Darkest Equestria

Another week had gone by, and Pinkie found herself in front of the Golden Oak Library once more. She had received word that it was time for another expedition. And as always, Pinkie answered the call.

Pinkie knocked on the door, and a faint "Come in!" answered her. A moment later, she pushed open the door.

Inside of the library a shocking sight awaited her.

Twilight was sitting in a pile of open books. Notes scattered the floor to the point where the floor couldn't even be seen. A mess of scribbled on paper dominated the walls, and books were stacked high. More adorned the shelves, making Pinkie wonder where she even got them from. This was a library but last she checked there weren't that many books in it.

"Oh good, Pinkie!" Twilight looked up at her with a wild look. Her mane was tangled and streaked with grease. Her eyes were sunken and dark, her coat was messy and mangled. "You arrived first, excellent!"

"What happened to you, Twilight?" Pinkie asked. "You look terrible."

"Do I? Well anyways, I have a new expedition for you and your allies to go on." Twilight said. "I found it Pinkie, I found it!"

"Found what?"

"A way into the underground ruins." Twilight said. "The other expedition groups have been working on the forest and clearing the bandits, which is why I'm sending you deeper in."

"Deeper into the forest? What are you talking about?" Pinkie tried to step where there were no papers, but it was nearly impossible.

"Not deeper into the forest! Do you remember when I told you about the underground tunnels below the Castle of The Two Sisters?"

"It was a while ago." Pinkie said.

"According to the old war records, there are ancient tunnels below the Castle of The Two Sisters, and they extend wide across the land. I have found a place I believe has an entrance into them! We won't just go through the forest to get to the castle, we can also go through these ancient tunnels." Twilight said. "Not to mention, there could be gold in there to fuel the effort. These tunnels must be explored for the good of Equestria!"

"So, you know how to access them then?" Pinkie asked.

"I believe I do." Twilight pulled out a scroll. "According to this record, there is an entrance in the forest. I sent an expedition to look for it, and they have discovered that it is indeed real."

"So, are we going inside then?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes. You are amongst the most experienced ponies I have, and the ones who have taken to the survival training the most. This expedition will be much longer compared to previous ones. If any pony can test the waters of this new environment, it is you and your group."

"My group isn't here." Pinkie said. "And who said it was my group?"

"The group. Whatever you want to call it." Twilight said. "This is a chance, Pinkie, a chance to go deeper towards the forest. To finally make some progress."

"We haven't even taken out any of the threats around us yet." Pinkie said. "There is still so much to do around here!"

"They won't reveal themselves. The source of the sickness, the cannon, the leader of the brigands, we can't find them. They will all be cleansed in time, but we have to make a move before I run out of money." Twilight said. "We can't do this forever. You and your group are the most fitted to go deeper in. The other ponies will hold down the forest around us and keep searching for the sources of the corruption."

Pinkie nodded. It was true that despite the town becoming more populated and ponies becoming more skilled, they weren't really doing anything yet. Besides, a chance to strike deeper at the heart of this evil? Now that sounded pleasing to her ears.

"Alright, I'm in!" Pinkie said. "But I don't know how the others will react."

"The others?" Twilight asked. "I already got every pony who I wanted to send out on the expedition to agree."

"Where are they?" Pinkie glanced around.

"Well, they came before you."

"So, I was last again?" Pinkie groaned. "Why am I always the late one?"

"I wanted to talk to you alone anyways." Twilight said. "I talked to them first and gave them the necessary details."

"Why did you want to talk to me alone?" Pinkie asked.

Twilight sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, ever since you saved me, I thought this was kind of our war, you know? I don't know why, I just like sharing my thoughts with some pony to get them in order."

"Well, you can share anything that is on your mind with me!" Pinkie said. "I'll listen away!"

"Thanks Pinkie. That means a lot to me." Twilight said.

"When are we leaving then?" Pinkie asked.

"Tomorrow." Twilight said. "Get everything in order that you need to. I can't pack saddlebags for every pony any longer, so I am leaving that up to the groups. Make sure you have enough food, medical equipment, and other supplies for the trip. I would count on at least three days."

"Alrighty!" Pinkie said. "I'll talk with the others about all of that."

"Good." Twilight said. "You make sure to stay safe, okay Pinkie? Every time you have gone out you come back with another wound. Any more of that, and I'll have to have Redheart stitch you back together."

