Chapter 173: Castle Mane-ia
A few days had gone by after the group had returned from Radiant Garden after going into the Grid to save Applejack from the Amazing Digital Circus, which it ended up getting destroyed after Caine was severely injured, but thankfully everyone, which included the entire cast of the Digital Circus, managed to get out before the entire world was destroyed. But after everyone had gotten back home, Spyro got to work fixing up his garage, rebuilding the entire thing from scratch as most of the machines were badly damaged, getting the Terminal to work again before starting his search for the world of Lyoko, which he knew was going to take a while as this world was inside a heavily protected super computer, so finding it will be a challenge. As Spyro finished fixing up the garage and getting the terminal back online, Applejack walked in to see how he was doing, finding he had gotten everything cleaned up at last and was at his terminal hard at work locating the world in question as she came over.
"Hey sugarcube." Applejack said, she and Spyro sharing a kiss. "How's the hunt goin'?"
"It's going as anyone would expect." Spyro replied. "Trying to find Lyoko is going to be difficult, but with my Crashbugs looking, it shouldn't take as long."
"And how are Pomni and everypony else doin'?" Applejack asked.
"According to what Tron said, they're adjusting nicely." Spyro replied. "Tron's also working on restoring Caine's code to help him survive, but from what he told me, it's not going well."
"How so?" Applejack asked.
"The code used to allow Caine to become a self aware AI, like Gummigoo, is complicated." Spyro replied. "Whoever coded him was a genius."
"Well, Ah know one genius who can help them." Applejack said. "And he's standin' right in front of me."
Spyro just snuckered as the two kissed again, this time it was a little longer than the last one as they enjoyed the moment. When they ended the kiss, Spyro looked at Applejacks belly, though he couldn't see a bump yet, he was eagerly awaiting the moment when he could see and hold his baby. A little later, the arms came in with parts and cables, getting to work on assembling a machine as both ponies watched.
"Ah, finally." Spyro said. "The parts are here."
"Parts for what?" Applejack asked.
"The scanners." Spyro replied. "I'm planning on building several of these things so that when I figure out how to turn data into flesh and blood, we'll be ready to bring them out of The Grid and into Equestria."
"Ya think it's a good idea to allow them to come into Equestria?" Applejack asked.
"AJ, we already broke the rules taking them out of their world, what's the harm in allowing them to have a new home?" Spyro asked.
"Good point." Applejack replied. "Hey, have ya noticed that Rosy has been comin' around less and less often?"
"Now that you mention it, yeah, I've noticed she hasn't been around as much." Spyro replied. "I think the last time I saw her was during the mission to get the parts for Twilight's lightsaber. Wonder what she's been doing lately."
"Maybe ya'll can check on her, see what's keeping her from coming and visitin'." Applejack suggested.
"That's a good idea." Spyro replied. "The garage is set on automatic, so it should be able to assemble the scanners without me around. Wanna tag along?"
"Ah'm afraid Ah can't." Applejack replied. "Gotta finish up mah chores and then Ah gotta help Big Mac buck some apples."
"Aw, too bad." Spyro said. "I was thinking we'd get some lunch while we were out."
"Ah'd love some lunch." Applejack said. "But Ah need to be careful with what Ah eat these days. With mah pregnancy, there are somethings Ah can't eat."
"Yeah, such as Fescue grass." Spyro replied. "That kind of grass contains toxins that can endanger the lives both mare and foal if consumed during the mares pregnancy."
"Yer just an entire archive of information, aren't ya?" Applejack asked.
Both laughed as they rubbed noses, both leaving the garage together, but Spyro took a turn towards town to go and see why Rosy wasn't coming around as often. As he walked into town, he was greeted by everyone as usual, but he didn't have time to stop and chit chat with everyone as he needed to get to the library as that was where Rosy stayed at most of the time, walking in and finding Spike and Midnight cleaning the down stairs area of the library, reorganizing the books and making sure everything was as it should be.
"Hey Midnight, Spike." Spyro said.
"Oh, hi Spyro." Spike said.
"Hey dad." Midnight said. "What brings you here?"
"Came to see if Rosy was around." Spyro replied. "Haven't been seeing her as often lately."
"Oh, she's with Twilight right now." Midnight replied. "They're going through the books trying to find out more about the chest that came from the Tree of Harmony."
"She's still trying to find an answer for that chest yet?" Spyro asked.
"Nope, and it's really getting on her nerves." Spike replied. "Hey, maybe you can help her find something. After all, you are as smart as Twilight, maybe even smarter."
"Ok, one, don't let Twilight hear you say that." Spyro said. "You know that she's an Alicorn now and has access to some pretty strong magics. And two, I wouldn't mind helping her with the search for answers. I'm actually kind of curious about it myself."
Spyro, Midnight, and Spike walked up the stairs to see if they could help Twilight find any answers to what the chest was, but as they entered, a book came flying by and hit the feather duster Spike was carrying, looking over and seeing how annoyed twilight looked while Rosy was sitting there, running her hoof across some of the braille books, reading what she could before moving onto the next one, ducking as twilight tossed away another book.
"No luck yet Twilight?" Midnight asked.
"Afraid not." Twilight replied, turning to the group. "Oh, hey Spyro."
"Hi dad." Rosy said.
"Hey girls." Spyro replied, looking around the room. "Looks like you went through every book in the entire library."
"Try every book in all of Ponyville." Twilight said, getting another book. "Ive gone through every book in the entire town and have found nothing about the chest from the Tree of Harmony. And nothing about the keys needed to unlock it. And something tells me that opening the chest is pretty important."
"Hmm, if the chest has to do with the tree of harmony... what are the odds that the keys have to do with the Elements of Harmony?" Spyro asked.
"That... actually makes a lot of sense." Twilight said. "If the keys are connected to the Elements of Harmony and the ponies who house the spirits of the Elements of harmony, then that means we have them."
"But the Keyblades don't work, remember?" Spike asked.
"I know that Spike." Twilight said, lifting an eyebrow. "But the main question is where the keys are and if they really are connected to the elements. Maybe the library in Canterlot has some ideas."
"Or maybe, someplace closer." Spyro suggested.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked, looking at Spyro as he looked at his bracer. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"Three... two... one." Spyro said. A moment later, Spike cheeks blew up and he burped, a scroll appearing out of the green flames as Twilight took it in her magic. "Right on time."
