Nothing happens at random. There’s a cause to everything. Everything we do has an effect on the future. You may not realise it but your making a choice every second of your life. For example, your choosing to read this story right now. In the same sense, the author is choosing to write this fanfiction. Everything matters... Some more so then others. We don’t realise it because most things don’t make much of a difference. Think about it. What else could you be doing right now? Maybe reading a real book instead of a story based on cartoon ponies? Maybe even doing your homework? Or maybe even clopping to ponies... You know who you are... Why am I explaining this? Let me tell you why... You don’t think about your actions. You just choose whatever you feel like, but what would you do if the stakes were higher? What would you do if it meant between life and death of you or a loved one? Think about it, it might just save you...

“But Twilight, you said I could have the day off?” Spike whined. I had promised him he could have the day off original, but something came up.

“Sorry but the Princess said that we needed to go out and investigate some strange sightings and she specifically told you to come along and assist me.” I said. Needless to say Spike wasn’t taking this too well. He crossed his arms and sat down on the floor. His expression practically screamed No. “Look, I’m sorry Spike but the Princess orders are more important then your day off. I can’t risk messing up like when I missed that weekly friendship report.”

“Hmp...”

“Good, now, can you go and grab my copy of Strange but Real?” It was a rather ‘strange’ book. *buh dum tish* I crack myself up sometimes. Anyway, the book talked about unusual things that most people think don’t exist or are only talked about in Ponytails but are actually real. One chapter that intrigued me was one on a type of mammal called a ‘human’. Humans are basically hairless apes that walk on two legs. Oh look at me, explaining things you can easily read yourselves. The Princess told me to do something and cannot fail her.

It was about a 15 minute walk. The Princess’s directions led us nearby Rarity’s Boutique. Saying that Spike was excited would be an understatement. He thought it was well kept secret but I think just about everypony in Ponyville knew... All except for Pinkie Pie anyway. I still have nightmares about her popping up out nowhere saying ‘Foreeeeeeeveeeeer...’ I understand that losing your friend’s trust is the fastest way to lose a friend but its not THAT serious right?

While walking by the Boutique, Rarity decided to come along and help me and Spike. I told her that she didn’t have to but she insisted that she had nothing to do today. Plus Spike begged me to let her come. He can almost whine as good as Rarity. Seriously, those two were made for each other. Spikes just a little too young though.

“Thank you for letting me join you darling.” said Rarity. “So what is you are supposed to be doing?”

“The Princess told me about some unusual sightings around the area and she wanted me to investigate.”

“And she did on my day off...”

“Spike, I told you the it was Princess’s orders!”

“Twilight, darling, don’t be so rough on the boy, he is a baby dragon after all.” Great, now Rarity was defending him. I knew I shouldn’t have let her come along. “After all, you DID promise him.”

“But the Princess is-”

“More important then me, I know, I know...” Spike rather rudely interrupted. “You know, I bet you would even ignore my own birthday if the Princess ordered you to.”

“Oh Spike, Twilight isn’t that heartless.” said Rarity. “Right Twilight?”

“Ah, ya, of course.” Almost instantly Rarity stopped walking and simply stared at me with a rather unsettling look her her eye. It was there I realised what I had done. I stuttered...

“Wait... You would, wouldn’t you?” asked Rarity.

“No Rarity, of course not...”

“Twilight! I thought I knew you better then this. Spike is only a baby. Nobody at his age should deserve to have their birthday ignored. How could you!”

“But Rarity, I never said-”

“Twilight...” Spike cried. “I can’t believe Princess Celestia matters more to you than my own birthday...”

“But Spike-”

“Its not that Celestia is more important, its the fact that you lied to him. I’m taking him back to my Boutique. You can go alone.” Using her magic, Rarity picked up Spike and put him on her back. “That will give you time to think about things...” She walked off, leaving me there in the middle of the road. I wasn’t sure what had just happened. We went from talking about Spike losing his day off to me missing his birthday? I would NEVER do something like that. If Celestia was there, she would have scolded me for how poorly I handled that. I’m supposed to be learning about friendship. I can’t learn anything if I keep thinking like this. I needed to think this through.

I decided I’d head over to Sugercube Corner. Surely Pinkie Pie could help me. As I started off, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being watched. Like there was something I watching my every move. I didn’t really think of it at the time. It didn’t really matter. The walk on the other hand was painful. Though I wasn’t injured, it sure felt like it. The thought going through my head made it feel like I was like walking through a field of thorns. What if Spike never forgives me? What if Celestia found out? It was unbearable. I had to fix this and Pinkie was the only one who could cheer me up at a time like this.

As soon as I entered Sugercube Pinkie Pie became ecstatic. I tried explaining to her about what happened. Though I might have lied a little about skipping Spike’s birthday. I didn’t need another friend hating me.

“Well Twilight, I think all Spike needs is a PARTY!”

