Musical Labyrinth

Not one, but two lights illuminated the passage. Cadance and Rarity had strength to help see in the dark. Normally Fluttershy would be scared in this situation, it’s her friends by her side help her overcome her fears.

The passage felt claustrophobic. Cadance and Rarity felt the spines shiver. Fluttershy can see them feeling scared. She landed on her hooves, standing in between them.

“There’s no need to feel afraid.” It’s Fluttershy’s turn to comfort her friends.

“Aren’t you afraid?” Cadance was a bit clueless.

“Not as long as she has friends like us,” answered Rarity.

“That’s right. I’m only afraid if I’m alone, in a dark place, with no call for help and the only voice heard is me.” Fluttershy sounded like she’s telling a ghost story. Then she quickly went back to her normal self.

“I used to have friends, unfortunately they weren’t friends anymore,” Cadance spoke in a depressing tone.

Rarity and Fluttershy felt sorry for her. Cadance horn started to dim. It was her feelings and not her energy that’s darkening their path.

“Aren’t you going to talk about it?” Fluttershy asked.

One half of the passage was completely dark. They stopped after entering a room. Where they were doesn’t matter. All they can see is Cadance’s sad eyes. They beg Cadance to tell her.

“What’s wrong Princess?” Rarity asked.

Cadance eyes were partially closed. She couldn’t keep it hidden any longer. “I was your age, when I was a foal sitter. During Freshcolt year in high school, before meeting Shining Armour, every pony didn’t notice me. Sure I’m and Alicorn, but I’m blended in the background. It didn’t matter that I’m part of a monarch. Instead of receiving the royal treatment, the idea of entering a regular school is a nice change. All the extracurricular and high grades didn’t help. As for the friends I speak of, they moved on after graduation. Then I met Shining, you already know what happens afterwards.”

Fluttershy lifted Cadance’s head with one hoof, and lifted her mane over her eyes with the other. She was floating on air while lifting the Alicorn’s spirits, Cadance’s eyes were fully open and a small light on her horn glowed. Despite Rarity lighting the room, it only covered half of the area. Cadance started to smile, even though it’s a small one.

“We won’t leave, we guarantee it.” It’s a promise Fluttershy will keep. “We’ll be around if you need us.”

The light on Cadance’s horn fully glowed. Lights inside the room were slowly turned on. She didn’t have any use of her magic anymore. She can restore her energy just for emergencies.

“That’s weird,” said Fluttershy.

It appears that the person in the security room turned on the lights for no reason. They were looking at Rarity, she’s apparently thinking about something or someone. Fluttershy and Cadance were quick to notice.

“Hey.” Fluttershy whispered in Rarity’s ear. She can make loud whispers in any pony’s ears.

“Are you thinking of some?” Cadance asked.

“That night when we’re at Canterlot…” Rarity can remember when she was at Canterlot. She was with Prince Blueblood. They’re finding a place for themselves. The gardens were the right spot.

“A beautiful night, am I right?” Blueblood asked.

“Definitely. Couldn’t imagine a moment like this.” Rarity gazed into his eyes. She wanted to know more about him. “Do you live in Canterlot?”

“Ever since I was a foal.”

“Have you ever stepped outside of your home?”

Blueblood found it a bit humorous. He didn’t laugh, all he did was smile. “All royalty of Canterlot never leave for personal reasons.”

“Well, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna entered Ponyville on several occasions.” Rarity almost proved him otherwise.

“Every pony knows them. They only come if their needed or to address matters.” Blueblood didn’t try to outdo her. That would be “ungentlecolt-like” to him.

“This might remember our time.” Blueblood used magic to pick a rose from a bush and placed it in her mane.
Just as they were about to come close, one of the guards interrupted them. It was when the princesses disappeared.

“I have to go,” said Rarity. “Sorry this has to cut short.”

Prince Blueblood understood, he let Rarity go to her friends.

A rumble interrupted Rarity’s tale. Cadance’s light glowed even brighter. It didn’t feel like an earthquake, it was the sound of walls and floors changing places. Then voices were getting louder. A wall opened and with a surprise, Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armour rolled into them.

They were lying on the floor in a pile. Some felt their heads spin after being knocked. Getting on to their hooves was difficult while trying to keep their balance. No thanks to the bumps on the head.

“Cadance!” Twilight immediately rushed over after regaining her vision.

Cadance embraced just as Twilight wrapped her hooves around her neck. “Oh Twilight, we’re glad you’re safe. We thought you were gone forever.”

“One moment we were with Pinkie Pie and Applejack, then we’re with you guys.”

“We must have fallen into one of those traps,” said Shining.

“Traps?” Cadance and Twilight asked in unison.

“We were searching for an exit then wall came down separating us. It pushed us aside and ended up here.”

“It’s definitely the work of magic,” concluded Twilight.

“I doubt it’s the kind of magic we know,” said Rarity.

They all agreed with Rarity. It could be the work of dark magic.

Pinkie Pie and Applejack touched the walls, trying to find a hidden button that might lead to Twilight and Shining. They didn’t bother call their names, the walls were inches thick.

“Oh haystacks,” Applejack said in frustration. “This place feels like it’s alive.”

“Hope this doesn’t turn into a creature to eat us.” Pinkie looked like she’s about to go insane.

Applejack lowered her eyebrows. “Highly unlikely.”

