1 00:00:00,269 --> 00:00:06,990 I groaned my whole body hated me for 2 00:00:04,469 --> 00:00:08,308 still being alive my headache had 3 00:00:06,990 --> 00:00:10,380 ratcheted up to the point where it was 4 00:00:08,308 --> 00:00:12,859 hard to think straight and my right four 5 00:00:10,380 --> 00:00:16,490 lick it horribly beneath my pipbuck 6 00:00:12,859 --> 00:00:18,809 everything else in my body just hurt too 7 00:00:16,489 --> 00:00:21,209 much physical trauma in too short a 8 00:00:18,809 --> 00:00:24,299 period of time my body was crying out to 9 00:00:21,210 --> 00:00:26,219 me to stop I'd lost count of how many 10 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:29,219 times I've been shot beaten and poisoned 11 00:00:26,219 --> 00:00:31,018 at this point wounds that would normally 12 00:00:29,219 --> 00:00:33,030 take a weeks month to heal were instead 13 00:00:31,018 --> 00:00:34,829 fixed as I drowned myself in potions of 14 00:00:33,030 --> 00:00:36,030 magical healing letting them mend 15 00:00:34,829 --> 00:00:39,480 everything and then throwing myself 16 00:00:36,030 --> 00:00:41,100 right back into the fray pain had become 17 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:45,390 as much a companion for me as my friends 18 00:00:41,100 --> 00:00:48,770 had but these things the broadcasters 19 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:51,120 the pink cloud they were so much worse 20 00:00:48,770 --> 00:00:53,489 they tore me apart in ways a bullet 21 00:00:51,119 --> 00:00:56,929 never could attacking everywhere at once 22 00:00:53,488 --> 00:00:58,948 attacking my magic attacking my brain 23 00:00:56,929 --> 00:01:01,140 even with potions of healing and 24 00:00:58,948 --> 00:01:02,789 restoration I couldn't help but feel the 25 00:01:01,140 --> 00:01:05,960 deep and permanent damage was being done 26 00:01:02,789 --> 00:01:08,219 I wasn't going to live to a ripe old age 27 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,989 one day everything I've been putting my 28 00:01:08,219 --> 00:01:13,829 body through would catch up to me and I 29 00:01:09,989 --> 00:01:16,140 would die young part of me wanted to 30 00:01:13,829 --> 00:01:17,840 quit while I was still ahead but every 31 00:01:16,140 --> 00:01:19,590 part of me knew that I could never quit 32 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:22,409 quitting was surrender 33 00:01:19,590 --> 00:01:25,710 I couldn't even rest as much as I knew I 34 00:01:22,409 --> 00:01:27,390 should every day I rested was a day that 35 00:01:25,709 --> 00:01:30,809 others whom I could have saved would die 36 00:01:27,390 --> 00:01:32,099 if I rested even an extra hour the young 37 00:01:30,810 --> 00:01:34,859 zebra would have been slain by those 38 00:01:32,099 --> 00:01:36,899 blood wings if I had rest an hour or 39 00:01:34,859 --> 00:01:38,629 less I would have been able to save his 40 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:41,880 friends as well 41 00:01:38,629 --> 00:01:43,078 pain I could handle as long as I was 42 00:01:41,879 --> 00:01:45,019 alive and still able to make a 43 00:01:43,078 --> 00:01:49,029 difference 44 00:01:45,019 --> 00:01:52,789 I wondered if this was how Stila felt I 45 00:01:49,030 --> 00:01:55,218 had saved him he hadn't been moving but 46 00:01:52,789 --> 00:01:56,599 I knew he couldn't be dead the lightning 47 00:01:55,218 --> 00:01:58,658 may have rendered him unconscious or 48 00:01:56,599 --> 00:02:01,309 knocked his armor spell matrix offline 49 00:01:58,659 --> 00:02:04,700 either way if I hadn't gotten to him the 50 00:02:01,310 --> 00:02:06,109 alkaloids would have the broadcaster 51 00:02:04,700 --> 00:02:09,259 wouldn't have saved him although 52 00:02:06,109 --> 00:02:10,939 definitely bottomed time thank the 53 00:02:09,258 --> 00:02:12,559 goddesses I at least managed to levitate 54 00:02:10,939 --> 00:02:14,900 the liquid pink away before I had 55 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:16,250 inhaled any of it thank Celestia and 56 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:17,780 Luna that I drunk healing potions 57 00:02:16,250 --> 00:02:19,098 minutes earlier and didn't fall into 58 00:02:17,780 --> 00:02:22,489 that pool with open wounds from those 59 00:02:19,098 --> 00:02:24,109 Canterlot dragon hatchlings I couldn't 60 00:02:22,489 --> 00:02:27,920 tell if I was being supremely lucky or 61 00:02:24,110 --> 00:02:29,690 supremely unlucky and now that I thought 62 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:33,109 of it I'd come out of this with a new 63 00:02:29,689 --> 00:02:35,379 weapon against the alicorns granted it 64 00:02:33,110 --> 00:02:37,579 was one that was indiscriminately lethal 65 00:02:35,379 --> 00:02:40,609 but it had to be possible to use the 66 00:02:37,579 --> 00:02:46,030 broadcasters to my advantage but first I 67 00:02:40,610 --> 00:02:48,599 needed to where the hell was I clam D 68 00:02:46,030 --> 00:02:52,939 velvet 69 00:02:48,598 --> 00:02:58,729 I was alone steelo's 70 00:02:52,939 --> 00:03:01,490 Peyer light completely alone I was 71 00:02:58,729 --> 00:03:03,439 laying on a soft cushion bed I tried to 72 00:03:01,490 --> 00:03:05,629 sit up a thunderclap went off in my 73 00:03:03,439 --> 00:03:08,389 pounding head knocking me back down and 74 00:03:05,629 --> 00:03:10,280 leaving tears in my eyes I brought up my 75 00:03:08,389 --> 00:03:11,929 ice sword Sparkle not remembering to 76 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,870 turn it off and scan the medical 77 00:03:11,930 --> 00:03:17,360 warnings I needed to drink a super 78 00:03:14,870 --> 00:03:20,150 restoration potion possibly several and 79 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:23,420 painkillers I certainly needed 80 00:03:20,150 --> 00:03:27,230 painkillers but I didn't have any I 81 00:03:23,419 --> 00:03:30,559 didn't have anything no weapons no 82 00:03:27,229 --> 00:03:31,969 supplies I vaguely remember dropping our 83 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:34,610 weapons in supply packs when I went 84 00:03:31,969 --> 00:03:35,659 chasing after Steel loves I groaned at 85 00:03:34,610 --> 00:03:38,180 the thought of the little macintosh 86 00:03:35,659 --> 00:03:41,020 laying abandoned out in that field it 87 00:03:38,180 --> 00:03:42,950 felt like I've lost a friend 88 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:45,620 hopefully velvet remedy had grabbed 89 00:03:42,949 --> 00:03:46,699 everything before following us but doing 90 00:03:45,620 --> 00:03:48,740 so would have taxed her limited 91 00:03:46,699 --> 00:03:50,119 telekinesis and I couldn't imagine her 92 00:03:48,740 --> 00:03:55,010 prioritizing weapons when she had 93 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:57,379 Sealift to care for but wait I wasn't 94 00:03:55,009 --> 00:03:58,909 wearing my utility barding either and I 95 00:03:57,379 --> 00:04:02,689 definitely didn't strip down before my 96 00:03:58,909 --> 00:04:04,159 unintentional swim I felt truly naked as 97 00:04:02,689 --> 00:04:05,530 I realized I didn't even have my hacking 98 00:04:04,159 --> 00:04:10,159 tools 99 00:04:05,530 --> 00:04:12,650 looking around I was in a library no an 100 00:04:10,159 --> 00:04:14,509 atheneum and a big one 101 00:04:12,650 --> 00:04:16,040 bigger even than Twilight Sparkle's 102 00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:18,529 Atheneum and tenpony tower 103 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,239 I remembered the recording that homage 104 00:04:18,529 --> 00:04:23,629 had played for me rarity talking to 105 00:04:20,238 --> 00:04:25,819 Twilight mentioning something of sending 106 00:04:23,629 --> 00:04:29,389 ideologically incompatible books to the 107 00:04:25,819 --> 00:04:31,569 Ponyville library if only I could spare 108 00:04:29,389 --> 00:04:36,579 the time to just sit and read 109 00:04:31,569 --> 00:04:39,309 ah you were awake The Voice startled me 110 00:04:36,579 --> 00:04:42,368 it was urbane the voice of a gentle 111 00:04:39,309 --> 00:04:43,689 stallion I looked around wincing is the 112 00:04:42,369 --> 00:04:46,809 pain in my head amplified with the 113 00:04:43,689 --> 00:04:51,009 sudden movement blurring my vision good 114 00:04:46,809 --> 00:04:53,349 morning madam morning Oh goddess aside 115 00:04:51,009 --> 00:04:58,479 been asleep all night and no pony had 116 00:04:53,348 --> 00:04:59,050 found me this was unspeakably bad who 117 00:04:58,478 --> 00:05:03,538 are you 118 00:04:59,050 --> 00:05:06,038 I asked a mysterious stranger where am I 119 00:05:03,538 --> 00:05:07,930 Wordsworth at your service ma'am you are 120 00:05:06,038 --> 00:05:11,378 in Twilight Sparkle's Atheneum ma'am 121 00:05:07,930 --> 00:05:13,209 I blinked away tears turning my head 122 00:05:11,379 --> 00:05:15,999 more slowly as I began to mentally hone 123 00:05:13,209 --> 00:05:22,418 in the source of the voice there he was 124 00:05:15,999 --> 00:05:23,949 or it rather a mechanical owl a much 125 00:05:22,418 --> 00:05:25,299 fancier version of the one I'd seen 126 00:05:23,949 --> 00:05:27,329 following the merchant who had set up in 127 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:29,408 the remains of Trixie's cottage I 128 00:05:27,329 --> 00:05:30,788 remembered fighting owls similar to this 129 00:05:29,408 --> 00:05:33,639 one of the Ministry of morale hub in 130 00:05:30,788 --> 00:05:36,068 Manhattan - but this one looked far more 131 00:05:33,639 --> 00:05:38,079 sophisticated and far more lovingly 132 00:05:36,069 --> 00:05:44,528 crafted down to the bronze filigree of 133 00:05:38,079 --> 00:05:46,918 feathers who what are you at least this 134 00:05:44,528 --> 00:05:49,329 mechanical owl didn't seem hostile 135 00:05:46,918 --> 00:05:53,168 Wordsworth ma'am Twilight Sparkle's 136 00:05:49,329 --> 00:05:54,960 Junior junior junior assistant how did I 137 00:05:53,168 --> 00:05:57,870 get here 138 00:05:54,959 --> 00:06:00,029 well ma'am the owl said sounding 139 00:05:57,870 --> 00:06:01,680 embarrassed when a mare and a stallion 140 00:06:00,029 --> 00:06:05,069 love each other or have made certain 141 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:08,340 binding contracts I interrupted quickly 142 00:06:05,069 --> 00:06:10,860 into this room I mean the phony in the 143 00:06:08,339 --> 00:06:14,579 back of my head was blinking certain 144 00:06:10,860 --> 00:06:18,470 binding contracts but then this was 145 00:06:14,579 --> 00:06:20,609 Canterlot home of royalty and nobility 146 00:06:18,470 --> 00:06:23,729 you were teleported here ma'am 147 00:06:20,610 --> 00:06:26,250 security protocols the ministry is under 148 00:06:23,728 --> 00:06:27,870 lockdown all visitors and staff are 149 00:06:26,250 --> 00:06:29,639 teleported to their proper areas and 150 00:06:27,870 --> 00:06:34,288 intruders are remanded to secure 151 00:06:29,639 --> 00:06:35,879 containment areas cells he meant the 152 00:06:34,288 --> 00:06:37,969 itching under my pipbuck was driving me 153 00:06:35,879 --> 00:06:40,050 crazy 154 00:06:37,970 --> 00:06:41,220 further questioning revealed that the 155 00:06:40,050 --> 00:06:44,038 lockdown had been running constantly 156 00:06:41,220 --> 00:06:47,820 since the environmental catastrophe over 157 00:06:44,038 --> 00:06:49,348 200 years ago furthermore all the 158 00:06:47,819 --> 00:06:51,300 teleportation zones were inside the 159 00:06:49,348 --> 00:06:52,409 Ministry building but wodsworth couldn't 160 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:54,509 tell me where any of the others had been 161 00:06:52,410 --> 00:06:56,250 sent nor could the AL give a 162 00:06:54,509 --> 00:06:57,750 satisfactory explanation of how I had 163 00:06:56,250 --> 00:07:00,839 rated teleportation at Twilight 164 00:06:57,750 --> 00:07:02,399 Sparkle's private library I get the 165 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,839 sense that the security system wasn't 166 00:07:02,399 --> 00:07:06,478 functioning quite the way was supposed 167 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,469 to it had degraded under centuries of 168 00:07:06,478 --> 00:07:09,839 continuous operation 169 00:07:07,470 --> 00:07:11,699 I was probably lucky I hadn't been 170 00:07:09,839 --> 00:07:17,098 teleported into a bookshelf or a wall 171 00:07:11,699 --> 00:07:18,810 and what about my clothing all foreign 172 00:07:17,098 --> 00:07:22,288 objects bearing trace amounts of toxins 173 00:07:18,810 --> 00:07:24,528 were teleported to sanitation I really 174 00:07:22,288 --> 00:07:28,338 hoped that didn't mean incineration 175 00:07:24,528 --> 00:07:31,538 I would like them back please certainly 176 00:07:28,338 --> 00:07:33,918 mom wodsworth responded pleasantly 177 00:07:31,538 --> 00:07:36,728 sanitation has been completed they will 178 00:07:33,918 --> 00:07:38,808 be returned to the wardrobe immediately 179 00:07:36,728 --> 00:07:41,449 another fear shot through me 180 00:07:38,809 --> 00:07:43,519 if this magical security system stripped 181 00:07:41,449 --> 00:07:46,699 me of my armor then when I try to strip 182 00:07:43,519 --> 00:07:48,108 steel hose Armour off of him or could it 183 00:07:46,699 --> 00:07:51,169 recognize something melted to him eyes 184 00:07:48,108 --> 00:07:52,608 integral that was assuming velvet Romney 185 00:07:51,168 --> 00:07:55,399 was able to get him to the safety of the 186 00:07:52,608 --> 00:07:56,748 ninja rebuilding my mind conjured the 187 00:07:55,399 --> 00:07:58,728 alarming in which a veil at running into 188 00:07:56,749 --> 00:08:00,679 the ministry levitating Steel's behind 189 00:07:58,728 --> 00:08:02,209 her only to be teleported away leaving 190 00:08:00,678 --> 00:08:06,798 steal hopes helpless outside on the 191 00:08:02,209 --> 00:08:08,329 doorstep if he was inside and alive for 192 00:08:06,798 --> 00:08:10,459 those definition so alive that include 193 00:08:08,329 --> 00:08:13,218 Canterlot ghouls then he was separated 194 00:08:10,459 --> 00:08:16,519 like the rest of us my friends could be 195 00:08:13,218 --> 00:08:18,168 anywhere in the building again I 196 00:08:16,519 --> 00:08:20,718 remembered that they had all night to 197 00:08:18,168 --> 00:08:21,889 try to find me the fact that they hadn't 198 00:08:20,718 --> 00:08:26,569 most likely meant they were in bad shape 199 00:08:21,889 --> 00:08:28,549 I moaned and tried to sit up again my 200 00:08:26,569 --> 00:08:31,158 EFS was still flashing health alerts to 201 00:08:28,548 --> 00:08:32,929 me I lifted my pipbuck to check the 202 00:08:31,158 --> 00:08:34,278 automap wishing all my friends were 203 00:08:32,929 --> 00:08:37,609 pipbuck so I could just locate their 204 00:08:34,278 --> 00:08:38,808 tags of course that's exactly the 205 00:08:37,610 --> 00:08:42,250 problem that got me into this whole mess 206 00:08:38,808 --> 00:08:42,250 a month and a half ago wasn't it 207 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:48,080 I looked at my four leg and stopped 208 00:08:44,750 --> 00:08:50,809 breathing I wasn't wearing my pipbuck 209 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:52,310 anymore where the metal device should 210 00:08:50,809 --> 00:08:55,429 stop and my flesh should start 211 00:08:52,309 --> 00:08:58,789 they didn't instead they melded 212 00:08:55,429 --> 00:09:01,939 seamlessly into one another