A Medicine Cat among Ponies

*Twilight's POV (still)*

“…Okay.” I sighed.

I noticed a ribbon around my right foreleg, so I started pulling it to get it off.

“Oh jeez! We can’t give in!” I realized.

Kurama spoke "And since the damn ribbons are fireproof, we're so SCREWED!"

But then an idea hit me. "Kurama, we need to express ourselves to Matatabi!"

Kurama asks "How?!?"

"You know how they did it and given that we're at the Midnight Stage." I pointed out.

Kurama spoke "I'm not much of a singer or dancer but I will try!"

Kurama and I started singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkPO-5JBYIo as clear as we could so we could get through to Matatabi.

After we finished, the ribbons disintegrated as Matatabi started calming down.

Matatabi groans "Oh my aching head!"

Kurama asks "Mata! You okay?"

The two tailed cat groans "Aside from a sudden breeding urge... I'm fine..."

I spoke "Shit..."

*Applejack's POV*

Looks like Twirama finally calmed down. "Guys... I'm sorry for really losing it like that."

I spoke "No need ta apologize Other Twilight, we couldn't help ya out in that situation though."

Anywho, we turned back to Sumomo as Ah talked ta her. "Well, in any case, Sumomo, yer darn tootin' right about that. It ain't bad to make folks happy, but it ain't right ta lie to yerself while doin' it. So just live up to their expectations yer way."

Sumomo spoke "Awright! My mind's made up! First thing when I get back, I'm gonna talk t'the agency! Maybe I ain't that cute, and maybe I'm a runt, but I'll shore find somethin' I'm better at than anybody! Then, when I'm ready, I'll start showin' folks who I really am... so they'll eventually like the entire me!"

Twirama chuckles "My youngest son may be an oddball, I wouldn't want him any other way."

I nodded at that with a smile.

Karei spoke "I think that’s great. But, um… the agency might have a tough time figuring out how to promote you."

Sumomo spoke "Whaaaa!? Karrie, senpai, ain’t you gonna help me out? You gotta do somethin’ like come on a show with me, together! Pleeaaase!"

Karei gasps "Wahh, Sumomo! You got your snot on my outfit! C-Come on, you’re ditching a little too much cuteness! You’re still an idol! A-And why are you still calling me that when you don’t have to be all cutesy anymore!?"

Some of us couldn’t help but laugh, glad at how good friends they’re bein’.

Twirama spoke "ugh, I feel sick again..."

But then a door suddenly appeared.

Karei asks "Wh-What is this...!?"

Sunao spoke "It seems to be a door. I can't be certain where it leads to, though."

Karei spoke "Hold on, I'll check... Persona!"

Karei summoned Himiko as she scanned the door.

Karei spoke "Hmmm, looks safe inside. I'm not sensing any Shadows behind the door-Hey, wait a second... This is the door to our studio's dressing room!"

Sunao spoke "At Takura Productions? It does seem vaguely familiar..."

Karei spoke "It's definitely it! I'm sure of it. I've been through this door more times than I can count!"

Kanji spoke "Well, how 'bout we go in? Beats just standin' around talkin' about it."

We agreed before heading inside as it was big enough for all of us.

Sunao spoke "It does seem safe here... I detect no signs of an ambush, either."

Karei asks "It is a bit different, but yeah... This is our agency's dressing room. How in the world could it be here, though...?"

Teddie spoke "Hrmm? I don't hear that spooky song in here."

Kanji spoke "...The hell is this place? Feels like a totally different world than outside..."

Kochuu spoke "Either of it's a coincidence or this having a reason, I don't think any of us knows."

Twirama spoke "It's like a safe zone or something."

Sumomo suddenly walked ahead of us, finding somethin’ like a paper with writing. “Wh-Wh-What in tarnation is this…!? Something’s written here, an’ it’s downright creepy…”

Karei: It looks like… some kind of note. What’s this doing here?

Sunao approached the note and started reading it. “”I know what I want my songs to express, but everything important will go unsung. It’s my fault; she has done nothing wrong. But she takes all the blame for me… I can’t stand it any longer…” What is this…? It feels like a diary entry of some sort.”

Kanji asks "I dunno… Dude wants to say somethin’, but can’t? And everybody’s baggin’ on some girl but she’s actually coverin’ up for the dude… Guess he feels bad about it. *Notices our surprised expressions at him* …Uh? Wh-What gives…?"

Sunao spoke "Kanji-kun is… using deduction…"

Kanji asks "Huh!?"

Teddie spoke "It’s amazing how creatures grow: I never thought I’d see the day Kanji would use his brain… I can bearly contain myself… *Sniff* I’m so happy for you, Kanji…"

We couldn’t help but smile, happy that Kanji was actually trying to think.

Kanji asks "*Embarrassed blush* What the hell do ya mean by that!?"

Twirama spoke "What the dumbass bear is trying to say is that you're not as stupid as a certain pain in the tail hyena I know."

A voice asks "Ugh, what a racket. Even in a place like this, you’re squabbling and fighting like children in a playground? *Sigh* Honestly, can’t you be more civilized?"

