Musical Labyrinth

“Hey, everybody,” smiled Derpy Hooves.

“Everybody?” wondered Rainbow Dash.

“One of them isn’t a pony remember?”

Dash knew that, it’s the use of words that got her puzzled.

They’re in a large group. Vinyl, Octavia, Celestia, Luna, Wes Argovich, Rainbow Dash, Derpy Hooves, Applejack and Pinkie Pie; they’re four ponies short. Even though they’re doing well in competing tasks, they’re still head-scratching on who’s the mastermind.

Wes checked the device. He pressed some buttons to find where they can find the next task. Luna can see him under stress. His eyes scanned on the screen, his fingers pounded and slight sign of sweat on his skin. He looked like he doesn’t know what he’s doing. She saw Derpy embracing Celestia, it’s a chance to learn more of Wes.

“Wes?” she said.

“How did you know my name?” he asked.

She showed him his wallet, it contained his ID card. “This fell after the first challenge.”

Wes found a ripped hole in his jeans. He didn’t know how that happened. He didn’t bother focus on how, he’s confronted by an Alicorn. This creature never or rarely appeared in any mythology.

“Can’t suppose you fix that.” Wes showed her the hole.

Luna used her magic, Wes watched it being fixed. Both sides connected to each other, followed by a longer thread. It blended in with the fabric. He’s amazed with her skill.

Luna can see through Wes’ eyes, a fractured experience he doesn’t want anybody to know. “You looked troubled.”

“You’re a mind reader?”

Luna just smiled. She changed her facial expression to get back on topic. “You keep tapping that contraption very hard.”

Wes took a sharp exhale through his nose. He stopped pounding with his finger and turned to Luna. “I think I know who’s responsible.”

Luna suddenly became interested. She called to Celestia, her sister finished hugging Derpy and came forward. “Wes knows who’s responsible.”

Celestia wanted to know. “Who is it?”

Celestia and Luna looked at Wes’ expression. He wasn’t happy after figuring out the perpetrator. He rubbed his neck, moistening his hand with sweat. “Michael McCarthy, my former manager, is behind everything. Every music track used isn’t from your world. The security cameras, television screens, knowledge of music artists and record companies; everything done by him. He wanted payback for being sacked, creating a labyrinth of traps and challenges. He chose Equestrian ponies as guinea pigs, just to test this death trap. Why use it for a long time is anybody’s guess. He needed help, so somebody from Equestria must have accidently came to Earth. Cooperating with each other took years off building, installing and choosing who should live and die. Their experiment became a success, letting those participated perish, no matter which pony they picked. It won’t stop until he gets what he wants: Equestria dying, a deserted wasteland, evil reigning over. That’s why I was brought to this world. Even if I refused, another person would step in.”

Celestia and Luna can imagine their world in devastation. Even with the enemies they dealt in the past, it can still be a place of unhappiness and desolation. Their pupils in their eyes enlarged, leaving thin circles of their irises. Wes watched as they stood, with their heads tilted and eyes open. He didn’t think what he spoke could affect them. He now knew Equestria isn’t all sugar-coated as he imagined. They assumed he’s right.

“Are you OK?” Wes placed his right hand on Luna’s head, and his left on Celestia’s. His touching hands shook them, they lost track on how long they’ve been dazed.

“Sorry, the thought scared us,” Celestia said in a quiet voice.

“You almost had me worried.”

“With you around, we don’t need to worry,” smiled Luna.

Derpy was discussing with Vinyl and Octavia. It’s a complete surprise for them to see a fan of both genres. “I just want to tell you I’m you biggest fan.”

“You love our music?” asked Octavia.

“Despite being complete opposites?” asked Vinyl.

Derpy almost screeched in glee. Her positive attitude managed to show her taste. “That’s what I like about you, your tastes in music. Look at me, I may have crossed eyes, but I still receive appreciation. The soothing sounds of strings, the loud banging of bass, they bring any expression to any pony. Why do you think Celestia and Luna, brought you to the Gala?”

Vinyl and Octavia didn’t think of that. Octavia knew she’s chosen for inside the castle, and Vinyl knew she’s picked for outside, in the garden. The more they thought, the more they realise it. They both found a reason. They knew the idea of having them both perform music at the Gala is a grand idea, they let Derpy explain it to them.

