November 3^rd, 2019
Saturday
Cloudy

Morning

I (sun) - Blue Reflection

Once they left the Dungeon, Raindow Dash removed Pinkie Pie’s channeling Ring, and was relieved to see that she did vanish, returning to her body. As they all returned to their bodies, Starlight found herself waking up shortly after. Apparently they’d only managed to get 2 hours of actual sleep from all of that.

Neither she nor Trixie bothered to change out of their sleepwear just yet, and instead went over to Pinkie Pie and Dash’s room to check on them. Naturally Miss Tia was already there, along with Twilight sitting beside Pinkie Pie on her bed.

“How do you feel now, Pinkie Pie?” Celestia asked.

“Better, knowing I’m safe,” Pinkie Pie said looking down, “But, I’m still shaken up. If you hadn’t gotten to me…”

“The Shadows said they were going to execute you,” Twilight said, taking Pinkie’s hand and rubbing it, “Do you know anything about that?”

Pinkie Pie nodded sadly, “His Shadow, told Cinch that I was plotting to take over the prison. That, I was feeding information to you guys, so we could undermine her authority.”

“The messed up part is, that’s not too far from the truth,” Trixie said gravely, “Still, if Blueblood’s Shadow spoke to Cinch’s Shadow in the dream world, that won’t effect the real world too much, right?”

“Not right away, no,” Celestia said seriously, “However, this could potentially lead to her doing something in the Real World. Her Shadow now knows to suspect Pinkie Pie.”

“Maybe that whole wearing costumes for midterms wasn’t a good idea…” Pinkie Pie sighed.

“You kidding? That was a great idea! We even got tight ass Harshwhinny to participate!” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“What you did lifted everyone’s spirits,” Starlight added, “It’s true Cinch will probably retaliate, but this is the risk we took by taking on this job.”

“Did Fleur do things like that, when you were fighting her Shadow to save me?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Quite a bit, actually,” Starlight nodded, “Pretty sure Fleur taking you out of the dorm toward the end there was her trying to get you away from us due to us fighting her constantly in the Dungeon.”

“None of this was your fault, dear,” Celestia said, kissing Pinkie Pie on the forehead, “Okay?”

Pinkie Pie sighed and nodded, “Okay. Thank you, Miss Tia. And, all of you. Thank you for rescuing me. I, really feel bad for making you all go through that.”

“You’re a member of our team now,” Trixie sat down next to Pinkie Pie and rubbed her back, “And you’re kind of the MVP. Saving you was our pleasure.”

“Yeah, no offense to Starlight, but she ain’t exactly a healer,” Rainbow Dash added.

“None taken, really,” Starlight sighed, “Healing Magic is hard for me. If you don’t mind, Pinkie, I’ll leave that to you?”

Pinkie Pie giggled, “Sure, Starlight. I don’t mind being the main medic. Healing Magic is my favorite anyway.”

Trixie closed her eyes, “Can you get any sweeter…?” Trixie asked softly, making everyone laugh. This was nice, honestly, having everyone together again safe and sound.

“But, concerning Rarity,” Pinkie Pie looked down seriously, “She’s, now with Rover, right?”

Riku theme - Kingdom Hearts 2

“She is,” Starlight closed her eyes gravely, “And apparently, he’s also a Dungeon Master.”

“How can we tell anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked turning to Twilight.

“Dungeon Master Shadows give off a different signal,” Twilight explained, “It’s like, they’re tied directly to the Dungeon itself, with the Dungeon’s energy flowing around them. Blueblood didn’t give that vibe, rather it seemed like the Nightmare was just making room for him. Cinch and Rover though, they’re Shadows seemed to be commanding the Nightmare in the same way.”

“Think Rover's why there were Shadows in the city side of the Dungeon?” Trixie asked Twilight.

“I’m positive that’s the reason,” Twilight said, “When you all went to sleep, I followed his Shadow a bit, and he took Rarity into the city with him.”

