ADVENTURES IN EQUESTRIA: EPISODE 4
You are standing by yourself in the clearing where Rainbow Dash had just shown off her flying skills, only for things to fail miserably. The wind gently blows, the birds gently chirp, and Rainbow Dash's scream for help still echoes in your mind. Trees sway, time ticks, the sun gleams, and you stand.
You could go back to Ponyville with no problem. However, the problem lies in the fact that, when Rainbow Dash was catastrophically catapulted, it was not towards Ponyville...
There's no one there to help. So...
...what do you do?
1. Shout for help.
2. Head towards Ponyville to get help and find Rainbow Dash.
3. Pursue Rainbow Dash yourself.
[2 is chosen]
You see Ponyville in the near distance. You start jogging towards the legendary town, hoping that you'll find the Mane 6 before RD gets hurt. You are sore from the climbing you did yesterday to get to Canterlot. This forces you to eventually slow down your pace slightly.
As you briskly make your way to the antiquated buildings and friendly commonfolk, you think to yourself what may have happened to Rainbow. You shudder at the thought of her being in danger. This presses you to return to your running pace, each step leaving a human footprint unfamiliar to the Equestrian dirt.
One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four... You count your countless steps until you reach the town of Ponyville at last. Pony folk stare at your strange appearance. A couple walking on a road pull their two children close to their sides.
You obviously feel embarrassed about this, but something bothers you deep on the inside. You whisper to yourself, "Do ponies really see me as a...monster?"
You make your way near the commons. Ponies chit-chat and support the local economy. The bell on the Town Hall is rung. *Ding, ding, ding, ding.* It was four o'clock. Your watch confirmed this.
You notice the upper part of Princess Twilight's Castle through all the buildings, standing in all its majesty, sparkling in the sunlight.
So, what will you do to look for help?
1. Ask a pony in the commons. They must know where Princess Twilight is, definitely! But...with the way I look...
2. Check Sugarcube Corner. Hopefully, somepony is there--or, at least, Pinkie! Can I be sure, though?
3. Head to the Princess's Castle. Somepony has to be there that can help. But it'll take a while to get there.
[3 is chosen]
You head straight through the square, towards the castle.
Everypony is socializing. Kids are laughing. But then things start getting quiet, as they notice your awkward presence.
Heads turning. Mouths shutting. Eyes glaring. You walking.
You keep your head down, incredibly embarassed.
Filly: "Who is that, Mommy?"
Pony: "I don't know, sweetie, stay close."
But *their* voices don't bother you as much as the ones in your head, as a memory resurges:
You are walking through the hallway, in your dreaded high school. You're on two hours of sleep after spending most of your night not on homework, but on your inventions. And catching up on season 1 of MLP. You were thinking about when the second season would debut.
Kid 1: "Hey, look, it's that kid."
Kid 2: "What the hell is he/she even doing?"
Kid 1: "I don't know, man. Weirdo."
Everyone in the hallway looks at you like you're some creep. Shame starts consuming your thoughts.
You turn your head down and run.
Run as fast as you could, and close your eyes.
And then you keep running.
And when you're out of the ponies' eyes, out of the square, you still keep going.
By the time you open your eyes and start gasping for breath, you're on the footpath towards the castle. You slowly step your way towards the purple doors. You knock on its hard, crystalline surface.
*Knock knock knock!*
...no response.
You try again: *Knock knock knock!*
Quick, pick a number between 1 and 2!
[1 is chosen; no one answers door]
Your knock is not responded to.
And neither is the next.
With nopony responding, you open the doors yourself, hoping that no guard will take you down.
*creak*
You: "...Hello?" Your voice reverberates through the endless hallways, which appear to be made of awfully smooth crystal. The fiasco at the town square becomes nothing in your mind as you gaze upon the amazing innards of the castle, as beautiful as the outside.
You: "Well, then." You close the door behind you and decide to walk amongst the hallways. Your footsteps are reflected amongst the walls, much like the rays of light that poured in through multiple windows.
After briskly pacing amongst the hallways and stairs, you finally find a room from which you think you hear a scribbling sound.
You enter to find multiple shelves of old scrolls. The room smells like a collection of antiquated literature. You see Twilight Sparkle scribbling on a piece of parchment. Her horn glows as the quill is moved solely by her unicorn magic.
You: "Wow..."
You tiptoe in the room. How will you get her attention?
1. "Hey, uh...Princess Twilight?"
2. "YO, HORSE GURL!"
3. Forget this. What am I doing anyway? *leave*
[1 is chosen]
You: "Hey, uh...Princess Twilight?"
Twilight: "AAAAHHH!!!" She drops her quill. "Er...hehe! Hey, Mad Scientist! ...Uhhh, what are you doing here?"
How do you respond?
1. Ask what she was writing.
2. Ask about her scroll collection.
3. Tell her what happened to Rainbow Dash.
4. "PSYCH!!!" *run away*
[3 is chosen]
You: "R-Rainbow Dash was flying, and then she, uhh...tried a sonic rainboom."
Twilight: "A sonic rainboom? Wow! She must've really wanted to impress you! Where is she?"
You: "...the sonic rainboom didn't work. She went flying off into the distance."
Twilight: "...wait, what?"
You direct her outside onto the balcony and point towards the distance. You point to the clearing by the pond...