“That’s why the princesses brought both you, so every pony can embrace both musical styles,” concluded Derpy.

Vinyl and Octavia didn’t say a word, they wanted confirmation on why they came to Canterlot. They showed appreciation for her, even for a Pegasus with a physical abnormality.

“We’re glad you came,” said Octavia.

“We wouldn’t have figured it out without you,” said Vinyl.

“Thank you, thank you,” Derpy spoke in a heart-warming voice. She swayed her head, making her mane flying in the air. This made Vinyl and Octavia smile.

“Whenever I talk about both of you, the other ponies only wanted hear about one or the other. I understand they have different tastes, but it seemed like they want one musical genre, despite some naysayers.”

“We can relate to that,” agreed Octavia.

“Can’t say I disagree with her,” said Vinyl.

Pinkie felt her legs shaking. Her Pinkie Sense is tingling. “This place is changing!”

The gears turned, causing the walls to change.

“Every pony stay calm,” said Celestia.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie fell victim to the labyrinth. Two walls closed in front, blocking their way. Derpy, Vinyl and Octavia tried to reach them.

“Are you ponies OK?” asked Derpy.

“A-OK,” answered Rainbow Dash.

Derpy turned around to see Dash behind her.

Pinkie Pie couldn’t take anymore. “Who do you think you are mister? You’re a big cheater. Always changing the rules, get ready to taste the fury-”

Applejack interrupted Pinkie by pulling her tail. “Hold your hooves Pinkie.”

“Hold my hooves? We’re just about to relax and now we’re cut off!”

“This might be a good chance to find Rarity and the rest,” reminded Rainbow Dash.

“You’re right, let’s go.” Pinkie Pie sped off, leaving Applejack standing there.

“Good luck,” Applejack said before leaving.

Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, Shining Armour and Fluttershy felt the ground shake.

“It’s happening again!” exclaimed Twilight.

They tried to run, the vibrations prevented them from going in a straight line. It felt like it’s going to collapse. They hit the walls and immediately separated from each other. Cadance, Fluttershy and Rarity went one way, and Twilight and Shining Armour went the other. Shining and Cadance placed their hooves together before being separated. They watched each other vanish in the darkness.
Twilight and Shining didn’t where they’re going. They thought they got used to it by then. They couldn’t think with everything in the labyrinth going against them.

After they stopped rolling, Twilight gasped at the first sight. She immediately recovered and trotted. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!”

Luna and Celestia were happy to see her. They didn’t waste any time and embraced her. Their eyes leaked with tears.

“Twilight, we missed you,” said Celestia.

“It’s amazing to see you unharmed!” Luna squeezed so hard, Celestia and Twilight felt their chests tighten by the grasp.

“Thank you,” said Twilight struggling to breathe.

Vinyl and Octavia greeted Shining Armour, he didn’t respond to them. He reunited with Cadance for less than an hour and they’re separated again.

“Shining Armour?” Octavia tried to gain his attention.

Shining gasped, he thought he heard Cadance voice. He’s disappointed to see two musician ponies stand in front.

“You’re dazed for a bit.” Vinyl showed sympathy for him.

“Sorry, I can’t stop thinking about Cadance. I want this nightmare to end.” Shining Armour suffered the most, same might be for Cadance.

Derpy can see Shining in a depressed mood. She found a piano and music sheets, this gave her an idea. She approached Wes and whispered in his ear. He thought it’s a great idea.

Twilight tried to talk to her brother. She’s just as worried about Cadance. “Shining Armour? Where’s Cadance?”

He didn’t reply back, it didn’t take long for her to find out. “It can’t…”

“I’m afraid so,” Vinyl said quietly.

“It wasn’t his fault. It’s whoever is responsible,” Octavia responded.

Celestia and Luna were curious to see Wes and Derpy going to a piano. She chose a sheet containing a song. Derpy whistled so loudly, they all looked at her.

“Fillies and Alicorn sisters, the wonderful Derpy Hooves will sing a number. A golden oldie from the human world. Maestro.”

Wes pressed the keys, playing Neil Innes’ “How Sweet to be an Idiot”, with Derpy on vocals. Quickly glanced at the sheets before beginning to sing. She managed to remember the lyrics. Her singing voice was wonderful to the ears. She chose this song based on her experience of every pony shunning her. She managed to lift Shining‘s spirits, even if it’s just a small success. Vinyl and Octavia gasped at Wes’ piano skills. When he said he can play more than one instrument, he wasn’t joking.

