Rift in Ponyville

by xnaturalblue

Rating: teen
Tags: Violence, Princess Celestia, Death, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Dark, Alternate Universe, Romance, Thriller
Length: 56698

The princesses have been gone for years, plunging Ponyville into eternal night. Fire Bolt and her friends take a stand against the evil that has seeped into every corner of Equestria.

In the years following the aftermath of the mysterious disappearances and presumed deaths of Equestria's beloved princesses, the worlds of thousands of ponies are crumbling. Eternal nightfall has taken over Equestria and clocks have frozen everywhere. Who will stand for order? Fire Bolt and her friends mobilize against the darkness that threatens all of Equestria.

A fan-work with both comic pages and visual scenes in most chapters that takes place after G4: Friendship is Magic. Many locations and some characters belong to Hasbro.

[Some artistic renditions of scenes contain blood and many chapters depict violent or gorey scenes. Updated weekly at minimum.]

Published 2023-06-11 01:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-03-15 01:59:24 UTC

2

Author's Note

quick heads up! there's some drawn gore in this chapter, not super realistic but i just wanted to let everyone know.

2

Ancient texts spoke of a potion that would reveal ponies on other planes, such as the afterlife, and with access to her school’s forbidden texts, she began to study the magic.

Day and night, she studied, and

studied,

and

studied…

Fire Bolt was frozen. She couldn’t move in the slightest. The horror that washed over her confirmed something that she could no longer deny through gritted teeth – she was still holding onto hope that everything would go back to normal. Nothing would be normal again without Equestria’s ruler of the past several millennia. Somehow almost more unnerving was her body's response to the news before she'd received it.

“Dead?” She turned slowly, facing Sonar Moonshadow’s pale expression. “How did she die? Does anypony know what happened?” Bolt blurted out, panic rising in her throat. "Everypony could just be saying that. You know that paper isn't reliable."

“I don’t know if I believe it, but apparently it looks like something… mauled her?” The rise in tone at the end of his voice didn’t sound like a question, but rather an optimistic assumption of dismissal. “I don’t know how anything would have caught her off guard or overpowered her, though. It’s all fishy.”

"Who reported this?" Fire Bolt was now sitting on their shared couch too, her mind racing through millions of thoughts per second. “Where even was she? What about the other princesses?”

“Royal Guard, apparently. In the Everfree Forest. Tangled up in some thorns. A lot of, uhh…” Moonshadow paused to swallow loudly. “A lot of blood and stuff around her throat. Apparently, the stallions who found her fainted on sight, but that just sounds like journalism to me.” Confusion struck Bolt, overpowering the terror.

“Wait, she was nearby? And none of the other princesses have shown up?” Sonar Moonshadow shook his head. “That’s… that is bizarre.” Her head was swimming as she struggled to articulate an appropriate response.

Bolt could remember the day the Nightfall began like it was fresh, and no matter how distressing it was, she couldn’t afford to let the memory slip.

It was reaching noon. The sun beamed brightly overhead, casting its happy golden glow upon Ponyville. It was a perfect day, filled with the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and the joyful laughter of ponies.

Bolt had embraced the day with unbridled enthusiasm, performing elegant aerial acrobatics high above the town. She weaved between fluffy white clouds, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she picked up more and more speed, training to reach higher altitudes. The sky was always her comfort zone, and she cut across it with her graceful maneuvers and wide wingspan for her own peace, and secretly, for the earth ponies and unicorns below.

Descending from the clouds to take several deep breaths, Fire Bolt landed in a soft meadow, the gentle grass tickling her rough hooves. She basked in the sunlight, closing her eyes and relishing the warmth on her coat. The cheerful songs of birds serenaded her, adding to the symphony of nature that Bolt felt like she could just swim in. She could almost fall asleep at that moment, completely lulled by the sounds of wildlife and the warm blanket of sunlight tucking her into the plush grass and exhausted from her flight.

After a few moments of indulging in the sensation, Fire Bolt took to the skies once more to fight off the temptation of sleep, racing alongside her fellow pegasi once she reached flight level once again. Their laughter filled the air, echoing through the blue expanse as a pair of teenage pegasi raced around each other. The town below bustled with activity, ponies going about their daily tasks with a usual spring in their step.

But then, as if nature itself had paused, a strange darkness began to descend. The vibrant blue sky transformed into an inky blackness, and the once radiant sun had simply vanished from sight. It didn’t set gently into the horizon like Princess Celestia usually allowed it, rather it seemed to fizzle from sight in a blurry retire, and the moon started to slowly emerge from its usual resting spot. Fire Bolt's heart skipped a beat as confusion shrouded the land, but she tried to keep from panicking. The suddenness of the change left her and the other ponies in stunned silence.

Gone was the warmth and radiance, replaced by an eerie stillness and silence broken only by the flapping of wings, which soon quieted as well. The colorful hues of Ponyville dimmed, making way for shadows that danced and clawed at where sunlight had just touched. Bolt's orange mane stood on end as a sense of foreboding settled upon her, and not a word was spoken as far as she could hear. It made her feel sick.

Driven by confusion, her wings flapped harder, carrying her higher into the darkened sky, desperately searching for answers that she wouldn’t find by staring at the atmosphere. The stars, usually reserved for the night, glimmered brightly against the black canvas above. They blinked at her sadly as if the universe itself mourned the loss of the sun.

Fire Bolt's thoughts raced, trying to comprehend the sudden shift from day to night. What had caused this… unnatural phenomenon? What had extinguished the sun's warm embrace that she had just been bathing in? Determined not to succumb to fear, she landed back in Ponyville, her hooves thudding against the cobblestone streets roughly. Ponies that hadn’t been soaking in the sunny day just moments before emerged from their homes, their faces etched with worry and confusion and their murmurs falling silent at the sight.

She didn’t even realize that she had subconsciously landed next to Sapphire Swirl, her half-sibling, who was distracting and making the younger ponies laugh with an anxious fervor that was only detectable to Bolt. Sap shared a look with Bolt, a light sheen of sweat on their pale green forehead, just below their purple semi-mohawk of a mane. The expression was burned into Bolt’s mind.

It took a full day of darkness and hushed rumors of Celestia falling ill and Luna taking over for the newspony to reach Ponyville, only to report that all three princesses, when approached out of confusion from the phenomenon, were entirely gone. Not a trace was found anywhere in any of the castles, no packed bags, splatters of blood, missing valuables… nothing.

Nopony knew who deemed the neverending night as the Nightfall, but it caught on quickly, and every day Ponyville became more and more timid.

Fire Bolt snapped out of her memory, focusing on the words Moonshadow was stuttering on. “I don’t know if I should believe the newspony. Something feels… bad. Like, in my stomach, it- it feels scary and… and dark. I think I’m sensing something but I don’t know what the hell it is.”

She tilted her head. “You can sense something with the Nightfall?”

“No, not quite, it’s like… it’s like I can feel who it is, but they’re far away, and I know them. I’m not feeling Celestia, I know it. But something… ugh, I can’t explain it, nevermind. But I don’t like it.” Sonar Moonshadow was beyond special, and Fire Bolt believed every word out of his mouth. She trusted his judgment, and if his senses were detecting something bad, then she knew that she should be worried, too.

“I’m going to get Sap over here. We need to make sure everyone is safe, especially if there’s somepony mauling princesses. You know they live alone, and I'm sure they're freaked out.” She started, hopping off the couch and heading towards the door once that she had just entered.

“Wait, wait!” Sonar followed her to the door. “If there’s a ponykiller out there, I need to go with you!”

“I appreciate it, Moonbeam, but they’re just a few streets down. I wanted to fly it anyways, and I was just out there a minute ago.” Bolt leaned up on the tips of her hooves to press a kiss to his cheek before turning to kick the wooden door open with a bit more force than she'd meant to.

He stared at her for a long moment, his lips pressed into a firm line as he realized that flight would indeed be quicker, and usually safer. He also knew that he wasn't changing her mind at this point. “Be safe, okay?” His unseeing eyes were filled with anxiety, and she couldn’t do anything but keep that promise.

“I always am.” Fire Bolt shut the door behind her gently and entered the darkness once again, her heart beating with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. Something felt amiss in the air, an unsettling breath in the wind that lingered like a shadow. Nothing had been quite right since the sun fell, but something in the atmosphere was now… wrong. Ignoring her unease for the sake of getting back inside quickly, she spread her wings and took flight once again, the wind hissing through her tangled mane.

As Bolt glided through the skies of Ponyville, her keen eyes scanned the desolate streets below. The already scarce street population was now looking like zero, and a complete silence had overtaken every street she peered at from above, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional hushed whispers of the wind. Something told her that everypony was in hiding.

Descending towards a cobblestone alley she knew to be only a short few steps from Sapphire Swirl’s cottage, Bolt's hooves clicked against the ground softly. She cautiously tiptoed forward, her senses on high alert. Something is incredibly wrong, she thought, as the smell of iron and decay lingered in the air, mingling with the faint scent of fear. Unsure if her nerves were lying to her senses, she pushed forward.

In the dim light that filtered through the towering buildings, Fire Bolt's eyes widened with horror as she turned a corner and stumbled upon a gruesome sight. A young-looking teal pony lay sprawled across the ground, his body battered and mangled. Deep claw marks marred his once vibrant coat, now stained a deep red, his open eyes vacant and lifeless as the streetlamp that shone on him like a mocking spotlight.

Fear clenched Fire Bolt's heart, but a strange and uncharacteristic determination burned within her beating chest. She knelt beside the fallen pony, studying the gruesome wounds, ignoring the animalistic instincts that were screaming at her to move. It was painfully clear that something dark and sinister had befallen him, as the marks didn’t look like those of a griffon or a bear. Who or what could have wrought such violence upon such an innocent soul? She realized as her stomach sank that whatever killed Princess Celestia was likely now in Ponyville.

A cold breeze brushed against Fire Bolt's coat as if it was whispering the secrets of the death into the night. Her normal instincts finally kicked in and she spread her wings, ready to take flight and race home with bile rising in her throat quickly. But that weirdly fierce sense of persistence overcame her fear once again; she couldn't turn her back on this tragedy, not when the safety of Ponyville was at stake and children wouldn’t be spared. A small wretch clawed its way past her throat at the smell of blood, and she suddenly noticed hot tears streaming down her face and into the fur of her chest. It now made sense why everypony was inside: they all felt that weird warning in the air that she felt when she stepped outside, but it seemed that she was the only one who stupidly ignored it. Well, herself and the young colt at her hooves, and that realization drew a new sense of petrified horror down her spine. She was next.

Tearing her eyes from the youngling, she covered his body with a stray newspaper out of respect for a temporary solution and forced herself to race on foot to Sap’s cottage.

...until she finally reached the other side.

3

…And the potion worked. It summoned a wise spirit of the afterlife, who advised her to add a strand of her mane to the potion in order to see her parents.

…And, she believed him.

Fire Bolt's hooves pounded against the stones of the path as she sprinted towards Sapphire Swirl's cottage. Panic welled up inside her, urging her to run harder and reach her sibling’s home as quickly as possible, still too shaky to spread her wings and glide the rest of the way. The weight of the young colt's lifeless body haunted her thoughts, fueling her determination to uncover the truth behind this horrifying ordeal. Nopony had died yet. Not one. In three years, not a single Ponyville resident had been killed or passed from natural causes, let alone a colt. The injustice of the situation made Bolt feel even more choked up, realizing there would be parents needing to bury their young colt. Something despicable in its own right.

As she approached the quaint, paint-splattered cottage, Bolt noticed a peculiar stillness in the air that she had previously ignored out of what she thought was bravery. Now, she felt that it was just ignorance, and she wanted to kick herself for endangering her life. Even the air seemed heavy with an unnatural silence, devoid of the usual sounds of nature. The usual vibrant flowers that adorned the garden had withered, their petals wilted and lifeless, and the stench of even more rotted life made her take a few steps back and turn to vomit in the dirt, coughing and hacking grossly as her lunch forced its way from her throat. She wiped her mouth off with disgust, hoping that nopony saw her. Pushing open the old creaking gate that Sap always swore to fix, Fire Bolt hurried to the front door and pounded on it with an open hoof. "Sapphire! Sapphire, it's Bolt! Please, open up, come on!" She called out with what was meant to be urgency, but it sounded more like a cry, and it was jarring to hear her own voice laced with absolute terror.

Not even moments later, the door whipped open, revealing Sapphire Swirl's concerned face. The normally cheerful and eccentric pony looked weary, their vibrant mane disheveled with a look of pure anxiety replacing their usual cool and neutral appearance. "Boltie, what happened? Why are you in such a panic?" They hissed out in a whisper, their voice filled with a mix of confusion and concern.

Fire Bolt's eyes shone with tears again as she struggled to catch her breath, choking on her gasps. "Sapphire, something terrible has happened.” Her voice cracked as she tried to force the images out of her mind of a young child with open, lifeless eyes. “I found a young- a young, he was just a baby colt... he was... he was... torn to shreds! We have to do something! Ponyville is in danger! Right now!” She stomped her hoof in emphasis.

Sapphire's eyes widened in shock with each word, their vibrant magenta and orange eyes reflecting their horror of the situation. Without a moment's hesitation, they motioned for Fire Bolt to enter the cottage immediately. Inside, the air felt heavy with an unsettling aura, almost matching the ominous atmosphere that had fallen over Ponyville, but not quite.

Their personal items had been strewn across the living room. It wasn’t too out of the ordinary, but it looked like several weeks of various trinkets had piled up beyond the point of damage control, and Sap meekly motioned for Bolt to come further inside so they could slam the door shut and lock it. After lighting a small oil lamp, the two ponies settled in the study to talk in comfort.

“How did you even get here? Don’t you feel that… that thing?” Sapphire looked worse than they did just a few moments earlier, now fully in a state of panic and terror as their voice shook.

Bolt’s confusion must have been evident on her face as she stared silently and when Sap opened their mouth to continue, she finally spoke up. “I felt something weird when I left the cottage, but it’s nothing but a little anxiety! I mean, I stupidly thought so.”

“No, look! Everypony went inside at the same time. We all could feel… something is looking at us. It’s seeing us. It’s watching.” Sapphire sounded frantic, just on edge of crazy, but nothing could truly be seen as crazy anymore. “Now tell me exactly what you saw.”

She took a few more deep breaths, looking around the room to gather her scattered thoughts. “I got home a few minutes ago. Sonar told me the news.” Sapphire grimaced, looking the other way, and Bolt took that as a confirmation that her sibling knew what she was talking about. “I thought it would be best to get you home, to my house, just so we could stay together, in case we-” Bolt hiccuped suddenly, realizing that she needed several more moments to calm down before continuing. “I flew most of the way but started to walk from Daisy Street, but I looked down, and there’s just…” She broke into a sob, feeling pathetic as Sapphire soothingly pushed her mane from her face. “He’s got these huge claw marks all over his body. It’s just… there’s blood everywhere! It’s horrible!”

Bolt and Sap sat in stunned silence as she sniffled and tried to pull herself together. The two were barely comforted by the dimly lit study, their expressions a mix of grief, gut-wrenching sorrow, and fear. The weight of the recent discoveries hung heavy in the air as they simply stared at each other, hoping that the other would be able to magically make sense of the tragic events that had just unfolded.

Swirl's voice trembled as they broke the silence, their eyes searching Fire Bolt's for reassurance with painful desperation. "We can’t ignore the patterns, Boltie. The way both Princess Celestia and the colt were… killed… we can’t pretend it’s a coincidence just because it feels safer."

“Something that could kill the most powerful alicorn in Equestria is in Ponyville. Around average ponies. And it’s proven that it won’t stop at princesses.” Fire Bolt agreed, and Sapphire nodded with rising concern. “Or children.”

“Let me get you something to eat, okay? I, erm, I heard you throwing up outside. I don’t want you to pass out, too.” Sapphire stood and trotted to the kitchen, ignoring Fire Bolt’s full-body cringe as they passed her. Bolt sat trembling for a moment, listening to the shuffling and clattering coming from the cabinets before it slowly drowned out into a low hum and she started to sweat. Her sight started to get obscured by static as her blood rushed from her head to her beating chest – Bolt was going into shock.

It felt like hours, but only moments passed before her sibling pressed a cold rag to her forehead, shaking her lightly. “Hmm? Hmm?” Was all she could hear, and her blurred vision made her squint until it hurt.

“Wh… huh?” She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Boltie? Bolt, can you hear me?” Their words were intelligible now. “You need to breathe with me, okay? Take some breaths, ready?” Sapphire took in a lungful of air with their hoof on Fire Bolt’s chest, guiding her to do the same until her fuzzy vision clarified. “You’re okay, you’re fine, just keep breathing, alright?” She nodded, taking a sip when a cool glass of water was guided to her mouth.

“Thanks, I’m fine. Just… not enough food in my stomach before seeing a body, I guess. I’m good now,” Bolt said before the panic of realizing that Sonar was home alone settled in. “Fuck, we have to go!” She stood up too fast, her hooves failing her as she sat back down again.

“I know we do, alright? Just eat these crackers, and I’ll pack my saddle bags. You’ll be okay, just breathe.” Sapphire stood after placing a hoofful of the salty snack into her lap, which she gratefully took and started to nibble on. Only a few minutes passed before she felt more than okay, her nerves jittering as she trembled with the need to move.

“Do you feel alright going out there?” Fire Bolt asked, feeling like it was a stupid question.

“We’re sitting ducks in the middle of town. If you could ignore the Nightfall, so can I. I think I’ll die if I don’t.” Bolt tried to ignore the fact that she solemnly agreed. Sapphire was already almost done packing their bags, reaching for a wooden spear, a water jug, and some first aid supplies.

Bolt blew out the oil lamp, and they both faced the door for a moment before Sapphire huffed out a breath and kicked the door open with a hoof.

4

Reading further would have told her that this was not a wise soul, but instead a deceptive spirit. Or, that using her own mane strands was a bad idea.

The walk back was easier than both of them had expected. The disgusting sensation of having eyes on them at all times had started to fizzle out once the two of them started walking, and Sap was terrified of the sight they were about to see.

When Fire Bolt rounded the corner that made her skin crawl, however, the bloody newspaper that once covered the killed colt lay alone on the bricks, covering nothing but the dirt between each cobblestone. She froze for what felt like the fourth time in that hour, a strange sense of relief filling her body. Yes, she should be worried about the whereabouts of the colt, especially if he was still alive and seeking help, but at the same time, a sense of dread and illness that she didn’t even realize she’d been fighting so intensely had lifted a significant amount, almost as if his attacker had left and taken its prey along with it. “He was… under the paper. I covered him with the newspaper. He’s gone.”

Sap and Bolt stood in silence. It felt almost peaceful for a moment as the strong pull that felt magnetic, meant to bring them inside to safety once more, gradually disappeared. “Let’s get out of here while we can,” Sapphire said sternly, choosing to ignore the mystery. “I believe you, though.” The confirmation that Bolt didn’t know she was waiting for made her sigh in relief, and as they walked around the simplified gravesite as quickly as possible, a darkness seemed to radiate from the floor. A chill ran down her spine as she hopped away from it anxiously.

“I’m good to fly,” She said before her sibling could ask, who nodded and spread their wings.

They started to fly back to Bolt and Moonshadow’s cottage together, and Bolt couldn’t help but reminisce to pass the time as they glided through the sky.

The two young and adventurous pegasi soared through the sunny blue sky above Ponyville. Their vibrant manes and tails trailed behind them, carried by the wind as they joyfully darted and weaved through the fluffy white clouds. Their laughter echoed through the sky, carried away by the wind as they reveled in the freedom of flight. Sapphire sometimes felt bad for the earth and unicorn ponies, as they couldn’t experience the liberating exercise.

Fire Bolt led the way with confidence. Her wings beat with strength but also grace and elegance, matching the fiery spirit that burned within her. Sapphire Swirl, their coat a shimmering shade of lime green, followed right behind, their swift and agile movements mirroring the elegance of the sparkling gemstone for which they were named.

As teenagers, they shared a deep bond as both siblings and best friends. Together, they had embarked on countless adventures, exploring every corner of Equestria they could reach. From the tranquil meadows of Sweet Apple Acres to daring each other to take on the Everfree Forest, they continued to push each other to greatness.

Their wings carried them even higher into the sky, where they could feel the cool embrace of the upper winds and the thicker air of the higher altitude. They performed acrobatics in silent synchrony, twirling and spiraling without the need to cautiously avoid collision as a testament to the bond they shared. With each beat of their wings, they pushed the boundaries of their abilities, wordlessly challenging each other to daring feats of speed and agility. But amidst their playful rivalry, they always watched out for one another. If one veered too close to a cloud or faced any real danger, the other was there in an instant, their wings flapping like a protective embrace, ready to lend a helping hoof.

They certainly weren’t always this close. In fact, they didn’t even know each other for many years. See, Fire Bolt grew up with an older sister, a musical earth pony, and her two parents, her father being a long-retired Wonderbolt and her mother a nurse pony. Her older sister struggled with a long-time illness, treated by their mother, but used her musical talents to escape her sickly life. When she was a young teen, Bolt's father died suddenly from unknown circumstances, and her older sister succumbed to her illness not long after, leaving herself and her mother behind. She spent many years filled with anger, spending her time in solitude and pushing her limits to reach the top speeds her father had at her age under the assumption that it was genetic, constantly furious at the emotionally absent Wonderbolt for leaving her behind and taking her beloved sister with her.

Then, as a teenager, she’d run away from home to visit Ponyville, an escape that she never meant to be permanent, where she met Sapphire Swirl, a charismatic pegasus pony with an excitement for life that Bolt so deeply lacked. They related to each other over their two-toned eyes and love for humor, and eventually, Fire Bolt became herself for the first time and let a considerable amount of her anger go. When Bolt met Sapphire's family one day in Ponyville, she's suddenly struck with unease -- these ponies looked and sounded so similar to herself. She decided that this must be the case simply because she searches for family everywhere she goes, painfully alone, but as time went on, it was harder to ignore the similarities between Sapphire Swirl and herself.

They each had one orange eye - Bolt having one blue eye and Sapphire with a magenta - strikingly bright and exactly the same hue. Sapphire had always said that they felt a sibling-like bond with Bolt, but at the family event, she couldn’t feel further than at home. Homesick for a place that didn’t exist, she excused herself to Sap’s bedroom, discovering a photo that proved something both exciting and sickening – Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl shared a father. Struck with a new sense of anger for her father, Bolt and Sapphire grew closer than they thought possible, and from then on they were inseparable. Every sentence was finished by the other, and their true personalities shone through as remarkably compatible.

They continued to fly and perform trick after loop as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over their joyful flight. Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl knew that no matter where their wings took them, they would always find their way back to each other.

But that shining memory was gone now. They finally reached the cottage, which was nestled amidst a grove of tall trees, and a sense of slowly-familiarizing unease hung in the air. They landed softly on the front porch, their wings folding neatly against their sides.

Pushing open the door, they stepped into the comforting warmth of the cottage. The scent of Moonshadow's calming lavender candles filled the air, casting a soft, flickering glow on the wooden furniture. Fire Bolt wondered how long it took after she left for him to light them as she hung Sapphire’s saddlebags on the hook by the door. “Moonshine, I’m home! Sap is alright, but I need to tell you s–” She suddenly saw him when she turned.

Moonshadow sat at their round dinner table, his eyes closed in deep concentration, eyes darting back and forth under the lids. His green mane shimmered under the candlelight, and his horn emitted a faint red glow. As a gifted magic-wielder, Moonshadow possessed the ability to tap into visions and see glimpses of a realm beyond Equestria, a talent that had proven to be valuable for late-night conversations but never before to a real-world issue that she was aware of.

Sapphire Swirl's eyes widened as they watched Moonshadow, their voice hushed with anticipation. "Bolt, if he’s having a vision right now, maybe it has to do with what happened to the colt." They turned to their sister. “The timing is really strange.”

Fire Bolt nodded silently, her unbreaking gaze fixed on her partner. She had always admired his ability to delve into the mystical realm of visions, seeking guidance and unraveling secrets that had no bearing on their own world. As Moonshadow's eyes slowly opened, he focused his now-seeing gaze on the two of them.

"Fire Bolt. Sapphire Swirl." Moonshadow’s voice was a calm yet distant tone, and Bolt could tell from the inflection of his voice that he was speaking from another plane – if it was him speaking, that is. "There is a malevolent force at work here. There is one who seeks to bring chaos and despair. He has not been seen by Ponyville in centuries." Bolt didn’t react as Sapphire tapped their hooves anxiously. She figured as much and trusted her partner’s ability to safely convey this new information. “Wraithsong. Find her. Wraithsong. Wraithsong. Wraithsong.” He repeatedly droned before the faint magic illuminating his horn exploded into a blast of light, blinding everyone in the room temporarily before returning to his usual self, albeit a bit drowsy.

Bolt finally proceeded to his side, resting a comforting hoof on his shoulder. “Wraithsong? Who is that? Did you see her?” Sapphire asked, and Moonshadow squinted, thinking hard.

“I… I don’t know who I saw. I did see a book,” He swallowed, taking a shaky breath. “There’s a book in the Frozen North. We need to find it.”

“...Oh.” Sapphire had never witnessed a vision before. “Should we… rest up first?”

Sonar shook his head. “No time. I’ve got tea if you need the caffeine. Jasmine.” He rose from his seat, rushing to the kitchen to reheat the kettle.

“Wait, hold on, we can’t just leave already! I… there was a body out there!” Fire Bolt contested, but her partner didn’t slow down.

“Not surprised, I’m sure everypony’s taking care of it. We need to take care of this, though, I don’t think–”

“It’s a colt, I found him. Nopony’s taking care of it,” She interrupted him, and his expression softened as he approached her.

“Oh, Boltie… I’m so sorry.” Sonar pulled her into an embrace, and she almost started to cry again.

“But you’re… ugh, you’re right.” Bolt pulled away from the hug. “If your vision is guiding us out of Ponyville, it just means that something’s definitely still here.”

“We’ll get some tea, and we’ll get going. Sound good?” Sapphire offered, and Fire Bolt nodded, even though she hated tea.

Author's Note

edit: character photos (including sonar moonshadow!) are moved to chapter 1! please let me know how you're liking the story so far, im trying so hard not to jump straight to the action xD

5

Author's Note

no comic strip this chapter... but you'll see why soon ;)

sorry for the delay! i hope everyone's doing well!

5

The three ponies heard nothing but the sound of their hooves clopping against the smoothed pavement of Canterlot. It had been a long journey so far; walking to the city rather than taking the train was tiring, but the train hadn’t been in service in years now – the tracks littered with vines and overgrowth would take weeks to repair. But it seemed rewarding enough at this point, as they’d found Canterlot to be so empty that they could sleep in an abandoned shop to pass the time and recharge. By this point, however, they had rested up and continued their journey.

Finally, they began to approach the entrance of the Crystal Empire. The three of them sped up at the sight and eventually reached the castle, which looked to be crumbling from wear and lack of upkeep, with heavy hearts and lumps in their throats. “Should we go inside?” Sapphire finally broke the silence, asking what they were all thinking.

“I think there might be something inside that could help us,” Sonar stated confidently, and his motivation pushed all of them to keep moving.

Slowly, they started up the worn stairs, and Fire Bolt felt a heavy sadness that cut deeper than the numb facade she had put on for so long. Akin to depression, the emotion felt so much more oppressive in a place that was meant to be powered by the joy of many ponies. Now, she stood almost alone, immensely sad and missing the purpose that used to drive her. It made her sick.

Bolt eventually pushed open the two front doors, which creaked in pain with each inch. The hallway that was exposed looked absolutely decrepit, moonlight shining in from the broken walls and shattered stained glass. Cautiously, the three of them continued, Fire Bolt flying a foot or two above the ground in caution.

Everything in the hallway had a long shadow cast upon the stone wall behind it, making it difficult to actually pinpoint the exact source of the moonlight gleaming upon it.

At the end of the hallway, a vast portrait decorated the walls and ceiling, clearly having been painted by somepony following the fall of the Crystal Empire. The paint portrayed a pony with two horns sprouting from the sides of his head like an antelope’s, his ribs exposed and dark eyes peering upon the lonesome three. It almost seemed like his shadowed eyes followed their movements in the most sinister fashion, filling each of their souls with a creeping sense of dread.

When the Crystal Empire fell, it was a loss of hope for many across Equestria. The promises of protection from Cadance and Shining Armor through the power of both their own love as well as the feelings of joy from the Crystal Ponies themselves quickly faltered, as the Nightfall somehow seemed to penetrate the perfectly strong and unfaltering force field that protected the Crystal Empire. It confused everypony involved, as neither Cadance nor Shining Armor could sense the permeation of the Nightfall past their field. The panic caused a sense of instability amongst the Crystal Ponies and therefore the Crystal Heart, which eventually shattered in a fiery explosion of death and terror. However, no bodies had been recovered, as everypony seemed to just vanish, including the Princess and her guarding husband.

Regardless of their knowledge of this tragedy, the three of them pushed forward past the decorated doors into the heart of the castle, where the Crystal Heart was shattered into fragments scattered across the floor.

It was silent for a long moment. The heavy emotions of devastation crashed over everyone at the sight; it felt almost like looking at a mass grave – a mass grave that had never once been visited nor respected.

Suddenly, Sapphire and Sonar flew into action, gathering the pieces that they could find and eventually pushing them into a shape that looked almost proper – a single shard simply could not be located, but Sonar used his magic to fuse the puzzle pieces into a tattered remnant of the Crystal Heart anyways. The sound of a thumping heartbeat filled the room as the Heart pulsed with light, and a wave of relief and joy washed over the three ponies. “You feel that?” Fire Bolt inquired. “The Crystal Heart feels restored. It’s like… It’s like before Cadance left.”

The sentiment plunged the room into silence, the heartbeat fading into nothingness as Sapphire gulped loudly, generating the feeling that something was now very wrong. “It… I mean, it was like that. I think we awoke the Crystal Ponies again. You hear that? Maybe they can help us.”

Fire Bolt suddenly did notice the sound; she couldn’t decipher words but the murmurs of conversation sprung from beyond the walls of the castle amongst the clopping of many hooves. At this realization, all of them raced out of the room, down the hall, and back out the doors with a renewed passion, tears springing into Fire Bolt’s eyes with the realization that they could be a step closer to normal. What met them on the other side of those creaky doors, however, was a picture of terror.

The Crystal Ponies arose, alright, but it seemed they weren’t meant to be. Reanimated corpses of dozens of ponies littered the streets, moaning in what sounded like a pained pull from the throat, sparkling with a dark magic that didn’t look like it was supposed to be attached to such death.

A stallion mosied by the stairs of the castle, both eyes seeming to have been chewed out by mites, with a horrid limp and a groan that bounced around Fire Bolt’s head repeatedly. Burn wounds littered his body, the flesh and fur barely hanging onto the bone. “Oh, dear Celestia…” Sonar murmured. “We need to break that heart again.” Sapphire stifled a gag. The stench that had filled the streets was crushing; a foul scent of agony and death. The scent’s overpowering nature brought tears to all of their eyes, and Fire Bolt snapped out of her trance to run back inside to safety. Sonar slammed the doors shut behind the three of them, as although none of the reanimated ponies seemed to pose a threat so far, that could change at any moment – this was entirely uncharted territory.

After the doors slammed shut behind them, the heavy silence of the castle's interior enveloped the three of them once again, broken by the heavy panting of each petrified pony. The echoes of the reanimated ponies' moans were muffled through the strong walls of the castle, but the memory of the horrifying scene outside lingered in their minds.

Sonar leaned against the door heavily, his breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. "That was... I've never seen anything like that," he whispered, his voice tremulous. “I can’t even fucking see, and I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Fire Bolt felt herself crack a smile, and Sapphire burst out into adrenaline-fueled laughter. “What was it like for you? You know, sensing them?” Bolt asked over the fading remnants of Sapphire’s giggles, leaning back on the doors as well.

Sonar’s eyebrows furrowed, a twitching smile still tugging at his lips as he considered how to articulate the experience. “It’s like…” He licked his lips, taking a breath. “It’s like finding somepony where they’re not supposed to be. I don’t think I can describe what I was picking up from them, but there’s certainly a lot of ‘em.”

“You think this has anything to do with that, uhh… that missing piece? Like, maybe they did die in the explosion, but maybe they’d be able to like, rest peacefully or whatever with the Crystal Heart intact,” Sapphire suggested, stretching their legs and wings.

Sonar Moonshadow nodded, still clearly deep in thought. “That’s got to be part of it… It’s worth a shot. We’ve got to find that last piece of the Crystal Heart.”

6

For the next few hours, they slept in the castle in shifts of Sapphire and Bolt monitoring every entry point as well as doing some exploring in between. The murmurs of the risen ponies eventually became an almost peaceful drone for them to sleep through, though it was the guilt tugging inside of each of them that woke them before they could rest too peacefully. Each of them silently wondered if the risen Crystal Ponies were in pain; if they were suffering with each click of the hooves that roamed the outside of the castle.

After what Fire Bolt estimated to be a total of six hours, all three had seemed awake enough to start formulating an action plan. The first course of action was un-doing whatever they had done when they had fused the Heart – yes, finding the final piece was important for other reasons, but the priority was ensuring everypony’s safety to the best of their ability as well as not making things worse than they already were.

Nopony truly knew what shattered the Heart. Whether it was the angst and terror amongst the Crystal Ponies that made it combustible or if the Princess had shattered it herself to seal the town into an otherworldly state, Sonar Moonshadow had heard all kinds of theories in his search for common intellect over the past three years. That created the question of whether or not breaking it would even return these undead ponies to their mysterious graves, or if the broken Heart even had anything to do with this bizarre phenomenon.

“I think we at least have to try it,” Sapphire piped up as Sonar and Bolt deliberated this struggle. “I don’t know what further damage we could do. It’s the only logical first step here.”

“Well, let’s not underestimate ourselves,” Sonar replied, now further considering rebreaking the Heart as opposed to his previous stance of just pushing forward to the Frozen North. “We can always make things worse. But I certainly think we have to do something soon.”

Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl each nodded once in unison, turning from their resting places on the tattered carpet of the Crystal Palace’s hallway toward the painted doors that held the resurrected Crystal Heart. Sonar Moonshadow followed, and without any consideration for the danger and death that came after the last Heart explosion, he made a quick decision by using his magic to re-shatter the heart into the same fragments they were in before.

