Infirmaries, hospitals, those creepy places for sick ponies...

Whatever you called them, nopony ever liked going to them. Going to them always meant being poked and prodded while strange ponies decide on the shots you might need. Or you went to see your loved ones, to see them so sick and weak. Sometimes, if you were lucky, you could watch them get better. But...not everypony was that lucky.

All in all, you were almost always happier leaving, than going in.

Yet, here she was, watching after the former magician Trixie, who was nestled quite comfortably in a pristine white bed. Yet...the expression of pain had not left her face, as if she was in constant torment.

"Oh Trixie..." Twilight whispered in the lonely room. The Princess had left her here to watch over Trixie while the rest of her friends were gathered. But, to tell the truth, she would have done so anyway. "Did you know I never expected to see you again? I mean...there was always some chance, but I thought you'd make your way in another town, learn from your mistakes, and Ponyville would become nothing but a memory..."

"Oh, what am I doing?" she sighed, stepping up beside the bed. "I don't even know if you can hear me. Discord said they'd taken away your spirit...left nothing behind. Plus...even if you could hear me, I don't know what I'm supposed to say...I don't even know how I'm supposed to feel about you."

"When you first came here you were so rude...so callous. Then, the moment you come back, you kidnap Sunny, a colt that is very important to me and friends. You took him into the woods...and because of you...he was hurt, me and my friends were all hurt. Yet...Sunny says you tried save him later, that you sacrificed yourself to give him a chance to escape those tormented ponies. He says you were so brave...and I believe him...but...part of me is still angry with you."

"I know I shouldn't be, but I am. If you had been a little bit stronger, a little bit braver...or just a bit faster. Me and my friends might have been able to pull you out of the woods with Sunny. We could have protected you, nopony would have had to been hurt..." Twilight shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm judging you...and I don't even know you. Maybe...after all of this is over and you wake up, we could have a real conversation? We could start over...well, at least would could start off a little bit better than before?" Trixie gave no reaction, but Twilight could have sworn she saw the expression on her face soften slightly.

"And maybe I can help you earn the title of 'Great and Powerful,'" she added with a smile.

Okay, Sunny was in his bed taking a nap, boy that had been tough to set up. He'd looked so tired, but when she mentioned a nap, terror seemed to fill his eyes. Pinkie couldn't let him be scared, so she made sure to promise that she would stay close and she would be right there as soon as he woke up. Even with that, Sunny had been as slow as possible going up the stairs in the library. And then, before settling down into his covers, Sunny pulled a glowing rock out from his tail, how long had he had that, and an extra one from under his pillow. Placing them beside him on the sheets Sunny had taken one last look at her before closing his eyes.

So now here she was, nestled down on the floor beside Sunny's bed.

"You know Sunny...one day we're gonna have to find that right balance of 'safe' and 'interesting' for life in Ponyville. That way we can have exciting days without having to worry about thing like 'impending doom for every pony.' Wouldn't that be nice?" suddenly, a yawn escaped her lips. Golly-wolly, when had she gotten so tired? Maybe it was all that running in the Everfree Forest, followed by less than a hours sleep, followed by more running around in the forest...

Well that probably explained it.

Plus she'd been super-duper worried about Sunny, and being worried was just exhausting.

Well a little nap wouldn't hurt right? Even if she was sleeping she'd still be next to Sunny and he could wake her up if he got up before she did! It was the perfect plan. Satisfied, Pinkie let her head droop down to the floor and closed her eyes.

"It's nice to see you again Pinkamena," well that wasn't very nice. Somepony was bugging her just as she was trying to get to sleep. But...that was weird, she didn't even feel tired anymore.

In fact...as she opened her eyes she saw that she wasn't even in the library any more. Oh, she knew this place! It was the hill outside of Ponyville, the hill she made sure had a story with a happy ending. Yet...even though she was on top of the hill, she couldn't see any buildings. The ground just seemed to get all...blurry the further to looked.

Yet...all of that wasn't the most important thing.

"Who's calling me Pinkamena? Almost nopony calls me that but mom and dad, and I'm pretty sure you're not..." Pinkie stopped as her gaze traveled along the hill and a pony came into view, a stallion to be precise. He was just standing there, looking up into the sky as the bright sun shone down on his gray coat and dark black mane.

