Rainbow Dash placed the final book on the shelf before flittering back and looking around the room. She wasn't Rarity, but Dash liked to think she could at least decorate a room and place furniture around. Everypony agreed that the two beds should be used by Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Granny Smith, plus it wasn't as if the makeshift bed Fluttershy could make from grass and leaves was uncomfortable. The chairs and dining room table gave the room a semblance of normality, and the two books shelves were placed in the left back corner and opposite it in the other corner were the three red couches placed in an 'L' shape with a coffee table.

Stepping forward, Dash pressed both hooves against the solid wall between the couches and book shelves until she felt a bit of give. Taking a deep breath, she walked through the seemingly solid wall, shivering as the moisture from the cloud chilled her. It had been Applejack's idea. Stuff a cloud in the tunnel then use an illusion to make it seem like a solid wall. It certainly worked. There were such hidden paths scattered through the complex that was now their home, and the only ponies who seemed to know where they all were was Rarity and Pinkie.

Coming out the other end, Dash grabbed one of the towels draped over the nearby chair to wipe off the water droplets. She found herself in a well lit room just large enough to house a table and a couple of chairs. Hung up on the far wall was a large map Pinkie Pie had drawn based on a map found in a book. As far as any pony could tell, it was a larger version of the one in the book.

"So what's this about anyways?" asked Dash as she sat down.

"Rarity brings news from Canterlot." Applejack pushed a roll of paper.

"I still say it's a bad idea to send Rarity. If she gets caught..."

"She won't," said Fluttershy with a smile. "Her accent is perfect and so is her disguise."

Dash nodded before turning her attention to the scroll, each word made her jaw drop a bit further. Once finished, she reread it to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. "Is Rarity positive on the news? Is she sure it's not an attempt to flush us out?"

"Not only is she sure, but Pinkie sent a message as well. She's waiting at Point D with the Wonderbolts who managed to escape. Ah want ya to accompany me there, seein’ as ya know exactly who they are and what they are like," said Applejack.

"But then this base would be unprotected. It makes more sense for one of us to go in case one of the Wonderbolts is really a spy," argued Dash. "We're risking enough as is with Rarity and Pinkie, we don't need to put two more ponies in the line of fire."

"Ah need to go 'cause Ah'm the Element of Honesty, which means Ah can tell if they lie or not. Ah'm taking ya with me 'cause 'Shy here asked me to. So ya either come with or stay here." The tone in her voice made certain Dash knew there would be no more arguments over it.

"Dash... there's not much here to protect anyways. Not yet at least," said Fluttershy. "We've got the escape routes memorized anyways and we've got Big Mac."

"And don't forget me!" said Spike.

Dash looked down at Spike and smiled, patting his head in the same way she used to pet Scootaloo. "Yeah... Just be careful you hear? All of you. Come on Applejack, we should get going, it seems like we'll be getting some new recruits."

"No wings RD, and we should use our disguises. Take them out for a test run and to be on the safe side," said Applejack as she led the way out.

Activating the bracelet, Dash felt the familiar tingle and dizziness that accompanied the activation. According to Twilight's book, it drew on their innate magic to activate and sustain. Shaking her head, Dash felt the cloudiness clear up and she trotted to catch up to Applejack. Exiting the cave system that was their new home, Dash spread her wings, flexing them and shaking out her mane.

"I miss flying so much," Dash whispered to the sky before speaking in a louder voice, "So how do I look? Bet I'm still as cool as always, I mean, it practically oozes out of me."

Applejack scanned the white furred, red mane pegasus with the double rainbow colored lightning bolt cutie mark beside her. "Not bad. Definitely don' look like Rainbow Dash. It's a shame the magic doesn't change your attitude though."

"Yeah, yeah." Dash began stretching out her limbs. "We gonna run or chat?"

