Saturday, January 2, 2016 / Early Morning
Birthday Horoscope (Capricorn): You are going to die today.

"Flash, wake up."

I stir and look up. Rainbow and Twilight, both in their pajamas and bedheaded, are standing there.

"Rarity just called," Rainbow says. "She got the horoscope."

I'm instantly alert. I sit up. "So we're on Zodiac watch."

"Yeah." Rainbow scratches herself. "Listen...I'm gonna grab Pinkie and get cleaned up, then we're gonna pack up our dresses and head over to Rarity's place. I already told her we're coming." She takes a deep breath. "We're gonna tell her everything."

"I agree," Twilight says. "She'll probably think Pinkie and Rainbow are crazy, but it's better for her to be prepared than..."

I frown. "Well, yeah...but the important thing is she won't be alone." I nod. "Alright. Twilight and I will do whatever we need to do as fast as we can, then head over there. That sound good, Twi?"

Twilight nods.

"Pinkie's already in the shower," Rainbow says. "We're gonna head over as soon as I get cleaned up." She heads out.

Twilight sits down next to me. "I'm nervous," she says. "We haven't done enough training since the last Shadow..."

"We'll be fine," I say. "We have to be."

"I don't know if Rainbow's plan is a good idea or not..." Twilight says worriedly.

I shrug. "At least it's a plan."

"You go ahead and get showered," Twilight says. "I need to talk to Pinkie while she's getting ready."

"Okay."

After my shower, I head downstairs. Pinkie and Rainbow rush past me, garment bags and tote bags in hand, and fly out the door. Sonata's wheelchair is parked by the kitchen door; I take a look in the kitchen and see her microwaving something.

"Hey Sonata."

She waves, then pulls out her phone.

New Message From: Sonata Dusk
Hey...the adults are already gone, and Pinkie said it's everybody for themselves for breakfast. BTW what's going on? Pinkie and Rainbow left already?

"Yeah, it's..." I shake my head. "Nevermind. Listen, Twilight and I are headed out early to do some shopping, will you be okay?"

Sonata nods.

New Message From: Sonata Dusk
Fluttershy's taking me shopping for a present, Mommy's bringing over a dress before the party, Nurse Cadance is driving us over to the hall, I'm good.

"Okay." I scrounge up some toaster pastries for breakfast, as well as an apple and a glass of milk. Once Sonata's breakfast is done microwaving, I carry it to the dining room for her, then wheel her in there. I take my own food to the dining room and eat quickly.

By the time I'm done eating, Twilight comes downstairs. She fixes herself a quick breakfast, small by her standards, and eats quickly.

I check the time. Nothing will be open for over an hour yet...

"Let's get going," Twilight says. "We can walk the mall a little bit while we wait for the stores to open."

"Alright."

As soon as Twilight's ready, we say goodbye to Sonata and Fluttershy, who comes down just as we're leaving.

Saturday, January 2, 2016 / Daytime

Getting to the mall only eats up about half the time until the stores open. We do get some walking around the mall done, as Twilight suggested—roughly the exact amount of time it takes for us to get to the place that makes the soft pretzels, at which point Twilight spends the rest of the time until the stores open stuffing her face.

Yeah, okay, she's not the only one. Toaster pastries aren't very filling, and soft pretzels are good.

Twilight isn't as clothes-minded as some girls. To my surprise, she wants to buy the first thing that fits her and call it a day. I actually have to persuade her to do a little more shopping and try on a few dresses to find something that really works. A little over an hour after we started shopping, we both finally agree on a hip-hugging shimmery royal blue sleeveless dress that hangs down to mid-calf but is slit up the sides. In contrast to her Fall Formal dress, this one has a high collar and no cleavage whatsoever. Another fifteen minutes later, and she has shoes that match the dress.

"We still have a couple of hours to kill," I say as we leave the store; I'm carrying a garment bag over my shoulder, and Twilight has the bag with her shoes in hand.