"No way! Is that..." she paused as it seemed he'd heard her. He pulled his gaze away from the sky and focused on her. He took a deep breath, seeming to almost relish the air as it flowed into his lungs.

"It's good to see that you're still smiling," he told her, the expression on his face remaining flat as the words rumbled out of his throat.

"It is you Old Sunny!" Pinkie exclaimed, rushing up in front of him with glee simply radiating from her body. "Nopony could sound as gloomy and rumbly as you!" She almost threw a hug around him, but stopped herself, pausing in midair.

"Hey...wait a minute," she reversed away from him. "There's no way you can be here, this is just a dream isn't it?" Pinkie knew what would happen next. Dream Sunny would say yes and the whole place would crumble around her.

To her surprise, Sunny shook his head.

"Something like that, and yet...not," he told her. "This is something that should have been forgotten, pushed back into the darkest reaches of the mind, made into something even less than a memory."

"What do you mean?" she asked, settling down into the grass. Explanations like this always took way too long!

"All of you brought me out of that dark void, saved me from the fate bestowed upon me, and in return, took a part of me with you. All of those parts were meant to fade, dissipate into nothing. But something stopped the process, something...drew them back out," he explained.

"Oh, that scary thing in the forest! The Princess told us it was trying to get you back from new Sunny and wanted to get all your spooky powers!" Pinkie spoke up, then gasped loudly. "Did you feel it when the tried? Did it hurt you too?"

"Something like that," he replied. "Pain does not really have a definition here. Still...the fact that I am able to speak to you like this means that they were partially successful. So listen closely, what I'm about to tell you is very important." He stepped forward and Pinkie made sure her ears were pointed towards him.

"I need to remember, you can't keep me locked up in the dark, you can't just tell me everything is going to be okay and push away my fears with a hug. If you do...the memories are going to overwhelm him," Sunny told her, somehow looking even more serious.

"Okay-hey wait a minute? How do you know what I told to new Sunny?" Pinkie asked suddenly, rubbing her chin in confusion.

"How else? I am the part of Sunny that has been in your mind. It has been an...interesting experience to say the least.," Pinkie nodded, understanding. "But please, you have to do this. At this point, I cannot afford to be lost anymore."

"Well...how am I supposed to tell him? That's not something you can just sort of bring up," she wondered.

"I do not have all the answers, but you will figure something out. You were smart enough to help me last time...I know you can help me now," he nodded while Pinkie was just surprised. She didn't think any pony had as much confidence in her as Sunny did.

"O-okay," she agreed. "But isn't there anything else you can tell me? Like, what was that thing in the woods? Is this whole thing going to have a happy ending? And...will I ever see you again?" Sunny closed his eyes for a moment, focusing.

"I am only a part...I do know I know that presence...but nothing more. The ending will be decided by you and your friends, but I trust you'll find the right path. As for your last question...you have to understand Pinkie, there is no 'Old Sunny' or 'New Sunny.' In the end, it's just me, even if I'm just a little bit smaller. I will see you again, of that, there is no doubt," Pinkie could swear she saw the ghost of a smile on his face, but maybe it was just the lighting.

"So...time to wake up then?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes...but don't worry. It's not lonely here. It's bright, happy, everything I could want. Now...goodbye," Pinkie blinked, and in the next moment she was back in library. The only noise being the quiet snores of Sunny next to her.

"Oh boy," she sighed, looking over at him. "This just keeps getting more and more complicated doesn't it?"

"Pinkie Pie?" a new voice called from the doorway.

"Is that you Spike?" she called back, keeping her voice low.

"Yeah," the young dragon replied, stepping into the room. "I just got a letter from the Princess. She wants all of the Element bearers, plus me and Sunny, to go to Canterlot. She's sending a carriage for all of us really soon. I guess it's really important," he explained, waving the letter around.

"See what I mean?" Pinkie said to no one in particular.

Once again, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony were gathered together, but this time, within the very throne room of the castle of Canterlot.