Pinkie shivered. That wasn't exactly a pleasant thought.

"Oh, did you ever meet the plague doctors that arrived?" Pinkie asked. "They said they knew you."

"I did." Twilight said with a sigh. "They were my old friends."

Based on the Twilight's slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, Pinkie could guess how that went. Though she could just be tired.

"Do you want to talk about it, or..." Pinkie trailed off.

"It wasn't bad but..." Twilight said. "Let's just talk about it when you get back from your expedition, okay?"

"IF I get back from my expedition." Pinkie Pie winked.

"Not funny. You better be coming back." Twilight crossed her hooves. "And remember, Rainbow Dash as well. She must survive."

"I got it, I got it." Pinkie waved a hoof. "Get some rest Twilight, you look like a dead pony walking!"

"Like those exist." Twilight said with a light smile. "But thanks for worrying about me."

"You can always count on me!" Pinkie said.

And with that, Pinkie left the library behind, closing the door behind her with a light click.

Hopefully Twilight would be okay on her own. The mare looked terrible, and each day only seemed to make it worse. The stress of managing all of this must be almost unbearable. Pinkie could kind of relate because she had managed parties, but nothing on this massive scale, and with so few resources.

This expedition had to bear some fruit, that would take some of the burden off of Twilight's shoulders!

With a new goal in mind, Pinkie set off to gather the necessary supplies for the upcoming expedition. Rations, bandages, and other similar fare. Her weapons had been sharpened by the new blacksmith, and her new javelin had to be strapped to her back as well. It was a gift from Shining Armor, seeing as Pinkie was broke. Nonetheless, she would put it to good use in the days to come.

Everything was relatively easy to gather which left Pinkie with some time to spare. With everything packed and ready, but the moon out, Pinkie contemplated heading to the tavern. After a moment of thought, she decided to just rest instead for once. She needed every nerve ready for the expedition tomorrow. Who knew what would be dwelling in ancient tunnels beneath the castle?

Just before Pinkie slipped into the dreamworld, there was a knock at her door. She jerked awake, and groggily stumbled towards it. Taking a look through the peephole, Pinkie could see Nurse Redheart on the other side. Unease filled her stomach, but Pinkie opened the door anyway.

"Redheart!" Pinkie said. "Stop by for some bread?"

"No." Redheart said. "I heard you would be going on a longer expedition soon. The plague doctors and I have developed something that might aid you. I want you to try it out if needed."

Redheart extended a hoof with a brown satchel hanging off of it.

"What is this?" Pinkie hesitantly grabbed it. Inside the bag was an empty syringe, and closed vials full of green liquid. They were packed inside of soft cloth to keep them safe. The sight of the syringe sent a shiver down Pinkie's spine. Those things always gave her the creeps.

"Remedies for failing flesh." Redheart said. "It is similar to the tonic I gave you when you were infected, but in measured doses. It is also more potent. One dose will stop bleeding or poisons and will close wounds."

"Really?" Pinkie asked. Inside of the bag, there were three of the vials.

"Indeed." Redheart said.

"Is it also experimental?" Pinkie asked.

"Indeed."

Pinkie hesitantly took the bag. The last tonic had seemed to heal her of whatever mushroom infection she had. The stuff seemed good, so it couldn't hurt to bring some of it on the expedition. Especially on a longer expedition. Remembering Trixie's bleeding body... it would be best to have something a little more powerful than bandages.

"Thank you Redheart." Pinkie said. "I hope we don't have to use these, but I'll take them."

"If you don't use them, bring them back. They are exceedingly expensive." Redheart said. "Take care Pinkie."

Pinkie watched Redheart walk away with a sigh. She really hoped she didn't have to use them. But something told her that it was probably going to happen. After all, this was the Everfree forest they were talking about. The seat of evil in Equestria.

It was time to try and get some sleep, Pinkie had a feeling that she would be needing plenty of it for tomorrow.

The next day, Pinkie was standing outside the town hall, saddlebags packed full of iron and war, as well as ration and remedy. Her jester costume was already on, upgraded with a bit more chainmail and thicker cloth by the blacksmith. Her weapons were sharpened, and her new javelin was attached to her back along with her lute by fickle earth pony magic. Pinkie felt more prepared than ever before.

