“I’m on my way, everypony! Just hold on a bit longer!”

Fluttershy took each of the gems, placing them in the small pouch that was somehow miraculously still tied to her side. She opened her wings, and took off in a burst of energy and air back to the top of the cavern. She knew what she needed to do. All she had to do was get the crystals close to her friends, and they would do the rest.

Fluttershy flew even faster than on her way to Canterlot, dead set for Ponyville. More specifically, she was on her way to Sweet Apple Acres. If she could get Applejack back to normal, her strength would be invaluable in getting to the other ponies.

She was amazed to see the relatively calm and organized Ponyville below her. There were no fires, no ruined buildings, just clouds of black smoke. As soon as her eyes found the familiar orange coat and yellow mane, Fluttershy darted for the ground, trying to get as close to her friend as possible without conflict. She landed mere feet behind Applejack, who was munching on a red apple.

“Bout time ya showed up, Fluttershy. Ya were gonna miss the party…” Applejack turned to face Fluttershy, and launched the rest of the apple at her.

Fluttershy gently rolled mid-air out the way of the apple. She smiled wide as she laughed, “Tee-hee! I always thought you were a better aim than that, Applejack!” She skipped along the ground, getting closer to Applejack.

“You mockin’ me?” Applejack reached behind her and picked up another apple, which she then threw at her friend.

Gracefully, Fluttershy dodged the incoming projectile with ease. “Calm down Applejack! I’m only here to help you!” she giggled as she approached. Before Applejack could grab for another apple, Fluttershy was face to face with her.

Applejack took a few steps back, her faded irises returning with a faint color. “Wh-what are y’all on about now? You gotta be thick in the head ta not be scared!” Her voice wasn’t hollow, as was usual with the possessed.

“It’s okay, AJ. I have little present especially for you!” Fluttershy opened the pouch with her mouth, and from it flew a shining orange gemstone. The stone launched itself right into Applejack’s head. The two of them were engulfed in a bright orange light.

After the light faded, they found themselves in the white void. Applejack started freaking out, not knowing what this was or how she had got there. The color returned to her eyes and her evil grin faded. She settled down, and looked at Fluttershy in confusion.

“What in tarnation is this place? How did we even get here?” She stepped closer to her friend.

Fluttershy smiled and met Applejack half way. “Good to have you back, AJ! We’re in your heart.” Applejack’s look twisted into one of even greater confusion. “Tee-hee, we’re going to get rid of the thing that’s controlling you.” Behind them, a huge barn popped up out of nowhere. All around them, apple trees grew high and fences popped into view.

“Sweet Apple Acres?” Applejack asked Fluttershy, her mind in a daze from this weird place.

Fluttershy smiled as she trotted over to the barn. “Yep! You see this orange gem?” She placed a hoof on the barn door.

“Uh, Fluttershy darlin’, I think you oughta get your eyes checked. That’s just a barn.” Applejack bluntly pointed out.

Fluttershy turned to look at what was supposed to be the barn AJ talked about. “You can’t see the gem? There must be something here keeping you from-!” A giant black blob busted out of the ground and engulfed Applejack before she could finish her sentence.

“Fluttershy help me!” Applejack cried as the blob swallowed her whole.

Fluttershy looked at the blob, examining it. It looked identical to the thing that kept her from leaving Celestia’s chambers back at the castle. As soon as she made this connection, the blob disappeared into a puff of smoke. Applejack stood where it was, her eyes faded and the evil grin once more stretching across her face.

Fluttershy sighed in annoyance. She was left to fight Applejack’s inner evil by herself. “Applejack, just snap out of it! You know this isn’t the real you!”

Applejack laughed, “Y’know, on the contrary, I think this here attitude fits me just fine!” Applejack charge at Fluttershy, attempting to tackle her like Big Macintosh had in her dream. She managed to dodge. AJ’s head slammed hard into the orange gem.

The gem flashed once, repelling AJ and sending her flying backwards. “You’re supposed to help her!” Fluttershy screamed in confusion.

We can only save those who wish to be saved. Your friend does not. A voice called to her, the gem shining brightly. Fluttershy realized that in order for the gem to return AJ to normal, AJ had to want to be normal already. She had to get the real AJ back, somehow.

AJ charged for another tackle, this time stopping short of the gem when she missed. “Applejack, you have to snap out of it! This isn’t like you! Remember who you were!” Fluttershy called to her friend, darting along to the ground so as to tackle the pony.

Unlike AJ, Fluttershy didn’t miss. She tackled her friend to the ground, struggling to keep her pinned back. “You ain’t that strong, Fluttershy. You’ll wear yourself out before I do.” AJ kept struggling to get free from Fluttershy’s grip.

Fluttershy called to her friend once more, “Snap out of it! Remember all the fun things we did together! All the adventures we went on! Whether we were fighting Night Mare Moon, Discord, or Chrysalis, you never gave up fighting! Are you really going to let Feilbach get the better of you?!” Suddenly, as if her words themselves were magic, AJ’s eyes returned to normal, and her expression changed to gentle.

Her voice was still distorted, as if still possessed. She asked her friend, “Can you help me? I- I don’t want this! This isn’t me! Help me!” As she spoke, the gemstone beside them shined brightly, and they were once again engulfed in the orange light.

The light faded again, and the duo was left in the empty white space from before. AJ struggled and choked as black smoke poured from her mouth and nose, leaving her body. After a minute of this, the smoke that had accumulated disappeared completely. AJ stood up on all four hooves, Fluttershy doing the same. A voice called to them from the emptiness.

We can only save those who wish to be saved. For us to help, one must fight their own demons. If one can find their light, we can enhance it, and drive back the shadows. Find your friends, and help them find their lights. Only then can Feilbach be defeated.

The duo was returned to the tree outside Sweet Apple Acres. They gave each other approving nods, and started their trot back into the bulk of Ponyville. They had friends to save!

“Hold on y’all! We’re a-coming!”

Next Chapter: Chapter 9: The Scar Left Long Ago (Act III) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 12 Minutes