“Dumb Diamond Tiara! She’s gonna ruin everythin’!” Apple Bloom said, kicking at the floor. She and Sweetie stood together while the running crew rapidly changed the set for the next act. A clattering sound drew their attention to Scootaloo and an overturned stool.

“Great. Even the real things are falling over,” Scootaloo said with a sigh, then turned to her friends. “Don’t let that brat get to you. That’s it for her part until the end.”

“And who knows what she’s plannin’ for that?” Apple Bloom wailed. “I can ignore her makin’ fun of me, but we all worked really hard at this. She’s ruinin’ the play because she didn’t get her way!”

Scootaloo frowned and rocked the stool back and forth. “I need to go help get the next act set up. Maybe we can find Miss Cheerilee and get her to talk with Diamond Tiara?” She pushed the stool, rolling it off stage.

Apple Bloom just shook her head. The damage had already been done. She only hoped the rest of the night went well.

“Maybe you’ll feel better after a drink of water?” Sweetie asked.

“Yeah... I am thirsty. All that singin’ is hard work. I don’t know how you make it look so easy,” Apple Bloom said as she followed Sweetie to the water table. “Your scene is soon. How you doin’? Still nervous?”

“A little, but I think I’ll be okay.”

“Just remember: pants,” Apple Bloom said with a wink and then drank her cup of water.

“Riiiight.”

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Silver Spoon’s voice yelled.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle turned to see Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara glaring angrily at Dinky.

“I said I was sorry,” Dinky said, backing away a step.

“Ignore her, Silver Spoon,” Diamond Tiara said with an upturned nose. “She’s just a crybaby.”

“I am not!”

Diamond Tiara smirked. “Are so. That’s why you were cast as the cat filly and the lost child, because you’re so good at crying. Too bad that’s all you’re good at. You barely even get to sing more than one line.” She and Silver Spoon laughed.

Dinky’s cheeks turned red as she wiped a hoof across her eyes.

“The nerve of her!” Apple Bloom said. She marched towards the bullies. “I’m gonna give her a piece of my mi—”

“And the only reason you even got a singing part was because we got sick of listening to your whining about not getting the lead!” Dinky yelled as loud as she could. Silence gripped the stage as everypony stopped what they were doing and turned to watch the unfolding scene.

Diamond Tiara’s wide-opened eyes slowly narrowed as she grit her teeth. “What? Now listen here you little—”

“No, you listen!” Dinky stomped the floor. “You’re ruining this play by using it to take out your frustrations on others! You keep bragging about your ‘beautiful’ singing voice, yet you were off-key for half of your song. Just like in rehearsal! You added your own lyrics that, not only, didn’t fit with the music, but they didn’t even fit in with the story!

“We are supposed to be a team! Every one of us is important. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t even be on stage! Perhaps if you spent less time worrying about how important your part is and more time actually trying to make this play a success, you would find that sometimes it’s about putting the enjoyment of others above your own selfish desires.

"Gee, maybe somepony should put on a play teaching a lesson similar to that? Oh, wait. We are! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready for my next part.”

Dinky lifted her head and strode past Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were too stunned to move. The giggling of several cast and crew got Diamond Tiara to snap out of her shock. She glared at those that had laughed, daring them to say something. The other students quickly went back to their jobs.

“Yeah? Well, you’re... you’re just a loser!” Diamond Tiara yelled, though Dinky had already left the stage for the dressing rooms. “All of you are a bunch of losers! Who needs this stupid play? I’m going home.”

Silver Spoon quickly blocked Diamond Tiara's path. “But what about the final scene?” she asked. “We’re in it.”

“Then stay with the losers. I don't care,” Diamond Tiara yelled, making her way off the stage.

Silver Spoon looked back and forth between the set and her departing friend, then sighed and chased after Diamond Tiara.

“Wow,” Scootaloo said as she walked up to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom and Sweetie only nodded in agreement.

“You know,” Apple Bloom said. “Suddenly, I’m feelin’ pretty good ‘bout the rest of the play.”

***

Cheerilee walked to the middle of the stage and cleared her throat loudly. She waited a moment for the audience to quiet. “Everypony, please find your seats. The next act is about to begin,” she said. The few ponies that were standing quickly returned to their seats. Once everypony had settled and the noise stopped, the curtains opened, revealing a path leading to the edge of a thick forest. Apple Bloom slowly walked on to the stage, looking at the floor.

“Blue Petal left Happy Village and traveled south to the nearby forest,” Cheerilee said. “Along the way, something consumed her thoughts. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time: doubt. She was still a hero, wasn’t she? Ponies cheered for her. They shouted their love for her. They sold her merchandise on the street corners. Didn’t that mean something?

“Blue Petal had felt good when she had helped the filly get her cat back, but that feeling was soon replaced with sadness. When was the last time, before today, she had helped somepony, not because it would bring her fame and glory, but because they had just needed help? She couldn’t remember.

“The Forest of Trials loomed before her. Was she still a hero? She would soon find out.”

At last, Blue Petal found herself in front of the Forest of Trials. Staring at the trees, two things ran through her mind. The first: how exactly did this work? Were there some magic words to speak or a toll to pay? Did she just wander inside? There should at least have been a sign to direct her or something. So far, the customer service at the Forest of Trials stunk.

