Elsewhere, in the unforgiving mountains northeast of Canterlot, a mare shook her head out of some illusion she thought she had. Bundled up as she was, her goal was to reach the top. This mare had lived alone her entire life, not knowing what she was meant to do, unaware of what her place in this world was. With a turn of her head, she perked her ears. "Did you hear that?" she asked herself. Again shaking her head, she replied, "It's just the icy winds, Epona. There's not another pony around you for miles..."

It had taken her a few days to reach the point in her climb where she was, and she had a few more to go. Her banner was tucked away nicely in the saddlebags she made for herself, along with several other items. Epona planned to plant her banner at the mountain peak, and hoped to be the first. An incalculable amount of time had passed since Epona vowed to get her cutie mark. Sometime last week, she was convinced that climbing mountains was her special talent. She tried most of the other things in her village to no avail. That very same day, and a couple of the next ones was spent planning, and preparing the stuff she thought she'd need. Epona gave her farewells to the townsfolk, none of which were blood-relatives, and departed for the base of the giant mountain. Off she set, spending nearly a day getting there, and another 3 to get as far as she did.

Granola and salad was on the menu for lunch, and she ate in relative silence. She looked toward the sky and noticed the sun starting to dim. Must find shelter tonight she thought as she looked around her. Above, she found a cave. Upon further inspection, she saw the floor covered with different sized rocks, and a few dried up branches. It wasn't very big, nor very deep, but big enough to house Epona for the passing night. Quickly, she set out her blanket and used her bags as pillows. She then gathered enough rocks to form a circle and enough branches to feed a fire. From her pack, she pulled a set of flint and steel, and lit the branches with some prepared tinder. After a few minutes, she fell into a peaceful slumber.

"Wh-where am I?" Epona looked at her surroundings. She saw several barren trees, nothing but stone and dead grass everywhere. In the far off distance, she noticed a cabin. Immediately, she knocked on the door, and was let inside.

Another look around, and she saw several obscure paintings, some sketches, and a few paint brushes. "Now where am I?"

"This place," a voice responded from atop a flight of stairs, "is your imagination. Every thought you've had, every dream you've conjured." Epona looked to see a pony, much like herself in every way. "Every idea that came waltzing through your head has been cataloged and archived, here. Out of desperation, this place was built. It has been your anchor, your drive, your reason for being who you are."

"And who a-" Epona was interrupted as a familiar picture floated in front of her. The other pony appeared in front of her, revealing the exact likeness of herself.

"You are looking for something, where it will never be. You know who you are, but you do not know what your place is. I can help." A needle dropped onto a record as the tune from the day prior floated through the air on an endless loop. "I could not recreate this onto canvas, nor could I mix this color from any paint in my possession. This melody is important. Find its source, and you will find what it is you truly seek."

"What if-"

Epona bolted upright and instantly saw a lack of fire in the rocks from last night. She decided to bundle herself up in her blanket and use her own body heat for warmth. Then, a familiar sound wafted through the air. A sound... almost like music. "Yesterday, and again today. What is that?" Still in her blanket, she ran outside the cave and perked her ears. After a moment, she looked away from the mountain face. "The wind carried a tune... from that way!" She looked southward, then took out her map. "Let's see... nothing there... Cloudsdale, Canterlot, Ponyville, Dodge Junction, then as far away as Los Pegasus and the desert."

Epona rolled up the map and looked at the peak of the mountain. Then again toward civilization. If destiny is making that music, then who am I to ignore it. but... I was so close. She again shook herself out of her thoughts. "No doubting it! The key to my Cutie Mark lies in one of those places. Most likely not Cloudsdale."

She went inside, gathered her stuff, and started her long journey down the mountain, with newfound vigor fueling her step.

Epona reached the foot of the mountain in less time than climbing, seeking shelter where she had before. Her hooves touched her starting point at the end of the second day, and reached her village by noon the next.

"Hey, everypony... I'm back..." she groaned, and was met by a young colt hugging her foreleg.

"Hey there! Didja do it?" he asked eagerly, looking up at her.

"Sadly, no..." Epona messed up his mane, and returned the hug with her free foreleg. "But don't you worry none, squirt. Aunt Epona's heading off on a new adventure real soon." She retrieved her map and laid it out on the ground. "See these places here?" She pointed to the map's various places. "Canterlot's closest, so I'm going there first. Then, I'm going further down to a little place called, 'Ponyville'. If I need to, I'll go further still, until I reach a really small place called Dodge Junction. I just hope I don't have to go to the desert."