I felt sick 213 00:08:58,789 --> 00:09:04,279 looking at it I had been so casual to 214 00:09:01,940 --> 00:09:06,650 admit the possible danger before but now 215 00:09:04,279 --> 00:09:08,209 that it actually happened I felt a sense 216 00:09:06,649 --> 00:09:12,649 of violation and lost that I couldn't 217 00:09:08,210 --> 00:09:16,160 explain I just I wasn't me anymore 218 00:09:12,649 --> 00:09:19,309 I dropped back onto the bed and curled 219 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:21,709 up crying wodsworth 220 00:09:19,309 --> 00:09:23,209 I whimpered several minutes later as I 221 00:09:21,710 --> 00:09:27,230 tried to fight back the hollow feeling 222 00:09:23,210 --> 00:09:28,519 in my heart I need medical supplies any 223 00:09:27,230 --> 00:09:31,850 painkiller healing and restoration 224 00:09:28,519 --> 00:09:33,289 potions you can give me you would not 225 00:09:31,850 --> 00:09:37,450 prefer to use the autonomous healing 226 00:09:33,289 --> 00:09:44,409 booth ma'am so what now 227 00:09:37,450 --> 00:09:44,410 okay sure where is this healing booth 228 00:09:45,830 --> 00:09:51,730 never again I felt better physically 229 00:09:49,970 --> 00:09:53,840 than I had in weeks 230 00:09:51,730 --> 00:09:57,320 psychologically I was shaken to the 231 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:59,269 point of collapse the healing booth was 232 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:01,879 a solid metal tube barely bigger than a 233 00:09:59,269 --> 00:10:05,240 pony stepping into it had been like 234 00:10:01,879 --> 00:10:07,460 stepping into my own coffin the air had 235 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:09,080 been stifling even before the door slid 236 00:10:07,460 --> 00:10:12,019 closed behind me plunging me into 237 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:14,509 darkness I had never felt claustrophobia 238 00:10:12,019 --> 00:10:16,269 before if anything I was prone to sudden 239 00:10:14,509 --> 00:10:18,799 onsets of agoraphobia 240 00:10:16,269 --> 00:10:21,019 but in that metal casket in that 241 00:10:18,799 --> 00:10:25,250 absolute darkness with the sounds that 242 00:10:21,019 --> 00:10:27,009 horrible thing made and then I started 243 00:10:25,250 --> 00:10:29,360 to feel magical energies probing me 244 00:10:27,009 --> 00:10:31,189 washing over me like some sort of slimey 245 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:36,230 alien massage from an invisible and 246 00:10:31,190 --> 00:10:38,300 horrible creature never ever again even 247 00:10:36,230 --> 00:10:40,789 though my body felt better I knew I 248 00:10:38,299 --> 00:10:42,500 would have nightmares for weeks I could 249 00:10:40,789 --> 00:10:44,240 already anticipate waking in cold sweat 250 00:10:42,500 --> 00:10:45,889 finding the dream to air or being 251 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:49,370 trapped endlessly in that autonomous 252 00:10:45,889 --> 00:10:51,529 healing station it worked perfectly as 253 00:10:49,370 --> 00:10:53,000 it was supposed to and yet manticores 254 00:10:51,529 --> 00:10:56,179 couldn't drag me back into one if I was 255 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:57,649 at the edge of death I shuddered to 256 00:10:56,179 --> 00:10:59,059 imagine the horror one of those things 257 00:10:57,649 --> 00:11:01,459 can inflict if it wasn't functioning 258 00:10:59,059 --> 00:11:04,489 properly if it malfunctioned or suffered 259 00:11:01,460 --> 00:11:06,430 degradation from the cloud I felt myself 260 00:11:04,490 --> 00:11:08,620 shiver 261 00:11:06,429 --> 00:11:10,839 the walls were covered in soft velvety 262 00:11:08,620 --> 00:11:12,639 cloth burgundy in color with sparkling 263 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:15,700 accents that gave the hallway a rich 264 00:11:12,639 --> 00:11:16,210 luxurious feel oil paintings hung on the 265 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:18,820 walls 266 00:11:16,210 --> 00:11:20,379 I passed a spot where a large oval of 267 00:11:18,820 --> 00:11:22,960 darker cloth betrayed the removal of 268 00:11:20,379 --> 00:11:24,730 what had once been a portrait ahead of 269 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:27,759 me the hallway ended in the door marked 270 00:11:24,730 --> 00:11:30,009 spell testing son Boni had scrawled the 271 00:11:27,759 --> 00:11:33,220 words spell in a box on the door and 272 00:11:30,009 --> 00:11:35,289 what looked like a dried blood at the 273 00:11:33,220 --> 00:11:38,830 end of the X the blood streaked down to 274 00:11:35,289 --> 00:11:41,019 meet a dark stain on the floor oh that's 275 00:11:38,830 --> 00:11:43,900 not a good sign at all I muttered to 276 00:11:41,019 --> 00:11:48,100 myself I was appropriately creeped out 277 00:11:43,899 --> 00:11:50,199 as I approached I could faintly hear the 278 00:11:48,100 --> 00:11:51,550 hissing sound coming from behind it like 279 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:55,180 a hundred dying snakes 280 00:11:51,549 --> 00:11:56,649 I stopped psyching myself up taking deep 281 00:11:55,179 --> 00:11:59,109 breaths and opened the door from a 282 00:11:56,649 --> 00:12:00,759 distance with my magic through it I 283 00:11:59,110 --> 00:12:03,879 could see another door at the far end of 284 00:12:00,759 --> 00:12:07,149 a laboratory one more deep breath and I 285 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:09,100 broke into a run i gaped through the 286 00:12:07,149 --> 00:12:11,470 doorway into the lab my ears filling 287 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:12,909 with the sound of static the headache 288 00:12:11,470 --> 00:12:14,920 that the ceiling station had rid me of 289 00:12:12,909 --> 00:12:17,860 returned with a passion accompanied by a 290 00:12:14,919 --> 00:12:19,899 familiar pressure in my horn I didn't 291 00:12:17,860 --> 00:12:22,419 have a firearm with me so there was no 292 00:12:19,899 --> 00:12:23,679 way to take out the speaker I just had 293 00:12:22,419 --> 00:12:26,409 to get through the lab and out of its 294 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:27,789 range before it could kill me blood 295 00:12:26,409 --> 00:12:32,019 began to tint my vision as I reached the 296 00:12:27,789 --> 00:12:34,059 opposite door it was locked 297 00:12:32,019 --> 00:12:35,889 i telekinetically fumbled at the lock 298 00:12:34,059 --> 00:12:37,299 the pain in my horn escalating the 299 00:12:35,889 --> 00:12:39,879 deadly effect of the broadcasts are 300 00:12:37,299 --> 00:12:41,620 tearing at my brain I'd spent nearly an 301 00:12:39,879 --> 00:12:43,088 hour in the healing station and for the 302 00:12:41,620 --> 00:12:45,970 first time since leaving tenpony had 303 00:12:43,089 --> 00:12:48,399 actually felt very healthy I had been 304 00:12:45,970 --> 00:12:51,430 allowed to enjoy that sensation for less 305 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:53,110 than 40 minutes I unlocked the door and 306 00:12:51,429 --> 00:12:55,469 pushed it open stepping out of the lab 307 00:12:53,110 --> 00:12:58,209 and outside the speakers kill range i 308 00:12:55,470 --> 00:13:01,509 panted leaning against a rail blinking 309 00:12:58,208 --> 00:13:03,429 away blood and tears then i looked down 310 00:13:01,509 --> 00:13:05,679 into a grand hall lying with sweeping 311 00:13:03,429 --> 00:13:08,500 staircases below me was a fountain 312 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:09,789 similar to the one in homages foyer only 313 00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:12,940 the statue here was of two identical 314 00:13:09,789 --> 00:13:15,069 unicorn mares frolicking on the walls of 315 00:13:12,940 --> 00:13:16,930 each side were oil paintings including a 316 00:13:15,070 --> 00:13:19,080 royal portrait of a smiling green coated 317 00:13:16,929 --> 00:13:21,219 unicorn mare with a darker green Mane 318 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:23,620 hanging opposite was what appeared to be 319 00:13:21,220 --> 00:13:26,009 the same mare only with colours firm 320 00:13:23,620 --> 00:13:31,509 coat main swamped 321 00:13:26,009 --> 00:13:35,169 velvet I called out calamity anypony 322 00:13:31,509 --> 00:13:38,409 home my voice echoed in the stately and 323 00:13:35,169 --> 00:13:40,599 empty corridor at the end of the Grand 324 00:13:38,409 --> 00:13:42,610 Hall in the crux of multiple stairwells 325 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:44,680 that spread out like butterfly wings was 326 00:13:42,610 --> 00:13:46,690 a very important looking high arched set 327 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:49,509 of double doors flanked by unicorn busts 328 00:13:46,690 --> 00:13:53,020 I was unsurprised that they were locked 329 00:13:49,509 --> 00:13:54,879 I was very surprised when the moment I 330 00:13:53,019 --> 00:13:56,350 started to pick the locks to magical 331 00:13:54,879 --> 00:13:58,629 energy turns to drop down and started 332 00:13:56,350 --> 00:14:00,430 shooting at me I was immediately 333 00:13:58,629 --> 00:14:02,259 thankful that my armored utility barding 334 00:14:00,429 --> 00:14:03,309 had been returned as I spun and over for 335 00:14:02,259 --> 00:14:05,620 the railing of the nearest stairwell 336 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:07,789 catching myself at levitation as soon as 337 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:09,799 I was behind cover 338 00:14:07,789 --> 00:14:11,179 I supposed I should consider myself 339 00:14:09,799 --> 00:14:12,649 lucky that my barding hadn't been 340 00:14:11,179 --> 00:14:15,349 submerged in the pink pool long enough 341 00:14:12,649 --> 00:14:16,939 to fused my body and that my hacking and 342 00:14:15,350 --> 00:14:18,529 repair tools had likewise not been fused 343 00:14:16,940 --> 00:14:22,400 together or otherwise warped into 344 00:14:18,529 --> 00:14:24,589 uselessness having my pipbuck melted to 345 00:14:22,399 --> 00:14:28,059 my arm was a brutal enough blow and I 346 00:14:24,590 --> 00:14:30,110 had never wanted to take it off yeah 347 00:14:28,059 --> 00:14:31,969 that would have made my relationship 348 00:14:30,110 --> 00:14:34,820 with homage really difficult my little 349 00:14:31,970 --> 00:14:36,200 pony teased a shush turned annoyance and 350 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:39,980 turned my focus to unlocking the door 351 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:42,140 from safety it was proving a tough lock 352 00:14:39,980 --> 00:14:45,470 but I'd faced one tougher already today 353 00:14:42,139 --> 00:14:48,080 I saw a purple flash from above me and 354 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:50,600 heard a crackle this store had magical 355 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,889 defences beyond just the turrets if I 356 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,810 had been trying this my trusty 357 00:14:51,889 --> 00:14:55,750 screwdriver and bobby pin I would be in 358 00:14:53,809 --> 00:15:01,189 a bad state 359 00:14:55,750 --> 00:15:03,250 click yes I ease myself to the floor 360 00:15:01,190 --> 00:15:05,570 focusing my attention on the fountain 361 00:15:03,250 --> 00:15:08,330 the glow of my magic washed over the 362 00:15:05,570 --> 00:15:09,950 pooled water I lifted the water into the 363 00:15:08,330 --> 00:15:12,830 air and used it to shield me overhead as 364 00:15:09,950 --> 00:15:14,270 I gal to back up the stairs the magical 365 00:15:12,830 --> 00:15:16,340 energy turrets spotted me and started to 366 00:15:14,269 --> 00:15:19,069 fire each shot of a parading part of my 367 00:15:16,340 --> 00:15:20,600 shield and a puff of steam by the time I 368 00:15:19,070 --> 00:15:24,530 got through the door there was barely 369 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:25,850 enough left to fill a wastebasket I was 370 00:15:24,529 --> 00:15:29,269 so thankful there weren't more turrets 371 00:15:25,850 --> 00:15:30,620 waiting inside instead I found myself in 372 00:15:29,269 --> 00:15:33,740 what I quickly deduced was the head 373 00:15:30,620 --> 00:15:35,779 researchers office bookshelves filing 374 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:37,700 cabinets tapestries arcane spell work 375 00:15:35,779 --> 00:15:39,199 tables the room was laid out 376 00:15:37,700 --> 00:15:40,370 symmetrically around a Carver with an 377 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:43,280 intricate star pattern and of 378 00:15:40,370 --> 00:15:44,840 alternating colors - rather impressive 379 00:15:43,279 --> 00:15:46,490 desks faced one another with oil 380 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:48,649 paintings of the same green Ponies hung 381 00:15:46,490 --> 00:15:50,450 on the walls behind them not portress 382 00:15:48,649 --> 00:15:51,799 this time but full paintings which 383 00:15:50,450 --> 00:15:53,930 allowed me to see their matching cutie 384 00:15:51,799 --> 00:15:56,929 marks spiraling magical sparks 385 00:15:53,929 --> 00:15:58,549 intertwine with each other on each desks 386 00:15:56,929 --> 00:16:00,379 had a terminal next to a glass placard 387 00:15:58,549 --> 00:16:02,109 with a name sealed inside made out of 388 00:16:00,379 --> 00:16:06,519 sparkling glitter 389 00:16:02,110 --> 00:16:08,680 Gestalt and mosaic trotting around the 390 00:16:06,519 --> 00:16:12,129 desks I spotted the weapon display case 391 00:16:08,679 --> 00:16:14,439 in several ammo boxes inside the display 392 00:16:12,129 --> 00:16:16,649 case with a magical plasma rifle and a 393 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:20,830 multi gem magical energy shotgun 394 00:16:16,649 --> 00:16:22,029 the latter reminded me of God's gana it 395 00:16:20,830 --> 00:16:24,400 took me less than a minute to make the 396 00:16:22,029 --> 00:16:25,809 mine though I was tempted to run back 397 00:16:24,399 --> 00:16:29,350 upstairs and shoot the damn death 398 00:16:25,809 --> 00:16:31,299 speaker I wasn't very good with magical 399 00:16:29,350 --> 00:16:32,710 energy weapons but I was sure I could 400 00:16:31,299 --> 00:16:34,259 take out a stationary target at close 401 00:16:32,710 --> 00:16:37,180 range 402 00:16:34,259 --> 00:16:38,909 moving to mosaics terminal I drew up my 403 00:16:37,179 --> 00:16:41,349 tools and began to hack into it 404 00:16:38,909 --> 00:16:43,059 mercifully the pink saturated water that 405 00:16:41,350 --> 00:16:45,850 bound my pipbuck to me did not seem to 406 00:16:43,059 --> 00:16:47,739 impair its functioning stable-tec didn't 407 00:16:45,850 --> 00:16:49,210 fool around when they made pit bucks the 408 00:16:47,740 --> 00:16:52,649 devices had the durability somewhere 409 00:16:49,210 --> 00:16:52,650 between steel hills and a soul jar 410 00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:59,860 velvet I asked as I pushed open the door 411 00:16:57,070 --> 00:17:01,660 I just unlocked the chamber inside was 412 00:16:59,860 --> 00:17:05,880 pitch black and my voice echoed off 413 00:17:01,659 --> 00:17:07,869 walls both far and strange littlepip a 414 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:11,140 voice called back from the darkness 415 00:17:07,869 --> 00:17:13,208 sounding weak and relieved a light 416 00:17:11,140 --> 00:17:16,300 