Li'lpip awakens rather pain free. Wanting to simply stay put and keep her eyes closed to enjoy it. Once she finally opens them, she sees herself in a familiar looking place. A Stable medical ward. And she was surrounded by Canterlot Ghouls. Though these ones haven't devolved into zombies, they say they treated her and her friends, and that any enemy of the alicorns is a friend of theirs. The ghoul's speech cut off by a squeal of joy coming from Velvet nearby, Li'lpip racing to see what had happened, finding her reuniting with Pyrelight.
Reuniting with Calamity, the pegasus notices Li'lpip's pip-leg, commenting that as much as she denies it, he knows it hurts her, and that she should let it out. Not bottle it up. That after Canterlot they should head back to Tenpony and give her some time to talk to a therapist there. Li'lpip rather angrily rejecting the idea. Saying they didn't have time for anymore delay's. After this they go to Splendid Valley, and that was it.
Calamity shifts to a more general "Are you okay" Li'lpip replying she's simply tired, worn out. That she wants this whole mess ended so she can rest, but that she won't before then. Then turning his question back on him. Getting an answer that Arbu and Bucklyn Cross were still weighing on his mind. He still can't agree with the rest on just how evil cannibalism is. Only that killing other ponies was reason enough to wipe them out. And that he felt like a raider for what they did at the Steel Ranger outpost. Li'lpip trying to convince him they weren't, though finally admitting that maybe, just maybe they were acting like bandits, but NOT raiders. Then almost getting kicked out the shop they were in when the pony running it thought they were about to get a bit to touchy feelly. This was a small moment but I really liked how the two interacted here. You can tell they really care for each other.
We shift to a rather humorous scene of Calamity bartering with the pony for ammo. And while Calamity does some repairs to score a discount, Li'lpip talks to the owner of the shop, getting the history of Stable City. Most ponies in Canterlot tried to get into Stable 1 when the attack started, but the door had already been sealed by the ponies that made it in first. Most of them having gotten just enough exposure to the Pink to be turned. And when Stable 1 eventually opened, they simply moved in, saying Stable Tec had already killed the ponies inside. (I'll get to that later.) Also mentioning that while the Pink was bad above ground, underground it was almost alive, that you could hear it breathing. Calamity telling her they'd talk later.
Turns out the original Pink Cloud megaspell was made out of several gemstones. And was smuggled into a place near the Royal Treasury somehow. And apparently the treasury was guarded by a dragon. Who at some point before it failed, ate the megaspell, and was altered by it. Turning into a living factory for Pink Cloud. That was how it stay so thick, the dragon was constantly refreshing it every time it breathed. Putting a few things together, Li'lpip figures Celestia had arranged something with the dragon, letting it use the Royal treasury as it's horde, in exchange for it's eggs. Explaining why all the foals in the academy had baby dragons with them. Though why, is never answered. When asked how he learned this, Calamity explains he was listening to the Dog/God alicorn for hours, and had pieced it together from it's ramblings.
Steelhooves finds them, telling them to follow him as he walks off. While doing so, Li'lpip plays an audio message she had downloaded from a public terminal. And we get.... well if Velvet in the auditorium isn't the most talked about debated and YMMV part of this chapter, this is. It's a message from Scootaloo to the ponies in Stable 1. Blaming them for the war, for all the death caused by whatever final fate they are hiding from in the Stable. Saying she considered simply making sure that the Stables door wouldn't seal. But that she couldn't go that far. That the main purpose of the Stables was to save, not only ponies, but Zebra's and gryphons as well. To save lives that would otherwise be ended by their warmongering and petty greed. But that, the ponies in there did not deserve to be allowed back into Equestria. That the door to the Stable would not open, not until everypony that had entered it had died. Hoping that the Princesses were in there as well.
OH boy. LOT'S of controversy of this. First do I think it was wrong? Yes, Do I think it drives Scoots over the MEH, no. We know by now that the CMC, and Scoots more then the rest, blamed the Ministry mares and the Princesses for the war. And in that, I do believe she was wrong. She didn't understand the situation. That there was nothing the ponies could do that would end the war peacefully. While yes many of the ponies under the Mares may have been using the war for their own profits. Especially in the MWT. The ones in charge, were doing everything they could to end the war. So in that Scoots was wrong. It wasn't their fault. Could they maybe have done things different? Yes. Did Pinkie go to far? Oh hell yes. But in the end, they all did what they truly felt was best for Equestria.
