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- "Your presence is required in Canterlot, by order of Princess Celestia."
- > The royal guard states in a deep, militaristic tone.
- > Still dizzy from your freefall, you wobble up onto your knees, then plant your feet firmly on the soil.
- > While not necessarily a very tall human, at full stature you tower over an adult stallion.
- > You spy another guard near a regal-looking carriage fitted to be pulled by pegasi. You notice thick brass bars over the windows.
- > You narrow your eyes at the first guard and try to match his level of enthusiasm.
- Give the Princess my best regards, but I am afraid I have previous business I must attend to.
- > You turn your attention slightly to the left and try to stroll away casually.
- > The guard steps in front of your path, blocking you with the entire length of his armor clad frame.
- > "It's not a request." He says, speaking mostly through his teeth.
- > A realization shoots through you. You're being arrested for what happened last night. How did Celestia find out so quickly?
- > No. You can still fix this. You'll catch up to Rainbow and convince her to come back. Celestia will pardon you and everything will be fine.
- > You just need to get past these guards.
- Listen,
- > You say, keeping your voice cool and patient,
- Thank you very much for saving me. I really, truly appreciate it,
- I know what I'm being arrested for and you can take me to Canterlot very soon, but I just-
- > Your sentence is cut short as a heavy pair of hooves shove you forward, making you tumble and fold onto the body of the guard.
- > You feel your arms pulled back violently, and with a loud snap, metallic rings are encased over your wrists.
- What the hell?!
- > You shout. The other guard must have circled around behind you while you were trying to explain yourself.
- > He grabs on to your legs and holds them tightly under his wing. You struggle and squirm to no avail. He's much stronger than the average pegasus.
- > Together, the two guards hoist your writhing body over to the carriage and shove you inside, slamming the door with a heavy clang.
- > In a fit of rage, you throw your shoulder into the sides of the tiny metal box, yelling,
- No! I can fix this! Let me explain!
- > The pegasus ponies ignore your cries, chosing instead to link themselves to the chariot and gallop into the air.
- > Forced back into your seat by the sudden momentum, the burning fire in your chest shrinks and whisps out. There's nothing you can do now.
- > Mornfully, you turn back to look at Rarity's unconcious form shrinking away through the bars of your prison.
- > You seriously hope she's alright. Wait-
- > She groggily stands up, opening her eyes only to see you, now a captive, flying away to the castle atop the dark blue mountain.
- Please don't be angry...
- > You plead silently to the now minscule speck of white.
- > The wind pours in through the forward window and rushes against your face. Your brow, once damp from sweat, is now dry and cool.
- > The increasing altitude makes the air thin and arid. You shift your body sideways, leaning askew in the chariot's unpadded, minicule seat.
- > Everything in this god-damned world is too small.
- > You sit uncomfortably and watch the sun pull itself underneath covers of earth, letting out a shimmering crimson glow across the Equestrian sky.
- > This has been the worst day of your new life.
- > Getting soaked by a storm, nearly falling to your death, and now forcibly arrested, awaiting judgement for your crimes.
- > Not to mention your best friend abandoning everything and everyone she loves just because you're a stupid, obstinate asshole.
- > Will Celestia banish you? Throw you in a dungeon to rot?
- > At this point you're not sure if you even care.
- > You can feel a certain photograph in your pocket. It's acidic memories are burning a hole in your pants.
- > You resist the urge to fling it out the window.
- > By the time the carriage arrives at the castle the sun has completely disappeared from the sky, leaving a lingering stripe of lavender across the horizon.
- > The carriage comes to a rumbling stop as it lands on a large, circular platform near the base of the grand fortress.
- > Although on a low level of the castle's structure, it is still pertched at a dizzying height, overlooking a sprawling vista of the kingdom.
- > Royal guards, all identical in their star-emblazoned armor, line the perimiter of the platform, carefully watching your arrival.
- > One of the guards that flew you in releases the latch on the door and swings it open.
- > Cautiously, you step down from the carriage, dozens of cold eyes watching your movements.
- > With pegasus on either side, you are marched into the castle through thick, wooden double doors.
- > You plod along reluctantly, the heavy manacles weighing down your wrists and chafing them.
- > The inner halls of castle stretch on and on, winding around corners and spiraling up stairs.
- > Your captors are not very talkative, giving you ample time to mull over your impending fate.
- > Eventually you are led to a door which you assume leads to the main court of the castle.
- > A guard opens it for you, like he has for every door previously.
- > The door pivots open to reveal a large dining room. The walls are marbled white, with golden and dark blue trim.
- > Flames crackle and dance in an oversized stone fireplace, bordered on both sides by a series of arched windows.
- > A long table of polished wood occupies the center of the room, resting atop a deep indigo carpet.
