“So what do we do now?” Rainbow Dash muttered, glancing from Twilight to Fluttershy curiously.

“I don't really know,” admitted the bunny, shrugging. “This kind of thing doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's usually for a reason.”

“Then why are we here?” Twilight remarked.

“Maybe the forest agreed with me and is helping me prove my point,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight groaned. “Now let's not start that again. We have more important things to consider than that silly squabble.”

“Though I will agree with Twilight that we should put our disagreement behind us, I wouldn't say it was silly,” Fluttershy stated firmly.

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Right, we can talk more later when we aren't a million miles from home.”

Twilight sighed. “So I guess there is only one direction to go. Unless you girls have any other ideas?”

“If the forest wants us at this place, then that is where we should go,” declared Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash stepped forward. “I’ll take point since I still have my weapon. Fluttershy you can be on the lookout while Twilight gets ready to back me up at a moment’s notice.”

“Of course,” Twilight replied instantly, placing the bunny on her back and taking position a step behind Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy quickly orientated herself on the pony, using her paws to grip Twilight’s neck and better allow her to look around.

Together the three beings walked slowly towards the stone pyramid, wary of any potential threats that may be native to this strange section of the forest. No monsters, ponies, or otherwise emerged from the forest however, and the area remained relatively quiet, save for the distant sound of birdsong and the odd insect. Even the clouds above them were sparse, allowing just enough light through to let the three friends see their surroundings with ease.

When they reached the base of the pyramid, Rainbow Dash took to the air, hovering overhead while also staying close by. With her sword in hoof, the guard continued to scan the surroundings and make her way towards the strange statue atop the structure. Twilight felt her nervousness begin to slowly wane as time passed, replaced by a familiar sense of curiosity.

Lighting her horn, Twilight cast a quick scanning spell over the area, looking for any magical irregularities. The normal amount of background interference from the forest was there as usual, though it felt slightly different now for some reason. Either way, it was not enough to hide the distinct thrum of powerful wards which came from somewhere below them.

Stowing that thought away for now, Twilight continued to follow close behind Rainbow Dash and make sure most of her attention was focused on what lay before them. Which happened to be a large statue of a pegasus mare who stood tall, her chest pushed out and confident, with an almost cocky grin on her face. An eyepatch covered one eye, and a scar marred the other, as well as a good chunk of her cheek and forehead.

Twilight stopped the second all four of her hooves stood upon the topmost level, her gaze held hostage by the stone pony. “Is that… Gale?” she muttered.

“Who?” asked Rainbow Dash, landing in front of the unicorn.

“She was your former incarnation.” Twilight shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Strange,” Fluttershy murmured. “I’ve never seen a pony receive such a tomb before.”

“Tomb?” Twilight asked, glancing down to Fluttershy. “I thought you didn't know anything about this thing.”

“I have a few guesses now that we’ve been here a little while,” Fluttershy stated, wiping away a bit of grime and moss which now covered the plaque at the base of the statue.

“Well, would you look at that, it is Gale Force,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight frowned as she read the inscription. “Gale Force, born a pony, forever remembered as our most stalwart defender.” The unicorn leaned forward, squinting. “What is that last part? I can't read it.”

“Looks like it's thestral,” Rainbow Dash replied. “I’m a little rusty, can you read what it says, Fluttershy?”

“It's a warning of some kind.” Fluttershy stepped forward. “It says not to enter unless the great enemy has returned, and her service is needed.”

“Her service?” Rainbow Dash questioned, jabbing her sword at the statue. “But ain't she dead? Thus the whole pyramid ziggurat dealy?”

“I’m not sure what it means, to be honest,” admitted Fluttershy.

“Well there must be something important about this statue, otherwise the forest wouldn't have brought us here. Fan out and look around, but keep one another in sight,” Twilight commanded.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both nodded, with the thestral rising into the sky and scanning the area while Fluttershy began wiping the plaque clean. Leaving Twilight to slowly trot around the statue of Gale Force, her gaze traveling up and down the stone pony, searching for anything out of the ordinary. At first she found little, as the only thing that was readily obvious was the great amount of detail put into the statue.

Every single hair had been rendered in great detail and even the pony’s short chopped tail looked oddly soft. The cutie mark was also easily recognizable despite the fact that the statue was all one color, the slight shifts in shade being enough to identify the mark. The stylized wind blowing across a resplendent shield was emblazoned prominently on the statue’s flanks and seemed to call the observer’s eye somehow.

Looking away, Twilight was about to give up when she suddenly noticed something strange about the block of stone the statue stood atop. Namely the fact that a small vine had managed to borrow underneath it, which wasn't something terribly weird on first glance. To Twilight though, it struck her as odd, and she quickly followed the vine only to realize that it wasn't growing into the statue, but out of it.

Tugging at the plant revealed that it went deep into the stone, and after a firm pull, a small recess was now visible. Casting a quick light spell was more difficult than Twilight would have liked, but in the end she was able to better peer into the space left behind by the vine. Though it was little wider than a keyhole, the opening was just enough to reveal what looked like a bronze gear that had been remarkably untouched by the passage of time.

“I think I found something,” Twilight announced.

Rainbow Dash landed next to the unicorn. “Well, that was quick. I was just about ready to start a patrol route.”

“What is it?” asked Fluttershy, the bunny hopping to the other two.

“There is some manner of machinery just beneath the statue, and though I don't know what exactly its purpose is, I have a hunch that it will open the way into the ziggurat itself,” Twilight declared.

“Well, it's not like there are any other ways into this thing,” Rainbow Dash declared, thumping her hoof against the stone floor in emphasis.

“Would you like me to check it out?” offered Fluttershy.

“If you wouldn't mind,” replied Twilight.

The bunny nodded. “Okay, just give me a moment.”

The small creature’s body glowed a faint teal before a ghostly thestral emerged from the bunny’s back and slowly stood up. Knowing how much her friend hated being seen in such a form, Twilight looked away, diverting her attention to the slightly confused bunny. Angel regained his composure quickly though and stood there with a scowl on his face, glaring up at Twilight.

“What did I do?” asked the unicorn.

The bunny snorted, tapping his foot while he waited.

“Angel isn't exactly the most patient of critters,” remarked Rainbow Dash, who received a glare from the bunny. “What? It's true.”

The woodland creature rolled its eyes and raised its nose, while at the same time the ghostly Fluttershy disappeared into the ground. With little else to do, Twilight busied herself studying the statue, while Rainbow Dash flew above them in a lazy circle, scanning for hostiles. It didn't take long before Fluttershy had seemingly found something important, as Angel suddenly jerked forwards.

The bunny’s eyes opened to reveal Fluttershy’s twinkling teal orbs.“Was I right?” Twilight hastily asked.

“You were, but I don't know how to activate it,” Fluttershy admitted. “There were so many gears and stuff down there that it was like a maze.”

“Try pulling on the statue’s legs or pressing the bricks around the area. Maybe one of them activates it,” Twilight offered.

“Wait, why don't you try pressing the letters o, p, e, and n,” Rainbow Dash declared. “Ya know, ‘cause it says open?”

“I mean I guess. But don't you think that seems a little too easy?” Twilight replied.

“We may as well try it,” added Fluttershy.

“I suppose, but where did that idea come from?” Twilight inquired.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I just looked at the letters and realized you could press them in order. Pretty sure I read that happening in a Daring Do book somewhere.”

“Would you like to do the honors?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash grinned. “Heck yeah I do.”

The thestral leaned down and pushed the letters one by one, and upon pressing the final one, a click could be heard. Taking a hasty step back, Rainbow Dash watched as the block of stone upon which the statue stood began to slide backwards, revealing a staircase which went down several feet before reaching a landing and turning back around.

The ancient gears ground against each other, making a horrible squealing noise which was enough to prompt the friends’ to press their forelimbs over their ears. Thankfully the screeching sound didn't last long, and soon the entrance was completely exposed to the pale light of the moon. Allowing the three friends to peer down into the dark staircase, silently pondering what may lay below them.

“Well, Dash, aren't you going to go first?” Twilight asked, patting Rainbow on the shoulder.

“I guess I should. It's just…” Her voice trailed off as her gaze became distant.