"Ok, how did you do that?" Midnight asked.
"A master never reveals his secrets." Spyro replied.
"My faithful student..." Twilight said. "While I would love to have you visit Canterlot again, I believe your friend Spyro is right as therte is a source of information closer to Ponyville."
Everyone's eyes widened, wondering how she knew Spyro had said that as the world paused and Spyro looked at the readers.
"Ok, that's creepy and it's ain't even Nightmare night, and it's been a week since Halloween in the real world." Spyro said. "I wonder how the princess knew I said that. Wait a minute..." He then reached up and pulled the screen down, looking to make sure Discord wasn't there, finding he actually wasn't there. "Huh, Discord isn't there. That's where he was last..."
He then paused, letting go of the screen and pulled it up and pulled Discord out and straightened him out, glaring at him as he looked surprised.
"Heh, h-hi." Discord said.
"Seriously Discord?" Spyro asked. "Still spying on us?"
"What, I get bored being in a castle all of the time." Discord said. "Seriously, I get stuck being in the castle the entire time and I'm not allowed to use my magic, like, at all! Please, please, can I be in one of your adventures when it arises. Please!?"
He then gave him the puppy dog eyes, whimpering like a lost puppy dog, which made Spyro uncomfortable as he backed away, looking around to find an excuse to let him down gently, but breathed out and looked at Discord, annoyed, but knew it was the only way.
"Fine, next time we need to head out to another world, you can come along." Spyro replied.
"Pinkie promise?" Discord asked, which made Spyro cringe. "I know you will try to cross your fingers, so I'm making you do a Pinkie Pie Pinkie promise."
"Fine!" Spyro said. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Discord said. "I promise, you won't be disappointed!"
He then took out a book and jumped in, the book spinning a bit before disappearing as Spyro looked at the readers.
"Was it a mistake to promise Discord he could come along, yes." Spyro replied. "But then again, it's the only way to get that jumbled up mess to leave me alone. And yes, I was planning on crossing my fingers, but that snake knew how to counter me. A ticked off Pinkie Pie is far scarier than a bunch of of Heartless. I mean, seriosuly, have you guys watch season two, episode fourteen? I do not want to be on the recieving end of that. Especially since Pinkie knnows how to use a keyblade, no matter how much Beskar I wear."
The world resumed as Spyro looked at Twilight, who was still reading the letter as he looked at them.
"As you know, the ancient castle that I once shared with my sister still lies in ruins deep in the Everfree forest." Twilight continued. "But if you look carefully, you might be able to find a book that will help you in your research, hidden within the castle ruins library."
"Wait, the ruined castle?" Spyro asked. "As in, the castle of the two sisters?"
"The very same." Spike said.
"I didn't think anything managed to survive the battle between Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia." Spyro said.
"An... entire... library." Twilight said, completely speechless. "Fill with books on ancient magic!?"
"Uh oh, bookworm mode has just engaged." Spyro whispered to Midnight, making her snicker.
"Spyro, we've so got to check this out, like, now!" Twilight exclaimed, grabbing him with her magic and running out the door. "Come on!"
"Like I have a choice!" Spyro replied as he was being carried off out of the library.
The two ponies and the baby dragon looked at one another and Spike shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to do except to follow them and make sure nothing bad happened to them both. In the Everfree, Twilight had set Spyro down on the ground and was walking through the forest with Spyro next to her, Spike, Midnight, and Rosy having caught up with them and walked with them towards the ruins, following the familiar path that they took to get there before a couple of times to get to the ruins, having arrived at the ruins and at the door to enter the ruins. As they entered, they approached the place where the sisters thrones originally were at, seeing that the spot was in ruins as they walked.
"So, this is the castle of the two sisters." Midnight said. "The Dark overlord said there is a powerful magic in this place. I'm guessing it's the tree of Harmony."
"It is." Twilight replied. "This place is sitting atop of the cave where the Tree is in. And if the princess says there is a book here that can help us, then it has to be here." They continued to walk through the castle until they came to a set of wooden doors, walking in and Twilight's eyes lite up, seeing the rows upon rows of ancient books, leaving Twilight completely stunned as she looked at them. "Oh... my... sweet... Celestia! Look at all of these ancient books! It's a veritable gold mine of magical information! I can't believe it!"
"She's in heaven right now." Spyro said.
They walked around as Twilight began putting books down int he center of the room, Midnight looking at some ancient history books while Rosy ran her hoof along the shelf to find some braille books, but Spike was having the least amount of fun as there were a lot of spiders there, cobwebs, and the place looked overall spooky to him, getting cuaght in a cobweb and tripping, falling underneath a statue, yelling in terror as he sat up.
"Uh, Twilight..." Spike said. "You ready to head home?"
"Are you kidding Spike?" Twilight asked. "This place is perfect! I'm going to be spending the night in this place!"
"Twilight, you mihg tlike it here, but Spike seems terrified." Spyro said. "Maybe we should pick up some of the books and bring them back to... oh my goodness, is that a book on how to use crystal magic!?"
"But can't you already use crystal magic?" Rosy asked.
"I know how to make them, but not how to use them." Spyro replied. "Maybe spending the night here might not be a bad idea after all."
Midnight and Rosy just looked at one another, shrugging their shoulders as they knew the two of them wouldn't budge from their decision, no matter how they pled while Spike just looked terrified, sitting in the corner in the fetal position and rocking back and forth while spiders with stars on them were crawling everywhere. Meanwhile at Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were having a contest to see who would move first while being covered in bees, both mares starring at one another to see who would move first.
"I'm not going to move until you do Applejack" Rainbow Dash said.
"Uh, uh, Ah ain't movin'." Applejack said, Pinkie watching as a judge. "No way, no how."
"This is the most daring dare anypony would dare anypony else to dare!" Pinkie said.
"Say what now?" Applejack asked.
"It's exciting!" Pinkie replied, a bee going up her pet alligators nose and out again.
The two mares were starring at one another still, waiting to see who would move first as a pony in a bee keeper suit walked up, seeing what was going on and looking to Pinkie.
"Uh, what's going on here?" The Bee keeper asked.
