Mind-Space Equestria

1.4

Bon Bon landed on her left front hoof, twisting her body and swinging her rear hooves into Twilight’s chest. Sending the unicorn flying over the heads of Pinkie and Fluttershy to crash into the sandy floor of the arena. Bon Bon somersaulted through the air, twisting her body so that her hooves would crush Twilight’s skull had Rainbow not collided with her in mid-air, causing them to tumble to the ground.

‘Nopony hurts one of my friends and gets away with it.’ Rainbow snarled pushing her hoof into Bon Bon’s throat.

‘Rainbow let her go,’ said Twilight climbing back onto her hooves. ‘We’re here to help her remember.’

Dash snorted in Bon Bon’s face. The Princesses may have sent them here to help but if Bon Bon kept going with this crap Rainbow was going to pound her face as flat as the candy she sold in her shop. Dash lifted her hoof from Bon Bon’s throat allowing Bon Bon to roll up onto her back and nail Rainbow in the chest, sending the pegasus hurtling into the sky.

‘How dare you,’ screamed Fluttershy leaping onto Bon Bon’s chest and jumping up and down with the ferocity of a jackhammer. ‘You do not, I repeat, you do not hurt my friends. You got that?’

Bon Bon wasn’t in a position to respond as Fluttershy drove the air from her lungs. Applejack grabbed hold of Fluttershy and lifted her gently off the pony they were supposed to be helping. Bon Bon staggered back to her feet as she stared at the savages in confusion. Usually by now the cleaners would be clearing the piles of dead bodies from the arena. These ponies must be gladiators not savages. Madam Posey must be testing her to see if she is truly ready for the tournament. A quick glance at the mare earned Bon Bon nothing but a sweet smile in return. Time to show Madam Posey that this earth pony was more than ready.

‘Really, you’re going to pick a fight with little ol’ me,’ said Applejack as Bon Bon charged at the apple farmer who bucked trees for a living.

‘I think you may have overdone it, just a tad,’ said Rarity as Bon Bon collided with the wall on the far side of the arena.

‘Meh, I figured it would save us time if I just knocked her out.’

‘Hope that doesn’t make her wake up,’ said Twilight as they trotted over to Bon Bon’s body.

‘Don’t be silly Twilight, if the dream was over then all this would vanish faster than free cupcakes at Sugar Cube Corner. Oh now this won’t do, let’s turn this frown upside down,’ said Pinkie as she pushed up Bon Bon’s cheeks to form a distorted grin.

‘My poor Bon Bon, I told you that you weren’t ready for this.’

‘Ooh new mare in the fancy gown,’ said Pinkie letting go of Bon Bon’s face. ‘I’m Pinkie Pie. I just love meeting new ponies?’

‘Such strange ponies Bon Bon has dreamed up,’ said Madam Posey tapping Bon Bon gently on the cheek. ‘Time to wake up my dear Bon Bon.’

Twilight’s vision snapped to Madam Posey. She said dream. Madam Posey kept gently slapping Bon Bon’s cheek as Twilight continued to stare. She knew it was a dream. Only Twilight and her friends understood that, even Bon Bon clearly thought that all this was real.

‘Huh?’

‘Come we need to get you back home so you can rest.’

‘Rest,’ said Bon Bon stumbling back onto her feet.

‘Yes, you tried your best but it is time to put away childish notions of being with the Empress.’

‘No, I won’t give her up.’

‘Bon Bon you must listen to me. I truly wish that it were different, that right now you were standing beside Empress Lyra on her balcony at the Imperial Palace.’ Bon Bon’s eyes glazed over as she unconsciously looked in the direction of the palace. Madam Posey placed her hoof gently against Bon Bon’s cheek and turned her back. ‘I know it’s hard for you but there comes a time when a mare must put away filly dreams and face reality.’

‘I don’t wanna let go,’ said Bon Bon striking her hoof against the ground.

‘If you step into this arena tomorrow, you will die. You cannot win. You will be throwing your life away for a pony that doesn’t even know you exist.’

‘I will make her notice, the tournament…’

‘You will die! Why can’t you accept reality? When stepping into this arena tomorrow you will be all alone, a simple earth pony surrounded by unicorns and pegasi whose desire to impress the Empress is just as strong.’

‘Why alone, can’t Bon Bon’s friends join in on the fun?’ asked Pinkie thinking that this Madam Posey was one seriously wet blanket. Somepony needed to hang her from a clothesline.

‘Yes, I thought that teams could compete in these tournaments?’ said Twilight.

‘They can,’ replied Bon Bon. ‘The team’s usually consists of three or four ponies, unicorns and pegasi combining their talents of flight and magic.’