A beam of light blinded the three of them as Sonar’s magic skillfully worked against the fiery reaction that came from the shards separating into their previous state, containing the angry explosion that pushed to escape its enclosure. After a few moments of high temperatures in the room, the flames fizzled out into ash and dust, and the two siblings in the room let out a synchronous sigh.

It was only after a few moments of heavy breathing and almost silence in the room that Sapphire’s ears picked up the sound of hooves beating against the stones that made up the hallway behind them, and by the time they had all turned to the source of the sound, the doors were slammed open by heavy hooves.

“Don’t touch that! Don’t touch any of it!”

A female unicorn stood in a low stance, lips curled back as if a snarl wanted to rip from her throat. Her green mane wasn’t like anything that Fire Bolt had seen before, and as she looked at it, she noticed that the unicorn’s horn was as long as a princess's. A chunk of her ear was missing and a long scar tore across her back, but most concerningly was that as Bolt observed her, she realized that she did not have a cutie mark.

“You have no idea what you’ve done. Step away.” The three of them did without question, marveling at the pony in silence. “You’re insanely lucky you’re still alive.” The unicorn squinted at Sonar Moonshadow angrily, scrutinizing his discolored eyes. The look on her face started to agitate Fire Bolt, who finally seemed snapped out of her trance at the sound of her sibling’s voice.

“Who the hay are you?” Sapphire barked out, holding their ground unlike Bolt and Moonshadow, who had backed up a few steps.

“Just- listen to me!” She stomped her hooves down, and Fire Bolt concluded that she seemed unstable. “The Crystal Heart should not be reassembled. Well, reassembled with those pieces. Clearly, you found out the worst part of all of this. The part nopony wants to tell you about.” She seemed to settle down a bit, the electricity radiating off of her slowly calming down to a faint buzz. “Just… stay away from this place. Go home. An adventure is not worth the lives of more ponies. And it’s certainly not worth disturbing the… the kind of magic that lies here.”

“We’re not adventuring,” Fire Bolt spoke up. “We’re trying to fix this.”

“Well stop trying.” The unicorn snapped back. “You can’t fix anything.” She turned and started to walk away. Sapphire jumped into action, flying ahead and landing in front of the door.

“You need to hear this. We have a magic that’s guiding us to Celestia’s killer, so if you want to wait around and be miserable, that’s fine. But we’re going to need all the help we can get. Are you going to join us, or are you going to go back home? Because we’re not going anywhere.” At the mention of Sonar’s magic, Fire Bolt could see the unicorn tense, even from behind. All of them stood in silence for a few long moments, and both Bolt and Moonshadow were entirely taken aback by the prospect of working with this pony.

“It’ll never work. You’re on a suicide mission.” She said, and her voice was more even than it had been throughout this entire ordeal.

“We might be,” Sonar Moonshadow piped up. “But if we discover something, we might be able to put the sun back into the sky.”

The thought of sunshine seemed to enchant the four of them into silence, with Sapphire and this blue-coated unicorn locked into a stare. The moment broke, however, when she shoved past Sapphire to crack the doors open. As quickly as she ran in, she was gone.

The shadows seemed to leak into the dark castle, like an inky liquid that threatened to drown the three ponies. Just when it felt like Fire Bolt was going to suffocate, she burst. “What in the hay was that?” She snapped at Sapphire.

“I could ask you the same thing. You two looked like you were going to turn to dust! We need anypony’s help right now!” Sapphire turned to face her, stepping back down the hall.

“We don’t even know that mare’s name! She was hostile!” Bolt and Sapphire were almost snout-to-snout at this point.

“She clearly knew something! It’s not like she’s the one who killed Celestia!” Sapphire barked back, and Sonar Moonshadow finally decided to use his magic to pull them apart by their tails.

“Guys. Please. This is not important right now. She’s gone now, and we need to keep moving,” Sonar released the two of them, squinting into nothingness as if he sensed that they were grimacing at each other. With a huff of a sigh, Fire Bolt shuffled back down the hallway to gather her saddlebags back up from before her slumber. She had tried to use them both stacked together as a makeshift pillow, but ended up migrating to sprawling across Sonar Moonshadow and accidentally kicking Sapphire at some point in her sleep. She fastened the straps around her midsection and under her wings, making sure to tighten the belt buckle that desperately needed replacing as much as she could before flapping her wings experimentally to ensure that the placement wouldn’t irritate her.

The strap on her right side had trapped a feathered bit of her wing, and she sighed as she went to unfasten the unreliable belt buckle. As she battled with the fabric, Sonar’s magic silently adjusted her bag into place and clasped the buckle shut, and she offered a hoof to his shoulder as a thank-you.

Once the three of them were entirely ready to leave, likely to never return, they turned and started towards the door leading back into the darkness.

As Fire Bolt and Sonar Moonshadow exited and breathed in the cool nighttime air, Sapphire felt a… tug. A compulsion to look back behind them before leaving. When they did, an impossibly dark feeling radiated from the pony painted on the door.

The feeling brought a sickness to their stomach, powerful enough to draw a small retch from their throat. With one final look, Sapphire tore their eyes from the mural and ran outside with a shiver, slamming the doors back shut.

As the three of them silently trotted through the bones of the Crystal Empire, Fire Bolt sighed dramatically. “Sap, I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I’m just… It’s just scary.”

Sapphire faced her with a smile. “I know you are Bolt, me too. I’m sorry too, I don’t like to bicker with you.”

“Yes, you do!” Fire Bolt grinned. “That’s why your tail never grew in!” She teased, flicking Sapphire’s goat-like tail with her own.

“Hey! You’re the one who’s had emo-mane for almost ten years now!” Sapphire shot back, and Fire Bolt burst into laughter.

“You two drive me crazy,” Sonar shook his head with a sheepish smile on his face.

“Yes, but you loooove us!” Bolt wrapped a wing around Sonar’s shoulders dramatically. “But especially me!” Sonar smiled briefly before his face dropped again.

“There’s somepony nearby-” Before he finished, the mysterious blue unicorn ran into sight, now sporting a cloth covering her back accompanied by a small pair of saddle bags.

“Wait! Please wait!” She ran to catch up with them. The three of them stopped in their tracks, watching the strange pony approach. “Can I…” She gritted her teeth and sighed, huffing in the air after her jog. “Um, can you take me with you? I can’t get out of here alone.”

Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl smiled at each other. “Come on, we walk shoulder-to-shoulder. If you walk next to me, just keep a watch out for anything moving on your side,” Fire Bolt nodded her head, gesturing to her left, and the pony fell into step with them with a thankful smile.

They walked wordlessly for a few minutes, a bit of an awkward aura settling over the four of them until the unicorn spoke up. “Jelly Splash is my name. I just panicked earlier, I haven’t introduced myself in… I don’t know, five years? Six?” Fire Bolt’s eyes widened.

“The Nightfall started only three years ago. We’ve been tracking in Ponyville,” She explained, realizing halfway through that ponies outside of Ponyville may not even refer to this phenomenon as the ‘Nightfall.’

“...Oh. Okay, then. Well, it’s been, um, three years.” Jelly Splash fell back into a comfortable silence with the rest of them, and the four ponies pushed forward.

Author's Note

it's starting to finally heat up, please be prepared for more graphic depictions of death and violence in the following chapters! if that's something you don't want to read, look after yourself!! <3

as always, i live for feedback!!

8

The four ponies lay crowded around Jelly Splash’s saddle bag. A fragment of crystal, long and pointed, sat in front of them.

“I don’t know why I kept it. I guess I just thought I was taking him with me,” Jelly Splash looked away, shame radiating from her usual aura of aggression. “I know I messed up, you don’t have to tell me.”

“I wasn’t going to. If every Crystal Pony is connected to the Heart, maybe you really are taking him with you,” Fire Bolt suggested. “I do wonder how you didn’t disappear with the rest, though.”

“Yeah, that part was weird enough on its own. I don’t remember anything between bodies everywhere and then nopony anywhere. It’s just… not in my head, I guess,” Jelly Splash stretched out her front hooves, a popping sound echoing around the cave as she extended each shoulder, before relaxing further into her laying position.

“Do you think… I don’t know how to ask this – have you tried to put it back together? You know, with your magic?” Sapphire asked, earning a subtle kick to the flank from Bolt.

“Yes. That’s why I told you to stay away from it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Jelly Splash suddenly shut down, her tone returning to cold and guarded. “What are we waiting for again?”

Bolt looked to her partner expectantly, who had his eyes shut, flicking around aimlessly under his closed lids. “He’s searching for it now. Just give him a minute,” Fire Bolt lowered her voice, laying down next to Sonar and leaning up beside him.

As if he hadn’t noticed her, which he probably had not, Sonar Moonshadow suddenly stood and began to twitch his ears in several directions before picking one and following it, nose in the air. His eyes slowly slid open as he reached another opening that went deeper into the cave, looking up into the cave as if there was somepony directly in front of him.

“Sonar, what do you see?” Fire Bolt asked after a moment, knowing the look that washed over his face.

“Follow… she wants me to follow her,” Sonar replied in a sluggish voice, squinting at a figure that nopony else could see. Before anyone could reply, he started deeper and deeper into the cave, his magic barely illuminating the cave as it got darker and darker.

The remaining three got up and followed him as quickly as they could before losing his guiding light, Sapphire and Jelly sharing a concerned look. Fire Bolt wasn’t worried.

It was several dozen yards into the pitch-blackness before the light stopped, Sonar freezing in his tracks with twitching ears, and Bolt held out a hoof to indicate that they should all stay back.

That was when Sonar Moonshadow finally used his unique talent.

Waves of buzzing filled the room, illuminated by the remaining flecks of his light magic clinging to the vibrational pattern. It bounced off of every surface around them and back to his horn – that was when the ripples briefly revealed a form in the darkness, sending its own tiny vibrations back to him. It couldn’t even be described as a figure, but more like an absence of the far-reaching waves emanating from Sonar’s horn – it simply looked like an interruption in the pattern that lasted a millisecond.

That was enough to catch his attention, and his ears flew forward as if being spoken to. The four of them took up a quicker pace in the direction of the figure, the cave’s walkable areas almost completely illuminated now with sparkling waves of energy bouncing around and sticking to the stone like stars.

After several minutes of quick travel followed by pauses and subsequently Sonar’s echolocation ability, they hit a wall – literally. Their guiding light led them to a cracked stone barricade of a wall. Sonar took a few more steps forward than the other three, and Fire Bolt clicked her teeth to discourage him from hitting the wall, a practice that was nowadays a rarity. He luckily froze in his tracks before his nose hit the rocks, looking back at the other three expectantly.

“There’s got to be a way around,” Sapphire Swirl stepped closer, squinting at the light particles repeatedly bouncing off of the impossible path in front of them, almost beckoning them to pay closer attention. “Oh, wait! Moon, take four big steps back.” With that, Sapphire turned around and bucked the stone with what looked like casual ease, knocking the large stones out of their places. The bouncing light around them finally flooded through the open pathway, racing forward and directing everyone’s attention to a faint blue light in the distance.

Sapphire looked intently through the partially-lit cave. They flew ahead, carefully keeping their head low in case of stalactites, and pointed out a corner in the tunnel. “Up here!”

Moonshadow stopped his illuminating spell and the three of them raced to catch up, following this distinctly magical light until they turned the corner, revealing the source of it.

“By Celestia-”

“Holy SHIT!” Sapphire cut Sonar Moonshadow off, loudly. “Look at that thing!”

“I don’t believe it. Don’t get close to it, not yet!” Sonar was louder than he had been this entire journey, and Fire Bolt quietly wondered how his brain was interpreting the sight in its own magical way.

“What is that thing?” Jelly Splash spoke up, her voice riddled with a mixture of awe and anxiety.

“Nebulith Etherbloom. I’ve only read about it in old spellbooks,” Sonar stepped closer, the blue light casting a soft glow onto his lavender coat. “I think this is where she wants me.”

“She?” Sapphire cocked their head in confusion.

“The mare. I was listening to her the whole way. How do you think we got here?” He explained calmly, and a proud smile crept onto Bolt’s face.

She had only seen him use his skill in action once before, and that was to locate a neighbor’s lost kitten years back now. Even then, she knew that this unique ability was capable of far more than shivering felines. Now, he was shifting closer and closer to the plant, his hooves rustling the moss growing on the cave floor.

“Do you know what’s going to happen?” Fire Bolt inquired apprehensively.

“Well, not exactly, but I’m going to try the Interstellar Rift spell. I practiced on a lotus… what’s a Nebulith Etherbloom if not a big lotus?” He nervously cracked the joke, and Jelly Splash started forward.

“Hold on! The last time you did a spell, I saw my aunt’s decomposed corpse trying to light a candle in my hideout. Don’t you think we should do some more thinking before jumping right into this?” She exclaimed, a tremor gripping her voice.

“Hey! He’s the most powerful unicorn I know! He knows what he’s doing!” Fire Bolt snapped back, taking the insult to his intelligence personally.

“It’s okay, Boltie. You’re right, Jelly Splash. I didn’t know what I was doing or what would happen to anypony else, and I’m sorry,” Sonar admitted, looking down anxiously. “But I know what I’m doing this time, and I have this… feeling that I can really help you if you just trust me.”

Jelly Splash stared at him for a long moment… then stepped aside.

Sonar Moonshadow took several deep breaths, then marched up to the root of the flower, taking a seat at the base and closing his eyes. Fire Bolt watched his shoulders rise and fall slowly before he clearly held his breath as he focused his magic.

It started in small red sparks clinging to his horn like static and then crackled into more of a flare. As the energy surged above him, it changed in ways that were almost indistinguishable at first, and then it was ever-changing between floating liquid, flames, sparks of electricity, and then finally into a warm, steady glow that was brighter than the sun. He took several moments to ensure that he had a steady control of the magic, and then leaned his head forward, the tip of his horn just barely making contact with the stalk of the plant. When it did, its petals shifted to the unforgettable shade of crimson that was Sonar Moonshadow’s magic, and the hue of the room changed to a warm and almost menacing atmosphere.

The three ponies watched quietly as the scene in front of them remained unchanged for quite some time, frozen in anticipation.

It was then that Sonar was plunged into a somehow even more blinding light than before to the point where none of them could distinguish his figure, and then… it was pitch black. Jelly Splash ignited her horn instantly in a panic, and the three of them raced towards the now unlit but perfectly lively plant.

Sonar was slumped on the floor, luckily his chest still rising and falling, and when Fire Bolt pulled his head into her arms, she noticed that his eyes were completely white.

Sonar Moonshadow felt sick, and a thumping headache was easing into the corners of his skull. Lifting himself to his hooves, he opened his eyes, and to his shock, he looked around at his surroundings. His usual “sight” was a magical mush of colors and intuition, but this… this was seeing. Strangely, he found that he could not conjure a memory back in a time when he could not see. In fact, he couldn’t remember… anything.

What he saw around him was that he had been laying on a shaggy rug on the floor of a warm cottage, flames flickering in the fireplace in front of him, but no other light was on inside the house. Everything was crisp, and he took careful time scrutinizing the sharp edges of the table and the corners of the room. After fully soaking in his surroundings, he laid back on the rug in front of the fire, finding himself shivering so hard that his teeth were clattering.

The cottage was cozy and felt safe; the den consisted of the fireplace and rug as well as a wide padded cushion in front of it, looking more like a futon than a couch. To the left of the fireplace was a carpeted staircase that rounded the corner obstructing any vision of the upper floor, and opposite of that wall was a small dining area with only one chair in front of the table. A window provided a nice looking point from the chair, but the outside was concealed by frilly blue curtains.

Sonar decided that he didn’t need anything beyond what the cottage provided anyways, and closed his eyes to stave off the nausea that was slowly settling back down.

He had drifted so close to falling asleep under a blanket of calm emotions and the warm fire when he suddenly jerked his head up at the sound of hooves on hardwood floor above him, almost getting dizzy from opening his eyes to see again.

The sound then changed to hooves on carpet, and it clearly sounded like a pony starting down the stairs. Finally, the mystery pony had reached the turn in the staircase, rounding the corner to make confused eye contact with the equally as startled unicorn laying on her rug.

“Oh, wow! I’ve never had a visitor before!” She exclaimed, clearing her throat as if she wasn’t used to speaking. “What’s your name? I’m Misty.”

Author's Note

is this easier to follow? i was hoping that drawing more would help everyone understand what's going on a little bit better. i'd love to know what you think!! :)

9

Fire Bolt paced in the darkness, anxiety hot in her throat. “Bolt, don’t worry, he knows what he’s doing!” Sapphire had found a soft spot to lay in the mossy rocks.

“Don’t worry? He’s still out cold! What are we waiting around for?” She replied, hooves clicking against the floor even more quickly than before as she approached Sonar’s slumped body on the floor for the fifth time that hour. About two hours seemed to have passed since he tried the Interstellar Rift spell, and he had yet to wake up.

Fire Bolt could not contain her anxiety, even as she sat down next to Sonar’s sleeping body. She fidgeted with her saddle bag strap, although no amount of fidgeting would fix it, wishing that her partner would wake up to tuck the strap back into place with his magic like he always did. Eventually, she took the saddle bags off entirely and returned to pacing.

Sapphire Swirl was still lying down, and their anxiety seemed to be spiking to a peak. “You know, we can always just wait it ou-”

Dark laughter filled the cave. It bounced around the walls, but nopony was laughing. All three of them lowered into a crouched stance, ready to take on whatever was approaching them, but it never came. Jelly Splash seemed quickly unbothered, almost embarrassed that it scared her, and sick of the trickery at this point as she listened closely to the audio spell.

The base of the flower began to glow once more, its teal roots inching and slithering more and more into the hill of grass that it was perched on. The light that filled the cave was blue again, and Fire Bolt quickly noticed Sonar Moonshadow’s horn begin to slightly ignite with a periwinkle shine.

“What’s happening?” Sapphire Swirl lept to their hooves, racing over to their sibling to observe Sonar’s reaction to the magic.

“I-I don’t know! I didn’t touch anything! Jelly Splash, you said that laughter was just a trick!” Fire Bolt couldn’t take her eyes off of her partner, who was now beginning to extend his muzzle wide open.

“It was! It’s not real! I don’t know why that flower thing is moving!” Jelly was the only pony now who was not watching Sonar Moonshadow transform into something gruesome.

His open jaw released several tendrils of light, digging themselves into the hardened dirt below his body and slithering underneath everypony’s hooves. It looked like he was gagging, choking on the non-physical material in his mouth, and Fire Bolt flew into action, her full body filled with horror. She dug at the tendrils, pulling more and more from his mouth, trying to get it all out before he suffocated. As she dug and threw the material behind her, she did not notice that the blue material was wrapping itself around her back hooves, creeping up the length of her back.

“Fire Bolt! Stop, it’s going to hurt you!” Jelly Splash was now hot on Bolt’s heels, using her own magenta magic in an attempt to separate the tendrils from her limbs. For every one bit she took off, three more wrapped themselves around Fire Bolt, who did not stop digging despite her own condition.

Sapphire could clearly see that the magic was growing brighter, frozen in place but shaking like a leaf as it intensified by the moment. It grew so bright in the space between Fire Bolt’s hooves and Sonar Moonshadow’s mouth that they had to look away, and an explosion of magic burst from the glow between the two.

Time stopped.

Fire Bolt yawned, her jaw popping as she stretched her hooves above her head. Her wings twitched as she stretched them out, too, flipping them out from under her blanket. After a few more moments of laying, Bolt determined that she was far too awake to return to sleep, and decided to start her day.

Bolt rolled out of bed, hooves thumping against the hardwood floor of her bedroom. Something about the nightmares she tossed and turned through left a bad taste in her mouth, but it was quickly ignored in favor of her hungry stomach.

Opening her door, she made her way down the hallway and stairs to the living area, still yawning and groggy the entire way. “Mornin’ Fibi,” Silver Strike looked to be equally as exhausted, nursing his steaming mug of coffee and seeming to mindlessly burn himself on every sip.

“Morning, Dad,” Fire Bolt followed the sweet smell of weekend breakfast to the kitchen stove, snagging a piece of bacon from the plate of cooked food and taking a bite before her mother could swat it from her hooves.

“Bolt! That was for your sister, take the rest of the plate to her.” Hyacinth scolded, nudging the full plate of food onto Fire Bolt’s extended wing. It was clear that the plate had far more food than her sister would be willing to eat, but Hyacinth was consistently hopeful that her other daughter would gain her appetite back again someday.

Bolt precariously balanced the plate on her open wing as she carefully stepped out of the kitchen and past the staircase to her older sister’s room, pausing to knock on the door quietly before entering. “Mom made breakfast, it’s Saturday already.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up. Bolt walked to her sister’s bedside with a soft smile, placing the plate of warm food on the foot of her bed. Serenade Remix weakly sat herself up, leaning in to smell the sweet, syrupy waffles and the crispy bacon. “I thought it was only Thursday, still.” Her voice always had a bit of disappointment attached, and Fire Bolt knew that her sister was constantly kicking herself for not being able to mentally and physically perform as she used to.

“Don’t worry, I thought it was still Friday!” Fire Bolt eventually didn’t find much harm in a fib when it came to her sister, but she did despise lies, and frequently found herself balancing her morals to ensure that Serenade Remix wasn’t feeling too down about herself. “Now eat up, Mixie, or Mom’s gonna skin me for having some of your bacon.”

Serenade Remix laughed softly, unable to safely have a hearty laugh anymore, and dragged the plate into her lap. “Oh wait, that reminds me – I finally finished that song I showed you!” She took a pensive bite of a waffle, chewing slowly and swallowing the single bite in several bits.

“Play it, play it!” Fire Bolt stepped back from Mixie’s bedside to tap her hooves in excitement, careful not to let the vibrations disturb her sister. “Is it on the lyre? Or the piano? Oh, did you ever learn how to-”

“The piano, Boltie! Can you drag that thing over here?” Serenade grinned at her little sister’s giddiness as she slid the plate off of her lap and moved her legs to dangle off of the side of the bed. She knew that Fire Bolt was always her biggest fan, whether it was her music or her new manestyle. Bolt was two steps ahead, nudging the standing keyboard over to her sister’s bedside and sitting down expectantly with a smile. “Now don’t get all excited, it’s not my best.”

Bolt was excited anyway. She had always looked up to her sister, even as the years passed and she took on more of a caretaker role, and her giddiness only grew as Serenade Remix began to press on the keys.

What she played was breathtakingly beautiful. It started quieter, slower, and more romantic, and then swelled and exploded into a quick chord progression that made chills run down Fire Bolt’s spine. It sounded almost menacing, heartbreaking even, and Mixie’s passion never faltered as she weakly poured her energy into the song. As it came to an end, the emotion that came from the outburst of change did not slow or quiet, but the minor keys were mixed with some major ones, making the final chorus feel complete.

“Mixie, that was… oh Celestia, it was beautiful!” Fire Bolt stood up to help push the keyboard away from Mixie’s bedside, concern washing over her as her sister burst into a fit of coughing. “Hey, hey, water? You need your water?” Remix waved her hoof in rejection, constantly disgusted by pity.

“I’m fine, it’s fine. Thank you, Boltie. You know your opinion is the only one that matters to me,” She smiled, a little less light in her eyes than just a few minutes before. “I thought I could tell my story a little bit with that one. You know, perfect pretty life with a perfect pretty family, and then, out of nowhere…” She loosely gestured to her position in bed. “This comes out of nowhere.”

“You did a really great job. Truly.”

“Fire Bolt!” Silver Strike called from the kitchen suddenly, and she hurried to follow his voice. “I need you to make sure your sister gets her medicine today. They need me back in Los Pegasus.”

“But Dad, you just got back!” Bolt complained, ignoring how whiny she sounded.

“No buts, do it. Right at noon, no later,” Silver Strike may have been cold and detached from his daughter, but she could see right past his façade – he was just a scared dad, desperate to separate himself from the pain of knowing that his oldest child would soon expire. There truly was no hope anymore, and the past six months had been spent prioritizing Serenade Remix’s comfort over her care.

“Yes, sir,” She glanced at the clock on the stove, which read 11:27. Silver Strike ruffled her mane with his wing on his way out in approval, and Bolt felt an uncomfortable sickness in her stomach. She wondered where her mother had gone off to already, but another fit of coughs from down the hall beckoned her elsewhere.

When she raced into the bedroom, she found that Mixie’s bed was empty. Panicked, she turned around and ran back down the hall, but she wasn’t in the kitchen or den, either. “Boltie!” Her voice rang from back in the direction of her bedroom, and confused, Fire Bolt turned around and went back, only to find Serenade Remix tucked back under her covers. “Water, I can’t reach, please-” Bolt carefully picked up the cup on her bedside stand with her teeth and placed it into her sister’s outstretched hooves, wondering where Mixie had gone as she watched her gulp the water down.

“Where did you go? Did you throw up today already?” Fire Bolt grimaced, hopeful to hear that she was not yet ill enough to be bedbound for the day.

Mixie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “I didn’t go anywhere. Mom left a minute ago, maybe you heard her.”

Bolt stared blankly back at her sister, waiting for the punchline, but it never came. “Yeah, probably.”

She ended up doing some reading in the living room and cleaning up the dishes from breakfast until the clock read noon, when she walked to the bathroom to retrieve her sister’s medication. Bolt opened the cabinet that doubled as a mirror above the sink, pulling out the prescription bottles and opening each of the three. She opened the first bottle, dispensing two yellow capsules into her hoof and then onto the counter, closing the bottle and returning it to its spot in the cabinet. Next was bottle number two, and out came a blue tablet which joined the other two on the counter. When Fire Bolt picked up the third bottle, she noticed that it was… strangely full. There was a dark substance, barely visible through the orange window of the prescription, filled up to the cap. Cautiously, she uncapped the bottle, only to regret it.

Dozens of miniscule spiders flooded her hoof and subsequently, the counter, causing her to let out a squeal and drop the bottle, flailing her hoof in the air. “Off, off, get it off! Ew, ew, ew!” She babbled mindlessly, sweat beading at the back of her neck as the critters fell to the tile floor.

The sensation of sweat seemed to remind her body to inexplicably reach for her chin in pain, expecting to feel blood soaked into her fur. Unsurprisingly, she found none, and when her attention was drawn back to her other hoof, all she saw was her own red fur and a spilled bottle of medication all over the floor. Bolt knew that these pills were expensive, and she immediately knelt down to sweep them back up, a painful cloud of confusion plaguing her mind. Spiders? Blood on her face? Something was extremely wrong, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

She gathered the proper amount of medication after a considerable amount of staring into the mirror and ventured back into the hallway. Fire Bolt made her way into Mixie’s room, depositing the five pills into her sister’s hoof and watching to ensure that she got them down without vomiting before wordlessly returning to the kitchen.

Eventually, Bolt decided that she simply didn’t sleep enough, as she couldn’t remember what time she fell asleep the night before, and she settled onto the couch with a fuzzy blanket. She found that no matter how much she relaxed or how tired she was, though, her mind was racing so quickly that she could not fall asleep. Kicking the blanket off of her in groggy frustration, she stood back up to get some fresh air.

“Mixie, I’m going for a walk!” She called out down the hallway, and when an answer didn’t come, she knew that her exhausted sister had fallen back asleep. A stab of guilt twinged in her chest at the idea of leaving her sister alone, but Serenade Remix could handle herself, so she walked out the front door into the cool Saturday air. What Fire Bolt didn’t know, however, was that although she left her sister behind…

…she was not alone.

10

Sonar blinked thoughtlessly at the figure on the stairs. “You must be so very confused. I suppose that I have a fair amount of confusion as well…” He just stared at the pony speaking to him… Misty? He felt like he knew her.

“My name is Sonar Moonshadow. I… hold on, sorry,” He lowered his head into his hooves, another wave of nausea washing over him as his newly seeing eyes adjusted to his surroundings. “I think I’m here for… you?”

Misty gave a knowing smile to Sonar, walking over to the table in the cottage and taking a seat. “I know you’re here for me. I’m very impressed that you were able to get here. Not a single pony during my time in this realm has successfully completed the Interstellar Rift.”

Interstellar. Rift.

Everything came back into his mind at full speed – the cave, finding the Nebulith Etherbloom, the feeling of his horn heating up more than it ever had before, and most importantly, Fire Bolt. Sonar lept to his hooves, instantly regretting it as a painful headrush made him close his eyes momentarily. “You have to help us! There’s- I have to-”

“I know,” Misty Seeker cut him off solemnly, using her magic to lift a cup of tea to her lips that wasn’t on the table before. “Before you fret, I can assure you that your friends are taking very good care of your body.”

“My BODY?” Sonar’s jaw dropped, a sense of dread forcing its way into the pit of his stomach, and Misty just laughed, wide-eyed. How could she possibly be laughing?

“My apologies! You’re alive, I should have explained.” At that, Sonar relaxed a bit, but not much. “You are not physically… here with me. Your mind has been released from your body and has been guided to me by your own magic. Usually, we call that death, right?” Sonar Moonshadow nodded after a moment, slowly remembering what his studies had taught him about the spell. “Well, your mind does leave your body when you die, but it is not your magic that guides you elsewhere. It takes a very powerful unicorn to guide his own being into a plane beyond his own, let alone complete a spell that keeps his body breathing on the other side.”

He felt like she was trying to stroke his ego, and he awkwardly looked around the cottage. “Nopony ever has done this before? I find that incredibly hard to believe.”

“Ah, I did not say nopony. I’ve only been here for… oh, I don’t know…” She reached her hoof up to the empty wall beside her, a calendar materializing under it as she flipped through the pages. The characters and numbers on them, however, were complete nonsense and unreadable. “I believe your world’s time stopped right at the… one hundred and twenty years mark? I really just got here.”

Sonar felt like his brain had melted inside of his skull. An awareness of his existence being simply metaphysical caused him to realize that he did not feel. He sensed the carpet under his hooves and could understand that there was air in his lungs as he breathed, but… he couldn’t find the words to describe his own being.

“Were there others when you got here? And what exactly is here?” He spoke up after a moment, taking a seat on the carpet. When he blinked, however, a second chair had appeared next to the table, so he relocated.

Misty shook her head. “It’s just me. I am unsure, though, when I first got here it seemed as if I wasn’t the first. This is going to be a long, long story, okay? Do you want some tea?”

Sonar Moonshadow nodded, and when he blinked again, there was a warm cup of Jasmine tea between his hooves on the table – his favorite.

Jelly Splash and Sapphire Swirl were speechless. At one moment, they were all under a state of terror as they watched their friends being consumed by a powerful magic, and in the next, the two of them were seemingly alone in a calm, quiet darkness.

The unicorn illuminated her horn once again, only to find that Fire Bolt and Sonar Moonshadow were no longer laying at the base of the Nebulith Etherbloom. After casting a simple brightening spell, the cave lit up just enough for the two of them to locate the ponies.

On the far end of the cave, they found the pegasus and the unicorn, hooves outstretched as if they were attempting to comfort each other from within their slumber.

“Are they breathing?” Jelly Splash asked nervously before yawning with a tremble, and Sap took a few steps closer to examine the rising and falling of their chests.

“Yeah, I think they’re fine. What do we do now, though?” Sapphire Swirl sat down next to Fire Bolt, running a hoof through her mane and checking for any bumps or bruises on her face. A gnarly scrape had scabbed over on her chin, almost invisible against the crimson of her fur. “Oh, Boltie. I hope you’re okay in there.” Sap whispered almost silently.

“I truly have… no idea. No clue at all. I’m sorry,” Jelly Splash replied, guilt evident in her voice.

“Not your fault,” Sapphire shook their head. “Not at all. Are you tired? I can keep watch if you want to get some rest.”

Jelly couldn’t help but yawn again at the suggestion, extremely sleep-deprived to the point of nausea. “If you don’t mind,” She was already stretching out onto the damp moss of the floor, just a few feet from the other unconscious ponies. “Wake me up if anything changes… um, or if you get scared.”

Sapphire Swirl found that to be very sweet of her, and smiled in response. It wasn’t long before the sound of Jelly’s breathing went from quick and paced to slow and relaxed, and Sap wondered how exhausted the unicorn had to be in order to actually fall asleep during this crisis.

Sap’s lighthearted nature made keeping watch over everypony an easy task; they killed time by flying around the cave, examining the greenery that hung from the ceiling (also taking the isolation as an opportunity to curiously taste the plants, which they quickly regretted), and trying to jump from rock to rock with further distance in between each one.

Another bout of menacing laughter echoed through the cave once more, but this time, Sapphire was not as petrified as they were earlier and almost found it to be entertaining. When they looked over to check on the ponies, however, they found Jelly Splash to be fully awake and sat up, eyes wide. “That one wasn’t a spell. Somebody’s here.”

“It was a potion,” Misty explained; Sonar Moonshadow was entirely captivated by her storytelling to this point. “I was never great at potions, but I stupidly used my own mane when it called for organic material. I don’t know why I did that, I guess I thought that it needed a part of me to be able to find my parents.”

“Wait, you used your own mane in a potion you found in the ancient texts?” Sonar gawked, shutting his mouth as he realized the rudeness of the statement. “I’m sorry. I just… I would be too scared!”

Misty Seeker smiled. “Ah, but you would’ve done it right. It was my own fault for messing it all up… Anyways, the minute I mixed it together, something weird happened. I… I can’t remember what it was,” She seemed to be lost in a memory despite her inability to conjure one. “I don’t know how he got out.”

“...He?” Sonar Moonshadow probed after a few moments of expectant silence, and Misty grimaced.

“Well, that’s where the real story begins. There’s something that takes the form of a pony and tricks real ones into… horrible things,” She frequently paused and thought about her words as she spoke. “He tricked me. He tricked everypony. Weirdly, the one thing that did come with me from your world is the book of potions I found him in.”

The book she spoke of levitated with the work of her magic, landing squarely on the table between the two. She flipped the pages open, landing on a tattered recipe for disaster, literally. Sonar squinted to read the book, but like the calendar, it was entirely scrambled nonsense. “I don’t get it. How did you… do this?”

“Oh, how foolish of me! I don’t know why I thought a pony who’s never seen his own two hooves could read this. I’ll read it to you.” Misty giggled to herself as if that made any more sense.

“Wait! First, can you explain this a little bit?” Sonar interjected.

“I can try.”

“Why can I see? What is up with all of this?” He asked eagerly, using his newfound ability to hold intense eye contact with Misty.