"Epona, glad you're back. Sorry, I overheard your... complications. If there's anything you need, you know you can ask me, right?" a mare asked her. She is the boy's mother, and was calling him in for lunch.

"Thanks, but it's not exactly a hike in the mountains. I should be fine with what I have. I'll need to restock, of course, but..." Epona sighed a little. "I just wish there was an easy way to do this."

"Now, come on. I'm sure you don't think you'll remain talentless forever. Everypony has their time. Yours just ... hasn't come yet. Keep your head up." The young colt returned to his mother's side and followed her home.

Again, she sighed, and returned to her own, fending off offers for help along the way. Once indoors, she set her bags on the floor, and fixed herself something to eat. At the same time, she made sure to pack some extra food for her trip to the capitol city of Canterlot. Once prepared, which took much less time than before, she marked her map and slept until the following morning.

Relaxed and well-rested, she stopped at the edge of town. Several ponies, including the colt from yesterday, came to see her off. The chief of the town held a bag of bits under his wing. "This is for your trip. Use them wisely."

"I couldn't possibly take that, that's the town's money," she protested.

"No it's not. Each of us pitched in what we could. We care about your well-being, and want you to come back safely. We all pitched in."

Yet another sigh, this one of protest, but all the same, she accepted it, and made room in her already full saddlebags. "Well, thanks then. I'll be sure to return what I don't use."

A few laughs came from the older ponies. She felt another tug at her leg. "Auntie... Come home, so you can tell me all about it."

Then his mother joined in an actual hug. "It'll make a great bedtime story." She waved a hoof at the rest of the town, who embraced Epona in a group hug.

"Ok, guys... I have to go now... I will come back, I promise. I don't know when, but ... I will." Free from the town's restricting bind, she took a few steps.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help, it may just save your life," the chief called out.

"I'd sooner collapse," she replied to herself, not turning back.

Unfortunately for her, that's exactly what happened a few days later. Tuesday to be exact. The heat from days in the sun, the rumble in her stomach, and the exhaustion from sleep deprivation finally hit her all at once as she fell to the ground just outside Canterlot's gates.

Epona awoke the following morning in a hotel bed. Nothing fancy, but just enough to feel like it was out of her price range. She noticed a green pegasus sitting at a table, quill at work on a scroll with another scroll at her side already rolled and sealed with a ribbon. "Uhh..."

The pony gasped in shock, and silently thanked Celestia for not letting her quill streak across the scroll. She turned toward Epona and smiled. "You scared me a little. Good to see you're still alive. It wasn't easy carrying you here, you know."

"Tch." Quickly, she strapped her bags on and headed for the door. "Thanks for bringing me to safety, but I've stayed too long already."

"H-Hey!" Emerald flew, er, appeared, in front of the door, causing Epona to back up a bit. "I'm sorry if I offended you somehow, it's just... I'm not used to carrying other ponies, is all. Stranger have a name?"

"... My name is Epona. You are?" She looked at the green pegasus before her, then at her cutie mark.

"I'm Emerald Storm. You can call me Emmy. All my friends do."

"Thank you, Emerald. Now please move."

"Uhm... I was actually hoping to treat you to some food before you left." Emmy touched down and gave another smile, weaker than the one before.

"No. I'm not-" Betrayed by her stomach's gurgling, she hung her head. "not hungry..." she finished.

"Well, if 'not hungry' changes her mind, the room service is free."

Epona raised her head to meet Emerald's gaze. "I told you, I'm not staying here."

Emmy frowned. "If you leave now, you'll only faint from hunger. Again. I ... searched your bags. I found no food at all."

"YOU SEARCHED MY BAGS!?" Epona yelled, causing Emerald to back against the door. As quickly as she could, Epona removed her bags and emptied their contents onto the carpeted floor.

A blanket, a pillow, a single book of matches, a few cool looking rocks and a pair of binoculars fell from one, and several bundles of sticks, a bag of tinder, a piece each of flint and steel, some twine, a set of hooks, a sewing kit, a few colored patches of fabric, an orange vest to match her coat and a framed picture fell from the other.

"Good, it's still there." Epona shot a glare at Emerald. "You are beyond lucky my picture is still here."

"I made sure to put it back. I'm sorry, I really am. Can I ask who they are?"

Epona hesitated, and eased her gaze. She held the frame close. "These two are my mom and dad. Lightning Shiver and Snow Front. This is the last picture I took of them before they left."

"Where'd they go? If you don't mind my asking."

