I do not own MLP or the game references/characters.
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Dishonest
The train to Ponyville came to a complete stop as ponies exited the train including the newest Princess and her friends. Soon after they left the train did Midnight Sun and Gears, who he had registered as his adoptive daughter in order to avoid legal issues later on. When he got to the house did he find that Comet had yet to return. The dark grey stallion did not know what he was going to tell the colt's friends.
"So where am I going to sleep?" Gears asked looking around shifting her bag slightly.
"You can sleep in Comet's room for now until I can get the guest room cleared up." Midnight mumbled and the bronze-gold pony looked around for the mentioned pony. "He is doing some important business for the Princess."
"Alright." replied the unicorn before heading upstairs. "Is his the messy room or the clean room?"
"Clean!" replied the red eyed stallion before heading over to the couch he was sleeping on. "I don't think I'll ever go into that room."
"Apple Bloom who is this?" Applejack asked looking at the stallion next to her younger sister.
"This is Courage. He's not from around here." responded Apple Bloom looking at the mustard maned Daron. "He's just searching for his friend who went missing yesterday."
"Are ya sure we can trust him?" questioned the brilliant gamboge colored pony and her sister nodded. "Alright, I don't want this turning out to be another Sweetie Belle situation. Shoot we still haven't found Diamond Tiara."
"Don't worry sis, Ah'm absolutely sure we can trust him." the filly told her before looking up at Courage. "Come on, I'll show you around Ponyville!"
"Thank you." the green stallion told her before looking at Applejack. "You can always ask your friends to keep an eye on me just incase you are that worried."
"I'll trust you for now." said AJ watching Courage nod before heading off after Apple Bloom. "I hope Ah'm not making a mistake."
With that said the pale olive headed inside and decided to get ready for bed. Due to the events today she didn't notice a mirror standing tall in the dark. Bright green eyes glowed in the dark.
The next day Applejack woke up she knew something was wrong. As she looked around the room she didn't see anything out of place. So the pale olive maned pony got out of bed and decided to look around. That was when the mare saw it in the corner. A mirror, walking over to it she looked into it only for bright grin eyes to shine before dragging her into the mirror.
"Don't worry everything is gonna be alright."
Apple Bloom didn't know what was going on. Her sister hadn't been out of her room for quite sometime. When she did come out she was acting strange. A lot of the things she said felt like the opposite of what was true. 'She's just having an off day that's all.' thought the amaranth maned filly as she watched her sister. Courage was also keeping an eye on her but didn't comment on anything.
"Do you need any help?" she asked her sister who was currently leaning against a tree sleeping.
"Nah! I'll just finish Applebucking real soon." mumbled her sister and Apple Bloom frowned. Applejack just lied right to her face. The gamboge eyed pony frowned, Twilight would know what is wrong. However she was off leading an expedition to the ruins from the town they just came from, Luna and Celestia were on a diplomatic mission. 'I'm going to the Crystal Empire.' she thought before rushing off.
"This was a bad idea." mumbled the filly as she sat on the train antsy.
"Why didn't you just ask your sister about it?" Courage questioned sitting next to her as he looked around the train. "What is this contraption? Fideles?"
"It is called a train, master." the sword spoke earning shocked glances from those around them as a spirit of a pony came out. She was a blue pegasus with no front legs and her wings were more like a cloak. Her mane was the same color as her skin as were her eyes. The left wing and left side of her neck was purple. A teal gem set in gold was on her chest.
"Thanks Fi!" said the forest green pony before the spirit returned to the sword causing all of the ponies. "It is interesting how you have advanced you have become."
"You know more of the history before you had rose to the air." Apple Bloom commented looking out the window. "We know nothing of that time. All we know was the three species was at odds and they came to Equestria to find true friendship."