- > At the end of the table sits the princess herself, Celestia, having a delightful chat with her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.
- > "Your majesty," the guard to your left interrupts, "The human is here." Celestia and Twilight turn their attention to you.
- > Celesita rises from her seat. A bolt of panic ricochets down your spine. This is it. Your judgement.
- > You bow your head in a mixture of reverence and shame.
- > You can feel her bearing down on you, you fear every step of her confident, majestic gait.
- > "Anonymous," she remarks in a friendly tone, "So good to see you again."
- > You raise your head. Celestia is smiling warmly at you.
- > What?
- > Too shocked by the puzzling situation to form a valid response, you can only return the gesture with an awkward half-smile.
- > Celestia tilts her head to the side a glances at your wrists, still bound behind your back in shackles.
- > She looks to the guard at your side, an expression of concern spreading over her features.
- > "Why has my guest been restrained?" She questions with a geniune emotion of surpise.
- > The guard stifens and rushes to respond, "Your Grace, there have been reports that it has assaulted a pegasus. It was found near an unconscious unicorn, and-"
- > He stops, in response to Celestia's unenthused stare. She replies in a stern, but fair tone,
- > "Anonymous is not a monster. He deserves no such treatment."
- > The guard hastily removes the manacles, fumbling with the keys a little as he does so.
- > "Apologies, Princess." he says, bowing. He hesitates, then also speaks to you as well, "Apologies, human."
- > You respond with a satisfied smile, rubbing your sore wrists. The guards exit the room and close the door behind them.
- > "Anonymous," Celestia says cheerfully, "Please, join us." She begins walking back to the end of the table where Twilight is sitting.
- > You follow, waving to Twilight, who smiles and enthusiastically waves back, happy to be noticed.
- > You take a seat in a tall wooden chair with plush coushins. For once, you're sitting in something that actually fits you.
- > Celestia reseats herself at the head of the table and asks you politely, "Would you care for something to eat?"
- > Before you can respond, multiple servants place several platters of food in front of you, opening them to reveal an assortment of delicious cuisine.
- > A large, fresh salad, an assortment of small sandwiches, fruit pastries, honey-glazed biscuits, spiced apple wedges...
- > Not to mention jugs of piping hot tea, coffee, chilled wine and ice water.
- > You realize that you hadn't eaten anything since your encounter with Rarity, and your mouth begins salivating beyond your control.
- Yes, please. Thank you very much, Princess.
- > You say eagerly before biting into a thick, strawberry-filled pastry.
- > "Not at all, Anon. You are most welcome." Celestia responds with a delighted grin.
- > The two ponies are content to watch you eat for a while, impressed with your generous appetite.
- > You stop stuffing your face to pour yourself a glass of water, and Celesita pipes up.
- > "Anonymous, I'm afraid I've summoned you here due to a very unfortunate discovery."
- > You listen intently, sipping your ice water. Your recent meal sits uneasily into your stomach.
- > "Rainbow Dash has gone missing." Celestia explains disheartedly, "She was last seen flying west, towards the White Tail Woods."
- > "She has abandoned her temporary position at Ponyvile's library, and her home is-"
- Empty.
- > You interrupt, setting down your glass. Celestia and Twilight eye you with looks of surprise.
- > You continue,
- I know, I was there. She left these in her bedroom.
- > You dig the brochures out of your pocket and toss them onto the table.
- > Twilight studies them, reading the titles of the pamphets in a flash.
- > "Los Pegasus?" She questions, "Really?"
- I know it doesn't sound like her, but it's all we have to go on.
- > You say, keeping your speech calm and professional,
- Plus, Los Pegasus is the only major settlement to the west. That's where she was flying, right?
- > Twilight is hit with a sudden realization. She leans forward with studying eyes and asks,
- > "Anon. How did you know Rainbow Dash had left?"
- > You gulp silently. They still don't know about what happened between you and Rainbow.
- > Summoning your courage, you blurt out,
- Because I'm the reason she left.
- > Twilight's eyes go wide. Celestia looks at you with a careful, scrutinizing gaze.
- > You let the words sink in, focusing glumly at the platter of sandwiches. You aren't so hungry any more.
- > With a deep breath, you explain everything that happened for a second time.
- > By the time you finish, your voice is so laden with guilt that you hardly recognize it.
- > Celestia and Twilight have listened carefully the entire time without interrupting or condemning.
- > There's only one thing left that you need to express. Something that's been eating away at you since you first found out.
- What I don't understand is how she can just... leave. She seemed so loyal to her home, to her friends. It doesn't make sense.
- > Twilight and Celestia exchange a pensive look, as if deciding who should relay some terrible news.
- > Twilight is the first to speak up.
