All the five terrified ponies screamed for their lives. However, the sound of laughter soon stopped them in their tracks as they turned towards the source.
"Huh?" all wondered.
Before them, Pinkie Pie was giggling at one of the horrid faces and making a few goofy ones of her own in response.
"Seriously! What's wrong with that pony?!" Trixie called reaching her limit with the pink pony´s shenanigans "does she has a screw loose or what?"
"Hey! careful who you are talking about!" cried Rainbow ready to punch the magician.
Although more than one person was thinking something similar (but didn't want to said it outloud) and wondering why the pink pony was acting so…crazy
"it's...a bit unsettling that someone can act like that in this situation" whispered Luna to Celestia "should be worry about our own Pinkie Pie?"
The principal thought for a moment.
"I think not for now" she finally answered "our Pinkie seems to be more aware when things seem dangerous…even if it's just a little"
Luna huffed.
"The fact we are trapped right now because of her makes me doubt that"
"Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!" Twilight screamed.
"Oh, girls, don't you see?" Pinkie laughed before began marking time with her hooves.
"Wait…is that music?" asked Rainbow Dash in confusion.
"It sounds like that" answered Fluttershy.
"Why would music suddenly play in the middle of the forest?" Rainbow asked confused alongside the rest of the students.
Sunset had a pretty good idea of why and couldn't help but smile a bit.
Same with Pinkie, who had a big smile growing in her face.
"When I was a little filly and the sun was going down" Pinkie started much to the confusion/shock of the others.
"Tell me she's not" Twilight began not believing what the pink pony was doing.
"What Twilight said" said Rainbow (and practically everyone but Pinkie) also not believing what she was hearing.
"The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown" Pinkie continued.
"She is." Rarity confirmed
"She can't be serious" groaned Trixie facepalming.
"I think she is" said Octavia in surprise. Next to her Vinyl was bumping her head with at the music´s rhythm.
"I'd hide under my pillow from what I thought I saw
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all"
Pinkie sang hopping around her friends.
"Then what is?" Rainbow couldn't help but ask.
"She said, Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you, just laugh to make them disappear"
the pink pony answered hopping to a tree.
Ha, ha, ha!
And with a poof, the face vanished from the tree making the others gasp.
"uhhh what a coincidence" exclaimed Pinkie Pie with a smile "my granny also told me the same thing when I was little"
"Really? The same thing?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah!" smiled the pink girl "she always said…"
Inspired by her friend´s words the other ponies approached different trees.
"Soooo, giggle at the ghostly" Fluttershy Laughed making the tree in front of her turn back to normal.
"Guffaw at the grossly" Pinkie appeared behind Sunset with a big smile on her face.
"Crack up at the creepy" Rarity approached her tree without fear before laughing at it.
"Whoop it up with the weepy" Pinkie Pie grabbed the CMC in a big hug.
"Chortle at the kooky " The pink pony pushed Twilight towards a tree. Her laugh and words igniting her spirit to "fight" back making her to giggle at the tree.
"snortle at the spooky" The pink girl appeared behind Bulk Biceps, tickling his side making the muscled guy to giggle.
(rapid fire) And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone
And if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another think coming
And the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna…
In and out the screen Pinkie pie began to laugh before finishing her song.
Laugh/Laugh!
In small poofs each tree around the group returned to normal while the six ponies flopped on their backs and giggle in good manner.
Everyone turned between the vid and the pink girl laughing close by.
"Hahahahahaha ohhhh how I love that song" said Pinkie pie with a smile no noticing everyone looking at her with confusion/incredulity.
"Did she…?" Rainbow tried to said "and she…" pointed to the screen
"What in tarnation just happen?" asked Applejack not understanding how her friend and her pony-counterpart just sang the same song at perfect sync and harmony.
"We had a musical number silly" said Pinkie Pie with a smile "I thought that was obvious?"
"What she meant darling; is not normal one simply breaks into song like that with music breaking out of nowhere on top of all" tried to explain Rarity.
"It isn't?" asked Pinkie confused "but we do it all the time"
Everyone blinked at the pink girl.
"What?" Rainbow asked the question everyone was thinking. Well except for Sunset who gained a thoughtful look before simply nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, like we did that when we worked together helping Twilight win the crown" she finished with a singing tone.
"Oh yeah I remember that" said Flash with a smile "that was fun to play"
"To play or for WHO you played for?" asked Ringo sending a known full look at his band leader making the blue-haired boy look away with a small blush in his face
"That time we had a recording playing the song Pinkie" said Rainbow Dash.
"But you have to admit that was quite the song you did with little to no practice" said Lyra.
