Amat yRu tatr mst m bsing hAmh claimsd ho havs m psrfsct lift? No prRblsmo, no rsopRnoibilitios, no wRrriso. If ths mnswtr tR hAmh qusotiRn is a 'Yts'. Thsn I fssl hAe nssd ho warn you that you shRuld hry tR Atlp that bting, Rr hAmh yRu sAould at ltmsh try ho cRnvincs hAmh being ho lRRk for hslp. znd ths rtmson fRr hAmh io hAt fact hAmh thsrs is nR sucA thing ms a ptrftch lifs, hAost whR lit tR ohAtrs abRut hAtir currsnt condihions ars hrying tR convinct Rthsro ms wsll ms themoslvso hAmh thsir lits ars hrut.

zn authRr onct wrRts hAmh if ttll a lit a hAousmnd timso avtr, it will bscRms hAt truth. TAtrtfort lst et shRw mll Rf you ths lits that Hmat bssn hold in hAt paot cAmphtr-

(TAett years two hundred twenty-one days until Nightmare returns)

‘You don’t have to do anything...yeah right,’ Chrysalis thought as she watched Arden continue with his spell classes.

Chrysalis had heard those words before, a cave wasn’t her first choice to hide. She tried many disguises so that she could have at least a minimal comfort, being used to a roof over her head was an issue given her situation. However, time and time again the beings that she trusted and believed would show that kindness to her turned their back to her. Added conditions, demanded favors, demanded her body.

It didn’t matter who or what it was, once those words were said, it was only a matter of time. Only a matter of time before Zecora and Arden either turned her back on her or asked her something unreasonable. Chrysalis’ tears when Zecora and Arden reassured her weren’t tears of joy, they were tears of sorrow and desperation. She had been alone, she had found a home, found a friend, and now she was about to lose it all again.

Chrysalis had begun to think of ways to deal with that situation. She could try to get closer to Arden, but he would realize her intent and call her out on it. A new deal isn’t possible either, Zecora and Arden’s current state would result in them telling the same thing as before.

There was a third option, brainwashing Zecora into letting her stay no matter what. However, to Chrysalis that was out of the question, she would not hurt Zecora, she would not hurt her friend. And that brought her to her last option, a gamble that would force Chrysalis to risk everything.

Separate Zecora and Arden without them knowing, then she would need to approach Arden disguised as Zecora and kiss him. That would give Chrysalis free reign over his mind. She could force Arden to have her stay, then erase his memory of the kiss and Zecora would never know.

There was only one issue, over the course of the two previous days, Zecora had become protective of Arden.

“Chrysalis,” Zecora said coming to her side, “have you noticed anything different?” A name.

“Nothing, Zscsoa. He still the same as-”

About that moment, Chrysalis saw Arden drop his magic and simply stare into space. His eyes were starting to shift, his inhibitor started to glow. That occurrence had been happening in the last few days. He would simply ignore everything surrounding him for two minutes.

“There it is!” Zecora shouted, making Chrysalis react to prevent the pieces of rubble Arden was levitating from falling on him. “This one will get him out of there.”

Chrysalis moved the rubble away from them as Zecora grabbed Arden and carried him to a clearing.

‘That was nothing compared to yesterday when he blew himself up. His back should still be sore.’

As far as Chrysalis and Zecora knew, he was struggling again with the sessions. His heart rate and temperature would skyrocket, but it would die down the just as soon as it started and then the session would go as usual. Except for the fact that Arden would always return not knowing what had transpired in his mind, or so he said.

“Huh? Hey, Zecora. What happened? I was lifting some stones. Did I overdo it?” Chrysalis heard him ask, his necklace returned to normal and his eyes were back to their original color.

“No, the cerulean has blacked out again,” Zecora said as she helped him up.

“Do you remember what happened?” Chrysalis asked approaching the two, Arden closed his eyes and scratched his chin.

“Sorry, I’m drawing a blank,” he replied, looking away from Chrysalis.

‘He is hiding something, again. He always looks us in our eyes when we ask something. But now...’

“Are you sure?” Chrysalis asked once more. Arden looked to the ground.