"Applejack and Rainbow Dash are competing to find out who's the mose daring pony!" Pinkie replied, rushing over to them. "And this is the final test, the Bee stare! Last pony to blink wins!"
"You might as well quit AJ." Rainbow Dash said with a snarky attitude. "It's not exactly healthy for a pregnant mare to have bees stinging her."
"Ah maybe pregnant, but that don't mean Ah don't have what it takes to beat you Rainbow Dash." Applejack replied.
"As much as this is exciting to watch, I'm going to need my bees back." The Bee Keeper said.
"But... then we'll never find out who the most daring pony is." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, sorry about that." He replied.
He then whistled and the bees started to fly after him, revealing that both ponies were wearing Bee Keeper suits as well and watched as the keeper walked away with his bees.
"Shoot, what now?" Applejack asked.
"Don't worry ladies, I've been keeping score all day!" Pinkie said, walking over and checking her notepad and loked back at them. "Congratulations, you tied!"
"Tied?" Applejack asked.
"No way we can be tied for the most daring pony!" Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't know, numbers don't lie." Pinkie replied, taking her notepad out and showing them, but the numbers she was talking about was just a bunch of random drawings and doodles, both mares looking at one another in confusion. "And I would love to stay and keep keeping numbers, but I promised Ms. Cheerilee that I would test the new school bell. And I get to ring it all week, non-stop! And I don't have to be taking turns because no ;ony else volunteered!"
She then bounced off excitedly towards the school house while Rainbow Dash and Applejack got out of the suits.
"Ok, no biggie." Rainbow Dash said. "We're just going to have to come up with another daring dare."
As Applejack was getting her suit off, she looked up and noticed the Everfree forest, an idea coming to her as she looked at Rainbow Dash.
"Ah think Ah have an idea." Applejack said. "We spend the night in the ruined castle. Whoever chickens out and runs away first is the looser."
"Oh, you're so on." Rainbow Dash said.
Both ponies spat in their hooves and shook, agreeing to the dare as they walked towards the forest to see who was brave eough to spend the night there. Meanwhile, in the forest, Rarity was trotting along in the dark forest, heading for the ruins as well for something she was planning while Fluttershy was right behind her, though she seemed a bit more nervous as she went along.
"Um, Rarity, is it a good idea to come into the forest late during the day?" Fluttershy asked. "After all, it's Star Spider season. Though, I'm sure you have a very good reason."
"Well Fluttershy, to keep it simple, it is the most important thing in my entire life." Rarity said, walking along.
"Oh, really?" Fluttershy asked. "Well, i'm happy to help."
"Glad to hear it Fluttershy." Rarity said. "I've heard rumors that the castle of the two sisters has the most gorgeous of ancient tapestries in all of Equestria! Why, it pains me to believe that those beautiful works of art are simply rotting away in those old ruins, unappreciated."
"I see." Fluttershy said, looking annoyed.
"I need your help in borrowing one or two from this ancient ruin so that I can restore them to their former glory." Rarity said. "Who knows? I might even be able to use the patterns in a new line!"
"That does some... sort of important." Fluttershy said.
"Alright, it may not be the most important thing in my life right now, but retro active classical will be all the rage next season, so it's nothing to sneeze at." Rarity said as she and Fluttershy walked across the bridge, whicht he fashion pony ended up sneezing as they walked.
They continued towards the old castle, Fluttershy looking at the old ruins and felt a shiver run down her spine as they approached, both ponies stopping in front of it as they looked.
"Um, are you absolutelty sure you need those tapestries?" Fluttershy asked.
"But of course darling." Rarity said. "Altough, I have to admit, these old ruins do give me a fight." She then ended up stepping in some mud, lifting her hoof and looking appalled. "Just look at all of the dirt and mud. Ew."
However, Fluttershy just gave Rarity the stink eye as she could not believe that her friend would drag her to the ruins just to look at some of the old tapestries, looking to the door and saw that her pet bunny, Angel was hopping into the ruins, shocking Fluttershy as he bounced in.
"Angel!" Fluttershy shouted.
She then ran into the ruins to go and save her pet rabbit while Rarity trotted after her, entering the castle, but as she entered the castle, a vortex opened up and from it, a cloaked pony came out, looking around before running to the castle as a shadow approached the doors. In the main room, Rarity and Fluttershy were looking around, Rarity more focused on the tapestries above the area where the princesses thrones were once while Fluttershy was more focused on looking for her pet rabbit as Rarity look.
"Oh my goodness." Rarity said. "Just look at all of these tapestries. It's an artistic treasure trove of exquisite taste."
A moment later, Angel came out of hiding and was tapping his foot at her furiously.
"Oh, Angel!" Fluttershy said, running up to him. "You shouldn't run off like that. Ancient ruins are filled with all sorts of things that could hurt you." Angel just rolled his eyes, bouncing away while Rarity went witht he rabbit, leaving Fluttershy behind. "You could stub your toe, or trip on a loose stone, or even a rock could hit you in the head! You need to be careful."
However, Fluttershy noticed that she was alone and ran after her friend, not noticing the cloaked pony above her on one of the gargoyle podiums.
"Was Fluttershy really like that back then?" The pony asked, her voice sounding like a mare's voice. "Geez, talk about over protective. Now I know where Flora and Petal Breeze get their overprotectiveness from."
"I don't need all these candles Twilight." Spike said, making the pony duck down and see Twilight and Spike walk across the walkway, Twilight levitating a candleholder with her magic. "I was only scared for a second."
"Oh, these aren't for you Spike." Twilight replied. "As I said, we're going to be studying all night. And we're going to need all the light we can get."
"Oh, terrific." Spike said.
"Relax Spike, night won't last forever." Spyro said, walking be, which the pony gasped before covering her mouth and hid. "Besides, with us around, nothing bad is going to happen."
"Don't be sure of that dad." Rosy said, walking after them. "You never know what might be around the corner that'll mess up your whole day."
"Not to mention all the spells you've been practicing." Midnight said, which the pony up top saw her looked surprised. "I had to dive for cover three times not to get turned into a giant Onyx."
"Most important thing is that we find the book the princess says we could find here." Spyro said. "The sooner we find it, the sooner we can find the answers we need."
They entered the library again, leaving the room empty as the mystery pony remained up on the podium, over looking the entire room.
