Behind the Masks

Chapters

Spell
Friends
Demons
Truth
Trapped

Spell

The old library creaked under the pressure of her steps. Encompassed by a faint light the book remained suspended in the air. As she progressed, the shadows closed in further as if Death himself loomed over her. A cloud of dust jumped off the book's cover as she dropped it onto the central table. Empty silence was soon replaced by the sounds of her coughing.

"Who." Spoke out a voice from within the shadows behind Twilight.

The unicorn quickly spun around. It took a moment for her eyes to readjust to see the owl perched on the bookcase. "Oh, it's just you Owlicious. I thought I asked you not to sneak up on me like that."

"Who." He repeated while turning his head to the side.

"Since you're here, could you please get me my quill and ink from my desk?" Without another word the owl took flight up the stairs.

Returning to the business at hand, she floated out a few pages of paper from the cabinets beneath the table. The paper landed softly on the table beside the book. Light of her magic reflected off a single gold panel on the cover of the book. She trotted towards her old saddlebag. Sifting through the contents of the bag Twilight pulled out a single scroll wrapped in a blue ribbon. She laid the scroll down onto the table as she returned to the center of the room. She diverted her attention to the flapping of wings resonating from behind her. Owlicious hovered mid-air, an inkwell in one talon and a small white feather in the other.

Grasping the ink and quill, she returned to her former activities. "Thank you Owlicious."

"Who." The bird fluttered over to his perch and simply watched Twilight.

Twilight removed the ribbon from the scroll. While examining the scroll, she found various titles along with a number beside the name. On the very top of the scroll it said "Stock Report". She began saying each title out loud then proceeding to check the shelves if that book was there then checking the logs to see if a book by the same title was rented or sold. The farther she proceeded down the list the more her frustrations at the lack of progress grew. Reaching the end of the list, she sighed heavily.

"Uhg, every single one of the books in this library is on this list except for one."

While rewrapping the scroll, she only glared at the single solitary book. Its tan brown color held no notable markings or signs beside the gold plate. It held no sign of an author or a publisher. She began to write a description of the book, hoping to see something in her writing she could not see before. Twilight allowed her mind to wander around the subject of the book.

She began to pace back and forth. "Maybe it's a diary... No, it couldn't be, no one would make a diary with that much detail on such an obscure legend. Hmmm... Maybe it's a self-made book by the old owner of the library? Hmmm... No, this is much too professional to be made by a single pony." Twilight began to look over the detail she had written down to see if they made help her.

"Wait, this could be a part of the old owner's secret collection! So he wouldn't put it on the stock list since it's not for rental or sale! Wait... then why would hide it? Maybe it's extremely rare and valuable book!" Her pace increased as her mind raced around the idea of finding such a book.

Stopping in the middle of the pacing, Twilight turned and stared at the book. "But then why did he leave it here if it might be so valuable? Does it have some sort of dark secret? If so, should I open it? Think, Twilight, think... Ok, I'll take a peek at the other pages to see if it has anything dark secret... ish, and if it does, I'll close it for good."

Her magical grip extended towards the book, bringing it up to her face. She began to flip through the pages giving a brief look at each title. The name of each spell was always placed at the top of the page but each page had its own style of writing as if the author couldn't decide how he wanted to write it. She stopped and turned back a few pages to a spell which had caught her attention. "To See the Truth" was printed in bold at the top of the page in a style which resembled that of medieval handwriting.

"Hmmm... let's see... allows caster the ability to see the truth within ponies and sentient creatures. Magic skill level recommended before casting spell is very high... Huh, a truth spell. I haven't seen a book with one of those since I studied at Cantorlot." She continued to read down the page.

There were no complicated ingredients required for the spell or any symbols or spell circles like she thought there would be. Only a single simple incantation was required for the spell.

"It doesn't seem terribly complex... might as well give it a go. Maybe I'll see if it really is Spike who took the book on 'How to Impress a Mare in Seven Easy Steps'“; she laughed to herself before starting the spell.

The room was illuminated by purple glow emanating from Twilight's horn. "From the souls and minds of my friends and foe. A truth they shall reveal. I shall see the weight they tow. Whether to hurt or heal. I shall see sinner's woes, their fears and desires. Through their will I shall not be blind. And..."

Flowing magic abruptly stopped at the interruption of the spell, sending shivers down Twilight's spine. Twilight shone magical light to closer inspect the book, in hopes of seeing the rest of the spell but, with little success. After a moment, the room became eerily silent once more. Twilight looked around to see if the stoppage of the spell caused anything to happen. Gazing upwards she saw a solitary light floating above her. Floating down, the ball reminded her much of a feather. As it came down to eye level with her, Twilight stared into the orb. All she saw was a familiar glow of her magic encompassing a dark center. As she stared into the ball, shivers tore through her body. She looked towards the table and floated her quill and paper over. When she returned her gaze to the ball she found it had disappeared.

"Strange... that could have been the side effect of not completing the spell properly. I've heard weird stuff usually happens when you mess up a spell. But.. something isn't right about this spell in the first place. Hmmm...I'll need to study a bit more on spell configurations and structure to figure this out." She whispered to herself.

Soon enough, books around the library became encompassed in her magic. Books of all sort detailing the creation and wording of spells. Twilight cleared a small section of her table to prepare for the studying ahead.

"Twilight... what are you doing up so late? I thought you promised no more late night study sessions. Also why were you shouting so loud at Owlicious?" A voice yawned from the darkened stairs.

Jumping from the sudden voice Twilight turned around to confront a small baby dragon. "Oh, sorry Spike, he just frightened me is all... did I wake you?

"Yah..." The dragon spoke sleepily.

Twilight smiled sheepishly at Spike. "Sorry, I’ll head to bed soon, just give me a second to put everything away."

Yawning several times, Spike turned around. He proceeded to clamber up the stairs. His tail banged against the steps due him being too tired to keep it from doing so. Twilight began to clean up before remembering one of the reasons why she chose the spell.

"Hey, Spike, can I ask you a quick question?"

Spike stopped on the fourth step and turned to Twilight. "What is it?"

"Did you take a book called 'How to Impress a Mare in Seven Easy Steps' from the bookshelf?" She spoke calmly knowing full well the answer he would give.

Spike could barely keep his eyes open. "No... *yawn* I didn’t, Twilight. Is that all you wanted to ask me?"

Twilight expected some sort of alarm from the truth spell but received nothing. "Yes, thank you. Have a good dream, Spike."

"Ok..." Continuing on his way up the stairs.

Does she know? . Whispered a faint but worried voice.

Twilight turned towards the voice but no one was there, not even Owlicious. "Spike? You still down here?"

She received no reply. She began to return everything to its rightful place. The steps creaked as she ascended the stairs towards her bedroom. The bed nearly beckoned her to it as she made her way across the hallway. Embracing the covers she collapsed from the hard work studying the entire day. As she drifted off into slumber only the thought of the whispering voice remained in her mind.

Does she know? Echoed within her mind.

Covering the entire land in its radiance, the sun signalled the waking of the town of Ponyville. The warm breeze that summer was known for carried bird song to the ears of all residents. Pegasi quickly moved or removed clouds to create a picture perfect morning sky. Rising from their homes the animals of Ponyville also arose.

Light shone through the window located not too far from Twilight's bed. Drifting out of unconsciousness she began to wake up. A gentle yawn escaped her mouth as she levitated her blanket off of herself. Subtle cracking and popping noises came from her joints as she began to get up. As she stood beside her bed she gave a brief look around her. Books lined the shelves just below the stage where her bed was. Twilight began her morning rituals, brushing her hair and teeth along with checking her plans for the day in her itinerary. Wafting through the air the smells of hay bacon, wheat and other foods reached her nose. She became entranced by the lovely smells and proceeded to follow them to the kitchen. As she approached the scents of various foods, she spotted Spike setting up the table.

The baby dragon finished setting up and turned to see Twilight. "Oh, Twilight, I was just about to wake you up for breakfast."

"Wow, Spike, that's quite a spread you made. What's the occasion?"

He held a forced smile. "Occasion? Why would I need an occasion to do something nice for you Twilight?"

"Well, you don't usually do stuff like this unless you got something out of it."

"What? No... I mean why would I do that?" His eyes darted all around.

Twilight decided to pressure the dragon. "I suppose you're right. It's not like you stole a book from the library or anything. Right?"

A small drop of sweat traversed down Spike's face. Keeping her eyes on the baby dragon, Twilight took a seat at the table. Avoiding her gaze, he searched for a way out of this situation. Twilight levitated a few hay bacon strips onto her plate before speaking again.

"Well?" Her gaze bore down on him.

"Well...I didn't...uh..." A sudden knock at the door interrupted him. "I'll get it!"

The little dragon quickly spun around and ran towards the door. A brief sigh of relief escaped his mouth as he reached for the door handle. Pulling the door open revealed a pink pony wearing a smile across her face. The pink pony hopped into the library, full of giddy. Spike looked at Pinkie, his face of worry now replaced with confusion.

"Uh... hey Pinkie. What are you here for?"

Pinkie continued to bounce up and down happily. "Don't you remember, silly? You said you would help bake cupcakes with me today. You promised you would after I gave you those gems!"