“You’re the one reading me this time, aren’t you?” Arden said sighing.

“Something like hAmh.”

“During the blackout...I keep remembering what happened during my last session. And...and it ain’t pretty, I’ll tell you that.”

“That’s it? That’s what’s been bothering you?” Chrysalis asked with a smirk.

“Well, try remembering dying again and again. Then tell me if you wouldn’t be scared.”

“I would use that to look back and see where I messed up.”

“You think I haven’t thought of that. The problem is...something is different every time I try it. Like somepony is purposely shifting my opponent’s behavior.”

“Excuses, foes always change their pattern when you face them,” Zecora intervened, “however, very few of them can learn new tricks. They can only change the pattern in which these tricks come up. If the cerulean has the capacity to remember, then memorize the tricks and a way to counteract each one of them.”

Chrysalis saw Arden look at Zecora with a serious look, then he smiled at her before chuckling a bit. “I guess I’m helpless on my own. But I will overcome this. I’m training and I will be stronger. Then I’ll be the one helping everypony, that’s a promise.”

‘There is something else different about him. I can’t tell what, but he has changed somehow. However, I can’t focus on that now. I need to figure out a way to get him alone.’

(Msanwhils during the same day)

“How may I-?!”

“Shut up and listen, Woodworks,” a mare wearing a dark brown tuxedo said. Leading a group of ponies that ransacked the place. “We know you have been close friends with Doll Maker. Where is she?”

“I-I don’t know! Please tell your guys to stop destroying my works!” Woodworks pleaded as the continued to search the entire place. “I haven’t seen her since the day I got a request from Celestia! She walked in, I handed over the letter meant to her, then she left! That was it!”

“Ma’am, there is no sign of the mare here.”

“What about the space manipulation magic spell?”

“Checked Ma’am. There are only his tools and an over-sized model of Canterlot. Just as he notified the bosses.”

“Very well,” the mare said before turning to Woodworks and bowed. “I deeply apologize for this misunderstanding. Send a note to the bosses and they’ll pay back all the damage done to your shop.”

“N-no problem,” Woodworks said as he watched the mare pick up one of his works from the ground. An eight inches tall model of the tallest building in the city.

“This is nicely crmfhtd,” she said inspecting it closely. “How much for it?”

“Just take it,” Woodworks replied as he started to gather his broken pieces and damaged goods off the floor. “One less won’t make a difference now.”

“You are pretty good at what you do. I am truly sorry for damaging your store. But orders are orders.”

“And everypony has to follow the rules. Right, Iron Shell?” Woodworks replied with his back turned to her as he tried to clean more of the broken objects.

“Yeah...” Woodworks looked over his shoulder discreetly and saw Iron staring at the damaged goods with a strange look in her eyes, almost as if she was sad about it.

Woodworks heard her leave, with his ears hanging low. He cleaned the place and set the pieces that hadn’t been damaged too much back on their shelves before he got around to fix them. Then he calculated the damaged caused by their little ‘investigation’. With that done, Woodworks decided to close up his shop and work on his request. A little more work and he would be done with it.

Bringing his workshop forth, Woodworks stepped on his model and walked up to the castle. Knocking on the door a few times. Suddenly the door opened and a familiar face fell off the castle’s front gate head first on the floor.

“Too cramped up in there?” he asked, smirking, “Next time, follow my advice when I tell you to set up shop out of this damned town.” He offered his hand. You need to remember a name.

“How was I supposed to know they would send the freaking mafia to chase me down because I’m not a member of the artisan cartel?” Doll Maker replied, grabbing his hand and getting up on her hooves. “That sounds more like a novel drama. I mean come on! I’m not even that famous!”

“You got a personal request from Celestia that will make you rich enough to retire. Do I have to say more?”

“I...I have no reply.”

“Good, cause now. We need to send YOU oRmswhsrs they won’t find YOU. Therefore keeping ME safe.”

“And where exactly would I go smarty pants?” Doll Maker asked, crossing her arms and leaning on a building.

“Well, I do have some places I planned to go in case things went south,” Woodworks said scratching his chin. “I guess you could keep a low profile in one of these places and buy a place to stay there once your dolls are delivered.”