"Our story begins shortly after that." explained the knight looking at Apple Bloom. "You see we were already there, born between true love of ponies who weren't supposed to. The Ceàrd, Doran, and Hewa... we weren't supposed to be there but the love between those ponies couldn't be destroyed. We existed on our own, abandoned because of the parents, but we thrived. The Ceàrd's had dug themselves into the ground mining precious metals and jewels. They studied magic to protect their kingdoms. The Doran and Hewa lived on the ground or the sky hiding amongst what we looked like until we were discovered. We fled in fear for our lives and had managed to hide in the woods. It wasn't until the ancestors discovered two young beings of the sun and moon when they realized that they weren't abominations. Returning to the ponies who had chased them away they discovered that they had settled their differences and were starting a new life. Yet... they weren't treated any differently. They were still treated less than dirt so they went back to the forest. However Lady Clover had taken pity on us teaching the ancestors many things. When the war with the demons started she used her magic to keep us safe in the sky."
"The demons?" asked the pale olive filly and Courage stated simply. "Yes... I believe they came from beyond the borders of Equestria. Far beyond the place where we began."
"Next stop Crystal Empire." called the conductor as the train came to a stop. Apple Bloom motioned for him to follow her as she walked towards the castle. She was looking for Princess Cadence's help. She would know what was wrong with her sister. The only problem was getting into the Crystal Castle.
"Hello." spoke a voice from behind them causing Apple Bloom to turn around and see an aqua colored Earth pony with a gold and white mane. "Are you looking for someone?"
"I'm just looking for Princess Cadence." replied the younger pony staring up into blossom pink eyes of the taller mare.
"Then come with me. I know a way in." the mare said before heading up to one of the guards the other two following. The guard stared at her before looking at the two behind her. It shocked the filly when the guards allowed them in. They walked towards the throne room seeing Cadence sitting on the throne.
"Crystal!" the pink princess greeted leaving her throne and flying over to the aqua colored pony. "Where have you been?"
"These two require your help." replied Crystal not quite answering the question. The Princess of Love peered behind the earth pony seeing the two others.
"You are... Applejack's sister, correct?" Cadence asked looking a bit confused. "Why are you here?"
"That's the thing! Mah sister's been actin real weird." started Apple Bloom in a panic. "Ah remember over hearin' Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash talkin' about this mirror that they found and how it replaced them with their opposite element. Loyalty with Disloyalty, Kindness with Cruelty. When mah sister began to tell blatant lies ah figured that... the same thing happened to her. She also locked the door to her room, she never does that!"
"Why didn't you go to the others about this?" the princess questioned causing the pale olive filly to say. "Twilight is off in a village that she found before. Luna and Celestia are gone for a bit... Spike said it was some sort of diplo...matic mission."
"I'll see what I can do... who's your friend?" began Cadence but her eyes were drawn to Courage who was looking around.
"That's Courage. He's not from around here." spoke the amaranth maned filly before looking at the princess again. The pink alicorn looked towards Crystal who nodded her head in confirmation of the silent question. Cadence stood up and walked towards Apple Bloom saying. "Take me to your sister."
"Somethin's right." mumbled the opposite Applejack as she looked at the mirror. "Where's Apple Bloom?"
"Stay there." ordered Sombra through the mirror as Applejack hit it trying to get out. "With the Princess of Love gone I can take the Crystal Heart."
"Can you repeat that? Ah don't think I understood." smirked the dishonest pony causing Sombra to growl before the mirror returned to normal. "Yah know, your fussin is quite annoying."
"LET ME OUT OF HERE!" the gamboge colored pony demanded glaring at her opposite who said. "Alright, just give me a minute.
With that the lying Applejack just turned around and left the room leaving Applejack to take her anger out on the mirror.
"Apple Bloom please... stay at the Crystal Empire." whispered her sister closing her eyes before opening them finding herself in an area full of mist. "Where am I?"
There was no answer from anyone and Applejack decided to explore. That was when she found herself standing in front of a wall with a symbol on it.
"The Seed of Beginning." she whispered as she touched the wall crumbling. "I thought it was used to come here not to..."