The second: this had to be the smallest forest in the history of forests. She felt confident that she could run around it in less than five minutes, if need be. The densely packed trees cut off most of the sun’s light from reaching inside. It would take either magic or some serious upkeep for a forest like this to remain living.

As Blue Petal wandered around the outside of the forest, looking for whatever could signify the entrance, she saw a familiar face. Or a familiar helmet, at least.

“Hey there, Mr. Stone Knight,” Blue Petal said. “Imagine meeting you here. Actually, the odds were pretty good, considerin’ how I knew you were comin’ here. So, you’re a hero too, I take it?”

“I never felt the need to refer to myself as such,” the Stone Knight said in a gruff tone. “I’m just a pony that enjoys helping others. What are you doing here?”

“Thought I might check out this Forest of Trials thing. Maybe head inside. Trial it up or somethin’,” Blue Petal said, then quietly added, “See if I still have what it takes to be a hero.”

“What was that?”

“What was what?” Blue Petal kept a blank look on her face.

The Stone Knight sighed irritably and walked towards the forest. “You better think hard about what you’re trying to accomplish before deciding to follow me,” he called back and disappeared between the trees.

Blue Petal stared at the forest. It was time to prove she was still a hero. “Well, okay then,” she said. “I’ll just head inside. One hoof in front of the other. Just, uh... walk right in... I guess.”

Blue Petal took a step forward and stopped. She looked around her, then back at the forest. “That’s what I’ll do. Walk right in. Nopony to stop me.”

A few more steps and Blue Petal stopped again. “Yep... nopony at all. I mean, if somepony wanted to stop me, now would be the time. Not that I’m scared, mind you. Nope... not scared at all to find out my life may have been a lie up to this point.”

The forest remained silent. Blue Petal swallowed nervously and took another step forward.

“Who approaches the Forest of Trials?” a voice bellowed from within the trees.

“Lady Blue Petal, um... approaches. I, uh, I can turn back if the forest only admits one at a time. Maybe come back tomorrow?”

A unicorn mare dressed in a deep-blue cloak stepped out of the forest, walking until she stood right in front of Blue Petal. “Welcome, Lady Blue Petal, I am...” The mare’s eyes went wide.

Apple Bloom bit her lip as Sweetie’s head slowly turned to stare out at the audience.

Sweetie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Pants,” she whispered. “Imagine. Pants.” She opened her eyes again and stared intently at the audience. After a few seconds, she smiled. “That does look silly.”

Apple Bloom smiled back.

“I am the keeper of the Forest of Trials,” the mare said as she snapped back to reality. “Do you wish to prove that you are a hero?”

Blue Petal thought hard. She could still turn around. Just forget about this whole silly idea and go back to her adoring fans. She had a good life. Did she really want to risk learning that she might have been wrong?

“I do.”

“Then enter the forest. Inside, you will find three trials that test for the qualities of a true hero. Be warned. Once you enter, you may not leave the forest until you pass or fail each of your trials. The trials will be difficult, but you only need to pass one in order to be declared a true hero.”

“Only one?” Blue Petal said in relief. “That doesn’t sound too hard at all!”

The keeper smirked. “Have you ever heard of anypony passing the trials?”

“Well, no... but I never heard of anypony failin’ either. Actually, I never even heard of this place until today.”

“That is because the names and deeds of those that fail are erased from history. The world’s memories of the would-be heroes fade into obscurity. Do you still wish to enter?”

Blue Petal gulped and took a step back. Her heroic deeds were all that she had. Without them, she would just be an everyday pony. However, if she did fail, wouldn’t she want the world to forget about her?

She took on a look of determination. “Of course I do! I’m goin’ inside. I’m goin’ to pass every trial you throw at me, and I’m goin’ to show the world that I am still a hero!”

“Very well,” the keeper said as she stepped from Blue Petal’s path. “The Forest of Trials accepts you. Enter when ready.”

Blue Petal walked to the forest’s edge and stopped. She looked back at the keeper. “Before I enter, I have two questions.”

“Ask.”

“I’m sorry if this is rude, but it’ll bother me to no end if I don’t find out. Isn’t the Forest of Trials a little small to be considered a forest?”

The keeper looked away while rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “Yeah... it is. However, it sounds better than Thicket of Trials, and Grove of Trials was already taken.”

“Fair enough,” Blue Petal said. “Then, for my second question. Do I... know you from somewhere?”

The keeper gasped. She reached on top of her head and pulled her hood forward, covering her eyes. “N-no, I, uh... just have a really common face.”

“Okay, then. If you say so.” Blue Petal gave one last look at the mare and then entered the forest.

“Please succeed, Blue Petal,” the keeper said almost too quietly to hear. Blue Petal missed the rest, but it sounded like, “The world can’t lose you yet.”

***

Even though the thick branches overhead blocked out almost all sunlight, Blue Petal could somehow still easily see everything around her. Magic, probably. She wandered through the forest for what felt like an hour and came to realize that one of two things must have been happening. Either the forest had been magically enchanted to be much bigger on the inside than out, or she was hopelessly lost and going around in comically small circles.