"Rosy... Midnight..." The pony said, hearing hoofsteps and ducking down when she saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack, her heart stopping when she saw them.
"And here we are." Applejack said.
"Pfft, spending the night here is going to be a piece of cake." Rainbow Dash said. "We're gonna end in a tie again."
"Oh, Ah don't think so." Applejack said, walking to the stairs and jumping up, turning to Rainbow Dash. "Mah granny told me that on the night that Nightmare Moon was defeated, not every last bit of her was banished. She told me that during the night, in these ruins, remnants of her magic wonder the halls of this very castle, taking the form of... The Pony of Shadows!"
A moment later, lightning shot out and made the rainbow maned pony jump, looking spooked, but then straightened herself up, pretending not to be scared.
"So, you're saying this thing is like a ghost?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Or... maybe it's some kind of Heartless."
"No pony knows." Applejack said, trying to be creepy, which made Rainbow Dash roll her eyes.
The two ponies walked down a hall to begin their challenge, not noticing the pony above them as she sat there, looking shocked as she sat there, her breathing very shallow as she sat there shocked.
"It... it can't be." She said, feeling her heart race as she put her heart over her chest.
In another section of the castle, Rarity was looking at a tapestry that she believed would work for her needs, a large blue tapestry with a representation of Princess Luna on it, making Rarity's eyes sparkle.
"Ooh, this one is perfect!" Rarity said.
"Well, it does look like it's in need of some work." Fluttershy said.
"It does in deed." Rarity said. "Fluttershy, could you be a dear and fly up there to unhook it for me please?" Fluttershy flew up and grabbed the bar holding the tapestry, trying to lift it up with her teeth, but it didn't budge, doing her best to get the tapestry, but it refused to move. "Um, maybe from the bottom dear."
Fluttershy gave an annoyed look at Rarity as she flew down, heading straight behind the tapestry, but as she struggled to get it loose, something clicked and a moment later, the entire wall turned around, taking Rarity and Angel by surprise as it turned, going into another hallway, which Rainbow Dash and Applejack were walking into and near the tapestry that Fluttershy was behind.
"I seriously don't understand what's so daring about some old legend." Rainbow Dash said. "Plus, I don't scare so easy and don't believe in ghosts."
A moment later, the tapestry started to move with Fluttershy struggling to get out of, which Applejack saw and immediately started to tremble.
"M-m-maybe you should rethink your position on that." Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash looked up and saw the Tapestry move, making their eyes shrink as they heard the tapestry moan, screaming in fear as they tried to run, but a crack of lightning caused a shadow to appear, making it look scary as they screamed again, running away as Fluttershy reactivated the mechanism to make the wall spin again, returning to the room where Rarity was at as she was spat out, injuring her wing, but only a single feather as it flopped.
"Ow." Fluttershy said softly. "I think I injured my wing."
"Oh Fluttershy, I'm so sorry." Rarity said. "That tapestry is too heavy and too big. We're going to have to find a smaller one."
"Oh, ok." Fluttershy said, walkign with Rarity.
"By the way dear, where pray tell did you disappear to?" Rarity asked.
"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked.
"When you went behidn the banner, the entire wall spun around." Rarity replied, spooking Fluttershy. "I believe you might have activated a seceret door."
They continued to walk together through the halls, Fluttershy looking around as she felt a little spooked by the ruins.
"You think these ruins have more seceret doors?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh, absolutely." Rarity replied. "Spyro told me that many ancient ruins, temples, and crypts are chalk full of seceret passages and traps. We're going to need to take the upmost care as we could-"
However, a moment later, the door opened up underneath the two mares, making them scream as they fell, Angel removing his foot as he was the one who accidently activated the trap, hopping away as if nothing happened, trying to play it cool. In another hall, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were running down another hall, getting away from what they thought was a ghost.
"Alright, maybe the legend is true." Rainbow Dash said, running with Applejack.
"That's why Ah brought ya here!" Applejack said. "Ah guess only the most daring pony can stay in this old ruin without bein' scared off."
Right as Applejack said it, Rainbow Dash skidded to a halt, making Applejack stop and look at her.
"Scared?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I'm not scared."
"Good, cause neither am I." Applejack said.
"Then it is settled." Rainbow Dash said. "We'll stay in this castle for the night and whoever stays the longest is the most daring pony!"
They shook on t again, but as Applejack did so, she noticed a shadowy figure duck in a hallway behind Rainbow Dash, surprising Applejack.
"Did ya see that?" Applejack asked.
"Ha, nice try Apple smack." Rainbow Dash said, flying off. "It's going to take more than some legend and yoiu trying to scare me to scare me off."
"Yeah, well, me too." Applejack said.
She ran after the pegasi, but as they did, the eye on the painting moved to look at them leave while the cloak figure was watching them, following after them. Meanwhile, in the library, Twilight, Spyro and Spike were reading some books trying to find something while Rosy used te Force to levitate some more books over to the while Midnight was looking outside, thinking to herself as Rosy walked over.
"What's bothering you Midnight?" Rosy asked.
"Oh, it's just..." Midnight said, turning to Rosy. "I'm just looking out at Equestria, enjoying the scenery before it get's ruined, that's all." She then turned back to the window, looking out to see the forest. "I only heard tales of how beautiful it looked before the Dark Overlord cane and destroyed everything, creating a near barren wasteland."
"I hear you there sis." Rosy said, sitting with her. "I may not be able to see anything, but I can imagine how it looks."
"It is a beautiful place Rosy." Spyro said, looking up. "One of the most beautiful worlds I've ever been on. Hey Twilight, have you found anything?"
"Afraid not." Twilight replied. "How about you Spike?"
"Uh, nothing yet." Spike replied.
However, a moment later, a book was walking around on it's own, creeping Spike out, but as it bounced, Angel landed on the book he was reading and made Spike yell in fear, falling back and causing the chair to fall a bit, but it ended up activating a mechanism.
"Angel, what are you doing here?" Twilight asked.
"Wait, did you hear that?" Spyro asked. "It came from the chair Spike's sitting on."
A moment later, a gust of wind came by as a couple of bookshelves opened up, blowing the candles out and revealing a seceret library, surprising them all.
"What, what is it?" Rosy asked.
"It's a secret library." Midnight said.