"It is because of your connection." a voice spoke causing her to turn around. "Connection to the Earth, to your element, your honesty. There are times when I can intervene and send you here. You are ready."
Applejack frowned before moving forward into the maze that shifted into a grove of apple trees. Unlike normal apples these were made from pure gold. Moving forward she soon found herself in a clearing where a white tree stood with a stone in the middle of it. Moving forward the pale olive maned mare noticed inscription appearing on it in a bright green light that read.
"One brings chaos but never lies.
One brings harmony but hides the truth.
One protects but never chooses.
Pick the one you will follow."
Glancing up she noticed three walls made of earth in front of her. They glowed changing into white stone with images growing from the center in gold. One was of Discord, the second the Tree of Harmony, and the third of the Crystal Heart. Applejack looked at them trying to figure out which was which. Normally she would choose the one that told the truth but it brought chaos, harmony would have been the second choice but it hid the truth. Frowning once again the honest pony looked towards the third option. The Crystal Heart, she remembered it protecting the Crystal Empire yet let Sombra live. Each path meant that there was a consequence for the action. Yet the sap eyed pony knew at heart that she would never choose between her friends or her family. The one time she did she had made a mistake and it nearly cost her relationship with her sister. Moving towards the door with the heart she pressed a hoof against it watching it turn back to dirt and crumble. Moving forward she heard the shifting of trees as more grew to block her way back.
The next area she came to was another clearing, this time it was just a large stone with the inscription. Along the side were symbols she didn't understand so she just turned her attention back to the writing taking note of the piles of dirt already turning to stone.
"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"
The images that appeared on the stone was that of a sword, a hammer surrounded by flames, and a book. The farm pony looked at each of them, wisdom she picked up on pretty fast that had to be the book. 'The hammer was a powerful weapon so that would have to mean that the sword means courage.' thought Applejack trying to figure out which she valued more. Nodding to herself she headed straight for the hammer. Unlike Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie she didn't have the courage to face her friends. And wisdom she really didn't care for even when it was helpful. The wall in front of her turned into dirt allowing her to move on. That was when she realized that she didn't even touch it at the time. Again she moved forward not even paying attention to the trees that sprout up behind her.
The next area she came to held another large stone, it resembled a tombstone. Large archways faced towards the three walls made of dirt. Runes were on the archways as well, the design of the arches resembled the architecture of the Pegasi cities. The runes glowed as writing appeared on the stone and images on the door. A heart, a hammer with a hoof wrapped around it, and a brain.
"What do you utilize more often?
Your heart?
Your mind?
Your strength?"
"Shoot. That's a harder one." mumbled the pale olive maned mare as she looked at the images. "Truthfully I utilize my strength more then my heart only by a tiny bit."
Moving to the stone wall she pressed her hoof against the hammer wall watching it crumble and allowed her to move forward. Once she was cleared of the apple grove she saw that she was on a hill looking across a valley. The path in front of her split off into three each leading towards a different area. An obelisk stood next to her with her next challenge engraved on it.
"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last to peace and serenity."
Applejack looked at the three places the paths led to, a castle, a mountain, and a lake. The lake also looked like it would have some great farmland so Applejack headed towards the lake. Running as fast as she could she found that the lake had a cave nearby and flowers growing towards it. Moving forward she entered the cave moving quickly until she came across a room with all sorts of weapons in there. They were in cases and not all of them were weapons. There were three swords, three tomes, and three shields all resting behind the glass. A tablet rested on the table walking over she read.
"Choose one of the nine to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."
Applejack looked between the swords and shields before heading over the shields. Pressing her hoof over the large steel shield watching as the glass melted the shield appearing on her back as the wall faded. She travelled down the hall before reaching a room with three doors. Each one had an image carved into them a rising sun with a sunstone, a fully risen sun with a pearl set into the stone, and a moonstone in the shape of a crescent moon. Words appeared above the door reading.
"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"
Applejack just went straight to the door with the rising sun, she loved the mornings. It allowed her to get up and do her chores. Moving onward she came to another room with three more doors. A word was written on each of them and a stone tablet resting on a table that read.