flared loom knitting velvet remedies 417 00:17:13,209 --> 00:17:17,890 Horne been her eyes mane and tail her 418 00:17:16,299 --> 00:17:22,180 charcoal coat seemed to blend into the 419 00:17:17,890 --> 00:17:25,089 void around her over here I lit up my 420 00:17:22,180 --> 00:17:27,360 own horn guiding her to me she got up 421 00:17:25,088 --> 00:17:30,490 shakily and trotted quickly towards me 422 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:33,199 think the goddesses she whispered as she 423 00:17:30,490 --> 00:17:36,288 reached me nuzzling my face 424 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:41,509 I I was trapped here for so long 425 00:17:36,288 --> 00:17:45,079 lone trapped she'd said that twice I 426 00:17:41,509 --> 00:17:46,759 didn't need explanation my lovely 427 00:17:45,079 --> 00:17:49,038 songbird friended once again found 428 00:17:46,759 --> 00:17:54,138 herself caged and alone she was 429 00:17:49,038 --> 00:17:57,019 trembling it's ok velvet I'm I'm sorry 430 00:17:54,138 --> 00:17:58,879 it took so long to find you what 431 00:17:57,019 --> 00:18:02,359 happened where am I 432 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:03,679 is calamity ok is pie alight what 433 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:06,619 happened to steal those I had him right 434 00:18:03,679 --> 00:18:09,710 with me I lifted a hoof to her muzzle 435 00:18:06,619 --> 00:18:12,259 quieting the flood of questions then I 436 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:13,850 wrapped her in an embrace I wasn't 437 00:18:12,259 --> 00:18:16,158 surprised by how she folded into it I 438 00:18:13,849 --> 00:18:19,058 was surprised how quickly she regained 439 00:18:16,159 --> 00:18:21,950 her composure though pushing me away 440 00:18:19,058 --> 00:18:25,308 thank you little bit but the others are 441 00:18:21,950 --> 00:18:27,679 who are important right now I not even 442 00:18:25,308 --> 00:18:29,869 began to fill a rim thanks to the 443 00:18:27,679 --> 00:18:31,399 terminals of mosaic and Gestalt I had 444 00:18:29,869 --> 00:18:33,888 pretty good idea of where everypony was 445 00:18:31,398 --> 00:18:35,329 now velvet remedy had been trapped in 446 00:18:33,888 --> 00:18:37,788 one of the mega spell casting chambers 447 00:18:35,329 --> 00:18:39,648 that filled this entire floor steel hose 448 00:18:37,788 --> 00:18:41,859 was probably in the arcane technologies 449 00:18:39,648 --> 00:18:43,819 research lab two floors below us 450 00:18:41,859 --> 00:18:45,168 calamity was somewhere in the basement 451 00:18:43,819 --> 00:18:47,388 which included prisoner containment 452 00:18:45,169 --> 00:18:50,860 ministry security high-security storage 453 00:18:47,388 --> 00:18:53,089 and incongruously the ministry's kitchen 454 00:18:50,859 --> 00:18:56,209 pyre light had never been registered as 455 00:18:53,089 --> 00:18:58,278 entering the building either she had 456 00:18:56,210 --> 00:19:01,659 never gotten inside or the security 457 00:18:58,278 --> 00:19:03,798 system had a Phoenix sized hole 458 00:19:01,659 --> 00:19:06,559 something had apparently gone seriously 459 00:19:03,798 --> 00:19:07,788 wrong in the basement all the security 460 00:19:06,558 --> 00:19:09,440 systems had been rerouted to the 461 00:19:07,788 --> 00:19:11,089 terminals of mosaic and Gestalt and 462 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,900 communication with the basement had been 463 00:19:11,089 --> 00:19:15,099 severed 464 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:16,480 the unicorn twins had not only been 465 00:19:15,099 --> 00:19:18,639 their head researchers from the ministry 466 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:21,250 of arcane sciences in this hub but for 467 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,840 the ministry as a whole it appeared they 468 00:19:21,250 --> 00:19:24,910 were regularly left in command of this 469 00:19:22,839 --> 00:19:26,470 canterlot hub particularly while 470 00:19:24,910 --> 00:19:29,190 Twilight Sparkle's away at the ministry 471 00:19:26,470 --> 00:19:31,329 hub in Manhattan as best I could tell 472 00:19:29,190 --> 00:19:33,460 they weren't actually in the ministry 473 00:19:31,329 --> 00:19:34,899 when the lockdown started but I was able 474 00:19:33,460 --> 00:19:36,630 to lift it by issuing simultaneous 475 00:19:34,900 --> 00:19:41,200 commands from both of their terminals 476 00:19:36,630 --> 00:19:42,370 thank you again telekinesis as I 477 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:45,630 finished telling the velvet-- remedy 478 00:19:42,369 --> 00:19:47,829 what I knew she looked at me curiously 479 00:19:45,630 --> 00:19:52,419 why didn't you have wodsworth send you 480 00:19:47,829 --> 00:19:58,449 all of our equipment I blinked then face 481 00:19:52,419 --> 00:20:01,360 oft oh because I'm not a clever Pony we 482 00:19:58,450 --> 00:20:05,830 had to find sanitation as well dammit 483 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:06,909 this just got worse and worse well why 484 00:20:05,829 --> 00:20:07,899 don't we run up and ask him before 485 00:20:06,910 --> 00:20:12,610 heading down farther 486 00:20:07,900 --> 00:20:15,570 oh well that that would probably be 487 00:20:12,609 --> 00:20:15,569 easier wouldn't it 488 00:20:16,419 --> 00:20:20,649 I dropped everything I was floating 489 00:20:19,148 --> 00:20:22,658 except the two magical weapons and 490 00:20:20,648 --> 00:20:24,189 dashed into the lab the static doom of 491 00:20:22,659 --> 00:20:26,950 several broadcasters ripping apart my 492 00:20:24,190 --> 00:20:29,440 head and driving spikes into my horn it 493 00:20:26,950 --> 00:20:31,119 was a repeat of three floors above only 494 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:34,720 this time I had a magical shotgun 495 00:20:31,118 --> 00:20:37,058 I spun looking around for speakers 496 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:38,739 radios of skeletons with broadcasters 497 00:20:37,058 --> 00:20:43,178 attached to their civilian model pit box 498 00:20:38,739 --> 00:20:45,940 as I found water I fired at the pit buck 499 00:20:43,179 --> 00:20:47,649 clad four leg of a unicorn skeleton the 500 00:20:45,940 --> 00:20:49,419 short-range multi blasts of magical 501 00:20:47,648 --> 00:20:52,928 energy turned bone and broadcaster to 502 00:20:49,419 --> 00:20:54,970 slag one shot missed the table radio 503 00:20:52,929 --> 00:20:57,038 completely hitting a chemistry set three 504 00:20:54,970 --> 00:20:59,589 tables over causing explosion of glass 505 00:20:57,038 --> 00:21:03,220 and colored steam the second slacked the 506 00:20:59,589 --> 00:21:07,928 radio killing its lethal output still 507 00:21:03,220 --> 00:21:10,139 static one more my vision was red I 508 00:21:07,929 --> 00:21:12,220 could feel blood trickling down my ears 509 00:21:10,138 --> 00:21:15,819 grenades were going off inside of my 510 00:21:12,220 --> 00:21:18,009 head a spot of the second broadcaster 511 00:21:15,819 --> 00:21:22,028 and lifted the multi-gem magical shotgun 512 00:21:18,009 --> 00:21:25,778 pulling the trigger nothing the damn 513 00:21:22,028 --> 00:21:29,409 thing was recharging in a panic I fled 514 00:21:25,778 --> 00:21:31,179 to the far side of the lab I pressed 515 00:21:29,409 --> 00:21:33,009 myself into the corner breathing a sigh 516 00:21:31,179 --> 00:21:35,830 of relief as the vises crushing my horn 517 00:21:33,009 --> 00:21:37,298 and skull vanished that last yard of 518 00:21:35,829 --> 00:21:40,509 space was outside of the danger zone 519 00:21:37,298 --> 00:21:43,679 luckily I floated up the magical energy 520 00:21:40,509 --> 00:21:46,298 rifle took careful aim and fired and 521 00:21:43,679 --> 00:21:49,840 continued to fire reloading twice until 522 00:21:46,298 --> 00:21:53,440 I finally hit the little should 523 00:21:49,839 --> 00:21:55,058 be safe now I called out velvet Remini 524 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:56,679 entered the lab and began to searchers I 525 00:21:55,058 --> 00:21:59,288 slumped in the corner and waited for the 526 00:21:56,679 --> 00:22:00,970 headache to die down some more she was 527 00:21:59,288 --> 00:22:02,230 wearing her medical boxes again and 528 00:22:00,970 --> 00:22:03,879 started gathering supplies from the 529 00:22:02,230 --> 00:22:07,389 identical yellow medical boxes on the 530 00:22:03,878 --> 00:22:11,109 wall so 531 00:22:07,388 --> 00:22:14,558 I gasped what exactly were you trying to 532 00:22:11,109 --> 00:22:17,319 do down in that auditorium velvet 533 00:22:14,558 --> 00:22:20,288 knickers I already got this lecture from 534 00:22:17,319 --> 00:22:22,058 calamity she floated bottles and vials 535 00:22:20,288 --> 00:22:25,950 out of a medical box pausing and she 536 00:22:22,058 --> 00:22:28,960 lifted out a multi tube injector rage 537 00:22:25,950 --> 00:22:32,739 why would this be down here rage is a 538 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:37,058 zebra made combat drug not a lecture 539 00:22:32,739 --> 00:22:38,999 velvet I just I want to understand you 540 00:22:37,058 --> 00:22:42,819 scared the hell out of us 541 00:22:38,999 --> 00:22:43,358 mmm yes Clem we said that to only a 542 00:22:42,819 --> 00:22:46,358 little louder 543 00:22:43,358 --> 00:22:49,028 I hadn't been present for that 544 00:22:46,358 --> 00:22:50,739 particular argument Clem Lee had flown 545 00:22:49,028 --> 00:22:52,058 ahead of me rushing back to velvet and 546 00:22:50,739 --> 00:22:54,730 steel Holmes after rating fluttershy's 547 00:22:52,058 --> 00:22:57,158 office they had been given plenty of 548 00:22:54,730 --> 00:22:58,989 time to argue to I had been lost in 549 00:22:57,159 --> 00:23:00,489 thought contemplating the ministry mares 550 00:22:58,989 --> 00:23:05,499 and had managed to get lost in the 551 00:23:00,489 --> 00:23:07,179 cubicles please velvet I sighed fighting 552 00:23:05,499 --> 00:23:10,058 to keep my voice gentle even with the 553 00:23:07,179 --> 00:23:11,350 throbbing of my head I floated that 554 00:23:10,058 --> 00:23:14,648 another painkiller syringe and gave 555 00:23:11,349 --> 00:23:17,038 myself the shot almost immediately the 556 00:23:14,648 --> 00:23:19,268 throbbing dulled to an ignore 11 I 557 00:23:17,038 --> 00:23:21,589 worried that I was seriously risking 558 00:23:19,269 --> 00:23:25,349 addiction to painkillers 559 00:23:21,589 --> 00:23:26,879 as if to drive home that worry velvet 560 00:23:25,349 --> 00:23:28,980 Remini floated out of ten of men towels 561 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:30,450 from the last medicine cabinet opening 562 00:23:28,980 --> 00:23:31,950 it and flipping it upside down so the 563 00:23:30,450 --> 00:23:35,269 pills fell on the floor like heavy snow 564 00:23:31,950 --> 00:23:37,200 and then began to stomp them into powder 565 00:23:35,269 --> 00:23:41,910 she turned to me with an exasperated 566 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:44,660 stare fluttershy was right there little 567 00:23:41,910 --> 00:23:48,269 pip she had stood right at that spot 568 00:23:44,660 --> 00:23:50,610 saying those very words right on that 569 00:23:48,269 --> 00:23:52,710 stage butter shy had tried to stop the 570 00:23:50,609 --> 00:23:54,979 war stop the bloodshed in the horror 571 00:23:52,710 --> 00:24:00,720 that ended up ruining the entire country 572 00:23:54,980 --> 00:24:03,569 her voice hitched the entire world she 573 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:06,079 turned away from me you wouldn't 574 00:24:03,569 --> 00:24:06,079 understand 575 00:24:08,269 --> 00:24:14,058 alpha technologies to sign claimed the 576 00:24:11,929 --> 00:24:15,619 heavy metal door slid back revealing the 577 00:24:14,058 --> 00:24:20,778 most secure laboratories in the ministry 578 00:24:15,618 --> 00:24:23,538 of arcane sciences sea loaves fellow 579 00:24:20,778 --> 00:24:25,338 remi I dashed inside our friend was 580 00:24:23,538 --> 00:24:28,638 laying on a circular platform surrounded 581 00:24:25,338 --> 00:24:31,219 by a magical shield at our entrance he 582 00:24:28,638 --> 00:24:34,189 stood up I think I even detected a 583 00:24:31,219 --> 00:24:35,959 whinny of relief velvet stopped just 584 00:24:34,190 --> 00:24:37,538 outside the shield looking over before 585 00:24:35,959 --> 00:24:39,979 asking if he was okay 586 00:24:37,538 --> 00:24:41,148 clearly the alicorns attack and knocked 587 00:24:39,979 --> 00:24:45,169 him unconscious after all 588 00:24:41,148 --> 00:24:47,058 but he'd regained it hours ago 5.3 hours 589 00:24:45,169 --> 00:24:48,528 ago according to steel hooves who had 590 00:24:47,058 --> 00:24:52,878 nothing better to do than watch the time 591 00:24:48,528 --> 00:24:54,078 keeper on his visors EFS count away even 592 00:24:52,878 --> 00:24:55,968 if his weapons could disable the 593 00:24:54,078 --> 00:24:58,848 shield's the explosions would have torn 594 00:24:55,969 --> 00:24:59,989 him apart in that confined space not 595 00:24:58,848 --> 00:25:03,979 even steelo's could survive 596 00:24:59,989 --> 00:25:05,929 dismemberment I found the terminal which 597 00:25:03,979 --> 00:25:07,219 controlled the magical field and began 598 00:25:05,929 --> 00:25:10,399 to trick my way through the security 599 00:25:07,219 --> 00:25:11,749 system soon I was looking at the control 600 00:25:10,398 --> 00:25:14,088 system for the lab several layers of 601 00:25:11,749 --> 00:25:17,358 security as well as a series of project 602 00:25:14,088 --> 00:25:22,098 reports I turned off the field smiling 603 00:25:17,358 --> 00:25:23,358 to Cee Lo's welcome back velvet Remini 604 00:25:22,098 --> 00:25:24,888 gave him a big hug that I knew he 605 00:25:23,358 --> 00:25:28,398 couldn't feel but somehow made him look 606 00:25:24,888 --> 00:25:29,778 very uncomfortable anyway I've collected 607 00:25:28,398 --> 00:25:32,388 some more medicine for your dispensary 608 00:25:29,778 --> 00:25:35,358 she chimed and immediately looked less 609 00:25:32,388 --> 00:25:36,519 uncomfortable I chuckled and directed my 610 00:25:35,358 --> 00:25:39,288 attention to the terminal screen 611 00:25:36,519 --> 00:25:40,489 perusing the reports starting with those 612 00:25:39,288 --> 00:25:43,598 which have been so divided into a 613 00:25:40,489 --> 00:25:43,598 category called ghosts 614 00:25:43,660 --> 00:25:50,900 Report 347 mosaic or was it Gestalt 615 00:25:48,769 --> 00:25:54,349 passed down a new project for alpha 616 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:55,759 today apparently after over three years 617 00:25:54,349 --> 00:25:57,529 of peer failure from the mayor's up in 618 00:25:55,759 --> 00:25:58,849 spell crafting the ministry mayor is 619 00:25:57,529 --> 00:26:00,289 given up on the ministry's effort to 620 00:25:58,849 --> 00:26:03,439 reverse engineer zebra invisibility 621 00:26:00,289 --> 00:26:04,819 magic into spell form given our success 622 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,769 with the stealth buck she's passed the 623 00:26:04,819 --> 00:26:08,119 project on to us requesting that we 624 00:26:06,769 --> 00:26:10,579 design a sustainable magic device 625 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:13,359 capable of indefinite invisibility our 626 00:26:10,579 --> 00:26:15,949 own version of the zebra stealth cloak 627 