.

Couldn’t this harness actually hold her? Instead of just being?!

Fluttershy blinked as she heard the harness start to click. She could also feel little arms wrapping around her middle section. She started to panic as it happened but stopped as she felt the harness raise up a bit, relieving the pressure on her hooves by lifting her barrel. The little apparatus around her head also lifted up, holding up her head by her chin.

Fluttershy felt confused but now very comfortable. Even her wings weren’t pulled out nearly as much! Did the harness hear her? Could she control it as well?

The curiosity and included thoughts of potentially escaping were quickly drowned in the wave of sleep that hit her. She was now comfortable, her stomach wasn’t full but it was no longer complaining, and she couldn’t resist the sensation of sleep. Her tired mind demanded it.

She frowned feeling a sense of dread as she was likely going to be shocked all night. But she had no power over the fuzzy feeling overtaking her thoughts. Her eyes shut but she hardly noticed since it was already pitch black. She sluggishly waited for the shock but it never came.

But the darkness quickly faded into a long hallway. With many medieval torches lining the walls. It lit up the hallway enough to show she was in some sort of basement.

What happened? Did she leave the room to some, castle?

She swallowed, immediately thinking about the dungeons in such structures, and quickly looked around for an exit, pleasantly surprised to freely move her limbs. Whatever unpleasant creatures were kept in such a place, both harmful creatures and unpleasant ponies, she didn’t want to be in the same place as them. While she was comfortable around many other creatures and could talk and make friends with many more, she had a strange uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

Like a shadow of evil was trapped inside and something, someone wanted it back.

The feeling of terror grew as she turned through the seemingly endless hallways that lacked any diversity. After some time, she found a hallway that changed and went up to a much more appealing decoration.

She smiled and hurriedly climbed the long incline to the top and frowned at the more hallways. This time with many doors and little nightstands decorated with little furnishings. Tiny little lamps hung at every door, its light provided by a simple candle.

Her blood ran cold as she heard a monstrous roar behind her. The hallway echoed its full blast towards her, making her hair tussle with its energy. She froze for a moment, feeling her ears slowly become one with the back of her head.

She didn’t bother looking behind her, instead she bolted forward desperately looking for a place to hide. Thundering steps sounded behind her, making her whimper with fear. But her legs continued to run while her head turned left and right looking for an escape.

She saw the hallway split to left and right. She frowned and chose to go to the left only to slide to a stop at the unlit hallway. She yelped and looked behind her.

That way was lit!

She dashed that way but caught a glimpse of a moving figure coming the way she came. But it was impossible to tell what it was as it blew out the lamps in its path.

She couldn’t help but scream in fear but it came out as a strangled yelp as her voice box fought with her lungs. She could feel every hair on her coat, every step, every blink, and the ever-so-strong presence in her chest. It was pushing against her lungs, making it hard to breathe but she forced air into and out of them, refusing to collapse.

But as she explored more hallways, the need to stop became greater. The burning in her lungs stronger. She gasped as she forced her legs to continue but she could feel herself slowing down. But she spied a large closet, didn’t question isn’t location, and jumped in.

It was surprisingly empty and large enough for her to put her back to the wall of the closet and still have it close. She held her hooves to her face to quiet her breathing, the ragged breaths that she had to fight for. But her breath caught in her throat as she felt a presence pass by the closet.

It was dark. And felt cold. So bitterly cold that it made her shiver despite her not feeling anything cold on her skin.

Once it left, she still didn’t dare to let herself relax. But she did force her lungs to restart, taking careful breaths so as to not give away her location.

But to her horror, she felt the presence return and felt bemusement from the other side. The doors were then violently opened and she saw a shadowy form. But she didn’t study it as she instinctually pulled the doors shut with a small yelp.

She didn’t know where the strength came from, or perhaps she merely caught the creature off guard. She caught herself off guard!! But that didn’t matter as she stared at the closed door with her hooves practically glued to the surface.

Was this some sort of magical creature designed to keep her in her room? Was it going to kill her? Or simply bring her back?