They all walked to the doorway and in the library was a couple of shelves and some pillows for them to lie down on, a couple of stain glass windows, and a podium in the middle of the room with a book on it, everyone approaching it.
"The journal of the two sisters." Twilight said, using her magic to pick it up and go over to a pillow. "Maybe this is the book Princess Celestia was talking about."
"Maybe." Spyro said.
"Wait, do you feel that?" Rosy asked.
Spyro looked back to her, wondering what it was she was talking about when he felt it as well, a presence in the castle.
"We're not alone." Spyro said. "Midnight, stay with Twilight. Rosy, you're with me. Let's go see who's here."
The two ponies walked out of the seceret library and went out into the hallway, splitting up to see who it was that as in the castle with them. In a spiralling staircase, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were heading down to see what they could find down stairs.
"I hope you're not afraid of the dark Applejack." Rainbow Dash said.
"Can't say that Ah am." Applejack replied. "And even if I was, Ah wouldn't be fifty percent as scared as you."
"I don't know how that math works, but I know one thing." Rainbow Dash said. "I'm not scared."
"Me neither!" Applejack said.
She ran down the stairs, getting ahead of Rainbow Dash as she flew down after her, both ponies reaching the bottom of the stairs, but as they reached it, they saw an entire hallway of pony legs holding torches, which sent a cold shiver down both mares spines.
"W-what's the matter?" Rainbow Dash asked. "It's just a hallway. Filled with... disemodied... pony legs."
"Yeah." Applejack said, pushing her hat down further on her head. "Nothin' creepy about that."
Rainbow Dash covered her face with her wings, just as creeped out and scared as they walked down the corridor, which Spyro was walking down the stairs, following the emotions of fear all the way down the stairs. As he reached the stairs, he looked down the hallway and there he saw Applejack and Rainbow Dash walking down the hall of disembodied pony legs, wondering what they were doing down here as the world paused and he looked at the reader.
"Ok, creepy hallway filled with body limbs in a creepy ruin?" Spyro asked. "Two scared mares walking down the hallway, possibly trying to show who was braver, this is a set up for a scare prank." He then looked at the hall, as a grinch like smile spread on his face as he looked back to the reader. "Oh, this is... no, no, gotta resist. Gotta resist. Man, I really, really wish it was Nightmare night right now. But, then again... no, no, I am not doing that to them. Especially since one of them is pregnant and would clobber me if I did that."
The world resumed as the two mares continued to walk down the hallway, Spyro staying close behind incase anythign happened and he needed to jump into action. In another room, Rarity was trying to see through it, but the room was extremely dark, making seeing anything very difficult as she continued.
"Ugh, I'm starting to think that this old ruin doesn't want my expertise." Rarity said.
She then lit up her horn to create some light for herself and Fluttershy to see, but the pegasi mare started to panic, looking for her pet bunny while in what seemed to be a prison cell.
"Angel!?" She asked. "Where is Angel!?"
"I'm pretty sure he didn't make the trip down with us." Rarity said.
"Oh, we have to find him!" Fluttershy said. "An old ruin is no place for a bunny! He could get hurt by falling debris, or the floor could give out under him, oh, he could get trapped in a room with no way out."
"I can only imagine how that might feel." Rarity replied. She looked around, finding a hole large enough for someone to stick their hoof through, examining it as if thinking was a bad dress. "Maybe there's a mechanism in this wall that'll set us free."
"You think so?" Fluttershy asked.
"Only one way to find out." Rarity replied, sticking her foreleg through it.
As she did, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were walkign down the hall, Rainbow Dash having taken the lead as she walked, but then felt soemthing wrap around her neck, smiling as she thought it was Applejack.
"Applejack, if you're scared, you can just tell me." Rainbow Dash said. "You don't need to wrap your hoof around me."
"Uh, Rainbow, Ah'm over here." Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash looked back, seeing that Applejack was nowhere near her as she looked at the hoof that was wrapped around her, finding it was alive and she screamed, both she and Applejack running away as Spyro stayed there, wondering what they were screaming about when he saw the white foreleg, recognizing it.
"Ah, I felt something... alive!" Rarity said.
"Angel!" Fluttershy said.
"Rarity?" Spyro asked. "Fluttershy?"
"Spyro!" Rarity said. "Darling, please, please get us out of here!"
"Hang on, I got this." Spyro said.
He examined the hole and looked up, taking a guess as he pulled down on the pony leg and let go, the wall spinning around rapidly and spitting the two mares out in front of him.
"Ugh, I've had just about enough of this old ruin!" Rairty shouted. "I've had enough of seceret passages, mysterious presences and unappreciated castle!"
"Wow, wow, calm down there little diamond." Spyro said. "What were you two doing here anyway?"
"Well, I had come to get an old tapestry and restore it to it's former glory." Rarity replied. "But Fluttershy and I have had nothing but rotten luck."
"And we lost Angel!" Fluttershy said. "We have to find him!"
"Relax little butterfly, he's safe." Spyro said. "He's with Twilight and Midnight right now in the library."
"Oh, thank goodness." Fluttershy said.
"Wait, what are you doing here darling?" Rarity asked.
"I got dragged here by Twilight when she learned this old ruin has a library filled with ancient books." Spyro replied. "You can guess how Excited Twilight was."
"Very." Rarity replied. "Wait, does the library have any tapestries?"
"A few yes." Spyro replied. "And there's one in the secret library."
"Secret library?" Rarity and Fluttershy asked.
"I'll show you." Spyro said. "Follow me."
He started walking down the hall, the two mares following him as they left the hall. In the library, Twilight and Midnight were sitting in the seceret library, Angel having some carrots tht Spike brought along for snacks as the princess of friendship read the book.
"Hey, listen to this." Twilight said. "I love to duck behind the paintings and even though the hall of hooves give her a fright, the trap door slide is Luna's favorite."
"Hall of hooves?" Spike asked.
Twilight turned the page for him and Midnight to look, finding the next page had a diagram of the hall.
"And soon, the organ to the outside will be finished." Twilight continued to read. "I can hardly wait."
"What's the Organ to the Outside?" Midnight asked.
"I have no idea!" Twilight said excitedly.
A moment later, the scene shifted to a room where an organ was set up and on the seat in front of it was a pony cloaked in a black robe and they started t play it, which the music made Applejack stop while Rainbow Dash ran into her, falling to the ground as Applejack looked back.