No trials had presented themselves yet. Blue Petal tried to stay focused, but the lack of action had begun to bore her. She stopped walking and looked around. It could have been possible that the first trial had already started. Perhaps this was a test of patience? She resolved to keep her mouth shut and not complain, just in case.

Blue Petal had just started to move again when a loud crack sounded throughout the forest. She turned quickly to see one of the great trees falling towards her. The bark splintered along the base of the tree as its massive roots twisted and snapped, tearing forth from the earth. She dove out of the way of the falling trunk, narrowing avoiding being crushed, as the tree landed with a mighty crash. The startled cries of birds and other critters sounded all around her as the forest shook.

Blue Petal’s heart felt like it might beat out of her chest. She slowly got up and examined the fallen tree that had nearly claimed her life, her heavy breathing the only noise in the now eerily quiet forest.

“Oops! Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said from behind the fallen cardboard tree. “It got away from me.” She bit onto the tree’s base and started tugging. A colt rushed onto stage and helped lift from the other end.

Suddenly, the tree lurched and rose from the ground. The roots regrew and dug into the earth while the cracked bark pulled itself back together. In a matter of seconds, the tree had righted itself. The only signs it had ever fallen were some leaves and broken branches along the forest floor.

Blue Petal raised an eyebrow at the tree. Perhaps this had been a test, and she had passed her ‘not being crushed by a tree’ trial? She doubted it. This seemed more like a completely random occurrence. At least the tree’s strange action meant this really was a magical forest, and that she wasn’t going in circles.

She continued her journey and soon came across a clearing with an earth pony stallion in it.

The massive stallion stood easily a head taller than Blue Petal. She hoped this could finally be a trial giver. She also hoped that his trial didn’t involve hoof wrestling. The trial giver stared at what appeared to be boulders broken into smaller pieces. Blue Petal stepped forward, thankful to have sunlight shining upon her once again. The trial giver’s ears perked up and he turned towards her.

“Well, now,” the trial giver said slowly. “It looks like I have another hero to test.”

“Uh, yeah,” Blue Petal said warily. “What do I have to do for this trial?”

“This is a trial of strength. Only the strongest ponies deserve to be called a hero... um... don’t you think?”

“I guess. Strength can be helpful at times.”

The trial giver nodded. “Yep. So to test your strength, we’re going to have a boulder-smashing contest! We’re testing physical strength, though. So no magic.”

Blue Petal gaped at the trial giver. A boulder-smashing contest? She doubted she could even smash a small rock without using magic. Maybe if she had a large hammer, but something told her this stallion wanted this done by hoof. She looked at the pile of broken stones.

“Uh, beg pardon. I’m all ready for this contest—lookin’ forward to it really—but your boulders appear to already be, well, smashed.”

The trial giver gasped and stared down at the broken boulders. “Oh no! You’re right! But... but... uh, h-how can we have a test of strength without boulders to smash? It’s just not possible!” The trial giver frowned and sniffled.

“Hold on! No need to get upset,” Blue Petal said. She could already imagine how ridiculous she would look trying to comfort this massive stallion if he started crying. She wandered the clearing and looked around. “There has to be somethin’ else around here we can use.”

A part of the clearing covered in shadows suddenly grew brighter. Blue Petal looked at it and smiled. “Hey,” she called out, “come take a look at this!”

The trial giver stood next to Blue Petal, and together they stared at a line of four circular, solid-stone pillars that were about twice as tall as a normal-sized pony. She looked sidelong at the trial giver. “What if, instead of a boulder-smashin’ contest, we had a pillar-pushin’ contest?”

The trial giver brought a hoof to his chin. “Hmm... I don’t know... I suppose it could work. They look kind of heavy. Let me see if they’re even pusheroverable.” He walked to the open space in the middle of the pillars and began warming up his muscles.

Blue Petal raised an eyebrow as she watched the strangely acting trial giver. There wasn’t a pillar in front of him, only open air. What did he think he was doing?

Finished with his warm-up, the trial giver reared up on his hind-legs and brought his front hooves forward. His hooves struck out and stopped against something invisible. The clearing shook. Maybe even the whole world did too.

Blue Petal stared in horror as the trial giver stood on his hind-legs and pushed against the air. This must have been one of the fabled world pillars that held up existence. She hadn’t meant for him to push this pillar over. What would even happen if he succeeded? She had to stop this madness.

“Uh? Snails?” Apple Bloom whispered.

Snails had his eyes closed as he pushed as hard has he could against the metal bar coming out of the stage. His face looked strained as beads of sweat formed along his brow.

“That’s the bar holdin’ up the walkway over the stage. I don’t think the pony doin’ the lights will be too happy if you manage to push it over.”

Snails stopped pushing and looked up. The lighting technician had his front legs wrapped around the walkway’s railing. He glanced down nervously at Snails.

“Whoops, sorry,” Snails said, blushing. He sidestepped to one of the stone pillar props.

Having tested his strength against the world pillar and, thankfully, not knocking it over, the trial giver looked ready to begin. He reared up again and smashed his front hooves against the pillar, easily knocking it down.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton town!

