Blaze: Part II

Chapters

Chapter 1.) The Plan
Chapter 2.) Two Months Later
Chapter 3.) Greed
Chapter 4.) Tyrant Celestia
Chapter 5.) Inevitability
Chapter 6.) Preparations Are Complete, Let's Go
Chapter 7.) Breaking And Entering
Notice

Chapter 1.) The Plan

"Oof!"

I woke up to the sudden thud from being thrown on the ground. I was somewhat dazed from the impact, so I couldn't think straight away. But, I remembered everything once I heard another thud, somewhat close to me, followed by a painful yelp from somepony I know relatively well.

Then I remembered everything that just happened. Celestia had us thrown into the Crystal Caves for supposedly making up a false alibi so that we could free the Elder. Apparently, the Royal Guard had knocked me out so that I wouldn't see where we were headed, and so that I may never find my way out.

The 'false alibi' that I supposedly presented to save the Elder... was a diary. A diary that belonged to my foalhood friend, Faded Ivory. For the longest time, I thought it to be real. But, it seemed Twilight actually made up the whole thing so that we could sneak into the ruins of Canterlot and free him from his stone prison.

The Elder. There's a long story behind him. A few weeks ago, I ran away from the village I grew up to believe to be my home, because a large monster Ursa-looking thing destroyed everything. I eventually made my way to Ponyville, and the Elder -- Well, actually, the Ursa WAS the Elder.

According to Twilight's fake diary, the Elder was poisoned by Faded Ivory so that he would turn into the Ursa. How or why is still unknown. But yes, the Elder destroyed my village and killed everypony there, except Faded Ivory, which I believed he squished into paste before Celestia cleared up my memory.

I eventually went back to the village to look for the Elder again. At the time, I didn't know that he was an Ursa, but I found him, and brought him home to Ponyville with the help of my six new closest friends. It was there, that he destroyed Ponyville Hospital and ran out of Ponyville as an Ursa. The destruction of the hospital had caused many more deaths, the majority of which were doctors, nurses, sick patients, and, unfortunately, babies.

Out of Ponyville, he headed for Canterlot, where he caused more death and destruction. Most of Canterlot's population - at least half of it - was wiped out, along with the majority of the Royal Guard.

It was at the ruins of the throne that Twilight and the other Element bearers shot the brilliant beam of light onto the Elder, sealing him within the stone shell. Having defeated the Elder, we continued looking for Ivory, who I also didn't know to be guilty at the time.

Shortly after we returned to Ponyville with Ivory, Twilight and I went over her diary, which contained details of the poisoning of the Elder. We decided then and there that we were gonna bust the Elder out. So, in the middle of the night, Twilight and I warped to Canterlot, where we were successfully able to free the Elder. But it didn't take long for Celestia and the Royal Guard to figure out that we were there, and why.

Princess Celestia wasn't about to have the Elder, a crazy old stallion who destroyed Canterlot and murdered hundreds, maybe thousands of pony lives, freed and roaming once more. Finding us guilty without even letting us explain our reasons in detail, she had us thrown in here.

So that's that, and here we are. Still slightly stunned from the landing, I pick myself up slowly. Once I'm steady on all fours, I walk up to Twilight's side and nudge her. "You alright, Twilight?"

She groaned, and slowly turned over until she was on her back. When her eyes found mine, I could tell that she had been crying, for they are more red than white or purple. "I'm so, so sorry, Blaze..."

"Don't worry about it so much. I've already forgiven you, in a sense."

She sat up. "Still... you're only in here bacause I set the Elder free, because I brought you here, because I made the diary. It's all my fault..."

"It's okay. I know you wouldn't have done what you did if there wasn't a good reason --"

"But there is!" She stomped her forehooves on the rocks below her.

"Alright. Then, please, if you would be so kind as to enlighten me?"

She finally stood up on all fours as well. "Of course, Blaze." She took a deep breath, then let it go and continued. "I made the diary because Luna asked me to."

I nod reflexively, but it took me a second to hear what she said. I took my hoof off of her. "Wait, Luna asked you to make it? When?"

"About a month ago. I got a letter from Princess Luna, your mother, stating that Princess Celestia had been in a bad mood for the past few days, and that she was about to get banished or something from the Canterlot Throne."

"A month ago? But I hadn't even left my village a month ago!"

"Yes. The letter told me that her son and his father were taking refuge in a village somewhere far away from Canterlot. She said that, if he ever found his way to Ponyville, to inform him gradually on the matter at hand. It was there in the letter when it said to construct a fake diary of Faded Ivory, and Luna had specified exactly what to put in it."

"My father was with me?"

"Yes, Blaze. Don't tell me you haven't been at least a little suspicious of the Elder's colors? He's the exact same color as you, well, except for the old white mane and tail, of course..."

I nodded. "I guess you're right. Guess I might've hurt his feelings when I said what I said earlier, about never having known my father..."

"...Yeah..."

"Wait! I just remembered something! Celestia said that they found our village, but they didn't sense any hostility from the Elder so they let me go. But, she also said that she had to restrain Luna from taking me! But if she was already banished, then that..."

Twilight gasped. "You're saying Celestia gave you 'fake' memories?"

"Well, no... She didn't show me that part, but she did tell me afterward." I sort of had to think that one over. Even though it was high noon yesterday, it seems so long ago. Quickly getting back on topic, I ask, "So, the whole diary was a fake?"

"No no no, Luna made it clear that the information was all true. Banishing Luna, poisoning your father, corrupting Celestia's mind, making the impression upon you to make you think she was dead, solely so she could be with you because you would always protect her out of fear for ever losing her again."

I exhaled quickly. "So, lemme get this straight. You're saying Ivory twisted Celestia's mind, got my mother thrown out of the throne, poisoned my father so that he would turn into a monster, just so she could go out with me!?"

"I know! It's completely bogus! But, that's it, and it's all true."

"But that makes absolutely zero sense! Who would go through all that shit just to ask me out? And after she did, why would she think I'd go out with her anyway!? If anything, I'd probably avoid her even more!"

"Uhh, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say you were never supposed to find out about her plans..."

"Heheh. And all she had to do was ask."

"Hey, tell that to her, not me."

I chuckled, then cleared my throat in preparation to mock Ivory's voice. "Hi, Blaze, I just screwed up royal family matters to the extent that the damage is irrepairable! Do you wanna go out with me?"

I got Twilight giggling, too. "Pretty much."

Clearing my throat one more time, I said in my normal voice, "Okay, so Luna asked you to do this well before I ever arrived, which means that you've been playing a game with me ever since I showed my face. How much of it was a ploy?"

Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yeah, figured you'd ask that. Umm, okay, obviously the diary is fake. Well, trying to get you to stay over the library was the big plan, but you decided to sleep in the stars instead, so..."

"Oh yeah, the whole 'favoritism' thing. Yeah, I remember."

"I was gonna break it to you there. But you weren't convinced enough to stay with me. So, I had to get your attention in some other way, so I could show you in person. So that night--"

"You came out of your house and joined me at the lake. So that was all fake, huh?"

"No! Of course it happened! I needed your attention!"

"Okay, what about the romantic part? Was that fake, too?"

Twilight quickly shut up to that remark. A few seconds passed before she continued, "Unfortunately, Blaze, yes it was... It was the only way I could think to get the attention I needed fast enough."

"Hmm... Oh well..." I say, pretending to be sad and drop my smile and ears at the end.

Twilight quickly lowered her ears, too, as she prepared for a comforting sentence. "Well, in the beginning... When I first met you, I... I didn't even know you then! How could I love somepony I just met!?"

I perked my ears back up. "Wait..."

Twilight turned her head away from me once we made eye contact again, probably because she was trying to hide the embarressment of blushing. "But... After I had those two weeks to get acquainted with you, I started to understand you better. What you've been through, what you've sacrificed... What you've lost..."

I nodded, while my eyes were turned in thought. "...Yeah, I gotcha. And then...?"

"And then..." She brought her head to look at me once more, only this time her eyes weren't red at all. "Well, and then, it started getting real."

I sigh. I knew it. She had her sights on me over time as well. I answer, "Well, just remember; all you have to do is ask." I smile.

She smiled, too, and stared deep within my black windows. "Alright... Hey, umm, Blaze--"

I interupt her sentence by walking next to her and raising my forehoof over her neck, brushing through her mane as it goes. "Pssst. Hey Twilight."

She's doing a terrible job at trying to hide her blushes this time. "Y-yes?"

I raise my free forehoof and place it under her chin, drawing her vision deeper into mine. Just when our lips were inches away from meeting, she had closed her eyes and prepared for a romantic one.

And then was the very first time we had ever kissed.

Blaze: Part Two

By Blazing_Mane01

Chapter 2.) Two Months Later

Two months later...

"Blaze, it's time to get up..."

I shut my eyes slightly tighter, because the hole we found in the cave was trying to force Celestia's son into the windows of my soul. After a short moment, I rolled over and opened them. Afterwards, I quickly rub them with my forehooves. Once I can see straight, I take a quick look around me.

Nothing has changed. It all still looks like big blue rocks and a tiny hole in the ground above us. Yes, we have tried digging at it, but it's lined with extremely durable gemstones and won't budge. Twilight even tried yanking them out with magic, but to no avail. The caves are heavily enchanted, making all magic within fail. Hence why we haven't teleported out of here a long time ago.

We found that hole in the ground about, say, like a week ago? I don't even know how long it's been. Feels like eternity to me. And Twilight also looked like she had suffered through some eternity. Then again, I hadn't fared any better. I was just as scrawny, weak, tired, and hungry as she was.

Finally, I look back to Twilight Sparkle. "Alright." I stretch, but I regret it as it makes my stomach ache. "So, uhh... Find anything interesting?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, sorry... There's absolutely nothing in here, except that little pond we found a couple days ago."

I sigh. "Shit. What does Celestia wanna do? Kill us?"

"That's not Celestia," Twilight said quickly. "The Celestia I know would never have done this to us. No, there's some evil force at work here..."

"Ivory."

"Mmm... I don't know anymore." She finally dropped her vision to the floor. "I don't care anymore..."

I pat her gently on the back, because I know that if I put too much pressure, she'll probably fall over. "Man, I wish I could say something to comfort you, but I'm fresh out of ideas..."

She shook her head. "I know... There's just no point anymore. Ivory wins..."

Wait. Ivory! That made me get an idea. "Wait a second!" I bounded up. "Twilight, you're a genius! Ivory's ultimate goal was to be my marefriend. If that's still true, then no, she hasn't won! She still needs to find me and make amends!"

"But Blaze, it's been, like, forever up there, and we have no idea what's happened since Celestia threw us in here."

"Think about it. If Ivory is in control of Celestia, and Ivory wants me for her to-be, then she's eventually gonna find out what Celestia's done, and reverse it! She's our only hope right now!"

"Do you honestly think it would take this long for Ivory to figure out you've gone missing?"

"Twilight, what other hope do we have?"

Twilight sighed. "Oh... I don't know..."

Seeing her in her sad state always made me sad, too. I lowered my ears in disappointment. "Ehh, I guess you're right. It is a little far-fetched, isn't it? It HAS been a while --" I stop, and perk my ears up again. I hear hoofsteps above us. "Wait... You hear that?"

"Yeah. So?"

I raise my forehoof and smile, then put my ear next to the hole to hear if the other ponies are saying anything.

"It's reacting! It's reacting! Is this the place!?"

"I'm not sure. It seems like a pretty random location, does it not?"

"C'mon, guys! There's only one way to find out!"

"Fire up the spell!"

"Okay, okay, I'm working on it."

There was a second of silence. I took this second to tell Twilight. "Somepony's looking for something above us! You think they're looking for us?"

"I don't know. Do their voices sound familiar?"

"Well, I could swear I've heard one of them before --"

The voice above us shouts, "Yes! It's here! Start digging!"

"I'm on it!"

"Wait!" Twilight's voice startled me. "That sounded like Spike! Is that him!?"

I facehoof. "THAT'S where I've heard that voice!"

"Lemme see!" Twilight pushed me aside to look up herself. "Spike!?"

For the moment, all we could hear was a scratching at the gemstones around the peek hole. "It's no use. I can't shift the dirt. It's too hard!"

"Oh, hang on. Lemme see it." More hoofsteps. I could barely make out the ignition of magic, and after a second, the gemstones lit up around the hole. "There's why. We're directly above some gems!"

"Ooh... Gems..."

"Check it again. Are you sure this is where we need to be?"

"Yup! No doubt about it! The signal's coming from directly under us!"

I gasp. I knew that voice. I turn my head to Twilight, who had her eyes fixed on the hole. "Twilight."

She violently fell out of her trance, and looked back at me. "Yes?"

I smile. "We're getting out of here! That's Ivory!"

"Hang on." She said, then started moving around our immediate area.

"Guys! The reading's coming from over here now!"

"What!?"

