Chapter 7: A Princess walks through.

Twilight was doing her best to keep up with Rainbow as she followed the cyan mare, flying over the trees. The night air was surprisingly cold on her coat as she flew, but the alicorn didn’t care. Her mind was too busy worrying about seeing her first anomaly.

Thousands of ideas of what they were going to find ran through her mind. Rainbow had talked about monsters and creatures that didn’t obey logic.That they were anomalous in nature and they could be as safe as a Fly or as dangerous as an Ursa Major. Was she going to run into one? The heavy instinctual fear of the unknown ran through her as she flew.

But the same sense of unknown filled her with wonder and excitement. To see this hidden world of the impossible, masked in plain sight. To learn the impossible- Twilight’s thoughts stopped as she heard music playing.

Not just any music, it sounded like old fashioned carnival music, in the middle of the forest. Twilight started paying far more attention to her surroundings now as the nearest carnival or amusement park she knew of was nowhere near Ponyville.

“You hear that too Twi?” Rainbow looked over her shoulder asking the alicorn.

“The carnival music?” Twilight replied, unsure of her own answer as she looked around her trying to find the source of the music. But all she could see was more forest ahead and below her.

“Yeah. The music.”Rainbow came to a stop mid air. She then used her control GEM to pull a small bronze box with a short pole extending out the top. The box had several small buttons along the left side, a bunch of dials on the front and another gem on the back. Along with a strap that was big enough for the alicorn to hang the box from her neck.

Twilight quickly realized that it was a hoof held radio.

“Rarity do you hear the carnival music as well? '' Rainbow said into the radio after hitting a button or two and turning a dial.

“Indeed, but for the life of me I cannot hear its source and no matter where I go it stays the same volume!” Rarity huffed back presumably through her own radio.

“I’m going to try to reach Cogsworth.” Rainbow replied as another roar rang out over the forest.

“”That’s Bloodraven right?” Twilight asked, hoping to confirm what she had heard earlier.

“Yes, that's Bloodraven, she’s a griffin.” Rainbow explained, fiddling with her radio controls attempting to contact Cogsworth.

“Why is she roaring so loud? Won’t that just bring more attention to her and what we’re trying to hide?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“The roar serves a few purposes. Her roar has a low level memetic property that triggers a creature's instinctual fight or flight response and chooses flight for them. It kinda like… scares them off if you know what I mean.” Rainbow continued. “Plus if you need to send a message no matter what, you can't do better than a loud roar.”

Rainbow continued messing with the radio trying to reach her friend till it made a click of static and a voice started speaking.

“Hello There! And Welcome To Pinkie Pie’s Wonderiffic Amusement Park! Made Possible By Dr. Wondertainment. Bring the whole family for a day of Wondertainment! Ride the famous Sky Cloud ferris wheel or the thrilling Thriller Chiller! And only for seven bits per creature! What a bargain!” The message then started repeating itself.

Twilight looked at the radio in disbelief, Pinkie Pie’s Wonderiffic Amusement Park? A part of her briefly wondered if the past few days had been an elaborate prank by Rainbow and Pinkie. But the look on Rainbow’s face mixed with the seriousness Rarity displayed earlier convinced her otherwise.

“What was that?” Twilight asked. “And why did it say Pinkie Pie’s Wonderiffic Amusement Park?” Twilight added as confusion ran through her head.

“Whatever it is it mentioned Dr. Wondertainment, and that is not a good sign.” Rainbow looked around looking for any changes in the landscape, nothing. The field agent went back to messing with her radio.

“Who’s Dr. Wondertainment?” Twilight asked instinctively as she continued looking at Rainbow as if the pegasus was physically wearing the answer.

Rainbow wouldn't normally give a full explanation in the field but since they were dealing with Wondertainment directly it seems, she decided to.

“Dr. Wondertainment is the name given for an anonymous entity. The SCP Foundation believes it's either an individual or a business that makes toys and other things to entertain young creatures and adults. In most if not all cases their stuff is anomalous in some way. Sometimes in dangerous ways, sometimes not. In many cases it appears unintentional when the object is possibly dangerous or harmful.” As Rainbow recited from memory of a thousand briefings her radio made another static filled click.

Then a male voice played over the radio. “This is a secure channel, state your identity immediately or-“ Rainbow rolled her eyes and interrupted the displeased voice. “It’s Rainbow Cogsworth.”

“By Mekhane! Finally!” Shouted the voice from the radio who Twilight assumed was Cogsworth. “It seems the anomaly messes with radio communications.” Rainbow stated.

“Affirmative. Have you gotten the radio advertisement?”

“Yea, we’re dealing with a Dr. Wondertainment anomaly, right?” Rainbow asked.