- > "Anon..." She says, choosing her words carefully, "Sometimes, when a pony experiences an immense sadness or they learn a horrible truth that they can't accept, they undergo... a change."
- > She looks away for a second, as if trying to recall a distant memory. She then continues, "They become cruel, stubborn and generally unfriendly. Their personality changes to be completely opposite of their usual self."
- > She sighs and adds, "It's as if their true character, their color, just... fades away."
- > You nod, taking in the information.
- > You remember that when you saw Rainbow in the library, the colors of her beautiful, multi-colored mane seemed slightly... gray.
- > Twilight explains further, "When a pony experiences this, it's called becoming 'discordant.' It happened once to my friends and I, long before you came here."
- > She looks into the dead center of your eyes and adds with a serious tone, "If Rainbow Dash has become discordant because of... your actions, then she has lost all loyalty to her friends and home."
- > Ice runs through your veins.
- > Your memories are yanked back to this morning, once again you're looking at Rainbow through the glass.
- > She is screaming, face stained with tears.
- > "WELL MAYBE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!"
- > You close your eyes and force the memories out of your brain.
- Can we... change her back?
- > You say, trying to sound hopeful.
- > Twilight frowns. Celesita answers despondently, "Yes, but it will take the kind, assuring words of a close friend."
- > "They will need to show her deep, unconditional love and convince her to let friendship into her heart once again."
- > No easy task. The hateful glare of her angry, magenta eyes persist in your mind.
- > You ask doubtfully,
- But what if... she doesn't listen?
- > "Then we'll have to make her listen, or else we'll never see her again." Twilight says, her voice baren and desolate.
- > Never... again.
- > The phrase lingers in your ears, it's weight bringing the full realization of what is at stake.
- > You stare out of a tall, arched window into the pitch black night.
- > The room is silent save for the soft rustling of flames.
- > You've been a terrible person. You've been a terrible friend.
- > But you can't let it end here.
- > Somewhere out there is sky blue mare that needs your help. Your Rainbow.
- > Finding sudden resolve, you proclaim,
- I am going to find her.
- > Celestia beams at you, her kind eyes twinkling.
- > "Yes!" Twilight excitedly joins in, "I'll come with you, Anon. We can leave first thing tomorrow."
- > Her face lights up, she seems quite eager despite the sad circumstances.
- > "No." Celesita states, her weighty tone extinguishing Twilight's excitement.
- > "This is a journey Anonymous will have to take alone."
- > Twilight looks hurt. She rushes to reply, "But with my magic I can help Rainbow remember all of her experiences in Ponyvile."
- > Celestia responds, speaking like a parent to a sulking child,
- > "I'm sorry, Twilight, but the memories of your friendship won't be enough. She will need to reconcile with Anonymous if she is to return to her normal state."
- > Twilight scrunches her brow, trying to find a counterpoint. "But I could at least accompany him, right?" She suggests.
- No, Twilight. Celestia is right.
- > You say with a heavy sigh,
- You're needed here. This is something I have to do myself.
- > The purple unicorn gazes at you with a disheartened look, but she knows when to quit.
- > "I understand." She says, ears drooping down.
- > You continue to talk with the ponies for a while about your departure and eat your fill of the remaining food.
- > Soon the tabled is cleared, and Celestia decides to call an end to the evening.
- > "Goodnight, Anon" Twilight says while exiting the room, "I will see you off tomorrow morning."
- > You rise from your seat, as does Celestia. You turn to leave, but feel a gentle pull on your shoulder.
- > The immaculate white alicorn has stopped you. "Anonymous," She begins.
- > You turn, standing at eye-level with the tall, sleek pony. Her ethereal mane shifts and billows, giving off a faint glow.
- > "I know you care for Rainbow Dash deeply, and I know in the end you will convince her."
- > She comments, "But keep in mind that she is also the Element of Loyalty. Without her assistance, the Elements of Harmony can no longer protect our land."
- > You look into her eyes and nod grimly.
- > "The fate of her friendship, and possibly all of Equestria, rests on you." She says.
- > You acknowledge her concerns geniunely, your voice honest and true,
- I understand.
- > Celestia, pleased with your response, summons a servant to guide you to your room.
- > You are led down several hallways and up a winding tower to a guest bedroom.
- > As you walk into the room, you notice a cushy purple bed and a selection of antique furniture.
- > The servant leaves you, and you decide you are too tired to do anything but sleep.
- > Exhausted from the long day, you disrobe partially and slide under the soft, silky sheets.
- > In the darkness of the room, sleep closes in around the edges of your mind.
- > Regardless, you can't help but recall various events from your crazy, adventure-filled day.
- > The last thought that crosses your mind is Rainbow Dash walking up the stairs of the library.
- > You see her sky blue legs cross the threshold and disappear.
- > She is gone.
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