Back home, words that carried more weight than ever for me. Sure I was back in my actual house in Ponyville but, the true meaning of home, the one that mattered most was Pinkie and I was back at her side. Except today.

Pinkie had left earlier with a few things in mind. She hadn’t planned for me to be back so soon so some of her original plans for the next few weeks had been in jeopardy. Thankfully I was able to convince her it’s okay and that I don’t need to be coddled every waking moment that I was back.

After telling me about some sort of weird dare off between Dash and Aj, she said it was necessary that ‘somepony properly judged the competition’ and that her equal stance on both of them would be unbiased. I wasn’t going to argue and I guess it gave her something to preoccupy her time before ringing the school bell, her other task. Cheerilee the school teacher asked for a volunteer and I’m not quite sure Pinkie understood the task fully. Time would tell.

While Pinkie’s day was packed it wasn’t like I was slacking either. I had plans of my own and I wouldn’t be alone. Lacing up my new pair of shoes freshly gifted from Rarity, Luna bumped against me with a smile, or should I say Lulu.

“While I am not an individual who finds pleasure in fashion, those shoes you wear are quite nice. You must give Rarity my approval”

“They really are nice, look just like my old pair of converse. Only thing that sucks though is I gotta break em in again”

“Thou must break them?”

“Heh, not like you’re thinking. I’m taking about wearing them out. Shoes always come a little stiff when you first put them on. They just need a good walk and they’ll be fine”

“Perfect, for a good walk is ahead of us!”

“Where exactly is this old castle again? I remember you told me a while ago when I was staying in Canterlot but, I can’t remember now”

“Deep in the Everfree of course, where else would a castle of its magnitude be able to disappear so easily? A true marvel for its time. Oh we feel a little excited thinking of our old chambers. Perhaps they’re still intact” giddily she stomps her hooves.

“You haven’t been back there since the whole… you know?”

Her ears fold briefly, “No… we thought it might bring repressed memories back to the forefront. I admit it still worries us now”

“Thought you were excited about going back though? That just a act to keep me from worrying?” I give her a playful shove.

“We figured it pointless to dawdle over such uncontrollable anxieties if we were to have any chance of enjoying this. Plus you asked for our honest opinion so…”

“Sorry bout that. I’m sure you’ll be fine” I give a scratch behind her ear and a reassuring smile. “Besides, if you start feeling uncomfortable I’ll be right here with you”

Leaning into my hand she wraps a wing around me, “Thank you for your support. Not everypony is blessed as I to have another they can rely on. A handsome stallion to boot!”

“Okay, okay, no need for the exaggeration. Let’s get a move on so we can head home before dark”

Concealing herself in disguise we share a nod, heading outside in the direction of the Everfree. Given my houses proximity it wouldn’t be likely that anypony would see us enter however, we couldn’t take any chances of a pony seeing Luna leave my house undisguised. Speaking of her disguise, it’s already proven to have been working. While her stay has been less then a week, so far nopony has made a connection between the new pony and the vacationing princess Luna. Although it was a still a fresh change, any chance of conspiracy wouldn’t take long. First the news would need to break more widespread of her vacation.

Distracted by my thoughts I fail to notice Luna asking me a question.

“Excuse us, is our conversation boring you?”

“Huh? What? Sorry.. I was thinking about something. Can you repeat what you said?”

“I was going over a few potential places we could check over when I remembered your injury. How is that by the way? Healing nicely? We are not exactly as skilled as our sister in such matter so if there is any issue do tell”

“Oh it’s fine. You patched up most the wound anyways. All it really feels like now is a dull throb occasionally. It’s not bad though, like it doesn’t hurt often”

“This is a relief. We had a terrible experience when we were younger that we do not wish to relive yet, will say was less dire then your own and much less fortunate”

“Some sort of magic mistake?”

“Restoration magic is a fickle art. Think of it as a house of cards. The slightest mistake could send everything tumbling down after”

“Sounds intense”

“More anxious then anything”

“I’ll consider it one of the few blessing of not being able to control magic. I’ll never be expected to go and start playing doctor”

She giggles saying back, “Yes, playing more the antithetical”

“The what?” My confusion causes her to laugh even harder.

“Tis not important, please let us focus on finding the way”

“W-wha- LUNA! What does it mean!”

“Maybe thou could focus on expanding their vocabulary once we arrive, we are sure there are plenty of useful texts in the castle library”

“Who needs vocabulary…” I pout. “…overrated… stupid…”

Ignoring my quiet rant Luna takes caution to our surroundings, casting several spells as we walk. From the way they move away from her with blueish domes of energy’s I can only assume it’s some sort of scanning spell. Always reassuring to know a pony strong as Luna is courting me. She even stands close by checking with me every minute or so. I can’t help but feel truly immersed into this gender reversed world, the clear dependent in most situations. It’s kinda nice, emasculating but nice.

“If you keep this up Luna I’m not sure how I’m even going to be able to pay you back. I can’t really cook and you know I ain’t into dressing up. Anything you’d prefer from your stallion?”

“What is this about? I don’t quiet understand what it is you are getting at”

“You keeping me all safe and stuff while I play the fragile damsel. I get that in Equestria mares are the ones expected to provide but, that’s not exactly the same back on Earth”

“We would do this no matter the circumstance Joey and you know this. Tis only just that I protect us both given our abilities and thou’s… well lack thereof”

“Eesh, digging kinda deep there don’t ya think?”

She shrugs, “I don’t see you preforming proximity scans such as I at the moment, unless your magic is undetectable. Is it undetectable?”

“My magics…. ok it’s pretty ass I won’t lie. God definitely nerfed me”

“God? As in singular? Are humans monotheistic?”

“Not all but, I am at least… or was? I don’t know… I definitely haven’t done a good job at staying faithful. Maybe this is my punishment”

“Hm, an awfully vengeful god I take it?”

“All merciful actually”

“I sense a contradiction”

“Look I ain’t here to convert anypony I’m just stating what is told”

“Is this god present? Have you seen or met him before?”