Without warning, Applejack jumped off the cliff ledge and Dash quickly followed. Landing on the soft ground, Dash immediately chased after her friend with an eye looking for roots. After years of being the fastest thing in Equestria and not dying, Dash's reflexes where more than a match for the low handing brushes and occasional fallen tree. She nimbly skipped over a root before leaning back and keeping a low profile as she slid down the muddy hill. Jumping at the end, she landed, rolled under a branch, and came up just in time and swerve around a tree. Her face stung from the bushes, her legs ached, and she was covered with water. Flying would have been so much easier.

After thirty minutes of constant running, the pair slowed to a stop. They began walking slowly and quietly, ears twitching every time there was the slightest sound. Fluttershy had talked to all of the animals and asked them nicely to leave them alone, but Dash was still tense and from the way Applejack's head snapped at every sound, Dash assumed she wasn't the only one.

"So what can ya tell me about the Wonderbolts?" whispered the earth pony.

"Spitfire is in charge, but if she got caught to let everyone escape, that means Fleetfoot will be the one in charge – she's the one with the white mane. However you should focus on Soarin – dark blue mane – if you want them to trust us. He may not be in charge or second in command, but he's respected. I haven't met them personally, but that's my interpretation."

"Alright. Do you want to get your fangirling out of the way first?"

Dash scowled at her longtime friend. "This isn't really the time for fangirling."

Chuckling, Applejack lead the way into the cave which was already echoing with the sound of Pinkie's constant chatting. Turning the bend, they came up on the group who immediately sprung onto their feet in a defensive stance.

"You're here!" A pink blur crashed into the orange pony. "I was talking, but none of them want to talk so I tried telling jokes, but none of them want to laugh so I got out my party cannon, but there weren't anything the streams and stuff could attach to so I-"

"Pinkie?"

"Yeah Dashie?"

"Why is Rapidfire wrapped up in streamers and balloons?"

"Oh! He was being a grumpy pants with his frowny face so I thought it'd cheer him up!"

With a sigh, Dash walked over and unpackaged the pony. "Sorry about that. Pinkie's... Pinkie." She held out a hoof and helped the Wonderbolt off the ground. "I'm Rainbow Dash and that there's Applejack. All of you alright?"

"A couple of cuts and one broken bone between the three of us," said Fleetfoot. "And we don't know where the others are."

"Well-"

Applejack cut in before Dash could say anything else. "First of all, any of ya'll working for Nightmare Moon?"

"No!" The unified cry made Applejack smile.

"And y'all willing to help take her down?"

"Yes," came the answer from Fleetfoot.

"Ah'm sorry sugarcube, but Ah need the other two to say so too." AJ fixed the other two Wonderbolts with a flat look until they gave their mumbled reply. "Alright. Come w-"

A wisp of green flame floated into the room and condensed into a scroll. Leaning down, Dash opened it and quickly read it. "AJ, we've got more intel. 'Shy wants all of us back at base with the Wonderbolts." An almost sadistic grin spread across Dash's face as she said her next words, "We're rescuing Spitfire."

"Wait!" Both ponies turned to face Fleetfoot. "How do we know we can trust you?"

Dash exchanged a look with her friend before chuckling. "If we were with Nightmare Moon you'd be captured already. Plus, why help you escape only to capture you again? Doesn't make sense does it?"

They made their way back out and started the long journey back to camp. This time though, they walked slowly so that the Wonderbolts could recover. The entire journey was made in silence, except for Pinkie who blabbered on about nothing. When she got to food though, she had Soarin's undivided attention and the next twenty minutes was spent on food, which made everyone realize just how hungry they all were.

Eventually though, the silence was broken by Fleetfoot. "Just how serious is this resistance anyways? No offense, but I'd rather not die for a useless cause."

"We wouldn't ask you to die for a useless cause anyways," snapped Dash.

"Calm down sugarcube."

"No!" Applejack recoiled from that outburst. "I'm sick and tired of every single last one of you. I'm sick of all your doubts and all your insecurities. Especially coming from you Fleetfoot. You're a Wonderbolt and you're meant to be protectors of Equestia. Our air force."