"Yeah! We got it! She's here!"

"Finally!!" There was a short burst of hoofsteps around the gemstones. "Twilight!!"

Twilight quickly ran up to the hole. "Rarity!!"

"Yes! She's right down here! Spike!"

"Roger!"

After that, the dirt around the gems started to shift. Spike was working on one side, so that the gems would lose stability and fall in. Learning this message quicker than Twilight, I say, "Get away from there! Spike's diggin around the hole! Once he makes the dirt loose enough, the gems are gonna fall right through! You don't wanna be there when that happens."

"Oh, right! Thanks." She said, then backed behind me.

A couple minutes later was followed by the collapse of the ceiling. Shortly after, a cloud of dust blinded us from seeing anything for a moment. While we were coughing, Spike's voice found its way in. "Twilight!?"

"Spike!"

There was a thud. "I'm coming, Twilight!"

After the dust cleared out, I saw Twilight and Spike caught in each other's embrace. Seeing her happy again made me smile. "Hey, Spike."

Spike looked up. "Blaze! You're here too!"

Another voice above chimed in. "What!? Blaze!? Lemme in!!"

Another thud was heard, and I could see a blur of sea green and white. "Ivory!"

"Blaze!" She ran up to me, and threw her hooves around me. "I've been looking for you for two months!"

"It's been two months?"

She backed up. "Uhh, yeah. How long do you think it's been?"

"Eternity."

"Oh, my. Sounds - and looks - like you've been through Hell."

"Yeah. Through Hell and back."

"We need to get you two some food, quick. You're probably both starving! Applejack!"

"Comin!" She jumped down into the cave. "How y'all doin?"

"Well, we're alive."

"Sweet Celestia, it was worse than Ah imagined! Here, take these!"

She pulled two perfectly round apples out of the saddlebag she wore. Slowly, I accepted it, but furiously wolfed it down. Twilight fared no better with her food, either. She even bounded up and said, "More!"

"Easy, Twi. Here comes round two." Applejack said calmly, and handed us both one more apple.

Once she finished that one, she cleared her throat. "Wow, that was amazing! Even better when you're hungry!"

I smile. "Twilight, anything sounds good when you're hungry. Worms probably sound good, even."

"Blaze! Seriously!? You're gonna ruin my appetite!"

"Well, that would be bad, considering we both have a huge appetite right now."

Applejack stepped in between us. "Oh, shush, you two. En feel free to stuff ya faces!" She once again pulled two apples out of her saddlebag. "Ah've got enough to hold ya 'til we get to our hideaway."

Twilight had already taken a bite, but quickly spit it out. "Wait, what? What 'hideaway?' What about Ponyville?"

Applejack lowered her ears and her smile. "Well, uhh, Twilight... Princess Celestia had the five of us banished from Ponyville."

Author's Note

Did anypony see that linked period next to 'Through Hell and back?'

You might not want to click it if you don't have 'view mature' checked.

I'll bet Still Breeze is laughing while he's reading this.

Chapter 3.) Greed

Twilight was speechless. She even dropped her apple on the ground, she was shocked. "She did WHAT!?"

Applejack winced slightly from Twilight's outburst, but quickly recovered. "That's right, sugarcube. Celestia had us thrown out, for some reason..."

Spike stepped in. "Twilight, we were all kicked out. Me, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. It probably has to do with the Elements of Harmony, since nopony else was banished."

"That's horrible!" She folded her ears back. "She's probably scared of us. Scared of the Elements of Harmony."

I suddenly got a question. "How did you all find us?"

Rarity answered. "Why, it was the Elements, Blaze. Thank you for asking."

I got Twilight curious, as well. "Wait, they brought you to me? How?"

"Simple. Ivory found out that if we wear ours, the missing Elements will react to the presence of their embodiment. We merely put ours on, the five of us, and Ivory followed the faint signal that your tiara was resonating. Once it went haywire, we knew we were close. And here we are!"

"Ivory helped you?" Twilight tilted her head. "But she's..." She looked over to make eye contact with Faded Ivory, "...responsible."

Ivory replied, confused. "I'm responsible? For what?"

Twilight's brows tensed, and she stared at Ivory with an angry pair of purple eyes. "You're responsible for all of this! You're the reason Blaze and I were thrown in here!!"

"What!? No! How am I --"

"Don't take me for a foal, Ivory. I received a letter from Princess Luna a long time ago, informing me of everything you've done and would do!"

Ivory backed away from me. "Luna sent you a letter? Saying that I did what exactly?"

"You set Blaze up!"

I gasped, pretending this is the first time I've ever heard of this, and looked back to Ivory. "Wait, what!? How!?"

Twilight, noticing what I was doing, continued, "Blaze, she's been messing with your head! She's manipulating Celestia to make her the tyrant she is now, she got Princess Luna - your mother - thrown out of the Royal Throne, she poisoned the Elder - which is your father, by the way - so that he would transform into the monster, just so she could capture your heart!"

Ivory shook her head. "That's preposterous! First of all, how could I manipulate somepony without magic? Second, why would I do all that just so I could be with Blaze? That makes no sense!"

"Ivory, have you ever heard of 'potions?' They're a handy way to get somepony to do what you want without magic. And you did all that in hopes that Blaze would protect you once he saw you were still living. He would stay with you out of fear of ever losing you again."

Ivory actually chuckled a little. "Actually, yes, I have heard of potions, but I've never heard of a mind-control potion, if that's what you're referring to. Plus, you've got no proof! All you're doing is spinning off a whole bunch of organized lies because you're jealous of me, aren't you?"

"Proof?" Twilight frowned at first, but picked it back up. "Yes, I do have proof. And it's right here, too."

Ivory smirked. "Really? Where?"

Now, I could honestly say that I had no idea what Twilight was talking about, either. She doesn't have legitimate proof with her, and nothing is in the caves. What could she be playing? So, I decided to ask her, as if I still didn't know whether to believe Ivory was guilty for those crimes. "Twilight, what are you doing...?"

We made eye contact for a very brief moment before she returned it to Ivory. While she was staring her down, she started walking up to me. Every step made the expression on Ivory's face look more and more nervous.

If she were looking at me, Twilight would be directly in front of me. All she needs to do is turn her head and bam. But, she was taking this time to scare Ivory. "I do have proof, Ivory."

Ivory was pretty tensed up now. "...What proof?"

Getting slightly nervous myself, I ask, "Twilight, what are you --"

She put her left forehoof on my cheek, sending me the message to be quiet. She was still facing Ivory, who had now gasped and reached out her hoof, but she was too far away to stop whatever it was Twilight had planned.