"So let's eat," she says.

"No," I say, shaking my head. "I think I'm gonna get a new suit that matches your dress."

"Why? The suit you wore at the Fall Formal looks nice enough."

"I just have a hunch it's a good idea," I say.

Fortunately, it only takes me forty minutes to find a dark blue suit that's just right. After that, we have to hustle back to the dorm to get ready for the party. By the time we're both cleaned up again, dressed, and Twilight's done her makeup, Cadance and Shining Armor are ready to drive us all over to Haflinger Hall.

"You all look great," Cadance says. She's wearing a red qipao with a jade and gold dragon embroidered from front to back.

"Thanks," I say.

"I have to admit, I'm glad I got this dress," Twilight says.

It looks nice on you.

"Thanks. Yours looks good too, Sonata," Twilight says. Sonata is wearing a wine-colored dress with dark purple stockings and lilac sandals. She's still in her wheelchair, of course, but she looks really pretty. A gauzy shawl that matches her stockings is wrapped fetchingly around her neck to hide the scars on her throat. She's carrying her notepad and marker instead of her tablet today. Fluttershy is wearing a knee-length green party dress with white trim and white low-heeled sandals.

"I'm glad to see you in something a little more...modest," Shining Armor says to Twilight. He's wearing a dark blue suit very similar to mine.

"Shiny," Cadance growls.

Mercifully, the drive to the hall is short, and we're there a good fifteen minutes early. Once we've parked, Shining Armor and I help Cadance unload the presents, while Twilight and Fluttershy head to the doors with Sonata. We catch up to them before they enter, and go in as a group.

Haflinger Hall is a medium-sized party hall. It's nicely appointed but not too ostentatious. A bandstand is set up to one side; a string quartet is warming up. Octavia is playing with them! She notices me and gives me a small wave, then goes back to her music. There are several tables arranged along one side of the hall, and flowers and decorations everywhere.

"What is this, a birthday party or a wedding reception?" Shining Armor wonders.

Rarity sweeps up to us, wearing a dark red velvet dress that sweeps the floor, but is parted in the front in such a way that it leaves most of her left leg bare. It's also rather low-cut, affording a generous amount of cleavage. Her hair and makeup are perfect as always, and she's wearing a wide, fine gold necklace with a cameo pendant, in addition to three slim gold bracelets on each wrist. She beams broadly. "Welcome, welcome everyone! Thank you for coming, darlings!"

"Happy birthday, Rarity!" Twilight says. The rest of us follow suit, with Sonata writing on her notebook:

Happy birthday! I'm Sonata, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

"Thank you all," Rarity says. She smiles at Sonata. "It's nice to meet you as well. You're living in the dorm now, yes?"

That's right.

"Sonata was in a car accident a while back. Her vocal cords were badly damaged, so she can't talk," Cadance explains.

"Oh, you poor dear!" Rarity says. "Well, I hope you all enjoy the party! Do excuse me for a moment, would you? I have to see to..." She trails off, makes a frustrated noise, and sweeps off in a different direction.

Is she the queen bee around here? Sonata writes.

"I wouldn't put it that way," Twilight says. "Rarity is very...focused on appearances and...well..." She shakes her head. "But she's also very friendly and very easy to get along with. She's just...a little eccentric."

"Boy, I'll say," Rainbow's voice says. We turn to see Rainbow and Pinkie walking up to us.

I can't help but stare at Rainbow. She's wearing the same little black dress and pumps she wore to the Fall Formal, but without the stockings or gloves. Her hair has been styled, and cascades in a glossy wave over her right eye, the separate colors shining like some kind of rainbow waterfall. The back of her hair has been gathered into a loose ponytail with a twist, and she's wearing more makeup than I've ever seen her wear—which still isn't a lot, but it makes her look...wow.

"Wow," I say.

"I agree," Shining Armor says. "WOW."

Rainbow blushes furiously and ducks her head. "Cut it out, you guys..."

