Guest - Oh it'll get here soon enough ;)

RattPitt - Isn't technology wonderful? It's all good, I've hade more than my fair share of tech troubles this past year alone. Lol well, what do you expect from an ancient society? I easily could have been more inventive with that part, but I wanted to keep the mindset of 'this was built by ponies that lived over a millennia ago'

KillerWoW - Oh, it won't be the last in this story...

centaurus2 - The immortal coupled with the 'being zombies' bit are the curse. I think I'll leave you guys and gals to speculate on the 'cutie marks' bit ;)

Darksroid17 - And a belated Happy New Year to you too! Lol that's my intent; I want to keep you guys guessing and coming up with your own ideas of what's going on.

DragonLovingBrony - Shit just got very real Yo

adhdluke - Lol never would've expected something like that from her, huh?

UnknownHero55 - Well don't die, otherwise how will you be able to read and know what happens ;)

noah2x4 - Yup. I liked the source material (NOT The Lost Element, even though I do enjoy it), so I borrowed it for my own fic.

Kyguy - Yup, Luna's not so innocent as she seems...

xel101 - Why thank you :D

chipmunkfanatic - Lol that she does. But, how will Blake take her explanation?

Deepfreeze222 - Oh don't worry, this will fit into the bigger picture, you'll just have to wait and see how ;) I'm working on that, trying to balance out plot and filler so that it's entertaining, but not overbearing.

Mallory Shadowielder - I actually got the inspiration from an 8-bit style game called 'Story of the Blanks', which I played before I ever read The Lost Element. If you haven't yet, I recommend trying it, it's short but good. You'll just have to wait and see what poor Mitta's fate is...

thecreator339 - Thank you. I will do my best to be worthy of that praise.

A/N - Howdy everypony! I'm glad to see so many people liked the last few chapters! Luna's got some 'splainin' to do, and who knows how Blake will take what she has to say? I honestly kinda hope that they make Mitta a cannon pony; though hopefully, they leave out the darker bits of her source material. As always, don't forget to follow/favorite, review, and most importantly; enjoy!

Twilight

Once Luna and the others got off at Appleloosa, Derpy, Fluttershy, Pinkie and I settled in for the remaining trip to Dodge Junction, which would take another few hours. I did my best to relax and think during the trip, but I found it hard to concentrate; my mind kept betraying me as I thought of the human I had come to love. I wanted to bring him home safe; it didn't matter to me if it was our group, Luna's group or even if it was neither of us that found him, as long as he came home safe to us.

I sighed quietly and looked around the compartment. Fluttershy was sitting on the bench across from me, staring at her hooves with a blank expression, like she was lost in thought. Pinkie Pie had her forehooves on the backrest of Fluttershy's bench, staring out the window at the passing desert landscape as her tail jerked and twitched erratically. Derpy had a muffin in her hoof, turning it over and over, like she was looking for something.

I pulled a few papers and pencils from my saddlebag along with an area map of Dodge Junction, and began plotting search routes. I used terrain clues on the map to look for caves and other hiding places that would be likely places to search. I jumped and poor Fluttershy let out an 'Eep!' as the lead on my pencil snapped off, shattering the relative silence within the car.

I looked up with a sheepish grin "Sorry… Guess I was pressing a little hard…"

Derpy put down her muffin and walked over to me and put a hoof on my shoulder. "It's ok Twilight, we're all worried about him." She gave me a goofy grin. "It's ok though! I know we'll find him!"

I gave her a soft smile. "I know we will too Derpy…" I hesitated for a moment, not sure if I should share my concerns. Against my better judgment, I decided to be open with my friends. "I'm just worried about what those ponies want with him… what they might be doing to him…"

Derpy's eyes straightened up and locked onto mine as her face hardened. "If they hurt him… you can bet we'll kick their flanks from here to Canterlot…" Her sudden change in demeanor caught me off guard, but the determination in her voice eased my fears.

She held out a hoof to me and I took it with my own. "You've got that right! If anypony hurt Blake, I'll banish them to the moon."