That being said, most of the ponies this would punish, WERE the type that probably deserved it. Keep in mind, Scoots had the list of what ponies were accepted into the Stable. That this was Stable 1, the first one, and was dedicated to saving the "important" ponies. And that they sealed up early to save themselves and (had the Pink Cloud not been so pervasive) dooming the rest outside. And also, keep in mind, Applebloom died because the CMC choose to build the Stable that would house the Stable Tech ponies last. Yeah, she has reason to be biter at them. And like she said, she COULD have done far worse. She could have sabotaged the Stable, but she didn't. It would keep them alive. But prevent them from doing to the Equestria after the war, what they did before. And, you can tell Scoots is NOT thinking clearly here, that she was not doing this as a wholly rationale act. Since, anyone who stops to think, would know that there is no WAY the Stable could have held the Princesses trapped. Or even Twilight most likely. This was an emotional, and understandable move, made by a stressed, broken pony, nearing the DEH, not the MEH. It wasn't right. But neither was it the act of a monster.
Steelhooves leads the other two ponies out of the main area of Stable City. Li'lpip getting some deja vu as she realizes the balcony they were crossing was the same one she had stood on in a memory. They eventually reach an out of the way alcove, where an elderly ghoul was living. She had been fused to her wheelchair, unable to move anything except her head, and what she could levitate with her TK. Steelhooves drops off some items, telling her he's sorry that he couldn't get more, but even that was enough to make the old mare grateful. Li'lpip notices an odd, and quite different way Steelhooves was acting towards this mare. Even calling himself Applesnack. Eventually introducing her properly. As Twilight Sparkle's mother.
Between the two of them, they relate that she'd had been shunned and cast out by the ghouls of Stable City after the alicorns showed up. Blaming her daughter for them and taking it out on her. All the ponies agreeing it was unfair and baseless, simply them looking for somepony to blame. While it's clear she's not happy, she seems to be taking it in stride, or at least better then you'd think she would. A large potion of her room was dedicated to every piece of Twilight merchandise she could find. Posters, toys, and even on of the Ministry Mare statuettes. The scene makes Li'lpip think the ghoul is a bit unhinged and obsessed, something she reads on her face and explains wasn't the case. Relating how, after the incident where Twi got her cutie mark. Her and her husband had become scared of Twilight. They loved her, and were proud of her, but, they were still scared, and let the fear cause them to grow distant. Li'lpip realizing this wasn't her obsessing, it was her overcompensating for letting her daughter drift so far away from her.
..... wow... I forgot just how depressing that part was, it, just...... yeah, except for Silver Bell, Star Sparkle may be the most tragic pony in the story, and, knowing what happens in the end... it's even worse, especially with the next scene... damnit
Leaving her 'home' Steelhooves says they will be taking her with them. That she deserves better then this. Li'lpip fighting him, saying that they can't do it. That it would be far to dangerous for her to come with them when they leave. To which Steelhooves agrees, he didn't mean when they left to head to the next ministry, but when they left Canterlot altogether. Velvet trots up while they debate, giving Li'lpip a gift. I new set of armor. Canterlot Police Barding. (nice little item from the Dead Money DLC. Kind of sad we don't get the holorifle though.) Li'lpip being a bit uncertain about swapping out her old barding, feeling sentimental to it since Ditzy had made it for her. But agreeing that she should switch it out.
Continuing the debate, Li'lpip agrees they will take her out of Canterlot, but not right now. Not till after they deal with The Goddess. They didn't have time to make a side trip. Though she does tell them that she's sure she could get her into Tenpony Tower. Even with their rabid anti-ghoul feelings, he was sure that the ponies living in a Ministry of Magic building, would put it aside for the mother of the mare that built the place. And even if the common ponies didn't, The Twilight Society would.
Dammit Dammit, DAMMIT.. knowing what happens... G'AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
One the group was ready, the guard used his magic to turn off the broadcasters at the door. Li'lpip mentally kicking herself for never having thought of doing that. Of simply turning off the death speakers, instead of trying to destroy or throw them away. The group advancing to the door, looking out to and seeing no alicorns present. Knowing that it was likely a trap, but not sure how it would be sprung. Calamity asking Li'lpip what the plan was before the story cuts to the next orb
The Balloon Orb
Li'lpip is inside Pinkie again. This time as she rides a PTM high. Though noticing that something felt, wrong, off, not right. As Pinkie mutters to herself, it becomes clear this is right after the memory of Twilight calling her out at a party. And as a result, she's gone full on Pinkamina. Hearing various inanimate objects in the office talk to her. Making Li'lpip freak out, rightly so, at being in the mind of a pony undergoing a full mental breakdown. And able to hear all her delusions.