I laugh, “Ha, yeah right. Dude lives on belief. It’s like the core concept of his existence I guess. I don’t know, I really shouldn’t be the one teaching you this, I kinda suck at all knowledge”

“That is not true, you showed some resilience with economic policy”

“Never worked a job in the actual field though. My opinions are as good as anyponies”

“Thou are being dismissive. You are capable enough to work in our treasury, we are sure of this”

“Just as sure as you are with your princess capabilities?”

Flatting her ears but not turning around I can tell she’s slightly bothered by the comment. “Can we not speak about me?”

“Well I worry. You’re kinda going through it right now and-“

She stops right in her tracks, “We do not wish to talk about us right now nor do we wish to rehash this issue!” her raised voice causes a silence. “We… please, let us move on from this conversation”

“…okay”

Worried over her strange outburst I decide to not question it and move. She’d been awfully moody since moving in and I couldn’t put my finger on why. Surely there was an underlying issue going on but, she wasn’t willing to spill it just yet. Either way, if it really were important I’m sure she would tell me. It’s probably just that time of the month or something… if ponies even have that. Anyways, getting back to the present, there wasn’t much said after scary Luna yelled at me for a while.

It wasn’t like I couldn’t find a way to pass time beside talking so I take in the elements instead. With the Everfree, the most notable takeaway would be the consistent lack of sunlight peeking through. Shaded and dingy, it was swamp like throughout. A dense jungle of thorns and dead trees, left a undesirable stench too so once our walk started to show signs of change it was clear we were getting close. Luna broke our long drawn out silence.

“When we approach the clearing stay close. The castle remains across a large ravine, I wouldn’t want you falling in”

Replying doesn’t feel necessary or at least in the moment it doesn’t. Her little outburst sorta ruined any playfulness I once had. Instead I find comfort in daydreaming, thinking about ways I could help her feel confident in her abilities.

“Nothing to remark? Joey? Are you okay?”

“Sorry. I was just thinking”

“No there’s… *sigh* I must apologize for earlier. There was no need for us to yell, we let our emotions take control”

“Lu I ain’t gonna get on you cause ya told me off. You made it clear you don’t want to talk about it so I won’t bring it up again”

“Well it is clear you are bothered by something and it is easy to believe it is our doing” I go to speak but she raises a hoof, “I was wrong in what I did and thou should not let our prudent behavior change what you can and cannot say to us” with a look around to catch her drifting thoughts she delivers her point. “We will talk about it, I assure you but, I need time”

“That’s fine. Look I won’t bring it up again unless you say you’re ready”

“No you miss the… ugh!” With a stomp she walks away, farther into the opening.

“Luna wait!”

When I catch up she’s already made it to the edge of the ravine. The fall well over a hundred feet, down into a comically dark pit. You could only faintly see the rocky bottom, a small creek making it’s way down the center.

Looking up the one way across is a rickety wooden bridge, something you’d see out of a Indiana Jones movie or a crash bandicoot level. (You know the one)

“This is one of the many entrances however, the most convenient for where we approach. Although the bridge might appear unstable I can assure you it will bare your weight”

“Luna I understood what you said, I didn’t-“

“Joey it would be best if we dropped the subject all together yes?” The stare she gives indicates clear ass whipping if I disagree.

“Yep, completely agree, let’s cross some bridges shall we?”

With a pleased smile she turns forward and starts making her way across.

Placing my first step carefully the wood creaks loudly against the strain. Looking to see the planks condition I peer right through the gap between the steps near my feet, down to the bottom below. I tighten my grip on the rope railing immediately, holding on for dear life.

“Luna did I mention I can’t do heights?”

“Joey it is a mere bridge, not more than 50 steps. Surely thou can…” stopping, she takes notice how little ground I’d covered behind her and promptly face hooves. “Do we need to carry you over with our magic?”

I’m quick to respond, “N-no no no! No magic please… I’ll just… I’ll suck it up and… fuck this sucks! Who builds a castle next to a ravine?!”

“Nature provided protection” Luna reply’s as if the answer were obvious. “If circumstance provides an opportunity to not worry over all sides, then who would be wiser then the one taking the free advantage?”

I struggle with each step failing to look away from the fall.

“Ever heard of tectonic plates? Earthquake away from the whole damn place falling in!”

Now across Luna sits admiring my struggle, “Over a thousand years and it still remains does it not?”

I take a second to look over at the castle. Sure enough, still standing yet badly weathered.

“What’s left of it at least”

“From what I can tell, Celly must have moved on from reconstruction after our fight and focused to moving into Canterlot. Most of those wounds are from ourself”

Finally I make it across and join her in inspecting the damage. It’s rough alright, at some points holes large as 10 feet wide with plant life taking over the free real estate.

“Pretty smart investment making those holes in the ceiling. It’ll save a ton of money with the free light coming in and we haven’t even started talking about heating. How’d you make those anyway? Magic?”

“Our sister struck us through and the same goes the other way. It was a slight disagreement”

“Yeah?”

“We were foolish, nothing more needs to be said”

We both lay on the grass, the mood indicative of a pause. I could tell she needed a moment before we headed in to gather her resolve.

“Do you ever wonder what might’ve happened if you won that night?”

Taking a deep breath she thinks about her next words carefully, “Had we won… had I won” but she pauses unable to continue.

“Don’t like thinking about it? Actually you know what, don’t answer, that was insensitive of me”

She shakes her head in disagreement, continuing anyway, “No it is important you know how I feel now. I am… very glad I failed. The image we had in mind, our future, it was unsustainable. Most plant life would die off within a year from the lack of sunlight and Equestria would likely suffer a deadly proceeding winter”

“Wouldn’t give a little sun here or there just to maintain stuff?”

“No, most certainly not. We would have been too stubborn. Willing to die off if it meant keeping our sisters precious sun from the sky. They worshipped her and I despised it enough to destroy everything” looking to me with deep sadness and question, she places a hoof on her chest. “What horrible pony would go that far other then us?”

Reaching over and squeezing her hoof, I pull her into a hug.

“J-Joey… we… we would take it back if we could, I swear! Every argument, every insult. To this day our dreams are haunted with our success, an Equestria without sun. An ironic fate for one capable of curing others nightmares, unable to quell her own” It’s then she gets quiet and with a faint whisper I hear her say it, “I am beginning to think it might have been better if we never cursed this land with our presence”

I pull her to face me immediately, “Do not say that!”