With the mood lightened, Derpy trotted back over and began enjoying her muffin while I went back to planning search routes. I looked up again to see Fluttershy rummaging around under the seat for something. I opened my mouth to call for Spike, but slowly closed it when I remembered that I had left him in charge of both the library and caring for our pets while she was away. I pulled out a second piece of paper and began penning our progress so far. Since my faithful assistant wasn't around to send letters to the princess, I decided to keep a record of everything that happened that she could review later.

I had lost myself in my planning so completely that I hardly noticed when the train started slowing down to pull into Dodge Junction's station. "Hey Twilight! We're here we're here!" I looked up to see Pinkie hopping up and down excitedly right in front of me.

"Huh, what?" I looked past her and out the window to see that we had stopped, and ponies had already started disembarking at the station. I began packing up my things, ready to get off this train and start searching for my coltfriend and his foalnappers. "Thanks Pinkie. Come on, let's get going everypony!"

We all filed off the train, with Derpy bolting off in a random direction before I could stop her. "Well… that's gonna change things…"

Pinkie hopped up next to me. "What do you mean Twilight? She was watching you work the entire time! I bet she knows those route as well as you do by now!"

I stopped. "B-but… how? She wasn't even facing me…"

Pinkie giggled as if I had missed something obvious. "That's easy silly filly!" Pinkie pointed at her eyes. "She has those super-amazing eyes! She can look in two places at once! I bet we'll find Blake twice as fast with her helping us look!"

I smiled and shook my head. "I can't believe I forgot that… I guess when you get used to a pony, you stop noticing their flaws as much…"

"Oh, I wouldn't call it a flaw Twilight… I mean, she seems to do just fine with them…"

I nodded at my timid friend as we continued trotting through town. "You're right Fluttershy. Besides, we all know it's not fair to judge a pony based on their looks; Derpy has shown us that she's a good friend and a lovable mare."

"Hey, Ah remember you three!" We all stopped in our tracks at the announcement. "However is Applejack? Ah haven't seen her since y'all visited Dodge Junction." There was a creamy-white mare with a mane that was two shades of red and done up in a beehive standing on one of the wooden walkways that ran in front of the buildings.

"Well hello Cherry Jubilee. Applejack's actually in Appleloosa right now, trying to find a friend of ours out there while we look here."

"Ah'm sorry to hear that Darlin'. If you don't mind me askin', who is your friend?"

I looked around, making sure there weren't any ponies within earshot in case one of the foalnappers was listening. "Well, he's a human, his name is Blake and he was foalnapped yesterday."

She cocked her head to the side. "Pardon me Darlin', but what's a 'human'?"

"Well, he stands on his hind legs like a Minotaur, but he wears clothes because he doesn't have any fur…"

Cherry tapped her chin with a hoof. "Hmm… Sounds like an… odd fellow… can't say Ah've heard of anythin' like him passin' through recently though. Tell ya what; Ah got a few… let's call 'em 'feelers' spread out around the area keepin' an eye out for anythin' interesting goin' on. I'll tell 'em to keep an eye out for your friend."

I felt a grin spread across my face. "You'd really do that for us?!" She nodded with a bright smile of her own. "That would be amazing, thank you so much Cherry Jubilee."

She let out a hearty giggle. "Don't ya even mention it Darlin'." She leaned in close. "Ah can tell he's more than just your 'friend'…" I felt my face heat up as she whispered to me. She giggled again. "Now go on, ya got a lotta land ta search if y'all really think he's out this'a'ways."

We waved to her as we trotted off. "Oh my, she certainly was friendly…"

"Yeah, she certainly… was… hey, where's Pinkie Pie?"

"Oh dear, I didn't even notice she was gone…" Fluttershy looked around. "Maybe she had to use the bathroom? That was an awfully long train ride coming here…"

I stroked my chin with a hoof. "Hmm… maybe… but I don't think she'd just run off without telling us something like that. Maybe she saw something?"

Fluttershy giggled. "Knowing Pinkie Pie, she probably got distracted by something shiny…"

I couldn't help but giggle myself. "You're probably right." I pulled the search plans from my saddlebags. "Why don't you take to the air and search along this route, while I find Pinkie and we'll search these two routes."