"Choose wisely friend for you will find
This question is about time.
Will you go to the past to discover secrets lost?
Continue your journey in the present?
Or find out what your life is like in years to come?"
The farm pony paused as she looked at the doors carefully before moving to the door that said past. One more time she would have loved to see her parents. The door opened seeing another hallway. Moving down it she soon found herself looking at what seemed to be a great hall with nine windows. Three on each wall. One group showed suns, the second moons, the third stars. There was a tablet on the wall that read.
"What do you find yourself taking a liking to more?
The sun and its all encompassing warmth?
The moon and the light it brings to the night?
Or the stars and their cold beauty that guides weary travelers?
Though be careful, each light has its own choices."
Applejack frowned before walking over to the picture of a normal sun over a plain. After looking at it for a bit she noticed that there were three ponies in the picture. Midnight Sun and Aqua Star they were chatting intensely about something as an elderly pony walked in front of them. Bells lined his hat. The honest mare pressed her hoof against it. She like the sun plain and simple the glass faded and she looked behind her to see all the windows had pictures moving. One of of her parents waving at her. Smiling to herself Applejack moved on.
The next room she came to was vast and white. A large black obelisk stood in the center with the next challenge.
"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To become more powerful?
To finally find peace?"
Three images appeared, one was of Applejack and a mysterious stallion. The second was of an older Applejack living richly in a house over look large farmland. The third was of her with her family. Applejack chose the third one, peace was always something she wanted to keep.
The image faded revealing another hallway. As she went down it she wondered why she was doing this when the world could have been in danger. When she got to the end of the hall she found nine statues of her friends all looking down at her. There was a pedestal in front of them that read.
"Which trait in a friend do you value above all else?
A loyal friend who would never leave your side no matter what.
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth.
A brave friend who has the courage to tell you when you are mean.
A strong friend who will protect you no matter what.
A friend who will always make you laugh.
A kind friend who is always there for you.
A generous friend who will give you what you need.
A friend who is just friendly.
Or a patient friend who will put p with you even when you hurt them accidentally."
The farm pony looked at all of her friends before making a decision before heading towards the statue of Fluttershy. She pressed her hoof against it to move it but it did so on its own. The next room was another vast white room with an obelisk that read.
"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against enemies?
Or protecting the ones that you love?"
The three images appeared of Applejack. One was where she was wounded and laying against an apple tree. The second of her fighting a ton of enemies on Sweet Apple Acres. The third was of her taking a hit for Apple Bloom. She didn't have time to think she ran right towards Apple Bloom. The image faded and she moved on. The next area had three doors, two with moonstones. It was dim in this room and the writing on the wall glowed magically.
"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"
"Half moon? New moon?" asked Applejack as she went to the door with the circular moon stone. It opened up to another hallway which ended pretty soon. The wall contained the seal of the Seed. Touching it the wall collapsed reveal the oval shaped sapphire above a pedestal. The shield lifted off her back before entering the sapphire which glowed and a light shot up into the air turning into stone then into a sword. Blinking again Applejack found herself in a dark area where a light was.
"Apologies but we had to talk Bearer of Honesty, Applejack." a voice spoke causing her to look around. "My apologies for appearing in this form. I am the Tree of Harmony. The Crystal Heart and I needed you to unlock your core but only it could bring you to the test."
"It? Wouldn't the Crystal Heart be a she?" asked Applejack and the light glowed responding. "That would take too long to explain. For now I shall grant you the Gift of Honesty. You are able to see lies and secrets hidden, the past is no longer a mystery to your touch. Bearer of Honesty, seek out the gifts from the other Guardian Spirits. They will prove useful in the battles left to come. Now go."
Applejack felt herself lift into the air as the light faded.
