In the Halls of the Friendship Princess

by Ashel

Rating: teen
Tags: Profanity, Random, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Comedy, Starlight Glimmer
Length: 3321

Starlight Glimmer gets lost in Twilight's castle. Whoop-de-doo.

Twilight Sparkle assigns Starlight Glimmer the task of 'Mapping out the castle'. Starlight thinks that this is a ludicrous idea, I mean, who needs a map for a building?

As it turns out, Starlight Glimmer did.

Published 2024-03-15 22:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-04-08 20:01:58 UTC

Departure of Mundanity

Day 1:

Greetings, future-me! As you probably know, I've been assigned to 'Map out the castle' by Twilight. Now, I don't see the point in doing it myself (Ourself?), but I'm not going to just decline an assignment from my mentor. Especially when it gives me a chance to get away from Trixie. (As much as I love you, girl; you are just too much sometimes.) Hmm, I should probably make a log of my supplies and where I've been, huh?

SUPPLIES:

1x Journal;
2x Quills;
10x Sealed Inkwells;
3x ~~Scrools;~~ Scrolls;
1x Sleeping Bag;
1x Pillow;
1x Sleeping ~~Matt~~ Mat;
1x Tub of Lamp Oil;
1x Lamp;
2x Tinder Boxes;
1x Watch;
5x Ration Packs

Now, I know what you're thinking. Well actually I don't, but you do know what I'm thinking, and I'm thinking: "Why do I need a sleeping bag?". Well, I wish I could answer you, but I'm also afraid to find out why. Let's hope this just gets done before the end of the day.

Oh, right, where I've been.

Locations:

Bedroom-
Map Room/ Meeting Room-
Entrance outside the kitchen

It's been about forty minutes since writing that, and I have to say; I did not expect the place to be that big. Maybe it's just the really tall ceilings warping my perception? It must be.

Anyway, judging by the ~~colck~~ ~~colck~~ Clock given to me, I think it's about 8 in the afternoon? I'll write again later.

Day 2:

Dear Celestia! This place is bigger than I thought!

I had to sleep, overnight, on the floor, in a Sleeping Bag! Ugh, I hope I never have to do that again. Anyway, not much has happened since then, my supplies are the same so I won't bother writing out the list again.

I think I'm now officially in uncharted territory. At the very least, I've never been this far. I sure hope I'll be able to find my way back after this. So far, I have now been past (Barring previous locations):

Empty room 1-
Empty room 2-
Empty room 3-
Empty room 4-
Bathroom-
Kitchen?-
Empty room 5-
Empty room 6-
Empty room 7-
...

I'm sure you get the picture. (Don't worry, all the bajillion other empty rooms are marked on the map.) I'm going to keep these relatively brief, as not much really happens; it being indoors and all. I'll probably just write every now and then, marking what I have and where I've been, if necessary. Anyway, if the clock is any ~~juge~~ judge, it's about half past five in the afternoon (Geez, has it really gone that quickly?), so I'll stop for now.

Day 5:

So, as you can probably guess, or already know, it's been a while. When Twilight offered me this assignment, I thought it would be easy; that I could do it in less than a day and show her how good I am!

No matter, I'll still get this done, no matter how long this takes_____________________ Oh sorry, I started to fall asleep. It's hard to get a good night's rest on a crystal floor, especially with only one pillow. One pillow! I mean, who sleeps with only one pillow! A madmare, that's who!

~~Sory~~ Sorry about that, I must be losing more sleep than I thought. As I was saying, I'll get this job done, even if it kills me. (Hopefully not.)

I don't have much to report other than I've used up one inkwell and had to open another. Everything else is ~~acounted~~ accounted four. Gosh, I'm really tired. I'm going to try and find a bedroom, hopefully that might help.

Day 6:

Good morning, Journal! I'm feeling a lot better now that I've had a full night's sleep. I managed to find a bedroom last night, and am very grateful for it, but something just felt off. Sure, there was a fully made bed, a desk and a chair, everything a bedroom needs to be a bedroom. But, that was it, there was nothing else. It's as if whomever designed this room knew what was supposed to be there, but nothing else. But I digress, I'll leave the bedroom soon and start off again.