00:26:13,359 --> 00:26:17,469 this new project comes right on top of 628 00:26:15,950 --> 00:26:20,120 losing a member of the Alpha herd 629 00:26:17,470 --> 00:26:23,240 although from what I understand that may 630 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:24,769 make things easier on us officially all 631 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:28,009 I know is that beaker has been suspended 632 00:26:24,769 --> 00:26:29,420 without pay unofficially worded leak 633 00:26:28,009 --> 00:26:31,160 down that be here is under investigation 634 00:26:29,420 --> 00:26:32,390 for accepting contributions from 635 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,800 somepony within the Ministry of 636 00:26:32,390 --> 00:26:36,009 Technology in exchange for hampering 637 00:26:33,799 --> 00:26:38,210 development of magical energy weapons 638 00:26:36,009 --> 00:26:39,529 sounds to me like there's a pony or two 639 00:26:38,210 --> 00:26:41,390 in the building next door who's more 640 00:26:39,529 --> 00:26:42,589 concerned with iron-shod firearms market 641 00:26:41,390 --> 00:26:49,030 dominance and then what's good for all 642 00:26:42,589 --> 00:26:51,349 the ponies of Equestria report 397 ah 643 00:26:49,029 --> 00:26:55,190 another day another pointless daily 644 00:26:51,349 --> 00:26:56,689 report that no pony ever reads the 645 00:26:55,190 --> 00:26:58,700 shipment of drugs finally arrived from 646 00:26:56,690 --> 00:27:00,140 the Ministry of morale three weeks late 647 00:26:58,700 --> 00:27:01,610 and accompanied by two of their pink 648 00:27:00,140 --> 00:27:02,960 suitcase ponies and who insisted on 649 00:27:01,609 --> 00:27:04,419 monitoring how the restricted drugs were 650 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,460 used 651 00:27:04,420 --> 00:27:07,900 now here there were some hard words 652 00:27:06,460 --> 00:27:10,210 between one of the magic twins and the 653 00:27:07,900 --> 00:27:11,800 morale officials you'd think after all 654 00:27:10,210 --> 00:27:13,299 the work we put into talismans for the 655 00:27:11,799 --> 00:27:17,980 ridiculous balloons they'd be a bit more 656 00:27:13,299 --> 00:27:19,539 cooperative and result even though the 657 00:27:17,980 --> 00:27:21,339 shipment is actually in the building 658 00:27:19,539 --> 00:27:23,079 we're gonna have to wait at least three 659 00:27:21,339 --> 00:27:24,490 days while administration pushes through 660 00:27:23,079 --> 00:27:25,839 the paperwork before the drugs will be 661 00:27:24,490 --> 00:27:27,339 cleared and we can finally start the 662 00:27:25,839 --> 00:27:31,269 next round of tests on our prototype 663 00:27:27,339 --> 00:27:32,740 Steel Ranger medical dispenser continued 664 00:27:31,269 --> 00:27:34,119 efforts on improving the design and 665 00:27:32,740 --> 00:27:37,029 duration of stealth Buck's seem to have 666 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:38,379 hit a wall the mg stealth buck 2 is the 667 00:27:37,029 --> 00:27:40,420 most advanced design we've managed 668 00:27:38,380 --> 00:27:41,920 taking advantage of the same recharging 669 00:27:40,420 --> 00:27:43,240 magical properties we've introduced into 670 00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:45,220 some of the newer lines of magical 671 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:46,980 energy weapons and possessing 4 times 672 00:27:45,220 --> 00:27:50,230 the duration of our original design 673 00:27:46,980 --> 00:27:51,940 however recharging takes hours and the 674 00:27:50,230 --> 00:27:54,430 duration still falls far short of our 675 00:27:51,940 --> 00:27:57,580 goal Mark's Gestalt 676 00:27:54,430 --> 00:28:00,789 or was it mosaic visited alpha today to 677 00:27:57,579 --> 00:28:02,829 review our progress after explaining her 678 00:28:00,789 --> 00:28:05,440 difficulties she suggested we pursue a 679 00:28:02,829 --> 00:28:06,909 new avenue of experimentation a stealth 680 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:09,640 suit which takes advantage of multiple 681 00:28:06,910 --> 00:28:10,930 stealth buck arrays while one stealth 682 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:13,600 buck is providing invisibility the 683 00:28:10,930 --> 00:28:15,279 others could be recharging I passed her 684 00:28:13,599 --> 00:28:17,099 ID on to the rest of the Alpha herd and 685 00:28:15,279 --> 00:28:20,460 we've started some preliminary sketches 686 00:28:17,099 --> 00:28:23,789 this looks promising 687 00:28:20,460 --> 00:28:26,069 report 4 4 4 688 00:28:23,789 --> 00:28:28,889 today was a good day to be in Alpha labs 689 00:28:26,069 --> 00:28:32,669 or more precisely to not be two floors 690 00:28:28,890 --> 00:28:34,020 above somehow the mayor of the Ministry 691 00:28:32,670 --> 00:28:35,460 of peace got wind of the sort of mega 692 00:28:34,019 --> 00:28:38,039 spell ritual chambers the ponies and 693 00:28:35,460 --> 00:28:39,600 spell crafting have been designing for 694 00:28:38,039 --> 00:28:41,039 such a soft-spoken and pleasant old girl 695 00:28:39,599 --> 00:28:44,069 she's apparently a right tear when she 696 00:28:41,039 --> 00:28:45,569 gets angry and there aren't even enough 697 00:28:44,069 --> 00:28:47,779 bits in the royal treasury to make it 698 00:28:45,569 --> 00:28:50,159 worth facing an angry ministry mayor 699 00:28:47,779 --> 00:28:52,139 after spending a month calibrating the 700 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:54,810 new array the ghost mayor suit is raised 701 00:28:52,140 --> 00:28:56,520 for the first live test as well as the 702 00:28:54,809 --> 00:28:58,859 turret tests I brought and Wonder into 703 00:28:56,519 --> 00:29:01,049 the office today I figure if the ghost 704 00:28:58,859 --> 00:29:04,169 mayor suit can get by my cat we've got a 705 00:29:01,049 --> 00:29:05,519 winner twinkle and daybreak of him 706 00:29:04,170 --> 00:29:07,940 particularly snippy with each other 707 00:29:05,519 --> 00:29:10,019 again today for no apparent reason I 708 00:29:07,940 --> 00:29:13,220 suspect those two Bucks are having an 709 00:29:10,019 --> 00:29:15,629 affair if so I hope they keep it quiet 710 00:29:13,220 --> 00:29:18,029 personally I think they'd make a cute 711 00:29:15,630 --> 00:29:20,670 couple but we have fraternization rules 712 00:29:18,029 --> 00:29:22,139 for a reason and the last thing I want 713 00:29:20,670 --> 00:29:23,370 is to lose one of them because the magic 714 00:29:22,140 --> 00:29:29,460 twins decide to put them on different 715 00:29:23,369 --> 00:29:31,829 levels report four four five wonder was 716 00:29:29,460 --> 00:29:33,269 a big hit in the office every member of 717 00:29:31,829 --> 00:29:35,699 Alpha herd gathered around and utterly 718 00:29:33,269 --> 00:29:37,049 spoiled her with attention a few were 719 00:29:35,700 --> 00:29:39,750 even insisting that I can bring her back 720 00:29:37,049 --> 00:29:42,029 again I'll run it past the magic twins 721 00:29:39,750 --> 00:29:43,880 maybe I can spin having a lab cat as 722 00:29:42,029 --> 00:29:46,410 being good for morale 723 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:49,530 sadly the ghost mayor suit was not as 724 00:29:46,410 --> 00:29:51,509 impressive not only did the suit fail to 725 00:29:49,529 --> 00:29:52,889 pass the Wonder test but we discovered 726 00:29:51,509 --> 00:29:54,450 that the array was draining power from 727 00:29:52,890 --> 00:29:56,640 all the stealth bucks while just one of 728 00:29:54,450 --> 00:29:58,470 them was running the ladder is a 729 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:01,830 technical design problem I'm sure of it 730 00:29:58,470 --> 00:30:03,150 the former is more worrying who ran 731 00:30:01,829 --> 00:30:04,500 three members of the herd through the 732 00:30:03,150 --> 00:30:06,269 test gauntlet with just stealth bucks 733 00:30:04,500 --> 00:30:09,059 alone and Wonder didn't catch any of 734 00:30:06,269 --> 00:30:10,769 them something the suit or maybe 735 00:30:09,059 --> 00:30:12,940 something in the array is weakening the 736 00:30:10,769 --> 00:30:14,979 visibility spell somehow 737 00:30:12,940 --> 00:30:17,379 fortunately we have time to try to fix 738 00:30:14,979 --> 00:30:18,729 this before the next review no pony's 739 00:30:17,378 --> 00:30:20,158 paying attention to us down here with 740 00:30:18,729 --> 00:30:22,179 the big mess upstairs 741 00:30:20,159 --> 00:30:23,919 apparently Fluttershy went to Twilight 742 00:30:22,179 --> 00:30:27,129 Sparkle and now the magic twins are 743 00:30:23,919 --> 00:30:29,229 cleaning house I don't get the politics 744 00:30:27,128 --> 00:30:30,638 involved here but I do get that two 745 00:30:29,229 --> 00:30:33,759 dozen unicorns have been fired already 746 00:30:30,638 --> 00:30:35,648 and this is just the first day another 747 00:30:33,759 --> 00:30:38,038 doesn't have actually quit taking up an 748 00:30:35,648 --> 00:30:40,178 offer from the Ministry of peace I've 749 00:30:38,038 --> 00:30:41,769 even heard rumors that they might be 750 00:30:40,179 --> 00:30:43,629 planning dismantle some of the chambers 751 00:30:41,769 --> 00:30:45,038 or redesigned them for purely defensive 752 00:30:43,628 --> 00:30:47,498 spells like the Ministry of peace is 753 00:30:45,038 --> 00:30:50,108 demanding but I don't put any stock in 754 00:30:47,499 --> 00:30:51,429 that gossip Equestria isn't going to 755 00:30:50,108 --> 00:30:53,439 disarm itself in the middle of a war 756 00:30:51,429 --> 00:30:54,999 especially not after the Zebras 757 00:30:53,440 --> 00:31:01,979 successfully tested mega spell of their 758 00:30:54,999 --> 00:31:01,979 own last week report four eight nine 759 00:31:02,009 --> 00:31:05,618 thanks to wonder we finally got an 760 00:31:04,179 --> 00:31:07,710 insight onto one of the issues plaguing 761 00:31:05,618 --> 00:31:09,999 the ghost mare soup project 762 00:31:07,710 --> 00:31:11,229 apparently the magic of zebra stealth 763 00:31:09,999 --> 00:31:13,960 cloaks is also designed to mitigate 764 00:31:11,229 --> 00:31:15,489 sound and smell during the development 765 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:16,720 of stealth bucks we had noticed the 766 00:31:15,489 --> 00:31:20,319 difference in muffling effect from 767 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:21,700 zebras artifacts and her own devices we 768 00:31:20,319 --> 00:31:23,858 had written this off as an acceptable 769 00:31:21,700 --> 00:31:25,389 loss particularly since the cloaks 770 00:31:23,858 --> 00:31:28,569 original sound dampening effect was a 771 00:31:25,388 --> 00:31:30,219 relatively minor effect to begin with we 772 00:31:28,569 --> 00:31:32,858 had not however noticed the olfactory 773 00:31:30,220 --> 00:31:34,808 effect this was apparently a greater 774 00:31:32,858 --> 00:31:36,158 concern to the zebras possibly on 775 00:31:34,808 --> 00:31:37,569 account of the plethora of dangerous 776 00:31:36,159 --> 00:31:40,059 wildlife rumored to exist in their 777 00:31:37,569 --> 00:31:42,489 homeland further proof that zebras are 778 00:31:40,058 --> 00:31:44,019 innately crazy could you imagine living 779 00:31:42,489 --> 00:31:46,150 in Equestria if it was full of roaming 780 00:31:44,019 --> 00:31:48,309 monsters 781 00:31:46,150 --> 00:31:49,509 while the original stealth book still 782 00:31:48,309 --> 00:31:52,559 retains at least a fraction of this 783 00:31:49,509 --> 00:31:55,599 effect the mg stealth bug - does not or 784 00:31:52,559 --> 00:31:59,169 more precisely does not after its first 785 00:31:55,599 --> 00:32:00,819 use for reasons still mystery to us the 786 00:31:59,170 --> 00:32:05,080 element of the spell refused to function 787 00:32:00,819 --> 00:32:06,519 after the self buck - recharges twinkle 788 00:32:05,079 --> 00:32:07,659 let something slip today about he and 789 00:32:06,519 --> 00:32:10,389 daybreak getting a cat 790 00:32:07,660 --> 00:32:12,279 I made a seemingly off of comment about 791 00:32:10,390 --> 00:32:15,040 cats having a tendency to reveal things 792 00:32:12,279 --> 00:32:21,940 that should be kept secret I hope he got 793 00:32:15,039 --> 00:32:23,109 the hint report 5 1 - the ghost mayor 794 00:32:21,940 --> 00:32:25,509 soup project has suffered another 795 00:32:23,109 --> 00:32:27,490 setback today I'm amazed at how 796 00:32:25,509 --> 00:32:30,940 something so simple in concept can be so 797 00:32:27,490 --> 00:32:32,380 resistant to proper execution I spent 798 00:32:30,940 --> 00:32:33,940 all last month solving the mutual 799 00:32:32,380 --> 00:32:36,970 depletion problem only to find that the 800 00:32:33,940 --> 00:32:38,440 newarray can't pass the stress test the 801 00:32:36,970 --> 00:32:39,940 ghost mayor suit isn't worth anything if 802 00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:42,880 it can't sustain invisibility after a 803 00:32:39,940 --> 00:32:44,230 1-yard fall a few of the other 804 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:45,640 researchers here in the Alpha herd have 805 00:32:44,230 --> 00:32:48,700 begun referring to this as project 806 00:32:45,640 --> 00:32:50,440 frustration unfortunately with other 807 00:32:48,700 --> 00:32:51,940 projects beginning to pile up I'm gonna 808 00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:53,680 have to take most of my ponies off this 809 00:32:51,940 --> 00:32:56,279 one down prioritizing it till things 810 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:58,570 look a little more promising for us 811 00:32:56,279 --> 00:33:00,190 fortunately gestalten mosaic are out of 812 00:32:58,569 --> 00:33:01,539 Canterlot today having an on-site 813 00:33:00,190 --> 00:33:04,059 meeting with Twilight Sparkle at the new 814 00:33:01,539 --> 00:33:05,019 facility out in splendid valley honestly 815 00:33:04,059 --> 00:33:07,179 i breathe a little easier when they 816 00:33:05,019 --> 00:33:08,650 aren't around i personally find a magic 817 00:33:07,180 --> 00:33:10,110 twins a little creepy particularly the 818 00:33:08,650 --> 00:33:12,009 way they finish each other sentences 819 00:33:10,109 --> 00:33:15,099 doesn't anypony else get the shivers 820 00:33:12,009 --> 00:33:16,839 when I do that it's as if mosaic and 821 00:33:15,099 --> 00:33:19,029 Gestalt always know exactly what the 822 00:33:16,839 --> 00:33:20,889 other sister is thinking like they're 823 00:33:19,029 --> 00:33:22,700 not so much twins as one mayor stuck in 824 00:33:20,890 --> 00:33:25,190 two bodies 825 00:33:22,700 --> 00:33:29,180 okay no more reading ghost goblins and 826 00:33:25,190 --> 00:33:33,830 ghoulish figures on my break time report 827 00:33:29,180 --> 00:33:36,500 five 5-0 Twilight Sparkle paid a 828 00:33:33,829 --> 00:33:37,970 surprise visit to the Alpha lab today to 829 00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:40,730 my dismay she asked for an update on the 830 00:33:37,970 --> 00:33:41,839 ghost mare soup project she had 831 00:33:40,730 --> 00:33:43,910 apparently hoped we were much further 832 00:33:41,839 --> 00:33:45,919 along and had wanted to bring in rarity 833 00:33:43,910 --> 00:33:48,350 the mayor of the ministry of image what 834 00:33:45,920 --> 00:33:51,259 the hell for consultation on the suits 835 00:33:48,349 --> 00:33:53,389 aesthetic design seriously suits 836 00:33:51,259 --> 00:33:56,480 supposed to be invisible who the hell 837 00:33:53,390 --> 00:33:57,740 cares what it looks like Twilight 838 00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:59,210 Sparkle asked me to put up with the 839 00:33:57,740 --> 00:34:01,700 nuisance anyway and give rarity our full 840 00:33:59,210 --> 00:34:03,410 attention and respect afterwards 841 00:34:01,700 --> 00:34:04,700 daybreak suggested Twilight Sparkle was 842 00:34:03,410 --> 00:34:07,100 looking for a way to cheer up her friend 843 00:34:04,700 --> 00:34:09,769 saying something afterwards about rarity 844 00:34:07,099 --> 00:34:11,599 having been a dressmaker honestly I have 845 00:34:09,769 --> 00:34:13,460 no idea dumping more work on somepony in 846 00:34:11,599 --> 00:34:15,380 that position particularly if it's 847 00:34:13,460 --> 00:34:18,920 pointless work can possibly cheer a pony 848 00:34:15,380 --> 00:34:20,510 up on the other hoof the idea that one 849 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:22,579 of the ministry mares might be suffering 850 00:34:20,510 --> 00:34:24,470 wartime stress disorder is terrifying 851 00:34:22,579 --> 00:34:28,549 so I told daybreak to keep that opinion 852 00:34:24,469 --> 00:34:29,719 carefully under wraps while Twilight 853 00:34:28,550 --> 00:34:32,150 Sparkle was disappointed with our 854 00:34:29,719 --> 00:34:34,789 progress on that particular project at 855 00:34:32,150 --> 00:34:36,139 least she was understanding and she was 856 00:34:34,789 --> 00:34:38,929 considerably more pleased with her other 857 00:34:36,139 --> 00:34:42,139 projects such as the multi-gem heavy 858 00:34:38,929 --> 00:34:43,369 infantry battle saddle alpha Labs has 859 00:34:42,139 --> 00:34:45,319 continued to show a great deal of 860 00:34:43,369 --> 00:34:47,989 success in other projects so I don't 861 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:49,910 think we'll face any repercussions she 862 00:34:47,989 --> 00:34:51,379 did however ask if there was any pony I 863 00:34:49,909 --> 00:34:54,079 believe we could spare to join the spell 864 00:34:51,380 --> 00:34:55,460 crafting lab of us apparently they're 865 00:34:54,079 --> 00:34:56,659 researching something called a bypass 866 00:34:55,460 --> 00:34:59,179 spell and have reached the point where 867 00:34:56,659 --> 00:35:01,699 they need a fresh mind I told her get 868 00:34:59,179 --> 00:35:03,730 back to her on that tomorrow I'm gonna 869 00:35:01,699 --> 00:35:05,869 have to talk with daybreak and twinkle I 870 00:35:03,730 --> 00:35:07,300 would prefer to keep both of them as 871 00:35:05,869 --> 00:35:09,409 they're excellent members of the herd 872 00:35:07,300 --> 00:35:13,060 but if I'm going to end up losing one of 873 00:35:09,409 --> 00:35:13,059 them I would rather be done this way 874 00:35:13,710 --> 00:35:18,119 I stopped skimming the reports there 875 00:35:16,409 --> 00:35:21,000 were dozens more in ghosts alone and 876 00:35:18,119 --> 00:35:23,430 half a dozen other categories getting up 877 00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:24,960 I looked around at the lab opening lock 878 00:35:23,429 --> 00:35:27,139 storage containers and equipment lockers 879 00:35:24,960 --> 00:35:27,139 Oh 880 00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:31,439 Kalama do be sorry he was missing out on 881 00:35:28,949 --> 00:35:34,049 this there were tools in here I couldn't 882 00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:35,250 even guess the purpose of I checked to 883 00:35:34,050 --> 00:35:36,750 make sure velvet was still busy with 884 00:35:35,250 --> 00:35:39,719 steelo's reading that it wasn't 885 00:35:36,750 --> 00:35:41,309 sightseeing if I had to wait anyway then 886 00:35:39,719 --> 00:35:43,709 levitated a duffel bag out from under 887 00:35:41,309 --> 00:35:45,329 one of the tables pulling it open and 888 00:35:43,710 --> 00:35:47,490 dumping out the empty cat carrier inside 889 00:35:45,329 --> 00:35:50,670 I started scooping random tools and 890 00:35:47,489 --> 00:35:54,088 equipment ooh a duffel bag ready to go a 891 00:35:50,670 --> 00:35:56,338 little pip velvet called out yeah yeah 892 00:35:54,088 --> 00:35:58,858 just one minute I called back cutting my 893 00:35:56,338 --> 00:36:00,329 scavenging short but there was still one 894 00:35:58,858 --> 00:36:01,799 storage container I wanted to raid 895 00:36:00,329 --> 00:36:04,019 before we descended into the basement 896 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:07,160 the one where I'd spotted the prototype 897 00:36:04,019 --> 00:36:09,269 ghost mayor suit or at least parts of it 898 00:36:07,159 --> 00:36:10,920 the project had clearly never been 899 00:36:09,269 --> 00:36:13,380 completed and was abandoned in the 900 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:15,030 middle of a complete overhaul now 901 00:36:13,380 --> 00:36:17,269 digging back through the container I 902 00:36:15,030 --> 00:36:20,960 found something that was worth taking 903 00:36:17,269 --> 00:36:20,960 1mg stuff buck to 904 00:36:22,469 --> 00:36:26,399 with a grunt Seelos forced open the 905 00:36:24,989 --> 00:36:29,729 elevator doors and the three of us 906 00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:31,650 looked down the dark shaft midway down a 907 00:36:29,730 --> 00:36:34,309 field of blue energy cut horizontally 908 00:36:31,650 --> 00:36:38,250 across the shaft blocking our way down 909 00:36:34,309 --> 00:36:39,838 aside unsurprised we tried to find the 910 00:36:38,250 --> 00:36:41,338 stairwell to the basement already only 911 00:36:39,838 --> 00:36:44,279 to find the thick metal door to slid 912 00:36:41,338 --> 00:36:46,769 into place cutting off access the entire 913 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:48,269 basement was locked down tight the only 914 00:36:46,769 --> 00:36:50,280 way in was to be teleported there by the 915 00:36:48,269 --> 00:36:52,670 ministries building security and I had 916 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:55,700 yet to find a way out 917 00:36:52,670 --> 00:36:58,280 look at those cables velvet whispered 918 00:36:55,699 --> 00:37:01,348 they go right down through the shield I 919 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:03,000 nodded I'd figured the shield had been 920 00:37:01,349 --> 00:37:04,140 closed around them although it was a 921 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:07,730 little surprising they hadn't been 922 00:37:04,139 --> 00:37:12,059 severed what are you thinking 923 00:37:07,730 --> 00:37:15,358 bypass spell she responded for the 924 00:37:12,059 --> 00:37:19,219 cables for the whole elevator she 925 00:37:15,358 --> 00:37:23,608 suggested I know it's a long shot but 926 00:37:19,219 --> 00:37:25,230 still owes nicker disbelievingly you 927 00:37:23,608 --> 00:37:26,818 think they put a security barrier in the 928 00:37:25,230 --> 00:37:30,030 elevator shaft that the elevator could 929 00:37:26,818 --> 00:37:33,358 get through I bit my lower lip and 930 00:37:30,030 --> 00:37:35,490 thought actually that's not as silly as 931 00:37:33,358 --> 00:37:36,719 it sounds the elevator would be 932 00:37:35,489 --> 00:37:38,549 programmed to move to the bottom when 933 00:37:36,719 --> 00:37:39,989 the basement was locked down but they 934 00:37:38,550 --> 00:37:41,400 wouldn't want to try to trap any ponies 935 00:37:39,989 --> 00:37:44,399 so they set the barrier to allow the 936 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:45,599 elevator through that way the barrier 937 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:46,950 can activate instantly while the 938 00:37:45,599 --> 00:37:50,400 elevator has time to deposit any 939 00:37:46,949 --> 00:37:52,588 passengers and the floors above I was 940 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:55,289 talking out my tail side but it made at 941 00:37:52,588 --> 00:37:56,909 least some sense once the elevator 942 00:37:55,289 --> 00:37:58,349 reaches the bottom the power is cut in 943 00:37:56,909 --> 00:38:00,429 the whole system and the elevator is 944 00:37:58,349 --> 00:38:03,410 locked up into position 945 00:38:00,429 --> 00:38:07,669 so what good does that do us Steele has 946 00:38:03,409 --> 00:38:10,179 asked velvet almost purred they weren't 947 00:38:07,670 --> 00:38:13,099 planning a little pip now were they I 948 00:38:10,179 --> 00:38:15,469 knew what she was getting at levitate 949 00:38:13,099 --> 00:38:18,230 the elevator up to us get on and down we 950 00:38:15,469 --> 00:38:21,199 go only one problem 951 00:38:18,230 --> 00:38:24,469 I need schematics of the elevators 952 00:38:21,199 --> 00:38:29,509 mechanical system I told them velvet 953 00:38:24,469 --> 00:38:31,009 looked at me oddly why what for the 954 00:38:29,510 --> 00:38:33,859 locking mechanism is at the bottom where 955 00:38:31,010 --> 00:38:37,910 I can't see it she continued to look at 956 00:38:33,858 --> 00:38:41,719 me blankly I sighed look I need to know 957 00:38:37,909 --> 00:38:43,940 what I'm doing before I can do it I look 958 00:38:41,719 --> 00:38:46,189 at them both of course they didn't 959 00:38:43,940 --> 00:38:47,088 understand steelo's had no clue about 960 00:38:46,190 --> 00:38:48,920 magic at all 961 00:38:47,088 --> 00:38:52,009 velvet remedies levitation magic was 962 00:38:48,920 --> 00:38:53,630 comparatively foolish it's the same 963 00:38:52,010 --> 00:38:55,099 reason I can telekinetically fire a gun 964 00:38:53,630 --> 00:38:57,380 or pull the power supply from a turret 965 00:38:55,099 --> 00:38:58,940 even if I can't see it but I can't just 966 00:38:57,380 --> 00:39:01,338 use my magic to squeeze some ponies hard 967 00:38:58,940 --> 00:39:02,900 or build a rifle while blindfolded if I 968 00:39:01,338 --> 00:39:04,219 can't see what I'm doing it I need to at 969 00:39:02,900 --> 00:39:05,809 least be able to picture to my mind with 970 00:39:04,219 --> 00:39:08,539 a fair amount of accuracy or the magic 971 00:39:05,809 --> 00:39:11,990 won't manifest I explained hoping I 972 00:39:08,539 --> 00:39:13,460 didn't sound patronizing I need a place 973 00:39:11,989 --> 00:39:16,449 to start if I have any chance of doing 974 00:39:13,460 --> 00:39:19,010 this like with the star spawn until 975 00:39:16,449 --> 00:39:21,409 pilot said part of it on fire I didn't 976 00:39:19,010 --> 00:39:22,609 have any place to begin in this case 977 00:39:21,409 --> 00:39:24,199 since I have no idea what kind of 978 00:39:22,608 --> 00:39:27,130 locking mechanism I might not be seeing 979 00:39:24,199 --> 00:39:27,129 I need the schematics 980 00:39:27,150 --> 00:39:31,980 with all the remedy and steelo's both 981 00:39:28,650 --> 00:39:34,910 nodded once schematics for the elevator 982 00:39:31,980 --> 00:39:34,909 coming right up Oh 983 00:39:36,300 --> 00:39:42,840 goddesses velvet remedy whimpered little 984 00:39:39,900 --> 00:39:44,190 PIP I was studying the elevator 985 00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:46,710 schematic steel is it found on my 986 00:39:44,190 --> 00:39:49,880 pipbuck velvet had been watching me and 987 00:39:46,710 --> 00:39:52,440 I realize what she had just seen I 988 00:39:49,880 --> 00:39:55,800 looked at her then looked away and 989 00:39:52,440 --> 00:39:56,990 nodded I didn't have anything to say on 990 00:39:55,800 --> 00:40:00,000 the matter 991 00:39:56,989 --> 00:40:01,789 steelo's whinnied I put up a hoof 992 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:03,929 signaling for him to say nothing I 993 00:40:01,789 --> 00:40:06,869 didn't know if his words would be I told 994 00:40:03,929 --> 00:40:08,069 you so or a guilt lad an apology but I 995 00:40:06,869 --> 00:40:11,549 didn't think I could handle either one 996 00:40:08,070 --> 00:40:14,309 of those I had saved him it had cost me 997 00:40:11,550 --> 00:40:16,950 a bit of my pony nasai was done was done 998 00:40:14,309 --> 00:40:18,599 I couldn't say I didn't regret it but I 999 00:40:16,949 --> 00:40:22,529 could say I would do it again even 1000 00:40:18,599 --> 00:40:25,889 knowing the outcome really I said 1001 00:40:22,530 --> 00:40:28,320 feeling a hitch in my throat it's not 1002 00:40:25,889 --> 00:40:31,920 that bad I hardly noticed hitch anymore 1003 00:40:28,320 --> 00:40:34,830 I shifted my attention to the shaft in 1004 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:36,750 the elevator below I focused reaching 1005 00:40:34,829 --> 00:40:39,239 out attempting to manifest my magic on 1006 00:40:36,750 --> 00:40:40,980 the far side of the shield this was a 1007 00:40:39,239 --> 00:40:43,439 bit of a new trick but there was no 1008 00:40:40,980 --> 00:40:44,699 reason it shouldn't work I remembered 1009 00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:46,619 the super alicorn from the Philadelphia 1010 00:40:44,699 --> 00:40:49,049 crater who shield was so powerful she 1011 00:40:46,619 --> 00:40:50,759 couldn't manifest magic through it this 1012 00:40:49,050 --> 00:40:53,100 shield was nothing compared to that one 1013 00:40:50,760 --> 00:40:54,600 I thought of Feld remedy casting her 1014 00:40:53,099 --> 00:40:56,159 aesthetic spell inside at the alicorn 1015 00:40:54,599 --> 00:40:59,400 shield 1016 00:40:56,159 --> 00:41:00,690 I could do this I was satisfied to see 1017 00:40:59,400 --> 00:41:04,380 the glow of my Maddox around the 1018 00:41:00,690 --> 00:41:06,179 elevator car I focused on the thick yet 1019 00:41:04,380 --> 00:41:07,410 simple clamps rotating the screws that 1020 00:41:06,179 --> 00:41:11,308 held them together until I heard them 1021 00:41:07,409 --> 00:41:13,108 fall apart concentrating I slowly lifted 1022 00:41:11,309 --> 00:41:15,900 the elevator car upwards pulling it 1023 00:41:13,108 --> 00:41:17,400 towards the energy shield I held my 1024 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:21,059 breath as the top of the car reached the 1025 00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:25,039 field of blue light moan of truth was 1026 00:41:21,059 --> 00:41:26,940 velvet right the car continued to lift 1027 00:41:25,039 --> 00:41:29,819 gliding through the field as if it was 1028 00:41:26,940 --> 00:41:32,608 nothing but a film of water I exhaled 1029 00:41:29,818 --> 00:41:35,190 gratefully in moments who was hovering 1030 00:41:32,608 --> 00:41:38,400 in front of us I pushed the cars 1031 00:41:35,190 --> 00:41:41,690 clattering gate open fillies and 1032 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:45,380 gentlecolts I announce the sweeping bow 1033 00:41:41,690 --> 00:41:45,380 your chariot awaits 1034 00:41:46,409 --> 00:41:50,399 as I floated the elevator car down 1035 00:41:48,449 --> 00:41:53,219 towards the basement velvet remedy and I 1036 00:41:50,400 --> 00:41:54,480 rode alone the three of us have barely 1037 00:41:53,219 --> 00:41:57,029 gotten onto the elevator when we 1038 00:41:54,480 --> 00:41:58,920 realized the problem with steel homes 1039 00:41:57,030 --> 00:41:59,730 extra bulk there was barely enough room 1040 00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:01,650 for the three of us 1041 00:41:59,730 --> 00:42:04,469 there was no way we'd be able to fit 1042 00:42:01,650 --> 00:42:06,059 calamity into or maneuver as Steel's 1043 00:42:04,469 --> 00:42:09,179 pointed out if there was a turret 1044 00:42:06,059 --> 00:42:10,500 waiting for us at the bottom instead we 1045 00:42:09,179 --> 00:42:12,149 had left our Steel Ranger outcasts 1046 00:42:10,500 --> 00:42:15,780 standing guard over calamities packs a 1047 00:42:12,150 --> 00:42:16,619 duffel bag and most of our weapons clan 1048 00:42:15,780 --> 00:42:19,099 we would just have to wait a little 1049 00:42:16,619 --> 00:42:22,470 while to put his battle saddle back on I 1050 00:42:19,099 --> 00:42:24,900 touched my forums tentatively I stared 1051 00:42:22,469 --> 00:42:29,209 the floor of the elevator finally I 1052 00:42:24,900 --> 00:42:33,769 asked velvet Remedy little Wacken Tosh 1053 00:42:29,210 --> 00:42:35,849 velvet remedy hissed wrong question I 1054 00:42:33,769 --> 00:42:38,909 was startled by the vehemence in her 1055 00:42:35,849 --> 00:42:45,150 voice you should have asked about pyre 1056 00:42:38,909 --> 00:42:46,348 light oh I felt a twinge of guilt pilots 1057 00:42:45,150 --> 00:42:48,358 not in the building according to the 1058 00:42:46,349 --> 00:42:51,900 security system she never got trapped in 1059 00:42:48,358 --> 00:42:53,308 I stopped feeling a sinking sensation 1060 00:42:51,900 --> 00:42:55,920 that chilled my heart and stole my 1061 00:42:53,309 --> 00:42:59,099 breath the elevator car stopped with a 1062 00:42:55,920 --> 00:43:01,680 jolt as my eyes widened if pilot never 1063 00:42:59,099 --> 00:43:04,230 made it inside that meant she was still 1064 00:43:01,679 --> 00:43:08,460 out in the pink a whole night in the 1065 00:43:04,230 --> 00:43:10,079 cloud meant certain death I asked her to 1066 00:43:08,460 --> 00:43:14,099 go get your things as I brought sea 1067 00:43:10,079 --> 00:43:16,318 lives inside velvet said morosely but I 1068 00:43:14,099 --> 00:43:17,849 got magically thrown in that prison that 1069 00:43:16,318 --> 00:43:21,000 chamber before I could prompt the door 1070 00:43:17,849 --> 00:43:23,830 open for her velvet looked at me with a 1071 00:43:21,000 --> 00:43:25,780 heartbreaking expression 1072 00:43:23,829 --> 00:43:27,659 I have to imagine she gathered little 1073 00:43:25,780 --> 00:43:29,830 McIntosh and all your precious weapons 1074 00:43:27,659 --> 00:43:33,369 hoarded them someplace and then sat 1075 00:43:29,829 --> 00:43:36,069 outside and waited for me I cringed a 1076 00:43:33,369 --> 00:43:39,699 whimper strangling in my throat but 1077 00:43:36,070 --> 00:43:43,000 velvet sugar head Pyrrha lights a smart 1078 00:43:39,699 --> 00:43:45,129 bird she's a survivor I have to believe 1079 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:47,949 she wouldn't wait too long that she fly 1080 00:43:45,130 --> 00:43:50,650 out the cloud out of Canterlot maybe all 1081 00:43:47,949 --> 00:43:52,839 the way back to glyph mark in Zenith she 1082 00:43:50,650 --> 00:43:55,769 turned away but I saw the drops fall 1083 00:43:52,840 --> 00:43:58,030 from her making damp spots on the floor 1084 00:43:55,769 --> 00:44:00,429 as long as the pink cloud doesn't get 1085 00:43:58,030 --> 00:44:04,560 worse too quickly as long as she wasn't 1086 00:44:00,429 --> 00:44:06,819 taken by surprise I have to believe that 1087 00:44:04,559 --> 00:44:08,710 speaking with confidence I didn't really 1088 00:44:06,820 --> 00:44:11,890 have I assured her that she was all 1089 00:44:08,710 --> 00:44:15,760 right I started the elevator downward 1090 00:44:11,889 --> 00:44:18,279 again tell me where it is 1091 00:44:15,760 --> 00:44:21,570 the mayor's voice called out grading 1092 00:44:18,280 --> 00:44:25,930 across my brain my ears had popped 1093 00:44:21,570 --> 00:44:28,420 Clank no the tricks he liked second 1094 00:44:25,929 --> 00:44:30,759 voice echoed in my head the air 1095 00:44:28,420 --> 00:44:31,829 shimmered around us my lungs fought for 1096 00:44:30,760 --> 00:44:35,710 breath 1097 00:44:31,829 --> 00:44:38,250 clink Clank unchain us your goddess 1098 00:44:35,710 --> 00:44:38,250 demands it 1099 00:44:38,269 --> 00:44:42,440 velvet Remley i slithered across the 1100 00:44:40,519 --> 00:44:44,150 tiled basement floor pushing aside 1101 00:44:42,440 --> 00:44:46,070 toppled boxes of grain and shattered 1102 00:44:44,150 --> 00:44:49,519 plates dropped kitchen knives and 1103 00:44:46,070 --> 00:44:52,010 leaking packages of flour at first we 1104 00:44:49,519 --> 00:44:55,789 crouched to be stealthy but now we did 1105 00:44:52,010 --> 00:44:58,520 it just the breathe no if i inch anus 1106 00:44:55,789 --> 00:45:00,320 you'll kill us both you're trying to 1107 00:44:58,519 --> 00:45:07,340 kill me already better we should both 1108 00:45:00,320 --> 00:45:10,250 perish clink Clank clink I coughed my 1109 00:45:07,340 --> 00:45:12,289 abused lung struggling for air the sound 1110 00:45:10,250 --> 00:45:15,309 was high and tight not like a pony's 1111 00:45:12,289 --> 00:45:17,840 cough at all and that worried me I 1112 00:45:15,309 --> 00:45:20,239 coughed again velvet REM needed the same 1113 00:45:17,840 --> 00:45:21,680 her coughs more like a newborn squeaky 1114 00:45:20,239 --> 00:45:25,099 toy than any noise which have come from 1115 00:45:21,679 --> 00:45:26,569 Velvets throat we both froze ears 1116 00:45:25,099 --> 00:45:29,529 perking and swiveling as we prayed the 1117 00:45:26,570 --> 00:45:32,000 kitchens other occupant hadn't heard us 1118 00:45:29,530 --> 00:45:35,680 we must throw the party our goddess 1119 00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:39,440 demands it the alicorn hadn't heard us 1120 00:45:35,679 --> 00:45:43,250 she was too busy arguing with as far as 1121 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:44,510 I could tell herself I reached the end 1122 00:45:43,250 --> 00:45:47,269 of the counter and peeked around it 1123 00:45:44,510 --> 00:45:48,770 cautiously the forest green alicorn was 1124 00:45:47,269 --> 00:45:51,409 wrapped in heavy chains the bounder to a 1125 00:45:48,769 --> 00:45:53,059 thick set of pipes in the ceiling she 1126 00:45:51,409 --> 00:45:55,549 stood there looking around frantically 1127 00:45:53,059 --> 00:45:58,670 searching for something a frightened but 1128 00:45:55,550 --> 00:46:01,130 intelligent look in her eyes suddenly 1129 00:45:58,670 --> 00:46:02,780 her demeanor changed her eyes looking 1130 00:46:01,130 --> 00:46:05,960 forward with a glare and her face 1131 00:46:02,780 --> 00:46:07,840 contorting in rage she lunged throwing 1132 00:46:05,960 --> 00:46:10,778 herself against the chains of bounder 1133 00:46:07,840 --> 00:46:14,469 Clank Clank clink 1134 00:46:10,778 --> 00:46:17,259 I am your goddess the Trixie like voice 1135 00:46:14,469 --> 00:46:19,929 raged it wasn't the actual voice of the 1136 00:46:17,259 --> 00:46:22,478 goddess but some strange pale imitation 1137 00:46:19,929 --> 00:46:25,539 that echoed through my head I realized 1138 00:46:22,478 --> 00:46:30,068 her mouth wasn't moving everything I was 1139 00:46:25,539 --> 00:46:32,319 hearing was in my head all of it but how 1140 00:46:30,068 --> 00:46:34,748 was that possible the pink cloud 1141 00:46:32,318 --> 00:46:36,880 hindered alicorn telepathy I was sure of 1142 00:46:34,748 --> 00:46:38,738 it it cut them off from their goddess 1143 00:46:36,880 --> 00:46:41,739 allowing them to regain some of their 1144 00:46:38,739 --> 00:46:42,999 individuality again granted while the 1145 00:46:41,739 --> 00:46:46,269 kitchens were full of some sort of gas 1146 00:46:42,998 --> 00:46:49,899 it wasn't pink cloud but there was pink 1147 00:46:46,268 --> 00:46:51,938 cloud all around this building even as I 1148 00:46:49,900 --> 00:46:54,400 thought that my eyes drifted it to the 1149 00:46:51,938 --> 00:46:56,009 Alcorn's flank and caught there the 1150 00:46:54,400 --> 00:47:00,130 alicorn had a cutie mark 1151 00:46:56,009 --> 00:47:02,278 he looked odd like maybe a mist of stars 1152 00:47:00,130 --> 00:47:04,900 but I couldn't be sure 1153 00:47:02,278 --> 00:47:07,509 the mere fact the alicorn had won it all 1154 00:47:04,900 --> 00:47:09,130 shook my conceptions the alloc once 1155 00:47:07,509 --> 00:47:11,289 flank quivered with effort as she lunged 1156 00:47:09,130 --> 00:47:11,829 again the chains pulling taut holding 1157 00:47:11,289 --> 00:47:15,339 her back 1158 00:47:11,829 --> 00:47:18,969 I followed her gaze it looked like she 1159 00:47:15,338 --> 00:47:20,858 was trying to get to the ovens I helped 1160 00:47:18,969 --> 00:47:22,659 you I was there for you when she was 1161 00:47:20,858 --> 00:47:24,458 silent I whispered to you when you 1162 00:47:22,659 --> 00:47:28,989 couldn't bear the silence in your head i 1163 00:47:24,458 --> 00:47:32,618 coddled you me not her the not Trixie 1164 00:47:28,989 --> 00:47:35,338 voice ranted and you betray me I will 1165 00:47:32,619 --> 00:47:35,338 kill you for that 1166 00:47:36,030 --> 00:47:40,030 without the goddess I had surmised the 1167 00:47:38,769 --> 00:47:42,190 alicorns were cut off from their 1168 00:47:40,030 --> 00:47:43,990 collective pool of magic that they were 1169 00:47:42,190 --> 00:47:46,300 left with just their inherent magics the 1170 00:47:43,989 --> 00:47:50,879 alicorn shields and maybe a spell or two 1171 00:47:46,300 --> 00:47:53,980 I had to revise that theory or not 1172 00:47:50,880 --> 00:47:56,650 purple alicorns teleport blue ones turn 1173 00:47:53,980 --> 00:47:59,619 invisible the green ones did that weird 1174 00:47:56,650 --> 00:48:02,860 statue thing but what if that was part 1175 00:47:59,619 --> 00:48:05,289 of a broader gift the green alicorns 1176 00:48:02,860 --> 00:48:08,110 were telepaths even cut off from the 1177 00:48:05,289 --> 00:48:10,210 goddess they still had their gift if 1178 00:48:08,110 --> 00:48:13,450 anything the goddess probably borrowed 1179 00:48:10,210 --> 00:48:15,280 that magical talent from them I felt 1180 00:48:13,449 --> 00:48:20,500 velvet Remini slide past me slipping 1181 00:48:15,280 --> 00:48:22,720 ahead I looked back at the alicorn this 1182 00:48:20,500 --> 00:48:25,659 was our mission the original voice was 1183 00:48:22,719 --> 00:48:28,539 back the alicorn stopped struggling and 1184 00:48:25,659 --> 00:48:31,089 resumed her search I froze again as she 1185 00:48:28,539 --> 00:48:32,619 looked right past me amidst me the 1186 00:48:31,090 --> 00:48:37,210 alicorn was showing Raider tear 1187 00:48:32,619 --> 00:48:41,019 obliviousness we're so close now I will 1188 00:48:37,210 --> 00:48:43,720 not fail I watched her muzzle but her 1189 00:48:41,019 --> 00:48:46,179 mouth never moved this whole argument 1190 00:48:43,719 --> 00:48:49,028 was taking place in her head and by 1191 00:48:46,179 --> 00:48:52,928 extension in ours 1192 00:48:49,028 --> 00:48:54,539 then I saw something that rocked me the 1193 00:48:52,929 --> 00:48:56,588 alicorn skew-t market faded away 1194 00:48:54,539 --> 00:48:58,239 reminding me of a filly in my magic 1195 00:48:56,588 --> 00:48:59,739 class in stable - who tried to have her 1196 00:48:58,239 --> 00:49:02,858 father conjure up her cutie mark early 1197 00:48:59,739 --> 00:49:05,679 by using magic each time a new mark 1198 00:49:02,858 --> 00:49:09,728 would appear only to fade away just like 1199 00:49:05,679 --> 00:49:12,608 this only the alicorn skidmark didn't 1200 00:49:09,728 --> 00:49:14,728 just fade away a cutie mark of a flask 1201 00:49:12,608 --> 00:49:17,199 with bubbling green liquid replaced it 1202 00:49:14,728 --> 00:49:22,989 the Alcorn's new cutie mark struck a 1203 00:49:17,199 --> 00:49:24,639 chord of deja vu at Sina before a moment 1204 00:49:22,989 --> 00:49:26,858 later the allegories demeanor changed 1205 00:49:24,639 --> 00:49:28,838 again and as I watched the bubbling 1206 00:49:26,858 --> 00:49:32,798 flask cutie mark faded and a starry mist 1207 00:49:28,838 --> 00:49:36,179 resumed his place why why go back to her 1208 00:49:32,798 --> 00:49:41,108 I'm better I'm here only for you always 1209 00:49:36,179 --> 00:49:42,400 a series of rattles filled the air as 1210 00:49:41,108 --> 00:49:46,048 the alicorn struggled against her 1211 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:48,068 bindings once more I began to crawl away 1212 00:49:46,048 --> 00:49:51,188 shaking and a little freaked out by what 1213 00:49:48,068 --> 00:49:53,199 I had seen your cue mark is an integral 1214 00:49:51,188 --> 00:49:55,618 part of you a symbol of your special 1215 00:49:53,199 --> 00:49:58,269 talent how could it change like that 1216 00:49:55,619 --> 00:49:59,919 even when you were depressed even when 1217 00:49:58,268 --> 00:50:02,498 you were at your worst you were still 1218 00:49:59,918 --> 00:50:06,518 you your cutie mark never abandoned you 1219 00:50:02,498 --> 00:50:08,588 and I'm better at magic - she said it 1220 00:50:06,518 --> 00:50:10,508 couldn't be done no small rodents of any 1221 00:50:08,588 --> 00:50:13,298 kind she said but I did it 1222 00:50:10,509 --> 00:50:14,708 I'm the one who found the spell and I'm 1223 00:50:13,298 --> 00:50:19,900 the one the caster while you whimpered 1224 00:50:14,708 --> 00:50:22,178 in a corner : we was curled up in the 1225 00:50:19,900 --> 00:50:25,479 far corner of a small cell behind both a 1226 00:50:22,179 --> 00:50:26,798 magical shield and a locked gate I had 1227 00:50:25,478 --> 00:50:27,938 to hold my breath while I hacked the 1228 00:50:26,798 --> 00:50:30,759 security terminal that dropped the 1229 00:50:27,938 --> 00:50:33,230 shield I had even a yard up the air 1230 00:50:30,759 --> 00:50:35,000 became impossible to breathe 1231 00:50:33,230 --> 00:50:38,260 cracking the computer took me several 1232 00:50:35,000 --> 00:50:40,670 tries it was difficult to concentrate 1233 00:50:38,260 --> 00:50:42,770 especially with the alicorns telepathic 1234 00:50:40,670 --> 00:50:45,889 argument being broadcast non-stop into 1235 00:50:42,769 --> 00:50:47,690 my head the moment the shield vanished 1236 00:50:45,889 --> 00:50:50,210 velvet and I scrambled on our bellies to 1237 00:50:47,690 --> 00:50:52,070 his cell dalla reached her hooves 1238 00:50:50,210 --> 00:50:56,119 between the bars touching them to his 1239 00:50:52,070 --> 00:50:59,870 that he slid closed don't even try he 1240 00:50:56,119 --> 00:51:01,969 squeaked seeing me I've a lock I froze 1241 00:50:59,869 --> 00:51:03,409 not from his warning but the 1242 00:51:01,969 --> 00:51:07,250 high-pitched squeaky voice that had come 1243 00:51:03,409 --> 00:51:10,969 out of his muzzle how didn't he squeak 1244 00:51:07,250 --> 00:51:14,869 warned air is full of it one spark we're 1245 00:51:10,969 --> 00:51:17,569 gonna your horn we're all roast it was 1246 00:51:14,869 --> 00:51:20,769 like listening to a small woodland 1247 00:51:17,570 --> 00:51:23,140 creature only cuter and sillier I 1248 00:51:20,769 --> 00:51:25,070 snorted trying to hold in the laughs I 1249 00:51:23,139 --> 00:51:28,489 tried to distract myself for the 1250 00:51:25,070 --> 00:51:31,700 seriousness of our situation you'd think 1251 00:51:28,489 --> 00:51:33,349 the terminal entry had said after all 1252 00:51:31,699 --> 00:51:35,149 the work we put into our talismans for 1253 00:51:33,349 --> 00:51:38,449 the ridiculous balloons they'd be a bit 1254 00:51:35,150 --> 00:51:40,250 more cooperative the Ministry of Magic 1255 00:51:38,449 --> 00:51:42,559 had created hydrogen talismans for the 1256 00:51:40,250 --> 00:51:44,059 Ministry of morale there was probably 1257 00:51:42,559 --> 00:51:48,170 one in the high-security storage down 1258 00:51:44,059 --> 00:51:50,389 here and it