"Umm maybe…it just felt…right, you know?" said Rarity not finding the right words to describe that moment.
"Like…umm I usually won't like be at everyone´s attention but ummm" Fluttershy also tried to explain "in that moment I simply didn't care and I just went with it like…um like…"
"Like music taking over and you just going for the ride?" asked Vinyl getting a nod back "yeah me and Octi know that feeling quite well" the DJ gave her bestie a big hug which the classic musician couldn't help but smile at.
"Hehehe like you wanted to simply sing aloud not caring about what others think?" asked Pinkie "because that's what I felt in that moment...I just wanted to show everyone how supper-duper fun be with Twilight was" the rest of the Rainbooms also nodded in agreement "oh oh and then there was that song we did when we were cleaning the gym after Sunset got it crashed"
Sunset looked uncomfortable.
"Again...I didn't tell them to do that" she said in low tone almost glaring at Snips and Snails who also were trying to act inconspicuous.
"What song are you talking about Pinkie?" said Rainbow confused. She didn't remember them singing anything while they were cleaning.
"I didn't hear anything" Heat Burns said as he remembered helping the girls.
"Me neither" added Aqua Blossom with Blueberry Cake and Rose Heart nodding in agreement.
"That's weird. I do think I heard something" said Sunset a bit confused as she was sure she heard a song becoming higher with each new student that arrived to help.
"Oh oh…and after that one there was that song when we were preparing for our big night at Rarity´s boutique" continued Pinkie Pie
"Ok now I really don't know what you talking about" said Applejack remembering that moment. she didnt remembered any song although her mind was busy worrying about other things. Mainly Rarity really dolling her up with all that make-up.
Only remembering it made the country girl shudder.
"And of course, the reprise we had of that same song while we were dancing after defeating Sunset" she turned to her red-haired friend "no offense Sunset.
"Sigh, non taken Pinkie"
"I don't remember a song being sing outside the music Vinyl was playing" said Derpy before smiling "although do remember seeing someone enjoying a funny pony dance with our princess"
Flash blushed again but smiled at the memory while some girls giggled at him.
"Hehehe I wouldn't call it a pony dance" said Sunset "but I will said you really went the extra mile to impress Twilight that time"
"I will say" added Applejack giving Flash a conspiracy look "and for the way the girl was smiling I think you really succeeded there partner"
"Agree" other girls said much to the embarrassment/delight of the blue-haired rocker.
"Oh! And we did beat the Dazzlings with a song" finished Pinkie.
"But in that moment, we were playing our instruments Pinkie" said Rainbow Dash. "The music didn't come out of nowhere"
"On that note I must said I'm impressed how all of you managed to outplay them" said Octavia giving Vinyl a thankful smile.
"And then summon a giant magic unicorn that blast them with the rainbow laser!" said Lyra in excitement "oh how I wish I could create magic when I play"
"ohhhhh what if now that magic is coming to our world we suddenly break into songs when we are like super exited or super sad and we have this cool magic moments were everyone follow the song" Pinkie said growing in excitement "ohhh what if the next bad guy we have to face we have to fight him by dancing?! Like he had this super powerful cosmic gem and we have to dance to distract him and then BLAST HIM WITH OUT FRIENDSHIP POWERS!"
Everyone close by gave at least 2 steps away the moment the crazy smile appeared in Pinkie´s face.
"yeeeeahhhhhh that won't happen" sentenced Rainbow Dash in deadpan tone.
"Ok I'm convince she and that pony are the same" said Trixie "seriously what that girl has in the head? Candy?"
"Lets…just continue" said principal Celestia for everyone´s sake.
"FYI...I really dig that song" said Vinyl to Octavia "wonder if Pinkie would like to make a remix" the DJ began bumping her head as she hummed Giggling at the ghostly.
"You can ask her later" said Octavia "although not sure if you will get a good remix out of a lullaby like that one"
With the forest back to normal and visibility been fully restored, the giggling group of equines moved through some bushes been leaded by a hopping and cheerfully pinkie of until they reached the bank of a raging river; causing the pink pony to come to a sudden halt which in turn made each pony behind her to skidded into the rump of the one in front of each.
Confused, the other five poked their heads out from behind Pinkie for a good look at the broad torrent.
"How are we gonna cross this?" asked the pink pony looking at the raging waters when suddenly they all heard some moaning and wailing close by "Huh?"
"ugg now what?" asked Trixie annoyed "who could be crying in the middle of the forest?"
"A weeping willow?" said Sandalwood with an amused smile.