Then, finally, she turned her vision to me. Her smile was vacant at first, but it turned into a smug one quickly. It was then, that I finally realized what Twilight wanted to do.

I gasp, and draw my head back. "Wait, Twilight, no --"

I couldn't finish my sentence, because she began pushing her lips onto mine. During those two seconds, absolute silence. No noise. Two seconds is how long it took me to raise my forehooves up and force us apart. After I pushed away, Twilight looked back to Ivory and said, "Your guilt."

Faded Ivory was on the verge of tears now. Though, it didn't look as if she were preparing a reply. So, I took this time to observe the other ponies' faces, which were all stunned in shock. In somewhat of a shock myself, I turn my attention back to Faded Ivory, who now had her lips open and ready to talk.

"...Twilight... How could you...? Blaze was..." Her vision trailed off to the floor.

Twilight only stood there, proud of her 'victory' over Ivory. "Yours? When?"

Ivory sniffled. "But, he..." She picked up her head to look at me. "You... YOU SAID YOU LOVED ME!!"

I gasp, as I remembered. "Oh yeah! I did say that!" I then turned to Twilight. "I did say that..."

"Really? When?"

"Before the day you both disappeared from Ponyville," Ivory filled in for me. "That night, when I was going home, he told me that he... loved... me..."

She trailed off for the second time, and she finally began to shed tears, as the ground below her face got darker and damper. Feeling guilty, I turn my sights to Twilight, who had her head up high. That pissed me off. "Twilight! You hurt her!"

Twilight looked at me as if I was completely stupid, which only made me angrier. "I did? How?"

"Greed." That's all I could think of. That is, until I smacked her. "YOU HURT HER FEELINGS! Her feelings for me were real!"

Once she recovered from the recoil, she replied, "Blaze, she did all those horrible things to your family. Do you honestly think somepony who'd do that honestly loves you?"

I threw my head back in anger, and pointed toward Ivory, who was now crying on the ground. "Oh? Then what do you call that!?"

She looked at Ivory and thought for a moment. "...Failure?"

"No, Twilight. In your greed, you took the last thing she cared about away from her. Me. Even if she did do those horrible things, doesn't make her a monster! YOU became the monster when you kissed me just then! And now she's gonna reflect on this moment forever! Who the hell do you think you are, Twilight Sparkle!?"

It looks like she finally understood what she has done to Faded Ivory, because her facial expression changed from one of pride to one of sorrow. "Oh, no..."

"Now, hold up, you two!" Applejack forced herself in between us once more. "Y'all stop this bickerin! Ya actin' like children! C'mon, let's go back to the hideout so we can get you briefed on what's goin on."

All the ponies, except me and Twilight, nodded and headed for the hole in the ceiling. Once everypony was out, Twilight slowly took one step forward. "Well, uhh... Let's... go, I guess?"

I didn't respond. I only glared at her.

She didn't say anything else, either. Just when she was nearly out of the cave, she took one last look back at me. I hadn't moved. She then sighed and continued out the exit of the cave. I waited until everypony was well gone from the cave before I shook my head. "Twilight, you're not normally like that. I understand you were angry at her for making Celestia throw us in here, but that wasn't just anger. Is this merely a form of revenge? Or did some selfish reason drive you to do what you did?

"What happened to you?"

Chapter 4.) Tyrant Celestia

"Here we are, guys. Home, sweet home... I wish..."

Rainbow Dash opened the foldable door leading into a relatively large room constructed entirely of wood logs and grass. Around the barrier of the hideout, posts of trees stuck up from the ground to form an effective wall around the settlement. There were makeshift beds on the floor, which were composed of dead grass, leaves, and dry pine needles. My facial expression turned sad as I noted how horribly these five ponies have been roughing it, compared to what they're used to.

Then again, Twilight and I were sleeping on bare rocks, with nearly no food and no clean water.

"Well, uhh," Applejack waved us in, "make yaselfs at home?"

"Sure," I say quickly, and take a seat in the middle of the 'room.'

Everypony else did the same, from where Twilight picked up. "Okay, so, did Celestia explain why she was kicking you out?"

Rainbow Dash stood up. "Yeah! She got antsy when we said we wouldn't stop looking for you two, so out the door with us!"

Applejack was next. "Once we learned y'all were missin, we were all scared for ya. We made it our top priority to find y'all, and Celestia didn't approve, for whatever reason."

I put my hoof out. "That's because Celestia is the one that threw us in there. I'm sure she wasn't about to tell you that. If you ever figured out where we were, then it would make sense Celestia would get 'antsy.'"

"But why?" Rainbow said again. "Why would Princess Celestia throw you in the Crystal Dungeon?"

"Because Twilight and I were trying to free the Elder."

Everypony drew their head back simultaneously. Ivory was next to speak. "The Elder was captured?"

"No," Twilight muttered, "we sealed him away with the Elements of Harmony."

"But Twilight!" Rarity said, "The Elder was responsible for the destruction of Ponyville Hospital, Blaze's village, and the majority of Canterlot! Why would you even consider breaking him out?"

"Because he wasn't completely guilty. The Elder was tricked into becoming an Ursa. Blaze and I figured that if he didn't have control of the Ursa form, then maybe the ability was forced upon him. Therefore, he might have knowledge regarding who was actually responsible."

Applejack spoke up. "So, y'all freed the Elder, spoke with him, and learned who was in charge of him? So to speak?"

"Yeah," I said, before Twilight could answer. "He said it was Ivory's plan from the very beginning."

Ivory's facial expression changed dramatically. "He said I'm controlling him?"

"No, he merely said you were the mastermind."

Twilight slammed her hoof down. "Luna's the one that told me of all your dubious plans! She told me what you've done to the princesses, what you've done to Blaze's father, AND what you were planning to do to Blaze!"

Ivory looked down again. "And she told you in a letter, huh?"

I observed Twilight's expression. As Ivory turned away, it went from an angry-ish one to a serious-understanding-ish one. She then also took her vision off of Ivory and nodded slowly. "Yes, Luna wrote me a letter."

Ivory laughed out loud. She even threw her head up in the air. Everypony simply stared at her in confusion, as to why the sudden outburst. Once she laughed enough, she gathered her breath, wiped her eye and said, "Wow. Didn't think she would do that."

"Wait a minute," I stuck my hoof out. "Does that mean you're admitting to all that?"

She nodded. "Yes, Blaze. Sorry, I'm guilty. You got me, Twilight."