Here, they would discuss how to bring an end to the darkness within the Everfree Forest. They would speak directly with the Princess, and with her vast knowledge of magic, a solution would quickly be found. It would be quite an amazing thing for anypony to witness.

"Now Sunny, you need to stay outside with Spike," Twilight informed them. All of her friends stood behind her in the throne room while Celestia herself sat in the throne and nodded wisely.

"Aww, how come?" Spike complained. "You brought us all the way up here only to tell us we don't get to a part of it?"

"Sorry, but you need to trust me," the unicorn explained. "It's better, and probably safer, if you just stay outside. Why don't you show Sunny around the Castle Spike? Just be sure no to go too far."

"Hmm...well okay Twilight," Spike accepted, crossing his arms across his chest. "C'mon Sunny, let's go check out the castle library or something."

"Have fun Sunny!" Pinkie waved after them as the doors to the throne room slammed shut. Sunny followed after Spike, surprised at how quickly Spike had agreed with Twilight, and very confused as to why he'd been brought up here.

Spike trudged along in silence, past the royal secretary and several royal guards who all gave him friendly smiles, obviously recognizing him. It was only when they had passed into an empty hallway that he stopped, rounding on Sunny with a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Good, do you think Twilight bought the act?" he asked quickly, keep his voice low as his eyes darted back and forth.

"I w-what?" Sunny stammered, now even more confused than before.

"Oh come on, you know that I would give up this easily, especially over something this interesting! I almost never know what's going on around Ponyville, and now I finally have a chance," he said, his eyes glistening with excitement.

"But...even if they thought your act was real, we're still locked out of the throne room," Sunny argued.

"Please, I've been exploring this castle since I was hatched. You can't have expected me to sit around all the time and watch Twilight read her books. It started out innocently enough, but there are so many little passages hidden throughout this place! It thought about telling Twilight once or twice, but I don't think she'd appreciate like I do. Probably give me a big speech on 'being responsible' and that I should 'inform the princess.'" He shook his head. "Anyway, there should be something right over...here..." Spike started to run his claws over a nearby wall, inching behind a displayed set of armor.

"I'm...not so sure about this," Sunny murmured.

"C'mon, if they brought us here then whatever they're talking about has to involve us...or at least you. We've got to take the initiative, show them that we're strong, that they can trust us," Spike explained. "We're gonna be big and strong one day too. Besides...it's not a good idea to hide things from your friends, or to distrust them. Twilight should know that more than anypony...here we go!" His claws clicked against the wall and panel slid away, revealing a small opening, barely big enough for him and Sunny.

"So, are you ready?" Spike asked. Sunny paused for a moment thinking.

Just what were they talking about...something told him it probably involved him, but why? It seemed he was a part of so many things, but no one would explain to him why. The only response he'd gotten was pain and nightmares...

But he had to know...he had to understand.

"Okay," he replied, and stepped into the small tunnel with Spike.

The pathway refused to get any larger, but at least it wasn't pitch black. The path seemed to slope upwards and ahead of them Sunny could see a few small openings that allowed a few rays of light in. Slowly, the two of them crawled forward, reaching the pinpoints of light.

"We should be right above the throne right now," Spike whispered. "These holes should let us hear and see what's going on. But be careful if you look out of them, you never know when somepony might be looking up here." Sunny just nodded, worried that someone might overhear them.

"So you're saying that this is some sort of crazy thing with Discord and trapped ponies," Rainbow Dash's voice floated up to them. "But that still doesn't explain why they tried to capture Sunny."

"I'm still not sure about that," that had to be Twilight. "Maybe they want some of the powers he used to have...maybe it's got something to do with Discord's spell making them..." Twilight's voice dropped and became inaudible.

Powers...what was Twilight talking about? He inched closer towards the opening in the wall, hoping to hear more.

"But why does that even matter?" Only Pinkie Pie had a voice that pitch. "Can't we just use the Elements to release the ponies from that mean old Discord's spell?"

"But that would just release the chaos magic, and I don't know what that might do to the nearby environment. And we can't just try to seal the magic away because that could trap the ponies too," Twilight explained.