“You are just your mind, remember?” He nodded. “We do not conform to the basic aspects of reality here. There is no reality here. Your unconscious mind has created a body for you to reside in, to comprehend your surroundings. If it is your deepest unconscious desire to see, well, then…” Misty Seeker put her hooves in the air as if this was common sense. “You see.”

“I wish my unconscious mind remembered to include how to read. This is just plain silly,” Sonar huffed, and Misty burst out into a fit of laughter.

“Well, of course, with some discipline, you can do just about anything you want, really. I’m not even technically a unicorn,” As if to prove her point, a plate of carrots materialized on the table between them, and she started to crunch on one of them as Sonar slowly started to notice the strange color patterning on her horn. “With fair limits, of course. Now listen up, I’m going to read to you until you conjure the ability to read yourself.”

His earliest recorded sighting being on the moon documented by Her Highness Princess Luna, Τζεστερβονεσ is believed to exist far beyond ponykind’s understanding of time and space. This creature, abbreviated in Princess Luna’s notes as ‘Bones,’ is observed to possess the ability to warp reality as he sees fit, presumably for entertainment. No other motives have been found nor researched. The relevant notes taken by Her Highness are as follows.

Excerpt 1, dated four years after Banishment

“...and just when I find comfort in the isolation of who I have become, I cannot help but feel that there is somepony watching over me. It is in [Princess Celestia’s] nature to foster the lost, and I am confident that despite the circumstances of our separation, she has not forgotten me. However, this gaze does not feel like the eyes of my beloved sister.”

Excerpt 2, dated two months after Excerpt 1

“There is a malevolent force here. I am inclined to believe that I am sensing the darkness of [Nightmare Moon], but I continue my fight to keep her at bay. This frequency that I keep encountering does not match that of the evil within my own true self [...] though perhaps, I am simply desperate to separate myself from the ugliness inside of me.”

Excerpt 3, dated nine years after Banishment

“I saw [REDACTED] just a few moments ago, with my own two eyes. I truly must be losing my mind in this cold. She was brutalized when I was just a young filly, and returning to the trauma seems to aid my shattering mental capacity. If this is my experience after just a few years, I do not know that I will survive almost one thousand more. [...] There it was, there she was! I promise on my heart, no matter how blackened, that the trotting hooves and tail of [REDACTED] just disappeared behind some of the rocky terrains. I shall investigate.”

Excerpt 4, dated one hundred and thirty-seven years after Banishment - Note: Several pages between 3 and 4 have not been recovered.

“The illusion of the broken bodies of [Equestrians] do not bother me anymore. Each time I find somewhere else to philosophize and write, there are a dozen more by the time I wake from my rest. I have known that they are not physically tangible for several years now, and I feel that desensitization is my only way to cope [...] I cannot fathom why my brain has chosen to show me such horrors in an attempt to rationalize my surroundings, however, I must find solace in the understanding that the true Equestrians are safe and sound under Celestia’s rule.

Sometimes, their poor crumpled frames will reanimate for just a moment to blink at me, or to bare their sharp fangs. If I prove that I do indeed understand the consequences of my path of destruction, will my mind finally be satisfied?”

Excerpt 5, dated four days after excerpt 4

“This is wrong, it is sickening. The stench of death is a new addition to my condition. My magic is futile, although it has indeed weakened significantly since my arrival. Another recent development is the sound of laughter [...] it sounds strikingly similar to the laughter of [Nightmare Moon]. Must I be tortured for over eight centuries more? I understand, I’m sorry, I will never return to the darkness.”

End of record.

“That’s… it? How do we even know that Princess Luna wasn’t just going bananas up there?” Sonar resisted feeling disappointed.

“Going… bananas?” Misty tilted her head.

“You know, losing her mind. Going crazy. Hitting the looney bin, you name it. Is there any actual proof of this, um…” Sonar’s magic flipped the book to face him instead, and while he was delighted to learn that the English language was registering in his brain as his eyes received the input, there was no way for him to even attempt to verbalize ‘Τζεστερβονεσ.’ “Hey, I can read! Cool!”

“What? Read one of the entries to me,” Misty’s jaw dropped in disbelief, and when he successfully recited the second excerpt of Luna’s journal, she shut her mouth and opened it again like a gasping fish. “How did you… I was not able to alter the conditions of my being until several decades into my time here! Sonar Moonshadow, you are far more powerful than you believe you are,” She almost seemed nervous now, apprehensive to get on the bad side of a unicorn who had only just arrived in her home realm. “I suppose you shall keep reading, then, to find the answers for yourself. More tea?”

He didn’t think he’d drank more than half of the cup of Jasmine, but he was nonetheless not surprised when he looked down to find that the teacup had disappeared.

Author's Note

if there is anything that confuses you, please feel free to comment and i can clarify (as long as it doesn't spoil anything!! ;u;)

11

Fire Bolt’s walk wasn’t helping to clear her mind. Her family’s cottage was slowly coming back into view as she finished her lap of the neighborhood, but rather than go home, she decided to spread her wings and take flight.

The cottage – which was technically inside of Cloudsdale’s jurisdiction but planted firmly in the dirt of the earth – got smaller and smaller as she gained altitude. Quickly reaching the actual entrance of the pegasus-only city, Bolt landed on the clouds and trotted toward the direction of her best friend’s home. As she walked, she felt more and more disoriented, finding herself lost and needing to retrace her steps on more than one occasion.

After what felt like half an hour of fast-paced searching, Fire Bolt finally realized that her brain had somehow scrambled her mental map of the city. Every left she knew was actually a right, and once she made her way back to the entry point, it was clear that she had a mirror image of her memory in front of her. With this knowledge, Bolt made her way to her friend’s house with little trouble.

Marshmallow Creme was already outside when Bolt turned down the street and into her neighborhood and lit up with joy at the sight of her friend. “Fire Bolt! Come on, I was just about to have lunch!”

The two of them trotted through the fluffy clouds, chatting up a storm as they filled each other in on their recent encounters and events and taking turns holding the picnic basket. Bolt seamlessly fell into the natural conversation as if her disorientation was far behind her, and Marshmallow Creme eventually stopped at a larger, flatter plane of clouds to take a seat, opening the basket full of food.

Fire Bolt stretched her legs and wings out a bit before finally sitting down next to Marshmallow, taking a peek inside the wicker basket full of food. Inside were a few sandwiches, apples, and of course, far too many sugary goodies to be lunch, so she picked up an apple and started to munch on it. “How’s Mixie? Any good news?”

Her question startled Bolt for a reason she could not pinpoint, as Marshmallow Creme was her main support during the time and frequently checked in for updates. After a moment, she shook her head, unable to remember if Marshmallow knew that Serenade Remix was in hospice care at this point. “She’s at home. Sleeping, I imagine. I don’t know how to describe it, but my senses are all kinds of off lately, and I’m really worried that my intuition knows that she’s… that this won’t last much longer.”

Marshmallow watched her friend blink away tears, a soft smile on her face. “Don’t think about that, Boltie… It’s better to keep your head up right now. You know, laugh in the shadows.” Her voice sounded distant at the end, and Fire Bolt realized that an intense sense of vertigo was washing over her.

“Sorry, I- hold on-” Bolt was retching as she spoke, and she took a few steps away from the area they were eating in before violently emptying her stomach contents onto the cloud floor. The mess she had made dissipated into the material, but before it did, she could very clearly see that whatever she had eaten had turned the bile a dark red. As she stared, she felt Marshmallow Creme pulling her mane back away from her face in case of another bout of vomiting, the kind gesture almost making Bolt feel sicker.

“Are you sure it’s your intuition and you’re not just sick?” Marshmallow Creme asked quietly, to which Bolt shook her head. “Why don’t you come back home with me and my parents will get you some warm tea?”

“Creme, it was… I think that was blood.” Fire Bolt spit the remaining taste out of her mouth, which was strangely entirely untarnished by the crimson.

“Come on, just keep your eyes down, okay?” Bolt complied with the anti-nausea technique, stumbling to keep up with her already slowly-trotting friend.

“The food-”

“Forget the food, I’ll get it later,” Marshmallow cut her off, and they soon reached the familiar cottage with little difficulties. Fire Bolt immediately collapsed onto the couch, unable to respond to the Marshmallow’s concerned parents, before completely passing out.

In the constricting darkness of the cave, Jelly Splash and Sapphire Swirl stared at each other, gripped with terror. The menacing laughter reverberated again, much louder, echoing through the narrow passages of the mountain they were underneath. Fear coiled around their throats like a suffocating plague – it was getting closer.

Sapphire Swirl's voice wavered as they spoke up, albeit very quietly. "We can't face what we don't understand. We need to find out what this is before it finds us, and way before we can even think about stopping it."

Jelly Splash nodded in agreement, her mind racing. "There must be something in the ancient texts of the Nebulith Etherbloom, a clue or a warning… anything. We have to search."

First, Sapphire tried to barricade the entrance to the cave with the large rocks scattered around them, but couldn’t quite move them quickly enough until Jelly’s magic aided the effort. Next, with a determined flick of her horn, Jelly Splash conjured a strange ethereal light that illuminated the cave's walls, revealing faded inscriptions and symbols etched into the stone. Sapphire was entirely positive that they weren’t there before. “What kind of spell was that?”

“Kind of like a translator. It can tell the story of whoever was here last,” Jelly explained, squinting at the inscriptions before her eyes widened at the sound of bellowing laughter, now much closer than the last.

“This game is afoot, my little ponies!” The voice that rang out from seemingly every direction was distorted and stuttered, sounding more like a robot trying to be a pony than an actual pony. “Don’t you want to play?” With each word, the frightening voice seemed to get younger and more ordinary.

Sapphire Swirl whipped around to face the no longer barricaded entrance of the cave, wondering how the stones were removed so silently, as the shadow of a young colt emerged.

“Won’t you play with me?” The colt was mangled, to say the least, gore spilled down to his hooves and bones sticking out at unnatural angles – at the same time, the colt seemed to move horrifyingly naturally in his state. Overwhelmed by horror, Sapphire turned to Jelly Splash, who was frozen in place.

“...Taffy?” She murmured, not nearly loud enough for the creature to have heard, but it still replied with a warped smile. “Taffy Twists?”

“Fire Bolt, wake up!” Bolt squinted at the pink pony in front of her, who had a concerned expression and was standing in front of her two equally as worried parents. “Are you okay?”

“...Huh? Marshmallow, I think I need to go home. Something in that lunch just gave me a… I dunno, a stomach bug,” She sat up as she spoke, wincing as the overhead lights gave her a headrush.

“I don’t know, Boltie, you were really faint when you got here. I don’t think your mom can get you that sick with her cooking.” Marshmallow Creme patted Bolt’s forehead with a cool washrag, which eased her nausea, but not her confusion. When she pushed her mane back, she realized that it wasn’t in its usual spiky do, and was instead much softer and wavier.

“What? No, I meant something in the picnic. Maybe a bad apple?” She stood up off the couch, trying and failing to keep her balance as she shuffled to the door. “I have to go home, I’m sorry!”

Fire Bolt ignored the shouts of protest from Marshmallow and her parents as she forced her body to move as far from the cottage as possible, a strange sense of shame and disgust creeping its way into her stomach the longer she stayed there. She almost felt afraid to look back, taking flight as soon as possible and racing out of the cloudy city.

To clear her mind, she took a path of flight that guided her through Ponyville. Something drew her further and further into the heart of the town, and as she pushed further against the protests of her aching skull and wings, she noticed that one pony stood out against the dozens of others pacing the town. A lavender unicorn was frozen, unmoving, staring up at Bolt as she flew with their jaw wide open.

Something about the pony was unsettlingly familiar, and the confusion sent a flash of blinding heat through her already sickened mind, causing her to touch down on the ground immediately. Heaving in deep gasps of breath from the emergency landing, Bolt sat down to put her head down and hopefully relieve some of the pressure in her skull. When she finally opened her eyes and looked around, the unicorn was standing just behind her, mouth still agape. “Erm, hello?” She ignored how shaky her voice was.

“Why won’t you laugh in the shadows like the rest of us?” Were the first and only words out of the unicorn’s mouth before they disintegrated to dust right in front of her eyes. Blinking furiously, Fire Bolt turned and began to run back home to her parent’s cottage, in desperate need of comfort from her family with the knowledge that she was actively losing her mind. As she ran, the sunny sky morphed into a dark night, the transition being slow to Bolt’s eyes but extremely quick in terms of the night and day cycles of Ponyville.

As she neared closer to the cottage far more slowly than if she had flown, she could hear what sounded to be screams of anguish. Bolt burst into the front door, where she found her mother on the couch, sobbing violently, and her stomach dropped – she knew what that meant. “Mom? What happened?”

“Serenade isn’t going to make it much longer. She’s-” Hyacinth drew in a trembling breath. “She’s breathing, but she won’t wake up. We have to say goodbye, Bolt.”

She somehow knew that her mother would say this, deja vu crowding her mind. Nonetheless, her blood turned ice cold, subsequently freezing her movements. “How long?” Her mother shook her head, refusing to answer as more tears poured from her eyes. “Mom, how long?”

“The doctor came an hour ago. Why weren’t you home with her?! You were supposed to be here with her!” Hyacinth’s voice rose in volume and broke at the end, unnaturally so, making Bolt’s ears fold down under the shame.

“I- I was just- I wasn’t gone for very-” Fire Bolt stammered, not quite able to explain the events of the day herself or how so many hours had passed, but her mother gave her a look that shut her up.

“We don’t need to do this right now. Come on, she shouldn’t be alone.” Her voice was much softer now, and Bolt couldn’t blame her mother for snapping at her.

“Is Dad coming?” Bolt blurted out, suddenly experiencing another wave of anxiety, but she wasn’t surprised when Hyacinth responded with a soured expression, but no words. The two of them trotted down the hallway and it felt like a march of death.

Fire Bolt stood at the threshold of her sister's room, her heart heavy with dread. The air was filled with the scent of wilting flowers and rot, and the room was bathed in a pale light from the overhead lamp. Serenade lay almost motionless on the bed, her breaths shallow and labored, a frail whisper of life escaping her lips as her bedsheet rose and fell faintly.

As she approached her sister, a sudden chill filled the room, the physical temperature dropping drastically. The very essence of the room seemed to thicken, becoming suffocatingly heavy and difficult for Bolt to keep taking steps forward in the thick jelly of the atmosphere. Serenade's breaths slowed, matching the ominous rhythm of the dying heart monitor that Bolt assumed the doctor brought over earlier.

When Bolt got close enough, she studied her sister’s face, knowing it would likely be the last time she could. The gray fur that had started to fall out in tufts as she got sicker looked breathtakingly elegant now and the deep bags under her eyes were gone, as if Serenade had gotten better and just needed to sleep it off. Her sister looked stunningly beautiful like she did before her illness overtook her body.

Just as she reached out to push her sister’s mane away from her face, a melancholy melody began to fill the room, originating from an unseen source. Bolt watched in awe, memories of Serenade's music flooding her senses, feeling that her sister’s spirit was so strong that it was sending her a parting gift. Yet, something felt off; something in the tune that played struck a dissonant chord within her and made her feel increasingly anxious. The music notes now physically hung in the air like a cursed incantation, inching closer and closer to the sleeping earth pony, and when Bolt panicked and turned to Hyacinth, she wasn’t in the doorway anymore – in fact, the door was tightly shut. Serenade’s eyes snapped open, but they weren’t the lively blue eyes that she was hoping for. Her eye sockets were hollow, leaving a horrific sight that was burned into Bolt’s mind.

Suddenly, Mixie’s body convulsed, arching off the bed as if pulled by unseen hooves. The room itself seemed to warp and twist, the walls closing in like the bars of a prison. Shadows depicting warped ponies danced along the walls in circles, their movements synchronized with the macabre melody that was increasing in both tempo and pitch by the second. Serenade's body contorted backward, her limbs bending at unnatural angles and the sound of snapping bones echoed over the tune.

As the melody got faster and more distorted, Mixie’s skin split at the abdomen; two curved horns tipped with an inky black color protruded from Mixie’s twisted body, sending blood trickling down her gray fur. The crackling sound of her ribs breaking was somehow louder than the deafening music, and the skin of her belly peeled back to reveal two dark, disembodied eyes just below her mangled ribs and underneath the horns. Fire Bolt stared at the eyes, horrified, and in a millisecond, Serenade’s body split in two with a sickening crack, sending gore and blood splattering across the room, a small spray from a burst artery landing on Bolt’s face.

Her mouth was agape, and a bit of her sister’s blood landed in her mouth. She couldn’t make her brain care, because it was far too occupied. The scene was gruesome, yes, but horror was not the main emotion plaguing her mind: confusion was, as the only thing she could think was ‘That’s not how that happened. She didn’t die like that in real life.’

12

Sonar Moonshadow slammed the dusty book shut after skimming the final page, watching as Misty Seeker busied herself by watering a mix of red and purple potted flowers that grew by inches in a millisecond. “I finished reading.”

“What did you find?” Misty inquired with a faint twitch of her lip into a knowing smile.

“This… um, what did you call it? Demon?” Sonar rubbed his temples, mind swimming at the new information.

“Not a demon. Destolord.” Misty sounded sharp in her response, almost offended.

“Right, that. Well, this Destolord is the only regularly observed one of its kind in our history,” Sonar flipped the book back open, trying to guide his thoughts into a comprehensive narrative. “It showed itself to Princess Luna after… I dunno, a few centuries after she arrived on the moon?” Misty nodded, so he continued to relay the story he had learned…

Luna was fully coherent. She no longer wondered if her torture was only mental, as she stared into the deep eyes of the creature before her.

“Who are you?” Luna barked out, and the vacuum of silence somehow got even quieter.

“You need not to know of my name, only of my power,” The creature grinned, stepping closer to the princess as she firmly held her ground. “You will see.”

In a flash, Luna was sent careening to the rocky terrain of the moon and she felt her shoulder pop out of place. Shocked, she attempted to regain her posture as before she was knocked back to the ground by an unseen force, the grinning Destolord not having lifted a single hoof. She tried to use her weakened magic, unknowing that it was determination alone allowing her to stand once again.

“Who are you?” The princess repeated firmly, not letting her slowly rising terror show on her face. “I am Princess Luna, riser of the moon and the night, ruler of dark Equestria.”

“If you are so insistent on introductions, you may call me Jesterbones,” His voice sounded like it was miles away, but it also sounded like a whisper directly in the princess’ ear.

At that, Luna's hooves pounded against the rocky surface as she charged at ‘Jesterbones,’ her magic now discarded as a means of defense. With a swift movement, she aimed a powerful punch at his strange form, but he had dodged it, his body contorting like smoke in the wind. Luna spun, her back legs kicking out at him as she tripped, but Jesterbones simply phased through the second attack and reappeared behind her. Growing frustrated, she launched herself at the creature once again, aiming to tackle Jesterbones to the ground. He blinked out of her vision at the last moment, sending Luna crashing into the ground once again and kicking up a cloud of the silvery dust of the moon.

Luna sprang back to her hooves, her eyes narrowing as she ignored the pain in her shoulders. Jesterbones grinned, a sickening sneer twisting his unnatural features. He suddenly lunged at the princess, aiming a series of rapid jabs at Luna's face. Luna deftly weaved backward, her training evident as she avoided each attempted strike. With a swift movement, she retaliated, landing a solid crack against Jesterbones' side, her hoof getting an unwanted feel of his exposed ribs.

The impact briefly rippled through his form, but he countered with a powerful uppercut that sent a wave of black magic through the air. Luna staggered back, shaking off the hit. Her small victory felt meaningless, and something dark in her mind told her that he was only lowering himself to her level of combat just to come back stronger.

“Now Luna, will you disappoint me just as you have disappointed your dear sister? Sad,” Jesterbones’ mocking smile that exposed his curved fangs never ceased to deepen the pit in her stomach, and the newly found rage made her twitch in sheer anger.

“Do not speak of my sister!” She charged again with a renewed passion, her fury guiding her strikes to land. Crack after crack of bone echoed in the air as she assaulted the creature with her front hooves, and with a wild battle cry, Luna unleashed a spinning kick, catching Jesterbones off guard and sending him sprawling across the moon's surface. He rolled, recovering quickly, his blackened eyes glowing with newfound intensity.

“There you are.” The fight continued, a repulsive dance of hooves and bones and anger on the desolate landscape. Luna pressed her newfound advantage of surprise, her strikes landing with precision, but she couldn’t help but feel that he wasn’t even trying. Jesterbones fought back, his movements entirely unpredictable. Each punch and dodge echoed through the quiet expanse of space above them, and the moon bore witness to their battle, the sole silent observer of this clash of titans. Hoof met demonic form in a relentless struggle, neither willing to yield until Jesterbones blinked out of existence only to reappear several yards behind her. “It feels good, does it not? Releasing your rage?”

“Nothing about this is pleasant,” Luna wiped her bloodied nose on her hoof gracelessly. “If you are simply here to kill me, stop toying with your food. Us ponies consider it to be incredibly rude.”

Jesterbones tilted his bony head back and laughed at that, the unnerving sound entirely filling the air. “Princess, are you requesting that I end your life?”

Luna sniffed, then huffed out a breath. “I am requesting that whatever your motive is, you get on with it already.”

“That sounds perfect. I suppose my next step is to take out your sun princess while you are trapped up here? To take over Equestria and cover it in eternal darkness, just as you wished?” Jesterbones grinned, levitating on an invisible armchair as he pretended to ponder. “I certainly don’t have to kill you. I’m sure your sister would put up a more… entertaining fight, anyways.”

Luna saw red, vision narrowing upon the beast before her as she let out an anguished cry. She spread her wings and flew into him, taking the two of them to the ground and kicking up the pale dust into several smaller clouds. Anything she could reach was trampled with as much force as she could muster, her magic illuminating the scene as she tried to bestow herself with the strength she needed.

However, it was not enough.

Each blow was met with an equally as hard injury to her own body – she could ignore the pain through her rush of adrenaline, but she noticed that so could her counterpart. Each failed attack against Jesterbones brought a new wave of preemptive grief for her sister, and Luna mournfully hoped that Celestia would understand that her young sibling had tried with all her might to protect her.

A distant thought brought Luna’s mind back to the cracked armor that she had scattered across the terrain once she had realized the state of her becoming, and she realized that she only had one option left: to allow the hatred for her own weakness to manifest in her existence once again.

With tears in her eyes, she conjured the resentment into a dark magic that lifted and consumed her body in such a bitter familiarity. As she forced her transformation, the only remaining thought in Luna’s mind was the newly found feeling of fierce, unwavering love that was not there before.

As she felt herself fizzle out of existence, Nightmare Moon took her place, and Luna’s final hope was that she would be able to tell her sister just how sorry she was.

“So, basically Nightmare Moon kicked his ass, and… that’s that?” Sonar gulped down his freshly materialized glass of water, his mouth dry from speaking for so long.

“That’s the issue. I imagine you learned about the origins of the Elements of Harmony in your history class, yes?” Misty finally joined him at the table, taking a seat in front of him once again before continuing. “The six ponies who saved the world… I was born on that night.”

“What night?” Sonar inquired, although he had a feeling that he already knew.

“Nightmare Night. The night that Princess Luna returned to our realm as Nightmare Moon. That is my birthday.” Misty acted like this was common knowledge, and Sonar’s jaw dropped.

“Wait, that makes you-”

“You were born one hundred years, to the date, after my… accident, and I was twenty back then. I am now one hundred and… sorry, how old are you?” Misty lazily straightened the rug with the tip of her back hoof from under the table.

“Twenty-three! You’re one hundred and forty-three!” He exclaimed, somehow still surprised even with all of Misty’s hinting and brief comments on the time she had spent in this realm.

“Definitely old enough to drink.” The two of them burst into laughter at that.

“But wait, can you explain your, erm, accident? I know you can’t remember much, but how does Jesterbones tie into all of this Nightmare Night stuff?” Sonar Moonshadow eventually asked awkwardly, unsure of how to enter the sensitive topic.

Misty seemed lost in thought for a moment before reeling herself back in. “I’m not sure of what would happen to your mind if I overloaded it in this realm. Why don’t we play some cards, and I’ll explain in a minute?”

“Taffy, I… I didn’t know what to do, I’m sorry!” Jelly Splash was trembling with grief as her deceased younger brother stood in the entrance of the cave.

“Jelly, I don’t think that’s real…” Sapphire Swirl was incredibly disturbed at this point, never breaking their gaze from the now silent mirage of a corpse.

“I didn’t know that the Heart would explode. I would never have taken you into town if I knew, I’m so sorry!” The unicorn freely wept now, the emotion strong in her voice.

The colt was eerily still, expressionless and cold. For a few moments, the only sound in the cave was Jelly Splash’s cries and Sapphire’s heavy breathing, before Taffy Twists suddenly let out an agonized screech, tilting his mangled head back to amplify the sound. Sapphire suddenly had to think quickly, flying in front of Jelly to physically restrain her from getting closer.

“Stop, Jelly, it’s not real!” Sapphire Swirl exclaimed as the unicorn pushed against their grip violently, turning just in time to see the animated corpse being dragged out of the entryway by an outside force with another scream.

Everything fell eerily silent – so silent, in fact, that the two ponies were suddenly very aware that they could no longer speak or move, left frozen in their positions.

A grotesque figure emerged from the darkness of the cave entrance. A faint red glow emanated from its sunken eyes, and the sound of bones clattering against each other filled the cave with each step it took. Curved fangs enhanced the horrifying grin stretched across its face, and Jelly Splash felt a bead of sweat fall down the back of her neck as it emerged completely from the shadows to show its full form.

Its eyes darted to the two unconscious ponies, then to the glowing inscriptions on the walls, and back to the two frozen ponies. “It looks like you two have caused quite a mess, haven’t you?” The creature’s voice sounded warped and indescribably fear-inducing, and the two ponies simply stared in horror. “Let me help you get this cleaned up,” It laughed, and Sapphire Swirl realized just how doomed they really were.

Hundreds of millions of miles away, distant and unseeing beyond time and space, Misty Seeker was suddenly filled with dread, her artificial horn illuminating with a dark magic.

13

Fire Bolt was now incredibly aware that she was not in her true home. Where she truly was, though, was incomprehensible. Each building that she had explored, even her own home, was frighteningly empty and cold, its residents seeming long gone. She had wandered through Cloudsdale once again, this time knowing where she was going, but the white fluffy clouds had turned to an angry gray, seeming to reject her visit. The night sky had continued to stay frozen as it was, and Bolt was losing hope, quickly.

Silver Strike had left for Los Pegasus this morning and never came back, but that wasn’t as surprising as it should have been. What was really confusing, though, was the fact that Hyacinth was no longer in the home somehow, and Serenade Remix… she was long dead. Fire Bolt couldn’t understand why she was surrounded by isolation and death, and her fur was still stained a darker red in some spots after her sister’s gruesome demise. Was it even worth sticking around? Was this the afterlife, and if it was, what had she done to deserve it?

No matter how hard Bolt tried, her memory could not reach beyond the morning breakfast that she’d brought to her now mangled sister. Anything she could remember before that point was a blurry mush, and she was thoroughly confused as to who she even was before this point – could she even be sure that she knew her own name?

As she sat on the stoop of her abandoned home, something suddenly caught her eye; a flashing light in the distance that wasn’t there before seemed to get brighter with each pulse. Standing to find the source of the light, Bolt decided to take flight despite her fears of the night sky.

She grew closer to the light, or so she thought, as the distance between herself and the flashes never seemed to decrease. Fire Bolt pushed herself even harder, flapping her wings until they ached with the speed she was forcing upon herself, and her determination alone seemed to be the fix as she approached the brightness.

Finally landing when she felt close enough, Bolt discovered the source – a tall flower with magenta petals, beaming from root to leaf with a bright blue light. Something about it made her uneasy. It was a sense of deja vu that crept from her stomach to her throat as she took in the sight, and it was starting to make her head hurt. As she took a single step closer, the light suddenly enveloped her completely, blinding her. It was like a comforting blanket rather than a terrifying sight as the bad feeling dissipated from her body, and her gut told her that this was what death was like.

Assuming this was finally her end, she closed her eyes in acceptance, keeping the memory of her family strong in her mind and hoping to join them elsewhere…

…until she opened them to find herself staring at a fireplace.

“Boltie? Oh god!” Two hooves were flung around her body in a bearhug, and she turned to see the lilac unicorn of her partner behind her.

“Wh… Huh? Where am I? What happened?” Fire Bolt took in her surroundings – a cozy cottage was housing her, and a mysterious blue unicorn sat wide-eyed from a table against the far wall.

“I have… no idea.” The unicorn replied in a whisper as Sonar Moonshadow looked to her for an answer, and Bolt suddenly realized that his eyes weren’t glassy and cold – his gaze met her own, and it was obvious to her that he was truly seeing her for the first time. He looked over her face, her mane, her wings, and then back to her face.

“You’re so… Um, well, Misty, this is Fire Bolt. Fire Bolt, Misty Seeker. How did you get here?” Sonar took a few steps back, allowing Bolt to stretch out her limbs and look around.

“I can’t… I don’t know. I was just at home, I-I was ready for it to be over, and then I was… here,” She wiped away her tears as soon as she realized that they were falling.

“Home? Bolt, you were in the Frozen North. A cave, remember? Can’t you recall our journey?” Sonar Moonshadow was perplexed, and as he spoke, a splitting pain suddenly took over her head, causing her to grip it with her hooves.

“Ah! What in the world-” Another round of shooting pain made her dizzy, forcing her to the ground as her limbs turned to jelly. Her memories of the past several hours were merging with an entirely different reality and it felt like fire in her brain. “Ow, stop!” Bolt wasn’t sure why she said that or who she was yelling at, as she knew her pain was not coming from anyone else. Sonar sympathetically placed a hoof on her back as she writhed.

And then, just as quickly as it started, it stopped. She took a few deep breaths in preparation for the next round of searing pain in her skull, but it never came. Bolt lay heaving on the ground for several minutes before forcing herself to move and sat on the chair across from the blue unicorn, noticing playing cards scattered all over the table between them. “Misty?” The unicorn nodded expectantly. “Where are we?”

“The three of us are on the top layer of the Interstellar Rift Planes. It seems you have somehow joined us from a lower layer.” Fire Bolt blinked at the response, hoping that a sudden burst of knowledge would make her understand. “Your partner here used the Nebulith Etherbloom to get himself here with my guidance, but I’m unfortunately out of answers when it comes to how you got here. Unless…” Misty recapped.

“Unless what?” Sonar Moonshadow raised his eyebrows at her expectantly, and Misty was deep in thought for a few moments.

“Soul ties! You two could have a soul tie. Even with that, though, it takes very strong magic to cross dimensions through a tie. There’s no way for it to just be… an accident,” Misty stood and paced as she pondered for answers, so Sonar took her seat at the table. “Oh, how rude of me!” A third chair materialized at the table, making Fire Bolt jump in surprise, but Sonar just smiled reassuringly at her. “Tell me what you remember.”

The statement was suddenly incredibly difficult to think about, but Fire Bolt tried her best. “Um… Woke up in bed as a teenager again, got breakfast from my mom, said goodbye to my dad-”

“Your dad?” Sonar exclaimed, ignoring Misty’s annoyance at the quick interruption.

“Yeah, he was there. It was like I just… went back in time and forgot all about my real life,” Bolt couldn’t help but let disappointment seep into her voice, and Sonar was well aware of how frequently she wished for the impossible task to go home to her parents and sister. “Everything was okay again. I took breakfast to Mixie, gave her the medication-” Horrifying memories suddenly flooded back alongside the pleasant ones, the sensation of spiders on her hoof making her shiver. “Uhh… went to Cloudsdale and spent some time with Marshmallow Creme, and something happened there, I just can’t quite remember what, though.”

“The lower layers are dangerous. I think I might be able to figure out what happened, can you remember anything past that?” Misty asked as her pacing quickened.

“Unfortunately,” Fire Bolt gulped nervously. “Well, my older sister died. In real life, that is. I was just a kid and I thought she was sleeping; it was peaceful for her,” She broke eye contact with Sonar as grief filled her stomach and threatened to burst from her throat. “In the… lower layer thing, I went back home, and she was already dying. My mom was so mad at me, so mad, I just…” Tears began to fall freely despite her embarrassment. “I didn’t know what to do. I went to her room, and there was this freaky spell going on, I mean, it looked paranormal. She died suffering, and her blood got everywhere. It was so different than how she really passed. There were these eyes, and the horns-”

“Sonar Moonshadow, we need to wrap things up quickly. I’m sorry to say this, but you two must leave me immediately,” Misty Seeker had stopped pacing at the mention of blood. “Fire Bolt, you were living in a… how can I explain it? A recreation of both your dreams and your worst nightmares. A stage was made to make you think that you were home.”

“A stage? So it was all fake? But… who was making a fake world for me to live in?” Bolt questioned, watching as Misty and Sonar shared a tense look.

As if to answer her question, a dark red magic began to illuminate Misty’s horn, seemingly to her own surprise. “Oh, no. This is not good. This is not good at all. Your friends are in danger. He is showing his form in Equestria as we speak.”

Sonar suddenly lept to his hooves, Fire Bolt’s confusion turning to fear at the reactions in front of her.

“Listen very carefully, as we do not have much time left. The Nebulith Etherbloom you used will be dead when you return, and you will not be able to use it again. You may find another if you wish to visit me again, but for now-” She lifted a suddenly conjured necklace to lay on Sonar Moonshadow’s neck. “This talisman will let me speak to you in your dreams. I’ve never used it before, but I’ve read about it.”

“Wait, but what are our next steps? What do we do to stop this?” He asked, looking down at the inscribed jewelry lying on his chest. “We didn’t even get to figure out what I can do!”

“Fire Bolt, you need to find this mare you knew, Marshmallow Creme, yes? Is she living?” Bolt nodded frantically as Misty spoke quickly with fervor. “There must be eight of you. I will help you find the remaining ponies. Sonar, you need to get absolutely everypony out of that cave. It doesn’t matter how, just don’t get an enclosed space with that thing. Got it?” Sonar nodded, and Misty now spoke with a softer tone. “I… will miss you. It was very nice to spend this time with you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Misty. Thank you for your help.” The two of them touched hooves for a moment, and Fire Bolt awkwardly watched. Sonar then turned to her, his horn illuminating with a bright light as he drew her close to him. A flash of magic filled the room, and then… they were gone.

“Goodbye,” Misty whispered to the nothingness in front of her, returning to her infinite solitude with a heavy heart.