She tried to swallow nervously, but felt it get caught in her throat as she felt the creature trying to pull open the doors again. She coughed bitterly. But she refused to let the monster open the doors, no matter how much they shook.

She could feel the presence surrounding the closet, as if it was looking for another way in. She felt her throat was sore from her coughing, but she looked about the closet looking if there was another way in. She even felt the back of the closet rock as if it tried to make another entrance.

But it was too dark to tell.

She then felt the monster pull on the door constantly, instead of ripping bursts. She braced her legs against the pressure, making sure to constantly fill her lungs. She could hold it.

No. She would hold it!

But her determination faltered as she felt her wings extend of their own free will. They creaked and cracked, twisting outside of their natural limits of motion. It didn’t hurt, but when she tried to pull them back, they simply didn’t respond. Rather, they slowly reached to her forelegs and grew shiny black talons.

She watched in horror as she saw her wings grasping her forelegs like dragon claws and slowly pulled them back.

She resisted of course but trying to push and pull was near impossible, and her grip was failing. Her voice box whimpered pleas of release and unintelligible sounds of fear. But she held fast, uncertain how long she’d last.

The last of the festivities were ending. There were only a few groups that stayed to mingle but the event had ended.

Finally.

Luna had retreated with her sister back to the castle. But unlike her sister, she wasn’t able to go to bed. She was the Princess of the night. She had responsibilities to attend to. Though it wasn’t too much of a concern. Familiarity was comforting in the mess of chaos and confusion that filled the last few days.

She had attended a meeting with the remaining elements of harmony, Celestia, Glyph, Timber, and Enya. It was, insightful. She could barely believe the tale that was spun in front of her.

Enya being foal foal-napped, her magic stolen so Flutterbyte could perfectly impersonate her. Her looks, thoughts, and reactions were perfectly simulated. It was hard to fully understand. While she had seen such feats done with Changlings, it was a completely other matter. Fluttershy wasn’t a changling. She was a pony who seemed to have more and more metal replacing her.

She felt a frown on her face as she replaced the lavender plants hung around the castle. Fluttershy was a pony that was quite attuned to nature. It felt, odd. Unnatural to think that she wasn’t natural.

But did that mean machines dream?

Luna shook her head, silently answering her question. She was certain that machines made of metal were not nature’s machines made of flesh. And was certain that such things did not dream like ponies. So she was also certain that Fluttershy was still a pony.

A pony with metal parts that mimicked flesh.

So, could it be possible? The world of electricity was another change that she had to adjust to when she came back from the moon. It was fascinating to see what electricity pushed through little bits of silicon and metal could do.

Without magic!

Plumbing, lighting, entertainment, destructive power…

It was a lot to adjust to. Though many things were not too difficult to do so and she found many things to be very helpful. Thankfully not everything went the ways of electricity and many of the things she was used to remained after the thousand years. Well, a little bit changed…

She sighed as she walked through the castle, pausing to interact with her night guards to manage the nightly duties each had. She eyed the lighting of the castle as she passed through the stone hallways.

It was mainly magical. But Celestia had shown her the little lights that were powered by the stinging fruit of storm clouds. Just in case the castle was attacked by anti-magical practices or magic failed entirely. Something that funnily had occurred multiple times since her return.

And it had provided many amenities. She was fond of the thing called “video games.” She sadly had very little time to partake in such activities but they were enjoyable when she was able to.

But even though the electronic games held many characters that could mimic the thoughts and even actions of living creatures, they were not alive. Nor did they have true ability of thought and emotions. Celestia had explained that such things were scripted, much like the plays she enjoyed a thousand years ago. Only much, much more complicated.

But, could electricity mimic living creatures using bodies of metal? Was that something that could happen? Could a creature of metal have a dream?

Luna was ascending to her tower now, but her thoughts were flurrying around her like snowflakes in a blizzard.

Fluttershy most definitely had the magic of a pony. That she could confirm through the elements themselves and the Tree of Harmony. She most definitely had the magic of a pony. Though, she seemed to be made mostly of metal! Could a creature be both made of metal and flesh?