I knock the pillars down!

The invisible band began playing a slow song with a heavy beat. Blue Petal wondered if they were taking the trials too. She hoped they passed. It would be nice having the only heroic invisible band in the world following her.

Trial giver:

Well now, little pony,

I hope that you can see,

When it comes to massive strength,

The strongest here is me.

But, I’m feeling fair,

So I’ll tell you what I’ll do,

If you push over just one pillar,

Then, a hero, I name you.

But hurry, little pony,

I’m afraid you don’t have long,

This trial will come to its end,

When I finish with my song.

To make his point, the trial giver shoved another pillar, effortlessly making it fall.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton tall!

I make the pillars fall!

Blue Petal rushed to one of the pillars and pushed. She almost thought the pillars must have been made from foam with how simple the trial-giver made it look. However, they were definitely some kind of abnormally heavy stone. She gritted her teeth and got her shoulder into the action, but, no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn’t even get the pillar to wiggle. The trial giver laughed as he walked past her.

Trial giver:

Come on, little pony,

You don’t look that weak.

You may be smaller than me,

But I don’t think you’re meek.

Push with all your might!

You can’t just stand around.

Hurry up and complete the trial.

Push that pillar to the ground.

It’s simple, little pony,

Let me show it to you again.

You just need a little muscle,

And that is how you’ll win.

Blue Petal moved to her pillar’s side and tried to get a better angle on it. Despite her efforts, she hadn’t even begun to sweat, but that only meant she had to push harder.

The trial giver used only one hoof and, with a slight tap, toppled another pillar.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton topple

I make the pillars, uh... topple.

With a toothy grin, the trial giver turned towards Blue Petal. “Good thing this isn’t a singing contest, or I might have lost.”

“Yeah... good... thing,” Blue Petal said as she continued her struggle.

Trial giver:

What’s wrong, little pony?

Is my trial just too tough?

Do you forelegs feel like jelly?

Have you finally had enough?

The trial’s at its end,

My song is almost done.

I’ve knocked over three pillars,

And so far you have none.

I’m sorry, little pony,

But today is not your day.

You have failed your first trial,

Now, step out of my way.

Blue Petal gave one final push before taking her forelegs off the pillar. She frowned and felt a lump forming in her throat. How could she have lost so badly?

The trial giver pushed the pillar over with ease.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton tover!

“Who knocked my pillars over!” a voice yelled, echoing throughout the forest.

The trial giver froze in place, his head slowly turning towards Blue Petal with his lips forming an ‘o.’ The voice had sounded very angry. The familiar cracking sound of a falling tree came from the forest, followed by the ground vibrating from its impact. The trial giver had gone very pale.

“Oh no! Oh nooo! That’s the forest witch! These must have been her pillars!” the trial giver said. He ran behind Blue Petal, laid down, and placed his front hooves over his head. “You got to hide me!”

“I'm pretty sure she could still see you if you tried to hide behind me,” Blue Petal deadpanned, then shook her head. “There must be something we can do. Let’s put the pillars back up!”

Blue Petal turned her head as the sound of another tree falling echoed throughout the forest. That one had sounded much closer.

The trial giver whimpered. “She’s too close! She keeps yelling at me not to touch her stuff, but I don’t know what stuff is even hers! She’ll turn me into a frog this time for sure.” Suddenly, he stopped shaking and looked up at her with hope in his eyes. “I know! Say you did it!”

“What? I don’t want to get turned into a frog either!”

“This would be your first offense. She’ll go easy on you. If you do it, I’ll say you passed the trial. Pleeeease? I don’t want to be a frog! They’re all slimy, and hoppy, and I’d have to find a princess to change back, and—wait... are you a princess?”

“Pretty sure I’m not.”

“And I’d have to find a princess to change back, and flies taste bad, and—”

Another tree fell, this time at the edge of the clearing. An old mare of small stature walked around the fallen trunk. Blue Petal stared at her, wondering if that just the forest-keeper unicorn now wearing a black cloak. No. The age was too different. Perhaps her mother or grandmother, then? Blue Petal stopped her internal debate over family resemblances and just tried not to let her knees buckle under the angry mare’s glare.

“I should have known I’d find you here” the witch said.

The trial giver nudged Blue Petal and looked up at her with pleading eyes. Blue Petal took a step forward. “I know who knocked over your pillars,” she said.

“So do I!” The witch stomped up to Blue Petal and looked her in the eyes. “The coward is failing to hide behind you.”

“N-no, you see—”

“No? What do you mean ‘no?’ You trying to say you did it? A scrawny unicorn like you? I bet you couldn’t even knock over a pebble, with or without magic.”

Blue Petal took a deep breath. “I—”

“I, I, I—spit it out!" The witch gave Blue Petal a sneer. "If it wasn't him, then who was strong enough to knock over my pillars?”

“It was... the thing is... i-it was...”

Blue Petal tried to say that she had been the one to knock over the pillars, but every time she started to speak, she heard the voice of the Stone Knight in her head. He had accused her of claiming other’s actions as her own. It was a lie, and she wouldn’t make it true, even if it meant failing.