"I did promise you that, Pinkie... but, isn't it a little early to bake cupcakes?"

"It's never too early to bake cupcakes! But if you and Twilight were busy with something I could always come back later."

Turning his head Spike spotted Twilight still looking at him expecting an answer. "You know what Pinkie? It's the perfect time to bake some cupcakes!"

"Are you sure Spikey? I wouldn't want to interrupt anything."

The dragon began to push Pinkie out the door. "No, no it's completely fine! You weren't interrupting anything at all! Now, come on let's go bake those cupcakes!"

Pinkie began to hop towards the door. "Okey Dokey Lokey! Cya Twilight!"

Just before Spike crossed the threshold of the house a single voice spoke out. Dear Celestia she knows doesn't she?!?

Twilight turned her attention towards the door. "Did you say something Spike?"

Both Spike and Pinkie were gone before they could hear her question. Ignoring the strange voice Twilight returned to eating her large breakfast that was set out in front of her. Her mind began to ponder the spell she found yesterday. After an hour or so of eating and pondering Twilight stood up from the table and turned her attention to the book.

She levitated the book over to the table and flipped to the "To see the Truth" spell. "Maybe the spell was a dud... but if it was then why did it feel so strange?"

Twilight reviewed the page over looking for a clue as to either the purpose or even if there was something she missed in the casting ritual. "There aren’t any additional requirements for the spell... so it must be the last part of the spell that makes it take effect. Where are my books on spell structuring, they should help me figure this out..."

She began to scour the library, looking for any book on spell structure and composition. Several books levitated off the shelves onto the table. Twilight checked once more to make sure she had taken all of the books she needed. Giving a quick glance to the clock a sudden realization came to Twilight.

"I have that meet up with Rarity and Fluttershy! Uhrg... I have to put this on hold..." Twilight sighed loudly.

After reorganizing the books in the stack so that they would be in an order of simplest to most complex, Twilight left her library towards the spa.

Friends

Ponyville came alive within a few short moments of Twilight beginning her walk towards the spa. Friendly smiles and hellos brightened her day further. Taking a few moments to simply savour the well-earned peace, Twilight stopped to smell the roses on the side of the street corner. Her mind danced around the memories of the events of the last year and how far she had come. It was almost as if none of those events has occurred with how the entire town seemed to act. It was like had they had forgotten the events of the wedding, which had been just a few months prior. The changelings seemed to be only a distant memory now that she looked back on it.

Twilight resumed her journey to the meet up with her friends. Looking around she spotted various ponies setting up their stands for the day of business ahead. The entire town seemed to be filled with life as she approached the town center. Shadows of pegasi flying above her filled her vision. The sounds hooves of clopping on stone filled her ears. Filling her nose were the scents of apples floating through the air, following that scent to the small apple cart being set up by Applejack near Sugar Cube Corner.

Twilight took a small detour in order to meet her friend. Looking up after finishing setting up her stand, Applejack noticed the unicorn walking toward her. She gave a hearty smile and a wave to Twilight. The earth pony walked out in front of her stand to greet her friend.

"Howdy Twi, gotta say I didn't expect you be awake this early, considerin' how impatient you were yesterday about that studyin' that book Spike found."

"Why would I not be awake?"

Applejack smiled at Twilight. "Cause ya tend to spend entire nights studyin."

"Well I didn't study all night." Applejack deadpanned.

"Spike told ya to go to bed didn't he?"

"No..." Twilight looked away from Applejack's eyes.

Applejack began to give a hearty chuckle. "Twi, you’re as bad a liar as me but I suppose that makes yah a better friend though. Anyway I gotta get back to my apple stand, see ya around."

"Alright... bye Applejack"

Watching as the mare returned to her stand, Twilight continued on her way towards the spa. Just as Twilight turned away from the stand a single voice rung out.

I hope sales go better than yesterday... It spoke out in a dejected tone.

Spinning around Twilight looked at the stand once more. All she saw was Applejack talking to a customer by her stand. She began to walk forward, as the voice no longer rang in her ears, but the words were burned into her mind. Wondering if it was Applejack or someone else who had said the words, Twilight continued to venture into the town.

Twilight trotted towards the large building that was known as the Ponyville spa. A large purple peaked roof contrasted against the white walls that made up the spa. Scattered around the spa were a few trees and other such greenery. Apart from the large sign in front of the building, it would be almost indistinguishable from any other building inPonyville. The daily sounds of Ponyville had become a minimal background noise in Twilight's ears. Taking deep calming breaths as she walked, filling her lungs with fresh summer air each time.

As she entered the building Twilight was greeted by two of her friends. Both Rarity and Fluttershy were waiting in a small circular room with two medium sized couches on opposites sides of the room. A small corridor led towards the rest of the spa. Various aromas filled her nose and lungs.

Smiling, Twilight addressed her friends. "Hey girls, sorry I'm late. I got a bit distracted by trying to figure a spell out this morning."

"Oh, don't worry about it Twilight. Angel bunny was being just a little stubborn about his food this morning, so I was late too." Fluttershy gave a soft smile to Twilight.

"Yes, and it wouldn't have really mattered if you were late or not, darling. The spa twins seemed to have double booked our appointment. So in the end it worked out for everyone. Also we got a free session for the trouble, so that's a plus."

"So how much longer do you think they are going to be?"

"Relax, Twilight, they said it would only be a few more minutes."

Twilight trotted to the couch where Fluttershy was sitting and sighed. "Sorry, I think I might be going a little crazy is all. This spell is strange so; I can't seem to get it out of my head."

"I'm sure it will come to you Twilight... It always does."

"Fluttershy's right, no point in worrying about it. Especially not here during your relaxation time, besides weren't you talking about that pony that worked as a patent clerk before making some sort of discovery? Maybe all you need is a bit of time off from all that studying."

"Yah, I guess you two are right." Twilight slouched further on the couch as she sighed.

The ponies remained in the waiting room for a short while until a pink mare with a light blue mane appeared behind the office desk. Wearing a gentle smile, the mare began to speak.

"We are ready for your appointment for three. I take it you will all have the usual?"

"Yes, that would be wonderful." Rarity began to lead her friends into the main area of the spa.

Twilight trotted beside Rarity. "The usual?"

"Don't worry about it dear. It's absolutely wonderful, isn't that right Fluttershy?"

"Um... yeah it's really great Twilight..."

"Alright, if you say so."

The three mares were greeted inside of the spa by a few staff and quickly led towards the sauna. Filling her lungs and her very pores, Twilight breathed in the steam for a short time in an attempt to relax. For a moment, she drifted off from the conversation of her two friends, simply being taken by the steam.

"Twilight, while I agree beauty sleep is important, it should be done at home."

Twilight gave a small yawn. "Sorry, it seems my lack of sleep has finally caught up to me."

"We could postpone this spa date if you want, Twilight. I mean... it's not like this is the only day we can do it."

"No, it's alright Fluttershy. I'm just a little tired is all. All I need is some rest and I'll be good as new."

"I hope so, darling."

I hope she is ok... A voice echoed within Twilight's mind but this time with a definitive direction.

Twilight turned her head towards the direction of the voice. She took a moment and gazed into the thick fog before seeing a vague shadow hidden within the mist. What is that... Squinting a bit more in an attempt to better a image of the figure, Twilight was quickly jolted back to her friends.

"Twilight, dear are you alright? You appear to have been absorbed in something." Twilight looked toward Rarity.

"Oh, it's just I think I saw a..." She began to point at the location of the shadow only for it not be there at all. "Uh... I guess I saw nothing..."

"Are you sure you're alright? I've read that sleep deprivation can do all sorts of problems."

"Yes, I'm fine. I think it's just the steam getting to my head is all."

"Well luckily, the steam treatment is just about over."

The ponies were quickly whisked away from the steam room back into main area. Twilight stood beside her friends as the spa ponies smothered most of her face with some sort of cream. Once again they were taken to another station within the spa. For a few brief moments, Twilight felt like she could relax. Pounding on her back quickly shattered that feeling as she received a massage along side Rarity and Fluttershy. For the next several minutes Twilight was brought to various stations to relax her only to be brought to a new station just when she started to feel relaxed. The back and forth finally stopped at the end of the "usual" Rarity had asked for. The last station of the entire spa trip was soak in a giant wooden tub big enough for quite a few ponies to easily fit inside of it. Allowing the water to push against her fur, Twilight finally felt that she could relax.

"Rarity, how was that deal with...um..."

"I, uh, well, you see dear, I suppose it... didn't go quite as I expected"

"Oh my, what happened?"

"Well you see, he was a bit more...what's the word... pretentious than most of my usual customers. He seemed to think..." Twilight drifted off from the chatter of the two mares as she sunk into a trance.

She floated there, completely relaxed from all outside disturbances. Bliss filled her mind until a sudden voice spoke.

I can't afford to keep giving him this much leeway... he'll drive me into the ground from the expenses alone.

The voice startled Twilight out of her trance. Rising a little bit out of the water, she peered in the direction that the voice seemed to come from. For a single brief moment she caught a glance of a figure much like Rarity. The figure stood still hiding it's face from view and allowing a single cold grey eye to stare at Twilight. She took a moment to sort out her thoughts before looking beside her in the tub to see Rarity still conversing with Fluttershy. Twilight turned back to the figure only to see it vanish. Flabbergasted by the sudden appearance and disappearance of the figure, Twilight rose from the tub and proceeded to the blocker.