“Affirmative, Command has ordered us to scout out the anomaly for the containment team. Us three have been designated MTF Beta 72 Codename ‘Amusement Seekers’. Sending coordinates to your compass.”

Rainbow let out a huff. “There are two others with me, one blue vest and a bright green recruit.” The pegasus pulled out her Realty Compass and started flying to the coordinates sent to her. With Twilight keeping pace.

Cogsworth spoke again. “Is the blue vest Diamond?”

“Yup, it's Diamond. And the bright green is coming for their psychological profile. It’s safer to have them come with me, knowing her she'll probably get too curious and try to explore alone.” Rainbow said, beating Cogsworth to the punch. “It's who I warned you about earlier this year. “

Twilight didn’t know if she should feel insulted but kept her muzzle shut.

“Understood. Holding position until you arrive at our location. Cogsworth out.”

“Rainbow out.” With a click, Rainbow changed channels back to Rarity. “Rarity follow my radio beacon.” Rainbow said.

“Ok Darling.” The fashionista replied. “Over and out.”

Rainbow turned to look at Twilight. “Now I want you to do exactly what I say at all times. Got it Twilight?” Rainbow’s tone was harsh and direct.

“o-ok Rainbow...” Twilight said, looking away nervous and unsure of herself.

Twilight, look at me.” Rainbow firmly stated. Twilight looked back at her as steady as she could muster.

“Stay next to me at all times. Do not at any point, for any reason, leave my side.” Rainbow command evenly. Her expression serious as her eyes stared directly into Twilight’s soul.

“I’m gonna be straight with you Princess. Where we’re going? I’m not going to have any explanation for it. Why? Because I’ve seen things, things that would turn your head upside down and give you night terrors for the rest of your life that even Luna can’t fix. ” Rainbow stopped for a moment, drilling the thought into Twilight with her eyes. “I want you to drop the curiosity, for now, please. You’re not gonna find any answers tonight.”

Twilight nodded, glupping. “G-got It.” She was now far more nervous than before.

“Good,we’re here.” Rainbow said, pointing to a small clearing and started flying down towards the small clearing. As Twilight landed with Rainbow she could see two figures.and what looked like a stone structure.

The thing stood out like a sore hoof in the forest. It looked like an entrance to an amusement park designed by Pinkie personally. The stone was painted a pure pink that looked like it had been sun bleached over decades of exposure. With metal that had rusted completely over time. The entrance had four separated stone archways each with their own set of rusted Turnstiles.

Two of the archways had rusted iron bars blocking the entrance. With the two other iron bars heavily damaged. One having been torn from its hinges and the other being bent inwards.

Above the arches the words Pinkie Pie’s Wonderiffic Amusement Park!, was written in one big sign that was just as sun bleached as the stone below it. There were a few much smaller metal signs that were near impossible to read thanks to time and rust.

The ancient entrance stood in stark juxtaposition to the surrounding lively forest.. As if it was displaced in time. Shaking off the oddness. Twilight turned her attention to the first figure.

It was a griffin named Bloodraven if she remembered correctly. She had grey feathers on her neck and head. The griffiness was wearing a dark brown leather cloak with engravings and runes that were colored with red.

Twilight was an expert in magic. But the alicorn didn’t recognize any of the runes, and some of the runes didn’t follow some of the most basic laws of rune magic or even rune assisted magic. Like having seven lines intersecting in a single point or making shapes with more than twenty sides. Some of the runes even looked like faces.. that were looking back at her. The painted faces were looking her In the eye. Some were even grinning at her. Twilight looked away from the cloak battling to keep her mouth shut and turned to pay attention to the other figure.

Next was a dragon who stood at roughly Celestia’s head if Twilight had to estimate. He had dull orange scales coloring his face along with dirty gold colored eyes. He didn’t have the Nightmare Moon reptile like pupils. In the same way Spike didn’t. He was wearing a dark brown duster that had gold ornate gears painted all along and down the sides. On the dragon’s back was a long golden-bronze staff and what had to be a rifle as well. Twilight concluded that the dragon had to be Cogsworth by process of elimination.

The alicorn heard the sounds of hooves and the rustle of leaves behind her and spotted Rarity emerging from the tree line. She was wearing a blue vest that had numerous pockets and places to hold objects. In the unicorn's magic was a large gun. A sniper from its size and profile Twilight assumed. The gun itself was pitch black and long enough to be bigger than her own wing. The immediate question forced itself into Twilight's mind as to where she got the equipment from.

Twilight had to remember that she couldn’t question everything. Twilight was broken from her inspection of Rarity’s new look by the griffin speaking.

“So Celestia’s little pet is working for the Foundation, now?” Bloodraven more stated then asked with a level of venom that made Twilight shiver.