“You're right... it was him,” Blue Petal said with a heavy sigh.

The witch stepped around Blue Petal and grinned wickedly at the trial giver. “I hope you like the color green,” she said as her horn glowed bright.

“Stop! It’s wasn’t his fault!” Blue Petal stepped in front of the witch.

“He knocked over my pillars. You even said so. How is it not his fault?”

“Because he wanted to have a boulder-smashin’ contest, but there were no more boulders to smash. I saw the pillars and suggested pushin’ them over. We didn’t know they were yours. I’m sorry,” Blue Petal said, hanging her head.

“You take full responsibility for his actions?”

Blue Petal looked back at the trial giver, who was still quivering in fear. “I do.”

The witch glared at the trial giver. “You! Get out of here!”

After stumbling several times, the trial giver finally managed to get on his hooves and bolt from the clearing.

The witch circled around Blue Petal a few times, all the while cackling to herself. “First things first,” the witch said as her horn glowed once again. The pillars shakily rose into the air and wobbled a bit before setting back upright, except for the far-right pillar, which continued to dangle helplessly in the air.

The witch stared at the dangling pillar for a moment before turning back to Blue Petal. “Uh... n-now then. For your punishment! You’re not going to believe what I’m going to do to you.”

Blue Petal gulped but stood her ground.

“Nothing!”

Blue Petal stared in disbelief as the witch cackled with glee. “You’re not going to punish me?”

“Nope. I see no need to. That was the first trial, and it seems like you failed. Too bad, it was the easiest of the three.”

The witch cackled again as she left the clearing. Blue Petal sighed. Things were not looking good if this trial really had been the easiest. She wasn’t going to give up, though. There were still two trials to go.

A snapping sound came from the dangling pillar as it fell back to the forest floor, then toppled over into the pillar next to it. Blue Petal watched as, one by one, the pillars fell over again. She decided to leave before the witch could blame her.

***

Blue Petal trotted deeper into the forest. The canopy of leaves and branches had thickened, dimming what little light she had left until it was dark as night. It may very well have already been night, for all she knew.

Thoughts of the first trial weighed heavily on her mind. The first trial giver would be safe from the witch’s wrath, so long as he kept from touching any more of her things. Though Blue Petal had failed the trial, she still felt good. She had helped somepony. She would bring this good feeling with her into the second trial and take on whatever the forest threw at her. She felt ready for anything.

“Hif fare! Arf ou rea-y for or fecondf frial?” a voice said from Blue Petal’s side.

Blue Petal spun, ready to fight off the ambush, but stopped when she saw it was only a filly standing next to her. The filly wore green, brown and black clothing that covered everything except her eyes. Her clothes made her almost invisible when placed against the forest’s background.

“Forry,” the filly said, “did If fare ou?”

“Uh, what was that?” Blue Petal said with a hoof raised to her ear.

Twist rubbed her hoof against the cloth around her mouth and gasped for air as she freed herself. “Sorry, Apple Bloom,” she whispered with her lisp. “It’s hard to talk in this thing.”

The filly cleared her throat. “What I tried to say was, ‘Sorry, did I scare you?’”

“Nah, it’s hard to scare me. I was more startled than anythin’.”

The filly half-closed her eyes and gave Blue Petal a knowing smile. “Oh, of course. I should have known it would be hard to scare such a great hero. I’ll try harder next time.”

“Next time? Is this some sort of fearlessness trial? Because I warn you, I would consider the use of caterpillars cheatin’.”

The filly scrunched up her face. “Caterpillars?”

“Big, fuzzy ones,” Blue Petal said, shivering. “They just give me the willies.”

The second trial giver giggled. “No. No caterpillars. This trial is all about speed.”

Blue Petal sighed and wiped a hoof across her forehead. She was much better at being fast than at strength. “So, are we goin’ to have a race? Let me do some stretches first if we are.”

“No racing,” the trial giving said, shaking her head. Her cheeks pushed up as a huge grin spread across her face. “We’ll be doing something much simpler.”

“Oh? And what will that be?”

The trial giver reached out and touched her hoof to Blue Petal’s nose. “Tag!” she announced. “You’re it!”

More giggling came from the trial giver as she sped into the forest. “Catch me and you pass the trial!” she called back. “But no grabbing me with magic! That's cheating!”

Blue Petal smiled. She had won many blue ribbons in playing tag during her time in school. This trial giver didn’t know what she had gotten herself into.

Apple Bloom chased Twist back and forth across the stage. A few times, they ran too close to a fake tree or rock and knocked them over, but the running crew quickly fixed any problem with the set.

“Blue Petal chased after the trial giver for what felt like hours,” Cheerilee said. “She had thought herself good at playing tag, but the trial giver proved to be a difficult opponent. Many times Blue Petal had thought she had won, only to find out that she had tagged a disguised beehive or fallen into a pit trap.”

Apple Bloom slowly crept towards a tree that Twist had run behind only moments before. Suddenly, Twist came from the opposite side of the stage, looked at the audience, and raised the edge of her hoof to her lips. A few muffled giggles escaped from the audience as Twist slowly positioned herself behind Apple Bloom and shouted, “Look out! There’s a big, fuzzy caterpillar in your mane!”