"AHA!!" Twilight threw her hooves in the air. "You admit it! Finally!!"

Ivory sighed. "Okay, Twilight, you broke me. I'll admit it now; it's all true. I did poison the Elder. I did get Luna kicked out of the throne. I did manipulate Celestia to organize it all. I had her manipulate your memory so I could make it look like I was killed so that you would have hopes for me in your adventure."

"Whoa whoa whoa. So, if Celestia did the mind wipe, then she could've put in any fake memory she wanted."

"Oh, no. She relied on me to make those decisions. So, I decided to just clear up everything from the past, and place me in our everyday life, even though I wasn't ever there. That's how I was able to make it look like I died."

"Okay. What about when she restored my memory? Did that day at the castle actually happen? You know, when I hid on the beams in the ballroom, and I fell on you?"

She nodded."Yes, that actually happened."

I raised my eyebrow. "That must've taken a couple potions..."

"Just two; the one for the Elder, and the one for Celestia. Once Celestia got hers, everything fell in place. Celestia kicked Luna out of the Throne out of fear of losing hers, and the Elder got angry and went to search for Luna. What I didn't count on, however, was the Elder taking you along with him."

Twilight stepped in again. "I thought you'd take that for a good change of events..."

"In the beginning, I was kinda glad it happened, but I regreted it later. I could tell I was losing control of Celestia..."

Twilight gasped. "Wait! You lost it? When?"

She turned her head away and said to the floor, "Well, I completely lost her when you rescued me from Canterlot."

"Oh, no..." I think out loud. "So it's our fault, Twilight."

She turned her attention to me. "Hmm?"

"Once we took Ivory out of Canterlot, she lost control of Celestia's mind, but Celestia was still being controlled by the potion somehow. So that means, Celestia is no longer her formal self. The potion turned her into a tyrant."

Ivory leaped up. "Wow, Blaze, didn't think you could think like that."

"Umm... Thanks?"

"Yes, the potion may be controlling her, and its effects may not wear off by itself, but there is a way to restore Celestia. I made sure of it."

Twilight raised her eyebrow. "Oh, really? And what is that?"

"We need to reintroduce Luna to the Throne."

I sigh. "So, we need to find out where Celestia banished her, and bring her back to Canterlot?"

"That's it."

"Uhh... Do you have any information that may be helpful, Ivory? I mean, after all, YOU made Celestia banish her. Maybe you told her where she was bound, or you overheard it? Anything?"

"Of course. Celestia said she was going to banish her to Neightherworld."

Once she said that, everypony in the room gasped and backed off the table. Twilight nearly jumped out of her coat. Then, Rarity, Pinkie, and Twilight said in unison, "Neightherworld? But that's..."

"I know..." Ivory ducked her head in disappointment. "I never expected Celestia to be so harsh on her as to send her there."

"Excuse me," Rainbow said, "but... what's 'neightherworld?'"

Twilight shared a nervous face with Rainbow before she continued. "Rainbow Dash, the Neightherworld is an evil place in the very depths of the world. It is said to be an endless sea of curses and spirits, whom linger to reek their revenge upon Equestria."

Pinkie added, "Yeah! It's a big, scary underground cave full of monsters, souls, and other kinds of nasties!"

And then it was Rarity's turn. "Not to mention the rivers of hate, darkness, and blood. Ugh, can you imagine falling into such impurities? It's rumored to eat away at your life as soon as you touch it!"

"Oh my God," I say as I realize something.

Twilight noticed. "Yes, Blaze. Dangerous wouldn't even begin to define Neightherworld."

"You're missing the point."

"What's the point?"

I swallow. "Luna is immortal. If the evil entities in the Neightherworld seek revenge upon living souls, then Luna..."

Everypony gasped. Ivory was next to speak. "Exactly, Blaze. I wanted her out of the way, but putting Luna in Neightherworld was just too tyrannical of Celestia. Who knows what kind of pain she may be going through right now...?"

Chapter 5.) Inevitability

That night, when everypony settled down, I had found myself tossing and turning, yet I knew I was never going to find sleep. It was rather quiet for the rest of the day. Even Pinkie Pie, who's actually kind of a motor-mouth, didn't say very much since the meeting. There were short conversations, but nopony held one for longer than a couple minutes.

Once the meeting was out, Rainbow went out with Applejack to see if they could scavenge anything useful they found in the woods. Bored, I volunteered to tag along with them. Unfortunately, we didn't find anything interesting enough to bring it back to the hideaway. Maybe we would've had some success if we could fly, but there were rules we had to follow for safety. And there were reasons, as I learned when Applejack and Rainbow told me the story.

Apparently, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie broke back into Ponyville so they could get their hooves on the Elements of Harmony. They said that Ponyville was under strict laws now, and that you couldn't go much further than ten steps without seeing at least one Royal Guard. According to that information, I assumed Celestia had recruited new Guards to help with the security.

Thankfully, the Elements of Harmony were still in Twilight's reference guide. It seemed as though nopony, even the princess, knew where she had stashed them. So, getting the Elements back was the easy part. Figuring out their stealth plan was concern number-one, since it took them nearly two months to execute it perfectly.

The only bad part is, Rainbow Dash accidently alerted the Guards once they snagged the Elements, and they had to make a break for it. And now that Celestia knows that they have the Elements of Harmony, they're on her 'wanted' list. They're all fugitives. WE are all fugitives. Maybe even Ivory. When they were kicked out of Ponyville, they were at least able to show their faces.

I rolled over, trying to find some comfort in the rustling blotches of leaves and grass. Finally, I deem it uncorfortable, and completely escape its hold on me. I wanted to step outside and look up to the starry night, but something told me otherwise.

Then I thought about something. 'Is Princess Luna stil controlling the night from Neightherworld? Or did Princess Celestia, in her tyrannical rage, take up the responsibility of the night again?' Directly in front of the foldable passageway, I sat down, and wondered as a single tear welled up in the corner of my left eye. 'Will I be able to save her? What about the others? Will they be able to make it out alive? Will I be able?'

"Blaze...?"

I perk my ears up, but I don't turn my head. "Yeah?"

"What're you doing up, Blaze?"

"Oh... I'm not tired."

"Come on, Blaze. You need rest up for the upcoming journey."

I nod. "I know. I'm just not tired right now."

"Are you worried?"

"Actually, yes. I'm worried for Luna, I'm worried for us, and... Ugh, I'm not sure if I can do it!"

"Have faith, Blaze. Anypony can do anything they desire; they just need put their hearts and minds up to the task."