"We haven't-"

"What? You haven't functioned in that role since the last war?" Despite her anger, Dash had enough sense left to keep her words to a low whisper. "I don't bucking give a damn! Aren't you loyal to Equestria? If so, you should be willing to put everything on the line. Your life. Your dreams. Your future. If you're not willing to go the distance, buck off right now."

"Dashie you're scaring me..."

Dash rounded onto the two earth ponies. "This is war Pinkie. It's meant to be scary." Her eyes softened. "If I had my way, you and Fluttershy would be somewhere safe, not in the middle of this fight."

"That's it!" All eyes turned to Soarin. "I thought your names sounded familiar. You're the ponies with the rewards on your heads."His head tilted to the side. "Though you look nothing like pictures. And is that food I smell?"

Fleetfoot facehoofed. "Soarin, do you only think with your stomach? But you're right, these are the ponies Nightmare Moon is looking for."

"Now I'm curious as to why she's after you at all." Rapidfire's voice was soft and soothing, like a more confident version of Fluttershy. "No offense, but you two don't seem like much."

"How about we talk about it over dinner?" asked Applejack, cutting Dash off before she could say anything. "Pinkie, why don' ya go ahead an' let 'em know we're coming?"

"Okie dokielokie." Pinkie bounced off into the distance.

"An' Ah'm sorry to do this, but ya'll need to be blindfolded." The Wonderbolts exchanged a nervous look before nodding. Still muttering under her breath, Rainbow Dash tied the blindfolds over her former idols' eyes. With slow steps, the two friends lead the others through the forest and up the side of the mountain.

"Now this is going to feel mighty weird," said Applejack. "But don' worry, it's perfectly safe."

Pushing through the cloud covered entrance, Dash trudged through it and came out the other side. Soon the two Wonderbolts she was leading popped out. Taking off their blind folds, she tossed a towel to them before turning off her bracelet. It felt like a light breeze blew over her body as the illusion was blown off into the wind like leaves in autumn.

"Whoa." Soarin stared at Dash with wide eyes. "How did you do that? That was unicorn magic. Right?"

Dash merely chuckled and began walking. "It's a secret. But like you said, we're wanted, so we have to disguise ourselves."

"You're back!" Once more, there was a pink blur and once more Applejack found herself on the floor. "Dinner is ready and let me tell you, it's scrumptious umptious. No pies though, but lots of yummy salads."

"The same thing as yesterday Pinkie?" asked Dash.

"Yeppers peppers."

Dash groaned. "We really need to get other foods. Come on, follow me." Taking a left turn, they found themselves in the dinning-living room combo Dash had set up earlier that day. "It's not much, but it's all that we've got right now in terms of a dining area. Just find somewhere on the ground to sit. Also, where's Fluttershy? There are some cuts, bruises, and a broken bone that she needs to tend to."

"She got a message from her birds. Apparently some ponies have entered the Everfree Forest in an attempt to escape from the guards Nightmare Moon sent to Ponyville. She's gone to guide them here. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell are in bed. Just tucked them in," said MacIntosh. "And howdy to y'all. Fluttershy mentioned we'd be having guests over so I've made extra."

With a helping hoof from Applejack, the two siblings soon filled the table with three bowls of salads and a plate for each pony. "Dig in every pony!" She didn't need to say that twice, everypony dived for the nearest plate and began slurping it down. It was a bit bland and slightly chewy, but it was definitely better than going hungry and a lot better than yesterday's meal.

"Oh that was gooooood," said Soarin with his tongue hanging out and petting his belly.

Pinkie appeared with a bunch of ointments and salves. "I've got meeeedicine." Before any of the Wonderbolts could react, she was pushing and prodding and tugging and tsking as she applied the medicine to each of their wounds and sores all the while juggling the bottles.

"Rainbow Dash!"

Dash looked up in time to catch the brown pegasus that flew at her. "Scotaloo? What are you doing here?" Looking past the filly, Dash's eyes widened. "Mayor Mare? Fluttershy?"