"You look amazing, Rainbow Dash!" Cadance says. The other girls agree.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Pinkie asks, pouting. She's wearing a clingy, sleeveless raspberry red gown with gold trim that's slit up the right side and has a heart-shaped cleavage window in the front, with a matching choker and slippers. She has a charm bracelet on her right wrist and small, simple earrings, and her unruly mop of pink curls has been straightened out and tamed into a sleek curtain of glossy pink. Usually, when Pinkie's hair is straight, it means she's upset or angry, but she's her usual cheerful self at the moment, and her tasteful makeup highlights her natural beauty.

"You look great, Pinkie," I say.

"Aww, thanks."

A man in a tuxedo with white gloves walks up to us. "If you have presents, I'll take them and put them on the gift table now," he says. We all hand over the presents, and he takes them to a table piled with colorful, wrapped packages.

Rarity glides back over to us. "Sorry about running off like that, darlings," she says. "I've got you all at a table over here, right next to my family's table...if you'll just follow me..."

Rarity leads us all to a table, and we take our seats; Rarity removes a chair to give Sonata a space. "I'll be back to catch up with you all soon," Rarity says before wandering off again to talk to an older couple at another table.

"Good grief, what the hell kind of birthday party is this?" Shining Armor wonders.

A throaty chuckle from behind him draws our attention; we turn to see a man with brown hair, thick eyebrows, and a cheesy handlebar mustache, dressed in a white tuxedo. "She did go over the top just a bit, didn't she?" he says. "I'm Rarity's father. So you're her dormmates, are you?"

"That's right," Twilight says.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be insulting or anything," Shining Armor says. He looks more than a bit nervous; I don't blame him. Rarity's dad is huge.

Rarity's dad laughs. "Not at all," he says. "After all, this party is my birthday present to my daughter. It's what she wanted—a big fancy party, really hoity-toity. But between you and me...it's not my style. I hate wearing a tuxedo..."

"Howdy y'all!" Applejack walks up to the table, dressed exactly the same way she was at the Fall Formal. She takes a seat. "Ain't seen y'all in a dog's age...everybody have a good Christmas?"

"We sure did!" Pinkie says. She introduces Applejack to Sonata.

The party officially gets underway at this point. The whole thing is...frankly an incredible bore; most of us spend it catching up with each other. We learn that Applejack's sister Apple Bloom will be moving into the dorm tomorrow.

"She can have my room now that I'm on the third floor," Twilight says.

"Sounds good," Applejack says. "Ah didn't right fancy sharin' a room with mah sis."

Rarity joins us at our table as some rather unappetizing fancy food is served. About an hour later, she excuses herself to the restroom.

"I'll go with you!" Twilight says. "I need to, um...powder my nose."

Rarity and Twilight leave the table and head for the ladies' room.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

New Message From: Sonata Dusk
I didn't want to say anything in front of Rarity, but...this party is terrible!

I smirk.

New Message To: Sonata Dusk
It really is.

Rainbow looks around the table. "Hey, has anybody seen Fluttershy?"

Cadance frowns. "I think she slipped away a little while ago..."

"Really?" Pinkie asks. "I didn't notice."

"Well, she's usually so quiet, I guess none of us noticed her leave," I say.

Shining Armor scratches his cheek. "I wonder if she's in the bathroom, or if she j—"

Saturday, September 5, 2015 / Zodiac

The classical music, the hushed conversation, whatever else Coach was about to say...it all stops as the hall turns red and black.

Cadance, Pinkie, Rainbow, and I look around at one another.

"Well...here we go."

Cadance pulls out her phone. "APHRODITE!"

Aphrodite appears above her.

//Twilight and Rarity are together...I don't sense Capricorn yet, but there are Shadows here...// Cadance suddenly gasps. //I'm sensing Eris!//

"Wonderful," I mutter. "Like this wasn't gonna be bad enough..."