In the meantime, want to hear a joke? Why did the mare pull out her mane? Because she walked through a corridor which she swears never looks the same whenever she glances at it! Sorry, that wasn't very funny, was it? I'm still just really hung up on that. Maybe it was just the sleep deprivation. I mean, you'd be able to tell if the room just suddenly changed, right? Anyway (I seem to be writing that a lot.), I should get going now. I'll write soon.

It's been about seven hours now, and I swear I have walked through the same corridor 15 times. But, whenever I look back at where I came from, it's as if I've never left the first! If this continues, I think I might just blast a hole through the wall. After another 7 attempts, I finally managed to leave the corridor. I'm going to have to stop soon, I can't keep this up all day.

Can I vent for a moment? Wait, why am I asking, this is a journal. Why am I writing this down?! Ugh, I think this place is starting to get to me. As I was saying, I've gone through about half of my rations, which means if I don't get of here soon, I'll be in trouble. ~~I wonder if Twilight is concerned that I've been gone for so long?~~ Of course she would be! What a silly thing to write! As good as you are, Journal, I miss speaking to ponies. I haven't encountered another living thing in this place since I began. Anyway (If I ever find a library, I might need to look up more synonyms for 'Anyway'), I'm pretty tired now. I'll write ~~to you~~ soon.

I wonder how Trixie is doing without me? ~~I miss her.~~

Please Keep Arms and Legs Inside the Ride at all Times

[Tear marks adorn the next few pages in mild frequency, and a rip is present on the bottom of the page.]

Day 8:

I already miss the bed. If I get back problems because of this, I'm demanding compensation. I should probably make another checklist, it's been a while since I've checked my supplies.

SUPPLIES:

1x Journal;
2x Quills;
3x Scrolls;
9x Sealed Inkwells;
1x Sleeping Bag;
1x Pillow;
1x Sleeping Mat;
1x Tub of Lamp Oil;
1x Lamp
2x Tinder Boxes;
1x Watch;
3x ~~Rashion~~ Ration Packs

I'm either going to have to find a kitchen or turn back now, as my rations are getting low. Fortunately, I still have the map I've been plotting, so at least I'll be able to find my way back. I'll write later if I've found something.

So, it's been about nine hours now and I still haven't found a kitchen. I also seem to have reached a staircase leading downwards. I should probably map out the place floor by floor, but there aren't exactly any other ways to go. It's getting quite dark down here, I might need to use my horn so I can see. Note to self: Do not write and walk at the same time, especially on a staircase.

What I don't understand is; how is this place so dark? I mean, most of the corridors upstairs don't have windows, and yet they're not so ominously pitch black. It's as if this place just being underground merits it be dark. Anyway (Help, I think I might be addicted), at least I've gotten usage out of the lamp. The one good thing about this darkness is that it helps with my mild headache I have. Perhaps this place has a kitchen? After all, most of the servant rooms are usually below ground in castles, and Twilight's can't be that far off, right? ~~Celestia, what I'd do just to hear her voice again.~~

Everything's fine. Everything's fine. I'll just retrace my steps, see? No reason to start panicking.

No, it can't be. I swear it was there five minutes ago! I probably just got turned around, is all.

Fuck.

Day 9:

Heh, you're probably wondering: "Starlight Glimmer, why did you let out a profanity on our family-friendly entertainment.". And to that I respond: What? But I would then go on to respond: Because the map is gone. My only way back is gone. Then, you'll probably wonder: "Why not just go back the way you came?", and to that I'd respond: I tried to, but it was gone! The building had changed! ~~And then you'd respon~~ Okay, I promise I'll stop that. I'm just trying to find a way to cope with this.

It's just, my only way out of this place, I destroyed with my own hoof. I'll, I'll probably never find my way out again. I'm probably trapped in my own mentor's basement forever. By the time Twilight finds me, I'll be a skeleton. If she even tries to find me at all. Was it all just a ploy, to get rid of me? Was this her plan all along? I

No.

No.

