Discreditedby chloralonerChaptersToo Much To Think AboutThe Boldest MeasuresDaffodils and DiscoveriesGifts, Sandwiches and SilenceToo Much To Think AboutIn countless universes, infinite lavender unicorns found themselves in a cave of crystal, mocked by mimics and driven to despair. With the uncanny luck that accompanies the destiny-driven, they reunited with a multitude of tiara-laden princesses and proceeded to win the day through song, love, and willpower in the darkest hour. In countless universes, there are countless deviations. A left-turning passage in one goes right in another, a blue crystal is purple, a Pegasus is an earth pony. In one universe, the darkest hour became some very dark years. Twilight awoke again. She had lost count of the number of times she had found herself waking up, the count she’d kept in her head being lost around seven-hundred fifty-four. It was all the crystals. All crystal and no sun make Twilight lose… track. The lack of companionship helped, too. Sure, she’d kept herself adequate company at first, holding extended conversations with her reflection, sometimes even learning a thing or two in the process. After a while, though, Twilight had stopped talking to herself, which broke her heart. She wondered what she’d done to make her so mad at herself, and hoped to patch things up soon enough. It would be a revolutionary lesson in friendship. It would make for an excellent letter to Princ…. No. Wet face. Wet hooves. Estimated water wastage: five-point-six milliliters. No. No. No. Twilight awoke again. Mental checklist time. Checklists don’t turn on you. First item: add variety to diet of moss with some lichen. Check and yuck. Retry topaz passage and take downward-sloping branch this time: check. Mark walls with paint spell to keep track of progress: check. Wish for just one book, even a brochure or pamphlet: check. Sigh, and jump at the noise: check. Re-check mental checklist for the sake of checking: check. Splatter head with paint spell trying to physically put a checkmark on mental checklist: giggle. Notice faint blue light receding into thrice-marked beryl corridor: wait… what? This was new. In the dark and the dank, new is good. New means hope. Twilight allowed herself a measure of hope and cantered after the anomaly. As mysterious lights go, this one set quite a pace. The will-o-wisps at Froggy Bottom Bog could use some lessons from this one. Sharp left, increase pace, upward slope, breathe. Twilight’s breaths were greedy and grasping, taking all the oxygen they could and demanding more as her canter became a gallop and the beryl became calcite. Soft right, level floor, chase the light. Twilight was struggling. Foraging for moss and making checklists uncounted hours a day were not activities conducive to increasing one’s running prowess. Another upward slope and she was gaining. Could lights get tired? No matter, she kept to the chase. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, breathe, ache. Twilight couldn’t remember the last time she’d pushed herself so hard. Everything hurt, and the ground struck her hooves a little harder with every bound. Left, up, hop over the stalagmite. Twilight let a little more hope in, almost smiling. Stalagmites meant she was approaching the surface. It was younger rock, yet to blossom into the crystals so prevalent further below. She could hardly believe it. Freedom was just a little bit farther; she could feel it in her bones. The light was a true friend. Faster, faster, keep up with your new friend. Twilight could have sworn she felt a cool, fresh breeze from somewhere ahead. Time for a celebration! She turned her face and blew a raspberry at the miserable caverns she had left behind. She was so happy then, that she forgot to pay attention to the path ahead. Young rock or old, a stalagmite will still play royal hell on one’s skull if they run into it full-tilt. Hello, darkness, not my friend. As always, Twilight awoke. It had passed repetitive and come out the other side. Groggy and sore, she wished for the merciful numbness she was sure decapitation could bring. Her head felt like cotton candy soaked in boiling chocolate milk. Stretching her neck and joints, Twilight got back on her hooves and took stock of her surroundings through half-lidded eyes. At least she would have, had there been any surroundings. Beneath her was the same rocky ground she had become so accustomed to, but above her and to each side, there was only soft blue light. At least it didn’t leave me behind. “Twilight.” A voice! It was a stallion’s voice, young adult and without accent or affectation. He sounded rather bored, though. Twilight snapped her head towards the direction she had been hailed from, regretting it immediately as her headache intensified. Better respond. Don’t let him leave without you. She licked her dry lips, and long-unused vocal cords were put to work. “Hhhhchk?” That was embarrassing. Come on, you can’t forget how to talk. I haven’t been alone that long. “Hhh’loh?” Close enough. He had to have heard me. The little ground around her led upwards through the blue void like a bridge. She could see the underside of a round landmass from her position. “Come, Twilight. Let’s talk.” Easier said than done. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more listening. It’ll be worth it if it gets me out of here. Twilight steeled herself and traversed the floating bridge. Upon reaching the top, Twilight was taken aback. Where there had always been rock and the occasional crystal fragments, this new area was covered in pure white flagstones, precisely cut and fitted. Just like the palace at Cante… No. She squeezed her eyes shut. Not now. Focus on the present. There are more immediate things to worry about. She sniffed and opened her eyes, then widened them in surprise. “There’s no need to cry any longer, Twilight. You have my word that the worst is over. Fate dealt you a losing hand, but you aren’t out of chips quite yet.” The words, sounding bored beyond belief, came from an earth pony that had appeared before her. Brown coat, dark brown mane, and a face that looked unimpressed but not unkind. He had no mark, but Twilight was more taken by his eyes. White sclerae are a fact of life for all ponies. His were as black as the deepest reaches of the crystal caverns. Then again, I should be more concerned about the fact that he’s floating. “Hhhow?” Twilight managed to choke out, her self-consciousness overruled by sheer fascination. The strange pony tilted his head to the side. “Make no mistake, Twilight Sparkle, I am not one of you. In countless worlds, countless are my forms. I have been a winged serpent, a whale, and a descendant of apes. In all worlds, I am called The Outsider, and this world is mine: The Void. I have drawn you here because your world is in turmoil, and you will serve a purpose in fast-approaching times, as you have before. You alone were not fooled by a vicious creature masquerading as an old friend. Your stake is personal and I offer you my gift.” At this, Twilight’s right fore-hoof began to burn. She cried out, and lifted it to her face. A black scar, all spikes, curves, and utterly unnatural had appeared on the underside, a wisp of smoke blowing away in a breeze she couldn’t feel. She set her jaw and glared at the earth pony, waiting for his explanation. “This mark grants you power that other ponies will never know. You will need it, and you will soon know why. For now, return to your world, and prepare yourself. Your time in the darkness is nearing its end. You will face challenges, doubts, and determine for yourself just what kind of pony you are. Be well; I will be watching.” Twilight’s eyes widened once more as the “Outsider” dissolved before her eyes, and then everything began to swim and swirl before going black. Twilight awoke. The first thing she saw was yet another crystal, and her eyes began to moisten again. Just a dream, maybe a dying hallucination. Am I starving? Dehydrated? She raised her hoof to wipe her eyes when she saw it; the mark. It was still on her hoof. It was real. “I will need it, and I’ll soon know why….” That statement made little sense, considering there was little that her horn couldn’t do, but it remained at the forefront of her thoughts as she picked her way along the path she had been following. Never mind, there’s that breeze again! Watch your step this time! Twilight perked up and forced herself to hurry, making sure to avoid any obstacles, her lingering headache a reminder that the cave was not to be mocked. The scent of daffodils reached her nose, and her stomach gurgled. Yes! So close! With a wheeze, Twilight banked around a corner and almost sobbed with joy. Sunlight. Glorious, life-giving midday sunlight saturated the passage she had entered. The nightmare was over. She breathed deeply and truly smiled for the first time in her recent memory. “Fff…Fff…Free?” she said, and walked into the light. The Boldest MeasuresIn a forest clearing near the base of Canterlot Mountain, a flock of birds took off in alarm. “Oh ahhh am a maaaare of constant sorrowww, I’ve seen trouble all m-“ “You’ll see plenty of trouble if you don’t stop that howling. This locator spell is exhausting enough without your ‘Opal-in-heat’ impression.” Applejack pushed up the brim of her Stetson and scowled at her fussy fashionista friend. “Well ‘scuse me fer tryin’ to stay sane, Rarity. You’ve been re-triangulatin’ Twi’s position fer hours now! I’m startin’ to think that horn a’ yours is just fer decoration.” “It’s a class-three divination! They require simply exorbitant amounts of concentration, more practice than I’ve had time for, and few unicorns ever have need of it anyway! If you’re so bored, try and think of what in Equestria we’ll say to Twilight when we find her. Her last memory of us isn’t exactly pleasant.” “Understatement of th’ century….” The ochre earth pony let the brim