Glyph was an example of that she supposed. And she knew of many ponies that had metal within their bodies to replace missing parts. She could think of many ponies that had prosthetics but not to the extent of her engineering friend. Her prosthetics were of another level, a gift that could bestowed upon many.

But she held her tongue. Both her and her sister. Glyph seemed burdened with her actions. Guilty about Fluttershy’s position. Scarred from the thought of her inventions being used by others for the intent of evil.

She suspected that it was the Silver Swords and the actions of Noah that made her pull her gifts into her shell. They were a high-tech organization that specialized in blimps. Though they hid their tracks well. Left many clues and many mental scars for her to find in the dream world, but never clues to track their whereabouts. Nor any methods to track down their blimps…

She sighed, then paused at the top of the steps to her tower.

Were there others like Fluttershy? Bodies of metal and flesh? Capable of using electromagical devices to subdue alicorns? Also being used like puppets to work out evil schemes?

She remained at the top of the stairs. She could believe that the Silver Swords could have such means to make a pony like Fluttershy. Surely, if a single unicorn could turn Fluttershy into what she is now, a whole, hidden organization could. Something that they would surely have to deal with. A task that would certainly be a confusing and difficult task. Though, she felt a little reassurance.

Glyph and Twilight seemed to connect together with electromagical devices. Glyph had demonstrated her ability to control her devices without her little screen or words. Opening hidden compartments on her wing or changing pieces on her artificial leg. Using that, she explained that Fluttershy had gotten control when she got wrongly proposed to.

Even for a second.

Since she’d likely been living with her metal shell for some time, her computer was likely interconnected with her magic. And when her emotions were strained like one would be when wrongly caught in a proposal, it likely gave her subconscious control over it. Letting her move a bit before the other administrator program took control. This same subconscious control was likely theorized the same thing that allowed her to catch the window when she had knocked it out.

Luna would then stand by and listen to Glyph and Twilight discuss ideas to use the connections the computer had to her magic to, “counter control” her. Something about using the MMO’s hidden training programs to manually adjust Fluttershy’s pneumatics and motors to values of external models based on magic?

It did not make too much sense to her. However, she still had quite a bit to learn about electromagical devices. But it was quite a thought to think of what the two may create.

She felt her hooves start moving again along with her conflicting thoughts. Did Noah make Fluttershy? Or was she changed by him later in her life?

The thoughts resolved themselves soon after. Fluttershy may be made of metal but the presence of her magic was a giveaway. She was still a pony. Even under the layers upon layers of metal, crystal, and silicon. Or the multitude of electromagical devices.

She turned to her balcony, pausing only to read the list of notes left for her.

Did Fluttershy’s magic belong to somepony else? Enya’s thoughts and actions were perfectly replicated with her magic even outside her body. Even the notes from Enya-shy were the same as Enya’s own notes! So, was Fluttershy’s magic ripped out of her body and being used to simulate a pony in a metal body?

Luna stepped onto her balcony, enjoying the cool air that was blowing by.

Even with magic, there was still the issue of dreams. Magic alone couldn’t dream. It required the soul of the pony as well. It was the culmination of magic, body, and soul that made up a pony and allowed them to dream. She knew that other creatures without magic could enter the dream world but it still required a soul. A soul touched by the magic of Equestria.

That she knew.

But did she? Could these electromagical devices create the essence of a soul? Or capture it perhaps? Maybe it captured the pony’s magic and soul? Placing it into a metal cage that resembled a pony’s body. That made more sense.

But she also knew spells that could hold the souls of ponies, keeping them separated from their magic in eternal suffering.

She had the Eye of Calamity to thank for that knowledge. The memories of trying to free souls in terrible magic cages were haunting. As they had to use their alicorn bodies as a vessel to pull them out of the dark magic containers.

She frowned at the memory. The Eye of Calamity had ripped out the souls of their soldiers and fellow kind to fuel powerful dark spells that ranged from golems to shields and laser blasts. The container was almost pure dark magic, attuned to the souls within. So it was impossible at the time to pull them out. And since their alicorn bodies naturally opposed the dark magic, they were able to pass into the container without harm.