She would not just do this to me. She is my friend, they all are. She is my teacher, and I her student. She taught me how to handle situations like this. She taught me to never give up.

I will carry on. I will find a way out. I will survive.

Day 11:

Okay, so I think we all know the cliché of the protagonist losing hope after a bad situation, but then miraculously finding hope afterwards, typically with a motivational speech with dramatic wording. Now, I'm not saying I'm immune to clichés, because I'm not. That whole end of the last entry kinda proves that. (Also, remind me to keep this journal hidden from Twilight. She might just kill me if she reads what I wrote about her. But in a friendly way, haha, right Twilight?) But at least it seems to have helped me from my stupor.

Now, I'm still in the basement. ~~The dingy, dark, all encompassing, never-ending~~ No. I can not give up hope. I'm sure I'll find a way out. I just need to keep going forward. I'll write to you later.

Day 12:

Good news: It's getting brighter! Bad news: I'm still not out of the basement.

At least I don't need to use the lamp anymore. The stupid, good-for-nothing lamp. Ugh, now I know I'm desperate, I'm berating a lamp. Anyway, I think I've made good ground since the accident. I have no way of verifying this, but I think I might be getting closer to an exit. I mean, if a basement will be dingy and dark for the sake of being a basement, then it stands to reason that the exit will be bright and luminous, right?

Maybe I'm just clinging onto a false hope, but a false hope is better than none. Right?

Dear Celestia. If I ever get out of here, remind me to take lessons in morale.

I think I'll stop for now, I'm getting kinda hungry. I suppose large, tear-shedding, emotional moments really take the energy out of you. I wonder how Trixie is doing, she's supposed to be doing a show today. I hope she can do it without me. I'll definitely have to make it up to her for missing out on her show. I think, after all this, a nice long day at the spa would be perfect. And then maybe a meal that aren't these stupid rations!

Even if we don't go to the spa, a day with Trixie would still be perfect. ~~I just want to~~ My apologies, that was quite the tangent. I must be getting desperate for any kind of physical contact. Heck! Any kind of contact at all with another pony. Unfortunately, it seems as though I'll have to fight my way just for that.

Day 14:

Guess who got out of the basement~? Go on, guess. Wrong! I did! Unless you guessed me, that is, hehe.

.

...

......

I think it was a good thing I got out of that basement as soon as I did... (Wow, I even wrote ellipsis.)

If I ever find my way back, I don't think I'll be leaving my room ever again. The horrors in that basement, ugh.. I don't think I'll ever look at peacocks the same way again. I think I'll stop for now. After that whole ordeal, I might need a break for a while. I'll see you later, Journey! (Yes, I named my journal, shut up.)

You may only leave the ride once it has stopped moving.

Day 17:

Greetings, Journey! I know it's been a while since I've last written, but I was busy doing stuff. (Mostly trying to find a way back). What's that you ask? What was I doing? Well, let me tell you! (Is it weird I'm talking to my journal as though it was a pony? Pshh, nah). So, I had recently escaped the basement, when I came across an intersection. Not knowing which way to go, I randomly chose to go left. Something about the left side of mazes or another. I carried on walking until I got to, and this is the best part, a kitchen!

Let me tell you, the food was delicious. The whole pantry was stocked with freshly baked goods, I just wanted to dive in and eat it all. But knowing I was running low on supplies, I decided to save them for later, only having a roll or two. Oh dear Celestia, never before had bread tasted so divine. And when I went to the ice box, it had all sorts of stuff! From cheeses to butter to... whatever that weird red stuff was. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any of it with me, but I definitely couldn't just pass them up. And what a feast I had that night. All I'll say is that I'm lucky I'm not lactose intolerant. Anyway, food heaven aside, I packed up some supplies and journeyed on. I went through some more corridors, more non-descript rooms, blah blah blah. And that's about it.

I'm currently camping at what seems to be an ~~antiroom~~ anteroom. I'll probably stay here for the night, or what I think is the night. It's hard to tell with no windows about. I'll write to you tomorrow, Journey!

Day 18:

Gosh, when I get out, I'll definitely need to get a massage. These crystal floors are not fun to sleep on.