She shrank back into her mane slightly. "A-are you sure it's really a good idea to split up? I mean, what if one of us gets lost? Or hurt? Nopony would be around to help them…"

I put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "I've already thought of that Fluttershy. While I agree it would be safer to pair up, we can't really afford the extra time searching. That's why I've taken the liberty to make these routes well within vocal distance of one another. If one of us gets hurt, they can just call out and the others will be able to hear them no problem. Even your timid little voice would carry far enough for us to hear."

She poked her head back out of her mane and spread her wings. "A-alright… if you're sure…" She flapped and took off into the mid-afternoon sky.

I called out to her as she flew away, off towards the hills near the small frontier town. "Remember to stop and rest often in this heat! And drink plenty of water!" She turned and waved back to me. I turned my attention back to the town around me. "Alright, time to find… Pinkie… or not…"

Pinkie was forcefully shaking a stallion in her hooves. "I know you know where he is! Now talk buster!" I groaned and started towards the commotion. This is going to be a looong day…

Luna

Rainbow Dash returned quickly with Miss Rarity trailing behind her as she flew above the squat buildings. "Wait for me Rainbow Dash! You know I can't move as quickly as you can!"

Said mare flipped over onto her back and called back. "Well hurry up! We don't have all day ya know!" Miss Rarity let out an unladylike growl and began galloping faster in a vain attempt to keep up with her speed-demon friend.

Braeburn had already left to gather a few of the townsponies to form an impromptu search party with which to aid in our search. Rarity trotted up to where Applejack and I were standing as Rainbow Dash set down for a landing. "Whew… I am not cut out for exercising in this weather…" I cocked an eyebrow. "Erhm… yes, well… The ponies I spoke to had no idea what I was talking about. I do hope you have fared better."

I looked off in the direction Applejack's cousin had gone. "We have recruited Miss Applejack's cousin to aid us in our search. He is currently assembling a search party to aid us. I suggest we begin our search in earnest, as it would not be wise to be caught outside of town once my sister has lowered the sun."

Applejack and Rarity split up, off to speak to more ponies while Rainbow Dash and I took to the air once more, continuing our search of the area below us. I silently hoped that my sister would delay her lowering of the sun to give us more time to search, but I knew that she would be hesitant to do such a thing as it would throw off the balance of the solar and lunar cycles.

After hours of fruitless searching, my sister finally nudged her sun into its descent towards the horizon, signaling that it was time to call off our search for the night. We alighted on a convenient updraft and glided back towards the town, giving our wings a sorely needed rest.

We angled our flight and began descending towards the area of the main strip that lay in front of the town's large clock tower, which was our agreed-upon meeting area. I noted three figures standing in the area, and confirmed them to be Applejack, Rarity and Braeburn as we neared.

I flapped my wings to slow myself and landed gently on the packed, dusty ground. "Am Ah glad ta see you Princess! Please tell me y'all found somethin', cause we sure as heck didn't."

"I am sorry Applejack, but it would appear that our search was just as fruitless as your own."

She seemed to deflate somewhat. "Aww shucks, here Ah was hopin' we'd find 'im and teach them foalnappers what happens ta ponies that mess with us!" I could not reply, as a sudden pang in my heart gave me the feeling that dear Blake was in danger. "Uhh, Princess… are y'all alright?"

I shook my head in a vain attempt to dispel the feeling. "I am sorry, it is just a strange feeling."

Applejack paused. "Like there's a little voice in yer heart tellin' ya somethin's wrong?" I nodded, shocked and worried that she knew what I meant. "Ah feel it too; Ah weren't gonna say nothin' though, didn't wanna worry anypony."

"I for one think he'll be just fine; I've seen that stallion in action more than once, and there's no doubt in my mind that he can take care of himself. If anything, we should be worried for those poor stallions that were thick-headed enough to believe foalnapping him was a good idea."

Applejack readjusted her hat with a determined look. "Yer right Rare! He took on Nightmare Moon all by his lonesome, Ah think a couple o' stallions would just be plum inconvenient fer 'im."