But spells that interacted with souls were not researched. Not crafted. So Luna and Celestia had to ferry souls out of the container using spells that were hastily crafted. But were effective.

Though she could hear the thoughts of the souls and them her. It was heartbreaking to explain what had happened. To hear their anguish of perishing before their dreams and hopes. But it was hearting to be thanked for release. Even more to help guide them to the next world.

Such spell craft would then be researched and understood. A section of magic that was only available to alicorns and large groups of dedicated unicorns. So if another group tried to use such horrible tactics to gain power, it could be swiftly stopped.

She closed her eyes and cleared her mind with a deep breath. She then opened them and adopted her dream walking pose. Her horn glowed with dream energy, white light spilling out from its ridges. She took one last look at the starry sky and closed her eyes.

The stars became the nebulous sky filled with little specs of light. It would constantly change color but it was a reddish pink mixed with her hair color. She smiled and jumped forward from the multicolored mass that held the dream world. Such as space would hold the many planets and other celestial bodies. Both known and unknown.

This realm too had little planets. Though these were small and resembled snow globes. She could see glimpses of dreams in them. Though she had been in the realm a long, long, long time. Such sights were very familiar. And even as times greatly changed, dreams did not.

She saw many hopes and desires in them. Or simply joyous times with family, friends, or even a high school crush. Peaceful walks in parks or mountains.

She waited for a moment, listening intently. The dream world also contained nightmares, both fictional and those cemented in reality. Halliumbras were still a danger to her, even though she had her Tantabus to protect her from them.

But she could feel them from afar. Them and nightmares themselves. If a pony cried out for her, she would hear and go running.

But she didn’t hear anything. It was surprising but welcome.

She turned to the little patch of dreams next to her. Again thinking about her timid friend.

Fluttershy had dreams. And nightmares! So she was a pony, regardless of her metal additions. She frowned, still feeling her conflicting emotions about it. Would she have to deal with the dreams of machines in her time? Was that an avenue of the dream world yet to be discovered?

She spread her wings and lifted them high with a deep breath. She then lowered them and released the air out of her lungs.

Fluttershy’s predicament was more important than her relation to the dream world. The important thing was that she still was a pony. A metal pony that had many electromagical devices that were still very foreign and many others that remained a mystery.

Her impact on the dream world could be looked at later. When she was in control of her own thoughts.

But the night’s events revealed what Noah was planning to do with their timid friend. Collecting the gems that contained fragments of the Amulet’s true power. If Noah did get all the fragments together, restoring its power? They would have a very large problem on their hooves.

Not to mention the electromagical prowess the unicorn showed. She recalled the many battles and sacrifices it took to take down the Eye of Calamity with said amulet. She could hardly fathom fighting that and Flutterbyte’s arsenal. That alone could take three alicorns at once. While at the time they weren’t very coordinated for the battle, it was still a power they had to respect.

She was reminded of the meeting once more. Where Rarity had procured the corner of a supply case that Flutterbyte had cut off. She had said that she had used the same blade that was used to stab Applejack.

The corner had metal, wood, and glass within it. All of it was cleanly cut through. As if it was all the same material, with flawless edges… Glyph had showcased the blade on a rock earlier but seeing the blade’s work on several materials all at once? She shivered, instinctively imagining the blade passing through her ribs as easily as a blade through water.

Luna frowned and bounded across the dream world, letting her ears and eyes keep a lookout for nightmares while she re-railed her thoughts.

Noah had changed Fluttershy, morphing her body to that of metal and electricity. Could he do that to others? Could he have an army of Flutterbytes?

She looked about the dream realm with curious eyes. Maybe? But it felt odd that Noah would just suddenly take Fluttershy out of the blue. If he had several ponies like Flutterbyte, then it did not make sense that he’d wait till now to start his collecting.

She had to respect that Noah was a formidable opponent with a tongue of silver.

No. She believed Twilight’s theory that the Reception ‘Ception had to be the cause of Fluttershy’s sudden transformation. Or, at least its appearance. They had to admit that she was likely changed earlier and they’d been conversing with a pony of metal for some time.