"Well why don't we try and do both then?" somepony with an accent offered, had to be Applejack. "First we use the Elements to free all them ponies, then seal up all that chaos magic right quick?"

"That may not be wise," Celestia's majestic tones reached Sunny's ears, and he subconsciously stepped back, earning an odd stare from Spike. He did not know why, but he was never comfortable around the Princess. At first...he though she was simply intimidating, but as he thought about it, Sunny realized it was something more than.

Staring up at the Princess, her regal gaze looking back at him...he felt...regret.

It was like...remembering an old mistake. Something he never wanted to remember again.

He hated that feeling...he hated seeing her face, hearing her voice.

She broke the illusion...

"Using the Elements is an exhausting task, as you all well know, their magic draws greatly on your own strength and vitality. Normally, it is easy enough to recover from, but using them several times in a row can be dangerous...if not deadly," the Princess advised.

"I must say, this sounds like something Discord planned when he cast that dreadful spell," Rarity observed. Sunny noticed Spike moving closer to the openings as he heard the unicorn's voice.

"Ugh!" Pinkie groaned. "This is terrible! It's like trying to put together a super hard puzzle, but we don't have all the pieces and even if we solve part of it somepony comes along to scramble it all up!"

"Yeah Pinkie...hey wait a minute...that actually made some sense!" Rainbow Dash commented. "Well, more sense that usual at least."

"But that still leaves us with all those missing pieces," Twilight grumbled so that Sunny could barely hear her. "Wait...missing pieces...we're not the only ones missing something...I've got it!" she finished with a shout.

"Mind cluin' us in on your revelation there sugar cube?" Applejack asked.

"There is a way we can stop the spell and free the ponies!" Twilight exclaimed. "We're just have to give them exactly what they want!"

"What!" that was several ponies at once. They quickly descended into wild yammering before Pinkie's voice broke out over all of them.

"You can't do that Twilight! If you give Sunny to them they're just going to hurt him again! They'll...they'll..." her voice fell silent.

"They'll turn him back into..." it seemed so quiet, but the words reached Sunny's ears all the same.

"Don't worry Pinkie, I won't let anything happen to him. The plan is..." Twilight quickly replied, but Sunny didn't hear the rest.

Turn him back into...what was Pinkie talking about? Did it have something to do with those memories? But Pinkie had told him they were just bad dreams.

Pinkie wouldn't lie to him...right?

The tunnel suddenly seemed far darker, the shadows were almost swirling around him, choking him.

You need to open your eyes...

He was shaking...why was he shaking? It had just been a simple little comment, why did it eat away at him?

"Sunny? Sunny are you okay?" he felt Spike's claw rest on his quivering shoulder. He just shook his head, he didn't want to hear any more. Without another word he turned and crawled back through the tunnel, pulling himself back out into the empty hallway.

Sitting there, he rubbed his temples, trying to push back the voice, push back the memories.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, just a trick, a joke...a prank," he muttered over and over.

"Hey, snap out of it Sunny!" Spike was next to him again, trying to stop him from shaking. "What happened? Are you all right?"

"I...I'm..." Sunny took a deep breath. "I'm okay Spike...It's nothing." He tried to brush Spike away.

"No it wasn't," Spike stood his ground. "This is something Twilight and the others should know about. You should try to talk to them about it."

"No!" Sunny exclaimed, before forcing himself to calm down. "No. Please Spike...they can't know about this." He couldn't acknowledge it, couldn't admit it might be real.

"I don't know Sunny..." Spike shook his head, but it was obvious he didn't want to force Sunny into something he wanted to avoid.

"Just trust me okay? Just trust me..." Sunny told him. Trust him, like he trusted Pinkie.

"...okay," Spike agreed hesitantly. "Now come on, we can go act like we were in the library this whole time." He waved his hand and Sunny followed him once more.

They had hardly begun to wander around the vast library before Twilight and the others, each equipped with their respective Element, had burst in with an announcement.

"Get ready you two!" Rainbow Dash boldly ordered. "We're heading back to the Everfree Forest!"

"Hopefully full the last time," Rarity added. "That place is absolutely dreadful!"

"But you've got the Elements, why do you need us?" Spike asked.