//Everybody be quiet a minute, I'm going to tell Twilight to bring Rarity here. We all need to stay together.//

A few minutes later, Cadance sighs. //They're headed this way. The Shadows are increasing in number...everybody get ready.//

"Get ready with what?" I ask. "We're stuck without weapons. Again."

"I don't even have my whip this time," Pinkie says.

//Do the best you can...let your Persona do the fighting.//

Twilight and Rarity come running up to us. Rarity is staring around wildly at the shifting, glowing text floating all over the place.

"Ignore the texts," I say. "Believe me, you don't want to waste any time reading them."

Rarity shudders, rubbing her left forearm with her right hand. "I...I think I understand..." She frowns. "These texts...they're coming from the other students, are they not?"

"That's right," Twilight says.

Rarity sags. "Was my party really that terrible?"

Nobody answers her.

"I see..."

//No time for that now. Incoming!//

A powerful blast of wind sends us all flying.

I pick myself up, readying my phone.

Hello again, Flash Sentry. You and I have unfinished business...

Eris walks toward us, her metal staff in hand.

Twilight stands up and glares at her. "Eris! We've got questions, and we're gonna make you answer!"

Eris tilts her head at Twilight.

I'd really like to see that, Twilight.

Pinkie takes a step forward. "Are you Fluttershy?"

Eris looks at her.

Well, that came out of nowhere.

What makes you think I'm Fluttershy?

"Lots of things!" Pinkie says. "Well?"

Do you think I'd tell you if I was? But I must admit, this little guessing game you keep playing is hilarious. First you thought I was Sunset Shimmer, now you think I'm Fluttershy?

Eris charges Pinkie and sweeps her legs, then plants the end of her staff right between Pinkie's breasts.

Seriously, could weak, pathetic, cowardly little Fluttershy do something like this?

"W-well...when you put it that way..." Pinkie wheezes.

"LEGION!"

Legion appears in all its misshapen glory and slams into Eris, sending her flying. Pinkie jumps to her feet and brushes herself off.

Ugh...a cowardly sneak attack...just like I'd expect from Mr. Tit-Grabber.

"Stop screwing around, Eris!"

A terrible, high-pitched, trilling scream fills the air.

//I'm sensing Capricorn! It's...it's absorbing all the Shadows! No...it's been here all along! LOOK OUT!//

We're all knocked off our feet as the Shadows which have been circling the room suddenly all rush together, coalescing into a giant, monstrous form. The front half is a broad-chested, wide-shouldered goat with long, curved horns and a twisted beard. The astrological symbol for Capricorn is branded into the top half of its face, and its maw is full of sharp, rending fangs. Its rear half is a coiled mermaid tail, covered in rust-red scales.

Capricorn lets out a shrill scream, and a barrier made of red hexagonal tiles spreads around the entire hall.

NO! DAMMIT! NO!

"What's the matter, Eris?" Pinkie asks. "Afraid of the big bad goat-fish?"

Capricorn isn't supposed to be able to create this kind of barrier! I...I'm trapped!

"Gee, that must be awful for you," I say.

Capricorn rears, kicking its hooves in the air, and opens its mouth wide, unleashing a massive blast of fire that catches all of us off guard. Pinkie and Rainbow move to shield Rarity and take the worst of it; they collapse to the ground, blistered and smoldering.

Rarity screams.

//No! They're...they're dying!//

Capricorn swings its tail, unleashing a wave of jagged ice crystals which strike Eris and Twilight. Twilight screams and collapses.

"TWILIGHT! NO!" Before I can do anything, Capricorn rams into me, slamming me to the ground. I feel like every bone in my body is broken...

This is it...

We weren't ready...

I'm sorry...Twilight...

I feel something slimy, dark, and wrong trying to crawl out of my skull. Weakly, I reach out and tap my phone. "Persona..."

The new Persona Igor fused the other day, Chupacabra, appears. It sprints toward Capricorn and leaps onto its chest, latching on with its sharp claws and fangs. Capricorn thrashes and screeches as Chupacabra drains its essence.