I chuckle quietly. "Yeah, you're right. I just can't help worrying, though. I mean, in Neightherworld, all it takes is one bad step, and you're never gonna be heard from again. It wouldn't be so hard if there was only a couple ponies, but there's eight! I worry for them..."

"Don't trouble yourself so much, Blaze. Remember; they don't want to die, either. Of course they're going to be careful."

"True..."

"Come on, Blaze. Rest up. You've got a long day ahead of you."

I nod. "Heheh. Alright, I'll get there in a minute. Good night."

"Good night, Blaze."

I clear my throat. It was then that I finally decided to turn around and get back in bed. However, as I go, I look at all the ponies sleeping in the room. None of them looked like they were ever up talking to me, so who was I talking with? Everypony's sleeping soundly and soundlessly. Well, except Rainbow Dash; she's snoring up a storm.

I ponder upon the topic well after I get into the 'bed.' Okay, maybe I imagined the whole thing... Maybe I'm dreaming right now, and the conversation never took place at all. Either that, or somepony was putting on a rediculously good show at faking sleep, and I fell for it...

I don't know. It all seems too foggy to recall now. The conversation was merely a minute long, if that. I can't even remember who the voice sounded like.

I sat up in bed and gasp. Who did the voice belong to? Once again, I look around the room. I know for sure it wasn't Applejack; the voice sounded not the least bit country. And it wasn't Rarity, either, because it wasn't all Canterlot accented. Rainbow? No, she's out cold. Pinkie wasn't the one talking to me, since the voice wasn't all high-pitched like Pinkie's voice naturally is. It didn't sound like a guy, so Spike's out of the question.

So that leaves me with Twilight, Ivory, or Fluttershy. It definitely wasn't Ivory; I would've noticed it right off the bat. Nor was it Twilight, for the same reason. So, Fluttershy was talking to me? It seemed rather loud for the pegasus pony, to say the least...

Argh, I can't make sense of anything right now. I sigh and yawn, then say, "Yeah, Blaze, it's time to get some rest..."

I pluffed up what little pillow I could out of the makeshift, and place my right cheek steadily on it, as to not send all the pine jabbing into my face. My eyelids were fighting to stay open when I mutter to myself, "Maybe it really did never happen. Maybe you've been sleeping all along, and this is all... one... big..."

My sudden drowsiness didn't let me finish the sentence.

Chapter 6.) Preparations Are Complete, Let's Go

"Dream!?"

It seemed as though I had just shut my eyelids, when it was morning. Not just that, but everypony was up and doing their own thing. Wide awake. Looks like I'm the only one who ended up sleeping in.

"Oh! Good morning, Blaze," Rarity noticed me first. "How'd you sleep?"

"I guess I... I don't know. I had a really weird dream..."

She giggled. "Oh, don't we all sometimes. Well, time to get up, sweepy-head. Got to manage our home best we can!"

"Heh, true that. Well, what can I --"

I cut my sentence short, because it suddenly occurred to me that I was the center of everypony's attention. I take a quick glance around the room to see everypony's eyes just staring right back. I could tell I was reddening up in the face, so I quickly duck over and say, "Oh, come on! Don't you ponies have anything better to do than to just stare at me?"

"Nope! Not a thing in Equestria!" Pinkie Pie bounced in place.

Faded Ivory laughed from the other end of the room. "Well, good morning, Blaze!"

"Good morning," I say, while hiding my face in my forehooves.

Then, everypony who hadn't said it yet, said the same damn thing. I'm pretty sure that was the fastest time in my life ever that I've received that many 'good mornings' at one time. Once they each said theirs, they went back to whatever they were doing prior. Well, everypony except Ivory, who looked like she had something to say.

"Are you ready, Blaze?"

I sigh. "I sure hope so. I do hope everypony does their best to be careful. All it takes is one mistake down in Neightherworld..."

"Well, a couple ponies volunteered to set it out, if that makes you feel better."

"Fluttershy?"

"And Rarity."

"Heheh. Yeah, guess that makes sense, for Rarity not wanting to go to such a -" I raise my forehoof to my forehead to mock Rarity's signature damsel moment, and prepare my voice as best I can, " -'miserable' location."

Ivory only looked at me as if I were an idiot. "Yeah... Right..."

"Oh, like you didn't see that coming?"

"No, I definitely expected you to say something. That's why my reaction was horrible. Sorry."

"Oh, you're fine. Just kinda threw me off guard, is all."

"Blaze, why are you holding your head?" I jumped as Rarity's voice suddenly rang out from behind me.

I quickly put my hoof down, turn my head, and meet her blue eyes halfway. "What? Huh? I don't know what you're talking about!"

She just sent me a sinister look out of the corner of her eye, but my smile seemed to show her that I was just joking. "Well, try not to hurt yourself, hmm? You need to be in best physical condition before you hit the road." She smiled, but turned it upside down when she took a glance at my gut. "Umm, at least best possible physical condition..."

I sigh. "I know, I know. I haven't had much food over the past two months. What little we did find in the caves, I usually just gave to Twilight, and she's no better than I am."

"Wait a minute!" Rarity stuck her hoof out. "Are you saying that you haven't eaten in two months!?"

"Oh, goodness, no! Of course I threw a few things in my face every now or later."

She nodded slowly, then sighed. "Well, see if you can't do anything about that. Here, I'll go see if Applejack has any food for you --"

"No no no, that's fine. I'm not hungry." I lied. "Rather, go see if Twilight wants anything to eat."

"Okay."

As she was walking away, I suddenly had the urge to ask her. "Oh, hey, Rarity."

"Yes?"

"You're... not coming?"

She looked down to the ground. "I'm sorry, Blaze. I can't go into that kind of place, you understand, right?"

"Rarity. What if we need you?"

"Who, me?" She started using her damsel thing. "Oh, I'm sure one of your other companions can do whatever I could possibly do down there in - heheh - Neightherworld? I'll just be a hindrance!"

Hmph! She just doesn't want to get her hooves dirty. "No, that's where you're wrong. What if we need the Elements of Harmony? Everypony has to come."

Obviously she didn't like that idea. "Oh, come on, Blaze. What could we possibly need the Elements for down there? And what if one of us drops theirs?"

"I'm sure everypony is going to treat their Element as if it were their lives. Look, I'm sorry. Every Element Bearer HAS to come."

"Mmm..." she ducked her head and dropped her ears. "Oh, alright..."

I drop my ears, too. "Hey, I understand you don't wanna go. I do. I don't really wanna go, either. But it's my mother down there! How would you feel if it was your mother?"