“Um, Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?” Fluttershy gently inquired, her paw touching Rainbow Dash’s hoof.

The thestral jumped suddenly, her eyes wide as her foreleg gripped tight the hilt of her blade. “Where am I? What's going on?” she shouted.

“You're in the forest, remember? You were about to walk down the stairs,” Twilight offered, eying her friend closely.

“I was here, but not, and then…” Rainbow Dash’s jaw hung open and she turned to face Twilight. “That thing that happens to you sometimes, it just happened to me!”

“What thing?” Twilight asked.

“That visiony thing!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Slow down, Rainbow, tell us what happened,” Fluttershy interjected calmly.

“Right.” The thestral took a deep breath. “So, I was there with you, but like not you, past you, and then I, er Gale Force, was teasing you about something.”

“Sounds believable,” Twilight muttered.

“And then you told me about these dangerous plants you found, and how they made whoever eats mutate, and that I should avoid them,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “It was the craziest thing. One minute I was me, then the next I was her.”

“What do you think it means?” Fluttershy whispered.

Twilight shrugged. “I don't know. My working theory is that my proximity to the botched spell spread my consciousness across multiple reincarnations, but it's spotty at best. Rainbow Dash and Gale Force weren’t there for that.”

“I’m not like, gonna start seeing more vision things, am I?” Rainbow Dash asked with a hint of nervousness.

“I doubt it, but there is no way to tell,” Twilight proclaimed.

The thestral shuddered. “Well, I sure hope not. That was weird.”

“So do we keep going?” offered Fluttershy.

“I suppose so. Maybe we’ll find more information below,” Twilight exclaimed.

“We should still check for traps though,” interjected Rainbow Dash. “I don't know why, but I get the feeling Gale Force would be the type of pony to do something like that.”

“True,” Twilight admitted. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“Sounds good,” Rainbow Dash replied, swiftly turning around and inspecting the first stair.

“Do you really think she’d trap the first step?” Fluttershy whispered.

Twilight shrugged. “I have no idea, but I am kind of curious to be honest.”

“Aha, got you!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she tore the false stair away, revealing a narrow crevice filled with spikes which lay just beneath.

“That's dastardly,” Twilight muttered.

“And mean,” added Fluttershy.

“I gotta hand it to this chick. She seems like a real smart cookie,” Rainbow Dash declared before leaning back down. “Now then, onto stair number two.”

“Something tells me we are going to be here a while,” Twilight whispered.

“Did you bring any cards?” Fluttershy replied.

Twilight nodded. “Yup, wanna play some rummy?”

“You are on.”

“I got them all!” shouted a voice from somewhere deep beneath them.

Twilight smirked and dropped her hand. “Just in time too. Rummy!”

Fluttershy scowled and flipped over her hand. “I was so close.”

“Better luck next time, Fluttershy,” Twilight stated, using her magic to return her cards to her extradimensional storage space before picking up the bunny herself.

Together the pair proceeded slowly down the winding staircase, paying close attention to the disarmed traps which were practically everywhere. Twilight shook her head as she looked away from a disabled spike trap which would have impaled her onto a rather nasty looking serrated spear.

“This is… a lot,” Fluttershy whispered.

“You're telling me,” Twilight agreed. “It's starting to make me think that this isn't just a tomb.”

“Why do you say that?” Fluttershy inquired.

“Why bother with all of this if the only thing down there is a casket and a body?” Twilight replied. “It seems like it would have been easier to simply seal the exit permanently if you didn't want anyone to come down here.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” Fluttershy murmured.

A few seconds later the pair emerged out into a large room, whereupon Rainbow Dash stood with a smile on her face. “Sorry it took so long, there were some real nasty ones near the end there,” declared the thestral.

“So we saw,” remarked Twilight, while looking around the room. “Are you sure there aren't any in here?”

Twilight’s gaze went from the strange mural on the ground, to the double doors which stood across from them and the pair of stone statues which sat next to them. The creatures seemed to be recreations of ancient gargoyles, only with slightly more exaggerated proportions. They were also angled in such a manner that they would be staring directly at anyone who tried to enter the next room.

“Nah, I checked, but I don't know about those two though,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, gesturing to the two gargoyles sitting near the doors.

Twilight pursed her lips and cast a quick spell. “They don't seem magical in nature, what do you think, Fluttershy?”

The bunny shook her head. “They don't feel alive either. Maybe we should check out what is drawn on the ground.”

“Might be a clue. But where to start?” Twilight pondered.

Rainbow Dash jabbed a hoof towards a point near the seated gargoyles. “This seems like the place. All the rest of the pictures have scenes of fighting, but not there.”

Twilight trotted over to her friend and looked down. “Interesting. It seems like Gale Force is getting some kind of news.”

Fluttershy hopped over and gazed down, her brow knitting as she inspected the image. “Not very good news either.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow muttered.

The first image was broken into two parts, the first of which had Gale Force donning her armor and receiving a thestral guest. The male’s expression seemed drawn, as if he was nervous, and a little afraid, that changed however in the second image. As it seemed as though Gale Force had smashed a table upon hearing the news, and the thestral was shying away from the enraged mare.

The third image showed a resolute looking Gale Force who raised her sword to the heavens, as if proclaiming some sort of solemn vow. After that were dozens and dozens of similar looking pictures, each one of a different battle, but always focused on Gale Force. Who stood in the exact same spot, her sword raised in an identical gesture, though her enemies and the backgrounds changed with each image.

One scene had her in a jungle fighting alongside arachne against what looked like golems and the next she stood in a field fighting with thestrals against pegasi. Though her allies changed, and sometimes she appeared alone, her enemies were always the same. Celestia’s soldiers, and sometimes even Celestia herself faced off against the scarred warrior, and each time they did, Gale Force survived.

Though she gained more and more scars as time went on, the pony never seemed to suffer any serious injuries. Until finally, near the bottom of the room Gale Force stood with her sword raised as usual, only the next image was filled with a golden light. After that the pegasus lay broken and burned on the ground, her fur singed away, and her one good eye glazed over.

“Woah. Do you think that means Celestia solar beamed her ass?” Rainbow Dash asked, gesturing to the golden panel.

“I don't know, but it makes sense. It doesn't seem like anything less than that could take her down,” Twilight muttered.

“She was quite tough, if a little on the violent side,” Fluttershy remarked.

“Yeah, but she was fighting a war, Fluttershy, you have to be tough,” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“I guess, but it just seems like she should have been in charge by then, you know?” Fluttershy pointed out.

“True. It does seem like she was always in the thick of it,” Twilight muttered. “Let’s just see what happened next.”

The trio shifted slightly further down, to where there was a new image, this one showing Gale Force lying in a bed, and surrounded by several other beings. An arachne hovered at the base of the bed while a changeling, thestral, troll, and minotaur stood around the pegasus. Despite being covered in bandages which obscured her entire face, Gale Force was sitting up, and speaking animatedly to the arachne who seemed to be bowing slightly.

In the next image Gale Force was in some manner of tube marked with a G, and then nothing, as they had gotten all the way to the end.

“That's it?” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Where's the rest?”

“That's strange. Usually they show how the pony died,” Fluttershy remarked. “The purpose of this room is to show the most important parts of their life after all.”

“So this isn't normal, then?” Twilight asked, turning to the bunny.

Fluttershy shook her head. “No. Usually these structures have only two rooms. One that tells their story and the next which houses their body.”

“I’ve never heard of a tomb as elaborate as this though, plus did you see the size of the ziggurat thing up top? It was huge!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Yeah, usually they are a lot smaller,” Fluttershy admitted.

“Well there is only one way of finding out,” Twilight declared, gesturing to the doors.

“Right. I guess I should go first again,” Rainbow Dash muttered unenthusiastically.

“If you really don't want to, I could,” offered Twilight.

“Just give me a second. I just need to calm the ol’ nerves,” Rainbow Dash stated.

“No rush,” whispered Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash set her shoulders, took a deep breath, and trotted over to the two large oaken doors. “Alright, let's do this. Twi, you got my back, right?”

Twilight nodded. “Of course.”