‘Yes, unicorns and pegasi not earth ponies.’

‘You’re an earth pony and you won a tournament in your youth.’

‘I was just an insignificant member of a much larger team of unicorns and pegasi. If it had been a team of earth ponies we would have lost.’

‘What a load of horse apples,’ said Applejack. ‘From the way she’s yapping you’d think earth ponies were inferior.’

‘Which is totally not cool, I mean look at all the crazy things Pinkie can do. Oh… um… yeah and all the great things AJ can do,’ added Rainbow after catching the expression on Applejack’s face.

‘I fear that Madam Posey is right, there is little chance of my winning the tournament tomorrow but I will enter anyway.’

‘But you’ll die.’

‘No she won’t,’ said Pinkie, ‘don’t forget you have us.’

‘Huh?'

‘We can help you with this tournament-thingy and show this Empress just what a Bon Bon can do.’

‘Um Pinkie I really think that we should be investigating…’

‘Silly Twilight I’m the… C A P T I N.’

‘That’s A I N Pinkie but I really think that…’

Pinkie pressed her hoof to Twilight’s lips, ‘So Bon Bon whataya say?’

‘You want to help me?’

‘Of course silly, we’re your friends.’

Bon Bon stared at the savages, the ah ponies who were offering to assist. Their help would dramatically improve her chances of winning but what if it diluted her ability to impress the Empress? Of course, if she didn’t make it through the first five minutes it wouldn’t matter. ‘I would be honoured.’

‘Even with their help Bon Bon you cannot win,’ said Madam Posey.

‘You are supposed to be my friend, why won’t you support me for once?’

Madam Posey took a step back, ‘Of course I’m your friend.’

‘Could have fooled us,’ said Dash.

‘I am simply trying to look out for you, but if you are determined to go through with this then you of course have my full support.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You should return the savages to their cell. It will keep them safe until the tournament. Then you should head home and rest.’

‘But what of the traditional prefight drink at The Winking Mare?’

‘Oh do not worry about that. I will make an appearance on your behalf. Perhaps if I mention your loss of consciousness during your practice fight it will lull them into believing you are easy prey.’

‘I am sorry for my outburst,’ said Bon Bon, ‘you are a true friend.’

‘It is quiet all right my dear. Just remember that I am always here for you.’

‘Shall we make our way back down to the cells,’ said Bon Bon.

‘Do we have to?’ whined Rarity, ‘I was just starting to enjoy the fresh air.’

‘Suck it up princess,’ said Applejack, ‘we’re here to help Bon Bon and if that’s where she wants us then that’s where we go.’

‘Humph.’

The girls made their way back down to the tunnel and to the tiny cage that would return them to their cell.

‘You’re coming down with us?’ asked Dash.

Bon Bon nodded. ‘It will be like going home. I spent many a sleepless night in those cells before Madam Posey rescued me.’

‘Yay, you’re talking like a normal pony again. I’d say things are starting to look up,’ cheered Pinkie as the cage door slammed shut and the groaning chains returned them to the depths of the coliseum.

Bon Bon led the way back through the tunnel and into the chamber where she opened the cell door.

‘Are you sure there isn’t any other accommodation we could use?’ asked Rarity.

‘I am afraid not, I can’t very well give you guest rooms in Madam Posey’s home when she asked me to bring you all here.’

‘You were able to get on her good side,’ said Fluttershy. ‘Maybe umm we could do the same?’

‘If you are all as fluent in Old Equestrian as your friend is then perhaps,’ smiled Bon Bon.

‘So what can you tell us about this tournament?’ asked Applejack.

‘It’s basically a big free-for-all between every prisoner, gladiator and a whole bunch of wild animals. The winner is either the last gladiator standing or a pony lucky enough to have caught the eye of the Empress.’

‘Sounds simple enough,’ said Rainbow.

‘Okay girls, here’s what we’re going to do to get Bon Bon her dream date with Lyra,’ said Pinkie.

‘Date?’ questioned Twilight.

‘Bon Bon, any chance you can get Twily, Rarity, Dashie and Flutters some of those extra fancy gowns?’

‘Umm sure, I guess.’

‘What do we want dresses for, they’ll only get in the way of us kicking ass?’ said Rainbow Dash.

‘You won’t be fighting silly, only Applejack and I will be joining Bon Bon in her little wrestling match.’

‘Just three of us? Wouldn’t it be better to?’

‘Imagine how impressed Empress Lyra will be when our little team of earth ponies turns all those unicorns and pegasi into piles of wobbly jelly,’ said Pinkie putting her hoof around Bon Bon’s neck.