The two mares took notice of Twilight's sudden departure from the tub, "Twilight, are you alright?"

"Uh... yah, I just need to check something..."

The unicorn proceeded to the blocker cautiously. When she was only a few feet away, Twilight extended her magical grip to the blocker. In one swift motion she removed the blocker to reveal, a empty horn filling station. Peeking her head around the second blocker just in case, Twilight once more found nothing.

"Twilight, are you sure you are alright? I mean, it's ok if you're not."

The mare turned to her friends, removing her face of surprise. "I'm fine, I think I've had enough of the tub though... heh...sorry I had to cut the session short."

"It's quite alright, Twilight dear."

"Yah, it's fine Twilight... you should head home and get some rest."

"Thanks for including me, girls."

"Our pleasure, Twilight."

Twilight began to make her way out of the spa, leaving her two friends to themselves. Occasionally Twilight would look to the sides in case that the mysterious figure would be there watching her like before. Luckily, no figure appeared anywhere. Content, Twilight proceeded out of the spa and back towards the town square. The busy streets seemed to slow down since the last time she was here. Fewer ponies were rushing to place to place or trying to set up their stand before everyone else’s. It was as if time had slowed in Ponyville. Twilight began to clear her mind of the events that transpired, simply blaming them on stress and overworking. Adopting a slow pace in order to take all in, Twilight proceeded through the streets of Ponyville.

As she progressed, she noticed a small cloud following behind, in the sky. Whenever she looked at it, the cloud would stop in an instant. Soon enough the cloud was directly above Twilight. The unicorn knew better and suspected that the cloud was less than innocent. She took a brief moment to collect her thoughts before firing a cloud bursting spell directly up. In an instant the cloud dispersed leaving a pegasus in mid air. It took a moment for Rainbow Dash to realize she was falling but unfortunately it was too late. A large thud marked her landing on the hard dirt.

The pegasus mare looked up at Twilight. "Guess you saw me didn't you?"

"A single cloud following me on a supposedly cloudless day is a bit suspicious."

"I was hoping that you would be occupied thinking about... some egghead stuff like you usually do."

"Right, well, I wasn't."

"But since you're here do you think you could watch some of my new tricks? I usually get Pinkie to, but she’s pretty bogged down at Sugarcube Corner."

Twilight took a moment to think before responding. "Sure, I wasn't really going to do much when I got home anyway..."

"Awesome! Alright, I call this, The Corkscrew Loop!" The moment she finished her sentence she darted towards the sky.

Rainbow Dash began to do several spirals as she flew up. Once she reached the peak of her spiral she just dropped down continuing to spin around and around. Flying even faster, an air cone began to form around Rainbow Dash signifying her approach to the famous Sonic Rainboom. The startling boom of the Rainboom echoed out as rainbow trailed the pegasus. Rainbow Dash pulled up but continued to spin in a spiral making the rainbow trail spiral as well. Soon enough she began to do loops, keeping up a constant speed in order to have the rainbow trail her. Twilight in awe of the spectacular trick her friend had pulled off.

Even with this I won't able to get into the Wonderbolts will I? Once more a voice reached her.

Twilight spun around looking for the source of the voice. A little ways away under a oak tree was a single solitary figure standing completely still just staring at Twilight. The shape almost seemed familiar yet it felt distinctly different than anything she has ever met before. A shiver moved down Twilight's back the more she stared at the figure.

"Twilight? Were you looking away the entire time?"

Snapping back to Rainbow Dash, Twilight took a moment sort her mind. "Oh... um, I missed everything after the first loop unfortunately. I kinda got distracted by that pony over there."

"Where?"

"Just over the..." When she looked back to the location of the figure nothing was there.

"Twilight, I think you might need to get your eyes checked. There isn't anybody over there."

"I...uh..." Twilight blinked several times before snapping out of her stupor. "I think the sleep deprivation is hitting me harder than I thought it would..."

"Heh, do another all nighter, Twilight?"

"Yah, I would have probably stayed up later if it weren't for Spike."

"Well, get some rest. Then maybe later I can show you my sweet tricks again when I have your full attention."

"Alright, Rainbow Dash."

"Yah, well I better get going. My shift starts soon." Before another word could be uttered the rainbow pony was gone.

Sighing, Twilight continued back to her library for some well needed rest. Her mind was far from the ease it was at before. The multiple sightings of the shadowy figures had gotten wrapped around her mind. Keeping her eyes watching the path in front of herself, Twilight talked to herself about what she had seen.

"If they were just caused from my lack of sleep then why do I get that feeling when I see them? I mean, I've done all nighters before yet none of them had this drastic of an effect on me..." She mumbled to herself.

"Maybe I'm projecting what I subconsciously think the others might feel as a manifestation due to sleep loss. Or it could be that spell from last night but it didn't seem to do anything..."

Time passed as the unicorn wandered through the town, keeping her attention more on the problem at hand than the road itself. Ponies and other entities were almost like ghosts to her as she trotted. Unknowing and uncaring of what was in front of her, Twilight collided with another pony on the street. The collision knocked her out of her deep thought.

"Hey," cried the mare she collided into.

"Oh, uh... sorry, I was so wrapped up in thought I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Well... since you said sorry then I suppose it's alright." The mare looked at the town clock for a brief moment, "Oh shoot, I'm going to be late!"

The mare had dashed off without another word, leaving Twilight in the middle of the street. Shaking off the recent collision, she got up and began her trek once more.

I hope he doesn't hate me for what I did... A voice copying the mare's whispered in Twilight's head.

Without realizing it, Twilight had already turned towards the location of the voice by instinct. Hidden in the shadows of an alley was a figure. It was obviously feminine and very much resembled the mare she had met only a moment ago. Like a moth to a flame, Twilight couldn't help but walk closer to the figure. The only thing she could make out were it's eyes. Cold and empty eyes that just stared at her. Drawing closer to the figure, Twilight could still not see past the shadows that hide it's features. Just as Twilight came only a few meters away, a solid object crashed into her side. Dazed, Twilight lost track of the figure. Staring at the object that had hit her, Twilight saw the party pony of Ponyville smiling directly at her with the usual enthusiasm.

"Pinkie, what are you doing?"

"Didn't you know, Twilight? It's Tackle Hug day! See your best friend and give 'em a big ol'tackle hug! I mean, it's not a huge holiday so it's understandable if you didn't know about it but then again who wouldn't know about a day that's as a great as this? I mean you can give your friends tackle hugs! What could be better than that? OH! Wait, unless you have double tackle hug day! That would mean you tackle hug your friends twice as much! Oh my gosh that would be super duper ultra ruper awestacularistic!" Pinkie spoke in a near blur of words.

"Wait, Tackle Hug day?"

"Yah, Rainbow Dash told me about it on her way to work. She said you would love to get a tackle hug and I was like since it's tackle hug day it would be a perfect time to tackle hug her and then Rainbow Dash was all like 'Why didn't I think of that?' and I was like because I did and then she was like "Yah, your right!' then she left and I went searching for you so I could give you a super tackle hug just like you wanted!"

Twilight was almost in awe of the lightning speed at which Pinkie spoke. "So you're saying Rainbow Dash, told you about Tackle Hug Day, which no one else knew about before and told you I wanted to be tackled hugged when I've given no indication of such?"

"Yup!"

A large sigh escaped her mouth. "Pinkie, I think Rainbow Dash was just pulling your leg about Tackle Hug Day in order to get back at me for ruining her prank."

"So there isn't a Tackle Hug Day?"

"No, Pinkie there isn't a tackle hug day."

"Oh..." Pinkie looked down at the ground almost depressed.

"Huh, unless you want there to be a Tackle Hug Day..."

"Yay, happy Tackle Hug day, Ponyville!" Pinkie shouted.

Rubbing her head, Twilight returned to the conversation. "Yah, happy Tackle Hug day... wait, Pinkie don't you have work now?"

"Nope! Mr and Mrs Cake gave me the rest of the day off because I was such a hard worker! I'm free all day!"

"Right... anyway Pinkie I got to be going. I've need to catch up on some rest."

"Okey dokey lokey!"

Do they not want this me around? Spoke a soft voice.

Twilight looked around for the figure like usual but saw nothing. It appeared as though the voice had misled her. A sigh of relief escaped Twilight's mouth as she turned around to head home. Instead, she turned to face dead eyes that stared into her very soul. All she could do was scream and back away from the figure.

Demons

The figure remained still, almost as if merely a statue, but the shallow breathing destroyed that illusion. Dull grey eyes stared into Twilight, not blinking or losing a moment of focus. It’s face seemed to be split straight down the middle. One half was smiling like a foal receiving candy. The mane and tail were both styled much like Pinkie's, even down to the coat of the smiling half seemed to carry Pinkie's strange perkiness. The very essence of the smiling side seemed to be a stark contrast to the it's mirror. A grim sorrowful visage consumed the other half of the pony. The body of the mare followed the same deathly tone that face held, a dull flat mane and tail accompanied by depressing coat. However a single similarity of the two sides was universal, both seemed to be a dull pink. The dullness almost seemed like an infection across the body, centralized within the eyes themselves.