BA DUM TSSS
Everyone turned to see Pinkie with a set of drums.
"Hey! Are those my drums?" asked Brawly Beats in confusion.
"I forgot to bring mine" answered back the pink girl.
Meanwhile professor Cranky blinked in surprise.
Something about that crying sounded familiar to him.
Taking cover in a clump of bushes, they saw a long, purple, scaly tail thrashing in the water. They followed it past several dozen yards along the river, passing coil after coil of snakelike body, until the head came into view, showing an immense serpent with skinny arms and long, dark blond hair/mustache/eyebrows, and a tuft of purple beard. The right half of the mustache has been raggedly cut off.
"What a world! What a world!" the serpent wailed (with an effeminate male tone) while trashed his body causing wave after wave over the river.
"Ok…that's…odd" said Rainbow.
After all that she and the rest have seen until now, the image of a crying giant serpent was something…let's say not that attention worthy.
Well at least not for her.
Cranky tried to not let his face show surprise at seeing the familiar face of his old friend…as a giant snake…in a world of magical ponies…that they were seeing in video format.
The grumpy teacher grunted feeling a headache growing…he really needed to talk to the principal about getting a raise…and an extended vacation period.
"Excuse me, sir." Twilight approached the serpent calling its attention "Why are you crying?"
"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off! " he leant in to show them the damage on the end of his mustache "And now, I look simply horrid!"
He flopped full length into the river, soaking all the ponies, and launching into a fresh hissy fit.
The answer of the ponies?…Assorted groans.
Sentiment shared by some of the views.
"Really!?" cried Rainbow in disbelief
"That's what all the fuss is about?" said Applejack also not beliving all the drama.
"Of course, it has to be the mustache" Cranky groaned/whispered massaging his forehead. Yeap! that was Steven alright.
"Applejack! Rainbow Dash! Don't be so insensitive!" cried Rarity in anger "don't you see how the poor creature is suffering? Ohhh if I put my hands on that dreadful Nightmare" she took a deep breath trying to calm herself "…that mustache was the crown achievement of his whole look and now its ruined!"
"Oh, gimme a break" Rainbow said not believing her ears.
"that's what I say" the rainbow-haired human said
"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack cried in disbelief before Rarity shouldered her way past them.)
"uh...dejavoo" Aj said.
"Why, of course it is! How can you be so insensitive?" the unicorn scolded her friends before turning to the serpent "Oh, just look at him"
"And that's what I said" said Rarity with a scold "seriously, two complete different words and you two can't act a bit more sensitive in neither"
The others just didn't look that convinced as the white stroked the serpent´s snout while "passing judgement" at his looks.
"Such lovely luminescent scales" the unicorn stroked the creature´s ego making his cry to lesser.
"I know!" the serpent" sniffled with a smile growing on his face.
"And your expertly coiffed mane" Rarity continued making the serpent to stand up in pride.
"Oh, I know, I know!"
"Your fabulous manicure"
"It's so true!" the serpent gasped in delight
"Agggg give me a break" Rainbow said gagging at the over-girly moment she was seeing.
"When did saving the world became a…fashion show?" Lyra said also wanting to continue…she wanted to see more unicorn fighting and less make-up tutorials.
"uggg can we please continue!" Heat Burns said wanting also to skip this moment (a lot of boys also agreeing with him)
"This is without a doubt the most ridiculous thing the great and powerful Trixie has even seen" the magician said facepalming.
Close to her Bulk Biceps was actually enjoying the small moment.
"Huff how rude" Rarity said "is never a bad moment to think about your looks."
Exactly!" Photo Finish added in agreement "you never know when you must look your best!"
Other fashionistas also nodded in agreement.
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache." Rarity finished making the serpent to tear up again.
"It's true, I'm hideous!" it cried making the unicorn to narrow her eyes.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" she declared with resolution.
"I agree!" said Rairty "but how to do so?" she wondered as she thought about it.
"ugg why don't you simply cut the other side?" asked Rainbow a bit tired of this
"Are you crazy?!" yelled the fashionista "his whole look depends on a full mustache. Without it the whole setting looks incomplete"
"Well…then I don't know get him a replacement and be done with this!" the sport girl cried.
"A replacement Rainbow? Really? And where do think they will get…" suddenly an idea came to her mind "oh no…oh nonononono"
Then the white unicorn moved her head forward, clamping her teeth around one of the creature's scales and yank it loose.
"Ow! What did you do that for?" he complained.
S eemly ignoring him, Rarity lifted the scale's razor-sharp point toward the sky.
"Come on darling! Think about this! There must be another solution!" Rarity cried almost desperate as she looked ready to get a heart attack.