She swallowed. "Well, uhh... I-if it was... My mother... Then..."

"See? I need your help. Luna needs your help."

"Okay." A smile reformed on her lips. "I'll do my best for you, Blaze. For Princess Luna. But right now, I need to see if Twilight is hungry."

The way she said it brought a smile to my face as well. "Would you kindly?"

Once she made her way across the room, I turn back to Faded Ivory, whose conversation with me I have completely forgotten. Thank goodness she started it back up. "Wow."

I pretend to be irritated. "What!?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just didn't know you could talk like that..."

I raise my eyebrow. "'Talk?' Whada you mean?"

She smiled. "Blaze, that was awesome! You're such a persuasive talker! I wish I had a tongue like yours!"

Feeling like a smartass, I stick my tongue out. "wath tho thpethial about my tongue?"

"Not your tongue, tongue, just -- Oh, never mind."

"It's alright. I know what you meant."

Ivory nodded. "Okay, well, uhh... Get your stuff together, Blaze. We've got a long day ahead of us."

I shrug. "I don't have any stuff."

"So, you're ready?"

"I guess so..."

Our conversation was going nowhere. Thankfully, Rainbow's voice rang out from across the room. "Alright, everypony ready to go?"

Pinkie answered first. "Yes, ma'am!"

Next was Applejack. "Yup!"

Followed by Rarity. "As ready as I can!"

Then Ivory. "Yes!"

Up next; Twilight. "Absolutely!"

I took my turn. "All set!"

Rainbow looked behind me. "Fluttershy?"

Reflexively, I turn to see what she was looking at. Sure enough, there's a creamy-colored pegasus huddled up in the corner, shaking up a storm. "Please don't make me go..."

At the sound of her innocent voice, I half-smile, half-sigh as I start to walk up to her. "It's okay, Fluttershy. We'll take care of you."

She gasped and hid under her forehooves. "No! I don't wanna go!"

The way she said it brought my ears down. "Look, Fluttershy," I say slowly, "I'm sure none of us want to go. It's just that we have to. Luna's depending on us."

"Luna can depend on you all, but not me!"

Her stubborn attitude is quickly irritating me. "Oh, yes she does, Fluttershy! She is depending on ALL the Element Bearers, just in case."

"Mmm, What could you want with the Elements down in... In...?"

"Neightherworld?"

She yelped. "Forget it! I'm not going!"

That pissed me off. "You know what!?" I throw my forehooves in the air and turn to face the others, "Fine! Let's just leave Luna to rot down there, okay!? Just because Fluttershy's too stubborn to play her role as an Element Bearer! Fuck it, Rainbow; we're not going anymore!"

Rainbow raised her eyebrow. "You sure, Blaze? I mean, if we can't get her out of there, Tyrant Celestia wins!"

I shake my head. "We need Fluttershy, just in case we need the Elements."

"Oh, come on, Blaze." Twilight had walked up to my side. "Don't you think you're jumping the hurdle just a bit? All of Neightherworld is rumored to be where all evil is locked away, so it could render the Elements useless."

It took me a short moment to decipher Twilight's meaning. "Oh, okay, I gotcha. You're saying if we were to use the Elements down there, the evil entities would just refresh themselves, because they're already in banishment..."

"Unfortunately, yes, that's what I'm getting at."

I turn back to the pegasus on the floor. "Well, Fluttershy, looks like you're getting off easy this time."

"Now wait just a minute!" Rarity blared out. "If I have to go, then she has to, too!"

"Nope. Rarity, you no longer have to go, either."

"Oh, I'm still going. I'm doing it for Luna. For you."

A smile formed on my face as I walked over to Rainbow Dash. "Well, thanks, Rarity. Thank you all, everypony."

Pinkie. "You're welcome!"

Applejack. "Well, shucks."

Rainbow. "No prob, Blaze."

Rarity. "Of course."

Ivory. "Absolutely, Blaze."

Twilight. "It's the least I can do."

I nod, and clear my throat. "Okay, let's try this again. Preparations are complete?"

Everypony except Fluttershy threw a hoof up. "We! Are! Ready!"

Without looking, I pull up the foldable door of the hideaway. "Let's go!"

Author's Note

Okay, things are finally going to heat up a bit. I can honestly say that I've kinda disappointed myself for not having too much adventure yet in the story, but that's quickly going to change now!

Once Blaze and the others actually get to Neightherworld, shit'll start goin down.

Just please stay tuned until then.

Chapter 7.) Breaking And Entering

Once I opened the door, all the ponies grouped up around Twilight. Standing there, holding the door open, feeling like an idiot because I forgot that Twilight can just transport us.

Wait. No she can't. Unless she's been to Neightherworld before. "What's going on? Twilight can't teleport to Neightherworld if she hasn't been there before."

"Blaze," Ivory said nonchalantly, "we gotta find out where Neightherworld is first."

What? "So, you plan to teleport to a place you've never been before? It's not possible!"

Twilight stood up. "Oh, Blaze, we can't just go out and start looking for the entrance to Neightherworld like this. We need leads. Which is why I'm taking you to Canterlot Library."

"Me?" I put my forehoof on my chest. "Then why's everypony else grouping up?"

"Good question!" She tapped her chin. "Why are they grouping up around me? Do they all suddenly think they all get to go to Canterlot?"

At that comment, everypony relunctantly backed off, except Rainbow Dash. Walking through the aisle they've formed, I made my way over to Twilight. It was when I was directly in front of her when Rainbow said, "Yeah, right! Twilight, Blaze, and I have been self-recruited for this stealth mission! You should remember, everypony; Twilight announced it clear as day this morning." Really? When did she say that? Ehh, must've been when I was asleep...

I could barely hear Applejack mutter to herself. "Ah still can't help but fear Rainbow maight blow it like she did last time..."

Taking that into consideration, I ask, "You gonna be careful this time, Rainbow?"

She let out a small gasp, but tried to pass it off as she cleared her throat. She then brought her hoof to her forehead in salute. "Extra careful! Can't afford to blow it again..."

"Anyway," Twilight reannounced herself, "we better get going. Ready Blaze? Rainbow?"

I shrug. "I guess."

"Alright, get ahold."

I nod and place my hoof on Twilight's back. Rainbow did the same. From there, I watched as Twilight's horn glew with her aura. I sigh, and eventually close my eyes in preparation for the wormhole.

POOF!!