“Damn, it’s like she’s got two Dungeons rolled into one,” Rainbow Dash said in frustration, running a hand through her hair, “It’s gonna be hell getting Rarity out of there.”

“How much time do you think we have to solve this?” Trixie asked.

“November 9^th is the Deadline. I’m sure of it,” Starlight answered, “That’s when Cinch is going to take measures to remove the Diamond Dogs herself.”

“From what Starlight’s seen, it seems that whatever is going on would effect Applejack and her family too,” Twilight added, “Pinkie Pie, what sort of connection does Rarity have with the Scarlet family?”

“I, don’t really know,” Pinkie Pie admitted, “I don’t even know how they met her, or why they adopted her into their family. Again, it’s like she just sort of, came out of nowhere one day.”

Starlight remembered something concerning the Diamond Dogs she’d heard from Pinkie Pie and the others. Something about them doing something, and then just vanishing after that. Starlight asked Pinkie Pie for clarification of that.

“Three years ago, they robbed Tartarus Bank,” Pinkie Pie explained, “I don’t know all the details, but I heard it got really ugly.”

“After that, they all vanished,” Trixie said, “Rumor has it they were arrested, probably only just getting their freedom. Why?”

“Because if they robbed the bank, chances are Rarity was still a member when that happened,” Starlight said, “So here’s my question. Why didn’t she get arrested?”

Twilight frowned, “You raise a valid point. And, the dates check out too. Pinkie Pie, you said that Rarity appeared with the Scarlets three years ago, right?”

Pinkie Pie nodded, “True. I think that was a bit after the bank robbery, now that I think about it.”

“The Diamond Dogs all get arrested, but Rarity gets away scott free?” Rainbow Dash asked, “That really doesn’t add up.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Celestia sighed, “Especially with Rarity being a member at the time. She would have been arrested with them.”

“Yet instead, she ended up with the Scarlets,” Trixie mused looking up, “This is getting way too complicated.”

“This does give us a possible lead though,” Twilight said looking down, thoughtfully, “After all, Rarity made it seem like if Cinch took action, the Scarlets would pay the price too. They might be doing something illegal as well. Such as harboring a felon.”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened, “But, that wouldn’t make sense! Applejack’s older brother, he’s a police officer! Their whole family is connected to law enforcement!”

“All the more reason why if they were hiding Rarity, they’d be in a lot of trouble,” Twilight said, “If she was supposed to go to prison, didn’t, and the Scarlets knew about it, they’d be charged with aiding a felon.”

“This does not look good for Rarity,” Trixie muttered, “We have to rescue her, but I’ll be completely honest, girls, this is making me really uncomfortable. Like, we really don’t know anything about Rarity.”

“I know one thing for certain,” Starlight said, “She’s a good person. Honestly, too good of a person. She’d rather take the fall herself than let someone else suffer. And we also know Applejack. She wouldn’t befriend Rarity if she couldn’t be trusted.”

“Yet those two are always together,” Rainbow Dash added, “Hell, remember in the Dungeon? She trusts Applejack enough to create a version of her in her dreams to keep her safe.”

“Exactly,” Starlight nodded, “And Applejack is visibly worried about Rarity right now. Rarity is undeniably a good person. Which means that something about this whole thing doesn’t add up. Until we get to the last entry in Rarity’s Akashic Records, we can’t make any assumptions.”

Trixie nodded, “Fair enough, I suppose.”

“Then tonight, let’s head back in,” Pinkie Pie said, reaching for her Channeling Ring and putting it on, “I think I’ll be ready for-”

“No Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said, “Tonight, I want you and everyone to rest. You especially.”

“But we only have till the 9^th!” Pinkie Pie protested, “Miss Tia, please let me fight! We need all the time we can get to save Rarity!”

Celestia sighed and shook her head, “I’m sorry, honey, but I must put my foot down on this. I want to save Rarity as quickly as possible, but I must consider your health as well. After what you went through, I want you to at least take tonight to just relax and be. Both for your sake, and for everyone else.”