Jelly Splash knew that at this point, she was going to die. The creature was inches from her face, and she still couldn’t move. His jaw was opened wide, and the two ponies could see the never-ending black void within.

Out of the corner of her eye, there was light. She could move again, just barely. Slowly wiggling her ears to start, she noticed Sapphire was also beginning to twitch their wings, and the creature suddenly snapped its mouth shut and retreated by a few inches. She froze again, terrified that her slight movements had angered the beast.

“Jesterbones.” It didn’t move any further, but the sound of what Jelly Splash assumed to be its name caused his expression to falter. Finally able to turn her head just the slightest bit, she saw Sonar Moonshadow standing firmly in front of the now wilted flower, and Fire Bolt just behind him, albeit quivering with nausea. “Leave them alone.”

“Ah, you know of me. And who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” The creature, Jesterbones, spoke in an amused tone, finally turning his head to see the other two ponies.

“You need not to know of my name, only of my power. Isn’t that what you said?” Sonar was getting closer with a determined walk, a kind of annoyance in his voice and his horn lit with a glow that Sapphire had never seen on a unicorn before.

“You are rude. I do not like rudeness from-” Jesterbones started, but stopped as the glowing inscriptions on the cave walls formed into one beam of magic, guided by Sonar’s horn. The ball of light suddenly hit the far wall opposite the cave entrance, creating what looked like a magical tunnel with a loud blast.

“Sap, Jelly, out! Now!” Fire Bolt ordered, and they were quick to listen. The two of them raced to the magical opening in the wall with a newfound ability to move and lept inside. It was colorful and strange, and the two ponies floated through the air, never once looking back as they were thrown towards a bright light.

It felt like both seconds and days had passed before the two of them were firmly planted on the cobblestone floor of the Crystal Empire, and Sapphire looked back to see the swirling magic close behind them. “Wait!” They ran towards the shrinking tunnel – Fire Bolt and Sonar Moonshadow were still in the cave.

Before they could panic further, the light suddenly opened again, throwing the two remaining ponies to the ground roughly, and the scabbed injury on Fire Bolt’s chin was reopened with the force of hitting the ground. Sonar stood and turned around, pushing the magical tunnel shut for good before anything could follow them.

Sapphire embraced the two of them suddenly with a grip that made Sonar huff out a breath, and Jelly Splash soon joined them in an embrace. “We thought you guys were cooked!”

“I did not think I was going to make it out of there alive,” Jelly added, her voice muffled against Bolt’s mane. “And I was positive that you guys wouldn’t.”

Fire Bolt pulled away from the massive embrace after a moment, shaking out her mane and limbs as she tried to get used to the amount of realities that she had been tossed around. “I hate to break the moment, but we’ve got to get moving again.”

Sonar nodded, seemingly unaffected by the fact that he was blind again as he started in the direction of the abandoned train tracks that they had started from. “Cloudsdale. Everyone’s going to need a weapon.”

14

The four ponies approached the Galloping Gorge, each one of them stumbling with exhaustion. It had to have been several hours since they left the Crystal Empire, albeit with a very hesitant Jelly Splash, who had not left the area since the beginning of the Nightfall. Each one of them had equipped themselves with some sort of self-defense, save for Fire Bolt, who always kept a dagger on her anyways.

The fall of Clousdale was catastrophic when it happened, as a select few of arrogant pegasi were hellbent on taking control of the city without the guidance of the rulers of Equestria. Some cities had successfully established a counsel of rule, like Canterlot, which was overseen by Celestia’s most trusted guards. Cloudsdale, however, had an explosion of violence, making the once bright city into a wartorn hellscape.

The first pony to rise into power was an orange pegasus that Bolt couldn’t remember the name of, but his tyrannical rule resulted in the discovery of his body within weeks of his rule. The next had attempted to spark a war against pegasi living outside of Cloudsdale in a fit of loyalty-driven rage, but the rejection of the plan by an overwhelming majority of Cloudsdale caused a war within their own city, resulting in a now desolate landscape full of hatred and crime.

None of the four on the journey to Cloudsdale had visited the cloudy city since the Nightfall began, save for Fire Bolt in her strange alternate reality, but she knew that didn’t count.

“Guys, can we please take a break now? If I walk any more I’m going to pass out,” Sapphire broke the pensive silence, dramatically emphasizing their exhaustion by dragging their hooves loudly against the abandoned train tracks.

“Yeah, Sonar, I’m getting really tired, too. We should find somewhere safe in the Gorge to rest,” Fire Bolt added more quietly, and Sonar finally slowed to a stop, sighing.

“We’re almost there anyways. I can keep first watch, I’m not too tired after my nap,” Jelly Splash chipped in, looking up at the distant city in the sky that had only recently become visible, its rainbows dulled to a layered spill of different shades of gray.

Sonar turned to face the other three, exhaustion present on his face. “...Alright. Let’s find cover.”

It didn’t take long, as the Galloping Gorge wasn’t a typical place for ponies to reside, even before the Nightfall. Far from the train tracks, there was a fallen tree in front of a small cave opening, and Bolt tried not to let herself get claustrophobic at the thought of entering yet another cave. It was just large enough to fit the four of them, though, if it even counted as a cave, and the red rock just an inch or two above their heads seemed stable enough.

“Alright, Sap and Bolt, you guys can rest. Jelly and I will keep an eye out for anything fishy,” Sonar sat firmly at the edge of the entrance, wavering with fatigue.

“Sonar, go sleep with them. I’m serious, I’m perfectly awake. Trust me, you need the rest,” Jelly placed a hoof on his shoulder, and he hesitated before dragging himself to begrudgingly lay with Bolt.

Sapphire was snoring before Sonar was even fully settled, and Jelly Splash took to pacing in front of the fallen tree to pass the time. Bolt felt a wave of relief as the two of them huddled together, a familiar comfort coming from their positions. She placed a hoof against the talisman around his neck curiously, fighting the sleep that made her eyelids heavy. “Do you think you’ll see her tonight?”

“Hmm?” Sonar’s eyes were closed.

“Misty. Do you think the necklace will work?” She asked, the sentence broken with a yawn.

“Mm… Don’t know. I guess we’ll see,” His words were barely comprehensible, and Bolt decided to let him sleep, curling up under his hooves and falling into unconsciousness herself.

Sonar Moonshadow’s scarecrow costume was itchy, and it irritated his hooves. The thousand year celebration of Nightmare Moon’s banishment was loud in the town square, and Sonar wanted to cover his ears at the sound. He quickly noticed, though, that it was not cheering – it was gasps of horror and murmuring.

“Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!” Mayor Mare announced, panic evident in her voice. Sonar looked up to the balcony, where Princess Celestia was supposed to be, but she was absent.

“She’s gone!” Rarity exclaimed, and the sounds of surprise from the crowd increased as Nightmare Moon approached from the shadows. …Wait, Rarity? An Element of Harmony?

“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces,” Nightmare Moon grinned, her sharp teeth on full display.

“What did you do with our princess?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, and Sonar realized where he was all at once. This is the night Misty was born. As the thought crossed his mind, the scene in front of him froze in time, his costume disappearing as everything began to blur.

A blue foal lay in a bassinet, her parents cooing lovingly over the edge. “Misty Seeker, you will do great things someday,” said the mare that Sonar assumed to be the mother.

The open window behind them displayed the full moon with a notably absent mare in the moon, its light shining through the opening. Sonar watched helplessly as a twinkling dark magic seeped in and underneath the bassinet, slowly evaporating upwards unbeknownst to anyone but him and making the foal thrash in her sleep. “Shh, shh, mommy’s here…” The white unicorn lifted the foal into her arms as she sat on a rocking chair, attempting to soothe the baby. The father’s shadow looked frighteningly similar to that of Jesterbones, horns sprouting from nowhere.

Everything froze and blurred again, jumping to a scene where Misty is slightly older, but still just a filly, helping her mother bake what looked to be a pie. The kitchen window was open here too, and a full moon once again shone into the room. A bad feeling in the bottom of Sonar’s stomach told him that this night would not be a good one. He realized he was right as the sparkling magic surrounded Misty once again when her mother’s back was turned as she put the pie in the oven, making her burst into tears. Her two parents came running, worried for their daughter, but she beckoned them away.

“No, get back!” The filly cried, but the concerned parents would not listen.

“Misty, sweetie, what happened? Did a knife get you?” Her father went to check for cuts on her hooves, and two black-tipped horns began to sprout from his mane. Her mother didn’t seem to notice as she drew closer as well, the same horns materializing from nowhere.

“Misty, what did we say about laughing in the shadows?” Her mother said suddenly with a disapproving glare and green eyes that perfectly matched her daughter’s, and an explosion of light took over the room. When the dust settled, the two ponies lay dead, horns nowhere to be seen as the pie peacefully baked in the oven. Misty’s left hoof was severed to the bone, blood soaking into the wooden panels of the floor.

“Mommy?” The young Misty shook the mare, who was unresponsive. “Mommy, wake up!” She cried in pain and anguish.

Everything froze for a third time before fading to black. Sonar was alone for several moments, breathing quickly with anxiety before an earth pony eventually emerged from the darkness. It was Misty, but not in the way he had met her. Her mane was smooth and un-rustled by an artificial horn that wasn’t there, a prosthetic hoof helping her walk as she approached him.

“So it worked,” She said in a monotone voice.

“Misty, I…” Sonar opened his mouth, then shut it again.

“I killed them. Large emotions make his power stronger. It does not matter, though, that was not the worst thing I’ve done,” She turned and started to walk away.

“You didn’t- you were a filly! Wait!” Sonar trotted to keep up with her until the blackness around them turned into a laboratory. A large pot sat in the center of the room, sizzling with heat and a green glow that cast light onto the lab tables around it.

The two of them watched as a younger Misty worked on the potion, and a slithering figure slowly emerged from the pot. “Your mane, Miss Seeker.” Spoke the shadow, and the voice was unsettlingly familiar. Levitated scissors took a chunk of her mane, and it sparked and popped as soon as it hit the green potion. Smoke filled the room, causing the younger Misty to cough violently.

Deep laughter bounced off the walls as she wheezed, and the shadow continued to grow until it was a physical creature - Jesterbones.

Misty was gasping for air as her body shimmered with light, growing more translucent by the second. She faded into nothingness, and Sonar’s visibility lowered significantly with the amount of smoke in the room.

“I released him. Into Equestria. It was my fault,” Misty spoke, and the scene behind her faded into blackness once again.

“I don’t understand. Why you?” He asked quietly.

“I was born the night his power escaped. His body was still on the moon, but his energy escaped the very same way Nightmare Moon did. I suppose he just… chose me.”

Sonar let silence settle over the two of them for several minutes before speaking up once more. “How can we stop this? If he was stuck before, he can be stuck again, right?” He suggested as the edges of his vision got fuzzier by the second.

“Theoretically. We will speak soon. Send your partner my regards.” A shrill sound was getting louder in his ears, making it increasingly difficult to hear her.

Sonar Moonshadow woke in a sweat, Fire Bolt still sleeping soundly in his arms. She roused slightly at his sudden movement, and he slipped out from her grasp without waking the pegasus.

Sapphire was extremely comfortable, splayed out across half of the floor room with a puddle of drool under their mouth, and Sonar could hear the tapping of Jelly’s pacing outside. He exited the cove, his sixth sense giving him a bit of a grasp of the landscape in front of him, and Jelly’s pacing stopped. “Sleep well?”

“Well enough. Go rest, I’ve got this.” Sonar replied.

“No offense, but… how are you going to, um, keep watch? You know, ‘cause…” She asked hesitantly, trailing off.

“Anything that moves within about ten miles will be very obvious to me,” He sat down, gazing sightlessly into the night sky. It was true, Sonar’s hearing was more effective than that of most ponies, and his magic combined with his echolocation skills allowed him to visualize an almost-perfect scene in his mind.

He heard Jelly Splash trot into the cove wordlessly, radiating with embarrassment, followed by the shuffling of someone else waking up, and he felt Fire Bolt’s presence approach from behind before stopping beside him.

“So? Did Misty talk to you?” She asked, sitting next to her partner.

“You could say that,” He felt a lump in his throat at the memory of a young filly screaming over her mother’s body. “Didn’t get enough information before I woke up. We’ll have to try again in another few hours.”

Bolt nodded silently, sensing the tension radiating from Sonar, deciding against probing. “You want to stretch your wings a little? I’m fine sitting here for a bit.”

She shook her head. “I’d rather stay with you.”

The two of them sat in silence watching the frozen moon together, and for the first time in three and a half years, nothing but contentment settled over the two.

15

After everyone was well rested, they discussed the biggest issue at hoof: getting two unicorns into Cloudsdale. Sonar had tried the legendary spell performed by Princess Twilight Sparkle many moons prior that had given Rarity temporary wings, but too many failed attempts had only brought frustration. Eventually, everyone had come to the consensus that Sapphire Swirl and Fire Bolt would have to traverse the city alone, a conclusion that nobody was happy with.

“It should only be, I don’t know, two hours?” Sapphire paced, anxiety radiating around the four of them.

“You and Jelly should really stay here in the gorge. My mom’s house is on the land before Cloudsdale, and it’s not a good place to be,” Fire Bolt explained to Sonar.

“What if you need help? I want to be able to hear you!” He objected.

“How could you guys help? It’s not like you could come up there,” Sap rationalized as their pacing quickened, and Sonar didn’t seem to have a good response.

“You guys should get going, then,” Jelly Splash suddenly spoke up, breaking her near-silence of the past hour. “We’re still on a time crunch.”

“You’re right. If anything happens, we should all meet back here.” As if to solidify the statement, Fire Bolt forcefully shoved a stick into a softer part of the ground, acting as a waypoint. “Come on, Sap.”

“Wait!” Sonar Moonshadow ran to stop the two of them and pulling Bolt into a big hug. “Be safe, okay?” He murmured, not loud enough for the others to hear.

“I always am.”

Sapphire and Bolt took to the skies, both of them silently grateful to give their hooves a break and get some cool air running through their wings. The Galloping Gorge stretched out beneath them, a dark chasm veiled in shadows. As they reached higher and higher altitudes, the distant lights of Ponyville twinkled far below, a comforting reminder of civilization in the midst of the vast, starlit expanse.

Fire Bolt's senses were suddenly on high alert. The wind rushed past her mane, and it almost sounded like a whisper. Sapphire Swirl, normally a very strong and confident flier, appeared tense as well, their form rippling with a nervous energy that matched the unsettling ambiance in the sky. There was something dark in their stomachs that seemed to grow darker the higher they got. “Something’s really off up here,” Bolt shouted over the wind, her voice steady but edged with uncertainty.

Sapphire Swirl nodded in agreement, their usually cheery demeanor marred by a faint flicker of fear. “I feel it too.” Their wings moved rhythmically, beating against the air, carrying them further upward toward the city. The stars flickered like distant candles, casting an eerie glow upon their coats that almost made the two of them look sickly. The serenity of the night had given way to an overwhelming feeling of dread, a fear that crawled under their skin and nestled in the pit of their chests.

“It's like something is lurking just beyond our sight… like it’s waiting to pounce.” Bolt found that verbalizing the terror could slightly ease it, so she kept talking. “I think it’s just the anxiety.” The night seemed to close in around them, the darkness and the air thickening with each passing moment. Their minds played tricks on them, conjuring phantoms out of the corners of their eyes, causing Sapphire to whip their head around towards the fictitious figures.

In the distance, Cloudsdale loomed, its glowing spires casting long, eerie shadows under the moonlight. Bolt and Sapphire quickened their paces simultaneously, their hearts pounding in their chests. The feeling of being watched intensified, a suffocating presence that clawed at their minds. When they finally landed in Cloudsdale, their relief was palpable. But even within the feeling of a semblance of safety in the floating city, the sense of foreboding lingered, a haunting echo of their journey through the night and a reminder of who they’d left behind.

The once majestic cloud structures were now twisted remnants, shadows of their former glory, haunting reminders of the devastating war that had torn through the city in the prior years. The air crackled with an unsettling energy, and a sense of foreboding hung heavy over the ruins; some of the darker clouds even literally crackled with brief fits of lightning.

As they moved through the desolate streets on high alert, Bolt couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu. Cloudsdale, once a place of beauty and pegasus joy, now felt like a distorted reflection of her memories. The wars had very visibly left their mark, turning the city into a twisted, nightmarish version of itself. The shattered remnants of buildings loomed like specters, casting elongated shadows that danced eerily on the angry clouds.

“We should check her cottage first. Follow me,” Bolt murmured, her voice barely audible over the mournful whistling of the wind. She found herself slightly disoriented, as her last memory of the city wasn’t even the real city at all – everything that felt backwards to her was in fact correct, and her loss of the familiarity of Clousdale made her heart sink more by the minute. The old playground where she met Marshmallow was just a plot of clouds now, not a single trace of joy left behind. Memories of their past adventures flooded her mind, a bittersweet reminder of the bond they once shared.

A sudden movement caught Bolt's attention, snapping her out of her sadness, and she quickly tensed. Through the twisted metal framework of a shattered building, she saw a figure, hunched and cloaked in shadows. It was a blue pegasus poking through the rubble, and Sapphire was the first to notice a large dagger strapped to their flank. “Go around, we’ll find our way,” Sapphire whispered, nodding towards a smaller path that avoided the scrap yard.

As they approached the narrow pathway that wound through a dense cluster of twisted clouds, a chilling voice sliced through the silence. "Well, well, what do we have here?" The figure stepped out from the shadows, his yellow eyes glinting maliciously in the dim light. It was still a pony, but one who had clearly embraced the darkness of the war-torn world. His coat was covered with grime, and his green mane hung in tangles around his face. In his eyes lived a predatory gleam, a hunger for power and control.

“Get back!” Sapphire Swirl took several steps forward as Bolt quivered with anxiety. “Leave us alone and go back to scrapping. Trust me, it’s best for all of us.” Bolt could see right through Sapphire’s façade, and while real courage did indeed lie under the surface, she could see right through their bluff – she just hoped that this stallion wouldn’t be able to.

The azure pony chuckled darkly. "Oh, I think you're mistaken, little filly. This territory belongs to those who can take it. And I intend to take everything. You don’t belong here," He proudly flaunted the dagger, and it was making the two of them nervous.

Fire Bolt's eyes narrowed, her determination suddenly eclipsing her fear. “They’re not a filly, and neither am I.” She opened her saddle bag, ready to retrieve the weapon if needed. “Just go back to digging for bits like a freaky hag, why don’t you? And stay away from anypony else while you’re at it, you smell like shit.”

The menacing pony hesitated, clearly taken aback by the determination in her eyes combined with the sudden insult as his blue face flushed a deep purple. For a moment, it seemed as if he might retreat entirely, but then a twisted grin spread across his face. "You’re lucky my partner isn’t here… for now. We'll meet again!" He sneered, vanishing back into the shadows he came from.

With the immediate threat gone, the two continued on their way with much more vigor, their hearts still pounding with adrenaline. “That was crazy. You crack me up,” Sapphire murmured, a smile creeping onto their face, but Bolt was still too worked up to respond.

Finally, they arrived on the nostalgic street that Marshmallow Creme's cottage was on, a small, weathered neighborhood nestled amidst the remnants of Cloudsdale. It looked to be in surprisingly good condition in comparison to the rest of the city, but ‘good condition’ was still an overstatement. Taking a deep breath, Fire Bolt started towards the familiar cottage that looked to harbor candlelight, and she raised her hoof to apprehensively knock at the door. The curtains rustled momentarily, and a muffled shriek came from inside. The door was whipped open in a millisecond, and a pink pegasus yanked Bolt into her second bear hug of the hour. “Fire Bolt!” As they embraced, a mix of relief and sorrow washed over both of them as the familiarity of their hug faded. The war had changed them all, leaving scars that ran deeper than any physical wound. Marshmallow pulled back with tears in her eyes, which then flickered to Sapphire. “Who’s your friend? In, come in!”

The two of them rushed inside, anxious to close the door behind them, and Bolt was suddenly overcome with emotion. The scent of old coffee and lavender filled her senses, almost making her feel like a filly playing with her best friend again. She finally choked out, “This is Sapphire Swirl. My half-sibling.”

“Half-sibling? Oh, how wonderful!” Marshmallow replied before pulling the green pegasus into a rib-crushing hug as well, who squeaked at the suffocation. “I only ever heard about you through Bolt’s letters! Before the Nightfall, that is! I wish you two would’ve come up here sooner, but I understand why your sister here didn’t want to revisit Cloudsdale. You know, old memories and all of that– oop!” The energetic pegasus suddenly released Sapphire as she realized that they were losing air, and she flushed a deep pink. “Sorry. Really good to meet you. What brings you here? I would’ve escorted you to the cottage if I knew you were coming. Lots of scrappers out there.”

“Well, that’s the thing. I don’t really know why exactly we’re here, but… we need you,” Bolt replied sheepishly.

“Come on, then, let’s figure it out together!” Marshmallow Creme suddenly ushered them into the kitchen.

Inside, the atmosphere was warmer and more inviting than the entryway, a stark contrast to the absolute desolation outside. A crackling candle illuminated the room, casting flickering shadows on the walls as Marshmallow brewed a pot of coffee, her hooves moving with practiced ease.

The aroma of freshly brewing coffee and the comforting crackle of the candle filled the kitchen, wrapping Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl in a cocoon of warmth that they desperately needed. They settled around a small, weathered wooden table, its surface worn smooth by years of use. Marshmallow Creme, her mane a smooth blend of purplish hues, bustled about with a hum as she waited for the pot to finish spewing, and then pouring steaming cups of coffee with grace. "So, tell me more about your journey here," Marshmallow Creme said, her eyes curious as she handed them each a steaming mug. "It must have been rough out there, especially with the state of Cloudsdale these days. Always makes me sad to see, but I can’t leave."

Fire Bolt tilted her head. “You can’t?”

Marshmallow sighed. “I can. But I just… It doesn’t matter. I want to hear about you guys.”

“It was scary out there,” Sapphire piped up. “We almost got stabbed out there!”

Marshmallow didn’t seem surprised. “I’m glad you made it here in one piece. How did you decide to come to me?”

Fire Bolt took a breath. “Well, uhh… I woke up on a Saturday morning…”

Sapphire Swirl and Marshmallow Creme were both staring at her with dropped jaws. “The mare told us to find you, and that she would give us more information once we did. That’s all I got.”

“Hold on, back up. You never told me any of this!” Sapphire’s eyes were wide.

“To be fair, it was just a few hours ago. We didn’t really have the time to debrief an entire day’s worth of hallucinating.” They nodded at that, still overcome by surprise at the events retold.

“I can’t believe I was in your weird nightmare world… thing. Did I look cool?” Marshmallow grinned, and the three of them laughed.

“You looked like you when we were kids. So, yeah, pretty cool,” Fire Bolt smiled back. “I still don’t understand any of it, though. I wish I had more to go on.”

“I understand. I think. You know how amazing I am at listening!” Marshmallow Creme smirked sarcastically, and the two of them shouted over each other in an attempt to tell the stories of their time in school together to Sapphire Swirl.

Stories flowed freely, memories of their shared past bubbling to the surface. Together they loudly reminisced about the days when Cloudsdale was a haven of laughter and friendship, when the worries of the world felt so far away that they could go home to their parents when things got too tough.

Amidst the laughter and shared memories, Fire Bolt's eyes suddenly caught sight of an old photograph on the wall behind her sibling, a snapshot frozen in time. It captured a moment of pure joy alone, Fire Bolt and Marshmallow Creme side by side, their smiles radiant and unburdened. Fire Bolt felt a lump forming in her throat – it was a beaming reminder of the friendship that had endured despite the passage of time and the struggles they had faced while apart. “You still have that?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, this? Of course I do!” Marshmallow followed her gaze to the picture on the wall. “It was such a fun day at the fair!”

It was indeed a fun day, it was before the two of them even had their cutie marks. Their parents had to come with them for safety reasons, but they had snuck off — the photograph was snapped mere moments before Hyacinth had found the fillies at the photo booth and dragged them out by the scruffs of their necks, all the while murmuring about the dangers of wandering alone.

“Mom was so mad. I didn’t even care, though, because I knew she wouldn’t shout with company,” Bolt said, the atmosphere now settling into one of bittersweet reminiscence. After several moments of silence, an image of Sonar and Jelly pacing anxiously flashed into her mind, and she was suddenly overcome with the purpose of the journey. “Sorry to cut this short, but if you’re willing to come with us, we really should get going.”

Sapphire was almost vibrating with energy, the two cups of coffee not aiding their already boisterous personality. “Agreed. Let’s hit the road!” They lept to their hooves, taking the liberty to blow out the candle and bounce to the front door. Marshmallow and Bolt shared a fond look before joining them and preparing to enter the chilly darkness, and Bolt didn’t even notice her friend slipping the old photograph into her saddle bag.

16

Fire Bolt, Sapphire Swirl, and Marshmallow Creme hurried through the dilapidated streets, their wings tired from flying and their hearts heavy with the weight of the destroyed city. As they turned the corner out of the neighborhood, they found themselves face-to-face with a tall figure: the scrapper from earlier.

His eyes glinted with a dangerous mixture of desperation and malevolence. His ragged wings twitched with a feral energy as one wing clutched the knife strapped to his leg, clearly ready for a fight. The three pegasi halted, their eyes widening as they assessed the threat before them.

Fire Bolt stepped forward. "We don't want trouble, and I don’t think you do either," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the eerie silence of the war-torn city. "We just need to pass through."

The blue pegasus sneered, his voice laced with bitterness and his green mane slightly obscuring his eyes. "Pass through, huh? Cloudsdale ain't a free highway anymore, sweetheart. You gotta pay the toll."

Sapphire Swirl stepped up beside Fire Bolt, their eyes narrowed in annoyance. "We don't have anything to give you. We're just trying to survive like everyone else."

Marshmallow Creme, although visibly the most frightened of the bunch, stood her ground. "Please, there's been enough suffering here. You and I have been here for all of it. Let us through."

The scrapper chuckled darkly, his wing’s twitching grip tightening on the knife. "Survival ain't free, girls. You'll have to fight for it." Sapphire squinted, clearly confused as to what made them look like a young girl. Unluckily for the pegasus, they weren’t, and they were extremely strong and agile.

Without warning, he lunged at them, his wings buzzing with the desperate energy of someone pushed to the brink. Sapphire, quick on their hooves, dodged his attack, narrowly avoiding the glinting blade. Bolt retaliated with a swift kick, aiming for his side, but he rolled away, narrowly escaping her blow.

Marshmallow Creme, though petrified, suddenly shocked everyone. She grabbed a heavy piece of debris lying nearby, using it as a makeshift weapon. With a yell, she swung it at the scrapper and hit him in the chest with a loud thump, catching him off guard and earning a pained grunt as he stumbled backward.

The pegasus, now infuriated, charged at them once more, his eyes wild with desperation. His knife was clutched between his teeth now, but Sapphire was able to get a kick to his jaw before he made contact. It wasn’t enough to disarm him, but it put a few feet of space between them. He paced menacingly, fire burning in his yellow eyes.

In his final act of desperation, he managed to make a swift move with his knife before the trio could fully evade. Marshmallow Creme, who was closest to him, felt a sharp sting on her flank as the blade nicked her skin. She cried out, stumbling back in pain. Fire Bolt turned without thinking with wide eyes. "It's just a scratch," Marshmallow Creme reassured her, though her voice wavered. The cut wasn't deep, but it throbbed with pain.

She turned back towards the scrapper, her wings unfurled and ready for action as rage crawled up her throat. Sapphire stood by her side firmly, sensing the infuriation radiating from their sister.

Bolt charged at the pony, her speed and agility catching him off guard. Sapphire Swirl followed suit, her movements fluid and calculated. The pegasus fought back fiercely, but he was no match for the combined strength and skill of the two furious pegasi. In a swift and coordinated effort, Bolt deftly knocked the knife from the pony's grasp, sending it clattering to the ground with a loud shriek. Sapphire Swirl, with a powerful kick to the chest, disarmed him completely, leaving him defenseless. Together with a final blow, they sent the scrapper sprawling to the ground, defeated. Wordlessly, he scampered away, hatred still strong in his weakened gaze.

Breathing heavily, Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl turned back to Marshmallow Creme, their concern now doubled as she lay unable to stand. Working together, they quickly tended to her wound, their movements gentle and precise as Bolt used an old cloth from her saddlebag to wrap it and stem the bleeding. Marshmallow Creme winced, but their care and support made the pain more bearable. “We need to find a safe place to treat this properly," Sapphire said softly. "We can't risk an infection."

"You're really brave, Marshmallow," Bolt said, her eyes filled with worry as she finished fastening the cloth. "Not many ponies could keep living here after being surrounded by this kind of danger. I don’t know how you’ve done it this long."

Marshmallow Creme offered a weary smile. "We're all brave. We have to be, in a world like this."

Fire Bolt nodded in agreement. "We stick together and keep moving forward. Can you fly?”

Sonar Moonshadow sat with his eyes closed and ears twitching relentlessly as Jelly Splash rested with her eyes closed as well, unable to sleep. Every time she started to drift off, she was met with the memory of that creature’s open jaw inches from her face. The void inside had looked endless, and somehow the sight alone had filled her with so much dread it made her sick to remember.

She could tell from the silence alone how worried the lilac unicorn was about their two companions, and although she’d only known them for a short amount of time, she found herself incredibly concerned about their fate as well. Jelly found that laying down with her eyes closed was more than enough and just about as good as sleep, but she couldn’t help but peek through one eye in case of three pegasi in the sky every now and then.

She was incredibly surprised when she was suddenly shaken awake after somehow drifting off to sleep for a bit. “Jelly, wake up, they’re coming back!” She lept to her hooves at that, a little disoriented from the sudden headrush.

Three pegasi landed a few yards in front of them, and Sonar Moonshadow heard the inconsistency of hoofsteps – somepony was limping. The familiar aura of Bolt was to the right of the crowd, and the limping came from his left, so his shoulders relaxed just a bit. “We survived!” Said Marshmallow cheerily.

“Barely…” Sapphire murmured, and Fire Bolt fell into an embrace with her partner.

“We survived,” She echoed, and their hug was suddenly joined by another pony.

“Oh my gosh, Sonar Moonshadow! It’s so nice to finally meet you! I would’ve liked to meet under different circumstances, but you know, beggars can’t be choosers and all of that. You’re taller than I thought you would be! You’re a lucky guy, Boltie’s such a great mare!” She rattled off, pulling away at some point to keep talking. “I got a little scratch while we were up there, but don’t worry! Nopony got seriously hurt, just a little run-in with a scavenger, but that’s pretty commonplace for Cloudsdale. Unfortunate, really, because it used to be such a beautiful city!” She suddenly noticed the teal unicorn awkwardly getting the run-down from Sapphire Swirl and approached her with an outstretched hoof. “Hi there! I’m Marshmallow Creme, but you can just call me Marshmallow or Marshie. I know, it’s a long name… Oh! I’m Fire Bolt’s friend from when we were fillies!”

Jelly Splash stared at the pegasus for a while before touching hooves with her. “I’m Jelly Splash. Or Jelly. Not a long name, though,” She smiled, but it looked more like a grimace.

“Nice to meet ya!” Marshmallow beamed back before her smile was broken by a yawn, and she covered her mouth with a hoof.

“Marshie, why don’t you take a quick nap while we figure out our next move? I can take a better look at that flank of yours, too,” Sapphire suggested, scanning the landscape for some clean water to use.

“You can what?” Marshmallow’s jaw dropped, freezing as she lay down.

“Your injury. Your injury, Marshmallow. Why would you even… nevermind.” Sapphire rolled their eyes with a giggle and flew off to retrieve water.

“Oh! Duh!” She flushed for a moment as Jelly Splash snickered at her obliviousness, and Sapphire returned with a dampened cloth in moments. They lifted the bloodied cloth and squinted at the wound before gently blotting it with the clean one, wincing as Marshmallow hissed in pain.

“It’s not too deep at all. You’ll be fine once it scabs over.” Sapphire continued their work before blowing on it gently to dry the water dripping down her leg. “I don’t have another clean cloth, though, so maybe it’s best that you rest while it heals anyway.” Marshmallow nodded, getting more comfortable where she was.

Marshmallow Creme was nodding off before long from the blood loss, and she listened to the muffled sounds of the ponies around her speaking in hushed tones. She could only make out a few words at a time, like “safe” and “forward,” and eventually, she fell under the warm blanket of sleep.

She was bounding from cloud to cloud. In the soft glow of the illuminated blue sky, fluffy tufts of cotton candy clouds stretched as far as her sparkling eyes could see. It was here that Marshmallow Creme discovered her true talent - jumping through hoops made of glistening sugar strands. Each hoop was a different color and size, and she tackled them with the grace of a ballet dancer and the spirit of an adventurer. With a swish of her tail, she would dive down, her wings tucked against her sides, and then ascend through the hoop with her wings spread.

Her laughter filled the air as she leaped from cloud to cloud, her hooves barely touching the delicate candy before jumping into the air again. She would bounce lightly, her ponytail swinging behind her head, and then take off into flight again. Slowing down for a moment to catch her breath, she suddenly heard the sound of magic being used.

Marshmallow, her heart still aflutter from her own performance on the cotton candy clouds, turned around, her eyes widening in surprise. There, perched gracefully on a cloud above, was Princess Luna, the once-mighty ruler of the night. Her mane shimmered with stars, and her teal eyes glowed with ancient wisdom and warmth.

"Princess Luna!" Marshmallow Creme exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of awe and pure joy. "You're back! We've missed you so much! But what are you doing in my cotton candy world?"

Luna smiled gently, her voice like a melody. "My dear Marshmallow Creme, I have watched over you, and I am proud of the pegasus you have become." The pink pegasus beamed with pride. “But I must tell you something very important. There is a very dangerous force at play, little one, a force that threatens the very fabric of our world. I have been searching for answers, trying to understand the darkness that has cast its shadow over Equestria. I have encountered it once before, but… I never thought his return to be possible. For that, I am sorry to all of your fellow citizens."

Marshmallow tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Is there anything we can do to help, Princess? My friends and I are always ready to stand by your side." Luna smiled softly.

"Indeed, there is hope, young one. The power of friendship has always been Equestria's greatest strength. Assemble your friends, those whose hearts are pure and true, for together, you can unlock the secrets that will save our land. For I… my physical form is far from salvageable. You will not find me before I perish." The princess broke their eye contact with a sad sigh. “I can only hope that I will join my sister, wherever we go.”