“We have played our part, why should I have to stay and suffer? To play the domesticated villain, a living symbol of harmony. Ugh it makes me feel ill”

“Luna nopony is saying you have to do anything. Ask your sister I know she’ll agree”

“She would say or do anything if it meant keeping us from embarrassing her on the world stage. A leader could not be seen so unfit as I, surely she knows this too”

“That’s not how she thinks and you know that. What’s really bothering you? Is this about being princess?”

Her voice comes hoarse, defeated, “We can’t beat it”

While I was proud of her finally using a contraction it came at a steep price. I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t a therapist. I couldn’t relate. And To be honest, I was scared.

“Luna… everything will be fine. You have to trust me”

Resting her muzzle into my shoulder she mumbles, “There is nopony we trust more but, we do not have the strength to continue. I am tired”

“Would you keep going for me? For your sister? I need you Luna, she needs you”

“For that reason we breath still, you should know that much but, understand when I say it has become difficult to care”

“You’re just worrying too much that’s all, you just need some time off. Time off to clear your head”

“Our break cannot last forever. There will come a time where we are needed again”

“Then cross that bridge when you get to it but, right now enjoy the free time you have. You can’t keep worrying about work even when you’re not on duty, you have to give yourself a mental break as well”

“… we wish to return to your home. The energy has left us”

“W-wh.. Luna no, we already came all this way and I know this’ll do you good to get over”

“This is not about our past Joey! I do not want to continue! Save for another day, for now I have lost the will”

“I really think you should-“

“Thou only wishes for us to go for thy own gain!”

It stings to hear such an accusation but, I brush it off. She’s hurting, and needs any help I can give. She doesn’t really mean it, I know she doesn’t.

“You know what? Fuck Quantum Matter. Fuck my illness, fuck finding a cure. I don’t care anymore if we don’t find anything, I just want you to feel better about yourself and if that means facing your past by going back in there then I say you should give it a fucking shot. You know I’m saying this because I care so don’t brush it off with some weak insult like that unless you meant it”

With ears flat against her head she sheds a single tear before slumping down into a puddle of her former self. I catch her a moment before hitting the ground hugging her close again.

“We have been a terrible… miserable pony” I have to stop her from hitting herself with a hoof, only noticing after hearing the first few thumps. “Your princess, a pathetic display is she not?”

With a kiss to her forehead she slips out a few choked sobs before I pull her face to meet mine, the tears freshly spilled matting her fur.

“Do you still want to go back?” Unable to meet my eyes with her own, she shakes no. “Okay… just tell me when you feel good enough to continue”

Sitting up, Luna lay her head on my lap, eyes closed resting for the moment. I brush a few fingers through her mane, occasionally scratching behind her ears, truly letting the moment soak in. It’s quiet, and peaceful. The only disturbance a gentle breeze flowing across the dry grass.

With a castle backdrop to the equine beauty in my lap, I find it easy to settle my once panicked heart back down.

“Its refreshing to find someone broken like me. Not that I feel glad your hurting but, this whole world since I arrived felt like a innocent paradise where worries went away for most. It wasn’t until I started meeting new ponies and actually getting to know them that I realized I wasn’t special. I just pretended my issues were the worst, that nopony could possibly have it as bad as me. To find somepony who understands my pain is… oddly comforting. I can know I’m not alone”

“Why tell me this?” She doesn’t bother to look up, enjoying her small scratch session instead.

“Truthfully? I don’t know. Just felt like telling you that”

“I figured it was to tell us every pony has their own miseries”

“Nah… just felt like talking. Take it however, you want to”

Luna doesn’t bother to reply instead settling for a huff.

It’s easy to let time pass once things simmer down, the elements of my surrounding taking hold over my senses. Luna’s gentle breathing along with her added warmth make it easy to relax.

Ponies are kinda like cats when I think about it. Somehow always making you tired from their cuddles. Soon I become relaxed enough to where falling asleep here in the grass seems like a great idea.

Resting on my back I close my eyes taking in the feeling. It’s nice to have these opportunities to enjoy nature. Maybe back on Earth I needed breaks like this to think about my worries, maybe things would’ve been different, less stressful.

I don’t have much time to reflect however, Luna taking this moment to get up. Stretching herself like a cat she only proves my earlier theory even more.

“We do believe it is time we should head in”

“Feeling okay?”

“Neigh but, this will have to do”

“Sorry”

“Do not apologize, you were right. I should have returned here much sooner” now facing me with apprehension she weakly smiles, “Best we hurry before the day gets away from us”

“I’ll follow your lead”

Approaching our entrance to the castle, a small archway leads into the darkened interior. Stray beams of light squeak through cracks allowing some visual however, the overall presence of the inside is dark. I think dead would be the most fitting word. Not a sound made.

Luna’s loud clopping echo bleed life into the room, a thin layer of dust kicking up seen only in the light. I was surprised at the complete lack of disturbance after all these years.

“You’d figure some rats or something would move in here you know? Given all the time that’s passed? I don’t see even a single dead bird or anything”

“Maybe there is something keeping them from entering although I do not sense any magical presence”

A shout rings out deeper from within the castle, female and followed by another. Shocked a little from the sound I look back to Luna.

“No magical presence whatsoever?”

“Well there is a feint source but, every living creature possesses some magic Joey. If I did not consider that then there would always be presence”

“Maybe it’s a ghost”

“Do not be silly, spectral beings can only be called upon through the works of a necromancer and we do not recall another capable of such other then I”

“You know necromancy?”

“I think a greater question would be how do you know about necromancy. Have we not had this discussion?”

“I think I’d remember something like you raising the dead Lu”

“We never raised the dead… only… dabbled a little. That’s all”

I cross my arms, “Dabbled?”

“Do you doubt us?”

“No… no… I just know now that if I die my body is probably not safe”

“So easily rattled” she laughs. “You have my word I will not reanimate your corpse”

“You can really do that? Bring a corpse back to life?”

“Heavens no! Could you imagine what our sister would think of us if she found out? Like I stated before, we only dabbled”

“So you mainly used it for the morgue or whatever then right?”