Blue Petal rolled on the ground frantically. “Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!” she screamed.

The trial giver laughed until tears ran down her face. Blue Petal got up and blushed. It seemed like the whole forest was laughing at her.

“So, give up?” the trial giver asked.

“Never!" Blue Petal panted. "H-how much time do I have left?”

“Oh, there’s no time limit. We’ll play until you stop chasing me, which will probably be when you get tired and fall asleep.”

“Not a chance. I once stayed up for eight days straight on a bet. I’ll be fine. Just... just give me a minute to catch my breath.”

“Okay, but don’t keep me waaaitiiiing,” the trial giver taunted as she ran off.

Blue Petal sighed. She wasn’t going to win this trial with speed alone. She needed a plan. There had to be a way to beat the trial giver at her own game.

***

It took some time, but Blue Petal had finished putting her plan into action. She had removed her barding and propped it up on some fallen branches in an attempt to trick the trial giver into thinking it was her. Now, all she had to do was hide behind a tree and wait for the trial giver to take the bait. She felt pleased with herself when it took less than a minute for the trial giver to begin creeping up behind the barding. Now, it was Blue Petal’s turn to sneak up on someone.

It was the perfect plan. Blue Petal just had to close the distance between them and she would win. She had to move fast, but not so fast that she made noise. It would not be long before the trial giver discovered the trick, and Blue Petal could not afford to let this opportunity slip away. She kept up her pace, getting closer and closer to the trial giver.

It was then that she briefly heard the sound of crying come from deeper within the forest.

Blue Petal slowed for a moment, but shook her head and continued her sneaking. It was probably just the wind. Again, she heard the crying. This time, big choking sobs from a young pony. It definitely wasn’t the wind, but she couldn’t stop now. This was her best chance to win. Once she had passed the trial, she could run to see where the crying was coming from.

She tried to ignore the sound that was tearing at her heart and quickened her pace. Then, she heard a wavering voice cry out for their mommy.

Blue Petal stopped, looked towards the direction of the crying, and walked that way.

***

It took a while for Blue Petal to find the filly, even with how loudly she cried. The forest echoed here and, more than a few times, she had gotten herself turned around. The filly sat against a tree, hooves over her eyes, and tears running down her cheeks.

“Are you alright?” Blue Petal asked softly as she got closer.

The filly gave a startled yell and pressed up further against the tree.

Blue Petal stopped moving. “It’s okay. I’m here to help you. My name’s Blue Petal. What’s yours?”

“G-Gentle Stream...”

“Well that’s a lovely name. What are you doin’ here all by yourself, Gentle Stream?”

Gentle Stream sniffed and rubbed her eyes, but the tears didn’t stop. “I w-was having a picnic wi-with my Mommy. S-she took a nap afterwards, and I—” Her voice broke with a small wail.

Blue Petal moved a little closer. “Go on... what happened?”

“I... I saw a butterfly a-and I followed it, but... but...”

“But you got lost and couldn’t find your way back?”

Gentle Stream nodded and whimpered. “I looked... but I can’t find her. S-she’s not... any... w-where.”

Blue Petal sat across from the filly. “I’m sure she’s lookin’ for you right now. But, if you keep movin’, then it's just going to take her longer to find you.”

Gentle Stream's eyes flooded with as she realized she had been making things more difficult for her mother. Blue Petal attempted to make soothing noises to calm the filly, but had little luck. She frowned and said, “If you’d like, I can sit with you until your mother gets here.”

Gentle Stream responded by hugging against Blue Petal and squeezing into her side. Watching the filly, Blue Petal felt a lump growing in her throat, but didn’t know what she could do other than wait. She was good with children. She had to do something to try to stop the filly’s tears.

Blue Petal began humming a tune, a simple song that she made up as she went along. Gentle Stream quieted a little, but her shoulders still shook with silent sobs. Blue Petal soon found a melody she liked. It was so familiar to her, but she didn’t know where—

She gasped.

She remembered where this song had come from. Her own mother had sung this lullaby for her whenever she was feeling sad. She felt terrible that she had forgotten it but was overjoyed that it was all coming back to her.

Blue Petal resumed humming with more enthusiasm. She smiled when the invisible lyre and violin players joined in and added their melody to her own. She could help Gentle Stream dry her eyes. She took a deep breath and then sang slowly and softly.

Blue Petal:

Do you know what I want?

What I’d really like to do?

It’s to hold you close,

And spend some time with you.

Tell me about your day,

And everythin’ you’ve seen,

Your mornin’ and your night,

And everythin’ in between.

Did you make any new friends?

Did you let them in your heart?

Can you still feel them close,

Like you’re never far apart?

Will you show me how to laugh?

Will you let me see your smile?

Can you dry all of your tears,

If only for a while?

Do you see all of your dreams,

Floating in the stars above?

Will you listen to my hopes?

Can you feel all my love?

Can you find happiness inside you?

Do you know what it’s made of?

Dry your eyes, my dear... I will always be near...

Do you know what I want?

What I’d really like to try?

It’s to be with you,

And sing this lullaby.