You: "This is where we were flying. And then this..."--you point towards a general direction nearby--"is where she went."
Twilight: "Oh no...I hope she didn't end up in the Everfree!"
You: You realize your stupidity of freaking out so much. "Couldn't she just...fly out of there?"
Twilight: "She would. But if she hasn't already, then that means she could have injured her wing! Come on, we need to go get her!"
***
Twilight: "Hold on...this might feel a little weird...stand still!"
Her horn glows with a mesmerizing purple energy. Purple light flashes around her, and then you, when sud--
*FLASH*
...
*FLASH*
After a brief flash of light, you are at clearing you were at before. You suddenly feel lightheaded and nauseated.
You: "Ugghhhhh... wait, what just..."
Twilight: "Teleportation! Neat huh? Now, point to where Rainbow Dash went!"
You point again in the direction you saw her blueness disappear towards.
Twilight: "Ah-hah. Hold on, Dash, we're coming for yah!"
You and Twilight walk at a brisk pace, keeping your eyes peeled. It is nearly five in the afternoon. The setting gets dark as you enter the nefarious woods that lie ahead.
You: "Is that...?"
Twilight: "The Everfree Forest? Yes!"
You: *gulps*
You enter the forest and start searching. What do you do first?
1. Call out for RD.
2. Keep focusing on the search.
3. See what you have that could help you both out.
[1 is chosen]
You: "Rainbow Dash? Hello?! Are you okay?!"
Twilight: "Dash! Are you out there?"
...No response.
You continue perusing the forest.
What next?
1. Call for RD again.
2. Just keep on searching.
3. Check for anything useful that you have.
[3 is chosen]
You rummage through your clothing in search of anything remotely useful.
You: "Hmmm... I've got my phone here, which could be a flashlight and a noise signal. I've got a miniature flashlight here. I've got a rough map of Equestria, sorta to scale. And...that's it."
Twilight: "Could I see the flashlight, please?"
Even though it is daytime, the two of you make use of lights to find your lost friend. This gives you more confidence and alleviates your fears slightly.
Aided by technology, you continue searching.
What now?
1. Call out for RD again. She's bound to be nearby...
2. Strike up a brief conversation with Twilight. She seems sorta nervous now, too...
3. Tell Twilight it's a lost cause.
[2 is chosen]
You: "You alright, Twilight?"
Twilight: *sigh* "I just hope Rainbow is okay..."
You: "Don't worry. If anyone can survive the Everfree Forest, it's Rainbow Dash."
Twilight: "But what if she hurt her wing?"
You: "That's what we're here for."
Twilight and you smile slightly. Her face seems less agonized and more determined.
Twilight: "Rainbow Dash? Can you hear me?'
Suddenly, you hear a sound, far in the distance...
"........aaaaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
It's Rainbow Dash! She's running from...something.
Twilight: "Rainbow! We found you! Are you alright?"
Rainbow Dash's left wing is retracted. There is some dirt on her face. Her eyes are wide open with terror.
Rainbow: "Twilight! Scientist! Run! NOOOWWW!!!" She takes off. You and Twilight follow her without question.
The ponies gallop as you sprint at full force. However, being equines, you are left in the dust.
You: "Hey, wait up!"
???: "ROOOOARRRR!!!"
An earthshaking roar from behind you renders you paralyzed. You turn to see a hideous manticore pursuing you. And it is drawing nearer. And nearer.
Before you can scream, Twilight grabs your wrists firmly in her hooves and flaps her wings, struggling to carry you in the air. You kick your legs as the paralysis leaves you, squirming uncomfortably.
You: "AAHHH!!! Put me DOWN!"
Twilight: "STOP SQUIRMING! I'M SAVING YOU!" Twilight darts in the direction of Rainbow Dash with you in tow. The manticore roars a bloodcurdling roar, like hundreds of knives scratching against a glass surface. Every hair on your body stands ten feet tall.
Manticore: "ROOOOOOAAAARRR!!!"
You, Twilight, and Rainbow are approaching the end of the woods now. It would be a bad idea to take the manticore out there with you.
Twilight: "I NEED TO SET YOU DOWN SOMEWHERE. HOLD ON!"
You: "ARE YOU INSANE?!?!"
Twilight: "TRUST ME! WHEN I SAY LET GO, LET GO!"
"...LET GO!!!"
You let go. Thanks to practice, you land on the ground with a roll.
You look up and don't know where Twilight went, but you can evidently see and hear the manticore coming.
What now?
1. RUN! IT'S COMING!
2. Stay put and trust Twilight did something for a reason.
[2 is chosen]
You: *gulp*
You close your eyes as the Manticore draws nearer...
Twilight: "AAAAAHHHH!!!" As the Manticore pursues you, Twilight swoops in towards its side, and casts a spell.
*FLASH*
The manticore halts in its tracks. It stares at you still, but not with ferocity. It seems...
...sleepy?
It plops onto the ground, its scorpion tail twitching, as its fierce roars are replaced with gentle snores.
Trembling, you approach the sedated manticore. Rainbow Dash and Twilight join you.
Manticore: *ZZZZzzzzzz...*
You: "Wait...how did you..."
Twilight: *pausing for breath* "It's a sedative spell... Only works when the target...doesn't see you...doing it."
Rainbow: *heaving* "Thanks for saving me, guys."
Scientist: "Glad to help...
...well...
...that was close."
***