She nodded. “Precisely”

“That’s reassuring at least”

Standing there for a moment she’s the first to break the ice.

“Shouldn’t we start looking into whoever made that noise now?”

“Yo, you used another contraction!”

“Let us rephrase, should we hit you first then investigate or..?”

“We should probably figure out what’s going on”

I start walking in the direction of the screams fast as possible, avoiding any potential Luna backlash.

With a castle of this age and it’s lack of maintenance, it’s not surprising to travel down several abandoned halls littered with debris. Pillars toppled over, ceilings caved in, it felt like a walking death trap. Speaking of which, as I led our small party, I nearly stepped upon a hidden pressure plate disguised beneath a rug before Luna took the liberty of tackling me to the side.

“Goodness! Thou nearly lost their head! Do you not watch where you step?”

“What are you taking about? Why’d you just tackle me?”

Pulling the rug with her magic she revealed a small foot stone sticking up from the floor, slightly higher then any surround stone.

“This castle is ridden with traps! We thought thou already knew seeing how you avoided all this far”

“I did?”

Shaking her head she helped pick me back up while taking the front, “Sometimes I wonder how you have made it this far”

“Maybe my special talent really is luck” I say with a laugh.

“That is becoming a more and more plausible explanation by the day. Anyway, follow close and step exactly where I step”

Taking her advice I stay close behind, watching every step nervously.

After a bit of more walking we eventually reach the main throne room. I only assume that given the large chairs near the far end and a massive banner hanging behind them. On it’s one end a sun, the other, a moon. I’m so taken away by the absolute size of the tapestry that I don’t even notice Luna’s mood change.

“This is amazing! Look at all this shit still intact! Sure most the ceilings blown out but, I can easily tell what this place used to look like”

“Tis very familiar…”

When I look over she’s stepped away, admiring a fallen flag of their former rule. Almost symbolic, the moon half lay tore and missing while the sun still remained, damaged but intact. She rubbed a hoof over the image as if to feel for it’s warmth.

“You okay?”

Snapping away from the cloth in her hand, she turns back to the rest of the room.

“It appears our intruders have moved on” Taking a few more steps forward she heads over to a small pink object on the floor, lifting it with magic. “And it appears also we know one of the culprits”

Tossing the object over to me I catch it giving it a quick look. A small saddlebag, pink in color with a few stitched on butterflies. With closer inspection they feel awfully familiar

“How can you tell the intruder from just a bag? Some sort of magic hoopla?”

“No you doof, it’s the same cutie mark as your friend Fluttershy! Did you seriously not notice that?” Her laughter bellows throughout the room.

“Her cut-, I don’t stare at pony asses all day remembering cutie marks. It’s much easier to know a pony by their face!”

“So you never admired our flank?” She asked with a swish of her tail.

“I feel like I lose with this answer either way”

“By all means, take time with your answer. We would love to hear it”

Luna even takes the time to sit down on the floor, watching me squirm to think of a witty comeback.

*dunnnnuhnnnnnuuuuuuu dunnn dunnn dunnnnnnnnnn*

“What the fuck was that?”

Startled by the loud musical noise I physically leap back just enough to bump into the nearby wall. To my surprise, the added weight shifts a gear behind the surface, shaking the now rotating wall and pinning me against it.

“Joey!”

Luna’s voice is cut off and the sudden spin throws me to the floor at its abrupt stop. I was on the other side, alone in some cutout of a hallway.

“A fucking trap wall?! Why does this castle have so many traps? How was this place ever considered safe enough to stay in?!”

“Joey? That you?”

I’d know that farm voice from anywhere.

“Applejack?”

Peeking around the corner, her brown stetson kinda gave away her presence before she did. “What in tarnation are you doin here?”

“I should be asking you the same thing!”

“No I mean both here in the castle and here as in like… here. I just ran down this here hallway and you sure as sugar weren’t standing there before unless… have you been scaring me an Dash all day?”

“Huh? No… I just got here a few minutes ago with Luna. We were looking for the morgue before well… before we got separated”

“Darn, guess we’re two peas in a pod cause I just lost Dash!”

“Hardships make the best friends”

“Where’d ya hear that?”

“Made it up. Let’s hope it holds true”

She doesn’t seem to enthused by my cheeky smile followed after. “Guess we should stick together and look for Dash an Luna. You got any idea where we are?”

Long dark hallway, long dark hallway, brooding dark armor room

“Not a clue” I shrug. “How about we follow my lucky intuition and gooooo this way!” With a cautious trudge I start making my way down the direction Applejack came from.

“So what you hopin to find in the morgue? A old relative or… actually never mind that don’t make sense”

I chuckle a little at her mistake, “We were hoping to find a clue about my illness. It’s a long story so I’ll leave it at that. Why are you and Dash here and where’s Pinkie? I thought Pinkie was supposed to be your score keeper or something”

“Oh she left a while ago. Said she needed to help ring the school bell. As fer me an Dash, we thought headin in here would help break our tie breaker for most darin pony but you can see how well that’s gone”

“That blows. Who you think is winning so far?”

“Gotta be me. I ain’t ever heard her shout before like she did when this big suit a armor fell. I can tell, she’s ready to call it quits”

“What about you? Feeling spooked?”

“Definitely not cool as a cucumber but, I’ll manage”

I take the opportunity to poke her on the opposite shoulder using my height advantage. The strange sensation causes her to jump and lose her hat.

“Wooahhh!” Picking back up she angrily glares and my now laughing self. “Now why’d you go and do that for!?”

“To see if you were telling the truth”

“Okay! Well I wasn’t. Happy? Geez… scared a mare half to death”

“It wasn’t a full lie, you just gave me a half truth”

“Bout to give you half a hoof if you do that again and how come you ain’t afraid? You’re always the first one to start worrying, specially in places like this”

“Probably cause I was with scary Luna and felt safe but, now… nah I still feel kinda safe. You’re a tough mare, you’ll protect me”

Smiling she gives me a pat on the back (much harder then normal I might add), “Yer darn right I will!”

Wondering aimlessly, Applejack and myself eventually find our way back to a large main room however, this one comes without the thrones. Ceilings still a mess but, a second floor stretched along the outer rim, lined with bookshelf’s.