of her hat sink once more as she replayed the fateful footage in her head, as she had each day since Twilight disappeared over two years previously. At first, everypony had dismissed it as a simple tantrum at having her paranoid delusions dismissed. Twilight was known for acting erratic under stress, and a wedding rehearsal isn’t exactly the place to voice concerns. No proof, no earth-shattering revelations, just increasingly frantic ramblings and easily-refuted conclusions. Most of the attendees were glad Twilight had pushed off after that. The wedding went off without a hitch, and Equestria was all set to return to normal, but then Celestia and Luna had gone on an “extended sabbatical”, as Cadance had proclaimed. Things had slowly grown more dubious from that day on. Contrary to rumor, Applejack could be fooled by a convincing enough lie, but something about the way the royal messenger had smirked when he gave the news to Ponyville just hadn’t sat well with her. That was just a start. That first decree soon multiplied, bringing a deluge of changes that raised even more eyebrows than the unveiling of Pinkie’s Incoherently-Screaming Lemon Tarts®. More intensive security measures for the capital city were understandable enough. Cadance obviously just wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the Sisters when they returned. Ponies would grumble under the new curfews and restricted travel, but ponies would always find something to grumble about. What didn’t make sense was that these changes came on the tail of half the royal guard being sacked. Every Pegasus guard, no matter the rank, was stripped of uniform, handed a pittance of discharge pay, and told to leave Canterlot with their civilian brethren. That last bit had caused an uproar, but what could they do? Rebel? Unthinkable. Rent in Canterlot was too high anyway, and there were plenty of local guard positions available in other cities. If the new Princess wanted to establish a no-fly zone over her city, then so be it. The pegasi of Canterlot packed their bags, made their farewells, and set off for friendlier pastures. There were a few dissenters, but they barely made it to the palace gates before being “forcibly discouraged” and sent away. With no aerial observation and ground access restricted to official business, Canterlot had gone dark. Applejack prided herself on being able to adapt to political changes. As long as she had her farm, family and friends, the princesses could tap-dance on the Griffon ambassador’s head for all she cared. The new changes had given her pause, but she waved it away as Cadance just going a little overboard; caring too much. What finally vindicated Twilight in her mind was the incident in the North-East acre. Applejack had dealt with crop thieves before. Normally a brief chase, stern lecture, and offer to let the miscreant do a simple chore as payment were enough. In this case, the would-be thief was no longer strong enough to stand, let alone knock an apple down with his horn-magic. Hopping the fence had obviously used up the last bit of the unicorn’s strength. The Apple family wasn’t heartless. Show up in bad straits, and you could expect a measure of kindness. The interloper flinched at the sound when Applejack gave the nearest tree a gentle buck, and looked up in time for the ripest Baldwin on the tree to spear itself on his horn. He whispered a sheepish thank-you and began to eat. Applejack tipped her hat, retrieved an apple for herself, and took a moment to look the stranger over. Gunmetal grey fur stretched over a distressingly pronounced ribcage, charcoal mane and tail, and a tattered cream cardigan tied around his neck were all the pony had to him. He was spattered with dried mud and his hooves were chipped. He had been traveling for a while, but without even a pair of saddlebags? No supplies. This pony had left home in a hurry. Odd, but even in his emaciated state, Applejack felt sure she had seen him before. Suddenly, recognition hit her like a flying tackle from her older brother. “Ah remember you. Yer one of them high-falutin’ types from Canterlot. Me ‘n’ mah friends crashed a little garden party ‘a’ yers a couple years back. Jet Set, right? What’s got you runnin’ around all the way out here?” The unicorn stiffened like a foal caught misbehaving, but Applejack’s easygoing smile loosened his windpipe. “Had to leave Canterlot. Couldn’t stay after they took Upper Crust….” “Woah there, ain’t Upper Crust-“ “My wife, yes. She refused to report to the palace when her number came up for the weekly survey, so they came and dragged her off in the night. Blew our front door clear from the frame, handed me a writ of “indefinite detainment”, and told me I would receive the same treatment if I interfered or made any sort of fuss.” “All that fer not takin’ a survey?” “It’s not a simple questionnaire. It’s another security measure they enacted after the pegasi were evicted. I was called in for it the first week it was enacted. I only remember handing my summons to the gate guard, following him inside, and then being led back out and handed a sugar cookie. I was halfway home when I realized it was mid-afternoon. I had reported for my survey first thing in the morning, and I couldn’t remember any of it.” “That’s mighty fishy. Mah friend told me that amnesia-spells were outlawed, even for the princesses.” “It gets worse. For days after that, I felt like I was sleepwalking. I couldn’t focus on anything, felt constantly tired, and could barely hold a conversation. I fear my behavior was what led my dear Upper Crust to take a stand and refuse her summons. I told her it was for the good of the city, but she was always the more headstrong of us. If only I had put on a better façade….” Jet Set’s eyes began to glisten, and he cleared his throat, trying to collect himself. Applejack knocked the tree with her foreleg, and a few more apples landed between them. He smiled in thanks and took one. Applejack let him eat for a moment as she digested this new information. She wasn’t the most knowledgeable pony when it came to laws not related to agriculture and property zoning, but arrests in the night? Detainment without trial? Amnesia spells? It all seemed so excessive. These measures were unheard of when Celestia and Luna were in power. “Did ya at least try to make an appeal? Ya had to have had some kinda legal options.” The unicorn swallowed and looked even more hangdog. “I am a coward. Princess Cadance abolished open-court, but I walked to the palace the morning after they took Upper Crust. I made it as far as the bridge to the gate when I saw the guards. They used to be so stoic, just looking straight ahead like the world around them didn’t exist. Now? They were staring right at me, whispering to each other and grinning. They were practically begging for me to approach them. I knew then that I had no options. Canterlot was no longer the city I once loved. I had to get out, and hopefully make it to my cousin’s Villa in Los Pegasus. Hopefully, I can seek some legal counsel from there for my Upper Crust and lay low for a bit until the princesses return.” “How’d ya get out? I heard that the gates are all locked down.” He smirked. “There are more ways out of the city than the gates. Canterlot Mountain is riddled with tunnels from an old crystal mine. They’re easy to get lost in, but I memorized a path through it to the forest at the mountain’s base when I was younger. It was quite a trek, but worth it when Upper Crust and I wanted to have a picnic without troubling ourselves with the crowds at the local park. His ears drooped. “The clearing outside of the mine’s entrance was always so peaceful, so disconnected from the rest of the world. It felt like we were the only ponies that existed in those days. We eventually married and saw no reason to sneak off any more, but I never forgot the route through the mine.” Alright, girl, knowin’ mah life, it’ll be useful to know where that entrance is. “Tell ya what, pardner, if ya can draw up a map to that mine entrance from here, I can put ya up in the barn loft ‘til ya feel strong enough to move on. I’ll even throw in all the apples ya can carry.” That was the fairest deal the starving pony had been offered in weeks. He couldn’t possibly have agreed any faster. He even did a second one of the route through the mine itself. In its entirety, there were too many twists, turns and double-backs in the mountain for one pony to memorize, but the route itself was straightforward enough. Applejack’s guest rested and feasted for a few days, and then set off on his way, somewhat heavier for the apples in his newly-borrowed bags. The farmer waved as he left, gratified at having done some good, and then smirked as she patted the band of her Stetson where she had secured her new maps. Every time some evil nonsense happens, it’s me ‘n’ the gals that get called in ta fix it. It’s about time we had ourselves a li’l advantage. “Applejack, you impossibly dilatory, steatopygous excuse for a draft animal! Get your face out of the dirt and let’s go! The spell is locked onto Twilight again!” Applejack jumped to her hooves and took stock of her situation; as much as she could with Rarity’s face glaring daggers mere inches from her own. Rarity backed away and breathed to calm herself when Applejack’s eyes focused on her. “Finally! I’ve been calling you for five minutes. You really spend far too much time with Pinkie. Now look! The spell’s working again.” Applejack looked up and sure enough, a strong blue line of light ran from Rarity’s horn through the air and around an outcropping of boulders. “’Bout time ya got it going again. Guess yer good fer somethin’ after all.” “Hmph!” The verbally-dueling duo set about the task of following the locator spell. Trepidation at what would happen upon finding their quarry kept their pace at a canter, as both ponies knew it would be an awkward