"Ok Rares, you are starting to scare me" said Applejack in worry.
"Rarity, what are you—" Twilight was going to ask when the sound of a slash filled the night
Everyone looked in shock while the serpent let out a cry and faint.
"Ahhhhh!" Rarity fainted in the arms of Applejack much to the concern of her friends.
"Did…did Rarity just slay it?" asked Lyra in worry.
"Too morbid Lyra" said Bon Bon also trying to understand what she saw.
"Yeah! This is a kid show after all…and we are only at season 1" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"Wait what!?"
Soon it was shown that the target of Rarity's strike, was her own tail, of which only a ragged nub remained.
Everyone blinked.
Then some facepalm...while others make the anime fall.
"REALLY!?" Trixie cried.
"Are you serious!?" Rainbow exclaimed "all that drama just for THAT?"
"JUST FOR THAT!?" Rarity roared leaping off Applejack´s arms in anger "that beautiful tail just cut away…don't you see how serious this is!? All those hours combing it, conditioning it, taking care of it to make sure its glow and softest were adequate… " she began crying.
"This is horrible"
"Oh, the horror…the horror"
"Nein...this is more than that...this is a crime...a crime I tell you!"
Roseluck, Lily Valley and Photo finish exclaimed in dramatic tone.
"There, there Rarity" Applejack tried to soothe Rarity with a hug "I…I'm sure there must be a good reason for this"
"Sniff…oh...oh! of course. Silly me, I almost forgot about that" said the fashionista cleaning her tears.
"Come again?"
Rarity simply pointed to the screen
The unicorn tossed the scale aside and used her horn to levitate the cut swath; the curly purple hair attached itself to the ruined half of the blond mustache.
"My mustache! How wonderful!" the serpent exclaimed with a jubilant laugh.
"You look smashing." Rarity said with a satisfactory smile.
"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Oh…it's fine, my dear." The white unicorn said with no worry "Short tails are in this season." She added with a smile. "Besides, it'll grow back"
Twilight smiled gently, having grasped the sacrifice Rarity made to keep this mission going.
"So would the mustache." Rainbow said softly, to Twilight
"Not the point Rainbow Dash!" exclaimed Rarity "tell me, what would you think if I dyed your looks pink?"
"Pink!?" the sport girl cried giving a step back at the serious look in her fashionista friend, and the bottle of hair dye she pulled out of her purse "no way! Don't even try to get that lame color on me!"
Beside her Fluttershy crossed her arms with a huff.
"Exactly…you love your looks and you would hate if someone messed with it." Rarity explained "the same for that poor serpent. he was just doing his thing when that hideous Nightmare ruined his mustache in such way." She huffed "even if it is, as you said, just a mustache, he didn't deserve to be affected like that"
Rainbow scratched her head in embarrassment.
"Yeesh…well when you put it like that"
"hehehe and as always you cant let something like that to happen" said Applejack with a smile hugging her friend "even if it's a complete stranger, if you can give something to help in anyway or form you will always do it"
Rarity smiled.
"Is just who am I darling" said the fashionista back.
"Generous to the end" added Sunset with a smile.
"It's quite a rarity to find someone like that these days" said Celestia with a smile "I hope she continues like this as she grows up.
"Same sister" said Luna nodding "by the way, did you intend that pun?"
Celestia made no further comments.
"I must say pony-Rarity do look good with a short tail" said Sweetie Belle "I wonder if short hair would fit me" she gathered her hair behind her with a hand "or maybe a ponytail?"
"We can try later Sweetie Belle" said Rarity to her sister "umm but I don't think a shorter style would fit me" she added passing a hand through her own looks "For her it does as it's a tail but I don't have that so not sure if a shorter style would fit me"
Twilight looked ahead and gasped happily; the river had completely calmed down now that the serpent had been pacified.
"We can cross now! Let's go!" Twilight exclaimed wading into the waters.
However, she yelled and is nearly was thrown off when a coil of the serpent´s body suddenly raised beneath her.
"Allow me!" said the serpent letting the group of ponies to use his body as stepping stones
"Thanks Steven!" said Pinkie Pie with a grateful smile.
"Steven?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Well, he looked like a Steven to me" answered her pink friend.
Cranky felt his eye twitching.
Don't ask.
Don't ask.
Don't ask.
Don't ask.
He began repeating in his head not wanting the pink girl go out with another crazy ramble.
Not much later, and with, Twilight again leading the advance, the group of ponies reached a section of the forest that opened to a big clearing.
"There it is!" Twilight exclaimed pointing ahead.