We saw someone come in, revealed to be…

Sumomo spoke "Ah… M-Ms. Ochimizu…!"

Karei asks "Huh!? W-Wait… really…!?"

Ah couldn’t believe it, Ms. Ochimizu just walkin’ in?

Kanji asks "H-Huh? But, didn’t you get snatched up by that ribbon stuff…?"

Ochimizu spoke "That’s correct. It was, well… surreal, to say the least. But when I came to, I was lying on the ground. So I walked here as I assessed the situation."

Kochuu asks "Hold on, walked here!? Didn’t you encounter any Shad-*Ahem* suspicious characters on the way!?"

Ochimizu asks "Yes, I did. But they didn’t do anything. They just vanished into thin air the moment they saw me. I was surprised at first, but… if that’s how they are, then there’s not much point dwelling on it, is there?"

Teddie asks "Whuh-How they are!? Th-That’s it!?"

Twirama groans "I'm gonna kill Matatabi for this..."

Sunao asks "*Ahem!* ...Um, excuse me, but... Despite the odd situation, you don't seem terribly surprised. Why is that?"

Ochimizu asks "It's a waste of time and energy. Standing around in shock won't accomplish anything, will it?"

Karei spoke "That is... true, but..."

Ochimizu asks "I'm not as inflexible as you'd think. Taking everything into account, it's fairly obvious that something supernatural is going on here. But as of now, I doubt that my actions will bring about any positive change. So why even panic? You, on the other hand, look to have far more experience in this field than I do. You instantly reacted to the situation when Kanami was about to be dragged in... I'm assuming you've come here yo save Sumomo and the others?"

Kanji spoke "Well, uh... yeah."

Ochimizu spoke "Then you have my gratitude. Thank you. At the very least, Sumomo is safe thanks to you."

Ochimizu bowing in gratitude so low like that is kinda scary.

Karei spoke "Wha-M-Ms. Ochimizu!? Please, stop that, I mean, we only...!"

Ochimizu spoke "You only what? Only did what was natural? Then it's only natural for me to thank you, as well."

Aaaaand she's back.

Kanji spoke "Tch, what's wrong with you? Can't tell if you're really grateful or not..."

Ochimizu asks "You have an opinion on the matter?"

Kanji spoke "No, dammit! Ugh, you're a major pain in the ass, you know that!? Just... get on with the conversation already!"

Sunao spoke "So, Ms. Ochimizu, why are you here? You seem like a rational being; I'd think you came to us for a reason."

Ochimizu spoke "As a matter of fact, yes. I'll get right to the point: If you're going ahead, leave Sumomo here. You clearly aren't fazed by incidents like these, but it's not anything Sumomo and I are used to. If we were to stick together, you would have to constantly worry about Sumomo. I need you to save all four of the girls. Any potential unnecessary issues should be avoided to ensure success. Moreover... Sumomo doesn't appear to have the energy to go with you."

Now that we looked at Sumomo, she did look pale.

Teddie asks "Whoa! Momo-chan, you look pale! A-A-Are you alright?

Sumomo spoke "Y-Yeah... I just got a... pretty fierce dizzy spell..."

Parasoul spoke "Sumomo clearly isn't able to travel. And it doesn't matter if she stays or goes with us, she needs to rest."

Karei spoke "Yeah... you're right. I don't sense any Shadows around here, so it's probably safer to stay in this room than go anywhere. And I gotta admit... if we all move on, I don't think we can handle the Shadows while protecting Sumomo."

Teddie asks "B-B-But... is it really okay to leave Momo-chan here all by herself?"

Sunao spoke "He's right. Sumomo-san would feel anxious if she were left here alone."

Ochimizu spoke "Alone? No, I'll stay with her. Did you forget? The mob outside won't attack me. And even in case they do, two of us will have a higher chance of survival than just her alone."

Makes sense, honestly.

Karei spoke "Okay, but please... don't do anything risky. You should be safe as long as you stay quiet in this room."

Ochimizu asks "Understood. Did you hear her, Sumomo?"

Sumomo spoke "Yes, ma'am...!"

Ochimizu spoke "Go whenever you're ready. I wish you luck."

Karei asks "Alright guys, let me contact Senpai before we leave. I wanna see how they're doing. It'll only take a moment, so everybody take a breather, okay?"

Karei distanced herself as she summoned Himiko before communicating with the other group.

Kanji asks "Hey, I still don't have a handle on her, but... ya think that Ochimizu changeling ain't as bad as we thought?"

Sunao spoke "Kanji-kun, she's still in earshot...!"

Ochimizu didn't listen as she looked at the note.

Twirama whispers "Something about her is rubbing my fur the wrong way..."

Twilight spoke "Well, you heard Karei, other me. We need to rest up while we can before heading out."

Twirama asks "When did you get here Warrior-verse Twilight?"

Twilight spoke "*Deadpan* I was with you the whole time."

Twirama spoke "You nearly gave me a freaking heart attack when you spoke up, I had NO idea you were there!"

She didn’t notice? The rest o’ us knew she was with our group.

Twirama's left ear twitches.

Twirama asks "Do any of you hear a piano?"

None of us heard any piano.

End