It did not concern her though. Fluttershy had a kind heart. Whether that was made of steel or flesh, she would trust her. It may take a while to get used to her abilities which would most likely stick with her even after Noah was dealt with.

But again, that was something she’d worry about later. Twilight had organized a meeting with the Reception ‘Ception and organized a time to take apart their wagon tomorrow. So they’d have answers swiftly on what caused this all to start. Was it just the battle? Or was it something else?

Her guess was as good as Twilight’s and unfortunately her Princess duties would demand to be taken care of. But Twilight was more than capable of handling whatever was coming. She chuckled, thinking of the many problems that Twilight had solved in Equestria.

But she did not know of the dangers of the dream realm. Fearful problems that Twilight would not be able to fix. It was something that the Princess of the night had to fix. Halliumbras, Nightmares, pony psyche, and the connection between the dream world, the mortal realm, and the world beyond!

But Twilight would reach out if she needed the help. And she would also keep them well informed like she always did. So she felt comfortable fulfilling her duties while Twilight led the charge.

Though it still baffled her that Noah was even aware of the history of the gems. Or the amulet’s power itself! What information did he know? Was he aware of the alicorn power forms?

Was he aware of the Eye of Calamity’s true purpose for the Alicorn amulet? If so, they may be in much bigger trouble than they first thought…

She frowned at the thoughts in her mind and what she was seeing. The night was not too early as there were many dreams nestled in the clouds of space. But she had been prepared to handle any nightmares that would have occurred from the Sparkling Boutique.

Especially Enya. While she and Rarity had gotten third and second in the event’s fashion show, she doubted the win alone would have prevented her from having a nightmare tonight. She had experienced quite the event. Two of them. But she had Timber to lean on and the two of them seemed close, so it wasn’t too terribly surprising. Though she’d be keeping an eye on her dream, just in case. She would hate her sprouting relationship to be ruined.

But it was very quiet. While she enjoyed the quiet night, welcomed it even, she was expecting to see Fluttershy’s dream. She was no doubt having a nightmare the next time she slept. So not hearing her was making her ears strain.

Was she being kept awake? Wouldn’t that harm her? If so, why would Noah want that to happen? To make sure that Fluttershy wasn’t able to communicate with her?

She growled. It was a good answer but forcing a pony to stay awake for two nights was awful. That and she knew that Fluttershy didn’t sleep nearly at all the night before this all started. She was terrified of the social environment of the school.

Or even the walk there…

So, several days without sleep? And several days of unsuitable sleep before the event? Fluttershy must pass out at some point, right? All ponies had to sleep eventually. Even the assistance of magic had its limits.

She halted her movements and looked toward where Fluttershy’s dream usually was. All dreams in the dreamscape rarely moved. They generally had a spot in this space. A spot that she’d only seen change if the pony drastically changed their sleeping location or new ponies were nearby while they slept. A very extended sleepover, or after a new marriage. Something that pulled the dreams closer together. They would never touch but got ever so close.

She gently pushed herself to the spot Fluttershy’s dream resided. It was easy to spot. It was generally secluded but also surrounded by the little dreams of her little critter friends. These appeared as tiny specks of light. Tiny sparkles that didn’t show their dreams as their dreams were different than ponies. But her powers still allowed her to enter them, albeit with a little more effort.

But as she neared the area, she hastened her pace.

Fluttershy’s little dream orb was black, with a shining edge. It hadn’t moved much from its normal spot and was still surrounded by little sparkles. She quickly got close and noted her senses.

She couldn’t feel the nightmare? All nightmares could be felt by her! They changed the very dreamscape in a way that was like a splash of cold water. It was very hard to miss.

Nor had Fluttershy cried out. Did she know she was in a dream?

Luna cleared her mind and summoned a door to her dream and hastily rushed inside. Or, tried to. It was like running into a bouncy ball, throwing her out of the ethereal doorway.