‘That would be quite a feat, if we can pull it off.’

‘Of course we will. Madame Pinkie has seen your future and in it I get to throw you and Lyra a finally getting together party.’

‘And don’t forget you were planning on entering the tournament alone,’ said Applejack. ‘Having a couple of ponies watching your back will surely increase your chances of winning.’

‘Of course you are right, and I do appreciate all your help. Well I had better go find those gowns then head to bed.’

‘Okie Doki.’

Bon Bon looked at Pinkie.

‘Oh right, everypony into the cage. Well except for Bon Bon of course because that would be just silly. I mean if she locked herself inside how would…’ Twilight shoved Pinkie into the cage.

‘I should totally be on the fight team,’ said Rainbow once Bon Bon had disappeared down the tunnel. ‘I mean I am the best fighter here.’

‘I don’t know I’d kinda put my bits on Rarity,’ said Twilight earning a glare from Rainbow.

‘Sorry Dashie, it’s earth ponies only,’ replied Pinkie.

‘Uh Why?’

‘Because we need to turn her frown upside down.’

‘You’ve got to be kidding.’

‘And while you’re in the arena I take it that the rest of us will be going after Madam Posey?’ asked Twilight.

‘Don’t be silly, I need you guys to find Lyra and make sure that she notices Bon Bon.’

‘Pinkie I understand that building up Bon Bon’s self-esteem is important but discovering who this Madam Posey really is must be our top priority. We need to find out why she’s after Bon Bon and what her ultimate plans are.’

‘Sorry Twilight but I am in charge and cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do.’

‘Pinkie, Bon Bon’s obsession with Lyra, whatever that’s about, isn’t what’s important here.’

‘Romance is always important darling,’ said Rarity putting her hoof around Twilight’s neck. ‘Bon Bon and Lyra will make the cutest couple.’

‘But Bon Bon’s a mare.’

‘I’d be rather worried if you thought she was a stallion.’

‘But Lyra’s a mare.’

‘Oh come now Twilight, you’re a Canterlot mare. I’m sure you know plenty of same gendered couples,’ said Rarity.

‘You mean mares can be with each other, romantically?’

‘You’re kidding right, please tell me your kidding,’ said Rainbow. ‘No one can be that oblivious.’

‘This is Twilight we’re talking about,’ said Rarity.

‘Hey!’

‘Wow Twilight, you really need to get out more,’ said Pinkie. ‘Don’t you know ponies can love whomever they want?’

‘Well romance isn’t an area that I’ve spent any time studying.’

‘Good grief,’ groaned Rainbow. ‘Study, seriously.’

‘I mean I’ve read A Pony’s Guide to Reproduction, it was a class assignment.’

‘We all had to read that one,’ said Rarity with a grin.

‘I didn’t,’ replied Applejack. ‘Pa just took me outside when Winona’s grandmother and grandfather were going at it.’

‘And?’ the girls asked.

‘I am not giving you a thrust by thrust account. Bunch of horny mares,’ said Applejack.

‘But the book never mentioned anything about mares being with mares.’

‘Well of course not, that out-dated thing only deals with reproduction,’ said Rarity. ‘Oh and you realise that Stallions can be with Stallions too right?’

‘They can?’

‘Twilight darling, the next time we’re in Canterlot we’re so taking you to a gay bar.’

‘And how do you know where the gay bars are?’ asked Rainbow Dash.

‘Please I work in the fashion industry, need I say more. Although, I must say that it does get a bit annoying when you meet a nice stallion only to discover that their bits don’t swing your way.’

‘Look we’re getting off track here,’ said Twilight who’s cheeks at this point had turned quite red, ‘Madam Posey is the real target, not getting Bon Bon…’

‘Laid,’ said Rainbow Dash.

’Whatever, the point is that…’

‘Princess Celestia put Pinkie in charge,’ said Applejack placing her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. ‘And we should all just follow her orders.’

‘Fine,’ said Twilight storming off to the back of the cage.

‘Does that fact that Pinkie’s plan makes sense worry anypony else?’ asked Rarity.

The girls giggled.

‘We should all get some sleep if we’re to be fresh eyed and bushy tailed for Bon Bon tomorrow.’

‘Pinkie, we don’t have time to sleep. We have precious few hours left as it is.’

‘Twilight, Twilight, Twilight.’

‘Pinkie, Pinkie, Pinkie.’

‘That’s my name don’t wear it out, well actually it’s Pinkamena Diane Pie but what’s important is that this is a dream world. Just close your eyes and boom it’s competition time,’ said Pinkie lying down.