Marshmallow nodded, her heart heavy as she sensed the crushing grief from the princess. "But how do we begin, Princess Luna? What are these secrets that I need to unlock? And my friends are already assembled, right?"

Luna’s expression returned to one of serenity, a shining glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Look for the signs, my dear pegasus. Follow the dreams and the whispers of the wind. Seek the ancient artifacts scattered across Equestria, for they hold the key to unlocking the darkness that has a grip upon our world. Trust in your friends, for their loyalty and love will guide you through the darkest of times. You will find the remaining three."

“But wait, what does that mean? Artifacts? I don’t know the first thing about-” Luna flew down to meet Marshmallow on the same level.

"I believe in you, Marshmallow Creme," Luna cut her off abruptly, her voice soft but fierce, and it made the pegasus feel like she was getting a scolding from her mother. “You have everything you need within you.”

The princess pulled the younger pony into a tight hug, one that Marshmallow practically melted into, and before she could ask another question, she woke up.

17

Five ponies lay in a circle on the damp terrain of the Galloping Gorge under the light of the never-moving moon. Nobody knew what their next move was, but listening to Marshmallow Creme’s strange dream as she let her wound heal was certainly a start.

“Wait, so Princess Luna is definitely alive somewhere? Did she mention anything about the other princesses?” Sapphire Swirl squinted in thought.

“I think so. She said something about not being… salvageable? Before she dies? Like, she’s out there, but it’s too late for her. I don’t know where, though. Nothing really about the other princesses. Oh! She said that there are artifacts around Equestria that we can find to help us gather everypony we’ll need… everypony who has a good heart. Not super helpful, in my opin-”

“Eight. There needs to be eight of us,” Sonar Moonshadow suddenly cut in.

“Misty told us. In the top layer of the Rift,” Fire Bolt agreed. “I can’t think of any artifacts she mentioned, though.”

“I can.” Jelly Splash stood. She hadn’t spoken in hours, and a grimace painted her sour expression. “The Crystal Heart.” Nobody wanted to say anything. The silence was thick with tension, and Sapphire suddenly remembered the final shard that Jelly kept with her.

“Are you sure that’s something you want to try?” Sapphire asked gently after several moments of silence. “We can think of something else-”

“Like what?” Jelly snapped as her horn ignited with purple magic, but nobody took it personally. She magically attached her saddlebags and turned away from everyone. “This is the only shot we have right now. Let’s get moving.” She started towards the train tracks.

The remaining four looked to each other with concern written all over their faces, but it was true – none of them were given any other leads. “You heard the mare. Let’s go.” Sonar stood confidently, and the others followed.

Marshmallow Creme took to flying instead, never taking the lead but instead falling behind with frequent looks behind her as the five of them pushed along the train tracks once more. Jelly Splash guided the group, and silence interrupted by hooves on degraded metal fell over everyone for several minutes.

“What do you think will happen? Everypony will be fine?” Sapphire broke the silence, and Fire Bolt shoved them gently with a glare. “What? It’s a real question!”

“I don’t think so. Everypony died. I think they’ll be able to rest peacefully now.” Jelly never looked back, marching with her head high.

“...Right.” Sapphire threw a look to Bolt with the expression of ‘is she serious?’ who rolled her own eyes in response.

“It’s worth a try. The Heart has never been reassembled before, I’m… curious to see what happens,” Sonar said, seemingly getting lost in thought. As they traveled further, his ears suddenly began to twitch with interest and Fire Bolt watched curiously. “Off the tracks!” He suddenly shouted.

The moment everybody lept to the side, a single train car barreled around the corner and raced past them, whipping their manes with the force of the wind. They all looked back in surprise as it continued down the tracks with impressive speed for something without a motor. “What was that?” Marshmallow exclaimed.

“I have no idea! How is that thing moving?” Jelly Splash replied shakily.

“Dark magic. I can feel it. Something doesn’t want us up there,” Sonar replied flatly before taking the lead of the group, careful not to step back onto the tracks. “Stay a good few hoofs away from that metal, it’s almost… electric.”

A silent agreement fell over the group as they carried on with their journey, albeit much more carefully. Marshmallow Creme couldn’t seem to handle the quiet for more than a few minutes. “I’ve never been to the Crystal Empire before! Jelly Splash, is that where you’re from? Your mane looks very shiny, I like it! Maybe you just take really good care of your mane, though!”

“I am a crystal pony, yes. The last one,” She replied shortly. “You won’t like the Empire.”

“Oh, don’t be silly! I live in Cloudsdale, remember? Anywhere that doesn’t have ponies willing to stab you to death over a few bits is exciting to me! I do wonder, though, how are you going to repair the Crystal Heart?” Marshmallow pondered.

“All of the pieces have been located as of a few days ago. I think we’re really onto something,” Sonar replied after a few moments of stern silence from Jelly Splash. “So, Marshmallow Creme, what have you been up to for the past three years?” He changed the topic with an appreciative glance from the crystal pony.

“Three years? How do you guys even know that? I stopped trying to track time after maybe... a month? Shoot, it could’ve been a week and I wouldn’t be able to tell!” She gasped.

“Fire Bolt’s a smart one. We’ve been able to keep on top of it in Ponyville thanks to her.” Sapphire Swirl replied. “Three years is pretty crazy, I know.”

“I haven’t really done much, then. Oh, I learned to knit! ‘S kinda hard when you’re not a unicorn, but I made a really nice sweater! Super scratchy though, my only yarn is a good few years old and there aren’t exactly craft stores in Cloudsdale. Well, not anymore. I had a friend up there with a really pretty storefront, but…” Marshmallow’s tone didn’t quite match with her words, as her cheery attitude never faltered. “Not a lot of us survive for very long up there.”

“I hear you. Gets lonely fast,” Jelly Splash suddenly spoke up. “We have each other now, and that’s all that matters.” Marshmallow Creme beamed, and Jelly offered her a small smirk in return. Fire Bolt realized that this was the first time she’d ever seen the unicorn smile.

The five of them entered the threshold of the Empire cautiously after several hours of trotting. “Race you to the castle!” Sapphire suddenly nudged Marshmallow before taking flight in the blink of an eye. She scoffed before flapping her wings to catch up, and Fire Bolt watched as the two of them flitted through the air, pushing and shoving each other playfully when one got ahead.

“It’s weird,” Bolt murmured.

“Hm?” Sonar inquired. “What is, the empty city?”

She shook her head. “Them. Those two. It’s like they’re from completely different stages of my life and seeing them together is just… strange. Like they both know a different version of me.”

He nodded in understanding. “I can imagine. They both love you, though, whichever version of you they met.” The pair and Jelly started up the stairs to the castle’s entrance, and Bolt pressed her lips into a firm line to keep from talking. “Down here, guys, come on!”

With the two pegasi landing behind them with windswept manes, Jelly Splash took a deep breath and pushed the familiar doors open once again. As soon as they stepped in, Sapphire Swirl lost their jovial attitude as their stomach dropped. “It’s gone!” Everyone whipped their heads around to the pegasus. “The mural on the door. It’s not there anymore.”

Bolt now remembered the eerie painting that covered the two doors at the end of the hall and noted its absence as well. “I can’t say I mind it. I mean, now we know who it was, so it feels… safer now.”

Sapphire nodded pensively, eyes still focused on the now-plain brown doors. “Not safe. But safer.”

“Nowhere is safe. Let’s just get this over with,” Jelly sternly cut off the conversation by shoving open the doors to the room containing the fragments of the Heart. They lay perfectly undisturbed in the same position that Sonar Moonshadow had left them, and Jelly wasted no time assembling them into the shape of a heart. Sonar stepped in to help find the pieces with his magic to keep anypony from stepping on the shards, and in mere moments, it was collected into one cohesive piece – missing one of them, that is.

Jelly Splash opened her saddlebag and stared at its contents for a long moment before levitating the final piece from its spot. Taking a deep breath, she fit it into its place snugly and turned to Sonar Moonshadow expectantly who just blinked sightlessly. “Sonar? Can you put it together again?”

He grimaced. “I don’t know if this is what you want to hear right now, but… I’m not a crystal pony. I believe that might have been part of the issue. I think you should try, Jelly.”

Her jaw dropped. “My magic isn’t that strong, are you kidding me? Yours is way more powerful, come on!”

“You’re very strong, Jelly Splash. You’re surely strong enough to do this. Listen, if it doesn’t work, I’ll do it again. But I really believe that this is meant for you. You were left behind for a reason, right?” His voice trailed off as he realized the sensitivity of the topic, but the point stood, and she couldn’t argue that.

“Fine. If it doesn’t work, you promise you’ll try?” Jelly finally caved in.

“I promise I’ll try. You can do this.” He affirmed her, and after a long stare, she turned back to the Heart. Her horn illuminated with her purple magic as she raised the mangled crystal into the air and it lingered there for a moment before she began to twitch with effort.

Bit by bit, the cracks began to fuse and disappear. “Ha!” Jelly Splash exclaimed as it worked, but the proclamation caused her magic to falter. She picked it back up though, and as it got closer and closer to completion, a flash of colors and pictures raced through her mind.

Walking Taffy Twists to elementary school. Cooking him breakfast, even when he was throwing a tantrum. Talking to the neighbor as he slept over a cup of berry juice. Everything that rushed into her mind that typically filled her with anger and regret was suddenly making her… at peace.

She smiled softly as the memories raced by, and it felt like Taffy Twists knew that he was just a memory. He suddenly looked right at her and grinned, speaking with his childish voice. “I forgive you.”

She blinked, and before her stood the Crystal Heart in its restored glory. Excited murmurs echoed behind her, and she wiped her tears away before turning to face them. “You did it!” Sapphire flew into a hug with the unicorn, and the room swelled with joy. Everybody had a smile on their face as light emanated from the heart.

"I knew you could, Jelly Splash. That was amazing!" Sonar Moonshadow grinned.

The hallway that stretched from the entrance looked much brighter than it did before, even without candles to illuminate it. Fire Bolt flew to a window, and zombified ponies were nowhere in sight. “It worked! They’re gone!” She shouted to the others with a grin. “Don’t you feel it?” She flew freely and almost wanted to laugh as the joy filled her body.

Marshmallow Creme flew in time with her friend with a big smile of her own, and everything was peaceful for the first time in almost half a decade as they landed on the floor together. That is, until a low sound echoed from above them.

All five of them froze. Sonar’s ears turned up to the source, and his eyes widened. It sounded like a loud groan or even a shriek of sorts. It was only a moment until there were decipherable words coming from above. “My baby… Where is my baby?” It was then that they realized Princess Cadance was pacing mere feet above their heads, and she wouldn’t be finding Flurry Heart anytime soon.

18

Fire Bolt shivered as the princess wailed in agony. The sound overshadowed the joy that everybody had momentarily felt as the phrase rang out again. “My baby! Where are you? My baaaby…” Cadance sobbed.

“Should we go… check on that?” Sapphire inquired in a whisper to the horrified faces around them. Sonar Moonshadow nodded shakily, so the five of them ran back out where they came in, and Marshmallow and Bolt flew up to the windows to see where the princess was located. Neither of them could locate any movement or shadows, even when Sapphire arose to join them in the search. The moans and sobs echoed throughout the entire palace and it wasn’t until Fire Bolt noticed a window hidden on the side of the castle that she discovered the source.

In a dark storage room, a tall shadow limped back and forth, shuddering with sobs. “Over here!” Bolt harshly whispered to the other two pegasi who then helped her try the window. It was unlocked luckily and squeaked open with a groan, and Marshmallow pointed to it for the unicorns below to see. Fire Bolt squeezed into the opening as quietly as she could but thudded to the ground as she lost her footing. Standing up straight, she could now see the state that the princess was in. “Where is my baby?” She wailed loudly, and the pegasus almost clapped her hooves over her ears at the sound. Slowly, Princess Cadance turned to face her.

It was a grim sight. Her one remaining eye wandered sightlessly towards the sound of Fire Bolt’s hoofsteps as she raised her good leg curiously. “Pegasus? In my palace? Can you help me find my baby?” Cadance’s voice was just above a whisper now. Bolt trembled with terror, unsure if the princess was dangerous or not, so she chose her words carefully.

“I can help you, Princess. Can you tell me what’s happening right now?” Her voice betrayed her confident words as it shook.

“I was… I need my baby. I can’t find her anywhere. Everything is black and I can’t see my baby.” Her raspy voice cracked as she spoke. “I don’t know what’s happening. You need to help me!”

“I’m going to help you, okay?” Bolt determined that the Princess was safe enough to approach, and she turned back to signal the others to enter, who stumbled in loudly. “Do you want to get out of this room and check around the castle?”

The truth was, Flurry Heart had been dead for decades. She didn’t even make it to adulthood before a stray blast of dark magic struck and killed her during a battle between the Crystal Empire and a creature called Malus. He was defeated quickly after that, but Cadance’s and Shining Armor’s grief was felt throughout the entire empire – ceremonies commemorated the young alicorn for about a year until the city recovered with the help of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Shining Armor had lived on much longer than a non-alicorn usually would, presumably from the love he shared with Princess Cadance, but now that the princess was alone, Bolt presumed that the Heart’s explosion had killed him, too. The empire never quite recovered fully after Flurry Heart, and perhaps that was why the royalty couldn’t keep the Nightfall out of the palace. Maybe love just wasn’t enough.

“Yes, please, I would like to leave this room. It’s dark in here and I can’t see,” Cadance sounded downright scared, and the hearts of the three pegasi broke. Her right eye looked like it had been violently ripped out ages ago with dried blood staining her cheek, and her left was glassy and a pale blue. The room wasn’t just dark, she was blind. Fire Bolt carefully trotted past the injured princess to push open the creaking doors of the storage room, holding her breath to keep from retching at the strong stench of rot that came from her, and the slightest bit of moonlight illuminated the hallway outside through the much larger windows.

“This way, your highness, follow my voice.” Bolt crept backward as Cadance limped into the light, showing the full extent of her existence. Her front leg seemed to have been gnawed straight to the bone, and a large gash tore open her forehead. As Bolt’s eyes traveled higher, her stomach dropped. Her horn looked like Misty Seeker’s – tipped with a deep black and slightly misshapen. “Everything’s going to be okay, alright?”

“The Heart… we should take her to the Heart!” Marshmallow quietly offered, and it was a fair option to introduce. They didn’t have much to work with, and with a nod, Fire Bolt started towards the stairs.

“Where are we? Why are the lights off? And where is my Flurry Heart?” Cadance was beginning to sound more and more like herself, but something was still slightly off. None of them could figure out why the memory of her daughter’s death from decades ago had seemingly vanished, but Sapphire chalked it up to her somehow living while dead, and bravely placed a hoof on the princess’s shoulder.

“It’s dark in here, your highness. Do you think you can go down the stairs with me? I’ll show you the way,” They asked quietly, seemingly unbothered by the texture of the bug-infested fur under their hoof. The princess nodded warily and allowed Sapphire to guide her down the stairs, pausing momentarily to fix her footing, but the rest seemed like muscle memory. As the two traveled cautiously to the bottom of the stairs, Marshmallow and Bolt took to flying around the palace in an attempt to locate the front room where the heart resided. The pink pegasus found it surprisingly quickly after shoving through door after door and exited the palace momentarily to usher the unicorns back inside.

“We found her, get in! Quickly!” Marshmallow hissed in a whisper, so Sonar and Jelly trotted inside swiftly.

“What is that? Who’s there? Will somepony please light a candle?” Cadance called out, voice hoarse, as Sapphire got her closer to the room containing the glowing heart.

“It’s my friends, Princess. Don’t worry we’re going to help you,” Bolt softly reassured her as she entered the softly lit room. “Can you feel that?”

She gasped as soon as she entered the room. “My Heart! You restored my Heart!” A smile full of rotten and cracked teeth stretched across her face. “I have to… I have to get Flurry Heart!”

Sapphire placed their hoof back on her shoulder. “Your highness, Flurry Heart isn’t in the palace.” Cadance’s face dropped into one of terror and grief. “She’s safe, but she’s far away from here, okay?” They grimaced through the lie, but nobody would contest it. There was no use in further distressing the undead princess, and Sonar was secretly terrified of what would happen if she faced reality too quickly.

“She’s… she isn’t here? My baby isn’t here?” Princess Cadance murmured just above a whisper. “Where…” With the blue light dimly illuminating her face, Sapphire noticed that decay was visibly decreasing by the second. Life almost seemed to seep into her face as the open wound on her forehead scabbed over unnaturally rapidly and her fur brightened to its normal pink. “My… I don’t understand, I thought she was here. But she’s…” Jelly Splash sucked in a deep breath, and Sonar suddenly realized how much she might’ve learned of the young alicorn’s death in her schooling. “She’s passed, hasn’t she?”

“She passed, but the Empire never forgot her,” Jelly spoke up softly. “Flurry Heart is a beacon of hope for all of us crystal ponies. She still lives in all of our hearts.”

Cadance's hooves trembled as her memory began to clear the fog of confusion. Flickers of realization crossed her remaining eye eye repeatedly, and she clutched her chest with her uninjured hoof as if trying to contain the overwhelming emotions threatening to spill over.

"I remember," she whispered, her voice fragile yet resolute. "Flurry Heart… my sweet Flurry Heart. She… she's gone."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the alicorn’s decades-long grief settling upon them all. Jelly Splash, her own eyes misty with tears, stepped forward, her hoof reaching out to gently touch Cadance's own. “I’m so sorry, Princess.”

Cadance met her gaze as if she could see, a faint glimmer of recognition in her eye. "Thank you, my dear," she said, her voice still broken but filled with gratitude. "I... I don't know how I got here, but I remember now. I remember everything. Are you… you are the final crystal pony." Tears welled in one eye, and Fire Bolt swallowed the lump in her throat.

“I am,” Jelly whispered.

The princess now looked like a living pony that survived an attack, her mane still matted and her fur still bloody, but she was… breathing. The exposed bone in one of her legs didn’t recover, but blood was now freely flowing from the wound. Sonar Moonshadow, with his calm demeanor, nodded in agreement. "Your highness… The darkness that consumed you is fading away. I could feel the dark magic from miles away. Your strength and the love of your subjects have brought you back to us.”

“Will you let us clean you up?” Sapphire offered before biting their tongue at the realization of the potentially offensive statement.

Sniffling and laughing through her tears, it was a moment before Cadance responded. “I suppose I’m overdue for a shower, aren’t I?”

In the royal salon, Fire Bolt dug through a closet and retrieved a half dozen candles. She found various places in the room to prop them up, and with the help of Sonar Moonshadow’s magic, the room lit up with cozy candlelight.

Jelly Splash was observing the princess’s head gash as she sat perfectly still and was completely starstruck that her city’s ruler was sitting mere feet from herself. Princess Cadance was never inaccessible to her subjects, but she certainly had been for the past several years. “I have medical training, do you have first aid anywhere?”

“I do, it’s… somewhere…” She replied. “I’m sorry.” Cadance’s blinded eye was still searching aimlessly.

“I’ll go look!” Marshmallow Creme offered and flew out to the hallway. Meanwhile, Fire Bolt retrieved a towel from a dusty shelf and ran it under water before gently cleaning her bloodied and grime-coated face as Sapphire carefully removed the remaining pieces of cracked metal decorum around her neck and hoof. The sound of clattering bounced off the crystal walls as Marshmallow rummaged through closet after closet, locating a small red box fairly quickly and flying back. Jelly opened the box and retrieved a couple of items with her magic, tossing a roll of gauze and antiseptic to the side for later.

“It looks like you’ve got a numbing spray. Can I stitch up your forehead? I can’t promise that it won’t hurt, but it really needs to be done,” She explained as she removed the blue-capped can.

“Yes, you may. It already hurts,” Cadance whispered. “Thank you.”

“Of course, your highness. I’m going to use the spray now, can you close your eyes?” When she did, a cloud of fog obscured her face for a moment as the numbing spray was applied, and she sighed at the quick relief. “Tell me to stop if you need a break, okay?” The princess firmly nodded once.

Jelly Splash removed the packaging from a sterilized needle as well as a suture kit before taking a deep breath and pushing the needle through one side of the wound, then the other. Princess Cadance didn’t flinch, so she tied the first stitch off easily and moved on to the next. After the fifth stitch was tied off, the unicorn glanced over to see her four friends watching her work with bated breath. Just at that moment, the princess spoke up with a clearer voice than anything else she’d said so far. “I would do it myself, you know. I don’t like having… servants. My magic, though, it’s…” The five of them watched as her black-tipped horn sparked with effort, but never generated magic. “I don’t think it works anymore.”

“It’s okay, I’m happy to do it for you. I’m not here as a servant, I’m here as a friend.” Jelly replied, resuming her work as Cadance smiled, careful not to move her face too much.

“I’ve seen that happen to a unicorn, and she was able to resume her magic.” Sonar’s half-truth wasn’t contested by Fire Bolt.

“That’s good news. May I ask… have I lost my vision?” Marshmallow Creme almost didn’t catch the hiss of breath she was going to let out as she cringed.

“You have one eye, your highness. It’s very glassy and discolored, and I fear that it may not recover. So yes, at the time being, you cannot see,” Jelly Splash delivered the news flawlessly, and Cadance didn’t budge as she tied off the final stitch.

“Ah… I worry that I may be of little use to Equestria, then. No magic, no sight…” She finally turned her head as Jelly pushed her mane back to inspect her work before dabbing the antiseptic across the area with great care.

“I lost my sight, too. Well, I was born like this. Blind. I promise you, it’s really not as bad as ponies make it out to be,” Sonar Moonshadow offered, and the princess reached a hoof to his direction in thanks, which he touched with his own. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Thank you. I truly appreciate everything you all have done for me. May I ask your names? If this… crisis ever ends, I will be sure to give you my highest gratitude next time you visit the castle.”

“My name is Sonar Moonshadow. Jelly Splash stitched you up, Sapphire Swirl guided you down here, Marshmallow Creme found the first aid, and Fire Bolt… found you.” He trailed off.

“It’s lovely to meet you all,” Cadance smiled despite the tears welling in her remaining eye. “I’m so used to saving everypony else, but it’s been quite some time since I needed some saving of my own.”

“I’m happy I found you when I did. And… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry about… everything,” Fire Bolt said as her voice wavered.

“We’re going to be okay,” The princess echoed back, and Jelly Splash moved to sit behind her, rummaging through the salon’s drawers with her magic while she pulled debris from the tri-colored mane.

Meanwhile, Sapphire Swirl was wrapping the heavily bleeding wound on Princess Cadance’s arm after prompting her to raise it. Upon closer investigation, it seemed quite likely that she would either have to visit a magical specialist or get the limb amputated, but the gauze would at least stop the gushing blood. Cadance winced harshy at the first tug of pressure as Sapphire wrapped it tightly, who apologized profusely but did not cease their actions. Fire Bolt watched with admiration as Jelly finally found what she was looking for – a manebrush. She gently ran it through the alicorn’s tail, starting at the bottom to avoid yanking knots out and working her way up until the curls began to revive themselves. Her mane and tail were still dirty and unwashed, but it had to feel better to get the tangles and debris at the very least.

Nothing but the sound of brushing surrounded the room as Jelly Splash moved up to her mane, occasionally interrupted by brief hisses in pain as the hoof-wrapping continued until Cadance spoke again. “Jelly Splash, have you been in the Empire the whole time I was… gone?”

“Yes ma’am. How much do you remember, if you don’t mind me asking?” She replied as she worked through a particularly stubborn mat with the brush.

Quiet fell over the salon again for a long while before she replied. “Nighttime. It was night… everywhere. I couldn’t get in contact with Celestia or Luna, not even Twilight,” She started before pausing again. “We had a, um… a shield. A layer above the palace that looked like the daytime sky and could keep everypony safe, but this… this darkness kept creeping in. We tried to keep it stable, but I couldn’t even feel the layer failing which is just… that’s never happened before.”

“I remember. One moment the sun was there, the next it was the moon. I couldn’t feel it, either,” Jelly Splash murmured comfortingly, and the princess nodded.

“It was scary. Really, really scary. Shining Armor didn’t–” She was interrupted by her sharp intake of breath. “He didn’t like that we couldn’t keep everypony safe, and of course, I didn’t either. I can’t blame him for taking action more… recklessly. I mean, his sister was nowhere, that would scare me too.”

“But?” Sapphire asked as they tore off the gauze before picking up a cloth to wrap on top of it, as the material had already turned to a deep crimson.

“But fear isn’t good for the Empire. It’s always been our biggest weakness. He got frustrated and went to check on the Crystal Heart, but it just… I don’t know. I fear that the sight of their ruler in panic around the Heart put everypony on edge, and that’s how it…” She sighed. “That’s how it exploded. I saw it from the balcony of the palace. I saw him turn to… a pile of flesh. I’m sorry, I don’t remember enough after that–” Princess Cadance apologized as she got choked up from the memory.

“It’s okay, your highness. I lost somepony in the blast, too. It was a horrific day, especially for you,” Jelly Splash was seemingly now just brushing to soothe the princess, as the knots that halted its movement were long gone.

“No, especially for all of us. We’re all connected. It wasn’t any easier for any one pony, especially you. You’re very brave, Jelly Splash.” She assured her.

“Thank you, princess. I’m just… really glad you’re alright.”

“I’m glad that you’re alright, too. And please, call me Cadance.” She smiled.

19

Although the sky was always pitch black, now felt more like nighttime than ever. Princess Cadance’s bedroom quarters were beautiful despite the layer of dust that coated every surface, and she looked delighted to crawl into bed. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any other beds in here.” She attempted to ignite her horn, but then took to pushing a few pillows off of her bed. “There are blankets in the closet if you want those.”

“We can find the guest bedrooms, don’t worry!” Marshmallow Creme started to return the pillows to the princess.

Cadance grimaced as she thought. “Um… can you stay in here? Just for tonight? I’m a little bit frightened after everything.”

Marshmallow smiled and returned the pillows to the floor. “Of course we can!”

“I’ll keep watch at the door, Prin- erm, Cadance. Would that help you sleep?” Fire Bolt offered and stepped out of the room at the confirming nod. She shut the door gently behind her and sat promptly in front of it, resting her head against the wood as she sighed.

Inside the bedroom, Sonar Moonshadow and Marshmallow Creme were making a makeshift fort of sorts, yawning the whole time, as Jelly Splash and Sapphire Swirl chatted quietly. Sonar gently opened the door with his magic to keep Bolt from falling inside and started toward the nearest closet. “You okay?” He asked as he rummaged through the closet, pulling a few fuzzy blankets from the interior.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I really don’t think anything’s out here anymore, anyway. Can we trade if I get tired?” She asked, clearly too antsy to sleep.

Sonar yawned. “Of course. Come get me when you’re ready to sleep.” He kissed the top of her head as he pushed the bedroom door back open. “Night, Boltie.”

Marshmallow was already seemingly asleep when he deposited the blanket over her back, and Cadance was watching her surroundings with slowly drooping eyes. “Thank you, my dear friends. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have ponies like you keeping such good care of me. Even after I’ve… after everything has changed so much.” She offered a bittersweet smile, gazing sightlessly around the room.

“Everything changes. The only thing in life that you can rely on is change,” Marshmallow murmured, clearly half-asleep, and she soon began snoring after that. Sonar Moonshadow smiled at the sentiment and laid down under the blanket fort with her and beckoned for Sapphire and Jelly to join them.

“I’m going to stay up a bit. Not quite tired yet,” Jelly whispered, and Cadance’s breath soon slowed to a steady rise and fall.

“Me either. We’ll keep watch in here while you guys sleep!” Sapphire claimed, obviously swallowing down a yawn as they spoke. Sonar paid the sound no mind as after just a few moments, Jelly and Sapphire were the last ones awake.

They sat awkwardly for a few moments before Sapphire cleared their throat. “So, um, I have a question, and I don’t know if you’ll have the answer.” Jelly simply blinked at them expectantly. “Well… If the heart exploded in the town square… How did it end up in the castle?”

“I brought it inside, obviously,” She hissed out in response before immediately reeling it in. “Sorry. You couldn’t have known that. I brought it in, just in case some… I don’t know, collectors came through. That’s why I kept a piece, just in case anyone tried anything bad.” She looked away nervously. “I shouldn’t have been angry with you when we met, and I’ve realized that now. I’m sorry for starting off on the wrong hoof, but I’m really glad to have you.” Jelly Splash smiled gently at Sapphire, who felt their heart beat a bit faster at the rare moment of kindness.

“I’m glad to have you too, Jelly. I would’ve been scared like you were, you don’t have to be sorry,” Sapphire whispered and smiled back. They sat and listened to the snores and heavy breathing of the sleeping ponies for a long while before Jelly Splash spoke back up.

“It’s really weird to see her again. I’m glad she’s alive, but… God, it was hard to see Cadance like that. Really tough,” She looked down at her hooves. “She’s like… it’s embarrassing, but Cadance is like a mom to me. To all crystal ponies. Probably just my mommy issues, though. Sorry, that’s a lot.”

Sapphire shook their head. “Don’t apologize. Do you want to tell me about it? We’ve got all the time in the world, you know.”

Jelly Splash looked like she was contemplating for a long time, opening and closing her mouth as if to find the words she was looking for. “My parents were really awful. I wish they died in the explosion instead of organ failure. Didn’t deserve the peace.”

Sapphire stifled a gasp. “Oh.” Was all they managed.

“Both of them drank too much, way too much. Crystal ponies are supposed to love everyone, but they clearly didn’t love Taffy Twists. Or me. I was raising him on my own by the time I was fifteen… they tried to kick me out, but I wasn’t leaving without Taffy. So they kicked both of us out instead,” She whispered, avoiding eye contact. “So then, it was us. It was pretty nice for a good while, hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it sure was nice to have just the two of us. Even found a nice cottage that I could afford.”

“I’m sure it was nice. It’s really amazing that you stepped up like that!” Sapphire touched a hoof to the unicorn’s for support as she continued.

“I was eighteen when they died. Twenty when the explosion happened. I don’t care how bad it is, but they really didn’t deserve the peace of hospice. They were the only ponies to make me feel bad about being a blank flank, gave me the first punch I ever took. I can’t say I wasn’t gratified when they drank themselves to death within a month of each other, but… Taffy didn’t deserve to die like that, they did.” She looked ashamed.

“You’re right,” Sapphire affirmed to her surprise. “Taffy Twists didn’t deserve that. And nopony should ever put a hoof on their daughter. You know, I’m so lucky to have the family that I do, and if you knew my mom, she would have taken you two in like her own. I’m really sorry you had to deal with that, and I hope you can move on one day.”

Jelly looked to Sapphire sweetly. “Tell me about your mom. Your family.”

“Well… she’s really great. I miss her a lot. She hasn’t passed, but she’s still back in Ponyville where I live. It’s kind of a funny story.”

Honeybee Blossom looked down at her child in the hospital’s nursery. The baby was beautiful, truly, and she only wished that the father could’ve seen them. She was admittedly a bit scared after the last ultrasound appointment, as the doctors were unable to determine the sex of the baby. At the baby’s birth, she had found them to simply be sexless. It wasn’t too much of a medical mystery – sure, it would’ve been in earlier times, but she had a friend in high school who was genderless, and a best friend with a genderless sibling. It happened occasionally from a rare genetic defect – no, a rare genetic blessing, she thought, – but all she cared about was that her baby was breathing and happy.

After a few months at home, Sapphire Swirl was sitting up on their own, and Honeybee was ecstatic. They sat up and waved their hooves around, giggling at nothing but their mother, and Honeybee’s heart absolutely melted at the sight and the sound of laughter filling her ears.

Another few months went by, and Sappie had managed to utter a “mama.” To this day, she still remembers it as the best day of her life. Sapphire had been playing on the carpeted living room and was trying to show their mother something silly like clapping, and when the word came out, Honeybee squealed in joy.

“That’s right! I’m your mama! Dear Celestia, I can’t believe it!” She scooped up the baby in her arms and danced excitedly for a while before a pang of bitterness stabbed through her chest – Silver Strike should be seeing this. He should be seeing all of it, but he disappeared without even the decency of a letter after discovering Honeybee Blossom’s pregnancy. She placed the baby back down and pushed the thought out of her mind, showing young Sappie how to play with their new toys instead.

As a young child, Sapphire was a great student. Their aunts and uncles had picked up the slack of parenting, and with a little encouragement, they were at the top of every class. Honeybee was so proud.

One day, as a teenaged event planner, an occupation that was incredibly fitting for the charismatic young pony, Sapphire was running late. It wasn’t uncommon for them to be late, as sometimes it was simply too hard to get out of bed when they needed to. As they rushed through Ponyville, saddlebags a bit too full of miscellaneous party materials, they looked away for a moment too long before smacking face-first into another pony. “Oop! I’m so super sorry, that was my fault!” They stammered at the red pegasus, and they immediately noticed that she shared the genetic two-toned eyes that they did.

“It’s okay! Do you need help?” She offered, and Sapphire only then realized that their party materials had fallen everywhere onto the cobblestone path. “Are you heading somewhere close? I’ll help you carry!”

“Sure! I’m headed just down this block, to the old Cake bakery. Thank you so much!” They beamed. “I’m Sapphire Swirl, by the way. If you’re ever planning an event, I’ll lend a hoof for free!”

“Fire Bolt. Nice to meet you! I’m not an event gal, but I really appreciate it!” She smiled, packing a little over half of the items into her own bags before turning and leading the way.

After the night that Fire Bolt watched the Cake’s party from a corner of the room, the two were inseparable. Every grocery store visit, every irresponsible party, every walk around the town, and even at their high school graduation, they were practically glued together. Best friends at first sight, as they called it, and their personalities simply clicked together in a way that never caused a disagreement.

It was a long while before Fire Bolt opened up about her loneliness in Ponyville, and how Sapphire was her only friend, as she’d left her remaining family behind. “I just feel so helpless sometimes,” She’d said through her tears. “I want a family like yours, like how you talk about them.”

The very same day, Sapphire took her home to a family reunion to help ease the pain. “My family will love you, Bolt. My family is yours now, okay?” They’d assured her before they stepped inside. It was true, every aunt, uncle, and cousin had adored the red pegasus, but Fire Bolt had felt out of place the entire time. After a while of socializing and fake-smiling, she excused herself to Sapphire’s bedroom for a moment of peace before noticing a photograph under the bed’s pillow that made her stomach drop.