"Well... you see... some guards came from Canterlot looking for us, and apparently… um…they apparently though Scootaloo was your daughter, and well, Mayor Mare heard about it and so she, er, decided to grab Scootaloo herself and here we are," squeaked the yellow pegasus.

"Well it's good to see you again Squirt." Dash put the young filly onto the ground. "But what gave them the idea you’re my daughter?"

"Well... um..." Scootaloo pawed at the ground, looking everywhere but where Dash stood.

"Never mind kiddo." Dash turned her attention to MacIntosh who was talking to his sister. "Hey Big Mac, can you take Scoots here to Sweetie Bell and Applebloom? And show Mayor Mare the spare room please."

"Eeyup."

Once they were out of earshot, everypony settled down around the table and Fluttershy bought out a pile of paper. Taking a deep breath, she began talking in such a confident voice that Dash's jaw hit the table. "Okay, I've gotten new reports from my friends within the castle and Canterlot. Currently, we know Twilight Sparkle is not within the castle, and definitely not within the slum or merchant quarters. This suggests she's somewhere only Nightmare Moon has access to, as we also know she's still alive. Secondly, Spitfire has been captured, but only her. The others managed to escape and two are currently holed up in the merchant quarter. I have already written to Rarity and she'll be making a move soon – is there any phrase she could use to let the Wonderbolts know she's on their side?"

Fleetfoot thought it over, but it was Soarin who spoke with a smile. "Tell them Spitfire will send Echo after them if they die."

Nodding, Fluttershy jotted down the message and passed it over to Spike who sent it off. "Hopefully they'll be out by tomorrow morning using the sewers. If any of you have family members you wish to bring here, let me know sometime today and I'll let her know."

Fluttershy pushed a series of maps onto the table. "These show the layout of Canterlot Castle. Spitfire is housed here in the lowest part of the dungeons in this cell back here. Guard rotation is every four hours and execution is in five days’ time at midday. My sources also tell me they're expecting a rescue attempt on the day of the execution so guards have been doubled for that day."

Angel jumped onto the table and began drawing red crosses and green lines on random points on the map. "Oh, thank you Angel bunny, I almost forgot. Those points are where the guards are stationed. They make rounds every thirty minutes and there are additional guards who wander strict routes as well."

Fluttershy suddenly reverted to her usual disposition. She hid behind her hair and squeaked, "That's... that's um... all the information I have. I- I'm sorry if it's not a lot, but I just couldn't bear the thought of putting my dear friends into any sort of danger."

"That's- That's amazing!" Fleetfoot looked at the Bearers of Harmony with new found respect. "Where did you get the map from? And the guard rotations? I would have thought Nightmare Moon would have vetted everypony in the Castle."

"We have our methods," said Dash smugly. Standing up, she moved behind Fluttershy to get a proper look at the maps and so that she could whisper in Fluttershy's ear, "You alright 'Shy? That was really confident of you."

"It was, wasn't it?" she replied with a smile. "I was so scared and terrified, but... Twilight and Spitfire are counting on me and... well... I don't want to be useless. I want to help."

"You're not useless. You're never useless. Don't you dare think that," hissed Dash.

When Fluttershy didn't respond, Dash turned her attention to what Spike was saying. "-ore the execution date, but from the looks of things there only one entrance and exit and it's heavily guarded. Since it's underground there's no way to just fly in there and bust her out. AJ?"

"I know!" Pinkie Pie jumped onto the table. "Apples! We get some apples, disguise ourselves then walk right in as though we're there to sell apples."

"Ya know, that might just work," mused Applejack. "But not apples. That's too close to who Ah am. How 'bout oranges instead?"

"What about us?" chimed Soarin, "If you think I'm just gonna let you risk it all without our help, you've got another thing coming."

"Not many ponies recognize us without our uniforms," added Fleetfoot.

"Hmmmmm... We're going to need dye. A lot of dye," said Dash.