"Spike, we need you to be able to send a message to Princess at a moment's notice, in case something goes wrong," Twilight explained, the jewel of her crown glimmering in the light of the castle. "And Sunny, you're the most important part of the plan!"

"Umm, you know, if that's all right with you," Fluttershy muttered.

"Will...will it hurt?" Sunny found himself asking.

"Not at all," Pinkie gleefully answered. "As long as Twilight's right about her theory."

"Trust me girls, this is the perfect plan," the unicorn reassured.

"Well c'mon then everypony. No use sitting here wasting time. I'd rather get this done sooner than later," Applejack joined in. "So let's get over to the chariots." Everypony agreed with that, and they all set out, ready to put an end to all of this.

At least, Sunny hoped it would finally be at an end.

"Okay Sunny, so you understand what your part of the plan is right?" Twilight asked him. They had landed just outside of the forest and were now walking through the thick trees.

"Something like that," he replied. "Just keep walking until you tell me to run for cover."

"Right, and once that happens I'll-"

"Twilight no!" Pinkie interrupted. "You can't tell him the plan here where everyone can hear it. Everypony knows if you do that something will go wrong!"

"Pinkie, that's only how things work in stories, not real life," Twilight groaned.

"But you don't know that!" Pinkie replied, her eyes growing wide. She turned towards Sunny. "You just need to trust us, even the Princess said this plan should work. Also, after this whole this whole thing is over, I've got something important to tell you."

"Important how?" Sunny asked.

"You'll see," she promised. "Now let's go! It's time to save the world!"

The group forged forward, the underbrush rustling beneath their hooves. With every step, Sunny was liking the plan less and less.

Eventually, he knew when it was time.

The noises of the forest stopped, like all the animals had been frightened away. He could feel the voices drawing closer, he could feel their eyes hungrily watching him, and this time, he couldn't sense anything holding them back.

They had beaten Trixie.

"They're here," he whispered, and then he could hear them.

We can see you now, all of you. It's all here, and we will take it!

The voices shouted in his head, but he wasn't the only one who heard. He noticed Twilight and her friends shuddering as the presence drew close.

We can finally be free!

With those words Sunny felt their icy grip close in around his mind. He tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go.

The grip tightened and he couldn't move. Sunny knew what was coming next...pain.

But before the pain could start, Twilight and her friends were there, forming a protective circle around him.

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Pinkie stated.

You can't stop it! We will take back what is ours!

The voices yelled, but Twilight's horn ignited with magic and seemed to drive them back.

"I don't think so! You're using magic, and if there's one thing I know, it's magic! Even chaos magic!" Twilight shouted into the woods, her horn glowing brighter.

"You're trying to take all the pieces of Sunny, all those puzzle pieces, and put them together and then separate them. But that you don't know is that every spell, if understood, can be turned against it's user!" she stepped forward, the light around her horn focusing.

What are you doing? Stop!

"I'm pulling you all together, and then I'm going to separate the chaos magic from you!" as Twilight said that, sunny felt the grip on his mind being pulled away, drawn towards Twilight's horn. "And then we can seal away the magic with our Elements. After that...we'll be able to help you."

The magic was finally released, shooting from her horn in a beam of light. It slammed into...something floating in the air, a dark presence.

The voices screamed, but it didn't hurt, not anymore.

The voices grew quieter and quieter as the magic began to envelop of them.

"Get ready girls, as soon as this spell is done we're going to have to use the Elements," Twilight announced.

"Right!" they all agreed, gathering next to Twilight. They stood prepared as Twilight's magic grew brighter.

Sunny just stared in awe. He'd been so terrified of this presence, yet Twilight had figured out a way to defeat it so easily...

The spell stopped and the last traces of the screaming faded into nothing.

"Alright, n-" Twilight was cut off as a brilliant white flash blinded them all.

And accompanying the light...was laughter. Harsh, deep, mocking laughter.

"No...it couldn't be..." Sunny heard Twilight mutter, his eyes still closed from the light.

"Well done, my little ponies!" a menacing voice chuckled, just hearing it unnerved Sunny.

"I think it's time we had some fun!"