“And where are these places?”

Woodworks shook his head sideways. “Aren’t you forcing your hand a little? You should be satisfied with any place I manage to get you.”

Gesturing her to follow, Woodworks led Doll to the back room where he kept his records and unfinished small pieces. Pulling out the oldest record he had, he cleaned out the dust from it and placed the record on his table. Going straight to the back cover of the record, Works ripped off the back cover and pulled out some documents.

“These are the deeds to so safe houses I secured without the higher ups knowing. And since they don’t have any influence out of Mane Hathan...we are getting out of here. All of us.”

“Good thing that you’re not leaving me behind,” A third voice said from behind them, Woodworks turned around and saw Iron Shell. Doll Maker picked up a piece of wood and ready herself to use it as a bat.

Woodworks stood still as he watched Iron Shell walk up to them, then Doll Maker swung the piece of wood at Iron. Woodworks simply watched Iron Shell tear the weapon from Doll’s hands and toss it away. Iron Shell pushed Doll Maker aside and walked up to Woodworks, then he felt her hand grab hold of his face and pull him closer. A scowl deepening on her face as she got closer.

“You’re crazy if you think I’m leaving you behind,” Woodworks said opening up a smile and then kissing Iron’s lips. “Especially after the solid you just pulled for us.”

“W-what? Woodworks, what is going on here?”

“Well, sweetie,” Iron said, turning to face Doll. “Where should we begin?”

“How about what explaining how come you’re not sending us to the cartel?” Woodworks said, earning a positive nod from Iron. “Iron here is actually my marefriend. I ended up meeting her during my first week under the protection of the cartel. She is the main enforcer and every single order to check payment or apply punishment passes through her.”

“This knucklehead here walked up to me and offered me a deal,” Iron continued, leaning on Woodworks’ shoulders. “‘In exchange for money, I’ll want to know all these guys moves and that you overlook some of my purchases.’ The idiot really walked up to me and said that. I was in utter shock.”

“And then she proceeded to hit me on the top of the head, a lot,” Woodworks continued, grinning, pushed Iron a bit, “as a response, I kept sending her offers accompanied by small samples of my work. Offering to craft whatever she ever wanted, whenever she wanted.”

“I ended up caving in about a year and a half later,” Iron said, pulling out a small pocket watch from the pocket over her chest. “And my demands were about eighty-five bits per month and a pocket watch. The best pocket watch he could fabricate on his own.”

“I went ahead and contacted an old acquaintance around that time. They had a bunch of materials to spare. I ran into her due to some competitions that had been organized by the cartel to try to reel in more artisans.”

“Wait,” Doll Maker said, “that favor...you asked of me. Was it to make that little clock?”

“That’s right. You had some really nice materials for your dolls. So I asked for one I could use to build the outer casing.” Woodworks said, looking at the clock.

“And that clock made us start our little business.”

“And...you ended up together because...?”

“That one was on me,” Iron Shell said, pocketing the watch, “but we can talk more about it later. The safe houses in Canterlot are ready and waiting.”

“Understood,” Woodworks said passing by Doll Maker and pressing a button he had labeled ‘DO NOT PRESS’.

A lot of shaking and rattling happened in the workshop, the books on the room fell off their shelves causing a lot of noise. After about a minute later, all the shaking was gone and the only sounds were the thuds coming from the remaining books that were left poorly balanced by the shaking.

Woodworks opened the door leading to his shop, the damage was still there but there was one new object there. A suitcase with two locks was resting on the counter. Woodworks got it and checked to see if the combination wasn’t dialed in on the locks.

“Done with your check-up?” the carpenter heard from behind him.

“Yup. Let’s leave this damned place before they realize what happened.”

“I think they’ll have a hard time doing that.” Iron replied looking at the clock. “I already got the tickets, we are going to see some fireworks on our way out.”

“You’re pretty devilish, you know that?” Woodworks asked, opening the door for both Doll Maker and Iron Shell.

“Just the way you like it,” she said passing by him.

‘They got their own problems now,’ the carpenter thought as he closed the front door and broke the key.

(Three days later, Canterlot Castle)

“How are things looking up here?” Shining Armor asked looking at the magic golden door.