“Besides, that Dungeon’s gone through some sort of change now,” Trixie said, “Now that Rarity’s with Rover, we don’t know HOW this will effect things going forward. We need to be smart about this.”

Pinkie Pie looked down in frustration, and she was trembling, as if she was going to cry. Rainbow Dash knelt before her and took her hand, “Pinkie Pie, please. For my sake at least. Rest, and when you’re refreshed, we can go back in.”

Pinkie Pie took a deep breath, and eventually nodded, “I hate this. I really really hate this. But, okay. I’ll take it easy for now,” for good measure, she took off her Channeling Ring and placed it on her bed stand, “That way I won’t be tempted.”

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said with a gentle smile, “For right now, let’s all have breakfast. Pinkie Pie, if you don’t feel up for it, I’ll let you eat up here, in case moving is hard.”

Pinkie Pie shook her head, “No. I want to eat with everyone. Besides, I always get seconds, and that’ll be easier if I’m just in the dining room with everyone.”

Celestia laughed, “Well, I can’t argue with that. Very well then.”

Twilight at the very least helped Pinkie Pie up, and she and Dash escorted her downstairs, with Celestia following shortly after. Starlight took a deep breath to control her emotions a bit. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she was close to tears again.

“Hey,” Trixie said, rising to hug Starlight from behind, “You okay?”

“I, I don’t know,” Starlight admitted, “For now, let’s just, get some breakfast, okay?”

Trixie pursed her lips and nodded, “Sure. Let’s go, Starlight.”

As they left the room, Starlight could feel Trixie’s eyes on her the entire time. Something told her they weren’t done talking about this.

end song

Afternoon

After eating breakfast, Starlight thought about heading out to see Fluttershy, but then remembered what Trixie brought to her attention about her costume. Cinch was on record saying she gave special treatment to students that she liked, and that costume, was not appropriate for school. How else could she have gotten away with that if she wasn’t getting special treatment?

She didn’t want to doubt Fluttershy’s integrity, but it seriously didn’t look good for her.

She heard a knock on her door, “Starlight honey, can I come in?”

It was Miss Tia, someone else that she felt sort of complicated feelings for now, also thanks to Cinch. Damn it, this woman was taking away everything that made her feel good.

“Yeah, come in,” Starlight said, laying down on her bed. The door opened, and Celestia walked in, sitting on the bed close to Starlight.

Xion's theme - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

“Are you okay, honey?” she asked gently. Like always, Starlight got a warm feeling from Celestia, but now she felt almost guilty for having it. She knew what Cinch was trying to do, and she hated that on some level, it was working.

“I, yeah I’m fine,” Starlight dismissed, hoping it’d work. Sadly, it seemed Celestia was smarter than that.

“You don’t look fine at all,” Celestia pointed out, “Starlight, you know you can tell me anything.”

Could she? Could she tell her what happened in that office with Cinch? Could she tell her that Cinch got into her head, and actually did make Starlight feel guilty for relying on Celestia?

“It’s, a couple of things, I suppose,” Starlight began, now sitting up, “First, when Cinch called me into her office, she…”

Celestia pursed her lips, “Tell me what she told you,” she requested. Starlight took a deep breath and explained what happened in the office. Like she expected, Celestia wasn’t pleased hearing this, as she sighed and folded her arms, “I see.”

“She’s, right though,” Starlight said looking down at her lap and tearing up, “I am still fragile, and I am clinging to you as a mother figure. I just…” she closed her eyes tightly, “I’m so overwhelmed…! I’m scared for Rarity, I’m afraid of what’s causing the Nightmares, I don’t know if I can trust Tokugawa-san, I still want to kill Blueblood’s Shadow, the fate of the world rests on my shoulders, and all through this I still haven’t stopped grieving over my Mother’s death! I miss her so much!” Starlight buried her face in her hand and broke down, crying harder than she’d cried in a long while, “And thanks to Cinch, now the one person I feel safe opening up to, I’m afraid of even turning to them!”

“Oh Starlight, come here,” Celestia brought Starlight into her arms, actually crying a bit herself, “Just let it out. Let it all out.”