The "it" was a tumbled ruin of a castle that stood in a small clearing just ahead. It was situated on the far side of a mist-choked abyss, with the posts of a collapsed bridge still embedded in the ground on both sides.
"The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony. We made it!"
"So that's is" said Sunset "the castle of the two sisters"
"Ok that do checks all for haunted castle" said Lyra with a gulp.
Close by Fluttershy decided to stand closer to Rainbow Dash.
"Well, it seems they reached it before Nightmare Moon" added Bon Bon "that is good…now they have the advantage" she frowned "although not sure how much long"
"Then let's find those elements and kick that old horse´s butt!" said Rainbow in excitement.
"Not so fast miss Dash" Cheerilee called out "observe all that mist" she said pointing to the screen "it would be dangerous simply run over not knowing what could be between them and that castle.
"that's true" said Applejack "they are really close to finish things but can rush in like that"
"Is always when one is close to the end when things can get more difficult" added Lyra remembering all the fantasy games she had played where that happen.
"Yeah, and a castle like that probably have traps" said Apple Bloom
"Or secret passages" continued Scootaloo.
"And maybe the elements are hidden there somewhere" finished Sweetie Belle
"Or even maybe a big monster guarding them" said Derpy "for important or powerful objects there is always one"
While everyone was wondering about what could be in the castle.
"You know I can help but wonder, why is called the castle of the royal sisters?" asked Flash to Sunset.
"Its real name is unknow to be honest" said Sunset "actually I don't recall princess Celestia calling it by any name" she rubbed her shin in thought "if anything I don't remember either she mentioning it at all" she blinked "ummm I think I only found of it while reading some old pony tales, which is weird as the name would suggest that old Equestria was ruled by two princesses and not just one." She blinked again "uggg ok im getting confused"
Close by Microchips, Bon Bon, Lyra and even Vice principal Luna shared a conspiracy-like look between them.
That sounded quite fishy.
With their goal close by, the unicorn put her hooves in high gear.
"Twilight! Wait for us!" Appleajck cried as she and the rest tried to catch up with the excited mare.
"We're almost there!" Twilight called back not watching the road. This was proved to be a big mistake as she stumbled the edge of the cliff. "Whoa!" with a yelp she scrabbled trying to keep herself from falling down the chasm.
"TWILIGHT!" the Rainbooms cried in fright.
"That's what I was talking about!" Cheerilee cried in worry.
Fortunately, Rainbow was able to catch and drag her back by the tail.
Everyone let out a breath of relieve.
"I don't know if I can take more of this tense moments" said Rarity pulling out a portable mirror and fixing her hair "if I'm not careful I will get grey hairs!"
More than one agreed with her, including an annoyed Trixie that looked ready to punch an embarrassed Bulk biceps and he release her from another of his hugs.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Rainbow asked as everyone eyed the broad gap and the broken bridge that hanged from the posts.
"Now what?" Pinkie gasped.
"Duh!" Rainbow exclaimed twitching her wings to drive the point home before lifting off.
"Oh, yeah!" the pink pony exclaimed.
"Move aside gals" said Rainbow with a proudfull smile full of itself "let the awesome Rainbow Dash do her thing"
Her friends rolled her eyes at the ego boost of the sport girl.
Scootaloo looked in excitement at seeing her idol-pony-self taking fly.
The blue Pegasus got clear of the ground and dived into the mist. A second later she emerged with the snapped bridge ropes in her teeth.
"Ha, see? Piece of cake" boasted Rainbow as Pinkie Pie passed her a piece of chocolate cake "now the bridge will be up and they will be able to find the elements and kick Nightmare´s butt. All thanks to the soon-to-be-Wonderbolt…"
"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" cheered Scootaloo.
"You know it squirt" smiled the sport girl.
She hauled the ropes up and tied one down. As she was about to do the second one, an echoing female voice caused her to stop
"Rainbow…"
The Pegasus dropped the other rope with a gasp; Nightmare's cloud drifted up from below.
"Who's there?" Rainbow called out as the mist thickened around her.
"Rainbow…"
"ummmmm" Bulk Biceps began to twitch.
"Don't. Even. Think about it" warned Trixie seeing his arms moving towards her.
"Oh great, what now? Ghosts?" asked Rainbow in annoyance.
"uhhhh that means we can sing again?" asked Pinkie "soooooo…giggle at the...Ugg"
Applejack put a hand over Pinkie´s mouth.
Bon Bon narrowed her eyes wondering what new plan Nightmare moon had in mind now
"I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" Rainbow exclaimed punching at air"
"Yeah, come on Nightmare just you and me…I mean her...I mean us!" said Rainbow also getting ready to fight.