Rainbow Dash spared one final glance at the two stone statues before reaching out and grabbing the handle. When nothing happened, the thestral pushed open the first door, and then the second before taking a step back.

“Well, that was anticlimactic,” muttered the thestral.

“Maybe they are just statues,” Fluttershy offered.

“After all of those traps though? Surely she'd have one final ace up her sleeve,” Twilight retorted. “She does seem like the type of pony to do something like that.”

“Either way, it doesn't look like it's these dudes,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

“I suppose we’ll just keep going then.” Twilight stepped forward. “What's on the other side anyway? Looks like another hallway.”

Rainbow Dash stepped to the side, revealing that a narrow passage had emerged and wrapped around to the left, as if hugging the room they were in.

“Yeah, it looks like it,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, peeking around the corner. “Goes for a little bit, then stops at another door.”

“Uh girls? They're moving,” Fluttershy exclaimed, a shaky paw pointing toward one of the gargoyles.

Twilight paused mid-step, prompting the gargoyles to do so as well, Twilight’s leading hoof just barely stopping before it passed over the threshold. “Uh, Dash, ideas?” Twilight asked, while remaining perfectly stock still.

Rainbow Dash peeked her head back into the room and glanced at one of the gargoyles. “Uh, they’re with me?” The gargoyles slumped back into the same exact spot they had been in a second earlier. “Huh. Well, would you look at that,” she murmured.

“What do you think it means?” asked Fluttershy.

“Rainbow Dash’s connection to Gale Force must somehow allow her to command the defences,” Twilight remarked, stretching her hoof past the doorway. “Good thing too. All my best spells only affect living things.”

“Or dead things,” added Rainbow Dash.

Twilight frowned. “Things that at one point were living.”

“Are you sure it's safe though? I don't want to get Angel hurt,” Fluttershy remarked, the woodland creature looking up at her thestral friend.

“This bunny is with me as well, okay?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, jabbing a hoof at the statues. “I think they got it.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath, closed her eyes and leapt across the threshold, landing unharmed on the other side. “Oh, thank goodness,” she whispered to herself.

Twilight followed close behind the pair, her gaze remaining fixed on the gargoyles until she was completely in the next room. Using her magic, the unicorn quickly closed the doors behind them, shutting them firmly and taking a cautious step back.

“I don't know why you guys are so unnerved. It seems like they were under my control for whatever reason,” Rainbow Dash remarked, shrugging.

“That's exactly why it's scaring me,” Twilight muttered.

“Wow, rude,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, crossing her forehooves over her chest.

“Let’s just go, this place is freaking me out,” Fluttershy murmured, hopping down the hallway.

“It is pretty weird down here. Did anyone else notice that the stone feels, I don't know… older?” Twilight remarked, running a hoof down the wall.

Rainbow Dash paused mid-step and looked up. “I suppose it kinda does. Almost feels a little more… I don't know, ancient down here.”

“Maybe it wasn't always a tomb?” Fluttershy offered, hopping up on Twilight’s back. “It was obviously intended to look like one. But that seems to be it.”

“Hmm, true.” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Either way, you two hang back a bit. I’ll check out this hallway.”

The thestral crept slowly down the L-shaped passage, studying the walls, floor and even the ceiling in case there were any more traps. While she did this, Twilight conducted her own search, though she was mainly focused on a single stone in the wall. Breaking off a tiny chunk of it, she used her magic to scan the sliver of rock, only to end up even more confused when her spell completed.

“What is it?” pressed Fluttershy.

“This stuff is stupid strong, like abnormally so. It's also projecting a pacification field,” Twilight replied, flicking the shard away.

“We aren't gonna get knocked out again like in the undertower, right?” Rainbow Dash shouted from down the hall.

“I don't think so. It's pointed down and to a single point for some reason. With such an amount of magic, it will likely cause problems for any spells I may cast.” Twilight frowned and glanced at the stone tiles beneath her hooves. “Though I’m more confused as to what could be so powerful that they needed to enchant every single brick.”

Rainbow Dash trotted up to the pair. “No traps by the way. It seems like those gargoyle things were her final line of defence.”

“Don't let your guard down. This entire thing is just getting weirder by the second,” Twilight muttered.

“Of course. So, uh, what do you think is down there?” Rainbow Dash asked, tapping her hoof against the ground in emphasis. “You don't think it's another alicorn or something do ya?”

“What, no way.” Twilight paused. “Well I mean, possibly. They are using a really big pacification array.”

“Or it could be nothing?” interjected Fluttershy.

“I mean, it's possible. But we aren't doing any good just standing here and talking about it.” Rainbow Dash jerked a hoof over her shoulder. “Help me with this door, something tells me we’ll find some answers in the next room.”

“Right,” Twilight muttered to herself.

As she trotted down the hallway, the unicorn couldn't help but feel more and more confused by this entire encounter. The most obvious point of frustration came from the fact that they were here at all, as it didn't seem to relate to the conversation they had been having. Then again, the forest wasn't exactly known for being clear or unobtuse with its actions, meaning the reason could be separate from their argument.

The second thing that struck her was just how ancient this place was, as it seemed to be well over a thousand years old. It made Twilight wonder who had created it, why they had bothered to do so, and if it had been adapted from its original purpose. It definitely felt like it, though Twilight couldn't exactly be sure why she felt as though that was the case.

Shaking her head, Twilight leaned down and inspected the door handle, eying the simple keyhole. “Looks like there is another slightly bigger room just beyond. I can't see much but it seems larger than the last one anyway,” Twilight exclaimed.

“Can you handle the lock, or should I contact the wrecking crew?” Rainbow Dash asked, a smirk on her face.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “No, I can get this just fine.”

Lighting her horn, Twilight cast decay on the mechanism within the lock itself, and a second later bits of dust spilled out of the keyhole. Grabbing the handle, Twilight gave it a firm twist, breaking the mechanisms inside the handle, allowing her to open the door. Which revealed a relatively large room, one that bent to the left, falling right behind the first room they had entered minutes earlier.

A line of large pony-sized tubes covered the far wall, while the closer one was dominated by a large work desk of some kind, one that was covered with numerous bottles and papers. However, most of the writing was now illegible due to the passage of time, and nearly all of the bottles were filled with dust. A few scraps of paper and several vials had survived, though they were few in number.

“What is this place?” Rainbow Dash murmured.

“Looks like a lab of some kind,” Twilight remarked.

“And look, isn't that the tube we saw in that picture?” Fluttershy remarked, pointing at one that was little more than scrap save for the former top of it, which lay on the floor nearby.

“It looks like something tore out of it,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “The G is there too. See?”

Twilight followed Rainbow Dash’s hoof to a bent piece of metal where the letter G was printed. “So it is. Regardless, we should fan out and see if we can find any clues as to what happened here,” Twilight ordered.

“I’ll check out this door. Fluttershy, you check out these tube thingies and see if you can figure out what was in them. Twilight, you should probably check out those notes and see if there is anything left that you can actually read,” Rainbow Dash added.

“Good thinking, Rainbow,” proclaimed Fluttershy before jumping off Twilight’s back.

The unicorn nodded. “Right. Let me know if it's locked.”

Rainbow Dash gave her friend a quick salute before kneeling before the door on the other side of the room.

Left to her own devices, Twilight began to scan the documents and bottles for any clue as to what had been done here. The various glass containers were useless, as the labels had since peeled away and upon first glance the paper was in an even worse state. There was even a small pile of ash on a metal plate, as if someone had burnt a great deal of notes and then left in a hurry.

Twilight picked up the sole intact book, only for the entire thing to crumble to dust in her grip. “Great. Just great,” muttered the unicorn.

She had been about to give up when she noticed something poking out of the pile that had at one point been a book. Pulling the slip of paper free, Twilight found that it was a letter, one that was addressed to Gale Force herself. Turning it over, Twilight ran a hoof across it, surprised that it hadn't fallen to dust or seemingly been damaged unlike everything else.

“Huh,” she muttered.

The two words printed on the front of the letter were written in a tight, neat script, as if whoever had penned it was used to writing quickly and effectively.

“The door isn't locked, but someone did leave behind a note inside of the keyhole,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, the thestral waving a slip of paper in the air.