Once we stopped moving through space-time, we were all launched violently out into Equestria. Myself, I landed on my chest and skid a ways down the grass before I even started to slow down. Twilight definitely landed with a thud of some sort, cuz she didn't go far at all. Rainbow must've just flown out of it.

When the friction finally brought me to a halt, my hind legs hit the ground hard, propelling my upper torso upward just a bit. Then, I just laid there, to make sure I wasn't moving and to reclaim my steady eyesight. Once I felt confident enough to stand, I pushed up with my forehooves. The first thing I did was observe my coat; it was a mess of mud and grass, but there wasn't any blood. I let out my relief in one fluent breath, and turn my attention to my surroundings.

For what I can see, this section of Canterlot is restored. The grass is green again, the rubble was cleaned up, and buildings were back up. Apparently, Celestia was busy reconstructing her capitol while Twilight and I were stuck in the Crystal Caves.

I finally turn to find Twilight and Rainbow. "Where are we?"

Rainbow shushed me. "Quiet, dude!" she whispered. "We're directly outside Canterlot Library! You wanna get us caught!?"

I cringed, but only faintly, then stood back up on all fours. I then answered back, just as quietly, "Sorry."

Twilight finally stood up, too, and shook off the dizziness. "Yes, Blaze, be careful. Even though it is still early in the morning, Celestia will raise the sun soon, so we don't have much time. We need to locate a reference guide to Neightherworld before any Guards find us."

I nod. "We're all gonna go in at once?"

"That was the plan, why?"

"I have a better way."

Twilight tilted her head. "Oh, really? Do share, then."

I smiled. "Check this out. I remember using this spell multiple times in my corrupted past. Let's see if it still works..."

"Blaze, this isn't the time OR the place to be experimenting with spells!"

"I know, just trust me."

Without waiting for a response from Twilight, I began to piece together the strands of the spell from my mind, causing my horn to glow with its fiery essence. The spell is adaquately difficult, so it may take some conjuring, but it always worked in the past.

Almost half a minute passed, and it was finally ready. Grunting, I aim toward the sky and let it go. The resulting blob of magic that materialized was exactly what I remembered. The spell, having shaped itself into a sphere, levitated off the ground directly in between me and Twilight. Panting, I smiled as I observed her expression; her eyes were fixed on the glowing orb of swiveling pale pink, green, and blue. "...Wow..." was all she had to say.

I laugh quietly. "This is called a 'Timeloop.' It resets time to a certain point after a certain amount has passed. All the ponies whom touch it are the only ones that remember anything during the timeloop. With this, we can try multiple ways of entering and retrieving the guide, while finding the quickest and stealthiest way to do it, so when we actually disspell the Timeloop, we can do it right on the first try."

"A Time-Bender! This category of magics wasn't even perfected by Starswirl when he stored them away! Since then, only a handful of the best unicorns have actually mastered any Time-Bender spells! That's so awesome, Blaze!"

"Thanks. Now, I've set the Timeloop to return us to the point when we all touch it. It'll reset whenever I tell it to via magic, or if it hits the reset timer, as I like to call it. I've set it to reset after half an hour. However, it's absolutely essential we all touch it at nearly the same time, so Rainbow, Twilight, get ready."

They both nod. Rainbow lands and puts up her hoof about a foot away from the Timeloop, and Twilight did the same. Gathering my breath one moer time, I finally follow. I give them both a quick look before I say, "On three..."

They avert their sights to the Timeloop, in approval.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three!"

Simultaneously, we lunge out and touch the Timeloop. I closed my eyes, caught hold of a deep breath, and prayed the spell still worked. I gave it a second or so before I opened them again, and what I saw... was the dirt.

"..."

Guess I looked away somewhere in there! Once I find the Timeloop, I'm relieved to see that it had turned black and white, just as it should. Rainbow and Twilight step away from the Timeloop and both look at me. Rainbow spoke first, "Did it work?"

I ask, "Is the Timeloop black and white now?"

They both glance back to it, and back.

"Yes."

"Alright." I look down to the ground.

Twilight shuddered. "Is that bad?"

"Nah, everything's fine. That's supposed to happen."

"Okay..."

"It just means we did it right. Relax. We'll remember everything from the Timeloop, so repeating this process will be easier."

Twilight and Rainbow both nod.

"So," I tilt my head, "how do you suggest we enter the Library?"

Twilight turned to the right. "The main entrance is over in that direction a ways, and that'll probably be the most heavily guarded, so... That's out of the question."

Rainbow raised her hoof. "Why don't we find a window or something and fly in? That way, we have a small vantage point to help decide on where to go first."

"Umm, hello?" Twilight smirked. "No wings?"

I shrug. "She's right, Rainbow. How bout we split up? Once the Timeloop resets, we can tell each other what we saw, and make educated moves based off of them."

"Alright," Rainbow nodded. "See ya, guys!" She then kicked off the ground and flew up over the Castle.

Once she disappeared behind the walls, I made eye contact with Twilight again. "Find a way in, Twi. I know nothing will happen after the Timeloop resets, but please, try to be careful."

A few seconds passed, while she just sat there, smiling. She then finally turned and said, "You too, Blaze."

Author's Note

Ugh, another dialogue chapter...

Things should start heating up now, though.

Notice

From some stupid reason or other, I've worked myself into another writer's block. I know where I want to take the story, but, ugh, something's wrong. I just can't write anything.

So, I kinda have no choice but to stall progress on this story a bit. In the meantime, feel free to check out some of these stories:

Your Wings Were Made For Angels by Still Breeze: Epic OC adventure -- Join Cantor as he lives a new life in Equestria while awaiting a huge threat that not even the Elements of Harmony can stop.

Of Demonic Firepower by Blazing_Mane01: Devil May Cry crossover in which Ebony and Ivory have been turned into ponies, and Dante and the two handguns are lobbed into Equestria. WARNING: Rated mature

This Magic Moment by ScatMan2001: Second-person fic starring you and Princess Celestia. Live each day one at a time; figure out how you got to Equestria, lead your own Royal Guard unit, hang out with your friends, and have the best relationship possible with your immortal marefriend. WARNING: Rated mature

Through Hell and Back by Still Breeze: Sequel to Your Wings Were Made For Angels. WARNING: Rated mature

Hard Reset by Eakin: Twilight Sparkle is caught in a timeloop. Changelings are invading Canterlot again, and the unicorn keeps dying. What does she need to do to set everything straight again?

The Rise of Iron Mare by Alexstrazsa: Iron Man crossover in which Twilight Sparkle is Iron Mare.

In all fairness, these are all off of my favourite's list, so you could actually just look here