Twilight remained paralyzed by both a sense of fear and wonder. The creature looked as if it were Pinkie yet not. Unbelieving of what she was seeing, Twilight rubbed her eyes in an attempt to look away from the abyss that was the other pony's gaze. She remained there for a moment with her eyes shut, taking deep breaths. Slowly Twilight opened her eyes. The picture in front of her was only more of a shock to see the pony still there. Her eyes and body completely unmoved. Twilight decided to talk to the strange pony.

"Um... hello."

She was meant only by silence from the double sided pony.

"This might sound strange... but... have you been following me around all day?"

Only silence emerged from the creature.

"Are you okay?"

"I...am..." It spoke with two voices in unison.

"You are?"

"Exactly..."

"Exactly what?"

Before the creature could speak, a familiar voice rang out from behind Twilight, "Hey Twi! Whatcha up to?"

The disturbance caused Twilight to turn around to face the source of the voice. An orange mare approached at a calm trot. It took only a moment before she reached Twilight.

"Oh, Applejack! I'm just talking with this pony behind me."

"Um... Twi? There ain't a pony behind you."

"What are you talking about? Of course there is, I was just talking to her." Twilight turned and looked at the pony.

It remained still, keeping it's eyes fixated on Twilight.

"Twi, there isn't anything there."

AJ began to trot to the location of the mysterious pony. It was as if she couldn't see the mare yet she was in plain sight. Trotting closer to a inevitable collision, Applejack seemed completely ignorant of the mare's presence. Twilight felt worried about her friend offending the strange pony and probably losing her chance to learn why she was following her. Yet, Twilight remained stiff as if frozen in time, she watched Applejack proceed. With one final step Applejack was sure to collide with the mare. As soon as AJ touched the fur of the mare it seemed to just disperse into dust. Applejack gave a quick look around the area before returning her gaze to Twilight.

"Twi, unless that pony you were talking about can teleport then there isn't anyway for them to vanish without me have seeing them leave."

"No... she was... a... uh... earth pony..."

"You alright, Twi? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"No... I just... have a lot to process..."

"Here, lemme walk yah home. I'll make sure yah don't begin conversin' with the air again."

"Thanks, Applejack..."

"No problem, Twi. Now let's get yah home."

The two ponies began to walk to the large tree library. The streets remained calm as they usually are in the afternoons. Singing happily, the birds flew throughout the small town. Rational thoughts began to fill in the gaps created by the mysterious mare that had followed her throughout the day. From her body to her voice, it screamed strange yet the strangest thing was the fact it just dispersed into nothing. There was no scientific way that should be able to happen to a earth pony. Even if there was some manner for her to teleport without a horn it still had none of the usual signs of a teleportation. No blinding flash or even build up for the spell just her vanishing into thin air. This thought consumed Twilight's mind as did the question of why didn't Applejack see her. The silence between the two ponies grew the longer Twilight pondered this problem. Soon the two companions reached the library, only silence and darkness seemed to reside within.

"Well, Twi here yah go. I'd love to stay and chat with you but I got some chores at home."

"Alright, I think I can handle myself now. At least I can handle not talking to thin air."

"Heh, ok then I best be off. Take care!"

Trotting off, Applejack returned to her home leaving Twilight to her solitude. The door creaked open as Twilight walked into her humble abode. Giving a large sigh of relief, Twilight began to walk towards the stairs to her room when a voice rung out.

Should I tell them? Can I tell them?

Her heart stopped from the voice. Her entire body became petrified with fear. Slowly she turned around to the direction of voice. Twilight turned her gaze to the door of the library. Directly in front of the door was a mare. Dead eyes met with hers, sending shivers through her body. For a few moments, they stood there only looking at each other. Snapping herself out of the trance, Twilight began to inspect the rest of the pony. It's appearance was much like Applejack, brown Stetson on top of a orange mane and coat. Unlike her friend, each bone was clearly visible as the skin seemed to cling to it. The eyes were sunk back into the skull creating darkness around them. Even the Stetson seemed to be affected by the condition of the mare. It was as if this pony hadn't eaten for months.

"W-w-who are you?"

"...Why do you want to know?" It's voice was dry.

"Well... um, maybe I can help you if I know it."

"Help? I don't... need 'help'. "

"Can you at least tell me your name?

The mare opened her mouth in time for a childish voice to fill the empty silence. "Spike."

"Spike?"

The mare bursted into magical dust as the door to the library swung open. Twilight blinked a few times from the display of light created from the dust. She stood there looking at the dust for less then a second before the dragon spoke again.

"Yah Twilight, my name is Spike. You must had less sleep than I thought if you forget that." The little dragon walked into the library slowly shutting the door behind himself.

"I...uh...think you might be right..."

"You sound a bit out there. Are you alright Twilight?"

"I just ,uh... think it's sleep deprivation, is all. My brain too tired and can't keep up." She tiredly attempted to convince the dragon and herself.

"Well, alright, I'll make you a sandwich for when you wake up tomorrow. Sound good?"

"Yah..." She began up the stairs before stopping and looking back at the dragon. "Don't stay up too late, ok?"

"I know."

"Ok."

With a brief sigh and warm smile, Twilight proceeded up the stairs to her bed. The closer she got to the bed, the more her mind seemed to just relax. All of the illusions were just products of her imagination in combination of her sleep deprived state and nothing more. Once she had more sleep, they thought for sure that no more of those bizarre and horrifying would appear to here. With these thoughts in tow she reached the top of the stairs.

Who is she to me?

Twilight froze at the sound of the voice in her ears. Turning her head slightly to the side she looked towards the voice. With one last gulp she looked directly at the direction of the voice. Standing on top of Spike's bed was an almost exact duplicate of the dragon. It's eyes were different then the other hallucinations that she had before. It's eyes retained the same coldness but there was something different in each of them. Each eye kept a solid image of a flower within them. Both flowers were similar yet they both held a very distinct air from one another. Each had a yellow center where the buds connected to. The buds themselves were similar in shape and size. Yet the quantity and color of the buds were different. The flower in the left eye carried with it, white buds while the flower had buds tinted in a yellow hue. The flowers were clearly a daisy in the left and a chrysanthemum in the right eye. Beyond the eyes it appeared as if the apparition was just a copy of Spike.

At first the creature didn't seem to even acknowledge Twilight standing in front of it. It just blankly stared forward like it was looking at the bookshelf behind her. Eventually the focus of the creature went towards her. It smiled happily when it saw Twilight. Left arm reached out kind of like a half hug only for the right arm to grab it. Only the right side of the mouth moved when it said.

"No, she is not that to us."

"Yes, she is and you know it." The left side retorted.

"She is our friend, and we will keep it that way."

Twilight couldn't help but interrupt the conversation obviously about her. "What are you fighting about?"

Both sides stopped bickering and looked at Twilight. Neither side reacted for a while simply staring at Twilight. The left side broke the ever growing silence.

"We can let her decide."

"No, we already know how she feels. There is no need."

"Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Both sides shouted the words at the same time completely opposed to what any normal thing could do.Twilight unable to understand what was happening simple looked at the two halfs worriedly. Both seemed to look at her with care but each a different type. The left held a loving gaze while the right seemed to give a much less passionate one.

"See? You scared her and now she won't even feel what either of us want."

"No, you can't break a bond like ours."

"Yes, you can, because the bond you think we have doesn't exist!"

"Who are you?"

Once more both sides stop arguing and turn their attention to Twilight. "You don't remember me?"

"I... don't know."

"It's me! Twilight, don't you remember! It's me, Spike! We're..."

"Friends, and that's all." The right side interrupted.

"Spike," She said, putting special emphasis of the little dragon's name, "is downstairs and he doesn't act or talk like you."

"Twilight! Who are you talking to?" Spike's voice echoed from down the stairs.

"I don't know Spike!"

"Should I get the police?"

"Um..."

The left side looked at her with despair filled eyes. "Twilight?"

"That's alright, Spike... it was... uh... just Owlowiscious!"

"Alright, if you’re okay. I'll be going to be soon!"

Twilight sighed a breath of relief while maintaining a constant supervision of the thing in front of her. The creature also seemed to share her relief. Both side visibly relaxed.

"What are you?"

"Spike." Both said in unison.

"Don't lie, I know you heard him downstairs now tell me what are you?"

"I told you, she doesn't even recognize us. How can we possibly have that kind of bond when she doesn't even know who we are?"

"Maybe she lost her memory?"

"Yes, because she looks like she has no memory."

"Well, I know she knows it's us."

"Oh really? How are you going to prove that? Friends are lost in time all the time but what you suggest would never leave her mind. So explain why she doesn't think we are Spike?"

"I just said she lost her memory!"

"Come up with a better excuse than that!"

Both voices bickered against each other. Both the same voice sounding like a single pony was shouting at himself. The yelling eventually grinded against Twilight's nerves. Eventually the annoyance that was generated by the creature was too much to bare. Extending her magical grip over to the bookshelf, she grabbed a solitary book from it. With one swift motion she shouted when she threw the book.

"Shut up!"