"Ah could build a cart with a false bottom. It'll be cramped, but Ah think Ah could fit two in," added Applejack.

"Sorry Soarin, that means you're out due to your broken leg." Rapidfire sounded a bit too happy at that prospect.

"You've got a broken leg?" Fluttershy zipped over to Saorin's side. "Oh my. This won't do at all. Who bandaged this up? It is absolutely atrocious work. Look at this splint and the state of these bandages. Pinkie, get me my case please. I'm just glad I caught it so early, otherwise your leg would have healed wrong."

"Actually, only one Wonderbolt will be going," said Applejack.

"What?" Fleetfoot gave the orange earthpony a very flat look. "I'm sorry, I could have sworn I heard you said only one of us will be going."

"That's 'cause Ah did." Applejack stood up, her larger stature and greater muscle mass making her look intimidating. "The group going will be me, Fluttershy, Pinkie and one Wonderbolt."

"What." This time everyone said it in unison.

"Now y'all hear me out. Ah'm going 'cause Ah'm the only pony here who can pass as a farmer. Pinkie is going because of her Pinkie sense. Fluttershy is going because we need constant updates from her friends. If she's going then she needs to be in the cart 'cause a pegasus farmer is weird and will stick out. Therefore we can only take on Wonderbolt with us."

Dash gave her longtime friend and rival a dark look, but muttered, "Fine. But I better not hear you screwed up somehow. I suppose I'll be here keeping down the fort and doing something on the massive list of ours that needs to be done."

"Ah know how much ya wanted to go RD."

"Yeah, yeah. Just look after Fluttershy alright?"

"Of course. Now here's what we do..."

"Welcome Twilight Sparkle, we have much to discuss."

I didn't bother looking away from the blue and green orb that hung in the blackness in front of me. "What is that?" It was less a question and more a statement.

"That's..." I gulped and tears pricked my eyes. "That's the world? But it's so tiny so small... so... so insignificant..."

"That it is. A constant reminder of our mistakes, so we shall never commit them again." The dark alicorn sat down next to me and gazed up. "It is a wondrous sight and it shows just how small our world really is. Equestria is merely one landmass on that." Her voice suddenly became sad. "But that is not the reason why we bought thou here today."

"You know Nightmare Moon knows when you're talking to me." My voice didn't waver, or break, or offer any insight into what I was feeling. "And frankly, I'm starting to wonder if this is a ploy by Nightmare Moon herself. Come to me as Princess Luna, get me to trust her, feed me false information, and so on and so forth."

I could see her gazing at me in surprise from the corner of my eye. Surprise at me catching on or surprise at what I said? Licking my lips, a sigh escaped. Even in this place I could still taste the urine I had drunk yesterday. I doubt I'll ever get the taste out of my mouth.

The silence stretched on before Luna spoke with measured words, "Right now Nightmare Moon is giving thee the worst nightmares possible. From the glimpses we caught it involved thou friend Pinkie Pie baking thee into cupcakes."

For the first time that day, I looked at Luna. She's got to be joking. But the serious expression told me that she was being... well... serious. The only response I had to that truth was to burst out laughing with my hind hooves flailing in the air and forearms wrapped around my stomach.

Luna merely watched me in silence with a raised eyebrow before looking up at the stars. "Thou would not be laughing if thou knew the contents of the nightmare. It is simply terrifying."

That merely made me laugh harder. I laughed until tears were streaming down my cheeks. I laughed until I was gasping for breath. I laughed until my whole body hurt. And then I laughed some more. Eventually I calmed down and gently explained to her, "A great friend once told me to 'Giggle at the Ghostie' and that's exactly what I'm doing. Plus, you seem to forget that I've been tortured by Nightmare Moon for the past two weeks on a daily basis."

"Truthfully, we are pleasantly surprised at how well thou hast held up." Luna shifted onto her back to stare up at the stars. "Nightmare Moon is frustrated and sad about it. Despite what thou might think, she hates torture."

A frown creased my brow. "She could have fooled me with her talk of how it's going to be fun and with the food."