Luna caught herself and stared at the doorway with disbelief. Such a thing had only happened a few times. And those were back in her time! Before her transformation! Was this the work of an electromagical device as well?

She frowned, doubt in her mind. She again went to the doorway and tried putting a hoof through the opening. Only, it was stopped by dark blue lines of energy. She pulled back her hoof in shock and disbelief.

A dream catcher. Specifically designed to catch her. Not bad dreams, lucid dreams, or nightmares. Well, not just her, any dream walker. While she was the only true dream walker, some spells could let one dream walk. Not to the same extent as her, but it was possible.

There were other creatures in the dream realm she had to fight against. But they too would be stopped by this dream catcher.

She felt disgust on her face as she could feel the torrents of nightmare energy coming from the doorway. Fluttershy seemed to be having a terrible nightmare and she could do nothing about it.

Luna’s face went to a thoughtful one. No, not nothing.

She collapsed the doorway and brought the little orb to her chest. She stared at the cloudy image barely able to discern a yellow blob in a box, desperately holding one side. But that was only a guess. The dream catcher would block most of the image from her. Sound, light, thoughts, but not everything.

She’d stop the nightmare. Then see if she could get around the dream catcher.

Fluttershy’s right leg gave but in an act of desperation, she managed to reach out and grab the door once more. She saw an inkling of a shadow before the door was safely closed.

She was sweating with the effort. Her wings were digging into her forelegs with their new claws and it was getting harder and harder to keep the doors closed. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, feeling her lungs screaming for release but she didn’t dare.

She opened her eyes again, desperately trying to think of a way out. Her grip was going to fail, that was inevitable. What was she going to do when they did?

The walls themselves rumbled and Fluttershy felt a new fear blossom in her chest. She suddenly felt gravity’s pull as the bottom of the closet suddenly vanished. She fell through it, her grip on the door giving her no leverage.

She screamed as she fell into a nebulous area that was devoid of any sort of depth. She looked up to see the dark hole that she had come from, only to see it vanish as her rapid descent continued.

She flailed her wings in a desperate attempt to fly, their new claws gone. But it was for naught. She couldn’t feel air in her wings and without that, they were useless in the pink and blue environment.

But suddenly her fall stopped, causing her to grunt in alarm. But it wasn’t like she expected…

It didn’t hurt at all. The only reason she knew she stopped falling was because her hair stopped trailing behind her and coiled all around her face. She could also feel solid ground beneath her. She perked up her ears as they were suddenly filled with the sounds of crickets riding along a cool breeze. So she cautiously used a foreleg to move her hair from her eyes to look around.

She was now on grass? A cool grass one would find on a cool night. She moved her head around and tightened when she saw the nebula above her. She swallowed, noting that it was the same area she was just falling from. But now it had a mass, preventing her from moving her head up much or standing up. She also noted that it was still all around her but it seemed to have, shapes?

If she looked close enough, she saw shadows that made her think the surface was fuzzy. The area above her also had interlapping shapes that were nigh impossible to see. Only if she was close enough.

And she noted that it was warm! Like hugging another creature warm!

A little dread found itself in her heart as she put a head on the fuzzy part of the nebula. She swallowed as she felt it go up and down like her side would when she drew a breath. She frowned and felt an unquenchable urge for silence.

She wasn’t inside the creature unless the creature had grass growing inside them. So perhaps the creature had just rolled onto her? Maybe she could wiggle out if she was gentle enough?

She gently started to wiggle forward. She was unsure if forward was the way out but she just had to go for it. But her attempts stopped when the nebula parted in front of her, creating a large opening, but also showed the creature’s face.

It was a pony’s face. But it too was made up of the nebula that surrounded her. It had no mouth or lips, only white glowing eyes. A long horn was perched on its forehead above its black crown, while its starry hair floated in the gentle breeze.

“Luna?” Fluttershy said gently. Was this all a dream? Was she asleep?

The pony didn’t respond with words but gently nuzzled the top of her head. Fluttershy frowned but looked closer.

Luna’s hair was a match and it made a lot more sense that her experience was a dream. But wouldn’t the pony come here herself? Why didn’t she come earlier?