"I hope you are right Applejack, for his sake…" We began walking down the main thoroughfare towards our accommodations for the evening, which Braeburn had so kindly procured for us. I stopped mid-step as a different sensation washed over me; this one told me that knowledge that should have remained forgotten had been uncovered, and I feared what the implications of this discovery would bring.

Blake

As I walked through the Everfree, in the Direction Mitta had pointed to take me to the Eastern edge of the forest, I thought back on what she said. I couldn't believe that Luna would do something like that, but at the same time, I couldn't believe ponies were capable of murder either.

As I traversed the darkened woodland expanse, I couldn't help but wish I'd had just one more bullet for my gun, or my sword at the very least. The armor I wore, which glinted dully in the muted starlight, would only do so much to keep a manticore from tearing me to shreds and nothing at all to stop a cockatrice from turning me to stone. My nerves were constantly on edge as my mind tricked me into thinking every little sound was something waiting to pounce on me… and maybe it was right.

Eventually, I came to a path cutting through the trees; it was faint, but it was there. I would likely have missed it in the dim and dreary light if I hadn't been shining my light every so often to make sure I wasn't going to fall off a cliff or trip on a hidden log. From what I could tell, the winding path headed roughly the direction I wanted to go, so I stepped onto it and picked up my pace. The entire time since I had left Sunny Town, I had this unshakable feeling I was being watched, and that feeling got even more intense when I set foot on the hardly used trail.

It was all I could do to keep myself from breaking into a mad dash for the edge of this thrice-cursed forest, but I somehow managed. Not long after I ran across the path, it led me to a small clearing with a familiar tree resting near the edge closest to me. Oh thank God…

I hurried past the small window set into the tree and carefully stepped over the tribal masks strewn about the tree's base. I made a move to take my helmet off before I remembered it was futile, only to find that it came off with ease. I examined it in more detail than I could in the mirror. The visor consisted of a protective face shield covering all but my eyes, leaving teardrop shaped holes for me to see through. Strangely, my vision wasn't obstructed at all by the visor, even though it looked like it should be hard to see much of anything. There was a pair of back-swept wings decorating either side of the thing that didn't seem to serve a purpose beyond looking cool.

Tucking the helm under one arm, I gently knocked on the sturdy wooden door. "Who calls upon my door this late? To wander the Everfree at night is to court a gruesome fate." The door swung open a moment later, my favorite zebra standing on the other side, running an appraising eye up and down my form. A smile kissed her lips as her scrutinizing gaze rested on my face. "Hello my friend, come and warm yourself by the fire, and you can tell me how you came by your strange attire."

I thanked her as I ducked under the short doorway and into Zecora's home. I took a deep breath as I smelled something tasty cooking. My mouth began watering and my stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten well since the day before yesterday. One of Zecora's ears swiveled in my direction. "It sounds as though you could use some food; perhaps that will put you in a more talkative mood." She trotted to the cauldron in the center of the room and ladled some of its contents into a wooden bowl and passed it to me.

"Thanks Zecora." I took a few bites of the stuff and sighed as I almost instantly felt better. "Wow, this is amazing! What all's in this?"

She gave me a warm grin. "That dear friend, is my own secret recipe; though to you, I would give it for free."

I took several more bites of the hearty, delicious stew as she talked. "That'd be awesome Zecora." I finished the last of the stew and set the empty bowl aside. "Now, you wanted to know why im wearing this armor and traipsing through the Everfree this late at night." I spent the next few hours regaling her with the tale of my kidnapping, from the confrontation with the two bullies up until I stumbled upon her hut.

"That was quite the tale you had to tell, I am glad that all has turned out well. This late at night, I wouldn't dream of casting you into the Everfree, so you are more than welcome to spend it here with me."

Zecora grabbed a few blankets and pillows and handed them to me before wishing me a good night and trotting off to a side room that I guessed was her bedroom. I settled in as best I could in the strangely comfortable armor, and let the fatigue of the day carry me to sleep.