Applejack joined Pinkie on the cell floor, tipping her Stetson hat down over her eyes. Fluttershy dusted away some of the dirt with her tail before joining her friends. Rarity simply shook her head. ‘I’ll sleep standing up.’

Rainbow wandered over to Twilight and whispered in her ear. ‘Once Rarity’s asleep wanna do a bit of cow tipping?’ Twilight tried not to giggle but couldn’t help herself.

‘I heard that Rainbow Dash. Come near me and you will regret it.’

‘You do realise that the whole cow tipping thing is a myth right?’ said Twilight.

‘Huh?’

‘Cows don’t actually sleep standing up.’

‘Really?’

‘No they don’t, now can you two shut ya traps so we can get some shuteye,’ said Applejack.

Rainbow joined the others leaving Twilight as the only pony with her eyes still open. She looked at all her friends lying on the stone floor, well except for Rarity, and couldn’t help but wonder if being in Mind-Space was starting to affect their sanity. Closing your eyes would not make morning suddenly appear; the flow of time was constant and did not speed up simply because you were asleep.

‘Twilight close your eyes, you don’t want to be the odd pony out now do you,’ chirped Pinkie Pie. Twilight snorted.

‘That’s an order.’

Fine but there is no way that this was going to work, thought Twilight closing her eyes. It just wasn’t scientifically possible.

Madam Posey could hear the drunken chanting long before the pub came into view. There was also the stench of cider drifting by on the breeze. It was almost strong enough that a pony could get drunk simply by taking a deep breath. That was good, the mares inside would be easier to manipulate. Bon Bon was a constant battle. It would be nice to deal with unconsciously-controlled-background-ponies for a change, she thought as something grabbed hold of her leg.

‘A few bits for an old stallion?’

She kicked out at the beggar, sending him tumbling down the street where he came to rest in the gutter. Paying no attention to his bleeding body, she walked over to the guards standing beneath the lamps on either side of the door. They nodded as she passed and headed down the steps and into the dive known by all as The Winking Mare.

The smoky stench of cider, puke and cigars was in fine form as Madam Posey stepped through the swinging doors and into a place where no self-respecting member of society would dare to tread. A mare sitting in one of the booths grabbed hold of a waiter’s flank and said, ‘I wouldn’t mind tapping that big boy,’ before collapsing into a bowl of pretzels. Most of the other inhabitants showed more restraint, after all the gladiators had to fight in the morning and no pony wanted to take a hangover into the arena.

‘Been awhile Posey, what brings a former gladiator and current respected member of society to a dive like this?’

Madam Posey glanced over at the bartender who was filling several wooden mugs with cider before sliding them down the bar to the waiting patrons, one of whom missed his drink as it clattered to the floor. ‘You still have to pay for that,’ shouted the bartender.

‘I have a need that only a large number of mares can satisfy,’ replied Madam Posey as she climbed up onto the bar. Naturally, this one act caught the attention of every mare in the room, not to mention the waiters who stopped mopping up the puke so that they too could enjoy the show.

‘I can’t believe it, even though I have seen it with my eyes and heard it with my ears. How could a gladiator with so much promise bring so much dishonour to the code we have followed all our lives.’

‘Get on with it! You’re driving me to drink!’

Madam Posey smiled and waited for the laughter to die. ‘Yes, the traditional drink we gladiators share before going into battle and yet, have you noticed that one of us is absent tonight. She has chosen to spend the evening down with the savages, convincing them to fight for her when the morning comes.’

You could have heard a mug drop. In fact, everypony did as one of the drunks at the bar spilled their drink. Madam Posey glanced from gladiator to gladiator, making sure that every one of them had heard her words.

‘What is the betrayer’s name?’

‘Her name is Bon Bon.’

‘The former savage.’

‘Once a savage, always a savage.’

Madam Posey listened to the whispers spreading around the dimly lit room. ‘Yes, the savage I brought out of the darkness because she knew our language and our customs. She was a shining example of what a savage could become if they gave up their pagan ways. A savage who at the first sign of trouble has run back to her pack. A savage who wishes to corrupt our Empress but you must not let her. You must stop these savages before there is any chance of the Empress noticing the stain that has seeped into our ranks. We must protect the memories of our ancestors and wipe this blight from our world.’ A unanimous roar shook the very wood beneath her feet. ‘When these savages step into the arena tomorrow, you all know what you must do.'

‘Let their blood stain the sands of Adunare!’

Madame Posey smiled. When Bon Bon broke, she would be there to pick up the pieces and Bon Bon’s love would be hers for the taking.