"D-did you hear that?" Applejack asked.
"You mean, the creepy sound of a pipe organ?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Uh... maybe." Applejack said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rainbow Dash replied.
However, both of them were at their wits ends, both shaking and scared as they heard the organ again and jumped, running away again while in the Library, Spike was looking out the door, shaking as he held onto a pillow for comfort.
"D-did you hear that?" Spike asked.
"Oh Spike, quit being a scardy dragon." Twilight said. "This castle was destroyed over a thousand years ago, and mostly by Nightmare Moon. Of course it's going to be making some strange sounds. It's practically falling apart."
"Yeah, this place is so old, it's going to make a whole bunch of strange noises." Midnight said. "Besides, it's not like a Heartless or a Grublin is going to come out of no where and attack us. Just relax and try not to think about it."
Spike was unsure of any of that, looking outside and shaking as he walked back over to his friends. In the halls, Fluttershy and Rarity were walking with Spyro on their way to the library, passing by more old tapestries as they went.
"You sure Angel's alright?" Fluttershy asked.
"Trust me Fluttershy darling, if Spyro said Angel was in the library, he's probably with Twilight right now." Rarity said, looking in a room and screaming in delight.
"Rarity, what's wrong!?" Spyro asked with worry, rushing to make sure she was alright as she looked up at more tapestries over the destroyed thrones.
"They are perfect." Rarity said. "No castle would object to me restoring such exquisite works of art!"
"Well, they are lovely Rarity." Fluttershy said. "But I really need to get to Angel. I hope he doesn't think I've abandoned him."
"Oh, no problem little butterfly." Spyro said. "If you stay in the hall we were just in, the library of the third door to your right and then the fifth door to your left down the corridor behind the door."
"Oh, thanks Spyro." Fluttershy said.
Fluttershy walked out of the room while Rarity started to tug on the tapestry to get it off, making Spyro face smack himself at her, but then felt a disturbance, looking out into the hall and sensing something was off as if he was being watched.
"Hey Rare, I'm going to go check on something real quick." Spyro said. "You think you'll be ok by yourself for a little while?"
"Of course darling." Rarity said. "I'll be in here if you need me."
Spyro then turned and walked out of the room, following the presence he felt and getting ready for whatever it was. Meanwhile in a lower section of the castle, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had just gotten into a hallway that was filled with suits of armor, making them more nervous than before.
"Is there anyplace in this castle with things that can terrify ya if you just look at them?" Applejack asked.
"Afraid not." Rosy replied, making both ponies jump and scream as they looked at her and then calmed down.
"Rosy!" Applejack exclaimed. "Ya'll nearly gave us a heart attack."
"Sorry mom." Rosy said. "But what are you and Rainbow Dash doing here?"
"We're having a contest to see who the most daring pony is." Rainbow Dash said. "We were about to go through this hallway with old pony armor."
"Wait, what are you doin' here?" Applejack asked. "It's dangerous in this place."
"Twilight dragged dad to this place looking for a book that might help to find some answers about the chest from the Tree of Harmony." Rosy replied. "Midnight and I came along just to be safe."
"Well, we should probably get to the library then." Applejack said. "What's the quickest route there?"
"Through the hall with all of the suits of armor." Rosy replied.
"Seriously?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking at the hall. "Through there?"
"What's the matter?" Applejack asked smuggly. "Scared?"
"Me!?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Of course not!"
Rainbow Dash started to walk down the hall while Applejack just smiled, having fun with how scared her friend was, but she was also feeling nervous, walking through the hall while Rosy followed after the two ponies, sensing their fear as they went. As for Spyro, he had just reentered the room where they came in, following the emotons he felt before stopping, turning to face whoever it was that was right behind him and saw the cloaked pony right there, standing before him as they starred one another down.
"I thought I felt an unfamiliar presence." Spyro said. "Tell me, how long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough." The pony said, approaching him.
"You're strong with the Force, little pony." Spyro said. "Who are you?"
"That's not important right now." The mare said. "What is important is I need to find Midnight and Rosy Hearts."
"Why?" Spyro asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Twilight Sparkle, future twilight Sparkle, said it's time for them to come back." The mare replied. "The Dark Overlord is stepping up his attacks and with the betrayal of one of his servants, he's mad."
"Even if he is mad, I'm nt letting my daughters go with some stranger." Spyro replied, summoning his Keyblade. "Now tell me, who are you!?"
The pony hesitated, backing away from Spyro as he got ready for a fight when they both heard someone screaming, both looking out the window as they heard the scream.
"What was that?" The pony asked.
"Sounded like Rarity." Spyro said, looking to the pony. "What did you do to Rarity!?"
"Wait, I swear I-" The mare said, covering her mouth after what she had just said.
They then heard more screaming and turned around, seeing that everyone except for Twilight, Midnight, and Spike were there, Rainbow Dash bouncing around in the ruins walls while everyone else was running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off, running around in all directions while Rainbow Dash knocked a tapestry down, covering Rarity as leaves blew everywhere, a couple falling onto a set of rocks and made it look like it was a rabbit when the lightning struck, making a shadow that Fluttershy noticed.
"Angel?" Fluttershy asked excitedly.
However, Applejack ran into a pillar and ended up knocking it into the pile of rocks, making her scream in pure terror as Spyro and the mystery pony stood up there.
"Are they always like this?" The mystery pony asked.
"Not usually." Spyro replied.
"What is going on out here!?" Twilight asked, walking out and seeing the chaos.
"What got into them?" Spike asked.
"And who is this?" Midnight asked.
No one answered the questions as all the ponies below them were either crying or still running around in fear, causing more destruction to the place than has already occured, making Twilight jump down and charge up the magic in her horn.
"Alright, everypony STOP!" Twilight shouted, a wave of hot pink magical aura going out and freezing everyone, looking to Twilight for an explination.
"Twilight, what the heck ya doin'!?" Applejack asked.
"Must... save... Angel!" Fluttershy said, which her pet rabbit popped up, showing he was alright. "Angel, you're ok."
"Fluttershy!?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What are you doing here!?"
"She's with me." Rarity said.
A moment later, Twilight removed the spell and allowed everyone to move again, removing the tapestry from Rarity as she came down, followed by Midnight, Spyro and the unknown mare.