The crying had faded away to be replaced with a soft snoring. Blue Petal kept humming softly now that Gentle Stream slept quietly against her. She heard the snap of a nearby twig and looked up as the trial giver strolled out from behind a tree.

The trial giver tilted her head in confusion as she silently approached them. She looked down at the filly, then up at Blue Petal. “I found your barding,” the trial giver whispered. “What are you doing?”

“Waitin’ for her mother,” Blue Petal whispered back.

“It’s been a while since you’ve chased me, are you giving up?”

“What? I—no.”

“Then come on. Leave her here and chase me,” the trial giver said as she hopped around in excitement.

“But... if I move, she’ll wake up. And if I leave her, she’ll start to cry again.”

The trial giver rolled her eyes and walked away a few steps. “Well, if you don’t get up and start chasing me now, then I’ll declare this trial over. You’ll fail.”

Blue Petal frowned. She couldn’t hate the trial giver for forcing this choice, even if it did seem unfair. She was just doing her job, after all. However, Blue Petal had a job to do too. “Then... I guess I fail.” Blue Petal sighed. “I’ll just have to try extra hard on the last trial.”

“Be careful, that last trial is a doozy. Bye, hero. It was fun playing with you,” the trial giver said with a wave before she wandered off into the forest.

Blue Petal found herself once again alone with the sleeping filly. She hummed for a little while longer, but then her ears perked up. She thought she had heard somepony calling out. She remained quiet and listened harder.

“Gentle Stream!” the not-so-distant voice called. “Where are you?”

“Over here!” Blue Petal yelled.

The filly startled awake. “Mommy?” she asked, looking around.

“Gentle Stream? Is that you?” the voice said, closer still.

Gentle Stream got up and shouted, “I’m here, Mommy! I’m over here!”

A mare in a green cloak stepped around a tree, her eyes widening when she saw Gentle Stream running towards her. She scooped the filly up, falling back on her haunches and locking her daughter in an embrace. Blue Petal couldn’t help but smile. She also couldn’t help but stare at the mare. The keeper of the forest hadn’t been kidding when she said she had a common face.

The mare nuzzled her daughter and looked up at Blue Petal with tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost her.”

Blue Petal got up and dusted herself off. “All in a day’s work, ma’am. Are you two okay with findin’ your way out?”

“Yes,” the mare said, nodding. “I know the path back to the village.”

“That’s good. You be careful about chasin’ butterflies, Gentle Stream.”

“I will,” Gentle Stream said. “Thank you.”

Blue Petal turned to go, but then looked back at the mare. “One more thing. It’s probably not a good idea to have picnics in an enchanted forest. You might leave and find a hundred years have passed... or that everypony has forgotten about you.”

“Blue Petal said her good-byes to the mother and daughter and returned to her barding,” Cheerilee said. “Much to her horror, the trial giver had covered it in fuzzy caterpillars. It took a long time for Blue Petal to work up the nerve to remove them.

“As Blue Petal wandered through the forest, she found herself feeling worried, but not about having failed two of the three trials. Instead, her thoughts drifted to her time before becoming a hero. She found it difficult to recall those times clearly. As she thought, she was able to remember her mother, her home, and the trouble she would get into as she tried to learn how to be a hero. However, something was missing. She was certain that she had a friend growing up, but she couldn’t remember his face or name no matter how hard she tried.

“When was the last time she had visited her home? Had she just left and never came back? Had she really forgotten her best friend? The answers to these questions disturbed Blue Petal. Her thoughts were interrupted as the forest cleared and a giant castle loomed before her.”

The castle before Blue Petal had seen better centuries. Some of its towers had collapsed and taken other parts of the structure with them. Most of the walls still standing had stones missing, and it seemed the only reason the castle hadn’t completely fallen over yet, was because of the large amount of moss holding everything together. Still, Blue Petal couldn’t help but be impressed that the tiny forest’s magic was able to fit such a giant castle in it.

Blue Petal looked up at the night sky above her. Every so often, she could hear the rumbling of far-off thunder. Two torches burning on the castle’s outer walls provided the only light available. Blue Petal smiled. The melodramatic setting was perfect for the final trial that would decide her fate.

The castle’s doors creaked opened, and a mare in a dark cloak stepped out. This mare, thankfully, didn’t appear to be one of the forest keeper’s relatives. She walked a few steps, then stopped, her eyes widening.

Blue Petal waited patiently, but the mare didn’t say or do anything.

Ruby stared at the audience. She whimpered, her breathing growing erratic as she broke down well past what the 'imagining pants trick' could help with. Apple Bloom glanced nervously at Cheerilee, who walked across the stage until she stood behind Ruby.

“It’s okay,” Cheerilee whispered to Ruby. “Just repeat after me. Welcome, Blue Petal.”

“Welcome, Blue Petal!” the trial giver said quickly while still staring at nothing.

“Are you prepared for the final trial?” a disembodied voice asked.

“Areyoupreparedforthefinaltrial?” the trial giver mimicked with her voice rising in pitch.

Blue Petal blinked. If this was a trial in not getting confused, she was doomed. “Uh... y-yeah, I’m ready. What is it I have to do?”