reunion. In two years of writing letters to Twilight’s relatives and searching her old haunts, none of the girls had thought of this: the simplest, fastest solution. Spike had come across one of Twilight’s old spellbooks one day as he cleaned the Library, and smacked himself on the head with the palm of his hand. Seeker’s Spells of Divination and Deduction Lay on Twilight’s desk, where it had been since before the fateful wedding. He gathered up the book and the girls, and hooves met faces all around. Being the only remaining unicorn of the group, Rarity had no choice but to volunteer her horn. It had been slow going, as she was no Twilight, but progress was progress. “Ah hope it holds this time. Ah ain’t too keen on makin’ camp this close to the mountain.” “Have faith, Applejack. We’re close. Look at how thick the beam is.” Rarity increased her pace, and Applejack followed suit. “Say, Rare?” “What?” “Steatopygous?” “Fat-flanked.” “Ya been eyein’ mah flank, sugarcube?” “Only in horror. Now shut up and move.” Daffodils and DiscoveriesNote to self: The next time you spend an eternity in a cave with no natural light, WAIT UNTIL SUNSET before rushing out with your eyes wide open! Idiot…. “Nnngh….” Twilight unclenched her eyes ever so slightly; just enough to locate the daffodils she had smelled before going half-blind. Food. She had knelt in the grass when the sunlight took its toll, and now found herself surrounded by treats. Nature’s apology. Gently, as if sudden movements would scare the flowers away, she leaned down and began to eat. Each delicate petal was like a feathery pill of concentrated deliciousness extract. Twilight couldn’t remember having eaten anything so wonderful. Having nothing but moss and lichen for long enough would do that to a mare. There were more than enough flowers around for her to truly feast until sated. “Mmmm….” By mid-afternoon, the trees had rescued Twilight from any further pain to the eyes, and she looked around, feeling a serenity she hadn’t known in some time. Of course, that feeling lasted right up to the moment she began thinking again. I can’t go back to Canterlot, and do I want to go back to Ponyville? How long was I gone? Did they search for me, or just declare me dead the moment I vanished? Do they care, or was the wedding just a… just a start? Twilight sighed. No more crying about it. Keep it together, focus on the present. You’re free and need to prepare yourself. Start by figuring out how to talk again. Say “checklist. “Ch..Chh..Ch’cklssst.” This doesn’t make sense. No throat pain, no breathing problems, but no language nonetheless. Is it only language? Sing the scales. “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ahhhhh.” That came out perfectly. You’ve ruled out physical damage, and you can still sing…wordlessly. The loss of speech must be psychosomatic, then. It seems so needlessly dramatic; make a big scene at a wedding, have every friend you’ve had so far turn their backs on you, get sent to glassy purgatory…I think I’ve narrowed down the causes. How do I fix this? Do I need to? If the girls remember me, I doubt I have the patience to say anything to them. Do I even need them any more? …Yes. For now. Plan for the future: Cadance is evil. She sent me to the caves and has my brother in the sole of her hoof. If nopony else has stopped her, then I will. Not for Equestria, not for Celestia, for me. The girls will likely want to help somehow, and I’ll let them. We’ll save Equestria one last time, and then I’ll leave them behind just like they left me. Smirking, Twilight stood and deduced the cardinal directions with help from what she could see of the sun’s position. Choosing South-West on a whim, she took a slow gait through the ancient oaks, an old, sacred grove having grown in the shadow of Canterlot Mountain since the princesses knew youth. A fresh, Alpine breeze blew down across her back, and carried the songs of a multitude of nesting birds. So many different stimuli should have been overwhelming, but nothing could spoil Twilight Sparkle’s good mood when she had a plan. The forest seemed endless, but Twilight was not bothered by it. The ground beneath her hooves was soft and welcoming to her, lacking the sharp jolts each step in her last home had sent up her frame. Her only concern was the thirst that her recent meal had brought on. Equestria’s forests were riddled with creeks, springs and ponds. This one was no different. Continuing South and West, Twilight smiled again, having spotted one such creek moving through a clearing occupied by two ponies yelling at each other under a beam of blue light. Resolving to worry about the ponies after slaking her thirst, Twilight set a course for the cool water. “I’m telling you! The spell didn’t ‘fizzle out’ this time! The beam would have dissipated again were that the case. “ “Don’t feed me them road-apples! Why’s the beam cuttin’ off here, then?” Applejack pointed a hoof at the spot in midair where the locator spell abruptly cut off. “Ya ain’t got enough juice in that horn to cast the spell right! Come clean already, and let’s head back to find a unicorn that can do the dang job!” “You obstinate, plebian oaf!” “Prissy, jelly-horned twit!” “N’so loud….” Twilight mumbled as she passed between the combatants. “Stay out of this, Twilight!” both mares screamed before facing off again. “Jelly-horned is it? At least I’ve made progress. Canvassing Ponyville? Perhaps you think so small because your brain is so small!” “Don’t go takin’ credit fer Spike’s idea, ya little….” Applejack trailed off as she and Rarity lost their scowls. Their eyes locked and widened as the metaphorical lightbulb lit over their heads. As one, they turned, and spotted Twilight bent down at the creek, guzzling water with the intensity she normally reserved for new books. “Twi!” “Darling!” Their quarrel forgotten, the vitriolic voyagers hurried over to their long-lost friend’s side. Their pace slowed when they saw Twilight hadn’t responded, choosing instead to continue drinking. She was truly a mess. Her mane had grown wild; almost as long as Fluttershy’s now, but with enough dust and split ends that Rarity had to bite her tongue to continue looking. Twilight’s hooves would be salvageable with a thorough rasping, and her coat was nearly beige with dirt. “Twi…sugarcube…we’ve been lookin’ all over for ya.” “Indeed. We’re sorry that it took so long. We spent two years searching by hoof before Spikey-Wikey found your divination spells.” “He’s been keepin’ the Library in tip-top shape for ya since we got back. We check on him all the time, but he’s been keepin’ fed since Cadance ain’t canceled yer weekly stipend.” The mention of Cadance seemed to snatch Twilight back into the real world, because she let out a heavy sigh before bending her head back down towards the water. Then she froze, her eyes widened and she let out a whimper so pitiable that Applejack doffed her hat in dread. Slowly, the battered bookworm turned her head to face her friends, and the sight she presented made Rarity retch in sympathetic pain. Her encounter with the stalagmite had done more than just knock her unconscious. Twilight’s horn had snapped off an inch from the base. Twilight’s eyes were still wide with shock, her mouth half-open, but tears flowed now. “Ssssoo-knowwhy….” She said before slumping forward. “Woah, there! I gotcha!” Applejack said, slipping a foreleg under Twilight’s barrel. “Rarity, wipe yer mouth and help me get Twilight on top my back!” Rarity, quietly weeping, lifted her friend with her horn’s magic and set her gently upon the apple farmer. Falling into step, the two mares solemnly made their way back home. “I…I think I know why the beam cut off like it did….” “Ah reckon ah do, too. Sorry ah said that stuff to ya.” “I’m sorry, too.” The two mares and their maimed burden walked on. From a distance, two pairs of solid blue eyes tracked their progress before slinking back towards the mine entrance. Chitinous, black, and riddled with holes, the only difference between the two observers was size, until one broke the silence with a deep baritone. “I honor your keen eyes, sister, that you spotted the mine entrance in such an inconspicuous part of the Market Square.” The smaller one grinned at the praise, and then replied in a gentle soprano. “I honor your strength, brother, that the dark of the mine held no terrors for me.” Upon entering the mine again, the larger of the two paused, before spewing luminous mucus upon the wall. “It is essential that we mark the route we followed a second time, and report the purple one’s emergence to the Queen. This mare was reportedly quite troublesome at the mission’s outset, and her continued freedom is beyond detrimental to all Changelings.” The smaller one scoffed as they turned and climbed. “A single mare, and a hornless unicorn at that? What danger could she pose to us? The swarm is strong now. Even the princesses were subdued by our power.” She looked up to see her brother’s expression had darkened. The little changeling’s ears drooped in anticipation of another lecture. “For an infiltrator, you place an inordinate amount of value on raw power. That is a fatal mistake. Magic and combat prowess can be useful, yes. However, you fail to consider craft and tactics. This pony may be injured and without magic, but she has powerful friends and her leadership skills are said to rival many a minor hive queen.” “And for a warrior, you are frustratingly cautious! The swarm has reached a point where we need not hide our forms any longer! The love we have harvested will last for countless hatch-cycles. The ponies cannot defeat us whether or not they find out the truth. Do you doubt our Queen, brother?” The infiltrator looked up, and realized she had been talking to thin air. “Brother?” No reply. “It will do no good to hide from me, brother. One does not win an argument by walking away.” She waited a