"Have all of you been running around scaring each other all night?" Twilight asked.
"Well, that depends." Applejack replied.
"On what?" Spyro asked.
"On whether or not Twilight's the Pony of Shadows." Rainbow Dash replied.
"What's the pony of shadows!?" Spike asked nervously.
"Oh Spike, it's just an old ponies tale." Twilight replied. "There is no such thing as the Pony of Shadows."
However, a moment later, the organ started to play again and everyine but Spyro, Rosy, Midnight, and the mystery pony all gathered around Twilight, shaking in fear.
"Then, who's playing that?" Spike asked.
"We're going to go find out." Twilight replied. They all then started to follow the sound of the organ, going down many dark and sometimes creepy hallways, following the sound of the music all the way to a room where they stopped, peaking in and seeing another cloaked pony at the organ, playing it while everyone gasped, moving back as it continued to play. "The pony of shadows!"
"Wait, does anyone else smell that?" Spyro asked, smelling the air. "Smells like sugar and... cupcakes?"
Twilight looked at Spyro, both she and he sneaking into the room and slowly approaching the pony, both getting their Keyblades ready as Twilight removed the cloak, revealing that the pny that was playing the organ was none other than Pinkie Pie.
"Hi everypony!" Pinkie said, waving to them. "Hey, did any of you know I could play the Organ? Because I sure didn't!"
"Pinkie!" They all said, both in annoyance and surprise.
"Hey, check it out!" Pinkie said.
She then started to play the oragn, playing the baseball game music as Rainbow Dash flew to her.
"Wait, you're the Pony of Shadows!?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The what?" Pinkie asked.
"See, no Pony of Shadows." Twilight said.
"But, Ah thought ya went to ring the school bell all week." Applejack said.
"Oh yeah, I did." Pinkie replied. "But I only got to ring it for five minutes, which they said was good enough for them."
"Knowing her, she used her head to ring the thing for five minutes." Spyro said, making them snicker.
"So I decided to throw a 'Finished ringing the school bell party!'" Pinkie continued. "But I realized I didn't have any blue bells, and you can;t throw a "finished ringing the school bell' party without blue bells. So I went to the Everfree forest to pick some, but ot started to get chilly, so I wrapped myself in the tarp I was gonna use for the flowers." She then started to play the organ some more while everyone just rolled their eyes while the mystery pony looked at Rosy and Midnight, both shrugging their shoulders. "Then I saw Rarity and Fluttershy go into the castle before I could invite them, to the party, but I followed all of you inside so I could help you out with your party!"
"What party?" Rarity asked.
"Well duh, the "Everypony come to the scary old castle and hide from each other while I play the organ party!" Pinkie replied, pressing a key on the organ and making Spike fly as a spring launched him, which made Spyro laugh.
Poinkie then started to bounce away while everyone looked at one another in confusion, walkign out of the room and heading to the library. Once there, everyone was hanging around, Rarity restoring the tapestry she managed to get while Twilight was reading the book she found, Spyro, Midnight, and Rosy outside with the mystery pony as she explained what was going on.
"So, Twilight sent you to come and get us?" Rosy asked.
"That's right." The pony replied. "Now that the timeline has changed, it's time for you to come home."
"But... what if I'm still needed here?" Rosy asked.
"Trust me, Twilight wouldn't have sent me if she didn't need you." The pony replied, looking to Midnight. "Both of you."
"She... wants me?" Midnight asked.
"She does." The pony replied. "We need all the help we can get at this point."
"But... I want to stay with dad." Midnight replied, wrapping her foreleg around his. "I... I don't want to go."
"It's ok Midnight, this isn't really good bye." Spyro replied, removing his leg. "I'll come find you. I promise."
Midnight looked at Spyro, a tear rolling down her face as she hugged him, Spyro returning the hug while the cloaked pony took out a sling ring and spun it, green sparks appearing as a rift opened up, allowing for them to go.
"Time to go." The pony said.
"Can;t we stay here for one more night?" Rosy asked, standing next to Spyro.
"Afraid not." The pony said. "Tonight is the only night the timeline will be stable enough to allow for time travel. After that, you'd be trapped here and erased."
"It's ok girls." Spyro said, ending the hug. "We'll see each other again. Might not be tomorrow, but soon. I promise."
Rosy and Midngiht gave one last hug to Spyro, saying goodbye one more time before ending it, walking to the portal and looking back as they walked through, the rift closing behind them as Spyro stood there, a tear rolling down his face as he wiped it away and rejoined the others, seeing that Rarity had restored the tapestry to being good as new.
"Hope you're not planning on keeping that Rare." Spyro said.
"Believe me, it's going back where it belongs." Rarity said. "Don't want to have any bad luck or curse following me for taking it."
"Now don't go running off again Angel." Fluttershy said, hugging her pet rabbit. "Oh, i can;t believe I got so scared. Guess I let my imagination run away from me."
"Ah think we all did." Applejack said.
"I always let my imagintation run away from me!" Pinkie said, everyone rolling their eyes again. "Then it comes back, with cake!"
"Hey, where's Midnight and Rosy?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"They... went home." Spyro replied, confusing them.
"Home?" Applejack asked.
"Back to the future." Spyro replied. "The timeline's changed. They had to return to face the Dark Overlord and keep him from trying to fix what has been done."
"Well, whatever the case, whether it's our imaginations running wild or an evil being, it's good to have friends who can help you to rein it in and beat it." Twilight said. "And though I couldn't find anything about the mysterious chest, I'm glad I was here to help all of you."
"We certainly did darling." Rarity said.
"Hey, how come you didn't get scared?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"After reading Princess Celestia's diary, it made it difficult to be afraid of this place." Twilight replied. "After all, they did grow up here. Knowing about the past made it easier to deal with problems in the present. Even the scary ones." they all nodded in agreement, agreeing with Twilight as an idea struck her. "Hey, how about we keep our own journal like the royal sisters did?"
"All of us?" Spyro asked.
"Sure." Twilight replied. "This way, we can learn from one another And maybe someday, other ponies can learn from it too."
"That's a wonderful idea darling." Rarity said.
"Not a half bad idea Twilight." Spyro said.
'And Ah know what mah first entry will be." Applejack said. "Dear diary, I'm certainly glad the legend Granny Smith told me wasn't true."