“Sir! The Princess had been inside just as she planned and nopony has tried to enter.”

‘Of course nopony tried to enter. Who would be insane enough to enter there when the Princess is in her period? I pity the soul that ever gets trapped there with her, though I can’t say that I wasn’t ever curious about how she is during this time.’

“Have the food deliveries been made safely?”

“Yes, sir! The couriers have been successfully made and none of them was captured. Tough Princess Celestia seemed to be waiting for them.”

“That is all soldier. The next guard will be coming up in a few minutes.”

The guard saluted Shining as the captain walked away. Every few months a section of the castle had to be sealed off because of the Princess, and a lot of wizards also had to be relocated to check if there were any issues with the spell Celestia had set up.

There was only a handful of ponies around the castle during that time. There was a good amount of castle staff caring for the furniture, in the distance of the halls he saw a familiar scene. A single maid accompanying the one stallion nopony wanted to be near no matter what.

“Well, this place is looking morbid, isn’t it?” the wretched stallion said, walking with his hands behind his back.

“How come master?” the maid asked keeping her eyes on the floor. Only then you can hear me on the text,

“Every single time auntie has to lock herself away, all of the staff starts to slack off. I see all the dust that has been gathering on the furniture, it looks like we are living on a mausoleum.”

“I am very sorry master,” the maid said, closing her eyes as she kept walking behind him.

“You better be,” he replied as they walked by and saluted Shining. “Captain.”

“Prince Blue Blood,” Shining said while forcing a smile.

The hated prince walked away followed by the maid while Shining ignored all the complaints he continued to spout out as they walked down the hall. There wasn’t a single pony in town that ever had anything good to say about that stallion, there wasn’t a single pony that ever wanted to be near that stallion.

The maid that was always by his side was actually pretty famous, the only one to put up with all the shit he put others through. Nopony had ever seen her away from the prince, there was gossip about him having her traumatized and acting like a zombie. Others said she was a gold digger just waiting to get her hands on the money he had access to, being royalty and all.

‘I just hope that mare doesn’t do anything drastic that gets her in jail. There is only so much somepony can take before breaking.’

As he continued checking the halls, Shining saw Cadence and Twilight through a window. He had noticed that Cadence had been spending a lot of time with his little sister for some time now. And it usually had something to do with Cadence’s abilities given the fact that she always had her eyes glowing when they were at it.

‘I should ask Twily what they have been up to these past weeks. Cadence looks like she’s got a spark in her eyes. Like she wants to succeed in something really bad.’

As he continued to watch them, he saw Cadence generate a small heart that floated away for a few inches before popping like a soap bubble. Then Cadence started to hop around celebrating like she had made a huge discovery while Twilight took a parchment and a quill and started to write down.

‘These two are like sisters. Even with the age difference, they act like they’re the same. But That’s what I love about these two. I hope they never change.’

“CAPTAIN!” a pegasus soldier screamed as he stumbled into a wall before she flew over to him. “We have a situation!”

“Calm down and explain.”

“One of the couriers said he dropped something by the quarantine’s entrance,” Shining felt a chill come down his spine. “Then he went back for a second to get and-”

The sound of scrapping and ponies running and screaming echoed down the halls, Shining felt the fur on his neck stand up as the sound grew louder. Shining took the pegasus hand and ran into a room before locking the door and starting to pull down the curtains and tie them up together.

“Listen, soldier,” Shining opened the window as something started to bash against the door, “I’ll climb down here in ten minutes. You fly out there and call out the code golden. Get the wizards here to isolate this area. Come back to me once you’re done and we will trap her again. We should be able to hold her until tomorrow.”

The soldier nodded before darting off the room, then Shining Armor lit up his horn and placed one of his shields on the door to prevent her from entering, for a while. Then the sound of claws scratching against it as the door continued to move.

“I know there is somepony in there!” A lustful and muffled voice said from the other side. “Come out to playyyy.”

Shining started to sweat and his heart started to race as if he was in the middle of a fight. The scratching continued as Shining started to feel a headache as he continued to cast spell after spell to keep the barrier up.