Rainbow turned to glare daggers at Bloodraven. Bloodraven took a step back, startled from the act before quickly regaining herself.

“Do you have some problem with me?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. Upon asking a dragon popped up next to the perturbed griffiness.

“Ignore her Princess, she's got a chip on her shoulder for Princesses.” Said the dragon sarcastically as he started walking towards the alicorn. “Nice to meet you Princess Twilight.Welcome to the SCP Foundation, I’m Cogsworth.” He raised his claw to shake her hoof.

Twilight nodded and shook the dragon's claw much happier to talk to the less aggressive dragon. “Thank you Cogsworth, but just call me Twilight.” Twilight replied instinctively. Rarity muzzle curled into a sarcastic smile.

“My dearest Twilight, are you enjoying your first night of cuddly horrors?” Rarity joked noting the pink walls that stood in front of them. Twilight chuckled.

“It’s certainly… interesting Rarity.” Twilight quietly retorted. Cogsworth took this moment to jump in.

“So you're joining us again, Rarity?” Cogsworth calmly asked the GOC informant.

“Yes that is the case.” Rarity affirmed. “What should I know?” She asked in a general manner.

“Well we’re not going by codenames as there’s no point in doing so at the moment and-“ He was interrupted by Dash.

“So what do we know at this moment, Cogsworth?” Rainbow asked.

“Oi, I was getting there.” The dragon sounded rather displeased but continued on.

“No codenames, command approved, and command wants radio silence as Gamma-5 is occupied and can’t run interference at this time.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Red Herrings are occupied? With what?”

“Don’t know, they didn’t say.” Cogsworth answered.

The dragon continued. “Next is that the skip appears to be a pocket dimension anomaly.” He then pointed towards the entrance. “The gate appears to be the entrance. However, it's an all access entrance. For the newcomer that means that anything can go through.”

The dragon picked up a small branch and gently tossed it towards the gate. Twilight watched as soon as it passed the turnstile it just disappeared. Twilight didn’t feel any magic when it vanished but from where the branch had gone a few small bits of confetti started drifting to the ground.

“We checked if the portal was safe to travel and it is. Therefore we are being ordered to explore the local area inside the portal.”

Rainbow spoke up. “Why am I required? I know command won’t radio me to not break my cover, unless it's a Keneq disruption class or higher?” Dash asked.

Cogsworth shrugged. “My guess is for memetic/cognitohazard coverage.” He answered.

“You’re probably right”. Rainbow responded coldly. Annoyed at the whole situation at large.

Cogsworth nodded sympathetically before continuing. “The plan is to go in as soon as possible. So no time for full introductions or small talk. That can be done after.” The dragon finished.

Rarity spoke next. “I assume Twilight has been told the rules?”

“Drilled it into her myself.” The cyan pegasus answered seriously. Rarity smiled at that genuinely before Rainbow turned to the gate, staring at its rusted bars and bleached stone.

“I’m taking point.” Rainbow said as she started walking to the front of the gate. Rainbow looked at the gate as she drew her revolver out and loaded the cylinder with six rounds.

Twilight knew she had her magic to defend herself. But remembered Rainbow talking about how magic sometimes didn’t work when the anomalous was at play and she didn’t want to be left defenseless against some monster.

“If magic can’t be relied upon for self defense. Can I have something to protect myself with?” Twilight asked.

“It’s not a bad idea.” Rarity agreed with the alicorn. Looking to Rainbow for the final word. Rainbow looked at the sign for a moment thoughtfully before turning to Twilight and pulling out a spare clawgun.

“I have an extra USP, but do you even know how to use a gun?” Rainbow asked with worry.

Twilight looked at Rainbow. “Yes I Do, my brother taught me. He was the captain of the Guard after all. Princess Celestia also had me do an essay on firearms and their effects on-“

“Do you know how to shoot one without killing yourself?” Rainbow interrupted Twilight’s explanation, she didn’t need to know why Twilight knew how to shoot a gun just that she could.

“Yes, I can properly use a gun, Rainbow.” Twilight said, putting confidence in her voice.

“Don’t use it unless you have to.” Rainbow said as she hoofed the gun over to Twilight along with a holster and two magazines. Twilight floated the weighty clawgun with her magic as she quickly checked the magazine and chamber.

“I will Dash.” Twilight assured her as she put the gun on safety and put it in its holster.

After a brief explanation on how the USP was operated the group gathered in front of the gate. Ready to go in.

Twilight had to suppress her fear and excitement as she watched Rainbow walk past the turnstile and disappear in a shower of confetti. Twilight then watched Bloodraven do the same and she disappeared as well with her own shower of confetti. Then Rarity gently nudged the alicorn, reminding her she was next.

After a breath of air Twilight walked through the turnstile and disappeared.