As the waves steady into calm waters, you decide to take a moment to talk to the unicorns, leading with an apology for not telling them about the Philosopher’s Stone sooner.
 
Justice: “No, you had the right of it. The fewer ponies know about this, the slimmer the chances of it reaching the ears of the Order. You… didn’t tell anyone else about it, right?”
 
You assure Justice that aside from the four of you, only Apple Basket and Smoke know about the Stone. You promise to answer the hundreds of questions she must have once you’re done here.
 
Rocket Rush: “Well hey, if we really are here to get rid of that thing once and for all, then that’s all I need to know!”
 
You admit that you’re not quite sure how you’ll do that just yet, but that is indeed your plan. After giving Moonflower a hug and some nuzzles, you ask her how she is holding up. She offers you a grateful smile.
 
Moonflower: “I’m okay! Sometimes I forget that my trial isn’t jus’ about me bein’ the Chosen One. It’s about what we can do together! That’s why the Oracle wanted you to come with me.”
 
You agree, and speaking of which, you ask everypony if they’re ready to continue. They all nod in unison.
 
Rocket Rush: “No sense in turning back now!”
 
With the pull of a lever, the boat begins to sail forward. Then, as you enter the portal, a dense fog of blinding light fills your vision…
 
You wake up abruptly. Your eyes dart around in confusion.
 
Curtains dance in the morning breeze, shining a dim, wavering light into the room. From the top bunk of your bunk bed, you recognize the blue walls of your old bedroom, though you’ve never been here before.
 
You throw off the covers to find that you are not a stallion, but rather, a young filly, and that you have yet to earn your cutie mark. You push yourself up onto the bed, and climb the ladder down to the hardwood floor.
 
As you make your descent, you meet the teal eyes of another filly sitting on the bottom bunk. Her golden coat and auburn mane look familiar. You’ve never met her, but you already know each other.
 
Honourshine: “Blaze…? Oh, it is you! I’m so glad you’re here. Um, where are we?”
 
Though the answer forms in the back of your mind, the words do not come. You tell Honourshine that you don’t know.
 
Honourshine: “I can’t remember what happened yesterday. In fact, I… I can’t remember anything before now! Can you?”
 
You try, but there is nothing. You tell her that you can’t remember either. As far as you know, this is your very first memory.
 
Honourshine: “Hmm… a mystery is ahoof, I can feel it. Let’s figure this out together! Where should we begin?”
 
You take another look around the room. On one side of the bunk bed is an empty drawer, soon to be filled with all manners of toys and adventuring gear. On the other is a star-shaped clock on the wall, indicating five o’clock. Across the room, next to the foggy windows, is a closed wooden door.
 
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