“The third and final trial is a test by combat.”

“Thethirafitriatecomat!”

Blue Petal decided to ignore the high-pitched, hyperventilating trial giver and speak with the voice actually pronouncing her words instead.

“Well, that’s great! I’m very good at combat,” Blue Petal said. Her smile faded as she thought about the twists the previous trials had. “We are talkin’ about normal combat, right? Not like, food-eatin’ combat, or spellin’-bee combat?”

The trial giver made a high-pitched squeak, spun around, and darted into the castle. Blue Petal shuffled nervously and wondered if she should follow, but then, a ghostly light appeared where the trial giver had been standing and formed into the form of a fuchsia-colored mare. The mare looked more like some sort of schoolteacher than a ruin-guarding spirit, but, at this point, Blue Petal felt she couldn’t question anything anymore.

“It is a sword fight,” the mare said, “but it will be more difficult than any fight you’ve ever faced before.”

Blue Petal had encountered many tough fights in her life. She wondered how much worse this one could be. As if to answer her unspoken question, the invisible band began playing. Was this ghostly mare really going to sing? With the trial giver having run away, wouldn’t it be a good idea to paraphrase the song and skip to the fight?

The ghostly mare slowly shuffled around Blue Petal, her rhythmic movements forming a strange dance.

Third trial giver:

I hope that you are ready, Blue Peeetaaal.

For I don’t think you quite realize your fate.

To pass your final test,

Your opponent you must best.

Inside these castle doors, they do await.

This may be too much for you, Blue Peeetaaal.

For your chance of winning here is very faint.

Inside there’s no retreat,

You will only find defeat.

Your opponent is not known for his restraint.

But listen to me closely, Blue Peeetaaal.

For there is another path that you don’t know.

This trial, I can end,

And the rules, I can bend,

So that the world will still call you ‘hero.’

The music continued to play as Blue Petal thought things over. She knew that any offer too good to be true, usually was, or at least came with a very steep price that only seemed insignificant at the time. “What do you mean by ‘bend?’” she asked cautiously.

“If you fail, the world’s memories of you fade, but I can change that so that different memories are taken. You won’t even have to take the trial. Accept my offer, and I’ll guide you out of the forest.”

“What memories are we talkin’ about?”

The ghost gave Blue Petal an unnerving smile. “Your memories. Specifically, the ones from before you became a hero and the ones you’ve had since coming to this valley.”

Blue Petal’s eyes widened. She tried to speak several times before words would come out. “You can’t take those! They’re mine!”

The ghost covered her mouth as she laughed, shaking her head. “Are they really that precious to you? How often have you even thought about them before coming to this valley? Hmm? Don’t you hate the way they make you feel? Confused. Doubtful. Sad. You never felt that way when you were out being a big-time hero. Wouldn’t you like to go back to that?”

Blue Petal looked away. “Well... I...”

Third trial giver:

Weren’t you so much happier, Blue Peeetaaal.

Don’t you like to hear your shouted name?

A hero quite supreme.

This could all just be a dream.

Come with me and forget about this game.

So now, you know my offer, Blue Peeetaaal.

The choice that is correct can’t be ignored.

So tell me what you choose.

Do you go inside and lose,

Or do you wish your happiness restored?

Blue Petal thought about the ghost’s proposal, then shook her head. “It’s like you’re not even giving me a choice. Losing or happiness? Who in their right mind would choose losing?”

“Then, what is your choice?”

Blue Petal glowered at the ghost. “Isn’t it obvious? I want my happiness!”

The ghost smiled quietly for a bit. “Very well. I’ll take your memor—”

“You leave my memories right where they are! Weren’t you listenin’? I chose happiness! My memories may make me confused, or doubt myself, or even a little sad, but only because I’ve realized what a fool I’ve been! I helped ponies today for no reason other than because they needed it. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I’d rather the world forget about me than give up a single memory from today!”

Blue Petal marched past the stunned ghost and up to the castle doors.

“But the world’s not goin’ to forget about me,” Blue Petal said. “I’m takin’ the final trial, and I’m goin’ to pass it!”

Blue Petal walked through the castle doors with her head held high. She slammed the doors behind her, causing the rotten wooden frame to collapse outward. She looked out the gaping hole in the wall. “Uh... sorry ‘bout that,” she said.

The curtains closed, and the running crew ran onto the set. Apple Bloom walked over the fallen doorframe.

“Sorry, Miss Cheerilee. I musta slammed it too hard,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s alright,” Cheerilee said with a smile.

“Wow... I didn’t know you had such a nice singin’ voice.”

Cheerilee blushed. “Well, this isn’t the first musical I’ve been in. Can you go check on Ruby for me? I’ll come see her myself after I speak to the audience.”

“You got it.” Apple Bloom ran off behind the set.

Cheerilee walked around the curtain and out in front of the applauding crowd. “And so, Blue Petal entered the castle to face her final trial,” she said. “It was there that her greatest challenge waited. However, Blue Petal wasn’t the only hero who had entered the forest that day. A difficult choice was about to be presented not only to her, but to another as well.

“Act two has come to its end. Please take a moment to get up and stretch. Act three will begin in fifteen minutes.”