Again, she hesitated. "They ... went to live somewhere else. Or rather, they 'reside' somewhere else. Originally, they left the little town I grew up in to venture the country. I didn't get many letters, I didn't get checked up on, I didn't even know where they were. The last one I got was a few months ago. It was an apology, and that my parents now reside in the desert far to the south. Ultimately, that's my destination, but ... I kinda want to get my cutie mark by then. Otherwise, I won't be able to face them. Old as I am, it's a bit embarrassing to have a blank flank." Epona faked a smile, and held back a tear.

"That why you came here? Your cutie mark search?"

"Something like that, yeah." Epona returned the picture to her bag, and reorganized the supplies. "Hey, where's my map?"

"Uhh... I borrowed it. I saw the circles you placed on it. I swear I was gonna give it back to you, but you noticed too soon."

"It's fine... I just... wish you would have asked." Epona began putting her stuff away.

"I'm sorry... I said that already, right?" Emmy smiled once more, as if testing the waters.

"You did. A few times. I'm just-" Once more, her stomach growled. "just... hungry." It felt bad to be asking for help, but it's what she had to do. She lowered her head, as if she were a defeated mare.

"Room service may be free, but let's go out to eat instead. My treat."

"... fine."

Epona and Emerald ventured out into the city, and found a nice little restaurant. They ate while Emmy finished her letter, and wrapped it in a green ribbon like the other one, which was in her bag. Afterward, Epona talked of her little town, of the little colt she cared for sometimes, and the chief that offered her the money. An hour passed, and Epona noticed Emerald leaning on the table, paying attention to every little detail. The two agreed to split the bill as they left. Outside, Emmy took this opportunity to mail the scrolls via snail mail, after double-checking her friend's name was on it, as well as her address.

The following few days were spent touring the city, eating out, and sharing idle conversation. Emmy and Epona had made plans that friday to go to a public swimming pool. With the exception of a couple towels, they left their stuff in the room. Despite not liking the water very much, Emmy sacrificed her own dislike, and joined after some convincing. Another hour passed, and she finally started getting into the swing of things just as they were invited to play waterball. It was a short game; Emmy and Epona dominated the opposing team.

"I don't meet many ponies that can spring out of the water as high as you did," Emmy said, laying on her blanket. "Your legs must be crazy developed."

"I'm nothing special," she replied, glancing down. "Kinda bites you couldn't use your wings."

"Eh... A pegasus's wings aren't meant for water. I'm no aqua pony. The sky's my domain." Emmy's ear twitched to shoo away a fly, causing Epona to laugh a little. "Hey, you laughed just now."

Aware, Epona looked down and away. "S-so what if I did?"

"I finally got you to laugh. It's been 3 days now and I finally hear you laugh."

"Nothing happened, see?" Emmy heard a voice say.

"Wha-!" she replied.

"Huh?" Epona asked. "What, what?"

"Shh," the voice interrupted.

"I didn't say anything. You said, 'Nothing happened'." Emmy tried to imitate the voice she heard.

"I didn't say anything either."

That almost sounded like human, but how? Emmy thought.

"Wanna clue me in on what's going on? You're starting to get weird looks." Epona looked around and caught a few glances.

Hmm... I think this melody connected me to Emerald Storm throught telepathy. "Who a-"

"HUMAN! It is you! How are you doing that?!" Emmy cried out, ignorant of the stares she was getting.

"Ok, now you're scaring me. Who are you talking to?"

So... You can hear my thoughts, and apparently, I can hear yours. Don't talk out loud, you'll draw attention to yourself. Think what you would say. "Worry not, Twilight. I'll explain in a minute."

You mentioned a melody, Emmy began.

"Emerald, talk to me. What. Is. Happening."

You played my song, and somehow you can talk to me with thoughts... Strange indeed. She paused to talk to Epona."Oh, nothing to worry about. I'm not crazy, I swear." I guess if you play it, you won't be alone anymore either. Just like me~

I played your tune on a special ocarina. A magic one, that you just helped to prove. Thank you. Now, one more thing. human responded quickly.

What is it? she asked. Emerald was silent for a moment, hoping to get his reply. Hello? You there? "Hmm. Odd."

Epona sat with her forelegs folded. "You are going to tell me." She removed her frown and brightened a little. "Eh... Ponies have secrets, Celestia knows I have a few."

"Yeah, sorry about... that." Emerald looked around and noticed the other ponies returned to their activities. "And this place just got crowded. Wanna go back?"

"Sure." Together, they returned to the hotel room with their newly soaked towels in 20 minutes time.

"I'll order us some room service if you wanted to shower first," Emmy offered.