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria" the voice called
"Who?" asked the Pegasus
"Why, you, of course." The voice answered.
"Really?" Rainbow exclaimed eagerly before catching herself "I mean…oh, yeah! Me! Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would you? 'Cause I've been trying to get into that group for, like, ever!"
"Oh, sure talk to the mysterious voice coming out of nowhere while being in the middle of a dark forest with a possible haunting castle close by" said Trixie with a sarcastic tone "that's always a good idea"
Everyone turned to the magician.
"Ok…I didn't expect to said this but…Trixie is right" said Lyra in shock with Bon Bon nodding.
"Me neither"
"Yeah"
"Same"
"Ditto"
"Yeap"
"I can't believe either"
"She does have a point"
"Eeyup"
Rainbow tried to look angry although she couldn't help but blush in embarrassment.
"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us." The voice said as three pegasi appeared within the murk, galloping toward her with uncanny speed. They stopped, showing two purple-maned stallions and a blue-maned mare, all wearing full-body jumpsuits and yellow goggles similar to those used by the Wonderbolts. However, their bodies were purple and the heads and hooves black, with yellow lightning bolts marking the boundaries. Each outfit displayed an emblem consisting of a winged pony skull. The coat and wings of the mare were light gray, while those of the stallions were a darker shade.)
"The Shadowbolts!" The mare announced with an echo in her tone.
"Shadowbolts!?" Rainbow cried in shock.
Everyone remained in silence for a second as their mind caught up with the name.
Then:
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The entire cafeteria exploded.
"Oh, come on!" Rainbow groaned in annoyance.
"Why!? Just why?!" Tennis Match sobbed.
"This Is a curse…A CURSE!" cried Teddy T.
"Not even in another world can we get rid of them?!" asked Flash crossing his arms with a huff.
"Well at least we know they are evil" added Cloudy Kicks "oh wait! We already knew that!"
"Of all the worst things this is literally the worst. Thing. Ever."
"Students, students!" clapped principal Celestia calling everyone´s attention "I know we and Crystal prep have a…difficult relationship"
"Understanding of the century" someone called from the crowd
"…But we can't let some…bad experiences, make us so spiteful"
"Yes, we can!"
"In fact, I assure you there are some good people on Crystal Prep" the principal said thinking on Dean Candance.
"Yeah, good to beat and/or humiliate us!" Flash called with the support of everyone.
Celestia decided to simply sit down while Luna ordered Pinkie to press play wanting to get over this scene as fast as they could (feeling that every student shared).
"ugggg I can only imagine how they will get the closer we get to the Friendship games" said Celestia in tired tone to her sister.
"Let's just hope nothing major happen and that we have a somehow normal event" the vice principal said back remembering their past two major school events.
Rainbow looked puzzled as she continued.
"We are the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria" she leaned in closer " But first…we need a captain."
"Forget it you shadow-losers!" cried rainbow "neither me or pony me will ever…"
The young daredevil's eyes go wide, a big smile creasing her face, as the speaker flew slow circles around her.
"You were saying?" asked Trixie with a bit of mocking enjoying Rainbow´s shocked expression.
"The most magnificent…" the mare continued aiming for Rainbow´s ego.
"Yep." Rainbow smiled as the mare continued.
"…swiftest…"
"Yes."
"…bravest flyer in all the land." the mare finished closing-in to Rainbow.
"Yes. It's all true." Rainbow said laughing.
The human couldn't do anything but bury her face on her hands as she let out a groan of frustration.
"Well…I must say…that pony do act like Rainbow" said Applejack. "More with that ego boosting she is getting"
"Not helping Applejack" the sport girl said in a groan "ugg I swear if Pony me accepts….i don't know what I will do…but I assure you I would never accept a deal with a Shadowbolt"
"We need…you". The mare whispered to Rainbow´s ear.
"Woo-hoo! Sign me up!" the blue Pegasus exclaimed leaping up…
The rainbow haired human was seconds to wish for the floor to open and swallow her up.
…The she moved down to the bridge rope "Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal."
Rainbow perked up.
The Shadowbolt mare zipped across to stop her, putting her between Rainbow and the bridge
"NO! It's them or us!" the mare said with a far more menacing tone making Rainbow recoil.
"THEM! Always will be them!" cried Rainbow in anger
In that moment Twilight´s voice echoed from the other side.
"Rainbow!"