The creature barely had time to see the object before it collided into them. The book passed through the creature with all her anger. Just like the many times before the creature exploded into a wondrous display of glitter. The book landed with a large thud against the wood floor of the library. After the sparkles in the air dissipated, Twilight was left alone in the darkness trying to get over what had happened. The pitter patter of Spike's feet against the steps echoed in her ears.

"Twilight!"

Spike soon appeared in the doorway to the stairs. The little dragon carried a expression of worry with him. Pushing back all the thoughts of what had happened, Twilight moved towards the edge of the stairs and looked down. She breathed in deeply in order to calm down.

"Are you alright, Twilight? I heard you shouting and then a large bang noise."

"Yah...uh... just, uh... I really need to sleep in tomorrow..."

"Are you sure that's it?"

"Yah, just... go... go clear my morning schedule tomorrow. I think I'll just take it slow tomorrow..."

"Ok... I'll go clear the day planner."

"Thanks..."

Spike smiled a little at Twilight. "Not a problem for your number one assistant."

"Yah... um... Spike, you can talk to me about anything. You know that right."

"I know, Twilight, you're always there. Now go to bed and I'll go clean the day planner."

"Ok..."

Twilight moves over towards her bed. The bed almost seems to beckon to her. Slowly getting into bed, Twilight was absorbed by the comfort of the bed. The sweet lullaby of the night played into her ear as she drifted off into unconsciousness.

Truth

Tweets and chirps rang out through the window, filling Twilight's ears. Slowly she began rise up from her slumber. A gentle yawn escaped her mouth as she slowly opened her eyes. The rays of the sun shone through the window and fell on Twilight, warming her and imparting a pleasant sensation. Tumbling out from her bed, Twilight groggily went through her usual morning ritual of brushing her mane and teeth. After serenely going through her routine, the peaceful morning thoughts she held were shattered by a familiar bickering.

"You were wrong. What you were insinuating was, she wouldn't throw a book at us like that."

"Well, maybe she was joking around."

"With that big of a book and with that much force?"

"Could be very serious joking."

"Now, you're making excuses to simply keep your point up. We are, at best, friends with her."

Twilight stood in the doorway to the bathroom in shock. The split creature from yesterday stood before her, arguing once more with itself. Thoughts raced through Twilight's mind at a mile a minute. It can't be real. It was just an illusion brought on by sleep deprivation. Yet despite what she thought, the creature still stood in front of her. In fact the monster seemed to have a even greater presence in the room. The colors on it's body seemed bolder and it's voice clearer.

"She is a friend and nothing more."

"You're a liar..."

"You're blind if you can't see it."

They continued to bicker between each other without end. Whenever one would find a valid point in the fight the other would redirect the argument. Neither could gain a foothold to convince the other half. Twilight began to recover from the shock of seeing the creature once more. Direct hits destroyed them last time... it can do it again. This solitary thought wandered through her mind. Looking over to the bookcase, Twilight pulled out another book with her magic. Twilight shut her eyes as she swung at the creature. Peeking through one eye, Twilight looked at the place of the creature only to see magic dust dissipating. Twilight sunk down and attempted to put her mind back into order.

"They were just illusions brought on by my sleep deprivation, weren't they? No... or else it wouldn't have shown up after a night's rest. So that means it must be magical in nature not psychological. If it's magical, then there must be a book about it. If there is a book about it then I can find it!"

She stood up after regaining her composure. Twilight marched downstairs to make something to eat before a vigorous study session. On the final step of the stairs, Twilight stopped Spike and nearly mistook him for the creature. She carried on to the kitchen. Spike turned around to see Twilight. The small dragon smiled as he spotted Twilight but remained by the counter.

"Twilight, you're finally up!"

"Sorry, I must have slept in quite a bit, it was a... interesting sleep."

"I could tell, you wouldn't stop talking in your sleep."

Twilight stopped for a moment. "What was I talking about?"

"I dunno, only got bits of it. You kept talking about someone arguing."

Powerful magic if it can effect my dreams like that... "Well, I hope that I won't have anything else like that."

"Me too, anyway I'm just making some gem cake. There is a sandwich in the fridge if you're hungry."

"Thanks Spike, I'll need the energy."

"Let me guess, another super Twilight study session?"

"Yeah, I just curious about a few things this morning and couldn't get them out of my head until I figure them out."

"You know, if you keep studying like that you'll end up a hermit."

Twilight rolled her eyes as she proceeded to the fridge and pulled out a daisy sandwich. Proceeding to the library center, Twilight pulled out several books that featured either high level mind or illusion magics. Various spells listed effects like the ones she experienced but they either lacked a few or they were too obvious for them to be effective. Time slipped by slowly as she scanned through every book in hopes to find either a spell or a phenomenon that would cause what was happening.

"Uh huh..." Twilight emptily spoke, too consumed to pay proper attention to what he said.

Spike closed the door slowly as to not snap Twilight from her trance of studying. After a few more volumes of books, Twilight had exhausted all of the resource material that she thought would hold the answer. The mare rested her head on the table and sighed. Nearly 235 spells and phenomenon yet not one of them was the one occurring to her. Not even the rarer events like wild magic or superstitions like curses.

"Alright, let's rewind a bit. The first time I think I saw one, was... in street with Applejack. Before that... I, read that book from the hidden compartment. I can't believe I forgot about it."

Twilight quickly rushed over to where she placed the book and brought it out. The old tome was the same as before. Placing it on the table, Twilight flipped through the pages until she found the spell she had cast. The text brought back memories of that night.

"Let's see here... Hmmm... where was that book on spell structure?"

Twilight grabbed a dark blue book from the shelf and placed it beside her.

"Let's see this is a seven stanza spellweave..." Twilight flipped through the blue book to find the proper page. "So let's see here... First stanza should be the target of the spell..."

Twilight looked at the spell once more to find the target. The book read, "From the souls and minds of my friends and foe." clearly stating the targets as both friends and foes of the caster.

"Hmmm... Stanza 2 to 5 is the desired effect... So, the effect is... to see the truth..." Twilight tapped her hoof against the table as she thought. "Truth... what kind of though... I can figure that out later, for now let's see what the final stanza is for..."

Twilight returned to the book only to find the final stanza not there. She remembered the reason for her inability to complete the spell properly. The image of the glowing orb of light still flashed through her mind. Shaking off the memory of the ball, she returned to her books.

"Let's see... last stanza is...oh no... oh no no no no no no no!"

Twilight rubbed her face to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Twilight fell into a sitting position from what she learned. Her hooves held her face as she breathed heavily. She shook her head back and forth trying to recover. Eventually, she calmed down enough to look at the book once more. Filled with hope that she had misread the paragraph detailing the point of the final stanza, she reread it. At the bottom of the page it read:

"The final stanza is generally very important for the whole spell. It gives the spell an ending so that it's effects can eventually wear off. Such an ending can either be a word or simply by the will of the user. If the spell is read without the seventh stanza then it either is meant to permanent or it is incomplete. Effects of a 7 stanza spell without the last stanza are virtually irreversible and it is advised you not use one unless you are absolutely sure."

Twilight began to panic about what she read. The spell clearly had at least a 7th verse to it. Fear grew larger, as she realized that she might be stuck seeing those awful creatures for the rest of her life. Then she stopped for moment. The book said virtually irremovable... that means there is a chance. If there is a chance who would know better than Celestia? That was the key! All she needed to do was explain the mistake she had made to her mentor. Surely, the princess of the sun can undo this sort of spell or maybe even Luna. Filled with even more hope Twilight began to write out the circumstances out on a letter. After a minute or so she had the letter to explain everything that had happened.

"Spike, take I need you to send a letter for me." She said confidently while waiting for her dragon messenger.

No reply was given to Twilight.

"Spike?"

Once more she was left only with silence. Twilight began to look around the library for him with little luck. She sat down at the kitchen table and laid her head down on it. Looking across from her she spotted a small piece of paper leaning against the fruit bowl. Grabbing the note Twilight began to swiftly read it.

"Dear Twilight,

Since most likely you didn't hear me when I told you where I was leaving because of your study coma, I have decided to leave you this note. I am currently helping Rarity at her boutique. If you need me to send something then either wait for me at home or come to the boutique.

From Spike.

P.S. Please take my gem cake out of the oven before it burns, thanks."

Twilight sighed after reading the note. "It's both convenient and sad that he knows me well enough to leave this..."

Taking out the gem took out the cake from the oven before leaving her sanctuary. The warmth of the sun hit her softly. The peaceful aura that seemed to radiate out from the town filled her with a calmness. The singing of the birds flowed through her ears. The sounds of foals playing, with the soft whisper of far off conversations both graced her ears. Her worries were almost washed away from the jovial feelings coming from the town. She got a hold of herself and began her journey to the boutique.

The unicorn maintained a steady pace of walking. She gazed around at her surroundings making sure none of the creatures lurked around somewhere. Twilight reached the town square. Just like the previous day, a multitude of vendors had set up their stands. Smells of lovely products and merchandise filled the air. Sounds of bits and objects being exchanged created a melody of business. Applejack was set up in her usual place. Fresh apples adorned her stand. Twilight approached the cart assuming a few moments couldn't hurt since it wasn't likely Spike would leave Rarity's early.