had been activated but if I 1259 00:51:48,170 --> 00:51:53,260 couldn't use our weapons or magic how 1260 00:51:50,389 --> 00:51:55,339 was it going to a calamity sell open 1261 00:51:53,260 --> 00:51:57,770 better figure out something fast little 1262 00:51:55,340 --> 00:52:00,350 pip the woodland critters voice coming 1263 00:51:57,769 --> 00:52:02,170 from calamity insisted this place is 1264 00:52:00,349 --> 00:52:04,099 gonna be unbreathable give it an hour I 1265 00:52:02,170 --> 00:52:07,700 reckon the only reason took this long 1266 00:52:04,099 --> 00:52:09,799 since this place is huge I covered my 1267 00:52:07,699 --> 00:52:13,219 muzzle with both foros tears in my eyes 1268 00:52:09,800 --> 00:52:16,940 I can't mention of there being a hangar 1269 00:52:13,219 --> 00:52:19,759 down here he added squeakily that did it 1270 00:52:16,940 --> 00:52:21,530 I couldn't hold it in anymore despite my 1271 00:52:19,760 --> 00:52:23,120 difficulty breathing I found myself 1272 00:52:21,530 --> 00:52:25,400 laughing so hard I was rolling on the 1273 00:52:23,119 --> 00:52:27,670 floor the high-pitched sounds of my own 1274 00:52:25,400 --> 00:52:30,650 laughter just made me go fall harder 1275 00:52:27,670 --> 00:52:33,380 yeah yeah got blood on Jia Calamity 1276 00:52:30,650 --> 00:52:35,539 glowered at me and now even Velva was 1277 00:52:33,380 --> 00:52:37,579 laughing but would one of you kindly get 1278 00:52:35,539 --> 00:52:40,000 the damn key and get me out of here for 1279 00:52:37,579 --> 00:52:42,940 that alicorn drives me crazy 1280 00:52:40,000 --> 00:52:47,949 he was hilarious I stomped a hoof on the 1281 00:52:42,940 --> 00:52:51,030 floor dying seeing something first Velva 1282 00:52:47,949 --> 00:52:53,679 Remy suggested her own voice even higher 1283 00:52:51,030 --> 00:52:56,400 clammin he just snorted laughing at 1284 00:52:53,679 --> 00:52:56,399 velvet in response 1285 00:52:58,030 --> 00:53:02,050 ah thank you all clearly said as he 1286 00:53:00,699 --> 00:53:05,619 slipped something pink into his backpack 1287 00:53:02,050 --> 00:53:08,250 I blinked realizing he'd managed a pill 1288 00:53:05,619 --> 00:53:10,269 for something even or those conditions 1289 00:53:08,250 --> 00:53:12,070 now let's get out of here before the 1290 00:53:10,269 --> 00:53:14,710 crazy lady downstairs manages to blow 1291 00:53:12,070 --> 00:53:16,330 this building up to the Enclave calamity 1292 00:53:14,710 --> 00:53:18,789 suggested urgently as he shrugged on his 1293 00:53:16,329 --> 00:53:20,369 battle saddle his voice almost back to 1294 00:53:18,789 --> 00:53:22,539 normal 1295 00:53:20,369 --> 00:53:23,769 velvet remedy looked fretfully back at 1296 00:53:22,539 --> 00:53:27,489 the empty elevator shaft 1297 00:53:23,769 --> 00:53:32,949 I I wish I had some way to help her she 1298 00:53:27,489 --> 00:53:37,059 said softly what help the crazy alicorn 1299 00:53:32,949 --> 00:53:41,019 what fool velvet remedy gave calamity a 1300 00:53:37,059 --> 00:53:42,460 stern look she's obviously suffering can 1301 00:53:41,019 --> 00:53:44,139 you imagine having someone in your head 1302 00:53:42,460 --> 00:53:46,929 as a constant companion for lifetimes 1303 00:53:44,139 --> 00:53:52,210 and then suddenly losing her I saw her 1304 00:53:46,929 --> 00:53:57,159 cutie marks marks Clem he asked as in 1305 00:53:52,210 --> 00:53:58,630 plural velvet nodded one of them was 1306 00:53:57,159 --> 00:54:01,059 from one of the ponies whose videos the 1307 00:53:58,630 --> 00:54:03,400 goddess showed us I believe that Alcorn 1308 00:54:01,059 --> 00:54:07,179 was one of the first she had the goddess 1309 00:54:03,400 --> 00:54:10,990 in her mind for centuries Velva looked 1310 00:54:07,179 --> 00:54:13,809 back to the elevator again then to come 1311 00:54:10,989 --> 00:54:16,059 here and suddenly lose that I'm not 1312 00:54:13,809 --> 00:54:18,340 surprised she was traumatized I'm 1313 00:54:16,059 --> 00:54:22,250 surprised more aren't 1314 00:54:18,340 --> 00:54:24,200 Calamity raised his eyebrows so the pink 1315 00:54:22,250 --> 00:54:26,840 cloud is making alicorns insane huh 1316 00:54:24,199 --> 00:54:30,099 that settles it we need to get to the 1317 00:54:26,840 --> 00:54:32,480 castle what 1318 00:54:30,099 --> 00:54:35,960 yeah I'll explain it all later let's 1319 00:54:32,480 --> 00:54:38,809 just get out of here within minutes who 1320 00:54:35,960 --> 00:54:40,519 were galloping through the lobby panting 1321 00:54:38,809 --> 00:54:41,389 I stopped and look out at the wall of 1322 00:54:40,519 --> 00:54:44,570 pink cloud 1323 00:54:41,389 --> 00:54:46,639 it wasn't lethally thick yet not like 1324 00:54:44,570 --> 00:54:48,050 the places where it pooled but it was 1325 00:54:46,639 --> 00:54:52,250 bad enough to filter out most of the 1326 00:54:48,050 --> 00:54:56,420 light it was passed on and yet it looked 1327 00:54:52,250 --> 00:54:58,519 like it was past dusk was there anything 1328 00:54:56,420 --> 00:55:00,019 he could have said maybe I wondered 1329 00:54:58,519 --> 00:55:02,480 seeing how distraught velvet was 1330 00:55:00,019 --> 00:55:04,639 beginning to look higher light was 1331 00:55:02,480 --> 00:55:06,860 nowhere in sight which was a good thing 1332 00:55:04,639 --> 00:55:10,219 realistically but it had to be feeding 1333 00:55:06,860 --> 00:55:12,079 her distress the pretty unicorn mare 1334 00:55:10,219 --> 00:55:15,619 shook her head her white mane its 1335 00:55:12,079 --> 00:55:17,719 colored stripes whipping about no little 1336 00:55:15,619 --> 00:55:20,029 pip the only way to help the poor thing 1337 00:55:17,719 --> 00:55:23,629 now is with years of therapy she said 1338 00:55:20,030 --> 00:55:25,010 looking at me sadly you can't heal true 1339 00:55:23,630 --> 00:55:27,019 psychological trauma with a super 1340 00:55:25,010 --> 00:55:28,340 restoration potion or the quick 1341 00:55:27,019 --> 00:55:32,539 conversation of pretty words in 1342 00:55:28,340 --> 00:55:34,880 psychobabble I was right calamity 1343 00:55:32,539 --> 00:55:38,239 announced I hate to say I told you so 1344 00:55:34,880 --> 00:55:40,480 but uh nah after that singin bit I'm 1345 00:55:38,239 --> 00:55:42,409 downright happy to say I told you so he 1346 00:55:40,480 --> 00:55:43,969 landed at the front doors of the 1347 00:55:42,409 --> 00:55:48,449 ministry of arcane sciences and stared 1348 00:55:43,969 --> 00:55:51,538 us so I told you so 1349 00:55:48,449 --> 00:55:55,318 tailed us what velvet asked politely as 1350 00:55:51,539 --> 00:55:57,869 he trotted up to him what singing steel 1351 00:55:55,318 --> 00:56:01,969 has questioned I found myself snickering 1352 00:55:57,869 --> 00:56:05,210 again clamming niggard rolling his eyes 1353 00:56:01,969 --> 00:56:06,389 the Zebras mega spell is still going 1354 00:56:05,210 --> 00:56:12,230 sorta 1355 00:56:06,389 --> 00:56:15,789 I stopped snickering where is it 1356 00:56:12,230 --> 00:56:18,559 what do you mean sort of velvet question 1357 00:56:15,789 --> 00:56:23,269 we should leave this building steels 1358 00:56:18,559 --> 00:56:26,809 remind to us Clemmy nodded to him rat I 1359 00:56:23,269 --> 00:56:29,239 tell you when we get next door it was 1360 00:56:26,809 --> 00:56:30,980 morning we lost a good chunk of a day 1361 00:56:29,239 --> 00:56:32,179 and the pink cloud was going to be thick 1362 00:56:30,980 --> 00:56:34,880 enough that we wanted to take the rest 1363 00:56:32,179 --> 00:56:36,769 of the journey in small bites next door 1364 00:56:34,880 --> 00:56:39,289 to the Ministry of Technology then 1365 00:56:36,769 --> 00:56:41,230 across the Ministry of image finally 1366 00:56:39,289 --> 00:56:43,279 from there to the Ministry of Awesome 1367 00:56:41,230 --> 00:56:44,510 hopefully the rest of the Ministry 1368 00:56:43,280 --> 00:56:47,540 buildings way more like the Ministry of 1369 00:56:44,510 --> 00:56:50,960 peace than this one we open the door and 1370 00:56:47,539 --> 00:56:52,639 charge through the pink cloud the 1371 00:56:50,960 --> 00:56:54,889 distance we cross was less than a city 1372 00:56:52,639 --> 00:56:59,269 block I was sure we could easily make 1373 00:56:54,889 --> 00:57:01,639 with no distractions look over there 1374 00:56:59,269 --> 00:57:03,550 velvet shouted pointing to one of the 1375 00:57:01,639 --> 00:57:05,719 garbage bins alongside the building 1376 00:57:03,550 --> 00:57:08,720 there was a smear art that looked like a 1377 00:57:05,719 --> 00:57:11,659 flame I groaned inwardly rolling my eyes 1378 00:57:08,719 --> 00:57:13,099 and trotted over to it calamity was 1379 00:57:11,659 --> 00:57:16,699 faster and had already opened it by the 1380 00:57:13,099 --> 00:57:19,039 time I got there inside were our weapons 1381 00:57:16,699 --> 00:57:23,509 and gear Pilate had stashed them in a 1382 00:57:19,039 --> 00:57:25,159 bin and marked it with bird 1383 00:57:23,510 --> 00:57:27,260 not wanting to risk leaving anything 1384 00:57:25,159 --> 00:57:28,670 behind I've floated the contents of the 1385 00:57:27,260 --> 00:57:32,600 garbage bin out and carried it with us 1386 00:57:28,670 --> 00:57:34,369 refuse and all the alicorns were upon us 1387 00:57:32,599 --> 00:57:37,608 their shields up before it made it 1388 00:57:34,369 --> 00:57:39,559 halfway steelo's turned and opened fire 1389 00:57:37,608 --> 00:57:41,179 but Spitfires Thunder was somewhere in a 1390 00:57:39,559 --> 00:57:43,130 massive rotten rubbish floating behind 1391 00:57:41,179 --> 00:57:46,250 me and none of the weapons we had at the 1392 00:57:43,130 --> 00:57:46,849 ready could penetrate those shields so 1393 00:57:46,250 --> 00:57:48,829 we ran 1394 00:57:46,849 --> 00:57:50,269 panting galloping for the doors of the 1395 00:57:48,829 --> 00:57:51,819 Ministry of Technology as fast as we 1396 00:57:50,269 --> 00:57:54,858 could 1397 00:57:51,820 --> 00:57:56,510 the doors were glass the entire front 1398 00:57:54,858 --> 00:57:58,730 facade of the ministry was glass a 1399 00:57:56,510 --> 00:57:59,740 matrix of clear panes that rose three 1400 00:57:58,730 --> 00:58:01,880 storeys high 1401 00:57:59,739 --> 00:58:05,299 the rest of the building had an elegant 1402 00:58:01,880 --> 00:58:08,030 simplicity stately functional with an 1403 00:58:05,300 --> 00:58:08,720 almost masculine grace the king on the 1404 00:58:08,030 --> 00:58:11,650 chess board 1405 00:58:08,719 --> 00:58:13,789 I hope the glass was enforced somehow 1406 00:58:11,650 --> 00:58:17,660 otherwise the alicorns would just plow 1407 00:58:13,789 --> 00:58:18,980 right through it the steps up to the 1408 00:58:17,659 --> 00:58:22,099 Ministry building were piled with the 1409 00:58:18,980 --> 00:58:23,719 skeletons of long dead Boney's erased by 1410 00:58:22,099 --> 00:58:25,670 a unicorn stallion whose hopes had sunk 1411 00:58:23,719 --> 00:58:27,409 into the concrete steps and jumped the 1412 00:58:25,670 --> 00:58:28,460 body the younger Mary's bones had taken 1413 00:58:27,409 --> 00:58:30,139 on the pattern of the dress she'd been 1414 00:58:28,460 --> 00:58:33,740 wearing on the day of the pink cloud 1415 00:58:30,139 --> 00:58:35,179 I noticed the jumble of skeletons 1416 00:58:33,739 --> 00:58:37,459 blanketing the marble floor inside the 1417 00:58:35,179 --> 00:58:38,629 ministry's grand foyer as well but I 1418 00:58:37,460 --> 00:58:40,039 didn't think anything of it until I 1419 00:58:38,630 --> 00:58:41,780 telekinetically pulled open the glass 1420 00:58:40,039 --> 00:58:45,139 doors and charged into a flood of static 1421 00:58:41,780 --> 00:58:47,690 I screamed as fresh but familiar agony 1422 00:58:45,139 --> 00:58:49,879 skewered my brain I stumbled and turned 1423 00:58:47,690 --> 00:58:51,260 towards the exit only to see my friends 1424 00:58:49,880 --> 00:58:53,809 racing to the room and all but steel 1425 00:58:51,260 --> 00:58:56,300 homes get slammed to the floor outside 1426 00:58:53,809 --> 00:58:58,219 the gala gorn's landed closing the doors 1427 00:58:56,300 --> 00:59:02,830 and stood there holding them close with 1428 00:58:58,219 --> 00:59:05,169 their shields we even herded into a trap 1429 00:59:02,829 --> 00:59:06,460 I looked around dropping the garbage I 1430 00:59:05,170 --> 00:59:08,019 was carrying on to the skeletons of 1431 00:59:06,460 --> 00:59:10,659 several dead ponies as I frantically 1432 00:59:08,019 --> 00:59:12,519 searched I almost immediately spotted 1433 00:59:10,659 --> 00:59:15,480 three and before I could focus enough to 1434 00:59:12,519 --> 00:59:19,239 pull up a weapon I'd spotted two more 1435 00:59:15,480 --> 00:59:21,219 there there are dozens Velva remedy 1436 00:59:19,239 --> 00:59:24,309 squealed clutching her head blood 1437 00:59:21,219 --> 00:59:26,289 running out of her eyes and ears lashing 1438 00:59:24,309 --> 00:59:28,000 out with my magic I tried to wrap up all 1439 00:59:26,289 --> 00:59:29,559 the skeletons intending to toss the 1440 00:59:28,000 --> 00:59:32,619 whole contents of the room up onto one 1441 00:59:29,559 --> 00:59:34,299 of the mezzanine above excruciating 1442 00:59:32,619 --> 00:59:38,589 torture rip through my horn blackening 1443 00:59:34,300 --> 00:59:41,590 my vision somewhere I heard a voice 1444 00:59:38,590 --> 00:59:46,019 shouting shut him down then for the 1445 00:59:41,590 --> 00:59:46,019 second time in half a day I passed out 1446 00:59:47,650 --> 00:59:54,220 I was locked into what seemed like the 1447 00:59:49,480 --> 00:59:55,869 longest most boring memory ever my host 1448 00:59:54,219 --> 00:59:58,539 was skimming over sheets of paperwork 1449 00:59:55,869 --> 01:00:00,699 non-disclosure contracts agreements to 1450 00:59:58,539 --> 01:00:03,329 drug in loyalty testing acceptance of 1451 01:00:00,699 --> 01:00:06,519 possible mandatory relocation and so on 1452 01:00:03,329 --> 01:00:08,139 each sheet bore a large emblem a star 1453 01:00:06,519 --> 01:00:10,690 ringed by smaller ones and circumscribed 1454 01:00:08,139 --> 01:00:12,039 by a horn and wings each had the header 1455 01:00:10,690 --> 01:00:15,519 of an official ministry of arcane 1456 01:00:12,039 --> 01:00:17,289 technology's document my host was either 1457 01:00:15,519 --> 01:00:20,829 a speed reader or she wasn't really 1458 01:00:17,289 --> 01:00:22,900 reading that closely occasionally she 1459 01:00:20,829 --> 01:00:24,639 would look up glancing sheepishly at the 1460 01:00:22,900 --> 01:00:28,269 board mayor sitting behind her desk or 1461 01:00:24,639 --> 01:00:30,579 watching the door behind the desk the 1462 01:00:28,269 --> 01:00:32,199 first time she did so I realized I knew 1463 01:00:30,579 --> 01:00:35,409 where we were by the fanciful design of 1464 01:00:32,199 --> 01:00:39,849 the door and the ornate lighting this 1465 01:00:35,409 --> 01:00:41,259 was tenpony tower my host never looked 1466 01:00:39,849 --> 01:00:44,139 up long though before returning to the 1467 01:00:41,260 --> 01:00:46,270 clipboard filled with paperwork Abra so 1468 01:00:44,139 --> 01:00:51,129 often she would levitate a quill dipping 1469 01:00:46,269 --> 01:00:53,289 it in ink and sign her name Trixie we 1470 01:00:51,130 --> 01:00:54,970 looked up Trixie and I when the door 1471 01:00:53,289 --> 01:00:58,719 opened in a smiling Twilight Sparkle's 1472 01:00:54,969 --> 01:01:00,358 stepped out Trixie I'm very happy you 1473 01:00:58,719 --> 01:01:03,838 could make it 1474 01:01:00,358 --> 01:01:07,199 I I wouldn't miss this opportunity