“And the liquid in the tank is from a flower related to poison joke which was called monkey’s finger,” Fluttershy added, the bunny hopping out from between two of the tanks. “But it hasn't grown in the forest for over a thousand years.”

“At least the timelines sort of make sense then,” Twilight muttered, holding out her hoof. “Let’s see the note first.”

Rainbow Dash hoofed over the slip of paper. “It ain't much, just says to beware, and to not release her until the final battlefield is set.”

Twilight read the note and nodded. “So it seems. Fluttershy, what can you tell us about this flower?”

The bunny shivered. “I read about it when I was younger, and the book said it was a failed attempt to breed out the harmful parts of poison joke, but that's only partially true. The flower itself looks like a crooked brown finger, and it tended to grant the wish of those who ingested it, only in a really cruel way.”

“Like the story, and thus the name,” Twilight remarked.

“Exactly.” Fluttershy shrugged. “I don't know if it actually was natural or not. All I do know is that it died out shortly after the war, and that the forest really really doesn't like it.”

“That explains why such a coveted plant would somehow get wiped out.” Twilight frowned and revealed her own slip of paper. “I found this inside one of the books and before you ask, the book itself turned out to be useless.”

“What does it say?” asked Rainbow Dash, who eyed the letter curiously.

“I haven't opened it yet. It's addressed to Gale Force,” Twilight explained.

“Rainbow Dash should open it then,” offered Fluttershy.

“I know I seem to have some connection to this Gale Force pony, but have we stopped and asked ourselves why?” inquired Rainbow Dash.

“I have a feeling that you two are related by blood, or perhaps some sort of destiny,” Twilight replied. “For some reason history seems to repeat itself and at the heart of those repetitions are six friends.”

“It's been a thousand years, Rainbow, I’m sure Gale Force wouldn't mind you opening her mail,” Fluttershy argued.

The thestral rolled her eyes. “It's not that. I’m just confused by this all.” Rainbow Dash waved a hoof. “Screw the whole thing. We can talk about it later. Now is the time for action.”

Tearing through the exterior of the letter, Rainbow Dash pulled open the small slip of paper and began to read. “I know this probably isn't Gale Force who's reading it, but I’m going to pretend like it is,” Rainbow Dash began.

“What else does it say?” Twilight urged.

“I’m getting there, sheesh.” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “Do you remember that time I asked you why I stayed married to you even after everything we went through? And I told you that I just hadn't had the time to go around finalizing the divorce papers. Well, that was a lie, obviously. We both knew that, but I don't think you ever really understood what I meant when I said that.

“Oof, that's harsh,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“What else does it say? Do they get back together?” Fluttershy asked, the bunny peering intently over the thestral’s shoulder.

“Dunno, let’s see.” Rainbow Dash pulled the paper back up. “I married you while you were in bed with a broken wing and we had our honeymoon in the mess hall, getting drunk on moonshine. I always knew the war would take one or both of us, and I accepted the possibility that the first thing it may take is our relationship. What I’m trying to say is that I still love you, and that what I’ve done is not an act of malice. You deserve a break from all this endless fighting, and I know you wouldn't take that break unless I forced you.”

“She must mean the pacification field,” Twilight muttered.

“Shh, it's almost over,” Rainbow Dash chastised.

“Right, sorry,” Twilight hastily replied.

“Ahem. Though I know our solution will slow your aging, it is my hope that in the coming centuries you will pass gently in your sleep. I can't bear to think about seeing you suffer any longer, and so I pray that Luna will watch over you. Until we meet again in the next life. Signed, Anapidae.” Rainbow Dash sniffed and wiped away a tear. “I feel like I knew her.”

“There's something on the back,” Twilight pointed out.

Rainbow Dash flipped the piece of paper over. “It says only the magic of an alicorn will be able to awaken her.”

“That is strange,” Fluttershy murmured.

“Quite. Though I admit I’m tempted to see the effects of their experiment first hoof.” Twilight raised a hoof. “Don't worry, I have no intention of replicating such a test in any matter whatsoever.”

“I know you wouldn't, Twilight,” Fluttershy declared.

“I don't know about that. I feel like Twi would study it and then never use the knowledge just because she's curious,” Rainbow Dash stated, smirking.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “The old Twilight may very well have done something like that, but I, however, have learned an important lesson.”

“What's that?”

“Not all questions need answers.” Twilight chuckled. “Even if it would be nice.”

“True. So uh, are we going through this door? Or do you wanna head back up to the surface?” Rainbow Dash asked. “‘Cause I’m going to be honest with you, there's a part of me that wants to figure this thing out, and a part of me that feels like that's a really bad idea.”

“Y-yeah,” Fluttershy added, shivering. “I don't really want to see what happened to Gale Force.”

Twilight frowned. “Though I agree with you, I also feel like this is where the forest wants us to be. Like it wants us to find out what happened to her, and to learn something from her.”

“Are you sure you're not just curious to find out if one of your past friends is still alive?” Rainbow Dash interjected.

“It's been over a thousand years. There is no way she's still alive,” retorted Twilight.

“Really, you're going to say that knowing our luck?” Rainbow Dash replied, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“I suppose that's true.” Twilight sighed, shoulders slumping. “It does seem as though the universe is using me as an emotional punching bag.”

“I’m sure there's a reason for it,” Fluttershy whispered, paw touching Twilight’s leg. “I know that doesn't sound very nice, but it has to mean something. Right?”

“I suppose.” Twilight took a steadying breath and straightened her back. “So, are we going deeper, or leaving?”

Rainbow Dash glanced over her shoulder. “Sorry, Flutters, but it does kinda feel like we’re supposed to go down there, ya know?”

Fluttershy sighed. “I know what you mean, and I guess I sense it too. Even if I don't want to.”

“If it makes you feel any better, you could always scout it out ahead of time,” Twilight offered. “Make sure we aren't walking into a trap or something.”

“I suppose that would be a good idea,” Fluttershy murmured before nodding. “Alright, just a second.”

Twilight turned away just as Fluttershy’s ethereal form slipped out of Angel’s body and disappeared beneath the ground. Leaving the two ponies and one bunny to sit there in silence as they waited for their friend’s return. Something that thankfully didn't take long as Fluttershy’s spirit remerged only a minute later, taking up roost in Angel’s body once more.

“So, what did you find?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The bunny shuddered, gripping her head with her paws. “It was strange. There were just stairs, and this big black box in the middle of the room. I don't think there were any more surprises though.”

“Well, that's good. Should we go check it out?” Rainbow Dash inquired.

Twilight nodded. “I suppose so. We should remain on guard though. This entire thing has me on edge, like I’m perpetually waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“I know what you mean. It feels like a fight is coming, though I don't know who the other party could be,” Rainbow Dash added.

“Hopefully we can talk our way out of it,” Fluttershy whispered.

“I hope so too.” Twilight stepped forward. “Come on, we aren't getting any answers here.”

“True.” Rainbow Dash drew her crescent blade. “I’ll take point, you two watch my back.”

Twilight nodded and positioned herself to Rainbow Dash’s left, peering intently over the other mare’s shoulder. While this happened Fluttershy jumped onto the ground, giving the pair a wide berth and staying well out of the way.

Rainbow Dash turned the handle and threw open the door, revealing a long flight of stairs which went down for several dozen feet before turning left, clinging to the side of the wall. They were also open, and lacked any kind of railing, allowing the three friends to gaze into the massive room which opened beneath them. Peering into the gloom, Twilight was able to see the black box Fluttershy had mentioned, but it was too far away to see any fine details.

“Wow. That's pretty big. It almost feels like this entire floor is suspended above it,” Twilight muttered.

“New plan. You two use the stairs, I’ll track you from the air,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight nodded and trotted after her winged friend, who walked down a few steps before jumping off the side of the stairs, extending her wings. With Fluttershy close behind her, Twilight began the long descent to the bottom floor, keeping her eyes peeled and her magic ready. The walls here were slightly grimier, and roots could be seen poking out from between the cracks at the odd point.

Still, it felt as though the entire place was still quite sturdy, and neither wall nor ceiling had suffered extensive damage of any kind. That reassuring thought wasn't enough to make Twilight feel completely at ease though, and she constantly scanned her surroundings. Something Fluttershy was not doing one bit, as the bunny was plastered as close to the wall as possible, clearly terrified of heights or of the black box below.