Fluttershy frowned at the thought. She didn’t call out for her so her late arrival was perfectly logical. But the alternate form was confusing.

She took another look around her and realized that the Luna was the creature that surrounded her. Only, she was bigger. Big enough, in fact, that a fully grown pegasi like Fluttershy looked like a foal. And Fluttershy was nestled under Luna’s wing as if she was Luna’s foal. Protected under a wing of ethereal space matter.

They were also in a much more hospitable environment. Instead of a dreary castle dungeon, there was a grassy plain that stretched on for miles. It was night, casting cool colors over the entirety of the landscape. The breeze rustled the grasslands, making mesmerizing patterns for her eyes to follow.

The dread in Fluttershy’s heart drained and relief started its slow path along her nerves. Her head flopped to the ground and she simply lay there, breathing heavily. Luna nuzzled her again and then looked in a seemingly random direction. Fluttershy followed her gaze to see an ethereal door appear a short distance away.

Fluttershy was familiar with this door. Luna often entered her dreams this way. She gave the nebulous alicorn a cautious look. Was that really Luna?

She looked at the door and saw a sudden spider web pattern appear. It then bulged outwards as if it was on a piece of plastic and somepony was pushing the other end.

She frowned as the white glow suddenly went clear and she saw a dark blue shape on the other side. Only, it was like looking through a frosted window. She could make out very basic shapes but nothing more.

The shape was dark blue but her mind made her think it was shaped like a pony. She could also see the very sharp point of the bulge marking the horn of the shape, solidifying her theory. It looked like a pony was trying to force their way through a very stretchy piece of plastic. Like they were trying to get out of a very durable balloon.

Fluttershy felt concern weld within her chest now. Was Luna not able to get into her dream?

The bulge ballooned inward, becoming a flat white surface once more. Fluttershy looked at the pattern of lines left behind. An addition she’d never seen before when Luna entered her dreams. But it was painfully familiar.

The worry built in her chest as she realized that the patterns matched the dream catcher on her face. Was it blocking Luna from entering her dream?

The door vanished and the nebula alicorn looked at her with a sad expression and nuzzled her again. Fluttershy returned the nuzzle but met its eyes as she spoke.

“Can you hear me?” Fluttershy asked but got a blank stare in return.

Fluttershy felt sadness deform her face. It seemed that Luna was able to stop her nightmare but not interact with her like she normally did.

A sudden thump marked a very, very large step. She jumped and turned towards the sound. The shadow creature was there, crawling along the grass, surrounded by writhing shadows. They bit into the environment, making it black, unrecognizable.

She yelped but turned to her nebulous protector as its eyes glowed a bit brighter. The shadow creature then abruptly stopped as it hit an invisible wall. Its shape ballooned over it as if it were a black, terrible liquid.

The alicorn then turned to her and pushed its head under hers. It then pushed against her chest, pushing her deeper under its wing. Its eyes seemed to portray hope and strength before the wing completely covered her.

It reminded her of the times her mother sheltered her. When she had a terrible nightmare and slept in her parent’s bed. Or during her panic attacks at social gatherings.

It was comforting. So she curled together tighter and closed her eyes. She tried to forget about the shadow outside. Remembering that Luna would protect her. Regardless of whether she was able to be there or not. The thought brought more comfort. That slowly brought sleep, leaving her to float among the stars.

Luna sighed as she felt the little orb brighten and the nightmare energy fade. She could feel it when she held the little dream orb close but the further away it was, the harder it was to sense it. She turned away and pulled the nebulous matter of the dream realm and weaved it into a bright string with her magic.

She added more matter to it, making it thicker. Then she flattened it into a plate and gently curved the piece to a half circle. She smiled as she pulled the center, making it into a diamond shape that was only slightly larger than the plate. She gently indented the center of this diamond then flattened its top. She then placed the diamond just below her chest, turning it into a sort of necklace. She then gently put Fluttershy’s dream orb in the indent where it clicked into place.