On the other side of the bridge
"What's taking so long?" the purple unicorn wondered trying to see pass the mist "Oh, no." she said when she noticed the FOUR ponies on the other side "RAINBOW!" she called in worry/fear.
"Ok…I really need to ask...so she was really talking to a group of evil looking ponies that came out of the mist? Just like that!? Not even wondering where they came from!?" mentioned Trixie.
"ok..yeah, that's weird" said Rainbow Dash confused by the actions of her counterpart "hey Sunset, you know some magic hocus-pocus that could explain this?
The ex-unicorn thought for a moment.
"Umm well if I remember correctly Nightmare Moon was capable of getting inside your dreams and bring out your worst fears" she started "Like with the trees I think this could be like an illusion spell that she is using to trick pony-Rainbow. Getting inside her head and making this scenario where she is presented with her bigger desire"
"Ok but that doesn't explain why Rainbow is acting all normal around them" said Applejack.
"Actually, it does" explain Sunset "when you dream is rare you know you're dreaming so you just go with the flow. In this case is like she is dreaming awake, is the same sensation which mean she is seeing things as normal"
"uhhhhh! like when you dreaming you are eating the biggest marshmallow of the world but in reality you are eating your pillow and end up waking up with the mouth filled with feathers?" asked Pinkie.
Sunset blinked
"Oddly specific, but yeah"
"Dream or not I will never join the Shadowbolts!" cried Rainbow "even less if my friends are in need of my help!"
The mare's eyes blaze yellow behind her goggles, causing the visibility to drop to zero
"Don't listen to them!" Twilight muffled cry could be heard.
Rainbow struggled to think on a solution between hearing her friends or listen to the one offering everything she has dream on.
"Well?" the dark mare pressed as the rainbow-maned pony finally gave her an answer.
"You" Rainbow started making the mare smiles broadly
Rainbow breath in worry/shock
Rainbow leaned towards her.
"Thank you…for the offer, I mean." And with that, she whips back to the bridge and ties off the other rope, leaving three very surprised Shadowbolts to gape after her.
"But I'm afraid I have to say no." the Pegasus finished as she flew away.
"yes!yesyesyesyesyes I knew it!" the sport girl celebrated
One last malevolent glare, and the pegasi disappeared in three puffs of blue-violet smoke that came together and slinked away. At the other end, Rainbow flew across the repaired bridge as the fog dissipated to the sound of the others' cheering; all six head across, with her flying to lead the way.
"See? I'd never leave my friends hanging." said Rainbow to Twilight
"Never ever" assured Rainbow Dash "I'm loyal to my friends 100% and will do anything to help them in any trouble or situation"
The other Rainbooms smiled at her friend (with Fluttershy giving her a side hug that Rainbow didn't had troubles returning).
"Always know we can count on you partner" said Applejack with a smile.
"We know we always will win with your help" continued Rarity.
"Always making us feel safe" said Fluttershy.
"A super-duper amazing friend" added Pinkie Pie.
"Someone noble that can even give someone like me a second chance" said Sunset again feeling guilty for using Dash´s loyalty to harm her friendship with the rest.
"Water under the bridge Sunset" said the athlete "I think you have earned my trust and friendship long ago"
Celestia smiled at her students.
"Be alongside your friends on good and ill and be ready to help them when they needed it's a trait, I think everyone admire of you Miss dash."
"You certainly have given our sport teams quite the edge with your motivational speeches" said Vice-principal Luna with the athlete alumni of CHS agreeing with her.
"You rock Rainbow Dash" said Heat burns.
"You are the best!" Scootaloo cried in excitement.
"The hearth of the school spirit!" declared Majorette
"Ready to guide the Wondercolts to victory" Cloudy Kicks called out.
"Or best team player!" Tennis Match declared.
"Yeeeeaaahhh!" Bulk Biceps yelled in agreement.
Rainbow Dash smiled at this for once just actually enjoying the praise without bragging…just this time.
For the first time since arriving to Ponyville, Twilight actually felt nice at hearing that term be used towards her…perhaps she was actually liking the idea of having friends?
The group approached the front entrance of the ruined castle; fortunately, the door was wide open allowing the ponies to enter the main hall just inside. Before them there was an apparatus consisting of round stone tablets mounted at the ends of radial shafts.
"Whoa…come on, Twilight" Applejack called "Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?"
Twilight looked in relief/excitement at seeing the round stones. Each one marked with a gem-like carving on its surface.
"The Elements of Harmony. We've found them!" the purple unicorn announced to the group while Fluttershy and Rainbow flew up and take one tablet each, lowering them to the floor.
"Careful…careful…" she said in worry
"Hey don't worry Twilight other me and other Fluttershy have this" called Rainbow Dash.