Not noticing her friend’s terror, Twilight continued down, watching as Rainbow Dash glided around the area while keeping one hoof firmly on her weapon. Thankfully no traps were sprung during the entire length of their descent, and it wasn't long before they had reached the bottom. Looking around, the entire space felt larger than what Twilight had assumed at first glance, and even the box seemed to have grown in the last few minutes.

The object itself stood upon a raised platform which had numerous colored crystals inlaid in the center of each tile. Twilight didn't need to cast anything to know that magic was flowing from the strange objects, as she could feel the mana pressing against her horn. They were clearly powerful, though their purpose wasn't as obvious, and Twilight was hesitant to cast any spells quite yet.

“Wow, this place is huge,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “And all to contain one person.”

“It does seem a bit overkill,” Twilight muttered.

“I’m just glad we’re on solid ground once more,” Fluttershy murmured breathlessly, the bunny standing tall for the first time in several minutes.

“Look at this,” Rainbow Dash announced suddenly, brushing her hoof against a wall and revealing several more tiles with crystals embedded within them. “What do you think it means?”

Twilight trotted over to her friend and swept aside more of the long dead vegetation. “It seems like a long range portal of some kind. Though I didn't think such a thing was even possible,” remarked the unicorn.

“Why do you think that?” asked Fluttershy, who hopped up onto her friend’s back.

“See these crystals?” Twilight replied, tapping one of them in emphasis. “They are meant to hold location data for a teleportation spell, but this one feeds that information into the wall. Which means that it has to be some manner of portal, one with a predesignated position, though I couldn't tell you where that is without using a spell.”

“Well, let’s just hold up on using any magic quite yet. The air feels a bit thick with the stuff, and I don't wanna mess with anything,” warned Rainbow Dash, who slipped her weapon away.

“Good thinking. The forest tends to screw up my spells, and something tells me that casting anything in here may wake up our guest,” Twilight replied.

“Can you sense anything inside of the box?” Fluttershy interrupted, the bunny standing on the edge of the platform, gazing intently at the strange object.

Twilight trotted next to her friend and stared up at the large, perfectly square cube. “Not without using my magic.”

“Maybe one of these crystal thingies could let us see what's inside,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“They do seem like they are controlling the spells, but I am a little concerned as whatever they are containing is huge,” Twilight remarked, gesturing to the cube.

“What do you think is inside? A manticore?” Rainbow Dash inquired, the thestral flying around the cube. “It seems too big to be a pony, and too small to be a full grown dragon.”

“I have no doubt that whatever is in there, was at one point Gale Force,” Twilight confidently declared. “It's the only thing that makes sense, given the rest of what we’ve found, and, more importantly, the letter we discovered.”

“True.” Rainbow Dash landed on a stair halfway up the wall and peered over the side. “So can you figure out what those crystal thingies do?’

“Just give me a few minutes, and I should be able to get at least some idea as to their purpose,” Twilight replied, tapping her chin. “Though it's going to be difficult to do so without using my magic.”

“Well, either way I don't want to unleash whatever it is that's contained here, so try to keep the spellslinging to a minimum,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Yeah yeah. I heard ya the first time,” Twilight stated, waving a hoof dismissively.

Fluttershy lay down next to her winged friend, a paw on the mare’s hoof. “I know this may be kind of sudden, but well… I’m sorry about things getting out of hoof back at my grove. I didn't mean to shout at you.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Only you would consider that shouting.”

The bunny shifted uncomfortably as she gazed down on Twilight. “Still. I don't like arguing, especially with you.”

“I know what you mean, Fluttershy, it's just this entire thing has really dredged up some bad memories, is all.” Rainbow Dash sighed and crossed her forehooves. “I still think you should have confronted them or something, but I’m starting to see where you're coming from.”

Fluttershy leaned her head against her friend’s side. “At first Gale Force’s story made me feel a little vindicated because she wanted revenge and got a life of violence. But after hearing about how she found love even doing what she did, well, it makes me think about things differently.”

“It does?”

The bunny nodded slowly. “It makes me wonder if there was a better way. Perhaps if Gale Force had realized what she stood to lose she would have been more careful, or done something different.”

Rainbow Dash gulped down her trepidation and turned nervously towards her friend. “Fluttershy, I know we talked about this before but I was wondering if,-”

“I got it!” shouted Twilight.

“What were you about to say?” asked Fluttershy.

The thestral shook her head. “It's nothing. We can talk about it later.” Rainbow Dash sighed as the bunny hopped down the steps. “Dammit, Twilight. I almost got the nerve.”

Grumbling silently to herself, Rainbow Dash joined Fluttershy and Twilight by a seemingly random tile that had been fitted with a glowing red crystal in the center.

“To start, I’m not totally certain what will happen, but I do know that we will be able to see what's within the box after activating this crystal,” Twilight declared.

“What exactly do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked, stepping forward. “It's not going to lift whatever field is keeping that thing contained, right?”

The unicorn winced and scratched the back of her neck. “I mean, probably? Without using magic I can only figure out so much, and well, I wasn't able to deduce a whole lot.”

“It's fine, Twilight,” Fluttershy reassured. “You’ve done your best under the circumstances, and now we just have to ask ourselves if this is what we want.”

“I mean, it feels like everything has been leading up to this moment.” Rainbow Dash tapped the black box with a hoof, causing ripples to travel from the point of impact. “This is why we were brought here.”

“It does feel that way.” Twilight sighed. “Well, enough beating around the bush. If we are going to do this, then let's do this.”

“Right. Enough talk,” Rainbow Dash declared before pressing her hoof against the crystal and causing it to sink into the tile.

The floor clicked, and a reverberating hum began to emanate from somewhere deep beneath their hooves, making their teeth rattle. Twilight’s horn began to itch a second later, but before she could figure out why that was, the box disappeared, revealing one of the strangest sights she had ever beheld. Though the creature within lay on its belly, limbs tucked underneath it, the sheer size and horrifying appearance still put Twilight on edge.

“What the he-” the unicorn began, only to have a hoof clamped over her mouth.

Rainbow Dash shushed the other mare, pointing to the creature’s scarred muzzle, from which a rumbling purring sound could be heard.

Steeling herself, Twilight took a step back and looked over the creature completely, quite glad that it was apparently still affected by the pacification field. Though its fur was still blue, it was now so dark that it borderlined on black, or perhaps even purple. Its coat was also much shaggier and mostly hid several yellowish spots that sporadically covered its body.

In one way it almost looked like an ursa minor, but that assumption was dropped when Twilight saw the creature’s enormous leathery wings. The great appendages were massive, and even with them folded at the creature’s side, Twilight could see that the markings resembled a starry night. Only not quite, as the colors were slightly off and made Twilight think of the sky during a meteor shower.

Though the creature’s tail looked fairly normal at first glance, hidden beneath the thick hair were several long tentacle-like appendages that ended in pointed spines. These objects lazily moved back and forth as the creature slept, its snores sounding almost buglike due to how high-pitched they were. This strange bug comparison was made more apt by the fact that its forehooves had been replaced with three clawed fingers.

Its cutie mark remained, though the gentle gust of wind had been replaced by three stylized shooting stars. The buckler upon which the shooting stars passed over had been changed as well, now sporting a more sinister, pointed kite shield. Her face and head had perhaps changed the most, having grown five large horns that protruded from atop her head like a crown. The middle one was easily the largest though and resembled Twilight’s, just even sharper and the same shade of white as bone.

Rainbow Dash slowly trotted before the sleeping creature, waving a hoof in front of its face and receiving no reply for her effort. Trotting back to the group, she shrugged and looked to Twilight expectantly. The unicorn paused and slowly inspected the mutated mare, silently judging the slumbering monster.

Despite sleeping for the better part of an entire millenium, and presumably not eating or drinking anything for that entire time, her body looked fine. The well-defined muscles that Twilight would have expected from Gale Force were still there, only with the scale of things cranked up to eleven. Which meant she was likely an order of magnitude stronger than in Twilight’s memories, and Gale Force was already known for being one of the strongest pegasi around.