A party... Of course she would say that... “Sorry but I’m no good at parties and I want this to be personal. If I were to have you throw a party, he would only praise you, not me.”

“Oh, I guess a party wouldn’t help then...”

“Look Pinkie, I said no- Wait, did you just agree to NOT throw a party?” This was a first...

“I may be party animal but I know when a party won’t help...”

“Wow, I’m impressed Pinkie. Just when I think I know you, you decide to not throw a party.”

“Parties are good and all but sometimes you need something different.”

“If I’m not going to throw a party then what?”

Pinkie started rubbing her chin in thought. It actually made her look like Rarity... Rarity... “Oh, I know! Stay right here!” Like a blur, Pinkie zoomed up the staircase leading to her room. Within about ten seconds, she came back down holding a small black box. “Here Twilight, take this...”

I looked at the box she had handed to me. It was a bit bigger then an apple. “What is it?”

“Open it silly!”

Using my magic, I opened up the box. My eyes met with the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The light nearly blinded me. “Pinkie... This is a gold diamond! This is one of the rarest gems in the world! How did you ever come across one of these!?”

“I happened to run across it the day I got my cutie mark. I’ve kept it hidden for all these years.”

A gold diamond. These things could make a bum as rich as Sapphire Shores and Pinkie Pie was giving it to me. “Pinkie Pie, I can’t. It wouldn’t be right to take something like this.”

“Its ok, I knew someday somepony else would need this. Spike is almost sure to forgive you if you give him this. What kind of friend would I be if I wouldn’t be willing to part with my prized possession to help a friend in need?”

I couldn’t believe it. I could feel my eye tearing up. I touched me seeing how far my Pink friend was willing to go just a save my friendship with Spike. “Thanks Pinkie... Your a great help.”

“Don’t mention it! Its my job to bring happiness to everypony!”

A few minutes past before I left Sugercube Corner for Rarity’s Boutique. I had to show Spike I cared. As I drew closer to the Boutique, it started to drizzle. I didn’t remember the Pegasi planning on it raining. Luckily it was just a small sprinkle.

When I finally reached the Boutique, I noticed something was wrong. The door was open yet the lights were off. Not only that, the 2nd floor window was open and letting in rain. I ran as fast as I could. Upon entering the building, my fears were confirmed. The Boutique was a mess. Fabric was spread everywhere, blood stains riddled the floor, and Rarity’s sewing machine was sideways against the wall with a large hole in the wall above it. It was clearly thrown.

“Hello!?” I called. No reply... “HELLO!?” No reply. I was going into a panic. Spike was missing, Rarity was missing and the shop was in shambles. I ran upstairs in hopes of finding something. I continued to call out with no response. It was looking hopeless... “Hmm?” I heard something. It was coming from Rarity wardrobe. I slowly opened it up. Hoping the cause of this mess wasn’t still hear. What I found had only heightened my fears. Inside the wardrobe lied Sweetie Belle tied and gagged. Her mane was matted with blood.

Pulling off the gag, I proceeded to ask her. “Sweetie Belle! What happened!?”

Her eyes were releasing tears like a waterfall yet she wasn’t making a sound. She was also shivering like crazy. Whatever had happened had clearly traumatized her. “Spike... Somepony came in and took Spike. Sis tried to stop them but they were too strong. Eventually the pony tied me up and left me here. I don’t know anything after that...”

It tore me up inside to see such a little filly like this. I had to comfort her. “Its ok Sweetie... Don’t worry about Spike or your sister. I’ll find out what happened to them. Don’t worry.” She nodded. I slowly picked her up and walked her over to her bedroom. I put her in the bed and spread the covers over her tiny body.

“Twilight, promise me you’ll find Sis and Spike...”

“I promise...”

“Pinkie Pie promise?”

“Ah... Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-” Don’t forget to close my eye. “Eye...”

“Goodnight Twilight...”

“Goodnight Sweetie...” Sweetie Belle instantly fell to sleep. As I exited her bedroom, I looked around the store a little bit more. I discovered something I didn’t noticed before. A trail of blood leading from the sewing machine out the door. The kidnapper must have knocked out Rarity using the sewing machine before she tied up Sweetie Belle. Then after they left, Rarity must have gotten up and attempted to chase down the criminal.

Whoever had busted in had kidnapped Spike and attempted to kill Rarity. I didn’t have much time to react. I had to find out who did this. I bolted out the door with speed that would have made Rainbow jealous.

Luckily, the rain hadn’t washed away the blood trail yet. I followed it to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. By that time, the rain had started pouring down. The trail was beginning to wash away. I slowly crept through the Forest making sure to watch for danger. Suddenly, I tripped. My face slammed right into the mud. I looked to see what I tripped over. Covered in mud and blood was Rarity. She was unconscious.