As Pinkie passes a mirror, Li'lpip gets a look at her, amazed at the difference in her looks. The mirror is a full sized one, with a ribbon and note from Rarity.
Dearest Pinkie, Thought this might help you find your way.
The thought of it making Pinkie even more upset, not admitting she was lost. She calls one of her staff, telling them to come pick up the mirror and take it to one of the fun farms. While bitching at her reflection about her 'friends' she touches the mirror, jumping back at a shock of cold at the touch. The refection of Pinkamina being replaced by normal Pinkie. Who talks right to the mare.
“Oh! Hey!” the Pinkie Pie in the mirror called out happily. “Hello, Pinkamina! Ooh, you don’t look so good. Which is bad because you’re me, and that means I don’t look so good!”
And Li'lpip remembers hearing about a spell Rarity had found in The Black Book that allowed her to cause a mirror to reflect not the image, but the soul, of anypony that touched it. Li'lpip getting confused by the two separate beings, wondering if this would be enough to drive her mad herself. Something that seems even more likely when Pinkie Pie addresses her directly, even relaying her thoughts to Pinkamina.
Okay, the first time I read through this, it was one of two points that nearly broke my suspension of disbelief. I could just barely accept this because, hey it's Pinkie, and she's high on PTM's. It COULD be possible, but, yeah was a very VERY large stretch. This time though, I think it works much better. Both knowing what's coming later, PLUS that fact that we know time travel exists in Equestria, and that it always results in a Stable Time Loop. Chalk one more up to the Pinkie level prescience of Kkat. I can accept that a PTM empowered Pinkie could have her Pinkie Sense know she was being watched, and know what they would say. She's not reacting to Li'lpip herself, but rather to her knowledge of what she would say. And the Stable Time Loop explains her lack of ability to change anything, and yet also set some things in motion.
The whole three way conversation, complete with comments from Pinkamina's potted plant and office supply peanut gallery is just surreal. And no real way to recap it without just copy pasting it. The highlights, were Li'lpip realizing that she was seeing the events that led to Pinkie realizing she had a problem and asking Twi for help to return to the old Pinkie.
Li'lpip tries desperately to warn Pinkie about the apocalypse, but mirror!Pinkie simply says she's not listening, that she can't tell secrets like that. Even though it means things will end horribly, responding with the cryptic, and yet, perfectly formed in hindsight words
“Everything will end in sunshine and rainbows!” she announced gleefully. I was struck by the strangest sense of déjà vu.
She pointed a hoof at me, or was it at Pinkamina. “As long as you’re willing to face the fire, that is.”
Finally realizing that Pinkie was right, Pinkamina asks how they could fix it. Being told that first they need to get well. To help themselves. Then record this memory for Li'lpip, and finally. Tear down the entire Ministry of Morale.
Thoughts- Present. I really loved Stable City, but, this time through, it, it just became very hard to go through knowing what's coming. Even worse was Twilight's mom. knowing what was coming soon, seeing the hope there, the pain she'd already been through... it's again, only Silver Bell is in the running for a more tragic character, and at least her tragedy gets a happy ending in the end....... I just, don't know how to word the feelings from this.....
Scoots, I already covered. And really, if it wasn't for her note, nopony would even have know there was an issue most likely. And keep in mind as well, it seems the ponies vastly underestimated just how long it would take for Equestria to be habitable again. They were assuming decades at most, not centuries. Short enough that it would be conceivable for a pony that entered Stable one to still be alive and going strong when it became safe to exit. And I do get what she was going for. These ponies had fucked up. Granted it wasn't as much their fault as Scoots thought, but I understand how she felt and why. And she wanted to be sure they couldn't do it again. Still not right, but not all out evil either.
Past- This is the big one, of the six orbs, this is the one I feel is the most powerful. As to what exactly it shows Li'lpip that helps her, that comes in a bit later. But it is probably the heaviest, most blatant foreshadowing, bordering on outright prophecy. And like I said, first go through, it was one of two things I really felt were off with the story, this time, it seems to just work so much better. (The second part is still to come.) And seeing Pinkie confronting herself, seeing her issues, and coming to terms with them. Seeing what she was doing wrong....
If a hug could heal pain, then laughter could heal fear. But the Ministries cast a big shadow. There were many, many ponies who needed to giggle.
This, pretty much, to me, sums up the entire issue. not perfectly, but, very well.
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