I woke up the next morning to see the forest was still shrouded in darkness while Zecora stood at her fire pit, working a skillet, frying up what smelled like eggs and potatoes. She served the dish and we ate, making small talk as we did. When I finished, I bid my zebra friend farewell, telling her I wanted to let everyone know I was alright, and made my way down the path towards Ponyville.

I made the trip back to the library without incident and quietly entered, not wanting to wake anyone as the sun hadn't risen. I walked upstairs to see Spike still sleeping in his bed, though there was no sign of anyone else. I gently shook the little drake. "Hmnh… wha?"

"Hey Spike, it's me. Where's Scootaloo and Twilight?"

He practically jumped out of his little bed. "Blake! You're back! Twilight and the others went looking for you! Even Princess Luna went!"

"She did, did she… That gives me an idea. Spike, I need you to take a letter."

Celestia

I sighed as I lit my horn with the ancient spell Mother had taught me for lowering the sun. I wanted to keep it aloft to allow my sister and the others more time to search, but I knew I couldn't do that; I remembered all too well the widespread chaos that was caused when Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon and refused to lower the moon to make way for the sun. It had taken nearly a fortnight of careful manipulation to return everything to its proper order.

I watched as the glowing orb made its slow journey to the horizon, the light dimming as it crept ever closer. I knew that Blake's inquisitive mind would eventually lead him to ask how such a thing was possible, but I was at a loss for how to explain it to him in a way that he could understand. I knew that the physics of our two worlds were not the same; the saturation of magic throughout the entire solar system that our beautiful little world called home changed those laws and made them function differently than that of Earth's in some cases, and not at all in others.

My thoughts turned further towards my favorite human. I couldn't ignore the stirring in my heart when I thought of him. In the entire time he has been here, he had never once treated either myself or my sister as simply royalty, to be pampered and showered with honorifics; instead, he had always seen us for the mares we are beneath all the shining jewelry and royal posturing that we were forced to endure day after day.

It was this understanding of who we truly were that had led my sister, and in secret, myself, to become infatuated with the man from Earth. I was forced to watch with pangs of envy stabbing at my heart as their infatuation bloomed into full-fledged love. No matter how much I wished it, I knew that he had captured my sister's heart, and as long as they were together, he and I never could be. I sighed as I watched my dear sister's handiwork, her weaving of the stars in the night sky as she had done so many times before.

I felt guilt claw at me even as the envy for what she had gained and I had lost burned within me. Blake was possibly in danger while my sister was out with the Element Bearers trying to find him, while I sat here in the palace, thinking about what could have been instead of hoping for their safety. I couldn't help but ask myself if that made me a bad pony.

With a silent sigh, I turned and reentered my chambers, wishing to put these thoughts out of my mind, if only for a moment. I pulled an old tome from the large bookshelf that served as my personal library, opening it to the bookmarked page and began reading. A small smile crept to my lips as I read the faded words on the yellowed pages. This tome was no great work of literature, nor a repository of history, but a simple story book; filled to the brim with the tales our mother would tell at bedtime, which I had carefully recorded from memory into this very book once she and our father had… passed.

Finding that sleep would not come easily to me, I continued to read from those treasured stories until it was time for me to raise the sun once again. I replaced my bookmark partway through one of the many tales of the earth pony heroine Nyx and got to my hooves. I had just finished my task and turned from the balcony to return to my study when my horn alit suddenly and a scroll flashed into existence before me, causing me to jump with a slight start. "That's strange… I was under the impression that Spike had remained at the library… Perhaps they found something?"

I wasted no time in unrolling the scroll, and was surprised by its contents.

Celestia,

As I'm sure you know by now, I was abducted by two stallions posing as police officers two days ago. I was luckily able to outsmart my captors and have escaped my imprisonment and returned safely to Ponyville. There are a few things I wish to discuss; as such, by the time you read this letter, I will already have boarded a train for Canterlot. I will be happy to explain everything when I get there.

Sincerely yours, Blake

I chuckled quietly. "Every time I think that man has run out of ways to surprise me…" I set the scroll down on a nearby table and left the study to freshen up for the day. "It would seem we have chosen better than we could have imagined… I just hope it will be enough…"