Silver Strike, her dad, a photograph of her own dead father was in her best friend’s room. The sight made her sick. She’d stormed out of the room in search of her friend, confused and heartbroken, only to hear an even more sickening response from the pony at her accusation. “Why do you have this? Why do you have this picture?” She’d hissed under her breath, shoving the photograph into Sapphire’s chest.

“Huh? Oh… that’s my dad. Never met him, though. Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Sapphire looked nervous.

“That’s my dad! What kind of fucked up joke is this?” She snapped, stunning the packed room to a near silence.

“Silver Strike?” Honeybee Blossom whispered, tears in her eyes. “Silver Strike is your father?”

Bolt realized that she was quietly crying now, too. “…What? Of course he is. That’s my papa.”

Suddenly, the single orange eye on the red pegasus and her familiar smile looked all too reminiscent. Everything slowly clicked into place as tears streamed down Honeybee’s face. “Silver Strike is Sapphire’s dad. He left us before they were born.”

The confirmation made the room fall into complete silence. “You’re my sister?” Sap asked, hope prevalent in their tone. “I have a sister?”

Bolt was now sobbing, embarrassed that everyone was looking at her from her outburst. “You’re my sibling.”

They stood weeping for a moment, staring at each other as nopony spoke, and Bolt was confused – after her sister died, she felt entirely alone, and here in front her was a whole new sibling. “He died,” She choked out, making Sapphire crumble to the floor. “He cheated on my mom and he died.” All she ever knew about his death was the apology letter issued from the Wonderbolts and nothing more. She never got closure, she never knew how he died, but Sapphire didn’t even know him at all.

“I never–” Sapphire hiccuped. “I never got to meet him!” They cried.

Fire Bolt, overcome by a new sense of belonging accompanied by guilt, pulled them into a hug. “I know, Sap, I know.”

Slowly, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even grandparents surrounded the two in an embrace, suddenly somber. “You’re home now, Fire Bolt,” Said a voice that she didn’t know the name of.

“You’re our family. We’ll always be your family,” Said another.

Jelly Splash sucked in a breath as she tried to cry silently. “That’s beautiful, Sapphire,” She choked out. “That’s really… wow.”

Sapphire only noticed their own tears falling as they hit their hooves before they spoke. “I don’t know about all of that, but–” Jelly Splash suddenly yanked the pegasus into a tight embrace.

“That must’ve been so hard for you,” Jelly murmured, muffled by Sapphire’s mane. “That’s really sweet.”

“Aw jeez, thanks, Jelly,” Sapphire felt a bit awkward at the sudden display of affection, but they weren’t rejecting it as they hugged the unicorn back. “That’s really kind of you.”

Jelly Splash pulled away partially, keeping the pegasus close as she spoke, looking into Sapphire's eyes with genuine compassion. "You've been through so much, and yet you're one of the most courageous ponies I've ever met. I can't imagine what it was like for you to discover all of that about your family."

Sapphire Swirl gave a bittersweet smile, wiping away a tear with a hoof. "Yeah, it was a shock. But finding Fire Bolt, discovering I have a sister… it's been amazing to be together. And now, being here with you all… helping Cadance and bringing back the Crystal Empire, it feels like a second chance at family."

Jelly Splash nodded, her eyes reflecting a new sense of understanding. "I think… family is more than just blood. It's about the bonds we create and the love we share. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but I'm grateful you found a new family in us. And I’m grateful I’ve found a family in you.”

As the two ponies sat in the dimly moonlit room, the weight of their shared stories lingering in the air, Jelly Splash felt a renewed connection with Sapphire Swirl. In that vulnerable moment, a deep understanding passed between them, and Sapphire sighed out a breath that they’d been holding. "Thank you, Jelly. I never really talked about this with anypony other than Sonar before. It means a lot that you're here, listening."

Jelly Splash smiled warmly. As the endless night pressed on, the two continued their quiet conversation, sharing stories that had shaped them into the ponies they were now; good stories, heartbreaking stories, and back to funny ones. Jelly opened up even more about her painful past, about the emptiness left by her seemingly evil family. The vulnerability she displayed in recounting her past brought out a protective instinct in Sapphire, who listened intently as Jelly recounted a particularly horrific experience with her parents.

"I'm so sorry, Jelly," Sapphire said softly, brushing a comforting hoof against Jelly's. "Nopony should ever have to go through what you've been through. But you're not alone anymore, truly. I’m here for you."

Jelly Splash looked at Sapphire, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and admiration. "Thanks, Sapphire. It means more than you know. I never thought I'd find ponies who cared about me." She shyly looked away. “Especially after being left alone in the Empire. It felt like a punishment.”

Sapphire smiled, a warmth radiating from deep in their chest. "Well, you've found us now, and we care a lot. You're not alone, Jelly. We're a family, and I… I care about you."

Jelly felt a flutter in her chest, a sensation she hadn't experienced in a long time, if ever. Sapphire's genuine concern and kindness touched a part of her that she had closed off for years, even before the Nightfall. As they continued to talk, an unspoken understanding grew between them, a connection that went beyond their friendship.

As the fatigue of the travel and emotionally taxing events of the past few hours took their toll, Jelly Splash found herself leaning into Sapphire Swirl, her head resting against the pegasus's shoulder. Sapphire, without hesitation, wrapped a wing around Jelly, creating a blanket of warmth for the unicorn. In that quiet moment, surrounded by the soft snores of their friends and the gentle hum of the Crystal Heart from floors away, they discovered a warmth in each other's company.

"I care about you too, Sapphire," Jelly whispered, her voice barely audible and full of sleepiness but filled with sincerity.

Sapphire Swirl's heart skipped a beat, and they nuzzled Jelly's mane. "We'll take care of each other, Jelly. I’ll take care of you.” They found themselves nodding off as well.

Jelly Splash slept under Sapphire’s wing for seven hours straight, a feat that she hadn’t been able to accomplish in many, many years.

20

Cadance woke with a horrified gasp, sitting up in her bed and waking the four ponies in the room. Bolt burst into the room at the disturbance, seeming groggy as if she’d fallen asleep, too. “What’s going on?” She asked as Marshmallow Creme rushed to the Princess’s side.

“Oh my… I’ve just had the strangest dream! Princess Luna is alive!” She heaved in her breaths as if she were going to suffocate.

“She visited me last time I slept, too. Now that I think about it, I think she guided us here to you,” Marshmallow theorized, and Bolt noticed Sapphire Swirl stretching out their wings above Jelly Splash, as if they’d been pressed against each other all night. She caught their eye for a moment, but they quickly looked away to her frustration.

“She told me… so much. I suppose it’s fair to ask, are you aware of the force that has been living amongst us?” She asked nervously.

“Jesterbones. He’s the cause of all of this.” Sonar Moonshadow stood, stretching their legs and trotting over to Fire Bolt.

Cadence nodded. “He caused the heart to shatter. I believe I may have some insight that will help you five, but unfortunately, I feel that my time with you all has come to an end.”

Jelly Splash froze up, and Sapphire tilted their head curiously. “Why do you say that?” They inquired.

“You have far more travel in your future, and I cannot join you. I must restore the Empire,” Cadance said solemnly, squinting around at nothingness. “Your destination will be Sire’s Hollow, but the trains are out of order. I believe I have a map somewhere that may assist in your journey.” She slowly got out of her bed, head spinning as she put a bit more pressure onto her bad leg than she should’ve. Marshmallow instantly raced to offer a hoof and stabilize the Princess, which she accepted graciously before realizing that her brain was registering a slight bit of light. “Hold on…” She squinted at the hoof grasping her own, forcing her mind to work overtime. “I think… I may have the slightest bit of sight. I can see… Marshmallow? Is your coat similar to mine, or am I losing it?”

“It is! How much can you see?” She bounced around the room happily as Cadance peered at everyone slowly.

“Just the tiniest bit of color. Sort of… really dark and vague tunnel vision? It’s certainly nothing useful, but I can see that your coat is a lovely lilac color.” She turned to Sonar Moonshadow, who smiled.

“Sounds like glaucoma blindness. It’s not as common to come from injuries, but it can happen,” He explained hopefully.

“Well… I suppose I should grab that map for you, then!” Her voice was a lot more chipper than it was just moments before.

The six of them made their way down the palace stairs slowly and cautiously, yawning and stretching all the way, and then down another flight of stairs and yet another until they were in the basement.

“There are archives down here for times like this. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner!” Cadance pushed a squeaky door open, kicking up dust into the air and making Marshmallow cough out a breath. Cadance ushered them inside as Jelly lit a conveniently placed candle, and the room was filled with what looked like infinite bookshelves that stretched down the narrow room. “I… this is kind of silly, but I don’t really know which direction it’s in. If I walk around here for a bit, I think it’ll get my memory back, though.”

“We’ll help you look!” Sapphire offered, and the five of them flew into action, some of them literally. Sonar Moonshadow trotted through the bookshelves curiously, his sixth sense unable to discern any kind of difference between the millions of books. Fire Bolt walked with him, pulling a grime-coated book from a random shelf and opening it.

“Light?” She asked, and he illuminated his horn to allow her to read. “It’s uhh…” Bolt flipped through the first several pages. “Oh! It’s about dragons. Haven’t seen one of those in a while!” She suddenly realized, placing the book back in its spot. Sonar’s horn suddenly pulsed oddly for just a slight moment, and he turned in the opposite direction.

“There’s a magical book in here somewhere,” He muttered before raising his voice to reach Cadance from afar. “Is there a magical text you’re looking for?”

“Yes!” She shouted back. “I think so!” At the verification, Sonar took off in the right direction, and Bolt had to take flight to keep up. It felt like minutes before he slowed to a stop, moving his head back and forth to get a better read before pulling book after book from the shelf of his interest.

“Is it this one?” Bolt asked, feeling dumb for asking as she yanked out a particularly thick book that felt like it vibrated with power.

“That’s it,” Sonar replied as he levitated it from her grasp, promptly turning and making his way back towards the center of the room. “Long history in here, I can feel it. Seems like it goes way back, maybe even somewhere else.” He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to Fire Bolt. “Can you tell me what the cover of this looks like?”

She placed his hoof on the inscribed book to assist in the visualization. “It’s a dark gray, kind of like charcoal. There are little carvings around the edge, looks like some twists and stars. In the middle,” She moved his hoof to the center. “There’s a silver unicorn on the front, no details on it.” Sonar squinted and thought for a long while before speaking again.

“This is the book Misty used, I think. I was able to see it when I was in the Rift, but I’m not so sure now that I can’t,” He explained in a low voice, blind eyes darting around as he tried to gather his thoughts. “Can you try to find Princess Luna’s entries?”

Bolt flipped through the pages until she met a large discrepancy – at least fifty pages were ripped from the spine, making the remaining ones sit at an odd angle. “I’m pretty sure they’re gone–”

“Sonar Moonshadow? Did you find it?” Cadance’s voice rang out, and the two hastily started their walk again as they remembered their purpose here, watching the other three gather around the princess as well.

“I did find it, Cadance. I think I might have seen it before,” He explained as the gap closed between the three of them. “Not with these eyes, that is.”

“That’s the one!” Cadance’s eye lit up with excitement after a long moment of squinting and getting closer to the book. “How could you have seen it before? It’s been down here for decades!”

“It’s a long story, but… Did you ever know of a Misty Seeker?” He tried, not hopeful in the slightest until Cadance’s face clouded with sorrow.

“Oh, dear… I haven’t heard that name in… I don’t even know how long it’s been. Horrible accident she was in, a terribly sad story,” Cadance glanced away. “Why do you ask?”

As if to reply, the talisman around Sonar’s neck began to vibrate and flash with light to everyone’s surprise. He shut his eyes with a gasp, sitting down roughly and twitching with energy. Bolt stroked his mane comfortingly, and Jelly Splash looked perplexed. “He has visions,” Sapphire explained to her in a whisper.

In Sonar Moonshadow’s mind, swirling magic overtook the usual pitch-blackness that his vision consisted of. Out from the light came Misty in her restored earth pony state from his previous dream with a soft smile on her face. “Sonar Moonshadow! I didn’t expect to be summoned again so quickly!” She pulled him into a hug, which he politely reciprocated with a smile.

“I don’t think I meant to, Misty.” The two pulled away from their embrace. “I’m in the Crystal Empire’s archives with Princess Cadance right now, and it has your book. That’s what summoned you.”

“Cadance?” She asked in surprised glee. “She’s alive?”

“You could say that. She was pretty much undead when Boltie found her, but she’s made a pretty good recovery in the past few hours. In fact, she sent me to find your book.” He replied.

“That’s awfully bizarre, I thought… I thought I took the physical book with me to the Rift. Must’ve been a copy, then.” Misty furrowed her eyebrows and looked away.

“That’s the thing – everything about you or Jesterbones has been ripped out of the book. Is it possible that you took… a quarter of a physical copy with you?” He theorized, taking the rare opportunity to utilize his sight and observe his magical surroundings.

“It is indeed – just about anything is possible when we’re messing with Jesterbones. Well, then, if you have a copy of that text, I can give you some insight!” She sat with a smile as their surroundings began to rapidly change into that of a town.

“Cadance said that the book has a map to Sire’s Hollow. Do you think we can get there safely?” He asked.

“This is Sire’s Hollow before the Nightfall. It was pretty quaint before, and from my observations, it’s pretty quiet now.” She broadly motioned to their surroundings. “I do not see any threats in your path, but you cannot be too careful. I believe your journey will be clear, but I must warn you – he is silent for a reason.”

“What do you mean, exactly?” He tilted his head.

“Jesterbones would have killed you – killed all of you by now if he had the time. It seems that he is planning something wicked.” She scowled. “As for this grand plan, however, it does not look like it will unfold in Sire’s Hollow. Get there first, and I’ll find you again.” Misty’s voice got further and further away as everything began to fade back to its usual darkness.

He blinked and was met with nothingness once again, but he could feel that he was back in reality as Fire Bolt petted his mane. “Misty spoke to me.” He uttered as his head throbbed with pain.

“We know,” Sapphire said softly, and Marshmallow nodded. “You were speaking through the vision.”

Sonar squinted. “Anything useful?”

“Well, you promised we’d get there safely. That’s all that I need,” Jelly said shortly as Marshmallow helped Cadance flip through the book’s pages.

“The map! Here!” She exclaimed, and Cadance tore the page from the book with the pegasus’ guidance. She held it out for everyone to see under the dim candlelight, and the map depicted a straight shot from the Crystal Empire to Sire’s Hollow, with both a walking path and a train track. “This is perfect! Come on, then, we’ve got a plan!” Marshmallow said excitedly as Sonar magically carried the map.

Cadance closed the door after everyone exited the grimy archives, waiting for Jelly Splash to blow out the final candle before the six of them slowly made their way up the staircases to the princess’s bedroom once again in silence. Those with saddlebags strapped them on, Bolt getting annoyed with the faulty right-side strap on hers before stomping a hoof in frustration and huffing out a breath. As usual, Sonar Moonshadow magically fastened it. “Thanks,” She sighed, and he nodded shortly, gently placing the map into one of the bags. “We should get going then, shouldn’t we?” She asked.

Cadance nodded solemnly. “It is indeed time for you to continue your journey. I will show you out.” A heavy silence hung in the air as the ponies stalled, searching for missing items that didn’t exist until the awkwardness forced them out of the room.

Down more stairs they went, and the doors that exited the castle looked more daunting than ever. None of them wanted to leave the false safety that the palace and its princess provided, but the danger would only increase the longer they stayed. “Well… I guess this is goodbye, then.” Sapphire shuffled awkwardly.

Cadance smiled, her expression bittersweet. “I suppose it is. You’re always welcome back, my friends.” She looked off in the direction of the softly humming Crystal Heart. “And thank you. Truly. For fixing the Heart, cleaning me up… for everything. It means more than you know.”

“It’s an honor, Princess,” He said, and Fire Bolt could detect the slight shortness of his tone, which she decided she would question later.

“We’ll see you again!” Marshmallow Creme promised with a smile.

Jelly Splash begrudgingly opened the door, listening sadly to the chorus of goodbyes from her friends as they walked out. She started to quietly leave herself before Cadance beckoned her back. “Jelly Splash?”

The other four were already a few feet outside, so she turned and let the door close. “Yes, Princess?”

“You’ve done incredible things for the Crystal Empire. I know it was you.” The princess of love smiled. “You fixed the Heart.”

Jelly let a smile crack. “Yeah, I did.”

“Thank you.” The alicorn said sweetly, and Jelly raced into her injured but outstretched arm as they hugged for a long moment. “I’ll miss you, but I know you’re going to fix this.”

It was a massive task to complete, but Jelly didn’t ruin the moment by objecting as she memorized the feeling of their embrace. Cadance suddenly pulled back slightly to whisper in her ear, “Oh, and let Sapphire Swirl in. You don’t have to be afraid of breaking your mental walls down.” Jelly Splash grinned from ear to ear.

“Oh! Hay burgers? Do you have those in Ponyville? I haven’t had one in ages!” Marshmallow Creme continued her rambling as she flew at a leisurely pace.

“If you make them yourself,” Sapphire replied. “You can get bread pretty easily, but hay gets kind of scarce. You know, no weather cycles to let the grass grow tall. It’s pretty much been hoarded by the bakers for a while.”

“Makes sense! Is the bread any good? All I really got up in Cloudsdale was green beans and carrot juice, and those got really old, really fast. All those canned foods…” She shuddered.

The talk of food was making Sapphire hungrier by the moment - eating was limited to just about every other day at this point with their limited resources. Jelly Splash’s strangely half-crystallized state seemed to leave her less hungry than the rest of them, which helped, but it was still quite uncomfortable. They were able to find nonperishables like canned corn and carrots in the castle earlier, but once they were divided (with some left aside for their journey, of course), they were scarfed down until everyone was nauseated. Marshmallow had opted out of eating the carrots, which now made sense.

“It’s alright! Swift Breeze makes a pretty mean loaf. Tasty danishes, too, and cheap.” Fire Bolt was mildly concerned with Sonar’s silence, so she let the other three lead the way and keep chattering while she fell behind with him. “What’s going on?” She muttered lowly.

Sonar pursed his lips, thinking for a moment before replying. “Cadance could be dangerous in the future. You remember her horn?” Bolt raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Yeah, but Misty isn’t dangerous, right?” She whispered.

“Not yet. I don’t think anything he’s touched is safe. I just… I have a bad feeling about it.” He fixed his blind gaze straight ahead, his expression unreadable. “If they’re not dangerous, they won’t be around for long.”

“I don’t blame you for thinking that,” Bolt replied after a long moment of listening to Marshmallow’s chatter. “It’s best that we left, then, right?”

Sonar simply nodded, his stern demeanor never faltering. Bolt walked with him quietly for a while before Jelly asked for the map as the five of them approached a split in the path.

“I don’t remember the general direction we’re heading in,” She explained sheepishly as she levitated the worn paper from the pegasus’ bag. Sapphire helped her figure out the pathway they were currently on, and they were set on their way soon after that. The journey was surprisingly short, as the map depicted that the ponies were already well over halfway to their destination after only an hour or so.

“So, danishes? How much do those come around? I should’ve come to Ponyville ages ago!” Marshmallow asked, and Bolt joined her in flight to keep talking.

“Pretty often. Sonar likes ‘em more than I do, though, but they’re pretty darn good.” She tried to clear her mind, looking ahead with a smile to see her sibling and Jelly Splash walking together in quiet conversation.

Fire Bolt estimated that another forty-five minutes had passed by the time a quaint town was appearing in the distance, hope causing everyone to pick up to the pace by just a bit. “Um… Do we know what we’re looking for, exactly?” Marshmallow asked as they grew closer to the soft light.

“Nope. We’ll find it, though.” Sonar Moonshadow hadn’t spoken in a long time, and he sounded a bit more lively than his last conversation.

“Cadance wouldn’t misguide us. Plus, she’s an alicorn – she’s probably better in touch with all of this than we are, even if her magic doesn’t work,” Jelly Splash considered aloud.

Marshmallow Creme was the first to happily bounce through the destroyed gates and onto the dirt path of the town, and Bolt suddenly felt very lost. “Where do we start?” She asked nobody in particular.

“Probably over there.” Sonar pointed in the direction of a home that was illuminated from the inside, guided by his magic, and Sapphire laughed at the obvious answer. As the five of them approached the home, a silence fell over them as they quietly realized that this place could be dangerous.

“Are we going to knock?” Bolt whispered as they proceeded to the doorstep.

“Well we’re not just going to barge in… are we?” Jelly whispered back, and with an exasperated sigh, Sonar pushed in front of the group to rap on the door a few times. A bit of clattering suddenly came from the inside, getting closer to the door as everyone held their breath.

The door creaked slowly before a deep purple pony peeked her head through the small opening. “Oh… hey.” She said, drawing out the ‘hey’ for a while as if she were tired.

“Erm, hi there! What’s your name?” Sapphire asked awkwardly.

She raised an eyebrow at Sapphire Swirl's question and took a moment to survey the group before responding, her eyes glazed over as if lost in thought.

“Name's Lava Lamp,” she said with a slow drawl, a faint smile pulling up the corner of her mouth. She leaned against the doorframe, her comfortable demeanor surprising the group. “What brings you all to my… humble abode?”

“We were sent here by Princess Cadance,” Bolt spoke up confidently. “I’m worried that there's some… trouble in town.”

Lava Lamp blinked a few times, seemingly registering the information slowly but choosing to ignore the mention of Cadance. “Trouble, huh? Well… ain't that the norm these days?” She said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. “But, sure, I guess you can come in. Just watch out for the… lava lamps, they're pretty sensitive.”

The group exchanged puzzled glances but followed the earth pony inside, their eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room filled with an array of colorful lights in various sizes. The room had a hazy atmosphere, and the scent of a… particular herb lingered in the air.

“Make yourselves at home. I'm just... you know, chilling,” Lava Lamp giggled as she plopped down on a beanbag, grabbing a nearby lava lamp and lazily watching the blobs of colored wax float inside with wonderstruck eyes.

Marshmallow, ever the perceptive one, couldn't help but ask, “So, have you just been… well, partaking in some recreational activities?” Bolt cringed.

“Jeez, dude,” She whispered, refraining from giving a light kick to the pegasus.

Lava Lamp just laughed, a slow and easygoing sound. “You could say that. Keeps things interesting in this ghost town. But hey, you guys are on some cosmic quest, right? I've heard things. Whispers and such.”

Sonar Moonshadow was puzzled. “From who?”

“Oh, you know,” Lava replied as if it were common knowledge. “…Around.”

“What else do you know?” Jelly Splash pushed sternly as everyone stared at the pony curiously.

The mare leaned forward in her chair, her eyes showing a glint of genuine interest as her demeanor suddenly shifted into a very sharp one. “There's something shifting in the shadows of this town. The roots of ancient magic run deep here. If you're looking for answers, you’ll get them here. But be aware, this town has a way of revealing secrets on its own time.” She sucked in a deep breath before settling back down. “So, what’re y’all’s names again?”

“Sapphire Swirl,” Replied the lime-colored pegasus, suddenly feeling quite rude. “This is Bolt, Marshmallow, Jelly Splash, and Sonar.”

“Pleased to meet ya. Care for a snack? I’ve got apples, oats–” She had barely gestured to her pantry before Sapphire was ravenously ripping the door open and pouring a can of oats directly into their mouth. “…And anything else you can find. All yours, just shut the door when you’re done. Don’t need critters getting into it while I sleep.” Bolt awkwardly lingered near the doorway. “Oh, come on, take a seat. Just relax, why don’t ya?”

The four that weren’t raiding the pony’s food storage settled into pillows and bean bag chairs of their own before Marshmallow’s strength broke and she joined Sapphire in scarfing down apple after apple. “Hey, careful! You’ll make yourself sick again!” Jelly Splash called over to Sapphire, who simply shook their head and kept eating.

“So… three and a half years, and you’ve never visited Sire’s Hollow?” The deep purple pony put the lamp down to focus on her guests.

“Hey, my count says three and a half, too! Three years–”

“-And almost five months, now. Yeah, I’ve got a pretty good system going.” Lava Lamp pulled back the curtain behind her revealing a contraption made of one large bowl with a hole in its side, water streaming steadily from it into a lower bowl of the same size with large sand-filled hourglasses on each side. A massive chalkboard was propped behind all of the items filled with tally marks and equations that made Jelly’s brain hurt.

“Woah…” Jelly murmured, suddenly feeling a gnawing guilt for underestimating the laid-back pony.

“Your system is way cleaner than mine. I’m surprised we’re on a similar track!” Bolt marveled at the massive device.

“Hey, thank ya! I’d say it’s a pretty good gadget myself!” She smiled softly before it shifted into an almost wicked smirk. “So… you want to hear the story of how Sire’s Hollow became a ghost town?”

21

Sapphire and Marshmallow were passed out on the floor, their bellies full and their fur warm under the dozens of lamps. They’d only managed to stuff their faces for a few minutes before lazily collapsing, and Lava Lamp had spent the time retracing her steps in the past three years.

“Let’s see… Well, it’s only been dead-empty for about…” She turned back to her makeshift clock, squinting at the borderline incomprehensible chicken-scratch on the chalkboard. “I’d say… pushin’ a year now?”

“That’s… honestly a lot shorter than I expected. I guess I’m just comparing it to the Empire, though…” Jelly Splash trailed off.

“Oh, right. Heard ‘bout that big explosion. You a crystal pony?” Lava unwrapped a candy and tossed it in the air, catching it in her mouth and cracking it with her teeth.

“You could say that.” Jelly rolled her eyes.

“Sorry to hear ‘bout that.” Lava Lamp crunched loudly, and Bolt was surprised that neither Sapphire nor Marshmallow had stirred in their sleep yet. “We dwindled down real slow. All creepy-like. Started with a colt.”

“A colt?” Sonar asked, surprised. Fire Bolt felt a chill run down her spine as her mind raced back to the gored youngling she’d discovered just a few days before, although it felt like months ago at this point.

“Yup. Right around everypony waking up for the day… the night, I mean. Smack in the middle of town square, ripped to shreds. He was speared on a… a big tree, I guess.” Lava’s face finally shifted from its calm expression to one of heightened anxiety. “Big black tree. No branches yet, just like… a point coming out the ground.” She sighed out a breath, taking a long moment to stare at her softly lit surroundings before continuing. “Next day, same thing, but two of ‘em. And so on. Until there were none of us.”

“I don’t understand.” Fire Bolt cocked her head to the side. “Nopony saw anything?”

Lava shook her head. “Couple tried to stay up and keep watch. Couldn’t keep awake for whatever reason.” She kept crunching on the candy until it was gone and opened another, constantly breaking the silence that threatened to seep into the room. “If two stayed up, they’d be gone the next day. If it was six, they would be, too. Nothin’ changed. Only those unfortunate ones really got to see it.”

“So… why are you the last one standing?” Jelly asked quietly as she trembled.

“Ain’t the last one! Three more down the road. No clue why it didn’t get us, though. Feels like a tickin’ time bomb.” She resorted to sucking on the candy instead, clacking it between her teeth to keep the noise up.

“Three more? Why didn’t we see them?” Sonar asked.

“Real quiet type.” Lava Lamp shook her head. “Friendly folk, though! Three sisters… Can’t say I’m a fan of all three, though!” She laughed heartily. “Two of ‘em are real sweet ponies, best you’ll ever meet. One of ‘em’s a downright bitch.”

Bolt laughed, startled. “What’s her deal?” She tried to change the topic to something lighter.

“Oh… well, I’d get it if she changed after everything, I really would. But she’s always been like that. Don’t know what her deal is exactly, but she belittles anypony without a million bits. Her broke ass always has somethin’ to talk about… All talk and nothin’ to show for it,” She wheezed, trying to finish her sentence without laughing. “She’s… pfft, she don’t even look like those other two!”

The four of them laughed together at the downright trash talking, waking the two sleeping. “Huh? What’s funny?” Sapphire Swirl was already cracking a grin regardless as the laughter died down.

“There’s more in Sire’s Hollow!” Bolt explained happily and to Sapphire’s gleeful surprise.

“Two great gals and a real crabby pain in the ass!” Lava giggled, and now everypony was laughing… Until a stern knock on the door echoed through the room. “Aw, well speak of the damn devil…” She muttered, taking a good minute to stand, stretch, and start for the door. “Always ruinin… all the fun…”

“What’s all the commotion about?” Said the mare from the other side of the door as soon as Lava Lamp opened it. She squinted and tried to force her head inside as she noticed the other ponies in the room. “Who are your visitors?”

“Big fat none of your business. Your sisters as worried about it as you are?” Marshmallow Creme was surprised at the brashness and stifled a giggle.

“Um… We were actually wondering if you’d allow us to introduce ourselves to your friends,” Said another, much kinder voice.

“Oh! Why didn’t ya just say so?” Lava fully opened the door at that, and three ponies filed into the already crowded living room. She was right – two looked alike, and one… didn’t quite match. They certainly looked similar, that was a given, but the more bitter pony stood out like a sore thumb.

“Oh! Quite a few of you! My name is Iris Tenderheart, this is Marigold Meadow, and this is Velvet Daisy.” The three siblings found pillows to sit on regardless of the now nine ponies in the room, but thanks to the environment that Lava had created, it felt more cozy than cramped.

Iris sat in the center, and based on who smiled when introduced, Bolt assumed that Velvet Daisy was the… harsher one. She tried not to stare, but their unique facial markings reminded her of Sonar’s own coloring. “It’s nice to meet you three!” Marshmallow Creme extended a hoof that only two took. “My name is Marshmallow, I just woke up a minute ago, ha! Sorry about that. We don’t get a lot of food at home, and I guess Sapphire here and I went a little overboard! Your manes look really pretty- oh! Is that an earring?” She leaned in to observe Iris’s jewelry, who smiled fondly.

“Yeah! I can pierce your ears, too, if it’s something you’d like! Totally free, I know that kind of stuff was way expensive in Canterlot and Ponyville and I’m sure it’s worse now!” She matched Marshmallow’s high energy, something that made Sonar smile at the sound.

“Oh wow, I’m always looking for a change. That would be awesome! I’m from Cloudsdale, and the only piercings we do up there are with knives. Not in your ears.” Her tone didn’t change as she spoke, and Iris laughed.

As the two continued to chatter, the one named Marigold Meadow turned to Bolt. “Hello,” She said softly. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Fire Bolt. Everypony just calls me Bolt. This is my partner, Sonar Moonshadow… everypony just calls him Sonar.” She smiled, hoping not to intimidate the quiet-mannered mare.

“Cool. Nice to meet you guys.” She leaned in closer, whispering. “And I’m sorry about Velvet. She’s not very nice to us, either.”

“Hey, it’s no big deal,” Sonar whispered back, and Bolt briefly noticed Sapphire and Jelly walking to the kitchen. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Oh, she’s my sister… I definitely do.” Marigold pulled away just then as Iris laughed and put a hoof on her shoulder, still deep in the conversation. “So… how did you guys end up here? Do you know Lava Lamp?”

“Now we do.” Bolt grinned. “Princess Cadance sent us to Sire’s Hollow. We’re kind of on a… a journey of sorts, but I don’t think any of us really know what we’re looking for.”

“Princess Cadance?” Marigold gasped. “I thought she disappeared with the rest of the Empire!”

“She did,” Sonar replied grimly. “There was only one crystal pony in the city when we got there… That’s Jelly Splash in the other room. She restored the Crystal Heart, and Cadance came back with it. Nopony else, though.”

Marigold looked astonished. “What… What did she look like?”

“I couldn’t tell you.” Sonar chuckled, and Bolt held in a giggle of her own, surprised that it wasn’t obvious. “I’m blind. Boltie can tell you all about it, though, she’s the one who found the princess.”

“Oh!” Marigold blushed, embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“Don’t worry about it, you’re just fine!” He cut her off, and a brief moment of awkward silence fell over the three before Fire Bolt spoke up.

“She was a literal zombie. I mean it, walking-talking dead. The Heart brought her back, though, and I think she was doing a whole lot better when we left her.” She looked away, fighting the guilt in her throat at the mention of leaving the princess behind.

“Oh wow. That’s freaky. It’s really admirable that you guys brought her back, though. Did Lava tell you… what happened here?”

“A little bit. The tree and all that,” Sonar replied and Marigold nodded solemnly. “What have you guys been up to in the meantime? She mentioned that it’s been pretty quiet for about a year now.”

Iris and Marshmallow suddenly joined the conversation as Velvet Daisy sat bitterly. “Oh! We have all kinds of fun here!” Iris Tenderheart said cheerily. “We should go outside! I’ll show you the games we play!” Marigold smiled shyly as Iris beamed.

In the town square, there was a big net propped up by two large wooden poles precariously leaning inward. “Alright, you’re going to hit this ball over the net!” Iris shouted from the other side. On one end, Iris, Marshmallow, and Velvet stood as a team, while Bolt, Sonar, and Marigold were a team of their own. Jelly Splash and Sapphire Swirl sat on the sidelines with Lava Lamp who would judge the game, too tired to partake in the activity. “No wings, no flying, and no magic! You can use your hoof or your snout, but no back leg kicks! If it hits the ground on your side, you lose a point!”

“Got it!” Bolt shouted back, and at that, Iris threw the ball into the air before powerfully smacking it over the net. Marigold jumped to bounce it in the air with her snout, and Bolt confidently hit it back over with her hoof. The back-and-forth continued for only a few moments before Marshmallow’s wings spread as she reached for the ball, causing the whole group to erupt into playful shouts.

“Hey, no wings, no wings!” Iris exclaimed, and Lava Lamp raised a hoof.

“One point for team… you guys!” She called out, pointing to Bolt’s side of the net.

“Aww, man! Sorry, guys!” Marshmallow giggled, and nopony took it that seriously – except for Velvet Daisy, that is.

“Hey, way to completely ignore the rules. Can you even hear? Is that a problem for you?” She sneered, making Marshmallow’s face drop sadly.

“Hey, Daisy, quit it!” Iris stepped in.

“It was just a mistake. I’ve never played this before.” The pink pegasus tried to explain to the angry earth pony to no avail.

“No, I don’t want to play with you guys. It’s only fun with my own friends… You guys shouldn’t have even come here.” Velvet got in Marshmallow’s face, prompting Iris to step between the two.

“You can leave, then. Go back home if you’re going to act like this around our guests,” She said firmly, and Velvet promptly spun on her hooves, trotting away in a random direction. “Sorry, Marshmallow. It’s not you, she’s just…”

“I guess I should play, then!” Sapphire stood and walked into Velvet’s place, attempting to diffuse the sour mood.