“But I-”

“Right now, you are still in a fragile place. Losing a parent is hard, especially due to an accident. You’re not going to heal quickly, but I am here for you. I am here to help you every step of the way. So don’t feel like you’ve done something wrong by clinging to me, Starlight. I will do whatever I have to, in order to help you.”

“Why, though…?” Starlight looked up at Celestia, “I’m, sorry if it sounds bad to ask but, why do you care so much…?”

“I suppose, it’s because I know what it’s like, to be alone,” Celestia admitted, suddenly looking somber, “Before this, I was very alone, and in a dark place as well. I had resigned myself to a fate I did not ask for, unable to reach out to anyone,” she closed her eyes, tears falling gently down her cheeks, “When I finally, made my way here, I knew what my purpose was. It was to cultivate hope within humanity, and to lift up as many people as I could.”

“Instead, of searching for the light yourself, you became the light for others,” Starlight said softly, remembering what Victor said to her on the day she first entered the Velvet Room.

“I understand that my methods are strange,” Celestia said, “And that I am mysterious. I will be completely upfront with you and answer any questions you have, but know that I am on your side. I adore all of my children, and this naturally includes you.”

Starlight smiled a bit, and returned the hug, “What you said to me, it’s enough. I’m sorry if I seemed unfair, Miss Tia.”

“No, you’re fine, dear,” Celestia rubbed Starlight’s back, “I don’t know what Cinch is doing anymore. All I know is, no one should make you feel bad for turning to someone for help. I said it before when we first met, I am more than just your teacher and dorm mistress. Whatever you need me to be, I will be.”

“Thank you, Miss Tia,” Starlight said softly, still crying but now feeling immense joy. She felt significantly closer to Miss Tia.

“Now, something you said did catch my attention,” Celestia said, “You mentioned not being able to trust a “Tokugawa-san”. Do you mean Fluttershy Tokugawa?”

Starlight sighed and nodded, “Her Halloween Costume, it was really hot, and she looked great in it. But, it wasn’t appropriate for school. She was, pretty much naked in it.”

Celestia nodded pursing her lips, “I think I saw this costume. Vampire in a black dress?” Starlight nodded, “I was curious about that. Sadly, I don’t have her in any of my classes, so approaching her is a bit hard.”

“Trixie brought up something though, that has me scared,” Starlight admitted, “She said that, the only way she’d be able to get into school with that, was if Cinch gave her special permission to wear it, and Cinch mentioned that she gives special treatment to students she likes, so…”

“You’re worried that Tokugawa is one of the students secretly benefiting from Cinch,” Celestia reasoned.

Starlight nodded, “I don’t want to believe the worse of her. She’s so nice to me. She’s guarded, yes, but on the rare times she lets her hair down, she’s super nice. She laughs out loud, she believes in magic, she apparently is a fan of those Persona Users that are thieves, and she took time out of her day to talk to me, just because she saw I needed a fried. She doesn’t speak very good English, but that’s fine. She’s my friend, at least, I hope she is…”

“What does your heart tell you?” Celestia asked Starlight, “When you think about Tokugawa?”

“My heart, tells me that she’s a genuinely good person,” Starlight said, “There are a lot of things that don’t make sense about her, but I feel like, she’s a good person ultimately. If anything, she’s just, lonely.”

“Then go with that,” Celestia suggested, “Even if you don’t know the whole story, if she’s your friend, then until you have reason to believe otherwise, then trust that she’s a good person.”

“Even if, she could be in line with Cinch?” Starlight asked.

“See, we don’t know for certain what happened,” Celestia said, “Now, I do think you should exercise caution when around her, but don’t assume anything until you know the whole story, alright Starlight?”

Starlight nodded, “Alright. Thank you, Miss Tia. You know, I think I’m going to head out to find her after all.”

“Good,” Celestia smiled, “I’m glad I was able to provide clarity.”

“You did,” Starlight hugged Celestia again, and then rushed out of the room to sign herself out. She hoped Fluttershy was still out there.