She stretched the arms a little bit to wrap them more securely around her neck. She moved her neck around to make sure that was stable, then took a few steps to make sure it wouldn’t fall off. Dream magic could be as strong as steel, but as malleable as aluminum. It could also be as soft as a cloud! Or like a liquid, both hot or cold.

The dream catcher that was inhibiting her ability to go into her dream couldn’t block her unconscious energy. Or the natural energy her soul gave out. Her tantabus could then give that energy life, thoughts, a purpose. So she just sent her energy through to Fluttershy’s dream and let the tantabus shape it. Its magic touch was similar to hers but just different enough to circumvent the dream catcher, to a point.

Luna couldn’t send actions to the energy she sent in. Only sensations, thoughts, and desires. So, she sent a motherly protection and the desire to protect her from the nightmare. This would hopefully create an avatar that would resemble her but have a motherly instinct to protect.

But she’d had to first flood the dream with her residual energy, breaking the original flow of the dreamscape. That would give the avatar enough time to form and do its job.

While he could sense its presence, she couldn’t send any more forming factors to her avatar without first breaking it. She could only supply the basic energy it needed to sustain itself.

Thence the necklace. Keeping the orb close would allow her avatar to pull the energy it needed directly from her. Without any conscious thought. It would also keep Fluttershy’s sleeping location next to her. So, if Fluttershy were to somehow contact her, she’d be able to respond in very little time.

But her heart doubted that it would happen. She gingerly held her dream orb and stared at the brightly shining orb. She could no longer feel the torrents of nightmare energy and she was glad the avatar was working.

She’d have to talk to Twilight to see if she could refine it. To maybe break through the dream catcher enough to talk to the pegasus.

She sighed. It wasn’t a bad idea but the dream catcher was built very well. It used techniques that were old even to her. Lavender braiding, oak frame infused with dream magic and a natural compound that imbodied sleep itself. The very threading was taken from the Everfree forest, its natural fibers pulled from plants that used a gas to put its prey to sleep. It was then further enchanted to enhance its residual magic. She could sense the runes of magic that further amplified and joined each piece. She hadn’t seen such methods used since she first started to dream walk. Furthermore, she could sense her magic within it.

So it was likely formed with a few of her feathers, so any attempts for her to break through it would be much, much harder.

Her sister couldn’t walk among the dreams as she could. But perhaps she could pull her or Twilight into the dream realm?

But they would then be relying on her magic and not their own. Something that the dreamcatcher would catch, negating pulling them into the realm in the first place. However, that mattered little as the catcher would still block them. It would take an experienced user who wasn’t attuned to or using her magic to have any chance of breaking through.

Luna sighed. She’d have to teach either Twilight or Celestia how to dream walk. Something that took her years to master. Years of study and practice.

She was certain they didn’t have years. Though, she was certain Twilight could easily pick up the craft and Celestia already could weave dream magic. So years was likely not an accurate guess. But it was still a craft that would take time to master.

She closed her eyes in the dream realm and opened her true eyes to see the dark beauty of the sleeping Canterlot. She turned and pulled a scroll and quill from her magic. She quickly wrote down what had occurred in the dream world, then duplicated the scroll.

One for Celestia. One for Twilight.

She did write them so both alicorns would know of the options she was posing. But in Twilight’s she asked if she knew about the craft of dreamcatchers. If she knew of any spells that could help circumvent them. And if she didn’t, if she’d be up to discuss such tactics and spells. She’d ask Celestia at first light when she delivered the letter. She knew her sister knew about dream catchers.

Luna chuckled at the mischievous actions of her younger self and pulled out a few ribbons from her magic.

She wrapped them around the letters and sealed them with her signature wax seal. A dark blue wax that held the moon in front of a mountainous valley contained its varying depths.

She’d sent the letters at first light. Though she may have to send it magically to Twilight as Spike would certainly not be awake at such an hour.

She pulled the scrolls back into her magic and returned to the dream world, hoping that the peaceful night would continue. She rechecked her handiwork, making certain that Fluttershy’s dream was still in place. It was still glowing brightly. She then turned back to the many orbs of dreams under her charge.

A Princess never sleeps…