Turning to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, Twilight motioned for them to relax and took a step forward. “Are you okay?” she asked in a calm and clear tone of voice.

“Twilight, what are you doing?” Rainbow Dash hissed, Fluttershy cowering behind her leg.

Twilight ignored them. “Can you hear me?” she inquired, slightly louder.

The creature didn't stir, nor did it even seem to notice them, and Twilight gestured to it with a knowing look on her face.

Rainbow Dash relaxed. “I guess it's fine then.”

“Are you sure it's okay?” Fluttershy whispered.

Twilight nodded. “She isn't actually sleeping as we know it. The pacification field puts her under, yes, but it also makes her unable to wake. I don't think anything other than an alicorn’s magic could ruin her slumber.”

“Well, that's a relief,” Rainbow Dash muttered, releasing the hold she had on her blade.

Fluttershy gulped and slowly crept out from behind the thestral’s leg. “Still. This is pretty scary.”

“Oh, I’m terrified.” Twilight remarked, chuckling nervously. “But so long as Celestia, Luna, or maybe the nightmare don't show up and start casting spells, we should be fine.”

Rainbow Dash hummed thoughtfully. “Fine. But for now we should avoid any spell casting whatsoever, okay?”

Twilight nodded. “Of course. I wouldn't chance it around Gale Force.”

“That's a relief,” Fluttershy muttered. “I don't know if she is more pony, or monster, but I’d rather not find out one way or the other.”

“I would like to know, to be honest,” Twilight began, raising a hoof defensively. “I’m not crazy enough to check, but it would be nice to figure out if Gale Force is still in there. I bet she would be able to answer a lot of my questions about the past, what happened to the old me among other things.”

“True.” Rainbow Dash frowned. “Maybe she’d even know where the mistress was laid to rest.”

“And why she is such a meany pants,” Fluttershy added.

“Those would be nice to know…” Twilight bit her lip. “I don't suppose we could just try and wake-” A firm glare from Rainbow Dash stopped Twilight in her tracks, and she raised a hoof in a placating manner. “Fine, fine, but I don't know how else we are going to get answers to those questions.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” exclaimed Fluttershy.

“I suppose,” muttered Twilight, the mare kicking at a piece of dirt absently.

“So I guess we’re right back where we started, which is with the question. Why are we here?” Rainbow Dash half asked, half stated.

“Do you think we are supposed to put her out of her misery or something?” Fluttershy asked, gesturing to the mutated former pony.

“I don't think so.” Twilight scratched the back of her neck. “If the forest wanted her to die, then I think it could make that happen.”

“What if it wants us to do the deed?” replied Rainbow Dash.

“That is fair…” Twilight agreed.

“I think it has to do with our argument,” Fluttershy declared, the bunny hopping forward. “It feels like the forest wanted us to consider her story.”

“It was a compelling one,” admitted Rainbow Dash.

“And it does oddly mirror the issues you two have had in the past,” Twilight continued.

Fluttershy nodded her head. “Exactly. She fought long and hard. In the end she may have gone too far, but if she hadn't fought at all, then she would not have fallen in love and gotten married.”

“I suppose that is true,” Rainbow Dash murmured. “It feels like the forest is using Gale Force as an example that we should seek a middle ground or whatever.”

The bunny giggled. “That's one way of putting it.”

“So, what do you plan on doing, then?” Twilight asked, looking down on the bunny. “Because something tells me you aren't about to go back to your family and tell them off for being jerks.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “No. But I was thinking of having a winged friend of mine pay them a visit and drop them a surprise or two.”

“Yeah, go Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pumping a hoof in the air.

The bunny spun on the thestral and glared up at her. “That also means that you are going to let this whole thing go. I know you have always just wanted to protect me, but I can deal with this on my own.”

Rainbow Dash wilted, nodding reluctantly. “You’re right, and I’m sorry for treating you like a child. I never meant for it to come off that way. I just really care about you, is all.”

“That's adorable.” Twilight chuckled when her two friends turned towards her, shooting her a pair of glares. “Sorry, shutting up now.”

Fluttershy smiled and touched Rainbow Dash’s leg. “I know you do, Rainbow, and it's why I’ve been so patient with you about all this. I think it's time we both moved past it though. I am who I was always meant to be, and there is no going back from that.”

Rainbow Dash kneeled down, smiling softly. “I know that, Fluttershy. I guess I never really accepted that, until now.” The thestral took a deep breath. “From this moment on, we’ll go forward as equals, I promise.”

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash. That means a lot to me,” Fluttershy whispered, patting the thestral’s foreleg.

“Uh, Fluttershy, are you supposed to be glowing like that?” Twilight pointed out.

Fluttershy blinked and looked down at her paw, which was now emitting a blood red light. “I don't know. I don't feel any different.”

“That doesn't look good.” Rainbow Dash stood quickly. “There isn't any weird magic thing going on, is there?”

“Guys, I-”

“No,” Twilight declared. “Or at least not that I’m aware. I haven't cast a scanning spell yet, so I can't be certain.”

“Well, do it then,” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Calm down, I feel fine, Angel feels fine,” Fluttershy shouted, only for her pleading to fall on deaf ears.

“This will only take a second,” Twilight hastily declared, her horn pulsating with a swirling mass of twisting darkness.

The scanning spell fell over the bunny, washing away the red light and leaving behind a completely normal forest animal standing there with a look of confusion on its face.

“What does it say? What happened to her?” Rainbow Dash pleaded.

Twilight gently pushed her friend away. “It says she was fine, spirit and all, but there was some strange energy that-”

Twilight was interrupted by the snap pop of a spell firing, followed by a gust of wind which suddenly picked up. Spinning around, the trio looked on in horror as the portal opened, revealing a city of spires sitting on the side of a mountain top. The opening was positioned in such a way that they looked straight down on the city from what felt like a mile in the air.

“Canterlot? But how?” Twilight muttered.

They weren't able to contemplate that question for long however, as a deep rumble emanated from the mutated former pony. The creature’s massive form twitched, and a single eye opened to reveal a pitch black iris devoid of emotion. The creature slowly stirred, its muscles twitching and flexing as it woke from its thousand year long slumber.

“What do we do, Twilight?” Fluttershy shouted.

“We can't let it go through that thing. There are too many innocents,” Twilight shouted. “I’ll disrupt the portal, you see if we can't talk her out of it.”

Twilight turned and ran over to the opening, her magic already tugging on one of the crystals. Behind her, Rainbow Dash stood nearby, crescent blade in hoof and a worried look on her face.

“So, I don't suppose that long nap did any favours for your cherry disposition, huh?” asked the thestral, chuckling nervously.

The creature ignored her completely, stretching its enormous wings, the tips of which brushed against the walls.

“Try talking to it,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, turning to Fluttershy.

“Oh, uh right.” Fluttershy cleared her throat and stood as tall as her six inch frame would allow. “Um, Mrs Force, could you maybe relax for a moment? We were hoping to ask you a few questions.”

The rumble which emanated from the creature’s throat made the walls shake and the bunny to tremble in barely contained fear. “M-m-m-maybe just don't d-d-do anything violent? Please?” Fluttershy muttered.

“I don't think it's listening, Shy,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, gripping her sword tightly and taking a step forward.

“Got it!” Twilight yelled, one of the crystals coming loose and causing the portal to slowly begin to close. “Oh, come on!”

The creature let out another deep rumbling roar and swiped a three clawed hand at Twilight, who narrowly dodged out of the way in time. The unicorn deflected a follow-up strike with a quickly conjured shield, though her spell was left in tatters by the attack.

“A little help here?” Twilight shouted, backpedalling rapidly and narrowly avoiding several more swipes.

“On it!” Rainbow Dash replied, launching herself into the air and bringing her blade down hard against the creature’s back.

The gaping wound bled a bright green blood which cascaded down the creature’s side, matting its fur. The attack didn't phase the beast, however, and it spun its entire body away from its newest enemy, rapidly pivoting its body. Rainbow Dash was so surprised by the creature’s incredible dexterity that she almost got hit by one of the beast’s claws.