“Been here before?”

“Yeah! Me an Dash walked in here when we first arrived!”

“Nice! So what should we do now? Stay here and wait for the others or keep looking around?”

Lost in decision AJ pulled off her hat scratching her head. I took the pause as a chance to look around a little more and headed up to the second level. Scanning the titles of each book it took only a second to give up, unable to distinguish the old Poneish from English language.

“Aj you don’t happen to know how to read old Poneish do you?”

“Old who what now?”

“Figures…”

Walking around to the far side a set of peculiar looking doors catch my eye. Regal in their detail, a feint sound from within is what truly draws my curiosity.

I leaned over the railing whispering loudly, “AJ! Get up here! I think somepony else is here!”

“Why ya whisperin? It’s probably princess Luna or Dash”

“And what if it’s another trap? Like a fancy wind thingy that sounds like ponies talking to lure you in?”

Trotting past me to the door she laughs, “Ha, your always so paranoid ya know that?” And without hesitation she rips them open revealing…

“Applejack?”

“Spike? Twilight?”

“Twilight and Spike are here?”

“Joey?!” They both say in unison.

“Meeeee?”

“Applejack, Joey. What are you two doing here? And what’s with all the screaming I’ve been hearing all day? I’ve been trying to read the journey of the two sisters without any distractions but, between Spikes loud muttering and the strange noises outside, I can’t seem to read anything!” Spike muttered a light sorry stepping out of the conversation.

“Dash and I were trying to find out who’s the most darin pony and we just so happen to be nearby so we thought why not make a bet on who gets too scared and leaves the castle first. Speakin of which, either you two see Rainbow Dash while you’ve been here?” They both shake their head. “Darn!”

“I was here with Luna but, we kinda got separated. Castles pretty much a walking death trap so why are you two here?”

“I’m glad you asked!” She excitedly hopped up from her pile of pillows. “You see, me and Spike were looking into any clues on that weird chest that popped up near the tree of harmony but, nothing in the golden oaks library had any history on it. Thankfully, I still knew about Celestia’s old castle so I thought maybe there’d be something here about it and what do you know, presto! Spike found this book!”

Hovering it over to me to observe, the title was illegible. “Twilight I can’t read old Poneish”

“Then want me to read it for you? We can read together! It’ll be so fun I mean isn’t it exciting to wonder what might be written inside? I mean this book hasn’t been read in over a thousand years!”

“Tempting but I’ll pass. I was just wondering where the morgue was. Have any idea?”

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Catching us all off guard, a scream comes from awfully close by. We all rush out to find the culprit only to be gifted with a few other screams as well and a hilarious sight.

A screaming flying Rainbow bouncing from pillar to pillar, a desperate looking Fluttershy attempting to lift a large boulder, and a crying Rarity draped under a large tapestry of the two sisters. Then just when it can’t get any weirder, Luna came walking from the opposite entrance clearing trapped in a daze, tripping over Rarity in the process.

“EVERYPONY STOP!” And at once they did, coated with the translucent purple glow of Twilights magic.

“Must… help… ANGEL!”

Who’s angel? Do I know an angel? I know Chris Angel… probably not him

“Everypony tell me what’s going on, one at a time”

Walking past the others I head over to Luna picking her up while Dash defends her lunacy to the others.

“You okay? What happened while I was gone?”

“We realized the value of your presence”

With a squeeze of her hoof I lift her the rest of the way to her feet. “Want to talk about when we find the morgue?”

“Distinguish thy fears, they were but passing thoughts. I will be fine, now that I am with you”

“Awww that’s cute” She scrounges her face up at my choice of words. “What? It was cute!”

Twilights voice interrupts our private conversation drawing us all back together, “So wait, who’s been playing the organ this whole time?”

“The organ?” It’s then my brain catches up remembering the strange musical noise from earlier. “Oh I remember hearing that. Me and Luna got separated when it went off”

“Same with me and Applejack!”

“And it happened when poor Fluttershy and I got separated as well. The whole wall went and spun around taking her with it!”

“Huh, I just figured one of you was playing it. That begs the question, who’s the other pony in the equation?”

“It’s the shadow pony!”

Chattering his teeth in fear Spike dove behind Twilight, “T-the s-shadow p-pony?”

“Yeah! Me and AJ saw him playing earlier! He’s all black like a shadow”

Not buying the whole shadow pony bit, Luna scoffs. “There is no such thing as a shadow pony and we shall prove it. Follow us, to the organ room!”

Grouped up now, we all wandered behind the confident moon mare while a few of us still remained rattled. Mainly Spike and Shy if we’re being honest. Not very long after our get together are we upon the pony of question and sure enough as Rainbow said, an individual shrouded in black. Getting close it was clear it was no shadow pony though, just a pony in a cloak. They played violently into the keys of their instrument as it yelled back in response. It’s body stood tall up to the ceiling, nearly twenty feet in height. Such booming sounds vibrated my whole body from the proximity.

Then stopping suddenly the pony removed their hood and spun around to reveal…

“Hiya girls!”

“Pinkie?!” Almost everypony yelled together.

Landing directly next to Pinkie, Dash poked her on the chest, “You’re the shadow pony? What are you even doing here?! I thought you were ringing the school bell?”

“And I did! Except for some reason they said they didn’t need my help anymore. I only rang it for ten minutes straight! Eh, who cares, anyway I saw everypony heading inside so I thought it would be fun to come in as well!” Cheerfully she stood there with tongue exposed.

“Huh… can’t believe I was scared of Pinkie Pie this whole time”

“Guess that makes me the most darin pony then huh?”

“You were just as scared as I was!”

“I was-…. okay maybe I was”

“Then that means we still got a tieeeeeee!” Pinkie shouted leaping onto my shoulders.

Everypony went there separate ways, most heading back to the same room Twilight was in while Luna and I continued to descend deeper into the bowels of the castle. I asked Pinkie if she wanted to join but, she felt like it would be wrong not to judge the tiebreaker now that she had time so here we were again, just the two of us.

Lighting a few of the torches left behind for years passed, our stairwell downward was without railing. The steep rectangular shaped path continued deeper and deeper into the abysmal darkness below, only slightly alit from torches above and Luna’s blue magic glow. Moving close and pinned against the wall, I shuffled my way down with her keeping up as best I can.