Applejack turned to greet Twilight. "Well, howdy Twi, hope you're doing better than yesterday."

It was probably best not to tell her friends of her situation. "Yes, I'm fine, just needed some rest is all."

"Well that's good to hear." Applejack grabbed one of the apples from her cart and offered it to Twilight. "Here, apple a day keeps the doc away."

Twilight took the apple and smiled. "Thanks, sorry if I was out of it yesterday."

The entire world suddenly went dead silent. Applejack's mouth moved as if she was speaking but no sound came out. Only a quiet whisper could be heard in the cold silence.

I don't need them...

Twilight froze at the sound of the voice. She began to look all around herself looking for the creature that she was sure would appear. Nothing seemed to appear before her. The square seemed the same. The smell of day old food and other merchandise surrounded her. Yet the world seemed to almost slow down for her as the adrenaline began to pump. Sound soon returned to her ears as Applejack seemed to snap her out of it.

"Twi, you alright?"

"Yah, I just thought I..." She stopped when she looked at her friend once more.

The once healthy and strong body of her friend was shriveling away at an alarming pace. Her skin began to cling to her bones. The eyes sunk into skull as her hair began to form into a large rat nest. Grey seemed to envelope the body of the mare much like it had with Discord. Twilight took a step back only to notice the stench of rotten food and rotten wood. She looked at the apple currently in her hoof only for it to decompose. Quickly she jerked her hoof back allowing the rotting mess fall to the ground. Looking up to the stand she sees the repugnant slosh that was once Applejack's stock. The wood of the stand creaked and groaned. Black molds began to climb up the stand and apples. The world seemed to follow along with this twisted image as the groans and pops from other stand echo out into the air. Twilight looks around panicked by what is occurring. It's just an illusion. That single though constantly repeated in her mind only for the smells and sounds to say otherwise.

Suddenly, she was grabbed by Applejack. "Twilight, snap out of it!"

In that single instant everything turned back to normal. The horrible noises of rotten food bursting and stand groaning was replaced by the usual sounds of commerce. Fresh air and produce swept away the noxious odor. Twilight was still hyperventilating as she watched a virtual walking corpse spontaneously grow back into the friend she knew.

"Twilight, get a hold of yourself."

"Oh, uh, Applejack, I... uh..."

"May need to see a doctor more than have an apple. You just suddenly freaked out after I gave you one."

"Yeah, I just had a... really vivid daydream..."

"Must have been one heck of a daydream then. Looked like you saw the pale pony himself."

"No, I just...I just have to stop stressing is all. I have to go see Spike about sending a letter."

"You sure you're alright? I wouldn't mind closing down shop for a bit so I can get Spike and you can get home to rest."

"It's fine ,really, probably just a one time thing is all."

"Alright then, take care, Twi."

"Thanks."

Twilight continued her trek to boutique despite what she had saw. The world around her remained blissfully unaware of everything that had occurred in those few short moments. Birds sang their joyful songs and the whispered conversations around her seemed to grow. A single thought reverberated through her skull as she paced through the town. What truth did that horrible image show her? The spell was meant to show her the truth so it meant the spell must show her some sort of truth. Yet, all she saw was a world rotting away that required help.

Twilight continued through town, making sure not to allow anything to halt her advance. Sugar Cube Corner marked her journey as nearly finished. The business around the store was average for what a weekend would be like. The entire world was bustling with life. Not allowing of it to stop her, Twilight proceeded down the street only to be blocked by a pink blur.

"Heya, Twilight! My left and right hooves are twitchy! You know what that means!"

"Pinkie, I don't have time for this right now, I have to get to Rarity's."

"Awwww, but this one is really good! Lefty and righty twitchy means watch out for falling alligators!"

"Watch out for... oh no..."

Twilight looked up in the nick of time to see the green monster fly towards her. Within a moment the menace clasped onto Twilight's horn with it's toothless mouth.

"Pinkie, I would ask why Gummy was flying but I really have to get to Rarity's and also because you're Pinkie and you don't need a reason."

Would they prefer another me?

"Oh no..."

Twilight quickly searched around and this time taking special care of making sure Pinkie didn't change. The world seemed fine for the brief moment of time.

"Oh no?"

"Oh no... I'm late with a meeting with Rarity."

"Maybe you meant, oh no, not this Pinkie." A voice called out from behind Twilight.

Quickly spinning around to face the creature she was only greeted by another Pinkie. Who looked much like the other except her eyes were brown.

"Maybe she meant, oh no, that Pinkie?"

Once more Twilight turned to face the source of the voice only to face another pink pony. This one's hair was combed straight down.

"Silly billy milly foo fi tillies! She must have meant oh no those Pinkies!"

Another Pinkie stepped out from behind the straight haired Pinkie. The new one had extremely fluffed coat and mane to the point where it bordered on the ridiculous.

"No... she meant... uh... oh no... us Pinkies..."

A multitude of Pinkies began to spring up from every direction. Through a small jap between the ever increasing swarm of pink ponies Twilight spotted a stallion with a brown mane and coat. For a few moments she felt that someone else might be in this nightmare with her. Until the stallion stopped and looked at her. His body began to shift and morph. He screamed in pain as his bones shrunk and shifted. He shed all of his fur only for pink fur to replace it. Only after this could Twilight hear the other ponies scream as they all transformed into more Pinkies. The space between her and the mass of pink slowly grew smaller until she was nearly suffocating in the maelstrom of Pinkie Pies. Slowly the air drained from Twilight's lungs as she was crushed under the ever expanding mass.

"Hey silly billy! You done making that face at me?" A single voice spoke out from the crowd of screams.

Just like before the world shifted back to normal. The mass of ponies vanished into thin air. Sounds of screaming were no longer present and the ponies seemed to have not even noticed. Twilight looked around to see the same stallion walking around as if nothing had happened. Rubbing her eyes, Twilight stared at Pinkie.

"Oh! Are we going to have a funny face contest? Because I don't think I could beat yours. It was pretty fantabulistic!"

"No, Pinkie... I'm not having a silly face contest. I just had a bit of zone out moment." Twilight forced a smile despite her discomfort.

"Awww... Oh well, but I guess you zoned back in."

"Heh... I guess I did."

"Yup, well I suppose I should leave you to your finding of ponies of the Rarity persuasion!"

"Thanks... Hey Pinkie, you know you can talk to me if you have problems."

"Well duh, I know you guys are there! Just like I am for all my friends! Now get outta here, you got a pony to find so you can find your dragon!"

"How did you... you know what, nevermind, I wasted enough time as it is. Bye, Pinkie Pie."

"Cya!"

Pinkie seemed to vanish in a blur of pink. Twilight didn't move for a bit so she could calm down again. Soon enough, she ventured forward to the Carousel Boutique. Once more the thoughts of what the illusions showed her ran through her mind. What could either of the visions mean? What truth could create such a horrible events and scenes? Despite how much she wanted to know she couldn't figure it out. Focusing on what she would do if more of the illusions popped up, Twilight created a plan in case. No longer would she be the victim of the horrendous imagery presented in the illusions.

Soon Twilight approached the grand building that was Rarity's boutique. The multi-tiered building stood quite tall compared to the other buildings in Ponyville. Light seemed to reflect off of the white walls of the building. Twilight entered the boutique. The posh interior was filled with various dresses and materials. In the back of the building was a stage of sorts surrounded by mirrors. The rest of the floor was filled with racks of clothes that ranged from the highest of high society to the lowest of high society. Mannequins were organized in the back except for the one located in the center of the room. Rarity stood beside the mannequin placing needles into the dress that was fitted onto it. By her side was Spike with various needles in his back. Both Rarity and Spike looked over to Twilight as she entered the building.

"Ah, Twilight dear, how have you been? It's been much too long since we talked."

"We talked yesterday..."

"We did? Oh, dear I'm sorry I with all this work I've been doing it's been hard to keep track of everything. Luckily, Spikey Wikey has been generous enough to help me."

"Yes, well, I need Spike for a quick second. It's really urgent."

"It's alright with me dear. He is your assistant after all."

Spike stood up and walked over to Twilight. "Watcha need Twilight?"

"I need you to send this letter to Celestia."

"Friendship report, darling?"

"Kinda, anyway just in case. If I seem to zone out for a moment try to get me to snap out of it as soon as possible."

"What an odd request, but if you need it then I shall deliver a swift jolt."

Twilight pulled the letter out of her bag she carried with her. "Thanks, Spike here is the note for Celestia."

"Some day you must let me replace that ratty old bag of yours."

With one swift action Spike blew fire upon the scroll sending it on it's merry way. The small dragon looked back at Twilight.

"Need anything else?"

"Uh... no, I'm good now."

"Alright, back to work, I suppose."

"Are you sure you don't want me to make you a new bag? It's no trouble really."

"No, I'm alright Rarity. Besides, you have your own business to run."

"I suppose you're right."

Who do I belong to?

"I'm ready for you this time."

"Ready for whom, darling?"