"Me too." Rainbow Dash said.
"Me three!" Pinkie said, spooking them. "And even if it was, you'd still be tied for most Daring pony!"
The two mares gave a competitive look at one another, ready to continue their little competition while Spike laughed.
"Shadow ponies." Spike said. "How ridiculous is that?"
Spyro just chuckled, looking out to the rest of the library, but as he did, he saw a shadow with glowing yellow eyes there, disappearing as he looked while looking at the reader, spooked and afraid.
"Do any of you know where I can find a priest and some holy water?" Spyro asked, clearly unhinged bby what he saw.
Elsewhere, int the Ring of Pride, there were a few imps that were waiting on someone, one of them with white patches on his face, which seemed to represent scars, wearing a black suit with long black nd white horns was loading a pistol while another imp, one with white hair, wearing a black suit as well was reading a magazine while the third, a female imp with black hair and short horns was throwing knives into a target, clearly bored as they waited for someone. A while later, they heard a knock at the door and everyone looked at the door, surprised they had arrived.
"Ugh, finally!" The leader said. "Get your asses in here now! Doors unlocked!"
A moment later, the door opened and Aphara walked in, carring a large bag on her shoulder as she tossed it.
"Apologies fr being late." Aphara said. "My master sent me to the wrong ring, thinking Pride was the fourth ring, but it was actually the first."
"Hey, at least you got here." The leader said, reading in and pulling out a bullet. "So this is the stuff we're supposed to use?"
"That's right Blitz." Aphara replied. "They're special Beskar bullets, which is the only thing that can penetrate the princes armor. His armor is also made of Beskar and it's near indestructible. There are also knives and arrows in there as well incase you're feeling medieval."
"Sir, are you sure this is a good idea?" The other imp asked, taking some bullets. "From what I heard, this Prince is pretty tough, even without his armor. Some say he can even catch bullets and drop the to the ground."
"Pfft, don;t be such a pasny Moxxie." Blitz said, loading his pistol. "This will be like any other job. Hey Millie, want a gun?"
"No thanks, I'm good." Milli replied, pulling out some knives and a large axe.
"Hey Loona, want in on the action this time!?" Blitz asked.
"Whatever, not like I care or anything." Loona replied, revealing she was a Hellhund wearing a spaghetti tank top with short shorts with a moon on it. "So, whose the looser we're croaking anyway?"
"A prince." Blitz replied. "And this guy is a real challenge, but worth a lot of money if we get him. Tonight, we sleep, but tomorrow..." He then cocked the gun and pointed it at a wall, smiling. "We #%@ him up!"
He then pulled the trigger, firing the bullet and completely destroying the target, laughing like a maniac as he did. Elsewhere on the pride ring, in a massive mansion, there was an owl girl wearing black pants and jacket with a pink shirt in her room, trying to listen to her music, but she could hear her parents arguing, squeezing on her music player as she listened.
"I am sick and tired of looking at your stupid, weak, baby ass!" The mother shouted. "If you spent half as much time actually growing a pair as you do being in bed with that imp, you'd be more feared and respected than you are now! Heck, even our daughter is ashamed of you!"
"Don't you bring Octavia into this!" The father shouted. "She's a good girl and she doesn't need such a bitch of a mother such as yourself bringing her down!"
"Oh, you think I'm bringing her down!?" The mother shouted. "She's a disgrace like you! All you've ever done was coddle her, make her as weak as you are! She's nothing more than a mistake that should never have been born!"
"Enough!" The father shouted, trying to end the arguement, but the damage was done as the girl, known as Octavia, was crying, lying on her bed.
A moment later, the door opened and in the doorway was another owl, his eyes red and white wearing royal clothing as he looked in, seeing Octavia crying as he walked over and sat down, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Why doesn't mom love me?" Octavia asked. "Why does she always say those things?'
"Oh Octavia." The father said. "She's just... she just... she-"
"Dad, you don't need to make up excuses for her." Octavia said, sitting up. "She doesn;t love me. She never did."
"Now Octavia, let's not say those things." The father said. "True, she's a bit much, but I'm sure she loves you. She just doesn't know how to express it yet, that's all."
"This place doesn't even feel like home anymore." Octavia said. "It's nothing but fighting, arguing, smashing..." She then brought her knees to her chest, putting her head against them as she sat there. "Sometimes I think it's better that I was never born! That i was a mistake!"
"No, no Via, you aren't a mistake." The father said, hugging her. "No matter what she said, you're my little starfire. You're my little girl and I'll always love you, no matter what." He tried to cheer her up, which he could see she was still upset when he got an idea. "Hey, how about tomorrow, I take you some place far away from here?"
"You mean Lulu land?" Octavia asked.
"No, not that place." Her father replied. "How about some place colorful and nice. Maybe a weekend in the human world, in a nice quiet meadow, just you and me? No distractions and no arguing. What do you say?" Octavia looked at her father, knowing he was doing his best, but she just rested her head on her knees, which to her father meant she wasn't in the mood, so he got up and walked to the door, stopping and looking back at his daughter, giving her a brave smile. "Think about it, my Owlette. I'll come by later to check on you."
He then closed the door to her room, leaving her alone as she looked out, thinking about getting away from the drama and the fighting, realizing that her father was right about getting away, but she wanted to go someplace she wanted to go. So, she got out of the bed and walked over to her closet, grabbing her bag and stuffing some clothing in it beofre walking out of her room, making sure her father wasn't there and snuck out, going down the hall and down the stairs as she went to the door, opening it gently and closing it carefully before she turned and walked to the gate, leaving it and walking towards the large building in the distance where she knew her fathers Grimoire was. But little did she know, a small group of demons was watching her, watching as she had just left the building and got their weapons ready.
"No, we need her alive." One of the demons said, looking similar to Taserface, but he was on fire and half of his face was burnt off, the flames engulfing it.
"Aw, but boss." The minion said.
"The employer said we need her alive." The fire demon said. "She's no good to us dead. Besides, once we get what we need..." He then showed a blade, testing how sharp it was as he looked at the girl. "Then we'll kill her, send a little message and show whose really incharge of this place."
The demons all laughed as they looked at the girl, watching as she rounded the corner and was out of sight, following after her to get what they were getting paid to acquire.