“How far down does this go?! This had to have been nearly ten floors by now!”

“Thou needs to also remember our castle stood atop a large cliff. Remember the ravine below?”

“Does this go farther down then the ravine?”

“Actually the bottom floor is level with it. There is even a hidden exit entering the ravine for emergency” intrigued by the little history lesson I let out a little ‘hm’. “Do not fret however, we have just reached the bottom!”

When I look over the stairs edge her words show truth, there really was a bottom.

“Thank god”

“No time to be thanking just yet. We still need to find our mystery pony”

At the bottom, there wasn’t much to show. A large wooden door with a peek hole and the stairs leading back up. Luna, taking action, summoned a pair of magical keys unlocking the door with a click.

“Come, there is not much further we must go”

Her pace quickens up and I try to get a glance at her face to see how she’s hanging in there. Almost intentionally she avoids all opportunities, hurrying down the now lengthy hallway we travel. It’s not like I needed to see her face to know but, I didn’t want to be annoying. She made it clear already she was uncomfortable.

“Ready to ditch this place already? You’re nearly sprinting”

“I wish to get out” she stated flatly. “But, we have promised you our cooperation… AND before thou tells us we can leave let it be know any information we might find here requires MY magic”

She beat me to the punch.

“Alright, okay. Just worried about you is all”

“And that is perfectly fine. Understand though, I do not wish to leave empty hoofed especially after earlier”

“That’s fair enough but, I have to make something clear. If helping me from this point on hurts you or in anyway makes you uncomfortable, then I’d rather you didn’t”

“Joey this is a matter of your life. Do not concern-“

“Luna I will not let you hurt yourself!” My shout freezes us both. An echo solidifies the words in stone shaking some of the debris loose. “You matter Luna, you-“

“What does-?“

“I’m trying to tell you that you’re not useless if you can’t help me! I know you wont tell yourself that but, why does that matter? I need you, and I know I need you so if your worried about whether or not you matter, understand that I fucking love you Lu and you matter to me”

I close the gap between us giving a kiss to her forehead. Her eyes dart away unsure how to answer.

“W-we… we love you as well. Sorry for…”

“I don’t need your apology Lu. Just make it up to me by being a part of my life”

In that moment perhaps in my imagination, a star like twinkle shined briefly on the surface of her eyes, similar to the reflection of a teal pool displaying the moon lit sky above. With a return nuzzle and a light sigh she gives the gentlest kiss upon my cheek.

Pained even in smiling, her appreciation bled through her voice, “I shall never leave your side”

Filled with a longing for connection, we embraced. My own lips broke into a smile and we spent the next minute or so like this until Luna pulled away.

“We will refrain from anymore self deprecation from this point on… at least until we return home”

Chuckling at her half promise I give a boop to her nose, “Good luck doing any of that when we get back cause I sure as hell ain’t allowing it”

“Whatever could thou do to stop us?”

“I mean I couldn’t really stop you from thinking any of that stuff but, I could stop you from saying it out loud”

“With what? Magic? Pfft, please Joey, there is-“

With a direct kiss I stop her dead from continuing, the touch immediately sidetracking her brain to the now more important mission. At least til she remembered what was just said. With a smack of our lips we separated and Luna pressed a hoof to my chest preventing another assault.

“Unfair!”

“Totally fair! You have the same power as me!”

“T-tis-! Dah! We will discuss this later. For now, follow close. Our destination is but a few paces more”

Moving down the single hallway, we passed several more previously used tunnels, most of which collapsed. Second thoughts aren’t hard to start, specially after seeing the ceiling caved in for one of the very same tunnels you currently travel.

“Luna are you sure this is safe to be down here?”

“Most certainly not but, we will not dally long”

“You know I kinda wished you lied right there”

“And what good would that do? We would either die and it be meaningless to worry over or we are fine and it meaningless to worry over”

“I don’t think that’s how it works”

“Works, perks, I just wish to get out of here as soon as possible”

Coming across a dead end, there remained but a large wooden door held together by several metal plates strapping across its width. Revealing another key Luna worked away at the rusted lock.

“Sorry for.. for making you come”

“It was our decision to help”

“Yeah but, I kinda coerced you into coming in here though”

Opening the door she turns to me and smirks.“Then be sure to pay me back”

“Tons of cuddles?”

“You could do more”

“Greedy much?”

“Says the one unwilling to give more”

“Kisses and cuddles?”

“Warmer…”

“Ah jeez… Luna we can’t just… I mean. It feels kinda awkward with Pinkie still…”

“Under the same roof?” I nod. “Joey Pinkie and I are both perfectly aware of what might occur within a herd. I am sure she will understand when the situation comes to it. Surely you and Pinkie have preformed intercourse before during my own stay have you not?” The awkward shuffle and neck scratch answers for her. “What?!”

“I don’t know! It felt.. weird to do it while you were in the house. There just hasn’t been the right opportunity!” I scramble to answer, blushing feverishly.

“We never realized we have caused such anguish! For tonight perhaps we should stay with another. This way-“

“Luna you can’t just set up a fuck date with me and Pinkie”

“I don’t see why not but, this is an argument for another time. Welcome to our morgue”

Morgue was a poor word. Tomb? Yes, much more fitting. Fitted along the walls, multiple craved out holes held various large stone containers. Although similar in design each had a small inscription at the base written in that stupid scribble language only Luna and Twilight seem to know. Likely the name, cause, or time of death if I had to guess. Probably all of them together if the ponies of the past were any smart.

Down the room I looked and the wall of caskets seemingly never ended. Only with the light of the many torches deep within was I able to see how far the walls stretched.

Luna was already fast at work scanning over the many tombs for our mystery pony. It wasn’t until she reached halfway down the lighted part of the room that she stopped, maybe some twenty down.

“It is here” her voice held steady.

“Quantum Matter?”

“Yes. Death of self inflected wound influenced by causes unknown”

“Influenced by causes unknown?”