“Thank goodness she’s alright,” Celestia sighed in relief, but then folded her arms with a gravely serious expression, “As for you, Cinch. Your actions are unforgivable. I just pray you stop yourself before it’s too late…”

Kairi theme - Kingdom Hearts 2

It was still afternoon, but Starlight could see the sun was setting as she ran to the park. She prayed that she didn’t miss Fluttershy. She didn’t want to leave this hanging in the air, and something told her that Fluttershy needed her now.

She remembered how terrified she was at the Halloween party. It was almost like she didn’t want Starlight to see something. The way she ran away too, it seemed wrong to Starlight. Almost like she was, trying to escape?

The more Starlight thought about it, the more she was afraid for her friend.

When she made it to the park, she saw Fluttershy in her training attire, but she wasn’t in the usual spot. Instead, she was sitting on the bench, her training sword beside her. Her hands rested on her lap, and she looked downcast, with her bangs covering her eyes.

Starlight saw her sigh, and get up from the bench. She could NOT let her leave yet.

“Tokugawa-san!” Starlight called out, stopping her. Fluttershy turned to Starlight wide eyed.

“S-Starlight-san…”

“Sorry, I’m late,” Starlight panted heavily once she stopped running, “Had, to talk, with my Homeroom Teacher, about something.”

Fluttershy shook her head smiling, and then averted her gaze, “It, fine. Can’t, always meet.”

“But, you were hoping I’d come by today, right?” Starlight asked, finally catching her breath. Instead of answering, Fluttershy bit her lip nervously, “Are you okay?”

Fluttershy closed her eyes pained, and shook her head, “Starlight-san, see at party.”

“I, see at party?” Starlight asked, “I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

Fluttershy whimpered biting her lip. It seemed like she was having a lot of trouble articulating what had her so upset. Sadly, she wasn’t quite sensitive enough to piece it together. But that wasn’t going to stop her from trying.

“Take your time,” Starlight said, approaching Fluttershy carefully, suddenly getting an idea, “Can I, hold your hand?”

Fluttershy looked at Starlight surprised, but then nodded slowly. She knew it was cheating, but she had to figure out what was bugging her friend. She opened herself up to Fluttershy, and took her hand.

It was fun while it lasted… having a real friend…

Now though... there's no way Starlight will want to be seen near me...

Starlight took a deep breath, feeling, relief. She could feel it, Fluttershy did genuinely want to be friends. Something at the party seemed to make Fluttershy think that they couldn’t be friends anymore. Like, she'd be ashamed to be anywhere near her.

“Were you okay?” Starlight asked Fluttershy, “At the party you, kind of ran off randomly.”

“U-uun” Fluttershy shook her head, “That, thing Starlight-san, not supposed to see…”

“Thing I’m not supposed to-” Starlight remembered the buzzing noise, and her eyes widened, “Oh shit. That buzzing, it was a…”

The way Fluttershy whimpered said it all, along with her suddenly looking like she wanted to cry.

“Okay, now I get it,” Starlight nodded, now rubbing Fluttershy’s hand with her thumb, “What if I told you that, I didn’t mind.”

“Starlight-san, not mind, I do, t-that at party…?” Fluttershy asked.

Starlight shook her head, “I, don’t know what this says about me, but public play like that, is something I find a bit of a turn on,” she blushed looking away, “I, kind of want to do stuff like that with my girlfriend, but I’m too worried what people will think.”

Fluttershy nodded, and oddly looked down hearing that. She was hoping that’d make her feel better, but did she misjudge? How much about her situation was she not understanding?

“Just know, that I'm not ashamed of you, or to be close to you,” Starlight continued, “You’re still my really cool upperclassman with a sword. Should I call you Senpai? Because if that’s what it takes to help you feel better, I will,” when Fluttershy still looked uncertain, Starlight leaned in close to her, “Please, Senpai~” That got her, as Fluttershy bit her lip now trying not to smile, “I’d say something super cutesy like “Please feel better, Senpai” in Japanese, but I haven’t seen enough anime for that, and I don’t want to flub the pronunciation.”