With a pep in her step, Pinkie headed towards the meeting point. It was now a little more official. Groups would meet in front of the town hall to gather, then head out on an expedition. So, that is where Pinkie headed to.

She arrived there quickly and glanced around to look for her group. A flash of a rainbow mane caught her eye.

"Hey Rainbow!" Pinkie called out.

Rainbow was geared up to the teeth. Knives and blades and filled saddlebags hung on her. "Pinkie. Cool to see you around here."

"Do not forget about the great and powerful Trixie!" A familiar pony arrived as well.

"Trixie!" Pinkie said. "You look great!"

And she did. Her signature robes and hat seemed sturdier than before. There was an underlying coat beneath it now, gambeson, that would be sure to protect her body. It looked out of place on her, seeing how it wrapped up around her neck like a turtleneck.

"Trixie knows that she looks great. However, she appreciates your words." Trixie said with her head held high.

"Don't get too interested in that getup, it's bound to get cut." Applejack made herself known, walking out of a nearby crowd.

Trixie turned her head away from Applejack. "Trixie does not care for your words."

"So, where is Baldwin?" Pinkie asked, trying to break attention away. It seemed that they really hadn't made up at all. That didn't bode well.

"Baldwin isn't coming." Rainbow said.

"Why not?" Pinkie frowned. "He's part of the team!"

"Well, he said something about a holy vision, and he left for Canterlot. Said he would be back in a week." Applejack said. "He said to tell you, but I didn't get a chance to."

Pinkie sighed. Well, it looked like their biggest hitter wouldn't be showing up. That was okay, she guessed. "I guess it's just us four then?"

"Not exactly." Rainbow said. "Look behind you."

Pinkie slowly turned, for dramatic effect of course. Trixie seemed to love that. What she saw honestly surprised her.

"Pinkie! How are you?" A dark clothed figure was standing there. "You look well, all of you do! So healthy!"

"Minuette?" Pinkie asked. "You're here to join the group?"

"Of course I am! Didn't I tell you I was here to research? Oh, this is going to be so exciting!" Minuette rubbed her hooves together. "When do we leave? I am so ready for this!"

Pinkie Pie could appreciate that energy. "We leave soon actually. Are you sure you are ready?"

"Of course I am! I got everything I need in my saddlebags." Minuette's muffled voice was full of cheer.

"Another Pinkie Pie. I don't believe it." Applejack shook her head.

"I am not Pinkie Pie!" Minuette said. "I am a scholar, and Pinkie is a great friend!"

"Aww! You don't mean that!" Pinkie Pie smiled.

"We are going to kill stuff, not party." Applejack grumbled.

"Oh, I know!" Minuette said. "I am here to research, and that means I need subjects."

"Subjects?" Pinkie asked.

"Don't worry, I can pull my weight." Minuette said. "And don't worry, you aren't the subjects! I fully plan to test out my new tonics on any foes we encounter!"

Somehow, that didn't make Pinkie feel much better at all.

"That sounds... wonderful!" Pinkie Pie said. "I'm glad to have you Minuette, just make sure to stay safe."

"Are we done talking?" Rainbow said. "If we want to ever get done with this, we should start moving."

"Sounds good. I'll lead." Applejack said. "I hope you all gathered everything you needed."

"Yep! Got everything!" Pinkie said. "Let's go!"

And so, the march began. Rainbow Dash had a map, which she was using in order to guide them. They walked together towards the edge of the Everfree forest. It was dark as always, and it never got easier to enter its depths, but Pinkie felt like she was getting more used to it now. Her wounds were healed, but the memory of their origin never really went away. She glanced over at Trixie, wondering how she was faring.

Trixie stood at the edge, staring into the depths. Her hooves were locked firmly in place, and her eyes were downcast.

"Trixie?" Pinkie asked. "You don't have to come if you don't want to."

"No! Trixie is coming as well." Trixie said. She stepped into the forest, and everypony began to march inside. The darkness of the forest cloaked them once more, and lantern light guided their way. Hopefully they had brought enough oil. The shrouding darkness seemed almost alive.

"You never did tell me why you are here." Pinkie said, wanting to get her mind off of the forest. "I know there are the bits and the property, but there has to be something else, right?"

"Trixie will tell you, because you are her friend. Trixie came here not only to gather bits to restore her glorious wagon, but to show ponies that her magic is not evil."