Apparently, this place has a greenhouse. There's all sorts of plants here, in an array of different colours. It all looks very pulchritudinous. Aha, I bet you didn't know that word. Well, neither did I. I found it in a book. It was very sad, but had a happy ending. (As far as I could tell. I haven't finished it)*. Oh right, I found a library. It was rather small, at least compared to the other ones. I don't think Twilight even knows about it. Hmm. I wonder how the library could be shelved if nopony has seen it before, or the kitchen for that matter! Oh well, it's not exactly the weirdest thing I've seen here, and I'm certainly not going to complain.

Oh boy, I bet as soon as I tell Twilight about the library, there'll be no stopping her from trying to find it. Gosh, I miss her.

Day 20:

I don't think I'm getting out.

I don't think I'll ever get back.

I've been walking for days and seem to have made no progress.

I'll miss you Twilight. I'm eternally grateful for all you've done for me. You picked me up when I was at my worst. You helped me realise what I ~~wanted~~ needed all along. You've been a great teacher and an even better friend.

And Trixie. Dear Celestia, I only just realised how much you mean to me. We have pasts with which we can relate to. (I knew I should have started that Ex-Twilight-Haters club). The way you always seem to know how to get on my nerves. (In a good way, of course). And how to promptly calm me down. I suppose I'll never get to tell you any of this. But Trixie, if this is the only way I might be able to communicate with you again, I wanted to tell you. I lo

What's that?

Is that an exit? I can't believe it! I think- I think I'm finally free!

Author's Note

*This is based off of an actual book, or fan-fiction, I suppose. It's called "Libero". It is currently unfinished, however it is very good. It can get a bit dark though.

Thank you for participating in this entertainment ride.

Snivels and whimpers echoed throughout the crystalline room. And whereas it may appear as being producing by many with it's sheer magnitude, it was, in fact, originating from only one pony of the six total (dragon not included) inside the room. "It'll be alright, Twi'. Just know it wasn't y'all's fault.", reassured the pony perched next to Twilight, rubbing her hoof along her back.

"Yeah, AJ's right. You had no idea this could've happened! I mean, it's not as if you did it on purpose.", spurted the bold and slightly brash pegasus. A certain aforementioned 'AJ' glared sternly after the remark, resulting in her posture slumping and her overall elevation decreasing slightly. "B-But I sent her on the assignment!, It's my fault this even happened in the first place! And now she's gone, because of me!".

"Come now, darling. You know full well, like we stated earlier, that none of this was your fault. It's not as if you were the one who created such horrible machinations." A lilac hoof reached for the end of a slightly singed journal, and promptly slammed it shut. "I-I suppose, but I'm going to have to tell T-Trixie about this. She deserves to know." The growing puddle of water cascading down the table eventually came to a stop as the alicorn stood up, journal in hoof, and walked out the room, her friends following closely behind. Naught but silence and the occasional sound of hooffall accompanied them on this walk of despair. Their shared end destination being that of a travelling wagon parked just outside the crystal castle. As the group approached, a hoof was raised to the door, hesitating, before beating against the wood very calmly. A snort and a crash was what accompanied afterwards. "What is i-", queried the baby blue magic mare as she clumsily made her way towards the intruders of her slumber. "T-Twilight?".

Unbeknownst to all, a mish-mash of hastily stitched together animal parts keenly watched the funeral procession of the princess's personal student. It lay on mid-air as though it were solid ground, its hands rested against its head as though it was bemused. It opened its wicked mouth, revealing a set of yellow-stained teeth similar to the fang that resided outside of its oral cavity. "Well, who knew the tree didn't take very fondly to ponies messing with the space-time continuum, eh?"

The End.

Author's Note

Thank you, one and all!

I know it's been a while since the last update (I really swear I was busy). And I know these last two chapters were quite short, barely even summing to a thousand. However, I felt as though the story was starting to drag a bit, and decided to end it swiftly.

I hope you all enjoyed this one-off piece of literature I have created. (God, a fan-fiction about ponies. What will I think of next?) But anyway, have a good rest of your day, and thank you for reading.