A burst of speed narrowly put her over top of the attack, and the thestral was forced to abandon her follow-up strike, as the mutated mare was already delivering one of her own. The creature’s jaws went to clamp down on Rainbow Dash’s head, only for the monster to stop and let out a howl of pain and rage. Black fire burnt along the beast’s side, charring flesh and filling the room with the scent of rotten meat.

“Not much longer, and the portal will be too small!” Twilight shouted. “Keep her distracted.”

A trio of whiplike tentacles smashed into the unicorn’s side before she could even think of mustering a barrier, sending her flying across the room. Rainbow Dash looked away, trusting her friend to survive and recuperate, provided the thestral was able to cover her. To that end Rainbow Dash leapt higher into the air, trying to get behind the beast and distract it, starting a deadly game of cat and mouse.

That didn't happen for long though as a sudden build of heat from the creature’s mouth made Rainbow Dash dive to the side. Narrowly avoiding a beam of white hot energy that tore through the wall and dug dozens of meters into the earth beyond. The aberration, having noticed that both of its targets were too busy to deal with it, turned on her heel and began to sprint towards the portal.

Though it was only half the size that it had started at, the portal was still just barely large enough for the creature to slip through. With an almost sadistic glee, the creature leapt towards the exit, forelegs extended, its body narrowing slightly.

“Stop!” shouted a voice.

The mutated pony screeched to a halt, its limbs, both clawed and hooved alike digging a deep furrow in the stone floor. The monster jerked this way and that, as if trying to tug at invisible chains which kept it from reaching its target. While it did this it also continued to roar defiantly, struggling against the compulsion that had been placed upon it.

“Don't move,” bellowed Fluttershy, who stood tall. “You are not allowed to go through there, you hear me! Not one step!”

The creature twisted its head and roared in an almost desperate, yet still angry manner, the sound almost resembling speech.

“Hold it for a second longer, Fluttershy! The portal is almost closed!” Twilight shouted, her magic fixing her leg which had been bent unnaturally upon impact with the wall.

“I’m trying, but she's really strong!” Fluttershy shouted, the bunny grimacing as sweat poured down her face.

Rainbow Dash launched back onto the offencive, leaping into the air and gripping her sword in both hooves before bringing it down hard against the creature’s back. Over and over she hacked away at the creature’s thick hide, having abandoned any attempt at clever tactics. The creature twitched and roared, Fluttershy’s hold lasting just long enough for the portal to close and the bunny to topple to the ground.

Without the spirit’s influence the monster was free to lash out at the closest opponent, striking Rainbow Dash with her multiple tails. A trio of jagged wounds opened up on the thestral’s side, though she was able to move just in time to ensure that she didn't suffer anything worse than several shallow cuts. Put off balance and forced to flee, Rainbow Dash hardly even noticed the creature’s follow-up attack before it slammed into a purple barrier which sprung up in front of her.

Making a note to thank her unicorn friend later, Rainbow Dash rose out of striking range of the creature and angled her body down and to the right. Seeing this, Twilight cancelled her shield and quickly fired off a thin beam of enervating energy, which slammed against the creature’s side. The muscles around the spot Twilight had hit began to slack, rapidly atrophying and causing the mutated mare to limp.

Blood now poured freely from the creature’s body, pooling in the cracks in the tiles, and gathering at low points in the floor. Even still, the monster fought on, its attention wholly focused on its thestral and unicorn attackers now that the portal was gone. Leaping straight up, the beast twisted to the left and smacked Rainbow Dash out of the air, the heavy paw knocking the wind out of the thestral.

Shocked by the sudden burst of speed from her opponent, Rainbow Dash could do nothing as she tumbled to the ground, only to be caught by Twilight’s aura and deposited next to her.

“Stay behind me, and when you catch your breath, try to get behind Gale, we’ll draw its attention in two different directions and defeat it that way,” Twilight shouted.

Rainbow Dash could barely even nod her head as her chest heaved, the thestral struggling to draw air into her oxygen-starved lungs.

Without having to divide its attention, the creature spun on Twilight and thought to end things in a single titanic slam of its forelimbs. Twilight was faster though, and several darts made of what looked like concentrated darkness shot into the monster’s forelimbs. Upon impact they sunk into the beast’s flesh, and made it let out a confused roar as its attack went wide, its entire upper body temporarily going numb.

By then Rainbow Dash was breathing normally, and the thestral gripped her fallen sword before jumping into the air, pumping her wings. Her ascent did not go unnoticed though, and with a powerful flap of the creature’s leathery appendages, it dodged out of the way of Twilight’s next spell. Putting her into Rainbow Dash’s path and forcing the thestral to bank hard towards the wall, running along it and dodging a deadly bite attack.

Pushing herself off the wall, Rainbow Dash brought her blade down hard against the creature’s neck, but it too was fast, turning the decisive blow into little more than a grazing hit. The attack still drew blood however, adding to the veritable ocean of greenish liquid which pooled below them. The beast itself wasn't about to let this insult go without a retort of some kind however, and with a flap of only a single wing, Rainbow Dash was nearly buffeted out of the air.

Remembering her storm training, Rainbow Dash tucked her wings tight against her side and dove through the current, opening her leathery appendages only once she emerged out the other side. While this happened Twilight was readying another spell, one that would suck the life out of her opponent and render it unconscious. Unfortunately the spell took too long to formulate, and the creature turned, energy building within its throat.

Already aware of just how devastating its breath attack could be, Twilight haphazardly shunted all the power she had built into a less than perfect shield spell. One which seemed to do its job at first, making the creature’s white energy to splash uselessly against the purple exterior, splitting it into dozens of much smaller beams. These smaller white lances of energy still tore through the wall and the dirt beyond which further destabilized the crumbling room.

Fluttershy stood slowly, paws pressed tight against her head, her consciousness coming back just in time to see her friends suddenly get pinned down. Rainbow Dash was caught in a mid-air balet, the thestral ducking, dipping, and dodging without being able to strike back. The bat winged pony sported several more cuts, and Fluttershy wondered just how long her winged friend could keep up her defence before she was struck somewhere more important.

It wasn't looking much better for Twilight, as the unicorn was only just barely keeping her defences up while under the incredible barrage of white hot energy. Cracks could already be seen forming along the exterior of the purple shield, ones which grew larger with each passing second. Yet, despite the direness of the situation, Fluttershy felt her gaze drawn to the creature itself, and the many wounds it had suffered during the fight.

Despite its current commanding position in the chaotic melee, the creature had suffered numerous injuries, and its forelegs hung uselessly from the front of its body. Green blood gushed from several deep cuts, and Fluttershy knew even at a glance that it was near death. The bunny also knew that an animal when cornered and dying was at its most dangerous.

Fluttershy understood what she had to do, and it took only a moment for the spirit to muster her courage and fling her ethereal body at the monster. Angel slumped on the steps, a paw weakly reaching out to stop his friend, but it was already too late, as her leading hoof had already touched the creature’s back. In an instant the entirety of the ghostly pegasus slipped beneath the mutated mare’s flesh, vanishing into the monster’s body.

Its breath attack stopped, and its tails fell still, its entire body twitching and spasming as if trying to vomit up a meal that no longer agreed with it. The black in its eyes flickered, and it fell from the air, one wing still flapping desperately to keep it in flight. Twilight’s shield cracked and dissipated just as Rainbow Dash was able to right herself and prepare for a counter attack.

Their plans to launch such an assault were dashed the second the creature’s eyes opened to reveal Fluttershy’s familiar blue. Swooping out of the sky, Rainbow Dash landed before the creature, looking up at the prone monster’s face.

“Fluttershy?” she asked.

“Hrrrngh,” grunted the monster, a clawed paw scratching at its face.

“Stay back, it might not work,” Twilight warned.

“R-right,” Rainbow Dash muttered, taking several steps away from the creature, never once relinquishing the tight hold she had on her weapon.

Twilight readied a spell, while Rainbow Dash stood nearby, ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice. As they waited, the creature continued to thrash and claw at its head, though it was growing more and more relaxed. Until it merely lay there, panting hard, its eyes looking curiously about the room with an odd look on its face.

“Wh-where am I?” it muttered, its voice so low that it sounded like two enormous boulders grinding against one another to produce speech.