moment, and then activated her pheromone-senses. A tell-tale green cloud turned into a passage some yards behind her. “Brother! You know I dislike the darkness! Come back to my side!” Hearing nothing but her own echo, the little changeling sighed and cantered after her brother’s trail. Higher and higher, the path took her ever closer to the heart of the mountain. Never one for the gloom of the hive, the infiltrator much preferred open air. The dark of the mine tore at her nerves, and she began to breathe heavily. “Brother! Answer my call!” The pheromone trail grew thicker and stronger as she followed; winding and turning, no longer able to rely on her sight. She sensed the trail ending at a small chamber not far ahead. Casting a light spell with her horn, the changeling ran to her quarry, and immediately wished she hadn’t. A soft blue aura doused her light spell, and then dragged her, screaming into the dark. Crunch Snap Crunch crunch “Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake….” Gifts, Sandwiches and SilenceBlue fog, hard ground…a voice. “I would speak with you once more, Twilight.” Ugh, not you again. Twilight picked herself up and turned towards the Outsider with a scowl. I have enough going wrong lately without more eldritch nonsense. As before, the enigmatic Earth pony was floating scant feet above her, the very picture of disinterest. At least Discord had some personality. Get on with it, already. “Voiceless and hornless, you may be the most broken mare Equestria has ever seen. What good fortune, then, that you escaped into the bosom of those who still consider themselves dear to you. They believe you now, Twilight. They regret turning on you, and wish to help you. Accept them back into your heart, or simply use them as you will use the power I grant you.” What power? I don’t feel any resonance in the mark like I did in my horn. I can’t shake the feeling that you’re responsible for its loss, too. “I am not.” Eep! The Outsider folded his forelimbs. “You startle too easily for one who has seen and accomplished so much, Twilight Sparkle. It may be part of your charm, endearing, but it will not serve you very well in the days to come. For now, let us remind you of how it felt to be whole. Send your focus to the mark, will yourself across the chasm.” He gestured to a platform behind him, across several yards of thin air. Twilight looked at her hoof, then at her target. Let’s see…. She concentrated on her target, and was rewarded with a fountain of light—blue, like everything Outsider-related it seemed—at the edge of the platform. Hm…shorter range and more deliberate than with horn magic. Will everypony be able to see the designator or is it just me? She released her power as she would via her horn, and found herself precisely where the light-fountain had been. No sound at all, not like the old spell. That should be useful. Ashes rose from the floor and coalesced into Twilight’s newfound mentor. “As you make your way, seek out these tokens, each one carved from a piece of your old life.” As he said this, a small purple charm shaped like a bit-piece appeared between them. A copy of his mark was etched on each side of it. As Twilight reached for it, it promptly disappeared. “I have spread these runes across Equestria for you to find. They will increase your mastery over the mark, and so help you seek what future you desire. To aid your search, I give you this.” A gyrocompass the size of a watch floated down and attached itself to the pastern of Twilight’s right foreleg. “This compass will reveal the locations of the nearest runes, as well as whisper to you secrets that many may wish hidden. Use the compass. Find a rune.” He scattered once again into a cloud of ash. Pieces of my old...You sliced up my horn! Twilight wanted to cry, to throw herself into the void. Mostly, she wanted to punch the Outsider into an infuriatingly cryptic smear. I thought I was done being humiliated. Ugh. Twilight looked at her new compass. South and West? She turned and saw a larger mass, a section of street and building frozen in time across another gap. Focus and…. Twilight was unnerved by the silence of her teleportation ability, but it served its purpose. She glanced down at the compass again, and blanched at the glow emanating from it. She looked closer and…. “This Place Has Seen The Endings Of A Million Unwritten Tales.” “Waagh!” Each word had bypassed her ears, the sentence pounding itself deep into her brain. Slices of my horn, telepathic compasses, silent spells… I hate this place. Recovering from her shock, Twilight looked up, and saw a glow through a brick wall, pulsing in a rhythm matching that of her compass. Spying a stairwell leading upwards, she hastened into the broken shell of what seemed to be an old apartment complex. Let’s see…the glow is coming from room six. The knob wouldn’t turn, but it yielded to a solid bucking. That was easier than I thought. How could I have gotten stronger after all that time in the caves? I should be as feeble as Granny Smith. Eh, blame it on the mark. Upon entering the apartment, Twilight promptly left it due to the lack of a floor in the entryway. Agh! This is ridiculous! Thinking quickly, she designated a spot by what looked like the kitchen, and teleported to it before falling too far. Okay, kill the Outsider later. Where’s the rune? She glanced about for the telltale glow, and followed it to a bedroom. On a nightstand, a piece of lavender horn bearing the Outsider’s mark began to buzz, and sprang to Twilight’s head as she reached for it. Oh come on! All I ask is for ONE thing that won’t surprise me. One thing, Luna help me. Smelling smoke, Twilight recovered from her flinch at the rune’s sudden movement and spotted a mirror. The smoke was coming from atop her skull, as the piece of her horn fused itself back to the stump on her head. Great. Looking out a window, Twilight saw a succession of islands strewn about the void, terminating in a final, curtain-covered stage in the distance. Let’s get this over with. Twilight blinked from perch to perch, focusing and releasing, designating and appearing. She stopped on one floating street section halfway to her target. Strange, my body feels fine, but I can’t focus. It’s like I’m sleepwalking now. A hooflocker lay next to some crumbled masonry a few feet to her side, and she opened it to find a soda can. Pony Joe’s Power Cola!!! assaulted her eyes. Well, everything else has had a purpose here so far, even if the purpose was to annoy me. I guess my power is replenished by sugary drinks now? Huh…I can still focus a little bit. I wonder…. Twilight stretched out her hoof and activated the mark like she had before, but instead of willing herself away, she commanded the can to open itself and come to her. To her pleasant surprise, the drink floated out of its container, opened with a hiss, and approached her waiting gullet. Yesyesyesyesyes! I won’t have to write with my mouth! Invigorated by the drink, Twilight made her way to her destination, and waited for the Outsider to return. Well? I passed your stupid gauntlet. Any more words of advice? She noticed a subtle, slow drumbeat thundering in the distance, but paid it no mind. Come on…what else do I have to do? She looked around. It wasn’t a stage so much as a bit of floor and a wall covered in purple cloth. No runes, no drinks, no Outsider. A dead end. Boom Anything behind this curtain? No. Great. Boom What is that noise? BOOM Everything went black again. …. “Quit pokin’ her, Pinkie. Ah think she’s comin’ to.” “Nngh.” Twilight opened her eyes, and was rewarded for her effort with the sight of three familiar faces. Applejack was grinning through her own obvious weariness, Rarity fussed with Twilight’s blanket and smiled; Pinkie looked…Pinkie looked tired and worried, though her smile was as wide as ever. My friends…watching me sleep? How long have I been here? For that matter, where…? Twilight looked around. Balloons, sweets-shaped decorations…why am I in Pinkie’s Room? “Ya gave us a real turn, Twi. We were startin’ to wonder if ya’d ever wake up.” Pinkie shoved her face in front of Applejack’s. “You were asleep for a whole week! Now we can finally throw a ‘We-Don’t-Have-To-Wipe-Twilight’smrmff!” Rarity retrieved her hoof from Pinkie’s mouth and wiped it on the carpet. “Darling, let us go downstairs. Fluttershy should be back by now with our dinner. You should eat, dear. We’ll fill you in on what’s transpired since you disappeared.” “Nnnfine….” Twilight worked her way out of Pinkie’s bed and, with Applejack’s support, made her way down to the first floor with the others. Look how tense they are. No one wants to point out the draconequus in the room. Fluttershy looked up from the long table where she had been setting plates and flatware. Always somewhat sad-looking, her ears flattened and eyes watered at the sight of Twilight. “Oh, um…welcome back, Twilight.” Oh, welcome back, Twilight. You’re just as pathetic as ever. “nnngh…hey.” Fluttershy locked eyes with Rarity, who shrugged and pulled a cushion out for Twilight. Gathering around the table, the ponies distributed joyless sandwiches and fruit among themselves, eating slowly and sharing uneasy glances. Tomato on rye, hold the enthusiasm. Twilight took advantage of the silence to have a proper look at her company. None of the girls looked like they had slept in ages. Applejack was stone-faced and grim, Rarity had her “nothing’s wrong” smile on in full force, even as she occasionally wiped her mouth with her sandwich and took bites out of the napkin. Fluttershy refused to look up from her plate, and Pinkie… Pinkie kept taking brief looks at Twilight, and deflating a bit more each time she looked away. In the sixth chair…. “…Dash?” The ponies shuddered and silently conferred, as if telepathically drawing straws. Finally, Applejack broke the silence. “Well, Twi, the good news is Dash made it into the Wonderbolts. Bad news is: we ain’t seen hide or hair of her since.”