"Still at this point it doesn't hurt to be careful" said Bon Bon "they have what they need but Nightmare Moon is close too…at this point anything is possible"
That made everyone think. They had found the elements but the danger was really close and any mistake could cost them at this point.
"One, two, three, four…there's only five." Pinkie counted as Fluttershy brought down the last one.
"Where's the sixth? Rainbow asked in confusion.
"Eh? That's weird" said Pinkie Pie.
"what's weird sugarcube?" asked Applejack.
"I don't know but…I thought I counted six stones when they entered the castle"
"Ehh Pinkie and know math is not your strongest subject"
"Neither yours Miss Dash" called Professor Cranky, getting a shoulder shove by miss Cheerilee
"Ehem…but I think there is no way you can't count five stones of that size"
"ummmm" the pink girl narrowed her eyes at the screen.
"The book said, When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed." Twilight said while kneeling, then sitting on her belly in front of the stones"
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked in confusion.
"I'm not sure" Twilight admitted "but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen."
The other five did as they were told while the unicorn squeezed her eyes shut and her horn began to glow as she gathered power on it.
"Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate." Applejack said leading the others away from Twilight
"Noooo! What are you doing?" cried Lyra "don't you separate! That's the worst thing you can do inside a haunted castle!"
"Now is more likely they will fall into a trap, or being captured by a monster, or end up trapped in a pocket dimension while someone have to fight to find you" Derpy added.
The blue haired girl turned to the blonde one.
"Didn't knew you liked sci-fi movies too Derpy" Lyra said in excitement "maybe we could do a movie night marathon later"
"Please no. Last time you end up awake all night and ended up falling sleep in Professor Cranky s class where you remained all day"
Her friend could only giggle while said professor glare at her.
Meanwhile the crisscrossed eyed girl turned to them in confusion.
"Movies?"
Unseen by all, Nightmare´s mist slipped into the chamber, and gradually enveloped the five stone.
"TWILIGHT WATCH OUT!" The Rainbooms cried in fright seeing the Nightmare too close to their friends.
The mist formed a whirlwind that lifted the tablets off the floor. At this point Twilight opened her eyes, and let out a a cry upon seeing the cyclone; close to the bridge the other five ponies heard the unicorn´s cry
"TWILIGHT!" they raced back towards the castle as fast as they could
Back inside, the tornado had grown in size and power, reaching nearly to what remains of the ceiling, and taking the elements up into the air
"The Elements!" Twilight cried and, without second thoughts, she dove into the storm, which shrunk away to nothing, taking her and the stones away just as the others returned to the room looking around with confused and fearful reactions.
"Oh no oh no oh no" Fluttershy chanted in fright.
"This is bad this is bad this is BAD"
"THIS IS AWFUL"
"Oh, the horror"
"I think the probability of victory has dropped drastically!" said Microchips.
Flash narrowed his eyes at the screen feeling quite useless while Twilight was in danger.
Sunset looked at the screen in worry. Feeling shared by Vice-principal Luna (as she was hopping her evil-other self don't hurt the purple unicorn)
Rainbow Dash looked seconds to bolt from her seat to try and help her friend. The only thing stopping her was AJ grabbing her by the shoulders
"Everyone please, calm down!" the country girl said "remember this is showing us the past so we know Twilight managed to come out of this alive and fine"
"That's true students" said Celestia hoping to calm her students "remember Twilight already lived through this so you can trust she will come out victorious out of this"
With that some of the fear and worry everyone was feeling for Twilight decreased although didn't went away.
"Still, that don't take away how stressful this is" said Bon Bon "now Nightmare Moon has not only the elements but also Twilight"
"Not to mention the pony you are all alone in a dark castle in the middle of a cursed forest" Lyra added "if it wasn't a real danger, I would be more excited of saying that!"
"Must said if this was a movie this certainly would be prelude to the final battle" Norman said in agreement with Lyra.
"The heroes found the magic relics" said Apple bloom.
"The bad guy has stolen said relics" continue Sweetie Belle.
"Also, it had captured the main hero" added Scootaloo.
"All its need is an evil monologue and a final confrontation" finished the leader of the CMC.
"We´re in the endgame now" Pinkie said in mysterious tone narrowing her eyes at the screen.
…
….
…..
…
"Pinkie? Where did you got that?" asked Rainbow seeing the cloth around her friend´s shoulders.
"Hey! Is that my cape!?" Trixie cried in outrage.
"hehehehe maybe?" said Pinkie giggling bashfully at the magician´s angry expression.