"Thou hast to remember, she is still me. A corrupted version of me, but still me. Does she want to break thee? Yes. But she would prefer it if she did not have to do that."

Was this her ploy? Get me to identify with her so that I'll lose my hate for her and therefore lose the emotions I'm using to sustain me? Plausible, despite being transparent.

"Thou does not believe us."

"Nah.Really?"

I wasn't sure if it was my expression or my sarcasm, but Luna chuckled softly. "At any rate, Nightmare Moon seems to be wrapping up the little dream sequence, so I'll let you go now. Just think on what I said. That's all I ask."

Once more I was awoken to cold water dripping down my face. Blinking my eyes open, I shook my head from side to side before looking up at Nightmare Moon who stood there with a very pissed off expression.

Sighing, she rubbed her temples. "Physical torture wasn't working, so I decided to switch to mental torture. Give you some bad dreams and stuff, break you mentally, and all that jazz. So what happens? PRINCESS LUNA DECIDES TO SPLIT YOUR MIND!" She took a shaky breath, folding her wings back down. "Why must you make things so difficult?"

She gave me on last disgusted look before opening the door and walking out. With the position of her body though, I couldn't see anything outside except for what looked like a cave wall and a torch. As soon as the door slammed shut, the shackles came undone and I collapsed onto the ground, my knee slamming into the stone surface by accident. After everything I had suffered at the hooves of that insane alicorn, the pain barely registered. Before all of this I might have cried out in pain or maybe spent a few minutes clutching my knee like some filly. Now though, I merely stood up and walked over to the two bowls. Okay, maybe less walked and more crawled. After all, I hadn't eaten anything the past week and only drank urine so it's not as though I had a lot of energy to waste.

At least my throat isn't parched from screaming, and my coat's not covered with vomit and blood. That's better than nothing. Right?

My stomach grumbled and I curled up in a ball as my hunger reared its ugly head. It felt like my stomach was trying to devour itself. Shaking my head in an attempt to clear it, I tried to focus on the books I had read on pony survival and starvation, but all that came to mind was a blank page. I know that prolonged starvation means using muscles as a fuel source and that there was a potential for permanent organ damage. But how long?

I knocked my head against the stone floor. How bucking long? A shaky breath escaped as I gazed at the bowl of paper. If I couldn't think straight. then I need to eat. It was as simple as that. Even if it was paper.

Well at least it's got lots of fiber...

Wiggling a bit closer, I reached out with my magic only for pain to flare up. Right, no magic. Wiggling even closer, I lifted my head up and took a sliver of paper into my mouth and began chewing. It was dry. Ridiculously dry. I knew it would be dry – after all, it's paper – but I didn't expect it to be that dry. At least it was tasteless, that was a bonus. But with how dry it was – I'd rather blow dry my mouth for a day – I could barely swallow it. Oh Celestia it was dry.

I glanced between the two bowls. One option was to eat some paper and then sip some urine, but if I did that then I may end up with paper left over which I'd then have to eat without anything to wash it down with, and I may end up taking larger gulps at the start then be forced to drink less at the end. Or I could mix the two together so that there'd be an even distribution with each mouthful that I ate.

Looking down, I picked up the paper using my hooves and promptly faceplanted into the bowl. The pain was effortlessly pushed aside. Shifting my position so that I was resting on my elbows, I picked up the paper once more and plopped it into the other bowl. Repeating the process until all the paper had been transferred across, I looked at the mess in front of me. The thought of eating paper was unpleasant before. But now I had a bowl of wet, mushy paper and it looked absolutely terrible.

Worst.Idea.Ever.

Swirling the grey goop around with my hoof to mix it properly, I bent down and began eating. Almost immediately, I wanted to puke. Probably would have if I had anything in my stomach. Before the paper at least tasted alright. Now though, it was like mushy vegetables with absolutely no taste, as if someone had dumped a bunch of random crap in it and then served it up as a dish. Then again, that's pretty much what I did, but still! The worst part was that I had cooked stuff that's tasted even worse in the past. Key difference being I didn't have to eat it back then.