After that number, Shining came to Derpy. He smiled with the same worried eyes. “You were wonderful Pegasus.”

“Call me Derpy, Derpy Hooves.” She shook hooves with him.

Rainbow Dash was more amazed than ever. “By Celestia, You’re brilliant! Never knew you can sing.”

Derpy felt appreciated. “I was so stunted with every pony mistreating me, I didn’t think they changed their thoughts on me.”

Wes checked the device, it showed where the fourth task was. It showed an x-ray of the piano. There were wires connected to the keys. He pressed the keys, some of the wires made something crank. He played a random tune, he played the bridge from Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”. A wall rose above the ground.

“I found an exit, come on,” Wes shouted.

They all entered a room with sound proof booths. Each had earphones connect to a booth in the middle. A link made of leather chained across from one wall to another. It’s made to look like a metal chain.

A scroll tied with a ribbon, laid on the floor. Derpy yanked the ribbon with her teeth. She read the scroll: See if you can test your emotions. Once a person(s) or in this case ponies, play a music track, one or more will listen to it. Those who listen, will hear anybody they know singing to them. They must objective is to avoid breaking down during the duration. Unlike the previous challenges, the song is pre-selected. Whoever is playing any instrument, will be listening to the original track. Choose wisely.

The middle booth has a drum kit, double bass and piano; as usual, there’s a jack for Wes’ guitar. Sheets of musical notes perched on stands, representing each instrument.

Shining Armour inhaled and exhaled. He turned to his sister. “Are you ready Twilight?”

“We all are,” answered Twilight.

Octavia, Vinyl, Wes and Derpy Hooves entered the middle booth. Derpy asked Wes a question. “Can I try your guitar?”

“OK, I plenty more back home.” Wes was kind to lend his Fender Jaguar. He gave her pick after placing the strap over her head. “Do you know how to play?”

“There’s first time for anything.” Derpy didn’t feel nervous. She the kind of pegasus who loves to try new things.

All the rest enter each booth individually. They each put on the earphones and waited. Garbage’s “Stupid Girl” was the song chosen. Wes felt relieved, since it isn’t a difficult track to play on guitar. Octavia noticed that there’s no bow for the bass. She didn’t care, she can use it like a bass guitar anyway.

Once the song started playing, each of the other ponies heard different voices. Celestia heard Luna, Luna heard Nightmare Moon, Shining Armour heard Cadance, Rainbow Dash heard Scootaloo and Twilight heard one of her parents. They struggled to avoid breaking down.

After the song ended, a can of flammable liquid soaked the Leather Link. A zippo lighter lit and tossed on the link, causing it to ignite. Smoke filled the room before entering the air vents. They exited the booths, the ponies rubbed their ears, due to the discomfort of the earphones.

Derpy gave back Wes’ guitar. She enjoyed playing it. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Call me Wes,” he replied.

“How do you think it managed to capture other ponies’ voices?” asked Rainbow Dash. “They sound so real.”

“Someone probably recorded our voices and managed to duplicate and edit them,” said Twilight.

Wes was about to leave when the labyrinth shook. “We better leave now!”

They all ran out of the room, when the floor opened beneath them. Shining Armour and Twilight tripped and fell near the walls, they disappeared once the bricks moved. Rainbow Dash was also consumed by the ever-changing labyrinth. Octavia and Vinyl held each other’s hooves and remained still. Luna and Celestia fell into the hole before being grabbed by Wes and Derpy.

“Use you wings!” shouted Derpy.

Luna and Celestia flapped their wings. They managed to fly out, but then the ceiling came down and stopped after hitting the walls. The shock made Derpy and Wes fell back, and prevented Luna and Celestia landing to safety. They dropped into the abyss before the floor immediately closed.

“Any pony OK?” Derpy can feel her head spin.

“Luna? Celestia?” Wes tried to find where the floor closed.

Vinyl and Octavia rushed over find them gone.

“What happened?” Octavia asked.

“Luna and Celestia fell down there. It was just an excuse to separate us,” Wes spoke in frustration.

“We were so close,” said Vinyl.

“How are we supposed to find them all now?” Derpy asked a question even they don’t have the answer.

The clock above showed what time they have left: two hours to go.