Twilight scoured the entire boutique for signs of either the Spike creature or Rarity creature. Silence once more befell the world. The racks of dresses that surrounded Twilight began to violently shake. Clothing from the racks fell onto the floor and began mixing together. The mixed clothes gathered near the center of the room and enveloped the area that Rarity was. Slowly wrapping around themselves the clothes formed up. Eventually the clothes created a strange patch work creature. It shared the same mane style and body of Rarity but made purely out of numerous materials. Each piece of fabric sewn into place. The creature merely stared at Twilight for a few short moments before starting to walk over to Spike. Unable to move any piece of her body, Twilight watched the patchwork monster put it's hooves on Spike. Slowly the fabric seemed to sew into the dragon's body. Thread by thread Spike became more consumed by the creatures’ grasp. This went on for a few moments before a voice rung out.

"Twilight dear, here comes the shock you asked for."

The scenery vanished within an instant of the voice reaching out to her. Twilight shook her head to shake off the groggy feeling that came with the illusions. However before Twilight could fully understand what was happening, a sharp needle stabbed her flank.

"AH!" Twilight exclaimed in pain.

"Was that too hard, darling?"

"Just a bit..."

"Well, you didn't specify so I assumed you wanted good shock."

"Don't worry, it's alright. At least you help me get out of that ni... daydream."

"Having a lot of them, I assume?"

"Yes, I think I'll figure something out but for now I gotta head home before I 'zone' out again."

"Take care dear, and careful with those daydreams."

"I'll be home later tonight, Twilight."

"Alright Spike, I'll put your cake in the fridge."

With that, Twilight set out for home, content that Celestia would receive her message and reply. Yet the unsettling feeling of the possibility of the creatures appearing before her. The life of the town seemed to die down in the evening. Most of the stalls have packed up and went home. Applejack remained by her cart and gave a nod to Twilight as she passed by. Even at twilight the entire town was blissful. Not a single soul knew what she had seen. The horrors created by some sort of truth from her friends. What truths could possibly fabricate such awful things as what she saw? That question had been bouncing through her mind for the entire day and has yet to be answered

When Twilight returned to her fortress of solitude, she began to write down the day’s events in a journal. Every detail that she could remember from the beginning to the end of the day. By the time she was finished writing it, Spike had returned home and had gone to bed. Twilight decided to go to bed as well and wait for the Princesses' reply to her plea. Twilight laid her head down on her soft pillow and slowly drifted off to the dream world.

Trapped

The voices taunted her, poor mare, as she walked, the landscape a constant menagerie of horrors. Scenes of violence and destruction played within small rectangular windows along the side the pathway. Twilight had no recollection when or how she arrived in this place nor even what this place was. All she knew at the moment the urge to simply press forward. Screams whispered into her ears like wispy wind, each voice carrying a different message, like "You aren't wanted" or "You're only dust to her" and other daunting messages. It felt as if she had been walking for an eternity yet she never tired. Fear encapsulated her but yet she felt no need to run back to the entrance of this tunnel of horror. Looking around cautiously, Twilight gazed beyond the squares containing scenes. All there was past them was an abyss, stretching on for eternity.

"Is anyone there?" She shouted hoping for someone to reply.

The endless darkness only replied with the usual whispers with no reaction to her. As Twilight ventured forth she had to force herself to not look at the scenes playing beside her. Each time she looked at the image, the tortured eyes of a pony suffering their own personal hell looked back. One in the fetal position surrounded by giants. Another with a pony covered in a layer of bugs leaving only the eyes, bloodshot, staring at her. Yet by far the most disturbing ones were the calmest; the ones that seemed utterly normal yet with only one thing seemingly off. A small filly was standing in the center of her class room smiling with her classmates. Only upon closer inspection could she see the stitches keeping their mouths in such a twisted grin. Each image could only bring disgust to Twilight, but still, despite her desire to vomit, she continued forth.

Soon the images began to grow, and garner space between them. At first they were side by side, then a divide was slowly created. Eventually the images began to stop coming. Twilight looked back as she walked only to see none of previous scenes there, only darkness. Only after seeing the pictures vanish had she noticed the voices stopped talking. The subtle whispers were replaced by a dead silence.

"Is anyone there? If you can hear me please shout back!"

"We are." The abyss replied.

For the first time, Twilight stopped. "W-where are you?"

"In the dark."

Multiple voices rang out at her, speaking at the same time, chilling in their raspy harmony.

"Who are you? Do you know where we are?"

"Down the rabbit hole past at an right angle of reality."

"I don't know what that means. Please, can you just come out so I can see you?"

"We are ahead. Simply look forward and march and at the intersection of fantasy and truth you shall see beyond."

The voices clearly came from direction which she originally was heading. Her compulsion to move forward only grew with the conversation. The mysterious voices, speaking as one voice in a harmony that would make even the Canterlot Chorus envious, seemed to hold no ill will to her. So, with a deep breath, Twilight continued forward, now with the goal of meeting the owners of the voices. Once more she was encompassed by an almost deafening silence. Not even her hooves against the floor made a noise. Not that she could tell there was a floor, since all that was below her was another void.

She had never felt more alone in her entire life. Usually she had Spike or any number of ponies to give her company but now there was no one. No one to talk, walk or even occupy the same space as her. Just the looming shadows accompanied her. The larger her thoughts on the situation grew, the greater her desire became.. Growing from a light trot, she proceed to move faster. Darkness seemed to reach for her as she galloped down the hall. Soon a speck appeared in the distance in front of Twilight. The speck grew as she approached it. The closer she got the easier it was to make out. A large rectangular wooden door stood against the empty darkness behind. The only thing of note was the doorknob, which took on an almost amorphous appearance. Each time she looked at it, the knob seemed to change shape, texture and even color. At first it was a brass knob then a silver handle. By the time Twilight was right beside the door the knob had taken on the appearance of the symbol for theater: two masks overlapping another, one smiling while the other frowned.

"This can't be real..."

The mare moved to walk around the large door only for a invisible force to stop her. It wasn't a wall or anything of the sort; rather, it was a ghastly gust of wind. It swept by, sending her back a few feet then abruptly stopped. The air seemed to just freeze in an instant. Twilight shook her head and finally turned the knob of the door. Reverberating through the deathly stillness, the door creaked open. Before her was a sight that she had seen many times before. Slowly, Twilight walked into the throne room of Canterlot Castle.

The natural light that she was accustomed to seeing in the room was dimmed. No longer did the light passing through the windows give an almost holy glow. Instead it was little more then a dull glow. It highlighted the room’s features. The pillars blocked a good portion of the light creating an illusion that the pillars were just darkness. The throne stood high and mighty as it was when she lived in Canterlot. Yet, it carried an air of death when the pale light shone on it. In the center of the room stood 6 figures shrouded in a darkness so deep it was like an ocean.

"Why did you run from us?" They chanted the words lifelessly.

"Run from you? Who are you?"

"We are..." Boomed a voice from all around her.

"Unsure."

"Unknown."

"Uncertain."

"Are those your names?"

"We are..." Once more it boomed.

"Undefined"

"Unrefined."

"Unyielding."

"Ok, it's nice to meet you all but can you tell me where we are?"

"You ran from us, hid from us and covered us up. Now you demand us, command us and still you ran from us. You are a watcher, listener and witness." They chanted in unison.

"What are you talking about? When did I run from you? When did I do any of that to you?"

Slowly the figures began to walk towards chanting a tune. "I am truth, you are mask. Lies become real, truth becomes fake."

"Please stop that! C-c-can you just tell me how to leave? Then you can be left to what ever you were doing."

Once more they chanted. "We are..."

"Unsure." The figure stepped forward revealing the small dragon that she knew almost all her life. Twilight was about rush forward when she noticed the clear line down the middle of the creature and she recognized it immediately.

"Unknown."

Another figure moved beyond the veil of darkness into the light. It was a pegasus but it looked more like death than anything. One of it's wings was completely bone while the other still had bits of tendons clinging to it. Patches across it's body varied in how deep they went either to the bone or just shaved. As if someone had just erased those pieces. It's face partially hid behind a faded pink mane. The one eye that looked at her was also patched like her body. Twilight stepped back in shock.

"Uncertain."

A third figure emerged from the veil of shadow. Unlike the others, it's body held no solid form. A dull blue was one of the only defining features of the creature as it shifted. It's body position, emotion and even age seemed to constantly shift within seconds. One moments it stand tall and proud, wings spread out like eagle. The very next second it was a little filly curled up in the fetal position. Twilight tried to see what it face looked like but the constant wavering of it's form much like a mirage made it nearly impossible.

"Look, you already told me your names. Could you... just, show me the exit?"

"We are..."

"Undefined."

A familiar figure stepped from the veil of black that covered the room. A pink mare with the greatest smiling face moved one step towards Twilight. For a brief moment Twilight felt joy that a friend was here in this nightmare of a place. However, her joy was quickly buried by fear when she spotted the rest of the faces. Various faces of emotions and composition grew off the mare's body like tumors. Opening and shutting their mouths as if to scream yet with no noise coming out.

Twilight took a few more steps back from where she came. I'll just run back out the door if it gets too bad... She thought, frightened, reassuring herself of the obvious escape route.

"Unrefined."

A patchwork pony walked out of the shade. Not that she could tell it was originally a pony. It's body made of multiple colors of skin, fabric and scales all sewn together like a quilt. Not even the eyes were spared from the patches. Twilight's heart pounded faster when she spotted a green spike on the back of the pony. It's not Spike.... It's not Spike... Spike is fine just a trick... The thought rushed through her mind over and over in an attempt to convince herself.