"Why, have you had problems with it in the past?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes. The rabble thought Trixie's magic was evil, and they tried to burn her at the stake! Trixie has told you before."

"I remember." Pinkie said. "But why? It just doesn't make sense."

"Ponies are scared of the great and powerful Trixie, because they don't understand her. Her magic is mysterious and powerful, and so they are afraid."

"It certainly is powerful." Pinkie remembered the tentacles sprouting from the sky. "What does that skull have to do with it?"

"Oh, this?" Trixie smirked and leaned in close to whisper. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course I can." Pinkie leaned in.

"The candle on this skull is the reason Trixie survived that day. You making sure it was kept safe was what kept her alive." Trixie whispered. "And for that, Trixie will accept you as a true friend of hers and be grateful. Do not expect her to be grateful again."

"I don't understand. What does that skull have to do with you surviving or not?" Pinkie whispered.

"The flame on the candle." Trixie whispered. "It was attached to me when I made the pact with the thing. Should the flame go out... so shall Trixie."

"What?" Pinkie reeled back.

"Quiet." Trixie whispered. "You must not tell any other pony this. But should Trixie's skull fall out of her grasp, she is trusting you to take care of it."

"Of course I will." Pinkie said. "But still, are you sure that is safe? That flame looks like it could go out at any moment."

"It is stronger than it looks." Trixie whispered. "Just... don't try and douse it."

"I won't." Pinkie said. "Thank you for telling me."

"Trixie would tell no pony else." She straightened back up with a smirk. "When Trixie gets her magic routine back up and running, you are welcome to join her as an assistant."

"Really?" Pinkie nearly jumped on her hooves. "That sounds awesome!"

Pinkie couldn't help but feel like she was successful in getting Trixie's mind off the forest. It was also heartwarming how much the mare was trusting her. It had been a long time since a friend told her a secret that they would tell no pony else. And such a private one to boot... Pinkie would have to step up her friend game.

"What are you two whispering about back there?" Applejack said. "Simmer down, we are in a forest that wants to kill us."

That was true, and so Pinkie shut her trap for now and listened to the haunting sounds of the forest. They always seemed more chilling when ponies weren't conversing with each other. Maybe the forest liked the silence. It certainly felt that way.

"We should be there in about two hours. It's not that far from Ponyville." Rainbow Dash said.

"Keep your guards up. Remember what Shining Armor said, the slightest lapse in concentration could be the end." Applejack said. "May Celestia protect us all."

"Wait! Wait!" Minuette skidded to a stop.

Pinkie glanced around rapidly, drawing her weapons. The air grew still.

"What is it?" Applejack asked, scanning the edge of the darkness.

"I have to take a sample of this mushroom." Minuette withdrew a sharp surgical knife and kneeled next to a large mushroom.

"You can't." Pinkie said, relieved that they weren't getting attacked. "They are connected to the mushroom ponies."

"They are? How interesting..." Minuette eyed the mushrooms even more intently. "And they smell like they are rotting, and yet, they live? I just have to investigate this further."

"Maybe not right now." Pinkie eyed the shadows. "Come on, let's leave the mushrooms alone."

Minuette whined but lowered her surgical knife. "Oh fine. But I call dibs on the first cadaver!"

"What?" Rainbow asked. "Why would you call dibs on that?"

"For... science, of course." Minuette said. "Why? Does no pony else want them?"

"No. No pony wants them." Rainbow said. "Feel free to have them all."

"Oh good! That makes things so much easier." Minuette said cheerfully.

Rainbow and Pinkie shared a look. Casually, Rainbow backpedaled, leaving Minuette to walk ahead with Applejack who looked more than a little peeved.

"This pony is your friend?" Rainbow whispered.

"An old friend." Pinkie said. "But yes, a friend."

"It seems like all of your old friends turn out to be... affected." Rainbow Dash said. "Not sure how else to put it."

"Now that you mention it, that is true." Pinkie said. It seemed like all of her old friends had changed so dramatically they barely resembled their previous selves. There were still pieces of them in there, but it was hidden behind a jagged casing this new world had wrought.

"Did I do this?"

"Don't think so." Rainbow said.

Pinkie was reminded of Twilight's offer to investigate her and Trixie's mysterious powers. She really would have to check up on that soon. Maybe there was something wrong with her.