I feel strength flowing back into my body...my bones don't feel as broken as before. I get up and rush over to Twilight, who's sprawled out on the ground. She's still breathing...

"UNDINE!"

Undine covers Twilight in soothing, healing waters. Twilight's breathing becomes easier; I cradle her in my arms.

"Rainbow...Pinkie..."

I look over at Rarity, who's kneeling over...over the bodies.

There's no question now: Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are dead.

"You tried to warn me...you came to protect me..."

Rarity looks up at me. "You...you all came to protect me..."

"Of course we did."

Rarity looks down at Rainbow and Pinkie, horror and dread on her face. "And...and this happened..."

I swallow heavily. "If...if they were still alive...I could heal them..."

"If they were still alive..." Rarity repeats.

The power to cheat Death...it does exist...

Eris is standing in front of me, looking at Rainbow and Pinkie.

"Eris?"

Within Zodiac, nothing is impossible.

I stand up. "How?"

It's a power you have to find for yourself.

Capricorn has thrown Chupacabra off; Chupacabra has faded away, but I feel stronger...

Twilight sits up, rubbing her head. "What...what's going on..." She looks over at Rainbow and Pinkie and gasps sharply, covering her mouth. "No..."

Rarity stands up. "The power to cheat Death..." She bows her head, clenching her hands into fists. "For my dear friends who died protecting me..."

Rarity pulls out her phone, then looks up, eyes full of determination.

"...I will have that power...and share it with all of my friends!"

The Persona app appears on her phone!

"PERSONA!"

Rarity slaps her phone's screen, which explodes in blue shards of light...

The Persona that appears looks like a dark-furred Egyptian catgirl version of Rarity, with pale lavender stripes in her elegantly curled hair, wearing an opaque red domino mask. Her two-piece white outfit is low-cut, accentuating her curves, and trimmed in gold with colorful accents. A gold tiara with an opal at the center rests upon her brow, and three cut diamonds dangle from gold chains attached to a gold clasp affixed to her long tail. For some reason, she's seated upon a giant ball of yarn.

Rarity's Persona extends a hand over Rainbow and Pinkie. Glowing threads trail from her fingertips, weaving themselves around Pinkie, then Rainbow. The worst of their burns fade, and they sit up, taking deep, gasping breaths.

"What...just happened?" Rainbow asks.

"Whooooa...my head hurts like crazy...owie...I hurt all over..."

"GIRLS!" Rarity screams, throwing herself at them and wrapping her arms around them.

"OW! Hey! Watch it!" Rainbow screams.

"Oh, I'm...I'm terribly sorry!" Rarity replies.

I pull Twilight to her feet, then lead her over to the others. "UNDINE!"

Undine appears again, shedding her gentle healing upon all of us. The burns Rainbow and Pinkie have suffered heal almost completely, and the girls stand up.

"Did...did we just...die?" Pinkie asks, a sick look on her face.

"You did," I say. "Rarity brought you back to life."

Rarity smiles, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Think...think nothing of it, girls..."

Pinkie throws her arms around Rarity. "Yay! Thank you thank you thank you!"

"So Rarity has a Persona too?" Rainbow asks.

Have you all forgotten we're all in mortal danger here?

We all turn around to face Capricorn, who's thrashing madly in midair and snorting steam.

Pinkie wilts. "Yeah, too early to celebrate."

"I got this," Rainbow says. "NIKE!"

Nike appears and unleashes blasts of wind at Capricorn. Capricorn doesn't react.

Wind doesn't work on this one. Why do you think I haven't already killed it? I have no intention of dying here.

"Then do SOMETHING to help us!" Twilight yells. "Or are you just going to stand there?"

Fuck off. I told your friends they could bring those two back to life if they tried. What more do you want?

"Eris...look. Either we all survive this and walk away, or we all die. Can you stop being a bitch for five minutes?"