“Suicide was relatively a new concept at the time Joey”

“What an innocent world that must’ve been”

“With war causalities piling up every every twenty or so years I would be inclined to disagree but, when referencing mental health? Yes, things were more predictable”

Now standing in front of our possible lead I can’t help get a little anxious. Could this be a breakthrough? Could my illness be be solved another way? However, standing around thinking about the possibilities wouldn’t get me anywhere. We needed to see what rest within.

“With a little bit of magic… we can reverse the seal aaaand… there!” An audible crunch shook the casket and it’s stone top shifted.

With a lift Luna pulled it from the wall, placing it to the floor. Pushing the lid off as well, it’s loud gravely scrapping gave the impression of its weight.

“Jeez that has to weigh almost a ton”

“Then be gracious for our magic” she huffs.

Slipping the lid off to the side we shuffle over taking a peek inside. It’s much too dark to see so with a light of her horn Luna shines upon our prize.

Gazing down the remains from head to toe a slow chill begins to make its way down my spine. A skeleton. A human skeleton. The shock alone sends me stumbling back some. Holding my head I can’t grasp how this could be possible. Was it a prank?

“Luna that wasn’t funny” Only her face matches mine, horror.

With a slow turn she can only shake her head no. “This… this cannot be…”

“He was a pony Lu! A fucking pony I remember what the journal said!”

“There has never been another human before we are sure…. does sister know of this?”

I have to walk back over to look again still not believing the sight. Sure enough the blue illumination from Luna’s horn confirmed my fear.

“Luna this doesn’t make sense, he was a pony I remember the journal. He said he hated his body and wanted to be different did he not? His unicorn body”

“Then perhaps… he wished to change back”

I aggressively point toward the coffin, “But the journal said he failed so why is there a human skeleton in there!”

“We do not know Joey! This is a lot to take in!”

“Has there been other humans besides him? What the fuck is going on?!?”

“Joey, Joey listen to me. You need to settle down”

My heart raced fast enough to hurt my neck so I sat atop the side of the coffin, slowing my breathing best I can. Resting a hoof on my shoulder she continued to examine the remains, her magical glow coating the inside.

“Was he even a bad pony?”

“Hm? Who? Quantum?”

Meeting her gaze I can’t help feel conflicted. Everything I knew about my sickness now in question. “If he just wanted to be human again… I don’t know what to think. He fell into the same situation as me only not in his body… he’s just a victim”

“He performed illegal trials of magic and caused the death of thousands”

“Thousands?”

“Joey there is not a pony to this day who does not carry the genetic mutation he caused. We have checked. Countless upon countless of trials all resulting with the same conclusion. Even I an alicorn carry the gene”

“You could catch this?”

“We already have it. Our magic immunities keep it dormant much like the elements and other princesses. Although I was born before Quantum meaning exposure is our likely cause”

“From working in the morgue?”

“Perhaps. T’was all so long ago… I couldn’t be sure”

Looking down to the hands on my lap I’m left in a state of shock still.

“We can’t tell anypony about this”

Confused she stops her investigation, “We must tell Celly at least”

“Luna if word gets out that this guy could’ve been human then my hopes of living peaceful in Equestria are done. Two humans who ever lived here, two untreatable contagious sicknesses? They’ll know I’m a threat”

“Joey there are few who even know about this gene. It is unlikely anypony will even care or even know the significance of this if they do find out”

“It only takes one pony Lu, one to spread the message”

“Thou were simply a victim! You did not help in creating your condition! Ponies will understand that much I guarantee”

“What if he didn’t create it either though? What if he already had the same thing I did and his experiment just released it? We might have already been carriers before we even came to Equestria… there’s probably no cure”

“The reports stated-“

“They didn’t know until after he was dead! It was all assumptions!”

“We are trying to help! Why must you assume the worst?”

“Because everything is going that way is it not? Celestia thinks it can be cured with self love but, is there any evidence backing that up?”

“It… she had admitted to us it was all theory”

Truly lost emotionally I have to get out. Quantum’s remains now were a strong reminder of my hopelessness, a foreshadowing. I could almost puke.

“Joey? Joey where are you going?”

“Home”

“B-but.. wait! There.. there could be something we have missed still. Stay until-“

By then I couldn’t make out what she was saying having covered enough distance back down the hall to drown her words into echoing bellows. My mind a fog.

I need to go home

I kept repeating that. Over, and over again. Anything to keep my thoughts from wondering. Soon the stone walls of the castle became thick jungle. I was so distracted in fact, that Pinkie had begun walking with me worried with my lack of responses. Whether it was the tone of her voice or the familiarity of it, my body reacted with awareness snapping back to reality.

“Do you feel sick? Is it the poops? Joey please you’re scaring me”

“Pinkie… I’m scared”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay and… one day I might not have the strength anymore to keep going. I need you to promise me-“ I stop, squatting down to meet her. “-promise me you won’t let me give up no matter how bad I feel, no matter how much I beg. Can you do that for me?”.

Confused and still stressed over my sudden request, she can’t deny a plea for help like what I have delivered. In a quick burst she’s hugged to my chest sitting me flat on my bottom.

“Of course” however when she goes to pull away and perform her Pinkie promise I stop her with another hug.

“You don’t have to do that. I trust your word enough”

“Is there anything I can do? Anything to make you feel better?”

“Yeah. Stay with me”

Nodding a few tears roll down her face. “N-n-not a p-problem”

I worried her to tears.

Eventually Luna had found us walking again and joined us in our way back home. Still in disguise I could tell she was worried sick about everything that had happened. This poor mare who’s already overwhelmed with her own problems was now trying to help carry mine. I was spoiled.

“Pinkie may I ask of you a favor?” She lowers her voice bringing the two of them over to the side. Their conversation is too quiet to hear.

When they separate Luna is quick to face me, “I must have a word with our sister. Please understand our absence for the time being”

“It’s totally fine, I get it. You go tell Celly what happened”

“Thank you” with a swish of her tail and the light of her horn a large poof of smoke forms where she once stood.

Letting out a large sigh Pinkie takes it as a queue to cheer things up. “Wanna hear who won the most daring pony?”

Everything in my body screams to sulk but can tell what she’s doing. I play along, “I’ll take a guess and say it was Aj”

“Huh? Why you say that?”