“You think you can handle it?” Bolt joked, knowing that the teasing would make her sibling play even better.

“Oh, I can handle it. Can your blind boyfriend see the ball?” They shot back, and everyone but the three in question widened their eyes in shock. Sonar just laughed heartily, thoroughly used to the banter between them.

“Hey, try not to get your feelings hurt when I win, ‘kay?” He tossed the ball into the air, hitting it with such force and precision that it smacked Sapphire square in the face. They snorted out a laugh, and the whole crowd then erupted into fits of laughter – even Jelly Splash let out a chuckle.

Velvet Daisy, still in their line of vision, shouted something snarky to the group until the unthinkable happened in the blink of an eye. A razor-sharp point erupted from the ground in half a second, spearing the pony through her midsection and shooting blood in every direction. She didn’t move or make a sound. In fact, she seemed already dead.

Nothing but the sound of the ball bouncing against the pavement echoed throughout the tiny town until Iris let out a gut-wrenching scream, racing towards her sister as Sapphire Swirl followed hot on her heels. The others stood frozen, paralyzed in terror. “What do I do? What do I- Velvet!” She slammed her hooves against the spike, screeching as she tried to reach the suspended mare. Sapphire flew to get an aerial view, and when they determined that removing the pony’s body was futile, they placed their arms around the earth pony.

“Iris, she’s…” They tried.

“No! That’s not fair! We made it so long together, it’s not- It’s just not fair!” As the adrenaline and initial shock wore off, she crumbled to the floor in sobs, thrashing away from Sapphire’s touch. The pegasus took the hint and backed up a few steps, looking over to their frozen peers with desperation in their eyes. Curiously, Jelly Splash took a few cautious steps forward before running full force toward the scene and forcefully pulling the pony from the sight despite her missed punches and protests. Fire Bolt snapped back into reality and raised her wing to shield Marigold Meadow’s pale and frozen face, but the damage was already done as she pulled the whimpering pony into a stiff embrace.

“Get the fuck off me! Stop it! Daisy, my Daisy-” Iris whipped around, wiggling to try to escape Jelly’s tight grip as Sapphire flew around, seemingly aimlessly.

“You don’t need to see any more of this, trust me. Listen to me, Iris, you need to walk away.” She gave up her fighting soon after that, crying and shaking like a leave as she allowed Jelly to guide her as far as she could. Sapphire finally returned with a large tarp and draped it over the horrifyingly destroyed corpse and the odd tree-like figure it was speared on, and although it was torn with small rips and holes, the coverage was better than nothing.

“Inside. We all need to be getting inside, right now,” Sonar finally asserted, so Lava Lamp wordlessly stood and opened her front door for everyone to enter the cozy home. Bolt kept her wing raised expectantly as stepped away from their hug, but Marigold didn’t budge. She simply stared ahead with her mouth agape, now at a feathery wing instead of her sister’s mangled body until Iris stumbled toward her with Jelly’s help.

“Mari, get inside!” She cried hoarsely, her voice cracking. That seemed to snap Marigold out of her trance and sent her running inside without a second thought.

Once everyone was inside, chaos erupted. Marshmallow Creme filled two glasses of water a bit too hastily, dropping and shattering one in the sink as Marigold Meadow started to hyperventilate. The living room was packed, so Lava Lamp joined her in the kitchen to clean up the mess and fill a new glass. Once Lava shakily placed a water in front of each of the two sisters, she hurriedly returned to the sink to throw up violently as Marshmallow held her curls away from her face. “I don’t know how that happened, I don’t know what happened, I always tried to just…” Iris rambled before noticing the cup in front of her and gulping down its contents in mere seconds, ignoring the water that ran down her chin.

Bolt lied down in front of Marigold and touched a hoof with her own in an attempt to ground the panicking mare. “Follow my breathing, ‘kay?” She instructed despite the fact that she was barely keeping from hyperventilating herself. “In through the nose, out through your mouth. Can you do that?” Marigold nodded and attempted to mirror Bolt, slowly but surely regulating her breathing with some difficulty. Eventually, she had calmed down enough to snuggle up with her sister and drift off to a kind of sleep, jolting occasionally as her body fought the shock off. Bolt turned to Sonar and whispered, “I need some air.”

Fire Bolt stepped outside and walked for a bit despite her fear of the unknown, sitting on a lone patch of dirt and staring at the stars. They blinked back at her, but she couldn’t decide if her eyes were deceiving her or not. She didn’t even notice that the door had opened until the dust and rock rustled lightly under Jelly Splash’s hooves. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Bolt whispered back, deciding against looking over at her friend as tears threatened to fall. “Sorry to leave, I just-”

“It’s too much. I know. They don’t understand how we do,” Jelly finished her sentence, opting to look at the stars as well. “There’s nothing like watching a sibling die. Nothing.”

Bolt swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t even understand like you do. It’s not the same, it wasn’t so… violent.”

“Hey, none of that. The feelings are just as violent… You’re just like me.” Jelly sighed and sat next to her. “And I never thought to recognize that before,” She continued after a long moment of silence. “I know already talked about it, but… I’m really sorry for… how I am. It’s not fair to assume that none of you could possibly understand me. And it’s even more unfair to keep being so hostile when you’ve done nothing but help me.”

Bolt smiled, still refusing to turn. “It’s alright. I would be scared and angry, too.” She gazed at the moon, her mind drifting to Princess Luna’s banishment. “And I am. But I have too much to lose. You had nothing.”

“Now I have everything,” Jelly whispered, and the pegasus finally looked at her, confused. “I never had the chance to have friends like you guys. A safe home. And now that I do, I guess I just got myself confused and didn’t know how to act. But I’m learning.”

The two returned to stargazing, and a warmth settled over them. Something twinkled in the sky, and it felt… strange. Loving. Like a big hug from the vast universe and beyond. And despite the horrors that had transpired in mere moments, Fire Bolt and Jelly Splash were overcome with the sense that everything would be alright.

22

Sonar Moonshadow wasn’t quite sure where he was as he floated aimlessly through the void. Something kept him from panicking, though, and blips of voices started to echo around him. A familiar child’s laughter seemed to catch his focus, and the more he listened, the closer it got until his hooves touched a hardwood floor. His surroundings materialized by the moment as he realized that his vision was working, and slowly, Sonar found himself in Fire Bolt’s childhood living room. He’d only visited her mother’s home once before, and the experience had been less than pleasant. Nonetheless, he recognized the feel of the home and the hallway that giggles echoed from.

He stepped closer to the sound and gently pushed a bedroom door open, his heart melting as he saw a very young Bolt fall over with laughter as a teenaged Serenade Remix played with her sister’s toys recklessly, making the wooden ponies smack into each other as she feigned their screaming voices. Sonar recognized the pony from photos alone and felt a twinge of pain in his chest as he realized that this would be the closest thing he would get to meeting her.

A wooden panel creaked under his hoof and Serenade Remix snapped her head up at the sound, seemingly unable to actually see him. In that brief moment alone, everything blinked back to darkness and silence as he was plunged once again into the void. A sparkling mane from afar caught his attention, and as it grew closer, he was amazed to see Princess Luna.

“Hello, Sonar Moonshadow. I’ve been trying to reach you.” She smiled.

“…Me?” He asked, shocked.

“Yes, you!” Luna giggled. “It’s been a little difficult with that talisman of yours. Misty Seeker is a very smart mare.”

“Oh! I… yeah. I’ve been able to visit her in my sleep. What did you… need from me?” He asked awkwardly, feeling out of place as he tried not to flail in the air.

“You’ve come incredibly far from where you began. You and your friends have organized in a sense that not many could have done on their own. I’m impressed.” The princess smiled gently, tilting her head. “I believe I was meant to guide you to where you are now, but it seems you have figured it out all on your own with that magic you have.”

“Thank you, Princess. But really, we couldn’t have done any of it without the help of Misty!” He exclaimed.

“And you found her upon your own magic’s guidance, yes?” She smirked knowingly.

“I… suppose so. But we’re really lost right now. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do next. I don’t know how to save you and Princess Twilight.” In a moment, he found himself sitting on a grassy hill with the princess under the night sky.

“Do not worry yourself with our fates. They’ve been sealed for quite a while. I suppose I only bought myself time by leaving Jesterbones on the moon.” She looked to the stars. “But your journey has just begun, truly. May I tell you a story?”

“I would love that,” Sonar whispered, unsure if he was speaking to the princess or the stars.

“Long ago, there were six ponies known as the Pillars of Old Equestria. Are you familiar with those few?” Sonar nodded after thinking back to his history courses for a moment. “Well, far earlier than that, there were eight. Eight ponies defended Equestria for decades, and I remember them well. One thing has stayed the same through all of these generations of friendship and harmony – magic. Your princess of friendship represents this element, as did Starswirl the Bearded. Do you understand?”

“I do. But I didn’t know recorded history went back further than the Pillars of Old Equestria…?” He questioned.

“It sadly does not. Memory alone keeps these eight alive. A powerful unicorn led the group called the Fated Eight, and her blood ran in Starswirl, it ran in Twilight Sparkle, and now… I believe it runs in you.” Luna turned to him with a determined stare, and he wanted to shrink under the pressure. “Magic, Justice, Courage, Forgiveness, Change, Patience, Charity, and Humility kept Equestria within its worldly bounds before my sister could even raise the sun.” She broke their gaze at that, returning it to the night sky. “And I have reason to believe that the Fated Eight’s power has returned to protect our world from the evil that threatens it.”

“What exactly are you saying? That it’s up to me to… save Equestria? I’m flattered, but I don’t think…” Sonar trailed off shyly, looking down at his hooves, always amazed when he could use his eyes.

“I wasn’t sure at first. But I am now. The responsibility does not lie upon you alone. Are you aware that there are eight of you sleeping in Lava Lamp’s home as we speak?”

“Eight of us… There were nine until a few hours ago. That can’t be right. I don’t even know three of them well enough to determine if-”

“But I do. Your partner’s sense of justice has been powerful since her birth… she believes it to be to a fault. But I see it as magical.” Luna placed a hoof on Sonar’s shoulder. “And her sibling, they are the most courageous pony you’ve met, yes? Facing the unknown without a shiver of fear?”

“I don’t… How do I know that the friends I have now are the right ones? Just because there’s eight of us doesn’t mean that they all represent the powers you’re looking for.”

“Ah, but I am not the one searching for them. He is. And he has found you all; he’s touched each of you with a darkness that he believes will hinder you. Your sight, for example.” The casualty of her words stunned Sonar into silence for a long moment.

“Jesterbones blinded me?”

“Indeed. He made your birth… uncomfortable, respectfully. But your lack of sight and wings has made you far more powerful than any average unicorn, as I’ve never seen anything like it. And the death of Fire Bolt’s father was his making, too. To stop her from seeing things properly before she could bloom into the mare she is today. But it backfired, and her passion for seeking what’s right is inspired by this loss.” Sonar’s brain couldn’t keep up with the flow of information, but Princess Luna continued. “Lava Lamp’s patience through this difficult time has been faced with attempts at breaking her spirits, but her tolerance is endless. She has quietly kept time in case the sun ever shone again without a single frustration or outburst. And Marshmallow Creme… I’m not sure how to describe it to you. She represents a change that impacts each and every one of you. Change is the only thing in life that’s constant, yes?”

“What about the others? You said there’s… Forgiveness, Charity, Humility…? How can I know that the others are the right ones? How can I find the right ones if they’re not?” He asked frantically as the darkness of the night seeped through the grass and into his hooves.

“The ponies you have are the ones you need. Time will tell.” Sonar’s vision began to fail back to its usual blackness as a blinding light overtook him, his horn igniting with a heat that trickled all the way down to his hooves.

Sonar Moonshadow awoke in a cold sweat and a tremor that clicked his teeth together relentlessly. “Moonbeam? What’s wrong?” Bolt asked groggily as she awoke from her deep slumber. “Did you see Misty again?”

Unable to reply, he stood and raced from the home of sleeping ponies for fresh air as Bolt stretched out to follow him. “We have to fix this.” He said as the two stood in the darkness.

“I know we do, but don’t worry! We’ve come so far and at the very least-”

“No, we have to fix this. It’s up to us alone.” He cut her off sharply, regret blooming in his chest as she recoiled from the shouting.

“…Listen, I know this is hard. I’m not having the time of my life either. But I need you to tell me what you’re thinking, or I can’t do anything about it.” Bolt sighed, still reeling from being woken up so abruptly.

They stood in silence for several minutes as Sonar heaved in as much of the cool air as he could get. “Princess Luna showed me… something. There were…” He tried to grasp the memory before he lost it. “There were eight ponies a long, long time ago. Before the Pillars. And they’re back, or at least, Princess Luna thinks they are.”

“Oh… wow. Well, if they’re back, can they help us figure this out?” She guided the conversation.

“They’re within us,” He said plainly and the two returned to silence.

“Okay… What do you mean?” She asked gently.

“There are eight elements that can fight the darkness. And there are eight of us.” He turned to Bolt. “We have to use this power… somehow. I don’t even know who corresponds to who yet.”

“That makes sense. Do you remember what the elements are? Maybe I could help you figure it out.”

“Erm, Magic, which is… me, I guess. You’re Justice. Sap is Courage. I think… Lava Lamp is Patience? Then we’ve got Forgiveness, Humility, Charity, and… Oh, Marshmallow is Change. Somehow. I don’t have a lot to work with.” He felt stupid as the words left his mouth, but he continued anyway. “I know it’s a lot, but I don’t really know what to do with it.”

“That’s a great start! Okay, well, hmm. For Jelly Splash, do any of those really… ring a bell?” Bolt asked, now fully awake.

Sonar shook his head. “I don’t think we’re supposed to figure it out right now. Time will tell,” He echoed the princess’s words.

“That’s just fine. We can work with that. You alright?” She lowered her voice as commotion sounded from inside the home.

“Yeah. It’s fine. Can we go back inside?” Sonar asked sheepishly.

“For sure.” Bolt opened the door for him, and he paused before entering.

“Oh, Boltie?” She raised her eyebrows expectantly. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I don’t know why I…”

“It’s alright.” She smiled. “We’re going through a lot right now and you’ve held it together better than anyone else. Now let’s go find those elements, alright?”

He smiled back and walked inside to the sight of everyone awake, save for the two sisters who were still nestled up together under a blanket. A few of the many lamps were now turned back on, but kept dim enough to avoid disturbing the sleeping mares. “Hey, you good?” Sapphire inquired quietly.

“Yeah, we’re alright. We’ve got a new gameplan, though.”

“So… elements. We’re supposed to represent elements?” Marshmallow asked, almost raising her voice above the whisper that allowed Iris and Marigold to sleep.

“I suppose. I didn’t get any information past that, but…” Sonar glanced thoughtlessly to the sound of light snoring. “It’s all of us. Including those two. I guess her timing was perfect, considering we just met them.”

“Wait, can you go over the list again? What am I supposed to be?” Jelly Splash asked.

“I… don’t really know yet. That’s the thing. I only got confirmation for Boltie, Sap, Lava Lamp, Marshmallow, and… I mean, me.” He replied, trying to multitask as his mind raced through the dream repeatedly.

“Then how do you know that it’s actually us? Actually all of us?” She pressed, making Sonar push his hooves together anxiously.

“Princess Luna said that you’re the right ones. Kind of… vaguely I guess. But I’m positive that it’s us. All of us.”

“If it’s us, how do we use it? Like, what are our next steps here?” Sapphire questioned confidently.

“I think what we really need to focus on is figurin’ out how them snorin’ over there play into any of this. I ain’t even expect to be part of this, but princess’s orders are princess’s orders,” Lava Lamp sighed. “But how do we approach somepony after all o’ that?”

“I have no idea. But I do know what I wished I would’ve heard when I experienced something similar,” Jelly said firmly. “I think Fire Bolt can help me out with that.”

Behind Lava Lamp’s house, Jelly Splash and Marshmallow Creme sparred and tussled. Jelly had a fair amount of combat experience over her years spent alone, and Marshmallow only knew defensive moves from her time in Cloudsdale. Fire Bolt and Sonar Moonshadow were next in line and watched with twitching smiles as their friends fought for power.

Jelly seemed out of place, which added up – she’d had years of solitude to perfect her self-defense, but it was the solitude that kept her from real practice. Marshmallow, on the other hand, had absolutely zero understanding of the elements of combat and instead had acted solely on instinct when she’d needed to. It was life-saving adrenaline that wasn’t as present in the grassy lands of Sire’s Hollow, so the two of them tussled with equal fervor. At one point, Jelly Splash was able to pull Marshmallow Creme into a chokehold that lasted a convincing few seconds, but the pegasus was able to slip out with a swift kick to Jelly’s jaw. She tumbled backward with a sharp huff of breath, and Sapphire finally called out for a draw.

Jelly squinted at Marshmallow for a long few moments, heaving in her breaths before straightening out and tilting her nose in the air. She outstretched her hoof and Marshmallow took it wearily, shaking on their tie. “And that was…” Sapphire darted inside for a few moments before retreating proudly. “Just around twenty minutes! That was good!”

“It was fine.” Jelly Splash trotted to sit against the base of the house, sulking as she chugged down the entirety of her water. “Twenty minutes is nothing if we’re going against something outside of time. You two up next, I’m trying again.”

Sapphire sat next to the unicorn, playfully shoving her shoulder and muttering something outside of Bolt’s hearing range. Fire Bolt took several shaking deep breaths as her partner steadied himself in front of her, lowering into a defensive stance and shifting his balance between hooves. His lack of normal sight only mildly evened their playing field, as Sonar Moonshadow grew up with parents that took his self defense incredibly seriously. He’d been raised with a particular tutor, a mare that was blinded in a flight accident, that taught him to fight for himself frighteningly well. Fire Bolt, on the other hand, had only taken out her childhood and teenaged angst against a tattered punching bag.

“Alright, your time starts when I shout out from Lava’s clock. Again, you’re not trying to win quickly, you’re just trying to win and keep your head up for as long as possible.” Sapphire ran inside and Bolt twitched with anxiety as she waited for the mark. A few long moments passed as the two stared at each other intently before a shout rang through the yard, and Sonar Moonshadow swiftly attacked. Bolt didn’t even have the time to fly out of his reach before she tumbled across the grass in a tight grip, her mane catching bits of dirt and debris as she struggled from Sonar’s grasp. Her heart jumped to her throat as a real sense of danger twitched up her spine, a feeling that she’d never experienced at the hooves of her partner. Bolt grunted and twisted out of Sonar’s hooves, getting a weak kick in at his stomach before placing a much harder kick against his chest that sent him sprawling backward. She took the opportunity to take flight, shoulders aching from the grasp that Sonar had her in before a blast of magical heat hit her back hoof. Fire Bolt dodged another beam of magic with a yelp before a third sent her to the ground, the breath being knocked from her chest as she heaved in the dirt.

Sonar’s magic was very clearly being restrained, as the blasts of magic had only acted as light shocks of electricity to throw Bolt off her balance. Regardless, she quivered with adrenaline and threw herself to her hooves just in time to dodge another blow from Sonar, spinning around to deliver a swift kick to his front hoof that sent him tumbling chin-first into the dirt. A moment of sympathy on Fire Bolt’s part ended up being a moment of weakness as she was tackled to the ground once again. As Sonar pulled her into a suffocating grasp, Bolt tried to ignore the alarm bells ringing off in her brain that told her she should be genuinely afraid and failed. “Get off of me!” She groaned, using her back hooves to send a full-force strike to Sonar’s midcenter and sending him dragging across the grass. Against her better judgement, Bolt saw red and delivered a swift punch to his jaw as he gasped for air in the dirt, only drawing back when Sapphire called for it.

“Boltie, you win! Timer’s up!” Sapphire Swirl’s voice faded into full volume after Bolt could only hear her breath and heartbeat after several moments, and she blinked down at her partner’s bloody nose. He wiped his face with a hoof, standing feebly and shooting her a look that she couldn’t recognize. “Eight minutes!”

Fire Bolt fully settled back into reality and backed away from Sonar by a few steps before realizing she was shaking like a leaf. “Moonbeam, I’m sorry! I- you were already down, I shouldn’t have-”

“Hey, it’s okay,” He said in a hushed tone, approaching her with the demeanor that a rabbit would approach a wounded lion. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do, right? Get that… flame out of each other.”

“Right.” Bolt felt her own grimace and turned away, trotting toward Lava Lamp’s home. “I’m going to talk to the sisters, they should be up by now.”

“Hold on, I’m coming!” Jelly Splash hoisted herself up with a grunt and raced to catch up to Fire Bolt.

Inside, Marigold Meadow had her head tucked under Iris Tenderheart’s chin as the two lay sprawled across the hardwood floor. Lava Lamp’s living room was still lit quite dimly; a cozy atmosphere with a starkly different emotion that plagued the air. Bolt paced for a moment, calming her gasps into shallow breaths as the two sisters sniffled and swallowed sobs. Finally, she sat down in front of the two before eventually falling into a slouch. “Hey.”

Iris glared up at her silently, but Bolt could see beyond her misplaced façade into the swirling pools of pain within her eyes. Marigold was overtaken by tremors, tilting up her chin to meet Bolt’s dual-toned eyes. “I can’t believe she’s gone…” She whispered. “It was so… the way she… it was so sudden.”

Bolt nodded, choosing to stay silent as Jelly Splash took a seat at her side. “I can’t get the picture out of my head,” Iris spoke up. “That picture… I keep replaying it all in my mind.” Fire Bolt reached out to place a comforting hoof on Iris’ own, hoping to extinguish some of the fire in her eyes. Jelly sat quietly, her face twisted into something unrecognizeable as her usually crystal-hard exterior softened.

“Why did it have to happen? And now?” Marigold’s timid voice cracked.

“Sometimes… Well, sometimes, there are no answers. It's just pain and a sense of loss that cuts deep.” Bolt ran her hoof up and down Iris’ as she looked away from their faces. “It feels like you’ve been gutted alive. And sometimes it’ll still feel exactly as bad as when it first cut you. But other times… You can live again.”

“Without her.” Iris barked, pulling her hoof away from the pegasus’ own. “She was so full of life. And now I’m just supposed to… It doesn’t feel right.”

“I remember feeling that way when I lost my brother. It's a void that leaves you alone.” Jelly met Iris’ piercing gaze, matching its intensity until the other’s softened again. “The Nightfall’s magic delivered a similar fate to him. Gruesome, and… and unfair.”

“I’m sorry,” Marigold gulped, and Iris chose to stare at her hooves. “I didn’t know you…”

“Don’t apologize. Loss is a language that all of us speak now,” The unicorn sighed, looking to Bolt for her cue.

Out of the corner of her eye, Iris Tenderheart peeked to watch Bolt’s expression change. “My sister went peacefully. It’s not the same, but I can understand that it’s… confu-”

“Fuck,” Iris laughed tearfully, albeit slightly delirious. “We’re a bunch of freaks, aren’t we?” Jelly Splash snorted, and the four of them burst into adrenaline-fueled laughter. “I’m gonna… I need a shower.” She heaved, leaving her sister to fall into the embrace of Fire Bolt.

A whimper slipped through the grasp, and Jelly soon joined the hug, protecting Marigold Meadow with her arms.

Outside, Sapphire wiped blood from Sonar Moonshadow’s snout with a wet rag, laughing every time he winced. “Stop moving! You’re gonna end up looking like Hannibal Lecter if you don’t let me get this off!”

“It hurts!” Sonar fought a smile with a flinch. A few feet away, Marshmallow Creme told her entire life story with a healthy amount of exaggeration as Lava Lamp listened calmly. The two were turning out to be a perfect pair with Marshmallow’s ability to talk for hours and Lava’s enjoyment in sitting and listening.

“Do you think they’re doing okay in there?” Sapphire suddenly asked, their voice falling flat.

Sonar gulped. “I imagine so.”

“It’s just… she seemed a little off.”

“Boltie?” Sapphire hummed. “Yeah, I know. We’ve never really… She’s never laid a hoof on me. And I’ve never laid one on her.”

“I know damn well you haven’t. You’d be in a thousand pieces right now if you did.” Sapphire finally gripped his chin to wipe the blood away more aggressively.

Sonar chuckled. “I believe you. But… I don’t think we should be… paired up again like that.”

“Let’s hope you never have to be. You think we should check in on them?” Sapphire Swirl leaned back, squinting at their handiwork and looking out for any more spots of blood they missed.

“Nah, I don’t think so. It’s best to leave it up to them. And time.” Sonar Moonshadow wiped the excess water from his face and sniffled enduringly.

Inside, Marigold Meadow had already fallen back asleep from emotional exhaustion. Fire Bolt and Jelly Splash gently laid her onto a pillow, covering her shoulders with a blanket. It took an hour for Iris Tenderheart to exit the steamed-up bathroom with a wet mane, but she’d escaped to a bedroom before anyone could approach her. Marshmallow and Lava had made their way inside too, the pegasus chatting up a storm all the while as Lava concocted a savory-smelling stew in a large pot. A small flame licked the cast-iron basin and filled the living room with a tangy but pleasant aroma.

Eventually the top of Iris’ head poked out from a doorway, catching Fire Bolt’s eye. She beckoned the pegasus closer who complied slowly, careful not to startle her and entering a bedroom. “Hey… Fire Bolt?” She acknowledged after a few moments of silence.

“Hmm?” Bolt hummed.

“I wanted to apologize. I’m sorry for being so harsh earlier. I-”

“Woah, woah!” Iris’ mouth hung open as she was harshly cut off. “Don’t do that! Don’t… You don’t have anything to apologize for. You’re probably going through a lot of emotions right now, and I don’t blame you one bit for being angry.” Bolt placed her hooves on the other’s shoulders as if to restrain from shaking some sense into her. “You could’ve knocked my teeth out and I would’ve understood you.”

The two giggled. “Oh come on, I can’t throw a punch! Well… I’ve never spoken to anyone like that before. Except for Velvet Daisy and she usually deserved it. I felt really bad for snapping at you, and it won’t happen again. Here.” She pulled away from Bolt’s hooves to retrieve a small piece of cardstock, and when she flipped it over, Bolt was astonished.

“Oh wow. How did you…?” She whispered.

“It’s nothing, really.” In Iris’ hooves was an abstract drawing of dozens of ponies with their hooves in the air, all squeezed into a three-by-three inch square. “I wanted to give this to you as an apology for earlier because we’ve both lost a sister. That makes us sisters now.”

“That’s really sweet, Iris. I don’t know what to say,” Bolt smiled softly as the mare shyly looked around the room. “You’re a great artist.”

“Oh, you’re just saying that. I had all kinds of time to practice, though.” She grinned back, a faint blush on her cheeks.

“No, I mean it! Small details are even harder, too!” A loud crash suddenly drew the two from the room.

“What was that?” Marshmallow Creme exclaimed just before a stumbling Sapphire Swirl barreled through the back door, answering her question.

“Sorry for the noise! Sonar and I were tumbling around back there. Hit the side of your house, but there’s not any damage. Sorry, Lava Lamp!” Sonar Moonshadow smugly sauntered in a moment later.

“Don’cha worry, this house has seen it all. Front door has been holin’ on by a thread since the sun was in the sky. You alright?” Lava snickered, stirring the pot before tapping the wooden spoon against the edge and approaching the ruffled-up pegasus.

“Yeah, all good. Is that soup ready yet?” Sapphire shook out their wings as Sonar’s nose twitched in the air.

“Just about. Y’all take a seat now and get comfortable, I want to talk about some plans.” She resumed her stirring after tossing a hoofful of a red powder into the pot and everyone sat nervously. “Well don’t look at me like that, I just want to figure out how we’re supposed to work together. None of us can raise the sun in the sky, right?” Everybody shook their heads.

A few minutes later, everyone had a bowl of warm soup and a smile on their faces. Fire Bolt all but inhaled her bowl, requesting seconds before Sonar could even finish his first. She inched closer to him, leaning against his side as he ate quietly. “Alright,” Lava Lamp started, wiping food from her mouth with a deep breath. “I think we should go to the Crystal Empire.”

Jelly Splash stiffened. “Why? We were already there.”

“Not all of us. I’m curious about that map that led y’all here. I need to know why Cadance sent you to us.” Sapphire glanced nervously at Jelly, but her response surprised everyone.

“Alright. Let’s sleep on it, and I’ll take us there.”

Author's Note

sorry for the brief hiatus!! holidays and finals left very little time for RIP. but weekly uploads are back! :)

23

Deep under the hardened dirt of Sire’s Hollow, beyond the roots of the lush greenery and cold rock beneath, a warmth swirled furiously. Its bloodlust had only been temporarily quenched; its meal just fulfilling a small amount of its hunger. Listening intently, the darkness quivered with eager anticipation until two words sent it spiraling toward the roots of Ponyville at an incomprehensible speed - ‘Fated Eight.’

The journey back to the Crystal Empire was awkward at worst and quiet at best. Marshmallow Creme had half the mind to keep quiet this time around, but it only lasted about an hour before she was asking Marigold Meadow about her hobbies. The more Fire Bolt watched the two interact, the more she realized that the earth pony had been succumbing to her own thoughts and desperately needed the distraction. As the conversation continued, Lava Lamp and Iris Tenderheart joined in to praise Marigold’s musical abilities who simply brushed and shrugged the compliments off. Sapphire and Jelly started to murmur amongst themselves, leaving Sonar and Bolt to trail behind quietly.

“What are you thinking about?” Sonar inquired quietly, skipping his hooves a bit out of boredom.

“Cadance,” Fire Bolt said simply, pursing her lips as she pondered. “I wonder what she’s been up to while we’ve been gone…” She trailed off, deciding whether or not to continue. “Or if she’s still there.”

“I’m sure she’s doing okay out there, Boltie. She’s a princess, you know?” He said unconvincingly. “We were only gone for a little while, too.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” She looked over to her partner, watching as his eyes gave away his swirling thoughts of doubts.

“What about you, what’s on your mind?” Bolt asked.

“Same thing, pretty much.”

“Pretty much?” She tilted her head as Iris laughed in the distance.

“I’m curious about Misty. She hasn’t visited in a while, and… I dunno. I’m just curious.”

Bolt glanced down at the pendant hung around his neck, swinging with each step he took, with a burning curiosity. “Yeah,” She eventually murmured, forcing herself to look ahead instead. “I am, too.”

“That doesn’t… Misty isn’t a problem for you, is she?” Sonar stuttered out, and Fire Bolt furrowed her brows.

“A problem? What do you mean?” She asked.

“I don’t know, it’s just… You know I only love you, right? You don’t have to worry about a hundred-year-old ghost-mare,” Sonar smiled a bit, but he still radiated anxiety.

To his surprise, Bolt barked out a laugh, wide-eyed. “Oh! Moonbeam, don’t worry! I’m not… Dude, I’m not worried about you having a special connection to a mare beyond the grave. It’s really awesome that you have that. Plus, if you did try it, you know I’d put you in the land of the dead with her anyway!”

Sonar wheezed out a laugh, stopping in his tracks to catch his breath with tears in his eyes. “You would! And I’m just fine with that.” He grinned, trotting to catch back up with the group. “It just seemed like you were a little… distant when I mentioned her, is all.”

“I was just thinking about her, too. I was wondering what it feels like to be back there… I miss that.” Bolt sighed, a faint smile still on her lips.

“I like her cottage, too. It has this weird feeling to it.” Sonar thought of the flickering fireplace and the warm rug on Misty’s wooden floors.

“I was only there for a second, but it was… nice.” She watched as the other six in front of her joked and lept around in conversation. “I miss that other place, though. The… What did she call it? The stage thing. My old home.”

“Oh,” Sonar Moonshadow said abruptly. “I understand that, but none of it was real, Boltie. You have to remember that there was something toying with you. It could never be…”

“Like it was.” She finished his sentence grimly. “I know. I guess I just miss pretending. It was so real.”

“That makes sense. I’m sorry.” He looked in his partner’s direction sympathetically, seeming to struggle for words. “I mean, hey! I miss being able to see, that was cool. Crazy that you guys can do that all the time.”

Fire Bolt smiled. “You’re not missing out on much. Except for that darling face of yours!”

“Hey! Quit flirting, we’re almost there!” Sapphire shouted, pointing toward the shimmering terrain not too far ahead. It wasn’t long before the sound of trotting hooves turned to a sharper click as they entered the threshold of the Crystal Empire, and Jelly Splash seemed more relaxed by the moment. It seemed to be almost brightening even without the help of the sun; the crystals shone a more vibrant rainbow and the thick layer of dust that coated each surface seemed long gone.

As the eight of them approached the steps of the castle, a loud clattering bang froze each of them in their steps, a chill running up several spines. “Hey! You’re back!” It was only Cadance, looking down at them from a balcony with a smile.

“Cadance!” Jelly exclaimed, racing for the doors with Sapphire Swirl and Marshmallow Creme hot on her heels. The princess descended the stairs gingerly with… a prosthetic hoof! Bolt smiled as Cadance huffed at the landing proudly and giggled under her breath as Marigold Meadow, Iris Tenderheart, and Lava Lamp fell into a bowing position. Jelly Splash seemed to be fighting the urge herself.

“Please, rise, my friends! It’s lovely to meet you three. May I ask your names?” She squinted vaguely in their direction.

“I’m Iris, and this is my sister Marigold and our friend Lava Lamp. It’s truly an honor to meet you, Princess,” She awkwardly stood up straight.

“No need for formalities,” Cadance snickered. “What do you think of the new look?” She gazed down at Jelly Splash with a grin. It seemed the princess had manufactured herself an eyepatch and cut both her mane and tail into a choppy bob.

“You look lovely! Is… Hold on, is your forehead already scarred?” The unicorn leaned in for a closer look. Indeed, a white scar had rapidly taken the place of the stitched-up gash on her forehead, the stitches seeming to be the only cause of irritation on her face.

“My recovery has been… quite swift, yes.” Cadance nodded.

“Swift indeed.” Sapphire squinted. “How did you… Sorry if this is out of line, but what’s up with the new hoof?”

“Oh, how rude of me!” The alicorn exclaimed, carefully hobbling back up the stairs of the shining palace. “Come, come!” Sonar and Bolt glanced at each other before cautiously approaching the stairwell, climbing each step with hesitation. Once everyone had made their way to the second level, Cadance took a breath and pushed open a door. “I have been… located by a friend.”