Eris glares at me, but her shoulders sag with a soundless sigh.

Yeah, OK. Here, maybe this'll help.

Eris does something with her phone. Lines of blue pixels rapidly begin to form in front of each of us, resolving into the shapes of weapons: a plain but functional axe for me, two knives for Rainbow, a sword for Twilight, a whip for Pinkie, and a handgun for Rarity.

Twilight stares at Eris as she takes hold of her sword. "How did you...?"

Please. I've known about this place a LOT longer than you losers.

"Thank you, Eris."

Thank me by killing this thing so we can all go home.

Twilight sets her jaw. "It's a mergoat, so let's see how it likes lightning. ATHENA!"

When Twilight taps her phone, the screen, instead of exploding in shards of blue light, emits a ringing chime and concentric rainbow-hued rings of light. What appears isn't the same Athena as before.

The vision of a transformed Athena I saw on Christmas Eve...

Twilight gasps as she stares up at Athena. "What...?"

//Twilight? What...what's going on?//

"Whoa," Rainbow breathes, staring at Twilight's Persona.

"Woooooow," Pinkie says. "Pretty..."

"What...what happened?" Twilight asks.

Your Persona has changed? But that's...that's impossible!

//Twilight...your Persona is a LOT more powerful now...!//

"Really?" Twilight smiles. "Let's find out!"

Athena spreads her wings wide and swings her spear at Capricorn. An enormous blast of lightning shoots out, slamming into Capricorn with enough force to blow it clear across the hall. Capricorn drops to the ground, curling in on itself.

Now's our chance! Everyone, together!

We all bull-rush the Shadow, hitting it wherever we can with our weapons, while Rarity empties her clip point-blank into Capricorn's skull. After several seconds of this, Capricorn flails its tail, sending us all flying.

As we pick ourselves up, so does Capricorn. It opens its mouth wide to unleash another wave of fire...

Eris' Persona appears and cuts loose with a powerful blast of wind which intercepts the fire, scattering it before it can strike.

If it's weak to electricity, then...

"TAKE-MIKAZUCHI!"

Take-Mikazuchi appears and unleashes another mighty thunderbolt; Capricorn swims out of the way in midair.

"NIKE!"

Rainbow's Persona appears and performs a screaming dive straight at Capricorn's head. Once again, it moves out of the way before the attack connects.

"This one's good at dodging," Twilight says.

"I think I can do something about that," Rarity says. "BASTET!"

Rarity's Persona reappears. With an imperious gesture, she sends dozens of strands of yarn hurtling toward Capricorn, which wrap around it. It struggles against the yarn, but is held fast.

"Nice one!" Rainbow says.

"Twilight, you're up!"

"Right! ATHENA!"

Athena appears again, loosing another mighty thunderbolt at Capricorn. No longer able to dodge, Capricorn takes the blast and is thrown against the wall again.

//Everyone! One more time!//

We all charge Capricorn again, slashing and striking and shooting. This time, when it sweeps us with its tail, we're able to stay on our feet, and Capricorn struggles weakly to get up, its tail flapping uselessly.

We can't let it recover!

"I'll finish this," I say. With a grim smile, I add, "CHUPACABRA!"

Chupacabra leaps upon Capricorn, claws and fangs bared. The girls—even Eris—all flinch away as Chupacabra tears into the Shadow with zeal. Globs of black ichor are flying in every direction, and with every drop of blood and scrap of Shadow flesh Chupacabra ingests, I feel myself growing stronger...

With a final, bleating scream, Capricorn melts into inky motes of blackness.

Rarity blinks. "Is...is it over?"

"Looks that way." I turn to Eris. "Thank you for your help today."

Eat shit.

Eris runs away as Zodiac begins to dissolve around us. Our weapons dematerialize in our hands.

I take in the girls' appearances: dresses torn and blackened, skin covered in soot, blood, and lingering traces of burns.