And that got her to laugh, “Starlight-san, embarrass me!”

“But do you feel better?” Starlight asked.

“Hai. Arigato, Starlight-san,” she smiled, “I, happy, that we, friends.”

Starlight smiled, squeezing Fluttershy’s hand gently, “I’m happy we’re friends too.”

Evening

I Shall Go On - Blue Reflection Second Light

Fluttershy had to head home soon after, as it was getting late. As such, Starlight made her way back to the dorm, where she saw Pinkie Pie sitting on the couch by herself. Fully dressed, but not in her usual skimpy attire, but instead in the longer, more conservative dress she wore when they first met. Ironic that this wasn’t standard attire for Pinkie Pie anymore.

As Starlight had Leanan Sidhe equipped still, she felt like she and Pinkie Pie would really resonate today.

“Hey Pinkie Pie,” Starlight said, signing herself in and going to sit beside Pinkie Pie, “How are you holding up?”

“I’m, doing better now,” Pinkie Pie said with a soft, but melancholy smile, “I, took a nap earlier, and I wasn’t in a Dungeon, so that’s a good sign. The real test will be when I go to bed tonight, though.”

“Are you still scared?” Starlight asked Pinkie Pie, taking her hand.

“A, bit,” Pinkie Pie looked down, “But more than that, I’m just worried about Rarity. If she’s with the Diamond Dogs in the Dungeon now…”

“It stands to reason she’ll be spending more time with them in the Real World too,” Starlight nodded, “I’m worried too. But I’m also worried about you, Pinkie Pie. Going into Dungeons, fighting Shadows, how are you really handling it all?”

Pinkie Pie looked away sadly, radiating that same melancholy air she did in her Halloween costume, “I, I don’t know. On one hand, I know that physically I’m fine. The Shadows didn’t touch me physically. But, I still feel it,” she hugged herself tightly, “I feel everything that happened to me. I remember it all so vividly. It’s like I was really there. I mean, I know that I am really there, but it hadn’t fully hit me. Not until I… got trapped in that place…”

“Pinkie Pie, I’m sorry,” Starlight looked down, “Because you’re helping us, you ended up in danger.”

Pinkie Pie took Starlight’s hands and looked into her eyes earnestly, “No Starlight. This isn’t your fault. I wanted to help you. Once I learned what was going on, and that it was all real, I knew I had to be by your side.”

“But, aren’t you still traumatized from your Dungeon?” Starlight asked Pinkie Pie.

“It’s true I, still have complicated feelings about everything,” she admitted looking down, “And knowing that it happened, does make me feel dirty still, but when I think about how much other people are suffering from it too, I can’t just do nothing,” she shook her head, “I won’t do nothing. No matter how much it hurts, I’ll fight for you, and for everyone.”

Starlight smiled sadly, “You really are a wonderful person, Pinkie Pie. I’m happy you’re by my side. Just, promise me that you’re going to be careful, okay?”

Pinkie Pie smiled, hugging Starlight, “I will. You do the same. No carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders alone.”

Starlight hugged Pinkie Pie back, promising to rely on her and everyone. She felt she and Pinkie Pie became significantly closer.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with everyone at the dorm once they came home, and Twilight woke up. They’d decide what to do concerning the Dungeon tomorrow, but for now, she just wanted to be a normal teenage girl for a bit.

Fool – Seekers of Light: 5/10
Magician – Trixie Lulamoon: 8/10
Priestess – Diamond Tiara: 10/10 Thrall
The Empress – Ms. Tia: 5/10 LEVEL UP!!!
Hierophant - Victor: 2/10
The Lovers - Pinkamena Diane Pie: 3/10 LEVEL UP!!!
Chariot – Rainbow Dash: 3/10
Strength - Tokugawa Fluttershy: 2/5
Hermit – Sunburst: 2/10
The Devil – Silver Spoon: 5/10
The Sun - Sweetie Belle: 2/10
Transformation - Ms. Luna: 1/10

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