"And I'll take you up on it. Chlorine is a mane killer. I'll try to make it quick." Epona went into the shower, turned on the hot water and stepped in. Instantly, she melted, and lay down, letting the water crash over her form.

Not 5 minutes later, she emerged poorly dried and a towel over her mane. Epona ran to the window, her head fixed in looking in one direction. "Which way is north?"

"That didn't ta-"

Epona turned to face Emmy and repeated louder, "Which way is north?!"

"That way." Emmy pointed at the wall where the headboards were.

"Good," she replied, quickly retrieving her map. Where is it now... She retrieved a pencil from the drawer beside her bed and began drawing a cone with Canterlot at its vertex. Its lines extended south-southwest from there, covering several places, including those mentioned before. It was louder this time, means I'm getting closer. That's great.

"Your turn. What's going on? What got you so wild?"

"I..." Epona hesitated, and shook herself off, flinging the towel into Emmy's face. Fearing disbelief, she changed her tone to one more calm. "I'm just, uh, narrowing down the places I need to go."

"Is that it?" Emmy replied, removing the towel. "Nothing else?" She looked down at the map and saw the cone she drew. "Looks a bit... directional if you ask me."

"Well, I didn't, so..." Epona sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, but I can't stay here. I can't tell you why. It's not your fault, it's me."

"You make it sound like we're dating," Emmy mentioned. She let a few moments pass in silence before adding, "because we're totally not."

Epona sighed once more, this time in relief. "Good. I'd hate to be stuck on the ground dating a pegasus."

Emmy's smile quickly turned upside down, and her eyebrows narrowed. "Well, excuuuuuuuse me, princess! I wasn't aware the idea was so terrible!"

"Easy there, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that it'd be unfair traveling. You can fly, I can't. And don't call me 'princess'. It doesn't suit me." Epona wore a sad frown while she looked at the pegasus before her, who wore one of slight anger.

"Room service~" a pony called from the door.

"I'll get it," Emmy said first, leaving her guest and opening the door.

In came a suited mare pulling a cart of various foods. "Enjoying your stay, Ms. Storm?"

"I am. And I'll be checking out tomorrow. Urgent business, and all."

"I completely understand. If I don't see you on your way out, I wish you happy trails." The mare placed the trays atop the coffee table.

"Thanks. Epona here is also on a quest. To find her cutie mark. Cross-nation journey."

"That's personal." That's also not entirely true...

"Well then, happy trails wished to you as well."

Epona smiled, nodded, and coiled her map. "I'll be heading out tomorrow too. Any later, and I'll start getting restless."

"Ha, I believe that. You adventurous types can never be held down for very long. Well, I must return to work. Later~" She exited the room.

"One plate is yours, I don't care which. I'm going to shower, preen, eat then sleep. And if you're gone before I wake up, then I'm sorry we ended on a bad note." Emmy sauntered off to the shower and repeated Epona's routine.

Epona ate her meal, and laid herself down in her bed. Later that night, Emmy also lay down in her own bed. "Hey... psst. Epona. You still awake?"

"... yeah."

"It wouldn't be so bad... I don't think... Dating, I mean."

Epona rolled over and clicked on the lamp. "Why would you bring that up now?"

"I got thinking, and compromises can be made on my part. It's happened before... No reason it can't happen now."

It's a good thing Emmy wasn't looking. Epona's cheeks flushed a few shades darker than her orange coat. "I-I... It's not the best time for that right now." She clicked the light off, and turned once more, failing to fall asleep.

Emmy also lay there, awake in the silence and darkness of the hotel room. She fell asleep after a few hours.

True enough, when Emerald woke the next morning, Epona had cleared out her stuff, and was nowhere to be seen. No note of goodbye, nor chocolate on the pillow. Not a single trace of her even being there.

Don't worry about it too much. She went into the bathroom and began taking a mane brush to the rats nest that became of her mane. On close inspection, she saw the fur on her cheek all messed up. Throwing common sense out the window, she blushed a little on the possibility that Epona gave her a goodbye kiss.

With her bags on, Epona stood outside the gates to Canterlot and gazed down the mountain at the scene before her. "Ponyville's the closest from here. The sound got louder, but it's still faint." She glanced back at the city. I won't miss this place.

Epona, on her own once more, started her journey down the mountain trail toward the little town of Ponyville.

Those of you lost in what's happening:

"XXXXXX" = Emmy's spoken words.
XXXXXX =Emmy's thoughts.
"XXXXXX" =Link's spoken words.
XXXXXX = Link's thoughts.

At least, in that little conversation there.