"We need to get the hell out of here," I say.

"There's a service entrance over there," Rarity says, pointing. We run; the real world is beginning to intrude upon Zodiac.

"Why isn't this all goin' away all at once?" Rainbow asks.

"Just be glad it isn't!" Twilight yells. "We don't need to have to explain the way we look!"

Zodiac is almost gone, and we're close to the entrance to the kitchen...

"I have an idea!" Pinkie yells as reality fully reasserts itself and the sounds of the party return. Pinkie runs up to a fire alarm next to the kitchen door and pulls it.

The din of the alarm fills the air. We keep running, bursting out through the back entrance of Haflinger Hall and into the bright afternoon sunlight.

"Everybody split up," I say. "Make your way back to the dorm however you can."

"Me and Pinkie need to swing by Rarity's to get our stuff," Rainbow says.

"I'll be back at the dorm tomorrow!" Rarity says.

Saturday, January 2, 2016 / Evening

Twilight and I return to the dorm, having shared a cab ride. Shining Armor is waiting at the entrance.

"Where the HELL were you two?" he demands. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

We exchange glances. "Uhh..."

"Everybody just...just disappeared in the middle of the party!" Shining Armor thunders. "Cadance tried to feed me some bullshit about me passing out, but I know better! Sonata and Applejack saw it too! One second you were there, the next you were gone! Then Rainbow and Pinkie showed up back here and they looked like...like they'd been in an actual fire..." Shining Armor scowls. "Why weren't you answering your phone, Twilight?"

"Left it...on vibrate...in my purse?" Twilight suggests.

"No, because Cadance has your purse, and your phone isn't in there!"

"Really? Huh..." Twilight frowns.

I pull Twilight's phone out of my pocket. "You handed it to me, remember?" I say. "Only it hasn't been vibrating at all..." I look at her phone. "Oh, that's why. It's off."

"Whoops!"

Shining Armor frowns. "Nice try. I'm not that stupid."

Twilight and I exchange a glance. There's no way out of this...

"Whenever you're ready to tell me the truth, I'll be waiting," Shining Armor says. "Until then...I don't want to talk to either of you." He walks around to the apartment; we can hear the door slam violently.

Twilight sinks to the ground and starts crying.

I help her up and lead her inside, gently guiding her upstairs to her room. I sit next to her on the bed; she collapses into my chest and starts sobbing.

I feel hollow and cold inside...

Lying to Shining Armor is wrong, but there's no possible way we can tell him the truth...he'd never believe it...

How do we fix this? Can we fix this?

Author's Notes:

Social Link Status:

0. FOOL (Zodiac Investigation Team): rank 4
I. MAGICIAN (Twilight Sparkle): MAX!
IV. EMPEROR (Coach Shining Armor): REVERSE
V. HIEROPHANT (Vice-Principal Luna): rank 4
VI. LOVERS (Nurse Cadance): rank 6
VII. CHARIOT (Rainbow Dash): rank 7
VIII. JUSTICE (Principal Celestia): rank 6
IX. HERMIT (Coco Pommel): MAX!
XI. STRENGTH (Applejack): rank 3
XII. HANGED MAN (Octavia Melody): rank 2
XIII. DEATH (Sonata Dusk): rank 2
XV. DEVIL (Juan the Janitor): rank 4
XVI. TOWER (Chrysalis): rank 2
XVII. STAR (Pinkie Pie): rank 9
XVIII. MOON (Trixie Lulamoon): rank 8
XIX. SUN (Vinyl Scratch): rank 6

---

[DEATH] CHUPACABRA
Str: Fire Wk: Light Nul: Dark
SKILLS:
Life Drain
Poison Skewer
Auto-Sukukaja
Dekaja

[EMPRESS] BASTET (Str: Dark, Ice Wk: Fire, Light)
SKILLS: Diarama Sukunda

Bufula

Recarm

Marin Karin

---

An extended version of this chapter is available on my website.