Too Much To Think AboutIn countless universes, infinite lavender unicorns found themselves in a cave of crystal, mocked by mimics and driven to despair. With the uncanny luck that accompanies the destiny-driven, they reunited with a multitude of tiara-laden princesses and proceeded to win the day through song, love, and willpower in the darkest hour. In countless universes, there are countless deviations. A left-turning passage in one goes right in another, a blue crystal is purple, a Pegasus is an earth pony. In one universe, the darkest hour became some very dark years. Twilight awoke again. She had lost count of the number of times she had found herself waking up, the count she’d kept in her head being lost around seven-hundred fifty-four. It was all the crystals. All crystal and no sun make Twilight lose… track. The lack of companionship helped, too. Sure, she’d kept herself adequate company at first, holding extended conversations with her reflection, sometimes even learning a thing or two in the process. After a while, though, Twilight had stopped talking to herself, which broke her heart. She wondered what she’d done to make her so mad at herself, and hoped to patch things up soon enough. It would be a revolutionary lesson in friendship. It would make for an excellent letter to Princ…. No. Wet face. Wet hooves. Estimated water wastage: five-point-six milliliters. No. No. No. Twilight awoke again. Mental checklist time. Checklists don’t turn on you. First item: add variety to diet of moss with some lichen. Check and yuck. Retry topaz passage and take downward-sloping branch this time: check. Mark walls with paint spell to keep track of progress: check. Wish for just one book, even a brochure or pamphlet: check. Sigh, and jump at the noise: check. Re-check mental checklist for the sake of checking: check. Splatter head with paint spell trying to physically put a checkmark on mental checklist: giggle. Notice faint blue light receding into thrice-marked beryl corridor: wait… what? This was new. In the dark and the dank, new is good. New means hope. Twilight allowed herself a measure of hope and cantered after the anomaly. As mysterious lights go, this one set quite a pace. The will-o-wisps at Froggy Bottom Bog could use some lessons from this one. Sharp left, increase pace, upward slope, breathe. Twilight’s breaths were greedy and grasping, taking all the oxygen they could and demanding more as her canter became a gallop and the beryl became calcite. Soft right, level floor, chase the light. Twilight was struggling. Foraging for moss and making checklists uncounted hours a day were not activities conducive to increasing one’s running prowess. Another upward slope and she was gaining. Could lights get tired? No matter, she kept to the chase. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, breathe, ache. Twilight couldn’t remember the last time she’d pushed herself so hard. Everything hurt, and the ground struck her hooves a little harder with every bound. Left, up, hop over the stalagmite. Twilight let a little more hope in, almost smiling. Stalagmites meant she was approaching the surface. It was younger rock, yet to blossom into the crystals so prevalent further below. She could hardly believe it. Freedom was just a little bit farther; she could feel it in her bones. The light was a true friend. Faster, faster, keep up with your new friend. Twilight could have sworn she felt a cool, fresh breeze from somewhere ahead. Time for a celebration! She turned her face and blew a raspberry at the miserable caverns she had left behind. She was so happy then, that she forgot to pay attention to the path ahead. Young rock or old, a stalagmite will still play royal hell on one’s skull if they run into it full-tilt. Hello, darkness, not my friend. As always, Twilight awoke. It had passed repetitive and come out the other side. Groggy and sore, she wished for the merciful numbness she was sure decapitation could bring. Her head felt like cotton candy soaked in boiling chocolate milk. Stretching her neck and joints, Twilight got back on her hooves and took stock of her surroundings through half-lidded eyes. At least she would have, had there been any surroundings. Beneath her was the same rocky ground she had become so accustomed to, but above her and to each side, there was only soft blue light. At least it didn’t leave me behind. “Twilight.” A voice! It was a stallion’s voice, young adult and without accent or affectation. He sounded rather bored, though. Twilight snapped her head towards the direction she had been hailed from, regretting it immediately as her headache intensified. Better respond. Don’t let him leave without you. She licked her dry lips, and long-unused vocal cords were put to work. “Hhhhchk?” That was embarrassing. Come on, you can’t forget how to talk. I haven’t been alone that long. “Hhh’loh?” Close enough. He had to have heard me. The little ground around her led upwards through the blue void like a bridge. She could see the underside of a round landmass from her position. “Come, Twilight. Let’s talk.” Easier said than done. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more listening. It’ll be worth it if it gets me out of here. Twilight steeled herself and traversed the floating bridge. Upon reaching the top, Twilight was taken aback. Where there had always been rock and the occasional crystal fragments, this new area was covered in pure white flagstones, precisely cut and fitted. Just like the palace at Cante… No. She squeezed her eyes shut. Not now. Focus on the present. There are more immediate things to worry about. She sniffed and opened her eyes, then widened them in surprise. “There’s no need to cry any longer, Twilight. You have my word that the worst is over. Fate dealt you a losing hand, but you aren’t out of chips quite yet.” The words, sounding bored beyond belief, came from an earth pony that had appeared before her. Brown coat, dark brown mane, and a face that looked unimpressed but not unkind. He had no mark, but Twilight was more taken by his eyes. White sclerae are a fact of life for all ponies. His were as black as the deepest reaches of the crystal caverns. Then again, I should be more concerned about the fact that he’s floating. “Hhhow?” Twilight managed to choke out, her self-consciousness overruled by sheer fascination. The strange pony tilted his head to the side. “Make no mistake, Twilight Sparkle, I am not one of you. In countless worlds, countless are my forms. I have been a winged serpent, a whale, and a descendant of apes. In all worlds, I am called The Outsider, and this world is mine: The Void. I have drawn you here because your world is in turmoil, and you will serve a purpose in fast-approaching times, as you have before. You alone were not fooled by a vicious creature masquerading as an old friend. Your stake is personal and I offer you my gift.” At this, Twilight’s right fore-hoof began to burn. She cried out, and lifted it to her face. A black scar, all spikes, curves, and utterly unnatural had appeared on the underside, a wisp of smoke blowing away in a breeze she couldn’t feel. She set her jaw and glared at the earth pony, waiting for his explanation. “This mark grants you power that other ponies will never know. You will need it, and you will soon know why. For now, return to your world, and prepare yourself. Your time in the darkness is nearing its end. You will face challenges, doubts, and determine for yourself just what kind of pony you are. Be well; I will be watching.” Twilight’s eyes widened once more as the “Outsider” dissolved before her eyes, and then everything began to swim and swirl before going black. Twilight awoke. The first thing she saw was yet another crystal, and her eyes began to moisten again. Just a dream, maybe a dying hallucination. Am I starving? Dehydrated? She raised her hoof to wipe her eyes when she saw it; the mark. It was still on her hoof. It was real. “I will need it, and I’ll soon know why….” That statement made little sense, considering there was little that her horn couldn’t do, but it remained at the forefront of her thoughts as she picked her way along the path she had been following. Never mind, there’s that breeze again! Watch your step this time! Twilight perked up and forced herself to hurry, making sure to avoid any obstacles, her lingering headache a reminder that the cave was not to be mocked. The scent of daffodils reached her nose, and her stomach gurgled. Yes! So close! With a wheeze, Twilight banked around a corner and almost sobbed with joy. Sunlight. Glorious, life-giving midday sunlight saturated the passage she had entered. The nightmare was over. She breathed deeply and truly smiled for the first time in her recent memory. “Fff…Fff…Free?” she said, and walked into the light.