Inside the guest room stood a midnight-blue unicorn, her expression surprised and then flustered. As Bolt took a closer look, the mare’s freckles and markings sparkled like tiny stars across her coat, and the shimmer seemed almost… vaguely familiar. The unicorn stammered out a shy greeting. “Hello, nice to, um… nice to meet you.”

“This is Star Streck! She’s been residing in Canterlot with Celestia’s guards. Star was very active in medical aid during the beginning of the Nightfall, and then… she found me!” Cadance held out her shining prosthetic with pride, the metal sheets catching the crystal moonlight and flashing it around the room.

“I thought somepony might need some medical help back here… I’m glad I was able to help.” Star Streck chipped in quietly.

“Indeed she did! Twil- oh! Erm, sorry! Star Streck had never made or installed a prosthetic before me, and she did a stellar job, didn’t she?” Twisting the metal around, Cadance beamed. “Sorry, you just remind me of her.”

“I’ve heard it plenty before.” Star shrugged.

“Hi! I’m Marshmallow Creme, it’s nice to meet you!” The pegasus lept forward, shaking the mare’s hoof with enough force to rattle her teeth. “I like your pretty mane! And your coat! Gosh, you’re just gorgeous, aren’t you? Have you ever considered modeling?” Star Streck shriveled up a bit as Marshmallow overwhelmed her senses, a weak smile planted on her face.

“Marshie, give her some room!” Fire Bolt scoffed before smiling and introducing herself and her other friends to the unicorn.

“It’s- wow- it’s good to meet all of you. I don’t think I’ve seen a group as big as you guys outside of Canterlot since the first few months of the Nightfall.” Star Streck blinked a bit, squinting at everyone’s features like she needed glasses. “I, erm, you guys did really good with Cadance’s wounds. My hypothesis is that the Heart is progressing her quickly towards her normal state.”

“That’s great news,” Jelly Splash said, looking up to the Princess fondly. “You did great with the hoof.”

“Thank you.” Star smiled softly.

“Really glad to see how you’re doin’ princess, but I’ve got a coupl’a questions.” Lava Lamp spoke up suddenly, moving to the front of the crowd. “You sent these folk to Sire’s Hollow, yeah?” Cadance nodded. “They showed up, one of us died. Did you know?”

The tail end of Lava’s voice echoed throughout the crystal bedroom, a stiff silence following it as just about everyone immediately tensed up. Marigold sniffed, and it sounded like she was stifling a cry. “Oh.” Was all Cadance said, and Iris stiffened in frustration as the silence resumed.

“Did you?” Lava repeated herself, and Cadance tensely pressed her lips together.

“I knew there was a great risk of injury or death, yes.” She decided to retort.

“That risk is everywhere in Equestria, she didn’t ask that. Did you know my sister would die?” Iris said shakily.

“No! I didn’t know anypony would die!” Cadance replied frantically. “I’m deeply sorry for your loss, but I had nothing to do with it.”

“Then why did you send these folks to us?” Lava took a step closer, agitated.

“Luna sent them, not me.” Cadance said sternly.

“May I please interject?” Star interjected awkwardly. “I hate to put a pause on your conversation, erm, but I need the help of some of you.”

Lava Lamp sighed out a breath, already having mellowed out, and Sonar’s ears twitched with interest. “Our help?” He inquired.

“Well, preferably a pegasus. Actually, maybe a unicorn. I don’t know what would be best for sure. Cadance is doing well, and her recovery has been… miraculous to say the least. However, my studies imply that rapid regeneration in an alicorn can lead to some adverse effects if it’s not guided properly with her own magic. I thought the Crystal Heart would help, but it hasn’t… one of my books mentioned a certain berry called Metabew.” Star Streck explained, anxiously scraping a hoof against the crystal floor.

“That only grows in the Everfree Forest.” Sonar raised an eyebrow.

“That’s the part I need your help with.” Star smiled sheepishly at the wave of groans that came from the group of ponies. “Well, only two or three of you need to go! You know, for security!”

“I can fly in and out. If Sonar stays in Ponyville, I can bring it back for him to identify.” Fire Bolt theorized, already preparing for her game plan.

“No shot, Princess Celestia died in there. I don’t want you to go in alone!” Sonar protested.

“Well that kind of danger is everywhere, isn’t it?” Bolt rebutted, furrowing her brow. “It would take four seconds with these things.” She stretched out her wings exaggeratedly.

“The forest is dangerous to traverse alone–”

“That’s fine, because we’ll go.” Sapphire Swirl suddenly cut off Star Streck, a hoof around Jelly Splash’s shoulders. Jelly herself didn’t seem aware of the sudden change of plan, but she didn’t protest it, either. “What’s this plant look like?”

Before anyone could interject, Star Streck produced a journal from around the corner and magically flipped to a particular page. Jelly Splash retrieved it with her own magic, pulling it close to squint at the drawing. “That should be what you’re looking for. If you think you’ve found it but you’re unsure, you can flip around to see the other descriptions.”

“Cool. Sapphire, let’s get out of here.” Jelly turned to leave, and the casual nature of the two left everyone else in stunned silence.

“Be safe!” Fire Bolt finally shouted out a beat too late, and a chorus of similar sentiments came soon after. When the large doors to the castle thudded shut a few moments later, Marshmallow Creme flew to the window, watching as the two strutted into the darkness.

Star Streck suddenly gasped in surprise before galloping to catch up to the two. After nearly startling them to death, she led them to the abandoned train. “I would love to rest my hooves, but this thing’s not going anywhere.” Sapphire sighed.

“Trust me! Jelly Splash, check this out.” In a matter of minutes, Star was able to teach the fellow unicorn a spell that would propel the train car for a few minutes at a time, prompting both of them to gasp in surprise.

“This would’ve been so helpful a few days ago!” Jelly laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Erm, yeah, I bet. Well, that’s all! Bye!” The indigo pony looked around awkwardly before turning and racing back toward the castle steps.

“So… What are those berries gonna do, anyway?” Marshmallow suddenly quipped as she watched the pair board the train car through a window, magic letting it rumble to life.

Sonar Moonshadow answered. “They regulate medical magic.”

“A botanist yourself, yes?” Star asked in surprise as she re-entered the room, slightly winded.

“You could say that. I just like to know the best safety precautions for intense magic. You never know when you’ll need it nowadays.” He sighed.

“Indeed, it’s only good practice.” She agreed.

“Are any of you hungry? Would you like a meal?” Cadance suddenly blurted out a bit too loudly, and Marigold jumped in surprise.

“We ate before we came, but-” Fire Bolt started.

“We’d love to have a meal.” Iris Tenderheart suddenly interrupted her, a tense look in her eyes that was almost undetectable.

The train slowed to a crawl for the third time as Jelly Splash let go of her magic with a sigh of effort, shaking beads of sweat from her stiffened mane. “I’m sorry Sapphire, but it’s gonna be a minute before we get there.”

“I don’t mind a bit! I think you’re doing great. I mean, I can see Cloudsdale already!” The pegasus replied with a cheery tune before returning to lounging across three seats.

Jelly huffed out a laugh before straining to start her magic again, this time only needing about half the effort of the past several attempts. As the car crawled to life once again and the atmosphere settled into a cool silence, the unicorn suddenly opened her mouth to speak before shutting it and trying again. “Don’t you want a break?”

Sapphire took a moment to respond, opening only one eye to peek at her. “Hmm?” They finally hummed.

“You know, all of… this. I’m not saying I loved living alone in the Empire, but… I don’t know. This whole adventure thing is just a lot.” Jelly Splash found a serenity in the constant hum of her magic, predicting that she’d be able to keep the train car moving for far longer than before.

“I miss my house in Ponyville, if that’s what you’re asking. My bed, more specifically. It’s huge.” They closed their eye then, seeming to imagine said bed.

“You should show me around there sometime. You know, Ponyville. I don’t think I’ve been there more than once for a school trip.”

“Are you kidding me? That would be awesome. Especially once we’re done with all of this and it’s sunny again.” The last bit sent both of them into a stale silence, and Sapphire shifted comfortably to get a nap in during the ride.

Jelly Splash watched Sapphire sleep for a long while, her magic steadily keeping the train car thumping and rolling over the mossy, overgrown tracks and thought about a sunny future. She imagined a grassy field, perhaps an orchard – maybe even the famous Apple Orchard – with a sleepy Sapphire Swirl curled up in the plush green earth. Their mane fluttered in the wind, and their eyebrows twitched as the breeze disrupted their rest. It was only a moment, though, before they were drifting off again, and Jelly Splash felt her heart thrum in her throat as the minutes passed, her imagination putting her in the field with the pegasus as they lay down together. The sun warmed the two as Sapphire hummed sleepily and shifted closer to the unicorn, and–

The train thudded to a violent stop that sent both of them slamming against the seats. Sapphire awoke with a huff of breath, and Jelly jumped out of the car before either of them could say a word. She’d initially thought it was her own drifting (and confusing) thoughts that had brought the vehicle to its harsh stop, but it had turned out to be a completely broken train track that was responsible. It seemed like Sapphire had simply materialized behind her when she turned to face them head-on, and she jumped a foot in the air.

“Jeez, sorry! Looks like it’s the end of the road for us, eh?” Sapphire leaned around her to observe the mangled train track, and Jelly Splash suddenly felt… nervous.

“Yeah, looks like it. I don’t think I can move an entire train car around that, sorry.” She laughed sheepishly, suddenly looking at the edge of Ponyville.

“Don’t think we’ll need it. Look.” When the unicorn turned to face the darkness that she felt on her back, the Everfree Forest stared back menacingly. “Come on then, we can be back in forty-five minutes if we start now!”

The two trotted into the greenery, Jelly creeping around more nervously than her counterpart while levitating Star Streck’s journal. As the trees thickened, it somehow got darker than eternal night possibly could, but she thought she spied a familiar plant not too far ahead. She took to a steady trot, adrenaline spurring her to get in and out as quickly as she could. As she observed the leaves, however, her hope was diminished as she realized that it wasn’t a match. When Jelly turned back, her disappointment melted into horror as she realized that the pegasus wasn’t behind her. “Sapphire?” She called out softly, hoping not to catch the attention of anything but the pony. After a long moment of silence, she tried again, louder. “Sapphire!”

“Jelly Splash!” Called their voice from the left. “Where are you?”

“Sapphire!” She yelled back in relief. “I’m still here! Where’d you go?”

“I didn’t go anywhere!” Wait. “Where did you go?” Sapphire’s voice was… further away? And was it to the right now? Or behind her?

“Stop moving! I thought I saw the berries, but I didn’t go far!”

“I’m not moving!” Sapphire Swirl’s voice sounded miles away now. “I think I found them over here!”

Meanwhile, Sapphire truly had only moved a foot or two… right? As they observed the berry bush in front of them, they quickly realized how useless it would be without the precision of the notebook. Jelly had stopped responding, but a rustling in the bushes drew their attention to the pony. Well, they thought they’d seen the pony, but it was simply a fleeting shadow. Feeling their adrenaline spike, Sapphire shook their head and starting moving in the direction they last saw the teal unicorn. Another shuffling sound had them whipping around to nothingness once again, and their pace quickened. A feeling of being watched never left their mind as they moved and a sudden bang brought them down in a defensive stance, ready to take on the threat with quivering hooves.

But… it never came. Sapphire scanned their surroundings once, twice, then three times, but no signs of danger ever presented themselves. It was only after a few more moments of frantically thrashing through brush and thorn bushes that Sapphire Swirl noticed a dimly lit window, and as they got closer, a clearing exposed a small cabin. With a sigh of relief, they circled the property for a door and knocked confidently. The thought of danger residing inside somehow didn’t cross their mind until they removed their hoof, but it was too late now – Sapphire didn’t imagine there were many ding-dong-ditchers who made it out of the Everfree Forest alive.

The wooden door creaked open, and a dark snout poked out of the tiny opening, twitching curiously. “Hello? Who are you?” Said a deep, masculine voice.

“Um, hey! Sorry to bother you, but my name is Sapphire Swirl, and I lost my friend-” Before they could stammer through the rest of their reasoning, the door swung open to reveal two figures in the softly lit foyer.

“...Sapphire! Welcome. You may enter.” Said a different voice, and with a feeble smile, they looked over their shoulder once more and trotted inside. Once the lighting evened out as they entered the home, Sapphire realized that it was two male zebras who had welcomed them inside. “You have lost your friend, you say?”

“Yeah, she’s a unicorn. Pretty stiff mane, angry face, but a real pretty one?” The pegasus raised an eyebrow optimistically, but the darker zebra shook his head sympathetically. His strikingly blond mane was tied into cords across his stripes, gold jewelry lining his tail. “Uh, sorry to barge into your house, but what are your names? I might be able to trade you some food if I can linger around the area while I look, I promise I won’t disturb any wildlife! I mean, later, that is. I forgot my saddlebags.”

“There is no need, my new friend.” Spoke the zebra with the lighter coat, his wavy mane falling around his kind yellow eyes. “I am Nuru, and this is Giza. You are welcome to stay until you find your friend, and we may be able to help.”

“In fact, we believe we have been expecting you.” Said Giza, and the two looked at each other with a knowing glance that made Sapphire feel like they were missing out on something.

“Erm, well I sure wasn’t expecting to be here!” They replied with a sheepish giggle.

“We are practitioners of the art of alchemy. Potion magic. Our last batch of the nutrients that both feed us physically and spiritually told us quite the tale.” Nuru said with a soft smile. As if to emphasize his point, a cauldron in the home hissed in a whisper of incomprehensible words as Nuru spoke once again. “When the old oak tree whispers, in the breeze’s caress, a message is carried, with ancient success.”

“Stand beneath its branches, in reverence due, for after its whisper, a gemstone seeks you.” Giza explained in a faraway voice, his lips twitching into a smirk. “You seem to be the gemstone we have awaited, Sapphire.”

“Our purpose must be giving you a helping hoof with your friend today, yes?” Nuru’s eyes lit up, and Sapphire gave him an encouraging grin.

“Wow, your practice is really incredible!” The pegasus looked around the decorated home with a look of wonder before jumping, startled, as the front door swung open.

“Thank you, Sapphire Swirl, we are happy to share it with you. But I regret to tell you that the Everfree Forest has become far more dangerous than it once was, and we must find your companion in time.” Giza stepped into the darkness with Nuru on his heels, so Sapphire raced to catch up and close the door behind them.

“In time? What does that mean?” They asked, keeping up with the quick pace that the two zebras had set.

“Darkness resides here, and selfishness draws ponies in. Your friend is a unicorn, yes?” The blond zebra asked, eyes flitting around the trees with determination.

“Yes, she’s a unicorn, we-”

“You must not take your eyes off of us, do you understand?” He suddenly said sternly, and Sapphire simply nodded with a nervous gulp. “You will not realize that your surroundings have changed until you are too far away from us to reach. Is this what happened with that friend of yours?”

“I only would’ve looked away for a second, she was checking out the berries we need. Hold on, too far for you to reach? Is she in serious trouble?” The pegasus tried not to panic, but the pace of their trot and the tone of the zebra’s voice was intimidating, to say the least.

“It’s possible, my dear friend. But do not fret, as the darkness feeds on your energy. Now come, visitors that are led astray typically end up in one of three places.” Nuru said with a reassuring smile. “We will help you with your berry journey once your friend is located.”

Sapphire Swirl walked between the two, a bead of cold sweat slipping down their neck as they stared at Giza’s hooves intently. They decided that their only purpose for now was to keep their eyes on zebra stripes, and it didn’t feel like long before the three of them found a clearing. Jelly Splash wasn’t anywhere in sight, and when the pegasus called out her name, nobody replied. Urgently and wordlessly, they kept moving, shouting in each of the three clearings for the unicorn to return until Sapphire suddenly tripped and took a rough tumble to the ground. Frantically, their eyes tore back up to find a zebra but found a unicorn instead.

“Jelly Splash!” They exclaimed, practically jumping onto the pony with a crushing embrace.

“Dear fucking Celestia, Sapphire, you scared me!” She shuddered but reciprocated the embrace.

“This is quite unusual, no? She came from nowhere.” Nuru murmured.

“Unusual yes, but quite fortunate as well,” Giza whispered back. “I cannot imagine it would have been long before she was lost to us.”

“Please tell me you’ve at least found the Metabew berries!” Jelly exclaimed as she pulled back from the hug, eyes flitting to the unintroduced zebras.

“Uh, so that’s funny, because…” Sapphire trailed off, looking at the other two with a sudden realization. “Oh! Sorry, guys, this is Jelly Splash. This is Nuru and Giza, they live here in the forest!”

The unicorn smiled and nodded in a polite greeting, and Sapphire immediately noticed her pleasant and unguarded demeanor with a smile of their own. “It is good to meet you, especially in these conditions. Now, if you are only looking for some Metabew, we have some in our home!” Nuru said cheerfully, but an underlying anxiety caused him to seem a bit frantic.

“Seriously? That’s great, let’s head back!” Sapphire picked up on the electricity in the air, starting a quick trot in the opposite direction.

Without needing to search for a missing pony, the trek back was just a few short minutes, and the warmth of candlelight and shelter relaxed the tense group. Giza took Jelly Splash on a quiet tour around the home while Nuru showed Sapphire to their storage cabinets, chatting about Metabew’s properties and various other plants. “And while you are here, please allow us to serve you one of our meals. I assure you that the magic is not harmful, and I feel it will keep your stomachs full and guide your journey!” The pegasus felt their stomach growl at the sound of a warm meal, and they graciously accepted just as the jar of berries was located. “You may take the entire container, for your own collection. I can harvest them any time I please.”

“I don’t want to take your supplies, Nuru!” Sapphire protested sheepishly, and the zebra rolled his eyes with a dramatic sigh.

“Do not be ridiculous, Sapphire! I tell my friends when they are being crazy, and you are now my friend… You are being crazy! Take it!” They laughed as he shoved it into their hooves, and the other two returned before they could protest further.

“Nuru, would you get the cauldron warmed? I feel we should host our guests before they enter the forest alone again.” Giza asked, moving to remove various vegetables and dried herbs.

“You read my mind, mpenzi! Sit, you two, sit, and we will serve you!” The ponies were ushered to a set of cushions, and the atmosphere of the home almost let them forget that they had just been in serious danger — and always were.

Everyone got to know each other as the cauldron bubbled, its energy seeming to grow as laughter filled the room. Although Jelly Splash knew that her friends were likely worried, she couldn’t find it within herself to care much. The lighthearted fun of friendship felt so scarce, and it was a refreshing environment. It wasn’t long before Giza politely shushed everyone, ladle in hoof, as the warm liquid hissed to life.

A soft warm glow filled the room, and Nuru whispered something incomprehensible into the stew. It bubbled back, its steam swirling in unnatural patterns before the faintest of words came out. “Beneath the veil of sorrow, where tears obscure the sight…” There were several moments before it began again, slightly louder. “A truth must be unveiled, lest the sky keeps the night.”

“Is that the-” Sapphire whispered.

“Shh!” Jelly hushed.

It was a long minute of silence before the voice hissed again, losing volume. “For though grief engulfs them, in its relentless stream, the peril of a lost sister’s betrayal must be seen.” The light fizzled out, and the zebras began to nonchalantly serve up bowls of soup. The ponies, however, sat frozen in their seats.

Sapphire wordlessly took a bite, lost in thought, as Jelly Splash nervously sparked up a conversation once again. “It is beautiful magic, is it not?” Giza smiled as he ate his soup, and Sapphire nodded tensely.

The urgency to get back to the palace was dwindling by the moment as the realization that the two would not only need to bring berries back to their friends... but also, a horrifying truth.

Author's Note

star streck (and lava lamp but i cant remember if i mentioned that :p) belongs to my dear friend! drinkdino has been so helpful for the entire process of this story!!! :>

1

1

Misty Seeker. An outstanding student, at the top of her classes. After the deaths of her parents, she became motivated by death and began her studies on the afterlife. She was always fascinated by death, but also by life, too.

Though she was a star student, she was never the best with potions, an oversight that would prove to be ruinous…

As the moon shone over Ponyville, a pegasus suddenly snapped to attention and emerged from a fluffy patch of mist she’d chosen to keep watch from. She briefly stretched her wings before stepping from the cloud and gliding across the sky, her eyes scanning the disarray below. Under the unending darkness of the night sky, nopony could tell when shops were open or closed, so scattered drifters tended to wander through the streets at any given time. As Fire Bolt watched them, she couldn’t help but feel like they looked like zombies.

She flapped her wings, soaring above the town with sharp movements as her mind tried to decipher what had awoken her. Her powerful wings carried her through the shadowed streets of Ponyville as she squinted to look for anything suspicious, but found nothing more than the normalized horror that lived in the town. Cottages looked disheveled; their one-vibrant chipped paint walls looked unnerving against the inky sky, and the soft glow of lanterns guided the few ponies who creeped out into the eerie darkness.

As Bolt landed near the middle of town, her eyes scanned the bleak scene before her that had become all too familiar. The once vibrant and lively heart of Ponyville now lay abandoned and desolate. The shops that had once bustled with activity were quiet ghosts of what they used to be – even the ones that hosted ponies selling their goods regardless of the crisis looked uncanny – and the park, once filled with the supposedly all-healing sound of children’s laughter, stood empty and silent. For the most part, the townsponies remained hidden within the safety of their cottages, constantly seeming to fear a great monster ripping apart the eerily neverending night sky and snatching everypony up – but that’s what Bolt was for. Years back, she’d chosen to ease the minds of the few ponies that cared by keeping a diligent watch on the town and its residents, a job that she was somehow the first and only to take on in Ponyville. It wasn’t the most consistent effort, as it was difficult to hold herself accountable without the shining sun in the sky, but it comforted the red pegasus to have eyes on every corner of the town.

Fire Bolt also tracked her time. She wasn't always known to be extremely punctual, but in this bizarre instance, she kept very, very careful track of her time. By her methods, starting with just a metronome attached to a very meticulously suspended bit of chalk and most recently coming to a contraption made of a clock and a weighted scale that had to be reset every seven days, a ritual she tracked in a notebook with sharp attention, it had been a total of 1,221 days since the Nightfall began. Three years, four months, and six days… and so little order had been established in the time since. Thankfully, Ponyville had yet to have a hierarchy explode from the chaos, unlike Cloudsdale, which was bordering on unsalvageable from the quick rise and fall of a series of tyrants that resulted in the complete destruction of normal life to most pegasi. Ponyville was almost too peaceful – nopony hurt each other, but they also didn’t do much at all, either. Fire Bolt assumed it was from both the scarce population and the ice-cold terror that gripped each and every remaining pony with a painful force. To combat this, most Ponyville residents would gather in the big Apple barn for a candlelit celebration every few weeks without much pattern; an attempted escape from the horrors that lurked in the Nightfall. For the most part, it did help lift spirits, but after the first few, Bolt opted out from the occasion. It was a bittersweet place to be for her, and something about gathering the entire population into a single barn made her uneasy.

By this time, it was supposed to be early afternoon, and Bolt gently pulled her coin purse from her saddlebags to drop a few bits on the dusty counter of a shop that developed in the first few months of the Nightfall. It was a wooden stand on a dirt path that clearly wasn’t meant to last as long as it had, but the years passing brought slow upgrades to the booth. She gave a soft smile to the mare a bit younger than herself before quietly requesting two loaves of bread and a strawberry danish wrapped in paper, noticing how the pegasus, Swift Breeze, had begun to wear her mane freely again instead of its usual tight bun. The last time her mane was down was long before the Nightfall even began, and Fire Bolt couldn’t help but mentally note the beautiful shimmering yellow streaks in her blonde curls that she hadn’t noticed in several years.

She thanked Swift Breeze for the food and packed them into her saddlebag gently, careful not to crush to pastry under the weight of her coin bag and the dagger she kept on her as much as she could remember to grab it on her way out. Bolt tightened the strap to her old sun-bleached bags, using her teeth to yank on the piece of fabric that always seemed to need a good tug to stay in place these days, and decided to trot for some of the way home.

She couldn’t deny that it was, to an extent, peaceful. Nopony was outside very much anymore, mostly akin to a normal night, and the weather always stayed at a warm summer night with a light cool breeze. It touseled her orange and yellow mane as she walked, slowly breathing in the fresh air in a way that she never got to when she flew – flying required a different kind of breath control, and Bolt often realized that she wasn’t getting enough walking time in her frantic flight routine. Her steps echoed against the cobblestone path as she got fed up with the slow pace pretty swiftly, though, and took a few running steps before taking flight into the darkness again.

When she returned to the cottage, Sonar Moonshadow was awake and resting on the couch, sipping his jasmine tea carefully. His unseeing eyes wandered toward the direction of the door when Fire Bolt closed it behind her, and he knowingly smiled at her presence. “Did you get some more bread? I wanted some toast and jam but it seemed like we’re cleaned out of grains…” Moonshadow used his magic to pull the bread from her bag before she could even answer, placing it on the counter. His intuition and sixth sense were always miles ahead of Bolt’s own five, often able to tell who was around him without any cues despite his blinded vision. It was impressive, and most chalked it up to his oddly unfortunate nature.

A batpony-unicorn amalgamation at birth, Moonshadow’s wings were amputated as just a youngling after they began to sprout in a deformed manner. His now-deceased parents being a progressive batpony and an experimental unicorn seemed to be the stem of a lot of his interesting features – he was born intersex with a strangely formed horn, later choosing to present between masculine and androgynous despite his strikingly beautiful but traditionally feminine facial structure. He specialized in echolocation more than anypony in town, a fitting profession for his nature. Speckles of lightened fur washed across the lower half of his legs as well as his nose and lower back in a pattern that Fire Bolt amongst others found to be breathtaking. He had pierced one of his ears, twice, in an experiment to gauge his intuitive abilities, and the piercing fit quite well with his complexion, a badge of pride he wore nicely, but he’d removed the jewelry after a few months of the crisis. Moonshadow also let Fire Bolt cut his hair when it started to get out of hoof, usually keeping his two longer strands around his ears away from the shears, because although he could easily do it himself despite his inability to see his mane, he liked the time they shared on the cool tile of the bathroom floor on a monthly basis. Lately, his mane had started to become less and less of a priority in their routine.

“Two loaves. Swift Breeze is wearing her mane down again, it looks like…” Fire Bolt trailed off, attempting to conjure an appropriate description as the nerves of her sudden awaking fizzled out, but not completely. “It looks like caramel ice cream. She looks really nice.” She finished plainly, feeling a bit awkward at the lack of their usually loaded conversations and unloading her saddlebags by the door. She gently placed the danish on the coffee table next to the spot on the couch that was occupied by her partner and turned back around, putting her other findings and trinkets from the day in their respective places.

“That sounds nice. I hope she’s doing well.” Sonar Moonshadow sounded slightly off, Bolt noted, almost like he was hesitant to tell her something. She didn’t reply, waiting for the tension to draw out the words that seemed to sit behind his teeth expectantly, and it worked in moments. She heard him open his mouth and close it before finally sheepishly spitting out, “Have you heard the news?”

The “news” was delivered to each known remaining occupied cottage in Ponyville, and it was a hoof-written letter depicting the various bits of information received from the surrounding areas. It wasn’t entirely reliable in Bolt’s opinion, but it worked well enough when reading it without acknowledging the buzzwords strung between each sentence to make each droning week of stilled life seem more exciting.

“No, what’s the deal?” She kept her back faced to Moonshadow as she continued to mindlessly organize and shelve the various items scattered around the kitchen, expecting the usual news to be some kind of a misconstrued bit of drama about a pony killer, a beast, or a cause for the Nightfall. Another part of her nerves were screaming at her to hide under something, arm herself with a weapon, and lock all of the doors.

“They found Princess Celestia. She’s… Celestia was found dead. It's over."

7

The cold was harsh, but Fire Bolt’s wings were strong enough to shield both herself and Sonar Moonshadow for a few seconds at a time. In front of the four of them stood the countless menacing mountain peaks of the Frozen North, revealing themselves each time the snowy winds broke for a moment.

“Sonar, anything yet?” Sapphire shouted over the freezing atmosphere racing through their manes, and with the time it took to reply, they thought that he hadn’t heard them. “Do you see anything-”

“Up ahead. Boltie, keep going straight.” The light emanating from Sonar’s magic gave only the slightest bit of relief in the white tundra that seemed to halt everypony’s vision past a few inches.

When they had initially approached the snowy terrain, Sapphire asked if Sonar could clear a path for them, to which Jelly Splash laughed in their face. “Nopony has ever cleared a path,” She had said.

Sonar still tried a few times, but the violent and thrashing winds were simply not compatible with his magic; Sonar was not a weather pony, but Fire Bolt was – she had incorrectly assumed that she might be able to wrangle some of the wind to a different direction. On the fourth time that she flew in, she was thrown back out of the winds with such force that she cracked her chin open against the cold, hardened dirt, refusing to allow Sonar to check for a deeper injury and calling it a scrape. In reality, each time the frozen winds crashed against her face, the blood from the injury trickled more and more into her red fur, and the wetness quickly got frigid.

Their ultimate decision was to use a combination of too-weak shield spells from Sonar and Jelly Splash and the protective strength of Bolt’s and Sapphire’s wings to push through the winds, stopping frequently to regain strength.

Beginning to clear in front of Fire Bolt was a darkened portion of a mountain, and as they inched closer, she realized it was a cave. She wondered briefly if Sonar Moonshadow knew that he was looking for a cave, but dismissed the thought as he led them inside. The winds still blew into the opening, but it was considerably less now that they were under a covering.

Fire Bolt and Sapphire Swirl looked at each other with soaked and disheveled manes, grimacing as they both spread their wings to shake the worst of the moisture off.

Everypony but Sonar Moonshadow stood weakly, heaving in cold breaths as the wind screamed outside. Sonar’s magic grew brighter, illuminating the cave completely around them. Fire Bolt started to ask, “Is this where we’re supposed to-”

“Show yourself!” Sonar suddenly bellowed out, cutting through the sound of the whistling winds and echoing through the cavern. As his magic grew even more still, deep laughter answered Sonar’s echo, sending synchronous shivers down the remaining three’s spines. Fire Bolt closed her open jaw.

A wisp of air suddenly raced past Jelly Splash’s face, making the hardened shape of her manestyle swish back and forth. She took a step forward with her chin raised, seeming to hear something that the others could not.

“It’s not real, I don’t think,” Jelly spoke up. “I learned a sound spell like this one.” Fire Bolt, eyes wide open, looked to Sonar Moonshadow for confirmation. His attention had been lowered, and he was sightlessly gazing in Jelly’s direction.

“You’re right. The sound doesn’t echo quite correctly.” He said, nodding calmly. “It could’ve been triggered by walking in here. Maybe an alarm meant to scare ponies off.”

“Well, it kind of works!” Sapphire Swirl piped in, and they were pacing around the cave. “Why would somepony put the sound of scary laughter in a cave that nopony’s ever been to?”

“We’re certainly not the first here. Far from the first.” Jelly Splash replied, illuminating her horn to observe the scratches engraved into the stone around them. “I think it’s fine to stay here, though.”

“So now what?” Bolt asked.

“We wait,” Sonar replied.

Fire Bolt dug her teeth into the hardened bread loaf from her saddle bag, cringing as the texture accidentally touched her injured chin. “Wait, so you were glittery and stuff?” Sapphire asked after swallowing down their own stale bread. Bolt wished that she had asked Swift Breeze for some variety in the food she picked up in her last few trips.

“Glittery, shiny, the whole bit,” Jelly Splash replied, rolling to lie on her side rather than sitting up. “I don’t really remember if it felt any different, though. It’s why my mane doesn’t move or brush, I think.”

“It’s like… between Crystal and normal mane,” Sapphire pondered aloud, and the three of them now looked with more scrutinizing eyes at the shiny but hardened mane and tail.

“Can’t really remember what got me either,” Splash twitched her torn ear as if to emphasize her long-healed injuries, and the scar tearing down her back. “I think it was around the explosion.”

“Do you remember… um, sorry,” Sonar started before awkwardly backpedaling at the realization that this might be too personal. Jelly Splash lazily nodded her head, prompting him to continue. “Do you… remember the explosion?” A long pause followed.

“It’s just about the only thing I do remember…”

The artificial sun gleamed upon the Crystal Empire, being interrupted every few moments by a seeping darkness that threatened everypony who saw it. Terror had been building in the Empire for two days now; murmurs and rumors told of the rest of Equestria being held in the grasp of some dark force. All they were told was that Cadance and the magical spirit of Shining Armor were protecting them, but the confidence amongst the townsponies was fading dangerously quickly.

Jelly Splash walked into the center of town with her young brother named Taffy Twists, hoping to distract his nervous mind with traditional games and activities of the Crystal Empire. He seemed entirely distracted, though, and no matter what she did, Jelly could not lift his spirits.

“Jella Spash?” He suddenly spoke up, and Jelly Splash looked down at him expectantly – he still couldn’t say her name quite right yet. In the brief moment they shared eye contact, everything changed in slow motion.

The first thing she saw was his tiny body hit the ground, hard. Next came the fiery heat that nipped at her back hooves, pushing her forward as well and slamming her into the crystal walkway.

It felt like she had blinked, but by the time she was opening her eyes again, it had clearly been hours. The first thought in her mind was Taffy Twists, and her eyes quickly found him - mangled, burnt, and practically dismembered with the force that he was thrown into the ground. She stared for a moment, then two, then for several minutes in disbelief. A morbid part of her brain thought to soak it all in.

A choked scream tore from her chest, anguish flooding her body and filling her mouth with bile. Nopony heard – every single pony in sight was disgustingly deceased, so far beyond saving that she couldn’t fathom that she could even stand.

There was not a single standing pony in sight. Jelly Splash took several steps back before she was unable to hold in her vomit. Blood tracked under her hooves, and it almost seemed like Taffy Twists looked worse the more she backed up. When she was looking right at him, her brain could shut it down; deny it. But from afar… he was a lump of limbs and crimson red, spread further across the floor in length than he was tall, a white bone of what seemed to be ribs poking out of the lump like a trophy. That was her brother now.

Sonar was silent the entire time. Sapphire couldn’t help but gasp once or twice, their empathetic nature wanting desperately to nurture the traumatized pony in front of them.

“I… I kept this,” Jelly Splash said, and after a deep breath, she opened her saddle bag and revealed something unexpected.

“Is… that the last piece of the Crystal Heart?”

Author's Note

are the visuals helping at all? ;-; i hope you all are still interested, there are very exciting things coming! ^u^