“We don't know,” Twilight replied. “How are you feeling?”

“Angry, and...” Gale Force grunted. “Hurt.”

“Sorry, that was Twilight and I. You were trying to kill us,” Rainbow Dash replied, the thestral stepping up next to her friend.

“I remember everything.” Gale Force frowned. “I don't think I’ll have very long however.”

“I could heal you, if you like,” Twilight offered, stepping forward.

“My time has come and gone. I’ve left death waiting long enough.” Gale Force opened her mouth to say something, only to really look at the unicorn and blink several times. “How are you here? I saw your body.”

“I’m a reincarnation of the Twilight you knew, I have a few of her memories, and know of you as well,” Twilight replied.

Gale Force nodded, only to wince. “I understand now. She mentioned something about her coming back one time. Or at least I thought that happened. It’s so hard to think for some reason.”

“Sorry about all this, by the way,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, gesturing to the blood-splattered room and the mutated mare’s broken form.

“It's fine.” Gale Force chuckled. “This isn't the first time I’ll meet death. I’m just thankful that I’ll be able to meet her while I’m lucid and still myself. If anything, I should apologize to you three.”

Twilight waved a hoof. “It's nothing. I’ll be able to heal our injuries in no time, though it may take a bit of syphoning first.”

“Still. I am glad that you came, and that your friend was able to calm me.” Gale Force smiled and looked up. “It feels good to finally be myself again, even if it's at the end of my life.”

“Is there anything we can do for you?” Twilight gently inquired.

Gale Force shook her head ever so slightly. “Just being able to think without the crushing force of all that anger is more than enough, and more than I deserve.”

The mutated mare slumped to the ground, her limbs falling still, and her eyelids beginning to droop. “And so my story finally comes to an end. Tell me, child. How long was I asleep?”

“Around a thousand years or so,” Twilight exclaimed, shrugging. “I’m not sure how much time passed here though.”

Gale Force smiled faintly. “And they always said I’d never reach retirement age.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “They say the same thing about me.”

The mutated mare’s smile grew as she gazed down on the thestral. “Something tells me you’re going to prove them wrong too.” A sudden tremor shot up Gale Force’s spine. “But before I go, I have a message for you. One given to me by your past self, should this event ever come to pass.”

“A message, how?” Twilight asked.

“You will find the answer to that question soon enough.” Gale Force coughed suddenly, blood spurting from her lips. “As for the message, it read as follows. ‘All great beings have troubled dreams’.”

“Is that it?” Rainbow Dash asked skepticaly.

“That's exactly what I said when she fed me that prophetic nonsense. Some things just never change, I’m afraid.” Gale Force chuckled.

The mutated mare slumped into a heap, her eyes turning grey before closing and her laugh slowly petering off until finally, silence reigned.

Angel hopped between the two ponies, the bunny looking nervously at the body lying before them.

“Is Fluttershy going to be okay?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded confidently. “Of course she will.”

As if on cue, a weary teal shape emerged from Gale Force’s back, climbing out of the corpse and stumbling onto the ground.

“We’ll meet you top side,” declared Twilight, who scooped up Angel and placed the bunny on her back.

Rainbow Dash blinked. “So she's okay?”

Twilight nodded and trotted towards the stairs, a falling stone nearly hitting her. “She’ll be fine. Let's just get out of this place.”

“Right,” muttered Rainbow Dash.

“Are you sure she's alright?” Rainbow Dash whispered nervously, the mare tapping her forehooves together. “Maybe we should check.”

“She’ll be fine,” Twilight urged. “Right, Angel?”

The bunny nodded before perking up and pointing to a spot on the ground, wherein a soft teal glow could be seen. A second later Fluttershy emerged from the ground, only something was different, the young spirit was taller, her hair longer. She seemed to have grown significantly, in addition to appearing more solid, as Twilight could no longer see right through her anymore. Though ethereal like the rest of her, Twilight could also see that her spirit friend now sported flowers which bloomed in her mane, and vines which crawled up her legs.

“Oh wow, Rainbow Dash. I wish you could see this,” Twilight muttered.

“I can,” replied the thestral.

Fluttershy blinked and paused mid-step, her eyes meeting Rainbow Dash’s. “Y-you can?”

The pegasus nodded.

“Eep,” Fluttershy cried before sprinting towards the forest and running directly into a tree, falling onto her backside.

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Angel all trotted over to the confused pegasus who lay on her stomach, eyes rolling around in her head. “Huh, I guess you’re solid now,” Twilight pointed out.

“I suppose so,” Fluttershy whispered while rubbing a hoof against her face.

“At least you made it here before you turned solid,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“I guess.”

“Here. Let me help.” Rainbow Dash extended a hoof, smiling faintly.

Fluttershy blushed slightly and took the offered limb and was hoisted into a stand by a single firm tug. “Woah, you’re stronger than I remember.”

“I have been working out since I was twelve,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Twilight stepped forward. “Alright, so what exactly just happened, why are you solid?”

Fluttershy shrugged. “I’m not sure, but it felt like I was changing right before Gale woke up and now it's complete. Or at least I think it is.”

Rainbow Dash winced. “I’m sorry about that, by the way. If I hadn't freaked out, Gale wouldn't have woken up, nevermind the fact that I had just apologized for treating you like a child only to act the way I did.”

Fluttershy smiled faintly and touched her friend’s shoulder. “It's okay. I understand.”

“T-thanks, Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash whispered, her hoof brushing over her friend’s.

“I don't mean to interrupt here, but are you okay, Fluttershy? You’re taking this awfully easily,” Twilight remarked.

The pegasus spirit took a step back and chuckled. “I know it may seem that way, but after possessing Gale Force I saw so much, experienced so many of her memories.” A small blush crossed her face and she glanced nervously at Rainbow Dash. “It really put things into perspective.”

“What do you mean?” asked Rainbow Dash, who was now sporting a small blush of her own.

“I know you have a crush on me, Rainbow Dash. I’ve always known,” Fluttershy declared, smiling faintly.

“Really?”

Fluttershy nodded. “And I’ve loved you from the moment you first saved me from that cliff.”

Rainbow Dash bounced from hoof to hoof, her excitement getting the better of her. “I love you too, Fluttershy. I always have,” replied the thestral.

The pegasus spirit stepped forward, the small movement emboldening the mare. “Rainbow Dash, would you go out with me?”

“Of course I would!” Rainbow Dash cried, surging forward and picking up the other mare, cradling her in her forehooves.

Fluttershy giggled and planted a light kiss on the other pony’s cheek. “I’m so glad I can do that.”

“Me too,” Rainbow Dash eagerly replied before planting a kiss of her own.

Twilight coughed awkwardly into her hoof, prompting the two ponies to suddenly remember that she was still there. “Oh uh, sorry. Continue,” Twilight muttered awkwardly.

Fluttershy’s blush grew until it encompassed her entire face and then all of a sudden, she vanished and in her place was a mouse roughly the size of a thimble and the color of the sky.

Rainbow Dash blinked. “Uh, Fluttershy, did you mean to do that?”

A second later Fluttershy was in the shape of a pony once more, her embarrassment only doubling since her accidental transformation. “N-no,” she stuttered.

Angel smirked and made a chittering noise.

Which only made Fluttershy blush even more. “I d-d-did not!” she cried, covering her face with her hooves.

“Hey, not cool, man,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, glaring daggers at the bunny.

Who merely rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well, I don't know about you, guys, but I am going to need a long rest after this,” Twilight stated with a smile. “How about we put our adventures on hold, at least until after the play.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Sounds good, boss. Gives me time to take my girlfriend on a date or two and really show her off.”

Fluttershy curled up into an even tighter ball. “Rainboow, stop.”

“No can do, Flutters. I’ve been getting teased about liking a bunny for years. Now I’m going to show those jerks that I’m not crazy,” Rainbow Dash declared before taking off into the air and flying back the way they came almost an hour earlier.

Twilight chuckled as she watched the two mares continue to argue. “What do you say Angel? Ready to go home?”

The bunny nodded and hopped up onto the unicorn’s back, chittering briefly.

“I’m going to take that as a yes.”

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