The Boldest MeasuresIn a forest clearing near the base of Canterlot Mountain, a flock of birds took off in alarm. “Oh ahhh am a maaaare of constant sorrowww, I’ve seen trouble all m-“ “You’ll see plenty of trouble if you don’t stop that howling. This locator spell is exhausting enough without your ‘Opal-in-heat’ impression.” Applejack pushed up the brim of her Stetson and scowled at her fussy fashionista friend. “Well ‘scuse me fer tryin’ to stay sane, Rarity. You’ve been re-triangulatin’ Twi’s position fer hours now! I’m startin’ to think that horn a’ yours is just fer decoration.” “It’s a class-three divination! They require simply exorbitant amounts of concentration, more practice than I’ve had time for, and few unicorns ever have need of it anyway! If you’re so bored, try and think of what in Equestria we’ll say to Twilight when we find her. Her last memory of us isn’t exactly pleasant.” “Understatement of th’ century….” The ochre earth pony let the brim of her hat sink once more as she replayed the fateful footage in her head, as she had each day since Twilight disappeared over two years previously. At first, everypony had dismissed it as a simple tantrum at having her paranoid delusions dismissed. Twilight was known for acting erratic under stress, and a wedding rehearsal isn’t exactly the place to voice concerns. No proof, no earth-shattering revelations, just increasingly frantic ramblings and easily-refuted conclusions. Most of the attendees were glad Twilight had pushed off after that. The wedding went off without a hitch, and Equestria was all set to return to normal, but then Celestia and Luna had gone on an “extended sabbatical”, as Cadance had proclaimed. Things had slowly grown more dubious from that day on. Contrary to rumor, Applejack could be fooled by a convincing enough lie, but something about the way the royal messenger had smirked when he gave the news to Ponyville just hadn’t sat well with her. That was just a start. That first decree soon multiplied, bringing a deluge of changes that raised even more eyebrows than the unveiling of Pinkie’s Incoherently-Screaming Lemon Tarts®. More intensive security measures for the capital city were understandable enough. Cadance obviously just wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the Sisters when they returned. Ponies would grumble under the new curfews and restricted travel, but ponies would always find something to grumble about. What didn’t make sense was that these changes came on the tail of half the royal guard being sacked. Every Pegasus guard, no matter the rank, was stripped of uniform, handed a pittance of discharge pay, and told to leave Canterlot with their civilian brethren. That last bit had caused an uproar, but what could they do? Rebel? Unthinkable. Rent in Canterlot was too high anyway, and there were plenty of local guard positions available in other cities. If the new Princess wanted to establish a no-fly zone over her city, then so be it. The pegasi of Canterlot packed their bags, made their farewells, and set off for friendlier pastures. There were a few dissenters, but they barely made it to the palace gates before being “forcibly discouraged” and sent away. With no aerial observation and ground access restricted to official business, Canterlot had gone dark. Applejack prided herself on being able to adapt to political changes. As long as she had her farm, family and friends, the princesses could tap-dance on the Griffon ambassador’s head for all she cared. The new changes had given her pause, but she waved it away as Cadance just going a little overboard; caring too much. What finally vindicated Twilight in her mind was the incident in the North-East acre. Applejack had dealt with crop thieves before. Normally a brief chase, stern lecture, and offer to let the miscreant do a simple chore as payment were enough. In this case, the would-be thief was no longer strong enough to stand, let alone knock an apple down with his horn-magic. Hopping the fence had obviously used up the last bit of the unicorn’s strength. The Apple family wasn’t heartless. Show up in bad straits, and you could expect a measure of kindness. The interloper flinched at the sound when Applejack gave the nearest tree a gentle buck, and looked up in time for the ripest Baldwin on the tree to spear itself on his horn. He whispered a sheepish thank-you and began to eat. Applejack tipped her hat, retrieved an apple for herself, and took a moment to look the stranger over. Gunmetal grey fur stretched over a distressingly pronounced ribcage, charcoal mane and tail, and a tattered cream cardigan tied around his neck were all the pony had to him. He was spattered with dried mud and his hooves were chipped. He had been traveling for a while, but without even a pair of saddlebags? No supplies. This pony had left home in a hurry. Odd, but even in his emaciated state, Applejack felt sure she had seen him before. Suddenly, recognition hit her like a flying tackle from her older brother. “Ah remember you. Yer one of them high-falutin’ types from Canterlot. Me ‘n’ mah friends crashed a little garden party ‘a’ yers a couple years back. Jet Set, right? What’s got you runnin’ around all the way out here?” The unicorn stiffened like a foal caught misbehaving, but Applejack’s easygoing smile loosened his windpipe. “Had to leave Canterlot. Couldn’t stay after they took Upper Crust….” “Woah there, ain’t Upper Crust-“ “My wife, yes. She refused to report to the palace when her number came up for the weekly survey, so they came and dragged her off in the night. Blew our front door clear from the frame, handed me a writ of “indefinite detainment”, and told me I would receive the same treatment if I interfered or made any sort of fuss.” “All that fer not takin’ a survey?” “It’s not a simple questionnaire. It’s another security measure they enacted after the pegasi were evicted. I was called in for it the first week it was enacted. I only remember handing my summons to the gate guard, following him inside, and then being led back out and handed a sugar cookie. I was halfway home when I realized it was mid-afternoon. I had reported for my survey first thing in the morning, and I couldn’t remember any of it.” “That’s mighty fishy. Mah friend told me that amnesia-spells were outlawed, even for the princesses.” “It gets worse. For days after that, I felt like I was sleepwalking. I couldn’t focus on anything, felt constantly tired, and could barely hold a conversation. I fear my behavior was what led my dear Upper Crust to take a stand and refuse her summons. I told her it was for the good of the city, but she was always the more headstrong of us. If only I had put on a better façade….” Jet Set’s eyes began to glisten, and he cleared his throat, trying to collect himself. Applejack knocked the tree with her foreleg, and a few more apples landed between them. He smiled in thanks and took one. Applejack let him eat for a moment as she digested this new information. She wasn’t the most knowledgeable pony when it came to laws not related to agriculture and property zoning, but arrests in the night? Detainment without trial? Amnesia spells? It all seemed so excessive. These measures were unheard of when Celestia and Luna were in power. “Did ya at least try to make an appeal? Ya had to have had some kinda legal options.” The unicorn swallowed and looked even more hangdog. “I am a coward. Princess Cadance abolished open-court, but I walked to the palace the morning after they took Upper Crust. I made it as far as the bridge to the gate when I saw the guards. They used to be so stoic, just looking straight ahead like the world around them didn’t exist. Now? They were staring right at me, whispering to each other and grinning. They were practically begging for me to approach them. I knew then that I had no options. Canterlot was no longer the city I once loved. I had to get out, and hopefully make it to my cousin’s Villa in Los Pegasus. Hopefully, I can seek some legal counsel from there for my Upper Crust and lay low for a bit until the princesses return.” “How’d ya get out? I heard that the gates are all locked down.” He smirked. “There are more ways out of the city than the gates. Canterlot Mountain is riddled with tunnels from an old crystal mine. They’re easy to get lost in, but I memorized a path through it to the forest at the mountain’s base when I was younger. It was quite a trek, but worth it when Upper Crust and I wanted to have a picnic without troubling ourselves with the crowds at the local park. His ears drooped. “The clearing outside of the mine’s entrance was always so peaceful, so disconnected from the rest of the world. It felt like we were the only ponies that existed in those days. We eventually married and saw no reason to sneak off any more, but I never forgot the route through the mine.” Alright, girl, knowin’ mah life, it’ll be useful to know where that entrance is. “Tell ya what, pardner, if ya can draw up a map to that mine entrance from here, I can put ya up in the barn loft ‘til ya feel strong enough to move on. I’ll even throw in all the apples ya can carry.” That was the fairest deal the starving pony had been offered in weeks. He couldn’t possibly have agreed any faster. He even did a second one of the route through the mine itself. In its entirety, there were too many twists, turns and double-backs in the mountain for one pony to memorize, but the route itself was straightforward enough. Applejack’s guest rested and feasted for a few days, and then set off on his way, somewhat heavier for the apples in his newly-borrowed bags. The farmer waved as he left, gratified at having done some good, and then smirked as she patted the band of her Stetson where she had secured her new maps. Every time some evil nonsense happens, it’s me ‘n’ the gals that get called in ta fix it. It’s about time we had ourselves a li’l advantage. “Applejack, you impossibly dilatory, steatopygous excuse for a draft animal! Get your face out of the dirt and let’s go! The spell is locked onto Twilight again!” Applejack jumped to her hooves and took stock of her situation; as much as she could with Rarity’s face glaring daggers mere inches from her own. Rarity backed away and breathed to calm herself when Applejack’s eyes focused on her. “Finally! I’ve been calling you for five minutes. You really spend far too much time with Pinkie. Now look! The spell’s working again.” Applejack looked up and sure enough, a strong blue line of light ran from Rarity’s horn through the air and around an outcropping of boulders. “’Bout time ya got it going again. Guess yer good fer somethin’ after all.” “Hmph!” The verbally-dueling duo set about the task of following the locator spell. Trepidation at what would happen upon finding their quarry kept their pace at a canter, as both ponies knew it would be an awkward reunion. In two years of writing letters to Twilight’s relatives and searching her old haunts, none of the girls had thought of this: the simplest, fastest solution. Spike had come across one of Twilight’s old spellbooks one day as he cleaned the Library, and smacked himself on the head with the palm of his hand. Seeker’s Spells of Divination and Deduction Lay on Twilight’s desk, where it had been since before the fateful wedding. He gathered up the book and the girls, and hooves met faces all around. Being the only remaining unicorn of the group, Rarity had no choice but to volunteer her horn. It had been slow going, as she was no Twilight, but progress was progress. “Ah hope it holds this time. Ah ain’t too keen on makin’ camp this close to the mountain.” “Have faith, Applejack. We’re close. Look at how thick the beam is.” Rarity increased her pace, and Applejack followed suit. “Say, Rare?” “What?” “Steatopygous?” “Fat-flanked.” “Ya been eyein’ mah flank, sugarcube?” “Only in horror. Now shut up and move.”