"Unyielding."

The stench of rot grasped Twilight's nose like a vice. She took another step back simply from the repulsive odor. The creature was basically all bone with a tight sheet of skin wrapped around it. Bits of hair stuck out from the nearly bald head covered in numerous cuts and scratches. Her hind legs looked disjointed and destroyed beyond repair. Cuts left unattended festered with what Twilight could only assume were maggots. Yet the most dreadful part of this abomination were it's eyes or lack thereof. The only sign that this once had eyes were the sockets that now are riddled with various insects all writhing around.

Once more they sang in a horrendous unison as they trotted to Twilight. "You ask to see, but now you flee. Yet we stand with an answer."

"Look, I can find my own way out." She walked back further. "Really, it's fine, why don't you return to whatever you were doing and I can get backtrack to get home."

"Secrets of friends and lies that have no ends. In a cage of darkened sorrow." Further they marched towards Twilight.

No longer could she take the sights, sounds or even smell of these monsters. With one swift action she spun around prepared to dash back down the hall. When she turned all she saw was a wall of darkness that rose up to the ceiling. Running towards the darkness in hopes of escape, she collided into barrier. Quickly regaining her senses she turned to see the ever advancing force of abominations approach her. Behind the creatures the black wall seemed to appear in an instant. No, there was a door here. I was in the throne room. The exit should be right here. Once more the tune rung in her ears.

"We are..."

"Unsure."

"Unknown."

"Uncertain."

"Go away! Just leave me alone! I am the Princess’s protege so if you hurt me you'll be sorry!" Twilight pressed herself against the dark wall in an attempt to get as far away from the creatures.

"We are..."

"Just leave!"

"Undefined."

"Shut up!"

"Unrefined."

"You're just an illusion!"

"Unyielding."

"I..." Twilight began to hyperventilate as the monsters were only a foot away from her.

"We aren't fears. We aren't lies. We aren't fake." They took another step.

"D-d-don't come closer."

"We are you. You are we. Yet, we will be free."

The monsters lunged forwards at Twilight with mouths agape. Their eyes cold an everlasting winter. Twilight screamed but they could reach no one.

A sudden jolt of pain struck through Twilight causing her eyes to fling open. A black shroud enveloped her and grabbed hold of her body. Panicked, Twilight began to struggle against the darkness managing to get loose from it's hold. As she crawled away from whatever had grabbed her, small beams of light hit her. In order to get away, she pressed herself against a nearby wall. After a moment Twilight began to recognize the room she currently was in. No longer was she in the black void but rather her bedroom in the library. Twilight looked over to examine the creature that had grabbed her only to see her bed sheet on the floor.

"It was... just a dream." She rubbed the sweat off of her forehead.

"See? She would know it's more then that."

Twilight froze with fear and slowly turned her head to the voice. Down the stairs was the split creature she had many encounters with. The two sides were pronounced than before, one half taking on a more childish and light tone while the other seemed darker and serious.

"Well, it would be hard for anyone to know."

"It's obvious what it means."

"That's only because we know. She can see but she can't hear."

"20/20 vision yet still you are blind."

Getting over the fear Twilight decided a new method. "W-w-why are you here?"

Both eyes turned to her and then back to each other. "We were always here."

"You just didn't want to see it at the time."

"But, now, you do."

"No, she doesn't. She would know if she does."

"Could you please not start another argument?"

Both sides sighed. "Fine..."

"Ok, so before I didn't want to see you?"

"Yes."

"Now, I do want to see you."

"No."

"Yes."

Twilight stood up and walked slowly down the stairs. "Ok stop... uh, the no side, why I don't I want to see you?"

"Because you hide, you have to see all to finally want to see."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh! It means that you aren't ready to make that choice of if you want to see," The opposite side spoke.

"It was only my turn to talk."

"I want to talk to her."

"Well, what you want isn't always what you get, now is it?"

Becoming less fearful and more annoyed Twilight spoke up once more. "Anyway, you, yes side, tell me why I want to see."

"Because you made yourself see. So it must mean you want to."

"Idiot, she doesn't want to see because she doesn't know what she sees."

"Stop, please don't argue right now. Ok, so... I made myself see, correct?"

"Yup!"

"But I don't want to because I don't know what I see."

"Yes."

"Can you tell me what I see?"

"Can you tell a blind pony what red is?"

"You shouldn't be so mean. You know what she means to us."

"She doesn't mean that and she doesn't get it."

"Stop! Ok, so I can't know what I see until I see it all. So...let's see... the spell went for friend or foes... I have no real foes so friends... the illusions come up when I see AJ, Pinkie, Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow... So... I need to see Fluttershy and Rainbow."

"But do you want to see?"

"If you meet in the middle of the intersection of reality and fantasy, which way will you go?"

"What?"

"I said, do you want hay pancakes this morning?"

The two faced creature seemed to turn to dust rather then explode this time. It's desperate eyes watched Twilight as it faded. In front of her was her loyal assistant, Spike.

"Earth to Twilight, do you want hay pancakes?"

"Oh... uh sure."

"Alright, I'll go whip up a batch for us."

"Thanks..." I need to see Fluttershy and Rainbow... I need to know what they meant. "Spike, do you happen to know where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are today?"

"Uh... I think Rainbow got a day off... probably either out in the field practicing or napping. Fluttershy would be at home or just wandering around Ponyville I think... can I ask why?"

"Oh... uh ... just wanna tell them something about yesterday."

Spike briefly walked down the stairs before stopping and turning back to Twilight. "Speaking of yesterday, you got a reply back from Celestia. I didn't read it because it seemed this was a more personal issue then usual. It's over there."

"Thanks."

"No problemo, for the Number One Assistant. Now, I'm off to make some pancakes." The little dragon sauntered down the stairs.

Twilight rubbed her face as she sighed. I might be losing my mind... She walked over to the desk where the reply from Celestia rested. The royal seal pressed into wax sealing the rough paper shut. Extending her grasp Twilight opened the letter and laid it on the table. Looking down at the note, Twilight read:

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Good evening Ms. Sparkle, I am head of Magic R&D at Cantorlot Academy, Arcane Spark. We regret to inform you that, Celestia is currently unable to help you as she has developed a cold. It is nothing to be concerned about but she does require rest. So after reading this letter, she sent it to me to help resolve your dilemma.

In any case after reading of your adventures with this strange new magic, it appears that you have a homemade spell on your hooves. So who ever that book previously belonged to was quite powerful. Also despite that fact we can also determine it was quite some time ago that this spell was created due to the fact that 7 stanza spell weaves fell out of usage nearly a century ago due to the harshness of miscasting.

After analyzing the spell composition that the spell was originally used to be a much more serious truth spell. Either the creator was insane or completely brilliant because the amount of thought put into the word usage was quite impressive. Rather than exposing shallow lies told by other this spell places a magical lens over the caster. This lens acts as a medium between the magic field, the target and the caster. It basically gives you a double vision of sorts, allowing you to visually see a representation of the lie and maybe even further. From what we gather from your experience, the creature takes the form of the target but centers around the idea.

We know how the spell works but not it's intended purpose for now. We will try to either reverse engineer the spell to make a counter or find a way to nullify it entirely. We will send another message in about a week or so on our progress.

One last thing before I finish. Do not - I repeat, DO NOT - interact with the illusions. While they cannot hurt you physically, they are still separate entities. They cannot see you unless you make your presence known. It is still unsure what they are capable of if they manage to see you.

Otherwise I wish you good luck.

Sincerely,

Arcane Spark, Head of Magic R&D.

Twilight's heart sank as she read the note. The perspective of them not knowing a manner to remove this horrible spell but also that final message. "Do not and I repeat do not interact with the illusions." After just having a conversation with one of them mere moments ago. Had she forgotten to include that in her original message? That she had already talked to them. Her head spun around the idea before she settled a bit. Once more she gained control over her breathing and reorganized her thoughts.

"Calm down... They said they didn't know what would happen. That doesn't necessarily mean that they will hurt or attack me. But it doesn't mean otherwise either! Oh, why did Celestia have to get sick of all things?"

Twilight began to pace back and forth trying to grasp the situation.

"Ok, let's get the facts straight... The spell is an advanced truth spell. It allows me to see further into the psyche of the targets, my friends. The split Spike illusion said I couldn't want to see until I saw everything. So maybe, the ones I have seen come from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash from what I can tell."

Twilight tapped her hooves against the floor trying to think.

"So... maybe if I see Fluttershy and Rainbow then I can get some information I am missing..."

A voice shouted from down the stairs. "Yo, Twilight are you going to have breakfast or not? You've spent like 20 minutes up there."

I couldn't possibly have been 20 minutes... He just went downstairs didn't he?

"Alright, I'll be down in a second."

"Okay!"

Twilight rubbed her forehead and breathed deeply. Thoughts raced through her mind as to what she might face when she encountered her friends. If the spell allowed her to see a representation of her friends, then what do they all mean? Pushing this thought to the side, Twilight proceeded down the stairs for breakfast.

"I just have to find Fluttershy and Rainbow then maybe I'll get more answers..."