for 1475 01:01:03,838 --> 01:01:08,578 the world we quickly signed the last 1476 01:01:07,199 --> 01:01:10,919 page and floated the clipboard to the 1477 01:01:08,579 --> 01:01:12,089 mayor at the desk who was now sitting at 1478 01:01:10,920 --> 01:01:13,858 the sort of alert attention that only 1479 01:01:12,088 --> 01:01:17,338 comes from ponies who were slacking just 1480 01:01:13,858 --> 01:01:20,449 before their boss walked in please come 1481 01:01:17,338 --> 01:01:23,940 on in Twilight said standing aside 1482 01:01:20,449 --> 01:01:27,449 slowly almost humbly Trixie stepped 1483 01:01:23,940 --> 01:01:30,150 through the doorway inside was a nice 1484 01:01:27,449 --> 01:01:31,949 office not ostentatious in the slightest 1485 01:01:30,150 --> 01:01:33,778 mostly filled with shelves holding books 1486 01:01:31,949 --> 01:01:36,778 and various knickknacks of magical or 1487 01:01:33,778 --> 01:01:39,449 personal importance as Trixie's eyes 1488 01:01:36,778 --> 01:01:41,219 wandered over the room I spotted the jar 1489 01:01:39,449 --> 01:01:42,778 with several delicate purple spotted 1490 01:01:41,219 --> 01:01:47,659 lavender shards floating and preserving 1491 01:01:42,778 --> 01:01:47,659 liquid the jar was labeled spikes egg 1492 01:01:48,018 --> 01:01:52,108 Twilight Sparkle walked in behind us 1493 01:01:50,099 --> 01:01:54,900 closing the door and moving around to 1494 01:01:52,108 --> 01:01:56,608 sit at her desk she looked over the desk 1495 01:01:54,900 --> 01:01:58,528 with a slight frowned and apparently 1496 01:01:56,608 --> 01:02:00,088 deciding it seemed too formal walked 1497 01:01:58,528 --> 01:02:03,869 back around the desk and sat on a floor 1498 01:02:00,088 --> 01:02:08,068 cushion offering another trick see miss 1499 01:02:03,869 --> 01:02:10,769 Sparkle Trixie began I could feel her 1500 01:02:08,068 --> 01:02:15,150 nervousness oh please come on call me 1501 01:02:10,768 --> 01:02:19,139 Twilight she beamed so tell me been 1502 01:02:15,150 --> 01:02:21,059 working on a new tricks lately I felt my 1503 01:02:19,139 --> 01:02:23,998 hosts stammer for a moment then draw 1504 01:02:21,059 --> 01:02:27,150 herself up breathing deeply with a 1505 01:02:23,998 --> 01:02:29,248 prideful voice she boasted why yes in 1506 01:02:27,150 --> 01:02:33,019 fact just the other day I invented an 1507 01:02:29,248 --> 01:02:37,858 invisibility spell would you like to see 1508 01:02:33,018 --> 01:02:41,548 Twilight Sparkle blinked you invented an 1509 01:02:37,858 --> 01:02:42,929 invisibility spell indeed have you ever 1510 01:02:41,548 --> 01:02:46,018 known another unicorn who could do this 1511 01:02:42,929 --> 01:02:47,328 I felt the surge of magic as my host 1512 01:02:46,018 --> 01:02:50,419 cast her spell 1513 01:02:47,329 --> 01:02:55,519 Twilight Sparkle gasped 1514 01:02:50,420 --> 01:02:58,380 you Trixie you're actually invisible 1515 01:02:55,519 --> 01:03:00,150 twice doubt prodding us with a hoof 1516 01:02:58,380 --> 01:03:04,349 making sure we were actually still there 1517 01:03:00,150 --> 01:03:08,960 and hadn't teleported away that's that's 1518 01:03:04,349 --> 01:03:12,569 amazing I felt a spell em then collapse 1519 01:03:08,960 --> 01:03:17,639 it clearly wasn't long-lasting still 1520 01:03:12,570 --> 01:03:20,539 Trixie sat up smiling broadly see am I 1521 01:03:17,639 --> 01:03:24,029 not still the great empower 'fl Trixie 1522 01:03:20,539 --> 01:03:25,949 Twilight gazed at her as seconds ticked 1523 01:03:24,030 --> 01:03:29,850 by I could feel sweat beat on my 1524 01:03:25,949 --> 01:03:35,609 forehead and you invent this spell all 1525 01:03:29,849 --> 01:03:41,130 by yourself why yes I all at once 1526 01:03:35,610 --> 01:03:42,860 Trixie seemed to deflate no she stared 1527 01:03:41,130 --> 01:03:46,710 at the floor scuffing with her hoof I 1528 01:03:42,860 --> 01:03:48,000 mean yes I created the spell but only 1529 01:03:46,710 --> 01:03:49,349 after I got a hold of one of those new 1530 01:03:48,000 --> 01:03:52,829 stealth bucks and figure out how to cast 1531 01:03:49,349 --> 01:03:56,429 the magic myself while its expression 1532 01:03:52,829 --> 01:04:01,319 softened thanks for being honest with me 1533 01:03:56,429 --> 01:04:06,149 Trixie Trixie nodded I'll see myself out 1534 01:04:01,320 --> 01:04:08,220 now no no Twilight said swiftly no it's 1535 01:04:06,150 --> 01:04:08,730 okay it's all right I'm still really 1536 01:04:08,219 --> 01:04:10,589 impressed 1537 01:04:08,730 --> 01:04:15,179 those stealth bucks were created by my 1538 01:04:10,590 --> 01:04:17,460 ministry Trixie winced and we reverse 1539 01:04:15,179 --> 01:04:18,779 engineered those from zebra magic but 1540 01:04:17,460 --> 01:04:21,179 none of my unicorns have been able to 1541 01:04:18,780 --> 01:04:22,440 recreate it in spell form I have a whole 1542 01:04:21,179 --> 01:04:24,119 division in Canterlot who has spent 1543 01:04:22,440 --> 01:04:26,200 years trying to do what you just did and 1544 01:04:24,119 --> 01:04:29,949 failing 1545 01:04:26,199 --> 01:04:32,049 trixie looked up again surprised I felt 1546 01:04:29,949 --> 01:04:35,199 a burning in your eyes she was holding 1547 01:04:32,050 --> 01:04:35,890 back tears what you've done it's 1548 01:04:35,199 --> 01:04:38,710 incredible 1549 01:04:35,889 --> 01:04:42,009 you should be proud and don't be nervous 1550 01:04:38,710 --> 01:04:45,309 you've already got the job Twilight 1551 01:04:42,010 --> 01:04:45,550 Sparkle smiled that is if you still want 1552 01:04:45,309 --> 01:04:47,980 it 1553 01:04:45,550 --> 01:04:51,070 I hope all that out there didn't put you 1554 01:04:47,980 --> 01:04:53,980 off oh no not at all 1555 01:04:51,070 --> 01:04:57,309 Trixie said hurriedly I really want to 1556 01:04:53,980 --> 01:05:01,030 work for the ministry your ministry then 1557 01:04:57,309 --> 01:05:07,170 in a softer voice and I need this job 1558 01:05:01,030 --> 01:05:14,700 oh dear Twilight's eyes widened Trixie 1559 01:05:07,170 --> 01:05:16,930 what happened well you know she sighed 1560 01:05:14,699 --> 01:05:20,589 things didn't go so well for me after 1561 01:05:16,929 --> 01:05:21,969 Ponyville I lost my home where it spread 1562 01:05:20,590 --> 01:05:27,010 about how you defeated the Ursa Minor 1563 01:05:21,969 --> 01:05:29,439 and how I she shook her head I was a 1564 01:05:27,010 --> 01:05:32,350 laughingstock Oh me I was too proud and 1565 01:05:29,440 --> 01:05:35,050 blind to see it my show started bringing 1566 01:05:32,349 --> 01:05:37,869 jeers instead of cheers and then they 1567 01:05:35,050 --> 01:05:38,560 stopped to bring Andy Pony at all money 1568 01:05:37,869 --> 01:05:40,269 ran out 1569 01:05:38,559 --> 01:05:44,349 no pony would hire the Great and 1570 01:05:40,269 --> 01:05:46,199 Powerful Trixie I had to take unpleasant 1571 01:05:44,349 --> 01:05:48,929 jobs 1572 01:05:46,199 --> 01:05:51,179 Trixie look aside 1573 01:05:48,929 --> 01:05:53,460 things actually got better for me when 1574 01:05:51,179 --> 01:05:55,889 the war started Pony stopped caring 1575 01:05:53,460 --> 01:05:57,568 about my reputation it was long enough 1576 01:05:55,889 --> 01:06:03,379 ago and they had other things to hate at 1577 01:05:57,568 --> 01:06:05,579 this point no Trixie Trixie I never knew 1578 01:06:03,380 --> 01:06:09,749 Tracy looked into Twilight's concerned 1579 01:06:05,579 --> 01:06:12,048 expression then at the floor honestly 1580 01:06:09,748 --> 01:06:16,169 I'm surprised you would want me here 1581 01:06:12,048 --> 01:06:17,608 Twilight smiled well I remember you as a 1582 01:06:16,170 --> 01:06:19,159 skilled and talented unicorn with an 1583 01:06:17,608 --> 01:06:22,139 impressive repertoire of spells I'm 1584 01:06:19,159 --> 01:06:26,268 happy to have you with us I've got a new 1585 01:06:22,139 --> 01:06:29,730 project and I need volunteers she paused 1586 01:06:26,268 --> 01:06:32,358 there is one thing though you'll have to 1587 01:06:29,730 --> 01:06:36,990 allow us to record one of your memories 1588 01:06:32,358 --> 01:06:38,869 Trixie's eyes widened you you want to 1589 01:06:36,989 --> 01:06:42,328 see my memories 1590 01:06:38,869 --> 01:06:44,369 Twilight Sparkle shook her head no just 1591 01:06:42,329 --> 01:06:47,548 just one of them and the memory of this 1592 01:06:44,369 --> 01:06:52,079 meeting will do just fine Trixie looked 1593 01:06:47,548 --> 01:06:56,969 askance this one well that's not so bad 1594 01:06:52,079 --> 01:06:59,759 then but why this war Twilight Sparkle 1595 01:06:56,969 --> 01:07:02,368 explained will be won by the side with 1596 01:06:59,759 --> 01:07:04,849 superior magic we're working on a potion 1597 01:07:02,369 --> 01:07:08,940 that will transform a normal Pony into 1598 01:07:04,849 --> 01:07:10,720 she paused then spit it out into an 1599 01:07:08,940 --> 01:07:14,679 alicorn 1600 01:07:10,719 --> 01:07:17,589 Trixie gasped and no I'm not joking 1601 01:07:14,679 --> 01:07:20,829 we're ready to test it and I wanted to 1602 01:07:17,590 --> 01:07:23,170 ask you to be the first Twilight Sparkle 1603 01:07:20,829 --> 01:07:25,329 looked nervous she understood the 1604 01:07:23,170 --> 01:07:30,280 gravity what she was asking my host even 1605 01:07:25,329 --> 01:07:32,529 if Trixie really did not and an alicorn 1606 01:07:30,280 --> 01:07:37,599 you mean like Princess Celestia and 1607 01:07:32,530 --> 01:07:40,750 Princess Luna yes Twilight Stone was 1608 01:07:37,599 --> 01:07:42,010 very serious this is transformation 1609 01:07:40,750 --> 01:07:44,349 magic of the highest order 1610 01:07:42,010 --> 01:07:47,290 we need a memory of yours for comparison 1611 01:07:44,349 --> 01:07:48,640 before and after we don't think that 1612 01:07:47,289 --> 01:07:52,170 being changed into an alicorn will 1613 01:07:48,639 --> 01:07:54,848 affect your psyche but we can't be sure 1614 01:07:52,170 --> 01:07:58,210 with that she put a gentle hoof on 1615 01:07:54,849 --> 01:08:00,550 Trixie we've taken every precaution 1616 01:07:58,210 --> 01:08:01,960 I wouldn't ask anypony to do this if I 1617 01:08:00,550 --> 01:08:04,840 wasn't absolutely sure it would work and 1618 01:08:01,960 --> 01:08:09,220 that it wouldn't be safe but still I 1619 01:08:04,840 --> 01:08:11,650 know it's asking a lot too much this 1620 01:08:09,219 --> 01:08:13,259 potion would change who you are what you 1621 01:08:11,650 --> 01:08:17,350 are 1622 01:08:13,260 --> 01:08:19,750 Trixie Galt if you don't want to do this 1623 01:08:17,350 --> 01:08:23,770 you can back out at any time it's fine 1624 01:08:19,750 --> 01:08:25,000 by me Twilight Sparkle smiled and I 1625 01:08:23,770 --> 01:08:28,730 promise you'll still have a job within 1626 01:08:25,000 --> 01:08:31,149 the ministry I'll make sure of it 1627 01:08:28,729 --> 01:08:33,639 trixie was silent for a long time I 1628 01:08:31,149 --> 01:08:38,389 could feel a tremor passed through her 1629 01:08:33,640 --> 01:08:41,929 but then slowly and softly she said I'll 1630 01:08:38,390 --> 01:08:43,390 do it I don't mind being changed I'm not 1631 01:08:41,929 --> 01:08:48,469 the greatest fan of who I am anymore 1632 01:08:43,390 --> 01:08:49,969 haven't been for a long time maybe maybe 1633 01:08:48,469 --> 01:08:53,569 this way I'll actually be able to be who 1634 01:08:49,969 --> 01:08:56,838 I thought I was Twilight Sparkle's eyes 1635 01:08:53,569 --> 01:08:59,239 danced with joy then welcome to the 1636 01:08:56,838 --> 01:09:00,409 Ministry of arcane sciences Trixie if 1637 01:08:59,238 --> 01:09:02,198 you don't mind I'd like to get started 1638 01:09:00,409 --> 01:09:04,039 right away 1639 01:09:02,198 --> 01:09:07,729 Twilight Sparkle stood up abruptly 1640 01:09:04,039 --> 01:09:09,588 moving towards the door are you free for 1641 01:09:07,729 --> 01:09:11,750 the rest of the weekend I'd like you to 1642 01:09:09,588 --> 01:09:13,068 come out to maripony with me I've got a 1643 01:09:11,750 --> 01:09:16,909 couple ponies who I really want you to 1644 01:09:13,069 --> 01:09:18,380 meet she lit out a little squee oh I 1645 01:09:16,909 --> 01:09:22,909 can't wait to see their faces when you 1646 01:09:18,380 --> 01:09:26,630 turn invisible who tricks he asked as my 1647 01:09:22,909 --> 01:09:29,420 host got up trotty after her twilight 1648 01:09:26,630 --> 01:09:32,420 turned back with a smile gestalten 1649 01:09:29,420 --> 01:09:33,829 mosaic there my head researchers twins 1650 01:09:32,420 --> 01:09:36,739 and some of the most amazing spell 1651 01:09:33,829 --> 01:09:39,460 casters you'll ever meet with a sheepish 1652 01:09:36,738 --> 01:09:41,419 grin next to you and I of course I 1653 01:09:39,460 --> 01:09:43,219 normally leave them in charge of my 1654 01:09:41,420 --> 01:09:44,929 ministry hub in Canterlot but they're at 1655 01:09:43,219 --> 01:09:47,899 maripony now overseeing the final 1656 01:09:44,929 --> 01:09:49,009 preparations you'll like him they have a 1657 01:09:47,899 --> 01:09:52,849 cute way of finishing each other 1658 01:09:49,009 --> 01:09:54,948 sentences while I grinned anyone here 1659 01:09:52,850 --> 01:09:58,300 something really impressive I've seen 1660 01:09:54,948 --> 01:09:58,299 them finish each other spells too 1661 01:09:58,460 --> 01:10:03,289 finish each other's thoughts and each 1662 01:10:00,649 --> 01:10:06,199 other spells the foundations for 1663 01:10:03,289 --> 01:10:09,619 telepathy and spell sharing an epiphany 1664 01:10:06,199 --> 01:10:11,779 washed over me I suddenly understood why 1665 01:10:09,619 --> 01:10:14,359 there were three breeds of alicorn why 1666 01:10:11,779 --> 01:10:16,359 they had the abilities they did even why 1667 01:10:14,359 --> 01:10:18,529 all alicorns were female 1668 01:10:16,359 --> 01:10:20,779 dozens of ponies were absorbed into what 1669 01:10:18,529 --> 01:10:23,449 became the goddess but it was Trixie's 1670 01:10:20,779 --> 01:10:24,829 mind which became dominant the behavior 1671 01:10:23,449 --> 01:10:27,670 of my host wasn't much like that of the 1672 01:10:24,829 --> 01:10:30,319 goddess but there were shadows over here 1673 01:10:27,670 --> 01:10:33,190 the goddess was lurking in some distant 1674 01:10:30,319 --> 01:10:36,880 part of her psyche waiting to be tapped 1675 01:10:33,189 --> 01:10:38,989 but it wasn't just Trixie who held power 1676 01:10:36,880 --> 01:10:40,640 there were four ponies within the 1677 01:10:38,989 --> 01:10:42,199 amalgam that formed the goddess who were 1678 01:10:40,640 --> 01:10:45,650 powerful enough to exert influence over 1679 01:10:42,199 --> 01:10:48,889 the alicorn creation process Blue is 1680 01:10:45,649 --> 01:10:50,239 invisibility purple can teleport the 1681 01:10:48,890 --> 01:10:51,619 greens are telepathic and can work 1682 01:10:50,239 --> 01:10:56,409 together to create greater effects with 1683 01:10:51,619 --> 01:11:00,349 their shields for ponies all mares I 1684 01:10:56,409 --> 01:11:02,119 wondered if the goddess consumed me what 1685 01:11:00,350 --> 01:11:05,420 a new breed of alicorns begin with extra 1686 01:11:02,119 --> 01:11:08,930 powerful telekinetics would red eye only 1687 01:11:05,420 --> 01:11:10,190 be able to create alicorn stallions my 1688 01:11:08,930 --> 01:11:12,770 thoughts were interrupted as Trixie 1689 01:11:10,189 --> 01:11:17,619 stopped asking nervously 1690 01:11:12,770 --> 01:11:22,300 and they'll be impressed with me I 1691 01:11:17,619 --> 01:11:22,300 guarantee it Trixie they'll love you