Daffodils and DiscoveriesNote to self: The next time you spend an eternity in a cave with no natural light, WAIT UNTIL SUNSET before rushing out with your eyes wide open! Idiot…. “Nnngh….” Twilight unclenched her eyes ever so slightly; just enough to locate the daffodils she had smelled before going half-blind. Food. She had knelt in the grass when the sunlight took its toll, and now found herself surrounded by treats. Nature’s apology. Gently, as if sudden movements would scare the flowers away, she leaned down and began to eat. Each delicate petal was like a feathery pill of concentrated deliciousness extract. Twilight couldn’t remember having eaten anything so wonderful. Having nothing but moss and lichen for long enough would do that to a mare. There were more than enough flowers around for her to truly feast until sated. “Mmmm….” By mid-afternoon, the trees had rescued Twilight from any further pain to the eyes, and she looked around, feeling a serenity she hadn’t known in some time. Of course, that feeling lasted right up to the moment she began thinking again. I can’t go back to Canterlot, and do I want to go back to Ponyville? How long was I gone? Did they search for me, or just declare me dead the moment I vanished? Do they care, or was the wedding just a… just a start? Twilight sighed. No more crying about it. Keep it together, focus on the present. You’re free and need to prepare yourself. Start by figuring out how to talk again. Say “checklist. “Ch..Chh..Ch’cklssst.” This doesn’t make sense. No throat pain, no breathing problems, but no language nonetheless. Is it only language? Sing the scales. “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ahhhhh.” That came out perfectly. You’ve ruled out physical damage, and you can still sing…wordlessly. The loss of speech must be psychosomatic, then. It seems so needlessly dramatic; make a big scene at a wedding, have every friend you’ve had so far turn their backs on you, get sent to glassy purgatory…I think I’ve narrowed down the causes. How do I fix this? Do I need to? If the girls remember me, I doubt I have the patience to say anything to them. Do I even need them any more? …Yes. For now. Plan for the future: Cadance is evil. She sent me to the caves and has my brother in the sole of her hoof. If nopony else has stopped her, then I will. Not for Equestria, not for Celestia, for me. The girls will likely want to help somehow, and I’ll let them. We’ll save Equestria one last time, and then I’ll leave them behind just like they left me. Smirking, Twilight stood and deduced the cardinal directions with help from what she could see of the sun’s position. Choosing South-West on a whim, she took a slow gait through the ancient oaks, an old, sacred grove having grown in the shadow of Canterlot Mountain since the princesses knew youth. A fresh, Alpine breeze blew down across her back, and carried the songs of a multitude of nesting birds. So many different stimuli should have been overwhelming, but nothing could spoil Twilight Sparkle’s good mood when she had a plan. The forest seemed endless, but Twilight was not bothered by it. The ground beneath her hooves was soft and welcoming to her, lacking the sharp jolts each step in her last home had sent up her frame. Her only concern was the thirst that her recent meal had brought on. Equestria’s forests were riddled with creeks, springs and ponds. This one was no different. Continuing South and West, Twilight smiled again, having spotted one such creek moving through a clearing occupied by two ponies yelling at each other under a beam of blue light. Resolving to worry about the ponies after slaking her thirst, Twilight set a course for the cool water. “I’m telling you! The spell didn’t ‘fizzle out’ this time! The beam would have dissipated again were that the case. “ “Don’t feed me them road-apples! Why’s the beam cuttin’ off here, then?” Applejack pointed a hoof at the spot in midair where the locator spell abruptly cut off. “Ya ain’t got enough juice in that horn to cast the spell right! Come clean already, and let’s head back to find a unicorn that can do the dang job!” “You obstinate, plebian oaf!” “Prissy, jelly-horned twit!” “N’so loud….” Twilight mumbled as she passed between the combatants. “Stay out of this, Twilight!” both mares screamed before facing off again. “Jelly-horned is it? At least I’ve made progress. Canvassing Ponyville? Perhaps you think so small because your brain is so small!” “Don’t go takin’ credit fer Spike’s idea, ya little….” Applejack trailed off as she and Rarity lost their scowls. Their eyes locked and widened as the metaphorical lightbulb lit over their heads. As one, they turned, and spotted Twilight bent down at the creek, guzzling water with the intensity she normally reserved for new books. “Twi!” “Darling!” Their quarrel forgotten, the vitriolic voyagers hurried over to their long-lost friend’s side. Their pace slowed when they saw Twilight hadn’t responded, choosing instead to continue drinking. She was truly a mess. Her mane had grown wild; almost as long as Fluttershy’s now, but with enough dust and split ends that Rarity had to bite her tongue to continue looking. Twilight’s hooves would be salvageable with a thorough rasping, and her coat was nearly beige with dirt. “Twi…sugarcube…we’ve been lookin’ all over for ya.” “Indeed. We’re sorry that it took so long. We spent two years searching by hoof before Spikey-Wikey found your divination spells.” “He’s been keepin’ the Library in tip-top shape for ya since we got back. We check on him all the time, but he’s been keepin’ fed since Cadance ain’t canceled yer weekly stipend.” The mention of Cadance seemed to snatch Twilight back into the real world, because she let out a heavy sigh before bending her head back down towards the water. Then she froze, her eyes widened and she let out a whimper so pitiable that Applejack doffed her hat in dread. Slowly, the battered bookworm turned her head to face her friends, and the sight she presented made Rarity retch in sympathetic pain. Her encounter with the stalagmite had done more than just knock her unconscious. Twilight’s horn had snapped off an inch from the base. Twilight’s eyes were still wide with shock, her mouth half-open, but tears flowed now. “Ssssoo-knowwhy….” She said before slumping forward. “Woah, there! I gotcha!” Applejack said, slipping a foreleg under Twilight’s barrel. “Rarity, wipe yer mouth and help me get Twilight on top my back!” Rarity, quietly weeping, lifted her friend with her horn’s magic and set her gently upon the apple farmer. Falling into step, the two mares solemnly made their way back home. “I…I think I know why the beam cut off like it did….” “Ah reckon ah do, too. Sorry ah said that stuff to ya.” “I’m sorry, too.” The two mares and their maimed burden walked on. From a distance, two pairs of solid blue eyes tracked their progress before slinking back towards the mine entrance. Chitinous, black, and riddled with holes, the only difference between the two observers was size, until one broke the silence with a deep baritone. “I honor your keen eyes, sister, that you spotted the mine entrance in such an inconspicuous part of the Market Square.” The smaller one grinned at the praise, and then replied in a gentle soprano. “I honor your strength, brother, that the dark of the mine held no terrors for me.” Upon entering the mine again, the larger of the two paused, before spewing luminous mucus upon the wall. “It is essential that we mark the route we followed a second time, and report the purple one’s emergence to the Queen. This mare was reportedly quite troublesome at the mission’s outset, and her continued freedom is beyond detrimental to all Changelings.” The smaller one scoffed as they turned and climbed. “A single mare, and a hornless unicorn at that? What danger could she pose to us? The swarm is strong now. Even the princesses were subdued by our power.” She looked up to see her brother’s expression had darkened. The little changeling’s ears drooped in anticipation of another lecture. “For an infiltrator, you place an inordinate amount of value on raw power. That is a fatal mistake. Magic and combat prowess can be useful, yes. However, you fail to consider craft and tactics. This pony may be injured and without magic, but she has powerful friends and her leadership skills are said to rival many a minor hive queen.” “And for a warrior, you are frustratingly cautious! The swarm has reached a point where we need not hide our forms any longer! The love we have harvested will last for countless hatch-cycles. The ponies cannot defeat us whether or not they find out the truth. Do you doubt our Queen, brother?” The infiltrator looked up, and realized she had been talking to thin air. “Brother?” No reply. “It will do no good to hide from me, brother. One does not win an argument by walking away.” She waited a moment, and then activated her pheromone-senses. A tell-tale green cloud turned into a passage some yards behind her. “Brother! You know I dislike the darkness! Come back to my side!” Hearing nothing but her own echo, the little changeling sighed and cantered after her brother’s trail. Higher and higher, the path took her ever closer to the heart of the mountain. Never one for the gloom of the hive, the infiltrator much preferred open air. The dark of the mine tore at her nerves, and she began to breathe heavily. “Brother! Answer my call!” The pheromone trail grew thicker and stronger as she followed; winding and turning, no longer able to rely on her sight. She sensed the trail ending at a small chamber not far ahead. Casting a light spell with her horn, the changeling ran to her quarry, and immediately wished she hadn’t. A soft blue aura doused her light spell, and then dragged her, screaming into the dark. Crunch Snap Crunch crunch “Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake….”