“OH NO!” I reached over and picked her up. “Rarity! Are you alright?” She wasn’t responding. “Oh Celestia, please be alright Rarity...” I put my ear to her chest. She was still breathing. My heart started back up again. Although she was alive, I had to get her to the hospital, she was badly hurt. That’s when I saw it, curled up in her tail was a box. A small black cardboard box. I picked up Rarity and put her on my back and levitated the box. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you to the hospital.”

When I reached the hospital, Nurse Redheart instantly came to Rarity’s aid. I sat in the waiting room for a good half hour. The wait was unbearable. Every minute I would look up the light above Rarity’s room, waiting for it to go off. Nothing could be heard other then the sound of the clock. My eyes kept turning to that black box. What scared me even more was how much it resembled Pinkie’s diamond box.

Finally, the light went off and the Nurse came back out. “Your friend is going to be just fine Miss Sparkle. She took quite a blow to her head and lost a lot of blood but she’ll be fine.” Then Nurse Redheart went back into the operating room. That was a load off my mind. Now I could focus on my mission, finding Spike. I picked up the black box and examined it. Although it was made of cardboard, it wasn’t wet in the slightest. That meant it was enchanted with a waterproof spell. That narrows it down to a Unicorn...

I stared at it. For some reason, the box sent chills down my spine. I couldn’t explain it but it felt like the box was emitting some kind of dark aura. I took a second to breath in... “Ok...” I opened it. There were 4 scrolls. Three of them were labeled with numbers from 1 to 3. The forth on was larger then the others and had an red exclamation mark. I lifted the big scroll and unrolled it.

Dear Miss Twilight Sparkle

How much do you love your assistant? Inside the box are 3 scrolls. These scrolls each hold a challenge. By completing each challenge, you will be given a clue. These clues will lead to the location of your assistant. There are a few rules that are to be enforced. If any of these are broken, your assistant dies.

1) No assistance. You cannot tell anybody about your situation or ask for help. There is but one exception to this rule. One that you will discover in due time.

2) No cheating. You are prohibited from using any type of tracer or tracking spell to find Spike. Your only allowed the clues given to you.

3) Be fast. Starting at noon, you’ll have exactly 12 hours to find your assistants location. At midnight, he dies.

I looked up at the clock. 11:55am...

I hope you’ll make the right ‘choice’. Your assistant’s life is in your hands. Remember, I’m watching you...

At that moment, the scroll combusted into green flames and vanished. I pulled my head back not expecting it. Challenges? What did they mean by that. I picked up the scroll labeled “1” and opened it. It was a map. A map of the Everfree Forest. It had a dotted line leading a red X somewhere in the middle. The first clue must be there! I grabbed the box and ran outside into the pouring rain.

I stood there at the entrance to the forest. I was only here but a half hour ago and now I was back for the same reason. To save my friend...

I followed the dotted line through the forest. A little bit in, I ran into Zecora’s hut. I was temped to go and talk to her but the memory of that scroll kept coming back to me.

1) No assistance. You cannot tell anybody about your situation or ask for help. There is but one exception to this rule. One that you will discover in due time.

What did it mean? There is one exception, one I will find on my own. There must have been some kind of answer to it? Who? Who can I ask for help? It deliberately said “anybody” rather then anypony. That meant the pony took into account of my non-pony friends.

This puzzle still had a ways to go but a few pieces were started to come together. The culprit is obviously a Unicorn. They had waterproofed the box and created too much damage for an Earth Pony or Pegasus. The culprit obviously must know me. They have enough knowledge to know Spike is closest to me and that I have alot of non-pony acquaintances. They also must hold some kind of grudge against me to toy with me like this.

There wasn’t many choices to choose from. There was Trixie but she could never come up with something this elaborate. There was also Prince Blueblood. He could tried to do something to Rarity and Spike got caught in the crossfire. There were also several Unicorns back at the University. They never understood how such a non-social bookworm like me ended up Celestia’s favorite. I was definitely not a class favorite.

Then, I finally reached my destination. There, I saw a field. A field of thorn bushes. It was very thick there was barely enough for an average sized pony to fit through. I looked back at the map. The clue was right in the middle of the field in a little clearing. I reached over and touched a thorn. “Ow...” My hoof started bleeding after barely tapping the thorn. They were magically sharpened. Something way too advanced for most Unicorns.

I was about to enter until something caught my eye. There was a sign to the left the field. In bright red letters, was the word “Coward”. It had a funny smell. I sniffed the sign. Blood... Spike’s blood... The sign stood next a open pathway. A light could be seen at the end.

Suddenly, a thought came to me. This was more then just a test, it was a game of choice. Whoever set me up is challenging my love for Spike. “How much do you love your assistant?” It finally made sense! Their testing me to see if a care enough for Spike to put myself in harms way.

I trotted over to the entrance of the thorn field. It would be a dangerous path. There’s no telling how badly cut up I’ll get if I go in. I have to choose. Go into the bramble and risk injury or chicken out and risk losing Spike...

The choice was mine...

To Be Continued...