When Applejack opened her eyes she saw her room on the opposite side of the mirror. However something was different, the mirror's surface was rippling. When she touched it the sound of joyous laughter rang in her ears. 'That's it! The opposite of a positive nature lets you in and the opposite of a negative nature lets you out unless you are switched by your own opposite.' thought the farm pony before thinking positive thoughts. She thought of her sister and her friends feeling warmth spread over her and she walked forward out of the mirror.
While Princess Cadence flew as fast as she could due to the fact that there was a small pony with her. When she landed she saw a grey scaled form of Applejack walking up a smirk on her face her green eyes glowing brightly.
"Princess Cadence, what an honor it is." hissed the dishonest pony her eyes landing on her sister. "Now why did you have to go and bother the princess? She doesn't have the time for you!"
"You're not my SISTER!" shouted Apple Bloom causing the being to laugh and Cadence to tense.
"Oh I am yer sister." Applejack said walking forward her form changing to a darker one. "I'm just the side she doesn't keeps hidden."
The Princess of Love stood in front of the pale olive filly her eyes narrowing causing the shadow creature to laugh. "YES! THAT'S THE LOOK! THAT'S THE TRUE FACE OF A PRINC..."
"ENOUGH!" roared Cadence her horn glowing as her cutie mark appeared in thin air before runes encircled it. It landed on the ground before extending outwards glowing brightly. Shadows began to lift everywhere as the dishonest Applejack was thrown far away. Or so they thought. The creature floated in the air laughing madly as shadows began to consume the sky.
"Looks like they failed." teased the creature grinning down at them as the moon engulfed the sun.
Discord peered up at the sky as he stood at the Mirror Pool three weapons glowing behind him. The draconequus glanced at them before reaching out and they came forward.
"Seems like they will be needed sooner than later." he mused summoning three balls. One contained pure sunlight, the second a shard of night and pure moonlight, and the third was pink magic with two ponies creating a heart and a piece of the Crystal Heart's crystal form. He sent them to the weapons as a flames appeared behind him. A gold flame, a silver flame, and an ice blue flame. The weapons sank into the flames slowly before dropping into the water slowly at first nothing happened before they began to take shape. Reaching out a claw he drew a crystal lance from the water. It was a mixture of ice blue and teal, double sided with hearts encased in gold at the base of the blades. Leaving the other two to rest Discord vanished.
Cadence panted as she glared at the being above who grinned maliciously. This was the first time the shadow of a Element of Harmony had attacked.
"You look tired, you should rest, I promise I won't attack." teased the shadow of Applejack not noticing her other self running to check on them.
"I will not yield!" snapped the Princess of Love standing up straight her wings spread out ready to take off again.
"Before you go rushing to your death, Princess, I have something to give you." a voice spoke as an eye bounced onto the scene. Both sides stopped to watch it before Discord took shape grinning at Cadence.
"You're help perhaps?" suggested the pink pony and the draconequus shook his head sighing sadly.
"Nah, he's here to help me. Ah was totally expecting him." the shadow said glaring down at them. The Spirit of Chaos shook his head before snapping his fingers as the lance appeared in front of the Princess who looked surprised.
"This is Dragoste, the Lance of Pure Love." explained the Spirit floating on his back with a bored look on his face. "The first gift of three, so you better start proving yourself. The other two won't just hand out their gifts willy nilly."
With that Discord vanished as Cadence watched the lance float in front of her. Her head jerked up towards the shadow her aura surrounding the lance sending it flying towards her. The dark Applejack dodged just in time her eyes narrowing as it tore through the sky.
"The sky's just an illusion!" the real Applejack shouted watching the sky ripple in front of her eyes. She started to look around before seeing the other Applejack ripple as well.
"So is she!" revealed the gamboge colored pony as the lance flew true and hit the shadow dead on. It flickered for a moment before vanishing as did the sky. Cadence nearly collapsed in relief, though it was short lived as she felt a tremor. It was coming from the Crystal Empire.
"I have to go." she whispered before taking off the lance following her. Applejack looked at her sister before heading off after her.
"Where are you going?" questioned Apple Bloom and only heard a little of the reply. "The others."
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