“Cause she’s more tough bred ya know? Farm girl doing hard labor, probably doesn’t believe superstitions. Sure she can get frightened like any other pony but, I think she’s braver than any other pony”

“Braver than Dash?! She’s like a hero! Remember when she saved us during the hot air balloon crash or when she tried fighting that scary bug mare by herself at the wedding? Actually scratch that last part, you didn’t see that hehe… unless you did. You didn’t see that did you? Did you?!?”

I have to pull her and her magnifying glass off me just to focus, “Hey easy pink, I’ll tell you my reason. It’s cause I think Rainbows more girly then she lets on”

“But I thought you said she was gay?”

A chuckle at first, slowing building over time all the way up to the point where my laughter bellows throughout the Everfree scattering any birds from surrounding trees. It’s one of those laughs that keeps going, all the way up to the point your stomach hurts. Somewhere along the line Pinkie had joined in laughing too. Wiping a tear from my eye I pick Pinkie up and hoist her up into a piggyback ride. She’s much heavier then I expect but, I wouldn’t dare say so aloud.

“No.. heheh, no she’s not gay. Oh my god that’s hilarious you thought that”

Blushing she tickles my ear with overhanging bang, “I didn’t actually think that! I know she likes stallions! She even told me who she likes”

“What?! Who? Details pink, I need to know”

“Nope, no can do buster. I made a promise”

Welp that info is dead in the water

“Shucks”

“So why you think she couldn’t have won?”

She kicks her legs slightly as I hold them so I shuffle some to readjust, “I already said. Cause she’s more girly.. marely. Is that a word?”

Gasping she pokes the top of my head, “Joey! I didn’t know you were a mareonizer. You think cause a pony is a mare they can’t be daring?”

“What? I didn’t say that”

She gasps again, “What?! You think it’s okay to throw your mare around when she doesn’t listen?”

“Okay now I know you’re just messing with me”

“Unbelievable Joey. How could I have ever fallen in love with you?”

“Cause I’m handsome as fuck?” Giggling she playfully bites my ear.

“I got a fun idea”

“Yeah?”

“Since Luna’s out the house tonight how about you and me do the sheets dance”

“Sheets dance?” I laugh.

“Don’t make me say the actually word! It’s grody!”

“Just pretend to be Twilight. ‘Would you ascertain in some coitus’?”

We share another laugh all the way up to the point where the Everfree ends. The sun peeks over the horizon and Fluttershy’s cottage happens to be right over the nearby hill.

“So I wasn’t the only one uncomfortable with doing it while Lunas staying over?”

“Duh. Even though she’s one of my super best friends, she’s still my princess too! I’ll get over it eventually, don’t you worry”

“Guess that would be a little awkward huh. Hey wait, is that Spike in Fluttershys cottage?”

A flash of purple and green crosses by the window followed by a yellow and pink pony. Still too far away I can’t really tell what’s going on.

“Probably. Why’s that such a big deal? Everypony started leaving the castle when you and Luna went off together, I’m sure they just got there”

“I don’t mean to be nosy but, I think I set those two up to court each other”

“Whaaaaaat? How’d you do that? They’re courting?”

“Maybe… I don’t actually know yet but, they might be”

Still kinda peeking around as we pass I try not to hover longer then we need to. “Oh! I never told you who won the most daring pony!”

“Who was it?”

“It was a tie! Isn’t that awesome?”

“For friendship purposes? Yeah. Entertainment? No”

“Ah but, everypony wins this way! I think it’s the best outcome. They were both so deserving, I couldn’t decide”

“Guess that’s what happens when you have a biased judge”

“The best result!” She yells confidently.

“Heh, yep. Perfect sound strategy. Nothing could possibly go wrong with a biased judge”

“Yup!”

Pinkies energy is almost radioactive. I can practically feel her pulsating against my back.

“You’re just ready to explode aren’t ya?”

“More like make you explode! It’s been forever since we last got all sweaty and sticky together. Let’s not forget about bath time after! Eeeee! I am so excited!”

Chuckling I reach back to ruffle her already messy mane, “How I missed your pervy ass”

Finally reaching my house I had completely forgotten why I was bummed out in the first place, the rest of the night passing like a blur. It wasn’t until morning that everything came rushing back.

Laying in bed with the light sneaking through the curtains I pulled Pinkie deeper into me. A raging headache already thumping away in my skull.

“I need a distraction”

Author's Note

I never realized I’ve been writing this for over a year… and some of you I recognize from early on. Never thought I’d get this far from day one. Never thought I’d keep writing but here we are.

Don’t normally do this but, ima pat myself on the back cause fuck yeah! We still going and some of you still going with me! Fuckin love y’all and I want to take second to say thank you to a few of the familiar faces.

Gambling_Sam, former Cinnamon Toast Crunch profile photo man. You’ve been here since day one always leaving a comment every chapter and I can’t explain how much I appreciate that.

Fictionfan100, another long time reader and frequent commenter. Always appreciate your feedback and im pretty sure you were one of the ones who wanted Luna as our love interest so I hope my story has been pleasant recently

Tsaukpaetra, you took the time in one of the more delicate chapters to tell a personal experience from your life that I felt was both generous and very thoughtful. I can’t ever thank you enough for that

Crsh11, nobody has ever made me laugh harder then you commenting “YES!” And nothing else on the first clop chapter. Not sure if your still reading but, If you are im glad

SgtAwesome97, at one point I believe you told me I was a good author or something similar and it stuck with me for a while. I had never had such a comment before so reading it literally made my night. Such a small thing really helped me feel like I was doing something right and build my confidence

Sergey_Lukin, I know for a fact you took the time to discuss with me a specific scene I wrote and even went as far as saying “you are awesome, author, for real”. Sometimes I have these random spurts where no matter how things are going in my life good or bad I can’t help but feel lifeless. Like going on is a waste a time and that I’ll be alone til I die. I was under one of those spells when I read your comment and I want you to know it really touched my heart at a time where I needed it. Thank you

Thank you to anyone else I didn’t outright mention as well. There are others but, I don’t wish to drag on. Leave a comment if you feel bummed I didn’t mention you and I’ll let you know how much I remember ya. Trust me you’d be surprised because like I said before, y’all matter. Y’all matter to me