Gifts, Sandwiches and SilenceBlue fog, hard ground…a voice. “I would speak with you once more, Twilight.” Ugh, not you again. Twilight picked herself up and turned towards the Outsider with a scowl. I have enough going wrong lately without more eldritch nonsense. As before, the enigmatic Earth pony was floating scant feet above her, the very picture of disinterest. At least Discord had some personality. Get on with it, already. “Voiceless and hornless, you may be the most broken mare Equestria has ever seen. What good fortune, then, that you escaped into the bosom of those who still consider themselves dear to you. They believe you now, Twilight. They regret turning on you, and wish to help you. Accept them back into your heart, or simply use them as you will use the power I grant you.” What power? I don’t feel any resonance in the mark like I did in my horn. I can’t shake the feeling that you’re responsible for its loss, too. “I am not.” Eep! The Outsider folded his forelimbs. “You startle too easily for one who has seen and accomplished so much, Twilight Sparkle. It may be part of your charm, endearing, but it will not serve you very well in the days to come. For now, let us remind you of how it felt to be whole. Send your focus to the mark, will yourself across the chasm.” He gestured to a platform behind him, across several yards of thin air. Twilight looked at her hoof, then at her target. Let’s see…. She concentrated on her target, and was rewarded with a fountain of light—blue, like everything Outsider-related it seemed—at the edge of the platform. Hm…shorter range and more deliberate than with horn magic. Will everypony be able to see the designator or is it just me? She released her power as she would via her horn, and found herself precisely where the light-fountain had been. No sound at all, not like the old spell. That should be useful. Ashes rose from the floor and coalesced into Twilight’s newfound mentor. “As you make your way, seek out these tokens, each one carved from a piece of your old life.” As he said this, a small purple charm shaped like a bit-piece appeared between them. A copy of his mark was etched on each side of it. As Twilight reached for it, it promptly disappeared. “I have spread these runes across Equestria for you to find. They will increase your mastery over the mark, and so help you seek what future you desire. To aid your search, I give you this.” A gyrocompass the size of a watch floated down and attached itself to the pastern of Twilight’s right foreleg. “This compass will reveal the locations of the nearest runes, as well as whisper to you secrets that many may wish hidden. Use the compass. Find a rune.” He scattered once again into a cloud of ash. Pieces of my old...You sliced up my horn! Twilight wanted to cry, to throw herself into the void. Mostly, she wanted to punch the Outsider into an infuriatingly cryptic smear. I thought I was done being humiliated. Ugh. Twilight looked at her new compass. South and West? She turned and saw a larger mass, a section of street and building frozen in time across another gap. Focus and…. Twilight was unnerved by the silence of her teleportation ability, but it served its purpose. She glanced down at the compass again, and blanched at the glow emanating from it. She looked closer and…. “This Place Has Seen The Endings Of A Million Unwritten Tales.” “Waagh!” Each word had bypassed her ears, the sentence pounding itself deep into her brain. Slices of my horn, telepathic compasses, silent spells… I hate this place. Recovering from her shock, Twilight looked up, and saw a glow through a brick wall, pulsing in a rhythm matching that of her compass. Spying a stairwell leading upwards, she hastened into the broken shell of what seemed to be an old apartment complex. Let’s see…the glow is coming from room six. The knob wouldn’t turn, but it yielded to a solid bucking. That was easier than I thought. How could I have gotten stronger after all that time in the caves? I should be as feeble as Granny Smith. Eh, blame it on the mark. Upon entering the apartment, Twilight promptly left it due to the lack of a floor in the entryway. Agh! This is ridiculous! Thinking quickly, she designated a spot by what looked like the kitchen, and teleported to it before falling too far. Okay, kill the Outsider later. Where’s the rune? She glanced about for the telltale glow, and followed it to a bedroom. On a nightstand, a piece of lavender horn bearing the Outsider’s mark began to buzz, and sprang to Twilight’s head as she reached for it. Oh come on! All I ask is for ONE thing that won’t surprise me. One thing, Luna help me. Smelling smoke, Twilight recovered from her flinch at the rune’s sudden movement and spotted a mirror. The smoke was coming from atop her skull, as the piece of her horn fused itself back to the stump on her head. Great. Looking out a window, Twilight saw a succession of islands strewn about the void, terminating in a final, curtain-covered stage in the distance. Let’s get this over with. Twilight blinked from perch to perch, focusing and releasing, designating and appearing. She stopped on one floating street section halfway to her target. Strange, my body feels fine, but I can’t focus. It’s like I’m sleepwalking now. A hooflocker lay next to some crumbled masonry a few feet to her side, and she opened it to find a soda can. Pony Joe’s Power Cola!!! assaulted her eyes. Well, everything else has had a purpose here so far, even if the purpose was to annoy me. I guess my power is replenished by sugary drinks now? Huh…I can still focus a little bit. I wonder…. Twilight stretched out her hoof and activated the mark like she had before, but instead of willing herself away, she commanded the can to open itself and come to her. To her pleasant surprise, the drink floated out of its container, opened with a hiss, and approached her waiting gullet. Yesyesyesyesyes! I won’t have to write with my mouth! Invigorated by the drink, Twilight made her way to her destination, and waited for the Outsider to return. Well? I passed your stupid gauntlet. Any more words of advice? She noticed a subtle, slow drumbeat thundering in the distance, but paid it no mind. Come on…what else do I have to do? She looked around. It wasn’t a stage so much as a bit of floor and a wall covered in purple cloth. No runes, no drinks, no Outsider. A dead end. Boom Anything behind this curtain? No. Great. Boom What is that noise? BOOM Everything went black again. …. “Quit pokin’ her, Pinkie. Ah think she’s comin’ to.” “Nngh.” Twilight opened her eyes, and was rewarded for her effort with the sight of three familiar faces. Applejack was grinning through her own obvious weariness, Rarity fussed with Twilight’s blanket and smiled; Pinkie looked…Pinkie looked tired and worried, though her smile was as wide as ever. My friends…watching me sleep? How long have I been here? For that matter, where…? Twilight looked around. Balloons, sweets-shaped decorations…why am I in Pinkie’s Room? “Ya gave us a real turn, Twi. We were startin’ to wonder if ya’d ever wake up.” Pinkie shoved her face in front of Applejack’s. “You were asleep for a whole week! Now we can finally throw a ‘We-Don’t-Have-To-Wipe-Twilight’smrmff!” Rarity retrieved her hoof from Pinkie’s mouth and wiped it on the carpet. “Darling, let us go downstairs. Fluttershy should be back by now with our dinner. You should eat, dear. We’ll fill you in on what’s transpired since you disappeared.” “Nnnfine….” Twilight worked her way out of Pinkie’s bed and, with Applejack’s support, made her way down to the first floor with the others. Look how tense they are. No one wants to point out the draconequus in the room. Fluttershy looked up from the long table where she had been setting plates and flatware. Always somewhat sad-looking, her ears flattened and eyes watered at the sight of Twilight. “Oh, um…welcome back, Twilight.” Oh, welcome back, Twilight. You’re just as pathetic as ever. “nnngh…hey.” Fluttershy locked eyes with Rarity, who shrugged and pulled a cushion out for Twilight. Gathering around the table, the ponies distributed joyless sandwiches and fruit among themselves, eating slowly and sharing uneasy glances. Tomato on rye, hold the enthusiasm. Twilight took advantage of the silence to have a proper look at her company. None of the girls looked like they had slept in ages. Applejack was stone-faced and grim, Rarity had her “nothing’s wrong” smile on in full force, even as she occasionally wiped her mouth with her sandwich and took bites out of the napkin. Fluttershy refused to look up from her plate, and Pinkie… Pinkie kept taking brief looks at Twilight, and deflating a bit more each time she looked away. In the sixth chair…. “…Dash?” The ponies shuddered and silently conferred, as if telepathically drawing straws. Finally, Applejack broke the silence. “Well, Twi, the good news is Dash made it into the Wonderbolts. Bad news is: we ain’t seen hide or hair of her since.”