With a dejected sigh, I buried my muzzle in the disgusting filth and began gulping it down. Sure it was bad for my stomach and intestines, as the whole point of chewing was to mechanically break down the food so that there was a larger surface area to volume ratio for the enzymes to work on, but the longer it stayed in my mouth, the longer it would be in contact with my taste buds, which means the longer I'd taste it. In this scenario, I'll take digestion problems over the taste any day.

Finishing up, a small burp escaped. much to my mortification. Good thing no one was around to hear it. As much as I hated to admit it, the paper did fill me up and although I knew there wasn't any nutritional value in what I had eaten, the mere fact my stomach was no longer yelling at me made it worth it.

I stood up slowly though my legs trembled beneath me from the lack of nutrients. Walking over to the small window – if it can even be called that – I looked out at the unfamiliar landscape. I was definitely not in Canterlot. In fact, I had no clue where I was. Then again, all I could see was a mountain range, a forest and the sky. I could be anywhere in Equestria. Add in the constant darkness and I couldn't even be sure if the mountain range was actually a mountain range.

The door suddenly slammed open, causing me to whirl around in a defensive stance used in spell casting. At Nightmare Moon's chuckle, a blush crept across my cheek. Once more the door closed, softly this time, and to my surprise she cast a teleportation spell and there in the bowl was water, and a hay sandwich along with a tossed salad. It took all my willpower to not run over and gorge myself. Sadly, all my willpower could not stop me from drooling and staring at the food.

"I have a task for you my little pony."

My attention turned back to Nightmare Moon and I scowled. "And why would I help you?"

"Because you enjoy knowledge, and if you don't help every pony out there will suffer." She stood next to me, sharing the tiny view I was given. "You see, without sunlight the crops will start dying. As an alicorn I never need to sleep, so I've been researching the issue, but unfortunately I still have to hold court and deal with politics, which means I haven't been able to devote as much time to the issue as I wish. I may desire eternal night, but that does not mean I want my ponies to suffer or die."

"So you want me to figure out a way to create pseudo-sunlight while keeping eternal night?" I gave her my best you're-an-idiot look. "That's impossible."

"From everything I know about you, you excel in making the impossible possible." Nightmare Moon teleported in a stack of papers. "These are my notes on the matter. I will be back in an hour to see your progress."

"Wait." Nightmare Moon stopped at the door. "It'll be faster if I can use magic. I'll also need access to books."

Silence filled the room as she considered my request. Just as I thought she was going to refuse, I felt the ring slipping off my horn, but before I could even contemplate teleporting away, a second ring slid on.

"You can now use magic, but the flow is limited. The most you'll be able to do is minor conjurations, no more than a spark. It's enough for you to levitate items though." With those parting words, she walked out and closed the door.

Reaching into me, I touched the source of my magic and the warmth spread over my body. The first thing I did was channel it out of my horn before reversing the flow and letting it trickle to the rest of my body. I immediately felt my abused muscles relax and my mind kick into high gear. It was only a temporary solution, and once it wore off I'd be back to where I was, but it was the most alert and energized I had felt in a long time. Levitating the first piece of paper over, I couldn't stop the smile spreading over my face.

Words! There were words on the page. Words that I could read, and understand, and process, and ponder on. Happiness bubbled forth from the deepest parts of my soul and I poured myself into the task Nightmare Moon had set for me. Even though I kept telling myself it was for Equestia, I knew that the real reason for my conviction was because I missed reading way too much. It was like a piece of me had been missing and now I was complete.

I just hope this isn't a ploy on her part. Make me happy so that when it was taken away I'll crash a lot harder. Groaning, I slammed my head into the book I was reading, wondering if I could forget that thought if I hit my head enough times with enough force. After a five minutes of mindless bashing I went back to reading, but without the joy I had a few scant minutes ago.

Sometimes, I really hate my mind.