"What if it was the proximity?" Pinkie asked. "Every pony that changed was in Ponyville when evil first emerged. Maybe that had something to do with it."

"I'm not a scholar." Rainbow Dash said. "If you ask me, it's just the wheels of fate spinning again."

Fate. Maybe that is what it was. Maybe when the world was broken, their fates were as well. Maybe magic had something to do with fate. It was obvious that fate existed in Equestria. Cutie marks would roughly determine a pony's fate, names at birth would determine a pony's fate, but why had all of it gone so askew now? The loss of magic? Or was it something else? The rainboom? The thing that lurked?

All Pinkie knew was that something was broken, and it needed to be fixed. She knew the path, and so she would follow it.

"Why did you want to come even after Twilight told you about the rainboom?" Pinkie asked.

"Some theory isn't going to stop me from redemption." Rainbow said. "Besides, if the magic is really in the center of this place don't you think I need to be there to get it?"

"I didn't think of that." Pinkie said.

"Just remember, don't go saving me before some pony else if you have to, ok? I don't care what Twilight says." Rainbow said.

Pinkie laughed nervously. "Oh, that situation probably won't happen."

"You know what to do if it does." Rainbow said. "Now let's get back to focusing on the mission."

Pinkie sighed as Rainbow joined Applejack again. They were two tortured souls, on the path of redemption, a redemption that they said was through death. But when your continued existence might hold the fate of Equestria, was redemption through death even a redemption? Pinkie had to keep both of them alive, better yet, all of the ponies in her group alive. If she could save everyone, then she wouldn't have to decide who to save.

With that in mind, Pinkie kept her eye to the shadows with renewed fervor. Her watch had to be perfect, otherwise, it might end in a pony's death.

Her gaze wandered to Minuette. She would have to keep an eye on that pony as well. She was nice, but she seemed a little... eccentric about her research. It was not in a good way either. What kind of pony went into the Everfree just to research and experiment on the things in there?

The march continued, and the forest passed her by. Pinkie had heard all kinds of ghoulish noises in its depths but at the moment, none of the sources of them found their group. That was something at least.

Sometime later after they traversed more of the forest with no resistance, Rainbow said something.

"It should be just up ahead." Rainbow said.

The group was already tense from the atmosphere of the forest, but it only heightened at those words.

"I can't see anything different." Applejack’s armor clanked as she walked.

"This map says that it should be right around here." Rainbow tapped at the map she held.

"Search everywhere. The entrance was found by a previous group, so it should be fairly obvious." Applejack said. "Leave no stone unturned."

Together, they started to search. Pinkie kicked around in the leaf mulch, until she realized that her hooves immediately got coated in disgusting mud. After that, she stopped. This forest was no fun. It even made kicking around leaves a chore.

"Over here." Rainbow’s voice came from behind her. "This has to be it."

Pinkie crept forward to see what she was looking at.

Amongst the leaf litter and in the poisoned earth was a hole. It was a large hole, descending down into the ground like a yawning abyss. The presence of a rope attached to a spike on the side suggested that some pony had been down there before. Cool air blew up from it, smelling of dust. It was pleasant on the coat, a stark contrast to the warm sickness laden air of the Everfree.

"Did a pony fall in here? Why is there already a rope?" Pinkie asked.

"Twilight said that one of the adventurers that were out here did fall in." Rainbow said. "They got him out with a rope and a piton."

"Well, at least they saved him." Applejack said. "Didn't expect that much from that lot."

"Trixie has to descend into that hole? The great and powerful Trixie has no fear of it of course, but it is simply beneath her."

"That was a good one!" Pinkie nudged her.

"What?"

"Beneath you? Like, in the hole." Pinkie said.

"It seems that Trixie's genius is beyond even her." Trixie seemed pleased.

“That joke was terrible.” Rainbow grumbled.

"Enough showboating. Let's get this on the road." Applejack kicked a rock into the hole. It fell into the abyss. Seconds later the sound of the rock echoed in the depths below. Strangely- something rattled, like a set of hollow windchimes on Nightmare Night.

"Those weren't maracas, were they?" Pinkie asked.

"Didn't sound like it." Rainbow said.

The group looked at each other, and then the rope stuck to the piton. It looked sturdy enough, if you didn't look too closely. It was safe enough. The dark abyss it was descending into told a different story, however.

"So, who wants to go first?"