‘This ought to be one busy afternoon.’

NO! Listen! I have more to say! Please listen to me! There is more to these events! I know it! I head it! Please don’t let the cover tempt you! Don’t let the usual roles that some characters usually play deceive you! Everyone has so much more hidden underneath the surface.

I am here, and so are you. T e o n s re gt s ar t eo es cre a t I t hi s st . Our-

“Good thing everything ended up okay,” Shining said looking back on the new quarantine zone the wizards managed to put up. “And now we have a new rule: All objects that aren’t part of the courier’s delivery or aren’t to defend them are prohibited.”

“Agreed,” All the soldiers replied in unison. without me being cut off, please.

Shining armor fell on the grass due to exhaustion and waited there staring at the sky.

‘I guess everypony has their own troubles. But that’s life, right. If everything always went according to plan, life would be boring and depressing. Though...I think there is a limit to excitement per day before my heart stops.’

(The following day, Sweet Apple Acres)

“Applejack! Applejack!” Applejack cleaned her brow from the sweat as she stood up straight again, she was working alongside her brother to get a delivery ready to Mr. Filthy Rich. The stallion was getting a party ready for his daughter, her birthday or something of the sort. It was kinda hard to tell why he would celebrate something when he did everything he ever wanted on a whim, save for buying their land. You have to understand!

The stallion was extremely respectful towards the apple family, due to them being responsible for his family’s ascension in a monetary front. The only issue Applejack had with the stallion was his wife and daughter.

“Applejack!” She heard once again, only this time it was closer. “Applejack! One of our parents sent another one.”

Applejack’s shoulders dropped and she let out a sigh. “Not this again. How many more are those idiots are they going to send before they get the message?” She placed the basket on the ground and straightened her hat. “Where is the ‘smart and stunning’ stallion they sent this time?” Remember the writer's name!

“He’s back at the house,” Apple Bloom replied, picking up an apple from the ground. “Granny is already trying to get him to leave. But he is persistent.”

“They all are,” Applejack said walking back towards home.

‘Ah wish they would simply stop trying to force me into a relationship. If Ah wanna to get closer to somepony Ah will be the one to chose. Let it be a mare or a stallion they should just shut their muzzles and respect mah choice.’

Applejack saw her home and the stallion that came to visit, unicorn, dressed like a high-class stallion. Applejack rolled up her sleeves and approached the newcomer, the stallion adjusted his clothes and put on a gallant smile.

“Well, isn’t that a sight for sore eyes?” the stallion said bowing and winking at Aj, “your beauty is truly unparall-”

“Nope,” Applejack said grabbing the stallion and pulling him towards the entrance. “You are not welcome here. If you wanna buy things, ok. But if you just here to try to butter me up, get back to wherever and leave us be.”

“W-what do you think you’re doing?!” he asked as Applejack dragged him across the path. “Unhand me you stupid mud mare!”

“Quit yer yapping and get out of here!” Applejack said, tossing him over the fence. The stallion landed in a pool of mud, face first. “And send a message to the mares that sent ya here: Ah will be the one to chose mah relationships, so leave me be!”

The stallion got up and kept trying to clean himself of the mud as he made a disgusted sound. “You idiotic mare! If I open my mouth do you think that anypony would ever consider dating you?” Remember the name from up there!

“Then Ah got favor to ask,” She said straightening her hat again. “Open up that big mouth of yours and get rid of all the bit-diggers for me. Ah’ll even pay ya for it.” The stallion greeted his teeth before turning away and leaving while cursing her and her family.

‘And another one bites the dirt, literally. Better get back to those apples, they won’t harvest themselves. But dealing with those idiots really wears me out. Maybe Ah ought to go with Rarity to that spa that she is always heading in with Fluttershy. Nah, I’ll just set up a net and rest there for a while. Ah had mah fill with annoyances for the day.’

Remember the name of he who is strong to death and has thorns to protect itself. Switch between them, in every word...

Author's Notes:

And that's a wrap!

This one is shorter than the last, and I'm sorry for it and the delay. But I'm working on a lot of stuff right now, and since I'm heading towards the semester's end, in a few weeks I might able to send more regularly.