Pinkie zapped close to Applejack’s face, making their eyes touch each other. “That’s what you think!”

"Rainbow could you explain-" Applejack turned to see Rainbow Dash gone.

Pinkie leaned so close to Applejack, they fell to the floor. The walls and floors made noises. They changed positions by themselves.

“Here we go again!” They said in unison.

A wall emerged from the ground blocking their way. They turned around and another wall blocked their escape. Another wall opened on their right, they found it puzzling.

“Should we go in?” asked Applejack.

“No point in standing around,” said Pinkie.

They went inside, going in slowly was a safe bet. They don’t know what surprises may happen. The wall suddenly closed behind them. They can’t see a thing. Pinkie Pie bumped into Applejack.

“Why did you stop?” Pinkie asked.

“I hit a dead end.” Applejack fell forward, landing underneath Pinkie Pie. “Which leads to… Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!”

Applejack and Pinkie Pie got on their hooves. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia helped them. Wes was searching for the third challenge. He didn’t see them until he turned around. “You’re just in time. We’re going to see the Stone Crown.”

Both Applejack and Pinkie Pie were talking to Luna and Celestia. They were discussing on what they experienced. Wes found a button, he didn’t know what it does. He felt like pulling a prank on them. “Normally pressing this button, something bad happens. But since that happens all the time…”

Wes pressed the button, keeping his expectations low. He fell face first, it came from behind. The ponies heard the noise and stopped talking. Something landed on top of his back. He knew it’s a pegasus because of the feathers.

“My head hurts,” said a voice Wes doesn’t recognize.

He turned his head to see Derpy Hooves. Her eyes were constantly rolling. Her head wobbled from the collision. Wes held her head straight, he’s in for a surprise. After her eyes stopped, one was up and one was down.

“Oh my god,” Wes spoke.

“What? Am I hurt badly?” Derpy wanted to know if she’s hurt.

“You’re OK. Except your eyes, they’re not aligned.”

Derpy can see Wes’ worried. She knew he wasn’t making fun of her. “It happened when I was a filly.”

Applejack immediately recognized her. “You’re that pegasus who delivered the letter.”

Derpy Hooves. Proud mail carrier of Equestria. Of course you already know that.” Derpy got to her hooves. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened. She couldn’t believe that the rulers of Equestria are standing in front of her. “I can’t believe it! Celestia and Luna are in front of me!”

“How did you end up in this place?” asked Applejack.

Even though Derpy’s busy eyeing on Luna and Celestia, she can explain on how she arrived to the labyrinth. “I was finishing my round with the mail. My last stop was Canterlot. I dropped off a parcel and someone bumped into me. I didn’t see who it was. I fly down to Ponyville and saw a door. I was curious to see what’s inside. After entering, the way I came in vanished. I had to avoid traps and pitfalls and find a way to escape. Then for some reason I end up with you guys.”

“We’re glad you arrived. We could use more help we can get,” smiled Wes.

The floor opened and a pedestal emerged. It holds the third item: a Stone Crown. A barrier sounded it to prevent anybody from stealing it. A wall rotated around revealing a sax, bass, drum set and a Washburn WM24K guitar appeared. A touch screen emerged from one of the walls. It showed a list of songs to pick. There’s a scroll stuck to the screen. Derpy removed it with her teeth. After unravelling the paper it read: After picking a music track, they must use the instruments provided. The track chosen must contain all the instruments. Otherwise a participant's eliminated. If they have the missing instruments, shall be used as well Notes will appear on-screen and must match with perfect accuracy. Any slip ups e.g. wrong note and there's a penalty.

Wes found a cable and plugged it in his guitar. He can see Vinyl and Octavia choosing the double bass and guitar.

"I didn't know you played bass and guitar," said Wes.

"We thought playing other instruments might expand our range, it was vinyl's suggestion," answered Octavia.

"Good to know." He doesn't know who else plays instruments so he asked. "Does anybody know how to play the sax?"

"Pinkie does," said Applejack.

"I play the trumpet, trombone, tuba, harmonica and bass drum. I don't recalling a sax." Pinkie can remember the instruments used to drive away the parasprites.

"It's too late for the drums cause I call dibs." Applejack raced over to the drum kit.

"Since when you played the drums?" asked Derpy.

"I used to bang trashcans with my brother."

Pinkie shrugged and picked up the saxophone. Wes chose The Champs' "Tequila". The notes appeared on screen and were in different colours and each indicate which instrument. For guitar, Wes chose rhythm and Vinyl chose lead. They weren't given any microphone, probably because the person responsible wanted to see them play a tune without them singing. The only vocals heard are the ones coming form the speakers. The entire music track is isolated.

A huge glass breaker poured acid over the Stone Crown. It dissolved rapidly along with the pedestal. Vapours rose above into a vent. A door opened, another task completed. Wes went to unplug his guitar when the floor opened. Vinyl, Octavia, Pinkie Pie and Applejack immediately jumped. The instruments fell down the hole and the floor closed.

"Didn't see that coming," said Applejack.

"We hit every note. Why did the floor open beneath us?" asked Octavia.

"Probably needed more storage space," suggested Derpy.

"We don't know how long we are going to last," worried Celestia.

"We better leave now," reminded Luna.

They all left while hearing the clock ticking down. Four hours until they're imprisoned.